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The further she drove into the driveway, the more the weight on Maya’s shoulders slowly dissipated.
The itch to come back home to Carina and Liam had made itself known the second she’d driven away that morning. Leaving them was by far the hardest thing she’d done, and she’d done some arguably hard things over the years.
When Andy had ordered her to go home, Maya couldn’t get out of the station soon enough. The entire drive home had been full of restlessness, and more than once, she’d found herself eyeing the speedometer, slowing down to stay within the speed limit.
But then she’d turned the corner before pulling into the driveway, and one glimpse of Carina standing on the porch, Liam in her arms, had relieved so much of the pressure built up in Maya’s chest.
Logically, she’d known that Carina was okay.
That Liam was okay.
She’d only left that morning after telling Carina over and over again to call her if anything happened. And Carina’s occasional text messages had done a good enough job of temporarily keeping her mind at ease.
But after spending half the day worried about not being there to help, and the other half anxious over having seen Mason again, Maya couldn’t wait to wrap her arms around her little family.
To soak in the warmth and comfort that their mere presence exuded.
Closing the car door behind her, Maya approached the front of the house, her heartbeat evening out inside her chest, as if it knew it was home.
As if it were a restless magnet, aching to be reunited with its other half.
“How is my baby?”
“Him or me?” Carina giggled.
“Both, obviously.”
“Diaper’s changed, he’s been fed, we’ve just been impatiently waiting for you to come home,” Carina beamed, passing Liam into Maya’s open arms.
“I only messaged you fifteen minutes ago,” Maya laughed, turning to Liam, her fingers trailing across his stomach, “Did you have a good day? Did Mama feed you some of that delicious formula?”
“Two whole bottles of it,” Carina smirked, “Good luck, because guess who’s on diaper duty tonight.”
Even as she sighed dramatically, Maya grinned. She leaned over, kissing the smirk off of Carina’s face.
“And what about you?” Maya questioned, pulling away, “Have you eaten yet?”
“Mhm… Miranda made sure of it.”
“That’s why we love Miranda. Don’t we, Liam?”
“Did you eat at the station?” Carina slid her hand across Maya’s back.
“I had a bit,” Maya nodded, “Oh! The lawsuit, did Mirand-”
Carina nodded immediately, giving Maya pause.
“Yes, I’ll tell you all about it but wait- first…” Carina glanced down at Liam, before her eyes came back up to Maya’s, “We have a surprise for you.”
When the excitement on Carina’s face persisted, Maya raised a brow, “Do you now?”
“Yeah, come on…”
Carina’s hand curled around Maya’s bicep as she tugged her through the doorway, a bounce in her step as they crossed the threshold.
“Oh, did the movers get all of the boxes?” Maya questioned as they walked across the living room, the space bare save for the cluster of boxes stacked in one corner.
“Yes, it’s just the big furniture left now. I was going to stop by but with the mess, and the dust…”
“No, best not to with this little guy,” Maya agreed, Liam’s wide eyes catching her attention again, “I’ll go check in the morning.”
As they made their way further into the house, leaving the living room behind as they turned into the hallway, Carina lightly tugged on Maya’s arm again, holding her back while she went jumping ahead.
Had it not been for the baby in her arms, Maya likely would have followed her into the bedroom, jumping just as enthusiastically.
Carina’s excitement was just that infectious.
So much so that Maya decided it made up for the both of them.
“Okay, are you ready?” Carina giggled, turning to face her, “You’re about to be blown away.”
“Okay…”
Spurred on by Carina’s growing eagerness, Maya stepped into the room, her smile widening as Carina jumped to the side, revealing a fully assembled crib.
“I built it all on my own!”
Maya’s mouth fell open as her face lit up, Carina’s grin as infectious as her excitement.
“Wait, weren’t you at Miranda’s?”
“Yes, but we got back pretty early, so I figured… why not?”
“It looks amazing, babe,” Maya grinned, but as Carina stared at her handiwork, Maya dipped her head down, whispering into Liam’s ear, “We’re going to have to check that everything is screwed on tight later…”
Carina’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowed.
