I don't own anything…all credit goes to ABC/Shondaland
Chapter Eighteen
Arizona's POV
Last night was very interesting. Callie and I went out with her friends from the hospital. Besides Callie getting pretty drunk, I had a good time. Bailey talked to me and gave me some motherly advice. It helped me see things a little more clear. I came to the realization that I want to marry Callie, but I just have to find the right time to ask her. She has a lot going on right now and I don't want to add a proposal on to her plate. I think she would say yes, but it's just not the right time. That being said, I do plan on going ring shopping soon so when the time comes I'll be ready. When we got back from the bar last night we ordered a pizza hoping that maybe it would soak up some of the alcohol Callie drank. It was surprising to see Callie that wasted, but I guess we all have a few wild nights in our system. Luckily she wasn't paged into work and she has today off. Mark is coming by later to drop off Sofia before he heads back to California. Since it's Saturday I decided to make a nice, big breakfast for Calliope and maybe we will get a chance to talk about everything. I hear her shuffling around in the room and I decide to make her a cup of coffee to help wake her up.
"Mmmm, something smells good out here." Callie says sleepily.
"Yeah, I'm making pancakes, eggs, bacon, and some toast." I say putting her cup of coffee on the breakfast bar in front of her.
"Seems like a lot of food."
"Yeah, well hopefully it will give you some energy back from last night…"
"Sorry about that. When you add Cristina, tequila, and me being emotional, you get a wasted Callie, not my usual nice and badass Callie. It wasn't how I wanted the night to go. I'm sorry if you didn't have a good time." She says while taking a sip.
"It's okay. You had some steam to blow off. Your friends are cool. It must be fun to work with them, although Alex is a little weird." I say placing a plate of food in front of her and joining her on the stool next to her. She gives me a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Looks good," She says taking a bite, "Alex has his moments, but for the most part he's just an ass. Did he say something to you?"
"Nothing I couldn't handle…is there anything you want to talk about? I know we haven't talked about Mark leaving much, I thought I just give you some space but I'm hear if you want you to talk."
"I appreciate that, but there really isn't much more to say. He's leaving today. I don't even know when I'll see him again. I know he said he'd be back whenever possible, but hospital schedules are crazy. Sof's birthday is in three months. He said he would come back for that, but it seems so far away."
"Well maybe we could go to California one weekend. Like a mini vacation and see him." I suggest.
"I guess…I have a friend out there that we could stay with…it's something to think about."
"Whenever you want to go just let me know. Is there anything you want to do today?" I ask trying to change the subject.
"Considering I'm still kind of beat from last night I just thought we lounge around here today. It would also give us some time to help you move some of your stuff over."
"Right, of course. I don't have much, just some clothes and miscellaneous stuff."
"Okay…you know Sof has been using the legs of the coffee table to try and stand up and walk. Maybe today we can play with her on the floor and try and get her to walk. I know people say you can't rush that stuff, it just happens, but I have a feeling she's sooo close!" Callie says giddily.
"I've noticed that too a couple of times. She's getting so big, Calliope." I say compassionately.
"I know its kind of crazy to think about…she keeps out growing her clothes." She says between bites.
"That just means more shopping!" I say with a big smile. She laughs and we finish our breakfast. We take our showers and begin shuffling stuff between my apartment and her place. Callie has given me some closet space and a few of her dresser draws. We decide to do some cleaning up, so we strip the bed and put on new sheets. We do laundry and clean the bathrooms and tidy up Sofia's room. An hour later we are on the couch. I'm flipping through a magazine and Callie is watching some show on television. We are interrupted by a knock on the door.
"I bet that's Mark." She says getting up from the couch. I follow her to the door and greet Sofia and Mark.
"Hey guys." He says.
"Hey, Mark. How was she last night?" Callie asks while taking Sofia and her diaper bag from him.
"She was a perfect little angel. Her two front teeth are starting to come in, but she didn't seem to be in any pain. We played some games and she watched me make dinner. Lexie came over to say goodbye. She's upset, but I think she understands."
"That's good." Callie says. I don't really know what to say or do so I'm just supporting Callie in any way that I can.
"Look, I have to go soon, but can I talk to you both for a second." Callie looks to me and I give her an approving nod. We move to sit on the couch, and Mark sits down in a chair in front of us.
"I just want to say once again I'm sorry how this all went down. It wasn't my intention to just up and leave. That being said, I'm grateful that you somewhat understand, Callie and I know I don't have to worry about Sofia while I'm gone. Also, Arizona I want to say thank you. Ever since you've come into Callie's life you've been good to her, Sofia, and myself. I know it wasn't also easy, but you've managed. I know that you love Sofia and I fully trust you with her."
"Thanks, Mark." I say.
"One last thing…" He says reaching into his pocket for something. He hands Callie an envelope and she looks at it nervously. "You can open it…" Mark says gesturing to her. Callie pulls out a check for ten thousands dollars and she's stunned.
"Mark…"
"I know you said it wasn't about the money, but I want you and Sofia to be taken care of. I'm a surgeon, I make pretty good money so don't worry about that. I'm going to send you a check every month. If you need more for any reason just let me know. I know this won't make up for my absence, but it's the least I can do." He says honestly.
"Mark this is wayyyy to much money. I don't even need it. I'm good, and if push comes to shove I have my trust fund." She says handing him back the cheek.
"Callie, please just take it. I'm not taking it back. Look, if you don't spend it on Sofia you can start a college fund for her, or take a vacation, hell you can buy Arizona a thousand roses for all I care. You can do whatever you want with it, but I will feel better knowing that you have something and you're alright." Callie begins getting emotional so she hands me Sofia and gets up to give Mark and hug.
"Thank you, Mark. Really. I'm going to miss you so much. I'm really happy for you, it sucks that your leaving, but I'm happy." She says tearing up.
"I know…I'll be back for her birthday. Promise. Just a phone call away, okay?" Callie just nods her head. Mark comes over to me to give Sofia one last kiss. "Blondie, take care of my girls, you hear?" He says jokingly.
"I will." I say assertively.
"I know you will." He gives me a wink and flashes his trademark smile then leaves. I put my hand on Callie's back and try to calm her down. She takes Sofia and starts peppering her face with little kisses, and Sofia begins to giggle.
"There's that smile I know and love." Callie says in a baby voice, "You and me kid, we're going to be alright. Arizona loves you too, and so does your daddy. He's just going away for a little bit. You're going to get all big and strong for him when he sees you at your birthday. Maybe you'll even be walking by then. That'll be a nice surprise for him." Sofia just looks at Callie and makes babbling noises. "Let's get you something to eat." She says moving into the kitchen and putting her in a high chair. Callie goes into the refrigerator and gets out some fruit and starts cutting up small pieces for Sofia.
"So what are you going to do with the check? I ask.
"Honestly, I don't even know. I have more then enough money for her in my trust fund for college. I guess I could set her up a separate account, but it seems unnecessary if my dad already has a trust fund set up for her." She says shrugging her shoulders.
"That's a lot of money. I wasn't expecting that at all."
"I know! Mark has always been someone for grand gestures, but that was crazy. Ten thousand dollars a month is a lot of money. It's very considerate. I would feel wrong for using it on something besides Sofia."
"That's understandable. I think setting up a savings account for her is a good idea."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea, I'll figure something out…" She places some fruit in front of Sofia and she immediately starts to eat it. She takes my hand and pulls me to sit on the couch next to her.
"So there's something I want to say…"
"Okay…go for it."
"First I want to say thank you for being around and helping with Sofia and loving me and just being the awesome person that you are-"
"Oohh I like compliments, keep going!"
"As I was saying, I love you so much, but if anything were to happen between us I don't want you to feel obligated to stay with me and Sofia. I know now that Mark's gone so maybe you think you have to step up and be a parent, but you don't have to. It's not necessary. I like how things are now. I can handle Sofia, it's nice to have your help, but I don't want you to feel trapped."
"Calliope…that's very nice of you to say, but I'm not going anywhere. I know you don't need me, but it's nice being here. I like that I can help out. I know I'm not her parent, and I would never try and takeover that roll from Mark. I can't see anything happening that would take me away from you." I say openly.
"Just be honest with me, okay?"
"Of course. Now kiss me please." Callie laughs at me, but leans in to kiss me anyway. I wrap my arms around her neck and give her an affectionate kiss. I pull back and get up from the couch, "Let's get this kid walking!" I say before picking up Sofia and bringing her over to floor. Callie gets toys out and we lay and the ground next to her. Clearly Sofia loves all of this attention because she hasn't stopped smiling. After a few minutes of playing Sofia starts to grab the leg of the coffee table and lift herself up.
"Calliope…"
"I know, I know I see it!"
Sofia just stands up and looks around, we anxiously wait for her to let go of the table and take a step.
"Arizona get your phone ready to record just in case." I reach my pocket and have my phone set. "Come on baby girl, you can do it!" I try to encourage her.
"Arizona, don't startle her. She needs to concentrate." Callie reaches her hands out to try and get Sofia to come to her.
"Sofia! Come to mama." She says in a baby voice and clapping her hands together. Sofia looks at her with a huge smile, but then decides to sit back down.
"Maybe she's not ready yet…" I say with a sigh.
"She's so close! I just don't want to miss it. What if it happens at daycare or something?"
"Babe, I promise you won't miss it."
"Ughh, it's just frustrating. She's almost there. I want her to be walking by her birthday."
"She will, just give her time." I say giving her a kiss on the cheek. We play with Sofia some more, but she begins to get sleepy so we put her down for a nap. Callie and I resume our positions on the couch from earlier and being watching some show. A few minutes pass before something catches my attention.
"Callie, do you hear that?" I say lifting up from her embrace.
"Uh no, come back and cuddle with me." She whines.
"Wait, listen Callie…mute the television for a second." Callie lets out a huff and quiets the tv. We hear a knocking noise.
"I hear a knock, but it doesn't seem like it's at our door." I say getting up.
"It's probably just a neighbor, Arizona." I ignore her comment and approach the door.
"Arizona, what are you doing?"
"I'm just going to look in the hallway." I open the door and see that it's someone knocking on my apartment door. "What the hell?" I think to myself. The only person that knows where I live is Callie and my parents.
"Uhh, can I help you?" I hesitantly ask. The person turns around and I'm shocked.
"TIM?!"
"Arizona!" He says. I'm completely taken back by seeing my older brother who I haven't seen in two years.
"Wh-what are you doing here?"
"Is that how you greet your big bro?"
"I mean—I'm just—"
"Stop babbling and come give me a hug!" He smiles and I run up to him and engulf him in the biggest hug possible.
"There we go, that was what I was expecting!" He says.
"Arizona, where did you go?" Callie ask coming out of her apartment.
"Damnnnn little sis. Mom was right. Your girl is hot!" Tim says looking Callie up and down. I hit him in the arm.
"Hey! Be respectful!" I say and look at a blushing Calliope.
"Babe, this is my brother Tim." I say introducing them.
"Oh hi, hey! Sorry, I just wasn't expecting to see you. It's really good to meet you." She says reaching her hand out to him.
"You're to pretty for a handshake, you deserve a hug." Tim says with a grin and gives Callie a hug.
"Can you stop hitting on my girl right in front of me please?"
"Relax, little sis."
"How about we move this party into the apartment." I say rolling my eyes. We go back inside and everyone sits down.
"Mom gave me your address, but maybe she got the room number mixed up."
"Not really…I just moved into Callie's place and I haven't told mom yet. It's all kind of new." I say
"Look at you, all grown up and living with your girlfriend." Tim teases.
"Yeah, yeah…what are you doing back?"
"I'm only home for a month, then I'm going back. I went to Maryland and mom and dad told me you got a new job and moved so decided to come visit for a few days before I head back home."
"Wait…where are you coming back from?" Callie asks unknowingly.
"Aw, sis you didn't tell her about me, I'm hurt." He says fake upset.
"You know I don't like to talk about it…" I say quietly.
"She told me she had a brother, but that's pretty much it."
"I'm in the military. I was deployed overseas for two years. I'm back for a month waiting for my next assignment." Tim explains.
"Ohhh, well I'm glad you're back safe."
"Me too, I miss you, Tim." I say giving him another hug.
"Enough of this sad sappy stuff. I'm back and I want to hang out with my sister and her girlfriend! Mom talked nonstop about you two. She loves you Callie and she mentioned a Sofia?"
"Sofia is my daughter"
"You have kid! That's awesome! Arizona broke moms heart when she told her that she never wanted kids. Where is she?"
"She's sleeping, Tim, and she's innocent. I don't want you to corrupt her." I say nudging him.
"Hey, kids love me. I'm irresistible."
"Then why are you single." I snap back.
"Ouch, that was harsh."
"Arizona…"
"What?...fine sorry, sorry. Thank you for protecting our country." I say sheepishly.
"How about I go to the store and pick up some things for dinner. You'll stay, right Tim?"
"Hell yeah! Can't pass up a free meal. I'm sure your cooking is better then Arizona's anyway. Plus I want to meet this Sofia everyone is talking about!" He says exaggerating.
"Okay, I'll be back soon, can you listen for Sofia if she wakes up?" Callie asks me while getting up and retrieving her purse.
"Sure thing, babe." I say giving her a peck goodbye. Callie leaves and I get Tim a bottle of water from the fridge.
"She seems nice."
"She's everything, Tim"
"Damn, sis you're in love. I can see it all over your face." He says mocking me.
"I am and I'm not ashamed to say it! I say proudly.
"Okay, so come tell your big bro how it all went down…"