AN: This chapter along with the next two have been difficult to write. I hope I did them justice. I thought I would post a new chapter for you in light of the holiday weekend. I will be working tonight but I hope all of you are enjoying a safe holiday.
Happy reading :)
Chapter Twenty-Five
Saturday was spent as a lazy day. They gathered together and finished decorating, hanging ornaments on the tree. Barbara surprised Arizona and Callie with an "Our first Christmas" ornament with a picture of them from Spain in it to hang on the tree. After they were done decorating, the snow had really begun to fall so they all bundled up and went for a quick walk down to the water and back. While Barbara and Daniel went in to make dinner, the other four stayed outside and had a snowball fight with the four kids down the street. It was kids versus adults and the kids were out for blood. The four adults were cautious, too scared of hurting the kids to be too aggressive but the kids were unrelenting and unafraid. The only girl in their group was a blonde haired blue eyed spitfire that reminded Callie so much of Arizona that she let her guard down and the little shit threw a snowball so well packed that it was icy and hard. It connected with Callie's left cheek bone with a sickening sound and all heads turned.
Callie was carefully palpating the bone as Arizona rushed to her side, removing Callie's fingers. The blonde's face was full of concern as she used her mitten and placed it over Callie's cheek, "Hold this on there, baby."
Her cheek was throbbing but she hadn't registered that she was bleeding until she saw drops of crimson in striking contrast to the bright snow at her feet. She pulled her hand away to see the now saturated mitten of Arizona's who quickly pushed it back up to her face and held it there tightly. She was guided into the house by Arizona and thrust into the half bath on the main floor. Arizona patted the toilet seat, inviting Callie to sit, when she didn't readily comply, the blonde led her to the toilet and placed her hands on the taller woman's shoulders, forcing Callie to sit down. Arizona peeked her head out the door and said, "Mom, I need ice."
She searched through the medicine cabinet and the cupboard under the sink, extracting gauze and antibacterial soap. "Teddy, grab my kit from downstairs, would you?"
Barbara appeared in the doorway as Teddy left to go grab Arizona's medical bag. She would have everything she needed in there. Proper antiseptic wash, topical and local anesthesia, and her suture kit. She was in doctor mode as Barbara asked, "What happened?"
"My face versus an icy snowball with scary accuracy and power."
"I keep telling Timmy not to be so rough with you girls!"
"It wasn't Timmy, it was the blonde haired, blue eyed little spitfire next door," Callie replied, not wanting Tim to get yelled at by his mother.
"Oh we call her A.J. or little Arizona. We don't know what her real name is but she's always with those boys and she's Arizona Junior for sure." Barbara replied, seemingly knowing exactly which child she was referring too.
"What's the damage?" Callie asked the peds surgeon.
Arizona pulled the bloody mitten away and threw it in the garbage as she began cleaning the still bleeding wound on her girlfriend's cheek bone. Callie winced at the stinging in her cheek as Arizona cleaned and palpated it. "Sorry baby. You need stitches and we should probably get an x-ray. I will examine it more after it's cleaned and numbed. We can go to the hospital or I can do it here, your choice. I'm sure I can follow the curve of your cheek bone and minimize the scar, it will be barely noticeable. I'm used to working on kids and babies but I won't be offended if you want a plastic surgeon."
"No, I don't want to go to the hospital, you can do it, I trust you. Besides, scars are badass, right?"
"Right." Arizona nervously laughed as she kissed the uninjured cheek. Teddy returned with the medical bag and Arizona searched through it, finding what she needed. "Are you sure you want me to do this?"
"Arizona, I trust you. I really don't want to go to the hospital for a little cut on my cheek."
"It's more than a little cut, Cal." Arizona said, she grabbed her hand and led her to the dining room. She placed a blanket and pillow on the table, "Hop up."
"The table?"
"I need you laying down so this can be sterile and it's a better height and angle than the couch or one of the beds. Plus, Teddy can assist me better." Arizona explained as she placed a liberal amount of liquid anesthesia to a gauze pad and said, "this may sting," before she applied it to Callie's cut firmly. Callie winced at the initial sting and pressure but after a few minutes she began to feel the sting lessen.
"I'm going to clean it better now that it's partially numb and then we're going to numb it with lidocaine before I suture it up. I also want to check out your cheekbone. I don't think it's broken but I have a feeling it will bruise, you may even have a black eye."
"Perfect timing for dinner with my parents." Callie replied with an eye roll. It was meant to be a teasing quip but she saw the blonde's eyes instantly widen.
"Oh my God, we're having dinner with your parents tomorrow. What if they think I did this to you?"
"Relax, we will explain it and it will be fine. Besides, of the two of us, I think I'm more likely to be able to inflict this sort of injury."
"Really? Cuz that kid was maybe seventy pounds soaking wet." Arizona replied with a smirk and an arched eyebrow.
"Ok, you've got me there but she caught me off guard."
"Mmmhmm." Arizona said as she pulled on her gloves, scrubbed the wound with hibiclens, and irrigated it. She pulled out the lidocaine and drew up a syringe full before she removed her gloves and replaced them with clean ones. "Ok, Cal, worst part, ok?"
Before she inserted the needle into her girlfriend's face, she leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, trying to convey how sorry she was for what she was about to do. She stood, took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, forcing herself into the role of Dr. Robbins. "Ready, one, two, three poke, and here comes the sting."
"Ouch, son of a bitch." Callie whispered through gritted teeth but remained still. Even with the topical numbing beforehand, the sting of lidocaine was never a good feeling. And having a bee sting that close to your eye was enough to make her eyes water.
"I'm sorry, Callie, we're almost done." Arizona said, focusing on her work instead of her girlfriend's face. "There, all done."
While the numbing set in, Arizona inspected the bone more thoroughly and determined it didn't feel broken. Callie brought her own hands up to palpate and came to the same conclusion. Once that was established, Arizona scrubbed Callie's cheek with antiseptic once again and placed the drape over her face with the hole in the center placed over the wound and one big brown eye. Arizona focused on the wound and not Callie's eye. This was not Callie, it was just another patient she told herself as she carefully placed a running vicryl suture along the inside margins of the cut on Callie's cheek bone, effectively burying the sutures so it would lessen the scar. They would mostly disintegrate internally but the loop would need to be cut in five days. She placed 6.0 prolene on each side of the wound just to prevent the wound from breaking open and she was done. She placed a thin piece of telfa and gauze over the wound, taped it down, and then kissed it better.
"All better." Arizona whispered as she planted another kiss on Callie's lips then assisted her to a sitting position. "How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad, slight headache."
"I'll get you some Tylenol. If you start having any other symptoms we are going to the hospital just to be safe."
"I promise, I'm fine. The heartbeat in my cheekbone is causing the headache, babe."
"These need to come out in five days and the vicryl loop will also need to be cut. That is perfect because I will be there on Thursday. You can't get these wet though, no pool or ocean."
