Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy! I wish I did though! Or at least help Shonda come to her senses and write this plot line!
A/N: The first person POV will actually be an entry in Callie's Online blog.
Callie's POV
Ok, so it's two weeks until Christmas and I'm 5 months pregnant. I feel like a beached whale. The twins move like crazy. The day the started moving, well when I started feel them scared me shitless. There I was lying in bed, trying to get a nap in before a surgery, and the next thing I know I start feeling them move. One I was ecstatic because I could feel them and ticked because they interrupted my much-needed sleep. Poor mark, his face was so pitiful, when I told them they were moving but when he placed his hand on my belly he couldn't feel them I tried to tell him they weren't strong enough to feel them but he refused.
Apparently Mark knows everything when it comes to babies now. He is actually telling me what I can and can't have. It's cute most of the time but extremely annoying at other times, especially when I need my morning coffee. I'm allowed one cup, my doctor said so, which means my morning coffee. Mark takes it as if I can have one small cup. Thank god for Cristina. The moment he leaves, she hooks me up. She knows how I get without my coffee. She's actually been great. When Mark isn't home she takes over the back rubs, though she complains the whole time. She loves it, but she would never admit to it. I've actually caught her touching the belly when she thinks I'm asleep on the couch. I won't tell her I know she does it. She'll come around eventually and 'let' me see her doing it.
Ok now on to my biggest problem. My family. I got out of Thanksgiving because I pulled the, I'm depressed and still hurting over the ending of my marriage card. Daddy actually begged mom to not make me come. In reality on Thanksgiving, I couldn't have been happier. My parents have no clue that I'm pregnant, let alone with twins. Not to mention that they don't know about Mark or that I'm living with him. My mother would die. I just don't know how to tell them. One, daddy would kill Mark for knocking me up but then appreciate him taking care of me and the babies then to top it off he would ask why he hasn't married me yet. My mother on the hand would fake a heart attack or stroke after she crossed herself and drenched me in her holy water, asking forgiveness for my sins. And she wonders why I gave up religion. A person can't have it forced on them and then be expected to keep it as they grew older and capable of making that decision themselves.
Maybe I'll surprise them. I, for one, am not allowed to fly because it's a high-risk pregnancy due to the twins. So they have to come here but I can just hear that phone call. "Hi daddy, it's Calliope, I was wondering if you and everyone can come here this Christmas. I can't fly because I'm pregnant." I would hear yelling in Spanish, then my mother would get on the phone asking, "What did you do now Calliope?" My family is insane. I'm not even going to think about my brothers. Nicky would be the only one to actually be happy for me. He's the other black sheep. He's gay and I'm the one who left to go to medical school and chose a residency on the other side of the country that got married in Vegas and divorced within 3 months of her marriage. Ok I really have to think about all of this. But right now, Mark Sloan's children are addict to sweets, so I'm of to the kitchen to find something to eat.
xo OrthoQueen
Callie logged off and closed the laptop. She pulled her legs down from the coffee table and placed the laptop in the now vacated spot. She got up, using the arms of the chair to push herself up, then padded her way into the oversized kitchen.
"May I help you with something ma'am?" the cook Mark insisted on hiring so Callie wouldn't have to cook.
"No, I think I can handle it Teresa. Thank you." She said, opening the sweets cabinet, she made Mark have stocked. She had to whine and pout but she finally got her way. She put her nail in her mouth and gently chewed on it, like she always did when she thought. She finally decided on a bag of chocolate chips.
"Teresa, do we have any Vanilla Ice Cream?" she asked, turning to the older woman.
"Yes, ma'am. Dr. Sloan asked me to make sure to get some, because it was your favorite. Would you like me to get it for you?" Teresa responded. Callie shook her head.
"That's ok. I've got it. But if you could hand me a spoon you'd be my favorite person right now." She said, pulling the freezer open. She reached in and grabbed the carton of ice cream and was greeted with a spoon as she closed the door.
"Thank you." She said. She set the ice cream and spoon on the marble counter top and lifted the lid. After opening the bag of chocolate ships, she poured half of the bag into the ice cream and then dipped her spoon into it, taking a large bite. Closing her eyes she savored the perfect blend of vanilla and chocolate. Teresa chuckled causing Callie to open her eye, and turn bright red.
