-Day 3-
Lightening flashes pepper the gloomy ominous black clouds covering the morning sky, not allowing a single ray of sunshine to bask over the city of Seattle. Rain trickles slowly from the darkened sky pitter pattering on the cold pavement of the ambulance bay of Grey Sloan Memorial.
"Teddy?" Arizona calls out walking out of the ER doors, turning her head left and then right to see her friend sitting on the cold bench in the drizzling rain. "What are you doing out here?"
Teddy slowly lifts her head and turns to face Arizona. "I just ... needed a minute to step away. I couldn't sit in that room any more. It's just too hard."
"She still hasn't woken up?" Arizona asks softly sitting down on the bench.
"No, and Mark is likely to loose his mind if she doesn't wake up soon. I'm honestly shocked Sheppard has been able to stay so calm with him."
"I've never seen him like this. We need to convince him to get out of the hospital for awhile."
"Arizona, he's not going to leave that room. You can try but you'll only wind up riling him up some more. The farthest he'll go is an on call room to sleep and even that is only for a few hours at a time."
"How're you holding up? I know this isn't easy for you either."
Teddy shrugs as she lets her head fall back down. "Honestly, I don't have a clue how I feel right now. I just thought after everything that's happened life would finally give her something decent, something good, better than the shit fest she's had this far. Arizona, she's giving up. Her vitals keep dropping and there's nothing medically causing it. That's the only explanation for this. I know that we believe patients in comas can hear us, but if they truly can she's not listening to a word Mark or I are saying."
"Have you guys tried calling her family?"
"Mark tried calling them yesterday but all her father had to say was God is punishing her. Who the fuck says that about their own child? What kind of person can be so heartless? She's laying in a hospital bed and they can't be bothered to come see her because of who she loves?"
"Teddy, I don't have an answer for that. I can't understand it myself. I keep thinking back to when I came out to my parents and how well they took it. It's unbelievable to me that there are parents in this world that can so easily walk out of their children's lives. Then someone like Callie loses a child when they would never even be able to fathom such an action. The universe is seriously screwed up."
"The first time I ever met her was when she found Erica cheating on her. I can still recall the look on her face. That utter despair. Then I find out how her parents treated her and she went back to that bitch! I hardly knew her at the time and I wanted to knock sense into her but she wouldn't talk to me about why she went back. It's been nothing but heartache for her as long as I've known her. Arizona, she can't handle anymore heartache! If that heart is broken one more time, she won't survive it! I knew after Nate died that it would be a long time before we saw the spark of life in those eyes but now I'm honestly scared that we won't even get the chance."
Arizona wraps her arm around her friend's shoulder. "Teddy, you have to keep hope alive. From what I've heard, and the woman I met, she has the strength to pull through this. She may be broken and it might be hard for her to find the will to pull through but with all of our help she can do it."
"I'm going to head back up. I need to make Mark go and get some rest. He stayed with her all night and I'm afraid he will kill someone in the state he's in right now."
"Call me or text me if you need anything. I'll be up there to see her after my surgery."
The two women stand up and walk back inside the ER doors.
"Is Tim coming by the hospital later?"
"Yes, he called me and said he'll drop by after his meetings this afternoon. Maybe you can help me convince Mark to go home tonight and let one of us stay with Callie. I don't think the chance of him agreeing is high but who knows, if we all tell him, he might actually listen to us."
Standing in the cemetery in the green grass Callie is looking down at a cold hard granite stone. The sun is shining and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves in the trees creating a soft lullaby in the afternoon air.
"Nathaniel Gabe Torres" reads the head stone.
"You are the reason he's here." Callie thinks to herself with her eyes closed and her head hanging down. "If you were a better person your son wouldn't be laying in the six foot hole in a tiny coffin. If you were a better mother he'd still be alive."
Sitting next to Callie's legs is her small son. The sun's rays making his dark brown hair shine.
"Mami, why you come here?" Nate asks looking up. "I not be here."
"I come here Nate because back where I was before, this was the place I felt closest to you."
"I be in your heart. Always."
"Yes buddy, you will always be in my heart, but now I can be with you and neither of us have to be alone anymore."
"But, mami, I not be alone when you go back."
"Nate, I'm not going back but who was with you before?"
"My broder and sisser."
"Nate, you don't have a brother or a sister."
"No, not yet. That why you have go back. You have them in you's tummy like me."
"Buddy mami can't have more babies."
"Mami, you have more babes. I see them and I see new mommy."
Entering Callie's room Teddy can see Mark sleeping on the chair next to her bed. Mark's scrubs are wrinkled and she knows that he hasn't even bothered to change them in at least a few days. His normally trimmed beard has grown thicker and his hair is in disarray. Deciding to try once more to convince him to go home and get some actual rest and take a shower Teddy walks over and gently shakes his shoulder.
"Mark, wake up."
"What?" Mark quickly stands up. "Is she awake?" His blood shot eyes quickly glance over to the still brunette's body in front of him.
"No she hasn't woken up." Teddy says leaning back up. "Mark, you need to go home and get some rest. Take a shower and eat some real food for a change. You aren't going to be doing Callie any good if you don't take care of yourself."
"Teddy, I've already told you that I'm not leaving this hospital until she wakes up. Now stop telling me to leave."
"Fine, will you at least go to an on call room and try to get more than a few hours of sleep? I promise, when she wakes up you'll be the first person I find."
"What if she doesn't wake up, Teddy? What if she's really giving up on me?"
"You can't think like that. Just keep talking to her. We all have to keep telling her that this isn't her time and she needs to get her ass away from the damn light. Come on, go down the hall and get some rest. Maybe take a shower in the locker room while you're at it. It'll help refresh you."
Mark slowly stands up and stretches. "Alright."
As Mark leaves the room Teddy sits in the chair he previously occupied.
"Come on Callie, you have to wake up." Teddy whispers into the oppressive silence. "Mark won't survive if you don't pull through this."
Unable to sit still she stands up and begins to pace the room, checking her vitals once more.
"Callie, I know life's dealt you shit but you can't give up like this. Get your ass up and kick it back in the teeth! Wake up damn it! Get away from the God damn light and come back to us already. We all need you here."
The fog of silence continues to shroud the hospital room as Teddy sits back down in the chair dropping her head into her hands.
-Flashback-
"Hey Teddy." Mark yells down the hallway to the tall blonde standing next to the nurses station. "Yo, Teddy come here and meet a friend of mine."
Looking up she can see her colleague striding towards her with his chest puffed out followed by a tall bombshell brunette.
"What do you want Mark?" She answers his yells.
"Teddy, I'd like to introduce you to my best friend Callie Torres." Mark says finally reaching Teddy. "Callie, this is Teddy Altman. She's only been here a few weeks."
"Hello Teddy." Callie says with a soft smile extending her hand. "It's nice to meet you. "Mark, you haven't tried to get into her pants already have you?"
"I see that you know Mark well." Teddy answers with a chuckle taking her offered hand. "How long have you two been friends?"
"Oh, we go back a few years." Callie replies with an all knowing smirk. "We met when he tried to get in my pants my first day at Yale."
"Are you a doctor at the hospital?" Teddy asks.
"Me?" Callie replies. "No, no, I'm not a doctor. I'm just a simple author."
"Hey now, stop selling yourself short." Mark quickly says. "You've got three best sellers already and I'm sure you will have plenty more. Teddy you might have already heard of my Callie here."
"You know, her name does sound familiar." Teddy says quirking her head to the side trying to place it and then quickly snaps her fingers. "Ah, yes. I have heard of you and I actually have read your work. I'm a fan! He's right. Don't sell yourself short. I have a friend, she's obsessed with your books. I swear she's read your books at least a dozen times by now."
"Oh, thank you." Callie replies her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "
"Say Teddy, do you happen to know where your she devil of a co worker is?" Mark asks his tone flat and annoyed.
"Mark." Callie warns.
"I'm assuming by she devil you're referring to the one and only Erica?" Teddy replies. "I think I saw her go into an on call room earlier. Although, I'm not sure why, it's not like she's even been here that long."
"Do me a favor and show Callie where she went, please?" Mark asks. "I have to go get ready for a surgery and that's this one's girlfriend."
Teddy can't help but stare at Callie with her mouth hanging open nearly dropping to the ground.
"You're dating Erica Hahn?" Teddy asks flabbergasted. "What kind of bet did you lose?"
"Come on guys, she's not that bad." Callie says clearly uncomfortable.
