Chapter Text
Sun 25 SEP 2022
Maya sat on the bed going over what she had packed and what she still needed to pack and having an internal battle with herself about going all together. But it was her job, it’s what she was trained to do, well sort of, but if the call for help was issued, she knew she couldn’t say no, no matter what was happening at home.
She’d been keeping track of the wildfires raging along the US west coast, she knew it was only a matter of time before the Seattle Fire Department was called to help like they had three years ago.
‘Maya… Maya.’ Maya’s attention was drawn from her thoughts when her wife walked into the room and sat next to her, placing a hand on her thigh.
‘I’m sorry. What?’ Maya asked as she turned attention from herself to her wife.
‘Are you really thinking of going?’ Carina asked.
Maya let out a long sigh and looked at the floor ‘Carina it’s my job. If they need help fighting the fires, I can’t say no. You know how hard it is for me to sit still when my team is on a call. I can’t not go.’
Carina did know. The first time they went away together Maya had a panic attack because the Seattle Fire Department had a 5 Alarm Fire calling all fire fighters into action to attend the scene and help. Maya hadn’t been Captain long and just the thought of not being there with her team stressed her out and it took everything Carina had to calm her down and make her see that there was nothing she could do.
‘I know. But this time it’s different Maya.’ And it was, they were now married, and Carina was 8 months pregnant with their first child, and Maya had been made Captain.
Thu 25 NOV 2021
Maya sat at the long table her beautiful wife sitting to her left and couldn’t help but think how unpredictable life was. It had been a shitty day, but one though kept bouncing around in her head.
‘I can do this. We can do this. Let’s do it. Let’s have a baby.’ Maya said Carina.
Carina looked at her with a surprised look on her face ‘Sorry. What?’
Maya smiled ‘I want to have a baby.’
Carina still couldn’t believe her ears, it was only a few months ago that Maya broke down and told her she couldn’t do that she couldn’t be a mother, and now here she was still grieving the loss of Dean Miller and she wanted to start a family. And as excited as she was that Maya wanted to start family with her, she knew she needed to curb her enthusiasm and excitement so they could talk about properly.
‘Okay, it’s really not best to make decisions while mourning.’
‘I’m not… I mean I am in mourning, but I’ve been thinking this whole time that I need to stick to some plan, plans don’t work, people die, and families fall apart.’ Maya stopped as her smile got bigger ‘Let’s have a baby.’
Carina couldn’t believe her ears ‘Seriously?’
‘Yes.’ Maya said.
‘Did you mean what you said?’ Carina asked Maya, they were lying in bed a few days later. Carina had her head on Maya’s shoulder as her right hand made lazy circles on Maya’s stomach.
Maya’s right hand slowly moved through Carina’s hair ‘Did I mean what?’ They were having a lazy Saturday morning in bed, neither of them had to go to work.
‘Having a baby.’
Maya sat up taking Carina with her and looked her in the eye ‘I want this, Carina. I want to experience everything with you. I want to have a baby with you.’
Carina couldn’t hold back her excitement, she grabbed Maya’s face and kissed her, Maya kissed her back.
Over the next few months Maya and Carina looked for a sperm doner, Maya and Carina had their eggs harvested to be fertiliser, then implanted into Carina.
Mon 14 FEB 2022
Carina was lying in bed gently running her hands through Maya’s hair while Maya curled into her side, her hand laying on Carina’s stomach ‘Do you think it worked?’
‘I hope so Bella. We will find out in two weeks.’
‘You hear that Peanut; you hang in there.’ Maya said to Carina’s stomach.
‘Peanut?’ Carina asked.
Maya sat up ‘Oh my God did I say that?’
‘Yes, bambina you did.’ Carina said with a smile.
‘I can’t believe I said that. I hate kiddy names; I find them insulting and belittling. My dad always called me kiddo. I didn’t mind at first but now.’ Maya’s face dropped ‘What if I turn out like him?’
Carina could see Maya was about to have a panic attack ‘Maya… Maya, look at me.’ Carina knelt in front of Maya and placed a hand on her check ‘Maya. You’re not your father. It’s okay… breath. Maya, look at me and breath.’
