A/N: A few people are upset I brought Eric back into the picture. Let's all take a breath. I mean let's be honest, if you heard your ex's name on ESPN as dating a hot shot athlete wouldn't you be a little curious too?
Also, Eric is Sofia's Dad. I mentioned it very briefly in Chapter 21.
If you look in my authors notes it shows Callie and Arizona will live happily ever after. But, stuff like this happens. If you are looking for rainbows and butterflies this is not the story for you. I won't be crashing any planes or having any cheaters but stories that have zero drama do bore me sometimes. So just trust the process here š
You didn't think I would make you wait until Tuesday, did you? You all have been so fantastic. Cliff hangers only go on for 24 hours around here lol.
Chapter 23
Callie's POV
"Hello Callie."
Callie froze. She looked at the caller ID. "Ericā¦.?"
"Yeah, it's me Cal. How are you?" Eric asked. Seemingly oblivious that his calling out of the blue is not normal.
"Um. Fine? Is there something you need?" Callie saw the confused look in Arizona's eyes. She didn't think she had ever told Arizona Eric's name.
"I was just calling to check in. I was actually watching an ESPN interview with your girl. That was a surprise. Can't say I was expecting to hear you were dating a woman." Eric laughed on the other end.
Callie pinched the bridge of her nose. This was literally the last thing she would have guessed she would be dealing with tonight. As far as Callie knew, Eric didn't know about Sofia. He had taken a period of time off after everything happened between them, so he had never seen her pregnant. Also, she hid it really well. The only people who knew were here family and her closest friends. But who the hell knows anything anymore? Things are getting leaked left and right. This is not what she had in mind when she started things with Arizona. The idea that Sofia's father could get brought into this and potentially find out about her had Callie shaking. Arizona must have noticed this because she reached out and grabbed Callie's hand. She mouthed "who is it?".
"Listen, um Eric. I don't really have time for this. I am sure you can guess you are not the only one reaching out, out of the blue. So, I am going to let you go. Take care." Callie went to hang up but heard him yell something on the other line.
"Wait! Cal I just wanted to call to say I am sorry how everything happened. I was a coward and I put you in a really bad spot. Arizona seemed happy so I hope that means you are happy too. That is all I ever wanted for you." While Eric sounded sincere, he was one of the few people in this world Callie could not stand. He had given her Sofia and that was the only thing that kept her from hating him.
"Yeah well, everything happens for a reason, right? Bye Eric." Callie hung up before he could respond.
Callie couldn't hold back the tears that were falling at this point. She couldn't care less about Eric as a person, but she knew Sofia's existence would get back to him. It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to do the math and for him to realize that Sofia was his daughter.
Arizona pulled Callie to the couch and just held her as she cried. After what felt like hours, the tears finally stopped. She looked up at Arizona and saw guilt in her eyes. She was about to speak when Arizona broke the silence.
"Who is Eric?" she whispered.
Callie just stared at her. Not sure what this was about to do to their new relationship. But she had to be honest. Callie cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. "Eric is Sofia's dad."
Arizona's POV
"Eric is Sofia's dad."
Arizona just froze. She knew this was going to happen. She just knew it. That is why she didn't want Callie's name out there. Because with Callie came Sofia. Arizona knew it had only been less than 2 weeks, but she already loved that little girl and felt the need to protect her. Arizona thought she felt guilty before, well that was nothing compared to what she felt now. Maybe if she broke it off, this would all blow over and Callie could go back to her life before it was a circus.
"Shit...Calliope." Arizona sunk back into the couch and put both of her hands over her eyes. "I-I don't even know what to say to that. I-I a- "Arizona could feel the tears threatening to fall. Before she could finish her sentence, Callie cut in.
"Arizona, you have nothing to worry about. I am with you. Him calling means nothing." Callie was rubbing Arizona's leg.
Arizona sat up and looked over at Callie. Could Callie really think that Arizona cared about anything right now other than what this could do to her and Sofia?
"Callie. That thought didn't even cross my mindā¦I am not worried about you leaving me for Sofia's dad. I am worried about what comes after this. There is already people leaking information about us. You know Sofia is going to be brought into this somehow. Then-then Eric is going to find out about Sofia and that is just going to cause you so much trouble. Calliope I am SO sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. If O'Malley and Burke would have never leaked your name this wouldn't be happening. We could have gone public at our own pace. I am sorry Callie. I think-I think I should just go and give you some space for a while." Arizona was rambling. She tried to stand up but Callie promptly yanked her arm flinging her back onto the couch.
Before Arizona knew what was happening Callie was straddling Arizona's lap. Callie grabbed Arizona's face and kissed her with more passion than Arizona had ever felt. It took her a second, but she soon returned the kiss with just as much fervor. Their tongues were dancing, hands roaming, trying to block out the outside world. When it was just them in their bubble, everything was perfect. There was no rumors, no leaks, no drama. Just the two of them. After a few minutes, Callie pulled away.
"Arizona, I don't know your middle name, Robbins. YOU are not going anywhere. WE are not going anywhere. I am not going to let any of these ass holes take away what I know could be the best thing to happen to Sofia and I. Yeah, O'Malley and Burke suck. We have known that for a while now. I am not surprised. Am I upset? Yes. I am upset that someone put us both in this situation. I am not upset with you in any way. If you leave me without discussing this, then that will change. I love that the main person you are thinking about here is Sofia. That means more to me than you know. But we will be okay. I have one of the best attorneys in the country on my payroll. If Eric tries anything, I still have text messages of him saying he doesn't want anything to do with her. We will figure this out together. Please do not let these people win Arizona." Callie was pleading with her at this point.
Arizona felt herself continue to cry. How was Callie real? This wonderful woman was talking her off a ledge when it should be the other way around.
"Calliope. I am not going anywhere until you tell me to. We are in this together baby. I just need you to understand that tomorrow, at The Calliope it is going to be insane. There is going to be media and they are going to bother you." Arizona was rubbing Callie's back trying to brace her for what was coming.
"Well, I say we walk in together and let them know that Calliope Torres is indeed the woman who was able to snag the super, sexy, talented Arizona Robbins." Callie pecked Arizona's lips.
"If that is what you want. There is no one I would rather be snagged by. I want the world to know that I landed the beautiful, successful, kind, loving, sexy, Calliope Torres." Arizona kissed her back. The kiss was meant to be quick but that quickly changed. They were back to making out like teenagers.
Callie's POV
As Arizona went to pull up Callie's shirt, reality smacked Callie in the face. While she wanted nothing more then to take Arizona to bed and forget this night, there were a few things that needed to get done tonight.
Callie pulled away which caused Arizona to look at her, clearly confused.
"As much as I loved where this is going, we both know we have some fires to put out before tomorrow." Callie went to get off of Arizona's lap, but the blonde pulled her back down. Arizona's eyes were a darker shade of blue and filled with nothing but desire.
"Calliope. I have a fire that needs to be put out too." Arizona husked into Callie's ear. Callie just shivered. She wanted Arizona so bad in that moment. She wanted them to both lose themselves in each other and reaffirm their commitment to each other. But that had to wait.
"I promiseI will make this up to you. We just have to contact people before it is too late. It is already 9 at night and I need to call Aria and tell her to keep Sofia as far away as possible tomorrow. I am sorry love, just trust that when I say I will make it up to you, I will make it up to you."
With that, Arizona huffed and let her up. Callie knew that she was right, but it did little to extinguish the fire she too was feeling right now. Arizona did everything perfectly tonight. Every word she spoke, decision she made from the time she was shown that video was done in protection of Callie and Sofia. Callie was so grateful she would for sure be showing her blonde just how grateful she was soon. For now, Callie had calls to make and people to fire.
