AN: Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for the follows, reviews and favorites. They really keep making my days!
It's Sunday morning, nine-twenty and I have no idea what to do with myself. Callie will pick me up in ten minutes and I am ready to go since fifteen. Ready for take-off, so to speak. Although my plane won't leave the ground within the next six hours, my suitcase is already packed and I gradually prepare myself for leaving LA. As I predicted, it's hard, and not only because of the fact that it's the place where I met her. Okay, admittedly, it is partly because I got to know her here, and it is a big part, but it's so much more. After talking to Callie until well into the next day's early hours – I think it was around three in the morning when I finally took the elevator down to my own floor – George took me on a pretty awesome sightseeing tour after breakfast, since Callie was scheduled for a busy day at the studio and his service wasn't needed. He took me to a place where I could overlook the Mulholland Drive, I walked along the Hollywood Boulevard, we took a walk down the beach and my skin even got a very light tan from walking in the sun. I saw so many other things that I could probably fill a book with the written entries and the pictures I took. I didn't get to see Callie at all, but it was still so worth it. And when I got back to the hotel, there were flowers waiting for me in my room, amazing smelling flowers, and a card with an invitation to have breakfast together today.
Picking up the flowers, I inhaled the scent again. Heavenly. It would never cross my mind to reject an invitation like that, but even without the flowers I would have leaped at the prospect of seeing her again. I can still feel this strong bond between us, without really knowing her. It's weird. I have never felt anything like this before, at least, not instantly. It feels like we clicked together like two pieces of a puzzle. And it's hard to describe, but when she's talking to me, I have the feeling that she's really seeing me. I feel more alive when she's around me than I do at home. It's the best I've felt since coming back home from traveling the world. But it's all going to end soon and I can't stop my stomach from dropping further and further.
The knocking on the door brings me back to reality. I know that she's waiting for me on the other side and a smile immediately vanishes the frown from my face. I can still make the most of the last couple of hours I have in LA. So, with a wide grin and a happy sound in my voice, I open the door and say, "Good morning, Callie." The smile I get in return is one that can brighten up even the darkest winter days, it's so beaming, so magical.
"Good morning, Arizona", she returns sweetly, her eyes lighting up for just a fraction of a second and then she spots the suitcase behind me. "You already packed?" The tone of her voice is one I cannot decipher. She sounds sad, disappointed maybe? I honestly don't know. "I thought your flight back to Boston is booked for the afternoon? George said we'd take you to the airport around two for your check-in." Confusion takes over her beautiful face and I truly have to suppress the giggles that want to leave my mouth. She looks super cute right now.
"It is", I answer. "He... wait, did you say, 'we would'? We as in you and him?" It suddenly hits me that maybe, just maybe, she wants to spend as much time as possible with me too. As if on cue, my heart starts to flutter faster and faster in my chest and the air around me all of a sudden feels hot. I must be dreaming. Or I probably heard wrong. Maybe I misinterpreted her words? Definitely something like that.
"Well, yeah", she says, her smile growing bigger again. "I mean, if that is okay with you? We didn't exactly talk about this Friday night... or Saturday morning. Whatever. But I figured it's the most chivalrous thing to do after I couldn't pick you up and was late for the meet and greet and-" Stopping abruptly, she bites her bottom lip to end her ramblings. I think it's the most adorable thing in the whole world.
"That's really sweet of you. But you don't have to do this if it makes things complicated for you. You must have an agenda full of meetings and rehearsals and... and... Plus, you already apologized more than once, you don't have to make it up to me. I'm from Cambridge, I know traffic and-" My words are stopped by a perfect finger pressed against my lips and I instantly have to take a deep breath so I won't faint. She's so close to me now.
