AN:/ Here is chapter 10! I have loved writting it, and Jax had helped me making it better. I hope you'll enjoy it.
Thank you for the people who are leaving reviews, I love reading them especially whan you are telling how you'd like the story to go!
So please let me know what you think will happen, or what you'd like to see! Enjoy your reading, and se you next week!
...
It was not supposed to happen this way, nobody was supposed to know yet and certainly not Callie Torres. All because she couldn't keep her mouth shut and had to run away. She was angry and extremely frustrated with herself and the situation.
She had it all planned out, she wanted to tell her parents first, she was going to their place on the way back from the Miami escapade, and it was ruined.
She knew her father wouldn't approve of her having a child on her own, but her mother and her infectious perkiness would have made everything beautiful and happy.
Then, she would have to wait for Sofia to come home for half her holiday in Seattle. She had all the words in her head, she would have done it brilliantly.
Before Sofia arrived, she would have told Teddy, Alex and April, her closer friends.
Everything was supposed to be happy. She would have eventually let Callie know if Sofia had been able to keep the secret. It was supposed to happen that way. But now it was ruined.
She was walking as fast as possible, knowing she had just one thing to do. Grab her bag and leave in a hurry pretexting an emergency at Grey Sloan.
« Wait! Arizona! Please! » Callie yelled as she ran after her.
Arizona didn't stop, not listening to Callie, she felt like she was suffocating, her breathing was laboured, and she was having trouble concentrating, how could she have made such a mistake coming here.
It was a risk when she had agreed to participate in this masquerade. She knew it and it was the one thing that had made her hesitate.
« No! Wait! » Callie yelled again but this time she was closer than Arizona thought, and she managed to grab her wrist.
Arizona felt her body being dragged back by Callie's strong move.
« Let go of me! » Arizona yelled back. « I'm done. I'm going back to Seattle now, and I don't want anything coming from your mouth. You deal with your parents and tell them whatever lie you want. But let go of me. Now! »
« I... I understand... But you... Is it true? Are you really pregnant? » Callie asked, still under the shock of what she just saw.
« I... I will talk about it with you, but I'm just asking you to keep this to yourself. I haven't … I haven't told Sofia yet, and I would like to be the one to tell her. » Arizona said. « Can you just call me a cab? I'll be ready in 20 minutes at most. »
Callie just nodded, trying to process the unexpected information as Arizona walked away to their room.
It was the last thing she thought would come out of their chaotic weekend in Florida.
Arizona, her ex-wife, the woman who still had that effect on her, was pregnant. But how? Why? When?
The ortho surgeon stood frozen in place in the middle of the lounge, her mouth agape, and all she could feel was numbness. Everything felt empty, her mind, her body, her soul.
This was the last thing she thought she would find out today.
« Is everything okay sis? » Aria asked, finding her sister motionless. « Callie? »
« I... It's Arizona, she...Hum she has to go now. » Callie stammered.
« Going where? » Arya asked.
« She, well... She just got a call from the hospital, and they need her as fast as possible. » Callie said, she didn't realise, but tears were already making an appearance.
« Oh, no, I wanted to get to know her more! She's so great. » Aria replied, noticing her sister's turmoil. « Hey it's okay Callie. You'll get back to her tomorrow. Don't tell me you can't live without her for a few hours? Oooow that's so cute... »
« What? No, it's just that Mom wanted us to stay longer, and then this happened... » Callie lied.
« Oh, so you and Sofia are going to stay a little longer! That's amazing! » Aria replied. « It's such a shame Arizona can't stay. You're sure no one can replace her? »
The sentence echoed weirdly in Callie's mind. « Are you sure no one can replace her? » .
And it hit her one more time. No one had ever replaced Arizona in her heart. She had tried to move on quickly after she had left her. She's been going on dates just a few weeks after the separation, and it had been good at first. The excitement, the desire, the seduction game.
It had been good for a while; it had helped her to forget about her sorrow. It had helped her feel good about herself after all the pain and the trauma they had suffered through the years.
« I have to go talk to her... » Callie replied to her sister as she walked away, trying to think about a way to talk about the pregnancy.
And to be truthful, it wasn't any of her concern, of course Arizona was totally upset she had found out her secret, and she didn't owe her ex-wife any explanation at all.
But now that the shock of learning about it was slowly fading away, Callie wanted to know, to understand.
One of the non-official reasons she had been so carried away leaving Seattle was she didn't want to see Arizona move on.
She had had enough hearing about her trivia nights in girls bars with Richard Webber.
But had Arizona met someone? Was her new relationship so serious she was going to have a family with someone other than her?
Arriving in front of their bedroom door, she hesitated for a moment. What was she going to do?
She was trying to find something to say when she went into the room, and then she heard sobs coming from behind the door.
She couldn't wait any longer, she didn't want to be the one who caused her ex-wife to cry.
She opened the door which made Arizona jump in surprise, and what she saw immediately worried Callie.
Arizona was laying on her back with pain written all over her face and fear in her eyes. She immediately knew something was up.
« What's going on? » Callie asked, concerned but keeping calm. « Tell me. »
« I... I... » Arizona was unable to finish her sentence as a wave of pain crushed her stomach and made her cry in pain as her free hand remained on her bump.
« What can I do? » Callie just asked.
« Nothing... Just go please. » Arizona grumbled; her teeth clenched as she let go of the helping hand.
« Arizona... » Callie whispered. « Has this ever happened before? Is it Braxton Hicks, or do you think it's... something else? »
Callie's words were cautious. She didn't know anything about this pregnancy. She didn't know how Arizona had been feeling with it, how far along she was...
« Do you want me to call anyone? » She asked. « Or do you want to go to the hospital? »
« There is no one to call, and yeah, it's Braxton Hicks for sure... It happened already... Yesterday... » Arizona confessed as she tried to take long and steady breaths to calm her stress.
« Why didn't you say something? » Callie reproached. « I... I would have... »
« You would have nothing! This is none of your business. Don't make it about you, like you do with everything! » Arizona replied harshly. « I just have to cool down, and then it will be okay. Just give me an hour or two and I'll get the hell out of here! »
« Arizona, you can't travel in that condition. » Callie replied, still calm and neutral. « You are not okay, and I think I'm the reason you're upset this weekend... »
« Of course, it's because of this stupid weekend and the stress I've put on myself trying to hide that I'm pregnant. » Arizona snapped. « I'm going to ask you to leave, I need my privacy. »
« I can't leave you alone like this, You need someone by your side if things get more serious. » Callie said.
« You weren't shy about leaving me alone and taking my daughter across the country without looking back a few months ago? What's different now? And if I'd have to have a person by my side, I'd pick anyone but you. So, could you get out of this room now please! »
The anger and the bitterness in the voice of her ex-wife left Callie speechless.
It was like they were back a few days after Arizona's amputation.
The blonde was so depressed and mad at her at the time that her words were always sharper than knives.
Callie gulped but knew she had to leave her. She stood up, but before she left, she made sure Arizona had everything she possibly want next to her, so she wouldn't need to move.
She silently walked away, and tried no to cry, but that wasn't gonna happen.
As she closed the door, she leaned against it and let her emotions out.
She couldn't let them take over though because she still had to keep up the pretence she was playing for the sake and success of the plan she had conceived and was living.
But so many things were echoing in her head at this moment, it was making her head spin.
Pictures of the past were mixing with more recent events, memories of their breakup over having or not having children, over Africa, the crash, they were all mixed up with accepting that she moved on to have a life with Penny.
She had followed her blindly to New York without taking any notice of the advice her friends had been giving her, she had accepted the fact that Penny didn't want kids. Now the younger woman had not been able to understand what she had needed from her, and wouldn't accept the fact that she had left her in New York, basically, being left aside.