She kissed Arizona and told her she was going into her office. Before she turned to walk away, she looked at her girlfriend. "Stay with me tonight?" Callie asked. Arizona's breathtaking dimple smile calmed her down instantly. "Of course." Arizona said. She kissed Callie and smacked her ass while she walked away to deal with the fall out on her side.
Callie walked into her office and picked up her phone. First up, her father. On the first ring her father answered frantically.
"Calliope! I have been calling. Did you see the interview? Have you heard from Arizona? Where did they get our security footage?!"
"Daddy calm down. Yes. I saw the interview. Arizona is here now, and we discussed it all. Everything is fine. The security footage is where I am a bit lost. There are 5 people who have access to the offices where that is held. 3 of those 5 are you, me, and Mark. We all know that none of us did it. I need to find out who was working tonight, and the night Arizona and I had our date. I am going to talk to Julie tomorrow. She will know" Julie was Callie's head front desk worker. She would know the schedule of everyone for the last two weeks.
"Okay Mija. Are you okay? I know this is not what you were expecting." Carlos Torres was the ultimate protector. Callie honestly felt bad for whoever leaked that footage.
"I am okay. While this is not ideal, Arizona proved to me tonight that she has Sofia and I's best interest at heart. I know this has been hard for her too. I am sorry about this. I know the fact we sponsor her makes this a bit more complicated. Pair that with the fact you are on the PGA board. I am sorry the headache this must be causing. But I need you to know she is worth it Daddy."
"Mija. Your happiness and Sofia's happiness is all that matters here. The fact Arizona immediately called me makes me sure she is in this for the right reasons. Don't worry about the sponsorship piece. I already spoke with the board. Everyone is fine. Honestly the merchandise Arizona has been wearing has been selling out since the interviewā¦. Also, once we find who leaked the footage, we will find who leaked your name. The PGA tour has zero say about this. This is your personal life and Arizona's. Don't worry about them."
"About the name leakingā¦. I know who did it." Callie knew hurricane Carlos was about to destroy Burke and O'Malley, so she wasn't sure she wanted to tell him. But if he found out she knew and didn't tell him. It would have been worse for everyone.
"What? How? Who was it Mija?"
"George O'Malley and Preston Burke. They have been giving Arizona a hard time and George asked me out a few times and I shot him down. They had some words with Arizona after the interview."
Silenceā¦
"Mija. I have to let you go. I will handle this. I love you."
Before Callie had time to respond, the line was dead. Welp, Preston and George were going to have a loooooong next few days. Callie just laughed. Don't mess with Carlos Torres or his girls. It never ends well for anyone.
Callie went on to return all the important calls that came in during the chaos of the night. She called Aria back and explained how Eric had called and requested she keep Sof away from The Calliope for the rest of the weekend. They would come together again at Sunday brunch and go from there. As always Aria and Mark were fantastic. Mark was going to handle the video leakage and get her an answer by tomorrow. She even received a call from Penny asking if there was anything she needed. All things considered, excluding the Eric call, the craziness has been handled for now. She knew Arizona had practice rounds in the morning, especially since it had rained today. She was finally starting to understand a little bit of golf thanks to her beautiful girlfriend. Something about rain completely changing a course? Whatever that means. The last phone call Callie made was to her attorney's office. She left a voicemail asking her to call her back sometime tomorrow. Callie was not going to be blindsided if Eric decided to try something with Sofia. Callie was a planner. That is how she has survived being a single mother and businesswoman for the last 6 years. No one was coming anywhere near Sofia.
Callie shut off the lights of her office and headed in search of her favorite blonde.
Arizona's POV
"Mama, it is fine. I will be okay. Yes, Calliope is okay too. Yes Mama, Sofia is with her aunt." This phone call to her mother had quickly spiraled into a 35-minute grill session.
"Mama listen. I am okay. There is going to be press at the hotel tomorrow. I don't think they know who you and Dad are, but Calliope is calling for extra security. If you feel uncomfortable, you just let me know." Arizona had not meant for this weekend to get so insane.
"Arizona, sweetie. Don't worry about us. As long as you and Callie are okay. Who knew you finally getting a girlfriend would cause such a mess?" Barbara joked when she was stressing.
"Yeah yeah Mama. Laugh it up. She is worth it though. I want you to meet her and Sofia once the tournament is over."
Arizona's mother was silent on the other line. She pulled the phone away to make sure the call had not disconnected.
"Mama?"
"You-you want us to meet this woman? Arizona. We haven't met anyone you have been dating before."
"I know. Mama, I am serious. I know it sounds fast, but Calliope is the real deal. I can see it all with her."
Arizona heard her mom sniffling on the other end of the line. As much as she wanted to roll her eyes and give her a hard time, Arizona knew her mother always worried about her. Arizona planned to never settle down and just travel the world to golf. So, this was a lot for her mom to take in.
"Well sweetie. I am happy for you. I can't wait to meet her! Don't worry about your father and I. He rented us a boat for tomorrow, so we won't even be here to be bothered. Just take care of yourself and we will see you tomorrow. We are still having dinner, right?"
"Yes Mama. I need my good luck meal before Saturday. I love you. Thank you for talking this through with me. I will see you and the Colonel tomorrow. Tell him I love him too!"
Arizona hung up with her mother and then called Tim and Teddy back. Those conversations were much easier than the one with her mom. Tim made fun of her but ensured her that he had her back and that he would try to avoid the media tomorrow. They confirmed their 10am practice round and then chatted about the weekend ahead like nothing was happening. Teddy was with Tim so once Arizona was done with Tim she talked with Teddy. Teddy was already running interference and fielding a lot of phone calls with the "no comment" line. When Arizona told Teddy her and Callie planned to show up together in the morning, Teddy couldn't help but smile. The "double trouble" Robbins siblings had changed a lot in the last two weeks. For the better, in Teddy's opinion. Arizona and Teddy agreed that once the first story came out tomorrow after the media saw Callie and Arizona together that Teddy could confirm whatever she wanted with the people who reached out to her. Arizona had no interest in hiding Callie. Finally, Teddy told Arizona she had spoken with all her new sponsors and all of them were 100% fine with everything that happened. If anything, the reaction had been positive. Everyone was very impressed with how Arizona handled herself in the interview. With a promise to see each other at family dinner tomorrow Arizona hung up. She looked at the clock and realized it was already 11pm.
As Arizona leaned back into the chair she was sitting in, her exhaustion hit her. She felt herself dozing off. It was only a set of tan arms wrapping themselves around her that brought her out of her half sleep.
"Let's go to bed. Everything is handled from my end." Callie whispered as she kissed Arizona's temple.
"Mmm-mine too. Let's go to sleep. I need my beauty rest if you are going to be seen with me tomorrow."
Arizona stood up and wrapped Callie in her arms. They just stood there for a few minutes. Enjoying being held by one another. Tonight, could have been the end of them. But if anything, Arizona felt closer to Callie. They had navigated their first "crisis" and they had done it together. They separated and walked into Callie's bedroom. They prepared for bed and as they both laid down, they gravitated to one another. Callie laid her head on Arizona's chest while Arizona's arm traced patterns on Callie's back.
"I am sorry again Calliope." Arizona whispered.
"No need to be sorry Arizona. If you think about it, the fact that so many people care just show how you are leaving your mark with your performance this week. I am proud of you and I am proud to call you my girlfriend. Let's get some sleep okay?" Callie leaned up and briefly kissed Arizona.
"Thank you, for being so amazing. Goodnight Calliope." Arizona kissed the brunette's head.
"Goodnight Arizona." Callie mumbled. She felt Callie's breathing even out signaling the brunette was fast asleep.
Just as Arizona was about to succumb to sleep, she whispered "I love you." Knowing Callie was sleeping and didn't hear her, did not make her mean it any less.
Arizona Robbins was in love with Calliope Torres and she was going to tell her soon.
A/N: Seeee. Told you. All good now. This was a huge step in their communication and developing their relationship. Nothing tests a relationship like a crisis!