Disclamer: Characters belong to Shonda Rhimes.

Author's note: This is the end of this journey, and it's always a bit sad, but you have to know how to end a story. So, this is the last chapter. I just wanted to thank you all for being with me in this, every week for months, it was really very nice. Your opinions are always benevolent, sometimes fun, sometimes disturbing, but always kind, smart and rewarding ... a little sweetness in this fierce world. I loved our conversations (especially since I finally found out we could answer ... I took a little time to do it).

As far as I am concerned, the comments that readers leave, are not only a reward for the work, but they're also encouraging, stimulating and essentially a driving force. They help reduce the anxiety about questions that you ask yourself, alone in front of your keyboard (some of you must have felt that, so thank you for taking the time to answer my doubts). They sometimes help find your way back to history when you've lost it, (it happened to me on this one), and so many other things. In short, reviews, at least in my mind, are more important than you can imagine. So, thank you again, very sincerely, and I hope I will find you all again, healthy, for another story soon. Take care of yourself.

Chapter 12

Arizona couldn't close her eyes, she kept in her arms the woman of her life, as if releasing her embrace, would make her disappear. From time to time she stroked tenderly her cheek with the back of her hand, gently so as not to disturb her in her sleep, she placed her lips like a feather on her top, where some hair began to grow back. She couldn't stop kissing her.

She was thinking of Sofia, of the grief that her child would have to face. When she had lost her father, she was so young that she had not suffered, she had no memory of Marc, but how she would survive the loss of her mama? She had begged her mommy to save her mama, and she had failed. Once again, she failed, once again she had to face a loss, and once again she was disappointing someone she loved so much. She thinks with bitterness «the superhero suffered a serious blow». She remembers her baby's pout telling her «Mommy you save babies that are not yet born is much more difficult» «Can you save mama? »

Her eyes wrinkle up, her eyebrows frown, she rests her head on the bedpost, staring at the ceiling, slowly a smile forming on her lips, the evidence stands there in her tired mind. To reach the tumor without doing any damage, it was necessary to use this type of fibre that she used in fetal surgery. For twin to twin transfusion syndrome, a fetoscope and a laser fiber passed through a 2 mm trocar introduced into the amniotic cavity. She reached the vessels passing from one fetus to another, to clot them, avoiding any contact with two fetuses as young as 7 weeks old. It might be enough to modify the instrument a little, to adapt it to the neurology and the position of Callie's tumor. In any case the idea deserved to be deepened.

She moves carefully, the woman comfortably installed in her arms, the Latin grumbles in her sleep at the loss of contact. Arizona smiles and lays a kiss on her cheek.

- Where are you going? Babbles Callie with a tired voice

- Go back to sleep, I'm coming back, I love you.

Arizona goes out into the hallway and beeps Amelia 911.

A few minutes later, a bunch of more or less drunken doctors rushed into the hospital lobby, only Amelia was fortunately sober. At the sight of this strange team, Arizona is full of laughter, she knew why they were all here at this hour of the night, and in this state

- Arizona what's going on? Where's Callie? worries Teddy

- Sleeps in bed

- You page Amelia 911! Blames Meredith, showing serious signs of anxiety as well as very clear instability on her feet

- Yeah, exactly! I paged Amelia, not a gang of drunken surgeons. Giggles the blonde

She turns to the neurosurgeon to get her full attention, ignoring the shocked glances of the others in the face of this sudden change of mood.

- Because imagine; Sofia told me that it's harder to save babies who aren't born yet than to save her mom, and that I have to save her mom, because I'm her superhero… a laugh explodes from her smiling lips… Sofia' hero of course not Callie's!

She started from a distance; her speech seemed rather disjointed. From the outside, one might have thought that she had participated in the tequila party … Although … she laughs so hard … with the idea I just had, I might as well be Callie's superhero too…

- Arizona can you get to the point, it's two o'clock in the morning complains Amelia

- Yeah okay, sooo…...

Shaking her head to put her ideas back together, she scrupulously described her plan, in every detail. The instrument, the possible modifications, the enthusiasm that she wanted to share with the neurosurgeon coming out through all the pores of her skin, she was practically jumping on the spot. Amelia was the only one of the doctors present, who had remained concentrated, the others too soaked in alcohol, wallowing on the chairs, nodding from time to time at the turn of a sentence with an understanding air, simulating that they were attentive so as not to offend their overheated friend, but they had practically all given up from «superheroes», promising themselves to study the next day with a clear mind, all the procedure envisaged by the fetal surgeon.

-What do you think? The excessively playful air, left it hard to Amelia, the possibility to refuse at least to study the idea

- I think it could have waited until tomorrow morning.

-Are you kidding? No, no, no, we're gonna study the scans and get to work now! We need to think about how we need to modify the instrument, and you need to practice so I'm gonna prepare jell-o brains for you to train. No, April's gonna do it, she does it very well.

The redhead who had fallen asleep on Owen's shoulder, startles when she hears her name, raising her finger as if she were in primary school interviewed by her teacher. Jackson's bewildered gaze plunges her back into the reality of the moment. Embarrassed, she hastens to lower her arm and to respond by shaking her head without really knowing what she had just accepted.

Amelia turns to her friends, begging for support with her eyes in front of the overexcited fetal surgeon, alas, a heap of almost inert bodies, slumped on the chairs faces her. She nods her head considering the long hours ahead.

- Okay guys, I 'm on it, you'll take over tomorrow, we won't be enough to deal with all this … joy … this… enthusiasm and this terrible authority... Pointing to Arizona, she made circles with her finger to encompass the frail silhouette of the blonde.

- Count on me I'm used to the Robbins in monster mode, hyper control and all that, I relieve you of your duties tomorrow morning assures Alex mocking

- Yeah, I've practiced her a few times too, I can take my turn after Karev. Bailey emphasizes, laughing a little harder than she used to, besides, she only really laughed when she is drunk

Arizona was getting impatient, she was stomping, swinging from one foot to the other

- Hey! you know I'm right here?

- Yeah so, I bring tequila? asks April seeming to come out of another story

- No! exclaimed all the doctors in chorus. You're making brain in jelly. Whispering Teddy to keep her afloat. I didn't understand everything, but it seems like a mission of prime importance. The cardiologist and the trauma surgeon burst in laugh. I didn't expect anything less as her best friend … sorry, one of her best friends. Specifies April confused to have forgotten that Teddy was also a great friend of Arizona

- I'm willing to share her. Concedes Teddy toher. Especially when she's in this state.

- Okaayyy! Are you taking the top or the bottom?

-April, I think this conversation sounds a little inappropriate.

The two doctors laughed like children, they had not followed everything, but the hope envisaged by Arizona was enough to give them joy.

-Well, you're done here? We're wasting time with all your chatter. Go to sleep, it's not like you can be useful to anything in your condition, anyway. Arizona was pulling on Amelia's arm to drive her towards the laboratory

- She has something of Herman, doesn't she? Question Meredith seeing Arizona walking away grabbing her sister-in-law so she won't escape her. Do you think it can work?

- It's Robbins and it's for Torres. Answers Alex with confidence

Callie had woken up many times that night, accustomed to feeling the body of the blonde who was hugging her every night, something was missing or rather someone. In the last few months, they had hardly left each other, Arizona was sleeping in her bed, because since the episode of fever and hallucinations, she had argued that she could not go away, of course, in order to be ready to intervene if necessary, point that Callie had accepted without the slightest desire to discuss it.

The first few nights, leaving a substantial space between them, they had been very careful to avoid any contact, but gradually, the clumsiness had faded to disappear completely, and the two women had, naturally, resumed their habits. They fell asleep in their favorite position, Callie was often the big spoon, but if, by any chance, she moved away in her sleep, Arizona immediately sought her contact, passed her leg between Callie's and placed her hand on her right breast. Callie wasn't sure it was absolutely unconscious, especially since she had confessed it to the blonde, but she loved this intimate closeness, for nothing in the world, she would have moved.

The Latin smiled sadly, she would give up her place in paradise, for a little more time on this earth, but things were apparently written differently. She wasn't too afraid, she was sad, but mostly worried. Worried about Arizona, and Sofia, if she had followed her original plan, it would have been less painful for everyone. She sticks a smile on her face, taking on the facade of happy days, when she guesses the chatter of her daughter in the hallway that leads to her room.

Sofia came with her granma, visited her moms, before going to school. She climbs up to the bed to cuddle

- Hey, sweetie, are you ready for school?

- When are you going home, mama?

- I don't know yet, sweetie. Did you see Mommy this morning?

Last night the two mothers had not mentioned Sofia, they had not had the courage to consider the worst, they had just enjoyed of each other. They had to talk about it, Callie was counting on Arizona to prepare the child, she could do it better than she could, even if she couldn't hide her face, she'd have to say goodbye. She shakes her head to get rid of the idea and face her child.

- No, I wanted to talk to her, Granma called, she didn't answer.

Callie looks at Arizona's mother, who responds with an embarrassed smile.

-And what did you want to tell her? Sofia lowers her eyes, avoiding her mother's gaze, she shrugs her shoulders, her lower lip hemmed, she admits shyly

-Just ask her if she could pick me up from school…like before

- You know what? I'm gonna find her for you and let her know. I'm sure if she can, she will, and maybe she'll even bring you for ice cream!

The little girl's face lights up, while tears begin to sting the adult's black eyes. Barbara aware of the emotion that was passing through the mother, ends the visit.

- Come on, miss, you're going to be late for school, you'll come back tonight or tomorrow morning to see Mom.

- Okay, grandma!

Reassured, all to the pleasure of finally having her two moms with her, the child lays a sloppy kiss on Callie's cheeks and jumps out of bed. Tell mommy I'm kissing, okay? Bye, Mama, see you tonight!

-I will do it. Have a good day, honey.

With a broken heart, a tight stomach, Callie watches her daughter and her ex- mother-in-law leave the room. Sofia had been more than reasonable during all these months, she had adapted to the situation, silencing her own needs but she had clearly lacked the attention of her mothers. It was time for Arizona to be free to take care of her, it was time for her to give her back her freedom. This thought already lived twists her guts a little more, but for the Latin, there is no doubt, that is how it must be. She picks up her phone and determined she's texting

"Where are you? I've lost the habit of waking up alone. I miss you."

"Are you okay?"

"No, because I miss you"

"So, go back to sleep… I'll come later, and I'll wake you up in the best way possible. I mean, honorably of course. No misconceptions, Dr Torres. I love you»

"Am I allowed to say that too?"

Arizona smiles, the fear that it won't work between them, the fear of suffering seem so insignificant now.

"You have every right, Calliope"

"So, Come, I want to kiss you and tell you"

"Nice tried, Torres. But you don't teach an old monkey to make faces»

Callie pouts at the text, she needs to bring her in and have an oral conversation. She smiles she still has an asset in her sleeve to get her way.

«Sofia just came, she was looking for you, she wanted to give you a kiss»

Arizona looks at the time on her watch, she's been so busy that time ran out by without her noticing, the little girl must have been on her way to school, she would call her mother to make sure everything was okay.

"Okayyy, I'll see her tonight. But it's not very fair to use our daughter, Calliope!"

"Come on! I want to snuggle up in your arms»

"Callie, be reasonable, I really can't right now. I'll come as soon as I can. Get some rest, baby»

Callie's trying to find a lot of good reasons why Arizona isn't here. She starts by considering that she has a consultation, she has been away from her department for a long time, and maybe she misses it. When she is not well Arizona is used to throwing herself into work. Her mind is racing, of course, Arizona is in bad shape, they played pretend, but neither of them was fooled, it was just comedy, a childish way of not facing what's scary, and now she's freaking out alone in a guard room or in a closet.

"Are you okay?"

"Great! Get some rest, Calliope."

"Would you tell me if you weren't okay?"

"I am fine! Calliope put the phone down and rest now, please. I'll be back as soon as I can!"

Callie was not more reassured. What is this false joy? Because given the circumstances, it could only be false, and frankly, who speaks in this way to a dying woman. She would have sent a text message in this direction to Arizona, but on second thought, she was less and less eager to joke. Did Arizona decide to hide reality and continue to play at "everything goes for the best in the best of worlds"?

Sitting in her bed, she was watching the nurses' fleeting gaze, her ex-mother-in-law had behaved strangely this morning too. Maybe Arizona had confided in her mother, and she didn't know what to do, especially in front of Sofia?

All day long, she had seen a parade in her room, nurses, former colleagues, some of them just came to greet her, others spent a moment telling banalities but no one never really looking her straight into the eyes. As for Teddy, who had come to share the meal with the brunette, she seemed to be on a mission, sent by her friend, but unable to tell her where Arizona was.

