"Okay before we get started, let me put the kids to bed," Meredith says looking over at Bailey asleep in Arizona's lap.
"I've got Ellis," Maggie says standing up with the baby in her arms.
"Come on Zo," Meredith says to her daughter who is curled up on the couch listening to music.
"Let me get Bailey," Alex says going over to Arizona and taking him from her.
"Alex will you read me that story in the voices?" Zola asks taking her headset off.
"You bet, I'll put your brother to bed and I'll be right in, okay?" he asks her as they walk over to the stairs together.
"Oh, I guess I have the night off," Meredith remarks watching them take her kids to bed. "More wine for me!" she jokes topping off her glass, then pouring the rest into Arizona's glass.
Arizona stands up to stretch after having Bailey sleeping on her. "Oh, it's snowing now," she says looking out the window.
"Ugh, you guys should stay here. Now there's snow on top of that ice, there's no reason to drive in it." Meredith points out.
"Have they been busy?" Meredith asks when Alex finishes talking to Jo on the phone.
"Yeah, they've been steady. And apparently the road crews didn't get out soon enough to pre-treat, so they are telling people not to drive tonight if they don't have to," he informs them.
"Well, then it's settled. You guys are staying here. Alex, you can take the guest room and Arizona can stay in my room, I'll sleep with Bailey," Meredith replies.
"Meredith, I can sleep on the couch. You don't need to give up your bed," Arizona remarks.
"Nonsense, I hate sleeping alone and this gives me an excuse not to," Meredith jokes. "And I insist."
"Okay, here's something to sleep in, now are you sure that you don't need anything else?" Meredith asks her.
"No, I'll be fine," she remarks.
A soft knock on the door and they look at each other awkwardly for a minute.
"Arizona?" Alex says softly.
"Come in," she replies laughing at their reaction.
"Hey, I just realized that you don't have crutches here," he points out, "so I'll leave my phone on, just call if you need anything."
"Uh," Arizona says uncomfortably, "Alex, I was just going to sleep with it on, tonight."
"But then you'll have swelling tomorrow," he points out.
Meredith looks from one to the other, she didn't even think about any of this. "Uh, hey why don't I stay here with you, it's a big bed and that way if you do need to get up, I can help you."
"Wow, you really hate sleeping alone to offer to do that," Arizona jokes nervously.
"It's sleep with me or sleep with Alex and he snores," Meredith replies sarcastically.
"She snores too!" he points out.
"I do not snore," she says shooing him out of the room and closing the door.
Arizona sits nervously on the bed. "I haven't done this before," she admits.
"Haven't slept in the same bed with a friend?" Meredith asks.
"No, I've done that," she says laughing, "I haven't done this in front of anyone," she says pulling the nightgown up to reveal her prosthetic.
"Would you rather I go into the bathroom until you're in bed?" Meredith asks, concerned.
"Yes, but stay. If you don't mind, I mean. I need to get more comfortable with this," Arizona replies softly.
"Okay, I'll stay." Meredith says sitting down on the other side of the bed.
They lay quietly for a few minutes, not really knowing what to say to each other.
"I'm sorry, I didn't even think about any of this when I was insisting that you stay over," Meredith says rolling over to look at the blonde.
"It's fine. I need to figure it out, I mean how will I ever date again, if I don't get over this fear of people seeing me like this," Arizona replies softly.
"You could just do what I do and give up dating altogether," Meredith replies.
"Meredith, that will change in time," Arizona replies turning over to face her.
"I don't think it will. I can't even imagine being with anyone again," Meredith says softly.
"I feel the same way, I think Callie was it for me. No one can compare to her," Arizona says sadly.
"Derek's ruined me and Callie's ruined you. What a pair we are," Meredith replies laughing softly.
They lay there a few minutes each deep in their own thoughts, then Meredith reaches out and lays her hand on Arizona's arm. "Thank you for coming tonight. It's good to be able to say these things to someone who understands."
"You're welcome. And thank you for this, I spend so much time alone now, I don't think I realized how lonely I've been," Arizona replies covering Meredith's hand with her own. "Good night Meredith."
"Good night Arizona," Meredith replies moving a little closer to the blonde as she pulls her hand back.
Arizona lays still, her heart racing; this is not what she expected to happen when she agreed to come over for dinner tonight. Sure she's known Meredith for years, but they've never really been close. And she supposes that it makes sense, now that they are both single mothers. And Callie and Meredith's friendship hasn't been the same since the whole Penny situation, so it makes sense that Meredith would turn to someone new, outside of it. Arizona is just surprised to realize that she seems to have developed a bit of a friend crush on her.
Waking up the next morning, Arizona smiles into the warmth of the body wrapped around her, until she remembers who it is and then she panics a little.
Meredith wakes up, a little confused when she realizes that she's wrapped herself around Arizona, then she feels Arizona's body stiffen in her arms. "Um, I should have warned you that I'm a cuddler," she says rolling onto her back away from the blonde and laughing softly.
"It's okay," Arizona says rolling over to face her, "I have to admit, I slept really well. Embarrassed now, but well rested at least," she jokes.
"Me too," Meredith agrees, looking over at her and smiling. "We just slept together and cuddled, I guess this means were bffs," she teases.
"I haven't had a female bff in a long time, you may have to remind me how this works," Arizona replies playfully.
"Wait, are you saying that all of your female friends are ex-girlfriends?" Meredith asks.
"Uh, well just the ones that I've slept with," Arizona replies laughing.
"What about Teddy and April?" Meredith asks.
"I've never shared a bed or slept with them," Arizona remarks.
"Oh, well I make all of my friends sleep with me, I hate sleeping alone," Meredith replies laughing again.
"How was your Thanksgiving?" Callie asks. It's Sunday and she's dropping Sofia off at Arizona's as promised.
"It was good, but I sure missed my girl," Arizona replies bending down to help Sofia take her coat off.
"Dad says hello and that you shouldn't be a stranger," Callie remarks.
"Carlos said that?" Arizona asks surprised.
"He did. He wants you to visit this spring and he's offered you a suite at the hotel of your choice, all you have to do is take Sofia with you," Callie explains.
"Well, that's quite generous of him to offer," Arizona remarks.
"Sometimes, I think he likes you more than he likes me," Callie says sarcastically.
"Sounds like your visit was a little rough, do you want to talk about it?" Arizona asks.
"I do, but not tonight. Maybe lunch tomorrow?" Callie asks yawning. "I should get home, I could really use a hot bath and a good night's sleep before work tomorrow," she admits.
"Okay, we'll talk tomorrow, good night," Arizona says leaning over and giving the brunette a light hug goodbye.
The next morning Arizona is pulling Sofia out of her car when Meredith comes up behind her. "Good morning!" she says cheerily.
"Oh hey good morning," Arizona says over her shoulder. "Where are your kids?" she asks.
"Maggie has today off and she wanted them to stay with her, so I just dropped Zola off at school." Meredith explains reaching over to take Sofia's other hand. "Grab your stuff, I've got her," she adds.
"Oh, thanks." Arizona says grabbing her stuff from the passenger seat and shutting the door.
Callie is walking across the parking lot when she notices Meredith stopping to talk to Arizona, then take Sofia's hand. This is new, when did they become friends, she wonders.
"Hey Mer, thanks for inviting Arizona to Thanksgiving," Callie says when she runs into her later that morning.
"Callie, it has nothing to do with you. You don't need to thank me," Meredith points out.
"Uh, I just figured you invited her because we're friends and I sort of left her alone," Callie explains.
Meredith looks at her incredulously, "I have news for you Torres, I invited her to Thanksgiving because she's my friend, not because she's your ex. You need to check yourself, everything's not about you," Meredith replies sharply.