I know I'm a little late; this week has been. Busy.
To the guest that felt is was necessary to tell me that Callie was Cuban; I'm almost positive it's stated in the show that she's Hispanic, Google said she was Hispanic. Which is why she speaks Spanish. And Sara herself is Mexican- American.
I hope you felt compelled to leave that comment on EVERY OTHER CALZONA FANFIC you've read.
Thank you to all the readers who let relevant comments about this story and its progress; I appreciate it and I love reading what you all have to say.
I think it's safe to say everyone's nervous about the dinner. Lol.
SO. On with the story.
/
Calliope Torres made Arizona Bryant Nervous.
Neurotic.
Apprehensive.
But at the same time, she felt relaxed around Callie. Elated even. Uninhibited.
And she wasn't quite sure how Callie did that.
She guessed she felt a kind of connection to her new neighbor- an exceptionally strong one. She considered Callie a friend, though she hadn't the slightest idea of what Callie thought of her- she had never wanted something so desperately.
That something being their friendship.
There was an ease to it all; a certain amount of freedom she felt when she was with Callie. Something she had never felt with anyone before, not even her husband. It was like she didn't have to hide a single thing about herself. She felt exposed around the dark-haired women in the most delicious and dangerous way possible.
And Arizona felt absolutely weird about it. Perhaps she was, in fact, weird?
A few minutes passed and the doorbell rang.
She froze, checking the clock on the wall. They were early. She wiped her hands on her apron and did a little jog to the door. She stopped, checking her reflection in the mirror hanging on the foyer wall and straightened her dress. She opened the door, greeting her guest with a smile,
"Calliope-"
"I know, we're early." Callie cut off, "I thought you might have needed some help with dinner,"
"Good evening, Mrs. Arizona," Rose greeted as Arizona allowed them to step inside. "Your house is so pretty!" She giggles. Rose takes off her jacket, then her shoes and places them neatly by the door. "Can I go play with Bethany? I brought Isabell to play with us tonight," She pulls a doll out of her bag, and looks at the women standing above her.
"Of course," Arizona points, "She's right in the family room," she takes Rose's coat, then Callie's and starts to hang them up in the nearby closet.
Callie eyes followed Arizona, taking a moment to appreciate how nice she looked this evening. She wore a bright blue, zipped in the back, white trim collared dress that one might find too. Callie thought the opposite, however. The dress fit Arizona perfectly, hugging her small waistline, showing curves that Callie wasn't sure she had noticed before. And it wasn't the fit of the dress that surprised her, no, it was the length of the dress. It bordered on indecent, though it would just barely pass the test. Her eyes lingered- as well as her thoughts- a little longer than she expected them to. It's just that the dress stopped right above the back of her knees, and it matched those sparkling eyes almost perfectly...
"You look very nice tonight, Arizona," Callie finally decides to say, not wanting to look too strange for staring.
"Oh," the blush that takes over Arizona's cheeks is something fierce and she can't find the words to simply say thank you. "It's old... I just dug it out of the back of the closet… I purchased this years ago, I think." She smoothed the dress out of habit, "Bryan hates this dress, he thinks it too short... maybe I should change," she thinks aloud,
"I wouldn't, men have no taste." Callie jokes, eyes still watching Arizona fidget about, "Really, you look great. Don't change..." Callie almost begs, she's sure that the other woman would look marvelous is almost anything- even a brown paper bag, perhaps- but enjoys this dress on Arizona and she shouldn't have to change just because her old-fashioned husband might find it a tad too short.
Arizona gives one last smile, "Well, okay then," she breathes, "Thank you, by the way..."
"I brought a cake," Callie continues, "If I could just put it down somewhere- "
Arizona shakes her head, "Oh, I'm so rude! The kitchen, right this way," she leads Callie through the hall and to the kitchens main entrance. "The counter right here is fine,"
"It smells delicious," Callie comments, looking around to see what she can help with.
"Dinners in the oven... I was just about to start chopping everything for the salad,"
"I can do that,"
"You don't mind?" Arizona asks, "Chopping vegetables is my least favorite part of cooking,"
"Good thing I moved in then, it's my favorite part of cooking. I rather hate mixing and waiting for things to come together,"
"So, then we're perfect together," Callie laughs along with Arizona as she grabs the cutting board and knife for Callie to start on the salad.
"Can you believe I had to go to five different stores, Calliope?"
Chopping lettuce, "Five store?" She grins, "What ever for?"
