Home is wherever I'm with You

Keep it safe

The following days after Maya's demotion were hard on the newlyweds. Maya was not used to fail and adding the guilt of getting Andy transferred didn't make it any easier but after many and many comforting words from Carina plus the support of all their friends and Andy never blaming her for what had happened, by the end of their first week as a married couple, Maya was not as broken as she had been on the day that was supposed to be the happiest of her life.

The blonde had arranged for a week off work after the wedding to spend their 'honeymoon' at home –preferably naked, in bed– but after what had happened, that week became three thanks to the added two weeks of suspension due to her insubordination. So, on top of being angry and sad and troubled with so many more emotions because of the unfairness of what had happened, Maya was also going a little stir crazy but, thankfully, Carina was doing everything in her power to keep her wife distracted, such as going on walks, eating at restaurants –with all the precautions, of course–, visiting the state parks, and other more fun activities.

On the night before Maya's first day back at work, the Italian had decided to do something special for the blonde, cook a nice meal, drink a good wine, and just relax because, even if Maya hadn't said so, the brunette could tell she was anxious to and about going back to the station.

"I know I say this every time you make lasagna but it was so delicious, babe." Maya said after finishing her second serving of the Italian dish, leaning back on the chair as she patted her belly. "You're an amazing cook."

The brunette smiled at the compliment, standing up from her seat only to lean over Maya, cup her cheeks and press a soft kiss on her lips. "Thank you, bambina." She whispered and backed away a little. Her smile grew bigger when she spotted a bit of sauce on the firefighter's chin, quickly brushing it away with her thumb and licking it, giving her wife a playful wink as she did so.

Then, Carina walked a few steps into the kitchen to cover rest of the lasagna with aluminium foil and put it away as Maya got up from her seat to take the dirty dishes and wine glasses to the sink, starting to wash them.

They fell into comfortable silence as they completed their tasks, although Carina wanted to ask how Maya was feeling about going back to work but she didn't want to break their bubble for now. Before the doctor could think about something else to say, though, the blonde spoke first.

"So..." Maya started as she dried her hands with a kitchen rag, leaning on the counter. "I have something for you."

The OB arched a brow at the other woman, slowly walking towards her. "You do?" She asked as she trapped the firefighter between her arms and the counter.

"Mhmm." The shorter woman hummed in confirmation, one corner of her mouth quirking up as she left the rag and crossed her arms over her chest.

"It's not even our one month anniversary yet, bella." Carina brushed the tip of her nose on Maya's and pulled back.

"I know." The firefighter said, nodding slowly. "But I want you to have it before I go back to work tomorrow."

The Italian tilted her head to the side and stared at Maya, trying to get a read on her. She didn't look tense per se, only a little anxious but the soft smile on her lips told Carina it wasn't about something bad. "What is it?" She finally asked.

The blonde took a deep breath and lowered her gaze as she unfolded her arms and started fidgeting with her wedding band in the small space between her body and Carina's.

The Italian followed her gaze and her brows furrowed when Maya finally slid the ring off her finger. "What...?"

"It's not that." Maya interrupted her wife, making her look at her eyes again. "I don't want to give you back this ring."