FORBIDDEN GROUND - CHAPTER 12

"MOMMY! CALLIE!" Colton calls out from the room across the hall, letting both women know that he was completely awake.

"I'll go. You relax for a few more minutes." Callie says, as she kisses her girlfriend's cheek, and Arizona's head falls back to the pillow. Both women were completely exhausted from the night before. They had managed to sneak in only 2 hours of sleep, after a long night of worshiping each other. It sounded like a great idea the night before, but now they were both already wishing it was time for a nap.

Walking down the hallway, tying her robe shut, she presses open the door to Colton's room, to find him sitting up in his cars bed, holding a race car in each hand.

"Good morning handsome. Did you sleep good?" Callie asks the wide awake toddler.

"Callie. I hungry." Colton says with a smile.

"Well, how about we go downstairs and cook some breakfast. We can take mommy some breakfast to the bedroom. She would love that. What do you say?" Callie asks.

"Yeah. Mommy love breakfast." Colton says, climbing out of the bed. Quickly followed by Callie.

Once they were both inside the kitchen, Callie pulled a chair from the dining room and placed it up against the counter. Colton quickly climbed up and stood next to her.

"Here, I'll cook the eggs, and you can pick these grapes to put in mommy's bowl. Ok?" "Yes ma'am" Colton says, before they both begin making breakfast.

"Ok, this is the most important part. Are you ready? I need you to do this. You're a big boy right?" Callie asks, hyping up the toddler.

"Yes! I'm a big boy!" He says excitedly.

"Ok, take this, and squeeze some whipped topping onto the top of the pancakes." Callie instructs. When he was finished adding the topping, which was a drastic amount more than necessary, but none the less adorable, Callie scooped him up and lifted him into the air. "You did it! Look how awesome that is! You're a little chef!" She says, while a huge smile graces both her and Colton's faces.

"I did it!" he cheers back. As Callie brought him back down, he wrapped his little arms around Callie's neck and squeezed. "I love you Callie." He said softly, causing Callie's heart to melt.

"I love you too Colton. I love you too." Callie says, still holding onto the toddler tightly.

On the other side of the door, Arizona had been peeking through, watching the two people she loved the most, making sure they didn't notice her there. Watching her son, and her girlfriend together, thinking no one else in the world was around besides themselves, Arizona witnessed just how strong the bond between Callie and Colton had become, and it couldn't have made her happier. When she heard a soft clearing of a throat, she turned around with a small jump. Carlos had been standing behind Arizona the entire time as well, witnessing the bonding that had been happening inside the kitchen between his daughter and the small boy.

"The seem to really like each other." The elder Torres says, still looking into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, I was a little surprised to see you there. I didn't now anyone was behind me." Arizona explains. "But yes, they really do like one another. They have become extremely close." Arizona finishes.

"Mrs. Robbins, could I speak to you alone for a moment?" Carlos asks. And after a nod from Arizona, the two of them disappear into the den. Arizona took a seat first, as Carlos stood until she was seated.

"What did you want to speak to me about?" Arizona asks him.

Carlos took a seat on the smaller couch, opposite of Arizona. He crossed his arms across his chest, and looked directly at the blonde.

"Mrs. Robbins-" He began.

"Arizona. Call me Arizona, sir." Arizona says, cutting in."

"Of course. Arizona. As a parent yourself, you know how important your child's happiness is. Correct?"

"Yes sir. Of course. Colton's happiness is the first and most important thing in my life." Arizona answers.

"Good. So we are on the same page here. But the point of this conversation is, I know that Calliope left Mike for you. Even if she insists that it was for many other reasons, I know… as her father.. That it was much more than that. The way she looks at you, it's like she is in a whole other world. The love she has for you is written across her face. And I never saw that when she looked at Mike."

"Mr. Torres, I love you daughter. I know that the way we started out wasn't exactly right, but that doesn't change how strongly I love her. I understand if you have your reserves about me, and frankly I don't blame you. But I am not here to hurt Calliope. I have never had someone make me feel as if I am the most important person on the planet, and that is exactly the way she makes me feel. All I want to do is make her feel the same way, for the rest of my life."

"I can't explain why, but I do believe you. I can see that you look at her the same way she looks at you, and that gives me hope. Hope that my daughter may truly be able to spend her life being happy, the way she deserves to be. But I assure you, if you hurt her…" Mr. Torres began, but quickly stopped mid-sentence when Colton came running into the room and jumping into his mothers arms.

"Mommy. Breakfast! Come eat!" Colton said with a huge smile, and Arizona looked up to notice Callie standing in the doorway.

"Good morning babe. And … dad?" Callie says, a bit of confusion on her face when she noticed her father and Arizona had been in the living room alone. "Everything alright?" She asks.

"Good morning mija. Everything is just fine. So where is this breakfast the little guy was talking about? I'm just headed up to wake your mother, and I am certain she is starved as well." Mr. Torres says with a smile. Stopping to kiss Callie on her cheek before disappearing up the stairs.

Callie walked over to Arizona on the couch and squatted down next to her legs.

"He didn't say anything to upset you did he? Because I will go say-" Callie began.

"Callie. No. He didn't say anything bad. He was very polite actually. We hadn't been in here long before you and Colton came in. But, this big boy said there is breakfast, and I know I'm ready to eat." Arizona says, smiling at Callie and then to her son.

"Come on mommy! Come on Callie!" Colton said, standing and taking both women by the hand. Arizona leaned over and gave Callie a soft kiss before being pulled in the direction of the kitchen.

An hour or so later, the 4 adults and Colton had finished up breakfast, and small talk. Arizona and Callie talked about work for a while, and even though Callie tried to stop the conversation, Arizona answered Rosia's questions about Colton's father, and Arizona's divorce. Most of the conversation had been censored so Colton wouldn't hear it, but the Torres parents got the full idea of what had happened. Things seemed to be going smoothly, and Callie was extremely happy that her parents seemed to be accepting Arizona and her son. Because even if they hadn't, Callie would not have ended her relationship. Something about Arizona made Callie happy. Happier than she had been in years. And even though their relationship had been progressing at a rather quick pace, she liked… no she LOVED where it was heading. And the thought of Colton and Arizona moving in with her made her insides tingle with excitement.

"Well thank you for breakfast ladies. Your mother and I have to go meet some investors for a few hours, but we will be back late afternoon or this evening. You ladies enjoy your afternoon. Will we see you again before we leave Mrs. Robbins?" Carlos asks.

"I would like that. Colton and I were planning to go home after while." Arizona began, but Callie cut in.

"Unless you guys just stay again tonight. Then maybe we could have dinner together before my parents head back to Miami." Callie suggests, internally hoping that Arizona and Colton would stay again.

"Well, ok. I guess we will see you tonight after all." Arizona says with a smile. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Callie was wearing a huge smile as well.

Soon the Torres parents were gone and Callie, Colton and Arizona were left alone in the house.

"So what do you guys want to do today? We can go do whatever ya'll want to do. Just name it." Callie says, looking at her two blondes.

"Zoo! Zoo!" Colton says, jumping up and down with excitement.

Callie looked at Arizona, waiting for her response, and when she receive a smile and a nod, she knelt down next to Colton.

"So you think we should spend our day at the zoo? Well I think you should give mommy some big hugs and kisses so she will say yes." Callie whispers, loud enough for Arizona to hear as well.

Colton turned and ran to his mom, who was knelt down now as well. He wrapped his arms around Arizona's neck and kissed her cheek. Once he backed away, he turned to Callie.

"Callie kiss mommy." He said, pulling Callie by the hand towards Arizona.

"You want me to give mommy kisses so we can go to the zoo?" Callie asks, and his little blonde hair shook as his head bobbed up and down with a smile on his face.

Callie took a few steps, and leaned it to kiss Arizona softly on the lips and said, "Can we go to the Zoo?"

"Well, how could I say no after getting such sweet kisses from the both of you? Let's get ready and get ourselves to the zoo." Arizona says, causing Colton to jump up and down excitedly.

"Come on little guy. Let's go see what we can find for you to wear." Callie says, scooping the toddler up and heading up the stairs towards his room.

Arizona stood at the bottom of the staircase watching her girlfriend and her son, moving as if they had been together his entire life. It was a natural bond that they shared. One that wasn't forced or fake. The genuinely loved each other, and it came effortlessly on both their parts. Part of Arizona grew more excited about moving in together, and even though she still had quite a bit to explain to her parents, she knew that whatever came her way would be worth it.

Later that day - - - - -

Callie, Arizona and Colton had been at the zoo for a little over two hours. They had seen several animals, and Colton was having a blast. Callie and Arizona had to admit that they were having a great time as well. Colton was sitting on a bench eating a snow cone, while Callie and Arizona looked at the map, discussing what animals they wanted to see next when the sound of Colton's voice pulled their eyes away from it.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Colton screamed out before standing up and running in the direction of Cody.

"Oh shit." Slipped out of Callie's mouth as she saw Cody, pushing a stroller, with his new fiancee walking next to him. She felt the grip of Arizona's hand tighten dramatically as the couple made it closer to them.

"Hey buddy! What are you doing here?" Cody asks, while lifting Colton up into the air.

"I do not even want to go over there. It will not end well." Arizona says quietly to Callie.

