Author's Note (1): This is a very long chapter. Sorry. It started out much shorter, but evolved. I couldn't figure out a place to split it. Hope you enjoy.
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Chapter 11
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18 years later - Circa 2016
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"Mark Timothy, let's go!" The voice echoed up the stairs. "Nap time's over. If you want to get some driving time in, you need to be down here in thirty seconds with your permit."
"Geez. Chill, Mama," flippantly traveled down the stairwell.
It was greeted with agitated silence, which was loud and clear.
Finally, a grumpy "Fine" reverberated down the stairwell.
Arizona stared as all six feet of her almost seventeen year old loped down the stairs. She observed how much he'd grown in the last year, adding five inches to his height. There was no question. Genetically, he was Calliope's son with his beautiful brown eyes and engaging smile. His spunky personality reminded her of Tim, the afternoon snoozes notwithstanding. His quick wit and smartalec comebacks Callie always attributed to his namesake, Mark Sloan. She and Callie loved having those reminders of the much loved men who left this earth far too early. When MT occasionally pushed his mothers to their limits, those memories made it impossible to stay angry.
She pulled her sentimental self together lest he see her unguarded, soft side. Arizona smiled. She loved this job. To think there was a time she never thought she could do it. Certainly, parts of parenting were painfully difficult. MT's broken collarbone. The first time Robby was cut from a team. Torrey's first broken heart. Arizona was sure she suffered more than her children. But when they crawled into her lap and wrapped their arms needily around her neck. Or when they spouted their excitement from victories, large and small. And when they came to her, believing she could make everything right in their world. Well, she wouldn't trade being a mom for anything.
At the moment, she was trying to make a point. She stood tall, hands on her hips and a slightly perturbed look plastered across her face in response to being told to "Chill."
Seeing her furrowed brow, the teen answered sheepishly, "Sorry."
"Let's go. We're supposed to meet Grandma and Grampy at baggage claim. You know how Grampy feels about being late." She added, "And none of this five miles over the speed limit either."
"Everyone does it. C'mon, you and Mom go even faster than that," MT argued. "The cops don't ticket for five miles over. Everyone knows that."
Her eyebrows arched. Arizona stared at her son with her mother-knows-best-look. "That's not the point," she replied. He was right, of course. Callie, in particular, enjoyed 'putting the pedal to the metal'. She and Callie needed to model better driving habits now that their children were reaching the driving age. She underestimated her son, thinking he was always consumed with his cell phone while in the car. "Silly me. And here I thought you weren't paying attention." Arizona smirked as she reached to tousle his head of black, curly hair. "It's a good thing you're not everyone."
"Shouldn't the girls be helping out? Equal rights and all. Let them be the lumpers for a change," MT complained, still a bit cranky at having been roused from one of his frequent teenage naps for the excursion so he could serve as a bellhop.
"You're really going to play that card with me? Do you see the girls here right now?" His younger sisters, the twins, Catherine and Elizabeth - aka Robby and Torrey - had a field hockey game. Callie was picking them up. She planned to catch the game after she finished up at the hospital.
MT rushed out the door, keys in hand, prodding, "Let's go, Mama. Geez, I'm always waiting for you!" He called out as he slid into the driver's side of the Range Rover, "I'm gonna tell Grampy it was your fault if we're late."
"Not funny, MT, " Arizona said as she trailed her son.
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It was the Saturday before Thanksgiving and Arizona's parents were flying in to join Arizona, Callie and their three children for the holiday. They arrived early so they could spend extra time enjoying their grandchildren, whom they saw less and less of with the advent of teenage activities. It wasn't just the Robbins' who were flying in. Carlos and Lucia Torres had already arrived, but were staying at a hotel in town, where Carlos had some business function this evening.
Callie and Arizona spent years trading off family visits over the Thanksgiving holiday, alternating between Miami and California. Christmas was always a stay-at-home holiday, though family were always welcome to visit and Arizona's parents usually did.
The two women settled on Massachusetts as the place to work. Once engaged, they considered their future. They agreed to settle wherever Arizona found a position that excited her. Children's Hospital in Boston scooped her up after the first interview. Callie held off on seeking full-time employment. As Callie and Arizona looked forward, both agreed now was the right time to start a family. Neither was getting any younger and it would be easier to have children before Callie was immersed in a practice.
After their ceremony in California, Callie delved into house hunting and then decorating tasks, though Arizona stayed involved. As the women met new friends, and colleagues of Arizona, they started socializing more. It was soon discovered that Callie Robbins-Torres and the award winning Dr. Calliope Torres were one in the same. The job found her. Brigham and Women offered Callie a consult position and promised a very flexible schedule when she was ready to return to work full-time. To this day, Callie loved her cutting edge orthopedic position at the prestigious hospital.
As the children came along, three in two years, they decided as long as they could manage it, they would travel over Thanksgiving to see one family and visit the other during the summer break.
