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-Six
Finding My Roots
Two weeks later...
"Your mama and mommy love you so much sweet baby. Don't you ever doubt that. If you had seen mama before you were born, you would understand. She was so worried." Whispering softly to her son Arizona giggled, " She was a monster."
Hearing Arizona talking sweetly to their son, Callie smiled from the hallway outside Gavin's nursery. The brunette couldn't help but think back to the day Arizona went into labor. A day that was not Callie's finest moment, but one that she would always remember. Mainly because Arizona never let her forget.
Flashback
Waking up in the middle of the night, Arizona was hit with a sharp pain. "Callie. Wake up. My water broke."
Rousing from a restful sleep, Callie sprang into action. Her feet immediately hitting the floor. Then the questions began to start. "Is it time? Is it the baby? Are you okay? Do you hurt?" More questions than Arizona could answer. More questions than she felt like answering in actuality. She was hurting. The contractions were intense.
"Yes. It freaking hurts!" Arizona screamed. Because it was the most intense pain she had experienced.
Unbelievably, Callie was as unorganized as she had ever been at this moment. Never one to lose control, the brunette was definitely dropping the ball on this one. This, important event was slipping through her fingers, as Arizona watched an unusual sight unfold before her eyes.
Digging in their closet, Callie yelled, "Arizona I can't find the bag I packed to go to the hospital! Oh my God! Where's the damn bag!"
Before Arizona could respond, Callie voiced her frustration again. "We have to get to the hospital. You cannot give birth here. Dear God. Please let find this damn bag!" Apparently the missing bag in question was not far away. Callie had simply overlooked it in her frantic searching.
"Are you looking for this?" Holding up the missing bag, Arizona couldn't help but laugh. She was in between contractions. The pain subsided at the moment. And this was not typical Callie Torres behavior. Which by the way Arizona found amusing.
Running out of the closet in a pair of old sweatpants and her Harvard sweatshirt, Callie reached for the bag. The one that her wife found. The one that was sitting beside Callie's nightstand. Placed there by the brunette herself so she would be ready to leave at the drop of a hat. 'Where the hell was it at?"
"By your side of the bed honey." Arizona replied. She had not seen her wife this worked in...well, come to think of it, Arizona had never seen Callie like this.
"You need to calm down baby. Everything is going to be fineee..." Arizona screeched as another contraction started.
"Okay...okay...okay...we can do this Arizona" Breathing deeply, Callie tried to comfort her wife. Hell, she was even trying to comfort herself at this moment. The brunette had never been through anything like this. It was scary to say the least.
Within twenty minutes, they were walking into NY Presbyterian. Immediately, Callie got Arizona the attention and care she deserved. "I need my wife taken to labor and delivery immediately. I am a board member. We will not be sitting in the ER waiting to be seen. Do you understand?"
Throwing her weight around was what Callie Torres did best. Being in control was her second nature. The love for her wife was never to be questioned. And, she was a memeber of the hospital board. A member who had donated millions of dolllars in the past month to renovate part of the pediatric wing. So naturally Callie expected to be treated like royalty. Never one to shy away, or wait for an answer, Callie lit into the young student nurse that was assisting them.
"Hurry up! Get a damn wheelchair!" That wasn't the end of her demands either. Once they were settled into a room Callie took complete control. Nevermind that her wife was a doctor. Callie knew best. As always, the brunette took over the room.
"I do not want my wife to hurt. Give her drugs. Knock her out. Do whatever you have to do for this to be pain free and easy." But, childbirth was never easy. It is painful. For Callie, pain was not an option. Arizona would not hurt like she had earlier.
Once the epidural was given, Arizona felt some relief. Callie continued to hover over her wife the entire time. Never leaving the blonde doctors side. From ice chips to a cool rag, Callie remained focused on the task at hand. Her wife and their son. That was the goal here. To help make this momentous event as easy as possible on everyone. Everyone except the hospital staff.
Seeing her wife work herself and the nurses overtime, Arizona did her best to calm Callie down. It was too much. At this rate, Callie was driving everyone crazy. "Callie, I am fine. I don't hurt anymore. Everything is fine."
"I know. I just want you to have the best care. And you will." Brushing Arizona's blonde hair from her face, Callie placed a small kiss on her wife's cheek. She meant it too. Her wife would have the best. No matter what she had to do to get it.
"Honey, you are scaring the staff." This admission from Arizona surprised Callie.
With a shocked look, Callie retorted, "I am helping. They like me."
"Callie, you were a monster."
