Chapter 35
'Mama, Mama, Mama!' Maci exclaimed running into Riley's room.
'Maci, Maci, Maci.' Amber said changing Riley into his outfit for the party.
'Very funny Mama. Can we go to Callie and Zona's now?'
'In just a minute, little lady. I have to get Riley's bag together. Then we can head out. Sound good?'
'Yes!' It was the day of the party where Callie and Arizona would announce to their parents and friends that they were expecting their twins. Maci was super excited to spend time with her godparents and family.
'You want to help Mama out real quick? We can leave quicker if you help me.'
'Sure, Mama. What can I do? I'm ready to gooooo.' Maci said.
'Can you grab a few toys for Riley and find his blue binky please?' Amber asked. She already had a few toys packed, but wanted to give Maci something to do so that she wouldn't keep asking when they were leaving. She had already answered her the fifty or so times she had asked since waking up that morning.
Maci shot out of the room and down the stairs in an instant in search of the blue binky. Fifteen minutes later with a packed bag and two dressed children, Amber grabbed her keys and they stepped out onto the front porch. It was a nice day and it was only a few houses down the street so they were walking. She grabbed Maci's hand and they started down the hill.
When they got to Callie and Arizona's front lawn, Amber let go of Maci's hand so that she could go ring the doorbell. Maci tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for someone to answer. What felt like a million years to the small child, but was really only thirty seconds, Lucia answered the door with a big smile on her face. 'Abuela!' Maci shouted.
'Oh, Maci, mi nieta. Give me a hug.' Lucia bent down and wrapped Maci in a giant hug. She stood up again and Maci ran inside to see everyone else. 'And Riley, look how much you have grown little one.' she said turning her attention to the squirming child that wanted a hug too. Amber transferred the boy over to the older woman. 'Amber, mija, how have you been?'
'As good as I can be Lucia.' Amber said. It still hurt, but she was healing and moving forward.
'You look amazing. It is so good to see you.'
'You too.' They entered the house and closed the door.
Amber greeted everyone that was seated around the living room. 'Amber, dear.' Barbara said. 'What a pleasant surprise!'
'Hey Babs. How are you?' Amber asked.
'Oh dear. I'm fine. How are you doing?' Barbara asked with a sad look in her eyes.
'I'm fine Babs. My kids are happy and healthy. That's my priority.' Amber said. Maci was currently sitting in Daniel's lap and Riley was being passed from Lucia to Bailey. Amber decided to find her hosts. They were in the kitchen getting the food ready. 'Hey Callie. Hey Zona. Can I help with anything?'
'Amber, hey. We are all set, but thanks. And thanks for coming. We are really nervous.' Arizona said.
'Don't be nervous. I don't think they will be sad about what you have to tell them.' Amber said.
She returned to the living room and sat down next to Bailey on the couch. 'Hello Bailey. How is everything?'
'Oh, I am real good. You know Ben Warren?' Bailey asked. Amber nodded. 'Well, I happen to be meeting him later at Joe's for a drink.'
'That is great Bailey. Ben is hot!'
'Mmmmhmmmm. Do you have your eye on anyone?' Bailey asked.
'I…' Amber was interrupted by Callie and Arizona entering the room. 'Ok guys, food is ready. Dig in.'
The pasta that Callie made for the group was phenomenal. Even Maci cleared her plate. They cleaned the kitchen really quickly and gathered everyone in the living room once again. Callie and Arizona stood near the fireplace. 'Hey everyone. We just wanted to say thank you for joining us today. We have lived in our new home for awhile and thought it was time to have everyone over to celebrate. We couldn't be happier to have everyone here today because not only is this a housewarming party, we are thrilled to announce that my beautiful Calliope is three months pregnant!' Arizona had to pause her speech. Barbara and Lucia were screaming. Daniel couldn't stop smiling. He threw Maci up in the air making the little girl laugh. He caught her tightly and hugged her into his chest. In all of the commotion, they did not hear the front door open. Arizona had to get the room quieted down. 'Wait, there's more.' Arizona said. 'We are having twins!' Again the room went crazy.
