Widow Robbins II
April 2007 - Part 2
It was only Tuesday evening and Arizona was exhausted. She was beginning to think she was going to need another vacation to recover from this vacation. Sunday hadn't been too bad once the girls settled down from opening their Easter Baskets. Arizona had been impressed with the job Lucia had done with them. There was the usual assortment of chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and other treats, but Lucia had also added some toys. Both girls had a plastic pail - Vivvy's pink with seashells on it, Cam's was blue with fish, matching shovels and other toys for the beach. Vivvy had loved her little mermaid, and Cam couldn't wait to use the little plastic boat.
After breakfast, they'd all gone to the beach so the girls could experience the ocean for the first time. The waves were small and the girls had jumped them with an assist from Callie and herself. When they'd had enough, Arizona had decided to get out of the sun and let Callie lead the way in making sandcastles, joined by Lucia and Aria. The three Torres women were surprisingly good at building them. She wondered how many they had made when Aria and Callie were young.
After a big Easter dinner, there was more pool time, followed by some quiet time of coloring for the girls, and an after dinner drink for the adults. Rod had been at the ballpark all day, but came by after the game was over. He'd brought a treat for anyone who was interested - box seats at the game Monday evening. Cam, of course, jumped at the chance to go. Vivvy was not interested at all.
Monday had turned into a shopping trip for Vivvy with Barbara, Lucia, Aria and Callie. Arizona had always been a fan of baseball when she was younger. Hours of playing catch with her Dad and Tim had turned into an affection for the game. It reminded her of her brother whenever she saw a game on TV. So, she went with Cam, Daniel and Carlos to the game.
Today featured a long trip on one of Carlos's boats. The whole family enjoyed it, even her parents. Vivvy had somehow gotten it into her head that Aria was a princess and spent most of her time talking with her. Cam had been in all her glory when Carlos let her sit on his lap and "steer" the boat. She and Callie were both just a little surprised and extremely pleased at how well the families had been getting along. Carlos and Lucia had gone above and beyond as hosts. Even Callie had relaxed, finally believing her parents accepted them.
But now, Arizona was tired and needed a break. Cam and Vivvy were playing a board game with Callie and Aria out on the patio, and Carlos and her parents were chatting nearby. As she entered the kitchen, she found Lucia just finishing up making a tray of snacks.
"Do you need any help?" Arizona asked.
"I'm almost finished." Lucia took a closer look at Arizona. "Arizona, are you feeling all right?"
"Just a little tired. Who knew vacation could be so exhausting?" she said with a smile. "I want to thank you again for having us here and for all that you've done."
"Nonsense. There's no need to thank us. We've enjoyed your visit. I haven't seen Carlos this relaxed in years. Perhaps we all needed a little vacation."
"I guess I did, too. I can't remember the last time I went on a vacation longer than a day or two, and I don't think Cam and Vivvy have ever really been on a real vacation before. You've certainly made it memorable for them."
Lucia set the tray aside. "Would you like to see photos of Callie when she was little?"
"I would love that," Arizona answered, her smile wide.
"Come with me," Lucia said. "I can show you them and we can have a little talk." Arizona tensed and Lucia put her hand gently on Arizona's shoulder. "Nothing bad, dear. We just haven't had much of an opportunity to talk, and there are some things I'd like to share with you."
Arizona followed Lucia down a hall and into her office. The room was bright and sunny and there was an unexpected warmth to it. The walls were covered in family photos. Truth be told, it reminded Arizona of her own home office, though Lucia's was much larger. Arizona stopped in front of them, looking carefully. There were a few baby photos of Aria and Callie, mixed in with photos of big events - confirmations, first communions, high school graduation, Callie's White Coat Ceremony, Aria in cap and gown when she received her MBA.
"Carlos and I may not have been around as much as we'd like to have been for the day-to-day, but we were always there for the big moments," Lucia explained.
Arizona paused in front of one photo that she was surprised, almost shocked to see. It was the one of her and Callie with Cam and Vivvy in front of the Christmas tree.
"I love that one," Lucia commented. "You all look so happy."
"It was a good day," Arizona whispered, caught up in the memory of that day. "We were, are, happy."
Lucia took out a large photo album and sat on the sofa. "Come sit with me," she suggested, patting the cushion beside her.
Arizona took one more look at the photos on the wall before sitting down beside Lucia. The older woman opened the page to a photo of her younger self with a small baby.
"Aria?" Arizona asked.
Lucia nodded, then slowly turned each page. Arizona laughed when she saw Callie when she was a chubby infant. As the girls aged in the photos, Callie's smile turned to a scowl in more of them, especially as a teenager.
"Callie should smile more," Arizona commented. "She has such a beautiful smile."
"She does. Her teenage years were,,," Lucia paused to think of the right word."Difficult. She was trying to find her way, to be comfortable in who she was, not just Aria's little sister, or Carlos Torres's youngest daughter."
"She grew up to be a wonderful woman."
"I'd like to think it was my doing, but it was mostly Callie herself. I think being in the Peace Corps gave her the confidence she has now." Lucia lingered over the photo of her and Aria before closing the album. "You and I have a lot more in common than you think."
"How so?"
"I had been married to my first husband for barely two years when he died in a car accident shortly before Aria's first birthday. Your wife?" Lucia asked.
"Just a few days after the twins' second birthday. Unknown heart condition." Arizona had learned over the years that was an easier explanation to a layperson than the actual cause of Jillian's death.
"And suddenly you find yourself a single parent." Arizona nodded in understanding. "I moved back in with my parents. I could've stayed there and hunted for a second husband, but I wanted to be able to support my daughter. I had my college degree, so I decided on law school. For you, it was your residency. For me, it was law school. Long hours away from my daughter, and in your case, the hospital. I probably don't need to mention the guilt you felt, because I felt it, too."
Arizona reflected on how many times her parents had bailed her out of difficult parenting situations over the years due to the nature of her job. "Very much so. Juggling work hours and spending time with the girls was difficult. Still is."
This time Lucia nodded in agreement. "I couldn't have done it without my parents' help and then later Carlos."
"My parents took on a lot of the care of my girls. Don't get me wrong, Callie helps too, but her hours aren't much better than my own right now." Arizona felt guilty all over again.
