Title: Perfectly Imperfect
Author: HandsThatHeal
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: M/NC-17 (For Future Chapters)
Summary: Big changes bring big upheaval as Callie and Arizona find themselves alone for the first time in years. Will they be able to happily adapt to this new life without their children under their roof or will they now find that they have nothing in common in the absence of the ties that bound them together for so many years? Sequel to Clarity.
Disclaimer: All television shows, books, movies, songs, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work and the characters, events, and settings thereof are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Chapter One
Arizona anxiously stood at the arrivals gate of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, eagerly bouncing up and down in restless anticipation as she craned her neck around what felt like hundreds of thousands of travelers intent on making their way to different destinations around the world.
She was concerned with finding only one traveler that day, however, an admittedly gorgeous brunette she loved with her whole heart, her entire being.
Has she landed? Have you seen her? How does she look?
Glancing down when she felt her iPhone vibrate in her hand, Arizona smiled, chuckling softly as her thumbs flew across the touchscreen.
Plane just landed, but I'm still waiting.
Ugh. I can't wait any longer. Send pics as soon as you see her.
I will. Do you need me to stop for anything on my way back?
Nope. Everything's taken care of. See you soon. ;o)
;o)
Once again searching the sea of jet-setters, Arizona's body suddenly went still, a large dimpled grin lighting her face when she finally spotted precisely whom she had been waiting for. "Sofia," she whispered when the magical chocolate brown eyes of her twenty-five year old daughter found her own from across the terminal.
Arizona's breath caught in her throat at the sight of her eldest daughter smiling back at her. She was absolutely amazed by just how much like her wife Sofia had grown to be; long raven locks hung perfectly past her shoulders that were covered by a form fitting black leather jacket, the vision nearly identical to Callie on the very first day they'd officially met.
Unable to help herself, Arizona found herself mesmerized by the vision of her grown daughter, but finally recovering, she closed the distance between them in several quick strides, taking the slightly taller woman into her arms.
A squeal of excitement left Sofia's mouth as she held onto her mother and, pulling back, she adjusted the canvas messenger bag that hung from her right shoulder. "Oh my God, mom! I love your hair," Sofia stated with a smile, acknowledging Arizona's recently shortened blonde locks. "Where's mom?" The excited young woman then asked after taking a quick look around.
"She's at home getting everything ready for tomorrow. You know how she gets," Arizona replied, taking her daughter's hand to lead her toward baggage claim. "Oh. I almost forgot. She wants a picture of you as soon as possible," she said with a smirk as she began to tug her daughter through the crowd. But before they could take more than two steps, the clearing of a distinctly male throat behind them halted their forward progression. Turning around, Arizona's eyebrows raised in question at the sight of the blonde haired, blue eyed young man standing behind them.
"Oh, shoot! Caleb! I'm so sorry," Sofia immediately exclaimed, the palm of her hand quickly covering her face in embarrassment.
The three stood in awkward silence for several long moments; Sofia stared lovingly at the blonde stranger as he gazed back at her with love and admiration in his piercing blue eyes, Arizona's head turning back and forth between the two, her brow now furrowed in confusion.
"Umm. . .Sofia?" Arizona finally questioned, hoping to break the epic staring contest between the two that was currently proving to make her more than a little uncomfortable. "Would you like to introduce me to your. . .friend?"
Visibly shaking herself from her clearly smitten reverie, Sofia smiled, moving from her mother's side to take Caleb's hand into her own. "Mom. . ." she dragged out, the brilliant megawatt smile covering her face so much like that of her other mother that Arizona found herself having to remind herself that this was indeed her daughter and not her wife from years before. "This is Caleb Harrington-Pruitt," she continued, her voice suddenly becoming nervous. "My. . .boyfriend."
Even though she had already predicted the words that we going to come flying from her daughter's beautiful mouth, Arizona's eyes grew wide upon actually hearing them.
"Caleb, this is my mom. Arizona Robbins-Torres."
Reaching out a steady hand, Caleb smiled a genuine smile that Arizona begrudgingly had to admit she found quite likeable. "Dr. Robbins," he began, his hand still extended. "It's an honor to finally meet you," he greeted, his tone clear and confident. "Sofia talks about you all the time, not to mention you're kind of a legend at Hopkins. We actually were just learning about your research in stem cell biology and pediatric airway and chest disorders requiring complex surgical reconstruction with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation," he rattled off, his proffered hand still hanging in the air.
Arizona glared at her daughter, the look in her cerulean eyes insinuating that they would talk about her complete ignorance to the existence of said boyfriend at a later time before plastering a smile on her face and finally taking the young man's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Caleb," she said before stepping to her daughter's side.
As they neared baggage claim, Arizona held back from the young couple, reaching into her bag to grab her phone in order to call and warn Callie of what she was bringing home, but receiving no answer, she decided to send a quick text instead.
Sorry, babe. No pictures, but Sofia has a BIG surprise for you.
Looking up as Sofia and Caleb approached; she stuffed her phone back into her purse before silently leading them out of the airport and toward the short term parking area. As Caleb loaded their bags into the back of the SUV, Arizona could no longer help herself, pulling Sofia to stand directly in front of her as she spoke.
"I swear to God, Sofia Robbin, I'm going to kill you. That's if your mother doesn't get to you first."
Silently navigating the vehicle into the garage, Arizona glanced into the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Caleb's lips lingering over her daughter's cheek and, when brown eyes flicked up to meet the reflection of her own, the older woman's eyebrows defiantly rose in the air, causing Sofia to pull away from her boyfriend with a nervous clearing of her throat.
"I'll meet you inside. Mom's making chicken piccata for dinner and Grammy's caramel praline cheesecake for desert," Arizona informed as she exited the car.
Making her way into the house filled with the heavenly aroma of Callie's cooking, Arizona quickly deposited her jacket and bag on a rack near the door, her head caustically shaking back and forth as she tried to anticipate her wife's reaction to this latest development. "Calliope?" she then called into the house, quickly making her way through the downstairs of their home.
"Kitchen," a familiar voice replied.
Finally finding her wife standing behind the kitchen island, dark rimmed Prada glasses resting on the bridge of her nose as she read from the Robbins Family Cookbook, Arizona smiled slightly when Callie looked up, an excited grin covering her face.
"Where is she?" Callie cheerfully asked, immediately looking past her wife in search of their daughter. "What's the surprise?"
With a roll of her eyes, Arizona only shook her head, remaining completely silent as she heard the door in the foyer open and then close, two sets of footsteps then making their way through the house and into the kitchen. "Moms? Where are you?" Sofia called, finally peeking her head around the archway leading into the room where her mothers now stood.
Callie gasped at the sight of her eldest daughter, an elated shriek leaving her throat as she ran around the island to envelope the younger woman in a warm embrace.
Pulling away after several long moments, she then held her at arm's length to get a better look. Amazed at just how much she had changed in the six months since they had seen her at Christmas, Callie simply couldn't take her eyes off of the young woman who was the mirror image of herself. "Oh, mija. You look lovely, baby girl," she cooed before taking her back into her arms. She held onto her little girl for what seemed like forever, but finally opening her eyes to glance over Sofia's shoulder, Callie's body went rigid, her eyes lighting with confusion at the sight of the blonde stranger standing in her kitchen right next to her wife.
Slowly pulling away from her daughter, Callie smoothed down her shirt, removing her glasses from in front of her eyes. "And you are?" she then asked without ceremony, her eyes flicking toward Arizona for a little help.
When Arizona only shrugged, Callie turned back toward the young man who smiled, extending his arm to shake Callie's hand. "Caleb Harrington Pruitt, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Torres."
Pressing Sofia to the side to remove her from her path, Callie squared her shoulders as she looked this young man up and down and, clearing her throat as she considered Caleb's proffered hand; she then crossed her own arms over her chest. "And you are? A friend? Med school classmate? Lab partner?"
Sofia smiled, moving to Caleb's side to wrap her arms around his waist. "All of the above, mami, and so much more," she dreamily replied. "Caleb is my boyfriend."
Later that evening as Callie sat in bed, her back resting against the headboard, Arizona stormed out of the ensuite bathroom, toothbrush dangled from her lips. "I just. . .I can't. She didn't tell us, Calliope! They've been dating for six months, and she didn't tell us. She was here at Christmas, and we Skype all the time. What the Hell, Callie? I mean, seriously? What. The. Actual. Hell?" she dramatically emphasized before continuing on. "She used to tell us everything. Everything!" she continued to rant as she disappeared into the bathroom to spit.
Re-emerging once again, she then brusquely pulled back the duvet on her side of the bed and, after sending throw pillows flying across the room, she ripped off her prosthesis before throwing herself beneath the covers with an exaggerated huff.
Watching her wife stew, Callie carefully moved closer to her before reaching out to take her hand. "I know you're hurt, sweetie, but. . .let's just try to get some sleep," she gently offered, leaning over to press a gentle kiss against a fair cheek. "We have a very big day tomorrow."
Having none of it, Arizona shot the taller woman an incredulous glare before rolling frustrated cerulean eyes. "Hurt!? I'm not hurt, Calliope. I'm pissed! And, sleep? How the Hell am I going to be able to sleep when our family is falling apart?"
Callie couldn't keep the amused smile from her lips as she scooted impossibly closer to her wife and, wrapping her arm around her back, she leaned her head against a pajama clad shoulder. "They're just growing up, sweetie. That's all. Our family isn't falling apart, they're just. . .becoming adults. We are the mothers of three beautiful, amazing, miraculous. . .adults."
Arizona leaned back from Callie's embrace, glaring at the woman seated next to her. "How can you be so calm? You're never calm?"
Callie rolled her eyes despite her wife's distress and with a shake of her head, she once again grabbed Arizona who had escaped her arms. "I'm not necessarily calm, I'm just. . ."
"What is happening to our children, Calliope?" Arizona quickly interrupted before Callie could finish her statement. "Sofia has some boyfriend who we know nothing about. Caleb Harrington Pruitt. What kind of name is that, anyway? Sounds like some pompous little rich kid whom she's doing God only know what with right now in our home, Calliope. In her old bedroom that used to be decorated with freaking Sofia the First and Elsa and Anna!" she continued, her voice rising in tone and inflection. "And Olivia. . .she-she-she's off following her dreams of art and romance a-a-and whatever else in Europe and can't even be bothered to call her moms or come to her brother's high school graduation. And Sam. My baby graduates from high school tomorrow, Calliope. He's the most level headed one of the bunch, and he's leaving me. Tomorrow!"
Callie remained momentarily silent as she considered Arizona's words before reaching out to rest her palms against smooth ivory cheeks. "First of all, he's not leaving tomorrow. He just graduates tomorrow, and we should be celebrating that, not worrying about anything else. Tomorrow is his day, Arizona, and we need to look past everything else for just a little while, for him. . ."
A soft knock on their bedroom door interrupted Callie's speech and, with a simultaneous sigh, Callie dropped her hands from her wife's face, both women now glancing out toward the wooden barrier.
"Come in," Arizona called.
The door slowly opened, a raven head hesitantly appearing through the small crack she had created. "Hey," Sofia nervously began. "I. . .umm. . .can I talk to you?"
Callie and Arizona momentarily shared a poignant look before settling into the pillows stacked against the headboard, one set of chocolate and one set of azure eyes now expectantly trained on their apprehensive looking daughter.
"I know you're mad, and I know I should have told you, but I. . ." Sofia trailed off as she anxiously began to pace at the foot of her mothers' bed. "I-I-I. . .he's in my med school class at Hopkins, but we officially met right before winter break, and we talked and texted while I was here, and he was home in New York. Then when we got back to Baltimore, he asked me out. I just. . .I didn't think much of it, but the more time we spent together, the more time I wanted to spend with him, and I, well. . .I. . .here we are."
After listening to their daughter's explanation, there was a momentary silence before Callie decided to speak. "You've been with this man for six months, Sofia," she replied in frustration. "And this is the first we're hearing of him?"
Sofia nodded her head, stopping in her nervously paced circuit to perch herself on the edge of the bed. "I know, I just. . .I. . ." she trailed off with a shake of her head.
Disheartened by Sofia's continued silence, Arizona sighed, pulling the duvet from her legs and scooting down the mattress to sit next to her dejected looking daughter.
Crossing her hands in her lap, Arizona carefully considered her words. "Sofia, we. . .we're not mad," she reluctantly admitted, glancing back at her wife who sent her a knowing smile. "We. . .I guess we're just a little. . .hurt," she stated with a hard swallow, unwanted tears brimming in her eyes. "You've always talked to us about everything, sweetheart, and the fact that you decided to keep something as important as this from us is just so unlike you."
Sofia once again nodded, averting her mother's disappointed eyes as she aimlessly fiddled with the hem of her own t-shirt. "I know, but I thought I was doing the right thing. I. . .I didn't want you to worry. . ."
"Of course we worry," Callie contended, standing from the bed to take a seat on the opposite side of their daughter. "Just because you're an adult doesn't mean we don't worry."
"I know, but I didn't want you to worry more than you already do," she tried to explain, knowing that her explanation was barely holding water. "I had this plan. I-I-I wanted to prove to myself that I could handle the responsibilities of med school and having a steady boyfriend, before I told you. I know it seems silly, but it was just something I wanted to do."
"You've had boyfriends before, Sofia, and you've always told us about them," Arizona tried to rationalize.
"I know, mom, but never in med school and never one. . ."
Slightly unnerved by Sofia's silence, Callie and Arizona shared an uneasy glance, two sets of eyes widening in realization. "How serious is this, Sofia?" Callie finally asked, laying a motherly hand on her daughter's knee.
Sofia swallowed hard before blowing out a ragged breath through pursed lips. "I. . .love him, mami," she finally admitted, caramel cheeks blushing pink as she stared at the wall in front of them. "A-a-and more than that, I. . .I'm in love with him."
Arizona could feel her own heartbeat thundering in her chest, each thump deafening to her ears. She knew this day would eventually come; her daughter was a beautiful, intelligent, and amazing young woman. That didn't, however, mean she had to like it.
But, choosing to swallow her own concerns for now, she glanced at her wife whose eyes had become moist with emotion before reaching out a slightly shaking hand to take her daughter's into her own. "Your mother and I love you, Sofia, and we're. . .happy that you've proven to yourself that you can handle the pressures of school and a relationship, but that doesn't diminish the fact that you didn't tell us. You know you can be honest with us, sweetheart."
Sofia nodded her head, harshly wiping at a tear that trailed down her face. "I know," she softly whispered.
"We're going to support you no matter what, Sof," Callie added, wrapping her arm around her daughter's shoulders. "We will always be here for you because more than anything else, we want you to be happy."
Relaxing into her mother's embrace, Sofia sighed. "I know."
Snaking her own arm around the younger woman's back, Arizona pressed a gentle kiss against a smooth caramel cheek. "You're an adult, Sofia, and we trust you to make intelligent decisions, but please don't shut us out," she softly beseeched. "Please let us share in your happiness, not be completely caught off guard by it."