"Don't mind me Dr. Torres. I remember those days." She said, as she tossed a chopped carrot into the broth she had boiling on the stove.
"I feel like a pig."
"Don't you're eating for three."
"I know but that doesn't make me feel any better." Callie said, leaning over and taking in the smell of the dinner Teresa was preparing.
"That smells incredible. What are you making?" she asked.
"Chicken and dumplings, with a few added vegetables. You need the extra nutrients and that Dr. Yang won't eat the vegetables. I know a few tricks to get people to eat them. I do have 5 grown children and 3 very picky grandchildren." She said, tossing a few more carrots in. She then picked up a mixing bowl and began to mix what Callie assumed to be the dumplings.
"Ok, well I'll let you continue. If I stay in here any longer, I'll want to eat it now." She said, causing Teresa to smile. Callie returned the smile and took her treat and retreated to her seat in the living room. She loved her days off, though they did get lonely in this huge house. She placed the ice cream on the table and picked up her computer. She opened it and grabbed the ice cream as she waited for it to come out of hibernation. She groaned when the message signaling she had new email popped up. She opened the email and began to read it.
Calliope,
Hello mija. We've decided to come there this Christmas this year. We know how hard it is for you to get time off and come down her, darling. Plus I would like to give that no good ex husband of yours a piece of my mind and your brothers want to beat him to a pulp. Oh and please, if you haven't gotten a house or suitable place to live, please do so before we arrive. Your mother will lose her mind if she finds out you are living in a hotel(I left that part out). Anyway, my princess, we will be arriving in Seattle in 3 days. We want to do our shopping there so we don't have to drag along all of the presents and you know how your mother gets when it comes to Christmas. Goodbye, my sweet girl. I love you.
Daddy
Callie blinked at the screen and read over it several times making sure she had read it correctly. Her parents were coming in 3 days. How was she going to pull this of? She heard the front door open and didn't bother to look up. Cristina walked in like she always did since you had to go through the house to get to the guesthouse. Mark had the house completely fenced in because of the surrounding coastline but forgot to have a door put in so Cristina would be able to bypass the house. She stopped in her track when she saw Callie staring blankly at her computer screen.
"What's you're problem Iphie?"" she asked, but Callie didn't respond. Cristina walked over and waved her hand in front of Callie's face. Callie caught her hand and pulled it away from her face. Then rubbed her own hand across her face.
"My parents are coming." She said, continuing to stare at the screen.
"And? It's Christmas, isn't that what families do?" Cristina asked.
"Yes, but there's a little problem."
"And that is?"
"They don't know about Mark."
"Oooo, and by that they don't know you're knocked up."
"Exactly."
"Well I'm I would say you could hide it, but you're huge."
"Thanks for the support, Teenie. What am I going to do?" she asked, running her hand through her hair. Cristina shrugged and picked up Callie's ice cream and took a bite.
"I do love some of your stupid cravings. This is good." She said, scooping another bite into her mouth. Callie reached over and snatched away the carton.
"That's mine! Don't steal a pregnant woman's food. That's just signing your death certificate. Especially with these two." She said, placing her hand on her belly just as one of them kicked.
"Hey they actually kicked." She said, smiling. Cristina watched her belly closely. Callie took it upon herself to make Cristina touch. She reached over and grabbed Cristina's hand and placed it where the baby was kicking. Cristina tried to hide the smile that was forming on her lips and Callie just laughed.
"Aww you're going soft Teenie!" Callie said, causing Cristina to jerk her hand away.
"Shut up if you tell anyone I was happy to do that, I'll deny it then kill you the moment you poop those two out." She said. Callie just shook her head and held the carton of ice cream out to her.
"Truce?" she asked.
"What about the pregnant chick and her food?"
"I didn't say the pregnant chick wouldn't share. I'm feeling generous today." She said, as Cristina snatched the carton.
"Oh and by the way, you need to clean the guest house, and move your things into the house. Because my parents will refuse to stay in the same house where I would be committing my mortal sins. You can deal with that right?"
"Whatever, Iphie."
Mark walked in a few moments later and kissed Callie's head then her belly.
"How are my three favorite girls today?" he asked, causing Callie to roll her eye and Cristina to gag.
