Along for the Ride

by OddCoupler222

Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins didn't exactly have the best friendship. In fact, despite being neighbors, there wasn't really a friendship between the two of them at all. But it was kind of difficult to dislike someone you were stuck driving across the country with. Two girls. Two weeks. Eleven states. One road trip. A lot can happen when you're along for the ride.

14. California: Part 1

Callie was positive that the alarm blaring on the nightstand had to have been set by a demon. It was the only logical explanation, she decided, as she peeled her eyes open to blink around the room. Because they hadn't gotten back until almost two in the morning, she had most definitely not set an alarm herself, and Arizona had been in no state to be setting one.

The room was bright – brighter than it should be, but she'd forgotten to make sure the black-out curtains were down, and she had no clue where the remote was now to take care of it – and her eyes were narrowed as she searched around the room for where the hell that was coming from, before she landed on Arizona's phone, which was haphazardly balancing on the side of the nightstand on the other side of the bed.

With a groan, she rolled slightly over the warm, motionless lump of blankets cuddled up to her side that Arizona was buried under to shut off the obnoxious sound. The fact that this alarm was sounding at seven AM just made her feel even more tired and she fell back into the comfortable mattress, fully intending to go back to sleep for a little while.

She curled up on her side, sleepily amused by the fact that Arizona had managed to completely wrap herself up in one of the blankets at some point in the night. Literally, completely rolled up in it like a human-sized burrito, and she was curled up so much that Callie could only see the top of soft, blonde hair.

Dark eyes closing – because she was so not meant for these early mornings, especially on a handful of hours for sleep – she pressed a quick kiss to her head. And then kind of just stayed there, because it was comfortable, the way they were cuddled up.

Comfortable and easy and cute in a way that she didn't think she'd experienced before, but it made that feeling in her chest all around her heart feel warm and like it was going to take her over.

And that lasted for all of thirty seconds, before the top of Arizona's head that was pressed against her chin suddenly jerked forward. Callie groaned again, this time from pain as she quickly pulled backwards and brought up a hand to rub at the spot Arizona had head-butted.

Through narrowly opened eyes, she watched as the blonde did some sort of shimmy-shake under the blankets, enough so that her forehead and eyes popped out from the top, and she peered at Callie. With hair strewn messily over her forehead, and blue eyes slightly glassy and all bleary from sleep, she was ridiculously adorable.

She couldn't help but smile, even as Arizona's voice – lower and grouchier than she could ever remember hearing it – asked, "Was that my alarm?"

The words came out in basically a long whine, too, which made it somewhat amusing.

Pain receding a bit, though not completely gone, Callie dropped her hand back to the mattress, "Yeah. When did you even have the time to set it, drunky?" she punctuated her question with a light poke into Arizona's side.

Which Arizona apparently felt through her wrapped up blanket, because she closed her eyes tightly and groaned. "Don't poke me," she grumbled, and the blanket fell even farther down as she rolled onto her side, and it was enough to reveal a pout on her lips.

And Callie started to chuckle even as that warmth in her chest intensified – but how could she help it, when Arizona, who was such a morning person, was all cranky due to her hangover? It was adorable.

But Callie's smile disappeared as Arizona started to wiggle her way off of the bed, "No, don't get up. It's too early." She could hear the almost-pleading tone of her own voice, laced with the confusion she was feeling.

Because, seriously, it was too early for them to be getting up. Especially on so little sleep, and she couldn't imagine that Arizona, who was clearly feeling the effects of their night out, actually wanted to be up at the moment.

Plus, there was a… possibility she wanted some more time in bed to cuddle with Arizona.

It's been only a few days, and this is what we've become. A cuddling addiction and calling Arizona "baby."

Oh, god. At least she doesn't remember that. Or, she didn't notice it in the first place…

So you hope.

She looked over at Arizona, who was standing next to the bed with that same pout on her face, though it looked infinitely more pained now, as she squinted against the brightness of the room. And she really doubted that the blonde had registered the endearment that had accidentally slipped out of her the night before, let alone was thinking about it now.

Arizona grimaced as she wrapped her arms around her torso for a moment before bringing them up to cover her face, "God, how much did I have to drink last night?"

Callie bit her lip and tried to think back… "I lost track after the fourth? Or fifth." All Callie had known was that she was keeping herself sober, because Arizona had seemed determined to let loose and take advantage of the free drink system, much like Addison.

"Why did you let me drink so much?" the blonde asked, her voice small as she used her fists to rub over her eyes. And, okay, it was really adorable, despite her crabby attitude.

Or maybe because of it. Because for as much as Arizona could be actually frightening when she was genuinely mad at her – Callie had experienced that enough on this trip – this was not actual anger; it was pout-y hangover, and it was too much to not find cute as hell.

But she did her best to smother her grin, even though her amusement was far too much to really hide completely, "I wasn't aware I was letting you do anything."

Arizona's shoulders slumped, as she nearly whispered, "I need aspirin."

Through her amusement, she was sympathetic; she'd been in those shoes several times before. So she tentatively lifted her hand to try to pull Arizona back into the bed, "Come on. Lie down and I'll get you something for your head."

But she barely was able to skim her fingertips down Arizona's arm before the blonde stepped back. All right, more like stumbled back on slightly shaky legs, "No! Don't try to tempt me back into bed with your bedroom eyes Calliope Torres."

Her smile was full-blast now and she didn't even care enough to try to pretend otherwise as she barked out a laugh, "Bedroom eyes?" then said eyes narrowed in consideration, "Are you still drunk?"

Arizona huffed out a breath, her hands falling steadily to her hips. Those baby blues were glaring at her, blonde waves were all mussed and kind of crazy from sleep, and on her cheeks there were faint lines from where she had been all wrapped up in the blanket.

There was simply no way Callie could take it seriously, and she leaned back into the warm bed, tipping her head up at the blonde, still grinning.

While Arizona's bottom lip jutted out into a pout, as she huffed out another breath and grumbled, "No." Before she tilted her head slightly in consideration, "Well, maybe. But it doesn't matter. I can't go back to sleep, and neither can you!"

Now she groaned, and closed her eyes as she leaned her head back onto the pillow, "Why? It's too early to be up, Robbins."

"Because we have a long day ahead," Arizona said as if it were obvious, and she started to move around the room, flipping her suitcase open and digging through, "It's like a nine hour drive to your house!"

Callie's smile fell at the reminder, "So, how about we stay here for a few more hours and drive back late tonight?"

"Calliope, I purposefully set this wake up alarm before we went out last night to make sure that no matter what, I would have enough time to shower and get ready so I wouldn't have to meet your family looking like a mess," Arizona frowned down at herself, mumbling, "And I'm even more of a mess now. God, I don't want to meet anyone feeling like this."

She watched as Arizona continued pulling clothes out of her suitcase and muttering to herself. It was all under her breath and so quiet that Callie couldn't hear a thing, but still served to cement the fact that morning after drinking Arizona Robbins was grouchy and adorable.

Especially as she turned on her heel and pointed at Callie, "Don't fall back asleep while I'm in the shower, okay?"

"Someone's demanding," she grumbled, but couldn't help the smile that upturned the corners of her lips.

Arizona was already heading into the bathroom when she called over her shoulder, "You know I am."

The bathroom door was shutting when Callie took a pillow and pulled it over her face, "Not even a good morning kiss, either."

Cuddling addict, calling Arizona "baby", and wanting good morning kisses.

Times certainly have changed.

For the better?

What do you think?

I think yes.

Good girl.

---

It was kind of a good thing that Arizona was so hungover today, Callie decided in hindsight as she slowly drove down the road towards her house. She could see the large, imposing home from the end of the road – though it blended in with the few other large, imposing homes she'd driven by in the last couple of minutes.

Her gaze flickered towards the blonde, who was dozing in the passenger seat, as she had been for the majority of their drive today. She was almost painfully adorable, as she was slouched against the seat, with Callie's sunglasses perched on her face, because her own had been packed away and Arizona had commandeered them to aid in her napping.

A hungover Arizona Robbins translated to a grumpy Arizona Robbins, and Callie figured that she was in really deep because she mostly just found herself thinking about how much she enjoyed the blonde when she was like this, as much as she did when Arizona was just… regular Arizona.

And she liked her a lot, in all forms, and that in itself was kind of worrying. Well, what was the most worrying, Callie had decided on the long drive, was that it actually wasn't surprising at all how much Callie felt for Arizona.

