Through Lexie’s Eyes (3/3)
Title: Through Lexie’s Eyes (3/3)
Author: fuzzyshy
Pairing: Callie/Erica
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Can a little night of music get them together finally?
Disclaimer : Grey's Anatomy and its characters and locations are the property of ABC Studios and Shonda Rhimes. This story is meant purely to entertain. No copyright infringement intended.
Author’s Notes: This fic is dedicated to Chelle aka burningeden who writes exceptionally well and is my first ever friend here in livejournal. She inspired me to write again.
UNO
DOS
Steve moves around the stage and whispers instructions to the rest of his band mates. They nod their assent, pat Steve’s back and leave their instruments behind as they vacate the stage. Callie and Steve are the only ones left. Steve takes his stool near and in front of the baby grand. Callie follows him with the mic stand and sits on the stool that Steve just placed there. She adjusts the stand to aim the mic to her face just as Steve does with his in front of the piano. Steve sits on the baby grand and motions the stage crew to dim the lights down to a notch.
The stage was transformed from a rock band set-up to a cozy dim-lit jazz lounge. I notice that both Steve and Callie are not holding any music sheets and the suspense is killing everybody. The tension in the hospital lobby can be sliced by a ten-blade and can be stitched back again with my perfect running whip.
Finally, Steve tickled a few ivories and the soft sound of the lone piano echoes around us. I am not familiar with this song and Steve stops after ten notes. I look at him curiously. Steve starts again and stops after a few notes. Starts and stops. And it is obvious that Steve is not messing up. He is waiting for Callie to sing and start her part.
Callie sits on the stool with her legs crossed. One arm balancing her on the stool while the other is folded with her elbow on her knee. Her chin rests beautifully on the hand holding the mic. She gazes right through us and I bet she is in another place right at this minute.
Everyone is starting to fidget in their chairs and I heard the Chief clear his throat more than once.
“Allie, you need a minute?”
The silence was broken by Steve and Callie seems to snap out of it as she heard that name. She looks back at Steve, gives him a smile and nods.
There was no music.
There were no notes.
There was no sound.
There was only silence.
Callie opens her mouth.
“Ten years ago, I was Allie Torres. I live in Florida and I formed a band in med school. My friends and I were sick and tired of too much medicine crap and bull and formed a little group there. I created it together with a person whom I thought I’ll spend my whole life with.”
HOLY SHIT.
“Small things seem big back then and one thing led to another which eventually led to the falling out of the band. I disbanded from the group but before I left, I composed a song. I gave it to him and I’m not sure though if he can still remember how to play it out from sheer memory.”
“Expect that I can, my darling.”
“Now…(Callie looks at Steve) I chose this song tonight because I never got the chance to sing this with you Steve. And frankly, I’m not sure why I am doing this right now but I’m 100 percent sure that I am definitely not singing this for you. That ship has sailed a long time ago, Steven Philips.”
Callie smiles at him and Steve animatedly clutches his chest and blows a kiss to Callie which elicits a few nervous laughs from the audience.
“I am singing this song because.. because.. it’s my own and.. and.. it feels so right to sing this to everybody who is present here tonight. I..um.. I dedicate this song to E-“
I sit up straight and look directly into Callie’s eyes. I am willing her to muster all the guts to say Hahn’s name. I am the only audience in the theater act that is Erica and Callie and I want her to know that. She looks at me and I show her that I understand and I support her. But before I can give her more courage to do what I was willing her to, her gaze falls finally on Dr. Erica Hahn. Hahn’s sad look and Callie’s sad smile meet halfway and they understand each other silently.
“I dedicate this song to e-everyone. Everyone who has loved, lost and let go. Everyone who believes that one day, love will find them again. It will somehow find US again.”
She need not say Erica’s name anymore. Her glance alone is enough to send her message across. It was louder than a whisper but softer than a cry.
Callie nods her head to Steve and closes her eyes. He starts tickling the piano once again and this time… this time Callie joins his music with an angelic voice. A whole new voice which was different from her 2 performances earlier. This voice was not drowned out by the steady boom of the bass or the electrifying hiss of the guitar.