Now that Mark Timothy was playing varsity football and the girls made the varsity field hockey team, traveling mid-season was not possible. This year was the first time they wouldn't be traveling for Thanksgiving. Callie and Arizona invited both sets of parents to join the Robbins-Torres clan at their home. It was of no surprise that Arizona's parents would come.
Daniel and Barbara had been actively involved in the lives of the Robbins-Torres family since the very beginning. They held a beautiful backyard celebration at their picturesque canyon home to commemorate the day when the two women publicly proclaimed their relationship as wife and wife, though on paper it was deemed domestic partnership. They didn't need a document and fancy party to prove what their hearts already had committed to, but Callie had dreamed of a fairytale wedding since she was a girl. She was more than ready to usurp the memories of her fiasco in Vegas. Arizona wanted nothing more than to make Callie's dream come true. It was a beautiful outdoor service. Both women were stunning in their traditional wedding gowns. Aria stood by her sister as Maid of Honor. Alex called himself Arizona's Man of Horror, but deep down he was truly touched when she asked him to be her person.
The event was beautifully orchestrated. The wise and wondrous Miranda Bailey officiated the service. Almost all in attendance - essentially Arizona's relatives, along with a smattering of friends - were teary-eyed as their handwritten vows were exchanged. The after-party was a catered, gourmet affair, complete with a bluegrass band that played well into the night with friends and family dancing under the stars.
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Arizona sat 'shotgun' as her kids called it, watching MT confidently drive her SUV to the airport. He was going for his license very soon. It would be a bittersweet day for her when her son would drive solo. While Arizona would always worry, her son was an excellent driver, adeptly managing the chaotic highway into the airport. Her mind drifted to her in-laws as she kept her eyes focused on her son's maneuvering. It surprised her that Carlos and Lucia accepted the invitation for Thanksgiving. She never doubted that Carlos would be a fixture in their lives. He traveled so frequently on business, his visits to the Robbins-Torres' suburban home were common.
But Lucia had never spent a holiday with their family, Arizona mulled. So often her presence in their lives was on Lucia's terms. She would arrive like a whirlwind, the center of attention, armed with a set agenda. It was always a pleasant couple days where they were wined, dined and spoiled as Lucia's guests at spots near whatever hotel she checked into. This week, Arizona worried how her family would fare with the haughty Lucia tagging along in their much less formal lifestyle and sitting at their often boisterous dinner table.
Her mother-in-law struggled trying to mesh new world happenings with her old world values. She attended the original wedding eighteen years ago, robotically playing her part. It was a limited role - Callie knew her mother did not consider whatever was happening in backyard of Daniel and Barbara Robbins as anything remotely close to a marriage. Lucia Torres stood on the sidelines and watched wordlessly. One would never have known she was Callie's mother by her actions that day. Some didn't.
Arizona understood that Lucia's presence at the backyard service was the only concession Callie's mother could make. Arizona inadvertently overheard a conversation as Carlos and Lucia left the rehearsal dinner. It wasn't going to be a "real wedding," she heard the older woman comment to Carlos. "Did any of Calliope's relationships ever last? Why will this be any different?" she challenged.
Arizona's relationship with Lucia was always complicated. She never disliked Lucia. She wanted to say to the older woman on more than one occasion - "You're not a bad person. You've just done a bad thing." She never did, though. The two had a mutual respect for each other, earned when they partnered to help Callie manage Africa. It still stung when she recalled that her future mother-in-law initially assumed her relationship with Callie would fizzle. She observed Carlos shake his head in frustration that night, ignoring his wife's rants. Arizona took solace in the fact that her father-in-law-to-be knew this relationship was different. She prayed that deep down so did Lucia.
"Too close, MT!" Arizona barked suddenly, noticing that her SUV was inching nearer to the car in front of them. Once she was satisfied that MT had allowed for sufficient space, she continued analyzing her mother-in-law's place in their lives.
Arizona smiled, remembering how Lucia evolved. Twelve years ago, Lucia Torres was the consummate hostess at their official wedding. Lucia had no qualms with it not being a church wedding. Her religion was still at odds with gay marriage.
Lucia concluded an official civil ceremony was prudent. Even the skeptical Lucia could not deny that Calliope and Arizona deserved this validation. If the State of Massachusetts was willing to call it a marriage, well then so was she. There were children involved now. Legitimizing the pairing was a safeguard her grandchildren deserved. Lucia spent the second wedding as mother of the bride but mostly as the abuela, a role she cherished.
No one would disagree - in eighteen years; Lucia Torres had come a long way. She didn't visit as frequently as her husband, but she did at least fly in once each year, particularly as the girls got older. And the family trekked to Miami, with the grandchildren even flying in on their own occasionally.
