Work Text:
Pain.
Nauseating, stomach-turning pain.
A stack of budget reports and the latest recruitment figures sat abandoned on a desk, slightly fluttering in the breeze that was filling the room from the aircon.
Maya was hunched over her standing desk, one hand clutching her stomach, sweat beading on her brow, as the other gripped onto it, keeping her upright. It was taking all of her effort not to lurch forward with each sharp ache that radiated through her entire stomach, each pulse bringing a wave of sickness that had her making eye contact with the trashcan.
Maya was sure contractions hadn’t been this bad when she’d had their youngest daughter six months ago. That had been pain like no other, even with her wife’s innovative research making the experience somewhat more pleasurable than most people experienced. But this pain… well, childbirth was nothing in comparison to whatever was currently going on in her body.
Maya sucked in a breath, sharp and shallow, tensing as a wave of nausea quickly followed after it. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced in another breath, gripping her stomach.
“What is happening?” she hissed, dropping into her chair as the nausea ebbed. The pain was still there, still sharp and achy, but she needed a change in position, having been practically folded in half since the pain began. She groaned lightly when she realised that even sitting down wasn’t going to bring her the relief she was hoping for.
“Okay, use your brain, figure out what’s going on.”
She cycled through the last few weeks, trying to remember if any of the team had complained about feeling unwell or if one of her stations had a high number of absences. Just something that might be able to explain what was happening. But there was nothing.
“Come on, Maya, what symptoms are worrying?”
Her mind immediately went to fever. She was definitely sweating, but whether that was from a fever or the pain, she needed to know. Maya grabbed the thermometer that she kept in her desk in case of emergencies. A sigh of relief pulled from her lips as it flashed green. “98.6. Textbook. Probably don’t have a bug, and if I had an infection, there’d likely be a fever.”
Still, she lifted her shirt, tucking it into the bottom of her sports bra, so that she could get a good look and feel of her stomach. She was immediately taken aback by how bloated it was. The toned stomach she had worked hard to get back after having Gianna was rounded from her ribs to her lower stomach. She wasn't sure how she had missed this, but it explained why, under the pain, her stomach felt heavy and full.
“Okay. First, appendicitis. Lower right abdominal pain.” She relaxed back in her seat as best she could, hoping that would help ease her muscles, which she felt like had been tensed since the pain started. She pressed gently, walking her palm across her stomach, starting from by her ribs, working her way down towards her appendix. “Okay, that’s good,” she muttered to herself as she pressed harder near her right hip. “No localised pain in the lower right abdomen, and it hasn’t moved since it started. Plus, I’d say it’s more of an ache than a stabbing pain, and I’ve already ruled out a fever. It is a little worrying that I am super nauseous, but if this was my appendix I would be vomiting… I think, and probably have an upset stomach.”
“Next…” she paused for a moment, trying to figure out what else it could be. “Okay, next is ovarian torsion,” Maya muttered, as she began running through a new list of symptoms in her head while gently palpating her lower stomach. “So… I have general pain across my whole stomach, rather than just in my lower abdomen. Plus, my pain didn’t just appear; it kind of built. I am bloated and nauseous, but again no fever and nothing feels out of the ordinary.”
“What else could it be?” Maya placed her head in her hands, suddenly every paramedic instinct she had seemed to have left her body. “Kidney stones? No, there’s no blood in my urine, and it didn’t hurt to pee. Plus, I don’t have pain in my side or back. UTI? No, I have no pain when peeing, and don’t have a frequent urge to pee.” She tipped her head back as another wave of pain and nausea began to build. She moved her hand to below her ribs and pressed, taking a deep breath in. She counted to three in her head before she exhaled, bracing herself for an increase in pain, but nothing came. “It’s not my gallbladder then,” she mumbled, drawing her knees up to her chest.
She felt hopelessness bubble in her chest, mingling with the pain. It didn’t seem to be anything acute… so why was she in so much—
Her body suddenly rolled with a contraction, and she felt the unmistakable sensation of a clot being expelled.
