The train to
Florence was fast and wove its way through the most beautiful country
into the heart of Tuscany. There were beautiful pockets
of green and you could see all the grape vines that were full of
grapes. Arizona knew they would not have time to see all of
the museums but she did want Callie to see the Galleria dell'
Accademia, home of Michelango's statue. Shehad managed to get them
tickets online. Callie found Florence breathtakingly
beautiful just like the other places in Europe they had visited. It
was like stepping back into the time of the Renaissance. The red
roofs, fine architecture, and gardens - no wonder Arizona loved
Florence. Arizona knew it would be a long day so she had a driver
meet them at the train to take them around the city and save a bit of
time plus once she and Callie started shopping they would need a
place keep all those packages. They first toured the
center of town in the Piazza della Signoria with its clock tower and
café's surrounding this huge plaza. They enjoyed coffee and snacks
before heading to see the works of Michelangelo. The
Galleria was tucked away on a small street and not the place you
think you would find this kind of art. Seeing the David took their
breath away and they had the same response of tears in observing it's
physical and spiritual beauty. "Ari, that
was something I have waited my whole life to see. I cannot believe
never we never came here before" Callie said in awe. "I
know Calliope, let's not wait to travel again like this. I want
Austin and little Calliope when they are older to experience all this
too. I came here for my study abroad year in College but I should
have come back more often" Arizona said seriously.
Callie
started giggling at the mention of little Calliope who had not even
been conceived yet. "Now how about that
shopping?" Arizona looked so excited; she knew that the shopping
in Florence was to die for.
"You
are going to love this next surprise" Arizona said knowing
Callie might faint when they arrived. Arizona covered Callie's eyes
as the car started to slow down and led her inside with eyes closed.
"Ok open them Calliope" "Ferragamo!" "That's
right Babe they are going to measure your foot you can pick out some
styles, and colors and in 6 weeks hand made shoes" Arizona
explained excitedly as she knew Callie loved shoes. Arizona
was enjoying every moment of seeing Florence through Callie's eyes.
It felt new to her all over again but the afternoon was coming to a
close and it was time for the highlight of the day. It was close to
sunset They huddled together for a long
time enjoying the view and keeping warm. "Dimples this has been
a wonderful day thank you so much" Callie said with a soft smile
"It's not over Baby" Arizona said with a wink. Callie
could see that twinkle in Arizona's eye but she was not sure what was
going on.
and the perfect time to visit Piazzale Michelangelo, the
park with the most amazing view of Florence, a view of the Arno River
and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge below, Arizona could not think of a more
romantic place and she was grateful that the person sharing it with
her was Callie.
Arizona's
heart was beginning to pound in her chest and she felt a bit nervous
but she pushed her nerves aside and With
teary eyes Arizona presented the gift to Callie " You are my
strength, my refuge, and my family. Sharing a family with you is the
thing I treasure most and is my biggest gift. Let us promise to raise
our son and daughter together with same devotion and care.
Honor me Calliope Torres by us having a baby girl together. I
know our children will be blessed to have you as a mother." The tears were streaming down from Callie's face.
She had never felt more loved or cherished. She took Arizona's
hand in her own "Once we get back it's time to pay Addison a
visit. I want nothing more than to have a little baby girl with
you". They sealed the sacred moment with a
passionate kiss.. As they gasped for air and wiped
away one another tears Arizona placed the chain and pendant
around Callie's neck and then they just stood quietly
watching the sunset. They enjoyed dinner in a
small romantic cafe. Their eyes hardly left one another the entire
evening. They had the car drive them back to Rome so they could catch
a flight back home and go home to their son.
reached into her pocket. She
pulled the small black velvet box from her pocket. She turned
to Callie and pulled out a gold chain with a gold and platinum
locket with the design of Madonna holding baby Jesus.
Austin
was a very happy boy. His moms had come home last night. He had
enjoyed spending time with his grandparents but he had missed his
mothers terribly. "Remember, Grandma's, we have to
be VERY quiet. My moms are still sleeping." Austin whispered.
"Okay, Austin sweetheart,
what are we cooking?" Katie asked as she started looking around
the kitchen.
Katie
and Maria quietly entered the house and they and Austin tip-toed to
the kitchen. Austin had wanted to surprise his moms with
a nice breakfast in bed this morning, but since he was still
young and small, he needed help with some things. He couldn't ask his
moms for help because that would ruin the surprise, so he had called
his Grandma's for help.
"Oh that sounds delicious! Let's get to
it," said Maria, and with that they whipped up a nice little
Sunday breakfast for Callie and Arizona. When they were finished,
Katie placed the two plates on a tray with two cups of coffee
and Austin added two daisies, one for each of his moms. Katie and
Maria picked up the tray and off they went along with Austin
to wake up the sleeping mothers.
"Um,
let's see. How about pancakes, bacon, and eggs?" Austin
said.
Austin
lightly knocked on his moms' bedroom door to see if they were still
asleep. When he got no answer, he quietly opened the door and snuck
into bed with them while trying not to wake them with his giggling.
He gave both of them a kiss on the cheek and a few pokes in the side
to wake them. Callie and Arizona bolted right up in the bed and
Austin burst out laughing.
"HAPPY
MOTHER'S DAY!!!!" Austin happily exclaimed.
Callie
and Arizona both pinned Austin down on the bed and began
tickling his neck and ribs and covering his face with little kisses
while he laughed and squealed. Once Austin had admitted defeat and
caught his breath, he called for his grandmothers to come in
with breakfast.
"I hope
you like your breakfast. Granny K and Granny M helped me make it!"
Austin stated proudly.
"Happy
Mother's Day, girls!" Katie and Maria said as they sat
their breakfast down on the bedside table and gave Callie and Arizona
a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Awww,
munchkin, that's so sweet!" Arizona said while wiping away
a tear.
