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3 months later
Maya had a good routine going at this point. 5am alarm; quick run; home by 6; get the kids ready for school; send them off on the bus (a new thing, but they were enjoying it); and then it was time to focus on her wife.
This morning, Carina was already awake and sitting upright when she returned to their bedroom. Maya smiled, making her way to the bed and leaning over to kiss her good morning. “Good morning,” she said, stealing another quick kiss before standing up again. “How are you feeling this morning?”
“Pretty good actually,” Carina smiled. “Liam and Drea got off okay?”
Maya nodded, “you were still asleep when I checked earlier so they didn't come in, but I was told to give you lots of hugs.”
Carina raised an eyebrow, “well you haven't given me any yet.”
She rolled her eyes in return. “You know full well your PT will be here in an hour, if I get on that bed we will not be ready in time. We can save the cuddle time for after,” Maya told her with a smile. “Now, breakfast in bed or at the table?”
Carina decided on the table. Her mobility was improving well, but with it being a PT day they decided to use the chair to avoid tiring her out too early. Maya pushed her through. “So I might have stopped off on the way home from my run…”
“Before 6am?” Carina questioned.
It was a valid question. Carina could see the bag from Alessandro's and knew full well the café didn't open until 7. But Maya had hatched the plan the day before. “I may have contacted him yesterday and asked if there would be anything I could pick up when they were baking. I was expecting a couple of cornetti, but he appears to have stocked us for a week,” she chuckled, unpacking the bag. “The kids were very happy this morning, but I made sure to keep your favourites back,” she placed a box in front of her and kissed her head.
“What did I do to deserve all this?” Carina asked.
Maya shrugged, going to finish making their usual morning cappuccinos, “just fancied treating you,” she replied, bringing the mugs over and sitting down beside her. “You deserve it.”
There was an immediate huff of disagreement from beside her. “Hardly, I have been of no use for the last 3 months. You’re having to do everything.”
Every few days this sort of conversation would arise. She understood it - Carina was independent, she always had been, and having to give up this much control was hard for her. Plus she was big on sharing duties in their relationship, and now being able to do much was hard on her.
But Maya felt no anger about it. Not even once had she been upset about taking everything on. Besides, she was far from alone - they still had a lot of help. “You are working hard to recover,” Maya told her, reaching out and taking her hand. “You’ve come so far in the last 3 months, everyone has said your recovery is progressing faster than expected, and that’s on you putting the effort in. Maybe I’m having to do most things around the house, but what you’re doing is infinitely more amazing.”
Carina smiled a little, her way of saying thank you right now when things were overwhelming. They got back to breakfast, knowing they were on a time limit.
After her rehab sessions, Carina always felt a little stronger. Exhausted, but stronger. And without fail, after every session, Maya would bring her an espresso and a cookie before they made their way back to bed to lie down.
Her fatigue was improving, she stayed awake most of the day now, but after PT the sleep was required. She managed to walk back to the bedroom with Maya’s assistance, and they climbed onto the bed together. It was routine now - Carina would lie in Maya’s protective arms and drift off.
Honestly she didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky. She’d regularly thought it over their years together, but the last few months had really shown just how amazing her wife was. She’d immediately taken the time off that Andy had arranged, and in the last 3 months had been by Carina’s side constantly. Maya was her biggest cheerleader, the best support, but also knew just the right time to push her when it was required.
They were 12 weeks into this journey now, and every day Maya had been spoiling her. Her favourite coffee, new blankets, she’d even decorated her wheelchair. And today she’d arranged to get her favourite Italian pastries in for breakfast.
Yet in the last 12 weeks, Maya had done nothing for herself. They’d had friends over occasionally, but it was limited because of Carina’s fatigue, and the only other time Maya had been out without her was to take the kids out to give them a sense of normality.
It was March now, and Maya’s birthday was in 3 days. Carina wasn’t even sure Maya knew that, but she was determined they were going to do something for it. She’d recruited multiple people into her plan - which was hard to coordinate when Maya was around her most of the time. Thankfully Andy had come up with a plan to hopefully get her out of the house for the evening, allowing the rest of them to plot in peace.
When Carina woke up, Maya was staring pensively at her phone. “Bambina?”
“Oh, you’re awake. Are you okay? Do you need any painkillers?”
“I’m okay, but you look concerned. What is it?”
Maya sighed, “Andy wants to go for drinks tonight. Apparently she survived a big meeting with the mayor and wants to celebrate.”
“You should go,” Carina told her immediately. Of course she’d known Andy was going to message anyway, but it wasn’t a lie to say she wanted her wife to go out. She needed to relax. “I can message Amelia to come over, she’s been practically begging to babysit.”
“You need to stop calling it that,” Maya huffed. “You’re not a baby.”
Carina laughed at her wife’s upset, “bambina I was talking about our actual children, I’ll probably be asleep anyway, there won’t be much looking after required.”
The little ‘oh’ face Maya made was adorable, and Carina used one hand to pull Maya closer for a kiss. “Go out with your friend, per favore. You need to relax, and I will be okay.”
