The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 22

Callie surveyed the surgical board with a weary sigh not for herself but for Arizona. She and Cristina Yang were both back at work and the Cardio department was well in hand. Cristina was even more robotic than usual since Owen's death, efficient almost to a fault. Meredith Webber had to drag her out of the OR at the end of the day. No such luck for Arizona. She was covering her own cases and Alex's, with no chance for a reasonable night tonight or any other night this week.

Today they hadn't even had time for lunch together and she was missing her girlfriend. Hopefully Arizona wouldn't be too tired to make the drive to her house tonight. She'd been trying, making every effort, but after a few weeks the long hours were wearing on her. Callie couldn't blame her if tonight was the night she'd be too exhausted for the trip to the suburbs.

She couldn't postpone her own drive home, not with the kids in daycare waiting for her. They were already packed up when she arrived, the look on Allegra's face making her instantly cautious. She knew what they looked like when they wanted something. And all three had the same pleading expression on their faces before she even came through the doors. “What is it?” she asked knowingly as they filed out while she held the door. They were even pulling the polite card. Whatever it was they wanted, they wanted it bad.

“Can Arizona come home tonight?” Allegra asked, pleading. Left spiraling after their father's death, Arizona had become part of their stability. Regardless of whatever intentions the adults had.

Callie could only blink in surprise, not expecting that request. “Baby...” She sighed, seeing the disappointment dawning in all of their faces. “She's really busy, so I'm not sure. She's done lots of surgeries today, and she's going to be tired.” She swore Gus' lip trembled. “She wants to come home, guys. If she gets there it'll be after you're all in bed.”

Gavin looked hopeful, his expression brightening. “So Arizona will be home in the morning when we wake up?”

Sighing, Callie made a last second decision in the elevator, pushing the button for the OR floor. “Let's go see her. She's working though so we can't stay long, okay?” There was an eager chorus of agreement and Callie smiled down at them as the elevator rose. It warmed her heart to see how much the kids loved Arizona. Arizona made every effort to be careful with them, being so, so thoughtful with them, helping them, taking care of them, doing everything she could to make every day a little easier for them. She loved them, all of them, without asking for anything in return.

The gallery was empty and Callie followed her children in, flipping the switch to the intercom. “You've got some guests, Dr. Robbins.”

Arizona looked up at the familiar voice overhead, the smile hidden behind her mask visible through her eyes. “Hey! Look at that! It's all of my very favorite people!” A few of the nurses turned to look up into the gallery. “What are you guys doing here?” she asked, appearing as happy to see them as they were to see her.

“Are you coming home tonight?” Gus' plaintive question made Arizona's hands pause in their actions, frown drawing her brows down. “Please?” he added when she couldn't speak right away.

There was a lump of emotion in her throat keeping Arizona from answering and she had to swallow it down. “Um, buddy -”

“I told you that Arizona's very busy,” Callie reminded them, trying to give her partner a break.

“I'll be there,” interjected Arizona hoarsely, clearing her throat. “I promise.”

“For dinner?” asked Gavin hopefully. Callie touched his shoulder and he added, “Or breakfast?”

Arizona sighed. All the good intentions in the world wouldn't have her off work in time for dinner. “I'm not going to make it for supper, but you guys save me some dessert, alright?” All three were lining the window, the boys hanging on the sill by their elbows while they pinned her with the most pouty, pleading looks they could muster. “And I'll make pancakes in the morning,” she offered. “It's my day off so we can play all day if you want.”