Shattered Chapter 12
They were sitting in first class waiting for takeoff to Baltimore, and Callie was very excited. A week alone with Arizona was exactly what they needed to take their minds off the impending Africa situation.
Arizona had already downed two glasses of champagne and still held her armrest in a vice-grip. She was looking out of the plane window at the workers below.
"What if one of them forgets one of the safety steps?" she said out loud but to herself really.
"Arizona, I think they know what they're doing. What are you going to do on your way to Africa?" Callie laughed until she saw the look on her girlfriends face. "Okay, okay, we are going to be fine hun, give me your hand and look at me." Callie said gently seeing the terror in those blue eyes.
"You really hate flying huh?" Callie pointed out obviously.
"I just don't like not being in control." Arizona said gripping Callie's hand harder and harder as the plane began to taxi down the runway.
"That explains a lot in the bedroom." Callie joked and Arizona punched her in the arm. "Ow. Such violence for a petite woman." Arizona leaned her head on Callie's shoulder and closed her eyes. She relaxed a little as Callie kissed the top of her head. The champagne was starting to kick in. Soon Arizona was asleep, and Callie started to drift off resting her head on the blondes.
They landed late Thursday evening and were shown to an awaiting limousine outside of the airport. Arizona looked at Callie confused but figured the Chief must have set it up. They rode along in a comfortable silence holding hands and occasionally stealing a kiss. When they pulled up to the hotel Arizona knew something was off.
"There is no way the Chief sprung for these accommodations Calliope! What is going on?" Arizona asked her girlfriend with a stern look.
"I upgraded us, it's no big deal. I want this week to be perfect for us." Callie quickly said and walked inside as the bags were taken by a bell hop. Arizona let it go but wasn't done with this conversation.
Callie went to check in and Arizona looked around the impressive lobby. This was the best hotel she had ever stayed in, by far. When Callie and the concierge came over to her, they all went to a private elevator. Again, Arizona threw Callie a look who avoided her death stare. These weren't the elevators everyone else seemed to be using. They entered and the blonde noticed there was only one floor to choose. PH, penthouse right? Arizona thought to herself.
The elevator doors opened up to the actual hotel room. It was humongous. Arizona gasped as they entered the main living area. There were floor to ceiling windows looking over the heart of Baltimore. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and as she took in the rest of the space she thought this was only where celebrities and the very, very rich must stay. The concierge checked through all the rooms making sure everything was up to par. He walked over to Callie as Arizona eyed the interaction.
"Ms Torres, everything should be in order, all your requests are ready and if there is anything you need at all, please call your private penthouse line day or night." The man said as Callie handed him an envelope.
"Thank you and have a good night Tom." Callie said as she looked over to Arizona blushing. The man entered the elevator and as soon as the doors closed Arizona spoke.
"Calliope, you better start talking now. I feel like I'm in a movie. What is going on?" The blonde asked as she crossed the room to stand in front of her girlfriend. She was not letting her off the hook this time. Callie took Arizona's arm and led her over to one of the many couches that decorated the room.
"Okay, I want to tell you something but you can't freak out about it. Promise?" Callie pleaded. She knew she would have to tell Arizona her secret but she was embarrassed by the whole situation. This was the first time she had ever done anything so lavish for anyone, including herself. She just wanted to give everything to Arizona. She wanted to share so much with her and wanted to make her the happiest person in the world. She had a feeling Arizona didn't need or want to be pampered but Callie couldn't help it.
"I know I haven't talked to you about my family as much as you have to me. I just didn't know how to bring it up and it's really not something I like to talk about. I am not ashamed of my family, and I love them to death, but there are certain things that have made my life difficult since I was a child." Callie looked down at the floor obviously uncomfortable. Arizona became a little concerned and pulled Callie into a tight hug.
"There is nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you Calliope." Callie looked into the blue orbs and knew she meant what she had said. She knew Arizona felt the same way she did. It was nothing but unconditional love.
"My family is wealthy. Not the average wealthy but the kind of wealth where we needed protection and security as kids. My sister and I spent our childhoods with men following us everywhere we went." The brunette stated flatly.
"I'm guessing this was the main reason for your schoolyard fights, Callie." Arizona half joked and Callie's chest burst with love. She couldn't believe that was the first thing Arizona thought of. She cared about how Callie was treated as a child. This women cared about her more than anyone she had ever been with.
"Yes, my father is the founder and CEO of the Sinclair Hotel chain. My mother is also a lawyer and handles all the legal matters within the business." Callie looked at Arizona for her reaction. She was used to people fawning all over her after they learned the truth. This was the reason Callie had never told anyone at the hospital or any of her friends throughout medical school.
"That must have been hard for you and your family on many occasions Cal." Arizona said and kissed her girlfriend on those full lips.
