Arizona signed a chart and handed it to the nurse when she felt a hand grip her shoulder. She jumped a foot in the air and turned around ready to run. When she saw it was only Alex she let go a big sigh of air and closed her eyes in relief.
"Dude, what is with you. You've been jumpy all morning. What did you do, mainline coffee or somethin'."
Arizona and Alex walked together down the corridor saying hi to patients as they went. "No. Callie's father is in Seattle and I'm waiting to be thrown against a wall or have to dodge a hit man or something."
Alex smirked then tried to hide it but Arizona saw anyway. "It's not funny Alex. He is going to kill me for cheating on his daughter and breaking her heart. You might as well plan the funeral."
"Dude, you're totally overreacting. Maybe he just wanted to visit Callie to make sure she's okay after the two of you split up."
"No, see that's the thing. He didn't know Callie and I are separated. She called him here to help her with something. I just hope it isn't divorce papers."
Alex put an arm around his mentors shoulder. "Arizona, don't jump to conclusions, I'm sure it'll be fine. Come on, I'll treat you to a brownie from the cafeteria. That always cheers you up."
Arizona let Alex lead the way but she was still stressed out and jumpy for the rest of her shift. She collected Sofia from day care and walked home, checking every corner before she turned it to make sure Carlos wasn't going to ambush her. It was silly and she knew she was being irrational, but she also knew how fiercely protective he was of Callie. Arizona finally made it to apartment 502 and was turning the key in the lock when a voice came from behind her right ear.
"Hello Arizona." She turned her head, her eyes wide and betraying her fear. "We need to talk."
"Carlos...hi, um..."
A sleepy Sofia stirred on Arizona's shoulder saving her for the moment. "Grandpa, you still here." Sofia reached out for her grandfather for the second time today.
"I am my little princess."
Arizona passed Sofia to Carlos who started to have a conversation with his beloved granddaughter. "You are the sweetest, yes you are. I love you so much. Mwah, mwah, mwah."
Carlos kissed all over Sofia's face, her giggles making Arizona have a smile on her face for the first time today that wasn't forced. Arizona opened the door and let Carlos enter with Sofia babbling away to him about day care and her recent fun with Zola and the other kids at the Halloween party.
"And I gotted the apple."
"You did? Well I hope your mommies took lots of pictures for me. I would love to see them."
Arizona put down her purse and keys, shutting the door after her father in law and daughter. She walked into the kitchen and started to make Sofia's dinner while the two of them chatted away on the couch. Carlos was a patient man, he could wait for the two of them to be alone. Besides, he could never get enough of being around Sofia, she kept him young. He sometimes thought if he didn't have a business to run in Miami and his wife wasn't such a stubborn person he would love to be around all three of his Seattle girls on a full-time basis.
"So Carlos, would you like to stay for dinner?"
Arizona started to chop some vegetables for herself as Carlos looked up from Sofia to answer her.
"Only if you don't mind. Calliope is catching up on some research and wanted to be alone. I really would like to stay so I can see my princess some more." Carlos tickled Sofia who laughed loudly at her grandpa.
"I'm sure Sofia loves that idea, don't you big girl." Sofia gave her Mama a big shake of the head and turned her attention back to her grandpa. "Is stir fry okay?"
"That sounds wonderful." Carlos blew a raspberry on Sofia's cheek and sent her into another round of giggles. He sent a quick text to Callie to let her know he was having dinner across the hall and settled back into the couch with Sofia in his arms.
Arizona took her time cooking them all dinner, conversation light as Sofia kept talking away to Carlos who was happy to let her as was Arizona. Every second Sofia could amuse and entertain her grandpa was a second she could put off their inevitable chat. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Sofia finished eating and after a quick bath, a story from her grandfather and endless good nights to Carlos with a promise that he would come see her again very soon, Arizona was finally able to get Sofia to go to sleep.
Arizona led Carlos back to the living room and headed straight for the wine. No way she was doing this completely sober. Arizona poured herself a generous amount and looked over at Carlos who had settled himself back on the couch.
"Would you like a glass Carlos?"
"No thank you Arizona. Come sit down, I won't bite." Carlos patted the couch beside him.
Arizona reluctantly sat down on the opposite side of the couch and took a drink of her wine before putting the glass on the coffee table. She leaned back into the cushions and fidgeted in her seat.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Arizona muttered under her breath. "As if I don't already know."
"I'm here in Seattle because Calliope needed my help with something and then to my surprise I find out what has happened between the two of you. I have to say, I'm very disappointed and upset with you Arizona."
Arizona's head dropped, flashbacks to when the Colonel said the same kind of thing to her or Tim as children when they let him down. For some reason those words chilled her more to the bone than any yelling or screaming could ever do. Arizona's shoulders slumped and a lone tear rolled down her face.
"I know, believe me I know. I wish I could go back in time and stop myself. I wish I had gotten help a long time ago and faced my demons. If I had I would've told Callie how I was really feeling instead of pretending to be happy. I let my anger build up and then I hurt her to get even." Arizona sighed. "I have to fix this and wishing to change the past won't help me."
Carlos put an arm around Arizona's shoulder and a kiss to her temple. "Have you seen anyone for help, like a therapist?"
"Yeah. I had my first session a few days ago. It was like she shined a light in a dark cave and I could see clearly what I was doing to Callie and to myself. I pushed myself to be okay for Callie and Sofia and all I did was make things worse. Are you here to help her divorce me? Please tell me you aren't."
Arizona looked at Carlos, her eyes shining with the unshed tears she was holding back. Carlos shook his head no and pulled her into a hug, the tears now streaming down her face as her body shuttered with her crying. Carlos sighed into her hair, sad all this was happening to his daughter's family. Arizona finally pulled away and wiped her face.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Calliope...yes, she has some legal issues that she asked me to help with, but no, she's not divorcing you."
"Not yet anyway."
"Arizona, I can't tell you what's happening, you'll find out soon enough. But I need to give you some advice before I go."
Arizona nodded and wiped her eyes with a tissue. "Go on."
"Don't give up. Whether she'll admit it or not Calliope will need you and Sofia to be there for her. She has secrets, secrets that are tearing her apart and she will need her wife and child to support her. Talk to her and don't take no for an answer."
Arizona sighed and leaned back into the couch. "I've tried Carlos. I wanted to go to couples therapy but Callie's made it perfectly clear she doesn't even want to think about being with me again until I get help. I'm getting help not because Callie told me to but because I know I need it. I understand now why I did it and believe me when I say it won't ever happen again. I come home every night, I look at our picture and when I'm alone I cry. I hold it together when Sofia's around but the rest of the time I'm a mess. I will beg her for the rest of my life if Callie will give me just one chance to prove that I can be trusted again."
Carlos took Arizona's hand and squeezed. "It won't be easy and it will take time but don't give up on yourself or each other. Things are always darkest before the dawn but the remember the sun always rises for a new day."
Arizona nodded and gave Carlos a weak smile. "After my session I made a vow to myself, a promise. I want to and I will get better for them and for me. I won't give up Carlos, I love Callie too much to ever give up on us."
Carlos stood and hugged Arizona tightly. "Keep that promise to yourself no matter how hard it gets. My daughter can be the most stubborn person but I know she loves you and I know you love her. Give yourselves time and don't rush it, let it come naturally. Love always wins, you'll see. I'm a very wise man, I know these things."
Carlos pulled away and kissed Arizona's forehead. "I have to return to Miami but I'll be back in a couple of days. Look after her for me Arizona, even if she pushes you away, be there for her."
Arizona pulled her father in law for one more hug before he left. "I promise."
Carlos opened the door and walked the short distance to his daughter's temporary home. He entered and found Callie sitting on the couch, hanging up her cell phone and letting out a sigh. Carlos sat next Callie and put an arm around her shoulder.
"How did it go with Dr Hunt?"
"He says the hospital's lawyers got served with the same papers. It seems they're suing the hospital along with me. They're saying I should have known this could be a complication and that I'm to blame for him being in a wheelchair and taking away his future earnings. If I lose this I could be out of a job not to mention the hospital could go broke, again. Owen's convening the board tomorrow and we'll make a plan then. He says the hospital will use their lawyers to defend me but you know how that works Daddy. They have the best interests of the hospital at heart, not my career. I'm afraid they're gonna throw me to the wolves."
Carlos pulled his daughter close and kissed her temple like he had done to Arizona not twenty minutes ago.
"I promise you mija I will do everything I can. I have to go back to Miami first thing tomorrow but I'll be back in two days tops. It'll work out Calliope, everything will."
Callie sniffed but held her tears back, she'd cried enough. "I hope you're right. So, did you enjoy your dinner with Sofia?"
"Yes. She told me all about Halloween and her friends at day care. She's becoming quite the social butterfly."
"Yeah, she takes after Arizona like that. My girl is a friend magnet. God help us when she starts to notice boys."
Carlos grimaced, remember his own struggles with his daughters. "Hopefully that won't be for a while." Carlos cleared his throat and looked Callie dead in the eye. "She's getting help mija."
Callie moved away from her father and into the kitchen for a drink. She poured a generous amount and took a long satisfying sip.
"Well I guess that's good. I'm glad she's getting help."
Carlos moved from the couch and over to join Callie in the kitchen. "It is good mija because she's working through her issues and she's doing it so she can better for you, for Sofia and for herself. Arizona is trying hard to be someone you can trust again. At least try to meet her half way Calliope, if only to answer your own questions about whether you two can work it out."
Callie sighed and put down her glass. "It's not that easy Daddy."
"I know mija. Why don't you just try having a cup of coffee with Arizona. Sit down and have a ten minute conversation about the weather if you want but just talk."
"The only time we ever seem to talk is when it involves Sofia, but I'll think about it. I'm so tired Daddy, it's been a long day. I'll see you before you leave in the morning."
Carlos kissed Callie's cheek. "Good night mija. Remember what I said Calliope. Just talk."
Callie nodded and walked into the main bedroom while Carlos retired to the spare room. He laid on the bed and sent a silent prayer, one he hoped would be answered for all their sakes.
Hello. I am officially over Greys at the moment, it's depressing the hell out of me. Making us all try to hate Cristina and breaking up her friendship with Meredith, Bailey getting sick and then to top it all off Arizona calls Callie her ex and takes off the necklace, well that was the last straw. The only saving grace is I want to write this story more now to get them at least talking and trying to work things out. Sorry for the rant but I am not a happy bunny Shonda! Till next time, Tigersforever.