A big clot.
Of all the things she had considered, Maya hadn’t even thought to contemplate the idea that she could be experiencing her first postpartum period.
“Oh god. Ouch. That hurts.” Maya pressed her hand firmly into her stomach, hoping she could quell some of the pain if she pushed hard enough. “Jeez. That’s… intense.”
When the pain ebbed a little, Maya realised how unprepared she was for this scenario. She had stopped stocking her bag with pads and tampons weeks into her pregnancy, deciding that the compartment of her backpack that usually housed those products could be used for more practical items that would actually serve a purpose, namely, ginger chews. She was counting all her blessings that she still had the foresight to pack spare underwear because she needed it now more than ever.
As she stumbled her way through the bathroom door, she had never been more grateful she’d offered to continue leading the station’s initiative to have free period products available for anyone who may need them.
She quickly grabbed the largest pad available, grimacing at the mere sight of the tampons, before ushering herself into a stall. The space wasn’t very big, but she had enough room to change into the fresh underwear and get herself somewhat comfortably situated with the pad.
Maya grabbed a plastic bag from the counter, deciding that she’d rather throw out the underwear than stash it in her bag for the next few hours, and discarded them in the bin. She thoroughly washed her hands before returning to her office, grateful that while her stomach was still contracting, the pain seemed to have ebbed since she passed the clots.
Just as she was about to take a seat at her desk to try and make her way through the budget reports that needed her attention, she suddenly realised it was Friday, a detail forgotten while she struggled to stay upright. Usually, she welcomed the end of another week, but today dread crept over her. Fridays meant one thing.
Andrea’s tennis lesson.
Andrea became obsessed with tennis the moment she saw people playing in the park during a family walk. After persistently asking for lessons, Maya relented. Now, every Friday after school, they enjoyed Mommy-Andrea time at the local courts. Maya had also been persuaded to help at the kids’ club when it was discovered that part of her stamina training for her running career included weekly tennis sessions.
The time spent at the courts had brought Maya more joy than she ever could have imagined. Not only was she getting to spend quality time with Andrea, but she was also actively re-evaluating her feelings towards sports and her own children's involvement in them.
It was tradition for Liam to spend Friday nights at Amelia’s, a weekly occurrence since he and Scout started playing baseball together on a Saturday morning. Gianna would stay at the hospital daycare waiting to be collected by Carina when she finished her afternoon shift. When Carina arrived home, she would take over in the kitchen, enlisting Andrea’s help while she taught her to cook whatever meal was on the menu, and Maya would spend some quality time with Gianna… after the tennis session.
Maya wanted to be excited. She loved getting to see Andrea thrive in a sport, and it was rewarding to see the rest of the kids in the class make marked improvements with each passing week. Today felt nigh-on impossible, though. She could barely stand up straight, let alone help coach 12 over-energetic kids through a 30-minute lesson.
She knew there was only one way she was going to be able to make it through.
Eyes forward.
Maya didn’t know how she made it to the school pick-up line. She was certain her knuckles would be permanently white from the force she had used to grip the steering wheel.
The focus on the road has somewhat distracted her from the feeling that she was going to puke at any given moment, but she was convinced the pain had tripled during the short journey.
Maya had very little time to compose herself after another cramp ricocheted across her stomach, before Andrea came bounding out of the school gates. She stifled a giggle at the sight of her daughter's hair, knowing Carina had done some intricate design that morning. However, Andrea had seemingly been out in the wilderness, and there were now flyaways framing her face and some stray leaf remnants decorating her head.
“Hi, Mommy!” Andrea’s excited voice filled the car as she opened the back door and clambered into her car seat. “I just had the bestest day… like, ever!”
Maya smiled widely as she turned to help Andrea with the straps of her seat, trying to mask a wince with a smile. “Really, little butterfly? What made it the bestest day?”
Andrea wriggled in her seat, taking a big breath before launching into a story about how she’d been the line leader for her class, they’d coloured with new pens, and she got her favourite flavour juice box at recess. Maya tried to take in every detail as she drove them towards the tennis club, relishing in the fact that her daughter found joy in such simple things.
