The First Time Ever chapter sixteen
A/N: Hey guys! I'm sorry it took a while to update (again, sorry!), and it's admittedly not my best writing-wise but life has been stressful. My gran died on boxing day and combined with studying for prelims, it's just been super stressful.
DEEG1291- I'm confused as to what bit confused you lol. Callie's dad had a struggle accepting her sexuality in the beginning, but eventually her came around which was why he was there after the crash. And her mom practically disowned her. And Arizona's parents are both accepting. If I didn't clear it up, please let me know!
Guest- it's rated 'M' because of Arizona's past. I consulted with my then best friend (now girlfriend, whoop) and we agreed that it was best to be safe. But I'm considering moving it down to 'T'. What do you think?
Anyway, without further ado, here's the next chapter- which I'm sure you guys will like. Happy existing (and sorry for this extremely long AN)!
"Are you sure this is the right one?"
"I'm one hundred thousand percent sure."
Mark and I stood next to the long marble desk that ran the length of the jeweller's shop. I had been overwhelmed by all of the different ring choices when we had first stepped in- from thin bands to thick bands and more types of jewels I could imagine. There were giant, elaborate rings with diamonds that must cost millions, but there were also simpler rings with different shaped jewels. These were the ones I focused my attention on- price wasn't a factor, but Arizona wasn't about the material things- a moderately sized ring suited her perfectly, and it would be easier to pin on to the inside of her scrub top.
The decision to propose to Arizona came easily to me. After everything that had happened in the past month- the plane crash, the recovery- it had become clearer than ever to me that she was the one with whom I wanted to spend my life. Not even a full twenty-four hours after I had decided to propose, Mark and I were out ring shopping. I had expected Mark to be more surprised, however he had just smirked knowingly and simply said 'it's about time.'
"Good. There are only so many rings I can look at without going insane." Mark sighed as if this whole process had been long and torturous. Long, maybe, but torturous, definitely not. I smacked him on the arm playfully before turning to the jeweller who had showcased the rings perfectly for the past hour.
"This one, for sure." I told him defiantly with a mega-watt smile on my face. Now that I had something concrete to prove that I planned on spending the rest of my life with the amazing Arizona Robbins, it didn't feel possible that I could ever me happier in my entire life.
Once we had paid for the ring with a generous tip to the jeweller we made our way out of the store. I had to be back at the hospital in fifteen minutes- it was Arizona's first day back and her shift had started around an hour ago. We had agreed to have lunch together before she had gotten paged in to an emergency surgery, and although I was disappointed that we wouldn't be able to spend time together, it gave me the perfect opportunity to go ring shopping. I had dragged Mark away from his spot at the nurse's station where he was flirting with a random redhead so that he could accompany me.
I still had no idea how I was going to actually propose. In all of my excitement I had forgotten that I actually needed to pop the question. Should I plan a fancy dinner? Should I come up with some weird, creative proposal? Should I just casually ask her in a normal conversation and watch her face process what I had said? Decisions, decisions…
Arizona's parents were planning on visiting in a few weeks. We had been talking over the phone for a while and had agreed that this surprise for Arizona was exactly what she needed. They hadn't been able to stay for too long after the plane crash- but they had made it clear that they would be back soon. It would be good to see them again- I could tell Arizona missed them terribly, although she loved her life in Seattle.
Snapping me out of my reverie, Teddy came rushing up to me, a panicked expression on her face. The smile that had been plastered on my face melted away as I took in her tearful state.
"Callie, you have to come… Arizona…" She said and I felt my heart sink into my stomach. Without any further questions, I ran after Teddy, not even registering where we were going. I struggled to push back the bile that threatened its way up my throat.
After what seemed like a million years, we finally came to a halt outside the cafeteria. As I took in our surroundings my confusion grew and I turned to Teddy for answers.
However, Teddy was smiling, a look of accomplishment covering her face. "Go in." She said.
Catching my breath and preparing myself for what might be waiting for me, I swung the doors to the cafeteria open and gasped at what I saw.
What seemed like everyone in the hospital was gathered in a large group, each person smiling excitedly. Arizona was nowhere in sight and I started to panic.
"What's going on? Why are you all here? Where's Arizona?" I rambled, looking at each member of the crowd individually, but seeing to trace of the person whose presence I craved most.
Suddenly, I felt an arm wrap around my back and I went rigid, before I gradually recognised the scent of the person behind me. I smiled a huge smile and turned around to see Arizona standing there, unharmed, and with a massive smile on her face. "Oh, thank God." I said breathlessly, tugging on her laptop and giving her a bone crushing hug. Her right wrist was still casted but it was scheduled for removal soon. She laughed along with me as my heart rate started to slow down and I began to question, again, why there were loads of people surrounding us.
"You're probably wondering what the hell is going on." Arizona said as she pulled back from me, although she kept hold of my hand, clutching it tightly in hers.
"Somewhere along those lines, yeah." I agreed, continuing to stare right at her.
She took a deep breath, before she began to speak. "Calliope Torres- Callie. Who would ever have thought that when I walked into this place a year ago, that I would be standing here, in front of all these people, rambling like an idiot in a desperate attempt to tell you I love you? Not me, because when I walked in here, I was a mess. My life had become unfamiliar to me and I was lost.
"And then you walked in, and my world flipped. It made me sad to realise that I wasn't the only one who was broken. I knew that I wanted to fix you. And you fixed me too. You brought and continue to bring happiness and light to my life every single day. You make me smile every day, and I would be truly blessed if I had that same light every day for the rest of my life. I love you so very much, so without further ado, will you, Calliope Torres, do me the honour of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"
I stood stock still, tears running down my face and I made no attempt to wipe them away. The happiness and shock that was coursing through my body right now left me paralysed as I stood there, a massive smile plastered across my face. Then, remembering the ring that was lying in my pocket, I burst out laughing. I watched Arizona's face fall.
So as not to scare her too much, I walked over to her and kissed her furiously on the lips, before drawing back and pulling out the ring and opening the box. She gasped as I said, "Absolutely. If you'll marry me too."
She broke down in tears right then and there, throwing her arms around me and whispering 'of course' into my ears repeatedly. As soon as our audience caught wind of what was happening, they erupted into applause. Their purpose there became clear to me as many people set off party poppers and threw confetti.
"I love you." I said as I shook some confetti that Mark had not-so-subtly aimed at me off my shoulder. I drew her in for another kiss and the cafeteria applauded again. Drawing back, I looked into her tear-filled cerulean eyes. "You wanna get out of here?"
She smiled up at me. "Of course."
ARIZONA'S POV
I can't believe it. I'm marrying Calliope Torres! I was beyond happy- and relieved that my elaborate planning had pulled off. It was surprising how many people were available to witness the whole thing. I was also glad that she said yes, because there was no way that I could go another day without putting a ring on her finger.
We made our way home in Callie's car, my hand never leaving hers the whole time. The excitement practically rolled off of us both as approached our apartment.
Reaching the door, I pushed her against the wall and drew her in for a passionate kiss. I had been looking forward to this part the most. "Let's move this inside." I said in a low, husky voice, adrenaline coursing through my body. I quickly used my key to unlock the door.
"SURPRISE!"
This was not what I had been expecting. All our friends, although I had no idea how they had gotten here so fast, were crowded around our living room, all wearing hundred watt smiles. I gasped in shock when I saw my parents at the forefront of the crowd, my mother openly crying as my dad clapped along with everyone else.
"Oh, my God! Mom! Dad! What are you guys doing here?" I asked excitedly as I launched myself towards them, wrapping them both in massive hugs.
"Apparently, our little girl was getting engaged, so we came to celebrate!" My mom exclaimed through her tears. I turned to Callie with a smile.
"Did you know anything about this?" I asked her incredulously. She simply shrugged her shoulders, indicating that she was just as dumbfounded as I was. I looked around the living room, my heart swelling in my chest when I saw everyone who I held closest surrounding us. "How the hell did you guys get here so fast?"
"Language, young lady."
"Sorry, dad."
Teddy stepped forward. "We had getaway cars at every single exit apart from the one from the one you guys used. It was all very action movie-like."
I just laughed incredulously before taking Callie's hand in mine and squeezing it tightly. The crowd gradually dispersed as the conversation between individuals flowed naturally. I didn't let go of Callie's hand the entire time.
As darkness began to break and people needed to go back to the hospital, our apartment gradually emptied and eventually it was only Calliope, my parents and I left.
"So, are you guys staying here? We can easily set up the guest room." I offered, although I silently hoped that they weren't. I loved my parents dearly and I was so glad that they were here, on one of the happiest days of my life so far, but I really needed alone time with Callie, and my parents could never be around for that.
"We booked a hotel a few blocks over. We're here for a week. We figured you guys would need time alone after today." She said, winking. I gasped and buried my head in my hands.
"Mom!" I exclaimed.
"What, so you're not going to have sex?" She said as she raised her eyebrows.
I could feel my face turning bright red. This was so like my mother to embarrass me. "Please leave!"
My father, who had remained stoic the whole time, nodded his head furiously, apparently every bit as mortified as I was. "That sounds great."
And they bade us goodbye and left.
I turned to Callie, who was positively shaking with laughter. "Stop laughing! My mother knows I have sex!"
"So does your father."
"Not helping!"
She smiled and pulled me closer to her so that our foreheads were touching. "We're engaged now, it's no big revelation."
"Engaged. I like the sound of that." I said, biting my lip as I pulled her top up over her head, never breaking eye contact.
"You're going to be my wife."
"I'm going to be your wife."
We clashed our lips together, hastily disposing of our clothes as we made our way to the bedroom. "I love you, Calliope Torres." I said in between kisses.
She smiled up at me. "I love you too, Arizona Robbins."