CHAPTER 11 – MIAMI HEAT
CALLIE'S POV
Our time in Colorado has been amazing. Of course leaving Arizona's family wasn't easy for her. She has been happier here than I had ever seen her in Seattle. But she assured me that she was more than ready to continue our vacation and that she would bring me back to see her parents soon. Her mother made us promise to come back to visit soon, and I am actually looking forward to our next trip. The Robbin's family is very sweet and welcoming. I had never felt so welcome anywhere before. Even going home to visit my family on holidays never felt that inviting. It is easy to see where Arizona gets her huge heart from. Her mother is the kindest woman I have ever met. She made me feel like family from the start. When we said goodbye to the family at the airport, Arizona's dad hugged me and told me that he was very happy that such a great woman was with Arizona. He said that he used to worry about her being so far away from them, but knowing that I was there with her made him feel so much better. That made me feel so good because that meant that he trusted his little girl with me. And I made a promise to myself to not let him down. I would protect Arizona with everything I had. Knowing that we were headed to meet my family made me worry. My family is not as welcoming as Arizona's. They had different views on the world, and being gay was just not normal to them. Nobody in my family had ever come out, and even though everyone knew my uncle is a gay as they come, it was simply not talked about. It was kind of like the "don't ask, don't tell" rule in the military. I on the other hand had told my parents about Arizona months ago. Of course they had heard about Erica and myself, and they were furious, but they had decided to just ignore it. They knew I was with a woman, but we simply didn't discuss it. When I called my parents to tell them that Arizona and I were coming to Miami to visit, they acted happy that I was coming, but we didn't go into any details. So as I am sitting here on the airplane, with Arizona holding my hand for dear life, I silently pray that my family does not do or say anything to upset her on this trip, because I WILL defend Arizona and our relationship. If that means walking away from my family for good, then so be it. Arizona is my future, and that is not going to change. No matter what.
"Calliope, are you ok babe? You have been very quiet the whole flight? "
"Yeah babe, I'm sorry. Are you holding up ok? We should be in Miami soon."
"I'm ok, as long as I am with you, I'll be fine." She says with a sweet smile, dimples and a wink.
We sit there holding hands, and enjoying the quiet time alone. I think to myself of all the different ways this trip can turn out. Please let this go well I say to myself. I need this to go well. Everything in my life has always been so messed up. For once I need something to go easily for a change. I keep thinking to myself and the next thing I know Arizona and I are both sound asleep. We are both woken as the tires touch down. I swallow hard knowing that we are now in Miami, and it's now or never. Time to face my family. Of course my family is not waiting at the airport with open arms like my girlfriends parents were. Instead my father has arranged for a car to pick us up. I have told Arizona a bit about my family and their money, but I never went into detail about it. The money has never been important to me, so I didn't see the point in going into the story too deeply. After we found our luggage, I notice a man in a suit with a sign that said "Dr. Torres" on it. I roll my eyes, and motion for Arizona towards the man.
Yes, I'm Dr. Torres. And this is Dr. Robbins. I say to the man.
"Dr's. Right this way. Your car is right out front" the man says.
Arizona looks at me and is not sure what to say. I know she is wondering why we have a driver meeting us instead of my parents, or maybe my sister. After we walk out of the airport we are lead to a long black limo.
"Whoa! Is this our car?" Arizona says in amazement. I am almost embarrassed as I simply reply with a yes. Arizona climbs in first, and I slide in next to her. The limo driver rolls up the window giving us some privacy and I turn to face Arizona.
"Babe, I know that this isn't going to be nearly as great as our two days in Colorado. And I wish that I could change that. But I want you to know that if at ANY point in time you are uncomfortable, or if anyone says anything that upsets you, I want you to tell me. And we will be out of there with no questions asked. I want you to be comfortable. Be yourself and if that isn't good enough for anyone, then I am with you out the door. This is about you and I babe. If you aren't happy, then I'm not happy. Ok? Promise me you will tell me the second you become unsure about any little thing. Promise."
"Calliope, I am sure I will be fine, but yes babe, I promise to come to you if anything changes that. And Cal? Can that man see us back here with that window closed? " She asks me.
"No, he cannot see or hear us back here. Why?"
