A/N - Hey guys. Glad to see that the majority of you are on board with the direction this story is going. Its an awful scenario and I'm sorry Arizona couldn't save Michelle, which I know a couple of you were hoping for. Again, I have no idea how cases like this go in regards to the CPS. I'm just twisting things to fit my story.
Also, I was asked what the ages of the children are. Sophia is 9 at this point and Katie is 4. Hope you're all having a nice weekend. :)

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Chapter 35

After a night of tossing and turning, Arizona made her way to Sofia's room a little after 6am, quietly opening the door and gazing inside. The empty bed immediately grabbed her attention but she didn't panic for long when her eyes found Katie fast asleep next to Sofia on the mattress on the floor. A little smile tugged at her lips as she looked at the two girls, both completely flat out.

She'd thought about the little girl all night. Thoughts of what her life must have been like over the last few months, to the collision that had claimed the lives of her mother and unborn brother. Then ofcourse what would the future hold for her? What if she and Callie were unsuccessful in their bid to become Katie's care givers? Would the girl be placed in a home somewhere with countless other children of all ages and become just a number?

No, she couldn't think about that. Even though that's all she'd thought about since lastnight.

She heard Callie's approach before she felt arms wrap around her middle from behind. She looked over her shoulder and nodded her head into the room.

Blinking her tired eyes, Callie smiled at the sight of the 2 girls laying together on the mattress. "Looks like Katie felt safer being closer to her new friend" she whispered.

The blonde nodded slightly, continuing to look at the girls. Eventually she began to turn, prompting her wife to leave the room. Pulling the door almost closed they wandered through to the kitchen. Arizona moved straight to the coffee machine while Callie began prepping food for breakfast.

"I felt you squirming around most of the night, could you not sleep?"

As Arizona shook her head, a yawn crept up on her. A few seconds later she rubbed at her tired eyes. "Not really. Everything was just running around in my mind, you know?"

Callie nodded. "Yea, I get it. It's the uncertainty. I guess after today we'll know either way."

"Well, if it goes down the pooper and they say no then I've contemplated going on the lam. I'll run away with her and get in touch with you a few weeks down the line so you guys can come join us."

The Latina snorted at her wife. "You could never go out on the lam, you're far too law abiding."

Arizona pouted. "I hate it when you're right..."

Callie smiled to herself as she got on with beating some eggs. "We have to trust in the system, Arizona. We have to trust that the powers that be will see that we could provide Katie with so much more than whatever they possibly could. Nicole would help fight our case too, wouldn't she?"

The blonde shrugged. "I hope so. I mean she was a bit reluctant yesterday when I told her I wanted to bring Katie home. She didn't want me getting attached, which I get but being a mother, I feel like I...like I feel things more than someone who doesn't have a child. I dont mean that in a bad way but it's like I'm now hyper sensitive to kids and their feelings."

Callie turned and looked at her wife. "I think they call that a mothering instinct."

"Yea...so you feel it too? You know that this is the right thing to do aswell?"

The Latina nodded. "I do. Aside from the fact I feel it's in the best interest for Katie, I kind of selfishly love the idea of having another child in the house. I've always wanted more than one kid and I seem to remember you promising me we'd have like 10 of them..."

The blonde laughed as she nodded her head. "I kind of did, didn't I?"

"Uh huh..." Leaving the counter, Callie moved towards her wife, wrapping her arms around her waist. "I love that your mothering instinct made you bring her back here. I also love how right I was about you one day loving kids Miss I don't want kids in my life..."

Arizona's head tipped back as she laughed quietly. "Did I say that? Hmm, weird I don't remember that."

Callie dipped her head, placing several soft kisses on the lips in front. "When you get to work, ring your lawyer so that when the CPS come to the clinic in a few hours, you'll hopefully be alot more clued up on what it is we need to do."

The blonde gave her a determined nod. "We can do this."

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As much as Sofia had wanted another day off school, more to be with Katie than because of the sore throat she no longer had, Callie had taken their daughter back off to Rudolf Steiner while Arizona headed into work with Katie. The little girl had followed the blonde around like a little lost puppy ever since.

When she'd first arrived at work however, she'd asked a couple of nurses to watch her while she called her lawyer. When she finally felt armed with enough knowledge, at least for her initial meeting with the CPS, she hung up and re-joined Katie before taking her along on some rounds.

A little while later, she joined Nicole in the conference room and divulged the other fetal surgeon on what her plans were. Nicole was once again quite sceptical of the idea. She tried to drum it into the blonde that this was a massive responsibility to take on for a girl they knew nothing about. Arizona however was adamant and almost pleaded with her friend and colleague to side with her before the CPS came in.

"What if this happens again? What if a woman comes in and God forbid dies on the table but her baby survives? If that baby has no other family, will you want to take them in aswell?"

Arizona hesitated as she thought about her answer. "I can't really answer that, Nicole. I mean, a few days go if you'd asked me if I'd take on a 4 year old that had just lost her mother, I'd probably say no. You can't really assume how you'll behave in a certain situation until you're actually living it."

"Arizona, as a doctor you're meant to detach yourself from the situation. You're not meant to mix business with pleasure."

"Nicole were talking about the livelihood and future of a little girl here, not some business transaction. She's lost everything. Callie and I can offer her something I'm 99% sure she won't get if she goes into the system."

A knock at the door broke their discussion. "Come in" Nicole shouted.

When the door opened, a nurse poked her head in. "Angela Sanders from CPS is here."

Nicole glanced in Arizona's general direction before replying. "Send her in."

A few seconds later a well dressed, middle aged woman joined them in the conference room. "Hi, Dr Herman, Dr Robbins" she said, coming closer and extending her hand out to the blonde.

"Ms Sanders, pleased to meet you again" Arizona said, flashing her greatest smile. Yes, Arizona Robbins was looking to charm the pants off the CPS. "Please, take a seat."

As Angela made herself comfortable, she placed her briefcase on the table. "So, how did lastnight go?"

"It went great actually. She's taken a really liking to my daughter who in turn has been thrilled to have another little girl in the apartment. She ate dinner, bathed and seemed to get a good night's sleep. We found her cuddled into Sofia this morning."

Angela smiled back at the blonde. "Excellent, I'm glad to hear it. So where is she now?"

"Umm, she's actually along at the day care right now. I thought it best while we had a little chat in here."

"Oh, is there something you need to tell us before we go?"

Arizona glanced at Nicole who so far was remaining quiet through the exchange. "Well, I actually wanted to discuss something with you. After talking this over with my partner lastnight, we'd very much like to take Katie in for the foreseeable future."

Angela raised her eyebrows. "Well, that's very honourable of you Dr Robbins but that's not how this works."

"OK, so tell me how it works and tell me what I need to do to make this happen? I'll do anything and everything I need to, to show you that my wife and I are the best possible form of care for Katie. I mean, we're both doctors, we've just bought a house, we have a daughter of our own who Katie has grown quite attached to in the last 24 hours. I'm willing to take you to our home so you can carry out the necessary checks. I will answer any questions you have in regards to my life and my wife's. Nicole will provide you with character reference checks" she said, taking another glance at her friend who still remained silent. "Infact, I have a whole phone book of people who would be willing to testify that there really would be no better home for Katie to stay at than my own."

"Dr Robbins..." Angela started but Arizona interrupted her.

"Please, Ms Sanders. Don't let Katie become just another name in the system. I'm begging you. I hardly slept last night thinking about it. She's only 4. Surely it's better for her to be surrounded with people that can give her love and stability? Who will provide her with the opportunity of a bright future and…"

Holding up her hand, Angela interrupted the blonde. "I'm sorry Dr Robbins, are you suggesting you want to become a foster carer or are you saying you want to adopt her?"

Arizona hesitated briefly. When she and Callie had spoken lastnight they'd talked about fostering... adoption had never come in to it. At least, not verbally. "Umm, fostering, initially. I mean, she's only just lost her mother. We don't know what the next few weeks or months are going to bring. How the loss of her mother is going to affect her. Maybe one day, if she was completely settled with us...yes, I think down the line we'd want to adopt her.

There was silence in the room for a few seconds before Nicole finally spoke. "I realise Dr Robbins has a tendency to go on. The verbal diarrhoea can be quite tedious at times but it generally only happens when she feels passionate about something. I've known Arizona for several years now and I can honestly say you will never find a more loving, caring and devoted parent than she is. As the CPS, it's your job to do the right thing by the child. There really is no better option for Katie than having Dr Robbins and Dr Torres care for her."

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Several hours later, Callie and Arizona were stood at the window, looking in to the day care where Katie was sat watching some other children sing some songs.

A couple of hours earlier, Arizona had brought the little girl over to Callie's hospital so their paediatric doctor could give the girl a full medical MOT. They wanted to make sure she was physically fit and healthy after the conditions she'd been living in for the last few months. Thankfully, Dr Morgan had eventually given the girl a clean bill of health and a strawberry lollipop, which had certainly put a smile on the little girls face.

This morning, Angela Sanders had divulged more of Katie's history to Arizona. It seemed as though the little girl had still been going to school up until a couple of days before the fatal collision. Michelle had rang the school on Tuesday morning telling the secretary the little girl was under the weather. They'd also learned that the school had no idea Michelle had been homeless. Katie always arrived at school immaculately dressed and washed. She was a bright child, a little timid at times and often played alone in the corner of the classroom. She hadn't developed any close friendships, usually choosing to sit and watch others interact instead, even when prompted to join in.

