The Weight of Tomorrow (A Marina Story)

Chapter One

Maya DeLuca-Bishop had just woken up and gently leaned over to kiss her sleeping wife before heading out for her morning run. She quietly got herself ready and left the apartment to begin her jog. As Maya ran, she noticed that she felt more tired than usual. "Maybe I didn't sleep well," she thought to herself. Ultimately, she decided to shorten her run, turning around and heading back home after only two miles.

When she walked back in the door after her run, the delicious smell of French toast filled the air—her favorite. She headed into the kitchen to greet her pregnant wife. "Good morning, my love," Maya said, still glistening with sweat from her run. Carina looked up with a smile. "Buongiorno, bambina! How was your run?"

"It was good, but I need a shower," Maya replied. "I'll be quick, and then I will join you for breakfast." Maya leaned down to give her wife a kiss and placed her hand on Carina's very small bump before heading to the bathroom.

In the shower, Maya worked to wash away the sweat and fatigue from her run. As she cleaned herself, her fingers brushed against something on her chest—something she had never noticed before. Curiously, she felt around the spot and realized it was a lump. Her heart dropped, and a wave of fear washed over her. She paused, touching the area again, hoping it was just her imagination, but the lump remained.

Maya quickly finished her shower, putting on a brave face as she got dressed. She didn't want to burden her pregnant wife with her worries, so she pushed the thoughts aside and headed back to the kitchen.

Sitting at the breakfast table, Maya attempted to engage Carina in conversation about their day ahead. Carina shared her busy schedule at Grey Sloan Hospital, mentioning two scheduled C-sections and multiple appointments. While Maya tried to involve herself in the conversation, she found her mind drifting back to the lump on her chest, running through all the "what ifs." Despite Carina's eagerness to talk, a sense of unease lingered in Maya's thoughts, making her seem distant and distracted.

Carina noticed that Maya was quieter than usual; she knew her well and was always attentive to her moods. "Everything okay, bella?" she asked, concern etching her features.

Maya nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Carina raised her eyebrows, unconvinced. "Really? You seem a bit off."

"Honestly, I'm okay. Everything is good," Maya insisted, though she could feel Carina's eyes still searching her face for the truth.

Carina sighed, wanting to press further but knowing she had to leave for work. "Alright, but if you need to talk, I'm here. I love you," she said, leaning closer to give Maya a soft kiss.

Maya melted at the warmth of her wife's affection. "I love you too," she replied, placing a gentle hand on Carina's belly. "And I love you," she whispered, feeling a mix of joy and anxiety over the upcoming addition to their family.

As Carina headed out the door, Maya watched her go, wishing she had told her wife about the lump she found. She reminded herself that she didn't want to stress Carina out. With a sigh, she finished getting ready for her shift at the station.

————

Maya arrived at Station Nineteen, where the familiar hustle and bustle were already in full swing. She threw herself into keeping busy—cleaning gear, working out in the station gym, and preparing equipment. These distractions helped ease her mind, but the concern about the lump occasionally flickered in the back of her thoughts, refusing to be completely ignored as she navigated her day.

Throughout the day, she tried to avoid most of the team, knowing that if she spent too much time around them, they would sense something was wrong. They were like family to her, and they knew her very well. As she busied herself with tasks, she focused on maintaining her composure, determined to push her worries aside, at least for now.