Between Two Lungs: Vday Challenge
Title: Between Two Lungs
Beta'd by: clanket
Summary: Set during this upcoming Valentine’s Day. Callie and Arizona have had their fair share of grief, but some traditions never cease, just like some people never fall out of love.
A/N: Included the picture because it’s the one referenced in the first paragraph (And it’s adorable as well).
A/NII: Had this written today, sent it to my beta this evening... So it's very similar to the way this story panned out on tonight's ep. So if you haven't watched it yet, do not read it.
Arizona fingered the edge of the photo frame housing the picture of her and Calliope standing in the middle of the Christmas tree farm in Seattle’s Blue Ridge County. She had pulled it out of one of her boxes from storage and was currently sitting on the edge of the freshly made bed, abandoning the unpacking process for the moment. Her mind trailed back to that day as a warm smile spread across her face.
Callie was so excited to be picking out a tree that she had to snap a picture in front of it. It was freezing and Arizona regretted that Callie caught her just as she was adjusting her coat. The brunette loved the picture though, telling Arizona it was her favorite one of the blonde. The pair ended up with a pretty Frasier Fir and strung it with tons of lights and colorful ornaments back at Callie’s apartment. They played Christmas music and sang carols and, at the end of the night, made love on new flannel sheets.
It was a good Christmas.
This Christmas, she traveled from Malawi to Seattle only to have a door slammed in her face. This new year’s eve, she chastely kissed Teddy’s cheek in the pit as they watched the ball drop over one of the mounted, small, outdated televisions hoping for a year just like the one she’d had.
Holidays weren’t really her thing this year.
Here it was, February 14th, and for the first time in awhile Arizona actually gave a crap about Valentine’s day. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The year before that she and Calliope had French Toast in bed, giggled together after making love, and exchanged pretty platinum gold heart necklaces. Sure, they’d picked them out together, but it was still a fun little ritual that they had vowed to keep up every year. Maybe not so much the jewelry, but the sugary breakfast and morning sex for sure.
Underneath her thin cotton t-shirt, that necklace still hung. She wasn’t keeping it on out of some sort of twisted self-pity. It had just become a habit. She wore it like it was meant to be there; tanned around it last summer, fiddled with it when she was nervous, adjusted the clasp when it wriggled its way to the front.
Setting the picture frame on the bedside table, Arizona got up from the bedroom and made her way into the living room, hearing the faint sounds of the television. She spied Calliope sleeping on the sofa, Baby And You kept open over her belly that had only just started to slightly show the first hints of a baby bump. Which, Arizona still wasn’t sure she could see.
They had agreed to take things day by day. Callie’s plan had soon become Arizona’s after the two fought over semantics and wording, Mark’s unfaltering role with the baby, and if they’d ever be the same again. Arizona chastised Callie for stepping in on her grief and the brunette relented, breaking down. She admitted to fears and crushed dreams. She’d always wanted a beautiful little baby, but not like this… certainly not like this. Arizona’s heart broke for her and after many nights of staying up, talking it out, crying and screaming, Callie’s did the same.
So that left them here, sleeping on sofas and letting each other in with painstaking slowness. There wasn’t much fighting, but a lot of clichéd soul searching. They were trying again. The whole atypical situation brought out the best and worst in both of them. Arizona bought Callie books about the baby while Callie included Arizona in on all the details, invited her to the ultrasound appointments (all two of them) and asked her honest opinion about the color of the nursery.
When Arizona suggested pale yellow, Callie did not call it beige. She smiled and held the swatch against the blank wall. “I think that’ll be perfect,” she nodded earnestly.
Arizona started the coffee, not wanting to wake Calliope. Between the morning sickness and lack of caffeine in the brunette’s life, Arizona knew these naps were really precious to her. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight over the island. It was just so peaceful. And Callie looked pretty adorable, even if her mouth was open and she’d probably start snoring soon.
The coffee percolated merrily in its pot, the scent filling up the small room quickly. Quietly, Arizona retrieved her mug, opening the fridge to grab the coffee cream in anticipation.
On the top shelf, sealed with cling wrap was a plate with a card addressed to her, along with a pretty orange lily beside it. Intrigued, Arizona removed the plate and pulled off the plastic. French Toast.
The card was next, ripped open in the same quiet fashion as all of her actions this morning. It had a sepia-toned picture of hands clutched together on the front. The inside had no generic message but was instead filled with Calliope’s neat cursive handwriting.
I’m happy that this plan has become our plan even if it’s not the most ideal plan. I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve someone like you, but I will spend the rest of my days thanking God (and you) for it. I hope you enjoy the French toast. I couldn’t sleep this morning and remembered how good this was last year. Despite everything, I love you.
Yours,
Calliope
P.S. That lily should probably go in some water.
P.P.S. Sorry for the sappy card.
Arizona roughly wiped the tears away from her eyes and smiled despite everything. She filled a pint glass with water and placed the lily inside it. She’d heat up the french toast in a bit but, right now, there was something she really needed to do.
Walking over to the couch, she gingerly removed the book from Callie’s midsection, sliding the highlighter that had fallen onto the floor inside of it so as not to lose the brunette’s place. She eased onto the few inches of space left on the couch and stroked a few strands away from Callie’s forehead.
Bleary eyed, Callie woke up with a start, but smiled a little nervously at first when she realized who it was.
“Hi,” she said in a small voice. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know, it’s still early though. Thank you for the sappy card,” she whispered, surprised at how cracked her voice was.
Callie looked embarrassed for a moment before hoisting herself up on the couch, allowing Arizona a little more room. “Of course,” She mumbled softly, hand coming up to cup Arizona’s cheek, thumb fondly stroking against the soft curve of bone.
Arizona froze. This was the most physical contact they’d had in weeks, not counting the nights where they held each other and cried. That was more draining than relieving. But this touch caught her breath in her throat and held it captive, lungs burning until she released it in a sigh.
“I didn’t think we were… I didn’t get you anything,” Arizona lamented, bringing a hand up to cover the one on her face.
Smiling, Callie shook her head. “You’re here. That’s more than any card or necklace or box of candy. And boxed candy is usually pretty gross anyhow.”
Her resolve cracked a little as brows knitted together. “I’m trying, Calliope. I promise you I am.”
“I know,” she whispered, “I think we’ve come a long way.”
“We have,” Arizona agreed. Her trembling hand went to Callie’s stomach, just settling there at first before her thumb stroked fondly.
Callie stared at her with wide eyes, unsure of what to say. Arizona had been wonderful with the appointments, literature, and buying adorable baby onesies. But that simple touch meant more to Callie than anything else. “Arizona…”
Leaning forward, Arizona pressed her lips very softly against the other pair, deepening the kiss as Callie pulled her closer by her shoulders. Tears welled again in big blue eyes, but she fought them off. Hands passed through Callie’s short waves, relishing the feeling, remembering it all so well.
First to pull away, Callie smiled as she pressed her forehead against the blonde’s. “I missed that a little.”
Arizona could barely make eye contact with the woman, but nodded. “I agree, but just a little.”
The brunette laughed at Arizona's tone.
“Think you’d wanna help me eat some of that yummy looking French Toast?” Arizona asked.
Callie smiled. “It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without it.”
Emboldened by their hints of reconnection, Arizona pressed her lips against the other pair in a kiss so chaste it almost didn’t come to fruition. Pulling her closer again, Callie made sure their lips were pressed together.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Calliope.”
With another humble smile, the brunette nodded. “You, too,” she responded as she adjusted the clasp on the heart necklace hanging from the dainty chain around her neck.
Beta'd by: clanket
Summary: Set during this upcoming Valentine’s Day. Callie and Arizona have had their fair share of grief, but some traditions never cease, just like some people never fall out of love.
A/N: Included the picture because it’s the one referenced in the first paragraph (And it’s adorable as well).
A/NII: Had this written today, sent it to my beta this evening... So it's very similar to the way this story panned out on tonight's ep. So if you haven't watched it yet, do not read it.
Arizona fingered the edge of the photo frame housing the picture of her and Calliope standing in the middle of the Christmas tree farm in Seattle’s Blue Ridge County. She had pulled it out of one of her boxes from storage and was currently sitting on the edge of the freshly made bed, abandoning the unpacking process for the moment. Her mind trailed back to that day as a warm smile spread across her face.
Callie was so excited to be picking out a tree that she had to snap a picture in front of it. It was freezing and Arizona regretted that Callie caught her just as she was adjusting her coat. The brunette loved the picture though, telling Arizona it was her favorite one of the blonde. The pair ended up with a pretty Frasier Fir and strung it with tons of lights and colorful ornaments back at Callie’s apartment. They played Christmas music and sang carols and, at the end of the night, made love on new flannel sheets.
It was a good Christmas.
This Christmas, she traveled from Malawi to Seattle only to have a door slammed in her face. This new year’s eve, she chastely kissed Teddy’s cheek in the pit as they watched the ball drop over one of the mounted, small, outdated televisions hoping for a year just like the one she’d had.
Holidays weren’t really her thing this year.
Here it was, February 14th, and for the first time in awhile Arizona actually gave a crap about Valentine’s day. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. The year before that she and Calliope had French Toast in bed, giggled together after making love, and exchanged pretty platinum gold heart necklaces. Sure, they’d picked them out together, but it was still a fun little ritual that they had vowed to keep up every year. Maybe not so much the jewelry, but the sugary breakfast and morning sex for sure.
Underneath her thin cotton t-shirt, that necklace still hung. She wasn’t keeping it on out of some sort of twisted self-pity. It had just become a habit. She wore it like it was meant to be there; tanned around it last summer, fiddled with it when she was nervous, adjusted the clasp when it wriggled its way to the front.
Setting the picture frame on the bedside table, Arizona got up from the bedroom and made her way into the living room, hearing the faint sounds of the television. She spied Calliope sleeping on the sofa, Baby And You kept open over her belly that had only just started to slightly show the first hints of a baby bump. Which, Arizona still wasn’t sure she could see.
