Chapter Text
Carina’s chest tightened as the memory washed over her, unbidden and heavy. Those words she had once spoken—"I have no happy place left"—still echoed in her mind, raw and aching. She had felt utterly broken then, trying to navigate a world where the love of her life was struggling, and the miles that separated them seemed insurmountable.
Maya had been dealing with her mental health, caught in a storm that neither of them fully understood at the time. It was terrifying, watching the strong, confident woman she loved crumble under the weight of her struggles. And Carina, so used to offering care and comfort, had found herself powerless in the face of Maya’s pain.
The physical distance only deepened the ache. Carina remembered staring at her phone, willing it to ring, wishing for some way to bridge the gap between them. The silence was suffocating, and every day apart felt like an eternity.
But she also remembered what came after. The therapy sessions, the late-night phone calls, and the tearful, heartfelt conversations that slowly began to stitch them back together. They had faced the darkness head-on, not perfectly, but together.
Now, as Carina stood in the doorway of their bedroom, she let her gaze rest on Maya, who was fast asleep in their bed. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the way her hand rested on the pillow as if reaching out in sleep—it was a sight that brought an ache of tenderness to Carina’s heart.
The weight of that memory, those words spoken in a moment of despair, felt lighter now. They had endured so much, faced their worst fears, and come out stronger. Carina’s happy place wasn’t just a location or a moment in time—it was Maya.
With a smile, Carina crossed the room, careful not to wake her wife. She slipped under the covers, the familiar warmth of their bed wrapping around her as she draped an arm over Maya. Her heart swelled when Maya instinctively nestled closer, her face relaxing into a peaceful expression even in sleep.
Carina leaned in, brushing a kiss against Maya's forehead, the moment making her chest ache with love.
"I love you so much, bambina," Carina whispered, her voice barely audible, as though the words were meant only for the quiet and the woman who held her heart.
****
Maya stirred awake to the comforting warmth of Carina’s arms wrapped around her. Her gaze settled on her wife, her breath hitching at the sight. Carina’s face was serene in sleep, her features softened and peaceful. Maya couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and gratitude.
This beautiful woman, Maya thought, studying every detail of Carina’s face. Her mind raced through memories—of challenges faced, mistakes made, and forgiveness given. Carina had endured so much because of her, yet she stayed.
Maya brushed a strand of hair from Carina’s face, her touch light and reverent. “I don’t deserve you,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
But even as the thought crossed her mind, Maya resolved to prove herself wrong. She would spend the rest of her life showing Carina how much she was cherished. Every kiss, every touch, every moment together would be an opportunity to make it up to her.
Leaning forward, Maya pressed a kiss to Carina’s lips, her heart swelling as she felt Carina stir beneath her touch. Carina’s eyes fluttered open, a smile spreading across her face as she met her wife’s gaze.
“What are you doing, Bella?” Carina murmured, her voice warm and tinged with sleep.
Maya’s smile grew, her fingers lightly brushing Carina’s cheek. “Just looking at my happy place,” she replied softly, her eyes brimming with love.
Carina’s smile deepened, and she reached up to cup Maya’s face. “Ti amo, Maya,” she whispered, pulling her wife closer until their foreheads touched.
“I love you, Carina,” Maya whispered back, sealing her words with another kiss. For a moment, the world faded away, leaving only the two of them wrapped in the quiet intimacy of their love.