Chapter 7

The next 10 days had been pretty uneventful. Alex was in stable condition and moved from the ICU to a regular room. Derrick had been released from the hospital and was resting for another two weeks before returning to work. Everything was back to normal with the exception of those two. Arizona's life with Erica was even more uneventful. In the past ten days she had only seen Erica twice. She had to say, Erica was talented and an asset to the hospital, but would be glad to see her go.

Arizona had thought a lot about McKenzie. She knew that what McKenzie said was true.

She had also talked to Addison the next day. Addison explained that women, more so those who were gay, often used a sibling in order for the baby to actually have a chance of having features like the person. She would be basically a surrogate for baby that would biologically be DJ and Callie's. Arizona had thought a lot about McKenzie.

Today, today Arizona had one thing she needed to worry about.

"There you go. Everything is signed." Arizona handed the paperwork to Richard.

"Well you two have fun on your vacations. Make sure Torres rests."

"I will. See you in two weeks."

Arizona made her way from the hospital. The only thing Arizona was going to worry about was getting Callie on that plane.

Arizona walked into the apartment more bubbly than even normal. "You ready?"

Callie seemed a little more nervous than normal. It was obvious by the pee-pee dance that was now happening as she was checking the luggage. Arizona smiled and walked over to

Callie placing one hand on each shoulder until she had her stare.

"Calliope Torres, they will love you."

"You don't know that. I mean what if I do something stupid or blurt out inappropriate stuff. Is the Cindy Crawford poster still on your wall?"

Arizona laughed. "No it isn't and they will love you. I do, so they will."

"Uuuuggghhhh."

Arizona pulled Callie into a kiss. As hands wondered and the kiss intensified, Callie made a statement. "I am better. You said when I was better…."

"Calliope, we have a plane to catch."

"There are flights in to Virginia all the time. I saw it on the internet. True story."

"My parents will be at the airport waiting on us. We have to make this one. Beside, don't you think that sex in my bed at my parent's house, seems much more fun."

Callie smiled, "You are trash minded you know that."

Arizona broke away from Callie and picked up some of the luggage. "That's why you

love me."

"Oh you are just bad" Callie laughed as she was in charge of the luggage that rolled. "Just as bad as you wanna be."

The five hour flight from Seattle to Virginia was pleasant. Callie had to make her pee pee run every half an hour which had Arizona laughing to herself. She couldn't believe

anyone would be so afraid of her parents. Although, Daniel Robbins was not always the easiest person. He was a very nice man once you got to know him. Few people ever really did. When you meet him he is a little intimidating. He was a man that commanded respect from everyone. He had that military feel that surrounded him. Arizona loved her father

with everything in her. Callie was right, Arizona's family had been broken by DJ's death.

Deep down, he was a gentle man.

The plane touched down in Virginia at 4:15pm. The two made their way to baggage claim and then out toward the front of the airport. Arizona stopped before they rounded the final corner where Arizona's parents were waiting.

"Callie." Callie stopped walking and turned to Arizona. "You will do fine. Just be herself, okay?"

"Got it."

Arizona was a little concerned with the Vodka Callie had consumed on the plane.

"Right." Arizona said as Callie walked on without her. "Now is the time to drink?"

Daniel and Julie Robbins POV

"Come on Daniel. It is fine."

"I just want to make sure that everything is right. I just want to make sure the only thing that she asked is done."

"Daniel, we went through the house three times today. All signs of Jessica are gone. The pictures are put away in our bedroom closet."

"I know I just want to make absolute sure."

"The two of you do realize she is going to have to tell her, right? I mean, she deserves to know the truth. I can't believe she hasn't….."

Daniel interrupted his wife. "It is her story Julie. She will tell her when she is ready."

The truth is they weren't doing much different than they always did. Every time Arizona came home, things were moved, pictures were taken down, memories and a life Arizona once knew were hidden in her parents bedroom closet. They had moved to Quantico

Virginia five years ago from San Antonio Texas. Once they left Texas they thought

Arizona would be better. They wish their daughter would face her past. Running just wasn't anything they had ever seen from Arizona. They just wanted her to stop running.

Daniel looked around the room on last time. "Alright. We are good."

"What am I going to do with the two of you?"

The twenty minute drive to the airport was full of talk about what they expected. They had never seen Callie, but had only heard Arizona talk about how beautiful she was.

McKenzie had told them, although she hadn't seen Callie, Arizona's picture of her caused

McKenzie to agreed-Callie was stunning.

Daniel parked the car in the parking lot. He took Julie's hand and they walked into the

Airport. They had to admit they were nervous too. They were about to met someone who would be in their family, would be their daughter, and hopefully their friend. They knew they had gotten lucky with McKenzie. When they moved to Quantico she had moved with them. McKenzie was an only child and her parents had moved out of the country just before DJ was killed. It was a military family.

