It had been two days since Arizona had boldly decided to kiss me on the couch. Arizona had started to give me even more space, maybe because she thought she had overstepped or maybe because she too needed the space, either way, the space was starting to worry me. I thought kissing her back would be enough to remind her that I still wanted her and that I was slowly but surely returning to her but me pulling away had somewhat overshadowed the accidental gesture.
Arizona had just finished reading Sofia a story and checking on the boys before she appeared in the kitchen looking for something sweet to eat. "Do we have any chocolate?" she asked as she opened the cupboard and scrounged around the cupboard finding only a granola bar which wasn't quite what she was after.
"There is ice cream in the freezer," I reminded her from the sanctuary of the couch.
"Oh thank goodness," she mumbled as she dove into the freezer and pulled out the tub of ice cream, grabbed a spoon and started eating it straight from the tub.
"Really? You couldn't use a bowl," I half teased.
"You use to do this all the time," Arizona teased back as she spooned a mouthful of salted caramel ice cream into her mouth.
"I was pregnant," I defended as I stood up and walked over to the island, "Can I have a spoon please?" I asked as I held my hand out.
"Nope," Arizona teased as she shovelled another spoon of ice cream into her mouth.
"Well can I have some of yours?" I asked her, trying to initiate some form of intimacy.
Arizona thought about it for a moment before digging up a spoonful of ice cream and moving the spoon towards my mouth. Just as I went to eat it, she pulled it away slightly causing her to laugh playfully.
"You're mean," I whispered.
"Okay, this time," Arizona said as she moved the ice cream towards my mouth again and inches before I latched onto it she pulled it away. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist," she laughed before she offered up the spoon for a third time.
"Are you going to pull it away again," I said, my eyes locked on hers.
"Maybe," she teased.
"What does a girl have to do to get ice cream around here?" I asked her, my eyes daring her to be bold.
"Well…." Arizona said as she put the spoon of ice cream into her own mouth. "I make Sofia kiss me if she wants ice cream," Arizona said playfully, her eyes locked on me in return, daring me to be bold back.
I looked at her for a moment, silence looming between us before I nodded, "okay," I mumbled quietly as I rounded the island so I was standing right in front of her.
"I was joking Callie," Arizona said.
"No you weren't," I said, calling her out.
"You don't have too," Arizona informed me.
I nervously raised my hand to her cheek, Arizona's eyes flickering from mine towards my lips then back. I felt her nerves radiate from her body as she slowly shuffled forward. I leant forward, my lips only inches from her lips, her breath falling heavier as she watched my every move. I let my lips linger close to hers for a moment before plucking up the courage to kiss her. The kiss was soft, her lips so soft against mine and so reluctant to deepen without my lead. Our lips parted for breath at the same time, our lips resting only inches apart from one another's while we enjoyed the close proximity.
"You can have some ice cream," Arizona finally whispered causing me to laugh lightly.
Arizona had always made me laugh, her dry, witty humour had always bee one of the things that I loved most about her.
Arizona looked down at the spoon in her hand as she grabbed a bit of ice cream, raising it to my mouth. I looked at her before finally taking the spoon in my mouth.
"More?" she asked me.
I shook my head lightly, my eyes fixated on her. "I love you," I reminded her, the three words causing Arizona to look up with surprise.
"Still?" she asked me, a smile creeping onto her face.
"Still," I confirmed as I took her hand inside my hand a smile forming on my lips.
"I'm sorry," Arizona said.
I shook my head furiously, "not yet," I murmured, "we have time for those, but not now," I urged. I wasn't ready to dive into that just yet, especially when we were finally getting somewhere.
Arizona nodded in understanding as she put the lid on the ice cream container and put it back into the sink as I held the same position, as if Arizona still stood in front of me.
"I should go to bed," Arizona announced causing me to turn around. Had I done something? Had I said something? We were doing so well and now suddenly that nervous, awkward barrier rested between us yet again.
"Yeah, of course," I said, "Goodnight," I added as I watched her leave the room. I stood there for a moment, the silence of night lingering around me. I replayed mine and Arizona's moments together, trying to find out what happened. Maybe I hadn't made it obvious enough. Maybe silencing her sorry made her think I wasn't ready to move forward. Every possibility swirled around my head before I eventually found myself walking towards Arizona's room.
When I arrived in her doorway, Arizona was lying in bed, her arms wrapped around a pillow as if a surrogate for my body. She looked up, surprised by my presence.
"Are you okay?" she asked me, worry coming over her.
