Best For Last: PT II
Nine
ARIZONA'S POV
Waking to bright sunlight streaming through the window, I squint, glancing to my left. Oh god. Last night happened. It actually happened. I woke once in the night wondering where the hell I was, but this morning, I know exactly where I am. I'm in Eliza's bed. Naked. So very very naked. Does it feel good? Hell yeah, it feels good. It feels good but it's only making me never want to leave the US again. It's making me want to call my coach up in England and say thanks, but no thanks.
I know that it's possible to do, but I guess in this moment, it doesn't matter. How can anything matter when Eliza is sleeping beside me for the first time over a year? How can I care about anything right now? I'm finding it hard, that's for sure. I mean, her naked back is on full view...for me. Not Claire or anyone else. Just me.
How the hell did this happen? How am I here and in her arms? Her bed? Her life? I feel like everything has fallen back into place, even though deep down, I know it hasn't. That simply isn't possible. Not until I'm back here permanently. Not until I've packed up my crap in the UK and I'm on a one-way flight back home.
Turning, my arm wraps around Eliza's waist, my heart beating so perfectly in my chest. For the first time in a long time, I feel relaxed. I feel content. I know it's not going to last, but just for a little while...it feels good. It feels exactly how it's supposed to feel. Like, I've never been away. Like, Eliza has always been in my life, just how I'd always hoped. Imagined.
This is all going to fall apart when I have to leave again, but we're stronger than that. In this moment, I feel like we're stronger than anything thrown our way. After spending a year apart and alone, I know we've got this. I know my girlfriend will be here and waiting for me when I return. Whether that's in a few months or two years, I know Eliza will be waiting for me with open arms.
Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, I slowly climb from her bed and pull some clothes on. I need to check my cell which is downstairs. Mom could've called or the hospital, so yeah, as much as I want to lie here and never move, I can't. If mom is awake and feeling more comfortable, I should be there with her.
Quietly leaving Eliza's bedroom, I take the stairs slowly, barefoot and barely awake. Brushing my hair from my face, I clear my throat and take my cell from the kitchen counter. I have a missed call from mom's cell so that's good news. If she wasn't feeling good, she wouldn't have the ability to call me.
"Good morning, Arizona." A familiar voice startles me from behind.
"M-Morning, Mrs. Minnick." I turn, a blush creeping up my face. "Happy New Year." I smile, weakly.
"Happy New Year, sweetheart." She pulls me into a hug. "Eliza still sleeping?" She pulls back and rounds the counter, pouring coffee for us both.
"Uh, yeah." I drop my gaze. "I'll get freshened up and out of your way. I'm sorry."
"Out of my way?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Yes." I nod. "I'm sure you have plans with Eliza and I'm here unannounced."
"You could never be here unannounced, Arizona." Handing me a cup of coffee, Mrs. Minnick settles on a stool. "Are you visiting your mom today?"
"Yeah." My hands wrap around the cup. "I've had a call from her, but I was sleeping."
"She's expecting you." Eliza's mom nods. "She feels better. Well, as well as she can feel."
"You've spoken to her?"
"I've been there this morning." She shrugs. "Thought you two would be making up for lost time and I didn't want to disturb your morning."
"I-I uh, I mean…" Shaking my head, I sigh. "I'm not here to hurt Eliza." My eyes find her mom's. "I know you probably expect that, but I never wanted to hurt her."
"I know, honey." Mrs. Minnick gives me a soft smile. "Eliza knows that too."
"Someone said my name…"
A husky, sleep filled voice pulls me from my conversation. Turning, I find my girlfriend standing at the bottom of the staircase, watching me. Smiling when her eyes trail my legs, my shorts kinda short, she closes the distance between us and settles beside me.
"I need coffee." She squints, yawning.
"Here...take mine." Sliding it across the counter, she takes it and sips.
"Mm, that's good." Her eyes close and her mom simply watches us. I guess an explanation would be best but honestly, I have no words. I don't even know how I ended up here, so an explanation is the last thing on my mind. "Happy New Year, mom."
"Happy New Year, my love." She gives her daughter a soft smile. "Busy today?"
"Don't know." Eliza shrugs, turning her attention to me. "Are we?"
"Oh, uh…" I clear my throat. "You wanna spend the day with me?" I furrow my brow.
"What do you think?" My girlfriend rolls her eyes playfully.
"I think I shouldn't push my luck." My hand settles on the small of Eliza's back. "Whatever you wanna do, okay?"
"You visiting your mom?"
"I am." I nod.
"Can I come with you?" There is a hopefulness in her eyes.
"I'd love you to visit with me." Eliza's hand settles on my thigh, setting my entire body on fire. "If your mom doesn't mind."
"I'm doing nothing today." Mrs. Minnick holds up her hands. "I want lazy."
"Okay then." My smile widens. "It's a date."
"Yeah?" Eliza beams.
"Well, it's not." I laugh. "I mean, it would be a kinda crappy date."
"I'm with you." She squeezes my thigh. "I don't care what we do…"
"You ladies have a wonderful day." Eliza's mom says, her smile growing impossibly wide. "It's so good to see you both together again…"
Parking up, we both climb from my car and head for the entrance of our local hospital. I hate that I'm visiting my mom here, but Eliza is by my side, so I know whatever state she's in, I've got this. She was full of tubes and wires yesterday after her surgery, but I'm assuming that's no longer the case. If she was, she wouldn't have called me. Damn, I hate that I missed her call.
Taking my hand in her own, Eliza and I head for the elevator, pressing the call button as we reach it. I feel like I'm walking in the life of another person today, I really do. Not only is mom awake and hopefully going to be perfectly fine after her recovery, but Eliza Minnick is holding my hand. After all that time apart, she's here and she's very much in my life today.
"Thank you for coming here with me…"
"Wouldn't wanna be anywhere else, Arizona." We step inside the elevator and hit the button that will take me to my mom. "It's so good to be here with you. Whatever the circumstances."
"I appreciate it." I lean in, pressing a kiss below her ear.
"I would've visited even if things hadn't changed between us yesterday…"
"Yeah?" My heart soars, the love I have for Eliza absolutely ridiculous. "You would?"
"I love your mom." She rests back against the carriage wall. "That will never change…"
"You're amazing." I sigh, resting my head back. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you."
"You came back." Eliza smiles. "There's a reason I said I couldn't see you anymore…"
"A reason?" I furrow my brow. "I thought it was because you had a girlfriend."
"No." She disagrees. "I knew if I spent any time with you, I'd want you. I'd need you just like I did this past year."
"I'm sorry…"
"No. No apologies." She shakes her head. "If I hadn't seen you while you were home, last night wouldn't have happened."
"Last night definitely happened." A smirk forms on my face. "Definitely."
"Oh, it did." Eliza squeezes my hand, the ding of the bell signaling our arrival. "Come on, let's check in with your mom."
Our hands never leaving one another's, we take a left and head for the room I left my mom in yesterday. I don't know what her recovery plan is, or what damage was done, but I feel less stressed knowing that things are going to be okay. I mean, they have to be, right? They have to be okay because this feeling of having Eliza with me is too good to lose.
Sliding mom's door open, her head is turned away from us, but thankfully, she doesn't look to be in as bad of a state as she did yesterday when they brought her in. Rounding the end of her hospital bed, her head lifts and she gives me one of her signature smiles.
"Arizona…"
"Hey, mom." I lean down, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You feeling okay?"
"Better, honey." Her mouth dry, I help her out with a sip of water before settling into the chair beside her.
"What happened?"
"I don't know." She sighs. "I was driving along the highway and something clipped me from behind. Everything is a blur after that. I think I lost consciousness as my car flipped."
"I'm sorry…"
"Hey, this isn't your fault." She gives me a knowing look. "I chose to go to the store furthest away. Not you."
"But if I hadn't suggested a movie night…"
"No." She holds up her hand, weakly. "I want to hear no more about it."
"I, uh…I brought someone with me." I glance up at my girlfriend, standing on the other side of mom's bed. "She wanted to see you…"
"Eliza." Mom smiles, turning to face my girlfriend. "Thank you for visiting."
"I wanted to be here." She rounds the bed, making it easier for mom to speak to the both of us at once. "I kept Arizona company."
"I knew you would." Mom throws Eliza a wink. "I knew it would happen eventually."
"Knew what would happen?" I cut in.
"Whatever it is you kids get up to." Blushing, I close my eyes but Eliza and my mom simply laugh. Why do our parents insist on making comments like that? Eliza's mom did it this morning and now my mom can't help herself. "I'm happy you have each other."
"Thanks, mom." I smile, taking her hand. "When can you come home?"
"Oh, it will be some time yet." She gives me a sad smile. "But I can look after myself, don't you worry."
"I'm not leaving until you're recovered." I shake my head. "No way."
"Arizona, you know you have to go back." Mom sighs. "As much as I'd love you here with me, you have to go back to London. How am I supposed to take early retirement if you're not there making all that money? How are you supposed to look after me, financially?"
All three of us laughing, mom throws Eliza another wink, but my heart feels heavy. I don't want to leave. I know I have to, but I don't want to think about that day arriving yet. The longer I put off booking a flight, the less I'll have to worry about it. I really need to figure this out. The stress isn't good for my body.
"I'm staying a couple of weeks, okay?" I run my fingers through my hair. "I know you don't like that but it's tough." Shrugging, I remove myself from my seat and turn, looking out of the window. I can feel my emotions getting the better of me, but I can't help it. I hate feeling this way. All I want is to be happy with Eliza. She's the reason for my happiness and when I'm not with her, I'm nothing. I feel like nothing.
"Whatever you wanna do…" My girlfriend approaches me, her hand settling on my shoulder. "Maybe you should call them and see how long you have before you need to leave?"
"Yeah, I guess I could do that." I nod, wiping a tear from my jawline.
"Hey, don't cry." Eliza wraps her arm around my waist. "We'll figure this out…"
"God, I hope so." I sigh. "I really hope so."
We stayed with mom for a couple of hours, but I could see the tiredness beginning to take hold. I know she needs to rest and I know she wouldn't sleep while she had company, so I made the decision to leave. I didn't want to, but now that I know she's okay, I can rest easier at home. I can figure everything else out and go from there. Eliza seems perfectly fine with whatever I decide, but I know it isn't going to be that simple when it comes to me packing up and boarding a flight. I know, she's going to be devastated. Just like I will be.
"Hey, I'm dropping you home, right?" I glance her way.
"Please." She nods. "I have some stuff I need to do but I'd like to see you later if that's okay?"
"Of course." I smile. "Got no plans…"
"Wanna share dinner again?" Eliza arches her eyebrow. "I know you eat all that rabbit food stuff, but I'll try it with you."
"You hate my rabbit food." I laugh. "And at the moment, I'm not in training." Shrugging, Eliza narrows her eyes. "Meaning, I may just treat us to some greasy, cheesy pizza and a soda."
"You wouldn't!" She shrieks. "Arizona Robbins does not put crap in her body! Not now, not ever!"
"Just…one night?" I ask. "I could use a blow out with you, I really could."
"Okay." My girlfriend nods. "Just one night. Back to the rabbit food tomorrow."
"Back to the rabbit food tomorrow." Taking her hand, I squeeze it. "I love you…"
"I love you, too." Pulling over at the side of the road, before we reach Eliza's street, I cut the engine and remove my seatbelt, turning in my seat. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah." I run my fingers through my hair. "Just wanted to look at you a little longer."
"Look at me?" My girlfriend asks, her forehead creasing.
"How beautiful you are." I reach my hand out, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face. "How gorgeous you are."
"I'm not." She blushes, her gaze dropping.
"You are." My thumb trails her bottom lip. "And I'd really like it if you stayed with me tonight…"
"I'd like that." Eliza nods slowly. "I don't really want to leave you right now."
"Me neither." I give her a sad smile. "But we have all night together, right?"
"Yeah." She agrees. "All night."
"Then I should get you home." I fire up the engine. "The sooner I get you home, the sooner you'll be with me." Fixing my seatbelt around me, I pull away and turn the corner. Eliza's home comes into view, as does a car I don't recognize. "Someone at your place?"
"Yeah." She sighs. "Looks like it."
"Anyone I know?" I crawl up her street.
"Just…Claire." Wringing her hands, Eliza sinks back in her seat, chewing on her bottom lip. "I really don't want to do this." She mutters to herself.
"If you don't want her here, I can ask her to leave…"
"No." She glances my way as my car comes to a stop. "I have to do this sooner or later."
"Do what?" I ask, confused.
"Tell her we're back together. Tell her there is no us anymore."
"Wait." My heart sinks. "You guys are still together?" My mouth runs dry. "I mean, you slept with me last night and she didn't know you'd broke it off?"
"No, she does." Eliza tries to backtrack. "Just, we haven't really discussed it. I left yesterday when she brought me home and I avoided her."
"Shit." I leave my engine running. "Y-You cheated…"
"No, I didn't." My girlfriend settles her hand on my thigh, but I instantly remove it. "Arizona, please?"
"Please, what?" I breathe out. "I mean, you know I want you, but I can't do this with you until I know you've got nothing with her."
"I don't have anything with her." She scoffs. "You think I'd do that to you? You think I'd sleep with you if I was still with Claire?"
"Well, no." I give her a sad smile. "But she's sitting on your porch and she's staring." I clear my throat. "She also doesn't look happy, so I think you two are on totally different pages. Maybe even different books."
"I should go." Eliza's shoulder slump, my eyes still focused on Claire. "Should I head over later, or?"
"Sure, yeah." I'm not totally hearing my girlfriend, but I know I want her with me tonight. No amount of Claire's could stop that from happening. "Fix this first…"
"Yeah, whatever." Eliza climbs from my car, slamming the door shut.
Huh?
"Eliza, wait!" I yell, gaining nothing from her. "Damn it!" Hitting the wheel, I drop my head in my hands and sigh. Watching her disappear inside her home, Claire follows her and the door closes. I know she wouldn't do anything to hurt me or Claire, but I don't like that she's here. I don't like that Eliza has just insinuated that her ex may not know what's going on. I don't like it, but what position am I in to knock right now and demand answers? I'm not in any position to do that. I fucked her around before we broke up, so I have to head home and hopefully, wait for a call I'm not sure is going to come.
Way to go, Robbins. The world's biggest asshole.
Thanks for reading, guys. Reviews are welcome and appreciated as always.