A/N: Sorry, back to the top of the story really quick just to say, it might help to review the first paragraph of chapter 14 before you read this first part.
After collecting her toothbrush and toothpaste from the drawer under the sink, Arizona wet her brush, squirted a generous glob of toothpaste on the end and began brushing her teeth. She held back her hair, spit into the sink and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror for the first time that morning. "Calliope Iphigenia Torres!" she screamed as she stared at her reflection. She would be lying if she said she didn't get a small amount of satisfaction from hearing the loud thud that came from the bedroom indicating her girlfriend fell out of bed. Thinking something was wrong, Callie scrambled off the floor and rushed into the bathroom in her tank top and boxer shorts, still half asleep. When she reached the door, she was relieved to see Arizona standing near the sink apparently just fine, then immediately frowned when she saw nothing that warranted her girlfriend waking her from a very sexy dream by screaming her full name from the bathroom. Rubbing her face to try to wake up, she groused, "Jesus Arizona! You scared me half to death." Arizona stood by the sink in her tiny sleep shorts and camisole, one hand on her hip, toothbrush in the other hand, and foaming toothpaste still on her lips as she asked, "What the hell is this?" Callie noticed the toothbrush was now pointing at Arizona's chest and looked up to see alabaster skin marred with bright red and purple marks making a near perfect outline of her gold chain from each side of the blonde's neck down to the top of her cleavage, and one very angry looking purple and black oval on the curve of her shoulder very similar to the one on her own ass.
Smirking, Callie leaned against the door frame and shrugged her shoulder as she said, "Payback." Then she shook her head and reached out to gently trace the large bite mark on Arizona's shoulder and corrected herself, "Well, not that one, that was an accident. I bit down trying to muffle my scream when you did that thing with your fingers and your…" Callie was cut off and her hand brushed away by the blonde who angrily turned and proceeded to brush her teeth as she mumbled around her toothbrush, "I shwear Cayiope, ish I can't cosher dish ush…" Callie couldn't help but laugh at Arizona; her hair was tousled and tangled from sleep and a long night of hot sex, her cerulean blue eyes were glowing with anger, her nostrils were flaring and her luscious lips were surrounded by the light green foam of her toothpaste. In essence, she looked like a wild animal, a rabid wild animal, an adorable, beautiful wild animal, and if Callie hadn't known she had it bad before this, she knew now, because she couldn't help but think that there was no way she could possibly love the other woman any more than she did in that moment.
Finally deciding to put an end to the ridiculous tirade, Callie crossed her arms over her body, reached down to grasp the hem of her own tank top and lifted it over her head leaving her top half bare. Still seething, Arizona rinsed her mouth, wiped it off and said, "At least yours are on your ass and aren't…oh…" She stopped mid-rant as she glanced over and saw not only was Callie topless, exposing her glorious breasts, but those magnificent caramel colored mounds were peppered with bruises and bite marks as well. Looking up, she noticed the self-satisfied expression, complete with that smug smile and sexy ass challenging arched brow staring back at her. Callie deliberately crossed her arms just under her breasts, lifting and framing them perfectly and noticed the blonde's gaze immediately dropped to her chest and she slowly licked her lips. Chuckling, Callie asked, "You were saying?" Arizona swallowed thickly and looked up into bright brown eyes dancing with amusement and blushed as she realized she had done her fair share of damage to her girlfriend's flawless skin as well. Smiling sheepishly, she suggested, "Umm…probably time to reinforce the rule huh?" Callie laughed and reached out, settling both hands on Arizona's hips and pulled her closer, asking, "You think?" She then leaned down and captured soft pink lips with her own, instantly tasting the minty freshness of the toothpaste on Arizona's tongue as she slipped it into her mouth.
Pulling back, Arizona lifted her hand to rub against the soft stubble on the back of Callie's head and said in a much softer tone than she had used all morning, "Let's try this again. Good morning gorgeous." Callie smiled, brushed their lips together again and said, "Mmm good morning pretty lady." Lifting one tan finger up to Arizona's neck, she traced the evidence of their rough lovemaking down to the inside of her breasts and back up the other as she said, "I guess we've been getting carried away." Arizona bent her head down to place a soft kiss on a very irritated mark just above a mocha colored areola and said, "Yeah, I guess we have." Callie turned her head and soothed the large bite mark on Arizona's shoulder with her tongue then made a trail of soft open mouth kisses to her pulse point where she sucked lightly then continued her path up the sleek pale neck, stopped just behind her soft earlobe and licked at the secret soft spot then down her strong jawline until her lips were hovering just above trembling pink lips and she whispered, "I'm not sorry." Then she captured those lips with hers and licked Arizona's bottom lip moaning when perfect white teeth bit softly on the tip of her tongue and sucked lightly then allowed her entrance into the warm recesses of the blonde's mouth. Callie deepened the kiss while wrapping her arms around Arizona's waist pulling her closer until their bodies aligned perfectly with one another.