"I always thought that Aria would be a lawyer," Lucia chuckled, trying to break the sadness that came over both women. "I used to read my law school text books aloud to her when she was still a baby." Arizona smiled in a shared memory of reading medical journals to her sleeping daughters when she stayed up late. "Then I met Carlos. Mutual family friends introduced us. Being around him was like, how shall I put it? It was like my black and white world suddenly became full of color again."
"I know exactly how you felt," Arizona agreed as she recalled the way her world changed in that small trauma room this past summer. It was so hard to understand how a year had almost passed..
"But I had a daughter, and she came first. No matter how I felt about Carlos, if he wasn't good with Aria, then it didn't matter." Lucia smiled to herself. "Aria was in the terrible twos when Carlos first met her. He managed to charm her and eventually won her over."
Arizona was stunned by the parallels between her early parenthood and Lucia's. Callie had never said much about it; only that she had a half-sister that was older. Did Callie even know a lot of these parallels?
"It's hard to love someone else when you think you've lost the love of your life," Lucia said understandingly. "And it's even harder to let them in when you've got a child, or children."
"It is, it was. But Callie is so good with the girls and she's been wonderful to me."
"She has a big heart. She always has."
"She does." Arizona smiled. "Can I tell you something?"
"You may."
"Being with Callie, I know now that she is the love of my life, my true love Jillian may have been my first real love, and she was the mother of my girls, but Callie…" Arizona's smile widened and her dimples deepened as her eyes twinkled in adoration. "Callie is everything." She blushed when she realized she was gushing like a teenager to her crush's mother.
Lucia smiled at the sincerity of Arizona's words. "I'm glad to hear that. It's really all a mother wants, for her child to be happy and loved."
"I want to ask Callie to marry me," Arizona blurted suddenly. She froze, eyes wide in shock, when she realized what she'd just said.
Lucia laughed in delight. "I thought you were headed there."
"I think I should speak with Carlos first," Arizona stammered, suddenly incredibly nervous.
"Probably."
"But he can be very intimidating."
"He can be, yes. But leave that to me," she said, patting Arizona's hand. "I'll soften him up without telling him."
"Thank you," Arizona responded gratefully, a sigh of relief falling from her lips.
# # # # # # # # # #
Callie pulled a card from the stack and groaned. She moved her blue gingerbread man to the licorice square.
"Ha!" Aria squealed gleefully. "You lose your turn." Aria drew her card and only moved her red gingerbread man one square and her smile turned to a frown.
"Moving right along there, Aria," Callie teased.
"At least I didn't lose my turn."
"My turn!" Cam interrupted. She pulled a double blue card." Yes!" She moved her green gingerbread man past Aria and Callie.
Vivvy pulled a blue card that landed her yellow gingerbread man on the same square as Cam. "We're tied now," she announced. "You're not winning anymore." She stuck her tongue out at Cam.
"Vivian Marie," Callie warned and Vivvy shut her mouth.
They finished the game with Aria winning, and in Callie's opinion, too much gloating.
"Girls, tell Aria what game Santa brought this year," Callie said as they packed up the game.
"Um, I don't remember."
"Sure you do. It begins with an M."
Vivvy and Cam exchanged a look, their faces matched in concentration. Suddenly they both smiled and said together, "Mousetrap!"
"Mousetrap?" Aria questioned, then smiled wistfully. "Oh… yeah. Callie and I used to play that game."
"That's what Callie said."
"Do you have any more games?" Vivvy asked. "Or a puzzle? I like puzzles."
"Do you have Legos?" Cam asked hopefully.
"I don't know. I think my mother left some games in your room. Let's go check."
As Callie and the girls went upstairs to their rooms, Callie couldn't help but think how well the vacation was turning out to be. Sunday, when Aria and her mother joined them in building sandcastles, had raised some of the happiest memories she had of her childhood. And seeing the girls splash around in the waves for the first time, well, Callie was so happy that she had been there for that. Even shopping on Monday had been fun. She'd always hated shopping, especially when it was with her mother and sister. With Vivvy along, she'd actually had a pleasant time. Vivvy was in all her glory, trying on dresses and pretending to model them. It was good that Barbara had come along, though, to make sure Vivvy wasn't spoiled too badly. Calllie was positive that if Barbara hadn't been there, Aria and her mother would have bought the stores out buying Vivvy all new wardrobes.
"Where's Mommy?" Vivvy asked as they looked through the games in Cam's room, then Vivvy's room.
"I don't know," Callie said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Let's pick out a game and a puzzle, then we'll look for her."
Vivvy chose a puzzle with flowers and Cam found Trouble on a shelf. "Maybe Grandpop and Mr. Carlos will play this one."
"And Miss Aria and Grandmom can help with the puzzle," Vivvy said, shaking the box."It's got a lot of pieces. I can tell."
When the trio reached the first floor, Callie spotted Arizona exiting Lucia's office. Callie told the girls to go ahead and she waited for Arizona. "Hey," she said, greeting Arizona with a kiss. "Everything okay?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"You just disappeared and…"
Arizona's eyebrows furrowed. "And what?"
"I thought maybe my mother, you know, was giving you some trouble," she mumbled.
"Your mother's not the monster you keep trying to make her out to be." Arizona took Callie's hand and they walked back outside again. "It was fine. I went inside to get something to drink and Lucia asked me if I wanted to see some baby pictures."
"Oh, God…" Callie groaned. "Not those."
Arizona bumped their shoulders as they walked. "You were a very cute baby."
Aria overheard the comment about baby pictures and began to laugh. "We used to call Callie nuestra bebé malvavisco," she teased. Seeing the confusion on Arizona's face, she explained. "Our marshmallow baby."
"Aria!" Callie exclaimed sharply, gritting her teeth. She hated the nickname.
Arizona laughed. "I saw your pictures, too, Aria." The older sister's laughter stopped. "I'll be sure to ask Lucia what your nickname was, since you were chubbier than Callie."
Callie threw her head back and laughed at her sister's discomfort. "Daddy used to call her patas de cigüeña - stork legs."
Vivvy sat down beside Aria with her puzzle. "Will you help me, Miss Aria?"
"Sure, Vivvy," she smiled at Vivvy, then shot a glare at her sister.
"Can you teach us to talk like that?"
"Like how?"
"Like cigarena and pappas and marshavico?" Vivvy mangled the words while Cam nodded her head in agreement.
"You want to learn Spanish?" Aria's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Uh huh," Cam enthused.
Aria looked over at Callie and Arizona, who shrugged but nodded in approval. "Well, I can teach you a few words, but Callie can teach you, too."
