Arizona stood in front of her desk putting on her lab coat trying not to smile. Today was her first day back and she felt giddy inside but that made her feel guilty for leaving Chloe. Sofia was with Callie this week and she would start back to school next week. Arizona knew that Chloe was fine with the nanny. She really felt torn, she never really took any leave when Sofia came home because she had taken time off right after the accident, and then when Sofia came home, Callie was still off of work so Arizona continued to work. She had this sour feeling in her stomach. Mainly because she felt so bad because she didn't feel bad about leaving Chloe. She loved her and she was happy to have her but she also loved her job. It was an endless cycle. She knew other mothers felt this way, she wished she had someone to talk about these things with. She sighed and looked at the time. She had a consult scheduled in an hour and she wanted to review the patient's medical records again before she saw the patient but she also missed the coffee from the first floor coffee cart. She headed in that direction, she really needed caffeine. Chloe was sleeping better but some nights were better than others.
As she stood in line she heard her name being called, it was Richard "Welcome back, how have you been?" Arizona smiled at her friend "I'm good, just getting my caffeine fix before my consult." They chatted while they waited and Richard said "We should do dinner one night." Arizona smiled "Sure, I will text you my schedule." Richard said "Well, we can figure something out." Arizona thanked him. He really had been her rock and for a long time it felt like he was the only one there for her. She made her way back to start her day. Her consult went well and she admitted the patient for scheduled testing for the and if all went as expected surgery would happen the day after.
She was soon called to the pit for a peds case. Although most of her time was taken up with maternal fetal medicine, she still saw peds patients when she was needed. She didn't mind at all because peds was where she started and she enjoyed it. It turned out to not be a surgical case and Arizona decided to make her way to the cafeteria for lunch. She was actually dreading this. It was like high school all over again and she had gone to 3 different high schools so she she and Callie were together, it wasn't a problem. She sat with Callie and Mark on most days. After the divorce, Arizona sat with April or Alex or mainly just ate in her office. When Callie left for New York, Arizona sat with the rest of the attendings, but she hasn't been at the hospital for a couple of months now and Callie was back. She knew Callie would have taken her place back with all her friends, and that was fine, it just meant that Arizona was back to eating in her office. She knew that Callie was here first and they were Callie's friends before they were Arizona's. She grabbed a tray and paid and started to make her way out when she heard her name being called. "Great" she mumbled. She really wanted to not be noticed, but Amelia was waving her over. Arizona sighed and assessed the situation. Amelia, Maggie, Alex, Meredith and Callie were all sitting at the same table. She knew she couldn't avoid this forever, she just wished it wasn't on her first day back. She put on her best smile and walked over and sat down next to Amelia. She greeted everyone. "How is your first day back." Amelia asked. "It's great, I've missed it." Arizona said. She tried to concentrate on her food. She was very uncomfortable and wanted to hurry and get back to her office where it was quiet and safe and she didn't have to sit three seats down from her ex. She had been avoiding Callie for the past couple of weeks and she knew that coming back to work it would be inevitable that she would see Callie but did it have to be on the first day? Just then pagers went off, they all looked and it was Callie and Amelia. They grabbed their trays and left.
"You don't have to look so relieved " Meredith said to Arizona. Arizona shook her head "It's not like that and you know it, I just don't know what to say to her. Meredith responded "She's really trying." Arizona sighed "I know she is." She had suddenly lost her appetite, she got up and just left her tray and walked out.
"Alex growled at Meredith "Was that necessary?" Meredith just looked at him "What? I didn't do anything" Alex replied "It's not your business." He stared at her "I mean it, they don't need you interfering." Meredith continued to stare, Alex said "They have too much history. They both have hurt each other too much."
"Maggie finally spoke up "But you can tell when they look at each other that there are feelings there." Meredith nodded "See?" Alex just shook his head and got up from the table leaving the two sisters alone. Meredith just shrugged and continued to eat her lunch.
Several days later, it happened. Arizona knew it would eventually but was hoping she had more time. She had been avoiding Callie for the past couple of weeks, ever since the soccer game where she fell asleep, Callie had been slowly working her way in. She had an innate sense of knowing when Arizona was struggling. If she thought about it, she would probably figure out that her daughter had something to do with the fact that Callie always came to the rescue. Like having delivery sent to the house and 'accidentally' making too much lasagna that she brought over. And now she had a patient that had fallen and also needed an ortho consult that would require for both of them to be in surgery together for several hours. Arizona as scrubbing in when Callie walked in "Hey" Callie said. Arizona replied "Hi Callie" then there was silence while they finished scrubbing in. Arizona finished first and went into the OR where she was talking to her patient and reassuring her that she and the baby were in good hands.
They both started and it was quiet for a while when Callie asked Arizona if her and Chloe would like to join her and Sofia for back to school shopping this weekend. The question threw Arizona off, she wasn't expecting it. She did want to go shopping with Sofia but didn't think she would have the chance since it was Callie's week. "Um, sure." Arizona answered before she needed to place her attention back on the patient.
When they finished, and had updated the family, they both headed to the attending lounge to change. Callie kept the conversation light, mainly talking about Sofia. "Do you want to grab something to eat?" Callie asked. Arizona hesitated "I really need to get home to Chloe and relieve Melissa, she has class tonight." Callie was quick and said "Well, how about Sofia and I bring dinner to your place?" Arizona was trying to think of a good excuse but couldn't "Sure, that would be nice" Callie smiled and it was infectious because Arizona smiled back. Callie said "See you at 6?" Arizona nodded as Callie walked out of the lounge leaving Arizona wondering what had just happened.