"Mama ! Mommy! I can't breathe!"
Austin said while laughing and trying to wiggle from his mom's bear
hugs. "Now, you just stay here and enjoy your breakfast.
Grandma's and I are going to go clean up. Holler if you need
anything!" Austin gave his moms another kiss and then wheeled of
with his grandmothers in tow.
"Come
here, Champ" said Callie and she and Arizona hugged Austin
tightly.
"That
boy is a pistol, right, Calliope?" asked Arizona while looking
at her wife with a grin.
"He
gets that from you, Dimples" replied Callie and followed it up
with a kiss on Arizona's lips. They toasted the sunny Sunday
morning with a sip of coffee and a smile.
That
afternoon their close friends all gathered out by the pool at Callie
and Arizona's house for a barbeque to celebrate Mothers day as well
as Callie and Arizona coming home .
What they didn't realize was that Austin had gotten everyone a little gift to go along with Mother's Day. He had saved his allowance money, along with what the others had given him for odd jobs, good grades, and bribery, for a long time to be able to do this. Afte r his past he knew he was unbelievably lucky to have so many people in his life who loved him and he never took them or their love for granted.
After
everyone had enjoyed barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and all
the fixin's, Austin quickly went into the house to get the
gifts. When he came back out he said, "Could I have everyone's
attention, please?" A chorus of "Yeahs" and "Sures"
followed along with smiles.
"Since
today is Mother's Day, I wanted to get everyone a little gift because
you've all been like parents to me...even Uncle Mark" said
Austin with a little giggle. Everyone else laughed too, Cristina
laughed the hardest and made some snarky comment about "Manwhore
turned Daddy"
"I
hope you got a muzzle for Aunt Cris, champ," said Callie with a
wink.
"Calliope!"
admonished Arizona with a playful slap to Callie's thigh.
Austin
winked back at Callie then asked, "Aunt Cris, do you want to
find out if this is a muzzle?" as he handed the gift to
Cristina. Cristina carefully picked at the wrapping with the
precision of a cardio god in training. Once she got the gift open she
smiled and high fived Austin.
"Why
thank you! And it even has my name on it!" Cristina exclaimed as
she held up her new coffee mug for everyone to see.
"That's
so you can have coffee anytime. Mommy once said you are like a robot
and that coffee was your fuel" Austin explained.
Stifled giggles from the others followed as Cristina playfully punched Callie in the arm.
"Okay,
Aunt Meredith and Uncle Derek, you're next!" Austin said
and handed their gift to them. Once they got their gift open, they
gave Austin a big hug and kiss and showed off a cute bear
riding a ferryboat. "
"He's
so cute! Thank you!" Meredith said and gave the bear a hug with
a smile.
"You're
welcome, Aunt Meredith. Okay, let's see. Uncle Mark and Aunt Lexie
are next!"
Austin
handed their gift to Mark. Mark opened it and before showing it to
everyone, she looked at Austin with a puzzled grin. Austin motioned
with his hand to go ahead see what was inside. Mark opened the
small black book and flipped through the pages. Every page was filled
with Lexie's name, cell phone number, and their home address.
Mark
knew exactly how Austin came up with his gift. A month or so ago Mark
was worried he might slip back into his old ways and break Lexie's
heart. One night he came over to talk to Callie about it and Austin
overheard Mark say jokingly, "Maybe I should buy a little black
book and put Lexie's name on every page as a reminder that she's
the only one for me.
Mark
gave Austin a tight hug and ruffled his hair, winked at
Austin and whispered to Lexie, "This should be the last nail in
that old coffin," then told everyone as he showed off his gift,
"He has excellent hearing." he joked.
"And
most likely a massive hand cramp from all of that writing,"
quipped Lexie and she took Austin's hand and kissed it. Austin let
out a small giggle.
"Okay, this last one is for Mama and Mommy." Austin handed the small box to his moms and anxiously waited to see if they liked their gift. They opened the box to reveal two matching angel pendants which both had "Mommy, you are my angel. Thanks for saving me" inscribed. Both Callie and Arizona had tears in their eyes as they looked at the pendants and then at their little boy.
"Come
here, munchkin" Arizona said and she and Callie gave Austin hugs
and kisses until he couldn't breathe.
"Air!
I need air!" laughed Austin and sat down on Callie's lap after
he was let loose.
Arizona
asked, "Babe, will you pin mine on me?"
"Only
if you'll pin mine on me," replied Callie and they pinned the
angels on each other and exchanged a brief loving kiss.
"Oh!
one more thing," said Austin as he grabbed his little camera.
"Could I get a picture of everyone please?" Everyone gladly
got together for a group photo. "Okay the first one can be
silly, then we'll do a more serious one." Arizona set the timer
and then jumped in with the group. Everyone struck silly poses and it
took a lot of strength to not crack up, but they got through it, then
they did a "group hug" photo with Austin holding Brownie
in the center.
After
the back yard was spotless their friends left Callie, Arizona and
Austin to themselves for the rest of the evening. Tomorrow was the
start of a new work week for Callie and Arizona and a new
school week for Austin. All three would be ready to face the world as
they were all exhausted from the day's events and turned in early.
"I
know I'm 6 years old which makes me a big boy, but could I sleep with
you two? Just for tonight?" Austin gave the patented Torres pout
to both of his moms.
"I
can't believe you taught him that look," Arizona nudged Callie
with an amused look.
Without
skipping a beat, Callie replied, "I can't believe I can't resist
that look." She looked at Arizona for confirmation, then
picked up a sleepy Austin and the three of them quietly retreated to
the bedroom for a few hours of rest and dreams of their family's
future.