"It was, which is why I have not told anyone in my medical career. I didn't want to be judged on my family's wealth instead of my talent and hard work. My father set up a trust fund when my sister and I were young, and we each inherited it when we turned 25. I have only used it to put myself through medical school." Callie kissed Arizona back with a little more passion. Both were starting to get turned on. Callie didn't mention to Arizona that she had also donated millions of dollars to several charities, anonymously over the years.
"Calliope, you are an amazing surgeon who is on the brink of creating cartilage from scratch, and have been given your own clinical trial. You are incredible and everyone around you knows it. They call you an Ortho God!" Arizona had never felt so proud of anyone except her family. She thought Callie was miraculous and she was overcome with pride whenever she looked at her.
"I love you so much Arizona." Callie said she she pulled the blonde to her feet. "Stay here." Callie said and disappeared into the east wing of the spacious penthouse. Arizona wandered over to the windows and stared at the Baltimore skyline. You could see for miles and it was spectacular. She couldn't believe Callie had done this for her, but she also felt very guilty about the amount of money this must have cost.
Callie came up behind her and moved the blonde locks away from her shoulder. Arizona leaned her head in the opposite direction giving Callie an exposed neck. Callie kissed and tenderly bit down on her pressure point and Arizona shivered. She turned and noticed Callie had set up a makeshift bed on the floor next to the window so they could stare out into the moonlit night. Arizona wrapped her arms around Callie's neck and looked deep into chocolate eyes.
"I love you more Calliope. I want you to know I will never need all of this, you are more than enough to keep me satisfied and happy." Arizona stated completely sincere. Callie watched Arizona's eyes turn a shade darker with desire and kissed her deeply. She started to undress the blonde as Arizona did the same. Once they were stripped of their clothes Callie laid the blonde on the plush blankets. She was on top of the blonde now, and relished the feeling of Arizona's breasts pressing into her own.
"I want tonight to be only about you baby." Callie whispered and as Arizona went to protest she covered her mouth with her own. Arizona surrendered and Callie made love to her again and again for hours. They held each other for awhile until Callie would start again. Arizona had never felt so much pleasure in her life. Callie was so gentle and loving and then more passionate when she needed her to be. She knew Arizona's body and exactly what to do to bring her to the best climaxes she had ever had. When the blonde was totally spent, Callie rested her head on Arizona's stomach and held her as the last of the aftershocks tore through her.
Arizona pulled Callie up to her and kissed her forehead. She turned them both so Arizona's front was flush against Callie's back as they stared out the window. The blonde held Callie and repeatedly kissed the nook of her neck.
"You are incredible Calliope. I am so lucky to have found you." Arizona decided then she was going to go and talk to the board tomorrow while Callie was at her conference. She had alternate plans for her clinic.
"I know, I am pretty awesome." Callie joked
"You just said awesome again. You are softening." Arizona smiled into Callie's beautiful raven locks. They drifted off to sleep and a couple hours later Callie woke to Arizona stirring.
"How much are we talking here Calliope?" Arizona asked not that she cared about the money but wanted to know if it would effect them in the future. She wanted to protect Callie from anything she could.
"50 million Arizona." Callie cringed.
"Your father must be a hell of a business man, a mogul really." Arizona said as she yawned.
"No, that's not what my family is worth, that's the amount of just my trust fund." Callie said a little ashamed. She waited for Arizona's reaction but none came. Her girlfriend simply held her tighter like she normally did as she fell asleep. Within minutes she could feel the steady rise and fall of Arizona's chest, and knew she was asleep. Callie knew then that the woman was perfect and she would never let her go.
Callie had conferences Friday and Saturday from eight a.m. to four p.m. Arizona's gala for the presentation of the Carter Maddison Grant award was Saturday. Cocktail hour started at six p.m. with a dinner and the presentation afterward. Arizona couldn't believe the whole banquet was for her. She was a little nervous as she stared up at the ceiling. Callie was still sleeping next to the blonde with her arm resting on her girlfriends stomach. Arizona was lightly dragging her nails up and down Callie's back. It was seven in the morning and neither had got much sleep. They would wake up and make love and then fall asleep, to repeat the process over the course of the night. Arizona could not get enough of her girlfriend. It was like a drug. Callie had to get up to get ready though.
"Hun, you need to wake up." Arizona whispered
"Arizona I can't go again, I'm exhausted!" Callie said and buried her head in Arizona's hair.
"As much as I would love to, it's time for you to get ready. You have less than hour until your conference." Callie grumbled as she rubbed her eyes
"I'll start coffee." Arizona got up and headed for the kitchen which was fully stocked.
"What are you going to do today?" Callie asked as she stumbled toward the master bath.
