The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 20

Morning was complicated, Callie unsure what would be best for the kids – their normal routine, pretending everything was going to be okay, or going to the hospital to let them spend whatever time Owen had left in their company. Arizona helped with everything, breakfast and getting the kids dressed, keeping them occupied while Callie was in the shower. She thought nothing of answering the door when the bell rang while Callie was still upstairs.

“Grandma!” Gavin on her heels identified their guest without Arizona needing to take a guess.

“Mrs. Hunt, come in, please,” Arizona said with a kind smile, stepping back to open the door wider. One hand on Gavin's head guided him back with her.

The older woman was shorter than her son by at least a foot and a half but she had the same ability to make her presence felt that Owen did, despite being much less able to loom the way he did. “You're Nevada?”

“Arizona!” Gavin corrected before Arizona could do it for herself. “Like the battleship!” He'd been fascinated by the etymology of Arizona's name and pleased by the military connection when she'd explained it to him.

“Arizona Robbins,” she introduced herself, offering a hand to shake. “Gav, help your grandma with her coat.” He jumped forward to take it for her, holding the bundle over his head until Arizona took it and hung it up for him. “Thank you, little man.”

Mrs. Hunt cleared her throat lightly. “Is Callie at the hospital?”

“Oh, actually she's upstairs getting ready,” said Arizona. “We're heading in after we get the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast.” It was mid-morning but they were taking things slow today.

Gavin nodded to his grandmother. “We're helping,” he said importantly.

“How about you guys go finish up and we can go?” Arizona suggested, smiling as he scampered away eagerly. Taking a step back she called up the stairs, “Callie, your mother-in-law is here.”

Mrs. Hunt surprised her by shaking her head. “I believe you mean ex-mother-in-law,” she corrected her. “You and Callie are involved now, aren't you? Owen told me. He didn't mention that you were living together though.”

Arizona wasn't sure what to say, how much Callie would be comfortable sharing, so she mustered a smile. “I'm just trying to help out.”

“I see,” murmured the older woman as Callie rushed down the stairs.

“Ellen, hey.” Callie hugged her in greeting and accepted the kiss on the cheek she got in return. “You met Arizona? Of course you did.” Her nerves were clear and Arizona reached forward to slip her fingers through Callie's. “Thank you for coming,” Callie said more calmly, squeezing Arizona’s hand in gratitude.

“How is he?” Ellen asked, anxious but strong. Teddy had updated them this morning and the news wasn't good. Owen's stats were dropping, weaker than ever. Callie was finding hope a hard thing to hold onto. Her priority had to be the kids right now, facing the impossible task of getting them through losing their father, if things progressed and that's where they ended up.

Callie could just swallow, shaking her head. “It's gotten worse. His heart isn't recovering.”

“It's not going to recover?” asked the older woman, wisely keeping her voice down. The kids couldn't hear them talking about this. The look on Callie's face was her answer. “Are you sure there's nothing you – or anyone – can anyone -?”

Sighing, Callie felt the lump in her throat choke her up. “Owen's friend Teddy has been consulting on the case since they first got to Boise,” Arizona chimed in when it became clear that her partner couldn't speak. Ellen nodded her understanding. She knew who Teddy was. “I don't know of -”