She really should have known that after carrying these feelings around with her for so long, she would have fallen ridiculously quickly once she acted on them. And now that she had fallen, hard, she had to decide where to go with it.

It was too late to even try to walk away from what they'd started. Not only had she promised that she wouldn't, but she didn't want to at this point. What she wanted was to have more time with Arizona. More time to explore this thing between them, more time to be able to cuddle her in bed, more time to be able to do… more things with her in bed.

Or out of the bed, Callie really thought of herself as semi-adventurous when it came to sex.

Regardless. Every hour of driving earlier in the day had felt like shit, because she'd known that this time was coming to an end. With every mile, they were getting closer and closer to her house, which was her last stop.

And on top of feeling like crap because the road trip was ending, she had also managed to work up quite a bit of stress over the fact that Arizona was going to be meeting her family. That she was going to be staying in her home with them and attending her sister's wedding.

She really had been feeling okay about it all, for the last few days. Because she did want more time with Arizona and on one level, she didn't think it was all that big of a deal, inviting the blonde to stay for the wedding. But after last night… she was honestly more worried about herself than anything.

What if there was a moment where another term of endearment slipped out, just like the night before? That baby hadn't been planned, after all.

So, she had been okay about it. But she was feeling more and more nervous the closer they got to arriving at her house.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she slowed the car to nearly a crawl as her hands tightened on the wheel slightly.

It's way too late to rescind the invitation to Arizona, anyway. Deal with it.

I am dealing with it! It's not like I was seriously thinking about uninviting her, anyway. I would like to think I'm a little beyond that.

Hey, I just wanted to make sure, all right?

Rolling her eyes at herself, she flicked on her blinker – unnecessarily, really, considering the road was dead, preparing to turn into her driveway. Only to slam on the brakes and jump, as Arizona suddenly sat up in her seat. She moved so quickly that her seatbelt nearly choked her as she woke up.

"Jesus, Robbins!" She swore as her heart pounded in her chest. "Who fucking wakes up like that?"

Arizona moved Callie's sunglasses to the top of her head and looked around quickly, "Are we almost there?" Her voice sounded alert and actually fully awake, without any trace of a grumble or anything like it had had earlier in the day.

Still a little baffled, she turned into the driveway, before she nodded, "Actually, yeah. We're here." Dark eyes flickered to give Arizona a quick look, "How are you feeling?"

She was rewarded with a sweet very Arizona Robbins smile, even if it was sheepish, "Pretty good, now. Sorry, about how I was earlier. The day after I drink, I usually get, um…" she trailed off as her face scrunched up adorably.

And Callie pulled the car up, parking right outside of one of the garage doors, as she teased, "Grouchy? Grumpy?"

Blue eyes rolled at her before Arizona reached over to push at her shoulder, "Yes, actually, very I become kind of like you." She threw Callie a mischievous smile that made her roll her eyes back even as she couldn't help but smile, before she continued, "And then, after I sleep it off, I'm good as new."

Callie drummed her fingers over the steering wheel, before she asked, "And are you good as new, then?"

"Mhmm," Arizona hummed out in reply, and Callie watched as Arizona looked out the windows, but she didn't know exactly what she was looking for, until Arizona turned back to look at her and explained, "I wanted to make sure there wasn't anyone around, before I did this."

Her seatbelt was popped off and Callie barely had time to lift her eyebrows in surprise before she felt Arizona's soft hands cupping her jaw. The contact was soft, and the way her thumb stroked gently made Callie shiver, before Arizona's lips pressed gently to the corner of her mouth.

Callie's breath left her on a sigh, and Arizona remained there, giving her a lingering, sweet kiss for a few seconds. Then she felt the blonde sigh against her and the hand that was cupping her face turned her so that she was facing Arizona enough for their mouths to brush.

It was soft at first, much like the previous one had been. Only the sensation of Arizona's lips on hers, gently coaxing her bottom lip between those two soft pink ones. Callie's hands suddenly caught up with what was happening, and they slid off of the steering wheel. One of them slid up into Arizona's hair, and the other found its way so that it was lightly grasping at Arizona's wrist.

She could feel the way the blonde's pulse fluttered under her finger tips there, as she stroked the soft, warm skin. And when she tilted her head enough to change the angle of their kiss, to draw Arizona's bottom lip between her own rather than the other way around, the way her pulse skittered – the fact that she could feel Arizona's heart reacting to her – made Callie whimper.

It seemed to be that that made Arizona start to pull away. Her hands briefly tightened where they were on the blonde's body, and she eagerly accepted the way Arizona leaned back in to brush their lips together once more, before she pulled away, only far enough to press her forehead into Callie's.

Her own pulse was probably racing, because that quick kiss was enough to made her feel ravenous for more. Really, her body had been ready for more since last night, but now it was even more.

Lightly, she shook her head to try to gather her thoughts – she couldn't feasibly have sex with Arizona in the car right outside of her parents' house – and she licked her lips, still able to taste Arizona's, before whispering, "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"

She couldn't really see the way Arizona smiled, given how close they were, but she could just tell that she was, as she cleared her throat, "Well, as I've said, I'm good as new. Which also means that I remember how you took care of me last night." The hand that was cupping her cheek moved so that the blonde's fingertips skimmed over Callie's jaw in a light touch, "And how sweet you were. Very gentlewomanly."

Callie could feel her cheeks burn in a blush, before she leaned back, feeling like their shared air they were breathing wasn't enough anymore. Her voice was low from said embarrassment as she bit her lip, "It wasn't a big deal. I mean, of course I was going to, uh, help you out. You were kind of a mess," she teased.

But Arizona didn't take the bait and drop it. Instead, she leaned in again and lightly pressed a kiss to Callie's flushed cheek, before she pulled away and murmured, "You like me, Calliope Torres."

This, at least, was definitely familiar territory between them, and Callie managed to roll her eyes, despite the way her heart stuttered in the soft way Arizona touched her, "Nah."

"Really?" Arizona leaned in until Callie felt warm breath wash over her ear in a way that made her shudder, and her eyes slip closed involuntarily, as Arizona asked in a whisper, "Do you often call the people you don't like baby?"

Her breath hitched as her stomach clenched tightly, because she really had been hoping Arizona didn't remember that, and she mumbled, "I – I didn't think you heard that."

Arizona pressed a soft kiss against the side of her mouth that gave her goosebumps, "I heard it; I just didn't register it at the time."

She had to take in a few deep breaths, before she managed to ask, "Is it… okay?"

"I think it's more than okay," Arizona assured her, before her thumb stroked over Callie's cheek once more, and then she pulled away and opened the door of the car, staring up at Callie's house.

Callie remained in her seat for a few seconds, trying to take it all in. Arizona remembered her calling her baby. She didn't mind it. And now, they were at her freaking house.

With a deep breath, she opened the door and swung herself out of the car as well, before taking in Arizona's wide-eyed look. Which, she could deal with that. There had been several people who made her feel embarrassed about her family's money, or simply uncomfortable.

A lot of that had taken place in her adolescence, and not only was she different now, and more confident as an overall person, she was definitely more confident over the fact that it wasn't just anyone she was sharing this part of her life with; it was Arizona.

And maybe they hadn't been in this… thing for very long, but she did know her. She trusted her.

Okay, plus, seeing Arizona stand there with a small smile on her face, while Callie's sunglasses were still perched on the top of her head – well, it was a nice sight.

Even better when Arizona turned to her with her eyebrows drawn up on her forehead, "Have you always spent your summers here?"

The charm of the house itself wasn't lost on Callie, despite the amount of times she'd been here. The ocean was right there, as her backyard, and of course it was beautifully kept, so she understood the slightly awed tone in Arizona's voice.

Clearing her throat, she shook her head and opened the door to the backseat to pull out her suitcases. It was the first time since the road trip began that she was taking out all of the belongings she'd packed rather than a duffel bag or suitcase here or there, and the disappointed twinge in her stomach was most definitely real.

But, the time had come. Rolling her eyes at herself, she shut the door to the car and answered, "No. My parents bought it when I was like, eleven."

They started up the walkway, and Callie was conscious not to walk too closely to the blonde, because… well, Arizona had always kind of felt like a magnet to her, and the pull had only gotten stronger in light of recent events. But now it was time to be "just friends" in front of her family.

And though she'd felt the nerves over bringing Arizona to meet her family, she hadn't really felt the dread. It was like she'd only started to get the taste of what it was like to be with her, and now it was back to pretending it was nothing.

