Home is wherever i'm with you

When i am a waste land you are the river

With starting work again, Carina also started cooking for the family again. While she was sick, they were living on the three recipes Maya could do and take out. Sometimes friends would bring something or Kathrine would cook, but usually they cooking was limited. Maya was increadibly happy that Carina felt well enough to cook and so was Louise. She was helping Carina and she was not taking no for an answer everytime Carina cooked.

Carina still didn't eat anything, but they got her to drink water and tea. So far Maya was okay with that. She was running thin anyway and fighting Carina to eat, was just not in the picture.

The day before Christmas Carina and Louise were preparing a few things for christmas, when Louise started gasping and yelling. "Mamma. Did you eat that?" Maya came running into the kitchen and saw Carina standing next to the vanillia sauce with a spoon in her hand. "Carina. Tell me i am wrong." "You aren't. It smelled good and i tryed it." "I love you. I love you." Maya said and hugged her tight and danced around the kitchen with her. "Don't expect that everyday." "I wouldn't, but this is huge." Carina smiled brightly.

After the great success Maya went to pick up Nina from the busport. The Teen was so happy to be back home. Maya talked to her a little about how things have been in the car. Nina knew about Carinas eating disorder, but she hadn't been home yet to see the effects. Maya said, that Nina shouldn't worry, it will get better. Nina nodded.

They had nice Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. They enjoyed it sitting around the fireplace and Carina reading to the girls. They love the family time and Maya really enjoyed the two days off work she had.

Nina noticed her mom wasn't well. Maya had shut down her worries, telling her she was just stressed with work and the family and thats why she kept getting sick. But Nina didn't budge. She called Andy and told her about the situation. Andy had known, but not how bad it was. With Carina not checking Maya regularly Maya had gone to work or worked at home with a fever over 102. Andy talked to Carina and Kathrine and they decided to confront Maya.

"Bambina. Can you come downstairs? We need to talk to you." "What about?" Maya was taking a nap after lunch with Ellie, who still needed her naps.
"Just come." Maya left Ellie sleeping and went downstairs with her wife. Carina sat down on the sofa next to Andy and Kathrine. "Where are the kids?" "Playroom with Nina." Andy said. Carina took a deep breath.

"Maya. I just want to say, i am sorry. And this is not us accusing you of anything, this is us looking out for you. I know i haven't been of much use around the house quite the contrary, i made you more work, and you had to pick up the slack, while also having too much work. I can't change, that the union will not promote another Battalion Chief, but we are here to take some load of your shoulders. You aren't well. I have not noticed lately and i am sorry. But if i think about it you have been at least a little sick for over 2 months." "I have seen you at work with a high fever, what i could tell just by looking at you. And when i called you out, you just worked from home. You don't rest. You get up work. Get the kids ready. Take them to school. Work. Pick them up make them lunch. Do housework. Pick Ellie up, do her pt and take the others to her afternoon activities. Work. Make them dinner get them to bed and then you work until late at night." Andy explained "I have had no choice." "I know. And that is why we are sorry. Sweety you are running yourself to the ground and we have been just watching." Kathrine said. "But this is my family. I can take care of my family. I do not need help." "We do. Maya, we do need help." Carina said. "I am not fine and neither are you. You are this close to a burnout and i don't want that." "I am sorry. I know i didn't do a good enough job." Maya started crying. It was just as much a telltale sign of how overworked and tired she was. "It is not your fault." Carina hugged her and held her tight. "Bambina. You have done your best. More than that, but it is making you sick. Let them help us." Carina kissed Mayas forehead and frowned. "Fever." She mouthed and Andy winced. "I am so sorry, my love." Carina said her eyes welling up, too. "Its not your fault. You have a disease." "I know, but i am still sorry." Carina shed some tears aswell.

"Here is what we are gonna do." Andy said. "Vic and Theo are taking the girls Mondays. If they are on shift, Wednesdays. I take them Thursdays. I am bored as hell anyway since my husband is gone working in Australia." She said angrily. Maya frowned. "Oh. I am so sorry Andy. I forgot to check in with you, how you are doing. Long distance sucks." "It does. But no Maya you didn't fail. You are an amazing mom and chief and friend. This is not about me." "Okay." "Kathrine will come over on days Carina is working, to cook and do housework. She will also be picking up the kids and bringing them here on days they are not picked up by someone from the station. That takes that of your shoulders. Amelia offered to try getting Carina back to eating. She will come around a few times a week and work with Carina." "She doesn't have to." Maya said. "I want her to." Carina sighed. "I will fight her and i don't want to fight you. I need you to hold me and hug me, when this makes me feel awefull." "Okay." "And lastly. Carina and i will check your temperature regularly. If you have a fever, so a themperatute over 98.5 degree Fahrenheit, you stay at home in bed. No work. If the union or the chief makes problems, they aswer to me." "Agreed" Maya sighed and cuddled closer into Carinas arms. She was so tired and sore and feeling terrible. And all of this sucked. "Let me take your temperature right now, Bambina. You feel warm." "Mhm." Maya said and Andy went over to the kitchen, where the infrared-thermometer was. She held it infront of Mayas forehead and it lit up red. "101.2" Andy said. Maya frowned. "Is anything hurting, bambina?" Carina asked. "Just sore in gerneral and tired and my nose is stuffy, but its been stuffy for weeks." "Lets go upstairs and you rest." Carina said. "How about you both rest together, you could use some cuddles both of you. I watch the kids and Kathrine, would you mind making some soup for all of us." "Sure. I'm gonna ask Louise if she wants to help me." They nodded. Carina and Maya went upstairs. Andy woke Ellie up and took her downstairs to fully wake from her nap and Maya and Carina snuggled under the covers.

"I am so sorry." Maya said. "Why?" "My work is too much again." "Bambina, its not your fault." "We will get through this." "Yes. Absolutly." Maya cuddled close. "I am going to take time off once the new Battalion Chief is there. I need to get better i am tired of being sick all the time." "Yes. Bambina. That is a good idea."