Arizona sat staring at the envelope that held the nickname she once hated but would now give anything to hear in that gruff teasing tone just one more time. Between her shaking hands and the tears filling her eyes, she could barely make out the word, let alone see anything going on around her. She could feel the couch vibrating with what she assumed was both of their silent sobs. Something hard brushed against her leg, then she was encompassed by the warmth of the woman she loved. She looked from the envelope up to Callie's concerned watery eyes, then back to the envelope and turned it around in her hand. Poking her finger in the corner, she tore through the seal and reached in to take out the single sheet of paper. Carefully unfolding it, she saw the last words her dear friend had intended for her and began to shake uncontrollably.

The last time the blonde had seen him, they were on the side of a mountain trying to keep each other alive. Sensing the hesitation, Callie placed her free hand on a shaky pale hand and spoke softly, "Do you…do you um, want to go somewhere else and read it alone?" Though she was dying to hear these last words, this wasn't about her. This was between Arizona and Mark, the other parents of her child, two of the people who meant the most to her, who endured a life-altering and life-ending event together. Arizona didn't say anything, just shook her head and relished in the warmth enveloping her.

Staring at the letter but unseeing, Arizona began in a monotone voice that was very much unlike her normal perky cadence. "The last time…" She swallowed, took a breath and started again. "The last time I saw him, we were lying in the woods. I was on the ground propped up against the wing and he was lying across my good leg. It had been four days. We all thought we were dying. We realized by that point, search and rescue would have changed to search and recovery. He…we both knew, of the two of us, I had a better chance of surviving, even if they found us that day. I told you, we made each other promises. That day, we knew it was all going to be over soon, one way or another. We made each other promise…I made him promise me he would hold on; he would keep fighting so he could see you and our daughter. That if he was going to go, he had to let you say goodbye. He made me promise to take care of you, to always make sure you were happy." Callie closed her eyes and her heart clenched for the woman next to her. Throughout their whole relationship, that's always what Arizona said, she wanted her to be happy, after the baby fight, she left because she wanted Callie to be happy, she left for Africa because she knew Callie would be happier in Seattle and how many times since their divorce had she heard Arizona say she just needed Callie and Sofia to be happy? She needed it for herself, she's always wanted Callie to be happy, but at that time she also made a promise and did her best to keep it…and she did, she always put Callie's happiness first, out of love. Love for her, love for Sofia, and then love for Mark.

Arizona continued, "He kept his promise…I…I didn't. He promised he would fight and he did. I…I promised to take care of you, to protect you, to keep you happy. I…I broke my vow to you, but I tried to keep my promise, I tried to make sure you were happy…even…even if it wasn't with me." Both women sat in silence, tears streaming down their faces. Callie didn't know if she would be heard, but she interjected, "You do make me happy Arizona, only you." The brunette knew very little of those days and this insight was heartbreaking to say the least. Arizona continued in a whisper, "He kept dying on me. I kept smacking him in the head and screaming at him that we need him in our family, he was a dad and I was a mom and we needed to go home. Then we heard it, it's like the skies opened up and right then, I knew there was some sort of God up there. The helicopter landed and we heard voices and I remember he closed his eyes and told me we made it. Then I closed my eyes too, and I never saw him again." Neither spoke for what felt like hours. Vision finally coming back into focus, Arizona looked at her heart-broken girlfriend and finally spoke, "I need you to be here. I'll read it first to myself, but stay please?" Callie nodded, held tight to one shaky pale hand and allowed the blonde the silence she needed to focus upon the pages in front of her.

Blondie,

We made it out! I tried to keep up my part of the deal, but if you are reading this, it means my body had other plans. I was out for quite a while then just woke up feeling amazing. I am pretty sure it's the surge. No one is confirming, but I can see it in their eyes and I just feel it in my bones, this, what I am feeling won't last forever. I've seen everyone and said my goodbyes. I keep asking about you, but they won't let me see you. Infection and all…damn surgeons! No one will tell me if you're going to make it or if you are going to keep your leg if you do. I honestly don't know much right now. But I know you're a fighter Robbins. I know you will fight to overcome any obstacle thrown at you. Hell, you sat on the side of the mountain staring at your bone, coughing up blood, and you fought to keep me alive. You fought for Sofia and Callie so they could see both of us again. My heart died on that mountain and I wanted to give up out there, but you wouldn't let me. You reminded me I had a family, that I was your family. You kept Callie's and Sofia's name on your tongue like a mantra. I'm positive if love was able to keep someone alive, it was the only thing that kept you going.

