A/N: Snow day! Instead of shoveling, I spent the day writing. The mailman may hate me tomorrow, but hopefully you won't! This is a super long one. I think our girls are ready for some fun and fluffy times ahead.

Also, PolishCalzonaFan, thank you for the feedback about the last chapter. I didn't realize it wasn't clear. I went back and fixed it as you suggested.

Also, I posted 3 chapters between Thursday night and Saturday (23, 24, and 25) in case you missed them.

I own nothing, though I wish I did.

Pulling into her usual spot outside the medical center, Callie could feel the nerves settling in the pit of her stomach. Ever since Arizona's little speech at the café when she mentioned wanting to know all about the center, she knew she had to come clean. Based upon her ex-wife's reactions to everything else, she was fairly certain she had nothing to worry about, but she was battling 5 years of conditioning where everything pertaining to the leg was off-limits, so her anxiety was heightened. Shutting off the engine, she reached out and took Arizona's hand before she could get out of the car. Arizona looked up and saw Callie's worried expression and linked their fingers together to offer silent support as she quietly asked, "What is it sweetie?" Callie looked up at the sign on the building, took a deep breath and said, "Earlier, you said you had your suspicions about why I did all this. Will you, um, will you tell me what they are?" Arizona thought for a minute then responded honestly, "Well, you specialize in treating amputees and your research is focused on creating robotic limbs, so I am assuming our experiences had a great deal to do with it. I'm not conceited enough to think you did it all because of me, but I feel like if this didn't happen, you wouldn't have narrowed your focus in this direction." Callie nodded then asked, "Why do you think I named it Fresh START?" Shrugging, Arizona said, "Well, it kind of seems obvious that you are giving a fresh start to your patients, fitting them with prosthetics and making sure they get the care they need to start their lives all over again." Callie agreed, "That is the obvious answer, yes. But to me, this center, well, you're not wrong, I think…I think I started developing the concept for it six years ago when I wanted to give my wife a fresh start and because of our experiences, I expanded on the idea. It's not just the prosthesis, I thought about everything we didn't know, everything we had to learn, everything we tried to do on our own and incorporated it all here, PT, OT, mental health. But in the back of my mind, you were there. You were there every step of the way Arizona."

Starting to understand that this was all because of her, Arizona looked back up at the sign on the building and for the first time realized the word 'start' was in all capital letters indicating it was an acronym for something. As she stared at the sign, she tried to figure out what it could stand for that would have her ex-wife so nervous when finally two letters popped out at her and she asked cautiously, "Callie, what does START stand for?" Swallowing thickly, Callie explained, "When the project got underway, my attorney suggested I create an LLC for my projects and my own protection, like we did with the hospital. I, um, well, I wanted to memorialize Derek, because he started this with me and we, uh, we started it for you, and…and…I ah, I wanted to recognize that and, and honor you…and I know you don't think it, but Arizona you don't understand what an inspiration you are, to me, to Sofia, to our colleagues…a todos y simplemente no pude crear este centro y no…" Arizona was slightly amused as she watched Callie nervously stammer her way through her explanation and realized the minute she started speaking in Spanish this could go on for a while. Finally she said, "Callie, stop. Breathe. Talk to me…uh in English." Hearing Arizona's calm tone broke Callie from her nervous rant and she did as she was told and finally looked Arizona in the eye as she said, "START LLC stands for Shepherd, Torres, And Robbins Technologies, and, uh…" She paused and brought her hand up to rub along the stubble on the side of her head as she finished, "…and the reason, the other night when you were confused when Lorraine said everyone knows who you are, the reason is because, um there may be a, um, a tiny little picture of you in the main lobby and ah, uh, a plaque dedicating the center in memory of Derek and in honor of you."

Arizona sat perfectly still trying to process what she was just told. She certainly wasn't expecting that. The fact that Callie continued to work on the robotic leg was one thing, but this, this was something altogether different. Even though she recognized the entire concept behind the center was because of her, she never imagined, never even stopped to consider that Callie would include her in any way. Unable to put her feelings to words, Arizona turned in her seat and lifted her hands to caress soft tan cheeks and choked out, "Calliope…" as she shook her head in disbelief and pulled her in for a slow, languorous kiss. Pulling back, Callie said, "I know you need time to take this all in, it's a lot. I don't expect you to say anything really. It's just, you've always inspired me Arizona, no matter what it was. You've always made me want to be better. This is just my way of showing that." Arizona was overwhelmed, she knew she shouldn't be surprised at this point, but she just couldn't wrap her head around such a grand gesture. Finally, she asked, "Can we, can we go in?" Callie nodded and got out of the car, she smiled gratefully when Arizona met her on the curb and took her hand. Allowing Callie to lead them into the building and through the lobby, Arizona immediately noticed the back wall which she clearly missed the other night when they were there. Underneath the sign that read Fresh START Medical Center hung three pictures, one of Callie, one of Derek and one of herself in a triangle pattern surrounding a plaque that read, "START LLC – Shepherd, Torres, and Robbins Technologies was founded by Dr. Callie Torres in memory of Dr. Derek Shepherd and in honor of Dr. Arizona Robbins for their contributions to the medical field and their inspiration of Fresh START Medical Center." Taking a deep breath, she finally said, "I can't believe your beautiful heart Calliope Torres. Thank you, I am truly honored, and you are correct, I do need a little time to process this and I am sure I will have a million questions, but for now, just know, I am…God Callie…I have no words." Callie just nodded in understanding and pulled Arizona in for a tight hug. After a few minutes, she pulled back, took Arizona's hand and silently led her to the bank of elevators to go up to her lab.

