Chapter 29

Summary: Callie & Arizona AU fic. Arizona is lost in a whirlwind of circumstances, relying on her motorcycle to give her clarity. Will this ride lead to the change that she needs, or lead to further hurt and heartache, or is this just the journey that she needs?

Chapter: 29/?

Disclaimer: All characters from Grey's Anatomy belong to the Queen that is Shonda Rhimes… How different my life would be if only I'd created them first….

So, I thought I would have this up last week in celebration of the premier… but life. But here it is… and because it has been an obnoxiously long wait, this one is extra long. I really hope you guys like it…

XxxxxxxX

"Arizona, you don't have to do everything, I can help."

"No, you get Sof settled inside and I will bring these bags in." Arizona stepped up to Callie placing a quick peck to waiting lips as she passed the sleeping toddler over to the taller woman. "I was a total bit- B-I-T-C-H when you tried to do something special for my birthday, so I'm making-"

"And I told you that you didn't need to make anything up to me. You were stressed about the case, I get it and I already forgave you. And she's asleep, you can say bitch… which you aren't one." Callie ran her free hand down her lover's arm until their hands met, entwining their fingers together. "I'll put her down real quick, and I'll be back out to help you." Fixing her gaze on the shorter woman in front of her, Callie's pointed stare meant there was no more fuss to be made.

Arizona nodded her head, and turned so that Callie could walk into their rented cabin while she returned to the car for their bags. She shuffled across the path quickly, picking out as many bags as she could stand to carry at once. She may have agreed to end the fussing over letting Callie help, but she still had no intention of letting the woman help; so she just had to move quickly before Callie could finish laying Sofia down.

Closing the door, Arizona sat the last bag down next to the rest of their luggage, falling back into the door releasing an exhausted breath from rushing back and forth to the car so quickly. "You're a moron, you know that?"

Lifting her head, a bashful smirk quickly crossed pale lips as blue eyes squinted across the room to the Latina standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. "I carried the bags in." Arizona innocently shrugged in attempt to sell her words.

"No, you ran like a wild person to bring all of the bags in before I could come help. Moron." Callie stepped forward digging through the haphazard pile of luggage sprawled across the floor like they were quickly tossed in the door in a rush. Callie wasn't going to let Arizona know that she'd been watching her through the window from Sofia's temporary room, in amusement as the blonde nearly face planted into the dirt as she stumbled over her own feet in her hasty movements. "I'm going to fix something for dinner. What should we have? I'm kind of in the mood for empanadas?"

"Empanadas… yes…" pointing a finger in the air like she had a grand idea, Arizona breathlessly replied as she slid down the door landing with a graceless thud. "I'll just get these bags put away…. In a minute…"

Callie shook her head laughing as she picked up the two grocery bags, making her way toward the kitchen of their vacation cabin.

XxxxxxxX

Arizona's birthday had been a week before the deposition, which Callie just so happened to find out about a few days before…

"Mom says don't forget about dinner tomorrow night, she's making mac and cheese, meatloaf and green beans, and I saw her making the crust for her peach cobbler."

"Yes, thank you mom!" Tim joined his siblings at the table as they all sat down for lunch. "I haven't had a good meal like that since last Thanksgiving. Teddy is great, but we never really have time for real food."

"I'm going to have to start at the gym twice a day. Jess almost only cooks southern cooking at home because she wants something different from the restaurant." Daniel rubbed at his stomach in show trying to prove his expanding circumference. "Oh, and don't say I told you, but Jess made a pecan pie."

Tim sat up a little straighter as his mouth began to salivate at the thought of the sweet treat. "Two right? We both get our own this time?"

"Yes, two. Last time you two animals had to share a pie nearly turned into world war three." Daniel laughed while shaking his head in thought. "I still can't believe you fucking chased him around the block over that pie."

At the same time both brothers noticed Arizona had been struck silent, making no offers during their exchange. "Hey, earth to Arizona" Tim waved a hand in front of his spaced out twin's face. Following her line of sight his identical set of blues landed on Callie headed to their table. But he noticed his sister wasn't sporting the usual beaming or seductive smile she offered when the Latina was around. No, this time she looked… dejected? Nervous maybe? She sat worrying her bottom lip between perfect teeth, apprehension slowly taking pale features captive.

Jr. picked up on the wary demeanor of his sister as well, speaking up. "Is Callie not coming? Because by the amount of groceries I helped mom unload, it's looking kind of like Thanksgiving prep."

Walking up, Callie caught on to Daniel's question but was unsure of what she was missing. "Am I going where?"

"Our B-day funday and dinner at mom's after? Oh shit, you have to work?" Not catching the confusion etched in caramel features, he turned to his sister. "What are we, chopped liver? You can't have fun with your brothers anymore?"

Arizona noticed the waves of emotion as they crashed through dark eyes. All she could do was apologetically look at her lover, hoping she would accept the silent apology. She prepared to stand, moving her mouth to explain but before she could a pager interrupted her intended words.

"911 in the E.R." and with that Callie was off just as quick as she'd arrived.

"Shit" Arizona muttered barely loud enough for anyone else to hear. She jumped up, but her body didn't propel her in enough time to catch up. Turning back around she sulked back down into her seat, taking a carrot in her mouth allowing it to stand proxy for the cigarette she suddenly had craving for.

"You're an idiot." Daniel shook his head at his younger sister after it clicked to him of what was going on. "And you're selfish, when are you going to get it together?"

Arizona immediately sat up, eyes darkening as anger flashed through her. "Selfish? I told you, and you…" she turned to include her twin "I didn't want to do it. If you want to go out and run around like a fucking kid, then have dinner like everything is still the same then by my guest. But you're going to do it without me, got it?" She pushed her seat back from the table so harshly; nearly the entire occupancy of the cafeteria was alerted to the controversy.

The whole afternoon went by with Arizona missing Callie every time she attempted to catch up with her. She'd sat in the gallery for most of Callie's emergency surgery, but her pager went off before Callie was out of surgery. The next time she was free Arizona waited at the ortho surgeon's office.

Stepping up to the nurses station Arizona offered a quick greeting, asking if the ortho surgeon was in. Unlike her usual self that would have been animatedly engaged, even in small talk, the nurse offered a shy 'no' before taking off towards a patient room. Blue eyes squinted at the uncharacteristic acts of one of Callie's favorite scrub nurses before deciding to try the knob and maybe leaving her missing girlfriend a little note, but the door was locked.

Arizona tried calling again, and shot her another text letting the brunette know that she was here to see her, but Latina didn't respond or show. After waiting around for twenty minutes, Arizona had to take off to her floor for evening rounds.

Callie shook her head, not believing she'd just hid in her office while her lover paced back and forth outside the door. When she wrapped up her surgery, she told her scrub nurse to tell anyone that came looking for her that she wasn't in… especially the peds surgeon. The request was met with a questioning look, but she simply retreated in her dark office to lie on her couch to nurse the migraine that was beginning to sneak up on her.

When her phone buzzed with a message from the shorter woman, Callie nearly gave in and opened the door. But she wasn't sure she was ready to talk yet. She'd been wracking her brain for a reason why Arizona wouldn't tell her about her birthday… but she couldn't come up with anything. For a split second it registered that she was possibly being stubborn, and the only way to get any answer was to open the door, but she wanted Arizona to have to stew for a little bit longer. She was being petty, yes, but she was comfortable chalking it up to pms-ing…

She bit the inside of her lip, feeling bad for sulking and moved to open the door. But just as she stood from the couch, she could hear Arizona's pager blare through the door and a soft frustrated kick letting her know the woman had been called off to help a child in need.

