Chapter Text
The front door creaked open, and Maya looked up from where she was folding a tiny pair of Liam’s pajamas on the couch. “Hey,” she called softly, catching sight of Carina shuffling in with one hand on her lower back, the other cradling her bump. "How was work?"
"I'm exhausted, I feel gross," Carina mumbled, dropping her bag on the floor.
Maya stood, already closing the distance. “Still feeling off?”
Carina shrugged, but it was half-hearted. “Just tired. Maybe the baby’s going through a growth spurt. Everything aches. And I couldn’t even look at lunch today.”
Maya frowned. “That’s the third day in a row you’ve been off your food, and you barely managed breakfast.”
“I know,” Carina murmured, rubbing her eyes. “I’ll call my OB tomorrow morning. Try and get something for the naus-”
But before Maya could respond, Carina suddenly went rigid. She slapped a hand to her mouth and lurched forward, eyes wide with panic.
“Carina?”
Too late. She barely turned away in time before she vomited onto the hardwood floor.
Maya was beside her instantly, steadying her by the shoulders. "Okay?" Maya asked, rubbing her back, surprised at the heat coming from her wife considering it was a chilly December evening and bar the last couple of days, Carina had been running cold during the pregnancy.
She pushed Carina’s hair back and rested her hand on her forehead, "Jesus babe, you're warm."
"I am?"
"You are, this feels like a fever."
"Well... my stomach hurts in that weird sick way."
Maya sighed, resting her hand on Carina's bump, "you must have picked something up, it would explain the aches and exhaustion from the last couple of days."
"Now I've been sick, it does feel more like stomach bug symptoms than pregnancy."
"Okay, so you've picked up a bug, let's get you to bed resting and call Jo, see what she advi-" she was cut off by loud cries from Liam, so loud he could easily be heard over the baby monitor on the coffee table.
"I-"
"I can get myself to bed, go and check on him."
"Okay, he's been grouchy all day. Oh god, what if he's sick too? He didn't want dinner. Oh god he's sick."
"If he's sick, he's sick," Carina said gently, making her way slowly to their room as Maya peeled off to go and get Liam.
Maya scooped Liam into her arms, holding him close as his cries softened into whimpers. "Have you got a tummy bug, like Mamma, my little Liam guy?"
She held him away from her chest for a moment so she could look at him. Her heart broke a little when he started crying again. "Well, your cheeks are flushed," Maya noticed, resting him back into the crook of her arm, settling her hand on his forehead, "but you don't feel like you have a fever. Not compared to mamma, anyway."
Liam settled, though he kept scrunching his face up. "Do you have a tummy ache?" Maya asked him, gently pressing his belly. "I don't even know how you look for a tummy ache in a baby," she mumbled, "I think we should go and see Mamma, she's the doctor around here."
Maya picked his little soothing blanket off the rocking chair and carried her whimpering baby through to her wife, who was already curled up in bed, the bathroom trash can nearby.
"I know you need to rest, but I have no idea how to check if he has a tummy ache? And his face is flushed but he doesn't seem to have a fever? I still need to check with the thermometer, but he feels normal in that regard.”
"Vieni qui, piccolo mio," Carina said softly, sitting up a little, holding her arms out for Liam. Maya passed him over, pressing a kiss to both of their heads, "should I go and get the thermometer."
"Sì, but just for me. This is teething. I don't want to touch his mouth because I'm sick, but he's so drooly I would be surprised if he doesn't have some new teeth coming."
"Wait really?" Maya said, turning on the spot.
"Sì, he looks like he's teething rather than unwell."
"I'm gonna wash my hands, hang on."
"Stai mettendo i denti, pulcino?" Carina asked him softly, wishing she could kiss his little flushed cheeks. The chances are if what she had was contagious, she had already taken Maya and Liam out, but she didn't want to risk it.
[Are you teething…?]
Maya returned not long later with clean hands and the thermometer. She sat down on the bed next to Carina and Liam and leaned over. She rested her thumb against Liam's lower lip and looked at his gums, where... sure enough, she could see three new teeth cutting through.
"Goodness me, Liam. No wonder you don't feel well," Maya exclaimed, cupping his little flushed cheeks, "he's got three new teeth coming, babe. One on top, two on bottom."
"Tre denti nuovi, povero bambino," Carina cooed, as Maya slid the thermometer into Liam’s ear. He reached for it, his face scrunching again. "Questa è solo la Mommy, che ti controlla la temperatura con il termometro, perché sono malato."
[Three new teeth, poor baby... that's just Mommy, checking your temperature with the thermometer, because I'm sick.]
"Ever so slightly raised," Maya said, stroking his hair, "but he's had little fevers with his teeth before."
"He has, we can keep checking it."
"Now your sick Mamma, Liam," Maya said, sliding the thermometer into Carina’s ear, nodding when it showed she had a fever of 100.8 "Mamma has a little fever too. So medicine for both of my babies."
Maya disappeared into the bathroom and returned with a pill bottle for Carina and a bottle of tylenol for Liam. "So we're pretty sure that it's teething, but how do we know that he also doesn't have your stomach ache? Like how do I check his belly?" Maya asked Carina as she drew up Liam's medicine into a little syringe.
"So mostly it's on how he's acting,” Carina said gently. “All of the signs you said can be a tummy ache- low appetite, very fussy and clingy. But they're also unfortunately symptoms of teething too."
"Can you, you know, press on his belly and feel? Is that a thing?" Maya asked, trying to think about the last time she treated a baby with a stomach ache, realising it was something she rarely encountered.
"Yes, I'd probably hold him like this," she reclined Liam in the crook of her arm, "and then just lightly press and watch his face."
Maya nodded and watched as Liam remained happy to snuggle his Mamma whilst she gave him a belly rub. "So he's okay?"
"His belly is fine. He'd also be scrunching up and pulling his legs up if it was hurting. So I think we're just growing three teeth."
She sat him up again and stroked his cheek with her finger, "niente mal di pancia, solo mal di denti, hmm?" Carina looked at Maya, "kiss those cheeks, Mommy, because I can't," Carina said, holding Liam up to Maya.
[no stomach ache, just toothache, hmm?]
Maya scooped him up and kissed his cheeks, before giving him his medicine. "Such a good boy," she said, as he took it like a champ, "we'll get you a little teether from the freezer in a minute once we've looked after Mamma."
Just as Maya set the Tylenol syringe down and turned to face Carina, she saw her wife's face pale suddenly.
“Oh no-” Carina barely got the words out before she twisted out of bed, stumbling toward the bathroom.
“Carina!” Maya was already on her feet, but paused just outside the door, torn. Liam was just beginning to settle on her hip, gnawing on his hand.
"I think Mamma might need me more," Maya said to him, carefully setting him in his cot, jogging to go and check on Carina.
By the time she stepped into the doorway, Carina was sitting next to the toilet, a hand pressed to her mouth, the other bracing on her exposed bump.
“I’m okay,” she said hoarsely, eyes fluttering closed. “That was rough, but… I actually feel a little better now.”
Maya knelt in front of her, gently brushing a damp strand of hair from her forehead. “Better? Are you sure?”
"Mmm. You know when you need to just get it up. My stomach feels a little more settled."
"Should I call Jo? Or maybe drive you to triage just to get you checked out?" Maya said, evidently worried.
"I'm fine," Carina cupped her cheek, "I've only thrown up twice and I think rest is most important. I'm okay, she's okay." She took Maya’s hand and guided it gently to her bump. After a beat, there was a little kick under her palm.
Maya blinked, then smiled. “Show off.” She crouched down and pressed a kiss to the bump, "hi baby, Mamma's a little sick, make sure you let us know if you're not okay in there."
Carina gave a soft chuckle. “She's fine. And I’ll be fine too, once my stomach decides it’s done revolting.”
Just then, Liam’s wail cut through the air again.
Maya rested her forehead against Carina’s stomach, "he was okay."
“Go,” Carina whispered, nudging her. “I’m okay. I've got this baby," she rubbed the bump, "you look after that baby."
Maya sighed but stood, pressing a kiss to Carina’s forehead. "I'll be right back, I'm going to try and settle him. Shout if you need anything."
