AN : this chapter is coming a little earlier thant I thought and it's thanks to Jax who's been my beta.
Thank you again you rock!
I hope you like the way thestory is progressing. Let me know in the reviews!
...
It was like a bad dream, or a sign?
Anyway, it was not supposed to happen. She was not supposed to be there and her stupid phone was supposed to be in silent mode.
But as Arizona was just revealing what she felt to her mother and her friend, Callie had just time to gasp silently in surprise then her phone started ringing.
« What's that » Arizona worried and walked to the hallway, fearing the worst.
And it was what she was scared of. Callie was about to open the door and leave.
Arizona froze and was unable to say anything as the brunette turned around hoping her ex-wife wouldn't be there.
« I... I forgot my phone sorry... » She awkwardly mumbled under Arizona's frightened gaze.
« Oh my god... » April blurted out as she followed her friend to see what was happening.
« I forgot my phone... I'm sorry if I disturbed you. I'm going... » Callie stated, still in awe from what she just heard. « I'll take the kids next week if you're okay with it. And if you're available we might have a pizza night tomorrow night? »
Arizona was unable to say a word, she was doing her best not to crumble in front of those brown eyes she loved so much. Did she hear her confession? was she feeling obligated to do something and to offer pizza night out of nowhere? She felt sick to her stomach and all she wanted to do right now was to run away as far as possible from Callie.
« We talked about that a few weeks ago, remember, spending time as a family and remaining civil. » Callie tried to remind her. « We can meet at Alfredo's. The kids love the place and there's a playroom for them. Let's say 6.30 tomorrow? »
« She will be there with the kids dear, don't worry. » Barbara said making everybody turn their gaze toward her. « it's a really great idea. After everything, they need to know you are on the same page and that you're working your crap out. »
Totally stunned by her own mother's words and not able to deal with the situation Anymore, Arizona stormed down the hallway, taking the stairs to find a safe place in her room.
…...
The next day, Callie was sitting at a table at Alfredo's, a pizzeria she used to go to with her children.
It was next to her apartment, well her future former apartment, and it was a place she had been with Penny.
She was a little in advance for the meeting and she was still under the shock of what she just heard a few hours ago
« I'm still in love with her... »
It couldn't be real. There had been too much damage, too much hurt between them.
If she thought back, she knew now their marriage was over the day they learned Terry's condition. They were in total disagreement and there was no way they were going to be okay after their reaction to the fateful announcement.
Arizona had caved and followed her wish to keep him and to live for a few weeks with their whole family.
It had been such a rough period. They were fighting all the time, about everything and anything, not only that.
After they lost him, Callie had seen her wife drowning in sorrow, moving away from her a little further every day.
She had herself develop a feeling of guilt, witnessing her family's decay in front of her eyes.
How could she imagine Arizona was still in love with her after everything they had been through? It had been more than 3years and she had moved on, so Arizona must have done the same thing right ?
Lost in her thoughts, she was brought back to reality by the laughter of a Family settling in a corner of the restaurant.
A couple and their son who was around 5 years and a younger one around 2 years old were having an amazing family moment.
She smiled sadly. It was those simple moments she missed the most. Before everything, Arizona wassomeone who was always happy. She was someone who used to skate at work and then a plane fell out the sky and she lost her leg and a part of her perky character was gone. Then she lost her best friend, then her father and her pain make her personality quieter, more silent than before. But as they planned their second pregnancy, the rainbow and unicorn version of her ex-wife came along and it was beautiful.
It was now 6,30 and they were not here yet.
She nervously checked her phone. She knew it would be a hardship for Arizona to come but she also knew she would do anything for their children and they really needed to see that their moms were doing ok.
6,35 and still no one in sight. But a buzz from her phone made her think it was maybe the end of the evening already.
They are on their way. Have a good night. Barbara
Callie smiled. Her ex-mother in law she was still a person she loved and cared about and she was happy she took the time to inform her.
She looked up as the doorbell rang and saw the two tiny people she loved the most running toward her, big smiles on their faces and hugging her tightly.
« Hi my babies » she kissed them and stood up to help them settle. « Where... Where is mommy? »
« She's coming. » Travis replied. « She needed to make a phone call apparently. »
« Okay. » Callie replied, knowing Arizona surely needed a minute before facing the dinner.
