Chapter Text
“So how’s your boyfriend, was he hungry?” Maya teased as Emilia walked past her in the kitchen and Maya caught a glimpse at her neck
“What?” Emilia turned to look at her mother confused
“Your neck Emilia, it’s worse than Eleoras ever was” Maya replied
“Oh that” Emilia sighed as she traced her fingers if her neck with a small grin remembering what had lead to the marks
“Yeah, oh that, what’s his name?” Maya pressed again
“Her names Jade and she’s fine thank you” Emilia smiled
“Emilia” Maya nearly choked on the cereal she was eating as her daughter shot through the house and and out the door to her car
“Sorry mom gonna be late we’ll talk later” Emilia shouted back as she quickly got in a drove off to school
“Carina” Maya shouted a she stormed up the stairs in search of her wife
“In here” Carina replied from where she was stood at the dresser adding her final rings to her fingers
“…are your okay bambina you look like you’ve seen a ghost” Carina laughed as she turned around seeing Maya was white as a sheet
“Emilia has another hickey” Maya replied
“Okay, well she’s not 15 anymore, and I’m sure we’ve been through this before” Carina laughed walking over to Maya
“I asked her what her boyfriends name is and she said ‘her names Jade’” Maya spoke again still in shock
“Grazie a dio she actually asked her out?“ Carina smiled
“What you knew?” Maya replied
“Wait you didn’t?” Carina frowned
“Does it look like I did?” Maya asked with wide eyes
“Maya what’s the problem” Carinas smile fell as she took a step back
“My daughters keeping things from me, that’s the problem” Maya sighed
“…so what is- is she a lesbian, bisexual, queer I don’t-“ Maya started pacing
“That is a question for her, also if she doesn’t want to label it don’t pressure her” Carina replied placing her hands on Mayas shoulders
“I’m not going to pressure her Carina I just- why hadn’t she told me. It’s not like I’m a super religious, super conservative heterosexual- I like boobs too” Maya pouted
“Maya” Carina smiled kissing the pout away
“Does she think I’ll kick her out I don’t- I don’t understand” Maya stuttered genuinely confused as to why she seemed to be the last person to know
“Maya, Eleora was dating Matty for 3 months before she told us about him and that was only because I caught her getting out his car. She probably just wanted to keep it secret”
“I’m calling Eleora” Maya replied
“You’re not calling Eleora” Carina spoke taking the phone out of her wife’s hand
“Yes I am” Maya spoke again reaching for her phone that Carina held straight up in the air “…that’s not fair”
“Why?” Carina asked
“You know I’m vertically challenged” Maya mumbled
“No” Carina laughed “…why are you calling Eleora”
“Because I want answers and she can’t lie to me” Maya replied crossing her arms over her chest
“Oh bambina, yes she can” Carina laughed at Mayas actions
“What’s wrong?” Carina asked seeing that Mayas pout wouldn’t let up
“When did my kids start keeping so many secrets” Maya sighed sitting on the end of the bed
“Did you tell your mom everything when you were a teenager” Carina asked sitting next to her
“No but that was different, the relationship I had with my mom was nothing like the relationship I have with them… or at least the relationship I thought I had” Maya replied laying down feeling defeated
“Hmmhmm” Carina replied cuddling into Mayas chest
“Wait” Maya sat them both up as Carinas previous comment finally dawned on her
“What?“ Carina asked
“How did you know?” Maya replied
“What?”
