Chapter 2
Tuesday December 20, 2016, 6:00 PM, Seattle
Callie pulled her rental car into the driveway. She smiled at the twinkling Christmas lights that were strung across the gutters and in all the windows. Even the small bushes in the yard had lights. She wondered if Arizona had roped DeLuca into doing it for her. She hoped so because she didn't want to think about Arizona standing on a ladder and doing it by herself.
"Looks like Mommy went all out for you, Sofia."
"It's so pretty and looks so Christmassy," the young girl exclaimed.
The front door opened and Arizona was silhouetted in the doorway. As soon as Sofia saw her mommy she struggled to get out of her booster seat.
"Mama! Help me!"
"Hold on, hold on."
As Callie exited the driver's seat, Sofia finally broke free of the seatbelt and bolted from the car,
"Mommy!" she screamed, running immediately to Arizona.
Callie hung back as the two reunited. It was a bittersweet moment for her. Seeing the love the mother and daughter had for one another and their joy at seeing each other filled her heart, but knowing she was the reason they had been apart pained her.
She still had a lot of doubts about staying at Arizona's home. She wondered if it was really a good idea. There was sure to be a lot of tension between them, although their conversations over the past ten days had become less and less awkward. They were almost friendly when they talked. Sure, most of their conversations were about the plans and Sofia, but still. Maybe they could be friends?
Deciding that she couldn't just stand there and watch the two of them, Callie began to unload the car.
"Do you need any help?" Arizona called out.
"No, I've got it."
Callie brought Sofia's suitcases in first, lugging them upstairs to her room. She gave Sofia's room a quick once-over, noting how much care Arizona had put into decorating the room just right for Sofia. Callie could never understand why Arizona had ever doubted her own ability to be a good mother. She was a natural, and there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for her daughter.
"So the den is this way," Arizona said, picking up the smaller bag and leading Callie down a hallway. "Bathroom's to the right," she added. "You'll have it all to yourself." She smiled. "I get to share with Sofia."
"Where's DeLuca?"
"He's off for the holidays. He should be back before Sofia leaves."
Arizona opened the door to the den. The sofa bed was opened and the bed was made. Callie had to laugh. The sheets and matching pillowcases had reindeer and Christmas trees on them and there was an extra blanket that was red folded on the foot of the bed.
"I left out an extra blanket as it can sometimes get cold in this room."
"You don't think you're going overboard with the Christmas theme?" Callie teased.
"Oh, Callie, you have no idea," Arizona warned, her voice still light. "I want everything to be perfect for Sofia this year."
"I'm sure it will be," Callie said sincerely.
"So the pizza will be here soon. And I promised Sofia a Christmas movie."
"Let's make sure we don't watch A Charlie Brown Christmas tonight," Callie suggested.
"Why not?"
"If she sees that movie tonight, she'll be picking out the scrawniest, most pathetic tree on the lot tomorrow."
"Good point."
"I'll take care of it."
"Thanks." The doorbell rang. "I'll get that. I'm sure it's the pizza."
"I'll get it. My treat."
"I'll set the table." As she walked out of the den, she gave a shout for Sofia to wash up and come down for dinner.
After a few mildly chaotic moments, the three of them sat down for dinner.
"Marco's pizza, my favorite," Callie commented as she placed two slices on her plate.
"Me, too," Sofia said. "It's my favorite," she echoed around taking a bite.
"So, Sofia, may I pick the Christmas movie for tonight?" Callie asked as she gave a quick wink to Arizona.
"Um, I guess, so. What movie?"
"Well, my favorite one was Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer when I was your age." Sofia shrugged her shoulders as she took another bite of pizza. "Please? I haven't seen the movie in years. I'd really like to see it."
"Okay, but can I pick tomorrow night?"
"Absolutely. And Mommy gets to pick the next night."
"Are you excited to pick out a tree tomorrow?" Arizona asked.
"Yes! I want a big tree!"
Both women glanced over at the corner where the tree was to be placed. There were several boxes of ornaments and lights waiting. Callie smiled to herself. Of course Arizona had everything ready for tree decorating.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016 12:30 PM
It had taken them over two hours and visits to three different lots before they finally found a tree they could all agree was perfect. Unfortunately, that left Arizona with two hungry and cranky Torres women. She tipped the attendant after he'd securely tied the tree down on top of her car, then she got into the driver's seat.
"Who's ready for some lunch?" she asked, starting the car up.
"Me! I'm starving," Sofia complained from the back seat.
"Callie?"
"Sure. I'm hungry, too."
Arizona drove a few blocks before spotting a restaurant that she and Sofia loved. Callie scoffed when she saw it.
"What?"
"Really, Arizona?"
"Everybody likes Denny's. It's an American institution. Don't be such a snob, Callie."
"Yeah, Mommy. I love Denny's," Sofia chimed in. "You can get pancakes or waffles for lunch!"
Callie rolled her eyes as she followed her daughter and her ex-wife into the chain restaurant. They were seated at a booth with a window, which worked out well because Sofia wanted to keep an eye on "her" tree.
