You & I

Ten

ARIZONA'S POV

God, it felt good kicking Suzanna out of Eliza's place last night. That look on her face when I told her she could have the business, how I wasn't concerned. Honestly, I would give it all up, but she won't do that. She won't, because she knows the place would tank without me. She knows that certain clients are only with the business because of me and the connections I have. She knows all of this…but she still insists on treating me like I'm fucking stupid. She'll come groveling, I know she will. I'm prepared, though. I'm not taking anymore shit from her and I think she's beginning to realise that.

This is why she kept me around so long. She needs me. Whether as her wife or not, Suzanna needs me more than anything else in her life. Yes, she may have met me when I had nothing but I was building my life. I would've been successful whether she was with me or not. We both know that, but she still insists on throwing it back in my face any opportunity she gets. She still thinks she can dictate and rule my life. Unfortunately for her, she's sadly mistaken.

"What are you going to do?" Eliza startles me. "About what happened last night?"

Turning in her soft, comfortable bed, I simply smile. "Nothing, why?"

"You just basically gave up your career…"

"You think she'll agree?" I arch an eyebrow. "To take it all and let me walk away?"

"She said it herself, Arizona. She wants it all."

"She wouldn't last five minutes without me," I smirk. "Trust me…I know what I'm doing."

"If you say so." Eliza turns, facing me better. "I hate the business world…"

"Yet here you are." I furrow my brow. "In finance."

"It was never what I wanted to do." She focuses her eyes on my collarbone, her fingertip trailing it. "I was just good at it…"

"What did you want to do?" I ask, genuinely intrigued.

"I always wanted to own a bakery…here in New York."

"Sounds amazing." I shift closer, my hand settling on her hip. "Why didn't you?"

"Guess life just got in the way." She shrugs. "You know, one year passes…before you realize it, they've all rolled into one and it's ten years later." She sighs. "It's ten years later and you're lying on a table about to have your best feature removed."

"Huh?"

"The boobs." She laughs. "My ex, Ali." She clears her throat. "We were discussing it. She wasn't sure what she wanted and we were planning to look into the whole bakery thing a little more…"

"What happened?"

"I found the lump."

"And the bakery took a back seat…" I give Eliza a sad smile. "I guess that was bound to happen."

"Yeah." She agrees. "Ali had come round to the idea of me looking at properties but then it fell apart."

"Where is Ali?" I ask, confused.

"She left."

"Like…to travel the world?" My forehead creases. "Military?"

"No." Eliza shakes her head. "She left me…"

"Why?"

"Because of the cancer." The change in Eliza's voice is heartbreaking. "I understand, though. It wasn't something she ever signed up for. I wouldn't have expected her to stay."

"Wow." I can feel my anger rising. "I, uh…I don't know what to say to that."

"There's nothing to say," Eliza replies. "She left me and I survived."

"But you had people around you, right?"

"Nope." She laughs. "I went it alone…"

"You went through all that alone?" My heart aches for Eliza but I know she doesn't want sympathy. I mean, look at her now…she's amazing. "I probably don't have any right to say this, but I'm proud of you."

"I appreciate that." A genuine smile settles on her mouth. "I appreciate everything you are, Arizona."

"I'm nothing special but I do have a good heart."

"I know you do." Eliza nods. "How you've just accepted me…I never expected that."

"Hard not to accept you when I find you incredibly beautiful." I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. "Who and what you are, the changes in you, they don't concern me. They never will."

"I'm really not here for your wealth, Arizona." She glances up at me, her eyes burning through me. "I know you believe that I'm not, but I just wanted to say it once more."

"Hey…" My thumb trails her cheek. "I'd give you the world if you asked for it."

"But I'm not asking…"

"I know." My lips press against her forehead. "I know…"

"Do you want me to have surgery?"

"Surgery for what?" I ask, completely confused.

"Reconstructive." Eliza clears her throat. "Like she said…"

"I want you to be comfortable with your body. However that works out for you is none of my business. So long as you're healthy, I'm happy."

"Yeah?" Her body relaxes against mine. "You're sure?"

"Never been more sure about anything in my life." I breathe out, holding Eliza close. "You know, if you want to do the bakery thing, you should."

"I'd love to."

"So, what's stopping you?" I ask, pulling back. "I mean, if it's your dream…follow it."

"I just…I don't have the funds right now." She shrugs. "And now that I no longer have a job, I won't have them any time soon."

"Kinda feel like I'd make a good business partner." I relax back onto the mattress. "Don't you think?"

"Uh…" Eliza sits up on her elbow. "A business partner with who?"

"You."

"Oh, I don't think so." She shakes her head, a slight scoff falling from her mouth. "I mean, I'm sure you'd make a great business partner, but this? Us? It's new…"

"So?"

"So, it could all go wrong and then we would wind up stuck with each other."

"You wouldn't want to be stuck with me?" I fake pout. "That's rude…"

"I'd love nothing more than to be stuck with you…but in a relationship. Not a business plan."

"So, we do both." I shrug. "I don't plan on this ending between us anytime soon so I think you should think about it and get back to me."

"Wow, okay." Eliza seems unsure but that's to be expected. "Maybe, yeah."

"For now, though…I'd like to worship your gorgeous body a little more…"

"Now that, I can agree to." Eliza takes her bottom lip between her teeth, sending my body wild with want. "Today...is just you and I."

"F-Fuck." My mind and body in overdrive, it's been a long time since I've shared a day like this with another woman. I'm so used to spending my weekends alone but not anymore. From this moment on, Eliza is the only one I want to focus my attention on. She's all I see. "Shit, yes." My mouth falling open, she slams into me, three fingers deep. "I-I..."

"Fuck, you're squeezing me so fucking tight." Her words tipping me over the edge for the third time this morning, my orgasm rolls through me, sending a shiver down my spine. "I can't get enough of you." Eliza's naked body now hovering over mine, her eyes search my face, complete happiness in them. "You're so gorgeous."

"Oh, I should be saying that to you." Pulling her down against me, our chests press together and our legs tangle. "Look at me..." My fingers run through her hair. "You are everything I need in my life. Everything I've needed for so long..."

"You're sure I'm who you want?" She asks, her tone serious. "I mean, I feel like you do...but you're sure?"

"God, yes." I smile. "And those things you said before..."

"What things?"

"About surgery. Your body. What I want..."

"Y-Yeah." She nods.

"Don't ever think I want you any other way to how you are now," I say. "Whatever you choose in the future, though...I'll be by your side, okay?"

"You're going to make me cry." Eliza gives me a sad smile, her voice breaking. "But thank you."

"Whatever makes you happy..."

"You." Her lips press against mine. "You're the only person that's made me happy in a long time."

"You know, if I'd been around when everything happened..." I stare at her, no uncertainty in my voice. "I never would've left your side."

"No?"

"Not for one moment." I shake my head. "That kinda thing...I'd have your back."

I know Eliza doesn't hold a grudge where her ex is concerned, but I don't like it. I don't like how she was alone through her surgery and recovery, and I don't like that her ex-girlfriend left when it got a little tough. I mean, if she'd stayed...look what could've been. They could've been happy together. I know I'm appreciative for the time I get to spend with her now, and that wouldn't be possible if Ali hadn't left, but it doesn't make me feel any better. It doesn't mean I'm glad she left Eliza alone, allowing me to come on in and take her in my arms.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Living a shitty existence with that bitch." I laugh. "But I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere. No matter what happens in the future...I'm more than here."

"I guess we both just had to wait it out, huh?"

"I guess we did." I breathe out, holding Eliza against me. "I'd wait a lifetime for you..."

"How do you do that?" She glances up. "How do you make me feel so freaking good?"

"I've had a lot of this side of me bottled up inside," I admit. "Now, it's all for you."

"Every last piece?"

"All of it…"

Taking my cell from Eliza's coffee table, it's buzzing, with my soon to be ex-wife's name flashing on the screen. Clearing my throat and glancing at Eliza, I hit the accept tab, waiting for my call to connect.

"What?" I say, my tone harsh.

"C-Can we arrange to meet please?" Taken aback by Suzanna's soft voice, I furrow my brow, unsure why she's behaving like this. "If you have time…"

"I don't have time," I reply. "I'm busy this weekend."

"Monday when the office is quiet then?" Suzanna suggests.

"Oh, I won't be at the office."

"W-Why?" Suzanna stutters. "We have a huge meeting…"

"But you've made it clear that I'm soon going to be out of the business, so I don't know why I need to be there."

"Arizona…" She sighs. "Please, can we meet?"

"I've just told you I'm busy."

"The meeting on Monday…" She clears her throat. "Bring Eliza, too."

"There is no way Eliza would ever step foot in the office again." I laugh. "The things you said to her ensured that."

"I made a mistake." Suzanna sighs. "I've been a bitch."

"No shit." I scoff. "Look, just have your lawyer contact mine. I'm fully prepared to give it all up, that's no problem for me."

"R-Right, yeah."

"This is what you wanted, so I'm giving you exactly that." I can feel her unraveling without saying a single word to me. "Before this turns nasty, I'd like to wish you the very best with your business."

"It won't turn nasty…"

"Everything turns nasty with you." Ending the call, I set my cell back down on the coffee table and relax back in my seat. I can feel Eliza's eyes on me but I don't really want to discuss Suzanna anymore than I have to.

"What did she want?"

"To meet." I shrug, my eyes focused on the tv. "Probably playing another one of her games."

"She sounded like she was genuine…"

"I'm not sure Suzanna knows what genuine means." Laughing, I wrap my arm around Eliza's shoulder, pulling her against my body. "You'll realize that too soon enough."

