Chapter Title: Static

POV: Callie + Arizona (Are you surprised? I'll explain!)

Disclaimer: This is a 1950s fanfic, so it is AU. I do not own the characters of Callie and Arizona. They are the creations of Shonda Rhimes and the writers of Grey's Anatomy. Every other character though is of my own creation, but I might add more Grey's characters later on. Also, because this is AU and in a different time period, Callie and Arizona will not be as they are on the show, but I stay pretty close to their personalities as possible.

Notes: Hello, hello, as you all know, the only thing you can expect from me regarding updates is that I'm consistently late. With all my advanced classes and my time-consuming activities, it's hard. Anyway, excuses blah blah blah insert apology, and here we are. Chapter 18. For some reason, my chapters are getting longer and longer, and this is my longest chapter at more than 5,000 words. I thought about breaking it down, but I felt like it all needed to be one chapter. I also tried something different this time. Instead of focusing on one point of view (Callie's or Arizona's) and adding a little bit of the other point of view, I wanted this chapter to feature both Callie's and Arizona's points of view equally. Initially, in the first draft of this chapter, I started with just Callie's point of view, and it didn't feel right.

I say this about a lot of chapters, but this chapter was hard to right especially given the sensitivity of such an issue. I wanted to do the topic justice, so I shall be working on perfecting my plot for later chapters. In order to get into the zone of this chapter, I read information about domestic abuse. I read abuse survivor stories. I did do my research, involving 1950s domestic abuse as well. Music was a huge inspiration to me. This is why I wanted to share my music playlist with you all on my tumblr. Just go to calzonahearts and look up the tag "calzonaspiration" on my page. If you would like, you could even listen to the playlist while reading the fic. Thank you so much for reading and sticking around. My goal for this year is to finish this fic during the summer because I have a lot more AU stories I would love to write with Calzona. My head is swimming in ideas, but I need to finish this fic before I start anything else.

Somehow, her house felt empty. The room felt silent even though the television was buzzing with voices. Callie stared at the television set.

The first time it had happened was six months after her marriage. Much like her first kiss and first friend, Arizona remembered the first time Ryan had hit her.

"…see what I mean when I say the Ford does the most of the work for me. It's the one car designed with a woman in mind!" an actress says in a Ford car commercial. The jingle starts to play soon after she says her last words. While her husband could certainly deal with the difficulty of driving a vehicle, housewives needn't have the same kind of difficulty with their delicate bodies. Callie scoffed at the commercial

Arizona remembered the day like she remembered her wedding, both took her by surprise. At least with her wedding, she had wanted it...once. When her mother sat her sixteen-year-old self down by the fireplace to talk about love and marriage, her mother had never said anything about abuse or power or feeling like she couldn't do anything to protect herself or feeling like she couldn't breathe without wondering if he would hurt her. For weeks after that first sting, she felt like she deserved it.

Callie glanced over at the children. They were playing on the living room carpet, and she supposed they were getting along well as possible. Violet had overcome her shyness and lately, been realizing she could easily boss Mark and George around. The twins, always being softies for girls, did what Violet was told even if that meant sharing their fire truck with the blonde almost-four-years-old girl. Callie supposed that was a nice change of character, considering the fact that for adults, it was usually the other way around with husbands controlling their housewives.

Abuse. She didn't think she had ever said that word out loud. No one ever talked about it, even in private as it was taboo. As if the word, the pain, the helplessness could be contagious. She told her mother once that Ryan had hit her, and her mother had said nothing except "Arizona, what did you do?" From then on, she kept it within herself. When the mailman asked why her wrists were green, she pretended she had never noticed.

"Every girl feels like a storybook princess when she shows off her trousseau…and this princess knew how to take care of her lovely things, now married in her little castle…that's it: Ivory Snow! It's the only soap both safe and granulated to get things clean," a deep manly voice said on another commercial, this time for laundry detergent.

The first time it had happened he had brought home a box of chocolate donuts the next day. He joked that he knew she loved donuts and had to get it for her. Arizona remembered having to thank him. After dinner, she nibbled on one. When she reached for a second one, he told her she had had enough.