She leans closer and chuckles at my antics. "I know you love to ramble, but it's not necessary. I planned on taking you back to the airport as soon as I got to know you Friday night." Then she puts the hand that has just been closer to my face than anything of her before over her own mouth. "I am so sorry. I can't seem to find the right words and everything comes out wrong." I just raise an eyebrow at her, not understanding what she's trying to say. "I didn't mean it like that, like I wanted to get rid of you. I'm not. At all. All I was trying to say is that I wanted to be the one to take you there, as a nice ending to your meet and greet."
The blush that appears on her cheeks covers her usually caramel-colored skin in a deep red and I don't think I have ever seen anything as beautiful as the woman standing in front of me right now. "Well then, thank you", I reply before silence has the chance to come between us. "Shall we head down for breakfast then?" I get a nod in response and pull the key card out of its slot in the wall, leaving my luggage behind to get it after I enjoyed my breakfast with her. Make the most of it, Arizona, I remind myself.
Around 3pm, George pulls up in the private parking area of LAX and is quick to get out of the car to open the doors for first Callie and then me. The sun burns hot from the sky above and although I definitely feel sad with the upcoming goodbye, I also feel thrilled. The past days have been so amazing and Callie is an overall wonderful person, that I easily forgot law school for a while. I am just glad that I got the chance to meet her, talk to her. I feel blessed, in a way and it's a memory I will have for the rest of my life. Also, due to the weather she changed her outfit after breakfast and now all I can think about is how hot the Latina looks in her summer dress that ends just above her knees and the aviator sunglasses covering her eyes. Sex on legs, that's what Teddy would say, and I would agree. But it's so much more. She's not just a magnificent shell, she's gorgeous on the inside too. Intelligent, funny, and she has such a beautiful soul. "So, this is it", I sigh as George puts the carry-on down next to my right foot. "I had a wonderful time, Callie. I still struggle to find the words to tell you how much meeting you truly means to me and then you make it so much more than just a normal meet and greet. Not that I would know, because it's the first time I ever won something like this and I just-" I stop myself, momentarily getting lost in the bright smile. "Just, thank you."
"I had a wonderful time, too. I wish I wouldn't have had to work yesterday, I am sure that I could have shown you a couple of beautiful places. I know George did a very good job, though." I nod. "You are an amazing person, Arizona. And whatever happens, don't ever change. Don't let anyone make a decision for your future. It's your life and you have to be happy with the way you live."
I bite my lower lip and consider to ask for one last thing. Then I think it's too much, she already sang for me the other night. But then I remember that I will probably never ever be so close to her again, so I'll take the one chance that I have, "Would it be too much to ask to take a picture of you and me? Just as something that reminds me of this heavenly weekend?"
"Absolutely not", she smiles and pushes the sunglasses up into her hair and holds her hand out, waiting for me to give her my cell phone. I feel around in my purse but I can't find it and for a moment, I panic. Then I remember that I shoved it into the back pocket of my pants and I blush at my own stupidity. Handing it over, she asks, "George?"
"Of course, Miss Torres."
Frozen to the spot, I watch while George makes a few steps backwards and Callie leans closer, putting her arm around my waist and pulling me in. I don't know where to put myself. "Don't be too shy if you requested a picture with me", Callie teases and squeezes the spot over my left hipbone. At first, that makes me tense up even more, but then, all of a sudden, I relax at the soft touch. I'm completely under her spell and I honestly don't even want to change that. "Ready?", she asks.
I nod and smile at George who grins back at me. Just when I see the first flash of my cell phone camera light up, I feel soft lips pressed against my cheek and my face freezes immediately. Blood rushes into my cheeks, coloring them in what I suppose is a deep shade of pink. The second flash of the camera rips me out of my stupor and leaves me wondering if it was just a daydream or if it really happened. But then George shows me the picture and all I can do is stare at it, wide eyed. It did happen. Callie Torres kissed my cheek.
"Something to remember", she whispers and then pulls me in for a hug. I am still too stunned to react, the scent of her perfume does nothing to stop my nerves or the rapid rate of my heart. This whole meet and greet has been amazing before, but now it's more than unforgettable. There's a happiness coursing through my veins, and I am one-hundred percent certain that I have never felt this way before.
