AN: The end is near... or something. Here's the final chapter. I hope you'll like it, if not... I can't really do anything about it. I'll just use this opportunity to say thank you to those of you who's been reading, reviewing and kind enough to let me know. You guys are truly awesome. Here's to a lovely summer. Take care!
I've been at this for a couple of hours now and if it wasn't for Arizona, I'd probably be doing it for a couple more. I can't rush it, though. No one can rush nature. But... today it's date night; something we agreed on when finally shacking up and doing the serious couple-thing. With Arizona's popular business and my working hours here, we rarely have time just the two of us. I was naive enough to think that moving in together would give us more time together, and sure we have all the glorious mornings and nights and it's freaking amazing but still... I want more. I need more. We both do. We need more of us being a couple, dining out, going to the cinema or theater, even just a stroll in a park that's not full of animals. I love those great bastards, don't get me wrong but I love Arizona as well, and sure those things can be combined; our new dog being the perfect example of exactly that. But I want to be with my girlfriend and just her, just us. And luckily enough, she feels the same way. So we imposed date night once a week and it's been amazing. Well, if you count the two times we've actually been able to pull one off. Something always seems to come up even though we really try our best. To months in and we've only been on a date twice, but still... it's progress.
I can't think of that right now though because tonight is date night and both of our schedules are cleared and we are going out. Nothing fancy just us, candlelight dinner at the restaurant around the corner and a stroll afterwards. Perfect, just perfect. I'm giddy with expectations and I feel like a 16-year-old about to be going on a date with the one she's been chasing for a year. I miss her, Arizona. It's crazy, really. Because we saw each other this morning and when she swung by Dr. Mike and Sully earlier today just to say hi in her break. But I really do. I miss her and I she's only got herself to blame for that fact; being so pretty and cute while scratching the belly of one of my best friends, her crooked ponytail bouncing back and forth as she coos. Lovely, just plain lovely. When Katie the tiny elephant who's actually not that tiny anymore pulled at Arizona's shirt, she let out a shriek that resonated in my entire being. I've known for quite some time now that Arizona is the one for me, but moments like that just engrave that fact in stone. To think that the careful ice-cream queen who used to be rather apprehensive towards animals is now so at ease around them... it's just, it's miraculous to me. Talk about taking part of each other's worlds. Arizona is by far the winner in that department, I mean... ice-cream? No one has to be convinced to the idea of joining such a world. So Arizona is clearly points ahead but I don't care... who's counting anyway? My blonde surely isn't. And thank God because then I'd lose big time.
My eyes are about to pop out of their sockets when it finally happens. At last. About time. Thank you, big guy up there. An hour ago I already pictured another date night being called off because the circle of life wouldn't get going. But lastly, a tiny bundle of life has arrived. A bit unsteady and gooey but cute.
"Hi there, little one," I whisper as I rest my chin on my crossed arms on the railing. "Good going, Maria," I coo at the exhausted horse. "I know someone who's gonna be happy now. Thanks, I owe you one," I chuckle lightly as I watch the tiny horse and its mother connect.
Finally! If Maria hadn't given birth at this point, we had had to interfere and help her on her way. But thankfully nature does what it does best and now there's another foal to the horse family. And I'm off the hook name-vice due to the gender of the newest addition. Stepping back from the stable and out into the brisk Seattle weather, I fill out the forms and register the horse. Finding my number one speed-dial, I press on the call button and it connects with the most beautiful voice I've ever heard.
"It's here!" I greet my girlfriend.
"Cut it, Eliza. Boy or girl?" Arizona deadpans.
I bite myself in the lip as to not laugh, it's hard tough, when she's hilarious like that; all serious and curious. "You've gotten your way, mylady," is all I say, shrugging even though she can't see it.
"Really?!"
"Yup. You've gotten yourself a Kurt!"
"Aaaahhh. Life IS good," she triumphs followed by a laugh.
"Seems like it," I reply, trying to suppress the giant smile forming on my face. Seems rather stupid just grinning at no one, but nonetheless I am. Because my girlfriend is awesome and amazing. "Two birds, one stone, I guess," I add nonchalantly.
"Exactly! This needs celebrating, honey, and you know it," Arizona perks and I can totally picture her dimples popping.
"I thought so. Good thing it's date night then, huh?"
"Indeed. I'll see you in a bit then?"
