Arizona's POV
I think I'm ready. I've got all the answers to every possible question. I'll also try not to lie unless it's absolutely necessary. My parents aren't monsters but everyone has their judgments. We really haven't talked a lot about their opinions on liberated sexuality. I know mom knows about my college days, we've just never talked about it; at least not really. The colonel is the more judgemental of the two. He's the one I'm a bit worried about. Calliope's new job is acceptable by any means so the job question shouldn't be a problem, now should it? The question of how we met, well that might be tricky. I'll leave it all up to the universe and my girlfriend to decide how much will be shared.
Since I've mentioned Calliope, I think it'd be noteworthy to mention that she's having the hardest time picking out an outfit. I'm sitting here legs cross taking the scene of her throwing things of out f her closet. She's tried on several dresses and still can't choose just one. she's asked for y opinion and I have given it, telling her she looks great. She just ends by taking off every one. I'm not much help I guess.
"Why are you so nervous Calliope."
And in due time she replies, "See, the thing is I wasn't. Thanks for that though."
"Oh I'm sorry, but there really is no need to be."
"Isn't there? I'm starting to get too worked up to even go anymore." She says this as she slumps into her bed, facing me.
"You know you can do whatever you please, it's uh- the colonel will never let us live it down if you don't come. He's expecting you."
Callie smirks at me to then say, "The colonel, huh? I think you've just revealed who is really nervous."
"Well so are you!" I retort flinging a pillow her way.
She catches it, "Nerves are contagious, you were first."
"Either way, you need to get dressed, being on time is important. I said I'd be there at around 7, it's almost 4:30." She needs to put a rush on it. I'm all for watching her get undressed, just not right now. Punctuality is big to the Robbins'. I used to pride myself on it too until I became a partner. Every now and again, the colonel jumps out of me when I really need it. All in all, Callie is wasting time. Literally, all of the outfits she's tried look amazing so I don't get what's so hard. My parents really don't care.
"That, that looks awesome! Wear that!" My pointing goes well with my dramatics. Does she have to wear that exact dress and heel combination? Nope. Am I lying though? Nope. She looks as awesome as she always does.
She takes heed of my advice and decides to go with what she currently has on.
Callie's POV
It's going to be cool as hell to see the interaction between Arizona and her parents. The family dynamic, her childhood home. Ugh man, I actually can't wait. I know I admitted to being nervous, but these are god nerves. I obviously want them to like me or maybe be even a little impressed. I hope they don't compare me to Arizona's exes or anything of that sort. I don't know, I'm really excited to see where or who she comes from. It's an intimate insight into who she is. She's a beautiful person through and through and today I'll be a step closer to finding out what makes her so damn beautiful. It's a start, a first impression. If it goes well, her parents might teach me a thing or two that I can pass down to our own children. Whoa, so we're going to ignore that I'm even thinking about that.
"Can we please go now?" Do I even have to tell you who just said that?
She was so nice about me meeting her family, nice up until today. But I get it, I get it, it's a pretty big deal.
Doesn't mean I can't take her down a notch. I tell her "I'm going to lose the attitude woman."
I get an, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," as she opens the car door for me. She slams it shut and takes her seat to my left. We then get buckled in and we're off.
*45 minutes later*
Arizona releases my hand to get out of the car. I stay behind a minute longer to take a much-needed breath. It's going to go great, you're a total peoples person. She's waiting on me, right outside my door. We are about twenty minutes early so there is no longer a rush. I hop out to find her hand stretched out for me to hold onto. It's satisfying how my hand latches on to hers, no hesitation, no thought. Our hands are intertwined before I even thought about her hands being stretched out. Makes sense? Let's say, this has become our natural stance..hand in hand.
We do a short stroll up to the door. Ugh, this is like our first real date all over again except she's by my side this time. In case you were wondering I prefer her next to me. She pulls out her phone to (what I'm assuming is) call her mom. She notifies them that we're at the door.
