Sorry it's been a bit. Let's see what you all think of this...
Chapter 4
Sofia
Waking up to the sound of waves lapping at the sand is something I cherish, reminds me of when I was a kid, and we'd go to Miami. We always stayed at the same hotel, on the beach. Mark must have opened the sliding door that was in the room, to let some fresh air in. The smell of the salt water, and sounds of the birds chirping, made me not want to get out of bed. I feel the bed dip beside me, and an arm wrap around my torso, next came lips on my neck, and a quiet "good morning beautiful"
"morning" I grunted out. I was like my momma, I hated mornings, well not mornings in general, just the thought of getting out of bed. Momma and I both liked our sleep, and I was on vacation. Mark cuddles in closer to me, holding me tight. Letting out a contented sigh, I move closer into him. "Steph is ordering breakfast, I brought you some coffee" he whispers. At the mention of coffee, my eyes pop open, and I take a deep breath. We had found an amazing coffee shop just down the street from the hotel, Zola had bought a ton of it, and as I take a deep breath through my nose, I can smell that's exactly what my amazing husband brought me. He laughs when he sees my smile, letting me go as I sit up, handing me the mug. "mmmm perfect" I moan after taking a sip, he laughs sitting beside me with his own mug of coffee. "it's our last day, what you want to do?"
"hmm" I hum into my cup, it had been an amazing week, although I loved my life back home, it was nice to get away with just him, and my sister of course. I didn't get a chance to answer him, when the door burst open and Steph comes in jumping on the bed. "wake up sissy"
"how the hell do you have so much energy this early in the morning" I grumble as I set my cup on the nightstand next to the bed. "eh, you know" she smiles.
"she's been up since the crack of dawn" Zola's voice was heard from the doorway; I look up seeing my best friend turned sister-in-law and laugh. Unlike me and momma, Steph had taken after mom, and liked to be up early. "and I had a pot of coffee" Steph smiles. There's a knock on the main door. Zola being the closest went to answer it, then comes back a few minutes later "breakfast is here"
"our last one" I mutter looking down
"well put some clothes on" Steph says jumping off the bed "ouch, shouldn't have done that" causing us all to laugh. She hadn't complained much about her leg, but yesterday I noticed she was starting to limp. I look down at myself and notice I wasn't wearing anything. And of course the sheet had come down. If we were with anyone else I would have gotten dressed first thing, but my sister and bestie, they've seen it all anyway. Mark stands from the bed and places a kiss on my forehead "get dressed and come eat" I smile at him, and watch as everyone leaves the room. I let out a contented sigh, and look around the room that was my home for the last week, clothes were everywhere, and the soft breeze coming in from the ocean made me want to never leave this place. Honestly if Steph and I wanted to we could stay, we don't have to work, when abuelo died, he left both of us sitting on a large amount of money. So much that whenever I look at that account my eyes almost pop out of my head. And that was on top of our trust funds, no I didn't have to work at all, but I chose to. Finally deciding it was time to get up, I stand and reach for a shirt and shorts, slipping into them quickly, I reach for my cup of almost cold coffee, and head out to my family. Finding my husband laughing loudly at something my sister had said or done, I join them at the table. Watching him, he's been amazing, he is amazing. How many people would put up with my family living all in the same house. I once asked him, and he said he loved the closeness of it. And he loves my moms like they are his own. I know they feel the same way. I just felt bad he was the only guy, in a house full of girls, well there is Oliver, who he is teaching how to play baseball and doing all the dad things with. I'm brought out of my musings when I hear Zola say "my mom called last night" I look at her. "she said the kids are good, Sammi and Liv, hardly ever left the beach" sounds about right, Samantha would live at the beach if we let her, and Olivia is never far behind her. "I'm glad we were able to have kids close together" I'm not sure if that came out in English or not but my bestie understood. She nods, and smiles, "she also said they miss us"
"and to bring home some of this amazing coffee" Steph adds as she takes a sip, causing us all to laugh.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zola
Our last day of vacation, tomorrow we will board the plane back to New York, then onto Seattle, I'm not looking forward to going back to the damp weather of Seattle, but I am excited about starting my attending position, at Grey Sloan. Sofia went into ortho, like Callie had groomed her for, and me, I'm going to be starting as a PEDs attending, while I work my way through the maternal fetal program with Clara. Following right along with my mother-in-law, I feel that someone had to, and I knew from the moment we decided to become doctors, that Sofia was going to follow Callie's footsteps. We had finished breakfast and were sitting on the balcony that over looked the water. Relaxing and talking, I look over and see my wife staring at me. I didn't have to ask why, she's always done this, since we were teenagers. I find myself doing it too, I smile at her, as she winks at me, god I love that girl. Sofia was scrolling through her phone "oh" she says when I look at her she's tapping her screen "oh my god" she laugh "Jake and Sarah finally got engaged"
"really?" I laugh Sarah was a friend from college, she met Jake in our third year of med school, they ended up moving to Minnesota I think, where Sarah had gotten accepted. I followed her on Facebook, but hadn't seen much of her the last few years. "damn look at that rock" Sofia says holding out her phone to me. I smile, shaking my head, Steph moves her left hand and the sunlight reflects off her rings. Looking up into her pools of blue my mind goes back to the day we got engaged.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Steph had asked to talk, I hadn't talked to her since she left Baltimore, more than 2 months ago. I didn't want to break up, but I knew somehow, Lacey would make my life a living hell after turning her down when she asked me out. So I picked a fight with the love of my life, causing her to leave early, and not talk to her. I so badly wanted to talk to Sofia about it, but I was so hurt that I couldn't get the words out. But seeing Stephanie get out of her car at the restaurant, my heart hurt, I knew I had to make things right. But I wasn't quite sure how. We had finished eating, and Callie had paid the bill. Now we were just sitting at the table staring at each other. Someone says "we should head out" and everyone goes to stand, I push my chair back in and look up meeting Steph's eyes. Answering her unasked question I nod, and we follow everyone out of the restaurant. I watch as she says something to Sofia, who looks back and me and nods, then comes over to me. "are you riding with me?" I nod, not much I could say. She gives me a half smile, then ushers me to her car, opening the door for me as I sit down. Closing my eyes as the smell of Stephanie hits my senses. God, I miss her, I take a deep breath, as Steph slides in behind the wheel. "where too?" she asks, starting the car, reaching to turn the music down. Sofia had cranked it up, like she always does when a good song comes on. "I don't know" I mumble. She doesn't say anything but pulls out of the parking lot, the next thing I know we are parking in a park, in a spot that we used to come to often in high school to chill. She turns the car off, and we sit in silence for a bit, until I hear her let out a sigh "I'm sorry I"
"no stop" I don't let her finish "I'm the one who should be sorry, Stephanie, I love you"
"I love you" she says turning to look at me "I just" I shake my head "I can't even explain what happened"
"I understand" she nods, that was the thing with her, she always understood me no matter what happened. "I've been a complete wreck" her voice was shaky as she said the words.
