A/N: So... New story! I won't be finishing My Love Is Like A Star - nor will I be finishing Enchanted. I had a rough past three years, and when I read back on them yesterday, I felt like my own self again. I saw how much I was hiding behind my writing when I was re-reading them, and I really don't feel like doing that. Also, several people have been accusing me for making excuses to not write in my authors note of my three other stories, which is definitely not the case. I'm not making excuses. I merely felt like I owed you all an explanation. Those who thought I was making an excuse clearly don't understand what it's like to struggle mentally while also having other diseases and injuries to battle. I WILL update this regularly. I PROMISE. I've made events in my calendar every other friday so I remember to post no matter how lousy I'm feeling, but I won't be uploading every week. I do have school to take care of, and graduating school is much more important for me than to please everyone but myself. I have a life too, I'm sure you all know that. To those of you who came with supporting words and love, thank you. It really does mean the world to me that you care so much about my health, myself and my stories.
A/N 2: Without further ado, let's get to it!
Arizona whistled happily as she walked into her flower shop with all kinds of flowers, putting them in each their place. "Hey momma" She said with a bright smile.
"Hello dear. You look happy"
"I am."
"Did something happen?"
"Nope. You know I'm not dating."
"It's been sixteen years since you've been on a date, Zona"
Arizona shrugged. "I found the love of my life already. It's not my fault she left me."
"Left you? If I remember correctly, you broke up with her when she decided to go to Africa for three years."
"Which proves the fact that she left me." Arizona said. "I don't want to talk about her. I was actually happy."
Barbara nodded. "Alright, dear."
"Why do we even have to talk about her every single time we see each other?"
"I'm sorry. I guess I just miss her too" Barbara said with a chuckle.
A fifteen-year-old brunette version of Arizona walked in and hugged Arizona. "Hey mom. Who are you talking about?"
"Just an ex-girlfriend of mine, sweetie"
Emma nodded. "Calliope" She said. She'd heard that name before.
"That's Callie to you before your mother kills you with her staring eyes" Barbara chuckled.
Arizona rolled her eyes. "That was sixteen years ago, momma. She's probably still living in Miami or even in Africa. Who knows?"
"Tell me about her" Emma said, sitting down behind the desk.
Arizona took a deep breath. "She was beautiful. Probably still is. Tall, Latina, gorgeous brown eyes, perfect lips, perfect smile. Pretty much the perfect woman. When she smiled, my heart skipped a beat. When she touched me, it sent sparks flowing through my body. She's the only one that has ever made me blush. I stuttered in her presence. When we kissed, I… I don't even know. It felt like I was on fire. And boy, she was a good kisser" She said, sending her daughter a wink.
"Who's a good kisser?" An 11-year-old blonde with long, gorgeous hair asked, hugging her mom before sitting down next to her older sister.
"Callie" Emma said.
"Ooh, continue. I heard everything from your office" Mila giggled.
Arizona smiled and played with some flowers. "She could make me smile whenever I hit rock bottom. She was always there. We were 20 when she left me"
"You already knew then that she was the love of your life?" Emma asked.
Arizona smiled. "We had been together for five years then already. We knew. We were talking about getting a house… Having kids. She wanted two girls. She wanted their names to be Emma and Mila."
"So it's her fault we're named Emma and Mila?" Mila asked.
"Yup." Arizona said, sighing. "Then sixteen years ago, she got the chance to go to Africa with her dad for three years. I told her I didn't believe in long distance, and she threw our life together away to go there. I really hope for her that it was worth it, because she broke my heart." Arizona said, tearing up.
"Well, you broke mine too" Came another voice.
Arizona snapped her head to the door and gasped. "Oh my God"
"Is that her?" Mila asked.
"Yes, dear" Barbara told her granddaughter.
Callie Torres walked towards the desk. "You're not the only one with a broken heart here, Arizona. You told me that you didn't believe in long distance, but I know you would've done the same in my situation. I could help with saving the lives of sick children."
"I would never have done that to you. I loved you. You were my everything. I still cry every morning when I wake up, because I want your arms around me. I wanted so badly to hate you, but I can't."
"I wanted to hate you too. I just couldn't. And to answer your question… No… It wasn't worth a damn thing"
"Language!" Mila said.
Callie looked at the small girl and her expression softened when she saw those cerulean eyes on her. "Is that your daughter?"
Arizona nodded. "They both are."
"They're beautiful" Callie said.
"Girls, come introduce yourselves." Arizona said. "It's okay."
