18. CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

Ladder 19 and Engine 19 drive back in to the barn with Aid Car 19 right on their tail after a pretty interesting call. They got called to the multi car wreck on the south side of town where a fire broke out because of the spilled gas all over the street. They had to evacuate 4 blocks just to make sure before they put out the fire on the street. The fire was so bad by the cars that 3 cars’ tires melted to the pavement.

The truck finally stops and the fire fighters tired from a grueling call all hop out including Captain Bishop. As Maya opens the door to hop out she can feel her phone vibrate and pulls it out to see her wife on the other line….she immediately smiles.

“Hey.” Maya says into the phone.

“Hello Captain Bishop.” Carina says with natural flirtation as she steps over to the counter by the sink in the kitchen. “Is this a bad time?”

Carina is back at their apartment in the kitchen cleaning up over their afternoon snack while sorting through some old mail while Ginny sits in the high chair with some crackers to keep her busy. The doctor is finally starting to feel like herself and is enjoying her last day with her daughter before going back to work on a limited basis.

“We just got back from a call.” Maya says before closing the door to the rig.

On the other line Carina is still flipping through the mail. “I just wanted to call and make sure that we were still on for tonight….for the adoption party at the station.”

“It is supposed to be a surprise party.” Maya hisses softly into the phone as she looks around to make sure nobody is listening. “You cannot tell them that you knew…Travis will lose it.”

“I know…I know.” Carina says as she shakes her head. “What time?”

“5ish.” Maya says as she slips off her boots before grabbing her tennis shoes. “I’ll text you if we get a call.”

“Sounds good.” Carina says before hearing Ginny start to fuss from her high chair. “Oh no….grumpy girl.”

“What’s going on?” Maya asks when she can hear Ginny crying on the other line. “Is she okay?”

“I made her a smoothie for a snack and all we had were pears, strawberries, and bananas.” Carina explains as she hands Ginny a few more crackers from the package.

Maya shakes her head knowing that was a mistake. “Uh-oh.”

“She spit it out immediately.” Carina grumbles.

“I can’t believe you tried to sneak a banana into our kid’s body.” Maya laughs.

“She keeps looking at me like I betrayed her.” Carina says as she runs her hand down Ginny’s head before going back sorting the mail. “I turned around and swore I heard her mutter Judas.”

“That’s one for the baby book.” Maya deadpans.

“I’m sorry Mimma.” Carina says as she gives her daughter goofy smile. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Maya smiles hearing her wife and daughter giggle on the other line until her attention is brought to Andy who is all of a sudden looking very green. But before she can ask if she is okay Andy puts her hand on her mouth and bolts out of the barn towards the nearest bathroom.

“Uhh…Carina I gotta go.” Maya says quickly.

“Is everything okay?” Carina asks concerned.

Maya looks towards the windows to see if she can see Andy before answering. “Andy just ran towards the bathroom in a panic.”

“She is still feeling nauseous.” Carina says as she slips right into doctor mode. “I will prescribe her something tomorrow after her appointment.”

Maya exhales a breath. “I’ll see you later.”

“Sounds good.” Carina says as her smile reaches her ears. “I love you.”

“You too.” Maya says softly.

The fire captain hangs up the phone and slips it in her back pocket before taking her coat off. She heads towards the exit and grabs a water bottle out of the mini fridge they have next to the door to give to her lieutenant after she is done. Maya quickly heads down the hallway and as she gets closer to one of their single bathrooms in the hallway she can hear Andy vomiting on the other end.

Maya knocks on the door before slowly walking into the bathroom. “Andy?”

“In here…dying.” Andy grumbles from the toilet.

Maya walks over and kneels down behind Andy. “Are you okay?”

“This baby hates the smell of literally everything.” Andy grumbles again before that awful feeling gurgle up her throat again. “Oh god.”

“I gotcha.” Maya says as she holds Andy’s ponytail out of the way as she throws up again in the toilet.

When Andy thinks she is finished she leans back away from the toilet and touches her mouth with the back of her hand. “You are a good friend.”

“I know.” Maya teases as she grabs a plastic water bottle out of her back pocket before handing it to Andy to drink. “Here.”

“Thanks.” Andy mutters softly before taking a swig and leaning back against the wall.

Maya scoots over to sit next to Andy. “Was it the smell of the fire?”

“I think it was the burning rubber from the tires.” Andy grumbles as she pulls her knees up to her stomach.

“You held it together out there though.” Maya says trying to look on the positive. “You and Montgomery were quick on Aid Car.”

Andy smiles appreciatively before letting out a long sigh. “I think we’re getting to that point.”

“Okay.” Maya says knowing what Andy is saying here. “We’ll figure it out.”

Andy bites her lip before leaning her head back. “I thought I had more time…damn it.”

“I have never been pregnant so I don’t know what you’re feeling…but you have the best instincts of anybody I have ever known.” Maya says as she nudges Andy’s leg with her own.

