A new beginning
Author’s Note: This is my take on what I’d like to have seen on Arizona’s final episode. It’s always good to remind you that English isn’t my first language so mistakes were probably made but, please, just go with it.
I hope you all like it. Enjoy!
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A few days had gone by since the wedding. It was a Sunday morning and the night before Arizona had officially signed up her release papers. It was one of the hardest things she had ever done. When she moved to Seattle she had no idea that her life would take the twists it took. She had no idea that it would be in that city that she would find her dream job, that in that city she would meet the love of her life. Many years have gone by since then and so many things changed but she did not regret a single step she took… I mean, there was one she’ll particularly regret for the rest of her life, her biggest mistake of all, but even that mistake was important for her to learn and grow.
“Mommy?” She heard Sofia call behind her, waking her up from all the thoughts that were going through her mind as she stared out the window of her bedroom. “Uncle Andrew said he is ready for us.”
“Alright, sweetie, I’ll be down in a minute. Can you wait for me in the living room?” Sofia just smiled and went to the living room to wait for her mom.
Arizona stayed in her empty room for a few more minutes before she got her bag from the floor and went for the door, locking it behind her.
“Are we good to go?” Andrew asked. He had offered to drive her and Sofia to the airport.
“Yes,” she said after a deep breath. “here’s the key to the room, Carina will need it when she moves in.” she said as she gave him the key.
“Thanks, she’s been asking me about it for a while now. I can’t handle her on my ears anymore.”
“Is she okay?” Arizona asked him. She liked Carina, they had a great time together and she didn’t regret it. Their break up wasn’t the best one and Arizona was worried she might have broken Carina’s heart… but she had to do what was best for her daughter because she couldn’t keep going seeing how sad Sofia was.
“She’s… she’ll be fine.” Was all he said. Arizona didn’t ask anything else.
After they got everything they needed, DeLuca drove them to the airport where they said their goodbyes. Arizona hated goodbyes but she figured it would be really rude if she denied him at least a goodbye hug. He was a good guy and had a brilliant future ahead of him. He had supported her in moments of need when she felt like no one else was by her side and also was a good roommate and babysitter. Arizona was grateful she got to meet this young man full of dreams.
Once they were on the plane Sofia held on Arizona’s hand as tight as she could.
“I didn’t know you were afraid of flying, Soso.” She said as she tightened her grip on her daughter’s hand.
“I’m not, mommy, but I know you are.” She said with a sweet smile. A smiled with a sincerity that Arizona hadn’t seen in months. That was her daughter’s real smile… it was so pure, it was so happy… it warmed her heart. “You don’t need to worry, okay? We’re going to be fine and mama is picking us up. She said she would take us to eat ice cream as soon as we landed.”
“Thank you, baby. I know we are going to be fine.” She said smiling, her dimples popping up. “And we better hold mama on that promise!”
A few hours later they were landing on New York. Although spring had already begun the city was still a little cold. It was a cloudy day but it was possible to see a few rays of sunshine breaking through the barrier of the white mantle that covered the sky. Those rays of sunshine, to Arizona, symbolized a new beginning after so many bumps along the way. As she and Sofia waited for their luggage she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and a big, involuntary smile was drawn on her face.
I can’t wait to see you. – Callie.
Those were the very same words Callie had texted her when they were at the wedding but at that moment Arizona felt something she hadn’t felt in a while. She felt those butterflies in her stomach… the same feeling she would feel whenever she saw Callie when they were together. It doesn’t matter how many years have gone by and how many bumps they had in their way it was Callie who made her feel like that, like a teenager who was having her very first crush, like a teenager who was falling in love for the first time in her life.
“Mommy, it’s ours!” Sofia said excited when she spotted their luggage finally arriving.
Every step they took towards the exit Arizona felt that thing in her stomach intensify. Every step she took she was closer to her new beginning… to their new beginning.
“Mama!” Sofia yelled when she saw the brunette waiting for them at the arrivals place.
Arizona was stunned. She thought it was impossible but Callie seemed even more beautiful and right there, at that airport, she fell in love with the mother of her daughter all over again. Which she thought was funny because in her mind she knew she never fell out of love with Callie, but seeing her there, with that beautiful smile hugging their daughter while tears of happiness rolled down her face, that feeling intensified in a way that it actually felt like she was falling in love again.
“So, are you just going to stay there staring and no hugs for me?” Callie played. It was clear in her face that she was as nervous as Arizona.
“Sorry, I just…” Arizona couldn’t finish what she was trying to say, so she just went and allowed herself to be embraced by the woman she had missed so much. “I missed you so much.” She whispered while Callie still held her in her arms.
“I know, me too.” Callie whispered back.
“Hey! Give me some space!” Sofia said as she found a way to put herself in the middle of her mommies so she could be a part of that embrace too.
And it was the moment Arizona took a deep breath and knew that everything was finally in place. That they were exactly where they needed to be.
“Mama, I believe you promised me some ice cream.” Sofia reminded Callie of her promise.
“Yes, I have promised you that! Should we go now?” She asked looking at Arizona who nodded agreeing. “Alright them, let me help you two with this luggage and we can go.”
And as she watched Callie and Sofia start walking towards the parking lot, Arizona knew that that image was her sunshine through the clouds.
“Are you coming or what?” Callie said turning back when she saw Arizona wasn’t following them.
“Yes, I’m on my way.” She said smiling.
And that, my friends, was that beginning of a new cycle. Of a new life.
