[fic] the song remains the same [22/?]
Title: The Song Remains the Same
Rating: M
Spoilers: 8x13
Summary: I had a dream. Crazy dream. Ellis Grey is alive and well. Seattle Grace is the premiere hospital in the country. Callie Torres is married to Owen Hunt, with a home and three children, while Arizona Robbins does who and whatever she pleases. The history is different, the world itself has changed, but the song remains the same.
*If/Then* Calzona - Picking up where 8x13 ended
*****
Callie surveyed the surgical board with a weary sigh not for herself but for Arizona. She and Cristina Yang were both back at work and the Cardio department was well in hand. Cristina was even more robotic than usual since Owen's death, efficient almost to a fault. Meredith Webber had to drag her out of the OR at the end of the day. No such luck for Arizona. She was covering her own cases and Alex's, with no chance for a reasonable night tonight or any other night this week.
Today they hadn't even had time for lunch together and she was missing her girlfriend. Hopefully Arizona wouldn't be too tired to make the drive to her house tonight. She'd been trying, making every effort, but after a few weeks the long hours were wearing on her. Callie couldn't blame her if tonight was the night she'd be too exhausted for the trip to the suburbs.
She couldn't postpone her own drive home, not with the kids in daycare waiting for her. They were already packed up when she arrived, the look on Allegra's face making her instantly cautious. She knew what they looked like when they wanted something. And all three had the same pleading expression on their faces before she even came through the doors. “What is it?” she asked knowingly as they filed out while she held the door. They were even pulling the polite card. Whatever it was they wanted, they wanted it bad.
“Can Arizona come home tonight?” Allegra asked, pleading. Left spiraling after their father's death, Arizona had become part of their stability. Regardless of whatever intentions the adults had.
Callie could only blink in surprise, not expecting that request. “Baby...” She sighed, seeing the disappointment dawning in all of their faces. “She's really busy, so I'm not sure. She's done lots of surgeries today, and she's going to be tired.” She swore Gus' lip trembled. “She wants to come home, guys. If she gets there it'll be after you're all in bed.”
Gavin looked hopeful, his expression brightening. “So Arizona will be home in the morning when we wake up?”
Sighing, Callie made a last second decision in the elevator, pushing the button for the OR floor. “Let's go see her. She's working though so we can't stay long, okay?” There was an eager chorus of agreement and Callie smiled down at them as the elevator rose. It warmed her heart to see how much the kids loved Arizona. Arizona made every effort to be careful with them, being so, so thoughtful with them, helping them, taking care of them, doing everything she could to make every day a little easier for them. She loved them, all of them, without asking for anything in return.
The gallery was empty and Callie followed her children in, flipping the switch to the intercom. “You've got some guests, Dr. Robbins.”
Arizona looked up at the familiar voice overhead, the smile hidden behind her mask visible through her eyes. “Hey! Look at that! It's all of my very favorite people!” A few of the nurses turned to look up into the gallery. “What are you guys doing here?” she asked, appearing as happy to see them as they were to see her.
“Are you coming home tonight?” Gus' plaintive question made Arizona's hands pause in their actions, frown drawing her brows down. “Please?” he added when she couldn't speak right away.
There was a lump of emotion in her throat keeping Arizona from answering and she had to swallow it down. “Um, buddy -”
“I told you that Arizona's very busy,” Callie reminded them, trying to give her partner a break.
“I'll be there,” interjected Arizona hoarsely, clearing her throat. “I promise.”
“For dinner?” asked Gavin hopefully. Callie touched his shoulder and he added, “Or breakfast?”
Arizona sighed. All the good intentions in the world wouldn't have her off work in time for dinner. “I'm not going to make it for supper, but you guys save me some dessert, alright?” All three were lining the window, the boys hanging on the sill by their elbows while they pinned her with the most pouty, pleading looks they could muster. “And I'll make pancakes in the morning,” she offered. “It's my day off so we can play all day if you want.”
“You've got plans with Grandma, remember, but that's very sweet of Arizona, right, guys?” Callie prompted them. “We'll play tomorrow until your grandma comes to get you though.” That way Arizona could get some of her day off to herself. “Now Arizona's in the middle of a very important surgery, so we're going to say goodbye and let her work. Everybody say bye.”
They chorused their goodbyes, Allegra promising to save her some dessert. “Bye, guys. I love you.” The statement made the operating room go still for a moment. Arizona was surprised herself. She was never so personal at work. With Callie, the kids, she just couldn't help herself, though.
Callie's smile was crooked above her. She knew how much Arizona valued her privacy, her professional name at work. The slip of the tongue meant a lot to her though. “I love you too,” she said, not wanting her to be alone in her workplace overshare. The kids promptly echoed it, raising their voices to be heard over each other. Arizona couldn't help smiling behind her surgical mask. “See you when you get home.”
Dinner was their new usual, the kids setting the table while Callie cooked, and then playing until she finished with the food and called them back into the kitchen to eat. Gavin kept glancing toward the door through the whole meal, hoping Arizona would surprise them and show up early. Allegra carefully scooped banana pudding out for Arizona into a glass and insisted on putting plastic wrap on it herself. No one wanted to go up when Callie declared it was time, whining and moping grumpily as they trudged upstairs for baths and bed.
Callie got them tucked in and settled, returning to the couch and flopping down instead of going into the kitchen to clean up right away. She was doing the best she could and since she was a single mother these days cleaning up had slid down the priority ladder. Her priority at this moment was putting her feet up and not moving for just a few minutes. The mess in the sink would wait for a little bit.
She didn't realize she'd fallen asleep until she was woken up by someone climbing onto the couch with her (onto her, really). “Huh?”
“Shh, it's me,” Arizona whispered, breathing deep as she slumped into Callie's chest. “I'm so tired,” she groaned, closing her eyes and melting into the arms Callie pulled around her.
“I'm glad you're here,” Callie said softly. “How were the rest of your procedures?”
“Good. Everything was smooth. How was dinner?”
Callie sighed, combing through soft blonde hair with one hand. “We missed you but no one threw any tantrums. Allegra made you a cup of banana pudding. It's in the fridge.”
“Alright!” Arizona enthused without opening her eyes. Callie's hand had migrated down to rub her shoulders, trailing down her back and up again. “That feels good.”
“Let's go to bed,” suggested Callie in a breath.
Arizona had planned on doing something a bit more exciting than simply going straight to bed but found herself unable to drag her eyes open. Finding Callie dozing on the couch, the lights dim and the house quiet, it had proved too tempting to pass up. Sitting in her lap, waking her up, in her head it had taken a turn toward the sexy but her exhaustion had taken that option away as soon as she was off her feet. Right now she could fall asleep right here, on the couch and on top of Callie.
“Come on,” Callie tried again, rubbing the back of her neck. “I'll turn off all the phones and alarms and we can sleep in tomorrow, I promise.”
Arizona groaned as her partner gently pushed up on her shoulders to dislodge her. “You promise?” she whined grumpily. She could fall asleep if Callie would stop pushing on her like she was doing.
“Even better, the kids are going to Ellen's for the afternoon so we can go back to bed after they leave,” Callie proposed. “Or you can go home.”
In the middle of pushing herself back to her feet Arizona frowned in sleepy confusion. “Huh? Aren't I home? Where do I need to go?”
Callie sat up more swiftly to catch her girlfriend's arm when she wobbled, smiling to herself. Arizona needed sleep but she was adorable all hazy and confused. “You're not going anywhere tonight. Come on,” she coaxed, linking their arms and leading her toward the stairs. Arizona's eyes were closed as she stumbled up the steps but she dragged her feet at the top, pulling them in the other direction. “Where are you going? Our bed's this way,” Callie reminded her, trying to gently steer her toward rest.
“I want to say goodnight,” Arizona mumbled, blinking her eyes open heavily. “I promised.” Callie could only watch from the doorway as Arizona leaned over each of the kids' beds to give them each a kiss and tuck them in, whispering quiet words to them before she returned to Callie's side in the hallway. She could simply react when Callie turned her into her own body and kissed her softly in the hall, looping her arms over the taller woman's shoulder when Callie's arms slipped around her hips. Mouths met and Callie pressed forward to explore leisurely, as if they weren't kissing in the hall in the middle of the night and Arizona wasn't swaying on her feet. “What's that for?” Arizona asked hazily as the kiss slowed to a stop, leaning her forehead against Callie's and breathing deep.
“I love you,” Callie told her simply. Arizona's love for her children was amazing. She was charming and playful with them, but also careful and protective when she didn't have to be. They weren't her kids but she'd stepped up for them after losing Owen and it made Callie love her even more.
Arizona smiled contentedly at the statement. “I love you too.”
Callie caught her arm as Arizona's weight shifted back and she tugged her forward again. “Okay. Bedtime for you.” Arizona let herself be led without complaint, shuffling along behind her. Callie glanced over her shoulder with a smile. Arizona was trusting her implicitly, her eyes closed as she followed her. They got changed in the dark, Callie pretty sure that Arizona didn't open her eyes the whole time, and fell into bed. Arizona flopped flat on her face but let Callie steer her backward into her arms.
No alarms or phones or even pagers disturbed them the next morning, Arizona dragged awake instead by the sunlight in her face. She solved the problem by turning over and burying her face in Callie's shoulder. Callie woke up a few moments later to a halo of blonde hair in front of her face, a smile growing when Arizona let out a grumpy grumble. Obliging her, Callie stretched over and pulled the covers over their heads, shrouding them in warm, soft, darkness.
Arizona's head rose just enough to peck a kiss to her chin. “Thank you, Calliope.” She burrowed into their shadowy bubble drowsily, making a happy noise. “What time is it?”
“Too early,” Callie told her without looking at the clock. She kissed Arizona's forehead softly. “Go back to sleep. I'll take care of the kids when they're up.”
She shook her head but didn't open her eyes. “I promised I'd make breakfast.”
“They'll be fine,” Callie countered. “You need sleep.”
“I need pancakes,”Arizona insisted in a drowsy mumble. Her girlfriend clearly wasn't moving anytime soon though and Callie smiled. Two fingers pushed fair curls back. Arizona was cute when she was all sleepy. “Stop watching me sleep,” Arizona grumble growled, still without opening her eyes.
“But you're so beautiful,” Callie told her honestly, grinning when it won her a glimpse of blue eyes. “I've missed you.”
Arizona turned onto her back, unable to help smiling sleepily. “You're a sweet talker this early in the morning.” She stretched and one hand brushed the tangled mess of her hair. “Oh no.” She narrowed her eyes up at Callie. “You're a sweet talking liar.”
Callie's smile was playful. “No, I'm not. You're cute all sleepy and rumpled.”
Arizona rolled her eyes in response. “Okay, I'm going to go take a shower and fix this,” she declared with a gesture toward her hair, grunting softly as she started to sit up.
“Want company?” asked Callie even as her arms tugged Arizona back to the sheets with her.
“Or we could stay here,” Arizona suggested with a chuckle. She didn't protest snuggling into Callie's side again though. “How long do you think we have until they're awake?”
Callie sighed, leaning on the arm that was under Arizona's neck. The other hand traced lightly across her lover's collarbone, down her chest. Brown eyes trailed the touching, following the path of her fingers across soft cotton. “Not long enough,” Callie declared, her voice husky.
It had been a long few weeks but Arizona knew what that tone, that look, meant. “We should get up,” she said hoarsely. “Get started on breakfast.” If they got started on anything else she wasn't sure they could stop before they got inevitably interrupted.
Callie's head dropped and she groaned. “Arizona, I hardly see you,” she complained. Her hand flattened against the prone woman's midriff and Arizona's breath caught.
“We have all day,” Arizona reminded her, fighting the impulse for her eyes to roll back in her head. “No rush.”
“We have until breakfast,” corrected Callie, her tone amazingly similar to Allegra's when she was whining.
Arizona smiled, amused at the resemblance. She roamed one hand through mussed dark waves. “Why's that?”
Callie huffed and Arizona had to imagine that she was nearly pouting but she couldn’t see her face. “Because it's your first day off in weeks and I assume you want to get groceries and check your mail, things people do on their days off.”
Arizona blinked as she realized Callie's expectations for the rest of the day. As far as she was concerned they could spend the rest of the day in this bed as soon as the kids were in their grandmother's car. She felt a delighted smile break out and she wrapped both arms around Callie's shoulders, pulling her down on top of her in a hug. “Callie, I basically live here. The fridge in my apartment has been empty for about a month except for a jar of pickles.” She'd realized that the hard way one night she'd gone there to sleep and found nothing but an empty refrigerator and cold sheets. It had been a five minute detour before she'd gotten back in the car and gone to Callie's house. “And all my bills are online now. The mail's just junk.”
Callie's head popped up. “You're staying?” Her grin was eager and hopeful.
Arizona laughed happily. “I was planning on it.” Breakfast with the kids and then some time alone with Callie sounded like the perfect day off to her. “If that's alright with you.”
Callie leaned in for a quick kiss, unable to resist taking another kiss right away. Arizona let her in without hesitation, eyes falling closed as she let the kiss deepen. For what felt like weeks they'd only managed to grab quick pecks in the locker room at work, kisses kept soft and short around the children. Now they didn't have to keep it chaste and neither one was sure they could stop. Callie's fingers curled into her t-shirt as they kissed but she forced herself to pull back when the heel of her hand grazed bare skin as she unconsciously bunched the shirt and the hem rose. Both were breathless as their mouths broke apart, Callie decisively flopping onto her back in an attempt to diminish the temptation to keep Arizona in bed with her all day.
“I'm going to take that as a yes,” Arizona panted, laughing and stretching against the sheet. The sheets were rumpled and caught up around her legs. Her head fell sideways and she grinned at Callie. “Do you want to take the first shower and I'll get started on breakfast?”
Callie mostly just wanted to stay with Arizona. “I'll help with breakfast. I feel like being a little lazy this morning.”
Arizona smirked knowingly. “That's going to make Allegra jealous that she has to get dressed.”
Breakfast was almost normal, at least closer than they'd managed in the weeks since the crash, the kids happily telling them about everything they were going to do with their grandmother. It was nice, being able to feel the edges of their cloud of grief receding, if only for a few hours. Anything that made her children happy, could make them smile, made Callie happy. Arizona went to answer the knock on the door and Gus broke away from his breakfast to chase after her sporting a wide grin.
Callie heard her girlfriend greeting Ellen Hunt, Angus echoing her quietly. He was tucked against Arizona’s side when they returned to the kitchen. “Look who's here, guys,” Arizona told them, the arm under Gus' butt bouncing him lightly.
“Everybody go get ready,” Callie requested of the children. “And don't forget to brush your teeth.”
Gus was the last to scamper out after Arizona set him down, leaving the three adults in silence in the kitchen. “It's nice to see you again, Arizona,” Ellen said after a moment, her throat bobbing as she swallowed. “The kids seem to be doing well.”
“They're excited about spending the day with you,” said Callie warmly, giving her a smile. “Thank you for offering.”
Ellen swallowed again and she nodded. Where the children seemed to be having a good day she was wearing the grief of losing her son like a shroud in the hunch of her shoulders, the lines around her mouth. “They're all I have left of him.”
Callie's smile went stiff, unsure what to say. The fact was her loss of Owen was different than the children's or even Ellen's. He was the same man but had meant different things to each of them - father, son, former lover. “Any time you want to see them you know they'd love it,” she told her gently. “How are you doing?” Like her son, Ellen Hunt was reluctant to talk about her feelings even on her best day.
Sure enough, Ellen's gaze dropped and she shook her head. “Can we get you anything?” Arizona asked thoughtfully. “Coffee? Tea? Pancakes?”
Ellen straightened up suddenly, her shoulders squaring. She had brown eyes, unlike Owen and the twins' blues, but when she narrowed her gaze at Arizona her expression sharply resembled her son. “You - you're always around -” Arizona's eyes went wide but she didn't speak, one hand on Callie's arm keeping her from interjecting. She'd seen Ellen's eyes on her more than once when she was with the kids, watching them interact but so far not commenting. Whatever questions the older woman had for her she was ready. “You didn't know my son, did you? But you're here, in his house, with his family.”
“We weren't close, no,” Arizona told her honestly. “But he was a good man, and he has wonderful, amazing children.” Callie swallowed the emotional lump in her throat and squeezed Arizona's hand. “I love them very much.”
Eyes locked and Callie was sure she wasn't breathing while she waited for someone to move or speak. Arizona could handle herself. She didn't want to be in the middle of hurt feelings and territorial disputes. Ellen's mouth twisted, her hands wringing in front of her. “You can't leave them.” She blinked, gaze flicking toward Callie. She kept addressing Arizona directly though. “No matter what happens with you and Callie. If you make those kids a promise, you do whatever it takes to keep it.”
Arizona stepped forward quickly and caught her elder's shaking hands with her own steady, careful grasp. She ducked her head just slightly to catch her eyes again. “I promise you. No matter what,” she stated. “As long as the kids want me in their lives, I'll be there.” She tried a smile and Ellen nodded, blinking quickly to keep tears at bay. “I love them.”
“I know,” Ellen agreed, her voice soft and sad. “I can see it. I've seen it for months.” Her eyes jumped to Callie. “I just want them to remember their father. My son -”
“He's their father,” Callie said softly, meeting her gaze squarely. “That won't ever change.” She glanced sideways at Arizona as she stepped forward to her side. “No matter how close Arizona and I get, no matter what happens with us, how close Arizona gets to the kids, they're not going to ever have another father. Owen is their father.” One gentle hand reached for Ellen's shoulder. “No one's going to forget him, Ellen. I promise.”
The clatter of quick footsteps on the stairs drew them back, Ellen wiping her eyes furtively while Arizona stepped forward to keep them distracted. She got their jackets and backpacks on them by the time Callie and Ellen joined them and Callie stooped to get hugs and kisses from all three. “Everybody be good for Grandma, okay?”
She got a round of agreements from them and stood up. “Later, guys,” Arizona said with a smirk and a small wave. “Have fun!” Gus tugged on her hand until she leaned over, darting forward to kiss her cheek and dashing out the door. His siblings followed suit with hugs and high fives. Arizona caught Ellen's eye but there was a hint of a smile teasing the corner of her mouth, the lines lighter.
There was a quiet atmosphere in the air after Callie shut the door behind them, the whole house more silent in the wake of the kids' departure. Callie sighed into the quiet, the flirty morning in bed dampened by Ellen's grief. It felt wrong to just drag Arizona back to bed now. “Well...”
“It's okay,” Arizona told her, taking a deep breath of her own. “I kind of thought that would happen sooner or later.”
Callie's mouth quirked into a small smile. Seen it coming and known exactly what to say to soothe Ellen's fears. Arizona Robbins was amazing. “Thank you. For what you said. For everything, really.”
“You're welcome,” said Arizona warmly. Callie wasn't why she'd said what she'd said. She loved Allegra and Gavin and Angus. She'd never dreamed of having children, couldn't imagine it for herself. These weren't her children. They needed her though, and she loved them. She wasn't their parent but they weren't just her little buddies anymore. They were more to each other now, even if she didn't have a word for the relationship. And that relationship was separate from hers with Callie.
“It's always so quiet when they're not here,” Callie commented, glancing around the empty house. “I'm still not used to it.” She wasn't alone, however. She and Arizona were alone together in her empty house. “So what now?”
Arizona's smile widened and she laughed suddenly. “Well, we had an idea going earlier that I could get on board with, but if you'd rather do laundry...” Her eyebrows bobbed playfully. “Or we can talk,” she offered more seriously. The morning hadn't exactly gone as planned. If Callie was upset, emotional about anything, then that came first.
Callie hesitated but a smile gradually blossomed to answer the expression on Arizona's face. “We could do the laundry,” she mused, teasing her. Two fingers plucked at her shirt, fanning it lightly away from her chest. “But we should probably take a shower, right?”