This is her voice. Pure. Raw. Angelic. Her voice soars through the air with the wings of the piano notes.
you are so strong, my darling
you, with a pale and boyish eyes
so full of dreams, my darling
yet so wise
I heard your song, my darling
slid like a serpent to your side
so mesmerized, my darling
for your sweet sad loneliness
floating on the air
seem to call out
saying here someone who will care
so I clung to you to ships against the storm
but the past is so cruel
and we’re cold in her claws
oh how short it all was, my darling
Steve joins her in the song and I swear I thought I am watching a musical or… or.. an opera or maybe a play! I’m not sure what. I’m sorry I’m at a loss for words right now. All I can do is silently cry as I feel the pain in Callie’s voice and strength in Steve’s.
shadows still lurk, my darling
as we walk to light they follow still
and as you said, my darling
you always will
there’s no escape, my darling
we must be fools to think we’ll last
we can’t cheat fate, my darling
She must have loved Steve back then. They must have had a perfect love story back when they were still med students. Somehow it still ended. I can’t pinpoint which between them was at fault but something is telling me that it doesn’t matter and they are forgiving each other now.
Callie opens her eyes and she doesn’t give a rat’s ass that she is openly looking at Erica in front of the entire hospital. She is singing to her. Whispering the words she wrote years ago and she is now singing those exact words to her...
I will walk bound with you into eternity
If I thought our loving could truly set us free
I would have loved to love you in a perfect life
but my heart has grown cold and my faith has grown pale
sometimes, faith does prevail, my darling
for our day has grown cold
and the night closes in
I’m afraid we can’t win, my darling
my darling…
my darling…
A thunderous applause rang out into the air. That performance is only worthy of a standing ovation and THAT is exactly what Callie is getting from us. I feel like I just finished watching a broadway musical. Reminds me of the time when I watched Miss Saigon in New York. I was bawling my eyes out as the curtain falls on the story of Kim and Chris back then and I feel the same way now as I did when the spotlight was switched off and overhead lights hummed above as they illuminate the audience.
Izzie’s crying and wiping her tears away as Karev teases her about it. Meredith is trying to blink her own tears away and leans on Derek’s shoulder as they clap their hands. Cristina is trying her best to put up a strong front which fails her miserably and I, Lexie Grey am wiping my own tears away as George holds me tight against him.
Dr. Erica Hahn is standing as well. Clapping her hands as she proudly looks on the stage waiting for the spotlight to light up again and for Callie to emerge. No tears can be seen though but I swear tear stains are present on her cheeks and her nose is redder than Rudolph’s. She nods her head in agreement as Chief Webber whispers something in her ear.
The spotlight turns on again and we see Callie and Steve in a tight hug on stage. Callie was obviously crying and Steve tries to get his hanky to wipe it off. We wolf-whistle, shout and shriek to get them to see how moved we were by their performance.
Steve took a bow and held Callie’s hand and motions to her to do the same. She did the cute curtsy in front of us as Steve valiantly holds her hand. I am waiting for bags of confetti to fall on them (sadly there were none) and how I wish I have a bouquet of flowers handy to give Callie. They hug once again and in their own way have forgiven each other finally.
Callie breaks away from their embrace and tries to step down the stage. A lot of people are already waiting to greet her at the bottom of the steps and she was stopped short with “congratulations”, “way to go’s”, pats on her back, hugs and kisses from her colleagues. It was obvious that Callie couldn’t extract herself from the crowd which is now beginning to mob her. I walk toward her and so are the rest.
A lone figure lingers behind. A quiet shadow who watches the spectacle behind sad and lonely eyes. I can feel her pain. I can feel her longing. The figure stays in the background and lets Callie enjoy her magical moment.
As I near Callie, I look back at the figure and find her gone. She’s already walking away and heading out towards the exit. I push myself in front and duck under a couple of arms and warm bodies to reach Callie right away. I’m in front of her in no time and I hug her tight and whisper.
“She’s leaving.”
“What?! Who?”
Before I could say Hahn’s name, Steve whisks her away from us and leads her away toward another exit.
Damn it!
I helplessly look at them and silently wish to any god who is listening right now to finish whatever drama I’m watching between these two characters.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The band is done playing for the night. The speakers emit soft music around the lobby inviting people to dance again. The event is slowly drawing to a close and a handful of doctors are already heading out to the exit. My table however remains in full swing. Animated chatter about Callie’s performance was a steady and fixed topic among several stray questions about shifts and cases that are expected to come in tomorrow. Forgotten drinks were resurrected and everyone is in high spirits.
I stand up and take my drink. I squeeze George’s shoulders and whisper that I’ll be leaving the table for a few minutes. He smiles up at me, squeezes my hand and lets me go.
