L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you can adore
— Ary, are you sure about this outfit?!
Alexandra asks for the millionth time as she watches Arizona ready and fixing her hair.
— Oh, Alex, can you stop making me even more anxious?! — the pediatrician exclaims, shaking her hands and winking at the woman sitting at her bed. — I'm sure of this outfit... Did you like it?
Smiling, Alexandra says:
— You look wonderful! Although I would put on a more social outfit, like a classic and social dress, but... for you... this one is beautiful!
— Ah, but no way! — Arizona exclaims, widening her eyes and shaking her head. — You're always a disaster to help me! I'm fine and sure of my choice.
Before her friend can say anything, the intercom rings and Arizona feels a little anxious, beginning to doubt the clothes she has chosen.
— Ah! Ary, she arrived! — Alexandra exclaims jumping out of bed and, picking up the delicate bag, hands it to her friend, while pushing her down the stairs. — Come on! You look perfect and will do well when watching an opera for the first time!
— Oh, Alex, I don't know! — Arizona says in a shaky voice and, as soon as she stops in front of the intercom, sighs deeply before answering it. — Yeah?
— Arizona? It's Merida. Are you ready?
The Welsh voice sounds gentle (as always), making the American smile silly.
— Yes, I'm ready. — Arizona answers before hanging up, looks at her friend and, lifting her bare shoulders, asks: — I'm going for it, right?! Do you close everything later?
Alexandra just nods and pushes her friend out of the flat exclaiming:
— Good luck, Ary! Do everything I would do!
Arizona rolls her eyes laughing, enters the elevator holding her small bag and, pressing the button, feels a chill in her belly without understanding why.
— Come on, heart! — she looks at her body. — Will you start again with this clowning of being anxious?! — huffing impatiently and exiting the elevator as soon as the doors open, Arizona mumbles: — Everything will work out... I'm sure of it...
The moment Arizona leaves the building, she faces the beautiful black limousine and Merida, wearing a beautiful social set of pants and black pants, with a silver shirt underneath and a delicate black tie, matching her shoes.
— Hi...
The pediatrician says to the Welsh in a gentle way, who takes her hands out of her pockets and smiles discreetly when she sees the American woman. Arizona wears a beautiful long black dress with some gray details; her short blond hair is neatly combed and a little wavy.
— Wow! — Merida exclaims when kissing a hand of the American. — You look stunning, Arizona!
Nibbling her lower lip and trying to get used to that redhead's education almost every moment, Arizona shrugs and says:
— You look very pretty too and very charming, I must confess.
The driver opens the door and, after Merida takes Arizona to the vehicle, the American woman enters, feeling the woody smell of the Welsh impregnated there and is surprised by the beauty in there.
— Wow! — Arizona exclaims as she sits down, and as soon as Merida gets to her side, she continues: — Your limo is very beautiful, smelling and extremely elegant, huh?! — she gently pushes the redhead's shoulder and laughs: — It suits you!
Merida just laughs delicately, shakes her head and, as soon as she feels the vehicle moving, says:
— Rudolph, please go straight to the Royal. — she turns her gaze on Arizona and, noticing the dress, comments: — I just hope that this beautiful dress behaves... — the American looks at her confused and the redhead adds: — I hope it doesn't fall from your body...
Eyes widening and holding the dress, Arizona exclaims:
— Aaahhh! Don't even say such a thing, Merida! — she laughs shaking her head. — Can you imagine me losing my dress in the middle of the opera?!
Merida raises her shoulders and smiles, saying:
— There will be no problem, since we will be the only ones in the seats. And I'm already used to this "freedom" of yours, if you know what I mean... — she squints at the blonde and comments: — You are really beautiful, but something is missing...
— Why! — Arizona exclaims surprise by the comment and looks thoughtfully at the woman: — Well... nothing else fits in this dress, since it is perfect on my body...
— Actually, it's something that is in this box — Merida says while taking something beside her and, displaying a small blue box, opens it revealing a beautiful diamond necklace with rubies. — I don't want you to cheer up, because I didn't buy this necklace... yet... it's just borrowed.
Wide-eyed and afraid to touch something so, but so expensive, Arizona exclaims in surprise:
— Merida! It's... it's beautiful!
The Welsh only smiles while placing the jewel on the blonde's neck and admires her for a few moments before speaking:
— Yeah... I was in doubt if I bought it or not, so the jeweler let me get it to decide if I would keep it. — Merida winks at Arizona and puts the box back beside her. — Yeah, it looked exactly as I imagined... perfect on your neck.
Touching the necklace stuck in her and gaping, Arizona looks at Merida when questioning:
— Really?! Are you giving me this necklace?! Did you really buy this expensive jewel for me, Merida?! — the redhead smiles, affirming her head and the blonde exclaims: — No! I can't accept it! Are you crazy?! I would never accept such a gift, Merida!
— Arizona Robbins... you, for sure, are the most amazing and true person I have ever met. — Merida comments winking at Arizona and kisses her cheek gently. — You don't have to accept it and we can return the necklace tomorrow, Arizona.
— And you don't have to keep it if I use it tonight? — Arizona questions without being able to stop stroking the beautiful jewel on her neck, but looking at Merida, who just nods. — Wow! You must have a good reputation, huh?!
And once again Merida laughs sincerely, caresses Arizona's chin lightly and says:
— Yeah... let's say I have an excellent reputation, if you know what I mean!
The two look at each other amusingly and Arizona, trying to understand how her life was taking her into a limousine, wearing a very expensive necklace and accompanied by a Welsh, sighs as she lays her head on her shoulder saying:
— In case I drink too much and forget to say, know that I had a lot of fun tonight...
Merida just keeps her smile light, looking affectionately at the top of the American's head when she says:
— Thank you... and I must admit that you are wearing clothes that are very elegant...
As soon as they leave the limo, Merida holds her coat in one arm and the other stretches for Arizona to take it.
— It's so beautiful here, right?! — the American questions still stroking the necklace and looking at the beautiful place. — Is it always so full? And with several photographers?
Merida just nods, as they walk to the stairs, but greeting some people with a gentle wave of the hand.
Once settled in their seats (the best, of course), Arizona sits with curious eyes on the stage and feels a chill in her belly attacking her again.
— Please... let's hope I don't do any nonsense... — she looks quickly at the people in the places below and sees that she is in a very good seat. — Yeah... and what's the name of the play, Merida?
The Welsh, settling next to the blonde, crosses her legs elegantly and, looking intently at her, replies:
— La traviata. Have you seen this one?
With wide eyes and feeling "ignorant" on that subject, Arizona says slowly:
— No... not that...
— Um... and which ones have you seen? Operas are everything to me, I just love! — Merida exclaims smiling weakly and inhaling the sweet perfume that the doctor exhales.
Not knowing what to say momentarily and thinking of the right words to not pass off as "uneducated", Arizona says:
— Well... yeah... this is my first... — she opens a dull smile and the lights flash.— It's about to start?
Laughing lightly and nodding, Merida points to the stage when she replies:
— Yes and remember to keep your clothes on you, huh?!
A few hours later...
Leaving the beautiful theater arm in arm, Merida and Arizona get into the limo and the pediatrician immediately exclaims, wiping her tearful eyes with her hands:
— What a beautiful thing, Merida! I never imagined that opera was something so intense... I thought it was monotonous and a little boring, I must admit.
Before she answers, Merida sees Arizona smearing her makeup eyes and, handing her a small paper box, comments:
— I think you better wipe your eyes with this, miss.
Looking at her make-up-stained hands, Arizona lets out a sincere curse and, taking some paper, hands the phone to Merida:
— Ah, damn it! Please open the camera and hold it for me. — the Welsh does what she asks and the blonde, wiping her eyes, comments: — I had to do something to ruin the moment, right?!
— Don't say that, you're still beautiful — Merida says politely and winks at the blonde. — Think on the bright side...— - Arizona gives an incredulous look and Merida continues: — At least, your dress didn't fall and you didn't get naked.
Opening her mouth in a silly smile, Arizona pats the redhead's leg and laughs:
— Do you want to stop talking about it every time you see me?! I'm beginning to think I'm always naked because of your eyes, I'm sure!
With her green eyes fixed on the beautiful pediatrician, Merida shakes her head and laughs, until her chauffeur asks through the sound:
— Mrs. Harris, where should I go?