Sofia smiled, leaning over to rest against Arizona's side. "I'm sorry. I really am. I promise I won't keep important stuff from you, anymore. I don't really know what I was thinking."
Wrapping both arms around her daughter, Arizona kissed the top of a raven head that now rested on her shoulder. "You were just being you. Strong. Independent. Stubborn. . ."
Sofia rolled her eyes, elbowing her mom. "Okay. I get it. I promise not to keep you in the dark."
"Thank you," Arizona stated, releasing Sofia to allow her to hug her other mother.
Twisting back and forth as she tightly held her daughter, Callie then pulled back with a questioning look on her face. "So, tell us about this Caleb," she urged with a happy grin. "He's obviously very attractive. . .and smart. What else?"
A megawatt smile lit Sofia's face at the mention of her boyfriend as she dramatically threw herself back onto the bed, giggling like a giddy school girl. "Oh my God, moms. Caleb is miraculous."
"Wake up, sleepy head," Callie lovingly whispered, her lips forging a path from her wife's ear before traveling down the prominence of her jaw and over her chin to land on pink lips. "I smell breakfast."
Arizona only groaned, rolling onto her side to burrow her way into the warmth of Callie's front. "Don't want to. Too comfy," she whined, her voice thick with sleep.
Callie chuckled softly, kissing the top of a sleep tousled blonde head before rolling over to exit the cocoon of blankets and the shelter of her wife's embrace. Putting on a robe over her pajamas, she sat back down on the edge of the mattress, tugging Arizona toward her. "Come on, babe. Someone in this house is actually making breakfast, which means neither of us has to. There's no way in Hell I'm going to miss out on such a momentous occasion."
Slowly opening her eyes, Arizona scrunched her face in disdain before heaving herself to the side of the bed. "It's probably Caleb Harrington Pruitt," she huffed, her voice taking on a stately English brogue when she stated his name. "He's most likely trying to get on the good side of his girlfriend's crazy moms," she continued, reaching upward to stretch her arms and her back. "His name just sounds so pretentious. So. . .regal," she teased in the same dialect.
Callie tipped her head back with a hearty laugh at her wife's remark before reaching out to grab the prosthesis resting against the nightstand. "Come on," she urged, kissing an ivory cheek. "Lots to do today, and I need coffee."
With an exaggerated sigh, Arizona expertly donned her leg, accepting the cotton pajama pants Callie handed to her before putting them on, as well.
Once put together, both women then happily descended the stairs hand-in-hand, both chatting animatedly about their son's graduation and the party that was to be held at their home immediately after, but glancing from her wife as they entered the kitchen, Callie's mouth immediately fell agape, her body coming to a complete stop.
Feeling Callie tense at her side, Arizona followed her shocked brown eyes in the direction of the stove, the raven haired beauty she saw flipping pancakes with a spatula, quite similar to, but so much different than the one she had expected to see.
With unruly dark hair piled high atop her head, this woman was closer to Arizona's height with a slightly smaller build than her mother or her older sister. "Oh my God! Olivia!" the blonde happily screamed, releasing Callie's hand to run around the island in order to grab her youngest daughter in an excited embrace.
Callie was immediately at the opposite side, Olivia now completely enveloped in a mommy sandwich. "When did you get here? How did you get here? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
A laugh identical to Callie's left the younger woman's lips, though the uncomfortable scowl that her grin morphed into was the spitting image of Arizona. "You're squashing me. Please! Mom! Mami! I can't breathe."
Arizona was the first to step back, though she didn't go far; Callie continuing to cling for dear life to her little girl. "Mami. Please."
Finally moving away, Callie couldn't resist reaching out, her hand hooking around Olivia's head to draw her toward her, and after pressing a loud peck against her temple, she finally retreated.
"When did you get in?" Arizona happily asked, elatedly bouncing up and down.
"Ugh! My trip was a total disaster!" Olivia spoke, the spatula in her right hand wildly waving through the air. "My connecting flight in Frankfurt was delayed and then I had a three hour layover in Vancouver. I was supposed to be here by seven o'clock last evening, but I didn't end up getting to Sea-Tac until almost midnight."
"I don't even want to know how much that's going to cost us," Callie grumbled so only Arizona could hear after finally pulling themselves away from their daughter to make their way around the island.
Playfully swatting at Callie's arm as they took their respective seats on high stools, Arizona poured herself and her wife a cup of coffee each, smiling in satisfaction when the hot liquid assaulted her senses.
"So then Sammy picked me up so I could surprise you," Olivia announced, turning around with a flourish to lean her back against the countertop, spatula still animatedly gesturing around her. "And I know his curfew is like eleven, so don't be mad at him. I promised that I'd take the blame."
"Hmm," both women hummed in unison. "We'll see about that," Arizona continued.
As if on cue, the six foot, three inch man of the house entered the kitchen, black basketball shorts covering his muscular legs, a red Ballard High School Football t-shirt covering the large expanse of his torso. With the Saturday morning newspaper in his hand, he pulled a stool in between his mothers, immediately opening to the SUDOKU puzzle at the back.
"Good morning, mijo," Callie greeted, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Morning," he replied before glancing back down at the paper.
But soon feeling the penetrating glares from his left and from his right, he guiltily looked at Arizona, offering a sheepish grin as he nervously ran his hand over the raven hair at the top of his head. "Good morning, mom," he spoke, leaning over to kiss her cheek.
Arizona smiled smugly, tapping her fingers against the side of her mug. "Have anything to tell us?" she asked.
Sam sat back in his seat, rolling his eyes. "Geez, Olivia. You told them? Already? Oh my God. I told you they'd be pissed. . ."
"Oh, calm down, baby brother," Olivia quickly contended. "They're not pissed. They're just messing with you," she argued, setting a heaping plate of pancakes in front of her mothers and brother.
Arizona cleared her throat, pointing a finger at Olivia and nudging Sam with her elbow. "Children! Language!" she scolded, receiving a roll of brown eyes from her daughter and a grunt from her son.
Taking the pencil from Sam's hand, Callie masterfully filled in two entire rows of squares of the newspaper's SUDOKU board. Pleased with her success, she smiled brightly, glancing between her youngest daughter and only son. "We're not pissed," she informed, worrying her bottom lip in concentration as she glanced back down at the puzzle. "We were just teasing."
"You know I really hate it when you mess with my SUDOKU," Sam huffed, plucking the pencil from his mother's grasp.
Arizona laughed, taking a sip from her cup. "Of course she knows that, Sam. Why else do you think she does it?"
"Faculty, administrators, friends, and parents. . .welcome," Sam spoke to the crowd of onlookers as he began his valedictory address to the Ballard Class of 2035. Clad in a red cap and gown, gold valedictory stole, three different honor cords, and a medal he had been awarded from the scholarship program at the University of Washington, he cleared his throat, his dark brown eyes sweeping through the crowd to land on the small group sitting off to his left.
His mothers sat side-by-side with Sofia and then Caleb seated next to Arizona and Olivia next to Callie. In the row behind them, he spotted his Abuela and Abuelo proudly seated next to Grammy and Pop.
"Class of 2035. . .we did it. Who would have thought that we would be here today? Can you still remember your first days in kindergarten? When you became so insecure when your mothers or fathers disappeared from your sight?" Sam paused, receiving several chuckles from his classmates and the rest of the audience.
"He looks like Clifford the Big Red Dog goes to the Olympics," Olivia whispered with a slight chuckle.
Receiving a glare from Arizona and an elbow to the ribs from Callie, her shoulders momentarily shook with laughter before she placed her camera back in front of her eye to proudly snap away.
"But, somehow we made it through, and as we continued on our journey through elementary school, middle school, and then high school, new things came. We wandered along and met different people, new friends, and unforgettable acquaintances. We continuously explored the things this world could offer. We started to make choices and decisions on our own without knowing or simply disregarding the possible consequences ahead, and it has been a long four years, but short all the same. Long because of all the endless hours of homework, summer readings, early morning community service, and extra credit projects we had to endure, but short because of the lifelong friendships and lasting memories we are now forced to leave behind."
"Good or bad, long or short, I will always remember this place. While I'm thrilled to be our valedictorian, I can't say I've spent as many hours as some of us have walking these halls; our teachers, of course, spend an inhuman amount of time here, along with other esteemed faculty and principals, coaches and instructors. It takes that kind of teamwork to survive anywhere in life, and while I know my experience is limited, I do know every problem I've overcome has been because someone has been there to help me."
"We rely on so many people to help us through, and I personally have so many people to thank. To my friends. . .I am very thankful to have shared this experience with you. From our very first day as freshmen here at Ballard to last year's Washington State Football Championship, from Sophomore Homecoming to Senior Prom and everything in between, I am so happy to have had such a great group of people to call my friends."
"To my teachers and mentors. Thank you for all I have learned. For your patience, as well as the skills, abilities, creativity, and all the different opportunities you have afforded to me, I thank you."
"And last, but certainly not least, to my family. To my grandparents who have provided the love and support that only grandparents can. To my sisters who are the greatest out there and who are truly amazing in every way. And who I'm sure will never stop calling me 'Sammy' no matter how old I become."
Arizona nudged Sofia, smiling a dimpled grin when her daughter rested her head upon her shoulder.
Clearing his throat, Sam fiddled with the papers that lay on the podium before directing his attention solely toward the two women whom he loved and respected most in the world. "And, most importantly. . .to my moms. Two strong, brilliant, amazing women who have never gone a day without telling me just how much they love me, how proud they are of me, and how special I am."
With a smile that could light the entire western seaboard, Callie glanced toward her wife and, reaching to her left to take Arizona's hand into her own, she squeezed it tightly when she heard soft sniffling from the woman next to her. Wiping at the moisture from her own face, she then looked back toward their son, her own magical brown eyes locking with his.
"Today as we celebrate this momentous event, I personally would like to thank my moms for the unconditional love and support they have provided me. For the beautiful lessons they've taught me, the compelling values they instilled upon me every day of my life, the many times they accepted me back into their arms the countless times I may have hurt them, for forgiving every lie I told or mistake I made, for being my protectors in the face of my enemies, and for reaching out to me despite our differences. A thousand words may not be enough to show my gratitude, but I want to dedicate my successes here today and in the future to my moms. . ."
Wrapping her arm around Callie's lower back, Arizona leaned into her side, tears that had brimmed in her bright blue eyes now falling freely down her face as she proudly watched and listened to their son.
Gathering his thoughts, Sam paused in his speech, two large hands now resting on either side of the podium. "So. . .what's next? I'll be going to college, as will many of my classmates. Others will go to various branches of the armed forces so that the rest of us can sleep safe in our beds. Others may go right out into the workforce, or even take a year or more off to decide what they want to do."
"No matter where we go or what we have planned, we all have so many decisions to make, so many life events to muddle through, and in closing, I would like to leave you with my favorite quote from Dr. Seuss that my moms and sisters used to read to me all the time. I hope it will brighten your day and hopefully encourage you no matter which path you choose. Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray. . .or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea. You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So. . .get on your way!"
With her feet propped up on the coffee table in front of her, Callie brought a glass of Pinot Noir to her lips, humming in satisfaction as the earthy flavor of the semi-sweet wine met her palate. Taking another sip from the liquid, she then leaned forward to deposit her glass near her feet, her hands then moving to the legs that rested over her thighs. Slumping back into the couch cushions, she began to massage Arizona's right calf beneath the lounge pants she was wearing. "What a day," she breathed out, her free hand lacing her wife's fingers through her own.
Arizona sighed, nodding her head in agreement. "It was a good day, though," she replied, scooting down to get more comfortable, her head resting on a decorative pillow positioned against the arm of the sofa. "Sam's speech was just so. . ." she trailed off with a shake of her head, completely unable to put into words how proud their son's valedictory address had made her feel. "And then the party. The food was amazing, Calliope, and it's just been so great to have us all back together again. Our parents included."
Callie smiled, rolling her wife onto her side so that she could wedge her own body between Arizona's back and the couch cushions. "Can you believe our last little birdy is leaving the nest?" she asked, her hand finding its way beneath her wife's t-shirt to lovingly caress the smooth skin she found there.
"Please don't remind me," Arizona groaned, scooting impossibly closer to Callie's front. "We still have the summer left with him before he leaves us for good."
Callie chuckled softly, gathering blonde curls away from Arizona's face so that she could press a kiss against her cheek. "He's going to the University of Washington, Arizona. He's going to be living less than ten miles away."
"I know, but it just. . .won't be the same," Arizona whined, carefully rolling over in the small space in order to face her wife. "He won't be here every night hogging the TV to watch any and every sport there is. His giant tennis shoes won't be next to our smaller ones on the rack by the door. You won't get to fight him for the daily SUDOKU. The garage won't be full of footballs, and basketballs, and soccer balls, and all of his other boy stuff. . ."
Callie's bottom lip jutted out, matching her wife's adorable pout as she pulled her smaller form closer to her front. "I doubt all of that stuff will fit in his dorm room, honey."
Arizona only sighed, closing her eyes as she nuzzled her nose against that of her wife, but just as she was getting comfortable enough that she could fall asleep, the sound of someone else entering the room caught her attention. Glancing up at her wife, she playfully snarled at the interruption before reluctantly rolling over.
Spotting Olivia who was now seated on an armchair in the corner of the room, she sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the sofa to sit next to her wife.
Leaning forward with her elbows resting on her knees, Callie's eyes narrowed in concern as she watched Olivia aimlessly run her hand over the material covering the arm of the chair. "What's up, sweetheart?"
Olivia didn't immediately speak, choosing instead to stand from her seat in order to cross the room before forcing herself down into the small space that remained between her mothers. "We need to talk," she hesitantly admitted, her voice a hushed whisper.
Arizona craned her neck forward, glancing in front of her daughter to meet the worried brown eyes of her wife. "Okay," Arizona then replied, patting Olivia's knee. "You know we're always here to listen."
Olivia sighed, nervously wringing her hands in front of her, the act completely identical to the habit Callie still possessed after all these years. "I. . .umm. . .I've decided to. . .well, I've been thinking about. . .changing my major," she quickly stated, immediately jumping up to distance herself from two clearly shocked women.
"What?!" Callie exclaimed, her tone more harsh than she had intended. "Wait, wait. What?" she repeated, shaking her head in confusion.
"Calliope," Arizona softly warned, crossing her right arm over her body to pat her wife's thigh before supportively grasping onto a tanned hand. "Where's this coming from, Olivia? What happened?"
Olivia shook her head, her expressive brown eyes welling with tears. "I. . .I'm just not sure that Art and Design is meant for me," she softly admitted. "It's just. . .I feel like I need something new. Something more. . .practical. More lucrative. More. . .down to earth," she continued, her emotions rising with every word.
"Since when have you ever been practical, Olivia?" Callie immediately shot back, shaking her head in frustration.
Olivia opened her mouth to speak, but she paused, her chocolate eyes clearly showing the hurt her mother's question had induced.
Callie swallowed hard, mentally scolding herself for her harsh response. "No, no. I'm sorry. That came out wrong," she immediately apologized, jumping up from the couch and crossing the living room to gather her now crying daughter into her arms. "What I meant was. . .you've always been our dreamer, Olivia. So talented and so artistic, and that's what makes you who you are. That's what makes you special. That's what brings you and everyone around you so much joy. Why would you ever want to change that?"
Olivia shook her head against her mother's shoulder before pulling back to wipe her eyes. "I don't know," she softly spoke through her tears as she moved from her mother's side to once again begin pacing the room. "It's just. . .what if I fail? What if I can't make ends meet? I don't want to struggle, Mami. I don't want to be a-a-a starving artist for the rest of my life. I just. . ."
With tears now brimming in her own eyes, Callie guided the younger woman back toward the sofa, gently pressing her down to sit next to Arizona before taking a seat on the coffee table in front of them. "You could never be a failure, sweetheart, and I'm sure it will be tough at first, but that's what we're here for. Your mom and I would never force you to struggle or to starve for goodness sake."
Glancing between the two clearly upset brown eyed beauties, Arizona took Olivia's hands into her own, squeezing them tightly. "So, what were you thinking? Did you have a new major in mind?" she asked, hoping to diffuse the rising emotions between the other two women.
Olivia nodded, clearing her throat as she reached up with one hand to once again wipe the moisture from her face. "I've been thinking pre-med," she softly replied.
Glancing in Callie's direction, Arizona tried mightily to hide her complete shock and utter surprise, but totally knew that her eyes were failing her one hundred percent. Her wife was right; Olivia had never been a practical child, her nose always in a novel instead of a text book, her interests more in art classes and photography than sports or academics, but deciding to play devil's advocate, she carefully chose her words. "Wow, Olivia. That's quite a change."
"You don't think I can do it?" came the younger woman's heated reply.
Arizona shook her head. "Not at all, sweetheart. I definitely think you could be a doctor. You have the brains and the talent to do anything and be anything you want," she softly informed, quickly looking toward Callie and then back toward their daughter. "All I'm saying is, I've never once heard you mention wanting to be a doctor until right this minute."
Olivia sheepishly looked away, refusing to meet either of her mothers' eyes. "It's kind of a recent development," she shyly admitted.
Unsure of what else to say, Arizona sat in silence, perfectly content to now allow Callie to pick up where she had left off and, gesturing for her wife to make some sort of attempt, she relaxed slightly when Callie opened her mouth to speak.
"Look at me, Olivia," Callie softly encouraged, patting her palms against her daughter's knees. When flustered brown eyes finally turned in her direction, she offered her daughter an understanding smile. "This is a huge decision, sweetheart. One that shouldn't be taken lightly."
"I know that, mother! You think I don't realize what a change like this would mean?"
"All I'm saying is. . ." Callie immediately continued, her tone even, but warning at the same time. ". . .I think you should take some time. You've already started the summer semester in Florence, and I think you should at least finish it. Take that time to clear your head and really think about what you want to do and more importantly, what makes you happy."
Glancing between the two, Arizona decided to take back the reins. "Your mom and I would never force you to do anything you don't want to, but I really think this is something you need to do. This is your future, Olivia, and all we want is what's best for you. So. . .take the summer to think. If at the end of it you still want to change to pre-med, mom and I will do everything we can to help you make that happen."
Callie searched Olivia's face, hoping to see at least the whisper of a smile, but finding none, she hesitantly spoke. "How does that sound?"
Olivia rolled her eyes, unwilling to relent. "I'll think about it," she finally replied, wiping at her face before quickly standing to leave the room.
Completely stunned and more than a little confused by the conversation they had just engaged in, Callie and Arizona could only stare at each other, neither having the energy or the brain power to process or make sense of what had just occurred.
"That went well," Arizona grumbled, throwing herself back against the couch cushions.
"Dr. Robbins? Dr. Torres?"
Brown and blue eyes snapped in the direction of the entryway upon hearing Caleb's voice, his confident and soothing tone penetrating the uncomfortable silence that now hung thickly throughout the living room.
Arizona and Callie then looked back toward each other to share a discontented look and, forcing herself not to roll her eyes or shake her head, Arizona plastered a dimpled grin on her face before turning back in the young man's direction. "Hey, Caleb. What can we help you with?"
The strikingly handsome young man nervously cleared his throat, his behavior the very first sign of apprehension he had displayed since coming into their lives the day before. "Well, I was hoping I could speak with you," he began, leaning back on the arm of a chair and drumming his fingertips against the tops of his legs.
"Uh-huh?" Arizona skeptically replied.
"What about?" Callie questioned as she moved from the coffee table to once again sit next to her wife, desperately sensing the need to portray a united front, an impenetrable fortress, an iron curtain.
Caleb once again cleared his throat before making his way back to his feet. "Well, as you know, Sofia and I have been dating for six months now, and I. . .I can honestly say that in that time, I've grown to love your daughter very much. I find her miraculous. Breathtakingly stunning. . ."
