Callie was sitting on her computer chair, updating her research when a little figure collided with her. She looked down to find a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy, about two years old, grinning up at her. She heard a noise, and looked over at the entrance to her home office. There stood a seven-year old Latino girl, smiling at her.
"Sorry Mommy, I tried to stop him, but he's too fast for me!"
Callie smiled at her daughter, leant down, and picked up the boy. She gave him a squeeze, a laugh followed by a round of giggles erupted from the boy. She motioned for Sofia to come into the room. Both kids had been told not to disturb Mommy while she was working on her research, but they couldn't resist. Callie cuddled the little boy, and hugged Sofia to her side.
"It's okay babies, I was just finishing up. Why don't we go wash up and we'll all head into the dining room. See what disaster your Mother has concocted for us this week."
All three laughed out loud. It was a running joke in the Robbins-Torres home, about just how bad Arizona's attempts at cooking where. It was a new thing she was trying, instead of leaving it to the expert that was Callie! Still, being a supportive wife and mother, Callie, Sofia, and their son Timothy choked it down every Sunday night. Sofia didn't mind it so much, if it was THAT bad, sometimes she'd get Monday off school sick. Bonus!
Callie pressed save on her computer, hoisted Timothy Marcus Robbins Torres onto her hip, took her daughter's hand, and strode out of the office of their home. Yes, home. A beautiful, yet not over the top home in the suburbs. Callie took herself and the kids into the bathroom, washed their hands, and walked as one into the dinning room. She could smell the food, it made her stomach groan, it might not be great, but she was hungry. She asked Sofia to set the table, she was growing up so fast, while she put little Timmy in his high chair. Callie walked into the adjoining kitchen, and found Arizona starting to plate the food. Callie walked behind her, put her arms around her waist from behind, kissed her shoulder, and nuzzled her face into her neck, laying more kisses. Arizona smiled and turned slightly.
"Hey bear, thought you'd never come out of hibernation. You get it all done for the Ted Conference?"
Callie nodded, placed a kiss on Arizona's cheek and moved around to the side to look at her wife. The years had been kind to them both, and her wife looked hotter than ever. If it wasn't for the food making her stomach turn slightly, she would take her here and now!
"All done. Come on, the natives are getting restless."
Arizona nodded, handed a couple of plates to Callie. "I love you Calliope Torres, never forget that."
Callie kissed her sweetly on the lips. "I never do, and I love you too."
Daniel and the rest of the Robbins family returned a couple of hours after Callie and Arizona to find the two of them asleep on the couch. Callie was still sitting upright, head back, snoring lightly, while Arizona had her legs across Callie, head on the armrest, still with that peaceful look on her face. Daniel didn't want to wake them, but he knew if he didn't, they probably wouldn't sleep tonight. He put a gentle hand on Callie's upper arm and nudged her.
"Callie, wake up sweetie."
Callie's head came back down towards her chin, rolled a little to the side, and her eyes finally opened to see what had disturbed her dream. She looked around to see Daniel grinning at her, along with the rest of the family. She wiped sleep from her eyes, wiped the drool, and sighed. Reality sucks! Callie finally looked at her lap and saw Arizona's legs still across her. Arizona was sleeping, and still with that peaceful look. She sighed, and started to gently rub Arizona's legs. Arizona finally started to stir herself, noticed the family around her grinning, and put her hands over her face.
"Oh it never ends! I'm up. What's happening?"
The Robbins family started to gather in the lounge room, talking about the wonderful service for their Barbara, and asking Callie where she learned 'Glory of Love' from. Arizona sat up and felt Callie move closer to her, while she was explaining about when she learned the song. Arizona didn't say a word, she just watched her wife charming the family yet again. Even with all the anger she'd felt towards Callie, and some of it Callie brought on herself by being a bit too pushy and not always letting her go at her own pace, how could she cheat on this woman?
Eventually the conversation headed towards the topic of dinner. It was decided pretty quickly to get Mamma's Kitchen take away. Daniel grabbed a copy of the menu, everyone decided on their order, and Daniel rang it in. It would be an hour, so they all went back to talking about the service.
Callie heard Sofia stirring through the baby monitor, so she excused herself, went up the stairs to find a wide awake Sofia, ready to get up and greet the world again. Callie put Sofia on her hip and went carefully down the stairs. She placed Sofia on Arizona's lap, who smiled and kissed her baby's cheek. Callie kissed Sofia's other cheek, and they sat contented as a family.
An hour later, the food was spread out on the table, everyone eating it with vigour. Sofia decided making a mess would be more fun than eating as usual, so she was covered in sauce, but it tasted so good, she was getting most of the food in her mouth instead of on the floor! After everyone had full bellies, and the belt's had been loosened, they retired back to the lounge to watch home movies. It was the last night everyone would be staying with the exception of Callie, Arizona and Sofia, who were staying until Sunday afternoon.
The Robbins family sat in contentment, watching Barbara ham it up for the camera. Daniel on the other side of the lens, filming his wife, showing off the belly that contained Timothy. Daniel and Barbara showing their first permanent home when they moved to Baltimore ten years ago, and it went on. Happy memories of a wonderful, full, and well lived life.
Arizona turned to Callie, who was engrossed in what was happening on the screen. She watched Callie's beautiful laugh escape her lips, and she only hoped one day this would be them. Not with their death of course, but sitting with their extended family, sharing memories made of love.
Hello from Australia! We only just saw the Grey's Anatomy season final Monday night, so now I'm depressed from having to watch it all! So I decided this short but drama free chapter was what I needed to get me back out of my funk and into writing more!
A special thanks to CaseyJr for the suggestion about Arizona cooking, it worked perfectly for the dream sequence! Thanks again to everyone reviewing, favouriting and following, it means a great deal to me. Anyone with suggestions, this story feels like there's so much more to do and say, so keep 'em coming! Tigersforever