“I heard that!”
Maya casually shrugged.
“Heard what?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Carina said firmly, “I can follow instructions, you know.”
“Whatever you say,” Maya said with a smile, her eyes once more drifting to the baby in her arms, “Did you help, Liam?”
Carina stepped closer, her arms sliding against Maya’s as they held Liam between them.
“If staring at me from his carrier the whole time counts as helping, then yes,” Carina mumbled, swaying them slowly.
“That’s plenty, if you ask me,” Maya leaned down to brush her nose against Liam’s, “You did some good work today, baby.”
Maya smiled, their subtle swaying slowly putting him to sleep. She stared down in admiration, vaguely aware of the fact that Carina was also doing the same.
A full belly and the slight rocking meant that it wasn’t long before Liam’s eyes fluttered shut, clearly at peace despite being trapped between his mothers.
Or maybe it was because he was between them.
Only once he was asleep, did Maya glance up at Carina, her smile never fading.
“You also did some good work today, babe.”
Maya wouldn’t admit it, but by the looks of it at least, Carina had done an excellent job at putting the crib together.
She was only saddened by the fact that she hadn’t been there to help.
“Yeah?” Carina whispered, smirking before she looked down bashfully. Her face flushed, and even in the dim lighting, Maya could see the blush creep onto Carina’s cheeks, “Although… I do think you should double-check the screws.”
Maya raised a brow, holding back a laugh.
“Oh?”
“Just in case, you know. Liam’s going to be inside it and…it should be fully safe.”
“Oh yeah, definitely…”
“Just in case. You never know with these things, and sometimes the material could be damaged, and...”
“And just in case.” Maya finished, laughing under her breath as she nodded.
Before Carina could come up with any more excuses to justify herself, Maya slid her hand onto Carina’s cheek, silencing her with a kiss. A kiss filled with giggles and laughter.
Her lips brushed against Carina’s and with each slide of their tongues, Maya felt all the pressure, and the worry, and the anxiety that had built up over the course of the day, entirely fade away.
Because she finally had her arms wrapped around her little family.
She was finally home.
-.-
Much to Maya’s surprise, laying on a mattress with no bed frame underneath it wasn’t half as bad as she’d imagined.
Their mattress was thick enough that it didn’t feel any different than it did with a bed frame. And corny as it sounded, if Carina’s head was on her shoulder, and every square inch of Carina’s body was pressed up against her own, Maya would happily sleep on any surface.
However, she was also glad that it was just a matter of one night, because the loss of elevation that came with having no bed frame made everything seem a little strange.
And even though they were super lucky to have found a house that ticked all the boxes so quickly, it was still a new place, and everything felt a little surreal.
New, and fresh, and beautiful. But still, a little strange.
Liam’s soft snores steadily sounded out from the crib, and that accompanied by the warmth of Carina’s breath against her neck gave Maya the sense of calm that she’d been yearning for the entire day.
She could finally let her shoulders slouch and her head fall against the pillow, because even though everything was still messy, and just a little all over the place, at least she still had this.
She’d always have this.
“How was Pride?”
Maya tried not to sigh.
The day had been a rollercoaster and a half, and summing it all up in one sentence seemed entirely impossible.
“It was…good. No, it started off good,” Maya paused, her eyes darting across the dark room, “It was so beautiful to see so many people out there, coming together to celebrate the community. To celebrate love. And celebrate themselves… their true selves.”
Carina nodded against her shoulder as her fingers traced circles across Maya’s stomach.
“Growing up, I…I didn’t even know what Pride was. I think my Dad actually made an effort not to say the word in the house, and my Mom wouldn’t dare utter it in his presence. But…it was just so beautiful. To see people, people who are still growing up, get to be themselves.”
“Yeah…” Carina mumbled, raising her head slowly till her eyes met Maya’s, “I didn’t grow up with any of it either. I mean, even now, the thought that we wouldn’t be considered a married couple in Italy…”
Carina’s voice wavered as she glanced up at the ceiling.
Maya’s arm tightened around Carina almost of its own accord, pulling her in even closer.
It stung to watch Carina blink away tears, but Maya simply laid her other arm across Carina’s body too, hugging her as best as she could, aware that there were no words that could provide as much comfort as her physical presence could.
“It breaks my heart.”
It broke Maya’s heart too.
It was disheartening that a place that meant so much to Carina, a place she otherwise spoke so fondly of, failed its queer people.
Failed her wife.
“I know, babe. I know.”
Carina sighed as her hand slipped under Maya’s shirt.
It wasn’t a touch brought about by any sexual intent, Maya knew that. As Carina’s fingers stroked her stomach, running over as much bare skin as they could find, Maya recognised the desperation behind the touch.
The same yearning for tranquility that was only ever fulfilled when they could feel each other.
“It sounds amazing,” Carina eventually mumbled, “I’m a little sad I wasn’t there.”
“I was very sad that you weren’t there. But as much as I wish you had come, I’m kind of glad you didn’t…” Maya admitted, her resolve shaking as masked men and their haunting chants filled her brain.
Carina shifted in her arms, her brows furrowing as she watched the colour drain out of Maya’s face.
“What- why?”
Maya took a single deep breath, her heartbeat accelerating as she exhaled.
“I saw Mason.”
Carina’s face scrunched up in confusion.
“Your brother?”
“Yeah.”
A heavy silence spread in the room as Carina’s expression contorted even more.
“Was he part of the parade, or…”
“He was part of a group of men who were… who were protestors.”
Even in the darkness, Maya clearly saw Carina’s face as it fell.
She saw the colour fade away from her eyes, their usual brightness poached by disappointment. And hurt. And heartbreak.
“Oh.”
“I- I don’t know if…” Maya’s voice trailed off, her feelings jumbling together the more she thought about it, “I just- Should I have seen this coming? I mean, we grew up with my Dad. And Mason… Mason was a good kid. He was kind, and so caring, and I just keep wondering if… I don’t know, seeing him like that…”
Maya’s voice trailed off again, leaving silence in its wake.
“Did you get a chance to talk to him?” Carina murmured.
“No, there was a car backfire, and then everything was chaos. People were running around like crazy, and one of the protestors needed medical assistance. But I saw him. And I know he saw me.”
“I’m sorry, bambina,” Carina whispered, leaning up to gently press her lips to Maya’s forehead, “I know how much he means to you.”
“I just- I don’t know what I’d say to him if we spoke again. I don’t even know if I’m going to see him again. I-”
Maya was cut off by the sound of a stomach loudly rumbling.
Her stomach loudly rumbling.
Carina paused, leaning back to look her in the eye.
Despite the hurt in the air and her glazed-over eyes, Maya’s lips curved up ever so slightly at the corners as the room went silent.
“Was that your stomach?” Carina questioned incredulously.
Maya’s bottom lip trapped itself between her teeth, a meek smile on her face.
“Maybe…”
“Are you hungry? I thought you said you ate at the station?”
“I did!” Maya softly exclaimed, mindful of a still-asleep Liam not far from them, “Well, I’d started to. And then Andy said to go home so… I came home.”
“Maya!”
Even though her shouting was whispered, Carina’s anger was just the tiniest bit scary.
“Get up, come on,” she pushed herself up immediately, dragging Maya with her, “You can’t sleep hungry.”
“Carina, I’m fine. It was just the one time,” Maya argued, glancing across the room to make sure Liam was still asleep in his crib, “Plus, we don’t have any food in the house except for baby formula.”
“Then we’ll order something,” Carina insisted, her hushed voice raising with each word, “I saw a restaurant nearby when the realtor was showing the house, they might still be open.”
“Carina, it’s almost midn-”
Maya was cut off yet again, this time by the sound of Liam crying.
Carina sighed, and then Maya sighed, the sounds adding to the cacophony echoing through the room.
“Great, you woke him up,” Carina grumbled, not even bothering to whisper anymore.