'Oh my God! Two grandbabies!' Barbara shouted as tears ran down her face. 'Oh that's wonderful.'
There was a loud clap that started near the front door. It got louder and louder. The room got quiet and turned to see who was making the noise. There, in the doorway, was Tyler, Liza, and Jared. 'Well, well, well. Seems our invitation to the Robbins get together got lost in the mail. What I don't understand is what she is doing here.' he said pointing to Amber. 'She isn't a Robbins anymore.'
'Daddy!' Maci shouted. It had been nearly two months that she had seen her father. She wriggled out of Daniel's arms and ran over to her dad hugging his leg.
'Hey Princess.'
Amber got off of the couch and grabbed her son from Bailey. She picked up his bag and grabbed Maci's arm. Maci tried to pull back. 'Mama, I want to see Daddy.'
'I know Baby girl, but it doesn't sound like Daddy wants to be very nice right now. Come on. We'll see him another time.' She looked up the man that she once loved. 'What did I ever do to you?' she asked quietly. With that, Amber dragged her kids out of the house and back home.
'Who was that little boy and lady with Daddy, Mama?' Maci asked as they walked up the hill.
'We'll talk about it another time, Maci. I promise. Just please, not today. Ok sweet girl?' Amber pleaded. She did not want to cry today. She was done crying over that man.
Back in the house, Arizona stomped up to her cousin and got right into his face. 'There was a reason that you were not invited Tyler. You are a disgrace to this family. I don't want you in my life. I don't want you in my wife's life. I don't want you in my children's lives. How can you possibly treat that woman the way that you did? She works hard. She cares like crazy. Hell, she had your kid when she was an intern. Do you understand how difficult it is to be an intern without having children? She had a baby, YOUR newborn baby. I have never once heard her complain. I have never once heard her say that she was tired and wanted a break. She always had the kids. When she thought you were working to provide for your family, she took care of the house, the kids, went to work everyday. And you… you treat her like this!? Having a child with someone else? What the hell kind of man are you? If you were so damn unhappy with her, why convince her to have another baby? Why lead her on? Why drag it out? You are nothing but a narcissistic asshole Tyler and I want you out of my house and out of my life!'
Tyler looked at the smaller woman and got an evil smirk on his face. 'You want me out of your life, but a woman who spent years fucking your wife is now your best friend? Do you hear yourself? Amber is weak. She is stupid. It was easy to manipulate her into doing anything that I said. I held the power. Without me, Amber would be nothing.'
'I love Amber and I protect the things I love. Not that she needs it. She's strong, caring, and honorable and I hope she raises Maci and Riley to be just like her. Amber made attending. How did you do that for her? Did YOU go to med school? Did YOU stay up for hours studying? Did YOU take the Hippocratic oath? Have YOU saved lives? Have YOU been raising two children by yourself because your HUSBAND decided he wanted a side family? No. Amber's not weak, Tyler. You are. She was just stupid enough to fall in love with a worthless man like yourself. Now get out of here before I find a brick!'
'You fucking bitch! You know nothing.' Tyler growled.
'THAT IS ENOUGH YOUNG MAN!' Daniel yelled. 'I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you will not disrespect my daughter, her wife, or the mother of your children as long as I am around. I may be an old man, but my hearing is still pretty good. I believe Arizona told you she did not want you around her or her family. I suggest you all turn around and leave before I show you firsthand what they taught us in the Marines.'
Tyler knew that the older man meant business. Even he was not stupid enough to mess with an old Marine. He stared at the man for a minute before picking up the little boy and heading out the door with Liza in tow. Once the door was shut, Daniel turned to his daughter. 'You ok, Bug?'
'Yes Daddy. I'm ok. Calliope, are you ok?' Arizona asked looking at her wife.
Callie nodded her head. 'I'm ok. Should we go check on her?'
'We'll give her some time. Then we'll head up there. Let's give her some space for a bit.' Arizona pulled Callie into her side and kissed her cheek. She turned her attention back to the rest of the room. 'So does anyone have anything they want to say?'
'I have a few questions, but I don't want to pry into anyone's very personal business.' Barbara said.
'Go ahead Barbara. We'll answer any questions that you have.' Callie said.
