Title: As Time Goes By 24
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Callie and Arizona A/U story. Four kids, two department heads and Arizona's past coming back to haunt her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I do not intend to profit in any way, shape or form by posting this story. It's for fun, nothing more, and nothing less. Please don't sue me.

A/N: Hi everyone. I'm really sorry that it's taken this long to get this written and out. Writer's block has been my nemesis lately and JJ was out of town for the summer. When she got back, we got back to writing and finally got this beta'd (Thanks again, busy Bee!) and finally released. This is the end of the first part of this story! The next part will deal more with the kids and them growing up. There will be a large time jump for part 2, so hopefully those of you enjoying the story will stick around. And hopefully, there won't be so much time between chapters. I know it's annoying.


As Callie entered the waiting room, to say that the sight before her eyes was a shock would have been a huge understatement. Callie had expected to find her four children and their nanny sitting and waiting for her and even though they were there, they were not alone. Sitting in the middle of the waiting room was Monica and her wife. Alice and the other nanny stood close to one another talking, while Sofia and Sienna were playing with little Kristen's hair, Skye and Paul were playing some kind of card game, and Spencer and Caleb seemed to be talking about some television show that Callie had never heard of. None of them seemed to notice that she'd even entered the room.

"Um… what's going on?" Callie asked in confusion and at the sound of her voice, Sienna ran and leaped up in the air, forcing Callie to catch her.

"Mama! How's mommy? Sofia, Kristy and me were playing hair salon because we wanted to make each other look super pretty and Kristy has awesome long hair, it goes on forever. Can I grow my hair like that? And can I get a pink dress like hers cause it's so pretty and It has sparkly sleeves and…"

"Breathe, baby girl." Callie couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's ramblings, which reminded her so much of her wife. Sienna had always been the most talkative of the triplets; she could talk anyone into anything if you gave her enough time. "Mama is going to be just fine; she's with Aunt Teddy and Aunt Bailey now and they are making her all better."

"But I thought she was already better?" Spencer asked with a tone in his voice that Callie had never heard before: confusion.

"She is, she just needs one last check up." Spencer and the kids seemed to accept this answer and went back to what they were doing. Callie was about to go and talk to Monica when familiar voices floated down the corridor stopping her in her tracks.

"Addison, I am telling you he is a wonderful guy. This time will be awesome," Nix sounded like a salesman as he and Addie got closer.

"That's what you said about Jerry, you know, the guy who still lives with his mother. You also said that about Patrick, the guy who sells juice out of the trunk of his car. Oh and let's not forget about your other 'wonderful guy', Thomas, the guy who spent the whole date crying about his break-up with someone named Charlie."

"In my defence you have to admit Thomas is very good looking and one bad woman shouldn't stop you from going back there," Nix said matter-of-factly.

"Oh please, he was gayer than you and Arizona at a cheerleading competition." Nix stood shocked at his friend's words before nodding his head.

"Okay, I'll admit that my gaydar isn't what it used to be, but Addie, I swear to you, this time I found you the best guy ever. His name is Nathan; he's very tall and very handsome. He owns his own business and this one has real offices and staff, not just a juicer and a Toyota." Nix pulled out his phone, "Look at him, he's gorgeous." Addie's faced cracked into a small smile as she looked at the picture.

"Fine, set it up, but this is the last time I ever let you set me up. And seriously, if the guy is a creep then I'm going to tell Teddy what you said about her cooking." Addison was laughing at her threat, but Nix was not. He had finally noticed who was in the room he and Addison just walked into and was looking between her and Callie frantically.

"You..." It came out as a whisper of shock. Nix stood stiffly, his hands clenched into fists at his sides as he looked between Callie and Monica. Addison raised a brow at the daggers Nix was shooting at Monica. She placed her hand on Nix's shoulder and felt the rage seep out of him as he forced himself to calm down. He immediately looked back at Callie, who rolled her eyes at his antics.