And now after all the chaos happening around her, she was getting her mother back, Sofia would have a real relationship with her and above all Arizona was pregnant.
« Are you all right Mama? » a little voice made her come back to reality. « Where is Mommy? »
« Hey mija. Yeah, I'm okay, I'm just tired. » Callie lied. « Mama is sleeping, she has a headache. »
« Oh... » The little girl simply stated. « Is she going to be okay? »
« Yeah, of course, she just needs to rest... » Callie explained but immediately went blank when she noticed her sister was just behind her daughter and had witnessed her lie. « You... Should get back to the pool. Abuelo and Abuela are going to miss you! »
« Ok. » Sofia replied, not really buying her mother lame explanation.
The little girl walked away and immediately, Aria grabbed her sister by the arm and dragged her into the nearest room, closing the doors behind them.
« Now Callie Torres, care to explain? »
….
Two hours later and after a lot of pain, Arizona felt her body and her mind start to relax. She didn't have any cramps at the moment and felt the worst was over.
She sat on the bed, her head resting against the headboard, her eyes staring at the ceiling.
She was still frustrated Callie was the first person, after Bailey, to learn about her pregnancy.
It was totally ruining the schedule she had in mind, so, suddenly, on a whim, she grabbed her phone and skyped her parents.
She had to take control back, and as silly as it could seem, that's what she thought would help her.
She took a deep breath, arranged her hair quickly and walked to the bathroom trying to have a neutral background. She knew she would have dozens of questions from her parents in a few minutes and really didn't want to have to explain all the Miami fiasco to them as well.
« Hey, Hi! » She greeted her mother as the elderly woman was struggling with her phone.
« Hi Honey! » Barbara smiled at her daughter, as she sat in her kitchen. « How are you? »
« I'm good... and you? Where's Dad? » Arizona asked, trying to hide her nervousness.
« He's outside. You want to talk to him? » Barbara asked, but she noticed her daughter was not acting as usual. Something in the way her eyes were not really focused told her she had something to tell them. « Daniel! Please come here, Arizona wants to talk to us. »
« Mom... No, I don't... » Arizona lied.
« Young Lady, I made you, I know you. » Barbara stated when her husband joined her and smiled widely when he saw his daughter.
« Hey bug! » The older man said, waving at Arizona.
« Hi Dad! »
« What is it? » Barbara got straight to the reason why she was calling them.
« Barb! What's wrong? » Daniel worried.
« Your daughter has something to tell us, so I just want to know what it is... Is it something bad? Are you sick? Is Sofia Okay? » Barbara ranted. « Is everything okay at work? Have you been fired? »
« Mom! » Arizona stopped her. « I … I have something to tell you, but calm down... Please. »
Barbara rolled her eyes.
« We are listening. » Daniel said, grabbing his nervous wife's hand.
Suddenly the atmosphere was tense, and Arizona couldn't believe her mother just assumed she was going to tell them something bad.
« First of all, it's not something bad... » Arizona pointed as she gave her mother a knitted brow look. « It's something that is going to change my life, for sure. And I hope you'll be happy and supportive. »
« Are you getting married? » Barbara's face lightened. « Are you back with Callie? Oh my god! I knew it! You two are soul mates! »
« Mom! » « Barb! » Arizona and her father yelled at her, making the older woman roll her eyes again.
« Let her finish! » Daniel said. « Go on Arizona. »
« I'm... I'm pregnant. » The news was out.
Barbara opened her mouth before covering it with her hand. Daniel remained the same and just nodded, waiting for his daughter to give them more details.
« It's twins. I am having these babies on my own. It's a new chapter in my life and I know I haven't talked about it, but... After my divorce, I still had the desire of having another kid. I wanted Sofia to have siblings. It didn't work out the way I thought it would with Callie, so I thought I would wait to meet someone else, and I might start a family with them. But I didn't meet any other woman who I could see myself with. And I was tired of waiting, I'm not getting any younger... »
« You don't have to justify yourself Darling. » Daniel replied, while his wife was already crying tears of joy. « It's a situation I shouldn't approve of because I would prefer my future grandchildren to have two parents. But you are strong, you are an amazing person. If you have made that decision, I know it was not made lightly. I trust you. And we will be here with you, your mother and I, to help you and support you. »
« Thank you Dad. » Arizona replied, her voice shaking with emotion. « I'm so happy you're ok with this and you're behind me. »
« How far along are you? Are they boys? Girls? Boy and girl? » Barbara almost squealed with excitement. « Do you need anything? We can be in Seattle in a few days... »
Arizona laughed at her mother's antics. The older woman loved babies and had been over the moon when she learned about Sofia. So now, she would have two more grandchildren and it was everything.
« I'm almost 12 weeks along. I don't know about the gender. » Arizona explained. « I haven't told Sofia yet, but I will, soon. So please, don't spill the news if she calls you. »
« How are things regarding her? » Daniel asked. « Do you have all the papers in order? »
Arizona had informed her parents that she had been working things out with Callie regarding their daughter's custody but of course she hadn't told them about what she had to do to get those precious papers.
« Yeah, it's done, don't worry. » Arizona replied. « I have to go now. I will call you soon. »
« Take care of yourself baby. » Barbara said. « Take it easy at work and eat well. »
« She's a fetal surgeon Barb! She knows what she has to do better than you! » Daniel reminded his wife. « Take care bug. We love you! »
As soon as the call ended, Arizona busted in tears, one more time. She was relieved. Her parents unconditional love was still there and she knew she wouldn't be alone.
A knock was heard on the door. Arizona sighed.
« Go away Callie. » She said, not ready to see her ex-wife.
The doors opened slowly, and she saw Aria Torres poking her head round the door frame.
« May I? » Aria asked.
Arizona nodded, taken aback by the person in front of her.
Aria closed the door behind her and walked to join Arizona.
Both women settled on the big grey couch, and Arizona began to worry.
« I'm not here on Callie's behalf if that's what's bothering you. » Aria explained. « I just... I know everything… Callie told me. Or rather I should say I forced her to explain. »
Arizona opened big, surprised eyes. She didn't know what Aria wanted, and how she had made Callie tell her the truth. And what truth was she talking about.
« I have no idea what you are talking about. » Arizona lied.
« I met her earlier, she told me you had been called back to Seattle for an emergency. Unfortunately, a little later, I came with Sofia to her room to grab something, and she saw Callie in front of your room, and when she asked where you were, she told her you were sick and sleeping. » Aria said. « I wasn't that far behind Sophia, so I heard... And being so intelligent, I figured something was off. So, I confronted her, and she told me everything. From your divorce to the custody battle, to the way she treated you after she won. She told me about New York, Penny and about what she had forced you to do to get a shared custody, and she even told me about... »
«Okay... » Arizona replied. « But she didn't force me. She asked me, and I agreed. »
« If you say so... » Aria winked. « I know my sister; she can be persuasive. »
« I'm sorry but I don't feel comfortable talking about any of this with you. With all due respect, it only concerns Sofia, me, and Calliope. » Arizona said. « I don't know what you want from me? »
« Oh, no I'm not a bad guy in this story! » Aria smiled. « I just... I don't know but I bought it yesterday and this morning. I bought it all... »
« What are you talking about? »
« The way you were together. I would have never guessed you weren't a couple anymore, and for years! » Aria explained. « Everything felt natural. I mean... There's still something there... »
« We had been married for a few years, apparently, we haven't forgotten how to act as a couple in front of people. » Arizona replied. « But trust me. Callie and I are over. We have been, for a long time. I hurt her terribly, and she's hurt me in other ways, but the results are the same. We were not meant to end up together. Now she's in New York with her girlfriend. I am in Seattle, and I'm going to have twins in a few months. Callie is not included in that plan. I'm sorry. »
« Are you involved with another woman? » Aria asked.
« No, I'm not. And please, can we just not talk about that... » Arizona asked. « I am stuck here for a few hours still, I just want everything to go smoothly and get back to my life. »
Aria understood Arizona was not comfortable talking about Callie, which made her believe that the blonde was not so over her sister as she said she was. But she wouldn't push it.
« Ok... I get it. I won't bother you any longer. But Callie was worried, and she called a friend who did her residency with her before she left for Seattle. She's an Ob Gyn. She can check on you if you want. She lives a few blocks away. » Aria explained. « You just have to ask, and Callie will call her. »
Arizona smiled sadly.
« You know, it's one of the things that made me fall for you sister. She cared like crazy, and she wanted everybody to be okay, despite the situation. » Arizona explained. « She was... She is very generous. But I'm all right. Tell Callie thank you for me. »
…
A few hours later, Arizona had decided to get back to Seattle finally.
She had played the perfect wife role until dinner. Everything had been easier. Callie had avoided any contact and they had tried not to be together with other people for long periods. Sofia had been the perfect excuse to escape uncomfortable silences, or moments.
The dinner had been quiet and when it ended, Arizona had said her goodbyes to Lucia and Carlos, falsely promising to get back to Miami sooner rather than later.
Lucia had embraced her tightly and she had apologized one more time.
Carlos had thanked her for standing by his daughter's side.
The fake couple had excused themselves, Callie walking with Arizona outside, to wait for her cab.
Callie had grabbed the blonde's hand, somewhere along their walk through the lounge.
Arizona had flinched at first, but weirdly, she had intertwined her fingers with Callie's.
« It should be here in a few minutes, depending on the traffic. » Callie said as the blonde released her hand.
They stood on the sidewalk, side by side in silence. Arizona didn't want to talk, so it suited her. Callie wanted to say a million things, but she knew she shouldn't.
When the car finally arrived, Callie put Arizona's luggage in the trunk and closed it. The blonde waited a moment in front of the passenger door. Callie had asked if they could have a quick hug, knowing her parents would be looking out the window.
« So, this is the end. » Arizona said. « I will text you all the information about Sofia's flight. I'll buy the ticket for her. I hope you have found what you came for. I will just ask you not to give my personal contact information to your parents. I don't want to be bothered when you tell them what kind of horrible thing you dream up about what I did to you for our marriage to end. I suggest you'll go with the cheating. It should work, seeing as it happened before. »
« Arizona please... » Callie whispered. « Don't be like that... »
« I'll be like I want to be Callie; I don't owe you anything. And you don't owe me anything either. Not anymore. » Arizona replied. « Just, figure your crap out with perfect Penny, respect our shared custody scheduled and go on with your life. »
Callie stared in blue angry eyes for a moment. She was sad and numb.
It was time to say goodbye, but it felt like a forever goodbye to her.
She approached Arizona who was just waiting for the last fake embrace before leaving.
Callie put a hesitant hand on Arizona's back, pulling her closer into her body, still staring at her.
She then put her other arm over her ex-wife's shoulders, and she hugged her closely.
As if her body couldn't control itself, Arizona's arm found its natural way up to snake around Callie's neck.
And in that instant, which was sealing the last moment of their agreement, everything changed. Callie couldn't deny it any longer. She slowly brought her hands to Arizona's face cupping it. Blue eyes darkened immediately as the brunette looked for some kind of sign in them.
She leaned in and captured pink lips in a searing kiss which Arizona didn't fight.
« Goodbye. » Callie simply stated, her voice breaking with emotion. « If you need anything, I mean anything, you know where to find me. »
And with that, she was gone, leaving a stunned Arizona who quickly jumped in the cab, taking her to the airport, tears rolling down her cheeks.