AN: Hello everyone :) First, I would like to thank you all for your patience this past month. It's been a busy month and I haven't had as much time to write as I'd like. August will be busy too but hopefully the fall will be better. I hope so because I am getting exhausted with all of this covid. Secondly, your reviews, comments, and private messages are very appreciated. Beeex3, thank you for your vote of confidence with your review, I was feeling a bit disheartened until I read it. To the Guest that defended Arizona to everyone, thank you. I love them equally and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, I'd like to address something from a guest review. It seems I may have been offensive or at the very least I have offended one person with my comments of Callie ranting in Spanish. I take this seriously and I would like to sincerely apologize. I never want to hurt someone's feelings or offend someone's culture with my words. I can only apologize and say I will be cognizant of this in the future. My story line, descriptions, and characters are meant to be entertaining and a break from reality, not harmful. While they are characters manipulated to my writing, they still belonged to someone else first, and I loved how they were written for the show so I am trying to keep them somewhat authentic to that. I personally found Callie's Spanish rants on the show hot and just plain Callie, I did not mean to stereotype or be offensive. Please send me a private message if any of my descriptions are ever offensive, I want to know if my story or words are anything but entertaining. Again, my apologies to the guest that was offended and to anyone else who may have found it offensive.
On to the story. If this story continues, will people continue to read it or are you all getting bored with it? I've felt a weird vibe from your reviews recently. I have plans for this story if you people are interested in it still but sometimes a story runs it's course and I understand that too. Let me know your opinions please. I hope this chapter finds you happy and healthy. Happy reading :)
Chapter Thirty-Four
Callie
"Abuela! Nonna!" Callie called as she entered the guest house but she was met with silence. She did a quick check of the guesthouse and the patio but her grandmothers were nowhere to be found. She remembered that they had said something on her last visit about Wednesday afternoons and realized they must be out and about doing what apparently her grandmothers do now. Callie rolled her eyes and smiled at the thought of the two of them out causing trouble, even if she was mad at them. She scribbled a note for them with her hotel information at the bottom and then she went to the garage where she found Jorge to give her a ride back to the hotel.
Callie arrived at her hotel, intent on taking a long, hot bath and sleeping for a few hours but the sight of her mother waiting outside her hotel room halted her plans. "Mami, I have nothing left to say."
"Good, then you can listen."
"Why should I? I don't want to hear anymore."
"Just let me finish what I was going to say at lunch."
"Fine. You have ten minutes." Callie resigned. She figured the quickest way to get her bath and nap was to let her mom speak rather than argue with her. Reluctantly, she opened the door to her hotel room and allowed her mom to walk in first. It was not the extravagant hotel suites that Lucia was accustomed to and she was a little surprised by the modesty of the room her daughter was currently staying in.
"Wouldn't you be more comfortable in your old bedroom at home, Callita?"
"No, not with you and daddy there. Now, what do you need to say, Mami?" Callie asked, coolly. Lucia looked at her and then took a seat in one of the two chairs in the room, she motioned for Callie to sit in the other. Callie remained standing, leaning slightly against the wall, arms crossed until Lucia once again motioned for her to sit. Callie rolled her eyes and sat in the chair with a huff. She was growing more impatient and irritated by the second.
"What I was saying but didn't get to finish at the restaurant is that being homosexual is a sin…."
"Oh here we go again." Callie interrupted, attempting to stand up but Lucia placed a hand on her thigh and looked at her with a silent request to stay seated.
"Mija, let me finish." Lucia pleaded. Callie rolled her eyes but nodded.
"It's a sin and that was all I could think about. I was so focused on how it was against everything I believed in, everything I taught you, everything I wanted for you. As a parent, you never stop worrying for your child, not when you take your first steps, not when you have your first day of school or on your last day of school, not when you have your first broken heart. And the worry only grows the more you spread your wings because your father can't be there to always catch you like he did before. I thought I had done something to make you this way. I thought your father and I had somehow failed you. But then, I saw you two together and I realized it wasn't about me at all or your father. I've never seen you look so happy or in love, Callie. It was a shock but also, it made me realize that I might be wrong. I never want life to be hard for you and I never want you to have to defend your love to the world but that is the life you will have with Arizona. I realized that will be hard enough on you and you shouldn't have to also defend your love to your family. We should be defending it with you against the rest of the world."
"You really mean that, Mami?"
"I do, mija. I am bound to make some mistakes and I am still learning. I may have some struggles with this still but they are my struggles to bear. Your father and I have decided to leave St. Mary's. We have joined a Parish that is open to all members, including the LGBTQ community. Father Michaels has been part of our family since I was young but his thinking is outdated and his preaching is causing hate toward people like you so it was time for us to move on to a more accepting church. I have also joined PFLAG with Mrs. Robbins and we are going to attend the National Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri together this year."
"What? Mami, are you serious?"
"Of course I am, mija. I tried very hard to not like Arizona but she made it impossible because you were just so happy and though I didn't get to know her well because of my own initial apprehension, what I do know is that she loves you and will protect you. That's all a mother can ask for." Lucia replied. Callie could no longer hold back her tears and her anger washed away with them as Lucia moved to the arm of Callie's chair and hugged her as she cried. "I'm so sorry it took me a while to accept this, Callita. And I am very sorry that I hurt you and I'm sorry that I hurt Arizona too."
"I appreciate your effort, Mami, and your apology but it's going to take some time for me to forgive you and daddy for what you did. I am still so mad."
"I understand. But mija, your anger is at your father and I. I know Arizona didn't tell you and she should have. We should never have asked her not to, we were just so afraid of your reaction to what we did that we were desperate. She was torn about lying to you, she didn't want to but she also wanted to please us and I think she thought she was protecting you. Don't be mad at her too long, mija. Life is too short to be unhappy and I can see that being mad at her is making you unhappy."
"It's not just the letter, Mami. I basically accused her of cashing that check. I'm not even really that angry with her about keeping this from me. But we were still fighting about something else and this just added to my already frustrated state of mind."
