Snow in California

Surprising encounter

Seattle, December 10:

Only ten days left and Carina is already hating it. This whole Christmas thing make her remember things she doesn't want to really remember. Just like every other day that she works, she wakes up walking into the bathroom washing her face afterwards heading to the kitchen to make herself some coffee a la italian art just as she learned it from her grandma. While her coffee is brewing and the perfect edible temperature is reached, she does yoga and enjoys the irresistible smell of coffee in the air. When the coffee is ready, she sits down with her laptop and checks her mails.

Living alone since she was 16 made her a mature person at a relatively early age. Adriana is the only person in her family that she has regular contact with or talks to at all. They're like best friends since they were born. It was time for Carina to leave for work. Just when she was about to arrive at work she got a call from Adriana but the voice on the other side didn't sound like her cousin.

„Am I talking to Carina? Your number was saved as the emergency number on her phone so we called you first to inform you that Adriana had a car accident. If there is a possibility that you could come here then i would advise you to do so. Serendipity and faith hospital in California [...].

Carina ran back outside to her car, jumped in and drove home to pack some clothes and then she started driving to California. She drove to the nearest airport, taking the first plane to California. After 3 hours she landed. The first step out of the airport made her breath harder. She got into the taxi in front of the airport and drove to the serendipity and faith hospital to see how Adriana is doing.

„She will be dependent on someone for the next few weeks. She will need help with therapy to be able to walk again. We will help too but she needs someone at home." the doc said. Carina agreed with everything because for her there was no other option. „Can I see her, please ?" asked Carina in a shaky voice. The doc nodded „she should wake up very soon."

When they arrived at Adriana's room she already woke up and she got happy when she saw Carina standing in front of her. She couldn't speak that well but with a lot of deep breathes and a little bit of pain she asked „ What are you doing here? I never imagined to see you here again.."

„What am I doing in Seattle when my family needs me? We're going through this together! Side by side." Carina answered squeezing Adriana's hand.

California, December 13:

„Hurry up girls.. she is at the hospital for like 3 days now, alone." Maya shouted taking the keys of her car. Vic and Andy ran downstairs. They drove to the hospital and Andy was the first one to arrive at Adriana's room. „Heey! How are you? Sorry for letting you here alone. We were out of the city with the station..."

Adriana smiled and answered „ I am fine! And I am not alone.. my cousin from Seattle came here to help me through this tough time. Where are Vic and Maya?" Not even two minutes later Vic and Maya walked in. „Before you apologize. I am fine and Andy did apologize already." Vic and Maya laughed handing her some flowers and hugging her.

„Anyone wants something? I'm gonna get myself a coffee." Maya called into the room. She was the only one who wanted something so she made her way downstairs to the cafeteria to get her a coffee. While she was on her way back to Adrianas room she took little sips of her coffee and looked at her phone. She was looking for some inspiration for Christmas decorations. Just as she turned around the corner she bumped into someone and in the next second she heard a female voice „Ahh that's hot. Amazing, just what I needed right now." Maya panicked, put her phone away and blew fresh air on the lady's top. „I am so sorry.. I was so into looking for some Christmas decorations inspiration. Can I help you somehow? Damn it.. does it hurt?" she looked up to the woman's face and she was beautiful even when she was angry.

Carina wiped the coffee off her top as much as possible. „I got this. I don't understand what you all see in Christmas. I will go change my top somewhere. Hope you don't burn someone else while looking for Christmas decorations. Incredibile!" Maya moved to the side making Carina space. Through the whole adrenaline Maya hardly felt the coffee on her arm. „Wow. In all of my years as a firefighter I haven't burnt myself.. now look at my arm." she walked around searching for a nurse to treat it.

When she arrived in Adriana's room Andy walked over to her „what happened?" Maya smiled and responded „Well I've burnt myself and probably a hot and beautiful woman with coffee while I was walking and looking at my phone for Christmas decorations inspo since we're going to stay in California during the holidays." Vic and Adriana laughed „So she was hot huh? She was probably a little understanding.. I mean you were looking for inspiration" Vic said teasing her.

Some time later Vic had to leave because she was meeting Travis. While the girls were talking and having fun Carina walked in. „Hey ri we can leave as soon as you're ready." Andy turned around looking at Carina while Maya's heart started beating faster and faster. She would remember this voice and the Italian accent in every situation. She turned around slowly facing Carina.

Carina sighed when she saw Maya but only a few seconds later she said „Do you have coffee or can I come closer without getting burnt this time?" kinda teasing Maya. Maya stood up walking over to Carina „ ha ha ha, funny! No for real sorry again I didn't mean to burn you." she shook hands with Carina and introduced herself. „Captain Maya Bishop. Nice to meet you!" Carina smiled „Nice to meet you too. I am doctor Carina DeLuca, every beginning is difficult."

Andy looked over to Adriana. „Okey so my cousin Carina was that woman you burned earlier." she winked over to Maya when Carina looked at Maya too. „Yes she was that woman. Can we somehow try to forget that?" both Adriana and Maya emphasized the 'that' which made Carina look confused.

„So shall we help you guys packing Adriana's stuff? So we can all leave because I hate hospitals..." Andy asked. Carina nodded and they started packing Adriana's stuff. She watched Carina and Maya while they were packing her stuff. She caught both of them exchanging glances from time to time and that made her actually forget what she is going through right now.