Concern (1/1)
Title: Concern (1/1)
Author: Nora C. Parker
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG
Summary: Occurs shortly after end of 7x18.
Disclaimer: I have no ownership over the characters.
Note: Occurs shortly after the end of 7x18. Another conversation I'd like to see. I tried for a similar feel to the story Care, which is another 7x18 story. That story does not need to be read before this one; each stands on its own.
Comments are always welcome, and may encourage more writing.
Concern
“Dr. Robbins?”
Addison Montgomery called after the dim shape out in the parking lot. She thought it was the peds surgeon, but she wasn’t quite sure.
“Yeah. One second.”
The woman’s back remained towards Addison for a second, before she turned around slowly. Addison saw a lit cigarette dangling in the woman’s hand. “It’s disgusting, I know. It’s only when I’m stressed. And it’s Arizona.”
It took a moment for Addison to parse through the words that the other woman had strung together. She wondered when the last time was that Arizona Robbins had got any meaningful sleep. “I’m just,” what was she doing out in the parking lot, anyway? “I needed air.”
“I could say the same, but I suppose this,” Arizona waved the cigarette, “would negate the statement. Callie hates when I smoke but I only do it when I’m really stressed out and then it’s usually just one.” She dropped the cigarette to the ground and mashed it out.
After a moment of quiet, Arizona raised her head, her eyes wide. “Is Callie awake?”
“Still sleeping. She’ll probably be out for a while. And the baby’s stable.”
A faint smile passed across Arizona’s lips. “She was so excited when I told her about the baby. Especially when I told her that you delivered her daughter.”
Addison couldn’t help feel a blush rising on the praise.
“At first she didn’t believe me. Didn’t believe that the baby was still alive. It was horrible to see her upset like that, especially with everything else. But then I told her that you were there for the delivery, she relaxed. She trusts you.”
“Callie’s a friend. I don’t see her enough, don’t talk to her enough, but she was my first real friend here in Seattle.” Addison wrapped her arms around herself, protection against the damp evening air. “First person that wasn’t Derek or Mark.” At the mention of Sloan’s name, Addison thought perhaps she saw Arizona’s lips turn down in a quick frown, but it might have been a trick of the light.
“She would have been devastated if the baby hadn’t had a chance. Even now,” Arizona looked at her hands for a moment, moving her fingers as if the muscle memory could bring forth the words. “Even now, I know there could be real challenges. You treat micropreemies, you know the odds. But the baby’s strong. She has a chance.” Arizona ended with a cautious smile. The sort of look that a doctor gives to a family while trying to also convince herself that the words are the truth.
After a brief silence between the two of them, Addison’s mouth drew into a smile. “I remember when I first heard about you.”
“Oh?”
“My brother was here for treatment from Derek, a pretty complex surgery. Neurocysticercosis. It was horrible and his chances were slim, so I tried to go to the chapel and pray. But my upbringing wasn’t especially religious so I can’t say I really knew what to do.”
“I can relate to that.”
“Anyway,” Addison continued, “Callie came in and offered to show me how. I expected something about my brother. Instead her prayer was about kissing this peds surgeon in a bar bathroom,” she raised an eyebrow for emphasis.
This story was a new one to Arizona. “She prayed for me?”
“She mostly prayed that she could get over the perkiness and the pink whatever because you were, and I quote, really hot.”
Now it was Arizona’s time to blush. That seemed so long ago, and so much simpler. “Part of that’s true. I mean, I stalked her into the bathroom at Joe’s. I took a chance.”
“And it’s worked out?”
“We’ve had our struggles. Split up a couple times. The last time, I left her and she was pretty devastated, turned to Mark for comfort.” She didn’t know why, but Arizona thought that perhaps some of their life should be explained. “I mean, she never told me everything. She would, she offered, but I told her I didn’t want to know. But if I hadn’t been so stupid, who knows.”
“I play that game too you know.”
“Hmm?”
“The what if I never slept with Mark Sloan game.” Addison’s words were light, and the two women shared a relived laugh. “And I realize that it doesn’t matter. Here’s where I am, and now’s my life.”
“I know what you mean. And having a baby has always been such a big dream to Callie.”
“I envy her on that front. Being able to fulfill that dream. Finding someone who’s willing to be there with her, willing to share that dream.”
The words caused Arizona’s thoughts to flash back a few weeks to when she’d emphatically told Callie that she was not living her dream. The hurt from those words were something that she greatly regretted, especially now as she saw her partner and the baby each fighting for their lives.
“It was horrible. The accident, seeing her. Watching her struggle to breathe. Knowing I couldn’t move her without risking further injury. She was there, lying on the hood of the car, blood was everywhere, and I couldn’t make things better. I hadn’t protected her.”
Addison felt the pain in the woman’s words. “Remember that part about here and now?”
“I know. But it’s hard to not think about these things. We were supposed to be at a B&B for the weekend; a chance to relax after her baby shower.” Arizona recalled Callie’s enthusiasm for the event, and her joy at surprising Arizona with a weekend away. “And then now. Now I’m hiding in the parking lot.”
“Hiding from Callie?”
“Hiding from life. I’ve been trying to call Callie’s parents. I mean, it’s the middle of the night in Miami, so I should probably just wait for morning. They don’t like me, anyway.”
“Maybe you just don’t know them.” Addison tried for a positive spin, even though she had no doubt that at least one source of family disapproval was the fact that Callie was with a woman.
“No. Really. They do not like me. And it’s funny, because the first time I admitted to anyone that I was in love with Calliope was when I told her father. He had come to visit, and brought a priest along, to try to make her less gay.” Arizona kicked at the ground.
“I’m going to guess that didn’t go well.”
“I know parts of our relationship have been a strain for her.” Arizona got quiet. “I also know she hasn’t told them about the baby.”
“Maybe she’ll want to tell them herself.”
“She can’t stay awake for more than a few minutes. She’s heavily sedated. Neither of those things will change much for the next day or two. I can do this. I should do this.” Arizona breathed out and shook her head. “But maybe later.”
It was always difficult to give bad news to a family. Addison had had more than her share of that task. A task that became even more difficult when that family belonged to someone you loved.
“In the car, just before the crash, I’d asked her to marry me.”
Now that was interesting. “And she said?”
“When she woke up, she said yes. After the surgery. That’s when I knew she was really back with me.” This time Arizona Robbins’ smile was totally open. No holding back, just an expanse of happiness.
The joy on display gave Addison a warm feeling for her friend. Having seen the wreck of a marriage that Callie had been through this George O’Malley, she was glad to see that her friend had this opportunity with Arizona Robbins. “Congratulations are in order, then.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Arizona rubbed at her face, wincing as she touched the wound on her forehead. “I should get back in, go by the NICU before going back up to the room so I have the latest report. It’s not what I expected, but in a way it’s good that Mark’s there, that someone’s with our baby.”
Just as Arizona had been holding vigil at Callie’s bedside, Mark had stationed himself in the NICU, watching over his tiny daughter.
“Arizona?”
“Hmm?”
“Take care of yourself, so that you can take care of your family.”
“Thanks.” Arizona unexpectedly grabbed Addison in a quick hug, which Addison awkwardly returned. “And thanks for coming on short notice.”
“Of course.”
Left alone, Addison had the time to contemplate how far apart she’d grown from everyone she knew in Seattle. Things were changing, that was a part of life. But she hoped she could spend a little more time keeping in touch with those whom she knew and loved. Those people could be gone at any time.
But tonight, thankfully, she she still had Callie Torres in her life. For that, she would remain grateful.
(the end)