But she couldn’t help but be distracted by the pain.
Pain that was making her sick to her stomach. Sick in the way she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to ignore.
Just as she turned the corner, the tennis club in sight, she felt the sickness leave her stomach and rise up her throat. Pulling over as quickly as she safely could, she flung the car door open before lurching forward and throwing up.
“Mommy!” Andrea whimpered from the back seat.
“It’s okay-” Maya was cut off by another heave. “I’m okay, little butterfly.” She took a couple of deep breaths before leaning back into her seat, reaching for the water bottle beside her to swill out her mouth.
“Are you sick, Mommy?” Andrea’s bottom lip wobbled, and little tears formed in her eyes as she worried about her Mommy’s current state.
Maya slowly turned her head to be able to face Andrea, desperately trying to paint a reassuring smile on her face. “I’m not sick. I think I just ate something funny earlier.” She reached back to squeeze Andrea’s little hand.
“But, Mamma made your lunch for today. You had leftovers.” Andrea’s little brow furrowed. “Mamma’s cooking doesn’t make anyone sick, Mommy. Not ever.”
Maya couldn’t help but chuckle at the indignation in her tone. “It wasn’t Mamma’s cooking. I had a snack at the station, and it must not have been good.”
“Hmmm.” Andrea still wasn’t convinced. “If you say so.”
“I do. Now, are you ready to go and play tennis?” Maya turned back to the wheel, shutting the door she had left open to try and get some air.
“I’m always ready, Mommy!” Andrea grinned, seemingly satisfied to forget about Maya’s momentary sickness… for now.
Maya somehow stumbled her way through the next 30-minutes of activity, grateful that her stomach seemed to cooperate and not make her sick again.
She’d had to take a few more breaks than usual, something she tried to do without gaining too much attention as Andrea kept peering over to look at her. Each time, Maya would plaster on a smile, hoping it was enough to convince her daughter she was fine.
As the session had come to an end, she was about to pack up their stuff when she realised they wouldn’t be leaving quite as soon as she had hoped.
Not only had she somehow forgotten it was Friday, but she had also forgotten that the tennis club was hosting a charity event, hoping to raise enough money for some new equipment and court renovations. There were stalls lined up, and the chance to play friendly matches with different players across the age groups.
She had promised Andrea weeks ago that they would stay and take part in some of the activities, and she wasn’t about to let her period stop her.
“Can we play, Mommy?” Andrea had noticed a few of her friends playing against the adults.
“You definitely can. I’ll watch from here.” Maya reached to grab Andrea’s backpack while waving at one of the parents who was beckoning them both over.
“But you always play with me, Mommy.” Andrea’s pout was enough to rival Carina’s on any given day. “Are you okay?” She reached out, tentatively taking a hold of her Mommy’s hand.
“Of course I am.” Maya cupped Andrea’s cheek, smiling reassuringly. “I’m just tired from my shift.”
“You don’t get tired, Mommy.” Andrea’s brow furrowed. “You’re a superhero.”
Maya couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her at her daughter’s innocence. “Even superheroes get tired, little butterfly.”
Andrea looked her mommy up and down, the spitting image of Carina, as she tried to figure out what was going on. “Are you sure you’re okay, Mommy? Are you going to puke again?”
“No, I’m not going to puke again.” Maya smoothed more flyaways back from Andrea’s face. “I just need to sit down for a minute, but you can go and play with Isaac and Mrs Ackley.”
Andrea looked over to the court. She did like playing tennis with Isaac; they’d always stay for a few minutes after their lesson ended to play against each other. Mrs Ackley was also really nice. She often had a spare juicebox for Andrea, and she’d always tell her how well she was doing.
“Go on.” Maya placed a hand on the small of Andrea’s back, gently nudging her in their direction. “I’ll sit here and watch.”
“Okay, but then we go home.” Andrea pointed her tiny finger in Maya’s face. “You need to rest.”