After some soothing encouragement Maya started to calm down ‘That’s it. Breath.’
Maya looked at Carina ‘Maya, you are not your father.’
‘But I called our baby Peanut.’
‘It’s okay bambina. Pet names are okay.’ Carina said with a smile.
‘Really? You don’t mind?’
‘No, I don’t. But can we come up with something other than Peanut?’
Maya sat back ‘What’s wrong with Peanut?’
‘Maya, we are not calling our child Peanut. That’s nuts.’ Carina said with a sly smile on her lips.
‘Oh, now you’re a comedian.’ Maya said as she pulled Carina into her side and lay back down.
Carina wrapped her left arm around Maya’s shoulder and pulled her tight ‘I am very funny Maya.’
‘Yes. My love you are.’ Maya said as she cuddled into Carina.
‘I love you, Maya.’ Carina said as she ran her hand over Maya’s head.
‘I love you too.’ Maya moved her hand to Carina’s belly ‘And I love you too peanut.’ Then Maya kissed Carina’s belly.
Tue 1 MAR 2022
Maya was sitting outside Chief McAllister office; he had summoned her on her day off and she wasn’t happy, but she was already skating on thin ice since her demotion almost 13 months ago and today wasn’t the best day either, because today was the day that marked two-weeks since Carina was impregnated, and they were going to find out if she was pregnant. So yes, the last place Maya wanted to be, was here, waiting outside McAllister’s Office.
She was beginning to wonder if the guy had a sixth sense about her special days because he had fired her as Captain of Station 19 on her wedding day, now… Now the day she was going to find out if she was going to a mother, she found herself outside his office, instead of with Carina.
‘Bishop.’ She heard him bellow form the other side of the door.
‘Sir.’ She said then let out a long sigh before replacing her hand on the handle and opening the door.
The first thig she saw was the man’s back. He was standing at the window looking out, she closed the door a little louder than she normally would to let him know she was in the room. Then she went and stood in front of his desk.
‘Have a seat.’ He said without moving from his position by the window.
‘Yes. Sir.’ She said as she sat down.
‘Beckett. As a Lieutenant under his command and a former Captain. What do you have to say about him?’
Well, this isn’t what she expected ‘Oh…Wow. Ah.’
McAllister turned to face her ‘Don’t hold back now Bishop.’
Maya took a moment to compile her thoughts ‘Sir. He isn’t well liked by the team, and he doesn’t have their trust. Since Miller’s death it’s gotten worse. I do what I can to keep them together but it’s hard to trust a Captain that doesn’t trust you and you feel they don’t have your back.’
McAllister sat on his chair and flipped open a file.
‘Over the last 12 months I’ve received over 50 complaints about Captain Beckett saying he is unprofessional, complicate, unprofessional and that he was responsible for the incident involving Engine 19, the near death of 5 fire fighters at a home lab fire and the death of Dean Miller. And a number of other incidents and I’ve read every report he has filed.’
Maya didn’t know what to say, she just sat there looking at him.
‘The complaints I’ve received are from Station 19, 23 and Captains and Lieutenants from various other stations. They refuse to work with him. I had no choice but to sacked him, and I need replacement. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye in the past, but I want your recommendations for a replacement.’
‘Excuse me. What?’ Maya was stunned but this revelation.
‘I want to hear your recommendations for new Captain.’
Maya let out a long breath ‘Sir. I would suggest Gibson or Ruiz.’
McAllister looked at her ‘Why those two?’
‘If you are looking at promoting in house, I suggest Gibson has been a lieutenant for over five years, and he has the respect of the team. If you are looking at new blood Ruiz. He has worked with the team on numerous occasions and the team trusts him.’
McAllister sat back and thought about what she said. Then started to flip through a different folder. ‘I thought you would have put your own hat in the ring.’
‘Sir, as much as I would love to be Captain again you’ve made it quite clear that you don’t think I’m Captain material because I’m insubordinate and don’t obey orders. I don’t play by the rules.’
‘That’s true. Looking back on your time as Captain is there anything you would do differently?’
