Widow Robbins II
September 2007 - Part 2
It wasn't until Friday afternoon that they met Iris and Kenny, but with very different outcomes. As they approached the school, Arizona suddenly stopped and squinted. "I know her, at least I think I do," Arizona said surprised. "But it can't be, can it?" she questioned herself.
"What? Who are you talking about?" Callie asked, her eyes darting around the area.
"The woman standing by the bike rack."
"I've never seen her before," Callie said, taking a closer look at the tall African-American woman.
"I'm pretty sure it's her," Arizona answered as she began walking once more.
"How do you know her? Is she a patient's mom?"
"No," she corrected. "from Hopkins."
"Med school?" Callie's eyebrows darted toward her hairline. It wasn't often her fiancee referred to that time period.
"No." Arizona quickened her pace and Callie scrambled to keep up with her. "Her husband was in the same PhD program as Jillian," she explained. "They worked on research project together. They left when he took a post doc at Berkeley. In all the chaos of them moving, me finishing med school and then moving to Seattle we lost touch. I think their son Jerome must've been maybe two when they left."
"If it's her, maybe he goes to school here?"
Arizona stopped a few steps from the woman. "Corrine?" she asked.
The woman turned around. "Arizona? Oh, my goodness," she exclaimed, then pulled Arizona into a tight hug. "Look at you," she said, stepping back. "Oh, look at you," she repeated, taking note of Arizona's black eyes.
"Mishap on the trampoline with one of my daughters," she laughed. "How's Sterling? And Jerome? He's what - in second grade?"
"Third."
Arizona laughed in a way Callie had never heard before, almost like she did with Nick but not quite as at ease due to the separation. "Not possible. He was just a toddler when I last saw him."
"They grow up so fast, don't they?"
"They do." Arizona was thrilled to see her old friend. "And Sterling?" she asked again in earnest.
"He's good. He's at the University of Washington, associate professor in biochem."
"That's awesome. When did you move? Where to?"
Callie grinned at Arizona's rapid-fire twenty questions.
Corrine's eyes looked into the distance as she tried to search for the answer. "About a month ago. We live on Aspen Ave."
"Really? That's just around the corner from us. We're on Spruce Street." Hearing herself say 'we', Arizona suddenly remembered Callie was standing next to her. "Oh, Corrine, this is my fiancee, Dr. Callie Torres. Callie, this is Corrine Taylor."
"Pleased to meet you," Callie said politely.
"Same," Corinne said, shaking Callie's hand. She was surprised to hear the word fiancee but she quickly schooled her face to a neutral expression. She definitely had some questions for her friend as the last time they talked, Arizona was with Jill. "Did you finish your residency?" she asked, turning her attention back to Arizona.
"I'm a fellow now in pediatric surgery."
"Pediatrics? I thought you were going to be a trauma surgeon."
Arizona shrugged her shoulders. "Things change."
"Don't let her downplay it. She's going to be head of the department when she finishes her fellowship," Callie proudly stated.
"That's wonderful, Arizona."
"How about you, Corrine?"
"Part-time at the University doing research in one of the labs."
"You'll be running it in no time, I have no doubt.," Arizona teased.
"Did I hear you say you have twins?" Corrine looked around at the children who were milling about the playground.
"Twin girls, if you can believe it. Vivvy and Cam."
"Cam?" Corrine's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Oh, no, you've heard of Cam? That can't be good," Arizona chuckled.
"My daughter Iris is in her class."
"Wait, your daughter is Iris?" Arizona began to laugh along with Callie. "Cam is adamant that Iris is her twin."
"Iris says the same thing." Corrine joined in the laughter.
They were still laughing when Cam arrived, holding Iris's hand. Iris was holding Cam's friend Sarah's hand. All three girls were wearing red shirts and they all had braids and big smiles.
"Look, Mommy, we're trip-its," Cam said. "There are three of us."
The women took in the three girls; Cam with her blond hair and blue eyes, Iris with her dark skin and dark eyes, and Sarah, freckled skin, green eyes and red hair.
"Triplets," Arizona gently corrected her. She thought it was sweet that the girls thought they were now triplets. "You want to explain that one to them?" Arizona said to Corrine. The other woman shook her head, an amused smile crossing her face.
