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Chapter Text

Audrey Lim was up early and riding her Ducati to work. She had meetings scheduled for the morning, but the rest of the day she was scheduled for the ER and trauma surgeries. All in all it should be a good day for her.

As she’s driving though she started to feel off. Lim felt it at a traffic light that she was stopped for. Her body felt…best way to describe it was off. Her stomach started to twist, her neck and shoulders just hurt and her head felt heavy. The light changed and she continued her way towards the hospital. Of all the days for her to go the long way.

Lim was now on a long stretch of road that had many twists and turns. She started feeling nauseous and dizzy. There was unfortunately no safe place for her to stop. As much as she wanted to stop it was just too dangerous. There were too many blind curves, and if she stopped another driver could hit her. Lim kept going.

Finally as she was nearly at the point where she could take a different path a sharp pain burst through her head. Lim groaned out in pain. She just barely kept control of her bike. Suddenly there was a bright silver flash. The pain intensified, and Lim noticed darkness almost like a curtain closing covered the vision in her left eye. Knowing she didn’t have a choice Lim started to slow her bike down, but as she approached her turn a truck blows through the stop sign. With her limited vision she swerved her bike but was clipped by the truck. The Ducati flipped sending her airborne. Both she and her bike hit the pavement at the same time. Lim rolled and her bike slid. Lim’s helmeted head was the last thing to hit into another curb. With that Audrey Lim was knocked unconscious.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was a busy morning in the ER of St. Bonaventure. Alex Park was there when they brought in an unconscious motorcyclist. They had been the been the victim of a hit and run. The medics had taken spinal precautions and did not remove the helmet. They removed the face shield, but with the oxygen mask in place Park did not yet know who his patient was.

“Let’s get X-ray in here so we can clear their neck and spine. We need to get the helmet off. Someone, please call Dr. Lim. She’s the on call trauma surgeon today.” Park and his team stepped back as the X-ray team set up and took their shots. Park heard a phone ringing from in the area.

“Where’s the ringing coming from?” Park asked as X-ray finished and the team stepped back into the treatment area.

Villanueva found it. “Got it. It’s coming from the patient’s jacket. She pulled the phone out and looked at the screen. “Holy shit! Dr. Lim!”

Dr. Park looked around the treatment area, “Where? Where’s Lim?” He asked in confusion.

“The phone! Look at the phone.” Villanueva turned the phone so the doctor could see the lit up screen.

Park saw a picture that made his blood run cold. It was a picture of Dr. Neil Melendez and Dr. Audrey Lim. “Shit!!” He put his hand out and the nurse placed the phone into his hand.

With a quick glance at the screen he placed the phone into his white coat pocket. The team looked at him in shock.

“We treat her first. Dr. Lim is our top priority. When we have answers then we will tell them, but we can’t let him or anyone be a distraction right now.” Park told the team. They all nodded and set about treating their chief.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Drs. Glassman, Andrews and Melendez stood inside Andrews office. Discussing something animatedly when Park showed up.

“Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s an extremely important issue we need to discuss.” Park stated.

“It’s going to have to wait. We are trying to find our missing chief of surgery.” Glassman explained to the younger doctor.

“Yes, apparently she likes to really live life on the edge. If her ass doesn’t answer her phone, Melendez…she’s your girlfriend how do you not know where she is?” Andrews snapped.

“We already told you, it’s fiancée and my shift started twelve hours before hers. I was going to meet her here. I don’t know where she is. I can’t reach her either. Did anyone check to see if she went straight into a surgery when she got here?” Melendez exclaimed.

“Dr. Lim is in the ICU.” Park said causing the three other doctors to look at him.

“With a patient?” “She still could have answered her phone” Voices started to mingle.

Park sat Lim’s phone on the desk, “Lim can’t answer her phone because it’s right there. She’s in the ICU. She’s not with a patient. Lim is the patient.”

“What?” Melendez lost all color from his face but Park continued,

“Dr. Lim was riding her bike here. The police said a truck ran a stop sign, she swerved to avoid it, but the truck still clipped the bike. The Ducati flipped. Lim went airborne. Thankfully she was wearing her leather jacket and helmet.” Park informed the other men.

“You said that she’s in the ICU. Why? What’s wrong with her, Park?” Melendez asked in fear.

“Dr. Lim’s injuries were not all that bad. She badly bruised her knee. It’s too swollen to see if there’s more than that going on, but we will know more as the swelling subsides. She broke her left radius. There will need to be surgery to add a plate and screw to stabilize it, but it should heal pretty well. Surgery will be done at some point tomorrow. There are two broken ribs on her left side. Left lung is bruised, but she’s breathing on her own with support. We need to closely monitor her lung function. The main issue is though she was wearing her helmet, Lim’s head hit pretty hard. She definitely has a severe concussion and her pupils are not reacting to light properly. We ran a CT and she has some swelling, but nothing requiring surgery at this point. We just need to monitor it.” Park explained. “At the moment we are waiting for her to wake up.

