Chapter 16: Almost heaven

"I wonder how Agab can feel this much

How Agab can feel [...] something this big..."

"Why did you do that?" Callie asked frustrated as soon as she closed the door on the first on call room she found her way after dragging Arizona by the hand through the halls. This could only be a joke. And if she was being honest, she didn't believe it one bit. Arizona Robbins just screamed she loved her in front of everyone in the cafeteria. It would have felt much better if she had showed it along the months they were together rather than screamed it in front of unknown people, in her work place. This... had to be a big joke.

"Because I love you." The blonde's voice was firm and sure. Unfortunately, it didn't serve to calm Callie's angst.

She wanted to be happy about this. Truthfully! The things that had happened the last few weeks didn't allow her, though. It wasn't fair of Arizona to ignore her for three weeks and show up declaring love. Love was a very strong word. Arizona didn't say she was in love with her. She said she loved her. To many it could mean the same thing, but to Callie, to love someone was beyond any kind of passion filled feeling. When she declared to Arizona weeks ago that she was in love with her, she did it because it was true, of course. But she chose to say she was in love because she thought she was not prepared to declare actual love to someone. Much less someone who was clearly struggling with their feelings for her. At that time she was not prepared to say she loved Arizona. And Arizona was not ready to listen. A part of Callie doubted Arizona being ready to declare what she just half screamed in the cafeteria. Right now, she didn't quite believe her.

"Stop saying that." She declared angrily.

"Callie… Callie. Stop. Look at me. I love you." Arizona had held both her wrist firmly and looked directly at her eyes. Piercing blue penetrating her.

"And what do you expect me to do with that information?" She was still not convinced. Callie freed her hands from the blonde's grip. She watched Arizona sigh heavily, probably in realization that it wouldn't be that easy.

"I was supposed to ask you to be my girlfriend. After Tim's party. I was always supposed to invite you to come with me. And after the party I was going to bring you to my house and I say that I was in love with you. I had this entire beautiful plan in my head. I just… panicked after that. When I got home that first day and saw your text messages and the missed phone call I suddenly started doubting myself." The last sentence was said with such frustration. Arizona brought her hands to her hair and averted her eyes from the sight of Callie. She walked in the opposite direction and sat in the bottom bunk bed.

"Are you doubting yourself now? Because if you are, Arizona… Really, you should just let me be. I can't throw myself at you like people throw themselves from airplanes because I have no parachute in this situation."

"You won't need one." She readily said, looking straight at Callie's eyes again. It was strange to have Arizona acting like this about them. The entirety of their time together she was always very insecure about how she felt and about what she wanted. This was atypical and Callie was afraid it wouldn't last.

"Arizona…" Callie started, her tone calmer now.

"I promise, Callie."

"Don't do that." She pleaded. Walking closer, she sat on the bed next to Arizona and looked at her for a moment. "You can't promise things like that, Arizona. It's not how it works."

"Look at me, Callie." Arizona asked, even though Callie was already looking at her. It was a plead for her to believe in whatever she was going to say next. "I promise you. I want you to believe in me. I didn't love you starting from today. It's been months since we got to know each other, Callie. Since we met that day in the park, I've been thinking of you in a completely different way. Tim got home from deployment that day. And we had a talk about this mysterious woman he could clearly see I was falling for, without really knowing. It was strange and overwhelming. I've been trying to ignore it for a very long time."

It was good to hear all of that. It made her heart flutter and made her stomach hurt with anxiety. But things didn't happen like that. A person couldn't simply say they loved you and you would jump in their arms as if there was no tomorrow. She needed to understand where this was coming from. Arizona needed to finally say things. What she was really feeling now. What she had been feeling all this time. She was trying now. But Callie needed more. "What has changed from last week to today?"

