What Happens In The Dark

CHAPTER 34

"Reservation for Bishop." Maya says confidently as they enter the restaurant and approach the hostess. It was their last night of vacation and Maya told Carina she had booked a restaurant but that it was a surprise.

"Maya, this place is beautiful." Carina says as she looks around.

Maya looks directly at Carina as she says "not as beautiful as you." Causing a small blush to cover Carina's cheeks.

"Smooth Bishop." She whispers, causing Maya to grin in response as they are shown to their table.

Once they are seated, Maya orders a bottle of Carina's favourite wine, causing a smile from her across the table, and the waiter brings their menus.

They make small talk, and discuss the food options and talk about what they want to eat, as Carina gets overly excited by the options on the menu, which Maya finds utterly charming and makes her fall even more in love with her girlfriend.

Once they had finally settled on what to order the waiter returned to take their order. Maya picked up her wine and sipped from the glass, as Carina did the same, closing her eyes as she savoured the taste on her tongue.

"I can't believe this is our last night." Maya sighs.

Carina smiles across the table, as she takes in the vision of maya in the soft candle light "I know, it's been incredible. I think it was just what we needed. Some time away, just us. Time off from work to relax." Carina says happily.

Maya beams at that "it really has hasn't it." Before she smirks "well, I mean, what's not to enjoy, sunshine, a pretty girl in a bikini, cocktails..."

Carina laughs, "I second that." Winking at Maya. "I just so wish it could last a little longer. Or you know, maybe forever." She smiles.

Maya nods, "well it's only like 6 or so weeks until we will be back on a plane, although I don't think it will be quite as peaceful, or warm enough for bikinis in Philly, as this place."

Carina laughs at that "yeah, somehow I highly doubt it will be. I think we may need a vacation to get over that trip." She laughs.

Maya laughs too because she knows it's true, they are headed to Philly for Ally and Drew's wedding, and it's much sooner than they initially expected, but Ally and Dan didn't want to wait, and when they stumbled across a venue they adored that had only just reopened and so didn't have a long wait list, that was the sign as they said, that the universe agreed they shouldn't wait.

"How are you feeling? About going back I mean... Are you ok?" Carina asks gently the question that has been on her mind more and more as the visit draws closer.

Maya purses her lips "honestly I think I'm ok. I mean as much as I can be." She reaches across the table to take Carina's hand "I'm in a really good place... and, sure, I have some conflicting emotions about going back, because it's a complicated place for me. But I think I am well equipped to deal with my feelings, thanks to therapy. As long as I have you I will always be ok." Maya says seriously.

Carina smiles and squeezes her hand lightly "you do bambina, always." She pauses before saying "but if you want to talk, about how you're feeling, or about things from your time there... You can do that too. We have dealt with our crap from that. I can hear about your time there and be objective, support you. It won't push me away or put me back there. Ok?" Carina says.

Maya smiles, full of love and thanks for Carina. "Thank you my love. I guess I may want to, the closer we get but right now, I'm good. I think it will always be a complicated place for me, it represents the worst time of my life, but it also sort of saved my life..." She says.