"Teach us something now." Cam insisted.
"Please?" Vivvy added with a soft whine to her tone.
While Aria taught the girls to count to ten, Callie watched with tears in her eyes. Teaching the girls how to speak in Spanish was something she hadn't really thought about, but hearing them try filled her heart with such joy.
Sensing Callie's emotions, Arizona came up to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Maybe all three of us should take lessons," she suggested.
"Really?" Callie squeaked with surprise.
Arizona nodded, then her smile became flirty. "And maybe you could teach me some of those phrases you use in bed," she whispered.
"Arizona!" Callie's face reddened but she tucked the information to the recesses of her mind to use when they were alone.
# # # # # # # # # #
Waiting in the hall outside Carlos's office was like waiting to see the principal. No, it was worse. It was like waiting to see Vito Corleone in all those Godfather movies Tim used to watch. Carlos Torres had a cool intimidating presence and Arizona could totally see him as a mob boss. She wanted to get up and pace, but that would only make her feel more nervous.
It really was the only time she could speak with him. Her parents were gone for the morning. They'd borrowed a car and driven up to Boca Raton to see one of her father's old Marine buddies. Aria had gone into the office and wouldn't be back until after lunch. Lucia was with Cam and Vivvy and they were currently drawing on the pavement around the pool with sidewalk chalk. They'd said something about making a drawing for Callie's birthday.
Callie was still sleeping. Arizona thought it was the least she could do for Callie's actual birthday - letting her sleep as late as she wanted. She allowed herself a smile when she thought about their "activities" the night before. Callie had become somewhat suspicious about Arizona disappearing with Lucia the previous evening. Arizona had managed to distract Callie with some intense, but very quiet, lovemaking. She smiled again as she thought about it, but then thought better of it. Thinking about having sex with Callie, in her parents' home, while waiting to speak to Carlos. Yeah, she needed to think about something else. That was definitely not a good idea.
And now her palms felt ridiculously sweaty as she waited to speak with him. She resisted the urge to wipe them on her shorts. The door suddenly opened and Arizona shot up from her seat.
"Arizona?"
"Yes, sir."
He opened the door wider and invited her into his office, then quietly gestured for her to have a seat opposite his desk. "My wife tells me you wish to speak with me."
"Yes, sir, I do." She remained standing by the chair with ramrod straight posture.
For one brief, selfish moment, Carlos hoped that Arizona was here to tell him that she was going to end her relationship with his daughter. He pursed his lips and leaned back in his chair. That wish was folly. The woman in front of him was in love with his daughter. That was clear to him. It was as clear to him as Callie being in love with her. He gestured once more to the chair. "Please, have a seat. Relax."
"Thank you, sir."
He waited for her to sit, though it was at the very edge of the seat. Despite her outward appearance, Carlos could sense a toughness about Arizona. That he could respect. He poured himself a glass of ice water and silently offered to pour her one, which she declined with a swift shake of her head. "She tells me you're a serious woman, one to be respected and that I should hear what you have to say."
"Thank you, sir."
Carlos wanted to chuckle at Arizona's repeated use of 'sir'. "So, what is it that you wanted to speak about?"
Arizona nervously cleared her throat. "I love your daughter," she said in a rush, relieved that she hadn't squeaked when she spoke.
"I know you do," Carlos agreed. "And it's very clear she loves you as well."
Arizona couldn't help but smile at that. She didn't doubt Callie's love for her, but hearing Carlos reaffirm it pleased her, relaxed her. "She does. And my daughters adore her, and she, them."
"And?" His left eyebrow rose questioningly.
"I'm going to ask her to marry me."
He leaned back in his chair, resting his arms on the armrests, steepling his fingers in front of his chest. "I suppose you want my permission?"
"No, sir, I don't."
Carlos was not expecting that answer and both of his eyebrows raised in shock, but only for a moment. He took a minute to steel his expression. He rested one arm on the desk and leaned forward. "You don't?"
"No, sir. I'm informing you of my intention of marrying Calliope." Arizona's voice was sure and firm. "I loved her and protected her when you turned your back on her and I plan to keep doing that until the day I die… as long as she says yes." She cleared her throat once again. "So, no, sir, This is not about you giving Calliope permission, or allowing her to marry me. I will ask her, and if she says yes, I will marry her and she will make me the happiest woman in the world."
Carlos tipped back in his chair once again and assessed the woman in front of him.
"That being said, if you did give Calliope your blessing, I know that she would be over-the-moon happy," Arizona added.
Carlos turned his head to gaze out the window deep in thought. "It's hard, you know," he finally said, still not looking at her. "Letting go. Seeing your girls grow up to become young women. You'll go through it yourself someday. You watch them grow up, date, fall in love, and think no one will be good enough." This time it was Carlos who cleared his throat and turned his head to face her once more. "You, Dr. Robbins, are more than good enough. You have put a smile on my Calliope's face that I don't think I've ever seen, or it's been far too long since I have."
Arizona appeared perplexed by his remarks. "Sir?"
"You have my blessing, for what it's worth."
"Thank you, sir." Even though his words made her insides melt in relief, Arizona's outward demeanor remained unchanged.
"And enough of this 'sir' nonsense," he said with a wave of his hand that reminded her of Callie. "It's Carlos."
"Thank you, Carlos."
"Do you smoke, Arizona?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Excuse me?" Arizona squeaked, wondering if Callie had said something about her stress relieving habit.
"Cigars, more specifically."
"Um, no, not really. Why?"
"Because I always imagined that I'd share a good cigar and a drink with Calliope's fiancee when the day came." He removed a cigar from the humidor on Arizona's side of the desk.
"Well, she hasn't said yes. I haven't even asked her yet," she reminded him.
Carlos laughed. "When you get your yes from her, you and I will sit down and have a drink and a cigar."
"As you wish, sir. Carlos."
"I thought this conversation might be coming soon, so I have something for you," he said, sliding open a drawer. "Calliope was very close to my mother."
"Her abuela?"
Carlos nodded. "Yes. Aria was always closer to Lucia's mother as she was partially raised by her until I married Lucia." Arizona nodded, knowing the story. "I always wanted Callope to have this ring. It belonged to my mother." He slid the box across the desk. "You can use it to propose, if you'd like."
Arizona opened the box and gasped. It was a silver ring with a beautiful diamond in the center, two sapphires flanking the diamond. "It's stunning, Carlos."