Before she could settle back down into her gloom, Daniel's sotto tone trickled through the door. "She's gone, you can come out of hiding now…"

"She didn't tell me about her birthday."

Daniel was a little confused mentally catching up to the abruptly sputtered words from his sister's girlfriend, because in this moment Callie wasn't Dr. Torres, his boss, she was Callie, Arizona's girlfriend. The taller man dropped his head, securely tucking his tablet under his arm as he let out a small breath.

"I'm her girlfriend, but I didn't even know about her birthday…"

Running his hand over his face, he took the bridge of his nose between his thumb and pointer finger considering his words. "She's trying to boycott their birthday. You know when she gets an idea it fucking sticks like a fly to a cow's ass."

Dark eyes bulged before squinting as she exhaled. "Why wouldn't she want to celebrate her birthday? I know she's a little stressed over this suit, but that's not a reason to boycott your birthday altogether." Callie bit the inside of her lip as she regarded the taller man. Her eyes dropped as a defeated sigh escaped her lips. "She never even told me that her birthday was coming up… I'm such a bad girlfriend, I never even asked, didn't even think about it. How self-absorbed am I? Of course she has a birthday… she was born. And I didn't even think-"

"-You should talk to her." Daniel knew what pushed his sister towards her birthday boycott, but it wasn't his place to host her explanation to her girlfriend. "Don't think its anything that you did," he must've been reading his bosses mind, because that's exactly what was running through her head. "go easy on her though… I think she bit her nails all the way off when she was standing out there."

Callie unceremoniously threw her head back, into the couch exhaling a strained breath. "Did you have a chance to check on Mrs. Mason?"

Blue eyes squinted as a chuckle fell from the man's lips. "I'm pretty sure you were trying to set me up by sending me in there. She grabbed my ass while I was examining her." Daniel laughed at the memory of their patient.

The two laughed a little more, before reviewing a few more cases. After settling their surgery plans for the next day, the two went their separate ways. Callie left to pick up Sofia and head home, but Daniel had a few more hours on his shift.

When Callie stepped into the elevator her phone buzzed. Checking the message, she changed routes for the lobby. Arizona had texted to let her know that her shift ended early so she picked up Sof and they were in the lobby waiting for her. Callie was unsure of how their evening would go, but she smiled knowing that her two favorite girls were waiting for her.

"Hey you."

"Hey yourself" Arizona pressed a tender kiss into caramel skin as she lifted Sofia up to also pass a kiss to her mother. "So, little miss had a great day. They had a party for the kids that are heading off to school next month."

"Oh yeah? That sounds fun munchkin. How was it?"

"Mami, we had cupcakes!" The still excited and slightly still on a sugar high, toddler ran through all of the happenings of their party as the three headed towards Callie's apartment. Arizona bounced Sofia on her shoulders, grateful that they had something so bright and bubbly to discuss for now. She knew she would have to talk to Callie about her birthday, but for now things were focused and Sofia and everyone was genuinely smiling.

After Callie got Sofia down for the night, she sat on her bed waiting for Arizona to finally wrap up her shower. Dark eyes looked up when her freshly showered lover, simply wrapped in a lavender towel around her body, and one on her hair, climbed onto the end of the bed with a bottle of lotion. Blue eyes looked up, examining the brunette as she cleared her throat. "You ever wonder if moisturizer really works? I mean what's in the stuff? I'm a doctor and I haven't even heard of half of it." She picked up the bottle to examine the contents on the label. "Uh 'Demethicone.' No idea. Hmm… I can't even pronounce that one..." A slightly tensed chuckle fell from her lips as she continued to survey the label.

"Why didn't you tell me about your birthday?"

Arizona looked up without offering any words to the question.

"Your birthday is in two days, and I just so happened to find out today. I-I can't talk about lotion because I need to know why the woman that held two celebrations for my birthday, and is already planning Sofia's weekend long birthday extravaganza, that isn't even for another three months… just somehow forgets to tell her girlfriend about her birthday?"

Arizona focused on the inside of her cheek as soft cerulean eyes settled on the pattern of the duvet at the end of the bed. "My birthday…" an exasperated breath left alongside the words. "It's a day, just like any other day. I don't want to celebrate, it's no big deal." Arizona moved up the bed shrugging off her answer.

"I'm your girlfriend and you didn't even tell me. Your birthday is the day after tomorrow, and I didn't even know."

The words barely made it out before soft lips attached to her own. Callie pulled back slightly, with a determination to be heard even as she noticed light blue eyes darken. But Arizona pushed forward, pressing into the Latina until she was laid back onto her pillows. Once the brunette finally started to reciprocate, with the release of a moan escaping against her will, Arizona pulled back, hovering over her lover. "I'm sorry that I didn't talk to you about my birthday. But I really would rather just skip over it… please?" Pale lips attached to plump lips, before travelling down to the pulsating spot on the caramel neck. "I should have talked to you about it before." She continued her menstruations down honeyed skin, as Callie threw her head back.

Callie didn't forget her feelings towards the shorter woman's impending birthday, but right now all the words that could form a coherent sentence could no longer be paired together as Arizona unwrapped the towel from around her body.

The next day Callie was in the cafeteria with Tim as she furiously typed on her phone. She paused over the send button momentarily before finally connecting with the screen. She blew out a tense breath, unsure if she'd done the right thing or not.

Surprise Party for Arizona tomorrow 8:00p.m. 1712 N.E. 120th St. If you keep the secret you will get free booze and food…Please keep the secret. -Cal

"You're sure your mom will be alright with the party at hers?" Callie worried the tip of her thumbnail between her teeth for a beat as she sat across the table from Tim.

"Yeah, she's cool with it. She loves throwing a good barbeque. We haven't done one in a while, so she's going all out. I think she might even be roasting a full pig…"

"I only have one surgery in the morning, and McNairy is taking the rest of my shift for me. So I'll be able to help cook and get everything prepped."

"She's still determined to act like it's 'just like any other day'?"

"Yeah… but I did tell her that it's your birthday too and she can't just disregard that. So she's up to doing the whole birthday fun-day, and dinner. She'll have Sof, so she will at least have fun or act like she's having fun for her sake."

"We'll be back to the house by 8:30… Do you think everyone will really keep their trap shut?"

"If they don't, they don't get a party with free food and alcohol. I think they'll keep it." Callie laughed it off as she moved to empty their trays before they headed for the exit. Before they stepped through the door, Callie turned to the younger man. "I'm doing the right thing, right? I mean I'm her girlfriend, I have to do something right?"

"Torres, stop worrying. You're doing the right thing."

XxxxxxxX

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday!" Sofia jovially jumped in the middle of the bed enthusiastically serenaded. In her opinion she could rightfully compared to Whitney Houston's singing, but Arizona's sleep filled person was not in agreement with that assessment. "Happy happy, happy, birthday! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to YOU!" The young toddler continued her carol until one eye slowly peeked open.

Arizona could barely get her mind to register what was happening as the bed continued to shake, with the accompaniment of 'happy birthday' being shrieked gleefully. As much as her ears felt like they may just start bleeding at any moment, Arizona couldn't help but smile at the excited expression of her favorite miniature Latina as both eyes took in the excited jumping bean.

"Happy birthday to youuuu." Sofia completed once she finally noticed a set of amused blue eyes settled on her. Plopping down, she lay nearly face to face with her favorite blonde rubbing their noses together. "Mami said it's your birthday. I had a birthday. Mami and Grammy took me to the spa, and we had a party!" From there the smaller brunette regaled the highlights of her special day with a detailed explanation of her guest list.

"Oh, you're awake." Callie stepped into the room with a smile on her face. It always made her heart sing when she saw her two favorite girls together. Sofia and Arizona were totally enamored with each other, so much so that there were times when Callie felt just a little bit jealous of their bond; like when Sofia asked for Arizona during bath or story time instead. But Callie also knew how blessed she was that her girlfriend and her daughter got on so well with each other. Outsider's likely thought Arizona was in the young girl's entire life instead of just the past year, they were so close.

Arizona motioned for Callie to join them in bed "The little munchkin here serenaded me with the most incredible birthday song ever." The women met in what was originally meant to be a chaste kiss, but turned very intimate as Arizona pulled to taller woman on top of her.

Sofia face planted into her small hand as the two women nearly forgot her presence in the bed beside them. She was getting very used to the two lovers not being able to keep their hands off each other, but sometimes she wanted all of their attention on her. "Mami did you finish breakfast?" The toddler started jumping on the bed to get the two women's attention.

"Breakfast, yes… uhm, yeah." A fresh shade of rose crept of the woman's olive complexion as she answered a bit breathless. "That is what I was coming in here for. Come on little helper, it's your show."

Arizona moved to get up along with the two Latina's, but Sofia turned wagging a small finger at her. "Stay here Zozo, we'll be right back."

The blonde sat up against the headboard in anticipation, excited for whatever her two girls prepared for her. She had determined to not celebrate her birthday, but she wasn't going to raise a fuss over waking up to something especially prepared for her by her beautiful loves. She could still treat today like any other day; Callie and Sofia did cute and special things for her all the time.

When blue eyes looked up, Callie stepped into the room "come with me please." She took the blonde's hand, guiding her out of her bedroom and into the living room, which had been moved around a bit. Callie walked the birthday girl over to the couch. Arizona noticed the two love seats and coffee table were moved, leaving a more open space. "We need you to sit criss cross, applesauce please."

Arizona followed the given direction, sitting back into the cushions bringing her legs up to cross in front of her as the smaller brunette came around the island. "We made banana and almond pancakes, bacon, grits with extra sugar and a side of fruit." The tiny chef introduced as her mother presented a tray with the food delicately arranged partnered with a small bouquet of peonies in varying shades of pink.

After smelling noting the beautiful flowers, slender lips spread as wide as possible with a beaming smile at the arrangement of her fruit that was settled on the tray bouquet style in an assortment of cutout shapes.

"Oh my god, this looks so great!" Arizona gushed, as she leaned over the tray to lay a quick kiss on the cherubic olive cheek that danced in front of her. "Thank you chef Sofia, this is possibly your best meal yet."

The miniature Latina had a beaming smile of her own in excitement. "Mami, helped with the pancakes. I can't touch the stove yet; it's too hot. But I cut the fruit."

"I know you don't want to celebrate your birthday per se." Callie started to speak, as she pulled a short string, causing a homemade banner to drop open. Blue eyes danced in amusement, after wonder how she'd missed the banner until now. 'Happy Uterus Independence Day!' it read, with crayoned confetti decorating the backdrop.

Arizona erupted into a fit of laughter, trying not to choke on the piece of bacon she'd just bitten into. Before she could say anything music boomed through the speakers, and both Latina's rid themselves of their robes, tossing them across the room. A merry giggle left soft coral lips at the sight of both brunettes in front of her channeling their inner Tom Cruise, dressed in white dress shirts and tube socks, with the addition of loose fitting ties that she was sure was borrowed from Mark.

Sitting back enjoying the show as two of her greatest loves promenaded around the room in front of her while the minions sang what she assumed to be happy birthday through the speakers to the tune of 'Y-M-C-A', she couldn't help the face splitting smile that took over her rose infused features. The two had come up with an entire routine, causing the blonde to nearly drop her tray as her excitement called for bouncing and clapping as the song came to an end and the two Latinas waved their 'jazz hands' in the air.

"That was the best 'Uterus Independence Day' gift ever!" The birthday girl beamed as she picked up the shorter brunette, swinging her through the air. "You guys are totally awesome, you know that?"

Sofia laughed as her belly was tickled, while the two moved closer to the taller woman so the two could embrace. Lips connected hungrily, with the blonde winning the duel between their tongues before she pulled a bottom lip between her teeth, extending it to release it with a pop leaving the plump lip pulsating. Callie brought her fingers up to her lips trying to seal the explosive feeling that still ghosted over her lips.

"All right, let's eat so you two can get ready. Your brothers will be here in about an hour or so."

"Ugh. If Sof wasn't so excited, I wouldn't have to go." Arizona whined with mock excitement.

"But she is, and you are going. I still don't get why you have such an aversion to celebrating your birthday. It's your special day, that's worth celebrating." The shorter woman begrudgingly sat down to the table huffing as she took a bite of her pancakes that seemed to be covered in the entire bottle of syrup.

Callie stood with her arms across her chest as dark eyes squinted becoming slightly annoyed at her lover. They'd been having this same disagreement for the past two days, and with Arizona still unwilling to share why she was hosting such a piss poor disposition toward her birthday, Callie was over the temper tantrum.

Eating her breakfast as silence took over the room, Arizona didn't like the uncomfortable silence that was suddenly choking the great morning they'd started out with. She knew it was all in her lap as to why the temperature had changed with her being the epitome of a bitch, but she just couldn't shake it.

After their breakfast, the three headed off to get ready for their day. It wasn't much longer before a voice broke through the apartment. "Honey, we're home!" Tim called out from his spot in the living room.

As soon as she heard the man's voice, Sofia took off bounding out of her room excitedly jumping into the man's open embrace. "Tee-tee!" Sofia exuberantly called out as she was being tickled relentlessly. She'd taken to calling both men uncle, the same way she did with Mark, Derek, or Alex but she was getting a little tongue tied saying 'tio Tim' so they settled on 'tee-tee' and it worked. Before she ran from the room, her mother had given her a little something to surprise the man for his birthday so with a pull to the small string there was a pop and small confetti strips exploding into the air. "Happy Birthday!"

Daniel laughed at the surprise on his younger brother's face while, Sofia joined him in a fit of giggles. "Hey munchkin, where are your mom's?"

It didn't strike the toddler that Daniel said 'mom's' including both women in the roll when she motioned over her shoulder "they're almost ready."

Arizona had heard the question before she came around the corner and it caused her steps to stutter momentarily. Her heart thumped in her chest like a loud ticking clock in a silent room. Her family saw her as a mom to Sofia. She felt like Sofia's other mom. And Callie seemed to be hinting at Arizona fulfilling that role in her daughter's life, though they hadn't exactly talked about it. She couldn't stop the lone tear that escaped before she could wipe her eyes.

Arizona didn't doubt for one second that this was her forever, Callie and Sofia were the life goal she didn't even realize she had been in search of. Sofia hadn't called her mommy or would she be momma? Arizona considered the question… She liked, no she loved the thought of her little love calling her 'momma' one day. Truthfully, she was excited for the day to come when Sofia would call her 'momma' all on her own. Before stepping around the corner, Arizona decided she needed to talk with Callie… soon-ish.

"A year older, and that mug of yours is still as ugly as ever." Arizona hackled her twin as she rounded the corner from her girlfriend's bedroom.

Quickly passing the happy toddler over to his brother for their greeting, Tim picked up his twin, throwing her over his shoulder. "I'm rubber, you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you." He recklessly twirled around, getting labored – full belly laughs from his twin as she repeatedly struggled to be released from his grip. "Happy Uterus Independence Day!" Tim laughed out as he animatedly tossed the shorter blonde down on the couch. "That's what we're saying now?" he pointed up to the sign as he took a seat beside Arizona, ruffling her blonde locks just to mess with her.

"Hey, Jr. Where's Jess?" Ignoring the question, Arizona caught her twin with an elbow to his ribs, before hopping to the other side of the couch to reach out for Sofia to come to her. She hoped to use the giggly toddler as her protective shield against any retaliation for the jab.

Sitting down on the edge of the couch, Jr. pulled his sister into a hug, with a kiss to her temple. "She's going to meet us there. She had to make sure the vegetables were delivered, and the menu for tonight was finalized with Frank."

"We go now? To the FunPlex, we go now?"

The three siblings laughed at the utter adorableness that was Sofia. "You trying to leave without telling mami bye?" Callie came from her bedroom.

"Hey Cal." Both brothers called from their seats. "Nice banner." Tim called out in addition as the door opened again with the entrance of another visitor.

"Cal you cooked for ADT and didn't even invite me?" Mark bellowed as he picked up his small niece, putting the girl on his back.

'ADT' the siblings looked back and forth to each other, questioningly mimicking the title.

"Good morning to you too Mark." Callie squeezed in beside Arizona, pulling the shorter woman over to her lap. "Sof and I cooked for Arizona, and no you weren't invited. I'm sure you had your own breakfast of sorts this morning."

With a sleezy smirk taking over his face, the plastic surgeon patted his own chest with pride. "Like no other breakfast I've ever had…"

"Give me my kid, I don't want your impure ways corrupting my little girl." Callie reached up for Sofia. "Sof, I'm kind of rooting for you to be a lady lover. Because if you ever bring home a guy like uncle Mark, I'm going to have to stop being a doctor because mami's going to break all of his bones…" Callie and Arizona laughed as Callie spoke in excitement as if describing a positive.

"Being a lady lover doesn't resolve that, huh Zo?" Tim poked his twin in the side, receiving a death glare in return. "Oh, you haven't told your girl of your scan-"

"Shut up Tim." Arizona gritted through her teeth. "We should get going, so we can get this over with." The blonde wanted to avoid the questioning look that she knew was coming from her girlfriend.

"Nice banner by the way." Mark called over his shoulder while he attempted to pilfer through his friend's refrigerator. "Come on Cal, we're going to have to stop by the coffee shop on our way in."

"Can we go now? Mami said I can go on the bumper cars."

"Come, on we'll get this munchkin strapped in the car. Zo where are your keys? We're taking your car."

After a few kisses all around, the group split up to head in their separate directions. Callie off to work before joining Barbara to set into motion her plan for the surprise party, and 'ADT' along with Sofia were off for some putt-putt and arcade games.

XxxxxxxX

"$100.00 if I win, I'll take that action."

"I'll keep Sof here with me, Torres would kill everyone of us if she found out I let her kid out on the track with you two." Daniel put the small girl up on his strong shoulders. The two stayed back along with Jess while Arizona and Tim waited in line.

"This'll be the easiest hundred bucks I've ever made." The shorter woman rubbed her hands together with confidence, self-assured that she had this in the bag.

Pulling his freshly moistened finger out of his mouth, in a flash the digit was dipped into his sister's ear leaving behind warm saliva. "Wet Willy!" he called out with a triumphant fist pump.

"Ugh, oh my god. You are so disgusting, you fucking pig." Arizona pulled the bottom of her t-shirt up to try to rid her crevice of the unwanted warm moisture as her body shook in disgust. "I am so going to kick your ass."

"So you didn't deserve that?" The taller blonde held unto the flailing arms of his twin in attempt to prevent her from hitting him again. His attempts were failing due to the uncontrollable laughter that was holding him hostage. "You had everyone back there thinking I had bed bugs or some flesh eating bacteria. When we walked away they pulled the plug and started sanitizing all the arcade games."

"That was funny. That lady pulled her kids out of there so fast." Arizona doubled over in laughter after she was finally able to settle her brother with a swift kick to the shin.

The go-kart attendant stood a little unsure of what to do while waiting on the stub permitting the siblings' entrance. "Tickets please." Both took off at a run after pushing the tickets at the man, trying to get to the first kart. After a beat, the attendant noticed that no one else in the line was moving forward. "Tickets please." He called again. "Sit in the first available seat, please don't skip…"

"We'll wait for the next round." One woman called out.

"I hope you guys have insurance." Another patron called from farther back in the line.

No one would think that the dust left behind was from two highly prized surgeons. The attendant was left a little bit stuck. "Uhm, okay…" He closed the gate before moseying back over to the control booth, checking that both riders were securely strapped into their cars.

He read through the rules of the course, but was positive neither blonde was taking any of his words in as they continued to rev their engines. Just on the other side of the gate, Sofia sat atop Daniel's shoulders waving at her favorite Zozo. "Go fast Zozo, go fast." She called from the side excitedly when the blonde woman had turned to wave, giving the young girl a thumbs-up before turning back to her task.

The lights switched from a flashing red, to yellow, "Alright munchkin, lets cross our fingers that neither of them flip over." Daniel watched Arizona flip a middle finger in her twin's direction.

"They probably should have made them sign some kind of waiver before letting those two out there." Jess chuckled as the light finally changed to green, and both karts skidded across the gravel battling for position.

The two siblings zoomed down the straightway with Tim just ahead when they went into their first turn. Arizona stayed right on his outside bumper as they whirled through the next two turns. Tim zig-zagged to keep his sister from being able to come up beside him. In the distance, she could see Sofia bouncing on Jr.'s shoulders as they cheered.

The two crazy driving siblings kept at it through the straightway, turning into the first curve of their final lap. Soft blue eyes squinted in determination trying to figure a way around, waiting for just the right opening.

Preparing for the last curve, one car zigged as the other zagged, bumping into the right rear bumper with perfect timing and force she caused the taller man to spin from him over compensating when he thought she would try to pass him on the left.

Before he could straighten out his car, Arizona had accelerated passing him with a smug expression in his direction.

Seeing his younger sister fifteen feet ahead of him didn't decrease Tim's determination. He finally righted his direction putting the pedal to the metal in attempt to make up time and space.

Arriving at the finish line, the kart had barely stopped moving forward when the excited blonde jumped from the vehicle in celebration. Both arms extended toward the sky with the most exhilarating smile having taken her features hostage. "Ha, you suck!" she jumped on her brother's back when he finally rose from his seat of defeat shaking his head in disbelief. "Easiest hundred bucks ever!"

Tim took his loss, as they walked over to their cheering section. "You choose today of all days to actually pull that crap off. It's okay, you got lucky this time."

Twirling her arm through the air as if riding a rodeo bull, the face splitting smile on her face couldn't be contained. "Hey Sof, did you see it?"

"Boo ya, in yo face Timmy!" The little girl sassily squealed with a finger in the man's direction.

The group was stunned into a second of silence before laughter erupted all around. Arizona reached out for her girl, hugging the toddler into her. "Ha, like she said. 'In yo face Timmy!" The blonde mimicked, still laughing at the surprise dig from tiny lips.

The man couldn't be embarrassed with cherubic toddler eyeing him in all her tiny Latina glory. The group continued their fit of laughter as they journeyed to the next attraction.

"Oh, doesn't Sof start school in a few weeks? When Cal came by the other day she was telling me." Jess spoke up while they waited their turn for laser tag.

"Oh my god, don't remind me. We still have to finish a few odd in ends to make sure she's all set. I'm planning a shopping trip tomorrow while Callie's at work. She's a little more 'Monster High' and I'm more 'My Little Pony' in the clothes shopping department."

"Won't she be wearing a uniform? I thought she would be going to a Catholic school?" Jess broached the question a little cautiously; she knew Arizona wasn't exactly fond of the Catholic belief system.