Maya suppressed the giggles she could feel rising in her throat, knowing her daughter was being serious. She was like Carina in so many ways, but her stubbornness when it came to looking after those she loved rivalled hers on any given day.
After a nod from Maya, Andrea made her way over to the courts, and Maya let a grimace cross her face, the pain wreaking havoc now that she had stopped moving. She couldn’t understand how Carina had been so okay when she had her first period after Andrea’s birth. Had Maya not had to run to the store for period products or had to get her favourite Italian chocolate express delivered, she would have been none the wiser that Carina’s period had even started.
She tried to focus on watching Andrea giggling her way across the court as she tried to return the shots that Mrs Ackley was sending her way, but Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that she should be able to deal with this. It was just her period after all.
Returning home, Maya immediately ushered Andrea upstairs and into the shower. The little one had participated in the kiddy dunk tank, and despite Maya’s best efforts to dry her off with some towels from her trunk, she was dripping wet.
The bloating in Maya’s stomach pushed uncomfortably against her trousers as she reached to help Andrea wash her hair. She was also almost certain she’d felt more clots leave her body on the way up the stairs, her stomach contracting painfully with each one.
Once Andrea was bundled in her hooded butterfly towel and headed towards her room to put on her cosy pjs, Maya made quick work of getting herself more comfortable.
Her work uniform was replaced with some loose-fitting cotton shorts and a tank top. Although she had no fever, she was definitely having hot flashes, and currently, she was overheating. She was grateful to find some maternity pads stashed away in the bathroom cupboard; they’d most certainly do a better job than the ordinary period products she’d been using.
Maya briefly glanced towards the medicine cabinet. She knew there were painkillers in there that would help, but Carina hadn’t needed them, so why should she? Hearing Andrea’s little footsteps echoing across the hallway, she splashed some cool water on her face, plastered on a smile, and prepared herself to continue on as usual. It was just her period; she could handle it.
Carina opened the door, juggling a sleepy Gianna in one hand and her work bag and the diaper bag in the other. She couldn’t help but smile as she heard Andrea humming away softly.
“Amori miei, siamo a casa.” Carina sing-songed, gently bouncing Gianna as she did, in the hopes it would wake the little one enough for dinner.
[My loves, we’re home.]
“Mamma! GiGi!” Andrea came barreling towards the door, arms outstretched as she reached to wrap Carina and Gianna in a hug.
Carina bent down slightly to reach her daughter’s height. “Ciao, mia piccola farfallina! Ti sei divertita a tennis?” Gianna giggled as Andrea placed a loud kiss on her cheek, grinning widely at the reaction she elicited.
[Hello, my little butterfly. Did you have a good time at tennis?]
“Sì, ma la mamma è malata.” Andrea’s grin was immediately replaced by a frown, the spitting image of Maya.
[Yes, but Mommy is sick.]
“Malata? Veramente?” Carina raised a questioning brow. Maya had seemed perfectly fine when she left that morning, and she had not mentioned anything when they had their lunchtime FaceTime call.
[Sick? Really?]
“Uh-huh.” Andrea rushed off, returning to whatever she had been focused on before, leaving Carina wondering what was going on.
Moving towards the kitchen, Carina immediately sensed something was off, just as Andrea had said. Maya’s posture was all wrong as she moved around the kitchen, and there was a permanent scowl etched between her brows. Carina wasn’t sure what was wrong… but something was.
Hearing the shuffling of feet behind her, Maya turned around, a small smile on her face, clearly attempting to hide that anything was out of the ordinary.
Gianna immediately reached towards her Mommy, a big gummy grin overtaking her features at the sight of one of her favourite people.
Carina frowned when Maya only reached to grab Gianna’s little hand, a gesture matched by the little one. Usually, she would scoop Gianna out of her arms, twirling her around the room before settling her on her hip… not today, though.
“Are you okay?” Carina caught the grimace that passed across Maya’s face as she turned and reached for a glass from the cupboard, a hand fleetingly passing over her stomach before she schooled her features.