“If you think it’s time to go on modified duty then we’ll figure it out.”

“I keep picturing McCallister and what he’ll think.” Andy huffs out. “He makes me crazy.”

“Well that makes two of us.” Maya agrees before placing her hand on top of Andy’s knee. “But this is not about him…it is about you and the little baby you are carrying. It is about us and our house…with our family.”

Andy nods her head getting her confidence back. “You’re right.”

“I usually am.” Maya chirps back automatically.

Andy snorts. “God.”

“We can figure out assignments for you to do that doesn’t just included desk duty.” Maya reassures her lieutenant.

Andy tilts her head to the captain. “Like what?”

“Well I don’t know yet…but we’ll think of something.” Maya says with a slight laugh. “We always do.”

“You are a great captain.” Andy says as she bites back a couple emotional tears. “And a terrific best friend.”

Maya bites back her own before nodding her head over. “Ready?”

“Yes…I’m good.” Andy mumbles.

Maya hops up off the floor before holding out her hand to help Andy up. “Here.”

“I actually think that I’m hungry.” Andy says as she is helped up. “Yup…definitely hungry.”

“That was quick.” Maya retorts as Andy washes her hands.

Andy grabs a paper towel to dry her hands before walking towards the door. “Maybe I should make a meatloaf.”

“Maybe we should see if you can go 30 minutes without puking first before we start handling raw meat.” Maya suggests playfully.

“You’re right.” Andy says as she walks out of the bathroom.

Maya nods her head and follows close behind. “Again…I usually am.”

“God.” Andy mutters again as Maya grins widely behind her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later in the beanery the team is getting ready for the little adoption party they wanted to throw in Ginny’s honor. They have spent the last hour hanging up streamers and the probie was sent out to get the food for the party. Luckily, 19 haven’t been called out on a call yet so the decorating has been going fairly smoothly. When Maya walks in to see Jack, Travis, Vic, and Theo finish up the last touches she cannot hide the appreciation on her face. The sight of the streamers and the banner that they held outside the hospital room during Ginny’s adoption…it’s perfect.

“You guys!” Maya exclaims as she looks around the beanery that is now decorated to celebrate her little girl coming in to the fold. “All the streamers and the banner look great.”

“We had balloons…but Hughes kept popping them.” Travis says as he zeroes in on his best friend.

“I warned you about my track record with balloons.” Hughes pouts as Ruiz leans over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Ginny is going to love all the yellow.” Maya says as she smiles at the yellow streamers hanging up around the beanery. “Speaking of which…are you two still coming over tomorrow after shift to help me paint the nursery?”

Montgomery claps his hands before pointing to Bishop. “You got it.”

“Will there be beer?” Gibson asks.

Maya rolls her eyes. “Yes, there will be beer.”

“You got it.” Gibson says with a smirk

“What about you two?” Travis asks Vic and Theo over by the table.

“We are having lunch with Theo’s old buddies from 23.” Vic says before splattering a fake smile on her face for her boyfriend. “Am I smiling?”

Maya squints her yes at her friend. “Technically.”

“Come on…” Theo says as he wraps his arm around Vic’s waist. “Potter and Le Blanc are good guys.”

“Okay.” Vic sighs giving in before relaxing her smile. “I’m smiling.”

“Thank you.” Theo says.

Vic turns to a smiling Theo and cups his face. “You…are very sweet.”

Theo smiles and bites his bottom lip. “If I’m sweet than you are--”

“Oh my god.” Vic says appalled cutting him off.

“What?” Theo laughs.

Hughes just shakes her head. “You were going to say salty.”

“I wasn’t….I swear.” Theo says still laughing.

Hughes starts to laugh and reaches over to pinch his side. “I can’t believe you.”

“Hey! Stop!” Theo exclaims through a laugh before he reaches over to tickle Vic in the side getting a hug laugh in return.

“Yes.” Dean deadpans as he walks in to the beanery with Warren behind him. “Please stop.”

Ben wines at the sight of Hughes and Ruiz before checking in with his friend. “You alright Miller?”

“They are tickling in the beanery.” Miller murmurs back to Ben before forcing a smile. “Am I smiling?”

Warren nods his head. “It’s creepy.”

“It’s all I got.” Dean sighs before opening the fridge to get water as Carter Willet heads towards them.

“Alright, I got the sandwiches and the chips…I got all of it.” Willet says as he walks into the beanery with a pink box. “Everything is in the back of my truck.”

“Let’s move out 19.” Warren says as he motions for the group to head out to help get the provisions out of the truck for the party.

Travis claps his hands on Willet’s arm. “I knew there was a reason we kept the probie around.”

“Did you get extra pickles and that sriracha mayo I like?” Jack asks.

Willet rolls his eyes and takes out a lime green post-it note from his back pocket. “Yes, you wrote it on a post-it and put it on my forehead.”

