10. CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
Just a couple more hours…just a couple more hours and A-Shift is off duty. Finally.
They went all day yesterday without a single peep coming from the alarms, not even for aid car which is extremely rare. However, when they were all deep in sleep around 4:00 the alarms started blaring. The firefighters of 19 bolted out of bed and rushed through town to help save a tiny house fire. It was not an easy drive with visibility being altered from the falling snow…but they of course made good time.
The older resident inside forgot to unplug a griddle after dinner and eventually a dish towel caught on fire. The fire was put out quickly and Theo Ruiz was the one to find the older man unconscious in the basement. When the man smelled the fire he went searching for his fire extinguisher and fell down the stairs. But, they got him out and kept the fire contained to the first floor.
After they finished clean up and headed back to the station, Maya called Montgomery into her office to discuss a few things. When they were done talking she called another fire fighter into her office to have a joint meeting.
“Hey Cap!” Theo says to his boss as he walks up to the door. “You wanted to see me?”
“Come on in Ruiz.” Maya says as she waves the firefighter into her office. “Good job on the call today.”
“Thanks Captain.” Theo says before tilting his head towards the window where they can see the snow coming down. “Gotta love the snow.”
Maya nods her head in agreement before dropping the pen she was holding on her desk. “So…I have something I wanted run by you.”
“Okay.” Theo says nervously as he looks at Maya and Travis…wondering what is going on.
“How would you like to permanently be assigned to Station 19?” Maya asks.
“Really?” Theo questions happily before turning to check with Travis. “Are you sure?”
“Full transparency, Captain Bishop asked my opinion.” Travis informs his old friend before placing his hand on his chest. “I gave her my blessing.”
“Travis.” Theo says getting choked up at the gesture.
“You have my full support.” Travis says as he holds out his hand to shake Theo’s. “Welcome to 19…officially.”
“Thanks.” Theo says as he shakes his hand before holding his hand to Maya. “Thank you Captain.”
“Welcome.” Maya says with a smile as she shakes his hand.
Theo still smiling points his hands at the two in front of him. “Does Vic know?”
“No.” Maya says with a shake of her head and a smirk. “We figured you could handle that one.”
“If you don’t need anything else, I’m gonna go make sure the hoses are all put away.” Theo says as he nods back towards the door behind him.
“Thank you Lieutenant Ruiz.” Maya tells her the man before heads out of the office. When he rounds the corner she looks over to her friend. “Are you okay?”
“I am…promise.” Travis reassures the fire captain. “He’s a good fit for 19.”
“We’re going to need him.” Maya says mostly herself as she starts to flip through the paper work at her desk.
When Travis hears this…his ears perk up immediately. “You know something.”
“I do not.” Maya says through a snort.
“Yes you do!” Travis exclaims as he points his finger at her.
Maya rolls her eyes and tries to shoo him away. “Travis, leave me alone.”
“Somebody’s leaving.” Travis says as he puts his hands on his hips, trying to figure out the mystery.
“Nobody is leaving.” Maya deadpans.
“Who is it?” Travis asks demanding the truth for the blonde. “Tell me it’s the probie...I haven’t gotten attached to him yet.”
“Montgomery.” Maya groans…wanting this to end quickly.
“That was a lie, I am attached…it’s those piercing blue eyes.” Travis rambles on before squinting his eyes at Maya. “Who is it?”
“Travis!” Maya yells, trying to get him to stop.
“What?” Travis laughs before hearing the buzzer go off by the door.
Travis and Maya look over to the door and see Carina walk in from the cold wearing her puffy olive green winter jacket. She walks in and stomps the snow off her feet before trying to shake off the snowflakes from her hair.
“Hey Carina!” Travis greets the woman.
“Hi!” Carina says with a big smile as she continues to swipe away snow from her hair. “It is really starting to come down out there.”
“Hey?!” Maya says surprised to see her wife. She had no idea that Carina was stopping by this morning. When the shock wears off she instantly wonders why she is alone. “Where’s--”
“Surprise!” Carina cheers as she unzips her coat to reveal a smiling Ginny in a front facing baby carrier.
“Oh my god.” Maya gushes under her breath as Carina grabs a hold of Ginny’s hands. “Stop it.”
Carina laughs at her wife’s reaction and bounces a little bit with Ginny in the carrier. “I love this thing.”
“I’m so happy to see you.” Maya says as she leans over to kiss her wife on the lips. “What are you doing here?”
“We missed you.” Carina explains simply.
Maya smiles but then gets confused again. “How did you know we were back?”
“I have spies everywhere.” Carina teases.
Maya thinks about it for a second before the light bulb goes off. “Warren?”
“Warren.” Carina laughs as she continues to bounce with Ginny. “We wanted to stop by on our way to the hospital.”
Maya lets out a snort and shakes her head. “You’ve sure been at the hospital a lot for somebody who is supposed to be on leave.”
“I am a department head Bambina…I can’t disappear completely.” Carina says through a tiny laugh as Ginny holds out her hands to Maya.
