Arizona
"Mommy! He's been! He's been!" Sofia's little voice makes me sit bolt upright in bed.
"What? Who?" Though I'm ready to fend off any potential threat, my eyes are still shut tight. I feel like I'm going to need matchsticks to hold them open. What ungodly hour is this?
"Santa! He's been! He brought me some gifts!" Oh, thank God for that. I rub my eyes open and plump up my pillows, leaning back into them. She jumps onto my bed with the full stocking that was perched at the end of her own bed moments ago. She snuggles into me as she takes out the first gift. She's extra cosy in her little Rudolph onesie.
"What do you think it is, Mommy?" She asks so innocently that I could burst with love. I take the gift from her hands and give it a little shake before handing it back to her.
"Hmm... definitely coal," I joke. She giggles at my weak attempt at tired humour. Quickly, she tears off the paper and her eyes start to sparkle with excitement when she reveals the stuffed toy unicorn. She hugs it tight before placing it down gently and unwrapping her other stocking gifts.
...
"Mommy, there's more under the tree! Look!" Sofia runs to the gifts I'd finished wrapping about 4 hours ago. It's 5:36am. I've thought about telling her to go back to bed several times, but she's so excited. I just haven't got the heart to tell her it's too early. "I am the luckiest girl in the world!"
Now, I am beaming with pride. Being comfortable with money, I've always tried to make sure that Sofia will never want for anything. I understand that this can 'spoil' some kids, but Sofia is just grateful for everything she has. What makes me even more proud is that her favourite presents every year, without fail, always turn out to be books. She's smart and grateful and has an imagination that could rival J K Rowling's.
...
Hours later and we're stuffed full of roast ham and beef Wellington. Feeling sleepy, Sofia is curled up next to me on the couch and we're watching Elf. I've had the best morning with my little girl. I don't want it to end. Soon, I'll have to drop her off at Callie's. My phone vibrates loudly for the hundredth time today. Damn Christmas notifications. However, my mood changes when I see Amelia's name amongst the sea of well wishes on my cell.
Merry Christmas! How's your morning been?
I immediately reply: Really good. Got one happy Sofia. How was yours?
It's not long before I receive another: Leo's had me up since 5 so you can imagine my mood. I can't wait to see you later, beautiful.
Oh, my God. I'm blushing at words on a screen. What is wrong with me? Get a grip, Arizona. Reply with something cool.
You, too. x
I'm not even sure that made sense, but it'll do.
...
I'm standing outside Callie's place, saying goodbye to my daughter, and doing a few last minute checks, making sure she's brought all of her essentials. The door opens as I'm stuffing her new unicorn toy into her overnight bag. Sofia runs a couple of paces to her mama and squeezes her tight.
"Merry Christmas, Mama!" Sofia says, excitedly.
"Merry Christmas, Little Goose," Callie mirrors back the excitement. "And, Merry Christmas to you," she says, turning her attention to me. "Would you like to come in for a drink before you go?"
"Oh, I shouldn't... I have plans. Thank you, though!" I say, smiling a little awkwardly. At these words, Sofia envelopes me in a massive hug and I hear a little whimper escape her throat.
"Oh, hey, hey... what's wrong?" I say, quietly, crouching down and wiping her tears away.
"I want you to stay," she says her eyes still glimmering. These drop offs aren't usually this hard for her. She must be feeling a little overwhelmed with all the excitement.
"I can't, honey," I say, gently. "You're going to have a great time with Mama."
"I know... I'm just going to miss you," she says, burying her head into my shoulder. God, this is horrible. My heart feels as though it's been shattered and my own eyes are filling up. I squeeze her tight before Callie crouches down too, beginning to coax her in.
"Hey, you know the good thing about having two houses at Christmas, right?" Callie begins. Sofia's curiosity gets the better of her and she lifts her head to look at her mama. "Santa visits twice. And, it also means two Christmas dinners," she says, wiggling her eyebrows a little, making Sofia laugh. "It also means twice the amount of cuddles!" She scoops up Sofia and tickles her ribs, making that sweet giggle come out. When she's back on the ground, Sofia gives me one last giant hug and runs into the house to find her gifts. With my little girl now back to being her usual happy self, I feel much better about leaving.
"Thanks for the pictures this morning," Callie says, now we're alone. "She looked so excited."
"I mean, I'm less than thrilled about the 14ft trampoline that now takes up a third of my garden," I joke. Callie laughs before pulling me into an unexpected hug.