"Okay," Carina smiled, resting her head against the wall.
Back in Liam’s room, Maya lifted him from the crib, cradling him gently. “It’s okay, baby. You’re okay. Your teefs are just being mean, huh?”
She bounced gently, walking slow circles in the room. As he began to settle, she glanced toward the hallway. She bounced her way to the bathroom, finding her wife brushing her teeth. "Okay?" She whispered, fixing Liam’s dummy.
Carina nodded, then pointed at Liam, tilting her head in question.
"He's starting to fall asleep," Maya said gently stroking between his eyebrows.
"I'm gonna head to bed and sleep whilst I can."
"Okay, take some paracetamol for me? And sip some water? I'll be in once he's asleep…” her eyes widened, “and I’ve cleaned, I forgot about the puke."
Carina nodded and lightly kissed Maya’s cheek, wiping it with her thumb. "Love you."
"Love you too," Maya said, walking back to Liam’s room.
It took another fifteen minutes of bouncing, patting, and whispered promises, but eventually Liam gave a soft, shuddering sigh and his body melted against Maya’s. She sat down slowly in the nursery chair, praying he’d stay asleep- but the moment she leaned back, he stirred again, whimpering.
“Okay, buddy,” Maya sighed, standing back up, starting her bouncing once more to settle him. Again, after ten minutes she tried to lie him in his cot, but it was no use and he started crying again. This happened two more times before she gave up.
“You win, bubba” she whispered, kissing the crown of his head. “You win.”
She padded quietly back to their bedroom and eased open the door. Carina was curled on her side, eyes half-open.
“He won’t let me put him down,” Maya said softly. “I can try the cot again, or maybe get the bassinet out-”
“No,” Carina murmured. “Bring him here. You both should rest.”
Maya climbed into bed carefully, positioning Liam against her chest as she propped herself up on pillows. “Are you sure it’s okay? What if he catches what you have?”
Carina shook her head. “If it’s contagious, he’s already been exposed. Same with you. No point stressing now.”
Maya sighed, glancing down at Liam, who was now peacefully dozing, one little hand fisted against her shoulder. “I just really hope it’s not that case.”
Carina gave a tired smile. “Me too.”
"How are you feeling? How's my wife and my baby girl?"
"She's still kicking," she took Maya’s hand and rested it on her belly, smiling when the baby almost kicked on demand. "And I... well I feel a little… shitty, but that's to be expected."
Maya gave a small laugh and then a groan, “the puke.”
“I’ve got him,” Carina said, holding her arms out for him.
“Are you sure?”
“You’re about to clean up my puke, I have the better end of the long straw or however it’s said.”
Maya smiled and kissed her warm forehead before climbing out of bed. She cleaned with the quick efficiency that came with being married to someone who had a few episodes of unfortunate morning sickness in the last few months. She could hear Carina talking to a fussing Liam again and sped up, getting it cleaned in record time.
She made sure to scrub her hands thoroughly once it was clean, changed her clothes and returned to their bedroom. “Come here, bubba,” she said softly, reaching for Liam. As soon as he was back in her arms he began to settle again, sucking his thumb.
“He just needed his Mommy,” Carina mumbled, shifting a little. She let out a groan, clearly still feeling unwell and achy, rubbing a hand over her uneasy stomach.
"Hopefully you'll start feeling better soon," Maya whispered, kissing her forehead, as she settled into bed next to her, Liam dozing once more.
“Hopefully.”
They lapsed into quiet. Carina’s breathing was still uneven, but less tense. Maya reached over and lightly rubbed her wife’s belly in slow, soothing circles.
Carina made a soft, appreciative sound. “That helps.”
“You’re warm,” Maya said softly. “Not too hot though. The Tylenol’s probably kicking in.”
“Mmhm. It’s helping.”
With one arm cradling Liam and the other resting over Carina’s bump, Maya let her head fall back against the headboard. Exhausted.
Maya eventually allowed herself to drift off, half sitting up, her arm curled around Liam’s small, warm body. He was still, his breath soft against her collarbone, and for a few precious minutes, silence wrapped the room.
Until it didn’t.
