Storm

Chapter Twenty-Three

TW: Disordered eating mentioned in the first part of the chapter.

Flipping the toast on the hot pan, Carina listens to the grunts and groans coming from the living room behind her.

She's told Maya countless of times to take it easy, but even after already doing her required thirty minutes of physical therapy a day, she's still stretching her most likely sore muscles.

Although, Carina can't really blame her. She's knows that physical exercise is one of her wife's best coping mechanisms and since she can't walk unassisted yet, PT is really the only time she can workout in a safe way.

Yet, Carina can't help but worry that Maya will work herself too hard and pull a muscle or damage her already broken leg, so she can't sit and observe Maya since apparently she's overbearing and overprotective, in Maya's words.

Which is exactly why Carina's on breakfast duty while she attempts to trust Maya with doing her physical therapy alone.

And with her appointment with Link to see if Maya can get her cast off coming up later today, Carina previously figured that Maya would be partaking in more exercise than normal.

The appointment at Grey Sloan also means having to get back into a car for the first time since they've left the hospital, which makes for a moody, anxious Maya.

It's been nearly two weeks since they were both discharged and they've avoided even leaving the house, not wanting to have to drive anywhere unless it's absolutely necessary.

And in this case, it's absolutely necessary.

Plating the toast, along with eggs, Carina spreads jam onto their pieces of bread, bringing the dishes to the table.

"Bambina, breakfast is- What are you doing?" Carina asks as she stands by the entryway of the living room, seeing Maya laying flat on her back, arms spread wide, breathing heavily.

"I got a little dizzy so I laid down," Maya answers between labored breaths. "I'm fine. Everything's fine," she adds, seeing the concerned look Carina throws her way.

Because of Maya's anxiety, she's barely eaten anything of substance within the last twenty four hours, her stomach feeling like it's in knots.

"Breakfast is ready," Carina announces softly as she grabs the crutches that are leaning against the wall, offering Maya a hand as she lifts her up, thrusting the crutches into her arms.

Maya groans at the sight, throwing her head back in displeasure, starting to really despise her crutches.

Her armpits are beyond sore, red, and inflamed. Plus, her left foot often losing feeling from lack of blood flow is annoying as well.

"I really hope Link clears me to be able to walk again," Maya grumbles as she crutches over to the table, Carina following closely behind in fear that she will lose her balance from her tired muscles.

Maya takes a seat in front of her plate, nervously biting her lip at the food presented.

Eating has been a uniquely challenging aspect of her recovery, which is something she didn't expect.

It's not physical, but mental, which turns out to be a lot harder to cope with than Maya originally thought.

On most days, Maya can eat no problem, but the times where her depression is just a little bit louder or her anxiety is running rampant, it's hard to even consider the idea of putting anything into her stomach.

However, Carina's been wonderful throughout the whole process. Maya often reflects on how grateful she is to have her wife by her side, supporting and encouraging her through it all.