"Calliope always admired it. The sapphires seem appropriate, don't you think? I think they'll remind her of your eyes."
Arizona blushed at the compliment. "Are you sure? Don't you want to give it to her yourself?"
"No, I think you should. It would let Calliope know that I approve."
Arizona looked at the ring again. "I'm not sure when I'll propose. Soon, I hope. Maybe next month." She slid it back across the desk to him. "Would you hold it for me until I'm ready? I don't want Callope to find it."
"Certainly. It'll be our secret," he said with a wink.
# # # # # # # # # #
Callie finally made an appearance shortly after noon. She was greeted with a cup of coffee and a kiss from her girlfriend.
"Good afternoon, birthday girl."
"Good afternoon. Thanks for letting me sleep in."
"Consider it one of your birthday presents."
Callie looked around the empty room and noticed the quietness of the house in general. "Where is everyone?"
"Mom and Dad aren't back yet from Boca Raton, but should be soon. Aria's on her way back from the office, your dad is in his office and the girls are outside with your mom," Arizona explained.
"My mom's really taken a shine to Cam and Vivvy." Callie mused as she sipped her coffee.
"She's been great with them."
The sliding door opened and Vivvy came into the kitchen. "Callie! You're up!"
"I am."
"Come see what we made you," Vivvy said, tugging on Callie's hand.
Callie grinned as she allowed Vivvy to lead her outside to the patio. Cam was kneeling by the pool, but dropped her stick of chalk and stood up when she saw Callie,
"Happy Birthday, Callie!" she shouted.
"Happy Birthday!" Vivvy yelled. "See what we did for you?"
Callie stepped further out and saw that Cam and Vivvy had written in their best printing 'Happy Birthday Callie!' in brightly colored chalk. The entire pavement around the patio and the pool was decorated with flowers and butterflies drawn by Vivvy, as well as hearts, stars and seashells drawn by Cam.
"Thank you, girls! It's the best birthday card ever!"
The girls beamed as Callie swept them up in hugs.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it! You two are the best."
"Mrs. Lucia helped us," Vivvy explained. "But we 'membered how to write happy birthday because you teached us."
"For Mommy's birthday," Cam added.
"You did such an awesome job."
Callie walked around the patio to view all of the artwork by the girls, making sure to "ooh" and "aah" periodically. She was touched by what Cam and Vivvy had done. To her, it was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever made for her.
"I'll make sure to take some pictures," Arizona said. "Let me go get my phone."
"Thanks. I definitely want keepsakes of this."
Arizona took many photos of the girls and Callie standing and sitting by the drawings.
"Girls, would you like to help me make lunch?" Lucia asked.
"Can we?" they asked, looking at Arizona for permission.
"Do you promise to obey Lucia and listen to what she tells you?"
"We will."
"We promise."
"Then you may."
The girls skipped into the house with Lucia, happy to help her.
"So, I have a birthday surprise for you," Arizona said once Lucia and the girls were gone.
"Oh yeah? What's that?"
"After your birthday dinner and cake, you and I are dressing up and going dancing. And after that, we're staying at the Miami-Archfield, courtesy of Aria."
"Really?"
"Really." Arizona gave Callie a quick kiss. "And we won't have to play the silent game tonight."
"That sounds fantastic." Callie put her hands on Arizona's hips and pulled her closer. "This is turning out to be one of the best, if not the best, birthdays I've ever had."
# # # # # # # # # #
Arizona went into the kitchen with Aria after dinner. They cleaned off the table and loaded the dishwasher before Aria reached into the freezer to take out dessert.
"An ice cream cake?" Arizona asked. "For Callie's birthday?"
"Yes, she loves ice cream cake," Aria said, opening the box to reveal the Happy Birthday written across in script.
"How did I not know that/"
"Oh, my sister is a bit of an ice cream cake snob. It can't be just any cake. It has to be from this one particular place." Aria lifted the cake out and placed it on a large platter. "My parents thought she might like one. She used to have them for her birthday when she was older."
"Hmm. I don't know if the girls have ever had an ice cream cake. We always baked our own. I'm sure they'll love it, though. We all love ice cream."
Aria began to take dessert plates out of the cupboard. "We'll need to let it thaw for a little bit. If not, we'll need a chainsaw to cut it."
Arizona laughed and opened a drawer. Five days here and she already knew where almost everything was stored. "Forks or spoons?" she asked.
"Both, I guess," Aria said as she started a fresh pot of coffee. "Let everyone decide for themselves."
"Sounds like a plan." Arizona stacked the forks and spoons on top of the plates. "Thanks again for helping with tonight's plans. Are you going to go dancing with us?"
"Probably not. Rod has a game tonight and it's no fun without him. Besides, you two probably need some alone time," she added with a wink.
"True."
"Arizona, I have to apologize to you as well as Callie."
"What? Why?" The confusion was evident in her voice.
"I didn't care that Callie was with you, and I should've been more supportive, but…"
"But your father can be pretty intimidating," Arizona responded with a smile. "I get it. Fathers can be, well, all 'grrr' and it's tough to go against them."
"Exactly," Aria laughed. "But know this, I support you both one-hundred percent. And I always will."
"Thank you." Arizona gave Aria a quick hug. She'd come to like Callie's sister very much. She liked to think that they'd become friends. And if everything went according to plan, Aria would be her sister-in-law someday. It was good to be friendly with the in-laws-to-be.
"You're welcome." Arizona's phone suddenly began playing "Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail" interrupting their moment. "What in the world?" Aria exclaimed.
"Excuse me. I have to take this call," Arizona said, stepping away and answering her phone. "What's up, Teddy? Everything okay?" She paused. "A heart… where… Have they started yet…. It's gonna be a tight window to get it from Denver to Seattle in time… I know…"
Aria couldn't help but overhear Arizona's side of the conversation and she quietly left the room and got Callie's attention.
"What's wrong, Aria?" Callie asked as the two sisters walked to the kitchen.
"Arizona got a call from someone named Teddy. Something about a heart in Denver."
"Oh, that's great news. She has a patient that needs a new heart."
As they entered the kitchen, they caught the end of Arizona's conversation.
"Get Karev on a plane to Denver. Teddy. I'll see when the next flight is. Have him bring me a set of scrubs and my hospital ID. We can meet at the airport. Try to get Denver to wait until I get there. I'll call you as soon as I know my flight time,,, We're gonna need a chopper to get from the hospital to the airport…. Yeah, I know… the airport is in East Bumfiuck. It takes forever to drive there… right. Let me get my flight worked out and call you back…. Thanks Teddy."
"Everything okay, honey?" Callie asked.
"I need to get to Denver, and then to Seattle. Like now."
"On it," Aria said, grabbing her own cell phone.
"Go pack a bag. Well take care of the flights."
"Thank you!" Arizona kissed Callie's cheek and ran upstairs.
Callie walked back into the dining room, plates and silverware in hand. "So, Arizona is leaving," she said.
"What's wrong, Callie?" a worried Lucia asked. She was afraid she'd somehow offended her daughter's girlfriend.
"Nothing's wrong. They found a heart for one of her patients. She's flying to Denver to get it, then back to Seattle."
"Take the company jet," Carlos ordered, getting up.
"Aria's already taking care of it, Daddy."
"Mommy's leaving?" Vivvy asked with a sad look on her face.
"Can we go with her?" Cam asked.
"Not this time. She has a patient, a little boy, that needs her to fix him," Callie gently explained. "We're going to stay here."
With perfect timing, Aria entered the room with Callie's ice cream cake. "Happy Birthday!"
While Lucia began to serve up the ice cream cake, Aria pulled Callie aside. "It's all set. They're filing their flight plans now and will start pre-flight checks right after. They think wheels up in about an hour."
"Thank you so much, Aria. I need to call Teddy and then take Arizona to the airport."
Callie called Teddy and finalized the plans. Arizona would fly to Denver, meeting Alex there. Someone from the hospital would pick them up. After surgery, Arizona and Alex would chopper back to the airport and the Torres jet would take them to Seattle. They would take a chopper from Boeing Field to Seattle Grace. If everything went according to the schedule, they'd have just under two hours to spare.
There were tears shed by the girls when Arizona said goodbye, but they were also proud of their mommy. Callie felt like crying, too, when she brought Arizona to the airport, but she shared Cam and Vivvy's pride.
"Call me when you can," Callie said, hugging her.
"I will. Take good care of our girls"
Callie smiled at Arizona's use of the word our. "You know I will," she assured her.
"I know they are in good hands with you." She hugged Callie even tighter and gave her a hard kiss. "I'm sorry our plans for tonight got canceledcancelled."
"Don't be sorry. Your patient comes first. You can make it up to me another time."
"Count on it." She kissed Callie again. "I'll see you Sunday."
"You will. Safe travels."
Arizona grabbed her overnight bag and ran for the jet. Callie stayed until the plane taxied away before she left.
# # # # # # # # # #
Callie woke up with a start. She fumbled for her phone in the dark and saw that it was close to four AM. Ugh, she thought, then she saw a text message from Arizona.
A: Surgery over. Getting on plane now. Will call when I can. Love you.
She texted back an'I love you' then set the phone down. She tossed and turned for another hour, but falling back to sleep without Arizona beside her was impossible, she sighed, then got up. She freshened up a bit, then changed her clothes. She quietly went downstairs and into the kitchen. The coffee maker was on a timer, but Callie didn't want to wait for it to start. She pressed the button, leaned against the counter and waited.
Daniel's voice startled her and she almost jumped. "Any word from Arizona since last night?"
Callie held a hand to her chest to steady her rapidly beating heart. "Um, yes. Surgery's over and they left Denver a little over an hour ago."
"That's good."
"It is." She turned her attention back to the coffee for a moment. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I'm always up early," Daniel replied. "I like to run in the early morning before it gets too hot."
"Right," she said, finally noticing Daniel was wearing a pair of gym shorts, a Marine Corps t-shirt and a pair of running shoes. She tried not to snicker at the white socks that went halfway up his calves. "Did you want a cup of coffee?"
"Thank you. That would be nice."
She grabbed another mug from the cupboard and poured him a cup. "Black, right?"
He nodded quickly. "As night."
She slid the mug across the counter to him. As he raised the mug to his lips, she realized this was the first time during the entirety of their vacation that she'd been alone with Arizona's father. As she thought harder, she realized how rare the moment was even in Seattle. With the understanding that she may not get another chance to speak to him without an audience, she blurted, "I want to marry Arizona."
He placed his coffee on the counter. "Okay."
"Okay?"
He nodded. "I assumed you two were heading in that direction eventually."
Callie was bewildered. "We were…are. I thought…"
"This is a conversation for you and my daughter, not you and me." He sipped his coffee nonchalantly.
"But I thought I'd need your permission."
"Why? She's an adult. You're an adult. You love her, right?" She nodded quickly. "Then it's none of my business." He paused. "My wife on the other hand…" he chuckled. "You might want to run it past her, even though we both know she'll be over the moon about it." He winked at her.
"Right. Of course."
He used the counter as a brace for his pre-run stretches."After you talk to Barb, come see me again and I'll let you have my mother's ring." He let out a laugh. "And then she's going to gloat about being right."
"Being right?"
"She's been imagining you two walking down the aisle since you two met. I told her to hold her horses and not get her hopes up but she just laughed at me and said 'Dan, a blind man can see how much they love each other. They just don't know it yet.' She was right."
Callie's mind finally caught up to what he was saying, after being floored by his simple acceptance. "Arizona says that a lot too. 'Over the moon' about different things. I'm not sure I get it."
"Overly excited, thrilled, giddy. It was something my mama used to say," he explained. "Barbara is going to be all of those." He glanced at his watch. "I need to get going. Temperatures are rising." With a quick one finger salute as a goodbye, Callie was left alone once again.
As Callie sat in the kitchen, sipping her coffee and wondering how Arizona was doing with the flight, she remembered how much Arizona hated to fly and knew Karev wouldn't be much comfort to her. Time passed quickly as her coffee cooled. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the staircase.
"Callie!" Cam and Vivvy nearly shouted when they came into the kitchen, Lucia just steps behind them.
"Good morning," Callie said. She glanced at the clock, surprised to see an hour had passed.
"I'm so happy to see you," Vivvy said, immediately going to her for a hug.
"We thought you would leave with Mommy," Cam said, joining her sister for her own hug.
"Nope. I'm still here." Callie pulled them both into her arms for a hug. "Good morning, Mom," she said over the tops of the girls' heads.
"Good morning, Callie. What would you all like for breakfast?" she asked while pouring herself a cup of coffee.
Sensing the girls were missing Arizona, Callie offered up a few suggestions to lift their spirits. "Should we have pancakes or French Toast or waffles this morning?"
