Written after 12x02, but it takes place far, far into the future.
Arizona had a plan. A long, complicated plan. A plan that was comprised of a number of steps. A plan that she'd been considering for a long time.
A plan that she finally felt ready to execute.
Step One — perhaps the most important step — had taken place even before anything else had been considered. In retrospect, after the rest of the plan came to be, Arizona realized that Step One — which determined the rest of the steps — had been: to come home.
Home.
Not to her and Callie's new house, per se — though she adored that beautiful, quintessential place.
But no. Not the house.
For Arizona, "home" had never been a place. As a kid, she'd moved around so often that "home" came to signify the people she loved and was surrounded with: her family. Her parents. Her brother. Her German Shepherd, Roxy, while she'd been alive.
But over the course of the past decade, home hadn't meant her parents, anymore. And it certainly hadn't meant Tim.
It had meant Callie. And then also Sofia.
They were home to her.
And without them, she had been homeless: never taking up a permanent residence, always somehow hoping she wouldn't have to. That she'd somehow find her way back home.
So, throughout the time she and Callie had been apart, she had refused to buy a house or even rent one of her own. She never could have standed the thought of something so permanent just for her.
Not when Callie had still felt like home. Not when she had still loved Callie so entirely.
And Arizona had later discovered that, somehow, despite everything, Callie had still loved her during that time, too.
And, then, against all odds, they had managed to make their puzzle pieces fit. They'd managed to glue them in place forever.
And, with that, Step One – coming home – had been accomplished.
Step Two, however, was more complicated. It was made up of a number of sub-steps — all of which would be realized that day.
Arizona hadn't always been planning for Step Two to take place that day. It previously had been more of an abstract concept, with no due date or parameters.
Step Two was The Hunt.
She'd had the scavenger hunt planned for a while, sure, but she hadn't picked out a specific day in advance.
That is, she hadn't until one night the week before.
Really, that night hadn't been any different from their usual evenings at home these days, which simply involved making dinner, helping Sofia with her homework, putting her to bed, and then showering and finally sleeping themselves (though, on many occasions, they'd have sex before the latter took place).
Arizona had been making rice by the stove when she felt Callie snake her arms around her from behind, hugging her around the waist and nuzzling her nose into a porcelain neck.
At the warm contact, Arizona had felt her entire body begin to hum, her heart happily thrumming in her chest as it always had every time Callie touched her — no matter how innocently.
"How was your day?" Callie had asked as casually as ever, just reveling in the feeling of Arizona in her arms, feeling her smaller body against her own, breathing in her sweet familiar scent, and being grateful that she could love the blonde again.
That she could really, truly love her and that she could show it, again. She no longer had to attempt to control or stop her love for Arizona, because they had both changed. They had each grown separately, in just the right ways. They'd grown back toward one another.
Which wasn't to say that they hadn't grown prior to their divorce. They had been two mangled trees, growing with opposite trajectories. They had fought the wind, attempting to remain beside each other and to provide the other with much-needed nutrients, but it had only impeded their own growth and well-being.
Somehow, however, their separation had allowed them to each grow strong individually, making way for them to find their way back to each other.
Time apart had been needed. It was what led them to where they were: back together. Wrapped around each other.
Home.
"It was good," Arizona had murmured, smiling. "Even better now." She had leaned back into Callie's embrace, and the taller woman in turn brushed her lips along the narrow nape of Arizona's neck, the blonde feeling the lips against her neck part into a smile.
The pure, unadulterated tenderness of the evening had worked to reaffirm what Arizona had already known: that she wanted Callie forever.
That she wanted Callie to be hers.
Entirely hers.
Forever.
Officially.
And, well, immediately.
Which is what brought Step Two into action.
Step Two — not the scariest step, but certainly the most complex and time consuming.
Step Two: The Hunt.
She had meticulously (and clandestinely) been planning it all week, talking to coworkers and friends, and making sure that it would be something Callie really liked.
She knew the brunette as well as she knew herself, so she knew that Callie would want something fun, romantic, public, and grand.
And that was exactly what she would get.
Though Arizona had to work that day, she woke up early (super early) to drive around the city and make sure that everything was in place.
She left Callie a card on the kitchen counter and was out the door. She had to compartmentalize her nerves; she had surgeries to do and patients to see until eight o'clock that evening, when she would get off work and would execute Step Three.
Step Three was The Proposal.
And she really had to mentally prepare for that.
Callie woke up with a start.
She had a plan. A huge plan. A plan she'd been considering for a long time. In fact, though she hadn't admitted it to herself at the time, it was something she'd been planning even while she and Arizona had been separated. When the Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality in every state, she couldn't have helped but think of Arizona immediately — even despite their situation, at the time.
She couldn't have helped the plan that arose in her mind, just in case — against all odds — she and Arizona had managed to find their way back to each other.
And they had.
So, there she was, months later, ready to bite the bullet and finally ask the woman she loved to be her legal wife. Forever.
She hadn't planned to propose on that day specifically all along; it had been something she decided only the week before. She and Arizona had spent a typical evening at home, but Callie had realized that it all just felt right: her life with Arizona then. It felt like being together, with Arizona in her arms, was the way things were meant to be.
She wanted that forever. That simplicity of them holding each other, supporting each other, being there for each other.
Forever.
That was all she really wanted: for Arizona to be entirely hers, and for her to be entirely Arizona's. And she wanted the woman she loved to know that.
So she was going to propose. As soon as Arizona came home from work that evening, she was going to propose.
She had attempted to plan something the blonde would like. Something subdued and private for the proposal itself, and then something fun afterwards.
But not a surprise party, that was for sure.
No. The proposal itself would involve a sweet night at home, filled with homemade paella and lots of sweet sangria.
Then, the following evening, they would meet their friends for drinks at Joe's in celebration.
After all, Joe's was to thank for their first interaction. It was there that Callie had first fallen for Arizona.
Callie set up everything but the food in the living room soon as soon as she woke up, wanting to make sure everything was perfect. Then, satisfied, she walked toward the kitchen to make breakfast at last.
It was only while shoveling hot, sugary oatmeal into her mouth that she caught sight of a red envelope. Curiously, she looked more closely and saw Arizona's sloppy, feminine cursive spelling out her name.