“My method is effective.” Jack says with a smirk.

Willet rolls his eyes before going over to hand Maya the pink box in his hands. “I also got these.”

Maya takes the box and opens it to little white and orange triangles. “What are these?”

“Frozen mango yogurt bark…they sell them at the new bakery by the deli.” Willet says with a shrug of his shoulders. “I got them for Ginny.”

Maya’s mouth drops in surprise and she is caught speechless. “How did you know my daughter likes mango?”

“Hey, I do listen.” Carter says with a chuckle. “I’m just not as loud as you know…Gibson.”

Maya sticks out her bottom lip and looks to the probie. “Willet, this is really sweet.”

Carter smiles and nods his head. “It’s her party…she should get a treat.”

“Thanks.” Maya says with a sweet smile.

“I should go help them with the food.” Willet says as he heads out of the beanery, passing Andy on his way out.

Andy walks in and notices Maya staring off into space. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Maya replies back as she closes the box and puts it down on the table.

“You okay?” Andy asks.

“I’m just having a moment.” Maya says with a soft smile. “I have a lot of them now.”

Andy nods her head and places her hands on her hips. “We’ve come a long way Captain Bishop.”

“We sure have Lieutenant Herrera.” Maya laughs.

“My dad would have loved this.” Andy says as she looks around the beanery. “New life being brought into the house.”

Maya nods her head in agreement. “He would have.”

“My dad was so excited when Pru was born.” Andy says with a happy sigh. “He would have loved to see you with Ginny and me with this little….lemon.”

“Lemon?” Maya asks confused.

“That’s how big the baby is now.” Andy explains.

“Got it.” Maya says witch a chuckle before getting quiet once more. “I miss him.”

Andy sighs. “Me too.”

“We were so young.” Maya says as she thinks back to where they were three years ago. “I mean it wasn’t even that long ago…but we were so young.”

“Right!” Andy says in agreement. “It’s crazy.”

Maya shakes her head. “I feel like I’ve aged so much these last few years.”

“I think they call that growing up.” Andy says with a smirk.

Maya looks over to her best friend and realizes that she is right. “Yea.”

“I think my dad would be proud of us...he’d be proud of all of us.” Andy says as they can hear their team making their way up to the beanery.

“Mmmmm.” Maya hums as her emotions start to take over and her eyes start to water.

Andy tilts her head to Maya. “Are you crying?”

“You know I do this sometimes.” Maya defends as she feverously wipes the tears away.

“I do.” Andy says as she reaches for a napkin to hand to Maya. “Here.”

Maya takes it and wipes at her eyes. “Thanks.”

Andy places her hand around Maya’s shoulders and squeezes tightly as the firefighters come walking back in carrying all the food needed for the party. They decided that the best thing to do was get a bunch of sub sandwiches from the deli, some chips, and some salads.

“Here we go! We have the meats!” Dean yells out as he holds up the big box of sandwiches in the air.

Vic shakes her head and yells at Miller. “Stop it!”

“That is the 5th time you have yelled that out since we walked through the door.” Travis says just as annoyed as Vic.

Miller glares at Travis. “What do you have against James Earl Jones?”

“I can’t…I can’t.” Travis says as he walks ahead towards the island.

Theo leans over to Vic as he puts the bread down on the counter. “I think it’s cute.”

“You would.” Vic says as Theo leans over to kiss her again on the cheek.

“Kill me.” Dean mutters under his breath.

Vic thinking he hears something looks to Miller. “What was that?”

“I said…dill me!” Dean lies loudly before pointing to the food on the island. “I want some of those pickles.”

Andy looks at all of the food now on the island before placing her hand on her stomach. “Okay, just warn me before you start opening up various meats.”

“Lieutenant I picked you up a spinach wrap with breasted chicken for dinner.” Willet says as he takes out a white Styrofoam container out of the box. “I know that pregnant women can’t eat deli meats.”

Andy’s mouth drops open. “How did you know that?”

“Willet you are two for two.” Maya drawls impressed at the probie.

“You guys know that I’m here right?” Carter says as he waves his hands around. “Like the stuff you say out loud I can hear.”

“Huh.” Andy sighs playfully as she eyes him up and down. “I do now….thanks Willet.”

“No problem.” Carter says before turning around to head to the fridge where he is met by Miller, Gibson, and Montgomery.

“What are you doing?” Jack asks.

“What?” Carter asks confused.

Dean points to the guys. “You’re making us look bad.”

“How am I doing that?” Carter asks amused.

“With all this listening you’ve been doing.” Jack adds.

Willet rolls his eyes and reaches around them to get into the fridge. “Okay…got it.”

“What time is Carina going to be here with Ginny?” Vic asks.

Maya looks to her watch to see the time. “It could be anytime now.”