“How did you know about Jade?” Maya pressed
“Oh” Carina bit her bottom lip
“Carina” Maya pushed
“Emilia came to my office 2 weeks ago asking how to know when you’re in love” Carina replied
“Oh man, She’s in love?” Maya sighed
“I think so” Carina smiled
“And she didn’t even tell me” Maya hung her head looking down at her hands
“Maya, it’s really not that deep” Carina replied pulling her wife’s face to look at her
“How can you say that?” Maya replied
“Eleora did the same thing” Carina reasoned “…accept Eleora kept the secret for longer”
“And I had the same reaction!” Maya huffed
“Maybe so”
“Carina I don’t care if she’s gay, I care that she didn’t feel comfortable enough to tell me” Maya replied
“Maya, coming out isn’t a big thing anymore. And for Meals I think it’s just easier for her to bring a girl home. She’s in a privileged position where she can do that without judgement when so many people can’t” Carina explained and Maya knew she was right but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she may have closed herself off to her children in a way that meant they didn’t feel like they could talk to her
“I guess” Maya smiled “…I still wish she had told me, I thought we were friends”
“Do you want me to talk to her?” Carina asked
“No, that’s not fair on her. I’m sure she’ll eventually tell me whatever she wants me to know” Maya replied thinking clearly again
“That’s very mature of you” Carina teased
“Shutup” Maya laughed throwing a pillow at Carina
“Oh that’s how you want to play this” Carina raised her eyebrows looking at Maya
“Play what, Dr DeLuca” Maya smirked back
“It’s DeLuca-Bishop” Carina replied climbing on top of Maya “…oh that’s another thing, your daughters a pillow princess too, just like you”
“What” Maya choked feeling her face heat up as Carina just laughed pinning Mayas arms above her head
———
Maya had been sat in her office for the best part of her 8 hour shift. She’d spent most the time filling out paperwork with Andy until both trucks were called out. Maya had the call on the radio the entire time but knowing how efficient the team were she wasn’t expected to be called out
There was one hour left until her shift was over and she was determined to finish out the report before she went home. The blonde was shaken from her concentrated state by a knock on her door
“Come in” Maya looked up from the report expecting a firefighter to be on the other side
“Hi” Emilia smiled closing the door behind her
“Hi” Maya smiled widely not expecting the visitor
“What are you doing here?” Maya asked with a smile
“I was on a run, thought I’d drop by and see everyone but the trucks are out then I guess it was just luck that you’re still here” Emilia replied as Maya nodded noticing the slight frown on Emilias face
“You spoke to Mama?” Emilia asked although it was more of a statement as she sat in a chair opposite Maya and swung her legs over the arm kicking off her shoes
“I did”
“What did she tell you?” Emilia asked massaging the sole of her foot where she’d previously sustained a minor injury
“You haven’t spoke to her?” Maya replied shaking her head
“Nope” Emilia popped the ‘p’ as her nose crinkled
“So how did you know I spoke to her”
“It was a guess, I’m very clever” the teenager smiled
“Ah, well she told me that you think you’re in love” Maya teased “…and then I learnt something I didn’t need to know”
“What?” Emilia questioned
“Nothing” Maya replied quickly hoping to avert the topic
“Be-ne” Emilia spoke out narrowing her eyebrows confused as to what Carina could have possibly told Maya
“So” Maya started
“So?” Emilia replied matching her tone
“Are you in love?” Maya asked
“Si, Jade said it back” Emilia grinned blushing slightly
“Can I meet Jade?” Maya asked
“Sure, when?” Emilia replied quickly, she wasn’t hiding her girlfriend she genuinely just didn’t have the words to tell Maya
“Whenever”
“Can I ask her for dinner?” Emilia asked
“Of course you can” Maya replied
“Okay, I’ll do that”
“Emilia” Maya started seriously
“Mom”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Maya sighed
“I guess part of me didn’t feel like I had to…” Emilia reasoned, it was true
“…like it didn’t matter who I brought home you and Mama were always going to be supportive and the other part of me was scared” the teenager continued speaking honestly
“Scared?”