Arizona stepped forward to kiss her, soft and slow. “We definitely need to shower,” she agreed under her breath, lips brushing against Callie's as she spoke. The next kiss was deeper, Arizona stumbling as she backpedaled toward the stairs. Callie's hands on her sides kept her from falling, though. Arizona had to use either hand to keep them from falling on the fumbling flight up the stairs, catching them against the steps, the railing on the wall.
It was a relief to reach the second floor, Callie already peeling Arizona's thin t-shirt over her head and dropping it carelessly in the hallway. Arizona's fleet fingers worked on the drawstring of her pajama pants, Callie letting them fall as they reached the bedroom. Arizona’s shorts were off by the time they hit the wall just beside the bathroom door, Callie's shirt following the path to the floor just inside the bathroom. The last remnants of clothing were left in a trail to the shower, Callie tugging the stall door closed behind them even as Arizona stretched a hand behind them to turn on the water.
The initial blast was cold but it warmed up quickly, the tile of the shower wall chilled against Arizona's back. Her body recoiled away from the contrast in temperature but there was nowhere to go, Callie's warm curves holding her in place. Leaning in for another extended series of deep, dragging kisses, Callie let her hands slip over skin that was rapidly growing slick as steam started to cloud around them.
She could taste the sweat beginning to bead on Arizona's neck as the steam grew heavier, hear her lover panting for breath against her ear, feel her pulse jumping under her tongue. Water droplets washed out the sweat on her chest as Callie's kisses trailed down, Arizona's fingers wet and catching in her hair as they clutched her head to her own breast. Callie's hands attended to the unengaged breast while her lips, tongue, and teeth worked in tandem to give Arizona pleasure.
“Calliope...” Her name, spoken in that wanton, breathy tone, made Callie moan herself against soft flesh. “Callie, please.”
The next kiss was higher but her hand slipped lower, moving with her leg to edge Arizona's open. The pinned woman complied immediately, groaning in approval when fingers found a slickness entirely different from the water of the shower between her thighs.
“Kiss me,” Arizona requested breathlessly. Their position against the shower wall was fortunate, a corner in reach allowing her to plant her left foot, opening her for Callie's exploring fingers. Her lover did one better, free hand hauling her right leg up over her own thigh. Her body held Arizona's up ably, blue eyes widening at the display of strength. They fell closed uncontrollably as Callie's right hand took full advantage of her flexibility.
Unable to kiss Arizona with her head thrown back against the tile as it was Callie pressed kisses to her chest, her throat. Two fingers slid inside and Arizona’s body bucked against her. “Oh, God, yes...” Head falling forward, Arizona caught her mouth in a hard kiss. It had been a long week, a long month, and she could already feel her partner's body responding, the tension in every bone, every muscle of her girlfriend's frame. Arizona needed to come, needed it badly. Callie quickened her pace as Arizona's teeth pulled on her lip, thumb rolling across her clit as her fingers moved inside.
The water beat down around them as Callie's hand worked to bring her up. It would have been embarrassing how quickly she was nearing her peak if she didn’t need the release so badly. Arizona could feel the sensation rolling in waves through her entire body, beating in her chest and stomach, warmth shooting down the length of her arms and legs like shocks of lightning. The explosion, when it came, was utter release and relief, satisfaction making her limp and loose in Callie's arms. Her legs were dropped gently to the ground, Callie stepping in closer to hold her up while Arizona breathed hard and struggled to regain her ability to stand on her own.
Arizona let her face drop into Callie's shoulder as her heart raced and breath came one open mouthful at a time. Callie kissed her temple gently and she reciprocated with a soft nibble, teeth dragging lightly over her shoulder.
“You okay?” Callie asked, hand liberated from between them and brushing damp hair back.
Her head lolled back to meet contented brown eyes. “Really?” She breathed deep and held it, a smile following it out. “I'm awesome,” she sighed almost dreamily. “And you're super awesome.” She blinked, definitely still hazy but starting to regain her higher brain function. “How big is your hot water heater?” It felt like they should have been chased out by frigid water already.
Callie couldn't help herself, the question making laughter burst out entirely beyond her control. “It's big enough, don't worry.”
Arizona's smile went playful, teasing. “Good to know.”
[part 23 here]