Chapter 34
Callie awoke to the comforting, familiar weight on her chest, a warmth she hadn't felt in ages. She blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, and her gaze fell upon the cascade of blonde hair spread across her. Arizona lay peacefully draped over her, her head nestled in the space between Callie's collarbone and heart, her breathing deep and steady. Their legs were entwined beneath the covers, and the gentle rise and fall of Arizona's chest matched Callie's heartbeat.
For a long moment, Callie simply lay there, savoring the feeling she'd craved for so long. She moved her hand to Arizona's back, fingers trailing gently up and down, barely skimming the surface, as if not to disturb the tranquility of the moment. She had dreamt of this countless times—waking up to Arizona's soft, warm body beside her, sharing a peaceful morning like they once had. So often, she'd opened her eyes with the hope of finding this sight, only to be met by the emptiness of her bed and the ache of memories. But today, reality was kinder, and Arizona was right here, wrapped around her.
Arizona shifted slightly in her sleep, her nightgown slipping down from one shoulder to reveal the smooth, warm skin beneath. Callie's gaze traced the line of Arizona's collarbone, her eyes drifting to the small, rosy bud of Arizona's nipple, now peeking out, softened by sleep but gradually hardening as the cool morning air touched it. A lone pink nipple sticking out from her gown making it's presence known to Callie, inviting her almost, playing ticks with her head. She desperately wanted to touch the bud, to flick it, watch it pebble underneath her fingertips, her mouth even. She wanted to take her breast between her lips and run her tongue over it, blow air on it and watch Arizona tremble. Callie's pulse quickened as she watched, a flash of desire stirring in her as she imagined trailing kisses down Arizona's neck, brushing her lips over that sensitive spot, coaxing it to attention with her tongue.
But she held back, not wanting to break the gentle spell of the morning. Instead, she moved with the softest of touches, letting her fingers drift across Arizona's shoulder as she slipped the fallen strap back up, covering her again. At her touch, Arizona began to stir, a soft murmur escaping her lips as her eyes fluttered open, catching the sight of Callie's gaze filled with unguarded affection and a hint of mischief.
Arizona let out a sleepy, contented sigh, snuggling closer, pressing her body against Callie's in a way that made her feel impossibly warm. She lifted her head to meet Callie's eyes, a tender smile spreading across her face as her hand found its way to Callie's cheek. Callie's hand moved instinctively to cradle Arizona's waist, steadying her as the blonde shifted her weight, inching up until their faces were level.
"Good morning, Calliope," Arizona whispered, her voice still thick with sleep, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
"Good morning, beautiful," Callie murmured back, her voice soft, reverent.
Arizona leaned in, brushing her lips against Callie's in a kiss that started sweet and tender, deepening gradually as their emotions spilled over. She let her fingers tangle in Callie's dark hair, drawing her closer, savoring the warmth and the familiarity that flooded through her. Callie's hands found their way to Arizona's back, trailing slowly upward, fingers mapping the lines of her body as if she were memorizing every curve, every inch.
Without another word, Arizona shifted, straddling Callie, settling herself on top as she wrapped her arms around her neck, their gazes locking as their breaths intertwined. For a heartbeat, they paused, suspended in the warmth of the morning light and the intimacy between them, a moment of quiet understanding and promise.
"You have no idea how many times I've imagined waking up to you like this," Callie whispered, smiling as she brushed her fingers down Arizona's arm. She softly moved the fallen strap of Arizona's nightgown back over her shoulder, feeling a bit protective.
"Sorry," Arizona murmured, her cheeks flushing, but Callie shook her head with a gentle smile, reaching up to pull Arizona's face down for a kiss. Their lips met, soft and unhurried, and for a moment, they were lost in the simplicity of it.
"I should probably get going," Callie murmured reluctantly, glancing at the clock.
Arizona frowned, tracing her fingers along Callie's collarbone. "Where could you possibly need to be? It's the weekend."