Smiling, she ripped open the envelope and peeked at the card inside.
It read:
Callie,
I know you're bummed that we don't both have the day off today, but I planned something fun to make it up to you.
You said once that your parents used to hide your birthday presents and send you on scavenger hunts to find them. I know it's not your birthday, but well, I love you. And I planned a scavenger hunt for you today, anyway. It'll give you something to do.
Here's the first clue:
The few people who know about this spot might say that it has the most beautiful view.
P.S. I might argue that, really, I did this morning, when I woke up to you sleeping soundly beside me.
P.P.S. That has nothing to do with the clue. Just added commentary.
At the additional comments, Callie couldn't contain the goofy smile that overtook her features. She was so in love with this woman. Her love for Arizona only grew with each passing day.
She didn't know how that was even possible, but it was true.
Then, she forced herself to actually consider the clue. In truth, she hadn't gone on a scavenger hunt in over twenty five years, even though she had loved them as a kid. She was amazed and pleased that Arizona had even remembered her love for them; she'd mentioned it once, maybe, and years ago.
The clue stated that "few people" knew about the spot, and that it had a beautiful view.
Immediately, she thought of the bench where she and Arizona used to share lunch years before, when they had initially gotten together.
Knowing how scavenger hunts worked, she got in her car and began driving toward the park located by the hospital. It was beyond sweet that Arizona had planned something for her to do on her lonely day off, but really, she had things to do.
Shopping to do. Food to cook. Nerves to calm.
She had a proposal to prepare for.
So, quickly, she drove toward where she knew the next clue would be. She needed time to finish her plan. She needed to decide how she would ask Arizona to be her real, legal wife—once and for all. Once and forever.
Unlike Arizona, Callie didn't have a way with words. She knew that she was often nervous and spastic when asking the Big Questions.
And the question she was planning on asking was most definitely Big, so she needed time to think.
She needed to complete the scavenger hunt quickly.
"Good morning!" Arizona chirped as she walked toward Alex and Meredith.
"Morning," Meredith smiled.
Alex grunted a hello.
"Is everyone good with the plan?" she asked. "Meet a block from Joe's at eight and go inside only after you see Callie walk in."
Meredith raised her eyebrow at the blonde. When Arizona had originally shared her plan, Mer had not wanted to help.
But Callie was her friend. And she decided to take part in it when Callie had told her about her own plan to propose to Arizona.
Because, as it turned out, both women had decided to propose on the very same evening. At the same time. And everyone but them knew it.
The outcome of it all would be far too comedic not to take part in, so there Meredith was, ready to go to Joe's that evening.
"We've got it," Alex assured her.
"Yay!" Arizona exclaimed excitedly. "Alex, we have a patient in Room 332. You coming?"
"Uh...Yeah..." Alex began, fidgeting. "I've got to do something first, though. I'll meet you there."
Arizona looked at him quizzically. What was with the aura of mystery? "Okaaay. But don't take too long, or I'll do the whole surgery myself," she threatened jokingly.
"Right," Alex faked his best smile, hoping his mentor wouldn't see through his façade.
"What was that about?" Meredith asked in amusement once the blonde had turned and walked away.
Alex scowled. "Callie called."
Meredith grinned. "Is anyone going to tell them what's going on? I'm surprised they haven't already figured it out."
Alex laughed. "I'm not saying anything. It's going to be hilarious."
Alex dialed the phone, and Callie picked up on the first ring with an, "Alex! Why didn't you answer?"
"I'm working!" he defended. "What?"
"I need your help. Make sure Arizona comes home at eight, right after her shift ends. Do not let her go into a late surgery. If she does, take over."
"Why do I have to be a part of this?" Alex whined.
"Because she loves you," Callie explained. "And you love her."
"Whatever."
"Don't forget! And I'll see you tomorrow night at Joe's, right?"
"Wait, why?"
Callie sighed in exasperation. "I've told you this! Engagement party! Food! Drinks! 7 p.m."
"Okay!" he conceded. "I'll be there."
"Good," Callie huffed. "Anyway, I'll see you later. Tell Arizona hi for me!"
Alex rolled his eyes. His friends were so in love that it was sickening. Sickeningly sweet, sure, but sickening, nevertheless. "Fine. Bye."
"Bye!"
As she hung up the phone, Callie parallel parked her car on the road across the street from the park, then walked toward the bench she knew well. It had been a long time since she'd been there, unfortunately, but it looked exactly as she remembered. The park included a sprawling field of lush green grass adorned with a well-loved playground and, just out of view, the infamous secluded bench.
Callie ambled through the meadow, breathing in the crisp spring air and the sound of kids' laughter.
And, arriving at her destination, she saw that there, in the center of the bench, was...
Nothing?
She looked all around the wooden frame, thinking maybe the clue had blown away, but she didn't see anything that resembled the envelope Arizona had left for her that morning.
So she pulled out her phone, determined to go straight to the source; Arizona would have tell her the next clue herself.
Arizona and Maggie were wrist deep in Julia Baumgartner's tiny chest cavity when a phone began ringing, and a nurse offered, "Dr. Robbins, it's yours. Dr. Torres is on the other line. Do you want me to pick up?"
Arizona widened her eyes at Maggie. "Should we pick up? What if she guessed the plan?!"
Maggie wanted to laugh at her friend. Callie and Arizona were both so clueless. "Answer it!"
"You talk!" Arizona insisted. "Pretend I'm not here!"
"Wait, what?" Maggie questioned. That made no sense.
"Answer it!" Arizona called toward the nurse.
The nurse answered the phone, putting it on speaker.
Arizona signaled Maggie to speak, and quickly, the woman answered, "Hello?"
"Hello?" Callie asked on the other end of the line. "Arizona?"
"No, uh," Maggie began. "It's Maggie. Hi."
"Maggie? Why did you answer Arizona's phone?"
Maggie's eyes shifted around the room. "Uhhh, we're in surgery?"
"She can't talk?" Callie wasn't understanding. "Is she okay?!"
"I'm here," Arizona quickly interjected before Callie had time to worry.
Maggie breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, hey," Callie grinned, her voice oozing love. "I loved my surprise this morning, but have a question."
