Miami
Arizona nervously fixed her watch on her wrist as her other hand held onto the medium size beautifully wrapped cream colored box — her birthday present for Mia . She took a deep breath as the elevator ding . The metal door opened and she was immediately greeted by Nanny Garcia .
"Arizona ! Come in ." Nanny Garcia said excitedly .
Arizona had just step out of the elevator but here she was — less than three seconds later - pulled into the embrace of the older woman . She had taken the Lyft to the Torres's residence . It was more convenient like that as she would only be in and out of here .
"How are you ? It's been what .. a year ?" Nanny Garcia asked as they made their way into the living room . "Have a seat , darling ."
"I think so ." Arizona quickly settled in comfortably in the living room . Arizona let out a silent breath of relief . Nanny Garcia and the warmth of her welcome had quickly made her somehow less tense .
"Aria is feeding our little miss diva . Carlos and Edward should be home in like an hour or less ."
"You probably will need to send my regards to the men . I'm afraid that I won't be here long . Just stopping by to deliver the present and maybe few hugs and kisses to my favourite baby girl in the world . How's everyone , by the way ?" Arizona asked — her care for the Torres's family (maybe except for Lucia) had never changed even after what happened .
Even after it was over .
Though , the therapy she attend seemed to soften her stance a bit on the truth of Lucia being the defendant's attorney . Yup , she talked about it in therapy . Including about Callie .
"Carlos is just like that . Lost more of his hair nowadays . Edward is now officially working with him as Aria had to step down from the company ."
"Seems like not much has changed after a year ." Arizona nodded upon hearing the latest update of the Torres's family . "Being a mother is almost a fulltime job , I understand why she needs to step down . Been there , done that . And if I remember it correctly , I was struggling too back then . They say the first two years are the hardest but please ask Aria not to believe that crap because it goes on even after two ."
Nanny Garcia laughed . But then the laugh slowly died . A few seconds after that she let out a deep sigh . "It's not all that . Actually lots of things changed in one year , Arizona . One of many reasons Aria had to step down is because Lucia's sick . There's that ."
"So there's that .." Arizona repeated the words , unsure herself if she should ask further on Lucia's condition . Because as soon as she heard Lucia's name , to be honest — her interest went off balance . She wanted to completely ignore it everytime that name came up but Arizona knew she just wasn't that kind of person . Her conscience would not allow that .
Nanny Garcia tried to read Arizona's face before continuing . She knew there was a bad blood between the both of them . "She wanted to spend more time with her mother and at the same time she needs to focus on Mia too . So the best thing she could do at the moment is to step down . It was bad for the first few months for the Torreses . But they are getting better at handling it , although there's not much improvement on Lucia's condition ."
"Heart problem ?" Arizona guessed , a concerned look slipped on her face .
"And stroke ." Nanny Garcia said , sorrowfully . "She's no longer capable to get up by herself . Paralyze for the side of her body ."
"Huh ." Arizona was clearly still digesting to the news . "How's .. how's everyone holding up ?"
Nanny Garcia shook her head , indicating that the situation was hard for everyone .
"People could recover from stroke . I mean , she's doing any physical therapy session ? How about her speech function ?"
"Lucia refuses . She's been isolating herself from everyone , pushes everyone away . Even Callie set aside her ego — tried to get treatment for her mother .. until she eventually gave up . I mean , it's very impossible to get help for someone that refuses any help . Fortunately , her speech function is still there even though for the first few months , she spoke in short sentences . Must be because she used to be a lawyer . Maybe it helped a bit ." Nanny Garcia said , laughing .
Arizona let out a small laugh upon hearing the last bit from Nanny Garcia .
"But still , she chooses not to speak much eventhough the stroke doesn't affect much on her speech now . At first , we thought it came back again - that her speaking ability was declining again . But turns out , she just doesn't want to talk to anyone ."
Arizona sighed . "I know that Lucia and I don't have the best relationship . But if there's anything I could help with in any way .. I would like to help ." Arizona said , sincerely , even though it sounded foolish — the fact that even Lucia's loved ones failed to convince her for further treatment .
"Actually . There's something you could do ." Nanny Garcia stared right back at the blonde .
Callie observed the tall building of her family residence in front of her as her fiance stopped the vehicle they had rented earlier right at the drop off area .
"Earth to Callie ." Carina smiled from the driver seat . "Are you okay , honey ?"
