So I caught up with the courtroom episode today and felt like this needed to be a fic. I don't know if it's been done, as I've been avoiding the GA section of like crazy in a bid to not see any spoilers, but this will be a multi-chapter fic (ignoring whatever happens on Thursday because I already have it planned!) :)

/

Arizona loved the early morning cup of coffee and the peace it brought with it. Daluca was at the hospital and had made a pot of coffee, so minimal effort was involved. All she had to do was get back into bed with her sleeping princess and enjoy the moment.

It was the first morning in weeks that she hadn't felt exhausted due to worry and stress. It had started long before the custody trial, before Callie had announced her plans to move to New York with Penny. When she found out Penny had met Sofia, Arizona had begun to worry.

What if Sofia prefers spending time with Callie? What if she chose Callie? What if she moved with Callie and forgot about her? Considered Penny to be her new Mommy?

Arizona had always had a habit of thinking the worst. Usually she could squash the thoughts by concentrating on work or smoking and stress-eating doughnuts; neither was a long term solution for the stress she had been feeling. Instead she accepted the sleepless nights, went out with Webber, took on every emergency she could find and cherished every second with her daughter. Just like she was doing now.

She couldn't quite believe the result yesterday in court. She wasn't convinced it would go that way, not after Sofia had claimed to hate her. Not after she had prevented the premature birth of a tiny human who could have otherwise had a very painful few weeks. But the judge ruled in her favour, and now she was sat in bed, drinking coffee and stroking her little girl's hair. Arizona couldn't help but cry.

She wasn't sure if it was relief or guilt. Yes, her princess was with her, but her princess didn't get to be with her Momma. And seeing Callie's face today, it had stung. Yes, they had divorced, but that didn't mean that Arizona didn't still love her ex-wife. Much the opposite.

Looking back, she knew she wasn't perfect in her marriage. She would never sit and try to deny her part in what had happened, however defensive she may have felt in the moment. But since her marriage, she had felt like she was building herself up to be a better person. All it took was a second to make that fall apart.

She had allowed Sofia to choose her favourite dinner, chicken parmigiana, another sting to Arizona. Callie had always made the most perfect chicken parm, and that was probably why Sofia loved it so much. Still, she tried her best, and Sofia cleaned her plate with smiles. Her daughter probably hadn't noticed the difference, but Arizona had hurt beyond the smile.

She hadn't had the discussion with Sofia yet. She didn't even know what was going on until the move. When was Callie wanting to see her? Her ex-wife had been so distraught that Arizona couldn't ask. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her that little bit more. She had made a promise to herself that she couldn't talk to Sofia about it until there was a plan. Maybe it would be best to have Callie talk to Sofia at the same time? It was new waters and she didn't quite know how to navigate it on her own.

She had spoken to her parents on Skype last night about it. Barbara and Daniel Robbins were two of the most level headed people she knew, regardless of the bias she had for them being her parents. She had allowed Sofia to speak to them, and cut off the call at her bedtime. Sofia didn't like sleeping without a story, and who was Arizona to deny her daughter that? Once she had fell asleep, Arizona tucked her in and crept back downstairs to speak to her parents again.

"So, how'd it go?" Concern was etched across both of her parent's faces. Arizona hadn't wanted to text something so big as the decision. To be honest, anything other than a face to face discussion felt a little bit anti-climactic in this situation.

"Well," Arizona started, "I now have full custody of my daughter."

Both Barbara and Daniel allowed a look of relief to take over their faces.

"I just… Can't believe it." Arizona paused. "I was painted in such a negative light. I had to LEAVE the hearing for an emergency surgery for God's sake!"

"And that just shows that you are a responsible person. You put a patient's needs before your own today." Barbara's calm voice was what Arizona needed to hear.

"I guess Mom, but it was a matter of life and death. Well, potential life and death. Either way I made an oath."

Her parents nodded. "We know," Daniel responded. "I don't think you know how proud we are of you, Arizona."

Arizona sniffled, trying her hardest to not cry in the moment. "I know. Thanks. I… I should go. I don't want to miss out on a second more with Sofia."

"Okay sweetie." Barbara said softly, "we'd like to come down and see her soon too if that's okay?"

Arizona nodded. "Of course. Send me the dates."

"We will, goodbye darling."

"Bye Mom, Dad." With that, Arizona closed her laptop, curled up on her sofa and sobbed.

She didn't know how long she had been there, not looking at the clock until she heard the door open. She left the living room to see Daluca, who seemed to know what all Arizona needed was a hug. He didn't comment on the makeup down her face or her crumpled clothes, just smiled and nodded as she left the embrace.

Arizona wouldn't let him know how much she appreciated it, but in the light of morning decided he would definitely need to know how hard she would kick his ass if he spoke about her crying at work.

Her train of thought was broken as Sofia stirred next to her, rolling over and mumbling something. She had always talked in her sleep; even when it kept her awake, Arizona had always found it endearing. It was a comfort to know her princess was there.

She wasn't going anywhere. Her daughter was right here.

"Hey, Mommy?"

"Yes sweetie?" Arizona trailed her fingers through her daughter's hair lazily.

"Can we go to the park today?"

Arizona smiled. "We can do anything you want, sweetheart."