A/N – Sorry this chapter is a little late but I just moved into a new apartment and it flipped my entire life upside down. Thanks for all the love you guys show me and the story. Happy reading everyone!
Chapter 20
There is a cold wind howling in suburban Seattle, cutting straight through the layers of thick clothes that are supposed to keep them warm. All around Christmas decorations are peeking out from under the white blanket covering the neighborhood. The only noise is coming from their luggage's wheels rolling along the path to the big family home. The small wooden steps brings the small wheels to an abrupt stop, before it can be lifted over the steps the blue door swings open.
"My baby is home!" A very excited Barbara Robbins comes running out of the house throwing her arms around her daughter.
"Hello to you to mom," Arizona says smiling and hugging her mother back, yes she missed this.
"I'm so glad your home honey." She releases the younger blonde holding her at arm's length. "You're looking skinny have you been eating?" Barbara asks brushing a loose piece of blonde hair to the side so she can see her daughter's face.
"Mom I haven't even stepped inside and you already want to fatten me up."
"I haven't seen you in months I have the right to be as overbearing as I want." She smiles at her just glad to finally have her back. Barbara's eye catches a very nervous looking Callie still standing on the steps. "Arizona Gabriella Robbins who raised you when I wasn't looking, aren't you going to introduce me to your beautiful girlfriend, or have you left all of your manners back in LA?"
"Sorry mom." Arizona takes Callie's hand pulling her next to her, giving her hand a reaffirming squeeze. "Mom I would like you to meet Callie Torres, Calliope this is my mother Barbara Robbins."
"It's very nice to meet you, ma'am." The sentence barely left the singer's lips before she is pulled into a big hug.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you Callie, Arizona here can't stop talking about you. It's always Callie this and Calliope that."
"Mom!" She can feel her cheeks starting to turn red thanks to her mother's embarrassing revelation.
"Oh hush, we are talking about you, not with you." Callie starts to chuckle, she has a feeling she and Arizona's mom are going to get along just fine. "Don't just stand there like a statue young lady you get those bags up to your room." Barbara chides her daughter turning to face Callie she places her arm around her shoulders. "Now Callie Arizona tells me you are quite the cook?" Barbara asks walking Callie into the house.
"Don't worry I don't need any help," Arizona calls after them, grumbling she picks up their luggage, kicking the front door close behind her.
After a struggle, she finally gets the bags into her room. Sitting down on the bed she looks around at the room, even if it's not the most decorative room it's still uniquely Arizona. Only a few random knick-knacks scattered around and a poster here and there, moving every few months didn't allow for a lot of accumulation. But her bed still has the same pink and purple butterfly covers she had as a kid and sitting neatly in their place in front of the pillows is her teddy bear collection.
Running her fingers over the soft fur of her favorite white bunny memories of her childhood starts to run through her mind all of them ending with the closed door across the hall no one dares to open. Taking a deep breath she pushes herself up off the bed and walks back down the stairs, she can hear laughter coming from the kitchen. The image of her mother and girlfriend chatting away like old friends over mugs of hot chocolate brings a smile to her face.
"Okay, the bags are in my room." She looks between the two women smiling at her when she spots the two mugs in front of them. "Yummy hot chocolate!" Barbara pulls the mug away as Arizona tries to grab it.
"Oh no, I remember what hot chocolate did to you."
"But you gave Callie some?"
"And your point being?"
"Seriously? I thought you would at least wait a day before replacing me with Callie." The blonde says with a pout sitting down next to her girlfriend who sympathetically rubs her back.
"You have always been a little drama queen. Of course, I made you some." Barbara places the mug in front of the now smiling Arizona.
"Thank you, mommy." Barbara smiles at her daughter kissing her on her head, some things will never change no matter how old she gets. Arizona brings the mug to her lips humming in approval when the delicious warm liquid touches her tongue. "So where is dad?" She asks using the back of her hand to wipe away her chocolate mustache.
"Out buying supplies for his repair work," Barbara says rolling her eyes.