"Talk to me, mija. What happened?"
"She was different when we returned to Afghanistan and now I understand why. She was more affectionate, almost clingy and I loved it but I knew it just wasn't Arizona. It was like she was afraid she was going to lose me. I confronted her and we fought about it. I woke up that day with one of my feelings and I thought whatever she was hiding was the reason. She told me she had promised someone else that she wouldn't tell me and she only agreed to tell me when I started walking away, she promised to tell me that night but then a school for little girls was bombed. They sent Arizona into the field, I nearly begged her not to go but I knew she had to so I made her promise not to be reckless. And then she entered the unstable building to rescue a six year old and in the process the building collapsed and she was nearly crushed. I've never been so angry or terrified in my life, Mami. Then two days later, I find that letter and realize she lied to me this whole time and I can't even protect her from my own parents. She's in Seattle recovering from her shoulder injury but then she's going to Malawi until May. I'm just so scared all the time, what if something happens to her, I don't think I can survive."
"Mija, slow down. First, nothing has happened to her, she is safe. I'm sorry that you both went through that and I'm sorry that your father and I added to your stress. But Callita, you can't live in fear of what hasn't happened. You have to trust that Arizona can take care of herself. You may want to protect her but trust me when I tell you, she doesn't need your protection, just as you don't need hers. You were both raised to be amazing women and you are both exactly who you were raised to be."
"Mami…" Callie cried. She honestly couldn't say why she was crying. Maybe the weeks of built up tension and emotions had just finally come to the surface but hearing her mother saying these things was overwhelming to her. It took several minutes of her mother's calming words and embrace to stem the flow of tears. It had been years since she and her mother had sat and talked like this.
"Why don't I let you freshen up and get some rest? Then, if you're up to it, tomorrow I'd like to have a nice dinner at the house for you. Abuela, Nonna, Daddy, and I will be on our best behavior and we will find a way to make this up to you and your Arizona, mija."
"Thank you, Mami." Callie replied with a shaky smile. She wanted to talk some more but she was utterly exhausted.
"Te quiero mucho mi querida hija." Lucia said, placing a kiss on Callie's forehead.
"I love you too my dear mother." Callie echoed her words with a smile.
"Now, sleep and take a shower, you still smell like travel." Lucia teased.
"There's the mother I know."
As soon as Lucia was gone, Callie went and drew a bath, adding every bath bomb and mini bubble bath that the hotel offered. While the tub filled, Callie grabbed her phone to check for messages. She had one from Addison, two from Mark, and a voicemail from each of them but none from Arizona. She supposed she had asked her for time and space. It was two in the afternoon in Miami, meaning it would be eleven in the morning in Seattle. She wondered if Arizona was still sleeping but she couldn't wait another moment to talk to her so she pressed speed dial one and held the phone to her ear.
"Hello." The blonde answered, sounding out of breath.
"Oh, hey, how are you?" Callie asked, sinking into the hot tub and letting out a sigh of appreciation.
"Tired. How's Miami going?" Callie could hear the strain in Arizona's voice and she instantly felt bad for putting it there.
"It's going well. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. I just needed to hear your voice and tell you that I miss you."
"I miss you too, Calliope."
"Why do you sound so out of breath? I thought you might be sleeping still."
"No, I couldn't sleep. I'm out of breath because I had to hurry to catch my connecting flight to Baltimore. I landed at O'Hare and only had a forty minute layover. I just sat down on the plane. I couldn't stay in Seattle feeling this way, I was too restless and confused and I have so much to do starting with getting my apartment packed up. Since I only have one arm to work with and Amelia is staying in Seattle and not taking over my lease, I need help packing my apartment. Mom and dad are going to meet me in Baltimore and we are going to pack up the apartment and put everything I don't need for now in storage and then ship what I do need to Seattle."
"I would have helped you with that. Why didn't you wait for me?"
"Callie, you asked me for time and space. I didn't know how long that meant or if I was allowed to call you and talk to you about this. You didn't give me a lot of information. I'm capable of handling these things on my own, it's just with the injury I can't do a ton of lifting and I really just wanted my mom right now to be honest. I'll be back in Seattle on Monday. I have to go, the flight is getting ready to take off."
"Ok, I will see you on Monday. Will you please call me tonight so I know you made it safely."
"Of course. Have a good night, Callie."
"Have a safe flight, Arizona. I love you."
"Love you too. Bye."
Arizona
Arizona let a breath of relief out as the wheels touched down at BWI airport two hours later. Her parent's flight wouldn't come in until later this evening so she planned to head to her apartment, take a shower, and hopefully get some rest before her parents arrived. She had offered to come pick them up from the airport but they had insisted on renting a car and driving themselves. It was a good thing anyway since her car was still in storage and only had storage insurance on it at the moment. When she returned from Malawi she would fly out to Baltimore and drive her car and stuff back to Seattle for her final move. This was just to end her lease and grab enough of her belongings, mainly clothing, to get through the next few weeks in Seattle.
She had been shocked when she arrived in Seattle and felt the frigid air. Winter in Seattle was much different than winter in Africa or Baltimore, even Boston in December had seemed mild in comparison. She had gone to Meredith's house with Lexie, Alex, and Amelia and spent all of an hour there before she decided she really needed to go to Baltimore and get some things in order. She was feeling restless and reckless and knew the combination was a recipe for disaster if she stayed there. She would never cross that line, not if there was a chance for her and Callie still but she didn't want to do anything that would jeopardize their fragile state or make Callie question her loyalty further. So, she had called her mom, waking her and terrifying her that something was terribly wrong given the hour and with very little explanation had gotten her to agree to come to Baltimore the next day. Once off the phone with her mother, she had booked a flight, gotten four very restless hours of sleep on the sofa since she didn't currently have a bed, and then headed back to the airport.
She entered the apartment that she had leased more than six years ago. It had been over a year since she had been here. The pictures on the shelves had a light coat of dust she noticed as her fingers skimmed a picture of her, Teddy, and Tim. Though she paid someone to come in and clean the place once a month, it was clear it hadn't been done yet this month. Deciding, she was too tired to worry about that for the moment, she stripped off her coat, shoes, and jeans and dropped into her bed without removing the rest of her clothing. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillows, exhaustion completely taking her over.
It was dark out and the smell of food was in the air the next time Arizona opened her eyes. She pulled a pair of Johns Hopkins sweatpants from her drawer and followed the scent of food to the kitchen. She was surprised to see her parents sitting at the bar eating tacos from her favorite Mexican take out place down the street.
"Hey sleepy head. We got you some tacos in case you woke up hungry."
"I would have cooked but you have no groceries and as we are going to be packing everything up, I figured, why dirty them."
"Why didn't you wake me?" Arizona asked as she rummaged through the bag her dad handed her, finding her tacos. She moaned in contentment as she ate the first taco in three bites.
"Slow down, you're going to choke." Barbara said, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Sorry mom. I haven't really eaten a real meal in a few days and I didn't realize how hungry I am until now."
"I got six extra tacos." Daniel replied with an amused wink, knowing his deceivingly petite daughter could eat all of them.
"What time is it?" Arizona asked, looking around for her phone, she spotted it still on the charger in the living room where she had left it. She left it there as she stood at the bar across from her parents and worked on her third taco in as many minutes. She reached for a fourth taco and her father smiled at her.
"Nearly ten. Our flight was delayed due to the storm and then we had to rent the car and your father insisted on getting tacos before we came here. We only just arrived. I wasn't sure if I should wake you. You look exhausted, honey."
"I am but I'm ok." Arizona replied. The three Robbins ate in silence for a few moments as Arizona demolished the sixth taco. She then gave her parents a quick tour, though they had been here before, and helped her dad carry their luggage into the spare room.
"How's your shoulder?" Daniel asked.
"Sore."
"Are you ok, Arizona?" Barbara finally asked, eyeing her daughter carefully. She could sense that something was off and found it odd that Callie wasn't with her. Arizona walked over to her mom and nodded her head as Barbara pulled her in for a long and tight hug. Arizona melted into her mom's embrace and exhaustion crept up on her again and she didn't have the strength to keep up her facade any longer as she whimpered, "Mom."
"Oh, honey, what's wrong? You still haven't told me what happened to your shoulder or where Callie is." Barbara said, hugging her sobbing daughter tightly. Barbara and Daniel made eye contact over Arizona's shoulder, without a word he pulled out the donuts and cookie dough ice cream they had grabbed from the party store next to the Mexican restaurant at Barbara's insistence. He sat the donuts and ice cream along with two spoons on the counter before he kissed his wife and Arizona each on the head and said, "I think that's my que to call it a night."
The two women pulled apart and watched him walk to the guest room. Arizona eyed the cookie dough ice cream and donuts and smiled a genuine smile for the first time in days. "Don't smile too hard, squirt, you're gonna have to run an extra two miles for that!"
Arizona and Barbara both giggled as Daniel's voice echoed from the bedroom, he knew his daughter well. Then Arizona grabbed a donut and shrugged, "Joke's on him, I can't run for two weeks, doctor's orders."
"Alright, start at the beginning, I want to know everything." Barbara said as she opened the ice cream and used one of the two spoons to scoop a bite straight from the container. Barbara smiled as Arizona picked up the second spoon and started talking, it worked every time. For Arizona it was donuts and cookie dough ice cream. For Tim it was sausage biscuits with her mother's homemade gravy recipe and over the years she had learned that pasta and bread would get Teddy talking every time.
Barbara listened on, reigning in her own feelings as Arizona told her about everything that had transpired since she had left Boston six weeks earlier. Once the floodgates opened, Arizona didn't stop, she started with Lucia giving her the letter, told her about the school for girls, the bombing at the hospital, Callie finding the letter, their confusing kiss at the airport, and her last conversation with Callie. Speaking of Callie, Arizona's eyes suddenly darted to the clock and she sighed heavily, noting it was well after midnight and Callie was most likely asleep by now.
"I have to say, Arizona, I am surprised that Callie accused you of taking the bribe and I am really disappointed in her. I understand why she was upset about you not telling her but this is on her parents."
"I was a little surprised by that too. And I'm not going to lie, I was hurt."
"And then she flew off to Miami to talk to her parents before talking with you and she left you without a clear answer. I like Callie, Arizona, I really do but I am not happy with her right now."
"She can be hot tempered, mom and she flies off the handle sometimes because she reacts before she thinks. I'm hurt that she considered that for a moment but I also know that keeping it from her didn't make me look good."
"Have you spoken at all?"
"I was supposed to call her tonight." Arizona said, over her shoulder as she went to retrieve the phone she had abandoned long ago. She had three missed calls and a text from Callie, the last being only ten minutes ago. "Give me a minute mom, I think she's still up."
"Ok dear but don't go too easy on her. I know you were wrong for not telling her but Arizona, her parents put you in an awful position and she should be defending you to them, not taking her anger out on you."
"I know, mom. It's complicated but I want to work it out."
"I know you do, Zozo. I'll just clean up while you chat."
"Ok but don't put the donuts away yet." Arizona shouted as the phone was already ringing on the other end.
"Haven't you had enough donuts."
"No such thing as too many donuts."
"Donuts?" Callie asked. Arizona turned her attention back to the phone, not realizing the ringing had stopped.
"Hey you. Yeah, I'm sorry I missed your calls. I lost track of time, I was distracted by food." Arizona replied with a giggle. Callie smiled on the other end, she missed that sound and it warmed her.
"It's ok. Are you having fun catching up with your mom and dad?"
"Dad chickened out long ago and went to bed. Mom and I had a heart to heart over donuts and ice cream."
"Did you eat real food first?"
"I ate six tacos." Arizona replied with a shrug and a knowing smile. She got to the count of three before Callie responded. Wow that was probably a new record, the brunette was holding back Arizona thought with a smile.
"Six tacos, ice cream, and donuts, Arizona, you are going to be sick. Nothing in there sounds healthy or balanced. How do you stay so thin?"
"I guess I just have a good metabolism. Plus the Colonel usually makes me run extra but joke's on him since I can't right now. I had a few calories to make up for anyway. How are you doing?"
"I'm hanging in there but I miss you. This king size bed is awfully lonely without you."
"I miss you too and you know we would put a king sized bed to very good use." Arizona replied with a dimpled smile and a wink that were lost on Callie since she couldn't see the blonde. She smiled on the other line nonetheless though, this flirty banter felt good, familiar.
"The headboard is perfect for some handcuffs." Callie said, lowering her voice slightly, playing along.
"Is allowing you to handcuff me and have your way with me the price I have to pay to get back in your good graces?" Arizona asked, she was mostly teasing but if it would help her case she was totally up for it.
"It wouldn't hurt." Callie replied with a smile.
"I know you're tired of hearing it but I really am so sorry, Callie. I knew you would be upset and with good reason but I never thought it would make you question our relationship or my integrity."
"I'm not questioning it, Arizona. I know what I said before but I was upset and I took it all out on you when I should have been directing it at my parents. I owe you an apology as well."
"I appreciate it but it's not necessary. You had a right to feel the way you did and I am so sorry that I hurt you. When will you be back in Seattle?"
"I know you are. I thought about maybe coming to Baltimore to help out if you want the help and company. But if you want some space and time with your parents then I will head back on Sunday or Monday so I can be there when you arrive."
"I'd love for you to come to Baltimore, I always want your company, Callie. But you asked for some time and space and I hated that but I think you need it and should take it. I think having some time and space will do us both some good. Plus, I think you should spend some time in Miami with your parents and try to work things out with them. But I will keep Monday evening open for you if you want to talk."
"Ok, I will see you Monday evening." Callie replied, feeling slightly deflated but knowing that Arizona was right, they both needed to sort some things out and Callie had flown to Miami to confront her parents. It hadn't gone as expected and just because she had a heart to heart with her mother today didn't mean she wasn't still upset. In fact, she wanted to make sure both her parents knew exactly what would happen if they ever pulled a stunt like this again or mistreated Arizona.
"Mom is waiting for me to finish our talk. Will I speak with you tomorrow?" Arizona asked, feeling confused and uncertain about Callie's behavior.
"Yes, of course. I will call you tomorrow night before bed and we can text throughout the day if you want. I know you'll be busy packing but I'd like to hear from you."
"Won't that be invading the time and space you asked for?"
"Not at all. I was just so mad, Arizona."
"I know. Ok then, we will talk tomorrow."
"Arizona, take it easy with your shoulder ok."
"I will."
"Goodnight, I love you."
"Love you too." Arizona replied softly. She hung up with a smile on her face and found her mom at the bar pretending to not have overheard the conversation.
"Everything ok?"
"Yes, it's not perfect but it's ok."
"I'm really upset with Mr. and Mrs. Torres. Do you know I invited Lucia to attend the National PFLAG meeting with me in Kansas City this year? If I had known about the stunt she pulled…"
"Mom, please don't do anything crazy. I know you go all mama bear and I love that you want to protect me but Callie is handling it. And her parents apologized to me and I believe that they are truly sorry."
"I know. I don't want to make things worse either but if that woman thinks she can try to bribe my daughter and then be my bff she has another thing coming."
"Since when do you say bff?" Arizona asked with a giggle. She may be on a bit of a sugar high and giddy that Callie seemed to be forgiving her quicker than she expected.
"It's late and you know your dad is going to want to get up with the sun to start getting all of this packed. Let's call it a night but I reserve the right to revisit this conversation tomorrow."
"Duly noted. Goodnight mom."
"Goodnight my sweet girl. I love you and I'm really proud of you." Barbara said, kissing her daughter's head.
"Love you too, mom. And thanks for everything."
Callie
Callie slept better that night than she had in several days. Things between herself and Arizona were far from perfect, they had a lot to work out, but the familiarness of their banter the night before had her feeling like they were on the road to recovery. She was on her way to her parent's house for dinner and she fully intended to finish their conversation without walking out this time. She needed to lay everything on the line for them. She needed to keep a level head and not let her emotions get the best of her.
"Callita!" Callie heard her abuela call from the kitchen as she entered the guest house.
"Hola Abuela."
"How mad are you?"
Callie smiled despite herself, her anger had ebbed away over time and though she was still hurt and upset, she didn't feel the fire that she had a few days ago. She may be hot tempered initially and quick to react but she rarely held onto the anger for long. She appreciated her grandma's candor, she was never one to mince words, "Depends."
"I made cafe con leche custard for you for dessert." Abuela replied with a knowing smile. It had been Callie's favorite even as a child and little Callie had many tantrums when her parents wouldn't let her have the coffee treat but her Abuela always saved one for her in secret.
"Hmmm, I suppose that helps a little." Callie replied, now while a genuine smile that she couldn't hide.
"Lo siento, Callita. I have no excuse for not telling you. I never meant to hurt you with it my dear. I only wanted to protect you but I know it was wrong and you deserved the truth."
"Thank you Abuela. I appreciate that. And you're right, I definitely would have preferred that one of you tell me the truth. I wish it had been Arizona but I also can understand the position all of you were in. In the future though, I expect honesty."
"Of course, you deserve nothing less. Now, tell me, how was Afghanistan?"
Callie told her Abuela about Afghanistan, leaving nothing out for the sake of honesty while the two finished putting together the salad that Maria had been working on when Callie entered the kitchen. They carried the salad out to the patio and found Nonna and Lucia setting the table for dinner.
"Callie, I didn't realize you were here, dear." Nonna said, she came around the table and embraced her granddaughter tightly.
"I was visiting with Abuela."
"I owe you an apology, Callie. Your mom told us about your talk yesterday. I'm sure you have more to say and I understand how upset you must be. I, we, all of us should have told you the truth. How you found out was awful and I am so sorry."
"You're right, I do have much more I'd like to say about it and I hope I get a chance to talk with all of you tonight about it. But I also understand where you, Abuela, and Aria were coming from. I even understand the position Arizona was in and how she could feel so conflicted, even if it seems black and white to me. Where's daddy?"
"He will be here soon. He's in his office having a meeting with Juan and J.J."
"What's that all about?" Callie side whispered to her mom.
"Nothing good, I'm afraid." Lucia replied. She made eye contact with Callie and they agreed silently to discuss it later. Though Maria was no stranger to her son-in-law's attempts to interfere with the company, she had a blind spot when it came to her grandsons.
The four women sat and chatted while they waited for Carlos to join them. The conversation was light and though Callie was trying to have a good time and was not nearly as upset as she was the day before, it felt forced, there was still far too much weighing on her mind. Carlos joined the group about fifteen minutes later and as if waiting for that as her que, Constantina rolled out the serving tray with their plates already made. Callie's eyes widened and she smiled at Constantina as she saw her lobster grilled just the way she liked it with Constantina's homemade cilantro chile butter on the side. Seafood fried rice with pineapple lay under the lobster and a big pan of garlic mussels was placed in the center of the table. Salad plates were passed around and for a few moments only the sounds of dishes clinking and the polite "please pass the…" were the only things heard.
It was about halfway through dinner when Carlos spoke up, "Calliope."
Callie swallowed her food, took a slow drink of her iced tea, and looked up to meet her father's eyes. She saw real pain and genuine regret. She braced herself for whatever it was he had to say as she answered, "Yes daddy?"
"I would like to think that I am a good son, a good husband, a good father, and a good man. I hope that making a mistake doesn't change that. I hope that as a good man, I can still make a mistake and be a good man if I try to right the wrong and apologize for my mistake. It isn't easy to see your children grow up and fear for them. But I realize, both Aria and you, are better than me. Better people, more evolved, more accepting and I am grateful for that. I never want to hold you back, Calliope. And I know you think I was disappointed in you for going to medical school and not taking over the company but I am so very proud. The day you graduated, I was bursting with pride, even if that is a sin." Carlos replied, a little smirk crossing his face as he looked at his daughter, "And I know you think I'm disappointed in you now for your lifestyle choices but I'm so very proud of the kind, generous, caring person that you are. I am so very sorry that I lost sight of that, mija. And I am even more sorry that I let you down."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I was wrong. I made a mistake. And I let you down, you are the one who should be disappointed in me. I am sorry for that and I hope I can make it up to you so that someday you can forgive me."
"You mean that?"
"I do."
"If you mean that, it means there can be no more talk of me living a life of sin. It means you will treat Arizona with the respect she deserves and you will apologize to her, again, in my presence. It means if or when in the future we get married, you will not interfere, you will be happy for us, you will love us, you will be a part of our lives. If or when we have children, you will be there for them, you will be supportive, you will love and protect them, and you will treat them equally. If that isn't what you mean, you need to tell me that right now."
"You think you will marry Arizona?" Lucia asked quietly, a slow smile spreading across her lips. Now that she had gotten past her own issues with this, she was back to being the pestering mom who couldn't wait for weddings and grandbabies.
"It's too early to talk about marriage, Mami but yes, I hope someday."
"Callie, you have my blessing to be happy in life. As long as you are still our Calliope with the big heart and brain, we will always support you, from now on." Carlos promised.
"And you will never try to bribe, blackmail, or coerce Arizona into anything like this again." Callie said, it wasn't a question.
"Of course not."
"Because if you do, we will not be sitting here having another civil conversation. You will not be welcome in my life. She made her own decision to not tell me, that's true, but she was put in that position because of you."
"We understand Callie." Lucia replied.
"Ok then. It's going to take some time to earn my trust back but I appreciate your effort, I really do." Callie replied with a smile. The smile that passed between her grandmother's didn't go unnoticed and Callie took a little pleasure in tossing them over the burner for a moment, "And you two! You should know better than to lie to me."
"Never again, Callita." Abuela said, seriously.
"Sorry, Callie." Nonna replied genuinely.
"You can make it up to me with dessert and Abuela's margaritas." Callie replied with a smile. She felt like a weight had been lifted. She was being cautiously optimistic about her parent's promises but she felt lighter than she had in weeks. Now, if only Monday night with Arizona could go so well.
Arizona
"Arizona, righty tighty, lefty loosey, how many times do I have to tell you?" Daniel asked, frustrated that Arizona had once again tightened the bed frame on her side rather than loosen it.
"Hmm, sorry, what?"
"Are you paying attention at all?"
"Sorry dad." Arizona replied, now trying to focus her attention on the task at hand instead of daydreaming about what Callie was up to.
Why had she told her not to come to Baltimore? She wanted her there, more than anything. But she also knew she had messed up and that Callie wouldn't have requested time and space if she didn't truly need it. So, she would be patient and let her have it. It was partly why she was in Baltimore and not Seattle. When left to her own devices during times of uncertainty, she generally found someone to take home. She would screw a girl senseless and take her mind off of whatever was frustrating, concerning, or irritating her. But that was who she was before Callie. Before Malawi really. Regardless, she couldn't risk falling into old routines. Not that she was worried about cheating, she would never, Callie meant way too much to her, everyone else dimmed in comparison. But it left far too much time for thinking and thinking lead to her wanting to put her walls back up and run. So here she was, packing her old apartment, finding a productive way to deal with her frustrations. It was either very adult of her or very stupid, maybe both.
"Squirt, squirt, watch out." Daniel yelled as the bed frame came apart and missed landing on his daughter by a few centimeters without her even flinching. "Alright, that's it, come on."