Arizona felt her heart pound. She didn't want to lie...but she wanted her plan to be a surprise. She hoped Callie hadn't guessed her plan to propose.
"I'm at our bench," Callie continued. "But there's no clue!"
"Oh," Arizona sighed in relief. "Did you look underneath it?"
"Hold on," Callie moved to look beneath the bench, and there, taped to the wood, was a slip of paper. "Found it!"
"Yay!" Arizona cheered.
"Thank you. Oh, and also, make sure you come home right after work tonight, okay?"
Arizona looked up at Maggie, but the heart surgeon shrugged in mock-ignorance.
"Did you...have something planned?" Arizona asked carefully.
"Uh, yeah," Callie felt her voice rise in pitch as she avoided giving details. "A nice dinner for just the two of us. Sof is going to Mia's for a sleepover birthday party, remember? Mer's taking her and Zola at five."
Arizona bit her lip. "Right. Could we maybe do that tomorrow, instead? A bunch of us are meeting at Joe's after work. I forgot to tell you, but I, uh, agreed that we'd go a while ago."
Callie frowned. Seriously? What about her plan? "Do you really want to go?" she asked quietly.
Arizona cringed. Why did Callie sound so disappointed? "I think we should. We could have a super late dinner afterwards?" she offered hopefully.
Callie huffed, and the entire OR staff could hear it as her despondency echoed around the room. "Sure. Joe's at eight?" she sighed.
"Exactly," Arizona smiled. Callie would forgive her once she showed up at Joe's that evening. "See you then. Keep hunting!"
"I will," Callie promised.
So, she'd have to propose a few hours later. She'd have to rewarm the paella. That wasn't a huge deal. Right? "Go, save lives. I'll see you tonight."
"Bye!" Arizona called.
"Bye! Bye, Maggie!"
"Bye!" Maggie countered.
As the call ended, Arizona breathed a sigh of relief. "Do you think she'll figure it out?"
"Nope," Maggie responded, also thinking of Arizona herself. "She has no idea."
Ripping the slip of paper from the park bench, Callie turned it over and read what Arizona had written on it:
This place made for an unexpected and unforgettable Valentine's Day.
She smirked. That couldn't mean anything but Derek's old trailer. She raced back to her car, in a hurry again. She needed time to plan her proposal, after all.
As she drove toward Meredith and Derek's old land, toward the trailer that was empty for the time being, she thought about everything she still needed to do.
She still needed to buy paella rice, peas, chorizo, clams, mussels, shrimp, bell peppers, green beans, onion, garlic, chicken, white fish, red wine, brandy, Sprite, cherries, grapes, lemons, limes, oranges, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
Oh, boy, Callie thought. I have my work cut out for me.
She raced up to the trailer's steps, yanking down the slip of paper taped meticulously to the center of the door.
It read:
You looked really, really hot here, once.
Was that it? That clue did Callie no good. She turned the slip of paper over, searching for something — anything — else to help her.
Thankfully, her prayers were answered, as Arizona had added on the other side:
And sporty. Does that help at all?
It did. Arizona, being a girly girl, hated sports. The one place that Arizona had really seen Callie looking sporty was at the field downtown where they played softball against Seattle Presbyterian every year.
So off she went. And quickly.
"Dr. Robbins!" Jo called toward her mentor and ex-roommate from down the hall. "Arizona!"
Having heard her name, Arizona turned on her heel, smiling at the resident who was currently scurrying toward her.
Out of breath, the resident asked, "Do you...still want me to wait for Dr. Torres at the softball field with the next clue? She'll probably be there soon, right? My shift just ended."
Arizona looked down at her watch. It was still pretty early. Callie couldn't already be heading toward the field, could she?
That wouldn't work. Because, really, if Callie showed up at Joe's for the last clue any earlier than eight, Arizona wouldn't be there and everything would be ruined.
Because Arizona needed to be there. That was where Step Three would take place. "Uh…" she began shakily. "Yeah. Go wait for her. And thank you."
"Sure," Jo nodded, determined to help.
"Torres!" Jo called out, waving her superior over.
Callie knit her eyebrows together as she walked toward the resident. What was Jo doing – alone – at the old softball field? "Wilson?" she questioned.
"Dr. Robbins wanted me to meet you here," Jo explained. She held up a slip of paper. "I have the next clue."
"Oh," Callie nodded, as if that explanation made perfect sense. Which, of course, it didn't. It was just a scavenger hunt. Why would Arizona go through the work of sending Jo Wilson out to hand her the next clue personally?
Before she could grab the clue, though, Jo threw her arm back, not giving it to Callie just yet. "So…" she stalled, "How's your day going?" Arizona had sent her there to stall Callie, after all.
"It's going well," Callie quipped. She really needed to get going if she wanted to have time to plan everything for the proposal.
"Great!" Jo gushed enthusiastically. She had no idea what she should talk to the Head of Orthopedics about. In all honesty, Callie had always intimidated her, a little. "Uh…" she began. "Are you working tomorrow?"
"No, are you?" In truth, Callie couldn't care less if Jo was working. She just wanted her clue and to hurry this thing along. Suddenly remembering her plans, she leveled a look at Jo. "You're not working after eight tomorrow, right? So that you came come to Arizona's and my engagement party at Joe's?" Assuming she says yes, Callie added silently, but really, she wasn't too worried.
She knew that marriage was only a formality, and one Arizona likely wouldn't care much about, but Callie did. She knew that, regardless, the two of them would spend their lives together. They had decided that — no matter what — they wanted to spend their lives together. So marriage didn't really matter. But still.
She wanted Arizona to be her all. Legally.
"I'll be there; I'll be there!" Jo quickly assured her.
"Good," Callie nodded, satisfied. She signaled toward the clue. "May I?"
Jo nervously bit her lip, hiding the clue behind her back. "You know," she cleared her throat. "I really admire you as a surgeon."
"Oh, yeah?" Callie asked, suddenly distracted by the praise.
Jo nodded profusely. "You're one of the best surgeons at Grey-Sloan," she continued, pleased that the distraction was effective. "Probably ever."
Callie grinned, but she made a point to humbly argue, "I don't know about that…"
"No, you are," Jo insisted. She felt awkward just standing there and asked, "I've been meaning to ask you about your best surgery." She signaled to a nearby bench. "Maybe you could tell me about it?"
Callie was about to give in, clearly honored by the praise, but then she remembered: she was supposed to be proposing that night. She did not have time to tell a resident her life story. Not that day. "I can't," she lamented. "I'm actually trying to get this treasure hunt over with."
Jo pouted out her lower lip. She couldn't stall much longer. "Are you, um, getting drinks with us tonight? At eight?"
Callie nodded, grumbling, "Apparently. You know that I wanted to propose as soon as Arizona got home, but whatever. It'll have to happen afterwards."
"Right," Jo nodded.
"Which means that I have less time to get everything done," Callie explained impatiently. "So," she held out her hand. "Clue, please."
Contritely, Jo placed the envelope into Callie's hand. "Here," she stated. Arizona may have wanted her to fight harder against Callie, but Jo figured that she couldn't without raising some suspicion as to why.
"Thank you," Callie said, turning to walk away. Then, turning back, she curiously asked, "Did you really want to hear about by best surgery?"
Surprised, Jo offered a, "Yeah," realizing that she did. She wanted to learn from Callie's experience. "I'd love to," she added genuinely.
Callie smiled. "Okay. Find me at lunch sometime. I'd be happy to tell you."
Jo shone back at her. "I will. Thank you, Dr. Torres."
"Sure," Callie chirped, turning away and already breaking open the seal to find out where she was going next.
Our favorite on-call room, the clue read.
And so, hurriedly, that's where Callie went.
She knew the on-call room well. It was where they had hooked up often after they had first gotten together and where they had spent quiet, comfortable lunches on long days.
In fact, they'd taken a nap there together only several days before, reveling in the warmth and comfort of each other despite the cold, narrow bed.
Callie headed for the Peds Ward, hoping, in part, to see Arizona as she made her pit-stop. She threw open the on-call room door, and there it was. A tiny clue, on the middle of the bed.
But she didn't open it right away. Because she missed Arizona, and she wanted to see her before that night.
Seeing that her name wasn't on the OR board, Callie scoured the hospital hallways, searching for familiar blonde hair.
Arizona was talking to April, heading toward the cafeteria, when she caught sight of Callie.
"Shoot!" she hissed, leaping behind April.
"Arizona…?" April questioned, giggling a little. "Can I help you?"
"It's Callie!" Arizona whispered. "To your left."
"And…?" April asked.
"If I talk to her, I know I'll give it away. And I want it to be a surprise." She peeped out from behind April's shoulder. "Where is she?"
"Coming this way," April smirked, kind of enjoying how freaked out her friend was.
"Hide me!" Arizona squealed. Thankfully, the waiting room was busy, because otherwise, Callie would have seen her long ago.
"It's okay," April assured her. "It's fine. She just turned to walk down another hallway."
Hesitantly, Arizona stepped out from behind her friend. "Oh, good."
April cackled. "Are you seriously worried about tonight? She loves you." Honestly, she knew that Arizona had nothing to worry about, considering that Callie was considering to propose at the same time. Obviously, it was fate. It was meant to be. But Arizona didn't know that, yet.
"Not worried," Arizona defended. But, well, she was. Just a little bit. Which was crazy, because she knew that Callie wanted to spend the rest of her life together. But, still. Proposing was a big deal.
"Everything will turn out great," April squeezed her shoulder.
Callie ended up in the cafeteria. She had scoured most of the hospital and, still, Arizona was nowhere in sight. Deciding that she didn't have any more time to look, she peeked at the clue.
I first saw you here. I first wanted you here. And you had no idea.
Callie felt a smile tease her lips. She still had no idea. Where could that have been?
"Callie!" she heard someone call, and she looked around to find Maggie waving her over.
"Hey, Maggie," Callie smiled as she sat down. "Alex."
"'Sup?" Alex asked, his mouth full.
"This is for you," Maggie handed Callie a slip of paper.
Callie knit her eyebrows together. "Oh. This is where she…" she tapered off. Had Arizona first fallen for her when she'd seen her eating lunch in the cafeteria?
Somehow, that felt completely crazy and undeniably flattering. The thought of Arizona becoming so immensely intrigued and attracted to her while Callie had laughed and sulked and eaten lunch with her friends as if no one was watching seemed unreal.
Maggie shrugged. "Arizona said to give you this after you found the clue in the on-call room."
So she had been right. The cafeteria had been where Arizona had first seen her. And wanted her.
Callie felt her stomach bubble gleefully at the thought, feeling like a cold Diet Coke on a hot day.
"Cool," she chirped, ready to get going. She had things to do. "I better go. Thank you," she added genuinely.
"Wait!" Maggie stopped her. "Are you ready for tonight?"
Callie frowned. "Not even close. Which is why I'm dashing off."
"Right," Maggie nodded. "Good luck!"
Callie headed back toward her car, ripping open the envelope to get a look at the next clue.
It read:
You lived here. I lived here. But never at the same time.
Callie had to wrack her brain for that one. It couldn't have been Arizona's old apartment. It couldn't have been Mark's apartment. Or their old apartment. Or their old house. What was left?
Meredith's house. Of course.
She hopped into her car, speeding toward Mer's.
When she got to the doorstep, she inspected the door, but there was no clue. She looked down at her feet and – again – no clue. Finally, she looked under the doormat and, to her dismay, there was still no clue. Where could it be?
Before she could head back to her car to call Arizona and ask for help, Meredith threw open the door.
"Hi," Meredith greeted. "Are you here for the clue?"
Callie nodded. "Do you have it?"
"Yeah," Meredith smirked. "Come in."
Arizona had texted Meredith after she got home, begging her to stall Callie's progression for a while. And, though she usually wouldn't have, Meredith decided to do her part in making sure that the proposal was successful. She liked Callie and Arizona together, after all, and she wanted her friends to be happy.
As Callie followed her friend into the familiar house, Meredith asked, "Do you want coffee? Some fruit?"
"No, thank you," Callie replied politely. "I have so much to do before tonight. I actually need to get going soon."
Meredith eyed her from across the kitchen island. "Here's the dilemma," she began apologetically. "You and I are supposed to catch up. That's part of Arizona's thing."
Callie's eyes widened. "Why?" she asked, then quickly added, "Not that I mind. Mer, you know that I love talking to you. But do we have to catch up today?"
Meredith nodded sincerely. "At least for a few minutes. Otherwise, she'll kill me. Tell me about your proposal. Are you ready?"
"No!" Callie exclaimed, frustrated. "This scavenger hunt is sweet – don't get me wrong – but it's taking up the entire day! And I really, really need to cook and make sangria and –" She threw up her hands. "I have a lot to do."
Meredith nodded sympathetically. "I'm sure that it'll go great. She'll love it."
Callie smiled, thinking of Arizona. "I hope so. I hope she's…not opposed to getting married again."
"She's not," Meredith assured her. Because she knew something that Callie didn't. She knew that Arizona was gung-ho for getting married again. She knew that Arizona wanted to marry Callie just as much as Callie wanted to marry Arizona.
"How do you know?!" Callie asked nervously, still not even an ounce of suspicion in her voice. Just curiosity and a need for assurance.
Meredith shrugged, dodging the question. "I can just tell." She walked toward the fridge and took an envelope down from where it was being held up by a magnet. "Here," she handed it to her friend.
Callie gratefully took it. As she headed back toward her car, she read the clue.
It just had one word on it:
Mark.
Callie took a shuddering breath. Was Arizona really sending her to Mark's grave? But, with a sigh, she got into her car and headed toward the graveyard.
Her feet dragged as she edged toward Mark's burial site, only realizing she had reached it when she saw Derek Christopher Shepherd's name plate beneath her feet.
"Derek…" she breathed shakily. "We miss you."
And then, there was Mark, his grave right beside his best friend's. Mark. The only physical evidence left of his physical form was beneath her two feet. And, god, she missed him. Missing him came in long, painful waves.
She smiled, though, when she noted a dozen fresh yellow roses, and a dozen fresh red ones lying beside his grave.
She picked up the yellow roses, reading the label.
Mark, it read.
We miss you and love you.
– Arizona, Callie, and Sofia
Callie smiled despite herself. God, she loved Arizona. Her love for the blonde was all-consuming.
Setting them back over his headstone, she picked up the dozen red roses and read,
Callie,
Hey. You're beautiful.
These ones are for you.
Callie's smile grew wider, despite the scene's poignant nature. How early had Arizona woken up to plan all this?
Finally, she noticed a slip of paper taped to the headstone. She picked it up, unfolding it and reading Arizona's tiny scrawl.
Did I ever tell you that I promised Mark I'd always protect you and Sofia?
While we were still in the woods, he was lying on my legs, partly because I was warm and mostly because his head put pressure on my femur to help stop the bleeding. And he told me to take care of you two. I told him he'd be okay — I forced him to say he'd be okay — but he knew it was bad even before the rest of us realized it. He wasn't scared, Callie. He wanted his happy ending with Lexie, and he knew I'd be there to make sure you two would be okay.
And I know I wasn't always there when I should have been. And Mark would have killed me for everything I put you through, had he lived, but well...
I hope you know that I never really left. You have to know that now. Even when we were apart, even when everything was so weird between us during those three years apart, I still would have walked through fire for you. If anything had happened to you, if you had ever needed anything, I would have been there in seconds. I would have been there to do what I promised. And, now, I really will. I plan to take care of you two for the rest of my life, Callie. I promise you that right now.
By the time Callie had finished reading, tears were streaming down her face. It was downright unfair that Mark had to have died due to the plane crash, but Callie was so, so grateful that the woman she loved had survived.
Mark dying had just about killed her, but Arizona dying…
It surely would have.
She flipped the paper over, reading the next clue.
Us and a bunch of twinkly lights.
That meant Seattle's "most romantic restaurant," Callie realized immediately. But it was already four o'clock, and she had things to do.
Arizona wouldn't be upset if she finished the hunt a little later, would she?
Callie decided that, instead of immediately going to the next location, she would take a few hours to get ready for that night. Everything needed to be perfect by the time the two of them got home from Joe's.
So, from four until seven-fifteen, she slaved away in the kitchen, making Spanish paella, preparing homemade Sangria, and setting out every candle they had – prepared to be lit.
Finally, realizing she had very little time left before she had to go out and meet Arizona and her friends, she showered, changed into a nicer outfit, applied a little makeup, and was out the door.
She had a few more stops to make before finishing the scavenger hunt. And, now, she really had to hurry.
She raced into the restaurant, where the maître d' immediately handed Callie an envelope.
Callie's brows furrowed. "How'd you know to give me this?"
The man shrugged. "Your fiancé described you in perfect detail," he explained.
"She's not my –" Callie paused, shaking her head. Whatever. Arizona would be her fiancé soon enough.
She hoped.
"Thank you!" she called as she headed out the door.
What now?
Opening the envelope, she read:
Last stop.
Our first kiss was here.
Callie checked her phone. Perfect timing. It was 7:50.
Suddenly excited, she drove toward Joe's. As a kid, she'd always gotten her presents after the hunt was over. She wondered what on earth could be waiting for her at Joe's – that is, other than alcohol, the woman she loved, and all her friends, who happened to be there for a different occasion.
But, as she walked inside and looked around the bar, she didn't see any hint of her friends or coworkers. Or any presents.
No one she knew was anywhere in sight. In fact, the bar was completely desolate, and it was already 8:03. Where was everyone?
With a tired sigh, she headed to the bathroom. She may as well make sure her makeup wasn't running or anything while she waited, right?
She swung open the door to the bathroom, immediately catching sight of something written on the mirror. With lipstick, maybe. She edged closer, reading the cursive she recognized as Arizona's.
I choose you to be the one with whom I spend my life.
What? Callie smiled, remembering that she had promised these words to Arizona on their wedding day. Why on earth were they written on the dungy mirror?
Oh, right. This was where they'd shared their first kiss.
Suddenly, the door swung open and Arizona bounced in. "Hi," she chirped after she shut the door behind her and feasted her eyes on Callie.
Callie turned to her, her thumb hitched toward the mirror behind her. "What's this?"
Arizona blushed. "The truth."
Callie felt an oddly nervous tremor flow through her. What was going on?