"You need to check in", George reminds me and I nod quickly.
"Thank you, for everything", I say as I address the Latina. "You're amazing. And... wow. I mean, oh God, now I really act and sound like a typical fan, I'm sorry. Just, thank you. For the picture, and the weekend and-" I love you, I think. But I don't say these words. Because it isn't right. I just met her and I am trying to convince myself that it's just my celebrity crush thinking these words because it has intensified to the max. It's not love. It can't be. My inner turmoil thankfully goes unnoticed by the miraculous actress and when I reach for my carry-on I say, "Goodbye, Callie."
"Goodbye, Arizona", she answers, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Have a safe flight home."
Nodding, I say goodbye to George as well and then head down to the airport building to find my check-in and my terminal. The first one isn't hard to find and I am checked in within ten minutes. Security is tight, but I have nothing on me that could beep or be suspicious, so after another five minutes I head towards the terminals. Just when I pass the sliding glass doors, my cell phone vibrates in my hand and the picture of my best friend appears on the screen. "Hey Teds", I answer.
"Hey Teds?", she mocks. "You leave for LA and don't text me in almost three days and now all I get is 'hey Teds'? You're lucky I love you enough to call and ask when you land so I can pick you up." Her voice is a bit grumpy but I know that she's faking the hurt. "Tell me, how amazing is she?"
"Perfect", I sigh, already longing to be back in her arms. That hug was indescribable. It set so many things inside of me on fire – my body, my heart, my soul. I hear the huff coming from the other end of the line and say, "No, seriously, Teddy. She is perfect in each and every way. She was late for the meet and greet and she apologized instantly, inviting me for dinner and then we talked almost all night." I know I could go on and on about it, but I'm not going to do that while walking to my check-in counter. Too many people who can hear me.
"Alright alright. When will you land?"
"Around one. But you don't have to pick me up. It's gonna be too late and you have early classes tomorrow", I answer. I have early classes too, but I don't care if I sit in class and fall asleep ten minutes into the lecture. I can survive law school without paying attention – because that's how it usually is. But Teddy wants to become a surgeon and she needs to be prepared and fit for her lab classes.
"Nonsense. I'll pick you up. See you later." And then the line is dead and I just blink at the phone in my hand for a few seconds.
"Last call for flight 5691 from Los Angeles to Boston, leaving from terminal two", it resonates through the speaker and I look up to see where I stand. There's a big sign telling me it's terminal five and knowing by now how big this airport is, I instantly freak out. How am I supposed to make it from terminal five to terminal two in time? Sprint, Arizona, sprint, I tell myself and try to find a beeline for my terminal.
Seven hours later I lie on top of my bed, my arms crossed behind my head as I stare at the ceiling. Teddy has picked me up and dropped me off as promised and luckily for me, I could sneak in without waking my parents. I should feel exhausted, and my body is indeed tired, but my mind hasn't stopped reeling since leaving LA. When I close my eyes, I can still feel her warm embrace and the soft touch of her lips against my skin. Subconsciously, I raise my hand and place it on my cheek, over the spot her lips have touched. I can still smell her perfume and I can see that beautiful smile that she showed me more than once. I remember her singing to me and with that thought in mind, I am about to doze off as my phone buzzes on the nightstand, signaling an incoming call, but the number is withheld.
"Hello?", I ask, my voice quiet and a little hoarse from the long day.
"Is this Arizona Robbins?", the caller whispers and when I confirm my name, the next thing I hear is, "Hey, it's me." The voice is much clearer now and I would recognize that voice everywhere. "I couldn't stop thinking about the time we spent together. I still find everything about you completely intriguing." Within a split second I sit up straight in my bed. "I hope you don't mind, but I asked the show for your number so we could stay in touch. If you want to?"
Okay guys, what do you think? Did you like it? The kiss on the cheek was cute, wasn't it? Is this good for Arizona or is it not? And how will it go? When will they meet again?