“Me?” Maya scoffed, “You’re the one yelling. I think our neighbours might’ve heard you too.”
With a pointed look on her face, Carina raised a finger in objection. She didn’t say another word as she pushed the blanket off her body, walking over to the crib.
“Well, you know what always puts Liam back to sleep, right?”
It took Maya a moment to ponder Carina’s words.
Her eyes widened as she thought back to the countless car rides they’d had over the past few days, each having been spent circling the neighbourhood until Liam’s crying came to a halt.
Which was almost immediately, to his credit.
“Carina, we are not going on a drive this late!”
“Yes, we are.” Carina stated, scooping a still-wailing Liam out of the crib, “He loves it, and we need to get you some food too. Grab your keys.”
Carina left no room for argument as she disappeared out of the room, though not before stopping at the doorway and turning to Maya with a sly grin on her face.
Maya groaned as she pushed the blanket off herself.
She picked up two jackets from the pile of clothes in another corner of the room, but froze when her stomach rumbled again, spending a moment feeling glad that Carina hadn’t heard it too.
Praying her stomach stayed silent, Maya practically jogged through the hallway, stopping only to grab her keys off the hook.
When she finally made it to the living room, Carina stood there with Liam all swaddled up, his arms flailing around as always.
Carina’s eyes narrowed at her, a smug grin on her face.
Despite the knowing look, Maya stood her ground, her expression nonchalant.
“What?”
“I heard that,” Carina stated, smirking, “And I’m the one with the loud stomach?”
“That was nowhere near as loud as yours,” Maya argued, sighing when she realised she was fighting a losing battle. She unlocked the car, groaning as she gave in, “Okay, whatever, I’m starving. Let’s go.”
“That’s what I thought,” Carina muttered under her breath as she walked out, her grin widening.
Maya could only shake her head as she locked the door behind her, following her light into the darkness.
-.-
“Andy would kill me if she found out I left mid-shift to get burgers and fries.”
Carina laughed from the back seat, the sound of paper bags rustling against each other echoing through the car.
“You said she ordered you to go home.”
“Yeah, but not to get fast food!”
“Shh!” Carina whispered, immediately causing Maya’s eyes to dart up to the rearview mirror, “He’s asleep.”
Eyeing Liam in the mirror, Maya was surprised to find him already fast asleep.
“That was quick.”
She turned slightly in her seat when Carina tapped on her shoulder, waiting to shove a handful of fries into Maya’s mouth. Mumbling a thanks as she chewed through the mouthful, Maya turned back to the road.
“I told you,” Carina boasted, before chowing down on some fries herself, “He loves being in the car. He was asleep the entire time I drove to Miranda’s house but then woke up crying the minute I took him out of the car seat.”
“Escape artist with a touch of wanderlust,” Maya laughed, sneaking glances at the sleeping baby every moment she could, “He’s a superstar already.”
Carina paused in the backseat, her gaze stuck on Liam’s fluttering eyelids.
“Yeah, he is...”
Maya pulled up into the driveway, waiting till the car came to a complete stop. She pushed the gear onto park before turning in her seat.
“Although I’m a little scared to wake him up now,” Maya muttered, smiling at Liam’s snores that had become audible once the car’s engine had turned off.
Carina glanced up, her expression doubtful.
“Maybe we don’t wake him up?”
“And what, just stay in the car?”
“Just for a bit,” Carina gestured to the takeaway bag of food in her hands, “Till you’re finished eating?”
Sitting inside the car, in their driveway, in the middle of the night, didn’t sound entirely appealing to Maya, but it was likely better than waking Liam up.
“Okay, I’ll come back too.”
Carina nodded, pulling Liam’s car seat closer to her as Maya got out of the car before pulling open the back door and sliding in on the opposite side.
“This is, by far, the strangest night ever,” Maya laughed softly as Carina passed her a wrapped burger.
“What, you’ve never eaten burgers in a car before?”
“Not in order to make sure my son doesn’t wake up, no,” Maya retorted, her eyes lighting up as she bit into the burger, “There’s a sentence I never thought I’d say.”
