AN: Hello, all :) Happy Pride month! I hope this Pride month brings acceptance and hope to all of us. This week has been heavy. My heart is heavy. It's not my voice that needs to be heard right now, so I will leave it with that but please know I am always thinking about all of you and hoping for your safety and well-being. I hear you, I see you, and I am listening.
As far as the previous chapter goes, some of you were kind enough to point out the time change error. I did realize it, that last paragraph at the airport was an add on. I've visited the pan-handle where there was a time change so I assumed there was one and meant to check before posting and I literally just forgot. I'm human, it happens. But I do apologize for any confusion it may have caused. I fixed it, sorta in this chapter, sorry Callie.
I took a tumble this morning which means my plans for a three mile run have been foiled. I will be laid up with my leg elevated today which means more time for writing. That being said, I am about to enter my long stretch at work again so there won't be another update for at least 10 days, please be patient and know that I'm ok, just will be busy.
As always, happy reading :) Stay safe and take care of each other.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Callie
After living in New York for years and then Seattle for six months, followed by her most recent trip to Boston, Callie had forgotten how hot Miami was. Even in December, the temperature had hit 80 already and it wasn't even 11 am yet, though that was a bit unusual even for Miami. She had arrived last night just before ten, in her flustered state of mind she had somehow produced a time change that didn't exist putting her arriving in Miami an hour later than planned. True to her word, Aria had picked her up and taken her to her apartment in the city. The younger Latina still lived with her parents most of the time but she kept a three bedroom apartment in the city for convenience when she had an early morning meeting or a late night date she didn't want her parents to know about. The apartment was modest as far as Torres standards go, but it was homey and Callie liked it.
"Move your ass, Cal, we are having lunch at Mami and Papi's with Abuela and Nonna at one and it's already after eleven." Aria warned as she walked into the guestroom Callie had claimed as hers and threw open the curtains letting in all of the hot Miami sun.
"Don't you have central air?" Callie grumbled as she peeled her sweaty shirt from her body, leaving her in just her sports bra and sleep shorts.
"Yes but I love the heat and the air just gets to be too much. Mami and Papi keep it frigid at their house. But I forgot, you melt since you're no longer used to the heat. I'll keep the air on for you for the rest of the week."
"Thanks Aria, for everything." Callie said with a smile. The two sisters had stayed up late into the night talking. Callie had cried on her shoulder and Aria had tried to reassure her that everything would be ok. She would try talking to her parents to force some sense into them for Callie. Aria could hardly wait for Arizona to arrive at the end of the week. She was anxious to meet this blonde woman that stole her sister's heart.
"What are sisters for? Besides, your girlfriend is pretty hot, I might just have to make her a better offer." Aria teased, earning herself a hard slug to the shoulder. "Ouch, sister abuse!"
"Don't play with fire if you don't want to get burned, Aria."
"I'm only teasing you. I'm seeing this super hot firefighter at the moment anyway." Aria said with a shrug. Then she smiled wickedly and said over her shoulder, "Go hit the shower, you kinda smell like him."
Callie walked into her family home for the first time in almost a year and couldn't help but smile as she breathed in the familiar scent of home. Constantina was in the kitchen cooking up a storm and her husband, Bruno was tending to the grounds as usual, even though the lawn and courtyards were already immaculate. She heard voices out on the poolside patio and she knew that must be where her Abuela, Nonna, and parents were waiting. Aria followed her through the foyer and the indoor courtyard that led to the sliding doors which stood open to the outdoor courtyard and poolside patio.
"Nipotina!" Nonna shouted, being the first one to spot her granddaughter.
"Nonna, I missed you." Callie replied with a genuine megawatt smile. She hugged her Nonna tightly and then released her and hugged her Abuela.
"You've lost weight." her Abuela commented. She was always concerned about everyone's weight and it made Callie smile knowing that some things never change, "Are you eating enough?"
"Trust me, I eat plenty but I have been working hard." Callie replied. She took a seat between her two grandmothers without hugging her parents. Aria took the empty seat beside their father.
"How have all of you been? I feel like I've been away forever."
"Oh Maria and I joined a wii bowling league. We're quite good, we're in second place in the tournament."
"A wii bowling league, Nonna? Really?" Callie asked.
"Callie just because we're old doesn't mean we can't have fun. We also play bridge and drink gin on Wednesdays with some other widows down the street and when we're really crazy, Aria B and I have Jorge drive us into the city for a matinee and martinis." Maria replied with a scandalous grin. Everyone else called the older Aria, Nonna but Maria just couldn't bring herself to refer to the younger woman that way so she had dubbed her Aria B to avoid confusion with her granddaughter, Aria.
"Introducing our mothers was a big mistake." Carlos teased as he referred to the elder Aria and his own mother, Maria.
"Well, I think it sounds quite fascinating. You two are trouble I'm sure." Callie laughed, imaging her two grandmothers tag teaming her parents and out painting the town together. The thought was actually quite amusing and comforting. They had both lost their husbands years before and she had seen both women struggle. It wasn't until after the loss of their husbands that the women started really getting to know each other. Eventually they became friends instead of in laws whose children were married to each other. In recent years though, the two had become more like sisters and were inseparable.
"Double trouble." Nonna said with a giant smile that let Callie know there was truth to that statement.
"I believe it." Callie laughed. Despite the fact that she was furious with her parents, it was good to be home. She almost hadn't come but Arizona had talked her off the ledge and made her see reason. It had been less than twenty-four hours since she had seen those beautiful dimples or heard the sweet giggle of the blonde and she already missed her like crazy. But Arizona had been right, of course she had, Callie had needed this, she had needed to come home to see her sister and grandmothers.
"Aria, if you would like to take the rest of the week off, Domino returned this week. He said he wouldn't mind a few meetings to get him started. I only have one meeting on Friday."
"Gracias, Papi. I only have one meeting after lunch today and one tomorrow morning, I had already cleared my schedule for Thursday and Friday anyway. I want to meet Arizona and spend some time with her while she is here."
"Arizona is coming here?" Lucia asked.
"Yes Mami. Before everything that happened on Sunday evening, Arizona, her brother, Tim, and their friends, Teddy and Nick had already bought tickets to spend the last three days of our vacation in Miami. We will all fly back to Afghanistan together, our flight leaves late Saturday night."
"I had hoped we would be able to talk and spend some time together, alone." Lucia replied.
