Chapter Text
ANNOUNCEMENT
Carina and Maya had found out they were expecting a baby almost twelve weeks ago, but they still hadn't gotten around to telling their friends. It wasn't because they thought it was bad luck to reveal the news during the first trimester, as Carina had always believed women needed support at every stage of the pregnancy. It was simply because they were enjoying their own perfect bubble as a family of three and they had simply forgotten to bring anyone else in.
“Car, you'll start to show soon and everyone will be angry that we have kept this to ourselves.” Maya said, as she watched her wife change into scrubs.
Carina nodded. “We should throw an announcement party this weekend. Liam could announce he'll soon be a big brother.”
Maya smiled. “My love, may I remind you that we are the only ones who can understand Liam's babbling?”
The Italian rolled her eyes and smiled as well. “Liam wouldn't be talking. We can get him one of those shirts that say big brother and let our friends figure it out when they see him.”
“Oh I like that idea!” Maya admitted. “But do we have to throw a party? It's too much work. I don't feel like cleaning after our friends.”
Carina shrugged. “We could just do it in the beanery after your shift.”
“But what about your friends at the hospital?” Maya wondered.
“Well, Jo already knows. We can do it next Friday when Miranda is there as well. And I suppose I could ask Amelia and Teddy to join us.” Carina said.
“It's a plan, then. We'll do it on Friday. Do you think Liam is excited about becoming a big brother?” Maya inquired, glancing at their son, who was playing in his playpen.
“Why don't we ask him, bambina?” Carina suggested, lifting Liam out of the pen. “Pulcino, you're going to be a great big brother, right? Sei entusiasta di conoscere tuo fratello o tua sorella?”
The eight-month-old boy giggled and babbled, pulling Carina's hair.
“Oh, I think that's a yes!” Maya exclaimed. “But let's not pull mamma's hair.”
As soon as Liam heard his mommy's voice, he squealed as he opened and closed his hands, letting Maya know he wanted to be in her arms. And as much as Carina loved having Liam close to her, she had to admit that he was getting heavier and now that she was pregnant, it was becoming more difficult to hold him for a long time.
“Lee-lee, come to mommy.” Maya said sweetly. “We're going shopping for a new shirt today. We're finally telling everyone you'll be having a sibling soon.”
Liam squealed again, softly tapping Maya’s cheeks with his hands.
“I love him so much it hurts. Il mio bambino, ti voglio così bene.” Carina added.
***
On Friday, Carina arrived at the station five minutes before her wife's shift was over. She got out of her car and smiled at her son. “Sei pronto, pulcino?”
She unbuckled Liam and opened the trunk to get a large dish. As she walked into the station, she was trying to balance Liam and a dish of warm lasagna without dropping them.
“Let me help you!” Andy Herrera offered, taking Liam. “Hola papito, I'm so happy to see you.”
Liam babbled at Andy as he played with her captain badge.
“And let me help you with this.” Maya said, taking the lasagna from her wife and giving her a kiss. “Oh. Liam is not wearing…”
Carina shook her head. “I thought it would be better if we changed him into his special outfit once we got here.”
“Firefighter Barbie, good to see you!” Amelia Shepherd said, walking into the station. “You're looking as hot as ever.”
“Amelia…” Carina warned.
“What? Just telling the truth. And don't worry, I've given up on that menage à trois.” Amelia replied, winking at her friend.
“Wow. I hadn't been back since Ben asked if I wanted to join the PRT.” Teddy Altman added.
Andy was surprised to see some doctors from Grey Sloan at the station. Nobody had told her they would be there. “Are we celebrating anything in particular?”
“Go up to the beanery. We'll be there in a couple of minutes.” Maya instructed, taking Liam from Andy. “Come on, Lee-lee, let's get ready.”
“So, can I go down the pole?” Amelia asked mischievously.
Ben shook his head. “Don't even try.”
“Can anyone tell me why my hospital doesn't have a chief of Neurology or Cardiology today?” Miranda Bailey asked.
Teddy shrugged. “Carina asked us to be here tonight.”
“Does anyone know what this is about?” Ben asked.
Before anyone could answer, Maya walked into the beanery with Liam in her arms. “Liam has something to tell you. Come on, bubba, show them your shirt.”
Maya turned Liam so he was facing everyone. Miranda was the first one who gasped as she read Liam's shirt. “Now everything makes sense.”
Carina tilted her head as she frowned, not sure what Bailey had meant by that comment.
“Congratulations! We're so happy for you!” Andy exclaimed. “Who would've thought ‘Miss monogamy is for the weak' would be having two kids and a wife, huh?”
“For the weak or the very dedicated. And well, I am very dedicated now.” Maya replied, chuckling.
“Ha! You owe me twenty bucks!” Amelia told Teddy.
“Wait, you knew?” Carina asked Amelia.
“Uh. Let's say that Italian temper has been off the charts lately.” Amelia said.
Carina furrowed her brows. “Off the charts? Why would I write about my temper on my charts?”
“My love, it means you've been a bit more… uh, emotional lately.” Maya explained.
“Is that what you meant as well, Dr. Bailey?” Carina asked.
Miranda nodded. “But now everything makes sense and as Herrera said, we are all very happy for you!”
Liam kicked his feet and giggled just as Bailey was saying the last words.
“Oh and someone seems very excited about becoming a big brother!” Teddy added. “Let's make a toast.”
Everyone grabbed their glass and raised it. “To the Deluca-Bishops!”
Carina put her arm around Maya’s waist as she looked adoringly at their son. She couldn't wait to meet their second child. As Maya had said once, Carina couldn't wait to meet that little version of her wife she could count her blessings on.