“Yeah” Emilia nodded timidly
“Of me?“ Maya sighed
“I didn’t want to worry you” Emilia replied quickly seeing the defeat Maya was trying to hide
“Worry me?” Maya laughed “…Emilia you’ve been worrying me since the moment you were conceived”
“Bene troppe informazioni grazie mille” Emilia replied laughing
“You’re my baby, you’re always going to worry me what were you really scared of?” Maya asked
“Disappointing you” Emilia sighed
“Melee” Maya got up from her chair as sat in the chair next to Emilia pulling her daughter next to her
“…you could never disappoint me”
“I just thought that if I told you I had a girlfriend, you’d tell me to pick a side” Emilia replied averting her gaze again. Now that she’d said it out loud she realised how ridiculous it sounded
“Pick a side?” Maya questioned
“Girlfriend or gymnastics” Emilia spoke putting out her hands at each option
“Oh my baby, I’d never ask you to do that…” Maya pulled Emilia into a hug
“…I know how toxic that mind set is, and yes I know what your thinking and yes you’re right it is the exact thought process I had at your age. But Emilia you’re not me, and I’m not Lane” Maya offered her daughter a weak smile one Emilia returned knowing that what Maya was saying was true
“…You can have a girlfriend, and friends and a whole social life and still compete at whatever level you aim for. You’re an amazing gymnast Meals, and an amazing person, you can do it all I promise” Maya smiled wiping the stray tear that had escaped her daughters brown eye
“Really?” Emilia smiled
“Yes, really” Maya nodded
“Oh grazie a dio I really thought you were gonna make me choose” Emilia sighed deeply laughing
“I’d never make you choose, never” Maya replied
“Thank you”
“So” Maya started again this time with a grin on her face
“So?” Emilia crinkled her nose again the exact same way Carina would
“What’s she like?“ Maya asked
“Who?” Emilia responded playfully
“who do you think I’m talking about” Maya laughed
“Oh Jade” Emilia replied elongating her words
“Ye-Ah Jade” Maya nodded laughing quickly recognising her daughter was teasing her
“She’s- she’s amazing. She’s smart and funny and pretty and an amazing swimmer and she’s amazing at-“ Emilia stopped herself before she could finish the sentence remembering who she was talking to
“…a lot of things, she’s amazing at a lot of things” Emilia nodded smiling
“Thank you for stopping there” Maya replied her eyes still wide at filling in the blanks
“You’re welcome” Emilia replied
“So you love her” Maya teased
“Si, I love her, I’m in love with her she’s ah! Fantastico” Emilia swooned
“Yeah you’ve said” Maya smiled watching how her daughters face lit up every time she thought about Jade
“You’re so chill about this” Emilia added
“What do you mean?” Maya asked furrowing her brow
“Well when Eleora hid ‘he who shall not be named’ from you when she was 16 you went crazy when you found out” Emilia recalled as both of their minds were cast back to the first time they met Matty Rabaiotti
“Ah yes here’s the difference, I trust you” Maya whispered
“Because I’m you’re favourite” Emilia whispered back
“I didn’t say that” Maya laughed shaking her head
“We all know Andrea’s the favourite” Emilia replied sitting up straight
“We don’t have favourites” Maya replied getting up to return to the chair behind her desk
“Everyone has favourites” Emilia replied
“Who’s your favourite, me or Mama?” Maya asked
“You” Emilia replied quickly
“And if Mama asked you the question”
“Mama” Emilia smiled changing her answer
“See, no favourites” Maya replied
“…nah I’m just sparing your feelings” Emilia laughed
“Emilia Lucia” Maya gasped feigning hurt
“Is it because Jade can’t get me pregnant?” Emilia asked “…this way you don’t have to worry about a teen pregnancy”
“Maybe, although we’ve already been through one pregnancy scare so” Maya replied seeing Emilias head drop as she averted her gaze
“Not my finest moment”. Emilia mumbled under her breath not loud enough for Maya to hear
“Tell me more about Jade, Zia Gabri didn’t break her dads heart in college as well did she”
“No, her dads British, although I think Zia does know him”
“What seriously?” Maya scoffed
“Yeah he’s a doctor too, I think they worked in London together” Emilia smiled
“Why is everyone’s parent a doctor” Maya muttered leaning back in her chair
“Are you working Friday?” Emilia asked
“Nope” Maya replied
“Is Mama?”
“Let me check” Maya pulled up the calendar on her computer that had both hers and Carinas shifts in “nope she’s off at midday” Maya read out
“Can Jade come for dinner?” Emilia asked
“Sure, Eleora and Andrea are home Friday too” Maya replied reading the tab on the box that said Friday forgetting the twins were coming home for the week that day
“Oh”
“What?” Maya laughed
“Eleora knows, Andrea doesn’t” Emilia replied quickly
“So I’m not the last person to find out” Maya grinned
“No”
“Why doesn’t Andrea know?” Maya asked furrowing her brow
“I’m scared to tell him” Emilia replied
“Why?”
