A/N: hey everyone, I know it's been a while since I posted. Life has just been kicking my ass. Anyways I hope you all enjoy...
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All characters, storyline, dialogues belong to their rightful owner. Shonda Rhimes and maybe a few other shows. Also spelling mistakes, and punctuations marks are mine.
Arizona POV
Standing by the kitchen counter, I call out to Aiden, "Bud are you ready? We have to pick up Mami from work and then we get to have dinner with your Abuelo and Abuelita."
Early this morning, Callie got paged into an emergency surgery and she just texted me that she's ready to get picked up.
"Yes mama I'm ready." He squealed excitedly.
Holding his hand we make our way to the car. I would be lying if I said, I wasn't nervous. I try to push my nervousness out the way and focus on my adorable son in front of me. Jumping in the driver seat, we make the short drive to the hospital to pick up Callie.
"Mama, I'm so exited for today."
"Me too, bud." I gulped nervously.
Pulling up to the hospital I see my beautiful girlfriend. There's something about seeing her in tight skirt and blouse that hugs her in all the right places, that does something to me.
Callie opens the passenger door and no hops in.
"How are my two favorite people?"
"Good mama. I can't wait to see abuelo, abuelita and tia Aria."
"I know sweetie. They are just as excited as you."
After I make sure she's buckled, Callie leans in and kisses me. "Mhmmm." I groaned from the touch of her lips.
"How'd your emergency surgery go?"
"Well it was alright. Touch and go in the beginning, but Teddy had it. Didn't need to call me in, but I guess they feel better with me there."
"I know i feel better when you're with me." I whispered.
Callie rolls her eyes at me and I give her a wink to which she laughs.
"So we're meeting them at Seattle Bay Cafe?"
"Yes, that's my mom's favorite place to eat dinner when they come to town."
Callie grabs my hand, and interlaced our fingers. She looks at me and gives me a look.
"What?"
"Babe are you nervous?"
"No." I lied with a smile on my face.
"Really?" Callie laughed. "Then why is your hand so sweaty?"
I glance at her and smile. "Okay you got me. Yes I'm a little nervous. I've never met anyone's parents before..."
"Aww they'll love you. You have nothing to worry about honey."
"Calliope, you're everything to me. So yes I'm gonna worry."
"I know. You're everything to me too." She says kissing the back of my hand. The rest of the ride is filled with music and laughter. Pulling up to the restaurant, I hand the valet our keys and we make our way through the entrance.
"Wow Calliope, this place is fancy."
"Well that's what my mom loves. She loves the best of the best."
A few seconds later, all I hear is my excited toddler. "Abuelo, Abuelito, you're here." Aiden runs up and hugs them. Hand in hand they walk up to us. My nerves start getting the best of me as I try to keep it together. Taking it in, Callie is the perfect mixture of her mom and dad. They're smiling, so far everything is going well.
"Mom, Dad. This is my girlfriend. Arizona Robbins."
Putting my hand out, I introduce myself. "I'm so glad, I can finally meet you Mr. and Mrs.Torres, Calliope speaks highly of you."
"Please Arizona, call us Carlos, and Lucia. We are also happy to meet you, granted we had to ask about you...
"Mom!" Callie whispered roughly.
"Calliope, don't talk to your mother that way." I chastised.
Callie gives me a small smile and I wink back at her.
"Wow, you must be something special. Callie never backs down from an argument. And she lets you call her Calliope? That never happens." Lucia teases.
"Mom, please."
"Lucia, Callie's right. Let's try our best not to embarrass her." Carlos grins at Callie.
"Thanks dad."
"How about we make our way to our table?" Carlos insisted.
We all follow suit and Aria comes up next to me "Relax they already like you."
I release a deep breath that I didn't even realize I was holding. I take my seat next to Callie and Aiden.
As we sit together and wait for our food, we have light conversation.
"So Arizona, Callie tells us you're head of Pediatrics."
"Yes, ma'am." I smiled.
"Please call me Lucia. That must be incredibly hard to do.."
I take a moment to think of what to say but I can't think of anything amazing to impress them so I go with honesty. "The children in my ward always keep me busy. Yes it's a hard job to take care of really sick kids, but I love it. I love the innocence and how resilient children are. As much as they need me. I need them. I learn more from them, then I do anywhere else."
