The love I received for last chapter was epic! So glad you all loved it. You almost had me release an extra chapter, but I had to refrain because I'm not far enough ahead yet.

Thank you guys! You are all great!

Chapter 36

"I'm almost ready," Arizona rushed out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel to grab her clothes off the bed where she had placed them earlier before she jumped in the tub. "Callie?" She noticed out of the corner of her eye that the woman was bent over on the couch with her head in her hands.

The last she knew the Latina was supposed to run out and grab their mail, so she wasn't sure what could have upset the woman in the past thirty minutes.

"Yeah," The brunette cleared her throat and sniffed back some tears that threatened to spill over.

"You okay?"

"Mhmm," she wiped the corners of her eyes quickly. She didn't even bother to turn around to fake a smile at the woman because Arizona would have known it was forced.

"Oh, Callie," She sighed to herself, grabbing her robe off the door and quickly draped it over her body when she heard the tremble in the woman's voice. "Hey," She softly whispered when she walked up to the woman sitting on be couch. "What's wrong?" She swiftly sat down beside the woman, immediately comforting her.

It had been two weeks since they had starts dating and a week since they had become official girlfriends and within that time period they had slept in the same bed with one another while Arizona's mother had occupied the twin bed in the far corner by the window.

But, as of tonight, they were to get the apartment back to their selves because the older woman was moving into the loft above the bakery.

"What's the matter?" She asked again, gently rubbing the woman's back as Callie continued to stare down at the coffee table in front of her.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the envelope off the table she had previously opened minutes ago and tossed it in the blonde's lap before putting her head in her hands again.

"What's this?" Arizona asked as she began to open the letter.

Since Callie's debacle with her husband three weeks ago, she had finally fallen into a good place again. She was happy, she had a business that was slated to open in two days and she now had a girlfriend who cared for her, not what she or her family possessed.

Was being happy longer than a few weeks at a time too much to ask for?

"Dear god," her posture slumped similar to Callie's after reading the letter that stated Mitch had filed for a motion for continuance. "How can he do this?" She asked, throwing the letter back down on the table. She knew there was a high chance of some delay happening, but she tried to convene herself and Callie otherwise.

"He's Mitchell Evans, Arizona," she said with no emotion. He can do anything," she snidely repeated the words he had said to her on many occasions.

Arizona could hear the exasperation in her girlfriends' voice when she spoke of her ex. "This doesn't mean anything," she insisted when she heard the brunette sniff.

She hated that son of a bitch. They had been happy, Callie had been happy again, and as soon as they got comfortable in their newfound relationship Mitch seemed to find a way to rock his soon to be ex-wife to the core, again.

"It does though," her voice was full of agitation. "How does it not?" She looked over to the blonde. "One week!" She exclaimed. "I could have had my life back in one week," she said angrily as she slammed her hand down on the table in frustration. "Why does he do this to me?"

"Come here," Arizona sat back on the couch and held her arms out for the woman to lean into her. "Listen," she said as Callie leaned into her side and wrapped her arms around her. "We've talked about this for months Callie," she breathed as she hugged the woman tight. "We knew the odds were high, didn't we?"

"Yeah," Callie mumbled into her chest as she willed away her tears. Being in her girlfriends arms felt safe, she just wished Arizona could take it all away. All she wanted was to put her past behind her and move on with her life with the Doctor.

"It really sucks, but there's nothing to fret about right now, okay?" She soothed her by softly caressing her back. The blonde knew it was easier said than done, but it was true. There was no need to worry just because he wanted to push it back. Arizona knew it was Mitch's way of playing mind games with Callie.

"Why can't he just let me go, Arizona?" She pulled back and looked up sadly at the woman. "I never meant anything to him," she said getting upset again. "I'm not asking for a goddamn thing," she squeezed her eyes tight and shook her head, feeling a tear escape from her eye.

