12 Days of Christmas 6/12
Title: 12 Days of Christmas 6/12
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.
December 19th
Arizona awoke slowly and rolled over reaching towards the side of the bed where her girlfriend should have been. Unfortunately, she found it empty. However, her disappointment was tempered as she noticed a delicious smell emanating from the kitchen. Though both she and Callie had to work today, neither was expected until lunchtime. She loved lazy mornings with her girlfriend. They were the best way to start a day in her opinion. And when said girlfriend was thoughtful and awesome enough to make breakfast (which was fairly often), the mornings were even better.
Arizona stared off into space, taking a moment to savor and remember the events of the past few days. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought back over the magical, funny, romantic, and special moments they’d shared together. Calliope was really something. Though she’d never admit it aloud, Arizona’s confidence was beginning to be invaded by small, nagging doubts. Maybe there was no way her plan could top Callie’s. Who but someone as awesome as Callie could have thought up the 12 Days of Christmas as a theme? And who could have executed them so perfectly? She was one lucky woman. And she’d have to be sure to let Callie know this - after Callie had conceded a loss. Arizona smiled to herself, picturing her victory in her mind - once again regaining her inner confidence. She’d just have to elaborate on her plan a bit - throw in a few extra touches. She gave herself a mental pep talk - letting herself fantasize the moment when she crushed Callie in defeat.
Arizona’s back was to the door and she was so deep in thought that she didn’t sense the silent intruder in the bedroom. Before she knew what was happening, she felt a sharp pinch on her rear end.
Screaming out in shock and mild pain, Arizona rolled over. “Ouch! What was that for Calliope! Not exactly the most romantic or kind way to wake up your very awesome girlfriend!”
Callie giggled. “Today is day 6 - 6 geese a-laying. That was your first ‘goose’ of the day.”
As hard as she tried, Arizona couldn’t keep an angry face and her expression soon crumbled into one of mirth. “Do I get to goose you in return? It’s only fair.”
“We’ll have to see about that.” Callie called out over her shoulder as she sauntered out of the room. She quickly returned, carrying a tray containing breakfast. “Breakfast in bed for you, my dear. I made you an omelet - to go along with the whole laying eggs part of today’s theme. Eat up.”
As Callie turned to leave, Arizona tugged on her sleeve, pulling her back. “Aren’t you going to share it with me? It’s lonely eating breakfast all by myself.” She added, putting on her best pouty look.
Unable to resist, Callie joined her in bed and they took turns feeding each other bites of the delicious food.
After enjoying a leisurely morning together, the two surgeons strolled hand-in-hand across the street to the hospital. After changing into their scrubs in the locker room, stealing a few lingering glances as they did so, Callie leaned over and gave Arizona a soft kiss goodbye. As she did so, she placed a bright pink plastic egg in Arizona’s hand - much like the type used at Easter.
Arizona raised an eyebrow in question. Callie simply winked and left the room. Curious, Arizona opened up the egg, to find a note tucked inside.
I thought it would be fun to send you on a bit of a “wild goose chase” today. You’ll get your other 5 geese (remember - you got your first goose in bed this morning) at some point today. In the meantime, we’re going to focus on the “laying” part. These little plastic eggs with greet you at random times. Hope you like them.
From your true love,
Calliope
Arizona smiled and placed the egg in her locker. This was really getting ridiculous . . . ridiculously adorable. She couldn’t remove the grin from her face as she rolled down the hallway. People seemed to be staring - apparently even the normally happy Arizona Robbins was abnormally giddy these days. Oh, well, she thought to herself. Let them stare. They were just jealous that they didn’t have a certain rock star girlfriend named Calliope Torres.
An hour later, Arizona was preparing for a routine surgery and went to grab her favorite butterfly scrub cap. As she picked it up, she noticed that it was abnormally heavy. Peering inside, she noticed a bright green egg - clearly Callie’s next surprise for her. Excitedly, she tore apart the two halves of plastic and retrieved another note.
Random Goose Fact: the mating season for geese is February through March.
While I’d like to think our mating season is year round, I’ll never forget February 5th, 2009. From the moment that day when you kissed me in that dirty bathroom at Joe’s, I knew my “goose was cooked.” Never before had I met someone so caring, so kind. You didn’t even know me, yet knew exactly the right thing to make me feel better. I will never forget your little rambling speech about how the “talk was good.” You could have done what most people would have done - pretended that I was fine and ignored me. Even though that’s what I thought I wanted - for people to leave me alone - I’m so glad you didn’t. Ever since that night, we’ve been on a path - a crazy, passionate, amazing, sometimes twisty path. But I’m so glad I’m on that path with you. I love you so much.
From your true love,
Calliope
The sweet and heartfelt note made Arizona’s heart warm. She too was thankful for that night at Joe’s - and thankful for the little bit of liquid courage that had allowed her to make her intentions toward Callie known. They’d come a long way since that day - and she was thankful for every moment of it. With a smile, she scrubbed in to her surgery with thoughts of Callie running through her head and her heart.
Later that afternoon, Arizona stopped at the nurses’ station to write up some quick notes on a patient’s chart. As she reached into the pocket of her lab coat to retrieve a pen, her fingers grazed up an unexpected object. Digging down to grasp hold of the mysterious occupant of her pocket, she quickly realized it was yet another plastic egg - this one a vibrant shade of blue. She smiled and opened it to read her latest note. She paused first, however, wondering how and when Callie had managed to slip this into her coat without her notice. She hadn’t even seen her girlfriend since the locker room at the beginning of their shift. She’d have to remember to quiz Callie about her stealth tactics later when she saw her. Unfolding the note, she read:
Random Goose Fact: Geese mate for life
I’d like to think we’re like geese and that we’re in this for the long haul. One of THE most important days in my life was your birthday - the day you told me that you loved me for the first time. I’d fallen hard and I’d fallen fast for you, but I was afraid to say it. In every other relationship, I’d jumped in headfirst, throwing in my heart and my soul with reckless abandon. I was always the first to say “I love you.” I was the one waiting for the other person to catch up to me. And in the end, they never truly did. I got burned time and again. So with you, I was cautious. I didn’t trust my heart. I should have known and now know without doubt that I trust my heart - I trust my heart with you. You were my first to say “I love you” without the obligation. And I know you’ll be my last “I love you.” There will and can never be anyone but you.
From your true love,
Calliope
Arizona practically melted to the floor as she read Callie’s words. She surreptitiously wiped away a stray tear, hoping that no one had noticed how moved she’d been by the note. She took a moment to gather herself, took a few deep breaths and continued on with her. Once she was done profusely and passionately thanking her girlfriend, Callie was going to be in big trouble. Making her cry in public was not cool.
Arizona glanced down at her watch and sighed with relief. Her shift was almost over. She just had to make a few stops to check in on some patients and she could get home and thank her girlfriend yet again for an awesome day. As she made her way down the hall, Mary, one of her nurses stopped her.
“Dr. Torres asked me to give you this.” Mary smiled and handed Arizona a bright orange plastic egg, as well as a box in Christmas wrapping paper. Arizona thanked Mary and opened the egg.
Random Goose Fact: A goose will often stand “sentinel” nearby its nest, ready to protect babies from predators
I often think of you as a “mother goose” to your patients. The way you fiercely protect and care for those tiny humans gives me “goosebumps.” That’s why, even though you sometimes doubt your ability to be a good parent, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, you’ll be an amazing mother. You’re fiercely loyal and protective, but you also know when to step back and let the little goslings spread their wings. Any child would be lucky beyond belief to call you “Mom.” I know it’s scary, but all great things in life are a little scary. If you never spread your wings and fly, you’ll never really know true joy. I look forward to that flight with you someday.
From your true love,
Calliope.
P.S. Silly goose, you didn’t think I’d let you go all day without more than a grope and an omelet as a present, did you? Open this gift - it’s your second goose. You’ll know who it’s meant for. Then meet me at home. There’s more in store.
Arizona smiled. Lately, the thought of having kids, Calliope’s kids, anyway, was becoming less and less a thing she was afraid of and more and more a thing that she looked forward to. It was amazing how something that she’d always thought she would never want had suddenly become something she desperately needed. Shaking herself out of her own private reverie, she opened the box Mary had given her. Inside, she saw lots of books. Many were meant for young children - stories of Mother Goose. Also included were books meant for her older patients - slightly scary stories from the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. Arizona smiled. Callie knew that she’d love giving these out to the kids - which she immediately did. After distributing some of the books and adding the rest to the playroom’s library, Arizona changed and headed home, thoughts of geese flying through her head.
As she entered the apartment, she saw that Callie was set up and waiting for her in the living room.
“Go ahead and change into your pjs, babe.” Callie instructed. “I’ll wait for you here.”
Arizona complied and made her way to the bedroom. As she entered, she noticed that the family blue paisley bedding was missing. It had been replaced with a new bedding set. She stuck her head out of the bedroom door and asked “Calliope, what’s with the new sheets and duvet?”
“That’s your third ‘goose’ of the day. You’re always complaining about how cold it gets in here during the winter. So I bought the warmest stuff around - bedding made out of goose down.”
Arizona simply nodded and smiled, heading back into the room to change. After getting more comfortably attired, she joined her girlfriend on the couch. “So where are my other geese?”
“Patience, my love.” Callie replied, smiling at her girlfriend’s giddiness. “Here, have some of this.” Callie added, pointing Arizona to a shot of vodka on the coffee table.
“What’s this for?” Arizona asked, perplexed.
“It serves two purposes. First, it’s Grey Goose vodka. So it becomes your fourth goose. Second, and more importantly, I intend to get you tipsy so that I can have my way with you.” Callie smirked and pulled Arizona onto her lap, the vodka temporarily forgotten.
“You know you can have your way with me any time you want, vodka or no vodka, don’t you?” Arizona asked?
“You’re that easy, huh?” Callie teased.
“Hey!” Arizona swatted at her girlfriend playfully, feigning offense. “I am not easy. Except when you write me sweet notes like the ones you gave me today. Then I’m easy. Speaking of which, I haven’t thanked you yet.” She said, pressing her lips against Callie’s and gliding her tongue into her mouth, enjoying a slow, languorous kiss.
After a few moments, Callie retreated from the embrace. “As much as I want to continue this, we’ve got a few more geese to get through.” She handed Arizona an envelope. Inside were plane tickets and information on a luxury hotel in Mexico. “Geese fly south for the winter.” Callie explained. “I figured we could too. We haven’t had a real vacation as a couple and thought it would be nice to get away for a week or so after the holidays. I’ve already worked it out with the Chief.”
“This is awesome, baby!” Arizona exclaimed. “It meets my two requirement s for a perfect vacation!”
“And those are?” Callie asked.
“Warm weather . . .and you in a bikini.” Arizona smiled before capturing Callie in another embrace. After coming up for air, Arizona leaned her forehead against Callie’s. “Okay, sweetie. What’s the last goose? As much as I like this whole game, I really just want to get it over with and take my super hot and awesome girlfriend to bed.”
Callie smiled. “Well, the last goose was Top Gun. You know, Tom Cruise’s buddy in the movie is named Goose. I figured we could have a movie night. But I’m willing to forego that pleasure if you are.”
“I certainly am.” Arizona responded.
“Good.” Callie replied, rising from the couch and dragging Arizona with her. “It’s time to try out those new sheets. Because I have plans to do plenty “a laying” tonight.”