God, I hate myself. I whine and protest about being the only audience in Callie and Erica’s drama and yet here I am looking for them now. I am so not satisfied with how their night ended. I honestly thought that everything will be settled after Callie’s songs.
In my mind’s eye I see them run and meet halfway and kiss in front of everyone. Music! Applause! Curtains! Done! Thank you very much! But no. I am not the playwright in this. I am not even the director. I just watch the drama unfold before me and I wait on the edge of my seat, biting my fingernails and trying to figure out if they will live happily ever after or they will be doomed separately to la la land.
I walk out the Hospital’s automated glass panel and feel a cool breeze kiss my face. I sip my red wine to keep me warm and walk to the left side of the entrance. I jump up and sat along the lowest wall of the Hospital’s exterior. George once told me that he spent most of his intern time alone here to clear his head. I find myself doing the same thing as I nurse my own drink.
I think about Callie’s last song. It’s filled with love, pain and holding on. Most of all, I felt like she’s giving up on something she wants for a long time. She had to let go and she had no choice. It is a cry for help, a cry for understanding. Understanding on how difficult it is to have a perfect love and a perfect life at the same time. She says that loving could set them free but somehow the shadows lurk and trap them in their own fears. FEAR… such a big word especially for both of them. Before I could analyze the song any further though, I heard voices 20 feet away and I see Callie laughing with Steve.
Both of them are standing beside two vans splashed with rainbow colored hues and “Doctors with Strong Causes” painted across. Steve hands Callie a card and opens his arms. Callie accepts it and steps into his arms to hug him. Steve kisses Callie on the cheek and then went in and slides the door close. The group shouts their goodbye as they zoom through the main road leaving Callie standing there on her own.
Callie walks a few steps back to the hospital and sits and settles on one of the wooden benches lined along the path. She stays still for a few minutes and I argue with myself whether I should join her or not. She’s having one of those *moments*. Moments when you try to remember what just happened in the past hours of your life and try to relive it in your mind. I see her stand up suddenly and look at the bench she just vacated. I think she is remembering something entirely different from tonight’s event. And as she realizes what it was, I see her smile sadly and sit back slowly.
I still look at her for the past minutes and finally she rummages through her purse and takes out her cellphone. I hope she’s calling who I think she is calling. She talks for a few seconds then shuts and drops the phone back into her purse. She slouches and rests her head on the back of the chair.
She waits and I wait with her.
There was no Erica Hahn in sight. Not a single strand of blond hair. Not even a glimpse of a shadow. In a few minutes of waiting, a cab eased in and stopped along the road. Great! Just great! Callie called a cab service. Ugh! Good work! I can’t watch this anymore.
I.
CANT.
WATCH.
THIS.
ANYMORE.
“Watch what?”
I yelped and my red wine spilt all over my shirt. Perfect. Just perfect. I see Dr. Erica Hahn in front of me, standing there holding a bunch of flowers on her right hand and a zebra-print purse on her left AND not even attempting to apologize, not that I really expected her to.
“God! Don’t do THAT!”
“You are acting weird all night Dr. Grey. I strongly suggest you put away that glass of yours.”
“No!”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Uh I mean… I’m fine. You…you have to go there.”
“Go where?”
“To Callie!”
She didn’t answer right away, she doesn’t need to. She follows my fingers and we both see Callie walking down the path toward the cab down the road.
“Go Dr. Hahn. Callie’s willing to walk bound with you into eternity. Show her how perfect your life and love could be. Don’t let her slip away again.”
Hahn gave me a look. Oh fuck.. I think I blabbered too much this time.
“Uhh… she sang those lines earlier right?”
“Go inside Grey, ask O’ Malley to bring you home and get a goodnight sleep.”
She turns to her heels and walks quietly to follow the footpath leading to Callie.
I didn’t listen to her.
Of course, I didn’t LISTEN to her! You don’t stand up and miss the last scene and final act of your favorite play. You don’t leave just because you needed to pee. You DON’T leave because this is the BEST part and if it means that you have to pee all over your seat then so be it.
I stay rooted to the spot and I forget the red wine mapped on my cream-colored dress.
I smiled as I hear her call out Callie’s name.
I held my breath as Callie stops walking.
I released it as Hahn thrusts the flowers to her.
I silently ohhhed and squueee as Callie accepts and smells them.
But I drew my brows together and bit my fingernails as they both stand up there and not talk at all.
