Cupcakes and Tattoos

Chapter 18

"Arizona."

Arizona was sitting on her bed reading and trying to avoid Callie. Since she just walked in and was now standing in from of her, it was becoming pretty hard.

"Arizona!"

"Oh, hi Calliope!" Arizona looked up with her best smile. Maybe she could charm her way out of this one.

"Don't you 'hi Calliope' me!"

"I'm so sorry! Once he gets an idea in his head, there is no stopping him. I tried! I really did."

"Don't you think you could have warned me at least?"

"I didn't think about that. I was too busy being scarred for life." Arizona had been hiding in her room for the past hour because her father was roaming around the house in his underwear waiting for Callie to come over. She would be trying to erase that image from her mind for the rest of her life.

"Girls! Get down here! It's getting late and we old folk like to eat early!" Barbara called from downstairs.

"I don't think I can go down there."

"It will be fine. I have to warn you though. My dad will probably never you live that down. It's going to become a big family joke and everyone is going to know about it."

"Everyone, huh?" Even though she was humiliated, Callie liked the idea of Arizona's family feeling comfortable enough about their relationship to make her the butt of a joke.

"Yeah! They probably already do." Arizona stuck her bottom lip out, "Are you still mad at me?"

"I was never mad at you." Callie kissed Arizona's protruding lip. "Your father is kind of insane, you know that?"

"Try growing up with him! He once picked me up from a slumber party wearing his robe. I was thirteen! I was mortifying. You're lucky I turned out so normal."

"Normal? I don't know about that." Callie winked and went for another kiss.

"Girls! It's safe to come down! Everyone has pants on!"

Arizona sighed, "I guess we better get this over with." She pecked Callie's lips and took her hand to lead her downstairs. They found her parents sitting in the living room laughing at the news.

"Callie! I am sorry I embarrassed you. I was just having fun." Daniel felt bad after she had entered the house and bolted straight up the stairs.

"It's okay. I'm not too embarrassed. Just a little shocked."

"Good! If you're going to be a part of this family, you need to know how to take a joke."

"Family?" Callie mouthed silently to Arizona. Arizona just shrugged and smiled. "I'm just going to get dinner started."

"I'll help you!" Arizona jumped up.

"Honey, unless some miracle happened since you left New York, I don't think you should. I would like a decent meal that isn't burned."

"Mom!"

"Babe, she's right. I'm okay without help. It will be much quicker." Callie had tried to teach Arizona to cook, but it was a disaster. She had no idea how the blonde could pull off the most amazing cake she's ever had, but still manage to ruin a pot of pasta. "How about you be in charge of dessert?"

"Fine." Arizona sat down on the couch and pouted. She didn't think she was that bad. Burn something a couple of dozen times and no one trusts you ever again.

"How about I help you. Arizona got her father's skills in the kitchen. I'm pretty decent."

"Uh... sure! I'd love that." Callie wasn't sure how she felt about being alone with Arizona's mother.