"Or maybe some scrambled eggs and bacon?" Lucia said, spotting Daniel on the patio and knowing that was his favorite. "Your grandfather is back from his run."
The girls saw their grandpop and climbed down from Callie's lap and ran out to him. Lucia watched, a smile on her face and hopes in her heart that the girls would someday run to her and Carlos the same way.
"What can I do to help with breakfast?" Callie asked, rising from her chair.
"Maybe start cutting up some fruit?" Lucai answered as she took out a carton of eggs and a pound of bacon.
Callie began taking out assorted fruit and began making a large fruit salad. She glanced out the window and grinned. Daniel was teaching Cam and Vivvy how to do jumping jacks.
"You know, Callie, every morning when I go to get Cam and Vivvy up, I find them both in one bed. I wanted them to have their own space, but they keep switching to the other's room. I thought they'd like to have their own rooms, like you and Aria."
"Because we were four years apart, Mom. They're twins. They're used to doing almost everything together. They share a room with bunkbeds."
"Should I just get bunkbeds for their next visit?"
"Oh, no, that won't be necessary. I'm sure in time, they'll want their own space." Callie didn't let on at how thrilled, correction, over-the-moon, she was at hearing her mother say 'next time'. She could totally imagine many more trips to Miami with the twins.
"Good morning," Barbara said, entering the room. "Any word from Arizona?"
"On her way to Seattle." She looked at her watch. "They should be landing any time now."
# # # # # # # # # #
The first thirty minutes of the flight had been in silence for Arizona and Alex. She was tired, but couldn't sleep; not while they were flying. "So, uh, how's married life? What's it been - a month? Have you got her a present? Personally, I mean, I think you can't go wrong with jewelry. If you want, I can recommend some local plac-"
"What is wrong with you?"
"What?"
Alex stared intensely at her in disbelief. "We just took a heart from a little kid, a dead little kid, and you don't even care. You're talking about rainbows and relationships and crap. What the hell is wrong with you?" he reiterated in disgust.
Arizona took a deep, steadying breath. "You don't think that I know that they just pulled the plug on a kid? You don't think I get that? You don't think I know about the tiny, tiny coffin they're gonna stick him in?" She paused for a moment. "I know about the tiny coffins. I see them all the time, in my sleep. So if you don't mind, I'm gonna keep talking relationships and rainbows and crap," she mocked his words from a moment ago. "And I'm gonna make plans for tomorrow, because that's what you do, Karev. You make plans. You have to. You turn your back on the tiny coffins and you face forward ... to the next kid."
Duly chastised, Alex fell silent.
"You know, Karev, I thought you were gonna be my guy - my guy for peds. I hope I'm not wrong."
"What? Me? Peds? I don't want to be a babysitter," he snorted.
"You think that's all it is? Babysitting?" Alex knew now to keep his mouth shut. "Peds is hardcore. If you'd just give it a chance." She pretended not to notice him rolling his eyes. "Have you scrubbed in on a heart transplant before, even for an adult?" Alex shook his head. "Well, maybe you'll change your mind about your specialty after you scrub in with this one."
"I get to scrub in?" Alex's eyes lit up.
"Well, yes. Why do you think I had Dr. Altman put you on the plane?"
"Yang's gonna be pissed."
"She's good, even great, but I need someone for peds."
Alex laughed in agreement. "Yeah, Yang is not cut out for that."
Arizona got up from her seat and stretched. "We should probably get as much rest as we can." She reached into the overhead bin and took out two pillows, tossing one to Alex. "But if you can't sleep and get bored, entertain yourself with this." She handed Alex a box of crayons and one of the coloring books. "You know, prepare yourself for all that babysitting you'll do in Peds."
Alex scowled at first, then took the coloring book and crayons with a sheepish grin. "Where'd these come from? Do all private jets come equipped with them?"
"Oh, those belong to my daughters."
"Huh?"
"We're flying on the Torres company plane."
His eyes widened. "No shit. I knew Torres was loaded, but I had no idea."
"Yes, well, apparently her family is. I wouldn't go telling everyone at work about it, though."
"I won't. Not their business anyhow."
"Exactly." Arizona made herself comfortable in her seat. "I need to rest a little. It's gonna be a long day," she sighed.
# # # # # # # # # #
The girls were fine throughout breakfast. Making pancakes in the shape of their initials had entertained them but when the family went outside by the pool Cam and Vivvy grew quiet and sad.
"What should we do today?" Lucia asked. "Maybe a trip to the aquarium."
"Not without Mommy," Cam said, a pout beginning to form.
"I miss Mommy," Vivvy whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
Barbara held her breath, knowing how the girls could be when in this mood. However, before she could scoop them in her arms, Callie beat her to it.
"Come here, you two," Callie said. The girls obediently came over to her and climbed into her lap. "I miss Mommy, too."
"You do?"
"I do. But Mommy is helping Dr. Teddy fix a little boy's heart."
"Mommy is the bestest doctor, like you Callie."
Callie nodded. "She is. And you know what else?"
"What?"
"Mommy would be sad if you were sad. She wants so much for you to have fun. She'll want to hear all about what you did when we go back to Seattle."
"I don't want Mommy to be sad," Vivvy said thoughtfully.
"Me neither."
"So, what do you say we have fun until we go home? We'll take lots of pictures that you can show Mommy and tell her all about all the fun stuff she missed out on." She tried to inject some excitement into her voice even though she felt just as bad about the situation as the girls.
"I guess so."
Barbara released the breath she'd been holding, now that the crisis was averted. She beamed with pride at how well Callie distracted the twins. She glanced over at Lucia, whose eyes seemed particularly wet, and lifted her glass in a silent, proud parent toast.
Callie continued. "And since I'm missing Mommy, too, what do you say we have a pajama party tonight?"
"Can Miss Aria come to our jama party?" Vivvy asked, looking at her new favorite person.
"Um, sure, I guess I can join you," Aria said timidly. "It'll be fun. I haven't been to a pajama party in years."
"Yay!"
"Cam, Vivvy, would you like to go for another ride on the boat?" Carlos suggested.
"Can we?"
"Of course. It's a fine day for a boat ride."
"What a lovely idea, Carlos," Lucia encouraged. "We can pack a nice lunch of all of our favorites and take a nice long ride."
The girls gave Lucia and Carlos their best dimpled smiles. "Thank you Mr. Carlos and Mrs; Lucia."