"me too"
"why didn't you talk to Sof?"
"I couldn't" I say "how was I supposed to explain to my best friend that I am in love with her sister that I just broke up with"
"I get it, my moms were pressuring me too, but I just" she shakes her head, she then turns to look at me "I love you Zola, and I want to make this work"
"I want that too" I smile
"what can we do?" she asks
"we could get married" I blurted out
"what?" she laughs, I was shocked I said those words out loud, I hadn't even thought about that, but knew this woman sitting next to me is who I want to spend the rest of my life with. I realize I've been quiet for a bit, reach for her hand "Stephanie, I love you, will you marry me?"
"wow, just wow" she smiles, leaning over and places her lips on mine. I feel my whole body react to that kiss. I tried to deepen the kiss I had so missed the last couple of months, she pulled back "yes" she whispers and our lips meet again. This time she's the one who deepens it, as moans fill the car. Pulling back after the need to breathe takes over. She turns in her seat, and starts the car, pulling out of the parking lot and down the road "where are we going?"
"some place where I can make love to my fiancée"
"fiancée" I repeat the word "I like the sound of that" I smile, the only thing that will sound better is when I get to call her my wife.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My mind comes out of my thoughts when I feel Steph take my hand, looking into those pools of blue I smile. "what do you say we get our suits on and go hang out on the beach" Mark says.
"I knew I loved you for a reason" Sofia smiles, looking up I see her place a kiss on his lips and stand to leave, he quickly follows her. Leaving Steph and I alone "where did your mind go?" she asks
"hmm?" I hum turning to look at her
"you were lost in your thoughts" I nod "where were you?"
"the" I clear my throat "the night we got engaged"
"oh" she smiles, leaning over placing her lips on mine. "I can't believe it's been over 10 years"
"I know" I let out a deep contented sigh, sitting back in the chair. She reaches for my hand and we look out over the water until Sofia's voice is heard "are you two coming"
"yes" we both stand Steph takes my hand, leans in for a quick kiss and leads me to the bedroom.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Arizona
We are back home after a rather chaotic week in Miami. "aren't vacations supposed to be relaxing" Meredith asks, I let out a chuckle as I look up at her. "well"
"we should have known better" I shake my head, letting out a laugh
"you'd think" she groans
"are you staying here or going home?" Callie asks coming into the kitchen
"home" she says almost instantly causing us all to laugh, as she takes a sip of her wine "after I finish this"
"the couch is all yours" Callie laughs sitting down next to me.
"hey" I say looking at Meredith
"hmm" she hums her lips still on the wine glass
"when we were talking about the girls seeing Penny, what made you bring up" I stop there, not really wanting to say it.
"Callie not being on the plane?" Meredith asks, I nod "I'm not sure" she's quiet "I guess it's like she wasn't there, but yet it affected her too, like you" she points to me "weren't apart of the relationship, but it affected you" she says "does that make any sense?" I take a moment to let that sink in, looking at Callie, she nods her understanding of it. "everything effects everyone different" Callie says. "exactly" Meredith reaches for her glass, taking another sip. "the three of us have been through so much, and it's all affected us differently"
"the plane crash being the big one" Callie says in a sigh
"hmm" Meredith nods taking another sip
"I will never understand what it was like when that plane went down, or what you guys went through being stuck in the woods for days, and you guys will never understand how it felt, not knowing what happened, or where you were" I nod knowing that was the truth.
"alright, no more talk about plane crashes, car accidents, drownings, bombs, or shooters that roamed the hospital" Meredith says leaning forward to put her glass on the coffee table. She must have caught a look at the clock "what time was the plane supposed to land?"
"didn't you just say no more talk abut planes?" Callie asks
"no seriously" she looks at Callie, then at me "it's past 10, and" she's cut off by a phone ringing, I'm not even sure who's phone it is. The next thing I know I'm hearing my wife's voice "this is Dr. Robbins" I couldn't hear what was being said on the other end "Calliope" she says, and is quiet a moment, I will never forget what happened next "Arizona grab your coat" she stands, I look at Meredith confused "stay with the kids?" Callie says looking at Meredith who nods "what's going on?" she asks just as confused as I am.
