AN: Enjoy!


It's been a long time since I've had to introduce a girlfriend to my parents. Last time I did that I ended up marrying the one being introduced. And it looks like it's turning out just the same this time. Only thing different now is... I want this to be my forever. Sure, I thought Callie was the one and my forever. But I'll admit that I was wrong. I was only wrong because I didn't know any better. She was the one at that point in my life but then she just kind of wasn't anymore. I was devastated. I was heartbroken. And I was alone. The latter being what kept draining me and my scattered heart. I then thought my destiny was to be Sofia's mother and a hardcore surgeon. And I had actually accepted my destiny. I had my chance at true love, and that ship had sailed and sunk. But then... then Eliza Minnick happened. She just waltzed right into my life all confident and smug. It was refreshing and frankly a needed push. I needed a push; her push. At first I acted all apprehensive and reluctant, the whole Richard-thing having influence on my behaviour. But having thought about it, I really think my actions were based on how I didn't want to get hurt. I knew Eliza had something-something going on, because I felt it from the very first time we locked eyes. And that something could easily become the death of me, and I really wasn't prepared to die even though it would be a beautiful death. And therefor I held back, I think. But thank God Eliza's stubborn and persistent… because look at me now. Look at us. We're living together, engaged to be married and co-parenting. Seriously, if someone three years ago would've told me that would be my life now, I would have just scoffed and huffed. I'm so happy that life doesn't always go the way we plan it to.

My parents have been visiting us for three days now. They're going back in a couple of hours. Their stay's been better than I could've hoped for, really. I hadn't any doubt about it, though. It's just always nice to be proven right. After all, I love being right.

Eliza's been all kinds of amazing. My mom's clearly loving her… and her food, especially the Polish food. She's even made Eliza teach her how to make pierogis. So, yeah, we've pretty much lived on pierogis since they arrived. No big deal, I love my fiancé's pierogis... but they weren't exactly hers. My mom's attempt wasn't bad, it was just not the Minnick Method.

My dad on the other hand... he was more interested in my fiancé's career. At some point I actually had to put him in his place, asking him to back off with the investigation. Like it wasn't enough with my ex-wife's many and rude questions. Anyway, it wasn't a big deal. He was just being his old, career-obsessed self. Eliza didn't look like she minded, though. So, it's been such an amazing few days. My entire family under the same roof. I'm really, profoundly happy.

"Why can't I call her Doolittle?" my mom whispers not so discreetly into my ear.

"I can think of many reasons why," I turn my head and narrow my eyes at my mother.

"I'd like to hear those then."

Eliza is playing the piano, Sofia in her lap as they sing along. My father's leaning against the side of the piano, watching them and listening, bopping his index finger to the rhythm. The memory of me taking Eliza at that very spot hits me square in the stomach, the visual very vivid and making me blush. I quickly shake the image out of my head, returning my attention to my mother.

Clearing my throat, I list off some the reasons. "Well, to name a few... Eliza doesn't do little, she does a lot. She isn't some musical character, and her name is Eliza Minnick, mom. Not Doolittle," I huff, a big smile on my face, though.

"But Sofia calls her Pocahontas," my mother rebukes confused.

"Because of the hair!" my daughter and I exclaim in unison, the sound of the piano coming to a stop. I catch the eyes of my daughter who's grinning like a fool and then I meet the pair of my fiancé's, shining. She shakes her head, clearly thinking that we're out of our minds.

"What's with whose hair now?" my dad asks, having been drawn into the music and not present. We all laugh, Eliza turning her head toward him.

"It's come to everyone's attention that Pocahontas and I use the same hairdresser," she jokes, shrugging. Sofia bounces in Eliza's lap, tapping away on the keys.

"It's not true, Grandpa," Sofia chuckles.

"What?" he exclaims, feigning shock. Then he sends my daughter a knowing wink.

"So, I just need to know... Eliza, hun', you've seen My Fair Lady, no?"

"Jeez, mom," I sigh. "Stop yourself."

We all just laugh; my dad, Sofia and Eliza coming to sit around the coffee table as well. Dad in the armchair, Sofia on the floor, resting her arms on the table, Eliza in the corner of the couch just beside me. I place a hand on her knee, the desperate need to be close to her getting the best of me. We chat away the afternoon, just basking in the comfortable feeling of being together. When it's time to hit the airport, we fill my car with their luggage and say our goodbyes. Eliza's got a late night shift, so I won't let her drive or even come with. She gladly accepted the task of tidying up and putting down Sofia. I'm glad I won't have to take my daughter with me now because she would one hundredth percent fall asleep in the car and then I'd have to wake her up more times than I'd like to. So it's just perfect like this. Eliza being at home, tucking our child in and me returning so that she can get to work. Perfect.

