Disclaimer: Characters belong to Shonda Rhimes and Grey's anatomy.

N/A: I loved each of your reviews... You were really worried about that kiss. Robbin, it was pretty much the same thing we both had in mind, but not exactly... They both regret... Or not.

Chapter 13: "Everything grows by changing into memories."

They'd gone all the way to the airport in a religious silence.
Since they had shared a kiss, both women seemed to have to process each in her own head what had happened in the lobby, just before leaving to pick up Sofia.

While she was driving to the airport, Callie was self- flogging mentally. She could not help but think that Arizona had not yet recovered her memory and was still confused, and that she had somehow taken advantage of this weakness. And this was wrong.

Her ex-wife didn't know too much about their relationship. The humiliations and little revenges she had inflicted on her were spinning in her head, and she kept repeating in her self-talk, that it was wrong. Plus, they got divorced after many separations, and so it was wrong. And finally, she had a girlfriend in New York and that's why it was wrong too!

On her side Arizona did not understand what got into her. She had kissed the Latin woman's mouth as if she was going to die tomorrow, she still had the taste of the kiss on her lips. She did not recall being so troubled by a simple kiss ever. The way Calliope had grabbed her waist and put the hand in her hair, set her on fire.
Yet, she felt deep down that it was wrong.

Of course, it was wrong! Arizona blamed herself. Callie had a girlfriend in New York, and if she was her ex-wife, it wasn't for nothing. Perfect. It was just perfect, she cheated on her wife and now what? She was going to help her ex-wife cheat on her girlfriend in turn?! But who the hell had she become?! Not to mention that apparently, she had a life too. There was also this Italian woman whom she had not yet taken the time to care about. So obviously, kissing Callie was the worst idea we've had ever, since love existed!

The announcement of the arrival of the plane from Jackson Wyoming, brought her out of the thoughts that had been running through her head, ever since Callie had withdrawn from the hug by babbling on some excuses that sounded more like regrets; and had walked toward the car without no more word .

With her eyes down on her shoes, Arizona passed from foot to foot.

Giving her a tender look of implicit support, Callie brushed the blonde's hand. With an awkward smile, Arizona moves discreetly her hand away from the brunette's.

- Mommy!

She had nearly lost her balance when a very happy little girl came crashing onto her, embracing her waist.

If for a half- second, the blonde seemed clumsy with this little girl clutching her body; the next second, she already had her hand on the child's head caressing her hair and stooping down to try to take her in her arms and kiss her.

Callie watched them with a big smile on her face. She never doubted it even a thousandth of a second.
If her favorite breakfast was back as a reflex, then Arizona could never forget the hugs she shared with their daughter.
The little one takes a small step back, to look into her blonde mother 's eyes.

- Mommy, those are tears of happiness in your eyes, aren't they?

- Hey and me, nobody sees the tears of sadness that I have in my eyes! Mi Hija doesn't even look at me... Pretending to whine, Callie teased the kid in order to give her ex-wife time to recover.

Sofia bursts with laughter, throwing herself on her other mother. Happiness was everywhere around the child.

Filling the unease between the two women with an uninterrupted speech, Sofia grabbed Callie's hand, giving to Arizona her other hand, and suddenly, as the three of them were heading towards the car, nothing seemed odd or even awkward anymore.

On the way home, Sofia, very excited, kept talking.

- Mommy? Without any response from the blonde, the little girl repeats impatiently… Mom?!

- She speaks to you... Mommy is you; I am mama. Whispers Callie to Arizona

- Oh, okay, thank you... Those were the first words they shared since they kissed. Yes, Sofia, I'm sorry I was in my head. What did you say?

- Uh... Can we have a slumber party with ice cream and pizza? And I 'd like to watch " Frozen" tonight. You still have the DVD, right? Oh, if you don't have it anymore, we can rent it online anyway... Uh...and then, when will we go to the park? And... and I'd like to go see Zola too! Can I have a sleepover with Zola Mom?... Mommy?!

