Chapter Text
How is she so beautiful? She’s just laying there. Her hair is messy and all over the place, and her hospital gown is slipping off of her shoulder as she comes in and out of sleep, but god, she is the most beautiful person I have ever laid my eyes on , Maya thought to herself as she stood in between the two bassinets, watching over her wife and babies.
It hadn’t even been an hour since they were born, but Maya already knew she was changed forever. She felt different, now as a mom, and even as a wife - as if the fact that she and Carina shared their babies only made their bond even stronger.
As Maya stood, hand on her hips, her gaze flickering between the three members of her family, she saw that Carina was stirring.
“Maya… Bambina” she mumbled, Maya taking a gentle seat on the side of Carina’s bed.
“I’m here, are you in pain?” Maya asked, her voice filled with concern, knowing how exhausting the last 10 hours had been for Carina’s body
“Maya? Dove sono i miei bambini? Dove... i miei bambini stanno bene?” ~ Maya? Where are my babies? Where... are my babies okay? Carina mumbled, slightly disoriented after her body succumbed to sleep for a short while.
“Shh, shhhh. They are fine, they are sleeping right over there” Maya said, turning around and pointing to the two tiny and clear bassinets that their babies were sleeping in.
Carina instantly relaxed, resting back onto the mountain of pillows behind her, wincing slightly in pain.
“What can I do?” Maya asked, taking Carina’s hand in her own, her heart breaking at the knowledge that pain was in pain, even if she knew that was to be expected after giving birth, especially to twins.
“Can you bring them?” Carina asked, opening her eyes as she got more comfortable on her bed.
“Of course,” Maya said, bringing Carina’s hand up to her own lips, kissing the back of Carina’s hand before placing it back down.
Maya walked over to the babies, picking Stella up, as she seemed to be waking up.
Maya carefully supported the baby's neck and body, lifting her up and holding her close and securely. She walked over to Carina and gently places the baby down into Carina’s waiting arms, ready to cradle one of her girls.
“Hello Stella-Bella” Carina cooed, softly nuzzling her nose against the baby's warm cheek.
Maya then walked over to Layla, picking her up and cradling her in her own arms, before retaking her seat on Carina’s bed - all four of them close and together.
“Car-
“Bam-
Both women stopped, laughing as they realized they both cut each other off.
“You first,” Carina said, sitting up a little bit more, swaying gently with Stella beginning to wake up in her arms.
“I just wanted to say how much I love you, and to thank you for bringing me my girls. I love you all so much” Maya said, holding Layla closer, shifting herself closer to Carina.
Carina tilted her head, an emotional smile spreading across her features.
“I love you, Bambina,” Carina said, wishing she had a third arm that she could hold Maya with.
“What were you going to say?” Maya asked, her brow furrowed as she saw Stella continue to fuss and begin to whine.
“Looks like little Stella is on the same page as me,” Carina said, looking at the fussing baby. “I want to try feeding,” Carina said, sounding slightly unsure of herself.
Maya’s eyes held pure adoration for her wife at that moment. “I think Stella wants to try feeding too,” Maya joked.
“Sí. Hai fame, ragazza mia?” ~ Are you hungry, my girl? Carina whispered, shifting Stella most into her right arm, using her left to undo the buttons of the hospital gown that were by her shoulder.
As Carina shifted around, Stella finally opened her eyes, Maya gasping out loud accidentally. “Look! Babe, her eyes are open!” Maya said, this only being the second time she saw Stella awake.
Carina finished freeing open her gown but held it closed with her hand and looked down at Stella. “Her eyes are so beautiful,” Carina said in awe, getting lost in Stella’s deep brown eyes.
“Just like yours” Maya replied, knowing they purposefully picked a donor with similar physical and ethnic backgrounds as Carina.
Carina then let her gown open, pulling it forward so that she could free her chest.
She cradled Stella in her right arm, using her left hand to move the gown and free her right breast, wanting to try that side first.
To say that Maya was entranced would be an understatement. It wasn’t that she was feeling blind lust - no, what she was feeling was so much more than that. It was the fact that she was seeing her amazing wife use her body first to give birth to these two perfect tiny human beings, but that she was also capable of feeding them with her body as well.
Carina, now being free, shifted her right arm back to her chest, trying to align the baby's mouth with her breast.
She brought the baby's mouth closer, but Stella began to fuss more, a pre-cry noise escaping her tiny throat.
Maya could see that Carina was getting upset, Stella still not latching after a few more tries.
“It’s okay, give her a second,” Maya said softly.
Carina moved the baby's mouth away from the tip of her breast, and instead began un-swaddling Stella.
Maya didn’t question what her wife was doing. She knew how important skin-to-skin was for babies, and how effective it is at creating bonds.
As Carina unwrapped Stella, her tiny little body became more visible - her little fists, her abdomen which was smaller than the size of an average hand, and her teeny little fingers.
Carina carefully supported Stella’s neck as she removed the swaddle completely, and then immediately brought the baby to rest on her warm chest.
The fussing baby slowly but surely began to settle at the contact, Stella’s tiny hands coming to rest on Carina’s chest.
Carina looked up at Maya with teary eyes, so relieved that Stella was calming down.
Maya gave her wife a breathtaking smile, wordlessly saying that Carina was amazing.
They stayed like that for a bit - Maya holding Layla on the bed, Carina holding Stella close to her bare skin, but then the moment Carina was waiting for finally came.
Stella’s head slightly turned, her mouth coming in contract with Carina’s chest - she was ready to feed.
Carina carefully readjusted her arm, holding Stella so that her tiny lips were aligned with the tip of Carina’s breast.
Stella’s mouth searched for a few moments, and finally, she latched onto Carina and began suckling lightly.
Carina gasped slightly at the very new sensation, her brows furrowing as milk slowly but surely began flowing into Stella's mouth.
Maya watched in just absolute awe. Her wife was breastfeeding their baby, and at that moment Maya swore that she fell in love with Carina a million times again.
Carina continued smiling at a now settled and feeding Stella, before looking up, feeling Maya’s intense stare.
“I’m feeding her” Carina whispered, as if she thought it wouldn’t happen - as if she couldn’t do it.
“You are!” Maya replied, a huge smile on her face as she spoke quietly, her eyes flickering from Carina’s face to Stella. “Does it hurt?” Maya asked, curious about how it would feel to literally have milk coming out of your breast.
“Um, no, I don’t think so. It’s just very… new? I mean I’m an OB so I know that newborns have very strong suction capabilities, but to actually feel it is very different” Carina answered honestly.
“I think I have… pretty strong suction capabilities too” Maya teased, laughing at the very inappropriate joke considering the audience.
Carina laughed too, shaking her head at her wife.
Carina continued feeding Stella, stroking the baby’s soft cheek with the tip of her finger, cradling her with her other arm.
“My baby was hungry, wasn't she?” Carina whispered, just taking it all on - Stella’s tiny fist was running against Carina’s chest, her little mouth had droplets of milk spilling out of the side, and how warm and tiny Stella’s body felt in her arms. It was all so perfect, so surreal.
After about 7 minutes, Stella seemed to be satisfied, as she pulled away from Carina’s breast, content and awake.
“Okay Bella, would you like to try burping Stella while I try to feed Layla?” Carina asked
There was a little bit of hesitation in Maya. She knew, theoretically, how to burp a baby, but was nervous to actually do it.
Carina, sensing this panic, didn’t want to force Maya to do something if she was feeling nervous, and Carina understood that she had an advantage here as she had not only babysat countless times during her teen years, but she was also an OB, meaning that she was constantly surrounded by newborn babies.
“Actually, I can if you-
“No, no. I can do it. I want to try” Maya said, wanting to try everything, not wanting to let her nerves make her miss out on anything.
“Okay. Take off your shirt” Carina said bluntly.
Maya looked slightly taken back and amused, wondering why she had to undress too.
“You should do skin-to-skin too. It helps create a bond. That way they’ll recognize another scent or feeling or sound as their other mother since they have been living inside of me. I want them to recognize you too” Carina said, and Maya realized that she wanted that too. She wanted to just touch her babies, and have them know that they were safe, loved, and protected because their mom was there.
“Okay. Should I put Layla back in her crib, or do you want to hold them both for a second?” Maya asked
“Can I have her please?” Carina said, her eyes lighting up as Maya brought Layla over.
Carina carefully adjusted so that Stella was perfectly secure in one arm, having another ready for Maya to place Layla in.
Maya moved Layla away from her own body, the baby girl was startled a slight bit at the sudden movement before Maya slowly placed her into Carina’s arms.
Carina now had her eyes on Layla, Layla’s eyes beginning to open, but all Carina could do was stare at her little pink lips. “Bambina, she has your mouth! Look, it’s almost identical” Carina whispered in awe and excitement.
Maya of course had already noticed this, but she came to Carina’s bedside, placing a kiss on the top of Carina’s head. “She does, doesn’t she?” Maya replied, already feeling pride swell in her chest at the fact that there was a visible recognition between herself and her baby.