“Willet go stand guard at the front desk and let us know when she’s here.” Andy tells the probie before pointing to the radio on the table. “Use the radio.”

“Got it.” Carter says as he rushes over to the stairs to head out of the beanery.

“Are we forgetting anything?” Vic asks.

Maya shakes her head. “I think we’re good.”

“Should we hide and pop out?” Ben asks the group.

Maya looks to the man and scrunches her face. “I don’t think my 9 month old would appreciate that very much Warren.”

“Right.” Ben drawls.

“Maybe we could say something in unison?” Travis suggests

Dean just points to the banner. “Isn’t that what the banner is for?”

“Okay...this is not a safe place for idea.” Travis mutters under his breath.

Maya laughs and places her hand on Travis’ shoulder. “I think that the banner and yellow streamers and the food are enough.”

“Plus we have a gift.” Jack says as he raises his eye brows up and down.

“You guys didn’t need to get her any more gifts.” Maya insists to the group. “Our apartment has already been taken over by Fisher Price.”

“We just got her this.” Dean says as he grabs the gift from around the corner and places it down by the table before grinning widely at Maya.

Maya looks over and sees a little red stationary Little Tikes fire truck with eyes and a smiley face on the front.

“Oh my god.” Maya gushes.

“I know.” Dean says as he crosses his arm while looking down at the toy. “Pru has one too.”

Andy sticks out her bottom lip before pointing down at the little fire truck. “Okay, I’m going to need one of these.”

Dean smiles and starts to talk about the toy that Ginny will be able to sit in. “She just sits right inside and then it has the wheel in the front with the little horn. Plus she can also turn the key and use the gear shift on the side…it also has the little fire hose on the side that she can play with.”

“But no worries…those wheels are painted on the side so she can’t go anywhere.” Jack reassures his friend. “I know you are freaking out about her going mobile.”

“I am so unprepared.” Maya laughs with wide eyes before looking back at the toy with a twinkle in her eyes. “It’s great you guys…thank you.”

“One final touch.” Jack says as he grabs a yellow bow from a nearby chair before plopping it on the fire truck. “There.”

Maya keeps smiling at the toy before looking around at her family surrounded her in the beanery. These people have been here through all of it…the good and the bad. She wouldn’t want to experience this change in her personal life without her family here at the station. Maya is only pulled out of the fuzzy feelings when they all hear the buzzer go off lightly downstairs.

“Was that the buzzer?” Andy asks Maya.

“They’re here.”

When everybody hears Willet’s warning through the radio they move around and get ready to surprise Carina and Ginny…minus the yelling.

“I think everybody is up here in the beanery.” Willet says as he walks up the stairs with Carina behind him.

“Well, thank you for the escort Carter.” Carina says as she follows Willet up into the beanery with Ginny in her arms.

When Carina walks past Carter she is met by the smiling fire fighters of 19 and a soft chorus of greetings by all.

“Surprise!”

“Wow! What a wonderful surprise!” Carina exclaims as she does her best to act surprised.

Vic’s mouth drops open. “She knew.”

“She totally knew.” Dean agrees with a nod of his head.

“What?!” Travis shrieks.

Maya lets out a loud breath before muttering to herself. “My wife is a terrible liar.”

“Thank you all so much.” Carina says with a warm smile as she brings Ginny further into the beanery. “This is great.”

“Did you tell her?” Travis asks Maya.

“She figured it out…it’s not my fault.” Maya defends before going over to Carina to help take Ginny’s coat off.

“You guys did not have to go to this much trouble.” Carina tells the group before smiling at her wife and kissing her on the cheek hello.

“We wanted to celebrate the DeLuca-Bishop family here at the station.” Ben says.

Carina smiles and looks around at the decorated beanery in amazement. “It’s wonderful.”

“Hi Baby.” Maya says as she reaches to take Ginny in her arms before focusing her attention on Carina. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Carina says back.

Theo claps his hands together and points to the island. “We have lots of food.”

“It looks great.” Carina says still smiling widely.

Maya nods her head before doing her best to get serious. “Also…Ginny now has clearance to drive the rig.”

“What?” Carina asks confused to her wife before Maya points behind her.

Carina turns around and sees the fire truck toy complete with yellow bow.

“Ta-da.” Travis cheers.

“Nooo.” Carina drawls as she goes over to examine the toy. “This is so cute.”

“Look Ginny!” Maya says to her daughter as she walks over and points to the toy. “You have your own fire truck.”

Travis smiles and waves them over. “Come on and take it for a spin.”

Maya walks over with Ginny as Carina follows and carefully sets her down on the seat. Immediately Ginny grabs hold of the black wheel and starts to spin it fast back and forth before smiling around her pacifier. The whole room erupts in giggles and awes as she continues to drive feverously in her toy.

“Hey!” Vic yells out and points to Ginny with a big smirk. “She drives just like Bishop.”

Jack snorts. “Like mother like daughter.”

“Maybe we should serve the food.” Maya suggests to the jokers in the room.

Andy claps her hands and points to the food. “Let’s do this 19!”

“Willet where’s the mayo?!” Jack asks as everybody heads towards the food.

“Nobody touch that wrap.” Andy demands as she points to her dinner. “I’m actually hungry.”

Travis starts to clap his hands. “It’s a pregnancy miracle!”

Maya laughs at the fire fighters before turning to her wife. “Are you good?”

Carina nods her head and runs her hand down Maya’s ponytail. “You?”

“Amazing.” Maya says with a big smile.

“What about you Mimma?” Carina asks as she looks down to Ginny who is still preoccupied with her new fire truck toy. “Are you amazing?”

Ginny hearing her mommies looks up at them before going back to her very cool new toy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day after shift Maya headed back to her apartment with Travis and Jack to finally paint the nursery. They had been talking about painting it for weeks before the crash and now with Carina finally doing better they are actually doing it. Jack and Mays spent the morning taping up the edges to get ready for paint while Travis busied himself with Ginny and Carina.

Now Maya is standing by the island in the kitchen watching her wife pack up to go to work at the hospital for the first time since the crash. Even though it is only for a few hours Maya can’t help but get nervous at the thought of her wife going back to work. She focuses on her breathing as she watches the doctor pack her bag to get ready to go.

“Can you hand me that please?” Carina asks pointing to the file closest to Maya.

“Yes.” Maya says as she hands Carina the file she wanted.

Carina smiles at her wife. “Thank you.”

Maya watches Carina finishes up putting the files back in her bag. “Are you sure you are up to going in?”

“I am going for a few appointments including Andy’s.” Carina says to her wife knowing that she is freaking out about her leaving. “I will be fine.”

“Can’t Wilson cover for you?” Maya pouts.

Carina raises an eye brow at the blonde next to her. “I want to be there for Andy.”

“I know.” Maya sighs before tilting her head at Carina lovingly. “I love you for that.”

“I love you too.” Carina says before motioning to the coffees in a travel carrier on their dining room table. “Do I get one of those?”

Maya nods her head and points over. “Yes…Travis brought you an espresso.”

“I did…I did do that.” Travis says as he walks in from the hallway with Ginny in his arms.

“Thank you Travis.” Carina says as grabs her bag before walking over to the table to grab the to-go cup with her name on it.

Jack then comes walking over and zeroes in on Montgomery. “Why didn’t I get an espresso?”

“Your pallet is used to Folgers.” Travis says as he rubs circles on Ginny’s back. “You’re fine.”

“I like espresso.” Jack mutters before pointing back to the nursery. “We are all taped and ready to go.”

“Good we can all take a wall.” Maya says as she walks over to Ginny’s room.

Travis nods his head before noticing Ginny pointing to something on the floor. He walks over and picks up the singing hedgehog toy off the ground so Ginny can look at it. When he presses the button to start the song the baby immediately smiles wide.

“Ginny really loves this singing hedgehog toy.” Travis says.

The only thing Carina can manage to get out is a small hum. “Mmmmm.”

“She does….yes.” Maya says as she tries t keep from laughing at her pouting wife.

Travis watches as Carina steps away before leaning towards Maya. “What was that?”

“Gift from Sullivan.” Maya fills in quietly.

“Got it.” Travis says with a nod of his head. “Moving on.”

Carina steps into the nursery and looks at all the paint on the floor. “What is all of this?”

“It’s the paint.” Maya answers as she walks over to stand by her wife in the doorway.

Carina tilts her head at the answer. “Why is there so much of it?”

“We want to look at options.” Maya explains.

“I thought we were going with spring yellow?” Carina asks confused.

Maya rolls her eyes before throwing a glare to Jack. “Gibson started getting in my head.”

“All I said was that lemon yellow would look good too.” Jack says in his defense.

Travis shakes his head and playfully slaps him on the arm. “Idiot.”

“Bambina…go with the spring yellow.” Carina tells her wife before walking away to get her jacket.

Maya nods her head. “Got it.”

“You are so whipped Bishop.” Travis teases.

Maya rolls her eyes before nudging him with her arm. “Shut up Montgomery.”

“Your mommy is totally whipped.” Travis says to Ginny as he bounces her in his arms.

Carina puts on her jacket before putting her bag over her shoulder. “Okay, I think I am ready to go.”

“Sounds good.” Maya says.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to take Ginny?” Carina asks as she motions towards Ginny in Travis’ arms. “I can take her to daycare while I do Andy’s appointment.”

Maya shakes her head and hands Carina her espresso. “No, we’re good…promise.”

“Plus Montgomery likes the excuse not to paint.” Jack chirps in.

“It is not my fault that I am Ginny’s favorite.” Travis says as he cuddles the baby closer in his arms. “What do you want me to do?”

