Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Liam is 2, Andrea is 1.

 

The day was going smoothly. A rare quiet day, though no one dare speak the word.

They had only had a few calls.

A fire at a pre-school, luckily it was summer break and the building was empty. A couple of teenagers had swam out of their depths in a lake and the aid car was called. A tree house caught fire after a dad used it as a hiding spot for smoking, having told his wife he had given up, and a cat stuck up a tree. Travis drew the short straw so he rescued it.

They were all currently in the beanery drinking the refreshing lemonade Miranda had made, insisting Ben take it to keep them all hydrated.

“Oh my god!” Vic exclaimed from where she was perched on the kitchen counter, “come look at this,” she waved her phone in the air. The team all surround Vic, eyes on the small screen. There was a news report about an ongoing incident at a park.

“A bin fire?” Jack questioned.

“Yeah but look, something in the bin made it explode, and it’s spread to the trees,” Vic told them all.

“You think we’ll get called in?” Travis questioned Maya, the captain.

“It’s possible. It’s not in our area but if they’re struggling they might call for-“

She didn’t have a chance to finish as the klaxon sounded, announcing aid car, engine and ladder for the address they were watching.

“Backup?” Andy questioned with a smirk, as they all made their way out of the kitchen and into the beanery, got geared up, and headed out to the scene.

“How’s Carina doing now she’s back at work?” Andy asked Maya as she drove, Maya going over last few minutes details.

“She’s ok now. She found it hard at first. But I get it, after a year being at home with two under two, then going back to work not long after Andrea turned 1, it was a difficult. But she’s found her feet, and the kids love the daycare. We’ve got a rhythm, it’s working and we’re happy. God Andy we’re so happy.” Andy smiled, glancing briefly at her best friend.

“You’ve both adapted so well this last year. Your great mom’s to those two cuties. They’re lucky to have you.”

“Thanks Andy,” Maya whispered, then looked ahead as they approached the scene, firefighter heads back on.

As Andy pulled up, Maya jumped out, seeing captain Rodriguez approach.

“Thank for joining us captain Bishop. The dry trees and the slight wind is making this difficult to get rid off,” he shook her hand, Maya nodding.

“Where do you want us?” Maya asked as the rest of the team gathered round.

“Fire attack. There are a few trees that we are alternating putting water on, so I want your team to pick a tree and dowse. We’ve got medical covered at the moment but wanted a few extra aid cars on stand by just in case. Only a few civilians with smoke inhalation, one with a sprained ankle from running away-“

“He ran from a fire that’s mostly like, 20 metres off the ground?” Jack questioned with a small chuckle, stopping quickly when Maya shot him a look.

“Whilst running away from a fire isn’t actually a bad idea,” captain Rodriguez directed at Jack, a small smirk on his face, mainly at the scared look from Maya’s death glare, “a wasp nest was disturbed. We’ve called pest control and they’ve safely contained the nest and the majority of the wasps, but there are still a few flying around.”

Everyone’s heads snapped to Maya, whose face had gone a little pale, which Rodriguez noticed immediately.

“What is it?”

“I erm, I’m allergic to wasps,” Maya told him.
“I haven’t been stung in a long time, but I carry an epi pen. It can be quite bad.”

“Well that changes things. I don’t want you anywhere near the trees, for your own safety. If you agree, I’ll take charge of your team, I’m in control of the whole scene anyway. You can help out here. You see any wasps, get in a vehicle.”

Maya was about to protest, but was quickly interrupted when Andy clocked her face screw up.

“Maya, he’s right. It’s for your own safety. Chances are you’ll be perfectly fine, but we don’t want to take any chances. Carina would never forgive us.”

“Ok. Ok fine. But if anything escalates and you need all hands on deck, I won’t hesitate to help. It’s my job,” she adamantly told the other captain.

“And it’s my job to make sure every firefighter makes it off this job safely,” Rodriguez gave Maya a pointed look before he was called by another firefighter.

Maya looked back at her team. “Well you heard the man, fire attack. Let’s put those trees out nineteen.”

“Nineteen!” The team chorused back.

***

They had been on scene for an hour. A few trees had been put out but some were still smouldering. One firefighter from a different station had a few burning leaves fall on him, slightly burning his hands, and the whole time Maya was stood by the engine, just watching. She was getting wrestless.

Travis and Andy came running over, having a break for some water.

“No,” Travis said as he came and stood next to his friend.

“I didn’t say anything,” Maya furrowed her brows.

“I know. But I saw that look. The desperate look. We’re doing fine, the fires are going out. It shouldn’t be too much longer.” Maya huffed, reaching for her yellow water
bottle. “I wasn’t going to ask anything,” she grumbled, taking the lid off her drink and taking a swig.

“Of course you weren’t,” Andy chuckled beside her. Maya rolled her eyes as she put the lid back on, but when she placed her bottle back where it was, she felt a sharp scratch on her hand.

“Ah shit,” she shouted, staring wide eyed at her hand.

“What? What is it?” Andy asked, looking at Maya’s hand and eyes going wide. She had been stung by a wasp. How did they not see or hear it?

“Fuck! Travis radio Ben then grab her epi pens. They’re in the passenger side door,” Andy instructed him as she put a hand around Maya’s waste and helped her down to the ground, seeing Maya go dizzy and unstable on her feet.

“Andy,” Maya said shakily, breathing getting heavy very quickly.

“It’s ok Maya, we’ve got you. Just concentrate on breathing.”

“It’s hurts.”

“I know Maya, I know. We’ll get it sorted ok. Just stay with me. Ben!” Andy shouted as she saw Ben rushing over, the firefighter speeding up when he saw Maya on the floor.

“Where did it sting her?” He asked, crouching down and taking Maya’s vitals.

“Her hand. Look it’s already swelling quite bad. Her whole arm is like it.”

“Epi pens,” Travis shouted, approaching the small group and also crouching down but by Maya’s left thigh. “Sharp scratch Maya,” he warned before jabbing the pen into her thigh, holding it there for 3 seconds before removing it.

“I can’t b - breathe,” Maya told them.

“It’s gonna work Maya, give it a few seconds,” Andy said, pushing some hair back from Maya’s face.

Maya’s breathing did eventually get better, but only a little, not enough to satisfy Ben.

“Travis radio Vic to come here for aid car, Maya’s going to Grey-Sloan, I still don’t like her breathing and that swelling needs looking at. If she deteriorates we may need to intubate on route before her throat swells too much.”

“No no. No tube. P - please,” Maya whimpered, still trying to control her breathing.

“We might have no choice Maya,” Ben told her as Vic came running over.

“Oh god. I knew today being quiet was too good to be true,” Vic said to no one in particular as they got Maya onto the stretcher and into the aid car.

“Grey-Sloan memorial this is aid car 19, we need trauma on standby we have an incoming anaphylaxis, wasp sting. One shot of adrenaline administered. Possible for intubation. 3 minutes out,” Vic called over the radio as she raced through the streets of Seattle.

In the back, Ben placed an oxygen mask on Maya, the machine beeping instantly.

“Repository rate is still low, she’s still struggling to breath and the swelling hasn’t eased, shall we do another shot?” Andy asked from where she was sat by Maya’s head.

“Yeah, I’ll do it. Another sharp scratch Maya,” Ben warned as he jabbed the pen into her left thigh this time.

“30 seconds,” Vic called from the front.

Andy was about to address Maya, but then noticed her eyes had closed.

“No no no. Maya? Maya open your eyes for me,” Andy panicked slightly, standing up and placing a hand on her friend’s cheek. Maya’s eyes opened at the touch.

“What? I can’t close my eyes now?” Maya moaned, breathing still a little ragged.

“Jesus Christ. I told you not to close them, to stay awake. I thought you were unconscious. And don’t get sarcastic with me, just keep breathing,” Andy scolded lightly as the aid car stopped and the back doors opened, revealing Miranda, Teddy, nurses and a new intern.

“Benjamin,” Miranda addressed her husband before noticing Andy then Maya on the stretcher.

“Bishop?”

“Captain Maya DeLuca-Bishop, 35. Approximately 20 minutes ago was stung on the right hand by a wasp, causing anaphylaxis. Has had two doses of a prescribed epi pen, which helped but only a little. Breathing is quick and laboured, respiratory rate is still lower than I’d like. Throat is swollen but not bad enough to intubate, right hand and arm also swollen. She never lost consciousness but she keeps closing her eyes,” Ben reeled off as they got Maya into the ER and into a trauma room.

“Ok, I want updated stats, adrenaline, let’s monitor her heart rate and look at the swelling on her right hand and arm and also her throat. Need to monitor in case we need to intubate,” Bailey called out to the room.

“No tube,” Maya repeated again.

“We will do what is necessary Bishop,” Bailey told her before turning to the intern.

“Could you please page Dr DeLuca-Bishop 9-1-1 to trauma 1.”

“She’s pregnant? Should she be fighting fires?” The intern gave Maya a judging look, all the other doctors and nurses groaning.

“No. But she is her wife. Don’t question me and page her, then find another case,” Bailey waved dismissively, the intent paling before leaving the room in a hurry.

“How are you feeling now Maya?” Teddy asked, checking her heart rate which was still slightly elevated.

“Tired. Still hard to breathe. Arm hurts.”

“Maya can you open your mouth for me,” Bailey asked, to which Maya obliged.

“Ok your throat looks quite red, but it’s not swollen enough for me to want to intubate, but we’ll keep an eye on it. Tell me your start struggling to breath again. I’m going to give you another dose of adrenaline to see if we can reduce the swelling even more. Has this happened before? I’m guessing yes considering you had epi pens.”

Maya nodded. “Yeah, three times. Once when I was about 6, that was the first time and we didn’t even know I was allergic. Luckily it was at a race and there were medics there. The next time was on the leg and then once on the neck. The leg sting was ok, still hospitalised but it was resolved quite quickly, only an overnight stay. The neck one I had to be intubated for two days, the swelling was so quick. They both happened more than ten years ago, I’m always really careful,” Maya revealed.

“Ok. You’ll probably have an overnight stay again, we’ll keep an eye on your throat swelling. You’re in good hands, your team acted fast which has had a massive affect on your condition. Could have been a lot worse,” Bailey told her before asking the nurse to give Maya some antihistamine to help with the swelling on her arm.

They worked on getting Maya stable and settled when the door flung open revealing a panicked Carina.

“Maya!” She exclaimed as she rushed to Maya’s left side.

“I’m ok Carina,” Maya whispered, she was getting a headache.

“You’ve just had a serious allergic reaction, you are not ok,” she scolded lightly, stroking blonde hair and leaning forward to place a kiss on her forehead, before turning to Teddy.

“How is she? Is her heart ok?”

“Her heart is fine, it was beating a little fast but I’m confident that’s because she was trying harder to breathe. Her throat was swollen, but it’s coming down with the adrenaline. We’ll keep her on oxygen though as it will be quite irritable for a while. Hand and arm are still swollen too, we’ve given antihistamine. She’s understandably tired and may ache for the next few days, but her condition is improving Carina, albeit slowly,” Teddy told the OB, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“We want to keep her overnight, possibly two, but I’m fairly certain she’ll make a full recovery,” Bailey then told her. Carina nodded, not really having any words.

“I’m gonna see if the ward is ready for her, then we’ll get her taken up,” Teddy said, leaving the room as Amelia came rushing in.

“I saw Bishops name on the board. Are you ok? Why wasn’t I paged?”

“There’s no head injury Shepherd, she was stung by a wasp,” Bailey told her.

“Oh. Yeah that would be why I’m not needed then,” Amelia nodded, mainly to herself, small momentary panic subsiding.

“Thanks for your concern,” Maya piped up sarcastically from the bed.

“You’re welcome,” Amelia winked, “but seriously everything ok? Epi pen worked?”

Andy, who was stood quietly to the side whilst everything was going on, raised an eyebrow at that. “You knew about her allergy?”

“Yeah. When Barbie and Carina came to a BBQ at Meredith’s, they helped set up. A wasp flew past us, and I kid you not, Maya flew into the kitchen and locked us out with said wasp. That’s when I found out.”

Andy nodded, but Maya could see the slight tension. She knew why, Amelia had grown close to the couple in recent years, and her and Maya got on really well, often teasing each other like siblings more than anything. Amelia had even visited the station a few times on clinic days, and the team were fond of the neurosurgeon and amused by their playful banter. Maya spoke to Andy about it after she made a comment asking when they became best friends. She explained all the help Amelia had given them over the last year or so, and that she could have more than one friend, and that Amelia was a close friend of Carina’s.

She was slightly annoyed with Andy, not really speaking to her for a couple of days, until Andy apologised, admitting she was a little jealous and that she wished their friendship could be like that again. They had made amends after everything they had been through over the last 5 or 6 years, but there were still some fractures and things neither of them could forget, mainly Maya, and though they were close friends now, it wasn’t the same as it used to be.

Amelia also knew. She had clocked the way Andy was looking at her once when she visited the station. She asked Maya about it, who told her. Amelia was slightly annoyed, but didn’t confront Andy about it, not wanting to make anything more awkward for Maya. If Andy had a problem, she could go directly to Amelia.

“I think it’s better that more people know. I know you don’t like it Bambina, but it will help keep you safe,” Carina addressed Maya, not giving any attention to the slight tension.

“Didn’t do much help when I was younger though did it?” Maya huffed, muffled by the oxygen mask. The time she was stung in the leg, her dad told her not to be a wimp and to man up, or that she was overreacting, even though her leg had become swollen in seconds and she had become dizzy, also her breathing was slightly laboured.

“But you’re not younger now. And he’s not here. We are,” Carina stroked through her hair again. Maya nodded, looking up at Carina and giving her a small smile.

The door behind them opened and Teddy walked in with a few nurses.

“Your room is ready upstairs. We’ll get you settled, take some more obs just to make sure nothing is spiking again, then maybe a visit from two tiny toddlers might make you feel better,” Teddy smiled, quickly dropping it when Maya became the most alert she had been since being stung. She grabbed the oxygen mask and pulled it away, trying to sit up.

“Oh god the kids. We can’t stay overnight, what about the kids? They need us,” she panicked, heart rate increasing.

Carina was quick to react, jumping and placing a strong hand on her wife’s shoulder. “Hey hey Maya, it’s ok. We’ll find someone to have the kids. Not to sound harsh but you are my mine priority right now. You need to be here tonight, and I’m not meant to stay with you but I am anyway. The kids can-“

“The kids are staying with me,” Amelia told them with finality. Both wives looked to the neurosurgeon, Carina smiling while Maya furrowed her eyebrows.

“Don’t frown and get all pouty with me Bishop. I promised Liam and Scout they could have a sleepover soon.”

“Liam has not long turned 2, he doesn’t know what a promise is,” Maya told her as Carina put the oxygen mask back on her face.

“But I do, and I’m not breaking it. Plus I need girl time with little miss Drea. Oh look I’m being paged, I’ll pick them up from your room later. Stay out of trouble firefighter Barbie,” she called as she rushed out of the room.

Both Teddy and Carina chuckled as Maya took a glance at Andy.

“Hey. You ok to be in charge for the rest of the shift?”

“Of course. I’ll write the report too but will run it past you first. I’ll update you with anymore calls we might get tonight as well, and I’ll come see you when you’re home, don’t want to overwhelm you whilst you’re here, is that’s ok?”

“Course that’s fine. Could you leave the part about the wasp sting out of the report?” Maya asked with a pout, causing everyone to shake their head.

“Sorry Maya you know they need everything,” Andy chuckled. “Get some rest ok, I’ll check in in a bit,” Andy squeezed her foot before saying goodbye to Carina and Teddy.

“Right, let’s get you upstairs.”

***

Maya had been in her room for an hour. Perks of being married to head of OB means she was given a big room that included a decent sized bathroom, and there was also room for a cot, Carina telling Bailey she was staying whether they liked it or not.

Maya was just dozing in the bed. The third shot of adrenaline had reduced the swelling in her throat further, but it was still sore, and her chest still hurt from all the heavy breathing. Her arm was still quite sore and swollen, even after antihistamine.

Carina was sat in the chair on her left side, holding her wife’s hand. Of course she knew about Maya’s allergy, and she knew how to administer an epi pen and what to expect when someone has an allergic reaction, but it’s completely different when it’s your wife, your whole world. Seeing Maya struggling to breathe, knowing her throat was swollen and may not reduce, was terrifying.

She knew Maya was lucky, that the medication worked and the swelling had reduced enough for Maya to be somewhat out of danger. She still needed the oxygen mask, and her arm still looked quite sore, but Carina was glad she was resting.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by a knock at the door. She looked towards it, seeing Bailey poke her head round.

“Was just coming to see how she was doing,” she whispered.

“She’s resting and asleep.”

“Not asleep, resting my eyes,” Maya mumbled before stirring slightly, opening her eyes.

“Your breathing was heavy, it always is when you’re asleep,” Carina told her, before looking back at Miranda. “Have you come to give her more medication? I didn’t think she was due anymore yet?” Carina asked, frowning slightly when she noticed Bailey hadn’t come any further into the room.

“This is a different kind of medicine, but I’d say it’s just what the doctor ordered” Bailey smirked before opening the door, revealing Amelia with Scout, Liam and Andrea.

“Special delivery for Deluca-Bishop,” she announced as she walked in, Liam holding one hand, Andrea in her arms and Scout walking behind her.

“Is that the time already? Dio mio did I forget?”

“No, I was collecting Scout and seeing as they’re staying at mine, thought I would pick them up now,” Amelia explained as she approached Carina, placing Andrea on her lap as Liam let go of her hand and toddled over to the bed, stopping near Maya’s head.

“Mommy,” he called, placing both hands on the bed, standing on his tip toes to try and see her better.

“Hi buddy. I’m ok, just a little sick,” she told him. Liam pouted, looked back at Carina, then back to Maya.

“Ick,” he repeated, still not able to pronounce his ‘S’s’ quite yet.

“Yeah buddy. Sucks I know.”

“Maya!”

“Don’t repeat that,” the blonde pointed at her son, Liam giggling.

“Where’s my princess?” Maya asked, Andrea looking over to the bed upon hearing the nickname. She waved her chubby little hands and squealed when she saw her mom.

“Well I know who her favorite is,” Amelia teased, nudging Carina’s shoulder lightly.

“Shut up, she loves us both the same,” Carina rolled her eyes. Amelia felt a tug on her top, looking down to see her son.

“Is Auntie Maya sick?” He asked. Both Maya and Carina snapped their heads to the little boy.

“What did he just call me?” Maya asked.

“We spoiled the surprise little man,” Amelia said to her son before turning back to Maya and Carina.

“We were talking about families the other week, and got onto the subject of calling people family when they’re not blood related. It all got very complicated but basically he asked if you guys were family because we see you a lot, and asked if he could call you his aunties. I said I’d ask you guys, but he’s been referring to you as that ever since,” Amelia revealed, both wives getting tears in their eyes.

“Ok that’s really cute,” Maya sniffled.

Both Amelia and Carina shot her a look.

“What? Don’t judge me I nearly died,” she whispered the last word, “and I’m a mom now, I love kids.”

“You are exhausted and talking nonsense. And don’t joke about the ‘D’ word, you scared me,” Carina said.

“Right. As fun as this is, that one looks like she’s going to fall asleep,” Amelia pointed to Maya, “you need rest too,” she then pointed at Carina, “and these three need food and waring out before bedtime,” she waved her hand around at the kids.

“Are you sure you can manage all three?”Carina questioned.

“We’ll be fine,” Amelia waved her off, Carina not looking convinced.

“Liam do you want to say goodbye to mommy?” Carina asked her son, who hadn’t moved from the side of Maya’s bed.

“Bye mommy,” he waved, blowing kisses. Andrea coiped her brother, though her kisses sounded more like blowing raspberries.

They all said their goodbye, and after Amelia had left, the room settle into a comfortable silence.

“How are you feeling Bambina?” Carina asked, taking Maya’s hand again.

“Tired, my chest and throat are sore. My arm hurts.”

“Does the sting site usually hurt for a long time after?” Carina looked over at her right hand and arm, the swelling hadn’t really gone down much more.

“Erm it can do. Mostly itches though,” Maya said, lifting her right arm and wincing slightly.

“It’s ok. We’ll see if they can give you more antihistamines. Try and get some sleep, you must be exhausted,” Carina got up off the chair and placed a kiss on Maya’s forehead.
“Please wake me up if you need me. Ti amo,” she whispered against her skin.

Maya nodded with a yawn, falling asleep not five minutes later. Once Carina was certain Maya had settled, she got up from the chair and went and laid on the dot. She wasn’t sure she’d get much sleep, but she wanted to try. She took one last glance at her wife, then closed her eyes.

***

The sound of a pained voice woke her just before 3am. It took her a few seconds to realise where she was, but when she did, she leapt off the cot and hurried over to the bed. The bed her wife was laid in, currently moaning in pain, clutching her arm.

“Maya? What is it Bambina what’s wrong?”

“My arm. It hurts. It feels like it’s burning. Please make it stop,” Maya cried.

Carina took one look at her wife’s right hand and arm, and slammed her hand down on the emergency call button. She then placed her hand on her wife’s forehead.

“I think you have an infection Maya. Your arms is so swollen and red. We’ll get it sorted Bambina ok,” she stroked her wife’s sweaty hair as nurses flocked the room, followed by Owen.

“I think her hand and arm are infected,” Carina got straight to the point.

Owen looked at Maya’s arm, apologising at Maya’s flinch and pained gasp when he touched it.

“Definitely an infection. The wasp sting could have had some bacteria on it that your body is trying to fight. We’ll start you on a course of hard IV antibiotics. They will make you sleepy, but hopefully it helps the infection,” Owen told them, as a nurse came in with antibiotics, and they got it set up and attached to Maya’s IV.

“I’ll come see you in a few hours. Try not to move it if it’s hurting, let the antibiotics do their job.”

“Grazie Owen,” Carina thanked him, seeing Maya had closed her eyes.

Once everyone had left, Carina gently placed her hand on Maya’s arm.

“Bambina?” When Maya opened her eyes, Carina’s heart broke.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed.

“Hey hey. Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault Maya,” Carina sat on the bed, cupping Maya’s cheek.

“I should have been more careful. Should have realised the wasp was there,” Maya tearfully scolded herself.

“Maya. This could have happened on any day in any scenario. It is not your fault, ok,” she leant forward and placed a kiss on the end of her nose.

“Get some sleep, you’re exhausted and full of drugs. Hopefully your arm will feel better.”

Maya drifted off again, but Carina did not. She stayed sat in the chair, just staring at Maya, wanting to be there in case she woke up again. Losing track of time, she jumped when there was a knock on the door, Miranda walking in.

