Sofia had arrived at the airport, Penny had told her that Callie had been working away that day and she was dropping her off on her way to the hospital. Being only 7 years old and not knowing any better, Sofia accepted that.
She had no idea that not only was her mama on the plane, but she had her mommy with her. Sofia knew all about the plane crash, and how her mommy now didn't like planes anymore. Sofia wanted to go on vacation last year and they picked somewhere they could drive to due to Arizona's fear.
While Sofia waited patiently in an airport cafe sipping on her milkshake, Arizona and Callie's plane was coming into land. Callie looked to Arizona with so much admiration, she couldn't believe how well she had done on the flight, she had prepared for much worse but was thankful she didn't have to see it. Arizona's hand squeezed its way into Callie's as the plane started to descend. For her, this part was the worst.
Eyes closed and head back, Arizona tried to tell herself it was normal, it was ok to land now because they had arrived at their destination but the feeling of dropping sent her anxiety through the roof. Callie, seeing this, reached over and embraced Arizona into her left side placing a protective arm around her body and leaning Arizona's head into her shoulder. From here she could place a multitude of kisses across her forehead allowing the blonde to know she was safe, she wasn't alone and it was all going to be over soon.
Despite the fear, Arizona's body instantly relaxed into Callie, her thoughts still running away with her although her body appeared calm. Her mind began to focus on the way Callie's lips felt against her skin, the way her fingertips traced patterns on her arm, Callie's familiar scent, the coconut shampoo and berry scented fragrance she sprayed daily. It hadn't changed in the whole time they had known each other.
Arizona reached out for one of the sweets in the packet in front of them, In a bid to smooth her extremely dry mouth. Callie's eyes followed Arizona's actions, wanting more than anything to also take one of the sweets however both of her hands were preoccupied. One wrapped around Arizona and the other squeezed between the blondes fingers. "Can you get me one" she asked, Arizona realising Callie couldn't get her own, she happily obliged. Taking one and holding it just in front of Callie's mouth, as Callie opened to take it Arizona pulled away and popped in it her own mouth, laughing at the sheer disbelief on Callie's face. "Zoooo" Callie whined, not believing she would be so mean "I'm sorry, I'm sorry but it was too funny" she picked up another sweet, this time dropping it carefully into Callie's mouth.
Closing her eyes once again, Arizona focused on her senses as the plane lowered to the ground, with one big bounce the plane was on the ground, still speeding down the runway but the breaks screeched gradually bringing them to a stop.
"You did it, you actually did it, I will never have the words to tell you how proud of you I am" Callie had turned towards Arizona to hug her fully, it was true, she was so proud. Facing a fear is one thing, facing a fear that previously fell out of the sky, leaving you abandoned in the woods for days on end and costing you your leg is a whole different level of fear. Arizona smiled, like genuinely smiled for the first time. Not only was she is Callie's arms but she felt proud of herself too "I did it" she repeated blinking away the tears. "You did, oh baby you did it" Callie didn't even notice the words falling from her mouth, she was bursting with pride but Arizona did, Callie called her baby. Her heart fluttered but she knew it was something that just happened in the moment.
As soon as the plane had come to a stop, Callie and Arizona were the first to be escorted off the plane. Still hand in hand, the pair walked through the airport talking only about Arizona's achievement. Both bursting with pride, they practically skipped through passport control and bypassing luggage collection as Arizona had only brought a small case with some clothes. "Dont bin those donuts though, I'll eat them later" Arizona said as Callie started to bin the sweet wrappers from her purse "darling I've known you 8 years, do you really think I'm stupid enough to bin donuts? Rainbow sprinkle donuts at that and do it right infront of you? Give me some credit" there was the pet name again, Callie's tone was almost flirty, she had a smirk on her face and Arizona recognised it immediately.
Callie had always been naturally flirty, one of the first things Arizona loved about Callie was that she had game, she always had a comeback to anything Arizona said, she always had a comment or a response to anything at all. It kept Arizona on her toes unlike anyone else had previously. "You get credit for the donuts, and for flying, but if you want a real credityou've got 5 days to earn one" Arizona flirted back. This time Callie realising how easily they had slipped back into their old ways.
As soon as her cell service kicked in she had a text from Penny letting her know where they were waiting, she immediately let go of Arizona's hand feeling guilt when her girlfriend was just the other side of the doors "Sofia's waiting, let's go". Arizona noticed the change, she knew it had been a front Callie had put up for comfort to get her here but none of that mattered because her eyes landed straight on her baby girl.
She watched as Penny pointed them out and Sofia's eyes widened at the sight of Arizona "MOMMY" she screamed running through arrivals. Arizona had tears streaming before Sofia even reached her but as soon as she did, she picked up the little girl and held her in her arms "hi princess" she whispered, taking in every bit of her baby girl and never wanting to let go "mommy how are you here?" She little girl questioned leaning back slightly look at her "mommy was very brave, she missed you that much that she got on the plane" Callie explained, "you did mommy?" She asked looking back at Arizona who simply nodded in response "I am so proud of you mommy" the words melted Arizona's heart, as she leaned back in for another hug. "Thank you baby, if anything was going to make me do it, it was missing you, I've missed you so so much" she told her daughter "I miss you too mommy, wait do you have donuts?" They all laughed, Sofia had definitely inherited Arizona's ability to smell out donuts "we do, we can have them as soon as we get back ok?" Sofia nodded.
Both Callie and Arizona thanked Penny, before parting in opposite directions as Penny went to the hospital while Callie took Arizona and Sofia home. Callie took Arizona's case allowing all her attention to be focused on Sofia "are you staying mommy?" She asked, "I am here until Wednesday so we have 5 whole days together" for Sofia, that was enough but for Arizona, it wasn't.
Callie called an Uber and sat watching the beautiful interaction between her daughter and her other mother. "Mommy can we have pizza for tea? Mama can we order it?" Sofia asked. Pizza was Sofia's favourite food, she and Arizona would order a pizza in every weekend, just as they had done when it was the three of them. "We can, or seen as we are celebrating how amazing mommy is. Maybe we could take her to the pizza buffet" the words like heaven to Sofia's ears "pizza buffet? Arizona questioned "yes mommy, it's amazing. They have rows of pizza and pasta and fries and chickens nuggets and garlic bread and you can eat as much as you want" the excitement evident in her voice "well that does sound pretty amazing, I vote for Pizza buffet" Arizona says, while a night in is what she truly wanted, the smile on her daughters face would win every time "me too" Sofia agreed, "me three" Callie joined "to the Pizza buffet we go".
Arizona spent the reminder of the evening watching Sofia, she noticed how she had grown in the six weeks they had been apart and was definitely a cm or two taller. Her hair had also grown and was further down her back. She smiled everytime Sofia did, and was happy to do anything to make her smile, even agreeing to let Sofia choose her first plate of food which consisted of bbq chicken pizza (her favourite kind) she loved that her daughter was so thoughtful to pick out her favourite kind along with a mixture of fries, onion rings and garlic bread.
But while Arizona was busy watching her daughter, Callie was focused purely on her ex wife. She watched how she interacted with Sofia, always with kindness and compliments, biting her tongue when Arizona thanked Sofia for picking her favourite kind of pizza and asking Callie how they were so lucky to have such a thoughtful girl, Callie wanted to say that she had learnt from the best, because while Callie may have birthed her and shared her Latina looks, Sofia's personality was very much Arizona's.
She watched as Arizona listened carefully to every word Sofia said, not caring how insignificant the detail was, Arizona was happy to listen and respond. She watched the way Sofia gave Arizona a kiss everytime she stood up, how Sofia told Arizona countless times how much she missed her, how happy she was that she was here and how proud of her mom she was for getting on the plane.
Being 7, and a very mature, independent 7, she was happy to get up and help herself to food and neither parent was worried about her ability to do so. So when she got up for the second time Arizona took a chance to check in "are you sure this is ok? If it's too much I can just call the hotel and say the cancellation was a mistake and we can go there" she offered, Callie immediately shook her head "no not at all, do you really want to know what I'm thinking?" She asked giving Arizona the option of saying no. "Of course I do" she insisted "I'm thinking that I miss this, I miss us, I miss you being around, seeing you with our daughter, this just feels like it use to and I feel content" she smiled, she felt happy but Arizona remained shocked, shocked that Callie said she missed us "I miss it too, I miss you and Sofia, I never thought you'd leave, not really. I waited for you to come home" she answered honestly but their conversation was cut short as Sofia returned.
Arizona's words played on repeat in her mind, I wanted for you to come home. Callie ran, she didn't think she'd be welcome home firstly after that night, and then her hook up with Penny which became more and then the custody battle and moving to New York but it turned out that Arizona had waited for her. Callie felt like an idiot, because, of course she had waited, it was Arizona, the most selfless, forgiving, kind hearted person you could ever wish to meet. She held back the tears and smiled watching the pair interact again.
Arriving home, Arizona asked if she could take bedtime, Callie happily accepting. Brushing and braiding her daughter's long hair before laying in bed to read a story was something Arizona had missed greatly. It was already hours past her bedtime so it was no surprise when Sofia didn't make it half way through the story before falling asleep in her mommy's arms. Placing the book down on the dresser, Arizona made herself comfortable in her daughter's bed, not ready to be away from her or take her gaze away just yet.
It was an hour later when Callie made her way upstairs to check on the pair. She almost melted seeing the two fast asleep cuddled together, she walked across the room and placed a kiss on Sofia's head and then one on Arizona's.
