7 of 7
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I got this feeling inside my bones
It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We're flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone
Arizona had been building with excitement for Christmas. Sofia was coming, and Callie had decided to let the girl stay. Or should she say, they had negotiated for her daughter to remain here. According to Callie, Sofia had hated New York. It had also been slipped, that now that she wasn't head of Ortho and with Penny needing to work extra shifts, the pair had been struggling to find the correct amount of time to spend with the little girl.
Arizona hated the knowledge that her daughter had been constantly left with a nanny, while she had been missing out on spending time with her.
Now though, Sofia would be right where she belonged, back with Arizona. It also meant adjustments for the little family she had been building with Meredith, but it had been taken in their stride.
Maggie and Amelia had shifted into Arizona's house, vacating a room for Sofia, while leaving the other spare for visitors.
I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops
I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don't stop
Meredith had been a little nervous about Sofia coming home for Christmas. Not because she didn't want her children to share Arizona with the woman's only child, but simply because it would be new for the girl. She was unsure how Sofia would feel about the new living situation. They hadn't made it known to Sofia when she was last at home, that they were together. Since then, the couple had moved in together and were now living as a family.
Christmas was a special time for children. She wanted this Christmas to be something more for them all.
It was why she had decided to stop home with the kids instead of going with Arizona to pick up Sofia from the airport. It was also why she had spent the last hour, organising the perfect meal for the little girl once she arrived.
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
The meal had been successful. Arizona wasn't completely sure that Sofia understood that they now lived with Meredith. Her daughter was excited though, now that she realised that she was staying with her best friend.
Bailey, Zola and Sofia had enjoyed an evening of catching up, sharing secrets and playing games. A few times they had snuck close enough to the Christmas tree. It was a bare tree with presents underneath it.
Arizona had planned for them to all decorate the tree that evening, but on seeing the kids so intent on making up for lost time, she decided that they would do it tomorrow.
They only had 3 more days until Christmas, and she refused to celebrate it with a bare tree.
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
A feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
They did sleep. Meredith was certain, somewhere in the long night, she did sleep.
Ellis had been restless throughout the evening. Sofia had joined them in bed for cuddle time, which was weird yet sweet, as Meredith felt she too was adjusting to having another child in the house.
Zola and Bailey had crashed quickly when they had been taken to bed. But Bailey was an early riser just like his father. Therefore, cuddle time in the morning was non existent and Meredith felt that she barely even touched Arizona throughout the night due to all the interruptions.
Feeling like a zombie, Meredith followed the routine of her morning before heading in to work. Arizona was lucky enough to be off the roster for the day, but Meredith, she had to work.
Ooh, it's something magical
It's in the air, it's in my blood, it's rushing on
I don't need no reason, don't need control
I fly so high, no ceiling, when I'm in my zone
Movie day. It was what the four children of the house had decided and Arizona had been more than glad to deliver. They would venture out the next day for a family santa photo, but today, with the rain and the cold, a movie day was perfect.
The kids had curled up on their bean bags in the family room. A bowl of popcorn and their juice boxes set ready to go.
Arizona had raided a selection from the hospital in preparation for days like this. She had even made a point of getting her hands on copies of a few of the newest releases. She hadn't had a chance to watch them, but knew that the kids would love them. They had some big reviews.
'Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops
I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don't stop
Music was playing when Meredith arrived home. It was a funky song that made Meredith think about dancing. She was sure her body would have complied if it wasn't so tired from being flat out all day.
She could see the Christmas tree through the large bay window that looked out on to the street. Her family was inside and she was looking forward to joining them.
Arizona had sent her photos earlier in the day of all four children chilling out watching Sing. It had been adorable. But now, as she heard laughter and music, Meredith was not sure what she was walking in on.
She opened the door to find the Christmas decoration boxes out and sitting by the entry way of the lounge room.
She moved further into the house, turning to look into the room, only to see all four children attempting to dance to the song.
Sofia and Zola were dancing together, bouncing, much like she used to with Christina. Bailey was moving his hips and wiggling his butt and Ellis was simply bouncing on the spot.
Arizona was recording the kids dancing with her phone, her face glowing. Meredith couldn't think of a time where her partner looked as beautiful as she did in that moment. She moved towards her, gesturing for her to put down the phone. Once she did, Meredith pulled her up off the lounge and began to dance with the blonde.