Arizona bumping their shoulders together lightly before sending her a teasing grin pulled her out of her own head, "Right, you said this was just a summer house. You know, I did have a different idea as to what counted as a summer house at first."

Her mocking tone somehow calmed the nerves rooted in Callie's stomach, and she rolled her eyes, before bumping their shoulders again, "Shut up. This is the summer house."

Callie reached out to open the front door, only to find it locked. Which, was definitely strange, because she knew for a fact that her mother was expecting her this evening. Regardless, she put down a suitcase to dig for her keys in her pocket, as Arizona asked, "So… if this is your summer house, what does your actual house look like in Florida?"

Aha, keys! She drew them out as she shrugged, her forehead crinkling in thought, "A little bigger, I guess. More, uh, lived in." Which was technically true, because it was actually lived in year-round, but also not true, because it was kept immaculately clean twenty-four/seven. "The biggest different is that we're not right on the beach in Miami, like we are here."

The door swung open in front of them, and Callie gestured for Arizona to walk in first, and took a deep breath before she rolled her shoulders.

You have nothing to be nervous about, idiot. Arizona is your friend, and your mom isn't going to be able to smell the gay-ness on you.

Right. She won't be able to. Right?

Right. I mean, she couldn't over winter break, and even though nothing was happening then, you knew you had a little thing for Arizona.

Good point.

She could do this. No problem. Hauling her suitcases behind her, she took the lead from Arizona as she brought them through the long hallway and to the back of the house, calling out, "Mom?"

Arizona trailed her slowly, and Callie was dimly aware of her looking around as much of the house as she could see. When she arrived in the kitchen – where she knew her mom would generally be found – to see that it was empty, she was sure that her mom wasn't home at all.

Which was kind of relieving, though confusing. And it was only when she dropped her keys onto the counter that she realized there was a note on the refrigerator, and her mom's elegant scrawl was recognizable from feet away, even before she was close enough to read Calliope – you're finally home! I'm sorry I had to run out before you were expected to arrive; the florist called and there is a disaster. Your sister is at the spa, for a relaxing day before the wedding. If you had arrived earlier, it was going to be a surprise for both of you.

Callie snorted, enjoying her mother's lack of subtlety.

Regardless, I can't stress your sister out about the florist, so I'm going to have the meeting myself and get everything sorted out before it can ruin her day.

Dark eyes rolled, even as she let out an incredulous laugh. As if her mother hadn't been the one who found said florist in the first place and had most likely picked out a majority of the arrangements. Or at least steered Aria in the direction.

I'll be home at about six, though, and I'll be bringing something quick for dinner. Aria will be home around the same time, so we can have dinner together before we retire for an early night. Your father had some last minute business back home, so he'll be flying in and joining us early in the morning.

She glanced at the clock, which confirmed that there was less than an hour until her mother was due home.

Aria informed me that your friend from school will be attending the wedding as well, and while I'm not pleased with the last minute changes as I'm sure you know, it's quite unfortunate that she's been having problems with her family. Not to mention it would just be rude to turn away the girl who has just driven you across the country.

I'll see you soon! – Mom

Shaking her head slightly, she placed the note back onto the counter; she already missed her small apartment with Elise.

Arizona sidled up to her after eventually making her way to the kitchen, a radiant smile on her face, "This place is amazing." Then her eyebrows drew together as she looked around, "Where's your family?"

She gestured at the note on the counter, which Arizona quickly read, before she looked up at her in question, "Um, what does she mean "problems with my family"?"

Flushing, Callie cleared her throat, "Oh, that's – well, Aria told her that I was going to have to take so long to get here, instead of the three days I had planned, because you – my close friend – were having a personal problem."

For a moment, she was ready for Arizona to be irritated at the lie. But instead, the blonde's lips quirked up into a devious smile, "Should I prepare a backstory?"

Which made her laugh, "No, my mom is much too polite to actually ask you about anything. Honestly, she'd be mad at me for showing you this note."

Arizona bit her bottom lip and Callie could tell that she had just thought of something, but before she could ask about it, the blonde sent her one of those looks from under her lashes, which made Callie's heart stutter.

They might not have been having anything romantic going on between them for very long, but Callie definitely knew that look. Which was why she was more than surprised when rather than lean up and kiss her, or suggest they go to her room or – anything, Arizona took a step back and sent her a seemingly innocent smile, "So, we should get our stuff together and get ready for your mom and sister to get back."

Her breath left her in a quick exhale, before she led the way up the stairs, then gestured to the third door down on the right, which Arizona quickly went to. Callie followed Arizona into her bedroom, but didn't enter completely as she tracked the blonde with her eyes. Then Arizona placed her suitcase down and sat on the bed, before she looked up at Callie with a glint in her eye.

A glint that Callie didn't trust at all, and she narrowed her eyes back as she shut the door and leaned back on it, "What's up?"

But Arizona simply shrugged, "Nothing." Her voice sounded off, though, and it did nothing to alleviate the suspicion she'd developed.

She lifted her eyebrow, "Okay, then."

And she felt Arizona's eyes on her as she pulled her suitcases into the room and then dropped them next to her bed. It was kind of nice to be in an actual room of hers, with everything all familiar. It felt strangely better having Arizona here, mixing in with her familiar things.

Before she could sit next to Arizona on the bed – and perhaps take advantage of the time they had to be more than friends before her family got home – Arizona cleared her throat, "You said you were going to shower when you got home, right?"

Eyes narrowed slightly, she tilted her head and looked at the way Arizona was giving her a small smile. But she couldn't help the question in her voice, as she dragged out, "Yes… are you trying to tell me I smell, Robbins?"

Blue eyes rolled at her, "Of course not. Just saying that it's probably a good time to shower, now."

Which was how Callie found herself in her adjoining bathroom a couple of minutes later, standing under the showerhead as the water warmed, confusion still filtering through her. What even –

She nearly jumped as the glass door to the shower opened, and there, with that mischievous grin and glint in her eyes, stood Arizona. Completely naked and fuck, ridiculously gorgeous, she closed the panel behind her, and Callie's throat went dry as she got a whole hell of a lot wetter than just from the shower.

Dark eyes ran down Arizona's body, before landing on her breasts, and she swore her lips ached to be there as she breathed out, "I fucking knew something was up with you."

Arizona stepped in close enough for their entire bodies to brush against one another, and Callie shuddered as Arizona leaned in, "I know you've been a little stressed about bringing me here. I figured the added privacy of the shower might make you feel a little better."

She couldn't even formulate a response as her hands reached out to grip Arizona's curved hips, and she pulled the blonde against her, groaning even before their mouths touched. As soon as they did, lips were already open, and tongues were greedy.

Callie couldn't help herself; she was in her bathroom at her parents' summer house, and her mom and sister were going to be home in less than an hour, but god, she'd wanted this since yesterday, and they were alone now, so… she figured they should make the most of it. It hadn't been super easy to turn Arizona down for sex the night before, and the only way she'd managed was because the blonde was clearly incapacitated.

Arizona's hands slid up her sides so that her thumbs brushed against the sides of Callie's breasts, before the blonde pushed forward so that their chests pressed together as Callie nearly slipped from backing up quickly, her back hitting the tiled wall roughly, but she barely even noticed.

Her bottom lip was tugged between Arizona's teeth, and the move stole all of her breath as her hands slipped down over the blonde's body, moving easily as water had started flowing over the both of them. They found purchase on Arizona's firm butt, and she pulled her hips up firmly against her own.

Which made Arizona moan, and her teeth released Callie's lip, which only spurred her to spin them around and press Arizona's back against the wall where hers had been, as her mouth went to the long, smooth column of Arizona's throat. She sucked and nipped at the skin there, humming in the back of her throat at being able to taste her, even as she was dimly away of Arizona's head falling back against the wall.

"God, your lips feel so –" Arizona broke off with a ragged breath as Callie felt her hand claw her way up into her hair, even as Arizona's foot hooked around the back of her thigh to hold her in place.

She had no intentions of stopping as she lightly scratched her fingers up and down Arizona's thigh that was wrapped around hers, loving the way the blonde's hips rocked into her, as she panted out, "We'll have to be quick."

Arizona's hands tightened in her hair and she pressed Callie's face back to her as she groaned, "I know. I just – I want this one more time before we're just friends in front of everyone."

"Me, too," she managed to get out, albeit muffled against Arizona's chest as she slowly worked her mouth down, lips kissing and sucking as she went.

