Bambino

14

Maya and Carina try to keep up appearances for the rest of the BBQ, but the tension from Mason's reaction weighs heavily on Maya. She forces a few smiles and participates in small conversations, but her usual energy is missing. Every now and then, Carina catches Maya glancing in the direction where Mason and his family had been, her expression clouded with worry and sadness.

As they sit down to eat, Maya picks at her plate, her mind clearly elsewhere. Carina, sitting next to her, offers a reassuring smile, gently placing her hand on Maya's knee under the table. "You okay?" she asks softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Maya nods, though her answer isn't very convincing. "I just... I didn't expect that reaction from him," she admits quietly, looking down at her food. "I thought we were starting to reconnect."

Carina squeezes her knee, leaning closer. "It's a lot for him to process, amore. Give him some time."

Despite Carina's comforting words, Maya feels the ache of rejection. She tries to engage in conversation with her coworkers, laughing at Jack's jokes or nodding along to Vic's story, but her heart isn't in it. Carina watches her, torn between wanting to help and knowing Maya needs space to process.

At one point, Alex runs up to Maya with a popsicle, his face sticky with melted juice. "Maya! Look! Red, white, and blue like Captain America!" he exclaims, beaming. His joy is infectious, and for a brief moment, Maya's spirits lift as she laughs and wipes his face with a napkin.

"Looks like you're a superhero now," Maya jokes, ruffling his hair. But even as she jokes with Alex, the weight of her earlier fight with Mason lingers.

Carina, ever perceptive, keeps a close eye on her throughout the afternoon, offering silent support with gentle touches and warm smiles. When they're alone for a moment, Carina pulls her aside, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace. "We'll figure it out," she whispers, pressing her forehead against Maya's. "You're not alone in this."

Maya exhales slowly, grateful for Carina's steady presence, but the emotional sting from her brother's reaction continues to sit heavy on her heart, casting a shadow over the rest of the day.

As the BBQ begins to wind down, Carina gently suggests to Maya, "Why don't you come home with us tonight? Spend some time with Alex, relax a bit." She can see the weight of Mason's reaction still pressing on Maya, and she knows being surrounded by family—her new family—might help ease the pain.

Maya hesitates for a moment, but then smiles softly. "Yeah, I'd like that."

When Alex overhears, his face lights up with excitement. "Maya, you're coming over? Yay! Can we play dinosaurs again?"

Maya chuckles, the heaviness in her chest lifting just a little. "Of course, buddy. I wouldn't miss it."

As the BBQ wraps up, Maya and Carina make their rounds, saying their goodbyes to the rest of Station 19 and some of the doctors from Grey Sloan Memorial who had joined the gathering. Jack, still in teasing mode, grins at them both. "You two lovebirds heading out already?" he jokes, though his tone is light and full of warmth.

Vic gives them both a knowing smile and a quick hug. "Take care of each other, okay?"

Warren and Bailey wave from their spot, where they're cleaning up with their kids. "See you both soon!" Warren calls out.

Maya and Carina wave back, with Carina holding Alex's hand as they start walking toward the car. Maya walks beside them, feeling a mixture of comfort and uncertainty. Carina glances at her and gives her a warm, reassuring smile, silently reminding her that she doesn't have to carry everything on her own.