On a bright Sunday afternoon, Rose got married.

Surrounded by family and friends, I witnessed the bonds she created.

We are like sisters.

Through the thickest and thinnest moments, we were together. Celebrating the day she tied the knot with Richard was another page in our mutual history.

What made the moment even more special was spending it with Arizona.

During the reception, we were sitting at the table, watching the couple dance.

Rose laughed at something he said, as they danced out of step to Shania Twain's From This Moment.

"I still can't believe she's married already." I said.

"Why not?" Arizona looked away from the couple.

"Because she always had that fear of committing to something as big as marriage." I chuckled, remembering the drunken and tear-soaked nights we spent together after she breaks up with a boyfriend.

Arizona took my hand.

"That's what happens when you meet your destiny."

I stared at her.

"Is that what happened to us?"

She grinned, blue eyes light and warm.

"I guess so. I never thought we'd find each other again but here we are." She squeezed my hand.

"I'm going to miss you when you go." I remarked, remembering that in two days, she's going back to California to take care of her apartment and work matters.

#

She called Liz to schedule a meeting and her agent wasn't surprised with her decision.

The truth was, Liz was relieved to hear that we are back together.

"That wasn't the reaction I was expecting." Ari told me after she hung up.

"What were you expecting?" We were at my condo one afternoon.

I put down the book I was reading as she joined me on the bed.

"I thought she'd tell me I was out of my mind." She laid her head on my shoulder, one arm around my waist.

"She knows you love me." I playfully pinch the top of her nose.

"Well, she actually knows about you."

"How?"

"The book, silly." She tickled my side.

"Oh yeah. You wrote an entire novel about your heartbreak."

"That I did."

"Well, I think it's time we make new memories for your next material." I moved closer till our lips were almost touching.

"I like that idea." She placed a finger on top of my lips.

I took it in my hand and kissed her tenderly.

#

The days I spent with Arizona were the happiest I've been.

Work is less stressful when I think of how I would see her after.

I spend most of my time at the mansion, checking up on her grandparents.

Mr. Gomez was prescribed 81 mg of aspirin and unlike before when he was opposed to a healthy diet, he went to a nutritionist to inquire on how to manage his weight.

Arizona told me it had something to do with Lola Paula's stroke.

"He wanted more time with her." She said to me.

For her part, Lola Paula regularly attends her therapy.

A massage therapist comes over once a week.

She also goes to rehab for her physical exercises.

On my days off, Arizona and I would go on short road trips.

We went to Batangas once to snorkel.

The two of us are filling the years we were apart with happy memories.

We are making plans to go on our first vacation together, grandparents permitting.

I always wanted to go to Japan and she does too so we're both excited about that.

Somehow, the thought that she had to leave me again doesn't seem as scary.

"I promised I'm coming back."

#

The song stopped and we applauded.

The DJ tapped on the microphone.

"Someone told me that the bride and her friends are into 80's music."

Padilla, who was sitting on a corner table obviously drunk from shots of tequila, yelled yeah.

The intro to If You Leave played and Arizona gave me a knowing look.

I stood up, offering my hand to hers.

"Shall we?"

The other Warriors were on the floor too, in matching peach colored dresses, swaying to the music.

When we danced to this song during our senior prom, they were all wearing suits in solidarity with me.

The nuns couldn't stop us as we twirled and waltz to the song.

I pulled Arizona closer to me as we spun in the room.

She had the biggest smile and so did I.

I looked in her eyes and I was brought back to the time when we were young and invincible.

When our love was all we have and we thought it was enough.

I never paid attention to the lyrics of the song before because my joy would not allow anything else.

I need you now like I need you then
You always said we'd meet again....someday

Arizona used to tell me I shouldn't cry because we will meet again.

When she left without me seeing her off at the airport, the words hurt deep.

But that was a long time ago.

Now, here we are, dancing with friends and family.

When she leaves, I have a promise to hold on to.

She is coming back for me.

I will be here waiting.

THE END

***

Author's Note:

This is it...pancit!

I was waiting and debating on whether to post this now or later or next week.

Technically, it's still weekend for me because of the long weekend celebration so why not?

Thank you to everyone who waited for the updates.

Thank you for your encouragement and the entertaining comments.

It was nice to see new faces and it was always a joy to know that those who followed the journey of Arizona and Julia were with me through the entire process.

See you next time?

Maybe? Hopefully?

Enjoy your Monday night.

Hasta la vista...baby  :)

Xoxo

LCC