Callie couldn't help but feel grumpy, she felt something was missing from her, there were pieces missing from her Puzzle, she was alone in this room with only questions and no answers. If at least April had come, she was sure she could have terrorized her, freaked her out and get it out of her, oddly the redhead was the only one who hadn't gone through her room, it was very intriguing. Became paranoid, everything she saw around her, seemed strange, incoherent, false. She moaned in spite, she needed Arizona now! She had to make her understand all the decisions she had made. She needed her and she wasn't there. Bailey goes through the door with her head.

-Bailey, I need you

-Torres, is that a medical reason? Cause you know I still don't do in the personal stuff.

The little surgeon, usually confident walks towards the brunette with a hesitant step.

-He! I went to get some condoms for you.

-True, but I officiated at your wedding.

-I was your bridesmaid.

Bailey displaying a victorious smile at the remark, winks at Callie

-May I add, just for the pleasure to enjoy myself, that you've been the worst bridesmaid of all time?

The Latin chortles, she really was, but it was for a good cause. The memory of their escapade during the wedding, when Arizona had booked a room for them, the efforts to accept her disability that she was trying to overcome to try to reconnect physically with her wife, however saddens her. Yeah, she had had an exceptional wife, this woman fought like a tigress to come back, and she came back on top in every area of her life. "Note for myself, tell her and repeat to her before leaving, the exceptional human being she is."

-Okay, you got it. You've done a lot of personal stuff, actually, with me. Sneers Callie by tapping the black woman's arm. Sooo, you can do some more.

-Much more than I would have liked. Miranda raises her head, looking at her with her bright, piercing eyes. I meant it, when I said there was something magical between you two. Callie sniffs, tears forming in the chocolate eyes, she also remembers this magic.

-I knew who I wanted by my side to jump for joy, when Sofia scored her first goal. She shakes her head a little to this heartbreaking memory, and to the choice she had made, by default. But at that moment, I felt that nothing would ever make her jump for joy, and especially not by my side.

-I know, Callie, she's been in a bad place for a long time, but she's healed.

-Yeah, and she's gonna fall again, and again because of me. A tear runs down her cheek. And I will not be there, to help her get up, nor to jump for joy with her when Sofia will score.

- Callie, we're doctors, we keep faith in medicine. Amelia's surgery may not work, but you need to keep hoping.

- Miranda. Callie rarely called her by her first name, only when she shared a moment of emotion with the woman. Thus, letting her friend understand that pep talk was useless now. She had already gone beyond the phases of hope, of anger, to reach acceptance and, it was time to face reality. I need you to take care of her. I'm afraid she's...

- You're going to do this yourself, it's none of my business, Torres! And make sure you don't mess around this time.

Upon these words, uttered with apparent coldness, the little woman had left the room, rubbing her cheeks as she walked down the corridor, grumbling against Arizona, who had ordered her to keep company with Callie, and to conceal from her what was going on, while she, Miranda Bailey, hated orders, hated lying, even more than meddling in personal matters, and had certainly made the wrong choice in coming to make her residence in this hospital which was only a huge incubator of emotions, feelings and dramas, but also love and friendship and support. Even so, they were her family, and she loved them.

It was 3:00 pm, Arizona had not left the laboratory, since two o'clock in the morning. Amelia had left during lunchtime to take a break and clear her mind. Alone in the lab, she kept checking everything over and over again. She had no appetite, no desire to take a break, her boiling brain would keep her from sleeping anyway. She needed Callie, she would need Callie's advice to tell her that she wasn't crazy, that she wasn't delusional and that it was a good idea, the idea of the century actually. But she couldn't decently go to Callie, give her hope and disappoint her again. So she just stood there in that lab, taking the data over and over and convincing herself that it was a great idea. Alex runs his head through the opening door.

-Arizona, can I help? The blonde jumps with joy, Alex's opinion would do the trick

- Alex yeah, study this and tell me I'm not delusional, tell me it's going to work!

Meredith, April and Jackson joined them. Alex stayed focused on the notes trying to ignore his impatient mentor, who was pacing and looking over his shoulder every 30 seconds to see where he was. The blonde waited for his verdict as if … well as if Callie's life depended on it and in fact that was exactly the case. Callie's, hers and Sofia's life depended on it, her family's life. She sniffs at the thought, they had become a family again, without even talking about it, like that, naturally. Alex finally raises the head of the notes, in a calm and neutral voice he announces admiringly.

-Arizona, you're not delusional; it may work

-It's going to work, throwing herself into Alex's arms, laughing.

Meredith and Jackson burst out laughing nervously. They were all terrified of losing another one of their own, but Alex's face being cuddled by his mentor was a nugget, which was going to make them happy, for decades to come, whenever they were going to mention it, during their overly boozy evenings

- I'm going to call the executive board, we're going to have the funds unlocked and have this instrument manufactured as soon as possible. Meredith enthusiastically informs

- No matter what it costs Meredith, this instrument will be made. I'll call Carlos, he'll get in touch with the board. Like a colonel on the battlefield, she ordered, handing out to each his task. April starts making jelly, you make jell-o brains, the tumor will be a grape, Amelia needs to start training right now. But where is she? Somebody page Amelia. She was nearly yelling

I have to go to Callie and explain her, she keeps texting me! She must be worried to death! Oh, fuck it's crazy how many saying there are with the word "dead". "Scared to death", "Worried to death", "This is my death", "I love her to death".

She moaned as if the realization had really imposed itself on her mind. Exhaling all the anguish she had held for hours; in a sob she asserts more for her than for anyone else in the room

- Calliope is not going to die

All of them laughing. Drunk Arizona was very funny, but excited and ken as mustard Arizona, was well worth a drunk Arizona. Witnesses of such love, her friends look at her with tenderness and admiration. Arizona had always been a little different. She was pretty secretive, didn't let a lot of people into her private zone. However, each of them had been able to count on he,r during these years. She was always there when they needed her. So, they all sincerely loved her as they loved Callie, and seeing so much love resurfaces between the two women, making them all ecstatic, they were living proof that love, true love, never dies.

- Arizona, I was worried, where were you? I've been waiting for you for hours; nobody knew where you were!

- Wow, wow, so many demands! I'll have to think twice before I marry you! Jokes the blonde whose enthusiasm was incomprehensible for Callie and even in a way, disturbing. They had learned to be more sincere with each other, and there, everything seemed so feigned.

- It's not funny, I was mad with worry! Why didn't you come back? Black eyes fill with tears

- He, don't, don't. I was in the lab.

She had that glint in her eyes, which had been gone in the last few hours. We came up with a solution, almost, and I didn't want to give you any false hopes, in fact I didn't want to tell you until I was sure, and it filled my head so much that I couldn't keep my mouth shut, but now I'm sure.

She begins to tell Callie the story of that night not forgetting any detail and especially not the origin of the idea. Sofia, the superhero and twin to twin transfusion syndrome. The brunette literally drank her ex-wife's words, her face lit up with a moving smile.

-So,… are you saying?...Are you saying I'm not going to die?

- I'm saying, you're going to live! I made a promise. I can keep my promises.

Arizona embraces the brunette, hugging her strongly, sharing a joy that a few hours before, she thought she no longer had the chance to live. Callie steps back, her eyes are resting on the slightly open pink lips, sliding her hand into the blond hair, she gets closer and brushes Arizona's mouth. It was just to feel her lips against hers, to feel alive again, to tell her the three words she had on her lips for months. Arizona groans with pleasure in the kiss, releasing the frustration of desires held back for months, of anguish of this last hours. Driven by the irrepressible cravings to share more intimacy, she passes her tongue against the lips hemmed. Their tongues are found, rediscovered, indulging in an endless battle. The kiss becomes passionate, and dangerously hot. Moving away a little when the breath is lacking, Arizona regains her spirits.

- Callie… We...We can't… We're in the hospital

- It would not be the first time laughs the brunette, her hands venturing under Arizona's shirt, she caresses the skin whose softness makes all the cells of her body vibrate. Arizona gathers what remains of her will to protest

- Callie, anyone could come in. Honey, no… She gasps at the touch of Callie's hands on her breasts, in a sigh she whispers … don't do that… I… I'm not going to be able… I will not be able to stop…

The brunette steps back, she moves away from the body she dreamed of owning

- Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm not very sexy, especially since, half the lesbians in Seattle are probably lining up for you.

- What? I forbid you to say that…between disappointment and sadness, she was going to get angry when her eyes landed on Callie's mischievous smile

- Oh, I hate you, you're not gonna be able to make to me the stroke of the cancerous for long.