Stepping into the elevator, Callie eyed Arizona, noticing she was unusually quiet. They had an extremely emotional morning, then she sprung this on her and they were about to try on her leg which in itself was going to bring all sorts of feelings to the surface. She began to worry that maybe everything was just too much for her ex-wife. Speaking quietly, she asked, "Arizona, are you okay? Is this too much today? We could come back when you feel a little more settled." Just hearing her ex-wife's concern for her well-being went a long way in calming the blonde's swirling emotions. Reaching out to take Callie's hand in hers, Arizona inhaled deeply and said, "I appreciate that Callie, I really do, it means a lot to me that you are concerned, but I'm okay, just…overwhelmed I think. This morning was hard, but it had a good outcome and it was cathartic for both of us, and what you just told me, it was a shock, but a good shock. I'm, I'm okay." She smiled her super-magic smile then and tightened her grip on their entwined hand in assurance. Callie visibly relaxed, turned her body so they were face to face and reached her other hand up to tuck a stray curl behind Arizona's ear as she said, "Okay, I believe you, just know, I'm here and if at any point it becomes too much…" "Calliope?" Arizona cut her off and brought her own free hand up to rest it on the brunette's neck as she continued, "I really want to kiss you right now." Callie's face broke into her mega-watt smile as she leaned in and brushed their lips together in a slow sweet kiss.

Hearing the ding of the elevator indicating they reached their floor, the two women pulled apart and stepped out still holding hands. As they entered the lab, Arizona could feel the change in Callie's demeanor. She knew her ex-wife was trying to make this all about her needs and feelings, but it wasn't, Callie had just as much riding on this if not more. Pulling the taller woman to a stop, she waited until she had her attention then took her other hand as well. Looking into nervous brown eyes, she spoke softly as she said, "Calliope, this, what we are about to do, this isn't just about me. This is about you too. You are allowed to have your feelings and I want you to share them with me. We are in this together. I know you are here for me and worried about my reaction both physically and emotionally, but I am here for you too and I am equally concerned about how this affects you. No holding back okay?" Callie closed her eyes and let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. It meant the world to her that Arizona was thinking about her as well. Pulling her in closer, Callie leaned down and kissed her cheek as she said, "We're in this together. I promise I won't hold back." Stepping back, she clapped her hands together and said, "Okay, let's do this. How about you sit on that sofa over there and take off your leg while I gather all my equipment?" Arizona nodded and made her way across the room leaving Callie to do what she did best.

Arizona could see Callie had switched modes and was definitely getting in the zone. Noticing her ex-wife was setting up in front of the small sofa at the back of the room, Arizona took off her pants leaving her in her usual black yoga shorts and v-neck shirt and took a seat on the center cushion of the couch. She glanced to her left and studied the leg that was designed specifically for her then down at the standard titanium prosthetic that protruded from her body at the moment. Though it was a part of her now, sometimes it was jarring to see. She had gotten so accustomed to it that most days she was able to forget about it until she removed her pants and instead of seeing the toned pale leg she almost expected, she saw the hard gleaming metal that served as a reminder of the worst day and worst mistakes of her life. She had to admit, she wasn't going to miss it much. She liked wearing her 'sexy leg' because it looked more realistic, but the design wasn't as conducive to everyday use. But this leg, Callie's prototype, it was designed to suit her needs no matter the occasion. As the excitement of trying on this amazing gift coursed through her, she reached under the leg of her shorts, released the straps, and removed the bulky titanium leg and placed it on her other side out of the way.

As Callie laid everything out in front of her, Arizona took advantage of the opportunity to watch the Ortho Goddess at work for the first time in years. She was definitely in her element. She moved so gracefully and effortlessly, confident in the fact that her knowledge and skill had produced something that would benefit the medical community as a whole. The blonde couldn't help the feeling of overwhelming pride that bubbled up from within. She looked on as the brunette pulled up a chair in front of her, long tan fingers flying over the keys of the keyboard while she stuck just the tip of her tongue out between her teeth to show she was in full concentration mode. Seeing Callie like this was always such a huge turn-on for Arizona and this time was no different, especially given how badly she wanted her now and she couldn't help the moan that escaped her as she squirmed in her seat. Callie's eyes instantly shot up at the sound. Once she looked into the darkened blue eyes of the other woman, she got a slight smirk on her face, "Problem Dr. Robbins?" Arizona leaned in closer and quietly spoke in her husky tone which was like a siren song to Callie, "Not at all Dr. Torres, I was just thinking about that tongue between a different set of lips." At that, it was Callie's turn to groan as she shot forward and claimed Arizona's lips. Before she got too worked up, the blonde leaned back and whispered, "I guess those lips will work too." as she did a little shimmy with her hips. "Arizona!" Callie was shocked at the forward statement, but not so much that she didn't feel the instant pooling of hot liquid at her center. Her need for this woman was almost unbearable. "Behave, I am trying to work here, and you are not making it any easier sitting there in those damn hot shorts." she scolded as she sat back and tried to cool her libido. The blonde sat back with a faux pout that did absolutely nothing to help calm down the throbbing in the brunette's clit.