Under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine, just imagine, just imagine
All danced out, Arizona had been quick to feed the kids, before they followed their nightly routine of bath, pjs and chill. It seemed like an easy process, except tonight, chill meant decorate the Christmas tree.
Meredith had made it clear, that there was a structure to decorating the tree. It was something she had learned from Izzie.
She had then organised the family with how to decorate the tree.
Arizona had to giggle, when Meredith realised that structure didn't necessarily work with four children decorating the tree and in the end, they simply assisted them in placing them around the tree.
Meredith had carefully put the lights on while Arizona had lifted Sofia up to put the star on the top.
"Lights" Bailey had called.
Zola had flicked the switch while Arizona returned Sofia to the ground.
It did not take long for Meredith to make her way to Arizona, a tired Ellis in her arms.
Together the little family stood, admiring their tree.
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So keep dancing, come on
I can't stop the, I can't stop the
I can't stop the, I can't stop the
I can't stop the feeling
The kids were in bed. Their day officially coming to an end with a quick glass of milk and a Christmas story.
Meredith was relieved to also find herself in bed. Arizona's body pressed up close to hers. They were too tired to be make love. Meredith had contemplated it, but knew that she would fall asleep when she was done. It wasn't what she wanted. She preferred snuggling with Arizona, post intercourse, and relishing in the safe and secure feeling she had with the woman.
"I love you." Arizona spoke as she pulled Meredith's body into hers, a small kiss dropping on to her exposed shoulder.
Meredith found herself responding in kind before sleep over took them.
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance (I can't stop the feeling)
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on (I can't stop the feeling)
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance (I can't stop the feeling)
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
Christmas Eve was a time for family. Arizona knew that Meredith used to celebrate Christmas with her people during that evening, so they could have family time the next day.
It had been easy to navigate the food. Arizona had insisted on catering. The day leading up to it had been stress free. The meal and family time had been perfect.
Tuck had looked a little out of place with the younger kids, but he had played with them like a patient older cousin. Something all adults had been proud of.
Now as they neared bedtime. Christmas stockings having been put out, kids asleep tucked in their beds and the final presents being wrapped. Arizona knew that it was time to give Meredith her gift.
Thumbing the box in her pocket, she moved towards her partner and led her towards the mistle toe. They had been caught under it earlier in the evening, now she just wanted everything to be so right.
Lips sought each other out and the intimacy and lovemaking that they had missed out on over the previous nights, was fighting to come out for the evening. It was definitely on Arizona's list of things to do tonight, but first she wanted to do this.
Pulling away, Arizona smiled at Meredith before drawing the box out of her pocket.
"I have a little something for you." She said nervously. "I don't want you to freak out. As it's not what you think it is." She added, when she watched Meredith's eyes flick to the box. "We've both been married before. I'm not sure I want that and at the moment I'm not, and we're not ready for that." Arizona said honestly.
"This" Arizona said as she lifted the box and placed it in Meredith's hand, "Is not an engagement ring."
Meredith looked relieved as she took the box from Arizona's hand. She opened it carefully to reveal a platinum Claddagh ring with a sapphire in the middle.
"Arizona" Meredith gasped.
"Please wear this as a sign of my commitment to you. It's my love, friendship and loyalty." Arizona said gently.
Meredith blushed before she pulled Arizona in for another kiss. "Who'd have thought we would end up here?" She asked Arizona as she carefully took the ring out of the box and placed it on the finger where her wedding rings once sat.
"Not me" Arizona admitted, "But I wouldn't change it for the world."
"Me neither" Meredith responded as she then leant in to take Arizona's mouth with hers. The kiss soon evolving in to something much more.
'Love' Arizona thought to herself as she reached up to begin un doing Meredith's buttons as she proceeded to lead her back towards the couch. Not one ounce of her wanted to pull away. Tonight they would celebrate their first official Christmas together as a couple and as a family. She couldn't have asked for anything more.
Everybody sing (I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body (I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body (I can't stop the feeling)
Wanna see you move your body (I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body
Break it down
Got this feeling in my body
Can't stop the feeling
Got this feeling in my body, come on