Maya's Next Step

Part 109

Carina POV

I felt Elva begin to stir. She wriggled slightly, making small movements.

I watched as her hand opened and closed around my chest, her eyes starting to open.

"Ciao bella," I whispered, gently tracing my fingers up and down her arm.

"Mommy home?" Was the first thing she said, her words even more childlike when she was emotional and tired.

I sighed, knowing I was about to break her heart.

"Not yet little one," I told her as calmly as possible.

Her bottom lip began to quiver and her eyes filled with tears.

"Want mommy," she whimpered.

"I know Elva. She'll be home soon," I assured her, partly attempting to convince myself.

"Bring her home mama," she cried, falling back down into my chest.

Nothing I could say would make it any better for her while she was in this state. I stood up with her in my arms and carried her through to the living room.

"Bambina you need to calm down," I sighed, swaying from side to side with her in my arms.

"Mommy not home yet," she repeated, almost choking on her tears.

"Shhhh you're going to make yourself sick bella," I said helplessly.

"Tell me what to do bambina. How can mama help?" I said, feeling myself starting to struggle.

She didn't reply, only clung onto me tighter.

"Mama," she sobbed.

"I'm here bambina," I said, kissing the top of her head.

There was a knock at the door and my heart completely sank. My mind instantly went to the worst thought imaginable.

With Elva still unsettled on my hip, I rushed to answer the door.

"Carina,"

"Carina are you okay?"

I shook myself back to reality. The instant relief of seeing Teddy stood in front of me taking my whole body by surprise.

"Carina?" She repeated.

"I'm sorry," I breathed out, my voice catching in my throat.

"Come in please," I said, attempting to smile.

I led her into the apartment, she followed me with Allison in her pushchair.

"Mama," Elva cried, now even more unsettled about the sudden arrival.

"Shhh bambina. It's only Teddy," I soothed.

I glanced down and realised I was still topless from Elva's nap.

"I'm sorry, I'll just go change," I chuckled awkwardly in front of Teddy.

"Carina it's okay, give Elva to me. Go have a minute," she said calmly and kindly, holding out her arms for my little girl.

"Come here princess," she smiled as I handed her over.

"Mama no," Elva whined as I prized her fingers off my bra and left her to rush into my bedroom.

I quickly threw on a shirt and ran my fingers through my hair.
I took a deep breath in an attempt to pull myself together before heading back to Teddy.

Teddy was now sat on the sofa with Elva who had calmed down considerably and was comfortably cuddled into her side.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked.