Chapter 35
Title: The Ride
Author: And24Trina
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: M
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: 35/?
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….
** I am so sorry it's been so long. I have gotten questions asking if I was letting this story go. I can assure you. No matter what it takes, I am going to see this out to the very end. Hoping you guys are still with me…
XxxxxxxX
"Hey you…" Arizona looked up at the familiar voice of her oldest brother. Everything in her wanted to run and jump into his strong anchoring embrace, but her mind knew that wouldn't be a wise move at this stage of her healing. Tears pooled at the sight of the taller man as Junior stepped up to engulf his little sister in his embrace. "I hear congratulations are in order." He kissed the side of her temple, still locked in the hold.
At the moment no one else in the room mattered. Brother and sister reunited… two lives that almost weren't any longer stood in the middle of this room restored. A beat passed where no words were offered, the two just stood completely caught in the moment drinking each other in. "The most beautiful woman in the world asked me to marry her… I would be crazy to say no. Right?"
"I am totally starting a conga line at your wedding." Junior laughed when his sister offered a soft punch to his shoulder. He tried to hide the slight wince at the contact, wanting to shield the younger Robbins from anymore hurt or heartache.
"I swear, if you even think about doing the funky chicken I am so going to talk Jess out of marrying you."
"Who says you'll be taking that walk first? I am the one that asked first." The naval officer gently tousled the blonde locks of his shorter sister jokingly.
"TJ!" The name came out exuberantly from a little way across the room. Sofia came barreling towards the new arrival, nearly tripping over herself caused by the adrenaline fueled excitement.
Catching the toddler just in time, Jr ignored the gripping pain as he hoisted the miniature brunette up. "There's my girl!" He held her up in the air with both hands tucked firmly in small pits, tossing Sofia up gently before safely catching her. "So, what's the scoop Betty boop?"
A freshly sculpted brow rose at the nickname before the shorter blonde cleared her throat. "Um, did you just call my daughter a 1930's sex symbol?"
The blue eyes of the taller man immediately lost their focus, bouncing everywhere except in the direction of his younger sister. Until the clearing of the shorter blonde's throat became incessantly defined. "It rhymes?" Daniel's muscular shoulders attempted a nonchalant shrug.
"What is a sex symbol?" the ever inquisitive toddler questioned her uncle.
"Uh- -hmm." A pink blush quickly covered the chiseled features as Jr's throat suddenly became a replica of the Sahara Desert.
"Hey little miss, how about you go ask mami to bring your uncle Danny here a cup of water." Sofia was off with a start across the room to Callie who'd migrated near the punch table, engrossed in a conversation with Barbara and Bailey. "So, what's the damage?"
The thought to lie quickly passed thought the older brother, but was quickly squashed when he was met with that damn sculpted eyebrow of his younger sister, risen to an altitude daring him to even attempt a falsehood. Lifting his sleeve, the man revealed a pink tinged, black and gray infused elaborate display of a portrait of the sibling's parents. The image was one that the peds surgeon was all too familiar with. She'd spent enough time eying this very image as a child, listening to the tale of the great love shared by the two. Now etched into his skin for all eternity was his parents' wedding portrait, an homage to the greatest love he'd ever witnessed.
Carefully tracing the fresh lines, Arizona's slender finger followed the intricate pattern, not bothering to look up as she finally voiced her thoughts. "Think we can ever have it?"
"I think we already do." He didn't need her to elaborate on the question. Daniel knew exactly what his little sister was asking. "The way Torres looks at you? I don't even think she knows what the rest of us looks like."
"You know Jess is the same way? I don't think there could ever be a more perfect match for you."
"I still don't know how the hell I got so lucky." He rolled his sleeve back down.
"Hey, mind if I steal this one away?" Callie appeared before the siblings with an arm wrapped around the slender waist of her fiancé. The mere thought of finally being able to call this beautiful wonder her fiancé lit caramel features like the Vegas strip. "Not to be a Debby downer, but its about time to head out. It's nearly time for your meds, and if you still wanted a movie with the munchkin I don't know that she'll last much longer."
Arizona relaxed into the loving embrace of the strong support wrapped around her. Truth be told, she was releasing a breath of relief. The train of her injuries was starting to take a toll on the shorter blonde.
