After Eliza left her house Arizona sat on the sofa next to Sofia watching cartoons. Happy to just be in the presence of her little girl. She had missed her so much. After a while Sofia got bored of her cartoons and starting talking to Arizona, asking questions.
"Mommy, is Eliza a new doctor at your work?" The little girl asked suddenly in amongst her questions and chattering.
"Yes baby, she does the same as mama, she is a bone doctor." Arizona tried to explain without making it sound like she had replaced her.
"She's nice, I like her, can we see her again tomorrow?" Sofia asked with a big smile.
"Maybe peanut, but now it's time for bed, come on." Arizona urged, not really wanting to talk about Eliza with Sofia right now. She wasn't exactly sure where they stood at the moment after their earlier conversation at the hotel.
Once Sofia was tucked up in bed and Arizona had read her a bedtime story, She went downstairs to the kitchen to grab a glass of wine, she needed to relax after an emotional day. She was so happy to have Sofia home, but also sad that Eliza didn't want to meet her. She missed Eliza when she wasn't with her but her daughter would always come first. Grabbing her wine from the fridge and pack of cigarettes from the cupboard, Arizona headed out the back door to sit on the steps. Deciding to quickly check her phone, as she hadn't all day, Arizona pulled it out of her pocket, and saw the message Eliza had sent her earlier before she came for her car.
EM: Hi, I'm sorry about before, it seems me and words don't want to actually work right now. And you didn't give me chance to explain before you ran out, and now you think I don't want to meet Sofia. I do. More than anything, she's a massive part of your life, and I love you, everything about you. Including her. I didn't want her to meet me, whilst I'm hungover and a mess. I want her to see I'm good enough for her mommy. She's you're world, and you, Arizona, are mine. I'm sorry. Xxx
Arizona reads Eliza's text a couple of times before she realises she's been an idiot and Eliza wants the best for her and Sofia. Arizona knows she needs to message Eliza back and let her know that she's sorry for leaving without an explanation earlier.
AR: Hey, I've only just seen your message. I know you sent it hours ago, sorry. I'm sorry for the way I acted, I just thought you had decided being part of my child's life was too much. I wouldn't blame you if you did, it's a lot to take on. Anyway, I'm sorry I ran away. I hope you do want to meet Sofia properly, because after you left she asked me when we could see you again. She already loves you, and so do I xxx
Arizona sat outside, just drinking her wine, trying her best to ignore the urge she had to smoke, she had promised Eliza she wouldn't after all. Instead she just played with the lighter, mesmerised by the flames beauty, lost in thought of how amazing it would be to have Eliza and Sofia all to herself, if only for a little while. Arizona's phone vibrating scared her from her thoughts. It was a text for Eliza.
EM: I'd never decide not to be part of your child's life. If you want me to know her, I want to know her. I'd love to meet her as your girlfriend instead of Dr. Minnick ;-) I love you too xxx
Arizona grinned to herself. Her girlfriend wanted to meet her daughter and her daughter wanted to meet Eliza. Although she didn't know they were more than friends.
AR: In that case, I'll tell her in the morning once she wakes up. If it goes ok, maybe the three of us can meet for lunch? Xxx
EM: Sounds good. I'm going to miss seeing you at work tomorrow so lunch will make up for it a little xxx
At that moment Sofia appeared at the back door.
"Mommy, I can't sleep. Can I stay in your bed?" The little girl asked.
"How come you can't sleep bug?" Arizona asked her daughter, a little concerned.
"I just missed you." Sofia said with a little shrug.
"Ok, come here and have a cuddle. I need to tell you something anyway." Arizona figured as Sofia was up anyway, she may as well get this out the way and know what was going to happen, she hated not knowing. Sofia sat on Arizona's lap and Arizona wrapped her jacket around them both, pulling Sofia into her closely.
"What do you want to tell me mommy?"
"Well, you know how mama has penny and she lives with you both in New York?"
"When penny isn't busy with work?"
"Yeah when she isn't at work. Well mommy has a friend, like penny is to mama. She doesn't live here but we are good friends, just like mama and penny." Arizona tried to explain it simply for her daughter so she would understand better.
"Mommy, you have a girlfriend?" Sofia was too smart for her own good, leaving Arizona stunned at her daughters understanding.
"Yes baby girl, I have a girlfriend."
"Can I meet her?" Sofia asked, bouncing with excitement a little.
"Of course peanut, but you already met her earlier. You remember Dr. Minnick?" Sofia nodded. "Well she's my girlfriend."
"I really like her mommy." Sofia stated with a huge grin. Arizona just grinned back at her daughter, she really was amazing.
"Well if you go to bed now, we can have lunch with her tomorrow." With that Sofia jumped up and ran back to bed. Arizona was grinning to herself, really surprised at how well that had gone. She knew Sofia would be fine, she didn't expect her to understand and love Eliza quite so easily. Arizona couldn't wait to message Eliza and tell her so she text her straight away.
AR: So, You, Me Little bug, lunch? Tomorrow? Xxx
EM: You already told her? Xxx
AR: Yeah, she couldn't sleep so came downstairs and I didn't want to keep you from her any longer. I love you. Xxx
EM: You really are amazing, you know that? I love you too xxx
AR: Meh, sometimes ;-) See you tomorrow at 1pm? Park by the hospital? I'll bring the food xxx
EM: Sounds perfect. I can't wait xxx
AR: Good. I need to go to bed, Sofia will have me up early! See you tomorrow. Goodnight xxx
EM: Goodnight beautiful xxx
Arizona grabbed her things and headed to bed with a huge smile on her face. She felt so happy at the moment. Everything was perfect, having her girlfriend, who loves her and her daughter, her daughter was home, and Sofia loves her girlfriend too. Things couldn't get much better.
