Disclaimer: All characters are property of ABC. No copyright infringement intended. I own nothing.
This is AU as well as G!P, I hope you enjoy the journey, so only constructive comments please. Some chapters will have perspectives from both Callie and Arizona but it'll mostly be one view or another.
A/N: HEY! Welcome back! I'm just going to put it out there that I AM NOT A FAN OF THE NEW ORTHO GUY at all and please don't get me started on the Owen/Amelia debacle or the random Jackson disappearance...But how about the Karevs for the win! And is anyone else loving Cece as much as I do?
Let's jump right back into the drama and chaos, shall we?
All typos are my fault so please excuse that. Also, internal thoughts/dialogue are in italics and flashbacks are bold italics. So, in the words of Shonda, trust the journey.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Homeward Bound
Callie POV
"Why isn't she awake yet? It's now November 28th...that means our son came into this world 4-days ago, so please explain to me why she's still unconscious. Do you have any idea how much it hurt to introduce our sons to one another without her awake to see it or any of our family for that matter?!" Arms folded, chest heaving and brows raised standing before our doctor, I wait for her to speak. Briefly looking at the sleeping woman next to us then looking me in the eye Lucy finally says something.
"Like I mentioned last night, there is no set time limit. Arizona's body went through a trauma and she lost alot of blood, so between the blood loss and the anesthesia, she could wake up in the next few minutes or some time between tomorrow and Monday. The important thing to remember is that she will wake up. Arizona is not in a coma, it's just up to her body when it's ready for her to wake up. I know you're worried and that likely wasn't the answer you wanted to hear but it's the only one I have for you, Callie." Huffing in barely restrained frustration, I nod in understanding. "On a more positive note, you should take your son home–he's been cleared to go for two days now. I'll be back later tonight to check on Arizona."
Home?! Take our baby home! But-but-but..
"Knock knock. Someone wants their moms again." Blinking out of a blank stare and back to reality, I watch as the nurse rolls my baby boy over to me and I'm instantly filled with an indescribable sense of jubilation. "It's time for this handsome guy to eat again." With Santiago looking at me with eyes like his mama, it takes a bit of willpower to not completely ignore the nurse. Making sure we have all that we need, she makes a quick exit.
Pulling his little body into my arms, there's a moment when I wonder if this is the feeling I would have had when Calen was born. This whole experience from finding out Zona was pregnant to this minute has been unlike anything I could ever imagine and as much as I wish I had been around for Cal, I know I can't dwell in the past. Continuing to study him, I'm amazed that the same two people can create two beautiful children that resemble one another yet look so different. Where Calen is more my clone, Santiago seems to be all Arizona.
"Hello there Santiago Xander Robbins-Torres. You and your brother are going to be trouble aren't you? You two will drive all the girls...and/or boys crazy." Unfocused azure eyes seem to stare right at me as he eats while I walk slow circles around the room. "I'm glad mama and I have money–you and Cal can really eat." Chuckling to myself, I just bask in the momentary quiet. Soon our little one is full and on the verge of going back to sleep. Settling into the chair I've claimed as my own, I give a quick glance at the sleeping beauty beside us–in hopes of finding her awake–before focusing back on my little guy. Knowing he doesn't need any help sleeping yet not being able to resist, the song that works wonders on Cal comes spilling out of my mouth.
Arroró mi niño, arroró mi sol
Arroró mi pedazo, de mi corazón.
(Hush-a-bye my baby, Hush-a-bye my sun)
(Hush-a-bye my oh piece of my heart.)
Este niño lindo, se quiere dormir
Y el pícaro seuño, no quiere venir.
(This cute little boy wants to sleep)
(And the naughty dream does not want to come.)
Arroró mi niño, arroró mi sol
Arroró mi pedazo, de mi corazón.
(Hush-a-bye my baby, Hush-a-bye my sun)
(Hush-a-bye my oh piece of my heart.)
Arroró mi niño, arroró mi sol
Arroró mi pedazo, de mi corazón.
(Hush-a-bye my baby, Hush-a-bye my sun)
(Hush-a-bye my oh piece of my heart.)
Este niño lindo, ya se va a dormir
Cierra los ojitos, y los vuelve a abrir.
(This cute little boy is going to sleep)
(Close your eyes and open them again.)
Arroró mi niño, arroró mi sol
Arroró mi pedazo, de mi corazón.
(Hush-a-bye my baby, Hush-a-bye my sun)
(Hush-a-bye my oh piece of my heart.)
Finishing the song, I just continue to stare at his little face for several seconds before pressing a feather light kiss to his covered head.
"You two look beautiful together." As soon as those soft words cut through the silence of the room my head snaps to woman laying next to me. Dimples on full display and tired eyes sparkling cause that final piece of relief to fall into place.
Ignoring her comment and adjusting the baby, I cover her lips with mine in an effort to fill it with every drop of passion I possess. Bringing the kiss to an end then resting forehead to forehead, I take a moment to just be with her until a little body does a little squirm in my arms. He's still sleeping but if I didn't know any better I would think he was trying to get closer to Arizona. Suddenly, realizing that the baby we've waited so long for is here in my arms and that she's awake, I smoothly transfer him into her arms. She's amazing.
"Mariposa, you scared the living shit out of me." Pulling back, I have the slightest grasp of my emotions as I watch them. The look on her face is that of utter confusion and I know I need to explain. "I'll have someone page Lucy so she can explain in better detail but first, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?"
"I'm ok...sore but ok and I have all I need right now." Nodding my understanding, I sit quietly for the next few minutes watching my fiancée fall madly in love with our gorgeous boy. I even get a few candid pictures on my phone before filling her in on how well he's been doing.
"Now about the comment I made earlier, what do you remember about the delivery?"
"Uh...I remember everything–you were holding San for the first time–talking to him and I guess...I fell asleep?"
"No...no you didn't fall asleep–not really." That only serves to confuse her more however I'm trying to be as stoic as possible. The last thing I want to do is freak her out but my emotions are still on the surface. "You passed out due to blood loss. There was tearing which is why you were taken into surgery to begin with and once the baby was out the bleeding became a bit more serious...you've been knocked out over 96-hours." Stopping to let everything set in, her eyes bounce around the room before coming to rest on me. Several seconds pass and I get a bit uneasy as she studies me. I hate when she does this. Remaining quiet, I continue to squirm in my seat.
"You don't feel well do you? And you definitely haven't been sleeping or doing much to take care of yourself, have you?" You have no idea. There's no need for me to answer, she already knows the truth. I haven't decided whether if or when I'll mention my own little emergency. "Come here." Her command is followed with her shifting over to the left of the bed. "Lay with us."
"You know this thing isn't really big enough for the both of us right?" I comment all the while taking off my shoes and lying in my designated spot. Soon she's rambling about something and I feel myself being lulled to sleep.
"NO! Absolutely not. No. I ain't doing it!" I internally wince at my volume as I look to make sure San is still sleeping in his car seat.
"Calliope-"
"No. Don't. Don't Calliope me right now Arizona." I cut in as my pacing comes to a stop at the foot of her bed. "I'm not leaving this hospital without both you and Santiago in that car with me. I'm not leaving you here again. San and I will go home when you go-"
"She can go." Turning wide-eyed toward the doctor standing in the door, Lucy smirks as she holds up some papers. "It seems like I have perfect timing. These are Arizona's discharge papers and after care instructions." Coming to stand beside me, she hands the papers to me before turning to Arizona. "All the tests we did yesterday after you woke up and this morning have come back perfect. I want you back for a follow-up in 2-weeks and until then I want you to take it as easy as humanly possible while your strength and energy gets back to normal."
"Thank you so much Lucy. Callie and I really appreciate everything you've done for our family." She is right and I agree completely yet I'm to stunned to speak. Arizona and Santiago will be home with Callen and I. As odd as it may be at this point, it dawns on me that I now have two children to take care of. "Calliope?" Looking up into bright blue eyes, her smile brings me out of my stupor. "Take us home, baby."
Needing no further encouragement, I help Arizona shower and get dressed. Taking Arizona's luggage, camera bag and bag full of presents to the car, I also spend a few minutes triple checking that the base of the car seat is secure beside Callen's booster seat. When I get back to the room my love is resting in a wheelchair with Santiago's carseat on her lap waiting for me. Doing my best to control my growing nerves, I guide two-thirds of my heart out of the room and down the family path toward the car. We're stopped or joined by nurses every few minutes, but I don't mind one bit. Honestly, I'm in no rush to have my little guy in the car. Even having Cassie in the car would stress me out. At least 20-minutes have passed by the time we're all comfortably situated in the car.
