Maya's Next Step

Part 89

Carina POV

"Si si ciao," I said, hanging up the phone.

"And?" Maya asked expectantly, chewing on the side of her mouth.

"Selene said I can stay with her. I don't need to get a hotel," I explained.

"And that's your aunt?"

"Si, my papa's sister," I nodded, moving across the kitchen to make myself an espresso.

"When are you leaving?" She asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter.

"I've checked flights and I can fly out tomorrow evening," I replied, turning back around to face her.

"That soon?" She frowned.

"I know bellina but the sooner I go, the sooner I can come back," I sighed.

"Just two weeks?"

"Si bambina, just two weeks and I'll be back," I smiled softly, reaching out to pull her towards me.

Maya leaned against me, tilting her head to the side to lay on my shoulder.

"We need to tell Elva," she sighed.

"I know, I feel terrible about it already," I admitted.

"Just prepare yourself for the tears," Maya chuckled, the two of us knowing she wouldn't react well.

"Shall we tell her now?" I suggested, just wanting to get it over with.

Maya nodded, running her hand supportively up and down my arm.

"One more espresso then we tell her," I decided, quickly switching on the machine.

"I'll go check she's settled," Maya said, leaving me to make my drink.

I soon joined them both in the lounge and leant back on the wall, watching Maya laying on the carpet and playing with Elva.

"No mommy the giraffe can't go near the lion," Elva giggled, taking the plastic giraffe figue out of Maya's hand.

"The giraffe goes near the zebra," she told her.

"Silly mommy," Maya laughed, laying on her side and propped up on her elbow.

She caught my eye and and nodded, wanting to make sure I was ready. I walked closer, Elva now seeing I was there.

"Come play zoo mama," she said happily waving me over.

I sat down on the floor, leaning back against the sofa and stretching my legs out in front of me.

"Bambina, come sit with mama for a minute," I smiled gently, pulling her attention away from her toys.

She crawled over, sitting facing me in the gap between my legs. Maya scooted closer, sitting beside me and leaning back.

"Mama sad?" Elva frowned, picking up on my emotions.

"Si bambina, a little bit," I nodded.

"Why mama?"

I took a deep breath, reaching forward and taking hold of my little baby's hands.

"You know that mama's papa lives in Italy?"

"Yes mama," she nodded.

"He's not feeling very well and mama needs to go and make sure he gets better," I explained, watching her innocent expression turn to confusion.

"Going away?" She asked.

"Just for two weeks bambina and then I'll be back," I assured her, squeezing her hands in mine.