PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 56: Day 3 Post OP

Carina felt her defensiveness melt away at Maya's words.

She spoke, her voice softening, "Maternal, huh? Is that how I came off?"

There was a hint of surprise in her tone but also a touch of comfort. No one had ever called her maternal before.
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Maya smiled, a warm glow in her eyes as she looked at Carina.

She spoke, her voice filled with genuine admiration, "Yeah, you really did. It... it was beautiful. You were beautiful."

Maya reached out and gently took hold of Carina's hand, their fingers intertwining.

Carina squeezed Maya's hand, feeling a warmth spreading through her at Maya's words.

She spoke, her voice a soft whisper, "Beautiful, huh? Maybe I... I should channel that more often."

Then, after a moment, her voice took on a hint of a teasing tone.

She continued, her eyes sparkling, "Does that mean you liked it? Seeing me be maternal?"

Maya chuckled and leaned in slightly, her voice low and full of affection.

She spoke, her tone sincere yet playful, "Oh trust me, I loved it. It's... It's a good look on you. You... you'd make one hell of a mother, you know that?"

Carina felt a flutter in her chest at Maya's words, her eyes widening.

She spoke, a mix of surprise and a hint of longing in her voice, "Really? You... you think so?"

The thought of motherhood had never been far from her mind, but no one had ever told her point-blank that she'd make a good mother.

Maya nodded, her gaze fixed on Carina's face. There was a mixture of tenderness and conviction in her eyes.

She spoke, her voice filled with a fierce confidence, "Absolutely. You're caring, kind, and nurturing. You...you have this instinctive way of making everyone feel... special, safe, and loved. Those traits...those are the makings of a great mother."

Tears welled up in Carina's eyes as Maya's praise washed over her.

She spoke, her voice a touch shaky, "You really... you really think I'd make a great, mother?"

There was a hint of disbelief in her voice, as if she didn't quite believe Maya's words.

Maya tightened her grip on Carina's hand, her voice firm.

She spoke, her voice resolute and sincere, "I don't just think it, I know it. You... you have a heart meant for motherhood, Carina. There's nothing in this world you couldn't do if you put your mind to it. And being a mother is no exception."

Carina looked at Maya and said "Do you want kids Bambina."

Maya's eyes widened slightly at the question, a mix of surprise and vulnerability crossing her features.

She spoke, her voice a touch unsteady, "Kids... kids aren't... They're not exactly something I'd thought a lot about."

She paused, her mind racing. Then, she continued, her voice filled with a hint of self-awareness, "I... I never really thought I could be a good mother. My own childhood wasn't exactly... wasn't exactly a model to follow."

Carina could sense there was a deeper layer to Maya's words.

She spoke gently, her voice holding a hint of curiosity and concern.

She asked, her voice soft, "Your childhood... Do you... Do you want to talk about it? I... I get the feeling there's more than what you're sharing. But only if you want to share, Bambina."