"So, I have some news," Mark announced when he got home from St. Ambrose.
Sloan sat at the dining room table, an open textbook on one side, a notebook open on the other side, and one earphone in as she listened to music on her iPod.
"What kind of news?" Sloan asked, uninterested.
"How would you feel about being a big sister?" Mark asked, his smile widening.
Sloan may as well have done a spit-take. She abruptly turned around in her chair and pulled the earphone out.
"You got another girl pregnant?" Sloan asked, disappointed but amused.
"What? No. I…Callie wants a baby and asked if we could use my sperm, so…," Mark started.
"Ew! I don't wanna hear about your sperm!" Sloan exclaimed, disgusted.
"Look, the point is, she wants a baby and asked for…if I would be the father. And I kinda said yes," Mark explained, stopping himself before saying the word, "sperm" again.
"Why would you do that?" Sloan asked.
"Because. She made a good point," Mark still felt strongly about his choice, but he didn't know if it'd be enough to satisfy Sloan.
"Which was…?" Sloan asked, demanding answers.
"I love being a Dad. And I love you. But, you know, I didn't get to see you grow up or see your first steps, or say 'Dada' for the first time. I missed all of it. And honestly, I probably wouldn't have been any good of a Dad back then. But I think I am now. I'm ready now. I know that's not the best answer, but it's the truth," Mark said honestly.
"You really wanna have a baby with this Callie girl? I mean, wouldn't it be better to have a baby with someone you actually loved?" Sloan asked, trying to understand it from Mark's point of view.
"I don't think Lexie's there yet," Mark commented. He also wasn't sure if he loved her yet. After all, they'd only been going out for just over a month.
"Yeah, I mean what woman in their 20s would be?" Sloan muttered. Mark glared back, about to scold her. But they both knew she was right.
"What about Nate? I mean, you can watch him grow up and all that other crap," Sloan pointed out.
"Nate isn't mine. I'm just…his Uncle Mark," Mark started.
"You mean, Grandpa Mark," Sloan commented, unable to keep her laughs to herself.
"Alright, I get it. I know I'm technically Grandpa Mark, but for now, I'm just Uncle Mark. And I've already been an Uncle Mark. With this baby, I can be a dad," Mark said.
"You're already a dad. Dad," Sloan pointed out.
"I know, but it's not the same. I was Mark before I was ever Dad with you. And I definitely was never Daddy or Dada," Mark added.
They both paused, trying to figure out what to say. Sloan fidgeted with the pencil in her hand, making unintentional scribbles in her notebook in the process. He really wanted this, she thought. To be a dad, or a 'Dada' or 'Daddy', or whatever. Sometimes she thought about Nate and what could've happened if she kept him. But when seeing how happy and well taken care of he was, she knew she made the right choice. Plus, she could still come to visit whenever she wanted. But she also knew it wasn't the same as being his mom. So, as much as she didn't love the idea of having a baby brother or sister, she had to admit she understood where he was coming from.
"You really want this, don't you?" Sloan asked.
"Yeah. I really do," Mark chuckled, running a hand through his hair nervously.
"I guess it would be okay to be a big sister then," Sloan gave in.
Mark's face beamed as he walked over to Sloan, who got up from her seat. He pulled her in for a big and tight hug, relieved that his daughter was on board.
"Okay, okay, you're welcome. Jeez," Sloan chuckled as she got out of his embrace. Mark chuckled back.
"Good luck with Lexie," Sloan said semi-sincerely as she playfully put a hand on his shoulder before sitting back down to continue doing her homework.
Mark nodded. He knew it wouldn't be easy to convince Lexie that this was a good idea. But he was set on it. And maybe it wasn't the smartest idea, but knowing that didn't deter him from his decision. He wanted a baby, and he wanted Lexie. And he wasn't ready to have a baby with her, and he knew she probably wouldn't be either. This felt like the perfect compromise. Even if it did sound crazy.
"You what?" Lexie exclaimed when Mark took her aside to tell her the news.
"I'm gonna be a Daddy!" Mark couldn't keep in his excitement.
"Are you crazy?!" Lexie slapped his arm, maybe a little harder than Mark expected.
"Did you even think about, I don't know, asking me about this before you went and offered your sperm?" Lexie asked, still shocked by the news.
"I didn't offer it. She asked for it!" Mark pointed out.
"And you just…said yes? Just like that? I mean, I know we haven't been together for that long yet, but I feel like this should be something you talked to me about before you said yes. Actually, I know you should've told me first," Lexie corrected herself.
"Okay, you're right. I should've talked to you first. But…I just…got excited," Mark said sheepishly.
"You're already a dad," Lexie pointed out.
"I know. And I love Sloan. But I didn't get to see her grow up. And, you know, she still has plenty of growing up to do, but before I know it, she's gonna go to college and go out and get a job, and be an adult. Maybe it's stupid, it's definitely crazy. But I want a baby. And I didn't wanna pressure you into having one with me. I like you, Grey. I really do. But we're not there yet. Callie is," Mark explained.
"What about Sloan?" Lexie asked.
"I already talked to her about it. She's cool with it. Or as cool with it as she can be," Mark replied.
Sloan was his daughter. Of course, he told her first.
"I want a baby. And I want you. They don't have to be mutually exclusive," Mark added.
"Right…," Lexie said hesitantly.
She was trying her best to understand. But it was crazy. Her boyfriend wanted to have a baby. With another woman, no less. She knew Callie. I mean, she was her ortho attending. But it felt surreal that her boyfriend was going to have a baby with her. She knew they were friends, but isn't it recommended for people not to choose a close friend as a sperm donor?
"So, are we good?" Mark asked, just to be sure.
"I still think this is crazy," Lexie admitted. Mark nodded. He knew it was crazy; he just didn't care anymore. Mark gave her his signature smile. It was like he knew she'd give in.
"But since you don't seem to be changing your mind anytime soon, I guess it's okay," Lexie said reluctantly.
Mark leaned down and hugged her tightly. He wasn't a particularly physically affectionate person, at least not in public, but he was thrilled Lexie was on board. Or as on board as she could be.
Over the next two days, Mark and Callie got closer, talking about potential baby names and other details at any chance they got. Arizona saw them together, and part of her thought they were together. Even though she knew about Lexie, she hadn't seen Mark and Lexie together in a while. And Arizona couldn't help but feel hurt thinking her ex-girlfriend moved on from her so quickly.
The interns were also gossiping more than normal. But, of course, any time an attending got close, they'd stop with the whispering. One day, Arizona heard the interns talking around the corner and decided to stay hidden to finally figure out what the hell everyone was talking about.
"So, he knock her up yet?" Aidan, an intern, asked Lexie.
"He's not knocking her up. They're just…having a baby together. That's all," Lexie brushed it off.
"I still can't believe it. I mean, Sloan and Torres? Don't they get how bad of an idea that is?" Silas asked as he took a bite out of his granola bar.
"It's not that crazy," Penny said. The guys looked back at her like she was crazy.
"You guys just think that because you're not a woman with a biological clock," Cassie said, defended the other intern.
The guys stayed quiet for a minute.
"So, what's he gonna call you? Step-Grey?" Cash joked.
The other interns chuckled along. Lexie mockingly rolled her eyes back at him.
"Ha-ha, very funny," Lexie said sarcastically before walking away.
She couldn't help but think that she hated being lumped back in with these first-time interns. When she got to St. Ambrose, she already had almost a year down. It wasn't much, but it was, at the very least, different from being a complete newbie. With St. Ambrose still finding its footing, this was the best place for her for now. She wouldn't be able to keep up with the other residents, so here she was, stuck with these interns.
Arizona couldn't believe what she was hearing. Callie was really doing this; having a baby. And with Mark Sloan, of all people? Was she crazy? Did she drive her to do this? She thought she knew how she felt about children, or about having one of her own, but now she didn't know. Watching Callie over the last few weeks post-breakup just made her heart ache every time she saw her.
She kept her distance because she wanted her to be happy; she wanted her to have everything she wanted. If that meant having a baby, so be it. But now, she knew she was going to have a baby with Mark Sloan. He may be dating Grey now, but he was still Mark Sloan. All Arizona knew now was that she wanted Callie back. And she wanted her forever. If that meant having a baby with her, so be it. Even if that baby was part Mark Sloan.
Meanwhile, things at the practice were awkward. Violet came back a few days ago, but the doctors, for the most part, kept their distance. She'd left for almost eight months and was just back again, pretending as if nothing changed. Addison gave her back her job, even though it might not have been the smartest business decision. But, in all honesty, Violet hadn't quit and Addison hadn't fired her. She just took a leave of absence. So, why would her job not still be here when she got back?
When Callie came to ask for everyone's opinions on which sperm to choose, Violet participated. She chose the musician, and Naomi agreed. Everything felt almost normal again.
"You guys can stop staring, you know," Violet said as she got a tea bag out of the kitchen drawer. Cooper, Sheldon, Charlotte, and even Addison were standing just outside the kitchen, watching her.
"Look, I'm fine, you guys. But…but go ahead and ask. I know you're dying to ask," Violet added as she put the kettle on the stove and turned it on.
"So, you're not all messed up and freaky anymore?" Charlotte asked bluntly as everyone made their way closer to the island.
"What?" Cooper scolded.
"Well, she said we could ask," Charlotte defended herself.
"I had this amazing breakthrough while I was away. And, um…well I know better than anybody that it doesn't happen overnight, but…yeah, I'm ready. To be Lucas's mom," Violet said.
"That's my girl," Cooper commented.
That night, Violet went over to Pete's place. She made this whole speech about how she hadn't been there and how sorry she was. Pete was more than happy to hear this, and more than willing to let her spend some time with Lucas. All he wanted since Lucas was born was for Violet to come back. Not just from Costa Rica, or as it turns out, New York, but back to herself.
After the attack, she went from being too fragile to being distant. And after some talking, Pete and Violet agreed to take it one day at a time. For Lucas. They didn't talk about their relationship; everything moving forward would be for Lucas. And if that meant them getting back together somewhere along the way, so be it. But right now, Pete wasn't ready for that. He still loved her, but he couldn't just forgive her just like that. Not yet anyway.
"You did what?!" Addison exclaimed upon hearing Callie tell her the news.
It'd been two days since Callie and Mark agreed on their plan. But Callie purposefully didn't tell Addison, or anyone really, for fear of getting judged. She thought it was a good idea, and she wasn't ready for people to criticize her for it. But rumors already started spreading around the hospital. A nurse must've heard her and Mark talking. And Mark told her earlier that day that the interns knew now, too. It would only be a matter of time before it reached Derek or Charlotte. And she didn't want her best friend to find out that way.
"Look, I know it sounds crazy," Callie started.
"Sounds? It is crazy, Callie!" Addison exclaimed.
"I mean, I'm grateful. So, so grateful for Nate, you know that. But purposefully having a baby with Mark Sloan is crazy," Addison said, Nate looked up at his mom while he sat on her lap while holding a rattle.
"Yeah, but look at him. I want one," Callie pointed at Nate, who gave her a smile back.
"You do realize that regardless of whoever the sperm donor is, you'll still get a cute baby out of it," Addison pointed out.
"That's not true. You're the baby doctor, and you know that there are plenty of ugly babies out there," Callie argued.
"That I can agree with," Amelia chimed in as she came down the stairs, running a hand through her wet hair and holding a damp towel in her other hand. Addison rolled her eyes.
"What? Not all babies are cute, Addie. If anyone should know that, it's you," Amelia added.
"Why Mark? Out of all people?" Addison asked, ignoring Amelia's comment.
"Because he has great genes. Look at Sloan. And Nate! Plus, he wants to have a baby, so why not?" Callie replied.
"Are you sure about this? I love you, and I'll support you no matter what, but this isn't a small decision," Addison asked.
"Yes," Callie said after a minute. She was sure of her decision, regardless of how crazy it sounded.
At that moment, they heard something fall to the ground. When they looked down, they saw Nate's rattle on the ground. When they looked at Nate, he smiled back at them. Clearly, he found dropping his toy on the ground to be funny. Or maybe he just liked the sound it made. The girls giggled as Callie leaned down to pick it up off the ground.
When Callie handed it back to him, he dropped it on the ground again. This time, purposefully. The girls and Nate kept playing this weird little game until Derek came home almost ten minutes later.
"Look who it is, Nate! It's DaDa," Addison said excitedly, trying to encourage Nate to say 'DaDa'.
"DaDa," Nate said quietly. Addison gave him a big kiss on his temple as Derek came closer to pick him up.
"Now, if only he'd say 'Auntie Amelia'. Then I'll be impressed," Amelia said.
"If only that were as easy to say as DaDa," Derek said smugly, bouncing Nate up and down in his arms.
"Okay, what about Amelia? Or Amy! Amy's not too hard to say, right little guy?" Amelia came closer to the baby, who playfully went to touch her nose with his little hand. The adults chuckled as they watched him.
"I still can't believe how big he's getting," Callie commented.
"Yeah," Derek commented, bouncing Nate in his arms playfully as the baby flailed his arms around excitedly.
"So, what's this I hear about you and Mark having a baby?" Derek asked, getting straight to the point.
"I knew it'd only be a matter of time," Callie huffed.
"If it makes you feel better, I think I was the last person to find out," Derek said jokingly before leaning down to give his wife a kiss.
"Wait, so everyone knows? As in everyone?" Callie asked. All she could think about was Arizona finding out. And she dreaded it.
"Yup," Amelia confirmed. She didn't know for sure that Arizona knew, but it'd be hard for her not to find out at this point with the rest of the hospital gossiping about it.
"Yeah," Derek sighed and sat down next to Addison, Nate still in his arms.
Earlier that day, Derek found Arizona hiding around the corner, listening in on the interns. Or at least she was until he saw Lexie walk away. He saw her composure change, as tears started falling down her face. It was only after he talked to her that he found out about Callie, Mark, and their plan to have a baby together.
"Are you sure?" Callie bit her lip.
"Considering the fact that she told me herself? Yeah," Derek revealed.
"Great," Callie put her head in her hands, sighing.
"Well, at least now she knows," Addison said, trying to soothe her friend.
"Yeah…I guess," Callie mumbled.
