Chapter 3
Arizona's breath caught as she looked at the one woman she ever loved just stare at her with those same brown eyes filled with love. The years had been good to Callie and having a kid did nothing but make this woman even more beautiful. With Mikey tugging on his mother's lab coat trying to get her to listen to him the moment was broke and Callie's eyes were void of any love and instantly filled with anger and sadness.
"Mami, Mami. This is my new friend Airzona. Can she come over to our house to play with me?" Mikey thought if his mom said yes, than maybe Erica would get the hint that she was no longer needed and would leave.
Ignoring her son's question, "What are you doing here Arizona? With my son?" she had not seen the blonde in years and even though thinking about her hurt and filled her with sorrow of what they had lost, Callie couldn't help but be reminded by the joy they once shared.
She could fill the tension building in the room and tried to sound indifferent even when she felt hurt by the brunettes abrasive questions, "I got a job here as the Chief of Pediatric surgery. I couldn't pass an offer like that up." Even if her response was true she really wanted to say that she needed to get as far away from the home they once shared because the painful reminder it held to her.
"Of course you did. It's always been about work for you Arizona. When are you going to grow up and take on other responsibilities? Or are those too difficult for you to handle?" Callie was starting to see red just talking to the blonde again.
The tears were coming and she was not going to cry in front of Callie, "You lost the right to judge me and my decisions when you divorced me Calliope," whispered Arizona.
"It wasn't a marriage anymore!" People in the cafeteria were beginning to look at the two women and the now startled son, "When I needed my wife to hold me at night, love me, or acknowledge me, she was never there. You were never there Arizona and I didn't know what else to do."
A few tears had escaped down Arizona's ocean blue eyes and splattered across her scrub pants. She knew what happened in that relationship, but she sure as hell was not going to sit around and get yelled at in their work place amongst their colleagues.
"We are not doing this at work and especially not in front of your son," standing up the blonde surgeon began to walk away. Everyone's eyes on her as she made her way to the exit in shock at the news they just heard from the two surgeons.
Callie was once again hurt that the smaller woman was going to leave her alone once again. "You were always good at walking away Arizona and leaving me with a mess to deal on my own," shouted the Latina.
Stopping in her tracks Arizona looked back at her once more, "I needed time. You should have given me time," and continued on her path out the cafeteria.
Sure enough as she made her way back to her ward the word of the two ex-wives battling it out had made its way around the hospital. Arizona could feel their eyes watching her. It was like they knew she was going to break at any moment, but she would give no one that satisfaction especially Callie.
She made quickly with her work so she could get out of this new hell whole and go home to wallow in her misery. By the time she got in bed it was dark out and the red numbers on her clock read 10:27 PM.
Trying to make herself comfortable in her plush bed, Arizona couldn't get herself to lay still. Sitting back up on her bed she looked around her room and was beginning to feel suffocated in the confines of her own home. Quickly, she stood from her bed and made her way to the closet by the door leading to the apartment. Once grabbing a coat and reaching on the top shelf for the umbrella she had placed there a couple of days ago, Arizona knocked over a box spilling its contents all over the floor.
"FUCK," she growled as she bent over to pick up the fallen articles.
Upon inspection she could tell they were old photos she had tried to hide away not really ready to throw them out. The first was of her and Callie with big goofy grins when they were on spring break and went to visit Arizona's parents. That was their first spring break and the first time Arizona said she had loved Callie, even though she wanted to say it for months. The next was a picture of the two women om their wedding day staring at each other like no one else existed. Quickly setting that one down, tears came down again today as she saw a picture of her brother with arms over both girls on their graduation day. Arizona could never forget that day because it was then she realized she wanted forever with the brunette.
Flashback
"Arizona we graduated. We fucking graduated and I'm a doctor now. You're a doctor," laughing at her excitement, "We are doctors. This feels amazing."
The blonde couldn't help but smile more at her girlfriend, even though she just gave the biggest grin for her parents after they made Callie, Tim and Arizona take another picture for the hundredth time that day.
Tim had surprised his sister by taking leave so he could make it to her big day. And she had cried when he came behind her shouting that his sister was going to be the best kid doctor.
Now looking at the woman that could fill her with so much love and make her smile the biggest smiles, dimples and all Arizona knew in this moment she didn't want anyone else but Callie in her life.
Yeah they struggled through their year and half they were together and fought, but they were always able to fix it and the make-up sex was the best. Arizona hardly ever remembered what they fought about because making love whether rough and dirt or long and sweet, was always filled with love.
Smiling at her girlfriend the blonde finally spoke up, "Marry me."
Callie was stunned into silence at the statement. She loved Arizona and knew that this woman was indeed the woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, but they had never talked about marriage.
All she could do was stair with her mouth open, "What?" It was the only thing that came out of her, but she wasn't sure what else to say.
"Marry me Calliope. I love you and I will always love you. I see us in a big house together being awesome surgeons. And when we're old sitting on our porch holding hands still with the same love in our eyes. I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore. I want to be your wife and I want you to be mine. So Calliope Torres will you marry me?" Arizona didn't know if she was calling it wrong but it was out there now and she couldn't take back her omission.
With tears clouding her eyes Callie nodded, "Yes. Yes, Arizona I'll marry you."
Pulling her in Arizona kissed Callie with all the love in the world. As hands began to pull on blonde hair Arizona moaned at the feel, causing the brunette to slip her tongue into the awaiting mouth. They continued this dance of roaming hands and tongues.
A clearing of a throat caused the women to pull apart with a groan. "Timmy could you not I was just trying to kiss my fiancé," smiled Arizona.
Looking at the happy couple Tim can't help but grin at the news, "My baby sister just got engaged. Mom did you here Arizona and Callie are getting married," following Tim's comment came a squeal from Arizona's mom.
"Aww my baby is getting married. Yay!" Hugging both girls tightly she then let go to look at the brunette, "Callie I've always thought of you as one of my own and I can't wait until you become a Robbins."
Callie liked the idea of becoming a Robbins. They had been nothing but supportive of their relationship. Her own parents weren't even around to see her graduate and now get married because she had fallen in love with a woman.
"I've always wanted to be a Robbins," Callie leaned over to kiss the blonde on the cheek.
Squealing again Barbara was jumping in her spot in front of the girls, "Oh when should I start planning? Are you planning a fall wedding or a spring? There are so many choices."
Arizona had to admit she was excited just to see Callie in a dress, but all of the other details in planning the wedding were going on the wayside at the moment.
Now it was Arizona's turn to stop her mom from vocalizing her plans, "Mom I just asked Calliope, let's justnbe engaged for a while. Plus we still have our internships that start in a month. The wedding would have to wait until afterwards," the blonde wasn't happy about waiting but she knew it would really be impossible to have a decent wedding planned in a month without either bride at each other's throats during the ordeal.
Sighing Barbara stopped voicing what exact plans she had but her daughter set the wheels turning and she wasn't going to stop now.
Before departing everyone went around to receive their hugs and reminders to call when they made it safe on Canada soil. Yes, Tim thought it would be great to take the women to see their Northern neighbors for a week. The girls had no clue what would happen there, but Arizona had a feeling it would probably involve the woods and sleeping in tents.
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They had made landed in Toronto by early afternoon the next day and to her surprise Tim had actually bought a package trip including plans to visit Niagara Falls the first day, where they could see the falls and from there they would get to do a wine testing. Then they would drive back to Toronto and see some of the city. Finally the trip would take them by train into Montreal where they would stay for the rest of their stay.
Arizona had enjoyed it all even when her brother had poked holes through her plastic waterproof poncho and caused her to be soaked the entire time on the boat. But now on the train the blonde was beginning to feel sick and her other two companions would not stop bickering with each other. It was all in good fun, but she was not in the mood.
"Alright listen up if you two cannot stop I'm going to be cranky and then we will all have a miserable time," explained the blonde.
The two culprits looked at the other before seating back in their seats.
"Hey, Arizona are you okay because we can just stay in or maybe rest and then go out to a bar tonight. We haven't done that and I'd really like to dance," asked Callie. She had enjoyed the trip so far and thought Tim was a genius, but the Latina could tell the smaller woman was starting to get distant after they visited Toronto.
The blonde knew she was being difficult, but she had a lot on her mind with this engagement and was starting to worry that she went about it all wrong.
Looking into her fiancés soulful brown eyes, the blonde could feel herself relax, "Actually that sounds nice. I'd like to go dancing with you," leaning across the seat to place a loving kiss on plump lips she whispered, "I love you Calliope."
It always caused the biggest grin on the raven haired woman's face when she would hear those three words, "I love you too."
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The hotel they purchased had two rooms so they'd be rooming with Tim, but all was well they knew how to be quiet.
Arizona caught up on some sleep until her alarm went off at seven signaling that it was time to get ready for the night out with Callie.
As they made their way to the taxi that would be taking them to their destination the blonde couldn't help but appreciate the backside of her fiancés body covered in a strapless red dress. The way her hips swung with every step. Arizona was pretty sure she was doing it on purpose.