Lucia found herself increasingly drawn to her granddaughters. Initially, the trio found common ground over their mutual love of manicures. Soon after, they discovered a shared love of shopping. It didn't take too many visits for Callie and Arizona to see these outings were merely their excuse to spend time together. As MT pulled into the airport parking garage, Arizona concluded that Lucia accepted Callie's and her relationship. More importantly, she loved her grandchildren and they loved the older woman, who was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.
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The November week had plenty of activities planned. The highlight for MT was Sunday. Carlos secured tickets for Daniel, himself and MT to go to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro to see the New England Patriots play division rivals, the Miami Dolphins. A gentleman's bet was made between grandfather and grandson. Luxury box or not, not one female in the group wanted to attend the game on the chilly fall day. Between the weather, the traffic and the overall rowdiness, where was the fun, Torrey asked. MT huffed, telling his sister it would be a waste of good tickets for her and Robby to go.
On Sunday, shopping and spas were on the agenda for the women - at Lucia's suggestion. She knew her granddaughters would jump at the chance to add to their wardrobe, visiting some exclusive Boston boutiques.
The grandparents would watch the girls play their last field hockey game of the season on Tuesday. Wednesday, Barbara planned to make the pies, sharing with her grandchildren a few family recipes. Cooking together had become their tradition. Thursday, there would be an early morning flurry of activity in the kitchen, with Barbara and Callie getting all the food prepared for the afternoon's feast. By 10am, the extended family would venture to the high school to watch Mark Timothy play in the traditional Thanksgiving Day high school football game. Each day that week, some family activity was on the agenda. On Saturday, the excitement would abruptly stop as the guests would depart, leaving the house to its normal, day-to-day teenage drama.
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The foursome returned early evening on Saturday from Logan Airport to the Robbins-Torres home in the Boston suburb. Callie eagerly greeted her in-laws in the driveway. "Daniel, Barbara," she exclaimed as she hugged them both. "I hope you're hungry, I just pulled a lasagna and fresh bread out of the oven."
MT grabbed the luggage and made his way into the house first. The group meandered behind, with Callie trying to get Arizona's attention, but to no avail; her wife was immersed in conversation with her dad.
On his way to the guest room, MT passed by his younger sister, Robby, who was laying on the couch with her face covered with a towel. She was usually good-natured and fun teasing between the beloved siblings was common. Under his breath, he quietly commented, "Halloween's over. You know that, right?"
Robby cried out, "Just shut-up, you 'MT-headed' ass!" That was one of the girls' favorite misnomers for their brother. Mark Timothy absolutely hated it. He was unprepared for the biting remark.
"Oooh, got the fangs out 'Robweiler'," MT whispered.
Arizona and her father walked into the kitchen and overheard her daughter's comment. She scolded in frustration, "Catherine Lucia, do not call your brother an ass." She suspected MT stealthily started it. She had spent years reminding her kids that the retaliator always got caught. Would they ever learn, she wondered.
MT smiled at the rebuke. He won this round. He loved his sister, but he also loved tormenting her. It was like a game, which drove their parents crazy. He had no idea why his sister was so uptight at the moment. Her time of the month, he supposed, which meant he better keep his distance from Torrey as well. That was the problem with twins; things happened in duplicate. He took off for the guest room before she erupted again.
"He...owww...started it," Robby cried.
As soon as they group walked further into the kitchen, they saw a body sprawled on the couch in the adjacent family room, with a large towel covering her face.
Arizona's jaw dropped as she saw her daughter. "Robby! What happened? Calliope, what happened to her?" she asked as she hurried over and knelt down. She lifted the towel, only to discover it was holding a large bag of ice. Arizona exclaimed, "Oh, no."
Robby moaned as her mother groaned.
Callie shrugged at the unluckiness of it all. "An errantly hit field hockey ball caught her right in the nose. It might be broken - look at those eyes. Even if it is, there's not much we can do about it until the swelling goes down." Both eyes had the makings of two, colorful shiners. "I performed a SCAT. I don't think she has a concussion. But just the same, let's watch her tonight. What do you think?"
A distressed Arizona observed her daughter, "Robby, this is not good. You need to keep icing." She looked up at Callie, suggesting, "We might want her to see an ENT on Monday. Just to make sure she doesn't need surgery."
"Surgery! Mama, don't touch it." the girl squealed. Tears of frustration rolled down the teen's cheeks as her mother deftly moved her gentle fingers along her daughter's swollen face. This was going to end her season. Even worse, she was sure she looked like a freak.
Barbara walked over. "Oh darlin', I haven't seen a black eye that impressive on a pretty young girl since your mother," she cackled in an effort to lighten her granddaughter's spirits.
"Mom," Arizona protested, embarrassed at the memory.
A sniffling Robby, asked in surprise, "Mama had a black eye before?"
Daniel chimed in, "But she certainly didn't earn it as honorably as you did." Daniel turned to Arizona, raising his eyebrows, demonstrating his disapproval of his daughter's actions even years later. "Arizona was fighting on school grounds with Bobby Jones. She punched him and he punched her back. Got her right in the eye."