"I am a doctor you know. I know how to take care of sutures and I can take them out myself." Callie replied with a smile, she loved concerned Arizona.
The rest of the evening was spent lounging around by the fire. Christmas movies were playing on the television and Barbara and Callie spent a good portion of the evening baking sugar cookies for all of them to frost the next day. Barbara had offered to have the Torres family over to their home for dinner but they had requested they all meet at a restaurant instead. They would be meeting them at Sorellina in Boston at seven the next evening. Much to Arizona's dismay, Teddy, Tim, and Aria had not been invited, it would only be the parents, Callie, and herself which made Arizona slightly nervous. She was glad she had purchased that white dress in Spain as the restaurant was fancy and she wanted to appear as innocent and elegant as she possibly could, no tomboy raised military brat in sight.
"Penny for your thoughts." Barbara said as she sat down next to her daughter. Callie had gone down to take a quick shower before bed. Arizona had been sitting in her spot on the sofa, curled up staring at the fire for the last ten minutes. She hadn't even noticed that it was only her and her mother left in the room.
"Just thinking about tomorrow."
"Worried about meeting the parents?" Barbara asked as she brushed blonde hair out of a pale face.
"I'm so nervous and anxious, mom. I want them to like me but more than that I want them to accept Callie. What if they don't? What if it turns into another Andi situation? Callie is leaving on Monday, what if something happens before I get there on Thursday?"
"Slow down Zozo. First, they would be idiots not to like you. Besides, you spoke with them on skype and they already kind of liked you, right? Second, you can't control what her parents do. I know you hate being out of control but try not to worry about what hasn't happened yet. Third, Callie is not Andi honey. Callie is an adult, a doctor, and she's not drinking and doing drugs. She wouldn't hurt herself and she wouldn't hurt you either, honey. You have to trust that."
"I do, I trust her, I'm just so scared."
"Come here." Barbara said, pulling her twenty-eight year old daughter closer so she was leaning against her, practically in her lap. She kissed the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around her, "No matter what happens tomorrow, you and Callie will both get through it. Anyone can see that you love each other. You are a catch, Zozo. You're beautiful, smart, kind, loyal, and you just have this giant heart. You're stubborn and protective, and there's no way that Callie is going to let her parents interfere with this."
"I just don't want her to lose her parents like Teddy did."
"Well I don't either. But, if she does, she will still have us. And it will most definitely be her parents loss. And I mean it when I say, having Callie in your life, in all of our lives is our gain, honey. I really adore her."
"Thanks mom. You and dad have always been so accepting and made this so easy for me that I never had to consider what it would be like for anyone else. I'm not sure I ever thanked you for that. And for accepting Callie so readily."
"Arizona Monroe Robbins, you listen to me right now. You do not have to thank me for loving and accepting who you are. You are exactly the person your dad and I raised you to be. You're more than I imagined even. You being a lesbian has nothing to do with that. It just means I will get another daughter-in-law someday instead of a son-in-law and I am perfectly ok with that. You are exactly the way you were meant to be, so is Callie. Don't let anyone tell you differently my sweet girl."
"I love you, mom."
"Love you too, Zozo." Barbara kissed her daughter on top of the head, Arizona balanced her weight back onto the sofa, allowing her mother to stand, "Go get some sleep, honey. Callie is waiting for you."
Arizona stood and stretched before she hugged her mom once more. They parted ways, Barbara heading upstairs and Arizona heading down. Callie was in her room getting dressed and applying her coconut pear lotion to her beautiful skin when Arizona entered. Callie looked up and smiled, her cheek was starting to bruise but the cut was barely noticeable. "Hey you, I was just going to come get you."
"I was just saying goodnight to my mom." Arizona replied, "How's your cheek?"
"A little sore but it looks so much better than I thought it would."
"I am pretty good." Arizona teased.
"Yea, you're a keeper."
"Promise?"
"Yea, of course I do. Hey, what's wrong?" Callie asked, noting that her girlfriend just didn't seem her usual happy go lucky self.
"I'm just feeling a little emotional," not a lie Arizona told herself, just not the whole truth, "can we just, would you just hold me for a little bit?"
"You never have to ask me to do that, I will always want to do that. And I feel so lucky that you want me to." Callie said as she climbed onto the bed and opened her arms, knowing that Arizona didn't willingly let anyone care for her if she could help it. The brunette was still only in her towel but Arizona didn't care as she slid onto the bed and pressed herself against Callie, laying so they were facing each other. Her head was nuzzled into the space between Callie's chin and chest, her ear pressed firmly against her heart. One arm was slung tightly over a curvy waist and her leg was forced between Callie's. Callie pulled Arizona as tightly to her as she could, wrapping both arms around her body and holding her snuggly. She felt Arizona's body begin to shake and was surprised as Arizona began to cry, no not just cry but full on sob. Callie tried to pull back to see Arizona's face and ask her what was going on but the blonde just clung tighter to her shaking her head no, "Hey, hey, baby, it's ok. I don't know what happened but I'm right here."
Callie had no choice but to just wait it out. She held the blonde tightly and whispered reassuring words. She kissed the top of her head and stroked her hair and back. Eventually the sobs died down and Arizona's breathing evened out, she had cried herself to sleep in Callie's arms and she had no idea why. Deciding to change into clothes and get out of the wet towel, Callie attempted to extract herself from the blonde's grasp but she whimpered, tightening her grasp, and whispered a soft, "no" in her sleep. Ok, plan B, Callie thought, she reached over Arizona's side and grabbed the throw blanket, draping it over the two of them before she closed her eyes. She fell asleep wondering what the blonde had been so upset about.
Arizona woke to the feeling of being held tightly against a warm, soft, almost naked body. She smiled as she kissed the exposed cleavage of her girlfriend. Her eyes were puffy from her crying and she knew she was going to have to explain to Callie, she owed her that but the cry had helped. All the pent up concern, anxiety, and sadness she had been holding onto had just come to the surface and she could no longer contain it. She felt slightly embarrassed about the outburst. She let her lips skim over all the exposed flesh that she could reach in Callie's tight grasp. Her bladder was screaming and that was what had woken her. She peaked at her watch, 00:48, they had fallen asleep like this about an hour and a half ago. Callie was still in her towel, she would have to wake her up so she could get changed. Arizona attempted to wiggle out of Callie's grasp but the Latina instinctively tightened her grip.
"Calliope, baby, I really have to get up or we're going to have a problem." Arizona said in her ear as she stroked her finger down her nose. Callie mumbled and swatted at Arizona's hand causing her to giggle. The sound and vibrations of Arizona's giggling body got one eye to peak open at her. "Hey sleeping beauty, I see your stink eye is on point today but I really have to pee."
"Are you ok?"
"I am now." Arizona replied with a kiss to Callie's lips.
"What happened?"
"I promise I will talk to you about it but if you don't let me go right now I am seriously going to pee all over both of us." Arizona said, trying to wiggle free of Callie's vice grip. Callie pecked her on the lips and released her. Arizona returned a few moments later and rummaged through her drawer for some pajamas as she had fallen asleep fully dressed. Callie watched her carefully as she changed., the blonde could feel her concerned eyes following her.
"Do you want some clothes babe?" Arizona asked. Callie shook her head and Arizona grabbed the t-shirt and panties Callie had left on the dresser to change into after her shower.
"Arizona, are you ok?" Callie asked. She still had no idea what had happened to cause her girlfriend to cry like that. When she had left her to take a shower she was her usual perky, happy self. They both dressed quickly then migrated back to the bed.
"I'm ok, I promise."
"Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Do you promise not to get upset with me?"
"I promise to listen and try to understand. I can't promise I won't get upset until I know what the reason for all of this is."
"Ok, that's fair, I guess." Arizona said, looking down at her lap as she wrung her hands together and fiddled with the hem of the tank top she had just put on. It was a sure sign that the blonde was nervous. Callie placed a hand over Arizona's causing the blonde to look up, "Just tell me, honey."
"I'm just nervous about meeting your parents. I want them to like me. I want them to accept you. I just want everything to be ok because I am so happy." Arizona replied, cursing herself as she felt a rush of emotions rise to the surface again. Callie looked at her and smiled softly at her, God she loved this woman.
"Arizona, I am telling you, my parents do like you. If they didn't, they wouldn't be struggling with this, they would have already written us off. And even if they didn't, I adore you. I am their daughter, they will have to accept me eventually or they will lose me."
"But I don't want them to lose you or for you to lose them. I don't want this to turn out like it did with Andi or Teddy."
"I'm not going anywhere, Arizona. No matter what happens, you are stuck with me." Callie said as she wiped a single tear that had escaped from the blue eyes she was crazy about. "Tell me what happened with Andi. I want to understand, I know this causes you so much anxiety and I just want to help."
Arizona took a deep breath and nodded her head, she had not expected to relive those events tonight but she knew eventually she would have to open up to Callie about that night. "Well, as you know we had been secretly dating for the better part of two years. I was already out to my parents but I hadn't told them about Andi. Andi had changed, I thought it was just because we were all gone and that once she joined me in Baltimore everything would be fine. She and Sara had started partying, well Andi had but she dragged Sara along for the ride. Sara knew quickly that these people were bad news but she was the youngest of us, the one always left out. She always wanted to be one of us but as the baby she had unintentionally been pushed aside so when Andi included her, she was easily persuaded to keep her secrets, at first. Then later on, Sara continued going to keep an eye on Andi. Andi started out with just alcohol, then she started smoking cigarettes and weed and eventually she joined in with the pill popping gang. She was sleeping around to pay for the pills. She wasn't a bad person, Callie, she was a kid in a really bad situation with what she felt was no way out."
"I'm not judging her, honey, I just want to understand."
"At home, Teddy had always been the golden child. She didn't mean for it to be that way, it just was. She was the perfect, obedient child. She excelled in school, didn't question their beliefs, intended to become a doctor, and was just Teddy. Andi was always more vocal. She questioned church, the bible, her sexuality. She voiced her opinions and fought against her parent's path for her. She wanted to be in rock bands and wear black and makeup. When Teddy left, all their attention and focus turned to Andi. She couldn't take the pressure. Her dad started locking her in her room, he monitored her phone calls, emails. Put a tracking device on her car. He even resorted to physically hitting her a few times. No one knew except for Sara who she had confided in but sworn to secrecy. Sara had agreed to keep her secrets only because Andi was graduating a few weeks after confiding in Sara so she thought Andi would move away and everything would be solved. Andi was miserable, she saw no way out. She knew eventually I would find out about the drugs and cheating and I would likely leave her. So that night when he found out about us, he told her that was it, she was going to a conversion therapy camp and he wasn't paying for college, all fight in her just died. She couldn't take it anymore so she chose to end it."
"Did he hurt you?" Callie asked, remembering what Barbara had said about the physical injuries.
"When Andi and I returned from our date we were supposed to have a movie night with Teddy and Sara. We walked up the stairs to the front door and he opened the door and held it open for us. As I followed Andi, he grabbed me and threw me down the porch steps, I broke my wrist when I landed. He didn't mean to break my wrist but the things he was calling me and shouting at me...he had known me almost my entire life and it hurt to hear him say those things to me."
"God, Arizona, I am so sorry."
"It's not your fault, I just really don't want a repeat of that situation." Arizona replied, she took Callie's hand in hers, needing to feel the contact, "I was banned from attending Andi's funeral. Teddy went alone. My parents wanted me to press charges on Mr. Altman but I couldn't do that to Teddy, she had just lost her sister. Teddy's mom died suddenly two months later of a heart attack and again, Teddy attended the funeral alone. Her dad completely cut her off, she hasn't spoken to him since her mom's funeral."
"Jesus." Callie couldn't find any other words to describe what she had just heard.
"It just all hit me. I know the situation is different but there are similarities that I can't help but see. It just all suddenly overwhelmed me."
"What can I do?"
"Just be you, Callie, that's all I need. I might have more meltdowns before this is all over but I love you and support you. I really want your parents to do the same."
"Me too. But if they don't, that is not on you, Arizona. It is on them. And I know you don't want me to lose them but that is also up to them."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"I do. My mom told me the same thing."
"Your mom is a smart lady. We will just see what happens tomorrow. The Robbins happen to be charming people, I know they've already won over one Torres, I really doubt my parents will be able to resist." Callie replied with a smile.
"We are known for our charm." Arizona said, returning Callie's smile and giving her a peck on the lips. She leaned back and looked at Callie, "Are we ok?"
"Arizona, we are more than ok. I know it isn't easy for you to open up to me but I feel so lucky that you trust me. I might not always like what you have to say, I might not always agree, but I want you to tell me."
"I want you to tell me too."
"I know."
"If your parents don't react well tomorrow, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet. Let's just wait and see what they have to say, ok?"
"Ok."
"Arizona, if you're worried that I'm going to leave you, don't. I promise, no matter what they say, I won't do that. I want you in my life more than anything."
"I know."
"Ok then, now, come get your charming cute little butt back in my arms. I need my beauty sleep." Callie said, as she leaned back against the pillows and opened her arms for Arizona. She laid down in Callie's arms immediately and snuggled close.
"I love you." She whispered as she reached up and fingered the cool metal of the silver heart around Callie's neck.
"I love you too." Callie said, her eyes already closed and sleep evident in her tone.
"Sweet dreams." Arizona said as Callie relaxed and her breathing evened out. Arizona was wide awake though. Her brain wouldn't shut off and she wiggled free of Callie's grasp. She laid on her back and stared at the ceiling as she focused on her breathing. When that didn't work she turned on her left side and counted Callie's breaths. When that didn't work she flopped to her stomach and sighed heavily, turning her head and body from side to side trying to get comfortable. She hadn't noticed the brown stink eye she was receiving as she rolled onto her back one more time with a loud huff of frustration.