I got to hold our girl today. She's such a beautiful happy baby. She smiled at me when she saw me. Her eyes twinkled like you say mine do when I'm up to something, then her lips spread into this huge toothless grin and I know for a fact she has Callie's mouth and smile, but then she turned and looked to the side and I saw the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Dimples! Our daughter has dimples. But they aren't just any dimples, they are on both cheeks and they are so deep and it's like she already knows how to make them pop and they make her even more adorable. I don't know how the hell you did it but she got your dimples blondie…as it should be. She's the perfect mix of all three of us. Our kid is going to be a heartbreaker for sure. She needs you. She's going to need you around to be the bad cop, we all know Callie can't say no to those dimples.

I've seen her a few times…Cal. She's barely holding it together. Don't tell her this, but she's looking worse than me these days. I'm sure she's bouncing from me to you while trying to raise our daughter without letting her feel any of the stress or sadness going on around her. I would worry about her, but I know you're strong and you will fight your way back for her. You two were made for each other. I know you already promised me, but I need you to swear you'll take care of them and always make sure they are happy. Torres needs you. She's a different person with you. She's stronger, more confident, happier. You believe in her, you support her, you push her to be better. Most importantly, you love her more than anyone in her life ever has or ever will, including me. I know I got in the way a lot. I'm sorry for that. I never meant to cause problems between the two of you. I guess I can tell you now, I was jealous. Not that you were with Callie. We never loved each other like that. I was jealous of what you two had. That love is rare. It needs to be treasured. It's infectious and I just thought, well, if I could be around and see how it works, I could find a love like that too. I did. I found her; I just didn't know how to keep her. It looks like I'll have my chance to spend forever with her soon.

I need to say some things, things I've never said. Before the plane, I thought I had all the time in the world, so I just didn't say them. On that mountain, you wouldn't let me say them. But I need to say them and I pray to God it's not too late.

On your wedding day, you told me Callie made you want things you never even knew you wanted and all your dreams were coming true. But I know this wasn't your dream…I wasn't a part of your dream. But you made it your dream, you made it work, and you made Cal's dream come true, and mine. You gave us a beautiful daughter; you gave her life and you are such an incredible mom. It's like you're a natural and you love Sofia so much and she adores you. I know you have so much more love to give and can see you and Cal with a houseful of kids someday.

With everything that happened, surrounding Sofia's birth and after we all settled into this strange family unit, I really started thinking. Something you said, (You'll know what it is), made me think about life and family and the future. I don't know how you'll feel about this…I mean, I know how you felt the first time, and I had thought about bringing it up at some point, we just, we never got to that point. Anyway, I uhh…I did a thing. I did it for you and Cal, but mostly for Sofia. I'm stalling, I know. Before I say this, I need to know, do you have any bricks handy?

Okay, okay, so, um, there's an envelope for you in my office. It's paperwork for a donation I made in your names. I transferred the funds to a special account in your names also, to cover costs for storage as well as umm delivery? Well, whatever…it's all paid for and all the documentation is there. I don't even know how to say this, so I'll just say it. I left you some Sloan Sauce in case you and Cal want to have more Robbins-Torres babies. I have no say, and maybe I'm out of line, but I just thought whoever carries, this baby could be genetically related to Sofia. But you have to admit, you and me, we'd make one gorgeous kid blondie! Just think of the rumors that would cause. The man-whore and the gold star. HA! But seriously, I was an only child, you lost your brother, and Cal's sister doesn't talk to her. Medically speaking, if one of your children is in need, the other may be able to help. Personally speaking, I know both of your views on family and how important it is. So, just know, the option is there.

It took us a long time to get here, but I need you to know, you aren't just my best friend's wife. You are one of my best friends. You are the little sister I never had. You kept me honest, you made me think, you challenged me, you made me want to be a better man, for Sofia, for Callie, for you, and for Lexie. You taught me how to be a good man in a storm. I will always be grateful to you for that.