Sitting in the car, I catch the look of my mom's in the rear-view mirror. She looks suspicious. "What is it mom?" I ask, chuckling.

"When are you gonna tell me?"

I give my father who's sitting next to me in the passenger seat a look confusion, silently asking him to help me here. He just shrugs, giving me a small smile. "You're on your own here, kiddo."

"Arizona."

"What, mom?" I furrow my brows, catching my mother's amused and sort of disappointed eyes.

"Were you ever gonna tell us that you're marrying Eliza?"

Ah, I see. Of course she knew. Of course. No one can ever have a secret around that woman. Not that marrying Eliza is a secret. I just haven't found the right time to reveal my big announcement.

"You know?" I ask even though she just gave me the answer. I can't hide the big smile spreading on my entire face.

"A mother knows," she states.

"You saw the ring, Barb," my dad interrupts casually. I can't help but huff, sending him a crooked smile.

"Well, well... if you must go in details," she shakes her head. "Never mind. How come you haven't told us, darling? When-"

"That's not important," my dad cuts her off. "The real question here is..."

I'm prepared for the question to contain words of Callie, divorce, money, financial stability, custody, Sofia, priorities, maybe even a small word sounding like certainty. But that's not what I get, though.

"... do you feel it deep, deep inside your heart?" he emphasizes his words placing his hand above his own heart.

I know what he's referring to. I know what he's always wished for me. And I know that he would never ever question my heart.

"I do, dad. I really do!"

"That's all I need to know," he finishes, squeezing my thigh as I pull the car into parking at the airport parking lot.

"What? What?" my mom exclaims frustrated from the back of the car. "What does that mean?"

"It means our daughter is finally happy, Barbara."

I couldn't have said it better myself. By the mentioning of my happiness, I'm instantly met with images of my fiancé and my daughter in my mind… and my heart melts.

Introducing Eliza to my parents and vice versa has been amazing. I'm ready. Yes, I'm more than ready. I'm really looking forward to the wedding and all that comes with it, but right this moment... all I long for is to steal a couple of kisses from fiancé before she leaves for work.


"Could you please stop that, Robbins?"

"Sorry, what?" I look up, catching the annoyed face of Amelia Shepherd.

"That!" she yanks her head, pointing at my hand.

"I'm not doing anything," I say confusion laced in my voice and covering my face.

"You're clicking... the pen... you're clicking," Amelia speaks through her teeth. "Stop it!"

I haven't even noticed that I've been clicking my pen, I guess I'm a little preoccupied these days. I'm looking through tons of silly wedding magazines that April ordered me to read. I'm not a puffy-dress kind of bride or even a pink and purple wedding kind of girl. Really, I'm not. When I got married to Callie, I just let her go all in on her own wishes, because all I really wanted was the girl. So I didn't care how everything else looked like. And that haven't changed a bit. I just want Eliza to become my wife, and me to become hers. But April won't go down without a fight. Since we're now way better friends than at my first wedding... ugh, it sounds so awful and sad; my first wedding... anyway, she wants to be a part of this wedding. And since I had the joy of being her bridesmaid at her almost-wedding, I didn't hesitate one bit. But when I come to think about it, maybe I should have. She's obsessed. And now she's actually making me read these stupid magazines. And there's pretty dresses and flowers. I love flowers and pretty dresses and... wow. She's manipulative.

"Seriously, Arizona. Stop!" Amelia snaps.

I let go of the pen in shock. "Hey. What's wrong?" I ask my friend concerned.

"You're annoying. The clicking is annoying. You look so happy it's annoying. And did I mention the clicking? Annoying!" Amelia whines harshly, running a hand through her hair.

"Okay, so I know you didn't mean all of that," I nod. "So why don't you tell me why everything seems to annoy you?"

"I'm pregnant," she states just like that. My jaw drops, I don't know what to say. I don't know how to react. "Yeah. That's about how I looked earlier in the bathroom."

"Amelia... it's..."

"I know," she sighs, elbows resting on the table as she rests her face in the palm of her hands. "It's so messed up."

Just as I'm about to suggest us hitting Joe's and kill a bunch of tequila shots, the door of the Attending's Lounge flies open. A red-headed woman entering the room, a bewildered look plastered on her face. We both look at her, awaiting what's on her lips.

"Arizona, can we talk?" Penny asks defeated.


AN2: What does Penny need? Aaaargh… you go tell me!