"I don't know, lay around and sleep for awhile!" The blonde stuck her tongue out at the brunette, who rolled her eyes and disappeared down the hall. Arizona got the coffee ready and brought Callie's into the bathroom. She stared at her girlfriends beautiful body through the glass of the shower. She was majestic, her tanned body glistened under the water as she washed the shampoo out of her hair. Arizona was instantly turned on.
"Jesus! You scared me. Are you coming in?" Callie asked with an arched eyebrow.
"No, I'd rather stare from here, and if I come in there you will never be on time this morning." Arizona said with truth in her voice. She winked and sat up on the counter drinking her coffee.
"You're kinda creepy but in a cute creepy way." Callie joked as she got out of the massive shower. She wrapped a towel around herself as Arizona pouted. She handed the brunette her coffee and Callie moaned as she took a long sip. Callie got ready and quickly grabbed the toast and an orange Arizona had for her. She kissed her girlfriend goodbye and headed for th elevator.
"Good luck hun!" Arizona called out as the elevator doors closed. Arizona immediately headed for the bed and buried herself under the covers.
Hours later Arizona headed for the lobby to hail a taxi for the ride to the John Hopkins Medical Center. She was going to talk to the board which awards the Carter Maddison Grant. She had made an appointment with Dr. Carter and Dr. Wilson who were the only two available. She wondered which board member Erica was friends with. She hoped it wasn't either of these two.
The concierge quickly intercepted her as she was headed for the lobby doors. "Is there anything I can help you with Dr. Robbins." The polite man asked.
"No it's okay, I was just going to grab a taxi to head across town." Arizona made a face at the mans reaction. He looked stunned for a second before he recovered.
"I'm sorry Dr. Robbins, but Dr. Torres has asked me to get you anything you need with no exceptions. I can have a car take you to wherever you need to go." He said as he called into a wire and ordered a town car to the lobby.
"You can call me Arizona, Tom, it's okay and the car won't be necessary." The blonde said as she walked toward the door.
"Dr.-Arizona please. My job will be at stake if I don't comply with Dr. Torres request." He said with pleading eyes. Arizona rolled her eyes and nodded her approval for the car. Tom looked very relieved. The car pulled up and Arizona went to open the door when the driver jumped out and got there before her. This is ridiculous she thought to herself as she slid into the car.
When they pulled up the the massive Medical building Arizona jumped out before the driver could open her door. She winked at the older gentleman and he let out a full belly laugh at the perky Dr. He was starting to enjoy more and more. She was polite, funny, and had insisted he keep the divider down in the car so they could "chat". He rarely dealt with anyone this civil, yes he liked her a lot.
She sat in the waiting room nervously bouncing her foot up and down. Although she was a world class pediatric surgeon, she really did have issues with authority figures. This was the Mt. Everest of authority she thought. She felt tears well up behind her eyes and looked up to keep them at bay.
"Dr. Robbins, they are ready for you now. Please follow me." The robust red head said as Arizona sighed and followed the woman down the hall.
The minute she entered the room she began to relax. The two board members were sitting, casually talking, and smiled brightly at her as she crossed the room. They were very fond of Dr. Robbins and met her years ago when her bosses at Johns Hopkins had helped her apply for the grant.
After only minutes into Arizona's presentation they realized what the incredible pediatric surgeon wanted to do. They thought the proposal was ingenious. Now, they would have two more doctors studying under Arizona in Africa. The experience and knowledge she could provide them with was unprecedented. They had quickly agreed, and spent two more hours working out the scheduling and coordinating with the main clinic in Africa.
Arizona emerged from the boardroom exhausted and ready to go back to the hotel. She couldn't wait to see Callie. She headed down to the lobby and realized Earl, her driver, had been waiting this whole time. It didn't occur to her that he would be there to drive her home after the meeting. She felt terrible and ran over to the drivers side door. Earl almost hit the roof of the car when Arizona knocked on the window clearly upset.
"Dr. Robbins! I am so sorry, I must have fallen asleep!" The man said as he leapt out of the car. He immediately opened the backseat door and ushered the small blonde into the car.
"No no, I am so sorry Earl. I didn't relaize you would still be here." Arizona said as she got in the car. Earl jumped in the drivers seat and the blonde immediately leaned into the back of the his seat. "You must be hungry, I am taking us for a nice lunch at the hotel when we get back." Earl looked in the rear view mirror with a look of defiance.
"Dr-" he was immediately cut off.
"It's Arizona and I insist that you join me for lunch for making you wait!" The small blonde said as she put her hand on the older gentlemans arm.
"You are one crazy lady Dr- Arizona. My boss is going to have my head." He said and smiled shaking his head. He pulled out into traffic and headed for the hotel.
Arizona and Earl were sitting at a table in the bar area chatting and laughing. Earl kept looking around, but Arizona had already spoken to Tom and made sure Earl would not be reprimanded. In fact she had insisted if she were going to be catered to while on this trip, to not expect the employees to be at their bosses beck and call. This had raised eyebrows but they secretly admired Arizona for her kindness.
"This was very nice of you Arizona, but I feel I have overstayed my welcome and should be getting back to work." Earl said and started to stand.
"Nonsense, you haven't even seen Callie yet!" Arizona said and motioned for him to sit back down. He did and again shook his head at this generous woman.
Arizona knew Callie was almost finished with her conference, so she suggested they move to the bar for a cocktail while they waited for her. She learned a lot about Earl and his family and how long he had been working at the hotel. He was a very hard working man and had little time to be with his family while catering to the rich, famous, and mostly incorrigible people who stayed there. Arizona felt bad for the man who reminded her of her grandfather.
Callie walked into the lobby and spotted Arizona and their driver (?) sitting at the bar. She smiled to herself knowing exactly what Arizona had done. She loved her girlfriend more and more everyday.
"Hey you." Callie said, as she kissed Arizona on the cheek and slid in the seat beside her. Earl jumped up with a concerned look in his eyes.
"Dr. Torres, I am so sorry, Arizona insisted I accompany her to lunch. I didn't mean to overstep-" he was cut off by Callie this time.
"Earl, the only thing I see you doing is keeping my very beautiful girlfriend company. Please sit. I appreciate you looking out for her. Also please call me Callie." Callie winked and Arizona squeezed her hand. Earl was taken back by these two gorgeous polite women. He thanked them profusely and excused himself anyway. He promised to be ready for them whenever they needed him and silently walked away.
"Callie he is so nice and I learned so much about his family. He never gets to see them because all he does is cater to the horrible rich people here." Arizona cringed as soon as she said it, forgetting her girlfriend was probably one of the richest families this hotel knew.
"Arizona, you don't have to make that face, those rich people are the reason I don't go around flaunting money. The way you have treated him is exactly the way I would. Money comes with a moral price. Many people don't know how to keep the values and I do. I hope at least. Earl is a wonderful man, he should never be treated with anything but respect. I love you for seeing that." Callie planted a deep kiss on those soft pink lips.
"I love you Calliope, now tell me how did your conference go? Did you learn a lot?" The blonde asked.
"Arizona it was incredible. I can't wait for tomorrow, Dr. Walsh is the keynote speaker!" Callie said clearly excited. "I am exhausted though, no thanks to you." She poked Arizona in the shoulder.
"I promise we will go to bed early tonight. Im pretty tired myself. By the way, I don't need Earl or Tom to cater to my every need Cal. It's embarrassing." Arizona regretted saying it as soon as she saw the hurt on Callie's face.
"It's vacation Arizona, I just want you to be taken care of. I know it's a bit much and this isn't how we live, but I figured for one week I could spoil us. I've never really done it before. Can we just enjoy it for the rest of the time here, please?" She pleaded and gave her best puppy dog eyes. She suddenly thought about Arizona leaving for Africa, and decided that this was exactly what her girlfriend needed.
Arizona leaned over and kissed her girlfriend. She put her hand on Callie's arm and squeezed. "Yes Callie, of course. I'm sorry, I'm just not used to it, in my family we were taught to be self reliant and strong on our own. I'm not saying you're not because you are amazingly strong and confident on your own, I don't know hun. I'm just not used to it is all." Arizona took a sip of her drink and looked down, also thinking about Africa. Arizona had happy thoughts though.
"Well let's just play pretend world for a week." Callie joked and ordered a scotch on the rocks. "So where did you end up going today?" She asked.
Arizona smiled and ordered the check. Callie held her breath when the bartender advised Arizona that the tab had been paid for the week. Arizona looked at Callie and rolled her eyes. She took her girlfriends hand and led them to the private elevator. Once in the penthouse Arizona poured some wine and sat across from Callie at the massive kitchen island.
"I went to John Hopkins to talk to the Carter Maddison board." Callie raised her eyebrow at this.
"Why?" She asked very interested in the answer.
"We worked out a schedule where I won't have to go to Africa for the whole two and a half years. I'm going to have a co-partner who will be the permanent person in Africa. I am also going to taking Alex Karev under my wing as his mentor to. He will be going for three months out of four. I will have to go for any major or more complicated surgeries, but we are going to try and schedule those when I'm there anyway. Barring any emergencies my rotation will be one month there and three months here." Arizona said almost bursting out of her skin. Callie looked shocked. She didn't know what to say.
"Oh my God, Arizona! I can't believe you did this. We get to be together. We can stay together!" Callie jumped up and wrapped Arizona in a tight hug. They both had tears in their eyes but knew this was the best possible scenario that could happen.
Back in Seattle, Erica had also heard the news from her friend on the board. Her friend that was not involved in the decision. Erica was pissed beyond belief but knew should would still get a month with Callie alone very soon. A month was a very very long time!