"there's been an accident, the girls are, Sofia" she doesn't say anymore as the tears start to fall.
"go, I'll call someone to come stay with the kids and meet you at the hospital" Meredith says pulling out her phone, I look at Callie and nod for the door.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Callie
"what time was the plane supposed to land?" Meredith asks
"didn't you just say no more talk about planes?" I look at her
"no seriously" she looks at me, then at Arizona "it's past 10, and" she's cut off by a phone ringing, I reach into my pocket and pull my phone out, seeing a number I don't know I answer "hello"
"Dr. Robbins?"
"this is Dr. Robbins"
"is this Arizona or Calliope?" the mans voice asks, totally miss pronouncing my name "Calliope" I reply, saying it correctly, there's some wrestling on the other end and I hear "aunt Callie, it's Bailey, Sofia, Zola, Steph and Mark were in an accident, I can't tell you much more, but we're on our way to Grey Sloan" my mind is blank "Sof, is" he isn't able to finish when I hear. "Shephard, I need my phone"
"Arizona grab your coat" I say as I hear "I'll see you there" he says into the phone it goes dead, looking at Meredith "stay with the kids" I see her nod "what's going on?"
"there's been an accident, the girls are" I can barely get it out "Sofia" the tears start falling, I hear Meredith say something, but I didn't hear what it was. Arizona ushers me out of the house and into her car. Nothing is said as we maneuver the back roads, we've both taken so many times we can do it in our sleep. It's not long before we're pulling into the parking lot of Grey Sloan. Arizona parks in her spot, the sign was still there saying reserved, even though she's been retired for years. Arizona and I make our way into the building that was once our home away from home. Making our way into the emergency department, we are stopped as we see little Bailey "Bailey" Arizona says getting his attention.
"Arizona, Callie, thank god" he says letting the gurney go and heading to us "once they found out Zola was in the car they made me stop helping" he says I could see how shaken he was, I watch as Arizona opens her arms and he falls into them. "how" I start to ask but can't get anymore out, clearing my throat "what happened?"
"Mark was driving, I'm assuming from the airport, they did just get back right" he looks at Arizona who nods "when we got on scene, Sofia was" he's cut off by Cristina "Callie, Arizona" looking at our friend, Arizona grabs Bailey's hand and drags him with us "Steph is in here" she nods towards the trauma room "her leg was trapped under the seat, looks like it's broken" a look inside the room, I see Zola standing next to the bed, battered and bruised, "Zola won't let anyone check her out, until she knows Steph is ok" Cristina says
"what about" Arizona starts to say but Cristina cuts her off "Mark is in trauma room 3, he's got a dislocated shoulder, and a cut on his head, we want to get a CT scan, but he should be ok"
"what about Sofia?" I ask, Cristina looks up meeting my eyes "Callie you need to sit, you both need to sit down"
"no, no, not my baby" I start to cry
"the paramedics said they found her on the hood of the car, for some reason she wasn't wearing her seat belt"
"Sofia always wears her seat belt" Arizona says shaking her head
"for some reason this time she wasn't" Cristina says I could tell she was having a hard time keeping her composure. "now they are doing everything they can, you and I both know this is the best hospital" Arizona and I both nod. "can we see her?"
"not right now" she shakes her head "but you can go in with Steph"
"Arizona, Callie" Mark's voice is heard, we both look up and see him, his left arm in a sling, and a bandage on his forehead. "I'm so sorry, the truck came out of nowhere" he says shaking his head. I open my arms and pull him into me. "it's ok" I whisper "everyone will be ok" there some commotion and I look up to see, some doctors, I'm not even sure who they are anymore, pushing a bed out of a trauma room and towards the elevator. I heard someone yell "call the OR tell them we're coming."
"that's Sofia" Mark whispers, I look around and see Cristina wide eyed and running after them.
"make sure they stay here" she says to a nurse and pointing at us. Zola looks up and sees us, she comes to the door opening it. Gesturing us to come inside, Arizona reaches out and pulls her in. "thank god you guys are here"
"your mom is with the kids, she said she was going to call someone" Zola cuts me off "I just talked to her, she called the sitter, and she'll be here as soon as she can" I nod, then turn my attention to my daughter laying on the bed. "they have her sedated, her leg" Zola shakes her head, pulling back from Arizona giving her a sad smile "it was trapped under the seat or something, I'm not entirely sure, but they might have to" she sniffles. My first thought is Sofia will fix it, but Sofia can't fix it, Sofia is…. "oh my god Arizona" I gasp out, someone helps me to the only chair in the room and I sit down. The reality of the situation finally hits me. The last thing I remember is Arizona saying "it'll be ok" before everything turns black.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Meredith
I had called the sitter, thank god she was able to come over, once she got there I explained what was going on, and told her someone would let her know. She reassured me the kids were in good hands, which I knew they were, but I can't help but worry. My car was at home, so I had to call for a ride, luckily it didn't take long, and now I'm walking through the doors of the pit. "Dr. Grey" I hear someone say, I look up and see Julie, a nurse, giving her a nod "this way" she leads me to the trauma room, as we enter the room, I couldn't move. Seeing Stephanie in that bed, it reminded me so much of Arizona, and the fucking plane crash. Her left leg was bandaged, in the same spot. Looking around the room I don't see Callie or Arizona, but my daughter, sitting in the chair beside the bed holding onto Steph's hand. She must not have heard me come in, I walk slowly to her "Zo" I softly whisper, she looks up at me, tears streaming down her face. "mom" she whispers "I can't lose her"
"oh baby, you're not going to lose her" I put my arm around her pulling her close to me, I hear her sniffle and she pulls away. I reach into my pocket and pull out a packet of tissues handing them to her. "wipe your nose, you got boogies" she lets out a soft laugh and rips open the package. Once she is cleaned up I get a better look at her. She had some blood on her face, and her clothes were covered in blood. "have you been checked out?" she nods "it's not my blood" I give her a sad smile "I'm fine, I hit the back of Mark's seat, Steph and Sofia" she said looking at Steph.
"how is she?"
"her leg" Zola says the tears started to flow again "I'm not ortho, but Callie and Sofia have showed me a thing or two, and" she couldn't even finish what she was about to say. I nod, letting out a sigh and softly say "her leg looks like it's broke in the same spot Arizona's was"
"that's what I was afraid of" she whispers
"speaking of which" I look around the room
"Callie couldn't take it, and had a black out, they took her to be evaluated, given her" she stops, and I nod knowing the situation. "Mark?"
"he's with them" she says
"Sofia?" I ask, she shakes her head "I don't know" she says through the tears that have started again. "oh baby" I mumble and pull her into me, rubbing her head. "last I saw Sof she was laying on the hood of the car" closing my eyes, why the hell does this all sound so familiar. "everything is going to be ok" was all I could say, after all we are in the best hospital in Seattle.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sofia
What the hell is going on, and where the hell is that singing coming from? "nobody knows where they might end up. Nobody knows" I listen more closely "momma?" I say confused, but got no reply, that was her voice singing, I'd know that voice anywhere. Closing my eyes, I open them trying to focus "oh good you're awake" a mans voice I know I've heard before, but I can't remember where. "hi Sofia" he smiles, I blink my eyes trying to get them to focus. That smile, I have that smile, and so does my daughter. Blinking again, everything becomes clear "dad?" it came out as a question, but I knew it was him. He smiles again "hi baby girl"
"what" momma's voice starts singing again "do it all, everything"
"you were in an accident Sof"
"am I dead?"
"no" he shakes his head "not yet"
"why is momma singing?" I was confused, he reaches for my hand and we walk a bit, as the scene becomes clear. I see my momma laying on the hood of a car, glass everywhere and mom is frantically yelling for someone to call for help. Although it's a very younger version of my mom's I'd know them anywhere. "what's going on?" I ask, as momma's voice is singing.
"I don't know why we came back here, but this was when your moms were in that car accident" my dad says.
"the one that caused me to be born early" he nods. We stand back and watch as my momma and mom are loaded up into an ambulance and are off. Once the ambulance is out of sight I turn to my dad "now what?"
"I'm not sure" he laughs "this is your dream"
"so I'm not dead" I ask still confused
"no Sofia, you are not dead, at least not yet" he says, in a tone that lets me know he's serious. The next thing I know we're on a white sandy beach. Looking around I'm so confused, hesitantly I ask "is this the same beach Steph and momma talked about?"
"it is" he smiles "god Sof, look at you all grown up" I look at him "and a family your own" I couldn't do anything but stare at him. I'm still confused by all this, "Mark, there you are" a woman's voice is heard, I turn around to see who was talking and I'd know that face anywhere, Zola has a picture of her hanging in her and Steph's room. "Lexie"
"hi Sofia" she smiles at me
"what are you guys doing now?" another voice is heard, when I turn my head I see Derek, that man I would know anywhere. Auntie Mer has pictures everywhere, I'm so overwhelmed by all of this I can feel myself start to faint, someone helps me to sit down on a log. "give her a moment" I hear my dads voice. My eyes are closed, and all I can hear is the waves lapping at the shore, and there's that singing again, this time it's not momma's voice I hear. "lay down a list of what is wrong, things you told him all along" it's mom's voice, when I open my eyes, I'm standing in the gallery looking down as a group of doctors work on a patient. Taking a closer look I see it's my momma on the table, turning to my right I see my mom and dad sitting there, both staring down into the OR below. "why do we keep coming back to this?" I ask when I feel someone standing next to me.
"I'm not sure" he chuckles, when I turn to look at him, he shrugs. Shaking my head I focus back on the OR below. As a bright light hits my eyes, I close them, and when I open them again we are back on the beach. "what is going on?"
"you have some unfinished business" Lexie says, I turn to look at her confused "you're wondering what?" she smiles, a smile I see in both Bailey and Ellis, must be a Grey thing. I nod "if I could give you that answer I would" taking a deep breath I look out over the water "it's so peaceful here"
"it is" Lexie says taking a seat on a log that showed up out of nowhere. I let out a sigh and sit down, as my dad and Derek show up. We sit in silence as the sound of the water engulfs us.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Arizona
This is all so surreal; I'm beginning to have flashbacks of when Callie and I were in that accident all those years ago. The cut on Mark's head, I reach up touching the spot on my forehead where there was a faint scar. "Arizona" I hear, looking in the direction I see April. I had thought she was in the group that headed into the OR with Sofia. When she reaches me, she pulls me into her. "they have her in OR 2" I nod, not really knowing what to say. "why don't you sit down" April says taking hold of my hand and leading me to a chair. "I want to go be with Steph" I manage to get out. I see April nod and we make our way back into the trauma room. Steph was still out, Zola holding her hand and Meredith pacing the room. It wasn't long after April and I got there a resident came in informing us that they have a room ready for her, but they are taking her to surgery first. I hear Zola sniffle, when I look up I see her lean down and place a kiss on Steph's forehead. The resident hands me a piece of paper with Steph's room number wrote on it. "you can go there or wait in the waiting room" I look up at her "I know the drill" she nods, knowing who I am, then walks over to the bed. I hear the familiar sound of the brake being kicked, and the bed starts to move. Meredith is at my side along with Zola, looking at Zola I reach out my arms and pull her in. I know Meredith is here, and she probably wants her mom, but I need this right now. I feel Meredith wrap her arms around both of us and whisper "she's going to be alright, and so is Sof" I look up and am met with a sad pair of blue eyes. Steph and Sofia weren't Meredith's, by blood, but she loved them just the same. Mark comes back in his "Callie is awake and asking for you" he says. I let out a deep sigh, and follow him out and down the hall to where they had taken my wife. I slowly push open the door, Zola and Meredith right behind me. When our eyes meet, I can see how scared she is, and I rush over to her wrapping my arms around her, kissing her. "are you ok?"