Callie looked around. It seemed everyone was simply…co-existing. Somehow, things felt different today like something had changed…for the worse more like it. And Callie did not know why. She glanced over at Arizona who was sitting next to her on the loveseat sofa. She actually had to call Arizona to confirm if she was going to come today. The same woman Callie met weeks ago would have come on her own, invited or not.

He told her he would never hurt her again. He said it while stroking her face like he was trying to calm down an animal he was to tame. His fingers had been rough when he pulled down the neckline of her dress and kissed her collarbone. It felt like he was sucking the life out of her. He told her he was only trying to love her.

Dramatic romantic music started playing as the opening of a TV show was announced, "Jackie Gleason…The Honeymooners with the stars Art Carney, Audrey Meadows, Joyce Randolph…brought to you by your BUICK dealer…and away we go!"

Every time a door slammed, she felt her heart jump in her chest. Every time he touched her, she shrank inside herself, wondering how she ever thought she loved the man. For a year after her marriage, she truly thought she did. "Ryan," she would say gently, trying to get him to stop yelling. But he never listened.

"Do you like this show?" Callie asked Arizona. Arizona didn't hear her.

For years in her marriage, intimacy was anything but intimate. It was a cold word, a word meant for someone else, not her, not Arizona.

The first actor came onto the screen, and applause soon followed the entrance. "I'm home! I'm home! Alice, I have something to tell you!"

Usually, the abuse lasted for days or weeks until he would finally tell her he would stop "his act." He always called it an "act" as if he were only preparing for a stage performance, practicing his violence to win an award. Arizona knew it was pretend, and she knew his restraint wouldn't last long. He was addicted to the sound of her crying.

More applause was heard as another actor came onto the set. A joke, laughter, someone giggling uncontrollably in the audience.

Once Arizona heard her grandmother say "Men just have trouble expressing their love." She wondered if squeezing her wrist tight was just how he held her hand. She wondered if pushing her was just how he wanted to embrace her. She wondered if slapping her was just how he wanted to kiss her. His hand kissing her cheek with the brutal force of reality. It was not love.

Callie laughed out loud at the show and looked over at Arizona for her reaction. But Arizona did not laugh. It seemed Arizona had found herself a residence in some universe that did not involve any laughter. Inside, she seemed broken. Callie could only hope her girlfriend…her friend…her neighbor…her acquaintance…came with the manufacturer's manual. What happened to the woman she couldn't stop thinking about?

Yesterday, he strolled into the kitchen an hour after hurting her and sat down at the breakfast table. As if nothing had gone wrong, he greeted her, "Arizona, what will we be having for dinner today?"

He told her he was starving.

"Arizona…Arizona…Arizona…"

Callie tapped Arizona's shoulder gently. Arizona turned towards Callie, startled. She looked at Callie as if she were seeing a ghost, the face of someone she lost all too recently.

"Arizona," Callie started, "do…you like The Honeymooners?" She intertwined her fingers in the other woman's and scooted closer on the sofa. She put her hand on the Arizona's back.

The blonde winced. "C-c-callie, you're a b-bit too close," she said, her voice barely being able to let out the words. She moved her head away from Callie's.

Callie stared but moved even closer, mistaking Arizona's statement to be anything but serious. She leaned her head against the side of Arizona's cheek. "Is this too close?" she whispered playfully.

"Callie," the other woman started, uncomfortable, lost within herself.

But the brunette was not listening. She kissed Arizona's cheek and put her hand on her other cheek—

"Don't!" was Arizona's unexpected reaction as she gently pushed Callie aside.

Pause. Stop. Static. Something was broken inside of her, something that had never been fixed properly.

"What's the matter with you?" Callie asked, her voice growing harsher.

Arizona glanced at Callie but turned her head to look back at the television screen. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong," She felt she was going insane.

"You barely said a word to me all day. What's going on?"

"I'm watching-"

Callie cut her off and moved closer to Arizona again. She held the woman's face in her hands gently but not with any sign of potential letting go. "Something's wrong. Something wrong with you, and…I don't know what to do…unless you tell me what's wrong," she told Arizona softly, her gaze filled with worry. Callie's thumbs brushed against Arizona's cheeks.

