For my readers:

Sorry for this Chapter taking so long! Blame Christmas and New Year! Thanks for being Patient with me! Lots of Love xxx

Chapter 18: The opening

Part 1

"Meredith is downstairs. I'm going help her with the bags…"

"Okay babe, see you in a second."

Replied Arizona, as she tidied away breakfast from the kitchen table.

"I'll come down with you Callie!"

Shouted Jo, as she quickly hurried after Callie. They reached the bottom floor, to see Meredith, Richard and Zola walk in the main entrance.

"Oh my god, hey!"

Callie ran over to Meredith, they embraced in a strong hug, as though they hadn't seen each other in a decade. Once they separated Callie helped Zola carry her suitcase and took a backpack from Meredith.

As soon as they got into the apartment, Sofia and Zola started to scream as they ran towards one another. Eventually, after Callie asked them to quieten down a little, they both went into Sofia's bedroom.

"That was intense, they clearly missed one another."

"Seems that way, how are you Richard?"

Arizona asked, as she smiled and gave Richard a quick hug.

After some small talk, Callie and Arizona, Meredith and Richard, Jo and Alex sat together at the dining table, they ate snacks, talked, joked, and laughed.

It was like old times.

Callie wished Mark was there so much, he would be so proud of Arizona, he would have been so proud of Callie and Arizona for finding their way back to one another. Callie felt so overcome with emotion, she decided to retreat to her bedroom for a moment or two.

"I will be back in a moment guys."

As she got up from her seat, kissed Arizona on the lips quickly, then walked down the hall towards her bedroom. She didn't want to upset Arizona on this special day, everything today was rightly, about Arizona.

She couldn't express how happy she was for Arizona, she loved seeing her talk about the centre, with each word, her smile grew bigger and bigger. She truly had a magical smile, no matter Callie's mood, once she seen that beautiful captivating smile on Arizona's face, Callie would always feel a million times better.

After a minute or two Arizona knocked on Callie's bedroom door. She opened the door slightly, to peak her head into the room,

"Everything okay in here?"

Callie propped herself up on her elbows, she had been lying back trying to calm her thoughts, but the only thing that came close to slowing her mind down, was seeing Arizona, stand right there, in that moment.

"Yeah, feeling better now that I have seen you."

Arizona walked into the room, sat down next to Callie, put her arms around her, then gently touched her face,

"You are missing Mark again, aren't you?"

Callie didn't know why she felt like crying, she wasn't sure if it was because Arizona knew her so well, that she could actually predict what was wrong with her, or if it was because did indeed miss Mark.

"You're psychic, you know that?"

"Only when it comes to you"

"He would be so proud of you; he always knew you were going to achieve incredible things. Do you remember, when we were getting scans for Sofia, right after I told you I was pregnant? And I was being hysterical?"

Arizona nodded,

"Well… I was freaking out, thinking you weren't going to stay. That you weren't going to be in it with me. It was like, I had two incredible dreams, you and having a family, yet it felt like they were pulling against one another. I called Mark back into the room; he was upset that I sent him a '911 page. He was stressing me out, and finally I gave up hiding my feelings and cried to him. I told him what was bothering me. I didn't want my baby to be a disaster, I didn't want to be a mother without you being one too. Everything was a disaster at that time, but I didn't want to screw anything else up. I wanted you and a family."

Arizona pulled Callie closer, so she could rest her head on Arizona's shoulder. Callie continued;

"He told me you weren't going to leave me. He hugged me and told me you weren't going anywhere. He said he could see how much you felt for me, and he told me to hold on, because being with you was going to make all my dreams come true. He told me that he could see how much you regretted leaving me before. He said you were my person. And, well… he was right. I have the woman and the family. And if I wasn't for him, I don't think I would be here today, he could see somethings so clearly, especially when I couldn't. That man was my best friend. And, I can say with absolute certainty, Arizona, that he would give anything to be here to celebrate this achievement with you today. He loved and admired you so much as a person and as a surgeon…"

Arizona held Callie's hand tightly. They sat together for a moment or two, before returning to their guests.

"Everything alright?"

Asked Meredith, as Callie and Arizona sat back down in their seats.

"Yeah everything good, Mer. Nothing to worry about."

"There better be no drama this evening, Dr. Robbins here, deserves to be celebrated… It's going to be an incredible evening."