"This is my Mommy," Cam said to Iris. "And this is Callie. She's going to be my Mama when they get married."
"Hello, Iris," Arizona said and she gave the girl a big smile. "Hi, Sarah."
"Hi, Dr. Robbins. Hi Dr. Torres," Sarah said.
"Hi," Iris said shyly.
"Corrine, this is my daughter, Cam, and their friend, Sarah," Arizona said. "Girls, this is Iris's mommy. Dr. Taylor."
"Are you a surgeon like my mommy and Callie?" Cam asked.
"No, I'm a different kind of doctor," Corrine answered.
"Can we go play?" Cam asked.
"You know there's no running around, Cam," Callie reminded Cam, causing the young girl to scowl.
Cam reached into her backpack and after a few moments of rummaging around, pulled out a small bag. "What if we play jacks?" she asked, holding up the bag with a ball and the jacks. "I want to teach Sarah and Iris how."
"Well, I think that's okay. What do you think, Mommy?" Callie asked.
"Fine, but only for a little while. We have to get home, and Sarah's mom will be here soon."
The three girls walked back over toward the school and found a spot where they could play. Callie spotted Vivvy standing with who she assumed was Kenny and his mother. "I'm going to go get Vivvy and let you two catch up," she said. "It was nice meeting you, Corrine."
"You, too, Callie. I hope we can all get together soon."
After Callie walked away, Corrine turned to Arizona. "Jillian?"
"Passed away four years ago. Aortic aneurysm." Arizona bit her lip, anticipating the usual flood of emotions whenever she mentioned her past love, but instead of the all-consuming grief, now she felt the sadness of a life gone too soon which she could push past to continue the conversation.
"Oh, Arizona," Corrine said, taking Arizona's hand and giving it a sympathetic squeeze. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Thank you." Arizona took a minute to briefly explain the past few years to her friend. "And then I met Callie." Her eyes shone brightly as she mentioned her soon-to-be wife.
"She seems very nice."
"She's wonderful, and she's great with the girls, too."
Corrine grinned. "And she can't take her eyes off of you."
Arizona blushed. "I sometimes have to pinch myself. I am so lucky to have found her. It's hard to believe, sometimes, just how far we've come."
"She's lucky to have found you, too."
"Thank you." Arizona cleared her throat. "Where's Jerome?"
"Playing basketball" she said, pointing out her son who was tall for his age. "If I can tear him away from his game, I'll introduce him."
"Oh, let him play. I can meet him later."
While Arizona and Corrine chatted, Callie made her way to Vivvy. As she neared her, Vivvy saw her and waved wildly. "Callie!" she shouted.
"Hey, Princess Vivvy. Are you ready to go home?"
"I am." Vivvy turned to the boy standing next to her. "This is my friend, Kenny and Kenny's mom."
"Hi, Kenny," Callie said, giving him a warm smile. Vivvy had talked enough about Kenny the past few days that it was obvious that she was a little sweet on him.
"Who's this?" Kenny's mom asked Vivvy, not bothering to address Callie directly. "Is this your nanny?"
"Oh, wow," Callie muttered under her breath. "Can't believe you went there."
"No, this is Callie," Vivvy explained. "She and mommy are going to be married in three weeks. And I get to be a flower girl," she added.
Vivvy was so excited about telling everyone she was going to be in the wedding that she didn't see Kenny's mom's reaction, but Callie did. The other woman stiffened and took a step back. "Oh, I see," she said, her voice frosty and full of disdain.
Callie almost laughed out loud. She recognized the tone of voice the woman used. She knew that tone. She'd grown up hearing it in social settings and at the country club her parents belonged to, even heard her mother use it. That overly polite but dismissive tone. Oh, lady, she thought. You are an amateur. You wouldn't stand a chance against my mother.
Callie stuck out her hand. "Dr. Callie Torres," she introduced herself in a tone that would have made her mother proud.
"Karen Hitchcock," the woman said as she begrudgingly shook Callie's hand. It was a brief handshake, almost like she didn't want to touch her. She quickly let go. "Come along, Kenny," she said, taking hold of her son's hand.
"Bye, Kenny!" Vivvy said.
"Bye, Vivvy," he called over his shoulder as his mother almost dragged him away.
Callie took Vivvy's hand and they walked back to Arizona; rather Callie walked, and Vivvy skipped. Vivvy was so happy to be in school. She loved her teacher, Mrs. Moore and she had new friends, including Kenny.
"Who's that with Mommy?" Vivvy asked Callie.
"That's Iris's mommy. Do you know Iris?"
"Yes. She played hopscotch with us at recess while Cam and Sarah played checkers." She paused, a surprisingly serious look for a six year old on her face. "She's nice but she is not Cam's twin. I am."
"I think Cam's just a little confused."
Vivvy let go of Callie's hand and skipped the rest of the way to the small group. "Hi, Mommy!" she said, hugging Arizona.
"Good day at school, Miss Vivvy?" Arizona asked.
"Yes."
"Corrine, this is my other daughter, Vivvy," Arizona said. "Vivvy, this is Iris's mommy, Dr. Taylor."
"Hi," Vivvy said brightly. She liked meeting new people and making new friends.
After Sarah's mom picked her up, the Robbins-Torres family headed for home, Vivvy and Cam walking ahead of Callie and Arizona. Callie gauged how far the girls were ahead of them and decided to broach the topic of her meeting with "So, I met Kenny and his mom," she began.
"And?"
"Kenny seems like a nice boy and he and Vivvy clearly like one another," she stated slowly.
"That's good. And his mother?"
Callie made a face. "She's… something," she said, lowering her voice so the girls couldn't hear her. "At first, I thought she was just too pretentious for a public school mom."
Arizona chuckled. "But?"
"She asked Vivvy if I was her nanny."
"What?" Arizona stopped walking, her jaw dropped. "Seriously? I should give her a piece of my mind," she added, beginning to turn around.
"That's not all of it."
"What other offensive bigoted thing could she have said?"
"Pretty sure she's a homophobe. You should've seen the look she gave me when Vivvy said we were getting married." Callie shook her head sadly.
Arizona's eyes darkened in anger. "Oh, boy, now I am going to - "
Callie gently grabbed Arizona's arm to stop her. "Hold on, there, Sugar Ray Robbins," she teased with a grin. "No fighting for you. You don't need any more black eyes or another broken nose."
"But she insulted you, Callie! She insulted us!"
Callie shrugged. "Some people aren't worth fighting."
"Fine," Arizona huffed.
Callie leaned in close to Arizona. "But you, all riled up and protective? Hot."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. And when you get cleared for extracurricular activities, I intend to show you how hot I think it is."
# # # # # # # # # #
At the sound of someone calling out her name, Arizona spun around. Her best friend Teddy was down the hall and approaching.
"Hey, Teddy."
"Are you back?"
"I am. Mark and Derek just cleared me, but only a light schedule. Consults and minor surgery but I can supervise other surgeries," she answered, as she continued to the attendings' locker room, Teddy falling in step beside her.
'You're looking better," Teddy observed. "Your nose isn't nearly as swollen as it was last week, and your black eyes are looking better, too."
"Well, concealer helps," Arizona laughed.
"Callie?"
"On her way down from HR. Lots of paperwork to fill out. I don't know why because they should have everything on file from before."
"You can't get away from bureaucracy."
"Very true." She pushed open the door to the attendings' lounge and Teddy followed her. "So, what's new with you?" Arizona asked as she took out a pair of fresh scrubs.
"Not much," Teddy replied with a shrug of her shoulders before leaning back against the lockers.
"I noticed Nick hasn't returned to my parents' house. Did you forget that Callie's been over chicken pox for weeks?" Seeing Teddy's pink cheeks, Arizona smirked. "It's okay if you want to live with Nick."
"We're… we're not living together," Teddy sputtered defensively. "With someone's wedding coming up, we just assumed your parents were going to need the spare room for out-of-town guests."
"Right," Arizona said with a roll of her eyes as she pulled her top off and hung it up in her locker. "Never mind that everyone's staying at the Archfield." In one quick movement, she pulled her scrub shirt over her head, tugging it down before flipping her hair out of her collar and pulling it into a ponytail. She hadn't had time to braid it before getting the girls to school. "I mean, I'm surprised it's taken this long." She gave Teddy a look, her eyes narrowing in hopes that Teddy would 'fess up.
"Fine," Teddy huffed. "I asked him to move in with me," she admitted.
"Hah! I knew it!" Arizona stuck her tongue out and pointed both index fingers at her friend.
"But we don't see each other all that much. You know what a surgeon's hours are like, and he's studying all the time. It just made sense to have him stay."
"You don't have to justify it to me, Teddy."
"We wanted to take things a bit slower, but it's just the way it worked out."
"Well, I'm sure you are, considering his health."
"He's no invalid," Teddy said with her own smirk.
"Ugh, gross. Teddy. TMI." Arizona's face scrunched up in disgust. "I don't want to think about Nick that way. He's like a brother to me."
Teddy laughed and decided to change the subject. "So how'd the first week of school go for Cam and Vivvy?"
"Great," Arizona replied with a smile. "Vivvy loves it and Cam's made some new friends." As she finished dressing she proceeded to tell Teddy about Vivvy's new friend Kenny, Cam's insistence on having another twin, and her reunion with Corrine.
"That's great, Arizona."
"Yes, we're pretty pleased with how it's been so far." She sat down on the bench, her heelies in hand.
"Uh, Arizona, are you sure about those?"
Arizona looked around in confusion. "What?"
"Your shoes."
"What about them?"
"You probably shouldn't be zipping around the hospital on them. You're still getting over your concussion."
"I'll be fine," she assured her friend while she bent over to tie them.
"I wouldn't let Callie find out," Teddy warned.
"Let me find out what?" Callie asked as she stepped into the room.
"On that note, I have patients to see," Teddy said patting Arizona's shoulder consolingly, not wanting to stick around for what was sure to be Callie's angry, but justifiable, rant.
"Talk to you later, Teddy."
"Tell me what?" Callie repeated, then she saw the guilty look on Arizona's face, then her shoes. "Oh, no, you take those off right now," she demanded.
"Callie…"
"No, Arizona. I forbid it."
Arizona's spine stiffened and tone became low, almost a growl. "Forbid it?"
"Yes. You had a concussion, Arizona. And we're getting married in less than three weeks. There will be no roller shoes, and no more broken bones or concussions."
"But Callie," Arizona protested.
"Absolutely not, Arizona." She held out her hand for the shoes. "Now."
"Fine." Arizona kicked off her shoes, then handed them to Callie. "But after the wedding, you have to give them back."
"We'll see about that."
Frowning, Arizona reached into her locker for her clogs. "You're no fun," she grumbled.
"I'm plenty of fun," Callie countered, whipping her shirt off and hanging it in her locker.
Arizona turned and saw Callie without a shirt. Her mouth went dry. It had been more than a week since they'd made love.
"What?" Callie asked as she put on the navy scrub shirt for the first time.
"Uh, nothing."
"No, what? You're staring." Callie kicked off her shoes, dropped her pants and then put on the matching scrub pants.
"You, navy scrubs. Hot," Arizona stammered.
Callie laughed, then saw the look in Arizona's eyes. "So, what's the verdict? Are you done with restricted activities?"
"Yes, and as soon as we get home…" Arizona rose from the bench and approached Callie.
Callie laughed again. "Maybe not as soon as we get home, but definitely later."
"Count on it," Arizona promised as she leaned in for a kiss.
"Mmm," Callie murmured between kisses.
Before it could get too heated, Arizona stepped back. "So, what's your schedule for today?"
"Consults and rounds this morning, the Skills Lab this afternoon. You?"
"Consults and minor surgeries only. Light schedule." Arizona put on her white coat and clipped her badge to it. "My mom's picking the girls up today and bringing them here so Cam can get her stitches out. If you're going to be late, I can always ride home with them."
"I'll let you know. You never know what's going to turn up in the ER and if I'll be needed."
"Very true." Arizona reached for her pager when she heard it go off. "Gotta go. Love you," she said, adding one last kiss. "Find me for lunch," she called out as she left the room.
Callie put her shoes on, then pulled on her lab coat. She wasn't going to lie to herself. She'd been hoping she'd get some cool surgery coming from the ER. Being at home for almost three months with the girls had been nice, except for the chicken pox, but she was itching to cut. It had been too long since she'd held a scalpel.
# # # # # # # # # #
"Torres!" Mark bellowed as he walked down the hall.
"Keep your voice down, Mark. We're in a hospital," she lightly scolded him, but a smile broke out onto her face.