For a moment, she wanted to say everything. She wanted to explain every slap, every bruise, every pain she had felt for the past years. But Arizona didn't think those words could come out. Even if Callie listened, nothing would change. This was her pain to be felt, not shared. "What did you expect? This is me," she replied.

Callie shook her head. "What happened to you?" she asked. It was like she was seeing only the outer shell of a being she had grown to adore, care for, appreciate. Where was Arizona?

Arizona didn't reply. Callie thought about all the words she could use, but they all seemed foreign to her now. Instead, she shook her head and turned back to the television screen. On the screen, Jackie Gleason was patting his stomach. Everyone knew, by now, he did that whenever he had forgotten a line.

The first time Arizona kissed Callie, she remembered how her lips almost had this tingling sensation afterwards. When Ryan came home that day from work and kissed her hello, the sensation had gone away.

Callie thought back to when Arizona turned her away the first time. She remembered feeling certain yet uncertain at the same time about wanting someone so badly, and when Arizona said no, her world felt…still. Callie couldn't breathe now. Is it something I did or said? Is it me? Would it happen all over again? She thought.

The TV show cut to a commercial break. Was everything ending already? Callie kept thinking. "I-I'm going to see what we can do about lunch." And with that, she left the room.

Outside, the weather was rather murky. The radio in the morning had told her there was a high possibility of a storm occurring. The wind blew this way and that way, shaking her house. Everything felt completely miserable for what should have been a perfect Thursday.

Callie decided she didn't have much use sitting in the living room watching Arizona ignore her, but she did know she could spend this time making lunch instead. She might as well make herself useful. She wished…she wished...she wished…she didn't know what she wanted. Callie just couldn't stop thinking that this was all somehow her fault.

Just last week, Ryan came home and wrapped his arms around her. Whenever Ryan showed affection, Arizona treated it as though she were swallowing medicine. But his affection never made the pain go away. It only delayed it. Ryan had cupped his hands around her waist but then squeezed a portion of her stomach. He teased in her ear about eating too many treats.

Flipping through the cook book pages, she looked for some new dish she could focus her mind on. Of course, she didn't have to spend every second of every day with Arizona, but was it really all that bad that Callie wanted nothing but that?

Arizona blinked. She wasn't at her home - Callie's. The children were still playing on the living room floor - Callie's. Yesterday had been a surprise. The weeks she spent with Callie put her in a false sense of reality and made think he would never hurt her again. Now, she knew otherwise. Now, she was here in Callie's home. She was…safe here. Maybe that was a reason why he didn't want her to be friends with Callie. Arizona stood up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen.

"Arizona! Do you think we should have tomato soup for lunch?" she called out, her eyes still on the cook book.

"…But I have your honey," Arizona replied, standing in the doorway of the kitchen. She had a smile on her face, a forced one but a smile nonetheless.

Callie turned around, slightly startled, and smiled. "You almost scared me half to death," she said, walking towards the woman. She pulled her in a tight hug. "I hope you're feeling better," she added.

Arizona was taken aback by Callie's affection and tentatively wrapped her arms around the other woman. She had to remind herself that Callie's affection was good.

Callie squeezed her a little tighter and nuzzled her head in Arizona's neck. She decided to call it a rough day. Everyone had rough days. Arizona did too. When they let go, Callie went back to the stove. "So what do you think of the soup idea? We could also have-"

"I-I can't be here," Arizona breathed, still standing in the doorway. The weight of her husband's words seemed to pile on top of her, wanting to push her out of the door. Not listening meant pain. But leaving was even more painful.

Callie paused. "Look, Arizona, I know something is going on with you that you aren't telling me. But if...if you don't want to be here, just say it...you don't have to make up excuses to me," she replied, feeling her voice crack a little from trying not to cry. This was it. She doesn't want me.

Arizona shook her head, looking down at the tiled kitchen floor. "No, I mean, I shouldn't be here,"

Callie turned towards Arizona's direction, her head tilted in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Arizona began to cry quietly. "I'm sorry," she said between tears.

Callie, quick to comfort the poor blonde, walked over and embraced Arizona. "I wish you would just tell me," she mumbled underneath her breath. She rubbed Arizona's back with her right hand and hugged her from the side.

"He...he can't...know I'm here," Arizona was finally able to say as she stifled each sob. She held onto Arizona's arm that was across her chest.

Callie stopped. Had the inevitable happened before their romance had even begun? She didn't understand how a day, yesterday, could have been so perfect. And today was falling apart. "Does Ryan know? Does he know about us?" she asked. She held her breath, her mind preparing herself for the worst answer: yes.

Arizona shook her head. "No, he doesn't,"

Callie exhaled, relieved out of her mind. She thanked God with all her heart even though she wondered these days if God was even watching out for her. "Okay, tell me what happened...slowly," she told Arizona, bringing the woman to the breakfast table.

After Arizona told Callie about her and Ryan's fight, she felt a lot better, even though she had left out the parts that would be the source of her nightmares. But she was just glad she didn't have to keep something else within her. Even though she didn't want to hurt Callie by bringing up the Catholic conflict, finally saying it all made Arizona much more relieved. Well, saying...most of it. There were still some things she felt she could only keep within her soul. She didn't think she could mention the violence. Part of her was scared that Callie would find it normal.

Callie finally spoke after listening to it all. "I'm glad you told me," she said, the half truth. The whole truth was that the last thing she wanted to deal with was something else keeping them apart, something else causing them to have to sneak around. But she wanted Arizona. So she would have to accept it all.

Arizona gave her a half smile. "I'm sorry," she repeated again, wiping the tears from her eyes. She looked down away.

Callie leaned in a little, expected more words to come out of the blonde's mouth. Nothing. "…Arizona, do you have something else you need to say?"

Arizona shook her head, sniffled, and forced another smile. "Yeah, what's for lunch?

After lunch was over and the dishes washed, Arizona and Callie both sat back down on the couch. The TV was not on. And this time, Arizona sat a little closer to Callie, which made Callie feel a little better about how the day was going. Callie turned her head towards Arizona. "A-ri-zona," she said, pronouncing each syllable carefully. Arizona turned her head to the right. Callie was leaning in closer, gently placing her hand on the other woman's cheek. "You know, I think it's my favorite state now," she added coyly, "but I've never even been there." She reached for Arizona's hands and held it gently between her own.

"I wasn't named after the state," Arizona replied. One part of her loved the attention the other woman was showing her. She loved how Callie could make her smile even the smallest little smile on the darkest of her days. But now, she didn't understand why she felt every urge to scoot away from her neighbor. Like her body was scared of any kind of touch.

Callie closed her eyes and leaned her head against Arizona's. "I can't...get you out of my head," she confessed in a hush.

Arizona let out a tiny sigh and closed her eyes. This was Callie. This was Calliope Torres. She reminded herself that the woman in front of her would not hurt her. Callie's lips grazed Arizona's. Arizona could feel Callie's eyelashes against her cheek.

The two were interrupted by the sound of Mark screaming, and Callie and Arizona realized they were indeed not the only ones in the room. Callie stood up from the couch and went to pull George off Mark. The twins had been fighting over a toy train. After a few minutes of struggle, she huffed and grabbed both the hands of Mark and George. "Well, looks like the boys are in dire need of a nap," she announced, adding a little laugh. Mark was whimpering and saying "Mommy," over and over again, traumatized by the violence of his brother.

Callie kneeled down next to her sons. "Remember what I told you about being violent. Violence doesn't solve anything. If you want something from Mark, George, you have to ask him," she lectured before hugging her sons. Callie loved being a mother, and even though "boys will be boys," she liked to think that she raised her boys better so far.

Back on the sofa, Arizona turned her head. She could feel a knot forming in her throat, and she quickly attempted to wipe some tears away. Violence doesn't solve anything, she thought, thinking back to the sting, her bruises, her husband. There was still part of her that wanted to believe this...wasn't her life.