Liam stirred with a whimper, then let out a full-blown wail, his tiny fists bunching against Maya’s chest.
"Shh shh shh shhhh," Maya whispered, immediately standing up to rock him. She quickly left their bedroom, not wanting to wake Carina up. Liam continued to wail loudly, arms flailing.
"You’re okay, I'm here, you're okay," Maya said, bouncing from foot to foot.
"Let's get you a teether. Mamma sterilised them recently and put them in the freezer. Maybe we can cuddle and you can gnaw on one of them," Maya suggested over his cries, walking them to the kitchen. She crouched down, and opened the freezer finding him a little teddy teether, holding it for him to chew on. "How's tha-"
She was interrupted by a weak, "Maya?" coming from the bedroom.
"Mamma needs us," Maya said hurrying back to the bedroom, expecting to find Carina curled around the trashcan. Instead she was in the same position as earlier but her eyes were half open. "You okay?"
"When Liam’s settled can you get me an antacid and rub my back, I've got heartburn."
"Of course, prop yourself up a little, Liam and I will go and get you it," Maya said, looking at Liam’s wide awake eyes and knowing it was going to be a while before he drifted off again.
"Is that good?" Maya cooed, as Liam chewed on the teether, drool dribbling down his chin.
"Medicine for Mamma, more medicine for Mamma," Maya said, showing him the bottle. "Mamma's had this recently, baby sis keeps giving Mamma heartburn. Although today it might be her sick tummy as well. So we're gonna see if we can rock you to sleep, and rub Mamma's back."
Maya returned to the bedroom, gave Carina a dose of the heartburn medication and settled back in bed, laying Liam against her knees. She gently moved him side to side as she began circling her hand on Carina's back.
"Baby or bug, this heartburn?" Maya asked, passing Liam the teether when he accidentally dropped it.
"I don't know-" she mumbled, hauling herself more upright.
"Feeling sick?" Maya asked, ready to lay Liam down as Carina burped, pulling the trash can into her lap, curling herself around it.
"Just bad heart burn. It feels like something’s going to come up. But also... not?"
"Okay," Maya said, continuing to rub her back, still swaying her legs side to side for Liam.
Carina shifted again with a frustrated sigh pressing a hand to her sternum. “It’s just sitting there. Like a lump. Burning.”
“I hate that you feel like this,” Maya murmured, adjusting her angle to rub in wider strokes around Carina’s back. “If I could swap places, I would.”
Carina smiled faintly, eyes closed. “No, you wouldn’t.”
Maya let out a tired chuckle. “Maybe not. But I’d still try.”
Just then, Liam let out a sharp cry and kicked against her stromach, sending the teether tumbling to the side.
"Okay, okay," Maya whispered, scooping him back into her arms and settling him against her chest. She leaned back managing to balance him enough to do a half-pat-half-hold, with one hand, the other continuing its ministrations on Carina's back.
"You can just focus on Liam, I don't need you to rub my back."
"I've got it," Maya said, as Liam settled a little, staring over at his Mamma.
Carina turned her head slightly, watching them through tired eyes. “You’re doing too much.”
Maya shook her head, resting her cheek against Liam’s soft hair. “I’m doing what we need to look after my family. You’d do the same.”
A few moments passed in quiet. Liam’s cries faded back to soft snuffles, and Carina’s tense shoulders started to loosen. "Your hands are magic."
Maya chuckled, wrapping her arm around Carina as she leaned back against her. "You usually say that after sex, how times have changed," she teased, kissing her forehead.
"He looks so sleepy," Carina said, stroking Liam’s cheek. "Is that all drool?" She asked, pointing to Liam’s sleeper which was damp in a patch on his chest.
"Mmm-hmm. I keep drying his chin because the last thing we want is a rash as well,” Maya said, swiping under his lip with a muslin that had been lying in their bed. “I'm gonna take this off him,” she added, when she realised just how damp it was, “and just leave him in his diaper and a blanket."
"Next time you get up, there's some barrier cream for his chin and neck in the diaper caddy," Carina said through a yawn.
"Okay, thank you."
"Mmm-hmm."
"Can I prop you up so you don't need to sleep sitting up?" Maya asked, feeling her wife getting heavier against her shoulder.
Carina yawned and nodded, sitting up so Maya could carefully stack her pillows into the perfect incline. "Okay, lie down."
Carina nodded, sighing as the weight eased off her back. "You're amazing."
"I'm just trying," Maya shrugged, shuffling down the bed a little. She took Liam’s sleeper off and laid the blanket over him, settling in for a long night.
"How is it only 9:30," she mumbled, glancing at the clock before closing her eyes, pretty sure sleep would be essential and yet entirely elusive.
Morning crept in slowly, casting a pale light through the blinds. Maya was already awake. Though… had she ever really slept?
She paced the living room in slow, careful steps, Liam strapped against her chest in the carrier, his warm, damp cheek pressed to her skin. He’d only settled like this- heart to heart, small fists curled into her sides. Every time she tried to sit, he stirred, whimpered. So she walked.
She felt crap, and she wasn't sure it was just from trying to soothe Liam for hours. She blinked hard, trying to shake the fog. But her skin felt clammy beneath the sweatshirt she hadn’t changed out of, and there was a dull, bloated ache low in her stomach that hadn’t been there last night. Not sharp. Not urgent. But enough to notice. Enough to worry.
She pressed a hand to her stomach, then sighed, carefully reaching for the thermometer from the side table, putting it in her ear, as she bounced Liam gently. A moment passed.
99.9.
Not technically a fever. But not far from it either.
She slipped the thermometer into Liam’s ear, wincing as he whined loudly, the little hand that had been curled into her top reaching for it. She was pleased to see the frequent tylenol doses were keeping his fevers at bay, the number flashing a satisfying 98.
"I know you're not going to like this," Maya whispered to Liam, "but I need to check on my tummy. Mommy feels a little... unwell."
She laid down on the sofa, scooting Liam up, quickly patting his bum to keep him settled. She adjusted him, reached under the carrier, and began pressing around her lower abdomen, focusing. She knew enough to check for rebound pain, bloating, pressure.
Still, it felt pretty normal. Maybe a little bloated, but nothing of any concern. Yet, her stomach definitely hurt and she definitely felt a little nauseous. And there was that suspicious temperature.
She took one more breath, one more uncertain moment pressing her palm to her abdomen, then shook her head.
There was only one person who could really tell her if this was something or nothing.
Carina.
She stood carefully, adjusting the carrier straps as Liam gave a soft, drowsy grunt. He hadn’t cried when she laid on the couch, and maybe- maybe- he’d let her lie down with him properly now.
Maya padded quietly into the bedroom, blinking against the dim light. She expected to see Carina still sleeping, but her wife’s eyes were open, watching the ceiling.
“You’re awake?” Maya whispered.
"You were gone, and baby girl is kicking," Carina said, running her hand along her bump. "How long have you been walking around with him?"
"Probably the last hour or two?" Maya sighed, "He's not been a happy bunny, maybe we can check his belly again?"
Carina nodded, reaching out and squeezing Maya’s hand, "there's something else. What's wrong?"
Maya moved closer, perching on the bed with Liam still nestled to her chest. “I don’t feel great.”
“Tell me.”
“My temp was 99.9 earlier. Stomach ache. A little nauseous. I was worried it might be what you have.”
Carina narrowed her eyes, her doctor-mode starting to creep in. “You palpated?”
Maya nodded. “No rebound. No major tenderness. A little bloated maybe, but nothing sharp. Just uncomfortable.”
"Okay, give me the baby and lie down, let me feel," Carina said gently, holding her hands out for Liam. Maya made to argue but one look from her wife, and the stubborn ache in her back made her relent. She carefully unclipped the carrier and slid Liam out, amazed when he barely whimpered as she passed him over to Carina. Perhaps he had tired himself out. Or perhaps he knew that Mamma would always fix it.
Maya groaned in relief as she laid on the bed, her screaming muscles finally able to relax. She pulled her hoodie off and laid there in her sports bra, one hand on her stomach. "It doesn't look bloated."
"No, it doesn't," Carina said, shuffling to press one hand across the length of Maya’s stomach, watching her face for any discomfort. Mostly Maya looked like she was about to fall asleep. And everything felt fine. “Okay, it doesn’t feel acute. And your temp’s low-grade.”
