Chapter 3: Avoidance and the Talk
Callie drove home right away. She doubted Arizona would have gone back there knowing that Callie would come after her, but she wanted to make sure. When Callie entered the apartment she was not surprised to find it empty. She looked around at the home they had built together. There were still wedding plans out on the table from before they stumbled into bed. Half drank glasses of wine sat next to them. Callie walked over and looked at the dresses they had picked out. Arizona's was strapless with a low cut back enough to show off her gorgeous body, but still be tasteful. Callie had chosen a dress that showed off her curves at Arizona's request and she just couldn't say no to that. Callie started to daydream about how beautiful Arizona would look in that dress coming down the aisle. Was that ever going to happen? Did she just lose her forever? She wouldn't survive if she did.
She couldn't bear to be in the apartment any longer. Everything screamed Arizona, especially since she had convinced Callie to paint and redecorate to make the place more "smiley." Callie put up a fight, but she loved that Arizona was making it their place. It meant they were permanent and building a life together. Callie decided to check the hospital next. She walked across the street and went straight to the peds ward. Alex came up to her surprised to see her.
"Hey Callie, you know its Arizona's day off right. I thought she would be with you."
"Well she was, but we got into an argument and I can't find her"
"She hasn't been around here all day. Sorry"
Callie decided to find Teddy figuring that Arizona would contact her best friend at a time like this. She found Teddy in the attending's lounge. When she walked in, Teddy gave her quite a scowl, which told her she had talked to Arizona recently.
"Teddy before you even start just let me tell you this isn't what it seems like."
"Well Callie when Arizona calls me hysterical telling me that the wedding is off cause you have been cheating on her with some whore, what am I supposed to think?"
"Ya that does sound pretty bad, but I am not cheating on her. I would never do that, I love her too much. My secretary grabbed me and kissed me right when Arizona walked in and I didn't have time to push her away. She made up some bullshit lie about us sleeping together, but I swear to you it is not true."
"Arizona thinks it is and she is ready to throw herself off a cliff because she says she doesn't know how to live without you. You need to fix this." Teddy said sternly. She liked Callie, she really did, but Arizona was her person. That means she would beat the crap out of anyone who hurt her.
"I know, but she won't even look at me or let me explain. Please tell me where she is so I can get her back."
"I don't know where she is Cal. You are gonna have to let her calm down and come to you."
"Thanks Teddy. If you talk to her will you tell her I love her and that I want nothing more than a chance to explain."
"Ya Cal I'll tell her and text you when I do."
Callie left the hospital not knowing where else to go. She would just have to wait for Arizona to be ready to talk. She thought about calling Arizona's mom, but that would be a low blow. She decided to go home instead. Arizona would have to come home eventually right? If she went to Teddy's Callie would know. Where else would she go?
It was 7 o clock already and Arizona had been in the park for hours. She looked down at her phone and saw Calliope flashing on the screen for about the 50th time. It went to voicemail and Callie left another one filling up her inbox. Then, it buzzed and she got a text.
Baby I know you hate me right now, but please just let me know you are okay. I am so worried about you and I know it is all my fault. Please come home to me. Please. I need to talk to you, to see you. I love you with all my heart. Please…
Her heart almost melted just looking at Callie pleading with her. She knew it wasn't a good idea but she decided to listen to a few voicemails as she walked back to her car.
"Arizona please answer your phone. Where are you? Please give me a chance to explain. I would never cheat on you. Lindsay was lying and I didn't kiss her back I promise. How could I ever want someone else when I have you…or had you. I'm just sitting here playing with the ring that should still be on your finger. I fired Lindsay right away. Please you have to believe me when I say that I love you with everything I am and I need to make this right. Life isn't worth living without you. Alright well please come home. I love you."
Callie had clearly been crying when she left the message. Naturally, Arizona wanted to comfort her. It was her job to make Callie feel better. Not today though. It wasn't her job anymore. Callie made her bed and she would have to sleep in it, probably with that slut of a secretary. Arizona drove to a hotel and checked in. She went straight to bed and started what was sure to be a tear filled and sleepless night. She hated to admit it but she couldn't sleep without Callie.
Callie called Arizona countless times. She sent at least 20 text messages telling her how much she loved her, asking her to come home, pleading with her to let Callie explain. No word. Finally she texted Teddy because now she just needed to be sure Arizona was safe.