“Hi my baby!” Maya excitedly says as she unclips the straps from the carrier and takes Ginny into her arms before facing her wife again. “We can disappear to the beach.”
“Don’t tempt me Captain.” Carina says as she reaches over to rub Ginny’s back.
Travis in awe leans over to look at the baby. “Okay, you are a total ball of cuteness…..yes you are.”
“Ginny this is your Uncle Travis.” Maya says introducing the two.
“Hi Ginny.” Travis says as he hesitantly holds out his hands to see if Ginny will come to him. When she leans over to him, he takes her in his arm and continues to gush. “You have a very cute button nose.”
Carina sticks out her bottom lip at the overload of cuteness. “She loves you.”
“Of course she does.” Travis brags proudly before smiling at Ginny. “Let’s go make some people jealous.”
Carina watches Travis start to walk away with Ginny before turning back to Maya. “Did he just take our baby?”
“He did.” Maya says through a laugh before taking a moment to gaze lovingly at her beautiful wife before leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Hey Babe.”
“Hi.” Carina says back as she tilts her head.
“Can I buy you a coffee?” Maya asks as she takes Carina’s hand in hers.
Carina sucks in a quick breath through her teeth. “Did you make the coffee?”
“Shut up.” Maya laughs as they walk out of the office.
“Ummm…” Carina hums slowly, causing Maya to stop in her tracks. “Where’s…?
Maya instantly knows what Carina is asking and saves her the trouble. “Not here today.”
“Good.” Carina says bitterly.
“Come on Tiger.” Maya laughs as they walk towards the beanery behind Travis and Ginny.
To say that Carina does not like Robert Sullivan would be an understatement. She knew how Maya and the other firefighters stuck up for him after his drug abuse came out. When she found out that Sullivan betrayed her wife the old school Italian came out and Maya could have sworn she heard her wife muttering something about a hit in Italian.
In the kitchen Andy, Jack, Vic, Dean, and Ben are all taking a bit of a break before the end of shift. The early morning call has left everyone drowsy and the need for caffeine and sugar was greatly needed after taking care of their chores. When Travis walks in with Ginny in his arms the whole kitchen goes quiet before the whole room explodes in awes and coos.
Vic sees the girl first and claps her hands together. “Oh my god…oh my god!”
“What!?” Dean exclaims at the wonderful surprise.
“Guys, I’d like to introduce our newest recruit.” Travis says as he bounces the baby a little bit in his arm.
“Hi Ginny!” Andy says to the baby with a big smile before focusing on Maya and Carina as they arrive in the beanery. “You didn’t tell us they were coming.”
“I didn’t know.” Maya says before looking over to Ginny who is starting to get fussy in Travis’ arms. She steps over and holds out her hands to the baby. “Come here Babe.”
Travis hands the very willing baby off to Maya before letting out a sigh. “You guys…she is so cute.”
“She is.” Carina gushes before smiling at all the fire fighters in the room. “And she’s been so excited to meet all her aunts and uncles.”
“Look!” Jack exclaims as she slaps Miller on the chest before pointing to the baby. “She’s wearing the hoodie I bought her…the hood has ears.”
“Sorry Gibson, it doesn’t matter…I’m still her favorite.” Travis scoffs before nodding over to the fire captain. “Maya tell them.”
“Jesus.” Maya mutters before placing a kiss on Ginny’s cheek.
The firefighters continue to gush over Ginny when Ruiz and Willet come walking in from the barn where they were finishing up the hoses on the engine.
“Hey!” Theo says surprised before pointing at the baby. “The baby is here!”
“Cute kid.” Willet says with an awkward smile.
Carina looks the young fire fighter over and raises an eye brow. “Have we officially met?”
“Carter Willet is our new probationary firefighter.” Maya explains to her wife before doing a proper introduction between the two. “Willet, this is my wife Dr. Carina DeLuca.”
“It’s nice to meet you Dr. DeLuca.” Willet says politely.
Carina nods her head. “You too.”
“And this is Ginny.” Maya finishes as she bounces the baby in her arm.
Willet smiles and gives the baby a tiny wave. “Hi Ginny.”
“Okay.” Maya says as she rubs circles on Ginny’s back before addressing her team. “I want us to double check the barn for B-Shift and then we’re going to meet in the rec room before dismissal.”
The firefighters all nod their heads at the order before offering their final goodbyes to the guests.
“Yes Cap.” Vic says as he grins at Theo before following him out of the beanery.
“Got it.” Dean says with a clap of his hands.
Travis nods his head and points at the fire captain. “We’re on it.”
“Bye Carina!” Andy says to the doctor before following everybody out.
“Bye Ginny!” Travis calls right after.
“Bye Guys!” Carina calls after the firefighters before turning her attention back to her wife and baby.
“Should we go watch them from the balcony…we can look at the trucks from the top?” Maya asks Carina before looking to Ginny. “Yeah, what do you think Ginny? You wanna see the big red trucks?”
Ben in shock shakes his head. “Wow.”
“What?” Maya asks confused.
“You’re doing baby talk.” Ben says with a smirk.
Maya just rolls her eyes before smiling brightly at the baby. “I do that now...sometimes.”
“She does.” Carina says with a nod of her head. “It’s very cute.”
“I can see that.” Ben says with a tiny laugh before pointing towards the barn. “Why don’t you go get her a teddy bear out of the turnout room?”
Maya rolls her eyes and wipes the baby’s bangs away from her eyes. “She already has one.”
“Maya!” Carina exclaims at the outright lie before looking to Ben. “Ginny has four.”
“Well, there are four colors.” Maya defends before nodding towards the stairs to get to the balcony. “Let’s go.”
Ben watches the three walk away with a smile on his face. “Have fun.”
“We will Warren!” Maya calls back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maya had a lot of fun showing Ginny the fire trucks and explaining how everything works to the little girl. Carina was happy to just stand to the side and watch her wife happily talk away with the baby in her arms. Eventually though Carina and Ginny had to leave…much to the disappointment of the fire captain, but she knew she would be home later that day. After the two DeLuca girls headed out of the fire house Maya headed to the rec room for their final meeting. When she walks up she sees Andy standing outside nervously.They decided now would be a good time to tell the team about her pregnancy. Changes would have to be made to now protect Andy and the baby so the whole team needed to know. Andy lets out a long breath when she notices her friend walking up.
“Did they head out?” Andy asks as she continues to mess with her hands in front of her.
Maya nods her head. “Yea…they’re heading to Grey-Sloan.”
“Everything okay?” Andy asks concerned.
“Carina has been called in on a consult.” Maya explains to her friend.
“Ahh…right.” Andy says with a nervous laugh before placing her hands on her stomach.
“You ready?” Maya asks her friend.
Andy just chuckles and shrugs her shoulders. “This should be interesting.”
“Come on.” Maya says with a chuckle of her own before she opens the door and follows Andy into the rec room.
The two women walk in to the rec room that is filled with A-Shift firefighters and chatter of plans for the next couple of days. As they walk in the chatter dies down and everybody starts to give their attention to the captain at the front of the room.
“Okay, we have a couple things to go over before we’re dismissed.” Maya says as she claps her hands before waving to Theo on the couch. “First…Lieutenant Ruiz is taking a permanent placement here on A-Shift.”
“What?!” Miller cheers before high fiving Theo excitedly. “Come on!”
Jack smiles and slaps him on the shoulder. “Congrats man.”
“Thanks Gibson.” Theo says genuinely before addressing the whole room. “I’m really excited to continue working with all of you.”
“Oh no.” Travis says as he points to Vic who has a love struck look on her face. “Look.”
“I can’t help it.” Vic gushes as she takes one more glance towards Theo. “I promise to get my happiness goo under control before next shift.”
Travis just shakes his head. “So much goo.”
“Anyways….” Miller sings trying to get off the topic of Vic and Theo. “Captain Bishop?
“Second….Herrera has something to say.” Maya says as she waves her hand to Andy for her to speak.
“Oh my god.” Travis mutters to himself with wide eyes. “It’s Andy.”
“What?” Andy asks confused at what Travis just mumbled.
“Nothing.” Maya says with a roll of her eyes before urging her to continue. “Go on.”
“Okay….I’m just gonna say it.” Andy says through a heated breath before holding out her hands and blurting out. “I’m pregnant.”
The whole room goes silent and you could cut the air with a butter knife. At first nobody knows what to say. Maya looks over to Andy who now looks like she wants to crawl in a deep dark hole. The room stays silent until Dean Miller breaks with noise.
“Is it Sullivan’s?” Dean asks quickly resulting in groans from the room.
Jack rolls his eyes and slaps him on the arm. “Nice Miller.”
“What is the matter with you?” Vic as asks as she squints her eyes at Dean for asking such a stupid question.
“What?” Miller asks innocently.
“Yes…Robert is the father.” Andy says before letting out a long sigh and putting her hands on her hips. “And that is all I want to say on that right now.”
“Of course.” Jack says with a nod of his head. “Congratulations Andy.”
“Wait…” Vic drawls hesitantly before waving her hand around. “Are you--uhhh---you know?”
Andy lets out a low laugh before nodding her head. “I’m happy….really happy.”
“Then…congratulations!” Ben cheers as he gets up to give her a hug.
“Bout time.” Dean says before pointing at Andy and Maya. “You all started catching up with me with the kiddos.”
“Congrats.” Travis says as he too goes over to hug Andy.
Andy smiles and squeezes her friend tighter. “Thanks Trav.”
“You are going to be amazing.” Travis says confidently as Vic comes over and wraps them both in a big hug.
“Really amazing.” Vic agrees.
Theo nods his head and comes over too. “The best.”
“Come on guys!” Travis exclaims as he waves the rest of the team over to Andy. “Let’s go…this is not a drill.”
“Group hug!” Vic yells as the rest of the team is pulled in a huge group hug resulting in lots of giggles and laughs.
