ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

26. Emotions

 P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

As I walked down the hospital corridor, everything around me seemed to be spinning in slow motion. Carina had been taken to the recovery room, and as much as my instinct was to run to be by her side, I knew she was in good hands.

The focus now was on our daughter, who was being carefully examined by Jo and her team. I was exhausted, but the adrenaline still ran in my body.

My eyes were fixed on Nina, who slept peacefully in the incubator while Wilson, always attentive, checked vital signs and made the first tests. She looked so small and fragile, but at the same time, I could feel the strength that she brought with her. I approached, anxious, wanting to be as close as possible.

- Is she okay? - I asked, trying to keep my voice calm, but with the heart beating hard in my chest.

Jo raised her gaze to me, a soft smile lighting up her face.

- She's great, Maya. The tests are just routine, don't worry. She is a strong baby - the doctor gently passed her hand on the girl's belly, which moved slightly, releasing a soft sound, almost like a sigh of comfort.

My shoulders relaxed a little when I heard that. Knowing that my daughter was healthy was an indescribable relief. 

I leaned a little more on the incubator, observing every detail of it. Nina was completely bald, just like Liam had been when he was born, but I could see some fluff of blonde hair starting to appear, something I did not expect.

And those eyes... They were still closed, but I knew they would be the same honey color as Carina had, those eyes that captivated me from the first day. Ok, I'm not predicting, it was written in Wilson's descriptions.

- She seems so small - I murmured, unable to take my eyes off her. My voice was full of love and wonder.

- Small, yes, but full of energy - Jo replied with a light laugh, fiddling with the machines while finishing writing down the data in Nina's chart - She really has a lot of you, Bishop. Even so, the eyes are the same as those of DeLuca.

I smiled. Nina looked like a perfect miniature of the mix of us, and that alone filled me with pride. We chose well the descriptions of the donor.

The world was finally beginning to make sense. Being a mother was such a great feeling, so immense, that I could barely describe it.

- Do you want to hold her again before taking her to the nursery? - my wife's friend asked, noticing my stare at the little one.

- Yes, please - I replied almost immediately, my heart tightening a little with the idea of Nina being taken away, even if only for a while.

Jo carefully pulled her out of the incubator and put her in my arms. I adjusted my embrace, holding her against my chest, feeling that soft warmth that only a newborn could provide. She was so light, so delicate, and at that moment it seemed as if time stood still again.

- Hey, little one - I murmured, my voice soft as I stroked your cheek with the thumb - You're safe now, with your mommy.

Nina moved her little hands, her tiny fingers closing in the air, and I smiled, feeling a wave of unspeakable happiness. There was so much love at that moment that I could hardly bear.

Being Liam's mother had already transformed me, but holding Nina in my arms was something completely new, a love that grew so naturally, so intense, that I felt like it was overflowing.

After a few minutes, Jo warned me that we needed to take her to the nursery. I sighed, knowing it was necessary, but hating the idea of separating myself from her, even for a few moments.

- It's time to go, baby - I whispered to her before turning to Wilson - Okay, let's go.

I followed her to the nursery, walking slowly with my daughter in my arms. With each step, I felt the responsibility growing, but also the certainty that together, Carina and I would be capable of anything.

As we reached the nursery glass, I saw that several of our friends were already outside, waiting anxiously to see the new family member. It was as if our whole circle were present, sharing this moment.

I approached the glass, lifting Nina slightly so that everyone could see her better. The smile on their face only made my heart fill even more.

- Here she is, guys - I said, almost not believing that these words were coming out of my mouth - Andrea Nina DeLuca-Bishop.

The reactions were immediate. Andy clapped hands, Jack began to cry with emotion and Ben, of course, was already with the phone in hand, taking pictures as if he was a paparazzi hired by the people who could not be there.

- She's perfect, Maya! - Sullivan exclaimed, his voice full of affection.

- Yes, she is - I replied, without being able to contain the wide smile that seemed stuck in my face

My daughter was perfect.

At that moment, I knew this was just the beginning of a new adventure, a journey that Carina and I would face together.