The soup was delicious. Arizona had a bowl of corn chowder and Callie chose a hearty beef stew. They shared toasted slices of raisin bread. For Arizona, who had eaten so early, the soup was wonderful and hit the spot just right. She reached across the table and wound her fingers through Callie's, who squeezed her hand. Both women enjoyed their lunches quietly, content with just being in each other's presence. It was surprisingly comfortable, and comforting. When they'd finished eating they cleared away their bowls together.
"This was really nice." Arizona felt relaxed and warm and well fed, and just simply contented. "So, Callie Torres. What's Callie short for?"
Callie made a face. "I was hoping you'd forget. It's really horrible," she started. "Callie really is short for Calliope. I was named after my great grandmother."
Arizona tried saying it a few times. "Calliope. I like it," she declared.
"Nobody calls me Calliope, except for my parents." Callie cringed again. "It's especially horrible when you're in trouble."
Arizona laughed, her dimples making an appearance. "Well, tough luck Calliope. I like it, and you're stuck with me using it," Arizona retorted with a smug look on her face.
Callie couldn't take the adorableness of the whole situation. She laughed. "Whatever," she said with a huff, rolling her eyes. Deep down inside she liked the way her name rolled off Arizona's tongue. And, Callie allowed her mind to wander as she wondered about Arizona's tongue, like what else Arizona could do with her tongue… wait! Stop it, Calliope! She mentally shook off the picture, promising herself to revisit it later.
"So, since we're on the subject of names… Arizona like the state, or the ship?"
"I'm surprised you even have to ask, Calliope," Arizona tsked. "I'm badass! So Arizona, after the battleship, of course!" The blonde looked so indignant Callie had to laugh.
"Okay, okay… I'm sorry, Arizona like the battleship!"
"On a more serious note though… I was named after the battleship, in honour of my granddad. He served on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbour when it was bombed – he save nineteen men before he drowned."
"Oh wow." Callie was impressed.
"Yeah, and so every Robbins male after that has enrolled in the marines in honour of granddad. My big brother Tim was only just recently given an honourable discharge after taking two bullets in Syria. And all Robbins children? Well, we're brought up to be good men in a storm. We don't back down. We don't let adversity deter us." Arizona tilted her head to look at Callie, a determined look on her face, as if to send Callie an unspoken message that she wasn't going to let the nasty Erica business put her off.
Both women sat in the booth for some time chatting, comfortable in each other's company, their fingers touching over the table. The awkwardness of this morning was gone. It was nice. Too soon, Callie had to take her leave in order to make it to the café on time to start her shift. Arizona wiped her mouth with a napkin while Callie called for the check.
They stood just inside the door of the café with their hands intertwined, both not ready to part ways. Arizona turned to Callie. "Tell you what. You know how sometimes a professor will let you drop one quiz grade, so if you do really badly on one, you can get rid of it and it won't drag your overall results down?"
Callie nodded slowly as she caught on. "So we can drop that one bad date and pretend it never happened?"
Arizona grinned as she bounced on her feet. "Yeah! Exactly."
"I think that would be great."
"We only have to save one thing."
Callie cocked a perfectly-plucked eyebrow. "What's that?"
"My offer to bring you to see that young artist's work in my kitchen. You still have to come and see that." Arizona smiled cheekily.
Callie laughed. How could a grown woman be so adorable? "It's a deal. When does this gallery open?"
"Tomorrow night at six p.m. The dress code is casual."
"I'll be there." Callie held up Arizona's jacket to help her into it, who found the gesture incredibly sweet and chivalrous; she couldn't remember the last time someone had done something like that for her. She put her arms into the jacket and was pleasantly surprised to find Callie's arms around her. She leaned back into Callie's strong arms and put her hands over hers, holding them just over her heart.
"Thanks for giving me another chance," Callie murmured softly into Arizona's hair, the scent of the blonde's shampoo invading her nose.
"Thank you for saying yes and giving US a chance." Arizona leaned closer and their cheeks touched. Callie felt soft and warm and still smelled like cider and cinnamon. Arizona turned around, putting Callie's arms back around her, settling them in the small of her back. It felt nice. "We'll take turns to be the crazy one in this relationship. Next time, I'll be the crazy one."
The wind picked up and leaves from the sidewalk suddenly swirled around them; one got stuck in Arizona's hair. They started to laugh again. Callie reached out and plucked the errant red leaf out. "I think it's a good colour on you." She held it up near Arizona's cheek as if for comparison."
Arizona leaned her cheek towards the leaf in Callie's hand. "If you think so, I might just have to expand my wardrobe colours," she said teasingly. "Maybe I'll even invite you to come shopping with me." She accepted the leaf from Callie and twirled it between forefinger and thumb. She was reluctant to end their time together, although she knew she had a lot of things to do before tomorrow night. Suddenly she had plans! It was intoxicating. She'd stopped making plans a long time ago, resolving never to put her heart on the line ever again for someone whom she couldn't be a hundred percent sure would do the same for her in return. Arizona really, really hoped Callie was this someone.
Callie traced her fingertips over Arizona's cheek. Arizona really wanted to kiss Callie again so badly.
She reached out for Callie's jacket lapels to pull her close. "I'm going to kiss you again, Calliope."
And their lips met again in a heated kiss that led to tongues doing a sensual tango which made both women breathless, their hearts beating a spirited tattoo in their chests.
"Until tomorrow at six, then," Arizona said, smiling into the kiss as she broke away.
Callie caught her breath. She placed her fingers on her lips as though to seal in and preserve the kiss. "I'll be there. I promise."
A/N: Okay, I know some of you asked for more crazy ex Erica... I'm thinking about it! However, if not in the last few chapters, I'm contemplating another fic which will present more opportunities for crazy exes to make appearances, so don't be disheartened! Also, I've recently begun reading this fic called Going for Gold...so good! If you haven't read it yet, go now! :)
