The Aftermath of Callie and Arizona

The Only Thing That Matters

Arizona's POV:

"It started last night around 11 pm. She had already gone to bed, when she woke-up and I noticed a change in Maddy's temperament. She became unusually fussy and that's when I realized she was running a fever. I took a quick look at her with my Otoscope and thought I appreciated her left eardrum was swollen and inflamed."

We were standing in a room within the Peds ER at Grey Sloan, conversing with Maddy's Pediatrician. Julie, was gracious enough to come in that morning before her patient care to examine Madelyn. I never asked her to do it, but after speaking with her last night, she insisted.

I must admit, there are some perks to being, "Hospital Royalty." At least that's what my Mom referred to the, "special treatment," she received when she was hospitalized at Grey Sloan last year after the car accident my Dad, her and Sophia were in.

Julie was busy completing her physical exam of Madelyn, while I helped keep Maddy reassured on the exam table. Callie was standing up against the wall with Soph standing in front of her. Sophia was clearly tired from her late night looking after her sister, because I noticed her leaning into Callie a good chunk of the time we were there. 

"I think it's an ear infection too, but agree with you both and want to run some bloodwork to be safe. Let's do a blood culture, stool culture and an ear drainage culture. I think we should only worry about getting a CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) culture if need be. No sense in putting Madelyn through that unless it's necessary."

"I agree, Julie. Let's only go down that road if we need to. Let's face it, no one wants a giant needle shoved in their back, regardless of their age." 

I could tell that Callie was on edge as she spoke to Julie and normally, I would have tried to put her at ease. However, I was still upset with her after not coming home last night, so I continued to focus on Maddy. Trust me when I say Callie was better off that morning with my focus being solely on our youngest and not on her at that time.

"Okay, I'll get my assistant to come and collect all the cultures. You shouldn't be waiting long as she's on her way as we speak. After she collects what she needs, I'll have the lab expedite the results so you guys can get home as soon as possible. Sound good?"

Callie and I both nodded in agreement, at the same time Julie's medical assistant entered our room to collect samples. For the most part, her assistant was able to get what she needed from a very unhappy Madelyn. The stool sample however, would need to wait until later on. When the assistant was finished, I immediately picked up my little girl to try and calm her down.

"Moms, I need to use the bathroom, where should I go?" Sophia was looking between the two of us for guidance.

"I'll take you Soph, come with me." Callie took Sophia's hand in hers and started towards the exam room door when she stopped.

"Arizona, sweetheart, do you need or want anything? Maybe some coffee? I'm happy to get you whatever you'd like...?"

I must say, Callie was trying awfully hard that morning to be a good wife. As upset as I was with her actions the night before, I knew she was also worried about Madelyn. It was written all over her face and I noticed she had started pacing once we got to the hospital. Since I've known Callie, I know that anytime she starts pacing is a tell-tale sign of how nervous she truly is and that morning, she half resembled a caged animal at times in the exam room.

"I'm fine. Thank you, Callie." I went back to focusing on Maddy again and trying to soothe her. I think Callie understood as she quietly led Sophia out of the room and to the closest restrooms. 

The girls were gone for a few minutes before Teddy surprised us and walked in the exam room.

"I'd ask what you two are doing here, but I just ran into Callie and Sophia in the hallway. How's Madelyn doing at this point?"