« Hi. » she said shyly when she finally arrived at the table.
« Mommy! Sit next to me! » Olivia squealed.
The little girl was so excited to have both her mom's for the night.
« Sure... » Arizona replied, Callie couldn't take her eyes off her.
She was still bruised from the assault, but she had done a great job in covering up the marks.
« I'm really glad you came. » Callie said sincerely.
« Anything for my babies. » the blonde replied, avoiding her ex-wife's gaze as much as possible.
…...
The dinner was cordial. The children did most of the talking, They told their moms about the last jokes Mark told them, Travis explained what he was learning at his science club, Olivia talked about what Santa would bring her in a few months.
She was so talkative and cute it made Arizona burst out laughing, and at that moment, Callie's heart melted.
As dessert was eaten, the children asked their parents if they could go to the indoor playground just next to their table.
« I don't know if it's reasonable buddy. » Arizona told her son. « It's late and I have to work tomorrow... »
« No you don't, you told April you were off. » He reminded his mother. « And there's no school tomorrow... SO please please ! »
« Please Mommy ! » Olivia helped her bother.
« Okay... » Arizona sighed, knowing Callie would want to talk and she was not ready for it.
The two children kissed their mother thank you and ran to the slide where a few other kids were already playing.
« Look at them, they are so happy. » Callie said as she shifted closer to Arizona, making her tense.
« Yeah, that's … That's right. You're right. » Arizona mumble.
« Arizona... » Callie sighed. « I don't want to walk on eggshells with you. Can we talk... I mean like grown up, face to face. »
Arizona's body tensed one more time, she knew they needed to talk but she felt trapped and tried to calm down for her own sake.
« I know you're not comfortable with me. And you haven't been for years, but we're going to have to work something out for them because they need us. And we made them together, we are linked forever thanks to them. » Callie explained. « And I'm not asking you to be my friend, but can we act like we are friends when we are around them. »
« We were never friends Callie. » Arizona replied.
« You were my best friend Arizona... My lover, my friend, the mother of my children, you were my wife... I know it was a lifetime ago, and I know I haven't been really... »
« You heard everything yesterday didn't you? » Arizona brutally cut her off. But if they had to talk, she wanted it to be over quickly and she wanted to know if Callie was trying to be nice because of what she could have heard the day before.
« I... What? » Callie tried to lie.
« You're a terrible liar Callie. » Arizona almost smiled as she finally looked directly into brown eyes.
« Yeah, I mean I didn't intend to, but I heard what you said. But I don't … I mean, I know you were emotional. You didn't mean it. It's ok, I'm nostalgic sometimes too... »
« You don't get to tell me what's in my head and make assumptions like that. » Arizona warned her. « I... I certainly did not intend for you to hear, but it's... It's the truth. And I know you think I'm pathetic, and you are right, but it is what it is. But I don't want your pity. »
« Arizona I'm not... » Callie stopped herself as she tilted her head.
« I'm just going to ask you not to make a fuss about that. I just want things to go back the way they were before. We will exchange when it comes to our kids. I'm okay for family moments. Let's say two times a month regarding our schedule. But I'm just asking you one thing. Please don't let that woman in my children's life. »
« Of course I'm not going to get back with Penny Arizona ! Are you out of your mind! » Callie replied
« I don't want my kids around her. And I want you to know that I'm going to press charges against her. » Arizona explained. « She's not going to see my kids for the rest of her life. She's not a part of their life anymore. »
« Please stop saying YOUR children. They're mine too. » Callie grumbled. « And I'm really shocked you think I would get back with her. You know me, you know I would never put them in danger. »
« I don't know you anymore Callie, and you were totally invested in a relationship with that woman until a few days ago. » Arizona dryly remembered. « SO if you are okay with that condition, we should be able to co parent our kids together. »
« That's it? » Callie asked. « I think we should talk about yesterday Arizona. I... I get you don't want to, but I think there's still a lot of things we need to talk about even if we are not together anymore. There's too much avoidance and pain that needs closure, for both of us, and even for Travis, for Olivia, and for Terry. »
« Don't talk about him. » Arizona coldly stated.
She stood up, leaving Callie who was restraining her tears and called her son and daughter.
« Liv, Travis, it's time to go home! Kiss Mama good night and let's go! »