AN: GUYS I AM SOOOO SUPER SORRY FOR THE WAY THE LAST CHAPTER WENT. I HAVE MADE SOME CORRECTIONS, AND I HOPE THAT IT ISN'T A TOTAL LET DOWN. I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EXCUSE, BUT I WAS BEYOND SUPER TO THE MAX EXHAUSTED, BUT I DIDN'T WANT YOU GUYS TO WAIT FOREVER FOR THE CHAPTER. THE NEXT CHAPTER GOES A LITTLE INTO THE RECEPTION, BUT MORE TOWARDS THE HONEYMOON. AGAIN, SORRY FOR THE BEING A DOUCHE BAG AND POSTING THAT CHAPTER WITHOUT MAKING SURE IT WAS ACCEPTABLE… DON'T HOLD IT AGAINST ME :(
Capshawfan1981
CHAPTER 36 – WEDDING BELLS AND WHITE DRESSES
ARIZONA'S POV
Ok, I'm panicking. I feel like I am going to pass out any minute if I do not get my breathing under control. Today is the big day. I am marrying the most brilliant woman I have ever known and I am still not satisfied with my vows. I had originally wanted to just use semi-standard vows, but Calliope insisted that we make this wedding 100% us, so we agreed to write our own. I had them written, and what I thought was perfect, but now that the day is here I feel like they aren't good enough. Which is why I am sitting on the floor in our restroom, with a tablet and a pile of crunched up papers everywhere. Everytime I start writing them I convince myself that they sound ridiculous and I start over. I have always been a type A person. Have to do things as close to perfect as I possibly can. And considering the fact that today is the most important day of my entire life, this has to be perfect. Tearing off yet another page and chunking the wad of paper across the room I start over once again when I hear a light knock on the door followed by my mothers voice.
"Arizona, are you in there honey? It's almost time to get ready baby girl." My mom says through the door.
"Yes ma'am, I am in here." I say as I crawl over and open the door. My mom pushes the door open and see's the sea of papers around the floor and looks down at me.
"Oh honey. What's wrong? Have you been crying?" She asks as she sits down next to me on the floor and wraps her arms around me. "Arizona, sweetheart. Talk to me. Is this about the wedding? Are you sure this is what you want?"
With my head against my mothers chest and her hand holding my face against her I keep my head down and talk through my tears.
"Yes mama, I am sure about this. I love her. God I love her so much, and I want to day to be perfect. For her and for me. But I can't get my vows to sound even half way worthy of Calliope. I don't want her to be disappointed." I say as the tears fall.
"Oh Arizona. Callie is going to love whatever you have to say to her. That girl loves you with all of her heart. And she would be a fool not to. You are an exceptional woman. You have made your father and I so proud of you. And we will only become more proud of you when we see you standing up there making that amazing woman your partner for life. Here. Let me see what you have so far." My mother says to me while she takes the pad from next to me.
After a few moments of silence, and my mom finishes reading what I had originally written, she looks at me with blue eyes that mirror my own. Full of tears to match mine as well. "Arizona this is beautiful. It is perfect. Do not change a thing. These words came straight from your heart onto this paper, and I know for a fact that Callie is going to love each and every word. It's everything you should say to her." My mom says to me proudly.
"Really? You think she will really like it? I just don't know how to say the perfect things to the most perfect woman, and have her really understand how lucky I know I am."
"This right here is exactly how to get her to understand. Now come on. We need to get you ready to go claim that girl as your wife." Mom shoots me the trademark dimples, and we both stand and head into my bedroom to start getting ready. I check my phone and see that I have a text from Calliope, and since we haven't seen eachother, we have been texting non stop. Being apart from the one person who can calm you down better than anyone else is extremely hard. Especially when this is the time we would both need someone to calm us down. Swiping my finger across the screen to unlock it, I click on her text and read it.
I hated to wake up without you. I'm glad after today that doesn't have to happen anymore :( xoxo C
I know exactly what you mean. I miss you so much. But tonight, I'm all yours. Smile for me xoxo A
Knowing that the next time I see you, will be to marry you is what is keeping me going. Ready to kill
Addy already. Things good on your end? Xoxo C
Mama is helping me, and Teddy is downstairs. They are fixing to get to work on me. Can't wait to see you too. I love you xoxo A
I love you too baby. I gotta go. We are headed to the salon. Meet you at the alter? Xoxo Calliope Robbins
I smile at the way Callie signed her text, and can't help but think that it looks perfect. She was meant to be a Robbins. I have known that from the moment I met her. She is the best decision I ever made.
