Chapter 15- Arizona

Wow, I take a deep breath and head back into the kennels. I can't believe she just quit her job. 'for you' the voice in my head said. 'and now she wants to move in with you' wait what? Oh my god, I'm trying not to have a panic attack. She's been basically living here the last month anyway. 'next she'll want to get married and have babies' I shake my head "go away" I said the last part out loud.

"um ok but we just got here" I look up and laugh "sorry"

"no prob" she laughs

"what's up?" I ask setting the shovel I didn't remember picking up against the wall.

"not much haven't heard from you in a while so we thought we'd take a ride over, and see how everyone was" Jack and Rose came trotting in, seeing who it was they ran up to her with their tongues sticking out, happy to see a familiar face. Don't worry Pen wasn't far behind "oh you got a new one"

"yeah, someone found her on the side of the road, and brought her in" I explain

"she's mine" I hear, and a tingle runs through my body at hearing her voice.

"April, this is my girlfriend Callie, Callie this is my old friend April Kepner"

"Kepner?" Callie asks looking at me, I could see she was trying not to laugh

"yes" I smile, and watch Callie reach out her hand.

"it's nice to meet you" Callie says with a smile

"girlfriend" April says, shaking Callie's hand but looking at me, I smile and nod "since when"

"um" Callie looks at me, I laugh "it's been about a month"

"nice" April says, we hear some voices outside

"Jackson?" I ask, April nods "Harriet too"

"momma I wanna see puppies" Harriet says running through the door "auntie Zo" she runs to me, I lean down and she throws her arms around me. "I came to see puppies"

"well we don't have very many here right now" just then Pen jumps up on me

"pretty puppy" Harriet says wiggling out of my arms, and chases Pen around.

"that'll work" Jackson says smiling "how you doing Zo?" he asks

"I'm good, how's things on your end"

"oh, you know, still working on rebuilding the barn, John has been waiting for the lumber for what seems like forever" he rolls his eyes, I look at Callie who is trying to hide her laugh.

"what happened that you have to rebuild the barn?" Callie asks, although she already knows the answer.

"that tornado that went through last month tossed a car into it" Jackson sighed, then turns towards her "I don't know you" he smiles "I'm Jackson Avery, April's" he starts to say fiancé but April cuts him off "husband"

"not yet" he laughs

"close enough" she laughs

"I'm Callie" Callie smiles reaching out her hand "I'm Zo's girlfriend" it kind of sounded weird when she called me Zo, it's crazy, but I'd rather she calls me Arizona. It sounds so amazing coming out of her mouth. "girlfriend" Jackson smiles and looks at me "congrats"

"um, thanks" I laugh, as Harriet starts to cry "come here baby" Pen must have gotten too rough with her, she's not used to kids. "is she ok?" Callie asks concerned.

"yeah she's fine, she's just used to the animals at our house, they know to not be rough with her." April says

"do you want some ice-cream?" I ask tickling her

"we have ice-cream?" Callie asks, I nod and head into the office. It was way cooler in here, should probably get the ac out there looked at, it hasn't been working right since the storm. Everyone follows me in, and I shut the door, going to the freezer and pulling out an ice-cream cone and handing it to Harriet "have mommy open it for you"

"ok" she smiles "tank you"

"you're very welcome" I hear Callie clear her throat, "the freezer is right there, you live here now"

"I see the romance is already gone" Callie mumbles, but I can tell it's in a joking way.

"so how'd you two meet?" April asks adjusting Harriet on her lap.

"well" I look at Callie "she saved me from the tornado"

"not entirely"

"if I would have stayed in my car, I would have ended up in their barn too"

"that was your car?" Jackson laughs

"yeah" Callie sits down on my lap, while she opens her ice-cream.

"small world" Jackson says looking at April "so, there's actually a reason we stopped by, is Alex around? I wanted to talk to you both"

"him and dad went to town, they should be back anytime now" I say moving, Callie might be light but the way she was sitting on me was hurting. "what did you need"

"well we were wondering if you and him could come help us with the roof"

"of the barn?" Callie asks, trying not to laugh

"yeah" Jackson chuckles

"I'll help, after all it was my car that did it" Callie says turning to look at me as she takes a lick of her cone. Ugh, I have to suppress a moan, and she's even sitting on my lap. "I'm sure that wouldn't' be a problem"

"awesome"
"you can either hang until Alex gets home, or I'll ask him and let you know"

"ok" Jackson says looking at April, Harriet had finished her ice cream, and was squirming to get down. "puppy" she says, outside the door Pen was whining.

"you can play for a little bit then we have to get home daddy has to help grandpa"

"puppy" Harriet says again, they know we don't want the dogs in the office so April stands and takes Harriet out to see Pen. "when were you thinking?"

"the shipment should be in tomorrow, so maybe the day after?" Jackson says, I look at Callie who smiles "I don't have a job to go to so"

"we'll be there, with or without Alex, but odds are it will be with" I smile

"sounds good, I better get this monster home" we all laugh when Harriet is screaming and running, Pen is chasing her.

"thanks for stopping by" I stand and follow him out

"it was nice meeting you, sorry about my car" Callie smiles

"you can apologize to my father in law" Jackson laughs

"you guys are coming to the wedding right?" April asks

"wouldn't miss it" I smile I had actually been dreading going, but with Callie I feel different about things.

"good" April smiles "come baby lets go"

"bye puppy" Harriet says as she takes April's hand and they leave. As soon as the door is shut Callie bursts out laughing.

"what's so funny"

"you didn't tell me you were friends with them"

"with who?"

"the Kepner's"

"oh" I smile "I think we're all friends out this way, April, Alex and I went to school together"

"cool" Callie smiles, and looks around "we're still alone" she says softly and moves toward me.

"yes we are"

"any chance we could" she whispers, putting her arms around my neck, as we hear the truck pull up "bummer" she pouts, I kiss her, and laugh.

"later"