When the door is swung open, her mom questions, "Honey, did you lose your keys." She walks in to hug Arizona after finished her inquiry. Her mom's voice is so lovely that what should have come out like a chastisement, sounded like a friendly question. Her dad also gives her a hug. He simply said, "Arizona," to acknowledge her.
In reply to her mom, Arizona states," I thought it more polite to let you open your own door, ma'am." Her mom says nothing, her dad nods. Not that I didn't already know but I can clearly tell who the disciplinarian is in the family.
"Mom, dad, this is my girlfriend, Callie."
I take the cue to greet her parents. Her mom went in for a hug while her dad offered a firm handshake, both representative of their personalities. As per routine, I call he parents Mr. and Mrs. Robbins. It's what every girlfriend or boyfriend dies when meeting their significant other's parents. I am corrected by one of them as Barbara says to just call her by her first name. It's more personal rather than professional, I feel more comfortable saying that anyways but I didn't want to assume.
We're invited in as her parents go further into their home to what her mom said is the dining room. Before Arizona and I make it into where her parents are, we pass through the living room. It's easy to get lost in the decor of any home, plus there is a lot of stuff here. It's so cozy. My eyes wander from wall to wall and my movement is slow, trailing behind my girlfriend.
"Oh, who is this?" It's a picture of a little blonde girl holding a stuffed dolphin. The little girl is enamored with the toy as she holds it up to her face. She'sgiving what could have been an award-winning smile for the most adorable kid in the world. Her cheeks are so plump.
"Me of course. Adorable aren't I?"
"Yeah, babe what happened?" I tease. Her face falls as a result. She's feigning offense. Eh, it worked. The next thing I know I'm hugging her and planting several kisses on her cheek.
Arizona jeers, "That worked back then too." Yeah, yeah, yeah. Arizona walks to where her parents are. We take seat side by side, Arizona closer to her dad, I'm across from her mom.
Once again Barbara starts off the conversation. "Firstly, how are you, Callie?"
"I'm great, how are you?" Not gonna lie this is a wee bit awkward. No one ever really asks 'how are you' in casual conversation. It's a good reminder that this isn't exactly a casual conversation.
"Good, sweetie, I'm good. Now you see, there is food on the table, eat what you like. We made a simple chicken dinner as we didn't ask about what your tastes were. I hope you've got the taste for chicken!" The whole table chuckles as her sentence come to an end. It's not what she said, it's how she said it. I realize for the first time that Arizona's dimples matches her dad's.
As an appetizer, Barabra brought out a bowl of Caesar salad. Each member at the table had their go at it. It's really good, actually probably one of the best caesars I've had. It's usually such a bland dish.
I turn to Arizona to inquire, "This is amazing. Do you know how to make this?" I'm simply looking to have this salad, again and again.
"Yeah, Arizona, do you?" That comment coming from the older blonde woman.
Arizona shots it down, "No I don't."
"That's because you never help out in the kitchen Arizona." Her mom's last comment prompts Arizona to roll her eyes in response.
Mr. Robbins caught that for sure. "Watch it there young lady," is the warning her gives her. It's soft but stern. In my house this is/was a common behavior, everyone's parents are annoying. I make the assumption that this is not true for the Robbins' household. Did I mention how interesting this all is to me? I'm quite amused. Arizona, the daughter is different from Arizona the girlfriend or even Arizona, the lawyer.
Arizona's POV
So far, so good. My parents haven't embarrassed me too much yet. The evening is still young so who knows? Before mom could offer to serve dad and I got up to get our own food. It's uncanny how we did so at the same exact time, we both just rose from our seated positions. Being the lady I am, I'm also getting Callie's food. We've eaten together more than enough times for me to know what she would like to eat. It's chicken and potatoes, she'll manage.
Mom returns to her chair as the colonel corners me. He's about to say or ask something. If I know my father, and I do, something important is going to come out of his mouth. He's got the look. Lo and behold, he says, "Are you serious about this woman?"
"Yes sir, I really am."