Callie's phone began to ring and she quickly grabbed it. Before she could even say hello, Arizona was rambling at the other end.
"Hey, Calliope. Just landed at the hospital. I don't have much time to chat. Karev just ran down to the OR with the heart and I'm on the way there after I get some coffee in me."
"How are you?"
"Tired, but I'm okay."
"Do you have time to say hi to two very important people?" Callie swore she could almost hear Arizona smile.
"Of course."
Callie put the phone on speaker and motioned to the girls. "Hi, Mommy!" they shouted.
"Hi, girls!"
"We miss you."
"I miss you, too."
"Did you fix the little boy?" Vivvy asked.
"Not yet. I'm Just getting ready to help Dr. Teddy now."
"We're going on a boat ride today." Cam said.
"You are?"
"Uh huh."
"That sounds fun. Take lots of pictures."
"We will," Callie assured her.
"I really need to go," Arizona said. "I have to scrub in."
"Wait!" Cam and Vivvy said. "We have something to say."
"Okay?"
The girls giggled then said, "te amamos mami!" speaking a Spanish phrase Aria had taught them. "We love you!"
"I love you, too. I gotta go. I'll call later."
# # # # # # # # # #
Arizona stepped up to the sink between Alex and Teddy and began to scrub out.
"Still think peds is nothing but babysitting, Karev?" she teased, but there was a slight edge to her tone.
"No, ma'am," he answered. His polite demeanor startled both Teddy and Arizona. He was still a bit awestruck at what he'd seen and done. Granted, assisting the two surgeons had only given him minor duties, but it was something.
"Great. Find Grey - Little Grey," Arizona clarified. "And keep an eye on the patient."
He dried his hands, nodded and left the room.
"Karev, huh?" Teddy asked.
"Yeah. I see something in him that makes me think he'll be a good fit for peds."
"Good luck with that," the cardio surgeon laughed
"Just wait. He'll come around because I. Am. Awesome," Arizona smirked.
"I doubt you're that awesome." Teddy reached for a towel. "So how's vacation been?"
"Great, but exhausting. It's been non-stop since we arrived. Birthdays and baseball and boat rides and beaches -"
"And lions and tigers and bears, oh my," Teddy teased.
"Funny." Arizona drolled sarcastically.
"Speaking of exhaustion, you look like you're ready to drop."
"Yeah, I am soooo tired. I didn't sleep on either flight. Not really. Me and planes? Not a good combo."
"I've been meaning to ask you," Teddy said, leaning against the sink. "How'd Callie arrange a mercy flight so fast?"
"Yeah, about that." Arizona looked around to make sure no one was in the room. "It wasn't."
"Huh?"
"It was, um, well, you can't tell anyone, okay?"
"Tell them what?"
"And you can't tell Callie I told you, either."
"Okay, so now you've got me confused. Callie was the one who took care of your flights."
"She did, but…"
"But what?"
"It wasn't a mercy flight. Callie's family has a company jet. That's what I flew on. Karev knows because, well, he was on the plane too."
"Her family has a company jet?" Teddy's eyes were wide open in surprise.
"Yes."
"But, how?"
"Her family has a company that's global."
"Wow." Teddy shook her head in amazement. "So your girlfriend is rich?"
Arizona nodded. "Well. the family is, like, really rich."
"I had no idea. I mean, I thought she had some money, but owns-a-jet money?"
"Her family. Not Callie." They tossed their towels into the laundry bin and headed out of the scrub room. "I need to call Callie. What time is it? I don't even know what day it is."
"Thursday." Arizona sighed. "What?"
"Oh, nothing. Nevermind." She poked Teddy with her elbow as they walked down the hall. "So, how's Nick?"
"Good. He's feeling better every day."
"And how are you and Nick?"
"Good."
Arizona noticed the sparkle in Teddy's eyes. "You did, didn't you?"
"Did what?" Arizona stopped walking and gave her friend a hard stare. "Oh. You mean? Arizona, a lady doesn't kiss and tell."
"So there is something to tell?"
"Maybe."
"You like him," Arizona said simply.
"I do. He gets me. I get him. It's easy with him."
Arizona gave Teddy's arm an affectionate squeeze. "I'm happy for you, Teddy. I know Nick and I tease each other a lot, but he's a great guy. He's like a brother to me."
"Thanks." They entered the attendings' locker room together.
"Crap, I left my bag on the plane," Arizona grumbled as she slumped down on the bench in front of her locker.
"Is it too late to get it? Did they already go back?"
"No, they're staying over and flying back sometime tomorrow."
"Why not fly back with them? You still have a few days left of your vacation."
"I don't know. It seems like taking advantage of Callie's wealth. I think I'll just go home, if you could give me a ride."
"You'd rather go home to an empty house when you could be sitting by the pool with a cocktail?"
Arizona shrugged her shoulders. "Do you know how long it's been since I've had the house to myself for more than a night? No kids, no parents, no partner?"
"How long?"
"Years. It might be kind of nice to have some me time."
"Whatever you say." Teddy finished changing her clothes. "C'mon. We can stop and get something to eat before I take you home. You must be hungry. I know I am."
"Thanks, Teddy."
# # # # # # # # # #
Arizona and Teddy stopped at a nearby diner that served breakfast all day. Arizona proceeded to astonish Teddy with the amount of food she ate.
"Slow down there, Sparky."
"I didn't realize how hungry I am," Arizona said as she stuffed another forkful of pancakes into her mouth. They weren't as good as Callie's, but they were still pretty good. "I haven't really eaten anything since I left Miami last night," she said between bites "Well, I had a few snacks on the plane, but that wasn't much."
Teddy sipped from her coffee with an amused look on her face as she watched her friend continue to eat. Arizona's movements soon slowed, then stilled. "Had enough to eat?"
"No, I'm just super tired all of a sudden. I think I hit the wall."
Teddy patted Arizona's hand. "C'mon. Let's get you home and to bed."
Arizona could only nod her head in agreement. As it was, she nearly fell asleep as Teddy drove her home.
"Are you going to be able to get into the house without your bag?" Teddy asked as she parked in the driveway.
"Yeah. We have a keycode for the garage and there's a key hidden in there."
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you?"
"I'm good, thanks. I'm going to charge my phone while I take a nap since it's dead, then I'm going to treat myself to a long, hot bubble bath and order crappy takeout food."
"Sounds like my life when I first arrived in Seattle," Teddy joked.
"But not anymore, right?"