"You're back!" he said in a somewhat quieter voice as he hugged her.
"Yes, I'm back. Obviously." She rolled her eyes and returned the hug.
"I've missed you."
"You just saw me last week." Callie released him from the hug.
"Pfft. That doesn't count. You're here, now. I have my best friend back."
"I've missed you, too, Mark," Callie admitted. "Now fill me in on everything I've missed." She started walking down the hall toward the elevators. "I want the scoop."
Mark proceeded to tell Callie about all the hospital gossip that had happened while she'd been gone. It still amazed Callie that Mark knew it all. Maybe he didn't know as much as Bailey, because that woman knew everything. She just didn't share it like Mark.
"And Lexie is gonna give me another chance," Mark added casually.
"What? Really?"
"Yeah, we're going to take things a little slower."
"No pressure to get married and have babies?" It was more of a warning than a question.
"No pressure for now."
"Good."
"I love her, Cal."
"I know you do. You just can't hurry it." The elevator door opened. "And no cheating, Mark. Keep it in your pants." There was no mistaking the warning tone from Callie this time. "You won't have another chance."
"I know, I know."
"Good boy," Callie said, patting Mark's cheek. "I've got to get to work."
"Lunch?"
"Maybe. I'm supposed to meet Arizona, but I'm sure you and Lexie can join us."
Callie's morning of consults turned into three scheduled surgeries for the next day. Routine surgeries she could do in her sleep, but no, she had to spend a week in the skills lab. Chang was going to allow her in the OR to supervise a resident which only frustrated her even more. She was dying to break some bones.
It was almost time for lunch and Callie was on a mission to find Addison before meeting Arizona. She spotted her friend in the hall on the surgical floor. "Addison!"
"Callie!" Addison mimicked Callie's enthusiastic greeting. "Good to see you back gracing the halls of the hospital."
"It's great to be back. Have you got a minute or two?"
"I do. Walk with me. I have to stop by the NICU."
"Great."
"So what's up?" Addison asked while they made their way to the NICU.
"Um," Callie looked around to make sure no one could hear them. "Do you know anything about-" She lowered her voice and whispered, "IVF."
Addison laughed. "Callie, I'm in MFM. Of course I do. Why?"
"Can I set a time to talk to you about it?"
Addison stopped walking. "Are you two thinking of having another child?"
"Sssh. Not so loud," Callie hissed. "But, yes," she confessed with a blush. "Arizona's been through the process before, y'know, with the twins, but I haven't. I just wanted to know more about it."
"Come by my office later, and I'll go over it with you, but you'll need a fertility clinic for the actual procedures. There's a very good one here in Seattle. I'll get the name and number of the doctor I know there."
"Thank you." She felt Addison's stare on her. "What?"
"I can't believe you're considering - " Addison lowered her voice. "Another child."
Callie's smile was her answer. "We both want it."
They rounded a corner into the NICU ward. Callie smiled when she saw Arizona at the nurses' station. That smile quickly turned to a patented Torres scowl when Arizona greeted a dark haired woman with a big smile and a hug. "Who is that?" she asked, a flair of jealousy overtaking her.
# # # # # # # # # #
"What's this I hear that you're getting married?"
Arizona looked up from her chart. "Amelia!" she exclaimed, pulling her old med school roommate into a hug. The hug was returned, then she stepped back. "And yes, I'm getting married."
Amelia Shepherd's eyes narrowed as she took in the fading bruises around Arizona's eyes and the obvious broken nose. "Is there something I should be worried about?" she pointedly asked.
"What?"
Amelia leaned forward and whispered, "Black eyes and a broken nose? Are you okay?"
"What are you talking about?" Realization came to Arizona and she laughed. "Oh, this?" She waved her hand around her face. Amelia nodded. "Nothing to worry about, but thank you for looking out for me. It was a trampoline accident with my daughter Cam."
Amelia was visibly relieved that her old friend wasn't being abused. "So, married?"
"Yes, in a few weeks. How long are you in town for? You should come. And why are you here in Seattle?"
"There's that Robbins' ramble that I've missed," Amelia laughed, nudging Arizona in the ribs with her elbow. "I have a patient that Derek and I will be working on. I came up to consult with him first, then we'll plan the surgery."
