Chpt 16

FLASHBACK

Callie's POV

I knew going to New York wasn't the smartest idea. Since we got there, I had maybe seen Arizona for a whole 30 minutes. It was like she had just picked up and disappeared. I tried to keep an open mind, but the more time I spent without her, the more I needed to be with her, and she just wasn't able to do that. She finally decided to drive out to her parents house on our last night in New York and my gut told me that it was gonna end bad. As we pulled up to the country style bungalow just outside the city, I saw a blond haired guy coming out the front door in full force. This had to be Aaron. Arizona had told me, no matter what time of day she went to her parents, if Aaron was home, he would run out to the car and meet her.

"Ari" he called as we both got out of the car as her ran around to meet her. "I'm so glad your home" There was that word again. Of course I knew this was her home, but something about hearing it didn't agree with me.

"Oh hunny, you finally made it" A small woman appeared on the porch as we made our way to the front door and I knew this had to be Arizona's mother. The eyes. Exact match.

"Hi Mom" Arizona greeted her mother with a hug as I stood down from the family reunion and watched. It was evident how much they loved her by the way they were reacting to her presence. It reminded me of how I felt when I saw her.

"And this must be Dr. Torres" Her mom turned to me with outstretched arms that made me feel so welcomed. My nervousness started to subside slightly until I heard Arizona speak.

"Yes Mom, this is my friend Callie" I knew we were not telling them about us, but I wasn't prepared for how it was gonna hurt when she called me her friend. I especially felt sick when she used my nick name. I remember Sam referring to me as her friend, but it certainly never hurt like this.

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Robbins" as I followed Arizona and her family into the house. It was cozy inside. Almost like being in the country, even though we were so close to the big city.

"Arizona" A strong voice caused me to look forward as a tall silver haired man grabbed Arizona in and lifted her off the ground a little. This was obviously Daniel Robbins. The man who I had rudely spoke to on the phone earlier in the week. "I'm so glad to see you" His eyes now met mine and I felt a lump form in my throat.

"Hello" he said as he placed his daughter back on the ground and offered me his hand. "I'm Daniel Robbins. You must be Dr. Torres" Why were they calling me Dr. Torres? Hadn't Arizona told them I had a first name.

"Callie Daddy, this is my friend Callie" her voice cut right through me as I shook her fathers hand.

"Nice to meet you sir" I all of a sudden wanted to be back in Seattle. In my bed. Crying.

It was then I shifted my eyes to Aaron who was stood behind his father, blatantly sizing me up and down. Oh god, I hope he doesn't hit on me. That's all I need right now.

"So I guess you managed to clue everything up at the hospital" Daniel said as he guided Arizona into the living room. "And the movers are on schedule for next week?"

"Yes Daddy. Everything is in order" Her eyes met mine for the first time since we had entered the house. She was really nervous. I was really nervous. We were feeding off each others energy and it wasn't good at all.

"Who wants tea?" Mrs. Robbins appeared with a tray bearing a stainless steel teapot and 5 mugs.

"Thanks Mom" Arizona finally sat down next to her father as I took that as my cue to sit as well. I didn't think my legs were gonna hold much longer. and why was Arizona's little brother looking at me like that?

The next hour was filled with conversation of Arizona's new position, where she was going to live in Seattle, when was she going to visit, normal parent/child things. I took part in a lot of the talk surprisingly. They had a lot of questions about the hospital. Then the conversation shifted to me. About me. This is exactly where Arizona and I didn't want the conversation to go.

"So Callie" Mr. Robbins spoke "Arizona tells me that you also just got out of a long term relationship with someone. I guess you both bonded quickly over those circumstances" His eyes were searching me. I knew, because it was the same way Arizona looked at me when she was trying to read my thoughts.

"Yes Sir" I managed to get out as my eyes shifted to her again. I cared about her so much and I didn't want to say anything that would give us away. Give her away. "I guess sometimes you just get comfortable with someone. They become your best friend. Now as I rule, I never intentionally try to hurt anyone. But when your best friend is your partner as well, it makes it that much harder. You just learn to exist." I look at Arizona again to see if that was okay. She shows me her dimples for the first time on this trip I think, and I know she is okay.

"I guess you and Ari have formed quite the friendship" He's still searching me. I shift my weight on the couch and try to focus on his words and not his eyes. "Its not very often she brings her friends home, especially across the country." He chuckles as he puts his arm around Arizona and gives her a hug.

Now she's fidgety. I can see how she starts rubbing her palm with the thumb of her opposite hand. I have to say something.

"Well sir" my mind races to find the words "When I found out that Arizona in my hospital, I immediately had to meet her. Her accomplishment and research have been a inspiration to me, and she represents what I have always strived to be as a surgeon. What can I say" I look to her to see if she has stopped fidgeting. "We had an instant connection" She stopped.

"Ok" she finally speaks "I just need to get a few things upstairs and then we have to get going back to the city. We have an early flight." She starts towards the stairs as Aaron jumps up to follow her.

"I'm coming too Ari" He says practically chasing her up the stair case. Perfect. Alone with the in laws. Well, I guess they don't know that yet do they.

"I can see that you think a lot about our daughter" Mrs Robbins says as she looks over at me and smiles.

"She's been a great person to have around the last few weeks" I smile back at her and then look to her father. "You've raised her well"

"I can see by the way she looks at you that she thinks a great deal about you too Callie" he fathers eyes have stopped searching. I felt in that single moment that he had seen right in to my soul and knew exactly how I felt about Arizona. "Look after her in Seattle. I know she's a big girl, but we will always worry about her. She's been so lost for so long Callie, but I can see a change in her tonight." He smiles. "I guess all that rain you folks have over there has done her good."

I didn't know whether to hug him, or run. Arizona is gonna freak when I tell her. I'm almost positive he has seen through our faux friendship.

"I'm gonna see if Arizona needs a hand" as I stand up and walk towards the stairway "Just up here?" I look to them for direction.

"Yes sweetie" Mrs Robbins says. "Her room is the first door on the right.

I climb the stairs slowly as I try to go over what just happened. I must be imaging it. He is just glad we are going through break-ups together. We are both surgeon. Of course we are going to get along. Right?

As I reach the top of the stairs I hear Aaron and Arizona's voice behind the slightly ajar door. I reach to knock as I hear his voice.

"Come on Zona" he says with a teasing tone. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it. That woman is the hottest Lesbian I have ever seen"

"Aaron" Arizonas voice is stern. "She is just my friend. I'm not attracted to Callie one bit."

If her using my nickname was hurting enough. I tried to tell myself she was just playing the part. Just like we talked about. Plus, after meeting and talking to parents just now, I knew they were going to understand when she told them the truth. But I couldn't ignore the next part.

"So stop okay." her voice was cold. "I'm straight. I love men. I would never be able to be with a woman. I told you that on the phone the other night. And if this doesnt work out in Seattle, I'll always have my condo to come back to, which reminds me, you better not wreck the place while I'm gone"

In that moment, my whole world stopped. It was as if time was standing still. Whether it was a lie, all part of our act, or not, she had lied to me. She was keeping her condo, Every minute we had spent together flashed before my eyes and I could finally see she was never going to be ready to deal with who she was. I couldn't go through this again. How could I keep going, knowing she was it for me, falling in-love with her more each day, when she wasn't ready. How did I know she would ever be ready?

"Calliope" I heard her, but I couldn't see her. My tears had blinded me. I felt her try to touch me, but I pulled back. She knew I heard. She knew I was finished. I turned and headed back towards the stairs. I fed off my surgical training and went into autopilot.

"It was nice to meet you Aaron" I called back. "Arizona, I'm ready to go back to Seattle" as I left her standing in the doorway. This time, it really was a deal breaker.