“Uh-huh.” Maya stood stoically, not willing to let Carina see her so affected by a simple period.
“Don’t you want a cuddle with topolina?” Carina asked, holding the little one away from her body.
“In a bit,” Maya said, poorly masking another wince, as she leaned to fill her glass.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Sta mentendo.” Andrea’s voice piped up from where she had been deeply invested in her colouring book on the living room floor.
[She’s lying.]
“Cosa hai detto, farfallina?” Carina reached a hand to smooth the flyaways on Andrea’s head, noticing the increasingly concerned look painting her small features.
[What did you say, little butterfly?]
“La mamma sta mentendo.” Andrea glanced worryingly at Maya’s hunched-over form. “Non ha giocato a tennis con me e continua a tenersi la pancia e a fare facce buffe. È anche stata male quando eravamo in macchina.”
[Mommy’s lying … She didn’t play tennis with me, and she keeps holding her tummy and making funny faces. She was sick when we were in the car, too.]
“Da quanto tempo fa facce buffe?” Carina couldn’t help the concern lacing her tone. Maya was sick and hadn’t thought to tell her?
[How long has she been making funny faces?]
“Da quando mi ha preso a scuola. Le ho chiesto se stava bene e lei ha detto sì, ma sta mentendo, mamma. Lo so.” Andrea’s tone was serious as she kept glancing over towards Maya, her little hand reaching up to tickle her baby sister’s tummy.
[Since she got me from school. I asked her if she was okay, and she said yes, but she’s lying, Mamma. I just know it.]
“Okay, farfallina.” Carina stroked her hair once more. “Grazie per avermelo detto.”
[Okay, little butterfly … Thank you for telling me.]
Andrea raced back to the living room, and Carina turned back to face Maya, who looked sheepish in the corner.
“I have no idea what she just said, but I promise it’s not as bad as she probably made it sound.” Maya half shrugged.
“She said you’re lying,” Carina stated simply, moving to place Gianna in her highchair as she felt her become restless.
“Oh.” Maya wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t want to reveal more than what Andrea had, desperate to keep it hidden just how much she was affected by a simple period.
“Oh? That’s all you have to say? Oh?” Carina raised her brow, her tone exasperated, as she arranged some chopped veggies on Gianna’s tray, the little one immediately reaching for a cucumber stick.
Maya turned to busy herself with finding more ingredients. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Andrea said you didn’t play tennis, and you were sick.” Carina moved to Maya’s side.
“I just ate something funny, that’s all.” Maya reached to squeeze Carina’s hip lightly.
Carina moved a hand to Maya’s forehead, wondering if she was hiding a fever. “I cooked your lunch, and I gave you extra because I know you don’t like eating at the station on Fridays. And I know for a fact that my food didn’t cause this.” Carina tutted as Maya reached to move Carina’s hand from her forehead, intertwining them and placing a kiss on the back of her knuckles.
“I’m fine, baby.” Maya tried to reassure her.
“You and 'fine' don’t exactly have the best track record, bambina.” Carina’s lips lifted a little as she raised her brow once more.
“I can’t argue that point, but I’m okay.” Maya leaned to give Carina a chaste kiss. “All your ingredients and equipment are ready for you to make lasagne with Andrea. I’m going to go and grab a quick shower if that’s okay?” A flash of guilt flooded through Maya. She would usually occupy Gianna during this time, but she could feel the pain in her stomach escalating, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it hidden from her wife.
Carina, even more certain that something was wrong with Maya straying from her usual routine, gave a small nod and squeezed her hand. Maya had always had walls built high, but Carina was slowly making progress in bringing them down. She just hoped that Maya would tell her what was wrong tonight, and she wouldn’t have to spend the next few days trying to get to the bottom of things.
The kitchen had been filled with roaring giggles from both Andrea and Gianna as the lasagne was prepared. Carina exaggerated every movement in an effort to keep Gianna entertained, and in the hopes it would keep herself and Andrea distracted from the idea that Maya had never returned from her shower. She played it off as though Maya had gotten a work call after her shower, but at this point, she had no clue what exactly was taking her so long.
