Maya's Next Step

Part 141

Carina POV

I paced around the apartment waiting for an update from Maya. This felt incredibly similar to the feeling of waiting for her to get back from a call.

Elva was still sound asleep in mine and Maya's bed as it was still early.

I wish I could have been with Maya while she had this conversation with Winter and if I was going to be having the same one with Elva, I wish she was here with me.

I made myself a coffee and tried to relax on the sofa. I curled my legs underneath me and pulled a blanket over them. Looking for any distraction, I switched on the tv and attempted to pay attention.

After about twenty minutes, I felt my phone vibrate, alerting me to a message from Maya. My heart skipped a beat when I read the words, "You need to tell Elva. Winter wants to see her today,"

I took a deep inhale and sighed it out.

How was I going to explain this situation to a seven year old. And not just any seven year old, one with so much unhealed trauma.

"Boungiorno mama," I heard from the edge of the livingroom.

I turned around to look over the back of the sofa and smiled at the sight of my daughter, still looking sleepy with her hair all over the place.

"Buongiorno bambina," I smiled, opening my arms wide and gesturing for her to come join me.

She quickly ran towards the sofa and I helped pull her up, lifting the blanket for her to snuggle underneath.

"Pyjamas mama?" She asked, pointing to my attire.

"Si bella, it's still early. Mama hasn't gotten dressed yet," I explained, attempting to flatten some of her wild blonde hair.

"Where's mommy?" She asked nervously, her face unable to hide her fear.

"She's called Elva. Mommy is okay, she'll be home soon," I assured her.

"They put out the fire?" Elva confirmed.

"They did, your mommy told me she was in charge of the ladder on the engine," I told her, wanting her mind to be at rest.

"So she's home soon?" She asked, looking up at me with her big, deep eyes.

"Si bambina, Maya will be home soon," I nodded, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"What's today mama?" Elva wanted to know, laying her head down against my chest.

"You're full of questions this morning aren't you bella?" I laughed, running my fingers through her hair.

She shrugged innocently and began playing with the material of my night shirt.

"Well Elva it's funny you should ask what is happening today because mama has something very important to tell you," I said calmly, knowing I just had to bite the bullet and tell her.

"What mama? You going to work too?" She asked sadly, lifting her her back up to stare at me.

"No no no bambina, nothing like that," I replied quickly.

"Mama needs you to be a big girl and listen while she explains. Do you think you can do that?" I asked her gently, taking one of her little hands in mine.

"I can do that mama," she nodded proudly.

"Good girl bella," I smiled, bringing the back of her small hand to my lips.

"And you might have a lot of different feelings about what mama has to say Elva. But that's alright, you can feel however you want to feel and mama will be here to help," I said softly.