Chapter 11
I own nothing
Made the time jump longer than a couple days to keep the story moving at a nice pace.
Hope you like it
Eleven days, a week and a half that's how long Arizona has been back in New York. Two hundred sixty four of the longest hours of her life, she missed Callie more than she thought she would. She misses waking up with her, the kisses and touches and of course the sex, the mind numbing life changing sex. Sure they've has phone sex numerous times during the week but it's definitely not the same. She knew it was going to be hard but she didn't think it was going to be this hard, needless to say she's losing her mind.
The first week she was so engrossed in what needed to be done with the Butterfly Kiss brand, the current stores and the store opening that she didn't have time to dwell on missing her girl but now that things are beginning to go back to somewhat normal her every waking moment is consumed with thoughts of her gorgeous Latina. They speak every day, multiple times a day and text each other constantly but for Arizona it isn't enough, so it begs the question how the hell is she supposed to survive a whole month?
So here it is Thursday night and she's wondering what does one typically do on Thursday nights? It's still early in the evening so she decides to text Alex and April to come over and watch a movie and eat pizza.
After sending the text she passes the time sitting on the couch flipping through the channels, it's still unnerving how quiet her apartment is. Her phone beeps on the coffee table. It's a text from Teddy.
What're u doing – T
Nothing – A
What's wrong? – T
Nothing – A
Sending the last text she puts her phone back on the table and resumes flipping channels, a few seconds later her phone starts ringing.
"Hello." She answers with an eye roll.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Hello Theodora, how are you? I'm fine thank you," Arizona says sarcastically.
"Cut the crap Robbins what crawled up your butt today?"
Arizona takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, "nothing Teds I'm just not in a good mood."
"Have you talked to Callie Today?"
"Yes of course I have."
"Then what's the problem."
Arizona can sense Teddy getting frustrated and that's making her frustrated. "I'm bored and lonely Teddy, there you happy."
"Hey don't do that of course I'm not happy that you're lonely."
"Ugh I'm just frustrated, I wish I could just pick up and leave but I can't I have to be the responsible one and make sure everything is fine so it doesn't fall apart and I lose everything. You don't think I want to pick up and move to Florida too but I can't."
"Are you pissed at me?"
Arizona sighs into the phone. "I'm not mad at you I'm just aggravated and annoyed and I miss Callie and as much as I believe we'll make this work it's hard and it hasn't even been two weeks yet. How am I supposed to make it through a month and then what? I wish I was you and could just pick up and leave."
Teddy lets her rant without interruption before she speaks, whether Arizona wants to admit it or not she is pissed at her and she knows it. "I didn't just pick up and leave Arizona it was a thought out decision that took me months to make."
"Oh really I guess talking to me was a last minute thing then cause I didn't know you were leaving until a week before you left. You know what yes I'm pissed at you, I'm sick of being the responsible one we are supposed to be in this together a partnership 50/50 but you just left me here alone to deal with everything." Tears begin to sting the blonde's eyes.
"Arizona come on I thought we talked about all this I've apologized for the way I left. There's nothing I can do to change it, I handled it wrong. I know the situation with Callie is causing all this to come up again, you're thinking too much. I love you Z and I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did but is me leaving really the issue."
The buzzer for the front door buzzes 3 times in a row, that's Alex's signal. She gets up and buzzes him in. "Alex is here I should go." She stands by the door waiting for him to get off the elevator.
"Ok, you must be bored to invite him over," Teddy jokes trying to lighten the mood.
"Yea,"Arizona chuckles out.
"I'll talk to you soon; it will get easier I promise."
"Ok thanks Teddy bye."Arizona hangs up before Teddy could respond, she knows she's not really being fair to her by bringing up the past but she's feeling shitty and overworked and Teddy leaving has a lot to do with it. She opens the door when she hears the elevator and walking off is her best male friend Alex.
Alex walks into the apartment with 2 6-packs of beer he looks at Arizona and can tell something is wrong with her. "What's wrong?" taking off his jacket and hanging it on the hook while Arizona sits on the couch.
"Nothing is wrong, why is everyone asking me that question?"
"Oh I don't know maybe it's the bug that's crawled up your ass and laid eggs."
Arizona looks at him as he walks to the couch and starts laughing. "What?"