"Ya a root canal isn't that bad." Mark retorts walking. "She's worse than a heart attack or a brain tumor."
"Mark!" Callie snaps at her best friend. "Enough!"
"Come on, Callie." Teddy says pulling the brunette with her. "I'll show you where she is. I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I'm sure she's different with you than she is with us here at the hospital."
Teddy continues making small talk with Callie as they walk down the corridors of the hospital taking the woman to where she last saw her girlfriend enter an on call room.
"Here you are Callie." Teddy says reaching the correct door. "She should be right in there. It was nice to meet you. Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Of course, I'm here all the time." Callie replies smiling. "Since Erica spends most of her waking hours at the hospital I'm always coming and going. Hey, since you're new here we should make plans to hang out. Maybe take you out and show you the city. Seattle really is a beautiful place to live and you'll eventually get used to the rain."
"That would be great." Teddy replies. "Have Mark give you my number! It'd be nice to make some friends here."
Teddy turns to walk back the way she came from allowing Callie to go in and see her girlfriend. Before she can make it very far she hears a loud scream followed by a door slamming. Quickly turning around she sees Callie come barreling towards her angry and tears starting to cascade down her cheeks. The tall brunette quickly makes her way into a supply closet slamming that door behind her. When Teddy turns back to the direction Callie came from she sees an angry Erica coming out of the on call room followed by a nurse. Teddy's eyes snap open as she quickly realizes what Callie must have walked in on.
"Have you seen a tall brunette rush past here?" Erica directs her questions to Teddy with disgust.
"No, I haven't." Teddy retorts and turns to walk away not wanting to give up Callie's location. She waits for Erica to leave the area in search of her girlfriend and then quietly makes her way into the supply closet that she'd seen Callie run into.
"Callie, are you ok?" Teddy whispers not wanting to startle the woman.
"Ya, I'm fine." Callie replies sniffling. "Just allergies."
"Callie, I saw what happened." Teddy tries again. "Do you want me to page Mark for you?"
"No, it's alright." Callie answers after a few moments of silence. "He said he has a surgery and he'll just kill Erica. I'll be fine. I just need a few moments to compose myself and then I'll leave. I won't take anything, I swear."
"Callie, come on, that's not what I'm here for." Teddy whispers getting closer to the brunette and wrapping her arm around her shoulder. "Hey, come on. I don't have anything pressing. I live across the street in the apartment complex. Why don't we go over to my place and I'll let Mark know where you are? That way once his surgery is done he can come get you. I'm sure you don't want to go home right now anyway."
"Mark lives in the same complex." Callie softly replies. "I have a key to his place. I can just go there. You don't need to be bothered by my problems."
"It's not a bother." Teddy answers. "Any friend of Mark's is a friend of mine. Besides, maybe being alone right now isn't such a good thing, ya?"
Callie lays her head on Teddy's shoulder starting to cry all over again. "Thanks Teddy."
End flashback
Lifting her head back up Teddy looks at Callie. "You have friends here. You have a family that needs you! I know it's not conventional and you still feel lonely, Callie, but we all need you! I see that you've met my friend that is obsessed with your work! Arizona will be throughly pissed with you if you don't wake up! She wants to apologize for what happened on the train. Ever since she got back she's been telling me how badly she feels and how she wants to make it right."
Reaching out Teddy takes Callie's hand in hers. "You know, I never told you this but the second I saw you I thought you would make a great couple with Arizona. Of course, I quickly found out you were involved so I kept my mouth shut. Then after what happened with Erica and Nate, well, lets face it you weren't in a place for me to even mention another woman. It's been four years Callie. Please! Just wake up for us!
Teddy gently runs her hand down Callie's cheek and realizes that in all the time she's known the author this is the first time she's seen her this calm, this serene. For once there is no pain etched in her face.
"Callie, I want to see the girl that Mark keeps telling me he met when he first went to Yale. The girl with the sparkle in her eye. The daredevil. The adrenaline junkie. The girl that used to ride a motorcycle. Please, Callie! Who else is going to be my Maid of Honor? Who else is going to keep me from bolting at my own wedding? You know that the only reason I ever went for it with Tim was because of you and I haven't even had the chance to introduce you to him! He's going to love you! Come on, wake up. Open your eyes!"
Hearing the door to the room Teddie turns to see Dr. Bailey make her way in. "Hey Bailey, how're you doing today?"
"Dr. Altman." Bailey answers while she checks Callie's vitals. "It's been a busy day. I just thought I'd come in and see how she's doing today."
"Her vitals are still dropping Bailey. It's as if she's willing her body to shut down and there's not a damn thing that we can do about it."
"That is a definite possibility Teddy." Bailey says rubbing the tired woman's shoulder. "She can pull through this, but she just has to fight. Mark told me that her family refuses to come see her, is that true?"
"Yes, her father hung up on him after saying that this is God's punishment for the life she chose to live in sin."
"What an imbecile."
"I would have chosen a more colorful word but I suppose that works just as well."
"Don't give up Teddy. Keep talking to her."
Bailey makes her way out the door pausing a moment to watch her friend's vigil.
-Day 4-
"Sloan, there is not going to be a bleed after these many days." Dr. Sheppard assures his friend. "This could be from the anesthesia or it could be that Callie is simply not ready to wake up."
"If she wakes up now, will there be any deficits?" Mark asks crossing his arms over his chest.
"I honestly wouldn't even be able to begin answering that question." Sheppard replies. "There was no trauma to the brain which makes me have high hopes that the answer is no, but we will only be able to know for sure when she wakes up and we are able to test her responses."
"Have you seen people wake up from something like this?" This time it's Teddy's wary voice that breaks the silence in the room.
"Honestly, I haven't." The tall brunette doctor answers. "To be fair though, this case isn't my typical."
"Thank you Derek." Teddy says quietly turning back to the bed. "You've been wonderful through all of this."
"If anything changes I will let you guys know." Sheppard states making his way out of the room.
"What else can we possibly say to her that will entice her to wake up?" Mark's voice cracks.
"It's clear now that it's not up to us to convince her, Mark." Teddy replies wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "Callie is going to have to choose to wake up and choose to live. We have been by her side and we will continue to be but we can't do it for her.
"Teddy, I can't loose her." Mark whispers. "I don't have any other family left."
"We have to be strong for her." Teddy replies. "Now isn't the time to give up hope. She's survived too much for this to be her end. Stay strong."
The door quietly opens as Arizona makes her way into Callie's room holding a tray of coffee.
"Hey guys, I've brought some coffee with me." Arizona says quietly. "I know you both have more surgeries today so I figured a pick me up would be needed."
"Thanks." Mark and Teddy reply together.
"I take it nothing has changed?" The peds surgeon whispers.
"Not anything good." Mark replies taking a sip of his coffee. "The only thing that changes is that her vitals are dropping lower and lower and there's not a damn thing that we can do about it."
"That's it." Arizona says with determination. "You two need to leave this room. You've basically been camped out here for days. The only times you've left was for surgeries. I am banning the both of you from this room until tomorrow. I have the rest of the day off and I will stay with her. Once you guys are done for the day you are BOTH going home."
"I am not..." Mark begins to answer.
"Mark!" Arizona cuts him off. "I am not taking no for an answer. I understand that you want to be here and she's your best friend. You need to take a break! You need to clear your head. She needs to be surrounded by positive thoughts and right now you aren't in the right mind set."
"How can I leave her alone?" Mark asks quietly turning to face her.
"You aren't leaving her alone." Arizona replies. "Like I said, I am staying with her. I know that I don't know her near as well as you or Teddy but she won't be alone and that's what's important right now. I'll talk to her. Hell I'll even yell at her to wake up if that's what it takes."
"Arizona, are you sure?" Teddy finally speaks.
"Of course I'm sure." Arizona answers. "I consider Callie a friend."
Callie walks out of the cemetery holding the hand of her toddler wondering what he could possibly mean by saying that he saw his brother and sister. "I've never even had a miscarriage. What siblings could he possibly be talking about? Unless, maybe Erica has other kids? No, there's no way he's talking about her. She wasn't even there when he was born."
"Mami, mami, look." Nate yells bringing Callie out of her deep thoughts. When she lifts her gaze in the direction of her son's pointing finger she see's an elderly man walking towards them pushing a double stroller.
"Mami, you see babies too." Nate says giggling and jumping excitedly. "See, they come see you now, mami.
