"Aunt Miranda" Sofia squealed as she ran into the older woman's arms as her mother opened the apartment door.
"Miss Sofia, look at how much you have grown, you are almost as tall as Tuck." Miranda said as she hugged the little girl, causing the little girl to blush. Miranda looked to the little girls mother and said "Torres, you look well." She hugged her old friend. "Where's Blake?"
Callie invited her in. "Penny couldn't get off work. Come in, sit, I made lunch. Make yourself at home. How is everything at Grey Sloan? What's the latest gossip?" She anxiously awaiting a reply.
Bailey made herself comfortable and pulled the little one onto her lap, she looked at Callie and said "Well, everything is just the same, except that you aren't there." Bailey wasn't one to gossip and she knew Callie was fishing for information. To be honest, Bailey still held a little grudge against her friend for leaving her position and 'chasing tail across the country.'
Callie thanked Bailey for taking Sofia back to Seattle with her. She asked what sort of business was Bailey doing in New York? Bailey replied that she was interviewing a physician. Callie casually laughed and said to her old boss "Still haven't replaced me yet?"
Bailey informed her "I have not, I was interviewing Dr Gwen Richardson. She's at New York Presbyterian with you. Do you know her?"
Callie replied that the name sounded familiar but since she was only working part time she was not at the hospital much. Bailey shook her head. She could not understand that her old friend would step down from her chief position to a part time position without any research possibilities. And all for a relationship that was still very new. She hadn't agreed with Callie's decision and hated the custody fight that her friends had gone through. She did not agree with separating a child from a parent, she knew from her own experiences how her own divorce affected Tuck. She was very shocked when Arizona let the brunette take the little girl even after she had won custody.
They finished lunch and Callie told Sofia to go get her suitcase from her room. She turned to Bailey and said "How's Arizona? Is she feeling okay? Is she dating anyone?"
Bailey snorted "Torres, you know I don't do personal."
Sofia came out bouncing, she was so excited "Aunt Miranda, I am so glad you are taking me home to my Momma."
Miranda saw how the words cut the older brunette. But Bailey felt that Callie brought it on herself. Callie's cellphone went off and she said "That's our car service to take us to the airport." They loaded into the car listening to the little girl speaking a mile a minute.
Callie and Sofia said their goodbyes and Miranda hugged her old friend and told her to stay in touch. Callie watched them walk away. She pulled out her phone and texted Arizona that she just dropped them at the airport and for her to text when they arrived. Arizona replied thank you and I will.
Callie appreciated that she was able to use a car service. She hated New York traffic. She sat back and since she already had her phone out, she decided to do a little research. She googled Dr Gwen Richardson. Her heart immediately sank. She saw the specialty and came to the conclusion that Miranda was replacing Arizona. Her ex-wife's illness must be really bad. She started crying and dialed a number. When it was answered Callie said "Daddy..."
Arizona was standing at the door bouncing at her knees. "Mer? Are you ready?"
Meredith walked into to foyer and looked at her watch. "Arizona, their flight wont be here for another two hours. Maggie isn't even here yet. We need to wait for her or we would have to take the kids." She looked into blue eyes and saw the anxiousness and said "I'll get the kids." She kissed her girlfriend and Arizona smiled "I'm sorry, I just can't wait to see her."
Bailey walked in giggling "kissy face" as he placed his hands over his mouth in a fit of uncontrollable laughter. He had began to do this whenever he saw the two women together. Zola walked in holding Ellis' diaper bag and rolled her eyes at her little brother. "Arizona? Are we going with you to pick up Sofia?" Arizona smiled and bent down to tie Bailey's shoe.
"Yes, we are going as a family." Meredith said as she came around the corner holding Ellis who immediately reached for Arizona. Meredith mumbled "I swear it's like you gave birth to her." As she handed the baby over. They smiled and kissed that was interrupted by Bailey giggling "kissy face."
They were standing at the terminal when they spotted the pair exiting the plane. Arizona instantly started to cry as she fell to her knees and pulled Sofia into a hug. Everyone respected the moment and hung back "Oh Momma, I missed you so much." "I missed you too." She went to stand but was having an issue with her leg. Meredith stepped in and helped her up. She wiped away the tears and leaned in to kiss Arizona as Bailey started giggling and said "kissy face." Sofia and Zola were hugging and already scheming and making plans.
The chief looked at the two women and said "Are you two being nasty in front of my namesake?" She tried to sound disgruntled but the truth was, she was happy for the two. She has known them both for a very long time and they both deserved happiness.
She said "Can we get this show on the road? I have my men waiting on me at home."
They thanked Bailey for all she has done for them as they were dropping her off at her home. Bailey replied that she was happy to do it and she would keep Arizona posted if she heard anything from Dr Richardson. They then headed to Meredith's.
When they arrived Arizona pulled Sofia aside to have a talk "Sweetie, I wanted to talk to you about something. Meredith and I are dating." Sofia said "Like girlfriends?" Arizona smiled and said "Yes, like girlfriends. I wanted to tell you, but I wanted to do it when we were together and not on the phone. I want to make sure you are okay with this. Now you are here the whole week and we will go back to my place on some days, but if it's okay with you, we will stay here some too. Do you have any questions for me?"
Sofia looked up and said "I'm glad you and Meredith are girlfriends. I like that you are not alone while I'm with Mommy. Does this mean that Zola, Bailey and Ellis are going to be my brother and sisters?"
Arizona was shocked at the maturity of her little girl. She asked her "Is that something you would want?" "Oh yes, I have always wanted brothers and sisters, like you had Uncle Tim and Mommy has Tia Aria. Can I go play now?" Arizona kissed her and squeezed her tight and said "Yes, go play."
It was late when everyone was finally settled for the night. They put Sofia in with Zola and were pretty sure that when they woke in the morning Bailey would be in there as well. Meredith held Arizona while Arizona told Meredith all about her conversation with Sofia. She finally asked her girlfriend "I missed her so much. Did I do the right thing letting Callie take her to New York?"
Meredith studied the blonde "Well, Sofia seems happy. But if you are having second thoughts, maybe we should talk to Callie."
Arizona teared up. "I can't uproot her, that wouldn't be healthy for her." Meredith comforted her girlfriend and said "Arizona, you wouldn't be uprooting her. Callie uprooted her." She put her hands on both sides of her girlfriends face and said "I love you. We are in this together." She started kissing Arizona which led to her showing her girlfriend just how much she loved her.