CHAPTER 18
ARIZONA POV
The last couple of weeks pass in a blur. Callie and I enjoyed our night away from real life, in the hotel room. It was a nice break. One that we needed as a couple, but the next morning we had to join reality once again. So today I'm laying in bed with the woman I love smiling because my real life isn't so bad by any means.
"I can't believe she's nine today." Her voice is thick. Her words are slurred with sleep. I lean in to kiss her, because sleepy morning Callie is one of my favorite versions of her.
"I know it's crazy to think about her being nine." Nine years since car crash. Nine years since Mark told me I was nothing. Nine years since our beautiful baby girl was born.
Callie rolls away from me, with a little groan of protest from me. "We should get up and make her breakfast before she goes to school."
"You're definitely being the responsible mom this morning because I wouldn't mind a few extra minutes cuddling in bed with you." I flash Callie a smile hoping it will charm her into accepting my offer.
"That does sound very tempting, but I want to make Sofia French toast this morning."
"Oh, she'll love that. Fine you win. I guess I'll be a responsible mom too." I huff but break into a smile, as I swing my legs over the edge so I can put on my prosthetic.
Usually on school days Sofia has a bowl of cereal or a pack of Pop-Tarts for breakfast. On her birthday though we always make her a bigger breakfast and make sure we eat together as a family. The tradition was one we started with Mark. He made sure we all had breakfast together on Sofia's birthday. No matter how busy our schedules were. Callie and I have both made it a point to keep the tradition alive for Sofia and for Mark.
"Since you're the better cook you go start breakfast, while I find her card for this year?" I offer seeing Callie is already hovering over the wooden box, usually kept under our bed.
"Yeah, that's a good idea." She kisses my cheek whispering a soft thank you in my ear, before she heads off to the kitchen and I take her place; searching through the things Mark left for Sofia.
Over a decade ago when I first moved to Seattle for the job at Seattle Grace, I thought for sure I was going to hate Mark Sloan. I never ended up hating him though. Sure, he was annoying at times, maybe all the time actually. And yes, the closeness of his relationship with Callie poked at my deepest insecurities. In the end none of that mattered though, because I came to love him. He was a part of Callie's life, so he became a part of mine. He gave me Sofia, so he became a part of my family. I ended up loving him instead of hating him. Now staring at the box of things he left behind for our daughter, I can't help but hate him just a little bit, because he isn't here anymore to watch our girl grow up and celebrate with us.
SOFIA POV
When I wake up, I can smell breakfast already cooking. I leave my room I can hear my moms talking quietly in the kitchen.
"Good morning Sof. Happy Birthday!" My mom hugs me tightly one of her arms around me. A coffee mug clutched in her other hand.
"Happy birthday Mija!" Mami calls from the stove, where it looks like she is making me French toast! Which happens to be my favorite breakfast!
"Thank you, moms." I take the stool next to my mom accepting the glass of cold milk she just poured for me. Giving me a sad smile when she hands me my first birthday card of the day. I know it's the card I've been waiting to open and read ever since my last birthday. It's not sparkly or covered in glitter, like the ones you can buy at the store. This one though is my favorite type of card, because this card is from my dad.
Even though I was too little to remember my dad, when he died. He left me stuff to make sure I know who he was. My mami explained to me once that dad was never close to his own family. He considered Zola's dad my Uncle Derek, to be like his brother. According to mom my dad started writing notes to me the day I was born. The card I have this year has a big 9 scrawled on the front with HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Underneath it in his messy handwriting.
Dear Sof,
So, you're nine today. I'm sure you're busy making your moms and I proud every single day. I hope I'm there with you everyday to be able to watch you grow up. If for whatever reason I'm not able to be there with you or for you. Please know how much I love you. I love you so much Sofia. I know you're smart. Sometimes probably too smart for your own good. Take your time right now and enjoy being a kid. Enjoy playing outside with your friends. I'm sure you have a lot of friends, because I'm sure you have my charm. Remember Sof, you're a Sloan! Own it! Be proud of it!
-Love
Dad
I laugh when he mentions the Sloan charm. Both my moms tell me I have it all the time. "See when I talk in class when I'm not supposed to be, I can't help it. I'm a Sloan! What can I say?" I joke with my parents, giving them my biggest smile.
"Nice try Sof." Mami laughs plating some French toast for me. "Now lets sit down and have a nice family breakfast before the day begins for all of us."
AN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT! I KNOW I KIND OF VANISHIED FOR A BIT. I WENT TO THE U.K AND SPENT SOME TIME WITH SOME OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE! WHO ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME IT WAS AMAZING! WHEN I FOT BACK HOME I HONESTLY LET THE REST OF THE SUMMER GET AWAY FROM ME. MY MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN PRETTY BAD LATELY! AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE WRITING STOPS. I THINK I'M STARTING TO PUSH THROUGH IT. SO HANG WITH ME PLEASE? HAVE A GREAT NIGHT LOVLIES! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS?
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NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE SOON!