Callie smiled at the kids and then walked over to Nix. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "Monica is here as my guest, so if you can't keep it together and be civil, then just turn around and go. She's already been humiliated by Arizona, she doesn't need it from you too." She leaned back and narrowed her eyes at him, ensuring that they understood one another. He nodded slightly and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I was just coming to see Arizona and Addison decided to come with me," Nix said softly as he nodded toward Addison who was just baffled at what happened.

"Arizona had to be taken back to surgery," Callie said softly while glancing at the kids and shaking her head slightly.

"What?" Nix said and he managed to keep his voice low.

"Why?" Addison asked at the same time; tone also low to avoid little ears.

Callie sighed deeply and slipped out of the room, pulling Nix and Addie along with her. "Teddy and I thought Arizona was having panic attacks, but there was something serious going on. Monica showing up pretty much saved her life because she got Arizona worked up enough to show symptoms and be correctly diagnosed." Callie's hand ran over her face a she sucked back tears. "Look, I owe this woman now. I know about Arizona's past with her and Arizona flat out refused to forgive her, but I listened to her story and I think she is really genuine and I feel for her."

Callie looked over her shoulder, glancing in the room at Monica who was holding her wife's hand and crying quietly while watching their children play. "I'm not saying we're going to have coffee twice a week and play dates with our kids, but she was a victim here too. And through everything that happened between her and Arizona, she managed to find herself. She's married to a woman, she has kids, and she has nothing to do with the part of her family that has attacked Arizona. I think she's almost as shaken up as I am over everything."

The clearing of a throat behind them caused them to turn. Monica stood there shyly and nervously stepped forward once they acknowledged her. "Phoenix…" she said quietly, "I owe you an apology as well."

Nix stared at her and he could tell immediately that she was nervous, genuine, and most of all, a little scared. His gaze was locked into her eyes and she shyly tried to maintain eye contact with him, but failed. Her eyes dropped down, then back up to his face, and down again.

Addison glanced to all the faces around her and felt distinctly uncomfortable. Her eyes finally fell on Callie, who appeared fairly lost. She grabbed Callie's hand and then smiled at Monica, "Well, uhm, I suppose you both have something to talk about, so Callie and I are going to drop in and check on the kiddies."

Callie had felt Addie's hand grab her own and heard her voice but she was too caught up in her own little world to make any kind of sense of what she had said. It wasn't until she heard Addie saying her name and something about the kids that she snapped out of it.

"What?"

"I was just saying, Callie, that I think you and I should go in there with the kids while Nix and Monica talk." Addison had never felt so awkward and uneasy in all her life. Nix was scowling at Monica, Monica kept looking nervously between Nix and Callie and Callie looked like she was on the verge of both a physical and emotional meltdown.

"Oh, right ok." Callie turned her head to look at Nix, opening her mouth to speak to him but he just held up a hand like he knew what she was going to say.

"I'll be fine. Go." Callie nodded and let herself be dragged away by Addie. The kids were all sat with Alice and Hannah playing some kind of game when Addie sat Callie down.

"I'm gonna go down the hall and get us some coffee ok?" Callie just nodded her head and gave Addie a weak smile. Addie returned it before slowly walking out of the room, casting a worried glance back to her friend as she did so.

Callie rubbed her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. Despite her hectic home and work schedule she couldn't remember feeling this drained in a long time.

"Hi Mama." Callie smiled as she saw Skye coming towards her. The little girl put her hands on her mother's legs as Callie bent her body to pick her up.

"Hey baby girl, you ok." Skye shook her head and laid it on Callie's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"I wanna see mommy." Callie's heart broke at the sad tone in her daughter's voice. The pout on her face identical to the elder woman she resembled so much. She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around her daughter, placing a long loving kiss on the top of her soft blonde head.

"I know sweetie, I know." Callie stroked the hair out of her daughter's eyes. "We're all gonna see her real soon. " Skye lifted up her head and stared right into Callie's eyes.

"You promise?" Callie felt a huge lump form in her throat as she looked into the sparkling bright blue eyes that were identical to the woman she loved so much, and prayed to god not to let the tears that were threatening to fill her eyes come forward.