Callie had been sleeping peacefully until she felt her girlfriend moving around in the bed and heard her huffing and sighing. Arizona was usually a light sleeper and didn't move in her sleep so the sudden activity in the bed was frustrating a very tired Callie to no end. Deciding that if either of them were going to get any sleep at all, she was going to have to resort to drastic measures. She surprised the blonde as she rolled over on top of her, pinning her beneath her body.
"I thought you were sleeping. What are you doing?"
"I was, but you're thinking too loudly and your gymnastics act over here is keeping me up so I've decided to resort to drastic measures." Callie said as she snaked her hand down a toned abdomen and let her fingers roam beneath the waistband of her girlfriend's sleep shorts.
"I'm sorry I… what are you doing?" Arizona asked as she felt Callie's fingers sneak into her shorts and down to her bundle of nerves.
"I'm helping you relax and wearing you out so we can both sleep." Callie replied as she removed her hand and pulled off Arizona's shorts.
"Callie...you don't have to, I can go upstairs so you can sleep."
"Shh." Callie replied with a hard peck to Arizona's pink lips, "Spread your legs."
Arizona complied, spreading her legs so the Latina could rest between them and have full access. She was going to make sure Arizona couldn't even remember her own name, let alone all the worries coursing through her beautiful brain. She brought her lips over Arizona's once again and assaulted them with a passionate kiss as her hand snaked down between their bodies, her fingers finding the blonde's already wet slit and rubbing up and down it gently a few times. She moved her assault to the blonde's neck, careful not to leave marks this time that would add to the blonde's stress and nibbled gently while her fingers began slow circles around an erect bundle of nerves.
Arizona moaned into Callie's ear and her hips bucked slightly as Callie pressed her pelvis further into the blonde. She could feel Arizona tremble beneath her as her orgasm hit her. Callie smiled and let the blonde relax for just a moment before she entered her with two fingers unexpectedly. A sharp intake of breath and an arch of the back as Arizona breathed out "Callie" spurred the brunette on. She started with slow, deliberate thrusts, keeping it gentle with Arizona being still sensitive from her first orgasm. As Arizona's moans morphed into small cries of pleasure, Callie increased her pace and started thrusting her hips, bringing her fingers out further and thrusting in with more force. Arizona clung to her, wrapping her legs around the back of Callie's thighs and placing her hands on the soft tissue of the Latina's ass to help her thrust with more force. "Oh God, Callie" Arizona cried out as her fingers curled, hitting the spongy area at the same time that her thumb stroked over her clit.
Arizona grasped at the sheets, Callie's back, her hair, anything she could grab onto as Callie brought her closer and closer to what she knew was about to be an explosive orgasm. She found breathing difficult and she saw little sparks of color behind her eyelids as she squeezed her eyes shut. Callie's fingers curled again as they thrust into her and Arizona brought her hands back down to the muscular ass of her girlfriend and dug her nails into her flesh as the Latina continued her thrusts. As Arizona's walls began to spasm, her body convulsed and stiffened, her hands pulling Callie hard against her and holding her there as she dropped over the edge, her mouth open in a silent scream. Callie peppered her sweaty skin with gentle kisses as she came down from her high.
"Better?" Callie asked in a husky and slightly cocky voice.
"Mmmm." Arizona moaned out. Her muscles were sore in the best way and her anxiety and stress had seemed to melt away long enough for her to feel drowsy. She whimpered slightly as Callie withdrew her fingers and climbed off of her. Arizona rolled her body into Callie once again and Callie stroked her back with a smile as she felt the blonde's breathing even out. She closed her own eyes with a satisfied smirk on her face as sleep overtook her.
Arizona spent several hours the next evening getting ready for dinner. She had slept until 10:00, missing her morning run and had barely been able to eat anything on account of her nerves being in full swing. Callie seemed to be less rational and more anxious as well as the day wore on but it was clear she was trying to hide it from the blonde. The group of four left the house with plenty of time to make it to dinner by seven. They were all immaculately dressed in formal dinner wear. Callie was appreciating the white dress Arizona had bought in Spain and worn to dinner the night of their fight causing her to not fully appreciate it then. The latina found herself unable to remove her eyes from the beautiful site of her girlfriend now though. Arizona had traded in the red heels for a pair of baby pink kitten heels, her hair was done up in the same elegant bun and her makeup was light. Callie wasn't dressed to impress, she had on a simple black pencil skirt that showed off her curves and muscular calves and a black blouse with black heels. She was dressed in what her mother would call, a power suit and she had dressed that way for a reason. Daniel was in a pair of black dress pants with a crisp white shirt and blue tie and Barbara wore a blue dress that matched both her and Arizona's eyes perfectly.
Arizona fiddled with the buttons of her dress coat as she sat next to Callie in the back seat of her parent's SUV. Callie placed her hand over pale ones to offer her support and stop the nervous fiddling but Arizona just moved to worrying her pink lips between her teeth. "Arizona, everything is going to be ok."
"I know." She replied, automatically while she continued staring out her window.
"Hey, look at me." Callie said, squeezing a slender hand to get the blonde's attention. Arizona reluctantly turned her head so she could meet Callie's gaze. Callie offered a soft smile, "I love you."
"I love you too." Arizona said, offering a genuine smile in return.
"So Callie, what's Miami like?" Daniel asked, trying to steer the conversation to a topic that would calm everyone's nerves. He knew his wife was likely to go mama bear on the two older Torres' if things didn't go well tonight. He had read the emails his wife had received and overheard the telephone conversation between Barbara and Lucia, albeit it was one sided for him. He just wasn't sure what was going to happen, it seemed they really loved Callie and liked Arizona but they still were struggling to accept this. It had never been a question for himself or Barbara, they simply loved their daughter and wanted her to be happy, there was nothing else to consider for them.
"It was hot." Callie replied which earned her laughs from the three Robbins. "Mostly it was good. I have lots of cousins and extended family, we spent a lot of time on the boat or by the pool together when we were little. My sister, Aria is four years younger than me so there was a period of time where I didn't enjoy playing with her but we're close now."
"I hope we can meet her someday." Barbara said.
"You will. She would love all of you and Salem."
They pulled up to Sorellina at a quarter to seven, the Colonel was not one to ever be late. Despite the early time, the table was ready for them and they were seated promptly. Arizona was surprised when her parents sat on either side of herself and Callie instead of together, acting as a sort of buffer between the two younger women and the seats where the two elder Torres' would be sitting. Arizona felt instantly safer with her father to her left and Callie to her right with her mom on the other side of Callie; despite the fact that she would be forced to sit directly across from either Carlos or Lucia and she wasn't sure which option scared her more. Water was served to each of them but they all agreed to hold off on drinks until the rest of their party arrived. At seven sharp, Arizona caught her first sight of Callie's parents in person. Carlos was much shorter than she had imagined, Callie would tower over him if she wore heels as he was maybe an inch taller than her. He wore a tan business suit and had one hand on his wife's lower back as he guided the older Latina to her seat. Lucia was the image of Callie, though her frame was smaller and she was several inches shorter, though still taller than Arizona. She had the same dark head of hair and the same big brown, soulful eyes.