Then my breath hitched again as I see Hahn close the distance between them.
I’m still not breathing as I see Hahn cup Callie’s cheek and rub her thumb on those talented lips.
And as Dr. Erica Hahn softly planted a kiss on Dr. Callie Torres, I melted right there on my spot. And when Callie holds Erica’s face to deepen it, I am a puddle of goo on the pavement.
Greg was wrong about everything he witnessed 14 days ago. He had seen them kiss alright. I believe him now. But all he saw was 2 women making out in front of the hospital. It was horrible for him because he doesn’t understand it. He HORRIBLY tells it because he doesn’t have an idea of what THIS is all about.
I, Lexie Caroline Grey on the other hand don’t see them making out now in any way. I am witnessing a love story unfold before my eyes. A love story of two people who tried to fight it off until they can’t anymore. A love story only I was able to watch. I see two people sharing a magical kiss under the moonlight. Two persons validating their love for each other through a simple union of lips and tongue. A validation and a promise that they will do better this time.
I look around and find that we are all alone. I’m looking for anyone whom I can share this with. I look up at the moon and stars above. I glance around and see leaves from the trees rustling softly to dance with the cool breeze. They are a witness to this and so am I. I’m sharing this with them and for that I am already satisfied.
Finally the curtains are falling and the drama is done. There are no applauses nor encores; no shouts and shrieks of bravo. What they have are the wild clapping of their hearts beating together as one.
Love has found them again.
I close my eyes and a single tear escapes.
I head towards the entrance and not look back.
I just witnessed a love story and that is what Seattle Grace Hospital will hear from me.
Nothing else.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Author's Notes
Hey guys, thank you for reading and sticking with this story. As a token of my gratitude, I made a video (a first for me) of Callie’s last song with Steve. I promised that you would not only read but listen to it as well. The voice is really Callie’s (well of Sara’s) and I hope the video will help you imagine what is in Callie’s mind while she was singing it with Steve. The video shows a glimpse of what happened between Callie and Erica after the kiss and before the fund-raising event. Things which happened that were not seen Through Lexie’s Eyes. Enjoy!
My Darling by Sara Ramirez from the musical "Believe"
Audio only and other Sara Ramirez demos can be found here.
Believe The Musical official webpage here.
Author: fuzzyshy
Pairing: Callie/Erica
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Can a little night of music get them together finally?
Disclaimer : Grey's Anatomy and its characters and locations are the property of ABC Studios and Shonda Rhimes. This story is meant purely to entertain. No copyright infringement intended.
Author’s Notes: This fic is dedicated to Chelle aka burningeden who writes exceptionally well and is my first ever friend here in livejournal. She inspired me to write again.
UNO
DOS
Steve moves around the stage and whispers instructions to the rest of his band mates. They nod their assent, pat Steve’s back and leave their instruments behind as they vacate the stage. Callie and Steve are the only ones left. Steve takes his stool near and in front of the baby grand. Callie follows him with the mic stand and sits on the stool that Steve just placed there. She adjusts the stand to aim the mic to her face just as Steve does with his in front of the piano. Steve sits on the baby grand and motions the stage crew to dim the lights down to a notch.
The stage was transformed from a rock band set-up to a cozy dim-lit jazz lounge. I notice that both Steve and Callie are not holding any music sheets and the suspense is killing everybody. The tension in the hospital lobby can be sliced by a ten-blade and can be stitched back again with my perfect running whip.
Finally, Steve tickled a few ivories and the soft sound of the lone piano echoes around us. I am not familiar with this song and Steve stops after ten notes. I look at him curiously. Steve starts again and stops after a few notes. Starts and stops. And it is obvious that Steve is not messing up. He is waiting for Callie to sing and start her part.
Callie sits on the stool with her legs crossed. One arm balancing her on the stool while the other is folded with her elbow on her knee. Her chin rests beautifully on the hand holding the mic. She gazes right through us and I bet she is in another place right at this minute.
Everyone is starting to fidget in their chairs and I heard the Chief clear his throat more than once.
“Allie, you need a minute?”
The silence was broken by Steve and Callie seems to snap out of it as she heard that name. She looks back at Steve, gives him a smile and nods.
There was no music.
There were no notes.
There was no sound.
There was only silence.
Callie opens her mouth.
“Ten years ago, I was Allie Torres. I live in Florida and I formed a band in med school. My friends and I were sick and tired of too much medicine crap and bull and formed a little group there. I created it together with a person whom I thought I’ll spend my whole life with.”
HOLY SHIT.
“Small things seem big back then and one thing led to another which eventually led to the falling out of the band. I disbanded from the group but before I left, I composed a song. I gave it to him and I’m not sure though if he can still remember how to play it out from sheer memory.”
“Expect that I can, my darling.”
“Now…(Callie looks at Steve) I chose this song tonight because I never got the chance to sing this with you Steve. And frankly, I’m not sure why I am doing this right now but I’m 100 percent sure that I am definitely not singing this for you. That ship has sailed a long time ago, Steven Philips.”
Callie smiles at him and Steve animatedly clutches his chest and blows a kiss to Callie which elicits a few nervous laughs from the audience.
“I am singing this song because.. because.. it’s my own and.. and.. it feels so right to sing this to everybody who is present here tonight. I..um.. I dedicate this song to E-“
I sit up straight and look directly into Callie’s eyes. I am willing her to muster all the guts to say Hahn’s name. I am the only audience in the theater act that is Erica and Callie and I want her to know that. She looks at me and I show her that I understand and I support her. But before I can give her more courage to do what I was willing her to, her gaze falls finally on Dr. Erica Hahn. Hahn’s sad look and Callie’s sad smile meet halfway and they understand each other silently.
“I dedicate this song to e-everyone. Everyone who has loved, lost and let go. Everyone who believes that one day, love will find them again. It will somehow find US again.”
She need not say Erica’s name anymore. Her glance alone is enough to send her message across. It was louder than a whisper but softer than a cry.
Callie nods her head to Steve and closes her eyes. He starts tickling the piano once again and this time… this time Callie joins his music with an angelic voice. A whole new voice which was different from her 2 performances earlier. This voice was not drowned out by the steady boom of the bass or the electrifying hiss of the guitar.
This is her voice. Pure. Raw. Angelic. Her voice soars through the air with the wings of the piano notes.
you are so strong, my darling
you, with a pale and boyish eyes
so full of dreams, my darling
yet so wise
I heard your song, my darling
slid like a serpent to your side
so mesmerized, my darling
for your sweet sad loneliness
floating on the air
seem to call out
saying here someone who will care
so I clung to you to ships against the storm
but the past is so cruel
and we’re cold in her claws
oh how short it all was, my darling
Steve joins her in the song and I swear I thought I am watching a musical or… or.. an opera or maybe a play! I’m not sure what. I’m sorry I’m at a loss for words right now. All I can do is silently cry as I feel the pain in Callie’s voice and strength in Steve’s.
shadows still lurk, my darling
as we walk to light they follow still
and as you said, my darling
you always will
there’s no escape, my darling
we must be fools to think we’ll last
we can’t cheat fate, my darling
She must have loved Steve back then. They must have had a perfect love story back when they were still med students. Somehow it still ended. I can’t pinpoint which between them was at fault but something is telling me that it doesn’t matter and they are forgiving each other now.
Callie opens her eyes and she doesn’t give a rat’s ass that she is openly looking at Erica in front of the entire hospital. She is singing to her. Whispering the words she wrote years ago and she is now singing those exact words to her...
I will walk bound with you into eternity
If I thought our loving could truly set us free
I would have loved to love you in a perfect life
but my heart has grown cold and my faith has grown pale
sometimes, faith does prevail, my darling
for our day has grown cold
and the night closes in
I’m afraid we can’t win, my darling
my darling…
my darling…
A thunderous applause rang out into the air. That performance is only worthy of a standing ovation and THAT is exactly what Callie is getting from us. I feel like I just finished watching a broadway musical. Reminds me of the time when I watched Miss Saigon in New York. I was bawling my eyes out as the curtain falls on the story of Kim and Chris back then and I feel the same way now as I did when the spotlight was switched off and overhead lights hummed above as they illuminate the audience.
Izzie’s crying and wiping her tears away as Karev teases her about it. Meredith is trying to blink her own tears away and leans on Derek’s shoulder as they clap their hands. Cristina is trying her best to put up a strong front which fails her miserably and I, Lexie Grey am wiping my own tears away as George holds me tight against him.
Dr. Erica Hahn is standing as well. Clapping her hands as she proudly looks on the stage waiting for the spotlight to light up again and for Callie to emerge. No tears can be seen though but I swear tear stains are present on her cheeks and her nose is redder than Rudolph’s. She nods her head in agreement as Chief Webber whispers something in her ear.
The spotlight turns on again and we see Callie and Steve in a tight hug on stage. Callie was obviously crying and Steve tries to get his hanky to wipe it off. We wolf-whistle, shout and shriek to get them to see how moved we were by their performance.
Steve took a bow and held Callie’s hand and motions to her to do the same. She did the cute curtsy in front of us as Steve valiantly holds her hand. I am waiting for bags of confetti to fall on them (sadly there were none) and how I wish I have a bouquet of flowers handy to give Callie. They hug once again and in their own way have forgiven each other finally.
Callie breaks away from their embrace and tries to step down the stage. A lot of people are already waiting to greet her at the bottom of the steps and she was stopped short with “congratulations”, “way to go’s”, pats on her back, hugs and kisses from her colleagues. It was obvious that Callie couldn’t extract herself from the crowd which is now beginning to mob her. I walk toward her and so are the rest.
A lone figure lingers behind. A quiet shadow who watches the spectacle behind sad and lonely eyes. I can feel her pain. I can feel her longing. The figure stays in the background and lets Callie enjoy her magical moment.
As I near Callie, I look back at the figure and find her gone. She’s already walking away and heading out towards the exit. I push myself in front and duck under a couple of arms and warm bodies to reach Callie right away. I’m in front of her in no time and I hug her tight and whisper.
“She’s leaving.”
“What?! Who?”
Before I could say Hahn’s name, Steve whisks her away from us and leads her away toward another exit.
Damn it!
I helplessly look at them and silently wish to any god who is listening right now to finish whatever drama I’m watching between these two characters.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The band is done playing for the night. The speakers emit soft music around the lobby inviting people to dance again. The event is slowly drawing to a close and a handful of doctors are already heading out to the exit. My table however remains in full swing. Animated chatter about Callie’s performance was a steady and fixed topic among several stray questions about shifts and cases that are expected to come in tomorrow. Forgotten drinks were resurrected and everyone is in high spirits.
I stand up and take my drink. I squeeze George’s shoulders and whisper that I’ll be leaving the table for a few minutes. He smiles up at me, squeezes my hand and lets me go.
God, I hate myself. I whine and protest about being the only audience in Callie and Erica’s drama and yet here I am looking for them now. I am so not satisfied with how their night ended. I honestly thought that everything will be settled after Callie’s songs.
In my mind’s eye I see them run and meet halfway and kiss in front of everyone. Music! Applause! Curtains! Done! Thank you very much! But no. I am not the playwright in this. I am not even the director. I just watch the drama unfold before me and I wait on the edge of my seat, biting my fingernails and trying to figure out if they will live happily ever after or they will be doomed separately to la la land.
I walk out the Hospital’s automated glass panel and feel a cool breeze kiss my face. I sip my red wine to keep me warm and walk to the left side of the entrance. I jump up and sat along the lowest wall of the Hospital’s exterior. George once told me that he spent most of his intern time alone here to clear his head. I find myself doing the same thing as I nurse my own drink.
I think about Callie’s last song. It’s filled with love, pain and holding on. Most of all, I felt like she’s giving up on something she wants for a long time. She had to let go and she had no choice. It is a cry for help, a cry for understanding. Understanding on how difficult it is to have a perfect love and a perfect life at the same time. She says that loving could set them free but somehow the shadows lurk and trap them in their own fears. FEAR… such a big word especially for both of them. Before I could analyze the song any further though, I heard voices 20 feet away and I see Callie laughing with Steve.
Both of them are standing beside two vans splashed with rainbow colored hues and “Doctors with Strong Causes” painted across. Steve hands Callie a card and opens his arms. Callie accepts it and steps into his arms to hug him. Steve kisses Callie on the cheek and then went in and slides the door close. The group shouts their goodbye as they zoom through the main road leaving Callie standing there on her own.
Callie walks a few steps back to the hospital and sits and settles on one of the wooden benches lined along the path. She stays still for a few minutes and I argue with myself whether I should join her or not. She’s having one of those *moments*. Moments when you try to remember what just happened in the past hours of your life and try to relive it in your mind. I see her stand up suddenly and look at the bench she just vacated. I think she is remembering something entirely different from tonight’s event. And as she realizes what it was, I see her smile sadly and sit back slowly.
I still look at her for the past minutes and finally she rummages through her purse and takes out her cellphone. I hope she’s calling who I think she is calling. She talks for a few seconds then shuts and drops the phone back into her purse. She slouches and rests her head on the back of the chair.
She waits and I wait with her.
There was no Erica Hahn in sight. Not a single strand of blond hair. Not even a glimpse of a shadow. In a few minutes of waiting, a cab eased in and stopped along the road. Great! Just great! Callie called a cab service. Ugh! Good work! I can’t watch this anymore.
I.
CANT.
WATCH.
THIS.
ANYMORE.
“Watch what?”
I yelped and my red wine spilt all over my shirt. Perfect. Just perfect. I see Dr. Erica Hahn in front of me, standing there holding a bunch of flowers on her right hand and a zebra-print purse on her left AND not even attempting to apologize, not that I really expected her to.
“God! Don’t do THAT!”
“You are acting weird all night Dr. Grey. I strongly suggest you put away that glass of yours.”
“No!”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Uh I mean… I’m fine. You…you have to go there.”
“Go where?”
“To Callie!”
She didn’t answer right away, she doesn’t need to. She follows my fingers and we both see Callie walking down the path toward the cab down the road.
“Go Dr. Hahn. Callie’s willing to walk bound with you into eternity. Show her how perfect your life and love could be. Don’t let her slip away again.”
Hahn gave me a look. Oh fuck.. I think I blabbered too much this time.
“Uhh… she sang those lines earlier right?”
“Go inside Grey, ask O’ Malley to bring you home and get a goodnight sleep.”
She turns to her heels and walks quietly to follow the footpath leading to Callie.
I didn’t listen to her.
Of course, I didn’t LISTEN to her! You don’t stand up and miss the last scene and final act of your favorite play. You don’t leave just because you needed to pee. You DON’T leave because this is the BEST part and if it means that you have to pee all over your seat then so be it.
I stay rooted to the spot and I forget the red wine mapped on my cream-colored dress.
I smiled as I hear her call out Callie’s name.
I held my breath as Callie stops walking.
I released it as Hahn thrusts the flowers to her.
I silently ohhhed and squueee as Callie accepts and smells them.
But I drew my brows together and bit my fingernails as they both stand up there and not talk at all.
Then my breath hitched again as I see Hahn close the distance between them.
I’m still not breathing as I see Hahn cup Callie’s cheek and rub her thumb on those talented lips.
And as Dr. Erica Hahn softly planted a kiss on Dr. Callie Torres, I melted right there on my spot. And when Callie holds Erica’s face to deepen it, I am a puddle of goo on the pavement.
Greg was wrong about everything he witnessed 14 days ago. He had seen them kiss alright. I believe him now. But all he saw was 2 women making out in front of the hospital. It was horrible for him because he doesn’t understand it. He HORRIBLY tells it because he doesn’t have an idea of what THIS is all about.
I, Lexie Caroline Grey on the other hand don’t see them making out now in any way. I am witnessing a love story unfold before my eyes. A love story of two people who tried to fight it off until they can’t anymore. A love story only I was able to watch. I see two people sharing a magical kiss under the moonlight. Two persons validating their love for each other through a simple union of lips and tongue. A validation and a promise that they will do better this time.
I look around and find that we are all alone. I’m looking for anyone whom I can share this with. I look up at the moon and stars above. I glance around and see leaves from the trees rustling softly to dance with the cool breeze. They are a witness to this and so am I. I’m sharing this with them and for that I am already satisfied.
Finally the curtains are falling and the drama is done. There are no applauses nor encores; no shouts and shrieks of bravo. What they have are the wild clapping of their hearts beating together as one.
Love has found them again.
I close my eyes and a single tear escapes.
I head towards the entrance and not look back.
I just witnessed a love story and that is what Seattle Grace Hospital will hear from me.
Nothing else.
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Author's Notes
Hey guys, thank you for reading and sticking with this story. As a token of my gratitude, I made a video (a first for me) of Callie’s last song with Steve. I promised that you would not only read but listen to it as well. The voice is really Callie’s (well of Sara’s) and I hope the video will help you imagine what is in Callie’s mind while she was singing it with Steve. The video shows a glimpse of what happened between Callie and Erica after the kiss and before the fund-raising event. Things which happened that were not seen Through Lexie’s Eyes. Enjoy!
My Darling by Sara Ramirez from the musical "Believe"
Audio only and other Sara Ramirez demos can be found here.
Believe The Musical official webpage here.
Click to view