"How are my girls?" Carlos asked as he entered room 202 to find doctors Montgomery, Bailey, Sloan and Shepherd surrounding his daughter who was laughing and smiling at the antics of the doctors.
"Papi, you remember everyone right?" Callie asked, watching as her father then mother entered the room.
"Of cause Mija... hello everyone" Carlos smiled and was greeted by a round of greetings.
"Right everyone time to clear out and let Callie and Arizona get this little one home" Addison announced and everyone groaned. They had been hiding out in Callie's room for the last hour cooing over the baby.
Everyone wished Callie well as they left the room, smiling at Carlos and Lucia as they went.
"Your not ready to leave Mija" Lucia asked once it was just the five of them, she moved over to the bassinette to check her granddaughter was sleeping soundly before turning her attention to her daughter who was laid on the bed in her gown clasping Arizona's hand tightly and looking nervous.
"Arizona could you please go grab the wheel chair while I get ready?" Callie asked, giving Arizona a glance to tell the blonde that she needed a few moments alone with her parents to break the news to them.
"Of course, I'll be back soon. Be careful when you get up to get dressed ok?" Arizona said as she placed a kiss to Callie's cheek.
"Yes dear" Callie joked despite the nerves building in her.
"Funny, be back soon" Arizona threw over her shoulder as she left the room.
"Mija why do you look like you're going to be in trouble?" Carlos asked after a few moments.
"There's something I need to tell you and I'm not sure if you're going to like it or not" Callie admitted as she wrung her hands.
"Mija, nothing you tell us is going to make us act aggressive towards you, even if it upsets us we will talk about it calmly with you, please trust us" Lucia smiled reassuringly as she took Arizona's seat and lifted her daughter's hand into her own. Carlos made his way behind his wife, laying his hand on her shoulder.
"I umm... I asked Arizona to be Sofia's mom" the younger Latina stumbled over her words, her tongue feeling too fat for her mouth.
"You did?" Lucia asked in a neutral voice, turning to look at Carlos to see how he was reacting to the news but his face was poker straight.
"She said yes" Callie continued, not being able to read her parents expressions.
"I can't say it hasn't come as a surprise" Lucia offered.
"I knew it was coming at some point, but I didn't realise it would happen so soon" Carlos interrupted. "Are you happy Mija?"
"So happy, I have everything I have ever wanted" Callie admitted.
"Then it doesn't matter what me or your father think. Just be happy and enjoy it" Lucia rubbed Callie's hand with her fingers soothingly.
"It matters to me, I want your support on this" Callie searched her mothers eyes with her own for and trace of upset.
"Darling girl, all your mother and I have ever wanted was for you to be healthy, happy and safe. We lost you for three years and didn't know if you were dead or alive. When we finally found you we have never felt so happy and devastated at the same time, we made a promise to you when you were Sofia's age that we would always protect you and we failed at that, we let that monster hurt you and were powerless to do anything to save you. But right now we have some power, we can choose to support you or choose to pick faults in what your doing. Arizona is a good girl and she's going to make an amazing mother to Sofia, would we prefer you had waited for a few months, maybe a year before deciding this then we would probably have been happier however this is the situation we are in and we support you a hundred percent. If this is what you want, and if this is what is going to make you happy then who are we to stand in the way of your family?"
"Thank you Papi" Callie sobbed.
"Calliope, Arizona is already family... she's been family for almost twenty years and if she is who you choose to be Sofia's mother then of course we will support this. But you need to be absolutely certain that this is what you want, what happens if things don't work out between the two of you?" Lucia asked.
"We would still be friends... and I would never stop her from seeing Sofia no matter what" Callie said adamantly.
"Well ok then, you have my support" Lucia smiled as she squeezed Callie's hand. "Now Abuelo why don't you look after Miss Sofia whilst I help Calliope get changed"
"My pleasure" Carlos grinned as he made his way to Sofia's bassinette and smiled down at the little girl.
-oOo-
"Why are we going round the side of the house and not through the front door?" Callie asked as Carlos led the group through the garden gate.
"You'll see" Lucia grinned cheekily.
"SURPRISE" Came a whispered yell as they rounded the corner. There was a bunting hung up saying 'welcome home' and pink helium balloons everywhere the eye could see as well as banners saying 'baby girl' hung up in various places.
Aria, Barbara, Daniel, Tim and Claire were piled in the garden with beaming smiles.
"What's this?" Callie asked as Arizona placed the baby carrier on the floor and laid a soothing hand on Callie's back. Surprises were really not a good idea around the brunette and she had seen her flinch before a smile spread across her face.
"It's only once we welcome our first grandchild home" Lucia beamed.
"Well thankyou, I didn't expect this at all" Callie smiled in return. Once Lucia and Carlos were out of earshot she turned to her girlfriend with a nervous smile. "Ready to introduce our daughter to the rest of the family?"
"They met her yesterday" Arizona said cluelessly.
"Yesterday they met her as my daughter, today they meet her as your daughter" Callie clarified.
"Oh right... yeah, go find some ear plugs because mum is going to scream the house down when she finds out" The blonde joked.
Arizona picked Sofia up from her carry cot and cradled her in one arm, with her spare hand she took Callies hand in her own and guided her towards Barbara and Daniel.
"Mum, Dad... I would like you to meet someone" Arizona smiled nervously.
"We met Sofia yesterday silly" Barbara smiled as she looked down at the baby and ran the back of her finger down a tanned cheek.
"I would like to introduce you to my daughter" Arizona continued anyway, biting back a laugh when Barbara's head comically snapped up.
"Your daughter?" Daniel asked as his wife was for once speechless.
"My daughter. Sofia this is Nana and Grandad" Arizona cooed.
"Oh my god... are you two getting married?" Tim asked as he joined the conversation.
"What... no!" Arizona said a little too loudly and awoke the baby in her arms.
"Not yet anyway" Callie added which caused Arizona to spin her head so fast she almost gave herself whiplash. Callie couldn't help but laugh at the look on Arizona's face.
"So when did this happen?" TIm asked as he nudged his twins shoulder to get her to pick up her jaw.
"Callie asked me last night and I of course said yes, how could I not say yes have you seen Sofia, who wouldn't want to be her Mom" Arizona smiled at her family.
"I'm proud of you bug... this is a big step and a big responsibility" Daniel said as he kissed the side of Arizona's head.
"I know dad, I'm taking it very seriously" Arizona smiled.
"So does this mean that you two are going to move in with each other?" Tim asked with interest. Carlos owned the house next door to the house he and Claire rented from him and it was going to be available in the next few months, it would be ideal for Arizona and Callie. He could just see his own children and Sofia running around the back yards playing, it would be perfect.
"We haven't talked about it yet" Arizona admitted as she handed Sofia to her mother who was making a fuss of the little girl.
Tim pulled Arizona aside by wrapping his arm around her shorter shoulder and led her to the back of the garden where they were alone. "Blondie, I always thought I would make them grandparents first... how do you feel about her not being biologically yours?" Tim asked carefully.
"No kids that Callie and I have will be biologically ours, there is always going to be one of us that is biologically related. Biology doesn't matter here, what matters is that I love that little girl with my whole heart and I'm going to be there for her every single day till I take my last breath" Arizona said seriously.
"Good, I just wanted to check with you that you were ok. I'm so happy for you sis" Tim said as he pulled his twin into a hug.
"So about the moving in together, number twenty-three is going to be available in a few months. The Johnsons are moving interstate for Jim's job so let me paint you a picture. Your next door neighbour is your favourite brother..."
"My only brother" Arizona interrupted.
"Your favourite only brother..." Tim smirked "imagine Sofia being able to play in the backyard with her cousins every night after school. We can babysit for each other and not have to be far away from home. We can have cook outs on a weekend and invite our friends round... tell me that doesn't sound perfect"
"Ok I'm interested... when exactly are they leaving?" Arizona asked.
"I'm not a hundred percent certain, maybe three months. It's Carlos' house so maybe ask him if your really interested. I mean they have lived there for about ten years so the house will probably need some work doing to it but you know Carlos'... and if his daughter is moving in we might even be able to get him to get a pool fitted... how much fun would Sofia have in her own swimming pool"
"Youve already sold it to me. I will speak to Carlos" Arizona laughed.
"I'm happy for you sis... truly" Tim smiled wide.
"I'm happy for me, this is everything I have ever wanted. Callie, a family of my own, being a surgeon... everything just seems to be falling into place. I didn't know I could feel this happy" Arizona admitted shyly.
"You remember the day you brought Jo home?" Tim questioned and waited for his twin to nod, although she had a questioning look on her face wondering where this was going. "Well Callie was going to tell you she had feelings for you that day, she was devastated when you came home with Jo, but she loved you enough to allow you to be happy. That's how much that woman loves you... that's how long she has loved you... don't mess this up Z" Tim warned carefully.
"I wont Timmy, I promise I will hold on to this moment forever and regardless of how mad or upset we get with each other, I will always remember that Callie loves me as much as I love her. I'm not stupid enough to think it will always be plain sailing... but we will get through whatever the universe throws at us, and we will do it together" Arizona said seriously. "I'm gonna marry this girl Tim" Arizona nodded to show how serious she was.
"Good, just not yet. I don't think she is ready for a proposal yet. Just make sure when you do pop the question you make it grand. Something really special. And make sure she gets the wedding she always told us she was going to have as kids"
"I will. I'd do anything to make her smile Tim, her and Sofia. They are my world"
-oOo-
As the party was winding down an hour and a half later, Tim and Claire had left to return to work, Callie found herself exhausted from the night of broken sleep, the excitement of the birth and the adrenaline of asking Arizona to be Sofia's mother. She was sitting, rather uncomfortably, on her chair in the garden, Sofia in her carry seat sleeping, with her head nodding down to her chest.
"Sweetheart why don't you go up to bed for an hour and get some rest, I'll watch Sof" Arizona smiled at her girlfriend softly.
"Mmm I'm awake" Callie mumbled.
"Your falling asleep at our daughters first party. Go get some rest" Arizona said as she cupped Callie's cheek and raised her head so their eyes could meet.
"You sure you'll be ok with her, what if she gets hungry?" Callie asked.
"Then I will come and wake you up, I promise" Arizona smiled at her sleepy girlfriend.
"Mmkay but only for an hour" Callie said.
"Sleep for as long as you can it's going to be a long few weeks till we get her in a routine" Arizona offered, Callie just nodded gave Arizona a kiss on the cheek and started making her way to the bedroom.
"I'll help you tidy up" Daniel offered Lucia who smiled her thanks and followed her to start taking down the banners and buntings.
"Mom, do you mind if I have a word with Carlos?" Arizona asked sweetly, her mother eyed her warily but nodded in agreement and left to help her husband and best friend.
"What is it Arizona, is something wrong?" Carlos asked worriedly.
"No nothing is wrong, everything is perfect. There's just something I would like to discuss with you" Arizona started nervously, waiting for her girlfriends father to motion his head for her to continue. "Well see the thing is, Tim and I were talking and apparently the Johnsons house will be empty soon. I was wondering whether I would be able to rent it from you?"
"Of course Arizona. They leave at the end of next month and then I was planning on getting a contractor in to fix the house up a bit. They have looked after the house well in the past ten years but its outdated now and the garden could use a major overhaul" Carlos smiled warmly.
"There's more. I havent spoken to Calliope yet but how would you feel if I asked her to move in with me?" Carlos' eyebrows rose in surprise as he studied the young doctor with interest.
"May I ask why you are asking me before you discuss this with Calliope?"
"Well there are a few reasons. The first is that it's important to me to have your blessing on this. It's a big step for you to have Callie move out again after what happened last time and I would really like to have you and Lucia on board with this. Secondly because I don't know if Callie is ready for that step yet and I would like your advise..." Arizona trailed off with a hopeful look on her face.
"When Callie announced she was moving out and going to live with Earl, it came as a complete surprise to me and her mother. We thought we had years left with her living at home when she only got accepted into Drew's. Their first house, I won't call it a home because she could never have been home with that monster, but their first house was this pokey little shit hole, Calliope made it nice inside but it was still a dive. I wanted more for my little girl but she was in this bubble with him and nothing I said could persuade her to come home so I allowed it to happen. Earl never once came to me to ask for my blessing in anything and I appreciate you doing that, it shows your character, even though I know what kind of person you are. It shows how much you care for my daughter and how much you respect us as her parents"
"Thank you Carlos, You and Lucia have always been like second parents to me" Arizona smiled softly as she wiped the tear that was forming in her eye.
"As for timing, we have a month and a half before the Johnsons move out. Then it will take say three weeks for the contractor to get the house in order. I suggest waiting a little while till Calliope's emotions and hormones arent so high before asking her to move in with you, but if that is something that Calliope wants to do, we will support you both. I have to admit I do like the idea that you will be so close to home"
"Its the perfect location, its next door to Tim, it's a four minute walk to you and Lucia and mom and dad. Aria is right here too for now. And it's a beautiful house, I really think Cal will appreciate being so close to you both too. Its going to be a huge step for her to move out again and having you so close to hand will hopefully help her with any anxiety towards it, that's if she agrees" The blonde said.
"Don't worry about her not agreeing, even if she doesn't agree at first she will come around. Shes committed to you and Sofia, she wants to build a life with you both. The pair of you will be living together eventually... although I have to say you are doing this all in the wrong order, really you should have married my daughter before you move in with her and have a child with her" Carlos teased.
"If I thought she was ready for a proposal now, I would do it in a heartbeat. Little steps" Arizona offered back.
"Well so you know, when the time comes to propose, you have mine and Lucia's blessing. There is just one thing I request" Carlos turned serious.
"What's that?"
"Give her a proposal worthy of her, not some cheap tacky ring and a half assed question in a bar" Carlos spat out distastefully. He still remembered the day his eldest had come home with a cubic zirconia ring and announced she was marrying Earl. He also remembered the argument that followed that announcement. He never wanted to argue with either of his daughters like that again.
"I promise Carlos, it will be the perfect ring and it will be the perfect proposal, I will pull out every single stop I can to make it amazing for her"
"And may I ask, will there be more grandchildren?" Carlos asked cheekily.
"We have talked about it, there will be... but lets just enjoy Sofia for now" Arizona laughed.