I nodded as I silently entered the room and sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes watching me so closely, her body sitting up as I moved closer.
"I said I love you," I repeated.
"I love you too," Arizona whispered back, confused by the line of conversation.
Our eyes locked on one another's tightly, waiting for the other to make a move, to decide our direction.
"I love you Arizona," I repeated again in a tone that suggested I was ready for more.
"I love you too," Arizona laughed softly, clearly not getting my hints.
"God. Arizona. Come to bed with me," I said loudly with a roll of my eyes.
"Oooh, ohhhh I see what you were saying," Arizona said with a smile formed straight across her face, "yeah, of course," she nodded.
As she slipped out of bed, I took her hand and lead her silently back to our room, I could feel the nerves pulsing through her body because I felt the exact same way. There was almost expectations on this moment and neither one of us wanted to fall short.
"Do you think this is something we should be running by Dr Abshaw?" Arizona asked curiously as we arrived in our bedroom.
"Do you not want to?" I asked Arizona as I released her hand and sat on my side of the bed, my eyes looking up at Arizona who lingered in the doorway.
"Oh gosh, yes. I want to," I laughed softly, "so badly. Like really badly want to. Like really want to…"
"You want to," Callie repeated with a smile as if to tell me she got it.
"Yeah I want too," Arizona said again, "I know you feel ready for this. I'm going to be frank here," Arizona said as she came and sat beside me, her hands taking mine in her lap. "If I get into bed with you, we will start innocently spooning, we will lie awake for ages waiting for this to escalate and then they will. You will turn around and kiss me and we won't be able to stop," Arizona said with a playful, yet serious shrug.
"I'll kiss you?" I questioned causing Arizona to roll her eyes playfully.
"My point is, sex has never been our issue and I know if we were to make that step tonight that it would be amazing. Like…." Arizona paused, as if her mind was thinking of that moment, "Like amazing," she said softly, "but tomorrow when you wake up, will you still struggle to talk with me?" she asked me in a more of a serious tone.
Arizona wasn't wrong, talking, especially about what had happened was our problem. Maybe that was why watching Karev's surgical tapes was so easy for us because we knew we had something to talk about that wasn't what needed to be talked about.
"I don't know," I admitted as I dropped my head.
"I love you," Arizona said as she raised my chin so I was looking at her, "and I'm not going anywhere. You are my future Calliope. I just want to make sure when the time comes for us to be together, that you're really truly ready and if that is tonight then great but if it's not and you're even the slightest bit worried then I can wait," she whispered.
I nodded lightly at her, thankful that at least one of us was level headed. "Good night Arizona," I finally said causing the blonde to smile, lean forward and kiss my forehead, the kind of kiss that made lasted and made both our eyes flutter shut.
"I love you," she whispered against my forehead before she stood up and exited the room, leaving me and my thoughts alone to ponder the difficulties of the immediate future.
ARIZONA'S POINT OF VIEW
"Do you think we have to talk about it?" I asked my mother as I sat on the edge of my bed, phone pressed to my ear.
"Well I'm a big believer in talking about everything and being honest and open despite the consequences but I know your father and you often prefer to take a different approach," Barbara said.
"Well I want her to be better to feel safe and secure in our relationship, how do I make that happen?" I asked her, not expecting a helpful response back.
"MARRY HER!" Daniel called from the background.
"What did he say?" I asked not quite hearing my fathers words from the distance.
"It doesn't matter," Barbara shook off knowing it was somewhat of a sensitive subject between us all. My father believed that nobody, no gay, straight, bisexual, transsexual person had the rights of a marital spouse unless the law stated it so from the moment the boys were conceived my father would make subtle hints, followed up by not so subtle hints as to why we must be wed. Callie and I had discussed it and had decided that one wedding had been enough for us and that one day in the future we might marry again but it definitely wouldn't be so white wedding and so official.
"No, what did he say?" I asked her sternly.
"I said marry her," Daniel said, his voice coming through the phone loud and clear.
"Dad, she doesn't want the white wedding," I said to him.
"So, take her to the court house for all I care, that woman wants to know she is yours and if this last few weeks has taught you anything then it would be that you need to be recognized by law as Callie's wife if not for your sake, then for the sake of your children," he said so calmly yet so sternly.
"Marry her?" I repeated, considering the option.
"Daniel give me the phone," Barbara said as she returned to the phone, "If you don't want to my dear then you don't have too, this is yours and Callie's decision," she added diplomatically.
"No. Yeah. Yeah. I want to marry her," I said as I nodded, "of course I want to marry her. I love her and I love our children and I love the family we have built together. Of course I want to marry her," I beamed, the breakthrough a lot to do with my father but feeling like my own success. "How do I do it?" I asked suddenly.
"That's up to my darling, not even your father can help you with that one," she said as silence fell over the phone for a moment while I thought.
"I'm going to do it," I said simply, "like tonight," I added with a smile forming over my lips. "I love you, tell Dad thanks and I love him too," I said before hanging up the phone and glancing over at the clock on the bedside table of the spare room; 9:45am. It was Friday so I had already dropped Sofia off to school and Callie and the boys had gone for a stroll around the neighbourhood, something she had started doing to clear her head. I picked up the phone again and I dialled Karev's number. I knew where I was going to do it, I knew when, I knew how and all I needed was a bit of help.
"Yup," he answered.
"Karev. I need your help. I'm going to propose to Callie tonight, like the whole shebang, ring, flowers, down on one knee, legal marriage, the whole thing," I said excitedly as I stood to my feet and started pacing nervously through my room.
"Bout time," he muttered, "What do you need from me?" he asked.
"Meet me at Joe's at 12:30," I said as I hung up the phone and hurried out of the room and into the lounge to get my keys; I needed to run errands. Just as I picked up the keys the door opened revealing the twin's stroller, Callie navigating it into the house.
"Question," I said to Callie, "I have to run some errands, should I take the boys with me or leave them here?" I asked her curiously, not wanting to put to much pressure on her even if it was for a few hours.
"I can take care of them," she said with a soft smile.
"I love you," I said before pecking her lips like nothing had happened to lead us here.
"I love you too," Callie said with a slight shrug as I left the house in a hurry and climbed into the car.
The first stop was the jewellery store. I knew exactly what I wanted and I didn't have a lot of time to get it.
"Hello maim, can I help you?" a nice salesman asked as I entered the store.
"Actually, you can. I'm going to propose to my wife today. It's a long story but the long story short is I need a wedding ring made for me," I told him, pulling out Callie's gold band and placing it on the table. "This is my wife's wedding ring. I want this melted down and turned into something like….." I searched the cabinet for a ring that replicated the style I knew Callie loved so much, "That one, she loves those turny snakey things," I said as I looked up at the salesman. I couldn't bare the thought of throwing Callie's ring away or it sitting in the miscellaneous draw for the foreseeable future so instead I had this thought that I would melt down the past and turn it into our future, in the form of a brand new ring. Getting it done in less than 8 hours would be the tricky part.
"Well how about we start with a solid design, ring sizing, diamond sizes, then we will send it away to be done. We could probably get it done in the next three weeks," he said kindly.
"Here is the catch, ahhh, Jeff. Jeff is it?" I asked, Jeff responding with a swift nod and a 'yes maim'. "Well I'm proposing to my wife tonight. Very last minute. It's a long story and honestly you probably don't want to hear it. I know what I want. I know what my wife would want and I'm willing to pay you double for this ring if you can get it done before 6pm, 4pm if you're feeling extra awesome," I explained.
"Let me get the jeweller," he said simply as he walked behind a curtain, an older gentleman walking out moments later.
"A brand new ring in 8 hours," he repeated as he took the gold ring and looked at it closely.
"Sir, I imagine you hear epic love stories every day in your job but mine, mine is the best. I married my best friend then I lost my leg, lost myself and eventually lost her. I found her again and she bared me two beautiful boys only get loose herself and I want her to know that I'm there, that I'm not going anywhere…. She needs to know that," I said so confidently.
"I can do it," he said simply, "I'm a sucker for a good love story," he said with a big smile on his face.
"You are incredible. I want something like this. She loves the gold snakey wrap thingys on the rings and loves the mixture of the gold and silver," I told him simply.
"What about diamond size?" he asked me as he jotted down my notes.
"Not too big, she hates it flashing in her eyes but not too small because I don't want her to think I cheaped out," I laughed softly.
"Something like this?" he asked as he pointed to a specific diamond.
"Yeah, that would be perfect," I admitted.
"How much are you looking to spend?" he asked me finally.
"I don't care. I want the most beautiful ring to represent the most beautiful girl, there is no limit on that," I said.
"I can get it done by 6. If it's done before I'll call you," he said simply, a smile forming over his lips as he watched my face light up with excitement.