The elderly man walks up to them slowly with a gentle smile on his face.
"Calliope?" The man speaks softly extending his hand. "It's good to see you."
"Abuelo?" Callie breathes out nearly falling to her knees. "What are you doing here?" Nate has gone up to her abuelo and hugged his legs and is looking up at her smiling from ear to ear.
"I came to show you what you will be missing if you don't go back." He replies turning the stroller to face her.
In the back seat is a little baby boy and in the front is a little baby girl. The boy is blonde and the girl is brunette and they're both sleeping.
"Meet your son Eli and your daughter Mia." The man continues.
"How is this even possible, abuelo?" Callie asks kneeling down in front of the stroller and gently stroking the cheek of her supposed daughter.
"Calliope, you have a choice to make." Her abuelo starts to speak putting his hand on her shoulder. "You can choose to stay here and no one would blame you but if you make this choice you will miss out on a beautiful future. You haven't had these children yet and you are meant to have them. They are destined for you, Calliope."
"NO!" Callie yells standing up quickly and walking away. "How can you even mention having more children? Do you know what I went through when I lost Nate? Do you know how much that hurt? It's obvious that I'm not made to be a mother."
"That isn't true Mija. You will be an amazing mother. Yes, you went through something horrific. No parent should have to feel the pain that you feel but it's what will make you an even better mother."
"You think I want to replace Nate?"
"Not at all, Mija. You could never replace your first born son. Nate was meant to show you how much love you are capable of. He wasn't meant to close your heart forever."
"How am I supposed to leave my heart open to pain like this?"
"Calliope, until you felt the love of a being mother you didn't understand what true love was. You had been bruised and beaten so throughly that you would never have understood the potential of real love. Losing him taught you to appreciate love. If you hadn't gone through this loss you would have taken it for granted, mija."
Callie looks him in the eyes and scoffs. "Even if I wanted to entertain the possibility of more children who would I have them with? Who would want to be with me? Abuelo, we both know that I'm damaged. Everyone I have ever loved has left me and the worst part is they didn't just leave they RAN AWAY! The ONLY common factor was ME! I was the problem!"
"Calliope Iphegenia Torres! Don't speak like that about yourself! There is someone for you that will love you! Someone that will pick up the broken pieces and put them back together again. They will hold you together when the storms hit, they will shield you from life's fire, they will protect you when attacked and they will teach you to trust again."
"Trust? If there's anything that I have learned is that I can only trust myself! I will never make that mistake again!"
"Mija, you will have to learn to trust again! That is no life to have! This person will show you how to do this again! Just give them the chance! Please, don't close your heart to them!"
"Who is this person?"
"I don't know their name. I do know that if you don't go back Calliope, when the storm hits their life they won't survive. You are the only person that will be able to guide them through the eye of the storm. The pain you have experienced will give you the power to support them. You can't let them down, Calliope."
"Abuelo, I can't leave my son here for the prospect of some stranger and hypothetical children! I'm finally with my son!"
"Mija, you don't belong with your son! Even he has told you that your place isn't here. You are destined for the kind of love that marks all souls who come into contact with you. Calliope, would I lie to you?"
"No, no you've never lied to me but I don't have the strength anymore. I don't have it in me. I'm too tired. How am I supposed to be the pillar for someone else in the eye of the storm when I can't even stand up myself?"
"You will hold each other up! They will mend you. It won't happen over night. You will have to work hard to allow yourself to heal and accept this gift. The fight will be even harder when it comes time for you to be a shelter in the hurricane but you will be able to do it. Your heart has always been capable of unending love."
"Abuelo, I really don't think that I can open myself again."
"You have already started opening yourself up, mija. You just don't realize it. Start fighting again!"
"Dr. Sloan we understand that Ms. Torres is still in a coma but we have some questions that we need to ask you." Officer Jack Bristol says sitting down at the conference table across from Mark and Teddy. "Now we've been told that you are the closet family that Ms Torres has. Is this correct?"
"Yes, we are her family." Teddy answers laying her hand down on Mark to keep him calm. "What is going on Officer Bristol?"
