AN: Here's the next chapter. I want to thank Sadielady81 for helping me talk out a part of this story, I truly appreciate it. I love that people are enjoying the story, that makes me very happy. I hope your day is fabulous!
"And, then my babies…my babies, they were taken from me…just ripped from my life…without…without warning or apology…taken by God's wrath…I…we didn't deserve that…they didn't deserve that…" The woman collapsed in a weeping heap into my arms, clinging to my body out of desperation and sorrow.
I soothed my hands down her back and rocked her gently, whispering calming words of encouragement and compassion. "I can't imagine how tough this must be for you. Losing two children makes no sense and no reason offered will ever make it alright. And, I don't believe it was the wrath of a higher power that took them from you. It was an accident caused by a negligent driver. But, you're only focus right now is to heal. I know that right now that thought of living without your boys seems unimportant and impossible, but that's what you're going to do. You're going to prove that you're the woman that gave life to two strong, healthy, moral, and special boys. You're going to mourn and heal then take a step forward. One at a time, nice and slow. Seek strength and serenity whenever and wherever you can. You're going to fight for your life back, and pay tribute to your children. You will find your way back to the light in time. I promise."
A shuddering breath escaped the weeping woman as she looked up with drowning eyes, "Why are you here? You don't even know me."
I smiled warmly, "I'm just a friendly stranger that wants to help take even just a little of the pain away." I softly wipe a few tears from her face, careful of the deep bruise on her cheek and her healing jaw.
"Well, thank you," she whispers. I can tell she doesn't really believe me right now, but hopefully the words will stay in the back of her head and pop up later when she's ready to hear them.
I nod softly, "Of course." I rub her back and arms one more time, then gently lift myself off the bed. "Get some rest." I watch as she sinks back into the mattress and lets her head fall to the side, her eyes becoming unfocused and distraught. I let the door click shut behind me and then turned back to the sterile halls.
As I resumed walking down the hospital corridor, I kept an ear out for where I might be helpful. I had overheard the nurses talking about the woman in Room 135 and how she had just lost her two children in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Just because I was Earth bound at the moment, doesn't mean I couldn't help people like I was trained. Plus, helping others calms my spirit. I've remained rage free since aiding a young child in here several hours ago. Doing this reminds me why I love being an angel. The calling to help others is strong and unrelenting. This is what I was made to do.
As that thought crossed my mind, it was immediately followed by a vivid image of Callie. It had been eight days since our encounter at the hardware store, and my longing to see her again never waned. I still retained enough of my power that I could probably locate her, now that I had met her. But, I just couldn't quite get myself to do it. I couldn't be with her, it wouldn't work, and I just admitted to myself that helping others is what I was meant to do. And, being an angel is the best way to help people. I just needed to resign to my Callie-less future and move on. That thought alone made my heart ache. I wanted her in my life.
As I rounded a corner with a sigh, I felt a warm presence beside me. Without looking, I stuck out my elbow a bit and a soft arm looped through the crook in my arm. "Hello, Theodora."
"Good afternoon, Arizona. How are you today?" Teddy grinned warmly.
I smiled back at her, "I'm doing well. I've been soothing here for a while. It helps a lot with my inner battle."
"Yes, I can feel that. I'm glad you're working on getting back. We miss you up there." Teddy squeezed my arm lightly in hers.
"I miss you all, as well. I'm doing ok down here, but it's very different." I led her through the automatic doors leading out of the hospital. The rain splattered loudly around us, instantly coating us in cold water.
Theodora furrowed her brows, "I can't understand why you chose Seattle out of all places. The weather is atrocious."
Water slipped down my hair and seeped through my clothes, but I barely felt it, "It's not so bad. I enjoy the cold and wet weather, and it makes the rare warm days so much better."
Teddy continued to look skeptical as she surveyed the gloomy streets around the hospital, and tried in vain to shake out her clothes, "If you say so." After I nodded in affirmation, she continued, "Well, I just stopped by to say I'm proud of your recent efforts and am anticipating your return."
"Thanks, Teddy." I wrapped her in a tight hug before she disappeared with a flash of golden light. I sucked in a long breath of chilled air and started to amble down the sidewalk, with no particular destination in mind. The rain saturated my thin layers of clothes and my feet squished in my shoes. I tried to focus on what Teddy had said to me, tried to remember that that was my goal and I should be happy that I'm making my way back. But, I couldn't. Once I stepped out of the bright hospital, the gray skies and cold air coaxed the anger back to the surface. Again, I pictured my brother's face as we laughed as kids, as he lit up the room at his wedding, as he cried at my funeral, and as O'Malley tortured and killed him in cold blood. The picture show in my mind caused bubbling rage to churn in my stomach and move through my veins.
