Callie stepped closer still to Arizona until she was near enough to rest her hand in the small of the blondes back. Her eyes, though, never left her mothers. "I didn't expect to see you here!" Callie finally muttered after several seconds of staring in silence
"Obviously!" her mother whispered back, her eyes flitting over to her husband as she raised an eyebrow
From the corner of her eye Callie saw Marco and Viola slowly turn to walk away. "Stay!" she said as she held her hand out to them. "Please"
"We, don't want to intrude!" Marco replied softly, looking nervously between Carlos, Lucia and Callie
"He is right" Lucia said quietly as she slowly started to walk closer to them, "this is a family matter…we do not need to be saying things in front of employees!"
"Mother!" "Lucia!" Both Callie and Carlos said at once
Callie turned to look straight at Viola before saying. "Viola has been like a mother to me all my life! She has always been there for me…as has Marco, my protector! They are like family to me…they are important to me!"
"And…I am not?" Lucias voice was barely a whisper "I am not…important to you?" She stepped closer still and looked straight at Callie as she softly asked. "Am I ….not important to you? Do I matter at all to you Calliope?"
Callie swallowed had and felt Arizona reach for her hand.
"Calliope?" Lucia stepped even closer. "I am…your mother. Please…Do…I….Matter to you? I'm your mother!"
"No!" Callie shook her head and took a deep breath. "No…you gave up that right… when you turned your back on me…on my daughter…on my wife…my….family! You turned your back on us, so you …. you lost any rights to call yourself my mother!"
"Callie!" Arizona whispered as she turned to look straight at her. "Listen to her, please…let her talk to you! Hear her out. YOU need …..to hear her out, for your sake baby"
Callie looked at her wife and gave a small shake of her head. "I…I can't Arizona….I can't! You didn't hear the things she said…when we were getting married…when….when you were gone….when I thought you were missing. Dead. A mother should give her daughter strength, give her….comfort! Unconditional love. Instead…she wanted to bring me home like a naughty child, and put right my life…! Make me….acceptable to her friends and cronies….make me….normal again! Pray away the gay huh mom? Isn't that right?" Callie smirked as she looked back at her mother. "That was her plan for me. Therapy and prayer…and then more prayer to rid me of all my sins…cleanse me! Redeem me! No, she was glad you were gone Arizona…she didn't want you to be found …."
"Calliope!" Lucia gasped, "that is NOT true. It is not true. I wanted Arizona to be found, of course I did. How could you ever think otherwise? You really think so little of me?" Lucia shook her head a fraction before adding." Her parents were there, I spoke to them…one parent to another…I felt their pain…their fear. Calliope, no parent should lose a child let alone TWO, so for their sake alone I prayed for Arizonas return . And…and as foryour child….your uh…. your daughter….she was too young to lose a parent…that would not be right. Mark …and…Arizona…were both on the plane…of course I wanted it to be found, I wanted them to all be found. And…and I hated to see you, my darling girl, in so much pain. A mother is supposed to protect their child from pain….and I could do nothing to help you! You were hurting so much"
"Sofia" Callie whispered
Lucia tilted her head and whispered back "Pardon?"
"Sofia!" Callie hissed. "Not…my CHILD, or my daughter! Her name….is SOFIA!"
As if hearing her name was a magic alarm clock, her young daughter suddenly yawned, stretched and slowly opened her eyes. Smiling brightly as she saw both her momma and mommy standing next to her, then frowning as her instinct told her they were not happy. With a puzzled pout on her lips,she sat up and blinked as she looked around. Her eyes widening when she saw the lady standing a little in front of her mommies. "Abuela!" she gasped. "You're my Abuela! Oh! You made it home….you came to see me after all!"
Both Arizona and Callie glared at her mother, their eyes silently warning the older woman to tread carefully as they watched their little girl clamber to her feet and jump up and down excitedly as she looked at her Grandmother.