"Well, ma'am at this point in time we aren't sure." The officer replies pulling out some photos from the folder he'd brought with him. "We were able to pull videos from cameras in the area of the accident but the car that hit Ms. Torres was missing a license plate. We were able to locate the vehicle abandoned in a parking lot but we weren't able to pull any useful prints off of it. Does Ms. Torres have any enemies? Has anyone recently threatened her? What does Ms. Torres do for a living?"
Mark and Teddy both turn to face each other with their mouths open and eyes large.
Turning his head back towards the officer Mark questions. "Are you saying that this was deliberate officer?"
"Dr. Sloan we can't be sure but we are leaning towards as the car was reported stolen six days ago." Jack replies.
"If there have been any threats we haven't been made aware of them officer." Teddy answers his questions quietly. "She's a well known author so if anyone would know better it would be Callie's publicist." She quickly writes down the number from her phone and slides the paper across the table. "Her name is Megan DeLuca. She handles all of Callie's fan mail so if there was anything she would handle it."
Taking the number Jack continues his questions. "Do you know if she's ever received hate mail or anything of the kind?"
"She's never mentioned anything of the sort." Mark answers now and then pauses to look at Teddy. "Officer Bristol I think you should know that Callie was involved with a woman by the name of Erica Hahn four years ago and she was abused by her. It just so happens that while Callie was in surgery Erica showed up at the hospital. No one has heard from her in the past four years."
"I see." Jack quickly writes the name down. "You said that the relationship was abusive, was this ever reported?"
"No sir, Callie refused to press chargers but the hospital has records from an eye witness when an incident occurred here at the hospital along with medical records of Callie's injuries." Mark explains further.
As Mark is explaining this to the officer Chief Webber opens the conference room door and walks in taking a seat next to Teddy.
"Officer Bristol, we do have the records and I've already had my staff begin to pull that information together for you." Chief Webber adds to Mark's statement. "Also, I'm sure you've been informed but Dr. Hahn was in the hospital on the day of Callie's accident but for our patient's security she was escorted off the premises by our security officers."
"Yes, getting those files will help with our investigation." The officer states continuing to make his notes. "Does anyone know when the last time Ms. Torres had contact with this Ms. Hahn?"
"As far as we know it was the day she disappeared four years ago." Teddy replies quickly. "Unless Callie saw her without telling us that is."
"Was the abuse repetitive or just the one occurrence?" Jack asks looking up.
"Sir, we only have the physical proof for this one occurrence but we've all suspected that it happened more often." Teddy whispers.
Officer Bristol lets out a deep sigh before answering. "It would make this much easier had she reported the abuse but I will make sure that we look into the whereabouts of Ms. Hahn. What about Ms. Torres immediate family, her parents, siblings, where are they? Or does she have any?"
"Her parents and sister live in Miami." Mark answers coldly. "They haven't had any contact with Callie since she was eighteen."
At this information the officer quickly glances up. "Would they be of any danger for Ms. Torres?"
"No sir, they may not want anything to do with their daughter but they wouldn't harm her." The Plastic Surgeon answers.
"Can you think of anything else that might have happened recently that would explain something of this nature?" The officer probes further.
"No sir." Teddy answers. " Can we ask what makes you think that this was deliberate act?"
"The car wasn't swerving when traveling." Jack answers. "It made a straight line to Ms. Torres on the side walk. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question doctors. I will make sure to look into this Erica Hahn and I will reach out to the publicist Megan DeLuca. I have your contact information if we have any further questions for you. Once Ms. Torres wakes up we will need to get a statement from her, please keep us informed."
Officer Bristol stands up and shakes hands with all three doctors before making his way out of the conference room. Chief Webber makes his way out as well to get the files of the reports for the officer.
"Do you really think that Erica could have had something to do with this?" Teddy turns to ask Mark.
"Who knows what that bitch is capable of Teddy but I'd rather be safe than sorry." Mark replies his face turning pale. "We didn't think to ask him if they think the attacker will make another attempt."
"I'm sure if they had that fear they would have left some officers outside of her door, Mark." Teddy answers trying to convince herself as much as her friend.
Arizona is leaning back in the chair next to Callie's bed holding her hand. Her eyes glued to the brunette's face willing her to open her eyes. The bruising from the accident have begun to fade slightly turning yellow with some blue still tinging the worst of them.
"What is going on in that head of hers?" Arizona thinks to herself. "Is she listening to us asking her to wake up? Is she scoffing at us wishing that we would leave her alone?"
