"Did you just hear yourself?" Callie asked coming out of her blank gaze with somewhat of an unbelieving laugh. "You just finished yelling at me. Now you want to be my girlfriend?"
Arizona's eyes finally widened. "I meant... I mean... that didn't- " she stopped herself before she got too far.
"I meant that I think about it." she added quickly, "Not right now." then smiled as she said, "But yeah, I want you to be my girlfriend. And I don't mean to stay stuck on this but, would you have let us get that far without me knowing? Because..." she licked her lips as she put together her thoughts. "Looking back on it, I asked you things and you just gave me all these brush offs." She'd be lying to say she wasn't worried by the fact that Callie had so skillfully left out information. "If this..." she pointed between the two of them. "...is going to continue, you can't be hiding things or finding loop holes around giving the complete truth. And listen, the diabetes thing isn't a big deal but I have no clue what to look for and what would help is you being open about stuff like that. I wanna know, just try at least."
"Okay." Callie nodded.
"We clear?" Arizona said arching an eyebrow with a stern look.
"Crystal." It turned her on a little to see the blonde authoritative. She secretly watched for a little while at her classes occasionally to see the blonde put students in line.
"Good. Teddy agreed to come over and have dinner. Tim said sure too."
"Ok, what day works for everyone?"
"Weekend might probably be best. Saturday?"
"Does 6 sound okay?"
"I'll ask to make sure but it should be."
"Okay, well you can just ask and get back to me." She went to pull the door but then turned back. "Umm... just so I don't end up killing anyone on top of your best friend already not liking me, is anyone allergic to anything?"
"I'm allergic to bees stings." Arizona mentioned with a shrug and a laugh teasing at Callie's lack of specification. "But I think you meant food so no, no one has any food allergies."
"You think you're really funny, huh?" She smiled at the dimpled smile beamed in her direction.
"You have to admit it was a little funny."
"Sure it was." Callie said sarcastically. "I have to pick up Aria from work." She looked into blue eyes. "Are we okay?"
Arizona nodded and gave a soft smile.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow." she gave her a kiss before leaving the car.
Saturday
"Hey! Come in, come in. Give me a minute I was still trying to get things out the oven."
"That's fine, I'll just come and help." Arizona went in the direction of Callie, looking back to give Tim and Teddy a look to say, 'don't do anything dumb'.
"Oh, you can sit anywhere, I promise it's 10 minutes tops." Callie said to them.
"You'd think everything would be ready when we got here seeing that we got here late."
"She said 10 minutes, it's not that long. I don't mind waiting." Tim said in an easy tone trying to show her it wasn't as big as she was making it. "And she seems nice."
"We haven't been here for 5 minutes properly, you don't know her that well." Teddy retorted dryly.
"Are you going to actually give her a chance or is this'hardass thing you're trying to do going to keep up? What's your problem anyway?"
"Do you want another Shay?" she whisper yelled. "Because I gave Shay more than enough of my grace and she cheatedon her. Maybe you don't mind having that happen to your sister again but I'm going to make sure it won't and-"
"Stop." Tim said in a low, stern tone that shocked Teddy a bit. "I care that my sister is happy, it looks like she does that for Az and I'll support that once it's genuine." He looked up to make sure his voice didn't reach the kitchen by mistake. "You bugged her for months about not dating, she's finally talking to someone. You can choose to be happy about it or be a sour puss but I'm telling you that she wants her best friend to have her back. You can make what you want out of what I said."
He got up heading into the kitchen leaving her on her own.
Teddy did think about it. She couldn't see how she could be wrong. She cared, a lot. It was her responsibility to make sure her bestfriend was happy, she wanted to do a good job at that. Why was it a crime? In her mind everyone was being too calm about this new person in her bestfriend's life. They hardly knew her, how could they be sure she wasn't going to mess up like the last person they trusted?
Apparently she would spend the wait stewed in her thoughts.
"Hey, need any help?"
They all turned to look at Tim who entered the kitchen.
"Yeah, you can get one of the clippy thingys to take out the salad then just rest the bowl on the table out there."
"Oh, um sure." he wasn't sure the person who spoke to him but carried out the request anyway.
"He is handsome." Aria said in what she believed was a whisper.
"Aria!" Callie practically yelled hitting her sister on the arm hoping Arizona didn't hear. "Don't get any ideas."
