Chapter 5

Callie made her way to the day care centre after a busy but fulfilling day. Her department budget had been approved and her veteran project was getting substantial funding from the Marines so she could further develop her robotic limbs. This latter news was delivered to her today by none other than Vivian Emerson. Her ex-wife's girlfriend. The thought brought a frown to her face. She had been working with Vivian for the past 3 months and couldn't fault her. Professionally, she commanded respect. She was wonderful to the veterans on the project, they sang her praises for all the work she did for them, supporting them, making sure they didn't have to worry about money while going through a lengthy rehabilitation and helping them plan their futures.

Callie wasn't sure if she was her ex-wife's girlfriend. She knew they spent a lot of time together when Vivian was in town, which was one week a month. Callie didn't know why it bothered her, but it did. She and Arizona had fallen into a comfortable relationship, having dinner once a week with Sofia, they were still a family after all. Arizona had even teased Callie about the new woman in Callie's life. Callie had been dating a lawyer for the past couple of months. Nancy Parendo worked for the hospital and Callie had met her at one of the dreaded board meetings she was forced to attend. They had hit it off and Callie had been feeling adventurous, asking the brunette out for dinner. She was steering clear of blondes.

She stopped at the window to the day-care as she saw her wife, her ex-wife, sitting beside Sofia. She smiled as she watched Arizona nod and smile as Sofia explained something, waving her hands about, her beautiful little face lit up with excitement. Arizona's hair was tied in a stylish bun, with some strands framing her face. Callie could see she was wearing a navy dress under her white coat, and yes, she looked hot. Ignoring the familiar stirring in her stomach, she pushed open the door, her own face lighting up as Sofia turned to her and ran towards her, raising her arms for a hug.

"Mami, I'm gonna play soccer" Sofia gushed as Callie lifted her up with a groan.

"Sofia sweetie you are getting so big, soon Mami won't be able to pick you up" Callie teased as she tickled Sofia.

Squealing with laughter, Sofia struggled to be put down, and ran towards Arizona for protection. Arizona had stood up when Sofia ran to Callie. She now grinned and steadied herself as Sofia wrapped her arms around her legs from behind, hiding from Callie.

"Soccer?" Callie asked, raising an eyebrow.

Arizona lowered her head sheepishly

"She asked and Zola is playing so I thought why not? Sorry, I should have asked you first." She offered apologetically

Callie shrugged. "Well, we always wanted her to play sports and if Zola is doing it…" she trailed off.

Arizona nodded and pulled Sofia in front of her. Bending down, she kissed her on the cheeks and said "I'll see you tomorrow baby"

Sofia squirmed in the embrace, still laughing "I'm not a baby mama"

Callie noticed the fleeting sadness on Arizona's face as she straightened the soft sigh she released as she smoothed Sofia's hair.

"I know you're not sweetie" she said softly

"Arizona?" Callie questioned, walking closer. "You okay?"

Nodding Arizona, smiled, her dimples not quite popping, her eyes, not quite shining

"Yeah, it's just.. She's not a baby anymore. I miss the baby days" Arizona said sadly

Callie was surprised. Not at what she said, but surprised that Arizona actually said what she was feeling, without any persuasion from Callie. She had been so used to her nodding, smiling and saying 'nothing's wrong' when Callie asked before. Callie had always spoken her mind, maybe too openly, often being accused by her parents and teachers of saying the first thing that came into her head, without thinking about it. Arizona on the other hand, liked to process everything. This had been one of their problems. Their different ways of communication, failing to talk, failing to listen, and never quite finding the balance, especially in the last few years of their marriage.

She closed the gap and stood behind Sofia, nodding in agreement at Arizona and placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders. She understood what Arizona was feeling. They had both yearned to add to their family and the miscarriage, God she had handled that so badly, both of them, instead of supporting each other and grieving together they had grown further apart.

Looking down at her daughter, who's head was tilted back, grinning up at her Mami with a toothy grin, she decided to lighten the mood.

"Do you miss her stinky diapers?" she looked at Arizona winking, delighted when Arizona did her eye squint and subtle nod in reply

"Hey" Sofia shouted, not impressed.

Arizona nodded "they were stinky"

"Mama!" Sofia squealed , giggling and pretending to pout.

Callie swatted her on the butt, "Get your bag mija, we have to go" laughing as Sofia dodged around Arizona to gather up her things.

Callie noticed this time Arizona's smile lit up her face and it warmed Callie's heart that she had brought her this little bit of happiness.

"I'd better go too, I have rounds to finish" Arizona said, waving at Sofia.

"You look pretty" Callie blurted out.

Arizona's surprised gaze took in Callie's flushed cheeks.

Callie closed her eyes and groaned "Sorry, that just popped into my head, I know it's not appropriate to say that"

Arizona laughed and reached a hand out to pat Callie's arm.

"Well, we are friends now right? I think it's okay to tell friends if they look nice"

Callie nodded gratefully, relieved she hadn't made things awkward between them.

That was until she opened her mouth again " Are you seeing Vivian tonight? Are you dating?"

Arizona's smile faltered, caught off guard by the question. She and Callie had finally reached a place where they could be comfortable in each other's company, talking about pretty much everything. Everything except Vivian.

Callie had spoken about the woman she had been dating, Nancy, who Arizona knew of course from hospital board meetings. Arizona liked Nancy but her stomach churned and she clenched her teeth together pretending to smile in interest when Callie about their dates and how interesting and funny Nancy was. Thank God, Callie never spoke about any intimate details of her dating life. There was absolutely no way Arizona could fake smile listening to that.

"It's uh, complicated" Arizona offered weakly "Have to go, see ya" she waved as she fled the day-care centre with a bewildered Callie watching her retreating form.

Callie shook her head and though "what was that?". She wanted Arizona to be happy, really she did, but she couldn't help feeling a little lighter knowing the relationship wasn't a done deal.