'Um, so you had a relationship with Amber?' Barbara asked.
'Sort of. We slept together in med school.'
'I thought you were just roommates.'
'We were roommates. Then we started sleeping together too.'
'And you knew about this?' Barbara turned to speak with Arizona.
Arizona nodded her head. 'I've known since me and Callie started dating.'
'When was the last time you were together?'
'Six years ago. Right before she met Tyler.' Callie replied.
'Well that is… something. Anyway, twins! Oh Daniel, our girls are having twins' Barbara said turning to her husband.
The happy mood of the day was back and the family sat around and discussed Callie's pregnancy. 'You were a pregnant bride, Mija?' Lucia asked.
'I was barely pregnant, Mami, but yes. We got lucky and got pregnant after our first try. We wanted a family right away, so we didn't wait. I started taking fertility shots right after Riley was born.' Callie explained.
'Two little babies. Oh Mija. That makes me so happy.'
After some time, Bailey and the rest of the hospital gang left for the evening. Barbara and Daniel had an early flight so they went back to the hotel to go to bed. Callie, Arizona, and Lucia were sitting around the kitchen island. 'I cannot believe the nerve of that man. Showing up like that and disrespecting everyone here.' Lucia had held her tongue earlier. She wanted to say some very rude things to Tyler for what he did.
'I'm not even sure how he found out about the party. I only told my parents and my brothers and sister. Maybe one of them let it slip.' Arizona said. 'I'm sorry Calliope.'
'It isn't your fault Arizona. The day turned out ok. I think we need to check on Amber though. She may not be ok.' Callie said.
'You're right. Do you mind Lucia?' Arizona asked.
'Not at all, Mija. Make sure she is alright.'
Callie and Arizona slipped on some jackets and started walking up the hill to Amber's house. The lights were off and that same car was parked in the driveway from a few weeks ago. 'I saw that car here a few weeks ago.' Arizona said to her wife.
'And you are just now telling me?' Callie was surprised Arizona had kept that information to herself.
'I forgot about it. You were naked and about to get into the bathtub. It was that night.'
'Oh.' Callie said remembering that night well. 'I forgive you then.'
They walked up to the house and knocked on the door. There was no answer so they tried knocking once more. Callie put her hand up to her ear. 'Do you hear that?' she asked.
There was music playing. It sounded like it was coming from the backyard. They started walking around the side of the house. There was definitely music and… giggling? They heard people talking and giggling. One of them sounded like Amber and they could not place the other voice. They got to the back gate and opened it slowly. They stepped through and looked to where the voices and giggling was coming from. Their eyes widened. There was Amber straddling another woman in a heated makeout session. They had a blanket draped over them and it looked like Amber was missing her shirt.
'Oh my God.' Arizona shrieked out.
It startled the preoccupied women and Amber jumped to the side of the woman in the chair. She pulled the blanket up and cleared her throat. 'Um, uh, hey Callie, Arizona. Um… this is Lexie.'
'Lexie… Mercy West Lexie?' Callie asked. She was still shocked.
'Yup. Lex… this is Callie and Arizona Robbins-Torres. My best friends.' Amber said.
'Cool. I heard a lot about you.' Lexie said.
'Would one of you mind throwing me my shirt please?' Amber asked. Callie bent down and grabbed Amber's shirt from her feet. She tossed it to the woman in the chair. Amber slipped her shirt back over her head and laid back down next to Lexie. Lexie wrapped her arm around Amber and put her hand on her hip.
'We came by to see if you were ok. Looks like you're just fine. Are you two, like, together?' Arizona asked.
Amber looked down at Lexie and smiled. 'Yeah. I guess we are.' Lexie wrapped her arm tighter around Amber.
'Wow. That's awesome.' Arizona said.
'You're not mad?' Amber asked.
'Why would I be mad?'
'I wasn't exactly sure what the timeframe was for moving on from your adulterous husband.'
'Honey, there is no timeframe. I, for one, am very happy for you.' Arizona reassured her.
'Me too.' Callie said. 'A little hurt that you didn't tell me, but nevertheless happy for you.' She gave the woman a small smirk to let her know she was just teasing her. 'How long have you been seeing each other?'
'Lex called me about a week after finding out about Tyler. We talked for awhile. She was just there for me. Then one day, we kissed, and a few weeks later we did more than kiss. It just happened naturally. I'm happy.' Amber said. Lexie kissed the side of her head. 'So what happened after I left with the kids?' Amber was curious.
'Arizona got up in his face and told him to fuck off. She told him how great of a person you were and that he was an asshole for not treating you better.' Callie said.
'You said all that?' Amber asked turning to Arizona.
'More or less.'
'Fuck him. His loss is my gain.' Lexie said.
'We should get back. We were worried about you. Lucia was too. We'll let her know that you're in capable hands.' Arizona winked.
'Very capable.' Amber said lightly tracing the star tattoo on Lexie's chest with her finger.
'And with that, we'll head out.' Callie said pulling Arizona out of the yard.
'Your friends seem nice.' Lexie said.
'They're cool.' Amber said.
'That's my word.'
'I know. Now kiss me.' Amber leaned down and reconnected their lips.
A few days later, Lexie wanted to help Amber drop the kids off at daycare and to see her girlfriend off to work properly. 'You know you don't have to do this right? I appreciate it and everything, but it's very out of the way for you.' Amber said as she was getting Riley ready for the day.
Lexie wrapped her arms around Amber. 'What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't see you off to work? Besides, I want your crew to know that you are taken. And, it's my day off and I have nowhere I need to be.'
'Babe, I don't want you to think that you have to help me with my kids. I can handle them and get them to daycare.'
'I know that, but I like your kids and I like you. Don't fight me on this. I'm walking you into work, and I'm going to kiss you and tell you to have a good day.' Lexie said placing a kiss on Amber's neck.
'Fine.' Amber conceded. She secretly loved it. Tyler rarely helped get the kids to daycare. 'Riley is ready.'
'Cool. Come here big man.' Riley reached out and hugged onto Lexie tightly.
'Maci! Feed Luna and we need to go kiddo!' Luna was the kitten that Amber promised her daughter. Her full name was Luna Isabelle Princess Pocket according to Maci. Luna for short.
Maci came running into the kitchen with her bookbag swinging wildly from her back. 'Yes Mama.' She grabbed the scoop and put a heaping scoopful of food in the kitten's bowl.
'Alright, let's roll out.' Lexie strapped Riley into his car seat and Amber handled getting Maci into her booster chair. Lexie got into the driver's seat and they were off. She reached over and grabbed Amber's hand. Amber smiled. She could get used to this. She just hoped she wasn't diving into something too quickly. She was barely divorced.
They got to the hospital in no time. Lexie unbuckled Riley from his chair and Amber lifted Maci down to the ground and grabbed her hand. They made their way into the hospital looking very much like a small family. Callie and Arizona were already at the hospital at the coffee cart grabbing a pound cake for a quick breakfast. Arizona noticed Amber and her crew and nodded her head for Callie to turn and look at them.
'They look like a family coming into work.' she said.
'They really do. I hope Lexie sticks around.' Arizona said.
Callie and Arizona weren't the only ones that noticed them entering the hospital. Bailey and Addison were also making their way to the coffee cart.
'Is Amber speaking the vagina monologues now?' Addison asked.
'She knows her way all around a vagina apparently. Has for years.' Bailey said looking at Callie. She was still shocked at what she learned about her fellow doctors.
After dropping the kids off at the daycare, Lexie walked Amber to the attending locker room. She pulled her in for a kiss. They pulled away and rested their foreheads together. 'Are you real?' Amber asked playing with Lexie's dreadlock.
'Very real. I hope you have a good day. I'll pick you all up later. I want to take you out.' Lexie said kissing her girlfriend again.
'Like out out? In public?'
'Yes. Like out out in public.'
'I can't wait.' Amber smiled as she pushed the door to the locker room open. She changed quickly and made her way to the ER with a bounce in her step. A bounce she hadn't had in a long time.
There we go. I hope you enjoyed. I can't say it enough, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my story. I'll try to keep it going as long as possible.