"Stay for the wedding. I'd love to have you there."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!" Arizona looked over Amelia's shoulder to see Addison and what looked like an angry Callie approaching them. "Calliope!"
"Arizona."
"I'd like you to meet my med school roommate -"
"Amelia!" Addison interrupted and immediately gave her ex-sister-in-law a hug.
"Amelia Shepherd," Arizona finished. "Derek's sister."
"Oh," Callie said simply, a bit embarrassed as her anger quickly deflated.
"Amelia, this is my fiancee, Calliope Torres."
"Callie," she corrected Arizona. "Pleased to meet you," she said, extending her hand. She still wasn't sure about the woman, but Arizona and Addison both seemed to like her. Hell, Arizona had lived with her once, and Addison was related to her by her former marriage.
"I've invited Amelia to the wedding," Arizona said.
"You can be my plus-one," Addison suggested.
Amelia laughed. "Addison Montgomery without a date? Now I've heard everything."
"Where are you staying and for how long?" Addison asked. "You're welcome to stay with me. I've got a place across the street."
While the two former in-laws discussed the arrangements, Arizona took Callie's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Ready for lunch?"
"Yeah, sure. Mark and Lexie will probably join us."
"Okay." She looked at Callie's expression more closely. "You okay there, Calliope?" she asked while they walked toward the elevators.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You looked kind of mad when you and Addison came over."
"I wasn't mad." Callie's tone was both defensive and embarrassed.
"Sure about that?" Arizona pressed the button by the elevator doors.
"I'm sure."
They stepped into the empty elevator. Callie looked straight ahead, unable to look Arizona in the eyes. Arizona cocked her head and thought for a moment. "Huh," she said simply.
"What?"
"You were jealous," she answered, an amused look on her face.
"I was not jealous," Callie said quickly.
"You were." She took Callie's hand. "You have nothing to be jealous about. Amelia and I are old friends, nothing more." She grinned, then kissed Callie's cheek. "But jealous Callie is kinda hot."
"Hot, huh?" Callie smirked. "That's the second time you've called me hot today."
"It is, but you don't have to be smug about it, Calliope."
The elevator door opened and Arizona immediately began walking away, her hips swaying more pronounced than Callie had ever seen. "You're gonna be the death of me, woman," she muttered as she scrambled to catch up to Arizona.
"So I spoke to Addison this morning," she said once she again was walking beside Arizona.
"About the wedding?"
"No, um." She furtively looked around before speaking. "Um, about, you know."
"What?"
"IVF," she whispered.
"Oh!" Arizona grinned. "That's a good thing."
Callie returned the smile. "It's a very good thing. I'm gonna stop by her office later and get the name of a place here in Seattle that she recommended." She cleared her throat. "So, I called Uncle Berto and told him we wanted to speak to him when they come out for the wedding. They're coming out early so I thought maybe the four of us could have dinner some night?"
"We aren't wasting any time, are we?"
"Was that okay? Are you still okay with the plan?" Callie asked nervously.
"Yes, yes, of course." Arizona reassured her. "Better to get the ball rolling now. The process can take some time. And let me warn you now."
"Warn me about what?"
"I got really moody the last time when I had the shots."
They entered the cafeteria and all talk of IVF stopped. "Do you want to grab a table and I'll get the food?" Callie suggested.
"Sure."
"Salad or lasagna?"
"Lasagna, even though it isn't as good as yours."
"You mean your mom's."
"You make it now, so yours," Arizona countered. "I'll get the table."
The couple was soon seated at a table and were joined by Lexie and Mark.
"Are your vows done?" Lexie asked as she peeled the wrapper from her straw.
Callie rolled her eyes while she responded to the younger woman. "No. Our vows will be done when we take them at the wedding."
"Oh, that's not what I meant. You're writing your own vows, aren't you?"
A look of panic crossed Callie's face and Mark nearly choked on a bite of apple. Arizona reached over and smacked him on the back.
"What?" Lexie was confused.
"Callie? Write her own vows?" He laughed. "She'll have enough trouble saying the I DO."
"What? Why?" Lexie was no longer confused, just curious.
"Public speaking is not for me," Callie said, her cheeks turning red. "If I have to give a speech in front of all those people…" She shuddered.
"We're going with the standard traditional vows," Arizona explained. "I wouldn't want my bride throwing up at the altar," she teased.
"How're the rest of the wedding plans coming along?" Lexie inquired.
"Okay, I guess. My mom's coming in this weekend."
"My mom mentioned that to me," Arizona said. "I pity the staff at the Archfield with the two of them in charge," she laughed.
Lexie had to agree somewhat. She remembered how scary Callie's mom had been and didn't doubt for one minute she could put the fear of God into anyone. But Arizona's mom? She didn't think she was frightening at all. She was actually very nice. "But your mom," Lexie began, looking at Arizona. "She's not…" Her voice trailed off when she saw the glare directed from Callie.
"What are you saying, Lexie? Are you saying my mother's mean?"
"Oh, no, not at all," Lexie sputtered. "Just, um, intimidating."
Arizona laughed, "I'll say she is. And with my mom, they are a formidable duo." Arizona pushed her empty plate aside and reached for her drink. "My mom sets them up with all that southern charm and Lucia swoops in for the kill."
Callie laughed at Arizona's description. "Good thing they won't need to stay at the Archfield after the wedding. I'm sure the staff will appreciate that."
"What do you mean? You don't think your parents will visit anymore?"
"Oh, no, they'll be visiting lots and lots. Mom's also here early to set up their new house."
"Your parents are moving to Seattle?" Mark was surprised.
"Not really," Callie explained. "They bought a house to live in when they come for the holidays. My mom's gonna retire soon and she wants to spend most of the summer here."
"How do you feel about that?" Mark was curious. He couldn't imagine Callie being comfortable with her parents around so often.
"Okay, I guess. It'll be good to have another babysitter handy," she laughed.
# # # # # # # # # #
Alex Karev dropped his tray on the cafeteria table and sat down next to Meredith.
"Did we say you could sit here?" Cristina sniped.
"Oh, come on. The cafeteria's full."
"Why don't you go join the babysitter's club?" she asked as Meredith chuckled.
"No way. Too much happiness going on over there," he groused.
Meredith and Cristina looked over at Callie and Arizona who were both wearing wide smiles and laughing. "I can't believe they're working this week," Meredith commented. "They're getting married in a few weeks."
"Why not work? What's the big deal?" Cristina asked while she took another bite of her cheeseburger.
"I don't know. You'd think they'd need time to get ready."
"Robbins is working right up to before the wedding." Karev took a gulp from his soda. "I think she's working that Wednesday."
"Are you going to the wedding?" Meredith asked her best friend.
"Callie promised an open bar, so I'll be there."
"I don't even know why they're getting married," Alex grumbled. "It's not like it's a real wedding." He ripped open his bag of chips, spilling some of them. He quickly scooped them up and stuffed them into his mouth. "If anyone should have a post-if wedding, it's them."
Meredith ignored him and turned her attention to the couple. She watched as her sister Lexie and Mark Sloan joined Callie and Arizona. She took a sip from her soda before saying, "Lexie told me that the twins are going to be in the wedding."
Cristina faked gagging and Alex slapped his forehead.
"Crap! I almost forgot. I gotta take the stitches out of one of them."
"Stitches? Who has stitches?" Cristina asked, feigning disinterest.
"I don't remember her name. The one that wears football jerseys."
"Cam," Cristina muttered, surprising both Alex and Meredith. "What? I had to babysit them that one time and then I got into trouble for it, thanks to Torres." She stuffed a few fries into her mouth "What happened to her?"
"Did you see Robbins' face?" Alex asked.
"What about it?
Alex shook his head. "She and her daughter collided on a trampoline. Robbins broke her nose and got knocked out."
"Oh. I thought she and Torres got their freak on with some kinky sex or something."
"Cristina!" Meredith chided her.
"What?"
"Really?"
Cristina shrugged her shoulders. 'But thanks for the head's up, Evil Spawn. I'll be sure to steer clear of peds today."
"How is that any different from your normal day?" Alex mocked while he poured the last broken pieces of chips directly from the bag to his mouth.
Cristina looked down at her food, then over at her former roommate. "Now that Callie's back to work, I wonder if she'll start bringing lunch again," she wondered.
"What's it to you if she does?" Alex asked.
"Callie used to share her lunches with Cristina," Meredith explained.
"So?"
"She used to bring in leftovers," Cristina sighed. "And rollergirl, well, it was probably her mother, can really cook." She pushed her tray away. 'I miss real food."
# # # # # # # # # #
Arizona stood in the doorway between the ensuite and the bedroom, massaging her hands with lotion. Much to Callie's disappointment, Arizona was wearing a pair of sleeping shorts and an old t-shirt of Callie's. They aren't going to stay on long, Callie thought. Not if I have any to say about it. Then she noticed the thoughtful, no, concerned look on Arizona's face and all thoughts of romance quickly faded.
"Something wrong?" she asked while she turned the covers back. All these months of living together and she still was amazed that Arizona found time to make the bed every morning. Well, not every morning, but as often as their work schedules allowed. Callie knew she wasn't as diligent about making the bed, but she liked to think she was getting better at remembering. Knowing the girls made their beds in the morning had kind of shamed her.
"Do you think Vivvy seemed 'off' tonight at dinner?"
Callie thought for a moment. "She was kind of quiet but maybe it was because Cam was so talkative?"
Cam had indeed dominated the conversation, She talked about Iris and Sarah, and of course, getting her stitches out. She was proud that she wasn't scared and hadn't cried, though she'd been disappointed that Karev hadn't given her a lollipop.
"I still can't believe Karev gave her a breath mint as a reward for not crying," Arizona grumbled as she recalled Cam's narration of getting her stitches out. "He knows better. He knows I keep a stash of lollipops in my office."
"Yeah, not one of his better moments, but it is Karev afterall. I'm surprised he even had a breath mint." Calie fluffed up her pillow. "Do you think Vivvy was jealous of Cam?"
"It's possible, but Cam is the one who's more prone to jealousy. Vivvy hasn't been jealous of Cam and her friends before."
"Maybe the attention Cam got from Karev?"
"I don't know." Arizona slipped beneath the covers on her side of the bed. "She didn't even talk about school, either."
"That was odd. She usually shares her school day with us." Callie shrugged her shoulders. "Could be the fun part has worn off?" she ventured.
"No, I don't think that's it. Vivvy loves a challenge in school." She folded her hands on her stomach and looked up at the ceiling. "I'm going to have Mom and Dad keep an eye on her."
"And Megan, too. She's got them tomorrow."
"Right."
Callie turned off the light on the nightstand and crawled over to Arizona's side of the bed. She slid her hand up underneath Arizona's top and began to kiss the blonde's neck.
"Do you think we should wait?" Arizona asked, turning her head away.
"Wait for what?" Callie asked, her hand moving up from Arizona's waist to her breast.
"Wait until our wedding night, you know, to have sex again."
Callie's hand stilled and she lifted her head. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Wait until our wedding night," Arizona repeated
"Oh, hell, no!" Callie exclaimed. 'No, no, no, no no." She abruptly sat up. "Are you crazy? No freaking way." Callie was so flustered at the suggestion that she didn't see the smile tugging at the corner of Arizona's mouth.
"Tell me how you really feel," Arizona chuckled.
"We've had way too many interruptions in our love life lately. Chicken pox, concussions, crazy work hours. So, no. We aren't going to wait."
"What about spending the night before apart?" An amused look crossed Arizona's face as she spoke.
"What is wrong with you?" Callie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.
"I'm just joking, Calliope." She placed a hand on Callie's arm in an attempt to calm her down.
"Well, your jokes suck." She glared at Arizona. "Why would you even suggest we do that?"
"I was joking," she repeated. "But it is a tradition. And it would make our wedding night special?"
"We don't need a wedding night for our sex to be special." Callie laid back down and pulled Arizona into her arms. "And if you'll let me, I'll show you now how special it can be." As Callie lowered her head for a kiss, she suddenly found herself on her back, Arizona above her. "What?"
"I thought I should show you first how special it is, if that's okay with you."
There was no denying the absolute lust in Arizona's voice and Callie's body immediately responded. "I'm okay with that," Callie replied, her body pushing back up against Arizona's.
I'm more than okay with that."
Authors' Note: Apologies for the extra long delay in posting. The holidays and work projects for both of us kicked out buts. And... there was a medical issue for my (captstarbuck) wife. Ultrasound, biopsy and surgery revealed cancer. They got it all, but it was a scary few months.