CHAPTER 12 – THE IN BETWEEN
Amelia was taking a well-deserved nap in an on-call room after a seven-hour surgery when Arizona finally found her. She still had one hour to kill before her next surgery, Wilson was in charge of her post-ops and Karev was doing rounds, so she decided to just get in bed with the brunette and laze around surrounded by the periodic and soothing up and down of Amelia's chest and the barely-there disinfectant smell that followed every surgeon like its shadow.
The blonde sat on the edge of the bed and quickly took of her prosthetic, pushing it under the bed before slipping under the warm sheets. Amelia grunted unhappily at the new intrusion, her face contorting and Arizona stopped moving. When it was obvious that the brunette was still in deep slumber, she snaked an arm around her own waist before falling asleep too.
When Amelia woke up, she was quite surprise to find Arizona in her arms, sound asleep. The brunette kissed her adorable face softly to wake her up but the blonde turned around grumpily and hid her face into Amelia's neck.
"No," she said sleepily.
"No?" Amelia said, amused by her behavior.
"Five more minutes."
"Fine, five more minutes," Amelia chuckled and kissed her forehead.
One of her hand wandered aimlessly until it reached blonde hair and she caressed her scalp as she watched her sleep. The neurosurgeon allowed herself to take Arizona in, the light curls of her hair, the subtle laugh lines around her mouth, her soft looking lips which she knew could turn her bad mood around with a simple smile, the way her eyebrows furrowed or her nose lovely scrunched up every so often in her sleep…
"I can feel you staring at me," the blonde mumbled into her neck.
Her voice slightly hoarse with sleep, Amelia added to her list.
"I'm allowed to. You're beautiful," she could feel the other woman's mouth curl up into a grin against her skin.
"Dork," her eyes still closed, she cuddled herself even further into Amelia's tender embrace and sighed happily. "I'm so comfy, I never want to leave this bed."
"Me neither. But my bladder doesn't seem to agree with us unfortunately. Don't move, I'll be right back."
Arizona groaned unhappily but let the brunette go. She was back in a matter of minutes and glided back under the covers eagerly. Arizona's back was back against her front, a little awaken at the disturbance but still ready to fall right back asleep at any moment. The brunette pulled the other woman's hair out of her way and started to pepper the back of Arizona's neck with kisses.
"Wake up sleepy head," she whispered sweetly.
"Five more minutes," the pediatric surgeon complained, her chest swelling with tenderness at the sweet affection she was receiving.
"You already said that five minute ago," the neurosurgeon giggled.
An idea popped up into Amelia's head. One of her hand wandered under Arizona's scrub top, her short fingernails trailing up her stomach until she reached one of her breast and squeezed it over her bra. The blonde whimpered at the motion, her torso leaning into the welcomed touch.
While both of them still hadn't had sex, it didn't stop them from making out heavily like horny teenagers. It wasn't that they were stopping themselves to have sex or that Amelia wasn't feeling ready or anything, they just felt like taking their sweet time. Slowly learning which places made the other woman squirm, whimper or moan. To explore each other's bodies' at their own rhythm and leisurely discover the sexual part of their relationship together.
"Maybe it's time I try a different way," Amelia whispered sensually into her ear.
She squeezed the tender flesh harder, mindful to give each breasts the same attention and earned herself a few encouraging moans. She pushed the bra up and her fingers focused on the erect nipples she found underneath. Amelia propped herself onto her elbow to get better access and her mouth settled on Arizona's jaw, her lips gently sucking the silky skin and the blonde's groans grew louder.
A hint of teeth sank right where Arizona's shoulder met her neck before being immediately softened with a warm tongue. Her hips rocked unconsciously, chasing more pressure but sadly only met thin air. The pediatric surgeon's eyes eventually fluttered opened and she turned herself onto her back, her mouth enviously seeking Amelia's. Finding it, her tongue slipped right in, trying to convey her appreciation. The tormenting fingers slowed down on her chest, eventually stopping their ministrations and replacing her bra on. The neurosurgeon's hand strolled its way down to her belly, rubbing it delicately.
"Look who is eventually up," Amelia breathily teased as she pulled away.
"I'm more than up," Arizona smirked and attacked the neurosurgeon's neck with her plump lips while pushing her onto her back.
The blonde was reaching her collarbone when Amelia's pager was heard. The brunette whined loudly and she glanced at it, whining even louder when she saw who it was.
"Uh, Derek is such a cock-block! I want to make out with you."
Arizona laughed, the brunette was too cute when she was acting all petulant. "Go, we have all the time to make out later."
"I fucking hate my brother," Amelia complained as she got up and went to find him.
When the pediatric surgeon walked back to her wing, all cheerful and smiling. Karev decided it was time to investigate. Robbins had been acting strange over the last few weeks, all chirpy and bright. Well, more so than usual. He was pretty sure she had met someone.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked.
