[fic] the song remains the same [28/?]
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
*****
The gallery was nearly silent, the only sound the muted rhythm of Arizona's shoe tapping against the carpet. Her parents were in the waiting room two floors below but she'd been unable to contemplate the thought of sitting and just waiting passively. Whatever happened to Nick, she had to be there to see it. Whichever way it ended up, it would be hours before there was news to relate. It was early still and Callie was working carefully, double checking every cut and stitch.
Arizona looked up when a hand moved into her line of sight, Teddy taking a sip of her own coffee as she took the seat beside her friend. "Looks like they're just really getting into it," she noted, able to watch the procedure on the monitor. Arizona nodded without speaking, her foot still bouncing unconsciously. "It's Callie and Yang. They've got this."
"Don't." Arizona shook her head, leaning forward and wrapping both hands around the paper cup. It was nice, the coffee and the reassurance, but she couldn't hear them right now, not when Nick could die on her partner's table. Callie's brush with a cold had been brief and she'd been cleared to operate. It was both a relief and an anxiety. There was no one she trusted more, but she still wished Callie was sitting beside her, holding her hand.
Teddy didn't miss a beat. "Okay," she said dryly. "Would you mind if I watched? I haven't been on a Cardio case in a while. I miss it sometimes." She smiled comfortingly, the expression soft. "And they're two of the best I've ever seen."
It was reassurance without the cliches, support without needing to speak further. Teddy just sat down beside her and Arizona was grateful, leaning back in her seat after a long, quiet minute.
In the waiting room below them it was just as quiet, the scattered people settling into knots of tension and silence as they waited on word of their loved one's outcomes. The Colonel had posted up in the corner, able to see the comings and goings of everyone in the room. Whatever their boy's fate was, he'd be able to see it coming before it reached them.
They knew it would be hours before anything was decided for sure. Any sooner meant complications, would mean death for Nick, a man he loved as his own son. He'd lost one son, wasn't sure if he could survive losing another. His daughter had lost her brother and he couldn't bear it if she lost another.
The unmistakable sound of approaching children, shuffling clothes, squeaking sneakers, and chatter, made everyone look up, even knowing that it wasn't the news any of them were waiting for. The three Hunt children walked around the corner as if they owned the place, the two boys following their sister's direction when she spotted Daniel and Barbara in the corner.
“Hey, Mister Arizona's Daddy,” Allegra greeted them. “Mrs. Arizona's Mama.”
Carlos followed them over, giving the other two adults a nod. “They know what's happening and insisted on coming to see Arizona.”
“Where's Arizona?” Gavin asked when he couldn't spot their mother's girlfriend in the room.
Barbara leaned forward to smile softly at him. “She's upstairs watching the surgery, sweetie.”
His pale blue eyes darted as he considered that. “Arizona let us watch once,” his twin chimed in. “She said we couldn't tell Mama!” insisted Gus quickly when his siblings both shot warning looks at him.
Barbara's smile grew and she laughed quietly. “Did she, now? That sounds like my girl.” She glanced up toward Carlos. “Would you all want to sit with us?”
The three children consulted silently among themselves before looking at their grandfather. Gus was already climbing into Arizona's mother's lap when Carlos nodded. “We don't want to intrude, of course,” he murmured as he took a chair close by Daniel.
“My daughter's told me so much about all of you,” Barbara told them, eager for a distraction from all the waiting. “I feel like I know you three.”
Gavin's chest puffed, pleased by the idea that Arizona had bragged about them to her mother. “Does Arizona have more brothers and sisters?” he asked curiously. Callie had explained that she was doing the surgery today on Arizona's brother and he wanted to know more.
Darker blue eyes than the ones the boys had flicked to find her husband before Barbara answered, “No,” softly. “Just Nick now.”
Sensing the serious tone, if not fully understanding why it was there, Allegra nodded her little head seriously. “Our mommy is a good doctor.”
“The best,” Gus added softly, leaning his head against Barbara's shoulder with a quiet sigh.
She hugged him, breathing roughened by emotion as she held onto his small body gratefully. “I'm sure she is,” she agreed. “That's one of the reasons she works here with my Arizona, I bet.”