A beat.
"How was your appetite?"
"I haven't eaten yet."
Another beat...
“Did you eat dinner last night?”
Maya blinked up at her. “I-” she paused. “Shit. No. I meant to. I just… never did.”
Carina gave her a pointed look. “That’ll do it.”
“I’ve been up most of the night walking him around,” Maya said, instantly defensive. “And you were sick. I just forgot.”
"I'm not mad," Carina said softly, squeezing her shoulder, "no wonder you don't feel good, stay there, I'll grab you something."
"No, you're pregnant and sick, and you feel warm again. Your fever might be back. I'll go and get myself some toast." Maya said, already starting to sit up.
“Wait- make that two slices?” Carina asked. “My stomach feels okay and I want to test it.”
"Sure?" Maya asked, as she slid the thermometer into Carina’s ear.
"Mmm-hmm, I want to try my stomach on something plain. Plus, I think she might be hungry," she said, rubbing the bump.
Maya gave a tired smile, reaching down to rub her hand on Carina's belly, smiling as she felt a kick. “Morning baby, let's see how Mommy does on some toast and medicine.”
"What was my temp?"
"100.5 so we're elevated, here," she passed Carina the Tylenol and kissed her forehead.
"Toast time now, before you collapse," Carina said, only half joking.
"Alright." She stood, rolling her shoulders and rubbing her eyes before making her way to the kitchen. Her legs felt heavy, her stomach still faintly aching, but she kept moving. She threw some slices in the toaster and poured herself a glass of water, sipping slowly.
By the time the toast popped, even the smell made her stomach turn slightly. She buttered the slices anyway, bringing one back on a napkin for Carina and keeping the other for herself.
Carina was leaning against the headboard, now, Liam nestled against her chest like a warm, satisfied barnacle. He was still awake, but calm- his little hands fidgeting with the edge of Carina’s top.
“Absolute traitor,” Maya teased as she entered. “Now you’re behaving?”
“He knows who the real boss is,” Carina said, beaming down at him. “You okay?”
"Meh," she shrugged, passing Carina her toast, settling in bed next to her with her own. She took a cautious bite; testing the waters.
And then, almost instantly, her eyes fluttered closed in relief.
“Oh my god,” she mumbled, chewing quickly. “I could eat ten of these.”
Carina raised a brow. “Guess we found the cure.”
Maya didn’t answer- she was already halfway through the first slice, licking a smear of butter from her thumb. “This is... embarrassingly good. I was starving.”
Carina, meanwhile, took a bite of hers and paused. Chewed slowly. Swallowed with effort.
Maya glanced over. “You okay?”
"I don't think baby girl and I are ready for toast," she mumbled, burping a little.
"Nauseous?" Maya asked, ready to take Liam who was starting to drift off.
"Mmm. But I'm okay, I don't think I'm going to throw up. Here you finish my toast." Carina put her untouched slice on Maya's napkin, focusing her attention on Liam.
By the time she finished, Maya looked visibly more human—colour returning to her cheeks, her stomach settling. Liam had drifted again, drooling quietly against Carina’s chest. Maya reached over and stroked his back, her gaze soft.
"Tiny terror."
"You must be exhausted," Carina said, cupping her cheek, "you are exhausted."
"I'm- no yup, I am,” she relented, knowing there was no point in arguing with her wife, “I've been running on adrenaline."
"Time to sleep, Liam and I are a little sick, but we're okay. You need to rest so if we're not, you can help."
"Okay," Maya sighed, crawling under the covers. She curled up against Carina, smiling when she felt her wife begin to stroke her hair.
“I’ll wake you if anything happens. I promise.”
Within moments, Maya was out- her breathing deep and even, one arm still cradled around her little family.
"You're not going to sleep are you?" Maya cooed at Liam, as she finished up dinner. He was in his bouncer, kicking his legs, giving them a drooly smile. He seemed to have turned a corner, after spending the day napping on her or Carina, back to his usual self, teeth only bothering him a little.
