PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 55: Day two Post-Op 3

The team continued walking towards Maya's room, their strides quick and purposeful. Each of them was aware of the toll the day had taken on Carina and they understood her eagerness to see Maya.
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As they reached the door of Maya's room, Andy spoke gently, her voice a whisper, "You should go in alone, Carina. It's probably best if you two talk in private."

Carina's heart was thudding harder than ever, a mix of anticipation and worry in her eyes. She nodded silently, acknowledging Andy's words.

She spoke in a soft whisper, her voice filled with both love and trepidation, "Okay... Okay, I'll go in. Thank you, guys... For everything."

The team gave her reassuring nods and smiles.

Ben spoke softly, his voice filled with comfort, "We'll be right here if you need us, Carina. Take your time."

Carina took a deep breath, steadying herself for what she was about to face. She gave the team one more grateful look before carefully stepping into the room, the door closing softly behind her.

Maya sit up and said "Hey your back."

Carina's eyes immediately welled up with tears as she laid eyes on Maya. It took every ounce of her being not to burst into full-on tears.

She spoke, her voice a shaky whisper, "Hey... Yeah, I'm back. I...I'm so glad to see you."

Maya smiled weakly from her bed, the tubes and machines surrounding her a constant reminder of her condition.

She raised a hand slightly, gesturing for Carina to come closer.

Maya spoke softly, her voice a gentle whisper, "Come here, babe."

Carina wasted no time in hurrying over to Maya's bedside. The sight of her girlfriend, weakened and hooked up to machines, tugged at her heart. She sat down on a chair next to the bed, reaching out to grasp Maya's hand.

She spoke, her voice filled with a mix of worry and adoration, "I'm here, bambina. I'm right here."

Maya squeezed Carina's hand, the feel of her touch bringing her comfort.

She spoke, her voice soft but filled with an undercurrent of sadness, "I...I'm so sorry... About today... About our anniversary..."

Carina shook her head, her voice firm yet filled with compassion. She tightened her grip on Maya's hand.

She spoke, her heart aching but her voice steady, "No, don't...don't apologize. None of this is your fault. You...You just worry about getting better, okay?"

Maya's eyes filled with tears as she heard Carina's words. The weight of the day, the disappointment of missing their special day, and the pain of her condition all flooded her.

She spoke, her voice a choked whisper, "But...But today was supposed to be our day... Our special day. And...And I ruined it..."

Carina's heart shattered at Maya's words, her own tears threatening to fall. She spoke, her voice a gentle hush, "Bambina, no. You...You didn't ruin anything. Yes, today was special, but...but it's just a day. It's just a date on the calendar. What's more important is that you're alive and here with me. That's all that matters."

Maya's tears spilled over as she heard Carina's words. She knew she was right, but the weight of the disappointment still hung heavy in the air.

She spoke, her voice a broken whisper, "I...I just wanted today to be perfect... For us. I...I didn't want anything to go wrong..."