Life in the city

10.) I shall believe

Unlike Amelia and Jo, Aldo had kept all the memories intact, meaning Carina found every picture that she had clicked and gotten framed , on the walls of the mansion that Aldo lived in, that she lived in.

She had been there for a week now, however, saying that she wasn't overwhelmed would be a big big big lie. Looking at every picture, every piece of her in that house made her head hurt. She had constantly ignored any calls from Amelia, Jo, Teddy and Andrea.

As most would do, Carina had found comfort in a wine glass, more than any person, recently. She often found herself, wandering in a house that big, it just didn't feel like home.

It was just another night where Carina had confided in her vino blanco. She had put her airpods on as she swayed through the mansion, listening to old Italian music, possibly the only thing that comforted her. As she swayed, she bumped into Aldo in the corridors.

"Baby, what are you doing?" He asked as if he hadn't just witnessed her vibing with her own shit.

"Um, I'm listening to music?" Carina rhetorically asked.

"I know that, but why baby?"

"Because I want to." She said and walked away, listening to her music, not giving two shits.

***
Jo had deliberately taken her colleague's shifts, who covered for Vic. Today Maya was supposed to come in and take care of Vic but Andy had shown up instead.

"Hey, what- what happened to Maya?" Jo asked, looking confused.

"I get it, she's the cool one, but you don't have to look this sad because of my arrival." Andy faked a hurt expression making Jo laugh slightly. "But no, she had an important meeting, so I'm here instead. But I think she'll be here soon." The brunette added.

Jo and Andy were engaged in conversation when they suddenly heard Vic's monitor beeping weirdly.

"Jo, what's happening?" Andy shrieked.

"I'm checking." Jo said, being equally worried.

The monitor went back to being normal and all the vitals looked appropriate, leaving the two women in the room incredibly confused. Jo had already paged Vic's doctor.

"A - Andy?" The women heard and they shot a look towards the hospital bed. Vic laid there, with her eyes open, trying to call out for her sister.

"VIC" Andy screamed and rushed towards her, wanting to be closer.

"You- you're awake. Can you hear me?" Andy asked carefully with tears in her eyes.

"Ma - Maya?" Vic managed to ask, very very very subtly, but she did.

"She's not here yet, BUT SHE BETTER BE IN THE NEXT FEW MINUTES IM CALLING HER." Andy screamed making Jo flinch.

"Andy. Stop screaming. You're gonna scare Vic." Jo whisper shouted making the Latina mouth a Sorry.

"She- she's always s-screaming." Vic said making the women laugh. Andy was just crying and laughing. She had called Maya but she wasn't picking up, she assumed for her to be in a meeting. She sent her a few texts, hoping she'd see them soon.

Soon, Vic's doctor walked in.

"Ms. Victoria, how are you feeling?" The doctor asked while checking her blood pressure.

"Crap." Was all Vic said.

"Always had a way with words, this one." Andy said while laughing and crying at the same time. Jo too, had tears in her eyes. Since Carina's decision to move back in with Aldo, Jo, Amelia and Teddy had looked after Maya as their own. And with Maya came Andy and Vic. Vic's awakening was emotional and personal to all of them.