“I’ll be right back,” Maya said, moving away to the corner of the room so that she could put her discarded shirt in her bag - not even in a hospital room with newborn babies was going to change Maya’s need for clothes to be kept in an orderly fashion.
As she turned around after zipping the shirt up in her bag, she had to stop and admire the scene in front of her.
Carina, looking back and forth between Layla and Stella as she held them close to her body, admiring their beauty.
Maya, without making any sort of announcement, quickly took her phone out of her back pocket, capturing the candid picture before returning her phone to her pocket and walking over to pick up Stella and attempt to burp her.
Maya, now in just her sweats and bra, walked over to Stella, and carefully picked her up.
“Okay, I think I am going to try the over-the-shoulder method,” Maya said, mostly to herself, as she got ready.
Carina nodded, but kept her eyes on Layla, studying the rest of her features, trying to memorize them.
“Okay baby, let’s do this” Maya whispered, carefully supporting Stella’s neck while coming to hold her against her chest, Stella’s head resting against Maya’s bare shoulder.
“Is this okay?” Maya asked Carina, wanting to make sure that this position was safe and comfortable for Stella.
Carina looked up from Layla, feeling an intense warmth bloom in her chest as she saw Maya like that - shirtless with their tiny baby resting on her upper chest.
“Car?” Maya asked again, not noticing the intense stare of her wife.
“Sí. You’re perfect” she said honestly, still taking it in.
“Okay, okay. Are you ready to burp?” Maya whispered, tilting her head so that her lips could touch Stella’s soft head.
Maya used one of her hands to support the baby's bottom, using her other hand, specifically her thumb and index finger to support Stella’s neck, while she used her other fingers and palm to gently pat Stella’s back.
Maya had never burped a baby, let alone held one for this long, so she wasn’t sure if she was doing it right. However, she was relying on the fact that Stella seems completely comfortable and relaxed in this position, so she must’ve been doing something right.
“Bambina, a little harder, you won’t hurt her,” Carina said from behind, seeing how gentle Maya was. It made her tummy flutter, how gentle Maya was being, but she knew you had to put a little more pressure to ensure that the baby can release any trapped air.
Maya looked hesitant at Carina, Carina reading her clearly.
“I promise you won’t hurt her, just a little more pressure” Carina reassured, her fingers softly tracing Layla’s cheek.
Maya nodded, understanding that her wife probably had more experience, and she began putting a bit more pressure on her pats on Stella’s back.
After a few moments like that, Stella released a tiny, barely audible burp, both they both heard it, Maya’s eyes lighting up in pride.
“She burped!” Maya said excitedly but quietly, and Carina nodded proudly, huge smiles on both of their faces.
“You’re amazing,” Carina replied, loving how excited Maya was.
Carina watched on as Maya continued patting Stella’s back, just in case there was any air left, and Carina never felt so in love.
Of course, she was admiring her wife’s amazing body - her strong muscles on display with no shirt on, but it was much more than that. She watched as Maya completely cradled Stella, as if shielding her from the world in the gentlest way possible. The way that Maya was whispering to a now sleepy Stella, Maya’s lips on the soft fuzz of Stella’s hair. The way that Maya’s eyes were closed, her hips swaying slightly in a soothing motion.
After another 10 minutes of Maya soothing Stella off to sleep, she was out cold, and ready to be transferred Into her little clear crib.
There was a little blanky waiting for Stella in her little crib, and Maya carefully placed Stella on top, swaddling her to keep her secure and warm as she slept.
Maya then walked back to Carina, who now had Layla in just a diaper against her own chest, just bonding and connecting with the baby girl.
“I think I am going to try feeding Layla now,” Carina said, sensing that Layla was now ready for some milk as well.
“Okay, my love. Would you like anything? Anything to eat or drink?” Maya said, walking over to the side of Carina’s bed, placing her palm on Carina’s cheek.
Carina momentarily let her eyes flutter closed, her body so badly craving the comfort and rest that Maya’s touches gave her.
“Can you hold me while I feed her?” Carina said, opening her eyes and looking up at her wife.
“Of course. Here, I’ll take her. Scoot forward” Maya said, reaching out for Layla.
Carina slowly pulled Layla away from her exposed chest, placing her into Maya’s waiting arms.
“Hello” Maya whispered as Layla was finally in her arms, Maya gently nuzzling Layla’s cheek with her nose, holding her close to her face and breathing her in.
Carina then lifted the covers, scooting forward so that Maya would have space to sit behind her.
As Carina got situated, she put her arms back out to hold Layla, and Maya placed her back in Carina’s arms.
Maya then crawled onto the bed behind Carina, still shirtless herself, before putting her legs on either side of Carina’s.