She attacks Callie, pushing her on the bed and kissing her, realizing that they had achieved the serenity that made it possible to joke about everything, even the thorniest subjects. It's over to take advantage of all my weaknesses

- I did a thorough study of all your weaknesses, the smug air made Calliope adorable… very thorough even. Winking at the blonde. I thought you recognized that I was put on this earth to lead you to seventh heaven.

Arizona laughed while kissing the fleshy lips, she whispered in Callie's ear, with a voice that could not hide the desire she felt, and all the efforts she made not to succumb.

-I want you, if you knew how… She takes a deep breath. But I want our second first time to be at least as beautiful as our first, and believe me, it's not going to leave you a "pretty good memory"!

Smiling, her eyes filled with happiness, as on that day when she waited for her at the end of the aisle, today was perhaps the happiest day of her life, not doubting for a second that they were going to build many more. How about a big high school hug.

- But a little slutty anyway?

The moan of the blonde was the only answer

- I guess it's a yes, smiled Callie in the kiss. But only a few minutes. You have a date. The blonde who was already approaching to engage in guilty activities, stops, two question marks in the eyes.

-You have to pick up your daughter from school, and I might have promised her, that you would buy her ice cream.

- Callie…She was going to protest; she was tired and she wanted rest a little in the loving arms

-That's what you get when you don't answer my texts.

- I love ice cream… and I love eating them with our daughter anyway

Jumping out of bed the blonde runs away leaving Callie, a smile from ear to ear, despite the frustration of having been deprived of the high school girl hug

The next day, Arizona was in the laboratory overseeing all the Amelia Shepherd's actions. Callie who pretended to be bored, alone in her room, joined them. Hugging her ex-wife from behind, she puts her head on her shoulder

- When I think you consider my brilliant brain is like jelly, I wonder if I shouldn't feel offended

Arizona turns her head just to give her, a chaste kiss on her lips, but she loves Callie's lips, she's been terribly deprived of them in recent years, so she can't resist the urge to drop another kiss, but Callie's lips are addictive so she smooches the fleshy lips one more time and then another and another again.

-Are you going to stand here, next to me, making out like college girls? Complains about Amelia

- Sorry. Grins Arizona laughing like a child being scolded. She moves a little away from Callie, not trusting herself, to stay stone face. I'm checking to see if you've got the right thing and if you need me, I'm at your beck and call. Forcing herself to take a professional stance and trying to focus on her colleague's work.

- And I'm checking, if she checks. Getting closer to the blonde again, Callie kisses her in the neck. Arizona closes her eyes and tilts her head to give her more access, taking a deep breath, she lets herself go backwards abandoning herself in the embrace. She starts to jump at the cries of the neurologist

- Okay, don't you have anything better to do? I don't know, lock yourself in a guard room as in the good old days

- Who do you think we are? We are respectable women! objects Callie wrapping herself in her pride.

Fired by Amelia, they go out laughing like teenage girls, leaving the neurosurgeon upset, focusing on her practice

A week has passed, everything is ready for Callie's surgery, it's D-Day, the day that can change everything.

Arizona enters the room while Amelia leans over the sink, mentally resumes all the steps of the surgery procedure, before preparing for the ritual conscientious cleaning of her hands and nails. Without a word the brunette turns her head towards the blonde, raising her eyes to the sky.

- Please don't say anything. Believe me, I know it. I know I have in my hands the life of Callie Torres, this exceptional surgeon, who, if she gets through this, should make a difference in the world of orthopedics, your awesome ex-wife who should never have been your ex, the love of your life, without which you can only be a shadow of yourself, the mother of that cute little girl who could lose that innocent smile, and learn too early that life can be a whore, and believe me there, I also know exactly what it is. So, please don't say anything Arizona, except maybe just good luck!

- I couldn't have said it better, I might have added that no one makes me lose my mind like her, in bed. But that would be inappropriate, wouldn't it? She giggles, triggering a neurosurgeon smile. Amelia, I'm not gonna wish you good luck, because this, has nothing to do with luck, it just has to do with your immense talent, and I trust it more than I trust in luck.

Arizona looked at her smiling, she knew, that what Amelia was doing today was even harder than what she was doing every day. She was trying a new procedure on a patient who was a friend, a family member. Turning around to leave the room, she hears the neurosurgeon whisper, " thank you"

In the operating room, Arizona sits next to Callie, already lying down; while the medical team around her, finished preparing everything for the surgery.