Feeling Arizona tense at her side, Callie looked toward her wife whose eyes were now staring at the man in front of her in a squinted glare and, fighting the urge to chuckle at the irony of the situation, she bit her bottom lip to stop herself from completely losing her composure.
"Sofia's just. . .she's the most beautiful, intelligent, and loving woman a man could ever ask for. I know that six months doesn't seem like that long, but being with her is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, and I. . .I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else but her. I love your daughter, Dr. Robbins, Dr. Torres, and I. . .I'm here today to ask your blessing in making her my wife."
Arizona's head fell forward with a huff; she absolutely couldn't believe her ears and, taking a few minutes to gather herself, she then looked up, her hands on her hips as she stood. "Oh, Caleb. Caleb, Caleb, Caleb," she stated, shaking her head with every repetition of his name. "What makes you think you're ready to marry our daughter? Huh?" she asked, her expressive blue eyes taking on a wild gaze as the events of the day now completely overwhelmed her. "How do you know you're ready to be a husband?"
"Arizona. . ." Callie softly warned, reproachfully shaking her head when the blonde looked back in her direction.
Caleb tipped his own head to the side in consideration of his response. "Well, Dr. Robbins, I guess I don't. . .because I've never been a husband," he honestly replied, his hands now in his pockets as he carefully considered his words. "But, what I do know is that there's no one-size-fits-all formula for being a wonderful husband. Every husband and wife and every marriage is different, and I know marriage takes work. I know it's not easy, and most importantly, I know that I need to be honest with Sofia. I need to communicate with her. I need to respect her, and love her, and take care of her until my dying breath. I need to make sure she knows she is the most important thing in my life."
The room fell silent at the completion of Caleb's heartfelt and honest speech, though Arizona remained unconvinced. "Hmm," she curtly hummed. Now engaging her daughter's suitor in a staring contest to end all staring contests, she adamantly crossed her arms over her chest.
Shaking her head as she watched her wife's every mover, Callie rubbed her hands up and down against her face before standing from her seat. "Okay, okay," she spoke, stepping up to intervene. "Caleb, thank you so much for coming to us with this. . .information. That was very honorable of you, and we appreciate that very much," she began, her hands now resting on Arizona's shoulders. "Dr. Robbins and I have had a very long day," she tried to stall. "You and Sofia will be here for the rest of the week, though, and I promise you that we will have an answer for you by then. Won't we, honey. . ."
"Hm."
Realizing that it was probably best for him to take his leave, Caleb turned on his heel, his eyes lingering over the women he hoped would someday be his mothers-in-law before quickly making his way out of the room and up the stairs.
Once he was gone, Arizona bent forward at her waist, her hands resting on her knees, an exaggerated breath leaving her lungs. "I'm dying. Seriously, Calliope. This is what death feels like, and I'm on my way out. I can't take this. I'm seriously about ready to end it."
Chuckling softly at her wife's antics, Callie pulled her back up into standing, shaking her head at her wife's obvious distress. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Arizona," she contended, patting her wife on the ass before making her way back to the sofa. "I thought his little speech was sweet."
Quickly spinning around, Arizona's eyes went wide. "Sweet?" she incredulously spat. "You have got to be kidding me!"
In desperate need of more wine after the conversations she and her wife had just engaged in, Callie took a large gulp from her glass, but completely unable to stop herself from teasing her wife about the upheaval they now found themselves involved in, she set the glass aside with a smirk. "Yes, Arizona. I thought what he said was sweet. And honest, and very. . .Robbins-esque," she replied with a conspiratorial wink. "No wonder Sofia loves him, babe. He's the male version of you," she practically squealed before dissolving into a fit of giggles.
Throwing her hands up in the air in defeat, a frustrated growl left Arizona's lips as she tossed her body backward onto the sofa with a bounce. "Please, Callie. Please. Just shoot me now."
Innocently making his way into the living room, Sam grabbed the remote from the coffee table, his thumb immediately pressing the number combination for ESPN.
"Oh my God. What now?" Arizona dramatically questioned, azure eyes glaring at her son. "Do you have some earth shattering news you'd like to share with us as well? Some secret you've been hiding from us for the past six months?"
Dragging his attention from the Mariners versus Yankees baseball game now on the flat screen TV, he stared at his mother in confusion. "Who? Me?"
"Yes you, Samuel!" she snapped with a roll of her eyes.
Sam's brow furrowed, his mind completely boggled as he stared at his mother. "Umm. . .no?"
"You don't plan on switching from pre-med at UW and going off to study abroad?"
Sam shook his head, at a complete loss. "No?" he replied, now staring at his mother as if she'd sprouted another head.
"No surprise girlfriends or boyfriends, or wedding plans in the near future?"
"Of course not, mom," he stated with a befuddled shake of his head. "What the heck's the matter with you?"
Grabbing her son by the hand, Arizona gave it a quick tug, causing him to lose his balance and tumble onto her lap. Holding him just as she had when he was a little boy, lanky but strong arms and legs now seemingly everywhere, she hugged him as tightly to her body as she could. "Please, please, please don't ever leave," she begged as she rocked him back and forth. "And don't ever change because your freaking sisters are going to be the death of me."