Cupcakes and Tattoos

Chapter 32

"Auntie Zona!" Alexa yelled as she pulled open the door to her house.

"What on earth are you wearing?" Arizona laughed at the little girl's appearance. "It's my shopping outfit!" Alexa twirled around, showing off her hot pink tutu, bright orange leggings, matching pink chucks on her feet, and yellow tank top that said If you think I'm cute, you should see my aunt. She had accessorized with a chunky pink bracelet, pink polka dot sunglasses, and a small tiara. Alexa's outfit was so bright, Arizona was sure she wouldn't lose her at the store.

"Oh, well now I'm sad I forget my tutu at home." Arizona pretended to pout.

"I have a purple one you can wear."

"I'm afraid it won't fit me, Lex."

"Oh yeah... I hate being small."

"Did Callie give you that shirt?"

"How'd you know?!" Alexa asked wide eyed. She was amazed that Arizona knew that.

"Lucky guess. You ready to go? Where's your mom?"

"Mommy! We're bouncing. Catch ya on the flip side!" Alexa picked up her zebra print purse and strolled out the door.

Arizona laughed at her choice of words, "Lex, I can't just take you without seeing your mommy first. She'll get sacred that you were kidnapped."

"Mommy! I'm not being kidnapped!"

"Alexa, why are you yelling?" Aria asked coming down the stairs. "Oh, hey Arizona!"

"Hi Aria. We're going to head out now if you're sure you're okay with this." Callie had told Arizona that Aria never let anyone watch Alexa unless it was Callie or her parents, so this outing was a pretty big deal. It meant that Aria trusted Arizona fully.

"Of course. I'm sure you'll be fine." Aria squatted down to hug her daughter. "I see you changed into your shopping outfit."

"Duh, Mommy. We are going shopping." Alexa huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Of course, silly me." Aria kissed her cheek. "You be good for Arizona, promise?"

"I promise, Mommy." Alexa kissed her mom back. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mija. Have fun." Aria straighten back up and smiled at Arizona.

"Bye Aria, we'll be back by seven."

"Okay, bye girls." Aria shut the door behind them and ran upstairs to her husband. There were going to make the best of three uninterrupted child free hours.

Arizona opened the car door so Alexa could climb into the back seat of the Thunderbird. She sort of commandeered it and Callie hasn't said anything about it yet. "Isn't this Aunt Callie's car?"

"Yup, she let me borrow it."

"Don't you have your own car?"

"I do, but this one is prettier."'

"Oh..."

Arizona smiled at the little girl in the mirror. "Did you decide what you wanted to dress up as yet?"

"No, I want to see everything first."

"That's a good idea. We have to keep our options open." Arizona pulled into one of the downtown parking lots and easily found a spot. When they got out of the car, Alexa slipped her small hand into Arizona's, making the blonde smile. The little girl skipped along the sidewalk, making sure to avoid stepping on any cracks.

"Aunt Zona, where are we going?"

"To Monty's. We're almost there." Ten months out of the year Monty's was a cute little bookstore, but for the months of September and October Monty transformed his store into a Halloween superstore. He had almost every costume that one could possibly imagine and if he didn't have it, he'd find it for you within a day. He also had decorations and party supplies. Arizona thought she'd get some stuff for the house, but knew she should wait for Callie. When they got to the tastefully decorated store, Arizona pulled the door open and let Alexa run in ahead of her.