"I, uhm…I wasn't supposed to be here Sofia" Lucia said hesitantly as she looked closely at the smiling little girl who reminded her so much of her own eldest daughter. "I…came home early!"
"So you could see me, cos you'd knows I am here wiv my mommies. You came home early to see me….didn't you Abuela? That's right isn't it? You wanted to see me?" She went to rush forward, glancing up in surprise as Arizona gently brought her hands down on her shoulders and pulled her back to her side.
Carlos looked at his wife and gave a small nod, before telling his Granddaughter. "Mija, your Abuela is very tired…she has been working so hard. Why not let her go inside, and uh….change into more comfortable clothes…let her have a little time to clear her head….."
"But Abuelo….I is tired now! And I heard momma say is time for us to go soons…cos I gots to go to bed!" the little girl pouted as she looked at him and then at her two mommies
"Sofia!" Carlos said a little more sternly. "your Abuela is here to see her daughter also….not just you my little princessa! Right Lucia?"
Callie narrowed her eyes a fraction and looked at her father. "Daddy?"
"Do not blame your father Calliope!" Lucia cut in. "I…uhm….when he….ehrm….he told me that you would be here in Miami….told me you would be ….visiting him…I wondered if…if we could talk…maybe. Foolishly, I thought…you would show respect and visit your family home alone!"
"And, there it is!" Callie smirked and raised her arm in her mothers direction, waving it dramatically as she added. "The real Lucia Torres makes her first appearance! Respect mother? Really? Alone? Why would I visit alone when I have my family with me…?"
"Calliope!" Arizona whispered in her ear. "Sofia…..is listening to every word!"
With a slight hiccup Callie bit back the next few words that she wanted to say, instead she chose to glare at her mother before shaking her head a fraction and giving a short irritated laugh before reaching down to pick up her daughter and taking Arizonas hand more firmly. "You know what…I'm done. I don't know why you chose to show up, why you thought I would want to talk to you….I don't know what you thought would happen….and I don't care! I just….I don't wanna fight. So….we're going…." She turned to look at her father and gave a small smile before muttering. "Sorry daddy….but it is Sofias bedtime anyway….just…sorry it ended like…like this!"
"Going?" her father mumbled softly. "I…I had hoped you would stay tonight…I had rooms made up for you"
Callie gave another small smile. "Not a good idea daddy….really not….a good idea!"
Carlos nodded and stepped forward to kiss both her cheek, and Sofias, before reaching around and hugging Arizona tightly. "You are looking after yourself yes?" he whispered to her
"Yes sir" she replied with a small smile, "and Callie is keeping a close eye on me to…don't worry!"
"I don't doubt it!" he chuckled softly. "But…I am glad…you need looking after…and my Calliope….she is….a good man in a storm no?"
Arizona gave a small laugh before replying. "The best sir….absolutely the best!"
Again, Carlos hugged her, both of them laughing as Callie grumbled "Hey hey hey….how come I get a peck on the cheek and Arizona gets the big hugs huh?"
Carlos tilted his head at her and shook it slightly. "Jealous mija?"
"YES!" Callie giggled before reaching over and allowing her dad to engulf both her and Sofia in a bear hug.
"I will call the car back for you now" he said as he held her tightly. "And….I was not expecting your mother to come back tonight, please believe that Calliope…!I would have joined you at your hotel if I had known…she told me…she was not due back until the weekend. But the fact she came home early mija, that she did this…Arizona is right…you should hear her out sometime!"
With a small smile Callie stepped out of his arms and shook her head sadly. "I…I…maybe….someday….or sometime! I dunno daddy…but not now, and definitely not tonight…I'm sorry, I know this isn't easy for you!"
"Easy? No" he smiled gently. "But I love you both so very much…that I can live with it, until my two stubborn mules sit down and face one another…I can live with it!" He held her hand as he reached for his phone and dialled his driver, instructing him to bring the car round for his daughter and her family. As he hung up he looked again at Callie and asked softly. "Tomorrow….you will bring Sofia back yes? I brought the boats down…I thought we could spend the day on the ocean!"
Sofia gasped and looked up at her mommy. "Oh please…please can we….please?"
Callie cast a quick glance at her own mother and realised she was still standing there staring, her eyes locked on the child. Looking back quickly at Arizona and seeing the blonde give a slight nod, Callie smiled brightly at Sofia as she whispered "Sure kiddo…but first…we gotta get you home and to bed…!"
Sofia gave a little hop of excitement. "Can Tuck come with us? Aunt Manda an' Uncle Ben to? Please!"
"Why Sofia….you wouldn't want to just show off that your grandaddy has a posh boat now would you?" Arizona chuckled, her head shaking just a little as she saw the slightly guilty look on her daughters face
Carlos crouched down to look at his precious grand child and ruffled her hair gently. "Princessa…I would be most upset if your friends did not come with you!" He smiled as she reached up to hug him and kiss his cheek before he stood and let Callie pick her up. "Goodnight Sofia…until tomorrow!"
Arizona stepped forward and offered to take Sofia , sighing as Callie raised her eyebrow at her and glanced pointedly at her tummy. Looking sideways Arizona saw a strange look cross Lucias face before she realised she was being watched and her inscrutable mask slipped back into place. With one last peck on the cheek from her father in law, Arizona once more gripped Callies hand as they walked out to the long drive and the waiting car. Climbing in first, she once again glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see Lucia had followed them to the front and was now standing in the open doorway watching them closely. "Callie" she whispered, "your mother…she…you should….say goodnight to her."
Callie stopped as she was about to climb into the car. She looked over her shoulder and saw her mother standing just inside the main door. She shook her head and once again went to climb into the car, frowning as her wife put her hand gently on her shoulder and with her eyes indicated that their daughter was looking over at Lucia. With a small sigh and definite pout, Callie stepped back and slowly walked over to her mother, a big….bright smile plastered on her face for the sake of Sofia. Knowing her daughter couldn't hear her she leaned into her mother and whispered. "I will not have my daughter upset mother…I will NOT allow it. Ever! Am I clear? So…for her sake…I am going to kiss you now….and I want you to smile at me as if we do it all the time. I want you to smile mother…and make my daughter happy…because if you don't….so help me….if you think you have seen me angry before….you aint seen nuthin…."
"Calliope…." Lucia cut in, surprising her daughter by laughing brightly and resting her hand on her shoulder as she too bent forward to whisper. "Arizona…there is….something….different about her no?"
Callie pulled her head back fraction and stared at her mother, her smile faltering. "What?" she hissed quietly
Lucia met her gaze smiled softly but said nothing other than. "Goodnight….mija" as she gently kissed Callies cheek, before waving to the car and calling out "Goodnight Sofia…and….I will see you tomorrow!"
"Yay!" Sofia giggled brightly as Lucia waved brightly and turned to walk indoors, leaving Callie, Arizona and Carlos open mouthed and staring at each other in shock.
"Callie…I uh…." Carlos stammered
"It's ok daddy" Callie muttered numbly as she patted his shoulder before climbing in the back of the car and. "It's…ok"
"So….you will still come tomorrow?" he asked leaning in the open car door
Arizona sighed slightly as she waited for Callie to answer. If they didn't come, Sofia would be broken hearted….if they did…Callie could be broken hearted. Tomorrow promised to be….a fun day!
"Yeah dad!" Callie whispered softly. "We'll be here. Goodnight"
"Goodnight mija! Sleep well" Carlos gave a small nod before closing the door and signalling the driver to go, waving as the car pulled out of the gravel drive.
"Miranda and Ben will love the boat Callie" Arizona said as she took Callies hand in hers and gently bent to kiss across the knuckles. "The more the merrier right?"
Callie swallowed and gave a small laugh. "Right"
With a small chuckle Arizona asked. "Is it weird to say I'm all ready feeling sea sick?"
Callie glanced at her and saw the small grin Arizona was giving her. With a soft chuckle she wriggled closer and wrapped her arm around the smaller womans shoulder. "Hmmm….feeling a little queasy myself if truth be told!"
Arizona glanced at Sofia who had already drifted back off to sleep. "At least someones happy!"
Again Callie chuckled as she snuggled in closer. "Tomorrow is gonna be a LONG and difficult day!"
With a sly grin Arizona nodded and whispered. "So, maybe I had best think of some way to distract you for the rest of tonight huh? Stop you worrying about it!"
Callie raised an eyebrow and looked at her before giving her a slow smile. "Really? Arizona…you're insatiable!"
With a small laugh Arizona tried hard to look innocent as she looked back at Callie and whispered. "I was thinking of a chess or somethin'!"
"Ummm hmmm…chess huh?"
"Or…somethin'"
Callie shook her head slowly before bending forward and capturing her wifes lips in a slow and deep kiss. "I vote….for somethin'" she whispered as she slowly trailed soft kisses across Arizonas jaw bone and up to her earlobe, slowly pulling the delicate soft skin between her teeth, smirking as she heard the soft hiss of response…."Oh yeah," she breathed "definitely…..somethin'"
"Can't this car go any faster!" Arizona muttered as she felt Callie softly nuzzling at her neck, felt her hand stroke down her arm, drop to her hip and gently edging up the hem of her top. "Callie…stop…slow down!" she whimpered. "Sofia is right there…oh…dear God woman….please…oh!" she squirmed as Callie trailed the back of her fingers across the now bare skin of her tummy. "Callie!" she breathed
"I love you!" Callie whispered back before once again capturing her wife lips in a passion filled kiss, her tongue licking at the blondes bottom lip before pushing forward and muffling the soft moan as she filled the soft warm and inviting mouth. She lost herself in that kiss, in the wave of emotion flooding through her as she felt Arizona thread her fingers into her hair and pull them closer, felt their bodies both respond to the charge of electricity coursing through them at each touch.
Suddenly Callie pulled back, smiling down at the dazed and tousled looking Arizona. "What….why…Callie?" she gasped as she reached up to clasp her hand on the back of Callie neck and drag her back down for a kiss, frowning moor as Callie gently stopped her
"Down girl!" Callie grinned as she quickly pecked her cheek. "We're back at the hotel!"
"Already? Wow!"
Callie chuckled. "You know…you're damn good at the distraction technique Arizona…very….gifted!"
AS Arizona stepped out of the car, then reached in to help Callie lift Sofia out, she smirked and whispered in the Latinas ear. "I am good yes. And….you're not so bad yourself! But I'm pretty sure I said I planned to distract you for the REST of tonight!"
Callie merely smirked back as she softly replied. "Trust me…I hadn't forgotten….and the night is still young!"
Arizona quirked her own eyebrow before chuckling and muttering. "Yeah….but you're not!"
With a small gasp, Callies mouth dropped open as she turned to stare at her smiling wife. "Oh ho….you wait Robbins….just….you….wait!"
Thirty minutes later, Callie walked out of Sofias hotel bedroom, having tucked the soundly sleeping child into bed, and walked back into her and Arizonas, her mouth once again dropping open as she was greeted by the sight of her wife lying naked on top of the bed "You told me to wait….old girl!" she said with a bright smile
"Old!" Callie huffed playfully. "Seriously….! Old! I'm ONE year older than you….one!"
With a small shrug Arizona teased. "Can make all the difference ya know!"
By now Callie was crawling up the bed towards her smiling tormentor. "Um hmm …well now….let me show you just what this old body is REALLY capable of huh"
Arizona gasped in surprise as in just two swift moves Callie was as naked as her, and already had the upper hand. "Wow!" she gasped
A little over an hour later and the last thing Arizona heard before more or less passing out, was the soft laugh of her wife before she whispered. "Old indeed!"