Finally next chapter up :) Sorry been caught up updating "Not the Plan". But here's it finally. I hope you like it. If you do not agree with my version of events you are free to let me know.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Shonda, I'm simply playing with them.
"Can I have some milk too mami?" my three year old asks as she is lying on her stomach on the couch, her head propped up on her elbows.
I look up from the baby I'm nursing and chuckle when I see the seriousness on her face.
"Really?" I ask her, knowing full well that she hates drinking milk and that every morning one of us three have to force her to drink it.
"Uhmmm" she answers her large eyes shift from my face to the baby in my arms. "Can I drink it like baby?"
I smile. "But you're a big girl now aren't you? And only small babies drink milk like this, because they aren't as strong as Sofia to hold her own mug and drink milk"
She seems to consider that answer for a moment. "Did I drink like this when I small?" she asks.
That forces me to revisit the circumstances surrounding her birth and I shudder at the thought of how I was so unsure if I'd ever be able to hold my baby let alone breast feed it. But I look at her now, and my fears are quelled. I answer as lightly as I can manage "Then how do you think you grew up to be so strong?"
She smiles sweetly. "Can I still drink some milk?"
"As soon as you finish your dinner" Arizona is the one that answers as she walks into the room having just put the dirty clothes in the washing machine. "What have I told you about table manners Sof?" she asks in her "mom-voice." I try to hold back my smile. Sofia lets out a tiny groan and rolls off the couch landing with a soft thud on the carpeted floor. Almost instantly I lean forward to catch her "Careful Sof". The baby stirs a little at the sudden disturbance.
She grins and scampers off to the kitchen counter. As Arizona helps her onto her chair I hear her say "Sorry momma". Arizona drops a kiss on her head "Eat up. All of it" she says as she spots Sofia starting to pick out the greens. Sofia drops her head a little "Yes ma'am" she agrees softly.
"You guys need anything?" she asks us as she rounds the isle and moves to the other side.
"No we're good" I answer softly as my eyes drift back to the 1 week old blond angel in my arms. He looks mighty busy trying to drink up all that he can. I run a hand first through his soft hair then run it along the length of his arm, down his little leg and hold his little feet pink feet in my hands. They are so soft. I bend down my head and place a little kiss there. When I lift my eyes I see my wife and daughter are still debating on whether all vegetables are good and which flavour milk would be best suited on a Saturday night.
"Chocolate" Sofia finally declares then catching a look on her momma's face she adds a little "please". Arizona smiles, drops her hands from her hips and goes about making chocolate milk. I smile at the pure domesticity of things. Nothing special going on, just us four, at dinner time. A normal day. But I know how long and hard a journey it has been to reach here. My heart swells with happiness. I can't believe I could get any happier.
Just then the doorbell rings. Arizona places the Spongebob- Squarepants mug filled with chocolate milk in front of Sofia, wipes her hands on her pants and moves towards the door. "Please don't tell me we have to deal with another visitor today" she meets my eye and I give her a sympathetic smile.
She opens the door but I hear nothing else. Sofia slips out of her chair and rushes to the door. "Who is it momma?" she demands as puts her head between the half-opened door and Arizona's leg. Arizona opens the door further and moving towards a side she draws Sofia towards her, giving the visitor space to enter. That is when I finally spot who it is.
"How are you Calliope?" my mother asks as she steps into the house. To say that I'm shocked would be an understatement. I can't manage to utter a word. It's Arizona who speaks up. "Please make yourself comfortable ." My mom gives her a hesitant smile, says a quick "Thank You" as she walks up to the couch and sits down on the opposite end.
"Come on Sof, finish your dinner." Arizona tells the little one as she stands there watching everything curiously. She has only heard about her abuela and seen her pictures once or twice. She follows Arizona into the kitchen and silently sits down to eat.
My mom's eyes follow her for a while. Then she turns around to look at me and tries speaking, but words seem to get caught in her throat. She fiddles with her purse. As always she is elegantly dressed. But I notice the abundant white hair on her head that I hadn't seen before. I look at her face and notice the new wrinkles. She seems tired. She looks up and I notice her eyes are moist.
"Sofia's grown up so much." Her voice quivers just a bit. "She looks like you when you were younger."
"Three years is a long time" is the first thing that I say to her. She looks back down.
Neither of us knows what to say next. I am so hurt that I don't want to be the first one to crumble and hug her like I have been dying to do since she walked in that door. Arizona speaks up from the kitchen "Would you like anything Mrs Torres? I'm afraid I'm not as good as Callie when it comes to cooking but there's Mexican style stir-fry." She says more to fill the awkward silence. I look up at her and she sees the silent "thank you" in my eyes.
My mother decides to stun us further. "Please call me Lucia" she says. "And just a glass of water please" she offers Arizona a smile.
Sofia turns her head "Chocolate milk is good too" she states from her place. "Do you want chocolate milk abuela?" she asks innocently. My mother is the one stunned to silence now. She looks at Arizona then turns towards me "She knows me" it's stated with a sigh of relief. "I never cut you off from the family" I tell her honestly.
She swallows hard and wipes away the tear threatening to fall from her eyes. Turning back towards Sofia she replies with a beaming smile "I'll have what Sofia is having" Sofia gives her a huge grin.
"Thank You" my mother says to me as she turns back. I simply shrug my shoulder. I don't think I could hold myself together if I start speaking.
"I heard Arizona's mother couldn't be here. She's down with the flu isn't it?" she continues softly. So she has been receiving news from daddy. She stretches forward a hand to touch Timothy but then stops mid-air. I look up to meet her eye.
"Can I?" she asks in a strangled whisper. "I at least got to see Sofia. I couldn't bear the thought of not knowing this one." I simply nod my head and she quickly moves her hand to the baby's head. She runs a loving hand over him. "What are you calling him?" she asks.
"Timothy" my own voice barely above a whisper. "After Arizona's brother" she completes the sentence. I'm surprised she remembers. Just then Timothy moves his head away from my breast, finally content. He purrs lightly and opens his eye just a fraction to reveal his blue eyes. "They are as blue as the sky" my mother says reverently. He shuts them back again and nestles close to my chest.
I don't know if she wants to hold him. I remember what she did last time. The memory fuels my anger and I let out "Why did you come?" a little more sharply than intended.
It seems to break her out of her daze. "I…I" she stutters and looks back down. Then after a moment's silence she draws in a deep breath and begins "As a lawyer, it's my work to appeal on behalf of people. Make sure they get justice. Or if they are to be punished, I try my best to get them the least of it. But when it comes to my personal life…" she pauses to look up at me "I don't know if any punishment would be enough for the injustice I've done to you. And to Arizona." She adds after a heartbeat. "I punished you but it was me who was sinning. I had cut myself off from my daughter…three years Calliope…three years" she is by now openly crying. I have rarely seen my mother cry. She wipes her nose before continuing "I missed out on the important milestones in Sofia's lives, I don't want to make that mistake again. I want to know my grandchildren." She states with finality. "And I know that you and…"she turns back to look at Arizona "and Arizona have every right to be angry at me, but please" she turns back to me "please try and forgive me." She clasps my hand over Timothy's body. "Please Calliope."
I look up to see Arizona staring intently at me. She nods her head egging me on. I see Sofia watching us with rapt attention. I can't seem to form any words so I simply hold out Timothy towards her. She seems surprised for a moment before she carefully takes him in her own arms and holds him close to her chest. "Timothy Torres" she whispers into his ears and drops a kiss on his head. She doesn't lift her head for a long time as she sits there holding him and crying silently.
It's Sofia who breaks the silence. She skips over with her mug in hand and Arizona follows her with a mug in her own hand.
"Abuela, here's your chocolate milk" she states excitedly as she stops in front of her. My mother looks up and smiles. She hands the baby to me and turns to Sofia with her arms wide open "Will you give your abuela a hug?" she asks timidly. Sofia happily relents as she moves into her abuela's arms. Mom holds her close and peppers her with kisses. She squeals in delight.
"Careful with that mug Sof" Arizona calls out and the two still down. My mother turns Sofia in her arms and pulls her into her lap. She looks up at Arizona as she hands her the mug of chocolate milk. "Thank you" she says "for everything. And I hope that one day that you can forgive me too"
Arizona smiles down at her. "You are family Lucia" she states simply as she comes and sits down on the arm rest behind me and places a hand on my shoulder. I turn my head to look up at her and give her a watery smile. She smiles back. I lean up and perceiving my intention she leans down and kisses me chastely on my lips. I quickly turn around to see if my mother minds it. But she is too occupied admiring her granddaughter. She looks up though at the two of us and smiles.
"When will abuelo come?" Sofia asks. My mother answers patiently "In a day or two. He's in Europe right now. Do you know where Europe is mi alma?" she asks the little one. Sofia frowns a little trying to remember what that word means, then shakes her head. "I have still much to teach you. I'll teach you everything" my mom says as she holds the little girl more tightly to her chest. I reach out one hand towards her and she smiles before clasping it in hers.
I was wrong earlier when I said I couldn't be happier. I just pray to God he keeps proving me wrong like this.
Soooo...how is it? Is the collection getting boring? Lots of views but not enough reviews to let me know if I still manage to get it right.
Also like I said earlier if anyone has any prompts for a dinner setting I'd love to hear from you. I have nearly exhausted all my ideas. maybe one more. And then I think I'll stop with this story.
Thank You for reading and reviewing. Lots of Love-G