AN: Thanks everyone for the great reviews! It's nice that people are enjoying this story! Anyway this chapter is the one that everyone has been waiting for! You finally get your Calzona interaction!
Hopefully there aren't too many mistakes! If there are, my bad!
Chapter 4:
Sofia smiled to herself as she walked down the hallway towards the admin office. She quickly glanced over her shoulder to make sure Callie was keeping up. She couldn't believe that it was actually happening. Her mother was going to be presenting for two days for careers week. Two days of driving to school together, driving home together, having guaranteed breakfast, dinner and possibly lunch together. It had taken her almost an hour to convince her mum that she was going to be awesome and a rockstar. She thought back to their conversation they had before leaving.
"I'm not going," Callie said adamantly. Sofia watched as her mother headed back into their house.
"But you promised," Sofia reminded her, trying to coax her mother out the door.
"I know Sofia but I'm not going. I'll just call the school and tell them I'm sick. I don't even know why I agreed to this when I know how much I hate public speaking," Callie ranted as she paced through their living room.
Sofia walked over to her and put her hands on her shoulders, stopping her in her tracks.
"You are Dr Calliope Torres. Badass Head of Orthopedic Surgery. The only person to successfully grow cartilage out of nothing. You build bones out of metal every day, changing the lives of thousands of people and their families. You raised a daughter practically on your own while completing your residency. Talking to a bunch of teenagers is nothing. You can do this. You are amazing. And I've already bragged to basically the whole school about you so you kind of have to go." Sofia watched as her mother absorbed her words, thinking about what she was going to do.
"Okay," Callie finally said, taking a deep breath. "I can do this."
"You can totally do this. Plus I'm pretty sure you're coming to my biomed class first so you can just keep your eyes on me until you feel comfortable," Sofia smiled. "I love you and you're going to be so badass."
"Language, Chiquita. But you're right. I'm going to be so badass, especially when I tell them about my research. We should go," Callie confirmed before the ringing of her phone interrupted them.
The phone call had been the hospital, asking Callie to come in and consult on an MVC that had just come in. Nothing had made Sofia happier than when she had overheard her mother telling them to call the on call surgeon as she had the next two days off. Previously, that kind of phone call would have been followed by Callie apologizing profusely before disappearing for a whole day. But Callie had kept her promise. She'd been keeping them a lot lately. After her mother spending far too long making her coffee, they were finally in the car on the way to school.
Entering the admin office, Sofia saw that Arizona was in the reception area talking to her receptionist, Cindy.
"Sofia," the blonde smiled at her. "Good morning, what are you doing here?"
"Morning Dr Robbins. I was just showing my mama around. Thought she might have to sign in and meet you first. Dr Robbins, this is my ma, Dr Calliope Torres."
"It's just Callie," her mother replied, glaring at her daughter before reaching out her hand to shake Arizona's.
"Nice to meet you Dr Torres. For the record I think Calliope is a beautiful name."
"Thanks," Callie smiled.
Sofia watched as the two older women held their eye contact and their hands. She watched as their handshake slowed down but their hands didn't part. Her eyes moved over to her mother's face, checking out the smile that was plastered on her face. Sofia hadn't seen her smile that big in her entire life. The air felt thick. The sparks flew off the two women as they held onto the moment as long as they could. Sofia just watched, not wanting to break the moment. A moment she was sure hoping the two women felt as much as she did. Quickly looking at her wrist, Sofia realised the bell was going to go very shortly meaning that classes would start and possibly panic her mother due to no preparation with Dr Robbins.
"Uh, I'm going to leave you in the very capable hands of Dr Robbins," Sofia finally said, breaking them out of their moment. "I'll see you in class," she smiled before skipping off.
"We should get you signed in and then head off to our first class. I can give you a quick run down on the way. I'd hate for you to be late," Arizona told Callie, maintaining their eye contact.
"Uh that sounds great, thanks," Callie smiled back.
"OMG Naomi," Sofia squealed as she sat down next to her best friend.
"OMG what," Naomi faked squealed back.
"I just left my mother with Robbins and if they don't show up in the next 5 minutes they are totally making out in her office," Sofia whispered.
"Wait, what?!"
"I introduced them and it was like fireworks. They were dreamily staring deep into each other's eyes like they were reading each other's souls. I've never seen Mama like that before. She was totally taken."
"Are you sure," Naomi questioned, squinting her eyes at Sofia in uncertainty.
"1000% sure. There was even flirting. Just watch them when they walk in."
"I think you're imagining things because you've created this fantasy in your head."
"Whatever. Fantasies can come true," Sofia shrugged, "but I'm not making it up."
Naomi and Sofia both turned to the door as they waited for Callie and Arizona to enter. The two women walked in, smiling wide as they continued their whispered conversation. Every student in the room stopped what they were doing, waiting for Arizona to address to them. Sofia and Naomi watched as the blonde ran her hand down Callie's arm before she walked to the front of the classroom.
"Good morning students. We are very lucky today that we have the very talented Dr Torres to teach us a little bit about what it's like to be surgeon, give us some insight into her amazing research and then talk to use about real cases she's worked on. So let's welcome Dr Torres," Arizona announced to the class, moving aside to let Callie come towards the front. Both adults smiled at each other, the slight blush on Callie's cheeks only obvious to the two girls staring intently at the pair.
"Did I not tell you," Sofia said excitedly as they walked out of class.
"Robbins stared. The whole time, she just stared at her. With this like look of wonderment or amazement."
"I believe that's called true love," she squealed. "They are spending the whole day together as well. God I hope one of them asks the other out."
"You know Robbins won't do it. It's like unprofessional to date a parent. There have been rumors in the past but she like very much denied them."
"Ugh no she has to. Ma said she wouldn't date Robbins because she's my principal but they had so much chemistry."
"So much. I forgot we were in Biomed and not Chem," Naomi joked as they walked to their lockers.
Callie caught herself staring at the blonde as they walked back to her office. She was walking a couple of steps behind Arizona and couldn't help but stare at the wonder before her. She thought back to when they had first met. The spark that jolted through her as soon as their hands touched. The smile she felt grow on her face was involuntary. Never before had Callie felt something so instant, so powerful and she knew the blonde felt it too. The two of them had stood there like idiots until her daughter had broken them out of it.
Her daughter. She needed to put Sofia first. There was no way that anything could ever come of this. Surely Sofia would be okay if she flirted with the blonde. Her eyes raked down toned legs.
Whack.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry," Callie apologized to the blonde she had just run into. Her hands were softly resting against the blonde's waist, holding them both steady. She could feel Arizona shiver as Callie's breath hit her neck. Why did she have to be Sofia's principal? Why could things never be easy? If she wasn't in a school or Arizona wasn't Sofia's principal, Callie would have whispered something dirty in her ear before slamming her up against the wall and sliding her hands down the soft skin.
"It's okay Calliope," Arizona whispered in reply. "I shouldn't have stopped so suddenly." Arizona could feel the heat from Callie's hands on her waist. She knew if she turned around she wouldn't be able to control herself. Callie's fingers were feather light on her skin, yet the weight of the contact was so heavy Arizona had to force herself to breathe. She closed her eyes, mentally fighting herself to take a step forward, keep moving to her office where they would have lunch. Alone. Arizona didn't know if that was a good idea or not. She had to remain professional. Callie was a parent. There was no way she could kiss a parent. Definitely not at school. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Arizona forced herself to start walking forward again. She paused as she felt Callie's hands drop, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that she wasn't leaving her behind.
Once in Arizona's office, the two women stood awkwardly unsure about where to sit or how this was going to go. Arizona smiled at Callie and both women laughed, acknowledging how they both currently felt.
"You were awesome this morning," Arizona finally said, breaking the silence.
"Thanks," Callie smiled, "I honestly thought I was going to barfed. I hate public speaking so I'm not sure why I agreed to this."
"Well you couldn't tell in the slightest. As for why, I think your beautiful daughter had something to do with that."
Callie chuckled. "Yeah she is something else that girl. I don't know where she gets her confidence from. Well I do, she is just like her father."
"Did he move here with you," Arizona inquired as they both sat down on either side of the table in the middle of the office. They both smiled and thanked Arizona's receptionist as she put their lunch in front of them.
"Uh no he didn't. We aren't together, we never were. Sofia was a perfect accident," Callie smiled down at her salad. "It happened during my residency. Mark offered to marry me and I just laughed at him. It was never like that for us. I've always wanted to be a mother so it was the easiest decision I've ever made, keeping her. It's hard sometimes being a single parent and being a surgeon. I feel bad because the last 5 or so years I haven't really been there for her and she hasn't really seen him consistently. We've moved so much it's made it hard and now he's starting a family with his wife. It's just, I know it's hard for her."
"You've done an amazing job," Arizona said softly. She rested her hand on Callie's, trying to reassure the brunette. "Sofia is so smart and kind. She's lucky to have such a great role model."
"Ha, yeah so great," Callie laughed again. "I don't even know why I'm telling you this, I barely know you! Please tell me something about you."
"Um, what do you want to know?"
Callie wanted to tell Arizona that she was dying to know everything about the blonde. Favourite food, colour, first crush, what were her hopes and dreams for the future, literally anything and everything. She stopped herself though. She'd moved here for a fresh start, to focus on her career and daughter, not to get into another disastrous relationship. If she didn't stop these thoughts and feelings now she had no idea how she would in the future.
"Well you know I'm scared of public speaking so what's something that scares you?"
Looking up from her food Arizona smiled. She had many answers to this question. The automatic answer was Callie. Callie scared her. They had this immediate connection and it felt so good to just share a space with her. Arizona looked into the deep brown orbs that stared back at her and could see so many things. Things she hadn't ever really seen for herself. It was scary in the best way. She had idea what Callie was feeling so she decided on a different answer.
"Balloons."
"Balloons!" Callie snorted, almost spitting her food across the table. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting that."
"It's okay. Not many people know, mostly because that's the reaction I get. When I was little my brother used to hide in places and pop them when I wasn't expecting it and scare me so now they just freak me out," Arizona smiled at the memory. "Besides usually clowns come holding balloons and they creep me out. Especially after seeing the movie It."
Callie laughed as Arizona shuddered at the thought.
"Well I promise to never bring balloons OR clowns around you and if we see any, I'll protect you."
"Thanks Calliope," Arizona smiled. She believed that if it came down to it, Callie would protect her. But only if Arizona didn't protect Callie first.
"I thought we were going to have lunch today," Sofia asked her mother as they got into the car.
"Sorry, I got caught up talking to Arizona. Besides, did you really want to have lunch with your boring, old mother?"
"You're not boring," Sofia joked back, "but I guess you're forgiven if you were having lunch with Arizona." Sofia smiled at her mother as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
"Shut up and close your door," Callie chuckled. "I'm exhausted, pizza for dinner?"
The next day Callie woke up super early, way before her alarm was set for. She didn't know why but she was excited. Well, she knew why but she couldn't be excited about it. Unable to contain the smile that stretched across her cheeks as she thought about the day before, Callie shook her head and got out of bed. Yesterday was perfect. Every class had been attentive and asked her great questions. She had really missed teaching when she took on more research. It was a sacrifice she was happy to make if it meant more time for Sofia.
Entering the shower, Callie's thoughts floated to the bombshell blonde she had spent the whole day with. They had eaten lunch together and the conversation didn't stop once. There wasn't a single awkward moment. Not even after their moment in the hallway. At least Callie thought it was a moment. She could still feel the tingle in her fingertips from where she had held Arizona. Arizona was technically a perfect stranger but she felt so familiar at the same time.
Looking in the mirror, Callie stared at her reflection, fighting with herself in her mind. It was her last day with Arizona. Was it wrong for her to want to look good? Callie shook her head and started applying her makeup, putting in slightly more effort than she would on a normal day. A compromise, she tried to convince herself. Happy with how she was looking, Callie then moved to her closet. She couldn't make it obvious that she was putting in more effort than yesterday. She walked in and pulled out a tight black pencil skirt that stopped just above her knees. She paired it with a green button up blouse and black pumps. Once she was happy with how she looked she knew the next thing she needed was coffee.
"Whoa," Sofia commented as Callie entered the kitchen.
"What," Callie asked her as she got the things, she needed to make her coffee.
"You look amazing," Sofia smiled, "special occasion or person you're dressing for?"
"Yes, about 200 teenagers who need to think I'm a hotshot doctor," Callie joked.
"They already do. Everyone was talking about you yesterday in the cafeteria. This isn't for the blonde haired, blue eyed principal who is your escort for the whole day?"
"I thought we already spoke about this and I said we weren't talking about my love life?"
"Whatever," Sofia muttered, "I'll be waiting in the car."
When Arizona looked up from the papers in her hands, she was brought to a complete stop. She watched as the gorgeous brunette she had been fantasizing about walked towards her in the most delicious outfit she had ever seen. It took her a moment to bring her focus back to her body, making sure her jaw was still attached. That skirt hugged Callie's curves in the most glorious way and her breasts looked amazing in her shirt. Arizona could see just enough that she pictured herself licking and sucking on the exposed skin.
"Good morning Arizona."
The words bringing her out of daydream. Arizona shook her head, bringing her focus to the beautiful woman in front of her.
"Good morning Calliope. How are you today?"
"I'm great and please, please, please call me Callie."
"Nope," Arizona shook her head. "A beautiful woman deserves to be called by a beautiful name."
Callie's face lit up at Arizona's words. As hard as she tried, she couldn't help the blush that crept onto her cheeks. The blonde's words filling her with warmth and happiness. It was the first genuine compliment the brunette had heard in a long time. She'd forgotten what it felt like.
"Whatever," Callie sighed, rolling her eyes as she walked away from the blonde.
"So today we are talking to the seniors. I figured it would be good to talk them before they all start applying to med schools," Arizona chuckled, running to catch up to Callie.
"Great," Callie shot back over her shoulder. "First I need like a gallon of coffee though."
"I already have a pot waiting for you in my office. I thought we could go over some points before we get to the classes?"
Gulping, Callie smiled and followed the blonde to her office. She didn't know how to feel about being stuck in a small space with only the blonde. Worry filled her body. Not because she didn't want to spend time with the blonde but because she really wanted to spend alone time with the blonde. She really wanted to spend lots of alone time with Arizona. Callie tried to think back to when she had felt this way about someone she had just met but she was drawing blanks. Even with people she thought she had been in love with.
"Thanks Calliope. For spending so much of your time here. The kids really appreciate it and so do I," Arizona smiled as they walked out of the school together.
"It was my pleasure, really."
Callie watched as Arizona nervously played with something in her hand. She didn't understand why the blonde was suddenly nervous. Every interaction between them in the last two days had felt naturally comfortable, like they had been friends for years.
"Um, is it okay if I give you my number. It would be great to organise some work experience for the students or something in the future. But I know you're busy so only call if you're okay with that. You don't have to do it. You can also call if you just want to chat or something. I mean, like, you know it's been nice just talking."
Callie couldn't help but smile at the rambling mess in front of her. It was cute how Arizona suddenly couldn't make eye contact with her for more than 2 seconds and how her hand was shaking only slightly.
"I'd love to," Callie whispered. She reached out and held onto the piece of paper in Arizona's hand. She let her hand linger, slightly grasping the creamy hand that belonged to the gorgeous blonde. Both of them stopped and stared at their hands before finally making eye contact.
The harsh sound of the school bell broke them out of their moment.
"I should go."
"I better get back."
The words were uttered at the same time but neither woman wanted to leave. Their hands still connected.
"Ma you ready to go," Sofia called out when she saw her mother standing at the gate. She watched as they both yanked their hands away from each other, blush creeping up their necks and cheeks. If she didn't know her mother, it would have looked very innocent but she had seen this before. Many times before, Callie had fallen hard for people, and quickly, but never before had Sofia seen someone else have the same sparkle in their eyes. It filled her heart with hope. The hope that maybe this time was different. That this time would be forever.
