Thanks for your recent reviews and follows. It means a tonne. I'm sorry for the delay in updating. Thanks to anyone who has stuck around and waited patiently for my return. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.
I hope this will make up for my lack of updates. I promise to try harder and update quicker.
I do not own anything. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.
Chapter Nineteen
Pulling up outside her parents home, Arizona rolled her eyes when she found her mother peering out of the window. "And so it begins."
"Huh?" Callie furrowed her brow. "What begins?"
"My mother is waiting at the window. She can't help herself. Are you sure you are ready for this?" A pale hand ran through blonde curls. "We can totally turn back."
"Arizona, look at me, please?" Callie turned in her seat and pulled her leg underneath her. Catching sight of those blue eyes she had fallen in love with a while ago, she smiled. "We can sit here all night, that's not a problem." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "Or, we can go inside, spend the evening with your parents, and show them how much we love each other."
"They know I love you, but I just don't want them giving you some sort of interrogation."
"Whatever they throw at me, I can handle." The brunette took her girlfriend's hand in her own. "I will still love you when we go to bed tonight. No matter what questions I may be asked, or what secrets I may be told."
"Secrets? I don't have any secrets." Arizona narrowed her eyes and stared intently. "What makes you think I have secrets?"
"Okay, maybe not secrets, but stories. You know, growing up, getting up to no good?"
"Mm, sure that's what you meant." The blonde smiled. "Do you have any secrets?"
"Hmm, you'll have to give me a little while to think about that. Wouldn't want to let any of my darkest ones slip."
"Seriously?" Blue eyes widened. "You have secrets?"
"I'm joking, baby." Callie tightened her grip on the blondes hand. "I don't have any secrets. I don't think, anyway."
"Okay, I guess we should head inside then, huh?" Arizona sighed as she cut the engine. "No time like the present and all that."
"Exactly." The brunette gave a nod in agreement. "Let's go."
Stepping out of the car, the couple made their way around the back and to the trunk. Grabbing their belongings, they walked hand in hand up the driveway and up the steps to the front porch. Knuckles about to meet wood, Arizona was startled when the door was swung open. "Oh, girls. I thought you'd never make it. You had me worried."
"Yes, mom. We made it fine." Arizona smiled as she was pulled into a bone crushing hug by her mother. Pulling back, she straightened herself out and focused on the woman standing beside her. "Mom, this is Callie."
"Callie, dear, it's so wonderful to finally meet you." The older woman gave her daughter a look before pulling Callie into a hug.
"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs Robbins." Callie smiled as her girlfriend and her girlfriend's mother pulled her inside. "Thank you for inviting me into your home."
"Oh, it's great to have you," Barbara stated as she turned to face her daughter. "Such lovely manners, Arizona."
The excitement was evident on her mother's face, and as she gave a nod in agreement with the older woman, Arizona smiled and pulled her girlfriend further inside.
Immediately noticing the walls lined with photographs, Callie's heart began to beat out of her chest. Taking in her surroundings, she found the older couple's home to be warm and inviting. Just like Arizona's apartment. The aroma coming from the kitchen was to die for, and she could see herself spending many years, and many trips to the Robbins family home. I still fail to see how I got so lucky. Brought out of her thoughts by Barbara's voice, Callie pulled her vision away from the photographs.
"Why don't you girls take your things upstairs and then we will get started with supper. It shouldn't be too much longer."
"Okay, dad not around?" Arizona furrowed her brow.
"He's out back collecting some wood." Barbara smiled. "He will be in shortly. He's been asking about your arrival all day."
"Great. Let's get our things away then." Callie suggested as she picked up both of their bags.
"Callie, I can take one of those." Arizona stepped closer to her girlfriend.
"It's fine. Just show me the way."
Watching Callie take a few steps up the stairs, she turned back to her mother. "Thanks for having us, mom."
"Nonsense, dear. You know you are always welcome back home whenever you like. I miss having you around."
"I know, but I had to leave, mom. I had to start fresh somewhere new." The blonde stated as she pulled her mother in for another hug. "I won't leave it so long, though, next time."
"Well, you certainly got your life back on track, honey. I'm proud of you." Barbara motioned for her daughter to join their guest. "Go help Callie out. I can't wait to hear how you two met."
"Oh, um, you know. Just in a bar." Arizona shrugged. "Please don't bombard her with questions, mom. She's had a rough year and I don't want her to feel obliged to answer."
"Okay, sweetie. I'll be mindful."
Taking a seat at the dinner table, Callie felt right at home. The one thing she missed about being in contact with her parents was the dinners they would all share together. It may not have been on a daily basis, but she still enjoyed it when they occasionally happened. She would prepare dinner with their cook, and her mother would praise her efforts. It had been a long time since she had eaten a family meal, and right now, it was everything she had ever wanted.
"You must be the young lady my daughter has fallen head over heels in love with?" Callie was startled as she heard the deep voice of a male behind her.
Removing herself from the table, Callie turned to meet the older man's gaze and smiled. "It's lovely to meet you, Sir."
"And you have manners, too? Excellent." Glancing at his wife, Daniel threw her a wink and gave her a nod in agreement. "It's wonderful to have you here, Callie."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Callie sat back down and took her girlfriend's hand in her own beneath the table. Tightening her grip, she flashed the blonde her million dollar smile.
"You have a lovely home, Mr and Mrs Robbins."
"Oh, honey. That is very sweet of you." Barbara smiled as she placed a piece of pie on the brunettes plate. "And thank you. Arizona will tell you that it hasn't changed much since we moved here."
"Yep, that's right." Arizona agreed. "I swear the paper in my room has been there since mom was in preschool."
Giving her daughter a knowing look, Barbara smiled. "So where are you from, Callie?"
"Miami. I've lived in Seattle for, um, almost six years now."
"Wow, whatever made you leave Miami? Surely it wasn't the rain that lured you in?" The older woman laughed.
"No, I just, I wanted a change, and I was offered a job at the hospital so I grabbed it while I could."
"And that is where you met Arizona?"
"Yeah. I guess. I mean, we met outside of the hospital too but yes, I first met Arizona at the hospital." Callie tightened her grip on the blonde's hand. "Best thing to ever happen."
"That's sweet." Barbara smiled and glanced at Daniel. She wasn't sure she had ever seen such a smile on his face. "Isn't that sweet, Daniel."
"It is, Barb." He gave a nod in agreement.
"So why is a beautiful woman like you single?" Barbara nonchalantly asked.
Knowing that it wasn't an innocent question, Arizona gave her mother a hard stare. "Mom!" Shaking her head, she knew this was just the beginning of the long list of questions her mother likely had. She wasn't embarrassed or uncomfortable, but now wasn't the time for heartfelt reminiscing. Now wasn't the time for her mother or father to know why Callie and Arizona had truly come together.
"What? It's just a question, dear." Older shoulders shrugging, Barbara knew something was behind those deep brown eyes. Callie's mood had shifted, and the older Robbins noticed immediately. Trying to lighten the mood, Barbara cleared her throat. "You aren't harbouring a fugitive are you, Arizona?"
"Mom, don't be ridiculous." Blue eyes rolled as Arizona pushed her food around on her plate. "Maybe we could keep the questions for another day?"
"It's okay." Callie cut in on her girlfriend's conversation. "I left a relationship just after Arizona started working at the hospital, Mrs Robbins."
"Oh!" Glancing at her daughter, Barbara narrowed her eyes. "Whatever happened?"
"It just, um, just wasn't working." Tanned shoulders shrugged.
Glancing at her daughter, Barbara gave her daughter a knowing look. Watching as her mother mouthed 'did you split them up?' Arizona rolled her eyes. "No, Mom. I did not split them up."
Laughing hard, Callie received a confused look from her girlfriend's parents. "Oh, I can assure you both, Arizona didn't split me and my ex-fiancé up. Your daughter was nothing but wonderful, and supportive."
"Fiancé?" Barbara's eyes grew wider. "Y-You had a fiancé?"
"I did, Mrs Robbins," Callie stated as she finished her supper. "Thank you, that was amazing. Arizona said you were a great cook."
"Thank you, dear." Sensing the change in her guest's behaviour, Barbara decided not to push the subject. "Maybe once you are both settled and have had a good night sleep, we can resume our conversation, Callie?"
"I'd love that. Really." The brunette gave her girlfriend's mother her megawatt smile and stood from her seat. "May I begin clearing things away?"
"Oh, don't be silly. You are our guest. You will do no such thing." Daniel stated as he took Callie's plate from her hand. "Can I offer you a glass of wine, Callie?"
"Thank you, Sir, that would be wonderful." The brunette gave her girlfriend a smile before she left the table and began looking at the photo's lining the walls. She was so adorable. Those dimples have clearly been there forever. Callie smiled as she took in the features of a much younger Arizona. Tim beside her on a number of them, she felt her heart swell. Wow, they look alike. Really alike.
Stopped in her tracks, Daniel returned to the brunette with a glass of red and gave her a smile. "It's so wonderful to have you in our home, Callie. Barb has been desperate to meet you."
"Thank you for having me. It's nice to be in a family again." She stated as she fell into step with the older man.
"Your family? If you don't mind me asking?"
"Not at all. They are in Miami." Sipping on her wine, Callie felt at ease around the military man. "We, um, we don't have the best relationship."
"That is a shame. I would hate that to be us Robbins in that situation. You know, whatever the reason, you are always welcome here. You are a part of our family now, Callie."
"Thank you, Sir."
"Daniel." The older Robbins stated. "I don't need to ask you what your intentions are, it is clear to see. You just look after my little girl, okay?"
"Of course. She has looked after me for long enough. You have a wonderful and loving daughter, Daniel. You and Barbara must be extremely proud of her."
"We are." He gave a nod. "I'll let you get back to my two girls. Arizona will be desperate to know what I've cornered you for."
"Oh, I know. She has been a nervous wreck for days." Callie laughed. "I don't know what she was worried about."
"Oh, I do." Daniel gave the brunette a smirk. "We don't take to new people in Arizona's life too well, usually. Barbara, yes….but me? Not so much."
"Can I ask why the change?" Callie furrowed her brow.
"I could see how happy she was before she had even gotten out of her car. I was watching." He threw Callie a wink and slipped off down the hallway.
What a wonderful family. I don't know what I did to deserve this woman, but there is no way I'm messing this up. She is too good to lose.
Groaning as she stretched out her aching, sleepy body, Callie smiled as she found a mess of blonde curls across her chest. God, she is beautiful. Running her fingers through the golden locks beneath her, she closed her eyes and thanked whatever God was listening for the woman half lay across her body right now. These past several months had been far from what she was familiar with. Arizona hadn't once raised her voice, her fists, her foot. Nothing.
Was the brunette angry towards Suzanne? Of course. She was angry for the two years she had ruined and wasted with her. She was angry for the trust issues she had riled within her. She was angry for the situation altogether. Callie had always believed she was a strong woman. She had always believed that her love would be enough for whoever she spent her life with. That love wasn't meant for Suzanne. She didn't deserve to be worshipped. She didn't deserve to be happy. She no longer even deserved the time of day from the brunette.
Knowing that Arizona was at the opposite end of the scale compared to the redhead, Callie felt blessed every moment she spent with her girlfriend. A breath of fresh air was an understatement. Arizona Robbins was quite possibly an angel on earth. An angel who was meant only for Callie Torres.
Lay back, Callie couldn't understand why Arizona had been so anxious leading up to the trip to her mother's. Barbara had been nothing but wonderful and welcoming, and Daniel, though he didn't say a great deal, had been fantastic. Yes, it was clear that he was ex-military and he was all about authority, but it was evident that he cared about his daughter. It was clear that he cared about who was in her company, her life, and who had her heart.
"You are doing it again." A voice thick with sleep moaned out against caramel skin.
"Yeah, so are you." Callie giggled.
"What? What am I doing? I wasn't doing anything, I was asleep. I was asleep until you woke me up thinking too loud." Arizona slowly sat up.
"Did not!"
"Um, yeah! You did." Pink lips curled into a smile. "What time is it?"
"A little after nine." Callie shrugged. "And you were drooling."
"Okay, so you were definitely thinking. You are never awake this early. Not unless I've kicked you out of our bed. And I do not drool."
"Stop worrying. I wasn't thinking. Well, I was, but just like… in general."
"You sure?" Blue eyes narrowed.
"I'm sure. I promise." Callie smiled. "Now, let's get us some coffee."
"Sounds good." The blonde pressed a kiss to plump red lips. "Should we head out today? Take in a little of my most recent hometown?"
"Yeah, I'd love that. Maybe get a little lunch or something?"
"Deal. I love you." Arizona ran her fingers through dark messy curls.
"I love you, too."
Stepping inside the diner Arizona had picked out, Callie felt a comfort course through her body. Janey's was an old style diner, and the likelihood was that the guy sitting at the end of the counter had done so for the past fifty years. Coffee in hand, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Taking in the decor and the other patrons, Callie smiled. I've never been to a place like this. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone cares. Growing up with money meant that the Torres family never needed to venture out to a local diner. They had an in-house chef who had everything they could possibly ever want prepared and ready for them daily. I'd have loved this growing up. No such luck, huh? Sliding into the booth beside her girlfriend, the look on Callie's face didn't go unnoticed by the blonde. "Um, you okay?"
"Yeah, this is awesome."
"Which?" Arizona furrowed her brow.
"This place. It's awesome." Tanned shoulders shrugged.
"Wait, you've never been in a dive like this, have you?" The blonde placed her hand on her girlfriend's thigh and gave her a sad smile.
"No." Callie shook her head. "Kinda lived a sheltered life."
"Well then, I promise right now that we will do everything you've never done before. If that means taking you to a whole bunch of run-down diners then that is what I'll do." Arizona smiled. "You know, I know we don't usually talk about it anymore and I hate to bring it up but, I um, I thought this would have been the kind of place she would have brought you to. You know, instead of the fancy restaurants that you deserve."
"You're joking, right?" Callie scoffed. "She never took me anywhere. And I don't mind talking about her. Or us. It reminds me of what I have now. How different I feel now. How much you have changed my life."
"It wasn't my plan, you know?"
"What wasn't?" Brown eyes narrowed as Callie stared intently.
"To change your life. I just wanted to love you. I didn't plan on actually changing your life. You should have had an amazing life before me. But you didn't. I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary here. I'm simply loving you, Calliope." Arizona tightened her grip. "This, all of this? It's nothing but loving you."
"But to me, you have changed my life. I actually thought I'd be stuck with her. Like forever. After going back to her, I wasn't sure I'd ever leave her. I wasn't sure she would ever let me leave. I let myself down the day I walked back into that apartment. I was foolish."
"No, baby." Blonde curls shook. "You were in love. I know how hard it is to not love someone when it is all you want. I know that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know that being in a relationship with someone is wrong. I know exactly how that feels."
"H-Have you ever felt like that with me?" The brunette questioned.
"No, and I know I never will. I should have always been with you. I know it. I felt it when I met you. Have you ever worried about being in a relationship with me? Be honest, please."
"No," Callie stated. "I mean, when you walked in and she was doing the usual to me, I panicked. I panicked because I didn't want you getting dragged into her games. I didn't want you to lose your job for attacking her. After I'd thought about it, and after I'd spoken to someone, I realised I'd been stupid to leave you standing outside that apartment building alone. Sure, I didn't like seeing you fight. But the difference between you and her? You were fighting for me. You were stopping her from hurting me. You were protecting me." A tanned hand found it's way to Arizona's face. "You were loving me, right?"
"Right." Arizona gave a nod in agreement. "You know I'd never hurt you?"
"I know." Callie ran her thumb along the blonde's cheek. "You are too good for any of that. I trust you, and I love you, Arizona."
Smiling, a single tear fell from blue eyes. How the hell did I walk away from Natalie and walk into this? How did I land on my feet? How is everything about this woman, about us, so freaking perfect? Clearing her throat, Arizona spoke up. "Let's order."
The walk back to her parent's house had been quiet, and although Arizona knew Callie was processing what her life had become, she was satisfied that they were good. Being back at her parents home had been a little strange at first. A little over a year ago, she had gotten in her car and drove away from the past ten years of her life. Eight of those spent with a woman she loved more than anything else. A woman she had sworn she would one day marry. A woman she thought she would spend forever with.
Reaching her mother's porch, the blonde guided her girlfriend to the bench to the side of the front door and took a seat. Fingers tangled together, she placed her head on Callie's shoulder and took in the moment. It was perfect. Everything about it was more than she ever could have hoped for. This is the woman I will spend forever with. She is the one.
Pulling the blanket from behind them, Callie draped it over their legs and resumed her position. "I love this."
"Huh?" Blue eyes looked up to find the most adorable brown staring back.
"This. Us. On a porch. I love it." Callie smiled. "Do you think we will still be doing this in like twenty years?"
"Yes," Arizona stated. "I know we will still be doing this in twenty years. Even fifty years."
"You think?" Callie raised an eyebrow. "Our own porch, though?"
"Mm, definitely our own porch." The blonde gave a nod in agreement. "Big house?"
"Yeah. I'm thinking like 5 beds?" Callie suggested. "Your parents can come and stay. Maybe one day mine will realise that I'm not worthy of hell and they'll come visit us, too."
"Sounds about right." Arizona laughed. "Yard? A big yard?"
"Definitely a big yard. I want the ki-, I mean, sure. A big yard would be useful for all kinds, right?" The brunette cleared her throat and looked out on the vast expanse of the field in front of the Robbins home.
"You mean for like…dogs? Dogs need a big area to play and exercise." Blue eyes narrowed.
"Sure. For dogs. I love dogs." Callie felt a slight deflation.
Noticing the slumped tanned shoulders immediately, Arizona furrowed her brow. Oh god, what did I say? What did I do? Looking out at the same view as her girlfriend, Arizona thought back on their recent conversation. Oh god, she stopped herself. Does that mean she doesn't? Or does it mean she does but she's not sure I do? Her own internal battle going on inside, Arizona turned in her seat and took Callie's hands in her own. "Callie?"
"Yeah?"
"How big do we need this yard, exactly?" Never losing the brunette's gaze, Arizona tried to gauge her girlfriend's emotions.
"J-Just big enough for dogs. Like you said, they need their exercise." Callie gave a half smile before dropping her gaze.
"Well yeah, they do need a lot of space. So, how big are you thinking? Are you thinking like two dogs? Two dogs and one kid? One dog and five kids? Because I kind of think it's cruel to just have one dog. It's not fair. It will need another to keep it company. Especially when we are too busy rushing the kids to school or ballet or soccer. Whatever they decide to take up." Pale shoulders shrugged.
Brown eyes glistened as Callie caught the seriousness on her girlfriend's face. She's not just telling me what I want to hear. She means that. She means everything she has just said. Oh god! I think I just fell in love with this woman all over again. Unable to process what had just happened, Callie began stuttering. "I, uh, I mean, yeah… two dogs."
"We'd have to buy a bigger house than we thought. I mean, I'd like two kids. But then that's only two times we will have babies in our arms, so I'm thinking three kids. But I hate odd numbers so we would have to go for four?" Arizona started to ramble. "Three wouldn't work anyway. One would always feel left out. I'd hate for one of our children to feel left out. Those little brown eyes with tears in them because her brother locked her out of his tree house. You know, I just could bare it. It would break my heart."
"Uh."
"Callie? I need you to help me out here. I'm struggling with numbers and sizes and names and locations." Arizona tightened her grip on the tanned hands in her own. "Baby?"
"Y-You want kids? With me?" Callie croaked. "You actually want kids with me?"
"Um, yeah. Of course, I do. I want everything with you, Cal-" Arizona was cut off when red lips connected with her own. Swallowing a deep moan, the blonde felt her entire being ignite. We cannot have sex on my parent's porch. Pulling back, she pressed feather light kisses along a defined jawline before reaching Callie's ear. "Do you want everything with me, Calliope?"
Turning and resting her forehead against Arizona's, Callie smiled into another kiss. "More than you could ever know."
Thanks for reading, guys. Again, I'm sorry for the delay in updating. Life has most definitely got in the way over the last month or so.
I look forward to reading all of your reviews and opinions. Hit me with em'.