AN: I know, I know. I haven't updated in forever. Sorry about that, but this chapter didn't want to get written. Thank you for the reviews, they're much appreciated! I take what you guys have to say seriously. To the guest reviewers who commented on my previous AN: I agree that cheating is not justifiable under any circumstances and the way I wrote my comment came out completely wrong. However, I've tweaked it to hopefully avoid further confusion.
Much gratitude to MaybeIShouldGetACat for putting up with my incessant whining about this chapter at odd hours of the day.
Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing from Grey's, I don't own anything.
Alright, picking up right where we left off. Enjoy!
Callie glared at the ceiling as Arizona exited the room they used to share. She grunted quietly as the pain in her ankle intensified and radiated up to her calf but she couldn't help noticing that despite the ache, she was actually pretty comfortable on the bed. Arizona had propped her leg up just right… The brunette quickly switched her train of thought; she didn't want to think about Arizona.
Instead, she let her eyes wander to the picture frame on the nightstand. It was a collage of pictures, most of which were of Sofia. In one, she and Sofia had taken a trip to the park and Callie had snapped a photo of her on the swing. Sofia was smiling mid-air, her eyes closed tight in glee. It was the first time she was on the swing by herself and she had loved it, giggling and screeching as the swing went higher and higher.
There was another of Sofia cradled in Mark's arms. She had on her "I heart my mommies" onesie and Mark was pressing a kiss into the downy soft hair on her head. As she studied the picture, she couldn't help but see Mark in her little girl's features. She missed him every single day and it hurt to remember that they would never see him again. As tears threatened, she squeezed her eyes shut before zeroing in on the next photo.
Callie loved all of Arizona's photos with Sofia but this one was probably her favorite. The blonde was seated in a rocking chair in their daughter's nursery, Sofia resting against her chest as she cooed to her. They were always so at peace around each other. She smiled as she remembered snapping the picture when Arizona wasn't looking. She was so wrapped up in her baby that nothing else mattered.
Her eyes wandered to the last photo in the collage and her smile faltered. It was one of the last pictures they had taken together, the day after Arizona told her they were pregnant. Callie had cooked dinner and then they cuddled on the couch, just enjoying the feel of each other.
Callie rinsed their plates and then set them in the sink, drying her hands on a dish towel before making her way back into the living room. Seeing the goofy grin on her wife's face, she fell back onto the couch and pulled Arizona into her arms.
"I'm so excited!" Arizona chirped as she allowed her body to settle against Callie's. "We're having another baby, can you believe it?"
"I-"
Arizona quickly, albeit unintentionally, cut her off. "Just imagine: ten tiny fingers and toes. And that baby smell!"
"Sofia smelled like heaven. Well when her diaper was clean. Is it weird that I used to sniff her?"
Arizona chuckled and turned her head slightly so that she could look up at Callie. "I used to sniff her all the time." At Callie's amused expression, she quickly continued. "She smelled so good, I couldn't help it! Whenever I held her I would hold one of her hands or feet to my nose and just...inhale. I can't wait to be able to do that again."
Before the brunette could respond, Arizona leaned forward and grabbed her phone from the coffee table. Holding it up, the screen flared to life as the camera's focus centered on them.
"I want to remember this moment." Callie leaned in close and smiled as Arizona snapped the picture before quickly returning her phone to its place on the coffee table.
As Arizona turned in her arms, Callie held her tighter and sighed, content. "I can't wait to be able to do that again either."
They relaxed and listened as raindrops pounded out a soothing pattern against the windows. After a few moments, Arizona tilted her head up and Callie, being completely in tune with her, leaned down and lightly brushed her lips against her wife's before breaking contact. The corners of Arizona's mouth turned up into a gentle smile as she leaned back in, pressing their lips together firmly. Callie's lips parted of their own accord and she sighed into Arizona's mouth as their tongues met. With Arizona cupping her cheek, the brunette threaded her fingers into Arizona's hair and held them tighter together, deepening their kiss. She felt her body respond as Arizona sucked her full bottom lip into her mouth and bit down. Callie hissed as they pressed their bodies together, the rise and fall of her chest meeting Arizona's breath for breath. As she settled between her legs, Callie's hand traveled down Arizona's back, resting firmly on the curve of her butt. After what felt simultaneously like eternity and the blink of an eye, Callie pulled back, inhaled, and gazed lovingly into her wife's eyes.
"I love you, Calliope Torres." Arizona whispered as Callie eagerly captured her lips again.
Callie could hear her words as clearly as if Arizona had just uttered them.
