AN: I'm not sure how this is already at chapter twenty seven. Thank you all for your continued support and reviews, I truly appreciate them. The reviews for the last chapter were mixed but some of you really are not Arizona fans, I can see. Which is completely ok. While I think both Callie and Arizona have flaws, I want you to keep in mind that a lot of times, these are Arizona's private thoughts and insecurities, not things she says aloud or to Callie. With that being said, this is also her first real relationship in years and she's bound to have some insecure and immature moments. My hope is that over time, you will see her growth. She's human, not meant to be perfect. I want this story to feel authentic and I know I personally have insecure thoughts and am guilty of overthinking all the time. So we are entering into the heart of the story, it's going to be kind of dark and frowny for a while, life isn't all rainbows and sunshine. I'm giving fair warning in case that isn't for you but as I've said all along, I believe in happy endings. You may think you know where I'm headed with this, maybe you're right, maybe you're not but I hope you trust the process.
Also, I want to point out that while I can understand a lot of Spanish and even speak a bit, I am no where near fluent and I am much better at reading it and hearing it than writing it or speaking it. I don't know any Italian at all so the languages are from help from friends and google translate when they weren't available to double check it.
I'm really sorry about the delay, I know I warned you but I hate making you wait. I know how it feels. When will all my favorite stories get updated?! I understand the feeling. Hope this brightens your day a little. Happy reading :)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Arizona
"Callita!" Arizona heard a female voice shout as she saw a short, plump woman approach them. She had the same small blue eyes as Carlos and Arizona knew immediately that this must be Callie's Abuela, Maria.
"Hola, Abuela. I want you to meet someone special to me. This is Arizona Robbins. Arizona, this is my Abuela, Maria Iphegenia Torres."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Torres."
"It's Maria or Abuela. And the pleasure is all mine." Maria said, then turned to her granddaughter and spoke to her in Spanish causing Callie to blush furiously and whisper shout, "Abuelita!" to which Maria just cackled loudly and led them into the house.
"What did she say to you?" Arizona whispered, unable to pick up on the rapid Spanish. She could tell Callie did not want to say but she also could tell that Callie knew the blonde was not about to let it go. She was intrigued by whatever had made the tan Latina flush such a deep red.
"She said she would turn gay too if a pretty girl like you was interested in her." Callie replied. Arizona didn't know whether or not she should laugh but she found it quite amusing that Callie was now at the brunt of family humiliation. It was about time if you asked her. And she knew she was going to love watching Callie interact with her grandmothers.
"Callita, vamos, tu Nonna esta esperando aqui!" Maria shouted from somewhere further back in the house.
"Come on, Nonna is waiting for us." Callie said, grabbing Arizona's hand.
"Nipotina, mi ha portato alla tua bellissima fidanzata." Nonna said. She rarely spoke Italian with company around but it came out when she was excited or mad. (Introduce me to your beautiful girlfriend).
"Calmati due prima di spaventarla." Callie replied in Italian, knowing Spanish and Italian were enough alike and Maria had been around Nonna long enough that they both understood her. (Calm down you two before you scare her away). "And can we please speak in English? Arizona is fluent in French and even speaks a few words of German, Japanese, and Swahili but not Spanish or Italian."
"Si, we will speak English." Maria agreed with a smile.
"Now, to introduce you to the beautiful girl," Callie said, paraphrasing for Arizona, "Nonna, this is Arizona Robbins, Arizona, this is my Nonna, Aria Sophie Bianchi Alvarez."
"It is so very nice to meet you Mrs. Alvarez."
"Please, call me Nonna. It gets confusing when people call me Aria with my granddaughter around, only Maria calls me that. And Mrs. Alvarez is much too formal for family." Nonna said, pulling Arizona in for a tight hug. Unlike Maria, Nonna was taller than Arizona but her hug was just as tight. Nonna turned to Maria and said, "Maria, avevi ragione, e bellissima."
"She called you beautiful." Callie said, translating to Arizona, "Nonna, Abuela, English please. You're going to make her even more nervous if you keep talking about her in Spanish and Italian."
"Calliope, I didn't know you spoke Italian. And I don't mind them speaking in Italian and Spanish, I will just have to learn it." Arizona replied with a smile.
"She grew up speaking Spanish and Italian. English is actually her third language. She was always so smart, she picked up languages with ease. She even spoke some Portuguese when she was little just from interacting with the neighbors. Always a bright child that one. " Nonna replied with a wave of her hand as she turned back to her task in the kitchen. Arizona looked at Callie and smiled at her, that was something she hadn't known but found extremely sexy.
"What can I help with?" Arizona asked.
"Oh no, you are our guest. Tonight, you just sit there and look pretty for us and watch. Next time, you help." Maria said. Callie sat down next to Arizona but as her grandmothers turned around and saw this, Callie was swatted with dish towels.
"Callie, what do you think you're doing? You're not a guest, you're helping tonight."
"Besides, apparently you're not feeding her enough. She's too skinny, Callita. We need to fatten her up, get some meat on those curves." Maria said. Callie rested her head in her hands as a deep flush appeared over her tan cheeks. She only rested for a moment though as a new physical assault started and Maria shouted, "Mueve tu trasero, Callita."
"Abuelita!" Callie shouted. Arizona just laughed at their antics. Callie whispered in her ear, "she just told me to move my ass" which only caused the blonde to giggle more.
"Does Callie cook for you, dear?" Nonna asked.
"She has a couple of times. Chicken piccata, which I love. But we've spent most of our time together in Afghanistan so she really hasn't had the opportunity."
"Well, Maria is right, Callie needs to take better care of you. You clearly aren't getting enough to eat."
"Nonna, you should see the way she eats. She can eat a whole dozen donuts in one sitting. Don't let her blonde hair, big blue eyes, and tiny frame fool you." Callie said as she chopped up mushrooms for the chicken marsala they were making.
"Callie, the lies you tell." Arizona teased with fake hurt and a smile.
"Callita, really, how are you going to get her to marry you if you don't cook for her?"
"Afghanistan, Abuela." Callie replied in an exasperated voice. Arizona giggled some more. She felt completely at home with Callie's grandmothers, her earlier tension and trepidation had disappeared completely.
