It took all of Callie's will power to get up and go to work the next day. Yesterday, what could have been the end turned out to be the start of a new beginning. Tears were shed and voices were raised, but at some point the realization of how much they truly meant to each other smacked them in the face. After Callie proposed to Arizona in the kitchen, they spent hours just lying there on the floor. Not doing anything but just being. The only thing that broke them out of their pretty pink bubble was Arizona's stomach growling, making the two laugh and finally get around. Callie left for an hour to go get Sofia, and do some grocery shopping for the dinner she was planning on making her fiancé. When she got home, Arizona had ordered pizza and beer. Both remembering what this combination did to them when they locked eyes, blushing slightly. They ended the night with a hot and very wet bubble bath. They didn't have to make love in order to convince one another that what they had said and were feeling was true. Arizona realized, while lying in Calliope's arms, that the dreams she never knew she had were coming true all over again. The thought of having a fresh start with Callie made her tighten her hold on the strong arms that surrounded her. Both gently falling into deep slumber, with smiles stuck on their faces, and hearts beating as one.
Arizona was woken up by the sound of her pager going off, making the blonde jolt straight up. Realizing who it was, she huffed and rolled over to look at the woman next her. Calliope looked so beautiful, with her hair tousled perfectly across the pillow and plump lips slightly parted. Everything she did was for this woman, and finally after all this time, she was back where she belonged. She pushed the feelings of wanting to make love to her soon to be wife again aside, knowing Callie was one of those people who needed her beauty sleep. Placing two fingers on the Latina's forehead she gently skimmed the frame of her face, savoring her silky skin. Fighting off the tears, the blonde made her way out of the bed and headed to the hospital.
Callie had a short day, just a couple surgeries and a few checkups and she was able to go home. She was determined to make that dinner tonight, knowing Arizona wouldn't be home for a few more hours. Sofia played in the living room with her dolls, while watching The Princess and The Frog, it was her favorite movie. Callie turned on some light music to help speed along the process, when the doorbell rang. Slightly confused, she went to open the door anyways. Her mouth dropped open and heart skipped a beat when she saw who was standing on her front porch.
"Mrs. Robbins! What are you doing here? Does Arizona know you're here? Why didn't you call we could've came and picked you up! Come in! Come in!" Her nervous rambling made the older blonde laugh. Callie was always nervous around Arizona's parents, because they were the creators of the person she loved most. Seeing Mrs. Robbins always made Callie's heart flutter. She couldn't wait to see her and Arizona with wrinkles and grey hair. Her mother in law was a glimpse into the future, a future with Arizona.
"Well it's nice to see you too, Calliope!" The use of her full name almost made Callie come undone right there. "I thought I'd make it a surprise, and spend a few days with my grand baby!" She continued with excitement.
"Why don't you come in and I'll take your bags upstairs, Sofia is in the living room. She'll be so excited to see you." Callie looked into fading blue eyes, feeling the tears threaten to come up, "I'm really happy to see you…" A soft hand came up and caressed Callie's burning cheek.
"I know.." The blonde had plenty to say to her daughter in law but knew it could wait, seeing the hurt and frustration in Callie's eyes.
Callie took her bags upstairs, hearing Sofia scream with joy finally seeing her grandma again. She didn't know if she should call Arizona or not. What she did know was that this wasn't a surprise visit just because she felt like it. The fact that Arizona's father didn't come along, meant that she was really here to see Callie. She took a long hard stare at herself in the mirror, mentally preparing for what would most likely come.
Entering the kitchen she saw Sofia introducing all her dolls to her Grandma. It really had been a while since they've seen her, which was probably because of them. That thought made Callie's heart sink. Arizona used to talk to her parents on a regular basis, but then slowly as their relationship progressed it was like she didn't have time for them anymore. Arizona really did begin to give up everything to keep Callie in her life. Seeing how happy Sofia was, Callie was more than determined to fix that.
"So how long are you planning on staying?" Callie said cheerfully. She really was happy to see this woman again.
"Only for a few days. Can't leave the coronel alone for too long, he'll set the house on fire or starve himself. He sends his love though!" She threw her head back just like Arizona did when they found themselves funny. Callie couldn't help but laugh too.
"You're more than welcome to stay as long as you want. I hate that we don't see you guys much anymore.." Her voice drifting off as she stirred the pasta.
"I know, me too… How are you and Arizona?" Her voice peaking interest. She wasn't stupid, and knew her daughter well enough to know when something was wrong.
"We.. We are pretty happy right now." Callie's heart lifted a little thinking about yesterday.
"I see.." She whispered, while dressing one of Sofia's dolls.
Callie snapped her head around with wide eyes. Not knowing if that statement had a double meaning or not. The blonde stood up and rounded the island, then placed her hand on Callie's forearm. Reassuring Callie that she was here to talk, not just to Arizona, but was here for Callie as well.
"Sofia? Why don't you take your dolls and go back into the living room. Me and grandma have to talk.." Brown eyes never leaving blue. Sofia willingly did so with a skip in her step. Callie shut off the water and drained her noodles, and sat them in the sink. Mrs. Robbins sat down at the kitchen table, pulling a chair out for Callie and motioned for her to sit. Callie's mind was slowly turning to mush, and she could feel the sting in the back of her throat resurfacing again.