"She is. Callie is Catholic, and even with everything that she went through that doesn't diminish her beliefs. She spoke with the school, and they have actually progressed in their views of the LGBT community. But… shopping for uniforms brought out Sofia's inner diva, so now she wants a new wardrobe. So tomorrow we're going shopping."

"If I didn't know any better I would think she was your kid." Tim poked at Sofia's side causing her to giggle as she tried to keep her balance. "You always were a total diva. I think we spent half our lives waiting around for you at all of those little boutiques."

"Growing up on a military base doesn't mean you have to walk around in fatigues Tim." Jess spoke up on her 'sister's' behalf, poking fun at the style choice the man had adopted in his younger years. The two girl's on the other hand had always had a passion for finding small hole in the wall boutiques or thrift shops and dressing nicely. They weren't over the top; they just had a desire to be different. But being in different countries meant Tim and Jr. had to accompany them, and the boys were never fans of that setup.

Arizona was still focused on the opening of her brother's sentence. 'I would think she was your kid.' She smiled bigger than she thought she ever could, thinking about it. Yeah, she was Callie's but… Sofia seemed to be asking for Arizona more with bath time and story time. They sat around a tiny table playing tea party, or figuring other playtime activities. She cared for Sofia, like wanted to protect her from everything in the world kind of care. Besides Callie, this little girl was the light of her life. Sofia had a big chunk of the blonde's heart in her possession, and Arizona was very all right with it.

Thinking about it, Sofia did kind of treat her like a mother. But she wasn't sure, and she didn't want to push too quickly. But her heart exploded with the thought of really being Sofia's mom too.

Then another thought popped into the woman's head. She'd told Callie that she was going to marry her one-day, and her smile grew exponentially. These two brunette's had come out of nowhere and flipped her life upside down, and she loved every second of it. Her day didn't feel like it started or could even end properly without seeing her girl's. She longed to be with them nearly every second of every day. Before her three greatest loves were her family, her job, and her bike. Now it was still her family, but now that family included two beautiful, sassy, confident, smart, strong-willed, thoughtful, trustworthy, alluring…Latina's; she really could go on forever about her girl's.

"Hey, what do you say we cut out of here a little earlier than planned?" Arizona spoke up after a few minutes.

The group had noticed her space out with a goofy grin having taken over her fair features, they were positive she was thinking about Callie. "We're not leaving early just so you can go trap Torres in an on-call room."

"That's not even why, you dirt bag." Arizona smacked Tim on the back of his head. "Jess I need your help with something." She turned to the brunette, speaking only to her.

"Uhm, alright." She wanted to ask for more details for what this sudden need was. But reading the woman across from her, she decided to wait and ask later. "Yeah, we can do that. I need to stop by the restaurant to check up on things anyways." She didn't really, because she'd already been there today. But she knew that the boys would give Arizona a hard time about whatever she was thinking about.

Before Tim or Jr. could make any inquiry, the shorter blonde stood from her seat. "I'm going to go see how much longer until we're up."

But before she could walk away, there was a small tug from her side. Looking down, she smiled at the chubby olive face "I have to go potty."

"Alright, I guess we're making a visit to the ladies room first. We'll be right back." The two took off hand in hand in search of the ladies room. But they didn't get far before Arizona felt two strong hands land on her shoulders pressing down.

"Leap frog!" Tim called out as he leapt over his sister, barely landing on his feet. He couldn't even stand straight from the full belly laugh that took over at the horrified look that was staring back at him. For a second he thought his sister was going to march up to him and smack him again, but instead she just turned and continued her journey with Sofia while he barked in laughter.

XxxxxxxX

"You sure about this Zo?" Jess inquired from the passenger seat of the blonde's Lexus. "She didn't doubt the woman's decision, but being the big sister also meant she had to play devil's advocate from time to time. "They don't do returns on custom orders. You heard him when he said that part right?"

"Jess. I've never been surer of anything in my life. Now, let's get this dinner over with so I can spend the evening with my woman please? She's been working all day, I want to get back and set up a nice massage for her."

"A massage, mhm. I think you're thinking about a little more that a massage." Both women laughed.

"Have you seen her? I mean, I know you don't exactly speak the vagina monologues, but still have you seen her? She's hot." Arizona pulled into the drive at her paren- mom's house… A small pang hit her heart as she thought about her father.

"We might as well go through the back instead of the side. You know Tim and Jr. already talked mama into eating instead of waiting for us." Jess picked up a freshly awakened Sofia from her safety seat in the back. "You ready little miss?" she whispered just loud enough only for Sofia to hear.

Walking to the backyard Arizona lifted the latch on the fence before pulling it open. "SURPRISE!" She nearly jumped out of her skin, as dangling twinkly lights she'd never seen before flickered on with nearly thirty people jumping out screaming with confetti poppers, party hats and little blowers all sounding at once. Grapping her chest, stunned blue eyes enlarged in shock, her mouth gaped taking in her surroundings before squinting as her jaw stiffened and locked.

Dark eyes noticed the emotions take over the porcelain features of her lover and knew she needed to step forward. Though, for a quick second she thought about stepping backwards and letting someone else take the heat. But as hardened blue eyes set on her, she knew that wasn't an option. Stepping forward with a few quick strides she stood directly in front of her very upset girlfriend. "Love, don't be mad… please." She ran her hands down stiffened arms that dangled at the shorter woman's sides as she leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"I told you I didn't want to do this Callie." She gritted between clenched teeth as she looked around at all of the people looking back at her. No one seemed to know what to do with the discomfort clearly visible from the couple. The smell of barbeque wafted into the woman's nostrils as she eyed Mark standing beside the grill. "Is that Mark in my father's apron?"

Callie turned to follow her lover's line of sight, as everyone seemed to still be looking at them. Mark stood next to the grill with a party hat on and an apron that read 'You want to date my daughter? Something you should know. I have a GUN, a SHOVEL, and a BIG BACKYARD. And I know how to use all three.' "Uhm, yes. He agreed to help out on the grill." Callie didn't realize it would be a problem, she didn't even notice that he had the apron on until now.

Without any further words Arizona marched past the Latina up to the plastic surgeon. "Take it off." She held out her hand awaiting the fabric to be dropped into it. When he questioningly squinted down at her, she motioned for the apron again. "Take off my father's apron." Unsure of the woman's demeanor, Mark looked at Callie before removing the fabric with a huff.

Once he passed over the material she took off past her stunned girlfriend again, ignoring all of 'her' guests and went inside the house, slamming the door in the process.

"I told you a surprise party was a bad idea." Mark huffed as he opened the grill to check on the steak.

"Shut it Mark." Callie scolded as she moved to follow her angry girlfriend. "You guys enjoy the party, I'll be right back." She spoke to Jr. and Jess on her way into the house.

"Well it's my party too, so everyone get a drink in your hand, food on your plate and let's have some fun." Tim called out before motioning for the music to start up. It wasn't that he wasn't compassionate about his sister. But someone needed to cut the awkward tension…

When Mrs. Robbins heard the clunk of the door slam and heavy footsteps she peeked out of the kitchen in time to see her daughter firmly headed for the upstairs. "We don't slam doors in this house young lady." She called out. But the only response was another slammed door, this time from upstairs.

As the older woman rubbed her hands against her apron, she prepared to remove it in order to go speak with her daughter. But before she could, Callie came though the door. For a moment she simply leaned against the cool surface, just taking a moment.

Looking up, concern was etched across the elder woman's features. There was a crinkle at the corners of her mouth as she prepared to speak up. But it was Callie that broke the silence. "I think I made a mistake…" she bit the inside of her lip, looking up at the ceiling as the mortified look of her girlfriend's face replayed in her mind. "She said she didn't want to celebrate, and I didn't listen. I just… I just don't get it. Who doesn't want to celebrate their birthday? And now she's mad… at me. I should've just listened to her."

"Oh dear. Don't be so hard on yourself." Mrs. Robbins walked over to the taller brunette. "If I know my daughter, and I do know my daughter. She hasn't really opened up about it, and that is on her. She still has some growing up to do in the communication department. Her father would have had her hind parts, bless his soul." Callie was always surprised at the strong southern twang that remind in the elder blonde's dialect. One would think it would have diminished with their constant moving around. "I'll go talk some sense into her and get her skinny ass down here… even if I have to bring her down by her ear. You put together a nice party with her friends and family, and she's going to be grateful for it."

As she turned on her heel, untying her apron, Callie stepped forward. "I should go talk to her." Callie laid a soft hand on the older woman's shoulder to get her attention. "Can you keep an eye out for Sofia for me please? Jess has her right now."

Reluctantly she stepped back, allowing her daughter's girlfriend access to the stairs. She knew Callie was right, the two needed to talk to each other. Barbara just hoped her daughter would stop being so stubborn and open up, so that they could face things together. "Make her talk."

XxxxxxxX

She lay across the bed, staring at the wall in front of her with a tight grip on the fabric in her hand. A few minutes had passed since she'd heard her mother's voice reprimanding her for slamming the door. She considered her mother just might be on her way into the room ready to deliver a smack upside her head for slamming the second door. But she was upset, and right now she just didn't care.

Was she not clear? Did she not tell everyone that she wasn't in the celebrating mood? But then she agreed to going out with her brother's because after all Tim did still deserve to celebrate. But damn, if you give and inch they want to take a mile.

She'd smiled through her wake-up, and breakfast. Because it was so sweet, she couldn't be upset about it. And it was just, her and her girl's… so she let it go. But then she gets here and there's a barbeque with a backyard full of people, and twinkly lights and the grill was going. The grill, being run by Mark… Mark, of all people. Who was wearing her father's grilling apron.

Did know one get it? Or did they not care?

As tears started to fill her eyes, soft footfalls were heard just outside her door. A soft knock resounded through the room, making her wipe her pending tears quickly. She contemplated not responding, then a second knock sounded before a voice, the voice that she loved called through the closed door. "Can I come in… please?"

The plea sounded broken, and no matter how upset she was, Arizona couldn't deny that plea. "Come in." Her voice unwillingly cracked as she called out.

As she stepped into the room, dark eyes skimmed over the tense form of the blonde huddled in the bed facing the wall wrapped around the pillow pressed into her front. Her steps were unsure, not knowing if Arizona would snap at her if she approached, so she closed the door but didn't progress any further into the room.

"You don't have to come babysit me. Go enjoy your party." She felt bad at the words that dripped with disdain, but she couldn't stop them.

On the other side of the room Callie flinched at the terse words. She didn't understand what was really going on, and now her emotions were threatening to spill over with her patience becoming exhausted. "Ari…" she breathed out.

"What part of 'I don't want to celebrate my birthday' was unclear to you Callie?" Arizona scolded, still unwilling to turn and face the other woman. "I don't know how much clearer I could have been. I told you I just wanted it to be just like any other day. But I get here and there's a fucking backyard full of people."

"No, you know what. You don't get to do this. You don't get to act like that in front of our friends and your family, and then come up here and talk to me like this." Callie stepped forward, moving closer to the bed as she ran a frustrated hand through dark locks. "Usted es tan frustrante a veces." [You are so frustrating sometimes.]

At this, Arizona finally turned her head to acknowledge the Latina. "I'm frustrating? I'm frustrating? Really?"

Callie had started pacing before regarding cloudy blue eyes engulfed by streaks of red. There was more than anger there, something else lurking just at the forefront… sadness, that' what it was, a deep sadness. The fire that was starting to brew inside was immediately distinguished at the sight, deflating the air from her chest. Trying again, Callie stepped up to the bed. "Talk to me Arizona, really talk to me, please. Why don't you want to celebrate your birthday?"

"I don't want to do this. You can stay if you want, but it's been a long day. I'm going to my place." Arizona moved to stand from the bed.

With a hand taking hold of her wrist, her movements halted. "Please?"

Blonde hair fell in her face as her head dropped, she wanted to keep moving, but her feet wouldn't go forward. Her heart constricted at the plea from the Latina sitting on her childhood bed. She knew she should just talk to her lover, but she didn't want to confront the sadness that was still trying to consume her.

"Please?" Callie pled again.

As much as Arizona wanted to keep the walls up, she couldn't. A soft whimper left her lips as she clutched the apron to her chest. A soft tug on her wrist pulled her back down onto the bed, into strong arms that wrapped around her. The dam was released as the walls crumbled. "I miss him so much Callie." She cried into the nape of the bronze neck.

"It's okay… I'm here love." She soothed once the whimpers calmed. Now the two women were laid down in the bed, Callie held tightly to Arizona who was curled into her. After a few minutes, sniffles could be heard between breaths.

"My dad used to throw these big cookouts for our birthday…" Arizona tentatively spoke, releasing a deep breath. Callie tightened her hold as she started to understand her girlfriend's actions. "Sometimes he was deployed for our birthdays. So when he would come home we always had a birthday-funday and a big cookout…" She paused, thinking back on birthday celebrations spent with her father. "No matter where we were, we would find some kind of arcade or go-karts and maybe putt-putt. Tim and Jr. always teamed up, and it was always my dad and I against them. Then the next day he would throw a cookout for nearly the entire base… this was his favorite apron."

Callie started to slightly nod her head in understanding of the altercation with Mark and the apron. "Oh babe, I'm sorry. I would've never let Mark wear it if I'd known how much it meant to you."

"No, no. I should have handled that better. You didn't know." Tear streaked blue eyes looked up to meet the concerned dark gaze of her lover. "I'm sorry for the way that I've been acting. I should've talked to you before." The soft pad of a caramel thumb wiped at the falling tears interrupting their travel down fair skin. "I didn't want to celebrate without him, it's not the same anymore… nothing is the same anymore."

"I get it babe. It's not easy, I know that." She felt the shorter woman nod against her shoulder. "Losing a parent… you feel a lot of things" Callie took a deep breath, before exhaling slowly. "First you feel like, uh, you should have done more to ensure they knew you loved them. And if you keep moving through life, then you're forgetting them. But… that's not true. You did everything you could. It doesn't feel that way, but… I'm telling you. You did everything you could." Tears slowly started to creep down olive cheeks before Callie quickly swiped them away. "It hurts… It'll hurt for a while. Every time you think about him, it'll hurt. But over time, it will hurt less and less. And eventually… you'll remember him, and… it'll only hurt a little."

As her girlfriend finished, Arizona lifted her thumb pads to wipe at the tears that had fallen from dark eyes. "I love you." It hurt Arizona that Callie knew even more than herself, the pain that she was dealing with. She knew because she'd tragically lost her own parents in a horrific accident. She felt even guiltier and more selfish for the way she'd acted when she could have just talked to her girlfriend.

Arizona felt like going through with the birthday celebration traditions that her father had started, without him was moving on without him, like they were just leaving him behind. And that also made her feel guilty, and it hurt… a lot.

But now, wrapped in the loving embrace of her lover's arms, inhaling her scent she was comforted in knowing that it was all right to have these feelings. In this moment she fell that much more in love with the Latina. A small smile attempted to make itself known as she thought about the unpremeditated stop she'd made before arriving.