"What?" Arizona asked frowning, not knowing what he was talking about.
"You haven't stopped smiling in a week, do you know that? It's creepy."
"Sorry my happiness is disturbing you Karev," she said with a straight face, letting no emotions transpire, her tone flat. "Is it better like this?"
"I never said you had to stop. The new chick must be really good, if you know what I mean."
"Yes Karev, I always know what you mean unfortunately," Arizona snorted.
"So, who is she?"
Arizona pursed her lips, pondering if she should tell him. She figured he wouldn't make a big deal out of it and wouldn't go gossiping around so she went with the truth. "Amelia."
"The She-Sheperd? Really?" he seemed genuinely surprised.
"You do know her last name's only Sheperd right?" she said slightly irritated.
She hated when people did that. Amelia was her own person for God's sake. She was just as good as her brother – even better if Arizona had her say in it – and she didn't need to be in his shadows all the time.
He studied her for a few moments. "I can see it," he concluded.
"See what?" she frowned, not sure what Karev was implying.
"Well, you've both been through some pretty heavy stuff," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I can see why you guys would grow close and you know, grow feelings. Not going to lie though, I totally thought she was sleeping with Owen."
"Of course you did," the blonde rolled her eyes.
Before she had even touched the doorknob, Amelia could tell something wrong was going on inside her home. Sofia's wails could be heard from outside and she grew a little concerned, her brows furrowing. Arizona was at home so why was their daughter crying like a madman?
She walked in, terrifying screams and the delicious smell of dinner welcoming her. She didn't even have time to remove her coat and shoes that Sofia was crashing into her legs, hugging them with all her might.
"Hello munchkin."
She knelt carefully to get a better look at her daughter, her eyes were red and puffy and her Disney tee-shirt was stained with tears, snot and drool. Just as the Latina extended her arms for a hug, Arizona appeared into the hall.
"Huh-huh, I don't think so, young lady," the pediatric surgeon's voice was stern and Amelia could tell she was trying her best to hide her irritation. "You go back to sit in the naughty corner, you still have five minutes of time out."
The neurosurgeon had no earthy idea of why Sofia was being punished for but she knew Callie and Arizona rarely sanctioned her anymore now that she was a little older. The Latina was hardly ever throwing outbursts or testing her moms' limits. Instead she was more prone to talk out loud about whatever issues she was having. In the whole time Amelia had been living there, it was actually the first time that she was witnessing Sofia in such a state.
"I DON'T WANNA GO BACK TO YOUR SOSO CORNER!" she shouted towards Arizona as she defiantly stomped her foot onto the ground, her little hands curling into angry fists.
No need to speak Spanish to understand that whatever soso meant, it didn't belong into their six years old daughter's mouth. Amelia took one little hand into hers while the other softly grabbed her face, pushing the tears away and forcing her to look up into her eyes.
"You do not use bad words in the house or yell at your mom when she's talking calmly to you. This isn't an acceptable behavior, okay?" the neurosurgeon asked more rhetorically than anything, her voice even and serene. She might still be new at this whole having a kid thing and a total virgin at handling tantrums, but it seemed logical to explain to Sofia why it was wrong. "Mommy says you still have five more minutes of sitting down into the naughty corner. So, you're going to sit there and once the time is up and you're all calmed down, we can talk."
Sofia didn't say anything back, the tears were still coming out at full speed and she was obviously still angry. Both women could feel their hearts breaking at their inconsolable daughter. Amelia led her back to her chair facing the corner and sat her onto it.
"Five minutes."
The little girl, as furious as she was, stayed onto her seat, sobbing and wailing as the adult walked away. The neurosurgeon quickly discarded her coat and shoes before rejoining the other woman into the kitchen. Passing by the dining room, she caught a glance at the already set table and the still untouched course sitting in the middle. Arizona was holding her head in between her hands, her elbows onto the counter, bent forward.
"Hey," the brunette said softly to get her attention.
Arizona looked up, a small tired smile graced her lips and a hand ran into her honey blonde hair. "Hey."
Feeling the tiredness radiating off the pediatric surgeon, Amelia tenderly wrapped her arms around her midsection and pulled her into a loving hug. Arizona melted right away into her embrace, her head finding its usual place onto her shoulder and her arms coming around the brunette's neck. A hand rubbed her lower back and she let out a small groan of relief.
"What happened?" Amelia asked and dropped a kiss onto her forehead.
"Sofia decided that she wanted nothing to do with the vegetables I had cooked, even though she had been okay with it when I had told her what we would be eating for dinner tonight. She demanded pasta instead. When I said no, she screamed and threw her plate on the floor."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It's nobody fault. I just- I hate when she's behaving like this."
"She's only six, you can't expect her to act like a reasonable adult just yet," she said lightheartedly.
"I know, it's just… so maddening and I want to shout, but I have to restrain because that would be totally uncalled for, helpless and counter-productive. I hate seeing her like this, I hate punishing her. It makes me feel like the worst mom in history. I just want to hug her and stop her tears. Her eyes are so beautiful, only happy tears should be allowed to fill them."
"I know exactly what you mean. I want to cave too but we have to be strong and look at the bigger picture. Callie and you are raising a well behaved, funny and caring little girl. You both are fantastic moms. Never forget that," she said decisively.
The blonde pulled away a tad to look up at the other woman, her bright eyes drowning into the truthfulness and care shining in Amelia's.
"Thank you. I needed to hear that."
"Anytime, sweetheart. Anytime," she squeezed her a little closer. "Come on, now. Let's find out if that daughter of ours has finally calmed down," she gently let go of Arizona and headed to Sofia.
Daughter of ours. Amelia obviously hadn't noticed her slip up but Arizona sure did. It felt a little disconcerting at first, our daughter had meant Callie's and hers for so long now. However a huge smile found its way onto her lips and a storm of butterflies exploded in her belly as pure exhilaration ran through her. She knew it was too early and they hadn't been dating for that long yet, but that small word gave her hope. Hope that Amelia Sheperd was the right person for her family. Right for her and her daughter.
"You coming?" Amelia asked when she saw Arizona standing there, grinning like a fool at nothingness. An adorable fool but still.
"Yes," she shook her head and quickly followed the neurosurgeon.
Arizona was laying in bed in an on call room, being miserable and slowly feeling death taking over her body against her will. Her period had decided to come in early this month and on top of that happy surprise, her uterus was being unusually and awfully painful. So here she was, laying in a fetal position into a dark on-call room, trying not to cry as she waited for the painkillers she had swallowed to relieve some of the pain due to the cramps. The only thing she hated more than her bloody womb right now was the fact that she had had to hand her surgery to Karev since she was afraid the pain would distract her too much and she wouldn't be focused enough on Sara. And Sara deserved the best surgeon.
She was pulled out of her thoughts when the door opened, the hallway light invading her pity party and the dark room.
"Go away," she barked grumpily, not in the mood to deal with another not-in-pain-and-not-suffering-from-cramps-from-hell human being.
"You're a hard woman to find, Robbins. I had to do the entire pediatric floor to find you."
The blonde recognized Amelia's voice and she turned around to see her face, groaning in pain but thankful to see her.
"Oh, hey. What are you doin' here?" the blonde asked.
Arizona's pain was written all over her face. Not knowing what was hurting, Amelia was obviously concerned to see her in such state. She sat on the floor by the head of the bed and tenderly cupped the blonde's cheek, her thumb stroking it back and forth in what she hoped was comforting manner. She looked at her with nothing but worry and care in her eyes.
"Karev said you weren't feeling too well. Said you gave him your surgery. He's worried and honestly, so I am. I came as soon as I was done with rounds. What's wrong?"
"I'm fine, it's just some bad period cramps. Nothing the painkiller I just took won't fix."
Amelia rolled her eyes. She knew Arizona was belittling her pain since she hated showing her vulnerable side and was reluctant to ask for help. It was irritating but Amelia knew she had the bad habit of doing the exact same thing.
"Yes, because you look ecstatic," she deadpanned. "Let me help? Please?" she asked with utter empathy and kindness that Arizona couldn't say no to, so the blonde nodded. "Be right back," the brunette kissed her forehead and walked out.
True to her words, a few minutes later the neurosurgeon was back with her arms full.
"So, I stole a donut from the attending's room in case you get hungry," she said as she placed the food onto the nightstand before gliding herself under the sheets and taking Arizona in her arms, which made the blonde sigh happily.
"And that should help the pain," she put the hot water bottle she had just stole from a supply closet in between them and her hands wandered under her partner's scrub top to lightly stroke her tense lower back.
All the attention with the addition of the painkiller finally kicking in was enough to send Arizona over the edge. The few tears that were threatening to spill a few moments ago were now falling freely, the anger towards Mother Nature, the pain and the comfort she was feeling going out through her tears. The embrace tightened in response and a kiss was dropped onto her forehead.
"You alright?" the neurosurgeon's asked, concerned when she saw Arizona softly sobbing.
Arizona nodded and buried herself further into the crook of Amelia's neck. It felt good to be comforted like this, to allow herself to be taken care of like this.
"Don't you have surgeries?" she asked, suddenly feeling a little guilty to keep Amelia out of the neurology wing just because she was having some bad cramps while some people had brains tumors.
"Nothing Derek and Edwards can't handle, they'll page me if they need anything. I just want to lay here with you for a while," Amelia said sweetly and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Go to sleep, baby. You'll feel better after."
So that was what Arizona did, safely tucked into her the other woman's arms.