Disclaimer: I own nothing; all belong to Shonda Rhimes. Any resemblance to the show is simply borrowed.

A/N: I KNOW...I'm back from the dead. I have nothing to say other than I'm so terribly sorry for putting this off for so long. I was in Italy this summer and life just got in the way. I haven't been able to find my inspiration or rhythm for this story again for some reason, but I think I'm back. I have a couple crazy things and some drama coming in the next few chapters, so hopefully you guys are still into this. I'm keeping it going for probably the few people that still care. Thanks for being so patient and sticking with me, guys. As always, your reviews are greatly appreciated and really keep me going. Enjoy.

Chapter 21:

"Arizona! Come on we're gonna be late!" Callie called searching through her purse for any last minute necessities. They were all going out as a celebration for Addison and Mark's engagement, but really they were all going out for Addison. Mark was fine with no party, but obviously Addison expected something. They were meeting a group from the hospital, some of which Callie and Arizona weren't close with, but acquaintances all the same. It would be a nice, fun night with some friends.

"Hang on, Cal! You can't rush this process," Arizona said from the other room, applying last touches to her mascara.

"How much more make-up could you possibly put on?" Callie asked shaking her head.

"You're a woman, you should understand."

"Exactly, I'm a woman and I was done 20 minutes ago."

"Fine, shutup. I'm almost ready."

Callie chuckled and checked herself in the mirror one more time. She had opted to wear red jeans with a black, slightly flowy tank top and her black pumps.

Arizona appeared moments later in tight black shorts a sparkly tank top that hugged her body. To top it off, she had killer sparkly heels on that matched her silver top.

Callie gulped audibly as her eyes started at the heels and slowly worked their way up the very long, toned legs to her barely covered ass, up the curve of her stomach and past the pushed up breasts until they reached smirking lips.

"Jesus Christ," Callie muttered, barely able to speak.

"That's a good thing, I hope," Arizona said smiling and walking closer to Callie.

Callie just nodded as Arizona crept closer.

Arizona lightly tossed her clutch onto the counter and asked, "Soo..forgive me for taking so long?"

"There's no way putting on make-up made all of this glory happen," Callie said gesturing to all of Arizona, finally finding her voice.

Arizona chuckled and replied, "It takes time to look this good for you. You may not have to take time to look ridiculously stunning, but some of us have a harder time." She lightly slung her arms over Callie's shoulders.

"You're ridiculous," Callie said shaking her head, "You're the most naturally beautiful woman I know."

"Good response," Arizona whispered with a beaming smile before she leaned in to place a soft kiss on Callie's lips. She would never grow tired of kissing those lips.

"Aren't you going to be cold?" Callie asked suddenly when they pulled apart.

"It's October and we're going to a club. I'll be plenty warm."

"Exaclty, it's October in Seattle," Callie replied.

"I know how to handle my weather, Calliope, what's really going on?" Arizona said pursing her lips slightly, removing her arms to put her hands on her hips.

"Okay, fine. Well..." Callie hesitated.

"Well you have to say it now," Arizona said slightly smirking.

"I already have to worry when we go out in public."

"About?" Arizona asked prying it out of her.

"About other people staring at you," Callie said in an obvious tone.

"What?" Arizona asked, slightly chuckling at the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Um, yeah. And now…when you're wearing this…" Callie trailed off, her eyes raking up and down Arizona's body, "Well let's just say it's taking everything in me to not rip these clothes off of you right now."

Arizona laughed and resumed wrapping her arms around Callie's neck, "Well good, I'm glad we're on the same page. I don't want anyone staring at you either."

"Come on, I'm being serious," Callie said slightly whining with a pout.

Arizona sighed with a smile almost unnoticeable that still made her dimples pop, "Seriously, Calliope, I only want you to look at me in the way you're looking at me right now. And I only want to look at you in the same way. You should know this by now."

"I do," Callie said earnestly, "Doesn't mean I can't get a little protective."

Arizona hummed. "Well, only 'cause mamma is super sexy when she's protective."

"There are so many things wrong with that last sentence."

"Mamma's a little cranky," Arizona said smirking.

"Stop calling me mamma," Callie said shaking her head with a laugh.

Arizona smiled brightly and leaned in to place a peck on her lips. She whispered, "Come on, mamma, I'll let you protect me all night."

"To Addison!" Callie shouted holding her shot glass up to the all the others at their big table.

"Yeah, to me!" Addison said excitedly throwing back the shot.

"Yeah, not like she's getting married to me or anything," Mark said sarcastically.

"Oh, shush, Mark, you know it's all about me," Addison said slapping his arm.

"How is this something I know?" Mark asked, confused.

"Because weddings are always about the bride," Arizona added with a nod.

"She's probably been planning for this thing since she was 10 years old," Colleen said with a laugh.

"No," Addison said shaking her head, "It was on the playground when I was 7, and I realized I wanted to marry Bobby Thomas. Ever since then I've been planning the perfect wedding."

"Oh, Mark," Callie said with sympathy, patting his arm, "You've still got a lot to learn."