"I think it's time dad gets a hobby."
"You and me both kid. I have been trying to get him to go back to the shooting range at least then he would be out from under my feet." Callie starts to choke on her hot chocolate, Arizona pats her on the back until her coughing stops. "You okay dear?"
"I'm good, it's just hot." She tries to cover. Arizona looks at Callie telling her she knows she is not telling the truth.
They continue their little chit chat, Arizona telling her mother all about her world adventures. Leaving out some details like their current stalker problem, some things parents just don't need to know. Of course, Arizona told her mother all about her plans to redecorate her and Callie's house. Callie just listened as she explained in great detail what she wants to do with each room, overall it sounded like it would be very tasteful but maybe a little on the beige side for Callie.
"Barbara is it just my imagination or is that our daughter in the kitchen?" They all turn to see an older man with short greying hair and arms full of shopping bags.
"Dad!" Arizona jumps up and flings her arms around her father making him drop the bags onto the hardwood floor.
"I was starting to think you left this place for good." She pulls out of his arms looking embarrassed, she knows she has been neglecting her parents since she moved away.
"I am sorry dad I have been a little busy with the tour and everything but I'm here now and I brought someone I would like you to meet." She walks him closer to a terrified Callie standing in the middle of the kitchen. "Dad this is Callie Torres, my girlfriend, Callie this is my dad Daniel Robbins."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." Forcing her voice to have the confidences she currently doesn't possess. He takes her hand giving it a firm shake.
"Ms. Torres." His voice is a lot more authoritative than when he greeted Arizona, his blue eyes narrowing at her.
"Please call me Callie sir." She says with a nervous smile.
"Very well then you can call me Colonel."
"Dad." "Daniel."
He ignores his wife and daughter as he turns around walking back to his discarded bags on the floor.
"If you will excuse me I have some work I need to attend to."
Callie takes a deep breath when he disappears out of the kitchen, she can do this at least he didn't make her drop and give him twenty.
"Don't mind him dear he is not nearly as scary as he thinks he is." Barbara tries to ease the singer's nerves. But he looks pretty damn scary to Callie.
"Hey, mom where are all the Christmas decorations? Usually, by now there are some many lights up we have to wave off airplanes trying to land here."
"Haha very funny. No, we were waiting for you guys so we can do it as a family. Your dad said he is taking you and Callie to go pick out a Christmas tree later today but in the meantime, I am going to need you to go up into the attic and get the decorations for me." Barbara states pulling open the refrigerator doors looking for the ingredients to start cooking dinner.
"Why me?"
"Because I said so." She gives Arizona a look daring her to argue with her.
"Fine, I'll go into the creepy dust-covered attic."
"Need me to go with you to protect you from the scary ghosts?" Callie asks as if she is talking to a small child.
"Laugh away Calliope, I'll remember this when my dad wants to talk to you alone." That makes the singer's smile fall. "Not so badass now are we superstar?"
They climb the stairs to the pitch-black attic once inside Arizona flips on the lights. "Wow, you have a lot of decorations."
Callie says amazed looking around the room filled to the brim with everything Christmas-related. Callie's family was never much for the Christmas decorations, only a tree decorated with exact precision that no one was ever allowed to touch.
"Yeah, my mom loves Christmas so everything always had to move around with us." She says lifting a box off of the ground jumping to the side when a spider runs across the floor. "But the spiders came with the house." She says shivering.
Callie takes a box filled with lights and follows Arizona back down to the living room, twenty minutes later all the decorations have been brought down and now covered the living room ready to be put on display they only need to find the perfect tree. As if summoned Daniel appears car keys in hand ready to go find said tree.
-x-x-
Walking down the many rows lined with Christmas trees Arizona is clinging to Callie trying to absorb as much of her body heat as possible. The place is busy everyone searching for the perfect centerpiece for their Christmas celebration. Luckily everyone is too wrapped up in finding a tree that no one spots the singer. Daniel is walking ahead of the couple inspecting each one and pointing out every little flaw. Callie now understands where Arizona's need for perfection comes from.
