Chapter 5

Arizona's POV

Daughter. She has a kid. That's cool, right? I mean everyone has a story? I'm sitting in Callie's living room where she went to go check on her daughter her just woke up from a nap. It would be rude to bring donuts, kiss, and then leave when she tells me she has a daughter, right? I mean I'm a teacher I enjoy kids. I like to see them learn and grow and people better human beings. Personally I never really thought about having kids. I like when other people have them, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. Or so I thought. People always say when you meet the right person marriage, kids, and everything changes, but I'm not sure if that was going to happen to me. Calliope. I really like her. We seem to really get along well. Am I really willing to let whatever we have go because she has a daughter? Wait, how did the daughter get here? She must have had sex with a guy, so is she gay, or bi, or what? I have so many questions I need to process, but I can't really do that here in her place. I hear the door open and I'm assuming Callie is coming out.

She's so cute! The first reaction I say to myself when I see Callie holding a little girl. I've seen kids, and she is definitely one of the cutest I've seen. She looks just like Calliope. I can tell Callie is trying to gauge my reaction, and I'm still trying to figure out everything myself, but I need to put on a good face for right now.

"She's adorable, Callie"

"Thank you. Sofia can you say hi to Arizona?" She says waving Sofia's hand at me. "She just woke up from a little nap."

"Yeah, well I'm sure you want some time with her. I can come back later."

"Arizona, you can stay…"

"No, really it's okay. I'll be back over later. I promise" I try to reassure her. This isn't a total deal breaker, but I just need some time to process and get my thoughts in order. I can't help but see a little bit of Mark in Sofia's face, but I think that's a conversation for another time. I head to the door and look back at Sofia and Callie. I can tell Callie is a little sad, but I just don't know what to exactly say right now and I don't want to say the wrong thing. I open the door and walk across the hall to my place.

I've taken a nice bath and got all relaxed. I let my mind go back to my encounter earlier with Callie and Sofia. I'm not a parent; I don't even think I'm the parent type. I know Callie isn't expecting me to be a parent to Sofia, but I can't help but think that I will have some time of parental role with Callie if we get into a relationship. Relationship. What are we even? We haven't even gone on a proper date yet, and Arizona loves to wine and dine a girl. It's only right; every girl deserves to feel special. I want to continue whatever this is with Callie; I at least owe her that. If she didn't have a kid I wouldn't even think twice about this situation, but this is a major deal. I'll never be her top priority, Sofia will and that's only right because that is her daughter. Am I okay with being second? What is the baby's father situation? That in itself can be a whole lot of drama. I just want to spend time with Callie, at least at first. All my questions are going to be answered by Calliope herself so I need to talk to her. I go get my phone and send her a quick text.

Hey, so can I come over and talk?

I would really like that; you can come over when you're ready.

Cool, great. I'll be over soon.

Just walk in, the door in unlocked.

I get myself mentally prepared for the conversation I'm about to have. I want to keep it as civil as possible. We are neighbors and I will see her often. I gather myself, and grab my keys and head into Callie's place.

I open the door slowly and knock on it, "Hello?"

"Hey Arizona, come in. We are just sitting on the couch."

I walk over to Callie and I see that she has Sofia in bouncy carrier sitting on the floor. I can't help but smile when I see her little face. I must admit she is a really delightful little girl.

"So" She says nervously.

"So" I say back.

"I have a daughter."

"Yeah, you do." I say back while sitting down on the couch next to Callie.

"Your thoughts?"

"Um…I mean she really cute."

"Thanks, Arizona, but what does that mean for us? I know we aren't really anything yet, but I thought we were maybe going somewhere."

"Yeah, we were"

"We were?"

"I mean we are! I mean I would like too" I say nervously.

"Me too. I would really like that." Callie smiles back at me. I can't help my smile back. Her smile is contagious and it warms my heart.

"Look, all of this is new to me. A new city, a new job, a new place, probably new friends, and a potential new relationship. I just think I need to slow down a little bit."

I can tell Callie has disappointment in her eyes with my answer.

"But I'm not saying I want to end this" I say motioning between Callie and myself. "I really like you, so I want to continue whatever this is with a date the day after tomorrow. It would be my first day of work and I would love to celebrate with you over dinner." I say with a smile and I see Callie's face light up.

"I would love that."

"With that being said, if at all possible could it just be me and you for a little bit? I would like to get to know Sofia more too, but I think I really need to get to know her stunning mom first. We can work around whatever schedule you have with her, and if not we can include her in our activities, but I just want to get to know Calliope more." I say moving closer to her and taking her hands in mine.

"I think I can work with that. She's my daughter and I love her more then life itself, but I understand where you are coming from." She says. "I know you have a lot going on, and quite frankly I do too, but I'm willing to try."

"Great. I'm really glad you said that because I really, really like you, Calliope."

"Me too, Arizona. Um, do you have any questions you want to ask me about Sofia?"

"Ummm, not really at the moment. Well actually I have one. I hope it isn't too personal."

"Go ahead" she nods towards me.

"What is the deal with her father?" I ask shakily.

"Oh, um her dad is Mark." She says looking down at our hands instead of at my face.

"Mark? Like Mark from earlier?" I say a little surprised. I assumed, but it's different getting a definite answer.

"Yeah, it's a long story, but it involved lots of talking and alcohol."

"I see. So, what's the deal with you guys?" I can't help but feel a little protective of Callie already.

"We are strictly friends and co-parents."

"Okay, well he seems like a pretty good dad. Although his personality seems a little…"

"Man-whorish? Smug? Alpha male? Yeah, that's him, but he really is a great person and even better dad. I think Sofia has had a good impact on him." Callie says smiling.

"Well that's good. So did you guys date or…."

"No. Nothing like that, he's technically one of my superiors at work…it's complicated. He's really been there for me though. When I started having feelings for women, he listened to me and tried to help me in any way. I went through a weird relationship with a woman, it was more of a learning experience for myself but nonetheless Mark was there for me the whole time. I hate labeling, but if you had to label it I would say that I'm bisexual. He understood and has always been there for and Sofia. We are a little makeshift family."

"I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you. Would you like to hold Sofia?" She asks.

"Um..."

"I promise it will be okay." I shrug my shoulders and nod. She gets up from the couch and our hands lose contact. I immediately feel sad at the loss; such a small intimate act from her already has an effect on me. Callie picks up Sofia and hands her to me in my lap. She looks up at me and I smile and make a little noise at her. Her little legs and hands kick around. Her eyes go wide at me and she makes a little smile that absolutely melts my heart. I know right then that I'm taken with this little girl.

"You know, it's very hard to get a smile out of her these days. Mark even has trouble, but with you she smiled right away." Callie says with a grin on her face.

"Hey, well what can I say? I'm good with the kids." I joke with her. She laughs and I know that I'm already addicted to her laugh. It's so sexy and smooth.

I continue to play with Sofia a little bit more and talk to Callie. We all get along and have great conversation. I decide that it's time for me to leave, so I hand a hungry Sofia back to Callie and head towards the date.

"So, I will text you details about the date tomorrow. I've got to brush up on my research and make sure I find us a nice place in the city," I say to Callie who is standing next to me at the door.

"Great, I can't wait. If you need a suggestion I ca—"

"Nope. I got this. I want to take you on a proper date on the town, so I will do everything." I say with a little bit of pride in myself.

I lean in for a kiss and when I meet Callie's lips I know I'm stuck. I won't ever get tired of kissing her lips. I deepen the kiss a little bit, but a wiggly Sofia on Callie's hip makes us break apart.

"Bye, Sofia. It was very nice to meet you." I say and walk out of Callie's place. I don't know where we going, but I know I want to continue it. Five minutes after leaving Callie's place my mind takes me back to a bubbly Sofia and she already has me wrapped around her finger.