12. Fallin'

Maya wakes a little after seven o’clock, just as the sun is rising and illuminating the room through the pale curtains. She opens her eyes slowly and waits for the fuzz in her mind to dissipate. She rolls her neck and stretches her back a little, but stops herself from moving too much so as not to wake her sleeping companion. She can feel Carina curled up behind her, her long, supple body spooned against her own, her arm slung across her waist and her breath warm on her neck as she breathes. It is a comfort that Maya has become accustomed to and she indulges in it for a while, closing her eyes and sinking deeper into the mattress.

She feels calm and rested, a far cry from her panic attack yesterday. Carina’s grounding technique had got her through the worst of it, helped by several messages from Andy during the rest of the day with updates from the scene – each one assuring her that, despite the treacherous conditions, the team were safe. They had finally got the fire under control late in the evening, at which point Maya had finally been able to relax, her panic replaced by guilt at being distracted from her vacation. If Carina was pissed about it, she didn’t show it. She had been as patient and gentle and kind as has been since the day they met.

Maya resolves that today will be different. Today, there will be no stress and no distractions, just the two of them and all that Palm Springs can offer.

Carina is in a deep slumber and Maya eventually becomes restless, her body used to daily exercise that her long swim in the pool yesterday didn’t quite achieve. She slips out of bed, careful not to wake Carina, and pulls on her running gear that, of course, made the trip with them. She scribbles a note on the complimentary hotel notepad, so that Carina doesn’t worry if she wakes up while she is gone, and heads out of the complex and onto the street outside.

She runs up and down the streets, past hotels and restaurants and museums. She keeps her head up, weaving in and out of the early morning strollers and commuters on their way to work. The air is cool at this time of the morning and she regrets only wearing a t-shirt, her arms tingling and her lungs burning. She is used to it though, thrives on it even, and it pushes her to run faster, her feet pounding the pavement.

She doesn’t run far, slowing her pace when she hits five miles. There is a small bakery two blocks from their hotel that Carina had noticed last night and Maya ducks inside, picking up pastries and coffee for breakfast, as well as sandwiches for lunch, before heading back to the hotel.

The bed is empty when she arrives, the doors to their balcony wide open and the curtains blowing in the breeze. Maya slides out of her running shoes and pulls her socks off with her toes, then pads softly across the room. She lingers at the curtains for a moment, letting the rising sun warm her face. Carina leans against the railings, wrapped up in a hotel robe, her long hair sweeping over one shoulder. Maya drops the coffees and food on the table, and sidles up quietly behind her, taking Carina by surprise when she slips her hands around her waist and presses her lips against her temple.

Carina smiles, a small, satisfied moan escaping from her lips.

“Buongiorno.”

“Good morning,” Maya says, resting her elbow on the railings and keeping her other arm wrapped around Carina’s waist.

“I missed waking up next to you this morning,” Carina purrs, leaning in and nudging her nose against Maya’s cheek.

“I was a little restless and I didn’t want to disturb you,” Maya says.

“Thinking about the fire?” Carina asks, with a worried frown.

“No,” Maya says with a small shake of her head. “I just… I wanted to clear my head so that all I have to think about today is you and our vacation.”

Carina smiles. “Well, next time you should wake me. I have some other ways of clearing your mind.”

Maya laughs at that. “I bought breakfast while I was out,” she says, nodding towards the table.

Carina looks over her shoulder, her face lighting up at seeing the coffee and pastries waiting for them. She places a soft kiss on Maya’s lips before skipping over the table and taking one of the coffees, settling herself on one of the sun loungers. Maya takes the other coffee cup and pastries. She sits at the end of the same sun lounger by Carina’s legs, tearing open the paper bag carrying the pastries and placing it between them.

The croissants are buttery and flaky, and fall apart easily.

“Hmm, bellissimo,” Carina says as she tucks in. “I’m going to need to do some lengths in the pool to make up for this.”

“Actually, I thought we might spend some time away from the pool today,” Maya says.

Carina raises her eyebrows curiously. “What did you have in mind?”

“There’s a short hiking trail about five miles from here, I thought we could check it out?”

It is posed as a question, but Carina can tell that she is keen to get out of the hotel. She knows that Maya can get stir crazy and doesn’t want to do anything that might bring on another panic attack.

“Of course. But only if I get to pick the afternoon activity.”

Maya wiggles her eyebrows suggestively, causing Carina to laugh. “I had something different in mind,” she says, “but I’m sure we can do some of that too.”

Maya grins and leans forward, one hand either side of Carina’s hips, kissing her briefly before Carina pushes her away playfully.

“You’re sweaty!”

“We could go and get sweaty together,” Maya suggests, tipping her head towards their room. She slips her hand under Carina’s robe and runs her hand up and down her calf.

“Hmm, tempting, but so are these pastries,” Carina teases.

Maya pretends to look offended. “You’re turning me down for coffee and croissants?”

“Si, but they’re really good croissants,” Carina says, laughing as she picks up a second pastry.

They finish breakfast, shower and get ready for their morning hike. Maya packs them each a backpack with water, lunch and sun screen, as well as all the essentials they’ll need.

Murray Canyon is a short taxi cab journey south. There are not many people around and they are grateful for the peace as they make their way along the trail path. The sun beats down on them as they walk and they don’t get much respite from the heat as they make their way through the open desert.

“It’s beautiful here,” Carina says, lifting her sun hat momentarily to look out across the barren land. Not much grows here because of the heat, but the rocky canyon provides a stunning backdrop. She turns and smiles at Maya. “I’m glad we did this.”

“Me too,” Maya says.

It is not long before they find some shade as they reach the mouth of the canyon. They have to watch their step as they descend down a rocky slope, reaching an oasis of palm trees that provides some welcome relief from the sun. They make their way through the canyon, navigating rocks and the creek beneath their feet, pausing every now and again to take photos on their cell phones. There is a little more life here in the shade, the canyon creek encouraging Californian fuchsias to grow, brightening the landscape with reds and oranges, contrasted by the bright yellow of desert sunflowers.  

They follow the path through the canyon, barely noticing the gradual incline. After a short scramble over a particularly rocky part of the trail which elevates their heart rates a little, they reach their destination – the Seven Sisters, a gentle waterfall over the canyon rocks. Carina perches on a rock by the edge of the pool, dropping her backpack beside her. She pulls off her boots and socks, and sinks her feet into the cool water.

“Hmm, heaven,” she murmurs. She leans back and watches the water cascade down the rocks, letting the water in the air cool her down.

Maya sits next to her. She can feel the heat on the back of her neck and pulls out her ponytail, letting her hair hang loose for a moment to cover her skin. Carina leans across and kisses her bare shoulder.

“Be careful, you’ll burn,” Carina warns, noticing her skin turning pink.

Maya rolls her eyes. “I know.” Carina has been teasing her about her inability to tan ever since they made plans to go away. “I can’t believe how quiet it is, I thought there would be more people here.”

“Sshh,” Carina hushes her. “You should never say the ‘q’ word, it’s tempting fate.”

Maya chuckles. “I’m so hot,” she says, taking off her baseball cap to waft air in her face, hoping to cool herself down.

“Yes, you are,” Carina teases.

Maya swats her gently. With a quick glance around them, Carina stands up and pulls off her t-shirt, then starts to unbutton her shorts.

“What are you doing? We’re on a public trail!” Maya says.

“So?”

Stripping down to her underwear and tossing her watch on top of her bag, Carina steps into the pool and plunges into the shallow water, curling her legs underneath her until her shoulders are covered. The water is cold and immediately cools her body.

“Come in, it’s lovely!” she calls out to Maya, who is watching her incredulously from the rock.

“Carina…”

“Come on!” Carina encourages her, splashing water towards her.

Maya stares at her, her heart beating a little faster in her chest, only it’s not because of the trail this time. It’s because of Carina and the way her eyes pierce straight through her to see her soul. No-one has ever looked at her like that – she has never let anyone even try before, but she realises now that she didn’t stand a chance the night she met Carina.

With a quick look around her to make sure they really are alone, Maya strips and walks into the pool, dipping her body into the cool water. It soothes her pink skin and she sighs contentedly.

“I told you,” Carina says with a smug grin.

She bobs over to Maya and hooks her feet around Maya’s ankles, pulling her body close and capturing her in a kiss. Maya reciprocates, slipping her hands around Carina’s waist and tugging her hips towards her own. Their kiss deepens, the flimsy underwear between them doing nothing to mask the heat that radiates from them both. It is only the sound of footsteps that breaks them apart.

They put some distance between themselves while they are in the company of strangers. Maya floats around, dropping her feet every now and again to explore the smooth stones on the bottom of the pool. Carina dunks her head under the water, emerging gracefully as she smooths her hair away from her face and Maya’s heartbeat quickens again. If it wasn’t for the fact that a few more hikers had joined them, she is pretty sure she would have launched herself at her girlfriend without another thought.

It is only when they are alone again that they climb out of the pool. At least Maya had the foresight to pack small towels in their backpacks and they dry themselves down, helped by the late-morning heat, and dress quickly before any more people come by.

As they walk back towards the trail, Carina holds out her hand. Maya accepts it, feeling a little corny but also revelling in the happiness that such a simple gesture brings her. They retrace their steps and follow the same path out of the canyon, stopping at the shaded picnic area near the entrance for lunch. They chat amicably with the other hikers they meet there and Maya’s interest is piqued when they talk about other hiking trails around Palm Springs, until she catches Carina’s eye and sees her shake her head solemnly.

They head back to the hotel and shower together, washing the sweat and sun cream from their bodies. Carina lets her hair dry in the heat, letting it curl naturally. As Maya dries her hair inside the hotel room, Carina disappears onto the balcony with her cell phone. Maya has no idea what she is plotting for the afternoon, but she is intrigued. When Maya steps out to greet her, she is on the phone and Maya quickly picks up that it is a work call.

“Si, thank you Doctor Malloy,” she says.

When she hangs up, she turns her head and greets her with a smile, her eyes sweeping over Maya’s face. “You look beautiful.”

The sun has caught her cheeks, tinting them pink, bringing colour to her otherwise pale skin.

“Thank you.” Maya nods towards Carina’s phone. “I thought you said no work calls while we’re on vacation.”

“Amelia has been having contractions today,” Carina explains. “They turned out to be Braxton Hicks.” She slides her phone into the back pocket of her jeans. “So all is well.”

“And Andrew?”

Carina hasn’t mentioned her younger brother since they arrived in California but Maya knows that he will not be far from her mind.

“I had a message from Meredith to say that he’s at the hospital trying to help find out what is wrong with Doctor Webber,” Carina says. “It sounds like he is okay.”

“That’s good. Are they making any progress with a diagnosis?”

Carina shakes her head. “No. They’ve ruled out a lot of things though.”

Maya can see the worry etched across Carina’s face and reaches out to squeeze her hand comfortingly. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out soon.”

“I hope so,” Carina says with a small, tense smile. “He’s always been very kind to me.” She shakes off her uneasiness with a shimmy of her shoulders. “Are you ready to go?”

“That depends. Are you ready to tell me where we’re going?”

“No,” Carina says with a glint in her eyes. She kisses her lips lightly. “Come on, let’s go!”

They walk a couple of blocks to a small wine bar on one of the side streets. The old-fashioned sign that hangs from the door reads ‘Lily’s Wines’. It is small, room for only eight tables, with people seated at half of them. The bar sits on the left at the back of the room. The wall on the right is home to row upon row of wine bottles, each one neatly lodged in a wooden rack, with a label hanging from its neck.

They are greeted by a gentleman that Maya places in his fifties.

“Good evening, ladies, my name is Tom,” he introduces himself and then points to a woman who is lining up wine glasses on the bar. “And that is my wife, Lily. She’ll be running the session this afternoon.”

They each introduce themselves, accepting Tom’s outstretched hand politely.

“Please, take a seat where you’d like. The tasting will start in about ten minutes, once the last of our guests are here.”

They take a seat towards the front of the bar, overlooking the street outside.

“Tasting?” Maya enquires, as she slides onto one of the tall stools.  

“Si. Wine tasting!” Carina says. “Apparently the best wines that California has to offer.”

Maya’s brow crinkles curiously. “But you always turn your nose up at Californian wines!”

Carina shrugs. “No-one makes wine like the Italians,” she gloats. “But perhaps Lily will surprise me.”

She picks up the tasting menu and studies it, while Maya studies her – the way her hair frames her face, how her brow crinkles in concentration and lips twist thoughtfully as she reads. There it is again, that quickened heartbeat in her chest as she realises how happy and content she feels in this moment – a feeling that has been reserved for moments of glory in the past: every time she crossed the finish line first in a race, her Olympic gold medal, graduating from the fire academy, making Captain. Except none of those moments come close to the way she feels when she is in Carina’s company.

Carina looks up at her. “What?” she asks, her eyebrows arching in amusement.

Maya’s cheeks flush at being caught staring at her. “Nothing.”

She is grateful when Tom appears at their table and places two rows of wine glasses between them. Lily follows suit and pours two wines into four glasses, both white, both Chardonnay – California’s most popular grape. Carina knows what she is doing, swirling the wine around her glass to release the aromas and inhaling deeply, recognising apple and pear and hints of vanilla.

Lily is a knowledgeable sommelier and talks to them about the vinification process. Carina asks questions and Maya starts to get an idea of what she was like in school – the studious type, always keen to learn, focussing on the details. It is what makes her a successful doctor, she realises.

They also try a Pinot Gris from the San Joaquin Valley, more acidic in taste and a darker, copper colour. A rosé follows, a sweet Zinfandel that Carina calls an “abomination to the tastebuds” under her breath which causes Maya to muffle a laugh.

The red wines come next, a dark smoky Pinot Noir and a rich fruity Cabernet Sauvignon. By their sixth tasting, Maya can feel her head start to spin and the heat in her body start to rise. The samples have been generous and lunch was several hours ago, and she has never been good at drinking on an empty stomach. Carina, on the other hand, seems unfazed and Maya finds herself leaning a little heavier on the table to compensate.

Their seventh and final tasting is a blended wine from a vineyard in Napa Valley. It is a 2016 vintage, an overwhelming aroma of black fruits with a hint of spice. It is smooth and easy to drink, and Carina immediately orders a bottle to take home.

“Carina!” Maya hisses when the check comes. “This is a $600 bottle of wine!”

“I guess Lily did impress me after all,” Carina says. She notices Maya’s red cheeks and rests a hand on her thigh. “Are you okay, bella?”

“I think…” Maya clears her throat. “I think I need food.”

Carina laughs. “I never knew my girlfriend was such a lightweight!”

Maya feels herself grow flustered and she’s not sure if it is because of the wine or because Carina called her ‘girlfriend’. Not that it’s new, she has thought of Carina as her girlfriend for a while now, but it is the first time that one of them has said it out loud.

Carina wears an amused grin as she leans forward and kisses her lightly. “Come, I saw a French restaurant on our way here.”

Maya is a little wobbly on her feet and hooks her arm through Carina’s for support as they bid a fond farewell to Tom and Lily, and make their way outside. It is early evening by now and the air is starting to cool, which Maya finds a welcome relief against her warm skin. She pauses a few steps from the bar, leaning back against a lamppost and letting out a deep sigh.

She tips her head and looks at Carina. “I’ve really enjoyed today.” She smiles sweetly. “With you,” she adds.

Carina steps towards her, closing the gap between them. “Well, the day isn’t over yet.”

Maya takes a sharp intake of breath as Carina presses her body up against her own and dips her head to embrace her in a deep, slow kiss. It is not just Maya’s heart that beats faster this time, it is like their chests are at war with each other. Carina’s hands slip around her waist and sneak underneath her top to find her soft skin. She digs her nails in and Maya’s back arches in response, her hips jutting forwards into Carina’s. Maya’s hands are in her hair, tangled in her thick dark curls and she moans happily.

“You know, this reminds me of our first kiss,” Maya says breathlessly when they break apart. “Remember?”

“Outside Little Roma, si,” Carina says. “You turned me down!”

“Well…” Maya says as she wraps her arms around Carina’s neck and lifts herself onto the balls of her feet, her lips craving another kiss, “…I won’t make that mistake again.”