"I choose you, too," Callie agreed. "But you're really telling me this in a dirty bar bathroom?" she joked.
Arizona shrugged, unmoved. "It was where we met." She was infinitely grateful for this particular bar bathroom, in fact.
"True," Callie relented.
"I, um, wanted to ask you something," Arizona began. She reached for Callie's hands, angling the brunette to face her head-on, standing several feet away.
"Okay…?"
Taking a deep breath in preparation, Arizona began, "Callie, I love you. I love being with you, and raising Sofia with you, and coming home to you every night."
"I do, too," Callie quickly — and confusedly — replied.
"I know," Arizona smiled patiently. "And I'm so happy that we've decided to spend the rest of our lives together. But I want more." Gingerly, she attempted to lower herself down onto her prosthetic knee, nearly toppling over in the process. Luckily, she was able to steady herself with her hands, but her knee still shook with her body weight until her prosthesis finally hit the floor.
"Arizona!" Callie immediately gasped, her hands suddenly hovering around the blonde. "Are you okay?!"
Arizona groaned. She had not anticipated kneeling to be so hard. "I'm fine," she grumbled. Damn it. How the hell was she going to get back up after she popped the question?
"You fell!" Callie exclaimed. "Here, let me –" She brought her hands to Arizona's shoulders, wanting to help her up.
"Callie!" Arizona asserted. "Stop!"
"I'm trying to hel –"
"I'm trying to ask you to freakin' marry me!" Arizona blurted out.
Callie's eyes bulged. "What?"
"Well, legally, anyway," she corrected. She took a calming breath. "I didn't fall. I didn't mean to, anyway. I'm trying to propose."
"Wait…" Callie began, a smile teasing her lips.
"What," Arizona huffed. This was not going the way she had intended the night to go. And, now, Callie was laughing at her. Great.
Callie leaned down, her hands cradling Arizona's face and lifting it toward her. She brought her lips to Arizona's, kissing the confused and angry scowl off of her flawless face.
"You're amazing," Callie cooed as she pulled away. "But you can't propose!" she maintained.
Arizona knit her eyebrows together. She had hoped that Callie would have been a little more enthusiastic about their impending engagement. "What do you mean 'I can't'?" Arizona sassed. God, she was not understanding this. What was Callie talking about?
Callie huffed. "You were supposed to come home right after work. I had this big plan, but you ruined it!"
"I –" Arizona gaped at her, looking like a fish out of water. Finally, she shook her head, asking, "What are you talking about?"
With a sigh at Arizona's persistence, Callie offered her hands out to her once more. "I'll tell you, but at least let me help you up, first."
"Fine," Arizona crabbed, regretfully taking Callie's hands and lifting herself up onto both feet. "Why can't I ask?" she asked vulnerably.
Callie reached out, tucking a lock of blonde hair behind Arizona's ear. She wanted to reassure the shorter woman, even despite her own frustration. "I was going to propose to you tonight," she proclaimed.
"Wait, what?" This time, Arizona was confused.
Callie groaned. "I had this big plan. I was going to propose as soon as you got home."
Arizona's mouth fell open, partially in surprise and partially in amazement. "You were?" she whispered hopefully.
Callie grinned at her. "I was." Then, she swat her arm, "Until you beat me to it!"
Arizona grinned back. "So, if I ask, you're going to say yes?"
Callie didn't think her smile could get any wider, and she fixed Arizona with her most obvious "duh!" expression. "Yeah."
Arizona released a relieved sigh. Somehow, she had been nervous about Callie's answer.
"But, even though you already know my answer, you should ask, anyway" Callie maintained.
Arizona raised her eyebrows. "Seriously? You still want me to ask?"
"Yes, Arizona," Callie breathed. "Last time you proposed, I didn't fully appreciate it. I promise you that, this time, I will."
Arizona dimpled, positively shining at her.
"You don't have to get down on one knee," Callie assured her.
Arizona rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. "Oh, thank God," she commented gratefully. Turning serious, she asked, "Now, may I?"
Callie swept the air, inviting the blonde to continue. "By all means." She felt her stomach do somersaults. Was Arizona really about to propose? Had they really planned to pop the question on the same day?
"Callie," she began. "I love you. I love you. And, for a while, I lost you, and I don't want to ever let that happen again. I want to wake up to you every day and fall asleep to you every night and love you every single second. And I want more. I want legal documents that say that you're mine, and that I'm yours. I want to marry you — really, this time," she smiled jokingly, and Callie's own smile widened. Really, she just wanted to show Callie how much she knew her and cared. She wanted to make this special and memorable for the woman she loved.
As Arizona paused, Callie felt an amazing warmth spread through her entire being. This proposal was better than any she ever could have imagined or hoped for.
"Calliope," Arizona shyly continued, "I want everything with you."
Callie's heart took off in her chest. Arizona already knew that Callie agreed — after all, she had been planning to propose on the same night. Still, she assured the blonde, "And I want everything...with you."
Arizona smiled, breathing those final four words, "Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Callie murmured, as soon as the last word left Arizona's mouth. She stepped toward her, closing the distance and wrapping her arms around the blonde's back.
"Yes?" Arizona grinned, bringing her hands up to cradle her fiancé's warm caramel cheeks.
"Yes," Callie assured her. She dropped her hands to grab Arizona's butt, pulling the blonde more tightly against her.
Arizona lifted her face, capturing Callie's lips in her own and filling the brunette with every bit of love and passion she had for her. "Really?"
"Yes," Callie assured her, kissing back lips that felt like home. Then, between each kiss, she enunciated, "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes."
Soon, their kisses became more giddy laughter than actual kissing, their mouths clumsily moving together and their hands lazily running up and down spines.
When they finally pulled away, out of breath and grinning, Arizona admitted, "I didn't get you a ring. But," she held up a simple silver chain with a heart charm hanging from it. "I found this in the bathroom cabinet the other day, and well. It's always represented our love."
Callie's eyes grew wide. She had thought that she'd lost her heart necklace. She'd been terrified that she had.
"And," Arizona nervously continued. "I'd like you to put it back on."
Callie's lips drew up into a sly smile. "If I say yes, are you going to put yours back on?" She stuck her hand into her back pocket.