"I know. I'm right here though, and I won't leave your side. Come on, we will go together. IF he says anything smart, we will just walk away. Even if I have to pick you up and carry you away." Callie says.

"Fine." Arizona mumbled before walking over in the direction her son had just ran. The taste of copper filling her mouth from how strongly she was biting on her bottom lip in effort to keep herself from saying something.

"Arizona." Cody says, hoping to keep thinks peaceful.

"Cody." Arizona said coldly. "Glad to see you're still alive. Considering you haven't attempted to see your son in a while. I guess once you start a whole new family, its hard to make time for your other child." Arizona says.

"Arizona… don't." Callie whispers, knowing that her girlfriend is on the verge of blowing up on the guy.

"I have meant to call, and pick him up. It's been really-"Cody began, but was cut off.

"Save it. Really. I have nothing to say. We are trying to enjoy our day, so you guys do the same. If you want a day to spend with Colton, then you know my number. I'll give you a few minutes to talk to him, and then we have to go." Arizona says, turning her back to Cody. All the while, Cody's fiancee was silent.

"I'm proud of you." Callie says once her and Arizona made it back to the bench they were previously sitting on.

"For what?" Arizona asks, eyes still watching her ex with her son.

"For not murdering him in front of all these witnesses. I'm not sure how we could explain that to a judge." Callie says, causing Arizona to finally smile and even let out a small laugh.

"I just can't stand him anymore. It's odd that I spent so long with him, but yet now if I'm even 10 feet near him, I have to fight the urge to vomit."

"I understand that. It's the same feeling I get when I'm around Mike. But for Colton's sake, we need to make an effort to be civil towards him. Colton does need him in his life." Callie explains.

"I know. You're right. And I will. I just want our divorce to be finalized so we have a schedule for Colton. But I don't want things to be this uncomfortable whenever Cody and I have to speak to one another. I know that he has his faults, and I have my own as well, so we really need to work this out. Because I won't let this situation become unhealthy for Colton." Arizona explains.

"I agree. It would be best for Colton if you two could get along at least long enough for visitation arrangements." Callie said, agreeing.

"We will. One way or another." Arizona said, as she stood after noticing Cody was walking towards them, with Colton holding his hand by his side.

"I'll call you soon, so we can set up a good day and time for me to come get Colton. I would really like to have him for a couple of days." Cody said.

Callie gave Arizona's hand a light squeeze, hoping to help push her into a calm conversation.

"That will be fine. We will set something up. And I think you and I need to talk, soon. There's a few things I need to tell you." Arizona says, and the curiosity on Cody's face was obvious.

"Uh, yeah. I'll call you tomorrow. Ok?" He says, looking as if he was going to be sick.

"Alright." Arizona says.

Colton ran over to Callie, and took her by the hand, starting their own conversation. When Callie picked him up and Colton rested his head on her shoulder, Cody's eyes narrowed at the exchange of affection they shared.

"Hey, we are going to go look at the otters. Meet you there?" Callie said to Arizona, not looking to meet eyes with Cody.

"Sure. I'll be right there." Arizona said with a smile.

"Bye daddy. Callie, lets go!" Colton said excitedly.

Once Colton and Callie were out of ear shot distance, Cody looked at Arizona with squinted eyes.

"They seem to be getting rather close. Must spend a lot of time together." Cody says sarcastically.

"Yeah. They are close. And they spend plenty of time together. I should be able to say the same about him and your… whatever she is. But, he hasn't spent any time with the woman now has he? Have you even introduced him to your baby? Does he even know he has a sibling?"

"We haven't… it's been…" He said, searching for some type of excuse as to why he hasn't been very active in Colton's life as of late.

"Save it. And save the over protective act. Callie is a positive force in our son's life. She is good to him, and she is good FOR him. He loves her. And you and I both know that he is very finicky about who he gets close to. Just be happy that she is good to him, and that he is happy. We both made some mistakes, and neither of us are proud of them… I know I'm not. But regardless of what direction our lives are taking us, we still have a son together. And we have to be the best parents and people that we can possibly be for him. So let's set aside our differences and just at least TRY to get along. For him. We owe that much to him Cody." Arizona said, feeling quite a bit better after getting that out.

"You're right. I know I have been off the grid, and I shouldn't be. I'll do better. OK? Thanks Arizona. Really." Cody says before they parted ways to continue their day with the new families they have created.

"Everything go ok?" Callie asks, while her and Arizona stood watching Colton look at the otter's through the large glass wall.

"It will be. Let's just enjoy our day." Arizona says, looking into those dark chocolate eyes of Callie's.

"I love you." Callie says, lacing her fingers with Arizona's.

"I love you too Calliope. I really, really do."