Andy can’t help but feel a wave of calm and relief when she is in the tight embrace with her family. These people mean everything to her and she knows she won’t be able to do any of this without them.
“Okay…okay.” Andy laughs as she manages to get out of the hug. She takes a moment to soak in the support and smiles at all her family. “Thank you guys…it means a lot.”
“So what happens?” Vic asks the rest of the team. “We haven’t dealt with a pregnancy on shift before?”
Andy takes a breath and looks to Maya who give her a comforting nod. “I’m going to permanently ride on Aid Car for now and then later on…desk duty.”
“You...desk duty.” Dean snorts before muttering under his breath to Maya. “That’s gonna go over well.”
“I know.” Andy says through ha laugh before resting her hands again on her stomach. “It’ll be worth it.”
“Well, we are here for you.” Jack says as he crosses his arms across his chest. “Whatever you need.”
Andy nods her head appreciatively. “Thanks.”
“Can we celebrate?” Vic questions the expecting mother.
“I want to wait just a few more months but then…sure.” Andy says with a small house before waving at the people around her. “For now I just want to keep it in house.”
Maya nods her head and places her hand on Andy’s shoulder. “Of course.”
“Can we at least go get fries and beer…or juice?” Dean asks.
Andy laughs and points at the man. “That we can do.”
“On that note…get out of here. You’re all dismissed.” Maya says to her team, urging them to go out and enjoy their time off shift.
Miller claps his hands and calls back before leaving. “See ya Cap!”
“Bye Bishop!” Travis calls.
Andy watches everyone leave before turning to her best friend. “Are you coming with?”
Maya just shakes her head before tilting her head a bit. “I have some paperwork I need to complete.”
“Do you want me to bring you back some fries?” Andy asks as she moves her eyebrows up and down a few times jokingly.
“I’m good.” Maya laughs before waving her hand at Andy’s stomach. “You good?”
“I am.” Andy says with a nod before smiling at the captain. “Thanks.”
Maya smiles back before nodding her head towards the door. “Get out of here.”
“See ya later.” Andy says before she walks out of the rec room to head home.
“Eat lots of fries for me!” Maya yells after her friend before walking the other direction to get to her office.
When she arrives at her office she sees Dean walking out of the office.
“Hey Cap.” Dean says.
“Miller did you need me?” Maya asks wondering why he was in her office.
Dean just shakes his head and nods his back towards the office. “Your package jut arrived…I put it in your office.”
“Really?” Maya questions before smiling. “I didn’t think it would arrive this quickly.”
Dean nods his head before slipping his hands into his front jean pockets. “Ginny is super cute.”
“She is.” Maya agrees with a huge sense of pride.
“I’m happy for you Bishop.” Dean says as he smiles back at the woman. “Really happy.”
Maya smiles shyly. “Thank you Miller.”“It’s kinda cool that Ginny and Pru are so close in age.” Miller says with a shrug of his shoulders. “They’ll get to grow up together you know…like cousins.”
Maya hears this and her eyes immediately start to water and she can’t contain the whimper that leaves her lips. She hadn’t even thought of that until now and thinking about it makes her heart literally want to burst out of her chest.
“Oh no.” Dean says in a slight panic at the sudden tears. “You’re crying.”
“It happens a lot now.” Maya explains through streaming tears a she tries to wipes them away with her fingers. “These Italian girls…are destroying me.”
Dean awkwardly tilts his head to get a better look at her face. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Maya says with a smile through tears before wrapping her arms around Miller’s waist to give him a big hug. “Thanks Dean.”
Dean smiles and wraps his arms around her back. “Captain Softie.”
“Shut up.” Maya laughs as she pushes him away softly before wiping the final tears away from her eyes. “I’ll see you later.”
“You sure…you need a tissue?” Dean asks.
Maya shakes his head before motioning to the door. “Bye Miller.”
“See ya Cap.” Miller says back before walking away from his captain.
Maya watches him leave before walking in to her office where she sees a white box on her desk. The fire captain walks over and opens the box to reveal the thing she has been waiting for. She can’t help but smile and is even more excited to go home now. Maya bites her lip still smiling and walks over to her desk drawer where she has been keeping something else tucked away for a while now…waiting for the right opportunity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile over at Grey-Sloan, Carina walks out of the elevator with Ginny still in her front facing baby carrier. When the two arrived at the hospital they quickly went to Carina’s office to drop off their belongings and a quick diaper change. Once they were all set they headed down to the floor below where Dr. Grey and Dr. Wilson have been waiting for them.
When the two doctors notice them walking up the cuteness overload is too much resulting in loud giggles and big smiles.
“Hi Ginny!” Jo says excitedly to the little baby in the front face carrier.
“Hello Dr. Wilson….I am also here.” Carina jokes with playfully.
It is has been a little weird for Carina to have the sudden change in peoples interactions with her now. She has never been one to deny that people have been drawn to her beauty and accent her whole adult life. The hospital is filled with people who have become goo at her bright smile and sultry accent. But now when people see her, especially with Ginny…she is practically invisible and Carina wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Hello Dr. DeLuca.” Jo says to her mentor before going back to fuss over the baby. “You are so cute!”
Meredith smiles down at the baby before looking up at Carina. “Wilson is right.”
Carina laughs before leaning down to kiss Ginny on top of the head. “You will get no argument from me.”
“Thank you so much for coming.” Meredith tells her colleague, truly appreciating her coming all the way down here to offer her expertise.
“Of course.” Carina says before swaying a little bit with Ginny to keep her preoccupied in the baby carrier. “It’s good for us to get out of the house.”
Meredith nods her head knowing how that goes. “Getting tired of the baby talk?”
“No.” Carina says with a soft giggle before scrunching her nose. “But it does feel good to use this part of my brain again.”
“Are you ready to come back full time yet?” Wilson asks as the three women step into the closest empty exam room to use the x-ray light.
“Not yet…but probably soon.” Carina says before getting to the point of why she is here in the first place. “What do we got?”
Meredith nods her head and turns to Jo to explain. “Wilson?”
“Nicole Potter, age 32.” Jo says as she glances down at the chart in her hands. “She came in with abdominal discomfort and bloating. Nicole was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 28…she’s been in remission for 3 years. We detected some abnormalities during a routine pelvic examination”
“Damn it…that is young?” Carina mutters before continuing. “Previous Surgeries?”
Meredith nods her head. “University of Oregon Hospital was able to remove the tumor without removing her ovaries.”
“Interesting choice.” Carina says knowing that probably contributed to her cancer coming back.
“Yea.” Meredith agrees as she takes out the x-rays to put on the light. “And it looks like that was a mistake.”
“The cancer has metastasized.” Carina guesses.
Jo nods her head and points to the x-rays as Meredith turns on the light. “Take a look.”
“Look at the size of that tumor.” Carina says as she studies the film before pointing at the massive tumors on the scans. “Wow.”
“I know.” Meredith says before pointing to the other tube. “Also…here.”“She has tumors in both fallopian tubes.” Jo says to Carina as she continues to scroll through the chart. “We did the biopsy…both are cancerous.”
“Damn it.” Carina mutters before pointing up at the film. “Looks like she also has considerable scarring in the endometiruum…all that tissue will need to be removed.”
Meredith nods her head in total agreement. “She knows….she had twins about a year ago and wants a full hysterectomy.”
“That is our best course of action.” Carina says as she grabs Ginny’s hand before turning to ask Jo to elaborate on the next course of action. “Wilson what would that entail?”
“Removal of uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, adjacent lymph nodes, and the surrounding tissues.” Jo answers easily.
Carina smiles at her advanced resident. “Good.”
“For the record I taught her all that in General.” Meredith jokes, wanting credit for all the work she put into Jo Wilson.
Carina instantly laughs out loud. “I’m just making sure she remembers.”
“She...can hear both of you.” Jo deadpans with a roll of her eyes.
“Well, do you think you can assist Grey with the surgery?” Carina asks the woman.
This catches Jo off guard a little bit. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Carina says with a confident nod.
“I haven’t cut anything in so long.” Jo mutters to herself longingly.
“I know.” Carina laughs before placing her hand on her arm. “You can handle it…with Dr. Grey’s assistance of course.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Jo says to her mentor appreciatively before turning to the other doctor. “Meredith?”
“We’ll schedule it for tomorrow afternoon.” Meredith says.
“Great…I’m going to go study.” Jo says as she hands Meredith the chart before pointing at the baby. “Bye guys…Ginny stay awesome.”
Meredith rolls her eyes as Jo walks away before leaning down to the baby’s face. “We’ll explain Wilson to you when you’re older.”
“Sooner rather than later probably.” Carina says giggling. When Ginny hears the sound she looks up at Carina, causing a big smile from the woman. “Hi Mimma!”
“You two look like you’re doing well.” Meredith concludes after seeing the two interact.
“We are.” Carina says as she rests her cheek on top of Ginny’s head. “Really good actually.”
“So…seven months.” Meredith says as she tries to remember what baby milestones happen at that age. “How’s teething going?”
Carina nods her head and lets out a sigh. “We’ve had many, many tears.”
“What about crawling?” Meredith asks.
“She doesn’t seem interested in crawling around yet.” Carina says shaking her head before putting her hand out. “She hates the stupid tummy time.”
“So did Ellis.” Meredith laughs. “Absolutely hated it.”
“So…we shall see.” Carina says before turning back to the doctor. “How are you doing?”
Meredith takes a breath and smiles. “I finally feel truly back to my old self.”
“That’s great.” Carina says as she returns the smile.
“It is.” Meredith agrees before slipping her free hand in her white coat pocket. “Things have been pretty calm around here…I think we all deserve it.”
When Meredith says this Carina immediately whips her head towards the woman and squints her eyes. You never….ever…ever say the word calm in a hospital. Because once you say it a flush of emergencies come flooding in. It happens…every time.
“Did you really just say calm…in a hospital?” Carina admonishes.
