AN: So, I'm not so good at balancing two stories…and, unfortunately, I'm particularly excited about my other story, right now…which means, updates will probably be slow (like pretty much every story I write). Anyway, sorry about that, but priorities and all. Hope you enjoy this chapter, it's just fluffy. Have an awesome day.
When we get to my car, Arizona turns to me and holds out her hand. "I'm going to drive."
"Um, what? Why?" I'm very confused as to why she thinks she can just demand to drive my car. We switch off on whose car we take for this reason. We don't drive each other's babies.
"I want to show you something, but I want it to be a surprise, so I have to drive. Please?" She bats her eyelashes and sticks out her bottom lip, just like she knows I can't resist.
Without warning, I swoop forward and capture that lip between mine, and bite down a little, then sooth it with my tongue, "I hate when you do that." But, I hand her the keys and move to the passenger side.
"I know." With a wink, she slips behind the wheel of my Thunderbird and starts the engine.
"So, where are we going?" I try after several minutes of comfortable silence.
"What part of surprise don't you understand?" Arizona quips, accelerating as she finally makes it outside the city and hits an open country road.
"The part where you're driving my car and won't tell me why." I answer easily, admiring the crystal clear countryside we're currently drifting into.
I can feel Arizona roll her eyes as she reaches for the radio dial, "We need some music."
"Excellent deflection. You're lucky I love you, or you'd definitely be losing a hand for touching my radio right now."
"I tell myself I'm lucky you love me everyday." She sends me a slightly over-the-top sweet smile.
Despite knowing that she's just trying to distract me and butter me up, I feel myself melt like hot ice cream. "Ok, ok, smooth talker, I got it. Just drive so we can get wherever you're taking me."
Arizona giggles, then squeals as she stops adjusting the tuner, "Yes! Perfect!"
I cock my head, attempting to place the song she's so excited about. When I recognize the ridiculous lyrics and cheesy beat, I start shaking my head, "Uh huh, hell no. My baby's speakers will not be tainted with this crap." My hand shoots out to change the station, but Arizona's hand gets there first and slaps my hand away.
"I'm driving, so I get to choose the music."
"But, it's my car!" I whine. "How is there even a station that will play this? It's old, and it was bad when it was new!" I start to gesture wildly to illustrate my distress.
"Oh, stop being such a grumpy puss and sing with me…You know you secretly like it…" Her voice carries a taunting lilt that just amps up my annoyance.
Before she can start, I interrupt, "Uh, no. I am not singing Ashlee Simpson with you…It's not even the good Simpson."
"Is there a good Simpson?" Arizona asks with a doubtful raised eyebrow.
"Good point…There's a hotter Simpson." I point out, just to irritate my fiancée.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that. Now, sing!" Much to my dismay, she spins up the volume, causing my expensive speakers to vibrate harshly with the superficial, but damningly catchy tune. Then, my darling wife-to-be begins to sing at the top of her lungs, "You can meet me on an aeroplane, or the back of the bus. You can throw me like a boom-a-rang, I'll come back and beat you up. Oh-" She pauses to flash me a warning look, "Calliope…"
I clench my jaw, but resign to my fate. With a deep sigh, I belt out with Arizona, "You make me wanna la-la, in the kitchen on the floor. I'll be your French maid, when I meet you at the door. I'm like an alley cat, drink the milk up, I want more. You make me wanna, you make me wanna scream." With a little less of a grudge, I look to my left, watching as Arizona happily bops along to the song, causing me to internally admit that the song somehow fit the moment. Unable to resist the sight of the beautiful blonde completely enjoying herself, I let a wide grin take up my face, and continue to sing, "I feel safe with you, I can be myself tonight. It's alright with you cause you hold my secrets tight. You do, you do. You make me wanna la-la…"
When the song fades out, leaving us both laughing hysterically, Arizona gasps, "And, that, Calliope, is why I'm marrying you."
My brows furrow, having not expected that comment, "Because I sing with you?"
Her dimples pop and her curls bounce as she shakes her head, "No, because you'll do pretty much anything to make me happy."
My stomach flutters as I smile like an idiot. Rolling my eyes, I place a loud, sloppy kiss on her cheek, "Damn, you are laying it on thick. Are you bringing me out here to kill me or something?"
"Nope, not today."
With a light scoff, I lean back in my seat, "And, yes, I would do anything to make you happy."
"Thank you for that." Her voice is soft as she intertwines her fingers with mine.
