A/n-I really hope I did this chapter justice. I have not started chapter 20 yet but I still hope to get it up before I have to go back into hiatus with this story.
"Arizona" She looks up from a chart she had been reviewing and finds Erica walking towards her. Arizona sighs because she knows this is going to be about Callie. Erica reaches her and leans against the nurse's station. "We need to talk." Arizona nods and moves the tablet back to its docking station and turns towards Erica. "You need to talk to her. I know you feel guilty about what happened with Boswell. I cannot imagine what that must feel like but it's not fair what you are doing to Callie."
"I know." Arizona whispers. It is not what Erica had expected. She had expected a fight and yelling but not this. Arizona sighs and scrubs a hand across her face. "I needed some time to figure out what to do. We are married and have a child together. We have been through more in five years than some people go through in a lifetime." Arizona's eyes begin to water.
Erica looks around the hallway but finds it almost deserted. The few nurses that are there are paying them little attention. The last thing either of them needed was an audience. Arizona looks Erica in the eye and stands a little taller. "I know what I need to do. I am going to talk to her tonight." Erica nods.
"Just know that if you stay with her I will respect that." It is the most assurance that Erica can offer. After she leaves Arizona walks into an on call room and locks the door. She manages to hold her composure until she hears the click of the lock before dissolving into tears.
It has been two days since she was at the bar with Erica. The blonde has assured her multiple times since then that they are okay and she understands the emotional state she is in but still Callie worries. She hears her phone buzz and expects to see a text message from Erica but is surprised to find one from Arizona. Her wife has been spending a large amount of her time alone and has only really been communicating with her in regards to Sofia but tonight Arizona wants to come over and talk about them. Callie can feel her heart start to race. She types back a quick response agreeing to the time. She quickly finishes up the rest of her work and heads home.
The apartment is quite when she opens the door but she's sees Arizona's silhouette by the living room window Callie smiles when she sees her but the smile drops instantly when she see bags next to the door. Callie shuts the door harder than she expected causing Arizona to turn around.
"What are those?" Callie asks tossing her things to the side and points to the bags stacked near the door. Arizona moves towards Callie reaching out for her but Callie backs away until she feels her back hit the wall.
"Calliope" The brunette breaks at the full use of her first name. She slides down the wall in tears. Arizona follows her down to the floor attempting to comfort her.
"Calliope please." Callie starts to shake her head
"No,no,no" She knows Arizona is leaving. In all honesty she knew this was coming but to actually hear Arizona say it and make it a reality feels crushing in a way she had not imagined. It takes a full ten minutes for the brunette to regain herself. This time when Arizona takes her hand she doesn't pull away.
"Remember when I told you I would do anything to make you happy including letting you go?" Callie nods her head and looks at Arizona tears in her eyes. Arizona takes a deep breathe but to no avail. Tears start to fill the blonde's eyes until they spill over. "This is me wanting you to be happy. This is me letting you go. I love you so much Calliope."
"I love you to." Callie's voice cracks despite her best efforts. Arizona leans forward and their lips touch for the last time. The kiss lingers neither one quite ready to let go. Arizona eventually pulls away and stands bringing Callie with her. She brushes a strand of hair away from Callie's face.
"Meredith has Sofia. One of us can pick her up whenever. Okay?" Callie nods her head.
"Okay I am going to go now." Callie whimpers at the thought but nods her head again. Arizona reaches down and picks up her bags. There is a knock at the door that Arizona answers. Alex and Cristina are on the other side. Alex reaches for one of Arizona's bags and Cristina crosses the threshold towards Callie. Arizona turns to her after she hands off her last bag. She knows she has to leave but can't bring herself to take the first step. It takes Alex gently pulling at her arm to finally step through the doorway. Callie attempts to take a step forward but Cristina puts and arm around Callie's waist stopping her.
"Don't." Cristina whispers only loud enough for Callie to hear. Arizona mouths that she loves her and Callie says it back as the front door closes. Callie and Cristina stand there for a few minutes Cristina's arm still around the taller woman's waist attempting to offer as much support as possible. Callie scrubs a hand across her face and takes a deep breath.
"I need a drink." Callie's voice cracks again and her frustration shows. Cristina goes to her bag and pulls out a bottle of Tequila.
"I've got you covered."
Cristina keeps a steady stream of shots coming. She doesn't tell Callie she's going to be okay or that she is better off and Callie appreciates it. She lets Callie lean her head on her shoulder with no complaints of the fact that they are touching.
"I love her." Callie sniffs and throws back another shot.
"I know." Cristina hands her another shot. "How you are feeling right now is how I felt when I found out Owen cheated." Callie groans she had almost forgotten that Cristina had dealt with this kind of hell. "But you have Sofia and let's be honest she is a little ray of sunshine." Callie smiles at the thought of her little girl. They both tip back another shot.
"Hey want to watch Walking Dead?" Cristina asks. Callie nods her head.
"Sure I could watch something cheerful." Callie says sarcastically and smiles helping Cristina off the floor.
"My thoughts exactly." Cristina smirks in response.
After the door shuts Arizona stares at it for a few seconds. She lays her hand on the door before dropping her hand. Without a word she heads towards the parking lot and Alex follows. They say little on the way to the house. He takes the bags to one of the rooms when they get to his house and the blonde plops down on the couch in the living room. Alex comes in a few minutes later with a 12 pack of beer and hands her one. Arizona opens it and drinks almost half the can immediately. They both stare at the blank TV before Arizona speaks.
"My marriage is over." Alex nods his head but doesn't say anything. "I don't even know how we got here. When I think of the last few years I feel like everything is on fast forward until eventually we crashed and burned." Alex takes another drink of his beer.
"Yeah life has a funny way of beating you down until you are on the ground and then kicking you. The last time I was married She almost died on me and then just disappeared before finally coming back to put the nail in the coffin."
Alex's mention of his marriage takes her back to her and Callie sitting next to each other it had been the start for them. They were happy and Alex was happy with Izzie everything had made sense.
"Funny how time seems to change so much. You think people like us ever win?" Alex shrugs his shoulders.
"I have Jo now so it can't be all bad.'
'It can't be all bad." Arizona repeats. "That is oddly reassuring."
I do what I can to help." Alex finishes his beer and grabs another handing another to Arizona. Alex grabs the remote control and turns on the TV. "I am only doing this because you are a friend and I know you watch this show. If you ever tell anyone I'll be forced to kill you." Arizona watches as Netflix comes on the screen and nearly spits out her beer.
"You watch Orange is the New Black?!"
"I came home from work and Jo had fallen asleep watching this. When I went to turn it off I saw a character that had my name in the description and curiosity got the best of me. Then I saw the actress that played Alex and I was hooked. I have been watching it in secret ever since." Alex looks to Arizona. "So you wanna watch?" Arizona nods enthusiastically with a sly smirk on her face. "Remember if anyone finds out..." Arizona waves him off.
"I know, I know you will be forced to kill me." Arizona settles into the couch and opens her beer. Her heart still feels like it is being pulled from her chest but she can at least hold onto the idea that it can't all be bad.