CHAPTER 51 – HERE'S TO THE 1ST DAY OF THE REST OF OUR LIFE

"Come on Arizona. We are going to be late. You don't want to make Callie think you are standing her up at the alter." Teddy said into the wood of a closed restroom door. Her best friend was on the other side, taking entirely too long. "Your hair and your make up is already done, and you are dressed. What could possibly be taking you so long in there?" She continued.

When Arizona failed to respond, Teddy reached for the door and turned the nob before pushing the door open to reveal a very emotional blonde. Arizona was sitting on the stool in her bridal suite with her face in her hands. Tears running down her freshly done face.

"Arizona… what is wrong?" Teddy asks, coming to squat down next to her.

"I.. I can't.. I can't do this. I'm n-not ready. What if..if this is just a mistake. Wh-what if Callie and I aren't meant to be together forever. What if we.. we get married and start our residency and go in different directions… then what? We g-get a divorce? I I can't." The blonde cried out.

"Arizona. You are letting the wedding jitters talk. You and—"

"No. Don't say we are meant for each other. Look at all the people who get married and believe they are meant to be together forever and then 10, 20 even 50 years later they look back on their lives and wish they had made different choices. I don't want that to be me. And I don't want Callie to look back on her life and regret marrying me either."

"First of all, not EVERY marriage ends in divorce. Not every person looks back on their life and regrets the person they married. There are people out there that would go back in time and do the entire thing all over again. And you and Callie are those people. You will look back 50 years from now and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you made the right decision on this day. That you married your very best friend. And I know that you will be still just as head over heals in love with her then, as you are right now. Do you really want me to have to go out there, tell Callie that you called the wedding off, and break her heart into a million pieces? Do you? Because if you do… I will. Because you are my best friend, and I'm on your side. No matter what you choose. But as your best friend, I have to tell you.. calling off this wedding would be the biggest regret of your lifetime."

"How do I know that I am enough for her? What if I can't make her happy? She is the most amazing woman I have ever known and she deserves everything that this life has to offer her. I want more than anything to be that for her… but I don't know if I can. I don't feel like I am worthy of someone as magnificent as Callie."

Teddy opened her mouth to tell Arizona how absurd her words were but was interrupted by a knock at the door. Arizona's mother poked her head in the door and smiled at the two friends, before her smile was replaced with a questioning frown.

"Ari? Is everything ok? You look like you have been crying dear." The older Robbins said with concern.

"I'm going to step out and let you two talk. I'll be right outside if you need me Arizona." Teddy said before stepping out and allowing the mother and daughter some time to talk, alone. Arizona nodded and gave a tight smile before her friend disappeared behind the door.

"What is taking Arizona so long? Callie is having a mini heart attack over there. What is the hold up?" Addison asks Teddy.

"Look, Arizona is having a bit of wedding day jitters. Talking about calling it off and that she—"

"What do you mean she is talking about calling it off? Are you serious? Wh-where is she?!" Callie yells, causing all of the bridesmaids to freeze and their jaws dropped. The rest of what came out of Callie's mouth was unable to be understood by the group of friends, considering it was all in Spanish. Very rapid, and very angry Spanish as she walked towards Arizona's suite. All the bridesmaids running behind her trying their best to stop the angry latina. Callie was holding her dress up as to not trip over the hem of her dress, and was practically stomping her way towards Arizona. When she reached Arizona's bridal suite, she saw Daniel standing outside as well as Arizona's aunt.

"Callie? What are you doing here? You know you aren't supposed to see Arizona before the ceremony." Daniel says, standing between Callie and the door.

"IF there even IS a ceremony. I need to speak to Arizona. I need to know why on earth she is calling off this wedding. And why on God's green earth is she doing this today, instead of saying something.. oh I don't know… YESTERDAY?"

"Callie, you and I both know that Arizona loves you. She is just having a bit of the wedding day jitters. I am confident that once Barbara and she are finished talking, everything will be fine. Now, why don't you go finish getting ready and we will see you at the altar."

"No. I need to know what is happening. If this is over, she is going to tell me to my face. She is not going to have me standing up there like an idiot in front of all of our family and friends. She is going to tell—" Callie said sternly but was interrupted by the door opening and the sound of Arizona's voice.

"Calliope?" Arizona said from behind the door. Unable to see each other. The group of bridesmaids, and the other people that were standing around quickly walked away after Callie gave them all a look that could kill.

"Calliope are you out there?" Arizona asked once more.

"Yes. I am out here. And you need to open this door Arizona Robbins."

"Calli—"

"No. Do not Calliope me. I heard Teddy talking. I heard her say that you were calling off our wedding. I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me that this is over. Because I deserve that much from you Arizona."

"Calliope. Would you please listen to me? Please?" Arizona said, her voice pleading.

"Fine. I'm listening."

"I am not calling off our wedding. I… I was sitting in here, looking at myself in this mirror. And I'm wearing a wedding dress." Arizona said. Leaving Callie confused.

"Well, you do wear one of those when you get married. Would you rather be in a tuxedo?" Callie asks sarcastically.

"No. I was looking at myself wearing this wedding dress, and it hit me. So many things in my life have changed since I met you. So many good things. So many things I never thought could possibly happen to me. I never wanted to get married. I never wanted to get married. I never wanted any of this."

"Arizona. If this is your speech that is supposed to convince me that you aren't calling off the wedding, then you need to know that it sucks!"

"Listen. I didn't want it until I met you. I want everything with you. I want a marriage. A house. Kids. KIDS Calliope. That is the VERY last thing I ever wanted in my life. I was perfectly happy in my self absorbed life of work and me. And now I want to have little Callie's running around, and to live in a suburban community with nosy neighbors, and play groups. You made me want an entirely different life. You have given me everything I never knew I wanted. I am just so terribly terrified that I won't be able to give you everything you want… everything you deserve in life. And I don't want you to look back and realize that you settled for some blonde headed, college girlfriend."

"Stop. Stop right there." Callie said, reaching inside of the door, and lacing her fingers with Arizona's.

"Arizona, you are everything that I have ever wanted and so much more. You could never be something I settled for. When I look back on my life, I will still be in awe of you. I will still wonder how in the world I got you to choose me. And everything you just said, I want too. I want all of those things with you. My dreams will never come true without you in them because you are my dream. I love you. And I want to spend everyday of the rest of my life loving you. But I can't do that if you do not walk down that isle. I want you to be my wife. Forever. So can we please… please… go get this show on the road? Because there is a very beautiful honeymoon suite reserved for the two of us, and the faster we get through this.. the faster we can get to it." Callie said, causing Arizona to giggle.

"I'm sorry for ruining today. I should never have doubted this."

"Well, you can make it up to me by getting ready and getting out here and marrying me."

With one final squeeze of their hands, and quiet 'I love you's', Callie returned to her bridal suite to finish getting ready for their big day.

After the bridesmaids finished helping their bride, they managed to get them both ready to go. Arizona was the first to walk down the isle, with her father by her side. Standing outside the large doors leading towards the courtyard of the Torres home, Daniel took his daughters hands into his own.

"Are you ready for this kiddo?" He asks.

"Yes daddy. I am ready. I have never been more ready or sure of anything in my life." She said confidently. I am so ready."

Daniel kissed his daughters forehead and laced her arm through his own. The doors opened, and the entire crowd rose to their feet. Walking down the isle she met eyes with several people that meant so very much to her. She was amazed at how easily her parents and Callie's had been able to get everyone that mattered to the couple here on such short notice. But Arizona learned long ago, that there wasn't much of anything that her parents nor the Torres' couldn't do if they really wanted to.