Her brows furrowed and the ache in her ankle intensified as she recalled everything that happened after that. Flicking her eyes back up to the ceiling, she shut the door on that emotional rollercoaster and it was only then that she realized she needed to use the bathroom.
Bracing her arms against the mattress, the brunette pushed herself up into a sitting position and cringed when the movement tweaked her already protesting leg. She slowly swung her right leg over the edge and then her left, biting her lip in pain as her ankle held her weight while she reached for her crutches. Callie stood and maneuvered her crutches into position before finally lifting her foot off the ground. Taking a moment to compose herself, she clenched her groin muscles and began her trek to the bathroom.
Halfway there, and in her haste to make it in time, she overreached with her crutches and lost her footing. She hobbled and managed to catch herself but knocked her ankle and let out a yelp. Callie muffled a cry as pain shot up her leg and Arizona rushed through the door.
"What happened? Are you alright?" the blonde inquired, her face etched with a mix of worry and exhaustion.
"Do I look alright?" Callie snapped back.
Arizona swallowed before continuing. "Do you need something?"
"I need you to stop playing twenty questions and move out of the way, you're blocking the bathroom."
Callie stared at Arizona stonily as she waited for her to move, her jaw clenched in an effort to control her bladder. Once Arizona stepped from in front of the door, she continued into the bathroom but paused near the toilet.
"It helps if you lean them against the sink and use the bar to turn around and get situated." Arizona supplied, her voice sounding closer than a moment before.
Callie glared at the wall as her nostrils flared but the incessant pressure in her abdomen made her take the blonde's advice. Setting her crutches aside and using the sink as leverage, she made slow work of turning around and came face to face with Arizona, who guided her hand to the safety bar and then proceeded to pull her pants down.
"What the- Don't touch me!"
Taking a step back, Arizona regarded Callie with a small, sad smile.
"I'm sorry that this happened to you Callie."
"Yeah well karma's a bitch."
Callie watched as Arizona's smile vanished and her overwhelming exhaustion shown through. The flash of an emotion presented itself to her but she couldn't bring herself to care enough to examine what it was. The bathroom was crowded, too crowded for her liking and all she wanted was for Arizona to leave her alone. Hating the fact that they still seemed to be in tune, the brunette watched triumphantly as Arizona turned and left the bathroom, leaving her in peace to do her business. Callie knew Arizona wasn't far: she could hear her breathing on the other side of the door. But she was grateful for a moment to herself, however brief it might be.
Once her hands were washed, Callie grabber her crutches and left the bathroom. Just as she suspected, Arizona was right outside, waiting to help her get back in bed. Callie screamed mentally at the path life had decided to drag her down but let Arizona reposition her leg on the pillows. She willed her body to relax into the duvet as Arizona leaned forward and switched off her bedside lamp.
"I didn't ask you to turn out the light."
Even though she couldn't see her, Callie knew how Arizona would look. Body tensed. Jaw clenched. Movements somewhat rigid. Eyes pools of ice. But she couldn't care less. As the room lit up once again, Callie watched Arizona head for the door. Before she could cross the threshold, Callie's voice rang out.
"Arizona, bring Sofia here?"
"Yes, ma'am." Arizona grit her teeth and left the room, returning a few minutes later with a sound asleep Sofia in her arms. She tucked their daughter in next to Callie before straightening and continuing. "Is there anything else you need?"
"No." She stroked Sofia's hair and then looked up, their eyes locking. They stared at each other, Arizona's gaze void of all inflection, Callie's intense and filled with emotion. With a sneer, she answered again. "Actually, yes." Cocking her head to the side a bit, her voice was eerily calm as she asked, "Did you enjoy it?"
"No, I didn't."
"Don't give me that bull, Arizona, you enjoyed it. Didn't you."
Sofia began to fidget as waves off tension radiated off of Callie. Arizona perched on the edge of the bed and stroked her hair, willing her back to sleep. When she was sure their daughter was comfortable again, she reestablished eye contact with Callie. With a heavy sigh, she chose to allow herself to be completely vulnerable.
"She thought I was beautiful in spite of my-"
"Get out."
"Its no excuse but-"
"Get out. NOW."
"Callie you asked-"
"Arizona, get the hell out of here."
Resigned to her fate, Arizona sighed heavily, got up from the bed, and flicked off the light. Without glancing back, she strode from the room and shut the door.
AN: I know, a little shorter than last time but I didn't want you all to have to wait any longer. Thoughts? Predictions? Lets hear it. – E.
