"I haven't had desert that amazing in a while." Arizona breathed out heavily as she sat back against the wooden chair.
"My father used to bring me here all the time." Jennifer smiled as she placed her spoon back in the bowl. "On a Friday after school, he'd pick me up and bring me here. Friday's were known as DJ night, Dad and Jen night."
Arizona smiled in returned. In the brief time she had known Jennifer, she had found out that Jennifer's mother had left Harold and his daughter the day before her sixteenth birthday. From the emotion portrayed when Jennifer told her story, Arizona could tell it was a sore subject.
"Your dad sounds like a lovely man."
"He is my hero, much like you and your dad."
The conversation between the two women carried on naturally until the bill had been paid and they were walking out the restaurant. The pair walked towards the car in silence, both of them taking in the night life around them.
Just like in the restaurant, the conversations between the two was natural and flowed. The twenty minute journey home was filled with talks about Sofia and Jennifer's latest drama between two ninth graders. Arizona couldn't remember the last time she connected with someone so easily, well she could but that relationship ended in divorce. There were never any forced moments when she was with Jennifer. Arizona truly enjoyed her company whether it was at a restaurant, or simply a whistle stop tour before one of them had to work.
Jennifer pulled into the drive of Arizona's house and silenced the engine. The teacher turned to Arizona and reached for her hand. "Thank you for agreeing to this, I know it's been a long day with the party."
"I should be the one thanking you! I didn't expect to be taken out, it's only my birthday." Arizona shrugged her shoulders.
Jennifer smiled at the blonde women as she laced their fingers together. "You deserve to be spoiled on your birthday."
"Spending the day with everyone was so lovely, but being taken out for desert by a very pretty women topped it off." Arizona grinned as she cheekily winked at Jennifer.
Jennifer was about to lean in closer when the sound of Arizona's front door opening disturbed their moment. Turning to the door, Jennifer spotted a hyper Sofia bouncing up and down on the spot.
"I thought you said Sofia was with her mother tonight?"
Slightly frowning in confusion Arizona nodded before reaching to unbuckle herself "Callie probably got paged in, meaning I have to deal with my chocolate blooded daughter!" Arizona laughed as she reached over and placed a hand on Jennifer's leg. "Thank you again."
Jennifer smiled and leant over to place a chaste kiss on Arizona's cheek, she felt the dip of a dimple underneath her lips.
Arizona got out the car and made her way towards the little girl. "Hey bug!" Sofia raised her arms indicating she wanted to be picked up.
Gesturing back towards Jennifer, Arizona waved. Her action was copied by Sofia.
The mother and daughter made their way back inside, Sofia immediately wanted to be put down where she ran upstairs into her room. Discarding herself of her jacket, Arizona sought out to find her parents. Barbara and Daniel were sat on the porch, both holding a glass of wine.
"Did Callie get paged?" Arizona asked, her voice startling the couple.
"Oh Arizona, you're back! Sit, tell me everything!" Barbara cooed as she moved right along the outdoor couch making room for Arizona to squeeze in between herself and Daniel.
"No, we just thought it would be nice to have our little soldier for one more night before we leave." Daniel added. "Callie is coming to pick up Sofia in the morning."
The blonde nodded as she squeezed herself into the gap made for her. No more than thirty seconds after she sat down, Arizona could feel her mother nudging her. It was an attempt to get her talking.
Quite frankly Arizona didn't want to talk, today had been such a whirlwind and she still hadn't caught up with everything that happened. The duration of the week Arizona had been uptight, she couldn't understand what her and Callie's kiss had meant. Was it just a lapse in judgement? One for the road? The second Arizona had kissed Lauren, she instantly regretted her actions. It wasn't a secret amongst her friends and family that cheating on Callie was the one thing she regretted most in her life, Lauren saw her as a person not as an amputee. In that moment, she had acted on the desire.
Kissing Callie made her feel whole again, she underestimated just how much she had missed the brunette. Regardless of the conflict and bitter conformation that happened between the two, Arizona always knew their connection was unbreakable. For months Arizona had wished what it would be like to have her Calliope's lips on hers again. Yet as soon she walked out the door, regret had once again filled her senses. There was only one problem at that time. Penny Blake. Arizona knew history was repeating itself. She had cheated on Callie with Lauren, and even though to people on the outside Callie and Arizona had only shared a kiss, the truth was Callie had cheated on Penny.
