Disclaimer I do not own any of these characters. Characters are the property of Shonda Rhimes and ABC.
The day started out like any other day. It was a typical Monday at the firm. I had a case load the size of Texas on hand, and it was starting to take a toll on me. Doing all of the paper work, and scheduling and setting up all of my consults on my own was grueling. I really should think about hiring a new secretary to take on some of the work, but after April's accident, I just haven't found anyone that I feel can fill her shoes. April was the best secretary I have had in my entire ten years as a lawyer. She always was ahead of the game. We were inseparable in the office, and in our personal life. She worked for me for five years, and in that time she also became my best friend. Replacing her was something I just didn't think I could do. Tears formed in my eyes as I thought about April and our time together, however I was quickly brought back to reality by the ringing of my phone.
"Hey mom. How are you?" I answered the phone trying not the let my voice crack from the tears and emotions I had been feeling.
"Hello baby. How are you? I didn't get my usual call from you today at five, I was beginning to worry."
"Mom, It's not five yet." I said confused stumbling around to find my watch.
"Arizona! It is 7:30. Please tell me you are just kidding, and not still at work."
I can hear the concern in her voice. She has been so worried about me lately so I try to think of an excuse. "Of course I am joking mom. I just had something come up last minute that I needed to finish up. I'm heading to my apartment now. Don't worry so much. Everything is fine."
"Don't lie to me. I know when you're lying Arizona. You've turned away more secretaries haven't you? You're still taking on all that work on your own aren't you?"
My mother knew me too well. She knew when I was lying, so to avoid doing myself anymore injustice, I decided to just be truthful. "Yes, okay mom! I just haven't found anyone that is qualified enough yet. I'm not just going to hire anyone. I want someone good."
"Arizona, you're never going to find someone you connect with like April, so stop looking for that. You will hire the next qualified person to walk through that door, or I will come up there and do it for you, and you won't like that,"
I heard the anger in my mom's voice. She was serious, but before I could say anything to calm her down, I heard the line disconnect. I sat back in my chair and signed. I guess I better do what she says on I'm going to get a not so nice visit. I pulled out out a stack of resumes from the top drawer of my desk. I put a hiring ad in the paper for temporary help while April was in the hospital, and resumes came flying in, but after her death, I just couldn't bare to look at them. I just started going through the reading experience and previous work history, when I came across one that caught my eye. Eliza Minnick. She previous worked for the biggest accident and injury lawyer in California, but his untimely death had her unemployed, and relocated. I decided then if I was going to this then she was my best bed. Here's to hoping she was still available. I took a deep breath, and dialed her number.
"Hello, Eliza Minnick speaking."
"Hello, yes, Ms. Minnick, this is Arizona Robbins, the lawyer you put a resume in with about 6 months ago."
"Oh, yes mam, how are you?"
"I'm well. I was wondering, if you are still available, would you be willing to come in for an interview?"
"Oh, yes mam. I'm still available, when is a good time?"
"How about tomorrow around nine?"
"Tomorrow around nine would be perfect. Thank you."
"No thank you."
Well, that was easy, I thought to myself. I can do this. I can hire someone, and no they may not be April, but this girls qualifications were good, and as long as she seemed okay during the interview I think I can do this. I put my case files away from my desk, grabbed my bag, and my keys and headed out to my car. It was not 8:45, and I was more the ready to head home. I pulled up in the drive way and noticed that my room mate Andrew was already home. He was an intern at the hospital across the street, and he was always working late hours. I was surprised to see he was home at what was an early time for him. I walked in the door and saw him sitting on the couch. I quickly put my stuff down on the hall tree by the door and headed to the kitchen for a light snack before bed. Decent meals was something I also didn't have time for anymore.
"Hey Arizona. You home late again. Still haven't found someone to help out at the firm?"
I looked at Andrew with a little sadness in my eyes. "Well I do have an interview with an interesting prospect tomorrow morning. She use to work for the biggest accident and injury lawyer in California and has relocated here to Seattle. I'm hoping that she is what I'm looking for."
"Are you going to actually give this one a chance?"Andrew says looking at me with a smirk on his face. He knows be by now. We've been room mates for three years now ever since my divorce with my wife, and he has grown to know me very well.
"Yes, I'm going to give her a real shot. My mom basically called and threatened me that if I didn't find someone quick she was going to come do it for me, so I don't really have a choice yah know." I said looking at the floor.
I finished my food, and headed to my room to get ready for bed. I had a big day in the morning, and needed to get ready for my meeting with Eliza. I laid down and before I realized I had drifted off to sleep.
BEEP BEEP BEEP
The sound of my alarm echoed through my incredibly quiet room. I looked up and hit the top to make the beeping stop. I was exhausted. Catching up on sleep was not something that I was able to do, and it made early mornings even harder. I sat up on the side of my bed and regrouped before getting up and showering and getting ready for the day. I went down stairs to get some coffee and grab a muffin before quickly heading out the door to get ready for my meeting with my potential new secretary. I was nervous the entire drive to the office. What if I didn't like her? What if she wasn't what I needed and expected. I tried to gather my composure as I headed into the office. I sat down at my computer desk, grabbed Eliza Minnicks file, and placed it on my desk. At that moment, I got a call from my partner Alex Karev's secretary.
"Eliza Minnick is here to see you." She says chipper.
I stand up, clear my throat, and sit on the edge of my desk waiting for her to arrive. "Send her in." I say trying to sound confident in my decision to hire.
Just as I am hanging up the phone, I look up and see the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on walking through my office door. She hold out her hand to shake mine and says, "Hello, I'm Eliza Minnick."
My jaw drops and at that moment I know I need to make this work. "Hi.. Hello, I'm Arizona Robbins." I say trying not to sound as if I am in complete shock over this womans beauty. I grab her hand and shake it.
The entire interview I can't help but think about how beautiful she is. She has olive complected skin, with green eyes and long dark hair. She had a taller slender frame that made my body pulsate. Keep it together I had to remind myself. This is a job interview, not a dating application. Keep your mind on the work.
"So Ms. Minnick, please tell me a little bit about your responsibilities at your previous job." I say trying to keep the conversation on track.
"Well, I'm a licensed paralegal in California. I'm getting my licensing here in Washington as we speak. Mainly I preformed a variety of tasks which included, but where not limited to maintaining and organizing files, conducting legal research, drafting documents, answering phones, and scheduling consults. I also was there in the court room taking notes, helping with the paper work, really what ever I am needed for." Eliza says with confidence in her voice. I can tell that she is very good at her job just from her references and the way that she speaks about her experiences.
"That sounds perfect I say. That's exactly what I am needing. When will your licensing be transferred over?"
"It actually has already been approved. I am just waiting for my card in the mail." She says with a smile. Her smile was so beautiful. She had perfectly white teeth that illuminated her face,
"Well, If you would like I would like to offer you the job,"
"Really?" I can hear the excitement in her voice.
"Really!" I say cracking a smile back at her. "When are you available to start?"
"I can start now if you need me to."
"That would be perfect." I say looking at her and show her to her desk in front of my office. This could be the best decision I've ever made.