Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not mine and belong to Grey's Anatomy.
Thanks to kittiemitens, who did a hard job trying to fix my errors, and I know that isn't so easy... I'm very grateful to her. But any error in this chapter is mine because English is not my first language, I'm sorry, and I would truly appreciate any constructive input that may help further my storytelling.
AN2: Thank you very much to all who despite my mistakes kept reading this story, thank you for the reviews, followers, alerts and the pm... Thank you very much.
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"Ok… Ok, I get it, don't worry… its fine I'll take care it. Bye, Mark. Damn."
"Bad word, mommy." Sofia said innocently.
"You're right, baby girl, don't repeat it."
Callie started to walk hand in hand with Sofia, towards the Peds section.
"Where are we going mom? To see Dr. Zona?" Sofia recognized the place they were in.
Callie laughed. "Maybe later, do you want to see her?"
"Yes. I like Dr. Zona."
"I'm sure she likes you, baby."
"Do you like her, mommy?"
Callie smiled. "Yes, I like her, too." Callie saw Nurse Betty. "Hey, Betty."
"Dr. Torres, can I help you? Hello, Sofia? Are you, looking for Dr. Robbins?" Betty asked Sofia.
"Mommy said later." Sofia explained.
"Betty, I have a problem, Sofia's dad can't pick her up tonight, and I have a surgery, do you know any babysitter, because I don't know anybody here?" Callie sighed. She hated the idea of leaving Sofia with strangers, but she couldn't cancel the surgery. Mark was supposed to pick Sofia like every weekend, but he had another emergency, and now Sofia needed someone to take care of her.
"I just know one, but she's busy tonight...sorry. If you want I can ask Grace, maybe she knows somebody."
"Thank you, Betty, I appreciate it." Sofia started to run when Callie released her hand.
"Sofia, come here. Don't run." Callie warned her.
"Hey, baby girl, what are you doing here?" Arizona knelt and kissed Sofia's cheek and Sofia hugged her. Arizona looked up at Callie. "Callie, hello."
"Hello, Arizona," Callie smiled at her.
"Oh, maybe Dr. Robbins knows someone." Betty said looking at Callie, who was still staring at Arizona.
"What?" Callie was lost in her thoughts.
"Sofia..." Betty said, noticing Callie's distraction.
"Right, Sofia." Callie answered uneasily.
Betty gazed at Callie raising her eyebrows. "I have to go."
"Thank you, Betty." Betty nodded.
"What's wrong with Sofia?" Arizona asked concerned. "Who am I supposed to know?"
"I need a babysitter for Sofia."
"I thought she was with her dad all weekend?"
When Callie and Arizona were together, Sofia was their conversation topic, so Arizona already knew about Sofia's routine. Callie wished they could talk about stuff, maybe something more... private that not included Sofia's behavior or her mischiefs, but for now, that was all they had. Of course Callie was a proud mother and she loved to talk about Sofia, but the time passed and she knew that if she wanted to have an approach with Arizona, she needed to change the that soon, although she still has not idea how to do it.
"Yes, but he had an emergency, and I have two surgeries tonight that I can't cancel."
"I can do it." She blurted out.
"What?"
"I mean, if you are okay with that... and Sofia, of course" She didn't know why she just offered.
"Are you sure?" she couldn't stop smiling.
"Yes... I have two rooms in my house. Also, I live close to the Hospital, so you can come over when you are finished... But I can help you to find someone else, someone who is used to being with kids, and I would totally understand if that's what you wanted. You don't know me, and I don't know what I was thinking and I -"
Suddenly Arizona felt Callie's body against her and Callie's arms were around her neck. She could feel Callie's smell and it was heady. She smelled so good... Callie's body feels so good on hers... But Arizona was frozen. She didn't react; she didn't know how to react.
"Thank you, Arizona. You saved me." She was sort of exaggerating the thanks. Callie didn't really need to embrace Arizona that way, but she wanted- she needed to feel Arizona like she did long time ago. And that was her opportunity; she wished she could stay there for hours. Callie could feel Arizona's hands near her waist, but she didn't touch her.
"No problem... It's- it's not a big deal, really." She stammered uncomfortably, not because of Callie's hug. It's not like she didn't enjoy it, quite the opposite really. She felt so good in Callie's arms it scared her. Why did she enjoy that? She never felt like that when Teddy hugged her. Teddy was her friend, the only friend she had until Callie came. And now Callie was her new friend. They were friends, right? What else could they be?