End of Flashback
Snapping from her thoughts, Callie smiled as she watched her wife care for their son. There was no doubt about Arizona and Gavin being most important people in her life. Sure, her wife had called her a monster. And, to be honest, Callie knew she was. She just didn't care. Because these two would always be at the center of her heart. The focus of her life. She would move heaven and earth for them both. And, nothing would ever change that.
Corleone, Sicily,
Three months later...
Cascata delle due Rocche (Waterfall of the Two Rocks) is just a short walk from the historical center through the narrow streets of the San Giuliano district. Today, the two women found themselves staring in amazement at the picturesque scene.
"This waterfall is formed by a jump of the rivers San Leonardo and Belice. It cascades over two large rocks into a pool below." Callie said as she pointed to the swirling pool of water.
"Callie this is absolutely breathtaking." Arizona had never seen such a beautiful sight. It was peaceful. Tranquility was apparent here. You could think, clear your mind, be to yourself in the quiet space.
Agreeing with her wife, Callie said, "It is lovely here. That's why I wanted to bring you here. We didn't get to see this when we were here on our honeymoon."
"Well, we were a little preoccupied with, other stuff." Arizona laughter filled the air. She remembered her honeymoon very well.
"Yea. We were kind of busy. But it was a fun, kind of busy." Callie chuckled. She to had never forgotten those two weeks. Those magical, passion filled two weeks.
This time, the couple along with baby Gaven as well as Carlos and Carmela Torres had all come together to Sicily. They were taking a little break. A getaway. Much needed vacations help bond families. It makes the unit stronger. Even tighter. The brunette scheduled two weeks for them all to be here.
Arriving by private plane four days ago, Callie decided today would be a great day to show Arizona around. Give her another tour of when her grandfather and her father was born. Finding her roots, Callie purposely handpicked several destinations and stops that she wanted her wife to see.
Arriving at the cobblestone street where her father's former home was, Callie took Arizona by the hand. "This was where my father was born. Here, in this old shack of a building. It's not much to look at is it?"
Sizing up the old apartment from the outside, Callie shook her head in disbelief. Carlos Torres sure had come along way. Looking at this old place' that much was obvious. He was raised in a rather poor family. His father and mother migrating to the United States when he was just a baby, afforded Carlos a much brighter future. A future that Carlos never dreamed he would have.
"It is a bit run down. But, I bet it was..." thinking of the right choice of words, Arizona continued, "I bet it was..cozy."
No, It didn't look cozy. It looked horribly dreadful. Poverty stricken was more like it. But, Arizona wasn't one to be rude. Or poke fun. She knew that the Torres Family had obviously came along way from their early days in Sicily. And, although this place was older, and steeped in tradition, it was a rather nice town. She had never before in her life been to Sicily. Never had she walked the streets of this small town, until her honeymoon and now, their family vacation.
The tour didn't stop there. The couple drove to a nearby town that was next to the ocean. Sitting by the water, Arizona felt the ocean air hit her face. It felt nice. She was happy. Her wife had made every stride to ensure this vacation was a restful one for all of them. The only thing that Arizona could say was that Callie stayed on the phone an unusual amount. Carlos and Callie would take walks around the vineyard next to their home. Sometimes, the father and daughter would be gone for several hours. Was Arizona alarmed by this? No. She knew Callie and her father were close. But, something seemed off. Arizona just didn't know what.
And, the truth was something was off. Across the ocean, thousands of miles away from the small Sicilian town, several men; young and old, were losing their lives. No, not in battle, but in murder. Murder that had been ordered by Callie and Carlos Torres. Murder that had been planed by the father and daughter duo. It was murder for convenience. No longer would Callie have to look over her shoulder. It was murder for financial gain. Taking over the other Family's territory after this would be easy. However, no matter how you classified murdering the heads of the other Families, it was murder. Plain and simple.
Most societies consider murder to be a very serious crime. Our society in the United States certainly does. Murder is murder. No matter how you doll it up, or dress it nicely; it is still the unlawful act of killing another human without justification or valid excuse. But, Callie felt justified. She felt excused. The brunette even deemed it lawful. Callie lived in that bubble where, no one or nothing would ever touch her. Above the law. Free from scrutiny. Free to do as she pleased, when she pleased, to whom she pleased, and as for as long as she pleased.
Deep down there was another reason for this. The sole reason for the murders being committed today. Callie's need for survival. Her father had almost been assassinated nearly a coupe of years ago. And her wife was targeted as well. Surely she would be next if she didn't act first. No one in the Torres family was safe in Callie's mind until this was properly handled. She would not let her wife or their son be the next victim. Callie would never forgive herself if something happened to them.
So, Callie set it all up. The meetings. The private chats with Clemenza, Al, Sal, Luca Brazzi as well as several others. Each one had a job to do today. Each one a mission to fulfill. A man was assigned a certain member of the other Families, and these men were issued orders to execute the remaining heads of the New York Crime Families today. All at the same time, but in different locations. It was a risky move. Careful calculations and thought had gone into today. This process was not an easy feat, but a necessary one.
Necessary because this was Callie and Arizona's only way out from under so much control. Sure, Callie was still in the commission. Given time, she would be able to take a step back from that as well. She would even sell out her shares to other casino owners she was partnered with if need be. Anything to become what she craved the most. What her wife pushed the most...legitimacy.
Once Callie and Arizona were back at their vacation home, Callie picked Gavin up from his crib. They had left him for the day with Callies parents. The older couple adored the infant. Gavin was a breath of fresh air for Carlos and Carmela. Rocking Gavin in the corner of the living room, Callie smiled as her son looked in her eyes. He was their first child. Gavin would always be highly favored. He was special.
Seeing her wife and son bonding, Arizona felt her heart skip a beat. She loved to see them interact. Gavin would smile as Callie sang to him. And Arizona enjoyed listening to Callie's soft voice as the brunette sang to their son...
"Vai a nanna, vai a nanna
Nelle braccia di tua mamma,
Vai a nanna, bimbo bello,
Vai a nanna, bimbo così bello,
Vai a nanna, vai a nanna,
Nelle braccia di tua mamma."
Kneeling down next to Callie's chair, Arizona kissed Gavin's head. "I love you both so much," the blonde said. Moving to place a kiss on her wife's soft pink lips, Arizona lingered the kiss.
When they broke apart, both Arizona and Callie gazed into each other's eyes. Neither wanting or caring to break away. For they shared a connection that maybe some people wouldn't understand. A deep need to fulfill each other's desires. The need to be needed. Their love for one another was stronger. Perhaps, stronger than it had been for quite some time.
"We love you too mommy." Callie replied.
"I better go start dinner," Arizona smiled as she pulled herself up from a kneeling position.
Agreeing with Callie, Arizona answered, "Yes. This baby and his mama are very hungry." Taking the bottle that Carmela had just handed her, Callie began feeding Gavin. Her seemed to be exceptionally hungry tonight.
Finished with their meal, Callie and her father sat on outside. Arizona and Carmela were cleaning the kitchen. Laughing and talking as they worked. While Callie had Gavin asleep in her arms. All was good in their little world. Today was successful. Callie was on her way to be coming free from the control that had her so bound to the life she had grown to hate.
The brunette had brought her family here for several reasons. One reason was for her parents. Carlos' health was declining fast. Faster than anyone liked or could accept. She wanted them to come back home. To be able to visit Sicily again. The home Carlos had built years ago was the biggest in the entire town. He loved this home. So it made sense that Callie wanted to afford her father another visit.
There was however another reason for coming to Sicily. Callie knew that Arizona would be mighty suspicious of her involvement with these murders if they were in the states. Callie could claim her innocence while she was away with Arizona. How could you do all of that...when you were halfway across the world. She also knew that if she were out of the country at the time they occurred, it looked better for her alibi with any law enforcement. So she planned this trip. Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.
"I am really glad you insisted in us all coming to Sicily." Carlos said as he and Callie sat outside on the veranda overlooking their vineyard. The elder Torres was tired. Losing weight seemed to be a normal occurrence now. His heart just wasn't what it used to be. His voice was noticeably weaker.
"Me too Papa. Hey, maybe next year we can do this again, huh?" This place was where it all started. This was the brunette's roots. The birthplace of her family. She didn't know how much time her father had left. How many more days they could spend together?
With a nod, Carlos kept his eyes on the field in front of him. Yes. Maybe next year. Maybe their family could all come back and be together, here in Sicily. Maybe he would feel up to taking the trip. Maybe...
"You never think the last time is the last time, you think there'll be more. You think you have forever but you dont."
A/N: English Translation for lullaby Callie sang as follows:
"Go to sleep, go to sleepy
In the arms of your mother,
Go to sleep, lovely child,
Go to sleepy, child so lovely,
Go to sleep, go to sleepy
In the arms of your mother."
Lot's of feels...So, we have the heads of the families murdered. Callie's father's health is declining. And, Arizona and Callie are once again Happy! A little happy mixed with a whole lot of sad. But, that's life isn't it?