"I promise."

"Pinkie promise 123?" That was all it took for her prayer to go unanswered as hot tears began to fill her eyes. Pinkie promise 123 was something Arizona had taught the kids, something her grandmother and her mother used to do with her and her brother. Callie blinked back the tears and smiled, nodding her head she held out her pinkie.

"Pinkie promise 123." A small smile broke out across Skye's face as she linked her tiny little finger with Callie's. Callie brought their joined hands between their faces and leaned down to her daughter.

"Pinkie promise, pinkie promise, 1, 2, 3." They both said the words together before Callie kissed Skye's hand twice and once on her forehead before Skye did the same to her Mama. Skye let go of her hand before throwing her arms around Callie's waist.

"I love you mama." Callie's throat went dry and she swallowed painfully so she could find the words.

"I love you too mija. So, so much. Now why don't you go play with your brother and your sisters?" Skye nodded her head and jumped down off of Callie's lap. As Callie watched her second oldest daughter walk over to her other children and the children of the woman who had once destroyed her wife's world, she was suddenly overwhelmed with the situation her family was currently in.

She looked at her children and thought about was how she was the luckiest woman in the world. All her life she had dreamed of two things, breaking bones and being a mother. Sure when she was a young woman she had never imagined that her dream would come true with a woman instead of the husband she had always assumed she would have, but her life had turned out more amazing than she ever could have imagined. She had the most beautiful, wonderful woman in the entire world that made her feel like she was the only person in the world that mattered, and four amazingly adorable children. Sofia, her little mini-me, Skye and Sienna were literally tiny clones of her wife with a little mix of herself. Then of course there was her little guy, Spencer was the smartest, wittiest and downright cheekiest little smart mouthed kid she'd ever know but as far was she was concerned he had a heart of gold. Yeah, her family was perfect.

But then her mind began to go to dangerous territory. Callie looked at Monica and Mary's children and couldn't help the anger that swelled up inside of her. Not because of the children, it wasn't their fault they had been brought into this horrific situation; they were completely innocent in the matter. The anger came from the idea of how very different her life had been if the Sanders brothers had succeeded in their mission to remove Arizona not only from their sister's life but from the world itself because of her "disgusting life-style choice."

Callie couldn't even allow her mind to go there. Everything that had happened to Arizona and ultimately to her was finally taking its toll. All of a sudden Callie felt like she just could not be in that room anymore. She knew it was only a matter of seconds before she was going to be a blubbering mess and the last thing she wanted was for her children to see her cry. She stood up and walked out of the room as fast as she could shouting over her shoulder to Alice that she would be right back. Once out of the room, she walked quickly to the on call room next to the nurses' station. She closed and locked the door and sat down on the bed. It was at this moment, that she finally allowed herself to fall apart.

Nix Taylor liked to think of himself as a forgiving person. There were not many people in the world that he could honestly say he hated, well except for a few celebrities but who doesn't have a famous face they'd like to hit. But as he had stood outside that waiting room staring at the woman who had cost him his best friend being in his life for so many years he felt something he had actually never felt before; complete and utter loathing. And now here they were, sitting in his office in what had to be the most awkward silence he had ever experienced because she said she had to apologize to him, well as far as he was concerned she owed him a lot more than an apology.

Monica sat staring down at the desk and wringing her hands together. She clearly had no idea where to start and Nix was beginning to grow impatient. Monica finally lifted her head and looked at him, she pointed at a picture frame on his desk.

"Is that your daughter? She's beautiful Phoenix, how old is she?" Monica's voice was shaky and nervous as she spoke to him. Nix folded his arms across his chest.

"Cut the crap Monica, we're not here to have a cosy little catch up ok." He almost spat the words out in frustration. Monica sighed and nodded her head.

"You're right, you're right. " Monica took a deep breath before continuing. "I know I have no right to be here asking Arizona or her family, hell even you for forgiveness."

"Sing it."

"A part of me knows that I'll never fully be able to forgive myself for what I did. I told one of the worst lies anyone could ever tell and let everyone believe that a sweet, wonderful, beautiful person like Arizona was capable of…" All of a sudden something inside of Nix snapped. He stood up from his chair, towering over the scared woman.

"Do not talk about Arizona like that, like you know her. She was in love with you, you knew that and you just destroyed her life, ripped it to shreds without so much as blinking. How could you do that? Do you know that I was the one who actually ultimately convinced her to ask you out? All I ever heard from her was Monica this and Monica that and I thought you were going to be good for her. The fact that I gave her that push makes me feel sick because I am supposed to protect her. I promised her parents and her brother that I would protect her and I failed because I thought you were good for her."

Monica sat in stunned silence, tears running down her face. Nix shook his head at her.

"No, you do not get to cry about this. Because of what you did, Arizona cut me out of her life. Did you know that? Yeah her therapist told her to make a new start so she cut me and all her other old friends out of her life. I lost my best friend for years, literally years and the only reason she became a part of my life again was through pure luck. So you do not get to cry because you made that happen. You ruined everything."

"I know ok! I know what I did; I don't need you to remind me because I have spent every single day since it happened thinking about it. I was scared, and I know that is not in any way an excuse for my behaviour but you've seen first-hand exactly what my family are capable of. They think being gay is a sin, they feel so strongly about it that they had me believing it too. It may be impossible for you to believe, but I loved Arizona, I really did but I was so terrified of what my family would do that it made me go insane. I've learnt so much over the years, mainly through what Arizona taught me in the short time we were together." Nix, feeling calmer sat himself back down in his chair and listened.

"She was so sure of herself; she knew exactly what she wanted out of life. When I was with her she made me feel like I could do anything and at the time I resented her for it, because all I'd ever known my whole life was that the feelings I was having were supposedly wrong, but I couldn't stay away from her. When we finally spent the night together, at the time I was so happy but come morning I was almost paralysed with fear that I dove straight into denial and I let everyone believe something that was so far from the truth it was crazy. After all this happened, I knew I had to get away from my family, so as soon as I finished college; I left Seattle and never looked back. I left a note which was essentially my coming out to them. I was so ashamed of everything I'd done that I'd slowly started to drink away the pain. I had a severe alcohol problem for almost 4 years before I finally realized that I needed help."

"Please don't try and make me feel sorry for you." Nix said, slowly starting to soften.

"I'm not, but can I please finish?" Nix nodded, "I spent 4 months at a rehab facility in Pasadena trying to get my life back together, and surprisingly, that place changed my life in ways I never ever thought it would. That place helped me get sober, helped me to deal with my demons and on top of that, I met the best thing to ever happen to me, my wife, Mary and now we have 3 beautiful children. After we got married I started my own business in Pasadena, a counselling centre for LGBT youth. I had to find some way to help myself deal with what I did and now I have 12 different centres all across California helping kids just like me so that no one can make the same horrible mistakes that I made."

Nix hated to admit it, but he was slightly impressed with the woman on how she'd turned her life around.

"I'm a changed woman, Phoenix, and I know you may not believe me, but I am sorry. I'm sorry to Arizona for everything I did to her then, and now. I'm sorry to her family, and I'm sorry to you. I'm sorry that you lost your best friend for so long because of me. I am so sorry."

Monica gave him a weak smile and wiped her eyes before standing up.

"Like I said, I'm not asking you for forgiveness, I just wanted you to know that." Nix nodded his head. He was speechless. Monica walked towards the door but just before she turned the handle, Nix found his voice.

"Monica?" She stopped and turned her head. "Thank you." She smiled at him and nodded her head before leaving his office. A small portion of the guilt she'd carried for so long falling down off her shoulders.

Callie sobbed with her head in her hands as she sat in the on call room. She hated to be the one crying and a mess when her family needed her so much but she couldn't take it anymore. The sound of a knock on the door made her lift up her head.