"Is she good for you?"
That's not something I've actively thought about. The truth is, she absolutely is good for me. Callie cares so much, she forces me to be more open-minded, I'm starting to see flaws in myself because of her. She makes me a better person. Now I don't know how to explain this to my father so I go with a "Yes."
"That's all I need to know." He kisses my forehead and heads back to the table with his food. My dad, he's a tough guy, but he's only tough because he loves us so much. I end up making two trips between the dinner table and the kitchen.
When I get the chance to sit back down, mom and Callie are busy in conversation. I mean they're even leaning in. I tap Callie's shoulder to try to get her attention. This doesn't work. Apparently, they are discussing my childhood. Mom shares some memory and Callie goes, "yeah she still does that." I need them to break it up, my childhood wasn't all great memories. I look over to my dad for some assistance, he's too busy stuffing his face.
I follow suit and begin eating too. It's too bad Callie's food is going to be cold by the time she actually decides to begin eating, this is as good as the salad.
I hear this part clearly, "She really sees the best in people." My mom is referencing Timothy, he was on the wrong path for some time, especially when dad was away. Mom didn't want to stress the colonel out so she'd rarely share Tim's adventures. During that time, I was always trying to get him out of situations and I never made it a point to speak badly of my brother. It's why we were so close. We continue to be close though he's so far away.
Callie looks to be agreeing with her. I hope she realizes that it isn't hard to see the good in her, it's not hard at all. Their conversing pauses, I pass Callie her food.
She lets out a "Thanks, babe." I give her a tight-lipped smile in return.
Callie's POV
Well, I guess it's time to divulge. The room is pretty quiet. I finish the potatoes and surrounding vegetables first.
Barbara kills the silence. "Are we going to hear the story of how you guys met?"
Arizona's head whips around to meet my face. She looks spooked. I've got this baby.
In response I state the truth, " We met at a bar. My, now ex-manager had some legal business to take care of with Arizona, he introduced us." I lightly pat my girl's thigh, right above her knee. It's an assurance thing.
"Sorry, you did say ex-manager, what happened?"
"Oh, nothing, We're fine. I got a new job. I work as a receptionist now." I sensed her question and answer t before she asked, 'what my new job was.' My answers have sufficed, the query has stopped. I get to carry on eating. In case I didn't mention it, Arizona's eyes were fixated on me as her mom and I talked. Blue eyes burning a hole into the side of my face.
I face her and shrug my shoulders. The impressed blonde smiles at me, a real smile might I add. Her dimples on full display. Will I ever get tired of seeing this?
It soon seems that we have all cleaned our plates. I take the lead in suggesting that Arizona and I clear the table. Arizona groans, it's a small one and I believe only I heard it. I start by taking ' plate and utensils while Arizona takes her mom's.
I do the whole washing a dish before putting into the dishwasher thing as Arizona waits around. I was the one who offered so I'm fine washing them. I actually have another motive for doing this. I'm going to take a huge leap. I probably have always felt this way but something about today has me wanting to say it out loud.
After putting the dishes in I begin, "Alright, I'm going to say a thing. You don't have to respond, just listen to me okay?"
"Okay."
B-breathe. Why the fuck can't I breathe? My lungs have swallowed up all the air in here and it's stuck. She's expecting me to say or do whatever it is. I should say something, I need to say something. Oh God, what if I throw up as soon as I open my mouth, that's what I really think is going to happen. Now I don't feel too good. Maybe this is a sign I shouldn't say it. It'll freak her out.
Just when I'm thinking the worst might happen, Arizona literally takes the words out of my mouth and gives her response, "I love you too."
The phrase a breath of relief is accurate. That's exactly what those words are to me at this moment. She loves me. She really loves me. And I'm awfully in love with her. Oh right, I haven't said it yet.
"I love you." There.
She inches closer to the sink to hold my head in place as she pushes her lips into mine. This long peck feels more intimate than any makeout session we've had. Everything means more now.
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