She Had Me From Hello

Chapter Twelve

A few years have gone by and it's now February twenty-twenty. Maya and the team just got back from a camping trip where there was a bear attack. A man lost his nose and when they found it, the ambulance had already left. They hightailed it to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital where she ran inside with it. Carina saw her but was busy. They unknowingly met up that evening at Joe's and acted like they didn't know each other and started talking all because some of Maya's team was there too. It's now a week later and there's a giant snowstorm going on. They've opened up the firehouse to the public in need. They get a dog with a bloody shoe in its mouth and then a man who belongs to said shoe.

They take him to the aid car and exam him. At the same time in the beanery, Dean is making chili for JJ when her water breaks. Maya and Andy take her to the women showers and Andy asks her who Carina is.

"Carina is my wife and the mother of my three kids, who is also an ob/gyn at Grey Sloan."
"She says I'm just supposed to jump in a warm shower and the pain will stop," wonders JJ.
"I don't know if the pain will stop, but she said the warm water might help you relax and I think that's the bigger point."
"Uh, yeah. I think the bigger point is the pain cause by this thing squeezing through my vagina."
"Okay, as soon as we get the go ahead that roads are clear we can transfer you to Grey Sloan."
"And they can make my epidural dreams come true," replies JJ.
"I'm sorry. There's just too many emergencies going on right now," says Maya.
"This is an emergency."
"Okay JJ, let Maya know if the temp is okay. I'm gonna go look for the birthing kit."
"Epidural. That is what I need. Epi-dural. Or tequila or a pack of weed gummies. Contraction."
"Okay, maybe ice packs, heat packs."
"I'll see what I can find," says Andy.
She walks out to grab supplies. A few minutes later, she walks back in. JJ and Maya are under the stream of water and Maya is massaging JJ's sides. Minutes later, Maya takes a break and goes to her office. She video calls Carina.
"Basically if mama's relaxed and if you're relaxed, there's really nothing to be done. Let nature do what it does."
"Right, I know that. But I'm not relaxed at all and neither is she."
"Don't you run into burning buildings for a living," Carina asks.
"Yes. But I'm usually not running into buildings that have babies flying out of vaginas in them."
"Well first of all, babies don't fly out, they slowly slide out and it is perfectly natural and beautiful especially if you stay calm."
"So like turn up the Enya."
"Turn up the Enya, yes. Maya, I know I've never seen you work, but it is plain to see that you are excellent at whatever you put your mind to. Gold medals and Fire Captains and-"
"I'm good at a lot of things."
"Oh, I know. You can do this. I'm not worried about you or the momma."
"Can I call you later and not talk about babies."
"You can call me anytime and talk about anything you want."
Maya chuckles.
"I'll see you at home later. I love you."
"I love you too," replies Carina.

They hang up and Maya goes back to JJ, Andy and Captain Herrera.

"Is there anything else we can do for her pain," asks Andy.
"I need something. Anything."
"Okay. Um, JJ my wife Carina reminded me that there is one thing that can help with the pain and maybe even speed up contractions. It helped me with the births of my kids.
"Does it rhyme with bepidural."
"Actually, if you—"
"Spit it out Bishop," says Captain Herrera.
"Uh, your body will produce oxytocin which naturally reduces pain if you masturbate."

Silence.

"Cool. Give the lady some privacy," says JJ.

They all three leave the room. Maya and Andy stand outside the door.

"Just so you know, I'm gonna let you stay mad at me for as long as you wanna stay mad at me and I'm gonna keep being your friend because if the tables were turned you would've taken the job too and I know that one of these days probably when the Ryan grief eases up a little you're gonna realize that and when you do, I'll still be here."

"Two men stood behind closed doors and decided that I couldn't handle the promotion that was promised to me because I was too sad that my friend died and then they gave you the job. I'm not mad that you took it. I'm mad that you took it without a single word of acknowledgment. A simple, 'Hey Andy. I'm taking the promotion that was earned by you and promised to you because I want it. But I want you to know, that I know, it is wrong and unfair and as your friend I disagree with their decision.'And at least I'd know you aren't a sociopath and I could enjoy it just a little bit more watching you wreck this firehouse in about a million different ways."

Maya is slightly crying by the time Andy is done talking. JJ's labor progresses and they walk back in the room. They get her lying down and Captain Herrera tells them about his testicular cancer and that he has six months tops to live. By the time they are done talking, JJ says it's time to push.

Maya gets in front of her to deliver the baby. They cover her up from the waist down and take off her shorts. She starts pushing and within ten minutes the baby is born. Dean walks in and holds his daughter.

They get JJ situated and check the baby out. She's healthy and everyone gets ready to go home as it is the end of shift.