Warm hands searched for hers, Arizona's thumb caressing her skin. "I really wish my words were enough for you to believe me. But I know they are not. And I know that my actions confused you all this time. But as much as I seemed insecure, because I was, and I might still be, it was never about you. I was always sure about you. You deserve everything I can give you or more. Actually, more. You deserve more. I was insecure about myself. Because I was not sure about what I would become after you. I'm not used to feeling like this, Callie." A chuckle escaped her lips as she paused and looked at their hands. "I've been with women. I've been in love. But I never had someone consume my every thought like this. I'm used to being in relationships. I'm just not used to caring this much. My actions were the opposite of what one would expect. And mostly, not what you expected. And I'm very sorry about that. But yesterday, after talking to Teddy, who is going through a hard time regarding love, I got thinking that I was wasting time. Wasting time with you. In my mind, I would always have a little more time to consider us and to sort my feelings out. My insecurities, the ones from yesterday and from weeks ago, are still there. I just decided not to let them keep me away from you anymore. Because it was hurting me. And I know it was hurting you. So, I came here today, without really knowing what I would say. I just really needed to at least apologize. But I ended up saying what only last night I could assume to myself. And that is the fact that I feel like this I feel for you can only be called love. And I would really like an opportunity to deal with my insecurities while loving you, if you give me the chance."

There were no words in Callie's mind to respond to all of that. She felt in the way Arizona's hands had become sweaty that she was nervous and that what she had just done was something very big for the blonde. Probably something she had never really done before with any lover she had. It was scary, she could relate. But there she was, trying to do what she just said she wanted an opportunity to. Trying to deal with her insecurities while loving Callie. The brunette wanted all of the freaking insecurities gone. She wanted a light, deep, fun, calm but fierce love. She didn't want doubts and fear.

Not giving Arizona the "chance" she wanted was not an option, though. Callie's chest constricted at the thought of her. She was invaded by a wave of joy every time the blonde smiled at her and by a wave of lust every time she kissed her. Not giving herself the chance to live that was also not an option. She would live forever wondering what could have happened.

"Do you really mean all of this, Arizona?" She asked as if she needed to hear it one more time to make it real.

"I love you." She simply said. My God, Callie still couldn't believe it. She smiled Arizona's way and, using their attached hands, pulled her in for a hug. This here was good. Even with their legs preventing them to get closer, the thin uncomfortable mattress under their buts and the hospital smells. It was good in a very special way, because she didn't feel pressured to say she loved her back and she didn't feel suffocated by the blonde's declaration. She was relieved and let herself feel happy for now. Any problems she was sure they were going to have, she could think about it and work through it later. So, she inhaled Arizona's scent deeply and kissed the skin on the fair neck where her face had come to rest.

"What time does your shift end?" Arizona asked close to her ear while they were still hugging.

Callie reluctantly pulled back to look at her. "I was supposed to go home yesterday night. Cristina asked me to cover the pit for her. Then, I was supposed to leave early morning, but I had the emergency surgery and got caught up. I've been here for 30 hours now."

"Can I accompany you home?"

"I can't go right now. Those post ops are true." She chuckled, to what Arizona followed.

"I'll wait for you."

"You've been here all morning, Arizona."

"I've been here working all morning while waiting. And I'll continue working, if no one has stolen my laptop from the cafeteria's table." She chuckled again, making Callie smile. "I'll wait for you. Okay?"

"Okay. I won't be that long. An hour max." Callie sighed and stood up from the bed, followed by Arizona, who held her by the wrist. The blonde looked at her timidly and pulled her in by the hand she was holding.

Her face came closer to Callie's and she looked her right in the eyes. "Can I?" She asked, her other hand coming to Callie's neck. Her intention was made very clear now. She waited patiently for a response. As Callie nodded, Arizona closed the distance and sealed their lips in a lingering peck, sighing heavy at the contact. It had been so long! Three weeks were too long to be without those lips.

Callie brought her own hands to both sides of Arizona's face and opened her mouth in a not so subtle invite. The need for the blonde, cumulated through the weeks seemed to boil up. Her skin was hot and her tongue eager as it finally met with Arizona's. And by that one kiss, she knew she was doing she right thing.

Arizona was the one who broke the contact, a few seconds later, giving her one more peck before pulling back.

"Alright. Go. I'll… I'll be waiting."

Callie sure needed to hurry.

They got to Callie's apartment around 1pm. Arizona looked around in recognition of what had been the place which held many of their encounters. It dawned on her that Callie had never been at her house. Not for any particular reason. They just were always closer to Callie's whenever they decided to just head home and enjoy their time alone.

In the last months they were dating, it wasn't always that they could freely show displays of affection. Arizona was not a celebrity, but she was still a well-known person around LA. After the whole semi nudes fiasco at the beginning of the year, the blonde had become extra cautious. Because of that, kisses and snuggles and make out sessions always happened inside these walls.

Arizona watched timidly as Callie entered the apartment and dropped her bag and keys on a side table close to the door, walking straight to the kitchen to get herself some water. It was different, entering the place now. It was like declaring her feelings gave her a new perspective on everything. Like when you come out of the closet. You feel like the weight of the world has dropped from your shoulders. It is like your entire life has a new meaning. All of your other problems seem very small and easy to solve. It is freeing and liberating to finally feel what you feel and act towards it without berating yourself or feeling guilty.

Callie offered her some water, to what Arizona said no. The brunette came closer to her and put her glass on the kitchen counter, bringing both of her hands to hold her by the hips and their bodies together. Arizona's arms immediately came to circle around the caramel neck.

"Why don't you go take a shower and I'll find something for us to eat?" She suggested. She knew Callie had to be exhausted. A 30 hours shift, an emergency surgery and the whole animosity of Arizona showing up on her work place were showing on her very tired, but beautiful, face.

"Yeah. I probably stink." The latina wrinkled her nose and loosened her grip on the blonde.

Arizona tightened her hold in response, bringing her face to Callie's neck and nuzzling her skin. "You smell like hospital. And I have to say, I never thought I would like that smell. But you make it hot."

"You're biased." She heard Callie say after snorting.

"Probably. But I like it." The blonde pulled back and smiled. "Go. I'll see what I can do." She reluctantly let go of the warm body and watched Callie walk away after depositing a kiss to her cheek.

When Callie came back, half an hour later, Arizona was on her laptop, which rested over the coffee table, sitting on the living room floor. "Hey." Her rich voice sounded as she appeared from her bedroom door. She was wearing grey sweatpants and a light purple t-shirt, her hardened nipples poking slightly through the material. Arizona had to bite her lips not to voice her appreciation.

"Hi. Well, I asked for delivery if that is okay with you. From Vineards, since you liked it so much that time you went to have lunch with me at VOX. It should be here any minute."

Arizona watched Callie walk closer and sit by her side on the floor. "Thank you. My stomach will be very happy with that." Her brown eyes were tired and her movements slow. Not able to resist, Arizona brought her face near Callie's and deposited a kiss on her cheek. Her hair smelled fruity, like peach and mango.

"Mmm, you smell good." The blonde gave her a peck on the lips and quickly turned her attention back to her computer, saving the file she was working on so she could focus on the woman beside her.

"You can keep working until the food is here, if you want. I don't mind." The latina's voice sounded close to her.

"No. It's okay. I've done the most important parts." Closing her notebook, she pushed the object further on the coffee table and looked back at Callie, noticing how her eyes were small from sleep. She could relate to that in many occasions. Maybe not in the same intensity as Callie, but there were a few sleepless nights in Arizona's life for sure. "You look very tired."

"It was a very crazy shift. When I'm at it I don't even notice how exhausted I am. Until I take a nice, hot shower." The blonde found it endearing. She had seen Callie tired before. Sometimes even tired and with a red face after crying because of one of her cases. It seemed different now, though. One more thing declaring her love had changed. The way she felt like she now didn't need to hold anything in. Not her words, not her feelings and not the way she craved to act towards the brunette.

"C'mere." Arizona raised her arm next to Callie in invitation, feeling the dark haired head rest on her shoulder without hesitation. Small fingers immediately came to caress the still slightly humid tresses. "You can sleep after we eat. The food shouldn't take long to get here."

"Oh, I plan to. I have to be back early tomorrow morning." Callie lamented. As if on cue. The apartment doorbell sounded.

"Do you want me to get it?" Arizona had planned on something for when the food arrived. Seeing Callie so tired made her question it for a second.

"No. It's okay." The brunette sighed and stood up lamenting the loss of contact and walking to the door.

"Hi. Arizona Robbins' girlfriend?" The guy asked, takeout package in hand. Callie stood in front of him without knowing what to say.

"That'd be you." Arizona said from the other side of the room. It was not the most romantic story to tell any person who would come to ask how they met and became girlfriends. But she didn't want to wait. They had waited for too long.

"Arizona…" The latina started, looking back from the man to the blonde.

"Here is your food. Have a good day." The young guy shoved the containers on her chest and went away without waiting on a tip. Either he was very uncomfortable with the situation or in a complete hurry. She didn't know.

"Arizona…" Callie repeated, but was unable to form any more words.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" It was sudden and totally out of the blue for Callie. It was fast. A few hours ago, Callie had no expectation of Arizona coming back to her life at all. And now here the blonde was, asking her to be her girlfriend. But that was what she wanted in the first place wasn't it? The brunette was very clear that day at Tim's party. Arizona should come to her when she was ready to be in a relationship. All Arizona knew was that she was ready to try. For the sake of being honest with her own feelings, she was going to try. "I want to make this the right way this time. I want you to be my girlfriend. I'm done trying to resist what I feel for you, Callie." Arizona was now almost on her knees, the weight of her body resting partially on the couch.

Callie came closer apprehensively. She put the containers on the coffee table and sat beside the blonde again. The silence was starting to make Arizona nervous. Maybe it was indeed too soon for the brunette. Even if she was the one who wanted to make this a real relationship for so long.

"Are you sure about this?" The woman expression was serious. Maybe asking Callie to be her girlfriend through a delivery guy was the worst idea someone had ever had in history. She felt kinda stupid. Callie deserved more.

"I'm sure, Callie." The blonde brought her left hand to caress the caramel cheek. "And I'm sorry that I asked you to be my girlfriend like that. It was a lame idea."

Callie chuckled and brought her own hand over the ivory one resting on her face. "For someone like you, who invited me for coffee with a card and flowers in a box, to be your date on your brother's wedding with a dress and high heels..." Callie couldn't contain her laugh when she saw Arizona pout. "It doesn't mean I like it any less. It just proved a point to me."

"What point?"

"That I'm totally screwed." She declared, bringing the small hand to her lips and depositing a kiss to her palm. Their hands came to rest on Callie's lap.

"What?"

"I'm totally screwed if someone asks me to be their girlfriend like that and I am still totally going to say yes."

Arizona laughed. "I'm sorry. I've never asked anyone to be my girlfriend before." It was true. In all of her previous relationships, all she had to do was to say yes. It was a valid reason, though. Callie had experienced Arizona's efforts and charm before and she was freaking good at it. She just… She didn't want to waste any more time. "I'm still waiting for you to say it, though."

"Do you think I can call the guy to answer it for me? You know, to maintain the pattern." She had a mischievous grin in her face. Arizona's mouth dropped in horror.

"You are terrible!" She swatted Callie lightly on the arm.

"Ouch!" The latina chuckled. "I don't think he would come back, though. He didn't even wait for us to pay or for the tip."

"That's because I've paid it already with my credit card when I called. And he gets lots of tips when he comes to deliver it at VOX."

"You scared the guy."

"You scared him. He knows me for years. You were the one acting weird."

"I'm not to blame if you caught me completely by surprise."

The blonde smiled and reached for the containers on table, handing it to Callie and waiting anxiously. Tanned hands opened the paper bags and reached inside. A small white simple envelope was grabbed and pulled out by the woman. She looked Arizona's way, watching as the blondes dimples made their appearance. Inside the envelope, a small printed card read "I can't wait to share these meals with you for all the time our future lets us. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"How did you do this?" Callie asked, her fingers caressing the abstract image and the letters on the paper. "It is your hand writing."

"I called them and made our order and said I would e-mail them something to print and put in an envelope inside the paper bag. I made a quick work on my laptop. I wrote on a piece of paper and scanned it with my phone, sent it to the laptop and put some images around on Photoshop. Then I just e-mailed it to them."

"Are you serious? All of that while I was in the shower?" Arizona nodded. "Suddenly this idea doesn't seem lame at all." The brunette laughed as she looked at the paper. "Do you have the original? The one you wrote with your handwriting?" Arizona reached inside the pocket of her laptop cover and pulled the small piece of paper, handing it to Callie.

The blonde tried not to freak out as Callie still hadn't really answered her question. "So…"

"I'll be very happy to share these meals with you for as long as our future let us, Arizona. Of course, I'll be your girlfriend."

Arizona Robbins had a girlfriend. After almost three years without being in a relationship. And for the first time, she was genuinely happy about it. Ecstatic. Completely terrified, but overwhelmingly happy. Suddenly, it seemed too long since she had last kissed Callie's lips. Without notice, she brought her hands to either side of her face sealed their lips together in a searing kiss, reveling in the fact that now she could do that anytime she wanted. Because Callie was her girlfriend.

"Hey, you didn't come the whole morning. It is almost 3 pm." Barbara said from her desk, getting up when she saw Arizona getting closer. She had texted her assistant early morning saying she would be about one or two hours late. She hadn't planned on taking so long to get to work. She never thought she would end up spending her whole morning at the hospital and then the beginning of the afternoon at Callie's. She didn't regret it one bit, though.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm here now. Any emergencies around here?"

"Not really. Only some papers from the breast cancer campaign that you have to sign. They have to be delivered until 5pm. You should take care of that now. Otherwise the delivery of all the material will be late, with you going to New York tomorrow."

"Yes. I'll do that now. Where are the papers?"

"On your office desk."

"Come with me and I'll sign them and you can send it to deliver right away." They walked inside Arizona's office and the blonde went right to her desk, taking the papers from inside the envelope and signing them in all the needed pages. "Here. Do you have everything ready for tomorrow?"

They were going to New York in the middle of the night. She would have very little time to sleep until she had do get ready and go to the airport. And as much as she was excited about it, she was now also sad about leaving Callie less than a day before 'getting her back'.

"Almost. I only have to talk with them to say at what time we will arrive so they can pick us up from the airport and right to their building. We can check in into the hotel later, I already arranged that."

"Okay. I talked to Oliver, he will pick you up at 3am and then pick me up so we can be at the airport around 4am. It's not ideal, I know. But I'm sure you will be happy with the hotel we have booked and you will have time to rest there, I promise." Oliver was the one responsible for part of the delivery service at VOX and the one she often requested as her personal driver when she needed one. She liked driving her own car and coming and going as she pleased without having anyone to do it for her. Driving was something she took great pleasure in doing. But sometimes it was convenient to have someone to drive you. Like when you have to go to the airport and don't want to leave your car at its parking lot.

"No problem, Arizona. It's my job. I'm happy to go to New York. I only went there once and I was still a kid. It will be nice to visit again." The assistant smiled her way. It was nice having Barbara with her. In the last months since the leaked pictures fiasco, she had come to enjoy the other woman's company and professionalism. It was nice to see her developing her potential. If she kept doing this good of a work, maybe there would be a good raise in her salary in the near future.

"Okay. Good. I'll finish what I have to do around here. I don't want to receive any calls for the next 3 hours unless it is my family or anything truly important." Or Callie! She smiled at herself at the thought. But Callie wouldn't call her work place. She would call directly on her personal phone.

"Absolutely." The other woman said and walked away with the signed papers in hand.

Sitting on the chair in front of her desk, Arizona sighed heavily and rested her head on the backrest, closing her eyes. Today had been so abnormal. Her whole life was looking completely different now. How could that be possible? A person wakes up some random day, makes a decision about something important, acts on it and suddenly everything was different, not for actually being different, but for being felt differently. It had never been like this. The only other woman she actually was in love with before had a similar effect on her life, but not quite like this.

This is what she was afraid of. All of the changes she knew getting in a relationship with Callie would bring. Changes on her routine, changes on her way of feeling and thinking and acting. And the worst of all, the changes and the heartbreak if it ever came to an end if they didn't work out. Not only she didn't have time for heartbreak, but being honest with herself, while she was at it, she was terrified of getting her heart broken. Because she had never ever been this in love with someone. She had never loved someone. Not like this. And it was ridiculous to see how all of the things people said about loving someone made sense. All of that crap about knowing when the person was the right one. She laughed at herself and her teenage lovesick brain and groaned. Fuck it, she thought. Callie was worth it.

Sighing again, she opened her eyes and reached for the phone inside her purse.

"I asked her to me my girlfriend." She texted her best friend. The one who had kicked her ass last night about how stupid she was being. Not that anyone had never said it before. Last night it just hit her in a different way.

"You did?" Came the response just a few seconds later. When they decided that the surgeon was going to travel with her, she said that she would speak with the chief today and see how soon she could go. As she was already off this weekend and only had four surgeries scheduled for the next week, the blonde was granted the right to use five of her off days.

"She is my girl now. I can't believe it, Teddy."

"There was no doubt that she would accept, Arizona. Don't screw this up, alright? Try and be happy. You both deserve it. And congrats."

"Thanks, Teddy. You ready to go to New York?" The blonde was happy to have this time with Teddy. She couldn't remember the last time they had done something like this. Of course, Arizona was going to work, but she had all the nights free and Sunday all day.

"I am. I need it. I can't wait. Does Callie know that you are traveling tomorrow? A day after you guys became girlfriends?"

"We didn't have time to talk properly yet. I'm going to have dinner with her tonight. We will talk and I'll tell her." Arizona had thought about telling Callie about it when they had lunch just a bit ago, but the brunette was so tired and sleepy that she thought it would be better to talk about it another time. When she decided it was time to come to work and let the brunette sleep, after Callie's protests, they agreed that the blonde would come back later for dinner. That would be the perfect moment to tell her.

"Alright. See you at the airport. We can talk more then. I have to go. Someone is paging me in the ER. God help it isn't surgical because I still have to pack tonight."

"Go be awesome. See you at the airport. Text me when you arrive there."

Reading the conversation she had just had with Teddy on her phone, Arizona realized there was one more person who deserved to know about this. "I think you will be happy to know that I asked Callie to be my girlfriend and she said yes. Just don't go telling everyone yet, okay? It just happened a few hours ago." After her brother's birthday party, it had taken her a few days to come to him and apologize. He was hurt by the fact that she had considered not going to his party and it hurt herself to know her brother was mad at her. Tim was the most important person in her life. He was her constant, her safe place. She knew there was absolutely nothing, nothing he wouldn't try and help her with. She had hugged him and asked for forgiveness. There was no pride where Timothy Robbins was involved. He had hugged her back and kissed her temple, saying it was not okay to close herself up like that. And all the things she knew already, but needed to hear. He never said anything about Callie that day, though. She was thankful for that. They never touched Callie's name since then. So she was sure he would be shocked by the sudden text.

"YOU FUCKING WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS?" She laughed at her phone a few minutes later when he answered. Bingo! It started ringing immediately after. She picked up and lamented the fact that she probably wouldn't be able to do half of the work she was planning for this afternoon.

"Blondie." Arizona was faced with Mark Sloan as Callie's apartment door opened. It wasn't the most pleasant encounter. She didn't despise the man, but she definitely had reservations about him. He was unpleasant and nosy, cocky and very inappropriate. During the last few months in which she had been dating Callie, his presence was more constant than she would like it to be. More than once Callie had taken calls from him during their dates or had he knocked on her door when they were together at the brunette's house. There was nothing really wrong about those facts. She knew they were friends, good friends. She just didn't understand why her now girlfriend was so fond of the man. For some reason, she didn't quite appreciate his presence.

"Oh, hi, Dr. Sloan. Is Callie home?" She politely asked.

"She is. Come on in." The fact that the man seemed so comfortable in her girlfriend's apartment bothered her just a little bit. He was barefoot, wearing a burgundy short sleeved shirt and light jeans. He stepped out of the entryway to let her in. As soon as she entered the living room, she saw Callie coming from the direction of what Arizona knew was her bedroom.

"Hey." Callie smiled. "I was starting to ask myself if you were still coming." Depositing a kiss into the fair cheek the latina took her hand.

"I'm sorry. I had to go home before coming here."

"It's alright. Mark was making me company."

"I would never say no to good food." The man broke their interaction, smiling smugly while still standing close to the door.

"You're staying to have dinner with us?" Arizona asked, trying not to sound disappointed.

"No. He isn't." Callie was quick to answer. "He already ate. The food was ready half an hour ago. He was just making me company while you arrived."

"Oh. Okay."

"Well, I think that's my cue. Bye, blondie. Bye, Callie. Thanks for the food. Don't do anything I wouldn't." He smirked, walking past the door without putting any shoes. It just reminded Arizona of one more thing, the man lived just across the hall.

"That would be almost nothing, Mark."

"Exactly!" He shouted closing the door, to what Callie chuckled.

"I'm sorry about him."

"It's okay." Arizona brushed it off. She didn't want Mark present in their time together more than necessary. She just wanted to enjoy a few hours with the brunette, without any worries, about anything. The blonde brought her right hand, the one free from Callie's hold, to the tanned neck and pulled the other woman for a brief kiss. It didn't seem to be enough, though. As soon as Callie's lips parted slightly, the need for a more intimate kiss grew inside Arizona, to which she responded darting her tongue inside her girlfriend's mouth. Callie sucked on the smooth muscle and moaned at the taste, their saliva mixing together.

"Uh, this day keeps getting better." Callie declared, breathing heavily as they pulled back a few seconds later. Arizona smiled at her, pecking her lips briefly.