"Callie?" It was Addison. Callie sighed at the sound of her friend's voice. "Callie I know you're in there. Please let me in." Callie, knowing from experience that Addison was going to stand there knocking until she opened the door, stood up and let her in. Addie stepped into the room and quickly locked the door behind her. Seeing her friend so broken hurt her heart. She had never seen Callie this broken and it shocked her.

"Addie I hate this." Callie said through more sobs as she once again sat on the bed. Addison sat down next to her long-time friend and placed an arm around her shoulders pulling her close enough for Callie to lay her head on hers.

"I know sweetie, I know." The two women sat in silence for a good few minutes as Callie continued to cry. Addison knew that right now no words needed to be said; Callie just needed literally a shoulder to cry on. It took Callie roughly 10 minutes to get to a place where she could actually talk to Addison.

"How did we get here?" Addie just shook her head. She couldn't believe everything Callie and Arizona had gone through over the years. They were such strong people both together and a part but there is only so much people can take. "Life was so great for us; I really thought we'd had our share of disasters you know? I guess I was just kidding myself. My life has always been a disaster in one way or another; it was only a matter of time before something else hit us."

"Callie, trust me, your life is anything but a disaster. You have a wife that pretty much worships the ground you walk on. 3 beautiful daughters and a son that quite honestly if he wanted to could easily be chief of surgery by the time he's 12." Callie let out a little watery chuckle. "Let's face it, your family is sickeningly adorable and I for one am incredibly jealous of what you and Arizona have. You two are perfect together."

"I love them all so much Addie. It's just, how much more are we going to have to go through? First the car crash and now this."

"Well, you know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Callie laughed and lifted her head up off her friends shoulder.

"Did you just quote Kelly Clarkson?"

"Hey, it's a good song." Callie let out another laugh and sniffed. "What I mean is, you and Arizona have been through so much and each time you've been knocked down, you've just risen up twice as strong. You survived the past and you'll survive this. It might not feel like it right now, but you will. I know it and deep down you know it." Callie still didn't look any happier. Addison stood up and pulled out her phone. She pressed a couple of buttons before that very same Kelly Clarkson song began to play through the speakers with Addie dancing.

"Addie what are you doing?" Callie asked once again laughing.

"I'm dancing, we're gonna dance it out."

"I'm sorry but when did we become Grey and Yang?"

"Come on! Humor me?" Addison pulled Callie to her feet and pushed and pulled her arms until she started dancing with her.

"This never leaves this room." Callie warned as she danced

"Agreed."

The two women danced to 3 more songs before Callie felt like she was ready to go back to her children.

"Thank you Addie."

"Anytime Callie."


Over the next few hours, Callie remained in the waiting room with her children. They played games, she read them a story, and she helped them draw pictures for Arizona. Teddy had come out twice to give Callie updates and so far everything had been fine. Nix and Monica had arrived back from talking and all seemed to be civil and even though not a word was spoken between adult and adult about anything other than all seven children, the atmosphere was a lot less tense. Later that night, all the kids had fallen asleep and Callie was halfway there when Teddy came to see her. Arizona was out of surgery and she was awake, asking for her wife. Callie quickly woke up Alice before following Teddy to Arizona's room.

When Callie entered Arizona's room, she breathed a huge sigh of relief now that she could see with her own eyes that her wife was ok. Arizona offered her a weak smile as she walked towards the bed. Callie immediately bent down and kissed her, once on the lips and once on the forehead before sitting down in the chair next to her bed.

"I'm so glad you are okay. I was so worried." Callie gripped Arizona's hand.

"I'm sorry Calliope."

"Hey, hey do not apologize; none of this is your fault." She brought their joined hands up to her mouth and gently kissed her wife's hand.

"So tell me, Dr. Altman." Arizona directed her gaze upon Teddy. "Am I healed?" she said it in a slightly upset and in a way bitter voice but with that familiar hint of sarcasm that Callie knew and loved.

