Disclaimer: This is AU. I do not own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy. I just manipulate them to my will. Also, any line or phrase or setting that seems remotely familiar from any other show, movie or book, also not mine. I borrow… But any original characters are mine. Hands off.

AN: Ouch…only one review last chapter? I think I'm hurt. Next chapter is up. May not be as drama filled, but things need to be built up to. Patience yall. Enjoy.


Chapter 8

Callie's POV:

I wake to a cold space beside me. Reaching my hand out, trying to find my source of warmth, but am met with only emptiness. I try to find a comfortable position, curling the blankets around me trying to create a cocoon of warmth but it doesn't work. Resigning to the fact that I am actually up, I open my eyes and take in my surroundings.

Arizona's room. The room that watched the love of my life grow from a little girl to an amazing woman. Above me, a well worn poster of Cindy Crawford. I am lying in a simple, wood framed rustic type queen sized bed. Her room is full of pictures of past memories. One framed photo by the bed catches my attention. Arizona is sitting on the shoulders of a young man who could be her twin. Both faces are plastered with matching dimples and the same bright blue eyes. Both have their hands raised above them in victory, Arizona clutching a gold belt buckle in her hand. …her brother.

As I get out of bed, I look out the window that is flooding the room in warm early morning light. Off in the distance I can see the roofs of several barns and out buildings. To the right, all I see is flat, empty fields. To the right is more forested area. There are a couple pens, much like the one Arizona uses to work Skittles out in. Several people already out working, moving equipment, doing their own thing. I look at the bedside clock. …6:12? Jesus..don't these people ever sleep?

I change into a pair of comfortable jeans and a top and make my way through the house. Arizona hasn't given me the tour yet, seeing as both of us were intent on reaching a bed as soon as possible last night. It's a large house, two stories. I descend a very beautiful wooden staircase, the railings and molding adorned with scenes of horses running in herds. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, the music of Arizona's laugh meets my ears causing me to smile. …I'm in Colorado…with Arizona…in her home. My heart swells.

I find my way to the kitchen and find Arizona and her mother chatting away. Momma Robbins is standing behind the island of the kitchen, chopping up fruit while the stove behind her warms. Arizona is sitting at the breakfast bar that divides the space, her legs pulled in to her body and arms wrapping around them, holding a coffee cup in one hand and eating a strawberry from the other. I can just imagine little Arizona sitting the exact same way, watching her Momma cook breakfast before she starts her hard day on the farm.

Another joke allows me to compare Arizona's laugh to that of her mothers. …they're the same. Barbara is the first one to spot me standing back and observing the two Robbins women.

"Good morning, dear." She says with a smile on her face. Arizona's head snaps around, her eyes locking on mine. A huge grin washes her face. She gets up out of her chair and comes towards me.

"Calliope…." She places a gentle good morning kiss on my lips. "You sleep well?"

I nod and pull Arizona back in for another kiss.

Arizona gestures me to the chairs sitting at the breakfast bar and moves to the kitchen. "Momma was just fixing us some breakfast." She pours some coffee, then adds sugar and alittle milk. …just like I like it. Arizona then comes and joins me at her vacated seat, sliding the mug of coffee in front of me.

I take a sip and my face scrunches up. "Woah…" They both giggle.

"We Robbins like our joe strong." Momma Robbins says with a wink.

Arizona takes my mug and goes to add more sugar to it. Finally, when I deem it palatable I sit back and enjoy the scene of Arizona and her mother unfold.

"Zona…you know what I think about this."

"I know, I know Momma. …I just…" Arizona looks at me, and takes my free hand "It's so worth it."

"And you have never invited us out…" Her mom says playfully.

"You are always welcome in Seattle! You know that."

After a delicious breakfast, the three of us chat until around 9, when Arizona and I get ready for the day. We load up in Momma Robbins jeep and get set for the hour and a half trip to the hospital.

"So…Callie-" Momma starts, looking towards myself in the passenger's seat.

"You promised Mom! No interrogating." Arizona calls from the back seat.

"No, babe, its ok. Moms interrogate... Dads scare the shit out of you. It's their job." I say, tossing a friendly smile to Mrs. Robbins.

"See, Z? Callie gets it." Arizona just mumbles something in response.

"So…Callie. Tell me how you two meet…" Momma Robbins starts again.

Arizona just chuckles in the back, while I start "Well….Arizona came into my ER with a dislocated shoulder. I popped in back in and she asked me to come watch her ride." I smile at the memory. …how naïve I was.

"And after that, she bought a house and moved her life to Seattle?"

"Mom!" Arizona cuts in, but I answer anyways

"You're right Ms Robbins, it does sound crazy but…. It's right. I love your daughter. I loved her before I said good-night to her after our first date. She's...awesome." A grin crossing my face.

"But you condone her…profession of choice."…so she's not a fan either.

"We uhh….we have yet to have that discussion. But Arizona has…guessed about how I feel about her returning to ….work." I say, trying to remain diplomatic about the subject

"Along the same lines of myself I would assume." Momma says with a hard glare to the rearview mirror.

"You know I AM in the car…right?" Arizona butts in.

"Hush…the grownups are talking." I say playfully, which I get a kick to the back of my seat.

"What about babies?..." …yeah, what about babies.

"MOTHER!"

Pulling up to the hospital, I can sense the air in the car shift. Mrs. Robbins worry over her husband and Arizona's fear for her father are palpable. I just hope that I can be of some help some way.

Walking through the sliding glass doors, Arizona mumbles "I fucking hate hospitals." I just take her hand, showing her that I am here for whatever she needs me.

I know you do babe.


AN2: Hoping for some more feedback than last chapter. Give me some love. -LD