Climbing into her comfortable bed, enraptured by her two favorite girls was exactly what she was in need of right now. "Let's say bye to momma before we head out." The blonde laid her head on the taller brunette's shoulder as she leaned further into the woman, allowing Callie to support her.
Callie knew Arizona was starting to get tired. When she stood across the room, dark eyes could see the fatigue setting into the shorter woman's stature. She knew that he lover was attempting to maintain a brave front, pushed by her excitement of getting to go home, the new engagement, being around family and friends, and especially the safe return of her holder brother.
"Alright, I'll give you a day to yourselves, and I'll be over on Thursday to help however I can." Barbara hugged her daughter. The elder blonde really didn't want to release the hold, feeling all too much of that sinking feeling of despair at the thought of how close she'd come to losing her only little girl.
"Mom, I'm not an invalid, you don't have to come wait on me. Callie and I can manage. Besides, she has a few days off before she has to return back to work." Arizona attempted to argue back.
"Don't sass me young lady." Barbara's deep Texan twang answered back with a stern glare at her daughter. "I don't think poor Callie has slept a wink since you've been in here. I'll be there to help, and you're going to like it."
When that deep southern inflect kicked in, there was absolutely no arguing back. And Arizona knew it. It wasn't that she didn't want Barbara around, that wasn't the case at all. For the past few weeks, she'd been locked up in this hospital with her loved one's practically sitting vigil by her bedside. She felt blessed to have so much love and adoration poured out on her. But she was also newly engaged. Under different conditions the couple would've already been home ravaging each other's body in celebration. But she had at least three more weeks before she would be getting the all clear for anything remotely close to those activities. So, making lemonade out of lemons… Arizona just wanted to enjoy some time with her little family. Take a few days just lounging around in the house, binge watch the episodes of Faking It that they'd missed over the past few weeks, maybe a short and slow walk through the park.
"Okay momma." Arizona conceded. Placing both hands on her mother's shoulders, she placed a soft kiss on the elder blonde's cheek. "I couldn't dream up a better mother." She quickly understood, this was something that her mother needed. She needed to feel like she was both needed and helpful to her daughter. Barbara just needed to be able to lay her eyes on her living and breathing child and know that she wasn't in any danger.
"Oh, its new on you for now. But just give it some time, you're well on your way to outshining me in that department." Barbara was ecstatic beyond belief that her little girl now had a little girl of her own. Arizona may not have been there from the beginning of the toddler's life, but she would be there forevermore if she could help it.
XxxxxxxX
"Mi lady." Callie opened the door to their apartment, offering the presentation to Arizona. Stepping through the door, Arizona paused taking in the surroundings of her home. "I'm going to try to wrangle this one into some p.j.'s."
"She can still sleep with us tonight, right?" Arizona questioned as she leaned against the doorway to their little girl's room.
Callie understood Arizona needed to feel the closeness of her family tonight. "Wouldn't have it any other way, love." The brunette offered, carefully pulling a plush onesie pajama up the sleeping form of the toddler. "But, I think it would be better if she slept on my side of the bed, babe. She may look all cute and innocent in her sleep, but I swear all of her dreams consist of her performing in the woman's world cup."
"How about we both cuddle, with you as the big spoon. And once I doze off, you can move her to your side?"
With that settled, Sofia barely moved as her mother draped her slumbering form over her shoulder. Pulling Arizona into her side, the little family moved through the apartment toward their bedroom.
Once inside their bedroom, Callie gently delivered Sofia to the middle of the bed surrounded by pillows on either side before turning around to face the awaiting blonde in the door way. The brunette surveyed the exhausted form of her lover. It was clear that the healing woman was completely drained. Taking in the sight of the woman, Callie knew exactly what she needed.
Stalking up to the woman, two strong arms wrapped around the slender waist of the shorter blonde. Nuzzling in golden tresses, Callie whispered in her lover's ear. "Come with me."
Moving to intertwine their hand's, the taller woman led Arizona into the en suite bathroom. Tapping a space on the edge of the tub, Callie ushered her lover to take a seat on that spot. Reaching into the bath tub she turned the knob, feeling the outpour of water to ensure the sought after temperature.
Blue eyes watched as her lover moved around the space, coming back she dropped lavender bath salts into the warm water. A tender smile pulled at pink lips as her favorite scent permeated her nostrils. Two strong hands gently tugged at the hem of the blonde's blouse, slowly moving the fabric up her torso Arizona lifted her arms in assistance as Callie slid the shirt up over the blonde's head. Divesting her lover of the rest of her garments, Callie pulled the blonde into a standing position before directing the woman into the awaiting bubble filled bath. After settling Arizona into the seat of serenity, Callie pulled her phone out, placing it in the docking station calling on the perfect playlist for the moment.
John Legend's All of Me, calmly called out from the speaker, the lyrics further soothing the two occupants. Blue eyes had closed, further allowing the tranquil setting to engulf her. Peeking open at the sound of her lover continuing to move about the space, Arizona lovingly looked on as two vanilla scented candles joined the chorus, providing the perfect harmony.
Relieving herself of her own garments, Callie sauntered up to the bath. "Is there room in there for me?"
"There's always room for you."
Callie lowered herself behind the silky smooth body of her lover, with her front as support to the pale back as Arizona gently released control to her fiancé. Enveloping the woman in front of her, the two settled into a comfortable silence. Words were unnecessary in this moment, both women knew it.
Laying her head back on the tan shoulder of her fiancé, Arizona relished in the passionate serenity in the room as Callie drew invisible patterns along the soap covered pale arm of her lover. Time passed as the melody of the song filtered through the atmosphere, the two women content with simply being present in the moment.
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
The lyrics softly floated between plump lips in offering. Arizona's breath hitched as the words continued as a declaration, and a promise.
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
The meaning of these words drew tears from cloudy blues, the evident sincerity in the husk of the brunette's voice penetrated a place in the blonde's heart that she never allowed to fathom could ever be reached by another person.
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh oh
Callie lifted her thumb to wipe at the silent tears as the ran down a corral tinged porcelain cheek. The rest of the words drifted around the couple as the perfect ambience.
"I love you so much." The words rasped out, volume barely coherent as Arizona attempted to control her emotions enough to release the sentiment.
The words were so thickly spoken, dark eyes quickly became infused with streaks of red, tears making their appearance. "I love you so, so much."
"I almost died. I- -I thought I was going to die."
"Shh." Callie attempted to hush the unwanted thoughts of the possibility that was uncomfortably close to a fatal reality.
"No, Callie. I have to say this." Arizona wanted to get this out. Steeling herself, and wanting to offer whatever support her lover would need, Callie carefully enveloped the tender form of the woman pressed against her front that much more. "You and Sofia are my everything. I am so in love with you Calliope. You are my one. My one true great love. When I came here I was so numb, an empty shell. Then this Latina bombshell walked into my room and I began to feel things again. You make me feel. You make me want to feel. I want to feel everything with you for the rest of my life." Right then a pale hand broke through the ceiling of suds that surrounded the couple. But what was in that hand caused an abundance of tears to escape crimson infused chocolate orbs. "I know that you already asked, and I already accepted. But, you kind of stole my thunder there, love." Encircled by lilac colored bubbles sat an open curved diamond encrusted band that delicately accentuated a Lucida solitaire two point five carat diamond.
"That- -" Shock registered on olive features, her hand quickly drawing up to cover her mouth. This ring… it was completely unexpected- -but further more, Callie had seen this ring before. She was positive that she'd seen this ring before, but it couldn't be possible. "It looks just like- -but… it can't be, right?" The brunette fumbled over her words. "How? No. That's impossible…"
Turning as best she could in the tub without spilling water over the sides or further injuring herself, Arizona turned placing a finger over plump babbling lips. "Calliope…" the blonde attempted to soothe the beautiful woman.
"Arizona, that's my mother's wedding ring. But that's not possible. She was buried with that ring on. How? Arizona, what did you do?" a slight panic at the lack of understanding of how this was possible began to overwhelm the brunette.
"It's a replica." She rushed the words out quickly. Arizona loved the impulsiveness of her lover, but sometimes she was a little too trigger happy, letting illogical thoughts run away before reigning them in. Relief was visible as olive features soothed. "I talked to Aria and she told me how much you absolutely loved and adored that ring. So I found a jeweler that could make as close to an exact replica as possible."
"It's the Lu-"
"The Lucida." Arizona finished "It was named after the brightest star in a constellation." She used the pad of her thumb to swipe at the befallen tears running unabashed down caramel cheeks. "My life was so dark, and you came in… this bright light. You have lit and gained access to parts of my soul that I thought would be unoccupied territory for the rest of my life. You are my Lucida, lighting my path. Calliope Iphigenia Torres, will you marry me?"
"Everyday for the rest of my life." Callie rushed forward, capturing soft lips with her own, hungrily devouring the moan that escaped. The brunette had to fight with herself in that moment for control. Unexpectedly the love toward her beautiful blonde grew ten fold in that moment, a love she never fathomed she could or would ever experience. Her every fiber wanted to make slow passionate love to her woman, and she wanted to do it now. But that wasn't possible. A stark reminder stared the ortho surgeon right in the face as she took in the naked form of her lover, the very present scar from surgery serving as a reminder of the near loss and defeat of death.
Catching her breath, Arizona tugged at the hand of her lover, singling out one finger in particular. Sliding the cool metal up the caramel finger, the ring looked like it had finally found the place it was meant to sit. The smile that erupted from the blonde could've supplied enough electricity to light their entire neighborhood.
"Shit."
"What's wrong?" Arizona questioned.
"How am I supposed to go another three to four weeks without being able to make love to you?" Two olive toned hands ran down either side of the blonde in front of her, two foreheads meeting in the middle.
"We have to get out of here before you get me in trouble…" Arizona mumbled before one more kiss. Attempting to lift herself from the water, it became all the more evident the trauma that her body was healing from.
Callie could see the struggle Arizona was battling with to climb out of the bath. "Let me help." Callie quickly jumped out, grabbing two towels that she'd already set out. "Alright, step over." Strong arms supported her lover.
After moisturizing and pulling on a pair of boy shorts and tank top each, the two lovers climbed in bed. Sofia cuddled into Arizona's front as Callie enveloped her two favorite girls from the back as she'd promised.
Callie lifted her hand, taking in the sight of the diamonds shining in the moonlight that cut through their bedroom. She couldn't stop looking at it. Her mind was baffled as to how she stumbled upon such luck to find a woman like Arizona.
"I've been wondering that since the night I walked you home from the bar." Arizona voiced, catching the brunette by surprise. Callie didn't even realize she'd voiced the thoughts that were swirling around in her head.
A comfortable silence settled around the two as they enjoyed being able to just lay there in each other's arms. There were no iv's connected, no beeping machines, no nurses cutting in every hour, none of their friends. For the first time in too many days, the small family was just that. Their family.
Callie was unsure how much time had passed. Thinking Arizona had maybe finally drifted off to sleep, she prepared to resituate their sleeping arrangements. As wild as Sofia slept, there was no way they would have a peaceful night with their current arrangement.
Settling their little girl on the opposite side of the bed, away from her healing lover, Callie settled back under the fluffy comforter, Arizona's soft voice cut through the silence. "Jr. was shot."
Unsure of where that had come from, Callie stiffened, unsure of how to react. "What?"
"He thinks that I don't know." She slowly continued, feeling a strong arm engulf her from the back pulling her that much flush against Callie's front. The brunette didn't speak yet; she knew Arizona needed to get it out at her own pace. A moment of silence passed before the blonde spoke out again. "He tried to cover it with a new tattoo. I'm a surgeon… how does he think I didn't notice a bullet wound in his arm?"
The question was offered, but there was no answer being sought out.
"I hope he at least told Jess. He's going to need to talk to someone." He words were offered slowly as she drew invisible patterns over the arm wrapped around her torso. "The last time he came home from tour… he had night terrors. He was home physically, but mentally? For a while we didn't think we would ever really get him back."
"Love… with everything that happened with you? Maybe he didn't worry the family any more than everyone has been?"
"I hope so. Every since daddy died, he has placed this unnecessary pressure on his shoulders to be the head of the family. Like he has to be the strong one all the time. I just don't want this all to be too much that he's trying to keep to himself."
"We won't let it be sweetie. We will watch him, and talk to him, and we will all be there for each other. We're a family, and that's what family does sweetheart. How ever he needs us to be there, we will be there, together." Callie soothed her fiancé, pressing plump lips to the pale temple. With all of this talk, it made the woman think though. But she stuttered to voice her thoughts. "Speaking of… how did your session go?"
Arizona had been pretty resistant to sitting on a therapist couch. She'd had a few nightmares, but she managed… or so she thought. When Tim had to plunge a needle into her i.v. to get her to calm down, Callie informed her that she no longer had a choice. There was no way she could come home with Sofia this way. So… reluctantly… she went.
"It was… I don't have PTSD Callie. I've just been a little shaken up. I just needed to come home with my girls… And now I'm here, and everything is perfect."
Callie could read pale features like a Harry Potter book. Things were not perfect. But she didn't want to ruin the pretty pink bubble they had managed to surround themselves in.
"Best night ever."
"Best. Night. Ever." Arizona pulled the caramel hand up to her mouth, kissing the engagement ring she'd placed on her lover's finger just barely thirty minutes prior. Turning to face her lover, Arizona ran a thumb over caramel features.
Drinking in the sight of the beautiful woman in front of her, her mother's words came flooding back in. "I don't think poor Callie has slept a wink since you've been in here." Dark eyes were almost imperceptibly sunken in. It would be nearly impossible to see if she were anyone else. But Arizona had spent so much time drinking in these very eyes, she could tell. Callie was exhausted.
"Let's sleep in." Arizona offered.
"Please?" Callie pulled her lover in to lay her head on her chest. Running her fingers through golden tresses, she massaged the blonde's scalp lulling her to sleep. "Tomorrow afternoon some time, maybe we can just go for a drive?"
"You are so good to me."
XxxxxxxX
"Alright momma, you have to cover your eyes. Me and mami has a surprise for you." Sofia giggled, while Callie passed over a sleep mask. It was almost as if fireworks had gone off when she heard Sofia call her momma. She was sure it would be just like this for a long time to come.
"I knew you two were up to something." Blue eyes squinted as she took in the sight of the two brunette's. "Oh, are we going on a surprise vacation?"
"Nope. Not vacation… and stop guessing, you know I can't lie to you."
"Only if we can get ice cream later." Arizona contracted.
"Ice cream!" Sofia squealed from her seat in the back of her mother's Audi. "Ice cream, Ice cream, Ice cream!"
"Well, there's no way I can say no to that." Callie giggled at the exuberance of their little girl as she glanced up through the rearview mirror. "You did that on purpose."
With her eyes out of commission at the moment, pale ears perked at the jokingly accusatory voice of her chauffeur. Offering a shrug of her shoulders, Arizona settled back into her seat. "I have no clue what your talking about." A teasing smirk pulled at soft coral painted lips.
"Mhm. We'll see about that." Their short drive came to an end when Callie placed the car in park and turned off the ignition. "We're here."
Slender fingers shot up prepared to rip away the offending object that had stolen away her eyesight.
"Nope." A tanned hand, met the soft grasp of her lover, keeping her from removing the fabric. "Not yet. Patience grasshopper, patience. We'll help you out in a second." Rushing around the car, Sofia had already relieved herself of the straps that had been holding her in place during the car ride. "Alright munchkin, let's help your momma get out too."
Once the car door opened Arizona attempted to feel out her surroundings, listening for any clue she could hear. But there was nothing… just the normal sound of the outside world. A soft breeze blowing, the sound of a car passing by, maybe in the distance she was picking up a group of playing children? She had no clue where she was at the moment, and her type-A impatience was preparing to resolve that for her when she felt a hand cross over her lap, relieving her of her seatbelt.
"Alright, watch your step- -" Callie had to laugh at her words when Arizona completely stopped walking and crossed her arms across her chest. "Okay, okay… Just, let me guide you. Just a few more steps."
"Alright momma, you can look now." Sofia halted their steps with her words once she'd gotten the cue from her mamí.
Ripping the offending fabric away, blue eyes danced over the sight ahead of her. She would've never guessed this in a million years when she was trying to figure out her surprise. Here she was, standing in front of her dream home. The cinnamon stone accent offered the perfect mix of Georgian Colonial style home with a Victorian feel… The house that she and Callie had looked at before… before life had turned upside down. But someone had made some changes. The previously chocolate shutters were now a soft blue, softening the overpowering stature that the five-bedroom house previously held. And planters now sat around the banister of the porch that wrapped around the side of the house with and overflow of pinks and purples.
"Cal…" Arizona wasn't exactly sure what to say. She stood, gaping at the house, mouth opening and closing.
Coming up behind the speechless woman, Callie waved a key dangling from a butterfly shaped keychain. "Should we go in, or do you just want to stand out here looking?"
"We have a key? Calliope, what did you do?"
"Come on moms, can we go in our new house now?" The rambunctious toddler pulled at the hands of both women, pulling them towards the entrance.
Whispering to herself, Arizona repeated Sofia's words. "Our new house…" Her feet carried her forward at the request of the smaller hand tugging her own. Callie excitedly pushed the key into the lock, shaking her bum as she unlocked the mahogany front door. Once the door swung open, she turned to face the still stunned blonde taking both hands Callie gently pulled Arizona inside the house. Stepping over the threshold, Arizona followed her fiancé a few more steps inside. "Calliope what did you do?" The blonde asked after she'd spun around taking in the sight of the newly furnished home.
Two strong arms wrapped around the waist of the shorter woman as plump lips kissed the golden hairline. "We bought a house. Our house. Our new home."
Sofia had dramatically fallen in the middle of the floor, rolling around drawing imaginary snow angels in the carpet with her body.
The two women couldn't help but chuckle at the young girl's antics.
"But how? When?"
"You were so happy when we first saw it. I talked to Ryan that day and made an offer."
"So, it's really ours?"
"For about a month now. Want to look around?" Callie asked, her answer coming in the form of soft slender lips capturing her own. "Now, you already know the layout of the house. But I've made just a few changes."
"Can we go to my room first?" Sofia was already half way up the stairs, bouncing on her tippy toes as she looked through the banister. "I have a new bed!" Arizona wasn't exactly up to bounding up the stairs at the rate that she was used to, but with Callie's assistance the couple made it up the stairs following after their little girl. "Mamí let me pick out my own bed, and she said me and yous can paint. When your boo boo is fixed, can we? Can we please?"
Sofia's new bedroom was easily double the size of her room in their apartment, settled in the middle of the room was a princess style canopy bed with a small couch and play area off to one side, along with a small bookshelf. "I let her pick out the furniture, but we were thinking that one of your drawings would work pretty great on that wall." Callie pointed at the blank canvas. She could envision a mural of that drawing Arizona had sketched all that time ago with Sofia with her favorite character Glitch from Wreck it Ralph.
"We so can!" Arizona slowly lowered herself down onto the canopy bed, opening her arms for Sofia to climb up on her lap. "You, little miss, are a very good secret keeper." Her thumb and forefinger playfully tugged at the small girl's nose.
"Oh, don't be fooled. This one only found out about this yesterday. There's no way she would've kept this secret from her Zona." Callie sat on the other side of her girls, gently tickling Sofia's belly. "Hey munchkin, how would you like to play with some of your new toys over there?" She didn't need to be asked twice. In a flash she had climbed down from her perch on Arizona's lap and made it across the room to her new play area pulling out the first toy that caught her eye. "Come on, she'll be occupied for a while. I want to show you something."
Hand intertwined in hand, the affianced couple exited the toddler's bedroom moving down the hall. Arizona was a little confused. Somehow the upstairs layout had been altered. The entry to the master bedroom had changed pretty dramatically. Pulling open two doors, that didn't exist during the initial walk through, Callie revealed the construction she'd gotten done. "Wow." The word fell so softly, it was almost unheard.
The word bedroom would never be able to define this vastness. A wall had been knocked out joining two rooms together, adding and additional four-hundred square feet to the previously existing six-hundred that was the master bedroom. This wasn't a bedroom. No. This was a master suite. This just may have been about the same size of their apartment right now.
"Do you like it?"
"We have a fireplace in our bedroom Calliope. A fireplace." Pale hands covered her face, blue eyes peeked through slender fingers as she took in the sight. "This is our bedroom, right? Because there's no furniture in here."
Adding to the size of the room… It was completely empty. The only furnishing to be found was the plush wall to wall carpet. "Of course it's our bedroom, silly." Callie was stood behind her fiancé with the shorter woman wrapped up in a loving embrace as the brunette's head rested on the blonde's shoulder. "So, I haven't done anything with this room yet. I was thinking that the rest of the furnishings could be left up to you?"