Emma and Mila stood up and reached their hands over the desk. "Emma Robbins"
"Mila Robbins"
Callie snapped her head to Arizona. "You remembered"
"Of course I did. You were the love of my life." Arizona said and hugged Mila around her shoulders as she stood in front of her. "What are you doing here, Callie?"
Her shortened name stung on Callie from the blonde. "I… When I came back from Africa, I couldn't find you anywhere. I wanted to tell you how stupid I was. But you were gone. No one would tell me where you were, and you changed your number. I've been looking for you for sixteen years"
"Well, you found me. Now what?"
"Mom, be nice." Emma said.
"The woman broke my heart, honey. I'm allowed to be a little cold"
"She's right, Emma… She's allowed. I just… I need you in my life. Even if you can't trust me to stay and only want to be friends, I want to have you in my life again."
"And you just expect me to pack up with my girls and leave with you for Miami?"
"No I… I read online about this store and saw that it was owned by an Arizona Robbins… So I packed up and left as fast as I could. I live in Nashville now. I told you… I need you in my life"
"I don't know Callie…"
Callie's bottom lip started trembling. "I'm begging you."
Arizona looked to her daughters before looking at her mom, all nodding at her. "Fine. But we're just friends. At least for now. I'm still mad about you leaving. I know I shouldn't be mad at you for leaving. I just didn't give you a good enough reason to stay"
"But you did, Arizona. I was just young and stupid. And I'm so sorry"
"Apology accepted" Arizona said.
Callie reached her hand forward. "Friends?"
"Friends" Arizona said, laying her hand in Callie's both jerking a little at the sparks that was still there. "I… uh… I-I have to go back to work."
"That was the stuttering she talked about" Emma whispered to her grandmother who laughed.
Barbara stepped up to Callie. "I have missed you so dearly, honey"
Callie melted into Barbara's embrace. "I've missed you too, Barb. So much. How's Daniel?"
"He's good. He misses you. Though, he'll probably be like when you first met him in high school since you broke his little girl's heart."
"Damn"
"Language! Mom how could you be with someone who talks like that?" Mila asked.
Arizona giggled. "Trust me, I was the one who taught her that, honey" She told her daughter.
"Mom!" Mila gasped. "I don't believe you"
"It's true" Callie said with a warm smile. "So… Do you want to grab a cup of coffee later?"
"Um…"
"Do it now mom. Mila and I will cover for you" Emma said, standing up from the chair.
Arizona nodded. "Okay. A cup of coffee won't hurt."
"So…" Callie said as they sat in the booth of a diner down the street, each with a mug of coffee. "Kids, huh?"
"Yea. I couldn't love them more if I tried."
"I get why. They're beautiful kids. They look just like you"
Arizona smiled and nodded, looking down into her mug. "I'm sorry, I still have to get used to this"
"It's okay." Callie said. After some time she spoke up again. "So, have you been married since you have kids?"
Arizona shook her head. "I've been single for sixteen years."
Callie nodded her head. "Me too"
"I got them with a sperm donor. A year after you left me, I moved over here and got my dream house with the pool and the tree house, the tire swing. Everything your heart desires. It was our dream. Then I figured that I could get the whole package except for you. So that's what I went for"
Callie smiled. "I think it's brave of you"
"What about you? No kids?"
"Nope"
"That was your dream, though"
"No. Having your kids was my dream. It still is"
Arizona smiled slightly. "Well, you're fifteen years too late on that"
"And I regret it terribly. If I could do anything over, it would be staying with you."
"If I could do anything over, I would have tied you to something in the apartment to keep you" Arizona admitted with a soft smile.
"There's those dimples I've missed so much" Callie said with a heart stopping smile.
Arizona looked down for a minute before looking up. "You can't smile at me like that"
"Like what?"
"Like nothing ever happened. Like we're us again. Like you're madly in love with me still"
"I am still madly in love with you"
"Callie… You have to stop that. I can't do this if we can't just be friends. I never stopped loving you. Don't ever think that I did… But I just can't yet. This is all overwhelming for me"
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just so happy to see you. All I want to do is wrap you in my arms and tell you how sorry I am."
Arizona nodded. "Friends, though. Right? We can do that"
"I'll try. Friends." Callie said with a nod. "So… The last sixteen years. What have you been up to?"
"Well, as you can probably figure out, I got pregnant not long after we split up. I was still in college but I didn't care. Emma was two when I finished college, and then I opened up my own flower shop. I love every minute of it. I don't need to be there every day, but I am. I'm the boss, I don't have to do much. I just love it. When Emma was three years old, I decided that I wanted another child because I loved having Emma. 10 months after that, I got little Mila. They've been joined at the hip ever since. It's like Tim and I. They're best friends."
"Aw, that's so sweet" Callie said with a soft smile.
"Yea." Arizona said, smiling as she thought about her daughters. "You should hear them play sometimes. They've made their own band, just the two of them. They're amazing"
"Wow, I'd love that" Callie said with a smile.
Arizona leaned back in her seat. "They're playing tomorrow. 8pm at this family bar not long down this street."
"I'll be there" Callie said with a smile.
"Great… Well, I should be getting back now"
"I'll walk you" Callie said, standing up.
"Hey mom" Mila said with a wide smile as Emma handed over a bouquet of flowers to a man, sending him away.
"Hey" Arizona said, kissing her girls on the top of their heads.
"How are you feeling?" Emma asked.
"Uh…" Arizona chuckled, scratching the back of her head. "I don't know. I always thought that when she'd come back, if she'd come back, that I would take her back in a heartbeat. But I'm still heartbroken so she has to prove she really wants this and prove that she's not going to leave. It's not only me in this anymore. There's you girls too"
"Spend some time with her, dear" Barbara said. "Get to know each other again"
Arizona nodded. "We're friends. We can be friends even when all I want is to kiss her. Right?"
The girls chuckled. "Good luck mom" Emma said.
"Thanks. I need it" Arizona laughed.
Arizona walked along the hall in her house when she heard guitar playing. She knew that song. It was a song she and Callie always used to play together when they were young. How did her girls find that? It was one she and Callie had written together. She stopped outside of Emma's room and heard her voice.
Sitting here tonight,
By the fire light,
it reminds me I already have more than I should.
Mila joined Emma, and the sound was breathtaking.
I don't need fame, no one to know my name,
at the end of the day,
Lord I pray, I have a life that's good.
Arizona teared up completely.
Two arms around me, heaven to ground me,
and a family that always calls me home,
Four wheels to get there, enough love to share
and a sweet, sweet, sweet song
Arizona's voice was in a whisper as she quietly sang along.
At the end of the day,
Lord I pray,
I have a life that's good.
Emma faded the guitar out, and Arizona opened the door, stepping inside. "Where did you find that song?"
"I saw it in the living room in a drawer. It's amazing" Emma said.
"I wrote that"
"You did?"
Arizona nodded. "Callie and I."
"Oh… I'm sorry mom." Emma said.
Arizona smiled. "It's fine, baby. I just got a little emotional. It was our song, you know."
Emma put her guitar down while Arizona sat down on the bed, and both girls cuddled into their mom, Arizona smiling. "I don't want her to hurt you" Mila whispered.
"I don't want her to either, honey" Arizona said softly.
"If she hurts you, I'll get uncle Tim on her" Emma said, only half joking.
Arizona laughed. "Good. I expect nothing more." She said, kissing her girls on her head. "You can play that song, you know. I'm not going to tell you what you can and can't play. And it fits your voices"
"Thank you, mom" Emma said.
"Alright. Well, dinner is ready" Arizona said. They all walked back into the living room when a knock sounded. "I'll be right there. Just start without me." She said, walking to the door.
She opened it and saw one of her co-workers. "Lexie, hi"
Lexie smiled widely. "Delivery for one Arizona Robbins" She said, handing over a beautiful bouquet of white tulips.
"Oh wow" Arizona said in shock.
"You're a lucky one" Lexie said after Arizona signed it. "Have a good night"
"Thank you, Lex" Arizona said, walking back into the kitchen where her daughters sat.
"You got flowers?" Mila asked.
"Yea…" Arizona said and reached for the card.
White tulips are a symbol of forgiveness. I hope that you one day can forgive me completely, and give me another chance, because I miss you dearly. I miss the way you cuddle into me all the time. I miss the way you jump into my lap when we're watching a horror movie. I miss the way you kiss me and I miss the way you look at me. I'm not giving up on you. I'm starting over. Everyone deserves a chance to clean up their own mistakes, don't you think? I know that if I'm lucky enough to get a second chance at some point, I won't waste it. I understand that you're not ready, and I'm willing to be your friend until you hopefully are ready. Anything to have you in my life.
Yours forever, Calliope.
A small kiss from red lips were at the bottom and Arizona choked back a sob. "Mom, are you okay?" Emma asked.
"Here. Read it yourself" Arizona said, dropping the card in front of her daughters while she put the flowers in water.
"Wow…" Emma said after they read it. "I really think she actually means this, mom."
"I know she means it. But I can't trust her to not just leave. I thought we had the perfect life back then."
"Maybe you were just destined to have the perfect life now?" Mila said.
Arizona smiled softly. "Maybe. I'm just not ready yet."