“See.” Maya says before smiling to the woman. “Good.”

“I will be back in a few hours.” Carina says as she looks around to make sure she hasn’t forgotten anything. “Are you guys staying for dinner…should I grab something?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Maya assures her wife, not wanting her to have to worry about it after her first day back at the hospital. “We can order pizza.”

Carina raises an eye brow. “From where?”

“From one of the 3 restaurants you have approved.” Maya answers quickly wanting to avoid the lecture.

“Okay.” Carina sighs before waving a finger to her daughter. “Bye Mimma.”

Travis takes Ginny hand to wave at her mama before reassuring the doctor. “No worries…I’ll keep everybody on track.”

“Thank you Travis.” Carina says as she walks to the door.

“God.” Jack says with a roll of his eyes before going back into the room to get to painting.

“What?” Travis asks innocently.

“You are the one that is whipped Montgomery.” Maya chirps back before following her wife out the door to give her a proper goodbye in the hallway away from prying eyes.

“Pshh.” Travis spurts out before tilting his head to get Ginny to look at him. “You know your mama is an Italian angel.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later at the hospital Carina is in her office catching up on some paper work before getting ready for Andy’s appointment. The OB/GYN already completed to check-ups for two expecting mothers and can’t help but feel relieved that Andy is her last patient for the day. If she is being honest with herself she feels tired and can’t wait to go back home to Maya and Ginny.

Carina clears her throat and writes something else down in her notes before noticing something or rather someone lurking in the hallway. She squints her eyes to get a better look and when she does immediately rolls her eyes annoyed.

“Hey!” Carina yells out to the lurking man in the hallway. “Hey!”

Robert Sullivan tentatively opens up the door. “Hi.”

“Why are you lurking outside of my office?” Carina asks.

“I’m here for Andy’s appointment.” Robert says as he steps further inside.

“Good.” Carina says as she goes back to the paperwork she was working on before. “Andy should be here shortly….I told her to meet me here.”

Robert nods his head and clears his throat. “I wanted to come in early to see how you are doing?”

“Doing?” Carina asks shortly.

Robert clears his throat again and holds out his hand. “I know you’ve been through a lot.”

“I was hit by a truck.” Carina deadpans.

“So…not good.” Robert drawls hesitantly.

Carina rolls her eyes before answering. “I am doing much better.”

“Good.” Robert says.

Carina nods her head and flips to another page. “I am alive because of Station 19 and the staff here at Grey-Sloan.”

“There are a lot of people who care about you.” Robert says.

“I know.” Carina chirps shortly.

Robert takes a long deep breath as he tries to figure out how to approach this. “Tutto con Maya... mi dispiace ancora.” (Everything with Maya…I’m still sorry.)

Carina looks up and squints at the man in front of her desk. “Ti dispiace solo ora perché hai riavuto la tua posizione di capo battaglione?” (Are you only sorry now because you got your position back as Battalion Chief?)

“No.” Robert says firmly before shrugging his shoulders. “Mi dispiace solo.” (I’m just sorry.)

“Beh, almeno va bene.” Carina says through a sigh. (Well that’s good at least.)

“The SFD is lucky to have Captain Bishop back.” Robert says as he switches back to English.

“Chief McCallister is lucky he didn’t get slugged in the face.” Carina deadpans.

Robert sucks a breath through clenched teeth. “You are a little scary.”

Carina snorts. “So people keep telling me.”

“I’ll uhh…go wait in the hallway for Andy.” Robert says as he gets ready to leave Carina alone in her office.

Carina surprises herself when she gets him to stop from leaving. “Wait.”

“Yea?” Robert asks surprised.

Carina takes a deep breath before leaning back into her office chair. “My daughter loves that singing porcupine.”

“It’s a hedgehog.” Robert corrects automatically.

“My apologies.” Carina says as she crosses her arms across her chest. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Robert says as he points to the OB/GYN. “For helping Andy the way you have.”

“Andy is my friend.” Carina says as she shrugs her shoulders. “It’s good that you are here.”

Robert nods his head before a little smile escapes. “I was pleasantly surprised that she invited me.”

“I’ll have to get you a singing possum thingy for your little one.” Carina jokes.

“That would be good.” Robert laughs before noting that Carina has gone quiet and her eyes are closed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m feeling kind of groggy today.” Carina explains before giving him her death stare. “Don’t tell my wife.”

Robert holds up his hands in surrender. “Yea…I’m gonna stay out of this one.”

“You should use that advice in more aspects of your life.” Carina bites back sarcastically.

“Noted.” Robert says.

Just then their attention is brought to a knock at the door before Andy cautiously walks in.

“Hey.” Andy says as she walks in to see Carina before being surprised with her estranged husband. “Robert.”

“Hello.” Robert says softly.

Carina feeling the tension gets up from her desk. “Should we get started?”