Arizona flushed pink. "Actually, moving back in..." She wasn't sure how to break the news to Callie that she'd lost the necklace's matching gold mate – maybe in the move, and maybe sometime during their three year separation. "I think I might have to buy another —"
She was stopped short as she saw something shiny and gold dangling from Callie's hand. "Another one of these?" she asked knowingly.
This time, Arizona's eyes widened in wonder. "You...where did you find it?"
"In your dresser drawer," Callie smiled. "Where you left it."
Arizona's heart sped up in her chest.
"I didn't get you a ring, either," Callie clarified. She opened the clasp and held it toward Arizona. "Because you're right; these have always been a symbol of our love."
Arizona felt tears sting her eyes.
"Can I help you put it on?" Callie whispered.
Arizona nodded silently, turning her back toward Callie and lifting up her hair.
Gingerly, Callie placed the necklace against her ivory neck, fastening the clasp.
Arizona turned back toward her.
"Beautiful," Callie breathed, and Arizona knew that she wasn't talking about the necklace.
Arizona blushed. "Can I put yours back on?" she asked breathily.
Callie nodded, eagerly turning away to allow Arizona to return the favor.
Arizona placed the necklace around the taller woman's neck, running her hands down Callie's shoulders and arms after securing the clasp.
Callie turned back to Arizona, hesitantly asking, "What now?"
"Now we go join our friends at the engagement party," Arizona grinned, grabbing Callie's hand and dragging her out the bathroom door.
As soon as everyone in the bar caught sight of the couple – suddenly, people were everywhere – they erupted in applause and cheer.
Callie threw her head back and laughed at seeing all her coworkers' and friends' supportive faces. God, she was on cloud nine.
"The party's here?" she asked Arizona.
The blonde nodded. "Is that okay?"
Callie dipped in, pecking her fiancé's lips. "It's unbelievable. Guess where I was planning to have our engagement party tomorrow night?"
Arizona's eyes widened. "Here?"
Callie grinned. "Uh huh. Are we so well-matched that we have the same thoughts?"
Arizona threw a thankful arm behind the taller woman's back. "I'd say we're perfect for each other."
"Me, too," Callie smiled in disbelief. How had she gotten so lucky?
Before they could get too lost in each other's eyes, April strode up to them. "Congratulations!" she squeezed Arizona, and then Callie. "I'm so happy for you two!"
"I am, too," Arizona grinned. Them, she narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Did you know that Callie was planning to propose tonight?!"
April balked. "Maybe."
Arizona glared at her. "You didn't tell me!"
"Oh, come on!" April defended. "How much cuter is it that it's a surprise?!"
Arizona looked up into Callie's face, and, okay, she did have to admit that being surprised by their undeniable receptiveness to one another was cute. "Fine. It's cuter," she surrendered. "But I don't usually like surprises."
Callie laughed. "Just wait until you see what I have planned. You'll think I'm even cuter than you already do."
"Not possible," Arizona smiled at her, utterly dazzled. She couldn't ignore the unmistakable butterflies in her stomach, though. She couldn't wait to see what Callie had planned.
"You want a drink?" Arizona asked Callie during one of their few lulls between people congratulating them and just plain fawning over them.
Callie shook her head. "I'll drink later. I want to remember every second of this."
Arizona grinned. Somehow, the night had turned out to be perfect, and it wasn't even over yet. "I am kind of hungry, though. Any chance you have dinner waiting for us at home?"
Callie nodded. "There's a big chance of that. Do you want to go?"
Arizona shrugged. "Would it be rude? I mean, it's a party for us…"
"We're just coming back again tomorrow night," Callie reminded her.
"Right," Arizona remembered, chuckling.
"Let's go," Callie reached for Arizona's hand and began heading for the door.
"Congratulations, you two," Meredith smirked as they attempted to duck out the door.
"Thank you!" Callie and Arizona simultaneously called behind them.
Once outside, Callie decided, "Okay, we need to take two separate cars. And you need to drive slowly."
"What?" Arizona laughed.
"I have to make sure that everything's perfect!" Callie whined. "I wanted to spend all day preparing, but your scavenger hunt took all my time!" Then, she slipped her arms around Arizona, offering more gently, "By the way, I never knew about your conversation with Mark."
Arizona just looked at her, offering an almost sad, close-lipped smile.
"You know: I promised Nick that I'd take care of you, too, so both we're in good hands, huh?" Callie admitted.
Arizona looked pointedly toward the hands cradling her butt. She was in good hands, indeed. So good. "I guess so." But, really, she was touched by Callie's words. She'd never known about that conversation, either.
She leaned forward, briefly capturing Callie's lips in her own. "So, I'll see you at home?"
"Yes," Callie agreed, pulling away and walking backwards toward her car. "Drive slow!" she reminded her.
Arizona rolled her eyes in mock-exasperation, but really, she'd never been happier.
She drove home as slowly as she could, trying to imagine what Callie had planned. She knew that it had to be private, given that all their friends were at Joe's and she was thankful for that.
She knew that Callie was going to like the surprise engagement party because surprise parties with friends were in Callie's love language.
And she was grateful that Callie knew that something more personal and subdued was in her own.
Finally reaching her driveway and stalling the car, Arizona took a deep breath. Or attempted to, anyway. The smile fixed to her face made even breathing hard.
Finally, she walked toward the door, reluctantly knocking on the door.
After a minute, Callie opened it, only peeking out and not letting Arizona get a look at what was awaiting her inside. "You ready?"
Arizona chuckled. "I've been ready. Are you?"
Callie bit her lip, suddenly nervous, but she nodded. She opened the door more widely, leading Arizona to the wide kitchen/dining room/living room area.
"Wow," Arizona eyes bulged.
Callie smiled, carefully watching the blonde's reaction.
Which was mostly confusion, for the time being. Because, all around her, everywhere she looked, covering nearly every hard surface, Arizona saw…
Post-its.
Big yellow post-its.
What?
The reason for this was that, early on in their relationship, Callie had learned of Arizona's strange affinity for post-its. Being such a perfectionistic, type-A personality, she would use them to bookmark journals, magazines, and books. She would use them to write herself reminders. She would use them to write Callie reminders.
Not to mention flirtatious notes or downright x-rated ones, on occasion.