Most of the things and people Sofia was talking about, made no sense to the blonde. Except for ice cream and pizza, she barely understood what her daughter was saying to her.
Feeling the blonde's panic, Callie puts a hand on her thigh, assuring her with this gesture that she was there.

- Sofia one question at a time... Please sweety, wait until we answer the first question before asking another one. Anyway, you've had a big day today, we're gonna go to mom's home, and stay calm. Mommy and I need to talk to you.

- Should I go back to New York?

- No! Both mothers exclaim in a single voice.

- No, Sofia, it's not about New York. Repeats Callie more calmly

The child did not know what this was abou ; but her enthusiasm had died down considerably. She found her mom was weird, she seemed a little more distant, and less cheerful.

Arizona was usually a mama bear who covered Sofia with kisses, talking cheerfully and asking her daughter a lot of questions. The little girl felt something different that bothered her. Suddenly, the presence of her other mother in Seattle didn't reassure her either. Also, when they came home and Callie asked the child to go sit on the couch, Sofia had not argued.

- Sofia, something happened to Mommy. While she was painting the walls of your room...

- Oh, you painted them green, mom? I asked you for a green room, but I didn't say the green I wanted... Did you choose a light green or...

- Sofia! This is not the issue, right now! Rebukes Callie with a certain noticeable annoyance in her voice... I told you before, you don't interrupt when someone talks.

Arizona was watching the interaction between her daughter and her ex-wife as if she was a stranger. She did not know if she should intervene, if it was really her job too.

Anyway, Callie seemed like a pretty bossy mom.
Even if she had a pout that suggested that she had a lot to say about "all this stuff of interrupting ", Sofia kept quiet immediately after the remark of her Latin mother.

- Mom fell off a ladder and then... she... Callie was looking at Arizona, trying to figure out if she should pursue.

- Since…Uh… I have lost my memory. You know I…I can't remember anything. Unsure of understanding well, Sofia was watching her mother with an astounded air... I…I forgot a whole part of...

- Oh, you forgot I wanted a green room then? The little girl sighs of relief, considering that if the problem resided only there, she could live with it... Mom, it's not a big deal, we'll paint it together.

- Yeah, I forgot that and a lot of other things... I don't know who Zola is; I guess Frozen is a movie but I don't remember ever seeing it and I don't know either... As a sob escaped despite herself from the blonde's mouth, tears in her eyes she wept...And I don't know what your favorite ice cream flavor is either.

The little girl, moved by her mother's tears, rushes into her arms to console her.

- It's strawberry, and you like vanilla with chocolate chips, you like lots of chocolate chips. And mama, she doesn't like ice cream very much, but in New York she used to take the same perfume as you. The child whispers in the ear of her blonde mother with a mischievous look... I think it was to make me happy, because I missed you too much. Suddenly, Sofia raises eyes full of anxiety on her mother. Mommy…You… You don't remember me either ? You... you don't know I'm your daughter and... And if you love me?

- Oh no Sofia! I forgot all these details... I... I don't know what your favorite color is, or your best friend's name, but what I do know is that you're my little girl and I love you. Sofia, I love you to Pluto and back a million times.

Sofia's face lights up with a wide smile, which made Arizona laugh when she saw her toothless mouth.

- Did the Seattle's tooth fairy bring you presents? Chuckles the blonde, seeking to lighten the conversation

- She did. Don't you remember?... Realizing her mother couldn't even remember the gift she had sent her in New York, and not wanting to hurt her feelings, the little one snuggles up against Arizona...But, you still remember we still love each other to Pluto and back a million times, that's all that's important, right? The next second Sofia leapt back… Can I go see my green room now?

Not waiting for the answer, as often when she asked a question; Sofia gets up and runs up the stairs.

With remorseful face, Callie had remained silent. She observed the deep bond between Sofia and her ex-wife which she had nevertheless wanted to conceal by making the decision to separate them.

- That's great! You remember "I love you to Pluto and back millions of times"?

- I don't. She told me, when we were on the phone call. So, I thought it was time to do a little lie to make her feel good. Did I do wrong?