Meredith sucks a heated breath through her teeth. “I regretted it the second I said it.”
“Well, we’ll know who to blame if things go south.” Carina jokes back as the two leave the exam room.
Meredith rolls her eyes and starts to mumble. “Yea, yea.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is now 4:45 and Maya is officially late. She told Carina she had a lot of paper work to catch up on from her leave but would be home by 4…that clearly didn’t happen. The captain was changed in her civilian clothes and intended on leaving an hour ago when a flood of emails came in from headquarters. So now she is late and is frantically trying to get out of there.
Maya rushes around trying to organize her desk and put files away in her bag that she needs to look at again tomorrow from home. When Maya takes one final look at her work email her phone goes off. When she picks up and sees her wife she rests the phone on her shoulder and keeps packing up.
“Hey!” Maya answers brightly into the phone.
“Bambina--”
Maya cuts her wife off, knowing what she is going to say. She promised she would be home by now but got caught up in work. “I’m coming, I’m coming….”
“Ginny and I sent out a search party an hour ago.” Carina sighs dramatically.
“I’m coming!” Maya laughs before putting a final file in her backpack. “Do you need me to pick up anything on my way home?”
“Nope, we are all set.” Carina says as she hands Ginny a small piece of pear. “I have parmesan chicken in the oven.”
Maya’s stomach immediately rumbles at the thought. “I love your parmesan chicken.”
“I know.” Carina says seductively before biting her bottom lip. “I’ve made it an attempt to entice you home.”
“Babe…I’m coming home now.” Maya groans in the phone as she zips her jacket up.
“Drive safe.” Carina says before running her hand over Ginny’s soft hair. “I guess I’ll see you when I see you.”
Maya rolls her eyes before chuckling in the phone yet again. “I’m hanging up on you now….I love you.”
“Ti amo anch'io amore mio.” Carina says before hanging up the phone. (I love you too my love.)
Maya still smiling sticks her phone in her back pocket before grabbing her black winter jacket. As she zips her coat up she doesn’t notice Chief Sullivan walking up to her office.
Sullivan knocks on the door frame before calling out. “Captain Bishop.”
“Chief?” Maya says surprised, not expecting to see her boss right now. “I didn’t realize you were still here.”
“I needed to get some work done.” Sullivan explains before continuing. “How did the rest of the shift go?”
“We only had the one call this morning….a small structure fire.” Maya informs her boss.
Sullivan nods his head. “Did you talk to Ruiz?”
“I did.” Maya says as she nervously glances down at her desk, trying to appear busy. “Thank you for helping me streamline his permanent placement here.”
“Of course.” Sullivan states.
“Well, I’m getting ready to go home.” Maya says to her boss, trying to mask how awkward she feels right now. “Did you need something from me sir?”
“No….I just…” Sullivan stutters out nervously before quickly handing Maya the light brown gift bag. “Uhh…here.”
Maya takes it and squints her eyes at Robert before pulling the toy out of the bag. “What is it?”
“It’s a musical hedgehog…thingie.” Sullivan says as he waves at the toy awkwardly. “It’s for the baby.”
“Thank you.” Maya says with a small smile before putting the toy back in the bag. “Though, there’s a good chance my wife won’t let this thing in the house if she knows it’s from you.”
“Right.” Sullivan says awkwardly before shrugging his shoulders. “You can tell her you found it on the side of the road.”
Maya chuckles slightly before looking up at the man. “Thank you Chief.”
“You’re welcome.” Sullivan says before turning around to leave. “Have a good night Bishop.”
“You too Chief.” Maya says before abruptly calling after her boss to get him to stop. “Chief!”
Sullivan immediately turns around and steps back into the office. “Yes.”
“Congratulations on the baby.” Maya says carefully.
“Thank you.” Sullivan says with a small smile before rubbing his hand over his bald head. “It’s uhh…a lot to process.”
Maya nods her head slowly. “Andy told me about the miscarriage…I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate that.” Sullivan says genuinely as he gets lost in his own head for a moment. “I just want Andy to be okay…that’s it.”
“We’ll look out for her.” Maya assures Robert.
“I know you all will….you’re her family.” Sullivan says.
Maya smiles before letting out a breath. “Just give her time.”
Sullivan nods his head a few times before slipping his hands into his front pockets. “I know it doesn’t mean anything….but I am sorry for my part…in everything.”
“It means something.” Maya says back.
“I don’t have any excuses…I’m just sorry.” Sullivan says remorsefully.
Maya looks the man over for a moment. “You’ve been through a lot.”
“It doesn’t feel like a good excuse.” Sullivan says as he clicks his tongue.
“Sir, you know the mistakes I made when I first became captain.” Maya starts to say as she thinks back at her own situation. “I could have done a lot of things differently.”
Sullivan shrugs his shoulders. “You found your way.”
“You will too.” Maya says firmly. “Just give everyone some time.”
“Thank you Captain Bishop.” Sullivan says sincerely appreciating the grace he’s getting from the woman in front of him.