Callie leaned over to pull open the door for the smaller woman, "Did you enjoy the view from back there?" smirked Callie.
She was caught and she could care less. Arizona had a right to stare and with a shrug, "I always enjoy it Calliope."
The drive to the bar was uneventful and Tim harassed the driver with questions like if he owned a moose and if he did was it allowed at the dinner table. Arizona tried to understand how even though he was five years older than her had still managed to act like a child.
Upon entering the bar Arizona could feel the beat of the music blaring through the speakers near the stage at the right of the room. The blonde wrapped her arm tightly around Callie's waist as multiple pairs of eyes roamed the Latina's body.
"Hey Arizona, I'm going to grab us some drinks go get us a table," a quick peck on the lips, the women went their separate ways.
Off to the side of the room were a couple of empty tables that had a good view of the bar, where the blonde could see Callie was standing swaying her hips to the fast rhythm of the music.
"She looks at you the same way you do when you think no one's paying attention," Tim had watched the way his sister behaved around Callie and knew that what they had would last a lifetime.
The statement caused the blonde to smile a dimpled smile, "Really? Because I've actually been thinking about the whole proposal and I need your help."
Tim faced his sister ready to tell her to put on her big girl panties and not be afraid of this new stage of their relationship, "And before you say anything Tim I still want to marry her, but I want to do it now. When will I have time to do it later and it doesn't make sense to wait a whole year. I want her now Tim. All of her dreams I want to make mine," Arizona had these thoughts in her mind since the moment she voiced wanting to marry the Latina.
"Okay then marry her. We are in Canada so let's go to city hall and get you two married," patting her on the shoulder Tim was grateful that he didn't have to talk his sister out of one her crazy ideas. This he can deal with. Although what was he going to tell their parents. They would definitely be upset by the news.
Arizona turned her attention from her brother to look at the beautiful woman across the room who had stolen her heart, "But what if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she's the girl that wants the big wedding? I want her to be happy and that would be me not fulfilling her dream."
"Suggest to her that you make your marriage legal here, but in a year or so the two of you can have some sort of ceremony where friends and family can come," Tim thought the idea was a hit. "But, I also think you need to have this conversation with your girl."
The blonde glared at the older Robbins, "I know that Tim. I just needed a little support or encouragement," sighing Arizona knew she had to suck it up and tell her.
This was it, making her way to the raven haired woman, Arizona squared her shoulders and grabbed both glasses of wine from Callie's hand and drained them. She searched those expressive brown eyes and felt the nerves slip away, "Calliope I have something I need to say and at any point you don't agree with me just stop me. Okay so I asked you to marry me and-"
"Oh God! It was mistake. You didn't mean it and now you're taking it back. I knew it. So what, jokes on me and I'm going to be left behind in Montreal and have to ride back on a moose to get home. Well great you should tell Tim he'll think that's hilarious." Callie knew the smaller woman had been in her head too much, but she trusted that Arizona would come to her to talk, but not with this.
Kissing the other woman to stop her from her rant, Arizona spoke up, "No Callie that's not what I want. I still want forever with you. I always will, but I don't feel like waiting and that's what I'm asking is how you feel about going to city hall and marrying me tomorrow."
She didn't know what to think a few days ago she was graduating, she got proposed to and now this, "What about your parents Arizona? Or our friends?"
"They don't matter to me. It's about us and I want it to be just us. Well Tim would be there because he's here now, but I get it if you want the big wedding with the dresses and twinkly lights."
"Arizona if this is what you want then I'm all in. I mean I never saw myself doing this but we have the rest of our lives to wear big dresses and dance under twinkly lights right? So yes, I'd love nothing more than to marry you now."
Trying to gauge if this was real, Arizona stared narrowly into brown eyes, "Really? Because like I said we do not have to do this, I can wait if that's your dream."
"My dream is you Arizona, but I think it's time for us to dance and get our drink on because by the end of this I'm going to make you my wife."
"I agree. I want to see my soon to be wife work it," standing on her tip toes, "and plus dancing with you can always get me all kind of hot and bothered," nipping her earlobe, Arizona pulled away to dance with Callie.
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By the following morning Arizona could feel the rays of light hit her face rousing her from sleep. Callie had kept her up for most of the night with her hungered desire to pleasure the smaller woman. The blonde didn't complain once during their late night of love making, but now she felt sore and Arizona was supposed to be saying 'I do' today.
With an upright bolt the blonde quickly moves to her laptop to make sure she had the license for the marriage and the directions to get to city hall. They had asked around and found that Ontario's city hall allowed walk-ins as long as they had the completed marriage license on hand. Now with the printed off license Arizona slipped in the shower before waking her sleeping beauty.
Minutes later she could feel the warm body of her gorgeous lover pressed into her from behind. The contact caused her to moan in appreciation to the hardening nipples pressed to her back.
"Did you think I'd want to miss out on taking a shower for the last time with my fiancé?" asked Callie as she took over massaging the shampoo into the smaller woman's hair.
The soothing touch was starting to cause a liquid heat in between the blonde's legs. "You looked too relaxed to wake up. I just wanted to let you catch a couple of minutes of sleep before we left," came the blonde's response.
"I can catch up on the train ride. I just want to feel you before we leave," husked Callie.
Arizona could not deny her lover that request and allowed the raven haired woman to pleasure her before their day began.
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"Do you think all these people are getting married too?" Tim looked around at the many people filling up the corridor leading to the judge, who would be marrying the two women.
"I guess, the lady in the front said that this was where the marriage was going to be held." Arizona was starting to feel the day ware on her especially since they had to make a stop for outfits because Callie put her foot down on saying 'I do' in jeans and a t-shirt.
Arizona chose a simple light blue button up blouse that she tucked into a black pencil skirt and paired with two inch black heels. Callie chose to wear a wear a long sleeved royal blue dress with her own nude set of heels.
The brunette leaned her head against the wall behind her trying to find something to keep her occupied. She chose the time waiting to allow herself a moment to reflect on her life since the arrival of Arizona. Callie remembered their first time when the blonde had taken her time in loving every inch of caramel skin. Or waking up in Arizona's parents' house during spring break when the smaller woman whispered I love you. The Latina couldn't help but chuckle to herself when Arizona had asked her to move into her small apartment at the start of their fourth year of med school. They'd had argued for a whole week about changing the style of the apartment to fit both of them. But now she was going to get married to the love of her life and once they got back to the states they'd be packing their stuff and moving to Baltimore where they were accepted in John Hopkins Hospital to start their internship.
Even choosing what place to work was not an easy battle, because Callie wanted to go to Seattle with Addison, but Arizona thought Maryland was a great place for them to be and plus the blonde's parents lived nearby.
She was happy though and had no problem following the smaller woman around as long as she made her feel loved every day Callie would do whatever she wanted.
"Applicants Robbins and Torres, we are ready for you," the graying woman smiled as the two women made their way towards her with linked hands and loving smiles.
Entering the small office the awaiting man stood from his desk, "Alright I'm going to need some ID," it was obvious he just wanted to get this over with so the women quickly handed their identification cards.
"Okay everything seems to be in order so I'm just going to get straight to business. We are here today to participate and a marital union," the women were holding hands as they continued to hear the man officiate their marriage, "and to conforming the laws and regulations in the state of Ontario. Alright repeat after me," as he addressed the brunette first.
Repeating after the judge the Latina began, "I Calliope Torres take you, Arizona Robbins to be my wife for better or for worse, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health. I choose you to be the one with whom I spend my life with," Callie couldn't stop the tears that were forming because she believed every word she was saying to the woman standing here with her.
After Arizona repeated the same lines the judge continued, "Do you have any tokens you wish to exchange," both responding with a no since they had no time to buy wedding rings, "Okay well we can skip that then."
"Wait I'd like to say something before you continue sir," Arizona looked at the man for approval before looking at the raven haired woman, "I don't have anything written but this is what I feel every time I go to bed with you and wake up wrapped up in your arms. Calliope you were a stranger who yelled at me when I was laid out on the ground, but now you're the one who pick's me up. Every time I fall you're there without question and I want to do the same for you until the day I die. I want to give the world to you Calliope, because you saved me when I didn't realize I needed saving and now it's my turn to save you."
Small tears made their way down Callie's cheek and Arizona was there to wipe them away. With a shuddering breath a silent 'I love you' came from the taller woman's lips.
Stamping the marriage license the judge turned them around so the brides could sign their names. Upon completing them he addressed them once again, "I hear by announce you by the state of Ontario, wife and wife. Congratulations."
With that both women grinned leaning in for a kiss to seal the union they had made between each other.
Tim had stood in the back of the room supporting the two women and the love they shared. He even helped to save this memory as both women placed a loving kiss on the other after the judge had completed the marriage.
For Arizona it didn't matter that their small wedding was over because now she got to call Callie her wife. And she would continue to do this for the rest of her life.