- Arizona, you know what you promised?

- Yes, I'll stay with you until you fall asleep.

- And…

- and I come out of this room

- And you don't go into the gallery…

- And I don't go into the gallery. I've well learned my lesson. Besides, it looks like there's a conspiracy. Richard called me to join him in his office right now

- Wow, your wing man! Careful he doesn't engage you in a trivial game. Jokes Callie

- No risk, the only games I want to play are with you as a partner, and I have many ideas to make them much more fun than the Trivial

- Well, I'm going to like falling asleep with that idea.

- That was the point Laugh Arizona, raising her head on the anesthesiologist who was standing on his seat, ready to inject the products that would plunge the Latin into a deep sleep.

- Okay, Calliope is now. You have to trust Amelia now. You close your eyes, you fall asleep and you believe in Amelia, okay?

- It's okay Arizona, you checked everything, I trust Amelia, I believe in you and I hurry to wake up to enjoy all your fun ideas

The blonde smiles and with her eyes, she makes a sign to the anesthetist, so that he injects the product.

Black eyes connect with the blue ones, the lips of the Latina silently pronounce «I love you» these words that she had not yet said, but that she could no longer hold back, because tumor or not she had loved; she loved and would love this woman, there was no doubt. Arizona, blink her eyelids, answering me too, me too. Latin woman, falls asleep.

In the room, only regular beeps from monitors were audible, according to Amelia everything had worked perfectly, she had been able to remove the tumor entirely, the post-operative scans were excellent the brunette just needed to wake up, but despite the decrease in sedation, she showed no sign of consciousness for several days.

- You say everything went well, so, why doesn't she wake up? Asks Arizona, showing signs of worry and despair

- She might need more time. Suggest Meredith by putting a friendly hand on the blonde's shoulder. Remember after the accident, it took her a long time, but she woke up.

- Arizona, Torres has suffered a lot in recent months, she needs a little rest. Adds Amelia

- Yeah…I know… but, she should open her eyes and go back to sleep after! Just to say me that everything is fine

- Really? Are you sure you're the great surgeon whose exploits are being praised? Laughs Amelia, trying to convince her friend that she was not worried, as she became more and more as the days went by. The situation reminded her of Nicole's surgery, and she just hoped that Callie's awakening would not confront her, with a disability that she would have caused.

- She's gonna wake up. Go get some food, go see Sofia, but get out of that room, Arizona! I'm gonna stay with her until you come back, and I promise I'll let you know if there's a change. Offers Meredith in a friendly manner

Arizona had installed a bed in the room and had been spending day and night for a week, waiting for Callie to wake up. The features of her face reflected the immense tiredness and disarray that had pervaded her.

- No, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to call my mom and have her bring Sofia. Maybe if she hears Sofia, she'll wake up.

- Should we call security, page psych, or do you take her for a CT? Meredith asks her sister-in-law, looking up at the heavens in the face of the fetal surgeon's stubbornness

- I will do a brain scan to start a study that I will call "From the action of a mad love on the area of understanding!" Amelia pompously declaims like a tragedian playing the Shakespearean repertoire

- and on hygiene too, because I don't think she just took a shower adds Meredith laughing

- You'd have to lose that habit of talking about me in my presence. It's not only rude, it's very…

- Oh, she can hear us, we thought…

- What's that... The sentence is interrupted by a hoarse cough and a throat scraping. Remind me to complain to the board, about these disrespectful doctors joking, at the bedside of the almost dead patient.

The three women turn around, to face two black eyes, wide open. Amelia rushes to do her examination, while Arizona remains frozen, only the smile on her lips suggested that she had realized that Callie had just woken up.

All day long, Callie had been visiting. Carlos who had been in Seattle for several days, had rushed as soon as they had heard the good news, with Arizona's parents and Sofia, all their doctor friends had come to say hello too.

- You must be tired, you'll be quieter at home, Amelia will give you permission to go out, in a couple of days, and I'll make sure she does

Since they were alone, Callie avoided the blonde's gaze, she seemed concerned.

- You have to get the rest of your stuff back to take home, I'll talk to your father. Continues the blonde

- Arizona comes to sit please, I need to talk to you

- Ah okay

Those words, that tone, that face, Arizona didn't like them, they never portend anything good, every time Callie took that tone it ended in a drama. The blonde moved slowly as if the slowness of her steps could postpone the moment.

