Chapter Text
It was not even 3 am and Jason Richmond was already a mess. At 2 am his very pregnant sister woke him up in a panic, her water had just broken.
“It’s too early, I can’t do this here” his sister, Rebecca, cried out, clutching her stomach, fear for her son evident in her teary blue eyes.
This was completely against their plan. She was only 35 weeks pregnant. Rebecca’s trusted OB/GYN, Dr. Riley, was back at home in LA. They were in Seattle for the week on a spontaneous vacation trying to relieve some of the pregnancy and baby planning stress they had both been facing. Rebecca had been living with him since her deadbeat boyfriend had walked out 3 months ago. He took her in without question, although the 30-year-old would always deny it and joke about how annoying she was, his younger sister and soon-to-be nephew were the most important people in his life.
They rushed to the nearest hospital, Grey Sloan Memorial, where they were greeted and quickly questioned on Rebecca’s medical history by an ER Nurse.
“28-year-old female, 35 weeks pregnant, expecting a boy, water broke, experiencing contractions, page Dr. DeLuca now” the nurse shouted at the nearest intern, who quickly complied.
The nurse turned to look back at Rebecca, “Good Rebecca, I know it hurts but please don’t try to push yet, Dr. DeLuca will be here shortly, she is an excellent OB you will be in great hands.” Rebecca's groans of pain continued as she gripped Jason’s hand and pleaded with the nurse “My son, make sure he’s ok, please.”
Jason was so distracted comforting his sister, that he didn’t notice the doctor at first. He turned his head towards the mesmerizing, accented voice that addressed Rebecca, “Ciao Mama, I’m Dr. DeLuca, let’s check on the bambino.”
Once he made eye contact with Dr. DeLuca, Jason didn’t hear another word of the conversation between his sister and the doctor. He was struck by just how stunningly beautiful she was. The combination of the expressive chocolate brown eyes that were so intently focused on his sister and her gorgeous flowing hair blew him away. The rich foreign accent that sounded like melted velvet was just icing on the cake.
A voice addressing him shocked him out of his train of thought, “Yeah Dr. DeLuca has that effect on people” the intern to his right, whose nametag read Dr. Erikson, said laughing quietly at his awestruck expression, “But Man—"
Whatever Dr. Erikson was going to say next was cut off by the commotion of Dr. DeLuca and the nurses scrambling to get Rebecca to the OR. Before rushing away, Dr. DeLuca glanced back at him “The bambino is not in the correct position, your sister needs an emergency C-section, farò tutto il possible”
Jason was left experiencing the confusing duality of being utterly flustered by the unintelligible foreign words that were directed at him combined with the terror he felt for the safety of his sister and nephew.
Nathan "Nate" Jason Richmond, the most beautiful boy Jason had ever seen, was born at 5:07 am. Nate was quickly rushed to the NICU as he was born preterm with low birth weight.
"—the C section was successful. You did not have any complications. As we discussed, Nate is being kept under observation in the NICU but is expected to make a full recovery. I have been in contact with your OB, Dr. Riley, so she has all your information for when you return home for your postpartum visit. So che si tratta di molte informazioni, hai qualche domanda?" Dr. Deluca addressed Rebecca standing next to her in the post-op room. Jason, who sat in the small visitor chair in the corner of the room, was grateful to hear his sister and nephew would be okay.
" Qualche dom—?” Rebecca stumbled over the foreign words.
" Scusa, Italian is my native language, I asked if you had any questions?"
"When can I see my son?"
"Not for a couple of hours as several tests need to be run in the NICU, try to get some rest, it's important for a new Mama, you want to be healthy so you can see your Bambino" Dr. DeLuca responded with an apologetic look in her eyes.
"Take care of your sorella," the doctor said to Jason, "Always," Jason promised offering the doctor his best smile and running his hand through his blond hair. Jason's past girlfriends have told him his smile is his best quality. He knows he's conventionally attractive and is used to girls vying for his attention. Still, not just anyone can attract his attention. He hadn't been interested in anyone seriously since his 3-year relationship with his ex-girlfriend ended a year ago.