“Because he’s my big brother. My big, protective, sometimes slightly overbearing brother” Emilia stuttered “…He’s you” the brunette grinned looking at Maya
“He’s me?“ Maya laughed
“Yeah” Emilia replied not expanding on her previous statement
“Emilia, tell your brother you have a girlfriend. I don’t care how you do it just tell him” Maya spoke the wide smile not falling from her face
“Okay I’ll text him”
“Thank you”
“It’s 6pm” Emilia observed
“Correct” Maya replied closing down the tabs and saving the report she had open on her computer
“Is it home time?” Emilia smiled
“Yes, it’s home time” Maya replied, “…grab your shoes, you’re cooking dinner remember”
“Okee dokee Chief” Emilia smiled
———
“Carina, we’re home!” Emilia yelled as the two walked into the house
“Stop calling her Carina” Maya laughed
“But that’s her name” Emilia shrugged
“Not to you it isn’t” Maya replied dropping her bags to the floor and hanging her coat in the closet
“I’m here” Carina called back
“Dov’è qui?” Emilia asked looking around hearing Carina but not seeing her
“Qui” Carina smiled as she appeared from the utility room
“Oh hi!” Emilia smiled when she turned around to see her mother
“Ciao patatina” Carina smiled kissing Emilias temple
“What about me” Maya whined watching the affectionate act
“Ciao bella” Carina smiled wrapping her arms around Mayas shoulders and kissing her
“Hi honey, how was your day” Maya smiled back
“Quiet” Carina whispered in response
“Mine too” Maya smiled “…so Melee what’s for dinner” Maya asked pulling away from Carina to walk into the kitchen
“Pasta alla carbonara” Emilia spoke proudly
“We don’t have any spaghetti, Auntie Vic stole the last of it” Carina spoke as she took a seat at the kitchen island
“We have rigatoni?” Emilia asked
“Si” Carina nodded
“Rigatoni alla carbonara” Emilia smiled as she pulled the dried pasta out the cupboard and began dicing the pancetta
“Bellisima” Carina smiled
“Oh mama you’re not working Friday are you” Emilia clarified again, she already knew the answer but wanted to make sure
“Nope, well yes I have appointments Friday morning but I’ll be done by lunch time” Carina replied before thanking Maya for the glass of water she’d been handed
“Awesome because Jades coming for dinner” Emilia replied
“Jade?” Carina questioned with a knowing smile
“Mia fidanzata” Emilia replied
“Ah! Remember when you were my fidanzata” Carina turned to Maya with a loving gaze and lopsided smile
“In the dark ages” Emilia mumbled under her breath
“We are not that old” Maya defended flicking water at her daughter
“Okay”
“So we get to meet Jade” Carina smiled
“Si” Emilia smiled throwing salt into the boiling water before throwing some over her shoulder
“How did you ask her out?” Carina asked
“What makes you think I asked her out?” Emilia grinned
“Okay, how did she ask you out?” Carina asked again
“She didn’t I asked her” Emilia smiled proudly
“…and I just did what you said, I told her how I felt about her then asked her on a proper date and then on the proper date I asked her to be my girlfriend and she said yes”
“Oh my Melee’s all grown up” Maya gushed as she listened to her daughter speak
“Mom” Emilia moaned trying to free herself from Mayas tight squeeze
“Maya get off her she’s making dinner” Carina laughed
“Sorry” Maya smiled sitting next to Carina close enough for the Italian to drop her head to her shoulder
“Mama” Emilia startled the women interrupting their moment
“Si cara mia” Carina replied sitting up straight
“What did you tell mom today that she ‘didn’t need to know’? Emilia asked using air quotes
“I- can I have clue?” Carina questioned confused
“When you said Emilia was like me” Maya whispered in Carinas ear so Emilia couldn’t hear
“Oh that you’re a self proclaimed pillow princess, so is your mom” Carina replied nonchalantly
“Carina” Maya yelled
“Mama” Emilia shouted at the same time
“Troppe informazioni” Emilia buried her head in a tea towel
“Yes I agree, too much information” Maya agreed burying her own face in Carinas shoulder
“Americana” Carina laughed rolling her eyes watching at her wife and daughter struggled for composure.