"He was calling me names, Dad." Her two children looked at her, surprised. Arizona spent years promoting self-restraint and taking the high-road. Her penchant for rules left her children assuming their Mama was the perfect child. Little did they know it was Arizona's paranoia of her own children's potential for impetuousness that might possibly parallel her own youth that inspired her strictness.
Arizona clarified, "I know. I shouldn't have punched him. It was a knee-jerk reaction. It just happened. And I got suspended for three days. I couldn't even make honor roll that quarter because of it. But he was mean to me. And it only happened that once. I think Tim had something to do with that," Arizona cheekily smiled, knowing Tim probably scared the bejeesus out of the boy.
MT looked at his mother suspiciously as one skeleton squirmed out of her closet. Feeling bold, the teen asked, "Mama, did you ever smoke pot?"
Arizona's felt her face flush as she stood amidst her parents and children. Her children, in particular, were intrigued, waiting for her answer to the spontaneous question.
Barbara arched her eyebrows in amusement. She knew the answer, stumbling upon it one night when Arizona came home loudly chattering and completely famished. And she was reeking of something that definitely wasn't Marlboro Lights. The older woman was curious how her daughter would respond. Would it be a case of 'do as I say, but not as I did', or a flat out denial? Barbara wondered if an answer was really necessary. Didn't her daughter's facial expression answer her grandson's question already?
As much as Callie enjoyed the light torment Arizona was being subjected to, Callie only let her wife squirm a few more seconds, well aware of Arizona's teenage antics. Having a multigenerational discussion on the pros and cons of marijuana was not how Callie wanted to spend her evening.
The truly audacious stories from either mother's childhood had yet to be divulged to their children. Both women knew it was only a matter of time before this particular question would surface. The mothers were very open with their children, so of course it would be answered if asked. The mothers had the 'sex' talk. When it was his or her turn, each child listened sheepishly, embarrassed by words like condoms, STDs, birth control, dental dams, vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Both mothers spouted the dangers of alcohol, drinking and driving, encouraging each one to call without fear of consequence if he or she was at a party with alcohol or drugs present. With the new laws sprouting up around the country revolving around recreational cannabis use, it was clear another conversation was looming.
"Let's finish this discussion another time. Grammy and Grampy would much rather hear about what you guys are up to, not relive Mama's teenage years," Callie suggested.
Arizona turned to her wife, her smile saying thank you for the rescue. "Good idea. Where's Torrey, by the way?" Arizona asked, looking for her other daughter. "I hope she fared better today."
Callie answered, "She'll be right down, I hope. She must have run out of hot water by now," she drolled. Torrey was their fashion queen, spending endless time in the bathroom and in front of the mirror. Hot and sweaty field hockey games ruined her hair and makeup. Yes, Torrey always looked good on and off the field.
Callie had the twins fifteen years ago. Catherine Lucia Robbins-Torres and Elizabeth Barbara Robbins-Torres, but those given names were rarely used these days. Catherine was older by five minutes. In junior high, the girls' friends started calling Catherine by the name 'Robby' and Elizabeth by the name 'Torrey'.
Neither grandmother took to the nicknames, which were proudly embroidered on the sleeves of their team sweatshirts and jackets. The mothers remained unfazed, initially never thinking the names would stick. Before either knew it, they were calling their daughters by the nicknames as well. The given names, middle included, were reserved for when either girl was in trouble.
"Let's eat," Callie suggested.
It didn't take long for everyone to assemble around the sizeable dining room table and catch up with all the recent news. Barbara and Daniel were frequent visitors to the home so they had no trouble following along. As Barbara watched her daughter and daughter-in-law lovingly interact, she remembered fondly the phone call from Lucia eighteen years ago as she tried to track down Arizona. Using a few of Carlos' connections, Lucia located the residence phone number of one Daniel and Barbara Robbins. Lucia pleaded with Barbara, explaining she desperately needed Arizona's help. Barbara didn't let on how much of Callie's back story she already knew; she merely gave Lucia Torres her Arizona's cell phone number, silently singing the Alleluia Chorus as she recited each digit.
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Sunday morning, Arizona, Callie, Barbara, Robby and Torrey were meeting Lucia at a five star hotel in Boston for brunch. The girls grumbled about having to dress Abuela-appropriate.
Callie reminded them, "We're Abuela's guests today. She doesn't visit very often. Taking you out makes her happy. And I can live without another one of her lectures on proper parenting. You don't want her to send you to etiquette class again, do you?" On one of the girls' Miami visits, Lucia arranged for a couple private lessons, ensuring each girl knew how to set a proper table and which utensil went with which dish and so on. She also arranged for a few dance lessons, including how to waltz.
Both girls went wide-eyed, blurting in unison, "No!"
