She Had Me From Hello

Chapter Five-Maya

A month later and it's time for me to start college at the University of Washington for Pre Med and Pre Law. It's Wednesday September twenty seventh. Carina is still in Italy getting ready to start her fourth year. It's been five days since we've seen each other in person and it feels like it's been forever. My first class doesn't start until eight, so since it's three in the afternoon in Italy, I decide to FaceTime my girlfriend.

FaceTime Call

Ciao, bambina", dice Carina. "Ciao, amore mio". "Stai bene, sembra che tu abbia visto un fantasma", chiede.
"Devo dirti una cosa".
"Okay, cosa c'è che non va?" chiede.
"Sono incinta", dico. "Un mese".
"Dici sul serio?" esclama.
"Sì. Sono appena uscita dal pronto soccorso con un esame del sangue positivo".
"Oh mio dio. Diventerò mamma. O papà, credo tecnicamente. Vorrei poterti baciare".
"Vorrei poterti baciare anch'io".
"Non credo di poter andare a lezione in questo momento. Sono troppo preoccupata di perdermi gran parte della gravidanza".
"Non permetterò che accada. Ho paura di non riuscire a gestire le lezioni dato che ho una tripla specializzazione con una specializzazione secondaria".
"Okay. Bene, assicurati solo di prenderti cura di te stessa e del nostro bambino e il resto andrà a posto. Te lo prometto".
"Lo farò. Ora riattacca, preparati e andiamo entrambi a lezione."
"Okay. Vi amo entrambi."
"Anche noi vi amiamo."

We hang up and I can't stop smiling. I eat breakfast and get ready. At seven fifty, I leave my dorm and walk to class. I go to all my classes and now it's four in the afternoon.

I'm walking back to my dorm room and when I get there, I hear Italian music playing inside. I slowly and quietly open the door and when I see who's suitcase is next to my desk, I internally scream and happy dance. I then hear the shower. I undress while walking to the bathroom and when I get to the door, I hear her humming. I walk in and get into the shower.

"Dovresti essere a scuola", dico.
"Avevo bisogno di vederti. Ho detto all'università che la mia ragazza, che vive negli Stati Uniti, è incinta e che dovevo andare a trovarla. Mi hanno dato il permesso, dicendo che stavo andando così bene che l'avrebbero approvato. Lo chiamano congedo familiare. Frequenterò le lezioni online, ma devo tornare per gli esami di metà semestre a gennaio."
"Ti amo", dico.
"Anch'io ti amo", dice Carina. Si inginocchiò e parlò alla pancia di Maya. "Anch'io ti amo. Non vedo l'ora di essere tua madre." Mi bacia la pancia e si alza. "Hai fame?" le chiedo.
"Sto morendo di fame. Non ho mangiato niente né a casa né in volo perché non volevo finire per vomitare per il nervosismo", dice.
"Okay. Beh, ho ordinato italiano tornando a casa. Consegnano solo agli studenti universitari perché siamo a otto minuti da qui." "Sei sicura che ce ne sarà abbastanza?" chiede.
"Sì, certo. Ne ho ordinato abbastanza per domani. Puoi prenderlo. Posso ordinarne altro." "Va bene."
"Dovrebbe arrivare da un momento all'altro."

We finish our shower in five minutes. We get out, dry off and get dressed. We walk into the living room and sit on the couch. She starts talking in English.

"So, how's our peanut," she asks following me out to the couch.
"Constantly sitting on my bladder and making me very tired. I was in class yesterday and was falling asleep. My lab partner noticed and kicked my seat. Unfortunately, not only did it wake me up, but it alerted the entire room. They were all staring at me and I had to tell them. I know we haven't discussed when or how we're telling people, but I didn't want to lie." "That's okay bambina. I knew it would come out eventually. But, if it's okay, I'd like to keep the college in the dark as long as possible," she states.
"That's okay. We can wait until I'm six or seven months. I guess not everyone knows about you."
"They don't. Only President Emmert, Chancellor Roberts and Dean Masters know. Everyone else only knows I'm gay."

At that moment the food arrives. I grab my wallet and open the door. I pay the person, take the food and close the door. I bring the food to the living room and sit back on the couch. We grab what we want and start eating. After a few minutes of silence, I break it.

"Do you want a boy or a girl," I ask.
"I'm not sure. I'll be happy with whichever we have, but I'm kinda hoping for a girl first," she replies.
"I am actually hoping for a boy. Do you have names?"
"I never really thought about it."
"I have a few. Do you want to hear them." "Yeah."
"Okay. For a girl, Ryan. For a boy, Matteo." "Those are both great names."
"I love you."
"I love you too. What are we gonna do now," she asks.
"Well, it's almost six, maybe a massage before bed. I know you've gotta be tired and jet legged."
"That actually sounds very nice. Lead the way."

They walk into the bedroom, and Carina starts undressing when I speak up.

"Finish getting undressed and lay face down on the bed, I'm gonna make sure the door is locked and then grab the oil."
"Okay."

I check the door and walk back into the bedroom. When I get there, Carina is in the bed face down. I take off my pants and shirt, leaving me in just underwear and a sports bra. I grab the oil and climb onto the bed. I climb over her and settle on her legs. I pour some of the oil onto my hand and rub them together. I then start the massage. I continue for a couple minutes, until I hear deep breaths. I look down and see that she's asleep. I get off the bed and wash my hands. I put the oil away and walk back into the room. I turn off the lights, get into the bed and fall asleep.