"If you two are going to get all lovey dovey I'm out of here. See ya Iphie, good luck." She said, so fast as she raced out the back door. Mark looked back and raised his eyebrows.
"You may want to sit down." She said, patting the arm of the chair. Mark sat down on the arm and folded his arms, waiting for her to talk.
"Ok, my parents are coming here for Christmas." She said, like it was nothing. Mark looked confused.
"Ok, why is that a problem?" he asked.
"Just a little one."
"How? They're you're parents. I know you're close to them."
"Hardly, well my father yes. But that's not the problem. The problem is that, they don't forgive me for getting married and then divorced. I'm catholic so that's the most horrible thing I could have done. But that's not all."
"Ok, go on." He said, motioning for her to continue. Callie sighed and ran her hand through her hair.
"They, ummm, sorta don't know about you and that I'm pregnant." She said, closing her eyes, waiting for his yelling. Sure enough it came. He got up from the chair and stood in front of her.
"What? They don't know about me? You mean to tell me all those phone calls and emails you failed to even mention to them that you were seeing someone and that you we're carrying his children. Why didn't you tell them? Are you ashamed of me and our children or the fact that you're not daddy's perfect little girl anymore? If that's it, that's total bullshit Callie. You can't let what he thinks of you run your damn life! If I had done that I wouldn't be here right now. Remember!" he said, his face turning red from the lack of breathing between each sentence.
"No Mark I'm not ashamed of you or the twins, not at all. You…you don't understand." She said, putting her face in her hands.
"Then make me understand Callie."
"It's just I'll be devastated if he's disappointed in me."
'Callie you're a grown woman. He can't be disappointed in you."
"Look, you didn't have the father I had. He was there; he called me his little girl. I wanted dance lessons I got them. I wanted a pony and the next day it was sitting in our front yard, with a big pink bow around its neck. He gave me anything and everything I ever wanted. To me my father was better than anyone that he could do no wrong and in his eyes I was the same. The day I called him and told him I got married it broke his heart. And to hear him cry over the phone killed me. I couldn't do that again, I couldn't. So I didn't tell them about you. They would die if I told them that I was living with a man, unmarried and pregnant. Not to mention Daddy would have come down here and killed you with his bare hands for getting his only little girl pregnant and not marrying her."
"Callie, I'm sorry, I didn't know it was like that. But if it helps I am taking care of you and I'm here. Won't he even care about that?" he asked. Callie shook her head, as her tears fell down her cheeks.
"No, he's old fashioned. He's just as stubborn as me, maybe even more so. The first thought that came to his mind when he came down here to meet George was if he had gotten me pregnant. The look on his face killed me. I was married and he thought I was pregnant, how do you think he's going to react to me being pregnant and unmarried? And no I'm not asking you to marry me so don't even go there. I'm no where near ready for that again." She explained. Mark knelt in front of her and pulled her face up to meet his. He wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs then kissed her softly.
"I know that, and I would never just marry you because of the twins. I want to marry you when it's right, not because I have to. And trust me, Callie Torres, you will marry me someday, but not anytime soon. And we will get through this Christmas."
He explained, causing Callie to smile a little.
"I know, but you've not even heard about the wrath that is Rosa Torres. I'd rather face a pack of rabid wolves than face her." She said, standing up. Marl stood up and wrapped his arms around her.
"We'll deal with it. I take it they will stay in the guest house." He asked, Callie nodded as he ran his hands through her hair. It stayed curly now because Callie didn't have the time nor energy to straighten it everyday.
"Ok, well let's go help Cristina clean it up. She'll never get it done in time. When are they coming?" he asked.
"3 days. God I have to find something to hide the belly."
"No, you're not hiding my girls. You're going to show them with pride."
"Mark…I can't."
"You can and you will, no whining." He said, pushing her back and placing his hands on her belly just as one of them kicked. Mark's eyes brightened and he knelt in front of Callie pressing his ear to her belly. As if on cue another kick appeared.
"I can feel them!" he said, and then pressed a kiss into her stomach. Callie smiled and ran her hands through his hair.
"Yeah you can. I felt it just before you came home." She said. Mark looked up at her and then stood.
"Have I told you I love you?" he asked.
"Not since you've been home." She said with a smile. Mark leaned in and kissed her.
"I love you." He whispered, leaning her head against hers.
"I love you too, now get away from me before I ravish you." She said, smacking him across the backside.
"I might like that you know."
"Stop that and no sex for you. My parents will be here in three days and I have a lot of work to do. If this house isn't decorated by the time they get here they will have a cow. So no sex for you."
"Aww, baby, that's not fair." He whimpered.
"No, you don't get to pull a me. Get your ass out to the guesthouse and help Cristina. She's staying in the guest room for the times that my parents are here. I don't even know if my brothers are coming."
"Brothers?"
"Oh did I not mention them. I have three older brothers."
"Is there anything else you'd like for me to know."
"Umm not at the moment but if I remember something I'll be sure to tell you." She said, walking away. Mark rolled his eyes and walked to the back door to help Cristina.
The last 3 days, Mark swore Callie had taken something. She frantically went around the house, cleaning anything and everything. Their house officially puked Christmas. Garland, lights, figurines, and the smell of cinnamon were everywhere, including a Nativity scene that Cristina had thought was the most hideous looking thing she had ever seen. Callie simply reminded her of her family's religious beliefs and she shut up about it. Callie promised to set up a Menorah if it would help, but Cristina said it was ok.
Callie looked up at the clock in the living room and sighed. They had to leave and go to the airport. Mark tried to get off but the chief would let all three off them off. Callie had begged for Cristina and he let her off. Cristina could have killed her. She would rather be at the hospital then face the wrath of the Torres clan. Hell Callie would rather be doing the same. She lightly tapped her foot on the hardwood floors, waiting for Cristina to come downstairs.
"Hurry your ass up Teenie! I don't want to be late." She called up the stairs. Cristina walked out of the guest room and stomped down the stairs.
"Hold you're pregnant horses. I'm here." She said, pulling on her coat. Callie walked out the door, Cristina right behind her.
"I can't believe you made me come with you instead of the sperm donor." She complained, climbing into the car. Callie climbed into the passenger seat.
"Webber wouldn't let Mark off. It was easier to convince him to let you off than him He's an attending." She explained, pulling the seatbelt of her belly. She tugged at the shirt Mark made her wear. It hugged her belly perfectly. He made sure she didn't hide away his children and threatened Cristina with surgeries if she let her change.
They rode in silence to the airport. Callie stared mindlessly out the window, as she rubbed her belly. Her heart began to race once she saw the tower to the airport come into view. When the car finally came to a stop Callie took a deep breath and opened her door. She stepped out into the Seattle rain and opened her umbrella. Cristina walked behind her as she walked into the airport. Callie's heart sank as her oldest broth Nicky stood out in the crowd. His height didn't allow him to hide. He smiled and frantically waved.
"Callie!" he called. Callie sighed and slowly made her way toward them. Thankfully the crown around her hid her belly for the time being. Nicky pushed his way through the crowd to get closer to her. His smile quickly faded when he got close enough to see his baby sister's very pregnant belly. He got closer to her and leaned down to whisper in her ear, as on hand landed on her stomach. She placed her free hand on top of his and gently squeezed it.
"They don't know do they?" he asked. Callie shook her head and fought back the sting of tears that were trying to form. Nicky kissed her cheek and the stood up, pushing her behind him as their parents got closer. Callie peered her head around and smiled at her mother and father. Her other brothers towed behind them, carrying the numerous bags
"Calliope, you've gained weight. It's in your face." Her mother stated.
"Nice to see you too mom." She said. Cristina stood back and waited for the blow. Callie wrapped her arms around Nicky's waist, hoping to hide behind him for as long as possible.
"Nickoli, don't hog your sister, let your father in there to see her. It's all he could talk about." Her mother said, trying to push him aside. Callie tightened her grip around Nicky.
"Come on Calliope, let go of him." Rosa demanded and Callie finally released him, and her mother pushed him aside. Rosa dropped her jaw and stood there speechless as she looked at her daughter's protruding belly.
"Calliope Iphegenia Torres! Explain yourself!" she exclaimed.
"Explain what mom, I'm pregnant. What does it look like?" she said, sarcastically.
"Don't you take that tone with me young lady." She said, crossing her self and then pulled out her rosary beads and began to pray. Callie had called that one. Her father stood there unable to speak.
