Title: Skinny Love

Author: MysteriousSwaggerOfScrubs

Pairing: Callie/Arizona

Rating: M

Summary: A haunting tale of wealth and power, love and loss. Are one night stands ever meant to last for longer than just one night?

Disclaimer: All television shows, books, movies, songs, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work and the characters, events, and settings thereof are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.

AN: Oh, my! I absolutely cannot believe it has been seven months since my last post! Where exactly does the time go? With that said, I do hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm feeling a little rusty with the writing, and this chapter is a little shorter than most, but in following along with my outline for this story, it is a necessary chapter to set up what is coming next. Thank you all so very much for your patience, and I look forward to hearing what you think about this latest update! As always, your questions, comments, and reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.


Forty-Six


Stepping off the private elevator leading up to the luxurious home she happily shared with her gorgeous wife and their amazing little girl, Arizona tiredly made her way into the gallery of their penthouse abode at Fifteen Central Park West and, hanging her coat in the closet nearby, she then tiredly discarded her bag, a heavy sigh emanating from perfect, pink lips.

The past week at work had proven to be absolutely horrendous, causing Arizona to seriously consider taking Callie up on her recent offer for her to become a stay at home mom. And, while they had been joking at the time, the thought was now starting to seem more and more appealing with each passing day.

With a slight smile at the memory of the contagious laugh that had bubbled up from within Callie's chest and the seductive smile that had taken over her features as she had gone on and on about how hot it would be if she were to become the blonde's sugar mama, Arizona again sighed.

It had been a long time since she had seen that carefree, megawatt smile.

Two weeks to be exact. Two weeks since Callie had offered Arizona access to her medical records. Two weeks since their world had seemingly come to a grinding halt as Arizona meticulously perused and diligently studied every last test and its result while Callie painstakingly waited for the inevitable truth she so adamantly feared.

They had agreed not to discuss it - not unless Arizona had discovered something absolutely groundbreaking, but as each day passed, it had become more and more obvious to Arizona that Callie had already given up.

On her.

And on the remote chance that there would be a positive outcome.

Arizona could just tell that Callie had already resigned herself to the fact that she was going to reach the exact same conclusion of everyone else.

"Okay, Lillian. That was great, sweetheart. Let's try it again."

With the sound of her wife's statement dragging her overactive mind from her silent musings, tired, cerulean eyes narrowed in question as Arizona surreptitiously made her way further into their home, the sound of the grand piano soon greeting her ears. It certainly wasn't the melodious symphony she generally heard when the instrument was engaged, but instead, a more juvenile sound, less refined and slightly off key.

Stealthily making her way around the corner, Arizona quickly spotted her wife and daughter seated together at the piano's bench, one caramel hand protectively resting against Lillian's waist to make sure she didn't take a tumble, the other hand pointing to a smattering of whole notes written across the page of what was clearly a brand new piano workbook. And, perfectly content to stand back and watch the scene before her, an ivory hand instinctively reached for the Calliope & Co. Isabella Lucia bracelet that always adorned her wrist, absentmindedly fiddling with the small heart that hung there. There was absolutely nothing Arizona loved more than watching her wife and daughter together, reminding her of just how lucky she was to have both of them in her life.

"What's this one?" Callie gently asked, a long, tanned finger tapping at the note in question.

As the little girl diligently studied the musical staff, Arizona smiled as the child nibbled on her bottom lip, the exact same habit as the brunette seated beside her, who was currently doing the same.

"That one's easy, mama," Lillian then informed, a small index finger pressing down on a white piano key. "That's middle C," she confidently apprised.

Lillian didn't refer to Callie as mama all the time; the child had adopted some sort of hybrid naming system for the brunette, inconsistently transitioning between Callie and mama with an incongruity they hadn't quite been able to figure out, but nonetheless, the glorious sound of Lillian calling Callie mama never ceased to make Arizona's heart soar with honor and delight and, watching as her wife turned to once again regard their little girl, she could tell that Callie wholeheartedly felt the same.

With brown eyes twinkling with pride, Callie gently nodded her head. "Yep. That's right," she softly replied, offering the child an amicable bump of her fist. "Don't forget when you're playing - Every Good Cow Deserves Grass," Callie seriously continued, causing Arizona's face to light with question.

And, finally deciding to insert herself into the tender moment between the two, during what appeared to be an impromptu piano lesson, Arizona contentedly stepped closer to the euphonious pair. "What's happening with these cows?" she curiously asked, fondly leaning over their backs to better study the workbook's page. And, benevolently placing a tender kiss atop a blonde head, she then affectionately snaked her left arm around an enviously curvaceous waist. "I thought cows only jumped over the moon?"

Glancing from her wife to look in Lillian's direction, Callie's eyes jovially widened in response as she curiously regarded the precocious child who - as if on cue - began to laugh at her blonde mother's seemingly ridiculous question.

"You're silly, mommy," Lillian loudly chuckled, a small index finger now beginning to tap at her workbook as she too began to teach. "These are totally different cows. These cows help me remember the notes on the lines, but not the notes on the spaces," she expertly informed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "See?"

With small fingers now pressing against all the correct piano keys, Arizona's attention then shifted to her wife, the arm that had made its way around her body, pulling her in closer as she pressed an intimate kiss against plump lips.

"Hi," Arizona then greeted in a hushed whisper once she had pulled away, her other hand now resting against Callie's cheek.

Callie felt almost shy under the intensity of her wife's gaze, a look of question soon flitting across caramel features as she regarded the unexpected emotion written over Arizona's ivory face. "Hi," Callie hesitantly replied, the piano lesson now completely forgotten. "How was work?"

Tenderly running the back of her fingers over a flawless cheek, Arizona nonchalantly shrugged. "Busy," she evasively lamented, choosing to leave work at the hospital where it belonged.

Noting Arizona's slightly drawn features and taking in her obvious exhaustion after such a long day at work, Callie gently guided her hand up and down the full length of her wife's sweater clad arm. "Well, I'm glad you're home now," she earnestly stated before soothingly nuzzling her nose against that of her wife.

But, wanting - needing - more, Arizona quickly captured Callie's beautiful mouth with her own, pink lips sucking and teeth nipping at Callie's pliant mouth before reluctantly pulling away.

Shocked by her wife's affectionate display - with Lillian sitting next to them, no less - Callie was somewhat breathless when she spoke. "Wh-what was that for?" she asked, losing herself in the cornflower depths of her lover's eyes.

Arizona merely shrugged, a small, somewhat apologetic smile passing across her lips. "Just. . .because."

And, it was then that Callie just knew.

The news wasn't good.

Arizona had found something significant in her medical records - something she simply could not bring herself to share.

But, not wanting to discuss - completely refusing to let this further shatter her already worried heart, Callie said the first thing that came to her head.

"I. . .umm. . .I. . .dinner should be ready in just a few."


After sharing a lovely meal of Lillian's favorite Chicken Parmesan and a nice garden salad, Callie had then insisted upon cleaning up, allowing her wife some much needed time spent with their daughter after such a long day. The little girl just had a way of rejuvenating the soul - of making even the darkest of days seem bright - of forcing people back into the present moment when their thoughts had run astray. Lillian Grace Robbins was quite simply magic, and with the slightest of smiles gently tugging at the sides of her lips at the mere thought of that precocious little girl, Callie knew - deep down - she needed to move past everything else that had been plaguing her mind.

She simply needed to banish the thought of having another child, especially when they already had one as special and as unique as the minute, little blonde. All of this unnecessary angst was unfortunately interfering with their happiness, keeping them from moving forward and progressing as a newly established married couple, while also limiting the integrity of their family bond. Tomorrow, Lillian's adoption would be complete and, with her heart fluttering at the thought, Callie wholeheartedly believed that was what they should be celebrating - not dwelling on all of this.

It was silly, really. At least that's what she had been trying - for the past several days - to convince herself. She and Arizona were fine. They were great. They already had Lillian, but yet, all she had been doing for the past several weeks was mourning the loss of something she and Arizona never actually had.

Another child wasn't tangible. It wasn't real.

Lillian, however, was very much present and very much real.

Sighing as she put away the last of the dishes, Callie's pensive eyes determinedly fell shut as she considered her next action and, with the palms of her hands firmly resting against the chill of the dark, granite countertop, she deeply inhaled before methodically blowing out, deep russet eyes then opening to reveal the fire of a resolve she hadn't felt for far too long.

She could do this.

She was happy.

She was in love.

She absolutely adored everything and everyone she already had in her life.

So, purposefully grabbing the bottle of Marcassin Chardonnay she and Arizona had opened with dinner, Callie then carefully removed two wine glasses from their rack. And, then diligently moving through the apartment in search of her wife, Callie made her way toward the doors leading out onto their rooftop patio, content to tell Arizona all of the thoughts she held in her heart.


At the sound of the balcony doors opening, a blonde head turned from where Arizona had been staring into the crackling fire within their outdoor hearth, an affectionate smile curving at the corners of perfect, pink lips as she appreciatively watched her wife juggle an extra blanket, along with two pieces of crystal stemware and a bottle of wine. And, gladly accepting a proffered glass when Callie handed it to her, she then scooted a bit to her left, happily allowing her wife to nestle as close to her body as she possibly could.

Handing her own glass to the smaller woman, Callie then spread the extra blanket over their bodies, exaggeratedly tucking in the edges of the thick quilt to hopefully stave off the chilly breeze of the surprisingly temperately cool, January night.

"You warm enough?" Callie tenderly asked once she had settled in, her eyes now focused on pouring the remainder of the wine into each offered glass.

"I am now," Arizona demurely replied with a coy wink, the weight of her body now fully resting against Callie's side as a long, cashmere covered arm pulled her in close.

And, as a comfortably companionable silence settled around them, both women drank from their glasses of oaked Chardonnay, the full body of the wine, instantly beginning to warm their bodies from the inside out as the crackling flames in the fireplace and their affectionate embrace took care of the rest.

"Lillian is going to make an excellent pianist," Callie softly informed, the low timbre of her voice eventually breaking the quiet that had befallen them. "She seems to really enjoy it, and I love teaching her," Callie earnestly stated. And, after another brief moment of pensive silence, the brunette felt the inherent need to softly continue. "She's amazing, Arizona. Lillian is just. . .she's the most incredible child I have ever known."

With blue eyes staring out ahead as Arizona listened to her wife's adoringly heartfelt speech, the blonde reluctantly considered how to broach the subject that had been weighing on her mind - the topic that had been filling her every waking thought and keeping her up at night. "Well, she has an excellent teacher," she finally supplied, her attention flitting from the embers in the fireplace to land on the brilliantly shining lights of the city of New York.

"Calliope. . ."

Uncomfortably shifting behind her wife at the austere sound of her name, Callie purposefully set her wineglass off to the side before clearing her throat and preparing herself for the conversation she knew they needed to have. "I know it's bad, Arizona. You don't have to say it."

With a heavy sigh, Arizona finally turned in her wife's direction, brilliant, blue eyes shaded lighter by the reflection of the glowing embers of the fire as they contemplatively regarded surprisingly unwavering, dark brown. "It's not necessarily bad, Callie. It's just. . ."

"It's okay, Arizona. Really," Callie adamantly insisted, her tone firm and unfaltering. "It's too risky. For me, at least. And, I know you don't want to."

"Callie, it's not that. Not necessarily. I just want to explore all of the options. I. . ."

Gently shaking her head, a sad smile tugged at Callie's lips as she delicately reached forward to absentmindedly fidget with the neck of Arizona's sweater. "I'm not blaming you. And, I'm not mad. I completely respect your feelings," she quickly assured. "But, for me, there are just too many things that could go wrong - both physically and emotionally - and so, I've already resigned myself to the fact that this just wasn't meant to be."

Shocked by her wife's sudden change of heart and even more surprised by her apparent stoicism, Arizona scrupulously searched the face of the woman she loved, valiantly attempting to read what truly lie within her great big heart. "Callie, we don't know this will end badly. I'm still waiting for a call back from one of my colleagues. There's always a chance…"

Once again interrupting her wife's attempt to change her already made up mind, Callie quickly interjected. "Arizona, I need you to believe me when I tell you that I am unbelievably, one hundred and ten percent, over the moon happy with our life - just the way it is. Lillian is the most perfect and adorable child. You are the love of my life. In the two of you, I have already found everything I could ever possibly need."

With her brow furrowed in confusion at this sudden and completely incongruent philosophy of her wife, Arizona deliberately straightened her posture, gently reaching to take tanned hands into her own. "Calliope, I know the future seems bleak. I know this likely won't be easy, but. . ."

Adamantly shaking her head, Callie lovingly squeezed the strong, surgeon hands that now rested in her own before reaching out to tenderly brush a windswept tendril of blonde hair behind Arizona's ear. "Arizona, I have always wanted to be a mother. I have always wanted a family of my own. But, honey, when I met you, that dream was fulfilled. When I met you, I got every single thing I have ever wished for," Callie honestly replied, brown eyes glowing with all the sincerity in the world.

"Callie. . ."

"And, tomorrow. . .after Lillian's adoption is final, well. . ."

Momentarily pausing to study Arizona's face, Callie suddenly felt her resolve beginning to fracture. But, knowing that this was all for the best - that Lillian's adoption proceedings should be her main focus - she softly cleared her throat of the emotion that had begun to gather there, chocolate eyes blazing with the fire of her newfound determination. "We have a beautiful life. We have a beautiful daughter. And, that can be enough. Right?"

Questioningly staring at Callie, completely stunned by the brunette's revelation and sudden change of heart, Arizona tightly nodded her head as she hesitantly agreed. "Yes, Callie," she softly stated, her heart pounding against her chest. "That can be enough."


"Calliope, I know you're worried, but as far as adoptions go, this one seems pretty simple," Arizona confidently informed just one hour later as Callie anxiously paced the length of their bedroom. "I promise you, sweetheart. It's all going to be just fine."

After Arizona had conceded to the fact that Callie wasn't going to budge on the baby topic - at least not tonight - the couple had then snuggled in close, enjoying the tranquility of their outdoor escape as they discussed Lillian's adoption that was scheduled to be finalized the following day.

Arizona knew she would need to express her own feelings on the subject of having another child when the time was right - once she had received one, final telephone call from a colleague in St. Louis - but, knowing that could wait, she had reveled in the closeness of her wife - a sensation that unfortunately had been absent for far too long.

They had enjoyed their time spent together - taking some much needed time to just. . .be. But, with each passing second, Arizona could somehow sense that her wife was working herself up into some sort of unnecessary turmoil, incessantly conjuring up some kind of worried lament.

And, now, as the blonde anxiously watched her wife move about the master suite, she could tell that Callie's worries were about to boil over - all of her fears and all of her doubts about to be set free.

Exhaling an audible sigh, Callie's shoulders visibly slouched as she hastily removed the black, satin robe that covered matching pajamas. "But, what if the judge doesn't think I'm not good enough for her? Or-or what if they believe all of that stuff that happened with Lauren? Or. . .what if Keira's parents show up and tell the judge they want partial custody?"

With an ivory face softening upon hearing her wife's unfounded, but well-meaning concerns, Arizona carefully moved from beneath the warmth of their fluffy duvet, a set of ivory hands motioning for Callie to come closer as the blonde made herself comfortable, seated at the edge of their bed.

Cautiously approaching her wife, Callie loudly sighed as Arizona pulled her in close, expertly maneuvering the brunette to stand with her legs positioned between royal blue silk covered thighs.

"I know this is important to you, Calliope. It's important to me, too," Arizona softly replied, gently tugging at Callie's hand so that the taller woman was now kneeling before her. And, benevolently grasping Callie's chin in order to guide her head so that worried, russet eyes could look nowhere but into her own, Arizona again spoke. "But, all we have left is the finalization hearing. We've already been through the applications and the home visits, the questions and everything else," Arizona earnestly stated, surprised by Callie's sudden bout of nerves where Lillian's adoption was concerned.

Callie Torres was just full of surprises tonight and, feeling incredibly humbled by the woman who now knelt before her, Arizona vowed - in that moment - to do whatever she possibly could to assure that this woman's heart always remained safe, happy, and whole.

"Lillian is yours, Calliope. They aren't going to say no."

"But what if -"

Arizona adamantly shook her head. "They're going to say yes," she fervently insisted, protectively pulling her wife into her arms. "By the end of tomorrow, you're going to have a piece of paper that says what we already know - you are Lillian's mama."


"It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the Final Decree of Adoption is hereby granted for the minor child - now legally named Lillian Grace Robbins-Torres, and it is my honor to sign the order right now . . ."

Seated at the large, ornately designed desk in her expansive home office, Callie's shoulders slowly rose as she deeply inhaled, her posture then becoming more relaxed as she exhaled a sigh of relief, the momentous words the New York City Family Court Judge had spoken mere hours before, joyously playing over and over again within the confines of head.

Sure, Callie had been there.

She had intently listened to every last word Judge Maria Arias had decreed, but still. . .she simply could not believe that Lillian's adoption was finally complete.

And, with an appreciative grin tugging at the corners of plump, ruby lips at the mere thought of what all of this could truly mean, Callie found herself wholeheartedly relieved by the fact that never again would she have to worry about anyone denying her parental rights - never again would she ever have to deal with people like Nurse Christine What's-Her-Name, Regulation Nazi coming between her and her child. Callie was quite simply on cloud nine, and she was quite certain that nothing would ever - or could ever - beat the feeling of elation that currently coursed through her soul.

"How you feeling, mama?"

Quickly glancing toward the door at the dulcet sound of her wife's voice, Callie sheepishly smiled when she saw Arizona leaning against the doorway with Lillian in tow - the child's hand protectively held within the protective cocoon of her mother's larger one.

"I'm. . .good. I am. . .really good," Callie softly replied, knowingly holding her wife's gaze as the two blondes made their way further into the room. And, rolling her chair away from the desk when Lillian immediately crawled into the safe haven of her lap, Callie then tenderly brushed a wayward, blonde curl back from the child's face before gently pressing an affectionate kiss against a cherubic cheek.

Momentarily lingering in front of her wife's desk as not to interrupt such a precious moment, Arizona silently watched as Callie and Lillian giggled and laughed about something silly the little girl said, her heart beginning to relentlessly flutter - the same reaction that always occurred when she allowed herself the time to simply exist in the presence of her two favorite girls.

And, just like always, Arizona found herself wholeheartedly mesmerized by the pair. From the very first moment Callie met Lillian, she had made the little girl her own. So effortlessly, she had slipped right into Lillian's life - and not just superficially. No. From the very beginning, Callie had been willing to experience it all. And, that - Callie's readiness to step up to the plate when she and Lillian had needed her most - had certainly been cemented by the adoption finalization hearing today.

As she continued to watch - in absolute awe of the profound connection that the two visibly shared - Arizona knew, without even the tiniest sliver of a doubt, she wanted to experience that, too.

And, not just with Lillian, but with another child, as well.

With Callie's child.

A child made from her wife's own flesh and blood.

Another miraculous child that she and Callie could raise together along with the magnificent little girl they already shared.

And, finally stepping around the desk, Arizona was just about to reveal to her wife her innermost thoughts, but suddenly remembering the real reason why she and Lillian had just entered the room, she instantly drew up short, her grasp protectively tightening on the slim wooden case she reverently held in her hand.

"Calliope. . ."

Glancing from her daughter to lovingly gaze up at her wife, Callie's attention was then quickly drawn to the now opened jewelry display box that rested atop the blotter of her mahogany desk.

Once she was certain she had her wife's undivided attention, Arizona softly cleared her throat as she thoughtfully prepared herself to speak. "This was the first set of its kind. . ."

Momentarily trailing off, Arizona endearingly removed one simple and delicate platinum bracelet from within the small display. And, immediately fastening the chain around her own wrist just as she did every single morning, she then graciously delved back into the case to find a much smaller bangle before turning to Lillian to do the same.

Immediately recognizing the Calliope & Company Isabella Lucia bracelets she had given Arizona and Lillian so many months before, Callie's brow instantly furrowed in concern as she questioningly listened to her wife speak.

"This is Lillian's heart," Arizona softly explained, endearingly repeating her wife's words from a day long since passed, the small heart shaped pendant of Lillian's bracelet now resting on the tip of an ivory, index finger as she lovingly regarded the little girl. "Lillian's heart belongs with mine. And, now, it also belongs with yours. . ."

With misty, cerulean eyes now solely focused on a sea of emotional, dark brown, Arizona compassionately continued, gently pulling out a third - slightly newer bangle - for her wife to see.

And, as a profound realization suddenly filtered into Callie's mind - heart, body, and soul - a lone tear slowly streaked its way down a caramel cheek, Callie's mouth slightly opening and closing several times, though she found herself thoroughly unable to speak.

"Calliope, your heart and Lillian's heart - they fit together just like the pieces of a puzzle," Arizona emotionally whispered as she demonstrated how the two platinum hearts perfectly fit together, just like Lillian's did with her own.

With a tight nod of her head, tearful, russet eyes swiftly flitted downward to glance at the bangle that now encircled her own wrist. And, still finding herself at a complete loss for words, Callie could do nothing more than smile; she simply could not believe the sincerity of the gesture she had just received.

As silence hung around them - engulfing the entire room in the profundity of the day - Lillian's voice was the first to penetrate the quiet, her words reminiscent of those she had spoken in the not so distant past.

"Look, mama. We're a perfect match."

With another quick nod of her head, a beaming, megawatt smile completely consumed Callie's face and, tenderly engulfing the little girl in a warm, motherly embrace, brown eyes never once strayed from the shimmering, bright blue ones of the woman she loved.

And, it was then that Arizona knew the time had come - the time for her to confess her innermost thoughts - to tell her wife all the things she had been feeling within the deepest recesses of her benevolent heart.

"I love you so much, Calliope. And, I. . .I really want to have your baby."