"As I will ever be ." Callie shortly said , unalive . For a few seconds she was feeling anxious but she quickly shaken off the feeling . "What the hell . This wasn't even the first time I'm taking you home . I should not feel like throwing up ."
"Yes , we have been here before . Twice . I have met your family . In fact , your family like me ." Carina smirked gloriously .
They like you but not as how much they love Arizona . Out of nowhere , the silent thought just appeared inside Callie's head . "Yeah , it just .. we are really doing it , right ? Announcing the big thingy . Eventhough there is still no ring ." Callie teased .
"I'm really sorry about that , babe . The size was slightly off . I never got the sizes wrong before when buying shoes for my little brother that I thought my confident ass got it right ." Carina laughed . She turned to Callie , only for her eyes to met the Latina's nervous smile .
"Everything will be just fine , Callie . I would just get this car parked at the garage and get our stuffs up and then I would join you upstairs . Or , you could wait for me at the lobby and we will go upstairs together ? Whichever you are comfortable ." Carina suggested , knowing that her presence usually made Callie felt much safe and at ease .
"I think I will go up first . I don't know , I just don't feel good , if you don't mind ?" For whatever reason , her stomach was twisting .
"Of course ." Carina leaned in , giving a kiss on the brunette's cheek . "Are you really okay ?" She whispered .
Callie nodded — however the nod was more to herself than to Carina as she tried to convince herself that everything was okay . "See you up there ."
Arizona . It felt weird . She hadn't think about that name for almost a year . But strangely today — she suddenly thought about the blonde . And the dimples .
"Lucia , you have a visitor ." Nanny Garcia pushed the door slowly , stepping aside to let Arizona walked into the huge bedroom .
"No ." A weak voice simply answered .
The balcony door was opened as the wind made the curtains dance . Behind those soft colored curtains , there was an electric wheelchair . Arizona's gaze halted there .
"But you have been waiting for this person to visit you , Lucia ." Nanny Garcia explained . "It's Arizona ."
Arizona walked forward as her eyes watched the woman's right hand struggled to push the button — the button to moved her wheelchair .
"Arizona ?" Lucia called when she finally faced the blonde .
"Mrs. Torres ."
Lucia's mouth tilted to one side as she struggled to talk — Arizona knew that staring was the last thing she should do in this situation but she could not help it . Because here she was — trying to take everything in all at once . And the fact that she never saw Lucia Torres in this state before ? It definitely wasn't helping at all .
The stare was totally inappropriate . Upon realizing it , Arizona quickly looked away .
"I will leave you both to it ." Nanny Garcia excused herself .
"Garcia ." Lucia slurred . "Ring .. Drawer two ."
"Oh yes , I almost forgot ." Nanny Garcia quickly went to the said drawer and took the thing that Lucia asked her to get .
"It will be seem to much but please sit down and hear her out ." Nanny Garcia's eyes pointed toward the empty chair upon realizing that Arizona was still standing in the balcony .
"Please ." Lucia said .
Nanny Garcia quickly disappeared from the room .
Slowly , Arizona got herself settled on the chair . In between Lucia and her , there was a classic round table in which Nanny Garcia had previously placed the rustic walnut colored ring box . She could only looked at it , puzzled .
"Open ."
Arizona hesitated but the look from Lucia's eyes — filled with hope quickly killed her hesitation . Without saying anything , she leaned forward and opened the small box .
"It was my .. engagement ring . Gave by .. my mother .. to Carlos ." Lucia took some breaths between the words as she began explaining while Arizona was still staring at the gorgeous ring . "He proposed .. to me .. with that ring ."
"It's .. really beautiful ." Arizona responded shortly , still staring at the beautiful heirloom .
"Keep it ."
Arizona's looked up , surprised . "What do you mean ?"
"You need it ." Lucia coughed in between her breath . "One day ."
"I beg you not to continue with your words for whatever you are about to suggest to me ." Arizona panicked . "Don't ."
"You both .. were meant to be ." Lucia's struggled to continue . "Before everything . That happened ."
"You meant before you came to Seattle and told the truth to me about Callie's real intention of getting close to me ." Arizona replied sternly , not holding anything back . "You practically suggested to me to leave her because she wasn't being honest with me . You didn't even want your daughter dating me back then ."
"It was a lie ." Lucia closed her eyes in pain as she mentally took herself back to the secret conversation she had with Arizona a year ago . "I made that up ."
"What ?" Arizona asked . "What are you talking about ? What have you done ?" Her voice was trembled , trying her best not to scream at the sick old woman .
"I knew it would quickly tear both of you .. apart ." Lucia said regretful . "And I made that up . Callie didn't know that .. that I was the defending attorney . I lied . And she wasn't trying to fix you or the situation ."
"You and her , you both met by fate ."
Arizona stared in disbelief upon hearing Lucia's words . She was still trying to digest it . "Did you have any idea what you have done to both of us with that lie ?"
"I'm sorry ."
"I .. I can't even .. I can't . I have to go ." Arizona was speechless .
"Arizona ."
"No , don't look at me with your sick eyes ! Do you understand what you did ? It's sickening to the core . And I can't sympathize you even with you sitting in the wheelchair right now !" Arizona said with a seething anger from across the table . "Your words broke me . And I broke her !"
"Then please .. Let me make it right again ." Lucia's hand was shaking . "I really hope .. this ring would be on her finger ."
"So let me get this straight ." Arizona scoffed . "You want me to take this ring and propose to her so that you wouldn't have to live with regret or guilt ?"
"I can't believe it . Lucia Torres , you are unbelievable . Just unbelievable . In case you missed it , Callie is in a happy relationship with somebody else . I can't even.. fathom with the fact that you still have the audacity to sit there in your wheelchair , trying to ruin your daughter's life . Again . I'm sorry , but what kind of a mother are you ?"
"I'm the mother who loves her daughter ..."
"Right ." Arizona interjected sarcastically ."
"Who also made a mistake . I made a mistake . And whether if you are marrying her or ... or not I would still live with the regret of making that mistake until my last breath ." Lucia exhaled deeply . "Making up for the mistake doesn't mean I am forgiven . I know that I am not entitled for forgiveness . You can keep on .. hating on me . I know you will not forgive me . But .. if you still love her , don't let that up just .. because you think it is impossible for you to love her and hating me at the same time ."
Arizona took a deep breath before exhaling it . Repeating this motion in silence , she tried to let her anger subside before she continue . For a brief second , she glanced at the older woman — from the shaky wrinkly hand all the way over to her mouth that was curved to one side and also the weak eyes .
And it wasn't too long before Arizona softened up her heart again .
"You are her mother . What I feel for Callie is not the matter of subject here . We both broke her . And speaking as someone who regrets everything that she did to the one person .. to the person that had nothing but .. only pure love in her heart — speaking as the person that hurt people , I am telling you to drop it . Drop whatever you are suggesting me to do . Let her be happy with her life with whoever she's with now . Stop trying to fix the situation because you have done enough ." Arizona stared deeply into Lucia's eyes as she spoke . "She's happy now . That's all that matters ."
"She's happy , yes . But not like back then when she took you here for the first time . I wasn't nice back then but I saw what I saw when I walked into the room that evening . The love she had for you , the passion in her when she stood up for you . But after you both broke up , she had a huge spot she needed to fit with something . And her current girlfriend — coincidentally just happened to be there . And she settled ."
"Well , if she can't be happy like she used to do - like you said .. it is your fault . Not that shocking , isn't it ?" And also my fault , Arizona thought to herself .
Lucia sighed . "I know Callie . We aren't always on the same page .. but I know her . She does everything with passion ever since she was a kid. Her hobby , school project , everything . I don't see it whenever she's with her girlfriend . The passion's gone . She's not in it , Arizona . Not all in ."
"Just because she's not in it 100 percent with the person she's dating now , doesn't mean I need to get back into the picture again ." Arizona shook her head . "I proposed to her , did you know ?"
Lucia looked back , surprised . She never knew .
"And she said no . I hurt her so bad that she was willing to give up — like you said , the passion she had when she was with me ." Arizona bit her lips as she thought about their last days together before Callie was kidnapped . It was an unpleasant memories . "I .. I said lots of horrible things to her before .. before the kidnapping happened . I was unrecognizable at that time and I was awful to her ."
"Because of me ." Lucia's voice was shaking with regret .
Arizona threw her gaze at the skies in front of them . "I thought I could get another chance by proposing to her and then maybe make it up to her for the rest of my life by making her the happiest person in the world because she truly deserved it . But it turned out that I scarred her for lifetime ."
"It's beyond repairable , Mrs Torres . So .. I suggest you to just respect whoever her girlfriend now and most importantly just simply love your daughter for who she is . Because your daughter is smart , beautiful and a kind person ." Arizona's eyes always sparkled whenever she talk about the Latina . And today was no exception .
"You still love her ." Lucia slowly said .
Of course I love her !