All three kids nodded in agreement. “Arizona's awesome!” Allegra said eagerly, unconsciously using Arizona's favorite word. The Peds surgeon was good about keeping it out of conversation with adults but it was scattered through all of her interactions with children, Callie's kids as well as her patients.
Recognizing where Allegra had to have picked up the word made Barbara smile. Maybe it wasn't what she and Daniel had imagined for their little girl, what Carlos had envisioned for his, but there was no questioning how their daughters felt about each other, how Arizona felt about the kids, or how they felt about her. The circumstances weren't ideal, far from it, but the family the two women were making was something real.
“She loves you three a lot,” Barbara told them, tousling Gus' nearly shaggy hair. “My boy, you need a haircut!”
He laughed, ducking his head shyly. “That's what Ave says too,” he admitted with a blush rising up his neck.
Cocking her head, Barbara laughed. “Who's that?”
“It means bird,” Allegra explained for her brother when he was too shy to clarify. “It's what he calls Arizona.” It was what they all called her, but she was five and felt too old for nicknames. That was little kid stuff. Arizona enjoyed their little kid stuff though, and seemed to like her nickname.
Eyes suddenly burning, Barbara blinked rapidly. “Well, she is my daughter. And she's right about your hair.”
Gus pushed his hair defiantly down over his brow. His dad had always advocated for short hair but his mother told him he could grow it out if he wanted to. Arizona liked to gently tease him about it, that's all. Like everything else Arizona did, he loved it. “Mommy says I don't have to have a haircut until I want to.”
“Daniel used to cut his hair every week,” Barbara told him, gesturing toward her husband. He was retired but maintained his high and tight hairstyle. He just got it cut every two weeks these days.
Gus' blue eyes went wide in disbelief and shook his head determinately. “Ave says I'm handsome.”
“Oh, you are!” confirmed Barbara, smiling at him. “You two boys are the only good men in my girl's life, the way Arizona talks about you.” The twins exchanged proud looks and Barbara winked at Allegra. “You keep these two in line though, don't you?”
The eldest Hunt child and only girl grinned, satisfied with the recognition that she was in charge of her brothers. “Yes, ma'am.”
“Ooh, no, we can't have that,” Barbara stopped her. “We're going to be friends, right? Your mom is dating my daughter.”
Gavin was trying to figure out exactly what that made them to each other, twisting his lips and squinting his eyes as he thought it over. “So you're...”
“Let's start with Barb,” she suggested. “For now.”
Carlos cleared his throat lightly, not sure how that provision made him feel. “You think it's that serious between them?”
Barbara sent a glance toward her husband, noting his tightened jaw. One arm stayed around Angus' shoulders but the other one reached for Daniel's arm, rubbing his wrist gently. They'd expressed their own reservations about Arizona's relationship, with how quickly it'd become serious, but it had taken exactly one conversation with their daughter to assuage any doubts they had.
“Your daughter is operating on our son,” Barbara reminded him.
“It's her job and she's the best at what she does,” he countered, polite but with an edge to his words. Clearly, whatever doubt he had remained.
The hand on Angus' head slipped up to tangle in his red curls, unconsciously covering his ear with the heel of her palm. She didn't want him hearing questions about his mother's relationship. “If that's why you think she's doing this then, respectfully, you don't know your daughter that well,” she said dryly.
Properly rebuked, Carlos fell silent. The hospital continued to operate normally around them and the double doors opened to admit a pair of surgeons who went to talk with another huddled family across the room. The hugs and smiles were a relief.
“How about we go get everyone a snack?” Barbara suggested after a minute, the quiet growing more tense. “Would you all come along and help me carry?” She got three willing agreements and Gus slipped off her lap to allow her to stand up. “Carlos, would you care for a cup of coffee?”