"Mommy, I'll go Dr. Zona's house?" Sofia broke the moment. Callie released Arizona from her embrace and looked at the floor.
"Yes, is that fine with you?" Callie knew the answer, but she needed to ask.
"Yes! Thank you, mommy!" Sofia seemed happy about the arrangements.
"You must thank Arizona, baby."
A second later, Sofia was in Arizona´s arms. "No thanks required. We'll have fun, right?" Arizona asked Sofia.
"Do you have any Disney movies?"
Arizona laughed. "I have a ton of Disney movies."
"Really?" Sofia asked excitedly. When Arizona nodded with a smile Sofia turned at Callie. "Mom, can I go now?"
"Arizona is working, when she finishes, you both can go."
"I'm almost finished; I just need to sign some charts and we can go."
"Yes!"
"I have some of Sofia's clothes in the lockers."
"Great, we can go there too." Arizona smiled at Callie.
They found Sofia's clothes and Callie walked them out to the parking lot.
"Is there anything I need to know about Sofia?" Arizona asked Callie and she didn't understand the question. "I mean, are there any foods I need to avoid? Does she have any allergies? Does she needs some special care ?" Arizona rambled.
Callie laughed and took Arizona's hand. "Arizona, she is perfectly healthy. She can eat anything. Just not too much sugar, because I doubt you could sleep tonight... besides, Arizona, you work with kids all day, believe me- you will be fine."
"Yes... I guess... It's just I've never had a kid in my house."
"You are a pediatric surgeon. You will be fine."
Arizona smiled ashamed. "You're right. Here's my cell phone number. I think you have it already, but just in case. And, my address, you can call whenever you want." She extended a piece of paper to Callie.
"Thank you, Arizona, really." Callie knelt and hugged Sofia. "Bye baby girl, please be good for Arizona. I'll pick you tomorrow, okay?"
"Yes, mommy."
"Don't go to bed late, okay?"
"Yes, mommy. I promise."
"I'll take care of her." Arizona opened the car's door. "Come on, let's go. Your mommy needs to go back to work."
"Bye, have fun, girls."
"Bye, Callie, I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll try to finish as soon as possible."
"Hey, it's okay. Don't rush; I can take care of her for one night... Can't I?"
"Of course you can, I trust to you; actually I'm glad you agreed... I don't like the idea of Sofia spending the night with a stranger."
"I like to be with her. Bye Callie, have a good surgery." Before the car was too far away, Arizona stopped and rolled down the window.
"Callie?" she called out to her.
"Yes? Any problem?"
"No, it's not that... just... be a rock star in there tonight." Arizona smiled and left.
And there was Callie; standing in the parking lot with a huge smile over her face while the tears rolled down her cheeks. How many times had she heard that from Arizona? She missed her so much, she had lost her once. But this time, she was ready to fight for her and wouldn't let her go.
##########
It was nine in the morning and Arizona and Sofia were making breakfast. They were still arguing about who was the best Disney princess, the most handsome prince or the cruelest villain. Of course they started that subject last night, while they were watching movies. Perhaps Arizona was an adult with a big career as surgeon and she was in her thirties. But when the subject was Disney movies, she was a child again.
Her job as a pediatrician surgeon gave her the ability to change her age in just a second. She works with kids all day. She knows about what they like to talk about, what they feared, what they liked... She could keep a conversation going without being bored, and that was really strange to see in an adult.
The hours with Sofia passed quickly. She really enjoyed Sofia's company, they both did. They ate pizza, they drew, and they danced and sang for hours. Arizona didn't remember having such of fun in years... Not that she remembered very much. But at least for the last five years she didn't.
"I don't agree. Beauty and the Beast is the most romantic film ever..." Arizona said firmly.
"No way, that's an old movie." Sofia contradicted Arizona as she put the plates on the table. "I think it's Rapunzel."
"Okay..." Arizona stopped to make the waffles and turned to Sofia. "And what is the problem with that? It's still really romantic. She felt in love with the beast... that was a really blind love, don't you think?" Arizona smiled as she remembered the movie.
Sofia shrugged. "I like Rapunzel."
Arizona sighed in frustration. "Maybe you'll understand when you grow up..."
"What do I need to understand?" Sofia asked innocently.
Arizona laughed. "Nothing, sweetie...Besides, you look like her, or like Barbie."
"Mmmm, I think I'm too small to be a Barbie. I like you." Sofia smiled.
"Awww, you are so cute! I like you too." Arizona hugged Sofia and kissed her cheek. "Okay, the breakfast is almost done."
