Chapter 3 - Changes

That morning started out just like any other day for Callie. Just as she did every morning, she got up early and started her day with a run. Her morning run was the most effective way to start her day. After running for half an hour around the streets of a still sleeping city, she headed back home.

As she walked into the apartment, she saw her girlfriend who was drinking a cup of tea while watching Sofia who was drinking a bottle of chocolate milk. Callie placed a kiss on Kate's lips and then on her daughter's forehead before pouring herself a cup of coffee and sitting down next to them.

"Once you have woken up," Kate explained, "I got up and I heard Sofia crying in her bed. So, I changed her diaper and made breakfast for myself and this little princess."

"What would I do without you?" Callie asked.

"If it were not for me, you'd probably be making your daughter listen to stupid baby songs. Sofia deserves better than butterflies that can't fly anymore."

"While I appreciate your taste in music, I'm not really sure that punk rock is the most recommended music for babies."

"Sweetheart, punk rock is the best music for everyone. First, Mark is totally on board with me playing punk rock for his daughter. Secondly, my goal is for this little girl to become a true artist. I'm just opening her mind!"

"She could also become an artist of the surgical procedure, just like her two parents."

"Speaking of artists, tonight I have to go to the opening of an exhibition I am participating in. I do not know if you remember, I told you about it last month. It is an exhibition in a great place. Can you come with me?"

"I don't know," she answered while trying to remember her schedule for the day, "I have a big procedure scheduled for this afternoon. What time does the opening start?"

"Eight o'clock!"

"I will do my best. I don't want to miss an event like this."

"Thank you. Well, I need to go! I've got to help organize the party tonight."

"Don't worry," Callie concluded, "I'm going to take a shower and then I'll take the kid to the daycare on my way to work."

"Great, I'll keep you in touch about tonight."

"See you tonight, Kate."

"See you tonight."

After a short shower, Callie and her daughter both headed for the hospital. Shortly after dropping her daughter off at daycare, she was paged to come to Owen's office. She didn't know what he was going to say, and she didn't understand why his boss wanted to talk to her. Had she done something wrong? Was there a problem with one of her research projects or one of her patients? When she walked into the office, she saw that her boss was also stressed. She greeted him and sat down in front of him.

"Dr. Torres," he started, "please know that the well-being of my surgeons and the bond that exists between me and my team are of crucial importance to me. One of my missions is to give you all the information you need."

"I'm all ears."

"A few weeks ago, I received a call from Dr. Arizona Robbins. Because her contract with the Carter Madison Foundation will be ending in a few days, she will be returning to work with us in a couple of weeks."

"What?" Callie replied, not really realizing what Owen was talking about. "Why?"

"She is back to lead the pediatric surgery service."

"Why is she coming back here? Didn't she have offers from other hospitals?"

"She did, but she chose to come back with us. It was apparently important to her. This hospital is an important place for her."

"You've got to be kidding me! This woman leaves for three years at the other end of the world, gives no news and now she dares to proclaim that this place is important to her."

"Dr. Torres, I know about your past history with Dr. Arizona Robbins. While this hospital cannot possibly refuse the offer of such a renowned surgeon, we can make sure that we don't have to spend much time together."

"You won't have to do this." Callie replied after calming down from her moment of anger. "I will make sure to work with her. Private matters don't have to enter the OR, the patient comes first!"

"I'll do my best." She concluded while standing up. "I'm sorry but I will have to go, my patients are waiting for me."

As she left the office, Callie felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. This news seemed so unrealistic. For three years, she had done everything to avoid facing the pain of this breakup and had hidden Arizona and all the memories associated with her under a rug.

Now that Arizona was back, she was going to have to face it and she was scared. She was scared that the stability she had built up would go up in smoke. She was scared that Kate would leave her when she found out.

She decided to talk to her girlfriend that evening. After the opening of the exhibition, which was by the way a tremendous success, Callie offered her girlfriend to go for a drink together in a romantic place. Sofia was with her father all evening, so it would have been a shame not to take advantage of it. They went to a quiet little bar where they could talk.

"I'm glad you invited me to spend the end of the evening with you!" Kate started by toasting. "It's been a long time since we've had a moment to ourselves."

"It is mostly my fault." Callie admitted. "I have been working very hard lately and I needed to be there for Sofia."

"I do not blame you for anything. This is also why tonight is so important and valuable to me. Tonight is just a perfect night, I exhibited in a great gallery and then I get dinner with the perfect woman. I cannot be anything but happy right now."

"I am doing everything to make you happy, baby."

"You make me so happy, Callie. I don't think you could ever imagine how good I feel when I am with you."

"I need to talk to you about something, Kate."

"What's going on?"

"Arizona will be back to work at the hospital."

"Arizona?" Kate asked with a look of half concern, half annoyance. "Your ex?"

"Yes, my ex."

"I thought she lived in Africa!"

"She was living in Africa, but her contract ended. Since she was awarded an extremely prestigious fellowship, the hospital simply could not refuse to hire her again."

"Cal," Kate asked, placing her hand on the hand of the woman who shared her life, "does her return change anything for the two of us?"

"No, it makes absolutely no difference to our relationship. You are the only woman I am in love with. I just wanted to tell you because I want to be honest with you."

"Thank you for warning me."

At that moment, Kate got up, came closer to Callie who got up as well and put her arms around her girlfriend's neck.

"Mrs. Torres," Kate whispered, "you should know that you are my woman. You belong to me and you will belong to me all your life."

Once they had both finished their drinks, they went home to enjoy a moment in the shower. They went to sleep happy and ready for Arizona's comeback in their lives.