“Morning. I heard it was a rough night. Have you slept?”

“I did for a bit. Then she woke up shouting in pain. She has an infection from the sting and is now on antibiotics. I haven’t told her yet but she’s probably going to have to stay another night,” Carina finished with a yawn.

Miranda walked over to Maya’s right side, taking a look at her hand and arm whilst also eyeing her vitals.

“Her heart and breathing rates look better. Oxygen into too. Hand is still a little swollen but her arm looks like it’s gone down a little. If it continues to improve the way it is, I don’t see why she wouldn’t be discharged tonight and continue antibiotics at home.”

“I can go home?” came a tired voice from the bed.

“Not yet Bishop, maybe this evening, maybe tomorrow. We’ll see. How is your pain?”

Maya took a few seconds to evaluate her body. “A bit better. Throat is still sore but breathing feels easier. Hand feels tight and a little painful still but my arm doesn’t hurt as much. The main was awful, felt like someone was squeezing my entire arm,” she told them.

“I’m glad you’re starting to feel better. You’ll be monitored for the rest of the day, and if before the end of my shift three doctors agree, you can go home. But I’m not making any promises,” she gave Maya a knowing look, before giving Carina a small smile and left them once again.

“Good morning,” Maya addressed her wife with a small smile. Carina returned it, getting up off the chair and hovering over Maya, leaning down a placing a soft kiss on her lips.

“Buongiorno Bambina,” Carina whispered, placing another kiss in her lips before sitting back down again, taking her hand. “You do look a lot better than you did yesterday,” Carina observed.

“I feel better. Yesterday was scary.”

“Si it was. Seeing you struggle to breathe. Dio mio Maya it felt like I couldn’t breathe as well.”

“I’m-“

“No,” Carina held up a finger in warning, “I said no apologies. It’s not your fault.”

Maya let out a huffed laugh, before pouring adorably. “I miss my babies. Have you heard from Amelia?”

“Si. She sent me this picture this morning.” Carina took out her phone and showed Maya the picture.

It was of Scout, Liam and Andrea, all sat on Amelia’s couch. Scout was in the middle, the mini DeLuca-Bishops on each side. They were still in pyjamas, hair all dishevelled, but all three faces had wide, tired smiles.

“Awh that’s so cute. They love Scout, and he’s so good with them. Amelia didn’t have to take them, you could have gone home,” Maya said to her wife.

“Maya. They may be my kids, and I love them more than words can say. But you are my wife. You were sick and I didn’t want to leave you, I couldn’t. They’re fine, and Amelia offered, well actually she pretty much told us she was having them.”

“She’s right,” came a voice from the door, Amelia walking in.

“Where are the kids?” Carina asked, seeing Amelia was alone.

“All dropped off at daycare. I didn’t bring them here I wasn’t sure if you’d be awake, and I heard you’d picked up an infection. Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble,” Amelia raised an eyebrow at the blonde.

“Wasn’t my fault,” Maya mumbled, rolling her eyes.

“Well if you need me to have the kids again tonight that is fine. But a little birdy told me it’s a possibility you’ll be going home later.”

Carina nodded. “Si it’s possible, we’ll just see how today goes.”

The day went better than they expected. The antibiotics were working, and the swelling in Maya’s arm wasn’t as painful. Her throat was still sore, but no longer swollen, and she didn’t need the oxygen anymore. She was eating fine, and had walked around the hospital floor a few times.

At around 6pm, Bailey came in, her expression unreadable. Maya’s hope vanished. “I’m staying overnight?”

“You will be staying in bed tonight. But you’re bed. We’ve agreed your condition has improved enough for you to go home. But you need to rest, your body went through a lot. You’re stay on your course of antibiotics for the next 5 days, and you’ve been prescribed new epi lens as well.”

“She will rest, I’ll make sure of it,” Carina gave Maya a look that said don’t even argue with me.

“I’ll rest. I promise. Thank you,” Maya addressed the doctors.

“Pleasure Bishop, just don’t make this a habit,” Bailey pointed before leaving.

The wives looked at each other, both with soft smiles on their faces.

“You can come home,” Carina whispered.

Maya nodded. “Home.”

Chapter Text

Liam is 10, Andrea is 9, Gianna is 4

 

Cold and flu season was in full swing, and it had hit the DeLuca-Bishop household hard.

All three kids missed the beginning of school and pre school after the winter break because they had nasty colds and high temperatures. Maya and Carina had caught it off them, but Maya didn’t have it nearly as bad. Neither did Carina at first, but now hers seemed to be lingering, especially in her chest.

The kids were now back at school, Maya at work, and Carina was sat on the couch, dressed for work, but contemplating whether to actually go in. She felt terrible.

Her phone rang beside her, Carina groaning as she reached over to pick it up.

“Ciao,” she answered tiredly.

“Oh you sound awful,” came Amelia’s voice. “I’m outside, I’ve beeped three times, there’ll be a noise complaint if I beep anymore.”

“Si, Si I’m coming,” Carina told her, but didn’t make any effort to move off her couch. Carina’s car was in for a service, so Amelia had said she’d drive her to work until it was out.

“Carina are you ok? Have you still got that cold?”

“Si. I can’t shift it. My chest hurts a little and I get breathless quickly. And I have a cough, the same nasty one Andrea had,” Carina proved her point by having a brief coughing fit.

“Stay there, I’m coming in,” Amelia told her before hanging up to avoid Carina protesting. She entered the living room two minutes later.

“Wow ok you look like shit,” Amelia observed.

“Grazie,” Carina mumbled, putting her head in her hands. Amelia pouted, before stepping closer, lifting the Italians head then gently placing a hand on her forehead.

“Yep, a fever, you’re burning up. I don’t think this is a cold anymore, it’s seems to be lingering. Could be chest infection, bronchitis or pneumonia-“

“I’m fine Amelia, it’s just a cold.” Amelia gasped, dramatically stepping back and putting a hand to her chest. “Did you, Carina DeLuca-Bishop, just say the ‘F’ word?”

Carina just rolled her eyes. “Sei un grande amico, ma sei anche molto fastidioso. E rumoroso. Ora capisco perché Maya ti trovava fastidioso quando vi siete incontrati per la prima volta.”
(You're a great friend but you are also very annoying. And loud. Now I know why Maya found you annoying when you first met)

Amelia furrowed her brows, tilting her head slightly. “The only word I understood there was Maya. Speaking of your wife, I’m going to phone her and let her know you’re ill, and that we’re going to the hospital,” Amelia said as she pulled out her phone.

“No no no. You can’t call her. She’s at work. And it’s just a cold, I don’t need to go to the hospital. Well I do to work but-“

“Carina, you can’t work like this. You have a fever, you’re slightly breathless and pale, and that cough didn’t sound good. You need a check up, and I’m a great doctor, but not a lung doctor. If you don’t come with me, your wife will drag you there.”

Carina slumped, coughing a little. “Ok, call her. But don’t panic her please.” Amelia nodded, found Maya’s contact and dialled it.

“Shepherd? Aren’t you supposed to be picking up my wife?”

“Maya, I’m here now. I am picking her up, but she’s not going to work, she’s getting checked out-“

“What? What for? Is she ok?”

“Calm down. She’s well, basically I don’t think it’s just a cold, possibly an infection. I’m gonna take her so someone can have a look, then I will bring her home for some rest.”

“I’m coming.”

“Maya-“

“I’m coming Amelia. She’s sick and needs a hospital. I’m coming. I’ll get Andy or Jack to cover. I’m on a half shift today anyway Liam has a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

“Ok. We’ll see you there Barbie.”

“She panicked, didn’t she?” Carina asked once Amelia had hung up.

“Maybe a little,” she pinched together her forefinger and thumb, leaving a tiny gap. “She’s gonna meet us there. Said she’s on a half day anyway?” Amelia questioned as they made their way out of the house and to the car.

“Si. Liam has a doctors appointment. The cold he had seems to have triggered his asthma, and he’s using his inhalers more often. Just want to make sure he’s ok.”

“Poor little guy. Come on you, let’s get you fixed.”

***

Twenty five minutes later, Carina was sat on a hospital bed, cold stethoscope placed on her back, coughing in between breathing deeply. Miranda herself had offered to check the Italian over.

“I’m pretty sure it’s bronchitis, doesn’t seem low enough for pneumonia. There is some wheezing, but your temperature doesn’t seem high enough to warrant a stay or further observation.”

“Ok. So antibiotics? I can grab them on my way up to my office.” Baileys head whipped up so fast it made Carina jump.

“You are not working like this. Not in my hospital. You will collect your antibiotics on your way out to your car,” Bailey told her sternly.

“My car’s having a service,” Carina grumbled.

“She’ll go in my car,” came her favourite voice. Carina looked towards the door, and sure enough there was her wife, out of breath and worried.

“Bambina,” Carina exhaled, relaxing a little.

“Hey babe, you ok? What’s wrong?” She directed the last part to Miranda as she made her way over to Carina’s bedside, placing a gentle hand on the small of her back.

“Bronchitis. I’ll prescribe antibiotics and rest, and she’s going home.”

“Is that what the tests showed?” Maya asked.

Bailey shook her head. “I’ve listened to her lungs. I can hear wheezing, but I don’t think it’s pneumonia.”

Maya chewed on her bottom lip, eyebrows furrowed as she stared down at the bed. Carina could feel her nervousness.

“Maya?”

“Are you 100% sure?” Maya then asked quietly.

“I can run some bloods and do a chest x-Ray, but I think though will give the same diagnosis,” Bailey told her. She knew how Maya’s brain worked, Maya needed all the facts. She needed to see it.

“Is that ok?” She whispered to no one in particular.

“Bronchitis can be diagnosed without the tests, but they are common ways to diagnose it too. I can get Carina up there in the next five minutes. Just sit tight for a second ok,” Miranda smiled softly before leaving them.

“Hey. Maya it’s ok. Just a nasty infection.” But Maya wasn’t really listening.

“Maybe I’ll cancel Liams doctors appointment. I don’t want you to be on your own. God I left you on your own this morning. Why didn’t I realise? I should have realised. You were snoring last night Carina, you never snore. I-“

“Maya!” Carina called, using a tone louder than usual, but it worked getting Maya out of her spiral.

“It’s ok. We thought it was just a nasty cold. They’re give me antibiotics and I’ll come home and rest. And Liams doctors appointment is just as important is this. We will go home, I’ll take up refuge on the couch. We will snuggle for a bit, then you will pick up Liam, take him to the doctors, then pick up the girls, then we can all snuggle. Sound like a plan?” Carina squeezed the hand of Maya’s she has grabbed when she called her name.

“Yeah. Yeah ok. That sounds good. I’m sorry you’re sick,” she placed a long, gentle kiss on her wife’s head.

The x-rays confirmed Bailey’s earlier diagnosis: bronchitis. Carina was given a course of antibiotics and Bailey told her not to come back to work until her fever was normal, that included not going to the clinic as well.

They were now on their way home, Maya had thanked Amelia and promised to bring her coffee for the next week. Carina was leaning against the window, using one of the kids fleece blankets as a make shift pillow.

“You ok babe?” Maya asked when she stopped at a light. She placed a hand on her wife’s leg, thumb stroking softly.

“I feel so drained. And my head is starting to hurt. I think I need cuddles and sleep,” she looked up and pouted at her wife. Maya squeezed her leg a little.