The four who had previously been seated stood to greet the newcomers. Callie circled the table and hugged each of her parents tightly. Lucia looked her daughter up and down with a genuine smile and held her tightly as they embraced, "I missed you, sweetheart."
"I missed you two, Mami." Callie replied, returning the hug. She turned and hugged her father as he said, "You look beautiful, mija."
"Thanks daddy." Callie smiled at her dad. As the embrace ended, Callie turned to the three Robbins and introduced them, "Mami, Papi, this is Colonel Daniel Robbins and Barbara Robbins, Colonel, Barbara, these are my parents, Carlos and Lucia Torres."
The four older adults shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before everyone's attention turned to Arizona. Callie took a pale hand in her own and pulled Arizona to stand beside her, "And this is Dr. Arizona Robbins. Arizona, these are my parents."
"My goodness dear, you are even more beautiful in person." Lucia said. She offered her hand and Arizona shook it gently but firmly.
"Thank you Mrs. Torres. I have to thank my mom for that." Arizona replied with a blush to her pale cheeks.
"It's good to finally meet you, Dr. Robbins. My colleague's granddaughter followed your protocol and she is recovering nicely. She was even able to go back to school for the first time since her diagnosis." Carlos said. He still wasn't sure what to think of this whole situation and if he was honest, he would pay to have Arizona removed from his daughter's life. Not as in killing her, nothing that drastic but maybe paying her off. It was still something he was considering, but that didn't mean he didn't respect her professionally. He had done a lot of research on Dr. Arizona Robbins in the past month and he hated to admit it but he would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed.
"I am very glad to hear that Mr. Torres. And please, call me Arizona."
"Callie, dear, what happened to your face?" Lucia asked, suddenly noting the bruising on her left cheek and around her eye. The foundation had covered the worst of it but some bruising had still shown through.
"Little Arizona hit her, that one, she was out for blood." Barbara replied and all the color drained from Arizona's face as Carlos and Lucia fixed their eyes on her with a death glare. Realizing her mistake, Barbara corrected herself, "The little girl down the street is a little spitfire like Arizona was so we like to refer to her as Arizona Junior, AJ for short or little Arizona. The adult kids had a snowball fight with the kid kids and the kid kids won. I'm afraid Callie was a casualty."
"But Arizona cleaned it thoroughly and stitched me right up."
"I wanted her to go to the hospital for x-rays and maybe a CT but Calliope is quite stubborn." Arizona replied, trying to get the image of her hitting Callie out of their heads.
"Shall we all sit? I am borderline hangry." Barbara replied with a little laugh.
"Then we should definitely sit dear. No one wants to see my wife hangry." Daniel replied with a smile as he held out the chair for his wife for her to sit. Callie beat Arizona to it and pulled the chair out for her causing Arizona to give her a bit of a side eye. She knew Arizona wanted to impress her parents but she wanted to show her parents that she was going to take care of Arizona, she was her priority tonight.
Carlos ordered an expensive bottle of the wine for the table and then he and Daniel each ordered a beer that the waiter recommended. Arizona stuck with water because if she was honest, she wanted a few shots of tequila and the whole damn bottle of wine to chase it with and if she went down that road, she surely would not impress Mr. or Mrs. Torres, except maybe with her skills of projectile vomiting. Callie poured a healthy helping of wine to her own glass deciding that a little bit of liquid courage might be in order for the night. They all ordered their meals and an awkward silence fell.
"So, Lucia, what is it that you do?" Barbara asked the woman sitting next to her, attempting polite small talk. Callie was across from her mom and Arizona was sitting directly in the line of fire across from the piercing blue eyes of Carlos Torres who slightly unnerved her.
"I am a lawyer. Mostly I deal with immigration and family law. That's what I enjoy doing the most. I don't take many cases anymore though, I mostly teach law now at the University of Miami."
"Wow, that sounds incredibly interesting."
"It sounds much more interesting than it is." Lucia replied with a smile, "So, what do you do Barbara?"
"Well now that my children are all grown up, I spend a lot more time taking assignments as a freelance journalist and photographer. I was mostly a military wife and mom when the kids were little but photography has always been my passion. When the kids were a little older I took a few jobs here and there."
"She's being modest. My mom is an amazing photographer. She spent some time in Africa when I was about ten taking photos for a magazine that hired her. She won all kinds of awards for her photos on that trip. It's what inspired me to want to open a clinic for women and children in Africa."
"You never told me that." Barbara said, turning to Arizona.
"That's because I was a stinker and mad at you for not taking me with you."
"It's true, Barbara, I've seen some of the photos you've taken and they are beautiful." Callie replied. She kept her left hand firmly grasped in Arizona's right hand.
"And you're a military man?" Carlos asked, turning the focus to Daniel as he noted Barbara's discomfort in the limelight.
"Yes sir. Followed in my grandfather's footsteps. My dad chose to work the family farm along with my older brother but the rest of the men in my family have all been marines. With the exception of my son who joined the army after graduating from Westpoint."
"You never considered the military, Dr. Robbins."
"It's Arizona, please. And no, I never considered it. I have so much respect for the military and I think it would be a great honor to serve. But it also comes with a grave responsibility, one that I knew I wasn't able to shoulder so I chose to be a doctor. I wanted to serve my country in a different way."
"That's very admirable." Lucia commented.
"Our Arizona used to cry when her brother killed the spiders that terrified her. Daniel taught her how to shoot a gun on the farm with the boys but she has never liked guns. I can't imagine Arizona ever being a soldier, she was born to heal people." Barbara replied with obvious pride. Arizona flushed deeper and took a giant sip of water.
"So, Carlos, Callie tells us that you and your daughter, Aria just opened some hotels in Europe. That is exciting." Barbara said, turning her attention back to Callie's family.
"Yes, we did. I'm very proud of Aria. She was a bit of a party girl, unlike Calliope. I think we all thought she would just be another trust fund brat but then she buckled down and finished her business degree with honors and she has been such a success in the business. I always planned on Calliope taking over the family business but she too decided she wanted to help people by being a doctor. I've never been disappointed with her choosing to be a doctor over taking over the family business though."
"Even if she hadn't become a doctor, she wouldn't have taken over the business, Carlos. You and I both know she would have attended Juilliard."
"Juilliard?" Arizona asked, looking at her girlfriend as if she were a complete stranger.
"Oh yes, we've heard Callie sing, she is very talented. She made me cry." Barbara replied.
"She sang in front of you?" Lucia asked in bewilderment.
