Being Arizona chapter 24

Having a baby was hard work. Having a baby while being a surgeon was harder work. Having a baby and preparing for a wedding was the hardest work of all, and it was because of that reason that I was nearly falling asleep as I filled in charts at the nurse's station a week before the wedding.

Alex, the amazing person he is, absolutely kicked ass in his chief resident project- he brought over the kids from Africa. All of the ones I was supposed to operate on but couldn't, were brought over here and all of our doctors were working pro-bono to help save their lives. It was hard, yes, seeing all of these kids with all of these diseases, but it was such a good opportunity for everybody to learn, and save more lives than ever.

As for me, the whole idea of being a mom and a wife was still sinking in. Sometimes I'd wake up when Sofia cried, and I would just sit in the nursery with her and let it all sink in. It still amazed me.

"You need to sleep." Teddy told me with a laugh as her arrival snapped me out of my near-sleep trance. These days with Teddy, it was all news about her hot trauma counsellor boyfriend, her patient husband or her fight with Cristina over Callie's heart surgery.

"I need coffee, that's what I need." I said, closing the file I was working on. "Sofia's not the most soundless of sleepers, and she'll only fall asleep for me."

"That's adorable."

I smiled at her as we began to walk, where to I wasn't sure.

"I'm so glad you two are getting married."

"You're not as glad as I am." I said with a cheesy grin. I looked down at my watch, raising my eyebrows when I saw I only had two hours until I had to pick my parents up from the airport- just enough time to do a final round on patients before I had to leave.

An hour and a half later found me rushing through the airport. Seven year old James was super chatty and my parent's flight landed early, hence making me late, and late was not something you wanted to be when your father was a colonel.

"Arizona, over here!" I heard a familiar voice call out to me and I whirled round to see my parents standing by the arrivals gate, both holding a suitcase and a smile. I walked quickly over to them, and was soon engulfed in a bone-crushing hug by my mother who kept saying 'it's so good to see you' over and over again. This was the part where I felt bad. I hadn't been to visit them since I moved here, and although we talked once a week it wasn't the same. Heck, they hadn't even met Callie in person.

"Hi, mom!" I said happily as I hugged her back, before pulling away to greet my father with a hug. "Hi, dad."

"You look tired. Are you sleeping well enough? Are you eating enough?" My mom immediately began to fuss. My dad and I exchanged an eye roll and a smile before I replied.

"I have a new-born at home, mom. Of course I'm not sleeping great. I'm also a surgeon; our sleep pattern is always dodgy. And I'm definitely eating enough." I laughed.

"Oh, I can't wait to see her! The pictures you sent are adorable! She's the spitting image of Callie! And Callie! I can't wait to meet her!"

That's generally how the conversation went for the car journey home. My mother rambled and asked question after question, while I happily answered them. My dad sat back with a smile and just listened to the conversation, as per usual. My dad wasn't a man of many words, but when he spoke he spoke volumes.

"Calliope!" I called as we entered the apartment, although I kept the call low as I knew there was a good chance that Sofia was sleeping. I waited for a few seconds before Callie came quietly out of the nursery, closing the door softly behind her.

"She just went down, she was fussing all night, she only ever goes to sleep for you." She smiled before turning to my parents.

"You must be Callie! It's so good to meet you!" My mom exclaimed while my dad gave a nod of agreement.

"It's very nice to meet you." She smiled, sticking out her hand for my mom to shake. However, my mom simply brushed her hand away and pulled her into a big hug.

"We hug in this family, dear." My mom smiled, never letting go.

"Okay, as much as we're glad to meet each other and all that, I would like for Callie's oxygen supply to remain stable. I do love her, you know." I said. We continued to talk for a while as we ate dinner, before my dad eventually yawned and looked up at the clock.

"I think I'm gonna hit the sack." He said, standing up. "If I'm going to meet my granddaughter tomorrow I want to have a full bar of energy."

"You do realise she's a new born, right? You won't have to exert yourself too much." I laughed and Callie swatted my arm.

"Shh, new-borns are also hard work. I'll show you guys where the room is." Callie said, standing up.

"I think I'll stay up for a while, I've not spoken to Arizona in ages. I'll not be long." My mom promised, and we both watched them go through with a smile. As soon as they were gone my mom turned to me with a giant smile.

"Is it true Sofia only falls asleep for you at night?" She asked me.

"It is." I confirmed with a big smile. "The first night home, I gave Callie strict orders to go to bed and rest, and me and Sof spent some quality time together before I settled her down for the night, and got up with her after that. She goes to sleep for Callie during the day, but as long as it's night time she won't close her eyes til I'm there." I said proudly. I know it would be much easier if Sof would go to sleep for Callie, and it probably wouldn't last forever, but it just gave me a peace of mind to know that I hadn't completely screwed up yet, and that I was doing at least something right.

"I love Callie. She's definitely your one. I can't imagine you with anyone else." She admitted, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"I couldn't imagine myself with anyone else, either. And your approval means everything to me. Not that it would stop me. I'm marrying her next week no matter what."

"My baby's getting married." She said tearfully, pulling me into a hug, I watched Callie return from the corner of my eye, but she just smiled and slipped quietly into the nursery.

We sat there for a few more minutes before my mom too admitted she too was also tired and declared it time for me to go to bed too. I agreed with a nod and a yawn, following her down the hall. I stuck my head into the room where my parents were staying in to say night to my dad before walking through and slipping into bed beside Callie, whose arm immediately snaked around my side and pulled me close.

"Mm, you smell nice." I said, sniffing her hair which was spilling over. It smelled like Callie- cocoa butter and coconut, a sweet smell which was uniquely hers.

"You always say that."

"But it's true."

"You better sleep while you can." Callie sighed. "Sofia will be awake in two hours and thirteen minutes, promptly."

I turned to face her, placing a kiss on her soft lips. "You're not mad, are you? That she only goes to sleep for me?"

She frowned. "Why would I be mad?"

"Cause she doesn't sleep at night for you, only me." I said.

"Oh honey, I'm not mad at all. I think it's precious. You two have already developed a bond." She smiled and I relaxed, turning back round.

"I can't believe we have a daughter." I said in disbelief, as I had done for many nights in a row.

"I know, it's crazy how much I love her."

"We have a daughter Calliope, isn't that so crazy?"

"Very crazy."

*One week later*

I stared down at Sofia, who was looking intently at me from in my arms. It was currently two am on the morning of our wedding day, and Sofia had adopted the idea that pretending to sleep was funny. It was slightly frustrating, since I knew I needed to sleep as tomorrow was a big day, but whenever she looked up at me with those big, brown, innocent eyes I immediately broke into a sleepy smile and all of my frustration ebbed away.

"I'm going to marry your mommy today, Miss Sofia! That's right! Yes I am!" I cooed to her as I rocked her gently. "Your mommy is the best. She's outstanding. She's kind, and funny, and strong, and the best person I could ever marry. The best person to be your mommy, too. You won't get a better one than her. Nope, no chance!"

I continued to smile down at her. "I promise I'll always love you, my baby girl. You shouldn't ever be scared to tell me who you are. You mommy didn't deserve what her mommy did to her, but I can promise you that we'll never do that to you." I said, placing a kiss on top of her small head as her eyelids began to droop.

A few hours later I awoke to my mum not so gently dragging me from my bed. I sunk my heels into the floor and shielded my eyes from the light as she continued to pull my arm.

"Mom, chill, I'm moving!" I exclaimed in annoyance, following her through.

"We have to leave! Callie can't see you, it's bad luck! Oh my gosh, my baby's getting married today!" She gushed, handing me a pair of shoes that I began to put on.

"So I've heard." I said dryly. "Where's dad?" I asked, looking around for any signs of him.

"He's at the venue, setting up with Mark. Carlos and Lucia were supposed to be there, but…"

I made a face at the mention of Calliope's mother, who not twenty four hours ago had practically disowned her daughter on the day before her wedding, telling her that she was going to hell because of her lesbian wedding and her child out of wedlock. As soon as I'd heard what she'd said I was livid. Now Callie's own mother wasn't even going to be there for her daughter's wedding. And neither was Callie's father, since Callie had convinced him to go after her.

"Okay, so the plan for today…"

We spent the next few minutes going over the schedule for the day. The ceremony was at five pm, and if all went smoothly, ceremony would melt into reception without any glitches just in time for dinner. Before that, I had a surgery to perform, so I'd go into the hospital for that, before my mother and Teddy would abduct, I mean collect, me to get ready, I believe across the hall in Mark's apartment. Callie would be getting ready here and if all went smoothly we would be dancing down the aisle at 4pm promptly to say 'I do'.

I quickly popped my head in to check on Sofia, who was contentedly sleeping away under a mountain of blankets which she wouldn't sleep without. I quickly checked her apnoea monitor to see it was clear. I smiled. She didn't really need it anymore, but Callie and I were both paranoid so we kept it just in case. I quietly closed the door, knowing that I would see her later. I grabbed a granola bar on my way out, giving my mum a hug goodbye as I began the familiar route to the hospital.

"Da, da da da!" Teddy sung in the tune of the bridal march when she saw me that morning. I shook my head in disbelief.

"We're not doing that. I'm here to perform surgery then leave."

However, things didn't goas smoothly as planned. Of course it didn't. Mark had phoned me a matter of minute sago to report that Father Brooks' wife had been in an accident and they wouldn't be able to make it to the wedding, and now Callie was in give up mode. Although I knew the wedding could still go on, I could see where Callie was coming from. Not only had her mother practically disowned her the night before her wedding, but now the minister that she'd hired especially for her mother couldn't make it- it cast a negative light over it.

"Bailey!" I called down the hall as I saw her standing there. I walked quickly over to her with a frown on my face.

"Robbins?" She asked, never looking up from what she's doing. "Have you talked to Callie yet? Sloan said she's freaking out."

"I haven't. Brides aren't allowed contact before they walk down the aisle and we will be walking down that aisle today." I told her. "Which is why I need a favour?"

"And that would be?"

"I need you to go over there and talk to her. I have surgery in ten minutes so I don't have time but you do, and I know she'll listen to you, because everyone listens to you." I rambled and she just nodded her head.

"I'm on it. What do I say to her?"

"Just talk about love. That's what I do. I just tell her how I love her so unbelievably much, and she loves me, and none of the rest of it matters, and she usually comes around."

"You're sickeningly sweet; you know that, right, Robbins?"

"'Course I do."

A few hours later found me back at Mark's taking a shower. Bailey, the amazing person she is, managed to get Callie to come around, and even offered to officiate. So the wedding was officially back on and everyone was in auto-pilot, following my father's schedule as closely as possible.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, and at the dress that was hanging on the door. I listened to the light conversations of my parents and Mark, who were laughing. I thought about Callie busily getting ready with Sofia gurgling away happily by her side. I thought of walking down the aisle in just over two hours to marry the woman who I loved more than anything in this entire world (except Sofia) and I smiled to myself. My life was perfect; all of my dreams were coming true.

But there was one person missing. My best friend, my protector, and the person I always went to with everything. Timothy was missing and the gap he left in my life hurt me every day. I didn't even have time to miss him, because my dad was so focused on not having time to miss him that we didn't even have a candle to light for him.

I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment as I remember the night that I came out to him.

"You okay, Zona?" Tim asked as he peeked his head into my bedroom where I was sitting on my bed, crying. I'd kissed Joanne Moore today at school and she had completely run off, and now rumours were spreading.

I smiled weakly. He was the only one allowed to call me that. I looked up at him. "I'm good."

"Cut the crap, Zona, you're a bad actress."

"Well there goes my dream of seeing my name in lights." I replied sarcastically, wiping my eyes. He sighed and sat down on the bed beside me, wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulders.

"Just tell me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Cause you'll hate me."

"I could never hate you, Zona. You know that."

I looked up at him, contemplating his words for a second. "I kissed a girl." I finally admitted and his remained neutral.

"And?"

I looked at him in bewilderment. How could he just act like this was no big deal? "I kissed A GIRL." I repeated, thinking maybe he didn't hear me right.

"II heard you the first time. Was she hot?"

"Timothy! You do realise that makes me gay?"

He nodded casually. "Sure I do. So does that mean you're gonna marry a chick?"

"I guess so."

He then got this big smiled and hugged me tighter. "I'm gonna dance so hard at your wedding!"

By the time I finished the flashback I had tears rolling down my face, and I was aware that I was ruining my makeup. I was probably going to be late too, but I just needed to miss my brother for a second. I let myself cry as I remembered all of the moments we'd shared, the times we'd sit in dad's garage, just hiding away from the world. The time he punched the girl who was a bitch to me in the face and very nearly got excluded from school.

I just missed him so much. These days I don't even think I realised how much, but it would just hit me at random times. It dawned on me that there was someone calling my name and I recognised Mark's voice.

"Robbins? Babysitter's here. Sofia's asleep. I look great, by the way. Let's go!" He called and I smiled slightly at his comment. I took a deep breath and collected myself before opening the door and stepping out. "Robbins, you okay?" He asked in concern when he saw my tearstained face. I nodded my head no.

"When I came out to my brother, he asked me if that meant I was going to marry a chick. And when I said yes he had this big, big smile and said 'I'm gonna dance so hard at your wedding!'" I told him, my voice shaking and cracking the whole time. "All my dreams are coming true, dreams I didn't even know I had, but my brother's not here. He's missing it."

"And I know that I'm late, I know, I know…" I trailed off, at least acknowledging the fact that I was gonna be late to my own wedding. "But why do you think that my dad schedules every minute of every day? Every minute is accounted for and there's no time to slow down, and I just… I need a minute to miss my brother." I cried, letting the tears fall freely. Mark slowly walked over and carefully wrapped his arms around me. Although we had issues, we had overcome them and now I happily embraced him and let myself cry into his chest. I cried for Timothy because the hole in my heart was burning.

Five minutes later I'd managed to calm myself down enough to start getting ready. I slipped into my dress, a simple white sleeveless one with some ruffles on the skirt. I dried my hair in record time and let it curl naturally. I applied full coverage foundation to cover the redness on my face. I jammed my shoes onto my feet and before I knew it, I was ready to go.

"You ready?" Mark asked me as I walked out to find my mom crying and my dad looking extremely proud.

"My daughter looks beautiful." He commented, joining my mother in a massive hug for me.

"My baby's getting married!" She cried, embracing me in a bone crushing hug while Mark watched the situation in amusement. I knew my dad had some reservations about him in the beginning but he was definitely coming around, and my mom was also a bit dubious but she ended up loving Mark. I was so happy that they loved Sofia the way they did.

"I'm going to Callie; I'm walking her down the aisle." He revealed, bidding us all goodbye and leaving. I turned to my parents.

"I guess this is it! Let's go!" I exclaimed in a mixture of excitement and nervousness . I leaned down to kiss Sofia who was gurgling away in her rocker. I thanked the babysitter, Sarah, again before we left.

When we reached the venue all I could see were people. I took my mom's hand in mine as we sneakily entered through the back entrance, where we were met by Bailey.

"Took your time." She said sternly, yet jokingly. "Torres was starting to freak out. Let's do this, shall we?" She said, not waiting for my reply before starting to walk towards the altar. My mom gave me a kiss on the cheek before going to her seat in the front row. My dad turned to me just as we were about to walk down the aisle.

"I just want to tell you how proud of you I am, Arizona. I don't think I ever tell you enough. Seeing you grow up and live the life you do, I have never once doubted my decision to name you Arizona. Because you are a good man in a storm, and I am honoured to call you my daughter."

I stood there in shock. My father, who could be known to be so… profound was now telling me this as I was about to get married.

"I love you, dad."

It was safe to say I had tears in my eyes and a smile so big that it hurt my face as I walked down that aisle. I flashed my dimples and gripped my dad's arm as we made our way to the top. I vaguely rmember seeing the happy faces of all my friends as I waited anxiously at the altar for Calliope. I smiled at my dad as he kissed me on the check and let me go.

I waited for Calliope to round the corner with Mark, and when she did, all traces of anxiety left my head, because her beauty just made my mind go fuzzy. She was absolutely glowing as she made her way towards me, and all I could think of was how much I loved this woman. We smiled widely at each other as we took our places and turned to Bailey.

"Okay! Who gives this bride to this bride?" Bailey asked and Mark stepped forward.

"That would be me." He said with a smile.

"Okay, we're gathered here today to celebrate love, and happiness, and loyalty, and well, in my opinion, a little bit of magic." Bailey began perfectly and I couldn't keep the smile off my face.

"To bring together these exceptional and beautiful human being, who have chosen to profess their love in front of the people they love…"

Bailey's words were touching and just the right length. Before we knew it Mark was handing the rings forward. It was my turn first. I took the golden band gently in my hand and spoke gently and confidently, although my eyes were welling up.

"I take you, Calliope Torres, to be my wife." I said clearly, the words that I had been waiting to say since the day I kissed her in that dingy bar bathroom.

"I chose you to be the one with whom I spend my life." She replied.

"I love you." I said as I slipped the band onto her ring finger, looking her staright in the eye and communicating my love through a single look

"I love you." She smiled back, placing the band onto my finger where it fitted perfectly and felt natural being there.

"Then I hereby pronounce you wife and wife!" Bailey exclaimed happily with a big smile, and I gently placed my palm on her hand. We both let out a giggle of excitement and happiness as we leaned in to kiss each other. Through the kiss I tried to put as much emotion through as possible, all of my love and admiration and excitement for this woman- all while keeping it PG.

"I love you." I whispered again as we drew back, taking her hand gladly in mine for the first time as her wife and turning to face the crowd. There was a loud round of applause and I smiled brightly at all of them. My mother's arms were the first to be wrapped around me as we were attacked by hugs on the way back down the aisle.

"You're my wife now! You're stuck with me!" I gloated to Callie once we escaped the crowd. She pulled me in for another kiss, this time much more passionate as no one was watching. We remained like this until we needed air.

"And you're my wife." She said proudly, before taking my hand, ready to celebrate the rest of the day as a married couple.

A/N:

So I loved writing this chapter! It was nice to back to happy Calzona times. I'm sorry it's a bit late- but 18 pages of a biology assignment later and they should come more regularly.

Thank you so much for continuing to read, and please review!

Happy Existing!