Hi all! Thanks for all your feedback and follows! I know Katelyn is still around, but I promise she won't be forever. She's just an integral part of this story and if you want to stick around, please do! Here is the next chapter:
Three hours later and Arizona was beginning to feel a bit more comfortable. Sitting at one of the kitchen bar stools, in between Kayt and Aria, the blonde was in her element with Juliana on her lap. Callie, helping her mother cut cookies into gingerbread shapes, couldn't help but glance over at her best friend and niece every chance she got. Granted, she felt as if she moved on, at least somewhat, from Arizona, but she couldn't lie to herself and say she would ever entirely fall out of love with the other woman. Regardless, she was simply relieved that the blonde had a slight break from the looks of disappointment Barbara was throwing every which way. Both Robbins parents had gone on a last minute errands run with Tim and Carlos.
"Please take your daughter back," Katelyn laughed, after watching Arizona pretend to bite the baby's nose. In response, her girlfriend drew Juliana closer to her chest and hummed in contentment.
Aria grinned and rubbed a hand over Juliana's head. "Sorry, Katelyn, no can do. You're just going to have to deal with having kid feels for the remainder of your trip. You and Zo would make pretty babies, anyways, and my mom would love another grandchild."
"Aria!" Callie scolded, jaw dropping as she threw a random piece of dough at her sister. "Leave them alone." When a laughing Arizona turned to peck Kayt on the lips, Aria quirked an eyebrow at her sister, earning herself a glare and a stern shake of the head. Aria had a huge mouth and Callie could never predict what would come out of it, although, she was almost positive it may have something to do with her and Arizona's history.
Clearing her throat, Lucia stood back up from sliding another tray of Christmas cookies into the oven. "I, for one, don't care who has a baby. I'm just grateful you are here, mariposa." Coming behind Arizona, Lucia planted a kiss on the top of her head before making her way out of the room. "I'll leave you four to have your fun. Calliope, watch the oven."
That evening, after dinner was cleared, dessert was offered, and everyone had changed into pajamas, the combined Torres and Robbins families, plus Katelyn, gathered around the fireplace in the downstairs lounge room. As Carlos refilled coffee and tea mugs, Callie twisted Arizona's hair into a quick French braid, tying an elastic around the end, and settled in on her left side, sharing a smile with Katelyn as she did so.
"So how is the clothing line?" Daniel uncharacteristically asked, turning all attention toward his daughter.
Clearing her throat, Arizona couldn't help but grin. "Really, really, really well. Thanks for asking."
"What, that's all you have to say? You're usually much more longwinded. Cat got your tongue?" he teased, reminding Arizona of the last time someone said that to her.
Cringing as she tried not to think about her coming out experience, she bit her bottom lip. "Well, after I got back from Hawaii, I officially partnered with Kennedy Kids, Katelyn's family's non-profit organization centered around helping mostly foster children in need, which has really changed the direction in which the line was headed."
Sharing a smile with her girlfriend, Katelyn willed herself to be on her best behavior with the Robbins. "Your daughter does a remarkable job combining two of her passions and that helps my family remember why we love what we do so much. It's been a great merger on all ends."
Coughing awkwardly, Barbara avoided making eye contact with the brunette. "I'm glad it's successful, Arizona. Making business partners is only going to further your success professionally."
"And personally," Tim added from his spot on the floor next to Aria.
Swallowing, Arizona gave her brother a grateful nod. "Yes, Mom, I've grown both professionally and personally from being in Kayt's life. I wish I could describe how amazing she is with just words but…" Linking hands, the two locked eyes for a few seconds before turning back to the group.
Before Barbara could comment, Lucia asked a question about the types of projects Arizona and Katelyn were able to work on after partnering together.
"Good morning," Arizona whispered as she stumbled into the kitchen the next morning to find her mother sitting at the table, nursing a cup of coffee.
Barbara looked up at her daughter, but did not say anything. Watching as her mini me got herself a cup of orange juice, the older Robbins sat in silence, trying to decide what exactly to say to a woman she no longer recognized.
Feeling the tension as she gently placed the glass jug full of juice back into the refrigerator, Arizona forced herself to directly address the awkwardness. "Mom, can I talk to you?"
Motioning for her daughter to have a seat, Barbara took a sip of coffee, preparing herself for whatever was about to come out of her child's mouth.
"I want to marry her," Arizona deadpanned before breaking out into a strangled sob, gripping the cup in her hands. "I can't pretend I'm someone I'm not, Momma, and I'm so in love with her. I just need to know what is so wrong about that."
When Barbara remained silent and mostly nonresponsive sans a shake of her head, Arizona began again. "I'm not asking you to approve," she said with more confidence, wiping at her face. "Katelyn and I are the only ones that have to approve of who we spend the rest of our lives with, Mom. I just wanted you to be the person I come to gushing about rings and dresses and babies and constant butterflies."
Head snapping up at the mention of babies, Barbara took a deep breath. "I've given this a lot of thought since you told your father and me. I can't accept this, Arizona, I just can't. I apologize for some of the things I said to you that evening in Hawaii. You'll always be my daughter. But why can't you just be my daughter without me having to love who you love?"
