Chapter 4

Arizona could barely think straight, and after a considerable pause said 'Hey yourself, I…how did you know it was me?'

'I just knew, silly.'

'Oh right, so I'm silly now am I?!'

'Well I'm assuming you are. Sounds like you're at least clumsy!'

'Oh that. Yeh. Coffee. Everywhere.'

'Coffee, huh? Well I've heard that's a great starting point.'

There was a short silence as both women unbeknownst to the other smiled coyly into their phones.

'Well it would seem that it's my clumsy lack of attention to my coffee that brings us together,' Arizona quipped, happy to be reminded of their first meet.

'It would seem so,' Lauren drawled, evidently smiling still

'So,' Arizona said, 'how have you been?'

'Oh me, I've been ok. Worried about you mainly, and about what you have to say. So yeah, worried. But also happy I guess. And you?'

'Well I've been. A bit crazy crazy overemotional actually. Not pretty. It's been so hard. I've wanted to talk with you so many times, to check in, but the space was good. I've done a lot of thinking - I'll fill you in one day! But thank you for giving me the time to repair.'

'Not at all. I've been feeling so guilty about things, and asking myself why I lost myself over you when I knew your situation. So please, please don't thank me for anything.'

'Lauren…'

'I'm serious.'

'Lauren, I miss you. A lot. I know that night I told you I'd made a mistake, and it's been playing on my mind ever since. I need you to know the mistake was the timing - not us. I just couldn't -'

'I know, and it's ok. Really it is. Ah, it feels so good to talk with you. I've missed your voice.'

'I've missed more than that,' Arizona teased

'Well I was waiting to take your lead on that one, but yeah, lots more than that.'

'I don't suppose you know, but I handed in notice at Grey Sloan. It feels positive. I have plans. Awesome plans. And it means I have time. Time for us.'

'I want that'

'I need to see you. Can we fix a date?'

'A date, huh?' Lauren laughed

'Whatever, Boswell,' she retorted

'Well where exactly are you?'

'Um, right this minute? What do you mean?'

'I mean right this minute,' she repeated Arizona's words

'I'm in Seattle. In a café on Upper Street, to be precise. And you are…?'

'In Seattle. In a bar, I believe only a few blocks from Upper Street.' Lauren was trying so hard to keep suppressing the excitement of this coincidence, but couldn't resist any longer. 'I had a conference. I didn't expect to be in touch with you at all, and I'm booked on a flight home this evening, but…'

'I want the name of that bar.' Arizona's words were uttered with even emphasis, deliberately but urgently. Lauren was here! She was actually here?!

'Riley's'

'Give me ten minutes.'

'Ten minutes? You can have all the minutes in the world, Arizona!'

…...

They both stood motionless in front of one another outside Riley's bar.

'I'm coming with you,' Arizona gasped

'To the airport?' Lauren asked, bewildered

'Yes to the airport. And on the flight. I'll buy some things at the other end. I don't care, just as long as -'

But Arizona was unable to finish her sentence, as Lauren gathered her in her arms and kissed her passionately, lost in this minute. This minute they both knew would last forever.