Three weeks. Three weeks and two days. Three weeks, two days, and ten hours. Callie kept a mental time clock running in her head, while Arizona rested her body. At least that's what she had to tell Sofia. After the incident, both of Arizona's parents arrived a day later. Within two days, Callie's father showed up and was by her side every minute of the day. All the parents stayed at Callie and Arizona's house with Sofia, giving the little girl all the attention in the world. Callie stayed every night at the hospital, waiting. She decided after a week that she should take leave of absence, not wanting to miss the moment Arizona woke up. It was exhausting to say the least.
Luckily, Arizona was healing perfectly. The swelling in her brain had subsided, as the cuts and bruises on her face faded away slowly. Amelia had reattached the piece of skull that they had taken out, letting blonde locks cascade around a slim face. Her arm, collar bone, and hip would take much longer than a few weeks to heal. Callie vowed that no matter how hard the recovery would be, she wasn't going to leave Arizona alone. She promised herself that it wouldn't be like the plane crash, but either way she would stay by her side. Each day that went by a new sign of hope would arrive. After a week, she no longer needed a ventilator to breath. It was a scary risk to take, but they needed to try and see how much she was able to do. Slowly but surely, Arizona was coming back to life. That's what Callie kept telling herself.
Everyday someone new would come up to see Arizona. It was either other doctors in the hospital, or her more stable patients. Callie never realized how many people was routing for her wife, until she walked out of the room the next morning with flowers, drawings, and lots of food surrounding the door. It brought Callie to her knees out of awe, as she cried for the first time with hope. The Latina had developed a habit of talking to Arizona like she was really still there. Telling her what she ate, and what surgeries she was giving up. She updated her with all the hospital gossip, and read Arizona's favorite medical journals to her every night. Somehow it was keeping Callie sane, but it was having a horrific effect on their daughter. Callie didn't want Sofia to see her Mama till she was semi-healed, but even then it wasn't enough…
Two Weeks Ago..
"Callie, I think it might be good for Sofia to see Arizona. She's just as scared as we are, but she doesn't know what's going on, which is scaring her more." Barbara took Callie's hand in hers and gave it a slight squeeze. Callie was extremely hesitant when it came to Sofia seeing her like this. She didn't want to freak her out, but at the same time she didn't want her daughter to start having panic attacks or something if she didn't see her Mama. Sofia may still be a toddler, but she was a very smart toddler and knew when to be scared. Arizona's mother kept her head held high, knowing that her daughter was stronger than this.
Callie left Arizona under the watch of her parents, and went to the daycare. She stared through the window and watched the dark haired girl play, but she could tell Sofia wasn't herself. Swallowing the fear down, she went in and sat down in one of the bean bag chairs next to her daughter.
"Hi baby." Callie said softly, as Sofia turned her tiny body towards her. "You know? I think… We should go see Mama today. What do you think?" Her voice was shaky. She was trying really hard to not let Sofia hear the pain that was seeping through her words.
Light brown eyes met dark ones, "Where is Mama?" She took a few steps closer so that she was in the middle of Callie's legs and played with the hair on her Barbie.
"Mama's here. Just right down the hall. We can go see her if you want." Sofia lowered her head, she knew hospitals were a place where magic happened. That's what Arizona had told her, but she also knew it's where people who were sick came too. Callie brushed silky black hair behind small ears and tilted her head back up to hers. No more words were exchanged, Callie took a tiny hand in hers and headed towards the room.
When they got to the doorway, Arizona's parents walked out, leaving it to Callie and Sofia. Callie bent down and averted Sofia's wide eyes from all the wires and tubes. The little girl's soft eyes beginning to glaze over. "It's okay to be scared. But Mama's going to be okay. She's just… letting her body rest." Callie's lip started to quiver seeing the hurt in her little girl's eyes, quickly pulling it in between her teeth and biting it away.
"She's just resting?"
"Yeah baby."
"Okay." Sofia raised her hands so Callie could pick her up, she nuzzled her head in a warm neck as they approached the blonde. Callie sat the both of them down onto a chair and watched the rise and fall of a bruised chest. Sofia scooted to the edge of Callie's lap and hesitated placing her hand on the creamy skin in front of her. "Mama?"
"She can't hear you baby.." Callie's voice cracked, hearing the tenderness in her daughters. This was the saddest thing Callie had ever seen.
Sofia slowly reached out her little arm and set her tan hand on a warm one. Her eyes skimmed over all the casts, and bandages, looking back up to a lifeless face. "Mama?" She gently shook her hand, "Mama, wake up." Her voice began in a whisper, "Mama!" Shaking her hand with a little more force.
"Sofia.." Callie could feel her daughter's body begin to heat up. She placed her hand over Sofia's and dragged it off Arizona's.
Sofia jerked Callie's hand off her arm and jumped forward, violently shaking Arizona's arm and screaming, "Mama!" Tears starting to pool down rosy cheeks.