"Dad, I'm sorry, I'm just distracted." Arizona said, following after him. He threw the door to the fridge open, retrieved two beers, and pointed to the balcony outside. It was January in Baltimore which generally meant the temperature was around 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit, not exactly sitting on the balcony enjoying a cold beer weather.
Arizona grabbed two throw blankets from the pile her mom had neatly folded earlier and followed her dad to the balcony. He accepted the blanket though he was covered in a sheen of sweat and didn't need it. The pair stood, leaning on the second story railing and looking out over the neighborhood as they drank their beers.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"It's a long story."
"We are here the whole weekend, I've got time." Daniel replied, turning his head to look at his daughter.
Arizona took a deep breath and talked to her dad about the events that had happened over the course of time since she had left Boston. If she had learned anything from all of this, it was that even lies of omission would come back and bite you and they could be just as hurtful. She sincerely regretted that her lie hurt Callie. She couldn't deny that she was also hurt to think Callie thought for even a fraction of a second that she was capable of cashing that check. Then again, not telling her the truth from the beginning made her look guilty so she couldn't even blame her for considering it as a possibility.
"I just can't stop thinking about Callie. I know I hurt her but I really just want to be there for her. It's hard for me to not be there when I know she's hurting and I don't know how it's going with her family. And I want to be mad at her for assuming the worst about me but I'm scared me being mad will only make it worse."
"I know it's hard. Listening to what you've been through, seeing you out there in danger, making the world a better place, it's hard for your mother and I. But you have to trust Callie. You have to trust her to sort this out on her own and you have to trust that she will ask for your help when she needs it. And it's ok to be mad, Squirt, if you're mad, you're mad."
"I'm not sure how you and mom make it look so easy, dad."
"It's far from easy, kiddo. We've had our ups and downs. We were good at shielding you kids from it but we almost split a few times, especially when you and Tim were so little and I was gone so often. Nothing but hard work and commitment got us through. We've always loved each other, I will not ever love another if something were to happen between your mother and I. But I need to tell you, love isn't always enough. You and Callie are still new and exciting, you're young, you have so much ahead of you but no matter what happens, you have to make a conscious effort if you want it to work, if you want it to last."
"I've only ever seen you and mama happy and in love."
"I know. We made a pact when we first got together that we would never fight in front of you kids. My parents loved each other and were passionate but they fought all the time and I hated it. I vowed I would never do that to my kids and your mom agreed. Didn't stop her from throwing a frying pan at my head once though. Or us fighting behind closed doors."
"What? A frying pan?" Arizona asked, looking at her dad with a smile on her face, half in disbelief, half wanting to hear the story that would have caused her mother's temper to flare that much.
"It wasn't the cheap department store pans you buy nowadays either, it was her grandmother's cast iron skillet. It could have killed me and it put a damn hole in the wall the size of my head, that she made me fix by the way."
"Ok, I need to hear this story."
"Well, we were newly married and I was on leave for three months that fall. We were staying in Missouri in your Uncle Tim and Aunt Judy's rental, this was right before your uncle died, I think the youngest set of their twins had just been born. It was our one year anniversary, which I forgot. So I went out to the bowling alley with the guys for the night. Well we had some beverages, a lot of them and they talked me into going to the strip joint with them after bowling. Now all of them were single except for Steve and I. Now Steve, he had the sense to go home and it wasn't his anniversary but he had been married a few years longer and knew better. Your Aunt Judy saw me going in the strip club with the guys and high tailed it over to you mama's and ratted me out faster than green grass goes through a goose."
Daniel stopped and looked at his daughter as she giggled at his little joke, "Daddy, really, you should know better."
"Men learn a bit slower than women about certain things, Arizona." Daniel laughed with Arizona.
"So Mama was mad?"
"Mad doesn't even begin to describe it. She was waiting for me when I came home, I never even saw it coming. Thankfully, your mom never had the greatest aim to begin with and those skillets are heavy as hell so she was way off course. We had a heck of a shouting match, she threatened to leave me and forced me to sleep on the couch. The next morning I woke up with one hell of a headache and the supper she had made was still laid out on the table. She had some folded paper on my plate and that was how I found out that she was pregnant with Timmy."
"Wow. So not only did you mess up your anniversary but also her surprise. I'm surprised you've lasted thirty years dad."
"Me too but we men learn quickly at other things, like how to grovel. Don't underestimate the power of flowers and a genuine apology. And when that doesn't work, you just have to find what does for Callie. Like for your mom, there's this little store in Salem that sells macaroons, works seventy-five percent of the time, depending on the severity of the mess up."
"So, you're saying I should grovel."
"I'm saying you need to decide how badly you want this to work with Callie and whether or not you're willing to put in the effort. If you are, then yes, start groveling."
"I don't need to decide anything, I want Callie. And, since this is my first attempt at groveling, want to help me pick out some flowers? Callie loves calla lilies."
"Hmmm let's look online and see what they have. Do you know her parent's address in Miami or for her hotel."
"Her last text said things were going well with her parents and she was going to check out of the hotel and spend the weekend in her old bedroom. I can get the address." Arizona replied.
"It's not just about the flowers, Arizona, it's about the meaning behind them." Daniel said as he pulled up his list on his phone and handed it to Arizona to scour. Thankfully the location of Callie's childhood home was still saved in her phone from their visit in December. After an hour on the internet, Daniel and Arizona had picked out some flowers and they were being delivered sometime within the next hour.
"Now, you need to follow up with a more intimate gift. Something Callie really loves and is specific to Callie. I buy your mom tickets to the ballet even though I hate going, I do it for her. Just like she hates hockey but goes to watch the Bruins with me."
"I think I know just the thing but it's not something I need your help with."
"Ok, I'll leave you to it. I'm going to see if your mom is back yet and finish getting that bed torn apart. Come find me when you're done."
"Thanks dad, for everything."
"No problem, squirt."