Carina had kept the dinner table just as lively as both girls ate their dinner, putting hers and Maya’s portions to the side to eat together later. It wasn’t out of the norm for her and Maya to have a slightly later dinner than the kids, but it was odd for Maya not to be sitting at the dinner table and giggling along with them, given that she was home.
Once dinner was cleared away, Carina set Andrea up with a film so she could go and give Gianna a bath. The little one seemed to be wearing more lasagne than she’d eaten.
“Se hai bisogno di me, sono subito di sopra, okay, farfallina?” Carina placed a kiss on Andrea’s forehead.
[If you need me, I’ll be right upstairs, okay, little butterfly?]
“Okay, Mamma.” Andrea snuggled further under her favourite Stitch blanket before the opening song of Lilo and Stitch moved her full attention to the screen.
Carina smiled as she walked back towards her gummy baby, who looked like she was ready to fall asleep in her highchair at any given moment. “Okay, topolina. Sei pronta per il bagno?” Carina smiled as she let out the little squeaks that were the reason behind her getting the nickname ‘little mouse.’
[Are you ready for your bath?]
She loved that their children had somehow all ended up with animal nicknames, each matching their personalities perfectly. Liam had been their ‘little bear’ or ‘orsacchiotto’ from the moment they had placed him into a onesie with little bear ears, a nod to the bear that had originally brought Maya and Carina together, and now they had their own baby bear. Andrea had become ‘little butterfly' or ‘farfallina’ when Maya had her hand on Carina’s stomach, feeling her kick one day, and said that it reminded her of butterfly flutters. It was something special and unique to them. It was perfect.
Carina headed up the stairs with Gianna curled in her arms, pulling funny faces to make the little one smile. “Andiamo a pulirti per bene, e poi andiamo a trovare Mommy?” Gianna grinned widely at the mention of Maya.
[We’ll go and get you nice and clean, and then shall we find Mommy?]
Moving into Gianna’s bedroom, Carina grabbed a onesie covered in tiny ballerina mice and the hooded mouse towel that Gianna absolutely refused to bath without, before making her way towards the kids’ bathroom. She kept an ear out for any noise coming from upstairs that could indicate her wife’s whereabouts, but aside from Gianna’s little squeaks, there was nothing.
Just silence.
When the little one was freshly bathed, moisturised, and positively sleepy, Carina went on the search for Maya. Hoping she’d find her so she could say goodnight to Gianna before the little one succumbed to sleep.
Entering their bedroom, Carina gasped at the sight of Maya sprawled out on the bed, looking white as a ghost and seemingly asleep in her towel. Maya hardly ever slept during the afternoon, not wanting to exacerbate her insomnia. Immediately, Carina was worried.
Placing Gianna on her side of the bed, padded by some cushions so she couldn’t roll off, Carina reached out to feel Maya’s forehead. Still no fever. What was going on?
“Maya? Bambina?” Carina gently shook Maya’s shoulder, not wanting to alarm her, but needing to figure out what she was dealing with.
Maya whined slightly as she fought to open her eyes. “C’rina?” She immediately moved her hands to her stomach, forgetting she was trying to put on a brave face.
“Is your stomach hurting?” Carina had noticed the wince that had passed over Maya’s features, and it was clear to see that she was curling into herself.
“My stomach? N-No.”
Gianna squealed, almost as if she was admonishing Maya for trying to pretend everything was okay.
“I think she’s telling us lies, too, topalina.” Carina pointedly looked at Maya, who had shifted herself to sit up against the pillows, tickling Gianna’s tummy lightly in the hopes the attention would move away from her.
“It’s nothing. I-” Maya was cut off before she could continue.
“Maya. You came to shower two hours ago. You missed dinner and bath time, and I’ve just found you asleep in your towel. You look so pale. It is not nothing.” Carina’s tone was firm, but she didn’t raise her voice, careful not to trigger her wife when she was clearly already in a vulnerable state.
