Chapter 19
Part 1
Once Arizona introduced Callie to most of her co-workers, they decided to head over to the bar. The event was due to start officially, in about 20 minutes. Jo and Alex, Catherine and Richard, Meredith, and Zola, Sofia, and Arizona's parents had just arrived and were also at the bar.
After some light conversation with Arizona's parents, Callie and Arizona took Sofia away from the group for a quite word.
Arizona was excited to tell Sofia the news. She was happy, she no longer had to keep things for their daughter any longer. As discussed, Callie took the lead talking with their daughter.
They sat together at a table at the back of the room, were it was quieter and less crowded.
"Mama am I in trouble for something?"
"No baby why would you think that?"
"'Cos you both look… very serious and nervous. Which is making me nervous."
Callie smiled at Arizona. Then took her hand in her own.
"No baby, we have some good news to tell you."
Sofia watched as Callie and Arizona smiled at one another, she could see a twinkle in her parents' eyes she hadn't seen for a long time.
"Okay then, if it's not something I have done, then I know what it is. You don't need to tell me. I already know."
Arizona was taken aback by the bluntness of her daughter's remarks.
"What do you mean? Tell me baby, what do you already know?"
"… that you and mummy are in love again."
"And how exactly do you know this?"
"Because I can see the way you look at one another, I see the way you smile at each other, I see the secret smiles, hugs and cute moments- when you don't think I can see you. You didn't need to hide it from me… I mean because it was so very obvious that you love mama, and she loves you."
"Nothing gets past you, does it little one?"
"I am not little; I am basically a teenager. Also, you weren't very good at hiding it, I can tell when you like one another, and when somethings wrong. It has felt like we are a proper family for a while now."
Callie and Arizona sat up straight, they stared at their daughter for a moment or two. Callie cleared her throat then asked;
"Whether your mother and I are in love or not, we have always been a really family, nothing will ever stop or change that. We love you so much kitten."
Replied Arizona. She kissed Sofia gently on the forehead.
In that moment, Callie could have spontaneously combusted and she would have died happy. She thought to herself, that she had never been happier than she was in that moment her family was whole again. Things couldn't be any more perfect. She took Sofia's hand in her own, and said;
"We are sorry we didn't tell you earlier, we just wanted to look out for you, and make sure, us being together again was the right decision. Are you okay with it, are you happy?"
"The only thing that could make things better for me and our family. Is if dad was with us, but I know is. He's in my heart, and he's with you two as well. I am so happy that our family is together again. Can you do me a favour mama?"
Callie replied,
"Yeah baby, what's up?"
"Don't let her go again, you have been crazy in the past but this is all I've ever wanted. Please don't ruin it. Okay?"
Callie had a tear in her eye, she looked at Arizona, she had tears streaming down her face at this point. She took a napkin off the table, gently dabbed her face, then handed it to Callie. Whether it was the mentioning of Mark, their daughter's pure wisdom, or knowing how right their daughter was, they were just simply so emotional. And one thing was for sure. They didn't want to ruin things.
This was all Callie and Arizona wanted too. This family was everything to each one of them.
Part 2
The family of three approached their group after a minute of so.
Callie told Meredith quickly of their chat with Sofia. Meredith was happy for Callie; she knew it was hard for Callie to have her feeling out in the open. She was like that in the past, but with heartbreak after heartbreak she began to shield herself from any situation which could result in disaster.
"Hey Arizona, where's Emily, shouldn't she be here by now?"
Asked Callie, as she tried to seem genuinely concerned for Arizona's friend and colleague.
"She texted me, she's going to a little late, she's waiting on her date coming out of surgery."
"Oh, so she's into doctors. Classic. Fabulous."
Callie tried to nail the tone of sarcasm, within a nervousness about Emily. She shook her head; she was being ridiculous. Her and Arizona had just confirmed their love to their daughter, said they are in a fully committed relationship, she had no reason to worry about random women.
Arizona laughed; she could see how hard Callie was trying.
"She'll be here whenever she's here. I am excited to meet this date of hers; she's been going on about her a week or so now."
Arizona kissed Callie on the lips, for the first time in years in front of their family and more importantly their daughter.