- Sit down.Callie shows a place on the bed and stands herself in front of the blonde woman. She takes a deep breath

- Soo, it seems like I'm going to live, and really, really, I can tell you right now, I didn't believe it… It was pretty… unexpected.

These last few months have been really … really hard for me, and I couldn't have done it without you … and I thank you for that … no … thanks are not enough …. I am infinitely grateful to you. I'll never forget it.

- You don't have to do this, Callie. It was nothing… it was normal. The blonde answers with a half smile on her face, not seeing very well where it was going to lead them, but visibly dreading it.

- No, Arizona, it's not nothing, and it wasn't normal either. That's a lot, huge, actually. You gave up everything for me, you fought like crazy for me who was nothing for you. I mean, just your ex-wife, the mother of your daughter you care so much about.

An embarrassed laugh leaves her mouth, the blonde woman sniffs, disoriented by the attitude of the Latina. With her eyes wrinkled, she tries to read her face in vain.

- What I mean is … what I want you to understand … that you know … is that … what happened in Portland…

- Stay in Portland, don't you? interrupts the blonde disillusioned, God, you're breaking up with me, even before…

The brunette reaches out her arm towards the distraught woman in front of her, she puts her hand on her shoulder

- No, not at all, you're not gonna start that again! Arizona let me finish, or I'm not gonna get to the end and you're gonna freak out what's gonna freak me out even more, and then I'm gonna lose control, get angry, and who knows where this is going to end.

She takes Arizona's hands in hers, it sounded like déjà vu for both women. Arizona swallowing the anguish ball down her throat.

- Sooo, in Portland, you not only helped me get through the treatments, and fight this disease, you also helped me heal. Not just cancer… but I have healed myself, from our wounds, and even from wounds before you. I know I had a tumor, and anything I said or did, could be questionable, but today I'm sure Arizona...I mean… I have no doubt, I know exactly who I want to see jumping with joy at my side when Sofia scores the goal.

Dumbstruck Arizona, looks at her with wide eyes of misenderstanding. The verbal hikes of an emotional Callie were part of her favorite moments, but there, she did not follow her at all, and even she wondered if medically everything was ok

- Sofia doesn't play football, she dances.

- Arizona, it's a metaphor

- Ah?

- But I don't want to make the same mistakes. And if you need time, I understand… and maybe I'll have to move out somewhere other than your house

- No! No, Callie, no, no! Arizona exclaims, not even realizing that she had raised her voice. Uh… I mean it's been a long time, we've taken a lot of time, like… several months… and it's really not time I need! Uh… Unless … You? You need some time? Whispers the blonde timidly

A big smile appears on the face of the relieved Latina

- Arizona Robbins would you accept…

- Yes, Yes, yes … The brunette sighs

- Arizona, I'm trying to make things right here. Soo, Arizona, would you, go on a date with me?

- A date with you? Uh… When?

The blonde rather expecting another proposal, and disappointed at the idea of having to go through the path of dates before finding an intimate connection with the woman she wanted for months does not show an overflowing enthusiasm.

- Tonight

- Okay

The Latina takes her phone and the door opens instantly on a Carlos with the co -conspirator gaze, loaded with bags with excellent food that he places on the table of the room, disappearing as quickly as he had returned.

- Wow, the Torres power. Looks like you were pretty sure of yourself!

Callie nods her head with a mischievous smile on her face.

- How many days do you say Amelia lets me out?

- 2 or 3 days

- Great! one date a day, and we're in the right timing for the three-date rule, as soon as I get home!

The two women burst out laughing, to Callie's allusion. Hugged, in each other's arms, they dream of the third date.

- Callie, next time you have a big statement to make to me, could you write it down for me instead? Don't get me wrong, you were really cute, and it was absolutely charming, but I almost got an C. V. A

Laughter could be heard throughout the hospital floor

- I was really afraid when you talked about taking time, maybe my heart even stopped beating for a few minutes.

The two women roared with laughter, hugging, kissing.

- I was so afraid you would agree with that! It was really the most hypocritical proposal I've ever made in my life!

It took darkness to see the light again, fear to be reassured, pain to be soothed, doubt to learn certainties, to get lost to find each other.

The end.

Thank you for reading. Thanks for reviews