I don't own anything…all credit goes to ABC/Shondaland

Chapter Seventeen

Callie's POV

"I'm pretty sure I didn't hear you correctly, Mark." I say getting frustrated.

He takes a big breath, then moves so he's right in front of me with his hands on my shoulders. He looks me straight in the eyes and says calmly, "I'm leaving Seattle, Callie."

I back out of his embrace, "What the hell do you mean you're leaving, Mark?" You can't just up and leave. What about Sofia, Lexie, what are me, Mark?" I say with my voice cracking.

"Callie, let me just explain, okay?" I just shrug my shoulders and let him continue, "I was in California working on a case, like I told you. That's all I expected. Then the chief called me into his office to talk. Apparently he's been watching my work and wants me to be the Head of Plastics out there."

"Okay…but you're already the Head of Plastics here, why do you have to move?"

"The hospital is building a new burn center unit and they want me to run it, Callie. You know that's what I've been pushing for here."

"Sofia. What about Sofia, Mark? She's your daughter." My voice is somber and I feel tears rimming at my eyes. We stand in silence for a minute before Arizona comes out of the bathroom carrying a sleepy Sofia. She is fresh from her nighttime bath and is in blue pajamas.

"Umm, is everything okay out here?" She asks eyeing the current situation. I'm pretty sure she heard some things that Mark said, but she doesn't say anything about it right now.

"Can you just put her to sleep, please?" I say looking at Arizona. I give her a look saying that I will explain everything later, but I just need to talk to Mark right now.

"Okay. You sure you're okay?"

"I honestly don't even know." I say sadly. She looks at Mark then back to me before retreating into Sofia's room.

"You're going to miss bedtime, Mark."

"Callie…"

"No, Mark! You're going to miss bedtime. You're going to miss first words and steps. You're going to miss out on your daughters life!" I say raising my voice.

"It's only for three years."

"What?" I ask confused.

"It's kind of like a trial run. My contract is only three years, and then I will talk it over again. If I don't like it or if it's not the right fit for the hospital and me then I can come back here."

"Well what if you like it? What happens after three years?"

"Let's not even worry about that yet. Look, I'm still keeping my place here. I will be back as much as I can. I told the Chief I have a daughter and I have plenty of vacation time. I will be back for her first birthday, major holidays, whenever I can get multiple days off, Cal. Maybe you and Sof could even visit me. You can bring Arizona, too." He says trying to convince me.

"That's sounds nice, Mark but that's not the same thing. That little girl loves you. You're her dad. She needs you in her life."

"Callie, I'm going to try and be as present as possible. You know I love her, too—"

"Then why are you leaving!?"

"Look Cal," He says moving closer to me. "I really want this. I didn't make this decision lightly. This is what I've been working for. If I absolutely hate it, I will come back, but I need to at least try this. I just need to do this for me. You're a great mom; I know you can take care of Sofia. I wouldn't leave if I thought you couldn't do it. You have Arizona."

"Sofia isn't her daughter, Mark. She's not her responsibility."

"I know that, but she cares for you and loves Sofia like she's her own."

I move to sit on the couch and try and process everything, "When do you leave?"

"They want me back in two days. This whole thing is moving fast. I just came back to get a few more things. I'll send you money every month, whatever you need just call me. I'm not going to leave you high and dry."

"It's not about the money, you know that." I say quietly. "You're my best friend. You have been with me through so much stuff. You were with me every step of the way during my pregnancy. That really meant something to me. I don't have to tell you about my family and what they think of me. I mean before Arizona it was just the three of us. You didn't even talk to me about this. You just went out to California and then come back and drop this bomb on me." He comes to sit next to me on the couch.

"I wasn't expecting this at all. I really want you to know that this isn't easy for me. Look, if things were different I would've probably asked for you and Sof to come with me. I'm sure we could've worked something out at the hospital. I'm not doing that now because you have some roots here and you have Arizona. If you really need me, I will be back, but I know that you can handle this. You can call, text, FaceTime, whatever you need." He says genuinely.

"As your friend and co-worker, I'm happy for you, honestly. As a co-parent, I'm still having trouble with this."

"Callie…"

"I just need time to process everything. I know you have to leave soon, but only time will help me. I have work tomorrow, then Arizona and I were going out. I was going to keep Sofia in daycare, but if you want to spend some time with her you can keep her tomorrow. I say sounding defeated and tired.

"I would really appreciate that, Callie. I have to talk to the Chief at the hospital tomorrow morning, so I can just pick her up after my meeting. I'll text you to let you know."

"Yeah, okay." I respond getting up from the couch. He gets up as well and we just stand there looking at each other. He gives me a hug then leaves. I just stand there thinking about all of the events that happened this evening. I start to slightly cry to myself. I don't want Mark to leave because Sofia needs him. She needs his presence in her life. I want that for her. Caught up in my own thoughts and emotions I don't hear Arizona come up behind me and wrap her arms around my waist.