"Mm, maybe." Eliza nods. "Where does she want to meet?"

"The office. Monday. You included."

"Oh, no thank you." She glances up at me, a small smile on her mouth. "I've had enough insults from her to last me a lifetime."

"I think she wants to apologize." I clear my throat. "But I wouldn't believe a word she said, Eliza. We both know how full of shit she is."

"Mm, I'm beginning to realize that." Eliza smiles, her arm wrapping around my waist. "Anyway, I'm not thinking about it, or her."

"Sounds like a good idea to me." Leaning down, my lips press against her soft, gorgeous, dark hair. "I feel like I need to make this official with you."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah." I sigh, my head resting back. "I'd love nothing more than to call you my girlfriend. Here and around town."

"Yeah, I won the freaking lottery." She tightens her grip. "For sure."

"We're both winners," I reply. "You, though? You've no idea just how ready I am for this with you."

"Feels right…"

"I'm happy you finally realized that." Giving her a knowing look, Eliza drops her gaze. "Hey, I'm joking."

"No, I was a bitch." She shakes her head, sitting up and forward, facing me better. "I told you I was in but then I walked away. Just…I couldn't stand there any longer listening to what she was saying, Arizona. I may be used to it but it still hurts."

"I know she hurt you." My fingers curl under Eliza's chin. "I know and I hate what she said…what she did."

"I'm okay." She shrugs. "Just one of those things, I guess."

"No, there is no reason for what she did." I disagree. "None whatsoever."

"I'm fucking her wife, Arizona." Eliza's eyes find mine. "She was always going to behave that way."

"She has no right to a say in my life," I state. "Suzanna is just so used to getting what she wants that she expects it to always be that way…"

"You're really going to divorce her…f-for me?"

"Mmhmm." I nod, smiling. "I wouldn't usually bother, but you…I want you and I'm done pretending."

"But why?" Eliza's forehead creases. "I mean, why do you care so much about the divorce just because I'm in your life?"

"Because I know how hard it must be to share something with someone, knowing they're married. Separated or not, it wouldn't be fair."

"You're sweet." She studies my face. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"You went through hell," I say. "Alone."

"Ali was a good person."

"Yeah, I'm sure she was." I lie.

"I gave her the option to stay or go…" Eliza crosses her legs under her. "I came home from a weekend at the hospital and she'd gone."

"I'm sorry…" My voice breaks. "I know you say she's a good person, but I don't know how anyone could ever do that."

"She didn't plan to spend her life with a woman who had cancer," Eliza says it like it's the obvious answer. "She wanted kids, a home together. She wanted a business run by us and a happy ending…"

"She still could've had those things…"

"She couldn't carry a child."

"So?" I furrow my brow. "Did you not want that with her?"

"Before my treatment began…I had my eggs frozen." She clears her throat. "I don't know if I can have kids anymore."

"O-Oh." My heart feels heavy in my chest. I can't even begin to imagine what Eliza has been through, but she's strong. I saw that the moment I met her. She's strong and she can get through anything. "Have you never checked that out?"

"No." She gives me a sad smile. "I guess I'm scared about the answer."

"But it would put your mind at rest, no?"

"Maybe, but Ali and I aren't together anymore so it doesn't matter."

"Right, yeah." I give her my best fake smile. "Only you know what you want and who you want it with."

I won't lie, I've spent most of my adult life dreaming about the possibility of having kids one day. At first, I thought maybe Suzanna would've liked that too, but the more I got to know her, the more I realized she's totally self-involved. The thought of bringing a child into the world with her seemed wrong. She's never around and honestly, she'd be the ultimate bitch with no sleep.

I never thought I'd find the right person to share something so special with, but Eliza has just kinda made it clear that it's not what she wants anymore. It may have always been in my plans, and Eliza's at one time, but life changes. Her life changed dramatically two years ago so I wouldn't ever expect her to just go for something like that. Becoming a parent is a huge deal and I'm sure Eliza has thought about it long and hard. Her answer is that it's something she no longer wants. At least, that's how it feels to me.

I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but it's hard not to when things feel so good in my life today. I mean, I can feel myself falling hard and fast for Eliza but she may feel differently. She may not want kids and marriage and everything else that comes with a relationship. Hell, she may decide in the near future that I'm not the one she wants. I guess that would be okay, but I don't like to think about it. How we are…I'm okay with that.

"Can I make dinner for us tonight?" I decide to change the conversation completely. "If it's okay to stay the night again?"

"Dinner sounds like an amazing idea." She agrees, those green eyes setting my body on fire. "Maybe I could head to the store and pick up a nice bottle of something?"

"Maybe we could do it together…" I raise an eyebrow.

"Is that a good idea?"

"The perfect idea," I say, leaving no room for discussion. "It's time for people to see me with the woman I truly want to be with."

Thanks for reading, guys. Reviews are welcome and appreciated as always.