"Daddy say something." She begged.
"That twit left you pregnant! I'm going to kill him!"
"No, no daddy! It's not what you think."
"Not what I think. Calliope you're what 7 8 months pregnant, how could it now be what I think."
"I'm not 7 months I'm 5 months with twins. And they're aren't George's."
"Not… Who's pray tell are they?"
"My boyfriend Mark's. Before you say anything, let me explain. It just happened. It was an accident. But I love him daddy. He's sweet and kind and he loves me and the babies, please don't over react."
"Over react? My daughter is pregnant and unmarried. I though your little marriage and divorce would have been the end of your little stunts, but apparently they weren't. You had to go get yourself pregnant." Her mother chimed in.
"It's not like I climbed on myself and got pregnant mother! I did have help!" she yelled. Her mother crossed herself again and gasped. Her father turned beet read and all threes of her brothers turned their head. They couldn't deal with the fact that their little sister had sex.
"Look, can we just go home. I'm tired and starving. We can talk later ok." She begged, her tears finally brimming over. Her father nodded and motioned for her brothers to get the bags and follow them out. Once everyone piled into the car, the whole ride home was silent and was like the walk to the electric chair. Cristina kept her eyes firmly locked on the road in front of her, as Callie stared out her window again, this time tears clouding her vision. The lump in her stomach grew as she saw mark's car parked in the driveway, when they pulled in. Cristina parked the car and quickly went in to prepare mark for the bumps ahead, then locked herself in her room until dinner.
Mark greeted Callie on the porch, as her parents flanked each side of her. Rosa looked him up one side and down the other, while Emilio glared at the man who had gotten his only little girl pregnant.
"I take it you're the man who got her pregnant." He asked. Mark extended a hand but Emilio refused to take it and he pulled it back and wrapped it around Callie, pulling her close to him.
"Yes sir. I'm Mark Sloan." He answered.
"Hmph." Emilio responded.
"Daddy, please be nice." Callie pleaded. Emilio looked up at her and nodded, then looked at the arm around her waist. He cleared his throat and Callie pulled away, like she had done when she was a teenager. Mark understood that she needed to be on his good side for the time being.
"Daddy, come with me and I'll show you where you guys are staying." Callie said, walking around Mark and opening the door to the house. Her father approved of the home.
'This is a beautiful home Calliope. Very nice." He said, walking closely behind her.
"Thank mark. He bought it for the babies and me. He's not a bad guy Daddy, I promise. He is here for me and he is taking very good care of me, and he doesn't nee my money to help him. He's well off on his own. He's the best plastic surgeon in the country. And an incredible doctor." She explained as she led them through the house. Callie looked behind her and saw Nicky asking where the nursery was. She pointed up the stairs. He would find it. Nicky handed the bags he was carrying to mark and disappeared up the stairs. Emilio looked back and his eyes met Mark's.
"You did this for her?" he asked.
"Yes sir. I would do anything for Callie. I love her dearly." He stated, looking over at Callie. She smiled at him and nodded. He was doing great. Emilio looked back at Callie and she knew the question was coming.
"I take he is living here as well?"
'Yes, daddy, he is. How is he supposed to take care of me if he lives somewhere else?" she asked innocently. Emilio nodded. He didn't like that she was living with this man but it made him feel better that he was taking care of his daughter. Meanwhile Rosa, had said enough hail mary's to make the pope cry. She couldn't get over the fact that her daughter was living sin.
"Calliope this is just unacceptable." Rosa finally spoke.
"Mother please, stop. I get that you don't approve of my choices, but I don't care. I'm happier now than I ever was when I was married to George. I'm dating the most wonderful man and I'm going to be a mother. Can you just please for once accept me for who I am and not the person you want me to be?" Callie said, stopping and turning around to face her. Callie was almost yelling at her. She was sick of her mother always making her feel like the wretch of the world. Callie stopped talking and grabbed her head, closing her eyes. Mark dropped the bags and ran to her side, wrapping his arms around her.
"Callie, you need to lay down. When was the last time you ate anything?" he asked.
"Umm this morning. I need to sit down." She said, grabbing the edge of the table.
