12 Days of Christmas 3/12
Title: 12 Days of Christmas 3/12
Author: GreysAddictJ
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Callie and Arizona try to outdo each other and prove they’re the best at giving Christmas presents
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. No infringement intended. This hasn’t been betaed - all mistakes are mine.
A/N: Here’s part 3. Hope you like it. Newbie writer so all comments/criticisms appreciated. Hopefully I’ll have part 4 up tomorrow - got called into the office all weekend, but hope to have time to write later tonight. Also, please excuse any inaccuracies in food/cuisine descriptions. I did a little research online but I am by no means a culinary expert.
December 16th
Arizona was really beginning to enjoy herself. The past two days, especially their trip to the zoo, had been great. Though she’d never admit it, she couldn’t wait to see what else Callie had in store for her. Clearly she was pulling out all the stops to make this Christmas fantastic for her . . . well, for both of them really. This was clearly going to be a Christmas to remember for years to come. And not just because of Callie’s 12 Days of Christmas theme. Arizona smiled to herself, thinking about her own plans for their holiday. She was pretty sure Callie would be surprised . . . and that she’d admit defeat. Yes, this was going to be a holiday to remember.
Still smiling and lost in her own happy thoughts, Arizona opened her locker, only to do a double-take as she saw the scene before her. Hanging from the shelf inside her locker were three rubber chickens, wearing berets. Attached to the leg was a card, which Arizona quickly removed and read:
Three French Hens, get it? Meet me at Chez Francois tonight at 8. - From your true love, Calliope
Arizona laughed - the rubber chickens were just absurd. But Chez Francois? It was the best French restaurant in Seattle and it was almost impossible to get a table there. Callie definitely had scored some extra points today. With thoughts of another romantic evening and some great food ahead of her, Arizona was practically floating on air for the rest of the day.
At the end of her shift, Arizona ran home to get ready for their dinner. She spent entirely too much time debating her wardrobe choice for the evening. Why did she feel like a teenager going on a first date? It never ceased to amaze her how Callie could still give her butterflies after over a year together. Finally, she settled on a flowing blue dress that hit just above the knee and that gave enough of a hint of her “good boobs” as Callie had put it so as to be sexy but not tacky. She knew the blue brought out her eyes and hoped Callie would appreciate the choice. After putting some finishing touches on her hair and makeup, she left, eager to see what the night had in store.
As Arizona made her way into the restaurant, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her mouth began to water, not because of the delicious sights and smells before her, but rather because of the vision in the form-fitting red dress waiting there for her. Clearly, Callie had put some thought into her outfit as well, picking an off-the-shoulder number that accentuated her luscious curves in all of the right places. After the two spent entirely too long checking one another out, the maitre’d politely cleared his throat, bringing them out of their mutual reverie.
“Table for two under the name Torres.” Callie said, giving Arizona a bemused smile, knowing they’d been caught.
“Of course, right this way ladies.” The maitre’d responded. “Per the chef’s request, we have a special table reserved for you.”
Arizona shot a questioning look at Callie in response to this information, but Callie simply smiled and took Arizona’s hand, following the maitre’d to a very secluded table towards the back of the restaurant. The table was dimly lit with romantic candlelight and was almost completely obscured from the eyes of other customers.
As they sat down, Arizona said “Calliope, this is amazing. How did you score any table here, let alone such a private one?”
“Let’s just say I called in some favors. And the best is yet to come, babe.” She replied with a smug grin on her face.
Almost immediately after they were seated, a waiter brought over 2 bottles of wine, a very expensive red as well as a bottle of white. “As requested, madame, our best house red for you and white for your guest. Your first course will be out momentarily.”
“Thank you.” Callie replied.
“No menu?” Arizona asked, confused.
“Nope.” Callie responded. “I asked Francois to prepare something special for us, because I wanted to show you how special you are to me.”
“I can’t believe it, Calliope. I know I keep saying it, but you’re amazing. This is amazing. And I can’t believe you know Francois deBeque well enough to get him to cook for us.”
“Face it babe, I’m amazing and you are so going down in this little challenge of ours.” Callie smiled, unable to resist teasing her girlfriend.
“We’ll have to wait and see about that.” Arizona responded.
Their banter was interrupted by the presentation of their first course. “Ladies,” the waiter interrupted, “here we have a beef consommé, which contains beef stock made from the finest bones and marrow available. Additionally, we have a salad featuring baby spinach and arugula, as well as an assortment of seasonal young root vegetables. The chef sends his regards. Enjoy.” With that, the waiter bowed and left them to their food.
