"Its fine Calliope . You don't have to explain. I just want you to be happy even if it means seeing you walk away from me" Arizona said her voice breaking.
"Arizona" Callie interrupted her "I am not willing to lose another person that is important to me due to a misunderstanding that is why I ask you to let me talk for the next few minutes without interrupting please".
"I know I am not the easiest person to get along with. I'll be the first to admit I am not a people's person. I was not the most popular girl in high school or college and I didn't even fall in love until I came here and met George. I gave myself completely to George and we both know how that ended. I walked out of that relationship broken and a ghost of who I used to be" Callie continued.
"Then Erica came into my life. Both of us didn't make friends easily but somehow we clicked as friends. Erica helped get rid of the loneliness I had felt since George had left me but things became complicated when we became more than friends. I was confused and scared and we ended up hurting each other until she gave up on me and left". Arizona looked like she wanted to interrupt but decided against it.
"Once Erica left me, I once again felt the crushing weight of hopelessness and loneliness descend upon me. I kept on asking myself what it was about me that people could walk away so easily" Callie said in a small voice.
Callie took Arizona's hand in hers and continued "So I decided for the sake of my personal sanity to build the walls higher and not to invest my everything into a single person. And then you entered my life , you were different from anyone I had ever been with. You were positive , bright ,giving, open , honest and I could feel myself falling for you everyday I was with you"
"To be honest Arizona, that freaked me out like crazy because I didn't want to feel so vulnerable to anyone again. So I started pushing you away but you stayed with me throughout everything. You held me when my dad and the rest of the family refused to talk to me , you understood when I was acting snappy about my money situation , but I guess I was too caught up in my crap to really notice what you were thinking or feeling and maybe that's the reason I dismissed you so abruptly when we argued about George joining the army".
"But this week has changed my perspective on everything. George , Izzie and then you almost dying scared me to death. The thought of losing you made me realize how much you meant to me and that I would do anything to keep you safe. That's the only reason Erica is here. Because of what I felt for you , I felt enough strength to overcome the akwardness and to call her for your surgery because I wanted the best surgeon"
"Then why was she kissing you" Arizona couldn't stop herself any longer from asking.
Callie gave her a gentle smile "Let me finish Arizona. The day of your surgery I spoke to both George and Erica. I communicated honestly with them and have started afresh as friends with both them"
"Doing that made me realize that my heart had been blocked for the last few months, but the closure I finally got from them and the strength of what I feel for you opened it up again. I now feel the ability to love again and now I find myself imagining my future and every minute of my future includes one person and that is you – Arizona Robbins" Callie said stroking Arizona's cheek.
"What you saw today between me and Erica was goodbye. She's flying back tonight and we were wishing each other happiness. Erica knows that you are my happiness, Arizona and she's also found happiness with someone else. I know I should have talked about all this to you earlier but you were so frail and weak , I just wanted to protect you".
Arizona suddenly burst into tears. Callie was worried "Ari , what's wrong". Arizona sniffed "I cant hold it back anymore , Calliope. This shooting made me realize that I could have died without telling you what I feel and I cant go another day without telling you. I am in love with you , Calliope. I feel good and strong when I am with you. All I need is for you to let me in"
Callie had a huge smile on her face "I love you too , Ari. The fact that I could say this without freaking out proves that you broke through my defences and carved your way into my heart . If it weren't for your damn injuries I would show you just how much I love you"
Arizona shut Callie up by pulling her into a deep and passionate kiss.
Callie suddenly started laughing. Arizona looked confused "What is it Calliope"
"Oh nothing , Ari. I was just thinking of how cute you look when you are jealous" Callie said still laughing.
"Shut up , Calliope" said Arizona with a mock glare.
Callie suddenly got down on one knee and took out her medical school pin and said with a huge grin "Arizona Robbins , since you grew up in the military I know you will appreciate this." She put the pin on Arizona's shirt and said "Arizona will you accept my pin and go steady with me?"
Arizona's dimples appeared in full force and she said with a smile as bright as the rainbow "I would love to go steady with you , Calliope".
They spent the whole night cuddling on Arizona's hospital bed sharing gentle kisses and talking about everything under the sun and getting to know the smallest details about each other.
Callie and Arizona both were peaceful and happy . They were finally where they wanted to be and they knew their future would be beautiful as long as they had each other.