"Sofia!" Callie grabbed the little girl and took her into her arms, but Sofia started to kick and flail her arms around. Trying to escape her mother's embrace, she screamed at the top of her lungs and flung herself side to side. Callie held the little girl close and took her out of the room, almost dropping her on the way out. Barbara came over and took Sofia from Callie, gently swaying her from side to side. The dark haired girl cried until there wasn't enough air in the world to fill her tiny lungs. Callie tried to calm her down, but Sofia just cried harder and turned her face away from Callie's. The Latina took a step back, knowing Sofia was blaming her. "I can't do this."
Callie turned around and went back into the room, closing the door behind her. Walking up to Arizona she sat on the bed and looked at the monitor, realizing her heart rate went up a little. Callie shook her head and bowed it in defeat. "Arizona? I know you're in there somewhere. I can't do this by myself. Our daughter won't even look at me anymore. She blames me you know? And you know what.. She should. I was supposed to keep you safe, and she knew that. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought her in here until you healed more…. You are so much better at this parenting thing than I am, and you didn't even want kids… But now you're this amazing mom, and she needs you. Sofia needs YOU. Not me. YOU. I can't do this by myself… So.. you have to wake up. I'm not asking you anymore to be strong or to fight, I'm telling you. You need to wake up. If not for me than for every person that stops and places a rose by the door. Your parents are here and my dad is here. You have sick kids coming by to see their favorite doctor. That's all you Arizona. So if not for me.. then do it for them…"
Present Day
Callie's dad walked in and placed a firm hand on her slumped shoulder. He didn't need to say anything to let his daughter know how he was feeling, and that he would be here if she needed anything. Feeling the loss of contact, Callie snatched his hand and pulled him in for a long, much needed hug. He embraced his daughter with a loving passion, and finally placing a kiss on her temple before walking out. She watched her father walk down the hall till he was out sight, taking a deep breath she stepped back in the room and closed the door. Settling herself into the pull out chair next to Arizona's bed, she reached over and grabbed yet another medical journal and began reading. Almost putting her to sleep half way through reading the first paragraph,
"I don't know how you read these things, Zona." Letting the magazine fall onto her lap she cracked her neck and rubbed at her tired eyes, "I guess that's why you sleep so well." She chuckled to herself, then sighed heavily. Callie closed her eyes and took in her surroundings. She had to constantly remind herself where they were, otherwise she would pretend a little too well that everything was okay. She wanted so badly for everything to be back to normal, but knew she had to prepare for the worse.
Eventually Callie drifted off into a light sleep, every once in a while hearing the door click open because of the night nurses. All night she held that fragile hand in her own, wishing slender fingers would curl around long ones. The days were incredibly long, but it was the nights that made Callie go crazy. Not being able to cuddle up next to her wife or kiss her goodnight, nearly killed her. She couldn't help but wonder what life would be like if they ended up getting married that night. Even if it wasn't much different than the night before, she still dreamed about what it would've been like. It made her heart sink into the pit of her stomach every time though.
It was about three in the morning, when a strange noise awakened Callie. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, she quickly shot up realizing it was Arizona waking up.
"I need help in here!" Callie screamed trying to get the feeding tube out of Arizona's mouth. A nurse pushed Callie's hands aside and guided it out gently. Callie brushed the fallen locks out of her wife's face, and wiped away the tears that began forming.
Arizona struggled to open her eyes, only seeing fuzz at first. She tried to swallowing but choked and instantly felt hot hands on her cold cheeks. She could feel tears streaming down her face and over her lips. Her first instinct was to pull the tube out herself, but her left arm was weighed down and a shock of pain soared through her body. Her head snapped back against the pillow once she shifted her hips, the pain becoming too much for her. She could hear voices, but couldn't make out who was who. One voice sent chills down her spine, only hearing sweet nothings being whispered in her ear. After a few more moments the pain took over and sent Arizona back into darkness.
Callie saw Arizona's eyes flutter shut again, and panic shot through her. She just had her and lost her once again. The nurse flew to the other side of the bed when Arizona started moving and pumped her with morphine. Callie had no idea what to do, she was a doctor and still had no clue what to do to help her wife. She continued to caress Arizona's cheek, trying to get her to come back. After a couple minutes, blue eyes began sparkling again. Callie was right by her side guiding Arizona with her voice. The blonde didn't move much when she woke back up but winced when she shifted her leg under the tangled covers.
Amelia Shepard entered the room in a hurry. Putting her stethoscope in her ears, she listened for any abnormities.
"Arizona? Do you know where you're at?" The blonde tried to speak but struggled. Callie's eyes became dark. "Someone get her some water." The nurse brought over a small cup and helped Arizona drink it down. "I need you to try and speak for me." Amelia tried to stay as professional as possible, considering this was her friend too.
Arizona cleared her throat, "Everything hurts." Her voice was rough and scratchy but it did its job. Callie exhaled and squeezed her hand tighter.
"Yes, I know. And everything will for a while. Can you look forward for me?" She took out her penlight and shined it in her eyes. Swiping it quickly over each eye, then nodding towards Callie. The corner of both of their mouths rising a tad. "Okay, can you tell me your name?"
Swallowing hard again "My name is Arizona Robbins… I'm a Peds surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial.. and a fellow for fetal surgery." She slid her right hand out of Callie's grip and ran it over her bruised face, and down into the covers feeling the metal braces on her legs, sighing heavily. "And I was jumped…"
Callie could no longer wait, she needed to know. But hesitated, and instead Amelia asked for her, "Do you know who this is?" Pointing to Callie. Her heart started racing when the blonde glanced over and shut her eyes.
"You're…" She licked her dry lips and thought some more. "You're an Orthopedic surgeon right? Umm.. Torres.." She opened her eyes, but became confused by the look on both doctor's faces. "That's your name right?"
Callie eyes shot up to meet Amelia's, but the other brunette just shook her head telling her to wait a minute. "Arizona, can you tell me about yourself? Can you remember anything from your past?" Callie took a step back, this is not what she was prepared for.
"Why are you asking me this? These are not questions you ask to person who just woke up from a coma.. I mean I'm guessing I was in a coma since everyone is looking at me with crazy eyes." Her tone was harsh and sarcastic. Amelia cocked her head to the side and glared, "Okay, okay!" Raising her hand up fast, but quickly regretting it. "My name is Arizona Robbins, born August 9, 1976. My parents died when I was a teenager, and I'm an only child." Callie and Amelia looked at each other confused, but let her continue. "I was in a car accident, which is why I have one leg. I moved her like two years ago? I don't know. I was married to a man, but that lasted all of two seconds. And now I'm here, lying in a hospital bed.. again.."
Callie was so confused. Arizona knew her name, her birthday, and what she did for a living, but everything else.. She had no idea. The Latina turned to face the wall, and covered her mouth with her hand. Then booked into the bathroom and threw up. Arizona didn't remember her, their life, their daughter and top of it, she thinks she's straight. Callie giggled at that thought, but it was short lived once reality set in again. Amelia helped her clean up and they walked out of the room. Callie gripped the edge of the Nurse's desk and sunk her head between her arms.
Amelia ran her fingers through her hair, she had only read a couple cases like this. Never in a million years did she think she would actually witness one herself. "Callie?" She said gently.
"What the hell was that? I mean really. Please explain to me what the hell that was? Because I know for a fact that isn't Arizona." Her voice travelled throughout the quiet hall. She tried to stay calm, but that was definitely not going to happen now.
"I.. I've only read about it. I have never experienced a coma patient like that." Amelia was still in shock herself.
Callie stuck her neck out and cocked her head, "So, what does that mean? You don't know what's happening? You don't know how to fix it? What?" The anger was at the surface ready to boil over.
"Most patients either wake up perfectly fine, or they wake up with some form of amnesia. You got the ones who forget absolutely everything and the others who are missing pieces. Some lose their memory every time they go to sleep and wake back up. You have anterograde and retrograde. That's what I've dealt with…. Then there's that extremely small percentage of people who go into a coma, and basically dream of an entire new life for themselves. So, when they wake up that's all they know."
Callie stood there giving Amelia a blank stare. She didn't even know that was possible, but clearly it was. She looked over the other doctor's shoulder and watched Arizona explore her broken body. Callie was just as lost as Arizona was, neither one knowing what to do. Arizona had no idea who she was, how was she supposed to help her?
"How am I going to convince her that what she believes is her life, isn't. She'll hate me… All I want to do is hold her hand, and kiss her all over." A sad laugh escaped, "But she thinks she's straight!" Callie threw her hands up and put them behind her head. "I can't stay away from her… I can't stay away and hope that she remembers…. Oh god.." Fear washed over again. "What am I going to tell her parents? She thinks their dead, Arizona will flip out if she see's them… And Sofia?.. I don't know how much longer she can go without seeing her mom." Callie sank to the floor and leaned against the nurse's desk looking into Arizona's room.
Amelia followed, and took Callie's hand into hers. "For now, you act as her doctor. You don't really have to do anything, you still on that leave of absence. You pretend to be her doctor, you become her friend, and get as close as possible to her. You have to take it one step at a time, Callie. You can't rush these things, or it'll send her back further. So, you wait. And create a whole new life with her, and hope… she comes back." Amelia tightened her grip and had Callie rest her head on her shoulder.
Callie knew Amelia was right. She had promised Arizona that she would stay by her side no matter what happened when she woke up. Never thinking this was going to be a possibility. They created a life before, why couldn't they do it again? So, she will do as Amelia said, she will pretend to be Arizona's doctor and pretend to be just her friend. The only thing she can do is hope and pray that all of it will pay off, and the nightmare will finally end….
A/N: P.S I don't really know when Arizona was born so I just used Jessica Capshaws birthday (: