Chapter Text
“When does the bidding start?” Maya asked, looking at Carina.
It was a late evening and they were on the couch in Carina’s living room, talking.
“Tomorrow morning and it ends on Friday.” the brunette replied.
“And, it’s online and open?”
“Online, yes; but it’s open only to the donors of the Hospital, Board Members, Staff and partner institutions. You have to be invited, and have a code to enter.”
“In other words, it’s only for those with deep pockets.” Maya remarked meaningfully.
“Well, it makes since, I guess… Since the idea is to raise money for the new equipment and construction work at the Hospital.” Carina mused.
“No, I get that.” the blonde returned. “What I don’t get is why it has to be raised through individual dinners with doctors and staff? Why can’t it be just one big Gala, or something?”
GreySloan Hospital was organizing an auction-dinner of sorts, with most of its Staff and Board Members participating.
“Well, because with our schedules, it’s almost impossible to get us all in a room at the same time, and this allows for some flexibility.” the Italian explained.
“Flexibility which, if you have enough money, allows you to take hot, single doctors to dinner. Nice!” Maya deadpanned.
Carina smiled and reached for her girlfriend’s hand. “First of all, not all of us taking part are single; and secondly, it’s just dinner.”
Maya sighed. Even though she knew Carina was right, she still was not sold on the idea. “And, who thought of it?” she asked.
“I think that it was Dr. Bailey who had suggested it initially, but the Board approved it.”
“Of course it did. Since all those doctors - who are mostly involved with other doctors - are going to bid to win, anyway. And as I understand it, some of them are Board members, as well.” Maya pointed out. "The whole thing seems pretty convenient."
“Actually, the partners or spouses on the Staff or the Board are highly discouraged from bidding on dinners with their significant other.” Carina said.
Maya made a face. “Yeah, like that’s gonna make much difference!”
The brunette chuckled. “You never know - it may.”
“Really?!” Maya countered, raising her eyebrows. “So, you’re telling me that if I was working at the Hospital, you wouldn’t bid on a dinner with me?”
“OK, that’s a fair point.” Carina admitted. “But, you do know you have absolutely nothing to be worried about, right?”
The blonde nodded. “I do.” She really did – rationally, at least.
“Besides, we’ll see what happens.” Carina shrugged. “I mean, maybe no one is going to want to bid on a dinner with me, anyway.”
Instantly, Maya gave her a look that made the Italian stifle a laugh. “I’m not even gonna dignify that with a comment!” the blonde returned, letting go of her girlfriend’s hand. After a few beats, she asked: “So, is everyone going to enter?”
Carina nodded. “Most of us, I think.”
“I bet Andrew is mad that he can’t participate.” Maya suddenly noted with a chuckle. Carina’s brother had left for Italy two days prior.
“Oh, but he can. Apparently, Jackson texted him to see if he wanted to participate, which of course, he did. And since the bidding ends on Friday, and there’s no fixed deadline for the dinners; he can go to his when he gets back from Italy.” Carina explained.
“He must have been thrilled about that!”
“He was. Of course, he’s hoping to be taken out to dinner by a doctor that also happens to look like a supermodel. But, I wouldn’t get my hopes up…” the brunette quipped with a chuckle of her own.
“That’s mean, Carina!” Maya admonished her, jokingly.
“No, it is not. It’s just realistic. None of us knows who we are going to end up going to dinner with.” Then, her expression and tone changed. “But, seriously, bella… If you don’t want me to participate, I’ll tell Dr. Bailey that I am not going to do it. I mean, the participation isn’t mandatory, so... If you don’t want me to do it, I won’t.”
Maya was taken aback. Shocked almost. She definitely did not expect this. “You’d do that?!” she asked, looking at the Italian.
“Of course I would, amore!” Carina returned with a loving smile, taking the blonde’s hand with her own, again. “I don’t want to do anything that would cause you discomfort. And, I’m sorry that I didn’t talked to you about it before I accepted. But, I honestly, didn’t think it was such a big deal.” she offered, earnestly. “Although, I have to admit that, if the situation were reversed, I don't think I would like it very much either. I…”
The rest of her words were silenced by Maya’s lips on hers in a sweet kiss. “No, I want you to do it.” the blonde said as it ended.
“Are you sure?” Carina asked, searching her girlfriend’s face for any trace of doubt.