‘No Sir. I would do everything the same.’ Maya said without skipping a beat.
McAllister gave her a small smile ‘I thought so.’ He stood and walked to the window again.
‘If you were captain again, would you do things the same or differently?’
Maya sat there for a moment and looked at him ‘Sir, over the last 18 months I have learnt a lot. Prior to my Captaincy I had only one captain to look up to, who I tried to aspire to be but having had two captains since then I have learnt the type of Captain I don’t want to be. As bad as Beckett was, I have learnt that arrogance can be your downfall. I wouldn’t change what I did in the past, but I know now there were better ways I could have done things and I can use that experience to be better. I know that I can be better by taking a few moments to think about things before jumping in. And listen to my superiors. I may not agree with them, but I won’t take it personally or think that they are criticising my leadership.’
McAllister turned and faced her ‘That’s good to hear because as of tomorrow you will be Captain of A shift. Congratulations Captain Bishop.’
‘What?’
McAllister sat back down ‘I’ve spoken to the captains of the other stations and the Captain of B, C and D shift at Station 19. I asked for their recommendations and all of them said I would be an idiot if I didn’t reinstate you as Captain. We may not have seen eye to eye in the past, but I’ve been watching you, Maya. You know your stuff and you have the respect of your team.’ He reached into a draw and pulled out a small velvet box containing Captain bars and her old Captain badge and slid them across the table.
‘I like your fire and tenacity. If you can real in a little of that temper you can go a long way, Bishop.’
Maya sat there in shock, she reached out and picked up the badge and bars ‘I don’t know what to say Sir.’ She looked up ‘Thank you.’
‘I want you to know that I will be keeping my eye on you and will hold you to a higher standard than the other captains, not because you are a woman but because you are brilliant, compassionate and you see the bigger picture on scene. And I have no doubt that one day you will be sitting in this chair.’
Maya had no idea how she got home but when she walked in the door, she found Carina sitting in the loungeroom.
‘Maya, how did it go?’ Carina asked as she turned to face Maya.
Maya didn’t say anything she just walked around the couch and sat next to Carina and opened her hands.
Carina looked from Maya’s hands to her face ‘What does that mean?’ Carina asked.
‘Starting tomorrow I’m Captain.’ Maya slowly turned to face Carina and a smile spread across her face ‘McAllister made me Captain.’
‘Are you serious?’ Carina said with a big smile as she threw her arms around Maya’s neck and pulled her into a big hug.
‘This calls for a celebration. We need to get a bottle of champagne.’ Maya said excitedly as she stood from the couch.
Carina looked at her ‘I can’t.’
Maya stopped and looked at her ‘Why not. I got my old job back; we need to celebrate.’
Carina stood and took Maya’s hands in hers ‘I know, and we will, but I can’t drink.’ She then placed Maya’s hands on her stomach.
Maya looked confused, then looked at Carina’s stomach then back at her face a few times before it clicked ‘Oh my God. Are you serious? It worked?’
‘Si. We are gonna be Mamma’s.’ Carina said as a big smile broke out on her face.
‘Oh my God I can’t believe I forgot.’ Maya said shocked and embarrassed that Carina was getting a pregnancy test done and she forgot.
Maya knelt down in front of Carina both hands on Carina’s belly ‘Hey little bean. I’m your mommy. I love you.’ Then she gently kissed Carina’s belly.
She got back to her feet and pulled Carina into a big kiss ‘I can’t believe I forgot to ask how it went.’
Carina smiled; the last time Maya forgot something this big it was on their wedding day; she got so excited that she forgot to write her wedding vows.
‘It’s okay Maya. You had a big day. Now let’s celebrate.’ Carina said as she wrapped her arms around Maya’s waist and pulled her towards the bedroom.
Mon 17 OCT 2022
Maya let out a long breath ‘I know.’ They’d had this conversation every day for the last three days and it hadn’t gotten any easier and they still hadn’t found a solution, but deep-down Carina knew Maya would go. That if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to live with herself.
