A/N: I have had this idea for a while now, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to go about it because I didn't want to write it and then mess it up. I remember coming across this video on YouTube, I think Sara is one of the producers from the miniseries, it's called The Feels. If you haven't watched it I would recommend that you do, it's pretty good! Anyway, this is sort of a prequel to the series with Arizona in it.

Huge thanks to Sejutaejo for practically editing the entire chapter and helping me out!

Also, this is going to be a two parter because I started writing and totally elapsed my usual word limit.

Hope you like it!

In New York

Part one: Coming out

Arizona Robbins never thought that this is how her life would turn out to be. She never thought that she would have to move across the coast so that her daughter could be closer to her mother. She knew that that was the reason she chose to go with, when in reality it wasn't just Sofia that made her want to move to New York.

Arizona thought that she was happy, that she had finally found happiness. She was the person that everyone found annoying. After all, she was the poster person for your friendly neighborhood pediatric surgeon.

Pigtails? Check.

Funky shoes? Check.

Caught up with all things Disney? Giant check!

She was naturally a happy person. She smiled a lot, and Arizona didn't even have to try. It felt as easy as breathing for her. She used to wake up and look at her wife sleeping right next to her, that would usually do the trick. Or the baby monitor would go off with Sofia's cries filling the room, that gave her joy too. Watching her daughter and her wife make breakfast as she packed Sofia's lunch filled her heart with so much love that going to a place where she loved her work was just an added bonus.

This was all true until the love of her life left her alone sitting on that big uncomfortable couch in the therapist's office. Callie said that she wanted to be free and that she wanted out. Callie had wanted an out from their marriage, from their relationship, from her.

In a matter of seconds Arizona's life crumbled right in front of her eyes. But that was all in the past. They went their separate ways so that they could heal and come back stronger and love each other better.

No matter how hard Arizona wanted to change the past, she couldn't change the way she had behaved when she woke up and found that she no longer had a leg. Moreover, she couldn't change the way she treated Callie about doing absolutely everything to save her life and most importantly, thinking that she was the only one in pain. She was so full of herself that she didn't even let her wife grieve the loss of her best friend.

Callie too needed some time to relax and let go of all the things that she had been through. There were still times when one of them crumbled in the face of adversity, but right now instead of walking away from each other, they have found a way to let the other in.

A steaming hot shower was what Arizona needed in the harsh winter morning of New York. She hated winters but loved hot chocolate and cuddling up to a nice cozy fireplace. Callie loved to cuddle, and even though she liked to pretend that she didn't, Arizona couldn't help but notice how Callie would have a hand around her shoulders when they were sitting together at a dinner party or a hand on her waist when she leaned in to press their floor button on the elevator. Arizona especially loved the way Callie slept. Her wife slept like she had no care in the world with one arm under her head while the other clutched Arizona's pillow closer to her chest, her legs sprawled out hogging the entire bed.

Although it sounded like Arizona had to wrestle Callie for freeing some space on their bed. But it was as if Callie subconsciously knew whenever the blonde was in their bed and would automatically make space for her or cuddle closer to her.

A couple of years ago, Arizona would have given anything to see Callie taking up all the space on their bed. Like right now when Arizona's shift had ended earlier than the brunette's and she was patiently waiting for her to return home. It was true, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Arizona was just about ready to go to bed as she waited for Callie to come back home. Her shift was supposed to end by eleven, and it usually took her about ten minutes to drive back home. As soon as Arizona hopped into bed she felt her phone ding.

Tue 11:16 PM

From: Calliope

Got pulled into emergency surgery, might come home by 2.

Sofia asleep?

Great, she was going to have to go to bed without her partner. Over the past couple of days, Arizona wasn't sure what it was, but she missed Callie even when she was in the same room as her.

Tue 11:18 PM

Sofia was out by 9

Please don't drive back if the snow is too much, I'm worried Calliope. I can pick you up tomorrow and we can have breakfast or something before Sofia goes to school.

Tue 11:19 PM

From: Calliope

I'd rather be in bed with you, but you're right, I'll see when I'm done.

Don't wait up!

Love you.

Arizona smiled at the message. Even reading it got her heart going.

Tue 11:19 PM

Love you too!

And if you are driving then please drive safely.

Go rock your surgery!

Arizona locked her phone and placed it on the side table before she went to bed. This was new for them, not only were they telling each other how they felt but they were listening too. The blame game was officially over.

It wasn't until three in the morning that Arizona had felt the bed dipping as an arm wrapped around her middle and pulled her closer. Callie had let her know that she'd be late and that she shouldn't stay up for her, which was one of the things they were working on doing better. They had promised each other that if they were giving their relationship another chance, they would communicate with each other and be clear about their wants, needs and feelings and so far, it has been going well.

That was all weeks ago, now, they were doing much better as themselves and understanding the other. They had put all their pain in the past and were now focused on being better for each other. Gone were the days when they were still very much on edge with each other, still trying to heal and unsure about not only themselves but their relationship. Granted it was a small phase in their story, but it was an important one.

Arizona grabbed her running shorts out of her dresser as she watched Callie sleep. Based on how grumpy Callie usually is in the mornings, she can probably give her a few minutes before she woke the brunette up. Callie's now short hair was almost covering her eyes as she lightly snored in her sleep.

Not more than a couple of months ago Callie came out to her as non-binary. At first Arizona wasn't sure how to react because she had never dated someone who identified as one. She could tell that Callie was scared, her eyes have never lied before, but she understood. Arizona asked her what made her want to come out as non-binary. Callie just shrugged her shoulders and told her that it was something that she was feeling for a long time but she just didn't know what it was.

Callie looked at her with tears in her eyes when she told Arizona that she understood if that was a deal breaker for her. Arizona couldn't believe her ears.

Why would her coming out as anything but straight ever be a deal breaker for her?

Arizona had leapt up from her chair and hugged her before she kissed her on her lips. "I'm truly and deeply in love with you Calliope," Arizona started as she pulled away from the hug and looked at her partner. "and nothing could ever be a deal breaker for me"

For a moment, Arizona thought that Callie was going to pull away from her based on the uncertainty of her actions. She had never seen Callie second guessing herself. This was new to her but at the same time, if Callie momentarily did not want to be the strong one in their relationship, Arizona would gladly pick up the reins.

Callie's eyes were once again filling up with tears as she looked down at the blonde "Really?" she croaked.

Callie had never had supportive people in her life especially with the whole coming out situation. The last time she came out to someone, her family disowned her. Needless to say, she was a little scared about the whole ordeal.

She knew that Arizona won't disown her or look at her differently, but still, she couldn't help but feel frightened.

Arizona nodded before she reached up on her toes and planted a small kiss on Callie's lips. "Well actually, if we are talking about deal breakers, maybe you could watch the snoring a bit?" Arizona joked.

Callie was truly grateful that Arizona was being playful with her and lightly smacked her butt for the joke. It was not news that she enjoyed her butt and couldn't help herself. It was a great butt!

A little less than a month ago, Callie had told her that she was thinking about cutting off her hair. Callie was a badass, she didn't need a badass look to prove it, but if she wanted to do it, Arizona supported it.

Besides, if Callie wanted a new look, Arizona was glad that Callie sided with a haircut over face tattoos or piercings. Not that Arizona wouldn't support if Callie decided to get either of those, but tattoos and piercings were just not her thing. Maybe a cute little butterfly or a new piercing on her ear, but that was just about it. Knowing Callie, a butterfly would be the last thing she'd get inked on herself and opt for a giant flaming skull on her boob or something.

When they told their daughter about their mother's sexuality, Sofia didn't quite understand it.

"But Mama always liked you and you always liked Mama, so what's the difference now?" Sofia asked Arizona as she cuddled against her on the couch as Callie crouched in front of her girls.

She thought for a while, how exactly do you explain this to a child again? "You're right honey, I love Mommy and I always will but…" Callie didn't know what she could say to make her daughter understand.

Arizona tried thinking of something that can help connect the dots for her daughter. She was a Peds surgeon damn it! Connecting to kids was as easy as roller skating for her, but she too was blanking. "What Mama is trying to say that she doesn't identify as a man or woman" Arizona tried, hoping that her daughter would magically understand something, anything! But she knew that that was just wishful thinking.

"So Mama, is not going to be my Mama anymore?" Sofia asked as she pouted as her eyes started filling up with tears.

Callie quickly got off the ground and took a seat on the couch as she pulled her daughter onto her lap. "Sofia, I will always be your Mama, no matter what, okay?" Callie said as she rubbed the tears out of her daughter's eyes. Sofia nodded against her mother as she hugged her mother.

"Mama? Does that make you Mulan?" Sofia asked. Callie pulled back to look at her daughter. "You know, she had to become a man, but then she's actually a woman?"

To date, it's unclear who was more shocked at Sofia's question. Arizona didn't expect that her own daughter would ever beat her at Disney movies and what better analogy to use to explain being non-binary to a child. Whereas Callie wasn't sure how Mulan came into this discussion, but if it helped her daughter understand her better, then she was on board.

"Sure, I can be Mulan," Callie replied as she leaned in to tickle her daughter.

Arizona watched the scene unfolding in front of her. Sofia was an exact replica of Callie, she had the same deep brown eyes, same toothy grin. Arizona was very well aware that she and her daughter did not share a single strand of DNA, but in that moment, Sofia was a Robbins.