I love you Arizona,

Man-whore

Callie sat and observed quietly as Arizona read the last words of their dear friend, their family, the father of their child. She watched as the tears fell freely, she saw the small smile, heard the giggle at some point, then for a brief moment, felt the pure shock, and finally, the sadness of a final goodbye was heard in the sob that could no longer be held back. She looked on as the letter was placed on her lap, Arizona brought her knees to her chin and curled in on herself crying silent tears of pain, anguish, and finality. She wasn't sure what to do. When Arizona got like this, she wanted to be left alone, she didn't want to be touched, she was trying to make herself small, as if she could just disappear into nothingness. Against her better judgement, knowing it would kill her if she were shrugged off, Callie wrapped her arm around Arizona's shoulder and was both relieved and surprised when she turned her body, scooted onto her lap, tucked her face in her neck and started crying harder than she had ever heard her cry before. She realized then, Arizona had never grieved Mark's death, she never allowed her to grieve either, she did, just not in front of Arizona. But this, this wailing cry of a pain so deep, buried for so long, it broke her and she allowed her own tears to fall. Tears for the loss of a friend, tears for the pain of the woman she loves, tears for a tragedy that changed their lives forever. Both women sat in the quiet room, their sobs echoing off the walls, shaking in one another's arms finding healing in their shared mourning.

Once the sobs subsided and dwindled into shallow gasps of breath and quiet sniffles and the tears were all but dried salty streaks staining reddened and puffy cheeks, both women still clung to one another, all emotion and energy spent. Callie leaned to her left, grabbed the sheet used to cover a piece of furniture and her bottle of water, dampened one of the corners then wiped first Arizona's face, then her own. Handing the bottle of water to Arizona, she encouraged her to drink, then took a long drink herself. She knew they would both have headaches after such a crying jag. As she settled them against the back of the sofa, her hand brushed the folded letter and she stared down at it wondering if she even wanted to know what it said now. Following her gaze, Arizona took a deep breath and encouraged, "It's okay, you can read it." Callie shook her head and responded shakily, "I…I don't know if I can." Arizona took the letter from the cushion next to them and said, "You should, there's something in there that involves both of us and I think…I think we should talk about it. I want to talk about it." Callie nodded her head, took the letter from Arizona's hand and prepared herself to read her best friend's final words. As Arizona started to move from her lap, Callie wrapped her arm around her waist and murmured, "Stay, please." Arizona situated herself more comfortably on Callie's lap, rested her head against her shoulder and silently reread the letter along with her girlfriend.

As Callie's eyes soaked up every word, her brain conjured images of her wife and best friend dying on the side of a mountain…knowing they were dying…willing the other to live, for her, for her daughter…their daughter. No one ever told her what it was like for them, she's sure she knew of Arizona's other injuries, but her leg was the most pressing, but now thinking that she sat there for days staring at her leg, coughing up blood, and trying to keep Mark alive as well, she glanced down at the small frame in her lap and suddenly she seemed so big, so strong, so…invincible. Reading this letter also made her realize Mark and Arizona had truly built their own relationship, loved each other in their own ways, but she also understood something happened between them, something she was unaware of, something they both carried with them silently. Maybe it's what brought them closer, maybe it explains why they seemed so different after she awoke from her coma, whatever it was, she knew it played a big part in making them the family they were. Reading further, her eyes nearly bulged from her head, her heart sank to her stomach, her pulse started racing, and she suddenly realized this must have been what caused the shock on Arizona's own face as she read the letter. She couldn't think, couldn't process, all she could do was wonder what the hell happened that made this come about. Finishing the final paragraph, tears once again filled her burning eyes as she read the final goodbye.

Dropping the letter to the side, she kissed the top of Arizona's head and sat quietly, not knowing what to say, where to start. She was almost certain she knew what Arizona wanted to talk about, she was just deathly afraid of that topic…afraid to hope…afraid to want…afraid to hear what her girlfriend had to say about it. This was never something that came easy to them, it was always a battle and she was certain Mark's offer would make it a bigger battle. Arizona could almost hear Callie's wheels spinning, her own had been turning for days…weeks. It felt like every time she turned around she felt the need, the want, she was just afraid to vocalize it, afraid it was too soon, afraid it was too late. But this…this chance to talk about it was staring them in the face.

