Chapter 31
Hush little baby don't you cry
Mama's gonna love you all your life
And if you ever need a friend
Mama's right there till the very end
And if you're feeling down or weak
Mama's gonna give you all the strength you need
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do
For my little Riley, cause I love you
Amber looked down at her sleeping son in her arms. They had returned home from getting the kids from Meredith's house and spent some time playing. Maci loved her doll Callie and Arizona had gotten from Mexico. Riley spent his evening shaking his maraca and smiling and making baby noises. Amber took her kids upstairs to give them baths and get them ready for bed. Maci was already down for the evening before her head hit the pillow clinging to her new doll. She took her son to his room and softly sang him to sleep. He looked so much like Tyler. She laid him down and had tears streaming down her face once again. It seemed like all she did was cry lately. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. Her life was completely turned upside down. She turned when she saw the door open a little wider and saw Callie and Arizona standing in the hall. They helped her clean up the house and stayed with her while they got the kids.
'I didn't know that you still sang that.' Callie said quietly.
Amber made her way out of the room. 'Yeah, it always calmed Maci down before she went to sleep. Seems to work with Riley too.' They all went down to the living room. Amber flopped down onto the couch. 'I don't know what to do. What do I say to them when Daddy doesn't come home anymore? How do I explain that he has another kid, another family?' It didn't even matter anymore how she felt. Her priority was her children.
'Amber, you are strong. You will get through this. I still can't believe he would do something like this.' Arizona said.
'Well, he did. I hope he and Liza are happy together.'
'You have our support Sweetie. We are here for you.' Callie said.
'Let's talk about something else. I need to take my mind off of everything. How far along are you Cal? Congratulations by the way.'
'Thanks. About a month. It worked on the first try. We were stunned.' Callie said squeezing Arizona's hand.
'That's amazing! I'm so happy. Was it your egg?' she asked Callie.
Callie nodded. 'Yeah my egg, but a blonde hair blue eyed donor so it looked somewhat like Arizona too.'
'Either way, it's going to be a cute kid. I can't wait to meet little Robbins-Torres. It'll be a blast at work when they call out Robbins and all three of us come running. Unless you're still going to be Torres at work.'
'I haven't even thought about it. Maybe I should.' Callie said.
'It won't be too bad once I go back to Mitchell. Once I get divorced.' Amber scrunched up her nose. She never thought that she would even have to consider getting a divorce lawyer.
'I don't blame you. I'm so pissed at Tyler right now. I know his parents raised him better than that. I need to knock him over the head with a brick.' Arizona said.
'It is what it is Ari. I'm slowly accepting this. Me and the kids will be ok. Oh, by the way… the house across the street where the Rogers lived is for sale. They are flying south and moving to Florida. You know, if you want to look at it.' Amber said.
'Yeah, we'll definitely want to look at it.' Callie said. They decided to watch tv and eat some ice cream before heading home for the evening.
The next week seemed to fly by. They returned to work and were met with a huge bouquet of flowers and presents from people who were unable to make it to the wedding. It was good to be back. They were heading to the elevators to change into their scrubs when Callie's phone dinged indicating an email. She reached into her bag and pulled her phone out. It was an email from the Chief. 'It's from the Chief. He wants me in his office as soon as possible.' Callie said showing Arizona the phone.
'Well go. Find me later and let me know what he says.' Arizona said. She leaned up to kiss her wife on the lips. 'I'll see you later. I love you.'
Callie redirected herself and headed up to the Chief's office. When she knocked the door opened slightly. Amber was already sitting in one of the chairs in the office. 'Hey Am. Where's the Chief? He sent me an email to come up to his office.'
'Hey Cal. Yeah, me too. Do you know what it could be about?' Amber asked.
'I have no idea.' Just then the Chief walked in with his massive cup of coffee.
'Ladies! How are we this morning?' the Chief asked excitedly. He was in a good mood. That meant good news right?
'Fine.' 'Good' they responded at the same time.
'Wonderful! Torres, congratulations! Or is it Robbins-Torres?' he asked her.
'I think I'll stick with Torres here sir.' the Chief nodded.
'Alright, so I guess you are wondering why I asked you to come to my office?' he asked. Both women nodded. 'Here's the thing. News travels fast around here and I always have my ears open…'
'Sir, I apologize. I didn't mean to make a scene at Mercy Grace. I mean given the circumstances, I hope you can understand why I reacted the way I did.' Amber rambled.
The Chief raised his hand to stop her. 'Robbins, I am not talking about that. I did hear about it though and we will talk about that later.' Amber sat back quietly and nodded again. 'Where was I? Oh! So I have been hearing some good things about you two. Your techniques, your bed side manner, and your plan of action for your patients. I would like to offer you both attending positions in your departments. What do you say?'
The women were shocked. Stunned. 'Really? But I just got back to work. Are you sure about this Chief?' Amber asked. She could not believe what she was hearing.
'Do you want me to take back my offer?' he asked her with a raised eyebrow.
'NO! I mean no sir. I accept. Thank you.'
'And you Torres?' he asked turning to the Latina.
'I…I…I…yes sir. Absolutely. Thank you sir.' Callie stuttered out.
'Then it is settled. I want you both to go to HR and get your new name badges. You will already find your lockers marked in the attending lounge. And Robbins, I would like to see you back here in a bit.' he said looking at Amber.
'I understand sir.' The women got up and made their way out of the office. Once they shut the door, Amber turned and hugged her friend. 'Holy shit, Callie. Did that really just happen?'
'I think it did. Let's go get our badges.'
Once they moved their belongings into their new lockers in the attending lounge, they changed into their new navy blue scrubs. 'I feel so grown up now.' Amber laughed out.
'I know. I feel more powerful. Let's go see Arizona. She wanted to know what the email was all about.' Callie said.
They walked up to the PEDs department. They were greeted and congratulated by everyone along the way noticing their new blue scrubs. They knocked on Arizona's office door. They heard Arizona holler from the other side to come in. They opened the door and entered the room. Arizona was still looking at her computer so they stood there quietly waiting. After what felt like forever, Arizona looked up. It took a second before it registered with her what was different. 'Are you serious? You guys are attendings?' She jumped out of her chair and ran over to the women. She gave them bone crushing hugs. 'This is real?'
'According to our new badges and lab coats, we are now Orthopedic and Trauma attendings.' Callie told her wife.
'I am so proud of you both. We need to celebrate. Tonight.' Arizona practically yelled after engulfing them in a hug again.
'Sounds good to me. I'm off at five tonight. Text me anytime after that and we can get together.' Amber said. Arizona nodded. 'I hate to just leave, but the Chief still needed to talk to me about Mercy West sooo… I'm gonna get going. See you two later. Love you both.' Amber headed back out so that she could talk to the Chief again.
'Calliope! You are an attending. You look so much hotter in navy.' Arizona said pulling her into the room. She flipped the lock on the door. She hooked her hand around the back of Callie's neck and pulled her in for a heated kiss. She started to walk them back to the couch in the office never breaking the kiss on the way. She slowly sat down. Callie placed a knee on either side of Arizona's thighs so that she was straddling her. Arizona ran her hands up and down Callie's sides. Their tongues invading the other's mouth in their intense makeout session.
The door handle wiggled causing the women to break apart. 'Arizona!' the heard Bailey from the other side. 'Why is this door locked?'
Arizona let out a breath and cleared her throat. 'Just a second Bailey.' She looked up into Callie's eyes. 'I forgot that she was coming up to discuss a case we have today.'
'I understand. We will continue this later. I liked where it was headed.' Callie winked and got off of her wife's lap.
They straightened out the scrubs and their hair quickly and made their way to the door. When they opened the door, they were met with a stern look from the smaller woman. 'Were you all getting freaky in there? Clean that couch Robbins! This is a hospital with sick children just down the hall. Ya nasties.'
'Bailey, Bailey, calm down. Nothing was happening. As you can see, my lovely wife was just promoted to attending. We were just celebrating a little.' Arizona said pulling Callie into a side hug.
'I can see that. Congratulations. Now get out of here, I need to discuss this case with your wife.' Bailey said.
Callie rolled her eyes. 'I'll see you later. Love you. You're ok too Bailey.' she smiled at the smaller woman as she left the room.
Hours later the women were pulling up to the small diner that they chose to celebrate Callie and Amber's promotions. They had the best milkshakes in town and the women were really wanting the sweet treat. Amber was already waiting inside for them. They walked into the diner and were immediately spotted by an excited four year old. 'Callie and Zona are here Mama!' she said a little too loud causing some of the people in the restaurant to turn and look at the newcomers. The quickly made their way to the booth and slid into the seat.
'Hey girly, you being good for Mama?' Callie asked as they sat down.
'Yes Callie. I'm being good.' the little girl said as she went back to coloring her picture.
'Hey again ladies. How was the rest of your day?' Amber asked.
'It was really good. All of my surgeries went smooth and we were both able to leave on time.' Callie answered.
'Me and Bailey rocked our surgery too. The little girl will be back to running around in no time.' Arizona said.
'I heard about that. Me and Bailey had lunch together today.' Amber smirked. 'She had a lot to say about boundaries at work and locked doors.'
'I bet she did.' Arizona blurted out. 'Anyway how was your day?'
Amber looked down at Maci and back at the other women. 'It was fine.' Tyler had actually been trying to call her all day, but she did not want to talk about it with her children around.
Callie and Arizona got the hint. 'So about these milkshakes. What flavor are you getting Stinker?' Arizona asked Maci.
'I want strawberry. Zona, why do you call me Stinker? Am I stinky?' Maci asked.
'No. You always smell like cotton candy, but when I first met you, you had one of the smelliest diapers I have ever smelled so I just kept calling you Stinker. Do you want me to stop?'
'No I like Stinker. It's different. Mama says that being different doesn't have to be bad. You can still call me Stinker.' Maci said matter of factly. Riley decided that he needed to be a part of the conversation and let out a loud baby squeal.
'I think Riley likes it too.' Arizona laughed out.
'What did the Chief say to you?' Callie asked her friend.
'Pretty much that he needed to address what happened on paper, but that he would have reacted the same way. Seems I have his support if I need it.' Amber answered.
'You have ours as well. We have an appointment to look at that house too.' Arizona said.
'That's great! It would be awesome having you all as neighbors. Having the kids grow up together.' Amber said. 'And we could get each other's mail or feed the other's pets when we go on vacation. You know neighborly stuff.'
'Can we get a dog?' Maci asked her mother. 'Oh, no a kitten. Can we get a kitten Mama?'
Amber thought about it for a minute. 'You know what? Yes. We'll get a kitten.'
'Yes!' Maci cheered throwing her arms in the air.
I have to give credit to Ciara for the beginning portion of the chapter. That is the beginning of her song 'I got you.' I just twisted it to make it fit the story. We are currently in the middle of an emotional roller coaster. I have been on vacation this week and this story has consumed all of my free time. I hope you are enjoying the ride. I know a lot of you were wondering what Arizona was going to say to Tyler. That confrontation is happening, just not quite yet. Thanks for reading.