"Somebody get me a chair from the dining room!" Mark yelled. Jamie dropped his bags and went to get the chair. Mark helped her into the chair. He brushed the hair from her face. Her cheeks were flushed and she was sweating.
'Teresa, please bring Callie a glass of water and a sandwich please." He called into the kitchen.
"Mark, I'm fine."
"No you're not. You're stressing and the babies had enough sense to tell their mother that." He said, handing her the glass of water Teresa had brought in. Callie pushed it away. But her father pushed it back in her hands.
"Drink it Calliope. He is right. You need to take it easy." He said. Callie looked around to see her entire family, minus Nicky staring her down. She was definitely out numbered. She took the water and drank it.
"Can I take the sandwich in bed? I'm exhausted." She asked. Mark nodded and helped her up.
"I'll be right back. I'm going to get her into bed. If Teresa comes could one of you bring her sandwich up? It's the second door on the right." He said, putting his arm securely around Callie's waist.
"Sorry guys." She said, weakly. Her father just raised his hand and shook his head.
"Don't worry about it princess, you take care of you and those babies. We'll talk later." He said, walking over to her and pressing a kiss onto her forehead. She smiled and nodded. Mark helped her up the stairs and into the bed. When he closed the door Emilio greeted him with Callie's sandwich. Mark took it into her and was surprised to see Emilio still standing out there.
"Mark, I would like to speak with you." He said. Mark nodded and leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest.
"Yes, sir."
"First of all call me Emilio. Second, I can see how much you love my little girl. You have stepped up and have taken responsibility for her and her children. I want to thank you for that. I know I'm a stubborn old coot, my daughter says that I need to lighten up, but she's my only little girl. I would do anything for her and I no doubt believe you would do the same for your children one day. So you have to understand why this upset me as much as it did."
"Yes, I do love her. I love her more than I ever thought possible. Not to mention she is giving me the chance my ex never gave me and that is to be a father. My ex, who happens to be one of Callie's closest friends, aborted my child soon after she told me she was pregnant. This happened long before I ever met Callie. The day she told me I was terrified. I didn't think I could be a father and the man I knew Callie deserved, but that same person that had taken the one thing I wanted most in the world away from me, convinced me that I was the man she needed and that no matter how much I wanted to fight it, I needed her too. Callie is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and raise my children with. I promise you sir that one day, I will marry her, but it has to be on Callie's time, not mine." Mark explained. Emilio listened closely to each word and by the time he had finished he knew his daughter had finally found her catch.
"Thank you Mark. That's exactly what I needed to hear. Now you go take care of her and my grandchildren. By the way do you guys know what they are?" He asked curiously. Mark grinned and pointed to the door beside him. The door was shut but on the front was taped two sonograms and beneath them in big pink letter's it said "We're Girls!" Emilio smiled widely.
"They' have you eating out of the palms of their hands." He said, patting him on the shoulder.
"I don't doubt they will, you're daughter already has." He said, smiling.
"She does that to all the men in her life. Just ask her brothers. But like I said you take care of her and my granddaughters. The rest of us can take care of ourselves. We're staying in the guest house I assume."
"Yes, sir."
"Again call me Emilio." He said, as he started to descend the stairs. Mark chuckled a bit as he turned the knob on the bedroom door. He walked in to find Callie sitting up in the bed, a smile from ear to ear.
"You won him over. " she said, holding her arms out to him. Mark kicked his shoes off and climbed into the bed next to her. She laid her empty plate on the nightstand and scooted down in the bed, pulling Mark's arms around her.
"Just hold me." She whispered, closing her eyes. Mark kissed her cheek and held her close to him. He felt their children move and he placed a hand over them.
"Shhh, mommy needs to rest. You two be good and let her sleep." He said, and the girls stopped moving. Callie smiled and turned her head to face him.
"You're the baby whisperer. Thank you." She said, kissing him softly and then turned back. She held both of his hands in her and held them close to her. She closed her eyes and her sleep immediately found her. Mark listened to her steady breathing and closed his own eyes. Soon he fell asleep, their breathing becoming as one. Nicky quietly opened the door to their room and decided that Callie definitely had to be the most adorable pregnant woman he had ever seen. He also decided not to wake them from their sleep for dinner. They looked too peaceful and they could eat later.