I gulped and attempted to steady my emotions. I couldn't let this happen anymore. This feeling needed to go away. I glanced around franticly, hoping to spot something to relieve the building stress. Finally, I saw the neon sign of a small bakery I had been to a few times and immediately jogged toward it. Slowing as I reached the door, I grasped the knob and stepped inside. Taking a moment to cherish the sweet fragrance and the cozy air, I fluffed my now dry hair and smoothed my thawed clothing. There were some perks to being an angel, and never having to stay wet was one of them.
The bakery was mostly empty, the only costumer being an elderly couple in the corner. I smiled politely at them, then turned my attention to the display case. I really wanted a cinnamon roll. They were exquisite here. A cursory glance told me that they did not have any at the moment. Sighing, I ordered an espresso and took a seat near the window to wait. I gazed out into the pouring rain, letting my mind lose focus and go blank, hoping the lack of activity would quell the beast.
What couldn't have been a more than a few minutes later, the waitress came by and set down a cup and a plate in front of me. Looking at the plate containing an amazing looking and fragrant cinnamon roll, I glanced up in confusion, at the waitress, "Uh, I didn't order this." I motioned to the delicious pastry.
The older woman smiled, "I know, that woman at the counter ordered it for you."
Even more confused, I shifted my gaze to the counter and my breath caught. Callie stood smirking in my direction as she gathered her coffee and baked goods. Unable to restrain the wide grin that captured my lips, I stared in pleasant shock at her. Her hair was wet and hung around her face, some clinging delicately to her rosy cheeks. A black leather jacket glistened with water, hugging her curves and her dark jeans stuck to her body, showing random patterns of darker splotches. She looked stunning. My eyes tracked her eagerly as she approached my table.
"Hey, stranger." Her voice floated over me, the hint of mockery not reducing my instant appreciation of her presence.
"Hey, Callie." Against my better judgment, I motioned to the seat across from me, and she slid into it. Butterflies danced in my stomach as our eyes locked and nearly visible sparks ignited in the space between us. I'm never going to get over my connection with her.
Callie finally broke the silence, "So…I never got a call from the blonde woman with a blade fetish." A small smirk complimenting her sparkling eyes.
Furrowing my brows in brief confusion, my face reddened when I remembered the hatchet incident. "Very funny…" I paused, gazing into her eyes. Not ready to answer her implied question, I kept my eyes locked with hers, "Thanks for the cinnamon roll, I thought they were out."
"They were, and you're welcome. You looked like you could use a little pick me up." She replied, in a soft voice.
"Yeah…" The tension thickened between us, each yearning to talk about what's on both our minds. I started, my face flushing slightly, "I wanted to call you…"
"But…?"
"But, my life is unimaginably complicated at the moment, and involving…you…in that would be overwhelming and unfair." The words came out rushed and rehearsed from personal repetition over the past week.
Callie nodded in acceptance, our eyes never once straying from the other's. Every part of my body longed to reach out and touch her, any part of her. After a few moments, she cleared her throat, "Ok, well that sounds sensible, I suppose. However, the thing is, I can't stop thinking about you." My breath hitched as she leaned across the table, getting dangerously close to me as she continued in a low voice, "Every time I close my eyes, I see yours. Every time I see someone with gorgeous blonde hair, I think it's you. I know that sounds crazy because I only met you once after I caught you stalking me, but that's what I'm feeling. I just want to spend more time with you. And, I think that you feel the same way. Am I right?"
Her breath mingled with mine and her eyes flashed darkly as she waited for my answer. On it's own accord, my hand came up and gently pushed a damp lock off her cheek and behind her ear, a small gasp coming from her lips as my finger brushed the delicate skin there. "You're not wrong. But, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. You should forget about me." My voice was a weak whisper as I practically begged her to let me walk away from her.
"Why don't you let me worry about that? Tell you what. I'll give you a choice. I'm going to be at this address," She finally broke eye contact with me to scribble something on a napkin and slid it over to me, "At seven pm tomorrow night. I'm going to have dinner. If you think that this," she motioned to the air between us, "is too much to deal with, then I'll eat by myself, and let you go. But, if you think that maybe our potential as …something…out weighs the complications we'll face, then show up and have dinner with me."
I gulped as I stared at the napkin. "Callie…"
"Just think about it, and I hope to see you there. And, if I don't, then I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling life, Arizona Robbins." With that, she reached over and swiped her finger along the side of the cinnamon roll, gathering some icing, then brought it to her lips with a smirk, sucking the sticky sweetness off, "Mmm…That is really good."
Watching as she sauntered out the door, I tried to regain the breath she took with the icing stunt. My body trembled from the emotion evoked by interacting with her. Such a high came from just speaking with her. Not only that, but the discontent and upheaval that I felt upon entering the bakery was now gone. She had that power over me, she soothed me and enlivened me at the same time. Being around her felt new and exciting and…promising. Glancing back down at the napkin covered in her delicate handwriting, I let my thoughts spin around in my mind. Go or let her go? I had to make a choice.
Then, again, it's only wishful thinking that fooled me into believing that I really had a choice.
AN: Please review if you have something to say, I like to hear from you all.