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Chapter 9

Amber saw it all go down. She saw the Latina in an argument with the older gentleman. She saw Callie's arm flailing around. She heard the Spanish rant. She heard the older man yelling at her friend. She saw Callie run off and go in the on call room. She was right behind her friend. She was on the bed and clearly sobbing. Amber didn't think twice to get in the bed behind her and wrap her up in a hug. Callie shifted and sobbed into her friend's chest. Amber just let her cry it out. She would talk about it later. Callie needed to let it out. After awhile, Callie's sobs became gentle sniffles and eventually her breathing evened out. She was asleep. Amber laid there and rubbed her hand up and down Callie's back. Callie hugged into her chest and she too drifted off to sleep.

Arizona was wandering the halls looking for her girlfriend having a break in her day of surgeries. She started in the obvious part of the hospital and did not see her. She asked one of the Ortho nurses there if she had seen Callie. The nurse told her that she was paged to the front of the hospital. Arizona thought that was odd, but made her way down to the front of the hospital. She was redirected by the receptionist that said she saw her by the ER going into an on call room. The receptionist thrived on the drama of the hospital and smirked to herself having seen Amber following Callie into the on call room. She was sure there was going to be an epic lesbian showdown.

Arizona opened the on call room door and could not believe what she saw. Her girlfriend and her cousin's wife asleep in the bed and in what appeared to be a pretty intimate embrace. The women in the bed were both startled back to consciousness with a loud, 'What the fuck?!' They jumped and Amber fell out of the small bed.

'Arizona, what the hell?' Amber said from the floor.

'I could ask you the same thing. Why are you two cuddling and sleeping together in an on call room. Calliope, explain please.' Arizona demands.

'Arizona, calm down. You don't know what is going on. Don't jump to conclusions. Please. Listen to me right now.' Arizona could hear the seriousness in Amber's voice. It was then that she saw Callie's smeared makeup and tear stained face.

'Callie, baby. What happened?' she spoke softer now.

Amber got off the floor and sat back on the bed. 'Do you want me to tell her or can you?'

Callie just looked up and her friend understood.

'So, Callie's dad came by the hospital today.' Arizona looked to Amber with concern. 'Yeah. They got into an argument and my Spanish is not the greatest, but it seems that he wanted Callie to quit working at the hospital and come work for him. To leave her sinful lifestyle and she would be taken care of for the rest of her life. Callie said no, of course, and that she was with you. This set her dad off more and he called her a couple of not so nice names and she came in here. I followed her and held her. She needed it. I should have called you, but I didn't even know if you were working today. It was just for comfort and we fell asleep. That's it Ari. I am going to go now. You can take over for your girl, and please stop jumping to conclusions so quickly. Trust me and more importantly, trust Callie.' Amber finally got out. Arizona nodded. Amber left the room and was met with an audience of nurses and the front desk receptionist. 'Don't you all have some work to do somewhere?' she asked before the door shut completely.

Arizona wrapped Callie in a hug. 'I'm sorry, Baby. What can I do?'

'Nothing. Just love me.' Callie said softly. 'I hate that he brought this into the hospital. I guess he figured it was pubic enough that he would be able to say all that he had to say and I wouldn't shut a door in his face. I told him that I don't want anything more to do with him. I cannot believe the lengths that he is going to. I am who I am. Why can't he accept it?'

'Some people are just too closed minded Calliope. I am not going anywhere. You are stuck with me until you tell me to fuck off, ok?' That made Callie laugh.

'I think that sounds amazing. Can we talk about something else? I need to get my mind off of it.'

'Of course, Beautiful. Maci's birthday is coming up, what do you want to get for her?' Arizona asks.

'What do you get for a three year old?'

'Probably anything that lights up or makes noise.'

'That's a safe bet. Nothing too noisy. I like Amber and Tyler after all.' Callie says.

'Of course. So, no karaoke machines. Why don't we head to the toy store this week and we can pick out something.' Arizona asked.

Callie nods to the plans. 'You know,' Callie started. 'Amber is right. You did jump to a pretty big conclusion when you busted in.'

Arizona looked ashamed. 'I know and I am sorry. I will work on that. I trust you. I trust Amber. I have just been hurt in the past. Actually my first girlfriend, Noelle, cheated on me with her ex. It messed me up pretty bad. I loved her, or at least I thought I did. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did.'

'Arizona, sweetie. Thank you for apologizing. I know what it may have seemed like. I understand that. I understand that you have been hurt, but have I hurt you?' Arizona shakes her head. 'Well, that's because I never plan to hurt you. I know you struggle knowing that I have been with Amber in an intimate way, but I am telling you, it has been nearly four years since we even entertained the idea of sleeping together. She is with Tyler and I am with you. ONLY you. Ok?' Arizona nods and leans into Callie more.

'I know Calliope and I know it is something that I need to work on. Are you ok now?' Callie smiles and kisses her girlfriend.