"Is mommy coming?"
"Yes, she called when you were sleeping; I guess she should be here at any time. But she said that we should start without her. Are you okay with that?" Sofia nodded. "Do you want some milk?"
"Yes, please."
Arizona served the milk and a waffle for Sofia, a cup of coffee for herself. "Do you like it?" Arizona asked when Sofia bit into it.
"Yes, it's very tasty." she answered with her mouth full.
"I'm glad you like it, but you don't talk while you're eating."
"Sorry."
They heard someone knock on the door.
"I guess your mom is here." Arizona got up and opened the door.
"Hello, I'm sorry I'm late, but I couldn't leave any earlier."
"It's okay, perfect timing. We just started to eat breakfast, come on in."
"Mommy!" Sofia ran to her.
"Hey, baby. Do you miss me?"
"We watched two movies, and Zona thinks that Beauty and the Beast is better than Rapunzel." Sofia said, still hugging Callie.
"Should I take that as a no?" Callie asked watching Arizona, who had a big smile on her face.
"I didn't say that... I said it was more romantic..."
"Please tell me you two weren't arguing about that..."
"What can I said, your daughter is difficult to convince."
"No doubt about that." Arizona and Callie laughed.
"Callie, please sit, I'll serve you breakfast." She said pointing at a chair next to Sofia.
A minute later Arizona put a plate and a coffee cup in front of Callie.
"What a fool!" Arizona took the plate again. "Sorry."
"What's wrong?" Callie didn't understand why Arizona was mad.
"I've never asked you what you want... I just thought that-"
Callie smiled. "Black coffee, some sugar, two spoonfulls of cream. The waffles with strawberries, cream and honey. I like it that way."
"How do you - Are you sure? Because I can make another, really, it's not a big deal."
"Arizona, I'm sure. Thank you." She looked into blue eyes as a smile took up her face. Arizona remembered what she liked for breakfast. Arizona still remembered Callie, even when she didn't know her. "It's delicious."
"Thank you." Arizona responded shyly.
The next fifteen minutes passed with chats about Callie's surgeries and Arizona and Sofia's night.
Sofia explained to Callie all about what she did with Arizona.
"Well, I see you had fun."
"Yes, mommy."
"Now it's time to go; I'll help Arizona clean this mess and we'll go home. Say thank you to Arizona."
"I'll take care of it Callie. I can clean it later. And it was my pleasure; I had a lot of fun with miss Sofia, didn't I?"
"Can we stay a little longer, please?" Sofia begged.
"Sorry, Sof. Arizona has things to do."
"Actually, I don't, and I think that is a good idea for you two to stay here... I mean, you need some sleep and Sofia is fully awake..."
"Yes. Please, mommy... Zona is right." Arizona had asked Sofia not to call her Dr. since they were friend now.
"I don't know... Arizona, you already did so much. This it isn't necessary."
"I know. Look, you can take a shower and sleep for a while and I'll do the shopping with Sofia. That's if you agree of course."
"Please mommy, please. Say yes."
"Say yes, Callie."
"Okay..."
"Yes!" Arizona and Sofia yelled.
"Come with me, I'll show you the bedroom; I'll change the sheets while you are in the shower."
"I can sleep where Sofia slept last night."
"Don't be silly, my bed is more comfy. Come on."
Sofia turned on the TV and Callie and Arizona went to the bedroom.
"Well, this is it. The bathroom is there, I´ll get you a towel. Feel free to use anything in there, okay?"
Callie nodded smiling. All she could think about in that moment was that she was in Arizona's bedroom.
Arizona went to the bathroom to be sure that Callie would have all she needed: towel, shampoo, etc. When she returned the room, Callie was massaging her neck. And suddenly, she didn't know how or why, but she was rubbing Callie's back.
"You must be tired, aren't you?" Arizona asked in a soft voice.
Callie just closed her eyes and nodded. Actually she was exhausted, but at that moment it didn't matter. All that mattered was she could feel Arizona next to her. She was afraid that if she talked Arizona would stop herself, and she wanted to spend the whole day like that with Arizona stroking her like she used to. Callie's heart was beating wildly, she missed Arizona; She missed her hands on her, caressing. She wished she could kiss her, hug her and never let her go. But she couldn't.
However, that couldn't last forever. And suddenly Arizona moved away from Callie and cleared her throat.
"The bathroom is ready." Arizona was flushed. Where did the urge to touch Callie like that come from? And why did it feel so good doing it?
"Thank you."
"Do you need something else? Do you need some clothes?"
Callie laughed. "Arizona, have you seeing me? I really doubt you could lend me your clothes."
Arizona wouldn't recognize it, but she was discovered herself looking at Callie. "I have a T-shirt that I have kept for years; I guess it'll be good for you." She went to the drawer and gave Callie a T-shirt. But it wasn't just any T-shirt, it was Callie's shirt.
"How do you have this?" When Callie saw the confusion in Arizona's face she continued. "I mean, it's a little large for you."
"Yeah... I know, but, I've have it for years. I don't know... I like it."
"It's nice." It was all Callie could say. She knew it was one of Arizona's favorites. Obviously, she packed it in her bag when she went Africa.
"Maybe I have a sister, don't you think?" Before Callie answered, Arizona sighed. "No... That couldn't be. Nevermind"
Sofia called her from the living."Zona, when are we going shopping?"
"Someone is in a hurry..." Arizona said to Callie with a smile. "Just a minute, honey."
"I want fried potatoes."
"Sofia, don't be rude!" Callie scolded her.
"Sorry mommy. Sorry, Zona."
"Sorry" Callie apologized to Arizona.
"She's a kid, Callie, besides I want them too. Well, you go rest. Sofia and I will come back in a while, is that okay with you?"
"It's perfect, thank you."
##########
"Zona... Zona"
"Shhh" Arizona shushed Sofia quickly.
"Why are you watching mommy while she's sleeping?"
"What?" She had heard perfectly, but she needed time to think a good answer.
"You're looking at mommy." Sofia whispered.
Both girls were standing in Arizona's bedroom.
"I'm just checking on her, you know... I wanted to know if she was awake and was hungry."
Sofia frowned. "Okay," And then left the room.
"I need to check some emails, do you want watch TV?" Arizona tried to act natural.
"'I'd prefer to draw."
"Okay."
They stayed in silence about thirty minutes, Arizona on her laptop and Sofia with the crayons.
"What are you drawing, sweetie? Can I see it?" Arizona walked up to Sofia.
"Yes, do you like it?" Sofias asked, showing her drawing to Arizona.
"It's beautiful. You're an artist." Sofia smiled proudly. "Who are they?"
"Here is my daddy and Lexie." Sofia started to explain, pointing at a man. "Lexie has a huge belly because there is my little brother."
"Will you have a brother? Congratulations!"
"Daddy, says that it will be a boy. Lexie says that they still don't know because it's too soon. I want a baby sister."
"Your dad has a huge smile." Arizona saw that his smile was bigger than any other.
"Yep, he says that Lexie makes him smile that way. Lexie is good." Sofia explained. "And this is mommy and me."
"Why isn't your mommy smiling?" Sofia shrugged. Arizona had an idea, and she could use Sofia for getting the answer. "Is it because she doesn't have a boyfriend?" Maybe it wasn't appropriate, but she did. She wanted to know about Callie.
"Girlfriend." Sofia corrected.
"What?" Arizona wasn't sure if she heard right.
"Mommy likes women."
"Oh," Something in Sofia's answer made her happy.
"Mommy fought with her girlfriend, she didn't like me, and mommy was mad. It was my fault."
Arizona saw the guilt on Sofia. "That's nonsense, how could someone not like you?
You are the most wonderful and cutest girl I've ever known... If your mother had a girlfriend so silly that didn't see that, she wasn't worth it."
Sofia smiled. "Really, baby, you are awesome, don't forget that, okay?" Arizona looked up and saw Callie looking at them as Callie mouthed a thanks. Arizona just nodded.
"Mommy! You are awake!" Sofia ran to hug her.
"Yes, sweetie... What time is it?"
"It's three pm; have you rested? We ate lasagna, I'll get you some."
"I slept like a baby; your bed is really comfy."
Arizona laughed from the kitchen. "I told you."
While Callie was eating and chatting with Arizona about the surgeries she had last night, Sofia slept over Arizona's lap and she was caressing Sofia's head.
"So, you know I'm gay." Callie changed the subject when saw Sofia sleeping.
"Sof told me, yes." Arizona was feeling uncomfortable with the new subject, and Callie noticed.
"And, is that okay with you?"
"Yes, being gay is okay... I mean it isn't bad... I mean, it's just a choice, right? I mean - " Arizona rambled.
"I get it, Arizona, calm down." She was trying to not sound like discriminating, but she was doing an awful job.
"And you?" When Callie saw Arizona's panic, she changed the question. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No, I guess with all of my illnesses I've had no time for that... or I haven't met the right person..."
"Or you did and you don't know..." Both were looking deeply at each other. Callie noticed Arizona caressing Sofia. "You're good with kids; do you ever think about having your own kids?"
Arizona laughed. "Me? No... I'm not that kind of person... Motherhood is not for me."
"Why? You would be an excellent mother."
"How long? A month? A year? five? Callie, I can't think long term, you know that." Arizona smiled sadly.
"Don't! Ok, don't do that." Callie panicked. "Please, Arizona, don't say that... You are fine; you have a whole life ahead of you." To hear Arizona talking like that, it was terrifying. She couldn't allow Arizona to give up.
"Callie..."
"No!" she shouted. "I don't want to hear that bullshit, okay?" Arizona was frozen. "Sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."
"Sometimes, I think that if I was healthy, and with the right person, I could have ten kids..."
Callie had a lump in her throat. She remembered the exact moment that Arizona those words. She was the right person, but Arizona couldn't remember her. "We'll ha- You'll have ten kids, and a chicken." Callie corrected herself.
"Do you like chickens too?!" Arizona asked excited. "The people think that I'm crazy when I say that I like chickens."
"I love chickens..." Callie answered fighting back tears.
##########
Four days passed since the two women and little Sofia, were in Arizona's apartment. Since then, Arizona and Callie's schedule was complicated and they barely saw each other.
In one hand Arizona was feeling relieved. Callie was awakening strange feeling in her. Somehow she feared the way Callie was able to get her this way. Why did Callie have that power over her? But on other hand, when she was with Callie, she was feeling well; she enjoyed her company, and talking to her. And the times they had lunch together... She wanted to be with Callie, and that was even more frightening.
For the most part, Callie was happy, excited, and hopeful. She was sure that she just needed time and the old Arizona would come back. The brain tumor could take away her memories, but not her feelings. And after all Mark had told Callie about Arizona, Callie knew that Arizona was in love with her.
Now she was looking for Arizona again. She and Sofia decided to invite her to dinner in their house. That sounded logical after what Arizona did for her last week.
But her smile was erased from her face when she saw Arizona talking to Adam.
Adam noticed Callie's presence and called out sarcastically, "Dr. Torres, it's good to see you again."
"I say the same, Dr. Boyd." she gave him a fake smile.
"Callie, how are you? Is Sofia alright?" Callie loved the way Arizona was always concerned about Sofia.
"Yes, she is great."
Before she couldn't say anything more, Adam interrupted her. "So, I guess you don't need anything. Because Arizona and I were talking."
"Adam!" Arizona warned. "Callie, are you alright?" Arizona answered when she noticed the discomfort on her face.
Callie wouldn't allow Adam to ruin her plans.
"Yes, actually I was looking for you, I wanted- I mean, Sofia and I wanted to invite you to dinner."
"I'm sorry, Dr. Torres, but you're too late, Arizona and I have plans. I invited her out a fancy restaurant, just like she deserves. Later we'll go to theatre and then…well, we don't know yet..."
Callie was bit her bottom lip. She waited for Arizona's answer, but it didn't come.
"We have to go Arizona, it's late, and you need finish you rounds."
Arizona kept watching Callie without saying a word. Adam took Arizona's arm and started to go down the hallway with her. Callie just turned around and walked to the elevator.
"This place is incredible; a friend recommended it to me. He says that they have the better seafood he ever tasted. Also I've heard good reviews about the stage play, and..." Adam keep talking but Arizona couldn't hear him, she couldn't stop thinking about Callie's eyes when Adam said they had a date... and they didn't have a date. They were just going out to dinner. That doesn't mean that she couldn't accept the Callie's offer, does it?
"Wait!" Arizona said and ran to the elevator and stopped the doors before they closed. Adam called her, but she decided to ignore him.
"Callie, wait."
"Arizona."
Arizona breathed deeply and then continued. "Thursday, Thursday if fine to me, if you are okay with that, of course..." Callie was confused. "The dinner at your place."
A big smile spread across her face. "That would be perfect."
Arizona smiled back and pulled out.
"Arizona, please, it's late, come on..." Adam yelled.
Arizona glanced at Adam "Wait a minute, Adam. I'll go, I just need to tell her something." then turned to Callie again.
"Oh, and Callie?"
"Yes?"
"When you are with the right person you don't need a fancy place." She winked at her and left.