"I am now, I don't know what happened" she shakes her head. I wanted to say I do, and I completely understand, but I stay quiet. No one needs to hear that right now "any news on Sofia?" Callie asks. Shaking my head I look at Meredith "I'll go find out" she says giving Zola a once over, kisses her head and leaves the room. I sit down on the bed next to Callie, leaving the chairs in the room for the kids. "they just took Steph up for surgery"
"Jo should be able to fix it, I caught a look at the scans" Callie says meeting my eyes "I trained her, she's the best"
"Sofia is the best" Zola mumbles
"Bailey and Owen have her, she's in good hands" Mark says, I look up at him, when our eyes meet. I let out a deep sigh "you know, many years ago Callie and I were in an accident"
"Arizona" Callie says, when I look at her, she says "now is not the time"
"I think it's the right time" Zola says, I watch as Callie closes her eyes and says "fine"
"we were on our way for a weekend getaway, just the two of us. Callie was" I turn to look at her as I continue "pregnant with Sofia at the time"
"oh I think I've heard this story" Zola says, she turns to look at Mark who nods
"probably, you've heard all of them" I laugh but turn serious again "I was driving" I look at Mark "and we were arguing over Mark"
"he had just found out Lexie and Jackson were together" Callie says
"wait, uncle Jackson dated aunt Lexie?" Zola asks confused, Callie and I laugh "yeah they were together for quite a while"
"why'd they break up?" Zola asks
"because she was still in love with Mark" a voice comes through the doorway, we all look up and see Jackson standing there "hi" he gives us a sad smile
"how come you never told me?" Zola's voice was sad
"I don't know, nothing really to tell" he shrugs then looks at Mark "if you want I can take care of your head now" Mark nods and goes to stand, Jackson motions for him to stay sitting "I'll get the stuff and be back" I feel the bed move and look over, Callie is moving the bed so she can sit up. Jackson is back, and is setting up to stitch up Mark's forehead. I'm so lost on this situation, I have no idea what to do. Callie starts to say something, when we hear "code blue, OR 4" over the intercom.
"why the hell are they" I start to say but is cut off by Meredith busting through the door "that's Steph" she exclaims. I don't know how she knew which OR my daughter was in, but I didn't question her, as we all jump up, Mark included, Jackson had just begun the first stitch, so it was hanging off his head. Zola and Meredith had taken off running, where Callie and I were a little slower, with Mark.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stephanie
I feel the warm sunlight hit my face, and I can't help but smile. I didn't want to leave Spain, but knew we had to get back to the kids. The sound of waves washing up onto the beach causes me to open my eyes, I look around, no one is around, but I recognized this beach. I'd been here before, the last time I was in the hospital, when I saw my birth mother. Sitting up I look out over the water, getting lost in the sounds, and the sun on me. Letting out a deep contented sigh, like my niece and daughter, the beach was my happy place. I feel a presence next to me, I didn't have to look over to see who it was, I already knew. "you really shouldn't be here"
"neither should you"
"I know, but I'm worse than you are" I look over at my sister, "we should both be still on that beach in Spain"
"why'd we leave?" she asks in a laugh
"children, and we have a life"
"I'd rather stay on the beach" Sofia says, she puts her arms behind her and kicks her legs out. "girls" Sofia and I both turn and I see my wife's aunt "come on" she waves to us. Sofia stands and reaches out her hand to help me up. I half expected to start limping, but then I remembered on this beach, there is no pain. "where are we going?" Sofia asks as we follow Lexie down the beach. "you'll see" Lexie turns to us and smiles. Sofia shrugs her shoulders and follows. Up ahead I see two people sitting on a log. "Stephanie, you remember Mark and Derek?"
"how could I forget" Mark turns and the smile I see on his face is the same one my sister is wearing, who is standing next to me. He stands, the look on his face changes "you shouldn't be here"
"neither should any of you, but yet here we are" I rebuttal
"fair enough" he nods "did you fill her in?" he looks at Sofia, who shakes her head "Lexie came before I had a chance" he nods again. And that's when I hear it "a fire burns, water comes, you cool me down"
"is that?" I couldn't even get out the rest
"singing?" Sofia finishes for me, I look at her and nod "yeah, but this time its mom" she looks around "I don't know where it's coming from but it started when I got here"
"come on" Mark says as he nods for us to follow him down the beach. The next thing I know we are in a hospital room, momma is laying on the bed, unconscious, and mom is sitting next to her, a cut on her forehead, and bruises on her face, crying. I could see she was talking, but I couldn't hear her. "can they hear us?" I whisper
"no" Mark says, shaking his head, he lets out a sigh "I don't know why we keep coming back to this"
"what is it?" I ask I've heard stories about the car accident, but I never asked any details. Just random bits here and there.
"the car accident" Mark says looking at both Sofia and I, I nod, then turn to Sofia "are you going to be ok?"