But, now, likely every post-it she'd owned, along with what looked like hundreds of others were all around the room, and Arizona caught sight of pithy pieces of writing on each of them.
"Callie…?" she began questioningly. What was this?
Callie smiled knowingly. "A whole lot of post-its, huh?" she husked.
Arizona nodded, and Callie reached around her, wrapping her arms around the shorter woman's middle and resting her chin on her shoulder.
"Remember when you started naming the things you loved about me when we were in therapy?" she asked.
Arizona nodded. She remembered that it hadn't ended so well.
"Well," Callie began, "I never got a chance to say why I love you."
Arizona raised her eyebrows. "So, this –"
"This is a list," Callie finished. "Of every time I've fallen in love with you. Or more in love with you." She smiled, leaning toward Arizona's ear and murmuring, "Which happens a lot."
"No kidding," Arizona muttered under her breath, because wow. It was such a sight, seeing so many post-its, all around her. They covered everything.
She walked out of Callie's embrace, heading toward the kitchen counter and running her eyes over the words.
When you came home from Africa and showed up at my doorstep at midnight.
When you said I could talk to you about the woman I was seeing, even though I know it killed you.
When you said, "I like the girl who has the sandwiches" before Izzy and Alex's wedding. God, I realized that I loved you in that moment.
When you were there for me when my dad disowned me, even though it was so early in our relationship.
When I learned that talking to authority figures makes you cry.
When you smile. Every single time.
When I first saw how sweet you were with Sofia, and every moment since.
When you f—
Callie came up behind her, reading over her shoulder. "When you first said you loved me," she finished.
Arizona turned back to face her, her eyes positively sparkling as she met Callie's equally shiny orbs.
Callie smiled shyly. "Honestly, though, I don't have words for how much I'm in love with you. I just know that I am, and I'm more and more grateful for you with each passing day."
Arizona inhaled a shaky breath, accusing Callie. "You're going to make me cry!"
Callie leaned in, kissing her cheek. "Don't. Let's eat. I'm starving."
Arizona nodded profusely, suddenly remembering her ravenous appetite. "What'd you make me?" she joked.
"Everything," Callie replied seriously. Pursing her lips, she asked, "Do you remember that fight we had about kids?"
Arizona's shoulders slumped. "Which one?"
Callie reached out, squeezing her hand. "The one when you said that 'Spain melts you.'"
Arizona nodded. "A little."
Callie smiled. "We were lucky enough to have Sofia, but we haven't been to Spain, yet. So," she gestured to the small, romantically made table. "I figured that paella and sangria would be a good sneak preview."
Arizona sat down, only then noticing the vanilla-scented candles and rose petals peppering the table. And the gorgeous, expertly-made pitcher of white sangria in the middle of the table.
Sitting down, Callie lifted the lid of the paella pan, allowing the scent of chorizo, shrimp, onion, and spices to flood their senses.
"Mmm, Callie," Arizona moaned. "How did you have time to do all this today?!"
Callie made a face. She'd barely had time. "I hurried."
As Callie served them, Arizona eyed her suspiciously, asking, "What did you mean 'a good sneak preview'?"
At that, the brunette grinned. She reached into her pocket, handing Arizona a white envelope.
"What's this?" Arizona asked, feeling her heart pounding in her ears.
"Open it," Callie insisted.
Painfully slowly, Arizona broke open the seal and peeked at what was inside. Her eyes bulging, she looked up at Callie sitting across from her. "Three tickets to Spain?" she questioned, amazed.
Callie nodded fiercely. "Yes!" she exclaimed excitedly. "We need a honeymoon, don't we?"
Arizona laughed. God, Callie knew her. She knew her. "I love you," she just about sang.
Callie just giggled. She was giddy with happiness. Positively. Giddy. "I know," she sing-songed. "That's kind of why we're here." She took a sip of sangria and closed her eyes. If there was a heaven, she imagined that it must feel like she did that day.
Starving, she and Arizona finally dug into dinner, easily satiated with Callie's rich, mouthwatering paella. They easily fell into familiar conversation.
"There's just one thing missing about tonight," Arizona confessed after a few minutes of blissful chatter.
Callie set down her fork. "What?"
Arizona smiled. "Sofia."
"We'll celebrate with her tomorrow," Callie assured her. "She won't be totally left out." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a shorter necklace that looked like their own mates. It, however, was made up of a gold heart on a silver chain: a piece of each of them. "I was thinking that we could give her this." She shrugged, a little embarrassed. "So she'll feel included," she explained.
Arizona beamed at her. "Yes," she gushed. "That's perfect." She loved the thought of their daughter wearing a physical reminder not only of her moms' love for each other, but also one of their love for Sofia herself.
As they cleared the table, doing the dishes together and being careful not to get any of the unread post-its wet, Arizona asked, "So, what's next on the itinerary, fiancé of mine?"
Callie grinned, turning to face her. "I was thinking…I could love you a little," she whispered, feeling her heart speed up as Arizona's hands reverently ran up her arms.
"I thought we loved each other all the time," Arizona teased.
"We do," Callie assured her, her hands running up the blonde's sides, reveling in feeling the blonde shiver against her touch. "But let me show you."
"You do. You did tonight," Arizona continued cheekily, wanting Callie to be open and frank about what she was suggesting. And, well, teasing her was fun.
Callie rolled her eyes in mock-vexation. "Fine," she surrendered. "I want to make love to you."
Arizona's breath hitched, the shock of expected but glorious, glorious words. Though making love is what they did, it was rare for either of them to use the expression. She realized, though, how true it was. They made love. There was no other way to describe it.
"I want to make love to you," Callie repeated. "And with you," she continued, exploring her fiancé's wide, darkening eyes. "I don't care that you already know. I want to show you how much I love you, tonight. All night. Forever."
Unable to help herself, she pushed her body up against Callie's and passionately brought their lips together, sliding her tongue into the brunette's mouth and then biting her lip as she pulled away, giving her a taste of what the next few hours would contain. "I love you," she breathed as she pulled away, smiling naughtily.
Callie grinned, her hands running all over Arizona's body, claiming it as hers. "I love you, too."
Arizona grinned back. "Yeah? Prove it."