FERRY-LOVE-BOAT

Chapter 35

Maya's POV:

I was parked in front of Carina's house, sitting inside the Station pick-up truck while I waited for the Italian woman - she had texted me three minutes ago to let me know that she was just picking up a few items she deemed necessary to spend the night away from home so all I could do was wait - and when I saw her front door open, my knees shook a little as my stomach did a little flip inside me.

I loved and hated the effects Carina had on me.

I jumped out of the car and laughed when I realized that Carina was dressed in at least three layers of clothing, and she rolled her eyes dramatically at me.

-You said it will be very cold. - She murmured as she approached.

-Yes, but we will spend the night inside the station and not in the middle of the storm! - I giggled and got a playful slap on the shoulder. - Come on, little Eskimo.

-It's not funny. - She complained and gave a discreet pout as I walked her to the passenger side to open the door for her.

I loved taking care of Carina, pampering her might as well be my only function in this world, and I think I would be happy with that. It was all worth it when she gave me that smile in appreciation and I wanted to keep seeing it for a long time, that was a certainty.

-Have the civilians started to arrive yet? - She asked as I sped off down her street.

-They won't arrive until the storm starts, it's always like that. - I commented without taking my eyes off the street, missing her hand on my thigh as I drove.

-Is it common for critical patients to arrive at the station on nights like this?

-Not very often, but we have to be prepared for these cases because we usually can't move patients with the streets covered in ice. Many roads are closed off. - I explained and with my peripheral vision I saw that she nodded to my words.

We were silent for a few blocks, but my thoughts didn't stop for a second. I hated to feel that there was a veiled discomfort between us because it was precisely feeling comfortable around Carina that made me want to get closer to her.

-We're here! - I said as I parked the car in the garage. - Welcome to Station 19!

Carina jumped out of the vehicle at the same time I did, pulling her backpack along with her and looking around like a child.

-This is so cool! - She smiled broadly and watching her spin on her own axis while observing the details of the garage made a smile appear on my lips as well.

-I can give you a tour once you get settled in. - I said, and she nodded quickly at my words. - Give me your backpack, I'll put it in my office.

-Where your medal is?  - She asked back excitedly.

-Yes. - I laughed at her excitement. - Come on.

We walked to my office and Carina smiled and waved to Ben - who was at the front desk that day - before closing the door behind us.

-Well, this is my office. - I crossed my arms as I rocked back on my heels and let Carina's eyes again roam the space.

-Those piles of papers perfectly aligned and almost millimetrically spaced apart certainly wouldn't make me think it was someone else's office. - She teased.

-Hey! -I complained and she laughed. - Being organized is not a flaw!

I wanted to argue some more, but her laughter was too contagious, and I joined in the laughter.

-As promised... - I said and pointed to the blue box that remained open on my desk. - Your long-dreamed-of medal.

Carina turned quickly in the direction I pointed to and let her backpack fall at her feet before running to my desk and taking the box in her hands. Her eyes widened and her mouth was ajar as she moved the box from side to side allowing the gold medal to glow and reflect off the fluorescent lights above us.

-It's beautiful. - She said. - And heavy.

-Yes. - I agreed and stepped closer, both my hands now inside the pockets of the station jacket I was wearing.

-Can I touch it? - Carina asked, turning her face to me when I stopped beside her.

-Yes. - I let out a low chuckle.

-I thought it would be much harder to get you to let me touch your medal. - She laughed along with me and ran her fingers along the ribbon attached to the medal in a delicate and gentle gesture. She suspended the ribbon until the medal was hanging in front of her face.

Carina put the box back on my desk and with her free hand she held the golden disk, running her thumb over the inscriptions in the center of the disc. She looked at the object with adoration and excitement; after a few seconds she turned toward me and held the ribbon with both hands before running it over my head and around my neck.

I just stared at Carina; I didn't know what she intended with this gesture. Her hands went to my arms, and she pulled my hands out of my pockets in a silent plea for me to relax a little.

-It looks good on you. - She spoke softly, her eyes still glued to the golden disk that was now pressed against my body.

-Thank you. - I thanked her, but I didn't feel comfortable wearing it. - It's been over ten years since this medal was placed around my neck.

-Why is that? If I had an Olympic medal, I wouldn't take it off for anything. - She laughed softly. - I'd shower with it, I'm serious.

-It reminds me of a crappy time in my life. Winning this medal made me lose a lot of things, and I would trade it away in a heartbeat if I got a normal teenage years in return. - I confessed and realized once again how easy it was to be honest with Carina. It was almost as if she had an aura that just pushed me to speak the truth, to share even when I didn't plan to do so.

-I'm sorry, I didn't know. - She was quick to bring her hands back to the ribbon and remove the medal from my neck.

-I know. - I said back. I didn't blame her for being spontaneous, for being bold and taking risks. She had no way of knowing in advance what made me comfortable or uncomfortable. - I'm not upset. Are you happy now that you can hold an Olympic medal?

-Knowing that it has cost you so much, it seems less shiny to me now. - Carina shrugged and put the disk back in the box, then closed it and laid it on the table where she found it. I couldn't help the little smile that broke out on my lips. She always seemed to know just the right thing to say.

-Come on, I'll give you the tour I mentioned earlier. - I pointed to the door and Carina followed me.