"Hey Ted. You don't have to tell me anything, but can you at least let me know she is safe."
"Sorry Cal. I haven't heard from her since I first talked to her earlier."
Ugh she could be in a ditch somewhere and Callie would have no idea. Arizona should be at home safe in their bed with her arms wrapped around Callie. She didn't know what else to do so now she turned to tequila. Shot after shot Callie just kept going and crying hysterically. She sat on their bed and curled up on Arizona's side. She needed to smell her and be near her. This was the best it could get. She lay there drunk off her ass wearing Arizona's t-shirt and shorts clutching her pillow. After a few hours, she realized Arizona was not coming home. She tried to sleep, but sleep would not come. She couldn't sleep so she just got more drunk hoping to pass out and forget all of this ever happened.
When Callie woke up the next morning she naturally reached for Arizona. She wasn't there and then it hit her. Arizona was gone and she was probably never coming back. She couldn't ignore the pounding headache and longer so she dragged herself out of bed for some water and aspirin. Then she crawled into bed and called in sick to work. She couldn't work today or be in the office where her life ended. Instead, she watched Disney movies. Gosh she hated them so much. Arizona used to make her watch these children's movies because she wanted to keep up with the latest kids stuff. The pixar movies were growing on her though and she didn't care what she watched as long as it was with Arizona. But this time, there was an empty hole in her heart because Arizona wasn't here. After two movies, she heard a key in the door. Her heart jumped up into her chest. Finally! Arizona was home and they could work this out. Arizona came into the bedroom looking like as much of a mess as Callie. She jumped when she saw Callie lying on the bed in a pile of tissues with puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks.
"Hey" Callie said weakly not knowing what else to say at a time like this.
"Hey, I thought you would be at work so I came to get some stuff."
"There was no way I could work right now. My whole life fell apart yesterday."
"Hah I know the feeling."
Callie got up from the bed and walked over to Arizona. She looked into her beautiful blue eyes and got lost. Arizona broke the gaze and walked over to the closet to pull out her suitcase.
"Arizona, what are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing. I'm getting enough stuff to live until I can move out."
"What! Arizona this is our home. You are not moving out. Please." Callie said as she came up behind Arizona.
Arizona turned around and looked Callie straight in the eyes. "No Callie this was our home. Now it is your place and I will no longer live here. This was our life, but now its you and its me. There is no us."
Callie's tears started to fall freely again. "Arizona please don't do this. Please can we work this out? I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
" I guess you should have thought about that before you threw it all away for a fling on the side. Have a great life with Lindsay."
With that said Arizona took her suitcase and moved towards the door. Callie grabbed her and pleaded "Don't go. Please just sit down and I will make us breakfast. We can talk. You can yell and scream, but please just don't go."
"I have nothing left to say to you. Its as over now as it was yesterday."
Callie refused to move and wouldn't give up. "Arizona, all I'm asking for is ten minutes. Please, just give me ten minutes and I will let you leave if you still want. After 4 years you at least owe me that."
"After 4 years I deserve not to be cheated on!" Arizona spat back. She hadn't moved so Callie took that as a good sign. Arizona slowly made her way over to the island stools.
"Okay Callie, you have 5 minutes."
"Where to begin. I just wanna know how I can make this up to you. I know it looked bad and I know it seems like you have no reason to believe me, but I promise I did not sleep with her." Callie said hoping Arizona would really take it in.
"How am I supposed to believe that? The evidence says otherwise."
"You should believe me over some lying bitch that I wouldn't ever want anyone else. Don't you remember I reported her to HR last week? Why would I do that if I was sleeping with her?" Callied replied sadly.
Arizona had to admit that Callie had a point. Maybe this was all a misunderstanding? It didn't hurt any less though. "I want to believe you, I want to believe you so bad it hurts. But then I wonder. Am I that girl who is so naïve and just runs back into the arms of a cheater letting them sweet talk their way out with lies? Callie, I have seen so many girls who are just blinded by love that they can't see what is right in front of them."
"This is not one of those times. We are not those couples." Callie said as she reached for Arizona. This time Arizona didn't pull away and let Callie hug her. She cried into Callie's shoulder.
"I still don't know. I love you, I do. I love you so much that I don't know if I'm being blinded by that. I need time. You are going to have to give me time to process all this." She pulled away from Callie, gave her a tearful gaze and left the apartment. Callie crumbled to the floor and continued to cry. Maybe it really was over?