Arizona continued scratching at the back of Callie's head with one hand while lightly tracing patterns on the bare skin of her back with the other. She couldn't quite say she was sorry about putting her mark on Callie either. She knew part of their obsession with claiming the other could be attributed to the newness of their rekindled passion. Another was their shameless possessiveness when it came to each other. It was the same when they first got together. Callie wasn't wrong, she loved putting her mark on the Latina, just barely out of sight so anyone looking closely would know Callie was hers. She knew her girlfriend had a history with some of their colleagues and that was her way of staking her claim. Though it died down eventually, it flared up on occasion, like after she found out about Karev. It was the same with Callie, though she was less blatant about it in the beginning. But when she found out her wife also had a past in the hospital, that was a different story. Arizona had no idea how much concealer she went through for the entire month after that. Tilting her head to take a breath and change the angle of the kiss, almost as an afterthought, she breathed out, "Me neither. You're mine Calliope." She brushed their lips together and smiled as she heard, "All yours…just yours." before their lips and tongues met again in a harder, more passionate kiss.
Just as Callie started to tug on the hem of Arizona's shirt to lift it over her head, both women froze when they heard the rattling of the doorknob on their bedroom door. Eyes wide with panic they stared at one another, Callie bare chested with bite marks all across her breasts and Arizona fully clothed but marked inexplicably on the skin that was visible. Thinking quickly, Arizona grabbed both of their robes from the back of the bathroom door and they had them in place just in time for their sleepy daughter to step into the room. Arizona whispered, "We really need to remember to lock that door." Callie hissed back, "My hands were kinda full." The blonde giggled remembering how Callie swept her off her feet in the hall and carried her into the bedroom. Smiling brightly, she looked at the little girl who was staring at her mothers curiously and greeted, "Good morning sweet girl, did you sleep well?" Sofia nodded then tilted her head and asked, "Why are you both in the bathroom?" Callie looked to Arizona, lifted her hand to scratch at the back of her head and said, "Ah…mommy was brushing her teeth and asked me a question and I couldn't hear her well, so I came in to see what she needed." Arizona snorted trying to hold back her laughter at Callie's knack for spinning a story to make it age appropriate for their child.
Seemingly satisfied with that answer, Sofia plopped on the foot of the bed and asked casually, "So what are we doing today?" Callie smiled at her daughter's sneaky attempt to get the surprise out of her and walked over to sit beside her on the bed. Wrapping one arm around her daughter she answered, "Nice try, but it's still a secret." She leaned over to the nightstand, picked up Arizona's phone to check the time and said, "But, you will both find out in about an hour and a half, so go hop in the shower and get dressed. Wear something comfortable with your tennis shoes." Sofia nodded and started to hop off the bed when both women noticed her hand was bare of the ace bandage she should be wearing. Before she could take a step, Arizona commanded, "Not so fast little miss." Callie carefully lifted the little girl's hand and asked, "Where's your wrap?" Sofia huffed and tried to pull her hand back as she declared, "It's fine. I'm all better now." Both women shared a look, then Arizona bit her lip trying not to laugh as Callie asked, "So your second grade education trumps that of an orthopedic AND a pediatric surgeon?" Sofia looked at her hand, still in Callie's grasp and waved it around in the air trying not to flinch as she bent it back a little too far. "There!" Arizona snapped as she pointed to her daughter's face. She had been watching the girl's face closely while Callie was watching the movement of her hand. Callie nodded; she had also noticed the way her hand jerked when she bent it backward. She smiled softly and stated, "Sorry kiddo, but we need to keep it stable for a couple more days." Sofia whined and complained, "But that brown thing is so ugly and it's hot." The two women looked at one another and Callie nodded as Arizona left the room and returned with a small white package in her hand and handed it to Callie.
Opening the package, Callie said, "We know it's a pain baby girl, but if you don't keep it wrapped up, you could hurt it worse and end up with a cast for the rest of the summer. You don't want that do you?" Sofia shook her head and sniffled, she didn't want to cry, but she knew she wasn't going to win this fight and mumbled, "Why do you have to be doctors? Why can't you just be normal parents?" Arizona went to her daughter, tucked her hair behind her ear and explained, "We are normal parents, even if we weren't doctors, we would want you to heal properly and not be in pain." Lifting the new bandage Arizona just handed her, Callie said, "Besides, if we weren't doctors, Mommy wouldn't have this cool pink wrap which is also a little lighter so it won't be as hot. How about you go shower and get dressed and we will re-wrap it with this?" Sofia smiled, feeling a little better knowing that she didn't have to wear the ugly hospital kind and nodded in agreement. Standing up, she hugged both mothers and said, "Thank you Dr. Mommy, thank you Dr. Mama." She then ran across the room, stopping the moment she heard both parents clear their throats and walked slowly out the door. Shaking her head, Arizona watched Sofia shuffle down the hall then closed and locked their door. Looking to Callie, she asked, "Care to share a shower Dr. Mama?" She laughed when she saw how quickly her girlfriend shed her robe and made it into the bathroom leaving a trail of clothes behind her.
