IF WE ARE MEANT TO BE – CHAPTER 49
"Seriously, Callie? How many dresses are you going to try on? You still have 6 months before your wedding." Cristina says with attitude while placing the magazine over her face.
"Cristina, I told you that you didn't have to come. Addison said she would have came with me. And besides. Just because I have 6 months doesn't mean I have time to waste. The dress I choose has to be altered, and the last thing I need is for the dress to not be ready in time for the wedding." Callie says from behind the dressing room door after she took off another dress.
"Yeah well, I should have chosen to go with blondie to pick her dress. Mer said she had it picked out within the first 10 dresses. And they are already having lunch. So if you don't want to be here alone, I suggest you get to picking, because I am meeting them in 30 minutes at Joes. So get busy Torres."
Callie slipped on another dress and when she turned to look at herself in the full length mirror, she held her breath as she took in the sight before her. This was it. This was THE dress that she had been looking for. THE dress that she would be wearing when she walked down the isle towards the love of her life. The dress was a pale white with hand sewn beading running down the entire left side. The lace and buttons that were strategically sewn had obviously taken more hours that she could imagine. The bottom flared out around her feet and the train had very small crosses along the seem. She knew that this dress was made somewhere, sometime and it was made especially for her. When she had slipped the dress on, it felt as if she were Cinderella. Being transformed into the beautiful princess. Callie pulled open the door to the changing room, and Cristina lifted the magazine up and opened one eye. She quickly sat up, and tossed the magazine to the side.
"Wow. That one is… is… it's really nice Torres. If you don't buy it, I'll kick your ass myself."
"This is it Cristina. This is the dress I was meant to marry Arizona in. It's everything I could have ever imagined and more. This is the dress I'm going to get married in." Callie said as she looked down at the dress, once again admiring is perfection.
"It's really nice. I mean… for a dress or whatever. So are we getting this one? So I can go flag down the lady so she can wrap this puppy up. Or however they do this stuff."
"We can get the saleswoman to make arrangements for the altering. If you want to go get her, I'm going to change back into my clothes. We can pick out the veil later."
"Great! I'll be right back. I'll text Mer and let her know that we will be on our way." Cristina says, much more awake now that she knows this part of their day is over.
Before long the dress had been purchased, compliments of Callie's parents who had insisted on paying for any and all expenses for their wedding, and the two friends were walking into Joe's bar to join their friends.
Callie was the first to notice Arizona standing at the bar, ordering drinks for the group of friends. Callie snuck up behind her and whispered into her ear.
"Excuse me ma'am. But I couldn't help but notice that you are incredibly hot. What do you say the two of us get out of here?"
Arizona grinned but kept her eyes forward, waiting for their order.
"Well, I would love to say yes, but unfortunately for you I am engaged to an incredibly sexy woman. One who is jealous as they come. So it's probably best that I decline your invitation." The blonde said.
"Well, she sounds like a really lucky woman. If she gets to have you all to herself."
"Oh she is very lucky." Arizona says with a smile, turning to face her fiancée.
"Hey! You're lucky to have me too you know. I'm a catch!" Callie says, faking anger.
"I know that. Believe me. Hey babe." Arizona says, finally wrapping her arms around the latina's neck and leaning in for a soft kiss.
The two women were quickly lost in each other, but their heads snapped up by the sound of glasses hitting the bar.
"Thanks Joe. How much do I owe you?" Arizona asks the bartender.
"Tonight is on me. It's a special celebration so you ladies enjoy yourselves. Oh, you can tell Yang that after her 5th shot, she's buying. That girl would make me bankrupt if I let her have a night of free drinks." The man says, tossing the towel onto his shoulder.
"You have a point there Joe. And thanks." Callie says, thanking the man before reaching to the bar and picking up the tray full of drinks.
The drinks were going down smoothly as the group of women shared laughs and plans about the future. Even Cristina chimed in on wedding ideas, much to everyone's surprise.
"Hey, it's getting late. I better get going. Derek has DJ, and there's no telling how that is going. But I'll catch up with you ladies tomorrow before we head out." Addison says, standing up and placing a 10 dollar bill on the table for their tip.
"See you tomorrow Addy. And kiss that boy for me. His Auntie Callie will come over and see him soon." Callie says to her best friend.
Addison left, and not too long after, Teddy, Meredith and Cristina followed suit. Leaving the two engaged women alone.
"So. Did you pick out a dress?" Arizona asks.
"Yes, and it's killing me that I can't explain what it looks like to you. Going from telling you every single little thing makes it difficult to keep anything from you. What about you? Did you pick yours?"
"Yep. And it's already headed to the alteration shop. You won't be able to keep your hands off of me, even if our entire family and friends are there." Arizona says with a wink.
"It's damn near impossible to keep my hands off of you as it is. But I'm sure it will be well worth the wait."
"So Calliope. Do you want to hang out here, or did you want to go home and see what else we can do for fun?"
Callie picked up her wine glass that was a little less than half full and tossed it back. Arizona simply laughed at the sight before her. It was amazing that they had been together this long but yet every time they were alone, it always felt like the first time.
Back at their apartment Callie and Arizona decided to have one more glass of wine, and were sitting on their sofa with Arizona's legs across Callie's lap.
"We really need to look into places in Seattle soon. I mean, I don't want us to be rushing in a few months trying to find a place to live. After graduation everything is going to be moving at hyper speed." Callie says, tracing her finger around the rim of her wine glass.
"Maybe we could cut the week at my parents a little short and take a tour of Seattle for a few days before coming home. Look at apartments, get a feel of the area around the hospital. How does that sound?"
"That sounds like a great idea. Are you sure your parents won't mind us leaving early? I know they miss seeing you."
"They will understand completely. I will give my mom a call this week and let her know. Besides, they are excited for us and I know they want us to be settled and not having that added stress."
"Arizona? I was thinking. I mean, we are going to be married… and even though apartments are very convenient… if we.. when we decide.. I mean—" Callie said with a stammer.
"Calliope, just say it. What is going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
"I want to look at houses. You know? Like a place to call home, and somewhere that we can raise kids. In the distant future of course. I know that neither of us will be ready to start a family anytime soon, but the idea of making a home with you is something I really want. And when the time is right for us, and we do decide to have a baby, we already have a loving home to bring him or her to." Callie finishes, looking down at her glass, unsure of what Arizona will say about her declaration.
"Cal."
Callie doesn't break her stare, so Arizona reaches over and touches Callie's chin, turning her to look at her.
"Callie. I love that idea. I mean, I agree… we are nowhere near ready to start a family. We have to start our careers, make a name for ourselves. It's something we have both dreamt of doing, so that is very important. But yes, having kids is on my list things to do in life. And I want nothing more than to have said kids, with you. And house hunting would be awesome. Knowing that we are picking out something that will be ours. Not yours or mine, but ours. And I know we will make it into a warm and loving home."
"You mean that? You really want to get a house? I mean, I was worried that you wouldn't want to. So hearing that makes me happier than I can explain."
"Besides, we will need the extra space for when Addison, Derek and DJ come to visit. Kids need a yard to play in, not the fake grass they plant in front of apartment buildings."
"Babe, I'm pretty sure we have plenty of time before DJ needs a yard to play in. But I get what you're saying."
"Now I can't wait for the vacation to be over so we can have some time alone and go hunting for our future home."
The rest of the evening the women made conversation about their future. Finding out even more so that they are both on the same page and that makes the couple stronger than many. The both wanted kids in the future, but for now just the idea of staring a home together, getting their careers moving, and settling into a nice routine was more than enough for both women.
The next morning, Arizona was the first to wake and decided to sneak out of the bed and go start the coffee. She had been with Callie long enough to know that if there was one way to wake a happy Callie, and that is with coffee. Glancing over at the clock, she notices that they have a little over 3 hours before they have to be at the airport, so she walks back into the bedroom and sits the cup of coffee on the nightstand before sitting next to her sleeping fiancé.
"Good morning beautiful. Time to rise and shine. We have to get moving so we can get to the airport on time love." Arizona whispers into Callie's ear before placing a number of soft kisses on her cheek.
"I smell coffee. Did I tell you how much I love you?" Callie mumbles from under the pillow where her head had been covered.
"Well if you love me so much, how about you get dressed while I take the bags down to your car. We need to get a move on. The sunny beaches in Florida are calling our names."
"I'm up. Just let me shower really quick."
Much to Arizona's surprise, Callie was up and in the shower in no time. Usually it took an act of congress to get the sleeping woman to rise. Even more so after she downed several glasses of wine the previous night. But Arizona knew how much Callie had been looking forward to the trip so she wasn't completely shocked to see the woman agree to get up. Arizona loaded their suitcases into the car before switching places with Callie in the shower. The two women made excellent time and in a moments notice they were headed to the airport.
Meanwhile in Florida
"Carlos, they are not sleeping in separate bedrooms. They live together for God's sake. " Rosia Torres argues with Callie's father.
"Yeah dad. They are fixing to get married, and it's not like Arizona can knock Calliope up or anything." Aria adds.
"Hush. I do not need your input on this either. Now go finish taking the pillows and blankets to the spare room for Arizona."
"No Carlos, this is ridiculous. After this trip, this wont be necessary. Aria, put their linens in the guest house. And that's final." Rosia says with her eyebrows raised while looking at Carlos with a 'I dare you' look.
The day passed rather quickly for the Torres Family. They had managed to take care of all the details they needed to accomplish before their daughter and future daughter in law arrived, and they were in their town car in route to the airport to pick up the girls.
"Remember mija. Do not mention a word to the girls. This needs to remain a surprise, and we know how well you can keep a secret. Too many people are involved in this, and all it takes is one slip of the tongue and it's all blown. So be careful what you say." Rosia says to her youngest daughter, receiving an eye roll and a nod.
"There they are! Callie! Arizona!" Aria shouts across the terminal when her sister and Arizona come into view.
Callie and Arizona's POV
"Over there." Callie says, waving towards her family. She took Arizona by the hand and together they walked towards the Torres'. "Hi mama. Hi Daddy." She says before her parents wrap her and Arizona in tight hugs.
"Hello girls. I take it your flight was ok? I still do not understand why you didn't allow me to send the jet to pick you up. Would have saved you both a lot of time." Carlos says.
"Daddy, we are fine. We just need to grab our bags and we will be ready."
"Nonsense. Jose, please get their bags and we will meet you at the car." Carlos instructs the driver and he quickly does as he's told.
The drive back to the Torres estate was filled with conversation about the decision the two women had made of looking for a home instead of an apartment. Rosia's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning with the thoughts of helping decorate another home.
"No mom. I can see it now. You're wheels are spinning. Arizona and I don't need an interior decorator. We are going to decorate the way we want. This is going to be our home." Callie says, bursting the imaginary bubble that was floating above her mothers head.
Once the family arrived home, they all went there separate ways, promising to meet back at the driveway for dinner a couple of hours later. When Callie tried to decline the dinner invitation, their parents were very persistent. Insisting that tonight's dinner was a special occasion. Without much more argument from the women, they retired to their guest house to rest before getting ready for dinner.
"Do we have to go tonight? I am perfectly content with laying right here, doing nothing but this for the rest of the day." Arizona says, burying her face in long dark hair.
"I wish we could too. But I know how my father is. If he is insisting on us going, then he has something up his sleeve. There's no telling what it is, but we pretty much have to go. But when we get back, I promise to make us a nice warm bubble bath, and maybe we can even open a bottle of champagne. Just the two of us. How does that sound?'
"It sounds like I hope this night fly's by. Because that sounds far more fun than a family dinner." Arizona says with a smile, before Callie pulled her close and gave her a kiss.
The women were dressed quickly, mostly due to the fact that they waited until the last minute possible to begin getting ready. They were enjoying their time just cuddling and being alone. But before they knew it, they were walking into the finest restaurant in Miami, Florida. Carlos spoke to the person at the front and the second he mentioned his name, they were escorted towards a large area that read "PRIVATE".
The last thing that the women were expecting was to see Arizona's parents, her brother, and his girlfriend.
"Mom! Dad! Oh my god it's so great that ya'll are.. wait.. Why? I mean, not that I'm disappointed to see you, it's just I thought Callie and I were flying to ya'll. What is going on?" Arizona asks, confusion evident on her face.
"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Torres and we have a big surprise for you both. But you have to wait to find out. But right now, we want to enjoy dinner with our beautiful children. So can we please have a seat? You know your father is starving if he has to eat a minute past 7pm. Darn Marine." Barbara Robbins laughed.
When the parents started walking towards the table, Callie pulled Arizona by the arm to stop her and whispered into her ear.
"What do you think they are up to? They seem awfully cheerful." Callie whispered.
"I don't know, but I'm too terrified to ask. Did you see that smile on your mom's face? It almost like the evil clown smile. So I'm too scared to try and stop whatever it is that they are up to."
"Me too. Let's just sit in the chair by the door. Makes for a quicker getaway."
"Good idea!"
When they sat down, everyone ordered their food and began talking. Finally Callie got the courage, and a squeeze on her leg under the table from Arizona, and asked the million dollar question.
"So mom..dad.. Colonel and Barbara.. not that we aren't completely happy to see you all.. because we are. But we can't stand it anymore. We want to know what's going on. What kind of "Surprise" do you guys have for us?" Callie asks.
Barbara, Daniel, Rosia turn to look at Carlos, who wipes the corners of his mouth with his napkin before placing it on the table and standing.
"Calliope, I know that your mother and I didn't come around to your, uh, choice of partners at first. We know that even though we didn't turn our backs on you we didn't exactly stand tall and support you either. And for that we are forever sorry. We have gotten to know Arizona, and she is an incredibly smart, loving and supportive person. Exactly what someone would want for their daughter. We know how much the two of you have ahead of you and while it won't be an easy or stress free journey, we know that as long as you are there to support one another, you will overcome anything." Carlos began.
"What are you getting at dad?"
"Your mother and I, as well and Mr. and Mrs. Robbins, have been talking since the night you announced your wedding plans. Given the fact that we have only had a matter of literal days, we still managed to pull off what we believe will be an exceptionally magical day for you both. You're mother and I called in about every favor owed to us, and the Robbins made arrangements of their own. This Saturday, everyone you had on your wedding list will be in attendance to watch the both of you say your vows, and become wife and wife." Carlos said.
Both women's jaws dropped.
"We're getting married? Like… this weekend?" Arizona asks. Complete and total shock being the only thing she felt. But then a smile slowly started to creep up on her face as the thought of finally becoming Callie's wife.
"We are" Callie said with a smile as the shock began to wear off for her as well.
"We're getting married Callilope… I'm going to be your wife."
"And I'm going to be yours….." Callie whispered before leaning in and placing a soft and publicly acceptable kiss on her lips.
