Maya's Next Step

Part 91

Maya POV

"Be good bambina, mama loves you so much," Carina said softly to an upset Elva.

Andy had hold of her, keeping her from clinging on to Carina.

"I love you too mama. I hope you make your papa is better," she whimpered.

"Mama will take care of him and I'll be straight back here to see my bambina," she assured her, placing one last gentle kiss on her head.

"Call me if you need anything," I nodded at Andy, grabbing my keys from the side table.

"We'll be fine won't we chica?" Andy smiled, shifting Elva up on her hip slightly.

"Mommy will be back soon Elvie," I told her, squeezing her arm and heading out the apartment. I took hold of Carina's suitcase as she followed me out.

"Are you alright my love?" I asked as we headed to the car.

"Hmm," she nodded, sniffling and wiping away tears.

"Oh Carina," I sighed when I saw her crying.

Stopping at the car and letting go of her luggage, I wrapped my arms tightly around her as she cried.

"It's two weeks Carina, just two weeks and you'll be back," I said, attempting to sound positive.

I rubbed my hand up and down her back, needing her to calm down to prevent me from getting emotional as well.

She nodded again and pulled back.

"I just hate that I'm the one that will have made her so upset. I'm meant to stop her tears not cause them," she said frustratedly, throwing her bags into the back of the car.

"Carina she'll be absolutely fine. You'll speak to her on the phone and I'll send you all the updates. Send her pictures of Italy too, she'll love seeing where you are," I said encouragingly.

I started the car and began to drive towards the airport, Carina anxiously bouncing her knee up and down and tapping her fingers on the side of the door.

I reached over and took her hand in mine, softly rubbing my thumb over her hand.

"Talk to me," I said, keeping my eyes on the road.

"What if I can't help him? We've said two weeks but I don't know what I'm going to be faced with," she sighed.

"Then we deal with it when we know more," I said simply.

"You need to stop worrying about things you've currently got no control over or knowledge of. You can stress when the time comes," I chuckled.

"Maya Bishop you have changed," she laughed.

"For the better?" I smirked.

"Definitely," she smiled warmly, not taking her eyes off me.

I felt a blush creep on to my cheeks and couldn't do anything to hide it.

"I'm going to miss you," I sighed, continuing in the direction of the airport.

"I know bellina, me too," she replied softly.

"At least you have the bambina," she added.

"I hope I'm enough for her, I'm worried that I won't be good enough on my own. We're a team," I admitted.

"You're an amazing mama Maya. Yes we're stronger together but you don't need me to take care of Elva," she said firmly.

I pulled up outside the departures drop off zone, turning off the engine to climb out with Carina. She moved to take hold of her bags but I reached for her arm and pulled her back.