“And I know that it probably doesn’t mean anything…” Maya drawls out with a sigh. “But I’m ready to follow your command again.”
Robert hears this and gets choked up. “It means everything.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
That night the family of three ate parmesan chicken and engaged in small talk about everything from tummy time to issues at work. They spent the evening in the living room playing with Ginny and her toys before getting ready for bed. Now Carina is dressed in a tank top and pajama pants as she sits on the bed looking over medical files. Maya had insisted on getting Ginny to bed which gave the doctor time to get a little work done.
She finishes looking at her second file when Maya comes walking into their bedroom.
“She is out…finally.” Maya says as she pulls her SFD hoodie over her head leaving her in just a blue tank top and short shorts, before stepping over to the bed. “I checked her mouth…that tooth popped up.
“Poor girl.” Carina sighs sadly.
Maya nods her head and grabs the lotion off the night stand for her hands. “The second she gets all her teeth we’re all going out for a steak dinner…all three of us.”
“Oh yea?” Carina laughs.
“And Ginny gets the biggest one.” Maya says rubbing her hands together before moving one to her sore neck.
Carina immediately sees this and gets concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Just sore from the shift.” Maya explains as she waves her wife off, not wanting her to worry.
“Come here…” Carina says as she moves her medical files off the bed to the floor before patting the spot on the bed. “I’ll give you a massage.”
Maya smiles and inches closer to the bed. “Really?”
“Of course.” Carina says with a raise of her eyebrow and a bite to her bottom lip. “I must fulfill my wifely duties.”
“Yes you must.” Maya teases as she crawls onto the bed and sits cross legged in front of her wife.
Carina moves Maya’s hair from around her neck and starts to gently massage. “Though my family still hasn’t gotten the chickens and goat they were promised for my hand.”
“Stop it.” Maya warns with a laugh.
Carina breaks out in laughter and places a kiss on her wife’s shoulder before going back to the massage. “I’m kidding…I’m kidding.”
“You begged me to marry you.” Maya chirps back as she looks back at the woman behind her.
“This is true.” Carina laughs.
Maya takes a moment and leans back into the woman she loves. “What should we do tomorrow….it’s supposed to be cold again.”
“Pillow pit day.” Carina says easily.
“Yes…with cookies and hot chocolate!” Maya happily agrees. ”And ice cream!”
Carina nods her head and moves her hands to Maya’s shoulder blades. “Do you want to watch something before bed?”
“Yes. But first….” Maya says with a soft smile as she gets off the bed and walks over to their closet.
Carina immediately misses her wife on the bed and looks at her curiously. “What are you doing?”
Maya doesn’t answer but grabs the white box from the closet and steps back over to the bed. Carina sees the box and can’t help it when her curiosity takes over. She saw her wife carrying the box into their house earlier that evening but got distracted by food in the oven and cries from the baby.
“What’s that?” Carina asks as Maya puts the white box on the bed before climbing back up.
Maya just continues to smile as she taps on the white box. “I got you something.”
“Really?” Carina murmurs surprised before placing her hand on her forehead. “Oh god, I’ve been so tired…I missed my birthday.”
“It’s not your birthday.” Maya snorts.
“Then why?” Carina asks still confused.
Maya smirks and shrugs her shoulders. “Do I need a reason to get a gift for my hot, sexy, Italian wife?”
“You do not Captain Bishop.” Carina teases back before reaching for the white box.
Maya stops her and reaches for the box herself. “Let me.”
Carina nods her head at her wife and watches as Maya opens the box and pulls out a navy blue t-shirt. The woman not expecting this looks at her a little stunned. “A t-shirt.”
“Not just any t-shirt.” Maya says excited as she shows Carina the front of the shirt to reveal the Seattle Fire Department logo in the corner.
“Your t-shirt.” Carina chirps.
“No…it’s your t-shirt.” Maya laughs before explaining further. “They give t-shirts with the settle fire emblem on them out all the time…you know…fundraisers, career day, parades…”
“It’s a very nice t-shirt.” Carina says…still not getting it.
“But this one has Station 19 written on the back.” Maya finishes as she shows Carina the back of the shirt to show Station 19 printed in big white block letters.
“Ahh.” Carina sighs before smiling fondly at the t-shirt that holds so much pride for her wife.
“I meant to give it to you a long time ago…but Covid and the hearing…it never seemed like the right time.” Maya explains as she hands the t-shirt over to her wife. “These shirts are only for Station 19 firefighters and their people.”
The breath gets caught in Carina’s lungs and she looks at the shirt for the first time in a completely new light. “Oh.”
“Being fire fighters it’s who we are…it’s in our blood. We give these shirts to the people that hold our hearts.” Maya says with her eyes still on the t-shirt in Carina’s hands. She then looks up at those beautiful brown eyes and tilts her head. “You only get one of these shirts when you belong to a Station 19 firefighter…when they belong to you.”
“Bambina.” Carina sighs to emotional to say anything else as her eyes start to glisten.
Maya nods her head and reaches back in to the box. “So...I also got this.”
