Present day

I open my eyes slowly, I can feel the heat from the morning sunlight glaring though the window, momentarily blinding me as I fumble to pull down the hatch. I hate flying, I'm going to need a chiropractor to get rid of the crick in my neck. Even though I've just had a short nap I can still feel exhaustion radiate throughout. The red-eye was a bad choice but unfortunately a necessary evil in order to get to Seattle in time, after a double shift at the hospital on the eve of my leave of absence. The plane shudders violently, and the pilots voice sounds gravely over the loud speaker informing all passengers to fasten their seat belts. I detect a slight tug on my shirt drawing my attention to the mess of black curls in contrast to my own burrowing into my side.

"Hey, what's wrong peanut?"

Instead of a reply the grip tightens on my shirt. I can't stop the smile playing on my lips, and my heart skips a beat as my girl snuggles impossibly closer. Glancing at the next seat over, my darling wife looks as beautiful as ever, even with an obnoxious eye mask, flight pillow (that I'm particularly jealous of) and drool. Its moments like this when I realize how lucky I am, its not the life I dreamed for myself but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Six years ago

I can't believe this is how I'm spending Valentines Day, a day of love, romance...and now an arrogant, interfering baby daddy. All I wanted was to have a quiet candle lit dinner with my girlfriend, and I was until this pompous ass barged into our apartment – we really need to start double locking the door.

"It's not fair - I am the father Callie! You can't shut me out like this"

"I know Mark and I'm sorry"

Oh my god, she did not just apologize to this fool.

"errrm what? Of course we can shut you out – how many time's do I have to tell you that we" - I jester frantically between myself and Callie "have a relationship that doesn't involve you"

"It involves me when your about to drag my unborn baby across the country"

As if to confirm his status as a petulant child he slams his fist on the breakfast bar and stamps his foot – and this is the man who's going to be the father of our child...oh brother.

"To meet my parents Mark, not to take part in girls gone wild – stop being such a selfish ass!"

"Ari..."

She's using that tone, I hate that tone – its the Arizona you're being unreasonable tone. She's also shooting him an apologetic glance. I want to stay calm, I really do but this, I just can't...I just can't handle this now.

"No! Dont. You. Dare. Calliope, don't you dare defend him"

I squeeze my eyes shut to prevent the tears, I wont let them do this to me. I grab my bag and rush out of the door before I completely crumble.

Present Day

"Mommy"

Maya wriggles against my hip, her little fists grabbing at my hair, pulling to get my attention that is currently focused on acclimatizing myself to the once so familiar Seattle Grace Mercy West surgical wing.

"What is it sweetheart?"

I look down to see brilliant blue eyes clouded with tears looking at me expectantly. I remember the day she was born, all thick dark hair and powerful lungs – the way my heart clenched when she was handed to me by the nurse and saw my own blue eyes looking back at me.

"Is the doctor going to make mama better this time?"

I don't have the answers, I really, really wish I did. I know my own eyes are beginning to fill with tears, so quickly look away so not to upset my little girl more than she already is. I'm just about to reply when I find I don't have to, Maya scrambles to disentangle herself from me – giving me a good kick in the gut as she launches herself onto the nearby hospital bed and promptly settles on her mama's lap.

"Well peanut, Dr. Shepard is the very best doctor in the world, apart from your own mommy that is, so if anyone can fix my head its him"

She always knows what to say, and I'm momentarily panic stricken at the thought that not even the skills of McDreamy will be enough and my little girl will be stuck with me, saying all the wrong things – not giving her the answers she deserves to hear.

"Are you okay honey?"

How do I even begin to answer that question? Here I am, back in Seattle, a place I swore I'd never come back to, with all the conflicting emotions that brings – praying that against all odds Shepard can extend what little time my family has left together.

"I'm good"

My reply a little too perky, my smile is a little forced – and she reads me like a book, like she's always been able to – a raised eyebrow is all I need to let me know this conversation will be continued later. Footsteps outside of the door disturbs our silent communication, as I turn I'm greeted with the sight of Derek, followed closely by Meredith and two fresh faced interns. No doubt the SGMW gossip train will be working in overdrive the minute they walk out of the room.

"Arizona its good to see you again, although I wish it were under better circumstances"

Derek looks good, a little older perhaps, his face bears more lines, his hair more gray than dark these days. It's nice to see him, I always admired and respected him as a colleague – but like him I wish the circumstances of my return to Seattle were different. I hear Maya let out a giggle, and immediately all eyes are drawn towards the two figures in the hospital bed

"You too Derek. I'd like you to meet my wife Rosario"