AN: I know it's been a while, but life got in the way.
Callie's POV
It's Friday morning, and it's a particularly happy and laid back Friday morning. I'm preparing some breakfast for my girls…. I mean for Sofia and Arizona. Arizona is reading up on biochemistry while Sofia is on her lap drawing flowers with crayons. Arizona had recently taught Sofia how to draw flowers, and the little four year old just can't help herself but draw flowers on every surface she can get her hands on. It's been 3 months since Arizona has started babysitting for us, and she's exactly what I needed… I mean in terms of a helping hand…. when it comes to Sofia. Yes, yes, Sofia. She's been nothing but amazing with her, and Sofia immediately took a liking to her. Arizona also has helped with other things around the house, overall management, and some other things.
She has recently grown to be one of my closest confidants. I'm amazed by how mature Arizona thinks. Don't get me wrong, she looks, dresses and acts like most college kids her age, but her overall outlook in life, principles, goals, and work ethic are way beyond her years. She's also brilliant, topping her class despite working part-time. For the few instances she asked me for help, I can definitely see that she has very good logic, memory and reasoning; and she could actually be better than I was when I was in my sophomore year of pre-med.
I expected that Sofia would see her as more of a sister, but now with the level of respect my daughter has for her, she's more like a cool aunt. I also expected that I would see her as more of a niece or even a daughter, but we became really close friends that it's like we don't have more than a decade between us.
I have pretty much the entire day free, and so does Arizona. She usually babysit the whole of Fridays because that's when I schedule most of my ORs, but it had been pretty benign in the hospital for the past week, so no OR for me today.
I finish up perfectly golden buttermilk waffles topped with strawberries for me, chocolate chips and vanilla ice cream for Sofia, and peanut butter, banana and oatmeal streusel for Arizona.
"Ladies, breakfast is ready," I chime in as I approach the table where the girls are busy with their respectful crafts.
"Yaayyy," they both squeal as they turn their head to me. Arizona's perkiness is definitely rubbing off on my daughter, it's quite adorable. I see Arizona whispering something in Sofia's ear, then my chubby little daughter put her crayons one by one in the box, put the paper on top of Arizona's book, and set everything aside. Then she flashed me a beaming smile, "Thank you mommy". Then she faced Arizona and gave her a high five.
"Well you're welcome baby," I say to my daughter, then I give her a kiss on her cheek as I put her plate down in front of her.
"And this one's for you," I say as I put down her plate; and due to instinct, I leaned down almost pressing my lips on her cheek. Then I realize my sudden error, and I immediately pull back. I can feel the blush rising from my chest to my cheeks and earlobes. I'm just thankful that my daughter and Arizona are too busy stuffing their faces with waffles. Hopefully she did't notice. Stupid stupid Callie.
I just take my seat opposite the two girls, relieved that Arizona is oblivious to what happened. I chance a glance at her once I felt the heat from my face dissipating, then she catches my eye. "I don't mind," she says vaguely, then she throws me a wink. The heat from my chest to my face rises once again, and I'm pretty sure I'm red as a tomato now. I play it coyly, "Haha! You wish," I say at her a little too child-like, I even put my tongue out for good measure, just so I can shift this awkwardness to playful banter. She just chuckles and resume eating.
I don't know why I got so flustered. Maybe it's being so close to her, smelling her unique scent, having strands of her hair brush on my face, seeing her bare neck so closely…. No no no. For goodness sake, she's a friend, and really young, and my best friend's daughter, and I'm married, with a child. I just admire her for her personality, her beauty, brains, for everything that she is. That's it. Pure friendly, platonic, admiration. It's just nice having someone full of youth and spirit around. She makes me feel free despite being stuck in the confines of this home, the hospital, my career, and responsibilities. I have laughed more in the past 3 months we've gotten close than the last 3 years.
"I really don't get why you like oatmeal on your waffles," I say trying to diffuse the awkwardness.
"Uhm, it's only the most delicious thing ever! And it's oatmeal streusel not oatmeal, those things are different," she says as she takes another forkful.
Upon hearing our conversation, Sofia looks curiously to the blonde woman's plate, and Arizona catches on.
"Here you go sweetie," Arizona says as she gives Sofia a small bite of waffle, peanut butter, banana, and oatmeal streusel. Sofia's face lights up, "Yum," the little girl says.