Reaching the end of the isle, she turned to face her father and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before taking her spot next to Teddy, Meredith and Lexi. Moments later, Addison, Cristina and Aria joined them before the double doors closed once again. The bridal march started to play once more and Arizona felt the large butterflies take flight inside of her stomach. Knowing that when those doors opened for the last time, her wife to be would be walking through them. Her palms began to sweat and her boquet slipped in her hand as her nerves made her hands began to shake. The doors opened, and in than instant the entire world stopped turning. Everyone in the room disappeared and all she could see was Callie. Her dress was more beautiful than she had imagined, and that was saying something considering she had spent several hours trying to picture Callie wearing her wedding dress and she looked more beautiful than anything she had imagined.

Time seemed to have slowed down to almost a stand still as the two women locked eyes. They didn't even realize that the preacher had begun to speak as they were both so wrapped up in the other's beauty. Snapping back into the moment, the women shared their vows. Tears rolled down both women's cheeks and when their lips met after their 'I do's', they both tasted the slightest hint of salt on their lips from fallen tears.

In an instant, they came back down to earth, and turned to meet numerous smiles from their friends and family. Arizona's mom wiped away numerous tears that seemed to fall uncontrollably, as her father tried his best to hide his own. Mr. and Mrs. Torres did the same, but Callie's mother was unable to wait until the brides made it to the end of the alter. She stepped out and wrapped both women into a tight hug. Although Callie's mother hadn't taken the news of her daughters lifestyle too lightly when she first was told, she had grown to accept that her daughter was still her daughter. And her happiness was the only thing that mattered to her. And she had never seen her youngest child as happy as she had since the day Arizona was introduced to them. She knew from the moment she met Arizona, that they would eventually get the phone call telling them that she wanted to marry the blonde daughter of a marine. She was just very happy to know that her daughter would be taken care of. That Callie would never be intentionally hurt by the person that she loved. No, she knew that Callie had met the one person in this world that had been designed by God, just for her.

Once the women did their meet and greet at the end of the isle, they were ushered into the tent for the reception. Numerous photos were taken, and the brides were dying for a quick moment alone. Callie was walking towards the restroom, when suddenly she was pulled into an empty door.

"What the—" Callie said, stumbling into the empty room.

"Shhh! Do not let them hear you." Arizona whispered.

"Them who?"

"The mothers. If they hear you, they will jerk us out of this room by our ears. And I CANNOT go another minute without doing this." Arizona said before pulling Callie into deep kiss. Small moans escaped painted lips, and was unable to be identified to whom they belonged. Both women found purchase in long locks, and pressed their bodies closer together, reveling in the feeling of their closeness.

"MMM, now that is the way you should have kissed me at the altar." Arizona said with a dizzy smile.

"I would have, believe me, but I'm sure our parents would not have enjoyed that too much. Your dad already looked as if I stole his little princess right from under his nose." Callie said with a laugh.

"Then I guess we better get back to the reception before he really gets mad." Arizona said with a wink before taking her wife by the hand and leading her out towards the reception tent.

The reception was in full swing, and mid-way through the father/daughter dance, Carlos leaned over and whispered into Callie's ear. "Mi amor, I know that this is supposed to be our dance, but since it is the father/daughter dance, I think it's about time for me to cut in with the Colonel and Arizona."

Callie's throat went dry, and her tears welled up in her eyes. Her father had just called Arizona his "daughter" and although she knew that he accepted her wife, it still felt indescribable to hear him say the words out loud. She stood back and watched her father walk over to her father-in-law and Arizona and tap on the Colonel's shoulder. With a nod from the marine, and a smile from her wife, she watched her father take Arizona in his arms and spin her around the dance floor. Just as Callie was turning to walk towards the table and have a seat, the colonel reached out for her hand and with a smile of her own, she was pulled into a hug and finished off the song with her new father. There wasn't a dry eye in the place as the two women had their special dance. Both Callie and Arizona's mothers sat side by side, holding each other's hand, and smiling at the lovely sight before them.

