Chapter Text
Four quick knocks resounded against Maria’s front door and she immediately set the ladle she'd been using on a small plate to keep the counter clean.
“One second, I'll be right there!” She called, as she pulled the hand towel from her shoulder. She balled it up and tossed it onto the counter across from the stove where she'd been cooking. From there, she moved through the kitchen and into the dining room, a small huff of frustration leaving her as she realized she hadn't set the table yet. Finally coming to reach the door, she twisted the deadbolt and depressed the tab above the handle, releasing the internal mechanism to allow her to answer her summons.
A warm smile stretched across her features the moment she laid eyes on her guest, happy for the company. “Dina, come on in. The soup’s ready and warm.”
“Hey, I'm in no rush.” The younger woman replied with a smile of her own before she raised the object clutched in her hands. “I brought a pie. I felt bad that you're doing all the cooking.” She admitted with a shrug as she stepped forward and through the threshold, passing Maria who was standing to the side, holding the door open for her as she entered.
“I told you, you didn't have to do that.” Maria replied, her tone a lighthearted reprimand. “But I appreciate it. How've you been?” She added smoothly, her question switching the topic with ease.
“Been okay.” Dina replied, her tone ticking upwards with positivity along the latter half of her answer. As the door was closed behind her, she passed the pie to Maria’s outstretched hand so she could take her heavy winter jacket off. “How about you?”
“Oh, y'know, the usual.” Maria grinned.
Dina raised an eyebrow as she looked up from toeing her shoes off. “Herding cats?”
“Herding cats.” She confirmed with a nod. “But I still love it even after all these years. I wouldn't change a damn thing.” The two women looked at each other for a very brief yet meaningful moment. “C'mon in. I'm sorry I haven't set the table yet, I'm running a little bit behind. There was somewhat of a minor situation involving the patrols today and it took some time to get everyone sorted out and reassigned.”
“The radios didn't fuck up again, did they?” Dina asked, back straightening slightly as she followed Maria further into the warm house.
“No, it seems you and your guys in Electrical have gotten all the kinks out, I think.” Maria said as she passed back through the dining room only to cross the threshold into the kitchen where she gently deposited the pie. It now sat next to the plate and ladle. “One of the teams found a survivor either along the trails or at one of the posts, I'm not too sure yet. They radioed the other outlooks, but didn't wait for a reply before they headed back to town. By the time I got there, the communication between teams had gone right out the window.” Maria sighed.
Dina’s features twisted slightly with confusion. “Why were they in such a hurry? Nothing should be more important than radioing the other teams unless it's life or death.”
A soft huff left Maria's nose as she inevitably set to pulling a pair of bowls from the overhead cabinet, handing one to Dina, who took it absently. “I should've been paying more attention to Tommy when he made the patrol schedule. He put Aryn and Freddie together and both of them are greener than the first new growth in spring. It was just inexperience and poor timing for them, otherwise I think they might've been alright.”
“And the survivor?”
“I don't know yet, actually. I didn't have time to visit them in Medical after every team was home and accounted for.” Maria shrugged as she reached for the silverware drawer, pulling it open to select the evening's choice of utensils. “Suzan and James have a solid protocol for the potentially Infected, so I'm not too worried.
“Mmh.” Dina hummed softly, a small frown creasing the space between her eyebrows.
Maria looked over. “What's the matter?”
“Nothing, just… thinking.”
The familiar expression; the small hope in her eyes spoke volumes and Maria found herself reaching out. “Dina.” The statement attracted attention and soon, she found herself trying to be as carefully comforting as possible.
“I know, I know.” The shorter of the two waved a hand dismissively, then sighed. “I just need to let it go and accept that she's not coming back. It's already been almost half a year.”
Maria softened. “It's okay to still hope, but don't let it get in the way of your happiness and wellness. Would it help if you went with me tomorrow when I stop by Medical?”
Dina’s frown lightened, but the sudden sadness had yet to leave her expression. “As much as I'd like to, I have training tomorrow. Caroline's due any minute now and Evelyn wants me to be there for the birth. She thinks I'm ready.”
“Well, you do have a kid of your own. First hand experience beats every textbook.” Maria's tone sounded more comfortable now. “You'll do great as a midwife. When is your training over?”
Dina watched Maria turn back to the pot of soup and stir it a few times before ladling out a portion for herself. “If I do everything right with Caroline, then I'll be fully qualified to take patients on my own. I'm a little nervous about that, if I'm being honest.”
“Hey, it'd be unusual if you weren't at least a little bit nervous about it. Going from Electrical Maintenance to Midwifery is a big jump too. You're still thinking about balancing both?”
“Yeah.” Dina sighed, accepting the ladle when it was passed to her while Maria searched for the placemats. “I'm gonna miss the guys though if I can't pull that off. They're like my brothers.”
“Oh, I know what you mean. Besides, while I don't know much in the realm of childbearing, it would probably be good to take just one patient to start out with.”
Dina hummed in agreement while setting the ladle aside. “Evelyn says the same thing. I just… I feel like I can help out more than I already do.”
At that, Maria stopped what she was doing so she could straighten to her full height and gaze down at Dina with a pointed look. “You've already done more for Jackson than most people. You were the one that spearheaded the project that tethered the radio system to the patrol routes. That's been such an invaluable asset to the community.”
“I know, but that was… too easy. I need a challenge and I need to know I'm doing something good.” She shrugged. “Besides, I like helping mothers-to-be. It feels so special to build that trust and to guide them through such an intense process. Evelyn was wonderful with me when I was pregnant. I can't help but feel inspired.” her tone had become reverent and honest and Maria couldn't help but give her a quick side-hug and a kiss on the forehead.
“I'm so proud of you, Dina, y'know that?
Dina chuckled softly with a nod as she leaned in to accept the quick embrace. “You tell me all the time."
“Well, I mean it and you better not forget it. Now c'mon, let's eat.” she said as she gestured to the dining room, placemats in hand along with her soup and spoon. “Do you want anything to drink? I've got water, tea, and a quarter gallon of some mead that Charlie made from this year's honey.”
As they emptied their hands onto the table, Dina thought. “Water's fine, but I'm curious about the mead. Is it any good?”
“Actually, I think this is one of his best brews yet. It's probably one of his strongest too; that shit’ll knock you on your ass if you're not careful.” She grinned as she organized her place setting. “Do you want to give it a taste?”
“Sure. I'm always a fan of Charlie's.”
“That makes two of us. Go ahead and get yourself comfortable, I'll be right back.” Maria said as she disappeared into the kitchen once again.
After pulling three cups from one of the cabinets, she gathered the large, glass water jug and smaller half gallon of mead from the refrigerator. She then poured water into one glass, and mead into two others, doling out a smaller, yet healthy helping in one of them so Dina could taste it as requested. Just then, a thought popped into her head.
“Ooh, I have something you might enjoy.” She called out as she gathered the glasses up in her hands.
“Oh? And what's that?” Dina asked curiously as Maria came into view, approaching the table to pass her both the water and the mead.
“Something Angela grew.”
At that, Dina's eyes widened. “Hold on… the Angela that works in the gardens?”
“Mhm.” Maria smirked before heading back into the kitchen to firstly put the drinks away. Along the far end of the somewhat narrow space, she opened another drawer and pulled out a jar with a metal lid. Cracking it open, she removed the singular rolled joint amidst several chunks of bud. After closing and tucking the paraphernalia back where it belonged, she returned to the dining room hopefully for the last time before she could sit down and eat.
“There.” She said, holding the small stick upright as she fully reentered the space. “I'm offering after dinner, but no worries if you're not interested. I know you've got your boy at home.”
Shocked, Dina could only sit there for several moments. “Dude, what the fuck, why didn't you tell me you use?”
“Hey, I used to do this all the time in college. Now it's more for my joints than anything, plus it helps me sleep better at night.” Maria shrugged as she set the joint down on the table only to trade it with the spoon she'd use with her soup. “What do you say?”
Dina couldn't help her smile. “Maybe two hits and I'm good. Robin’s watching JJ for me and I don't want to be out too late.”
“Hey, fair enough. No pressure, as always. Speaking of JJ though, how's he been?” She asked before taking in her first spoonful, trying to get a mix of both chicken and the noodles as she did so.
“He's doing really well, actually. He's freakishly smart for his age according to the baby books. Little dude is already making full sentences. Are they grammatically correct? Fuck no , but his vocabulary is so much more advanced than normal.” Dina beamed, proud of her son. “Oh, and he loves ghosts and dinosaurs. If you ask him about either of those things, he'll talk your ear off.”
“Well hey, now I know what to give him for the holidays coming up in a few weeks.” Maria chuckled softly. “I'm glad to hear he's doing well. Is there anything I can do to help out?”
Dina took a moment to think. “We need to get together more often. Both JJ and I miss you. I know I'm partly to blame with my training and stuff, but still. Family is the most important thing out here.” She answered thoughtfully.
“Then it shall be done.” Maria smiled, then reached to raise her glass for a toast. “To family and all it might entail; to making time and spending time.”
“Fuck yeah, cheers to that.” Dina grinned, raising the mead instead of water. Their glasses met with a soft clink, and they drank to seal the toast stone.
From there, they ate and talked and soon, the night was through, leaving them both with a warm glow of happiness sitting in their chests.