"What kind of name is Bobby Thomas anyway? The guy has two first names," Mark accused.

"Another round!" Addison called out to the bartender.

"I'll get them," Callie said making her way to the bar, "Another round please," she said addressing thebartender.

"Wow, you sure can throw it back," a voice said from the stool next to her.

Callie chuckled, "Well, these are for my table, but yes, I can." She glanced sideways at the man talking to her. He was cute. Attractive, even. But he paled in comparison to Arizona. She might have gone for him before, before she realized just how attractive she found women to be, well, Arizona to be, but now she didn't even consider him. She didn't consider anyone anymore. She only saw Arizona.

"That's what they all say," he said laughing and turning to face her.

She gave a polite nod as she waited for the drinks.

The man studied her for a moment, swirling his drink, "So what's an attractive girl like you doing walking up to the bar alone."

"I'm not alone," Callie said nonchalantly, "and I could say the same for you."

"Touche," he said chuckling, "Hott and witty."

"I'm sure my girlfriend agrees with you," she added.

"Girlfriend as in…."

"Girlfriend as in, the one I'm going home with tonight and every night to follow."

"Going home with as in…" The man was sure he knew, but just couldn't really believe it.

Callie looked at him dumbfounded. How specific did she need to be? "As in the one I sleep with, the love of my life, the girl I will someday marry."

Callie had never said those words out loud, although she had thought them dozens of times, but something about this guy made her want to get straight to the point. And as soon as she said the words, she knew them to be more true than she ever imagined.

Suddenly Arizona's lips were on hers as Arizona turned Callie's head to kiss her from behind. She hadn't heard their conversation, but she'd seen enough to know she didn't like this guy.

"That's hot," the man said again.

His voice was the only thing that broke them apart and Callie had to wet her lips after, slowly opening her eyes to catch her bearings.

"Just making sure you didn't get lost on your way back to the table, sweetie," Arizona commented sweetly with her arms slug over Callie's shoulders.

"You're like my own personal navigation system," Callie said with a chuckle.

"Well, yes, I am," Arizona said, then raised her voice a little more continuing, "And I'm your only personal navigation system. The only one."

Callie waved her drink in the man's direction and said, "Nice to meet you," before she took Arizona's hand in hers to walk back to the table.

"What was that about?" Callie muttered in Arizona's ear.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Calliope," she replied, still looking forward.

"You might as well have just peed on me while you were there," Callie said with a grin.

"What? Ew, Callie," Arizona said with a look of disgust.

Callie laughed and said, "I was referring to marking your territory."

Arizona scoffed, "I was doing no such thing."

Callie hummed, "Mamma's getting feisty."

"Very funny, Calliope."

"Took you long enough!" Addison shouted when they got back.

"Calliope was distracted by some hot guy," Arizona said with a wave of her hand.

"I was not! I was waiting for our drinks."

"Well, either way, you two can deal with your high levels of estrogen later, I want my drinks," Addison said reaching for the shots.

Arizona sat down first and Callie sat right next to her as the group continued with their conversation.

Callie slowly starting rubbing circles on Arizona's thigh as they all talked, Arizona trying not to react or show that she was at all affected by this simple motion, even though she was.

"Are you mad at me," Callie whispered as she leaned closer to Arizona.

"There's nothing to be mad about, Calliope," Arizona said with a shrug.

"Well you seem mad…" Callie said slightly smiling, knowing it was simply jealousy, "Or jealous maybe?"

"I am not jealous," Arizona rejected, "What's there to be jealous about?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly," Arizona said, "So I'm not jealous."

"You two!" Addison said addressing the pair, "Discuss your hormones later; tonight's my night."

"Our night," Mark muttered.

Callie laughed and muttered sideways to Arizona, "We'll talk about this later."

"To Mark and Addison," Colleen said holding up her shot.

"Yeah, to me!" Addison said excitedly.

"Okay, so maybe I was a little jealous," Arizona said as they walked into her apartment and she threw her stuff on the counter.

"Ya think?" Callie said following behind her.

"I'm allowed to get a little jealous, Calliope, that guy was totally after you."

"That's ridiculous," Callie said rolling her eyes.

"Well he was! And you said you had to be worried about me tonight. What a joke," Arizona exasperated.

"I do have to be worried about you," Callie said stepping closer.

Arizona pouted, "I don't like being jealous. I feel childish."

"Really?" Callie drawled out slinging her arms around Arizona's shoulders. "Because I find it…incredibly sexy," Callie whispered.

"Really?" Arizona said her face lighting up.

"Absolutely," Callie said nodding as she leaned in to kiss Arizona slowly. Arizona wrapped her arms around Callie's waist as she deepened the kiss.

They pulled apart slowly as the kiss came to its natural end. "Come on, let's get ready for bed," Arizona whispered with a smile.

Callie hummed and replied, "I like the sound of that," gently squeezing Arizona's butt as Arizona squealed.

They started to take the bed apart and kicked off their shoes. "I can't believe Addison and Mark are getting married," Arizona commented with a smile.

"Even if they weren't, Addison would show up in her dress ready to party anyway, with or without Mark," Callie said chuckling.

"So true. Do you ever…" Arizona trailed off, debating her next question.

"Do I ever…" Callie said urging her to continue.

"Do you ever, I don't know, think about our future," Arizona said with a shrug acting nonchalant.

"All the time," Callie said calmly.

Arizona's head snapped up. "And?"

"Arizona," Callie said with a slight laugh and a shake of her head, "You are my future."

Arizona's face slowly lit up into a bright smile.

"Don't you think about it?" Callie asked.

"Of course I do," Arizona said softly, "I was just making sure you did, too."

"You should never doubt that my love for you is anything less than permanent," Callie said softly, but with such conviction.

The corner of Arizona's mouth turned up into a smile at this comment. "Good, because that makes what I want to talk to you about a little easier …" Arizona said slowly walking around the bed toward Callie.

"Okay…" Callie drawled meeting Arizona half way.

Arizona sighed and grasped one of Callie's hands in both of hers, needing the contact. She held that hand to her chest and smiled slightly. "If I don't just come right out and say it I probably never will, so here it goes."

Callie gave her a gentle smile, all the assurance Arizona needed to continue.

"I want you to move in with me," Arizona blurted, startling Callie slightly, "Or me to move in with you, really it doesn't matter. I figure you probably want to stay in this house because of the kids, which makes sense."

Callie stood speechless and motionless for a moment, taking in what Arizona was saying.

This only caused Arizona to babble, as per usual, "If you're not into it or whatever, that's totally fine, but I just figured that you're always at my apartment when the kids are with Owen and I'm always at your house when they're with you and we basically live together anyway, without it actually being addressed. It was just something on my mind so I thought I'd—"

Her rant was instantly cut off by a pair of warm lips on her own, just the reaction she'd been hoping for. Callie softly pulled away and looked into the eyes of the woman she loved so dearly. "I love when you babble," Callie muttered with a chuckle.

"Well you still haven't given me an answer, Calliope," Arizona said with a pout.

Callie pulled her hand out of Arizona's vice grip only to cover Arizona's hands in her own this time. "Of course I want to live with you, Arizona…but…."

"But?" Arizona said immediately pulling her hand out of Callie's grasp, feeling the sting of that one word far too much for her liking.

Callie could see the wheels turning in Arizona's head as she second guessed everything she'd said in the last minute, which is not what Callie wanted at all. She held Arizona's cheeks as she tried to keep her from retreating. "Arizona, I would love nothing more than to live with you…but I'm just not sure that you'd be ready to live with me. I'm afraid you don't really want to live with me."

"I'm the one who asked you, Calliope," Arizona said, confused.

"I know that. But it's just…I'm scared that…once you start living with me, living with me and my kids, the whole package, all the drama, that you will instantly regret it. And I really don't want you to regret living with me," Callie said trailing off at the end.

"Calliope, that's ridiculous," Arizona said with pure love and sympathy.

"Is it though?" Callie questioned scanning her face.

"C'm here," Arizona said gently guiding them to the bed to sit on the edge.

Callie followed, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Callie, I know with every fiber of my being, that I want to live with you…and your whole package. I want that package; I want it all. If you're ready, then I'm so beyond ready. I want to wake up next to you every morning and know that when I leave for work, I'll be coming home to that same face just to start all over again. I never really thought kids were in the cards for me, but after I met you…after I met your kids, I knew things had changed. I want to be with your kids, I want to wake up and see them every single day, too. I'm...i'm ready. And while it may be scary, it's more true than anything I've ever known," Arizona let out a long sigh after she finished the little monologue and tried to read what Callie was thinking.

Callie's smile had only grown as tears formed in her eyes.

"You've got to say something, Calliope, I'm dying over here," Arizona exasperated.

Callie pulled Arizona in quickly by her neck and kissed her fiercely, needing to show the emotion she felt bursting from inside her. When they pulled apart, Callie immediately responded with a small, "Yes."

"You're saying yes?" Arizona questioned, needing to make sure.

Callie nodded softly and said, "I want it all too. I want everything with you."

"You do!" Arizona said excitedly, her face lighting up with unnecessary surprise. She immediately pulled Callie back in and kissed her hard, immediately opening her mouth to allow Callie access. Arizona slowly pushed Callie down onto the bed as she continued kissing her, linking their hands together as she did so.

When they pulled apart for air, Callie let out a breathless, "I feel like I've waited a lifetime for you to come along…"

"You don't have to wait anymore…" Arizona said wiping the beautiful strands of hair out of Callie's face, "I can't wait to build a home with you…"

"Home," Callie hummed, "I like the sound of home with you."

"You are my home," Arizona retorted softly.

"Then you're right where you're supposed to be," Callie whispered and pulled Arizona down to connect their bodies as she simultaneously arched into her.

Home with Arizona. Nothing else in the world sounded so lovely.

Hope I haven't lost too many people with this story! Thanks for reading. Let me know what you're thinking (: