In The Mind's Eye

Disclaimer: This is an AU story that combines The Godfather and Greys Anatomy together. I borrowed these characters, I own nothing.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Love Has A Name, Gavino

"When we say things like "people don't change" it drives scientist crazy because change is literally the only constant in all of science. Energy. Matter. It's always changing, morphing, merging, growing, dying. It's the way people try not to change that's unnatural. The way we cling to what things were instead of letting things be what they are. The way we cling to old memories instead of forming new ones. The way we insist on believing despite every scientific indication that anything in this lifetime is permanent. Change is constant. How we experience change that's up to us. It can feel like death or it can feel like a second chance at life. If we open our fingers, loosen our grips, go with it, it can feel like pure adrenaline. Like at any moment we can have another chance at life. Like at any moment, we can be born all over again."

"Push. Come on Arizona you can do this." Wiping her wife's forehead, Callie held Arizona's hand. Labor had begun hours ago, now it was in the final stages. The struggle to bring their son into the world was almost too much for Callie to watch her wife go through.

"The head is crowning. I need another big push Arizona. Give it everything you've got." The doctor encouraged.

With a determination that Callie had never seen in her wife, Arizona bore down and pushed hard. Really hard. "That's good baby. You are doing so good." Wiping her wife's face with a cool rag, Callie kissed Arizona on the cheek. "I am so proud of you. You are almost there."

"Alright Arizona. I need another big push." Dr. Visco said. He knew this was a difficult birth. Arizona was small in frame and he had recommended a c-section, but the blonde had refused. She wanted to experience a natural birth.

Again, Arizona pushed as hard as she could. This was the most difficult thing she had ever done in her life. Why does childbirth have to be difficult? "Come on. Push. Push. Push." Callie encouraged her wife. She knew this was so hard for Arizona. But, they were almost there.

Hearing those words from Callie, Arizona gave it all she had. And then, she heard her baby's screams. With tears of joy and pain, Arizona laughed and cried as she saw her son; their son.

"He's beautiful Arizona. You did so good honey." Kissing her wife, Callie was overjoyed. Her heart was full with the love she had for her son and her wife. "I love you so much baby," Callie smiled. This was a happy day. The happiest day of her life. Today, they were a family.

As an emotional Callie looked from her wife, to over where her son was being cleaned up, Arizona said, "I love you too Callie."

Arizona cried as the nurse placed her son in her arms. He was beautiful. Perfection. Gavino Robbins Torres. With dark hair and tanned skin, he looked a lot like Callie. His face was round with the most adorable chubby cheeks.

The second a baby is born the mother feels relief; the labor is over, and the suprpise that the baby is so 'perfect'. There's a million things that could've gone wrong, but didn't. There's a need to reassure the scared, whimpering little human that everything's going to be okay, mother is there. Or mothers in this case.

Most mothers think that her own life has just begun after the birth of their first child. Nothing will ever be the same again. And, it won't. Everything changes. Mostly, for the better. A baby is a blank canvas and mothers want to make it into the most brilliant thing anyone has ever seen. A canvas with intelligence, maturity, wise, mannered, giving, loving. All the attributes they wish for their child to be. The hope that, if they give enough love, enough support, enough encouragement to their new baby, he will turn out a masterpiece.

Spending time together, just the three of them, Callie smiled. This was her...Family. The people who accept you no matter who you are. No hatred. No judgment. Unconditional love. People you feel secure with, comfortable with. This was the family Callie had always wanted. She and Arizona were no longer just a couple. They were now a family.

An hour later a knocking on the door, gave way to very happy grandparents. Carlos and Carmela walked in first, followed by Daniel and Barbara. Each one happy. Each one wanting for a chance to hold their new grandson.

"I want to hold him!" Barbara Robbins' enthusiasm was abundant. Holding little Gavin in her arms, the new grandmother was completely smitten. "Oh my goodness, he is so precious. Arizona! This is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen." Barbara gushed as she held her only grandchild in her arms. The moment was unlike any the older woman had ever experienced. She wished they lived closer to her daughter. She wished they had a better relationship with their grandson's other mother.

"Daniel. Isn't he the most beautiful baby?" Showing her husband, Barbara saw tears in the Colonel's eyes. Always a stoic man, a hard man. Today, the wall was torn down. That resolve...broken.

"He is. He looks just like..." And then he stopped mid sentence. Because, finishing that would have allowed the Colonel to acknowledge his daughter in law. But, the truth was he had to acknowledge his daughter in law. The Colonel had to accept Callie. She was his grandson's other mother. Because they used an Italian donor, the baby had dark hair and eyes like Callie. He had tanned complexion. Little Gavin didn't look like Arizona at all. And, that bothered the old Colonel...just a tad.

"Callie. He looks like Callie," Arizona finished her father's sentence. Looking at him with a straight face, Arizona pleaded with her eyes...Don't make a scene. Don't cause any trouble. Keep your opinions to yourself. Please... Those were the looks she gave her father. Looks that, Colonel Robbins did not miss.

Obeying the silent look he received, Daniel changed his tune. Just a little. Just enough to appease the "other" mother and his daughter. And, he really did put on a good act too. If you didn't know any better, you would have thought it to be genuine. Heartfelt. Sincere.

"Yes. He does look a lot like Callie. And, that's a very good thing too." Daniel smiled. Moving to his daughter's bedside, he said, "I am so proud of you. You are going to make a wonderful mother. I know it." Kissing Arizona on the forehead, she gave her a wink. And then, he moved over to where Callie stood. "You are going to make a wonderful mother too Callie. I am proud of you too." Wrapping a strong arm around his daughter in law, Daniel smiled.

But this said act was not impressive to the brunette mother. Although she played the part well, deep down, that smile didn't quite meet her eyes. She knew Daniel Robbins despised her. And, the feelings were mutual. However, for the sake of her wife and their newborn son, Callie let it go. After all, the Robbins weren't around all that often. They seldom visited. And, she liked Arizona's mother. She was very motherly. Callie had begun speaking more often to Barbara on the phone since her wife's sickness. And, she enjoyed their talks. The laughs. Barbara Robbins forged a gap between the two families that didn't get along all that well. For that, Callie was thankful for her mother in law.

Once Carlos and Carmela had their time with their new grandson, Callie couldn't help but become emotional. The older couple already had two grandchildren. Aria had blessed them with two grand daughters. This however, was the first and only grandson for the Torres'. Grandson...Carlos liked the sound of that.

"You are going to have everything your heart desires my little man." Kissing little Gavin's head as Carmela held him tightly, Carlos couldn't help but smile. Hearing his wife sing to her newest grandchild, Carlos looked over to his daughter. The tears welled in her eyes as she heard her mother sing the familiar lullaby to her son, just as she had to Callie and her sisters.

The families visit continued throughout the afternoon. The laugher once again abounded. The smiles...well most were genuine. Even the Colonel joined in...and much to Callie's surprise attempted to make small talk with her. Was it put on? Who knew. Was it just to appease his wife and daughter? It was anyone's guess. But, Callie played along. Why not? They would be gone soon anyways. No harm. Just, let it be.

In the evening hours, after the shift change had come to New York Presbyterian, several colleagues came by to visit the baby and it's mothers. Each with a special something of the baby. Each with a sweet word for the mothers and their son. One particular and special visitor was Miranda Bailey. "Well, he is a beautiful baby. Ooh, I could just spoil him rotten," Bailey said as she rocked little Gaven.

"He is beautiful. I can't disagree with that," Arizona replied. They visited a while. The Robbins talked with Dr. Bailey about her job and her family. As much as Arizona enjoyed this, she was tired. It had been a long day. She had quite a bit of pain medicine in her. Feeling the side effects and the loopy feeling it left, Arizona closed her eyes. She wanted to visit, but she was too tired. Hearing everyone continue to talk softly, Arizona's breaths became more labored. Sleep was taking over, a restful sleep. One that was much needed after the intensity of her labor.

After all visitors and family had left, the room was empty. Callie turned the light off and just a little light coming from the bathroom was left on. Enough light to see, but dark enough that everyone could sleep tonight. Everyone...meaning Callie, Arizona and little Gavin. Callie refused to allow their son to go to the nursery for the night. She was afraid that something would happen to him. Perhaps someone might try and take him. What if no one would be there if he cried. So...he stayed. With his mothers. In their room. Gavin would stay with his parents until he and Arizona were released from the hospital.

As quiet took over the dimly lit hospital room, Arizona closed her eyes. Thinking back on today, she thought about the changes that were going to happen in their home. Happy changes...and unhappy changes.

New babies equal new change. A change for the better. Rocking the baby. Feeding the baby. Giving him baths. The singing. The stories to be read. Arizona welcomed these changes. She couldn't wait until they were home. In their own little bubble. Happy. Secure. Relaxed. That kind of change was...a good change. A happy change.

Then there was the other change. The unhappy change. Arizona and Callie started nesting in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Getting everything ready for their son's arrival. During those few weeks, Arizona took her maternity leave early. She was not feeling well. It wasn't the decision she wanted to make, but one that was necessary. Or, so her wife said. It was an unhappy change. Cutting back her hours to four days a week once the baby came was also an unhappy change. Was it a change she could live with? Yes. But it was still change. And any change is just that...change. It takes a while to get used to. To accept. But she would, given time; she would grow accustomed to working four days a week.

So Arizona lay in her hospital bed thinking about all of the new changes that were about to take place in her life. Lying still, the blonde doctor remembered something that she had once read. Change is constant. It never stops. Sometimes change does feel like death. Sometimes it feels like you have another chance at life. A new beginning. A new change. A chance to start...all over again. Maybe this new baby was just that...a new start for her and Callie.

Turning her head to look over in Callie's direction, Arizona stared at the sleeping brunette. She still had some concern about Caterina Brazini. What was that woman capable of? She certainly seemed to be the aggressive type. Arizona also wasn't quite happy with Callie having been so secretive, but she did her best to put those doubts aside. She had tried to move on from the feelings of jealousy.

After the Caterina Brazini fiasco, as Arizona called it, the two wives had made amends. It was for the best. If you love someone, you have to let go of the past and move on. As much as Callie drove Arizona completely mad at times with her controlling ways, Arizona still loved her. And for all the times that Arizona refused to listen and became frustrated with Callie over her protectiveness, Callie still loved Arizona.

Why you ask? After all of this? Why were these two women who were so completely different still in love with one another?

That's simple...

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this: where I does not exist, nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."

A/N: Last quote was art of a poem by Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets