Note: I own nothing you recognize. Also, the OC is a figment of my imagination and any resemblance to any real person is unintentional. This is set about a month after Bend & Break.
Arizona pulled her car into the driveway of the house she and Callie used to share, sighing as she shifted into park and turned her lights off. The house that had been their new beginning was now just another reminder of a bitter end. She had told Callie she had found an apartment, but really she was still sleeping at the hospital, except the nights she came over to see Sofia, when she would usually sleep in the guest room. This was probably one of those nights. She knew it was a strange set up, but it was easier for Sofia when she stayed the night, so she stayed the night. Tonight wasn't normally a night she'd come see Sofia, but Callie had called and asked if she could watch the little girl - she had a friend in town apparently - and Arizona always jumped at the chance to see her daughter. Whatever was happening between her and Callie, Sofia was always something they had been able to agree on. It was bad enough that the little girl would never get to meet her father, so they always made sure that she had two mothers who loved her and were mostly able to put their own issues aside for her.
As she locked her car, Arizona noticed an unfamiliar car in the driveway, a sleek, midnight blue BMW of some sort, seemingly brand new and so shiny she could see every line on her face in the reflection. Yikes, maybe she needed to start using night cream.
She made her way to the door, stopping herself before reaching for the handle and instead bringing her fist up to knock. She was still getting used to this part, and to be honest, wasn't loving it. The door swung open suddenly, revealing a grinning, excited, Sofia.
"Mommy!" the girl shrieked, throwing her arms around Arizona's waist.
Arizona reached down and picked up the little girl, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Hey Sweetie, where's your mom?" she asked with a smile.
Sofia squirmed out of her arms and ran towards the living room, calling behind her to Arizona.
"Gettin' dressed. Come meet Mama's friend, he's sooo cool!"
Arizona followed her daughter into the main room, surprised to see Sofia throw herself into the arms of a very handsome man. Usually she was shy with strangers, but apparently this man was the exception. She whispered something into his ear and he put her down before she ran off to her bedroom, leaving Arizona alone with the handsome stranger.
"Uh, hi. I'm Juan." he proffered his hand.
While Arizona had never in her life been attracted to men, she also wasn't blind. Juan was maybe just shy of six feet, built like an athlete, with broad shoulders, a muscular chest and well defined arms and legs. He wore dark, fitted jeans and a white henley shirt covered by what looked to be the world's softest brown leather jacket, and was wearing casual blue suede sneakers with three white stripes down the sides. His thick, wavy hair was gelled up and out of his face, but cut short on the sides, and he had unusually straight, white teeth that stood out against his dark, caramel colored skin. He had light stubble across his jaw, and the darkest eyes she'd ever seen, and he looked strangely familiar.
She took his offered hand.
"Arizona" she replied.
Before she could say anything further, Sofia came tearing into the room, closely followed by Callie, who was looking even more drop dead gorgeous than usual, clad in tight, black skinny jeans, a grey top that had a neckline that could only be described as 'plunging', with her trademark black leather jacket, her hair wavy and wild, smoky eyeliner and deep red lipstick. Arizona had to fight to keep her mouth closed and not to ogle her ex.
A low whistle startled her out of her reverie, and she turned to the source; Juan.
"Oye, mami."
Callie laughed and slapped the man on the arm.
"Shut up, Juan. You sound like Carlos, it's creeping me out."
Juan laughed and spoke again.
"Seriously Cal, you look nice."
He spoke with a deep baritone and the slightest accent, probably Spanish, Arizona guessed.
"Juan, this is Arizona" Callie gestured to her "Arizona, Juan."
"Yeah," Arizona stated meekly "we met."
Callie turned to Arizona as she spoke now, the blonde fighting to keep her expression neutral.
"So, we shouldn't be out too late, but feel free to stay the night, Sofia loves it when you sleep over. You know where everything is, but Sofia has some halloween candy in the back of the pantry and I said she could have some if she finished her dinner."
Callie paused for a moment, seemingly stuck on what to say.
"You know the routine, I don't know why I'm explaining everything like an obsessive mother. Sorry."
The taller woman nervously pushed an errant hair behind her ear, before leaning down to kiss their daughter goodnight. Sofia was much too engrossed in her movie though, and didn't seem to even notice Callie.
"Have fun you guys, and Arizona, you have my cell if you need anything."
"We have done this before you know" the blonde replied mildly.
"Yeah, sorry. Night."
With that, Callie took Juan's arm and headed for the door, the man throwing her a wave and a smile on his way out.
"Nice to meet you, Arizona" he called.
Only when the door closed behind them and she heard a car pull out of the driveway did she release the breath she had been holding.
"Yeah," she whispered belatedly "you too."
