The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 31

Callie had plans, plans that were currently being threatened by a bout of chicken pox that was sweeping the hospital. She couldn't very well not comfort her son though. Both of the twins had it, but Gavin was finally sleeping. Angus had been uncomfortable all day, fighting a losing battle with the urge to scratch. He had settled heavily against her shoulder by the time the door slid open.

Arizona looked stunning in her dress – red, off the shoulder, and ending at the knee – but her attention was completely focused on the boys. “Wow.” Arizona smiled even as she checked Gavin's head with a practiced hand. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you,” she murmured without waking him. “So do you.”

Callie felt a flush travel down her neck in a wave. “I think I'm getting drooled on.”

Arizona winked at her, fingers combing fair hair back from Gavin's forehead lightly, lovingly. “You're beautiful,” she stated sincerely. “Shh, it's okay,” she whispered when Gavin stirred. Under her familiar touch he settled again immediately.

“He's been out like a rock. Gus can't stop fidgeting though,” Callie reported quietly.

“Well, Allegra is at Tori's house with the other girls and reminded us that only losers get picked up before breakfast.” She turned to face her partner of three years, smiling at the sweet sight that greeted her. At six Angus was nearly too big to be carried around but he remained as willing to snuggle as he had ever been where his older siblings had started to grow out of that impulse.

“Oh good,” Callie dryly replied. “So we can sleep in tomorrow.”

“Sorry about tonight being a bust,” said Arizona with a sigh. “I know you were looking forward to this show.”

Callie swallowed down the sudden lump of nerves in her chest. She had a reason she was looking forward to tonight but I wasn't because of the tickets in her purse. Rather, it was because of the question eagerly waiting to burst free of her lips, the slight weight of a ring box in the pocket of her coat. “We can still cook...”

Arizona's brow furrowed as she noticed something, moving closer in the dim lighting of the room. Paranoid and sure that she had somehow spotted the extra item in her pocket and deduced what was inside, Callie slipped a hand down to cover the ring case. “Are you hot?”

“You're hot,” Callie countered stupidly, wincing even as she said it. She certainly felt warm now, blushing in embarrassment.

“No, I mean -” Arizona's hand felt cool when it touched her forehead, brushed across her cheek. “You have -” Two fingers guided the strap of her dress aside. “You have chicken pox,” she sighed as she saw the spots that dotted the top of Callie's chest. She caught Callie before she could stand up, hand on her shoulder keeping her seated. “You've never had them before?”

Groaning in frustration and making Angus squirm, Callie shook her head in denial. “Not all of us are Pediatricians.”

“Hey, I'm a Pediatric surgeon,” Arizona reminded her with a smile. “And I'm not the one who's sick.” She leaned in, scooping Gus up easily. He sighed in his sleep and slumped into her shoulder. “Come on. We'll get them settled and see about getting you a room.”

“Bull,” denied Callie, nearly growling in frustration. She just wanted to propose, damn it! Not fall prey to the same illness inflicting her sons. “I'll just go home.”

“No, you won't,” Arizona said primly, tucking Gus into the bed next to where his brother slept. “Because between here and home you'll touch doorknobs and push elevator buttons and you'll be the outbreak monkey.” She left either boy with a soft kiss on the head. “I love you,” she whispered to them both.