"I know," she said, sitting up to be closer to the woman who was now seated on the edge of the couch. Placing her hand on the nap of the woman's neck, she softly toyed with the fine brown curls she found there. "I know, Callie," she said, trying to ease the woman's frustrations. She wished she knew what to say that would make the situation better, but there were no words right now.

"What possible reason does he need to postpone this?" She said as more tears began to escape her eyes. "It's like he knows I'm happy," she turned and glanced at the blonde who kept trying her best to comfort her. "It's like he has a radar detector that says, oh look, Callie's happy. She's having a good time, so let's pop her pretty pink bubble." She scoffed. "Why, Arizona? He has kids, those whore's, people falling at his feet at work, so why does he still have the need to make my life hell?"

"He doesn't have the power to do that," she whispered as she pulled the woman into her side. "Not anymore," she clarified. "Look at me, Calliope," she stated, waiting patiently for the woman to comply with her request. "I know it's hard, but did we not know this could happen?"

"We knew," she whispered, blinking through her tears, before rolling her eyes.

"So why are you so upset?" She questioned. "Nothing has changed besides a date. That's it. It's just a date, nothing more." she insisted. "Your divorce will happen, I promise." She assured. "It will." She hated almost as much as the brunette, but she had to remain positive about this.

"I know we expected this," she sighed as she wiped her eyes. "But it's still upsetting." She breathed. "I'm so fucking tired of being held down by him." She said as she dropped her head in her hands and cried. Arizona was right, they knew this was coming, but there was still a big part of her that believed it wouldn't happen. "He gets to me," she looked up sadly into blue eyes. "He always gets to me." She cried.

Arizona didn't know what to say, because it was true. Callie's husband knew the exact buttons to push with her and he played her like a pawn piece any chance her could get. "Calliope," Arizona looked at her sadly. "I can't imagine how you must feel," she cupped her face, kissing her tears away. "I don't know what to say that'll make things better, I don't," her heart broke for the woman. She knew how much this affected the brunette and Arizona wished she could take her pain away. "He knows that this is the end," she shrugged. "This is his last shot at unsettling you, so of course he's going to use this opportunity."

"I hate him, Arizona." She blinked through her tears as she peered into shining blue eyes. Arizona always had a way of making her feel better with only a gentle touch.

"I do too," she said with honestly. "I wish I could go back in time," she said, dropping her hands from the woman's face and laced her left hand with the Latina's right. "To when a little fifteen year old little Calliope Torres was running around single," she said as she softly stroked the woman's arm with her free hand. "I'd snatch you up, so you would never have to endure such anguish and heartache." She smiled sadly at the solemn woman, trying to get the brunette to meet her smile.

God why couldn't she and Callie have crossed paths years ago instead of seven months ago?

"Come on," she teased, elbowing her in the side tenderly. "Give me that smile that I adore," she winked at the woman.

"You're a moron," Callie couldn't help but chuckle at the blonde's wishes.

"If it makes you smile, I'm okay with being a moron for the day," she leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You okay?" She asked delicately.

Taking a deep breath of air, "I will be if you hold me for a minute?" She exhaled a little relief evident in her tone when she saw the blonde grin at her request.

"It would be my pleasure," Arizona smiled, sitting back on the couch and hugged the brunette close to her. "Everything will be okay," she whispered, giving her some assurance. "It will. And when that happens, you and I will take a vacation to celebrate," she said, kissing the top of her girlfriends head that she had pressed to her chest. "How's that sound?"

"That would be nice," she acknowledged, nestling her cheek into the woman's robe covered chest, feeling content in the woman's arms. "Where would we go?" She pressed, wanting something to look forward to.

"Hmm, I was thinking a white sandy beach, bikini's and sangria's or heavy coats, boots, and cuddling together by a fire in an old rustic cabin." She said, as she gently swayed their bodies in the couch.

Callie reveled in the feel of the woman's embrace as she snaked her arms around her also. "I've never owned a bikini, much less wore one." She whispered after they had become silent for a few minutes.

"Seriously?" She looked down at the woman in her arms. How in the world did a woman with this luscious body not wear a bikini?

Yeah, that's right; she couldn't help but notice every inch and curve that graced the Latina's body.

"Yeah, he didn't like it," Callie shrugged. "Plus, I've never felt comfortable enough in my skin." She said casually.

"Calliope, you have an amazing body," she said, shocked the brunette felt that way. "Oh, God!" She exclaimed, not sure if it was okay to say that about her. It escaped her mouth before she even realized she said it. "Not that I look or peek, you know," she shook her head. "It's just," she breathed. "I think you're beautiful, Calliope." She whispered as she ran her fingers through dark brown tresses.

The woman couldn't help when her eyes widened at the blonde's statement. No one has ever told her that before and to be honest she found it rousing. "You do?" She asked, unguarded.

"Of course I do, baby," she stated firmly, until her mouth caught up with her brain. "You ar... oh god," Her eyes widened at the term of endearment slip. "My god, that just came flying out of my mouth," she chuckled embarrassingly when she felt the woman stiffen for a moment. "It's like it was some kinda." She said, covering her face with her hand. "I don't know," she said when Callie pulled back and impassively peered at her. "I'm sorry baby... I..." Her eyes widened more. She knew the brunette hated pet names, but it just slipped out, honestly. "Damn it, I did it again," she breathed when she looked into brown eyes. "Babe," she shook her head. "Shit," she sighed. "I've been trying so hard not to say it, Callie," she continued her ramble as the woman sat up in her seat and watched her rant. "I really have. I know how you feel about the name calling, so I've been trying to smash it down and not say it," she sighed. "But who am I kidding? You are, and I know you hate it, however... I can't help it because you are," she said, brushing the woman's hair out of her face. "You're my baby, Calliope."

Callie searched blue eyes while Arizona began to ramble on and on about the term of endearment. She tried her best not to give off any emotions while the woman babbled. She could hear the nervousness in her voice, but she really paid it no mind because her eyes slowly veered down to her lips. She had become a huge lover of that pink mouth that just wouldn't stop moving.

"I'll try harder if you don't like it." She inquired, hoping Callie would just quit glaring and say something already. "But you are." She spoke truthfully.

Callie continued to peer into blue eyes until she saw her nervousness grow. "Kiss me," she demanded, breaking out into a soft smile. Arizona's endearment wasn't in malice, and it wasn't said in spite like the many times she had heard it before. It slipped out of her mouth involuntarily and the way the blonde said it warmed her soul. She could hear the truthfulness in her girlfriends' voice and it sent butterflies flying.

Leaning over, Callie met the blonde's lips as the came together in a tender kiss before Arizona pulled back and cupped the woman's face to kiss her tear stained cheeks.

"It's okay," the brunette whispered to the woman. "I feel when you say it, you mean it."

"I do."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Always," Arizona insisted.

"I pretty much only feel comfortable when I'm around you," She breathed, feeling a little exposed at the moment. "You're the only one who makes me genuinely feel better about things, even myself," No one has ever made her feel this way and it was hard for her to express it. "With you I feel safe."

"Can I tell you something?" She couldn't wipe the smile off her face knowing she made the woman feel protective.

"Of course," Callie said. Arizona had already let her face go and was now clutching her hands.

"I felt such a strong connection with you when we became friends. Before I knew it, you had quickly become my best friend."

"You became mine, too."

"Good," she smiled, leaning in to quickly peck red lips. "Back then," she continued. "I guarded my friends' safety," She said when she saw watery brown eyes. "That's what you do when you care for someone. You protect them. You mean so much to me already, and now that you're my girl. It's my duty to protect you or die trying."

"I'd protect you too," the brunette admitted. "I want you to feel protected and content." She looked up at the blonde with loving eyes.

"You already have."

"I did?"

"Oh yeah," she nodded. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but the thing with me is, I hate needed to depend on someone," she shrugged when she heard a ruckus over by her bed. Poseidon and Max were in a stare down.

Since her mother's appearance a week ago, Max had made himself at home on her bed, and Poseidon didn't like that at all, but he was too scared of the feline to take his place back. So, he stood at the end of the bed barking while Max stood his ground on the mattress.

"I tend to deal with things alone most of the time rather than ask someone for support," she continued. "I told you before; it's hard to let someone in. I don't like to expose myself like that with many people," she said as Callie watched every move she took. "But with you... you make feel safe and wanted. No one's ever really did that before." Arizona conceded. "Your arms, Calliope, have been the only thing that kept me sane when my dad died," she admitted. "I didn't know how much I needed you until you were standing on that doorstep. I couldn't keep my tears at bay when I saw you. That's when I realized how much you really meant to me," she said as she brushed the back of her hand against the Latina's soft cheek. "You knew what I need. I wanted you with me and I was too headstrong to admit it, but yet, you knew."

"I didn't care," Callie whispered, taking the woman's hand from her cheek and kissing her smooth skin. "I wanted to respect your wishes of staying in Seattle, but I couldn't. I hoped you wouldn't be upset when I showed, but I didn't care. I had to be there even if you were upset that I was. I needed to be closer to you."

"Because you care for me as much as I care for you," she smiled.

"I wanted you to feel like you had made me."

"And you did." She leaned close to the brunette and pressed her forehead against her girlfriends as they both soak up the closeness of one another.

"We're really late, now," Callie whispered after a few moments.

"I'll blame it on you," she giggled as the Latina placed her hands on her bare thighs, which caused her breath to hitch slightly at the woman's soft touch.

God, she had fallen so hard for this woman and it felt so amazing to call her hers.

"I had a little freak out," she shrugged, caressing her hands up and down the woman's lap. "It happens."

"Trust me, we'll be one of the first to arrive." She laughed, leaning in and kissing red lips.

"Thanks you, Arizona," Callie said, dragging her fingers nails softly against the woman's skin, not realizing the lump that formed in the blonde's throat with her gentle touch.

"You're welcome," she paused, wondering about calling her another name. "Umm, you... I uhh..." She began mumbling when Callie's hands just kept inching closer. "You..." She said, chills running down her spine. "Have to quit that," Arizona shivered uncomfortably at the way Callie was making her feel inside.

She wondered if she could sneak away and have a private moment without being noticed. She was trying to keep her need at bay, but having the woman so close to her was becoming harder and harder to keep her control.

"Oh... Ohh..." Callie moved her hands when she saw how close she was getting to the woman's core. "Sorry." She sheepishly grinned at the woman quickly placing her hands on her own thighs.

"I'm going to go..." Arizona pointed over her shoulder at the bathroom door. "Finish getting dressed and then we'll be ready."

"Oh, okay." She nervously nodded. "I'll go put the dog outside and then I'll be ready."

"Okay, I'll be quick. If we don't leave before my mom gets back, we'll never get out of here." She stood and started her way towards the bathroom.

"Where are we playing this game at?" She questioned.

"We're going to play in the park, and then we're going to have a picnic and a bonfire up at one of my favorite spots on an overlook in the mountains. I can wait to show you." She smiled, winking at the woman.

Arizona and Meredith had got together and decided to have a picnic with a bonfire after their football game to celebrate Callie's opening of her bakery in two days.

"Oh, Arizona," Callie stopped her again, standing up from her seat and glanced at the blonde by the door.

"Yeah,"

"I don't mind that name." She wanted to clarify. "I don't know if I can say it yet, but I don't mind you saying it."

"Okay," she bashfully smiled over at the woman. She could tell all the time that Callie was opening herself up more and more every day. "I'll be ready in five."

A fun chapter is coming up. Fluff, laughs and a little teasing all wrapped up in one!

Happy Monday! Love you guys!