Maya sighed, “you will call me if you need anything?”
“No, I will call Amelia, because she will be here to help me. You will leave your phone at home and enjoy yourself.”
“I can’t leave my phone here, Carina. What if there’s an emergency?”
Carina reached up and rested a hand on Maya’s cheek, gently rubbing her thumb along it, “then we will call Andy. I don’t want you to be checking your phone all the time, I want you to go out and have a nice time with your best friend.”
“I hate it when you give me those eyes,” Maya mumbled in annoyance. “Fine, but I will be back by 11 and if Amelia keeps the kids up late and gets them high on sugar I swear-”
She could only laugh again, “I will keep Amelia under control.”
And it was settled. Step 1 of the plan was in motion.
One thing Carina hadn’t factored into this plan was how hot her wife would look. When she’d appeared in the living room, Carina had to resist abandoning the whole plan. “Wow bambina, you look incredible.”
Maya had smiled a little nervously, “not too much?”
“Definitely not,” Carina had told her, “you definitely need to wear that red lipstick again when I’m feeling a little better.”
That did make her wife smirk a little, “oh really?” she leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll remember that.”
Amelia had then walked in with a child in each hand, “we’re in our PJs and ready for Mamma cuddles!” Her 4 and 5 year olds had run over, clambering up on the sofa beside Carina who put her arms around them. “Wow, Mommy looks hot.”
“I may be ill but I can still threaten you,” Carina pointed a finger at her. “Behave.”
Thankfully at that point the bell rang signalling Andy’s arrival. “And that’s my cue to leave,” she’d interrupted before the argument could progress. After giving goodbye kisses to them all (excluding Amelia), Maya left the house.
Amelia had calls to make at that point, and it had given Carina some snuggle time with her babies who had pretty much fallen asleep against her by the time Auntie Amelia returned to the room.
Carina hated that she couldn’t take them up to bed. She was yet to make it upstairs since returning home from the hospital, and while they’d managed to work it so she still did bedtime reading from either the sofa or their own bed some days, it wasn’t the same.
However, now they were both in bed, and various people had arrived at their house, so the time for dwelling on that was over. Amelia had made drinks for everyone, and they sat down to prepare. “Thank you for coming, I really appreciate this, you’ve all already done so much for us.”
“And we’ve told you we will do as much as needed,” Teddy replied.
She smiled gratefully, “I know, and we feel so lucky to have you all.”
“Alright enough of the soppy stuff, it’s late here!” Vic’s voice came over the speaker of the laptop, having joined on a video call from DC where it was indeed very late. “What’s your plan for the day then?”
“And has Maya really forgotten it’s her birthday?” Jack asked.
Carina shrugged, “I don’t know, but she’s not mentioned it. Either she forgot, or she’s thinking I have and doesn’t want to worry me. Regardless, she deserves a day revolving around her,” she explained.
So they got to work, and within 90 minutes everyone knew their part in the plan - except Andy, but she’d agreed to slot in wherever. Vic was going to fill her in. And by the time Maya returned the house was cleared out, and there was no sign that anyone had ever been there - excluding Amelia, of course.
The morning of Maya’s birthday started much the same as any other. It was a school day, and she got the kids off as normal. They were none the wiser to the plans, or indeed that it was Maya’s birthday, because there was no chance of them keeping anything quiet - but Carina had plans for that.
For now, however, they went through the usual routine. Breakfast followed by PT, except just before her physio arrived, Andy happened to ring Maya with a crisis, and Carina told her she’d be fine for her to leave.
Her physio didn’t arrive - she’d asked them to move the appointment to the following day - and instead Amelia, Teddy, and Jack arrived to help set up her plan.
Amelia assisted her to the bedroom so Carina could instruct them all on where everything needed to go. A couple of times she tried to get up to help but was quickly told to sit back by one of them, with Teddy pointing out she didn't want to tire herself out early.
Stupid friends being right.
Jack had managed to get hold of a projector, and was setting that up. Teddy was carefully moving things so there was enough room on the wall for said projector to project, and Amelia had somehow brought every blanket in Seattle with her - along with the new loungewear she’d asked her to buy.
“Don’t panic, we have the snacks!”
And that signified the arrival of Vic and Travis, who had indeed been tasked with food and drink - a task that they had clearly taken very seriously based on what they walked into the room with. “Okay! We have popcorn fresh from the local cinema, those ice slushie drinks you wanted, and then Trav got kinda excited in the shop so there’s countless options of chocolate, sweets, chips, whatever you want really.”
“You guys are incredible, thank you so much,” Carina smiled. “And you’ll all be back later?”
Travis nodded. “You know it. And Auntie Vic and Uncle Trav will be picking up the kiddos and taking them to pick their presents.”
“Ah yes! Present,” Amelia disappeared briefly and returned carrying an already wrapped box. “As requested.”
She couldn’t believe how lucky they were with all of this, but before she could say anything about it, Vic announced that Andy had messaged which meant Maya was on her way back. There were quick goodbyes, and Jack rushed through an explanation to work the projector, before everyone left.