"Ew, gross mama. Just cos I know now, doesn't mean I want to see it all the time. 'mon Zola lets go do something…"
The group laughed as Sofia and Zola walked towards the crafts table at the other side of the room. Arizona and Callie were inseparable. They couldn't take their arms, hands, or even lips off one another. Callie loved being able to hold Arizona, once again in front of the people they knew most.
Part 3
The event was about to begin, when Doctor Herman appeared out of nowhere in front of Arizona and Callie.
"Oh my god, you gave me a fright."
"I've been practising walking in crowds without knocking into every person possible. I call it my ninja sense."
"Fitting."
Callie said, as she and Arizona laughed at Herman; she was always so quick witted. Her loss of sight didn't slow her down at all.
"Ohh, Callie I heard, you two were back together. You break up more often that… you know… that band. Aw forget about it, it would have been a silly joke anyways."
Arizona giggled slightly then introduced Herman to her parents, Sofia, and Zola. Callie loved watching Herman and Arizona talk. They had a pure friendship. Arizona seen her as a mentor, and a peer, and a friend. And Callie loved to watch their relationship blossom. Even though she was jealous of Herman when they worked together back at Grey-Sloan.
But Callie knew now, that Arizona needed Herman to keep her from drowning during the divorce. She was thankful to Herman for helping secure Arizona's new life in New York. Callie felt like she owed Herman more than she could ever, thank her for. She was part of the reason Arizona was able to blossom so well in Seattle, created a space for her, during the creation of the women's centre.
Callie was overwhelmed with emotion.
Once it was time for things to begin. Arizona and Herman, walked towards the cornered off area of the room, designated for their speeches.
First Herman spoke to the room, for ten minutes about her journey, what had led her to the point where she could trust another person enough to become partners with them. She spoke of Arizona is such incredible ways. Arizona hug on every word she said, the woman standing before her, gave her such a purpose and wealth of knowledge and skill, she was the closest thing to God that Arizona had ever come across.
Once it was Arizona's time to speak, she took her speech from her bag, held it in her hand and she shook slightly with nervous energy. She was so happy, she was ecstatic. She was so proud of the incredible centre she and Herman had created together. But in that moment, she was far prouder of the journey she and Callie were on.
She thought of the future and all the nights together as a family, the fights that were bound to happen once or twice, all the trips together, the date nights. She couldn't wait for any of it. She was in a beautiful day dream, when the sound of applause brought her back to reality.
"Thank you, Doctor Herman, for those amazing words of wisdom, knowledge and courage. Without your teachings and counsel, I don't know were I would be today. You have made me a better surgeon; you have given me all you had to give. You weren't exactly patient with me, but you were the mentor I needed. Making the decision to learn from you, wasn't an easy one to make. But it was worth it, because right now in this moment in my life, I can tell you without any hesitation that I have never felt more driven, confident or empowered. I am a better woman, wife, partner, doctor, surgeon, mother and friend because of the lessons you have taught me.
I will never take my work or my family for granted, because I know life is fleeting and we must grab onto every opportunity for happiness and fulfilment that comes our way.
This centre will help women from all over New York, and surrounding states were able. Within this centre, myself and the other doctors, will help teach and mould young doctors to become incredible surgeons of tomorrow. We do not take this task without understanding the responsibilities it holds, without fully grasping what it means for those that require our care. The care we give, can mean life. It can mean giving a mother a chance to hold her child, watch them grow and develop. We take our job seriously, and understand how important health care is for women across the globe, not only here in New York.
This centre is a dream come true for myself and Dr Herman, but it will also help parents' dreams come true. Our mission for this centre is clear, we want to embolden, enrich, and empower the lives of women everywhere.
Before we officially open this centre, I would like to thank my beautiful daughter for always being there for me, for believing in me, and for giving me the motivation to work for a better tomorrow. I would also like to thank my parents, without whom I wouldn't be here today. I would also like to thank my incredible family from Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle, I cannot begin to explain how much any of you mean to me. You are truly incredible people, friends and surgeons. I couldn't have asked for better people to be hear to celebrate with me today. And finally, I want to speak to you this evening about, one incredible woman here tonight. My incredible partner in life Doctor Calliope Torres. Sorry if this is too cheesy, but I need to say it now."
