AN: Hello again! Thank you all for the feedback last chapter! I always love some comments, so keep 'em coming! Obviously this is a bit of a slow burn for our dear ladies, but I hope you like this chapter - it's a bit shorter, but heavy on the Amy and Arizona feels. :) Let me know what you think!

FYI, I have no hard feelings against Callie. As far as this fic is concerned she is going to be kind of jealous and angsty, but that's just to play in to my plans down the road. This isn't supposed to be an accurate depiction of her character, though.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Praise be to Shonda and ABC.

Chapter 3

The kids were asleep. Zola and Bailey in the extra bedroom, Ellis in Meredith's room, and Sofia in Arizona's room. Callie was supposed to come get her when she got off tonight, but she'd gone in to surgery late.

Arizona and Amelia rummaged through the kitchen, trying to find something to satiate a sweet tooth that they'd both developed. Arizona popped her head above the cupboards, looking at Amelia. "Why don't I just make cookies?" She suggested. Amelia grinned and nodded quickly. She looked down at the sink, seeing their dishes from breakfast.

"Want me to take care of these?" She asked.

"Oh, no, I'll get them later – " Arizona said quickly, but Amelia interrupted her.

"Nope, I got 'em. I owe you for feeding me all day anyways."

Arizona laughed and shrugged. "Suit yourself. Dish soap is beneath the sink."

Amy began loading the dishwasher, musing to herself. I've done dishes like once in my life, and that was at Mer's old house. Gah I feel so domestic. She glanced at Arizona, who was looking for a bag of flour in the pantry, and she smiled.

Amy heard a light popping noise following a short tear, and then, "Oh my God."

The brunette wheeled around to see Arizona's face – and hair, and clothes – covered in flour.

She couldn't help it – she started laughing. "How did you do that?" She asked as she brought a towel over to the blonde.

Arizona shook her head, "I don't even know. It's like there was an air bubble in there, but there couldn't have been."

Amy brought the towel gently to Arizona's face. The moment grew more intense as she gently wiped away the flour on the other woman's cheeks, her jaw, her forehead. Amelia's breath hitched as she looked into Arizona's crystal eyes. They froze for a moment.

"Do you need a change of clothes?" Amy asked quietly as the tension began to dissipate. Slowly, Arizona nodded and took a step back from her.

"I'll be right back," she promised, her voice soft and sweet. Amy watched her until she disappeared up the stairs.

She leaned back against the counter, releasing her first breath in what felt like hours. What was that? She asked herself. What did I want?

It didn't take long for Arizona to reappear, hair in a ponytail, wearing a Marines t-shirt and running shorts. She smiled at Amelia as she walked up, taking the flour and dumping some into a mixing bowl. Amy turned around to clean the rest of the flour off of the counter before she returned to the dishes.

Arizona made her so nervous.

"These are the best cookies ever!" Amelia declared as she plopped down on to the couch and hit play on the remote. Arizona giggled, propping her prosthetic up on the ottoman and leaning back in to the couch.

"I'm glad you like them," she said sweetly. Amelia beamed, nodding vigorously as she collected another cookie.

They had started a movie while the cookies baked. Meredith's limited film collection had left them with the choice of children's movies, or romcoms predating Arizona's med school graduation. Hence, they settled upon 10 Things I Hate About You, the only one that Arizona hadn't watched in the past month.

"We've got to get this girl some better movie options," Amelia yawned. Arizona laughed.

"Not into it?" She asked, reaching for another cookie.

"It's not that. I've just seen this movie so many times that I'm not sure that I didn't direct it," Amy quipped. Arizona nodded.

"Gave up the camera for neurosurgery?"

"It was time," Amy feigned solemnity. Arizona laughed. Amy looked at her. She felt her heart in her throat.

Cut it out, Shepherd. You're friends.

Amy was startled out of her thoughts by a knock on the door; whoever it was didn't wait for an answer.

"Hey, sorry it's so late," Callie said, walking in to the living room. Her eyes darted from her ex-wife to Amelia, visibly shocked, "Oh, um, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting…" Callie was confused.

Arizona, however, wasn't phased. "Not at all! I'll go get Sof. Do you want a cookie?"

Callie shook her head, her eyes not leaving Amelia as Arizona bounded up the stairs.

"How's it going, Torres?" Amy asked, acutely aware of Callie's piercing gaze.

"Decent. Had a late surgery," her eyes continued to narrow.

Amy rolled her own, "I went to the zoo with them today," she explained, "I actually didn't realize it was so late, but Arizona and I were just talking."

Callie nodded slowly. This was weird. Amy prayed for Arizona to hurry.

Luckily her prayers were answered; Arizona came sneaking down the stairs, a sleeping Sofia in her arms.

"She's out cold," Arizona said quietly. "We had a big day."

"So I heard," Callie answered, nodding towards Amy. "See you tomorrow." She took her daughter from her ex-wife, not even looking at Amy as she left.

"Are things still weird with her?" Amy asked once Arizona had gotten settled.

"What, with Callie?" Arizona asked. The brunette nodded. "Somewhat. I mean, I think things are always a little weird between divorced people. But she's just…" Arizona sighed. "She still wants to be so involved sometimes, you know? But she hates when I say anything about what she's doing or who she's dating."

"That's a little…" Amelia searched for a moment. "Batshit?"

Arizona laughed. "I don't want to call her crazy. I don't blame her for the divorce – really it was on me. But I do get frustrated sometimes. She's so protective over who I spend my time with, but I can't be the same with her. And I know that it's about Sofia more than anything – having people constantly in and out of a child's life isn't good for them. But I wish she would trust my judgement at least a little bit."

Amy nodded, thinking. "She doesn't like me around her, then?"

"What? No!" Arizona declared, turning to face Amy. "Amelia you are a world renowned neuro surgeon. You are brilliant, and responsible, and kind. You are the kind of person I want my daughter around."

Amelia met Arizona's eyes, her own starting to prickle as the blonde's words set in. She shook her head lightly.

Arizona spoke again, this time her voice as gentle as could be. "Amy, I don't care what you've done in your past. What matters to me, and what should matter to anyone else, is that you are here, and you are strong." She set her hand on Amelia's, surprised by how warm and soft her skin was.

Amelia blinked back tears, looking from Arizona's hand on hers, to Arizona's eyes on hers. Her heart swelled. "Thank you, Arizona," she said softly, genuinely. Arizona smiled, leaning forward and pressing her lips against Amy's cheek. She backed away too soon.

"Of course. You are always welcome with me."