The feeling of Arizona's hands in her hair was honestly driving her crazy already, even before they tugged hard as her mouth covered one of her nipples. From the night they'd spend together in Arizona-the-state, she knew exactly the way the blonde liked for her to take her into her mouth.

Lightly, she scraped her teeth against her, and grinned with the sheer thrill of Arizona bucking her hips against her. Then Arizona's moan broke off into a whimper, which turned into her saying, "I said I remember everything about last night. And I remember distinctly you promising me that we could have sex today. I know I really wasn't in the mood this morning, but I've been wet since we were outside."

Callie figured that the way her hips shifted to press her center against Arizona's thigh was enough of her own affirmation that she felt the same way.

She switched to Arizona's other breast, as she dipper her other hand between strong thighs, and grazed her fingertips lightly over her slit. The wetness that coated her fingers easily as she continued to brush them over Arizona made her lightheaded.

Apparently, it did the same thing to the blonde, whose hand in her hair tightened, and then her other hand fell to Callie's shoulder, gripping her tightly as Arizona grit out, "Your mouth. I want your mouth."

Who was Callie to disobey her? Slowly, she transitioned to her knees. The shower was kind of unforgiving, but she couldn't really care less. Her stomach fluttered a little with butterflies, but it was more excitement than nerves.

The first time she'd done this the other night had been nerve-wracking. It was embarrassing how much she'd been trembling. But then she'd looked up and seen the way Arizona had been laid out above her, chest heaving as she'd tried to take in deep breaths, and a wave of lust had hit her so strongly and just made her want. And that want was enough to push her to begin, only to discover that going down on Arizona was pretty awesome.

It was much the same now, she realized, as she looked up at the blonde. Whose eyes were open, dark blue staring down at her, with those pink lips parted like she couldn't catch her breath, and rivulets of water slid down her.

God, yeah, Callie understood the feeling of not being able to catch her breath. With that, she gently brought her hands up to urge the blonde's thighs apart, and after brief deliberation – she'd only ever done this to Arizona in a bed, so it wasn't like she had much experience – she brought one of her legs up to rest over her shoulder.

And then dark eyes moved to look at Arizona's center, wet and swollen for her. Her throat felt dry again, and she tried to catch her breath as arousal pounded through her. Licking her lips, she leaned in and tilted her lead, until her tongue brushed against Arizona's slit.

She felt the blonde immediately freeze against her, and then her hips jerked against her mouth. Arizona's long moan was somewhat muffled by the way her leg pulled Callie in closer.

Gently, she circled her tongue around the blonde's clit and managed to keep up with Arizona's rocking motions, enjoying the way her grip tightened in her hair. Soon, she opened her mouth and started to suck as she traced her tongue over her bundle of nerves.

Nonsensical sounds fell from Arizona's mouth, and each one sounded like heaven to Callie's ears. Gradually, she worked her hand up and traced Arizona's slit with a fingertip once more, feeling the blonde start to shake against her.

She slid her finger into Arizona's entrance, and she started a slow rhythm, working against the way her lips worked against the blonde's clit. They worked in tandem and she lost herself in the way Arizona tasted and felt against her, pressing herself down against Callie's mouth and hand.

"C-close," she choked out, and the hand that was against Callie's shoulder gripped tightly.

Her hand started to move a little bit faster, and she lightly bent her fingers on her next few thrusts and – "Calliope!"

Her name broke from Arizona's mouth on a shaking moan, and Callie didn't think she'd ever heard anything so amazing in her entire life. And her body agreed with her, as she worked Arizona through her orgasm, drawing it out as long as she could, before she softly withdrew her fingers, and after a few final gentle licks of the blonde's wetness, she drew back.

She rested her forehead against Arizona's hip, feeling the smaller woman shake a bit in aftershocks, and she breathed heavily in the muggy air of the shower, trying to take in as many deep breaths as she could. Which wasn't easy because the shower had steamed up remarkably, and she was so fucking turned on, it was hard not to be panting from it.

Within a few moments, Arizona's hands were pulling at her shoulders, "Up," she commanded.

Callie obeyed, Arizona's leg slipping from her shoulder as she stood, before bracing her hands on either side of the blonde's head against the shower tiles as she crashed her mouth back to Arizona's. She swiped her tongue over her bottom lip, and then dipped into her mouth, which made Arizona moan.

The moan sent a shiver down Callie's spine and she swore to god that she was only moments away from begging Arizona to just touch her.

When she pulled back enough to speak, her breath laboring as her body shook slightly from how turned on she was, the words that fell from her lips were, "You taste so good."

It made Arizona groan once more, before her hands both came up and cupped Callie's breasts, her thumbs stroking over straining nipples, and the sensation felt like it shot sparks all over, "I don't think I could ever get enough of tasting myself on you," Arizona admitted.

And it wasn't anything near a declaration of love or even feelings, but… it did incredible things to not only how soaked she was, but also in her chest.

Her hips were insistently rocking against Arizona's, and she was positive that Arizona had to feel how much she needed her. And as her nipples were pinched and then tugged a little, Callie's head fell forward to Arizona's shoulder, her moan muffled against her collarbone.

"Arizona, please touch me," she whimpered, before pressing a kiss against the expanse of skin offered to her.

She could feel more than hear Arizona chuckle breathlessly, "Where do you want me to touch you?" her voice was low and ridiculously sinful in Callie's ear.

By now, though, Callie couldn't take it anymore, and she shifted so that she could trap Arizona's leg between hers and rocked her hips against her thigh, "I think –" her breath caught as her clit glided against Arizona, and she shuddered, "– you know where."

Even though she sincerely did not want to remove one of Arizona's hands from where they were on her breasts, she couldn't wait. She was fucking dripping, and her voice was rough as she dragged one of her hands down, her body, shivering as Arizona's fingertips ran over her stomach, "Touch me," she managed to repeat, this time firmly.

And Arizona didn't tease her again, fingers sliding against her clit at first, before sliding lower and dipping inside. She didn't waste any time, and after running her fingertips over her and feeling how wet she was, the blonde slipped two fingers into her and started thrusting in a demanding pace.

She worked her hips against the blonde's hand, whimpering as she moved her mouth in order to be able to nip at Arizona's collarbone, right where she'd kissed before.

Then she sucked, and groaned, as Arizona's thumb started to run over her clit. They found a punishing rhythm, that was stealing all of her breath and Callie was positive that the pleasure she was feeling racing through her body was going to make her explode.

God, it definitely was, in the most incredible way possible. Any minute now, and she panted against Arizona, pressing her forehead into the blonde's strong shoulder as she squeezed her eyes closed. So fucking close…

Then Arizona dipped her head down so that her lips ghosted over the shell of Callie's ear, and that feeling put Callie even closer, before she whispered, "I want you to come for me, baby."

As soon as the endearment left Arizona's lips, Callie's entire world came to focus on the way the blonde was making her body feel. Her heart felt like it was full to bursting, too, and everything was warm and –

A moan broke from her lips as her body shook, feeling white hot pleasure rush through her. There was a ringing in her ears, and she had the dim feeling that her body was floating.

She had no idea how long it lasted, but it was fucking amazing.

Callie's heart was finally starting to slow down, as she managed to catch her breath. Her body felt like it had melted against Arizona's as the warm water from the shower continued to spray over her back, and she let out a contented sigh.

She felt Arizona's hand rub lightly over her lower back as her forehead pressed into the blonde's collarbone once more, and it was almost alarming at how comforting it all was. At how content she was to just be here with Arizona and enjoy the closeness.

Even when Arizona whispered into her ear, "You okay?" all playfully.

Which made her roll her eyes and she lifted her head, though she didn't particularly feel the need to move her body away. Her mouth opened for a retort, before she felt Arizona's body shudder against hers, which made her lift an eyebrow, "Are you?"

Blue eyes rolled right back at her, and she had no idea when the last time was that she felt this… lighthearted, but she was reveling in it, especially as Arizona ran her hands down Callie's arms, until she felt the small woman's fingers tangle with her own so that she could walk her backwards and into the shower spray.

She willingly went as Arizona led, closing her eyes just in time for the water to hit the top of her head and fall downwards, soaking her and making Arizona giggle.

Her head shook to clear water from her eyes, and she had already prepared to pull Arizona under the water as well, when the door to her bathroom was flung open. Dark eyes quickly opened wide, as Callie's heart picked back up to race in her chest, just in time for her to spin around to see Aria make her way into the room.