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Sofia sat in the back seat and slumped down trying to hide her face from passing cars while she watched in horror as her parents sang and danced to a song that was playing on the radio. She knew both of her moms had a fun and silly side, they showed it to her all the time, but she'd never seen them act this way with anyone else, especially each other. Both of them would sing with her and laugh and joke with their friends, but this was a side she'd never seen before. She figured maybe it was something you did with people you loved or dated, but mama never acted this way with Penny. Penny was nice at first, but they were always so serious. She couldn't even remember seeing them kiss or cuddle like mama and mommy did…and mommy, well, she'd never seen her mommy with anyone else. She heard April ask her about that Carina lady, but mommy just said there was nothing to tell. But now that she thought about it, she realized she'd seen them do a lot of things she'd never seen before, like when mama shared her food, or when they all danced in the kitchen together, or when they told her stories about each other, and the other day when she saw mommy sitting on mama's lap. It's like they were different people around each other. She breathed a sigh of relief when the song ended and the commercials came on the radio. Hopefully they were done now. Deciding to try to distract them, she asked, "So, where we're going, is it on our list of things to do with mommy?" Callie smirked at her daughter's impatience, she knew that was a trait she got from her, but combined with Arizona's hatred for secrets and surprises, the poor kid had to be dying to know what was happening. She peeked in the rear view mirror and answered simply, "Yes and no." She chuckled when her daughter huffed out a breath and crossed her arms in front of her realizing she wasn't going to get an answer.
Frustrated, Sofia tried to think of another question that might give her a clue when another song came on the radio and both moms squealed. She groaned when she saw her mama look at her mommy and sing, "Do you hear me? I'm talking to you…across the water, across the deep blue…ocean, under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying." Then mommy sang back, "Girl I hear you, in my dreams, I feel you whisper…across the sea. I keep you with me…in my heart, you make it easier…when life gets hard." The little girl slapped her hands on her face and peeked through her fingers as both women continued to make motions with their hands and sang, "I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Lucky to have been where I have been. Lucky to be coming home again." She dropped her hands and started really listening to the words they were singing when she heard how pretty they actually sounded together. Her mommy started and mama joined in with, "They don't know how long it takes, waiting for a love like this. Every time we say goodbye, I wish we had one…more kiss. I'll wait for you, I promise you, I will. I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Lucky to have been where I have been. Lucky to be coming home again. Lucky we're in love in every way. Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed. Lucky to be coming home someday."
As they continued to sing, she watched them smile at each other and saw how their eyes sparkled and got those little lines at the sides and how they really meant the words they were singing. She remembered how mama said that at one time they were the most important people in each other's lives and it finally made sense to her. Bella was her best friend in New York and Zola was her best friend in Seattle and they would go a long time without seeing each other and sometimes they would fight, but she still loved them and they were still very important to her and when she saw them again after so long, none of the fighting mattered and it was like they were never apart. They were just happy to see each other and be together again. Her mama and her mommy used to be best friends and they fought and didn't see each other for a long time, but now none of that matters anymore because they are happy to be together again. Happy to be a family again…and they felt lucky enough to have that back. She knew her bad behavior is what caused her mommy to move out here, but seeing them like this, seeing how happy they both were, how much they loved each other, she couldn't be sad or sorry for that. Though neither of them really talked to her about it, she knew she should apologize, say something, she just hoped they would understand what she was trying to say.
When the song ended, she cleared her throat and said, "Mommies?" Arizona lowered the volume on the radio and turned to look at her daughter at the same time Callie glanced in the rear view mirror at her and both women saw the little girl had a serious look on her face. Arizona asked, "What is it sweetie? Does your wrist hurt? Is the wrap too tight?" Sofia shook her head and said, "No, it's um…I know I was bad in Seattle and I never really got into trouble for it. I'm sorry I stole the money and made you worry and sad mommy. But…" Both women looked at each other, concern written all over their faces. They didn't know where this was coming from, not until their daughter finished with, "But I'm not sorry too because that made mommy want to move out here and I'm not sorry that you are together and…and I'm not sorry you both got your best friend back. So, yeah, I'm sorry I was bad, but I'm not sorry cuz now we are a family again." Fortunately, they had just arrived at their destination so both women could give their full attention to their daughter and the conversation she apparently wanted to have.
Unbuckling her seat belt, Callie turned so she could face both of her girls and started, "Thank you for acknowledging that you made bad choices and apologizing for them." Sofia looked up at both parents and asked, "Are you mad at me? For what I did? For what I just said?" The two women looked at each other and Arizona nodded at Callie to continue. Callie took her hand and they both reached out for Sofia to take their free hands as well and she said, "We aren't mad, but we were disappointed that you chose to steal that money instead of talk to one of us." When the little girl opened her mouth to explain, Arizona finished, "But we understand why you didn't feel like you could. We also know that you were in a very difficult situation. That's the reason I chose to move out here with you. It wasn't fair of us to think you could be away from either of us for such a long time, nor that we could be away from you." Sofia nodded and Callie added, "So you need to understand, just because things worked out in your favor, in all of our favor, it doesn't mean you get to break our rules, or break the law every time something isn't going your way. Things won't always turn out like this, there could be serious consequences." Sofia put her head down and said, "I know. I'm sorry and I will never steal again and I will talk to you when something is bothering me." Both women smiled and squeezed the little girl's hand then Callie winked at Arizona and said, "And Sof?" Her mini-me looked up with sadness and regret swirling in her expressive brown eyes as Callie finished, "We aren't sorry we are together and can be a family again either." All three smiled brightly then and Arizona said, "Let's go, and for your sake Torres, there had better be food soon." All of them laughed and got out of the car ready to start their adventure.