"I brought some wine, but forgot it in my car. I can go get it, if you think it would go well with the food you made? It is white." The women were very close still, not wanting to let go after the kiss ended. Arizona was holding Callie's arms while tanned hands gripped her sides.

"It's shrimps with some butter sauce and broccoli rice. Nothing too fancy. White wine would be perfect, but... I don't think it would be nice to drink if you are driving home later."

"Yeah. I can call a cab." The blonde suggested.

"No. It is okay. We can save that wine to another opportunity."

"You look very pretty." It was clear that the brunette had put a little more effort tonight. She was wearing black tight jeans and a white t-shirt with some black drawings and a belt. Her hair was dried and flowing around her shoulders in its natural waves. Light make up covered her beautiful face. In her hurry to get here, because she was already running late, Arizona had only put some caramel trousers and white blouse, not bothering to blow dry her hair or put any make up on.

"Thank you. And you..." The latina stopped to give Arizona a quick peck. "... always look pretty." She smiled sweetly.

"Is this a date?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, you put make up on. And I can see from here that the dinner table looks extra special, with candles and all."

"Would you like this to be a date?"

"I surelly would." She wasn't expecting it, but it was welcome, anyways. It warmed her heart that Callie had made this for her, even after everything she had done the last few weeks. It proved that her girlfriend had a good heart, that she was able to forgive, that she was thoughtful and considerate.

"Then it is a date." The brunette's hands caressed Arizona's side over the shirt. It was a shame her blouse was tucked in her trousers.

"I want to apologize for what I did to you, Callie. I can't promise you that I won't be scared sometimes. And I may try to push you away, but I promise that I will try my best to be what you need."

"You've already apologized, Arizona. Let's just forget about it and move on. Okay? Let's just agree that it won't happen again."

"I'm taking this seriously, Callie. I want us to work. I never wanted so much for a relationship to work like I want this one to." To be honest, Arizona had never put too much effort in any of her relationships. She was always attentive, of course. But she never felt like she needed or wanted to surprise the woman she had been with small trips to see stars. Only Callie had ever aroused that need inside her. As if you like someone so much you want to make them smile every opportunity you get.

"Me neither." Callie declared, their eyes locked for a few seconds, before the brunette smiled and pecked her lips once more. "We should eat. The food is going to get too cold."

Half an hour later, after their dinner had been eaten over light conversation about Callie's job at the hospital, it came back to Arizona's mind the fact that she was going to be traveling in just a few hours, to spend a whole week away. She had to talk to Callie about it. She knew there wouldn't be a problem. Callie wouldn't react to this in a bad way. But still, it made her a little anxious to share the news with the brunette. It wasn't an ideal situation for they very very recent relationship. But life and work weren't always fair.

"I have something to tell you." They were sitting on the sofa, now. Callie had made them some tea to have after dinner. It was autumn in Los Angeles, not exactly cold, but the temperature had definitely dropped a few degrees.

"Oh-kay."

"It's nothing bad. I mean… It is a little inconvenient right about now. But it isn't anything bad." Arizona took Callie's hand and started caressing the caramel skin with her thumbs.

"Alright." Callie sounded a bit unsure. Arizona didn't blame her, after everything that happened in the last weeks.

"I have to travel for work." She looked for any sign of annoyance, disapproval or disappointment in the brown eyes and didn't find any.

"That's it?" Doubt was replaced by confusion.

"Tomorrow." The blonde saw realization hit Callie. It took her a couple of seconds to absorb the news, but she recovered fast and answered without hesitation.

"Oh, okay. Where are you going?"

"New York. I'll be there until next saturday, probably. Initially I would be coming home this sunday morning, but if I get the deal, I'll have to spend the following week working on some filming with the commercial producers. Plus, I invited Teddy to go with me. She has been dealing with some stuff."

"I know. I live with Cristina, remember? I talked to Teddy about it yesterday for a bit. I think it will be good for her to have a little fun and distract herself from everything. I don't know… Maybe take her to a club Saturday night. She may find someone there to, you know… Take her mind out of the someone she has to get over." It was so like Callie to focus on the fact that Teddy needed some company and help dealing with her situation instead of the fact that Arizona was going to be away for a week. A week was not much. The problem was not the duration, but the timing of this trip.

"I'm sorry I have to travel so soon after we are officially together." Arizona looked for Callie's eyes and scooted closer to her on the sofa. "I had this trip planned for weeks. It is important."

"It's totally fine." The brunette eased her worries, while tucking a strand of blonde hair behind Arizona's ear. "I'm not gonna lie, I was really looking forward to have a few moments with you this weekend, if you had time. But I understand. What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"5 am! I have to be at the airport around 4am. That's why I went home before coming here. Besides the fact that I had to have a shower, I had to pack a small suitcase to take with me."

"Does that mean you have to go home in a bit?" The effort Callie put into not pouting didn't have any effect. Her bottom lip was definitely prominent, which made Arizona chuckle.

"It would be best. It's already past 9pm. I have to be ready to leave by 3:20am, which means I have to wake up before 3 o'clock."

"That is like being called into the hospital for an emergency in the middle of the night." A cute nose scrunched up in displeasure. The woman sure was the victim of 'such absurd' many times. Being a resident, and a freaking awesome resident at that, Callie was sure to be pulled out of her sleep many nights.

"Yes. Just a lot better because I can sleep during the long flight there. I'll get there well rested, hopefully. With the help of a few pills."

"You take pills to fly?" Surprise took over her face.

"Sometimes. Mostly if the flight is too long. I like flying, but I get anxious at the same time." Arizona explained. She was not an addicted to sleeping pills. Nowadays she barely flied anywhere anymore. It was not often that she had a long flight. Maybe once or twice a year to visit her parents during Christmas and one of their birthdays.

"Why don't you sleep here?"

"What?" The blonde was taken completely by surprise. The conversation went from a topic to another totally different.

"We can wake up at whatever time you want and go to your house pick up your stuff and I can drop you off at the airport in time." The offer was definitely very tempting, but so inconvenient for Callie in many ways. Arizona couldn't agree to that.

"No. You won't be dropping me off. You have work tomorrow, Callie. I won't let you wake up at 3 am just to bring me to the airport and lose important hours of sleep. You need to take care of yourself." She reasoned.

"I wouldn't mind."

"I would."

"Is it a no to sleeping over, then?" Arizona didn't know what to say. The idea of sleeping with Callie felt terrifying and amazing at the same time. It had been years since she last shared a bed with a woman for the night. She started to get anxious. Her natural instinct to run boiling up from under its hidden place.

"Uh…"

"It's only sleep Arizona. You can sleep in my bedroom and I will sleep on Cristina's bed if you'd prefer. She is at Meredith's house." She looked at Callie's eyes. They were so genuine and calm. This woman in front of Arizona was beautiful and captivating.

The blonde leaned closer and touched plump lips with hers. A shiver ran on her spine at the chaste contact. It had to mean something to get such reaction from just a simple kiss. Callie brought her hands to either side of her girlfriend's face and held her in place. Arizona's mouth opened just a bit and Callie took the opportunity to suck on her bottom lip. She released a groan and deposited a peck on Callie's lips to end their kiss.

"I won't take you off your bed so I can sleep there. I'm 31, you're 29. I'm sure we are mature enough to share a bed." Their breaths were mixing together as the proximity between them was very small.

"Yeah?" The woman's smile was so big that Arizona had to smile too.

"Yes."

"Good." Callie smiled and brought her face to rest on the fair neck, nuzzling the skin she found there. "I have a baggy shirt that I'm sure will be comfortable enough for you to sleep in. And a brand new tooth brush in my bathroom cabinet." Lips close to Arizona's ear, the melodic voice sounded very arousing. "And a very very comfy bed. And hot water if you want to shower before leaving." An open mouthed kiss was deposited on the blonde's pulse point, making Arizona quiver. "And you can even get a good bye kiss." Callie pulled back and looked at her, her eyes shining with contentment.

"Well, it seems like I made the right decision, huh?" The blonde kissed the tip of her girlfriend's nose and brought her arms around Callie's neck.

"I would say so." The latina smiled before kissing the blonde on the lips again.

"How it multiplies in my veins

And in my blood and home

It triggers itself in my thought."

(Beautiful Hell - Adna)

AN: Finally an update! In compensation, I think this is the biggest chapter I've posted until now. I really hope you like it. Ang guys, guess what? I'm working now, in my nursing field, which is amazing. However, I'll soon have to leave my job because I've also started a master's program and unfortunately the hospital can't provide all my shifts to be at night so I can attend the master's classes during the day. *cries* Anyways... All mistakes are mine. Let me know what you think?