Cupcakes and Tattoos

Chapter 28

"What are you looking at?" Cristina asked Callie from the door of her office.

"Paint samples."

"For what? Please don't tell me you're painting the apartment again. You know I don't like change."

Callie looked up from the book of different paint samples she had picked up on her way to work. She knew Arizona was calling her mom that morning and was eager to get started on the kitchen. She somehow failed to mention to Cristina she was planning on moving out, "Umm, no. It's for Arizona's kitchen. We're going to redo it together."

"She's letting you butcher her kitchen?"

"Well, no. It's going to be our kitchen."

"You two finally shacking up?" Cristina moved further into Callie's office and sat down across from her.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. She just asked me the other night and things have been crazy." When Cristina didn't say anything, Callie wen back to her book. They held a strange bond and could sit together in easy silence for long periods of time.

"I'll miss you, Cal."

Callie looked up and smiled. "I'm going to miss you too, Cris."

"Psh, I know." Cristina smiled back.

"And don't worry, I'll still cook for you if you come over."

"I'll hold you to that, Torres."

"Are you going to have Owen move in?"

"Are you going to charge me higher rent?"

"No, it will stay the same." Callie barely made Cristina pay anything in the first place.

"Then maybe."

*Ding* Callie pulled her phone out of her pocket and frowned when she saw the text message from Arizona.

I need you.

"Sorry, but I need to go." Callie got up and hastily moved toward the exit.

"Hey, Cal?"

Callie stopped and turned to look back at Cristina. "Yeah?"

"I'll never admit to saying this ever, but I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Cris. I'm happy for me too." They exchanged small smiles before Callie hurried out the back door. She let herself into the back door of the bakery, surprising Meredith and Lexie. Ignoring them she went straight for Arizona's office and barged in without knocking. Arizona was sitting behind her desk and staring at the cell phone in her hand. "Babe?" The blonde slowly looked up at her and shook her head. When Callie saw her eyes start to water, she rushed around the desk and squatted down in front of the blonde. "Hey..." She cupped her cheek with her hand and looked her in her eyes. "What happened?" Callie asked softly. Arizona just shook her head again. "Did you call your mom?" The blonde nodded. "Is that why you're upset?" She nodded again. "What did she say?"

"She said..." Arizona paused and shook her head again in disbelief. "She said that they're in trouble."

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"I guess a few years ago they had to take out a second mortgage on the house to keep the bakery afloat, but they got too behind and now they're in danger of losing the house. The bakery isn't making as much money as it used to and they're probably going to have to sell it." Arizona pressed her palms into her eyes and rested her elbows on the desk. "Why didn't they tell me? It had to be going badly for a long time to have it come down to this. I would have never used that money to come out here and do this." She waved her hands around to show she meant her bakery.