"You drive me crazy, but somehow you're the one I've always wished for before I even knew it." Plump red painted lips pressed a kiss to the fair skin that met her at the blonde's temple.

"Shit. You always say the most perfect thing ever." Arizona chuckled before capturing plump lips with her own, sensually caressing her tongue across the pulsating lower lip in attempts to deepen the kiss. Pulling away with the Latina's bottom lip still between her own, she released it with a pop eliciting a tense moan. Noticing the way dark eyes were still closed, she felt accomplished receiving the desired response.

Callie laid flat on her back with a groan when she finally opened her eyes. They way she huffed as she fell into the mattress closely resembled a pouting toddler. "Why did you do that?"

Lying down on top of her lover, the shorter woman feigned innocence to further drive the brunette crazy. "Do what?"

"You know what." Dark eyes, me amused blues when she looked down to the woman propped on top of her. "You kiss me like that knowing you're not going to let it go any farther."

This elicited a soft chuckle from both women before settling into a comfortable silence. "Can we just lay here for a bit? Then we can go back down?"

"Whatever you want birthday girl; today is your day." Callie renewed her hold with her arms around the blonde's back.

Turning her head, she opened her mouth before latching on to a clothed breast, lightly biting down. "I'm going to remind you of that later on tonight."

"You better."

The two women lay cuddled together for the next thirty minutes in a comfortable silence before moving to rejoin the party. They knew they couldn't stay up there much longer or Barbara might just follow through with her threat of pulling not just her daughter, but also Callie downstairs with a firm grip on their ear.

No one made a deal of the blonde's prior conduct once she's joined them with a drink and a genuine smile. Sofia was very much the life of the party, copying Tim's version of the 'sprinkler' on the dance floor. It was possibly the cutest thing any of them had seen.

They all danced and partied well into the night, retiring with a bonfire when most of the partygoers had gone on their way.

XxxxxxxX

After the deposition was over and behind them, Arizona had thought back to her birthday and the surprise party. It didn't take her long to decide she needed to do something to make sure Callie knew how sorry she was for the way she'd acted.

So, she planned a weekend getaway for them. It would also serve, as some much needed time together before Sofia started school. Callie had been in kind of a mood as the day was brought closer for her daughter to enter the beginning of her school career.

'This is how it starts' Callie felt, and also whined to her girlfriend on the drive to the cabin. "First she starts pre-school, then she'll be off to college"

Arizona had to hide her smirk as she drove along. That wasn't how this worked at all, but Callie wasn't exactly thinking logically. She was thinking like a mother, a mother that correlated sending her daughter to school, to releasing her baby girl to a pack of wolves.

During their time away Callie was equally as clingy to Sofia as the toddler was to her mother. They enjoyed kite flying along the shore of the lake, hiking, swimming and nearly every other activity the brunette found available around the small town.

Each night, the three of them would fall into the master bed with Sofia cuddled into her mother and Arizona as the big spoon with her arm thrown across both of her loves. The blond had longed for some cuddle time of her own, like in front of the fireplace after they'd put the little one to bed… but on their last night away she resigned to having no sexy times on this getaway.

Honestly, she was all right with it because she was having a bit of anxiety herself about the miniature Latina starting school. "I think I changed my mind. She doesn't need to go to school, we can just teach her. We're pretty smart, I mean we are doctors… how hard could it be?" Callie's voice interrupted her thoughts on their drive back home.

"We teach idiot interns every day, we are awesome teachers." Arizona went along with her lover's thoughts.

"Hell, she's the smartest three year old I know. She could be like some kind of surgical savant with us as her teachers. What can those people give her that I can't?"

"Nothing love… We can do everything they can do better, we can do everything better than them." Arizona playfully singsong 'd.

"Yeah... there's nothing they can teach my kid that I can't." Callie gleefully giggled as if she'd just resolved how to get the light bulb to turn on with the potato.

After a beat of silence Arizona gently chimed back in. "You know we still have to send her to school right?" She chanced a quick look over to see dark eyes studying the sleeping toddler in the back seat.

"We finally got her on board with the whole school thing, she would never forgive me if I stood in her way." Callie sighed when her chin sunk between two plump breasts as she dropped her head.

"She's going to look so cute in her little uniform and her book bag." Arizona beamed recalling the image of Sofia trying on her uniform a few days prior.

"We remembered to get her ribbons right? She's going to have a tantrum to beat the band if we didn't."

"We did… I picked up a few different colors just in case she changes her mind." During their stop to the accessories section the trio had gotten a little too excited at their options. Having to wear a uniform left very little room for freedom of expression. But happily they found a little wiggle room in choosing accessories. "Oh I need to make a quick stop by my place to get some more clothes… it won't take me long to run in."

"Okay."

A somewhat comfortable silence settled over the couple with the sounds of the radio filling in the empty spaces. They pulled up to the blonde's apartment just a little over an hour later for her to pick up another round of clothes to take over to Callie's for the week.

She jumped out of the car trying to move as quickly as possible. During their silence she noticed her girlfriend looked like she was pondering how to provide water to villages in Africa. She inquired what was happening in the beautiful head that she loved, but Callie had told her she was just a little anxious about Sofia's first day of school, but there was something else going on… she could tell.

The silence remained until the car door reopened with the shorter woman jumping in like someone was chasing her. Her entire body shook with the release of a breath, rubbing the palms of her hands in her eyes.

Scanning the woman in the seat beside her, dark eyes noticed the blonde looked like she had just seen a ghost, or some kind of zombie. "Babe, what's wrong? Was there someone out there? We should call the police… you look terrified."

"Make it stop… dear god, make it stop." Arizona rushed still scratching at her eyes. "Make it go away!" she groaned through a terse breath.

"Babe, what's wrong? Talk to me." Callie was worried now. What could have possibly happened? She had only been gone for five minutes, and Callie had watched her walk into the front lobby.

"There was… and they were… and OH MY GOD…" Arizona blew out another breath as she shook her head again, covering her face with her hands. "It was… ugh, a-a-and they… they were in there Callie!"

Callie turned to face the woman head on grasping the woman's slender hands within her own. "Arizona, slow down. Was someone in your apartment?"

"Yes!" She forcefully gritted out with bulged eyes.

Now Callie was panicking. "I'm calling the cops." She picked up her phone from the middle console. "Did they see you? Are they still in there? Oh my god, babe are you all right? How the hell did someone break into your apartment? Did you see what they looked like?"

Rubbing at her temples, blonde hair tossed through the hair quickly as her head shot up like a spring. "No no no no no." Her head landed on the steering wheel with a thud. "It wasn't a robber. It was Tim and Teddy… and th-th-they…" She shook her head again at the picture that played in her mind again.

Gripping her phone tightly, the Latina was thoroughly confused now. "Tim and Teddy?" She had at least caught that much, receiving a stiff nod in response. "They're in your apartment?" another nod. "Were they house sitting?"

"No." she forcefully gritted between clenched teeth again. "And he was… and she was… and they… Oh my god, I can never unsee that!" She exaggerated with her hands flailing about in front of her before slapping her hand to her face.

Callie thought she was starting to get what her girlfriend was saying as she tried to put all the broken pieces together. "Tim and Teddy?" a nod "In your place?" another nod "Doing?"

"It… Callie, they were doing it…" she emphasized the words "I have to get a new bed. Ugh! make it go away… I keep seeing it, them, he was… and she made this noise… fuck me…" the Johns Hopkins graduate, top of her class, previous chief resident, pediatric surgeon, whined.

The brunette could only imagine what her girlfriend had actually seen. She was sure the woman had interrupted the couple mid throw as they romped, apparently in her sheets. At the thought, she smirked just a little bit but reined it in quickly when a set of fiery blues eyes regarded her. "I take it you didn't know they would be here." It wasn't a question; more like the stating of a hypothesis.

