I don't own anything…all credit goes to ABC/Shondaland
AN: Short chapter, kind of a light/fluffy/buffer chapter. Still trying to figure out which direction I want to take the story. Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Thirty
Arizona's POV
It's been just over a month since Sofia's party and everything has been going great. Well at least for me. Calliope has been studying nonstop for the medical exam boards. Basically it's just a test to make her become an attending…I think. She told me but I kind of got lost with all the medical terminology she was using, so I just nodded and smiled. It's a big deal though and she's been studying like crazy. A few times she has had some people over from the hospital to study with her. They just go down in her 'bat cave' for hours and only come up for food, drinks, and to use the bathroom. She has pulled out all the stops too, I'm talking notecards, notebooks filled with endless notes, slideshows, videos of surgery, anything and everything you can think of to study. Cristina and Meredith have dubbed it the 'Torres Method' and have been following her around like puppies trying to get her notes. Callie says no, but does allow them to come over and study together. For me, I only have a few more weeks left of school. One of the perks about teaching is getting summer break off, while still getting paid. It's a pretty sweet deal if I may say so myself. Callie has promised that we could take a trip or two somewhere, but only after she gets her exam out the way. Sofia has mastered walking and is beginning to run around now, which means Callie and I have to keep a closer eye on her. She hasn't said 'mommy' yet, and honestly I'm a little disappointed, but I know it will happen. She's saying more words and sounds, and I think she can understand us better when we ask her questions. Most times it's just a nod of the head or something, but that's more then she was doing a few months ago. Anyhow, it's a nice spring day in Seattle and I don't want to spend it inside.
"Calliope." I ask walking down the stairs to the basement.
"Yeah"
"Let's do something today!" I say walking up to her seated in one of the big leather chairs with notecards in her hands and lap.
"Um…what about tomorrow? I'm in the middle of something right now." She says not even looking up from her notecards to look at me.
"No, today." I reply standing directly in front of her. She still hasn't noticed my presence yet, but keeps flipping those damn notecards. "CALLIE!"
"Huh? What? Sorry…" She says frazzled.
" I said I want to do something today." Softening my tone and moving to straddle her lap in the chair, which does get her attention.
"Okay, well what did you have in mind?" She asks rubbing her hands up and down my thighs.
"I don't know, something fun." I say looking into her brown eyes.
"Okay…well I guess I could use a fifteen minute break, but can we do this down here?"
"Huh?" I ask confused.
"I just don't feel like moving upstairs, that's gonna take five minutes, then we'll only have ten minutes, and I rather use those extra minutes for something else." She says playing with the button and zipper of my jeans.
"What are you—Callie I wasn't talking about sex. I want us to go out!" I say smacking her hands away and buttoning my pants again.
"You said something fun, so I just figured…" Callie says sheepishly.
"Yes, that's fun, but I don't want that. At least not now, I want us to go out and have fun. It's a beautiful day outside; we should take Sofia out and do something. For the past couple of weeks you just come home, we have dinner, and then you go to the basement and study. I know it's a huge test, but I think you deserve a break."
"I don't know, Arizona….I do want to hang with you and Sof more, but I just wasn't planning on today. I made a study schedule and I need to stick to it."
"Calliope, this really isn't a discussion. You need a break, and Sofia and I miss hanging out with you. We are doing something today!" I say firmly. "Now, we could go to the park…a movie…out to lunch…shopping along the pier…" I say giving her suggestions.
"Well since you're being bossy…" She says in a teasing voice. "You are right, I do miss my girls. I'm going to cross movie off the list because I don't feel like sitting through a kids movie that Sofia can't understand yet, and she probably will fall asleep through, but maybe we can walk along the pier and have lunch."
"Yay! Okay, let's do it. Sof is upstairs; she should be waking up from her nap now. I'll go her ready." I say getting up from Callie.
"No, no. You've done a lot with her lately, let me do this." She says getting up as well and giving me a kiss. "Just put the stroller in the car, and we'll meet you there."
"Okay." I reply following her up the stairs. Thirty minutes later we are walking leisurely along the pier hand in hand, while Calliope is pushing the stroller with her free hand. Apparently a lot of people had the same idea as us because it's crowded out.
"You were right, babe. It is a nice day outside." She says turning to give me a peck on the lips.
"See, I told you. You just needed a little break. Then you can go back to studying with a clear mind. The fresh air will do you good." We continue to walk for fifteen more minutes before we decide to get something to eat. We settled on an outdoor restaurant because of the nice weather.
"I'm going to run to the restroom real quick, I'll be right back." Callie says after we are seated.
"Hi, my name is Taylor and I'll be waiter this afternoon. Can I start you off with a couple of drinks?" The young waitress asks.
"Two iced teas, please and some water in a children's cup for her." I say glancing towards Sofia.
"Of course, right away. Are you ready to order as well or do you need more time?"
"A few minutes, we are still waiting for someone."
"Sure, sure. If I may, you daughter is so cute." Taylor says looking at Sofia in her highchair.
"Aw, thank you. She just turned one." I say beaming with pride.
"Congratulations! She must look just like her father!" The waitress says before turning to get ours drinks. Her comment left me kind of dumbfounded. I'm sure she didn't mean anything bad by it, but still. You can't just assume stuff like that. There's no doubt that Callie's Latino genes were dominant, Sof's a spitting image of Callie and I love that about her, but to just assume that she must look like her father is slightly offensive. I mean what if she was adopted and didn't look like either parent? Callie's presence back at the table brings me out of my thoughts.
"Did you order?" She asks picking up the menu.
"No, just drinks."
"Okay, are you okay babe? You look kind of surprised?
"No, I'm—"
"Here you go ladies." Taylor says coming back and placing our drinks on the table. "Are you guys ready to order?"
"Actually, my fiancée and I need some more time," I say motioning towards Calliope, "But if you could bring our daughter Sofia here a little fruit bowl, that would be great. Thanks." I finish with a smirk. Taylor looks between Callie and I, and once again at Sofia and she clearly catches on to what I was trying to say. She just smiles and turns away.
"Umm…am I missing something? Did she try and hit on you?" Callie asks.
"No, she just made some off hand comment about Sofia and I while you were gone." I say dismissively.
"What did she say?" Callie inquires sitting up.
"She just assumed that Sofia must look like her father…" I say shyly.
"Hey, hey don't be sad, babe." She says placing her hand on my in the middle of the table. "That was a rude thing for her to say. When she comes back I'll address it."
"No! Callie, don't. It's fine. I think she got the message."
"No, Arizona. She can't just say stuff like that, especially if it made you upset."
"I'm not upset, it's just another reminder that she isn't biologically mine that's all." I say helping Sofia hold her cup.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I wish she was yours, and not Mark's." She says with sympathy.
"Mark's a good dad, and she's adorable. I wouldn't want Sofia any other way. Plus we will have our own kids one day and they will be just as cute."
"Damn straight they will," Callie says smiling. "You know, that happened to Mark once too."
"What?"
"He told me he was out with Sof and someone said she must look like her mother. Of course Mark went all alpha male and proclaimed he was the father, but its clear Sof doesn't look anything like him either. What can I say, babe. I got some powerful genes!" She says trying to lighten the mood.
"That's okay. I just want myself a mini Calliope."
"Well I want a mini Arizona." She replies playfully.
"I guess that just means we are going to have at least two more kids."
"At least, huh?"
"Yep! I was thinking we have five kids in total, we can have our own little basketball team."
"That's a lot of kids, babe."
"I know, but we can do it."
"Okay, well how about we just start with one?"
"Fine, we can table this for another time." Five minutes later Taylor comes back with Sofia's fruit bowl and takes our orders. The entire time Callie was giving her a hard glare, but she didn't say anything.
"Speaking of kids, when do you want to get married?" Callie asks me.
"Oh I don't know, I haven't given it much thought."
"You haven't?"
"Not really. I like being engaged." I say nonchalantly.
"So do I, but I still want to marry you."
"Me too! Don't get me wrong, I want to be you wife too, but I just haven't thought about a wedding."
"We can hire a wedding planner so we won't have to do all the work."
"I know…"
"What is it, babe?" Callie asks concerned.
"It's just…I don't know when I want to marry you."
"I'm confused…Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall? Give me something, Arizona."
"I don't know, Calliope!" I snap back.
"Okay, okay. Sorry." She says leaving my gaze and helping feed Sofia.
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come off like that that." I say embarrassed.
"I get it. You don't know when you want to marry me. You couldn't have been more clear." She says harshly.
"That's not what I meant, you know that…"
"No I don't Arizona. Please enlighten me." Callie says with a sharp tone.
"Can you look at me please?" I plead. She stops feeding Sofia for a second and looks right into my blue orbs.
"Look, Tim promised me that he would be at my wedding."
"Okay…"
"He said he couldn't wait for me to marry a chick and he would dance so hard at my wedding."
"Your brother is invited, Arizona." She says flatly.
"I know, it's just I don't know when he will be back." I say getting emotional. "He left a while ago and I don't know when he's going to be back. So I don't want to start planning until I know he's back and will be at my wedding." I finish breaking our gaze and using my napkin to dry my eyes.
"Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. I just assumed he would be there, I didn't even think…"
"It's not your fault, Calliope."
"I'm sorry though, really. We can wait as long as you want. I promise."
"Thank you, it's just—we don't know how long that will be. I want to marry you and be your wife and start our family. I don't know if I can wait five years, or however long."
"Arizona, it's okay to wait. We don't have to be married to have kids, we can start whenever you're ready." She says reassuringly.
"It's not just me, we both have to be ready, and that's not the point. I just wish I knew when he was coming back."
"Did he say how long?"
"No, but I never ask because then I'll be thinking about it all the time and if he doesn't come back on time I'll start freaking out."
"I'm sorry, babe. I know how much you love your brother and want him there."
"Me too. I didn't mean to snap; I just want some more time. That's all."
"That's perfectly fine, Arizona. I completely understand." Our food comes and we eat in comfortable silence, while helping Sofia nibble on hers.
"How's the studying coming along?"
"It's fine. I think I'm ready, but I just want to make sure. The test is in a couple of weeks."
"That's exciting you're going to be an attending. New navy scrubs."
"Yeah, I'm happy. And I'm glad I picked orthopedics. I'm just nervous. I'll be nervous until I get the results."
"I know, but Sofia and I believe in you so much. You're awesome!"
"I was thinking badass, but I'll take awesome…what about you, you're almost done with your first year of teaching."
"I know! It went by so quick. I really enjoyed it. I'm happy for a summer break though. I can stay at home with Sofia so she isn't always in daycare, plus we talked about taking a trip." I say cheerfully.
"We need to think about where we want to go. Maybe we should visit your parents, or Aria in Miami. Mark and Addie are in California."
"Yeah…we have a few places to pick from."
"We could always go somewhere new too."
"Hmmm, maybe I don't know yet." I say.
"So do you think you want to be a teacher for the rest of your life?" Callie asks.
"I guess…I haven't really thought about it."
"Well what's your dream, or end goal? For me, it's becoming a surgeon and hopefully changing the face of medicine in some way." She says dreamily with a grin on her face.
"You can do it, babe. I know you can. I believe in you."
"Thank you. I believe in you too. If being a teacher for the rest of your life is what you want to do then I fully support that. Some of my best teachers in high school were the ones who were there the longest."
"That's true, I guess if I had a dream it would be to start my own school."
"Ohh, like the Arizona Academy of Learning!"
"Uhh, I guess, but probably not that name," I say laughing. "But I think opening my own school would be cool. Give more kids the chance to learn and be educated. Children are our future, Calliope!"
"I know, why do you think I want Sofia to become a little genius? She just may be president!" She says proudly while kissing Sofia on the head.
"Or a teacher, or doctor, or engineer, or musician….anything she wants."
"Yeah, as long as she's happy and healthy then I'm okay. When I was pregnant with her I used to dream and wonder what she would grow up to be. I still do, I just wish I knew what was going on in that little brain of hers."
"You and me both."
"You ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah, can we stop for some frozen yogurt on the way back?" I ask.
"Pshh, this family is a ice-cream family. We don't do that frozen yogurt nonsense." She says seriously.
"Of course, how could I forget?!" I say lightheartedly. We pay our bill and head to the ice-cream shop. We decide to sit on a bench and eat it before getting back in the car. Once return home Sofia goes down quickly for a nap, and Callie drags me into the basement with her.
"I can quiz you on your flashcards if you want?" I suggest when I see Callie getting together all her materials.
"Nope! I want to watch a movie with you!"
"I thought you wanted to finish studying?"
"I did, but then I decided I want to spend some quality time with my girl. I think I can put off studying for the rest of the day." She says walking up to me.
"Really?" I ask optimistically.
"Really." She confirms and gives me a deeply passionate kiss.
"Now, pick a movie!" Callie says after we part. "Nothing too cheesy."
"Hey! If I'm picking you just have to deal."
"Whatever…"
"How about 'Hitch'!" I suggest.
"That's one of my favorites, good selection!"
"Why thank you, Calliope," I say cheekily. "You know, I kind of have a thing for Will Smith?"
"Seriously?!" She asks stunned.
"Yeah, he's a handsome guy, and I think he's funny."
"I agree, I used to watch Fresh Prince of Bel-Air all the time."
"Me too!"
"It's kind of creepy how much we are alike." She says setting up the DVD player.
"Yeah, but it's kind of great too. It just means we're meant for each other."
"Good thing I asked to marry you then, huh?"
"Yup! God job with that, babe!"
"Eh, I do what I can." She says coyly before sitting next to me.
"I love these chairs, but I can't cuddle with you." I pout.
"I think I can make room for two in my seat." Callie says pulling me into her seat. I end up more in her lap then next to her, but either way I'm just happy to be closer to her. "Much better." She says bringing her arms around me.
AN: Thanks for reading!