"Oh yes, I hope you will still be around even though you're staying in the city with Aria. Aria, if you have the week off why don't the two of you just stay here?" Maria asked her granddaughter. In the past year she had moved in with her son and daughter in law, occupying one room of the three bedroom guesthouse. Aria B occupied one of the other bedrooms in the guesthouse and the third bedroom was reserved for company if they had it, which they currently didn't, so it was completely free.
"We have a room in the guest house available if you're still mad at your parents." Nonna said to her granddaughter. She knew both her adopted daughter and granddaughter very well, she could sense a fight between the two a mile away.
"I will make sure I get to spend plenty of time with the two of you. But I'd prefer to stay in the city. Arizona rented a room at a hotel there and I want to show them the beaches, do some sight seeing, and go shopping with them. Aria and I also plan to spend time by the pool at their hotel with them and Arizona's brother might rent a boat."
"We have a pool." Nonna said.
"And a boat." Maria added.
"That's very nice but I don't think Arizona is very comfortable coming here, nor would she be welcome." Callie replied, shooting daggers at her mother and father.
"Calliope, this is between you, Mami, and I. Please don't pull Aria, your nonna, or your abuela into it." Carlos said in a firm voice. Just then, Constantina appeared with their meal as she wheeled out a tray. Callie jumped up to assist her and hugged her tightly.
"I missed you Constantina."
"I missed you too, Miss Callie." the old woman replied as she patted her back softly.
"Why is this Arizona not welcome here? Is she a trouble maker?" Maria asked, not ready to let this go. It was unlike her daughter in law to be anything but a welcoming hostess to her children and husband's friends and colleagues.
"She's a business associate of Calliope's, Madre." Carlos replied.
"She's more than a colleague." Callie replied, once again shooting daggers at her father.
"Does she work with you?" Nonna asked curiously.
"Yes, she does work with me. She's a pediatric surgeon. Actually, she's the youngest Head of a Department at Seattle Grace. She won a Carter Madison and opened up a clinic in Malawi for women and children. She's been working there for over two years. And when the Carter Madison foundation asked her to do a second tour in Afghanistan at their hospital there, she agreed. We work together there and will work together in Seattle once she returns from Malawi at the end of her contract."
"She sounds like a hard working woman and generous, I'd really like to meet her." Maria replied. Nonna studied Callie carefully. She could tell that there was something different about this woman. Something Callie wasn't saying out loud.
"She is Abuela, she is truly amazing. She's one of the most selfless, kindest, smartest, beautiful people I have ever met." A brilliant smile covering the brunette surgeon's face.
"Why Callie, you sound like you are smitten with her." Nonna replied with a knowing smile.
"That's probably because I am, Nonna." Callie said honestly.
"Shame on you." Nonna said. Callie dropped her fork and looked up to meet Nonna's gaze only to find that the glare she was sending was directed at her parents and not at herself.
"Mum, you don't understand." Lucia said, sitting her own napkin down and meeting her mother's green eyes.
"You're right, I don't."
"Calliope is our daughter, we don't approve of this choice. We did not raise her this way." Carlos said firmly as if to end the discussion.
"And Lucia is my daughter and I did not raise her to be this way." Nonna replied to Carlos, now fixing him with a hard glare. Callie had rarely seen her Nonna upset or cross with anyone.
"Mum, we are Catholic. You raised me Catholic. You taught me the bible, you know this is against God."
"No, Lucia. If that is what you think I taught you then I failed you. What I taught you was to love, unconditionally. I taught you to love your neighbors, to help the less fortunate, and to be open and forgiving. Only God has the right to judge us. Do you think God makes mistakes?"
"Of course not."
"Do you think Callie was born in God's image."
"Of course she was, all children are."
"Then Callie is not a mistake. She is exactly who he made her to be. It is our job to accept her, love her unconditionally, and be there for her as she grows into herself. She is your daughter, you are her mother, your job is to protect her and love her not judge her." Nonna said. Callie was now openly crying as she listened to her Nonna speak. She couldn't take it anymore, it was the acceptance she had been hoping for from her parents. She threw her arms around her Nonna and sobbed onto the shorter woman's shoulder.
"Callita, honey, I don't understand what's going on?" Maria said, trying to catch up with what had just happened.
"Come Abuela, I'll make you a cup of tea. Callie can tell you about it later." Aria said, attempting to guide Maria back into the house but the woman wasn't having it.
"No, I want Callie to explain what's happening to me."
"I met someone, Abuela. Someone that Mami and Papi don't approve of. They think I am a sinner and I am going to hell."
"This Arizona?" Maria asked her granddaughter.
"Yes, Abuela."
"I see."
"Nipotina, do you love her?" Nonna asked. She pulled away from Callie and wiped away the tears on her cheeks. Callie only nodded her head as more tears flowed. "Then why are you crying, dear?"
"These are happy tears, Nonna. Aria has been so supportive but I just wanted Mami and Papi to understand. I didn't think you or Abuela would. I was so afraid I would lose all of you."
"Nipotina, you could never lose me. I'm your Nonna."
"And I am your Abuela. Your Abuelo and I, we loved each other very much but our love was forbidden. I was only seventeen and he was nineteen. I was promised to someone else, an older gentleman of higher status than your grandfather but I loved your grandfather. So, I refused the arranged marriage. My parents disowned me but I never regretted my choice, I loved your Abuelo so much. You hold onto this woman if you love her, Callita."
"I don't want to lose my parents. I thought you would always love me." Callie said, turning to face them. Lucia was crying at the sight of her daughter clinging to her Nonna with so much emotion coursing through her.
"Of course we love you, Calliope." Carlos said, clearing his throat.
"But not unconditionally. You called me an abomination. You were so awful to Arizona and she doesn't deserve it. I can take whatever you want to say or do to me but you crossed a line when you went after her." Callie said, her voice now gaining strength.
"She's not welcome here, Calliope."
"Carlos!" Maria scolded her son.
"I mean it. If you want to go prancing around Miami with her, so be it. I can't stop you but you keep her away from Torres establishments. I don't want this going public. I would do anything for you, mija. I will get a priest to speak with you. You will move back home, whatever it takes but you have to take the first step and cut ties with Dr. Robbins."
"I will do no such thing. I love her."
"Carlos, Callie, please, let's talk about this." Lucia said. She had done nothing but think about Mr. and Mrs. Robbins' speeches, as well as Arizona's, since she had returned from Boston and she had to admit, she couldn't help but consider their point of view. She wasn't ready to see the two of them hold hands or kiss; And she certainly wouldn't be on board with a wedding any time soon but she honestly liked Arizona. She liked that she had stood up to Carlos, something most men didn't dare do. And she could see that she made Callie happy and the two obviously cared deeply for each other. For now, she could at least pretend they were just friends and try to get to know the girl while she got used to the idea of them being more.