"Fuck no!" Arizona sat up with vigor. "Maldita sea. Estoy gong para matarlo. Él ni siquiera preguntar si podía usar mi lugar. Si quería tener sexo, ¿por qué no podían ir a Teddy?" [Dammit. I am gong to kill him. He didn't even ask if he could use my place. If they wanted to have sex, why couldn't they just go over to Teddy's?]

Arizona started to climb back out of the car before Callie even knew what was going on. "¿Adónde vas?" [Where are you going?]

"Para dar inicio a cabo!" [To kick them out!] She tried to storm away, but the stronger Latina caught her with an arm around her waist after only a few steps.

It was like holding back a bulldog, keeping the angry woman from storming back into the building. And the fact that Arizona had slipped into speaking another language was a testament to how upset she really was. Luckily this time it was the language that Callie had grown up speaking, so she was grateful for at least that much. "No, you don't. You are not going back in there." She pulled the woman back to her SUV. "How about, we go home and just let this settle for tonight. Please?" Rubbing up and down the arms that had fallen to her side, Callie tried to calm the shorter woman down. "Tomorrow is Sof's first day of school, and I can't deal with trying to bail my girlfriend out for murder, and send my kid to school all in the same day." She tried to lighten the tension in the woman's shoulders.

Without any words, Arizona climbed back into the car. But this time on the passenger side with her arms across her chest. Her brother had been saved by a three year old. She wanted to beat him senseless, but there would be nothing that would keep her from missing her little girl's first day of school. Her phone kept buzzing during the drive, but she just kept pushing ignore. Finally a text popped onto the screen when the two must've realized that Arizona wasn't going to answer their calls.

We are so sorry. A pipe burst at Teddy's place, and you're never at your place. I will make sure everything is cleaned up before you get back. -Tim

After reading the text, she cut her phone off with a disbelieving huff and threw it in her purse.

Once they were back at Callie's place, it didn't take much to get Sofia tucked into bed. Callie gave Arizona bed duty, knowing it would help to chop off the rest of the tension that had been holding her lover hostage.

In the doorway, she led the woman to the bathroom where she'd already run a relaxing bath with lavender bath salts and vanilla sugar scented tea candles providing the perfect ambiance. She helped the woman strip down before quickly removing her own clothing and leading the blonde into the bath. "Sit up."

Arizona's heart melted at the layout prepared for her. The anger at her brother and her friend were still full force, but the priority had been pushed back a few spaces in line. Right now she had the most beautiful woman massaging her shoulders and her back and she was going to enjoy every single caress.

"Is that better?" Callie leaned forward, wrapping her arms around the fair skin of the blonde's abdomen when she laid back into her front.

"Much." This was exactly what she needed. Well this and to burn her sheets and possibly her mattress. But not until she slapped her twin silly and got her locks changed.

"So, I want to talk to you about something." She felt Arizona try to sit up at her words, but she held her in place, speaking before the other woman could cut in. "It's nothing bad, just listen." She started to trace patterns under the water on the hand that had been covering her own as the blonde offered her palm. "I was going to make some kind of heartfelt speech… but nothing felt… right. So I thought about doing it in some kind of cute and round about way, but that was also vetoed." Callie blew out a gentle yet nervous breath, causing the woman in her arms to be a little nervous herself. "Move in with us?"

Arizona wasn't sure she'd heard right, so she sat there without movement or sound as everything stilled. "Wh-what?" she turned slightly to regard the woman behind her. "Is this because Tim turned my place into some kind of brothel?" she squinted with her bottom lip between her teeth.

"No." Callie quickly declared. "I have been wanting to ask you for a while now. But you practically live here already. You only go to your place to pick up more clothes. Even Tim uses your place more than you." She spit out a little too quickly, causing Arizona to shake as she thought about Tim and Teddy all over again. "Sorry, too soon."

"Have you talked to Sofia about it?"

"I have, and she loves it. I'm surprised she didn't blurt it out this weekend. She is just as in love with you as I am Arizona. We are a family, the three of us. And you would really make this place home if you move in with us. Right now you're practically living out of a duffle bag every week. Think how much better it would be if you didn't have to run between here and there to exchange clothes… and you could have a whole dresser and hair dryer… or something more romantic."

Arizona quickly turned around in the tub, causing water to splash over the sides. "I would love to have a whole dresser and hair dryer… or something more romantic Calliope. I would love to move in with you and Sof." She crashed their lips together before jumping out of the water.

"Where are you going?" Callie was in shock at the burst of actions.

"I am going to take you to our bed where I can lick you from head to toe, I want to move from the bed to the floor…" she seductively offered assistance to the brunette still in the water. "I'm going to make you so hot til you want to scream."

There was a finger covering her lips, preventing her words from continuing. "Stop trying to quote Ludacris." She ran into their bedroom. Their bedroom… Arizona had agreed to move in with them. She couldn't stop the face splitting smile if she tried. Sofia was going to be over the moon happy when they told her.

Running behind the Latina that had just moved her finger and took off for their bed giggling, Arizona jumped on top of the nude woman straddling her hips with their naked cores meeting in the middle.

The two women delicately cared for every inch of each other's body, gloriously worshipping every inch as they passionately fucked each other for the next couple of hours only falling to exhaustion after nearly six of the most mind blowing orgasms ever, between them.

XxxxxxxX

"All right sweetie, you are going to have the most awesome day ever." Arizona kissed the tiny forehead before sending her two Latina's off into the school. She wanted to accompany them into the school, but she waited at the car to give Callie and Sofia their moment.

Approaching her daughter's classroom, her grip tightened just slightly on her daughter's small hand. "So… this is our stop. You ready for this?" She wanted to finish off with if you're not we can just turn around and walk right back out that door. But she didn't want to hold her baby girl back.

Sofia had been so excited since waking up this morning, which grew to the tenth power with the news of Arizona moving in with them. "I'm a big girl now mami."

"Yes you are, you're my big girl." Callie had to try to hide the crack in her voice. "There's Zola and Shane, I told you they might be in your class too." That was one of their selling points when they were trying to convince the little girl of how great school was.

"You and Zona are picking me up, right?" Sofia looked up at her mother with eyes full of hope. She was still a little nervous for this new adventure. But knowing her two favorite people in the whole world would be waiting for her at the end of the day gave her the last push that she needed.

"Yes, we'll be there. And then I'm thinking we should go for some ice cream. Yeah?"

"Yes!" Sofia squealed. "This is the best day ever!"

Callie's smile was finally real at the excitement and glow that had taken over her daughter. "Hug?" She squatted to the shorter height of her rambunctious little girl, extending her arms for.

"I love you mami so much. And I'm not going to forget about you because I'm a big girl in school now." She kissed her mother's cheek before happily bounding over to her friends.

The mother stood in the doorway watching her happy little girl put away her backpack as her teacher helped her find her name for her cubby before she was off to catch up with her friends. This was possibly the happiest she had ever seen her little girl, and it was killing her inside.

When she saw the Latina walking toward her, Arizona monitored the woman trying to get a read on her. By the time Callie had reached the car, two strong loving arms engulfed her as her tears finally released with tsunami force. "It's okay, I've got you."

XxxxxxxX

So? What did you think?

AN: As always, I am grateful to every one of you that are going on this ride with me. I am in awe of every single fav, follow, and especially your reviews. You guys are absolutely amazing, and I love reading every one of them.

Next: Wouldn't you just love to know? I will tell you it's really good… well I think it's good, and I hope you will too.

Grey's: Season 12, yay!

xoxo