Disclaimer: This is AU. I do not own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy. I just manipulate them to my will. Also, any line or phrase or setting that seems remotely familiar from any other show, movie or book, also not mine. I borrow…
AN: It's back! Yep. Your favorite cowgirl is back. Strap on them seatbelts :-p As always, I don't have a real defined direction I'm taking this fic except to just explore the rest of Arizona and Callie's lives together. I can't promise daily updates, but I will do my best to keep you all satisfied with regular cowgirl goodness. So, without further ado… Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Callie's POV:
I wake with a start. It takes me a moment to realize just where I am. Despite our drawn curtains, the bright Seattle sun makes itself known by searing the outer layer of my corneas. And somewhere between me crawling in bed next to my sleeping wife and now I've managed to cross more than half the mattress to end up on Arizona's side. Only there's no Arizona anymore and instead I find my arms clutching her coconut vanilla shampoo scented pillow.
I stretch high above my head then curl back up into my warm cocoon, more than content to spend another couple hours in my coconut-vanillay heaven. But then the sound of pots and pans clanging about comes from downstairs, and I remember that sleeping in isn't an option today. It's a battle to extricate myself from bed, but I finally manage it. And so the day begins.
Once downstairs, I trudge through the empty living room, which is currently the cleanest it's been in a long time, and find the kitchen. And, as expected, I find a blonde busy behind the stovetop as the sound of bacon frying away crackles through the air.
She peeks over her shoulder at the sound of a floorboard creaking beneath my feet, and those blue eyes shine.
"Morning, darling."
"Morning, Momma B," I reply haggardly. My voice is still thick from sleep, and I'm sure I look twice as rough as I feel.
"Didn't hear you come in last night." Barbara pours me a cup of fresh coffee, with added cream and sugar to counteract the strength of her brew, and slides it across the kitchen island for me.
"You mean this morning?" I chuckle. "I'm sorry I missed dinner, but work was… ugh- rough. And my patient kept trying to die on me. It was so annoying. But I'm glad I didn't wake you, Barbara."
"Oh, hon," She says. "I slept next to a human buzzsaw for over 30 years. It'd take a stick of dynamite going off and Wyle E. Coyote racing down the center of my bed to even faze me. Must be where that youngin of yours gets it from. I swear that girl could sleep through a tornado."
"Pretty much." I take a sip of coffee and a small moan of pleasure slips from my lips. "Ahhh, sweet necter of the gods." I groan, making Barbara chuckle. "You should probably but another pot on because I'm going to need a mainline of this stuff to stay awake today. …Speaking of, where is-"
"Your girls are out back," Barbara says with a wink.
I thank her and leave my coffee to cool a bit while I step into some shoes and grab a jacket before going outside. It's late May and spring time in Seattle is a beautiful season; cool and crisp in the morning then warming slightly mid day before the night comes, bringing the need for cozy blankets and cuddling buddies. So my trek across dewy grass is invigorating. I can almost feel the stale hospital air leaving my system and being replaced with pure sunshine.
It's a good long walk before I finally find my family, and when I do I just have to smile. What I see when I arrive is my gorgeous wife, reigns in hand, leading our bright, brilliant and vivacious four year old around the riding ring atop her steed.
Four years old. It seems like just the other day that Ali was turning one, with her party and all our family and friends visiting. Time as flown by. Happily. Sure, there have been a few rough patches, a few heated fights. Disagreements. Nights either Arizona or myself spent on the couch. But that's marriage. That's what making a life together means. Because, through it all, there's no one else in the world I'd rather be fighting with, and making up with. Just… with. She's perfect.
And our daughter? Just like her Momma. Perfect. Four years old and starting Kindergarten in the fall. A little early, I know. But she's been tested, and she's ready. And of course Arizona tells me it's all because of the awesome person who watched Ali while someone (me) was out earning the dough. But I can't really fight her on that because she's right. When I think back to before Ali, before my pregnancy, even before we were married, to all the times Arizona said she wasn't cut out to be a mom… I laugh. Because she's amazing at it. When she and Ali are together… nothing else matters. Our daughter may not have Arizona's blood pumping through her veins but that girl is 100% Robbins through and through. And I couldn't be happier about it because now I have two cowgirls that I love with all my heart instead of one.
"Hi Mommy!" Ali exclaims when she sees me leaning against the riding pens rails content to just watch the riding lesson that's going on. She's even decked out in all her cowgirl gear; boots, little plaid shirt under a camo vest just like the one my wife is wearing, and her helmet (which was the one thing I demanded when it came to the 'Ali learning to ride' compromise that began about a year ago. And continued into many conversations. …Many, many conversations).
"Morning mija!" I shout back.
"Don't forget about Ariel." She says.
"Good morning, Ariel." I add. And I have a feeling the whinny Ali's very male horse isn't a good morning in return. Yeah, that's right. But just try talking a three year old out of naming her new pony after her favorite Disney princess. Boy or girl, it was going to be Ariel.
Arizona guides palomino colored animal and it's rider around the pen once more then hands the reigns back to Ali. "Alright, squirt. Let's see ya take him for a spin solo." But the horse doesn't even notice the difference in handlers, and he continues on his slow, easy walk around the same path he has walked for a year.
And while our daughter rides, Arizona comes to stand next to me at the rails. "Hey, babe," she purrs. Our lips meet from opposite sides of the fence and I can still taste the spearmint tooth paste on her breath. "We missed you last night."
"I know. I'm sorry," I sigh.
She brushes a lock of hair back behind my ear that has escaped my messy bun then cups my cheek with her warm hand. I melt into her touch. It's like being back in bed again.
"You should get some more sleep, Calliope." Arizona whispers.
"No, really- I'll be fine, cowgirl. Besides, it's your big day! And we have guests. It wouldn't be polite if I were to sleep the whole time they're here."
"Guests?" Arizona plays. "My mother and your uncle aren't guests. They're family. Family doesn't count as guests. Family is…"
"Family?" I offer.
"Exactly." Arizona smiles. She glances back at our daughter and says, "You're doing great, Squirt. Now why don't you turn him around and go the other way."
We watch as our four year old pulls at the reigns of a beast about 20 times her size and turns him about. The smallest little kick of the heel of her boots and Ariel continues his leisurely morning stroll, now in a counter clockwise fashion.
Five minutes later Barbara sticks her head out the back door and gives a sharp whistle. Even from a hundred yards off Arizona and I hear it, and we know that breakfast is almost ready. My stomach growls in anticipation and I just know how hungry riding makes my two cowgirls so I hope that Barbara has made the works.
We aren't let down either, and within ten minutes all hands are washed and the kitchen table is set. Pancakes and eggs and bacon and sausages… It's all delicious. Arizona and Ali hungrily pour on rivers of syrup over their pancakes, and it's only a matter of minutes until our daughter becomes one big sticky mess.
In the years since Ali's one year birthday, Barbara and Jose' have continued on with their relationship. Arizona has grown… indifferent about it. She no longer sees my uncle as a snake that has slithered into her mother's life, and instead she chooses to focus on just how happy Jose' has made Barbara. They aren't married, and probably never will be if Barbara's word is a firm as ever. Momma B says she's done the marriage thing, and it was a very happy one, and as far as Jose' is concerned, he's just delighted to have someone to share a life with. Though that doesn't mean he hasn't stopped trying to get Barbara to change her mind.
But the hardest part about it all was the day Ali first called Jose' 'Grandpa'. It happened during a breakfast much like this one and everyone went quiet. Just the look on Arizona's face when she heard her daughter say that made my heart break. Because Ali will never know her real Grandpa, Arizona will never see her daughter sit on her father's lap. And even though it's been years since he's passed, Arizona misses him dearly. Her brother, too. With each passing day that Ali grows bigger, brighter, more energetic… is another day she'll never get to meet the two men who have meant the most to her Momma. And it hurts even more knowing there is nothing I can do to make it better.
