WRITTEN BY ANGIE
Scar Tissue || Arizona and Teddy
Arizona felt that she could have been a little more considerate when it came to what she was saying in terms of who she was saying it to. The problem was if she didn’t get it out to someone, she had a feeling that she would have been keeping it all in and she remembered the damage that it could do psychologically to hold everything in. Now, she was facing the reality of what she didn’t before, she didn’t realize how sad the stress had made her when Callie was okay, she didn’t realize all the worry that it brought with her, because she couldn’t go through it all again.
Now she was realizing it instead of the happier emotions that she chose to feel then, she recognized how grateful she was and happy that the woman she loved was still alive but she didn’t realize the fear that had accompanied it. She was allowing it all to come out, because even if she didn’t have Calliope the entire time, at least she was safe.
What made her cries grow was the thought that she wasn’t going to be the one to keep her safe anymore if this didn’t work out, she didn’t want the love that they had to disintegrate into the air. Arizona had cared about her too much to have everything they had reduced to a past relationship, she couldn’t let Callie no matter how much she tried because she was the love of her life.
When she heard her friend, she felt her breathing start to go back to normal and she nodded her head against her shoulder, this time she brought Teddy closer to her. “I’m sorry it ended that way, but at least he knew how much he meant to you.” A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pulled back to look at her friend, there were still tears streaming down her face, “I know that we only get to tell them that so many times, I just want Calliope happy again. She’s making me happy again, Teddy and I don’t think I can lose her, not now.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Teddy smiled, not a trace of bitterness in her eyes. “You’re right — at least he left knowing that I loved him.” It was something she took comfort in — knowing that the last words left hanging between them weren’t ones of hatred, but of love. Teddy could pen a book with all the things left unsaid; yet, she knew she’d spoken the most important ones — I love you.
Teddy could see the truth of Arizona’s tears. You feared for the ones you loved; it was a given. And though there was no taking away that worry, that sadness, Teddy wouldn’t have wanted to even if she could. For it was the fear that made her strong, fear that made her the better man — and without fear, how could there be bravery? Just like everything else, the good came with an antithesis — rage and love, joy and pain… even faith.
“Shh,” Teddy whispered, offering her friend the only solace she could — her open arms. “You’re not going to lose her. This is Callie we’re talking about, remember? She’s as loyal as they come. And if she makes you happy, then she’s the one — then again, you already know that. Trust me, Arizona; Callie wants all the same things you do. She just wants you to be happy, because it’s the only way she can be happy. And if that’s not the case, then she isn’t good enough for you. But I know that’s not true.”
Smiling wanly at her friend, Teddy sighed: “Go home, Arizona. Go home, tell Callie that you love her, and make sure she knows just how much you mean it. You know I’d give anything just to be able tell Henry that one more time, so you’ll be doing it for me, too.” She’d played her last card —it was all up to Arizona now.