A/N Sorry it has taken like forever to post this. I am working 70 hours a week and the only time I see my wife is a few minutes on Sunday so I thought I should spend it with her. So the overtime craziness is over so I am back. Thanks for sticking with me. So I am changing something else, well a couple of somethings. I would have loved to have seen Callie handle something a little better, so in my world, so did.
(Previously on Paging Doctor Torres. LOL)
"Owen came and saw me just before I left the hospital."
"Is Cristina ok?"
"She's fine." Arizona took a deep breath. "Owen heard from one of the commanding officers of the Army about an hour ago."
Callie's heart sank. Suddenly she knew what was coming. "George?" It came out in a whisper.
Arizona looked away for a split second and then returned her look to Callie. "There was an attack on the mobile hospital where George was assigned. There were only a few survivors."
….Callie laid her head back against the couch as she watched Arizona in the kitchen. It was an odd feeling for Callie. George was gone, but something about watching Arizona move around her home made her the happiest that she had ever been. She was sad about George. Heartbroken really. George was a good man, maybe not a good husband, but a good man. Even with all the sadness and worry about his family, Callie's looked at Arizona again. It was funny how in one of her darkest hours, Arizona had the ability to make her smile. Words are cheap and unintentional lies are often spoken, but in that moment Callie knew that the love she had professed to Arizona the night before, was the truest, most alive thing, she had ever felt.
Chapter 12
The next few days were a blur. George's body had arrived from Iraq and, with Callie's help, his mother had made all the arrangements. The people that seem to know George the least were really trying to cover as much as possible for the one who did. Scheduled had been shifted to accommodate his friends as they grieved. Owen had taken over most of the duties around the ER, Jackson was assisting Owen, while April helped Arizona in Pediatrics. Teddy, when she felt she needed Cristina, would pull Jackson to Cardo for a day. Everyone was trying to make sure that Callie, Bailey, Cristina and Meredith got the time they needed to grieve. It was also known that there were times when Callie would need Arizona and Meredith would need Derek. The residents were really being wonderful and were at their best.
The funeral was heart wrenching for those who attended. Everyone George had started this chapter of his life with was there. As always Owen, Arizona and Derek were there to hold the hands of the women they loved. Several people spoke during the service of George's character and bravery. Funny stories were told that caused laughter to ring out through the service. When the funeral was done there were no doubts in everyone's mind where the next stop would be. "Well I am heading back." Joe said. "You guys coming?"
"Where else would we be?" Meredith said patting him on the shoulder.
Everyone sat around the table at Joe's and told stories of George. Arizona thought it was cute that he was called Bambi. She learned quickly what it was about George O'Malley that Callie had loved. Everyone who knew him loved him. Arizona had finally gotten to meet Izzy. She was a pretty girl, but Arizona just didn't get it. How could anyone think she was anywhere near as hot as Callie? Maybe she wasn't the one to ask.
Stories of George caused several fits of laughter to erupt at the table. They talked about him picketing with the nursing staff, when he came home to an apartment decorated with hospital supplies, when he was there for Bailey as little Tuck was born and how he laid between Meredith and Izzy and patted their shoulders like a good girlfriend. Meredith told the story where George tried to take Cristina's place as Meredith's friend and referred to Derek as 'McBastard who slept with McHottie.'.
Alex was laughing "Remember, 'dude she's Callie O'Malley'?"
Everyone was laughing hysterically. "Ok." Callie said between laughs. "I guess that was pretty funny."
"Or the time that he found out Callie was like a billionaire." Cristina laughed. "He was so mad she hadn't told him."
'Oh my god yeah' and 'I'll never forget that" rang out with everyone. Callie immediately stiffened and took in a long breath. Arizona could feel the tension, even in Callie's knee. She knew that she had just learned something that Callie didn't want her to know. They had never talked about her parents money, but Arizona had never known to asked. They went home after drinks and were too tired to talk about it so Arizona let it go. It wasn't something that mattered to her, but she had wondered why Callie hadn't told her. However, for now, she would just let it go.
Arizona had to be in early the next morning and was already working on hour four when Callie walked in. "Hey." Callie placed a kiss on Arizona's check. "I hate waking up to you gone." Callie smiled. "Tell me again how I did that for years."
Arizona took Callie's hand. "I have no idea, cuz I'm pretty awesome."
"Yes, you are." Arizona returned to the chart in front of her. "I actually need your help this morning."
"Really?" Arizona raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Not like that perv." Callie pushed Arizona with her elbow. "I have a six year old that walked to close to his brother when he swung a baseball bat."
"Oh my god! Is he alright?"
"Well it caught him just above the ankle."
"Talk about an upper cut." Arizona handed the chart to the nurse behind the desk.
"It isn't when you are golfing with a tennis ball and baseball bat in your front yard."
"Nice." Arizona said as she was following Callie down the hallway. "Yeah, believe me, that's why I say no to kids." Callie stopped just before they entered the room. "I see them like this. Broken and sick and half dead. I had one come in once who's Mom had hugged him too hard. Yikes" Callie just watched Arizona walk into the room, put on a smile and pretend to be this person that adored kids. It suddenly was added to a growing list of things that needed to be talked about.
"No kids. Like not in her life or her house or her womb." Callie said panicked.
"Calm down." Lexie said. "Just breathe."
"I don't know what to do. I want kids, Lexie. I need kids." Callie looked up Lexie with sadness written all over her face. "I have to have kids, Lexie."
"Ok, then you talk to her. There is not a Robbins I have met that wouldn't listen. So you tell her. Give her a chance to yes…or no, but give her a chance."
"What if she doesn't want to be with me?"
Lexie chuckled. "Have you seen the way she looks at you?"
"You should have seen her this morning. She was completely all nice and friendly with the kids knowing that she never wants one. What if she is that way with me. All nice and giddy when in reality she doesn't want me either."
"Really? We are going there? Now you're just being crazy." Lexie chuckled. "Talk to her. You are making yourself crazy over one little comment." Lexie said over her shoulder as she walked away. "Pop the bubble, Torres."
Callie went to a on-call room after a hectic day and needed some time to clear her head where Arizona was concerned. Her moment of peace was very short lived as she heard the door open. She looked over to see the object of her dilemma coming through the door. "Hey" Callie's words were laced with emotion that didn't go unnoticed by Arizona.
"Hey." The doctor crossed the room and sat on the bed beside Callie. "Did I do something?"
"Huh?" Callie turned to look at her.
"Did. I. Do. Something?" The aggravation in Arizona's voice shocked Callie.
"There's no need to be rude, Arizona."
"Rude? I'm rude? I have paged you three times today. Pages that have gone unanswered. It's like you are hiding from me all of a sudden."
"I just need a minute." Callie put her arm over her face and closed her eyes, but the loud sigh that came from the woman beside her didn't go unnoticed. Callie quickly dropped her hand and sat up to face the woman. "I need children, okay. Like I really, really need a baby. So today you drop this bomb on me. Someone that works solely with children and rolls around these halls on skates, that person looked at me this morning and said that she doesn't want children. I NEED, I WANT children. You have never told me that didn't want kids before."
"This is about kids?"
"You have never said anything about it before."
"Oh, like you told me that you are, and I quote, a billionaire?"
Callie grunted and laid back down. "Really? I am trying to talk to you about something very important and you want to talk about money?"
"I want to talk about the double standard that is happening here. I see children at their worst Callie. I don't know if I could handle my job with a child. Everyone that I came in contact with would remind me of our kid."
"Our kid?" Callie couldn't help the smile that came to her face.
"It just isn't for me. I'm sorry." The smile fell off Callie's face. "I'm really sorry, but if you want to be with me, you have to decide if I am enough."
Callie sat up again and pushed past Arizona grabbing her coat causing Arizona to stand with her. "Callie…." Callie put her coat on without looking at Arizona. "Callie…" Nothing. As Callie walked down the hall, Arizona screamed after her. "Calliope!"
"Callie…Callie…Calliope…."
"Hhmmm?" I very groggy Callie tried to open her eyes. "Wha…."
"Honey, if you are too tired, we can just skip dinner."