Arizona stirred at the contact and opened her eyes to see Callie looking down at her "sorry I was worried when you hadn't returned after an hour" Arizona smiled in her sleepy state at Callie's worry. She too placed a kiss on Sofia's head before standing to stretch.
As they left the room Callie started a conversation "Are you coming downstairs or do you want me to show you to your room? I've already put your case in there, some towels, bottled water" Callie was interrupted by Arizona "Thank you but I'll come down for a little bit if that's ok" she smiled, Callie nodded and made her way downstairs.
Arizona sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen watching Callie potter around, cleaning dishes and putting them away. Arizona watched as Callie gathered ingredients ready for breakfast tomorrow "sweet or savoury pancakes?" She asked, her plan was to make meals Arizona wanted this week, she had eaten plenty since being with her but she knew at home was a different story. "Sweet, with berries and bananas and syrup... wait no savoury with bacon and eggs...no definitely sweet... I think" Callie laughed at how indecisive she was being, "I'll just prepare for both and you can choose in the morning" she suggested making Arizona smile.
"Did you mean what you said earlier?" Callie asked suddenly taking Arizona by surprise "I always mean what I say but which bit did you want to talk about?" Callie bit the inside of her lip wondering why she brought it up "umm the bit about you waiting for me to come home" Arizona nodded "I did, at first I thought you just needed space, I guess I didn't think we were actually over then you met Penny and everyone said it was just a rebound and a hook up so I let it go, yes it hurt but I thought fine we haven't had sex in a long time because of my leg, you had needs, ok I'll get over it. Then I found out you were dating and I hoped it was just for sex even when you said you wanted to move to New York I still thought you'd realise, you'd turn up at my door and say you were hot headed and you over reacted and you wanted to come home. I was ready, to have the conversation but I was ready for you to come home, I guess it only really kicked in when you got on the plane to New York, that definitely made it final for me so" she quietened towards the end "I didn't know you wanted me back, I'm going to be really honest here and say Penny was just a hook up, it didn't even feel good, I actually cried after because I felt so bad and I just wanted you and then I slept with her again to get over the sadness and it became a cycle because it felt good for a minute which was better than no minute of feeling good and I thought" Callie started laughing. Everything was now making sense in her head "I thought moving here would feel good, but it doesn't, I realised very quickly that my temper took over and my pride stopped me fixing it, nothing felt good until you hugged me today and suddenly I felt complete again"
Arizona was speechless, 6 months she waited for Callie in Seattle, 6 months she longed to hear anything in terms of regret and it was Callie's pride that prevented them from being together. "I'd have taken you back at any point, yes I'd have wanted to talk about it, fix whatever the problems we had but taking you back was never a question Callie, you had 6 months" Callie moved to sit next to Arizona, leaning forward to place her head in her hands resting on the bar. "I know, I just panicked at first because you'd been so different", "because I was in a plane crash, I lost my leg, I was depressed Callie. Nothing changed my love, yes I maybe showed it differently but I wasn't me" she interrupted "I know but I didn't feel loved, I didn't feel wanted and ok maybe that's selfish but I lost my best friend and I felt like I was losing my wife as well, then I saw that and it was like it was all over, I felt like an idiot for missing it" a tear slid across her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.
"I'm sorry you didn't feel loved, like really really sorry because that was never the intention, I just wanted you to understand how I felt, I thought if you understood you'd wait for me, I wanted everything you wanted, I just wanted to get me back so I could enjoy them with you" Arizona placed her hand on top of Callie's, she wanted to hug her, wipe her tears and tell her it was all ok but didn't know if it was her place anymore. Callie turned her hand over so she could hold Arizona's "I'm sorry I didn't listen and try to understand, you know sometimes I just an idea in my head and making me realise I'm wrong is hard" seeing more tears fall from her eyes Arizona leaned across and placed an arm around Callie's back "it's ok, we both had our own battles, you may not have been on the plane but you dealt with so much of the aftermath, it must have been really hard for you" Callie nodded but didn't talk through fear of breaking down.
They both sat there in silence, both consumed in their own thoughts, a mixture of Callie admitting she panicked and didn't actually want their marriage to end and Arizona telling her she left her heart open for her to come home. Both equally regretting not trying harder, Arizona wishing she had forced Callie to talk to her, maybe they'd have had this conversation earlier and Callie could have admitted her feelings and Callie's guilt around thinking Arizona would so easily give up on her, when deep down she knew none of this was what Arizona wanted.