Staying where she was, Callie's arms wrapped firmly around her waist, Arizona said quietly, "Callie, I want more kids…it, it doesn't have to be right now, but…yeah, I want more kids." Callie froze as her mind raced with images…Arizona leaving her apartment while she sat crying with a phone number still scrawled on her hand, Arizona in a scrub room telling her there was no heartbeat, her and Arizona screaming at each other in the attendings lounge about trying again, her and Arizona fighting in the waiting room of the surrogacy office, her walking away from the love of her life in a therapists office, her sitting on the witness stand in court, listening as she lost custody of her own child. Every single memory she had of them arguing about children, about how it always broke her, broke them, flashed through her mind and she slid out from underneath Arizona and stood to face her. More forcefully than she wanted to, Callie said, "No, I…we can't…I can't talk about this. It never…I can't…I'm sorry." She then turned and walked out the door of the pool house.

XXXX

Callie walked out of the pool house, closed the door behind her, looked up to the dark sky and let out a deep breath. The way she was feeling in that moment, she actually wanted to howl at the moon. She wasn't angry, not at Arizona, not even at Mark, but at herself, she knew she shouldn't have left like that, she just…she didn't know what to say. She started to turn to go back in but knew she needed to think, she needed to process. As she started to walk back toward the house, passing the pool, her eyes landed on the double lounger and all she could see in that moment was Arizona lying there with little Steven cuddled on her chest and the way she looked at him as she held him. Turning in the other direction, she found herself on the walking path headed toward the fountain. She looked out in the yard and images of Arizona running around the goat pen followed by two blonde haired little boys and two dark haired little girls flooded her mind. As she reached the fountain, she was grateful for the timing lights so she wouldn't have to sit in the dark nor fumble for the switch. She sat on the bench and stared into the water and as the blue light faded to white, it left the water black for just a moment and as the white appeared she was reminded of an ultrasound. The ultrasound Arizona performed on Julie and the vision she had as she stood at the end of the bed watching…meet your son…but in that vision, Arizona was handing her a blonde-headed blue-eyed replica of herself.

Callie took a deep breath and rubbed her face with both hands. If she were being honest with herself, she knew it was only a matter of time before those same words, the words Arizona just spoke, came flying out of her own mouth. She'd been thinking of it more and more lately and both of them had made comments about their 'children' rather than just their daughter. They'd already talked about getting remarried, they were stronger than they'd ever been, they were both physically and emotionally healthy and they'd changed so much. They were great parents, even when they weren't together, they put their daughter first.

But even with all that, there were so many reasons not to consider it. What if they didn't make it, neither of them could handle another custody battle. Then they had to think about their ages, even if they started right now, they'd be almost 60 by the time the baby graduated from high school. Then there was the age difference between Sofia and a baby…she'd be nearly 10 by the time the baby was born. Who would carry? She couldn't carry and she was certain Arizona wouldn't want to, not with what happened last time. So that left adoption or surrogacy which meant more time. Then there was work. Her center was going so strong and Arizona was just getting hers off the ground. Could either of them afford to take time off for maternity leave? The odds were stacked against them, they always were. Sofia was their one blessing…maybe they just…they needed to be happy with what they had.

Leaning forward, she put her elbows on her knees and rested her head in her hands. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind. It didn't work. We'll have kids, we'll have all kinds of kids and I…I always thought I wasn't cut out to be a mom, but you'll be a great mom, you'll be an amazing mom. Let's have a baby…we've had such a hard year since the crash and wouldn't it be nice to have something new and happy to think about? I want another baby too. I chose to be Sofia's mother! It did not fall into my lap. There was a choice, I could stay or I could run and I chose motherhood and it was the best choice that I ever made…I love my child and I want her with me, but I know, no matter how this ends, she'll survive. She will be healthy and safe and well-taken care of and loved because…we are her mothers. WAKE UP!

Callie was broken from her musings and looked around, she knew she hadn't fallen asleep, but the voice…it was so clear, so familiar. Staring into the water, she knew where her heart was leading her, she knew what it wanted, what it always wanted, but her head…her head was telling her to be logical, to not jump like she was always wont to do. Her head was telling her not to be impulsive, not to believe…WAKE UP! She knew she heard it that time, looking around she couldn't see anything, but noticed a rock had fallen from the pile near the fountain. Standing up to replace it, she picked it up and noticed it was one of the rocks they painted for Mark. Turning it over, she saw there was something written on the back. Walking closer to the fountain, she leaned it toward the light and read the perfect script of her girlfriend, "I'm a mom, you're a dad, that makes us family." Callie dropped the rock and quickly made her way back to the pool house.