"You my friend, are spectacular. Actually, better than spectacular, you are out of this world amazing," I said as I left the store and made my way to the next stop on my list; the photo store. The photo store was less stressful but more time consuming. I went through all our pictures together, from my phone, off facebook, off Instagram, from the all famous and mighty powerful cloud picking all my favourite photos, photos that commemorated all the happiest moments and milestones in our lives. At the end I had selected over 300 pictures that I wanted to print and that didn't even include some of the more personal ones. The lady informed me that printing 300 pictures with the cue they already had might take them some time so to return in a couple of hours. A couple of hours was the perfect amount of time to complete a few of the other tasks on my to do list.
The next stop was the florist. I handpicked every single flower, mostly Callie's favourite but a few of mine too.
"Do you deliver?" I asked her curiously.
"Yes we do. There is a delivery fee though," she informed me.
"That's fine," I said as I pulled some cash out of my wallet, enough to cover both the flowers and the delivery fee, "Can I have those delivered to Joe's bar at 5:30pm?" I asked her curiously.
"We close at 5:30 but we could do 5 o clock," she suggested.
"5 is fine," I said as I handed her the money. "Thank you," I said sincerely before I left the store.
I had an entire plan in my head, a lot of different pieces to fulfil the plan and not a lot of time to make sure it came together. That was when Karev came in. I jumped into my car and I drove over to Joes where both Karev and Joe were expecting me.
"Please tell me you're not proposing here?" Karev said as he looked around at the room that was scattered with hospital staff.
"Shhh, don't say the word," I said.
"There aint nothing wrong with p.r.o.p.o.s.i.n.g in a bar," Joe said spelling out each individual letter of the word 'proposal'.
"I'd hope all these people know how to spell proposing," I whispered, "Say hamburger," I told them.
"Fine," Karev grumbled, "Why are you going to eat your hamburger here? Why not eat it in the Seattle gardens or down at the harbour," Karev suggested.
"Well Callie and I met here, this is where it all started. I want this whole hamburger situation to symbolise a fresh start without forgetting where we came from and we came from here," I said with a smile, "Joe gave me the shot that gave me the courage to kiss her," I said as I punched Joe playfully.
"This isn't the first hamburger eaten in my bar, doubt it'll be my last," Joe said proudly. "So what is the plan of attack?" he asked.
I spent the next 5 minutes or so explaining every detail that I had imagined. Both Joe and Karev chimed in when necessary but for the most part they listened taking note of all the things they would have to do before 6:30pm; that was when I planned to do it.
"Karev, if the ring isn't done by 4 I need you to pick it up from the jeweller," I reminded him as I looked at my phone, double checking the time. "I should go, Callie is at home with the boys," I stated simply, "and don't forget the photos, and…"
"Spread them out," Joe finished, repeating the same words I had said over and over again.
"I'm just checking you remember," I said.
"We remember Robbins. We've got it under control," Karev said as he rested his hands on his hips and watched me reluctantly leave the bar my keys clutched nervously in my hand.
When I arrived home both the boys were asleep, and Callie was wiping down the benches in the kitchen. I couldn't help but smile when I saw her face.
"Hey," Callie said as she glanced up me, returning the smile.
"Hey beautiful," I said as I placed the keys on the bench and I leant over pecking Callie's lips.
"Somebody is happy," she said, her smile growing after our lips meeting.
"How could I not be. I've got the girl, I've got the kids, I've got the perfect life," I said as I walked over to the fridge to pour myself a glass of cold water.
"Arizona, do you think we could talk quickly?" Callie said, laying the cloth over the tap and leaning up against the island her eyes fixated on me as I poured myself a glass of water.
"Yeah of course, what do you want to talk about?" I asked as I turned around and leant against the kitchen bench opposite her.
"Well I think maybe there are some things that maybe you and I want to say to one another and I for one would like to get it over and done with so we can keep moving forward," Callie said, nervousness lingering in her voice.
"Okay," I said wearily. It would be a lie if I said I was looking forward to this conversation.
"Well seeing as you're too polite to rip into me at the moment how about I start with one thing that annoyed me about you during everything we have been through," Callie said as she bit down on her lip nervously. "It annoyed me that you dismissed my stress as something any stay at mum could handle," she said simply and bluntly.
I nodded in agreeance my happy, joyful soul slowly diminishing back to reality, "Yeah I know," I said as I placed the cup of water beside me. "I don't have an excuse for how I behaved. I was so excited to back at work and so stressed myself with how much I had to catch up on that I didn't even stop to think about what you might have been going through," I admitted, "And I'm sorry for that and all I can say is, I will do better," I said, my eyes locked on hers.
"I know Arizona. I know you're sorry. I just feel we need to say it all, I don't want us to get through it and dredge it up another day because we haven't been able to say this stuff," Callie said. "Now you go," Callie said with a soft nod in my direction.
"You weren't you," I stated.
"Doesn't mean you can't be mad," she explained. "I need you to tell me, so that I can come to piece with it," she begged.
I sighed softly and I closed my eyes for a split second before settling them back on Callie, "I was hurt when you took your wedding ring off and said…."
Callie nodded, she instantly knew the moment and her frantic nods made me realise she had heard enough. "I know," she whispered shamefully.
"But I know you didn't mean it," I reminded her.
"But I did," Callie admitted as tears fell from her eyes silently. "It may not have been me speaking but I remember feeling that way," Callie said softly, "I was so mad at you and I remember thinking…." Callie paused as she took a few deep breaths in attempt to steady herself.
I stepped forward and I took her hands in mine, "you can tell me," I assured her.
"I was so mad that I remember thinking, thank god we aren't legally married," she said as she hung her head shamefully, tears rolling down her face.
I stopped for a minute, my eyes blinking rapidly as if to fight back my own tears. 'She was sick' I had to remind myself over and over again before finally plucking up the courage to speak. "Do you feel that way now?" I asked her bravely.
Callie shook her head furiously as she finally looked up at me.
"Then it wasn't you," I reminded her, not entirely convinced by my own words.
"I said so many horrible things," she sobbed.
I embraced Callie, letting her bury her head into my shoulder like she so often did when she was upset. "I forgive you," I said. "I honestly, forgive you," I repeated as I leant down and kissed her face.
"How? I can't even forgive myself," she said in between sobs.
I took Callie's face in my hands and I bent down so I was looking her in the face, "I promise on my love for our children that I forgive you and I'll be here every step of the way, loving you, while you forgive yourself," I said.
Callie sunk back into my arms and I held her up, my hand rubbing up and down her back as she battled with her own conscious. This conversation made me realise any issues we had were all within her. I had two whole weeks to be mad, understand and forgive. I couldn't help but remember what my mother had said to me once when I was a teenager, 'Love her as much as you can and she will learn to love herself,' a line that I had chosen to live my life by and a line that I so identified with right now.
"God, how do I have any water left in my body," Callie said, half crying, half laughing.
I laughed and I kissed her cheek lightly, "You're an overachiever," I teased her as I wiped her tears away. "You and I are going out tonight," I announced. "The kids too," Informed her as I pushed her hair from her eyes.
"What's the occasion?" she asked me, her face stained red but her tears no longer falling down her face.
"You and me. Our family. Our future. We are the occasion," I said with a soft smile forming on my lips.
"Where are we going?" she asked me as I rested my hands on her hips harmlessly.
"It's a surprise," I said to her.
"How do I know what to wear?" Callie responded.
"Wear something that makes you feel beautiful," I told her.
"Since when did you become this big poetic, romantic?" Callie asked me a smirk coiling on the edges of her lips.
"My dad," I laughed, "And you," I admitted as I placed my hand on her cheek and ran my thumb lovingly over her skin. "I'm still learning to be your wife," I told her. "You deserve you as a wife. This loving and caring mother who always puts me and our children in front of yourself. I want to be that for you," I explained to her.
Callie leant forward and she kissed me, her eyes flickering closed as she did. I felt her lips slowly deepen and her damp face push up against mine. "You are perfect," she whispered as she rested her head against mine. "I think we both need to learn to forgive ourselves a bit," she said.
CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW
"Sof, quickly," I called as I stood at the base of the hallway waiting for Sofia to appear from her room.
"I'm coming Mum," she grumbled as she rushed over to Arizona who was in the garage loading the boys one by one into their car seats. I noticed Sofia whispered in Arizona's ear causing me to frown slightly, what was the small girl doing now.
"What are you whispering about?" I called as I gathered up my purse and headed towards the car.
"She said you're beautiful," Arizona said as she turned around, took my waist and kissed my cheek.
"You're a liar. A sweet liar but a liar," I told her as I watched Sofia eagerly jump into the backseat. "She knows where we are going doesn't she. You told Sofia but you're not telling me?" I half groaned.
"Patience is a virtue my darling. Besides, Sofia is better at secrets than you," Arizona joked as she closed the door and got into the front seat of the car, wearing a simple, yet elegant black dress that hung just below her knees. Things had changed for Arizona and I in the past few days, most of the change had occurred within myself. I had felt guilty for so long about the thoughts and feelings I had towards Arizona during about a 4 week period of time that I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eyes, but there was something about her voice and her intimate moments with the children that had made me look at her and when I looked at her I was reminded that none of those thoughts or feelings were how I felt. I loved this woman and I was excited for us to rebuild together, this time, stronger than we were.