Carina watches as Maya reaches back into the box and pulls out a tiny t-shirt identical to the other one. The fire captain had to order the baby shirt special and can’t help the pride that takes control of her face as she holds the little thing up for her wife to see.
“Oh my god.” Carina whimpers emotionally.
“I hope this shows that I am all the way in…concerning that little girl in the other room.” Maya explains as she looks down at the little t-shirt in her hands. “That I am bringing her into the Station 19 family...that I am claiming her as mine.” Maya finishes as she bites back her tears before looking to Carina for reassurance. “Is that okay?”
“It is more than okay.” Carina says, wiping a tear from her cheek before leaning over to give Maya a reassuring kiss on her the lips. “You know what that means…you’ll be her mommy.”
“Mommy.” Maya chuckles to herself before shrugging her shoulders. “Well…I’ve loved being a firefighter, I’ve loved being a wife…I’ll love being a mommy too.”
Carina wipes away more tears before leaning over to capture Maya’s lip in a deep desperate kiss. She knows her wife extremely well and knows that this means she’s in. it doesn’t mean that she won’t have doubts along the way…but she’s in….fully.
“I love you.” Carina sighs as she they pull away.
Maya nods her head and cups Carina’s cheek with her hand. “Words cannot express how much I love you.”
The engage in another long intimate kiss before they pull away, resting their foreheads together. They sit like that for a quick moment before going back to admire the little gift for Ginny.
“This is so cute.” Carina says before sticking out her bottom lip.
Maya nods her head and chuckles. “It is…it really is.”
“Do you still want to watch something before bed?” Carina teases as she raises her eyebrow before putting the t-shirt back in the white box.
Maya taking the hint grabs the box and drops it on the floor before hovering over her wife. “I do not.”
“Good.” Carina breathes as she lies back on the bed before her wife lands on top…immediately going for the brunette’s neck with her lips.
But before Maya can move from Carina’s neck to her mouth cries start coming from the baby monitor. They go still for a moment to determine if this is a quick cry or a desperate cry that will not end until she is picked up, probably from her new tooth. When they determine it is the latter Maya lets out a long breath before kissing her wife one final time.
“I’ll go.” Maya sighs as she gets up off her wife and off the bed. “We’re going to have to work on her timing.”
Carina laughs as she watches Maya walk out of their bedroom. The doctor only has to wait a minute for Maya to come walking back in with a tear stained Ginny in her arms. As they walk over Maya continues to rub her back gently while murmuring soft words in the baby’s ear.
“We’re back with fruit.” Maya explains as she walks back to the bed.
“Oh, stupid teeth.” Carina says before holding out her hands to take Ginny from her wife.
Carina settles the baby on her lap as Maya follows suit and sits across from them on the bed. She reaches over and tries to remove the drying tears no her little face.
“Hey Ginny!” Maya gushes with a bright smile before grabbing the baby t-shirt off the floor and holding it in front of the baby to see. “Look at this.”
“Mimma! You get your own t-shirt!” Carina says to the baby in her lap before trailing off. “Just like…”
Maya senses the delay with her wife and tilts her head at Ginny. “Just like Mommy.”
“Just like Mommy.” Carina says still smiling.
“And Mama.” Maya adds before holding her hands up in the air. “Everybody in this house gets a shirt.”
Carina nods her head and grabs Ginny’s hands to move around. “You get a boat! You get a boat!”“Was that supposed to be Oprah?” Maya questions with a giggle.
Carina sucks a breath through her teeth before raising an eyebrow. “Yes? Was it not good?”
“It was amazing.” Maya says laughing before Ginny reaches over to try and share her orange slice with her mommy sitting in front of her. Maya smiling immediately pretends to take a little bite. “Oh thank you.”
Carina watches this lovingly before resting her cheek on top of Ginny’s head. “One of us will have to go to the store tomorrow; we’re running out of fruit.”
Maya nods her head before waving down her wife. “I’ll just ask Montgomery to go for us…he’s head over heels for the Italian beauties in my life.”
“Do you think he’d pick us up some mozzarella sticks too?” Carina asks with a giggle, knowing this is absolutely true.
“Yes.” Maya says confidently before pointing back to the door. “Do you want them now? He’d have them here in twenty minutes.”
Ginny watches Maya wave her hand around and lets out a loud giggle with her eyes glued to the woman in front of her. Carina and Maya both break out in laughter and the tiny giggle and shake their heads at the goofy girl.
“Is Mommy funny?” Carina says still laughing before winking at her wife. “She’s pretty funny.”
Maya nods her head and tilts her head. “And super strong.”
“The strongest.” Carina agrees.
Maya then scrunches her nose. “And super cute.”
“The cutest.” Carina agrees before shaking her head at her wife’s antics.
“And sexy as--”
“Maya!” Carina exclaims through a laugh. “We get it…you’re amazing.”
Maya laughs and leans over to kiss Ginny on the forehead before landing a kiss on Carina’s lips. “See…you didn’t marry me for some goat and chickens.”