"It's my pleasure."
We sit and sing with the radio or just enjoy each others company for another thirty-five minutes before she starts to slow the car. I sit a little straighter in my seat and glance around, searching for some clue to where we are as she turns right onto a dirt road. There isn't really anything around except some trees and a wide meadow. "Uh, babe, seriously, where are we going?"
"Patience." Arizona sweetly chastises.
Turns out, I didn't have to wait long. About hundred yards down the road, it opens up into a small clearing with one building nestled directly in the middle. It seems to have two stories and intricate architecture. It obviously hasn't been used in a while, but former beauty shines through. Arizona brought the car to a smooth halt and slid out. Silently following her, I step up and gaze with her at the dusty structure. "So, I waited nicely until we got all the way here…what's going on?"
Instead of answering directly, Arizona shifts over to stand behind me and wraps her arms securely around my waist. When her chin rests softly on my shoulder, she starts talking quietly, "Imagine lots of flowers, maybe some twinkly lights, an awesome band either in the front room or around back in the meadow, lots of chairs and silky material all around…"
Grinning broadly, I lean back into her, "Are you talking about getting married here?"
"If you like it, I am. This used to be a firehouse, but it was closed down twenty or thirty years ago. I think that with some repairs and a very deep cleaning, it could be perfect for our wedding. There's tons of space, it's simple, but could be elegant, it could be indoors or outdoors, it's totally appropriate that it used to be a fire station…I really like it, but if you don't I'll happily keep looking." I don't say anything for a few minutes, prompting her to add, "You don't have to decide now or anything, I just wanted to throw it into the ring." She punctuates her statement with a kiss to the crook of my neck.
I rub my hands up and down the length of her arms as I take in the possible site of my wedding. It really does seem wonderful. It's unique, but not ridiculous. It's classy, but not pretentious. Big, but not huge. Unlimited potential. And, I love the open, country setting. Nodding and grinning, I finally speak, "Well, first off, the location of our wedding means much less to me than marrying you part." This earns me another kiss on my neck, "And, secondly, I think this place is great. Our wedding could be fantastic here."
"Yeah?"
I spin to face Arizona and loop my arms around her neck. "Yeah." Without hesitation, I place my lips on her sparkling grin. Our mouths move slow and sure against the other, unhurried in our attempt to convey love to each other. When we naturally break, I look back to the building, "So, how did you find this place?"
"I told the Captain that I would like a cool old firehouse as an alternative to a church or over-used venue. He said he remembered that there used to be a station out this way and said that I should check into it. So, I did." She grips my hand and motions toward the door, "You wanna see inside?"
"Absolutely!" I practically drag her up the steps and dance as I wait for her to open the splintering door. "Wait, how'd you get the key?"
Arizona twists the knob and gestures for me to enter, "I called around and found the man in charge. Impressed?"
With a distracted nod, I scan the neglected interior, "Yes, I am. This is great." The ceilings are high, the light is surprisingly good, the moldings and staircase were original and gorgeous. And, I can not explain how it smells exactly like our station. I love that. After a quick look around, Arizona grabs my hand and leads me toward the back.
"Last thing you need to see…" With a slightly labored push, she swings open the large door that leads out to the meadow. My breath catches as I absorb the scene. Mountains in the background, wildflowers, green grass, a light breeze, clear skies, and a few large trees make up an amazing view.
"So, I may never leave here…I hope you can accept that." I say breathily, grasping her hand.
"I am so good with that."
"Awesome." Seeing a clearing off to my right, I lead Arizona over and immediately lay down on my back in the plush grass. "Come on, lay with me."
Without hesitation, Arizona shoots me a dimpled grin, rolls her eyes, and stretches out next to me. As we gaze into the pale sky, Arizona breaks the calm quiet, "That one looks like a vagina."
With a snort, I follow her line of sight to a fluffy, white cloud, "One, we're not cloud watching. And, two…yes, it does."
Arizona giggles, "Well, I'm cloud watching. So, what do you plan on doing while I do that?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her smirk. So, I turn over and start kissing her smooth neck. My hand slips just under her shirt, and I scoot closer, "I'm just going to be minding my own business, right here. Carry on with your vagina clouds."
A soft moan whispers from her lips as I nibble on her collarbone, "There's also boob and ass clouds…"
AN: Hope that was worth the wait. Also, the song is "La-La" by Ashlee Simpson. I found an old mix CD I made a long time ago and that was on it…it hasn't left my head since…