Carina had known Maya for three years; they had been married for two. She had learnt early on and the hard way that when Maya got frustrated and felt like she was pinned into a corner she would run and do something stupid. Like after their first argument about Maya’s father, Maya had run off and slept with Jack just to spite Carina, then threw it in her face.
They had both come a long way since then. Maya had asked Carina for a second chance and apologised, and Carina gave her that second chance. Carina had learnt not to push or force Maya into anything, she would talk to Maya about her thoughts and feelings and then leave Maya alone to think about her options. And Maya had learnt to listen to Carina’s concerns and not think that Carina was pushing her into something or trying to change her.
‘Maya, I know you want to go, and I will support you.’ Carina said as she took Maya’s hand in her own.
Maya turned to look at her, tears forming in her eyes. ‘Really?’
Carina placed a hand on Maya’s check ‘Yes. I can’t stop you. I know this is who you are. But if the bambina is born before they need you can please stay. I don’t want to do this without you.’
Maya let the tears fall and wrapped her arms around Carina ‘Thank you.’ She pulled back and kissed Carina ‘That isn’t even up for debate. If Peanut here is born before I’m called into action, I won’t go but the station will be shorthanded, I may need to go in from time to time, just until everyone comes back. Is that okay with you?’
Carina smiled ‘I can live with that.’
Maya placed her hand on Carina’s very large pregnant stomach ‘You here that. Your Mumma is a very smart woman. I hope when you get big that you find someone as good as her.’
Carina couldn’t help the smile that broke out on her face as she remembered that not so long-ago Maya didn’t want children because she was afraid that she would be abusive like her father; that was the type of person, the type of parent she didn’t want to be. It had taken years for Maya to realise that she wasn’t her father that she was better than him. Carina had no doubt that Maya would do anything to protect their children from that kind of abuse. She couldn’t wait to see Mommy Maya in action.
‘You get what you need ready, and I will get dinner.’ Carina said as she stood to leave.
‘No. I will get dinner ready; you sit back and relax. I can finish getting everything ready after dinner.’
Maya got dinner ready and talked about what would happen over the next 4 weeks and put plans in place for if Maya was away and Carina went into labour early.
Knowing they had a fallback plan for every scenario they could imagine Carina felt a little better if Maya was called away, she wasn’t happy about Maya going but her fears had been somewhat alleviated.
Two days later the Seattle got the call asking for help, Carina and Maya had a tearful farewell, but Maya felt relieved when her mother said she would stay with Carina until she returned.
‘Alright nineteen gather round.’ Maya said when everyone had arrived at the station, they were in the barn putting all their bags together.
‘Guys we leave in an hour make sure you have everything you need. You should have all gotten my e-mail with a list of what you will need. If not, I have on here. Come and get one and double check your equipment.’ Maya held up some papers. ‘I’ve also put a file together of what to expect when we get there. For those of you who were here when we went to California in 2019 you know what to expect. Buy I still want you to read this and familiarise yourselves. We have a 12-hour drive ahead of us, so you’ll have plenty of time to read this.’
‘Probie and Ruiz ask questions, because once were in think of it and if anything goes wrong you won’t have time for questions.’
‘We will be taking Engine 219 and Truck 819. I know the last few shifts we’ve gone over them to make sure everything we need is there but now that we’re heading out, I want you all to go over them again. Make sure we have plenty of water, medical supplies because we don’t have a station to go back to. Once were on scene we could be there for a few days, and these trucks will be our homes, make them as comfortable as you can.’
Maya looked around at her team: Lt Jack Gibson, Lt Andy Herrera, Lt Theo Ruiz, Travis Montgomery, Robert Sullivan, Ben Warren, Victoria Hughes, and the Probie Pete Blaze.
‘Okay get to work.’ Maya said then watched her team get to work.
Maya had spent the last two months working on her checklist and Wildfire information pack. She had learnt a lot from the Wildfire in 2019 and realised how unprepared they were, she didn’t want her team walking in blind, even if all but two had experience with Wildfires.