“You will have cuddles and sleep. And antibiotics and some crackers and water,” Maya added to the list.

“The perfect sickness cure,” Carina smiled tiredly.

“And 3 children who never run out of energy?” Maya smirked as the light turned green and she set off again.

“Ugh. I’ll lock them in their bedrooms.”

“Carina!”

***

They had been home for an hour. Carina had taken her first round of antibiotics and had eaten some crackers. She didn’t really have a choice as Maya all but shoved them in her mouth. Now she was curled up on the couch, propped up slightly by a pillow as lying down flat made her cough more.

“Is there anything else we need?” Maya said mostly to herself, staring at the coffee table that had been filled with pretty much every medicine they owned, bandages, heat pads, nasal sprays. Maya always panicked when the kids or her wife were sick and pretty much bought the whole pharmacy.

“Hmm I’m not sure,” Carina teased.

“Don’t make fun of me,” Maya pouted, “I worry when you’re sick. I don’t like it.”

Carina waved her wife over, Maya sitting next to her.

“I don’t like it either, and I don’t like when you’re sick.”

“But it’s worse when you’re the one who’s sick,” Maya poured further.

“Ok,” Carina chuckled, leaning up and kissing the pout away before starting to cough.

“Ok. That’s enough kissing. You need rest, and about an hour of cuddles before I have to get Liam to the doctors,” Maya told her, gently lifting Carina to sit up and then settling behind her, Carina leaning back with a satisfied sigh.

“Despite you being sick, this is nice. A quiet house, kids are at school, just me and you. Don’t get me wrong, I love them all like words couldn’t explain, but just me and you time is my favorite,” Maya whispered into her hair.

Carina nodded, looking up at her wife. “Ti amo Bambina.”

***

“Thank you for breaking me out of school mom. Today has been so stressful,” Liam fell into the back seat dramatically, coat and bag thrown next to him in a heap.

“You’re 10, and you love school, how can your day be stressful? And I didn’t really break you out, you have a scheduled appointment that they’ve known about for a week,” Maya chuckled as she pulled away from the school.

“My maths just wasn’t mathsing today, I didn’t understand it. Then it was too cold at recess, I just spent the whole time shivering. And I had to take my inhaler when we got inside. Stupid cold,” Liam crossed his arms and scowled.

“Oh dear buddy. Don’t worry about your maths, you’ll get it. Maybe when mama’s better she can help you. I can’t do anything about the weather, that’s Seattle in winter I’m afraid. And we’re gonna see what the doctor says about your asthma, ok.”

Liam nodded, “ok mommy. Did you say mama is sick?”

“Yeah, her cold is now bronchitis. She’s at home, she was sleeping on the couch when I left.”

“Poor mama. I will give her cuddles when we get home.”

“She’ll love that,” Maya smiled as she pulled into the doctor’s parking lot. “Come on bud, let’s go check those lungs.”

***

The doctor’s appointment went well. They tested Liam’s peak flow, having him blow into the tube to see how far the little ball would go. He coughed a little after, which wasn’t unusual at the moment when he got breathless. The doctor concluded what Maya and Carina both thought: the cold had aggravated his asthma, and it was taking longer to shift the cough because of it. It wasn’t a cause for concern at the moment, just advised he keep taking his inhaler more often at the moment.

They had picked up the girls on the way home, the doctor’s appointment finished not long before the school day ended.

“Everything ok with your asthma?” Andrea asked on the way home.

“Yep. They just think it’s because of the cold. Still need my inhaler. Will mama need an inhaler too?” He asked Maya.

“No bud.“

“Mama’s sick?” Andrea interrupted.

“Yes princess. I was gonna tell you before we went on the house because she might be sleeping. She has bronchitis. It’s a bit like a cold but it’s a worse infection, she has medicine to help. We need to be calm and quiet this evening ok?”

“We can be super duper quiet mommy,” Gianna informed her.

Turns out they didn’t need to be, because Carina wasn’t asleep when they got home, she was actually in the kitchen, cooking.

“Carina? What are you doing? You’re meant to be resting your sick,” Maya stressed when she walked in the kitchen, following the familiar smell of Carina’s homemade soup.

“I was getting a start on dinner. And it’s just a bad cold Maya, I’m fine,” she finished before covering her mouth to touch.

“You’re on antibiotics for an infection, and your breathing is slightly laboured. Please sit down, even if it’s just on a stall, I can finish the soup. You look after me when I was ill, let me look after you now. Please.” Maya had approached her wife and placed a hand on her shoulder. Carina turned to look at her, seeing slight worry and love on her face.

“Si, ok. I’m sorry. I’ll sit,” Carina relented, turning and sitting herself on a stall. Andrea walked in, frowning at the sight, which Maya noticed.

“What’s that face for?” She asked.

“You’re cooking?”

Maya rolled her eyes. Apart from her special pancakes, the kids preferred Carina’s cooking. Not that Maya’s was bad, Carina’s was just better, and it had more flavour, according to the kids anyway. But Maya didn’t disagree, her wife was an amazing cook.

“I’m taking over, and it looks like it’s mostly done anyway,” Maya told her as her daughter sat next to her mama.

“Just don’t burn it,” Andrea mumbled, but Maya heard her.

“Excuse me miss Andrea, I don’t burn things. And it’s soup, how can I burn that?”

“You burnt oatmeal once. The spoon was on fire and it set the fire alarm off. I remember mama cursing you because ‘how can a firefighter cause a fire in her own kitchen’” Liam did quotation marks with his fingers, everyone laughing.

“Bullied by my own children,” Maya grumbled as she went back to the soup.

“How are you feeling mama?” Andrea asked, placing a hand on her forehead. “Is the medicine working?”

“It just feels like a really bad cold piccola. I’m a bit tired though. The antibiotics won’t work just yet, it will take a couple of days for them to fully kick in. But I will be ok,” she stroked through her daughters each, dark blonde hair

“And you my tesoro, how did it go at the doctors?”

Liam just shrugged, unbothered. “I don’t know. Did the same tests I always do and have to keep taking my inhalers,” he told her before pulling off a piece of French stick that Maya had just placed on the table and popping it in his mouth.

Carina raised an eyebrow in her wife’s direction, wanting her to elaborate.

“He said what we thought, his cold aggravated his asthma, that’s why the cough is lingering. Just needs to keep taking his inhalers.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“This bread is good,” Liam proclaimed, mouth full of the bread. Both parents rolled their eyes, Maya ruffling his hair.

“He’s fine.”

***

Dinner was full of chatter, laughter, and a little bit of spilt soup thanks to Gianna and Liam fighting over the last piece of bread. Maya told Carina to rest, and that she would sort bedtime.

She had just said goodnight to her oldest, and decided her wife could use an early night. She made her way downstairs, finding Carina fast asleep on the couch, breathing a little loud due to the bronchitis.

She knelt down in front of her wife, pushing a stray bit of hair gently behind her ear.

“Babe” she whispered, getting no response.

“Carina,” she said a little louder, which worked as Carina stirred.

“Maya?”

“Hey. You fell asleep. Come on, let’s go to bed, you feel a little warm again, and you need another antibiotic dose.”

“Si, I have an infection,” Carina mumbled as she tiredly stood up.

“I know my love.” Maya wrapped an arm around her waist as they made their way upstairs. Carina all but fell onto the bed, not bothering to even attempt to change into pyjamas.

Maya was going to suggest she help her, but Carina looked like she would fall back asleep any second, and she was wearing sweatpants and a hoodie anyway, so she would be comfortable.

She walked around to her wife, and gently moved her to pull the covers half way up her body, not wanting to make her too hot.

“Did you take your antibiotic?” Carina shook her head. Maya grabbed it, going to the bathroom to get a glass of water and taking it back to the sick Italian.

“Here it is. Take this then you can sleep.” Carina did as instructed, saying a quiet ‘grazie’ after giving the glass back to Maya.

She then settled back down, Maya going to her side and climbing in next to her wife. Carina wasted no time snuggling up to her. She layed with her head on Maya’s chest, one arm wrapping over her stomach and one leg over hers. Maya chuckled, then placed a kiss into brown hair.

“Rest and sleep babe, I’m here.”

She would care for Carina like Carina always did for her.

Chapter Text

Liam is 11, Andrea is 10, Gianna is 5.

 

Carina heard her wife’s car pull up as she had just finished putting their youngest to bed. She knew Maya was going to be slightly late and miss dinner. A house collapsed on their call, and there were a few injured firefighters, none from 19, and Maya’s team needed to stay behind to start helping the clean up.

Dinner was a simple tomato basil pasta with homemade garlic bread, and a side of broccoli, requested by Andrea. Carina had left Maya a plate for when she got home.

The oldest two were quietly reading on the couch when Maya walked in, Carina coming down the stairs seconds later.

“Ciao Bambina,” Carina called, Maya smiling at her wife as she entered the living room.

“Hey you three. Gianna in bed already?” She pouted a little. She loved bedtime. The quiet conversations with her kids about their day, or reading stories to Gianna, or making them up.

“Si, but she’s probably still awake. You go up and say goodnight, get changed. I’ll heat up your dinner,” Carina approached her and placed a kiss on her wife’s lips.

“Thank you,” Maya whispered, hand coming up and rubbing at her eyes.

“You tired?” Carina asked. Maya shook her head. “No. Well a little, but my eyes are itchy. The smoke at the house was really thick, and them the building collapse sent up a load of dust. I managed to cover my nose and mouth when I moved away, but I think I got some in my eyes. They’re a little itchy and sore. I did wash them out at the station,” Maya revealed as Carina gently pulled her wife’s hand away from her face.

“No itching, it won’t help. Try and wash them out again.” Maya nodded, kissing her wife’s forehead before addressing Liam and Andrea.

“Hi mommy how are you? I’m good thanks for asking,” she called over to them sarcastically, which earnt giggles from both kids and a shared, smirking glance.

“Oh ignoring me on purpose are we? I guess I’ll have to keep the uncle Jack story to myself then,” she teased, going to walk towards the stairs. Both kids threw their books down, turning on the couch and leaning against the back of it.

“No no we want to hear the story, please mom,” Liam protested.

“We’re sorry. Hi mom. Please tell us the story,” Andrea followed. Maya chuckled at the identical pouty faces.

“Ok ok. Let me go say goodnight to G, get changed, then I’ll tell you what Uncle Jack got up to today.”

“Yay!” They whisperer shouted, aware their little sister was in bed.

***

Maya came back downstairs to the smell of her wife’s homemade pasta, and giggles from the kitchen. As she got closer, she could hear Jack’s voice over the phone.

“Gibson?” Maya questioned as she sat on a stall, saying a quiet thank you to Carina for dinner, Carina placing a kiss on her temple.

“Just telling your kids about my hero rescue today,” Jack grinned over the FaceTime. Maya had left her phone on the table, and Liam had managed to guess her password, again, and called his uncle Jack, he couldn’t wait for Maya to finish changing to hear the story.

“You mean you’re ridiculous rescue,” Maya grumbled before forking pasta in her mouth.

“Uh oh, did mommy tell you off,” Liam chuckled.

“Maybe a little bit,” Jack confessed.

“You told uncle Jack off for rescuing a dog,” Liam turned to her mom, wide eyed. “The dog could have died.”

“Yeah Maya, the dog could have died. Your kid understands,” Jack grinned again, but it quickly went when Maya glared at him.

