Characters belong to Shonda. The rest is mine.
One More Try: Chapter Eleven
ARIZONA'S POV
Oh god, I feel sick. I feel like I may actually throw up and it's nothing to do with my pregnancy. My mom has just called to tell me that she and dad are twenty minutes away and I'm not prepared at all. I'm not prepared for the fact that they're about to find out that they're going to be grandparents and I'm not prepared for the million and one questions I'm likely to receive. Eliza has been quiet since I told her mom was coming by and I don't blame her. She's still coming to terms with all of this and the last thing she needs is twenty questions from my parents. More so my father. He has never met Eliza and I know how he can be around potential girlfriend's so I can't even bring myself to think about how he is going to react to the fact that she is back. He had a lot to say about it when I told them both that she had left, but it isn't their business. I mean, they're my parents and they care about me…but I'm a grown woman and I can decide what is best for me. I can decide who I do and don't want in my life, and in my home.
Glancing over towards the couch where Eliza is sitting, she is chewing on her nails and my heart is breaking for her. I know she doesn't want to be here right now, but I kinda need her. I'd thought about giving her the opportunity to leave but what would that solve? How would that show my parents that she is here to stay? I don't need to show them that she's here for good, but it would still be nice to have her around for a little while at least. If it becomes too much, I wouldn't blame her for taking herself out of the situation. My mom and dad can be pretty full on when they want to be, but I'm hoping the news of our pregnancy will soften the blow a little. I'm hoping, but I'm not hopeful. Rounding the couch, I take a seat beside my girlfriend and she glances my way. "You okay?" I give her a sad smile.
"Mm, just waiting for the onslaught." She sighs, running her hands down her thighs. "They're going to rip me apart, Arizona."
"That's not going to happen, baby." Leaning in, I press a kiss below her ear and she releases a deep breath. "I've got your back, okay?"
"No, you don't need any stress in your life right now." She takes my hand in her own. "You're carrying our baby and I need you to never be stressed."
"I won't be." I give her a dimpled smile. "I'm good. We're good."
"Oh god." The sound of a car pulling up the drive, I know her heart has just dropped into her stomach but she's okay. She's got this. We both have. "Are you sure I should be here? I'm just going to cause problems, Arizona."
"Stay here." I give her a knowing look. "If they don't like it, they can leave, okay?"
"No." She grips my wrist as I try to pull away. "Please, don't fall out with them. I'm not worth it."
"Nobody is falling out with anybody." Squeezing her hand, I stand and straighten myself out. I'm wearing an oversized shirt right now but I can see my bump so I know my mom is going to notice it before I've even had time to tell her. Gripping the door handle, I turn it and pull it open. "Hi, mom." Pulling her into a hug, my father follows behind her and gives me one of his signature smiles. "Dad." I smile.
"Hi, honey." He throws me a wink. "You look great."
"Thanks, Dad." Stepping aside so they can both come inside our home, Mom rushes straight into the kitchen and dad follows me into the living room.
"And who is this?" He motions towards Eliza and she stands, clearing her throat.
"This is Eliza." I smile. "Eliza, this is my father. Colonel Daniel Robbins." Her smile faltering when she senses that he's about to freak, I place my hand on his shoulder and he turns to face me. "It's okay, Dad. She's supposed to be here."
"Supposed to be here?" He raises his voice a little. "Over my dead body!"
"Dad, please." I give him a sad smile.
"No!" He holds up his hands. "I had to listen to you cry to your mother when she walked out on you. I had to listen to my only daughter totally heartbroken and you just let her back in? You just let her come and go as she pleases? This isn't right, Zona."
"Daniel, what the hell is the ma-" My mom gasping, I roll my eyes and Eliza drops down into her seat. "Oh…"
"Mom, please…not you, too." Standing in between my parents, my mom's eyes are filled with unshed tears and I really don't need this right now. "Eliza is back and that is the end of this conversation."
"Arizona, honey…" My mom gives me a sad smile. "You can't do this." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but you can't."
"Can't do what?" I furrow my brow. "Take back the only woman I've ever truly loved? I can, and I have."
"Why are you doing this to yourself, sweetie?"
"I'm not doing anything to myself, mom." I drop my gaze. "And I'd appreciate it if you could both have some respect for her." Feeling a headache coming on, I move away from my parents and approach my girlfriend. "You okay?"
"Maybe I should head to the store." She gives me a sad smile. "Did you need anything?"
"Nope." She smiles. "We don't need anything picking up so you have no reason to go."
"Arizona…" She turns away and lowers her tone. "I think maybe you need some time alone with them. You know, let this all sink in?"
"Arizona, if she wants to leave again, then you should let her go." My father cuts in. "It's what she does best."
"Mr. Robbins." Eliza turns to face my dad, her voice breaking. "I appreciate that I have no business being here, and I really don't need either of you to remind me of that fact but Arizona and I are happy."
"Until you're not." He laughs. "My daughter deserves more than someone who is going to leave without any word. She deserves someone who can be here for her whatever time of day it is. No matter how terrible things may be…"
"I know that." She nods, her head dropping and her shoulders slumping. "Arizona has a lot to discuss with you but I don't think you want me here, so I'll go." Grabbing her jacket from the back of an empty chair, she turns to face me and presses a kiss below my ear. "I'll just drive around for a little while. Let you guys have some time alone."
"You don't need to leave." I take her hand in my own and press a kiss to her knuckles.
"I do." She throws me a wink. "Because it's almost three and you will want your fries and shake soon."
"God, I love you." I pull her in a little closer. "But I really don't want you to go."
"I know, but I think it's best." She brushes her thumb across my cheek. "Just call me if you need me, okay?"
"Okay." I give her a small nod and release her from my grip. Watching her walk away, something in her composure changes and I furrow my brow.
"Mr. Robbins, it was great to finally meet you." She shrugs her jacket on. "And Mrs. Robbins, it's been wonderful to see you again."
"She's running again, Barb."
"Daniel." She gives her husband a stern look. "Just stop!"
"I'm leaving because Arizona doesn't need any stress in her life right now. I will be back, and I'm never leaving again." She glances my way. "I understand that you have no reason to believe me, but I'm in this relationship with Arizona. Not her entire family." Heading for the door, she tugs it open and gives me a small smile. "I love you."
"I love you, too." Wrapping my arms around myself, my mom glances back at me and narrows her eyes. "What?" I ask, my voice a little harsh. I'm pissed at the both of them right now and I was really hoping that it wouldn't end like this.
"Are you sick?" My mom's voice holds a world of worry right now but that's just mom. She has always been a worrier. "Is it your heart? She said you don't need the stress…"
"No, mom." I take a seat. "I really didn't want to do this without Eliza but since you have both pushed her away, I have no choice."
"What's going on, honey?" My mom returns to her usual self and drops down beside me. "Something is wrong…"
"Except it's not, mom." I wipe a stray tear from my jawline. "Nothing is wrong. For the first time in my life, everything is perfect. Everything is amazing."
"You think that because she is back, but it will turn sour again…just you wait and see."
"This isn't about Eliza's return." I laugh. "This is about the fact that I'm about to become a mom and if you would just give me five freaking minutes to explain myself, you would have known that tiny piece of information when you walked through my door!" My own voice raised, my mom's mouth hangs open and she attempts to speak. "And I'm sure you're going to tell me that this is all a mistake and I can't do this, but I can. I'm thirty-four and I need this now, mom. I want this now."
"You're pregnant?" Her voice breaks. "Daniel, our baby girl is pregnant."
"I heard, Barb." Glancing up at my father, he has the biggest smile on his face. "I heard…"
"W-When? I mean, how?" My mother stutters.
"Through a donor." I breathe out.
"Oh, Zona." She pulls me into a hug and squeezes me tight around the shoulders. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks, mom."
"Congratulations, Sweetheart." My dad moves closer to me and places his hand on my shoulder. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you." Tears suddenly filling my eyes, my mom pulls back and furrows her brow. "Sorry." I sniffle.
"What do you need?" My dad asks. "Is there anything I can get you?"
"Just…Eliza." I breathe out.
"We've got you, honey." He shakes his head. "Let her get on with her life."
"This is her life." I spit. "I don't expect you to understand, Dad. I really don't."
"Then why are you doing this to yourself?"
My mother holds up her hand and my father is silenced immediately. He knows when the hand makes an appearance his opinion no longer matters. Its always been that way. "Is Eliza happy about this, Zona?"
"So happy, Mom." My hand settling over my bump, I know I need her here with me. I don't care what they have to say about her, and I should never have let her leave before, but I need her…and I need her now.
"Daniel, take my cell from my purse and make yourself useful." She demands. "Call your daughter in law and have her come back here right now."
"She's not my daughter in law." He laughs.
"She's as good as…" My mom gives him a knowing look. "Now, if you don't get that poor girl back here right now, you and I are going to fall out." Taking my mom's hand in my own, I give it a squeeze, followed by a thankful smile. "Move your ass, Colonel." His head dropping on his shoulders, he disappears from sight and mom looks at me with that sympathetic happy look. God, I hate that look. "How long?"
"A little over sixteen weeks." I smile. "Eliza has been back around two months, though."
"She didn't know?"
"No, but when she found out...God, she was so happy, mom."
"Then that is all I need to know." She pats my thigh. "That is all that matters."
"She makes me happy…" I breathe out. "I know she left, but she had her reasons. Reasons which I've come to understand."
"You don't have to explain your private business to me, sweetie." She shakes her head. "Eliza is home. You are happy. I'm about to become a grandmother. I'd say things are working out just fine for all of us." Pressing a kiss to the top of my head, she stands and sighs. "God, this is a lot to take in."
"Mm, don't I know it." Soothing my bump a little, I know once Eliza returns I'll be okay. I don't need their opinion on this matter and I don't need them to get on board. It would be good if they could, though. I mean, I want our child to have grandparents around. If they're going to make it difficult for Eliza, though…it will be a completely different story. I hate to think of it that way, but it's true. She is my life and so is this baby. So long as we are happy, everyone else can go to hell. "Hey, mom." She turns back to face me. "Thank you…"
"I just want what is best for you, Zona." She gives me a genuine smile. "If you and Eliza are about to start a family, then I have nothing to worry about."
"She's here to stay, mom," I say with complete certainty. "I know she is."
Watching as my dad comes back into the room, he hands mom's cell over to her. "She is coming back." He clears his throat. "I hope you know what you're doing, Arizona." Dad gives me a knowing look and I simply nod. "I cannot watch you go through all of this again. I cannot wait for you to arrive home to us brokenhearted again."
"I won't." I stand and take his hand in my own. "Everything is okay, you have to trust me."
"I do trust you." He gives me a nod. "It's your girlfriend I don't trust."
"Please, don't." I give him a sad smile. "You don't even know her. Once you get to…you will see how amazing she is and how happy she makes me."
"It's going to take time." He takes a seat and drops his head into his hands. "This isn't just going to disappear when she walks through that door."
"It is," I state. "Because I need you and mom to be happy for me. You push her away and I'll never forgive you, dad." My voice breaking, he glances up at me and he knows I mean exactly what I say. He knows that if he ruins this for me…we are done. Over.
"As you wish." He replies. "As you wish."
God, I just need this to be okay. I understand that they are only trying to protect me, but Eliza isn't who I need protecting from. She has never been. She is my life…she is my world. Once dad realizes that he can get over himself and stop being the overprotective father he's always been. He means well, I get that…but it's time for me to do what I want. It's time for me to be with who I want. His opinion is exactly that.
An opinion.
Thanks for reading, guys. Reviews are welcome and appreciated as always.