Callie was loath to admit the breakfast menu actually looked pretty enticing. Sofia had already decided on a waffle with whipped cream and strawberries before she even looked at a menu.
"What are you having?" Callie asked.
"The Grand Slam."
"Hmm. That does look good, but should we be eating like this now? Won't it spoil dinner?"
"I'll make sure we eat something healthy for dinner."
Bellies full, they drove back to Arizona's house to set up the tree. Arizona turned the radio on to a station that played only holiday music which at first Callie thought a little bit much. She soon found herself, however, humming along with the songs as they set up the tree and began to decorate the tree. Callie was happy to see a few of the ornaments they'd bought when they were together. The memories that came to mind when she saw them made her smile.
There was still some tension between her and Arizona, but for Sofia's sake, they kept it to themselves. Callie was more than happy to just accept that her Christmas was turning out better than she could've hoped. She would get to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with her daughter. And to be honest, with Arizona, too. All day long, with getting the tree, eating lunch and now decorating the tree, she kept thinking that this was how it was supposed to be - the three of them together.
And Sofia, she was loving every minute, every second with both her mothers. Callie couldn't help but notice the looks Sofia would give Arizona, then Callie. It was almost as if she couldn't believe they were all together.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016, 9:00 PM
Carrying the opened bottle of wine into the living room, Arizona sat down on one end of the couch. Callie was already seated at the other end, a glass of wine in her hand. The room was lit only by the lights from the Christmas tree. The radio was still tuned to holiday music and Ella Fitzgerald was singing "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow". Callie had always liked that version of the song and leaned back with her eyes closed.
"Okay, spill," Arizona said, breaking Callie's reverie.
"What?"
"New York, what happened?"
Callie had been mentally preparing herself for Arizona's questions since Arizona had gone upstairs to tuck Sofia into bed. She'd managed up until then to avoid being alone with Arizona, but now she had nowhere to run. She knew she owed Arizona an explanation and knew deep down that they needed to communicate better. Still, she was worried about Arizona's reaction. Her ex-wife would have every reason to be upset, even angry. She'd run away to New York for nothing.
"What do you want to know?" she asked, taking a large sip from her glass.
"Everything."
"Do we have to do this now?" Callie almost pleaded. "We've had such a great day with Sofia. Can't we just enjoy it a little longer?"
Even in the dim light, Arizona could see the sadness and even a trace of fear in Callie's face. She softened her tone as she pressed Callie. "I really think we should talk about it. I prom - " She cut herself off. "No judging. I'd just like to know." She added, "And I think you need to talk about it, too."
Callie sighed and took another sip from her glass. "I didn't tell Penny that we were coming to New York. I wanted to surprise her."
Arizona bit back her comments. She knew Callie was impulsive but this had catastrophe written all over it.
"So, the first week we were there, I still hadn't told her. Sofia and I stayed at the Archfield-Manhattan. I enrolled Sofia in a school and signed a contract. I wanted to have everything lined up to show Penny how serious I was."
Callie continued to stare straight ahead at the Christmas tree. "So when Sofia came back, we went to the hospital. I had signed her up for the daycare there so she went there while I went to find Penny." Callie laughed, but it wasn't a happy laugh. "Needless to say, she, and her new girlfriend, were completely surprised to see me." She shook her head and laughed mirthlessly. "That didn't take long."
"Oh, Callie, I'm so sorry," Arizona said sincerely.
"Thanks."
Arizona sighed. "That is not what I wanted for you."
"What do you mean?" Callie was confused by Arizona's statement.
"I wanted, needed, you to be happy."
"Why?"
"I just did. I need this to be all worth it, for you to find happiness."
Callie looked down at her drink. "Well, in hindsight, that was never going to happen in New York. I think I knew that when I left Seattle."
"Oh, Callieā¦"
"I screwed up with the whole custody and moving. I know that now. I'm just tired of screwing up my life and everyone else's. Just, can we not talk anymore? At least for tonight?"
Arizona could see the deep anguish in Callie's face and nodded. "Sure. We'll table the talk and just give Sofia a Christmas to remember."
"Thank you," Callie exhaled, relief and gratitude evident.
They sipped their wine in silence for a few minutes, both lost in thoughts about what might have been and what was.
"So, what's on tap for tomorrow?" Callie asked.
"A trip to see Santa Claus at the mall. I think next to Christmas morning, this is probably the thing Sofia is looking forward to the most."
"Oh, definitely," Calli agreed. "She was making her list on the flight here. I think she's changed it four or five times."
"Think we've got her covered? She won't be disappointed?"
"Between you and me, your parents and my dad, not a chance." Callie set her empty glass on the coaster. "You're a great mom, Arizona. She'd never be disappointed with anything you did." She rose from the couch. "I'm gonna head to bed. I'm feeling a little jet-lagged."
Before Callie could leave the room, Arizona stopped her. "You're a good mom, too, Callie. I never doubted once that Sofia was in good hands with you."
"Thank you."
"Good night, Callie."
"Good night, Arizona. Thanks for letting me be a part of all of your plans."
"I'm glad you can be here, Calliope."