"If you really insist on fixing what you did , please don't ask me to take this ring and propose to her again ." Arizona avoided to response to Lucia's words just now . "Because if I do that , it would only feel like I am trying to ruin her happiness on purpose . And I really don't want her to think that way ."
"Just keep the ring , Arizona . You can always give it back to me ." Lucia insisted .
Arizona stared at the ring for an eternal moment — contemplating hard .
"Is the food all ready ?" Aria asked to Nanny Garcia , one hand holding the baby while the other searching the drawer for some clean clothes for her little baby to wear .
Nanny Garcia quickly made her way to help the young brunette with the clothes . "Yes , it is the kitchen . I would just need to serve it on the dining table ."
"Arizona will be having dinner with us , right ?" Aria asked eagerly . "Shoot , I probably need to go take a bath and get ready now . The boys would be back in any minute now ."
"Actually , she seems to be in hurry . Might not gonna stay for dinner ."
"What , why ?" Aria raised her eyebrows , pulling out a fresh set of diaper from the other drawer . "I haven't seen her anywhere . You said she's here , right ?"
"Yeah . She just in the next room , talking to your ..."
"Hello ." The door was left ajar as Arizona popped her head , stopping Nanny Garcia's mid sentence .
"Arizona !" Aria's greeted excitedly . "How are you ? It's been like .. what ? A year ? And what are you doing standing there ? Come in !"
"Felt just like yesterday . I heard about your mother , Nanny Garcia told me . I'm sorry , it musta been tough year for your whole family ." Arizona spoke , pushing the door fully open as she entered the room .
"We had so much joys but we also had our downs . It's life . Let's hope for incoming better days . Thank you for stopping by ." Aria said with a smile .
But underneath the smile , Arizona also saw the hidden exhaustion .
"And where is she , by the way ?" Arizona asked , making her way to the bed — where her little god daughter was lying . "Oh my , she grew up so fast ! Aren't you , little miss ?"
"Yes she is , indeed . She has lots of clothes that wouldn't fit her anymore that I probably need to go shopping for more soon . And god , she's in her exploring year , sit up , crawling everywhere — definitely can't left her unattended . You should stick around and see her scream whenever she doesn't like something ." Aria's said as Mia started to babbling — as if she agreed on it too .
"Well , I got you covered for an outdoor dress . Happy birthday , Mia ." Arizona put the box on the bed , she then turned her head to take a look at the little one . The happy little baby extended her hand to Arizona's direction .
"Oh , look at her ." Nanny Garcia smiled . "I think she recognizes her favourite person . Aria , aren't you supposed to take a bath now ? I can get Mia ready ."
"Or I can help with that ." Arizona offered herself .
"Great . I will go then . Lucia needs to take her medication by now . And then I will get the table ready ." Nanny Garcia replied .
"Oh , yes , please . Arizona , you are staying for dinner , right ?" Aria asked as she grabbed the towel .
"Eh .. I don't think so ."
The hesitation in the blonde's voice could be heard by the younger Torres . "She won't be here , Arizona . At least not today . Her girlfriend got stuck with a case . They will only be here by tomorrow . Don't worry ."
Arizona looked at Aria , dumbfounded . It was fool of her to think that Aria didn't know the real reason why she would rather not to stay for dinner .
Everybody knows . Apparently .
"Come to think , it's a little bit funny , you know . You both are like those couples that got divorced but are still bitter at each other that you both couldn't stay in a room together , hence all the proper plans you both arrange so that you wouldn't cross path with each other ." Aria laughed in unison with Arizona . "Sometimes I feel like Mia is yours both and that I am just the temporary legal guardian ."
"Sorry that we are making you feel that way ." Arizona was still laughing . "Except that we aren't exactly bitter , Aria. Callie and I — we just .. stopped ."
"No , don't be sorry . Do you believe me if I told you that Callie is still giving a hard time on me for choosing you over her as Mia's godmother . On some days , I would use this fact on her just to piss her off whenever we argue . It drives her nuts ! Haha !" Aria chuckled , half joking as she went into the bathroom
But Aria's laugh was only greeted with silence .
"She hates me that much , huh ?" Arizona said without looking over her shoulder . Her eyes were only focused on the little girl in front of her while her hands started to put on the yellow colored pinafore on her goddaughter . The baby coo again , as if she understood Arizona's pensive eyes .
Aria stucked her head out from the bathroom door , a little bit worry that Arizona probably had taken her words wrongly . "Nope . She will hate everyone that is in your position . To Callie , she should be the godmother ."
"Well , if she really wants it .. maybe you should consider putting her name on the paper . Since I haven't sign the official paper yet ." Arizona suggested , not wanting to fight for anything when it comes to the brunette .
But Aria probably didn't hear it as Arizona's suggestion was only answered by the sound of water falling on the cold floor coming from the bathroom .
"And you are ready . Do you know how lucky you are having so many people wanting to be your godmother ?" Arizona lifted up the baby from the bed , positoning Mia into her arms her as she began to rambling .
"I guess l will have dinner here ." Arizona whispered into the thin air . "Callie will not be here today . It will be as it should be . Eat , talk , leave ."
Mia leaned her head onto Arizona's shoulder , cooing as her little hand played with the tip of Arizona's hair .
"Oh , look ! You still have the giraffe I bought for you at the hospital gift shop ." Arizona smiled , touched with the never ending appreciation the Torreses had shown , even though it was indirectly .
Arizona grabbed the giraffe soft toy from the bed and handed it over to the little girl in her arms . On instant , Mia opened her arms , motioning to her godmother to hung the light giraffe's leg on her tiny shoulder .
"LoLo .. Lo ." Mia murmured .
"Yes , Mia . It's LoLo . 'Cause the giraffe has long , long legs . And a long , long neck ." Arizona continued to talk to the baby as she exited the bedroom . She wanted to go down to the kitchen and see if she could help Nanny Garcia with anything eventhough she doubted that — the fact that her hands were currently full with overload cuteness .
"Gwafff ." Mia repeated .
Arizona couldn't deny it . Eventhough the circumstances made her unable to spend more time with Mia , but during these little times like this — it felt like the universe was bringing her closer to the moments she had with Aiden . Sometimes , it felt like deja vu . Like a happy video tape of her and Aiden spending time together being played all over again .
It felt like as if she was reliving the motherhood moments of hers . And she loved it . It was just calming some of the waves she often but rarely had nowadays in her mind whenever she was thinking about Aiden and Joanne .
Ding .
The elevator dinged .
Did she mention something about deja vu just now ?
Little did the blonde knew — she was about to get the biggest deja vu in her life .
"Nanny Garcia , I think there's someone at the door . Probably the boys ." Arizona called out , peeping out from the high above of the staircase . "Your daddy is home . Let's wave at him from up here , shall we ?" Arizona said to the little cuteness she had in her arms .
"Anybody's home ?" The familiar voice called out .
Arizona's face completely changed when she heard the hoarse voice . She'd recognize that voice everywhere .
No , Aria said she wouldn't be here . No , no . No .
"And where is it my favourite little girl ?" Callie walked into the living room , unbeknownst to what or who was already watching her from the above of the staircase .
There it was , the smiley voice again — confirming Arizona that she's really here . Some people smiled with their eyes , while others — like Callie , smiled with their voices . Unable to announce her presence , Arizona just looked at Callie nervously .. in surprised , shocked , tense and whatever in between .
"Where's everybody , by the way ?" Callie asked again , this time more to herself .
There was nothing the blonde could do but stared at the person who was now standing at bottom of the staircase . And that was when Callie looked up , meeting Arizona's waiting gaze .
ME : Dun , dun , dun , dun . A cliffhanger .
Many thanks to all of you for the nice and comforting reviews on the first chapter , especially from that one guest that lost her mother five months ago . I'm sorry for your loss too : ( And yes , it is true , having those good memories of her - it brings many comforts to me especially with me still trying to cope with her sudden death while readjusting to the painful fact that she won't be here physically anymore for me to share some of the importants moments in my life - in thefuture . But I know her spirit will always be in me and everything that she taught me , I will value it for the rest of my life .
To be honest , I wasn't really expecting to see many , many familiars names to follow this sequel . Thanks for choosing to still be here . I still don't have everything planned yet for this story especially on how it's going to end , so me and you - we will all see to it by chapter . Also , how is it that some of you guessed it right about Arizona not being the fiance ? And how you all think about Carina being the fiance OR do you wish it is someone else ? She really just sweeps in into the moment and take her chance , huh ? Something that Arizona terrible doing at . LOL . The idea of Carina being the third person has always been floating in my brain even since Resuscitate Me . Having her to handle Callie's kidnapping case was never a coincidence . And also , what do you all think about Lucia's request ? After everything she done ..
Don't forget to leave some reviews , guys .
See yall again soon : )