"We have a fireplace in our bedroom." Arizona squealed, turning in her lover's arms. The two women stood in this embrace, wrapped around each other just taking in the moment. A pair of olive toned hands softly ran up and down the toned back of the shorter woman. "Don't get me wrong, this is easily the best gift ever. But I know what you're doing Calliope." Arizona smiled against her spot where she was nuzzled into the brunette's neck.
"I'm busted already?"
"It's okay. I love you even more for knowing me so well." Soft lips kissed the nape of the olive neck. "I would've gone stir crazy with nothing to do but sit at home over the next few weeks."
"Yeah, you don't do sitting around very well." Callie playfully pulled back just a little in order to look in the blonde's face, getting a pair of blues rolling around in response. "Here." Callie dug in her pocket revealing a small rectangle shaped piece of plastic. "Go crazy. Have fun. Get whatever you want."
Pushing her lover's hand away, Arizona scoffed. "You already paid for the house… you paid God knows how much for this." She signaled with a pointed finger around the room. "I am no one's pretty woman… I can pay for the furniture Callie." Pulling out of the embrace, Arizona walked toward the oversized bay window that over looked their backyard. "I'm a surgeon too, ya know. That comes with a pretty decent sized paycheck."
Callie didn't mean to offend her lover. But she could tell by the brash tone that, that's exactly what she'd done.
"Give me a number." Dark eyes met her own in question. "If this is going to be my home too, I'm paying for half of everything. How much?"
"You're right. I'm sorry." Callie was hoping to get over this little hump quickly. What's the best way to appease a female? Apologize. "I just- -I saw how much you lit up at this place. And none of the other houses that we looked at could even compare. I would happily give whatever it takes to see you light up like that every day." Callie stalked closer to her fiancé, running her finger down a porcelain cheek. "The house is already paid for. But this house needs a lot of furniture. So, how about you take care of that?"
"I can agree to that."
"But, you do realize we're getting married right?"
"Okay?"
"It will be our money Arizona. Not mine, or yours. Ours." Arizona never made a fuss of Callie's fortune. The two never even talked about money since Callie had revealed her real net worth.
Blue eyes squinted at the words that had just been spoken. Callie could tell she was thinking, so she just waited for what would fall from that beautiful mouth next. She could tell Arizona had a major thought to have set off in her mind. "You don't plan on having a pre-nup in place." Her tone was a bit more accusatory than she'd planned.
"Wow. This ran away really fast." Callie exhaled her thought, wringing her hands out in front of her. "I plan on spending the rest of my life with you Arizona. Married to you. For better, or worse, til death do us part. Did you have something different in mind?"
"No. No. Absolutely not." Arizona wasn't sure how they'd gotten here. But this was clearly something that needed discussing. "There's nothing in the world that could ever be better than being able to marry the love of my life. I plan on sitting on that porch downstairs hand in hand when we're eighty-five and in wheelchairs, and our grandkids have to come over because we don't know how to work the t.v. remote any more."
"Okay, then what is the problem?"
"I'm not with you because of your money."
"I know that." Arizona leaned into Callie, releasing her weight on the brunette. She'd been standing for a while now, and she was starting to get winded. "I know it's my boobs that really keep you around." Plump lips kissed golden locks on the top of the shorter woman's head.
Smacking Callie's arm, Arizona gently tugged at the neck of her lover's shirt taking a peek inside. "Well they're good boobs."
"Yours aren't so bad either. But that ass does not quit." One of her hands slid down to cup the aforementioned ass, lifting the blonde just enough for their lips to meet.
"This is really our house." Blue eyes looked around the space again.
"It's really ours."
XxxxxxxX
6 weeks later
"So, how are you doing?"
"Fine." The past few days the session would start out exactly the same way. He would ask, she would answer, and then they would be at a stalemate. Crossing her arms over her chest, she felt a little testy today. "I would feel a lot better if you would sign that paper inside your fancy little portfolio so that I could please get back to work."
"Do you think you're ready to be back to work?"
"I know my kids need me."
"Let's talk about the day you were shot." Arizona released an exasperated breath at the suggestion. "The father of one of your patient's came into the hospital and shot you."
Nodding her head along to the replay of events, Arizona waited for the trauma therapist to continue.
…
"Don't hit the messenger, but you kind of look like shit, Torres."
Punch. Right to the arm. "I look better than you. Besides, you keep having to bail your fiancé out of jail in the middle of the night and let's see how you look."
"What's that, like three times in one week. They haven't taken her bike or her license yet?"
"When you save the lieutenant's kid, it apparently buys you never-ending grace."
"Has she been cleared for surgery yet?" Mark sat his lunch tray down at the table opposite his best friend."
"No. Well she has a session now, so maybe. I don't know." Callie ran a hand through her hair. "She was doing so good at first. And now, I just… I don't know. She has nightmares that she won't talk about. We were supposed to be moving into our house last week, but we still don't have our furniture picked out yet. And not to mention its like she has a fucking death wish every time she climbs on that damn bike."
"I know I'm not exactly the poster boy on relationships… but maybe you should just talk to her?"
"Talking is that last thing she wants to do. I've tried, believe me."
"You two don't look like there's anything wrong. Or sound like it either for that matter. I swear I had to go buy some earplugs so I could get some sleep. Who knew you were such a screamer?" Two graying brows bounced animatedly.
"Shut up. Don't let her hear you talking about our sex life. She really might hit you with a brick this time."
…
"You can't keep acting like you're 'fine' as you say." The therapist was over the deflecting his patient had become so comfortable with. "Two days ago you hid in a supply closet because you thought the new janitor's flashlight was a gun. A few days before that you froze in the entry to your department. You refuse to take the catwalk… and as I hear it, you've been arrested a few times for speeding recently."
Squinting at the man's words, Arizona couldn't help but to wonder who he'd been talking to. Someone felt really comfortable snitching on her. "I was shot okay? I know I was shot. I have the fucking reminder right here in the middle of my chest where one of my best friend's had to cut me open and fish around to find the bullet fragments. I did my job and I was shot for it. I already know that. Why do we have to keep going through the re-runs? Can you just sign the paper so I can get back to helping the patient's that need me?"
"Why is it so hard for you to talk about what happened?"
"I just told you what happened. You know what happened."
"And how do you feel about it?"
"How do I feel about getting shot for trying to save my patient's life? Are you seriously asking me that?"
…
"How about I keep the munchkin tonight. And maybe you two can have a chance to talk."
"I can just send her with Mrs. O'Malley or Barbara. You have an early surgery tomorrow, you should be prepping for that."
"Nope. We I haven't had nearly enough time with Sof lately, and once you two get your shit together you're moving. So, I'll take my time now thank you."
Mark was a good man. He didn't show it off too often or to too many people. But Callie always knew that deep down inside he was just a teddy bear. The connection that he shared with Sofia always amazed Callie. From day one, he was always there. No one ever asked. He didn't even have to offer. He just, was. And Callie loved him all the more for it.
"Okay. I'm off soon, so you can just come pick her up from my place when you're ready for her."
…
"What is your take away from this entire situation?"
"What is my take away from being shot by a deceased patient's distraught father?" Standing by the window, her gaze couldn't be drawn away from the pouring rain as it pounded on the glass. "No matter how hard you try to control life, it's unexpected and often times messy. Life doesn't always work out the way you think it will, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Opening his portfolio, the elder man lifted his pen, scribbled across the line and slid the paper down toward the other end of the table. "You free to go back to work." Arizona whipped around with such intensity, she was nearly whiplashed. "We will have sessions twice a week, because there is still work to be done. But I don't see a reason that you can't get back to your normal duties."
"And if I don't agree to the sessions?"
"You can't work."
"Well then I guess I don't have a choice then, do I?"
"You have PTSD Arizona. And until you face it, things will not begin to get better. So, I will see you in my office in a few days."
The man closed his case, packed up and headed for the door. Arizona was left staring at the piece of paper in her hand. What was she supposed to do now?
XxxxxxxX
So? What did you think? I hope you liked it… let me know?
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: Callie and Arizona coping with Arizona's PTSD… and more.
Grey's: Eekkk…. I remain CalzonaStrong. I just wish the writer's could offer some kind of assist that there's the most magnificent rainbow ever at the end of this storm.
xoxo