Callie playfully grinned, "So please, wear something that won't stress her out. Nothing ripped or too short...Remember, if the Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," she teased. Callie considered her rebellious youth, thankful her girls didn't go that route. She worked hard to be a compassionate, understanding parent. It seemed to be paying off.
"Nothing ripped or too short? You just described Torrey's entire wardrobe," quipped Robby. Torrey was the more fashionable of the two. Her style was creative and eye-catching, but risqué at times. Robby was happy with hooded sweatshirts, and skinny jeans, paired with colorful converse sneakers.
"Shut Up. You have no clue about good sty," Torrey answered. "You're actually going to have to wear something other than jeans and sneakers for a change."
"I better not see anyone I know. I have to wear a dress and I look like a raccoon," lamented Robby as she stared in the mirror.
Callie piped in, "Which of your friends do you think will be having brunch in Boston today? Remember, it could have been much worse," she said as she lovingly ran her fingers over her daughter's nose. "The swelling has gone down. It's probably superficial, though Mama and I still want you checked out on Monday. Those bruises will hopefully go away pretty fast. I'm sure in another day or two it won't be so tender. You'll be able to cover it with makeup then. By the way, you look good in a dress. I wish you wore them more often."
Robby gave her mom a disgusted look and returned her attention to the mirror.
Deep down the girls were excited to spend the day in Boston. Their abuela shopped in the really nice stores, stores Callie and Arizona rarely took their daughters to. Callie and Arizona didn't spoil their children; both were aware of those less fortunate. The mothers tried to model a less extravagant lifestyle. But there was no accounting for grandparents who lived to dote on their grandchildren. The two grandmothers complimented each other.
Whether it be in Miami or Massachusetts, Lucia left the spoiling of Mark Timothy to Carlos, which he did well. Carlos exposed MT to every sporting event imaginable. The teen had experienced every sport from deep sea fishing to the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo - his treat for his grandson's sixteenth birthday. Though, football remained MT's favorite.
Lucia always took the girls out on the town, often for manicures, shopping or dining. She planned to bring them to Paris this summer to celebrate their sixteenth birthday. She felt it was her duty to ensure both granddaughters grew up to be proper, worldly young ladies. Callie was overjoyed her mother had decided to be a part of their lives so she overlooked Lucia's extravagance.
Barbara, on the other hand, spent her time more informally and more frequently in the suburban home. She easily knew her way around town and had met most of the kids' friends at this point. She told bedtime stories, shared time in the kitchen and even played board games with her three grandchildren, thankful every day her dream of being a grandmother was resurrected when Callie Torres entered their lives. When Callie and Arizona traveled, whether on business or for pleasure, Barbara and Daniel readily stepped in to care for the children. Daniel did his part, making sure Mark Timothy knew how to throw a spiral, field a baseball, change a tire and make minor repairs around the house.
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Lucia met the group in the hotel lobby. Callie was the first to greet her mother, then Barbara, Arizona, Torrey and finally a timid Robby approached Lucia to give her a hug. Lucia went wide-eyed as she saw the teen and two vibrant black and blue eyes. "Catherine, what happened to you? Calliope! Who did this to her?" Lucia demanded, immediately suspecting the worst.
Callie and Arizona cringed, knowing this moment would happen and still unready when it finally arrived. Lucia was not pleased.
"It's not what you think Mom. Robby was hit by a ball in a field hockey game. It looks worse that it is, really," she added unconvincingly.
"Catherine, this is why you should just stop with all these silly games. There's nothing lady-like about it," Lucia protested. She would much rather see her granddaughter planning for a debutante ball - though those were essentially obsolete - than participating in a hazardous sporting activity.
"I know Abuela, but I really like to play. I'm good at it. Next year we might even win States," Robby explained.
"She's super good, Abuela. Like our team really needs her. She's the leading scorer," Torrey proudly shared.
"You mean you are going to keep playing after this? I have enough on my plate without worrying about you getting hurt again," Lucia complained, clearly concerned with the girl's well-being.
Robby gave her grandmother a hug, "I'll be super careful, okay Abuela? The season is almost over. I don't think my moms will let me play in the last game anyhow. You don't need to worry for a while, if that helps."
Lucia held on a moment, savoring every moment she had with the teen. Both granddaughters loved her - despite the self-righteous attitude Lucia occasionally displayed.
Lucia had come a long way in eighteen years, mused Barbara as she watched the interaction. Carlos was always personable. Once he accepted Callie's choice of mates, he was all in. When Callie and Arizona first married, Lucia attended the unofficial wedding in body but not in soul. Then she kept her distance for a couple years. Barbara initially worried Lucia might never fully accept her own daughter or Arizona. It made her even sadder once the grandchildren came along. Lucia did not visit. These children, products of so much love by two women who were clearly soulmates, were easy to love. Yet, Lucia stayed away at first, always with a lame excuse.
Barbara stared admiringly at her granddaughters, both tall, smart and athletic. Catherine was blond, the spitting image of Arizona. Elizabeth was brunette, a mini Callie. Modern medicine, Barbara thought. It was truly miraculous. The two women opted to have an egg from each implanted in Callie's uterus, hoping one or both would survive.
It took some time for Lucia to accept this unconventional fertility technique. In the end, love won. Lucia did not have enough willpower to resist her adorable grandchildren. The children reciprocated, loving their stodgy grandmother, who seemed to lose a bit of her stodginess each time they were together.
After brunch, Callie, Arizona and Barbara headed right for the treatment rooms, leaving Lucia, Robby and Torrey to have their shopping spree. Callie reminded her daughters, "Do not be excessive, please. Okay? "
Torrey rolled her eyes, "Yes, Mom."
Callie kissed her mother, "Thank you for taking them. They are so excited."
"I'm selfishly excited. I have them all to myself for a couple hours. It's been too long. We'll be back by 4pm for the manicures and pedicures," Lucia stated.
As the trio walked out the door, Callie wondered what they talked about when they were together. Her daughters were like her, bold and not afraid to speak their minds. They were also respectful, but that didn't mean their filters were in check. Ahh, to be a fly on the wall, she mused as they disappeared through the revolving door.
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The temperature dropped a bit more each day. Early Thanksgiving morning it was a chilly 22 degrees. The heat was raised to 72 degrees in the house for the benefit of the grandparents as they grumbled about New England weather. Carlos and Lucia arrived moments earlier and two cars loads of fans would soon be heading to the high school football game; its occupants bundled in hats, scarves, mittens and warm coats. A few hours later, Lexington snagged the victory with a late, fourth quarter run by none other than Mark Timothy Robbins, earning him the game ball.
It took another two hours to get the meal on the table, which was preceded by grace from Carlos. He was clearly becoming increasingly sentimental with age. He thanked the good Lord for the events eighteen years ago that brought this miraculous family together.
As Carlos sat by the fire, sipping his scotch, he thought back to Calliope's wedding - the one that occurred twelve year ago, once the state of Massachusetts recognized same sex marriage. He insisted on hosting an elegant dinner party at one of Boston's finest restaurants in the Seaport, feeling it was his duty as father of the bride. It also mollified his feelings of remorse harbored since the original union eighteen years earlier. On that particular day in California, he was merely a bystander. It wasn't that he disapproved of Callie and Arizona's simple ceremony. He just didn't understand his role. The Robbins hosted the event - Daniel and Barbara were parents of the bride or rather one of the brides. He and Lucia were excluded from the planning for the obvious reason of Lucia. It was all so unfamiliar to Carlos. He more than made up for his inaction with the legal wedding.
It was an over the top affair, right down to the Fillet Mignon, Maine lobster and Dom Perignon. The guests list more than doubled in size from the first celebration. Family from both sides were represented; even more friends, old and new, and now children were present. All danced the night away to a Big Brass band.
Though much cherished and appreciated, Callie and Arizona always considered the second celebration a formality. Their backyard wedding, in the canyons, was the date they celebrated each year. The subsequent event served as a wonderful opportunity to renew their vows. The two women were still love struck six years later. It was truly a lovely evening, capped off with a second honeymoon to Italy, courtesy of Carlos and Lucia.
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Lively conversation filled the room over the Thanksgiving meal. The happiness of the loving family was without question. Carlos' blessing resulted in pangs of guilt coursing within Lucia throughout dinner as she recalled her efforts to squelch her daughter's relationship with Arizona, and really just ruin her Calliope's chance at happiness, period.
"You should have seen Abuela at this cool boutique. She bought the best outfit, right Abuela?" Torrey confirmed, as she wrapped her arm around her grandmother, pulling Lucia from her thoughts.
"Abuelo is going to think you're hot," added Robby.
"What Elizabeth?"
"That awesome dress you bought, remember?" Torrey reminded her. "You dress pretty stylish for a grandmother," the teen conceded. "Robby said you'll look hot."
Lucia blushed. The outfit in question was a brazen choice for her. Carlos would undoubtedly love it. She purchased it at the urging of her granddaughters. "Oh yes, I have just the occasion to wear it," Lucia confirmed with a cheeky grin. "Would you girls excuse me a minute?"
"Yeah, sure Abuela...Are you okay?" asked Robby.
Lucia nodded, "I just need a refill," she said, grabbing her glass.
Lucia walked to the kitchen, and stood in front of the sink, staring aimlessly out the window. She was blessed. Despite her unsupportive thoughts and actions through the early years, she was blessed. Sitting at the table, she was surrounded by so much love and happiness. Eighteen years ago she was just a one action, one word, one criticism away from losing all of it. Sunday, she spent a wonderful afternoon with her granddaughters, who loved her unconditionally. She regretted at first that she didn't know how to love them. It took almost two years for her to even meet her oldest grandchild. Those two girls and Mark Timothy brought her such joy.