XXXX

Arizona sat on the small sofa that once belonged in her own home in Seattle and held her head in her hands trying to fight back the tears she knew were coming. She couldn't understand why this was always such a battle, why they could never agree when it came to kids. She could barely remember that time so long ago when she didn't want children, wouldn't even consider it. Since she first heard Sofia's heartbeat, she knew she was a mom and she knew it would be the most important job of her life, but it wasn't a job, it was a joy. Even though she hated how she was conceived and how harrowing her first few months of life were, even through the custody battle and not having her daughter with her for nearly a year, having Sofia, being a mother was the best choice she ever made. She and Callie were such an amazing team as parents, they complemented each other so well. But more than that, she knew they had so much love to give and since the day she decided she wanted kids, she'd seen children running all over the house. Something always got in the way. Herself, her own fears included.

She wanted to chase Callie, to tell her all of this, but she knew her girlfriend, she knew in this frame of mind nothing would be heard and an argument would ensue. Standing up, she nearly tripped over the box that started it all and placed it on the sofa. She didn't want to go in the house just yet, she knew Callie needed space, she needed space. Finding the box within itself was a lot to process, then she had to go and drop her bomb. She could only be grateful there was no fight, no argument, she just…she didn't know where this left them. Walking to the window, she could scarcely make out the silhouette of the play structure in the back yard. Her mind wandered back to one of her first days in New York. She remembered looking over to the swings and seeing Sofia sitting there holding a little boy with unruly blonde curls and bright blue eyes. She quickly shook the image from her mind then, knowing it was too soon, but she couldn't do it now, its all she could see. Her mind wandered to that day she held Steven on her chest as he napped, his olive skin and dark hair, how cuddly he was, how adorable his little snores were. He could have been Callie's…hers and Callie's…he reminded her of Sofia and how she used to snuggle into her.

She turned and stared at the door wondering if she should have stopped Callie, made her hear her out. She knew why she couldn't talk about it; she knew having a lot of kids was always Callie's dream and she knew something always stopped them. Maybe her girlfriend was just afraid to hope, afraid to think it could actually happen now. But this was their second chance at happiness, she knew they could do it; they were so different than they were before. She was scared too, but it didn't make her want it any less. But now she wondered, worried, if they would survive this, if there would just be this huge elephant in the room. How ironic would that be? Their first break up being because Callie wanted kids and she didn't and their last being because she wanted kids and Callie didn't. Maybe it was just too late, maybe Callie's dreams have changed, maybe she should just let it go, tell her she was right, tell her to forget it.

As she wandered around the room, trying to figure out what to say, she went to the window and stared out once more. She closed her eyes and tried to silence her mind. No matter how hard she tried, she just kept seeing images of babies and kids running around. She knew she had to say something, but she also knew she was deathly afraid this would end them. Resting her arms on the windowsill, she put her head down and closed her eyes. Taking deep breaths, she thought of nothing but breathing in and out and that's when she heard it…WAKE UP…she popped her head up and looked around but saw nothing. Resting her head back on her hands, she began her breathing exercises again. This time, she heard it more clearly…WAKE UP…when she looked up this time, she saw that Mark's box had tipped over and there, lying on the floor was a large manilla envelope addressed to both her and Callie. Walking over to the couch, she picked up the envelope and headed for the door, determined to make Callie hear her out. Just as she reached for the doorknob, the door opened and in walked a very sheepish looking Callie Torres declaring, "I'm scared."

Arizona heaved a sigh of relief, threw herself into Callie's arms and whispered, "I know, me too. I'm scared too." Callie wrapped her arms around Arizona's waist and held on for dear life. She didn't know what this conversation would entail or how it would end, but she knew for now, in this moment, she had the love of her life in her arms right where she belonged. Clenching her eyes closed, she murmured, "I can't lose you again, I won't survive it Arizona. I want this, I do, I want a baby, but I can't lose you. We need to be sure. We need to talk and agree on everything." Arizona pulled back, blue eyes shining with love and hope, placed both of her hands on Callie's cheeks and declared, "I'm not going anywhere Calliope. I can't lose you either, it would destroy me. But I want to talk about it. I want the option to at least discuss it." Callie lifted one hand to cup Arizona's neck and pulled her in connecting their lips in a long sensual kiss, relieved when it was immediately reciprocated. Pulling back, Arizona smiled and declared, "I love you so much, thank you for coming back." Callie connected their lips and replied, "I'm never walking away again. I just needed a minute to think, to clear my head." Arizona nodded in understanding then led Callie over to the couch where they sat down facing one another.