"Sofia is not a better secret keeper, I just don't tell you when she tells me," I laughed as I looked over to Arizona who was looking back at me, a fun and happy smile gleaming over her face. I leant over and I placed my hand on her thigh lightly, the first sign of normal intimacy we had, had in a long time. I still had some work to do on myself, but I knew I couldn't do it without her by my side.
The whole drive I looked out the window. I couldn't help but think she was taking me to the hospital. When we pulled into the carpark of Joes I raised an eyebrow in Arizona's direction. "We are taking the kids to Joes?" I questioned.
"Well they do a wicked burger," Arizona teased as she stepped out of the car, her heels tapping along the concrete.
"Not to mention the fact you and I are both overdressed for Joes," I said confusingly. Something was definitely going on but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. "Something is going on. I'm not sure what but something," I said my eyes looking over Sofia who was dressed in a brand new pink dress and ballet shoes that I also didn't recognize.
"Sof can you grab my phone," Arizona called as she loaded both boys into the stroller and packed their diaper bag into the bottom of the stroller.
"I can't believe the boys are entering their first bar at 12weeks old," I mumbled as I watched Sofia climb out of the car with Arizona's hand clutched tightly in her hands.
"I'm pretty sure Bailey was in Joes the first week he was alive," Arizona said as she pushed the stroller up beside me and she held out her hand, waiting for me to take it.
I took her hand after a confusing look appeared on my face, "Are we on a date?" I whispered quietly so only Arizona could hear.
"Whatever puts your mind to ease," Arizona responded as we walked towards Joe's, Sofia leading the way with a hint of enthusiasm in her step.
When we walked in, I was shocked. The room was empty yet filled. It was empty of the usual hospital strays and filled with the familiar faces of our friends. Where the darts boards usually sat, the wall was covered in pictures that I recognized. I released Arizona's hand and I slowly wandered towards the wall, my eyes fixating on as many pictures as I could before finally turning around, my eyes settling on the beautiful blonde that I loved so much. "What is this?" I asked quietly, my eyes fixated only on Arizona as all our friends drifted into the background.
"Our past," Arizona said confidently as she looked back at the boys and Sofia who were strategically huddled together. "Our past isn't pretty, nor is it perfect but it got us here. Three children. A home. Friends that love us. You and me," Arizona explained as she turned to Karev and held out her hand.
Karev tossed a small ring box and Arizona caught it with ease. I covered my mouth with surprise and before I knew what was happening tears were rolling down my eyes and I was shaking my head with disbelief.
Arizona got down on one knee and popped the box open, revealing the most beautifully crafted ring, "Calliope Iphegenia Torres, you are my past, you are my present and I can't imagine you not being my future. Will you marry me," Arizona asked, claps surrounding us like a whirlwind. "Will you marry us?" Arizona repeated as she gestured towards our children.
I walked towards Arizona quickly, my head nodding furiously as I bent down and I kissed her lips tightly. Arizona stood up, her arms slipping around my waist as we kissed, "god," I muttered against her lips, my tears strolling down my face as I looked down at the ring. It was perfect.
"I melted down your first wedding ring and I turned it into this," Arizona said as she took it out of the box, handing Sofia the box before slipping it onto my engagement finger, "I don't want us to forget the past because it gave us a stronger relationship and three beautiful children but I do want us to look to the future. We have survived more than any other person I have ever met, we have been struck by the luck of Grey Sloan Memorial and we have survived it," Arizona said with a smile. "Like Beyonce once said, if you like it, you should have put a ring on it and you my baby, I like. A lot," she said.
I laughed, shaking my head with disbelief before I kissed her again, my new ring resting against her cheek as I held her face. "WHO KNEW ABOUT THIS?" I called after breaking away from Arizona's lips.
"Karev and Joe helped with most of it but all these people are here to celebrate with us. Joe has booze on tap and all the burgers you could ask for," Arizona said as she rested her hand on my waist.
I felt truly blessed. Not only had I not seen the proposal coming but Arizona had made sure our friends and family were around to witness it. Arizona was right, we had, had a difficult road but at the end of every chapter I was always sure of one thing, that I loved Arizona Robbins and she loved me. Her grand, romantic gesture was just the start of our new chapter and I for one was excited to see where it led us.