"Mom, is everything alright?" Callie asked as she walked into the kitchen. Lucia turned around pulling Callie into a warm embrace. "Mom? You're crying."
Lucia smiled, "Happy tears. I'm getting to be just as foolishly sentimental as your father in my old age. I….I love you Calliope. I love all of this. It occurred to me as I sat through dinner that I almost lost the right to be here, to enjoy you and your family. Thank you for letting me share all this with you. It took me time to get here. Thank you for being patient with me."
Callie smiled, "Daddy said you would figure it out. He asked me to give you another chance. He was right. Arizona and I are made for each other. We love each other. We always have. I'm just glad you see that too."
"I do," Lucia agreed and quickly changed the subject, "Well, shall we get these pies on the table?" Lucia suggested. "Barbara has outdone herself, hasn't she?" she commented as she grabbed the delectable apple pie and walked back into the dining room
Callie shook her head. That was as long a conversation she had ever had with her mother on the subject of her true love with Arizona. Her mother had come so far. When her children were born, she never envisioned a Thanksgiving like this would ever be possible. She resigned herself to the fact after her daughters' birth, she would never see her mother again. She wasn't sure what prompted her mother to attend the twins' christening. It was the first time Lucia met her three grandchildren.
Arizona cautioned her on seeking the answer for Lucia's presence that day. Taking her wife's advice, Callie decided not to prod, fabricating her own reasons for her mother's reemergence to her life. Now, after all these years, she truly didn't care why her mother showed up to the girls' baptism. Had her father threatened her mother with a divorce? Was Lucia present purely for optics, so she didn't look like a spiteful old biddy to her snooty friends? Did her parish priest tell her she shunning her child and grandchildren was leading her on a path to Hell? Or had her mother truly changed?
It could be another ugly truth, Arizona warned, and what would Callie do then? Let it go, Arizona encouraged. So Callie did. But in that moment, in the kitchen, with her mother, Callie found the only answer she had truly ever been seeking. Lucia wholeheartedly loved all of them.
Callie chose to believe her mother had changed, though maybe not initially under her own power. Still, the woman standing in her kitchen moments ago clearly loved her and her family. That was enough for her.
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Arizona returned home after dropping her parents off at the airport. She found her wife already under the covers on the chilly Saturday night. "Well, all our guests are officially gone," she announced as she walked into their bedroom.
"Hey, you're back," Callie said in relief as she put down her book.
"Torrey's not home yet?" Arizona asked, noticing her daughter's bedroom door was open and the lights were off. Both MT and Robby were staying overnight with friends. Torrey was out on a date.
"No, not yet. I told her to be back by midnight," Callie advised. "I know one thing - after the full house this week, I don't like an empty house. It was much too quiet tonight."
Arizona smirked. "You better get used to it. In a few years, the kids will all be gone and our all nights will be this quiet."
Callie groaned in reply.
As she prepared for bed, Arizona kept talking, "At least the house is finally back in order. Imagine only needing to run the dishwasher once a day again. The week definitely worked out better than I thought it would," Arizona decided. "Who'd of thought eighteen years ago we would be having Thanksgiving dinner with our parents in our house with our children. Our kids...they're really great kids. And did you see our dads at the game after MT scored that touchdown? They were so proud. I'm surprised your dad wasn't handing out cigars. And your mom is now a coolest grandmother ever. When did that happen?"
Callie smiled. "She's always been fashionable. Teenage girls and a blank check, she couldn't lose. We're lucky, Arizona, our kids enjoy their grandparents. And unlike his mama, MT even knows how to cook thanks to your mom. Our parents add so much to our kids' lives."
"They really do….Do you think they will all really come back for Christmas or do you think it's just an idle threat?" Arizona wondered aloud as she crawled into bed, calculating the time she had to recover before the next family invasion.
"Probably, your parents are coming, right? They usually do. I mean, they all had a great time. They even all got along. My parents are supposed to be spending Christmas with Aria and her family. Though, my father wants to talk Aria into coming to Boston this year. I don't see Aria trading warm, sunny beaches for freezing cold temperatures, snow and ice," Callie replied.
"We don't even have a month to recover. I'm not complaining. In three years, the kids will all be in college, our parents will be even older and maybe not able to travel easily. Who knows where we will be spending holidays by then." Arizona propped her head up on her left hand and continued talking, "Hey, you know, this is the first waking moment I've had alone with you in a week. I've missed you," she said as she ran her right hand up and down Callie's left arm. "Let's focus on the upside of an empty nest. Just think of all the wild things we can do when the kids are gone." Just then there was a knock on the bedroom door.
"Come in," Arizona called out.
Torrey poked her head in. "I'm back."
Looking at the clock, Callie smiled, "You're early. So, what did you end up doing?"
"We went to the movies. We saw The Revenant. A little too primitive for me," the teen complained.