"Hey anyone who knows you knows you shit rainbows and butterflies so when you're in a bad mood it's written all over your face." Alex takes a couple beers out of the pack on the coffee table, opens them and hands one to Arizona.
Arizona takes a sip, "I may or may not have yelled at Teddy."
"There's no may or may not have either you did or you didn't."
"Ok I did," taking another sip.
"Spill."
"I miss Callie and I wish I could pack up and leave like she did but I can't because I have to take care of everything here."
"Look you know I hate this share your feelings crap but you also know I'll give it to you straight." Arizona nods waiting for him to continue. "you and Teddy are two totally different people, there is no way in hell you'd pack up and just leave even if she was still here that is just not you and I get that her leaving hurt you but you have to let it go."
"I know but," Arizona starts to say and is cut off.
"No buts Zo, you and Altman have been through a lot together don't let this crap get in the way. And you can deny it all you want but I know you miss her too."
"Of course I do Alex she's my sister we've never lived apart from each other."
"Alright then cut the shit and let her off the hook already she just wanted to be with her girl."
"Ugh I know," putting her head in her hands. "It's not even that, I miss Callie and I want to be there but we promised each other we would think about this and not rush into anything."
"Sounds like she's perfect for you miss over thinker."
Throwing a pen at him, "shut up ass and yes she's perfect." A wide grin spreads across her face at the thought of Calliope Torres's perfect self.
"Alright I'm done with the mushy shit where's the food and Kepner?"
"Food is on the way and Kepner's still closing she'll be here soon, pick a movie."
Alex looks at her as if she has 5 heads, "you're letting me pick the movie? Wow has hell frozen over." He says as he gets up and walks over to her movie tower.
"Yes it has actually; just pick something good, no romantic comedies though." Arizona jokes, her laughing stops when she hears her phone beep back to back. Looking at it there are 2 texts from Callie, one from Teddy and one from her sister Sarah.
I miss you babe xoxo – C
Hate when you're mad at me call me tomorrow please have fun with Alex and April tell them I said hi – T
After reading Teddy's she sighs loud enough that it makes Alex look at her but she still has her eyes on the phone so he doesn't ask any questions. Arizona moves on to the next text.
Working at the club tonight so call me anytime – C
We need to talk about this stop ignoring it – S
Sarah is her eldest sister; they're not close at all. They spoke last week and that didn't go well. She deletes the message and sends responses to Callie and Teddy.
Miss you too more than you know
having a movie night with Alex and April will call when I kick them out.
have fun and don't drink too much xoxo – A
Teds we're fine I promise miss you bean head I'll call you tomorrow – A
Almost immediately she gets a response from Callie.
Have fun and we'll see each other soon babe I promise – C
I know I just hate being away from you – A
I hate it too but we can do this
I have to go now call me when you can
Smile Hermosa xoxo – C
That's exactly what she does; even miles away the thought of Callie makes butterflies the size of bats form in her stomach. Alex decides on Iron Man 1 & 2 because well they're super hero movies and to Alex they can never be bad. Arizona is surprised to see April coming out of her kitchen.
"Aps? When did you get here?" Arizona asks totally confused.
April walks to the couch and sits down with an open beer, "a couple minutes ago but you were totally into your phone." She says with a smirk.
"Shut up both of you, pizza will be here soon." They take their usual seats around the blonde's living room deciding to wait until the food gets there to turn on the first movie.
"How's Callie Zo?" April asks.
Alex rolls his eyes from his position on the love seat, "please don't get her started she misses her like crazy and she hates Teddy there you're up to speed."
"Hey," throwing a bottle cap at him. "I don't hate Teddy Alex."
"You're still mad at her for leaving," April says as more of a statement rather than a question.
"I'm really sick of talking about this. I miss Callie like crazy I'm cranky and lonely and horny as hell." As soon as the last part comes out of her mouth April starts blushing and Alex has his stupid I'm a guy and always horny smirk on his face. "So I don't want to talk about it."
"Are you sure? Because I'm here for you." They start laughing at the ridiculousness of the statement because Alex is the last person to go to with anything emotional, although sometimes he does surprise you.
