***HEY GUYS, SO SORRY FOR TAKING THIS LONG, BUT I'VE BEEN REAL BUSY WITH MY FINALS AND ATHLETICS. THANKFULLY, SUMMER'S HERE, SO I'LL TRY TO WRITE AS MUCH AS I CAN FROM NOW ON. THANKS FOR READING, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!***
It was a nice breezy night. The sky was clear, forming a blanket of stars over Seattle. Arizona was in the kitchen grabbing plates and drinks, as Eliza came with the pizza.
[Arizona] Let's go outside, it's such a beautiful night.
Eliza quietly followed her to the backyard. Around the outdoors futon, Arizona had a few lanterns lit and candles on the coffee table. The spring had made the flowers bloom, leaving a sweet and calming fragrance in the air. Arizona decided to break a weird silence that echoed through the house. She opened a beer and began,
[Arizona] I'm sorry. I just… (She paused. Her voice was shaky, unsure of what she would say. Nothing like the confident Dr. Arizona Robins. She tried to continue…) I just can't play around anymore; I can't take it. Not again.
[Eliza] Who is playing here, Arizona? (She tightened her grip on the beer bottle) I think it's pretty clear that I want this. Us.
Arizona realized how little she had told Eliza about her. About all the trauma with the plane crash or having Sofia living on the other side of the country…
[Arizona] I'm sorry for that whole "I'm too old for this" drama.
She put her beer down and got closer to Eliza; she tried to find words in the midst of her own confusion, trying not to drown in tears.
[Arizona] Before I came to Seattle I was all sparky and fun, like, all the time. I'd get any girl I wanted and I kind of slept around a little… maybe a bit more than a little (Arizona let a grin escape the corner of her mouth, making Eliza smile). Anyways… I met my ex-wife here, and I've been through a shooting, a plane crash, my second fellowship… I've also been to Africa, lost a leg and a baby, and became something that for a long time I didn't thought I'd be: a mom. During the past months, I didn't feel like me for the longest time and when I thought I was getting back on my feet, you came around and turned my world upside down.
Arizona paused. Her voice began to fade once again and her eyes turned into a different shade of blue; A darker, deeper one. Eliza stood there quietly, paying attention to every breath Arizona took. The blonde looked down for a second before she could go on…
[Arizona] I was fine being on my own, you know? It's not great, but I think I got used to it. I needed some time alone, because loving is so hard. But you came and made me want you, even though I tried not to. And this morning I… I just… It had been so long I felt wanted like this. (Arizona's voice was shaky; the nostalgia in her thoughts turned into sadness as she thought of Eliza leaving). See, I said you turned my world upside down, but I think you put it all back together again.
Arizona put her beer down and held Eliza's hands as her eyes looked deep into Eliza's; she was never so transparent, so vulnerable.
[Arizona] I need a chance to see where's this going. Us. I need you, but if you leave…
[Eliza] Arizona… I… I always assumed you knew about my contract here. From the beginning, I had my eyes on you. I mean, look at yourself! (Arizona proudly smiled). Any woman would want to be with you and it wasn't different with me. But then, somewhere along the way I've fallen for you and to leave Seattle is the last thing I want to do. But I also love my job and the career I've built…
[Arizona] So you want to leave?
[Eliza] Of course not! But it's been like this for a while now. I come, people hate me, I make changes, people hate me even more. Then people begin to give in and understand that although residents are at the bottom of the surgical chain, that is still a pretty high place to be. I mean, we're talking about 8 to 10 years of school to get here. See, I never wanted to stay longer. I never had anything that was worthy letting go of my career for… Until now… Now that I have you, the last thing I want to do is leave.
[Arizona] Then why are you still leaving?
[Eliza] The truth is that I'm scared. I thought that dropping my entire career for you would freak you out. Or if you didn't feel the same way, I'd be giving up on years of hard work for a fling, even though it costs me to believe this is still something physical, superficial. But we also never talked about this. I know you're not seeing someone else, but we didn't even have the "let's be exclusive talk," let alone "hey, I think I love you and I'm willing to stay here for you" talk…
The soft sound of the city took over the garden. Arizona knew exactly what she wanted to say. She pulled Eliza closer and had her hand resting on her dark hair.
[Arizona] You better not have been sleeping around, I'd have to kick your ass with my one leg. We are exclusive. I know that and you do too. Hey, you know what, I think I love you, and I need you to stay, so I hope I'm enough reason to keep you here, because apart from being a very clean and easy going roommate, this is all I have to offer you.
[Eliza] That's all I need.
Their kiss was gentle and loving; one that sealed the beginning of their own something.