Chapter 34- Arizona
It was beautiful, the sky that perfect shade of orange and yellow, with no clouds. The chairs all lined up in perfect rows, to my surprise, they were all full, and people were standing around. I stood there, Alex standing next to me, both of us in new suits we had picked up last week. I could feel myself start to shake, I wasn't a fan of being the center of attention, but my soon to be wife loved it, and most the people here were here for her. That didn't matter, I told her she could have whatever she wanted, and this, I look around, is exactly how she pictured it. "you ready" Alex whispers in my ear, I turn to look at him, smiling "I've never been more ready for anything" I whisper back, he smiles and nods, when the music changed I looked up, I couldn't believe my eyes. There was my beautiful soon to be wife, walking down the aisle, on my dads arm, both of them were wearing smiles, I could see Callie was whispering something, and my dad laugh. Once they got to me, I stepped forward, dad gave us both a kiss on the cheek and went to sit with Lucia. Callie handed her flowers off to Aria and took my hand. "you may all be seated" I barely heard, I couldn't take my eyes off Callie's. She winked and I felt that all too familiar feeling in my stomach. I felt a nudge from behind me, where Alex was and realize I was asked a question, I turn to face the shorter woman, a friend of Callie's. I think her name was Miranda Bailey, but Callie just called her Bailey. She laughed, when I gave her a confused look "I asked if you were ready"
"oh" I nod "yes"
"we are all gathered here today to witness Callie and Arizona, pledge their life to one another, and join as one" she pauses "now I wish I could say I was there to watch them fall in love, but Callie just called me last week and asked me to do this, and since I am already ordained, I agreed" there was laughter from those who know Callie. We haven't been engaged all that long, Callie decided she wanted to get married before the cold weather hit, so here we are. An amazing fall day, the temperature hovered around 70 degrees, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. My attention, was taken away from Callie, or Bailey rather, when I saw a cardinal, land on a branch. I all the sudden felt a calming peace through me, like my mom and Tim were both here. I chance a look at my dad, who was staring at it too, another look back at Alex, he had a tear in his eye, I bit my lip, as I watched him reach up to wipe it away. Tuning back in, I knew I'd have to talk soon, and I hear "Arizona, you have something to say to Callie" I nod, and squeeze Callie's hand "Calliope" I start to say, sending up a silent prayer I could do this "from the day we met I fell in love with you, and everyday after that I fall more in love with you. I can't say I love you the most today, because I know I'll wake up tomorrow, and be even more in love with you. You are everything I've ever wanted in a partner, and my life is complete now that you're in it" Callie smiled.
"alright Calliope" Bailey says, Callie turns to her and glared at her, causing Bailey to laugh "your turn"
"Arizona" Callie says meeting my eyes "I never in a million years thought I'd fall in love with a woman, but here I am, and I wouldn't' change anything for the world. You are the most caring and patient person I have ever met" it was then I heard the shots ring out. First one, I'm not sure if it hit anyone, and then a second, which when I look down, Callie's white dress was turning red. "no" I pulled her into me "no, no, no" I was crying now, we didn't even finish with our vows. I'm now on the ground, covered in Callie's blood "Arizona" she croaks out "I love you"
"I love you too, but hold on, don't go to sleep, help will be here" Teddy was at my side, on her phone, I couldn't hear what she was saying, but she dropped her phone and was next to Callie "hang in there Callie, help is on the way"
"was anyone else hurt?" Callie asks through ragged breaths
"no" Teddy shakes her head, "just you"
"good"
"Zo, you need to let her go, so I can" I let Callie go, but reach for her hand, scanning the crowd of people I see him. "it's your dad"
"my dad shot me?" Callie asked
"I'll be right back" I say standing
"Zo, don't be a hero" Teddy says, I turn to say something, as I felt a sharp pain in my back, and fall face first onto the ground.