Standing up and offering a small smile, Arizona sighed. "Because then you don't love me unconditionally and we can never have the same relationship that we used to have."
"Then what do we do?" the older woman asked, desperation seeping into her voice as she watched her daughter slowly back out of the room.
Shrugging, Arizona shook her head. "Maybe we just co-exist. You don't bring any negativity about my sexuality and love life into the situation and I won't harp on it anymore. Sometimes, I think things may be better not going back to the way they once were."
Dropping her head into her hands as Arizona walked out of the kitchen, Barbara sucked in a breath. This was not the life she pictured for her family.
"Thought I'd find you here," Arizona heard, breaking her out of her silent bubble. Lifting up off her makeshift sweatshirt pillow and opening the blanket to also wrap around Callie's shoulders, the blonde smirked.
"Know me too well," she mumbled, turning her attention back to the water below the dock she was currently laying over. "Tim took Kayt to dinner. I guess I should be more nervous or worried or something, but I can't get past the overwhelming feeling of gratitude for how he accepts me for me."
"Yeah…plus they've already hit it off and we all love Katelyn. Nothing really to worry about, bud."
Callie and Arizona fell into a comfortable silence. The two were bombarded with memories stemming from early childhood, sitting on this dock, sharing secrets, friendship bracelets, tears, and arguments. This spot seemed to be where everything important had happened: in preschool, Arizona had broke the news that her family was moving to Europe for two years; a handful of years later, she came out expecting nothing but acceptance from her best friend; Callie had almost broken Arizona's hand in heartbreak after suffering a miscarriage over the summer holiday before their junior year of high school. Something about the water below them, the comfort level this home provided, and the reminder of where their friendship began allowed the wood below them to share their secrets, and their love, as both women came to the realization that they were in love with the other in this exact spot.
"Do you think we would have ever worked?" Callie whispered, leaning back to make eye contact with her best friend.
"Of course we would have, Calliope," Arizona promised. "Maybe for a while."
"Our issues would have caught up to us. Not the right time."
Nodding, Arizona turned her attention back to the water and moon. "We always end up at the same answer, but we'll never really know for sure, Cal. All I know is you're my best friend and I never would have made it this far without you. I wouldn't want to share our memories with anyone else."
"I love Katelyn," Callie rushed out, earning herself a strange look from her best friend. "I realized how that may have gotten lost in the conversation we were having. I really do adore her and I never want you to think that I don't want you two together."
Giggling, Arizona nudged Callie. "I'm well aware. You two are obnoxiously buddy-buddy after only spending two days together."
"Who are you kidding? We bonded over the phone!" Callie teased, nudging her back.
Silence overtook them again before Arizona spoke up. "I talked to my mom this morning." Taking a few deep breaths, Arizona willed herself not to cry, for the umpteenth time since arriving in Florida. "And I feel so much better about myself. So maybe she doesn't get it, maybe she can't see how my love for a woman could be the same as her love for my dad. It doesn't matter, though. I'm not wasting my energy or my heart trying to convince her. Maybe it's the holidays or maybe I've just grown as a person, but I think I'm finally okay with it all. It's my life, to mess up, to enjoy, to live, and if she isn't on board with my decisions, then she can ride in the back of the train."
Chuckling, Callie hugged the blonde tightly. "I really don't understand that metaphor, but good for you, Zo. I'm proud of you. And I love you."
"Love you, more," Arizona promised, standing up and pulling Callie with her. "Wanna head back into the lion's den?"
"With you? Always. As long as there is cheesecake involved."
Scoffing, Arizona linked their arms. "Cheesecake I can do."
Christmas morning was running rather smoothly so far. Aria was duly handing out presents while attempting to make sure all wrapping paper stayed out of her daughter's mouth. Everyone had already eaten breakfast, soft Christmas music was playing in the background, to which Calliope was quietly singing along to, and Lucia was currently opening a gift consisting of an all day spa event package.
Chuckling at her face, Callie and Arizona rolled their eyes when Lucia began berating Carlos for never doing something this nice for her. As she got up to thank Tim, Aria handed Katelyn a small package, noticing Arizona's tea mug becoming dangerously empty. Once Lucia sat back down, Callie gave a discrete thumbs up to her best friend's girlfriend, watching her visibly gulp.
"More tea, lovely?" Katelyn asked, watching Arizona do exactly what she wanted her to, sip the last of her drink and stare down into the empty mug.
"Yes pl-" The blonde immediately stopped talking, entranced by the bottom of her mug. Wide eyed, hands shaking, she glanced up at her girlfriend, down to her cup again, and back up. "Katelyn Kennedy," she began before getting tongue tied once more.
Arizona's eyes followed Katelyn's fingers, as they stilled from unwrapping the package, holding what she now knew was a ring. Hand coming up to cover her mouth, Arizona took one last glance at her empty mug, just to be sure. The Marry me?, copied onto the porcelain in what she knew was Katelyn's fluid script, stared her right in the face.