“I know what uncle Jack did was very kind, but it’s wasn’t actually necessary. For one, all the firefighters were on an ordered retreat, and he disobeyed those orders,” she gave Jack another glare. She had to write him up on that once they got back to the station, further delaying her getting home, “two, the dog wasn’t even in the house, it was in the backyard hiding. It wouldn’t have been caught up in the house collapsing. It would have still been safe where it was.”

“The kids were crying for it, I couldn’t just leave it there,” Jack protested weakly.

“So you wanted to tell the bambini the story because Jack got into trouble and you secretly enjoy telling him off,” Carina realised, hearing Jack dramatically gasp on the other end of the phone.

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing Bishop, I thought we were friends,” Jack feigned hurt.

“Whatever Gibson. I’ve got an update on the dog by the way, he was checked at the vets, only minor smoke inhalation and he’s still a little frightened, but he’s gonna be ok. So are the family.”

Jack nodded. “Good, that’s good to hear. I’ll let you all get back to your evening. See you DB’s,” he waved on the phone.

“Bye uncle Jack.”
“Bye Jack.”
“Ciao Jack.”
The family all called at the same time.

“Right. You two need to go brush your teeth, me and mommy will be up in a minute,” Carina told the two kids, both nodding.

“I’ll race you,” Liam jumped off his stall first.

“No fair you got a head start,” Andrea called after him.

“Be quiet bambini per favore, Gianna is in bed,” Carina whispered shouted hopelessly, they were already gone. She sighed and turned back to her wife, who was itching at her eyes again.

“Are they still irritating you? Are you sure there were no chemicals?” Carina asked, removing Maya’s hands again.

“Mmhmm. It was just a house fire. No chemicals. They’re probably a little scratched from the debris and smoke. They’ll be fine tomorrow. It’s not the first time a fire has irritated them,” Maya smiled reassuringly.

“Si, but they do look a little red Bambina,” Carina observed, placing a hand on Maya’s right cheek and brushing her thumb just under the eye.

“That’s probably because I’ve just been itching them. I’ll try to stop. How were the kids this evening? Any talk about where they want to go for thanksgiving?”

Thanksgiving was next Thursday, and this year they had options. Maya and Carina were both off for the first time ever, so they could either stay at home just the five of them, visit the station, or they had invited Amelia and Scout to join them. They had also asked Jack and Andy, but they had some vacation days and decided to go to New York for Thanksgiving, something Jack has always wanted to do.

“Si, but we have mixed answers. Gianna wants to spend it with Amelia, Liam at the station, and Andrea said she doesn’t mind because we’ll all be together whatever, but wouldn’t mind staying at home either.”

“Of course they all had different answers. Well I guess we’ll just have to disappoint one or two of them.”

“Or,” Carina wiggled her eyebrows, “we spend the morning here together, you can make your pancakes, then we go to the station for lunch, then pop to Amelia’s for dinner. I messaged her earlier and Scout wants to watch the Super Bowl with you. He told Amelia you’re more fun to watch it with because you’re sporty and understand it better,” she laughed, Maya also laughing.

“Oh I bet Amelia loved that. I think your idea is perfect. You’re perfect,” Maya smiled, smirking slightly.

“Are you wanting something Bambina?” Carina husked, moving her face closer to her wife’s.

“Hmm, let me think. Maybe something involving me and you, naked in our bed?” Maya now wiggling her eyebrows.

“I think that can be arranged,” Carina whispered, before all but launching herself foreward, pressing a heated kiss on Maya’s lips. Before Maya could take it further however, there was a call from upstairs.

“Mom, mama, we’re ready for bedtime snuggles,” came Liams voice.

“I wanted my special bedtime snuggles,” Maya grumbled against Carina’s lips.

“Soon my love. We’ve been summoned, and how many times do I have to tell him Gianna is in bed,” Carina huffed as she pulled away, squeezed Maya’s waist teasingly and went to find her son and daughter.

Maya chuckled, standing up to follow her wife, noticing her eyes were a little blurry. Maybe the dust and smoke did scratch her eyes. She rubbed them, wincing slightly as they were now a little sore. She made a note to wash them out with water again before going to bed, then made her way upstairs to put her kids to bed, then have one on one time with her wife.

***

Carina groaned as her alarm blared on the dresser beside her. She reached over and turned it off, then settled on her back to wake up properly. Her arms and legs were a little sore, but she smiled to herself. It was a reminder of the activities her and Maya got up to last night.

She turned to face her wife, but the smile fell when she noticed that, even though Maya’s eyes were closed, she could see they were slightly red. She turned on her bedside lamp to get a better look, the faint sunlight through the curtains not letting her see clearly. Sure enough, Maya’s eyes looked a little swollen, and they looked like they had been watering.

Carina sighed. They could be infected. Her wife probably had conjunctivitis, caused my the smoke and debris at the fire yesterday. She placed a hand on Maya’s shoulders to wake her gently.

“Maya.”

“Mmm.”

“My alarm has just gone off for work. But your eyes look sore even when they’re closed, can you open them for me a second per favore,” she asked quietly.

Maya shifted slightly, furrowing her eyebrows as she realised her eyes were sore, even with them closed. She opened them, the blurriness she had last night was back again, and they stung. She took in a deep breath.

“Ouch. They’re sore,” she whined tiredly.

“And they’re very red and watery. I think it’s an irritant conjunctivitis from the smoke and debris yesterday,” Carina told her.

“I washed them like three or four times,” Maya whined again, moving to sit up against the headboard, going to rub her eyes but Carina stopping her.

“No no, try not to touch them Maya.”

“I need to wipe them or something Carina, they’re stinging so much. And it’s making everything seem blurry.”

“You can’t see?” Carina questioned, panicking slightly and reaching for her phone and dialling.

“I can see, it’s just a bit blurry.” But Carina didn’t really hear her.

“Ciao Amelia. Yes I know it’s early, but Maya can’t see. She just told me she can’t see. No she hasn’t hit her head, but she can’t see-“

Maya took the phone from Amelia and put it to her own ear.

“Amelia.”

“Maya? You can’t see? What happened?” Amelia asked, concerned.

“No no, not like that. It’s not due to a head injury, I think Carina just panicked when k said it. There was a building collapse yesterday and I got smoke and debris in my eyes, it seems to have caused an infection. They’re red, sore and watery, and it’s making my vision a little blurred,” she told the neurosurgeon, who let out a massive breath on the other side of the phone.

“Jesus Christ Carina scared me almost half to death. She said you couldn’t see, I thought you’d hit your head or something. I was about to run to the hospital and do brain surgery,” Amelia exclaimed over the phone.

“Awh you care about me,” Maya teased.

“Shut up,” Amelia grumbled. “Well, now that you’ve cleared that up, I’m glad you’re relatively ok. Sounds like you need some eye drops. Tell your wife she can get her own coffee this morning after that. Hope the eyes get better soon firefighter Barbie. Behave yourself.” She sing songed the last part before she hung up, Maya chuckling as she handed the phone back to her pouting wife.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard what she said about coffee,” Carina sulked. “I’m sorry, I panicked. You said you couldn’t see and I just - I panicked.”

“Hey. It’s ok. I can see, just a little blurry. Like when we’re in the car and it’s raining, and we can’t see out the windscreen properly. Dangerous I know, but that’s why I don’t let you drive in torrential rain.”

Carina side eyed her. “Yet you still do.” Maya just shrugged, “I drive firetrucks for a living and walk through burning buildings that are almost pitch black, I’m used to low visibility.”

“Well you don’t have to be used to it on your own. I’ll ring Bailey and let her know I’ll be late. I’ll drive the kids to school, then drive you to the station, they I’ll drive to work. You are not driving, don’t even think about arguing,” Caria pointed at her when she saw Maya about to protest.

“Fine. But should I be going to work? Isn’t conjunctivitis contagious?”

“Your eyes aren’t gunky, just red and watery, and it was caused by smoke and dust, so it’s unlikely anyone else will catch it. Just make sure you wipe your eyes with tissue then throw it straight away, and wash your hands after you’ve touched them, not that you should be,” Carina told her.

“Ok. I’m glad I can still work. We’ve got an inspection in a few days. Hopefully it clears up by then,” Maya said as there was a knock at the door.

“Good morning mama and mommy. My tummy is awake and shouting at me, I think it needs banana and oatmeal with syrup,” they heard their youngest call through the door, making them both laugh.

“The whirlwind is awake,” Maya pointed out the obvious as Carina got out of bed to open the door.

“Good more stellina did you sleep ok?” She asked as she picked up her daughter.

“Si, I dreamed of Christmas!! It’s coming really really soon because it’s after my birthday now,” she told them excitedly.

“It is coming soon. But let’s get through thanksgiving first G,” Maya suggested as she made her way over to her wife and daughter, placing a small kiss on a tiny blonde head.

“Good morning tiny.”

“Morning mommy. Your eyes are all red. Have you been crying?”

“No baby, at the house fire yesterday some smoke and dust got in my eyes, and they are hurting a little bit. And when eyes hurt they can water.”

“Poor mommy. And I can’t kiss your eyes to make them better, so I’ll just tap your cheek instead,” she tapped Maya’s cheek three times as Carina giggled.

“Thanks tiny, they feel a lot better.” Gianna grinned, then her tummy made a lot of noise.

“I told you it was shouting.”

***

All five DeLuca-Bishops were now up, Liam and Andrea both asking Maya if she had been crying as well, Maya telling them the same thing he had Gianna. All three kids had eaten their oatmeal and got dressed for school, Carina and Maya both dressed for work, and were not all getting into the car.

“Mama, you’re late for work, mommy was driving us to school today,” Andrea gasped as she realised they were getting into Carina’s car.

“Mommy’s sore eyes means they are a little blurry, and I don’t want her driving. So I will drop you at school and pre-school, see if the pharmacy can give your mom some eye drops, then drop her off at work. Then I will go to work myself,” she told the kids.

“Oh. That makes sense, good plan mama,” Andrea gave her a double thumbs up before getting in the car.

“Are you sure you’re ok doing this?” Maya asked as Carina got into the drivers seat.

“I’m sure Bambina. Bailey understands. I have no patients this morning anyway, just paperwork for the hospital and the clinic, and Bailey is going over it with me. Do not worry,” Carina placed a hand on Maya’s thigh and squeezed reassuringly before pulling off the drive and heading towards the pre-school first.

***

“So, because it’s not a bacterial infection they won’t prescribe antibiotic eye drops. However, they have given me saline solution for your eyes to help clean them, and a soothing eye drop solution to try and help with the soreness and itching,” Carina placed the bag in her wife’s lap.

“Thank you. I may need help putting them in, it kind of freaks me out.”

“Putting eye drops in?”

“Well I’ve never had to do it before, but just touching my eyes in general. Or anyone else’s. It’s the only thing I really don’t like seeing injured, makes my knees feel funny. We had someone once who had a fish hook piercing through their eyebrow, the tip really close to their eye, and it made me puke when I saw it. I couldn’t touch it. Vic is the same actually, and we were both on aid car that day. We had to call Andy for back up,” she chuckled slightly at the memory.

“That is both funny and adorable. How did I not know this? Maya Bishop gets screamish about eyes,” Carina teased. Maya rolled her eyes.

“Not your eyes though.”

“Very smooth Bambina.”

Ten minutes later, Carina parked outside the station, Travis and Vic were outside waiting.

“Good morning our favorite wives. How are we on this fine day,” Travis greeted to enthusiastically.

Maya groaned as she got out of the car, thanking Carina and waving her off before turning to the pair.