"Where's Aria and the rest of our guests?" Nonna asked, thinking they had probably ribbed their granddaughter enough.
"She's giving them a tour of the house. Arizona wanted to meet you first though. I will show her the house after dinner."
"Arizona, Callie tells us that you're a pediatric surgeon."
"Yes ma'am."
"And is that what you've always wanted to do?"
"Well I think when I was like four I had aspirations of becoming a cowgirl astronaut but after I realized that wasn't a likely combination I quickly switched to being a doctor. As a preteen I think is when I really got interested in surgery. I was the weird girl in science class that liked doing dissections and I excelled in school but science classes were always my favorite. I didn't discover my love of peds until I was an intern though."
"Just like our Callita. She wanted to be a princess veterinarian, I think it was when she was about three or four." Maria laughed. "She was so cute. Una nina tan gordita."
"I was not fat!" Callie shouted with a pout on her face.
"Si, bambina, lo eri." Nonna replied with her own sly smile.
"Was not."
"Do you have pictures?" Arizona asked.
"Si." Nonna replied, abandoning her post, she grabbed Arizona by the hand and pulled her into the living room. On the bookshelf sat a family photo album. She handed it to Arizona and led her back to the kitchen. Nonna flipped through several pages before she landed on one and stopped and pointed for Arizona.
Arizona smiled as she saw a baby dressed in a white christening gown with Calliope scrawled carefully across the bottom of the gown in pink hand stitching. Her black hair stood up everywhere and Arizona couldn't help but smile at the beautiful chubby baby. She flipped through the pages and saw page after page of a chubby, olive skinned, black haired baby, then toddler, and then preschooler. She saw the addition of Aria who was also quite the chubster Arizona thought with a smile. At this point, Callie was around four she would guess and she was no longer chubby. She had started to get that long, lean look that preschoolers get and she had long, black hair and big brown eyes.
"Carlos and Lucia had chubby babies." Maria replied, pointing to Aria.
"You were both so cute." Arizona replied with a giant dimpled smile on her face.
"Oh my goodness, look at those dimples." Nonna replied, smiling at Arizona.
"Oh Nipotina, I see what Aria was saying now."
"What was Aria saying?" Arizona asked.
"Nothing! Just annoying little sister stuff." Callie replied, wanting to avoid a second baby discussion with her Nonna in one week.
Just then, Aria led the rest of the group into the kitchen. Introductions were had all around. They shared small talk for a short time and Teddy filled Arizona in on the rooftop hot tub, fireplace, and bar. She turned to Callie to see if all of that was true and she smiled and nodded her head shyly. "Wow" she mouthed to Teddy out of Callie's line of sight.
"Can we help you ladies with anything?" Timothy asked, making both Arizona and Callie smile at the thought that Tim was on his best behavior on his very petite little sister's orders.
"If you would like to set the table on the patio, that would be lovely." Nonna said, pointing to the cupboard that held the plates while Aria gathered silverware. Teddy was put to work grabbing iced tea and lemonade pitchers and filling glasses. Everytime Arizona asked for a project they declined saying she was the guest of honor, they instructed her to sit and look pretty. She continued flipping through the photo album, elementary school Callie with missing front teeth, preteen Callie with braces and her famous Torres glare, a teenage Callie at a school dance, Callie winning the science fair, Callie on a horse, and Callie at graduation. It was clear she was a very loved, beautiful, and gifted child. Arizona couldn't help but smile as she got insight into Callie's childhood.
"You had a lovely childhood." Arizona said as Callie came around the breakfast bar and kissed Arizona on the side of the head.
"I really did."
"So did I. Even though it wasn't always perfect because we moved so much, I got to see the world and experience so much that most children, heck, most adults don't get to experience. And my parents were always so involved, especially my mom."
"Dinner is just about done." Maria announced. The group came back in and left again with their hands full of fresh bread and salad.
"Where all did you live growing up?" Nonna asked.
"Oh, let's see if I can remember. I was born in Missouri, then we moved to South Carolina when I was around one. Then Japan, Arizona, the state, Germany, France, New York, Hawaii, then Bridgeport, California up in the mountains, then San Diego, California, and then I graduated high school in Boston. I went to college and med school in Baltimore and that's where I currently live. Well, when I'm not in Afghanistan and Malawi. But obviously I will be moving to Seattle as soon as I return."
"Wow." Nonna replied.
"I didn't know you lived in all of those places." Callie said in amazement. "Hawaii, really?"
"Yep." Arizona replied with a dimpled smile.
"Mom and Dad were stationed in Missouri when Tim and I were both born but dad was reassigned to South Carolina not long after. Mom, Tim, and I stayed in Missouri for a while. The Altmans and Gilberts were both stationed in Missouri at the time and my grandparents were there to help. Mom had her hands full with a one and a half year old and a new baby."
"I can imagine." Callie replied.
"Dinner time." Maria announced as she pulled the chicken, roasted potatoes, peppers, and onions off the stove.
The large group sat around the table. Maria said grace as they all held hands. The food was amazing and Arizona informed Callie that she would be making this dish for her again. They took their time eating and telling stories. Tim and Nick kept their stories PG and grandparent appropriate but Maria and Nonna thrived on embarrassing their granddaughters in front of their guests. Everyone helped clean up and Arizona and Teddy insisted on doing the dishes. Maria and Nonna insisted Aria help and Callie laughed at the image of her sister doing dishes, something she had probably never done a day in her life. After assuring Callie that they didn't require her help, she led Jared, Nick, and Tim to the pool house so they could change. Maria and Nonna made a pitcher of Margaritas and carried them out to the pool just as the girls were finishing the dishes.
Everyone congregated at the pool and an epic chicken fight battle broke out between Aria and Jared and Tim and Teddy. Arizona, Callie, and Nick sat on the edge of the pool and cheered. With both Teddy and Tim being taller than Jared and Aria, they did not have gravity on their side and Aria was able to knock Teddy off quickly and rather viciously. Abuela and Nonna cheered from their spot in the shade, both several margaritas in at this point. Callie looked over her shoulder and smiled at them. She never would have thought either woman would ever drink let alone get drunk but she was beyond happy to see them enjoying life.
"What do you say Phoenix, should we challenge them?" Nick asked.
"Nahh, you and Teddy go ahead." Arizona replied, shoving Nick into the pool.
"Go on, babe, I kinda want to see this." Callie said with a sly smile.
"Alright."
"Yes! Nzone is back, baby." Nick shouted.
"Nzone?" Callie asked as Tim and Teddy joined her on the side of the pool.
"Kinda like Calzona. It's what they used to call themselves as kids when they were teamed together. Once they were "married" they were always a team for that whole year." Teddy giggled in remembrance, "Tim was so mad that Arizona stole his best friend and even at that age, Andi was jealous."
"Should I be?" Callie asked quietly.
"On Arizona's part, absolutely not. And Nick would never hurt her or force himself on her but I really do think he's in love with her." Teddy replied honestly.
"I thought so too but Arizona doesn't see it."
"That's partially because she doesn't see him that way and partially because she doesn't want to see it."
"Go babe!" Callie yelled suddenly as she saw Arizona lifted onto Nick's shoulders. The two teams were squaring off. Aria, always the aggressor, was on offense, forcing Arizona to defend herself. Callie stopped paying attention to what was happening as her eyes fixated on the toned abs of Arizona and the perky breasts covered by her royal blue bikini top. This bikini wasn't quite as skimpy as the red one she had worn in Spain and Callie was simultaneously disappointed and grateful as she realized encouraging this meant that Nick had his hands high up on Arizona's bare thighs and his head between her legs.
Arizona could feel Callie's eyes on her but she remained focused on Aria. She was good but Arizona noticed her weakness right away. Being aggressive can only get you so far. After she let her get a bit tired from lunging at her, she waited for the next lunge and instead of playing defense again like Aria expected, Arizona lunged back and knocked her hard in the side, throwing Jared off balance and Aria was dropped into the pool. Nick pulled Arizona off his shoulders and threw her in the water as a victory for their win. Arizona came up swinging and slugged him hard.
"That's right, baby." Callie said with a satisfied smile at seeing Arizona hit Nick. A few more rounds of chicken followed, one in which Callie and Tim challenged Arizona and Nick. Callie and Tim won after Callie cheated by sneaking Arizona, and Nick by default, a flash of a nearly entirely uncovered boob. Callie and Arizona excused themselves after that round so they could change and Callie could give her the tour. The rest of the group decided to stay by the pool with Abuela and Nonna.
They entered the house through the patio and into the foyer where everything was white marble. A staircase went up each side of the room and a hall led to each side of the house. Callie took her to the right first. They entered into a great dining room followed by a less formal one and then the giant kitchen. Down another hall was a gym and an indoor movie theater. Leading her back to the great hall, they went up a staircase that was in contrast to the marble set in the foyer. The set of stairs was carpeted in warm colors and had a carved banister that led to the upper level. There were three guest rooms, two bathrooms, and an office for Lucia to the left. A balcony on a terrace ran the length of the upstairs and each room could be entered through the balconies from the terrace.
On the other end of the house were four more bedrooms. Aria's was the first door on the right, Callie's the second on the right. Arizona gasped as she got her first glimpse of Callie's childhood bedroom. It resembled a batcave, decorated in red, a deep purple, and dark grey. There was a desk in one corner, a full sofa in the center of the far end of the room. There were several full bookshelves along the walls. A red baby grand piano sat near the terrace doors and a king size canopy bed was on the other end of the giant room. The walk-in closet and bathroom alone were bigger than half of Arizona's entire apartment.
"Wow." Was all Arizona could say.
"You like?"
"I do. It's so you." Arizona said with a smile.
"Well it was fifteen year old me. That is the last time we redecorated my room."
She gave her a brief tour of Aria's room and then pointed out the other two rooms. One was her parents room, the other she didn't comment on and Arizona didn't ask. Back downstairs, Callie showed her the living room, den, her father's office where she had learned to play pool, and finally, the library.
"I saved this room for last, I thought you would like it."
"I love it." Arizona squealed. The truth was, she really wasn't much of a reader anymore but she just loved books. They made her think of her grandmother.
"I still have to show you the roof." Callie said, leading her outside and around the building opposite of the garage to a door. She ran her fingers along the top edge of the door frame and pulled a key out with a "ha".
"What is this place?" Arizona asked, looking up and seeing what looked like a tower.
"It's the tower." Callie replied with a shrug as if every house had one. She led her up a set of spiral stairs that seemed to end into a ceiling which turned out to be a hatch. Callie climbed through and reached down to help Arizona up.
"Oh my God, Calliope, this is beautiful." Arizona squealed as she looked around getting a 360 degree bird's eye view of the house, property, ocean, the gated community, and parts of Miami.
"It really is." Callie said with a smile as she brushed a piece of blonde hair from Arizona's forehead.
"There really is a fire pit and hot tub on the roof." Arizona pointed down to the rooftop area with a high pitched squeal.
"I used to come up here and read when I was a kid or pretend like I was a damsel in distress waiting for my prince to come rescue me." Callie confessed with a blush.
"That is so adorable."
"I'd like to think I've moved on from adorable and am now hot, sexy, and irresistible." Callie said in a husky voice, dropping her voice half an octave as she placed her hands on slender hips and pulled Arizona toward her.
"Oh, you totally have, Torres. But you are still not getting lucky with me at your parent's house."
"Fine. Let's go gather the troops and get back to the hotel then. I've missed you."
"Someone thinks they're getting lucky tonight." Arizona replied coyly with a flirty smile.
"Oh, I don't think, I know."
"Awful sure of yourself, Torres."
"I am because I know when I do this…" Callie whispered, nibbling at her ear then added, "And kiss you like this…" A strong tongue forced it's way between pink lips and stroked the inside of Arizona's mouth. The Latina kissed her hard and passionately, leaving no room for doubt in what was on her mind before she ended the kiss, pulling a bottom lip with her and releasing it with a pop. She waited for Arizona to open her eyes before she continued her sentence, "your eyes grow a shade darker and the skin on your chest flushes. So, yea, I'm awful sure of myself."
Arizona placed a hard closed mouth kiss on Callie before grabbing her hand and pulling her to the trap door, "Come on let's go get the troops."
Callie laughed and smiled deeply, excited that her plan had worked so well and followed the blonde back down the stairs and outside. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Arizona was standing stock still, staring off to the right. "Arizona, what's wrong?"