I'll see you there Mrs. Robbins xoxo A
Right on cue, my mother comes walking back into my room with Teddy and Lexie right behind her. They waste no time getting to work on my hair and makeup. Mama painting my nails and Teddy placing my vale in my hair. My dress is very plain, just as I wanted it to be. But it is also eloquent and in my opinion Callie will love it because it is more of my style. The whole process of getting me ready felt like it took forever. I have never been a fan of pantyhose and now I remember why. They are horribly uncomfortable and I threw a fit trying to get out of wearing them. But of course, once again I am on the losing end of that argument vs my mother.
As soon as we are all dressed and ready, Tim walks into my bedroom right as my mom and the girls walked out.
"Wow. You look. Amazing sis. Cal is going to love this." My brother says while moving his hand up and down towards my dress. "You look beautiful Arizona. And I am not going to come in here and give you some heartfelt speech that will ruin your make up, because we do not have time for them to start all over. I mean, damn, ya'll took forever the first time." He says making me laugh. And then he walks over to me and places his hands on each of my shoulders and I look up into the eyes of my brother and best friend. "Today is going to be amazing. You are going to marry the woman you were meant to spend your life with. I knew it the first time I saw you and Callie step off that airplane in Colorado. She lights you up. And I am beyond proud of you. I love you, and now…. I am going to dance SO hard for you Arizona."
It takes everything I have to fight the tears away. Coming out to Tim was a big deal to me. Back then, nobody knew about me being a lesbian. And I was terrified of what my family would think. But Tim didn't seem phased one bit. And he never treated me any differently. He has been my rock. And I am so greatful to have him with me here today. His tours in Iraq were the hardest times of my life. Constantly worrying about him and if he would make it back home. But he's here. With me on my wedding day. And he is going to dance at my reception like he promised me all those years ago. And that makes my day even better.
"Come on hot stuff. Let's go get your girl" Tim says as he sticks his arm out for me to place my inside of. He walks me down the stairs arm and arm, and before we reach the bottom step we are met by my mother and her camera.
"Hold it right there" my mom says, already crying. "You two look so adorable. My beautiful babies."
"Ok Barbara. Let them come down so we can get the show on the road. We have another bride that won't be too happy if we show up late with Zona." My dad says pulling my mom back as she snaps a few more photos. Tim and I just smile back and forth to eachother. Already knowing how our mother is.
Outside we all climb into the ridiculously large limo that Mr. Torres insisted on sending to drive us to the park where the ceremony is, and we are on our way. My heart is beating like mad inside of my chest, and Tim reaches over and places his hand over mine. After we meet eachothers stare, I take a deep breath and prepare myself. This is it!
CALLIE'S POV
Sitting inside of the Limo, leaving Addison's condo, I am a nervous wreck. I keep wondering if Arizona is ok, and I haven't even been able to text her thanks to my mother and Addy yanking my iPhone away insisting that 'not seeing eachother' included 'not texting eachother'. I don't know if they were worried that we were going to send pics to eachother, but we would never have done that. I know I am being petty, but just cannot wait to see her. Today is the happiest day a girl can dream of. I know I dreamt of it my whole life. Ok, maybe the details are a little different then they were when I was a kid, ya know, 'bride/groom.. bride/bride' but Ehh, same thing. All I know is I can't get to that alter fast enough because she will be there waiting for me.
And I thought I was supposed to be the one to go all 'bridezilla' on people, but Aria has taken the crown on that one. Organizing everything, making sure all my hair, makeup, dress and accessories are all ready to go. But even with all of her pushiness aside, everything went smoothly and I am able to breathe a little easier.
Pulling up to the venue, I see the two white tents that are set up for Arizona and I to wait in before the ceremony. My mother, Aria, and Addison usher me towards the tent after get an all clear from my dad and Tim. I send a quick smile over to Tim who is standing outside of Arizona's tent and he gives me a thumbs up so I know all is well.
Once I am inside of my tent, the sight in front of me takes my breath away. The entire tent is covered in red roses from the floor up. Covering every inch of the room except a small path leading me to the make up table my father had put in each of the tents. When I walk over to the tent, there is a note taped to the mirror. I pull it off to read it and trying as hard as I could, I fought back tears.
Calliope My Love,
A bride as beautiful as you deserves to be in the middle of such beautiful flowers. There is a flower to represent each day since I met you. One beautiful flower, for every beautiful memory. I love you endlessly. Now, look at the roses on the table next to you, and find your surprise. I love you, and I will see you in a few minutes….
Giving you my heart forever,
Arizona xoxo
I hold the note against my chest and look around the room to get the full effect. I can't believe she went to all this trouble for me. I can't stop thinking about how lucky I am to be marrying her today. Life could not be any better than it is at this exact moment. Pulling the card from the flowers she told me to, I find a small box followed by a smaller card. On the outside of the card is Arizona's handwriting saying, "Open Me First" and her signature smiley face. So I open the card to read what was inside.
I know you have everything already I'm sure. The 'old, the new, the borrowed and the blue, but I thought that these could stand for something as well. They belonged to my grandmother and she gave them to my mom on her wedding day. And now she has given them to me to share with you. I hope they match your dress. I love you, now come marry me!