But none of that heaviness weighs down this breakfast, and before long the pancakes have been murdered and the eggs have been inhaled. Ali happily recounts her morning out with Ariel, telling Jose for about the tenth time this trip that her pony is her best friend. And she doesn't understand why she can't bring him inside the house. After all, dogs and cats get to live inside. Why can't her pony do the same?
"Alright, kiddo," Arizona sighs. "Time to get cleaned up. Thank Grandma for breakfast."
"Thanks Grandma," The girl sings, hugging Barbara as tight as she can.
"You're welcome, my angel," Barbara replies. "Now go get that Ariel smell off you. You smell just like your Momma."
"Thanks," Arizona growls, which makes both Barbara and Ali giggle. "Come on, Squirt. Let's get you in that bath."
I try to help Barbara and Jose clean up but Momma B just shoos me off. That woman has a thing about cleaning. Hence the spotless living room? I swear, whenever she visits Arizona and myself, our home gets the deepest clean ever. And yet every time she visits we tell her not to. It's her vacation, she's our guest. But every time she does it anyways… even though I've started hiding the cleaning supplies.
When I get upstairs and to our bedroom I find Arizona just peeling off the last syrup-fied piece of clothing from our daughter.
"Need any help in here?" I ask from the doorway to the bathroom.
"I don't know how she does it," Arizona says. "There is syrup everywhere. Everywhere!" Her fingers find the ticklish area under Ali's arms and a shrill squeal of delight bounces around the tiled room.
We get her in the bath and, of course, this is yet another play time for Ali. Time is ticking and suddenly our lazy morning has turned into crunch time. So while I scrub the syrup and horse stink from our little girl Arizona strips and takes her turn in the shower, and when she's done we tag out and switch places. By the time it's all finished our bathroom closer resembles a steam room than anything else.
Another two hours of drying, and combing, and drying some more, and getting a less than cooperative four year old in her dress, everyone is ready and accounted for. Momma B and Jose are wearing their Sunday best while I myself am in a black and crème colored dress that I know Arizona just loves on me. And the woman of the hour looks ravishing in her own little blue getup.
When we're on the road, I slide my hand over to the passenger's side and take Arizona's hand. "You nervous?" I ask.
"Ummm… no," Arizona replies, her fingers automatically using my hand as something to fidget with. "More anxious, I guess."
"You've done all the hard work, cowgirl." I tell her. "Now all you have to do is sit back and relax. …And try not to fall on your face."
"Gee, thanks for the advice," Arizona grumbles.
We arrive at the amphitheater, along with about a thousand people, and join the crowds flowing into the open aired park. Everywhere cameras are flashing and 'congratulations' are being said. White robes are donned and the atmosphere heightens with each passing minute.
"Why did they have to be white?" Arizona growls. "I look like a giant marshmallow." She holds out her arms and long white sleeves hang down like wings. …Which she decides to flap, in turn making our daughter giggle. Barbara just rolls her eyes. 37 years old and her daughter still acts like a four year old.
A voice comes over on the loud speaker, calling all graduates to their starting positions. And so I give my wife one last once over, and then I pull her in for a kiss. "I'm so proud of you, cowgirl." I whisper against her lips. It's been a long three, three and a half years. There were weeks where Arizona and I only saw each other in passing because of her responsibilities with school and her company, and my hours at the hospital. But we made it work. And now I get to watch Arizona achieve one of her biggest dreams; walking across a stage and receiving her diploma.
But, of course, we have to sit through about an hour of talking before anything else. And with an antsy, and sugar high, four year old it is difficult. Even I find my attention wandering more than once. And finally, after one last round of applause, the time comes. The first name is read. White robe after white robe crosses the erected platform and accept their diploma. Even from a distance I can make out my blonde, and as she nears her own name reading blue eyes turn to me. I wave, and she waves back as the line inches forward.
Three people away.
Two people away.
One person away.
Then, "Arizona Robbins."
And I watch as my cowgirl strides confidently across the stage in her marshmallow costume and accepts her degree. Even though we're not supposed to cheer for each individual, Barbara and I make sure to embarrass the blonde. I don't need to be standing next to Arizona to know her cheeks are bright red because of it. The affair lasts all of ten seconds, and before we know it 'Michael Rueger' is crossing the stage as well.
The ceremony wraps after all the Bachelor graduates have had their name read and have walked. Over all it lasts about three hours, and by the time we see Arizona again Ali has had about enough of sitting still and being quiet.
"Oh, honey!" Barbara cries as she wraps her daughter in a tight hug, nearly knocking her white mortarboard from the blonde's head. "I'm so proud of you. I always knew you'd do it."
"Thanks Momma," Arizona smiles. She's the first one in her family to have gone to college and graduated. Tim was taking courses during his time in the Marines but… he never got the chance to finish them.
"Alright, picture time. Now, how about a family shot, huh? You three girls." Barbara takes over the camera that Jose' had used to catch some action shots while Arizona lifts our growing girl up to her hip. And Ali decides her Momma's hat would look better on herself rather than Arizona.
Later that night, after Ali has been tucked in nice and tight and Barbara and Jose' have retired to their own rooms, it's just Arizona and I left downstairs. Some movie rerun is playing low on the TV, but what it is I couldn't say. The soft lub-dubbing of Arizona's heart beating fills my mind as we lay out across the couch, my head pillowed by her chest. Her fingers graze up and down my back, leaving patterns of goosebumps in their wake.
"Callie?" She whispers. It's more the vibration from her chest than her actual voice that stirs me from my half sleep.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you," Arizona says.
"For what?"
"For… being so awesome," she says. I reposition my head to where I can look up at her and our eyes meet. "I wouldn't have been able to do it without you."
"Yes, you would have," I reply. "Once you set your mind to something, Arizona, you don't quit. You're kinda stubborn that way."
"Oh so I'm the stubborn one, huh?"
"Yep," I sigh. "It's one of the many things I love about you. Along with being hot, speaking Italian, and that you don't drink straight from the milk carton. …most of the time."
Arizona chuckles softly. "So that's it, huh? That's what sealed the deal for you. My ability to ninja sneak into the fridge."
"Mostly," I reply. "I mean, there's other stuff too. You know, being brilliant, hilarious, a fantastic lover…"
"Ahhh, those small, insignificant qualities."
"Exactly," I purr before kissing pink lips softly. "You know, I had the weirdest dream this morning."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. You were in it, so was Tim." That catches Arizona by surprise and her brow furrows in the cute little way it does when she's trying to concentrate. "And I was- get this- married to Max."
It takes her a moment for her to place the name. "Max? …Max?! As in Miami douchebag Max?"
"The one and only."
"Wow… what the hell did you eat yesterday to get that craziness going on in your head?"
"That's not all, though. I was, uhh, Cardio, I think. And I had two kids. And then you showed up one day, all knight in shining armor like, and… well, you can guess."
"I swept the damsel in distress right off her feet?" Arizona teases.
"Something like that. I even dreamt you leapt off the second story balcony and into a pool just trying to get away from him. It was very brave of you. Very James Bond like… Then you went all Rambo on his ass and got arrested for it. When my dad bailed you out you called him an asshole." By now my wife is dying and I have to shush her to not wake the rest of the house up. "But it ended alright, I guess."
"And how's that?"
"We were together. We had our family. And we were happy."
Her laughter fades and a smile slowly crosses her lips. "Then that's all that matters," she whispers, then kisses the crown of my forehead.
We settle back in, trying once again to actually watch whatever movie is playing, but I can barely keep my eyes open. It's been a hellish week, and I'm exhausted. And being cuddled up with Arizona in the safety of our home is like being wrapped up in the most comfortable bed in the world. I don't last long, but as I fade out I hear the gentle roar of Arizona's lungs and those protective arms hold me close. And what's best? It's not a dream. This is my life. And I couldn't be more lucky.
AN2: Ok peeps! You've been asking for it since CGAH3 ended. I'm counting on you guys to help me with ideas as to the trouble these two ladies and their family gets in to. I've got a couple that I'll be working into the mix, but please feel free to shoot me a PM, or get at me over on Tumblr. This fic is for all of you, so the more you give me the more you get back! Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading all of your lovely comments.