Authors Note: I am so sorry about the delay. My hardest term of high school has taken full effect and school work is piling. I'll try and update as quick as possible. Not sure how I feel about this chapter but reviews are always welcome.
Two bodies lay tangled in the sheets of a bright pink quilt cover and the low hum of Matilda played softly through the room. It was the weekend before the recovering blonde was to return back to school, the place where she killed a man and nearly died herself. The two had spent more time than ever together, spending night's together, sharing family meals and going to doctor and physiotherapy appointments the blonde had. Carlos and the Robbins family had become like in-laws and everyone knew that it would just be a matter of time before one of their girl's realised that and wanted to make it a reality. Each family, excluding Lucia who had been on more business trips in the past couple of months than she had been on in the entirety of the previous year. Calliope had refused to speak to her mother again since the incident with visiting Arizona in hospital. It was a tender wound that still hurt when she thought about it too much but she was thankful she had the support of her father and her new family. Callie and Tim had become two peas in a pod, always pranking Arizona. The blonde was oddly okay with their new routine. Having her girlfriend get along so well with her family caused her heart to swell and she loved it. She loved her girlfriend, and her girlfriend loved her.
Matilda had climbed atop the building attached to the Trunchbull's home and was currently gently gliding her hands and eyes in a motion to get the Lissy-doll. As her red ribbon is set free unintentionally and flying through the air Calliope ceases her stroking motion on the blonde's hair, which is currently cuddled into her side with her head resting against an ample chest. Upon noticing the absence of her girlfriend's soothing motions the younger girl lifted her head to look into auburn eyes. "You okay?" after seeing the lost look on the brunette's face Arizona sat up further and placed a comforting hand in her girlfriend's. Snapping out of her obvious trance and looking into concerned crystal blue eyes the brunette hummed in question. "You went off for a little while there. What are you thinking about in there?" the blonde tapped a slightly pale finger against a tanned forehead. At the look of concern still etched on her girlfriend's face once she had retracted her hand Callie thought she would be better off being open with Arizona. "I'm sorry, I just got caught up in my mind." She settled them both back down into their earlier position and sighed. "They wouldn't let me see you." When the blonde made to sit up again she placed her arms tighter around her and kissed the crown of her light coloured head. "I went to the hospital right after you left in the ambulance, after I gave my statement." Taking a moment to steady her breath she continued. "I didn't know what to do. I kept telling them that you were my girlfriend and I needed to see you. I needed to know that you were okay."
As tears started to drop on top of a blonde head of hair and this time Arizona managed to escape the death grip Calliope and manoeuvred her body to hold her girlfriend. She felt the sobs before she heard them. "I waited. I didn't leave. Not once. I couldn't sleep, I only got like 20 minute naps because I k-kept seeing you get s-shot over and over. I couldn't sleep and they w-wouldn't l-let me-e see you-u." Arizona held tighter to the love of her life and tears began to cascade down her own face. She didn't know what to do and she didn't know what Calliope had been through while she was recovering. She just didn't know. Minutes passed and the brunette finally calmed down enough to proceed. "Your parents and mine kept trying to get me to leave but I couldn't. I knew that you were okay. The doctors and your parents and Tim told me but I had to see for myself. Every time I closed my eyes you kept getting shot and kept dying. He kept killing you and I was useless. I tried to protect you. When we were waiting for Bailey's signal, I tried. H-he got you out f-from b-behin-nd me though and I couldn't save you." The two remained in an embrace as the end credits of Matilda passed over Arizona's television. "You have got to stop blaming yourself. You did everything you could, you saved me. Stop it okay. I can't have you blaming yourself and having me not able to do anything. I know about the nightmares and I know about you secluding yourself. Stop hiding from me and talk to me. I love you and I want to help you." The blonde's finality ended with a pair of tear stained lips bruising her own. Resting two foreheads against each other there was a whispered 'I'll try' and many confessions of love as the two sunk into a deep slumber.