Arizona reached for Callie's hands and looked down at them as she admitted, "This didn't…today wasn't the first time I've thought about this. I'm almost embarrassed to admit the first time." Callie looked at her in question and she continued, "Do you remember that first Taco Tuesday that you took Sof shopping and left me here to have some alone time?" Callie smiled and nodded. Arizona blushed lightly and admitted, "When I was walking through the yard, I noticed the playset. I looked over at the swing and I saw Sofia swinging on it, but she wasn't alone. She was holding a baby in her hands. A toddler, a blue-eyed, toothless, little boy with blonde curls standing all over his head and the two of them were just giggling at one another." Callie squeezed her hands, took a deep breath and replied, "That day Jordyn brought the kids over. I was in the pool with Sof and looked up to show you she was swimming on her own and you were on the lounger holding Steven to your chest. He was wrapped up in a towel and I could see his dark hair peeking out of the top and you were cradling him and looking at him like you used to look at Sofia. My stomach flipped, I wanted that to be our son, it scared me then too." Arizona kissed the back of her hand and confirmed, "So we both, we've both thought about it?"

Callie nodded and chuckled, "That day you did Julie's ultrasound. She resembles you, a little. When you said, 'Meet your son', my mind pictured you in that bed and you were holding this chubby cheeked little boy with dimples as deep as yours, ice-blue eyes and white blonde curls sticking up everywhere." Arizona smiled and said, "The other day at the zoo when Jessica, Sofia, and the twins all pulled me in with the goats, I just…I couldn't help but think how they could be ours." Callie nodded; she saw that too. Taking a deep breath she knew they could talk themselves into having a baby so quickly, but she knew they needed to talk about all of it. Rubbing her thumb along the back of Arizona's hand she said quietly, "We've gotten to this point so many times before. I'm just, there's so much to consider now. What we want and what is possible, what is logical…we need to consider everything." Arizona knew Callie was right and she now understood why Callie had to leave, why she had to take a break and think things through, if she didn't, she would have jumped right in and Callie didn't do that anymore. Tilting her head, she asked, "What were you thinking about out there? What's on your mind?"

Callie pulled her hands back and ran them through her hair. She closed her eyes trying to think of all the things that concerned her. Opening her eyes she revealed all the things she thought about while she was out by the fountain. Arizona listened intently knowing Callie was raising good points. She didn't know what she needed to do here. She couldn't deny Callie's concerns were valid and she wasn't certain that this meant it was an absolute no on her girlfriend's part. Seeing how quiet Arizona had become and watching how the light in her eyes dimmed slightly, Callie assured, "Those are just my concerns Arizona. I want to talk about them, I want us to see if we can really do this." Arizona tilted her head and answered, "Well, as far as the age thing goes, we are going to turn 60 whether we have 1 kid or 4 it will just be busier and you have to admit, teenagers will keep us young. As far as Sofia's age, yes, it's a big gap, but she would be an amazing big sister and they'll still have plenty of time together and we just assure that they do things to build that bond." Callie chuckled; she knew neither of those arguments held much water, but she still had to bring them up. Arizona took a deep breath and declared, "I'm more concerned about the age thing right now." Callie arched her brow in question, then it dawned on her what her girlfriend was about to say. Arizona took her hands once again and suggested, "I want to carry. I…I know what I said, but that was years ago and my body has healed, my mind has healed. I know it is rougher on amputees, but…I need to try Callie. I want to know what it's like to have a tiny human growing inside me, and, and I know what to do now…I know…I'm a fetal surgeon, I know all the risks, but honestly…there aren't many…even at my age…and…and…I have the best orthopedist in the world."

