A/N

So here it is, the final chapter in this story. I think it's reached a natural ending point for me, and for the first time in years I wanted to actually finish a story in one go rather than leaving it for months or even years and then having to come back to it.

I wanted to thank you all so much for all the reviews and support. This is officially the longest story I've ever written, and I guess you can thank the whole pandemic for the fact that I've been able to write 140k words plus in 3 months!

At the moment, I don't know when I'll be back with another story – waiting for something to fully shape in my head, plus work is crazy busy and I find it difficult to find the time to write after spending up to 16 hours a day on a computer.

But I hope this is at least an acceptable ending!

"Shots!" Mark called gleefully as he placed a tray of tequila on the table.

"Excellent choice" Callie complimented him.

The other faces stood around the table were less enthusiastic, but even Lexi agreed to join in for one round.

After months of trying to organise it, Callie and Arizona had finally managed to pull off a New York reunion. Mark and Lexi had flown in from Newport, along with Teddy and Owen who, now that he was back from deployment, were finally making a go of it. And, with a little gentle persuasion, Alex and Jo had joined them from Bismarck. Callie had paid for all of their guests to stay in a hotel, in fact, the hotel that she'd stayed in for her first week in New York.

The timing of the visit had also worked out particularly fortuitously and doubled up as a celebration for Callie's latest journalistic success. Her original article had prompted far more interest than anyone could have anticipated, and following a lot of internet interest, she'd been commissioned to produce a series of articles on the same theme, digging into different areas of society and sharing stories of men who had abused their positions of power. The paycheck was big, and there was even talk of her being interviewed on a talk show.

"I would like to propose a toast" Mark held up his shot glass, having distributed the remainder to the rest of the group "to sharing a table with some of the most successful women I've ever met, and in particular, Miss Calliope Torres!"

After wincing at her shot, Jo turned to Callie "You never told me your name was Calliope"

"It's not something I like to shout about. And Mark only calls me by my full name when he's out of slapping distance"

"It's a beautiful name. Chief of the Muses, right?"

Callie's eyes widened in surprise "I didn't know you were into Greek mythology?"

"Yeah it's kind of a guilty pleasure. Did Alex tell you we're getting a puppy? And I think I've finally managed to convince him to call it Apollo" Jo grinned.

"Really? Oh my god, that's so exciting"

"What's so exciting?" Arizona slipped her arm around her girlfriend's waist.

"Jo and Alex are getting a puppy"

"We are" Alex joined the conversation "he's gonna be called Charlie"

"You know you aren't winning that argument, right?" Jo scolded him.

Alex looked like he was about to protest, but seeing that he was outnumbered three to one by women in the current conversation, he thought better of it.

"Originally Alex wanted to call him Cat" Jo continued.

"I mean…I guess at least Charlie's an improvement on that?" Arizona offered.

"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" Mark waved to get their attention.

"Dogs" Callie smiled back at him.

"I wasn't aware you guys still talked about Eliza Minnick" Mark grinned.

"Mark!" Lexi slapped his arm.

"You don't know her" he protested "hey, Owen!"

Owen pulled away from a just about acceptable in public kiss with Teddy "What's up?"

"First word that comes to mind when I say Eliza Minnick?"

"Bitch"

"Point proven" Mark smirked and took a satisfied swig of beer.

Everyone laughed, and clearly none of them really had any intention of disagreeing with the sentiment.

"So uh…" Arizona cleared her throat "while I've got everybody's attention, I just have a few words to say"

"Ooh a speech" Teddy slurred slightly, leaning on Owen for support.

"I want you all to know how much it means to Callie and I to have you all here. This last year has been pretty crazy. Obviously we all know about the drama that went on, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we're all happier than we've ever been before. Lexi – we've only really got to know you recently, but anyone who can tame Mark is an instant hero in my eyes. Teddy, Owen – I mean, it's about fucking time and we are super happy that you guys have finally worked your shit out. Jo – you're just awesome, and I can see how perfect you and Alex are for each other. And Alex – we missed you. But I promise that we'll make up for lost time, because the four musketeers were never the same without you"

Alex smiled shyly "I missed you guys too"

"So yeah" Arizona grinned, noting the aggrieved look on Mark's face "alright Mark, I won't actually leave you out. I could say something sarcastic, and you'd probably deserve it…but, and this is the only time you'll get this from me, honestly, you've been an incredible friend to Callie and I…to all of us, really. I hate to admit it, but you're kinda the glue that holds everyone together. And we'll never forget your loyalty. So thank you"

"I love you too blondie" Mark winked.

"And then…" Arizona took a deep breath "I guess I'm saving the best for last. Calliope. I was fifteen when I first realised that I had feelings for you. Even if you were too busy making out with Alex to notice"

The rest of the group laughed good naturedly.

"But for two years, you were my world. Then, obviously, things got in the way, but I never stopped loving you. And now…now you're my world again. This past year has been insane. When I lost Tim, I thought that was it for me. I thought the world had taken every last good thing from me. But it hadn't. The world brought me back to you and I'm so grateful for that. So fucking grateful that you took a crazy decision to move out here with me, because honestly this has been the best year of my life. I have so much in this city, a great career, great friends…and great friends elsewhere too. But now that you're here it finally feels like home. That empty space in my life that has never ever been filled is finally complete now that you're with me. And I never want to be without you again. So uh…"

Arizona reached into her pocket and slowly got down onto one knee.

There were audible gasps from around the table, plus a squeal from Teddy. But nothing could compare to the look of shock on Callie's face.

"Oh my god" the brunette breathed.

"Calliope Torres, I feel like I've loved you for my entire life, and I want to keep loving you for the rest of it" Arizona held out a diamond solitaire ring "Will you marry me?"

There was a brief pause as Callie continued to stare at her open mouthed.

"Yes…god, yes…" the brunette finally managed to respond, earning herself a round of cheers from the rest of the group.

Arizona stood back up, her dimpled smile stretching from cheek to cheek as she slid the ring onto the brunette's finger. Callie cupped the blonde's cheek and leant in to kiss her tenderly, neither of them caring about their audience as their lips moved together.

As they broke apart, they turned to face their group of grinning friends.

"And you couldn't have done that before I bought the tequila?" Mark teased.

"If you think we're toasting our engagement with tequila…" Arizona started, but turned and saw the raised eyebrows on the brunette's face "then I guess you'd be absolutely right?"

"Wow, you learned about your wife always being right real quick" Alex muttered.

"I've trained her well" Callie grinned, wrapping an arm round the blonde's waist.

"You honestly would rather toast this with tequila rather than, I don't know, champagne?" Arizona questioned.

"It feels more us, don't you think?" the brunette countered "Actually…give me a minute"

Without waiting for a response, Callie disappeared to the bar.

"What was that all about?" Owen asked.

"I have no idea" Arizona replied honestly.

After a few minutes of the group congratulating Arizona (or scolding her for keeping the secret in Mark's case), Callie returned carrying another tray.

"What the hell is that?" Jo wrinkled up her nose.

Tears welled in Arizona's eyes but she couldn't wipe the grin off of her face "It's a Tim special"

Owen explained the background of the drink to Alex and Jo, while the blonde pulled Callie into a tight hug.

"Just when I thought I couldn't love you anymore, you go and do that" Arizona whispered.

"I couldn't think of anything more fitting for the occasion"

"I love you so much. Tim…he'd be so freaking happy right now. And a little smug"

"You think he knew we were gonna end up together?" Callie asked.

"Oh, he was sure of it. Remember the story I told at his funeral? About him saying he was going to lead the salsa at my wedding?"

The brunette grinned "That sly bastard"

"God he's still infuriating even now"

"We'll have a dance for him"

"Yeah…yeah we will" Arizona smiled sadly.

"Right everyone" Callie said loudly, getting the attention of the rest of the group again "could you please all raise a glass? And yes, even you Lexi"

Lexi pulled a face but knew that she wasn't getting out of it on this occasion.

"Are you really making your own engagement toast?" Mark asked.

"Is that you offering to do it?" Callie countered.

"I thought you'd never ask" he beamed "ladies and gentlemen, tonight we raise our glasses to our very good friends, Callie and Arizona, who have beaten away every obstacle that life has thrown at them and come out of it together, exactly where they belong. And also, to Tim Robbins, who always knew that this pair were destined to be together, and is still sorely missed. Cheers"

His final word was echoed by the rest of the table as they lifted their glasses, most of them wincing or gagging as they drank the liquid inside.

"Just one thing" Arizona said quietly, having washed down the taste with a swig of her drink "we're totally having something else for the toast at the wedding"

Callie looked back at her, her nose still screwed up in disgust "Yeah, I'm not gonna argue with you on that one"

"Oh thank god. We can save the Tim special for later in the evening. Much, much later"

Callie paused for a moment and then laughed "You're fucking kidding me"

"What?" the blonde screwed up her forehead in confusion.

