Chapter 1

Saturday, December 10, 2016 4:00 PM, New York City

"Mama, hurry! You're missing it!" Sofia shouted.

"What am I missing? And do not shout, Sofia," Callie said, coming into the living room. She stopped in her tracks. Sofia was sitting on the floor, wearing her red Marine Corps sweatshirt that Daniel had given her. The television was tuned to a football game. Since when does Sofia watch football, Callie thought. Sure, there had been times when her daughter had half-watched a game when Callie watched a Miami Dolphins' game on occasion, but she never showed any real interest. And it was Saturday. Why was there a game on?

"It's the Army and Navy football game. It was on my calendar," she explained.

"Sofia, move back. You're too close," Callie said, sitting down on the couch.

"I'm looking for Grandpa and Grandma. Mommy said they were going to go to the game."

Callie chuckled at Sofia's innocent hope at seeing her grandparents.

"Why don't we record the game and that way we can look later for them, hmm?" Callie suggested.

"Okay, Mama."

Callie pressed the record button then patted the sofa next to her. "Let's watch it from here and then at half-time we can call Mommy."

"Do you think she's watching it?"

"Probably."

Callie wistfully recalled how when she and Arizona were together they always tried to find a way to watch the game, even if it was only part of it. Arizona always circled the date on the calendar, along with November 10th (for the Marine Corps birthday) and of course, December 7th.

"So who are we rooting for?" Callie asked.

"Navy. Grandpa went to 'napolis."

"Do you know what Mommy cheers when she watches this game?"

"Go Navy! Beat Army!"

"Why don't you make a sign and we'll take a picture and send it to Grandpa and Grandma."

"Okay," Sofia agreed, jumping up from the couch and running to her bedroom. Minutes later she was sitting at the coffee table, making her sign.

"All done, Mama," she said proudly.

Callie took out her phone and positioned Sofia in front of the television so that the game was visible.

"Hold your sign up, but don't block the words on your sweatshirt," she instructed.

Sofia grinned broadly as she held the piece of paper up.

Callie quickly snapped a few pictures. Sofia rushed over to her, pleading "Let me see, let me see."

"Hold on, hold on." She scrolled through the pictures, Sofia peeking over her shoulder. "Which one should we send?"

"Um, the second one. That one."

Callie would be forever grateful that Barbara Robbins stayed in touch after the divorce and even after the move to New York. They didn't talk much, mostly just exchanging a text message every now and then, and Callie was sure to send lots of photos of Sofia. Talking was still awkward, moreso after the custody battle.

"There, all done," Callie said. "Now let's watch the game and we'll call Mommy at halftime."

Surprisingly enough, Sofia watched the first half with great attention. Callie explained some of the rules and basics of the game, but she was sure that part of Sofia's interest was in looking for her grandparents amongst the nearly eighty thousand people packing the stadium.

"Can we call Mommy now?" Sofia asked.

Callie nodded and called her ex-wife.

"Callie?"

She could detect a hint of panic in Arizona's voice and it occurred to Callie that she hadn't spoken once with Arizona since she and Sofia had moved to New York. All of their communication had been via text or email, and it was always about Sofia. She'd be lying if she didn't admit that it was good to hear her ex-wife's voice again, that she'd missed it.

"Hey," she said after clearing her throat.

"Is something wrong, Callie? Is Sofia okay?"

"No, nothing's wrong." Callie rolled her eyes at Sofia and her daughter giggled. "Sofia and I were just watching television and she has something she wants to say to you."

Sofia took the phone and shouted, "Go Navy! Beat Army!"

Arizona was still laughing when Callie took the phone back from Sofia.

"You're watching the game?"

"Well, yeah. It was on Sofia's calendar, and I know you always liked to watch it, or at least try to watch it." Callie cleared her throat again. "So, um, are you watching the game, too?"

"No, I'm at work." She added, "though I did have an invitation to watch the game with one of my patients and his father. I'll probably stop in later to check on the score."

"Well, it's not looking good for Navy right now. They're down 14-0 at the half."

"My dad probably isn't very happy about that."

"Sofia and I sent them a picture. I'll send it to you later."

"Thanks."

"So can I call you later, you know, to finalize the travel plans?"

"I guess so."

Callie could tell just by Arizona's tone that she was confused and possibly worried. She was still a little surprised that she could sense it just by hearing her voice and Callie smiled because she hadn't forgotten.

"It's nothing bad, just a few minor details and questions," she reassured Arizona.

"Okay. I should be home in a few hours."

Saturday, December 10, 2016 9:30 PM, New York City

An hour after Sofia had gone to bed, Callie steeled herself and called Arizona once more.

"Hey, hi, can you talk now?" Callie asked.

"Yes. I got home a few minutes ago. What's up? Have the plans changed?"

"Not really. We're still flying out on the twentieth. My dad's letting us use the corporate jet so we can avoid the mobs at the airport and fly direct."

"That's nice," Arizona said tonelessly. She couldn't stop the irrational jealousy that surged through her when she thought about Perfect Penny getting to ride in the Torres' family jet. Her mind quickly went to thoughts of the two of them flying with Sofia to Miami, or someplace exotic.

"We should be at your house by six o'clock."

Arizona was unable to stop the words that suddenly fell from her lips. "You know, if you have the time off, you two are welcome to join Sofia and I for Christmas. I know Sofia would love it if you could."

"Arizona - " Callie tried to interrupt.

"I'd let you use the bed in the den, but that would just be wrong," she rambled on. "I mean, I like Penny, I do, but I don't think having you two sharing a bed in my home would be a good idea. It'd be too weird."

"Arizona," Callie said more firmly. "Stop."

"What? Is that too much for you, spending Christmas with your ex-wife?"

"Arizona," she said gently, "Penny and I aren't together."

"Because I think Sofia should get Christmas with both her moms, even if it means Penny is here…" Arizona stopped, Callie's words sinking in. "Wait, what? What do you mean you're not together? When did that happen?"

"That, well, that is a story best told over several glasses of wine, maybe even a bottle," Callie answered with a sad laugh.

Arizona didn't know how to respond to that, and she had mixed feelings upon hearing that particular piece of news. On one hand, she wanted Callie to be happy, even if it was in New York with Penny, but a tiny piece of her was also happy that the couple wasn't together. And of course, she immediately felt guilty for even thinking that.

Thinking about Callie's happiness, or rather unhappiness, caused words to fall from Arizona's mouth before she could stop them. "So, why don't you stay here with me and Sofia for Christmas? The sofa bed in the den is actually pretty comfortable, and I know Sofia would want you here."

"Oh, no, I couldn't ask you to - "

"You're not asking. I'm offering. What other plans did you have? Sit around by yourself? No, you should be with Sofia for Christmas. I won't take no for an answer."

"Are you sure, Arizona? It's supposed to be your time with Sofia."

"Yes, I'm sure. Besides, I could use the help. We've got to pick out the tree and decorate it, take Sofia to see Santa, bake cookies, there's a party at Meredith's Christmas Eve, so yeah, you need to be here."

"Okay, then, I'll stay. I do have to be back to work on the twenty-seventh, but Sofia is still staying with you through New Year's. I'll come back to Seattle to bring her back to New York."

"Great! I'll see you both then."