Callie chuckled, brushing a stray blonde lock behind Arizona's ear. "I just need to make a few quick calls, get a workout in, and then… cook you breakfast."
"Cook me breakfast?" Arizona repeated, her eyes lighting up even as she yawned, stretching her arms above her head.
"Mm-hmm. I'm thinking a heap of pancakes and maybe some scrambled eggs," Callie replied, tracing gentle circles on Arizona's back. "You should stay in bed and rest, beautiful. I'll come get you when breakfast is ready, and it'll be like room service—only way better."
"Do you promise?" Arizona asked, smiling sleepily as she burrowed back under the blankets.
"Promise." Callie kissed her one last time before tucking her in and grabbing her phone, already dialing as she walked out of the bedroom.
Arizona lay back against the pillows, smiling as she listened to Callie's soft voice from the next room, feeling more at home in that moment than she had in a long time.
The next time Arizona opened her eyes, the delicious aroma of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the apartment. She stretched, the memory of waking up in Callie's arms still fresh, and slipped out of bed, pulling on one of Callie's oversized shirts as she followed the scent to the kitchen. The sight that greeted her was one she'd already etched into her mind—the one she'd dreamed of.
Callie stood at the stove with her back to the doorway, hair damp from a workout, moving with a quiet grace. She was flipping a pancake in the pan, a mug of coffee in her other hand. The faint sound of jazz filled the kitchen, mixing with the gentle sizzle of the pan. Arizona leaned against the doorframe, taking in every detail—how Callie's hair curled softly at the nape of her neck, the relaxed slope of her shoulders, the slow smile that stretched across her face as she effortlessly navigated her own space.
Just as Arizona was about to reveal her presence, Callie's voice called out, teasingly. "You don't have to stand there and watch me cook, you know."
Arizona blinked, caught off guard. She chuckled, stepping forward. "How did you know I was watching you?"
Callie turned around, her eyes warm as they met Arizona's. "I'll always know when you're watching me." She finished flipping the last pancake, then set a beautiful stack of them, accompanied by scrambled eggs and bacon, on a plate and brought it over to the table. She poured a cup of coffee for Arizona, holding it out with a smile. "And here's a little something extra for you," she said, revealing a latte with a delicate heart swirled into the foam.
Arizona's eyes widened as she took the cup. "You can make lattes too?" She ran her fingertip along the heart, admiring the detail.
Callie shrugged with a grin, taking a sip of her own coffee. "Just something I picked up when I had some free time and got bored."
Arizona shook her head, a playful gleam in her eye. "Of course, the amazing Callie Torres can do it all."
"Well, I have to impress you somehow, don't I?" Callie teased, leaning in close. She settled beside Arizona, casually reaching out to tuck a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear. The warmth of her fingers lingered, and Arizona's heart skipped as Callie's hand rested on her shoulder.
Arizona took a sip of her latte, her gaze softening. "You don't need to impress me," she murmured. "But I love watching you try."
They both laughed, letting the moment settle between them. The morning sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow over the kitchen. Arizona reached out, her fingers grazing the faint, defined lines of Callie's abs beneath the open button-down shirt she wore. She felt the slight tremor of Callie's muscles under her fingertips and smiled, a mix of wonder and delight.
"You need to shower," Arizona said, her voice barely above a whisper, her touch lingering.
Callie's lips curved into a mischievous grin. "No," she murmured, closing the distance between them, "we need to shower." She wrapped an arm around Arizona, pulling her closer until their faces were inches apart.
Arizona's heart raced as Callie leaned down, brushing a kiss across her lips, slow and tender. She returned the kiss, her fingers threading through Callie's hair, deepening it as they melted into each other.
"Come on," Callie said softly, pulling back and taking Arizona's hand. Arizona allowed herself to be led, her cheeks flushed with excitement and anticipation as they made their way to the bathroom. The apartment felt still and intimate, like the world had folded in around them, leaving only the two of them in this moment.
Callie gently guided Arizona into her spacious, softly lit bathroom, where the air was already misting from the warm water she'd set just right. She turned to Arizona, giving her a reassuring smile before reaching down to slip off her own shirt and shorts, standing before Arizona in nothing but her underwear. The intensity of her gaze never left Arizona's face as she reached out, her fingers brushing Arizona's bare shoulders, slipping the fabric from her, piece by piece, until Arizona stood completely unclothed before her.
Together, they stepped under the steady stream of water, warm droplets cascading down, darkening Arizona's blonde hair and creating rivulets along her skin. Callie wrapped her arms around Arizona's waist, holding her close as the warmth enveloped them. Her gaze dropped, almost instinctively, to Arizona's stomach—a small but unavoidable ache settled there as she thought back to a time when Arizona had been carrying their child, her belly softly rounded. It had been a part of their life, a small miracle that never got to see the light of this world. The memory lingered, the sadness familiar yet gentle, like a scar that still caught at her every now and then.
But Arizona noticed, and her expression shifted from serene to confused, then to hurt. She looked down at her stomach, and then back up to Callie, a faint glisten of tears forming in her eyes. The vulnerability in her voice cut through Callie's reverie. "You don't like me anymore, do you?"
The words struck Callie like a jolt, snapping her out of the haze. "What?" she managed, bewildered, as she tried to meet Arizona's eyes.
"You don't find me beautiful. That's why we haven't… why we've waited so long to be together again." Arizona's voice cracked slightly. "I'm literally standing naked in front of you, and you're not even…" She trailed off, the hurt giving way to frustration as she pushed at Callie's arms.
Callie barely moved, standing firm as she held Arizona closer, her grip gentle but unyielding. "Beautiful. I'm not letting you go until you listen to me," she said, her voice steady but simmering with emotion.
Arizona's shoulders tensed, her face turned away, but Callie reached up to gently turn her face back, meeting her eyes with a fierce, unwavering gaze. "Arizona, how could you think I'd ever see you as anything less than stunning?"
Arizona tried to look away, but Callie wouldn't let her. She reached down and, with a sudden movement, swept Arizona off her feet, lifting her easily, water droplets scattering as she carried her out of the shower. Arizona gasped in surprise, but Callie's steady steps didn't falter as she strode into the bedroom, water dripping along their path.
Once in the bedroom, Callie gently lowered Arizona onto the bed, her arms braced on either side of her as she hovered over her, still damp, still trembling slightly from the intensity of her emotions. She leaned down, her voice soft but firm as she spoke. "I am completely, overwhelmingly in love with you. Every part of you. Do you hear me?" She looked into Arizona's eyes, her own dark with sincerity.
Arizona's tears broke free, and she nodded, her fingers reaching up to trace Callie's jawline, the touch tender. "I just… I didn't know if…"
Callie leaned down, silencing her with a kiss, pouring all the love, all the passion, and all the reassurance into it, hoping Arizona would feel every unspoken word. She pulled back just slightly, brushing her nose against Arizona's as she whispered, "There's nothing in this world that could make me love you less. Nothing. Don't ever doubt that."
She kissed her again, her fingers tangling in Arizona's wet hair, their breaths mingling as they melted into one another. This wasn't just about making Arizona feel beautiful—it was about showing her that they were still them, that they'd found each other again, and that nothing, not time, not pain, not distance, could change that.
They moved together, slow and reverent, like they had all the time in the world. There was no rush, no desperation—just two souls reconnecting, savoring every moment, every touch. When Callie finally leaned back, they were both breathless, smiles tugging at the corners of their mouths. Arizona came first just by Callie fingers then by her mouth and then by her cock ramming into her.
Callie rolled off of her gently disposing of her condom before turning to face her. "I wasn't hard in the shower because I had to masturbate after I got out of bed, then once again after the gym. I will always find you attractive."
"Then what was that in the bathroom?"
Callie shifted slightly, her arms tightening protectively around Arizona, her gaze drifting to the wall as she hesitated to let her words form fully. After a moment, she spoke, her voice softer than usual. "Do you ever… think about him?"
Arizona looked up, caught off guard. "Who?"
"Our son," Callie said, her words carrying both strength and a hidden ache. "I wonder sometimes… what he would've been like. Would he have looked more like you or me? Would he have wanted to sneak into my office and pretend to work on his 'projects'? Or maybe he'd be following you around, trying to do everything you did. I wonder if he'd have been into sports or maybe he'd have loved art." Her voice trailed off as she gently stroked Arizona's arm, each word dripping with a sense of vulnerability.
Arizona swallowed, trying to process the question and her own swirling emotions. "I…" She hesitated, collecting her thoughts. "I had to… block it out for a while. It hurt too much to even let myself imagine him. My therapist helped me come to terms with it over time. She helped me see that he'll always be my first child, and nothing in this world will ever change that. He'll always be a part of us, something no one can take away." Her voice was barely a whisper, and a small tear slid down her cheek.
Callie's hand reached up to wipe the tear away. She looked deeply into Arizona's eyes, her own dark with unspoken promises. "Do you ever think about… having more kids?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with hope.
Arizona's eyes softened, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she looked up at Callie. "Yeah," she whispered, "but only if it's with you."
A look of relief crossed Callie's face, but it was mixed with something else—a kind of determination. "There's something that's been on my mind for a long time. Something I hope, one day, I'll get to share with you." She took a deep breath, visibly hesitating before she continued. "It's… it's part of why I've had to take some calls in private today, and probably later as well."
Arizona blinked, curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked gently.
Callie gave her a soft, almost bittersweet smile. "I can't tell you just yet. You're the only person I want to share this with, Arizona. Desperately. But I need to hear some good news first—I need to know that all the effort isn't for nothing." Her eyes pleaded for understanding. "I promise, when the time is right, I'll tell you everything. Just… trust me, okay? If I take a call in private, it's not because I'm hiding something from you. I just need this to work. I need it to work before I get your hopes up."
Arizona nodded, seeing the intensity in Callie's expression and knowing that pushing her would only make things harder. "I trust you, Callie. Just remember I'm here, whenever you're ready." She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Callie's shoulder, feeling the tension slowly melt away.
Callie let out a relieved breath and smiled, her face lighting up with a hint of playfulness as she shifted gears. "So… I've got a pint of strawberry cheesecake ice cream stashed in the freezer and a big TV in the living room."
Arizona's eyes lit up as she grinned. "I love where your mind is at. You read my mind."
Callie leaned down, her lips brushing Arizona's as she murmured, "There's just one rule: no-clothes movie night."
Arizona's eyebrows lifted in amusement. "No clothes?"
Callie's grin grew, and before Arizona could respond, Callie leaned in, capturing her lips in a deep, tender kiss. Her hands found their way to Arizona's waist, then trailed teasingly upwards until they rested gently over her chest, her thumb brushing over Arizona's skin, igniting a spark between them. "No clothes," she whispered, her voice low and mischievous. "Now, go make yourself comfortable, pick out something good to watch, and I'll grab the ice cream."
Arizona's cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip, nodding as she slipped from the bed, the warm air prickling her skin as she wrapped a soft blanket around herself, a little grin on her face as she settled on the couch, waiting for Callie.
Within moments, Callie returned, a pint of ice cream in one hand, two spoons in the other, and that familiar, beautiful sparkle in her eyes. She set everything down, slipping onto the couch next to Arizona, pressing a quick kiss to her shoulder before reaching for the remote. Together, they nestled close, the warmth of each other's skin a comfort as they relaxed, letting the world fade away, and savoring the kind of night they'd waited a long time to have.