AN: Thank you to everyone that has left me some super awesome reviews. It really made my day a lot better after the craziness I received a day or so ago. I am also on twitter, and will post updates about my story there as well. Have a great week guys!

texansgohard – my twitter name – thanks

CHAPTER 25 – PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

ARIZONA'S POV

Sitting across from Callie at our favorite little coffee shop I can't get over how excited I am becoming. This wedding is the last thing I expected to be so excited for, but here I am. Looking at bridal magazines, and taking notes with my beautiful fiancée sitting across from me, with her own magazine spread out on the table. Every couple of minutes we show eachother something we find in the magazine and give our opinions. We are currently looking for "save the date" cards, so we can let all of our friends and family about our upcoming wedding. Being surgeons, and having almost all surgeon friends, we understand how hard it is to get time off from work, so giving them plenty of time to take off is important. Not to mention both sets of our parents live so far away and would have to make flight arrangements. I pull myself away from my magazine and look over at Callie sipping on her coffee.

"So are you thinking about a date? I mean, we don't have to send anything out yet. But I know I am going crazy wondering when we are going to make us "official"." I say.

"Yes. Actually I was just thinking about that. How would you feel about a summer wedding? I know it's not that far away, but it gives us 9 months. It's only October, and I was thinking that maybe we could get married in June. The weather should be more cooperative then, and it would make it easier to have an outdoor wedding." What do you think? Callie asks.

"A summer wedding sounds perfect Calliope. We can find a nice place outside, and that gives us plenty of time to make arrangements. I'm sure our mothers will want to be included in the planning, and there is so much we can do for decorations at an outdoor wedding. Do you have a place in mind?"

"As a matter of fact yes. There is a little park downtown, beautiful landscape, and has a small pond that would look beautiful with an archway next to do. And we can decorate the whole archway with flowers and ribbon. I think it would be perfect for us."

"Well then you must show me this park, because your right… it does sound perfect. And I love the idea of the archway." I smile to Calliope. I add, "so is there a particular day in June that you were leaning towards?"

"How about the 9th? We had our first date a year ago, on October 9th, and I think that would be perfect." Callie says.

"You even remember the exact day we had our first date? Awww, that is so sweet." I say with a wink, and lean over to place a soft kiss on Calliope's lips. "So June 9th. The day we are going to become wife and wife… I like it."

"I like it too. A lot. And since we have agreed on an exact date, we can order these save the date cards AND make a phone call to our parents. I'm pretty sure your mom is going to kill us for waiting several days after getting engaged before telling her."

Later that evening, Callie and I change for bed and lay down together. Callie has the television flipped on to her favorite show, "Forensic Files", and I am snuggled against her reading one of my medical journals. It's so great to know that we can lay here like this, not saying a word, and still be completely content. We know when something is bothering the other person, and we know when everything is as it should be and we are just enjoying the silence and eachothers company.

I finally place my book on the nightstand, and turn to lay my head across Callie's chest. Getting interested in her show and loving the feeling of her arms around, I feel my entire body relax. Then I hear a text message coming from one of our phones on the dresser.

I place a kiss on the top of Callie's head, and walk over to the phones. The first thing I noticed on Callie's iphone is the name on the text, and the few words that popped up as a preview on her phone.

"Babe, hurry and get back in bed. I'm cold and all I want to do is snuggle with you." Callie says with a small pout.

I take a deep breath, and say a silent prayer that tonight can pass without any type of drama. And once I hand her this phone, I am not sure how the rest of the night will end up. Then I saw the phone go off a second time in my hand. Looking down I see another text from Mark. I walk over to Callie and hand her the phone. I started to climb in bed, and just put everything else aside and just spend this day happy,but instead I turn on my heels and head to the restroom to shower. I didn't need to see Callie going off on Mark. Or worse, making up with him. So I left Callie with her phone in her hand, and finally jump in the shower.

CALLIE'S POV

I knew the second I looked at my phone why Arizona's face looked like it did. And it also explains why she is in the shower now, without even asking me to join her. And that is not normal what so ever. I let out a deep breath and slid my finger across the screen to unlock it. Slowly selecting the messages icon and it shows new texts from Mark.

"Cal, I don't even know where to start. Can we please talk? I am so sorry." – Mark

Then the second text: "I know you are pist at me, and so is Lexie but I can't lose you Cal. Let's talk. Please? Tomorrow, lunch?" – Mark

I sit there for a couple of minutes, debating on responding, but I decide against it. We are adults. Who sends text messages during something so serious as this? Why not be brave enough to pick up the phone, or try to talk to me face to face. This all just makes me even more angry. After debating it over and over and over again, I stand from the bed and walk over to the dresser. I can still hear the shower running and I know that Arizona is still busy. I throw on a hoodie, some jeans, and slip on my sneakers. After scribbling a note and leaving it for Arizona, (silently praying she understand why I need to do this) I make my way down the stairs and out the front door to my Range Rover.

15 minutes later, I am pulling up into the apartment complex I used to call home. My heart is beating fast in my chest, and my nerves are taking over. I have to do this. I have to face my feelings and I have to make them clear. I sit in my car, silent for a moment. Then I climb out and make my way towards the elevator. Hitting the "5", I stand there patiently rehearsing what I am going to say. Suddenly the doors slide open, and I step out and come face to face with the blue door to Mark's apartment. Right before I knock, I hear my phone going off in my pocket. I recognize the ringtone and know immediately that its my fiancée.

I step back from the door and lift the phone to my head.

"Babe, before you-" I say before I am quickly cut off by a very angry blonde.

"Don't you babe me, Calliope! What is going on? Mark? Seriously? You are at Mark's apartm—" She says, but it is my turn to cut her off.

"Arizona, just listen! I am going to keep the phone on, and you will be able to hear anything that is said. I do not want to have any secrets, but I have to put an end to this once and for all. So stop flipping out, let me knock on this door to say my piece, then I will be back home to you! I'm putting the phone in my jacket now, so just listen." I said mater-of-factly.

I stick the phone in my hoodie pocket and knock on the door. It only takes a second, before Mark appears at the door and even has a smile on his face.

"Cal! Wow. I'm surprised to see you. I was waiting for a response to my text, but this is way bet-"

"Stop. Stop whatever it is that you are saying. We need to talk. Well, more like I need to talk, and you need to listen. Can I come in? Or do you want to do this in the hallway?" I say coldly.

"Um, no. I mean yes, come in." Mark says as he steps back and I walk inside the apartment.

"Do you want something to drink? I just got groceries yesterday, so I do have things besides beer." Mark tries his best to lighten the mood. But It isn't going to work.

"No, thanks. I won't be here that long. I came to talk to you about the other night.". I say.

"Oh. Ok. Can I say something first before you do? I need to say it, and I know once you let loose, you won't want to hear what I have to say." Mark says as he sits on the couch and motions for me to sit as well.

"Alright." Is all I am able to let out.

"Look Cal. I know that the way things went down the other night was crazy. I messed up, royally. Not only did I hurt you, I hurt Lexie. And I hate that I did that. I have to be honest, and tell you that I did mean what I said. I just didn't mean to say it the way I did. I can't help how I feel about you. I'm just sorry I waited until it was too late to finally let it out."

My hands are shaking, and my heart is beating hard in my chest. Because I know Arizona just heard every word he said, and if she were here face to face with Mark, I'm worried that we would be making a trip to the emergency room on Mark's behalf. But now is my time to talk. Time to let Mark know exactly how I feel.

"Mark, now that you have said you piece, it is my turn. I need you to listen to me. Listen to me with all you have, because I am not ever going to repeat this. It hurts me to have to say these things to you, because I never thought something like this could happen. You have always been my best friend. Sure, we slept together, and it was good, I don't regret our times together because I did learn from them. And I think it made me a stronger person. And yes, at one time I wondered what it would be like if we were together. But I knew that THAT would never work. You want things that you cannot have. It's all like a huge game to you. When you had the opportunity to be with me, you didn't want it. You never said a word. But now that I am happy, and stable, and engaged… you want to try to fight for me? Mark that is insane. Really. You and I both know it is. You had Lexie. Someone who treated you great. She really loves you, and you hurt her. Why? Because you "think" you are in love with me. And we both know that you aren't. But even if there is that small chance that you are, I have to be fair and be honest with you. Mark, I do not have feelings for you. Not at all. I am in love with Arizona. Madly, deeply, insanely in love with her. And the things you said to her in that kitchen… the way you spoke to her.. in OUR home… that is unforgivable. You were in my home, with my fiancé, and you talked to her like scum. And because of that, I can never forgive you. We can't go back to being friends like we were. It's impossible. I could never put Arizona in that position. To always wonder and worry. Even though she trusts me, she could never trust you. And it is my job to protect her heart. And if that means that you and I are no longer anything other than coworkers, then so be it. But defending my future wife is number one. And you have already broken rule number one." I finish.

Mark sits there, with his face now in his hands. Finally looking up at me. I can see the tears in his eyes, but I stay strong and firm. I'm not looking into the face of my best friend. I'm looking into the face of the man who loves me, and who disrespected my fiancée. And that is just..not..okay. So I stand up and start to walk towards the door. But Mark runs over and grabs my wrist to stop me.

"Callie, I'm sorry." He breathes out.

"I'm sorry too Mark. Take care of yourself ok? But please, do not try to speak to me unless it is work related. So from now on, I'll see you at work only… Dr. Sloan."

"I'm moving back to New York. I am accepting the attending position at the hospital I worked at before…" Mark say quickly.

My hand was holding the door knob, and I turned to face him.

"I am happy for you. Really. And this is the best thing for everyone involved. Goodbye Mark." I say one last time, and turn to leave the apartment.

Completely forgetting that my phone is still on with Arizona in my pocket, I step into the elevator and make my way back to my car. Finally realizing it, I reach frantically into my pocket and pull my phone to see my beautiful Arizona's face on the screen still.

"Babe?" I say.

"Y-yes? I hear her sniffle. And I know she is crying a little. But I know they are happy tears, because she now knows that Mark is nothing to me.

"I'm on my way home…."