Arizona noticed that Callie had an unusually goofy grin on her face. “What?” She asked, in response to the brunette’s expression.
“I can’t believe Francois got it so perfectly.” She responded.
“What do you mean? Not that I’m doubting his abilities and this food looks and smells amazing, but how can you judge his technique when we haven’t even tried it yet?” Arizona queried.
“Not the taste, though I’m sure it’s awesome.” Callie replied. “I asked him to create dishes around us as a couple. I gave him a few things to go on, but had no idea it’d be this spot on. Don’t you get it? The soup is me and the salad is you.”
“What?” Arizona asked, completely confused. “How am I a salad? You aren’t making any sense, Calliope.”
“The soup features bone marrow - get it. I’m a bone doctor.” Callie explained. “And the salad features baby spinach and arugula and young vegetables - you treat babies and young people.”
Arizona beamed in recognition. “That is so awesome!”
“I know.” Callie said smugly. “Still confident you can beat me?”
“Absolutely.” Arizona smirked, not wanting to provide any detail.
They continued their banter back and forth as they enjoyed their appetizers. Arizona continued to be amazed - this was yet another perfect evening - and it wasn’t even over yet. She eagerly awaited their next course, assuming it too would be something magic. She wasn’t disappointed.
The waiter arrived with their entrée. He placed in front of them what he described as simply a “trio of chicken” and left Callie to explain the rest.
“Here’s your three French hens. Like them?” Callie asked.
“They look amazing, but are you going to tell me exactly what they are?” Arizona asked.
“Of course.” Callie replied. “This one here I left Francois decide what seasoning to apply so we’ll be a bit surprised, but see, it’s butterflyed - to represent your love of butterflies. The second one is chicken l’orange made with Florida oranges - to represent the fact that I’m from Florida. The last one is Francois’ take on chicken piccata. He humored me, even though it’s an Italian dish, since it the first thing I ever cooked for you.”
“You are awesome, Calliope. No, beyond awesome.” Arizona smiled.
They settled into comfortable conversation over their chicken and about halfway through the course, a violin trio stopped by their table and serenaded them with a beautiful and romantic melody. Even thought Arizona found it to be a bit clichéd, she couldn’t help but love the moment. She reached across the table and grasped Callie’s hand. “Thank you for this, sweetie. You continue to surprise me in so many new and awesome ways.”
“You’re very welcome, babe.” Callie replied. “I can’t remember the last time I had as much fun as the past few days have been for me. Seeing you smile is more than worth it.”
After their entrée had been cleared away, the chef came out to pay his respects. Both women thanked him profusely for an amazing meal and promised to return to visit again soon.
Shortly thereafter, their dessert was brought out. The waited placed in front of them two exquisite-looking heart-shaped chocolate soufflés, which were intertwined with one another. The cakes were garnished with fresh strawberries, whipped cream and strawberry syrup.
Arizona looked into Callie’s eyes, waiting for her explanation of this dish.
“Oh, there’s no deep meaning to this dish.” Callie offered. “Chocolate and strawberries are just sexy - like you. And once we finish here, I’ve got more chocolate and strawberries for us to explore at home, if you catch my drift.”
“Well, then let’s get this dessert over with quickly.” Arizona responded, suddenly in a rush to finish their meal. “I think my time is better spent savoring our second dessert than this one.”
Callie could only smile in response. After they had finished, Arizona stood to leave, anxious to put into action all of the inappropriate thoughts she’d been suppressing all evening.
“Not so fast.” Callie grabbed her hand and pulled her back into her seat. “I have one more present for you.”
“Another?” Arizona asked.
“Why? “ Callie questioned in turn. “Suddenly afraid you’re no match for me?”
“Not likely.” Arizona teased. “I’m just anxious to recognize your efforts tonight in a way that I think Francois and his staff would object to were I to do it here in the restaurant.”
“Soon enough, my love.” Callie responded with a sultry grin. “But first, open this.” She added as she handed Arizona a small envelope.
Arizona tore open the envelope, to discover what looked like a certificate. She read its contents:
This certificate entitles you to 3 pet chickens of your choosing, when we own a home and have a place where said chickens can safely and legally reside.
Arizona looked at Callie in surprise.
“You’ve always said you have a thing for chickens. I figured you should have your own ‘3 French hens’ when we aren’t living in an apartment where the landlord would probably kick us out. You could name them something French like Babette, Belle, and Amelie or whatever.”
Arizona could only smile and pull Callie from her chair and into a warm embrace. “Let’s get out of here. I want to take my awesome girlfriend to bed.”
“I thought you’d never ask.” Callie replied as they hurried from the restaurant.