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 say it again, I AM NOT A FAN OF THE NEW ORTHO GUY at all and that is all. Lol. Anyone else noticing that the other new guy seems to be fading into the background? Anyway, I LOVED the comments on the last post, so please keep it up.
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-Eight: Tis the Season
Arizona POV
"You said WHAT?!" She can't be serious. There's just no way. Immediately shushing me while guiding us to our room away from the sleeping baby occupying the living-room. "Calliope!"
"You heard what I said Zona and before you say anything I already know it wasn't the best way to handle that situation but the look on her face made it so worth it babe."
For several seconds, I stare wide-eyed at her. The longer I stare the more she fidgets–no doubt waiting for me to give some kind of reply–until unadulterated laughter bubbles from my mouth. It's a deep belly laugh and I have to hold my stomach to ease the discomfort.
"Oh my god! You said that? You actually told a stranger that their mouth was more useful wrapped around your dick? Seriously?!" The more I think about it the funnier it becomes but I do my best to calm down.
"Well...yea. She was being suck a homophobic cunt–acting like she had any right to comment on our family. One minute Santiago was the cutest thing she's ever seen then as soon as it's clear that the boys have two moms–she couldn't get away from 'one of those women' fast enough. I can't stand ignorant self-righteous people, Arizona. Ugh! She's probably going to cause all kinds of issues now but she's messed with the wrong one." She's so damn sexy right now. I love all things Calliope Torres however one of my top two favorites is fierce protective spanish ranting Callie, which is only topped by loving passionate partner and mother Callie. And right now, she's pissed.
"Ok. Ok. Come sit with me." I instruct while patting the spot on the mattress beside me. With a huff, she takes a seat then pulls me to lean into her side. Momentarily, nuzzling into her neck, I let her relax before pulling back to speak. "I get it babe, I really do and honestly I'm glad you kept it as low profile as you did. We have so so much to be grateful for that some people will just never understand. And that's ok because we'll be happy regardless. We'll get married, eventually have more kids and fill this family with so much love that it won't matter if people like her never catch up. I love you, our boys, our extended family and none of the rest of it matters."
"I love you too and you're so right. Screw that woman." Looking at me with a smirk, I laugh at her oh so elegant summary of my words. As we sober up, a small cry comes through one of the fifty baby monitors Callie set up around the house and she's instantly on her feet. "Relax and I'll bring him to you." Her declaration is soft and loving as she moves out the door.
"Oh. Callie?" Stopping just outside the door, she pops her head back into the room with a eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Just in case you've forgotten, the only mouth wrapping around that dick" Pausing to point toward that oh so impressive crotch. "...is mine." With a growl and desire written across her face, she smirks that sexy smirk before going to get our son. She's not the only perv in this relationship.
It's been weeks now, Christmas is literally 4-days away and I couldn't be more excited. San–or Tiago as his tias like to call him–and I have both been deemed in complete health by Dr. Fields. Though Callie has remained in her hovering protective behavior much like she did the first time I landed in the hospital however this time around I have far more patience with her. Both times, she was terrified but I know the stressful excitment that was the birth of our son was far more traumatic. So much so, she had a panic attack which she only told me about a week or so after I was discharged.
Situated in our bed so I can lean against the headboard while feeding Santiago, I can tell that something is weighing on Callie's mind. There have been several awkward almosts but I just watch and wait until she's ready which seems to be now. Coming to sit beside us, I let my head fall to rest on her shoulder.
"After my last visit to Dr. Shepherd, I promised you that I wouldn't hide anything from you again and despite it being late after-the-fact I'm going to keep my word." It's almost over-the-top in delivery but I already have a pretty good idea of what she's going to say. "When you were in surgery, I had a pretty bad panic attack outside of the nursery in the middle of getting an update from Eli...Apparently, I was out long enough to be admitted and for you to be back in your room."
"I know."
"Wh-...How?"
"Well I didn't have any of those details. I appreciate you telling me. However, the reason I know is because I remember very well how they affect you afterwards. I may have been out for several days but it's usually a week before you really feel like your self again. Plus, Lee and Ria haven't changed–they both treat you with the kid gloves after an attack and she called you 'Baby girl' a couple times. We both know she only does that when she's really worried about you. So, I waited for you to confirm it which you just did."
Knowing how worried she had been and me being worried about her in return, I've decided to let her be...for now. If the hovering behavior goes on for too much longer then we'll deal with it. But at the moment, the boys and I are going to spend the afternoon with Uncle Tim and Tia Aria so Callie has the apartment to herself to have the long awaited conversation with her father.
"You know you guys don't have to go anywhere, Zona. Carlos and I can talk in the office or we can meet up somewhere."
"I do know that but this is a conversation you should have without any distractions and knowing you two it will be a loud spanglish conversation that the boys don't need to hear. Plus, I want to catch up with my brother...And since when do you call your father, Carlos?" Packing the last few items into the diaper bag then heading to the living-room, I take a moment to make sure I have everything.
"Ok, I see your point. Most conversations in my family get pretty loud." Chuckling, she stands behind me with her head on my shoulders. "And he's been Carlos since he stopped being my father." With a deep sigh I lean back into her. "I know you want everything with everyone to be worked out but I make no promises for that. I can promise to sit here with him to talk and work toward civility for the sake of our family, especially with another major holiday literally days away." Nodding in understanding, I soak up the comfort that comes with being held by this woman. Gently swaying, we enjoy this rare quiet moment until it's ultimately broken by both boys needing something. Tending to the newborn while Callie gives Calen her full attention, it's not long before the boys and I are heading out the door. Please let that talk go well.
Callie POV
I don't want to do this. In all this time, my feelings toward my father have not changed. I truly don't think they ever really will–something between us was irrevocably broken. He's no longer the man I knew him to be and I know that most kids put their parents up as being infallible but I don't think it's too much to expect him to have told me about Calen. I know for a fact if he was in this situation and mi abuelo had not told him about Leda, he would have hit the roof then cut everyone off. So, knowing that he had no problem doing it to me hurts and it's only made worse by the fact that he isn't the least bit apologetic about any of his involvement. At least he hasn't seemed to be in any of the several times I've seen him over the past year. Ugh! I'm so over this crap.
Deciding to put my focus elsewhere for the time being, I grab a Corona from the frig then head to my office to double check that everything has been finalized for the office holiday parties. Unlike most companies, our parties are after Christmas–next Friday to be exact. The best part is that Arizona and I decided to have a joint party. Leaning back taking a swig of my beer, I think back to last Christmas and all the things that have changed since then. I had just met my son, Arizona was back in my life and I was engaged to an amazing woman. Now it's like Calen has always been in my life, Santiago has opened my heart even more and I'm engaged to the mother of my children. Alot can happen in a year. A knock on the door brings me out of my head. Taking a deep breath then a gulp of beer, I head to answer the door. Ever the businessman, exuding wealth and confidence, is my father. Just get this over with. You promised your sisters and Arizona, so get it done.
"Come in." Closing the door behind him, I move to sit in my recliner while gesturing toward the couch. "Have a seat."
"Thank you, Calliope." Internally cringing at the use of my name for a moment, I decide to just move on.
"You're welcome." When several minutes of silence pass, it's clear that neither of us is in any rush to have this conversation. Refusing to let this take any longer than absolutely necessary, throwing caution to the wind, I dive right in. "You know I'm only doing this because we can't keep being the cause of drama and stress during family events. Our family comes together to celebrate something far too often to let this thing between us continue and my sisters would never not invite one of us to something for the sake of the other. So with that said I just have a few questions as well as things to get off my chest then we can be done with this. I'm sure we can both keep it civil moving forward." Giving only a nod in response that does nothing but further irritate me, I go on. "The main thing I need to know is...How and when did you find out about Calen?"
"It happened by accident. I was out on errands when I ran into Daniel and Barbara. They had Calen with them and...I knew instantly that he was a Torres–that he was your son. He was about one-years-old at the time but I knew." I don't know what I'm feeling. There has been a part of me that was in denial, wanting to believe that he hadn't known that long–that he wouldn't have done something like this. I didn't think his answer would hurt this much. It physically hurts to look at him but I can't help but to try to read his eyes. Trying to gauge his emotions. "The Robbins' confirmed it and shortly after that meeting, I began receiving information and pictures of Calen."
"Are you even the tiniest bit sorry?...Do you feel bad about anything, at all?!" My voice cracks with barely contained emotions as my volume rises. "I met my son when he was FOUR! And you've known SINCE HE WAS ONE!?"
"You are my daughter, Calliope, of course I hate what's happened between us. I hate that you are hurting but I can not be sorry, I did what I thought was best for you-" Hearing that phrase from him yet again sets me off.
"I'M SO FUCKING TIRED OF HEARING YOUR BULLSHIT! THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THIS!" Suddenly I'm standing and bursting at the seams.
"CALLIOPE IPHIGENIA TORRES! Watch your language, I am still your father!"
"Are you though?! A father's...no a PARENT'S job is to ALWAYS protect their child's best interests. To have their back against ANYONE. To be a permanent structure for them to stand and thrive on...up until a year ago, I thought you embodied that and so much more. You may still be those things to Leda and Aria but not to me." His jaw clenches as he breaks eye contact. "Everything I thought I knew about you is tainted." I've stopped yelling but my chest is still heaving deep breaths, the tremor in my hand has flared up and I don't even try to stop the tears from flowing. Turning back to meet my eyes, I can see the moment he finally sees the damage that's been done. Finally, he gets it.
"Calliope. How...what can I do to fix this? Fix us?"
"Y-y-you can't...What's done is done and it can't be fixed. We are going to be civil and cordial when we see eachother then eventually all this will be just a painful memory. I'll always love you–that'll never change no matter what happens."
"I love you too...I love you so much it hurts. I'm sorry to have hurt you like this, Calliope...I truly am so sorry."
"I know. I believe you." And I do believe him, his eyes are putting his emotions out on display. Sighing, I drop back into my seat. "Look, I don't know what the future holds. We may end up like we used to be...that's just not the case right now. However, we'll both be at the family christmas party and you'll at least get to meet the boys."
I am beyond drained right now and just want to sleep. With only a few more words exchanged, my father takes his leave and I find comfort in Arizona's side of the bed letting her scent guide me to sleep.
It's been a few days since the talk with my father and I'm actually glad that I did it. I feel lighter somehow, which is a bit of a surprise because I didn't realize it had been weighing on me so heavily. Arizona ended up letting me sleep through the night and the next morning over breakfast, I updated her on where things with my father stands. However, at the moment none of the drama even matters.
It's 4:37, Christmas morning, I have one of the best gifts I've been blessed with currently in my arms staring bright-eyed at me as we bounce around the dimly lit nursery.
"You know that you're a month old baby boy? Hmm, did you know that?" Technically, a month and a day but who's counting. With Cal, bedtime is one of my favorite times of the day to spend with him. With San, it's these early morning hangouts–when it's just the two of us and the rest of the world is asleep. "We have a long day ahead of us, sir. You see...today is Christmas and our little family is hosting this year's party. So, that means our home will be taken over by all the members of the crazed Robbins/Torres clan. In a few short hours, they'll descend upon us in a frenzy of food and presents."
Chuckling, I'm amazed by the raised brows with a squeal of faux excitement and a wave of his arms as if he could possibly understand a word of what I just said. "Oh! you're happy about that, huh? If I got half the attention you get I'd probably get excited too...but before all heck breaks out in our home or you brother is up needing to be restrained from his presents, I have a little something for you." Reclining on futon with my feet flat on the cushions so my knees are raised then situating him against my thighs, those dark blue eyes watch my every move. Pulling the meaningful piece of jewelry from under my tanktop, I continue the one-sided conversation.
"You're too young to understand now but in a few years when you get yours, you'll know why these necklaces mean so much...what they represent. I'll also explain how you were named after your abuela. Before she married your abuelo, her name was Lucia Santiago." I rarely talk about my mami–mostly because I never got to know her but also because it hurts so much. Everything I know is due to it being told to me, not from experiencing what is was to have her as a mom. "Little man, I really wish she was around for you, your brother and cousins...honestly, I wish she was here for me and my sisters too. But, I truly believe that she has been looking out for our family. I've had some real close calls this year and there had been some truly scary moments while mama was carrying you. At the end of the day, I want you and your big brother to know as much about the amazing woman, wife and mother as you can. She would've loved you both so much, you know that? Not as much as mama and I but very close." His eyes start to droop with the gentle sway of my legs.
"Definitely not as much as we do." The unexpected statement causes me to nearly jump out my skin though before I can even say anything, Santiago's face brightens and he only has eyes for his mama. Can't blame him one bit. The look on her fact tells me that she heard some of what I said and I smile to let her know I'm ok. Taking him from my lap, she takes a seat between my legs to lean back into me. "Sorry for scaring you."
"It's ok. What's a mild heart attack early in the morning...really gets the blood pumping." Earning a quiet laugh and a smack to my thigh, we relax into the stillness of the room. "Why did we volunteer to host the madness, again?"
"Temporary insanity?" With a snort of laughter and a kiss to her neck, I lean into her ear. "Merry Christmas, Mariposa."
"Merry Christmas, Calliope."
Lay it on me! Comments and thoughts on this update. Hope I was able to do that talk some justice. Til next time...