He blinked but nodded, head turning to watch them file out. The kids were already chattering at her happily. The two men's gazes locked and Carlos Torres furrowed his brow. “Don't pretend it was so easy for you,” he stated gruffly. “My daughter's been married to a man, has children -”
“And she's still precisely the same person now that's she's with a woman,” Daniel quietly reminded him. “It was no easier or harder because Arizona never brought a boy home. She's who I raised her to be.” He cleared his throat. “The way I see it, it's lucky our girls found each other when they did.” Carlos blinked again but didn't argue. “They make each other happy. Surely you can see that.” He got no answer but Carlos chewed on his lip. “If anyone were to make them, either of them, unha-”
“Dad!” Arizona's appearance was a surprise, the surgeon rushing over to interrupt whatever her father had been about to say. “What's -?”
“How's it going?” he asked over her, pushing himself to his feet.
“Nick's doing well.” Arizona nodded. “They're about to get into the tricky part.” One hand was on her hip but the other pushed hair back from her face. “Teddy's watching and she said my twitching was distracting. Suggested maybe I could use a break.” She shifted her gaze to a slowly rising Carlos. “Mr. Torres, I'm surprised to see you here.”
He fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt as he answered, “Well, the children insisted that they -”
His explanation was interrupted by the kids themselves bursting through the doors and dashing to her side while Arizona knelt to greet them. “Hey, what are you doing here?!” Hugs surrounded her from all sides and she had trouble catching her breath. “This is just what I needed today. Thank you,” she told them.
“That's why we told abuelo we had to come,” Allegra answered her. “Mommy said your brother is sick.”
“She's working on him right now,” confirmed Arizona with a nod, leaning back to see their faces. “We don't need to worry,” she said when Gavin's mouth flattened. “Come on, let's get up off this floor and you can tell me how these old folks have been entertaining you.”
“They're just talking,” Gus said, holding her hand as she stood up. “It's boring,” he admitted around a yawn.
Laughs rounded their corner and Arizona faked surprise. “Well, you guys should get out of here. Mom and I are going to be stuck here all day but that's no reason you shouldn't have any fun. Ask tu abuelo to take you to the park. He hasn't seen how fast you can all run lately, I bet.”
“We want to stay with you!” Angus protested immediately. “Can we have lunch?”
Allegra's pleading eyes were irresistible and Arizona sighed, nodding. “In the cafeteria?” She got eager nods and smiled, the expression tired. “Let's do it. Mom and Dad, care to join us?”
“Of course we will.”
Carlos followed without commenting, the kids his responsibility even if they were with Arizona. She paid him no mind, holding Allegra's hand as they walked and listening to the twins chattering as they scurried to clear the path in front of them. The cafeteria staff was plainly familiar with the sight of the Pediatric surgeon with the Hunt kids and she knew what to reach for before they could ask, the cashier giving all four smiles and answering Arizona's friendly greeting.
As soon as she was seated Allegra scrambled into her lap, leaning into her side. The oldest Torres was less prone to cuddling than her brothers but Arizona was privately grateful for the proximity. The boys were busy regaling her parents with extremely detailed descriptions of their bicycles but Allegra stayed quiet.
“You alright, Legs?” asked Arizona in a whisper.
Turning on her lap to see her face, Allegra's expression was somber. It took her a moment to speak up but Arizona didn't push her. “I don't want Nick to die.”
Arizona hugged her close immediately, taking a choked moment of silence for herself before she answered. “Your mom's going to do everything she can for Nick.”
“Daddy died,” whispered Allegra, her face buried in Arizona's sweater.
Arizona closed her eyes, her chin resting lightly on top of her head. “I know he did, and I am so sorry, sweetheart, but your mother did everything she could for your dad. She's doing everything she can for Nick.” She dropped her face into soft, dark hair and pressed her lips against silky strands. “If there was anything anyone could have done for your daddy your mom would have done it. You know that.”
Brown eyes were teary when she leaned back to look up at her. “Can Mommy help Nick?” she asked, sniffling.
Arizona swallowed down what felt like a rock in her throat before she answered. “I believe in your mom, kiddo.” She breathed deeply. “More than anyone else.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Arizona confirmed, her voice thick. They each blinked back tears and Arizona cleared her throat. “How about we eat before this gets cold and then maybe me and you can take a walk?” Allegra nodded silently and Arizona turned her head in to kiss the little girl's temple. “That's my girl,” she murmured, giving her a shadow of a smile.
“Want to split my fries?” Allegra asked in a soft tone, pulling the cardboard tray to the edge of the table so they could both reach it.
“Perfect. Thank you,” Arizona answered her before plucking one for herself. “That's sweet.”
“So, Carlos, what brings you to Seattle?” The question from her mother drew Arizona’s attention back to the conversation around the rest of the table.
Her partner's father's eyes flicked toward her. “Business, normally.”
“Abuelo...” Angus whined and Carlos smiled.
“But not this time. And I extend my trips when I come this direction, of course, to see my nietos,” he clarified, ruffling the little boy's hair affectionately.
“And what business are you in?” asked Daniel, polite but gruff.
“Property management.”
“That must keep you busy. How often do you make it to Seattle?” Barbara asked.
“Not as often as I'd like,” he answered genuinely.
“But we see abuela on the computer,” chimed in Allegra, speaking around a fry.
Carlos smiled affectionately at her. “Your abuela will never believe how big you've all gotten. You'll have to come to Miami for the holidays and see her.”
Three little heads swiveled toward Arizona. “Can we go?” and “Please, can we?” the twins pleaded over each other.
Blue eyes blinked and Arizona flicked her gaze toward Carlos. “That is something you guys will have to ask your mom,” she told them. “I'm sure she can work something out though. There's plenty of time.”
“Does it snow for Christmas?” Angus asked curiously.
Carlos laughed, the sound more than reminiscent of his daughter's laughter. “Not in Miami, my boy. But we have a pool.”
That was more than enough for the boys, pale blue eyes going wide as they looked at each other with smiles growing on their faces. Allegra smiled but simply cuddled closer to Arizona's shoulder without speaking. “I think we're going to hit the little girl's room,” Arizona told the table, lifting Allegra with her capably as she stood up.
They didn't go to the bathroom, though none of the ones they'd left at the table would know that, Arizona wandering the halls aimlessly while she waited for the little girl to speak. Allegra pushed back to walk herself in the lobby, her eyes on the ground while she walked at Arizona's side.
Arizona was patient, strolling silently and letting Allegra take her hand when she reached for it. The rest of the staff had grown used to seeing her with Callie's children and they attracted no notice.
“I miss my daddy.” It was said softly, Arizona slowing her pace to match Allegra's.
Arizona knelt with a sigh, turning her partner's daughter to face her squarely but not forcing her to meet her eyes. “Can I tell you something that I don't tell a lot of people?” Allegra nodded, looking up at her. The sorrow in her little brown eyes broke her heart. “I really miss my brother.”
“Nick?”
“My other brother,” Arizona clarified, her throat feeling thick. “His name was Tim and he was my big brother.”
“Did he die?”
She took a shaky breath. “Yeah, sweetie, he did. He was a soldier, like your daddy.” Little hands touched her arm and her eyes dropped to Allegra's hand on her wrist. “He didn't come back though.” Thin arms threw themselves around her neck, Allegra squeezing her in a tight hug. “He would have loved you and the boys,” she said hoarsely. “So much.”
“Really?” Allegra asked.
“Yeah,” confirmed Arizona. She thought about it a lot, how her brother would have grinned like an idiot if she'd ever had a chance to tell him she'd fallen head over heels for a woman with kids. “Just like Nick will.”
“Yeah?”
Arizona leaned back to smile at her reassuringly, using everything she had to muster the expression. “Of course he will! How could he not?”
Allegra's answering smile was more natural and Arizona could feel the knot in her stomach relax just slightly. “I'm awesome,” Allegra declared with a confidence only Callie Torres' daughter could manage.
It won her a helpless bark of laughter, loud and uninhibited. “Yes, you are,” agreed Arizona. “Should we go see what your brothers have gotten your grandfather into?” she suggested, blinking when she was engulfed in another tight hug. “You okay, Legs?”
“Are you okay?”
Arizona took a moment. “I don't know. But that's okay. We'll take care of each other, right?”
“Right!” Allegra confirmed, nodding her head resolutely. Arizona couldn't doubt the little girl's resolve any more than she could doubt Callie's surgical skill to save her friend's life.
[part 29 here]