"Lucia, I thought we agreed."
"We had but Carlos, look at our daughter. Can't we come up with a compromise?"
"A compromise?" Carlos growled, "How can we compromise on something that is sinful."
"It's not a sin. It's who I am. Have you never sinned, Papi?" Callie asked, fixing her father with a hard glare. When he didn't respond she turned to her mother, "What do you suggest, Mami?"
" I won't lie, Callie. If I could choose for you, I would choose for you to be with a man. But I can see that you and this woman," Callie glared at her, "sorry, you and Arizona care for each other. I actually like Arizona, very much. I wish I didn't to be honest, it would be easier. I'm not ok with this but I want you to be happy and healthy. I'd like to get to know Arizona better. I'd like to spend time with her and have her here at our home while she's here. I just have one favor to ask."
"What Mami?" Callie asked, not believing her ears.
"I'd like for you to just act like friends for now in front of your father and I at least. I'm just not ready for anything else yet."
"I will talk to Arizona and see if she is comfortable with that. Thank you Mami." Callie said, she threw her arms around her mother next and sobbed.
"Lo siento, mija." Lucia said as she stroked her daughter's hair while she sobbed in her arms.
"It seems I am outnumbered here. I stand by what I said. Financially, you are cut off but I will agree to the terms your mother has set for now. I don't agree with them and I do not wish to spend time with the woman." Carlos said before he turned and went into the house.
"Don't worry, mija, he will come around, in time. We both will." Lucia whispered to her sobbing daughter.
"Besides, I'm still alive, he's not in charge yet." Maria replied with a mischievous smile at her granddaughter that made her laugh through her tears.
The conversation became less serious after that and the five women sat and laughed at old family stories that the two eldest women told. Callie and Aria both agreed to spend the night at the house that night as well as a family dinner. Callie found herself lounging by the pool that afternoon alone. Aria had a business meeting to tend to and Lucia had taken Nonna and Abuela shopping. Callie had declined as she was both exhausted and broke thanks to her father, not to mention she was still wounded by their words and actions and just needed some space.
Callie pulled out her phone for what seemed like the millionth time in an hour and sighed heavily when she saw that she had no missed calls from Arizona. She hadn't wanted to appear clingy but aside from a goodnight message last night when she had landed in Miami, she had not spoken to the blonde since leaving Boston and she missed her. Deciding she didn't care if she appeared clingy or not, she picked up her cell and hit the picture of Arizona. She thought something was wrong as the phone failed to connect and a message popped up saying her service had been suspended. It took her a few more moments to realize her dad had been serious when he said she was cut off and she was now without a phone. Who knows how many times Arizona had tried to get a hold of her and failed. She was probably now panicking.
Callie shot up and ran into the house and up to her old bedroom. Her old giant red lips phone still sat on her bedside table, though it hadn't been used in at least ten years, she plugged it into the phone jack and picked it up, sighing in relief when she heard a dial tone. Pulling Arizona's number up, she dialed it quickly, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. She was immediately sent to voicemail, frustrated she hung up and tried twice more. On the third phone call she heard the sweet voice she had been longing to hear.
"Boy, you just can't take a hint, can ya?" Arizona's irritated voice answered. Callie smiled at her girlfriend's sassiness.
"Well, my sassy girlfriend is pretty hot so I don't plan on giving up any time soon, no." Callie replied with a smile.
"Calliope? Who's phone are you calling from?"
"My parents made good on their promise to financially cut me off. My phone was still on their account, my cell has been shut off so I'm calling from the house. Aria went into town for a meeting, I will call her when I get off the phone with you to see if she can take me to get a new phone or pick one up for me on her way home. I have my own bank account and although I don't make much as a resident, I was able to save everything I've earned up until now."
"I'm so sorry, is there anything I can do?"
"No babe, just be you." Callie said with a smile.
"I miss you." Arizona confessed. She hadn't wanted to seem clingy or needy but when she had texted the Latina several times followed by calls at three different times and gotten no response and then a message that the phone number was no longer in service, she hated to admit it but for a moment she thought the worst, that Callie had changed her mind.
"I miss you too, so very much. It's stupid how much I miss you and it hasn't even been twenty four hours since I got on that stupid plane. I blame you. I'd still be warm and cozy cuddled up by the fire with you in Boston if you hadn't convinced me to fly to Miami to visit my homophobic parents."
"I know, I was completely out of my mind, what was I thinking?"Arizona giggled though she was partially serious.
"Did you just want to get rid of me so you could go on a hot date?"
"Wow, you caught me. And thanks to you, I have to go on this hot date with no panties." Arizona whispered the last part which caused Callie to laugh loudly. She had forced the blonde to fork over her undies, all of them. True, she could just go buy new ones but that would be cheating and the blonde knew it.
"I guess I'll just have to brand you so everyone knows you're already taken and completely mine when you get here."
"Callie, your parents already hate me. I don't think parading around with hickeys all over me is going to help my cause here."
"We talked today. My Nonna knows and she kind of gave my mom a tongue lashing. She told her she was disappointed in her and that she didn't raise her to act this way. My mom said she would like for you to come over and spend some time getting to know us while she gets used to this idea. She has requested we act like we are friends in her presence. No hand holding or kissing or anything like that for now."
"What does she think I'm going to do, have my way with you in front of an audience?" Arizona exclaimed. The request, though slightly ridiculous in her mind wasn't completely unreasonable. As long as she was trying and this was temporary. Callie just laughed on the other end, unsure of what to say.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"I do, I really do want to get to know them, Calliope. I know how much you love your family. You are so kind, smart, funny, beautiful, caring, and badass that I've been looking forward to meeting and getting to know the people that shaped you into this amazing person you've become. I really wanted them to like me because they are so important to you and I know they must be amazing to have raised a person like you. I'm just nervous now since they already don't like me. I feel like I will just make it worse because I'm so nervous. You know how much I can ramble and usually that involves oversharing."
"Arizona, just be you and they won't be able to help themselves. I know I couldn't, you are just someone I had to get to know."
"I am pretty awesome." Arizona replied with another giggle.
"I missed your laugh." Callie said, a smile forming on her face as she imagined the dimpled grin that went with that laugh.
"I missed your snoring. I couldn't sleep. It was too quiet and I was cold without my personal space heater."
"I do not snore."
"Baby, you do. Maybe I will record you just to prove it to you. It's not loud, it's soft and at first it was annoying but now I've gotten used to it and it's comforting and I miss it."
