I don't own anything…all credit goes to ABC/Shondaland
Chapter Twenty-Six
Callie's POV
"Soooo, how did the weekend go?" Cristina asks coming up next to me in the resident's longue.
"She said yes!" I say with complete utter joy.
"You're welcome then, Torres. All those candles I lit must have done the trick." Cristina rattles off.
"Ha-ha. Not funny, but thank you for the your help. I was a complete wreck, but somehow I managed to get through and she said yes! I'm getting married!"
"Yeah, yeah congrats. Enough with the happy stuff, I think you should let me have a movie night in your basement to thank me."
"You know what, I think that can be arranged but in the meantime I need to go pick up my kid and head home. To my new house and new fiancée." I say with a cheesy grin and head out the door.
"I'm holding you to the movie night!" Cristina shouts as I exit. I make my way up to daycare to pick up my baby girl. My day automatically gets better when I see her face; it's right up with waking up next to Arizona every morning. After I scoop Sof up from daycare we head straight home. Today I was called in early so Arizona dropped her off this morning. I just want to have a relaxing evening at home after being on my feet all day. I think it's time I test out the new bath tub, I used to love taking baths and soaking in nice, warm water but being a doctor you learn how to take quick showers. Taking a bath seems more like a luxury these days. As soon as I walk into my home I smell dinner being prepared, which is odd because I usually cook dinner but I guess since I got home later then usual Arizona decided to cook this evening.
"Babe, we're home!" I call out.
"In the kitchen!" She replies. I drop my bag and keys off at the door and move through the house to the kitchen. "My two favorite girls are home!" Arizona says greeting me with a kiss and one for Sofia. I plop her down in her high chair and jump on the counter top to sit and watch Arizona cook.
"It's smells delicious, babe."
"I'm glad you think so. I felt like cooking today, you do it all the time. Plus, it gives me a chance to try out the new kitchen." She says moving to stand between my legs and putting her hands on my thighs.
"No complaints, here. I like watching you cook, it's very sexy how you take control of the kitchen." I say leaning down to give her another kiss.
"Ohhh, is that so?" She says smugly.
"Yes it is. Thank you again for dropping Sofia off this morning."
"Of course, Calliope. I don't mind. I tried to see you, but they said you were in surgery." Arizona says moving to the refrigerator to get a snack for Sofia.
"Yeah, major car accident this morning. All hands on deck." I say remembering the earlier events of my day.
"Ouch! Well, it just gave Sofia and I some mommy-daughter time." She says placing some food in front of Sof and giving her another kiss.
"That's good. Maybe you can try and get her to start talking. The babbling noises in the car are starting to get annoying." I say shrugging my shoulders.
"Calliope!"
"What? It drives me nuts some times. I just wish I knew what she was saying."
"In due time, babe. I'm sure once she starts talking she won't stop." Arizona says moving back in front of the stove and tending to the food.
"Sooo…did you tell anyone the big news at work today?" I ask enthusiastically.
"Ha! Funny thing. My students noticed first when they came in. All the girls wanted to see my ring; even a few boys did too. They didn't think it was a real Sapphire diamond."
"Oh it's real, babe. I promise you that. Only the best for you!" I exclaim. I hear her mumble something under her breath, but I can't quite catch what she said.
"Huh?" I ask.
"Nothing, nothing…can you set the table please?" She asks changing topics. Something seemed slightly off, but I don't push her.
"Sure thing." I say getting down from the counter and getting some plates and silverware out. "So did you tell them you were engaged?"
"Of course. I don't talk to my students about my personal life, but I just said that I was really happy and engaged to the love my of my life!"
"Aww, that's sweet." I say getting come glasses from the cabinets.
'Well it's true, babe. Then Teddy stopped by later and I told her. She was really happy for me too. She started asking me about the wedding." She said while moving the food into the dining room before going back to bring Sofia to join us.
"We haven't even been engaged for three days, I can't even wrap my head around planning a wedding just yet."
"I know that's what I told her." Arizona says.
We gather in the dining room and start eating our dinner. Arizona and I take turns cutting up food for Sofia and feeding her. Sof is seated at the head of the table, with Arizona and I sitting on each side of her across from each other. It always seems that more food ends up on her instead of in her, but we just let her figure it out. It's kind of cute watching her pick up a small piece and chicken and examine it.
"So guess who I saw today?" Arizona states.
"Ummm….you're going to have to help me out here, babe?" I say trying to think of someone.
"Carlos Torres."
"I'm sorry what?!" I say dropping my fork against my plate causing a loud sound.
"Your dad came by my job today…" She says quietly.
"What the fuck did he want?" I ask raising my voice.
"Callie!" Arizona scolds, "Calm down, you're going to startle Sofia." I look to my baby girl and she can sense the change of the atmosphere in the room. Arizona quickly picks her up and sits her in her lap trying to calm her down.
"Well would you care you explain?" I ask softening my tone.
"He said he wanted to meet me. He stopped by on his way overseas for business. It was an awkward chat, but I think we made some progress."
"What exactly did he say, Arizona? I swear to God if he said something rude to you—"
"Calliope, please…"
"Well you really aren't telling me much." I say getting slightly agitated.
"Truthfully, after some time thinking about it, I think it was really a conversation for the two of us. We came to a mutual understanding."
"Arizona, my dad just dropped in at your workplace unannounced, he wouldn't just do that for no reason."
"He said that he accepts me in your life and that he wants me to protect you and Sofia." She says softly.
"What gives him the right to just do that?" I say getting worked up again.
"Calliope, I think he is really trying. I think he wants to have a relationship with you again, but after the way you guys left things last time he doesn't know what to do." She says sheepishly.
"Well showing up to your job is not what you do! Who the hell does he think he is? Just because you have money and power doesn't meet you can just do whatever the hell you want?" I grit it. "You don't find it odd that he just showed up like that?"
"I mean it certainly threw me for a loop, but I quickly adjusted. He came to me just being a concerned father. He wanted to make sure you were okay and happy. He wanted to essentially make sure I was good enough for you."
"He doesn't get a right to do that! If he wanted to meet you I would've introduced you two, but not when he's a homophobic jerk. He doesn't even accept his own daughter, how was he ever going to accept you!" I spit out.
"That's not entirely fair, Calliope…" She says calmly while putting Sofia back in her seat.
"Uh, yes it is, Arizona! God, how are you not more upset right now?!" I ask confused as to why she is being to calm and easy about everything.
"Callie…it's not that serious…he didn't say anything mean or wrong. I held my own against him."
"Well I'm pissed off. He can come to you and say stuff, but he doesn't have the decency to call me and tell me? I'm his daughter! I have begged and pleaded with him to accept me for who I am, and when he does or is trying to learn to accept me he can't even tell me to my face!? That makes no sense! It's complete bullshit." I say tossing my napkin on the table.
"Calliope, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that. He's just trying to figure everything out."
"Stop defending him, Arizona." I quickly snap back.
"Why? I'm not taking sides, but he just wanted to talk to me. I don't always need your protection, Calliope. I'm a big girl; I can handle myself just fine, okay? He came to see me, not you. You don't always have to come in and save the day." She says getting upset with me.
"Arizona, that's not what I'm trying to do…" I say dejectedly.
"Uh, yeah well a little bit you are, Callie!" She spits out. "I don't need you to—"
She quickly stops herself, but I can tell she has more to say.
"To what, Arizona?" I say firmly.
"I don't need you to do these big, grand gestures for me, Callie!"
"What the hell are you talking about, Arizona?" I ask confused and upset at the accusation.
"I don't need you spending seven hundred thousand dollars on an engagement ring on me!" She yells out.
"EXCUSE ME!?" I blurt out. I know I didn't hear what I think she just said.
"You heard me, Callie! That's completely outrageous!"
"W-who told you that?!"
"You dad kind of let it slip out. He noticed that you made a big transaction from your trust fund and thought something was wrong because you usually don't spend that type of money. He called the bank and I guess they told him where you spent it."
"So he's tracking me now?! Just fucking great." I say throwing up my hands.
"No, he's not tracking you, he just couldn't believe you dropped seven hundred thousand dollars on ring, and quite frankly I can't believe you did too!"
"Can you stop saying it like that, please?"
"Like what, Callie?! You spent what some people make in a life time, what some people spend on a house, you spent more then I'll probably ever make as a teacher on a freaking ring! You don't see how crazy and absurd that is?!" Sofia starts to cry because of all the tension in the room and I can hardly hear myself think anymore.
"It's my money I can do what I want." I say crossing my arms.
"Enough with the rich girl act, Callie. It doesn't suit you." She says standing up and grabbing Sofia.
"You know what, Arizona? I—"
"No! Just stop talking. I'm going to take her for a bath and try to get her to sleep. You need to calm down and start thinking rationally." Before she leaves she takes off her ring and places it on the table.
"Arizona…come on…"
No answer.
"Please, just put the ring back on, baby." I say pleading.
"I'm going to take her upstairs…I'll be back." She whispers before going back through the kitchen and upstairs. I sit in silence and shock for ten minutes replaying the last conversation. This is not what I expected to come home to. Why in the world did my dad just show up out the blue? I haven't heard a peep from him since he was last in Seattle, but then he just decides to spring himself on Arizona? What gives him the fucking right to tell Arizona how much I spent on a ring? That isn't his place. I really need to talk to Aria and see if we can get those alerts changed. I'm in my thirties and my dad is still counting every penny I spend. Ridiculous. I get that it's a lot of money, but I rather spend it on her then anyone else. It's a beautiful ring; almost positive it's one of a kind. I love Arizona so much and the ring is just a physical symbol of that. I have millions in my trust fund and I hardly use it, so why not go all out on the person you love? I get up from my seat and clear the table. I don't know how much longer Arizona is going to be upstairs so I decide to clean the kitchen too. I'll wait as long as I have to for her to come back downstairs. I go back into the dining room and sit down. I just stare at the ring lying on the table. Truthfully, when I saw her take it off my heart sank a little bit. We just got engaged the other day, and now things have turned so quickly. Finally after twenty more minutes I hear footsteps. She looks tired and defeated and I feel bad that I raised my voice at her. She comes back into the dining room and sits down, placing the baby monitor on the table. No one says anything, but I decide to make the first move.
"Arizona, will you please just put the ring back on?"
"Callie." She says letting out a loud sigh.
"D-do you not want to marry me anymore?" I ask hesitantly.
"No! That's not it. Of course I want to marry you, Calliope!"
"Then why won't you wear the ring?"
"It's not me, Calliope. I don't need all of that. I can't walk around knowing that I have over half a million dollars on my finger. Don't get me wrong; it's a gorgeous ring. I can hardly take my eyes off it, but it's just too much."
"Why does it matter what it cost, Arizona?"
"It just does, okay?" She says staring into my eyes.
"If my dad didn't tell you the cost would you have continued to wear it?"
"Honestly, ever since you gave it to me I felt guilty about it. I could tell it was expensive I just didn't know how expensive."
"Would you have even mentioned anything to me?"
"I don't know…" She says looking away. "It just doesn't feel right to wear something that expensive. I knew you grew up with money and you lived that lavish lifestyle, but I didn't. I grew up in a middle-class family. We weren't poor, but we weren't rich either. We were comfortable. Do you know how much seven hundred thousand dollars can do for people in this world? Let alone in Seattle? I'm sure that money can go to a more positive use then me."
"Stop selling yourself short, Arizona. I wanted to spend it on you. Money is no option when it comes to you or Sofia. Sure I don't flaunt my wealth, but it's good to know I have it in case of an emergency or something."
"A ring isn't an emergency, Calliope." She says giving me a pointed glare.
"Fine, you know what? Tell me your favorite charity and I'll right a check for the same amount as the ring." I say trying to end this.
"Calliope…be serious."
"I am serious, Arizona! Let me at least do that. I'm more then happy to write a check for any charity you desire."
"You can't just throw money at the problem, Callie!"
"What should I do then, huh? Tell me what you want and I'll do it."
She gives me a blank look and we just stare at each other. After a minute she places a red box on the table.
"Open it." She says nudging it towards me. As soon as I open it I let out a small gasp.
"What is it?"
"I think you know what it is, Calliope…it's a ring, it's your ring. I picked it out when Tim came to visit. I've been carrying it around since. I was going to propose, but you kinda stole my thunder on that." She says letting out a laugh.
"It's beautiful, Arizona. I love it. Thank you."
"Put it on." She says smiling at me. I slip the ring on my finger and the cool sensation of the metal tickles my finger.
"It's not as big as flashy as the one you gave me, but I want you to have it. I love you, Calliope so much. Being your wife will make me so happy." Arizona says getting up and moving to the seat next to me.
"Baby, I don't care what it looks like or what it cost I'm just happy it came from you." I say letting a tear fall from my eye.
"Are you sure you like it?" She asks me taking my hands in hers.
"Yes! Of course I do! Thank you so, so much!" I say before kissing her on the lips. After a minute a thought hits me.
"Is that why you don't want to wear the ring I gave you because it's not as big as the one you gave me?"
"Yes and no…"
"Just talk to me, Arizona. Please." I say trying to understand her.
"I'm not telling you how much I spent on the one I got you, but it wasn't six figures…"
"Arizona, I seriously don't care about that."
"Okay, but I do, Callie." She says adamantly. "I don't make as much as you and I'll probably never come close to having what you have in your trust fund, but you having all this money makes me feel a little small. I want to be able to provide for you and Sofia; I don't want you to just throw your money at everything. We are going to be married. Things need to be equal between us. You can't just drop a hundred grand every time you feel like it. At least talk to me first."
"I understand that and I want that for us. I don't mean to make you feel small, babe. I can't change that I have money, but you know me. I barely buy extravagant stuff. You've been around the two times I've spent a lot of money. First on the house, and second on the ring. Before that I really only used my hospital salary. The ring was supposed to be a surprise, that's why I didn't tell you about it. You provide for Sofia and me in so many ways. It doesn't have to always be financial, and I'm glad it's not because I kinda already have that taken care of. You give us love, support, happiness, and a bunch of others things that can't be bought. That's what I really love about you."
"Gosh, why do you always say the right thing?" Arizona says jokingly.
"Because I'm a wordsmith, babe." I answer with a smile.
"I know you're going to hate me for saying this, but I just can't wear that ring, Calliope. I'm still your fiancée and want to marry you, but I just can't wear it. It doesn't feel right to me."
"Well I'm not letting you walk around ring less. People need to know you taken and that you're mine." I say half serious.
"Of course I'm yours. I'll always be yours." Arizona says getting up and straddling my lap. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close to me, while I'll lightly tap her butt.
"Good. That's what I like to hear! Will you at least wear it until we are married and you have your wedding band? Then you can take off the engagement ring and only wear your wedding band."
"Callie…" She whines.
"Please, babe. Just do this for me, okay? It's either that or I go buy you another ring tomorrow, it won't cost seven hundred thousand, but I'm not cheap either. Gotta get used to it, hun."
"No, no more rings. The only ring I want is the wedding band, and that one is never coming off."
"Promise?"
"Promise." She says. I lean up to give her a kiss.
"Then it's settled." I pick up her ring off the table and put it back on her finger. "Back where it belongs." I kiss her ring finger and give her another peck on the lips. "I have an important question to ask you Miss Robbins?" I say sassily.
"And what would that be, Ms. Torres?"
"How would you feel about coming upstairs with me and taking a nice bubble bath?" I ask looking up at her.
"Hmmm….will there be kissing involved?"
"Oh of course! Lots and lots of kissing." I say with a smirk.
"Then I say yes!"
"Perfect!" I say and I pick us up from the table and start walking towards the steps.
"Calliope! Put me down, you're not going to carry me." She says swatting my shoulder and instinctively wrapping her legs around my waist.
"Yes I am! I'm strong, and you only weigh like one hundred and twenty pounds. I can handle that. Plus, it gives me an excuse to have my hands on your ass."
"You have a thing for butts…"
"No, I have a thing for your butt…" I say tapping her ass again and proceeding up the stairs.