"You hear what they're playing, right?" the brunette nodded in the direction of the dancefloor.

Arizona paused to listen, hearing the sounds of salsa music filling her ears "I swear to god Timothy, you must seriously be pulling some strings up there"

"You want to dance?"

"Absolutely" the blonde turned to the group "if you will all excuse us, I believe my fiancée and I have a date with the dancefloor"

If there were any complaints from their companions, the two women didn't hear them as they walked hand in hand into the crowd. Callie lead the way, and when she'd found a suitable spot, she turned to face the blonde, sliding her free hand around her waist while Arizona let her hand come to rest on the brunette's shoulder.

They began to move to the music, and it only took a few beats for them to move so close together that their bodies melded into one. Their hands stayed clasped together in the air, perhaps to maintain a sense of decency about their dancing, but their hips said otherwise. As their bodies moved, their lips ghosted against one another, millimetres apart. They were so close that they could feel one another's breath.

It was Arizona who broke the handholding first, bringing her other hand up to the brunette's shoulders. She let her fingertips wander, grazing up the nape of Callie's neck and into her hair, before dragging them back down again.

In response, the brunette ran both of her hands around Arizona's lower back. She slowly began to slide them up and down, each time getting closer to the blonde's ass.

Somewhere in the distance they could hear the music, but they were barely aware of anything that extended beyond their own bodies. Their hips were moving in synch, continuing to press themselves closer and closer together as both women began to pant.

Callie was the first to cave and close the gap between their mouths, letting her lips take possession of Arizona's in a commanding kiss. At that moment, any sense of decorum was gone. Their tongues battled for dominance as they clutched desperately at one another.

"Do you think…" Arizona panted "it's too early to get out of here?"

"They'll understand" the brunette purred.

They made their excuses to their friends, promising to meet for brunch tomorrow, and were met by knowing grins but no complaints.

The moment they reached the sanctity of their apartment, both women were immediately tugging at one another's clothes. Their bodies pressed together as close as they had been on the dancefloor, only now that they were alone, there was no need to keep control of their hormones.

It was barely more than a minute before they were completely rid of all of their clothes and stumbling towards the bedroom as they kissed desperately.

Callie seemed to emerge as the dominant one, and pushed the blonde back on the bed. She immediately crawled on top of her, taking hold of one of Arizona's ankles to lift her leg in the air.

"I need…" the brunette panted "I need to feel my body against yours"

She straddled the blonde's other thigh, angling her body slightly so that she could lower herself onto Arizona. Both women were soaking wet, and the moment that their centres met they both cried out in pleasure.

"Oh my god" the blonde gasped.

"Fuck yes" Callie growled.

The brunette began to slowly rock her pelvis, and her whole body felt like it was on fire. The feeling of Arizona against her, their wetness pooling together, was more intense than she could ever have imagined. Every sensitive nerve ending seemed to be colliding with part of the blonde, and she used her free hand to clutch onto Arizona's. They moved together, both of their moans filling the air.

"So good" the blonde panted "you feel so fucking good"

"I love you" Callie breathed honestly.

"I know, my god I know" Arizona stared up at her.

Tears welled in the brunette's eyes at the intensity of the moment. She was staring straight into Arizona's eyes, their bodies still rocking together.

"I love you Calliope"

"Ari…this…oh my god…I've never felt anything like this"

Callie could feel the orgasm building inside her, and by the way that the blonde was responding, she knew that she wasn't alone. Her thigh muscles were beginning to tense, and heat was radiating from within her.

"Oh god…Cal…I'm…are you…fuck"

"I'm with you baby, keep your eyes on me…Ari god I…"

Neither one of them could be sure who tipped over the edge first, but within seconds both women were crying out. They forced themselves to keep their eyes open, locked on one another as they came.

As her body finally stopped shuddering, Callie released the blonde's ankle and let her body fall down against Arizona's. She found herself immediately being wrapped up in the blonde's arms, their limbs tangling together.

"I'm not dreaming right?" Callie lifted her head slightly "You did actually propose to me tonight?"

The blonde laughed "I did. And you also said yes"

The brunette trailed a fingertip down Arizona's cheek before leaning down to kiss her "When it comes to you, there could never have been any other answer"

"I love you"

"I love you too, Arizona. I always have"