Arizona took a deep breath and pulled up the browser on her phone. She knew exactly how to show Callie that she trusted her. She couldn't believe she was about to order this from the internet, she had imagined picking something like this out together in a store but she wanted to do this as a surprise. Hopefully, it was a surprise that Callie enjoyed. Typing in her search, she was immediately overwhelmed, there were so many to choose from. She knew she was out of her element here but this wasn't something she could ask for help with. She wanted to do this on her own. It took a full hour and quite the dent in her credit card but the package would be delivered to Alex's house in two days. She sent him a quick note explaining she was expecting a package and asked him to put it in her room unopened, threatening him with scut duty for a month, which was unprofessional but necessary, if the box was opened when she returned.
Callie
Callie was sitting on the patio by the fire alone, lost in thought. She had just returned from checking out of her hotel and the sun would be setting soon. She was enjoying a few minutes of peace and quiet before she intended to call Arizona. She was nervous and excited to speak with her. She couldn't wait to tell her about her talk with her parents and to see how the blonde was fairing with her packing. Callie caught her mother walking out of the house from the corner of her eye but didn't turn to look at her properly. She was too busy with her thoughts.
"These just came for you. There's a card." Lucia said, handing the giant vase of flowers to Callie. Callie stared at her mom in bewilderment as she took in the eclectic arrangement of colors and flowers. It was the most misfit bouquet she had ever seen but beautiful nonetheless. She noted the different colored calla lilies, red tulips and roses, pink chrysanthemums, purple violets, blue azaleas, blue iris, orange gladioli, and one sunflower in the center.
"What in the world?" Callie whispered as she took in the giant vase of misfit flowers. Lucia handed her the card she was holding with a smile.
Callie opened the card and saw a neatly typed note with the florist's letterhead and stationary.
My dearest Calliope,
You're probably confused by this bouquet of flowers that seemingly doesn't fit together but I disagree, they fit perfectly. They all represent you or how I feel for you in some way. I know calla lilies are your favorite so I'll start there.
Calla lilies represent beauty, lust, sexuality, and faithfulness. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, Callie, both inside and out. And I will remind you of that every chance I get. I think the lust and sexuality speak for themselves but in case you didn't realize, you are the most appealing woman to me and I desire you all the time. When it comes to faithfulness, you have mine, always. As for the individual colors, there's a few I want to point out. Pink because they stand for admiration and I am in awe of the person you are, constantly, your big heart blows me away. Purple is for passion and charm and I am so lucky that you couldn't resist the Robbins' charm. I love your passion for work and how that leads you to inspire others. Yellow represents gratitude and I haven't been good about saying this but I am so thankful that you came into my life. Black represents elegance and mystery. You have this badass, mysterious sexiness about you while still remaining classy and elegant and it is one of the things I find most beautiful about you. How can you be so caring and gentle but edgy and innovative at the same time?
Purple violets mean loyalty and devotion. Callie, I know you feel like my loyalty has not been to you but I will rectify that. My decision to omit the truth to you was wrong but it wasn't because of lack of devotion or loyalty to you, I really just wanted to protect you from harm. Which leads me to the orange gladioli, it represents strength and integrity. You are one of the strongest people I know and though you don't need my protection, it doesn't mean that I will stop wanting to protect you. I know you have questioned my integrity because of my choice not to tell you about the check, but I promise, I will never make you question it again if I can help it. The blue azalea represents femininity, love, and gentleness. You are the most caring and gentle lover I have ever known and represent all of the things I find beautiful about a woman. You are soft, gentle, and kind while also remaining fierce and strong in your beliefs and convictions. To me, you are the epitome of what it means to be feminine. The sunflower represents adoration and I hope I can show you, everyday, just how much you are adored by me. The blue iris means hope and faith, two things I have a hard time believing in but you make me believe. And because of you, I have hope for our future together and faith that we will get through this. The red tulips and red roses represent a declaration of love. This is my declaration to you, Calliope. In case you didn't know, I am in love with you. Lastly is the pink chrysanthemum, which represents honesty. I know I haven't been honest with you and because of that I hurt you but in the future, if you still want one with me, I promise to give you my honesty and to earn back your trust.
I love you, Calliope, I hope you have a good visit with your family. Everytime you look at this bouquet, if you're sad or lonely or feeling angry, know that I am here for you and I love you so.
Love,
Your Arizona
"Oh my gosh. Mom, did you read this?" Callie asked, tears streaming down her face as she looked through the bouquet of flowers. It was like a rainbow of misfit flowers but clearly Arizona had put a lot of thought into each flower. She had initially thought that the blonde just didn't have much experience in sending flowers but realizing this much thought was put into it just made Callie want to cry and laugh at the same time. It was so Arizona.
"No, I didn't. Are you alright, Callie?" Lucia asked. She took the typed note from Callie's outstretched hand as Callie nodded her head yes but continued to cry and laugh together. Lucia read through the note quickly, tears present in her own eyes as she smiled brightly at her daughter.
"This was just so sweet and thoughtful."
"It really was. Go, go and call her, mija." Lucia encouraged.
"Thanks Mami." Callie called over her shoulder, already walking away, eager to get to her room and talk to the blonde.
As soon as her door was shut, Callie snatched the phone off her nightstand where she left it to charge and dialed Arizona's number. She drummed her fingers against her thigh nervously as she waited for Arizona to answer. Her heart sank lower and lower with every ring and just as she thought the voicemail would pick up, she heard Arizona's perky voice answer with a giggled, "Hello."
"Hey babe, what's so funny?"
"My parents have been telling me some pretty colorful stories from their younger days while we pack. Just a second, Callie," Callie heard Arizona whisper to her parents that she would be back in a few minutes before she returned to the line, "Sorry, I'm back. How are you doing?"
"I got your flowers and the note. Arizona, I can't even tell you how sweet that was. You put a lot of thought into that."
"Calliope, I know I am not always good at showing you or expressing to you what you mean to me but you mean the world to me. I know I've been insecure about our relationship and then I made you question me. I just wanted to make you smile. I know this doesn't fix everything but I hope it's a start."
"Arizona, I know you meant well. And the flowers, the letter, it just, it was perfect. I really can't wait to see you on Monday."
"Are you still mad?"
"No, I'm not mad. I'm still working through some things but I'm not mad at you, Arizona. I just wish you had told me."
"I know, I wish I had too. I really thought I was protecting you. It's not an excuse, I'm just being honest."
"I know and I understand. I would want to protect you too if the situation were reversed. I talked with my parents and I put them in their place. They know the consequences of ever pulling a stunt like this again or disrespecting you. We had a good talk. You were right, they are trying. Somehow, I think I have you to thank for that."
"Maybe my words influenced them a little but they wouldn't be trying if they didn't want to, Callie. I am so glad they are being supportive and you are working things out. I would hate for you to lose your family after everything."
"I know, me too. So, how is the packing going?"
"Pretty well. We got a lot done today. Tomorrow we are going to finish packing and Saturday we are renting a u-haul and taking everything I don't currently need to a storage unit. I'll have it all shipped once I return from Malawi. For now, I'm just sending the essentials."
"You're not doing any heavy lifting are you?"
"No, I promise, I'm not. I love being a surgeon, I wouldn't risk causing nerve damage nor would I risk upsetting you further. Besides that, neither of my parents would let me even if I wanted to."
"Good. Who is going to do the heavy lifting then?"
"We hired some guys. I still have friends at the hospital so two of them are helping out and interns are always looking for extra cash. Amelia gave me some names of interns that might be interested in helping and I hit the jackpot. Two of them are coming on Saturday with my friends to load the u-haul and then they will follow us over to the storage unit to unpack it. We're staying at a hotel on Saturday night and then Sunday afternoon mom and dad are headed back to Boston. I will probably get a hotel room at the airport hotel on Sunday night since my flight leaves first thing Monday morning."
"I'm glad you were able to hire some muscle. I really can't wait to see you on Monday. I am really sorry that I left you hanging and wondering about us."
"I know you were upset and I know you needed some time and space to think about things, the least I could do was give it to you. I admit, it wasn't easy. I was very close to putting my walls back up."
"What stopped you?"
"My dad. And you."
"Me?"
"Yes you. Callie, didn't you read the note attached to the flowers?"
"I did, it was all so very sweet and romantic, Arizona. I really loved it."
"I'm glad." Arizona replied with a smile. She really owed her dad a very large beer she thought to herself with a smile. "I got you another present too."
"You did, did you?"
"I did, but it's not here yet. It will be there on Monday when we have our talk if you want it then."
"What is it?"
"It won't be a surprise if I tell you."
"A hint at least?"
"It's something to show you that I trust you completely."
"Hmmm...I have no idea, I need another hint."
"Nope, that wasn't our agreement." Arizona teased.
"But Arizona…"Callie whined. Arizona smiled through the phone, she could picture Callie's slumped posture and whiny face.
"I think you'll enjoy it. And if you're nice to me, maybe I will send you another hint or if you're really nice, maybe a picture."
"Arizona, are you suggesting I send you naughty pictures?"
"I would never, Calliope."
"Wow and to think there was a time when I thought you were sweet and innocent."
"Not since I was in pigtails babe."
"You still rock some pigtail braids honey."
"Yeah I do." Arizona giggled.
"Well, Mami and I are going to have some of Abuela's margaritas and sit by the fire for a while. Get some rest, I'll call you tomorrow, ok?"
"Sounds good. You get some rest too. Tell your family hello from me. And watch out for your Abuela's margaritas, they pack a punch, I remember."
"I'm no virgin to Abuela's tequila ratios, besides, you're a lightweight."
"Hey, I take offense to that."
"It's the truth."
"Hmmm, now I think I will need two pictures for another hint and three if you want a picture of the surprise." Arizona replied.
"Hey, cheater."
"Keep talking, Calliope and I will up the ante."
"Fine." Callie replied, rolling her eyes.
"I can hear your eye roll from here." Arizona giggled.
"Goodnight crazy, I love you."
"Love you too." Arizona said, hanging up.
Callie changed into her red bikini and snapped a picture in the mirror with her thumb hooked in the bottom, slightly pulling it down on one side. She hit send and waited. She smiled as Arizona replied immediately.
"Holy mother...I think you can do better than that though."
Callie threw her head back in a laugh as she undid her top and mimicked nearly the same pose only topless. She knew Arizona was a boobs girl and she wouldn't be able to come up with a negative response to this. She inspected the photo and finding it worthy, she hit send.
"Wow... I have no other words. You are seriously a Goddess, Calliope. One more?" Callie read the text and rolled her eyes. This time she posed in a compromising position on the bed, resting her phone on the nightstand, she set the timer and waited with one hand below the fabric barely covering her bikini area and her other hand cupping her breast. She inspected the picture and smiled as she hit send, glad her sister always went for the highest end gadgets with all the bells and whistles.
A few moments passed and she still didn't receive a reply. She checked her phone and confirmed the message and photo had both gone through. Just as she was about to text Arizona, a reply came through with a picture from Arizona. Arizona was winking as she held a pair of handcuffs dangling from an index finger, her shoulders were bare and she wondered if she was naked. The next picture that came through was a screenshot of Arizona's search engine. It took a moment for her to read and process the image and when she did her jaw dropped, "Holy fuck."
"Just to give you an idea of your surprise." Arizona sent through her text with a winky face emoji.
"You seriously bought that?"
"I guess you will have to wait until Monday to find out. Goodnight my naughty sex goddess. FYI, I'm keeping these pictures forever."
"As long as they are for your eyes only. I can't wait until Monday."
"Like I would share these with anyone. Love you."
"Love you too, Arizona. Sweet dreams." Callie texted before she pulled up the screenshot once again and inspected it. She opened her own browser to research the website from the screenshot and her heart rate quickened as pictures popped up. "Mierda."