"There was a small tear in your spleen which was what was causing you to bleed and there was also a small clot forming on top of your lungs due to the damage done by the knife on your chest which was what was causing the shortness of breath which led us to believe you were having a panic attack. Luckily Dr Bailey was able to repair your spleen and we were also able to remove the clot with almost no difficulty at all."

"Almost?" Callie asked a hint of worry in her voice.

"Clots, no matter what the size are always slightly complicated. Arizona as long as you take It easy, get plenty of rest, don't do anything to get yourself worked up again and literally just lie in that bed just eating and watching TV and only get up when you need to use the bathroom for the next few days, you are going to be fine."

"Seriously? Can't I go visit some of my patients, if I'm super careful?" Callie and Teddy laughed.

"You heard Teddy, bed rest and peeing, that's it for you." Arizona pouted making Callie laugh and kiss her. "And if you decide to sneak away like last time, I'm not above getting a nurse to give you a catheter." Arizona opened her mouth in shock.

"You wouldn't?"

"Just you test me Arizona Robbins-Torres." Arizona opened her mouth to protest but decided against it. But there was one thing that was still on her mind.

"I have just one more request and I know what you will think about this but I need it. I want to talk to Monica again. I swear I am not going to get myself worked up again." Callie and Teddy exchanged worried glances.

"Arizona…" Callie began.

"Please Calliope! I need this. Please?" Arizona was now begging her. She really did need this.

Callie and Teddy left the room to talk it over and Teddy agreed to let them talk for five minutes and that was it. The last thing anyone needed was Arizona working herself into another surgery. Callie walked slowly to the waiting room to get Monica. Monica was shocked to hear that Arizona wanted to talk to her and when she stood up Nix insisted on coming too. The three of them walked to Arizona's room in silence; none of them knowing how this was going to go, but each eager to get it over with.

"Hello." Monica said quietly as she and Callie walked into the room, Nix following close behind. Arizona stared at Nix with confusion.

"If you want me to leave, I will." Arizona continued to stare at him before shaking her head. Nix stood at the back of the room leaning against the wall, while Callie made her way over to sit with her wife.

"I know you probably don't believe me, but I'm so glad that you are alright Arizona." Monica's voice was unsteady but sincere.

"I didn't ask you to come in here for your pity." Arizona said firmly, yet in a calm voice. Callie placed her hand on top of her wife's. "I wanted to talk to you so that I could finally try and get some closure on this nightmare and to finally end it once and for all."

Monica stood with baited breath waiting for Arizona to say what she had to say.

"Everything I said to you earlier, I meant every single word of it and I don't take them back. " Monica nodded her head. "But still, as much as I was not expecting this to happen, I'm going to choose to forgive you." Callie, Monica, and Nix were all stunned by Arizona's words.

"I won't be able to forget what you did to me; it was one of the worst things I've ever been through. Yet at the same time, I can't even begin to imagine the terror and self-loathing that must go through someone's mind to do something like that. I'm sick and tired of hating you and it's really not the kind of example I want to set for my children. I'm sure you feel the same on that note. I've turned my life around, you've turned your life around, and we both seem happy despite the past, so I want to keep it that way. We will never be a part of each other's lives, but I do forgive you and I hope you'll respect that enough for us to never have to speak of or hear of each other again."

"Thank you, Arizona." Arizona gave her a small nod before looking away, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Monica turned her attention to Callie. "It was nice to meet you; you are both very lucky to have such a wonderful life together." She then turned to Nix, "Goodbye Phoenix." Nix was silent as Monica walked out of the room and out of their lives for good.

Arizona let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and a single tear ran down her face. Callie kissed the top of her wife's head before kissing her lips. "I don't think I've ever been more proud of you." Arizona smiled and kissed her again. Nix cleared his throat to get their attention.

"I have to go pick up Emily but I just want you to know Nona." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I just want you to know that I love you and thank God you're okay." Nix turned to leave the room.

"Nix?" It was barely louder than a whisper but it stopped him in his tracks and he turned around.