"I don't know" she looks at me, the look in her eyes scared me "I'm not ready to leave"
"neither am I" my breath is shaky as I say the words.
"then fight" Lexie says from behind us, I turn to look at her "Steph, you really aren't in any danger" she continues talking in doctor, which I tune out, and concentrate on the younger versions of my moms. I see mom is crying, I've never seen her like this. "Sof" I whisper, that's all I could get out "look at mom" my heart broke for her. Realizing this is probably how Zola is feeling right now, I look at Sofia "we have to go back"
"you have to go back" Sofia says
"I'm not going without you"
"Stephanie" Lexie says, normally I cringe when I hear my full name, but the way Lexie says it is different, I look at her "Zola and the kids need you"
"what about Sof?" I ask, my voice cracks, as the tears fill my eyes
"I can't answer that"
"why did I come here?"
"I don't know" Lexie shrugs
"maybe it was to say goodbye" Mark says, I turn to look at him, "maybe this was the only way for you to say goodbye"
"Sof, you need to fight"
"I'll try" Sofia says, looking around we are back on the beach, and I can hear Zola's voice "dammit Steph, come on, baby just wake up"
"go" Sofia says pushing me towards the water. I look back and see I'm a ways away from the beach where Sofia, Mark, Lexie and Derek are standing. "I love you sissy" I hear Sofia yell, before everything goes black.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Zola
I'm not sure how my mom did it when my dad died, I don't think I'm strong enough for this. "dammit Steph, come on baby wake up" I say, I have a hold of her hand, they had to cut the surgery short, since she coded on the table. So she was lying in bed, with bandages covering her leg. We were told that her leg wasn't as bad as they thought and she won't lose it, but she will be in a cast for the foreseeable future. Arizona laughed and said she'd love that. I felt some movement, and when I look up, I see her eyes start to flutter, like she was dreaming, I moved closer to her "come on baby" I whisper, and look up at her face. I can feel the smile spread across my face when I see those blue eyes open, and look at me. "what" she started to say, her voice raspy.
"drink this" Arizona says holding a straw up to her mouth "slow, small sips" she nods. Once she's done Arizona sets the cup on the table and she meets my eyes "what happened"
"we were in a car accident" I say putting her hand up to my mouth and kissing it, as tears flowed down my face. "my leg?"
"got pinned under the seat" I didn't have to say anymore as she lets out a groan
"it's ok, Jo will work her magic on you, and you'll be good in no time" Callie says, Steph nods, and looks around the room "where's Sofia?" I let out a loud sigh, and sit back in the chair, looking at Callie and Arizona. Just then Mark comes in "she made it out of surgery" he says. His arm is still in the sling, but his forehead had a smaller bandage on it now that it had been stitched up. "oh thank god" Arizona says falling back onto a chair. The air in the room feels a little lighter "Bailey said she'll be in soon to fill you in" at the mention of my aunt I look around the room noting my brother is no where to be found. "where's Bailey?" I ask
"I just told you she'll be in soon" Mark says shaking his head
"not big Bailey, little Bailey" I see everyone is confused and I look at my wife who is still doped up on the pain meds "Zo, you're not making since"
"my brother Derek Bailey" I say to clear up any confusion
"oh" Callie says looking at the door. As my mom comes in with my brother, I open my arms and he runs into them, like he used to do when he was little. "I was going to go back to work but mom found me and"
"family comes first" my mom almost growls at him.
"family comes first" he says meeting my eyes. This man right here, growing up without a dad, has grown into one of the most amazing men I know. Excluding my uncles, maybe that's why he's so great. "I love you Bail"
"I love you too Zo" he hugs me again, this time with his giant bear hugs that he uses when we're happy. "hey" Steph says groggily from the bed, causing us to turn to look at her "I'm the one lying in the hospital bed here, where's my love" Arizona stands and walks over to the side of the bed "right here baby girl" she leans down placing, what sounded like a wet sloppy kiss on her cheek. Just like she used to when we were kids and she wanted to annoy her and Sofia. "eww mom" she whines and the room erupts in laughter.
"sounds like there's a party in here" the stern voice of Dr. Miranda Bailey comes from the doorway. There was a time where she could have brought this room to silence, but she's not the boss anymore, with Mark and I both being attendings now, that made us the same rank. "does anyone want to know how Sofia is doing?" with that the room is silent. And all attention is on her "ok well first off, we had to remove her spleen, she's got several broken ribs, which caused a lung to collapse" she stops for a moment to take a breath, but I tune out the rest of what she's saying and look at my wife. She gives me a sad smile, so I move closer to her. "I love you"
"love you" she says, I could tell she was getting sleepy again, leaning down I leave a soft kiss on her forehead and take her hand. Letting out a sigh of relief that she was going to be ok, and from the sound of it so was Sofia, she may have a long way to go, but she's a fighter and I have faith that she will make it.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Callie
Did she say she lost the baby? What baby? I look at Arizona, who has the same look of confusion I'm wearing, we both look at Mark, who is standing there with his mouth open. None of us had any idea she was pregnant. I'm assuming Zola and Steph didn't hear what is being said, because neither of them responded. "and from the looks on your faces no one knew about it" all Mark can do is shake his head no. "know about what?" Zola asks
"baby" Mark says still shocked
"what about a baby?" Zola asks confused
"she lost the baby" Bailey repeats
"oh my god, so she was pregnant" Zola says, I see her squeeze Steph's hand, as she turned to look at her "we never made her take that test" Steph's eyes are barely open, but she shakes her head no. "shit" Zola says.