In the short time he's known her, he can see that the doctor is someone worth trying for. And no, it's not just her looks or the Italian accent, although those are certainly what caught his eye, it's how she talks to her patient, his sister. How she likely treats all her patients. How she explains everything that happened in the procedure, unlike doctors that just tell you you're fine and move on to the next patient. The clear care and compassion she has for her patients is her most attractive feature.
Before he could think about adding on something wittier, Dr. DeLuca turned to his sister, "I'll be back to check on you later" she said to Rebecca, acknowledging Jason with little more than a nod, causing him to deflate a little, before exiting the room.
Despite how tired she is, Rebecca can't help but take the chance to mock her brother, "Always" she chuckles.
"Shut up " Jason sighs shaking his head.
"I just gave birth, I have free reign to mock you, plus watching you make a fool of yourself in front of the Italian doctor is all the entertainment I need."
"Hey-" Jason starts before Rebecca cuts him off.
"On a serious note, brother and I say this with love, she's way out of your league and is likely already in a relationship, no way someone that attractive is single."
"Oh, so now you think she's attractive!"
"Just cause I'm straight doesn't mean I'm blind."
"I don't see a ring, so I still have a chance."
"It's your funeral brother, now get out I need to sleep and then see my son," Rebecca says before turning over on her side and closing her eyes.
Jason's stomach rumbles as he leaves the room, so he walks over to the vending machine near the elevator to grab a snack.
The elevator door to the OB floor chimes and Jason looks up as a blonde woman in a Seattle firefighter uniform steps out carrying a pastry box in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. She walks with purpose over to the OB reception desk where she greets the receptionist and the nurses standing near the desk.
"Captain Bishop you shouldn't have" one of the OB nurses, a redhead, said flirtatiously.
"Not for you Grace, and it's just Maya" the blonde, Maya, said with a laugh.
"Come on Captain, not even a bite, it looks delicious" the redhead whines glancing at the pastries before back at the blonde with a wide grin.
"You've been spending too much time with Amelia" Maya smirks knowing it's all playful and Grace is aware of her relationship, "have you seen Carina?"
"I learned from the best," Grace said not giving up the flirting, "but last I heard she was in a delivery, not sure when she'll be out."
Jason followed the conversation like a ping-pong match, drama serving as a good distraction from his worry about Nate and his interest in a certain Italian doctor.
"Thanks, Grace, I'll leave these in her office" Maya responded before walking over to an office door, the name tag hanging on the front too far for Jason to make out.
Just as it seemed like the drama was over and Jason was about to return to his sister, he heard the voice he had been obsessing over, "Ciao Grace, here's the chart from room 6."
He's not the only one affected, the fire captain, stops in her tracks and turns around at the sound of the Italian accent. Jason watches as Dr. DeLuca looks up and sees the firefighter, "Bambina" she exclaims thrilled kissing the blonde on the cheek, "What are you doing here, are you alright?" Her eyes lock onto the flowers and pastries, "I'm fine Carina, I just missed you, our shifts have barely aligned in the past few days, and I know you're exhausted saving lives" Maya says looking at the Italian with soft passionate blue eyes.
" Mi sei mancata così tanto Bella, so che non è passato così tanto tempo ma a volte penso di riuscire a malapena a respirare senza di te”
Jason's heart speeds up a little hearing the doctor speak Italian. He doesn't know what's going on but feels uncomfortable as the conversation between the two women feels oddly intimate. Maya stares as much in awe as Jason feels, Dr. DeLuca or Carina as she's called has mercy on her, "Are these for me Bella?"
"Of course, from that Italian bakery you like," Maya says passing over the pastries and flowers.
Before either one can say another word, the radio attached to Maya's uniform goes off, "Engine 19, Ladder 19, requested at 44th Street."
The blonde smiles apologetically before kissing the Italian, telling her she loves her, and rushing off towards the elevator. Carina smiles, “Ti amo” before taking her gifts to her office.
Jason’s eyes bulge out of his head at the unexpected sight he just witnessed, instantly jealous of the fire captain. While it may seem unexpected now when he shares what happened with his laughing sister later, he will realize that the couple is the definition of love, and he never stood a chance.
The last thing Jason hears before returning to Rebecca’s room is the nurses gossiping about what just occurred “They must know we hate them right? The definition of romance, married and still this happy, disgusting” one nurse says practically swooning, “When will the Captain bring me flowers” Grace says laughing in response.