Carina seemed to have turned a corner too. She’d had no nausea or stomach aches since dawn. Had slept with Liam and now managed both lunch and dinner without any hassle. Plus her fever had disappeared.
"Di' alla tua mommy... Mi sento molto meglio e non mi fanno più male i denti!" Carina said to him, picking him up, grinning when Liam giggled loudly.
[Tell your mommy... I feel much better and my teeth don't hurt anymore!]
"What are we gonna do, hey? It's already half an hour past your bedtime," she said, stroking Liam’s cheek. "Should we leave Mamma to watch TV and rest and go on a walk?"
"He will settle."
"I know, but I don't want to throw his routine off too much. Especially if Jack and Andy are watching him tomorrow when we're at work. Plus we need formula and plain food whilst your stomach gets back to normal. And I'm going a little stir crazy in here."
Carina chuckled, squeezing her hand, "okay."
Maya zipped Liam into his warm clothes and buckled him into the pram, tucking a light blanket around his legs. She kissed Carina goodbye and stepped into the evening.
The air had cooled with the sunset, crisp and gentle on her face as she stepped outside. The street lights blinked on, one by one, casting long shadows across the sidewalk. It felt good to move, to breathe.
Liam gurgled, watching the world blur past him with sleepy eyes.
“You and me, buddy,” she murmured, steering the stroller toward the store. “Operation: boring groceries and baby formula.”
Inside the store, she moved quickly. Formula. Crackers. Broth packets. Electrolytes. A few bananas. And then, impulsively,two tiny, soft sleepers with a print of little foxes and trees, one in what would be Liam’s size in a few months when the baby came and one in newborn.
"You guys can match pyjamas," Maya whispered, to him, smiling as he yawned, eyes mesmerised by the bright overhead lights.
She walked up and down the aisles until he was almost asleep and then checked out, beginning the walk home.
Two blocks from their house, her stomach gave a single, sharp twist.
She slowed.
Okay. Weird.
She took a deep breath, pushing the pram a little slower now, resting one hand on her belly. "Maybe it's indigestion," she muttered, though was unconvinced.
Only a minute later another twist- worse this time. Heat flushed through her in a wave, and she barely had time to glance around before she stepped off the path, crouching in front of a large hedge, keeping one hand on the pram.
“I’m okay Liam-”
She gagged once, twice, then everything in her stomach came up.
Her knees hit the grass forcefully. She coughed, spat, blinked hard against sudden tears.
No. Not now. Not this.
She stayed there a moment, head hanging, trying to catch her breath. Her arms trembled as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve, shaky and dazed.
Liam was quiet in the pram behind her—thank god.
“Okay,” she whispered, standing slowly, one hand on her hip, the other gripping the handle. “You’re fine. You’re fine. Just... one time."
But her gut clenched again, not a second wave of sickness, but the warning of one, and she knew. Knew it was the same thing Carina had just had.
Still, she made it home. Bags in one hand, pushing the pram with the other, face pale but determined.
"Okay, let's-" she swallowed thickly, "get you to bed."
Maya moved carefully through the door, holding Liam tight to her chest, his soft breaths warming her neck. Her stomach turned again, but she kept her expression neutral, her jaw tight, determined not to show it.
Carina stood from the couch, watching them with a soft smile. “You did it? He’s asleep?”
“Mmm-hmm,” Maya managed, nodding once. She didn’t meet Carina’s eyes.
“You’re amazing,” Carina said, stepping closer to kiss Liam’s head. “Sogni d'oro, piccolo pulcino," she whispered, stroking his hair. "I’ll clean up and put the groceries away," she said to Maya, "Or do you want help laying him down?”
“No, I’ve got it,” Maya said quickly. “You rest, seriously. I’ll be right back.”
Carina hesitated, her gaze narrowing just a little. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Maya said, too fast. “Just tired.”
Carina didn’t push, but her eyes lingered for a beat longer than usual before she nodded and stepped back.
Maya slipped into Liam’s room, the dim glow of the nightlight casting golden shapes across the wall. She swayed with him for a few more seconds, just to be sure, then leaned over the crib and gently lowered him in. He stirred, but only for a moment, his hand brushing his cheek before he settled again.