Loving you deeply,
Arizona xoxo
As soon as I take a deep breath I have to fight even harder not to cry when I open the small box. Inside of this little box, is the most gorgeous black diamond earrings. Not very long, but not studs. And they are probably the most perfect pair of earrings I have ever seen. And I know I would be honored to wear these to represent Arizona's grandmother today.
After placing my previous earrings inside of the now empty box, I put it on the table and turn to see my father walking inside my tent.
"Hola mija. Are you ready? It's our turn. You look stunning as always." My father says as he takes my arm through his.
"Thank you daddy, and I couldn't be more ready. Let's do this."
Walking down the pathway to the isle, I try my best to catch a glimpse of Arizona and her father walking, but of course I don't see anything. Taking our place and waiting until our cue, my father and I stand back and wait.
"Calliope, I am so thankful that we have worked though everything. I couldn't imagine not being here to give you away to such a beautiful soul like Arizona. I'm truly blessed to be with you right now. I love you mija."
That's all it took to force a tear to fall. And I turn and give my father a big hug. Just as we are separating, the part of the song where it signals me to begin walking in starts playing. I feel my father squeeze my hand on his arm, and we step from behind the greenery and I instantly find Arizona. My eyes locked on her. There is nothing I can think about beside that woman in front of me, and it's like everyone else just vanishes into thin air. All that matters to me is Arizona.
Reaching the end of the isle, the minister turns to my father and Mr. Robbins. Asking the epic question, "Who gives this bride to this bride? He asks.
"Her mother and I do." My dad says. Followed by The Colonel. "Her mother and I do." And once they have placed our hands in that of each others, we stand while the minister says his piece about our vows. "And due to the fact that the women have chosen to recite their own vows, I will step back and let them share. "Calliope, you are first." The minister finishes and I look from him back to Arizona,
"My Dearest Arizona,
You are my best friend. I feel so fortunate to have found such a wonderful person to share my life with. You make me laugh and you add so much light to my life.
I promise to keep you laughing, to take care of you when you are sick and to support you with any decisions you make.
I look forward to growing with you in mind and spirit. I will always be honest and open to you. I adore & love you and will continue to cherish you throughout our lives together."
The minister looks towards Arizona next, and uses his hand to signal her to recite her own for me. Her eyes are full of tears, and so are my own, but we both have huge smiles plastered across our faces. I feel Arizona squeeze my hand with her own as she swallows back the crying, and fights to get the words out of her mouth. Matching her squeeze and giving her a wink, she begins to speak.
"My Dearest Calliope,
I adore you and cherish you.
You are the most gentle and loving soul I know and I am blessed to have found you.
I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you and growing old beautifully and gracefully together. I promise to always love you and to always be here for you as your greatest supporter, your greatest fan, and your most loving partner. I promise to always respect you, to trust you, and to listen attentively (and intuitively). I will face any challenges we may encounter with love, optimism, resolve, and respect. I promise to support you in your dreams, your choices, and your life goals.
I love you with all my heart and with all my soul and I am honored and blessed that you have chosen to spend your life with me. I promise to always be worthy of your love."
After the vows have been said, rings have been exchanged, we wipe eachtohers t ears, and the minister says proudly, "you may kiss your bride." Before we know it, we are kissing eachother, and letting every ounce of love we have, pour itself into it. Finally breaking apart because we needed air, badly, we turn to face the group of people seated in the beautifully decorated seats. And the minister spoke once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with the upmost honor to introduce you all for the first time, Mrs. And Mrs. Arizona & Callie Robbins." He says it out loud, and the realization hits me." We are married. Forever. And I couldn't be more happy about it. "I'm a wife. Someone's spouse. YOUR wife. Wow! I love it." I say as I am overly excited as we make our way to the limo.
Once we are seated inside the limo, alone for the first time since yesterday, Arizona leans over and kisses me so deeply that it took every bit of effort to convince myself to not to push the kiss any further. I didn't want to spend my reception walking around ready to explode all night, so we settle for some light making out, and finally reach the hotel where my father has rented the ballroom for our reception.
Walking into the ball room and seeing all our surgical friends/family standing all across the room. Smiling at the two of us made my heart melt. Everyone clapped as Arizona and I walked into our reception and to the danceflooor. The music started playing the song that we chose for our wedding and Arizona loops her arms around my neck to pull me down into a soft kiss and our dance begins. The entire time our hips are moving together, and for the first time in my life, I would be positive in saying, "Yes. Yes, my life is perfect."
Closing my eyes with my head leaning against my wife's as we dance, I hear Arizona whisper to me, "I love you so much Mrs. Robbins." And with a smile I say, "And I love you too Mrs. Robbins."
I'm Mrs. Arizona Robbins. Hell yes, that sounds perfect…..