Touched by all the uncertainties and emotions Arizona was going through, Callie seemed as overwhelmed as her ex-wife.

- Oh Arizona… You... You are... See, you are always great with her!... You always know what she needs.

Arizona looked at her with gratitude.
Since she had opened her eyes and found herself in this odd state; the Latin woman had never ceased to comfort her, to reassure her, to encourage her and to care for her with such thoughtfulness that added to her disorder. A tear rolls on the blonde's cheek

- So, you also made me this lucky mom with such a sweet little girl? Arizona discreetly wipes her cheek as she gets up to join Sofia, who was screaming in her bedroom.

- We are lucky moms... Answers Callie pensive... Uh, well... The Latina slaps on her thighs... Listen, I'm going to let you guys hang out.

Surprise, Arizona turns to the brunette

- Would you wish to run away?

- No, it's just ...Uh… You must want to spend time with her and...

Tilting her head slightly towards the Latin with a knowing smile, Arizona gazes at the brunette fondly.

- You should stay Calliope... Let's put our daughter above everything tonight... She needs that... And...and I might need as well.

The brunette breathing deeply, acquiesced.
Torn apart by the pleasure of enjoying the family she had always wanted and the awareness that it was not her family anymore, she no longer knew what to think. At that point, she too, felt lost; even though in her case, it was because she had too many memories falling into her head.

The two women, hearing their daughter's screams again, burst out laughing before joining her.

Running from room to room in the house, Sofia jumped out of joy. She had at first shouted when she discovered the dollhouse that Arizona had apparently bought for her as a welcome gift. Then, she had wanted to play with her mothers, trying the swing and the football cages in the yard. Finally, fully reassured about the place she still had in her mother's heart; the little girl, had sunk into a heavy sleep on the couch in front of "Frozen", with a slice of pizza in hand .

- I think that brushing her teeth isn't going to be possible tonight... She sleeps so well; I have no guts to wake her up. Said Callie, while Arizona was lifting the blankets, so that the brunette could put their daughter in bed.

Arizona's disapproving face, made Callie giggle.

- I'll never get you... I mean, you let her do anything she wants...Stepping on the couch, leaving stuffed animals and toys everywhere in the house, but if she misses once brushing her teeth, it's the end of the world.

- Do I really do that? ... Do I spoil her too much?...

- You... you didn't do it as much, before New York... You...you used to say we had to be careful that she didn't become one of those overly pampered kids who wouldn't take no for an answer. I think it was a disguised way of saying that you didn't want her to become like me.

- Not being like you?! I don't think that I ... Callie's gaze told her that she must have thought this loud enough... Oh, was that what I reproached you?

- Once or twice... or three.

Inspiring deeply, Callie slaps again, her thighs. This gesture which Arizona observed with slightly wrinkled eyes, reflected always the brunette's embarrassment and apparently foreshadowed her desire to flee.

- Well, this time I'm going... I... If you want me to be there tomorrow morning when she wakes up ... I can come ... But if you think it will be good for you? ... I mean, just let me know... From Meredith's I only have a fifteen-minute drive and... You know, it's not like I have stuff to do ... I don't know, you probably want to reconnect with her? Maybe you'll call your parents? ... Uh… because you know, given that you can't drive yet ...then.

The blonde gets closer and puts a finger on the Latina's mouth. She had another idea to silence her, but even if this option that had just crossed her mind made her dream, she now considered it very inappropriate.

- Is it a family habit to ask questions and not to wait for the answers? Sofia does that too.

Callie sneers

- The three of us tend to ramble when we're excited or embarrassed

- Speaking of being embarrassed and... excited too... The blonde grins... Shouldn't we talk about that? The Latin woman closes her eyelids. The former Arizona who avoided or tackled all the troublesome matters with the tip of her lips, was definitely gone in a very, very distant world... Our kiss before leaving home for the airport was quite...

- ...Intense.

- Yeah... That's the word... pretty intense. Arizona sighs deeply, looking at the brunette with regret... But it was also wrong, Calliope. We got divorced now. You...you have a girlfriend, and apparently, I'm seeing someone too, and I wouldn't want you to think that I'm that kind of person ... Arizona giggles bitterly... Actually, I wouldn't want to think this about myself either. I need to get my head straight, Calliope

The Latin woman did not answer; her eyes were looking elsewhere than in those of her ex-wife. Arizona comes closer and raises the brunette's chin, forcing her to hold her gaze.

- You know, that kiss, it is like Sofia. It was kind of new... but not so much ... It was familiar too, and I got a little confused... I ... I... I don't want to get confused right now, and I think that we should focus more on family time for Sofia. It could help everyone... I mean, if that's okay with you?

- Thanks god. I'm relieved you feel that way too ... You...you're right. I'm sorry. It's my fault, I shouldn't have messed with my mind myself... I…

- There is no fault. Don't start blaming yourself again. You know, for a kiss we have to be two. The laughing blue eyes plunge into the worried chocolate eyes, the blonde pinches the lips while smiling. Personally, I'm not ... Sorry… I mean... I'm not sorry, it was the best kiss ever... Well, of course I can only testify in the range of my memories, but I remember very well, having some experience in the field of kissing before coming here. The blonde chuckles with a smug look, while Callie looked up to the sky... So, uh... Are we still friends?

As they had done all these days, they came out of awkward moments with a joke; without letting a negative hint settle between them. Although in this case, it was not a joke, thought the blonde, it was the best kiss of all that remained of her memories.

- We are still friends... Callie leans towards the blonde to seal their friendship by a kiss on the cheek, whispering in a sexy voice... I just wanted you to keep in mind that your memories do not include me...'Cause that kiss was nothing compared to… you know, the «Wow»...

- Calliope Iphigenia Torres, you will need to work harder on this friendship thing! Seriously, do you think that's the way you talk to your friend?

Concealing the butterflies that had begun to fly again in her belly while laughing, the blonde makes a meaningful wink. Suddenly taking a grave look Arizona grabs Callie's hands into hers, leaving the Latin woman to think that the jokes were no longer in the game.

- Calliope, can you promise me one thing?

- Oh no…Arizona, don't do that ... You... You always make me promise things that are ...

- It's just a little promise... Pleeease

With a resigned sigh, the Latina accepts by blinking her eyelids while sighing desperate to never be able to resist the blonde.
Waiting for what was going to fall on her, she thought sadly that it was her karma.

- Promise me that if I can't remember the last ten years, you'll tell me everything about that revelation you had with your ex-wife. Your "Wow" definitely can't be my breaking point.

Facing the puzzled air and the relieved sigh that the Latina let out between her lips, the blonde bursts out laughing at her joke.

She did not measure the weight that promises had taken in their lives.
Callie pulls herself together. In this kind of tournament, the Latin woman did not like to lose.
She had only been disconcerted for a moment because both women had not had this kind of fun and provocative interaction for a long time. Since Mark's death, actually, thought Callie. Mark was a pretty talented competitor, but Arizona had always held him high.

- You know what? Maybe your breaking point is your own epiphany with your ex-wife?... You may have been extremely overwhelmed by your own «Wow»... I personally have a very vivid memory of this "Wow" ... It was so "Wow". You know, the tears and everything...

Sparks in the eyes and a smile from ear to ear, the Latina did not hide her pleasure of teasing her ex-wife, who laughed heartily; but also to play down this whole story of breaking point that had been worrying her for days.

- I suspect you're taking advantage of my amnesia to beautify your resumé.

- You'll see... You'll see... The Latina rolls her eyes before the blonde's falsely shocked pout... When you get your memory back, Arizona! ... I meant; you'll agree with me when you will remember! Arizona was staring at her feigning misunderstanding. Suddenly, the brunette panicked… You... You Arizona, you know what I mean, don't you?!

Deliberately leaving Callie in an awkward position, Arizona enjoyed the pleasure of having the last word.

- Not really. You seem to me pretty confused Dr Torres…

Thanks for reading.