While compiling her information she learnt a lot. She just hoped that everything she had gathered would help her team, but she knew no amount of reading could prepare you for the real thing. The lung clogging smoke that was so thick you could hardly see your hand in front of your face; the energy sapping heat, hot enough to melt the tyres on the fire trucks; the strong winds the blew red hot embers from miles away. But the thing that really stuck with her was the speed at which wildfires travelled; you could stand still and see smoke on the horizon hundreds of miles away and in an hour or two you could be looking down it’s throat and have nowhere to run. She just hoped that all her planning and training was enough. That her team was prepared for everything the fires would throw at them and she hoped that every one of her team made it home alive and in one piece.
Wed 2 MAR 2022
‘All right 19 gather round.’ Maya said as she walked into the barn, she was wearing a jacket over her shirt to hide her captain bars and badge, no one at 19 knew of her promotion yet, she wasn’t even sure they had heard about Beckett’s sacking.
When everyone had formed a line ‘Good morning. Before we start there are a few things you need to know. Yesterday McAllister called me into his office.’ She stopped and looked at the faces of her team ‘Good news Beckett has been reassigned.’ She so wanted to say sacked but she didn’t, she didn’t want to sound bitter.
Everyone looked around at each other and a chorus of cheers and what’s.
Maya tried to hold back her smirk ‘Okay guys settle down. Bad news we are getting a new Captain.’
Again, everyone started talking at once asking who the new Captain would be ‘Silence.’ Maya called out.
‘To answer your question. Yes, I do know who the captain is.’ Maya smiled as she undid her jacket and took it off.
Maya smiled, it took a moment for everyone to realise what they were seeing, then the place went wild as everyone congratulated her.
Mon 23 MAY 2022
Maya was sitting at her desk lost in the pile of paperwork when she was interrupted by a knock on the door, her closed door that indicated to everyone that she wasn’t to be disturbed unless it was important.
‘Excuse me Captain.’ A little voice said as the door slowly opened.
‘What is it probie?’ Maya said angrily without looking up.
‘I know you don’t like to be disturbed but there is an angry Italian woman insisting on seeing you. I tried to tell her you were busy and not seeing anyone, but she insists on seeing you.’
Maya tried to hold back her smirk, then put on a fake angry voice ‘Tell her I’m busy and don’t want to be disturbed.’
Maya watched the probie carefully, Peter Blaze was a young man straight out of the Academy and had been on the job for a week. She could see the conflict play across his face.
Carina was 14 weeks into her pregnancy and still had mood swings.
‘Maya.’ She heard the Italian say as she pushed past Pete and stormed into her office.
Maya smiled and stood form her desk making her way to Carina and gave her a kiss on the check.
‘Probie, met my wife, Carina. Carina this is the probie, Pete Blaze.’
Carina turned to face Pete ‘Nice to meet you.’
He looked between Maya and Carina gave an awkward node ‘Nice to meet you too.’ And then he backed out of Maya’s office closing the door behind him.
Carina turned to Maya ‘That was so mean.’
‘Well, he did call you angry.’ Maya said playfully as she placed her hands on Carina’s face and pulled her into a more passionate kiss which Carina was more than happy to return.
When the need for air became impossible to ignore Carina broke the kiss and placed her hands wither side of Maya’s face ‘Hello Bella.’
‘Hey yourself.’ A breathless Maya said, ‘You’re early.’ Maya bent down and kissed Carina’s stomach.
‘Someone missed you and wouldn’t stop kicking, so I came early.’
Maya smiled and kissed Carina’s stomach again ‘Did you miss me? I missed you too.’ Maya stood and turned her attention to Carina ‘That sounds great. Give me a few minutes, I need to finish this and then we can go upstairs.’
At 14 weeks it was getting harder to hid Carina’s growing belly.
Carina sat in the office chair opposite Maya and Maya sat in her chair and got to work.
After about 15 minutes Carina started to move around a little, then got up to walk around ‘You okay?’ Maya asked.
‘Yes, your chair is uncomfortable.’ She made her way over to the window and looked out. Since her fourth week Carina had started to get a little irritable as body slowly started to change, even though she was barely showing she was finding some seats uncomfortable.
Maya watched her for a few minutes ‘What do you say tomorrow we go look for a chair or couch, or anything that’s more comfortable? We can put it against the window.’