"My parents and siblings may have bullied her into it." Arizona replied, placing a hand on Callie's shoulder as she remembered the panic in her girlfriend's face just before she got up and wowed the entire karaoke bar.
"I didn't want to break a Robbins tradition." Callie replied.
"So, Juilliard?" Arizona asked, forgetting the other four people at the table.
"I was accepted but I chose medical school as that was my passion and I couldn't perform without vomiting or passing out from fear."
"Our Calliope is very talented. Though I'm surprised she did sing for all of you."
"I'm very comfortable with them, daddy, they've welcomed me into their family and been so very kind to me." Callie replied with a giant smile on her face. Their food arrived and silence followed as everyone began eating their meals.
"They aren't your family though." Lucia said suddenly, shocking everyone with her breach of silence.
"Well not by blood, no, but she's important enough to Arizona that she brought her to meet us. That means Callie is now important to us too. And I have to say, you have raised a lovely daughter." Barbara replied. "It is our pleasure to welcome Callie into our home and family."
"I just don't understand."
"Lucia…" Carlos whispered. They had discussed this and decided to be cordial at dinner with "the woman" and her parents. The dinner was simply a means to wage the situation and to meet the Robbins. They wanted to see what kind of people they were and how serious their daughter was with this ridiculous notion.
"You don't understand what Mami?" Callie asked, tossing her napkin on her plate and grabbing Arizona's hand that she had released moments ago to allow the blonde to eat. She squeezed it tightly, for comfort but mostly to ensure the blonde didn't run.
"You seem like such normal people, lovely even. And this woman is so beautiful, she's a doctor, smart, caring, and seemingly normal. It seems like she had a good and normal upbringing. I just don't understand how you can condone and support this sort of behavior." Lucia said.
"Who is to say that this isn't "normal"? We want our children to be happy and healthy, what more do I need to know? I've had the pleasure of seeing the love between these two over the past week and Callie is all I could ask for in a partner for my daughter." Barbara replied, trying to keep the conversation going and to have it remain civil.
"Callie has been afforded everything life has to offer. She's not used to hearing no, especially from my husband but we have tried so hard to understand this one thing. She's spoiled and used to getting her own way. Callie, I'm sorry to tell you but our answer this time is no."
"No to what Mami? I didn't ask you a question."
"No to this lifestyle. No to this woman."
"This woman has a name, it's Arizona. Not Miss Robbins not Dr. Robbins, Arizona. And she is my girlfriend. I love her, you can't tell me no to that."
"Calliope, please." Arizona whispered looking at Callie with a tearful and pleading gaze. She didn't want to make a scene.
"I'm sorry Arizona. I'm so sorry. And I'm sorry to both of you. Barbara, Daniel, you have both been so accepting and loving and I can't thank you enough." Callie said.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Callie." Daniel said as he stared down her parents.
"What are you saying?" Arizona asked Callie, fearing the worst.
"I'm saying I'm sorry for my parent's behavior. I'm sorry for their judgement and their bigotry. It's not how I was raised and not who I thought I was raised by but then again, that was mostly Nonna and our nannies raising us, wasn't it?"
"Calliope, enough." Carlos said, slamming his fist on the table bringing everyone's attention to him. "Your mother and I weren't going to do this here but what's done is done. Calliope, you have a choice to make. You can remain friends with Dr. Robbins and maintain a professional relationship with her or you can continue with this little stunt and lose our financial support."
"Financial support?" Arizona asked in bewilderment.
"Yes, Miss Robbins. Does it still seem appealing to you, this thing between the two of you when there's no money to be gained? See our daughter has a trust fund and shares in the family business. Her apartment, expenses, school, extravagant hotel rooms in Spain have all been paid for by us and our family's money. If she wants to continue this abomination then she will do it without our financial backing." Lucia replied with a hard glare at Arizona.
"Do you think money is going to make me leave Arizona?"
"Not at all, Mija. I think Arizona will leave you if you are without your money." Carlos replied.
"Now you wait one minute. Don't you dare insult my daughter." Daniel said, rising from his seat. Carlos stood as well but Daniel towered over him. Barbara then stood, her usual bright blue eyes dark and stormy. She placed a comforting arm around Callie and a protective one around her daughter both of which remained seated along with Lucia.
"I'm not with Calliope for her money, sir. I didn't even know she had a trust fund until this very conversation."
"I don't anymore, Arizona." Callie replied, shooting daggers at her parents.
"Callie, please just think about this, Mija." Lucia pleaded.
"There's nothing to think about. I'm not choosing between my parents and the person I love, which by the way, Arizona would never ask me to do. I am choosing myself. Because this isn't a stunt or a phase, this is who I am. And I want Arizona in my life forever but if for some reason it doesn't work out between us, then I will still date other women. Arizona is not the enemy here. You think that forcing her out of my life will change things but it won't because this is who I am. By rejecting her, you are also rejecting me, don't you see that? And Arizona is the sweetest, kindest, most loyal and protective person that I have ever met. She doesn't deserve this. You aren't even giving her a chance and I am so disappointed in you."
"Disappointed in us?" Carlos asked in disbelief.
"I have to agree with Callie. I am disappointed in both of you. I am a man who spent my whole life around redneck farmers and military personnel. "Don't ask, don't tell" was our motto. But when my little girl came to me and told me that she was a lesbian and she would marry a woman someday, it broke my heart. Not because she was gay but because I could see that she was scared of how I was going to respond. Somehow I had given her the impression that I wouldn't bend for her, my little girl, the person that got in trouble for beating up playground bullies in her big brother's defense and nursed injured frogs back to life. Loving Arizona and supporting her has been one of the greatest joys in my life. I won't stand by and let you disrespect her." Daniel replied. Arizona became emotional over her dad's speech. She stood and placed a hand on her dad's arm, squeezing it gently. The two Torres women also stood. Callie continued her tight grip on Arizona's hand, now in view of all eyes.
"Dad…" Arizona whispered.
"No Zozo, it's not ok. What they're saying about you, presuming about you, that's as unGodlike as a person can get. And cutting off their child, it's unforgivable." Daniel replied, puffing out his chest but his voice was soft, he wouldn't make a scene for Arizona and Callie's sake.
"Who are you to judge us and our beliefs?" Carlos asked.
"I'm not judging anything, you have shown me who you are." Daniel replied.
"Please, I don't want anyone to fight over this. And I don't want Calliope to lose her family. Can we please just all sit down and talk like adults?" Arizona pleaded. Daniel backed up and took the lead, sitting back in his seat. Arizona followed him as did Barbara but the three Torres' remained standing.
"She isn't losing her family Miss Robbins, she's losing her family fortune." Lucia replied coolly.
"I don't think there's anything further to discuss, Mija. We can talk more once we are in Miami. The plane leaves at three, be there." Carlos said.
"I won't be there." Callie replied.
"It isn't a request, you will be there. We have much to discuss and your abuela and nonna are waiting to see you." Carlos said.
"Callie…" Arizona said, trying to diffuse the situation. She knew the Latina was furious but underneath it all she was devastated.
"Arizona, just don't." Callie whispered. She didn't want to hear the blonde defending her parent's actions or trying to talk her into making amends with them right now.
"Three pm at Logan, Calliope, I mean it." Carlos said before he helped his wife into her coat and the two left the restaurant without so much as a goodbye to the Robbins.
"I'm going to go get the car." Daniel said, needing a moment to cool off.
"Callie dear, are you ok? Of course you're not ok, that was a dumb question. What can I do?" Barbara rambled and it was so like Arizona that it caused her to laugh.
"Oddly enough, I'm ok. I've been so worried about what they would say or think or do and now I know so it's like this weight has been lifted. I'm sad for Arizona that they weren't as wonderful to her as you have been to me but it's also a relief knowing where they stand even though it's disappointing."
"Callie, they think I'm after your trust fund. A trust fund that I didn't even know about." Arizona replied in disbelief. "Were you afraid to tell me because you thought that's what I would care about?"
"I'm going to go find Daniel. I'll give you two a moment alone." Barbara said. She gave Callie's arm a comforting squeeze before she moved on to her daughter and hugged her tightly, knowing how hurt she would be by all of this before she left to find her husband.
"Arizona, I would never think that. I can't believe you think I would even go there."
"Well why did you lie then?"
"I didn't lie, I really didn't think about it and then when I did I was worried about what you would think. Despite my family's money and the fact that I've never financially struggled, I've earned everything I have achieved and I didn't want that clouded by my privileged upbringing. I'm really sorry that you found out this way and I'm so sorry my parents accused you of being with me for my money."
"You lied by omission. Are you worried about that? Do you think I'm after your money?"
"Not in the slightest. You didn't even know, Arizona. But if you did, I still wouldn't be worried, I know you and I trust you."
"Come on, let's go home." Arizona replied, not wanting to stand in this restaurant a second longer. A thought then occurred to her, everyone had left but no one had paid the bill, "Actually, you go on, I'm going to use the bathroom real quick."
"I can wait."
"No, it's ok, I'll only be a moment." Arizona replied.
"Ok." Callie said, feeling slightly unsure about leaving the blonde but figuring she might just need a moment to herself. She kissed her gently on the cheek and Arizona helped her into her leather jacket before Callie left the restaurant in search of Arizona's parents. Once the Latina was gone, Arizona flagged down the waiter and paid for the mostly untouched food everyone had ordered. As she waited for her credit card, she sat at the table lost in thought.
"Oh, I thought you would have been gone by now." The voice caused Arizona's head to jerk up and her body to tense. Callie's parents stood before her.
"They went to get the car, I'm just waiting…"Arizona didn't want them to see she had paid the bill but as usual, when you don't want something to happen it does so naturally, the waiter returned with her card at that exact moment. She signed quickly and left a ridiculous tip as she grabbed her card and stood to leave, avoiding eye contact.
"Did you pay the bill? We intended to pay but left in a hurry. We realized our mistake halfway to the hotel."
"My family isn't as well off as yours but we wouldn't leave without paying the bill." Arizona replied quietly. She was more than uncomfortable and her anger was growing. "Have a good night Mr. and Mrs. Torres."
Arizona stood to walk past them to the door but was blocked by Lucia. "Miss Robbins, I'm sorry about tonight. It really is nothing personal against you."
"I actually think it's very personal." Arizona replied, looking up and meeting both of Callie's parents eyes. "Callie is personal to me."
"I don't know you well enough to talk about her. We're not going to do that," Carlos replied, stiffening his spine.
"Most people think I was named for the state, but that's not true. I was named for a battleship, the U.S.S. Arizona. My great grandfather was serving on the U.S.S. Arizona when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and he saved nineteen men before he drowned. Pretty much everything my grandfather, father, and uncles have done their whole life has been about honoring that sacrifice. I was raised to be a good man in a storm. My father raised me to love my country, to love my family, and to protect the things I love. So when my father, Colonel Daniel Robbins of the United States Marine Corp learned that I was a lesbian, he said he had just one question for me. I was prepared for, "How fast can you get the hell out of my house?" But instead he said, "Are you still the person I raised you to be?" My father believes in country the way you believe in God. And my father is not a man who bends, but he bent for me because I am his daughter. I'm a good man in a storm. I love your daughter and I protect the things I love. Not that I need to. She doesn't need it. She's strong and caring and honorable. And she's who you raised her to be." Arizona said, fighting back tears, damn authority issues. She didn't wait for a response, she pushed her way between the two of them and made her way to the exit as quickly as possible.
"What took so long?" Callie asked as Arizona climbed in beside her.
"Women's room, babe. I was about ready to jump ship and use the men's room but I have no idea how to use a urinal and I really did not need to end this night by seeing a penis." Arizona rambled. She was a terrible liar but rambling sometimes worked in her favor. She worked on bringing her heart rate down as the other three occupants of the vehicle laughed.
"Just a moment." Carlos called out, slightly confused by the knocking on the door of his hotel suite. Lucia was still in the bathroom getting ready for breakfast, maybe room service was early he thought as he walked to the door and opened it to find piercing blue eyes staring back at him.
"Good morning Mr. Torres. I won't keep you long but if you would invite me in, I have something important I would like to discuss with you and your wife."
"Excuse me, of course, please, come in Mrs. Robbins." Carlos said, stepping aside to let the woman in. Unlike his wife who would no doubt be immaculately dressed even at this hour of the day, the blonde woman wore jeans, sneakers, and a puffy winter coat. Always the gentlemen, Carlos sprung into action, only showing his surprise at the intrusion for a moment.
"May I take your coat for you?" Carlos asked.
"Thank you, that would be nice." Barbara said, allowing the man to help her remove her coat and hang it on a hook on the coat rack on the opposite side of the door. "Is Mrs. Torres here? I'd like to speak with both of you."
"I will go get her, she is just in the restroom getting ready for breakfast. Please, take a seat, I won't be long."
"No, that's alright, I prefer to stand. What I have to say will only take a minute."
"Suit yourself." Carlos said before he disappeared to fetch his wife. Barbara looked around the penthouse suite that the Torres family owned. It hadn't been hard to figure out which hotel they were staying at once she knew they owned a hotel in Boston. She had snuck out early that morning, leaving a note that she had a doctor appointment and then would go grocery shopping to cover what she was really doing. She stood admiring a piece of art hung on the wall, lost in her thoughts when a clearing of a throat alerted her that Carlos, along with his wife, had returned to the room.
"What can we do for you Mrs. Robbins?" Lucia asked.
"Do you remember the first time you held Callie?" Barbara asked.
"Of course I do." Lucia replied, slightly taken aback by the abruptness and subject of the question.
"Proudest moment of my life." Carlos answered only a split second after his wife.
