Into Temptation (14/?)
Watching her downtrodden frame place varied assortments of clothes in her suitcase is heart breaking. Her once perky demeanour is replaced by one filled with sadness. Her eyes are still puffy from the nights spent crying over her brother. I have tried my hardest to be there in any way she has needed but there are times when even I cant help the onslaught of pain that is so obviously flooding through her body.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” I ask tentatively as she turns to her dresser retrieving more items of clothing.
“No, there’s no need. You have back to back surgeries for the next few days.” She replies looking up briefly before returning to the task at hand.
I approach her from the doorframe I have been leaning against. My arms wrapping around her torso. For a brief moment I can feel the tension exit her body as she relaxes into my embrace.
“I would like to be there Arizona” I reply softly as I gently kiss her neck in a comforting gesture. “I want to be there for you”. I can hear her release a small sigh.
“I know. It’s just, I think I need to do this alone. I need to be with my family right now” she says as she turns within my arms giving me a slight smile.
“Ok” I reply with a shy nod before leaning forward and touching my lips to her softly.
I release a small groan as I place the last of her suitcases in the back of the taxi.
“I could still drive if you want?” I ask as I lean back against the cab parked outside her apartment.
“Calliope, you have done enough for me over the last few days. Besides you have to be at the hospital in a little under an hour.” She says approaching me.
“I can be late” I reply with a slight pout.
“Stop worrying about me, ok?” she says seriously as she links her arm in mine as we approach the door to the taxi. “I will call you tonight I promise” she offers with a grin as she opens the door.
“But….” I start before feeling her lips against mine, silencing me. As we pull apart I can feel her eyes trailing across my face, a small grin forming on her lips.
“I love you” the words leave her mouth quickly. My body stills. All thoughts and feelings exit my body at those words. I know I must look shocked, I know I should say something back but once again she has left me lost for words. She continues to grin at me as she walks backwards and climbs into the taxi. The driver taking off at extreme speed, leaving me standing on the curb staring at the car as it speeds her away.
“Callie, wait up” I hear Marks voice call out behind me forcing me to stop in my tracks as I make my way towards the OR”
“Hey Mark” I reply casually as he falls into step beside me.
“Did Arizona get away alright?” He asks looking slightly concerned.
“Yeah, I saw her off this morning” I reply softly as memories of what she said to me this morning start flooding through me.
“Are you ok?” He asks as he sees the look that falls across my face. As always he sees right through me. I stop and turn to him.
“She told me she loved me this morning” I reply softly looking up at him.
“Congratulations” He replies with his typical grin. His face changing slightly as he notices me looking around avoiding eye contact. “Or not?”
“Well, I mean I guess it’s a good thing right?” I say with a look of confusion on my face. “Its just, we have only really just started out and her brother just died, and George asked me to marry him just after his father died, and what if this is just a grief thing and…..”
“Callie” he says with a smirk as he grabs my arms forcing me to stop my babbling. “Anyone can see that she’s in love with you. She has been from the moment she laid eyes on you”
“Huh?” I reply in utter confusion.
“Truthfully in matters of love I’m not exactly a master, lust on the other hand…” he says starting to trail off. He snaps back to reality. “The way she looks at you. She loves you Callie and I’m guessing from the stupid grin you have permanently plastered to your face anytime she’s around I’m guessing you do to.” I feel the formation of a smile form as the truth of his words start to dawn on me. “It doesn’t matter when it was said, just that it was said”
I can feel the exhaustion of the back-to-back surgeries I had today coerce through my body as I make my way out of the hospital. I feel my phone vibrate and then start to ring within my jacket as I head out the doors of the hospital. Instantly my hand finds the offending item. As soon as my eyes land on the name that appears on my caller ID I feel relief and I cant help but smile.
“Arizona, hey” I say as I bring the phone to my ear. “How is everything?”
“Ok, we just got back from the airport” I can hear the tremble in her voice as she continues to tell me about the ordeal of having to retrieve her brother’s body. Every inch of me is wishing I were there with her, to hold her and comfort her. I don’t speak, I just let her release everything that she needs to. “Calliope?” she says softly. “About this morning, what I said. You looked a little shocked and I just….”
“I love you too Arizona.” I cut in interrupting her. I can almost feel the grin on my face reciprocated across the phone.