The cake had been cut, and the food had been served. Everyone was seated, enjoying the beautiful meal that had been prepared just for this occasion when a soft 'clink-clink' against a champagne glass sounded. All eyes turned towards Teddy, Arizona's maid of honor, as she rose to her feet to give her maid of honor speech.

"Excuse me everyone. I'll try to keep this short, so everyone can get back to enjoying this insanely delicious meal. My name is Teddy Altman. I am Arizona's maid of honor, and best friend. Arizona and I met the first day of freshman year. We were roommates and we became fast friends. We went through a lot of ups and downs together over the years, and I have never known anyone with a heart as huge as Arizona's. Well, that was until Callie here came into the picture. I didn't know it could be possible for 2 people to have the same exact heart. A heart that beats in rhythm with the other. That cares about how the other feels more than themselves. I watched their relationship blossom into the amazing couple that we all see before us. No matter how hard times may have gotten, and how stubborn they both are, they held on. They pushed through, and they always came out on the other side… together. Callie… Arizona… as long as you push through everything together through your marriage, you will always come out on the other side…together. You're love for one another is a breath of fresh air. It's something for someone like me to admire and look up to. You give us all something to strive for. Because any of us that are lucky enough to experience something even half way close to what you have would be incredible. Thank you for showing me what true love looks like, and that it does exist." Teddy said with a raise of her glass. "To the brides, congratulations."

"Congrats—to the brides" were said throughout the crowd. Whistles and cheers erupted as the couple leaned over and gave a soft kiss before Arizona and Teddy locked eyes and shared a knowing smile. Arizona mouthed 'thank you' to Teddy before Teddy nodded and took her seat.

Teddy's speech was quickly followed by Addison's, who stood right after Teddy finished hers.

"Good evening everyone. I'm Addison.. Addy, and I'm Callie's maid of honor. I have known Callie for more years than I can even count. We grew up together and as the years pass, we only continue to grow close. Callie is more than just my friend, though… she is my family. She is my very best friend, and my sister. When she first told me about Arizona.. I laughed. And I mean laughed my ass off. Why, you ask? Well because Arizona thought that Callie and I were a couple. Even though we would have made one hot couple, because lets face it Torres… I'm a catch, Callie just wasn't my type." Addison said with a wink to Callie and everyone laughed. But in all seriousness… when Callie told me about Arizona, I watched the person I had known my entire life change right before my eyes. She became an entirely different person. All the cracks and breaks she had in her heart from previous relationships were healed. She was the happiest she had ever been in all the years I had known her. Arizona had completed her. Arizona, you are an amazing woman, and one that I am very proud to know. Thank you for making Callie as happy as she is today. I love you both." Addison said before raising her flute for the second time.

Once all of the dances, photos, food and laughs were finished, the two brides walked out of the reception tent through a large walkway of guests holding up gold sparklers. It was more beautiful than either woman had imagined. The climbed into one of Callie's fathers classic cars and drove away towards their hotel for the night. They weren't leaving for their honeymoon until the next day, so they had reservations at her fathers resort in the presidential suite. When they came to the stop light, Callie looked over to her blushing bride and leaned in for a kiss. Once the need for air grew, the women pulled apart enough to rest their foreheads against each other and smiled.

"I love you Arizona Torres." Callie said with a whisper.

"And I love you too. I am so excited to start the rest of my life with you." Arizona said.

"Me too babe. Me too."

The light turned from red to green and the car pulled away towards their destination. And the first stop in the rest of their lives.

A/N: There will be another chapter. A huge time jump into the future of our girls, and to give a lead towards the next story. Thanks for the follows and the comments. I hope you continue to follow my other stories. I will be working on Forbidden Ground for a while, as well as "We are Just the Same part 2" until I wrap those up. Then I have another story I am going to start posting. Happy New Year guys!