"wait, you knew?" Arizona says looking at Zola
"no" Zola shakes her head "not for sure, she just" she lets out a sigh, letting Steph's hand go she sits down in the chair. "when we were at the hotel the night before the boards, she was throwing up. And we all know Sof doesn't throw up, the last time she threw up was" she's cut off by Mark "was when she was pregnant with Samantha"
"exactly" Zola says letting out a breath "I brought it up to her, she said it was just nerves, but I decided I was going to make her take a test after we got home, but I forgot with the trip and all"
"hmm" Mark hums "well it doesn't matter now anyway" he shakes his head
"I'll have someone come get you when she gets into a room, remember not everyone go at once, it is the ICU"
"thanks Bailey" I give her a sad smile, she reaches down and squeezes my shoulder "anything for you guys" she smiles and leaves the room. Which is now quiet, with the news. "she never said anything" Mark says.
"I'm sorry Mark, I should have, it's just" Zola says
"it's ok Zo, I get it" he says looking at her "I'm just going to" he nods towards the door. I watch as little Bailey follows him out, they had become pretty close, almost like brothers.
"maybe I should" Arizona starts to say but Meredith shakes her head "let Bailey try first, he might just need" she stops looking at me, "a man" I finish for her, and she nods. I take a deep breath and look around the room. My daughter was laying in the bed, her leg wrapped in bandages, my other daughter was in recovery, with a ton of injuries. I just, I don't know rather to cry, or scream. I felt so helpless, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to help either of them. "momma" I hear from the bed, I stand from the chair and move to Steph's side. Reaching for her hand "I was on the beach" she says. I give her a confused look "you know the beach with Mark and Lexie" I'm confused for a moment but then it hits me "oh that beach" she nods, then clears her throat "Sofia was there" she says quietly
"what? Why was Sofia there?"
"I don't know, Lexie said maybe it was our way of saying goodbye" she says, looking into her eyes I see the tears start to roll down her cheek. Reaching over I wiped it away "you heard Bailey, she's going to be ok"
"momma" Steph says sadly, looking into my eyes "she didn't say that, she said she made it through surgery, not once did she say Sofia was going to be ok" it came out raspy, and quiet but I got the point she was making. "you're right, she didn't" I let out a shaky breath and squeeze Steph's hand. "no matter what happens, we as a family will get through it" I said it more to myself but I know Steph heard me, and from the sniffles I hear behind me Arizona did too.
Xxxxxxxx
Mark
I wasn't sure where I was going, and my arm was killing me, I hadn't let them give me anything for the pain, I didn't want to be drugged up when the news came about Sofia. Turning the corner, I let out a deep sigh "ouch" I wince, even breathing hurt. I hear someone call my name, but ignore it, until I hear it again "Mark, buddy wait up" I stop and turn to see Bailey, shaking my head "what do you want?"
"the parentals thought someone should be with you"
"I'm fine" I shake my head
"now is not the time for the macho guy thing" he says putting his hand on my shoulder "seriously bro" I look up and can see the hurt in his eyes. "Sofia and Steph are my family, which makes you my family, and my mom just yelled at me and told me family comes first" I nod, I didn't know what to say. "I just" I look away shaking my head "I didn't even know she was pregnant"
"it sounds to me like she didn't even know" he says in a calm voice "Zo said"
"I know what Zola said" I bark at him, feeling guilty instantly, he was here to try and help me, and I'm yelling at him "sorry" I mutter looking down.
"it's cool, I get it, you can take it out on me, that's what brothers are for" looking back up at him he gives me a sad smile. I'd never had a brother before I met him, shit I'd never really had a family before became part of the Robbins family. "I just" I shake my head, I could feel the tears prick my eyes "I can't lose her, she's my world"
"I get it, and you know better than me that this is the best hospital this side of the Rockies" I nod "she'll make it" looking at him, I couldn't tell if I saw doubt or sadness. "every time I close my eyes I see her laying there, blood everywhere"
"I know me too"
"I, I" I stutter, and lose my train of thought when Arizona comes around the corner "we can see her now" I nod and Bailey and I follow her back to Steph's room. Where it is decided that Arizona and I will go first, Callie still wasn't confident enough to stand, my guess is they sedated her after she blacked out, but I wasn't sure. It wasn't long before Arizona and I are standing in front of a bed. Laying in the bed was the body of my wife, but she looked nothing like my beautiful wife. She was lifeless and bruised. "Sofia honey, Mark and I are here" Arizona starts talking softly, when I look over at her, she's at the side of the bed holding Sofia's hand. She nods for me to do the same on the other side. I know I'm a doctor, but I don't know if I can do this. "talk to her"
I let out the breath I was holding and reach for her hand "Sof, baby, I'm so sorry" I start to sob, I feel a hand on my back and when I lift my head, Arizona is there, pulling me into her. The loving embrace only a mom can give. She may not be my mom by blood, but she was my mom by all other counts. "she's strong, she'll pull through" she whispers
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Arizona
My heart breaks for him, I know exactly how he is feeling, his words of "the truck came out of nowhere" keep repeating in my head, only the voice changed and is my own voice. I didn't stay long, after checking Sofia over myself, I kissed her forehead and left. Mark needed the time with her. My mind is clouded, as I make my way through the dim light of the halls. It was past 10 when Callie got the call, glancing at a clock as I walked by a nurses station, told me it was almost 5 now. Callie, Meredith and I have all been up for well over 24 hours. Hitting the elevator button, the doors open right away, and I step on, leaning back against the wall I begin to feel the exhaustion set in. It wasn't long before the doors opened and I was stepping out, I can smell coffee, I needed some, so I head to the nearest lounge, which happen to be the intern locker room. I got a few looks as I made my way to the coffee, I was a little surprised no one has said anything to me, but I'm me and everyone knows Sofia and Zola. As I am putting the sugar into the cup I hear a conversation "I was in the OR all night" it was a females voice.