— Ah, that's right, Rudolph! — Merida exclaims shaking her hair and looks at Arizona. — Are you hungry?
Rolling her eyes and nodding, Arizona says:
— Desperately! Where will we go?
Merida shrugs:
— I said you would choose the place, remember? Where do you want to go? What do you want to eat?
Finishing cleaning her eyes and looking curiously at the redhead, the American asks:
— Can I order what I want? — Merida smiles and Arizona continues: — Anywhere? — again the redhead nods and Arizona smiles: — So I already know where we're going!
As soon as Merida opens the door, Arizona enters excitedly and advancing to the counter, exclaiming:
— Good night, Timmy!
A somewhat bearded man in an apron waves to the blonde on the other side of the counter and asks:
— What's up, Yankee! I didn't know that you were on duty with elegant clothes now?!
— Bah! I was at an opera, you fool! — she responds by pulling Merida, somewhat afraid, inside and sits at a table. — Please, Timmy, two big soft drinks and a giant portion of fish & chips, please!
— Yep! — the man responds walking to the kitchen in the back.
Meanwhile, Merida seems very afraid of the place and keeps her overcoat on her legs.
— Hey... — Arizona mumbles while nudging a hand of the redhead and smiles sweetly. — Is everything all right?
Finally looking into the pediatrician's eyes, Merida smirks as she replies:
— Yes, everything is fine. You always come here, apparently.
Taking a quick look at the place and returning her attention to the Welsh, Arizona says:
— Yes, it's one of the few great places near the hospital that remain open 24 hours. In fact, you drink soda, right? I highly doubt that the whiskey here is the brand of your choice.
— Yes, I drink. No problems. — Merida responds the instant the man places their orders on the table and, watching him leave, takes her eyes to the food. — Oh! I haven't eaten this for a long time...
Chewing two potatoes and holding another in her hand, Arizona looks shocked at the Welsh when she exclaims:
— I don't believe it!? Do you live here and don't eat fish & chips? — Merida shakes her head smiling and the American hands her the potato. — You miss the best part of the gastronomy, Merida! Eat and you'll find that no one makes a potato like Timmy's! — she sees the Welsh looking at the food with some suspicion. — Come on! Trust me! Eat and you will feel great!
Quickly looking at the happy American in front of her and returning to the potato in her right hand, Merida sighs as she finally eats and, while chewing, raises her eyebrows, making Arizona exclaim:
— See?! Is it or not it the BEST potato?!
Asserting with her head and taking two more, Merida replies:
— Yes, you are right. It's the most delicious fatty food I've eaten for years!
Arizona laughs playing with her eyebrows, noting how cool Merida is, regardless of her fortune. The night has been pleasant and very, very delicious, but the American is missing something she loved most about the Welsh. Then, drinking an exaggerated sip of her soda, she asks:
— Could I do something? Wouldn't you mind?
With a curious look at the pediatrician, Merida is quick to answer:
— Of course I wouldn't mind, Arizona. What do you want to do?
With a beautiful smile appearing on her lips and standing, Arizona slowly steps up to the redhead and, sitting next to her, holds her face giving her a breathtaking kiss on the mouth.
Stopping with great difficulty and caressing the redhead's shoulders, Arizona smiles as she looks intensely into the green eyes and says:
— I've been waiting for this kiss all night...
Merida runs two fingers over the woman's right cheek and admires her for a few seconds, realizing her heart was even more enchanted by that smile and happy face.
— Want to order more food and go? — the Welsh asks, getting more intoxicated in the blue eyes in front of her. — Can we stretch tonight or tomorrow will you need to go to the hospital?
Your heart beats rapidly and Arizona, needing to ignore it, kisses once again the woman's lips before answering:
— If you want, I can be a lot more than just tonight... and keep going up until tomorrow...
Blinking to the American and unable to look away, Merida feels something inside her appear... something that for years seemed to be dormant due to the departure of her beloved wife, but that now, with Arizona, it would be waking up in a more... Light feeling.
The moment the limo enters the immense property, Arizona widens her eyes and stops drinking her soda while exclaiming:
— Damn! Is this your house?! — she points to the mansion at the bottom of the immense fields and looks quickly at Merida. — How many people live with you?