"You know it. Just need to inform Edwards and the others about Kurt and then I'll hit the showers. Where're you at?"
"We're actually here. Strolling around, you know. Getting life lessons," Arizona sasses which once again makes me giddy with love and affection. I can't think of a time in my life where I've felt more alive and thoroughly happy than I do now. Not in a millions years. Not with Ivy, not with anyone. Arizona gets me and she doesn't even have to try. And sometimes I think she doesn't even know how much she means to me and how much her actions mean to me. The fact that she's just here - where I work - is just one more thing that makes me fall even more in love with her and the life we share. Sure, she works here, too, but not at this hour anyway... but she still comes here from time to time. Not because she feels obligated to but because she actually enjoys spending her time here. I couldn't have asked for a better life partner.
"Great, I'll find you."
"That I'm sure of," my girlfriend purrs and then the line goes dead. No time to waste, though. Shoving the phone back in my pocket, I check on Kurt and Maria one last time.
Making my way through the stables and where the two horses are restituting from the afternoon's big event, I watch them interact. The soft nudging, the shrieky sounds and the palpable strings of love between the mom and her baby is blowing my mind. Again. Every time. There's nothing like it. Nothing beats watching a scene like that... except when my girlfriend and dog play or have one of their talks about love and life. That... that makes my entire world spin. It's both super hilarious and so, so sweet. And it makes me picture Arizona doing the exact same thing with our kids in the future. It's not far away, it gets clearer and nearer every day passing by. And I really, really love that. It's terrifying but also so very satisfying. Like the first summer rain.
"So, you've got yourself a Kurt," I echo the words earlier spoken to my girlfriend. I get a snort in reply and choose to take it as approval of the name. It's sort of been our thing naming the new arrivals after characters from books, movies or television shows and today's not any different. Actually, I named animals like that before Arizona came into the picture, but it doesn't count anymore, I guess. Today Kurt got his name and it's rather practical, actually. His parents are named after Maria and Georg from The Sound of Music and they've already got Liesl and Fredrick, and when Maria expected another foal Arizona got so excited. She saw the perfect opportunity to mash-up a broad way musical with a television show which gets its kicks out of showtunes. And that is why we landed on the name Kurt. The second son in the musical and the high pitched showtune gay guy on Glee. Everyone's happy, my girlfriend advocated her case back then. And who am I to deny everyone a happiness as great as mine? Nah. Kurt it is.
I've showered and said my goodnights to my colleagues, filling them in on Kurt and the delivery. And now I'm on my way to catch up with my beautiful blonde. Except, I can't find her and I can't get a hold on her via her phone. It goes straight to voicemail. I swing in by the ice-cream castle but Lexie hasn't seen Arizona since early afternoon. I'm not worried. My girlfriend is pretty cool and together, but she forgets to charge her phone more times than not, so it's probably why I cannot get in reach with her. I know she isn't stupid, so she hasn't left the zoo and therefor awaits me somewhere in this area. But I also know that she tends to lose track of time and wander off, especially on her dog walks. So if I'm not mistaking, they're in here some where. I just need to turn on my inner girlfriend-gps. First stop didn't get any hits, though, so I try next stop on my brain map. Cloud Dancing and the giraffes.
Watching as one of my fellow zookeepers guide the family giraffes into their skyscraper of a house, I cannot get a visual of my loves. Not the ones I share address with, anyway. Cloud Dancing makes a little dorky sashay, causing me to smirk. He's got the moves, alright. Deciding to try location number three on my map out, I turn and put speed behind my steps. The need for being near my girlfriend building up with every passing minute. When I reach the red pandas, I once again get bumped out. Where the heck are they?
Fumbling with my phone between my hands as I walk, I search between the lines of the conversation we had earlier. Did she lay out any signs of her whereabouts? She could have moved since, though. Dammit, Eliza Minnick. You know your girlfriend, inside out. Think! Arizona mentioned something about the zoo, talking and what...? A-ha! Life lessons! Why didn't I think of it earlier? Of course. There's no other place she'd go. It's where we so often have shared lessons of life and thoughts. It's where we fell in love, I guess. At least, it's one of the places.
Quickly rewinding my searching, I almost go back to where I started and turn left at the ice-cream castle instead of right. Passing a couple of trees, shrubs and the open space perfectly to picnic upon, I finally see my heart's desire. And it flutters, my heart. It flutters and soars and all the butterflies in my stomach get butterflies as well. There they are. There she is. Captured by the early evening sun as it soon goes to shine in the opposite side of the world, Arizona is sitting Indian-style on the bench with my favorite spotted fellow right next to her as he waggles his tail vigorously and they overlook the penguins together. My A-team. The best A-team. Arizona's hand is laced with the leash in her lap while the other one is occupied patting the top of the furry head. And she's talking, a lot. It's serious stuff, I can tell. She's got the serious wipe hanging above her. It's not bad serious, though. It's philosophical serious, indeed. And he eats her wisdom with every word the blonde lets out, looking as if he actually understands every bit of the one-sided dialogue that's taking place this moment. It's adorable actually. Trying not to break their moment of life sharing point of views, I sneak up a bit, placing myself out of sight but still close enough to eavesdrop. She'll forgive me later.
"So, Othello. That's why love is important, you know. I fell in love with Eliza when I really didn't look for love but in retrospect, I really needed it. I needed her but I also needed to be blown away by those empowering emotions. Because... truth be told... I was a hot mess and maybe even a lost cause, and in a way love saved me. The one thing I've sworn never to break me actually ended up being the one thing strong enough to break me and put me back together again," Arizona confesses, her shoulders dropping and her loose hair dancing in wind. Her words hit home and I'd thrown myself at her if I'd been the one in Othello's spot right now. He just kindly barks to let the blonde know about his participation in the conversation. His little tongue hanging out of his mouth as he breathes. "And I'll tell you this, friend. If anyone ever hate on your name, you just tell them that you're not named after the bad man who killed his girlfriend in one of Shakespeare's tragedies. But you got your name to honor another man and his incredible abilities to write plays and create characters not afraid to be vulnerable. Because that, my friend, is very honorable. You need to have been through one heck of an inconsolable time to actually be able to experience the joy of life. And love. So be honorable, O, and it'll all be good. I promise you," Arizona finishes her class of life and love lessons, both her hands coming to caress the little dog's head as she showers him with all her love and devotion. And then it hits me.
I've known for a long time now that I really need to and want to marry Arizona, but I just hadn't thought now was the time. We've only been living together for a couple of months and the dog has finally settled in what with Arizona's lessons and our eternal love. But now is the time. The sun is touching the two of them in a way it makes my heart burst and that is how I know that it's time. It truly is time.
Not sure of how to get my proposal through, I take a leap of faith and let myself known, clearing my throat. Arizona's head quickly snaps up, our eyes connect instantly and I receive one of those smiles any living soul would kill to be on the receiving end of. There's no doubt in my mind. Now is the time. Othello's seen me too and jumps from the bench, sprinting towards me as my girlfriend watches still wearing that specific smile and makes me swoon like a schoolgirl.
I crouch down and open my arms. "Hey there, boy. C'mere. Hiiii," I coo as I embrace my dog and make sure to shower him with as much love as he is giving me right now. "You think it's time, too, don't you? Yesss, you do, you've got that super life lesson speech and all," I whisper to him as I scratch him on his belly and try avoiding his licking tongue in my face. Another run of adrenaline rushes through my veins when I look up and catch the glimpse of Arizona, the sun I'm constantly evolving around. Yes, it's time indeed.
"Don't I get a hello?" Arizona plays, rolling her eyes at me. "Or is your love only reserved for the ones with fur and tails?"
"Jealous much?" I smirk, making my way towards the blonde with Othello sprinting in front of me, beating me in reaching the bench.
"Yes!" she deadpans, shrugging.
I lean down and place my hands on the back of the bench, our faces mere inches apart. I shoot her one of my best smiles and can't stop thinking about how that word soon will be my favorite word in the entire vocabulary. It trumps girlfriend, love and ice-cream. Even date night. Yes is the ultimate best word in world. In the past I've been unsure of love and about Arizona, too. But not this time. Not at this point in my life. Today I'm sure of two things and it's my love and it's Arizona's love for me. So I'm not at all afraid to pop the question. I haven't got any ring or anything, but I've got the one thing that's more important than any diamond. I've got the honor and the love behind the question, and that's all that really matters. If you count Arizona's life lessons for any good... just ask Othello, he does. And I do, too.
AN2: Once and again, thank you for your time!