"Do you know who is holding her now?" She asked. They both stared at her, unsure what to say or where this was going. "My daughter is at this very moment, holding your very hurt daughter. And she has been since last night. My daughter is holding your daughter because Callie is devastated and hasn't stopped crying since we returned home from dinner last night. She tried to hide it from myself and Daniel but I can see the devastation on both of their faces. My daughter protects the things she loves, it's how we raised her, it's who we raised her to be. She is at this very moment, protecting Callie from the very people who gave her life and vowed to protect her the day she was born."
"That's preposterous. Calliope doesn't need protection from us, we're her parents."
"We are trying to protect our daughter from going to hell. Your daughter seems like a lovely person but if you truly loved her, you would have set her straight when she was a child. Now she's corrupted my daughter. And they are both damned to hell." Lucia added. Barbara flinched at her words, knowing from Arizona's account of what happened that Mr. Altman had said something very similar to Arizona. She spoke calmly but Barbara could tell her anger was bubbling below the surface.
"Then act like parents. Whatever your beliefs are regarding your religion shouldn't outweigh your beliefs about who your daughter is. Your daughter is strong, kind, stubborn, and selfless and that's just what I've gathered from spending a week with her. I know she loves my daughter fiercely and vice versa. She fell in love with the person my daughter is, not her gender. Do you know how many people my daughter has brought home to us?" Barbara asked. Callie's parents both shook their heads no so Barbara continued.
"One. Callie is the first person Arizona has brought home to us. Even her first girlfriend, Andi was never introduced to us as her girlfriend even though we knew she was. Arizona has always put others' needs before her own, even as a child. She is special and being gay adds to what makes her special, it doesn't take from it. I really hope you find it in your hearts to accept Callie. I had friends once that were a lot like you, Catholic, respected in the community, doting parents to two daughters and they lost everything. They buried one daughter, the one they couldn't accept and therefore, she took her own life. The other one they lost because they couldn't bend for her sister, their hatred drove her away. I have seen their grief and lived through my own as well as my daughter's. Please don't make the same mistake. I assure you, you will lose your daughter if you do."
"Are you done?" Lucia asked, not wanting to hear more.
"Almost, just one more thing. You may be wealthy, powerful people but you do not want to cross me. Arizona has been through enough. It took her a long time to recover from the physical, mental, and emotional scars that were inflicted on her by Andi's parents. She's finally trusting someone. She's happy and healthy, always smiling, laughing, and perky like she always has been. My Arizona is back, she found herself again. She did that on her own but Callie has definitely helped her with that final piece. I will be damned if I will let anyone take that from her. Cross my daughter again and it will be me you have to answer to."
"Is that a threat?" Carlos asked.
"No Mr. Torres, it's a promise." Barbara replied, staring him directly in the eye before she turned and left the two Torres' in complete disbelief.
At 2:45 that afternoon, Carlos and Lucia stood from their seats in the terminal that housed their private jet. Carlos looked at his watch one last time and stood, "She's not coming."
"Maybe it's for the best if we all have some time to cool down." Lucia replied. She had heard Daniel, Barbara, and Arizona's speeches and though she wasn't ready yet, she also couldn't help but think about their words obsessively and consider what they were saying. She just needed some more time.
"You were always telling me I'm too soft with them. First Aria with her drinking and flirting with every boy she came across and now Calliope doing this to us." Carlos said, his anger growing as he paced in front of his wife.
"I'm not doing anything to you, daddy. I just want to be happy." Callie said, halting her father's pacing and causing her mother to stand.
"Callie, you came." Lucia whispered as if her daughter would disappear if she spoke too loudly.
"You can thank Arizona for that. I didn't want to come but she convinced me that I should. She defended you after everything you said and accused her of. She told me that I should give you time. She's never had a boyfriend, her parents weren't surprised by her dating women or bringing me home to them but you have had twenty nine years of me being with men and this must feel like I've pulled the rug out from under you. It must feel like I've changed but the truth is, Arizona isn't the first woman I've been attracted to. She's not even the first woman I've kissed but she is the first person that I have seen spending the rest of my life with. I know I was engaged to Albert Blake and you adored him and everything he stood for, I thought I did too but now that I've had Arizona in my life, I know I was never in love with him. I was in love with the idea of being in love and having the life you always wanted for me. So, because of Arizona, I will give you some time to absorb this and to adjust before I write you off."
"Write us off?" Carlos asked.
"That's right, daddy. I don't want to lose you but if I have to choose between losing you or losing myself, I will choose to be true to myself. Arizona has already offered to be only my friend and colleague despite the fact that it would break both of our hearts. But she loves me enough to let me go and she loves me enough to support me and allow me to make my own choices without giving me an ultimatum. She did that even though I lied to her, even though I unintentionally hurt her because that is who she is. She did that despite how you treated her. She's amazing and I told her no by the way. I don't care if I am broke, I can live without money. And I could live without Arizona if I had to but I wouldn't be living, I'd just be existing and I want more than that for myself. So, Arizona is here to stay, as long as she will have me."
"We need to get going or we will miss the flight, can we continue this on the way to Miami?" Lucia asked, her eyes full of tears. All these speeches were starting to break her down.
"I'm not getting on that plane." Callie said.
"Don't be ridiculous, of course you are, Mija."
"No daddy, I'm not. I'm giving you time to process and hopefully find a way to accept me but I am still so angry and disappointed at the way you treated Arizona and her parents. I also need time to forgive you. I have, however, been very much looking forward to seeing Aria, Nonna, Abuela, Constantina, Bruno, and both of you. I've looked forward to going home and being in Miami. Something that once again, Arizona helped me see. So, she bought me a plane ticket on a commercial line to Miami. Aria is picking me up from the airport and I will be staying with Aria at her apartment for now. My flight leaves at 6:05 tonight so I will be in Miami before 9pm with the time change."
"Callie, you don't need to take a commercial flight, the family jet is already here." Lucia said, feeling sad and slightly ashamed.
"I know I had previously made arrangements to use the family jet but I thought under the circumstances that wouldn't be wise. This flight cost Arizona a lot of money on such short notice and it is the only way I am agreeing to go to Miami. You're lucky my girlfriend is loving, forgiving, and rational. I'll see you both tomorrow. I'm going to go have dinner with Arizona before my flight leaves. I just wanted to tell you that I'm not coming with you. Have a safe flight." Callie said before she turned and walked away. Her parents stood and watched her walk away, a heavy sigh leaving her father and a sob leaving her mother. Carlos wrapped his arms around Lucia and led them both to the gate where they would board their plane to fly home without their daughter.
AN 2: I know, I'm sorry. It kind of broke my heart to write that chapter. But even though this is AU, it's reality and Callie's family didn't readily accept her on the show. In light of Pride next month, I just wanted to write something that many LGBTQ+ experience. Remember that even though parades and events have been canceled, Pride has not been. I still have not decided how her family will respond in the future but for now, this is their response. I hope you aren't too upset with it but if you are, it's ok, I'm upset by it too. Take care :)