"Should you start or me?" The blonde said quietly, patiently waiting for Callie to come to. "Okay… I'll start. I know that you and Arizona separated.. Multiple times. And I know that she's been struggling with the fact of you ever really committing to her again." Her words spat out like fire. They weren't intended to hurt Callie, but they definitely were wounding her fast.
"We're getting married again." Callie whispered.
Wrinkles became more defined as the woman smiled, "That's great, really." She took a deep breath searching for the right words. She knew she needed to talk to Callie alone before her daughter came home, knowing the effect she has on the brunette. "Do you know why Arizona was so hesitant about getting married? Or about having children?" Callie's eyes shot up, as she shook her head no. She really never did know why, she swore never to ask again. "Growing up, Arizona was always a little different. In a good way of course! But different. So when she came out to me, I wasn't all that surprised… It was actually sort of a relief, knowing she wasn't hiding from me anymore. When she told her father, the only thing he asked her was.."
"If she was the same person he raised her to be." Callie interrupted.
"Yes. And she was. The only difference was that we were meeting girls left and right, between her and her brother.." She stopped, reminiscing on the past. Callie reached over and grabbed the older woman's hand, encouraging her to go on. "When Tim died, she did everything she could to keep her father happy. I realized a little too late that, yes, she was still the same person he raised her to be. Even after everything that happened.. But she was no longer the person I raised her to be.." Her words cut through Callie like a knife, with a gentle squeeze the woman continued. "She lost sight of what true happiness was… God, I remember when she was little, Arizona would make up all these stories about what her life would be when she got old. It always made me laugh. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't think she ever said she was going to marry a man?... Anyways, not the point. She dreamt about getting married and having babies. Isn't that what playing house is for when your young to secretly fulfill those dreams?" They both laughed that time. "You need to know that she did have those dreams. She just lost sight of them once her brother died. Arizona convinced herself that she wasn't worth it. She went out of her way to make others happy, even went as far as saving lives for a living… She didn't have someone to help guide her in the right direction. Her father and I were okay with her being gay, but we never really encouraged it either. I didn't realize that before it was too late. Then, she up and moved to Seattle. Leaving everyone and everything behind. It hurt a little, but we understood. A couple weeks later I get this call, her voice was different, you could almost feel the love pouring out of her through the phone…" Callie's heart started to pound, figuring that for sure Barbara could hear it.
"Wait.." Callie didn't want to hear what was coming next. Having that responsibility terrified her.
"No, you need to hear this. Callie, it was you. You brought Arizona back to life.. You returned my daughter to me. And because of that I will never be able to repay you. She was in love with you from the moment she laid eyes on you at the hospital. Arizona is not one to hold back when she finds a woman attractive. But you were different, just like she was when she was young. You are why she feels like she's worth now it Callie. You.." She leant forward and wiped a tear that had fallen from Callie's eye.
"You don't understand how much I've hurt her though. Trust me, that's the last thing I want to be telling you.." Callie's breath got caught in the back of her throat. She wanted nothing more than to make Arizona as happy as she was back then, but every once in a while doubt crept its way back in. "I can't be the reason why her life falls apart again.. I want her to be happy. I want her to have those dreams. I want her to have everything in the world. And.. I want her to always feel like she's worth it.. Because she so much more than worth it… But am I selfish by saying that I want all that with her?" She said it more towards herself than to the blonde. Tears now running more smoothly down her flushed cheeks.
"Calliope?" The voice traveled right through her, realizing it was Arizona. Arizona didn't care to notice who was sitting in the other chair, all she cared about was the fact her love was sobbing to herself. Coming up beside Callie, she rested her tired hands on firm shoulders. Gliding them up to cup her face to make the brunette look at her. "You're worth it."
Callie stood up, still in Arizona's hold, and placed her hands on a slim waist. Arizona's breathing changed, it quickened and made Callie smirk. The effect they had on each other was earth shattering. Stepping closer so that now they were flush against each other, Callie leaned in teasingly then pulled away again, giving Arizona her brightest smile. Standing on her tip toes, the blonde rubbed their noses together then rested her head against the Latina's. Breathing in her favorite scent, Callie. Wrapping her arms around Callie's neck in a tight embrace she closed the gap, with one slow and tender kiss. Looking into each other's eyes, Callie began giggling with a slight blush racing across her face.
"What are you laughing at?" She asked playfully.
"Don't you think you're being a little rude?" Gesturing towards the older woman still sitting in the chair next to them.
Arizona leapt out of Callie's arms and tackled her, "MOM! Oh my gosh, what are you doing here?" Suddenly looking around the room with a confused look, "Have you been here the entire time?" Callie and Barbara looked at one another and chuckled.
"Did you think I was talking to myself?" Callie snorted out.
Barbara stood up and took her daughter's face in her hands, "Arizona my love, you are incredibly smart. But you can be awfully dumb sometimes." For some reason anything that came out of that woman's mouth sounded like it was a message from god, it was that sweet. She gently kissed her beloved daughter on the cheek and gave her a quick wink, then leaned in and said, "She's all yours." Arizona's heart grew ten times bigger. It wasn't her mother trying to say that she would leave the two of them alone for a minute, I was her saying that Calliope had finally given up all her insecurities and doubts and was completely hers.
I hope you enjoyed reading! I'm sorry if it didn't exceed your expectations. Today was a very long and tiring day for me, and wasn't really in my creative flow tonight. So I apologize now! Feel free to still comment! I love waking up to my reader's messages! I love you all! Goodnight (: