At First Glance- A Marina Love Story

Chapter 40

"Merry Christmas, my love," Maya said as she turned to her girlfriend in bed. More snow had fallen overnight and left a thick blanket of white fluff on the streets outside of their large bedroom window.

"Buon Natale, bambina," she responded. Carina reached her hand up to Maya's soft face and rested it on her cheek. She looked deeply into her ocean blue eyes and reflected on how lucky they both were to have one another.

"What's going through that pretty head of yours?" Maya asked.

"You." Carina pulled her girlfriend closer to her and burrowed her face into Maya's chest.

"Me, huh?" Maya asked. She wrapped her arms around Carina's bare back and placed a kiss on the top of her messy brown hair.

"Always you."

--

Carina put the final touches on the french toast and set the plates down on their dining room table. Maya was behind the tree plugging in the lights and choosing an album to put into their record player.

"This looks amazing," the blonde said. She popped a raspberry in her mouth and joined Carina at the table. "Last night went really well, don't you think?"

Carina took a big bite of her meal and nodded her head in agreement. "Si, it was so nice spending time with your mom, Andrea, and Sam. He is proposing next month, did I tell you that?"

Maya's mouth dropped and she clapped her hands in happiness, "Oh, that's amazing! They seem so happy."

"I helped him pick out Sam's ring a few weeks ago. He had no idea what style she wanted, so I just showed him the ones that I liked best," the Italian added. Her tone shifted as she continued, "I'm just a little worried because he is nearing the age where my papa started to spiral. I just need to be looking out for him a little more."

"Spiral?" the firefighter asked.

"Si, my papa wasn't just angry, he suffers from bipolar disorder. Some of Andrea's behaviors remind me of him and it makes me nervous," Carina said. Their conversation had suddenly gotten much more serious. "I am thrilled for them, but I just am a little apprehensive."

"I get that. Well, he has you in his corner looking out for him, so if anything changes with him I am sure you will notice right away," Maya responded. She changed the subject to something more light-hearted. "Are you excited to snuggle up and watch Christmas movies all day?"

The doctor finished her meal and pushed her plate forward. "Of course I am," she answered. Maya couldn't help but notice that her answer was given half-heartedly.

"Babe, what's going on? I can tell something else is consuming you." Maya grabbed Carina's hand and led her to the couch where they cuddled up next to each other.

"I can't stop thinking about that mama you told me about from the fire," she said softly.

Maya loved her girlfriend's heart. She was the most giving and sacrificial person she had ever met. "I have an idea..." the blonde trailed off. "Trust me?"

"What about our snuggle and movie plans?" the Italian questioned.

"I think you will like this more."

--

Maya dragged Carina out into the snow and to the one store that was open in all of Seattle on Christmas morning.

"The twins looked to be about eight years old," Maya said as they walked through the aisles. "I can't imagine losing everything three days before Christmas," Maya said as she threw mounds of clothing into the shopping cart.