As they turned the corner, Arizona saw a small group of what looked to be two other families with a college age girl in a bright green shirt and hat standing in front of the Flatiron Building and realized they must be going on another tour. She smiled and turned to Callie as she observed, "You're really getting into these little tours aren't you?" Callie laughed and explained, "There was an advertisement and discount for this one on the bottom of our tickets last week. When I saw it, I knew you two would love it." Just then, the woman clapped her hands and said, "Good morning everyone, I am Missy and I will be your guide on the New York City Underground Donut Tour." Sofia and the other three kids in the group, who appeared to also be surprised, jumped and clapped upon hearing the announcement. Arizona smirked and bumped Callie's shoulder as she teased, "And this has nothing to do with the fact that you haven't had a donut in four years?" Callie shrugged her shoulders, bent her thumb and forefinger so they were about a half inch apart and answered, "Maybe a little bit." Both women laughed and turned to listen to their guide tell them some of the history behind the area and the first shop they were about to enter.
Callie sat back with her iced coffee and maple glazed bacon donut watching her daughter and girlfriend sample all the sweet treats that were offered up for them. While she had tasted a few different options, she found one she liked and settled on that deciding to pace herself. This was only the first of four shops after all. The rest of her family were perfectly content sharing the small tray of samples they were given. She almost choked on her laughter when she realized Arizona finally came upon a donut that was too sweet even for her. She knew it was bad when the blonde took a large drink of rich dark roast that was given to them without even sprucing it up with her normal cream and sugar. "Who puts sugary, fruity, breakfast cereal on a glazed donut?" Arizona asked as she continued to make a disgusted face at the food item that offended her taste-buds. Callie chuckled and offered her own sweet and savory treat to try to pacify her girlfriend, as she soothed, "Here, take a bite of this, it's not so sweet. We can't have you tapping out at the first place we visit." Arizona smiled and took a bite of Callie's donut and rolled her eyes and moaned in appreciation of the salty sweet taste that seemed to put her palate to rights again. She smirked as she noticed brown eyes had turned just a shade darker and were staring at her intently. Leaning forward, she whispered, "None of that now, this is a family friendly tour Calliope." She then kissed the taller woman on the cheek and turned to listen to the guide as she tried to gather everyone up to continue with their tour.
Walking arm in arm after leaving the second donut shop in Chelsea, both women watched as their daughter laughed and giggled with the other kids in the tour as they peeked into store windows and tried to pose like the mannequins. Callie shook her head and said, "It's a shame our kid is so shy." Arizona put her tongue in her cheek and agreed, "Mmmhmm, it only makes sense though, all three of her parents are so uptight and reserved." Callie laughed at that and said, "She really is a good mix of all of us isn't she?" Arizona looked up just in time to see her daughter standing in front of a window with her arms crossed and her little eyebrow quirked into a perfect upside down 'V' and smirked as she bumped Callie's shoulder and said, "Some of us more than others." Seeing her own signature move mimicked by her daughter, Callie puffed up with pride, but turned and said, "I have no idea what you're talking about." She then arched her own perfectly manicured brow in challenge, causing the blonde to throw her head back and laugh.
As they continued to walk and passively listen while the tour guide explained the history of the surrounding buildings, Arizona looked at Callie and asked, "So you really haven't had a donut for four years?" Callie blushed and said, "Nope, even went so far as to claim I was allergic to yeast but got caught in that lie really fast because you know how I love my bread." Arizona laughed at that and asked, "Of all things, why donuts?" Callie shrugged and said, "I'm not really sure, I think it's because that story you told me about how donuts always made you feel better when you were sad and you kept bringing me donuts when George died. It's just something I equated with you from that point on." Not even realizing their daughter had returned to their side, both women were caught off guard when they heard, "Who's George?" and looked down to see questioning brown eyes staring at them expectantly. At her girlfriend's panicked look, Arizona realized Callie's brief relationship with George had become such a small part of her past neither of them gave a second thought to the fact that they may someday have to explain Callie's first marriage to their daughter. Deciding today was not that day, she simply answered, "George was a good friend of your mama's when they were younger and he was a real hero." Both women were relieved when the little girl nodded and seemingly already bored with her parents, ran off to join the other kids once again. Callie covered her face with her hands and said, "Oh my God, is it sad I almost forgot about that?" Arizona laughed and said, "No, but just thinking of my own decisions, I wish younger me would have realized there might come a time that I had to justify some of those choices to my future children." Callie thought back to her own past and what she knew of Arizona's and asked, "Oh God, where is a time machine when you need it most?" Arizona was only thinking of one moment in particular and got a sad look in her eye then said solemnly, "If only." Hearing the remorseful tone, Callie looked at Arizona and saw exactly where her mind went and leaned down to kiss her cheek and soothed, "Some things are better left in the past. It never has to come up. Okay?" Arizona nodded and was relieved to see they had arrived at their third destination just in time.
Deciding she was nearly at sugar overload; Arizona sat and sipped her coffee as she watched Sofia and Callie argue over the last bite of a raspberry filled donut. She laughed as Callie got a surprised look on her face, pointed to the window knowing good and well their daughter would look and stole the coveted pastry, popping it into her mouth just in time for Sofia to turn her head back and scowl at her. "No fair! You stole it." the little girl pouted then looked to Arizona to help her out. Arizona shrugged and said, "Maybe you should have played rock, paper, scissors. Surely you woulda won anyhow." Callie laughed when she heard the saltiness in Arizona's tone as she mocked her daughter's comment from the day before. At her girlfriend's raised brow, Arizona shrugged and said, "What? Revenge is sweet in any form." Callie laughed and said, "But you didn't even get to taste the donut." Arizona wrapped her fingers in Callie's shirt, yanked her forward and easily slipped her tongue between surprised plump red lips and moaned at the lingering taste of raspberry then pulled back and said, "Mmm deliciously sweet. Just like I said." Sofia rolled her eyes and stomped off saying, "You guys are gross." Still dazed from the brief but sexy kiss, Callie shook her head and whispered, "You do that on purpose." Arizona smiled and asked, "Tease our child? Absolutely, it's a parent's right." Callie shook her head and whined, "No! Tease me." Arizona shrugged and said, "Oh, well that's a girlfriend's right." Callie glanced around the small café and seeing no one was really paying attention, slid her hand a little too far under Arizona's shorts for public consumption and turned her fingers to caress her inner thigh as she husked in her ear, "Revenge in any form is sweet baby, just remember that." At Arizona's soft moan, she nipped her earlobe and quickly sat back in her own seat, smirking when she heard Arizona growl at her.
Wrapping up their tour at the Doughnut Project in Greenwich Village, all three sat around a small table staring at the item in front of them as if it were going to bite them. Sofia pushed the plate a little closer to Callie and said, "You try it." Callie sneered at the offending item and pushed it toward Arizona and said, "Let mommy try it, she's the donut connoisseur of the family." Arizona shook her head and argued, "Oh no no no, it has garlic on it." Callie smirked and asked, "What are you a vampire?" At Arizona's raised brow and nearly imperceptible glance at her breasts, Callie shook her head and said, "Forget I asked." She then eyed the pastry suspiciously and asked, "Who even thought to make an everything donut? I mean, there are some things you just don't do." Arizona shrugged and said, "I don't know, but remember the mac and cheese cupcakes? Those were awesome." Callie shoved the plate closer to Arizona and said, "But there was no actual cake in the mac and cheese cupcakes. Who puts garlic, onions, and sesame seeds on a donut?" Arizona pushed it back and said, "You like sweet and savory, you loved the bacon donuts." Callie scoffed and said, "Hello…bacon!" Sofia giggled at her mothers' silly argument and the idea of a mac and cheese cupcake then slumped in her seat when she saw a tan and pale hand push the plate in her direction as her brunette mommy challenged, "You eat fish sticks on tacos. You try it!" The little girl slapped her hand over her mouth and shook her head back and forth emphatically. Arizona shook her head and said, "I can't do it, it's an affront to donuts everywhere." Callie pushed it aside claiming, "If I eat that, it will be another four years before I pick up another donut." None of them deciding they wanted to punish their taste-buds after a morning of overdosing on deliciousness, Callie carried the monstrosity to a trash can and dumped it in, not feeling the least bit bad about it. She smiled as she saw her girlfriend and daughter already beat her to the counter to order the dozen donuts she promised, though she wondered how in the world they still craved sweets after this.
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Stepping off the steps leading from the subway tunnel, Arizona turned as she heard Sofia gasp and watched as the little girl looked around her in awe. She turned to Callie who was snapping pictures, not of their surroundings, but of the look of pure amazement on their daughter's face. Smiling at the little girl's response she said, "I can't believe you never brought her to Times Square." Callie turned and saw that Arizona was looking at Sofia with the most loving look in her eyes, best super-magic smile on her lips, and an expression of pure joy on her face and quickly snapped a picture of her girlfriend. She held up her phone and showed first the picture of their daughter, then the picture of Arizona and said, "There's no way I could let you miss that, or that I would miss this." Arizona looked at both pictures and felt her heart flip once again. It never tired her to see or hear proof that Callie truly had thought about her, about having her back in her life. Leaning up on her tip toes, she planted a hard kiss on the brunette's cheek and said, "I love you so much." Callie leaned down and kissed Arizona on her cheek as well and returned, "I love you too. Now, where to?" Arizona reached out and linked their fingers and asked, "Sof, what did you want to see here?" The little girl spun around in a circle with her arms spread wide and said, "EVERYTHING!" Callie laughed and said, "Everything it is then. I only have one request; I get to pick where we go for lunch." Seeing both of her companions nod their heads in agreement, Callie held out her arm for the little girl to lead the way.
As they walked through Madam Tussauds Wax Museum, Callie grabbed Arizona's arm and whispered, "I'm sorry, but these things are just creepy. It's like they are following me with their eyes and I swear Madonna just moved." Arizona laughed and responded, "Seriously Callie, you're 40 years old." Callie stepped back, insulted, and corrected "I am 39 for two more months thank you very much. You are 40 years old." Arizona shook her head and argued, "Unh un unh, not for five more months. You are never going to admit you are older than me are you?" Callie argued, "Only by three months so it doesn't really count." Arizona chuckled and said, "But two months matter when it comes to when you turn 40?" Callie put her hand on her hip, tilted her head and asked, "Does five months matter when it comes to YOU turning 40?" Arizona opened her mouth and shut it again then said, "Oh look Sof, there's Shrek." Callie laughed and said, "That's what I thought." As they continued through the museum, each woman was secretly developing a plan to celebrate the other's birthday.
Hearing Sofia's bubbly laughter, Arizona turned in time to see her girlfriend standing in front of the Hulk mimicking his pose and felt a little jolt as she watched tan biceps flex reminding her just how strong those arms are. She quickly took out her phone and snapped a few pictures and laughed when Sofia joined in and proceeded to take pictures while her two favorite brunettes bounced from hero to hero copying their poses and pretending to fight with them. Arizona shook her head thinking about Callie's reactions just a few minutes ago; sometimes she would swear the other woman pretended to dislike things just to be arbitrary or to protect her badass image. But she could clearly see how much she was enjoying herself with the wax figures. Being a few steps ahead of her family, she glanced around the corner and smiled brightly as she saw something she knew her girlfriend would thoroughly appreciate. She quickly purchased three tickets so they could enjoy the full experience and went to gather her family. She sidled up next to Callie, waved the tickets in front of her and said, "I did a thing." She watched as brown eyes darted from the little strips of paper up to her face and filled with excitement as Callie asked, "Really?" Arizona nodded and responded, "Really, let's go." She almost lost her balance as Callie pulled her forward and hollered for their daughter.
Sofia stood to the side with her mommy's phone laughing at her parents who were trying to play a song on the giant floor piano. Seeing they had given up, she turned off the recording and ran to join them. Out of breath from laughing and hopping around the floor, Callie stepped back and looked around the room to see characters from some of the greatest Broadway Shows of all time. This was another of her guilty pleasures she was sure no one but Arizona and now Sofia knew about. She loved all things theater and probably knew every show-tune by heart. In fact, it was one of her overly-enthusiastic performances in the shower when she thought no one was around that tipped her girlfriend off and made her spill the beans after swearing her to secrecy. Walking up behind Arizona, she wrapped her arms around her middle and whispered, "I can't believe you got us the Broadway Experience. This is amazing Arizona! Thank you." She kissed the blonde's temple and smiled when her arms were pulled even tighter bringing their bodies closer together. Happy the other woman liked her little surprise she said, "It's the least I could do after our yummy tour this morning." Callie smiled and swayed them both as they watched their daughter climb the stage and follow the directions of their personal guide. As the little girl recited the lines she was given, Arizona whispered, "She's a natural. Look how much feeling and expression she is putting into that." Callie nodded in agreement and suggested, "Maybe we should ask her if she would like to take classes or something. She loves dancing and singing." Arizona thought about all the advertisements for dance and acting classes she had seen since arriving then replied, "Well, we are certainly in the right place for it."
"Wow! Mama's good." Sofia whispered in awe as she watched Callie sing along with who she just learned was the Phantom of the Opera. Arizona swallowed the lump in her throat and said with just as much reverence as their daughter, "She's amazing." She had heard Callie sing many times throughout their relationship, but more playfully like they did in the car. Never before had she seen anything like this from her girlfriend. It amazed her that the woman standing on the stage now belting out this beautiful song without a care in the world was the same woman who threw up and did the pee dance at just the thought of speaking to a crowd. As the song finished, Callie opened her eyes and nearly cried as she saw her family stand up from their seats whistling and clapping for her. She'd always been told she had a beautiful voice, but never had the nerve to do anything with it and her parents wouldn't let her pursue a career in theater anyway. But this right here. This was the only audience she needed. As they wrapped up their little tour and headed out of the room, Sofia pointed to a poster with a tall lady with long black hair, and tan skin wearing a light blue dress next to a man dressed like a king and said, "Mama, that lady looks like you!" Callie turned back to see her daughter was pointing at a Spamalot poster and shrugged saying, "I don't see it."
After leaving the Broadway section, they ventured into the movie area and Sofia ran up to a creature she had never seen before and asked, "Mommy who's this?" Callie looked up to see what her daughter was looking at, rolled her eyes and said, "Oh brother, now you've done it." She hung her head and cursed her daughter's inquisitive nature when Arizona looked over and squealed, "Oh my gosh! You don't know who E.T. is Sof?" The little girl shook her head at her blonde mother who was now bubbling with excitement as she explained the movie to her and said, "It's one of my all-time favorite movies by Steven Spielberg." Sofia opened her mouth and Callie jumped to stop her but was too late as the little girl asked, "Who is that?" Arizona bounced over to another wax figure of a man with greying hair and a beard wearing a tan baseball cap and vest with a long-sleeved shirt and jeans squatting like he was talking to the little blonde girl in the scene and said, "This is Steven Spielberg the director and he is a genius!" Callie shook her head and said, "I swear if I didn't know you, I'd think you had a crush on the man." Arizona stood up and made a disgusted face and said, "Eww that's sick Calliope. He could be my father!" Callie just laughed, looked at her watch and said, "Well unless your father is going to feed us lunch…well dinner now, I suggest you two say your goodbyes. I'm hungry for some real food." Arizona looked back at the scene from her favorite childhood movie and smirked as she said, "You know what Sof, I'm sure I have that DVD somewhere. Maybe we can all watch it together." She laughed as Callie visibly flinched, knowing full well her girlfriend claimed to hate that movie for some reason she refused to share.
