Thanks to all of you who took the time to leave a review. This chapter was hard to write as I have shed a few tears myself, but I still hope you enjoy it. Have a great day and please let me know what you think and if there's anything you'd like me to include in the story :)
The Latina's world had turned upside down when the news of her wife being in a coma had reached her. The heart that had once been so full of joy and excitement had turned into a heart of sadness and terrible fear. Suddenly, the decision of taking the job and staying in a support bubble with a team she had barely known seemed to have been the worst decision of her life. Callie had loved her work and the opportunities that came with it, but she realized that no matter how fulfilling and promising it might have seemed, it couldn't compare to the life and love she had shared with Arizona. The blonde was the love of her life and the woman she had always sworn to love and protect. The brunette had never planned to stay away for so long and she had known this wasn't anyone's fault, but she could have quit her job in order to be with her family and she hated herself for having shoved that idea to the side. An overwhelming feeling of guilt and shame filled her heart and before she had talked to her coach, the brunette had packed her bags and called him as she sat down in her car.
"Dan?" the brunette asked.
"Callie, what's up?"
The Latina took a deep breath. The decision of going back to Arizona wasn't a hard one to make, but she had always hated to disappoint people. "I have to go back home."
Callie had heard a loud gasp at the end of the line. "What are you talking about?"
"My wife's in...in a coma and I, I can't stay here." the Latina stuttered as her tears reached her eyes again.
"I'm-wow, I'm so sorry to hear that. Of course you can go, but...you can't come back if you leave now." the coach explained.
"With all due respect, sir, this is the last of my worries. I'm really sorry to leave you like this, but this is my wife and there's nothing more important than my family."
"I understand. Take care, Callie. It was nice working with you and who knows, maybe we'll see each other again."
"Thank you, I appreciate that."
Callie had heard the disappointment in his voice and usually she'd care, but right now, she couldn't care less. This was her wife, her best friend and soulmate and what kind of wife would she be if she had stayed right where she had been for the past few weeks? To be there for her wife, Callie had asked Meredith to let Sofia stay there a little longer until she had seen Arizona. Meredith had agreed and let her know she could stay as long as she wanted her to stay. The Latina had promised to be there for her through good and bad, highs and lows and in sickness and health. Callie had never wanted to be in a situation like this, but it had shown her what was really important in life and that her love for Arizona had always been stronger than the want for success or fame. The brunette had started the car with shaking hands and a part of her had wondered how she would ever get there safely. It had been pitch black outside and the cold streets were busier than ever for no specific reason.
After a long drive due to traffic, the brunette had finally arrived at the hospital. Callie had taken a few deep breaths before she opened the door to step outside. Her hands had already been shaking in fear, but the cold hadn't made it any better. Step by step, the young brunette walked towards the hospital and felt another strong rush of anxiety and pain washing over her. She was so scared to be met with the painful view of her wife laying in that bed with an oxygen mask to help her breathe. Callie was about to walk through the doors of the hospital when a security guy stopped her.
"Ma'am, you can't come in here. Visiting hours are over and the current situation doesn't allow us to let any more people in." the young man said.
Callie couldn't believe what she had heard the man say. Now wasn't the time for unnecessary arguments with stupid security guys. "I beg you, pardon?"
"You can't come in here." he said again.
Anger arose in the brunette. "Listen to me carefully, sir, because I will not repeat myself. My wife's in a coma in this goddamn hospital and if you haven't noticed by now, I work here. You've seen me multiple times already, so step the fuck away and let me in!"
"Ma'am-" the guard tried to speak up, but Callie stopped him.
"No, don't start anything you can't finish. Talk to Chief Bailey if you want, I don't give a shit. She'll be on my side." Callie said with anger in her voice as she brushed past the young man who had gone completely silent. The Latina hadn't wanted to let her frustration out on him, but all she had needed was to see her wife and she was gonna do anything to make it happen. When Callie had finally reached the intensive care unit, she was met by Bailey who hadn't expected to see the young woman so fast and after all, it had already been past 11pm.
"Torres!" Bailey said loudly and caused heads to turn.
"Bailey…" the Latina whispered with tears in her eyes.
Miranda had seen the strong pain in the brunette's eyes. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what that's like for you. Would you like to sit down?"
"No, no, thank you. I...I need to see her."
"I can't let you in there, Torres. It's way too dangerous for you." the Chief said and caused Callie to be more serious than she had ever been in her life.
"Bailey...I know you're the Chief, but I will go in there, no matter what you say. I'll take a dozen tests a day or quarantine in that damn room if that's what it takes to see her, but I will go in there."
"What about your child?" the concerned doctor asked.
"I have already talked to Meredith and she can take her. I'll get tested before I see her, okay?"
"When was the last time you had a test done?"
"This morning. The team has to get tested every day and it was negative." Callie explained.
