Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy, or any recognizable characters portrayed in this story. The recognizable characters in this story belong to ABC Studio Shonda Rhimes. No copyright infringement is intended. The characters are just borrowed for entertainment purposes.

Chapter 1

The Weight

Callie's POV

Finally she was free…At least for a year. She was free to move to New York with her girlfriend and her daughter. She got one more chance to have it "all" in her life. Ok, she had to take a few steps back in her career for this choice but it seemed like a minor loss compared to what she'll be having in return. She wanted to do the right thing for once in her life.

Penny was waiting for them at the JFK exit door with a huge smile and shiny eyes. She could not help but almost run to the door, to her girlfriend by dragging Sofia and a heavy suitcase. They both jumped into each other's arms for a passionate kiss, as passionate as it can be while Sofia was watching.

On the way to Penny's apartment, she was holding Penny's hand in the cab. Sofia was snoring on her lap after a long exciting journey.

"I still can't believe you're here."

"Me neither but I am here. Sofia is here. I'll take her to Arizona next weekend. And Arizona will be bringing Sofia back after we arrange the apartment and other details. "

"How did she let you take Sofia? What happened?"

"I don't know. She is great. We should have… I shouldn't have jumped the guns. We should have talked before we, uh I messed everything up. Anyway, she is great and I am, we are here with you."

"You are here… I love you"

"I love you, too" She pulled her into a long kiss at the back of the cab.

Everything couldn't be better. She found the perfect apartment with Penny. It was close to Penny's hospital, the central park and most of the good schools that she applied for Sofia. The attending position in Columbia Hospital was still open and they immediately accepted her application. Arizona was very helpful during the move. She stayed in a hotel very close to their apartment and she took Sofia most of the time when she was dealing with the move. She was sure they selected the best school after a long and careful consideration of type A Arizona's checklist together. They took Sofia to school on her first day together. Sofia loved her new school, her new teacher and her new friends.

Today was Arizona's last day so Sofia was with Arizona the whole day till the afternoon. She was flying back tonight. She brought Sofia back as they agreed.

"Hi Callie"

"Hey"

"Hi mama"

Sofia was still holding Arizona's hand outside of the door.

"You want to come in?"

"It's better if I don't. I better leave now or I'll miss my flight"

"Ok."

She pulled an envelope from her bag and showed it to me.

"This came out of the post today"

"What is it?" after a few seconds, I took it from her hand.

"The custody papers"

"What?"

What was she saying?

"My lawyer completed all the procedures for the shared custody…"

"What? I didn't know…"

"These are the papers for the shared custody. You'll need it a lot cause you'll be making most of the decisions alone. For Sofia. I'll be on the other side of the country… " She was rambling.

This woman…

I didn't know what to say. This woman kept surprising me.

"Thank you."

"I better go." She turned to Sofia.

"I love you sweetie! We'll see each other soon….Don't forget I love you. I love you very.. very much."

"Don't go, mommy! Can't you stay?"

"We talked about this Sofia. You know I need to go and save the tiny humans in Seattle but I'll see you at Christmas and… and give you the best gifts ever. I love you sweetie." She hugged Sofia.

"I love you too mommy!" Sofia was hugging Arizona and wasn't letting her go.

"Come on Sofia."

I had to drag her from Arizona's legs. Arizona turned her back to me for a second and looked up…I saw her teary eyes for a millisecond. And that millisecond hit me like a freight train.

"I don't need much to be happy. I don't even need two legs. But I do know that I need you. I need Sofia, and I need you."

She was losing all, at least for a year. I didn't see any tears falling. She put her walls high up with a quick smile that popped her dimples. She was gracious, nice, accommodating and… distanced.

I felt the weight on my shoulders, and in my heart; the weight I've been trying to run away till the plane crash, no, actually not the plane crash but the leg, freaking leg, the weight that made me leave her in the therapist's room after she said she loved me, the weight I wanted to be free from.

Thank God, Arizona left without looking back. Probably she didn't want to show Sofia and me the tears she could no longer hold.

"Ok. Sofia, let's go to your room and play with the new toys that mommy bought!" was enough for Sofia to run to her room.

I leaned my back on the door for a while, closed my eyes, tried to inhale and exhale.

I should love me, and she should love herself. I should be myself. I should love me and Penny.

I'm free and I'll have it all. Penny will be home in two hours. I smiled... "Mamaaaa!"