"For the Ingredients, beverages," Arizona giggles. "I wasn't sure what to get for you and Rose so I kind of just grabbed the whole isle," she laughs, "You peg me as a Pepsi kind of girl though."
"You guessed correctly," Callie laughs, "Rose is much more into fruit punch."
"Bethany likes Lemonade,"
"And you?" Callie wonders, she watches Arizona move across the kitchen to grab some vegetables out of the fridge.
"Coca-Cola," she smiles from her place at the counter. God, did she enjoy the simplicity of their conversations.
"I'll keep that in mind," Callie winks,
"You're the guest, you know? You shouldn't be doing the salad, Calliope." Arizona says, starting to feel bad about doing nothing.
Callie breathes, a chuckle coming from her throat,
"Do you say Bryan's name like that, as well?" She wonders aloud,
Blink, "Like what?"
Callie smiles, "Never mind, it's in my head I suppose." She throws the lettuce into the salad bowl and starts on the tomatoes and cucumbers, "Will Bryan be joining us this evening?"
She was asking both out of curiosity and confirmation. While she had accepted the invitation in hopes of getting to know her new neighbors a bit better- there was a part of her that didn't particularly care too much about getting to know Arizona's husband.
Though she had never met him, she just didn't like him.
"He'll be here after work, there might be some traffic... but he'll be here soon. "Callie nods, tossing the salad.
"Arizona?"
As Callie tossed the salad, Arizona found herself admiring the other women's Silhouette from where she stood in the kitchen. She had a gorgeous figure- soft curves that were accentuated by the red dress she wore tonight. And her red dress brought attention to those red lips that Arizona always found herself staring at. And those red lips helped her eyes move up to those brilliant brown eyes she loses herself in. Which makes her think of Callie's midnight black hair that flowed down and over her shoulders in big, bouncy curls and Arizona just-
It was hard to catch her breath around Calliope sometimes and-
"Arizona?"
She blinks, "Pardon?" Callie laughs,
"I was asking if you wanted to start setting the table?"
"Of course- I'm sorry," she's embarrassed and she wondered if Callie caught her staring. She moves across the room to grab her nicer tablecloths from the dining room cabinets and places it along the table, smoothing it out as it lays flat. Then Callie comes in with the salad and places it in the middle of table.
"Rose was so excited. She said it was for dinner, but I know she just wants to see Bethany. She's been talking about her non-stop all day,"
"Same here. Bethany's been going on all well." Arizona laughs and Callie joins her in the joke.
It was then that Arizona heard the front door unlock and Bryan walk through the door.
"Bryan's home," Arizona says with a smile- a small smile- but a smile.
"Daddy?" Bethany calls, "Daddy!" She smiles and runs straight to him. "Our company is here, daddy. Come meet them!" She pulls at his hand and he chuckles,
"Sweetie, let me put my briefcase down,"
"Bethany Ann, will you let your father get through the door?" Arizona laughs pulling Bethany off her father. "Bryan honey this is Rose, and this is her mother, Calliope,"
"Hello Mr. Bryan."
"Nice to meet you Bryan," Callie smiles,
"It's nice new you girls as well," he clears his throat, "If you ladies will excuse me, I'm going to go get cleaned up for dinner," he makes his way through them and up the stairs,
"Let's finish setting the table, shall we?"
The evening was off to a good start.
/
While Bryan didn't want to spend his evening with a dinner table full of women; he was rather curious about this new neighbor Arizona had been going on about and the type of people that were around his only daughter.
Once he was downstairs and everyone took their seats, they began passing food around the table; Callie and Arizona helping the girls when they needed it.
"So, Calilipe?"
"Calliope," Callie corrects,
"Cah-lliep-pee?"
Eyebrow arched, "Callie's fine, Bryan."
"Where are you from?"
"Bainbridge Island,"
"Ah," He smiles, "It's nice there, I've heard great things. What brought you to East Park?"
"I guess I was ready for some kind of drastic change," Callie answers. "The realtor told me how nice the neighborhood was and how big the property was, it seemed like a no brainer to me," She answers to be polite, to respect him in his own house but she knew he wasn't paying her much mind. And to be frank, she doesn't feel the need to explain much of herself or her life choices to Bryan.
"And your husband?" Arizona looks at Bryan.
"He passed. A little over a year ago." Callie answers, "You can say that contributed to my decision."