"Finally." Sighing with a chuckle while manuevering out of the hospital parking garage into the early evening traffic and for the first time in days I feel like I'm starting to breathe again. Falling into a comfortable silence, we just enjoy the ride with the music low and soothing until Arizona breaks it.
"Cal?" Eyes still on the road, I hum in response signaling that I heard her. "I think we should start planning the wedding now that the world's longest pregnancy is over." Laughing along with her, I give thought to what she said before nodding.
"Yea. I agree. So should we set a date first?...I mean...believe it or not I never actually got to the planning stage the first time around so I have no idea what we should do first."
"Well...between mom and Leda as the married ones, I'm sure they'll be able to help and we could always hire a wedding planner."
"Very true." Before I can expand further on the topic a small whimper comes from the back seat.
"Sounds like someone is about to wake up and as nice as this ride is Calliope, you really need to drive faster. Babe, I know you're nervous but we keep getting passed by cyclists and I really really want to get home so I can cuddle with you and the boys." Resting a hand on my thigh, her thumb rubbing gentle circles into my jeans, I accellerate while trying to relax my frayed nerves. "It's ok babe." Nodding, I continue driving on high alert. Relax. You got this.
Arizona and Santiago have been home for 5-days now and we're slowly falling into a routine. For the most part, she's been taking it easy though there have been occasions of me having to firmly remind her. I do my best to handle the boys which is easier since Calen can do certain things himself and the fact that for several hours of the day he's at school. Thank god it's Friday.
"Hey bud, grab your bag so we can go or we're gonna be late for school." I say standing in the door of his room as I adjust the car seat in my hand.
"Ok. I got it. Let's go." Coming to a stop in front of me, his face scrunches in curiosity. "What are you wearing?"
"It's called a Wallaboo. It's kind of like a special backpack for the baby that I can wear in the front so I don't have to carry this car seat around all the time. You'll see when we get to the school." With a shrug, he's out the door and I quietly follow behind him.
The ride to the school is quick yet filled with Cal rambling on about a classmates birthday this weekend and the cupcakes they're supposed to have today. By the time we reach the school parking lot, he's a ball of barely contained excitement. Outside of the car and seeing the carrier in action, I see that he gets what I was trying to tell him back at the apartment. Grabbing ahold of my hand, we make our way to the familiar classroom and as soon as we enter I'm all but forgotten. Chuckling at my little energy ball, I linger there for a moment and just as I'm about to leave two women–who I assume are moms–are pulled by the baby magnet. The blonde one kind of hovers nearby looking while the redhead does all the interacting.
"Oh my goodness, he's just so darn cute! Is he yours?"
"Thank you and yes he is along with that one there." I say pointing out Calen.
"Wow. You don't look like someone that just had a baby let alone two." The shock on her face is kind of funny though the slight intrusiveness of her comment doesn't really sit well with me but I brush it of as simple curiosity.
"Uh...well I didn't just give birth, my fiancée did. You've probably seen Arizona here before."
"Oh." It's just one word but it's completely loaded and her entire demeanor has shifted as she took a step back. It doesn't happend often but I think I know what's happening now. "So you're one of those women?"
"Excuse me? Those women? If you mean lesbian than yes I definitely am. Do you have a problem with that?"
"As a matter of fact I do. People like you shouldn't be able to flaunt yourselves around let alone be allowed to expose innocent children to your perverted ways." With a frown and a shake of her head the blonde walks away from the situation. As soon as she opened her mouth, I wanted to shut it for her but this is neither the time nor the place to get any further into this. I'd much rather be home with my woman right now however I can't ignore the urge to make her as uncomfortable as possible first. Stepping into her personal space, I make sure to keep my voice low so only the redhead hears me.
"For now I'm going to let that go because I have more important things to tend to but you should know that your mouth would be much more useful wrapped around my dick." Stepping back with a smirk, I take in her stunned expression. "Have a good day." Knowing I didn't make that situation any better, I shrug and head home to my future wife.
Comment and thoughts on this update as well as season 15 so far? Til next time...