“I’m positive.” Maya reiterated. “Besides…” she said as a telling grin spread across her face. “It really wouldn’t be much of an auction without its hottest doctor taking part, would it?”
Carina smiled and leaned in for another kiss. “Ti amo tanto, bella!”
“I love you too, Car!” Maya returned. “Though, next time, you may wanna tell Dr. Bailey to organize a charity game, instead. Or to do a calendar.” However, as soon as she uttered the second suggestion, she realized her mistake. “No, strike that! No calendars! You look too hot in a lab coat!”
The Italian grinned suggestively. “You think I look hot in a lab coat?! You’ve never told me that.”
“Because I thought that much was obvious!” Maya returned, showing off her dimples.
“Well, maybe, but it still would have been nice to hear…” the brunette said just before she made the distance between them disappear in another kiss.
Unfortunately, just as things were starting to get a little more ‘heated’, Carina’s phone rang. They both let out almost simultaneous frustrated groans, but neither broke contact. As the ringing continued, however, Maya breathed out…
“I hope it’s not an emergency delivery. I love babies, but sometimes, their timing really sucks!”
Carina laughed as she broke their embrace and reached for her phone. As she picked it up, she frowned slightly. “It’s not the Hospital. It’s Andrea, and he’s FaceTiming me.”
“I stand corrected – your brother’s timing sucks!” Maya quipped as she put a little distance between her and the brunette.
“That it does!” the Italian nodded, smiling. Her little brother had always had the annoying habit of making his presence known at the most inconvenient times.
“It may be something important, though.” Maya noted. “I’ll give you some privacy.” But, as she went to stand up…
…Carina stopped her by gently grabbing her arm. “No, stay.”
Maya smiled adoringly and sat back down. However, she maintained some distance between them.
Carina answered the call. “Pronto, Andrea?”
“Ciao sorellina!” her brother greeted her, smiling. “Are you decent? Perché’ c’è qualcuno qua che vorrebbe parlare con te. (There is someone here who would like to talk to you.) And, don’t worry it’s not papà.”
The brunette frowned slightly, but before she could say anything, her expression changed completely, and she exclaimed. “Nonnina!”
“Bambina mia!” a smiling, elderly woman said.
“Pero’, come?! Che cosa ci fai lì, Andrea?! (But, how… What are you doing there, Andrew?!)” Suddenly, Carina was very confused. Her brother was in Italy, on a ten-day vacation, but he said he was going to Milan. He had not mentioned anything about visiting their maternal grandmother, who lived far away from Milan.
“Ho cambiato idea. Ho deciso di venire qua e fare una sorpresa alla nonna.” (I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to come here and surprise nonna.) Andrew replied.
“Ma, potevi dirmelo, pero! L’avrei mandato qualcosa!” Carina reproached. (You could’ve told me, I would have sent her something!)
“Ma, non lo sapevo neanch’io!” (I didn’t know it, either.)
“Già!” (Yeah, right!)
“E’ vero. Ti giuro, Cari!” (It’s the truth… I swear!)
“Ragazzi, non litigate!” (Kids, don’t fight!) Carina and Andrew’s grandmother interjected. “Ho chiesto io ad Andra di chiamarti, Carina, perché’ volevo vederti un po’. Lasciami vederti meglio! (I’ve asked Andrew to call you, Carina, because I wanted to see you for a little bit. Let me see you a little better.)”
As Andrew adjusted his phone so that their grandmother could see his sister a little better - and told her who do hold it - Carina swallowed hard. She missed her grandmother a lot. She spoke to her as often as possible, but it had been a long time since she had last seen her in person - or virtually - for that matter.
Maya noticed that Carina was fighting back tears, and she had to fight the urge to reach over and take her girlfriend’s hand. Even though she had not understood the actual meaning of the words being spoken, she did get the general idea. And, she knew that the elderly woman was Carina’s maternal grandmother – she had recognized her from the pictures Carina had shown her. The brunette had also spoken about her quite often and Maya knew they cared about each other deeply; even if they had seen each other rarely, especially after Carina’s mother had moved to the United States with Andrew. However, Maya also knew that Carina had not yet told her grandmother that she was more into women than men, and that was why she was hesitant to hold the brunette’s hand – even if it was just to offer her comfort. Instead, she had limited herself to just looking at her, hoping that Carina would glance back at her, even for a beat - which she did. And as she did, Maya smiled at her, hoping that her smile would convey what her words at that moment could not – that she was there for her.