With that Callie's eyes flew open. As she sat up quickly she looked at Arizona and around their apartment. "Are you alright?"
"George?"
Arizona smiled. "Ok, you wake up and ask about your ex-husband, but ok."
"Where is George?"
Arizona chuckled. "Callie, you know where he is." Arizona saw confusion on her girlfriend's face. "George is in Iraq." It was obvious to Arizona what was happening. "Callie what ever it was, it was a dream. George is fine."
Callie looked at Arizona as the calm visibly washed over her. "I have to have children." Callie blurted out.
"Um, Ok." Arizona was trying to figure out where that came from.
"I need for you to know that I need a baby."
"Wow, Calliope. We are jumping way ahead here, but….but alright. I come home and you are dreaming of George and the need to have children. Should I feel weird about this?" Arizona smiled trying to make her, obviously shaken, girlfriend smile.
"I'm serious, Arizona."
Arizona took Callie's hands "I don't know what the dream was about, but I am listening to everything you are saying. They scare the shit out of me, but I am listening." Arizona smiled. "I wouldn't mind having little Callies running around."
"Really?" Callie thought she may cry.
"Yes, really." Arizona gave her best dimpled smile.
Callie thought she was on a roll so she blurted out the next statement. "I'm rich."
Arizona laughed. "Yeah, we're doctors. I understand we have money."
"No. Like really, really rich."
The smile fell from Arizona's face. "Like how rich are we talking here?"
"Like giraffe rich."
"What the hell is giraffe rich?"
"Like if I wanted to have a giraffe, I have the money to buy one."
"Oh. So you want kids and a giraffe?" Arizona smiled as Callie raised her eyebrow. "Are we talking millions here?"
"More or less."
"Which one?"
"Um, more."
Arizona laughed. "Well at least we'll have money for all the little Callies." Arizona saw the worried look on Callie's face. "I don't care if you are a millionaire or broke. I would love you the same."
Callie rubbed her eyes. "I had the strangest dream. You told me that I had to choose between you and kids, George died and you found out about the money. I dreamed Owen came to talk to you and told you George dead. It was awful."
The fact that Callie had dreamed that Owen had talked to Arizona brought back the reality of what happened just before her shift was over. "No, but Owen did come to see me today."
"Is everything alright?""Yeah." Arizona whispered. "Here's the thing." Callie suddenly had a very uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. "When I was at Hopkins I applied for a grant. It was something that the chief had recommended that I do. I applied and to my surprise, apparently I've won."
"Won, what?" Callie asked as nerves laced her voice.
"A Carter-Madison." Arizona answered quietly.
"A Carter-Madison? You won a Carter-Madison?" Callie chuckled. "Nobody wins those. People from like Germany or Sweden win those. Only nerdy guy."
"Hey, watch it." Arizona smiled.
"You won?" Callie smiled with pride.
"Yeah."
Callie pulled Arizona into a hug. "That's wonderful. I'm so proud of you." As she pulled back she looked Arizona in the eyes. "Let's go celebrate." Callie stood to grab her purse and keys. "Come on. We can call Lexie and have her and Danny meet us there." She said to an Arizona that had yet to move from the couch. "Anywhere you want to go. Me and my billions will take you. You pick."
"You said millions."
"Millions, billions you said you would love me no matter." Callie tried to joke but noticed that Arizona had yet to move. She put her keys down with her purse and returned to the couch. "Ok. What else?"
"The grant. It was before I came here with Danny. I had never met you. I didn't know the person I would fall so deeply in love with even existed."
"And?"
"The grant is in Malawi."
"Malawi?" The panic started to show. "As in Africa, Malawi?"
Arizona just nodded as a tear ran down her cheek. "What am I suppose to do, Callie? I love you."
Callie looked at the woman in front of her. Never in Callie's life had the wants and needs of someone else been so important to her. She loved everything about Arizona. Her smile, the way her blue eyes danced when she was excited, but mostly the way she loved Callie. She loved Callie enough to give up one of the best hospitals in the country for her and to move from her friends and family. In that moment Callie understood what true love felt like. What unconditional love felt like. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "What you do is…you go."
Arizona lost her breath. "What…."
