Maya's Next Step

Part 74

Maya POV

Opening my eyes, I smiled contentedly at the sight of Carina still fast asleep with Elva tucked into her. I propped myself up on my elbow and rested my head in my hand while I watched them both sleep.

I quickly checked the time and saw it was still relatively early, only 7:30am. I decided to sneak out to make a head start on cleaning the apartment after last nights party.

Throwing on my black hoodie, I crept out of the bedroom and closed the door behind me, not wanting to wake my girls.

I walked into the kitchen to find my mom sat around the dining table, her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. Looking around, it was as if there hadn't been 20 people enjoying a party the night before.

"Mom did you clean up?" I asked in surprise.

"I was awake early and thought I'd lend a hand," she smiled softly.

"Thank you, you really didn't have to do all that. I could've managed," I said gratefully, moving to get my own coffee.

"I know you could, but you can enjoy the full day now,"

I smiled and sat opposite her, sipping my drink and relaxing into the chair.

"How did you sleep?" I asked.

"I slept great, I did roll over in the night to find a little bear though," she chuckled.

"That will be Bobby," I laughed knowingly.

"I'll make sure your little girl gets him back," my mom smiled.

"She's a cute little thing," she added.

I smiled thinking about Elva, it was hard not to.

"She's amazing," I replied, feeling my entire mood lift at the thought of her.

"What was the party for last night?" She asked.

I felt myself feel a little nervous at the prospect of explaining to my mom we'd officially adopted Elva. I hadn't told her anything about how we even came to have her.

I sighed.

Here goes nothing.

"Earlier in the week, Carina and I went to court to see if we could officially adopt Elva. The judge ruled in our favour and she's now Elva DeLuca-Bishop, so we thought it only right to celebrate," I explained.

My mom remained silent for a moment.

"I didn't even know you wanted kids," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"I wasn't sure I did," I admitted.

"Carina's idea?" She pressed.

"No no, it wasn't like that," I said quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea about Carina.

She looked at me expectantly.

"It's complicated. It kind of just happened. The team and I got called to a house fire, Elva was one of the foster kids living there," I informed her.

She nodded, slowly raising her mug to her mouth. She was about to say something when little footsteps entered the kitchen.

"Good morning my sweetheart," I smiled seeing Elva walk in.

With her hair all over the place and wrinkled pyjamas, she made her way straight over to me. I lifted her up onto my lap and sat her sideways so she could face me and the table.

"Good morning Elva," my mom said warmly.

I don't even think Elva had realised she was here, she still seemed half asleep.