Gianna squealed again, obviously in agreement with her mamma.
Maya sighed, realising that she wasn’t going to be able to get out of this any longer. “I started my period, okay? That’s all, and I know it shouldn’t be affecting me this much, but I’m losing big clots, my stomach feels like something is trying to claw its way out, and the pain is making me sick.” Maya took a breath, having reeled everything off quickly.
Carina sat by Maya’s hip, reaching out to intertwine her hand with Maya’s free one. “Bambina… Why didn’t you say anything? I could have helped.”
Maya turned to look at Carina, her eyes beginning to water slightly at Carina’s kindness. “I should be able to cope with it. You did.”
Before Carina could respond, Andrea appeared at their bedroom door, still wrapped in her Stitch blanket. “My film is finished, and I was getting lonely. Mommy, are you okay?” Andrea moved to climb up beside Gianna, the little one now sandwiched against Maya’s side.
“I’m-” Carina interrupted Maya’s sentence with a cough and a gentle look. They had promised to be truthful about these kinds of things, not wanting any of their kids to be embarrassed about their bodies. “I have a bit of a sore tummy because I have my period, and it’s making me feel a bit sick, but I’m going to be okay.” Maya smiled reassuringly, reaching over to squeeze Andrea’s hand.
“I’m sorry your tummy hurts, Mommy. Maybe Mamma can give you tummy rubs later to help it not feel so sore.” Andrea looked at Carina, almost like she was instructing her that’s exactly what she’d be doing.
Maya chuckled at her daughter’s innocence. “Maybe she can. I’m sorry I didn’t eat dinner with you.” Maya felt even more guilty at having missed out on being at the dinner table. She and Carina had vowed to make it a comforting and love-filled space, and she’d been absent.
“It’s okay, Mommy. Mamma and I made lasagne, and GiGi got it everywhere, so she had to have a bath. I watched Lilo and Stitch, and now I’d like some warm milk before bed, per favore.” Andrea snuggled further into her blanket, tiredness clearly having found her after a long day of school and tennis.
“Lilo and Stitch, again?” Maya gasped as Andrea nodded with a huge grin on her face. She had been subject to countless viewings of the film herself, but Andrea seemed to love it just as much each time.
“I can get you some warm milk, farfallina. Shall we go and do it together, or do you want to stay here with Mommy?” Carina smiled as Andrea looked to be seriously contemplating the question.
“I think I’ll come with you. I want to choose my mug, and GiGi can keep snuggling Mommy until we come back.” Carina looked at Maya to confirm she was okay watching the little one while they were gone, not wanting her to have to struggle through when she was clearly in discomfort.
“Allora, let’s go then!”
“Why did mommy try to hide it?” Andrea’s small voice piped up from where she was sitting at the table with her Stitch mug, to no one's surprise, waiting for Carina to warm her milk up.
Carina turned her attention briefly from the pan on the stove. “Hide what, farfallina?”
“Her sore tummy. She always says that it’s okay for us to be sick or in pain, so why didn’t she tell us?” Andrea looked at her mamma, eyes curious.
Carina turned the stove off, the milk having warmed enough, and decided she needed to be fully focused on Andrea for this conversation. “She grew up in a house where she wasn’t allowed to be sick, farfallina.” Carina carefully poured the milk into Andrea’s mug before setting the pan aside. “Mommy would still have to train and run her races when she didn’t feel good, and she didn’t get snuggles and tummy rubs like you and your fratelli.”
“That’s really sad, Mamma.” Andrea’s bottom lip wobbled.
“It is very sad. But, we get to show Mommy that she can be sick, and we’ll still love her just as much.” Carina wiped a little tear that had rolled down Andrea’s cheek.
“I’m going to give her the biggest hug and tell her that I love her so much. With all my heart. And, I’ll tell her she’s the best mommy.” Andrea smiled widely.
Carina cupped Andrea’s cheek affectionately. She’d never not be blown away by her caring heart. “I’m sure she’d love to hear that, farfallina.”