"Nope. I've got the whole extended Robbins family to keep me fed and entertained." Teddy laughed with a wink.
"Thanks again," Arizona said as she got out of the car. "I'll call you later."
Teddy drove off while Arizona trudged up to the garage, then let herself into the house. The first thing Arizona did was find the extra charger for her cellphone. The next thing she did once the phone powered on was send Callie a text telling her she was home, going to take a nap, and would call her later. She was too tired to make the climb up the stairs to her bed, so she grabbed the throw blanket off the back of the couch and curled up there.
Arizona woke up a few hours later, groggy and confused with an aching back. It took her a few minutes to figure out that she was home, and on the couch. She sat up and allowed herself to wake up a little more fully. The house was quiet, too quiet. The only sound came from the grandfather clock, which funnily enough, had belonged to her grandfather.
The silence was a bit unnerving. There were no sounds of Cam and Vivvy playing, or bickering, no sound of Callie humming or singing under her breath while she was in the kitchen, or even the sound of her mother chatting with Callie. Frankly, the silence was suffocating.
She got up, folded the throw blanket and then draped it over the back of the couch once more. Deciding that a hot bath would help her aches and pains, she made her way upstairs. Maybe a bath wouldn't help her mood, but getting clean certainly would. She felt gross after traveling and surgery.
Fifteen minutes later she was soaking in a tub full of hot water and bubble bath.. She had to admit it felt wonderful and she felt as if she could finally relax after the stress of the past twenty-four hours. But as relaxing as it was, something was off. Soaking in a tub without Callie behind her felt all wrong. She wanted to be soaking in a tub with Callie with a bottle of wine and candles.
Frowning, she decided to get out of the tub. She wrapped herself up in one of her big fluffy towels and went back into her bedroom. She quickly put on some comfy sweatpants and headed back downstairs. As she reached the first floor, her phone began to ring. She darted across the room to answer it, hoping it was Callie.
"Hello?"
"Dr. Robbins?"
"Yes?"
"This is Marisol, from the Torres plane. You left your bag on the plane and I wanted to know if you needed it."
"Oh, um, I suppose I could come get it."
"I could have a courier deliver it to you. Would tomorrow morning be too late?"
"What time are you leaving?"
"We're leaving tomorrow at nine AM."
Arizona decided then that one night without the girls and Callie would be all she could stand. "Marisol, would it be possible for me to ride back to Miami on the plane?"
"Of course, Dr, Robbins."
"Great!" Arizona almost sighed in relief. "Do you happen to have Aria Torrres's number?"
"I do. I'll text it to you."
"Thank you. I'd like to surprise my family."
"My lips are sealed, Dr. Robbins."
"Thank you."
Plans made, Arizona returned to the master bedroom and turned on the television. She made sure she'd set her alarm clock and the alarm on her phone so she would have plenty of time to get to the airport. I can do this, she thought. I can spend one night away from my family. I won't like it, but I can do it.
# # # # # # # # # #
Callie sat on the edge of the pool. Her feet dangling in the water. She sipped from her rum and coke and thought about the last forty-eight hours without Arizona. The long boat ride and then the pajama party on Thursday had been a good distraction for Cam and Vivvy, and even her. Aria had been a godsend that night. The four of them had made popcorn and watched movies in Callie's bed. She'd painted the girls' toenails and braided their hair. It had been like a little spa night.
Today was an okay day as well. Another trip to the beach was what they all needed. Jumping in the waves with the girls and building sandcastles was another welcome distraction from how much she, well, they all, were missing Arizona. But now, sitting out by the pool by herself, she found herself missing Arizona even more. She definitely wasn't looking forward to sleeping alone tonight.
She looked over at the table. Barbara and Daniel were playing cards with her parents. Bridge maybe? She'd never learned. She'd always resisted learning, thinking it was a country club thing and she had never been fond of anything that even hinted country club. The girls were in bed and Aria was off somewhere, something about picking up a client at the airport.
"That's a pretty heavy sigh, Calliope," Lucia commented.
"What?"
"You've been sighing a lot since you came out here." Lucia walked over to her daughter and sat beside, even dipping her feet into the water. "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Mom. I know you think I'm sulking." Callie hung her head. "And I know it's only been two days, but I miss Arizona."
"I think I know a little bit about how you feel."
Callie sat up a little straighter and looked at her mother. "How did you do it? You know, with Daddy traveling so much?"
"Well, the first few trips were just awful. I missed him all the time. I consoled myself with the thought that what he was doing was important, for the family and the company. Much like what your Arizona is doing is important. Saving a life, there's nothing more important than that, is there?"
"No," Callie admitted.
"It does get easier over time. But to this day, Calliope, I still miss your father when he travels. That's why I try to join him whenever my schedule permits."
"So your trip to Seattle wasn't just to check on your daughter and her girlfriend?" Callie said, half-teasing, and half-accusatory.
"Well, I did want to go to Seattle and San Francisco with your father. Seeing you and meeting your delightful girlfriend was just an added bonus."
Callie smiled at Lucia's words. She was grateful for the chance to rebuild a relationship with her mother after years of them seemingly just tolerating one another. "I feel so… I don't know, weak?" Callie said.
"Why?"
"Because I miss Arizona so much."
"Well, maybe you don't have to miss me anymore," Arizona's voice came from the door leading to the patio,
"Arizona!" Callie jumped to her feet, almost falling into the pool. Her mother's steadying hand prevented it. She immediately ran to Arizona. "What? How?" she asked, pulling Arizona into a hug.
"Wow, if that's the kind of greeting I get when I go away, maybe I should go more often," Arizona joked, before giving Callie a quick kiss.
"Not funny," Callie said, swatting Arizona's arm. "What are you doing here? How's your patient?"
"He's good, We made it with plenty of time to spare." She turned her attention to Carlos. "And I want to thank you again, Carlos. You made it possible."
"I'm glad we could help."
"So what are you doing here?" Callie asked again, taking Arizona's hand and leading her away.
"I rode back on your dad's plane and Aria picked me up."
"I am so happy to see you." Callie hugged her girlfriend again. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too." Arizona leaned her head against Callie's. "I thought I wanted some time to myself but the house was too quiet and I kept turning to talk to you but you weren't there. I hated it so much. I don't want to be alone ever again."
Callie shushed her with a deep kiss. "Me either." They stood there for a long time, simply holding one another knowing that while they could be alone, they only wanted to be with each other and their own little family.