With great difficulty, Callie returned her focus to the task at hand and finished up the final programming. When she was certain she had everything she needed and it was ready to fit on the shortened limb, Callie pulled her chair closer and placed herself directly in front of Arizona. Taking on the tone of the ortho surgeon, she confidently began to explain everything she was going to do as well as the differences and similarities between this prototype and the other prosthetics to which the blonde was accustomed. "Okay, so the first thing you will notice is there is no silicone sleeve. We had to build it into the socket so we were certain the sensors wouldn't shift, and they would also be able to make contact with your skin. I used the same material and technology in the wrap I gave you. I, uh, kinda got into the hospital's network and we looked at the scans and x-rays and placed the sensors exactly where they will make the best contact with your nerves and muscles." Half expecting to be scolded about looking at Arizona's records, Callie paused. When she only saw the other woman nod in understanding, she continued, "This is one of the reasons for the vacuum seal. It adheres directly to your leg and you can adjust the size to a certain extent. We took the average amount of swelling, weight loss, and weight gain into consideration when figuring the dimensions and amount of pressure needed to fit you perfectly." Arizona had already figured Callie accessed her scans so it was no surprise, she just couldn't help but be mesmerized by the woman in front of her and everything she has accomplished, her wealth of knowledge in this area. When the accident first happened, while Callie was an orthopedic surgeon, she didn't focus much on this side of things other than making sure whenever possible that she could provide the best residual limb for fitting a prosthesis. Once she lost her leg, Callie threw herself into research about the different types of prosthetics, which would be the most effective for her wife, and even developing a new form of prosthesis, which at one time caused a great deal of damage to their marriage. The blonde knew now that it was her own inability or unwillingness to effectively communicate her feelings that caused so much damage in this area. But at this very moment, she felt a powerful need to express exactly what she felt. Callie deserved this much. Arizona reached out her hand, cupped a soft caramel-colored cheek, and tilted her ex-wife's head up so their eyes met.

"Dr. Callie Torres, Calliope…" She began, saying both names so the other woman was clear she was speaking to the surgeon as well as the woman, the wife. Her blue eyes saw the question in those deep dark chocolate eyes, and she continued, "I am so, so, proud of you. Early in your residency, you lived in the basement of the hospital and not even ten years later, because of your persistence and love for that same hospital, you became part owner and have a seat on the board, and now, now you founded your own medical center. When we met, you were a resident with more talent in your little finger than most surgeons could dream of and I can't even begin to describe the depths of your skills and abilities. You invented artificial cartilage which is used by doctors all over the world. But you had to fight for all of it. You had to fight to keep your job during the merger and you fought to become an attending. You got thrown through a windshield and you had to fight to live and you came back, for our daughter and for me. Your wife was in a plane crash and nearly died and you fought harder. You fought to save my leg, then you fought to save my life, then you had to fight for me to save myself. You lost so much from that and you fought to come back to become a newer better version of yourself and now you have designed and created this incredible robotic limb that is going to change thousands of lives, including mine. You are a true inspiration Calliope, and I am so grateful to live in a world where Dr. Calliope Iphigenia Torres exists and even more grateful to have had you as my colleague, my best friend, and especially as my wife." She wasn't sure at which point the tears started to fall, but she could taste the salt as the moisture ran down her cheeks and flowed to her lips. She looked into soulful brown eyes that were also brimming with tears and raised her pale hand to swipe at the tears as they continued to flow.

Callie let out a brief hiccup and tried to keep from falling apart. Never in her life had words been so affirming to her. This moment was the validation she didn't realize she sought. Plenty of people had told her how proud they were, how accomplished she was, how proud she should be of herself, but these words from this woman were the words her heart had been subconsciously waiting to hear and she could feel the wounds healing even more. She reached out and cupped the porcelain cheeks in front of her and swiped at the tears with her thumb. She closed her eyes and pulled Arizona's forehead to rest upon her own. She spoke straight from her heart as she said, "Throughout my life, I have heard these things, people saying they are proud of me and how talented I am, but never am I able to believe them as much as I do when you voice them. Never have I felt as talented or smart or accomplished as I do when you say I am. You give me strength Arizona, you give me purpose, you always have. But having you sit here in front of me, after everything, after years of not seeing or speaking to each other, what you just said means everything and makes me feel like a god damn superhero." She smiled then, shyly at first, then she let her full million dollar smile loose when she heard the response. "You are a superhero, you're Sofia's and you're mine. You are amazing Calliope." the blonde returned with her own super magic smile. The two sat quietly holding one another relishing in the intimacy and allowing the feeling the other woman's words inspired to wash over them.