"Sofia wants to come back to Seattle" Callie admitted "she does?" Callie nodded "I think, on Wednesday, you should take her home" as much as it pained Callie to say it, New York was not the right fit for Sofia "Callie, I'm sure she would fit in if given time" Arizona tried to reason "she would but she doesn't want to and I want to do the right thing, I want to put her happiness first because I haven't done it this right so far, she needs to go home and I'll come visit and maybe, maybe after my years contract is up, I'll come back too", deep down Arizona was so happy to take her daughter home but couldn't help wonder how Callie would feel being away from her "Callie you have to really think about how you'll feel being away from her, it's so hard", "it's not about how I feel anymore, it's about Sofia, she's the priority and she wants to go home so please Arizona, will you take her home?" She nodded, "of course I will" she agreed.
"I definitely need a glass of wine after this, do you want one?" Callie offered which made Arizona laugh "I can't believe you wanted this long to offer" Arizonas laugh brought a smile to Callie's face, not just a smile but a real, toothy, full face smile. Yes she would miss her daughter more than words could explain but she was finally doing the right thing. She poured two large glasses of wine and they opted to sit on the sofa over the bar stools, the sofa being the comfier option. "You know, if you do really want to leave you can get out of that contract, the conditions will be written in black and white" Callie knew this, but it would leave a mark on her record and Catherine Fox would not hire a surgeon with a mark, Arizona disagreed, telling Callie she was one of the best Orthopaedic surgeons in the country, it not the world. "Not even close, I don't even rank in the top 10 in this country unlike you top 5 ranked Paed's surgeon and soon to be double certified in the most exclusive specialty that exists" Arizona rolled her eyes sipping back on the wine "soon maybe, I'm still months from finishing and haven't led a single surgery yet", again it was like old times, firing back and forth both wanting to agree the other was better. "I'll be so proud when you do, I mean I always am but extra proud" that made Arizona smile "thank-you, just making the best life I can for Sofia and my future baby, I want them to have everything they could ever need, I want a life set ready for them so they can just enjoy it" it was true. That was all Arizona wanted in life and for her daughter and future baby to be happy.
Soon the bottle of wine was empty and a second was opened, the pair had talked about everything from work, to Seattle, New York, Sofia, but eventually ending on them. "I think the nicest thing I can do is end things with Penny, she's nice, really nice but I can't ever love her, not in the way she'd want" Callie acknowledged, "so if your not here for her, and Sofia's in Seattle and you've got a job you don't even enjoy, why are you staying? Surely a black mark for a year is better than a year of being unhappy?" Callie agreed, but she didn't know whether to admit the reason behind it, "I guess not" Arizona knew there was more to it, but Callie kept tight lipped on the real reason.
After looking at her contract and Arizona explaining there were very little repercussions of breaking it, Callie began to consider it. "You could even appeal the black mark given the circumstances, I'm sure a few doctors would sign to say you weren't in the right frame of mind signing a contact thousands of miles away from home" Arizona was right, Callie had plenty of friends who told her she was making a mistake, and many would be happy to see her trying to put them right. Her therapist would also agree, she had warned Callie away from this job and despite remaining impartial, Callie could see the frustration when Callie accepted it without a second thought.
"Callie there's a thousand excuses you could give to stay but you have to be honest at least with yourself" Callie knew she was right, everything she was saying was a lie and lying this far hadn't done her any good. "I don't want to come back to Seattle and not come home ok? You waited and I missed it and" Callie took a breath before continuing "I just, don't know if I could be so close to home, to you, knowing you waited, knowing you wanted me and I missed it" once again, tears streamed down Callie's face but this time Arizona didn't hold back, she immediately comforted her, bringing her into a hug and brushing her thumb across her cheeks to wipe away the tears.
"I did wait, I only stopped because your choice was clear. You picked New York, so I had to accept it, I didn't want too but I had too. But come back to Seattle, I don't mean Wednesday but when you're ready, you were hall there once and you can be again, you have friends who are like family and a job you loved, one you could easily get back" her words were comforting but all she wanted was Arizona to tell her to come home to her, that she was still waiting and ready to accept her back but she knew she'd missed it, and that's what hurt the most.
"Come here, your ok darling" Arizona leaned back on the sofa opening herself up further for Callie to find comfort, Callie's head rested on her chest finding the sound of her heartbeat soothing, one arm wrapped around her waist while the other held onto Arizona's hand positioned around her shoulder. This was her home, Arizona was her person, where ever she was, was home. "I don't know if I'll ever be ok again" she admitted quickly but Arizona heard "you will be, life always has a way of working itself out, but for it to work you need to be in Seattle" of course Callie wanted to be in Seattle but why did she have to be? "Why do I have to be in Seattle?" She questioned slightly confused "because you have too much making up to do to be 3000 miles away" Arizona had a slight smile on her face but could see by Callie's confused look that she hadn't cottoned on yet. "And home is in Seattle, and if you really want to come home, our divorce lawyer is also there and we'd both need to sign against it" Callie sat up, eyes fixated on Arizona looking for any hint she was joking but there was none.
"Come home, when you're ready, come home and I'll still be waiting".