Chapter 8

Nearly 36 months, and Arizona still wakes up with nightmares of Callie's crying in the hospital. But now when she wakes up from them, she is welcomed into the warm embrace of strong arms. Things between she and Callie are far from perfect, but they try. They try so damn hard for one another, and for Sofia.

There are good days and bad days. Some days Arizona feels like she's walking on egg shells, and some days Callie feels like Arizona is hiding herself from her. But they don't run anymore, even when they want to.

But today...

Today was one of the good days.

"Callie! Jesus," Arizona moaned. She couldn't see Callie, who was positioned under the comforter, but she could certainly feel her warm, soft tongue, as it danced across her mound, stroking her inner lips. Arizona thighs were spread apart, knees bent so that she could lightly thrust her hips upward, and her breathing became erratic as she heard Callie groaning as she lapped up her arousal. Then she felt Callie's tongue position itself at her entrance, and she held her breath in anticipation.

"God," she was able to force herself to expel as she felt the strong muscle push in and out of her. Arizona hands flopped at her sides as she was unable to decide what to do with them, torn between pulling her own hair in ecstasy and wanting to fist the sheets to keep herself grounded. She could already feel pressure building up in her core, when she looked down again, and saw a lump bobbing up and down between where she knew her legs where. She couldn't help but chuckle loudly, which quickly forced the comforter off her body, and off of Callie.

"Are you seriously laughing," Callie asked with disbelief. She had been pretty sure that she'd been blowing Arizona's mind.

"I'm sorry, it's just the comforter was going," Arizona moved her hand up and down, mimicking the motion. She grinned, and thankfully Callie looked amused. But only for a moment.

"Is this funny?" Callie asked while simultaneously thrusting two fingers knuckle deep into Arizona.

"Fuck," Arizona moaned while slamming her eyes shut. She began to bite her lower lip as Callie slowly began thrusting in and out of her, much to the delight of Arizona, and as Callie was met with more and more wetness she couldn't help but begin to quicken her pace. Callie had moved up Arizona's body, sucking and kissing along every bit of skin she found until finally settling on Arizona's neck. She could hear Arizona panting and whining into her ear, and she found nothing sexier. She knew that Arizona was about to cum, so she swiped her thumb across Arizona's clit. Then she could feel the walls clenching around her fingers as Arizona peaked and began crying out her name.

When Arizona finally came out of her orgasm induced hazed it was Callie's soft kisses across her chin and cheeks that brought a smile to her face.

"That was amazing. Your hands are amazing," Arizona said, still panting. It made Callie chuckle. She had great surgical hands, very dexterous. Callie took this moment to stare down at Arizona. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed, and Callie felt grateful for this moment.

She still struggled, she still went to therapy, but she knew that having both Sofia and Arizona in her life were worth the struggle. Callie just wanted to be grateful. She was so caught up in her own train of thought now that she did not hear Arizona calling her name.

"Calliope!" Arizona said loudly finally pulling her out of her thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"

"This-" Callie paused, as her brain tried to form words into the sentence that could adequately describe her thoughts and feelings. "I just wasn't ever sure we'd have this again. And I feel," Callie stopped herself as she wiped a tear, while smiling. Then she composed herself, taking a deep breath, before moving to get out of bed.

"I'll go make breakfast-" Callie felt a Arizona's slim hand slip behind her neck and then forcefully pull her in for a searing kiss. When they parted Callie opened her eyes only to find those blue ones that she'd fallen in love with years ago. It was almost overwhelming how much love Callie saw starring back at her in those eyes.

"I should really go make breakfast before Sofia wakes up," Callie said as she finally stood up.

"We have time. I can help," Arizona suggested.

"It's okay. I can make you some French toast."

"I don't want French toast," Arizona said.

"Oh, eggs?" Callie asked, then looked back at Arizona. She instantly recognized the lust in those, now darkened blue eyes. She felt her center go wet and wanted to squeeze her legs tightly together.

Arizona licked her lips and then finally voiced what is was that she wanted.

"Come here, so I can have my breakfast." Callie raised an eyebrow as she smirked. Yes, this was one of the good days.

After managing to get Sofia squared away at daycare, Arizona and Callie made plans to have a late lunch together. Sofia would be picked up early by Jo, and it would give them a chance to go over last-minute details for Sofia's birthday party, which was just two days away.

Yes, Jo was still working for them. She had graduated from Washington University, and had been accepted into medical school, but she had chosen to defer in order to work and save money. Callie found it comforting to know that she had someone so capable to help look after Sofia, especially since Jo now had open availability. While Arizona couldn't quite forget about the kissing incident, neither she nor Jo brought it up, and Arizona had to admit that Jo was an excellent nanny.

Arizona had just performed an emergency appendectomy on an 8 year old. Despite the case being emergent, it was actually a rather routine procedure for Arizona. It was a procedure that, in the past, she had to regularly perform, and it was done with precision. It was almost like muscle memory. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Following the procedure, it was actual muscle memory that brought her to Callie's lab, and without evening remembering the walk over, she found herself opening the door.

"Hey," Arizona said with smile. Callie pulled her face away from the microscope she had been peering through and shot a smile back.

"Hey," Callie said, and then Arizona quickly pecked her lips. "Cafeteria?" Callie asked since she didn't see any food with Arizona.

"No, there should be Chinese food waiting for us in the lounge," Arizona said much to the delight of Callie. Callie followed Arizona to the attending's lounge, and as she had promised, there were takeout containers waiting for them.

"Teddy ordered it," Arizona said as she passed Callie the sweet and sour pork. Callie immediately opened the top and could feel her mouth water.

"I love Teddy," Callie practically moaned.

"Hey, hey, hey, I should be the only one who can make you moan like that," Arizona said.

"Oh, trust me, I sound much dirtier when I moan your name," Callie replied with a smirk.

"You guys do realize I'm in here?" They heard out of the corner of the room. Teddy was lying on the sofa, and it appeared she had been trying to nap. Callie's face instantly reddened with embarrassment.

"Sorry Teddy," She said quickly.

"Don't you mean 'I love Teddy,'" She mocked and then sat up on the sofa. Arizona only chuckled.

"Shut up! But thanks for the food," Callie said.

"Yeah thanks Teddy," Arizona said through a mouthful of food.

"You're welcome. Anyways, I better get going," Teddy said up as she got stood up.

"Don't leave because of us," Arizona whined.

"I'm not, I had to get up for rounds soon anyways. I just didn't think Callie moaning my name would be what woke me up."

"Oh god!" Callie said while rolling her eyes.

"I'll see you guys later, and please figure out what time Sofia's party is at soon because I want to make sure I can be there. I have her gift and everything!" Teddy said excitedly.

"What'd you get her?" Arizona asked.

"It's a surprise for you guys too," truthfully, Teddy just didn't want to tell them she had gotten Sofia the Frozen drum set. She knew it would be used to torture them and would delight Sofia. A win-win in Teddy's opinion. "See ya later!" she added joyfully before exiting the lounge.

The rest of lunch had been uneventful, just the two surgeons sharing how their days had gone so far, then discussing Sofia's upcoming party. Arizona would pick up the cake, while Callie would finish the goodie bags for Sofia's pre-school friends. The pizza would be delivered. There was going to be pin the tail, a piñata (they knew the preschoolers would never be able to break the piñata, so they hoped Tucker would be showing up with Bailey), and music for Sofia and her friends to dance to.

"I think she's going to love it. Her first real party," Arizona said standing.

"I think so too, but we can't forget to take lots of pictures," Callie stood as well, and they made their way out of the attending lounge together.

"We still have that camera," Arizona reminded as they exited.

"You mean the one you can't get to work?"

"Mark helped me with it."

"You and Mark have been spending a lot of time together. Should I be getting nervous?" Callie teased.

"I wanted to wait until after the party to tell you," Arizona joked back. "No, actually... Mark- and don't tell him I said this- but he really is a good guy."

"He is," Callie agreed. She was happy that Arizona and her best friend were finally getting along. She knew that their friendship had formed while she and Arizona had been apart, but she was happy they had become friends all the same.

"I love you," Arizona said pulling Callie away from her thoughts. Callie instantly lit up, her dazzling smile on full display, and then they gave each other a quick peck before going their separate ways for the rest of the day.

A boating accident had led to many surgeries, and Arizona and Callie had both been pulled into surgeries. When Arizona finished her final surgery, managing to stabilize a teen with internal bleeding, she checked her cell and saw a text message telling her that Callie was finished with surgery and would be in her lab waiting.

However, the moment Arizona entered the lab she could feel the tension in the air. Callie looked upset, like she'd been crying even.

"Callie, what's wrong?" Arizona asked as she rushed up behind her, but the moment her arms started to curl around Callie, Callie reacted, turning and pushing herself away from Arizona.

"What the hell are these?" Callie said, her voice raised and furious. Arizona couldn't quite make out what she was holding, papers maybe.

"Uh. I don't know," Arizona said honestly. She couldn't make out what the papers were exactly. She took a step towards Callie who took another step back before tossing the items at Arizona. They hit Arizona in the chest, and then glided to the floor. Arizona quickly became frustrated and went to bend down to grab the papers off the floor. She stopped when she noticed what they were. Pictures. Of her and Jo... kissing. The blood drained from Arizona's face as she finally grabbed them off the floor.

"Callie, where did you get these?" Arizona asked calmly.

"How long have you been sleeping with her?" Callie yelled as fresh tears began to stream down her face.

"I'm not sleeping with her!" Arizona was quick answer.

"Don't lie to me!"

Arizona rushed to Callie's side, and held the pictures up to her.

"I'm not sleeping with her. These pictures weren't even taken at our place. These are from my old apartment before we got back together," Arizona tried to reason.

"But you were sleeping with her," Callie accused.

"No, I never slept with her. I promise. Now where did you get these?" Arizona asked gently. Callie took a moment to compose herself, still not sure if she believed Arizona, but wanting to.

"They were sitting on the counter waiting for me," Callie said quietly.

Arizona had so many things running through her mind. Why would Jo do this to her? Why would she do this now after all this time. She was about to begin to explain why she had never mentioned any of this to Callie before, but she was cut off by the sound of her phone. Arizona looked at it and starred for a moment. Perfect timing...

"It's uh, a text from Jo," Arizona mumbled causing Callie to roll her eyes.

"Of course!"

"It's nothing like you think. Not that it matters because we weren't even together," Arizona argued. She knew it was a mistake, but she couldn't help herself in the moment.

"She watches our daughter! She eats dinner with us!" Callie said voice raising again.

"And you were with Penny!" Arizona caught herself yelling, but it was too late. She'd yelled, and she was scared that once she started she wouldn't be able to stop. She had to go, she had to escape the situation. "I have to go. I need to pick up Sofia, apparently they went to the park."

"It's dark out! Why are they at the park?" Callie asked, quickly changing from angry to angry and annoyed. She had serious concerns about Sofia being out late. That damn Jo. "You know what? I don't care. I want her fired."

"Fine. Fire her!" Arizona challenged. But honestly she didn't need Callie to fire her. Arizona was so betrayed by this that Jo was lucky Arizona was going to fire her instead of kill her. Arizona was just so mad. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah, you can take the couch!" Were the last words Arizona heard as she slammed the door behind her.