"See, it's awesome," Arizona declares as she pops her super magic smile, dimples in full view with her head titled a little bit. My breath hitches at the adorable sight.
"Here try this," Arizona says as she directs a forkful of her breakfast in front of my face. I tentatively put the fork in my mouth, and I may or may not have darted my tongue out to lick some peanut butter off my lips quite sensually. I can almost see Arizona gulping.
"Hmmmm, could be better," I say non- chalantly with a shrug, trying to rile up the woman opposite me. She opens her mouth shocked by my answer, then she narrows her eyes at me feigning annoyance.
We had a pretty fun and slow breakfast. I am definitely appreciate not being in a hurry for once. Most breakfasts I have been having had been serving Sofia, having some toast and coffee while Richard and I are walking out the door. Life had been hectic, and a change in pace is in order. For Richard however, things got even more toxic. He would be gone for business trips abroad for weeks at a time. I can definitely feel my husband drifting away at some points, and I can't wait for all this craziness about pushing a new product in the market to be finished so that we can be a normal family again. I hate to admit it, but at times, I get used to his absence and distance, that I don't miss him anymore.
Arizona's POV
Today is a pretty good day. Sofia was in a good mood the entire day. We went swimming, and Sofia wanted me to teach her. I'm not a swimmer, but I do know the basics. While Sofia and I were starting off with some breathing exercises, Callie walked in donned with a robe. I had gone swimming in the Torres-Sloan gigantic pool before most of the time with Sofia, and I already had left swim wear in the mansion, but this is the first time that Callie would be joining Sofia and I. She's usually not around during day time.
When Sofia saw her mom coming in, she squealed "Bubbles!" Then she proceeds to making bubbles as she submerges herself in the water just as how I taught her for her breathing exercises.
"That's very good baby", Callie said beaming at us as she made her way to a lounge chair. Callie then took off her robe exposing her caramel skin, toned arms, and voluptuous curves clad in a dark red bikini pair. She then wears her sunglasses and sunbathes on the lounge chair. My jaw literally dropped at the sight. I swear I try my best to not be a pervert, but when a goddess in all her glory is right in front of you, it's very difficult not to stare or even take a peek. Sofie's mom has definitely got it going on. Alright, enough, I sound like a horny teenage boy.
Callie and I are friends, good friends in fact. We're comfortable talking with each other. We've shared hilarious and embarrassing stories, childhood dreams, recent problems and woes. There is no single instance when Callie has made me feel inferior to her. Despite having made a name for herself, and being generations apart, she has not sounded or acted condescending. She expresses genuine interest and concern in my stories and with what I do. She's helped me a lot with school, and being close to her, seeing how accomplished yet humble she is, inspired me more to do well in school.
I always thought that Callie came from a well-off family because mom would tell me that at times Callie would help her financially. But Callie told me all about their rags to riches story. Her family was an average middle class family when she and my mother met, it was just that when they moved, her father entered a new business venture that eventually led to his big break. Carlos Torres started a trucking business with 2 trucks, 1 for delivery and 1 for towing. He set out the trucks for rental, and would sometimes drive them on his own when money was tight for drivers. After a year he was able to buy 2 more trucks, and more in the following years. He then started buying cranes, vehicles and equipment for construction, and entered real estate development. Now, Carlos Torres owns Torres Development Corporation which builds and operates condominiums, hotels, and casinos in the entire country. Callie has always believed in hard work and dedication, and she never once thought of resting on her father laurels. She wanted a name for herself, so she went through pre med and med school under an academic scholarship that is difficult to maintain, very similar to mine. Even at home, Callie never once acted that people working for her are her servants. She considers them as friends just helping out. She would cook, wash the dishes, do the laundry when she has the time. When Sofia is having her nap time, I would help Callie do the dishes and the laundry at times while we talk about anything and everything.
I admire Callie, for everything she has accomplished, her intelligence, her humility, warmth, and kindness. It's hard not to have a fan girl crush on her, she's a great doctor, mother and friend after all; but above everything else, she's a good friend of mine. With working and trying to ace all of my exams, I really don't have that much time to socialize, so having a close friend is kind of great.
Callie's POV
I have to be back at work tomorrow, and I'm glad I spent the entire day at home with my daughter and Arizona. We decided to just order pizza for dinner while watching Moana. The movie ended pretty late, so I just asked Arizona to crash in the extra downstairs bed room. I just finished fixing up downstairs, and I turned off the lights in the living room and the kitchen. I see light seeping from under Arizona's door. It's pretty late, what could be keeping her up so late? I knock on the door a couple of times, but no answer. So I just let myself in.
Arizona is focused on some papers on her desk while grooving to music from her earbuds. I approach her without being noticed, then I pull one of the buds out of here.
"You know you should get some rest," I tell her as I sit on the arm rest of her chair and put my arm on her shoulder.
"I'm about to finish up," Arizona says as she stacks the papers on her desk.
"What is it you're doing exactly," I say as I try to peer on the things she wrote down.
"I'm just listing down my expenses, and things I have to save up for," she says. Then I catch a glimpse of a worn out booklet on the corner of the desk. I take a closer look, and I realize it's a savings account passbook.
"May I?," I ask Arizona.
"Yes sure, it's not much though," Arizona says with a timid laugh.
"Wow, 9 000 dollars," that's a significant amount of savings. I say genuinely impressed by this 18 year old girl.
"It's still not enough for med school," she says quite dejectedly.
"Even with a scholarship, the additional expenses for books and conferences and equipment and food, I have to work harder," she says sounding disappointed.
I can see it, the sullen look in her face, the struggle in her eyes, the way she's beating herself up internally. I put my finger under her chin, and I direct her eyes to mine.
"Hey, you'll figure it out, I know it. And don't worry about the books and equipment, You can borrow mine. I also have subscriptions to online journals and resources that you can use. You have Barb, and now you have m," I say with a soft smile.
"But…" She tries to interject
"No, no buts. There's no reason for you to reject things that are already there and readily available," I say with a slight imposition in my voice.
"Okay, thank you so much Callie, for everything," she says with a small smile.
"Anything.. And besides, you're doing exceptionally well for an 18 year old," I say trying to lighten the mood.
"19," Arizona responds.
"Come again?," I ask.
"19, I'm 19 now," Arizona responds.
"Oh my gosh, when did you turn 19? I had no idea, I'm gonna kill Barb for not telling me," I say shockingly.
"Today actually," Arizona says turning at me.
"Today? Wow, gosh, happy birthday," I say actually caught off guard that it's Arizona's birthday.
"You should be out, partying, celebrating," I say cheerfully egging Arizona on to enjoy the remaining hours of her day.
"Nah, I'd rather sleep like a baby in this amazing bed," she says with a chuckle.
"And I don't want to spend more on unnecessary things. I wanted to surprise mom this weekend and be home for my birthday, but I did the math, and I can't afford to go home this weekend," Arizona says as she gestures to scribbles and doodles on her desk. Then I see a list, Food, Electric, Bank, Transpo. She listed down all her usual expenses, and her supposed savings. There are a lot of red marks and Xs, and crossed out words like movie, physics, new laptop. Arizona then proceeds to keep her things away.
I feel for her. Though I never thought of actually saving up as early as I was in college, but I understand how it is to make money stretch.
Arizona got out of her seat, but before she can move some steps further, I take a hold of her arm. I move around the chair and stand directly in front of her.
"Hey," I start with a small smile and my hands subconsciously go to her waist.
"I've been planning to see Barb for quite a while, why don't we schedule a road trip when both of us are free? What do you say?," I ask hopefully.
Arizona's sullen look turn to a full blast dimpled smile and it literally took my breath away. She then almost tackled me with a sudden and really tight hug.
"Thank you thank you thank you," she squeals while she's still in my embrace.
"Happy birthday Arizona," I say tenderly as I make no effort of ending the hug.
We just stay there, holding each other. I don't even know for how long we're hugging. Then, I can feel her nose nuzzling my neck, and it sends goosebumps all over my body. I tighten my hold on her waist…. Then my phone started ringing.
The blaring sound of my phone snapped us back to reality. We hastily pull out of each other, and I answer my phone.
"Hey Callie, I'm right outside, please open up," the voice on the other line says.
I turn to Arizona and I say with a weak smile, "Richard's home".
AN2: Sorry for the delay. Got back from a holiday a couple of weeks ago, then I dived directly into work. I wanted to explore in this chapter the friendship between Callie and Arizona and how they actually see each other. It's kind of a slow burn, so I hope you guys will be patient. I have some great plans for the 2, so I hope you stick around.