"Well, when you say it like that, it doesn't make snoring sound so bad."
"You are super sexy, snoring and all. I can't wait to see you on Thursday. I'm really going to miss mom and dad though. It's been a while since I got to spend so much time with them. Especially with Tim and Teddy there."
"I know you miss your family, babe."
"As do you. Which is why I made you go to Miami to begin with. Does it feel good to be home?"
"It does but it's also sort of bittersweet. It doesn't feel like my home anymore. Everything has changed."
"I know I offered before and it's not what I want but if it's what you need we can put us on hold, give your parents some time to adjust. I love you and I will wait if that's what you need. I just want you to be happy."
"I know you do and putting us on hold is not what will make me happy and it's not what I need. What I need is for my parents to love me and support me and be ok with this. I need them to accept who I am. I don't care if they take my shares in the company away or my trust fund for that matter. I don't even care if they write me out of their wills. I just want them to be happy for me, for us because you make me happier than I've ever been. I see so much in the future with you."
"You do?" Arizona asked. They had eluded to this before but she was surprised Callie was thinking about this at all after the few days the Latina had had.
"I really do and it makes me smile like a crazy person."
"What exactly do you see?"
"A baby girl with blonde pigtails and big blue eyes terrorizing our lives." Callie replied causing Arizona to burst into a fit of giggles.
"My mom got to you." Arizona replied through her giggles. Callie laughed along with her, knowing full well she had been played by both Daniel and Barbara during her short time with them.
"She totally did. She pulled out your baby book and now all I can think about is a little Arizona running around."
"I kind of prefer a little Calliope. My goodness I would be in trouble with two of you."
"We could have one of each." Callie compromised.
"Six months ago I would never have even considered talking about having kids and now you have me nearly convinced to have two." Arizona said as she shook her head in disbelief.
"That's because I'm awesome." Callie said, cheekly.
"You really are."
"What are you doing tomorrow?"
"I have that girls' day with Teddy and then I think Teds, my mom, and I are going to dinner and a movie while my dad and brother go to a hockey game."
"Ok, well you have fun doing that. Tell everyone hello from me. I need to call Aria now but I'll call you tonight to say goodnight ok?"
"Ok. Try to have a good time with your family, babe. You deserve it. I love you Calliope."
"I love you more, Arizona."
"Not possible. Bye babe."
Callie hung up the phone and picked it back up immediately to call Aria. Her sister answered on the second ring and agreed to stop at the phone store to pick up a new phone for Callie, refusing to let Callie pay for it. She would add her to her own plan that was separate from their family plan until Callie returned to the states and could then transfer everything to her name. Aria had taken to using the family plan phone strictly for business calls and had purchased a phone under her own name for her personal use. Having the phone situation settled, Callie decided to rummage through her old stuff. By the time Aria returned Callie had a bag of loot to take with her to show to Arizona. And after another half an hour of rummaging, Aria had her own bag full of stuff that she would share with Arizona, despite Callie's protests.
She and Aria spent the rest of the afternoon clad in their bikinis hanging out by the pool. She sent a mass text with her new phone number to her colleagues and friends and then she sent a special one to Arizona of herself in her old red bikini that still fit. She looked hot in this bikini and she knew it, it had been one of her favorites when her family had a yacht party full of their colleagues with teenage sons. She smiled as her phone chimed with a response and laughed as she saw a picture of the blonde with a pouty face in response.
"What's so funny, Cal?" Aria asked. She turned her phone to show Aria the photo of Arizona.
"Seriously, with that pouty lip and those eyes, how do you ever tell her no?"
"It's hard."
"Oh my God, are you planning on having kids because you're totally fucked if they look like her." Aria squealed.
"Aria Pilar Torres! Watch your mouth." Nonna scolded as she walked out of the house just in time to hear her youngest granddaughter cursing.
"Sorry Nonna." Aria replied, looking sufficiently sorry.
"You're just lucky it was me and not your father. Wait, who is having kids?"
"Calzona." Aria replied with a giggle as she jumped in the pool to avoid being punched by her sister's flying fist.
"Calzona?"
"Callie and Arizona. It's their ship name and I totally ship them." Aria giggled like a teenager, despite the fact that she had turned twenty five a week after Callie's birthday.
"Ship them?"
"It's what kids say now when they want a couple to be together and then they give them some ridiculous nickname that combines their names. Mine and Arizona's just happens to sound like a pizza sandwich, which by the way, Arizona would love. That girl loves her donuts and pizza."
"Oh, you and Arizona are having a baby?" Nonna asked, looking thoroughly excited by the scandalous news.
"What? No! No, of course not."
"Well don't you want to? You're not getting any younger Callita. Your eggs will shrivel up and die soon."
"I'm a doctor Nonna, I know how all that works now. Besides, I have plenty of time. And I know my relationship isn't exactly traditional but I want to do this right. We will get engaged and then get married and buy a house before we have kids. But someday in the future, yes, I hope Arizona and I will have children." Callie replied with a smile.
"Well, I will dance so hard at your wedding. I can't wait to meet the woman who puts that smile on your face." Nonna said with a giant smile.
"Thank you." Callie said, jumping up and giving her grandmother a big hug.
"Do you have pictures of this woman that's stolen your heart?" Nonna asked. Callie pulled out her new phone with a smile and pulled up the photos she had saved to the cloud. She knew just the picture she wanted to show her grandmother. It was one of the two of them standing in front of the Robbin's Christmas tree with the mantle in the background. The two of them were smiling at the camera, arms wrapped around each other and the ornament that Arizona's parents had given them was hanging from Arizona's hand that wasn't wrapped around Callie's waist.
"Wow. You make a striking couple. She's very beautiful Callita. I can see why you fell for her. Is that a stocking with your name on it on the mantle?"
"Yes. Her parents made it for me and got me my own stocking holder. They have a tradition so as the newest member of the Robbins family, I got to hang mine first."
"They were so welcoming to you." Aria said from the edge of the pool.
"They were. I had really wanted that for Arizona too."
"So it looks like Arizona has an older brother and younger sister?"
"Yes, she has an older brother, Tim but Teddy is actually older and not her sister exactly. Teddy's mother died twelve years ago and she hasn't seen or spoken to her father since."
"Oh that's too bad, what happened?"
"Andi, Teddy's little sister, was Arizona's first girlfriend. Their parents were Catholic and didn't support Andi. Actually they bullied her, cut her off financially, and intended to send her to a conversion therapy camp. Andi committed suicide because her parents couldn't accept her and she felt trapped and ashamed." Callie explained, giving the condensed version. She felt a sadness creep over her as she recounted the story for Aria and Nonna. She could see how Arizona would draw some conclusions over the similarities of the situation and understood the reason for her meltdown the other night. Which, as it turned out, her fears had been completely founded.
"I can see why Arizona would be uncomfortable coming here." Aria replied, noting the sadness that had crept over the table.
"She said she would come but after telling you guys about Andi I realized she probably would be very anxious and I don't want to put her in that position. As much as I was looking forward to having Tim and Teddy here as well, I think I was selfish asking Arizona to do this. She is already very skittish and has avoided relationships and being put in a "meet the parents" situation until I came along. And now, the first parents she agrees to meet accuse her of being after my trust fund that she didn't know about and call us an abomination." Callie said, getting worked up again over the way her parents treated Arizona.
"She is always welcome at my apartment, Cal."
"I'd really like to meet her, Maria too." Nonna said.
"Thank you both. Maybe we could get together for lunch somewhere, Nonna. I know Arizona is very much looking forward to meeting you and Aria. You will both just love her, I know it."
"I'm sure we will." Nonna replied.
"I already do, heck I may even switch teams, she is smoking hot." Aria teased but this time she had nowhere to go as Callie jumped in the pool and wrestled her sister into a very unladylike position just as Lucia, who had been eavesdropping, appeared.
"Callita, why are you picking on your baby sister?" Lucia teased. It was what she always would say after Aria had picked on Callie one too many times and Callie would finally retaliate. They all knew it was a fake "scolding".
"Mami, she started it." Callie replied, just as she always did.
"Yea, and I'll finish it too." Aria replied, just as she always did. But then she whispered in Callie's ear so only Callie could hear, "Maybe I could get Arizona to finish too."
Aria was wriggled free of Callie's grasp and out of the pool before her stunned sister could retaliate, knowing she had gone slightly too far and her sister would be out for blood. She couldn't help it though, she had missed the banter and bickering with her sister, it had been far too long. Besides, she would never actually try anything with someone her sister was involved with. She had found someone that she adored herself and maybe she and Jared would actually have a wedding and kids someday as well. That didn't mean she couldn't enjoy riling her big sister up though.
"You're lucky there are witnesses, hermanita." Callie growled, unamused with her little sister's sexual innuendo about her girlfriend.
Callie, Maria, and Constantina were making dinner for everyone that night, the three women dancing and singing in Spanish as they cooked like they had for years when Callie was little. She smiled as she smelled the familiar smells and the voice of her Abuela, the one she had likely inherited her own talent from. She hoped someday Arizona would be able to experience this, perhaps in their own house with their own little girl. The thought that Maria or Nonna might not be there for that day suddenly hit Callie and she tried to savor the time she was spending with them now.
"When I am gone, I want you to keep all my recipes." Maria said, suddenly as if reading Callie's thoughts. She had a way of being able to do that.
"I made Arizona your chicken piccata and she absolutely loved it."
"I told you when you were solo una nina that if you wanted to keep a man, or in your case, woman, the secret was chicken piccata." Maria replied with a wise and knowing smile. Callie smiled too as she remembered that very conversation. She hadn't been more than eight or nine and had stood with flour covering her hands and nose as they made homemade tortillas together.
"I remember Abuela."
"Bring your Arizona here. We can make dinner together in the guest house, away from your parents. Aria B and I will make sure she's taken care of. We can all cook together and enjoy a nice meal. Maybe Aria would like to come too?"
"Maybe. Arizona will have her brother, Tim and their friends Teddy and Nick with them. I'm not sure what their dinner plans are but I will ask."
"Well, invite them all. Your parents have a dinner party and won't be here Thursday evening anyway. I'm actually expecting them home late."
"I'll let you know." Callie replied with a smile and a kiss to Maria's cheek.
The next two days in Miami passed without further arguments or incidents. They steered away from serious topics and stuck mostly to memories and stories about when they were young. Carlos had made himself scarce and rarely joined in their conversations. But the whole Torres family got together for meals and enjoyed their time by the pool together in the evenings. Aria asked if she and Jared could borrow their father's smaller yacht on Friday, to which he had agreed. Unbeknownst to him, she was borrowing it so Callie, Arizona, Teddy, Nick, and Tim could also spend the afternoon on the yacht with them. Callie and Arizona stayed in contact with texts throughout the day and phone calls in the morning and before bed. They were only separated for three days but it had seemed like a lifetime to Callie.
She and Aria had offered to pick up the group from the airport but as Aria didn't have a vehicle big enough and Callie couldn't borrow a vehicle from her parents, the group decided to take a shuttle to the hotel where Callie and Aria would meet them. Callie stood in front of the hotel, bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly as she waited for the shuttle carrying her girlfriend and the rest of the gang to appear.
"Callita, calm down, it will be here any minute."
"It's late. What if there was an accident or something."
"There wasn't. It's just early morning Miami traffic holding them up." Aria assured her. And just as she finished her sentence, the shuttle could be seen coming up the street.
Callie waited patiently or so she told herself, as people after people unloaded. Finally she spotted brilliant blue eyes, but not the ones she had been hoping to see as Tim was the first to exit followed by Teddy and finally Arizona with Nick right behind her.
"Hey Cal." Tim said with a smile before the petite blonde whizzed past him and threw herself in Callie's arms.
"Hey baby." Callie said with a smile as she spun Arizona in a circle causing her to toss her head back and giggle. "Did you miss me?"
"More than you'll know."
The group made introductions. Both Tim and Nick eyed Aria with a look that Callie didn't appreciate and it caused Arizona to giggle when Aria, in turn, eyed Arizona up and down, earning her a slug from the older and slightly taller Latina. "Aria, I am so happy to finally meet you."
"I can't believe my big sister not only switched teams but landed a perky blonde. Teenage Callie would die if she knew she would someday be dating a perky blonde." Aria laughed as she ignored the hand offered for her to shake and pulled the shorter woman in for a tight hug.
"Get your grubby paws off of her, Torbellino." Callie said, prying her sister and Arizona apart. Both women giggled at Callie's frustration with her little sister.
"Torbellino?" Nick asked.
"Apparently when I was a toddler and young child I was somewhat of a tasmanian devil so they nicknamed me Torbellino. It basically translates to whirlwind, which is pretty dumb if you ask me." Aria replied with an eye roll that so resembled Callie that Arizona couldn't help but giggle.
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me." Arizona said as the group made their way to the hotel room.
"Can I have your name please?" the woman at the desk asked.
