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November 5th, 2019, 5:49 AM
Callie sat beside a hospital bed at the crack of dawn on Arizona's 41st birthday, unable to wipe the huge grin off her face. She found the blonde's hand and twined their fingers, bringing it to her lips for a soft kiss as Arizona attempted to get one last bit of sleep. Addison was floating in and out of the room, checking to see if the labor-inducing medications in Arizona's IV were sparking any movement. The blonde was having no such luck.
"Isn't this so great, Arizona? You're all going to share a birthday!" Callie was beyond excited.
At 39 weeks pregnant with twins, Arizona, on the other hand, did not share the same excitement. She shut her eyes and laid back against the bed. "Potentially, if your children decide to get on with the show and don't go hibernate for another week past the due date," she snapped.
Callie sighed softly, using her free hand to smooth silky blonde hair back from her wife's forehead. "I know you're uncomfortable and I know it's hard. I'm sorry, Arizona, but they're coming. Addie won't go back to LA until they're here. We just need to be patient," Callie said softly.
Arizona was going to give some snarky remark about how patience was far easier to muster when you aren't the one housing two tiny humans who have been leeching the life from you for a grand total of 273 days, but upon hearing the warmth and sympathy in her wife's voice, Arizona just scooted over in the bed as much as she could with a grunt. She patted the newly freed side with the arm not attached to her IV, inviting her wife to enjoy the last few quiet, peaceful moments they'd likely find in the foreseeable future.
Callie smiled and carefully laid beside Arizona, one hand stroking her hair and one hand resting on her large belly, as they waited for the medications to take effect.
November 5th, 2019, 11:34 AM
"Okay, sweetheart, breathe," Callie coached Arizona through a strong contraction. "Just like this," she said, perfectly modeling the breathing pattern they'd learned in the lamaze class she'd dragged Arizona to. At first, Arizona was resistant and annoyed, insisting she knew everything the instructor had to offer, and she did. However, while Callie was diligently listening, Arizona found a new way to occupy herself. She spent the rest of the session correcting the instructor's advice and criticizing the other expectant parents' birth plans. Needless to say, they were not invited back the following week.
Arizona, red faced and sweaty, clutched Callie's hand in a vice grip and yelled. "I'm a fucking fetal surgeon! Only a handful of people in the world can do what I do! I'm like a rare, exotic bird, Calliope, and I know how to be in labor! Don't you dare tell me how to breathe!"
Callie took a deep breath and shook it off, just whispering gentle encouragements and sweet nothings in the following hours, holding the blonde's hands, stroking back her sweat-soaked hair, or peppering kisses across her wife's face in an attempt to be of help.
November 5th, 2019, 1:53 PM
Finally, what felt like an eternity later, two robust cries filled the room.
The first baby, a boy, was cleaned, weighed, and swaddled, and then placed in Arizona's arms as they assessed his sister. Arizona didn't realize she was crying until she felt tears stream down her face. "We did it, Calliope," she said, peeling her eyes from her son's matching azure gaze to grin at her wife. "He's perfect."
"You were so great, Arizona," Callie said, quite emotional. For a long time, neither thought they'd ever feel unadulterated love and joy like this again. And now, married and mothers for a second time, things were better than ever. "I love you so much, Arizona Torres. Thank you, thank you, thank you," Callie whispered, kissing her wife's lips with reverence.
"I love you, too. So much, Calliope," Arizona managed through tears of joy and relief, and not just relief from an eight-hour labor. Relief from the fear that she'd never be with the love of her life again. The years she spent without Callie were the darkest of her life, and now, looking at the daughter that Addison has just placed in Callie's arms, Arizona was certain she'd never feel that way again.
Soon, a nine-year-old Sofia was escorted into the room by Meredith. "I'm a big sister," she exclaimed, excitement shining in her eyes and proud smile. "Happy birthday babies and mommy!"
Some time later, all five snuggled in the hospital bed around Arizona, Sofia spoke. "Poor Timmy is the only boy, and he's gonna grow up with four girls," she giggled.
"Well..." Callie began, smirking at her wife.
"No!" Arizona exclaimed, looking at her wife directly. "I love you so much, I really do, but I'm never, ever, ever doing that again."
Both women knew that they wouldn't be having another child biologically, anyway. At forty-one, Arizona's pregnancy was considered high-risk and she'd been monitored closely. Trying again a few years down the road would only increase the risk exponentially.
Callie shook her head with a smile on her face. "Trust me, our three babies are more than enough for me," she pressed a kiss to Sofia's head. "But you've always talked about getting chickens. We could get some boy chickens and keep them in the backyard. We wouldn't need to buy eggs, then." Callie said, referring to the new house they'd just bought with an expansive backyard.
Sofia met Arizona's gaze and the two began to giggle.
"What's so funny?" Callie asked, honestly confused.
"Momma," Sofia began, "boy chickens can't lay eggs!"
Callie's face reddened as the laughter only intensified.