Andy rips her eyes away from Robert before smiling to Carina. “Sure.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three headed straight to an exam room on the ob floor and started the initial checkup that ended with Andy getting her blood drawn. With Andy’s history they want to make sure that they check for everything and do everything possible to keep the pregnancy on track. Carina watches as the vile fills up to the top before smiling at Andy that they are done and ready to move on.

“And we are done.” Carina says as she removes the needle before placing gauze on the hole and wrapping it with a bandage wrap. The doctor then grabs the vile of blood and hands it to the nurse helping her to take to the lab. “Will you please run these straight up to the lab.”

“Of course.” The nurse says before grabbing the vile and heading out of the exam room.

“Why the blood tests again?” Robert asks as he tries to hide his nerves. “I thought we were here for an ultrasound.”

“With Andy’s history we are taking extra precautions.” Carina informs the man before offering a reassuring smile to the woman on the exam table. “I wanted to get a prenatal blood test.”

“The blood test will also be able to tell us the sex of the baby.” Andy says as she finally lets herself feel excited.

Carina nods her head. “Yup.”

“Awesome.” Robert says as she tries to keep his cool.

“So…how are you feeling?” Carina asks as she looks over Andy’s chart. “Maya may have let it slip that you’ve been feeling nauseous.”

“Certain smells have been triggering for me lately.” Andy says through a long breath. “I’m probably going to transition to a modified assignment.”

Robert turns his head to Andy in surprise. “You are?”

“Yea…it’s time.” Andy sighs.

Carina smiles and places her hand on Andy’s knee. “Well if the change in assignment doesn’t help with your nausea I can prescribe you a combination of pyridoxine and doxylamine.”

“Side effects?” Andy asks with a raised eye brow.

“Drowsiness…some muscle pain.” Carina answers.

Andy nods her head. “I’ll let you know.”

“Sounds good.” Carina says before smiling to the expecting parents. “Should we get started?”

“Let’s do this.” Andy says.

“I’ll have you lie down.” Carina says as she gently guides Andy to lie down on the exam table.

Robert watches as Andy gets situated on the bed as Carina gets the monitor ready. Andy looks at the ceiling and takes a few comforting breathes. She knows that everything is probably going okay but with everything that she went through before this is still nerve-wracking.

“I am just going to lift your shirt.” Carina says as she gently lifts Andy’s shirt before reaching for the ultrasound gel. “Okay, this might be a bit cold.”

“Very cold Carina…very cold.” Andy says as Carina squirts the gel onto her abdomen.

Carina snickers as she continues to rub the gel before grabbing the ultrasound transducer to check for a fetal heartbeat. She places it on Andy’s stomach before moving it around to search for a heartbeat. “Here we go.”

Robert holds his breath nervously as Carina rubs the probe on Andy’s abdomen. “Is everything okay?”

Carina nods her head to Robert before smiling at the monitor. “There’s the heartbeat...and there is the baby.”

“Wow.” Andy mutters under her breath with her eyes glued on the baby that is now starting to look like a baby.

Robert smiles at the monitor. “Look at the little head.”

“I know.” Andy gushes as she wipes a lone tear from her cheek.

Carina smiles and points to the monitor again. “Everything is looking really good.”

“Wow.” Robert says with a soft smile as he keeps his eyes on his unborn child.

Andy nods her head in agreement and looks to her estranged husband. “Wow.”

“I will get you two some pictures.” Carina says as she grabs a paper towel to wipe off the goo from Andy’s stomach so she can pull down her shirt.

Robert nods his head in appreciation. “Thank you Dr. DeLuca.”

Carina gives him a soft smile back before getting off the stool to throw away her gloves. As she throws away her gloves the doctor starts to feel a little dizzy and nauseous herself. Carina takes a deep breath and walks back over to the monitor where Andy is pulling her shirt back down and sitting up.

Carina takes the photos from the printer and reaches out to hand them to the expecting parents.

“Here you go.” Carina says with a smile but it quickly disappears when she sees the panicked looks on Andy and Robert’s faces.

“Carina…your nose is bleeding.” Andy says as she tries to keep her voice calm.

The breath gets caught in Carina’s throat as she reaches up with her finger to touch the blood coming from her nose. She can’t help but start to panic when she looks at the red substance on her finger.

“Umm.” Carina sputters out.

Robert goes over to the door and gets the attention of a passing nurse. “We need a doctor in here immediately. Dr. DeLuca had brain surgery earlier in the month and she’s bleeding from the nose.”

“I’ll page Dr. Shepherd.” The nurse says before rushing towards the nurses’ station.

Andy hops off the exam bed and grabs some gauze from the cart before stepping over to Carina. She grabs her by her arms and gently guides her to the exam table to take a seat.

“It’s okay…you’re okay.” Andy tells her friend as she places the gauze underneath Carina’s nose. “Just breathe.”