Sofia looked around the Stardust Diner taking in all the bright lights and pictures of famous actors and singers on the walls. It looked like an old time restaurant like in the movies. Turning to Callie she asked, "Did you have restaurants like this when you were younger?" Arizona could swear she snorted milkshake out of her nose at the astounded look on Callie's face as she asked, "What is it with you two making me out to be some old person today? I bring my family out for a nice day together and this is the thanks I get. To answer your question, no, this type of place was way before my time." She smiled sweetly at Arizona and said, "Maybe mommy remembers it though." The blonde narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend and shook her head saying, "No honey, they had restaurants like this when your grandparents were younger. Mama and I are way too young to have had anything like this." Sofia nodded then asked, "So what's so special about this place? Why did you want to come here mama?" Just as she asked that question, she heard a familiar song from one of her favorite movies and her eyes widened when she saw a waiter jump up onto a table and start singing the opening song from Beauty and the Beast. Looking wildly between both mothers she asked, "Did you see that? Can he do that?" Both women just laughed at their daughter and were torn between watching the entertainment and the little girl's reactions.
Callie finished her meal while watching her daughter and her girlfriend, who was now completely enthralled with the little production, sing along to their favorite Disney songs. She couldn't contain her own smile at the pure childlike expressions on both faces. She loved these days, these little outings with her family where they experienced things together, shared their favorite things with each other. Feeling a hand grip hers, she looked up to see Arizona studying her closely and explained, "I was just thinking about how much I have loved these little excursions. I'd like to keep up our family day. I know it can't be every week, but maybe twice a month?" Arizona nodded, linked their fingers together, and brought it to her lips to kiss the back of Callie's hand and bargained, "As long as we get some date nights in as well." Callie smiled and brought their hands to her own lips and kissed Arizona's soft pale skin and responded, "Absolutely and if I remember correctly, you still owe me a date." Arizona smiled brightly and said, "Oh, I haven't forgotten, it's actually scheduled for next weekend. I was going to see if Sof could have a sleep over with Jessica and we could return the favor for them sometime." Callie nodded in agreement. She was actually really excited about the prospect of a date. She loved getting dressed up and showing off her girlfriend, it had been so long since they actually went on dates together.
Sofia was still dancing and singing the last Disney song that was performed as they walked down the street after finishing their late lunch/early dinner. Intertwining their fingers, Arizona asked, "So what's next?" Callie watched as their daughter skipped in front of them and said, "I figure she will be pooping out soon so maybe make our way back to the car, stop into a few stores on the way?" Arizona nodded then laughed as their daughter spun around in a circle and stopped dead in her tracks as her eyes landed on something across the street. Following her gaze, she realized what caught her daughter's attention and she pulled on the hand she was holding and pointed, "Callie look!" Callie followed her finger and rolled her eyes asking, "Seriously Arizona?" She actually jumped when her daughter let out a squeal, the likes of which she had never heard before, and ran up to them begging, "Mommies look! A Disney Store can we go in? Please, please pretty please?" Callie looked into the excited faces she loved so much and knew she didn't dare say no. Plus she secretly loved this place, both because she was a closeted fan and also because she got so much joy from seeing how happy it made both of her girls. Nodding her approval, she nearly tripped over her own feet as she was dragged to the crosswalk.
Callie was looking at the DVD's trying to remember which movies were still missing from the collection they started for Sofia when she was just a baby when a shirt was shoved in her face. She turned to see Arizona smiling brightly as she asked, "Should we get you this?" Callie looked down at the bright yellow shirt with a picture of an angry little man on the front and argued, "I am not Grumpy Arizona!" Arizona smiled and asked, "Then why are you scowling at a row of Disney movies?" Callie chuckled and said, "I'm trying to remember what movies we still need." Arizona pulled out her phone and chirped, "I have a list." Callie laughed and said, "Of course you do." She wrapped her arms around Arizona's back and kissed her temple as she asked, "Do you remember the first time we brought Sof into one of these stores?" Arizona laughed and responded, "Yeah, she was three and latched onto that Elsa dress and wouldn't let it go." Callie snorted at the unintended pun and added, "We just started letting her pick her own outfits and I swear she put it on every day for I don't know how long." Callie laughed as she recalled their daughter's fits when they attempted to put the gown in the washer and asked, "What ever happened to that thing?" Arizona smiled and said, "I may have told her it got ruined in the laundry, but it's in one of my boxes somewhere. I couldn't bear to throw it away." Callie chuckled and asked, "Learned that trick from your mom did ya?" Arizona thought about it and said, "Yeah, I guess I did."
Callie heard her daughter calling them from somewhere in the store, looked up to see the excitement in her eyes as she pointed to a giant statue of Mickey Mouse and asked, "Do you think it's time?" Arizona's eyes sparkled and Callie could swear she felt the excitement radiating off her as she turned to ask, "Really?" Callie nodded and added, "She's at an age that she will thoroughly enjoy it. I don't want to wait too much longer or the magic will be gone." Arizona was literally bouncing on her toes and asked, "When?" Callie shrugged and said, "I don't know, maybe Christmas? By then, the Robbins-Herman center will be up and running smoothly and you'll be ready for a little break." Arizona threw her arms around Callie's neck and gave her a smacking kiss right on the lips and said, "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." Callie pulled back and said, "It's settled then, we're going to Disney World. Now let's go see what our daughter is up to before she decides to buy the whole store." Arizona nodded and followed her girlfriend through the aisle.
XXXX
"We just bought three new movies. Why do we have to watch E.T.?" Callie complained as she settled down next to Sofia on the couch while Arizona put in the DVD she had spent the last 20 minutes looking for. Arizona turned and smiled sweetly as she responded, "Because Sofia has never seen it and it's like a right of passage." Callie shook her head at her girlfriend's response, huffed, and sank down further in her seat with her arms crossed. She knew she was being irrational, especially without an explanation, but it was just too embarrassing to share. About a half hour into the movie, Arizona heard a low mumbling sound and turned just in time to see Callie's lips moving along with the lines being said on the television. She shook her head in disbelief. Callie always claimed she had only seen the movie once and would never watch it again. Unable to help herself, she accused, "Oh my God! Calliope Torres, you love this movie!" Realizing she was caught, Callie hung her head and reached out to pause the movie.
Looking at her daughter and girlfriend who were watching her expectantly Callie said, "Fine, I will tell you, but this never leaves this room." Both Arizona and Sofia nodded in agreement and Callie started, "I was six years old when I discovered E.T. I watched it at my friend's house and fell in love with it. Every time we were allowed to watch television I always asked to watch it. Being the baby, of course I got what I wanted. Aria got so sick of it, she kept hiding the video cassette and pulling the plug pretending the VCR was broken but I kept finding it and figured out she unplugged the VCR. One night after making her watch it twice in a row when we were left with the nanny, she decided to end it once and for all. She waited until I fell asleep, snuck into my room, and kept tapping me until I woke up. When I looked up, all I could see was a red glow stick and she used this creepy voice telling me she was E.T. and it was time for him to go home and if I ever watched the movie again, he would come get me and take me back to his planet where the aliens would torture me and never let me see my family again. It scared me so badly, I peed my bed and I could never watch it again, even as an adult." She looked up then, expecting to see her girlfriend and daughter holding back their laughter. Instead she saw blue and brown eyes sparking with anger and they both said at the same time, "That's just mean!" Sofia climbed into her mama's lap and Arizona scooted closer and put her arm around her shoulders and turned off the movie immediately saying, "We don't have to finish it. I'm sorry." Callie's heart filled with warmth knowing her family's first instinct was to protect her. She kissed both her girls on their cheeks, snuggled in closer and responded, "We can finish it. I have my family to protect me." Arizona nodded and started the movie once again.
Arizona blinked and was nearly blinded by the blue light glaring from the television. Looking to her left, she notice Sofia was still on Callie's lap sound asleep with her head on her shoulder and Callie's head was tilted back in what appeared to be the most uncomfortable position she had ever seen snoring lightly. Apparently none of them made it to the end of the movie. Sitting up, she whispered, "Callie honey, the movie's over." Callie grumbled and snorted then lifted her head and asked, "What?" She too was struggling with adapting to the bright blue light in the room as she opened her eyes. Looking around, she realized what Arizona said to her. Nodding she started to stand up to carry Sofia to her room when the little girl lifted her head and asked, "Are you going to be okay mama? Are you scared?" Both women smiled at their daughter's concern and Callie whispered, "I'm just fine sweetheart, mommy will keep me safe." She stood up and carried her to her room and waited for Arizona to pull down the covers before depositing the little girl into her bed. Both women kissed her on the forehead then quietly left the room. Arizona had already pulled down the covers and was sitting in bed with her prosthetic off by the time Callie made it through the house turning off lights and double-checking the alarm system. As soon as she crawled into bed, she noticed Arizona had taken the position of the big spoon and quickly cuddled up in front of her and asked, "You're really going to protect me huh?" Arizona kissed the back of her neck and whispered, "I'll always protect you Calliope." As the two drifted off to sleep, Callie already knew she was going to wake with a smile on her face.
A/N: Before anyone argues, let me explain…In my mind, Callie and Arizona are around the same age because Callie was in the Peace Corps for two years before college or at some point before she got too far into declaring a major because she said that's what convinced her to go to med school. So, assuming that professionally she is two years behind Arizona, who was supposedly Kinley's fellow before she became head of the department after he died, and Callie was in her fifth year of residency, that would put them at around the same age. Also, though we are never told either of their ages, assuming Callie was 32 when she had Sofia who is now 8, she would be turning 40 that year. Because they never showed Callie having a birthday, I am using creative license and borrowing Sara's birthday. Arizona's surprise party was aired on November 6th for the first time, so I am sticking with this date for her birthday.
If this isn't a good enough argument, then all I can say is that this timeline fits with my storyline and if I offend your own version of their ages, I apologize and hope it doesn't change your mind about my story.
The song is Lucky by Jason Mraz with Colby Callais
I do not own the rights to anything I mentioned in this chapter including the characters.