The food arrives a few minutes later and the three friends have a nice evening watching movies and pigging out. It didn't make Arizona miss Callie any less but it did take her mind off of her current situation so all in all it was a good night. Alex and April stayed a little while longer to keep Arizona company but called it a night at almost midnight.
Arizona goes about doing her nightly routine, excited about talking to Callie again. She did a good job of distracting herself for a few hours but now she's eager to hear the Latina's sexy, husky voice. Now in her pajamas which consist of boy shorts and Callie's Duke hoodie that she "borrowed" with nothing underneath, she reaches for her phone and presses speed dial number 1. The phone rings three times before the voice mail message comes on, instead of leaving a message she hangs up.
Pulling her knees to her chest Arizona leans her head against the head board and remembers the conversation with her sister earlier in the week.
Sarah had been calling her every day since she got back from Florida so after a week of ignoring her she finally decides to pick up. "Yes Sarah," she answers clearly annoyed.
"Well it's about damn time you picked up the phone."
"I would have if I wanted to talk to you, so you want to tell me why you're calling me nonstop."
"Whatever Arizona, I want to go through Tim's things."
Arizona is stunned silent that was definitely not what she expected it to be about. "What the fuck Sarah?" Tears immediately pool in her eyes.
"It's been a year; you just put all of his stuff in storage without giving any of us a chance to look through it so I want access to it."
"9 months," she whispers. "It's only been 9 months and he left everything to me so if I want to keep it in storage for the rest of my life I will. I'm going to guess that you haven't told mom or dad about this."
"He was my brother too Arizona you're not the only one who's grieving."
"You know what do me favor and shut the fuck up you have no idea what I'm going through you weren't there, you didn't hear him beg so I don't want to hear about your grieving when you call me about his things." The tears are streaming down her face.
"Arizona."
"No I'm done with this conversation. You want to go through his things by all means go ahead, mom and dad have the only key so get it from them but don't you dare touch his car and when you're done and have gotten whatever it is you want leave me the fuck alone." Then she hangs up the phone before Sarah can respond and cries for the first time in months.
Arizona is brought out of her memory when her phone beeps signaling a text from her older brother Evan but she ignores it and throws the phone to the other side of the bed in a huff. She lays down hoping, wishing and praying Callie calls her soon she really needs to hear the Latina's voice.
Miles away in Miami, Florida the music is pumping at Club Aria and for a Thursday night it's pretty packed, Callie is helping serve at the bar when Addie and Teddy walk in. The two walk to the corner of the bar and Callie gets two beers to start off with before walking up to them. She instantly notices Teddy's face which is a cross between sad and pissed, Callie gets Addie's attention and motions towards her girl to which Addie just shakes her head in response.
Callie suddenly remembers she left her phone in her office she makes her way upstairs hoping she hasn't missed the blonde's phone call. She finds it on her desk and of course she has a missed call from the one person she actually wants to talk to.
The Latina hit speed dial number 1 and only has to wait for one ring before hearing an angelic voice say hello. Her heart speeds up as soon as she hears her and a smile immediately appears on her face. "Hi beautiful did I wake you?" Lying down on the couch.
"No I'm awake I was waiting for you to call me back."
"Sorry about that babe I left my phone on my desk. How was your evening with the wonder twins?"
Callie can hear a soft chuckle coming from the blonde, "It was ok they took my mind off of everything."
"Are you over thinking again?"
"You know it. I wouldn't be me if my brain actually shut off."
There is silence for a second or two before Callie asks, "What's going on Arizona?"
Arizona takes a deep breath, "I'm frustrated with myself and I took it out on Teddy and now I feel bad."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not right now." Arizona hasn't told her about her sister's phone call or about the circumstances surrounding her brother's death and she's not sure how to bring it up.
Callie can hear the emotion in her voice and there is nothing she wants more than to have her in her arms right now. "Whenever you're ready babe I'm not going anywhere."
"I guess I didn't realize how lonely I really am, sure I have Alex and April and they are great but since Teddy left I have been so lonely then I go to Florida to visit my best friend and I meet the most amazing woman and spend the best two weeks of my life with this woman and I can't get her out of my head so here I am back in New York lonely once again." Arizona rambles in one breath.
"Wow hon breathe," she pauses before continuing. "I miss you too so so much I want you to remember that you may feel lonely but you're not alone you have me, Teddy and Addie, Alex and April we're here."
"But you're not here Calliope." Arizona whines, she knows she's being needy and childish but she doesn't care it could also be because she had a few too many beers.
"I know I'm sorry this is so hard on you."
"Why isn't it hard on you?"
"It is but how is it going to work if both of us turn into cranky whiney messes, only one at a time and right now it's your turn." Callie tries to joke to lighten the mood, she smiles when she hears Arizona's giggle on the other end.
Giggling, "I am a mess aren't I."
"Just a little one, don't worry I still like you."
"Thank god for that." They continue their conversation for another 30 mins when Callie hears Arizona try to hide a yawn. They hang up with bitter sweet smiles on their faces, sad that they have to hang up but looking forward to hearing each other's voices again.
Callie stays on the couch with her eyes closed and places her phone over her heart, Arizona Robbins is quickly making her way in, for the first time in four years she's not fighting it and that puts a smile on her face. She stays there laying on the couch thinking about her blonde when she hears the music from the club as the door opens then the room gets quiet again.
Thinking its Addison Callie doesn't open her eyes, "what's going on out there?"
"Nothing much it's pretty normal," Megan says causing Callie to open her eyes and sit up on the couch.
"How the hell did you get in here?" Callie questions pretty pissed off that she's there.
Megan starts walking over to the couch, "where have you been babe?"
Callie gets up and walks around the approaching Megan to stand in front of her desk. "I am not your babe so stop, I told you this." Signaling between the two of them. "Is over."
"Come on you don't mean that."
"I can honestly say I do."
"Oh I get it you're still with blondie but I don't see her here she doesn't have to know. We haven't fucked on the couch before maybe we can break it in." Megan stands in front of Callie and runs her finger along her arm.
"That's never going to happen so are you going to leave or am I going to have to get security to escort you out of here."
"Callie come on we have fun, no strings a good fuck do you really want to give that up." Meagan leans in and tries to kiss the Latina.
Callie grabs her by the arm to stop her, "you're right we did have fun but it's over let it go you're starting to look really pathetic right now."
"I don't want this to be over." Going for the button on Callie's cargo shorts.
The Latina pushes her hand away and walks behind her desk and presses and holds a button on her desk phone. "Tough cause it's over now get the hell out of my office now." By the time Callie is finished talking 2 security guards are standing at the door followed by Teddy and Addie.
Megan turns towards the door, "fine I'm leaving." She says through gritted teeth, "but don't come crawling to me when she leaves your ass." And with that she walks out followed by one of the guards.
Callie turns to Joe who is head of security, "you wanna tell me how the hell she got in my office."
"I don't know Ms. Torres but I will be looking into it and I'll have the door combo changed first thing in the morning."
"Yea thanks Joe," he nods and walks out closing the door behind him.
"What the hell just happened?" Addison asks completely confused.
"What does it look like happened Addie? Crazy chick broke in here to get me to fuck her on the couch." Callie all but screams still pissed that her good and positive thoughts were interrupted by Megan and her craziness.
"Whoa, how the hell did she get in here?"
"That's what the fuck I want to know I'm guessing she got the code somehow," Callie responds angrily before sitting at her desk.
"Don't worry Joe's getting the code changed tomorrow." Addie says from her place at her desk.
"Did you talk to Arizona?" Teddy asks from her position on Addie's desk, that's the first thing she's said since arriving at the club.
Callie looks up at her, "yea I had just got off the phone with her when psycho came in."
"How did she sound? I spoke to her earlier and she didn't sound like herself." Teddy asks looking Callie in the eyes.
"Well now that you mention it she didn't sound very good, she sounded like she was trying to keep herself from crying."
"Yea that's what I was afraid of."
Addie places her hand on Teddy's arm to get her attention when she looks at her she asks, "What's going on babe? Is she ok?"
"I honestly don't know, something set her off, when I talked to her she was really mad at me and I get why but it's just weird that all of a sudden all this stuff comes back."
"What stuff?" Callie asks.
"Stuff about me moving here and me 'leaving her'," Teddy does the quotations with her fingers. "But I think there's something else going on she told me she talked to her sister and that the conversation didn't go well."
Hearing this Callie interest is piqued, "which sister? I know she doesn't get along with one of them."
"Yea Sarah and she's the one who called, apparently she's been bugging her since she's been back and Arizona's been ignoring her. I guess she finally decided to find out what she wanted."
"Did she tell you what they talked about?" Callie asks.
"No she just said they fought but I have a pretty good idea what it was about." Teddy answers and looks at Callie who's looking at her expectantly waiting for an answer.
Teddy takes a breath, "did Arizona ever tell you about how her brother died?"
"No just that he died about 9 months ago in a car accident."
"Yup…look Callie I don't feel comfortable telling you anything about this without Arizona knowing about it. She has a hard time talking about it and I don't want to piss her off anymore then I already have."
"I get that, I just want to make sure she's ok and obviously she isn't if she's yelling at you about things that have been resolved and crying. I care about her a lot Teddy and I want to be there."
"I know," Teddy whispers. "I'm just worried."
The three friends sit in silence; the office being sound proof helps them get lost in their own thoughts. An idea hits Callie like a volt of electricity and she wonders why it took her so long to think of it. She opens up her lap top and starts searching for something.
Addie looks at Callie, "what are you doing Cal?"
"I'm looking up flights to New York."
That shakes Teddy from her thoughts, "you're gonna go?" she asks.
"Yea I'm worried about her and I need to know she's ok. If she wants to talk I'll be there to listen but if not I'll be there to hold her." Callie says and goes back to her search.
Both Addie and Teddy smile at that response. Teddy was thinking about going to New York for a couple days but hadn't had a chance to book a ticket because of some issues that came up at the store and it's probably for the best considering Arizona's annoyance with her at the moment. Even though the tall blonde knows that the real issue is not her she still feels somewhat responsible for the way her BFF is feeing.
Callie looks at Teddy and can see her dilemma written all over her face, "I'll take care of her Teddy." Teddy looks up at her with tears in her eyes.
"I know I just," the tears fall before she can continue, "After Tim died she was barely able to pick up the pieces. She's my sister, my best friend and it hurt to see her like that. We were all devastated but she was crushed I don't ever want to see her like that again." Teddy's unable to keep more tears from falling, seeing this Addie is on her feet and has taken the woman in her arms.
Callie rests her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands wondering how everything got so crazy so fast. Picking her head up she looks at her two friends, Teddy is still in Addie's arms but her tears have stopped and the red head is whispering in her ear. "I promise Teddy I will take care of her." She says before going back to her search.
After searching a little more she finds a flight that leaves at 10:47 the next morning and gets to NY at 12:42, perfect time to catch Arizona at the store considering according to Teddy she doesn't leave before 6pm every day.
It's been a crazy night and it's getting pretty late so they leave shortly after, Callie excited about seeing her baby the next day.
The next morning Arizona drags herself out of bed feeling as if she drank a whole bottle of vodka, her head is pounding and her mouth is sticky dry it wasn't until she's in the shower that she realizes the way she feels it from crying herself to sleep. Getting out the shower she wraps her wet hair in a towel and decides to air dry so she goes to the kitchen to make some toast and coffee.
Once she's dressed, first cup of coffee has been guzzled she sits on her bed and looks at her phone for the first time. She notices the time is 11:27 and she has a number of texts. She skips to Callie's which is her wishing her a good morning and letting her know she's going to be in meetings all morning and won't be able to talk, that news garners a frown cause she needed her daily dose of Calliope's sexy ass voice. There's one from Teddy letting her know she isn't upset she's just worried about her, she doesn't respond but it does make her smile she knows she's going to have to talk to her sooner than later.
Scrolling through the rest of her texts she has a couple from her sister again, which she ignores and one from her mother. She decides to call her mother.
The phone rings twice before it's answered by her mother Barbara, "Hi peanut."
Arizona smiles at being called the same nickname she's had since she was 3 years old, "morning mama what are you doing awake."
"You know I get up at 7 every morning."
"Yea," she breaths out.
"Are you ok baby girl?
Arizona briefly considered lying but she quickly dismissed that idea, her mother has always been able to tell if she wasn't being honest. So she goes with the truth, "Not really mama. Have you talked to Sarah?"