"Okay. So...uh, if I let you do this, you have to protect yourself. Sofia can't have another sick parent, alright?"
"Okay. I just...I really need to see her." the Latina's voice broke.
"I know you do. That's why I'll help you put your scrubs and mask on, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan." Callie smiled softly, but her eyes told a different story. Her heart was racing and about to jump out of her chest.
A few minutes later the brunette had found herself standing in a room with her scrubs and mask on and Bailey standing next to her. They had made sure there was no way for the virus to enter Callie's body and when she had looked at the Chief, the Latina knew it was time.
"I'll let you in now, okay? If you need anything, I'm right behind that door."
"Thank you." Callie smiled.
The next few steps had felt like stepping into hell. The sound of monitors beeping had filled the room and cables had been placed all over the blonde's chest. Callie had stepped inside the room, but her gaze had been fixed on the ground ever since. She had never been so scared to see her wife before and the thought of having to see her in that condition had shattered the brunette's heart before she had taken a look. The door behind Callie had closed and the only thing she had heard was the monitor and the rather loud noises coming from it. Having taken a few steps closer to the bed her girl had been laying in, she had finally dared to lift her gaze. The blonde's legs had been hidden under a blanket and her upper body was covered in cables. The Latina slowly lifted her eyes and looked at her face. Quite suddenly, she had felt a sharp and unbearable pain in her heart. Callie let out a loud sob and felt her legs weaken underneath her.
"Arizona!" she cried out loudly as tears started streaming down her face, but there was no response.
"Arizona, honey!" Callie said again, her voice filled with indescribable pain, but there was still no answer. The brunette knew there wouldn't be an answer, but a part of her wished there was.
As her legs had weakened more, Callie grabbed a chair and sat down next to the blonde. Her face had looked tired and pale and her heart had broken at the sight of her. Tears of pain and disbelief ran down her cheeks as she reached out to hold Arizona's hand.
"Sweetheart, I'm...I'm home." she whispered and stroked her hand softly.
The fear of losing Arizona had never been so strong and present before. The Latina had feared losing her many times before, and when she had after they had divorced, her world had crumbled. They had gone through so much together and had to work hard to make them trust each other again, but at the end, it had been worth it. Arizona was the love of Callie's life, and the thought of possibly losing her now was too much for the brunette. The blonde had been her entire life and she couldn't imagine her life without her in it.
"Please, please fight for me." Callie sobbed.
You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in
Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
"I don't know if you can hear me, but...I love you more than I love myself, Arizona. I...I'm so sorry you're suffering and I...I wish I could take this away from you. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help you. I should have never left you. Please honey, please wake up! I can't live without you." the young woman cried and wrapped both hands around the hand of her beloved wife. She closed her eyes for a moment and placed Arizona's hand against her cheek. She had never needed her to touch her more.
"Torres?" Miranda's voice echoed in the room.
"Y-yes?"
"Come on, let's go. You've been in her for a long time and she needs to rest."
"One minute, okay? I'll be out shortly." Callie asked.
"Okay." Bailey sighed.
The brunette had gotten up from her chair and placed it in one of the corners of the room. Before she left, she stopped at the blonde's bed again and took her hand once more.
"I love you so much, Arizona. You rest baby and I'll be back tomorrow. I will never leave again."
-
The next morning, Callie had gotten up early to FaceTime her daughter before she would be brought to school by Meredith. She had missed her daughter more than anything and the thought of seeing her again tonight brought tears of joy to her eyes. When her daughter's face popped up on her screen, she couldn't believe how beautiful she was. Callie had talked to her almost every day, but it was mostly through normal calls and not through FaceTime.
"Hey, my love!" Callie smiled.
"Hi, mama! I missed you!" Sofia said and smiled at her mom.
"I missed you too, mija. How are you doing, sweet girl?"
"I'm good, but...when can I see you?" the girl asked.
"Tonight, honey. After I got back from mommy." Callie sighed.
Sofia sighed at her mother's words. "I miss her and I wish I could see her."
"I know, mi amor. You'll see her again soon."
-
Two hours later, the Latina had gotten back to the clinic and talked to Bailey. They had gotten a hold of the patient who had exposed Arizona to the disease before he had left the hospital and made him take a test which, of course, had turned out to be positive. This was the first time Bailey had felt relieved and happy no one of his family had visited him on the weekend. The Chief had never wanted him to be lonely, but no visits had protected others from being exposed to the deadly and very dangerous virus. The doctors and nurses who had examined and taken care of him had taken Corona tests as well and luckily, it had infected only one nurse. She had showed signs the day Arizona broke down and isolated herself, just in case. They had all been advised to stay home anyway if they had experienced any symptoms. Bailey had known how lucky they were that Covid-19 hadn't spread more in the hospital, but one person was still fighting for her life. Arizona Robbins.