I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.
Chapter Twenty-One
ARIZONA'S POV
We've been home from Hawaii for a little over 24hrs, and I'm so glad I didn't head back into the office today. I'm beyond tired, and lounging around has been perfect. Absolutely perfect. We haven't spoken about my suggestion on the flight home yet, but I'm sure it will crop up again at some point in the near future. I'm not too concerned at the minute since Eliza is spread out on my couch eating Cheetos and drinking a can of coke. It's been that kind of day, really. I don't generally have that kinda stuff at my place, but it's what Eliza wanted and it's been enjoyable watching her eat her body weight in crap. She's been watching some rom-com for the past hour, and the 'awws' and giggles have been kinda cute to hear. It's nice to have someone else at my place to enjoy it. It's nice to have another presence around, even if I am working on stuff. She hasn't once bothered me while I've been working, but now I'm ready to take a break and grab a coffee, so I'm standing in my kitchen watching her and she has no idea I'm even here. She has no idea that I'm smirking to myself while she lounges around without a care in the world. "Can I pull you away from your man cave long enough to offer you some coffee?" Her head shooting around to meet my gaze, she clears her throat and sits up like she is attending an elocution class.
"S-Sorry." She stands. "I'll just get this stuff cleared up and then whatever you need, I can do." Hitting pause on the movie she's been watching, I furrow my brow and smile. "What?"
"You don't have to clear anything away, and you certainly don't have to stop watching your movie. I just wondered if you'd like some coffee?"
"Sure, that would be great." She nods. "Let me get it, yeah?"
"Sure." I shrug before leaning back against the kitchen counter. "You doing okay out here?"
"Yeah." Rounding the counter, she fixes herself up a little and I pull her into my arms. "Sorry, I look a mess right now. I got a little carried away."
"Carried away?"
"It's been a while since I've caught a good movie and just done nothing all day." She drops her gaze. "I should have asked first."
"Asked what?" I curl my fingers beneath her chin and her eyes find mine.
"If I could laze around at your place."
"My place?" I roll my eyes. "Are we still acting like it hasn't been decided yet?"
"It hasn't." She counters. "Arizona, you really don't want to live with me. I can promise you that…"
"Oh, I think I do." I laugh. "Isn't that what is happening right now?"
"No." She shakes her head. "I'm still paying rent on my place, so when you come to your senses and kick me out…I have somewhere to go."
"Why the hell would I ever kick you out?" I scoff.
"Because I've never lived with anyone before. Especially not in a place like this." Her eyes wandering around the open space, she turns her attention back to me. "What if I don't do it right? What if I squeeze the toothpaste from the middle and you hate that? What if I forget to pick up after myself and we fight about it because you don't like that either?"
"Are you human?" I ask.
"Yup."
"Then you have your own way of doing things. I don't expect you to pick up after yourself every minute of the day. Do you really think that I do that?" I raise an eyebrow. "So long as you don't leave your heels in the middle of the floor and I break my neck, I think we will be okay."
"Oh God." She gasps. "What if that actually happens? What if I leave something on the floor and you fall?"
"You're not serious, are you?" Tightening my grip around her waist, I give her a sad smile. "Eliza, beautiful…The only falling I'll be doing is for you. More and more every day. Just move in with me already…"
"Can I think about it a little while longer?"
"Sure." I sigh. "You just keep pretending that you don't live here and I'll take it that you do. It's no big deal." Giving her ass a firm squeeze, she smiles and nods. "Now, how about that coffee?"
"Oh, yeah…I'm on it!" Pulling two cups from the cupboard, she powers up the machine and fixes me up the perfect cup of coffee.
"Thank you." Placing a soft kiss on her lips, I pull back and feign a look of disgust. "Mm, Cheeto breath. Just what I've always looked for in a woman."
"Ugh, I'm so sorry." Covering her mouth with her hand, she moves away from me but I pull her back.
"Hey, I'm joking." I smile. "Can I sit with you for a few?"
"Sure. Just let me brush my teeth." Watching her rush off to the bathroom, I roll my eyes and move into the living room. The sun has already set, and now the bright lights of New York City are shining through my floor to ceiling windows. I love New York at night. It has some of the most beautiful views in the world, and I'm blessed to witness them on a daily basis. Hawaii may be breathtaking, but New York will always pull me in. The people. The place. The atmosphere. It's home for me, and I hope one day soon…Eliza. The sooner she gives up this worry act about living together, the sooner she can truly appreciate the place I live in. I didn't choose this condo for nothing. I planned the freaking thing, so I knew exactly which spot had the best of everything. I'd bought it before it was even built.
"Sorry, better…" She rushes back into the living room and slumps down beside me. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, just admiring the view." I smile as I pull my legs up onto the couch and she comes to rest between them. "Isn't it amazing?"
"It is." She nods. "Do you think you'll always live here?"
"Why? Did you want to get something else?" I ask.
"Who me?" She laughs. "Arizona, I live in a one-bed apartment that even the rats aren't interested in…This is probably the most amazing place I'll ever spend my time in."
"So go home and pack your stuff." I whisper as I place a kiss below her ear. "Give it up already…I know you want to live here with me."
"Oh, you're not wrong about that." She agrees. "That doesn't mean it should happen, though."
"Why? What could you possibly have hidden away that would make me change my mind down the line?"
"While I'm here like this, I'm not the real me. I mean, I am…just toned down a little. You'd hate me within a week."
"Okay, at home…what do you do? What is your routine?"
"Um…weeknights, I go home, grab some noodles or a sandwich, take a shower and go to bed. Weekends, I drink alone and watch a movie or a box set I've been promising myself I'd binge watch for weeks. Since I've been here, though, I've not really done any of that stuff. Going home to a pack of noodles, yeah…but I've been busy getting to grips with things at the office."
"Okay, first of all, you are moving in with me as of now…and secondly, you are moving in with me as of now." Shaking my head, I'm a little saddened to hear how she usually spends her time. "You, Eliza Minnick, will not sit at home alone eating freaking noodles. No. No way. It's not happening. That stops right now."
"It's just what I've always done, Arizona. It's really no big deal." She shrugs.
"Well, to me…it is a big deal. You have to look after yourself and your body." I sigh. "Please, just come and live here. Everything you could ever want or need is here. I know it's not who you are, and I wouldn't expect you to change anything for me, but still…you should at least have healthy food and heating. That place needs a wrecking ball through it, and I don't like you being there alone. It's not safe."
"You are adorable." She smiles. "You really care about me, don't you?"
"You know I do, and I cannot let you live like that. Do what you want here, I don't care. If you want to throw a freaking party…do it. I just don't want you alone in that apartment. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Okay…"
"I mean, the area isn't the most desirable, and I know what goes on around New York at night. I don't like it. We don't even have to share the same bed right now if you want to ease yourself into this, but I just, I can't le-"
"I said okay, Arizona."
"O-Oh." She gives me an awkward smile. "Well, good." I clear my throat and sit back. "That's one problem solved." Trying to act all nonchalant, I settle back and sip on my coffee. A comfortable silence falling over us.
"Thank you." She turns to face me and takes my coffee from my hands. "For being so caring and awesome. I promise to do my best where we are concerned. That includes living here with you."
"You don't have to thank me." I smile. "I just want you with me, Eliza. What's the point in waiting when you live at that awful apartment?"
"I'm just scared I'll ruin this, is all."
"You won't." I run my thumb across her cheek. "Just be you and everything will be okay."
Waking to the sound of Eliza's cell buzzing on the hardwood flooring, I crack one eye open and the light hits me. "Ugh...please turn that sound off."
"I can't." She whines into her pillow. "I'm tangled around you." The sound stopping, we both breathe a sigh of relief and I nuzzle back down into her chest. And then it begins again. Buzzing. Unnecessary buzzing. Another whine from my girlfriend and she throws the cover from her body. "What?"
I can hear a voice sounding out through the phone, but I can't make out what is being said. "Oh, um…hi, mom. N-No, why? What do you mean let you up? You aren't due here for another two days."
Her eyes finding mine, they widen and she jumps from the bed. "No, I'm with my boss. We had to work early. She has a lot on right now." I watch as she paces back and forth in nothing but her birthday suit and the worry begins to settle on her face. Mine too. "Sure, yeah. Give me a few minutes and I'll be over."
"Tell her to come here," I whisper.
"Actually, mom. Could you come to 432 Park Avenue? We have a lot to get through today and since you have arrived early, I can't just leave work." Eliza gives me a slight nod. "Okay, floor 63. Just come on up. Bye."
"Fuck." My hand placed on my forehead, I feel like I'm about to have some sort of breakdown. I'm not prepared for this. Neither of us is. Eliza looks like she is about to vomit, and I don't think I'll be far behind her. "What the hell are we supposed to do?"
"The time has come, Arizona." She gives me a worrying look but I have to try to reassure her.
"Just stick to your story." I climb from the bed and slip on a pair of jeans. "Stick to your story and it will be okay."
"I thought we were doing this, Arizona? I thought I was telling my mom the truth?"
"Yeah, and you will. Just…you haven't really had time to think about it all. You haven't had time to prepare yourself."
"Right, yeah." She nods. Hooking my bra, I pull on a blouse and head off to the bathroom to make myself look a little more presentable. I know her mom is going to know what's going on as soon as she walks through my door, but she can't prove anything.
Heading back out into the living room, I grab my paperwork I was working on yesterday and scatter it over the kitchen counter and the dining table. We have been working from home, but that's not all we've been doing. I guess it's a good thing Eliza still has her apartment right now. It will be less suspicious if she keeps it while her mom is here. All of her things are still there, so she can head back there if she thinks it's going to be the right thing to do. I'll understand.
Glancing over my shoulder, I find her standing at the window and chewing on her nails. "Hey, relax, baby."
"I can't." She bounces on her heels and slips her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Hey, whatever happens…" I step a little closer to her and hold out my hands. "...tonight, you will fall asleep in my arms, okay?"
"I love you…" She breathes out.