Carina turned and looked at Maya, a large smile on her face ‘Really?’
‘Yeah. I mean the closer you get to your due date the more time you will want to spend here, and I want my girls to be as comfortable as possible.’ Maya had slowly closed the distance between them and placed her hand on Carina’s stomach.
‘Maya, We don’t know what sex.’ Carian said a little exasperated.
‘Do you want to know?’ Maya asked.
‘No. I want to wait until the bambina is born.’
Maya looked at her ‘Carina, you can read an ultrasound. How are you not going to know the sex?’
‘I have already talked to Jo and told her I don’t want to know. As long as the bambina is healthy, I don’t want to know anything else. She will hide the screen and mute the sound.’
Maya looked at her ‘Wow. You’ve really thought about this.’
‘Yes. I have.’ She noticed a weird look cross Maya’s face ‘Do you want to know?’
‘I hadn’t really thought about it. I’ve just been so excited about the baby I didn’t even think about the sex. But if you don’t want to know then we will wait.’
‘Thank you, Bella.’ Carina said as she pulled Maya into a big kiss, of course Maya had to respond in kind, after all she could never resist Carina’s lips.
After a what felt like minutes Maya pulled back ‘Carina, what if there’s more than one?’
Carina smiled ‘Well that will be extra special.’ Then kissed her again.
Maya wanted to talk to Carina about the prospect of twins, but the Station wasn’t the best place for that conversation. So, she pulled back and held out her hand to Carina ‘Come on. Let’s eat.’
Carina’s sense of smell had also been affected, especially in the last two weeks; things that Carina once enjoyed, such as her cheeses and garlic, now gave her nausea, and if it the smell was strong enough it would her make vomit. Carina’s sense of smell was off the charts, Maya had to shower twice before heading home after attending a fire because it would make Carina nauseous, Maya even had to change the laundry powder and soap the station used.
So, when the team did the shopping, she asked them to change a few of their regular items and leave others out. They didn’t like it, but Maya said that she had developed a weird allergy or a stomach bug or something, anything but the truth and the longer things went on the harder it was to come up with an excuse.
‘Hey guys.’ Maya said as she walked into the Beanery holding Carina’s hand ‘We have a special guest joining us today.’
Travis, Hughes and Warren were cooking lunch ‘Carina, it’s great to see you. Miranda said you’ve been feeling off for a while. I hope it’s nothing serious.’ Ben asked.
‘No. Just a stomach bug.’ Carina said with a small smile. So, Miranda hadn’t told Ben about her pregnancy. When Carina’s pregnancy was confirmed, she had to tell her boss, Chief of Surgery Miranda Bailey. Carina knew that Miranda and Ben didn’t keep things for each other, but she asked Miranda not to tell Ben because Maya wanted to tell her team when they were ready. Miranda wasn’t happy but it seemed that she had respected Carina’s wishes. And Carina was grateful.
‘Well, it’s good to see you.’ Ben said with a large smile.
‘Have a seat, lunch will be ready in a few minutes,’ Hughes said. ‘Theo and Andy should be here soon.’
When everyone was gathered, they all ate over pleasant conversations and many laughs.
After the meal was finished Maya stood and tapped her glass ‘Okay everyone before we head off there’s something I need to say. This station and this team has been through a lot over the last few years. I think of you all as my family. So, it’s with great pleasure that I can announce that Carina and I are going to be parents.’
‘Ha I knew. Pay up Vic.’ Travis said as she held out his hand to Hughes.
‘No wait. Who’s pregnant?’ Hughes said as she looked between Maya and Carina.
Maya looked at Vic and sat down again, and Carina was rested her head on Maya’s shoulder ‘Seriously. If was pregnant I wouldn’t be allowed to set foot on the trucks.’
Ben looked at Travis ‘How’d you know?’
Travis turned to look at him ‘Seriously and you call yourself a doctor? You couldn’t figure it out. Come on. Maya suddenly has weird allergies to smells and detergents and stomach bugs. When was the last time she took a day off sick?’
‘Good point.’ Ben said.