The next morning the pair of sleeping beauties awoke by the rude blaring to the left of a queen size bed. There were grunts and a thump as a certain Latina fell to the floor upon trying to return back to her slumber. The blonde's giggles were the only thing making Callie smile from her position on the floor and the two began their now fluent routine. They had barely noticed how well and naturally they moved around each other but were equally as glad as everyone that had actually noticed. After a quick half hour of perfecting their outfits and appearance they made their way, hand in hand, to the kitchen for a home cooked breakfast. Sitting down as close to the other as possible the pair dug into a stack of pancakes and other goodies Barbara had especially made for the blonde's first day back. It wasn't voiced but the tension in the room proved how worried everyone was. Tim simply smiled at his sister and Daniel kept a worried eye on his precious baby girl. A tanned and pale hand lay clasped under the table as the couple ate, both knowing they needed comfort right now. The night before had wore them both out and they knew that today was going to be a challenge. The family's breakfast came to an end and all members remained at the table with a sombre atmosphere. At the shuffling of a chair everyone looked up. "We better get going before we're late." Proud smiles laced every face as Arizona stood and announced that she would try today. They all knew that that's what the blonde was saying. With a few hugs and kisses to cheeks the couple drove off in the t-bird that now also resided at the Robbins household.
Calliope slowly parked the car and turned to the blonde who remained silent almost the entire ride apart from a few unfocused words. Kids were bustling around, frantic and relaxed. The school's atmosphere had somewhat returned to normal but everyone held that fateful day close to their hearts and not a day went by without one tear being shed. Dr Bailey roamed the premises and on this mornings walk she saw them. Two girls, one paler in usual, sitting in a classic thunderbird seemingly caught in their own world. Dr Bailey thought better of interrupting the two and patiently waited until she could finally talk to Arizona. Back in the car Callie didn't know if she should reach out for the blonde or wait until she came around. Her thoughts were answered when she felt a hand land on her knee and finally the eyes of her girlfriend found hers. With a slight nod from the blonde Calliope gave a barely there smile and the pair exited the car and met in front of it. As soon as Arizona reached Callie she clung tightly to her arm while searching her surroundings. He's not here. He'll never be here. I have Calliope and I'm safe. I'm safe. The blonde knew it would be hard but she hadn't realised how much she'd need Calliope and herself to reassure her. Tight grips never faltered as Arizona began to walk towards the door. She was weary of her surroundings but was also trying to keep up a facade. She didn't want everyone knowing she was scared. Calliope knew though. Calliope always knows. The two slowed down when they saw a familiar form going to intercept them. The smile that was shortly joined by teary eyes when Arizona saw Dr Bailey was one that both stunned the world and made everyone remember the shooting. Stopping and releasing her girlfriend's hand Arizona pulled the short woman into the tightest hug known to man and after a moment of being startled the embrace was reciprocated.
"Arizona," pulling back from the blonde's arms the teacher allowed her emotions to lie on her sleeve. "Dr Bailey," the airy reply managed to release the tears welling in all three sets of eyes. 'It's good to have you back." Although there was so many words left unsaid the trio all knew that they were glad to see each other. With a nod the dark skinned woman left, a smile gracing her features for the first time in weeks. The young couple's hands found each others naturally again and as the bell rung a small jump was produced from the shorter of the pair and with a soothing thumb rubbing over the back of her hand they set off for class. Getting through the door, the same door she was rolled out of on a stretcher unconscious, proved to be difficult. The sudden pull on a tanned arm ceased the attempts made to cross over the threshold. The panic now etched into a perfect face which was framed by light blonde curls caused Callie to step in front of her girlfriend and place her hands delicately on Arizona's cheeks. "Arizona, hey, calm down. You're okay. It's okay. I'm right here. I've got you." Hearing the soothing words and feeling the calming touch of Callie seemed to work effectively on the blonde and Arizona found her feet carrying her slowly through the doors of Seattle Grace High School.
The two made it to their first class with only a few minor stops to help calm the blonde. After knocking and entering to announce their presence the entire class fell to absolute silence. The teacher stopped writing on the board, the students all forgot where they were up to in the sentence they were copying and 20+ eyes were glued to a pair of almost stunned girls. Making their way cautiously to the back of the room the couple went to sit down when they heard it. Clap. Clap, Clap. Clap, Clap, Clap. A slow clap resulting in a thundering applause and hollering of appreciating, respect and an utter sense of pride echoed in their classroom and Arizona found tears once again pooling in her eyes. Releasing a pale hand Calliope joined in and Arizona let her emotions tear her apart and nodded as sobs overtook her body. She was so thankful, and mildly embarrassed. Due to the teacher telling them to quiet down a few minutes later the two girls finally sat down and got out their books. "Welcome back, Miss Robbins." At her teachers smile and announcement she let her own lips curve up and nodded. When he turned around she leant over quickly and caught her girlfriend's lips. I'm okay.