Carina nods her head and closes her eyes as her breathing starts to get shallow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the apartment the trio is still working hard to get the nursery painted and ready to go. Well, actually…correction. Jack and Maya are working hard painting while Travis offers critiques from the corner.

Travis pops something into his mouth before pointing to the wall that Jack is painting. “Gibs you missed a spot.”

Jack drops his hand and turns his frustration to Maya. “I’m gonna hurt him.”

“Travis.” Maya says before pointing to the man with her paint brush. “Why don’t you pick up a brush and help?”

“Ginny and I are playing.” Travis says as he points to Ginny on the floor.

“She’s playing and you are eating…” Maya says before squinting in his direction to try to figure out what is in his hand. “What are you eating?”

Travis shrugs his shoulders and points back to the kitchen. “I found some salami and yogurt bites in the kitchen.”

“Both of which do not belong to you.” Maya bites back.

“Ginny doesn’t mind sharing.” Travis says as he pops a piece of salami into his mouth before leaning down to hand Ginny a couple of yogurt bites. “Do ya Gin.”

Jack finishes one last strip of paint with the paint roller before taking a step back to admire his work. “There.”

Maya looks around at the walls. “How many coats do you think we’ll need?”

“I’d say one more…then we can call it good.” Jack says before motioning towards the furniture that is now gathered in the center of the room. “Are you doing to put the furniture back where it was?”

“I think so.” Maya says before admiring their work. “It looks so much brighter in here.”

“It looks great Maya.” Jack assures his friend before noticing Travis looking at his cell phone with a goofy smile plastered on his face. “What is it?”

Travis’ eyes go wide at being caught and he quickly puts the phone back in his pocket. “It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t look like nothing.” Maya teases.

Travis rolls his eyes before holding his hands out. “I have date after our next shift.”

“Nice.” Jack says before pointing to his friend. “It’s about time you got back on the horse.”

Travis shakes his head and scrunches his nose. “I hate horses.”

“You hate horses?” Jack asks.

“And fireworks.” Travis scoffs.

“You hate fireworks?!” Jack yells out.

Maya snorts and zeroes in on Montgomery. “How do you feel about bunnies and ice cream?”

“Can we get back to work please?” Travis tells his friends wanting to focus to be off of him.

“Who is it?” Maya asks with a smirk. “Do we know him?”

Travis playfully glares at his captain. “No.”

“It’s not another bartender is it?” Jack grumbles to the man. “We’re running out of places to drink.”

“Ha ha.” Travis says as his friends start to laugh in front of him. “No…he’s a podiatrist.”

“Ewe.” Jack murmurs.

Maya’s mouth drops open. “Gross.”

Travis looks back and forth at the two. “What?”

“He touches feet all day.” Maya retorts.

Travis snorts before waving his hand at her. “Your wife touches--”

“Nope.” Maya says cutting him off before he says something stupid.

“Nope.” Travis repeats before pointing at Maya. “Not gonna go there.”

Maya grins lightly at the uncomfortable man. “Good idea.”

“This wall is ready for a second coat.” Jack says as he goes back to looking around the room.

“Good.” Maya says as she reaches down to hand Jack the paint roller again. “I would like this to be finished before Carina gets home.”

Jack takes it before noticing something for the first time. “Where’s the crib?”

“I moved it in our bedroom.” Maya starts to explain. “I don’t want Ginny to sleep in here with the fresh paint.”

“Smart.” Travis says as she watches jack go back to painting. “A bit to the left Jack.”

Jack freezes with the roller on the wall before turning to Maya. “If we’re a man down next shift due to a shattered knee cap you’d be okay with that right?”

Maya just nods her head before there is a knock at the door. Maya surprised at the noise immediately tries to figure out who that could possibly be. “Did you order food?”

Jack shakes his head. “No.”

“Me neither.” Travis adds.

Maya squints her eyes and puts the paint brush back down in the paint before walking out of the room. As Maya walks out and past Ginny the baby immediately starts to cry thinking her mommy is leaving her behind with the goofy men. Maya stops in her tracks and looks back at the little girl.

“Sweetie.” Maya hums as she looks down at the now fussy little girl.

Travis sticks out his bottom lip before pouting. “So sad.”

“Ginny….I’m not leaving.” Maya says but when Ginny still crying holds up her hands to get picked up Maya immediately obliges. “Okay, okay…”

Jack smirks over to Travis. “I thought you were her favorite.”

“I’m her favorite out of the two of us.” Travis says before pointing between him and Gibson.

“Let’s see who is at the door.” Maya says to Ginny who has now stopped crying as they walk over to the door.

Maya wipes away a couple leftover tears before reaching over to open the door. When she opens the door the last person she expected to see is waiting in the hallway.

“Hi Maya.” Lane Bishop says.

All of the air is sucked out of Maya’s lungs. “Dad.”