Callie could feel Arizona's hands tremoring slightly, looked up to see her hopeful expression and realized it wasn't from fear of actually carrying, but from anxiety over her response. This one threw her; she couldn't deny it. She was almost certain Arizona would insist on adoption or surrogacy. She was getting more hopeful but couldn't let it get in the way of her other concerns, "Your center Arizona. It's just getting off the ground, I just can't…you gave up Africa for me…I made your fellowship miserable…I can't…You deserve this, you've worked so hard for this." Arizona expected this, she knew her professional goals always came between them, she was determined this time to find a way to make both work. Blowing out a deep breath she explained, "Calliope, I told Mark and I'm telling you; you've made me see things for myself that I never even dared to dream. Having children, being your wife that's my dream. Yes, I have professional goals too and they are coming true as well. But I can't…I won't put my life or my family on hold for my job. Nicole and I have already looked into taking on fellows and one of the local professors will be helping us with training. By the time I am at the point that I will need to take leave, we will have people trained and in place and truly, what better place to spend all my days than in a women's clinic surrounded by OB's and fetal surgeons and you, you're right across the street." Callie knew she had made her decision and couldn't fight back her smile, her heart was beating so fast, she knew it was about to come right out of her chest.

Arizona held her breath, she knew that smile, just for added incentive, she unleashed her best super-magic smile and popped her dimples so hard her cheeks hurt. Callie shook her head and just like she did at the airport weeks ago, murmured, "Damn super-magic smile." She then pulled Arizona onto her lap and poured all the love, all the excitement, all the happiness she could into the searing kiss. Arizona let out a moan as their tongues connected and lifted her hand to Callie's head to pull her even closer. As the two broke apart, breathing heavily, bodies tingling with want and need, Arizona asked shyly, "Was that a yes?" Callie's mega-watt smile instantly appeared on her face and she exclaimed, "Yes, yes Arizona. I want another baby. I want as many babies as you'll give me." Arizona leaned in close so their lips almost touched and whispered, "Let's just start with the one." Callie nodded happily and they sealed their agreement with another long searing kiss. Finally coming up for some much needed air, Arizona rested her head on Callie's shoulder while running her fingers along the stubble at the back of her head. Callie closed her eyes in contentment, her heart still racing.

Arizona sat cuddled in Callie's arms appreciating her strength and reveling in her warmth. She knew there was one more thing they had to talk about. The big thing. When she felt as if she could speak again, she finally said, "I didn't like him, I didn't like that he played such a big role in our relationship, I didn't like that he looked at my boobs, I hated him when I found out you slept with him, I wanted to kill him. When our daughter was born and didn't have a heartbeat, he looked to me, he didn't know what to do and he needed me. Our daughter needed me to take her first breath. After that, he came to me whenever he had a question about her. He wouldn't let anyone touch her but me. When she came home and she stayed with him, he brought her to me to get her to sleep or quit crying. When we got married, I had a break down and he was there. I missed Tim so badly, but Mark came in and held me and let me grieve. That's the day I saw the Mark you saw. That's the day he became my best friend too. No, he wasn't part of my dream, but he worked his way in there somehow. There are days I miss him just as much as I miss Tim and Nick. When I see Sof do something he would have done, or when she crinkles up her eyes when she smiles, I get this sharp pain in my heart. It only lasts for a second, but it happens so often, I don't even acknowledge it now. No matter how she got here, he gave us our daughter and now, he wants to give us more children. He's a dad and I'm a mom. If it's okay with you, I'd like to use it. I'd like our children to have the same mothers and father."

Callie sat with her arms wrapped around this miraculous human being. The woman she thought she had lost so many times. She still didn't understand what that phrase meant, he's a dad and she's a mom, but it meant a great deal to them. But she still had to be sure and she couldn't help but ask, "Arizona, if Mark were alive, if we wanted another child and he offered to donate, would you accept?" Arizona thought about it for a moment, smirked then answered, "Well, not direct deposit…" Callie let out a huge bark of laughter, that was the last response she was expecting. Tapping her girlfriend's hip, she scolded, "I'm being serious." Arizona straightened her face and responded truthfully, "I can't say for sure. I mean, I will admit he was a great father and surprisingly an excellent co-parent. No, he wasn't my first choice in the beginning, but we made it work, we became our own little weird family. I'd like to think, if he were in a situation where he could, meaning not married or involved and it wouldn't cause him problems…I'd like to think that I would have said yes. It's like I said, I would love for our kids to have the same parents. It's not like if we had another kid by another donor he wouldn't take on that role anyway, you know Mark." Callie thought about that for a moment, allowed the words to linger in her mind. She knew Arizona's biggest problem with Mark being the father was that he and Callie had slept together. No, they weren't the closest before, but Sofia changed all that, for all of them.