"Um yes, we have a reservation under Robbins." Tim said. The woman typed away while they waited.
"Can you spell that for me?" the woman asked and Callie gave her an "Are you serious look" but Tim spelled out "R-O-B-B-I-N-S".
"Oh I spelled it with one B that's probably the problem." the woman said as she retyped the name. Her furrowed eyebrows alerted Arizona that that was not the problem though.
"I'm sorry but your reservation was canceled on Tuesday by Mr. Torres. Arizona Robbins credit card has been credited the money that was used to reserve the suite."
"What?" Tim asked. Arizona looked at Callie and could tell she was fuming.
"Well can we reserve another suite?" Tim asked.
"Sure but we have Robbins red flagged, we are associated with the Torres chain and they are listed as a "do not rent to", actually a security alert pops up, I'm technically supposed to call security."
"Do that and you will lose your job. I am Aria Torres and these are my guests. Please rent them a room. Better yet, comp them your best suite for their trouble." Aria commanded. She was quite forceful and it was alarming to see her in business and not little sister mode. Callie smiled at her little sister and then quickly wiped the smile from her face as she introduced herself as Callie Torres.
"I really should run this by Mr. Torres. This note says that under no circumstance are we to allow a Dr. Arizona Robbins onto the premises."
"That's because my father is a homophobic asshole." Aria replied through gritted teeth, reading the woman's name tag she said, "Now, Sienna is it, this is your last chance to keep your job. Get them a suite on me."
"All our suites are full."
"Then give them the penthouse. Reserve it under Aria Torres. I will be staying here with them so it's really me who is renting this room. And Sienna, my parents do not need to know about this. Say I rented this for a very important client in town for business if they ask."
"Yes ma'am." Sienna replied as she clicked away once again. She then looked up and handed them each a key card to the penthouse and showed them to the separate elevator leading them to the top floor.
"Callie, I'm really not comfortable with this. We could just go to another hotel, it's not a big deal."
"My dad is a powerful man in Miami, Arizona. He would have spoken with all of the decent hotels by now. This isn't even a Torres hotel, just one my dad uses for business associates. I can't believe I didn't see this coming. I'm not having you guys sleeping in some motel in a bad part of town." Callie said.
"But Callie, the penthouse, it's a bit much." Arizona said.
"Shut it Phoenix." Nick said as the elevators opened and they got their first glance at the suite.
"This place is triple the size of your apartment in Baltimore, Riz." Teddy whispered. Only the living room, dining room, and kitchen were visible but she was right. There were still four bedrooms and a bunk room plus three full baths that they hadn't even explored yet.
"If it makes you that uncomfortable, you are welcome to stay in my apartment, Arizona." Aria said quietly, trying to lighten the mood. She could tell that her father's stunt was going to cause a fight between Arizona and her sister. She couldn't say she blamed the blonde, especially after what her parents had just accused her of.
"Callie, can we speak privately please?" Arizona asked.
"I'll just give the rest of them a tour." Aria said, giving her sister a look of pity as Arizona led her out onto the balcony.
"Arizona…" Callie started.
"No, Callie, I know what you're going to say and I really appreciate what Aria did but we cannot accept this penthouse. I can't accept it."
"It's not from my parents, Arizona. Aria wouldn't do this if she didn't want to."
"I know that but this suite for two nights will cost a good chunk of my savings. And if I make Nick, Teddy, and Tim pitch in to cover the costs, it will cost all of us a good chunk of our life savings."
"Aria is covering this, you don't have to pay."
"Yes, Calliope, we do."
"No one else seems to have a problem accepting this room as a gift from Aria. Really, it's not even costing us anything. No one stays up here except for ridiculously wealthy business men that my dad deems important and flies in a few times a year or sometimes family from out of town visits and gets a suite like this. And that's only when there's nothing available at one of the five actual Torres hotels in Miami."
"No one else was called a gold digger by your parents, Callie, I was." Arizona said, her voice cold and her eyes hard. Callie reached out to place her hands on Arizona's upper arms but the blonde stepped back, avoiding the Latina's embrace.
"I know and I'm so sorry for that. Neither Aria nor I think that about you, Arizona. I can understand why staying in an extravagant suite paid for by my sister makes you uncomfortable. But, Aria has earned her keep. She went to school and makes a fair and competitive salary. My dad doesn't just hand things out. True, she has her trust fund and would never have to work if she didn't want to but she has her own money, Arizona. She really wants to make up for what my parents did."
"It's not her problem to be fixed, Callie. It's very sweet of her but this, me accepting this, is going to make everything worse. You've put me in a terrible position."
"No, my dad did this. You rented and paid for a suite the proper way and he went behind our backs and canceled them."
"Semantics, Callie. I'm still in this position. Ugh, I shouldn't have come. I knew this was a bad idea." Arizona ranted as she paced, running her hands through blonde hair.
"How much was your suite for two nights?"
"It was going to be about $300 each after taxes." Arizona replied, continuing her pacing.
"What if you guys pay Aria that $300 each that you would have spent on your suite and she writes off the difference? Plus she and I get to stay here with you for free."
"No, I'm paying your portion too. Your parents cut you off, Callie, you shouldn't be staying anywhere associated with them for free."
"I can pay my own portion, Arizona. So, my sister gets $1800 back, I'm sure she will find that more than fair."
"I'll talk to Teddy, Tim, and Nick but I still am not happy about this, Callie."
"Well then you're probably not going to be happy about some other plans we have."
"Like what?" The blonde asked suspiciously, squinting her stormy eyes at Callie.
"Well, Aria has been dying to take her boyfriend, Jared out on the yacht so she asked my dad if she could borrow it tomorrow. I thought maybe all of us could join them."
"What else?"
"My Abuela and Nonna invited you all over for dinner tonight. My parents will be out of town for a dinner party until very late tonight. They really want to meet you."
"Calliope…"Arizona huffed. She rubbed her face in her hands and turned her back on the Latina as she stared out at the stunning view they had of Miami.
"Arizona, we don't have to do…" Callie started but was cut off.
"I feel like no matter what I do it's going to be wrong. I don't want to sneak around behind your parents backs. That isn't going to earn me their trust or respect. And I feel like if I don't I'm letting you down. It's a no win situation for me, don't you see that?" Arizona asked, turning back around to face Callie, her eyes now brimmed with tears. Callie reached out to embrace her once again and Arizona stepped back once again, "Don't. Please, I just need a moment alone."
"Arizona…"
"Callie, please, I just need a minute. Go inside. I'll be in soon." Arizona said, she turned back around and kept her body tense until she heard Callie enter the suite and close the sliding door behind her. She took a quick glance over her shoulder and sighed heavily, "Fuck."
She kept her eyes fixed on the city as thoughts swirled around in her head and she nearly smiled as she heard the door slide open. She knew it would be a matter of time before Teddy would come give her a pep talk. Teddy always knew what to say. With this in mind, Arizona turned, "Teds you don't…" She stopped as she stared into a pair of big brown eyes that were so similar to her girlfriend's and yet so different.
"Sorry, Teddy wanted to come talk to you but I thought maybe it would be better if I did."
"Aria, I'm really sorry about all this drama. This is not how I envisioned it would go meeting you or the rest of your family."
"Can you tell me why my sister is in the bedroom crying by herself when for the last three days all I have heard is your name? I really want to like you, Arizona, I do but Callie has been through a lot this week and she needs your support."
"I know. I'm sorry. I was so caught up in how I'm feeling that I didn't even think about how hard this is for her. I just feel like I can't do anything right, Aria."
"Well, you don't have to do everything right. All you have to do is love Callie and do right by her and I promise you, everything else will fall into place."
"I'll go talk to her. I'm so sorry for all of this, Aria."
"You don't have to apologize. My parents are wrong here. Just go make up with my sister."
"I need to talk to the others but I think we should at least pay you what we were going to pay for the other suite plus for Callie. I won't take no for an answer, Aria. Callie and I aren't starting out this way. I didn't know about her trust fund before so I won't miss it now."
"Ok." Aria replied simply, knowing better than to argue at the moment.
Arizona entered the bedroom to a sight that broke her heart. Callie was sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands sobbing. Arizona sat down beside her and was relieved when the Latina allowed her to wrap her arms around her and pull her to her chest. She held her for a few seconds before she kissed her head and hooked her hand under Callie's jaw to turn her face towards her. "I'm sorry Calliope. I love you and I am so sorry."
"I love you too. And I'm sorry too. This hasn't been easy for me either."
"I know and I'm sorry I was absorbed in how I was feeling instead of being concerned about you and how this has all affected you."
"Are you still mad?"
"No, I'm not mad. I never was. It's just the situation isn't optimal but it is what it is and it could be worse, right? Your father doesn't know any hit men does he?" Arizona joked but she could see the sheer panic on Callie's face which caused her stomach to feel like it would like to expel the coffee and donut she ate at the airport that morning. "I kinda wish I hadn't asked that question now."
"I don't know if he actually knows any but some of the people he has worked with are a bit shady."
"I would love to meet your Abuela and your Nonna tonight. And as long as everyone else is ok with it, I would love to spend the day on the yacht with your sister and her boyfriend. Nothing else extravagant though, ok Calliope? I just want to do regular touristy things."
"Like what?"
"Well the guys want to see some alligators." Arizona giggled. "And Teddy wants to go out dancing."
"I think both of those things could be arranged, in fact one already has been."
"We pay ourselves, Calliope, no more free rides from Aria or your parents."
"Yes dear." Callie smiled. "Now, can I kiss you because it's been three days..."
Callie was cut off by a hard kiss from her sexy blonde girlfriend. She moaned into the kiss and opened her mouth to allow the blonde entrance. The kiss quickly turned passionate and Callie pulled the blonde up from her position beside her and pulled her in her lap so she was straddling Callie's thighs. The move happened without them breaking the kiss. Callie's hands began to roam over a perfectly round ass that looked magnificent in the jeans Arizona was wearing. Arizona's hands traveled to Callie's chest where she began massaging the two breasts she craved through the material of Callie's tank top.
"Are you guys still alive in here?" Aria asked, opening the door and walking in without knocking. Arizona could hear her brother, Nick, and Teddy cackle from the next room. "Oh my God, sorry, I should have knocked. But you two need to stop because we have places to be."
"Tim mentioned that he and Nick wanted to see alligators last week so I told Aria about it. Jared is new to Miami and wanted to go too. We thought we could head to Shark Valley and take a tram ride. Aria also reserved an airboat tour to see the alligators for anyone that wants to do that. Don't worry, it's reasonably priced and has not been paid for yet."
"Thank you. You're kind of amazing, you know that, right?"
"Mmm, you could tell me again." Callie sighed as Arizona latched onto her neck.
"Eh hem, still in the room. Geez, do I need a squirt gun for the two of you?" Aria asked. "Arizona, you're going to want to change into something much cooler."
"I'll grab your suitcase, baby, you go get undressed."
"Nope, we will never get anywhere if you get undressed and Callie brings you your clothes. I'll grab your suitcase, you stay dressed until I get back, Callie, come show me which one is Arizona's." Aria said, though she knew without a doubt that it was the pink one as she had seen her pulling it behind her. Aria returned without Callie a few moments later and the blonde grabbed what she needed and changed in a hurry.
"We will have time to come back here and change before dinner, right?"
"What's for dinner?" Tim asked.
"Callie's Abuela and Nonna invited us over, they would like to cook for us, if you guys are interested in going."
"Yes, we will all have time to change before dinner." Aria responded to Arizona, then turned to the rest of the group, hoping to persuade them, "There's also a pool, hot tubs, and a volleyball court."
"You had them at food, Aria." Teddy said with a smile. Arizona noticed that they had all changed into some version of shorts, tank tops, and sandals already.
"Let's go see some gators!" Tim shouted excitedly as they all followed him out of the hotel room.
Shark Valley was a big hit. They had wanted to take the bikes so they could get a closer view but with it being a fifteen mile hike, they just didn't have the time if they were going to have dinner with Abuela and Nonna that night. Jared fit in with Tim and Nick, the guys seemed to form their own little subgroup while Aria, Callie, Arizona, and Teddy were perfectly happy with it being just the girls. They hiked up to the observation deck together when the tram stopped and took pictures and enjoyed the wildlife until the tram driver signaled it was time to head back. They would make it to their air boat tour just in time.
Jared had packed peanut butter sandwiches, apples, and granola bars for everyone at Aria's request and they had each purchased and filled a souvenir water bottle that helped preserve and protect the everglade wildlife. Neither Aria nor Arizona were big fans of the air boat tour. Arizona had purposely chosen a seat in the center with Aria and Nick, who both seemed to be not terribly fond of being that close to reptile infested waters either, while Callie, Tim, Teddy, and Jared fought each other for the outermost seats. Noting Arizona's discomfort, Callie caved and let Teddy take the outermost seat so she could sit beside Arizona. Tim sat on the outermost seat on the other side while Jared took Callie's lead and sat beside Aria.