Jennifer was another problem in their newly formed storm. Arizona truly liked the woman, she was easy to get along with, they shared the same sense of humour and Jennifer thought the world of her. Arizona could've of potentially seen herself getting into a long term relationship with her. Jennifer showed her what it was like to be free, even though they had seen each other only a matter of four times but each time they found themselves enjoying each other's company more and more. The issue that now surrounded Arizona was the second kiss she shared with Callie. She had instigated it, the overwhelming feeling of having Callie so close to her as well as the residue left from their previous kiss had become too much. Hearing Callie tell her that their kiss was like coming home had sealed the deal, she couldn't ignore the feeling anymore.
Throughout the separation and divorce Arizona had buried her feelings, Callie was so determined to end their marriage making Arizona bury her still existent feelings for good. For once, she didn't want to be the one begging. There was no doubt in her mind, that she still loved Callie, she never stopped. But for once she wanted the ball in her court.
"Daniel, can you go put Sofia to bed. I think we've let her stay up enough past her bed time." Barbara muttered as she handed her own wine glass to Arizona sensing her daughter needed a pick me up.
Daniel agreed to his wife's demand and went into the house in search of his little soldier.
"Would you like to tell me what's on your mind?"
Taking a large sip of the wine, Arizona turned to her mum. "I've never felt so confused in my life." Another sip.
Realising it was going to be a longer talk then she anticipated, Barbara went to fetch a blanket as well as the wine bottle her and Daniel had previously opened.
"Start from the beginning." Barbara eagerly spoke as she refilled her daughter's wine glass.
"It all started when I stayed over at Callie's." The start of the story was enough to make Barbara's eyes widen.
For the next half an hour Arizona spilled her heart out to her mother, not leaving out an inch of detail. Barbara sat back in the couch as she took in all the new information, her heart sped up as she learnt of Arizona's impromptu sleepover with Sofia and Callie. Her heart sped up in anger when she learnt of Penny's involvement in the argument… but most of all, her heart sped up in hope as she listen to Arizona talk about how she and Callie reconnected.
"I just don't know what to do? I really like Jennifer, but Callie is… its Calliope mom." Arizona sighed.
"You know my opinion on you and Callie, you two have a connection that can't be pushed aside. It shouldn't be ignored. Jennifer seems like a loyal and genuine woman, but you have to think to the future. In twenty years' time when Sofia is gallivanting around the world, Andrew is gone and you're left alone in this house. Who can you see coming home to? Is it Jennifer or Callie?"
Arizona stayed quiet.
"That's the question you have to ask yourself sweetheart, no one can answer it for you. I know you feel like you're stuck at the moment especially as Jennifer has entered the equation and Penny is with Callie, but you have to do what makes you happy."
Arizona moved closer towards her mom and linked their arms together. Just sometimes, all you need is your mothers touch.
….
"Just one more page bug, and then breakfast will be ready." Arizona gently spoke to her daughter as she encouraged her to continue to read the book she had been given to by kindergarten staff.
Sofia smiled back at her mother before trying her hardest to correctly read the following page. All she wanted was to go eat breakfast, the smell was stopping her from full concentration. Barbara had woken both mother and daughter up in a hurry when they had over slept, Callie was due to come and get Sofia mid-morning… exactly an two hours after the duo were woken up.
The moment Sofia finished the last word on the page, she slammed the book down in her mother's lap and made a quick dash towards the source of the smell. Arizona let out a chuckle, her daughter had a love for food that was almost has intense as her love for sleeping. Clearing up after the morning reading session, Arizona made her way towards the kitchen when someone knocked on the door. Looking down at her watch, she winced as she realised it was most likely to be Callie.
Barbara came rushing out from the kitchen and shoved Arizona backwards explaining that she should go eat. Complying with her mother, Arizona made her way to the kitchen. Sofia was sat at the table tucking into her home made breakfast, she was mid conversation with Andrew.
"No Maggie this morning?" Arizona smirked as she took a seat on the other side of the table, a plate of her mother's famous poached eggs had been placed neatly on the place mat ready for her.
Andrew returned Arizona's smirk, ever since his roommate had found out about his relationship she did everything in her power to bring up his current girlfriend.
Arizona was about to hit Andrew with a sarcastic remark when the sound of her mother became louder. Turning back to look at the doorway, she watched Barbara re-enter the kitchen with Callie in tow.
"I invited Callie to stay for breakfast as Sofia isn't ready in time." Barbara informed everyone, she didn't look at Arizona for any confirmation just went about preparing another plate.
Callie awkwardly made her way to sit in-between Andrew and Arizona. She had known of her ex-wife's decision to rent out her spare room to an intern, but coincidentally each time Callie had come to exchange Sofia she never saw Andrew, and now she was sat having breakfast with him.
"Morning mami!" Sofia forced out while eating a mouthful, she smiled as she placed her hand over her mouth releasing that she had eaten with her mouth full. Waiting till she had finished, she looked at both her mothers and apologised.
Andrew had quickly finished the last mouthful of his breakfast before politely excusing himself. Living with an attending and her child was something he had become used to but having breakfast with another attending, who happened to make the atmosphere awkward was something he needed to escape.
Barbara placed the plate down in front of Callie who thanked her in return. "I have missed your cooking Barbara."
"Nana's eggs are nearly as good as blue pancakes!" Sofa beamed.
Both her mother's smiled at each other.
"I hear you had blue pancakes a few months back." Barbara pressed, as she watched her granddaughter turn in her chair to face her.
"It was sooooooo good nana! Me and Mami made pancakes while momma slept, did you know she stole ted!" Just like Alex had done to the little girl months ago, Barbara had widened her eyes and faked a shocked expression.
While Barbara engaged in a conversation with Sofia, the two doctors were sat eating their breakfast in silence.
"I'm sorry Sofia wasn't ready, we woke up late." Callie brushed Arizona off, she knew her ex-wife wouldn't have intentionally made Sofia behind in schedule.
"It's okay, she's been around family!" Callie smiled.
Flicking her eyes to her daughter Arizona made sure Sofia was busy talking to her mother before turning towards Callie, Arizona lowered her voice. "We need to talk about yesterday."
Callie nodded, she was about to speak when Sofia turned herself round to face both her mothers. "Momma, can I go play?" Callie exchanged looked with Arizona. "You can go play for a bit before we leave, not long though Sofia."
Callie nodded her head at Arizona for a second time, the blonde knew it was a way of saying they would talk about it later. The two women carried on eating in silence.
Arizona managed finished before Callie, and like DeLuca did she excused herself and went outside to find Sofia.
Callie sat at the table by herself, she couldn't help but feel slightly nostalgic. Whenever Barbara and Daniel had visited the couple breakfast would always be cooked for them while they doted on Sofia. She had always had a strong bond with her ex parents in law, Callie instantly connected with Barbara. She had longed for a motherly bond, with the non-existent relationship with her own mother, Callie was thankful when Barbara had welcomed her into the family with open arms.
"Callie! You have to come and see this!" Barbara laughed as she stood watching through the patio doors.
Callie walked to where Barbara was stood, outside in the garden Sofia was running around with a blue net. The net was waving around in an attempt to catch a butterfly. Arizona was standing further away from Sofia with a net of her own. It was quickly observed that Sofia was trying to pressurise the butterfly into going towards Arizona's direction.
The butterfly complied and flew in the direction of Arizona, at the last moment when Arizona's face widened in excitement the butterfly flew to the left. Sofia barrelled into Arizona as the pair erupted into laughter.
Both adults watching the scene couldn't help but laugh. The sight of Arizona lifting Sofia into the air was a sight Callie loved, it was something she knew she wanted to see over and over again. Her daughter's face was creased as she laughed, she could hear the loud laughter from Sofia. Arizona, just like Sofia, had a creased face. Seeing Sofia laugh made her heart clench, the little girl was the most important person in her life. She still couldn't comprehend just how much she loved her daughter.
Arizona turned to face the window holding Sofia up higher in a way to show her mother and ex-wife. Sofia tried to wave but erupted in a new wave of laughter as her mother began tickling her. Callie placed her hand over her mouth as she zoned into the scene. She specifically watched Arizona. The blonde's dimples were on full show and her smile was so genuine. From the distance she was at Callie couldn't just about see the sparkle in Arizona's eyes, but she didn't need to see the sparkle whenever Arizona was with Sofia her eyes would tell her every emotion.
"I could watch them all day." Barbara admitted.
"I can't believe I let her go." Callie blurted out, she didn't flinch when Barbara whipped her head round. She just simply started out at Arizona and their daughter.
Hey guys I'm back! Sorry it was a long wait for this update, life got in the way of things. I'm not sure if I like this chapter, but I wanted to get something done for you asap. I hope you enjoy it!