When she felt grounded again, Callie sat back and returned to doctor mode. She reached for the leg and began to explain, "Okay, if you are ready, I am going to slip this on, but once it is on, I can't touch it until we reach the final steps. So, I will need to walk you through everything and you will need to tell me what needs to be adjusted. Are you ready?" She looked eagerly at the blonde who was staring at her with a twinkle of excitement in those impossibly blue eyes. Arizona nodded her agreement and scooted closer to the edge of the sofa while her ex-wife slid the prosthetic leg onto her residual limb. Arizona looked down and her breath hitched, tears sprung to her eyes and clouded her vision, and she could feel her hands shaking as she reached out and clutched Callie's arm tightly. She looked up to see dark eyes also welling with tears watching her closely. She choked out, "It…it's one thing to see it lying on a table and know that it looks like my leg, but, ah, I didn't, I didn't expect to feel like this…seeing it like this again." Callie moved to sit next to her and pulled her close as they both stared at Arizona's legs, a sight neither of them had seen for nearly 6 years. Finally Callie said, "Arizona, you don't have to do this. I didn't think, I didn't realize…I'm sorry." Eyes not leaving her legs, Arizona shook her head and replied, "No, no, don't be sorry. Callie, my leg is…phenomenal and I want to do this, I just, I need a minute." Nodding her head, Callie tightened her hold as the two sat quietly with tears streaming down both their faces.

After about fifteen minutes, Arizona sat up and ran her hands up and down her left leg feeling for the little scars, touching the freckles, visually comparing left to right. Finally she looked up and nodded her head. Callie moved back to the stool in front of her and asked, "How does it feel?" Arizona looked down at the leg again and answered, "Good so far." Callie reached out and took both of Arizona's hands in hers and gave them a tight squeeze before placing them where she needed them to be on the artificial limb. "Okay, you can seal, or unseal this in two different ways. One is by an app I will install on your phone and tablet that allows you to control and monitor everything; the other is manually by pressing in with both thumbs right there." She then placed her thumbs over the pale ones resting on the leg and added a bit of pressure. Arizona instantly felt the tightening around her residual limb and gasped a little at the sensation. "Whoa, that feels weird!" She exclaimed letting off a nervous laugh. Callie smiled, "Does it pinch or hurt anywhere?" Shaking her head, the blonde responded, "No, now it just feels, I don't know, kind of soft, like a pillow, like your wrap." She smiled then and tilted her head prodding Callie to continue. Still worried about her ex-wife's response, the ortho doc furrowed her brow a little and studied the face of the other woman looking for any signs of hesitation. Though she saw nothing concerning, she still offered her an out. "If at any time you are uncomfortable with this, or you change your mind, you just tell me okay? No holding back. I won't be disappointed, I didn't expect this, so you won't hurt my feelings." As soon as the words were out, they both realized they were true. While Callie had been hurt in the past by her ex declining her assistance or refusing to be a part of this project, she was certain now that it wouldn't hurt her, she had a different understanding than she had before and she wouldn't see it as a personal rejection. Arizona saw the truth in those deep brown orbs and raised her hand to a soft caramel cheek, "I won't change my mind Calliope. You created this amazing gift for me. Yes, you knew it would help so many others, but you started this journey for me and this leg…MY leg…is proof you still had me in mind every step of the way. It's difficult and will take some getting used to, but I can't wait to do everything, feel everything you worked so hard to give back to me." Hearing what she needed to hear, and seeing the certainty in her ex-wife's eyes, she continued through the set-up.

For the better part of the next hour, Callie programmed and re-programmed the prosthetic to best suit Arizona's needs. They ran through a series of tests including bending and moving her new leg at her own will rather than having to maneuver it with the other hand. They had gone for a few laps in the lab ensuring proper balance, tension, and mobility. It was emotional for both of them and they stopped more than once to just cling to each other and silently offer the comfort only one could provide to the other. Callie took a deep breath in relief that the sensors were placed properly and Arizona was able to maneuver the leg with little to no problem once she was able to focus on the task at hand. The only thing that remained was initiating the sensors for muscle and nerve response. Arizona was astounded, she could already feel the difference between this leg and any other prosthetic she had used to this point. Just from the little time she had worn it, she knew the weight and mobility would allow her so much more freedom as well as the fact that it required far less energy to maneuver. She had no words and couldn't begin to process because she knew there would be tears, so she pushed through, also making sure she was aware of Callie's feelings the whole time as well. It finally occurred to her how much this project meant to her ex-wife, not only professionally, but also personally. The other day when Callie said she had continued to work on this in order to heal herself, she realized what an impact not being able to save her wife's leg had on the other woman; what an impact her own behaviors had on her wife. Callie sat back and allowed herself a few minutes to just breathe and relax. It was obvious her nerves were taking over now. She was reaching the final and most crucial stage of the testing. She knew for the sake of this project; these next steps would be the definite answer as to whether the prototype worked to its fullest capabilities on a human being. For the woman in front of her, if these next results were positive, she would finally feel things she hasn't felt for years and it could mean an emotional breakdown. She took another deep breath and reached her hands out, silently inviting the blonde to place her own in them.

Squeezing gently, she looked the other woman in the eye and indicated with her tone that the ortho surgeon was no longer talking, but the woman, had taken over. "These next few tests are going to be difficult. Not physically, but maybe emotionally. I am right here. I am here Arizona." She held her gaze on the deep blue eyes in front of her and tried to communicate silently like they had so often in the past, that she indeed was here for the other woman and could be trusted for her to lean on. "You're kind of worrying me Calliope, but I know you're here and I am counting on that." Arizona said quietly as she gave a tight squeeze of her hands and released them. Feeling more relaxed by Arizona's response, the ortho surgeon typed a few commands into her computer and prepared to begin her sensory testing. She started placing electrodes on Arizona's chest, her right leg, then indicated to Arizona to place them on her left leg. She knew she didn't have to explain what was going to happen next, but she did anyway. "I am going to conduct a series of tests and adjust the wavelength and strength of the sensors so the sensitivity and reactions correspond with your right leg. Once we have an accurate reading, we will program everything into the memory chip inside the leg. This is also a feature you can turn on and off if the sensation becomes too much. Most of the tests are similar to the average neurological exam for feeling and sensitivity." Arizona found herself once again marveling at the other woman's extreme intelligence and talent. Nodding her understanding, she took a deep breath and smiled softly, "I'm ready whenever you are Dr. Torres." Callie smiled in return and double checked everything before she began.

"Okay, this first part is to test the response to temperature. I am going to place an ice pack on your right leg and I want you to place the other on your left in the same place. Once we have finished with that, we will move on to heat." Callie explained then reached into the bag next to her and pulled out and activated two ice packs. She placed one in Arizona's hand and the other on her right knee directing Arizona to place her ice pack on her left knee. Though Arizona had already seen the leg respond to the ice pack the other day and thought she was prepared, the moment she rested the pack on her left knee and could feel the weight of it as the coolness ran through the length of her leg, she nearly cried at the sensation. She jumped and yelped, "Callie!" as her eyes instantly searched for deep brown, for what she wasn't sure, but when she found them, they were watery and full of emotion. Closing her eyes, Callie took a minute to control her own reaction to seeing Arizona respond to the leg, her leg. When she felt she could focus on her task once more, she reached out a shaky hand clasping Arizona's and asked a series of questions regarding what the blonde felt in one leg, then the other, until the sensation was as close as she felt she could get.

Arizona knew Callie was watching her carefully, not just to read her physical response but to gauge her emotions as well. Needing to push through, she nodded for her to continue. Reaching down into the bag once again, Callie pulled out and activated a hot pack for each of them and repeated the process placing the object on her calf this time. Hesitating for just a moment, Arizona placed the pack on her left calf, all the while holding the gaze of the other woman. Callie could tell the moment she felt it because her eyelids fluttered closed for the briefest of moments and when they opened, they were once again clouded over with unshed tears. Both women smiled at one another and Callie reached into the bag one more time and indicated to Arizona to lift her right foot. Once she complied, Callie ran the Wartenberg pinwheel along the foot from bottom to top and Arizona flinched and jerked away as expected. Letting go of the right foot, Callie nodded to the left and the blonde focused on raising the leg up for the same test. Closing her eyes so she couldn't anticipate the touch, she sat patiently and waited to see if she would feel anything. After a moment, she worried she wasn't able to feel it when suddenly a sharp stinging started at her foot and shot up her leg causing her to jump and pull her leg back. "Oh my God! That hurt!" Then she burst into a fit of laughter. "That hurt Callie! It hurt and I felt it!" This caused the ortho surgeon to laugh too. They were both now so full of emotion, laughing was all that kept them from crying. As they settled down, Callie prepared for the last test.

Packing away the supplies she no longer needed, Callie explained, "Okay this is the last test, then we should be all set." Arizona arched her brow in question. She wasn't sure what could be left to measure. "This one will only be programmed into this leg, but it is the reason I couldn't touch it until now." She then directed Arizona through a series of movements such as touching both legs, first the right, then the left, the whole time Callie continued to adjust the sensors in the prototype until Arizona confirmed she felt the same sensations. Happy with this result, without warning, Callie placed her hand on her ex-wife's right knee. She smiled and felt a warmth flow through her veins at both the gasp she heard and the quickening rate shown on the heart monitor. She then placed her hand on the left knee and began to make adjustments like she did with the blonde's own touch. When Arizona finally realized what she had done, she broke out into laughter. "Did you seriously just program my leg to respond to your touch?" Callie feigned shock as she gasped, "Arizona! I am offended you would even accuse me of such a thing." She then winked and took the forefinger of her right hand and ran it from ankle to thigh of the blonde's left leg. Both women grinned like maniacs when they saw the goosebumps appear on milky white arms. Suddenly, Callie faked a surprised look, "Oops! I guess I did." She wasn't quick enough to dodge the slap to her shoulder. "Incorrigible!" The blonde responded still laughing. In response to her slap, Callie reached out and pinched the upper left thigh of her ex-wife who squealed and jumped off the couch. "Jesus Callie! That hurt."

"Yeah?" Callie questioned. "YES!" the blonde snapped out. "Why the hell are you so pleased with yourself? That's going to bruise." Pulling off the sensors and taking a minute to quell her irritation, Arizona stopped and stared at Callie as she started laughing. Hearing what Arizona said, the brunette threw her head back and let out a loud belly laugh. She continued to laugh until she felt tears come to her eyes. She stopped suddenly at the sight before her. Arizona stood with one hand on her hip, resting her weight on her right leg and tapping the foot of her left. Her eyes were squinted into a near straight line. "What the hell is so funny?" Callie couldn't stop smiling. She raised and lowered her hand in front of the woman who was clearly not as in tuned to what was happening as she herself was. "For one, you just accused me of leaving a bruise on your fake leg. Secondly, look at you Arizona! I mean aside from being adorable as hell when you are angry, you're tapping your foot! Your LEFT foot is tapping." Finally letting Callie's words register, she looked down and saw that her left foot was indeed tapping on the floor. She felt the smile forming on her lips and could feel her dimples pop. Without warning, she launched herself into the other woman's unsuspecting arms nearly knocking her down. Both women shrieked with excitement as the taller woman spun them around in a circle.

When they stopped and Arizona was placed back on the floor, neither of them made a move to break the contact. Arizona slid her small hand up and rubbed the short stubble at the side of Callie's head and pulled Callie's face closer to hers. At the same time, Callie tightened her grip on Arizona's lower back and pulled her flush against her own body. Arizona murmured softly, "You're amazing." Callie leaned in the last two inches and with their lips touching, responded, "We're amazing." As red lips danced with pink, both women knew they were falling further into the abyss that was their love for one another and neither cared to stop it. Arizona's tongue licked along Callie's full red lip awaiting access into the mouth she knew she would become addicted to since that first kiss in the airport. She pulled Callie's top lip between her teeth and smiled into the kiss as she heard a low whimper and felt a warm slick tongue slide across her bottom lip asking for access which she quickly granted and moaned into the kiss.

Taking a break for a much-needed breath, Arizona placed her head on her ex-wife's shoulder and tried to regain her composure. Callie's heart was pounding, first from the kiss that had her all worked up, then as her senses came back to her, from the reason they were so excited in the first place. Arizona was wearing her leg. Her leg that worked! As those thoughts sank in, remembering the blonde's responses and words, brown eyes filled with tears. She could feel the moment everything started to register with Arizona as she began shaking uncontrollably in her arms. Lifting a tan hand to smooth down the back of the blonde's head, she tried to sooth her, whispering, "Shhhh, I know baby. I know. Let it out. I got you, you're safe." Upon hearing those words, spoken so softly and with genuine understanding, Arizona broke. She began sobbing, allowing everything she was feeling to break free. After a few minutes, she lifted her head and saw Callie was also overcome with emotion. She was instantly taken back to that night she was dragged fully clothed into a shower fighting and screaming. This is my life now too. At that moment, it finally hit her that her wife felt this loss right along with her and she never acknowledged it nor let her grieve. She wiped Callie's tears, then reached up to wipe her own. She tried to gather everything she wanted to say even though she knew it would take her some time to process these feelings, she had to acknowledge Callie's pain, her healing. So, she spoke honestly, "Calliope, there's so much going on inside right now, so many thoughts and feelings. I want…I want to tell you all of them, but I don't know if I will express them correctly, but I need to try." She broke off with another sob and shook her head, "I – just, you need to know this, you need to know…I get it now…I understand…you lost everything too and to make it worse, you lost your wife, I still had mine. You were right there, my wife was still the same person she always was, and I, your wife, was pushing you away, disappearing before your eyes. But you were there, you did everything, you tried so hard and I rejected you at every turn. I am…I am so deeply sorry. I'm so sorry." With that, she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Callie held tight and closed her eyes at finally hearing her truth spoken from Arizona's mouth. While the blonde acknowledged it the other day when she first found the leg and it was enough for Callie, hearing it now, so raw and honest, she truly felt it, she could feel Arizona's true understanding of her experience and the sincerity in her apology. She felt the validation of all her efforts during that horrible time wash over her and settle deep into her soul. While it was true she started this project to help Arizona, she continued it to heal herself and at this very moment, she felt it, she felt healed. Resting her head on Arizona's shoulder, she allowed herself to let it all out, to let her own dam break as she cried tears of past pain, relief from being seen, and finally of healing from a wound that nearly broke them both.

After what seemed like hours, Callie pulled back and looked into those cerulean pools of emotion and she saw it. She saw the remorse, the regret, and the understanding she had never seen before. She felt it on a cellular level. She knew in that moment both of them had grown, both of them had seen truths their pain had hidden, and both had found forgiveness for themselves and each other. So, she said as much, "Arizona, I see it. We can talk about it, whenever you want to. But this, right here, I see it and I feel it. I feel the understanding, the forgiveness, and the healing on both our parts. For the first time since you got on that plane, I finally feel like we are whole again, like we can move past this. We HAVE moved past this. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." Arizona's heart flipped because she felt it too. This was what she needed, what they needed, and once again, Callie saw that. Callie, the woman who changed so much but deep down still had that heart of gold she fell in love with so many years ago. Arizona looked into her eyes and said, "Thank you Calliope, for never giving up on me, for believing in me, for loving me when I couldn't love myself. Thank you for seeing what I couldn't see." Callie reached out and tucked a stray curl behind Arizona's ear as she leaned in and placed a sweet kiss on her lips. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Callie said, "I'm struggling for words right now. I'm just, I'm feeling so much." Arizona nodded and smirked as she tilted her head and asked, "Calliope Torres, are you saying you need time to process?" Callie chuckled and stepped back as she replied, "Yes, Arizona Robbins, that is exactly what I am saying. Now quit being a smart ass and help me get packed up so we can get out of here and pick up our daughter." Arizona sent a mock salute and mumbled, "Yes ma'am." as she set about cleaning up and getting dressed.

XXXXX

Callie stood in the living room folding the blanket they used to cover up with during family movie time and smiled as she remembered waking up to the closing credits of Frozen 2 with Arizona tucked under her arm and her daughter lying on her chest both fast asleep. Shortly after she carried Sofia to her room, Arizona received a call from Nicole Herman and retreated to get her laptop to take notes. Throwing the blanket across the back of the couch, Callie picked up the bowls of half-eaten snacks and carried them to the kitchen. After putting everything away, she decided to take advantage of the quiet so she grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and walked out to the rock garden to decompress after her long and emotional day. After Dr. G nearly ordered her to take at least 30 minutes out of every day to just relax and reflect, Callie finally started to see the benefits. After so many years of just pushing through, when she finally stopped fighting it and just learned to sit in her own head is when she really started to figure everything out. Now, after nearly a year of taking a few moments for herself every day, she felt far more settled and peaceful than she ever has before. If she ever needed time to reflect and recenter, it was right now.

Callie sat on the bench nearest the fountain and watched as the colors changed and the moonlight danced in the small pool at the base of the waterfall. She smiled softly as she recalled Arizona telling Sofia this was her favorite place. Somehow, she knew it would be. Though she was more partial to the patio just outside the house, she enjoyed sitting out here and gathering her thoughts as well. If she were being honest, it was probably because it reminded her of Arizona. This little space gave her the same peace, the same sense of calm she used to feel from the other woman when they first started dating, the same feelings she experienced in her presence now. Though she had wanted Arizona back in her life for so long, she never could have imagined it would be like this; so familiar and comfortable, but so new and exciting at the same time. She closed her eyes as she imagined her ex-wife's face when she asked her out on a date. This time was so different than the first time nearly ten years ago. Younger Arizona was so confident and sure of herself, if she were nervous, it didn't show and while she herself felt an explosion of butterflies at the time, she tried to play it off as if it were no big deal. But this Arizona, her anxiety was palpable even though it was pretty much a certainty Callie would say yes, and she herself was nearly bursting with joy knowing Arizona wanted to date her again. Thinking about the differences for a moment, Callie realized it was so different for both of them because they knew what they had to lose now. They knew how bad things could get, yet they were both willing to take that risk because they also knew how amazing it could be.

"Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Arizona asked as she sat on the bench beside her and stole the bottle of beer from her taking a long drink. Callie smiled and leaned over to kiss her cheek as she flirted, "You are always invited to my private parties." Arizona smiled brightly and leaned over to put what she was holding in her other hand on the small table in front of them. Callie looked at the old carafe and sighed as she ran her hand through the hair on top of her head. Speaking honestly she said, "Arizona, I really don't know if I, if we, can take much more today." Arizona shook her head and said, "No, that's not why I brought it out. I was um, I was thinking about it and ah…I was wondering…" She cut herself off and turned to face Callie as she said, "Let me start again." At the brunette's nod she said, "I feel like we covered the major topics, the things that really contributed to most of our problems, caused the most damage. I honestly can't figure out what else you could have written down. I was just, I was wondering if maybe, we could put this away for a while and figure out the rest as it comes. I'm not trying to avoid anything, I mean, I'll tell you what I have written and if you feel it's important to discuss it before we begin to move forward, then we can, we can take all the time you need to, but…but I'm ready Callie. I'm ready for New York Callie and Arizona to start their new life together." Callie stayed quiet as she thought about Arizona's words, she recalled what she wrote on her notes and realized the rest really weren't that pressing, just things she wanted to get off her chest that could be addressed at any time. Then she tried to figure out what Arizona could have left and couldn't come up with anything. Finally, she smiled as she said, "I really can't think of what you could have written either. Do we want to show each other and see if we need to talk about it?" Arizona breathed a sigh of relief at Callie's agreement. Nodding, she reached out and took the carafe and handed it to Callie.

Callie sat holding the small glass container hoping there was nothing left that could cause enough damage to hinder their progress. Reaching into the jar, she pulled out the remaining notes and opened the blue ones first as she read, "Penny and Africa and the fellowship." Arizona nodded and took the pink notes from her hand as she did the same, saying, "Leah, Africa/fellowship, kids." Callie furrowed her brow as she thought about what Arizona wrote and what she could possibly say about any of it. Thinking they had already addressed the kids issue earlier, Callie looked at the first note and said, "Arizona, that one really isn't necessary. It hurt but not as much as the first one and I feel like we worked through that one that night after it all blew up at the hospital and I think we said what we needed to say the other night." Realizing Callie harbored no hard feelings about that particular subject, Arizona just nodded and took her hand then looked at the top note as she said, "And this? Penny? We can talk about it if you want to share, but we don't have to." Callie linked their fingers as she said, "There are some things I want to talk about, but I don't think it will affect where we are going." Relieved that it wasn't something that may cause them problems, Arizona looked at the last note and frowned as she asked, "We both wrote Africa and the fellowship, should we…um should we talk about that?" Callie thought about it for a moment then responded, "Honestly, it's nothing really pressing, I just, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for not supporting you and your career. Both of those things were amazing opportunities for you and I made them about me and well, they weren't. They were about you and your talents and accomplishments and I took that joy, the celebration out of it for you. I'm so sorry Arizona, please know how proud I am of you, how extremely talented I think you are. I promise you from now on, I will always support your decisions, celebrate your successes, and show you how very proud I am of you." Arizona swallowed the lump in her throat and felt the tears sting her eyes as she heard the words she had longed to hear from this woman. She let out a strangled laugh and said, "I was going to apologize for not talking to you first, not considering my girlfriend, my wife, in my plans, not thinking about your feelings. But also, except for how badly I hurt you when I left for Africa, I can't…" Arizona stopped and looked back toward the house as she finished, "I can't regret going because we wouldn't have…Sofia is the best thing in our lives Calliope so, even though that whole Africa fiasco hurt us both, I can't regret it because that beautiful little girl in there came out of it." Callie nodded fighting back her own tears at the thought of their daughter, she couldn't regret it either. Pulling their linked hands to her lips, she kissed the back of the soft alabaster hand as she said, "I'm ready to start our new life together too." Leaning forward, Arizona rested their heads together as she asked, "That's it then? We move forward now?" Callie nodded and placed a soft kiss on her lips, and said, "We move forward now. No looking back." She then shifted and wrapped her arm around the smaller woman pulling her closer.

After several minutes, Arizona looked up to see Callie fighting to keep her eyes open and smiled at the adorableness of it. She stood up and reached out to help the sleepy woman to her feet as she said, "Come on beautiful, let's get you tucked in." Callie groaned and whined, "I don't wanna, I want to hold you." Arizona smiled, she wanted that too. Without overthinking, she offered, "So hold me." Callie's head snapped up and she stopped walking as she asked, "Seriously? You'll, you want to…" Arizona nodded and went to Callie's side, lifted her strong arm around her shoulders as she wrapped her own around the taller woman's lower back resting her hand on her hip and said, "It's been a long emotional day and I'm feeling so close to you, I just…I don't want to sleep alone tonight. I want to hold you too." Callie smiled her million dollar smile and let out a sigh of relief. She knew it was going to be torture not to touch Arizona the way she wanted to, but she was done being without her ex-wife. Just as she had that thought, something in her heart twisted. She hated thinking of this woman as her ex-wife, she didn't like saying it when it was true, but now, now they were dating again, or they were about to. Smirking, she got a gleam in her eye as she said, "Arizona?" Enjoying the closeness, oblivious to the other woman's train of thought, Arizona answered absentmindedly, "Hmmm?" Callie fought to keep a straight face as she said, "I have to know…am I…" Arizona rolled her eyes; she knew Callie kept doing this now because she made such a big deal of it the first time. Trying to keep her own expression under control she looked up into dancing brown eyes and raised a brow in question. Callie tightened her grip on the smaller woman's shoulder as she bit her lip and said, "Am I, am I your girlfriend?" Arizona tossed her head back and laughed at the line she was positive she would hear next. Turning to face Callie, she wrapped her other arm around her waist pulling her close as she said, "You have got to be the cheesiest person I know Calliope Torres." Looking into the sparkling blue eyes she loved so much, Callie brought her hand up and tangled it in unruly blonde curls as she said, "Good thing you love cheese." and lowered her head to meet waiting pink lips with her own. Nipping a full bottom lip as she came up for air, Callie turned serious and said, "I don't want to be your ex-wife anymore. I don't want to think of you as my ex-wife. I want you to look at me and see your future, I want to look at you and see mine. So, all silliness aside, Arizona Robbins will you be my girlfriend?" Fighting back tears once again, Arizona looked into soulful brown eyes and nodded, "Yes Calliope, of course I will be your girlfriend."