"Thank you for being such a good mommy to her," she whispers.
"Yeah.. you, too," I whisper back, before ending the embrace. "Merry Christmas, Callie."
"Merry Christmas, Arizona," she says, sounding kind of downhearted but smiles at me anyway.
As I turn to leave, I feel her gaze linger on me. It's awkward. Very awkward. I get into my car and strap up before looking back to her still standing in the doorway. I smile and wave a little and she does the same back. I feel a sense of relief wash over me as I drive away.
Now, to focus on something entirely different; Amelia Shepherd. I've got a nice little Christmas surprise for her.
...
Amelia
Betty and Leo have gone to Owen's, and I'm sat in the living room relaxing with a glass of sparkling pressé when I hear the doorbell go. It's the sound I've been waiting for all day. It's the sound that means Dr Sweetheart has arrived.
I open the door and the butterflies in my stomach start to go crazy. Arizona Robbins stands there with gently curled hair resting behind her shoulders and her sparkling blue eyes full of excitement. The trench coat she's wearing stops just past her knees to reveal bare legs. She must be freezing. She holds a bottle of alcohol-free prosecco in one hand and a gift box in the other.
"Merry Christmas," she says with a toothy smile. Oh, those dimples. I can't help but smile back.
"Merry Christmas to you, too," I say, ushering her inside. She places the bottle and box on the table to the side as she starts to unbutton her coat. "How was the drive?" I ask as she unbuttons her coat.
"Fine," she says plainly, with a crooked smile lingering on her face and a mischievous gleam in her eye. What is she up to? "Arizona, what..." Suddenly, I realise... She's standing in front of me, coat unbuttoned, wearing only red, lacy lingerie and stilettos. My mouth slings open as I take the sight in. She lets the coat fall to the floor and steps closer to me, taking my face in her hands and planting a long kiss on my lips. As she breaks it, I try to get my breath back and calm my racing heart. "Surprised?" she asks, quietly. I open my mouth to respond but it's replaced by another voice.
"Amy, how long have these things been in the oven?" I hear Mer shout from the kitchen. Arizona's eyes go wide before she scrambles for her coat. She doesn't manage to do up the buttons before Meredith bursts into the hallway so just wraps the coat around herself, holding it close to her body.
"Oh, hey, Arizona!" She says, cheerfully, completely oblivious to what she has just interrupted. "Merry Christmas," she says before going in for a hug. Arizona uses her free arm to reciprocate best she can.
"M-Merry Christmas, Meredith," she says, completely flustered.
"Food's about to come out of the oven, and we've got a glass of red waiting for you. We've got the fire going in the living room, but I'm gonna need to ask you to put some clothes on first, my kids are in there." She says, casually. We both stare at her mouths gaping open in shock. She laughs and turns to head back into the kitchen. "Trench coat and underwear... oldest trick in the book, ladies!"
When she's out of earshot, Arizona turns to me, shock still all over her face. I bite my lip before speaking.
"I forgot to tell you Mer was coming, didn't I?"
"Yep, failed to mention that little detail!" She says, hectically. We look at each other for a few moments before we both burst into laughter. I rush her back into another kiss before giving her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry," I put my arms around her and pull her close to me. "Let me make it up to you, later?" I say, pulling out my bedroom eyes.
"Hmm... okay," she says with a mock expression of annoyance. She kisses me one more time before resting her forehead against mine.
"I'm gonna need to borrow some clothes..."
...
All three of Meredith's kids have fallen asleep on the couch. That photo is going to make a cute Christmas card next year! We've been sat around the kitchen island now for about an hour, just laughing and talking.
"And, just like that... it's all over," Meredith says glancing at her watch. It's officially 12:01am. "Happy day-after-Christmas, guys!" Meredith says as she raises her glass of Merlot. Arizona mirrors her action and we smile at each other.
"So, how long have you guys been..." she gestures sloppily between Arizona and I. "Y'know... whatever this is?"
"Not long," I say, bluntly. "And, we're not telling people yet, so try and keep it quiet!"
"Oh, please! You try and keep it quiet!" She says in a tipsy manner, with a gentle smile. "You guys are so obviously a thing," she states before taking another sip. "I think it's great," she says, earnestly. Like she's had a moment of clarity. And, there's a happy, comfortable moment of silence. "So, when's the wedding?"
"Aaaand, that's enough wine for you!" I say, taking the glass out of her hand. She's laughing at Arizona's 'deer-caught-in-headlights' face.