"Thank god you're back! I was with mom for hours this morning, and she is freaking out about everything. I mean, that was before I was sent to my "pre-wedding spa day" mom planned for me, but she just called to let me know she's heading home from the florist, and she sounds so stressed out that she should have gone to the spa instead of me. And if you weren't here by now, she would probably have an aneurism," Aria snorted as she started opening the drawers next to Callie's sink.

Her sister's back was to the shower – thankfully, because her shower walls were made of fucking glass – which was presumably the reason that she hadn't responded yet to the fact that her little sister had another girl naked in the shower with her.

Another girl that Callie had just been having sex with!

Thankfully, her sister was, well, her sister, and was more than capable of having a one-sided conversation with herself, at least for a little while, "I mean, regardless of mom, it would have been cutting it a little close if you hadn't gotten back the day before my wedding," she let out a little tinkling laugh.

Callie's mouth opened to respond, but no sounds could come out. She was pretty sure that all she would be able to do was babble anyway, because her heart was beating so fast, and she was feeling so lightheaded that she felt like she was going to pass out.

Oh god. I'm going to have a heart attack.

… yup. Same.

You're supposed to be the voice of reason here!

I am the voice of reason! But I'm still you and I'm freaking out here!

Well, pull it together! One of us has to!

Right. Okay.

She barely managed to suck in an actual breath of steamy air, before she shook herself out of her stupor. Though she still couldn't promise that she wasn't going to pass out, throw up, or have a heart attack – or any combination thereof – she had to do fucking something. Anything to try to alleviate the panic ravaging through her.

Turning slightly, she could see Arizona, who was just as frozen as she was, blue eyes wide, and a deep blush on her already flushed cheeks. For some reason, knowing that Arizona was freaking out too, despite the fact that it wasn't on as deep a level as Callie's freak out, made her feel the tiniest bit more in control.

The tiniest bit. But it was something, and before she even realized it, she was gesturing for Arizona to back up a little bit.

As if putting space between their naked bodies would change the fact that they were indeed naked in the shower together.

The way Arizona looked at her told her that her idea was, in fact, ridiculous. But what else was there? It's not like she could have Arizona duck down or anything – that would look even worse! Fuck.

Aria had gone quiet, but she was rooting through Callie's drawers still, her back to the shower, thankfully.

Maybe, if Callie could act… normal, then Aria would manage to find whatever it was that she was looking for and get the hell out. It was the only option at this point, so she turned to face her sister once again, shielding the majority of Arizona's body with her own and prayed that her voice came out steady, "Uh. Um," Are you kidding me? Finally, after clearing her throat, she managed to get out, "What are you looking for?"

Her sister pulled open the last drawer in the cabinet, "That face cream you use? You know the one that – aha! It's right here!" She pulled it out and stood up, triumphant.

Hoping that that was all that was going to transpire in the bathroom, a small seed of relief started to bloom. A very small one, "Yeah, it's right there. I mean, take all you want. Because, uh, it's your big night. Well, the night before your big night. I'm almost done in here, so…"

Aria leaned forward towards the fully steamed up mirror, twisting off the top of the jar, "I can't wait for you to be downstairs and having dinner with mom, instead of just me. God, you would think she's the one getting married."

Callie wondered for a moment if it was too impolite to yell at her sister on the night before her wedding, but, hey, they were still sisters, and Aria had come barging into her bathroom… regardless, she took in a deep breath, "Yeah, she's crazy. But seriously, I was about to get out. We can talk after I get dressed."

Though she wasn't facing her sister, she could tell that she was rolling her eyes, "Fuck, Cal, what kind of greeting is that for your beloved sister right before her nuptials? And I wouldn't even have to be in here if it wasn't so damn steamy in here. I swear, this isn't even natural."

"Aria," it was all she said, but it was in a tone that her sister knew very well meant knock it off. It wasn't pulled off as well as Callie could usually do it, but usually she didn't feel like she was going to throw up due to the fact that her sister was only steps away from discovering that she was naked in the shower with another woman.

So she capped the jar once more with a sigh, "Fine, fine, I'm going. I mean, it's not like you have anything in there that I haven't seen."

The squeak that left Callie's throat was born from sheer panic and a smidge of inappropriately timed ironic laughter that she managed to smother. Because Callie could think of a smoking hot human sized someone Aria had never seen.

Her voice was an octave higher than usual when she nodded, "Uh, yeah. Right. But still, you know me. Private, and all."

Aria waved a hand over her shoulder, "Yeah, yeah," before she started towards the door again. She disappeared behind it, and Callie waited a few seconds before it felt like her entire body melted from relief.

Seriously, her shoulders drooped, her arms and legs felt weak, and the nervous vomiting she'd felt was going to happen was disappearing. She didn't even have it in her to react when Arizona's forehead dropped to her shoulder from behind, and she could feel her hot breath wash over her shoulder blade, as the blonde murmured, "Wow."

"I know," she whispered back, and the chuckle that escaped the back of her throat took them both by surprise. But she couldn't even help it.

And then it felt like the world spun to a stop when the bathroom door was thrown open once more, "Hey, one more thing! You said you were bringing that girl, your friend, to the wedding. I mean, her car is in the driveway, but where the hell are you hiding h-" the question fell to an abrupt stop as Aria gasped.

Everything seemed to halt, and the only things Callie were aware of were her rapidly beating heart, the fact that Arizona had jumped and pressed her entire body against her back, and Aria's shocked stare as their eyes locked.

She wasn't sure exactly how long they all remained like that, but then the world was swinging back into motion, as Aria shook her head rapidly, as if not believing what was right before her eyes.

Callie still couldn't move. She couldn't; her arms and legs now felt like lead, and, as a matter of fact, she wasn't entirely certain she wasn't going to throw up. Her stomach certainly felt like it was in enough upheaval.

Aria's gaze then flickered from Callie's face to Arizona's, and then back to Callie's before she cleared her throat and said, "Well, I guess I found where you were hiding her."

Then she was gone, disappearing back out of Callie's bathroom door, but there was no relief this time. Her hands were shaking, so hard she doubted her ability to hold onto anything, before she felt Arizona's body back away from hers, and the shower turned off. It was only when Arizona's hand reached out and tentatively took hers that Callie seemed to break out of her daze, "Calliope –"

"I have to talk to her," the words burst out of her, anxiety and panic and fear… god, she didn't even know what else racing up her spine and making her stomach churn uncomfortably.

God, she had to get out of this shower, this bathroom, before she completely broke down, and with that in mind, she quickly stepped out – nearly slipping – before she grabbed the robe she always kept hanging up next to the shower and belted it, chasing after her sister.

But she didn't have to chase her far. She got two steps out of her room, feeling like something inside of her was going to explode and not in a good way, and started toward Aria's room. Only to stumble and come to a stop when she discovered her sister leaning against the wall, arms crossed lowly as she gave Callie a narrow-eyed, imploring look.

Aria didn't say anything, though, and that was what really tripped Callie up even more. Even more than anything else that had happened so far – and that was saying a lot. But the fact of the matter was that Aria always had something to say. Always had a comment or a question or a remark, and silence in a moment like this was driving Callie insane.

And made her panic even more, because out of everyone in her family, Callie figured Aria would be the person who was safe to tell about… everything. Aria was the most open-minded; certainly more than their parents and grandmother.

If she couldn't find it to accept this part of Callie, then what shot in hell did she have of her parents?

God, the idea made her want to throw up even more, and she curled her hands into fists to be able to feel the slight pain of her nails biting into her palms to keep her from, oh, just walking right out of the house and driving away into the night, or something.

That would be crazy, right?

Yeah. Not to mention that Arizona, for all you know, is still naked in your bathroom. You kinda can't leave her here like that.

Right.

With that, she took in a deep breath and was unable to look Aria in the eye as she unconsciously started to pace back and forth a few feet away, and words were leaving her mouth before she could even comprehend what she was saying, "I – you weren't supposed to come in there! We all have private bathrooms in this house for a reason, you know. And Arizona and I…" she trailed off because there was nothing she could say that would excuse the fact that they were in there together, clearly naked.

What could she say, that they were platonically washing each other?

There were just no more words. She couldn't find them in her vocabulary, and it was such a foreign feeling, because much like Aria, Callie also always had something to say.

Instead, there was silence, and she barely even realized she'd whispered the words that were taking over her mind until they rang out between them until they hit her own ears, "Please don't tell mom and dad."

Her heart was back to pounding against her ribs, and she took in a ragged breath when Aria still said absolutely nothing. The tears that were filling up her eyes had everything to do with the dread rising in her stomach, coming with the images of her parents screaming.

Possibly throwing things. Her grandmother holding onto her hundred year old rosary beads so tightly they broke, and then being blamed for that, too.

When she blinked, she felt the hot trail of the tears fall down her cheeks, and it was only then that Aria stepped forward. Her hands pressed down onto Callie's shoulders, tightly enough for Callie to realize she'd been shaking, before Aria's face was only inches away from her own.

Her sister's eyes – exactly as dark as her own – bore into hers, before Aria quietly said, "Cal. The pure and simple truth is that the truth is rarely pure and never simple."

She'd been poised and ready to answer… almost anything else, but not that, "I – what?"

Aria's grip on her shoulders turned from holding her in place to stop shaking and pacing, into something lighter, and her sister's eyes looked into hers once more, and they were the first thing that made the maelstrom of awful emotions swirling inside of her dissipate, even before her sister explained, "I'm paraphrasing Oscar Wilde here. I'm just saying… everyone's truth is different, and nothing is ever as easy as you want it to be. You can't help – you know. And it's no one's business but yours."

The relief that sliced through her at that was immense, and for the second time in what felt like no time at all, she sagged a bit as some of the tension drained from her, even as she shook her head, "But you – you were just standing here. Not saying anything."

Aria's dark eyes rolled at her, "Yeah, because I just walked in on my baby sister having a rendezvous in the shower with another woman, and – wait! Was she in there the whole time?"

This time, Callie rolled her eyes, and even though the topic being discussed was completely unfamiliar territory, it all felt like an interaction they'd had a thousand times, with their tones and the eye rolling. And with that, came a sense of okay-ness. A feeling of calm, rather than feeling like the world was crashing down.

She held onto that feeling and ran with it, even as she felt her cheeks blush, "Of course she was in there the whole time! Where else would she have been?"

Aria shrugged, her hands falling from Callie's shoulders as she gestured around, "How am I supposed to know?! I mean, whatever. The point I was going to make was that it's okay. Despite what some people say."

Which was vague, but it still gave Callie a sense of comfort. A sense of comfort and yet, not. Because she felt stupid, and irrationally irritated, like she was prone to when she would think about this herself, "I know," her voice came out in a murmur, but it was steadier than she thought it would be, as she swallowed hard, "I know, logically, that there isn't anything wrong with being…" she bit her lip as she trailed off, her eyes squinting as they rolled up at the ceiling for a moment.

Before Aria's voice brought her back, as she supplied, "Gay?"

"No!" the word left her before she could think about it, and she rolled her eyes at herself even as a nervous tremor raced through her system, as she correct, "I mean, no, there isn't anything wrong with being gay. It's just, I'm not… not totally…"

The word had been on the tip of her tongue before Aria interrupted, "You're bisexual?"

It was in the casual way she said it that had Callie nearly jolting backwards. The word was out in the word; bisexual. She was bisexual, and it was the first time that the words were actually said aloud.

In turn, the world was still turning. Her sister hadn't cursed her out. And Callie didn't feel like she was going to throw up. In fact… it almost felt good to have it out there. It was in the open.

For the first time in the past year since crashing head first into the realization that she was attracted to Arizona – to a woman – her sexuality was acknowledged by someone who knew her, who had known her, forever. And the bubble that had been housing the word bisexual had been popped.

And it was okay.

She almost smiled faintly at the fact that, maybe it could be this easy, before she realized she hadn't answered Aria. Slowly, she nodded, and found her voice wavering before it found it's steadiness again, "Yes. I'm, um, bisexual."

It was the first time the word itself had left her own lips. But it didn't feel suffocating, for the first time.

That was almost enough to make her want to smile or laugh or celebrate in some way. Almost, because this conversation was still happening, and Aria was still looking at her with that calm, measuring look, before she shrugged, all casually, "That's fine, too."

The fact that this was her best kept secret – or at least, the one she'd done everything in her power to pretend wasn't even real – until so recently, and her sister – one of the very people she'd been hiding it from – was telling her it was fine… it made an entirely new appreciation for Aria wash over her.

With it, came a sensation of calmness that she'd been searching for, for she didn't know how long, as well as her usual feeling of confidence. Not as confident as usual, but enough to feel like she had a handle on herself, unlike just a few minutes ago.

So she rolled her shoulders and when she blew out a sigh, it felt like she was getting rid of months and months worth of doubting and fear, "I know that it's okay. I mean, I know I'm not – that I'm not going to hell, or anything." It was complicated to explain – and she wasn't going to go into detail about how she'd felt about all of this, not with Aria or anyone – but, that much she knew.

Aria nodded slowly, before she leaned back against the wall again and asked, "How come you didn't tell me?"

It could have sounded accusatory or offended, but Callie was relieved that it didn't, and her own defenses didn't rise to the occasion. Instead, she shrugged, and felt the same kind of uncertainty she had felt around Aria many times when they were younger, as she whispered, "I couldn't."

Now, her sister sounded slighted, "You couldn't tell me?!"

She rolled her eyes, before she picked at the sleeve of the robe, which was kind of starting to feel uncomfortable now that she was dry and it was damp, as she grumbled, "I couldn't tell anyone, Aria."

Not even myself.

Though, that's not for lack of trying. Hello, I've been here this whole time!

Now is really not the time.

Her sister gave her a look full of understanding as she released a quiet, "Ah." And waited a few seconds before she gestured to the closed door that was Callie's room, "So how long have you and her –"

Callie could feel her cheeks heat up, because while this was going, like, amazingly well and while she didn't feel like she had to run away and jump out of a window anymore, there was no way she was going to have this discussion about whatever was going on with Arizona with her sister. She was quick to cut her off, "Not long, and she is the first – my first – girl. Woman."

She knew she was feeling infinitely more normal now because she was actually able to cringe at her idiot self.

Which made Aria smirk, a signature look that Callie shared, "Well, she seems pretty. I think." Her eyebrows wrinkled together in thought for a brief moment before she shot Callie a lecherous smile, "I didn't get that good of a look at her face."

With a groan, she dropped her head back and reached up to push her sister's shoulder, "Shut up. Seriously."

"Oh, using your scary voice on me," Aria whispered conspiratorially, before she winked.

It made Callie want to roll her eyes again, but instead she found her lips quirked up in a small smile, because it was just… such a damn relief the way this had turned out. The urge to show Aria how ridiculously grateful she was for her was undeniable, so she acted on it.

Reaching out, she pulled her sister toward her by the shoulders, before wrapping her arms around her back and hugging her, in a way that she hadn't really done since they were much younger. Within a second, Aria was hugging her right back, a hand rubbing comfortably between her shoulder blades, reminiscent of the way Aria would do when Callie came home crying from school, "I know you didn't really choose to tell me, but I'm glad I know."

She didn't know which of them was more surprised when the words, "Me, too," slipped from her lips, and that she actually meant them.

Callie took a few more seconds of comfort in the hug, before the more pressing realities of the situation started to come barreling back. With them, she pulled back and Aria's hands fell back to her sides, as Callie bit her lip, "Do you think… mom and dad…" she trailed off, unable to finish the question, because it sounded stupid to her own ears. Because she kind of already knew.

That feeling only compounded when the warm look on Aria's face dimmed, and she looked a little uncomfortable. She cleared her throat before answering slowly, "Uh… maybe you should wait a little while before you tell them."

The confirmation made her stomach twist uncomfortably, but Callie thought it was pretty telling that she was neither crushed by the words, nor surprised. A little disappointed, though, but she didn't think that was going to go away any time soon, "Yeah. That's what I thought."

In a matter of seconds, she found herself engulfed once more in a hug, as Aria murmured, "Hey, I'm here for you. And, I guess, you never really, really know until you do tell them. They might surprise us."

Which was highly unlikely, and they both knew it, but she appreciated the sympathetic look Aria gave her as she stepped back, giving a half-hearted, "Maybe," in response, before she shook her head and, along with it, the bad feelings that came whenever she thought about telling her parents. With a sigh, she shrugged, "I'm not ready to tell them anyway."

Aria nodded thoughtfully, "Well, if you don't want mom to know, you should probably make it look like you two weren't just in the shower together, because she's supposed to be home with dinner in less than ten minutes. And you know mom – she's never late."

Callie had honestly lost complete track of that – the fact that she and Arizona were supposed to be having dinner with her mom and sister in like ten minutes, and her eyes widened in surprise, "Fuck, I forgot. Okay, I'll meet you down there soon."

She took a step away before she reached back to give Aria's hand a little squeeze with her own, just because, and she felt her sister squeeze hers back, before they separated, and she quickly walked back towards her room.

And when she pushed the door open, she paused in the doorway as she opened it to see Arizona standing in the center of her room. The blonde's hair wasn't soaking wet anymore, falling in damp waves to just past her shoulders, and she'd pulled on a pair of jeans with a crisp white button-up shirt, and Callie had no idea how it had managed to stay looking perfectly pressed through their travels.

But she was biting her lip in uncertainty, and those big blue eyes were on her the moment she stepped back into the room. And Callie didn't miss the fact that Arizona's suitcase was all packed up again, sitting next to her on the bed.

Arizona took a tentative step closer to her, "Calliope, I'm… are you okay?" those expressive eyes did a quick look down to her bare feet and then back up her robe-clad body, "You look – I mean, you look like you're actually okay. But, I don't know," she rambled for a moment, before looking up at Callie.

And there was something about having Arizona there with her in her room. Surrounded by all of her things, and having just come out of Callie's shower – smelling like Callie's shampoo – and being concerned for her, that made Callie's heart well up in her chest, "I'm okay."

It made Arizona falter, her concerned look still written all over her face, and Callie stepped into the room, closing the door behind her as she gestured to Arizona's suitcase, "Were you planning on leaving?"

Arizona turned to look at the suitcase herself, before she shrugged, "I wasn't planning on it. But I was willing to do it, if that was what you needed me to do," she hesitated, before she added on softly, "I would like to be here for you, if you wanted. But then you ran out of here in a panic, and you were the one who explained your own tendency to run away when you were scared. So… I guess I was just getting ready for that," she explained.

Callie narrowed her eyes in thought as she ran them over Arizona's face, but didn't see anything except for honesty there. And she recalled her own promise to Arizona that she wouldn't run away, when Arizona had so seriously told her that she couldn't bring their relationship to the next level if Callie was going to run. Which made her arch an eyebrow in question as she asked, "And, if I was going to run, you wouldn't be mad?"

The blonde rolled her eyes a bit, and walked a little closer to Callie, close enough to close the distance between them, "Well, I wouldn't be okay with you just completely throwing me out and running away entirely," she threw Callie a dry look.

That worked better than it should have to make Callie smile, before Arizona continued, "But, I would understand why you might feel the need to have some space after having your sister walk in on us. I would be a little freaked out if that happened by someone in my own family, and they all already know I'm gay."

The fact that Arizona understood, and not just the situation, but Callie herself made everything she felt for the blonde rush at her tenfold, and she found herself reaching out one of her hands to grasp Arizona's, "I actually… don't want to hide." Then she found herself cringing and remembering how she felt in the shower, and how she was worried she might feel at some point in front of her family, "Maybe I do, a little bit. But, for once, I think I'd rather hide with you, rather than from you."

Arizona's eyebrows ticked up in surprise for a beat as she used the hold she'd gotten by linking their fingers to pull Callie forward enough so that she could feel the blonde's body heat, and it made her stomach tingle pleasantly.

Even more pleasantly when Arizona's face bloomed into a gorgeous smile, one that radiated warmth and made her dimples pop in her cheeks, "Yeah? I'm actually allowed to hide from the world with you?" and she sounded ridiculously pleased.

It made Callie feel slightly embarrassed, but she couldn't help but smile back, even as she rolled her eyes, "Well, when you say it that way, maybe not," she teased. But then Arizona squeezed her hand tightly, and her eyes narrowed. Which made Callie's grin get even wider – god, she loved getting reactions like that out of the blonde – as she brought her hand up to lightly trace the tip of her finger over Arizona's soft cheek, "You're allowed," she whispered.

To her, it felt like that whisper said many things. It was an admission that she didn't feel the need to hide from Arizona anymore. An admission that she didn't want to, even if she did feel the need. But even more than that, she wanted Arizona to stay, even during the times Callie was panicking.

It said a lot, when there had never been anyone else that Callie would want to run away with her.

And she was ridiculously happy when it seemed like Arizona understood, as she pushed up onto her tip toes to connect their lips. The kiss was short and sweet, and Arizona's mouth felt so soft against her own. She let out a quiet sigh against her mouth, and stroked her thumb over the back of the blonde's hand.

It was like the world stopped spinning, much in the same way that had felt when their time in the shower had been… interrupted, but also somehow completely different. Now, the world was stopping in time just for Callie to be able to feel Arizona like this, with only the two of them in it.

And Callie was seconds away from drawing Arizona's bottom lip between her own because she wanted a taste for more, a taste at shutting the world out completely, before Arizona was already pulling back from her.

She didn't even have the time to go back for another kiss before she whimpered softly, but Arizona was whispering, "But really. Are you okay?"

They were still close enough that she felt Arizona's warmth breath wash over her lips, and it made her shiver, before she cleared her throat and nodded, "I'm actually pretty good," she confessed, and it felt so good to know that that was the truth.

At Arizona's lifted eyebrow, she could tell there were more questions. But she headed them off, "Aria… she's the most accepting out of anyone in my family. I'm not even super shocked that she's okay with – everything, really. I just, I wasn't ready to tell her myself."

Arizona slowly nodded, before she brought her hand that wasn't holding onto Callie's up to brush against her cheek in a light touch, "I'm glad it worked out."

"Me, too," she nodded, before rolling her eyes at herself, "Obviously." And when she blew out a deep breath, she shook her head as she searched for the words to describe how she felt, "I've spent so long pushing this part of me away and pretending it wasn't even there, that even hearing Aria talk about it was scary but… also like a weight was gone. You know?"

Big, sympathetic blue eyes stared up at her and Arizona brushed wet hair back behind her ear as she nodded, "I might be out to my family now, Calliope, but I understand the weight on your shoulders. It's not easy."

A weight, much like the one they were discussing, settled in her stomach as she took a deep breath to get the courage to say the words that she wanted to say. She couldn't say anything about love yet; it was far, far too soon.

But that wasn't all there was to what she felt with Arizona, either. And for as much as there were parts of her that were still scared, and were still nervous, and still hiding from telling her parents about her and Arizona, there were even more parts that felt utterly fulfilled and just happy from the last few days.

Which was what prompted her to fight through the nerves, even as she felt unsure as to how exactly to say it, but… "It's not only the weight of her knowing about me not being straight. But it's also her knowing about you. You, as Arizona, not just the fact that I was in the shower with another girl."

There. She'd said it, and in her mind, it sounded as good as a near love confession as she could get out at the moment.

She watched as Arizona took in the words with a nod, a thoughtful look on her face. But Callie didn't think it could possibly come as any surprise to Arizona, her feelings for the blonde had been made pretty clear their last night in Texas.

However, before Arizona could actually say anything, there was a sharp knock against her bedroom door, which made them both jump in surprise. Thankfully, it seemed Aria had learned somewhat of a lesson in walking into a room without permission though, as she simply said from the outside, "Mom's here, she has Chinese food, and she is two minutes away from barging up here herself to see you, Maid of Honor."

Callie's groan was loud enough to be heard from outside of the door, her frustration palpable, "Thanks. We'll be down in a minute."

For a moment, she turned back to looking at Arizona, because she thought maybe there was something the blonde was going to say in response. But instead, she was met with a contemplative look, before Arizona turned lightly, "You should probably get dressed."

Callie stared at soft blonde locks for a few seconds; maybe it was too early for things like that. But it was her own fault that things between them had only just started – really, if she hadn't been so damn terrified, who knew what could have already happened between them?

With a sigh, she stepped away from Arizona and spun around to pull open a drawer in her bureau to pull out a pair of pajama shorts and a plain t-shirt, before she turned back around. Just in time to see Arizona picking lightly at her shirt, uncertainty written all over her face. Which was definitely a change of pace between the two of them.

"What's wrong?" she asked as she quickly reached for her hairbrush and dragged it through her hair before pulling it up into a ponytail.

Arizona rolled her eyes in exasperation, like Callie was being oblivious, "I'm meeting your mother! And, I mean, I know she's only going to know me as your friend, but still. I can't look like a mess!" she gestured at herself, her eyebrows shooting up on her forehead.

And this was one of the very few times that she thought Arizona might be nervous, which made her grin look probably a little devious and she rolled her eyes, "Robbins, you look good. And my mom might be a little crazy," she cut herself off to give the blonde a look, "And I mean, she can seem kind of insane, especially with Aria's wedding tomorrow. But she won't care what you're wearing. Besides, I met your family wearing… whatever, and it was fine."

Callie couldn't lie, though; she was feeling a little glad that rather than her being the one to introduce herself to someone else's family again, it was Arizona. Though that didn't mean that the pressure was off of her completely.

Not even a little, really. But she was trying not to focus on that, and more on the fact that her mother was so stressed out and focused on the wedding to notice much of anything else.

After she quickly pulled on her clothes and hung up her robe, she was met with Arizona giving her an exasperated look, "Calliope, my family is… you know, my family. They were just excited to meet a girl I was bringing to them at all."

She took in the words with a soft nod, and because she did often think of herself as an intellectual person, she could read between the lines, and she let out a sigh as some of that heaviness that came along with her family's wealth and name fell back on her shoulders, "Look. My family might have money, and my mom has a tendency to go overboard about a lot of things… but she's not, like, a snob. Neither is my dad, for the record. It'll be fine."

It'll be fine, she repeated to herself, and rolled her shoulders.

Not only because she was introducing Arizona – her… not exactly girlfriend in so many words, but her girl who was more than a friend – to her mom, but because she'd been incommunicado for the last couple of weeks, and she had no idea what reaction her mom was going to have.

But she knew that Aria hadn't been exaggerating when she'd said they had only minutes before her mother was going to come seek her out herself up in her room, so… "Ready?"

Arizona nodded, which was all she needed to prompt her to walking to the door and opening it, before gesturing for Arizona to walk out ahead of her. From the dining room downstairs, she could hear mumbles of chatter coming from her mother and sister, and the faint smell of their takeout was in the air.

This was real – Arizona in her parents' beach house, about to meet her mother. Two worlds colliding, because Callie had invited it.

Scared?

Surprisingly not as much as I could be.

Well, then, let's get on with it, woman!

She'd just taken a step into the hallway before Arizona's hand was on hers, and it effectively brought her to a stop. Lifting her eyebrow, she turned around, only to be met with Arizona leaning up and connecting their lips once more.

This kiss was shorter than almost any of their others, and that soft pressure of her mouth was gone as soon as it was there, but she felt like something was different in it, somehow. Her lips tingled and she felt a rush through her veins that made her eyelids feel heavy, but her body alert.

Arizona looked up at her through her lashes as she smiled, "That was because we won't be able to do it again for a little while. And for the record… I'm glad you were the only girl I've brought home to my family."

Callie was faintly sure there was a dim click in the back of her mind, as her heart started to pound, because this was it. This moment in the hallway outside of her parents' beach house, with her family waiting downstairs, and she and Arizona fresh from having an awkward encounter with her sister – this moment was certainty in her feelings for Arizona.

The quiet honesty in the blonde's voice as those blue eyes looked at her all sincerely and full of warmth made this feeling in Callie's chest pull at her, and she knew.

She was definitely in love with her, no maybes about it.

With a shaky breath, she glanced down the stairs to make sure no one was there, before she bent down to brush her lips softly against Arizona's again. This time a few seconds longer than Arizona's kiss had been, but just enough to feel that connection, and the way it made her heart pound.

Arizona exhaled in surprise against her, which was what prompted her to pull back. And when the blonde looked at her in question, she found herself searching for something to say that wasn't the conclusion she'd literally just reached. Instead she settled on, "I won't be able to do that for a little while."

Which seemed to sate Arizona's curiosity, but before she could say anything, Callie heard her mother's heels click against the marble downstairs, only seconds before she called up, "Calliope? Are you and your friend coming?"

Dark eyes rolled and she tilted her head in the direction of the stairs before she led the way to them, "Yes, sorry. We, uh, went into the water before you got home, so we had to get changed."

Her mom – impeccably dressed as she usually was – stood at the bottom of the stairs, and she was wearing the smile on her face that seemed easy-going to the untrained eye, but Callie recognized it as her "company is here so I will wait to freak out until we're in private" smile.

Naturally, she planned on avoiding being in private for as long as she could.

She had twin urges, both to put some more distance between herself and Arizona – she was honestly afraid that her mother would be able to tell – and to take a hold of the blonde's hand for comfort. In the end, she did neither, but instead gestured over her shoulder towards the blonde, "Mom, this is Arizona Robbins. Arizona, this is my mother, Lucia Torres."

As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Arizona quickly hurried around her to take her mom's outstretched hand, and shook it firmly, "Mrs. Torres it's very nice to meet you. You have a lovely home."

Callie was sure that it was Arizona's adorable little dimples and her easy politeness that had her mother's smile relaxing a bit into its natural state, "Please, call me Lucia. And thank you very much, though you'll have to excuse the havoc that will be wreaked tomorrow for the wedding. It's such a busy time."

Arizona shook her head a little bit, and waved her hand as she let out a light laugh that Callie wasn't sure she'd heard before. It amused her but also weirdly warmed her, because Arizona was doing this to make this nice impression on her mother. Even though Callie was making her hide everything.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I'm the one intruding here, and I'm sure the wedding will be beautiful," she sent Callie's mom a reassuring smile, which had the older woman patting Arizona on her arm lightly.

Callie's mother nodded as she started to lead them towards the dining room, where Aria had laid out the spread of food already and was making her plate, "I should quite hope so. My daughter is going to have the best day of her life tomorrow," she reached out to squeeze Aria on the shoulder. "And don't you worry; the more the merrier. In fact, we were already planning on two hundred guests, so squeezing in one more won't be a problem."

She had to give her sister props for not rolling her eyes, given that she knew how much this "best day of her life" was more for their mother than anything. Aria had told her – several times – that she wanted to half her mother's guest list, as well.

In true Lucia fashion, she didn't allow enough time for anyone to get another word in before she continued on, "A woman's wedding is something she'll remember for the rest of her life."

"It's also something her mother will remember for the rest of her life," Callie supplied, cheekily, and she grinned when Aria snorted.

But she supposed she owed it to her sister to take some of their mother's attention off of her, for kind of disappearing for two weeks before her wedding. Even if her sister had encouraged it. Still, it was Aria's wedding, and she had just cemented herself as Best Sister of the Year, in Callie's book.

So it was worth it when her mother looked up at her with narrowed eyes, "It is something a mother will remember for her entire life, Calliope. And you would do well to remember that." Lucia turned her attention to Arizona, "Are you seeing any boys up at school, Arizona? Every time I ask Calliope, she tells me that she is simply too busy."

The hand Callie had been holding out to offer Arizona a plate jerked, and she felt her cheeks heat up as her eyes narrowed. Feeling irritated and more than a little flustered – also doing her best to ignore the way Aria's eyes lit up in amusement – Callie grit out, "Mom, don't."

But before her mother could do her innocent act, as she was wont to do, Arizona came in, her voice sounding strained, "Uh, no. I'm not seeing any boys; Calliope is right, med school is keeping us very busy."

Arizona took the plate from Callie, managing to brush their fingers together ever so lightly. Enough that her mother didn't notice a thing, and Callie noticed it for every second.

Her mother let out a long suffering sigh, as if her knowledge Callie's lack of dating life was a personal affront, before she nodded, "One day, you'll be grateful for my wanting to be involved."

Callie's eyes rolled so hard she was afraid they might fall out of her head, but it was Aria's eye roll that their mother noticed, as they all took their seats.

She let out a breath of relief to be off of the topic of love lives, halfheartedly listening as her mother started talking about her meeting with the florist, as she pulled out a chair. Arizona did the same, and managed to brush her denim covered leg over Callie's as they sat down.

Her cheeks flushed, and she turned to look at the blonde who was giving her a small smile. Callie was sitting, in her summer home, with her mother across the table and Arizona sitting next to her. Two worlds colliding, but somehow it didn't feel all that crazy at all.

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Please let me know what you thought! Honestly, everyone's opinions and feedback are amazing, and I love the response to this story. This chapter took me forever to get out, considering it's longer than I think any chapter I've ever written in a fic!

Also, just so everyone knows (though I figure most people knew anyway, considering they have arrived at their destination), there will only be one more official chapter left in this story, as well as an epilogue. I thought I would give you all a fair warning. Thank you for reading!