"Thank you, Richard, I can't wait for you all to see the centre, it's amazing, and it's going be an awesome evening."

Arizona replied, as she took Callie's hand. She had her woman back; nothing could ruin her celebration.

Part 2

After an hour of chatting, Richard headed out to meet his wife Catherine, before the grand opening.

It was now just after 2pm.

Everyone was buzzing about, getting ready for this evening. They had hours to go but, Arizona wanted to be ready early, so Arizona and Callie would be the first to arrive at the centre.

Arizona was terrified of this evening.

Arizona and Callie hadn't been at a public event together in forever, she wasn't sure how they were going to interact with the guests. She wanted more than anything to introduce Callie as her partner or wife, because that's how she felt. That's what she had always wanted.

She wanted to show off her amazing partner to the entire party. This was an evening to celebrate, not simply for Arizona's professional career, but also because she had the love of her life back in her life.

Arizona was also anxious because, with wanting to tell everyone Callie was her wife. They hadn't spoken to Sofia about their relationship, or whatever it was. They still hadn't defined it; outside the rules they had created for the parameters of their romantic and sexual interactions.

This whole situation simply made Arizona feel uneasy, she liked knowing where things were going.

Arizona's parents came to take Zola and Sofia out, before the opening. Which gave all the parents time to focus on themselves. It was now two hours before the doors were opening, Arizona was getting more and more agitated.

Callie was dressed first, she knocked on Arizona's bedroom door.

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, okay. Just trying to find my earrings that go with this dress, I thought I had them sitting out already! I'm positive they were right here… last night, before we went to bed… where could they have gone!? Have you seen them?"

Arizona was frankly, searching through her jewellery box.

"I have something even better for you…"

"What do you mean Callie?"

Arizona turned to face Callie, she was holding a small Tiffany's bag and a card.

"You didn't think, I wasn't going to get you a gift? Did you?"

Callie approached Arizona kissed her cheek quickly, then handed her the gift and card. Arizona sat on the edge of her bed. Arizona opened the card first, on the front was a picture of three butterflies, of various sizes and colours. They looked familiar, Callie pointed down at the butterflies then said,

"They match the three from your office."

Arizona kissed Callie again, she was so happy with the card. No matter what was in the bag, the card was the kindest gesture she could imagine. She loved it so much. She opened the card, inside it read;

'To the most amazing wife and mother in the world,

Congratulations! I am so proud of you, and all you have achieved.

You have always worked hard, and have never let anything get you down. You are a fiercely independent woman, a loyal friend, an incredible surgeon. There is no one else in this world, who deserves this more than you do.

I know this won't slow you down, you will keep going until you reach the stars, and I will always be right there, next to you. Whenever you need me.

I love you,

Your Calliope x'

Arizona smiled widely at Callie. Callie read the card along with Arizona. Once Arizona closed the card, she could see an awkwardness to Callie's eyes.

"Was that too much, or just enough?"

Callie asked, while she stared down at her hands. Arizona lifted Callie's chin and kissed her lips gently; they closed their eyes for a moment as their lips touched.

"It was just enough. I know how you get… when you talk about your emotions. You feel all exposed and vulnerable. But thank you Callie, thank you for letting me into your heart again, I won't break it this time. And, I love you too."

Arizona opened the gift next, inside was a matching necklace and earrings set. They were silver, with tiny sparkling diamonds.

"I know how you love cheesiness."

"Very cheesy, I imagine each the diamonds represent our family."

"You guessed right."

Callie helped Arizona put her new jewellery on. The sparkle from the diamonds matched perfectly with the blue of Arizona's eyes and of her dress.

Callie helped Arizona stand, holding her hands. She moved Arizona's hair onto her shoulders, it sat curled, blonde and beautifully. Arizona touched Callie's waist and pulled Callie close to her body. They locked eyes, as they both watched each other's body, Callie was moving her hands gently up Arizona's back, until they finally succumbed to their emotions.

Arizona wrapped her arms around Callie's neck, pulled her hair down, as she kissed Callie's neck. Callie began to moan, which just made Arizona change from kissing her neck to licking it. Arizona pressed her hand against Callie's mouth, as her moans became loader and more intense.

After a few minutes, there was a knock at the door, Arizona pulled away from Callie, as she watched Callie's eyes open in a daze.

Callie was gasping quietly,

"One second, be out in a second."

Shouted Arizona, as she tried to straighten out her hair and dress in the mirror. Callie walked up behind her, kissed her neck gently, then looked straight into the mirror to catch Arizona's reaction. She kissed her neck again and again, while she watched Arizona clenched her hands, and crunched her eyes closed.

Callie then whispered,

"You made me cum, just there, by just using your tongue on my neck."

"I have skill, what can I say."

Callie and Arizona giggled slightly as they stared into the other's eyes, through the mirror.

Part 3

Once Callie and Arizona arrived at the centre, Arizona felt more relaxed.

Everything was set up, the chairs and tables were up, the floors were clean, there were banners, balloons and a small activities table for kids with a woman there for children who wanted balloon animals. The bar was filled, the guest list had been printed, everything was ready to go.

The only people that had arrived this early, were those who helped set up, the bar and catering staff.

Callie wanted to keep Arizona as calm as possible, she wanted to help with anything, Callie wanted Arizona to relax and enjoy this evening. They made a deal; anything that Callie could do, she would do. So- Arizona had time to enjoy this moment.

Soon Arizona's staff would arrive, Callie was excited to meet the entire staff officially, over the past weeks she had met a few of them, in passing. This would be her do over, she didn't want to be jealous this time, she wanted to the supportive spouse Arizona wanted and deserved. But she wasn't sure how Arizona was going to introduce her.

So, for the first time in years Callie made the decision to actually talk to Arizona about their relationship.

Callie took Arizona's hand, walked over the bar, handed Arizona some champagne then asked,

"I have been wondering about this for a few days, but since last night, you said we need to communicate more, so I am just going to ask you this, and whatever answer you give me, I will be happy with. Okay?"

As Callie rambled on, Arizona smiled, she could tell Callie was nervous, she was once again, putting herself out there. She watched as Callie tried her best to act confident, she loved this woman so much.

"Okay what's up?"

"Okay… I know this isn't the best place to ask a serious question about our relationship… but I need to know before people start arriving, and my head exploded from not knowing"

"Calliope, just ask me whatever it is, that you need to ask me, okay?"

"Okay, okay… I was just wondering what you would call us? Like our relationship? When people ask us tonight, who we are to one another, what will you say, what should I say? Should I... say anything?"

"Callie what would like for me to call you? My partner, my life, my lover, the-giver-of-the-orgasms-, my pillow princess, my ex, my baby mama, -the-one-that-got-away-but-then-came-back?"

Arizona laughed slightly, she thought she was being funny, and she could see Callie trying desperately not to laugh.

"I am happy with any of the above, except your ex. Because I am no longer the ex. And also, except 'your pillow princess', I'm pretty sure you're the pillow princess my love!"

"If you say so Calliope. I will call you my partner/wife. Depending on who I am speaking to, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, that's, uh… that's good. Are we in a relationship?"

"Callie, you are mines, and I am yours. So yes, we are in a relationship."

"Okay good, now I know. So glad I asked about this. I was so nervous, I don't even know why, I mean we have a kid together and I was terrified to ask if we are in a relationship. I feel like I am in high school…"

Callie was so glad she had gotten that off her chest, they were properly together, she knew it before, but it was official. She was proud of herself for asking. She knew it seemed like a strange thing to be happy about, but for the longest time she was scared to death of upsetting Arizona, and causing a fight that she stopped telling her when something was wrong.

"Since we are on the topic of us, I was wondering, when and if you think we should talk to Sofia about us?"

Callie nodded her head, she had been worried about this too, and was so happy they were discussing it.

"I think we should tell her, tonight, when she arrives, we could just tell her that we want to be a family again… and… you know something like that, what do you think?"

"Okay Callie, you take the lead on that conversation, since you have all the words tonight, that alright?"

They laughed at Callie's awkwardness and nervousness for a moment or two before people started to arrive.

Arizona introduced Callie to the nurses and the majority of the surgical team; most of whom she had met previously. Everyone commented on how beautiful Callie was, and how lucky Arizona was for landing her. Each time she replied saying,

"Well you know, it hasn't exactly been easy to tie this one down either."

Arizona would look at Callie, as they laughed together. They were finally happy with their long-complicated love story. They both knew things were going to take time to heal together, but they were both so determined to make their love last.