As she waited for Andrew to adjust the phone for their grandmother, Carina glanced at Maya. And instantly, she melted. The look and smile on the blonde’s face made her heart soar and almost caused the tears she had been fighting so hard to keep at bay, over the past few minutes, to start falling. Because, even though Maya was just sitting there quiet, her look and face spoke volumes.
“Sì, adesso la vedo molto meglio. (I see her much better now.)” Carina heard her grandmother say and she looked at her phone again. “Sei bellissima, tesoro!” (You look beautiful, sweetheart!)
She smiled brightly. “Grazie, nonnina!”
“Sei un po’ troppo magra, però!” (You are a bit too skinny, though!)
“Non sono magra, sto bene.” (I’m not skinny, I look fine.)
“Andrea dice che lavori troppo. Dovresti riposare di più.” (Andrew says you work too much. You should rest more.)
“Ma, anche lui lavora troppo.” (He works too much, as well.)
“Sì, ma, lui è in vacanza adesso, e tu no.” (Yes, but he is currently on vacation and you’re not.)
Carina heard her brother chuckle, and instantly, she made a mental note to kill him the next time she saw him. “Sto bene, nonnina, davvero, non ti preoccupare. (I’m alright, honestly. Don’t worry.)” she said. “E tu, come stai?” (How are you?)
“Io sto da Dio. Hai già cenato?” (I’m great! Have you already had dinner?)
“Si’, ho mangiato al lavoro. Ti vengono a trovare i vicini?” (I’ve eaten at work. Do the neighbors come to visit?)
“Se mi vengono a trovare, dice! Stanno sempre qua, non mi lasciano mai da sola.” (Are you kidding?! They are always here, they never leave me alone!)
Carina smiled. “Mi fa piacere sentirlo. E comunque, se hai bisogno di qualcosa, adesso c’è anche Andrea.” (I’m glad. And, if you need something, now you also have Andrew there.)
“I was thinking about buying her a cell, and teach her how to FaceTime.” Andrew suddenly interjected.
“That’s a great idea - do that!” Carina agreed promptly.
“Smettete di parlare in inglese! Lo fate sempre quando non volete che io senta qualcosa.” (Stop talking in English! You always do it when you don’t want me hear something.)
“Scusaci nonnina!” (We’re sorry!) both Carina and Andrew said dutifully.
Their grandmother smiled warmly. “Domani quando lavori?” she asked her granddaughter. (When do you work tomorrow?)
“Domani ho il giorno libero.” (I have a day off tomorrow.)
“Bene, così ti riposi un po’. Lo sai già cosa farai?” (Good, you can have some rest then. Do you already know what you’ll be doing?)
“Sì. Passerò del tempo con degli amici.” (I’ll spend time with some friends.)
Carina heard Andrew clear his throat, and now, she definitely decided to kill him the next time she saw him. However, she could not think about that for too long, because her grandmother’s next question took her completely by surprise…
“Ti vedrai anche con quella amica tua… la vigile del fuoco… com’è che si chiama…?” (Are you also going to see that friend of yours… What’s her name… The firefighter...?)
“Maya.” Carina replied on instinct, making Maya frown in surprise. “Si chiama Maya, e sì, la vedrò. Infatti è qua con me adesso.” (Her name’s Maya. And, yes, I’ll be seeing her; in fact, she is here with me right now.)
“Ma, è lì con te?” (She’s there with you?)
“Sì è qua vicino a me.” (Yes, she’s here next to me.)
“Ma, fammela vedere, allora.” (Well, let me see her, then.)
Carina looked at Maya. “My nonnina wants to see you. She was asking about my plan for the day off tomorrow. I said I was going to spend it with my friends and then she asked if you were one of those friends - I said yes. And, now, she wants to see you.” the Italian explained, looking somewhat apologetically at her girlfriend.
“I am OK with it if you are.” Maya returned calmly, smiling; and inadvertently making the brunette fall in love with her even more.
Carina was still on fence about telling her grandmother that Maya was her girlfriend, though she was leaning heavily toward yes for some time now. However, she had not yet discussed it with Maya, and she did not know how she felt about it.
But, as she heard the blonde’s words, she beamed. “Come closer…” she said.
And, without wasting another beat, Maya did.