Maya's Next Step

Part 154

Winter POV

Josie left a while ago and seeing as Carina wasn't back yet, I sat in the hospital bed scrolling through my phone.

"How we doing in here?"

I looked up and saw Dr Shepherd walking in.

"I'm just here to check on you, don't panic," she smiled, holding her hands up innocently.

I must've looked a little apprehensive.

"Don't the interns usually do this kind of stuff?" I asked when she came over to read my chart.

"They do yes but not when it's a kid of one of our own," she winked.

I raised my eyebrow. 

"Dr DeLuca is one of the best here, it's only right her kids get the VIP treatment. It's the same when the other surgeons kids are ill, mine included," she explained.

That was twice.

Twice she'd referred to me as being Carina's kid.

I'd never even stepped foot inside her apartment.

Was that how Carina already saw me? As one of her own?

"Ahh bambina, everything okay?"

I snapped out of my daze when Carina returned.

"She's all good, I don't see why she wouldn't be able to be discharged tomorrow morning," Dr Shepherd confirmed.

"Really?" Carina asked excitedly.

"Yeah I'm happy to sign off, especially seeing as she'll be going home with a doctor and paramedic,"

"Ahh fantastico," she grinned, coming over to stand beside my bed.

"Grazie mille Amelia," Carina said gratefully.

Dr Shepherd left, leaving Carina and I alone.

"So, looks like you're coming home tomorrow. How do you feel about that bella?" She asked genuinely.

"I'll be glad to get out of here," I answered honestly.

"But.."

I paused.

"What is it Winter?" She asked, reaching to hold my hand.

"What about my things? You know from the group home?"

"I don't have much bu..."

"Winter," Carina began, cutting off my rambling.

"Maya and I have got everything you will need back at our apartment until we find a time to go and collect your things. We don't expect you to leave everything you have," she explained.

"And I don't expect you to just give me things," I said quietly, running the blanket between my fingers.

"Okay look at me bella," Carina said softly, placing her finger under my chin and lifting my gaze to meet hers.

I struggled to hold the eye contact. She was so gentle and beautiful.

"When Elva came into mine and Maya's life we had so much learning to do. Elva had to learn how to trust us, we had to learn how to trust Elva. We learnt together and eventually Elva learnt to let Maya and I care for her and give her what she needed. It's all about baby steps and Maya and I know how hard it is going to be,"

"But I'll tell you what we had to teach Elva. You're still a child Winter, there's things that grownups have the responsibility to do for you. That's now mine and Maya's job si?" Carina explained.