Chpt 11
Callie's POV
Why did we only ever have cereal, milk and coffee in this apartment? I was rummaging through cupboards trying to find something substantial to make Arizona for breakfast when Christina and Owen emerged from their room.
"Morning Cal" Owen said as he sat on a stool at the island. "You in surgery today?"
"I was supposed to be, but Derek made me reschedule because apparently, I have been pulling to much overtime" I replied as I starting pouring coffee into the two mugs I had placed on the counter earlier.
"Well you know Derek" Christina watched me pour in anticipation of her morning fix. Sorry Christina. Not for you. "He wouldn't want his resident superstar overworking herself before the awards ceremony next month" Her hand went for a mug as I pulled them both away.
"Don't touch" I said keeping the mugs out of reach of my caffeine hungry roommate.
"Ohhhhhh Torres..." Owen said giving me the "you got some last night" look. "Who's the lucky lady?" He chuckled as I felt my face flush. At this point, Christina looked as if she had been injected intravenously with coffee as the light bulb went off.
"She's here...She slept here?" She pointed to my closed bedroom door. "She slept here...with you...in your bed?"
"Keep your voice down Yang" I moved towards my room to make sure she hadn't caused Arizona to wake. And possibly freak out. No more freak outs please. Not today. "Yes she is here, but I want you to be gone before she wakes up. I don't need you pawing at her and being all 'Oh Dr. Robbins' and proceed to try and whore yourself out to her okay?"
"Alright, alright, I'll be gone" She surprisingly agreed to my request "But you better make sure she puts me on her service next week or no more Anger Puffs for you"
"Don't worry Cal" Owen pulled his over eager girlfriend to the door. "Come on Christina. You can make nice with Dr. Robbins later. I have rounds in 20" he winked at me as they both turned to leave. "Enjoy your coffee Cal"
Christina lingered for a moment in the door way and mouthed "She's here" to me before Owen pulled her and moved back to shut the door. I laughed to myself as I headed back to my room. Yes. She is here. Arizona was in my bed. When I saw her lying there this morning, blond hair strung over MY pillow, curled up in the fetal position looking so content, I was overwhelmed with feelings. I let her sleep and wanted to make her breakfast, but the lack of food foiled that plan.
"Hey you" She spoke as I walked over and sat on the bed next to where she lay.
"Morning" I leaned in to kiss her "I thought you might want some breakfast." I handed her the coffee "in liquid form"
She laughed as she took a sip and looked around the room. I guess she hadn't seen much of her surroundings considering the lack of time she was upright in them.
"I like liquid breakfast" she said as her eyes came back to meet mine. "So I heard Christina and Owen out there. I guess they know that I'm here"
"Ummmmm, well..." Please don't freak out. Please don't freak out.
"It okay Calliope." She put her hand on mine. "I thought it was Christmas morning when I first woke up and Christina was opening her most wished for gift" she laughed.
I couldn't help but laugh too. Not only was she right, but the way her tone was so child like made me want to squeeze her like a newborn.
"Christina is very easily excited." I said "Especially when it comes to surgeries and the surgeons who perform them"
"Well you don't have to worry about me running Calliope" She reassured me "I told you last night I want to figure this out and that's exactly what I am going to do" She proudly announced.
"You're hot when your confident" I couldn't help but say.
"Why thank you Dr. Torres" She said as she pulled me in and starting to repeatedly kiss my lips.
"Remind me to but Mark a present later" I said in between our lips touching.
"Why? Is it his birthday or something" she sat back and took another sip of her coffee. Dimples. Flip.
Mark deserved a gift for being right. I do have special powers.
Arizona's POV
The next week went by fast. Too fast for me. Dax had gotten a call from an associate of his in Los Angelas and decided to fly down for a few days, while I stayed in was a little apprehensive at first, but I assured him I was in good hands. Good hands. Yes they were. I had started my time at the hospital on Monday, and realised, I was not only falling for a certain dark haired woman, but for this hospital. Calliope and I spent every free moment together. Talking, laughing, getting to know more and more about one another each day. I hadn't freaked out. I hadn't run away with my tail between my legs trying to catch the next flight out of there. I soaked up everything about her and let myself feel all the emotions without doubting them once. My comfort level had certainly increased as we spent time with her friends in and out of the hospital. I was getting more used to her taking my hand in public, and rubbing my back when we walked in the hallways of Seattle Grace. The eyes were still there, but they didn't bother me so much anymore. The way Calliope made me feel was enough to overpower whatever anxiety crept up inside me. I had loved every second in the Peds department. Observing the patients, getting to know the residents and interns, taking in all there was to offer in this amazing facility. I was sitting in Derek Sheppard's office waiting for him to arrive when my berry vibrated in my pocket. Text message.
Time for lunch?
Or something else?
I couldn't help but smile every time Calliope text me that week. Even when I wasn't with her, just the thought of her drove me crazy. I typed back quickly.
Meeting with Derek.
Maybe something else when I'm done?
The door opened and Derek appeared before I could get a reply, but I knew she would much rather something else than food.
"Dr. Robbins" He walked around his desk to sit in front of me. "Sorry to keep you waiting"
"No worries Derek" I smiled as he sat and opened a file and handed me a piece of paper. I stated to reach for it as he leaned back in his chair.
"I want you to know how much of an honor it has been to have you here with us this week" he spoke with pride. "and the response from the staff, the patients, the parents has been phenomonal."
I glanced at the the paper in front of me to see the hosptial header followed by the words,
"Position: Head of Paediatrics/ Pediatric Surgery: Vacant."
My heart quickly decided to become one with my throat.
"I know you have a long standing career at Mount Sinai in New York, but I also have it on good authority that your contract has expired and you are in negotiation talks with their board." He was good. Really good. Sneaky. I let him continue.
"Now I know they are also one of the top ranked facilities in the country, but they are not a teaching facility. We..." he turned to the window behind him as I watched the hoards of interns walk across the boardwalk, "..on the other hand, are. As a matter of fact, we are the best. And in order to maintain that, we want the best surgeons on our staff. Which is why, Dr. Robbins, the board has proposed we go after the best. That best being you"
I was in shock. Mount Sinai was my home. New York was my home. How could I leave all that and just move across the country in a flash. My mind was racing. This WAS an exceptional offer, and an even greater opportunity to be part of one of the leading Peds fellowship programs in North America. And now my phone was vibrating. Great.
"Now I don't expect you to answer me this very second" he laughed as he obviously could see that my head was starting to spin clockwise on my body. "But this is a very serious offer and we are willing to do what it takes to convince you to accept."
We sit in silence for what seems like forever, but I'm pretty sure its only minutes. Vibration. STOP doing that, I telepathicly telll my phone.
"I don't know what to say" I start. I was surprised I could speak with my heart still beating in my throat. "This is an unbelievable offer and one that I certainly won't ignore, but you have to understand, my life is in New York" I had no sooner said the words when it hit me. My life had changed in New York. My life had changed since coming to Seattle. I didn't know what my life really consisted of anymore. I looked back out to the boardwalk almost instinctively as I saw her walking towards this wing. Mark was obviously teasing her in some fashion as she pushed him two or three times in between laughing together. For the last week, as short of as time as that may be, she had been my life.
"Dr. Robbins" Derek's voice forced me to focus. "I understand this would be a major step for you, both personally and professionally, which is why we are willing to give you the time needed to make a decision."
I broke my gaze from Calliope and Mark and looked down at the paper once more. I tried to envision life here. Life without seeing your family every weekend. Life without times square and central park. Life without... Life with?
"I would like to continue on here for the rest of my visit to Seattle if that's okay with you Derek" I ask him, already knowing his reply. "Consider it a test run" I flash my dimples.
"The floor is yours Dr. Robbins" He stands and offers me his hand. I willingly shake and glance at the paper one more time. This time I see different words.
"Position: Head of Paediatrics/ Pediatric Surgery: Dr. Arizona Robbins."