"Arizona?" Callie asked, turning her head back to look at the blonde. "I'm going to bring the boys to nap. Is Violet going to nap here today too?"

Tentatively, Arizona stood up from the couch and nodded. "Uhhh...yeah, she woke up early today, so she's going to need one," she stated, sniffling slightly. Violet raised her arms, gesturing for her mother to lift her. Once Arizona hoisted Violet up on her hip, everyone headed for the nursery upstairs.

Putting the kids to sleep had been easier than expected. Once Callie sang a little lullaby, all had their eyes drooping. Callie and Arizona tiptoed out of the room, closing the door quietly behind them. Callie caught Arizona's eye, and she stifled a little giggle. "I saw your eyes drooping in there too," she teased, walking down the stairs, "The kids are getting along pretty well. Don't you think?"

At the bottom of the stairs, Callie turned around while Arizona was still on the second step. She pulled Arizona into a surprise kiss, causing Arizona to lose her balance and stumble onto the next step. Despite herself and despite the day, she found herself smiling.

"There it is. There's that magic smile," Callie teased after the kiss. She grabbed Arizona's hand and pulled her off the stairs. Arizona landed in her arms just as Callie's back was pressed against the front door.

The two shared another kiss, softer this time. The brunette's arms were wrapped around Arizona's waist. Still she had to remind herself that the person she was kissing was only Callie. Callie's lips were soft and warm. Ryan's were chapped and rough, and they tasted like tobacco. Callie. Callie. Arizona turned her head mid-kiss, and her nose grazed Callie's. Callie. Callie.

Callie eventually pulled away and looked into Arizona's eyes. "Remember when we kissed at your house just in front of the door... just like this? You were in that nightgown of yours. The white silk one I think," she whispered, closing her eyes half-way through her words. "Do you remember?"

Arizona blushed, turning her head slightly. "I believe I was wearing a light pink one," she replied, not knowing what else to say.

Callie shook her head and opened her eyes. "No, no, it was white. Mine was pink," she corrected and added "I think I would know. That was the night just before I didn't...see you for like two weeks. I remember it clearly." Callie was babbling. From the look on Arizona's face, she worried she had said too much. "What's wrong?"

Pause. "Callie, what are we going to do?" Arizona asked.

Callie furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" she asked. Was this it? She asked herself. Was Arizona going to give up?

"My husband...Ryan...how long can we keep this a secret? If people find out...not just about us being friends...but more," Arizona answered, struggling to form her thoughts, let alone her words.

Callie's eyes saddened. "I don't know, Arizona," she replied before pulling Arizona into a tight hug once again. She rested her chin on Arizona's shoulder, closing eyes. All she wanted was for the moment to last forever.

"I don't even know why you still want to be with me," Arizona whispered.

Her arms still wrapped around Arizona, she looked into the woman's eyes. "Hey, don't say that," she said, smiling slightly, "I want you because you're beautiful, kind, funny, amazing. I want you because with you, I feel like…I'm on Cloud Nine."

Arizona laughed, her eyes twinkling. "You stole my words. I said that to you before,"

Callie smiled. "I know...and I know I didn't know what I wanted before, but now, I know. It's you, Arizona. It's you,"

"What about Connor?" Arizona asked. In her head, she added What about Ryan? That was the harder question to answer.

"Remember when I told you I thought I loved Connor before? That wasn't exactly the whole truth. I did love Connor...before we married. He just...was always more in love with himself more than anything. I tried...I tried fighting for our marriage," she paused then continued, "but now, I realize it's not worth it. But you…you…Arizona, you are worth it. So worth it. So I don't care," She smiled big. She never thought she could express all her feelings out loud before.

"Are you done?" Arizona asked.

"What?" Callie suddenly frowned.

"Because I want know if I can kiss you now," she replied, smiling. Callie reflected the smile and leaned in for a kiss.

Arizona's lips met Callie's, and she felt as if her heart was fleeting. She kissed Callie harder and weaved her fingers in the other woman's hair. Callie moaned into the kiss. Her hands moved from Arizona's waist to the woman's bottom.

Arizona felt safe. She knew Callie would only make her feel safe. Was this what she wanted too? Outside, she could hear the sound of a motor...coming closer. She broke off the kiss. Worried, "is your husband home?"

Callie turned around and looked out the window near the front door. "No, he wouldn't be home until later this evening. It probably was just a car passing by," she replied. She playfully kissed Arizona on the cheek, not thinking anything of the other woman's question.

Arizona shook her head. "Let me see," she said, gently nudging Callie out of the way. She leaned in to look out the window. She heard a car door slam. Ryan. She looked away from the window, her back pressed to the door and her eyes panicking.

"What did you see?" Callie asked.

Arizona's lip quivered a little. "My husband's home. I-I-I have to go. He wasn't supposed to be home so early. Oh god, he's home. I have to get Violet," she said frantically before running up the stairs.

Callie froze. Her brain couldn't even process what was happening and why Arizona was so upset.

Soon enough, Arizona was running down the stairs with a crying Violet on her hip. She hushed Violet softly and whispered into the little girl's ear, "It's okay, darling. It's okay. Daddy just is home early, and we have to go. You can finish your nap at home."

At the bottom of her stairs, she slipped on her shoes and went unlock the door. "Arizona, wait," Callie said.

"What?"

"Just tell him...you were saying goodbye to me. Like you no longer will spend time with me and you needed to say your goodbye," Callie advised and handed Arizona her clutch purse.

Arizona nodded, kissed Callie on the cheek, and was out the door.

Callie gazed at Arizona for a moment before shutting the door. She leaned against the front door again, sighing. She whispered, "I want you because I think I love you,"

With Violet on her hip, she opened the front door slowly, quietly, carefully. If she was lucky, maybe she could pretend she had been upstairs with Violet all along. But Violet let out a slight whimper, and she knew she wouldn't be able to get away with anything.

"Arizona?" she heard a voice ask in the kitchen. She heard footsteps and a chair moving. Slowly, Arizona walked into the kitchen. "Yes?" she asked.

"You were out?" Ryan was sitting on a chair, untying his shoelaces and taking off his shoes.

"I was..." Arizona started, "just out for some fresh air outside with Violet."

Violet, in her arms, was rubbing her eyes, not fully aware her father was home. Arizona bounced her daughter up and down a little, her arms aching as Violet was too old for being lifted.

"How come I didn't see you?" he questioned, creasing his eyebrows, a shoe in hand.

Arizona could start to feel her knees feel week. Maybe she should have just gone with Callie's advice. Either way, Arizona knew he wouldn't take it well. "We went on a walk and just came back,"

"Shouldn't Violet be napping?" He stood up from the chair, holding the shoe still in his hand.

"She went to nap early today," Arizona answered. This part had technically been true as Violet slept an half hour earlier today. But of course, the little girl had been woken soon after.

"I don't believe you," he responded, his words crisp and firm. He stepped closer. "…You were at that woman's house again, weren't you?"

Arizona knew she was getting nowhere. She might as well close her eyes and wait...wait for that sting, the pain.

A month before Ryan proposed, he said he loved her with all his heart. Two months after her wedding, he forbade visits and phone calls to her parents and other relatives, only allowing her parents to come over or call. He said he never wanted her to be gone from the house for too long.

Five months after her wedding, none of her family was allowed over anymore. He said it was time for her to break away from her relations. Seven months after her wedding, there were no calls. Arizona could feel a knot forming in her throat once again. Ryan couldn't take Callie away from her too.

"Answer me!" Ryan yelled.

"I was only saying goodbye," Arizona whispered. She let Violet down onto the kitchen floor. The little girl began to bawl automatically.

"You visited Callie?" he asked for confirmation.

Arizona could feel her throat turn dry, and she could only nod. Violet began to sob even louder.

Enraged, Ryan grabbed Arizona's wrist roughly, his nails digging into Arizona's skin. "What is it about Callie...that makes you not listen to me?" he yelled through gritted teeth.

"Ryan, please don't," Arizona could only whisper. She thought about Violet. Never did Ryan hit her in front of Violet. He wouldn't. He wouldn't. He wouldn't.

She was wrong. The first blow came suddenly on shoulder. It nearly knocked her down. Ryan had raised his shoe above his head and struck her. Arizona was stunned as tears trickled down her eyes. The shock of the violence shut Violet up as she stared, teary-eyed, at her mother.

Arizona held herself as if she were cold. "Okay, okay," she cried, "I'll never visit her again. I promise." It took everything she had to not sob loudly. No, you have to be stronger, she told herself, but she just didn't know how to be.

Ryan was no longer holding onto Arizona's wrist, and he lowered his arm. His face softened. With his hand, he stroked Arizona's cheek softly. "I know. You're my good darling," he told her and then sternly added, "I'll make sure of it. You just need to learn your lesson."

Arizona didn't have time to even whimper as the second blow struck. This time he hit her lower back. She was pushed forward onto the floor, falling at Ryan's feet. Pause. Stop. Static. Turn the dial. Anything but this. Anything but this. Violet began to whimper, backing away from her parents.

Ryan lifted Arizona by her blonde hair. Arizona yelped as she could feel each of her hair strands wanting to rip from her scalp. Pain shot through her body as she was forced to look into the eyes of the man she had married. He let go. Ryan used his shoe to touch Arizona's cheek like he had done so with his hand before. "I love you so much. You're my wife, Arizona. I just need you to listen to me," he told her, his voice seeming softer, but all Arizona could hear was the sound of a television dial tone. He was doing her no service.

Arizona nodded, staring at the wall behind them. At least he hadn't hurt Violet. At least he hadn't done that. Her world felt still.

"Good," Ryan answered, handing her the shoe, "I want you to polish my shoes and then pack a bag. We're leaving for the weekend. I decided we will visit my parents. I'll call in tomorrow for a day off. We'll leave after dinner."

Arizona held the shoe in her hand. "Okay," she replied. Okay. Okay. Everything was not okay.

Pause. Ryan quickly changed his expression and pulled on a smile. "Where is my Violet?" he playfully asked. "Is she hiding behind the refrigerator?" he asked as he kneeled next to Violet's side. "What are you doing behind there, you silly doll?" He pulled Violet out of her hiding space, lifted her into his arms, and walked out of the kitchen.

Doll. Silly doll. Yes, this was all Arizona was to Ryan. How breakable she was. How breakable...

That night, Callie lay in her bed, awake. What about Connor? she repeated the question in her head. Callie honestly didn't know. Some part of her had optimism about the situation. She liked imagining having a future with Arizona even though they had only been together for not too long. She didn't think she could fall for someone as much as she was falling for Arizona.

Connor grumbled next to her in his sleep. Connor, she reminded herself. She knew she didn't love him now like she thought so before. She still cared about Connor though. She still cared, and she didn't how she could stop caring for husband.

But with Arizona, she didn't only care for Arizona. No, Callie craved her. She craved Arizona's touch, the warmth of her skin. She craved running her hands through blonde hair, soft; it was always soft. Callie craved Arizona's periwinkle blue eyes, especially when her eyes lit up. She always felt a sensation travel throughout her body as she thought about the other woman.

Hopefully, Arizona's husband was okay with their meet. They would just have to be a bit more sneaky during their lunchtimes. She blinked her eyes, sleepily.

It was late. She knew she should fall asleep by now. She had a habit of losing herself in her thoughts. Callie turned onto her other side, her body facing Connor's.

She closed her eyes. Her shift however woke Connor up, and he noticed Callie, trying to pull her into his arms. "Connor," Callie said, pulling away.

"I just want to hold you," he answered. She could hear a smile in his voice.

Callie turned back onto her other side once again. "It's already warm enough," she stated.

That night, she fell asleep to the sound of static in her head and to the sound of a woman's voice. "Calliope," the voice said, and Callie smiled in her sleep.

Please if you enjoyed this chapter, please let me know in a review. I appreciate all your reviews. I really do. They make me really happy, and they remind me not to give up on this story. If you thought this chapter or storyline could use something more or a change, please also mention this in a review, constructive criticism only please. Thanks so much for reading like I said before! I love you all so much, and byeeeee!