"Not since they came over for Sunday dinner. Why? Come on talk to me."
"She wants to go through his stuff." Arizona hears her mother's breath get stuck in her throat. "We spoke or rather argued about it and since then she has been calling and texting me nonstop."
"Oh honey."
"She made some stupid comment about me not being the only one who's grieving and I lost it." Arizona pauses she can tell that what she said has made her mother mad, "I know I'm not the only one grieving mama, do you want to go through his things? You know I've never stopped you that's why I gave you the key so you can go and do whatever you wanted with his things the way I see it it's whoever gets to it first." She takes a deep breath after her little ramble.
"Baby girl stop we know how hard this is for you, your father and I can't seem to get up the courage to go so no you're not stopping us from doing anything."
"I just don't want you to think I don't think about you and daddy's feelings about it, am I being selfish." The tears start to flow freely,
"You are far from selfish; I will not let Sarah make you feel that way."
"I told her to ask you to get the key; I don't care what she wants or what she does as long as she doesn't touch his car."
"Don't worry about her I'll take care of it."
"Thank you mama." Sniffling and drying her tears with the cuff of her shirt.
The mother and daughter talk for a little while longer, Barbara updating her daughter on the state of the store and what's going on with the family and of course questioning over and over when her and Teddy are going home for a visit. Arizona hasn't told her about Callie yet, she knows that as soon as the Latina is mentioned she going to want to fly to the east coast to meet her.
After hanging up it's a little after noon so Arizona hurries out the door and is walking in the door of the boutique twenty minutes later. As soon as she walks in she greets April and notices it's a little busy for a Friday afternoon. She busies herself with manning the register until it calms down, which only takes about an hour. Arizona is pretty sure she could pay her employees pay checks with the sales in that one hour alone.
Once it's calm Arizona goes back to her office to do some much needed paperwork. Paperwork which she hates doing by the way.
The cab pulls up in front of the store at exactly 2pm; Callie pays the fare and steps out into the hot New York sun. She looks completely bad ass in slightly loose fitted light blue skinny jeans a black and grey Metallica t shirt and black high top chucks. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun, sunglasses over her eyes shielding the sun as she looks up at the sign and smiles.
Callie walks in and notices a short skinny red head behind the counter and smiles a hello. The Latina starts looking around before making her way to where the red head she presumes is April is standing.
April looks at her with a bright smile, "Good afternoon how can I help you?" She says in the most chipper voice Callie has ever heard.
Callie is a little taken a back but she recovers quickly, "Ummm yea I'm looking for Arizona."
"She's in the back is there anything I can help you with.
"No I really need to see her."
The red head stares at her for a few seconds before a wide grin spread across her face and she lets out a squeal of laughter. "You're Callie aren't you? Oh my god you're even prettier then Arizona described.
"Uh thank you." Callie says shuffling from one foot to another. "But shhhh she doesn't know I'm here would it be possible to get her for me."
"Are you kidding of course not hopefully you being here will put her in a better mood." The red head shakes her head, jumps off the stool she's been sitting in and practically runs to Arizona's office.
April knocks on the door, getting a faint come in she opens the door, "Hey there's a supplier that needs to see you."
Arizona groans, "can't you handle it Aps?"
"No they requested to speak to you personally."
"OK I'm coming," April is out the door before the blonde is able to finish a sentence.
Arizona walks out to the store but doesn't see April or a supplier anywhere in sight but she does see a figure standing at the counter with her back to the blonde. There is something oddly familiar about this person but Arizona is unable to figure out why, until the brunette stands up and slowly turns around. Arizona could swear she stopped breathing cause standing there in front of her is Calliope 'sex on legs' Torres with a sexy ass smirk on her face.
The blonde's heart is pounding in her chest and she's unable to take her eyes off of her for fear she's not really there. She's finally able to get her brain working, "Calliope." She whispers frozen in place.
Callie doesn't move she just takes in the blonde in front of her; she is truly an angel beautiful in every way.
"Hey babe," she says as if they see each other every day. She starts walking slowly and once she's standing in front of her she cups her cheek in her hand and leans in and kisses her softly on the lips.
In this moment Arizona forgets everything that has happened since she's been home because her Calliope is standing in front of her, kissing her touching her.