"I didn't mean to startle you." She whispers.

"No, it's okay." I say and she hears the sadness in my voice. She moves around to stand in front of me. She lifts my head so we are looking right at each other and I start sobbing again. She immediately takes me in her arms and I lean my head on her shoulder. I don't say anything and she just holds me for as long as I need.

"Can we go to bed?" I ask.

"Yeah, of course sweetie." She replies. We go about our nightly routine in complete silence. When we fall into bed and I just stare at the ceiling. I can tell she wants to say something, so I grab her hand and squeeze it. She turns to look at me, but I continue to stare up.

"I love you, Calliope."

"I know."

"I love Sofia."

"I know."

"I'm here for you guys, whatever you need."

Silence.

"I'm not going anywhere. I promise." She continues.

I turn over to look at her and we are face to face. "Thank you," She gives me a warm smile. "I love you, too." I pull her in for slow kiss. I don't want to rush this because I need to feel her. I want her to know that I love her too and am so thankful for her. She moves her hands to my waist and pulls me closer to her. We keep kissing until we both need some air. We lean our foreheads together until I put my arm around her and she covers my stomach with her forearm. I kiss her temple and we fall asleep together.

Arizona's POV

Yesterday was a whirlwind day. After work I went out to dinner with my two favorite girls and I got a beautiful necklace from them, even more cementing my love for them. Callie and I decided to live together, and start looking at houses. I was really excited about that, but I think Callie is still hesitant, but I think she'll come around. After a nice dinner we came back to our place to eat dessert and get ready for bed. Next thing I know Mark comes over and tells Calliope that he's moving. I was shocked. That was the last thing I expected. At first I was mad, like really mad. How could her leave Sofia? That little girl has me wrapped around her finger, and I'm not even her parent. I love her like she's my own, I would do anything for her. Even though I was getting Sofia down for bed, I heard everything. It was kind of hard not to because Callie was upset and loud which is understandable. I heard Mark try to explain himself, but I could tell Callie was hurting. From the outside I was kind of happy for Mark as well. He's a great surgeon from what I hear, and the chance to run his own department and burn unit seems like a great opportunity. As Callie's girlfriend I felt useless. There isn't anything I could do to keep Mark here. This was strictly something between the two of them. When he left I decided to just go comfort her. I wanted her to know that I was there for her. Truthfully I am. I know Callie is independent and doesn't need my help, but I want to offer it to her and Sofia. It's going to be an adjustment for them. It's probably going to change my relationship with Callie, too. I think going out tonight will be some good relief for Callie. First, we have to get through this morning, so that is why I up early with Sofia getting her ready for daycare. Callie is getting ready in the room and I just made some coffee.

"Hey, you're just in time. The coffee just finished brewing." I greet to a freshly dressed Calliope.

"Great. Thanks." She says with a small smile, but I can tell she is still thinking about last night. She goes over to Sofia and picks her up from her play pin on the floor. "Hope she wasn't too much trouble for you this morning."

"No, she was a perfect little princess. I packed her bag for daycare and enough stuff for Mark to have for her tonight." I say trying to cheer her up.

"You didn't have to do that, I would've done that." She says walking over to the kitchen and making her a cup of coffee while balancing Sofia on her side.

"It's alright. I didn't mind. So my clothes are still over at my place, so I'm going to go take a shower and get ready for work. I'll meet you tonight at Joe's, right?"

"Mhmm, I get off at seven and I will head over after that."

"Sounds like a plan." I give her a quick kiss on the lips, and then give Sofia a kiss on her forehead.

"Have a good day." She says as I walk towards the door and leave.

It's just after seven and I'm sitting at a table at Joe's. I just texted Callie to let her know that I arrived and she said that she's on her way. I ordered myself a white wine and beginning sipping on it while I wait for my girl to show up. A few minutes later I see Calliope walking into the bar with Cristina and a few other people I don't know. She spots me sitting down and I stand to greet her.

"Arizona!" She says calls. I give her a hug and she gives me a long, loving kiss. It's more then what we usually display in public, but I chalk it up to her having a good day of work.

"Hey. How are you?"

"Great! I want you to meet Meredith, Bailey, and Alex Karev. You already know Cristina." I nod and acknowledge everyone. We all sit down and begin talking.

"We've been here for ten minutes and I haven't taken a shot yet, what kind of bullshit is this?" Cristina says.

"We need tequila!" Meredith quips. I lean over to Callie and whisper in her ear, "I saw earlier that they a Valentine's Day special drink. Maybe you can get it without alcohol since you're on call."

"Oh shit, I'm sorry babe. I totally forgot it was Valentine's Day. I know you hate it, but still Happy Valentine's Day! Love youuu!" She says before giving me another kiss. It wasn't the reaction I was expecting, but I'll take it. I can't help but notice that she's acting a little unlike herself, but I don't say anything yet.

"Callie stop kissing on your girl and come with me to the bar so I can get drinks for the table. First round is on me." Cristina shouts. Callie gets up and walks over to the bar with Cristina and Meredith.

"You're hot. Torres wasn't lying." Alex says bluntly.

"Uh, thanks." I say.

"Don't mind him, he has no home training." Bailey apologizes for him. "He is right though, Torres is always talking about you at work. I tell her I don't care about personal relationships, but she just keeps on talking." I smile from ear-to-ear knowing that Calliope talks about me to her co-workers.

"Well I love her very much."

The girls come back from the bar with drinks for everyone, plus a round of tequila for everyone as well.

"Let's make a toast!" Meredith says.

"To anti-Valentine's Day!" Cristina shouts. Everyone just laughs at her antics, but we follow along and clink our glasses together.

"Torres, I thought you were on-call tonight." Alex says after watching Callie take a shot of tequila.

"Fuck it." She says after swallowing her shot.

"Babe, what are you doing?" I ask quietly in her ear. She ignores me and takes the tequila that was placed in front of me, and downs that shot too.

"Yeah Callie! Haven't seen you down two shots that quick since your first week here! I like it!" Cristina says.

"Torres, what's got you all worked up?" Bailey asks.

"Baby daddy issues." Callie rolls off. Everything makes sense to me know. Her unusual behavior is a result of everything that happened yesterday.

"Mark? What did he do? I thought you guys were fine." Meredith asks.

"Yeah, well he decided to leave me and our daughter and move to California tomorrow."

"What?!" Everyone says at the table.

"Yup. He got a new job at a hospital out there."

"Damn…I think that calls for more shots! I surely hope you don't get paged tonight." Cristina says before going back to the bar.

"I'm sorry, Callie." Bailey says with sympathy.

"Yeah well…" She shrugs back. I can tell by the look on Callie's face that she's putting on a front and I think about taking her back home and maybe we talk about everything, but decide to let her have a night out.

"Well at least you have a hot blonde to go home to every night." Alex says.

"You know what? You're right, Alex! I get to go home to Arizona every night and my sweetheart of a daughter."

"Callie…" I say putting a hand on her forearm.

"What's up, babe? Are you having fun? I know we're a strange bunch, but they're my family, especially with Mark leaving now…" She responds rolling her eyes.

"I know you're upset, but maybe we should just go home and order a pizza or something. You really shouldn't be drinking. You're on call."

"We're back!" Meredith greets the table before Callie can respond. She gives a shot to Cristina, Alex, and Callie. Bailey and I both pass and just keep sipping our wine.

"Bottoms up!" Alex declares and they all throw their glasses back. Everyone is loose now and is making fun conversation. We order some appetizers and I listen to them talk about weird cases at the hospital. I'm actually having a good time and everyone is nice. They ask me about my work.

"Ugh, kids? Why would you every want to work with kids?" Cristina asks annoyed.

"People actually like children, Cristina. Not everyone is a cold heartless bitch like you." Meredith snaps back.

"I like watching them learn and grow. It's rewarding to watch them learn." I answer with a dimpled smile.

"My girl is a badass teacher, and I'm a badass doctor." Callie slurs while giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Derek just texted me, he is staying at the hospital tonight." Meredith states.

"Hey! More drinks! Callie come with us to the bar." Cristina says getting up from the table with Meredith.

"Callie, are you sure—"

"Babe, in ten minutes we can go, okay?" She says and before I can even respond she's gone. Alex gets up and starts hitting on some brunette across the bar. Bailey move closer to me and we sit watching the girls at the bar.

"I think she's just upset with Mark."

"Yeah, but this isn't how you handle it" I say.

"You're right, but sometimes it's easier to drink then to actually talk. She will talk, and when she does all you can do is listen. She needs to get this out her system. All she has is this hospital family."

"She has me! I'm here for her."

"Well that may be true, but how does she know that maybe you won't get a new teaching job and up and leave. Then it will truly just be her, Sofia, and this hospital."

"I love her. I'm not going anywhere. I promised her that last night and I meant it! She and Sofia are my world. We're going to get a house and be a family, and whatever else she wants." I say pleading my case to Bailey.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yeah, I really do."

"I believe you, but you don't have to convince me."

"I've told Callie this numerous times, I don't know what else to do."

"Do you love her?"

"Yes!"

"Do you love Sofia?"

"Yes!"

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life together with them?"

"Yes, Bailey I do! Of course I do!"

"Then maybe you should marry her." Bailey says plainly. When she lays it out like that it seems like the most obvious answer in the world. I look at Bailey and she knows what I'm thinking. It's kind of creepy how she just simplified everything. Callie told me about her, and how she acts like she doesn't care, but really does. I know exactly what she means now.

"I want to marry her. I'm going to marry her." I say confidently, and Bailey just smiles back at me before taking another drink of her wine. I look at Callie and see she is laughing and smiling. I know that for the rest of my life I want her to always look that happy and if marrying her will do that, then that's what I'll do.