PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 35: Good News

Carina stirred from her sleep just as Teddy approached the bed, her eyes fluttering open as she yawned softly.

Teddy smiled, her gaze shifting from Carina to a now-awake Maya. "Good morning. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
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Maya shook her head a bit groggily, the fog of sleep slowly lifting from her mind. "No, it's fine-"

She stopped, her throat instantly protesting and sending a wave of pain through her body. She grimaced, lifting a hand to her tender neck. "Ugh..."

Carina's expression immediately filled with concern as she noticed Maya's discomfort. "Hey, careful. Your throat's still pretty sore."

She reached out, gently rubbing her hand over Maya's back in a soothing motion.

Maya swallowed hard, wincing at the painful burning sensation in her throat. "Yeah...I know, it hurts like hell..."

She leaned into Carina's touch, drawing some small comfort from her girlfriend's presence.

Carina continued to rub soothing circles on Maya's back, her expression sympathetic. "I know, I know. You'll feel better soon, though."

Teddy stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face as she addressed the both of them. "I have some good news for you."

Both Maya and Carina looked towards Teddy, their expressions hopeful.

Maya spoke up, her voice still strained from the pain. "What is it?"

Teddy smiled again, her eyes filled with a hint of satisfaction. "We were able to control the infection with the antibiotics that we gave you. Your fever is gone and your other symptoms are subsiding. You're on the mend."

Maya's expression brightened at the news, a small sigh of relief escaping her lips. "Thank god..."

Beside her, Carina perked up as well, her hand on Maya's back now rubbing with more pressure. "So that means she can go home soon, right?"

Teddy nodded in confirmation. "Yes, you should be able to be discharged later today. But I want you to take it easy for the next few days. No work, no strenuous activity, and no yelling or talking too much."

Maya groaned, not liking the idea of being restricted to bed rest. "Come on, doc. I can't lay in bed all day."

Carina shot her a warning look, her tone slightly stern but with a hint of sarcasm, "You heard the doctor. Bed rest for you, Bambina."

Maya grumbled but begrudgingly accepted her fate. "Yeah, yeah. I know, I know. No work, no yelling, no fun."

She slumped back against the pillows, her arms crossing in a pouty stance.

Carina chuckled at Maya's petulant display, lightly poking her in the side. "You're such a grump when you're sick, did you know that?"

Maya scowled at Carina's poke, swatting at her hand. "Hey, I'm allowed to be grumpy when I feel lousy."

Despite her protests, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Carina smirked, her hand returning to stroke Maya's hair. "Oh, you're adorable when you're grumpy."

Teddy chuckled softly, unable to resist the playful banter between the two.

Maya rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance at Carina's teasing. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, why don't you?"

But even as she protested, she leaned into Carina's touch.

Carina chuckled, enjoying messing with her grumpy girlfriend. "Oh, don't act like you don't secretly love it when I tease you."