"I know, and that's why this is going to be okay, Eliza." My system alerting me to a presence on the other side of my door, I clear my throat and give Eliza a nod. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'm ever going to be." Grabbing my reading glasses from the table, I slip them on and hope that look like nothing more than Eliza's boss. I can see the anxiety building within her, and this is a totally on her terms. I don't expect her to come clean right now. Nobody is prepared for that. "I'll get the door." Checking herself over, she approaches the door and a loud knocking startles me a little. Quickly sitting down at my dining table, I make myself look busy and my front door opens. "Hi, mom."
Glancing up over the rim of my glasses, an older version of my girlfriend comes plowing through my door and it makes me feel a little uneasy. There is not a single word from her mother and I find that extremely rude. I hate rude people. "This is not your place of work, Eliza."
"Actually, it is." She clears her throat. "I'm Miss Robbins assistant, and wherever she needs me…that's where I'll be." God, I hate her calling me that. She should never have to call me that again. It's too formal and I don't like it.
"Yes, I can see that." She spits. Standing, I approach Eliza's mom and hold out my hand. Her eyes scanning me, she turns her attention back to her daughter and gives her a look of complete disgust. "First you are pictured with this…woman, and now you are at her home at what? 9 am?"
"Yeah, it's a demanding job, mom. I'd appreciate it if you could see that."
"Mm, looks very demanding." She gives Eliza a sarcastic smile and then her eyes land on me. "Are you taking advantage of my daughter?"
"Excuse me?" I furrow my brow.
"Well, you are clearly older than her. You must be what? Forty?" That's just fucking rude. "She is virtually a child compared to you, Miss Robbins."
"If you could lose the attitude I'd be forever grateful." Giving her one of my own best smiles, she simply stares. Like she is trying to read me. Oh, I don't think so. I'm a businesswoman, and nobody reads me. "I haven't and I am not taking advantage of your daughter. Eliza is one of the best staff I've ever employed, and you should be proud of the life she is making for herself here."
"Oh, I don't think so." She shakes her head. "Get your jacket, Eliza. We are leaving. Peter is waiting for you back in Detroit, and you have a wedding to prepare for."
"Mom, I've told you that isn't happening."
"And I've told you it is."
"Eliza cannot just simply leave. She has a contract to honor, and it is far from finished." I state.
"And this is none of your business so you can keep your wealthy nose out of it." She glares. "I'll bet it cost you a small fortune." Okay, why does this woman have to criticise my appearance? Seriously!
"Mom, could you be any more rude?" Eliza spits. "I think you owe Arizona an apology."
"Ah, first name terms." She raises her eyebrow and I can already feel a major headache coming on.
"Mom, I think you should leave." My girlfriend sighs. "Because if you don't, I'm going to say some things that you really don't want to hear, and honestly, I don't feel much like being the disappointment today."
"Oh, darling… You are nothing but a disappointment so anything you have to say, say it."
My mouth dropping, I cannot believe what I'm hearing. I attempt to speak, but Eliza beats me to it. "Well, that's good. What I'm about to say shouldn't bother you if I'm nothing but a disappointment."
"Just get your jacket!" Her voice raising, I step forward a little and try to show Eliza that I have her back.
"No, I'm not going anywhere with you. I'm staying here, with Arizona." Giving her mom a sad smile, I feel like my heart is about to pound out of my chest. "I love her, mom, and I know you don't, and you never will understand…but that doesn't change anything for me. I'll still love her whether you are on board or not."
"Oh no." She laughs. "No no no. Not again, Eliza. You will not go through this ridiculous phase again. If you are sick, we will get you help, but you will not live with a woman. You will not…do whatever the hell it is that you do together. Not before I'm cold in the ground. No!"
"Well, I'm not going anywhere with you so why don't you just leave…" I can see that she is worried about how this is going to go, but I'm done playing games.
"You heard your daughter….leave!"
"You!" She points her finger in my face. "You did this. You made her this way. What the hell have you done? You disgust me."
"Well, the feeling is mutual." I smile as I wrap my arm around Eliza's waist. "If this conversation is done, you can go."
"Eliza, you cannot do this." She sighs. "You have done nothing but bring shame to our family, and I won't let you do this again. I will not let you become that vile creature you were at fifteen. I will not!"
"HEY, LADY!" Stepping closer to the woman who is getting on my last nerve, she doesn't move. She doesn't even flinch. "You won't come into my home and speak to the woman that I love that way. Now, you get out of here or I call security."
"Love!" She scoffs. "People like you aren't capable of love!"
"You know, you really ought to take a look in the mirror, because all I see is a bully and a monster. Don't tell me what I am and what I'm not capable of when you flew your daughter out to some asshole and had him perform illegal acts on her. Don't you fucking dare! GET OUT!"
"I'm not finished with this, Eliza." She steps towards the door and I've never been so thankful to see the back of someone in my life. "This is NOT finished!"
The door slamming shut behind her, I turn to face my girlfriend and she is white. Her entire being is white. Like someone has just sucked the life right out of her. "Eliza…"
"I-I can't." She cries. "I just, I can't."
Thanks for reading, guys. That's me done for the night. See you guys tomorrow!