Loosening her tie and looking quickly out the window, Merida replies calmly:
— I couldn't say, but I have several employees, Bree, Alicia and me. My parents, who live in Germany, come from time to time and also stay here. But sometimes I sleep in an apartment that I have close to my company and so I don't waste valuable minutes in traffic, you know?
Realizing that the Welsh only thinks about work and that her hours spent at any time are evaluated as if they were important or not, Arizona sees that she isn't the only one who is too dedicated to her profession. However, the Welsh has so much and doesn't seem to be able to make the most of what she has achieved.
The moment the vehicle stops in front of the mansion, the driver opens the door and Merida leaves, holding out a hand for Arizona to take.
— Rudolph, thanks for today. You can go home and, if I need you, I'll call you. Good night! — the Welsh nods and, giving Arizona an arm, blinks. — Come on!
Holding a small bag with the food she brought from the restaurant, Arizona looks at the beautiful door in front of her and murmurs:
— What are we doing at your house?
— Well! I already know your house and it was time for you to meet mine. — Merida responds lovingly and enters with Arizona. — Welcome to my home, Arizona. Feel free!
Handing the bag over to the redhead and stopping in the huge hall, Arizona Robbins looks at everything in amazement and opens her mouth to see how beautiful Merida's house really looks. She sees pictures, sculptures and some very beautiful and different plants scattered around where she walks without really caring if she should be walking or not.
As soon as she finds the huge staircase, her eyes go back to Merida, but she doesn't find her, realizing that she is far from the hall.
— Oh, oh! — Arizona murmurs anxious and curious at the same time, admitting to herself that she is maddened by that mansion. — Everything is so fragrant... so beautiful... — she runs a finger over a sculpture and raises her eyebrows. — Yeah... poor employees who clean this up... — as soon as she looks to her right, she sees a big dark door. — Um... places like that always have a secret...
— Am I a murderer?! — Merida murmurs amusedly in the doctor's ear, making her jump in fright.
— Aaahhhh! — Arizona puts a hand on her chest and looks angrily at the Welsh laughing. — Stop doing those things!
Merida raises her hands in innocence:
— I'm sorry... you were so cute and committed on your journey at my house, that I thought it would be interesting to frighten you a little. Just to break the ice...
Shaking her head and looking at Merida in disbelief, Arizona doesn't see her holding the bag she asked for and says:
— You mean! Where's our food, huh?!
— I gave it to Mimi, the night cook, and she'll heat it up for us and put it in a cleaner... plate. — Merida responds by opening the door in front of her and motioning to the blonde. — Come on in! I promise it's not a room with instruments of torture, Dr. Robbins.
Increasingly loving that somewhat humor of the redhead, Arizona enters the room and realizes that it's a kind of library with countless books on the different shelves, a piano in a specific corner and a huge little bar in the background.
— Aaaahhhh! I was looking forward to finding out where your drinks are! — Arizona exclaims cheerfully and steps forward for drinks. — I bet this is the place you stay most, am I right?
The Welsh walks calmly until she stops leaning against the piano, puts her hands back and, sighing heavily, carefully observes the American woman as she speaks:
— You are a very observant person, Arizona.
With eyes fixed on the bottles, Arizona realizes that there is no wine or champagne there, so she spins on her heels asking:
— Well! Don't you drink wine?
Signing her head and extending a hand to the blonde, Merida says in a funny way:
— Come! I think I have a bottle or two somewhere in this house...
Almost ten minutes later, when they stop going down the stone stairs, Merida opens the silver door and gives way to the American. The moment Arizona enters, she is amazed at the amount of bottles perfectly aligned and embedded in the huge cellar in which she is.
— My God! — the pediatrician exclaims with wide eyes and smiles beautifully. — This is paradise, Merida! — she starts pacing, reading the labels and holding a bottle or two in her hands. — I never drank this one! Not even this one! Aahhh, and neither this!
Leaning her body against the cold wall and crossing her arms, Merida lovingly observes the American woman going crazy with the wines and realizes that, for the first time, she is enjoying spending the night at her house.
— Choose as many as you want... let's drink them all. — the Welsh says as she slowly walks to Arizona and, hugging her from behind, kisses her neck. — I think it's time for this dress to fall... don't you agree?
Shivering from the guilt of that voice in her ear and from the kisses on her skin, realizing how much the Welsh has power over her, Arizona stops with two bottles of rosé wine in her hands and smiles, murmuring:
— I think it's waiting for you to take it off...
Laughing lightly and nibbling on the blonde's neck, Merida says:
— It will be the first time I will have the pleasure of undressing you... Dr. Robbins...
The next morning...
Opening her eyes slowly, Arizona smells a delicious scent in her nostrils and watches the immense open balcony, with a weak sun trying to shine into the room and with the curtains half closed.
— It doesn't even seem like I'm on the outskirts of London... it's so quiet here... — the pediatrician murmurs as she takes the blankets off her and notices the Welsh's arm around her waist. — Is she asleep yet?! — Arizona carefully removes Merida's hand and gets up, observing on her watch (on the dresser beside the bed) that it is already 8 am. — How strange... she never sleeps that much... Well, when we slept together the first time, she slept a lot...
Arizona shrugs, picks up a shirt of the redhead lying on the floor and steps out onto the balcony, going out to observe Merida's property in daylight. Her eyes, still sleepy, widen when she realizes the size of the place and the amount of things that are there.
— Wow! — she sees a tennis court in the distance, a huge pool and several other spaces. — Yeah... with all this at home and with the amount of money she has, she shouldn't even be working. Apparently, despite everything, she has no pleasure in staying here... it's the only explanation.
Then, closing the buttons on the shirt, Arizona decides to leave the room to search the kitchen, as she feels her stomach screaming for food and her throat begging for a liquid. Scratching her hair and not noticing the huge corridor that she passes by, Arizona finds the stairs and, silently going down, nods to two maids who clean the sculptures next to the last step.
The American feels very observed by the employees as she walks around looking for the kitchen and, bumping into a lady, she takes her shoulders by exclaiming:
— Ah, I'm sorry! — she notices that the woman also looks scared and, taking two steps away, asks: — Please, where is the kitchen? — the employee, looking in amazement at the blonde as a whole, points to the last corridor, and Arizona smiles. — Gee, thanks a lot! Sorry to bother you, huh?!
The moment the American moves away in the desired direction, the employee touches the shoulder of one of the maids and asks:
— Does Mrs. Bree already know that?!
Shaking her head, the young woman replies:
— I'm sure not, but I won't be the gossip, Marge. Mrs. Harris is our employer and has every right to bring whoever she wants here. Don't say anything, huh?!
— I know, Lilly, I know! But Mrs. Harris never brings anyone here... since Mrs. Vanessa, who left, I never saw another woman here again... — Marge replies thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, finally finding the kitchen, Arizona greets the people and, approaching one of them, asks:
— Good morning! I promise I won't disturb you, but... could you please show me some things? I wanted to prepare breakfast and take to Merida on the bed, you know?
All the employees standing there are scared until a young man answers:
— Good morning, miss. I can help you. Just tell me what you want and I'll separate things.
— Noah! — a woman exclaims frightened. — Mrs. Harris doesn't like food in the bedroom... much less on the bed...
Arizona, looking incredulous, but sympathetic to the woman, says:
— Well! What do you mean, she doesn't like to eat in the bedroom?! Impossible! Everyone loves eating on the bed! — she winks at Noah and asks: — Could you show me where things are if I ask?
— Sure! Come on! Just tell me and I'll get it!
Meanwhile, entering the kitchen with a tablet in her hands, Bree exclaims:
— Good morning, dear! I already have the schedule made for next week and I will go over the functions of each one with you — she looks with her enigmatic smile at the people standing at the door of the place. — Now! What are you doing here? — no one answers and she notices the frightened faces. — Why aren't you in there? Mrs. Harris must be back from her morning run by now and will be going down for breakfast in minutes!
People remain silent, making the housekeeper extremely angry. Then, rolling her eyes and entering the kitchen, Bree drops the tablet on the floor exclaiming:
— My good God!? — she stares in terror at Arizona Robbins half-naked and wearing only a shirt in the middle of her impeccable kitchen. — You!?
Arizona, frowning in an expression of someone who remembers something bad, sighs heavily when she stops preparing a milkshake and, turning on her heels, smiles yellowly at the housekeeper:
— Hello, Bree!