She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her girlfriend's temple, then her cheek, finally the corner of her mouth. Arizona turned and captured her lips in a slow but passionate kiss pouring all of her love into it. When they broke apart, Arizona rested her head on Callie's chest once again. After a few minutes of silence, Callie asked, "So you want to use the Sloan Sauce huh?" Hearing the ridiculous phrase coined by their deceased friend, Arizona snorted. "We will NOT be using that term, but yes, I would like to use his…uhhhh don't make me say it." Both women giggled then. Callie smiled and asked, "So, you're going to give me my blue-eyed blonde-haired baby?" Her smile took Arizona's breath away. "As long as I can make you smile like that, I'll do anything you want." She leaned in and gave her girlfriend a chaste kiss then moved to get up off the couch. The brunette held tighter and brought their lips together again. She slipped her tongue between pink lips and tangled it with that of her lover, the mother of her current and future children and tried to show her exactly how happy she was. As the kiss deepened, she lifted her hand to tangle into blonde curls and moaned as they shifted angles slightly. Arizona turned her body to straddle muscular thighs and leaned forward. She gasped as their breasts brushed against one another.

Callie slipped her hand under the back of Arizona's shirt and immediately unclasped her bra then pulled both the shirt and bra up over the blonde's head breaking the kiss only long enough to remove the offending items. Tan hands covered pale breasts making Arizona arch into the touch while simultaneously grinding down on Callie's sex causing her to growl in frustration, "Too many clothes." Arizona nodded in agreement and yanked Callie's shirt and bra over her head while Callie worked at the buttons of Arizona's shorts and yanked them down as far as they would go revealing pale pink panties. Callie grabbed Arizona's hips and stood them both up while attaching her lips to a turgid strawberry colored nipple. Arizona's eyes rolled to the back of her head at the sensation and she couldn't decide if she wanted to hold Callie closer or continue taking their clothes off. Splitting the difference, she wrapped one hand around Callie's head while snaking her hand between them and working the button and zipper of her shorts. Callie moved to Arizona's other breast while using her hands to rid them both of the rest of their clothing. Turning them around, she lay Arizona on the couch and settled her body on top of her, both moaning at the feel of skin on skin.

Callie looked deep into Arizona's eyes as she rolled her hips rubbing their mounds together. Arizona let out a deep sigh of relief, reached down between their bodies and spread both of their outer lips nearly crying out when she felt Callie's clit brush against her own. As she brought her hand back up, Callie reached out, pulled her hand to her mouth and licked their combined moisture from her fingers. They both knew with their emotions running high, this wouldn't take long but were determined to bring each other as much pleasure as they could. Slowing her movements, still staring into darkened blue eyes, Callie bent forward and declared, "We're going to have a baby." Arizona smiled brightly and repeated, "We're going to have a baby." They then connected their lips in a long searing kiss as their bodies moved together as one.

A/N: Thank you all for the great reviews. I know that last chapter was really busy, but I wanted to get the story moving along. Since I have the extra time on my hands, I didn't want to keep you waiting long and this chapter was mostly written, well the letter was written and the rest was in my head screaming to get out. Also, I've been dying to use the reference from Mark's return in S17.

I know this is going to give me some backlash because there are some people, me being one of them, who believe Mark was way too involved in their relationship. I really struggled with it for a long time. But as I started writing this story, I recalled how Mark and Arizona's relationship changed and how at the very end, she truly missed him. So, in a way, I've included Mark so much to make amends in my own mind, but also because I wanted to stay as true to canon as I could and I believe he would come up a lot as Sofia got older.

As for this little surprise, I have read so many stories where somehow Arizona's brother ends up being the donor or they go through the whole picking a blonde haired blue eyed athlete or a Latino scientist and think I have only come across one where Mark has been the donor. People are going to disagree and fuss that Arizona never would have gone for that, she would even balk at it, but part of me feels like Arizona does in her explanation as to why she has decided to accept Marks gift. In the end, they became a family.