Chapter 42

"I can't believe you planned ahead and talked Addie into staying with Katie tonight. I figured she would be exhausted from the trip," Arizona says, pulling the blanket up from the foot of the bed to cover the two of them up. After arriving back at Callie's, it was only a matter of minutes before they ended up in Callie's room. Things heated up against the back of Callie's closed bedroom door, and then the two slowed things down enough to make it to the bed. "Actually, I'm surprised you weren't too exhausted for what we just did. And you outdid yourself at that," Arizona says, chuckling.

"Addie happens to be a hopeless romantic, so we lucked out," Callie says, kissing Arizona's hand that she is now holding. "And… I knew if you said yes, I wouldn't be able to wait to bring you to bed. I am tired, but I have so much to be excited about. I am pretty sure it is all adrenaline right now and you won't be able to get me to wake up in the morning."

Nodding, Arizona pulls Callie closer. "Well, you had nothing to worry about with me not saying yes. I already told you, I would say yes the next time you asked."

"Yeah, but I never dreamed you would have said no the first time I asked," Callie says with a small shrug.

"Fair enough. But, I just wanted it to not be overshadowed by other things. And the way it worked out, I still kind of feel like you aren't going to remember it as much because of the court case."

"Actually, it was the absolute perfect time. Because, when I look back on this day, I will remember it as being the day all my dreams came true. I will remember it as the day I got both my girls. That's what I will remember."

"Yeah, that's what I will remember too," Arizona says, smiling. "You not only asked me to be your wife, but you asked me to officially be Katie's mom. I know that is a big step."

"Not really. You are already her mom… I just want it to be legal as well," Callie says, leaning to give Arizona a kiss on the cheek.

"Me too. You have no idea how happy I am right now. I feel like I'm on cloud nine," Arizona says, dimples popping. "Oh… and just so you know… I don't think waking you up in the morning will be a problem. I have my ways, you know."

"Oh, do you now?" Callie asks, chuckling, as she runs her hand along Arizona's neck.

"Oh yes. As a matter of fact, I think I can wake you up and have you asking for more of what I have planned… over and over," Arizona says, leaning down to take a nipple in her mouth and releasing it with a slow tug."

Giving a little moan, Callie can't quite believe the way the blonde can turn her to putty in her hands… and mouth. "You didn't have to stop."

"I did. Because you need some rest. I'm surprised you lasted this long. It will not help my ego if you fall asleep on me," Arizona says, looking up with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah, I can see where that might sting a little," Callie says, giving a small chuckle.

"So, not to burst our bubble, but what happened that George ended up signing away all his rights? You never did tell me the details."

"To be honest, I don't know how it all happened. It kind of came out of nowhere. I mean, the judge was walking back into the courtroom this morning and was detained. When he came back out, he had some documents…," Callie says, pausing to think. "He called both lawyers up and then presented them to both. He said some judge in Florida sent them and he wanted my lawyer to decide whether to use them as evidence or not."

"What was it?"

"I still can't believe what it was. It…. It was a document that showed a money transaction. My um… my mom, she made a huge transfer to George the day that he filed for custody."

"Calliope…" Arizona starts, shaking her head. "I can't believe that."

"Yeah… I know. To be honest, I haven't even stopped to process that part of it. I mean, my own mother wanted George to take my daughter away from me, all because she doesn't like my current lifestyle. It was never about George wanting her, which I knew he didn't. He didn't want her when he had her. This is all my mom. My own mother, Arizona."

"Calliope," Arizona says, scooting up in the bed, and turning to look at Callie. "I am so sorry. I never thought she would be that… be…."

"So evil? It's hard to even think of he right word to describe her. I mean, I don't know how someone could do that to their own daughter. To Katie…"

"I know. I don't even know what to say."

"I know. I wouldn't either. And don't get me wrong, I don't know how I can ever forgive her for this, but at the same time, I can't help but be thankful. I mean, the judge was so appalled that George took the money, he all but ordered him to sign away his rights. He moved things through faster than I have ever seen before. What I don't understand is where the information came from to begin with. My lawyer knew nothing about it."

Arizona starts fidgeting with the comforter and avoids Callie's eyes.

"Arizona… what is it?"

"I might have an idea, but I don't know for sure."

"What is it?"

"I want to tell you, but I'm afraid you will be mad."

"Arizona…" Callie says slowly, adjusting to where she can see Arizona's face a little better.

"I called your dad last night."

"You what?" Callie asks, her eyebrows shooting upwards with a look Arizona couldn't quite place. "I haven't even heard from him since before all this happened."

"Calliope… last night, you were so worried. George was playing dirty and I didn`t think it would hurt anything to call your dad. I told him what had happened and he said he had no clue about any of it. He had no idea George was taking you to court. He loves you. He came back and made peace with you after he found out about us. He wasn't the one with the problem. He said he actually felt bad he hadn't been in touch earlier."

"I asked you not to go behind my back and call my parents over things. Do you not remember that?" Callie was getting upset now.

"Look… your mom called George, not your dad. And he had no idea that anything had happened. He has just been busy. I know you aren't happy with me right now, but it sounds like he went and did some digging and found their financial records. I mean, with all their connections, you know he knew a judge who could send them out there."

"I get that. But, I asked you a few months ago not to go behind my back and ask my dad for things," Callie says, irritated.

"Calliope… this was a huge deal. I needed to help, and… and that was the only thing I could think of doing that might make a difference. I know how you feel about your mom, but he isn't your mom. And under any other circumstances, I wouldn't have involved your dad. But I didn't want to have something happen and realize I didn't do everything I could. I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself."

"So, really what I am hearing, is you didn't really think I would keep custody of my daughter. You expected me to lose her."

"What… No! That is not what I said. It is my job to protect you. At all costs, you and Katie both. It is on me to make sure you guys are safe and taken care of. And I'm sorry if how I went about it upsets you, but I did what I thought I needed to do. I knew when I made that phone call that it might upset you, but it was a risk I knew I needed take. My job is to keep my family together, even if it means doing something that you have asked me not to. I don't think you had anything to worry about, but people are crazy Calliope. Just because I wouldn't be able to fathom George getting custody, doesn't mean there wasn't a crazy judge on the case who wasn't rational. I was making sure I did all I could to help. Because I felt… useless. It was a last minute thought but I started thinking that I just, I needed to do something. And I know he has connections. I just had a gut feeling that I couldn't let go. Like I said, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. Even at the risk of making you mad, which it obviously has."

Disentangling herself from Arizona, Callie rolls over in bed to face the opposite direction.

"Calliope…"

"I get it. I do. But on top of you doing something I had already asked you not to do, I feel like you didn't have enough faith in me."

"No. No, no…. I told you, I didn't doubt for a second that you deserved custody. But I do doubt the stupid people that sometimes make up our court system. I mean, rulings are made all the time that shouldn't be made. I see it so often in my practice. I deal with so many families that can't understand why a worthless parent gets equal custody. I have so much faith in you, Calliope. You are a wonderful mom. I can't imagine what would have happened if George won any type of custody. But if you need time to be mad at me, that's fine.. I knew it was a possibility , but honestly, I didn't hear back from your dad after the first call. I didn't think he could help."

"I'm not… mad. I'm just… I don't even know. I know the outcome is what we wanted and I know you wanted to help. But a part of me is just…"

"Are you mad at me, or mad at your mom? Because I get that I did something you asked me not to do, by contacting your dad. But maybe… maybe you are more upset with what came out of that call."

"Of course I'm mad at my mom. I'm mad as hell at her. But that still doesn't change the fact that you went behind my back. And I know you did it with love and concern, but I don't want our whole relationship to be you trying to bail me out of things by calling my dad all the time."

Rolling over and standing up, Arizona reaches for her shirt that is laying on the floor.

"Where are you going? We disagree and you are going to leave?"

"I'm not leaving. I'm going to go grab us a snack and hopefully give you time to process some things. I know going behind your back upsets you, but I did it for the right reasons and I would do it again if it meant George was out of Katie's life."

Signing, Callie shakes her head. "Don't go."

"I told you I'm not leaving. I'll be right back. I promise."

"Ok," Callie says watching Arizona pull the shirt over her head and make her way out the bedroom door.

Sighing once again, she lays back on the pillow and replays their conversation in her mind. As much as she hates to admit it, Arizona is right. No, she didn't like Arizona calling her dad, but she is more upset over her mom than what she realized earlier.

Standing up, she grabs a silk robe from her closet and makes her way down to the kitchen. When she walks in, Arizona has a tray with some snacks already on the counter, but is stood standing still, with her eyes closed.

"You ok?"

"That depends. You still mad at me?"

Walking closer to Arizona, Callie stops a few inches away and shakes her head. "No.I'm not made at you. I Don't necessarily like that you called him, but, I do understand why. I am mad at my mom though. And hurt. I just don't understand her and why she would do that. I'm sorry though. I should not have taken it out on you."

"Calliope, I get it. I do. I wish I could take away the hurt that she has caused you. And I realize you finding out that I called your dad didn't exactly help things."

Shaking her head, Callie says, "No, I think my mom just bothers me more than I want to admit. Can we just move on from this? It has been a roller coaster of a day, and all I want is to cuddle with my fiancé before we head to the hospital in the morning."

"Yeah. We can do that. But, we are taking these snacks, because I worked up quite the appetite."

Laughing, Callie nods. "Of course, you goof, come on. But… we have to eat naked," Callie says, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I will never complain about getting naked with you," Arizona giggles, making her way towards the stairs.

"I'll remind you of that when we are eighty and you don't like me anymore!" Callie yells, following behind Arizona back to the bedroom, causing Arizona to giggle.

"I'm sure even when we are eighty, that you still won't be able to keep me away," Arizona says, rolling her eyes.

Standing next to the bed, Callie sets the tray down, pulling Arizona close.

"I can't wait to grow old with you."

"Calliope, I never thought it would sound so amazing to talk about getting old. When we talk about it though, knowing I get to grow old with you, makes me the happiest woman in the world."

"Me too. I love you."

"I love you too. Now…let's get naked and have some of these snacks," Arizona says, reaching to pull her shirt over her head.

"Mmm. I could watch you do that all day," Callie says smiling.