Callie chuckled. Torrey was so much like Arizona. The wives had yet to see that movie. Blood, guts and gore didn't faze Callie given her line of work. The movie was a little too outdoorsy for Arizona, so seeing it wasn't a priority. "Well, I'm glad you're back safe and sound."
"Good night," Torrey said as she took a step backward and was about to close the door.
"Hey, no kisses," called out Arizona with a pout.
"Geez, really?" Torrey responded with a well-practiced eye-roll. "Don't you think I'm a little old for that?" the teen playfully protested. The goodnight kiss was an ongoing game. The parents demanding, the children whining and all thankful that it still mattered.
Callie merely outstretched her arms, waiting for her daughter's embrace. Torrey dropped her bag on the hall floor and stepped back into the room, giving each mother a goodnight kiss and hug.
"You'll never be too old to kiss us goodnight," Callie affirmed. "Love you."
"Love you guys, too." Torrey replied. She smiled as she closed the bedroom door.
Arizona crinkled her nose, "The Revenant? Ew."
Callie, looked at her wife, eyebrows raised and her reading glasses propped at the end of her nose. "Would you rather have heard 'Netflix and chill' again?"
"No!" Arizona answered emphatically. They naively heard that phrase from MT a few times. It was a relief to the mothers that their penniless son was finally realizing there were plenty of activities to do that didn't cost a small, teenage fortune. Their happiness at not shelling out $20-$30 for his dates was short-lived once they discovered the underlying meaning of that phrase. Of course, MT was inundated with more safe sex conversations than was necessary, but that was because both moms were perturbed that MT took advantage of their naiveté.
"Let's go back to talking about all the things we can do when the kids are gone, like traveling," Arizona eagerly suggested. "I don't need to be reminded of the things they might be doing under our roof when we are not looking," she grumbled.
Callie smiled at Arizona's motherly trials and tribulations. Callie spent her own teenage years showcasing her antics as a way of tormenting her own parents. Her children's naughty deeds rarely dismayed her, never quite reaching the level of her teenage mischievousness. Arizona, on the other hand, had a wilder and, at times, more reckless youth than Daniel and Barbara were initially aware of. Bits and pieces spilled out over the years. Barbara Robbins playfully warned her daughter that payback was a hard pill to swallow as a mother. Barbara was right. Arizona worried about their children's antics enough for both of them.
"Travel sounds good. Where do you want to travel to?" Callie asked, knowing her wife was ready to change the subject.
"Well, we used to talk about a visiting Bata again once the kids left for college." Arizona hesitantly suggested, "Maybe we can visit there."
Callie vehemently shook her head, "No, I can't. I know we talked about it, but I don't think I can." Rattled, Callie drew Arizona near, so Arizona's head was now resting on her chest. Her mother's sort-of apology over Thanksgiving had Callie ruminating the last few days, sending her thoughts all the way back to Seattle, to a time she was certain her life would be full of nothing but solitude, which prompted her escape to Africa. In Africa, a new turmoil evolved. Despite the horrors, it did bring her to this moment. But she didn't want reminders of what was. She was content to be reminded of what she presently had. Africa needed to remain a memory.
Sensing her wife's introspection, Arizona stated assuredly, "We're great, Calliope. I mean eighteen years of marriage and three kids. Together, we're really great."
Callie tightened her hug in affirmation. "I know," she choked. Over the last eighteen years there were a few days she couldn't shake Bata from her brain. They were usually sad depressing thoughts of 'what if'. But then the kids would be bickering over something trivial or just acting ridiculously silly. Or Arizona would just happen to call, checking-in or like tonight, saying the magic words to bring her back. It miraculously happened at the moments she needed it most. Her family constantly pulled her back to the present, to her happiness, to her life. Despite the occasional heartache, she'd never regret Africa.
Callie affirmed, "The chaos of kids and parents - and the best wife in the world. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I've let Africa go. I went there when I was lost, searching for something. And I found her. Or, rather, she found me." A quiet calm took over the room. "How about Italy, like the Amalfi Coast or even the Greek Islands?"
"We'll go wherever you want," Arizona replied encouragingly. "As long as I'm with you, I'd be happy to just watch Netflix and chill. Actually, very happy," she provocatively teased.
"Hmmm," Callie seductively crooned. "A staycation. Or maybe I should say 'laycation'." Callie gloated at her inappropriate play on words, a silly habit both women indulged in, each trying to outwit the other with shameless phrases when away from young and eager ears. "Perhaps a quick trip south?" she murmured.
Arizona waggled her eyebrows. "An overnighter. Love those," she cooed. After flicking the light switch off, she reached for Callie...
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The End
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Author's Note (2): This story has finally come to an end. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read, follow, favorite, and review. I do appreciate it! My sincere thanks to Cycworker who was very patient and generous with her time. Having a second set of eyes to look over and process an idea with was very helpful, especially since I seemed to change things all the time. When it started this story was 8 chapters and less than 20,000 words.
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