“I might just finish my milk first.” Andrea wiggled in her seat, lifting her mug to her lips and sighing contentedly.
Carina chuckled, moving to begin clearing the remnants of dinner away.
Milk finished and kitchen cleaned, Andrea and Carina made their way back upstairs. Carina swore she could feel her heart melt at the sight of Gianna sleepily lying across Maya’s chest, her tiny hand patting her cheek lightly.
“I think it might be topalina’s bedtime.” Carina reached for the little one once Maya and Andrea had given her a cuddle and kiss.
“Goodnight, little mouse.”
“Night night, GiGi.”
Carina made her way out of the room, Gianna barely able to keep her eyes open, and Andrea moved to curl into Maya’s side.
“It’s okay to be sick, Mommy. We’ll still love you.” Andrea’s voice was barely above a whisper.
Maya moved her head slightly to look her in the eye. “Huh?”
“You’re allowed to be sick, Mommy. Me and Gigi and Mamma and Liam will still love you. With all our hearts. You’re the best Mommy in the world!” Andrea squeezed her little arms around Maya’s waist as hard as she could, cuddling into her chest.
“I-” Maya’s voice was cut off by a tearful croak.
Andrea lifted her head in alarm. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No, little butterfly.” Maya placed a reassuring kiss on the top of her head. “I just didn’t know I needed to hear that.”
“I love you, Mommy.” Andrea spoke softly as she snuggled into Maya’s embrace once more. Maya knew it would be a matter of seconds before their eldest daughter also succumbed to her sleepiness.
“I love you.”
With both DeLuca-Bishop babies in bed, Carina’s portion of lasagne consumed at her wife’s demand, and the house all locked up for the night, the wives were getting ready to call it a night themselves.
“She’s right, y’know?” Carina spoke up as Maya returned from freshening herself up in the bathroom.
“Huh?” Maya lifted her eyebrow in question.
“Farfallina,” Carina stated, pulling the covers of the bed back. “We still love you just as much, if not more. I’m sorry you grew up in an environment where you weren’t able to talk about periods and how sucky they can be without being made to feel weak or like a failure. I’m sorry that my experience made you feel like you just had to get on with things, too. Everyone’s body is different, and yours isn’t ‘less than,’ just because it’s having a hard time right now. These things happen, and that’s okay.” Carina climbed under the covers, patting the side next to her for Maya to join.
“You seemed to get on with everything with no trouble. I genuinely wouldn’t have even known you were on your period if you hadn't told me, but I couldn’t even have a shower without needing to lie down.” Maya explained as she crawled into her own side. “I didn’t want you to think I was weak.” Maya turned to look at Carina.
“Maya mia, I could never.” Carina reached to intertwine their hands, resting them in the space between them. “Maya, you are the strongest person that I know. Not just in the big, strong, sexy firefighter way, but in every way. You couldn’t be weak if you tried.” She leaned to place a kiss on the tip of Maya’s nose, grinning at the smile that tugged at Maya’s lips.
“Why has it been so much worse for me? Did I do something wrong during pregnancy? Will it affect GiGi as she grows up?” Maya could finally ask the questions she had been ruminating over all day.
“You did nothing wrong, Bambina.” Carina reached to cup Maya’s cheek. “You could put 100 postpartum women in a room, and every single one of them would have a different story about their first period after birth. There’s no rule book here. Your body just goes with the flow.”
“How proud of yourself are you for coming up with that one?” Maya smirked, loving that Carina was able to lighten the mood once again.
“Very.” Carina grinned widely. “Now, what do you need?”
“Can we-” Maya looked sceptical, but took a grounding breath at the soft look written on Carina’s face. “Can we cuddle? And… maybe you could try giving me some of those tummy rubs that Andrea recommended?” Maya chuckled lightly.
“Certo, bambina. Can you promise me just one thing, though?” Carina opened her arms for Maya to move into, waiting for her to nod curiously at Carina’s question. “No more suffering in silence?”
Maya smiled, placing a kiss on Carina’s lips, before snuggling into her embrace. “No more suffering in silence.”