Standing up the blonde surgeon takes Callie's chart to look at the vitals that have been written down and can clearly see the steady decline.
"Calliope Iphegenia Torres. So that's what Callie is short for. I wonder what the name means. It's really gorgeous just like her."
"Calliope, I know that we hardly know each other so if you don't remember me it's Arizona Robbins from the train." Arizona begins to speak out loud. "I know that we didn't exactly leave things on a pleasant note but I want you to know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you and I didn't mean to press you on something you clearly weren't ready to speak to me about. Please, open those beautiful eyes and give me the chance apologize properly."
Taking a deep breath she scoots ever so slightly closer and leans in closer to the author's ear speaking softly.
"There's no way that I can say I understand the pain you have experienced in your life but I do know that you have some friends and family here that are torn to pieces because you haven't woken up. You can't hurt them like this, Calliope. You have to pull through for them. I haven't known Mark as long as you have clearly, but in the time I have known him, this is a side I have NEVER seen. You will break that man if you don't pull through. I've known Teddy a long time and I can tell you for certain, Callie, that I've only seen her this upset a handful of times since I've met her. You aren't alone here. I know that your family abandoned you and Erica , well I won't even get started on her but they shouldn't make you feel alone. You even have me now. As long as you'll let me I will be here for you! And, you haven't met Tim, my brother, but you know he's engaged to Teddy and he's thrilled to finally get the chance to meet you, Callie. That's two more people that you will be able to consider as family. Once my parents meet you they will also adore you."
She lifts her hand and gently caress' the tanned cheek before her.
"Calliope, I don't know the heart wrenching torture of loosing a child but I have seen it enough times to understand the despair it causes. I need you to hear me right now. Nate, his death, was NOT your fault. Do you hear me? It wasn't your fault, Calliope. There's NOTHING anyone could have done to prevent his death. It's time that you let go of that guilt and agony that you've been carrying around for the past four years. Please, for your sake you have to accept the truth that we are all telling you! I know that you miss him, but if he were here and able to tell you he would WANT you to be happy. He would want you to live a full life. It's not fair! I'm not saying that your heartache will ever fully heal but it will get easier, Calliope, you just need to start processing what happened. Quit hiding from it. You've shut yourself away and now is the time for you to come back. I know that you blame yourself but you cannot keep doing this. You are hurting every person that cares about you! Please, Calliope."
Tears have started falling from the cerulean eyes unrealized. Arizona only feels the tears when they fall off her chin onto her extended arm.
"God, I know how unfair life has been to you Calliope." Arizona is speaking softly when the door opens behind her.
"Arizona, can you please come out here in the corridor for a moment?" Teddy's voice calls out behind her.
Standing up the blonde leans in to place a gentle kiss on Callie's cheek before making her way into the corridor.
"I thought I told you two to go home after you finished your shifts?" Arizona address her two friends standing in front of her.
"We'll go home shortly." Mark begins to speak. "Arizona, did Callie mention anything to you about threats made on her life?"
"I'm sorry what!?" Arizona gasps perplexed. "Threats on her life? What's this about, Mark?"
"An Officer Jack Bristol came by just awhile ago and asked us if we knew of any possible threats on Callie's life." He answers.
"No, she never mentioned anything of the sort." Arizona replies. "What else did he say?"
"They are under the impression that this was a deliberate attempt on her life." Teddy explains further. "They said that the car wasn't swerving, it made a straight line for Callie when it hit her. They were able to pull surveillance video from the surrounding buildings and saw the accident. The car was missing a license plate and they found it abandoned in a parking lot. It was reported stolen six days ago."
"This is crazy!" Arizona mumbles covering her mouth with her hand. "And she never mentioned anything like this to either of you?"
"No, not a word." Teddy says. "We told him to reach out to her publicist and see if she received any fan mail or something of the sort and Mark let them know that Erica was here at the hospital tonight."
"Hold on, you guys think she had something to do with this?" Arizona says lifting her bulging eyes to her friends.
"Wouldn't put it past her." Mark answers shaking his head. "If it's not her it must be a crazed fan. This woman has no enemies! I'm wondering if Megan knew something but didn't say anything to Callie thinking she could have it handled. I'm going to give her a call tomorrow, it's too late to call her tonight."