"Don't let him hear you, it will go straight to his head." Arizona joked.
"Let's carry these out so we can start dinner, shall we?" Callie interrupted her sister before she had the chance to say anything embarrassing.
When they were settled at the table and everyone was introduced conversation began.
"So Callie, Arizona tells me you're a P.E. teacher, how come you chose to become one?" Teddy started awkwardly.
Callie swallowed the food in her mouth before answering. "Um, well, I uh. I liked sports a lot and always dreamed of teaching and helping kids so I just kinda put the two together. Honestly not much of a story."
"She was the best on the soccer and basketball team her senior year in high-school." Aria cut in.
"So what happened?"
"Tim!" Arizona beckoned for her brother although she wanted to know too.
"Nothing happened, it was just suppose to be a high-school thing."
"Oh ok." Teddy said still feeling very awkward, she wanted to carry out a real investigation but new she wouldn't get away with it.
"I don't remember what school Arizona told me you teach at." Callie wanted to take full advantage of trying to win her over.
"I teach at a private school a little out of the way."
"Oh, ok. What subject do you teach?"
"English. Arizona didn't mention that to you? You should ask her about all of those little stories we use to write together after school all the time, the students loved them. I'm sure you could find some right, Arizona?"
Shifting uncomfortably, "I don't know, that was a while ago, I probably won't find any."
"No I saw some in that box of old things you keep in the closet." Tim chimed in.
"Why were you even in there?" Arizona asked.
"Oh my gosh... Really!?" Teddy squealed skipping over the defensive question to Tim. "We have to go through them when we get home."
"Um yeah... maybe." She said now just trying to finish the conversation.
Callie wondered why she seemed so threatened by the thought of still having the books.
"This is a little awkward." Aria whispered to Callie.
"Shut up." Callie said. "How is the food? Everyone enjoying it?" she changed the subject.
"The lasagna is reeeaaally good." Arizona beamed licking her lips.
"Yeah?" She smiled when she got a nod. "The food alright for the two of you too?" She asked the other two occupants at the table.
"I agree with Az, this is delicious!" Time said with his mouth stuffed.
"Just so you all know, I helped her make this delicious meal."
Teddy scoffed, receiving an elbow to her side from Arizona.
"Well thank you..." Tim replied leaving the last part open for her to give her name.
"Aria, Callie's sister. It's a pleasure to meet you." she reached out her hand for him to shake then did the same to Teddy. "Nice to meet you too."
"How come you chose to join us? I'm sure there were better things to do." Teddy asked. Arizona could sense the passive aggression seeping out behind the seemingly pleasant tone.
"Well Aria happened to have the day off today and didn't mind joining so she did." Arizona answered for her in an alarmingly chipper voice to Teddy.
Everyone at the table somehow missed the tension between the best friends.
"So Aria, tell me a bit about yourself. I'd ask Callie but I think Arizona shares enough about her every chance she gets." Teddy said trying to ignore the glare Arizona was giving her.
"Um... I moved in with Callie a few months ago. Home was getting a bit crowded." Callie arched her eyebrow but didn't say anything. "I work at a flower shop a little ways from here. The plan is to have my own at some point. Before the whole flower shop plan there were thoughts of having a bakery, but yeah, I don't know, plants won my heart... wow I'm just realising I'm rather boring." she laughed.
"No not at all." Arizona dismissed. "So your good in the kitchen too. I was telling Callie last time that she could open a restaurant." She smiled liking in Callie's direction.
"Yeah my aunt had us in the kitchen pretty early."
"I heard the story." Arizona laugh remembering.
"Callie was- "
"We don't need to hear it again." Callie hopped in quickly to stop her sister anticipating the never ending story time she would've started.
"You said home was crowded. You didn't live alone?" Teddy opened back up the conversation with Aria.
"No, we lived in Tacoma with our aunt most of our lives. Callie moved out when she turned 20 and I stayed a little longer, so yeah, up until recently that's where I lived."
"How come you guys lived with your aunt?"
"Our- "
"Teddy, could you help me with something in the bathroom?" Arizona cut Aria off before she shared, it didn't seem right to have them going over their family problems at something that was suppose to be light hearted.
"Now?"
"Preferably yeah." Arizona said in a passive aggressive tone and a forced smile to go with it.
"We'll be right back." Arizona said getting up.
When the bathroom door shut after Teddy practically got dragged in she began.
"What are you doing?" Arizona whisper-yelled.
"What do you mean? I'm getting to know them."
"You know what I mean, now your being insulting. You're making all these faces and being passive aggressive, and the last question was none of your business."
"I was just curious and her sister just keeps butting in anyway so I figured I'd ask some questions."
Arizona scoffed. "Did you ever stop to think maybe she's excited her sister is meeting someone's family? I would've hoped you were happy for me too." there was a bit of hurt in her voice.
Teddy stayed silent.
"Are you going to actually get to know them or do you want to keep this thing up? Because if you aren't going to try you can leave now."
"Ok." Maybe she'd give Callie a chance. Arizona was currently giving her the Robbins glare
"Ok you'll try?"
"Yes."
"Good." Arizona thought it sounded genuine enough.
They sat back down with everyone else.
"Ok so I know you're a P.E. teacher but are there any other subjects you like?" Teddy figured it was time she got to know her actually before she drew a definite conclusion.
"I wanted to be an architect at one point so Art was fun for sure. I'm really good with my hands."
"Oh yeah? You know much about cars?" Tim asked excitedly.
"I know enough to change my oil but no, nothing much past that." Callie shrugged. "But I wouldn't mind learning some, maybe you could teach me a thing or two."
"Sure I could do that. Changing your oil is better than Arizona can do." Tim chuckled out.
"Be quiet." Arizona rolled her eyes playfully.
"Don't let her change your tires Callie, the windows will stop working too."
"Oh shut up." Arizona folded her arms pretending to be mad.
Callie laughed putting her arm over her shoulder. "Aw it's ok, I'll teach you how."
Teddy secretly thought the two seemed to go well together upon seeing how they interact with one another.
"You know, I never learnt to change a tire. Tim, do you think you could teach me?" Aria asked with a charming smile.
Callie rolled her eyes in a playful manner knowing her sister's intentions.
"That can be a arrange for you." Tim threw in a wink.
"Well I think everyone's finished with there plates am I right?" Arizona jumped between their banter, the two were basicallyready to jump the other's bones. "I'm ready to try this dessert Aria was talking about." A good distraction.
"So she isn't so bad."
"I could've told you that. It's almost as if once you try to get to know a person you realise sometimes they aren't half as bad as you thought." in a taunting voice although it was lighthearted.
"Yeah, yeah. She gonna meet the Colonel and your mom anytime soon?" Teddy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nope. Not a chance. A person can only handle so much... aaaand we're still new."
"So I've heard a gazillion times." Teddy rolled her eyes teasingly.
"Oh be quiet."
Teddy stuck out her tongue.
"Now when are you gonna let me hook you up with another date?"
"Nope. We are not having this conversation again. You and Tim need to leave me alone."
"Hmm... that sounds familiar, I remember saying that too." Arizona said feigning renaissance.
"Oh shut up!" Teddy nudged her. "I'm done dating." She shuddered remembering the last date she was on.
"Come on! That was one bad one out of what? Like five?" Teddy hated to admit it but now she understood how Arizona must have felt now. "Ughhhhh... fine! You're not gonna leave me alone unless I agree to go on this date are you."
"Not for a second." Arizona replied with a cocky smirk knowing she had her convinced. "He's a really nice guy I think you'll like this one."
Teddy gave her an unconvinced eyebrow raise.
Arizona gave a vigorous nod of assurance with her most convincing smile. "Trust me."
"Tell him I agree to one date." she stuck her soapy finger into the blondes face making sure she understood. "One." she clarified a second time. "He can pick me up at 7 on Thursday. My apartment. All bets are off if he isn't there by 7:01."
"Got it." Arizona said with a cheesy smile.
"I think I managed to survive." Callie joked.
"Yeah you did, that wasn't so bad."
"Do you think I won her yet?" Callie asked a little hesitantly.
Arizona stopped and turned to face her. "I told you to stop worrying about that. Teddy's just playing hard but I think she's warming up. And you've grown on Tim so that'ssomethingfor sure." She smiled and reached up to give her a kiss.
They walk the rest of the way up to the car.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night." She looked up to the car's other passengers. "Bye Teddy, bye Tim. Drive home safe. "
*Author's Note*
I'm sorry I left for so long, things were hectic for a while but there's a lot more time on my hands these days so there should definitely be more updates to look forward to.