"Are you settling in well? Met any other women?" Arizona looks,
"We're settling just fine; I just need to go pick out some furniture... I haven't had a chance to meet many people yet. Arizona and Bethany have been so friendly, I don't think I'll meet anyone else as good as them." Callie's glances over and to see those blushing cheeks,
Bryan takes a sip of his water, nodding his head. Arizona knows he isn't listening, just being polite; as polite as Bryan can be, anyway.
"Ruby Danvers is having her annual brunch. I think it's approaching. Great time to make some extra friends." He suggests.
Callie blinks, an amused smile creeping into her face, "Annual brunch?"
Arizona nods, "She does it once a year. She invites every woman in the neighborhood and it's just a lot of conversation," meaningless, mindless conversation. Gossip. "It's like a social hour. She has it right outside by her pool, we get lemonade and sandwiches... she asks for everyone to bring a dish." Arizona says, "If she likes you, she'll invite you to her weekly luncheons. Invitations should be coming in the mail any-day now."
Callie thinks for a moment, "Ruby doesn't invite you to the weekly luncheons?" She can't picture someone not liking Arizona. And anyone who doesn't like Arizona... well she can't see herself liking that person that much.
"Arizona doesn't partake in the silly activists that some of the local housewives do." Bryan answers. "She keeps her head down, stays out of trouble," he chews, "She's much too busy with the house anyway."
Callie nods at the answer and glances over at Arizona who's giving Bryan a small smile,
"I have no interest in attending," Arizona says, brushing off Bryan's comment.
"Will you come with me though?" Callie asks hopefully and Arizona smiles,
Arizona looks over a Bryan whose head is down, concentrating on the food in front of him. "I go every year, so." She answers, letting Callie know that she'll gladly go.
The sound of forks clinking, and sips being taken take over the room for a while before Bryan speaks,
"Meat is rather bland," Bryan points with his fork and Arizona looks up from her plate, "Could use a pinch more salt,"
She looks back down, pressing her lips together to stay quiet,
"I think it's perfect," Callie challenged sweetly, "And the mushrooms really add a kick," she moans in delight, "Arizona, you'll have to give me your recipe."
Arizona watches her husband from her seat at the table and she grins when Callie pays him no mind. She was used to her husband's critical tongue and had learned to hold her own. But Callie? Arizona had a feeling she didn't hold her tongue for anyone.
"Mushrooms are my favorite, Mrs. Arizona."
"I like the noodles, mommy" The two girls giggle,
It gets silent again as everyone eats.
Then Bryan clears his throat, "Aren't you going to ask how my day was?" His tone was calm as he took a sip of his water,
"Uh-," she stuttered, head snapping up to meet her husband's glare. Callie watches the interaction carefully; she sees a flash of fear in Arizona's eyes...
"Well?" He almost barks,
Shaking her head in apology, "I'm sorry, I must have got wrapped up in the excitement of the evening... how was your day, sweetheart?"
"It was fine, I suppose. I would have liked to come home to a decent meal and a wife who cared." He says, returning his attention to the plate in front of him.
"Bryan, sweetie, I do care-"
"Bethany?" He looks over, "Did You help your mother in the kitchen this evening?"
"No," Bethany answers, looking at her father. "First I read a few dr. Seuss books, and then the Mickey Mouse club was so and then me and Rose played with our dolls-"
"Bethany, sweetie." He says, "You need to be in the kitchen learning how to cook and clean." Bethany sighs, "And you should do better." He says to Arizona, who thinks to speak but decides against it.
"I'll help more out more," Bethany answers quickly. She doesn't want her mother to get in trouble and she doesn't want her father to get upset. "Promise," she gives her dad that dimples smile, and he grins.
"Very well then."
A few more beats pass, and Callie places her fork down, wiping her hands on her napkin.
"Rosealie? Are you about finished?" She asked looking at her daughter. "It's getting late, it's about bedtime."
Rose nods, knowing when her mother calls her full name, she was upset about something. She wanted to stay with her new friend, but she also knew staying much longer wasn't' an option. She followed her mother's actions, placing her fork down, wiping her mouth and pulling her chair away to stand up.
Bethany did the same, pulling Rose in for a hug.
"Thank you for coming to dinner," Bethany smiles.
"Well thank you for having me." The two of them laugh, the liked pretending to be well mannered adults.
"Thank you so much for inviting us, Arizona. Bethany." Callie grins, standing up. "Bryan, it was nice meeting you."
"It was nice meeting you as well, Callilipe,"
They're eyes meet for a moment before Callie turns to Rose, "Rose, go grab our coats please." And she runs off.
"I'm going to walk them next door," Arizona stands,
"You're going to?"
"I meant... may I?"
"What about this table? It's a mess. And the washer needs to be loaded."
"When I get back?" It's a question. A hopeful question because she wants to give Callie a proper goodbye.
"Don't be too long." Bryan sighs, heading up the stairs with Bethany in his arms.
/
"Thanks for walking us back," Callie says unlocking her front door and letting Arizona follow her and Rose inside.
Smile, "It's no trouble,"
"Rose, go upstairs and get ready for bed. I'll be there in just a minute." Rose nods her head and listens to her mother, heading up the steps.
"I'm sorry about him," Arizona breathes once Rose is out of sight, "He's just ..." Arizona pauses, "like this to go a certain way," she decides on,
"It's quite all right, dinners was lovely." Callie's says, "What was it about him, if I may ask?"
Arizona tilts her head a bit, confused.
"That made you fall in love with him... what was it? Did you like... that about him?"
"Oh," She plays with the ring on her finger a bit, "No... I don't think it was that. But then again," She liked Bryan. Love could be questioned though. she thinks, "It might be... I've never gave it much thought." She leans against the wall,
"Does he speak to you like that often?" Callie asks in a low voice. She doesn't know if its her place to ask if it's even her place to be concerned.
"No," Arizona answers, but she can't bring herself to look at Callie. "He doesn't," She wasn't like lying. There were nights when Bryan was apologetic, and gentle.
"Arizona… you can't." She stops, "You can't allow him to get away- "
"Callie, I'm fine. Really." Arizona forces,
"Well, okay." She pauses. She thinks she's made Arizona feel uncomfortable and she'd never want to do that. "Bryan reminds me a little of my father as well... domineering in a way. It's not so bad." She tries,
"My dad is the complete opposite of Bryan," Arizona smiles, "He's warm... gentle... Growing up I thought he was the most amazing man to walk this earth. Like my own personal Superman." She whispers, "He had his opinions on the world around us, had his ideas on how he wanted us to be as adults. The kind of life he wanted us to live but he wasn't pushy. Not like my mother. She always thought her way was best... and she didn't let anyone forget it." Arizona laughs and so does Callie.
"I think that's all mothers." Callie gives a small laugh. "Parents... they try." Callie "I think they did a wonderful job with you,"
"Were you and your mother close?" Arizona wonders.
It's late; so late, but she just wants to talk to Callie and as long as the taller woman would sit- she'd ask her thoughts on aliens if it meant just a minute more.
"We were. She was strong; so strong that it wasn't allowed. But she didn't care, and my father always told me that was the first thing he fell in love with. How strong she was, determined... I was daddy's little girl though. He worked at an Aerospace parts factory, so it was hard work; he was barely home some nights. So, on the nights he was home I'd be attached to his hip." She smiles,
"We moved a lot growing up. My dad was a colonel in the Marine Corps... so I didn't have a lot of friends. I mean... I did. I was good at making friends but... short term, you know? No one was ever forced to be around me longer than a year and it's easy to smile and make friends and then move. Do it all over again. I got used to the cycle."
Those blues eyes seem to set Callie on fire as Arizona spoke.
"My brother, Tim, was my best friend." Arizona smiles at the memory.
"I always wanted a brother... or a sister. But it was just me."
"That sounds bit lonely,"
"I managed?" Callie jokes and she and Arizona laugh. "I should probably get upstairs, check on Rose." Callie says looking up the stairs. "She's too quiet for my liking."
"Right, I'm sure Bryan's waiting for me." Arizona stands up, "I'll see you later than?"
"Tomorrow," Callie corrects and Arizona grins,
Arizona makes her way around the white picket fence, to her yard, and up the steps to her front door. She turns around to see Callie is leaning against her front door, wearing a smile, and waving; she wanted to be sure Arizona got back the same way Arizona made sure she and Rose got back.
"Good night, Calliope," she whispers.
Her house was quiet, Bryan had probably just got Bethany in bed and was getting himself ready for bed. She made her way to the kitchen; it had been an eventful evening, a tiring evening and she herself wished for nothing more than to go to sleep.
She stopped in her tracks and frowned.
They had forgot all about the cake.
/
I hope you enjoyed. As always, your reviews give me life and make me laugh. They also let me know you're still watching.