"Well, I don't feel like I need to do that again." Arizona replied once they were back on solid land and away from reptile infested waters. It earned her a laugh from the rest of the group though she was completely serious.
Aria and Jared, who had picked them up in his SUV, dropped them off at the hotel so they could all shower and change. Callie had brought her suitcase with her, intending to stay with Arizona and dropped it in the room the two had claimed. Jared and Aria would be back in an hour to pick them up and drive them to the Torres residence. Tim had offered to take the bunk room but when Jared mentioned that he was off until Sunday and would like to stay at Aria's place, the Latina had quickly jumped ship, the little rat, Arizona thought with a smile. So Tim, Teddy, and Nick each got one of the other three extravagant rooms. The boys shared the suite with the adjoining bathroom figuring the girls would take longer to get ready and they were right. Even with Teddy having her own bathroom and Arizona and Callie showering together, which involved more than showering, the boys were still done and waiting for the girls.
Arizona had picked a teal sundress with pink flowers and a little belt that highlighted her thin waist. The dress ended at a respectable length below her knees and she wore a simple pair of strappy sandals. The teal made her eyes pop and take on nearly the same color and her long blonde hair was down with her natural wavy curls. Arizona had warned Tim and Nick that they needed to dress at least business casual and was pleased to see they both wore khaki shorts and button up collared T-shirts although Tim had insisted on wearing a hawaiian one just to drive Arizona crazy. Aria called to say they were waiting in the lobby and Callie reminded them all to grab swim wear before they left the suite.
"I love your shirt." Aria said as Tim climbed in the vehicle. Tim turned and smiled at Arizona, "Thanks Aria."
"Don't encourage him." Arizona said with an eye roll as she climbed in behind him. Somehow she had managed to get stuck in the back between Nick and Tim while Callie and Teddy rode in the middle seats.
The car ride was loud with lots of giggles and storytelling but as they got closer and closer to the Torres estate, the car grew quieter and the four occupants not accustomed to this lifestyle looked out at the mansions they were passing. Jared, who had also been raised modestly, had already visited the Torres mansion and though he still found it extravagant, he was no longer shocked. They were practically on an island Arizona had noted. They had taken a road surrounded by water and then turned left onto another road surrounded by water before they reached a stretch of land that was in a gated community. Houses lined every inch of the area. They drove to the very end of the cul-de-sac and Jared stopped allowing Aria to step out and punch in the code in the gate to allow them entrance. As they cleared the palm trees lining the short private drive, the house, no scratch that, mansion came into view. A sinking feeling settled into the pit of Arizona's stomach.
She was out of her league, she always knew Callie was out of her league but this confirmed it. She was the daughter of a Marine and a freelance photographer and both of her parents were born to farmers. Her mother was a Southern Belle, born and raised in Missouri and her family had "old money" but nothing compared to this. The house her parents now lived in was only affordable because her mom had inherited it from a distant female relative who hadn't had children and wanted to keep it in the female line. Her parents had fixed it up and added their own flair to the home but she knew they would likely move once she and Tim were settled, either to be closer to them or back to Missouri to be closer to their siblings and her mother's parents.
One thing was for sure though, even as a respectable surgeon and with a generous salary, she could never provide Callie with this lifestyle. Callie didn't seem like the type to care about all of this, heck, she was in Afghanistan sleeping in a barracks and working in a rundown hospital. Arizona knew all of this but there was still that insecure voice asking, what if Callie did want this though? Maybe working in third world countries and dating someone below her status was fun for now but what if she changed her mind someday? Could she really ask Callie to give all of this up for her?
Callie chanced a glance back at Arizona and saw the trepidation and uncertainty in her eyes. She was definitely panicking. The question was, would she run? The blonde met Callie's gaze and offered her a small smile which offered the Latina a little bit of comfort and reassurance.
"Holy smokes, Cal." Teddy said from beside her.
"I figured you were loaded but wow, Callie, this is like Bill Gates loaded." Nick replied, earning him a hard jab in the ribs from Arizona's bony elbows.
"Ouch, Phoenix, what the…"
"Nope. Nicholas, Timothy, Theodora, you will be on your best behaviors. No rough housing, no cursing, no staring and commenting on Callie's wealth. Do you understand me?" Arizona asked in a voice that Callie had never heard before but she couldn't help but smile. Oh yea, the blonde was going to be a great mom someday.
"Yes." the three answered in resignation. Despite being the youngest and smallest, it was obvious that none of them dare mess with Arizona.
"To answer you, Nick. It's not my money, it's my parent's money." Callie replied. She exited the vehicle and helped her blonde down as the boys let her exit first.
"Your home is beautiful." Arizona whispered to Callie as she took in the Spanish home. She had never actually visited a true Spanish home prior to Spain but this was exactly what she would have imagined if she hadn't seen them for herself recently. A fountaine stood in the center of the circle drive, Jared had parked his SUV off to the left of the entrance where a three car garage was seen separate from the house. Above the garage and on the backside of it was the apartment where Constantina and Bruno had lived for as long as Callie could remember, room and board being part of their salary. The house was the color of a slightly yellow tinted sand with dark brown pillars, doors, and roofing and off white trim. Arizona noted the tears that went up at least three stories with balconies everywhere.
"How many rooms are in this house?" Teddy whispered, not wanting to be rude. Arizona just shrugged but Callie chuckled as she overheard.
"Eight bedrooms and eight baths. Plus there is a three bedroom three bath guest house where Abuela and Nonna now live. And the apartment above the garage for Constantina and Bruno. Do you want a tour of the house before we go find Abuela and Nonna?"
"No, let's go meet them first. We can get a tour after dinner." Arizona replied, a collective sigh of disappointment being heard amongst the group.
"If you would like to introduce Arizona to Abuela and Nonna I can give them a quick tour and then after dinner you can give Arizona a more private one while we relax by the pool." Aria said with a wink to her sister.
"Sold." Callie replied with a giant smile.
"Don't get any ideas there casanova, we are definitely not doing any funny business in your parents home." Arizona said firmly so Callie would know she meant it.
"We'll see about that."
"I'm serious, Calliope." Arizona replied with a hard glare. Callie laughed and grabbed her hand, bringing it to her lips.
"Ready to meet them?" Callie asked, waiting for Arizona to give her a sign that she had changed her mind. The rest of the group were already on their way to enter the main house. Callie could hear "wows" and "oohs" and "ahhhs" and she giggled. Arizona blushed in embarrassment at her family's lack of tact.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Arizona replied as she squeezed Callie's hand and followed her to the left toward the guest house.