"It didn't even occur to me to ask a question like that." Arizona whispers. "She doesn't do interviews or anything, I guess I just never thought it was possible. Are they going to send an officer to stay with her? It was a failed attempt after all."
"Officer Bristol didn't mention anything of the sort." Teddy answers. "Mark is going to call him tomorrow and see if that might be a good idea. Either way, Chief Webber was in the room and we have placed a restriction on who can go into her room for now. If there is a real threat this won't solve the problem but it will help until we can get someone here to watch over Callie."
"I'll be here the remainder of the night." Arizona says trying to calm herself and her friends down. "If I don't know them they won't make it in her room. You guys go on home. There's nothing else any of us can do tonight."
"Just call us if she wakes up." Mark says with pleading eyes. "I don't care what time of the night it is. I will be here in five minutes."
"Of course!" The blonde says. "Try and get some rest."
Callie pushes the stroller walking next to her abuelo down a path in the park with Nate running out in front of them pulling a kite behind him. The sun is low in the sky and the purples, pinks, and reds adorn the evening sky. The gentle hum of the city is the soundtrack to the quiet darkening day.
"Mija, your life isn't finished." Her grandfather speaks quietly. "I know you want to stay with your son but this place isn't for you. He's told you this himself. He understands that you don't belong. Please, listen to us. Nate will always love you and I promise you, you will never forget him. Your son will live on in your heart and in the heart of those that love you."
"How?" Callie retorts angrily. "How am I supposed to willingly leave my son? I've already lost him once! I cannot lose him again! I won't survive!"
"Calliope, you aren't loosing him a second time." The elderly man answers. "You've been given a gift. Although he isn't able to live out his years in life with you, he's able to grow here. Nate is safe here! So long as you remember him and continue loving him you will never loose him. Not everyone gets the opportunity to see their lost loved ones like this, mija. You are here so you can understand that you are meant to be alive. You are destined for more. The rails to the train of your life have just begun to change course, mija. Don't give up hope now."
"Why only now?" Callie asks quietly. "After all this time, why do I have to choose to leave this peaceful place? For the first time in years I am happy!"
"Mija, this isn't happiness for you!" He answers shaking his head. "This is you giving up! Listen to your very smart son. He WANTS you to go on living. He wants to see you feel true happiness and be loved like you deserve. Don't sell your son short."
"Nate, please come see mami for a minute." Callie calls out to her son who's laughing and enjoying the evening.
"Si, mami." The little toddler says running up to hug her legs.
"Nate, you know that mami loves you more than anything right?" She questions her son.
"Si, mami."
"Do you really want me to leave you?"
"Mami, you not stay here. I want you be happy. I want you have babies."
"What if I would rather stay here with you? What if that makes me happier?"
"That make me sad." The toddler answers lowering his little head and beginning to cry. "If you stay then babies no be born. If you stay new mommy be sad for long time. She not meet babies. Mami, I no go way. I stay here." Nate says reaching his little hand and settling it on Callie's heart. "I always stay here."
Callie closes her eyes and lets the hot tears roll down her cheeks trying to catch her breathe. Looking up she sees the same tears mirroring on the face of her abuelo.
Taking another deep breathe and then releasing it slowly she finally answers. "Alright little man, I will go back. You have to promise me that you will always be a good boy for mami. Promise me, that you will never forget that I love you and that I will always remember you."
"Si, mami, I pwoamis." Nate answers giving her an ear to ear smile. "I know you wove me."
Callie leans in and gathers her son in her arms and holds him tight covering his little cheeks with kisses while his little arms wrap around her neck and kisses her back.
"Mami, mami, look there!" Nate squeals suddenly pulling back from his huge and pointing his little finger behind Callie. "There be new mommy."
Callie stands up to turn around and look at where her son is pointing.
Arizona watches Teddy and Mark enter the elevator at the end of the hall and she can see the exhaustion on both of their bodies. Once the door closes she turns back around and enters the room behind her.
"Who would deliberating be trying to kill Callie? She thinks to herself as she makes her way next to the gurney. "More importantly why would they want to kill her?
A raspy voice brings the blonde out of her musings. "Ari... Ari... Arizona? Is that you?
Snapping her head up the cerulean eyes meet the molten orbs.
"You're finally awake!" Arizona gasps.