After pleading her case, Arizona had been told by Angela Sanders that she needed more information on herself and Callie which she could present to her superiors. Before she left however, Angela headed along to the day care to speak with Katie. She wanted to know how she felt about being at Dr Robbins' house the evening before. Luckily, Katie had stated that she liked being there and that Sofia was her friend. She also asked if she could go back there again that night.

A little laugh left Callie's mouth, causing Arizona to raise an eyebrow at her. "What's so funny?"

The Latina shook her head. "Just...this. Us here, waiting to see if we can take this little girl home with us. I mean, don't you think we're totally pulling a Derek and Meredith here?!"

Arizona smirked as she thought about the circumstances in which their friends back in Seattle had taken custody and eventually adopted Zola. She too had had no family to speak of and they fought hard to prove themselves to the powers that be that they could provide a loving and stable home for the little girl. "I guess we kind of are. From the moment they met her, they knew they wanted her, at least that's how Derek felt. He held her and he just knew. I feel the same way about Katie, Callie. I honestly feel like she should be with us. I mean, wasn't it just last weekend we talked about how sorry we were we'd never had a little brother or sister for Sofia? It's like someone was listening..." She immediately cringed, closing her eyes after she said the words. "I feel awful saying that when that poor woman lost her life. To be hit at speed, in the stomach while 8 months pregnant and for your daughter to witness it all..."

Callie lifted her arm, wrapping it around her wife's shoulders. "Its good they caught the guy."

The man driving the car had gotten stuck in traffic a few yards down the road and proceeded to get out of his car and do a runner. Good samaritans had caught up with him however and turned him over to police. He'd since been charged with death by dangerous driving.

"Do you think this will scar her? I mean...do you think she replays it in her head at night?" It hurt Arizona to think the little girl was laid in bed, replaying the scene of her mother's death.

"I don't know, honey. I guess this is what a psychiatrist will discuss with her in the next few weeks and months. If she does end up staying with us, we'll give her all the help and support she needs. I can't think of anyone better to look after a child than you and I, don't you agree?"

"We are pretty good parents, aren't we?"

The Latina nodded. "We're the best."

They kissed briefly before holding on to eachother while looking back through the glass window. What they hadn't noticed was that Angela Sanders had been standing observing them from down the hall. Coming closer, she cleared her throat.

"Dr Robbins, Dr Torres, I'm presuming...?" she said, smiling as they turned to her.

"Ms Sanders. Yes, sorry, this is my wife, Dr Torres."

Angela nodded her head to the Latina. "Nice to meet you, doctor. I've just returned from speaking to my superior about your case. I'd provided her with a portfolio of your personal aswell as your working information which she and some colleagues have gone over in the last couple of hours. I'm pleased to say that she has granted you temporary custody of Katie Burn."

Both women breathed a sigh of relief at the revelation. They looked from Angela to eachother before quickly embracing.

"Yay" Arizona said excitedly. Pulling back they both looked through the window. "She gets to come home with us. Sofia will be over the moon when we pick her up from football practice."

"Maybe we should take them both out for dinner? A Thursday night chuck-e-cheese treat..."

Angela smiled at their exchange. "I'm very pleased for you both. I've been in this job many years and I believe I've gotten pretty good at reading people. I have no doubts what so ever that Katie is going to be very well cared for with you. I strongly believe a loving, secure home is always the best option for a child, as you stated earlier Dr Robbins. I realise I work for the CPS but I'm a firm believer in avoiding taking a child into care unless it's absolutely necessary for the welfare of that child. My husband was a child of the system when he was 5. Luckily for him, he was introduced into a loving family within a year and they went on to adopt him. With the strong, stable home they provided him, he went on to become one of New York's finest family court lawyers."

Arizona's eyes widened. "Wow. If only all children were that fortunate."

Angela Saunders nodded. "Unfortuntely I see far too many children go into the system for most of their young lives. I'd like to say I see it getting better but..." she sighed before continuing. "Anyway, we will ofcourse be checking in every so often. She'll need meetings with the child psychiatrist on a weekly basis until he feels it's no longer required. If you have any questions or concerns, this is a number to my personal line" she said, handing over a card. "Please don't hesitate to get in touch. This is a huge responsibility, taking on a child that isn't your own."

"Yea, we understand. We actually have a friend and fellow doctor from Seattle who went through this process a few years ago. She, along with her husband who has since sadly passed, actually adopted Zola who was brought over from Africa with spina bifida as part of a program at the Grey Sloan Memorial."

Angela smiled, always enjoying hearing of a successful adoption. "Well, who knows what the future holds for Katie and yourselves."

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