Arizona put her speech down on the podium stand and looked out into the crowd, as they started patiently back at her. Her eyes met, Calliope, her Calliope, and she continued;
"Our journey through life has been incredibly bumpy, we are loved and we have lost, but here we are again, together. Without you in my life I wouldn't have our daughter Sofia, I wouldn't have achieved many of dreams or experienced true joy or happiness in my life. Even during the worst times of my life, you have always been there for me. You are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. You are my home. You are my best friend. You have the most beautiful heart; your kindness is never ending. I can always count on you to be with me, leading the way to where we are going next, or pushing me up the hill when I don't believe we can make it. You are always there to support me, love me and simply be there with me…."
Arizona took a deep breath in and said;
"And with that, I would like to tell you that the main surgical theatre is dedicated to you, and it known furthermore as the Calliope Torres surgical theatre. So that even when I am at work, I know that you are always close by. I love you."
Everyone clapped, Arizona sure did know how to put on a show. She loved being romantic. She wanted to show Callie how much she loved her. She had planned to show it to her late this evening, alone. But now that Sofia knew she wanted to do the 'grand gesture' thing for Calliope.
Once the applause died down, she and Herman gave their final remarks and declared the centre open.
Once again applause ruptured throughout the floor. Alex and Jo whistled, and Callie and Sofia approached Arizona, and embraced them in a loving hug.
The crowd smiled and awed as they watched the family come together. Nothing gets more emotions flying than a family being there for one another. After a minute or so of applause, Herman And Arizona cut the ribbon, to declare the centre open. Took photos for the media, and for their own photographer. Then they took photos with a variety of the 'honoured' guests. Finally, Arizona called her friends and family over for photos.
After 10 or so minutes of various tones, groupings, hilarity, and silly faces, they decided to head to the buffet for some food.
Arizona was so happy, so far, no drama had occurred.
Everyone was happy, the chiefs of the neighbouring hospitals and various others commented on their enjoyment of her speech, as it wasn't as clinical or boring as most speeches, they had heard at events such as this.
To which Arizona replied,
"Well, to be honest, my inspiration for this centre, comes from my wife, daughter, my friends and family. I want to world a better place for my daughter to grow up in. I want to give other people the incredible opportunity of becoming a parent, if that is what they wish, I want to be there women of all types, and backgrounds."
Part 4
"Where is she? She says she's here. But I can't see her. Can you Callie?"
"Nope."
Callie and Arizona were together near the front entrance looking for Emily. Their heads were bobbing up and down, as they looked outside, around the various crowds within the centre.
"BOO!"
Someone had jumped behind Arizona and poked at her sides. Arizona jumped up and made a squeaky sound as she turned around to see who it was.
"Where have you been? I know you aren't working tonight. But I was hoping that you would be here to hear my speech"
"Oh… I was. I was here, just didn't want to pull your attention away from your incredible woman. You are so cute Arizona."
"Shh you. I'll go red, if you keep mentioning it."
"I will talk about it forever. You will never get off the hook for this one Robbins!"
Callie watched as they laughed together and talked about Herman's speech and her own. She wasn't feeling as nervous about Emily as she was expecting. She was pretty and slim, but not quite Arizona type, she thought. She shook her head to correct her thoughts; it wouldn't matter is she was Arizona's type, she's with me now. And she loves me. She just declared it to the whole room. I'm being silly. Callie was feeling better and better by the second.
"So where is this mystery woman, you've been going on about for weeks? I thought she was with you?"
"She's here, she went to get us another drink at the bar."
Callie, Arizona and Emily turned towards the bar.
"There she is. That one. She's wearing the blue dress."
Callie found the blue-dressed lady. She could only see the back of her head. She waited for her to turn. But when she did, she wished she could evaporate. This was the drama they didn't want this evening.
Callie thought to herself, this can be easily avoided if we avoid her all night.
Just as Callie put her arm around Arizona's waist so they could sneak off together to at least some up with a game plan.
The blue-dressed lady saw Callie and Arizona together. She didn't look away, she stared directly at them. They stopped dead in that moment and froze. Callie knew exactly what Arizona was thinking. She didn't need to check her reaction.
Arizona gasped slightly then whispered.
"Fuck!"