"Because I wanted to make sure he didn't see this… "
Arizona unbuckles her seat belt, and the next minute she is straddling my lap. Her hand is in my hair, pulling my head closer to hers. Our lips meet, and the next second her tongue is taking over my mouth. I m so drawn to her that I place my hands on her hips and pull her center closer to me. I remember the morning that she made me feel SO good, and I was not able to return the favor. Knowing this reminds me that Arizona is wound pretty tight. I make a mental note to take care of that the first chance I get her alone. For now I settle with a nice hot and heavy make out session. We feel the car come to a stop, and Arizona climbs off my lap. The limo driving rolls down the back window, and I lean out of the car to press the button on the intercom at my parents gate. The man on the camera is someone I recognize. It is Roberto, the butler my parents have had since I was a small girl. "Hola, Roberto! Can you open the gate por favor?" I say sweetly to the man. "Si Calliope" he says sweetly. Roberto has been present in more things in my life than my father or mother ever have been. Being from the family I grew up in, we spent more time with the help than with either of our parents.
As we climbed out of the car, Roberto and Rosa come walking out to greet us in the same way Arizona's parents did when we arrived in Colorado. I could tell that Arizona was not sure why my parents were not here instead. But she didn't say anything, and for that I was grateful.
"Roberto, Rosa.. this is my girlfriend, Dr. Arizona Robbins."
Roberto and Rosa both hugged Arizona and told me how beautiful she was. They took our luggage and we followed them inside. I had a death grip on Arizona's hand the entire time we walked towards the house. I noticed Arizona's eyes taking in all of the surroundings. The house is massive. The yard and all the statues are extravagant and outrageous. I had always wished that my family could have a normal home that was warm and inviting. Much like the one we just spent two heavenly days in. But both my mother and my father lived a lavish life. They had a lot of money, and they enjoyed showing it off. I on the other hand preferred to live a normal life. Sure I had more money then I knew what to do with in my trust fund. Easily at my disposal, but I lived off of my paycheck as a doctor. Unless it was an instance when I had no other choice but to use the trust fund. But I preferred to keep myself grounded. To earn what I had in life. And I believe that it makes me a better person.
Once we made our way upstairs to my old room, I opened the door and let Arizona walk in first. My parents did not leave my old room the way I left it of course. Instead it had become yet another guest room in their home. There were no pictures on the walls of our family, except one that was professionally taken with both my sister and I with our parents dressed to the nine for a awards benefit my father was thrown. This house was cold and silent, very different from Arizona's family home. And I could tell that Arizona felt this just as much as I did. We unpacked what we needed to, and Arizona excused herself to use the restroom inside the bedroom. She wanted to freshen up and fix her make up before my parents arrived. We were both thankful for the little time alone before we had to put on a happy face and see my parents. I was very nervous for their arrival. Not exactly sure how welcoming they would be considering the visitor I had with me. I honestly didn't even want to come here but Arizona insisted that we should make the effort even if my parents weren't as approving of us. That way we could at least walk away knowing we had tried. And I had to agree with her. After all, a small part of me hoped that they would see how happy Arizona makes me and somehow give us a shot. So I swallowed the stress I was feeling and smiled brightly as Arizona made her way out of the restroom looking stunning as ever. She was wearing a knee length black shirt with a dark blue button down silk blouse that was the exact color as her eyes. She knew I loved her in that color, and I loved that she wore it exactly for that reason. Her long blonde hair was braided back into a French braid and she had a light shade of pink lipstick on.
I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in for a tight hug. I did not try to advance anything. I simply wanted to hold my girlfriend and enjoy the closeness with her for a moment. I felt safe and warm in her arms. And I wished I could spend the next two days hidden away with her just like this. But as luck would have it, Roberto knocked on the door to announce the arrival of my parents. I turned my girlfriend and gave her a pleading look and reminded her of the promise she made to me before entering The Torres madness. She laced her fingers in mine and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "We will be fine babe, I am here with you. If they decide to reject us, then we walk out the front door holding hands the same way we are now. No matter what, I am not leaving you. I love you. Remember that okay?" Arizona says. I smile knowing that she is exactly right. We are in this together. And if things go as planned, we will be together for years to come. "Ok, it's now or never" I say. And we head back downstairs to introduce Arizona to the parents.
As we walked around the corner I could hear my mother instructing Rosa of what to do with all the bags she had just brought from numerous department stores. What I was not expecting, was my sister Aria to be right there with my mother. "CALLIOPE! Oh my god! You're here!" my sister screamed as she pulled me into a huge hug. She was smiling from ear to ear. "This must be THE Arizona Robbins you have been texting me nonstop about. She doesn't look like the take-control-in-the-bedroom-leave-you-walking-funny-the-next-day-type as you refer to her as. She looks so sweet… and innocent even." Aria says to me. Arizona blushed and extended her hand. "It's very nice to meet you Aria. Calliope has told me so much about you". Arizona says. "Oh girl, you can put that hand away. I feel like I know you already from everything Cal has said about you two (wink). Come here and give me a hug!" Aria says as she wraps her arms around Arizona. To say I was happy that at least SOMEONE in my family was welcoming to my girlfriend is a serious understatement. I was thrilled. Because I needed someone to be on our side quite frankly. What did not go un-noticed was the look on my mother's face. Before she nor I could speak, my father came walking in the front door.
"Mija. Welcome home. It's great to see you. You look beautiful as always" my father says.
"Papi, it is great to see you too. And thank you." I smile at my father. "Papi, this is Arizona Robbins. My girlfriend. She is a doctor at Seattle Grace with me. I pull Arizona over to meet my father and takes her hand in his and kisses the top of it. "It's a pleasure Ms. Robbins. Calliope has told us what a wonderful doctor you are. She is very proud of you" my father says. Arizona blush's and my father turns to mami and says "Darling, this is Arizona."
My mother doesn't look at Arizona. She continues looking down at her phone and simply says "Hello Dr. Robbins. Calliope welcome home. I have had a very long day, and I need to freshen up before dinner. I take it that Roberto or Rosa have shown you to your room and your all settled?" she asks as she walks right past us. I feel the rage begin to bubble inside of me. And my father can sense it. He turns to me and says, "Mija, give her some time. She will come around. Arizona, we are very happy to have you in our home. I hope you enjoy your time here in Miami. Calliope, we will see you at dinner in about an hour. Feel free to show Arizona around the property. " He leans over and places a kiss on my cheek and touches Arizona's shoulder before he walks off. Aria had followed my mother into the other part of the house and it left only Arizona and I standing in the empty living room.
"Would you like to go for a walk on the beach?" I ask Arizona. "That sounds great babe." She says with her dimples showing. I take her by the hand and guide her through the house towards the back door. As we step outside the warm air hits us and the smell of the ocean is breathtaking. I haven't been to the beach in too long. Growing up I spent all of my free time out here. It was the one place I felt at home and truly happy. Arizona and I stepped off the graveled walkway and stopped to slip off our shoes. We carried them in our free hand, with the other holding on to each other. We walked past the pier and my father's large boat was docked there. Arizona's eyes were wide as she took in the full view of the massive boat. "Your father has a yacht?" she says in amazement. "It's not a yacht babe. It's a rather large boat, but yes. It's his." I say almost with embarrassment. We continue walking and the water comes up and runs across our feet before retreating back. It's a perfect temperature, and Arizona makes a comment about maybe taking a late night swim if we have the time later. That sounded perfect and I made a mental note to do just that. We walked for a while, talking about me growing up here and the memories I had with my friends. I told her about my first kiss and that it was on this very beach. She laughed at the description I gave of my first boyfriend Mario, and suddenly she stopped walking. She pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "I find myself a bit jealous picturing someone else kissing my hot. HOT. Girlfriend on this beach Callie. So I am going to kiss you. Right here, and right now so in the future you can tell people about the amazing kiss you received on this beach from a SEXY Ped's surgeon." I felt my breath catch in my throat as she placed her hand on the side of my neck, and wrapped her other hand around my waist. I felt Arizona's warm lips touch mine, and her tongue slowly entered my mouth. I was instantly turned on and even contemplated pulling her off behind some tall grass and turning this into a very hot encounter. But after some serious consideration, I didn't allow myself only knowing that if we walked back into my parents house with "I just got lucky" hair, that my mother's mood would sure to plummet even more so. Arizona's kiss left me weak in the knees and only wanting more, but I had high hopes of continuing this later on tonight for the very swim my girlfriend had previously mentioned.
We walked back towards the house slowly. Not in any hurry to go back into the house full of obvious tension. Instead we strolled along carelessly until we reached the back door. Once back inside we made our way upstairs to wash up for dinner and change into something more appropriate for dinner with my parents. Arizona put on a beautiful strapless hot pink dress with black heels. I changed into a solid black dress that was just passed my knees and some red heels I had been dying to wear. Arizona loves when I am in red heels, and I bought them with her in mind. It wasn't long and we were all seated around the table. By now my sister Aria's boyfriend Miguel ha d joined the mix and they sat across from Arizona and I, with each of my parents on either end of the table. Unlike at Arizona's parents house, we were served one course at a time. And I was trying my best to not act uncomfortable. On the other hand, I could sense Arizona's discomfort each time they removed a plate from in front of her, only to replace it with something else. Small talk seemed to pass across the table, and Aria ranted about some designer job she was doing at the time. My father talked a bit about business, and my mother sat silent, only speaking when she was required to.
Finally getting the nerve, I directed the attention towards myself. By telling my family I had an announcement to make. All eyes were on me, and I told myself mentally that it was now or never. I had to do this right now if I was going to have the guts to do it at all. I stood at the table, with my glass of champagne in hand. I turned to face my father first as I spoke. "Papi, Mami, Aria.. I want you all to know that I am so happy to be home. To see all of you after what feels like ages. I brought Arizona here because she has become a very important part of my life. And in saying that I want to thank you all for being so welcoming to us both. I know this hasn't been easy for you all to understand, and I get that. It's not something I expect you to understand or fully accept over night. But I do want you to know that I am in love with her. She makes me the happiest I have been in my whole life. I can't remember the last time I felt like everything was falling into place until she came along. She picked me up when I was broken, and piece by piece she glued me back together, so I want to ask her something, but I want to do it here, because I want more than Anything for Arizona to know how important she is. And that I am proud to call her my girlfriend." I turn to face Arizona, and I see her smiling so beautifully.
"Babe, I know that we still have a long way to go before we can consider any type of permanent commitment. But being with you is the one thing in my life besides operating that I know is right. Everything about you and I feels right. I love waking up with you, falling asleep with you, and when you are at your apartment (even if it is rarely) I can't sleep. I toss and turn because I have become so comfortable knowing that you are next to me, or that when I get off work you will be in my bed fast asleep. Even when you are working and I am home, I am able to fall asleep with the knowledge that at some point you are going to crawl in bed next to me and wrap your arms around me. I don't want to spend a single night away from you ever again. I know I'm rambling, and I need to get to my point. So I want to ask if you would like to move in together. Not in my apartment, or yours. But look for a house together. Find somewhere that we can equally call home. One that we can decorate together, and we can fill full of things that are uniquely US instead of individually you or I. I love you with all of my heart, and I want to start a life with you one step at a time." I finally let out a breath I didn't even realize I had been sucking in throughout my rushed speech.
Arizona stands and throws her arms around my neck saying "yes! Yes Calliope I would love to get a place we can both call home. Yes!" Arizona says so happily. I am so excited. I feel like life cannot possibly get any better and just then my mother reminds me of exactly why I have stayed away from here as long as I have.
She stands and throws her fork onto her plate, followed by her napkin. She storms out of the kitchen rambling in Spanish, and I'm thankful that Arizona cannot understand what she is saying. Hell, I didn't catch it all myself, but the parts I did made me realize that she has not accepted us, and I honestly worried that she never would. I turned back to Arizona with a weak smile, and she offered a sympathetic one in return. We sat back down as my father excused himself to follow my mother.
Aria congratulated us both, and reassured us to ignore our mother, and said that she would eventually come around. Even though I knew better, I had to be hopeful. But right now, I am happy. Because the woman I love just agreed to begin a life with me, and tonight that was all I needed to know. Nothing or no one else mattered. I would be happy even if my mother never accepted it. I had Arizona, and that is all I need in this world to be happy.