ARIZONA'S POV
Callie woke up exactly 6 hours ago. 6 hours of doctors, her parents, the guys from the fire department, pretty much everyone coming to see her. All of which is nice but it doesn't leave much time for us. She only stays awake about 20 minutes every hour due to the pain medication. I haven't left her side at all. Even when she falls back asleep, I stay holding her hand, just in case she wakes up. I'm sitting watching the news when Mark comes back in with pizza.
"How's she doing Blondie?" Mark asks as he sits down.
"She was in a lot of pain the last time she was awake. She started to cry, and I tried to soothe her but I don't know what to do for her." I take a piece of pizza and lean back in my chair.
"She is a badass, pain is just a temporary thing. Once she gets used to it, she will be ok. Remember she still hasn't processed everything. I'm sure she has heard everything but it hasn't hit her yet. When it does I feel sorry for the nurses and doctors cause she is going to want to start rehab right away. Callie won't lay in bed long." Mark laughed.
We sit and talk for a while, about the station and different calls Callie has been on. Mark tells the stories with such passion, like he is reliving each tale. There is a sparkle in his eyes, the same one Callie gets when she recounts her day with me. I realize that being a firefighter is more then just a job to them, its a way of life. Like breathing and eating, firefighting is in their blood. They aren't the same person without the job. After a few hours Callie stirs a bit, finally asking for a drink.
"Hey Mark, you look like shit." Callie says as she looks at Mark. I give her a few sips of water.
"Torres, I can say the same about you, and it's your fault I look like this!" Mark teased.
"Oh, Mark at least I have an excuse and a sexy nurse waiting on me, what do you have except a cold shower waiting for you at home? Callie teased back.
I was so glad to see her go back and forth with Mark. I've been so scared she wouldn't be the same person. Until this moment, I had forgotten that today was her birthday. I'm not sure she is in the celebratory mood, so I decide that I'll hold off on my present to her until she is a little stronger.
"Hey Cal, Happy Birthday! I know this isn't how you pictured your birthday, but when your released from here, we are going out and celebrating." Mark gets up, and leans down placing a kiss on Callie's cheek. She smiles up at him, and says thank you, and turns to look at me.
"Mark, no this isn't how I imagined my birthday, but it's the best one I ever had." I look at Calliope with a puzzled expression as she continues. "Yesterday, before the fire, all I thought about was how to get you back. I wasn't whole without you Arizona. It was like going through life on auto-pilot, I wasn't complete. Then while I was unconscious I saw George and he showed me why you were pushing me away, because of Danny. Arizona, I'm sorry for everything, I don't want to lose you. Please don't ever shut me out again, I will give up being a firefighter and take a job as a Medic again. Anything so that we can be together." Callie cheeks had become wet from the tears streaming down her face.
"How about we worry about getting you stronger and back on your feet and then we can discuss your career choices? I'm so glad your here with me now, and no matter what I'll be right here beside you everyday." I lean over and kiss the brunette on the lips.
The next 2 weeks we fall into a routine. In the morning Calliope wakes up and I have breakast with her. I finally convinced Bailey its easier just to bring a cot into the room, because I wasn't sleeping anywhere else. After breakfast I would leave to shower in the attending's locker room while Callie gets her injuries checked by the nurses and the doctors make the rounds. I have returned to seeing patients and performing surgeries, but I always make sure to stop by her room during the day. We eat dinner with her parents and occasionally the guys from the fire station come by with dessert. Jackson Avery has been here on his days off, helping Callie adjust to her limitations. As time goes by Callie seems to slip into a depression. All I want to do is get her home, so we can move onto better things.
Finally Bailey discharges Callie from the hospital. She is acting very strange all morning. I try and get her to talk to me, but she keeps assuring me nothing is wrong. Her parents have returned to Miami, and Mark is setting up the apartment for Callie's homecoming. Everyone is there waiting for us to return, to welcome her home. I help her into the car, and we drive home. As I wheel her into the elevator, she takes a deep breath and begins to speak.
"Arizona, I know that you have been with me everyday in the hospital, but once I'm home, I want you to give me some space and time to adjust."
I can't believe what I just heard. It's like a red hot poker stabbing me in the heart. I fumble with the black box in my pocket. This isn't how we were supposed to be. My hands are shaking and I pull the emergency stop button and kneel beside her.
"Calliope, you know how much I love you. Your going to need some help for a little while. Plus during the day, I'll be at the hospital, so please don't say things like that." I know I'm trying not to freak out, but I can feel the tears building.
"I already have talked to Cristina and Lexie, they will help me. I need you to stop smothering me. I need you to let me work this out on my own. I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I see it everytime you look at me. Poor Callie, she is so broken, she needs help...blah, blah, blah. I can't take it anymore. Just go home Arizona. I'll call you in a few days." Callie hits the button and the doors open.
She pushes herself towards the apartment, and when she reaches the door Mark opens it and yells "Surprise!"
I step into the hallway and look at Calliope, then to Mark who expression has now turned to a sideways glance. I hear the people mumbling and Calliope, turns to Mark and yells for everyone to get out of her apartment. People start exiting the apartment like rats abandoning a sinking ship. They pile into the elevator behind me, and as I hear the door shut Callie wheels past Mark into the apartment. I follow behind because there is not a chance I'm leaving yet.
"Calliope, what is wrong with you? I don't look at you like that and you know it. Your just having a bit of depression and trying to push me away won't help with that. I won't let you do this. I'll leave for tonight, but I'm coming back in the morning."
I turn and leave her, tears streaming down my face. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I know I'm not losing her again.