They had agreed to take things day by day. Callie’s plan had soon become Arizona’s after the two fought over semantics and wording, Mark’s unfaltering role with the baby, and if they’d ever be the same again. Arizona chastised Callie for stepping in on her grief and the brunette relented, breaking down. She admitted to fears and crushed dreams. She’d always wanted a beautiful little baby, but not like this… certainly not like this. Arizona’s heart broke for her and after many nights of staying up, talking it out, crying and screaming, Callie’s did the same.
So that left them here, sleeping on sofas and letting each other in with painstaking slowness. There wasn’t much fighting, but a lot of clichéd soul searching. They were trying again. The whole atypical situation brought out the best and worst in both of them. Arizona bought Callie books about the baby while Callie included Arizona in on all the details, invited her to the ultrasound appointments (all two of them) and asked her honest opinion about the color of the nursery.
When Arizona suggested pale yellow, Callie did not call it beige. She smiled and held the swatch against the blank wall. “I think that’ll be perfect,” she nodded earnestly.
Arizona started the coffee, not wanting to wake Calliope. Between the morning sickness and lack of caffeine in the brunette’s life, Arizona knew these naps were really precious to her. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight over the island. It was just so peaceful. And Callie looked pretty adorable, even if her mouth was open and she’d probably start snoring soon.
The coffee percolated merrily in its pot, the scent filling up the small room quickly. Quietly, Arizona retrieved her mug, opening the fridge to grab the coffee cream in anticipation.
On the top shelf, sealed with cling wrap was a plate with a card addressed to her, along with a pretty orange lily beside it. Intrigued, Arizona removed the plate and pulled off the plastic. French Toast.
The card was next, ripped open in the same quiet fashion as all of her actions this morning. It had a sepia-toned picture of hands clutched together on the front. The inside had no generic message but was instead filled with Calliope’s neat cursive handwriting.
I’m happy that this plan has become our plan even if it’s not the most ideal plan. I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve someone like you, but I will spend the rest of my days thanking God (and you) for it. I hope you enjoy the French toast. I couldn’t sleep this morning and remembered how good this was last year. Despite everything, I love you.
Yours,
Calliope
P.S. That lily should probably go in some water.
P.P.S. Sorry for the sappy card.
Arizona roughly wiped the tears away from her eyes and smiled despite everything. She filled a pint glass with water and placed the lily inside it. She’d heat up the french toast in a bit but, right now, there was something she really needed to do.
Walking over to the couch, she gingerly removed the book from Callie’s midsection, sliding the highlighter that had fallen onto the floor inside of it so as not to lose the brunette’s place. She eased onto the few inches of space left on the couch and stroked a few strands away from Callie’s forehead.
Bleary eyed, Callie woke up with a start, but smiled a little nervously at first when she realized who it was.
“Hi,” she said in a small voice. “What time is it?”
“I don’t know, it’s still early though. Thank you for the sappy card,” she whispered, surprised at how cracked her voice was.
Callie looked embarrassed for a moment before hoisting herself up on the couch, allowing Arizona a little more room. “Of course,” She mumbled softly, hand coming up to cup Arizona’s cheek, thumb fondly stroking against the soft curve of bone.
Arizona froze. This was the most physical contact they’d had in weeks, not counting the nights where they held each other and cried. That was more draining than relieving. But this touch caught her breath in her throat and held it captive, lungs burning until she released it in a sigh.
“I didn’t think we were… I didn’t get you anything,” Arizona lamented, bringing a hand up to cover the one on her face.
Smiling, Callie shook her head. “You’re here. That’s more than any card or necklace or box of candy. And boxed candy is usually pretty gross anyhow.”
Her resolve cracked a little as brows knitted together. “I’m trying, Calliope. I promise you I am.”
“I know,” she whispered, “I think we’ve come a long way.”
“We have,” Arizona agreed. Her trembling hand went to Callie’s stomach, just settling there at first before her thumb stroked fondly.
Callie stared at her with wide eyes, unsure of what to say. Arizona had been wonderful with the appointments, literature, and buying adorable baby onesies. But that simple touch meant more to Callie than anything else. “Arizona…”
Leaning forward, Arizona pressed her lips very softly against the other pair, deepening the kiss as Callie pulled her closer by her shoulders. Tears welled again in big blue eyes, but she fought them off. Hands passed through Callie’s short waves, relishing the feeling, remembering it all so well.
First to pull away, Callie smiled as she pressed her forehead against the blonde’s. “I missed that a little.”
Arizona could barely make eye contact with the woman, but nodded. “I agree, but just a little.”
The brunette laughed at Arizona's tone.
“Think you’d wanna help me eat some of that yummy looking French Toast?” Arizona asked.
Callie smiled. “It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without it.”
Emboldened by their hints of reconnection, Arizona pressed her lips against the other pair in a kiss so chaste it almost didn’t come to fruition. Pulling her closer again, Callie made sure their lips were pressed together.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Calliope.”
With another humble smile, the brunette nodded. “You, too,” she responded as she adjusted the clasp on the heart necklace hanging from the dainty chain around her neck.