Carina smiled across from her, her eyes falling on Liam in the seat between them.
“I’ve said a lot of things today that I never thought I’d say,” Carina whispered, “Things that I never dreamed I’d be lucky enough to say.”
Lowering her burger, Maya reached out her clean hand, placing it on top of Carina’s that was curled around the handle of the car seat.
Carina looked up at her, her eyes flooded with disbelief.
“We’re his moms.”
Maya’s smile widened as she slowly nodded.
“It’s crazy, but yeah…we are.”
“Everything feels crazy,” Carina chuckled under her breath, “But good crazy.”
Maya squeezed Carina’s hand in agreement. She nodded as she raised her burger again, about to take a bite before pausing suddenly.
“Wait- that reminds me, what did Miranda say? About the lawsuit?”
Carina glanced across the small space, her smile bittersweet.
“That it’s a miracle that it hadn’t happened already,” she simpered, before inhaling deeply, “And that I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Maya froze, the burger in her hand once again forgotten as she sat up straight.
“You did nothing wrong?”
Carina nodded as she sniffled, her hand flipping under Maya’s to lace their fingers together as she repeated herself, “I did nothing wrong.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong!” Maya exclaimed, all but jumping in her seat, “Didn’t I say over and over again that there’s no way you did anything wrong? Didn’t I?!”
“Shh,” Carina raised a finger to her lips, her teary eyes widening as she looked down at Liam, “You’ll wake him up.”
Maya shrugged, beaming.
“Even if he does, he’ll be too proud of you to cry,” she said, lowering her voice only slightly. As Carina’s revelation slowly started to sink in, Maya frowned, “So, that woman is just making false claims against you for what? For revenge? For-”
“For money. I think,” Carina sighed between the occasional sniffle, but smiled every time Maya brushed away a tear before it fell, “Miranda said that- that some families do this for financial support.”
Maya scowled.
As happy as she was to learn that Carina hadn’t made a single mistake, she had not once questioned it either.
Maya knew Carina’s dedication to her career, to her patients, and while everybody made mistakes, she’d proudly tell anyone who asked that Carina was far too skilled to do anything of the sort.
Not when someone’s life was in question.
Maya kept her voice calm for Carina’s benefit, even though every muscle in her body was seething.
She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t furious about the fact that someone was willing to go to such lengths for money, sympathetic as she was about their situation.
It was enraging that Carina’s profession was on the line for it. That through no fault of her own, Carina now had a lawsuit on her record.
Carina, who didn’t have a selfish bone in her body.
Who would go to extreme lengths for anyone out of the sheer kindness in her heart.
Who had spent her entire life helping people without any expectations of receiving anything in return.
Maya chose to temporarily silence the rage building within her.
“I wasn’t joking, you know,” she mumbled as she tugged on Carina’s hand, their eyes locking.
“Hmm?”
“Liam would be so proud of you if he woke up right now.”
Rolling her eyes, Carina giggled.
And despite all the anger still looming in Maya’s head, she could only smile as Carina laughed. As the beautiful sound of Carina’s joy filled her ears.
She was proud of herself for being the cause of it.
But she was infinitely prouder of Carina. Just like Liam most definitely was too.
Carina leaned over Liam’s car seat, her fingers wrapping around Maya’s jaw before she pressed their lips together.
“I love you,” she whispered, her breath hot against Maya’s lips.
Barely two seconds ago, Maya’s entire body had heated up in anger but there wasn’t a single sign of it as she grinned, deepening the kiss.
“And I love you.”
Carina’s tongue brushed against her bottom lip, a clear request, but right as Maya was about to open her mouth, she pulled away.
“And Liam loves you too,” she whispered.
Both of their eyes fell on the fast-asleep baby between them.
As if on cue, both Maya and Carina wordlessly leaned in, each gently pressing their lips to either one of Liam’s cheeks.
Carina grinned against Liam’s cheek, her grip on Maya’s hand tightening.
“Ti amo, tanto.”