"Mama, I like your hair though. Won't you miss it?" Callie thought for a while, not knowing how to respond, but her daughter continued talking. "Emily had to cut off all her hair because she has cancer and she wouldn't stop crying about it," Sofia finished.

Callie and Arizona shared a look, knowing very well what the other was thinking. Sofia had indirectly suggested that her mother donate her hair.

Needless to say both the moms were thrilled by the idea. They were doctors, both Callie and Arizona saw cancer patients, especially Arizona as she handled some of the more complicated Peds cases. She knew how tough it was for little kids to come to terms with taking their meds, going through chemo and of course the hair loss that came along with it.

Arizona smiled at Callie as the brunette nodded. Of course she didn't have to think twice about donating her hair and the fact that it was their daughter who had come up with the idea just showed them that they had raised someone who was not only beautiful on the outside, but inside as well.

A few days later, the three of them went to a barbershop together. It was a big day for Callie and they wanted to be there for her. She took a seat on the chair as she let the barber know about wanting to donate her hair. Callie had nice thick hair so he had to partition it into eight different sections before he tied it up and offered her a pair of scissors.

The barber stopped her before she could cut her hair. "It's not too late yet. You have beautiful hair. Are you sure you want to do this?" the barber asked.

"I… I don't know," Callie replied. This was new for her. She was never indecisive, quite the contrary in fact. She loved to take risks and jump in head first and think about the consequences later.

Callie saw Arizona approaching her from the mirror "You want this and you are so brave for doing this. So, take a second to compose yourself but you don't have to be scared babe."

"Yes Mama! You got this!" Sofia too cheered her on, not wanting to be left out.

Callie gently held her hair as she took a deep breath. This was stupid. It was just hair, it grew back, but deep down Callie knew it was so much more. It was the discrimination that came with it, the judgement along with the negative thoughts that plagued Callie's head.

What would people think?

What would her patients think?

But Callie knew better. The only people whose opinions mattered were right there behind her, supporting her.

Callie lifted the scissors to cut her hair. Her hair needed a few more snips before she managed to cut it off completely. Callie had never felt anything more liberating in her entire life. She used the mirror in front of her to look back at Arizona and Sofia who were both clapping their hands as they cheered her on. She handed the hair that she had just cut off to the barber who had a measuring tape in his hand. It measured out to be a little over twenty-two inches.

Sofia squealed as she ran up to Callie. "Mama? Can I cut the next piece please? Can I go next?" Sofia asked as she hopped on her mother's lap.

Callie looked at the barber as he smiled and nodded at them before he picked up a stool and placed it behind Callie so that Sofia could have a turn too.

The barber turned towards Sofia "Be careful okay? You don't want to hurt your Mama, do you?" Sofia shook her head before leaping off of Callie's lap and standing on the stool. "Alright Sofia, I need you to be gentle and cut right here where I tied it, okay?" the barber instructed as he pointed to the hair tie holding Callie's hair together.

Callie could almost see herself in Sofia as her eyes focused on her hair as she tried to cut it. By then Arizona too had come and stood beside Sofia making sure that her daughter didn't hurt herself or Callie with the pair of scissors she was holding.

"You want a turn too?" Callie asked as she made eye contact with her partner.

Arizona shrugged, "Sure," as she approached her partner.

Sofia finished cutting the chunk of hair and handed it to the barber before hopping off the stool and going back to sit on her mother's lap. Callie took the scissors from her daughter's hand before giving them to the blonde. Arizona brought a section of hair in her hand before she snipped it as well.

Arizona was proud of Callie's strength in accepting her truth. The blonde was a little taken aback on hearing that Callie thought that her sexuality would be a deal breaker for Arizona, for their relationship. She had told Callie several times that she was uncomfortable with Mark meddling in their relationship even though he had good intentions. Maybe that's why Callie was a bit unsure of coming out to her.

In the past, Arizona wasn't always supportive of Callie being bisexual and yes, they did have plenty of fights about it. After all Arizona had had a history of being in fleeting relationships that usually didn't last for longer than a month. So, when Callie stuck around and put up with her, Arizona held onto her, dumping all rational thoughts out the window. Now, Arizona completely supported Callie.

Getting through the last snip that freed the long strands of hair from Callie, Arizona returned the pair of scissors back to the barber before she put her arms around Callie's shoulders and leaned down to kiss her on her cheek. Callie didn't realize her eyes were filling up with tears until one of them escaped and made its way down her face.

"You're doing great babe," Arizona said before she hugged her tightly. Callie weakly nodded. Even though Callie has been wanting to do this for a long time now, it still required strength and courage to not only come out to her family but now to the world. Arizona gently wiped the tear that had fallen on Callie's face.

"Mommy? After you're done can we go get ice cream?" Sofia said as she pulled on Arizona's arm. Of course, the seven-year-old doesn't fully understand the gravity of what was happening around her.

Callie made eye contact with Arizona before turning to face her daughter. "Why don't Mommy and you go get yourself some ice cream? I should be done by then and I'll catch up with you guys outside?"

"Mommy, can we get the strawberry one? Please?" Sofia asked, but Arizona had her attention on Callie.

"Are you sure? We can wait," Arizona asked.

"Yeah, you know how she gets when she's restless. Plus, I think I saw a place down the street."

Arizona held her gaze, but Callie just smiled and let her know it was okay.

"Alright, you'll catch up with us?" Arizona asked as Callie nodded. With that, Arizona grabbed Sofia's hand as they made their way outside.

Around twenty minutes had passed as Arizona watched her daughter devour the banana split that they were "sharing". Arizona too had a giant sweet tooth, she was happy that it was one of the things that she shared with her daughter, even though it meant that Arizona would often have to hide her favorite candy away from her. But hey, that was something that she can live with.

Something caught Arizona's eye when she looked outside the window of the ice cream parlor, or rather someone. A huge smile crept up on her face as Callie entered the shop. Callie still looked like Callie but she looked better, she looked happier, maybe a bit more confident. Arizona could see that she had a pep in her step. Callie always walked like she owned the place, but now she walked like she owned the whole freaking world. She could tell that Callie was still a little nervous but damn, Callie looked badass. Arizona got up and leaned in to kiss Callie on her lips before she scooted into the booth. Callie sat beside her as she started fidgeting with her fingers.

"So, what do you think?" Callie asked timidly as she ran her hand through the buzzed side of her hair.

"You are kidding right?" Arizona said as she pulled Callie towards her by the lapels of her leather jacket and kissed her on her lips. "You look hot!"

Callie smiled, "Really?" she asked once again, but Arizona just smiled and pulled her closer and kissed her, Arizona knew that sometimes, more than words, Callie just needed to be reassured through actions.

As they parted, Callie put an arm around Arizona's shoulders as her other arm reached over and took a spoon full of ice cream. Sofia shouts at her mother, but Callie just sticks out her tongue before going in for another spoonful.

That was a fun day for the entire family. Rather they have been having a lot of fun days hanging out together, even if it's just watching a Disney movie for the hundredth time while cuddling up with a giant bowl of popcorn. Every time Arizona looks at the brunette, her heart swells up with so much joy. Just when she thought that it wasn't possible to love her more, Callie proves her wrong, she proves her wrong every damn day. Maybe she should wake Callie with a kiss on her lips and go and snuggle with her before their daughter came bursting through the door demanding to be fed.

Ever since they have started living together again, Arizona found it difficult getting Callie alone. She understood that they were doctors in one of the busiest cities on the planet, but she just wanted some time with her. Was that too much to ask? Nevertheless, Arizona found solace in having her way with her partner at the wee hours of the night or right now, when she knew that they had about thirty minutes before they had to wake up.

Last night, Callie suggested that they go for a morning run before either of them went to work. Arizona was surprised to say the least. The brunette loved her nap like Arizona loved her donuts. Between the two of them Arizona was the more athletic one being raised as a military brat and all. That being said, it didn't mean that Callie wasn't fit, Callie was the stronger one with all her years in popping bones back into the place, but she was definitely not an early riser. Arizona knew that Callie would never admit it, but she was sure that since Callie was approaching the big 4-0, she wanted to be a bit more active.

Just as Arizona was going to wake Callie, the brunette started whimpering in her sleep as her face scrunched up in pain. Arizona looked at her with concern in her eyes, this wasn't the first time either of them has had a nightmare. Arizona knew that Callie had nightmares too from time to time. Even though initially she refused to tell her about any of them but with time, Callie still shared them with her as Arizona pulled her closer and gathered her in her arms as she patiently listened to her. It was still difficult to get the details out of Callie, especially if Arizona was somehow involved in her nightmare, but the blonde was persistent and patient.

Arizona approaches Callie and lays down beside her. She can tell that Callie's about to wake up, so she cups her cheek as her thumb rubs soothing circles trying to ease away as much pain she could. They were in for a long morning, but Arizona loved her with all her being and would do anything to make her wife feel safe in her arms.

A/N: I have noticed that there are not a lot of stories about Callie coming out as non-binary so I thought I'd go ahead and write one of my own. This was just my interpretation of it and it was just an experiment. A risky one but I did want to take up this challenge as a writer. Thoughts and feedback are always appreciated.

Please let me know if you liked it and yes, the second part will be out as soon as Sejutaejo gives the okay sign!