"with who?" another females voice
"Dr. Bailey and Dr. Hunt" I couldn't tell if she was bragging or complaining. "Dr. Sloan" her voice was sad as she said it. The second females voice asked "isn't she on vacation with Dr. Shepard and Dr. Fox?"
"from what I gather they got back last night, and they got into a car accident" at hearing this I stop and listen more intently, and creep my way around the lockers, I see two interns sitting on the bench "oh shit" the second voice says "is everyone ok?"
"no" her voice was sad again "Dr. Fox is, and so is Dr. Shepard, but Dr. Shepard's wife broke her leg pretty badly, and Dr. Sloan" she pauses, this was when I decide to make my presence known by clearing my throat, causing the two interns to sit up and look at me. "you can't be in here" the one that was in the OR says. I can hear the second one whisper "shut up"
"no" she looks at her "patient's families can't be in the lounges" I move and cross my arms, giving them the look, I had perfected over the years "dude shut up"
"why" she then turns to look at me, I unfold my arms and reach out my hand towards the one who wouldn't shut up "Dr. Arizona Robbins" and I watch as recognition crosses her face "and as part owner of this hospital I will go wherever the damn hell I want"
"D, Dr. Robbins" she stutters, I nod "sorry" she mutters
"I tried to get you to shut up"
"what's your name?" I ask looking at her, when she doesn't answer me I look at the other intern, who quickly replies with "I'm Dr. Banks, and she's Dr. Rollins"
"thank you" I say now looking at them both "I know I can't stop the gossip that goes around this place" I see them both nod, shaking my head "just make sure when you're talking, that there isn't a family member around" I see them both physically relax, I turn and make my way back to the coffee, letting out a moan as I take a sip. Caffeine is heaven. As I make my way to the door I hear "Dr. Robbins" I turn and face the two interns, Dr. Banks is the one talking "is Sofia going to be alright?" I let out a deep sigh, looking her in the eye "she was in the OR" I say pointing at Dr. Rollins "you guys tell me" she breaks eye contact with me looking down "are you friends with her?" I ask my voice is soft.
"we've had lunch together a few times" she says quietly, I nod "well" I say taking another sip from the cup "if you pray, then pray for her"
"I will" she looks up and meets my eyes
"I will too" Dr. Rollins chimes in
"thank you" I give them a sad smile and leave the room sipping on my coffee, as I make my way to Stephanie's room.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sofia
There is singing again, this time it's my mom, I recognize the song, it's the one she used to sing to me when I was little. I open my eyes and look around, she's in her wheelchair, and she's got me in her lap, singing. "it took her a lot to come out of that hole after the plane crash, but she did it" Derek says, I look over and see him standing next to me. He looks up meeting my eyes her smiles "her and Callie" he starts "you are their world" I nod "Stephanie too" turning back to look at the room, a bright light comes and the image in front of me fades. We are now standing in a dark room, I can feel someone next to me but I'm not sure who "Sofia" I don't recognize the voice. Until they laugh, that laugh sounds a lot like papa's, and mom's. Another white light and I'm now on the beach again. "Sofia" I hear the man's voice say again and when I look to my right I see him. Although I never met him, I'd know him anywhere "uncle Tim?" he smiles and nods, showing off those dimples that are just like mom's.
"I'm surprised you recognize me" he laughs
"how could I not, mom has pictures of you everywhere" which is true, once she finally got over his death, and accepted it she put up as many pictures of him as she could find. "I know" he laughs
"uncle Tim" it felt weird saying, just like calling my dad, dad, he looks up and meets my eyes "wow you have the same eyes as my mom"
"I know, we used to pass as twins back in the day"
"I've heard the stories" I smile, taking a deep breath "why am I here?"
"they didn't tell you?" he asks pointing up the beach where my dad, Lexie and Derek were standing. I nod "they did, but" I shrug "I just"
"you're body has been through a lot, just relax, enjoy the scenery and let it heal itself"
"I'm not going to die?" I ask
"that's not my call" he says looking up
"it's not any of our call" my dad says
"only you can decide that" Lexie says "I remember when I was trapped under that plane wing" my dad and Derek both look at her "I knew it was over, it was just a matter of time, but had I gotten out and to a hospital, I believe I would have made it"
"which in turn would have made me want to live" my dad says
"mom's and I weren't enough for you?"
"that's not what I meant" he shakes his head
"what he's saying is" uncle Tim speaks up, I look at him and he bites his lip "ok, so imagine if you were to wake up and find out Mark was dead" I nod "how would you feel?"
"lost, incomplete" I see him nod
"Lexie completes me, even though we weren't together when it happened, it still killed me, literally" my dad laughs
"you're such and idiot" Lexie pushes him
"what about auntie Mer with you" I say looking at Derek, who laughs "Meredith is" he starts to say, as Lexie finishes "my sister is her own person, she deals with stuff differently"
"she had to cuz this dumbass knocked her up and then dies" my dad laughs
"anyway the point here, Sofia, is you are the only one that can decide rather you live or die" Uncle Tim says. I decide to believe him, since he's the one that's been dead the longest. Looking at him, I lose focus, and then a bright light surrounds me and I hear the sound of monitors going off.
There it is, again I am not sure where I'm going with this. Hope everyone has a good Christmas and a Happy New Year...