Callie POV
The moment Arizona answered my mom, I had to look up at her to see my mom's reaction. I didn't think Arizona would be so raw and honest when answering my parents. My mom looks at Arizona and then looks at me. And for the first time, I believe she has a genuine smile on her face. It's quiet and I decide to break the silence.
"Arizona, you should tell my parents about your one patient who was a dancer."
Instantly my girlfriend perks up and smiles. "His name is Jake Fisher. A few months back, my brother and I were his surgeons on his case.."
"Wait your brother is also a surgeon?" My father asked.
"Yes, he's the head of Orthopedics."
"Wow, you're parents must be proud."
"Papi, listen to the story." Aria teased.
"Jake, he was an amazing dancer. I'm no pro but you can just tell when someone is amazing at what they do. He had that passion in his eyes. Anyways he had one of the most advance osteosarcoma, I've ever seen in a child. We tried our best to get rid of the cancer but it came back full force, so the only way to save him and give him the best chance at living was to amputate."
"Oh..my." Aria and Lucia gasped.
"Right." I smiled "Keep going babe."
"Although we couldn't find a way for him to keep his leg, I did the next best thing I could for him." Arizona continued.
"Which was?" My dad asked. I look up and watch my family being drawn in by my girlfriend's natural aura.
"I found him a dance studio who works with amputees and his mother just emailed me last night that he has his first recital tomorrow and he invited Callie and I to watch."
"That's amazing." Aria smiled.
"Yes, they are. Like I said, children are resilient." Arizona smiled and squeezed my leg.
Dinner goes off in a hitch and I can tell that my parents are enjoying Arizona. This all feels too sureal, that I stand up.
Everyone looks at me confused. "Sorry, I need to use the restroom."
"Calliope, are you okay?" Arizona asked.
"Yes.. umm.. I'll be back." I say quickly leaving the table.
"I'll go check on her." Aria speaks up.
"No, I'll go. Lucia says putting down her fork and napkin.
I run to the bathroom and take deep breath, trying to dry the tears from my eyes.
"Mija?"
"Mom, I can't right now."
"What's wrong? I thought it was going good?" My mother tries to make light of this conversation.
"I know I shouldn't be mad anymore, but it's so hard."
"Calliope, I'm sorry. I know this is gonna take time. I'm really trying here."
"I know." I said nodding my head. "It feels like one day you're gonna change your mind and take everything back."
"Look, we can't fix this over night, and I can only prove to you with my actions. So I'll be here for you Mija with whatever you need." She says with her arms wide open.
I take a moment to decide what to do. So I take a step forward and hug her.
"Míja, Arizona. She's amazing. I can see why you love her so much."
"I do. Mami. I love her very much." I say breathlessly trying to keep myself from crying.
Arizona POV.
"So Arizona, you love my daughter?"
I cough on my steak, not expecting that question.
"Yes, I do." I say wholeheartedly.
"Abuelo, mama loves me too." Aiden speaks up.
"I sure do." I smiled at my son.
"So you're not gonna leave them?"
"Papi!" Aria snapped.
I smile at Aria. Loving how she's so protective over Callie and I.
"Aria, it's okay."
"How about Aiden and I check out the dessert table?" Aria offered sensing this isn't a conversation to have in front of Aiden. I smile at her mouthing, "Thank you." To which she nods her head at me.
"Look, Carlos. I love and respect your daughter more than anything. Honestly I don't owe you an explanation. But I know Callie. Her family means the world to her even though she doesn't act like it. So I'm gonna say this respectfully. I know she's your daughter and that's your grandson. But those two mean everything to me and I will protect them even from you. Even though I know I don't have too. She's strong and brave. But I'm not going anywhere."
It's quiet for a few seconds and I know I just ruined everything for Callie.
"Good." Carlos says taking a bite from his steak.
Im taken back for a moment, confused even. "Good?"
"Yes, good. You're everything I ever imagined when I pictured someone for Callie. Granted you're not a male. But that doesn't matter. You're perfect for them and I can tell you mean what you say."
"Umm yes sir. I do."
"So when are you gonna ask to marry her?"
Taking a chance not sure if I should do this.
"Can I show you something?"
"Sure."
I take out the ring my father gave me a month a go. "My father gave me this ring to give to Callie when the time is right. This was my grandmother's ring. You see my grandfather he was serving on the USS Arizona, when the Japanese bomber Pearl Harbor. And he saved 19 men before he drowned."
"Arizona..."
"Everything my father ever did was pretty much to honor his sacrifice. Carlos..I'd do anything for her. So maybe it might be soon to ask for your permission to marry her since I just met you, but.."
"Yes..." I hear a voice from behind me. I turn around and it's Lucia.
"Yes, our answer is yes." She says strongly with out a shadow of a doubt.
Carlos smiles at his wife and nods his head. "Our answer is yes."
I look around looking to see if Callie heard any of this. "She's looking at the desserts with Aiden and Aria." Lucia speaks up.
"We may have just met Arizona, but we know. We knew before we even came here that you were it for her. We seen the pictures at your parents ranch."
"Wow. Umm. So you heard everything I just told Carlos. Making sure we're on the same page."
"Yes." She laughed. "Relax Arizona, it's okay. Plus they're heading back this way. So if I were you I'd put that beautiful ring away." She winked.
"So how's everything?" Callie says taking her seat next to me.
"It's awesome." I smile taking her hands in mind, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
We enjoy our desserts and say our goodbyes. After putting Aiden to bed, Callie tries to bring up what happened.
"I pretty much just told them that I'm not going anywhere and that I will protect you and Aiden from anything. Even from them."
"Ari.."
"I know Calliope, you don't need me protecting you. I know that, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to"
Callie interlaces our fingers and we fall asleep hand in hand.
General POV
Arizona and Callie arrive at Seattle Performing Arts Center. Handing her keys to the valet. They walk up to the entrance.
"I'm so glad my parents took Aiden tonight." Callie smiles at her girlfriend in her beautiful red dress.
"I know, I'm sure this is the last place our three year old wants to be at."
"Right?" Callie agrees.
"We need to really start planning his birthday."
"Yes, babe. We can plan that as soon as my parents leave. Things have been hectic."
"Whatever you want, Calliope."
Walking up to the front desk, they ask for our name. To which Arizona was happy to give. After putting our bracelets on, the usher showed us to our seat.
"Wow we got good seats." Callie laughed.
"Hey, Zona. Hey Callie." Tim smiles, with Teddy attached to his arms. The couple looks up at them.
"Look at you two." Callie smiles.
"Right, we clean up good." Timothy jokes as they take the seat next to them.
"Looking good. Jr." Arizona teases.
"You too sis."
The light goes off and the recital begins. Arizona and Callie are amazed at how strong and determined these kids are. One by one everyone performs. Finally it's the last performance and it's Jake.
He's flawless. The way he moves it's as if he never had an amputation. A few months ago, he never thought he would be dancing. Now look at him. The confidence in his strides. The fierceness in his leaps. Jake finishes his dance and the crowd gives him a standing ovation. Callie looks at Arizona and she has tears in her eyes.
"You're amazing." Callie whispers as she kisses Arizona cheeks.
"He's amazing."
"It's because of you, you know that."
"Babe.."
"Arizona, you never gave up on him, and yes he did all the work, but you gave him the opportunity to do that."
"Thank you." Arizona says as she kisses Callie's plump lips.
All the performers, walk on stage and give a final bow. Arizona grabs Callie's hand and lead them to the back stage. Tim and Teddy follow them.
"Dr. Robbins, you made it." Jake says.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world buddy. You did amazing!"
"Thank you, he says as he smiles as Arizona and Timothy."
"It was all you." Timothy says as he gave him knuckles.
"No, it's because you two never gave up on me." Jake smiles.
"As long as you believe in yourself, that's all that matters." Arizona smiles.
All of a sudden, Arizona feels her cellphone vibrating. She looks down and she doesn't recognize the number. "Excuse me I'll be right back." Callie gives Arizona a worried look.
"It's okay. I need to take this phone call." Arizona reassures.
Arizona goes outside in an empty hallway and answers," Hello?"
"Is this Dr. Arizona Robbins?"
"Yes. Speaking?"
"This is the Dr. Lawrence. I'm calling I'm calling on behalf of the Carter Maddison Grant Committee..."
Instantly Arizona feels her heart drop...
"Hello? Is anyone there?...hello?"
Snapping out of it, Arizona speaks up. "Yes... I'm still here..."
A/N: happy holidays. Next update should be this week. Thank you for being patient.