Walking around outside looking at plants in the cold is not how Arizona wants to spend her night, she would rather be snuggling in front of the fire with her girlfriend.
"Hey, you feeling the Christmas spirit yet?" Callie asks her girlfriend who is chewing on a candy cane that the rent-a-Santa gave them when they arrived.
"A little." She says shrugging. "But I am really happy I get to spend it with you." Callie pulls the blonde closer to her kissing her cheek.
"I am glad you didn't pick a tree without me."
That voice makes the blonde stop dead in her tracks. Arizona turns around coming face to face with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Tim?" She asks disbelieving, she looks him up and down he is still dressed in his uniform. His skin is tanner since the last time she saw him, his hair is short and he is smiling a dimpled smile at her.
"What no hug for your big brother?" She wipes her eyes, she hadn't even realized that she started to cry, before sprinting into her brother's arms. Crying tears of joy in his familiar, strong embrace she holds him as close as she possibly can.
"But you said you couldn't come?"
"Did you really think I would miss spending Christmas with my crazy little sister?" He jokes.
"I'm so happy you are here." She whispers into his chest.
"Me too." Tim sees the singer standing behind his sister wiping a falling tear from watching the emotional reunion between brother and sister. "I finally get to meet the famous Callie Torres that stole my sister's heart." He walks closer to her his sister still glued to his side.
"It's about time soldier." She shakes his offer hand. Tim has to admit he is a little star-struck seeing the singer standing in front of him.
"Damn Callie you're even hotter in person."
"Timothy!" Arizona slaps him on his chest finally releasing him from her death grip.
"Hey, it's a compliment to you both."
"Yeah, but she is mine," Arizona says in a warning tone.
"We will see about that." She slaps him again making him laugh. Daniel steps closer to his children have waited long enough to greet his son.
"Timothy."
"Dad." Daniel pulls his son into a welcoming hug.
"Welcome home son."
"It good to be back sir." Daniel looks at Tim patting him on the back but he doesn't seem surprised to see him.
"Dad did you know Tim was coming?" Daniel just smiles at his daughter. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"And ruin the surprise I couldn't do that." He picks up Tim's duffle bag and walks away.
"Hey what do you say I help you pick a tree so we can head back home where it's warm?" He doesn't remember Seattle being this cold.
"Please, dad is being impossible."
"You're one to talk, it takes you like an hour just to pick out an outfit."
"It's a women thing you wouldn't understand." Tim looks over to Callie.
"Yeah, it kind of is," Callie says shrugging. Tim smiles at the two before he wraps an arm around each of them and continuing to look at all the trees. This time Arizona is feeling a lot more like celebrating.
-x-x-
After a never-ending search, they finally found the perfect tree, luckily Tim was there to help get the massive thing home. Once the tree is safely moved into the living room everyone helps to decorate it while listing to Tim tell them stories about his crazy army buddies. By the end of the night, Christmas has arrived at the Robbins household and everyone has worked up quite the appetite.
"So Callie are you an only child?" Barbara asks as she passes her the mash potatoes.
"I actually have a younger sister Aria."
"Is she a singer too?" Tim asks wiggling his eyebrows.
"No, she is still discovering herself as she likes to call it. But I think she discovered more than she was looking for because I recently found out that she is pregnant."
"Your parents must be excited about their first grandchild?"
"Oh they are, my mother has already bought out half of the baby stores in Miami."
"Grandchildren can do that to a person, but then again I wouldn't know," Barbara says looking between Arizona and Tim.
"Don't look at me I'm fighting for our country," Tim says with a mouth full of pees.
"And I'm helping tiny humans." Arizona quickly adds.
"You can't play that card anymore you quit."
"Well, lately I was thinking about maybe going back to being a surgeon." She says nervously pushing the food around her plate not wanting to look at her family.
"Zona that's great!" Tim says excitedly for his sister.
"It's still going to be a while before I can practice again, I will have to do a lot of skills labs before I will feel confident enough to operate on a child again."
"Honey I know you will be back in the OR in no time," Barbara says smiling at her daughter.
"What about your job working for Callie?" Daniel speaks up for the first time. Arizona looks at the singer not sure how to answer, she and Callie haven't really discussed what her going back to being a surgeon would mean for them. Taking her girlfriend's hand under the table Callie looks up at Daniel.
"I'm not going to lie Colonel it will suck not having her around every minute of every day, I kind of have gotten used to having her all to myself. However going back to being a surgeon is something I believe she needs to do, I mean Arizona is a great assistant but she is a brilliant surgeon. People fly across the country to have her operate on their kid and I will never keep her from doing what she loves." Callie shifts her gaze to look into Arizona's eyes showing her she meant every word she just said. Leaning forward Arizona places a kiss on her girlfriend's cheek.
"I love you so much." Arizona whispers.
"I love you too." A clearing of a throat makes them break their little love stare.
"Hey, Arizona it must feel good knowing Callie dumped the amazing Mark Sloan for you." Arizona can't help but laugh at her brother.
For the rest of the meal, Barbara and Daniel reveled in having their children home for the holiday while getting to know the singer, but soon enough everyone was heading upstairs for bed.
-x-x-
The house is quiet everyone being fast asleep at two am, Callie carefully walks down the stairs not wanting to make any noise. Tiptoeing into the kitchen she gets herself a glass of water, making her way back something catches her eye. There on the living room carpet is Tim, his figure only being illuminated by the muted TV. He has his bareback to the singer, walking closer she can start to make out the tattoo on his right shoulder and his dog tags around his neck shining in the dim light.
"I thought I was the only one awake at this hour." He is startled by the sudden voice but smiles at her when she takes a seat next to him. "Can't sleep?" He nods rubbing his hands over his face.
"I guess my internal clock is still on a different time zone."
"Yeah, jetlag can be a bitch." That is one thing about touring the world that Callie never liked.
"What's got you up this late?"
"Your sister keeps stealing all the covers." This makes him smile.
"You shouldn't let her bully you, don't let the dimples and blue eyes fool you she is not an innocent little angel." They both laugh before he looks back at Callie. "But she is pretty damn close." He looks back at the TV that seems to be showing some sort of late-night infomercials.
"You are a good big brother Tim."
"What?" He asks surprised.
"The way Arizona talks about you… she idolizes you."
"Really?" Callie nods. "Zona is all I've got left, Callie. When Emma died, I never want to feel pain like that again. Something I will never forget is the look in Arizona's eyes like she failed her. You brought back my sister, the crazy goofball that can light up a room with one smile." He looks up at her with a sad smile. "I forgot what that was like, seeing her so carefree and happy. Thank you, Callie." Callie quickly wipes her cheeks.
"She is the love of my life I'll do anything for her."
"I think your little speech at dinner established that." Callie blushes, wanting to get the subject of conversation off herself she turns to him.
"How about you, do you have your eye on someone special?"
"Please, no one will be able to handle all of this awesome." He says striking his best model pose, Callie breaks out laughing having to cover her mouth with her hand not to wake anyone up. The two of them just sit and talk, but soon Callie can't keep the yawns at bay anymore and she knows it is time to head back to bed.
-x-x-
The next couple of days flew by, Arizona showing Callie around Seattle. Callie got to see a different side of Arizona she didn't get to see before. They even went to the hospital she uses to work at where it turns out Arizona is the superstar. Nurses, doctors and even cleaning staff were all excited to see the blonde again, everyone asking her how she has been and of course when she is coming back. Even the chief of surgery tracked her down and tried to convince her to come back.
Teddy was over the moon having been able to share her crappy hospital salad with her best friend and the singer. Callie made sure that the two friends got to spend some time together alone to catch up. While Callie and Tim childproofed the house, knowing Aiden and Abigail they will find anything sharp, breakable, and poisonous in the first fifteen minutes.
Then finally the big day arrived – Christmas day.
Arizona can feel someone watching her, squeezing her eyes tight she tries to force herself to go back to sleep. Snuggling closer to her girlfriend she tries to get comfortable but knowing someone is watching her is pulling her back. Slowly opening her eyes she is met with four big green eyes looking at her.
"Aiden, Abigail?"
"Mommy said we are not allowed to wake you or Callie up," Abigail says smiling at her aunt making her pigtails swing wildly as she explains.
"So you just watched us sleep?"
"Yup," Aiden says proudly.
"Merry…" They both start to yell but Arizona quickly covers their mouths with her hands. Looking over her shoulder she makes sure Callie is still asleep, Callie just rolls over to her other side. Satisfied that she is still asleep Arizona looks back at her now almost 5-year-old godchildren.
"Inside voices guys." She whispers removing her hands.
"Merry Christmas." They whisper.
"Merry Christmas to you too." She kisses them each on their head before getting up. "Come on you two let's go talk to your mom about putting a bell on you guys."
The twins bounce down the stairs with Arizona close behind them, they pull her into the living room.
"Aunt Zona look at all the presents Santa brought!" Aiden says excited pointing to the Christmas tree.
"Wow, you two must have been extra good this year?" They both nod. "Okay well, I'm going to go see if Santa left some coffee in the kitchen." The twins run of tackling their dad and uncle Tim on the couch. With a quick Merry Christmas Arizona strolls into the kitchen.
"Well, look who finally woke up."
"Merry Christmas to you too Teddy." Arizona hugs her and sits down next to her at the breakfast bar.
"Callie still asleep?"
"Yeah, by the way, your kids can be really creepy." Arizona takes a banana from the fruit bowl.
"Don't need to tell me that," Teddy says from behind her coffee mug.
A half-asleep Callie walks into the kitchen running her hands through her wild hair.
"Merry Christmas babe." Callie just grumbles and drops her head onto the countertop. Arizona moves some hair out of her face giving her a quick kiss. "I'll go make you some coffee."
"You really do love me." Teddy smiles at them, finding her words Callie gives them a proper greeting and a Merry Christmas.
"Morning you two and Merry Christmas." Barbara greets them giving them each a hug. "I think we better go open those presents before we have a riot."
"The twins were pretty relaxed when I saw them," Arizona says placing the mug of coffee in front of her now more awake girlfriend.
"I'm talking about Henry and Tim."
-x-x-
Everyone is sitting in the living room opening presents. Callie is grateful that Barbara and Daniel liked their gifts from her and Arizona. After all the grownups opened their presents they all just watch the twins open their presents, which never seem to end leaving the carpet under an inch of wrapping paper.
When all the presents have been opened Callie and Barbara move into the kitchen to work on the Christmas feast they have planned. Tim closes the refrigerator door opening the can of soda he just took out.
"Mom there is nothing to eat."
"Did you try looking again behind all that food?" She slaps his hand away when he steals a carrot. "Besides I don't want you spoiling your appetite." Arizona comes walking into the kitchen in the horrible Christmas sweater Teddy got her and forced them to put on.
"Please mom I'm starving I think my stomach is actually trying to eat my liver." Tim says dramatically.
"I think it will be good for you to lose a couple of pounds, you are starting to look like a candy apple on two sticks," Arizona says smugly, Tim tries to pick up his sister but Barbara stops them.
"No fighting inside!"
"Remember revenge is sweet little sis," Tim whispers.
"Bring it on chubby," Arizona says poking him in the stomach before he leaves the kitchen.
"Are you and your brother ever going to stop teasing each other?"
"I haven't seen him in a year I have a lot of catching up to do." She jumps onto the stool. "So is there anything I can do to help?" Callie and Barbara look at each other, they knew this question was coming at some point but neither wants to answer her.
"She's your girlfriend."
"She's your daughter." Callie retorts.
"What's going on?" Arizona asks confused looking between the two women who are refusing to look at her.
"Callie when your girlfriend's mother suggests you do something I think it's best you do it, you do want to make a good impression don't you?" She says giving Callie a dimpled smile. Callie has to admit Arizona learned from the best. Admitting defeat she finally looks at the waiting blonde.
"Sweetie, you are not the best in the kitchen so maybe it would be better if you just let us do the cooking." Callie tries to say as loving as possible."
"I am not that bad, am I?"
"Arizona you don't cook you cremate," Barbara says not beating around the bush.
"Geez mom do you want the knife in my back now or should I wash it first?"
"Well, that knife is the closes you are going to get to cooking." Arizona jumps off the stool.
"You both suck." She says annoyed walking out of the kitchen.
"Love you!" Both Callie and Barbara say in unison.
"Yeah, whatever." They hear making them laugh.
"You're a brave woman Callie, I don't know how you can put up with that one," Barbara says pointing a knife in the direction the blonde just went.
"Luckily she is cute," Callie says smiling.
"That girl of mine put her in an operating room and she works with expert precision, put her in the kitchen she almost burns down the house." Callie chuckles remembering the first time she and Arizona tried to cook together. She is pretty sure the bloodstains are still there. "Arizona has always preferred wrestling with her brother, Emma she was the one who loved to help me cook." Callie sees sadness when she talks about her youngest daughter.
"I'm really sorry Mrs. Robbins, from what Arizona told me Emma sounds like she was an amazing person."
"She was," Barbara says with a sad smile before shaking her head trying to clear it from the sad memories. "And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Barbara?"
"Sorry." Callie continues to cut the veggies. "Wrestling huh? Well, that explains how she was able to take down one of my bodyguards."
"That's my Arizona."
-x-x-
The women are all sitting in the living room listing to Teddy tell them all about the job offer she received, hoping to get some advice on what she should do. The men have taken the kids outside to play with the remote control helicopter Aiden got for Christmas, even if everyone knows that Aiden isn't really the one playing with it. When Aiden and Abigail come running into the house in their thick winter clothes.
"Hey hey you are tracking snow through the house," Teddy calls after her kids.
"Daddy and uncle Tim are throwing snowballs at us!"
"Did they start a snowball fight against two innocent little kids?" Arizona asks shocked taking in the appearance of the two kids. Aiden has snowflakes falling off of his eyelashes as he blinks rapidly at his aunt and Abigail's little pigtails are now rearranged and she is breathing fast.
"We can't let them get away with that," Callie says standing up, Teddy and Arizona join her going outside and fight against the boys with the kids.
Teaming up with the kids the women set out an attack on the two men. Snowballs flying every which way, the backyard being declared a warzone. The twins are giggling like crazy watching the adults playing like kids. Being five against two the women have a clear advantage forcing Tim and Henry to look for a hideout. Knowing it's not going to be long before they are flushed out from their hiding spot behind the shed, Tim makes a move running for the old oak tree. But Arizona nails him with a snowball to the face making him stumble backward falling onto his back.
"Oh shit, I killed him." She says seeing him motionless in the snow but then he sits up wiping the snow off of his face. "Oh shit, I didn't!"
She takes off running her brother close behind her. He catches her making her squeal as he drops her down in the snow kneeling over her he grabs a hand full of snow lifting it over her face.
"Tim please I'm your little sister, you wouldn't do it to your sweet little sister?" He looks at her smiling up at him innocently.
"Alright troops time to call it a truce," Daniel calls from the back door. "Go get cleaned up the food is almost ready."
Arizona thanks her stars that her father chose this moment to call everyone in. Looking up she sees Tim smiling mischievously at her. "Candy apple on two sticks huh?"
"No Tim don…" He smashes the snow onto her face.
By the time Arizona has cleared enough snow to see Tim has escaped. Callie helps her girlfriend up cleaning the snow off of her.
"Come on GI Jane time to go inside."
They walk back to the house where Daniel is still waiting for them, he stops them before they can go inside.
"Callie, could I have a word with you?" Panic hits the singer, but she knew this was coming and now she has to face the Colonel.
"Of course Colonel." Arizona kisses her cheek and then her father's.
"Be nice." She whispers to him before going inside.
Callie and Daniel sit down on the bench overlooking the backyard, both are quiet. He has been watching the singer and his daughter very closely, how they interact with each other, the way they look at each other when they think no one is watching and how no matter what they are doing they always have some form of physical contact. He can see Arizona is head over heels in love and from what he can tell Callie feels the same but he has to make sure.
"Have Arizona told you where she got her name from?" Daniel asks breaking the silence.
"Yes sir, the U.S.S. Arizona something she is very proud of."
"My father who served on the Arizona was a wonderful man brave, strong and always placed others before himself. Arizona has lived up to her name in so many ways. Not only by becoming a surgeon and saving tiny humans as she calls them. But she has also made great sacrifices not because anyone asked her to but because it's what she believed to be the right thing to do."
"That sounds like her sir."
"She is my only daughter now Callie." He clears his throat of the emotions starting to creep in. "I know I may look like a hard man but it's my job to protect her. Not that she needs it she is strong, caring, and honorable and who I raised her to be. But as her father I will always do everything I can to protect her."
Callie looks at the Colonel, she sees so much of the woman she loves in him. Not just his blue eyes but his heart and his need to protect the people he loves. Looking back at the calming white landscape in front of them she decides just to speak from the heart.
"I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her sir, I love her more than anything. For a long time, I thought that it wasn't my destiny to find that kind of love, I believed that my life would always just be a solo act." She pauses thinking back to the time right after she was left standing alone in a parking lot when she lost all faith in love. Then the image of a blonde, blue-eyed beauty pops up into her mind washing away all the bad memories. "But then one day when I least expected it this amazing woman walked into my life, and since that day she makes my life better just by being in it. Maybe someday I will be lucky enough to have her in it permanently as my wife, sir just the thought of that is better than any award or million dollar check."
Daniel just stares out in front of him taking in everything the singer has said. As a cold wind rips through her hair Callie can hear her heart beating in her ears. The seconds ticking by feels like hours of silence between them.
"Callie,"
"Yes sir?" She nervously looks over at him.
"Please call me Daniel." She nods not being able to hold back her smile. "My daughter is lucky to have found someone who loves her as much as you do." He places his hand on her arm. "It's your job to protect her now."
"With my life." Daniel nods standing up, he starts walking back to the door. "Oh and Callie." She looks up at him. "Is she still wearing those ridiculous wheelie shoes?" Callie starts to chuckle.
"Yes, she does." He just shakes his head smiling walking into the house.
Callie lets out a shaky breath, she rubs her hands over her cold face. If she didn't know any better she would believe Colonel Daniel Robbins just gave her his blessing.
"Hey." She looks up to see Arizona leaning against the wall smiling at her.
"Hi."
"Are you okay, I hope my dad didn't scare you off?" Arizona asks walking closer to her girlfriend.
"No, we had a nice talk that's all."
"A nice talk?" Arizona asks confused when her dad walked in smiling she was expecting her girlfriend to be halfway back to LA already. Her father doesn't do 'nice talks' with girlfriends.
"Yes now come on we better get inside I'm freezing my butt off."
"But…" Callie pulls the blonde inside before she can ask more questions.
-x-x-
After an amazing meal, everyone is sitting in the living room warming up in front of the fire. Callie is sitting on the floor with her back against the couch and Arizona sitting between her legs, Tim sitting across from them. Barbara and Daniel are sitting together while Teddy and Henry each have a half-asleep toddler in their arms, Abigail still holding onto her gingerbread man.
Tim pulls out his old guitar that was going to make his teenage boy rock star dreams come true. After becoming familiar with the instrument again he starts playing some Christmas chorals and Callie singing along with him. Arizona loves listens to her brother and girlfriend and she can't help but imagine years down the road on holidays like today them doing the same thing, but maybe with a few pairs of tiny feet running around singing along.
-x-x-
All too soon the day comes for them to go back to LA and Tim to go back to his platoon. The goodbye is a sullen one, Arizona not ready to let go of Tim she just got him back. The family is standing outside in the cold saying goodbye to Callie and Arizona.
"Callie you don't let Arizona keep you all to yourself you are welcome here any time," Barbara says pulling Callie into a warm hug.
"I promise we will come to visit." The two women have become very close over the days and Barbara already sees Callie as part of their family.
Daniel places the last bag in the car, closing the trunk he walks over to the singer. Since their talk, all the awkwardness between them disappeared.
"Good luck on the rest of your tour Callie."
"Thank you, Daniel, I'm sure with Arizona in charge it can only be a success." They shake hands. Arizona and Tim look stunned at each other, no one ever dares to call Colonel Daniel let alone gets away with it.
"Okay little sis time to go." Tim sees Arizona's eyes starting to water, he pulls her closer kissing her on her forehead before wrapping his arms around her small body. Arizona holds onto him trying to absorb as much of her brother as she can. "You make sure you take good care of that girl of yours."
"I promise." She says in-between sniffs.
"I'm going to dance so hard at your wedding." Arizona starts to chuckle and detangles herself from her brother.
"You be safe out there okay."
"Always." He smiles at her before pushing her to the side to say goodbye to their mother.
"I love you mom and I'll call you when we are back in Seattle."
"You better. I love you, honey." Barbara says tears already running freely down her cheeks. She hugs her mother before moving on to her father.
"Dad."
"You just remember who I raised you to be," Daniel says nodding towards Callie who is talking to Tim, she smiles at him.
"Of course sir. I love you, daddy." He pulls her into a big hug.
"I love you too." He pulls away putting on his stoic facade again. "You two better get going I don't want you to be late for your flight."
After another round of goodbyes, they finally climb into the car. When the Robbins house disappears in the review mirror Callie looks over to see Arizona studying her intently.
"What?"
"You called my dad Daniel."
"Yeah so? Don't a lot of people call him Daniel?" Callie asks not seeing what the big deal is.
"Not successfully." Arizona takes Callie's hand rubbing circles on the back of her hand. "Nice talk huh?" Callie just winks at her.
-x-x-
Back in LA Arizona finally got to do some redecorating, luckily Callie was too busy doing reshoots for the movie as well as recording a few songs for the soundtrack to help. So she was just able to see the big reveal without really having to do anything.
They also helped Mark and Aria look for a new house, knowing those two they would end up in the most none child-friendly house available. When the New Year hits it was time to head out again on the final leg of the tour. After touring across the world performing in twenty-one different countries they are finishing back where they started with concerts across the US.
The bus is quiet everyone already having drifted off to sleep when Arizona ends the call. She has just spoken to Tim who has arrived back at the base. Closing her eyes she takes a moment to just think and miss her sister, today is the first anniversary of her death. Being back home just made her realize how much she misses Emma. In a year her life has changed so much, just looking around at where she is who she is with. If Emma didn't die she wouldn't have left Seattle, she wouldn't have taken the personal assistant job, and never have met Callie. With a sad smile, she turns to look out the window at the stars shining bright in the night sky. Emma has always loved to play matchmaker.
Kicking off her sneakers she hears a thud when one hits something under their bunk. Curiosity getting the best of her she leans forward pulling out a box with a little bow on it. Opening the box she finds a patched-up Spot inside. Looking over to the sleeping singer in her bunk she knew at that moment she will never love anyone like she does Callie. Taking the time to fix a silly teddy bear for her because even if she herself didn't understand why it meant a lot to Arizona. She leans over placing a loving kiss on her cheek and pulls the blanket over her and Callie, she tucks Spot safely in her arms snuggling closer to the singer's she closes her eyes joining her in dreamland. Tomorrow it's back to work.