Andy got up ‘Congratulations. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I’m your best friend.’ She walked over to Maya and Carina, each stood so she could hug them.
Then the rest of the team congratulated them, then they all returned to work.
Wed 1 JUN 2022 – 1st day of Summer
‘Hey Trav.’ Maya said as she entered the TV room.
‘Morning Cap.’ Travis said in greeting eyes glued to the TV.
Maya turned her attention to the TV to see what Travis was watching, it was a report on a small Wildfire in Nevada ‘Crap. It’s gonna be another hot summer. That means more Wildfires.’
‘Do you think it’s going to be bad?’ Travis asked.
Maya sat in one of the armchairs and let out along sigh. ‘I do. Since we were called to Cali Wildfire 3 years ago, I’ve been reading up on Wildfires, they are becoming more frequent and more intense, burning hotter and moving faster. And they are more frequent.’
‘Do you think we’ll be called in again this season?’
Maya turned from the TV to Travis ‘I have no idea but if we do, I’m not going in unprepared.’ She said as she watched the TV then turned to Travis ‘Can you spread the word, meeting in the Beanery at 1130?’
At 1130 Maya walked into the Beanery carrying a folder ‘Hey guys thanks for coming. This shouldn’t take long.’ She stood at the head of the table and looked along its length ‘We’re entering another summer and it’s predicted that it will be hotter than last year, which means the likelihood of more Wildfires. Now you were all here when we went to Cali in 2019, except you probie.’ Maya turned her attention to Blake.
She looked around ‘Last time we were unprepared and nearly lost Sullivan and Herrera, if we get called in again, I want to be prepared. I know Wildfires aren’t our thing but if we get called in, I want to feel confident that we all know what we can expect. I will be putting together a training plan, and a folder on Wildfires. It will also include a checklist of what we need to pack in the trucks and our packs. I want you all to put something together about what you learnt and how we can be better prepared.’
Everyone looked around at each other ‘You got it Cap.’ Gibson said.
‘Probie, you’re not getting out of it that easy. You’ve never been to a Wildfire. I want you to do a little research and put together a list of things you think we will need to put in the trucks.’
‘Yes Captain.’ Blake said.
‘Have to me by the end of next week… Now let’s eat.’ Maya said with a smile.
Over the next 10 days everyone put something together that they had learnt from 2019.
Maya was standing at the window looking out ‘Hey Maya. Are you running?’ Andy asked as she entered the room. Whenever something was bothering Maya she would go for a run, if she couldn’t go for a physical run, she would stand at the window go for a run in her head.
Maya turned to face Andy ‘Not this time.’ A big smile started to make its way across Maya’s face ‘I was imagining being in the park with Carina watching our child run around playing.’
Andy smiled ‘Wow. I was not expecting that.’
‘I know. I can’t wait to be a mom. I can’t believe I put it off this long.’
Andy approached Maya and hugged her ‘Maya, you had to be ready, if you had become a mother before you were ready you wouldn’t be as excited as you are.’
‘Thanks Andy.’ Maya returned to her desk ‘What brings you in?’
‘Do I need an excuse to see my best friend?’ Andy had been transferred from 19 to 23 the same time Maya was demoted. Maya asked Andy if she wanted to return to 19 but Andy decided to stay at 23, as pissed as Andy was at leaving her father’s station, she realised that living in her father’s shadow was holding her back, sure 23 wasn’t a family like 19 but 19 would always hold a special place in her heart and she was working hard to get Station 23 to work as a team, and so far her hard work was paying off and she enjoyed working with the guys at 23.
‘No.’ Maya said.
‘But I did bring you this. Robert said you were putting together a Wildfire procedure. I thought this might help.’
‘Thanks Andy.’ Maya took the file Andy held out and started to flip through it.
‘Oh, don’t thank me yet. The guys at 23 heard what you were putting together, a few of them have fought wildfires, they are putting a little something together for you as well. And the captain would like a copy when you’re done.’
‘Really? Well, thank the guys for me. I look forward to reading what they have. And as for your Captain… Tell him when I’m done, I will send him a copy and he can proofread it.’
‘I’m sure he’d love that. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow?’
‘Yeap. Carina is looking forward to it.’
There was a gentle knock on the door ‘Excuse me Captain, I have my paper about Wildfires.’
Maya looked at what he was holding ‘What the hell is this?’ She asked. It was a giant folder.
‘Ah I will see you tomorrow.’ Andy said as she stood and left.
‘Have a seat Probie.’ Maya said, she was still sitting behind her desk. She held out her hand for the folder.
‘Ah I know it’s more than you wanted, and I have done the list you wanted me to make but when I told my uncle what you were doing, he gave me this.’
Maya had started to flip through it then turned her attention to Peter ‘Why?’
‘He was a Smokejumper.’
‘Wow.’ Maya was lost for words ‘Is that why you’re a Fire Fighter? Wait, I thought your parents were doctors.’
‘Yes, they are and no I didn’t become a Fire Fighter because of him. My parents supported me in whatever I want to do. They were a little disappointed I don’t follow in their footsteps, but we came to a compromise my being a Fire Fighter I could use a lot of the medical knowledge they gave over the years, so in a way it made them happy.’
‘Is Smoke Jumping something you want to do?’ Maya had placed the folder to the side and focused on the probie.
‘Oh hell no. I’m afraid of heights. And before you say anything about the height of the ladders, I can handle those because I am still connected to the ground. It’s the falling through the air with nothing under my feet that freaks me out.’
Maya smiled ‘You said he was a Smoke Jumper.’
‘Yes. He was injured last year, and can’t jump any more, he trains the newbies.’
‘It can’t be easy for him. Does he like what he’s doing now?’
‘Oh yeah. I think he loves torturing them. He said he’d be happy to talk to you if you have any questions. His number is on the front page.’
Maya smiled ‘Wow. Why didn’t you tell me all this before?’
Peter looked down, almost embarrassed ‘I want to make it on my own. I don’t want the guys to think I’m nig noting myself or something.’
‘I understand and I won’t say anything. If you want to tell them then it’s up to you. And thanks, for this.’
‘You’re welcome. Captain.’ He stood and walked out.
‘Well shit.’ Maya said to herself. Shaking off that little revelation Maya got to work reading the information Pete had given her.
Mon 17 OCT 2022
Once everything was ready Maya returned to her office ‘Hey babe. We’re about to head off.’ Maya could see Carina was trying to keep brave face, but her eyes told Maya that she was scared.
‘We are both doing fine.’ Carina said as she rubbed her stomach.
Maya fought hard to hold the tears back that were threatening to fall at the thought of leaving her wife and unborn child.
‘Maya, I can see this is hard for you. You can still change your mind.’ Carina said as she stood in front of Maya and placed her hand on her cheek.
‘I know but I’ll back in a week. Even if the team stays there longer, I will be back in 7 days.’
Carina watched Maya ‘Are you trying to convince me or yourself?’
Maya looked at her ‘Both.’
‘Maya, we’ve talked about this, we both know that you need to do this. If you don’t, you’ll hate yourself.’
‘I know and I really appreciate how supportive and understanding you are. I don’t know if I’d be the same if I was pregnant and you had to go off for a week.’
‘I know but you’re prepared. You’re going to be okay Maya.’ God, it hurt Carina to say that she wanted to tell Maya that she couldn’t go that it was too much of a risk, that she wanted her to stay but she knew Maya wouldn’t be able to live with herself if something happened to her team and she wasn’t there.
Maya let out a long breath ‘I love you, Carina.’
‘I love you too.’
‘I have to go. I will call you when I get there.’ Maya took Carina’s hand and they walked around the back to the two waiting fire trucks.
‘You okay Cap?’ Travis asked.
‘Yeah. I just didn’t realise it was going to be this hard.’ Maya said sadly as the trucks drove off and she watched Carina and her mother disappear in the distance. She was glad her mother was with staying with Carina.
‘Well, you’ll be back home before you know it. Carina isn’t going to let your child come into the world without you there.’
Maya smiled ‘No she won’t. Now we need to switch on and get ready kick this fires butt.’