"Yeah Nona?"

"Maybe, once I'm home you, Greg, and Emily could come over for brunch or something?" A huge smile grew on Nix' face and he nodded.

"We'd love that." He gave her a wink before leaving, happy in the knowledge that eventually they would be okay after all.


5 days later…..

"Calliope you do not need to keep fussing over me, really I'm okay." Arizona said with a small kind of pained laugh as she got out of the car.

"You heard what Teddy said you can't overdo it and I'm just worried that you are going to…" Arizona turned around and placed a finger on her wife's lips.

"You worry way too much." Callie smiled. "But I love you for it." Arizona gave her a quick kiss.

"I love you too." Callie pecked her lips once more before getting Arizona's bag out of the car. "Now let's go inside before your children drive your parents into an asylum."

"Oh wow, I'm not even in the house yet and they are already MY children." Arizona laughed as Callie helped her slowly towards the house. "You are something else Torres."

"Something awesome." Arizona rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Callie opened the front door and put down the bag. She led Arizona inside and the site in front of her made her wife gasp slightly. Hanging up in the hallway was a huge pink sparkly glitter banner that read "Welcome Home Mommy."

"SURPRISE!" shouted all the kids and Barbara and the Colonel. This was one surprise party Arizona loved. All four children looked absolutely adorable. Sofia had her hair in a French braid down her back and was wearing a pretty purple dress. Skye and Sienna had their long blonde hair in plaited pigtails and were wearing matching pink dresses. While Spencer looked dashing in his little suit and tie. He looked happy to see his mother but Arizona knew he hated wearing that suit. He said it was itchy.

"Wow! What a welcome!" Arizona beamed as the kids all came over and Callie picked them up one by one so they could gently hug and kiss her. "Anyone would think you guys missed me."

"We did miss you Mommy." Skye said while Sienna nodded her head.

"We missed you thisssssssssssss much!" Skye put emphasis on the this by holding out her arms as wide as she could. Arizona opened her mouth pretending to be shocked.

"You girls look so pretty. I love the hair." All 3 girls grinned at their mother's approval, "And Spencer you look like such a little man in that suit, so handsome."

"Well first of all, Mother, I am a little man because that's basically what a boy is and secondly I look like a doofus."

"Well I think you look absolutely awesomely adorable." Spencer rolled his eyes sarcastically with a smile. Arizona ruffled his hair, pinched his cheek and squeakily said with a giggle "my cute little munchkin."

"Mom stop!" Spencer said loudly but he was laughing.

Barbara, who had disappeared into the kitchen, came walking back into the hallway.

"Ok who's ready for vanilla and strawberry ice cream cake?" There was a collective shout of me, me, me as all 4 kids ran off into the kitchen with their grandmother, Callie and Arizona following slowly behind. Standing in the kitchen doorway, Arizona was suddenly struck with the thought of Callie's request for a 5th child. She had immediately thought it was crazy and that four children under 6 was more than enough to handle. Yet as she watched her children in the kitchen go from laughing one second to arguing over whom got the biggest slice or the first slice of ice cream cake, she couldn't help but wonder if it really was that crazy.

Her family was the greatest thing in her life, the dream she never knew she had until she had it. Their house and hearts were all so full of love, surely adding another child would just make that love and bond so much greater. And with that thought Arizona had made up her mind.

"Aren't they amazing?" It was more of a rhetorical statement than an actual question that Callie came out with. Arizona nodded her head in agreement and snuggled into her wife.

"Unbelievably so." Callie let out a hearty chuckle.

"This, moment right here, I don't think I'd change a single thing. It's perfect."

"I dunno, I feel like there is one thing missing." Callie looked at her in confusion. "I mean there are 3 mini Arizona's and only 1 mini Calliope, that's just not right. I think we need to do something about that." Callie's eyes opened wide as she took in her wife's words.

"Arizona, are you saying what I think you're saying?" Arizona nodded and just like she had done the first time they had done this, she placed her hand on Callie's stomach.

"I'm in."