'You know, if I wasn't such a mess and haven't been ugly crying, I would so take you in this on call room.'

'You're beautiful.' Arizona says and she truly means it.

The women are scrambling to get themselves together after sleeping through their alarm. They did not have to be at work, but they were roped in to help with setting up Maci's birthday party. They rushed out the door and jumped into Callie's car. It was about a twenty minute drive. Arizona tried calling, but did not get an answer from Amber or Tyler. They sped through the Seattle streets and pulled into the driveway of the two story home. They raced up the door and let themselves in. Amber had music playing and her and Maci were dancing around the living room. Tyler was hanging streamers from the ceiling. They all stopped and looked in the direction of the door.

Maci ran up to the newcomers and hugged both of their legs. 'Zona! Cowwie! I'm three today. And you are late.' She said the last part with a small glare and a pointed look, her hand on her little hip. It was adorable.

'I'm sorry, Stinker. We would never miss your big day.' Arizona said to the little girl.

'Yeah, we are sorry little lady. We are here for the rest of the day to celebrate your birthday. Now, what should we do first?' Callie asked.

'We dance!' Maci squealed. Her and her mother had been dancing for almost an hour already. It was her first birthday wish of the day, and birthday wishes are meant to come true, so they cranked up the volume and started cutting loose.

'Maci girl… Mama is going to help Daddy decorate, ok? You dance with Zona and Callie. Sound good?' Amber said.

'Yes, mama. Come on. We dance now.' Maci said pulling them into the living room leaving no room for argument.

They all took turns dancing and decorating the house and waiting for the guests to arrive. People started showing up a couple hours later and Maci was loving having all of her daycare friends at her house. They played games, jumped in the bounce house, and she opened her mountain of gifts from friends and family. Then it was time for cake and ice cream. Tyler lit the candles and brought the cake to the table where Maci was waiting patiently, for once. Amber told her to make a wish and squatted down to help the three year old with blowing out the candles safely. After the candles were blown out, Maci leaned to her mama's ear and started whispering. 'Mama, I wished for Cowwie and Zona to get mawwied.' Amber made eye contact with Callie and then Arizona and smiled. She turned back to her daughter and whispered back, 'We will have to be patient, ok Goobs?' Maci nodded and then asked for cake.

The cake was cut and everyone was back to chatting and having a good time. Tyler sidled up to his wife and wrapped his arm around her waist. 'What did Maci whisper to you?'

'Her wish. She wants Cal and Zona to get married. She loves them so much. We have a sweet girl, wouldn't you say Dear?' Amber asked her husband.

'We do and they will. It's only a matter of time.'

'I told her we needed to be patient. I can't imagine what Lucia has said to Callie lately. I love that woman like my own mother, but she can be a bit much. Maci does not need to add any pressure, even if she is just a three year old. And we have a fucking three year old! How did that happen?' Amber ranted.

'She is growing up. For sure. But she's amazing. One of the best things we have done with our lives.' Tyler said staring into his wife's eyes.

'Yeah.' they share a sweet kiss.

It was hours later and the family of three was sitting in the backyard with Callie and Arizona. Maci was playing with some of her new toys and running between all of the adults, taking turns on everyone's lap.

'Thank you guys for all the help today. I think it was a success.' Tyler said.

'It was fun. A lot more kids than I thought.' Arizona said. She turned to Callie next to her and asked her if they could talk privately. Callie set Maci down and they entered the house.

'What's wrong Sweetness?'

'Nothing is wrong. I wanted to say something and maybe I should wait until later, but it's on my mind right now and if I don't say anything now, I don't know if or when it will come up again. I just need to get something off of my chest and I don't want to scare y…'

Arizona's ramble was interrupted by a kiss. 'Arizona, take a breath. What is it?' Callie asked softly.

Arizona took a deep breath. 'I was looking at some of the kids here today and I saw that little boy, Marco, I think his name was. He was just so cute and he had tan skin and dark hair and I just thought that he would look just like our kid. Then I thought that it was too soon to be thinking about kids. We've been together for almost six months and I don't want to scare you, but I saw it today. Little Callies running around and us hosting our kids' birthday parties. It was all so wonderful in my head.'

Callie had tears in her eyes. She was quiet for a few minutes and Arizona was starting to get nervous. 'It's funny you say that because I saw Lola running around and she had the bright blonde hair and I saw little Arizonas. So we are having kids in the future? Like kids, plural?'

'It sounds like it. I love you Calliope.' Arizona smiled and kissed her girl.

'I love you too.'

They returned to the patio and chatted with Amber and Tyler until it was late. Maci went to bed with the new stuffed owl that Tyler's parents got for her and the adults started yawning too. It was a long and exciting day.

'Thanks again guys, text me when you get home. See you all tomorrow.' Amber said to them on the way out.

Twenty minutes later, they pulled up at Callie's apartment building. They entered the apartment and went to sleep smiling and looking forward to their future.

There were quite a few requests for more Maci. I love writing her character. Glad you are enjoying.