Oh Christmas Tree
Title: Oh Christmas Tree
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Canon: Though I had to move the timeline around for my convenience (much like the actual writers!), so I doubt it will even be noticed. :P
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I do not intend to profit in any way, shape or form by posting this story. It's for fun, nothing more, and nothing less. Please don't sue me.
A/N: Hi everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS (or whatever other holiday you choose to celebrate). This story is a Secret Santa gift for the totally rad zenparadox! The prompt I was given was: [Warm, loving, happy, mostly canon story. They've reconciled, but aren't quite 'back' yet...Xmas moves them closer. Any rating is fine.] I hope I’ve done it justice (I tried to get close to that prompt) and that you like it. :D
_____ _____ _____
It’s been six months since Arizona moved back in with Callie. The tone in the apartment was cold for the first two weeks, but eventually ice melts and the water can be cleaned away, leaving things shiny and new. Once they both let go of all the baggage they were holding tight too, they were able to move on. Therapy helped, of course, Arizona going on her own once a week and a couple’s session once every other week. They were sorting through things and uncovering the love they still held for each other by digging through their crap and unearthing it.
It wasn’t easy, not by a long shot, but it was worth it. And before they knew it, they hit a honeymoon like stage of their relationship again. It started three months ago, shortly after they decided to buy a house. It took two weeks, but they found a quaint home in a fairly traditional neighborhood. The schools nearby were good and a lot of kids lived on the street. It had a nice backyard and seemed perfect for their little family.
And though things seemed to be going well, something was off. Things hadn’t quite gotten to where they once were and it bothered Callie… because she knew Arizona was still so hard on herself for the mistakes she made, despite both of them claiming to forgiven one another.
“Your puppy is staring at you again,” Callie said with a little edge in her tone. She was mostly not being serious, just teasing her wife.
“She’s not staring at me, she’s watching our surgery. And she’s definitely not my puppy. If we were to get a puppy it would be small and cute and we could dress it up in sweaters and costumes… and ooh, that puppy would be Sofia’s best friend and can you just imagine how cute they would be together?” Arizona’s eyes were in the abdomen she was currently working on, but Callie’s eyes were on her wife. This bubbly and sweet Arizona finally made her way back after months of being covered by despondent and angry Arizona. It was nice to see all the colors of Arizona’s personality back, even if she did have a bit of a depressed edge once in a while. And who doesn’t?
“It’s what happens when you give a dog a bone. It latches on and doesn’t ever want to let go. And let’s face it, you give good bone,” Callie grinned while turning back to the femur she just fixed. She was proud of her work, not only on the body below her, but at teasing her wife as well. It took them awhile to get this comfortable with one another again.
Arizona made a noise like she was choking for a moment and shook her head, “Really, Callie?”
“Oh yeah, she’s probably up there pouting because she can’t figure out that thing you do with your tongue and she knows she’ll never experience it again.”
“Oh my god, enough!” Arizona was feeling beyond embarrassed now. She glanced around the room, scrub nurses and various personnel quietly laughing, but pretending not to hear the conversation.
“Oh no, I get to enjoy this because now it’s allowed to be pretty funny. I mean, you turned me down for being a newborn and there you go, jumping into bed with a puppy,” Callie was grinning widely as she finished her last suture.
Arizona sighed and then frowned when she realized all eyes were on her for a retort. One of which she didn’t really have. “I see you’re done down there, Dr. Torres. Why don’t you scrub out and make sure there are no other emergent cases that could use your expertise in the ER while I finish up here.”
Callie raised a brow while she looked at Arizona, who was doing her best to not even glance away from the body she was working. Callie bit her lip softly as she came to the conclusion she pushed the teasing a little too far. “Come on, Arizona, you know I was just …”
Arizona smiled and looked up at Callie, “It’s fine, I know, but I’m sure you’re needed everywhere, with the bus crash and all and I’m almost done anyway, so go ahead.”