McKenzie's father was also in the Marines. She had met DJ through her dad and Daniel. He and Daniel were best friends and had been stationed close during their careers. There were times, when the kids were young, the families would meet at one location or the other and have vacations. She had met Ben through DJ. He was one of his friends that he had been stationed with him during his short time in the Marines. Ben had been hurt in the same attack that had taken DJ's life and was sent home to Bethesda Hospital in Maryland. Since it was just a half hour drive, McKenzie went to see Ben a lot. When he was released he was given a desk job in Quantico. He became an adopted son to Daniel and Julie. They were very happy when the two married. When the girls came, Gabrielle a year later and Grace two years after that, Daniel and Julie were given grandparents duties. Gabrielle and Grace didn't know any different. To them they were their grandparents and called them so. Now the three and one year old, were theirs. Their name may not have been Robbins, but you could never tell any different.

Quantico was a military town. In the middle was a huge military base. As you entered the gates you were stopped by the MP and your ID was verified. As you drove through the base you would see the commissary and the barracks apartments for the people that were stationed there with their families. As you went several miles down the road were the single barracks were Ben lived when he first moved to Virginia. There was a park and housing where higher ranked officers lived. Ben and McKenzie now lived in the couples barracks just inside the gates. McKenzie, Ben, the girls, and the Robbins' eat dinner together almost every night.

Since McKenzie returned from Seattle, almost two weeks ago, Arizona had been the topic of conversation. Everyone knew that she needed to talk to Callie about her past. They had hoped that Arizona would, but weren't surprised she hadn't. Arizona never talked about her past. Arizona left that part of her life behind. She surrounded herself with school and work. She was determined to be the best Pediatrics Surgeon there was. The family was sure it was therapy for her. Something, anything, to take her mind off of the accident. It was that accident that made Arizona who she was. It made her driven and gave her insight

that made her uniquely qualified. It made her know that sometimes the worst happens.

Sometimes you just can't change the outcome and you are left with the reality of a situation. Like it or not- that's life. Unfair at times and amazing at others. Either way, it's life.

Daniel and Julie waited where they always met Arizona. They were so excited when they saw her round the corner. Daniel released Julie's hand and quickly walked toward his daughter. "Hey, sweetheart."

Callie smiled as she saw Arizona's face light up. "Hi, Dad." Arizona returned the very strong hug her father was giving her.

Julie noticed the woman standing beside her daughter. Arizona and McKenzie were right.

Julie walked over to Callie.

"Callie?"

Callie turned her attention to the woman before her. "Yes." You could tell this was

Arizona's mother. The hair was the same. Her eyes a stunning blue and when she smiled at Callie, the dimples were identical. "You must be Mrs. Robbins."

"Julie, please. Here let me help you with that." Julie took one of the bags just as Daniel

and Arizona broke their hug. With Julie's free arm, she motioned for Arizona. "Come over here and act like more than your father is here." Julie said smiling.

Arizona returned the smile. "Hi, Mom."

"Hi baby. You look good."

"As do you. Mom, Dad, this is Callie."

Daniel held his hand out. "It is a pleasure, Callie."

Callie took the offered hand. "It is so nice to meet you. I have heard so much about you both."

Daniel had immediately put Callie at ease. He was obviously military. His hair was a light brown that was cut into a high and tight. His golden skin and hazel eyes made him a very

attractive man. Before she knew it he had hugged her. "Welcome to our home."

Callie felt him giggle a little. "Thanks." Callie didn't know why he was giggling.

"Here let me help you." Daniel took some of the bags as Callie and Julie began walking to the car leaving Daniel and Arizona behind for just a second. Once Callie was out of range of hearing him, Daniel chuckled and spoke, "Vodka much?"

"Stop it Dad. She's really nervous."

Daniel continued to laugh as they walked. Callie and Julie were ahead in their own conversation. So Arizona continued to talk to her Dad. "Arizona, she's really pretty."

Arizona smiled with pride. "Yes she is. She is an amazing doctor. I mean, amazing."

"I am so glad that you are happy."

"I am. She is the best thing to happen to me. She is a great person. You will see."

Daniel laughed again. "I wonder if your mother even knows."

"Are you kidding? She has seen us all on Vodka." They laughed.

"Bless her heart. I hate that she is so nervous."

There was silence for a moment. "You did it, right?"

Daniel stopped and looked at Arizona. "Honey, you are going to have to tell her."

"You did it though?" Arizona seemed panicked

"Yes, Arizona. It's like Jess never existed."

Those words hit Arizona like a ton of bricks. She was ashamed. She was ashamed that

someone that meant so much, seemed like a dirty secret. Arizona looked at Daniel. "She did exist. She was real. I just need time to tell Callie."

"You said yourself. She is a good person. If she loves you she will understand. What happened was out of your control. You fought, hell we all fought. Nothing could be done.

She will understand."

"I just don't know how I will look in her eyes."

"Like you are. Someone that something terrible happened to."

"Maybe I could have fought harder."

Daniel noticed that Callie and Julie were standing outside the car looking at them in deep conversation. Julie with a look that said she knew what the conversations was. Callie with a look of curiosity. Daniel hit the button to unlock the doors and open the truck.

"We fought, Arizona. We did everything possible. There is nothing that you could have done."

Arizona caught Callie stare. "What if I tell her and what if she never looks at me the same again?"

"What if you don't and hide something like that from someone you love. If she loves you, she will look at you just like she is now."

Arizona smiled slightly at Callie.

Callie returned the nervous smile as she thought to herself 'what the hell is going on.'