She then pulled Carina back carefully, helping her slide back.
She felt like Carina wasn’t resting on her, Carina’s body stiff and tense as she prepared to feed Layla.
Maya tried to pull her closer, bringing her mouth to the side of Carina’s head. “Rest on me fully. I’ve got you” Maya whispered, wanting to be able to take care of her wife.
Carina nodded, scooting a little further back into her wife’s embrace, letting her body relax further into her touch.
She took a deep breath at the feeling of being surrounded - her baby girl resting on her chest, Maya’s legs framing Carina’s, Maya’s arms stroking gently up and down Carina’s arms.
“That’s it. You're okay” Maya continued, helping Carina get comfortable. Maya continued trailing her fingertips gently up and down Carina’s arms as Carina held Layla close to her bare chest. Maya then trailed her hands up and across Carina’s collarbones, not being able to resist the smooth skin on display.
Carina sighed at the contact, resting even further into Maya’s adoring touches.
Once Maya brought her hands back down Carina’s arms, she used her own hands to support Carina’s elbows, feeling like she was holding Carina as Carina held Layla.
“Okay, Piccola mia, are you ready to try feeding?” Carina whispered to Layla, before lining the baby’s mouth up with the tip of her breast.
Layla latched immediately, adjusting her grip before gently suckling, Carina’s body once again surprised at the very new sensation, her shoulders lifting a little.
Maya craned her neck forward, cheek to cheek with Carina, as she watched Layla continue taking small gulps of milk from Carina.
Maya slid her arms from Carina’s elbows to instead hold Carina’s entire arms in her own, needing to feel completely connected with her wife in this magical moment, Carina leaned her head against Maya’s as they stayed close.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as you feeding our babies. You are so amazing” Maya whispered, her lips tickling Carina’s cheek.
Carina smiled before turning her head, now resting on Maya’s shoulder so that she could be face to face with her wife.
Maya leaned in, her lips parted before placing a slow, soft, and gentle kiss on Carina’s waiting lips.
It was warm, loving, and everything that the moment needed. They kissed for a few moments like that, just breathing in deeply together, physically saying what words couldn't at that moment.
Maya pulled back after a few moments, but Carina’s eyes stayed closed for a few moments, her head just resting on Maya, enjoying the comfort and rest she was feeling.
Maya nuzzled Carina’s nose with her own, making Carina’s eyes open again, a few built-up tears escaping.
“We are mothers,” Carina whispered, an emotional smile spreading across her features.
“Yes we are, my love” Maya replied, smiling back at her wife, kissing Carina’s lips once more.
They stayed like that for a few more minutes until Layla began pulling away, indicating that she was done.
Maya released Carina’s arms, moving her hands now around Carina’s tummy, being very gentle with her touches, as Carina moved Layla to her lap, one hand on Layla’s chest, supporting her neck under her chin, while Carina began rhythmically patting Layla’s back, still being gentle but encouraging any trapped air to be released.
Maya didn’t need to say anything else right now, she just nuzzled her own face closer to Carina's, wrapped her arms around her wife fully, and continued to be mesmerized by the tiny baby that was theirs.
After a few minutes, Layla finally burped a tiny little sound, and then began closing her eyes once more.
At the same time, Stella began fussing in her crib, her little swaddled-figure wriggling around like a worm.
Carina looked up immediately, a frown now clouding her features.
“I’ll get her, you stay here,” Maya said before placing a kiss on Carina’s cheek and sliding out from behind her.
She saw that Stella was awake but not crying, just fussing. Maya then carefully lifted the baby up and cradled her in her arms before walking back to the bed.
“Sit beside me?” Carina said as she placed Layla on the bed on top of a swaddle, carefully wrapping her up to keep her warm and secure.
Carina then buttoned her own gown back up before bringing Layla back into her arms, then scooting over so that Maya had space to sit beside them as she held Stella.
“Want to sit with your mamma and sister? Yes? Me too” Maya said to Stella, finally a tiny hint of a baby voice creeping in.
Carina smiled at the new tone and voice she was hearing from Maya, already loving how she spoke with the baby girls.
Maya carefully then sat next to Carina. The bed wasn’t very big, but they didn’t care - they wanted to be as close together as possible.
Maya scooted a little closer to Carina, and Carina leaned on Maya, resting her head on Maya’s shoulder.
They both closed their eyes as they each cradled one of their baby girls, their perfect family of four all nestled together.
And, although they had only existed for a couple of hours, nothing had ever felt so right, so perfect - the four of them together on that small hospital bed was where they were meant to be.