“I’m not a zoo animal you know. You could have waited until I got in the building to gawk at my eyes.”

“It was Vic’s idea. She wanted to get seeing them out of the way so she could try and avoid you for the rest of the day,” Travis told her as he followed her through the front doors of the station.

“Hey. I didn’t say it quite like that. I just wanted to make sure she was ok, and tell her that there is absolutely no way I am putting her eye drops in for her,” Vic said.

“Don’t worry, I was going to ask Ben or Andy, I won’t be able to do them myself. Your eyes both look ok. How about everyone else?” Maya asked as she unlocked her office door, turning on the lights and making her way to her desk.

“Everyone else’s are fine, just you who’s unlucky, sorry Bishop,” Travis gave her a sad smile. Maya nodded.

“Ok. I’m gonna get these eye drops in and hopefully they help with the blurriness, then I’ll call line up. I think it’s safe to say I won’t be going on calls today so I’ll man the front desk,” Maya told them, asking them to send either Ben or Andy down

It was Ben who turned up five minutes later.

“Morning cap. I hear you need some assistance with the drops,” Ben greeted a she walked into the office.

“Please. I can’t do them myself. I think I need one of each.”

Ben helped Maya with the eye drops, Maya wincing when the first lot went in, but the coolness of the relief once’s she felt pretty much straight away.

“I hope this doesn’t last too long, we’ve got the inspection in a couple of days,” Maya stressed slightly as she looked over all the files on her desk. Files she needed to go through before the inspection, but looking at them now, the words were slightly blurred.

“Don’t worry about it Maya. I know that’s easier said than done, but we can all help, you know that. We’re a team, not just out there, in here too,” Ben placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Thanks Warren. I think it’s time for line up,” Maya declared, walking out her office and summoning the rest of her team.

***

It was the end of Maya’s shift, and she was all but ready to go home. Ben and Andy had help with her next two doses of the drops during the day. She had noticed a little difference. It was helping with the itching a little, and they weren’t as sore, but they still looked quite red, and it was making her feel tired. She constantly felt like she needed to just close her eyes.

“How are you getting the kids and then getting home?” Andy questioned as her and Jack came out of the locker room, ready in their civilian clothes.

“Oh crap. I didn’t think about that. Carina finishes at 8, they can’t wait until then. I could have Taylor’s mom drop them at ours when I’m home.”

“Who’s Taylor?” Jack asked.

“Andrea’s best friend. You know the one she’s with pretty much twenty four seven, either at our house or hers.”

“Oh, I thought her name was Tilly,” Jack said mostly to himself, but Maya and Andy heard it, both laughing and rolling their eyes.

“Let’s get you home Bishop.”

“Thanks guys.”

Maya had messaged Taylor’s mom asking if she would mind dropping the kids off once she was home. It was helpful that Taylor and her parents only lived down the road.

It was something that both families did for each other. If Maya and Carina were both working on the same day, the kids would go to Sarah, Taylor’s mom, after school. She worked from home and was the one who suggested she could have the DeLuca-Bishop kids when they were both working.

Likewise, when Taylor’s dad Rick was working, and Sarah needed to go help her mom or go to the shelter where she volunteered, they would have Taylor over at theirs.

Maya chuckled as Andy pulled up to her house. It looked like she had a greeting party, as all four kids and Sarah were on the drive.

“Thanks for the lift guys, see you tomorrow,” she said goodbye before getting out of the car.

“Mommy,” Gianna shouted, racing towards her mom, hugging her tightly when she reached her. “I missed you today,” she whispered, grinning up at her mom.

“Hi my tiny. I missed you too,” she bent down to place a kiss on her head, before Gianna let go and they made their way towards everyone else.

“They all been ok?” Maya asked Sarah.

“Yes yes, they’ve all been as good as gold, like always. I’ve also fed them. I know you usually feed them, but Liam mentioned your eyes were a little blurry, so I thought it would be one less job for you,” Sarah informed her.

“Oh that’s actually a great help and so kind, thank you so much. And thank you again for having them and dropping them over.”

“It’s no worries at all.”

“Your eyes do look really sore Maya, I hope they are better soon,” Taylor told her kindly.

“Thanks Tay, I’ve got some special eye drops to help.”

“Ooh can I put them in? I’ll be really careful,” Liam piped up. He had got to an age where he liked to help out where he could, especially if someone else was ill. He had recently informed his moms he wanted to be a paramedic when he was older, and that starting young would help.

“You can because I won’t be able to do them myself. Maybe wait until Mama gets home so she can guide you.” Liam nodded, happy with that.

“We’ll let you get in. Have a lovely evening,” Sarah and Taylor said goodbye to the family, making their way down the street to their house, Maya and the kids waving them off then going inside.

“So you’ve all had dinner. We have a bit of time before mama gets home, how about a midweek movie night?”

All three kids cheered, running off to change into their pyjamas. Liam and Andrea dragged blankets and pillows from upstairs into the living room, pushing the coffee table to the side and creating a make shift camp bed on the floor, snuggling together. Gianna opted to sit next to Maya, both ending up laying down, and subsequently falling asleep.

That’s how Carina found them when she walked into the living room at twenty past 8. Liam and Andrea were too engrossed in the film that they hadn’t even heard her come home.

“Ciao bambini,” she whispered, making the two jump slightly.

“Ciao mama,” they whispered back.

“What are you still doing awake?” she questioned, going over and sitting down in the armchair. She wasn’t mad, not in the slightest. Her kids were good at going to bed, and getting up for school in the morning. And Maya had let Carina know they were having a movie night.

“We’re having movie night on a Wednesday. Mom said we can still have our Friday night movie night too though,” Andrea told her as she got up to go and give her mama a hug.

“Mom said I can help put her eye drops in when you got home,” Liam whispered, also getting up from the floor and going to hug his mama.

“Our little helper. I will show you. Shall we wake her up? Try not to wake G, I will carry her up to bed.” The kids nodded, detangling themselves from Carina and going over to the couch.

“Mommy,” Andrea whispered, placing a gentle hand on her mom’s shoulder. “Mommy mama is home.”

Maya blinked her eyes open, a few tears creeping out. Her eyes felt sore again.

“Hi babe. Sorry I fell asleep. My eyes just felt so done,” she said as she gently wiped her eyes with a soft tissue.

“Ciao Bambina, it’s ok. Shall I carry our sleepy one up to bed, these two can finish watching the film with you, then I’ll put eye drops in. The film is nearly finished si?” She directed at Liam and Andrea. They were watching Elf, again. Maya thought it was a little early for Christmas films, but Carina insisted that because Halloween had been and gone, it was now Christmas season.

“Yep it’s nearly finished. They’re just helping Santa fix the sleigh in the park,” Liam confirmed.

“Bene. I will take this one up. Your eyes don’t look as sore as they did this morning my love,” Carina observed as she gently lifted Gianna from the couch, the girl stirring slightly, Carina shushing her, then she settled again.

“They do feel a little better, but not great. I have a feeling it will take a few days for them to get better, that smoke was heavy yesterday.”

“We’ll manage it Bambina. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

***

Gianna all tucked in and film finished, Andrea falling asleep just as it ended, Maya was now laying on her back on the couch, Liam and Carina hovering over her, about to put her eye drops in.

“I’m must warn you, I do jump slightly when they go in, so don’t do the next one straight away please.”

“Do the eye drops hurt you?” Liam asked, concerned.

“No they don’t hurt buddy. It’s like when you get a bit of water splashed in your eye, it makes you jump slightly and close your eyes, that’s all. I didn’t want you to squeeze the next one and then the drop just land on my face.” Liam giggled at the thought.

“Ok Tesoro. So you are going to slowly squeeze the bottle like this, and when you see the liquid gather at the end, squeeze a tiny bit more until it drops off into mommy’s eye. Shall I do the first one and show you?”

Liam nodded, so Carina demonstrated how to do the eye drop in Maya’s left eye, Maya blinking a few times as the liquid settled. She glanced at Liam, who now looked a little unsure.

“You won’t hurt me Liam I promise. It’s just a tiny bit uncomfortable for like a second, then it goes away. I trust you,” Maya reassured him. Liam took a deep breath, took the small bottle from Carina, and copied exactly what she did.

“I did it. I did your eye drop mommy. Can I do the rest?”

“I think we have a mini doctor on our hands,” Carina smiled as Liam picked up the other eye drop bottle, giving Maya her last two.

“All done mommy,” Liam declared, putting the bottle down and climbing on top of her, laying his head on her chest, pretty much trapping her on the couch.

“Thank you bud. Such a good boy,” Maya kissed his hair as Carina knelt down in front of them, hand going to Mayas head and stroking gently.

“Hopefully your eyes will feel better in the morning. They aren’t very nice to look at, I can physically see they are sore and uncomfortable , and I don’t like it,” Carina pouted.
“They are sore and uncomfortable, but I am ok. And as long as I have doctor Liam, they’ll heal in not time,” Maya addressed her son, but got not response. “He’s fallen asleep on me, hasn’t he?”

“Si. And I’m afraid I won’t be able to carry him up the stairs. I can only just manage Gianna now,” Carina chuckled, standing up and stretching her knees.

“I’ll carry both him and the princess. My eyes aren’t as blurry as this morning. Shall we have an early night, watch something in bed?” Maya suggested.

“Si, that sounds good. I’ll make coffee while you tuck them in. Ti amo Bambina,” Carina leant down and placed a kiss on her wife’s lips.

“I love you too.”

Maya’s eyes took a few more days to heal, Liam helping out with the eye drops whenever he was at home. And the inspection of the firehouse went perfectly, the chief declaring it the best in his battalion, even when his captain has infected eyes.

Chapter Text

Liam is 16, Andrea is 15, Gianna is 9

 

“Liam quick, come look at this,” Gianna shouted from the living room.

“It’s the afternoon G, April fools pranks don’t count now,” Liam called back, not falling for his little sister’s antics.

It was Sunday 1st April, and Gianna had taken April fools to a whole new level. She woke up extra early to prank Liam first. She put sticky tape in his doorframe, so when he opened his bedroom door, he walked into it and it stuck to his forehead.

She then snuck into Andrea’s room without a plan, but one quickly formed when she saw that her sister’s phone was on charge. Gianna knew Andrea and Taylor FaceTimed pretty much every morning whilst they got ready, so she thought it would be funny to lock her sister’s phone by putting in the wrong password several times. When Andrea woke up, she had been locked out for two hours. Maya let her borrow her phone to FaceTime Taylor.

And then there was her mom’s. First up was Carina. She too had a morning ritual, drink at least two cups of coffee before leaving the house. So naturally, Gianna unplugged the coffee machine at the wall, then stuck the wire down to the counter with copious amounts of sticky tape.

Maya was the hardest person to plan a prank for. She wasn’t a fan of the unexpected or surprises, so she decided to do something funny instead. Maya always listened to the same radio channel in her car, so Gianna changed it to a different one, and she had managed to find an Italian one, then turned it up loud. Maya saw the funny side, but then demanded Gianna herself change it back.

It’s safe to say Maya and Carina were glad they had work, Gianna was now Liam’s problem until they finished.

“It’s not a prank. There’s a massive car crash on the highway. It’s on the news live and mom’s there.” She shouted back to her brother, not taking her eyes off the telly. Liam came running down the stairs, standing next to his sister watching the news report.

“Woah, that’s a lot of cars,” he observed.

“Mmhmm, they’re saying it was started by a drunk driver, he smashed into a load of other cars. This is the result.”

“Oh god Andrea. She was going with Sarah and Taylor to the mall. They would have used that highway,” Liam panicked as he whipped his phone out, dialling Andrea’s number, panicking further when he got no answer.

“It’s not still locked is it?”

“No. It was only locked for two hours,” Gianna was now panicking too.

“I’ll ring mama,” Liam was about to press call, when his phone flashed with an incoming one.

“Andrea!! Are you all ok? Are you at the mall yet?” Liam fired off.

“Woah slow down. I’m guessing you’ve seen the news. We’re ok, we never made it. We’re stuck in the middle of that pile up. We’re not hit or hurt, Sarah managed to get over to the side and avoid being hit, but we are stuck.” Liam let out a small breath, glad she wasn’t hurt but still worried.

“Ok. I’m glad you’re ok. Moms there too, I’ll ring the station and tell whoever is on desk to radio mom and let her know you’re-“

“No no, don’t tell mom. She’ll panic and try to find us. There are people hurt that need her help more. I promise Liam we’re fine, mom needs to concentrate.” Liam took a minute to think, finally agreeing with his sister.

“Ok. Ok I won’t do that. But I am telling mama. They’re probably getting a lot of people at the hospital, so she’ll already be worried about mom going to the scene.”

“Ok. If anything changes I’ll call you. Tell G I’m ok. Love you.”

“Will do, love you too.” Liam hung up, eyes going back to the screen, which had an update that took his breath away. One of the cars had caught fire, and there was risk of an explosion.

“Drea’s there, isn’t she?” Gianna asked nervously.

“She is but she’s not hurt, just stuck. Her and mom will be safe G, let me call mama.” Liam did just that, twice, but got no answer. Carina will probably be busy, and probably knows Maya is at the scene.

***

Carina did know Maya and the rest of 19 were at the scene. She had caught the news broadcast on the tv, and was now checking on it regularly. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket, but she was currently aiding an intern stitch up someone’s eyebrow. She was in luck though, because Amelia was approaching, having been paged to check the patient for concussion.

“Amelia, per favore my phone has buzzed a few times in my pocket. Can you see who it was? Maya’s at the crash and Liam and Gianna are at home and Andrea is out with Taylor-“

“Woah Carina hey, I’ll have a look. I’m just gonna get it out your pocket ok?” Carina nodded, so Amelia retrieved the Italians phone, seeing she had missed calls from Liam.

“Can you call him back per favore.” Amelia did, the boy picking up on the second ring.

“Hey Liam. Oh god ok. Ok I’ll let her know. No no stay at home, stay with G. I’ll update you if anyone from 19 or your mom comes in ok. Speak soon bud.”

Carina stood waiting.

“Liam and Gianna saw the crash on the news, saw that Maya is there. Carina, Andrea is also there, but she’s fine ok. They didn’t get hit in the crash, Sarah swerved from what Liam told me, but they are stuck at the moment. She’s not hurt Carina ok, she rang Liam herself.”

“Di mio two of my girls are there, in the middle of all that chaos,” Carina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“They’ll be fine Carina. You-“

But Amelia didn’t have a chance to finish as there was a loud noise on the TV, followed by loud gasps from people watching. Both doctors rushed over, seeing a cloud of thick, black smoke rising into the sky.

“What happened?” Carina asked no one in particular as the camera had shifted.

“The car that was on fire exploded,” someone told her. Carina clutched at her chest as she closed her eyes.

Please god let them be ok.

***

“Captain DeLuca-Bishop? Montgomery? Do you copy?” Andy called over the radio. They were closest to the car that exploded, but both had turned to retreat.

“Deluca-Bishop. Montgomery. Do you-“

“We’re ok Andy. We were thrown from the force. Landed funny but both fine,” Maya called back before Travis chipped in.

“Don’t listen to her, she’s not fine. She’s hurt her arm or her shoulder. We need a medic ready to assess. I hit my head but other than that I don’t feel any other injuries. We’re coming to you.”

Maya glared at Travis as he finished his report. “Don’t look at me like that. Your wife and children are scary, I’m not downplaying an injury for them. Plus your face is telling me how much pain you’re in right now.”

Maya huffed. She was in a lot of pain, which is probably why she didn’t have it in her to argue. They both made their way back to all the trucks, Vic, Andy and Ben rushing over, all starting to assess.

“Arm or shoulder cap?” Ben asked.

“Erm, I’m not actually sure. I have pain in my shoulder and all the way down my arm, but I can’t move it because it hurts more.”

“Pain on a scale of 1-10,” Ben then asked as he got the scissors to cut Maya’s turnouts for a better assessment. “Like a 5.”

“So that means a 7 or 8 in Bishop speak,” Vic piped up. As Ben cut at the turnouts, he muttered a ‘shit’ under his breath when her shoulder became exposed.

“What? What is it?”

“It looks like you’ve dislocated your shoulder. It really doesn’t look good. It’s probably pressing on a nerve which is while you’re feeling pain down your arm. You need to go to Grey-Sloan.”

But Maya had other ideas. “It’s just a dislocation. It’s ok, I can pop it back into place myself and-“

“Don’t you dare,” Andy scolded.

“I agree Maya. You could do more damage putting it back in yourself, and it wouldn’t mean I’d clear you to keep working.”

“I’ve done it before on my finger,” she grumbled.

“Of course you have,” Ben rolled his eyes.

“Mom,” came a shout to their left, Maya recognising it as her oldest daughter. A few seconds later, Andrea came into view, followed by Sarah, Taylor and a firefighter from a different station.

“Andrea,” Maya made to move, but gave a sharp gasp as pain radiated down her arm again.

“I saw the explosion as we were getting out of the car. Are you ok? You look in pain?” She asked as Maya took deep breaths as the sharp pain subsided.

“She’s dislocated her shoulder Drea. We’re taking her to Grey-Sloan,” Ben informed the girl as he was preparing some pain meds for Maya. Transporting her wasn’t going to be very nice for the captain.

“What are you doing here? Oh god did you crash. Are you all ok?” Maya asked, trying not to move too much but wanting to assess to make sure her daughter was ok.

“We’re fine Maya. I managed to swerve and avoid other cars, but we got stuck against the central reservation. No injuries, just impatient,” Sarah told her.

“A firefighter came and cut the windscreen out. It was actually kind of cool,” Taylor added, causing the others to chuckle.

“Can I go to the hospital with you? Please.” Andrea asked, directing the plea at Ben.

“You can. But you need to ride in the front with Andy. I need to wire your mom up just to check her vitals.” Andrea agreed, as Maya insisted Sarah and Taylor ride in the other aid car, wanting them to get checked quickly even though Sarah reassured her they weren’t injured.

Once everyone was situated in the aid car, Andy pulled away from the scene.

“Ok Maya, I’m gonna put a line in then push some morphine. It’s gonna get bumpy, and it’s gonna hurt,” Ben told her as he prepared a line.

“Great,” Maya grumbled.

“She gets grumpy when’s she’s in pain,” Andrea called from the front.

“My shoulder is literally not where it’s meant to be right now I’m allowed to be grumpy,” Maya shot back.

“See,” Andrea giggled, Ben also giggling as he popping the needle in Maya’s hand an administrated the pain relief. “Would have been even worse if you popped it back yourself.”

“Oh I am so telling mama that,” Andrea now full on laughing.

***

Carina heard a firefighter was on their way in from the scene, and her heart dropped. She didn’t catch who it was or why they were coming in, and a million different things were running through her head. She followed Owen, Link and Bailey outside, noticing the look Bailey gave her.

“I know I’m not a trauma doctor but I need to know if it’s her, and if so how bad. I’m not going back in,” she told her with finality.

“Ok, but if it is her, you need to let us work.” Carina nodded as the ambulance rounded the corner and pulled up in front of the hospital. The doors opened to reveal Ben, and sure enough Maya, who was sat up but clutching her arm, clearly in pain.

“Captain DeLuca-Bishop. Caught in the force of the explosion, thrown to the ground. She has a suspected right shoulder dislocation, denies hitting her head. I have morphine, shoulder is still out of place. She is also very grumpy,” Ben smirked at the last part.

They got Maya out of the ambulance and wheeled into the hospital, Bailey directing them to trauma 2.

“Oh Bambina,” Carina cooed as she went and stood next the her when the bed stopped in the room. She was so caught up in Maya that she failed to realise her daughter had also got out of the ambulance.

“Mama,” Andrea called as she ran through the doors, ignoring the intern telling her she couldn’t go in there.

“Andrea? Che cosa? What are you doing here?”

“I came with mom. We got caught in the pile up. We’re fine we didn’t crash. Sarah and Taylor are coming in with uncle Trav, he has a head injury.”

“Oh look it’s a family affair,” Andy joked, face falling when Maya sent her a death stare.

“What?”

“I’m never letting you drive me anywhere again. Did you have to make it so bumpy? I have a dislocated shoulder you know,” Maya exclaimed, wincing in pain as she tried to get comfortable.

“You’re welcome Cap,” Andy replied sarcastically, letting them know she was going to check on Travis.

“Right Bishop, let’s take a look at this shoulder shall we?” Link suggested, coming up to her right side. Maya leant forward carefully, Carina placing a comforting hand on her uninjured shoulder. Maya tensed and winded in pain as Link carefully felt her shoulder, taking in a sharp deep breath.

“Deep breathes Maya, it’s ok,” Carina whispered, placing a kiss on her temple. Andrea took her hand, rubbing her thumb over her mom’s knuckles.

Link let Maya know he had finished, Maya leaning back slowly, continuing to take deep breaths.

“Ok,” Link addressed them. “You’ll need an X-ray to confirm, but I’d say it’s definitely dislocated. Hopefully it’s a nice, clean dislocation and I can just pop it back in, put your arm in a sling and let you go home.”

“So it won’t need surgery?” Carina asked.

“No. No surgery,” Maya all but shouted, muttering a quiet sorry when Carina shot her a glare.

“We’ll cross that bridge if we get to it. Let’s just see what the X-ray say. I’ll go book it now then come back for you.”

“Grazie Link.”

The room was awkwardly quiet for a few minutes until Andrea decided to break it.

“Soooo, this wasn’t quite the April fools we were expecting today,” she joked, Carina rolling her eyes.

“No, it isn’t. And you, my love, are not fooling anyone. You are in a lot of pain. I can see it on your face.”

Maya sighed. “It does hurt a lot. I’d say it’s worse than my ankle was at the Olympics.”

“Bet you’d still try to run with it though,” Andrea raised her eyebrows, “Oh and speaking of mom and injuries,” Andrea got excited, now wiggling her eyes brows at Maya.

“Oh god,” Maya mumbled, closing her eyes as if thy would avoid her wife’s Italian wrath.

“What?” Carina questioned.

“Mom told Ben she was gonna put her own shoulder back into place so she could go back to work.”

“Maya! Non l'hai fatto? Sei così testardo e stupido. Perché? Perché diavolo hai pensato che sarebbe stata una buona idea rimettere a posto la tua spalla? Avresti potuto danneggiarla di più. Forse questo ti avrebbe insegnato una lezione.” Carina ranted in quick fire Italian.
(You did not? You are so stubborn and stupid. Why? Why on earth did you think it would be a good idea to out your own shoulder back into place. You could have damaged it more. Maybe that would have taught you a lesson.)

“Erm, shall we come back at a better time?” Came Liam’s voice from the doorway, causing Maya’s eyes to fly open.

“Mommy, are you ok?” Gianna ran and stood next to Carina, not wanting to touch Maya in case she hurt her.

“I’m fine tiny, just a really sore shoulder. Link is going to take me for an X-ray.”

“So you were going to put your own shoulder back into place?” Liam smirked as he came and stood with the rest of the family.

“It was just a suggestion,” Maya said sheepishly, Carina just rolling her eyes.

“Right, X-ray is ready for you Maya - oh the rest of the clan has arrived,” Link smiled.

“Can I up and watch the x-ray please. It will help with my training,” Liam pleaded.

“Training?” Link questioned as he disconnected Maya’s IV ready to transport her.

“He wants to be a paramedic. But he hasn’t even started college yet,” Carina chuckled.

“Ah I see. I’m sure you can stand in the tech room. As long as it’s ok with your moms.”

Liam turned to them, big pout on his face and puppy dog eyes.

“That only works when I do it,” Gianna teased, Liam nudging her. “Then help me.” So Gianna pouted too.

“I guess it would be ok. Maya?”

“Mmhmm. As long as it’s quick. The pain is starting to make me feel sick.” The pouting stopped, everyone turning to her in concern.

“They gave you morphine, it always makes you feel unwell,” Carina placed a hand on her thigh, thumb stroking softy, Maya just nodding, swallowing thickly.

“Are you going to be sick?” Carina asked, noticing Maya clench her jaw. Link placed a basin on her lap. “We were going to move you to a wheelchair, but as you’re feeling nauseous we’ll leave you in the bed. I’ll give you some zofran. Liam you follow me, Carina we’ll take Maya to the orthopaedic ward after, you want to meet us there with the girls?”

“Si, see you soon Bambina.”

***

“I’m getting a sense of deja vu,” Liam mumbled as they were in the tech room whilst Maya was having her x-ray done.

“From what?” Link asked, turning to the boy who was now taller than him.

“Broken leg from a nasty tackle ring any bells?” Liam chuckled, Links eyes widening in realisation. “How could I forget? You were more worried about whether or not you were gonna get crutches than your broken leg. I also remember giving you a copy of your x-ray to take home.”

“I’ve still got it. Need to remember my first broken bone somehow, why not have an actual picture of it.”

“When you two have finished reminiscing, I would really like to get my should back where it’s supposed to be and go home,” Maya whined from the room. Link had forgot to turn the comms button off.

“She gets grumpy when she’s in pain,” Liam supplied.

“I noticed.”

“I can still hear you.”

***

“Just as I thought, one dislocated shoulder,” Link announced as he walked into Maya’s room. Liam had taken the girls to the cafeteria as it was nearing dinner time. Andrea had texted saying they found Amelia there, so they were sat with her.

“Surgery?” Carina asked. Maya had been given more morphine and was a little out of it, and was also trying to avoid being sick.

“No surgery. Just need to pop it back into place. Which I need to talk to you both about. Maya, you have two options.” Maya opened her eyes to let Link know she was listening. “We can either give you a local anaesthetic to numb the area as much as possible, then pop it back into place, put you in a sling, and send you home. Or we give you a mild sedative so you don’t feel anything. Giving how late in the day it is, and the effects the morphine is having on you, you may have to stay overnight so we can monitor you if you choose to have the sedative.”

Maya bit her bottom lip, torn. She was already in so much pain, and the thought of anyone touching her should, let alone manipulate it back into place made her feel sick, and she was already wary and tired. She turned to her wife.

“What do you think?”

Carina sighed lightly. “It is up to you Bambina. But I agree with Link, the sedative will be less painful, and the effects of the morphine are already making you feel horrible, and you are in so much pain. I would consider the sedative. If you stay overnight that is fine, the kids will be ok, or I can have Amelia stay with them, at least for Gianna.”

Maya closed her eyes, having a think. She didn’t really want to stay overnight, but she knew she’d feel better if she didn’t have to feel anymore pain.

“I’ll have the sedative. It really does hurt a lot. What’s the recovery time? When can I go back to work?”

Carina closed her eyes. She knew her wife wasn’t going to like what Link was about to tell her. Even though she was an OB, she did an ortho rotation when she was in medical school, and someone came in with a dislocated shoulder then.

“12 weeks.”

“What! 12 weeks! It’s not even broken, it’s just moved out of place. There’s nothing to heal,” Maya exclaimed, sitting up despite the pain.

“But all your muscles surrounding it need time to heal, if you do too much too soon you risk disclosing it again, and then you may need surgery. 12 weeks is normal for a shoulder dislocation.”

Maya shook her head. “This is ridiculous,” Maya went to remove her IV, Carina noticing and grabbing her hand to stop her.

“Maya. What are you doing?” She asked in disbelief.

“I’m going home. I’ll put it back in myself then I’m going home,” Maya said, trying to remove her hand from her wife’s.

“Maya stop. Listen to me. You cannot put it back in yourself. I know you don’t like sitting still and resting, but you need to. You’re not thinking straight with the morphine. Just let Link give you the sedative. It will be ok,” Carina tried to reason with her wife, but Maya wasn’t listening.

Link had discreetly made his way to the door, asking a nurse to grab him a sedative. Right now, with Maya moving around and refusing to listen, she could cause herself more harm.

“Carina, I need it put back, it hurts so much, it will be quicker if I do it myself,” Maya told her.

“Maya it’s not safe for you to do that - Maya, bambina please, please stop,” Carina all but begged, tears springing to her eyes. Maya heard the emotion in her wife’s voice, looking up to see tears. She froze, guilt swirling in her belly. She was in pain, she felt sick, the morphine wasn’t letting her think straight, and now she had upset her wife.

“I’m sorry, I - I just want to go home. I want the pain to stop. I wasn’t expecting the recovery to be that long and I just - I panicked. I’m so sorry Carina,” Maya shook her head again, looking down at her legs under the hospital blanket. Carina perched herself on the side of Maya’s bed, placing two fingers under her chin so she could look at her.

“I know you don’t do well with resting, I know what may have crossed your mind. But all that time off, resting and healing, does not make you weak, it makes you human. Please, never try to fix something like this yourself, let the professionals do it si?” Maya nodded, moving her good arm slowly so she could cup her wife’s cheek, thumb swiping at the tear tracks.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered again.

“I thought we were gonna have to sedate you. For a split second it reminded me of-“ Carina stopped, but Maya knew exactly what Carina was going to say.

“My 5150,” Maya finished. “I’m-“

“No. You’ve already apologised. I know you are in pain and slightly high on morphine. Please don’t fight treatment again,” Carina told her with finality, Maya nodding.

Link came back to Maya’s bedside. “Shall we get started? You should feel the pain difference immediately once it goes back in. It will still be painful for a few days, but it won’t be anything like this.” Maya nodded, and they got her all set up and ready for the sedative. She wanted Carina to stay throughout, Carina of course agreeing.

“Ok Maya, you’re gonna feel sleepy in a few seconds, then you won’t feel a thing. Don’t fight it ok.”

Link pushed the sedative through Maya’s IV, the effects taking over quickly and her eyes closed, her hand going limp in Carina’s, but the Italian held onto it throughout the entire procedure.

Link managed to get Maya’s shoulder back into place without much difficulty, and he was happy with the movement. “She might be a little groggy when she c omes off the sedation, that coupled with the morphine her nausea may return but we’ll give her more zofran. She’ll stay overnight, partly because I want her to actually rest as it’s just gone back into place. She scared you earlier, didn’t she?” Link whispered, even though Maya was still under.

“Si. Sometimes she just panics and all logical thoughts go out the window. It rarely happens these days, but it mostly does when she’s sick or hurting, when she’s most vulnerable,” Carina informed him as she placed a hand in her wife’s head, stroking a few stray hairs back.

“But she has you and the kids, she’ll be fine Carina, and if she’s not, I’ll be happy to come and give her a lecture on the importance of resting after an injury like this. I can make it as boring as possible,” Link smirked, Carina chuckling.

***

Half an hour later, the kids had rejoined Carina in the room, wanting to say goodbye to Maya before they headed off home. They were all talking quietly when Carina felt a squeeze. She looked toward Maya, seeing her eyebrows furrowed

“Hey Bambina. It’s ok you’re just waking up from the sedative. Your shoulder is back in place and Link is happy with it. You just st need to rest now. Can you open your eyes?Carina addressed her softly. It took a few more seconds, but eventually Maya blinked her eyes open, looking around and seeing Carina and all three kids looking at her.

“I’m not an animal in a zoo you know,” she mumbled sleepily, causing everyone to chuckle.

“Mom’s back,” Liam smiled.

“I never left. My legs work perfectly fine, I’m an Olympian runner you know.”

Liam and Andrea both turn to Carina. “Is she high?” Andrea asked.

“Si maybe a little bit. It could be the effects of the morphine and sedative. She just needs sleep,” Carina told them.

“I think that’s our cue to leave them. See you in the morning mom, try and sleep,” Liam placed a kiss on her forehead, Andrea and Gianna doing the same.

“You can have my favorite fleece blanket when you get home, it’s good for comfort,” Gianna whispered when she said goodbye, Maya smiling and thanking her.

Carina watched them down to the elevator, and five minutes later she had a message from Amelia saying she had Gianna in her car, Liam driving Andrea back to their house.

“Carina,” Maya sing songed behind her. Carina internally groaned, it was going to be a long night.

***

It was a long night, Maya fell asleep ten minutes after the kids had left, waffling absolute nonsense until she did. Carina may have zoned out from it. She woke up two hours after that in quite a bit of pain, crying out for Carina to make it stop in her sleepy haze, which broke the Italians heart a little.

It took her a while to fall back asleep after that, and Maya had insisted Carina join her on the bed, wanting her wife close.

Carina was now awake, it was just after 8am, Maya was still asleep. She had her head resting on Carina’s shoulder, and was still propped up slightly as lying flat aggravated her shoulder.

The quiet was interrupted by a soft knock at the door, Link and Bailey walking in seconds later. “She’s still asleep?” Link questioned, expecting to see the fire captain wide awake.

“Si, she had a bit of a difficult night,” Carina revealed.

“That’s why I wanted her to stay overnight, just so she could rest and have pain meds quickly if needed. But I’m happy to discharge her this morning, I’ve written everything up, just need it signed.”

Carina nodded, gently placing a hand on Maya’s arm, shaking slightly. “Bambina.”

“Mmm.”

“I think you’d like what Link has to say,” Carina whispered. They gave Maya a few minutes to wake up before Link told her the good news, and it didn’t take long before Maya was all but forced into the wheelchair, and Carina was pushing her out the doors of the hospital.

“Are my babies at home?” Maya asked as they approached the car.

“No bambina it’s Monday remember. Amelia took G to school for us, Liam drove him and Andrea. You will see them later, after you have rested for a bit at home.”

Carina helped Maya into the car before one of the nurses took the wheelchair back into the hospital, Carina then getting into the drivers seat.

“Ready?” She questioned her wife.

“Ready for twelve weeks of boring.”

“Maya.”

“Joking, I’m joking. I promise to rest and listen to my body.” Carina raised an eyebrow. “And you,” Maya added quickly.

“Good, because I have also roped in the kids, and they will keep me updated when I am not there.”

“Of course you have,” Maya grumbled, as she mentally prepared for the next twelve weeks. They were gonna be difficult, but she could do it, especially with Carina and the kids to help out.