"I love you. I love that you are awesome and compassionate and you treat every kid like they are yours. I love that you love your family. I love that you gave up everything to be with me. I love that the day your brother got hurt, it was me you paged. I love everything about you. And I won't love you any less if you are in Malawi."
"It's three years, Calliope." Arizona said as tear rolled down her face.
"Let me finish. You and I were just talking about kids. Those are someone's kids, Arizona. I don't know what I would do if I had a child and felt there was no hope. You will go there and be great and be their hope. That is a gift. You won a freakin Carter-Madison for a reason. You're unbelievable at your job so go. Go and be the best hope that they have ever seen. And I will be here waiting on you. You are a plane ride away. I can't…I won't take this from you."
"I don't know how to function any more without you."
"You will still have me. I'm rich remember." Arizona slightly chuckled. "I'll come to Malawi…a lot. You won't even notice I'm gone." Callie took Arizona's hands. "Just think of the stories you will have to tell our kids."
Arizona looked up into deep brown eyes. "I'll miss you too much."
"No you won't. I am bitchy and moody most of the time. It's a side you haven't seen." Callie laughed. "Ok?" Arizona nodded. "Ok." Callie said pulling Arizona up off the couch. "Alright then. Me and my super hot and awesome girlfriend are going to celebrate." Callie kissed Arizona on the lips softly fighting her own tears. "Our kids are going to be so proud of you."
Arizona reached up and hugged Callie. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Callie and Arizona walked in hand in hand to Joe's. They were greeted with a somber "hey" from the table. It was obvious to Callie that everyone knew what happened. Callie took a deep breath and smiled. "So I take it that you all know my girlfriend is a rock star?"
"Yes, we heard that." Derek said with a smile. "Congratulations, Dr. Robbins."
"Thank you."
Danny had his head down looking at his glass as Lexie rubbed circles on his back. He looked up and realized, as his eyes met their twin, just how Arizona must have felt every time he left home. He knew that she had to do this as much as he had to defend his country. "I'm proud of you, sis."
Arizona walked around the table to hug Danny. "Thank you."
"Alright, who wants drinks?" Callie took orders from everyone. "Alright I think I got it. Be right back." Callie walked to the bar and told Joe what everyone wanted. She was joined quickly by Owen. "Hey."
"Thought you may need some help."
"I'm sure I will."
"You seem to be handling this well."
Callie smiled her best fake smile. "Well, I'm glad that it looks good on the outside." She returned her attention to watching Joe make the drinks.
Owen looked around to make sure he wasn't being heard. "I need to tell you something."
Callie looked at him with concern. "Is everything ok?"
Owen lowered his voice. "The guy that is over the grant committee is an Army buddy of mine. When he called me today to tell me about Arizona he mentioned something else."
"What?" Callie seemed panicked. "She's going to be ok over there isn't she?"
"He….he may have said something about the clinic needing a Orthopedic doctor too. Asked if I knew anyone that may be interested." Callie just looked at Owen. "I didn't say anything to Arizona. I didn't know if that was something that you wanted."
"So…."
"It would be at the same clinic as Dr. Robbins. I talked to the chief and he said that he would offer the same deal to you as he is Robbins. He will hold your position while you're there. It really looks good on the hospital and him too. The only thing is that you and Robbins would need to come back once every couple of months for a couple days to check in here. It could be the same days as Arizona."
Callie's mouth was still hung open. "So I can go? I can go with Arizona?"
"It's up to you. She knows nothing about this."
Callie looked over at Arizona as she laughed at something Teddy said. She was interrupted as Joe began to speak, pushing drinks toward them. "Alright. You're ready to go."
Callie turned to him and then back to Arizona. A smile came across her face as she watched the woman she loved. "Yeah, I think I am."
A/N So here is my question for you. The flood gates opened and I was able to write more. The next chapter is almost done, but is already sitting at 12 pages and isn't complete. So here is your choice. You either get two average chapters or one really long one. Just keep in mind that two shorter chapters would mean one could be posted in the next couple days after I edit it. If you want one REALLY long chapter it may be a little while longer. Majority rules. So what's your vote.