Coming up behind the blonde, she could feel the tension radiating off of her as she looked up and saw her parent's vehicle in the driveway. Callie placed her hands gently on Arizona's hips and turned her so they were now facing each other. "It's going to be ok."
"I knew this was a bad idea. I just, I wanted your sister and Abuela and Nonna to like me. I wanted to get to know them. I wanted to hear stories about you being a little girl and about the embarrassing things you did and the things you got in trouble over. I just wanted that so badly but I shouldn't have come, Callie. This is going to make everything worse." Arizona said with real regret in her eyes.
"Arizona, my Abuela and my Nonna love you, trust me, they do. And neither they nor Aria nor I will let my parents disrespect you."
"But this is their house. The house your father forbade you to bring me to."
"And then my mom invited you here."
"Callie, maybe I should just wait out here. Could you please go get Teddy, Tim, and Nick? You can stay and visit. I don't want to make Aria and Jared leave if they are enjoying themselves. We can call a cab and wait by the gate."
"I'll talk to Aria but Arizona, I'm going with you, ok? Please, come with me? Abuela and Nonna will want to say goodbye."
"I can't. But please thank them for me and tell them I so much enjoyed meeting them."
"Arizona.."
"Callie, please. I can't, ok?"
"Ok, wait right here, babe. I'll gather the troops and we can head back to the hotel." Callie kissed Arizona on the cheek and disappeared into the mansion. Arizona wandered over to the curb and sat waiting for Callie and the rest of the group. She decided to text her mom while she waited for them, knowing she had a photo shoot that day and wanting to see how it went. Arizona had just hit send when she heard a clearing of a throat behind her. Her heart rate increased and she felt nauseated as she turned and made eye contact with the owner of the voice.
"Miss Robbins, may I join you?"
"Yes, of course, Mrs. Torres." Arizona replied. She went to stand but was stopped by a gentle hand on her shoulder before Mrs. Torres in her elegant champagne colored evening gown sat down on the curb beside her.
"I saw you had your phone out, am I disturbing you?"
"No ma'am. I was just texting my mom while I waited for Callie. She had a photo shoot today and I wanted to see how it went."
"You seem close."
"We are."
"If you're waiting for Callie out here, does that mean you won't be joining us inside?"
"Under the circumstances I didn't think it was a good idea. And to be honest, I'm not really comfortable here. I didn't mean to go behind your back, Mrs. Torres. Callie's Nonna and Abuela can be very persuasive and I didn't want to let them or Callie down. They invited me here but I didn't know you and Mr. Torres would be home so soon or I wouldn't have come." Arizona replied honestly, looking Lucia in the eyes. The two women sat studying each other's eyes for a moment before Lucia spoke.
"I know, I was standing on the terrace upstairs when you and Callie came down from the tower, I couldn't help but overhear." Lucia said.
"I'm sorry." Arizona replied, though she didn't know why she was apologizing.
"No, I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel unsafe or disrespected. We aren't bad people, Miss Robbins. I'm just a mom that feels very torn by her beliefs. Your mom came and gave us a pretty good lecture. Your family is one for speeches, huh?"
"She did?"
"You didn't know?" Lucia asked and Arizona just shook her head no. Whatever her mother had said could not have been good. The woman had been fuming and her father had only calmed her down by reminding her how upset Callie was.
"I didn't but I'm not surprised. My mom and Callie took to each other right away. Before they met even. She's a bit protective. She loves Callie."
"She loves you too."
"I've never doubted that." Arizona said. She began chewing on her lip while she thought of what she wanted to say next. In some aspects, she felt it wasn't her place. She and Callie hadn't been together long and she didn't know her parents well at all. And what she did know, she didn't like much, though it was clear they did love Callie so she couldn't dislike them too much. 'But I love Callie and I protect the things I love' she thought to herself silently.
"Whatever you want to say, it's ok, you can say it." Lucia said, seeing the wheels in Arizona's head turning.
"I'm sure you love Callie. And I know you must be a good person because Callie is just amazing. She's the kindest, bravest, most loving person I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Someone like Callie has to have been raised by someone pretty amazing. But I don't think Callie feels very loved by you or her dad right now. I don't think she knows that you will still be there for her in the future." Arizona replied looking Lucia straight in the eyes again. Both women had unshed tears waiting to be shed.
"I do love Callie, very much. And you're right, she is an amazing person. I'd like to think that my husband and I can take at least partial credit for that. I'd do anything to protect my daughter, which is why I feel so torn."
"I think Callie needs you, she needs to hear that from you and from Mr. Torres too."
"You would do anything for my daughter?"
"Yes, I would."
"I don't hate you Miss Robbins. In fact, I find you charming and equally as beautiful as Callie. And if I had a son, I would be honored to have you as his partner. But I just can't understand this. I can't stand by and watch my daughter go down this path without trying everything in my power to prevent it. When you have children someday, you will understand, Miss Robbins."
"No, I don't think I will. There is no one out there that will love Callie more than I. No one who will want to give her everything life has to offer. But if she found someone that she felt could, I would let her go. I love her enough that I would want her to be happy, even at the expense of my own happiness. I don't want her to lose her family, Mrs. Torres. Please, can't you just try?"
"I just don't know if I can accept this. If you love her like you say, I beg you, let her go Miss Robbins." Lucia said before she stood. She opened the clutch she was carrying and handed Arizona a folded piece of paper.
"Take your time to decide what you want to do with this. Choose carefully because whatever you decide, it will determine whether or not my daughter continues to have her father and I's support." Lucia said before she stood and walked away. Arizona opened her fist and unfolded the paper that had been thrust into her hand. She gasped and placed a trembling hand over her mouth as she looked at the two million dollar check in her hand. A note was attached to it with what was most likely Lucia's writing. Arizona unfolded the paper to read it but Callie came out just then. Arizona stuffed the check and the letter into her bra quickly then turned to face Callie.
"I know you said you wouldn't come in but Nonna and Abuela have been asking about you and Mami and Papi just came out to visit with everyone and would really like for you to join us. The gang's all having a good time swimming and chatting with them. Will you at least come in and make an appearance?" Callie asked. Arizona was slightly taken aback. What had just happened? Callie looked at her with such hope that despite the rising despair in the pit of Arizona's stomach, she nodded yes and allowed Callie to pull her to her feet and lead her into the house.
Arizona could hear the giggles and laughter as they walked through the house to the patio doors. Callie wore a brilliant, megawatt smile on her face and Arizona had to hide the confusion and sense of dread she felt as Callie looked at her and smiled. Arizona returned the smile with the most genuine one she could muster and squeezed Callie's hand.
"Arizona, there you are!" Nonna shrieked as she pulled the blonde in for a hug.
"Sorry, I was texting my mom. She had an important day and I just wanted to speak with her about how it went."
"How did it go?"
"Really, really well." Arizona replied with a smile. She hoped that was the truth and she hadn't just caused her mom bad karma by lying about how her day went. Well she didn't lie, she just didn't know because she hadn't checked her phone for a response yet.
"Dr. Robbins, it's so good to see you again." Carlos said with a tight smile.
"Likewise."
"Daddy, please, call her Arizona."
"As you wish, mija."
"Arizona, that dress matches your eyes beautifully." Lucia complimented with a big smile.
"Thank you, Mrs. Torres."
"Oh, it's Lucia, please."
"Miss Arizona just has us smitten." Maria giggled as she took another large sip of her margarita, "Would you like some, Arizona?"
"Yes, very much, Maria." Arizona replied instantly, earning her a hard look from Callie. Arizona had declined the strong beverages all evening at Callie's warning but she suddenly felt like no drink would be strong enough as she felt the two million dollar check in her bra poking the soft tissue of her breast. Maria and Nonna cheered in victory as they poured Arizona a margarita and then pulled her down to sit between them.
"Everything ok, Arizona?" Callie asked quietly.
"Perfect." The blonde replied, then she turned her attention to Nonna and Abuela because she knew Callie could detect her lie, "How many of these have you had?"
"A few. You need to catch up." Nonna giggled, trying to add more to Arizona's already full glass.
"No, no, I'll just start with one for now." Arizona giggled. She couldn't help it. The two elder women were like reverted teenagers and Arizona found a tiny bit of pleasure that Lucia and Carlos were now raising their very rebellious and strong willed mothers.
"What should we toast to this time?" Maria asked.
"To boob jobs." Nonna shouted, earning her a deep giggle from Arizona and a shocked look from Callie.
"Mamma!" Lucia cried.
"Nah, we already toasted to that." Maria shrugged.
"To Calzona." Nonna suggested.
"We toasted that too." Maria replied. "Al sexo!"
"We toasted that first, Maria." Nonna giggled and Callie turned beet red, placing her head in her hands as she mumbled, "Oh my God."
"How about this," Arizona said, clearing her throat, already feeling the buzz and warmth from the alcohol fogging her brain, "Things may not have worked out the way you imagined it. Life may not look the way you pictured it. But that doesn't mean that the future can't be better, brighter, and fuller than we ever imagined. Whether it's growing up or in your case," Arizona said, pointing at the two elder women, "or growing down, we can all still find the magic if we believe."
"Cheers to Arizona!" Maria yelled.
"Saluti!" Nonna agreed enthusiastically and all three of them erupted into giggles as Callie just shook her head.
A short time later, Maria was holding Nonna's hair back as she vomited in the bushes. Arizona had drank half of a margarita before she realized she was tipsy and stopped while she was behind. Needless to say, everyone was ready to call it a night after the vomiting started. They all said their goodbyes and made their way to the hotel with Jared driving.
"I can't believe you actually drank one of Abuela's margaritas, Arizona." Callie said as soon as the door to their room was closed.
"Wait, are you mad?"
"No, I'm just shocked. You're not much of a drinker and it's generally wine when you do drink. Not my Cuban grandmother's tequila with a splash of margarita mix."
"Yea, I learned that one the hard way. Boy, her drinks pack a punch." Arizona replied, still feeling the effects of the very strong drink she had attempted to consume.
"You know what the cure for that is?" Callie asked, her voice becoming huskier as she stalked toward Arizona as if she were her prey.
"Wh...what?" Arizona stuttered, as Callie reached her and pinned her to the wall.
"Hot, steamy sex with you're super turned on girlfriend." Callie whispered as she kissed Arizona's neck. Suddenly, Arizona felt the paper from the check rub against her like a hot poker. She wiggled out of Callie's grasp and Callie looked at her with a mix of confusion and hurt.
"I'm so on the same page, babe but those drinks were wicked. I need to brush my teeth and pee. Give me five minutes, ok?"
"Fine but don't take that dress off. I've been fantasizing about doing hot, dirty things to you with that dress on from the moment you walked out of the bedroom wearing it earlier tonight." Callie whispered.
"Oh really?" Arizona asked with a smirk, then added, "Five minutes and the dress stays on."
Arizona rushed into the bathroom and turned the water on to brush her teeth, she hadn't completely lied, she really did need to use the restroom and brush the tequila taste from her mouth. But she also really needed a hiding place for the check and the mysterious letter she had yet to read. She contemplated reading it now but she knew Callie was very impatiently waiting for her and whatever that letter contained would likely be a mood killer. Seeing her makeup bag on the counter, she opened the inner zipper that she rarely used and stuffed both the check and the letter in there for temporary safe keeping. Having the most important task completed, Arizona set out to complete her other needs quickly and laughed aloud when four and a half minutes later Callie opened the door without knocking.
"Time's up babe." Callie growled, causing Arizona to giggle harder.
"I was waiting for you to lose your patience before I came out. You are too predictable honey and I love it when you're all sexually frustrated and ready for me." Arizona teased, earning her a sharp nip to the shoulder before Callie forcefully removed her from the bathroom, shutting the door behind them.
"You're lucky you still have this on." Callie said, tugging at the thin strap of the teal dress while she swiped her tongue across a slightly protruding collarbone.
"I promised I would. But, I see you've already gotten the party started without me." Arizona replied as she took in the mostly naked appearance of her very sexy girlfriend who had removed her own sundress and stood in only her bra and thong. On the bedside table were some of the body paints Arizona had purchased in Spain.
"I thought maybe you might want to do some painting." Callie replied with a wink.
"Mmm, that does sound like fun."
"But only after I take you in this dress. I've been thinking about it all day."
"Have you? Even with your family there?"
"Mmm, I had to be careful not to get too close to you or they would have gotten one hell of a show." Callie replied with a coy smile.
"Well, we're alone now. Why don't you show me what you had in mind?"
Without warning, Arizona was shoved up against the back of the bathroom door with her dress pulled up to her waist and one of Callie's very powerful and muscular thighs between her legs. Callie wasted no time dipping her fingers into the waistband of Arizona's own skimpy thong. "Mmm, you don't usually wear thongs."
"I didn't want to have panty lines in my dress." Arizona replied, her eyes closed as she focused on Callie's lips on her neck and her fingers dipping further and further into her underwear.
Callie smiled in appreciation as she moved her hands around and her fingers found the soft yet firm flesh of Arizona's ass. She squeezed with both hands, rocking the blonde firmly onto her thigh. Arizona let out a moan and tightened her grip on Callie's sides.
"Well we are going to be on a boat most of the day tomorrow with both of us in tiny little bikinis and not able to touch each other so I want to make sure that you can still feel me on that boat tomorrow." Callie said, bringing her right hand back to the front of Arizona's thong. She kept one hand firmly on the blonde's ass as her other hand dipped lower. She gathered wetness and circled her bundle of nerves a few times before she dipped down and entered her with two fingers. Arizona threw her head back and Callie took advantage of the angle, latching onto the delicate flesh over her pulse point as her fingers pumped in and out gently. As wetness coated her fingers and hand, Callie wiggled a third finger into Arizona and slowly continued her gentle thrusts. Frustrated with their positions and her lack of accessibility, Callie removed her fingers causing Arizona to whimper in protest before Callie led her to the bed and pushed her down roughly. She removed the offending underwear quickly and climbed on top of the blonde, wasting no time as she entered her again with all three fingers, causing Arizona to whimper loudly and arch her back off the bed. Callie waited for her to adjust before she began moving her fingers, stroking her inner walls and then curving her fingers to find the spongy spot that drove Arizona crazy.
As Arizona's moans became more frequent and louder, Callie began using her hips to thrust more deeply and with more force. Arizona's juices now covered her hand and it only spurred the Latina on. "Callie, oh shit, Callie." Arizona cried as Callie's thrusts came faster and harder. Callie smiled as she felt the muscles of Arizona's abdomen rippling and her walls tightening. She brought her thumb down and began rubbing gentle but persistent circles around the blonde's nub. Arizona was now writhing uncontrollably below her, her breaths shallow and her moans becoming louder and more like pleas. Callie smiled down at the beauty below her even though her eyes were scrunched closed and her lips were parted as she panted, it was the most beautiful sight. The Latina took a moment to place a gentle kiss on chapped lips before she thrust hard, forcing her fingers deeper as they hit the spongy area and rubbed it at the same time her thumb applied more pressure on her bundle of nerves. She was caught off guard as Arizona let out a scream, one she had never heard before and she quickly covered her mouth with her free hand, knowing that at least Teddy had to have heard that. She continued her ministrations as the blonde stiffened, wanting to get every last drop of this orgasm for her. When the blonde's body finally went limp, it twitched a few times with every touch as Callie carefully removed her fingers and brought her lips to Arizona's.
"I'm definitely still going to feel you tomorrow." Arizona replied once she caught her breath.
"Oh babe, that was just round one, I'm not done yet." Callie replied. She began undressing the blonde as she recovered from her orgasm and before she knew it, Arizona was completely naked.
"Mmm maybe but I haven't gotten to even have a round one with you and you are way over dressed right now, Calliope."
"Well, why don't you undress me then?" Callie challenged and then squealed as Arizona flipped them in a move she didn't see coming. With the flick of a wrist behind her back, Callie's bra was free and Arizona had already moved on to pulling her thong down her thighs and tossing it in the corner of the room. Callie threw the bra to join the thong and moaned as she felt Arizona's tongue on her own bundle of nerves.
"You're so wet. Did fucking me turn you on Calliope?"
"Like you wouldn't believe, Arizona." Callie replied. With that, Arizona brought her mouth back down to Callie's center. With new determination, Arizona ran her tongue up Callie's slit and latched onto her bundle of nerves. She snaked a hand down between tan thighs and circled her entrance with a single finger before she pushed it in and held it still, applying pressure only to the spongy area. Callie gasped at the feeling and moved her hips to try to get more, she needed more but Arizona threw an arm over her hips and kept her from bucking. Callie could feel the single digit but the pleasure of the pressure against her g-spot mixed with Arizona's oral assault on her bundle of nerves was bringing her to a fast approaching orgasm. As Arizona sucked her clit into her mouth, Callie felt the familiar pull in her abdomen mixed with the desperate need she felt for release. Her breath caught in her throat and as Arizona nibbled gently followed by fast and hard circles, all while keeping the firm pressure on the spongy area, Callie felt herself tipping over the edge and she grabbed a fist full of blonde hair as her orgasm peaked, "Fuck, Arizona."
"Mmm, someone is all hyped up tonight." Arizona said as Callie released her hair and she kissed her way up the glorious curves.
"I've just missed you." Callie said, nuzzling into Arizona's chest.
"I missed you too." Arizona replied. She kissed Callie's head and scratched her back with long fingernails, something she knew Callie enjoyed greatly.
"Mmm, I love it when you do that. You're going to put me to sleep."
"So sleep baby. There will be plenty more sexy time, I promise." Arizona whispered. She kissed Callie's head again and hugged her close. She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was in that letter was going to threaten them, this, what they currently had. She waited for Callie's breathing to even out before she carefully extracted herself from her grasp and covered her with a blanket. She tip-toed into the bathroom and shut the door gently, locking it behind her before switching on the light. Pulling the makeup bag over to her, unzipped the inner zipper, and pulled out the crumpled two million dollar check and the letter. She took a deep breath and unfolded it.
Dr. Robbins, we know you are a surgeon and as such, you make a decent salary. We also know that you are a very kind and giving person from the brief encounters we have had with you and the personal investigation we have completed. We want you to know this isn't personal, which is why we are offering you generous compensation. There are many children requiring surgeries that they cannot afford and you are allowed only so many pro bono cases. That check in your hand is just the beginning. Two million dollars for you to walk away from Calliope and never see her outside of work again. If working with her proves to be too difficult, we will be happy to help you to relocate to anywhere you would like. If you do that, we will fund the Arizona Robbins nonprofit organization for pediatric surgeries with unlimited funding. Just ask and you will receive whatever grants and equipment you need from an anonymous donor. Not only that but your family will also be provided for, no more tours for your brother (or Teddy) and your father could retire completely. Your mother could do all the traveling and photographing her heart desires. Think about it Dr. Robbins.
If your family and your pediatric patients aren't enough to motivate you then maybe this will. Callie will not only be financially cut off but physically, mentally, and emotionally cut off from us. Her Abuela and her Nonna are getting up there in age, she would hate to miss out on the precious few years they might have left. Aria is supportive right now but if she too loses her place in the family business and her trust fund, I doubt she will feel very warm toward you in the future. If you stay with Callie, we will be watching and waiting for you to make a mistake and when you do, that will be the end of everything for you, Dr. Robbins. We have also learned from our investigations that you have quite the checkered past with relationships and are not the commitment type. We have no doubt you will eventually resort back to your past ways and hurt Calliope in the process and when you do, we will be ready. We hate to resort to all of this but we must protect our daughter. We cannot stand by and watch her do this without trying everything we can to protect her. It is nothing personal. Please let us know your decision by the time your flight leaves on Saturday evening. If you mention any of this to Callie or Aria or their Abuela or their Nonna, the deal is off.
Arizona covered her mouth to muffle the sob rising within her. Tears sprung to her eyes and created a waterfall that cascaded and fell onto her bare thighs. This couldn't be happening. They couldn't be that cruel. Of course, she wouldn't take the money, it wasn't even a consideration. And cutting Callie off financially was one thing, but her losing her family including her grandmothers and sister was another. Would Aria stand by her if they threatened to cut her off as well. The business was her baby, Callie wouldn't let Aria give that up for her even if she was willing to.
Deciding she needed to think and get out of the room without alerting Callie, Arizona pulled on Callie's jeans that were still hanging in the bathroom. They were a bit too long and too big in the waist so she shoved the letter and the check in the back pocket and rolled the waist of the pants a few times to keep them up. Callie's zip up hoodie was also hanging in the bathroom so Arizona slipped it on over her bare upper body and snuck from the bathroom and out of the bedroom. She grabbed a key card from the table in the living room of the suit and rummaged through Nick's backpack, "Bingo", she whispered as she found the menthols she knew would be in there. She grabbed a pack of hotel matches from the counter and was almost out the door when a voice stopped her.
"Where do you think you're going alone at this time of night?"
"I need some fresh air."
"Cool, I'll slip some shoes on and join you since you stole my cigarettes."
"Sorry Nick, I was going to buy you a new pack. I just didn't want to wake Callie trying to find my wallet. I kind of want to be alone."
"Sorry Phoenix, if something happened to you, I'd have to answer to Callie, Tim, Teddy, and your parents. You're not getting out that door without my charming company."
"Fine but we're raiding the mini fridge while we're at it. And yes, we're paying for what we drink." Arizona said as she grabbed the mini beers and several shots and loaded them into her pockets before handing the rest to Nick for him to fill his pockets with, "And we're not talking. We're drinking and smoking and being completely silent, Gilbert."
"Sir, yes, sir."
"Come on ya goob." Arizona said, with a roll of her eyes as she led Nick to the elevator and then out of the hotel.
The two walked across the road and a few feet down from the main hotel entrance and found a little wood dock with a path leading down the beach. The pair sat on the dock and looked out over the sand and to the nearby water as they unloaded the alcohol from their pockets and sat the beer and shots between them. Arizona opened two of the mini beers and handed Nick one. The two drank their beers in silence but as Arizona opened two more and then two shots, Nick broke the silence.
"What's up, Tempe?" Nick asked. He was seriously concerned about his friend at the moment. Arizona didn't answer, she just reached in the back pocket of Callie's jeans and handed him the check and the letter. He took them, with a confused look on his face but he sat his beer down between them and fished out his phone to utilize the flashlight. Opening the check first, Arizona heard him audibly gasp "Fuck". At that, she pulled out the menthols and lit one. With each inhalation, she pictured the words Nick was currently reading and a tear escaped. She brushed it away angrily and opened her tequila shot, following it by draining the rest of her beer.
"Jesus, Arizona, I don't even know what to say."
"Don't call me Arizona. It freaks me out."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I'm not taking the money no matter what though, Nick."
"Phoenix, we've known each other forever, trust me when I say I know you aren't the type of person that can be bought no matter what the shiny price tag says."
"Thanks, Nick."
"You should tell Callie."
"I know. She will be furious with me if she ever finds out about this. But I can't, you read the letter."
"But if you choose to stay with her, you will have to tell her and it won't matter anyway."
"If I choose to stay with her, it will be the most selfish thing I've ever done. I don't want Callie to lose her family."
"But it should be her choice." Nick argued. Arizona lit another cigarette before Nick snatched the pack from her and lit his own.
"I know." Arizona whispered, another couple of tears escaping before she opened another shot and threw it back, feeling the burn down her throat and into her stomach. She grabbed Nick's beer for a chaser and downed that as well.
"Hey now, don't you think you've had enough?"
"Nick, if I wanted a baby sitter I would have woken up Teddy or Tim. Either sit here and drink with me while I wallow or go back to the hotel."
"I'm good here."
"Then shut up and drink." Arizona said, handing him another beer from beside her.
"I still think you should tell Callie, even if you're going to end up leaving her. She deserves to know why."
"What did I say?"
"Sorry Phoenix, I think you need to talk this one out." Nick said. The two stared each other down for a moment before Arizona caved. She did need to talk about this or she was going to implode.
"If I'm going to break her heart, both of our hearts, do you think the reason matters? If I don't tell her, at least she will still have her family."
"Some family. What about the next girl she dates?"
"Hopefully she will just find a man and fall in love and marry him." Arizona replied as a sob rose within her and her body began to shake with the tears. Nick pulled her into him and held her as she cried. He kissed her head and rubbed her back, murmuring soothing words.
"You've already decided, haven't you?" Nick whispered.
"I have to let her go, Nick."
"I think it's a mistake."
"I'm not sure what else to do. I'm going to tell her parents that I will end it with Callie but only after we are done in Afghanistan. I don't want her being upset and not having her at the top of her game in a war zone. And in the meantime, maybe that will buy me enough time to figure something else out. Maybe I can figure out how to get out of this without breaking up with her or telling her about this. And if I can't then at least it gives us more time together. I can break up with her knowing she will be safe back in Seattle." Arizona replied, then she forcefully said, "Give me those damn cigarettes."
After a quick wrestling session in which Arizona resorted to twisting Nick's nipples, he gave the pack up to her and they both sat smoking another menthol for a moment in silence. Nick's phone buzzed and they both ignored it, Arizona just realizing she had left hers upstairs. Another buzzing sounded and Nick picked up his phone and said, "Shit, put that back in your pocket. Callie woke up and is freaking out. She woke up Tim and Teddy, they want to know where we are."
Arizona stuffed the letter and check in her back pocket just as she heard Callie's voice behind her, "What the fuck is going on here?"
Nick and Arizona looked at each other, it was too late to hide the cigarettes and alcohol. Tim and Teddy appeared behind the Latina a few moments later and Nick and Arizona still resembled fish out of water as they tried to come up with an explanation. It was too dark to see Callie's eyes but Arizona knew she was far from happy, in fact she was down right pissed and she knew she needed a great explanation if she didn't want to be in the doghouse. The problem was, she couldn't seem to speak.
"Arizona was getting a glass of water and ran into me. I woke from a nightmare, a bad one. She asked if I wanted to talk about it. I said I needed some fresh air and if I was going to talk about it, liquid courage." Nick replied quickly. It wasn't a lie. Nick had been in a helicopter crash in his last tour and still had nightmares and that had been the reason he was awake when Arizona attempted to slip out.
"I'm sorry, Callie, you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you. I should have left a note."
"You didn't even have your phone, Arizona."
"I didn't plan on leaving, Callie. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
"Why is it that every time you disappear, you forget your phone and I find you drinking and smoking?"
"Maybe we should go back in." Teddy suggested.
"And you, why do you think it's a good idea to bring my girlfriend out here to drink and smoke with you? Isn't Tim your best friend? Arizona is gay, she has a girlfriend and I'm not going anywhere, Nick."
"Callie, enough. Nick just needed a friend. Yea, the cigarettes are his but I didn't have to smoke them and I was the alcohol instigator. Nick and I, we're friends, Callie."
"I know you know that, Arizona. I want to know if he does."
"I do, Callie. I respect Arizona. I may joke around, there may even be truth behind it sometimes but I do respect her and I'd never do anything to hurt her."
"Come on, let's get back to the hotel." Teddy said, once again trying to diffuse the situation.
"You guys go ahead, Callie and I will be up in a moment." Arizona said, knowing Callie wasn't done yet. She'd rather have her yelling at her out here than in the hotel suite. Teddy gave Arizona a hard look to let her know she didn't approve before she wrapped an arm around Nick who looked like a whipped dog and the three of them walked back to the hotel while Callie and Arizona stood in silence, the Latina glaring at her girlfriend and Arizona staring at the ground, avoiding Callie's gaze.
"I'm not impressed that you decided to come out here with Nick and drink your weight in alcohol and smoke like a chimney. I believe you told me you would think about me and try not to smoke again."
"I did but I also told you that I couldn't promise I wouldn't. I know how you feel about it and I am sorry that it hurts you."
"Are you though? Did you plan on telling me about it?"
"No."
"Then I really don't think you are sorry, Arizona." Callie replied, her voice was lower now, she sounded less angry. Arizona reached out a hand but the taller woman pulled away.
"I don't want to ruin our vacation so I will apologize to Nick tomorrow for jumping him when he's struggling and needs a friend but I'm still mad at you. I'll get over it but I think you should sleep on the couch tonight."
"Calliope…"
"No, no, don't do that. Don't Calliope me. I couldn't find you, Arizona. I had an awful dream and you were gone. I needed you but you were out here with Nick."
"I'm sorry, Callie."
"I know. But it's just not enough right now." Callie said, then added, "Gather up your trash and let's go back to the hotel."
Arizona stared at her for a moment but realized it was probably best that she did sleep on the couch. If Callie looked at her too closely, especially in the light, she would see that she had been crying, a lot. She didn't want to have to explain that. Still, this felt like an omen, like their fate was sealed in that moment and any hope that Arizona had of fixing this left her emotionally exhausted body. She quickly picked up her mess and followed Callie to the hotel suite. They were silent and Arizona kept her eyes focused on the ground to avoid Callie seeing her puffy eyes in the brighter light of the elevator.
Once they entered the suite, Arizona went to the couch immediately and laid down. She had nothing beneath the jeans and hoodie so she couldn't remove them to get more comfortable. She was so emotionally drained that she felt like she could sleep anywhere and in anything. Callie disappeared into the room they were staying in and returned a few moments later with a pillow and blanket.
"Go brush your teeth and get changed." Callie ordered.
"I'm ok."
"Arizona, you smell like a combination of a brewery and a chimney, you really should go change and brush your teeth. Plus, I'm sure my jeans won't be comfortable to sleep in."
"I'll be fine." Arizona replied, quietly, keeping her back to the Latina. Maybe it would be better for them to just end now. She could hurt now or hurt later. Later would mean they would potentially be more attached and she was a terrible liar. Callie would know something was up. Then again, what if she was able to find a way out of this without ending it? And even if she couldn't, the thought of something happening to Callie in Afghanistan when they weren't a couple or because she was upset was just too much to bear. She would have to find a way, that was all there was to it.
"Fine." Callie replied before she turned to head back to the bedroom.
"Callie." Arizona whispered. Callie stopped and slowly turned around seeing a blonde head peek up over the side of the sofa, "I love you."
"I love you too, Arizona. Goodnight."
"Night." Arizona replied. She waited until Callie shut the door and turned off the bedroom light before she crept to the bathroom the boys were sharing and found a complimentary toothbrush still packaged in their bathroom. She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and went to the bathroom before she returned to the sofa and fell into a restless sleep full of nightmares filled with ultimatums and arranged marriages.