The house was quiet on her return. The PT’s car wasn’t outside so Maya figured he’d finished, and probably took Carina back to their bedroom so she could rest. She dropped the keys in their usual bowl and walked through to the bedroom, opening the door quietly, but the sight in front of her was not what she expected at all.
Carina was sitting up in bed, dressed in loungewear that Maya was about 90% sure she hadn’t seen before, and smiling at her.
Oh, and there was a projector.
“Happy birthday, bambina.”
Happy birthday? Was it? She thought back, doing the calculations in her head.
Oh.
“I was pretty sure you’d forgotten,” Carina reached a hand out, encouraging her over to the bed. Maya did so, taking her hand and sitting on the edge of the bed for now. “I was never going to let the day go by without doing something.”
Carina hadn’t forgotten - of course she hadn’t. In fact Carina had arranged whatever this was, but that didn’t stop Maya from worrying. “Aren’t you tired from rehab?”
But her wife chuckled slightly in response. “There was no rehab, bambina, and Andy’s emergency was made up. Our friends came over to help set this up - our very own home movie theatre. There’s popcorn, your favourite slushie, and an apparently endless supply of snacks. We set it up in the bedroom so if I need to nap I can, but this is your day.”
Maya couldn’t quite believe it. “Carina…”
“No arguments, bella. Today you are not looking after me, you’re not spoiling me - I’m spoiling you. Your favourite films, favourite food, and some calm and relaxation.” She had to admit that was very appealing. “Now, there’s some matching loungewear there for you - get changed, and come pick your film.”
They spent the next few hours there. Two of Maya’s favourite films were watched. Carina did nap for about half an hour in the second one, but she didn’t mind - in fact Maya spent most of that time watching her wife instead of the film. When the second film finished, Maya sat up. “I should probably get ready to meet the kids.”
Carina immediately pulled her back down. “Nope, they’re being picked up from school. They’ll be back in a bit, but we still have time, and you need more cuddles.”
“Oh I do, do I?” Maya grinned, moving herself to lie back down facing Carina, stroking her hair back. “I think this might be the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
“Really?” Carina asked in confusion.
Maya nodded, “definitely. Because I didn’t even remember it was my birthday, and yet you made sure we could still have time together. You managed to get this all done behind my back, and I’m so lucky,” she leaned in and kissed her softly. “And before you argue that you had to get help - I know, and I’m grateful to our friends, but this was your idea. That means a lot.”
Her wife smiled back at her - a beautiful sight, one of her favourites. “I do have something else,” Maya raised an eyebrow. “Well it’s your birthday,” Carina started, turning herself back briefly to pull up a wrapped box that was down the side of the bed. “You need a present.”
Now Maya sat up again, taking the box before Carina sat herself up carefully. She unwrapped the paper, revealing a jewellery box. She opened it, revealing a gorgeous silver heart shaped locket. On the front of it was a tree design with their initials - M, C, and D-B, used to make up the branches. “This is beautiful…”
“Open it,” Carina simply replied.
So she did, carefully using her nail to open the locket, revealing two pictures inside. One was of the two of them - recent - only taken a couple of weeks ago. Maya had snapped a selfie of them lying on the bed - the first photo Carina had allowed her to take since she’d left hospital. The other photo was the second photo she’d allowed. It was Carina in the wheelchair with both children sitting on her lap, smiling wildly - because wheelchair rides on Mamma were super fun. In fact afterwards they’d discussed how devastated the kids would be when she (hopefully) no longer needed the chair.
Maya turned to look at her wife, and Carina started explaining. “You helped me to find myself again in these last few months. I was scared of who I had become. I didn’t want to see it or accept it, but you helped me do that. We can change the pictures in time, but this is us - now.”
She quickly wiped at her eyes which were threatening to leak, before taking Carina’s hand, squeezing it. “It’s perfect, thank you. Will you put it on me?”
Of course Carina agreed, and Maya turned away while her wife took the locket. She put it around Maya’s neck, brushing her hair aside and doing up the clasp, placing a gentle kiss on her neck beside it which sent a shiver down her spine. Maya turned around, capturing her lips, and then both fell to lie down together, an intense makeout session ensuing.
Vic and Travis brought the kids back about an hour later, and they proudly presented their gifts to Mommy - Liam had gone for Maya’s favourite chocolates, while Andrea had picked out adult sized Bluey slippers - apparently there was no persuading her otherwise. And of course Maya had picked up both kids and fussed over them endlessly to thank them.
They did dinner for them, and then Maya and Vic put them to bed, which was when Travis opened the door to let everyone else inside. Andy and Jack had the food - Mexican from their favourite restaurant - and everyone seemed to have brought gifts too - something Carina hadn’t even requested.
When Maya came back down, there was a (quiet - given both kids had only just gone to sleep) chorus of happy birthday from everyone, and Carina could see the tears building up again in her wife’s eyes, even if she fiercely held them back. The evening was spent chatting, eating, drinking, and opening the pile of presents. It was perfect - everything Maya deserved.
Her wife had spent 3 months caring for her and spoiling her rotten. But today - this was Maya Deluca-Bishop’s day.