Maya held the rail, breathing through her nose. Her stomach cramped again, sharper this time, and she pressed a hand to her middle, teeth clenching. Not now.
She stood still until the worst of it passed, then exhaled slowly and turned toward the door. Her reflection in the nursery mirror caught her off guard; pale, sheen of sweat on her brow, the tiniest tremble in her fingertips.
Hold it together.
She flicked off the light, closing the door part way behind her, and walked straight toward the bathroom under the pretense of washing her hands. If she was quick, she could throw water on her face, breathe, and pull herself together before Carina noticed anything else.
But she didn’t make it more than two steps past the nursery before Carina’s voice followed her, "Bambina?"
She froze, not turning to face her wife.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Carina asked again, voice low but more direct now. “You don't look... very well.”
Maya turned, forcing a tired smile. “Just... long day. I’ll be out in a minute.”
But Carina didn’t look convinced.
"Can we check your temperature, you look flushed?" Carina asked, holding up the thermometer.
"I-" Maya made to protest, but her stomach chose that moment to revolt and she darted into the bathroom, dropping onto knees just in time.
Carina followed quietly, crouching down next to Maya, rubbing her back. “Oh, amore mio,” she said softly, as the retching slowed. “It’s okay.”
Maya didn’t answer, just sat back on her heels, one trembling hand braced on the toilet, the other pressed to her stomach. Her eyes were closed, her breath shallow.
“Hey,” she said gently, brushing a hand over Maya’s damp hair. “Don’t fight me on this, okay?”
Maya opened her eyes, shame flickering there. “I didn’t want you to worry…”
“I’m your wife. Worrying comes with the territory,” Carina said, her voice kind but firm. “Let me take care of you now.”
Maya leaned into her, her shoulder sagging. “I didn’t feel sick until right before we got home.”
“I know.” Carina pressed a kiss to her temple. "Come on, let's get you to bed. Hopefully it'll go as quickly as mine did. I'll look after you."
"But you're pregnant and still recovering from being sick," Maya protested albeit weakly, letting Carina guide her to their bedroom.
"That doesn't stop me from being your wife," Carina said gently, pulling the covers back for her, "Liam’s fine, I'm fine, baby is fine," she took Maya’s hand and put it on her bump, "we just need you to get better. And I can help with that."
Maya lay back slowly, wincing as another mild cramp twisted through her belly. Carina moved without hesitation, helping her settle against the pillows before pulling the blanket up to her chest.
“You’re clammy,” she murmured, brushing the damp hair from Maya’s forehead. “You need medicine and sleep. Let your body do the work.”
Maya caught her wrist gently, eyes searching hers. “You really feel okay? I didn’t want to slow your recovery or make you sicker.”
Carina leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. “Amore, I’ve had a full day without nausea. Dinner stayed down. I’m not dragging anything; I’m right where I want to be.”
Maya’s throat tightened. “I hate being the one who needs help.”
“You don’t need help,” Carina corrected softly. “You need rest. And you let me rest when I needed it. That’s what we do. It’s not weakness, Maya. It’s love.”
Maya blinked quickly, the tears catching her off guard, but Carina just kissed her forehead again, letting them fall without comment.
"Tylenol and sleep, sì? And cuddles without a clingy baby?" She joked lightly trying to coax a smile out of Maya. "Not funny?" She said when Maya simply pouted.
"I just don't feel well," Maya shrugged, "I really thought I wouldn't catch it."
"Me too," Carina said, helping her take the tablets, "but sometimes these things are... inevitabile."
"It sucks."
"It does, now, let's sleep whilst your tummy and Liam and baby girl, who isn't pressing on my bladder, let us."
"I can't imagine being pregnant and feeling like this," Maya mumbled, curling into Carina's chest as soon as she lay down.
"It was definitely rough. But hopefully no more sick bellies for a while."
"What are we going to do if Liam has caught it?"
"Look after him too," Carina said simply, "that's all we can ever do. And you and I, Bambina, we are excellent at it."
"I love you," Maya whispered, letting sleep pull at her, hoping the rest would rid her of the nausea.
"I love you more."
"It's not... possible."