Callie stared at Arizona for a moment before turning and heading to scrub out. She sighed once she hit the sinks and cursed herself softly because she pushed a little too far. Arizona still holds a residual cloud over her head about the affair and her dalliance with Leah. She’s been trying to push Arizona out of it for weeks, but it hasn’t seemed to help at all. Hopefully, with Christmas coming up soon she can help Arizona get out of the funk permanently.
That’s it! Christmas. Callie pulled her phone from her pocket and made a few calls. She was going to have their house decorated before Arizona got home and try to push her to open up. She’d be taking a risk, but since the therapy Arizona has been better about not completely shutting down. It’s why Callie’s been stumped about the attitude she was shown earlier in the day by Arizona.
_____ _____ _____
Three hours later the house was a virtual winter wonderland. Stockings hung snugly over the fire place and lights lit up the outside, as well as parts of the inside. Sofia helped Callie and some of the workers she hired to trim the tree and the house. The entire place looked beautiful and reminded her of the large Christmas parties her parents used to host when she was a child.
Callie was finishing a batch of cookies when Arizona walked into the house, her jaw open wide at the site. She followed the smell of cookies and found Callie in a cute red and white dress, oven mitts over hands holding a baking pan filled with sugar cookies. They grinned at each other as Arizona grabbed a hot cookie and popped it into her mouth.
“Mmm, those are really good,” she said while chewing.
“Hey, you’re going to ruin your dinner,” Callie said with a chuckle as she put the cookies down to cool.
“Oh, that’s not possible. I’m starving. I had five surgeries, back to back and never had a chance to eat lunch or even grab a snack,” Arizona said while grabbing another cookie, quickly taking a bite.
“Mama, ‘ookie!” Sofia said as she followed Arizona into the kitchen.
“Oh, my big girl, does she want a bite?” Arizona handed Sofia the rest of her cookie and grinned as Sofia immediately put part of it in her mouth.
“Oh great, now you’re going to ruin her dinner too,” Callie said while plopping the oven mitts on the counter and then walking over to watch Sofia.
“It’s Christmas time, it’s okay to be a little bad.”
“No! Sofia good. Sofia presents!” the little girl said with her mouth full of cookie.
“That’s right, big girl, you’ve been so good, I bet you’re going to get lots of presents!” Arizona picked Sofia up and tickled her gently. Callie just smiled while watching them.
“The place is pretty spruced up. When did you have time to do all this?” Arizona said with a look of wonder as she walked with Sofia back into the living room with Callie following close behind.
“Today. I took part of the day off. I felt bad for all the joking in the O.R. and figured this would be a nice way to make it up to you,” Callie said sheepishly.
“Oh Callie, I’m sorry…” Arizona sighed and put Sofia down, who wandered to her nearest toy. “I didn’t mean to get so short with you, I just…”
“You just what?” Callie prompted her to continue.
“Nothing, I’m going to go take a shower. The place looks wonderful, really. Thank you.” She kissed Callie’s cheek and ran off before Callie could stop her.
An hour and a half later, dinner was finished and the trio was relaxing in the living room, watching the Grinch steal Christmas again. Sofia was sleeping in Arizona’s lap, while Arizona was completely engrossed in the television program. Callie had to hold back her laughter. She finally sat up and pulled the snoozing Sofia into her arms. “I’m going to put her into bed.”
Arizona looked up and nodded, then gave Sofia’s chubby cheeks lots of kisses before whispering goodnight to her. She watched Callie leave the room and sighed deeply. No place to hide. No place to avoid. And she knew Callie was going to come back to the room, guns blazing, with only Arizona locked in her sights.
The anticipation was wreaking havoc within her. She felt her stomach swirl and tumble, her throat felt dry, and her palms felt wet. It shouldn’t be this hard to talk to Callie about things, but it still was. Especially when it came to talking about her personal failures in their relationship, which were piling so high, she was scared falling from that pedestal would kill her. She didn’t want to rock the boat anymore… in fact; she never wanted to get back on that damn boat again.
It took only thirty minutes and Callie was back in the living room. She was wearing a onesie covered with reindeer and Santa’s and she strutted through the room, pretending as though she were modelling the holiday pajamas.
Arizona’s giggles were infectious as she watched, “You promised me that you would never wear them, no matter how much I begged!”
“Well, some promises are meant to be broken,” Callie said with a smile as she spun around.
The meaning behind those words was not lost on Arizona at all. She nodded while forcing the lump that formed in her throat down, but she couldn’t stop the tears from forming in her eyes.
“Why don’t you go get into your obnoxious and atrocious pajamas so we can be a matching pair?” Callie said with a grin. “I’m going to grab some cookies for us, okay?”
Arizona nodded and headed upstairs to change. She came back down moments later wearing a bright blue onesie covered with snowmen and snowballs. She had a wide smile on her face and she twirled her way to the couch, collapsing next to Callie. She ninja’d a cookie from Callie’s plate and popped it quickly into her mouth. “Mmm, these are so good.”
Callie smiled and pinched Arizona’s side, “See, you make those pajamas look adorable. I just look like a Christmas tree in all this red and green.”
“Hey, what’s wrong with looking like our Christmas tree?” Arizona pointed to the tree near the corner of the room. “Look how beautiful it is. It’s full and bright green. The ornaments are perfectly set around so to not look cluttered. The tinsel is bright and I can tell how much care you took deciding where everything went, and then the lights, blinking and shining with happiness. There’s nothing wrong with looking like that.”
Callie shook her head and laughed, “I was just meaning big and green, but there you go, making my statement silly and making me feel beautiful in a Christmas onesie.”
“Well, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me,” Arizona’s eyes were shining with the truth in her statement.
“I know that, Arizona, which is why we need to talk,” Callie stood up and grabbed Arizona’s hands, tugging her up as well. “A few years ago, when I was really close to George, he told me about this thing Izzie did at Christmas. She would lie beneath the tree and stare up into the lights. One year, Meredith and George did it with her and he told me that with all the crazy going on in his life at that moment, he felt at peace, under the tree with his family, staring at the beauty above. Almost like a star filled sky, only more colorful.”
Callie pointed to a spot under the tree, where there were two pillows and a blanket. With the lights off, the room was a romantic Christmas scene and perfect to share with Arizona. She helped Arizona down and then followed her. They laid next to one another, shoulder to shoulder, and stared up into the tree. There was certainly a calmness that they instantly felt and Callie finally understood what George meant all those years ago.
Callie’s hand found Arizona’s and intertwined their fingers. “Now, will you finally talk to me about what is going on with you?”
Arizona sighed, her eyes not leaving the shiny rainbow above them. “You keep joking about it now, Callie… but I don’t think it will ever be funny to me.” Arizona sniffled and did her best to keep the tears at bay. “I made so many mistakes because of how insecure and lost I felt. Those feelings just come back when I hear you talking about it. And I know you’re not trying to make me feel that way, but I just can’t keep those feelings away.”
Callie felt ashamed of herself. She thought joking about the affairs would minimize them and help them move on and that might have worked for her, but with Arizona’s trauma, she can understand how that may have not worked the same way for her. “Oh, Arizona, I’m sorry… why didn’t you tell me sooner, I would have cut that out immediately.”
“Because it was helping you, Calliope,” Arizona said before releasing a long sigh. “You were putting those women in their place, in your own way and it was helping you come to terms with everything. And I really had no right to change how you cope with the mistakes I made.”
“We’ve been talking in therapy and moving through everything, you could have brought it up there.”
“No, Callie… I wanted you to be able to do what you needed to be with me, because I love you. And I want to be with you, and only you, for the rest of my life.” She squeezed Callie’s hand gently.
“Arizona…” Callie sighed and turned her head. She reached out and turned Arizona’s head so that they could look at one another. “I forgave you. You forgave me. We’re moving on. We’re embracing one another for worse and for better because we belong together.”
“Did you just quote 80’s rock lyrics at me..?” Arizona asked with a laugh, eyes shining with mirth.
“Maybe, but hey, don’t get off track here,” Callie responded with a laugh. “What I’m trying to say is that from everything we’ve learned in therapy, we really need to talk to each other and really hear one another. You should feel comfortable coming to me with how you feel, because I want to know. And I really need to know, so that we don’t go down that dark road again. I never want to be in a place where we’ve lost one another like that again.”
Arizona quickly wiped the tears from her eyes with her free hand. “I’m trying, Calliope. I’m sorry. You’re right, I should be better about opening up to you, but old habits die hard, I guess, huh?” She sheepishly smiled at Callie. The same smile that Callie sees on Sofia’s face all the time, despite not being blood related.
“I know you are. And I am too. And I’m trying to help you, just like you help me. We’re getting stronger; I know you can feel it, because I can, which is why you holding this back has been painful. I was waiting for you, but with Christmas here, I figured a little push couldn’t hurt.” She scooted closer to Arizona and nuzzled their noses together.
“I love you so much,” and Arizona kissed her; lips softly caressing one another as she pulled Callie into her arms, both pulling back slowly and smiling at one another. “Guess George was right about the tree thing.”
“I guess so.”
“We should make a tradition for our family. On the night we decorate the tree, we’ll all climb into our Christmas pajamas,” she paused and watched as Callie rolled her eyes. She laughed softly, “and then we’ll crawl under the tree together and stare at the rainbow lights while considering how lucky we are to be together; just you, me, and all of our kids.”
“All of our kids..?” Callie asked with a breathtaking smile.
“I think I’m ready; that we’re ready, actually.” She nodded and pulled Callie’s hand to her face and kissed it softly. “What do you think? Do you want to have another baby and finally give Sofia a sibling?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Callie pulled Arizona in for a searing kiss, which quickly lead to more and what would become another tradition they would try and share every year; making love beneath the Christmas tree.
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Canon: Though I had to move the timeline around for my convenience (much like the actual writers!), so I doubt it will even be noticed. :P
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I do not intend to profit in any way, shape or form by posting this story. It's for fun, nothing more, and nothing less. Please don't sue me.
A/N: Hi everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS (or whatever other holiday you choose to celebrate). This story is a Secret Santa gift for the totally rad zenparadox! The prompt I was given was: [Warm, loving, happy, mostly canon story. They've reconciled, but aren't quite 'back' yet...Xmas moves them closer. Any rating is fine.] I hope I’ve done it justice (I tried to get close to that prompt) and that you like it. :D
_____ _____ _____
It’s been six months since Arizona moved back in with Callie. The tone in the apartment was cold for the first two weeks, but eventually ice melts and the water can be cleaned away, leaving things shiny and new. Once they both let go of all the baggage they were holding tight too, they were able to move on. Therapy helped, of course, Arizona going on her own once a week and a couple’s session once every other week. They were sorting through things and uncovering the love they still held for each other by digging through their crap and unearthing it.
It wasn’t easy, not by a long shot, but it was worth it. And before they knew it, they hit a honeymoon like stage of their relationship again. It started three months ago, shortly after they decided to buy a house. It took two weeks, but they found a quaint home in a fairly traditional neighborhood. The schools nearby were good and a lot of kids lived on the street. It had a nice backyard and seemed perfect for their little family.
And though things seemed to be going well, something was off. Things hadn’t quite gotten to where they once were and it bothered Callie… because she knew Arizona was still so hard on herself for the mistakes she made, despite both of them claiming to forgiven one another.
“Your puppy is staring at you again,” Callie said with a little edge in her tone. She was mostly not being serious, just teasing her wife.
“She’s not staring at me, she’s watching our surgery. And she’s definitely not my puppy. If we were to get a puppy it would be small and cute and we could dress it up in sweaters and costumes… and ooh, that puppy would be Sofia’s best friend and can you just imagine how cute they would be together?” Arizona’s eyes were in the abdomen she was currently working on, but Callie’s eyes were on her wife. This bubbly and sweet Arizona finally made her way back after months of being covered by despondent and angry Arizona. It was nice to see all the colors of Arizona’s personality back, even if she did have a bit of a depressed edge once in a while. And who doesn’t?
“It’s what happens when you give a dog a bone. It latches on and doesn’t ever want to let go. And let’s face it, you give good bone,” Callie grinned while turning back to the femur she just fixed. She was proud of her work, not only on the body below her, but at teasing her wife as well. It took them awhile to get this comfortable with one another again.
Arizona made a noise like she was choking for a moment and shook her head, “Really, Callie?”
“Oh yeah, she’s probably up there pouting because she can’t figure out that thing you do with your tongue and she knows she’ll never experience it again.”
“Oh my god, enough!” Arizona was feeling beyond embarrassed now. She glanced around the room, scrub nurses and various personnel quietly laughing, but pretending not to hear the conversation.
“Oh no, I get to enjoy this because now it’s allowed to be pretty funny. I mean, you turned me down for being a newborn and there you go, jumping into bed with a puppy,” Callie was grinning widely as she finished her last suture.
Arizona sighed and then frowned when she realized all eyes were on her for a retort. One of which she didn’t really have. “I see you’re done down there, Dr. Torres. Why don’t you scrub out and make sure there are no other emergent cases that could use your expertise in the ER while I finish up here.”
Callie raised a brow while she looked at Arizona, who was doing her best to not even glance away from the body she was working. Callie bit her lip softly as she came to the conclusion she pushed the teasing a little too far. “Come on, Arizona, you know I was just …”
Arizona smiled and looked up at Callie, “It’s fine, I know, but I’m sure you’re needed everywhere, with the bus crash and all and I’m almost done anyway, so go ahead.”
Callie stared at Arizona for a moment before turning and heading to scrub out. She sighed once she hit the sinks and cursed herself softly because she pushed a little too far. Arizona still holds a residual cloud over her head about the affair and her dalliance with Leah. She’s been trying to push Arizona out of it for weeks, but it hasn’t seemed to help at all. Hopefully, with Christmas coming up soon she can help Arizona get out of the funk permanently.
That’s it! Christmas. Callie pulled her phone from her pocket and made a few calls. She was going to have their house decorated before Arizona got home and try to push her to open up. She’d be taking a risk, but since the therapy Arizona has been better about not completely shutting down. It’s why Callie’s been stumped about the attitude she was shown earlier in the day by Arizona.
_____ _____ _____
Three hours later the house was a virtual winter wonderland. Stockings hung snugly over the fire place and lights lit up the outside, as well as parts of the inside. Sofia helped Callie and some of the workers she hired to trim the tree and the house. The entire place looked beautiful and reminded her of the large Christmas parties her parents used to host when she was a child.
Callie was finishing a batch of cookies when Arizona walked into the house, her jaw open wide at the site. She followed the smell of cookies and found Callie in a cute red and white dress, oven mitts over hands holding a baking pan filled with sugar cookies. They grinned at each other as Arizona grabbed a hot cookie and popped it into her mouth.
“Mmm, those are really good,” she said while chewing.
“Hey, you’re going to ruin your dinner,” Callie said with a chuckle as she put the cookies down to cool.
“Oh, that’s not possible. I’m starving. I had five surgeries, back to back and never had a chance to eat lunch or even grab a snack,” Arizona said while grabbing another cookie, quickly taking a bite.
“Mama, ‘ookie!” Sofia said as she followed Arizona into the kitchen.
“Oh, my big girl, does she want a bite?” Arizona handed Sofia the rest of her cookie and grinned as Sofia immediately put part of it in her mouth.
“Oh great, now you’re going to ruin her dinner too,” Callie said while plopping the oven mitts on the counter and then walking over to watch Sofia.
“It’s Christmas time, it’s okay to be a little bad.”
“No! Sofia good. Sofia presents!” the little girl said with her mouth full of cookie.
“That’s right, big girl, you’ve been so good, I bet you’re going to get lots of presents!” Arizona picked Sofia up and tickled her gently. Callie just smiled while watching them.
“The place is pretty spruced up. When did you have time to do all this?” Arizona said with a look of wonder as she walked with Sofia back into the living room with Callie following close behind.
“Today. I took part of the day off. I felt bad for all the joking in the O.R. and figured this would be a nice way to make it up to you,” Callie said sheepishly.
“Oh Callie, I’m sorry…” Arizona sighed and put Sofia down, who wandered to her nearest toy. “I didn’t mean to get so short with you, I just…”
“You just what?” Callie prompted her to continue.
“Nothing, I’m going to go take a shower. The place looks wonderful, really. Thank you.” She kissed Callie’s cheek and ran off before Callie could stop her.
An hour and a half later, dinner was finished and the trio was relaxing in the living room, watching the Grinch steal Christmas again. Sofia was sleeping in Arizona’s lap, while Arizona was completely engrossed in the television program. Callie had to hold back her laughter. She finally sat up and pulled the snoozing Sofia into her arms. “I’m going to put her into bed.”
Arizona looked up and nodded, then gave Sofia’s chubby cheeks lots of kisses before whispering goodnight to her. She watched Callie leave the room and sighed deeply. No place to hide. No place to avoid. And she knew Callie was going to come back to the room, guns blazing, with only Arizona locked in her sights.
The anticipation was wreaking havoc within her. She felt her stomach swirl and tumble, her throat felt dry, and her palms felt wet. It shouldn’t be this hard to talk to Callie about things, but it still was. Especially when it came to talking about her personal failures in their relationship, which were piling so high, she was scared falling from that pedestal would kill her. She didn’t want to rock the boat anymore… in fact; she never wanted to get back on that damn boat again.
It took only thirty minutes and Callie was back in the living room. She was wearing a onesie covered with reindeer and Santa’s and she strutted through the room, pretending as though she were modelling the holiday pajamas.
Arizona’s giggles were infectious as she watched, “You promised me that you would never wear them, no matter how much I begged!”
“Well, some promises are meant to be broken,” Callie said with a smile as she spun around.
The meaning behind those words was not lost on Arizona at all. She nodded while forcing the lump that formed in her throat down, but she couldn’t stop the tears from forming in her eyes.
“Why don’t you go get into your obnoxious and atrocious pajamas so we can be a matching pair?” Callie said with a grin. “I’m going to grab some cookies for us, okay?”
Arizona nodded and headed upstairs to change. She came back down moments later wearing a bright blue onesie covered with snowmen and snowballs. She had a wide smile on her face and she twirled her way to the couch, collapsing next to Callie. She ninja’d a cookie from Callie’s plate and popped it quickly into her mouth. “Mmm, these are so good.”
Callie smiled and pinched Arizona’s side, “See, you make those pajamas look adorable. I just look like a Christmas tree in all this red and green.”
“Hey, what’s wrong with looking like our Christmas tree?” Arizona pointed to the tree near the corner of the room. “Look how beautiful it is. It’s full and bright green. The ornaments are perfectly set around so to not look cluttered. The tinsel is bright and I can tell how much care you took deciding where everything went, and then the lights, blinking and shining with happiness. There’s nothing wrong with looking like that.”
Callie shook her head and laughed, “I was just meaning big and green, but there you go, making my statement silly and making me feel beautiful in a Christmas onesie.”
“Well, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world to me,” Arizona’s eyes were shining with the truth in her statement.
“I know that, Arizona, which is why we need to talk,” Callie stood up and grabbed Arizona’s hands, tugging her up as well. “A few years ago, when I was really close to George, he told me about this thing Izzie did at Christmas. She would lie beneath the tree and stare up into the lights. One year, Meredith and George did it with her and he told me that with all the crazy going on in his life at that moment, he felt at peace, under the tree with his family, staring at the beauty above. Almost like a star filled sky, only more colorful.”
Callie pointed to a spot under the tree, where there were two pillows and a blanket. With the lights off, the room was a romantic Christmas scene and perfect to share with Arizona. She helped Arizona down and then followed her. They laid next to one another, shoulder to shoulder, and stared up into the tree. There was certainly a calmness that they instantly felt and Callie finally understood what George meant all those years ago.
Callie’s hand found Arizona’s and intertwined their fingers. “Now, will you finally talk to me about what is going on with you?”
Arizona sighed, her eyes not leaving the shiny rainbow above them. “You keep joking about it now, Callie… but I don’t think it will ever be funny to me.” Arizona sniffled and did her best to keep the tears at bay. “I made so many mistakes because of how insecure and lost I felt. Those feelings just come back when I hear you talking about it. And I know you’re not trying to make me feel that way, but I just can’t keep those feelings away.”
Callie felt ashamed of herself. She thought joking about the affairs would minimize them and help them move on and that might have worked for her, but with Arizona’s trauma, she can understand how that may have not worked the same way for her. “Oh, Arizona, I’m sorry… why didn’t you tell me sooner, I would have cut that out immediately.”
“Because it was helping you, Calliope,” Arizona said before releasing a long sigh. “You were putting those women in their place, in your own way and it was helping you come to terms with everything. And I really had no right to change how you cope with the mistakes I made.”
“We’ve been talking in therapy and moving through everything, you could have brought it up there.”
“No, Callie… I wanted you to be able to do what you needed to be with me, because I love you. And I want to be with you, and only you, for the rest of my life.” She squeezed Callie’s hand gently.
“Arizona…” Callie sighed and turned her head. She reached out and turned Arizona’s head so that they could look at one another. “I forgave you. You forgave me. We’re moving on. We’re embracing one another for worse and for better because we belong together.”
“Did you just quote 80’s rock lyrics at me..?” Arizona asked with a laugh, eyes shining with mirth.
“Maybe, but hey, don’t get off track here,” Callie responded with a laugh. “What I’m trying to say is that from everything we’ve learned in therapy, we really need to talk to each other and really hear one another. You should feel comfortable coming to me with how you feel, because I want to know. And I really need to know, so that we don’t go down that dark road again. I never want to be in a place where we’ve lost one another like that again.”
Arizona quickly wiped the tears from her eyes with her free hand. “I’m trying, Calliope. I’m sorry. You’re right, I should be better about opening up to you, but old habits die hard, I guess, huh?” She sheepishly smiled at Callie. The same smile that Callie sees on Sofia’s face all the time, despite not being blood related.
“I know you are. And I am too. And I’m trying to help you, just like you help me. We’re getting stronger; I know you can feel it, because I can, which is why you holding this back has been painful. I was waiting for you, but with Christmas here, I figured a little push couldn’t hurt.” She scooted closer to Arizona and nuzzled their noses together.
“I love you so much,” and Arizona kissed her; lips softly caressing one another as she pulled Callie into her arms, both pulling back slowly and smiling at one another. “Guess George was right about the tree thing.”
“I guess so.”
“We should make a tradition for our family. On the night we decorate the tree, we’ll all climb into our Christmas pajamas,” she paused and watched as Callie rolled her eyes. She laughed softly, “and then we’ll crawl under the tree together and stare at the rainbow lights while considering how lucky we are to be together; just you, me, and all of our kids.”
“All of our kids..?” Callie asked with a breathtaking smile.
“I think I’m ready; that we’re ready, actually.” She nodded and pulled Callie’s hand to her face and kissed it softly. “What do you think? Do you want to have another baby and finally give Sofia a sibling?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Callie pulled Arizona in for a searing kiss, which quickly lead to more and what would become another tradition they would try and share every year; making love beneath the Christmas tree.