"Why Mark out of all people? I mean, he's great, don't get me wrong. But he's…Mark. You could've chosen a pro athlete or someone with a Ph.D1. Or, you know, anyone else," Amelia chuckled.
"You know, your nephew's part Mark Sloan," Addison reminded her.
"I'm well aware," Amelia chuckled, patting Nate's head and smoothing out some of his hair.
"Mark's one of my best friends. And he wants this too," Callie said.
"Plus, if I'm half as lucky as you guys, I can get a cute one like Nate," Callie joked.
As much space Mark, and their baby, occupied in her mind, it'd also been a distraction for her. While she seemed happy to her colleagues, she still felt heartbroken inside. She missed Arizona. The way she was somehow always warm, the small smile on her face while she slept. All of a sudden, Callie felt alone. She hadn't even been single for long yet, but it was like she didn't remember what it was like to be single again.
Later that night, Callie stayed for dinner after Addison insisted and stayed to help with bath time before heading home. It was already dark by the time she got on the road, but the moon glowed in the sky. She couldn't help but think about how excited Arizona would be. She said her brother was really into astrology. Something about how the sun and the moon were always the same, no matter where they were in the world.
Callie still remembered hearing about Tim for the first time from Arizona. She told her how great he was and how he promised he'd dance so hard at her wedding one day after she came out to him. When Callie told her how she would've loved to meet him, Arizona burst into tears and let Callie hold her in her arms. She'd never felt so vulnerable and open with another person before, and it still hurt knowing they weren't together anymore. All she wanted was to come home to her and capture her warmth between the sheets as she got into bed tonight.
As Callie pulled up to her house, she found Arizona's car in the driveway. After parking beside her car, she got out to find Arizona walking out from where she was standing at her front door. Arizona was clearly nervous, her hands clasped together as she looked around, trying to avoid looking Callie in the eyes.
"Arizona. What are you doing here?" Callie asked, pressing the button on her keys to lock her car door.
"I love you," Arizona said. She didn't exactly have a speech planned, but she thought she might as well start with the most important part.
"I love you too. But that's not enough. Not anymore," Callie said sadly, biting her lip to stop herself from crying.
"I always thought I wasn't cut out to be a mom, but maybe I was wrong. You'll be a great mom, you'll be an amazing mom. And I don't wanna live without you and our ten kids and…," Arizona didn't even finish her sentence before Callie grabbed her face and kissed her.
The next day at work, the two were practically attached to the hip. And everyone at the hospital noticed. But they were also very aware of the situation with Mark. It was odd, but Mark, Lexie, Callie, and Arizona seemed completely fine with their arrangement. The interns watched to see what would happen when Callie and Arizona would inevitably bump into Mark in the hallway.
They saw Arizona just the day before trying to hide as she cried behind closed doors. So, the interns knew that Callie and Arizona had only just gotten back together the night before. If that were true, there was no way they talked to Mark or Lexie yet. But they'd have to soon enough. Although, it's not like they were avoiding each other. As the day went on, the interns certainly thought they might be though.
"Grey," Derek called out later in the day upon seeing her line up at the lab.
"Dr. Shepherd," Lexie greeted.
"You're a second-year resident, right?" Derek asked.
Thus far, St. Ambrose didn't separate their interns and residents by years. They all worked together, and the program was still figuring out its footing. The other residents at St. Ambrose were years ahead, so it just made more sense to group Lexie with the interns. She was a year ahead of them, but they didn't really have a better placement for her.
"Yeah. Why?" Lexie confirmed.
"I have someone I want you to meet," Derek said, signaling her to follow him.
"I'll let you cut in front later," Derek chuckled when Lexie's eyes darted around, hesitant to leave her spot in line.
Lexie nodded and followed him.
"Lexie Grey," Derek started. But before he could introduce her to the man standing in front of her, she interrupted him.
"Alex?" Lexie asked.
"Hey Little Grey," Alex smirked.
A/N: And that is the end of this chapter! I'm really glad that, from what I've heard from other people so far, that you guys are liking the story so far! And that you guys are cool with me bringing other characters from Greys to LA. Violet's lines from when she's in the office kitchen are taken from Private Practice 3x20. And the last few lines from Arizona are mostly taken from Grey's Anatomy 6x24 (I changed it a little bit). I also kind of forgot that Violet wasn't supposed to be back yet last chapter. So, I added her back in without thinking about it (I don't even know if anyone actually noticed, but I did lol), so I had to give some kind of update there to compensate.
As for the ending, Alex is one of my favorite characters so I think he's the last person I'm bringing over from Greys (at least for now?) and I do have ideas about why and how he's here and that will all be addressed next chapter. And Mark and Callie are moving forward with their plans to have a baby, even though it is a little crazy. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and there will hopefully be an update soon! Thanks again for reading and commenting, it truly means a lot to me 3