To the other doctors it sounded like Lim was going to be sore but fine.

“We also ran normal bloodwork. No drugs or alcohol in her system. The cops were happy to hear that. Lim’s potassium levels are off. As are her electrolytes. Dr. Lim is dehydrated. Has she been sick?” Park questioned Melendez while looking over the report.

“Not since the virus that nearly killed her. I know that she’s been busy adjusting to the chief of surgery role. She’s just been extremely busy with everything. We both have.” Melendez stated.

“We will need to wait for her to wake up before we may get some more answers.” Park replied to the men.

“Have the police said anything about the driver that hit Lim?” Andrews asked Park.

“No, the detective on the case said that they will update when they have more information, but at the moment there’s very little to go on. They were hoping to talk to Dr. Lim, but they know that she’s not going to be giving any kind of a statement soon. They said they will check in on her.” Park finished.

Melendez looked at the other men, “Okay, I’m going to the ICU. I want to see Audrey.

Both Melendez and Park left for the ICU. Neil Melendez wanted nothing more than to see his fiancée. The two doctors stepped onto the elevator

“Dr. Melendez, there was something else shown in the bloodwork.” Park said once the doors were closed.

Melendez turned and looked at the other doctor.

“Alex, you’re scaring me here. What did the bloodwork show?”

Park handed Melendez the results and pointed to what he wanted him to see.

“Dr. Lim is pregnant. Congratulations.” Park said with a hesitant smile.

Melendez looked stunned. After a moment he had a slight smile.

“I think I’m the one that’s going to need to be in the ICU when she finds out.” Both doctors chuckled at the comment. “Well, this probably explains why she’s dehydrated. Maybe she’s been having morning sickness?”

“We won’t know for sure until we talk to her.” Park replied as the doors of the elevator opened. “I am going to do the sonogram when we get into the room.”

Melendez smiled at the thought. He and Lim had been together for six months now and though they never talked about having kids. Neil always wanted them, and he knew Audrey wanted her career first. This was going to be an interesting conversation.

The two doctors walked into Lim’s room. If Melendez didn’t know that she was unconscious, he would have thought that she was just sleeping. The beeping of the heart monitor was a big clue as was the hissing of the oxygen running through the nasal cannula.
Her arm was wrapped and propped against a pillow. Her left leg too was propped up. She had a large bruise and knot on her forehead.

Melendez reached out and took his fiancée’s right hand in his as Park set up the sonogram.

“Are you ready, Dr. Melendez?” Park asked.

Melendez looked up and nodded his head. Alex Park began the scan.

Soon what Neil Melendez saw made his heart stop.

“Congratulations, Dr. Melendez it’s twins and they are sharing a sac too. From their measurements they are just about fourteen weeks. I also don’t see any problems from the crash, but we should have an OBGYN and radiologist take a look just to confirm.” Park informed his colleague.

“Thanks, Alex. I wish that Audrey was awake for this. Can you please not tell anyone else about this until I’ve had the chance to talk to her about them.” Melendez continued to stare at the screen.

“It’s not my news to share. Your secret is safe with me.” Park answered his attending.

The cardio thoracic surgeon was in awe by the sonogram images. “I’m seeing them on the screen, and I know that they are there. Then I look at her abdomen and it doesn’t seem real.”

Alex nods his head cleaning up from the scan. He just finished wiping the gel off of the unconscious chief of surgery’s abdomen, “I’m right there with you. I’ll make sure to get you both copies. In the meantime I know that you want to spend some time with her. So, I’m going to run this past Drs. Ferris and Atler. Just want to make sure that I didn’t miss anything.” Park pulled the blankets back up.

“Thanks for everything, Alex.” Melendez said as Park left. He sat down next to his beautiful fiancée, still holding her hand.

“Ahhh, Mi Amor!! We have a lot to talk about when you wake up.” Neil kissed her hand. “I’m so sorry that you’re going through all of this. I’m here for you. When Park told us that you were hurt…I just cannot imagine not having you in my life. Then he tells me that you’re pregnant. Talk about a shock. You’re soon going to feel that after I tell you. Just rest and know that I’m here and I love you.” Melendez finished with tears in his eyes. He sat back and watched his love and checked the monitors until he drifted off to an anxious sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well, I’m on Lim’s team and she’s not been here all morning. Park too, but Dr. Grant put him on a motorcyclist crash victim. From what little I heard they didn’t need surgery. I’ve assisted Dr. Grant with an appendectomy and removing a piece of glass from a guy’s mouth. Idiot started eating glass. He lost a bet and his friends thought he should eat glass.” Reznick finally got to tell the golden duo about her day.

“So, you get stuck with Grant because Dr. Lim is what out joy riding on her Ducati?” Claire said with a chuckle. “So glad that I’m not on her team today. Shaun and I were with Dr. Melendez, but Dr. Glassman took over and we have had a crazy day.”

Reznick was about to say more, but Alex Park just showed up to the table. He quickly sat down and tucked into his food.

“Rude, can’t even bother to say hello. What the crash victim case that boring for you? I heard that no surgery was needed. Did you do something wrong to Dr. Grant to get the shitty case today?” Reznick gloated.

Park swallowed his food. “I didn’t piss anyone off. The victim did not need surgery, but she will for her broken arm.”

“Well, you two probably wouldn’t be bored if Lim would bother to show up to work. Maybe she’s home nursing a hangover. I heard that she was out the other night partying all night with some friends over the weekend. She came in on Monday and was wearing sunglasses.” Claire laughed.

“Why would Dr. Lim wear sunglasses inside? That is not a logical idea.” Shaun Murphy questioned.

“She wore them because she had a hangover. The sunlight or any light really was making her headache hurt more.” Reznick explained.

Park was about to speak when Drs. Glassman and Andrews showed up.

“Dr. Reznick you will be joining my team after lunch.” Dr. Andrews started. “Drs. Murphy and Brown you will be with Dr. Glassman for the remainder of the week. Dr. Park you will stay with Dr. Grant until we have made the final update to the attending schedule.”

“What’s going on with the attending’s? Did somebody party a little too hard this weekend?” Brown asked.

Reznick and Park loath their friend in shock.

“I’m surprised Dr. Park didn’t tell you. Dr. Lim is going to be out indefinitely. This morning she was on her way to work when a truck ran a stop sign. The driver hit into Lim’s bike and then they left the scene of the crime. They didn’t stop to see if Lim was alive or dead.” Andrews paused looking over at the stunned faces of the residents. “So, Dr. Browne to answer your inappropriate comment…no, Dr. Lim was not out partying to hard. She will be out as she recovers from her injuries. Dr. Melendez, as her fiancé and medical proxy will be out to assist Dr. Lim once she’s released from the hospital. Enjoy the rest of your lunch. We have a lot to get through today.”

With that both older doctors departed.

“Dr. Lim was you patient from this morning? Why didn’t you say anything?” Reznick snapped looking at Park.

“When would I have had time? I was busy treating her and answering police questions. Sorry, but informing you guys was not my top priority. Lim’s care was. When I’m done here I have to go pick up more labs for her.” Park informed the group.

“How is she? Is he going to be okay?” Morgan asked showing genuine concern.

“She’s in the ICU to be monitored as she still hasn’t regained consciousness. I really can’t say more with outDr. Melendez’s permission or hers. I can tell you that she’s stable.” Park answered.

“Damn. Melendez must be going out of his mind.” Reznick said in wonder.

Park nodded his head and checked his watch, “He is. Listen, I have to get going. I’ll talk with you guys later.” Park told his friends as he got up.

The rest of his team said their goodbyes as he left. A few minutes they too left to continue the rest of their day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neil Melendez sat asleep next to his beautiful fiancée. Park had made sure that food had been brought in for the cardio thoracic surgeon. The Asian doctor had tried to get his attending to at the least go get some sleep on the couch in his office, Melendez did not want to leave Lim’s side. He did not want her to wake up without him there.

It was after two in the morning when Neil was startled awake. He had been having a nightmare. He dreamed that Audrey was hurt, but he could not reach her no matter how hard he tried. She kept calling for him. Her voice sounded weak and in pain.

“Neil?” Melendez jumped as now he was fully awake. He looked around the darkened room.

“Over here, dumbass.” A weak voice was heard.

The confused doctor turned and looked at the woman in the bed. When he saw her dark pain filled eyes looking at him, Neil smiled.

“Welcome back, Mi Amor.”

Lim gave a half hearted smile in return.

“What time is it?” Lim asked.

“I’m not sure. I guess it’s sometime after two in the morning. How are you feeling?” Melendez asked kissing the back of his fiancée’s hand.

“My head is killing me.” Lim whispered.

“I bet it does. Despite wearing your helmet, you hit your heard pretty hard. You have a nice knot and a very large bruise on your forehead.” Melendez told her. “Do you remember what happened?”

Lim shifted a little in her bed, but she stopped when the pain took her breath away. After panting through the pain she finally answered,

“I was driving my bike. I felt off. Then I had a sharp sudden pain in my head. Saw a silver flash.” She stopped to catch her breath, “I was having an ocular migraine. It was like a black curtain came down and then I couldn’t see out of my left eye. My head hurt and I was really nauseated. I finally got to where I could turn off, and I had already slowed down. I was starting to make the turn when I saw movement coming towards me. I think I swerved. Was I hit or something? Did I hurt someone? Please, Neil! Please tell me that I didn’t hurt anyone.” Lim was near tears.

Neither had noticed that Alex Park had come into the darkened room.

“Dr. Lim?” Park called to his boss, “You didn’t hurt anyone.”

“He’s right, Mi Amor. You didn’t hurt anyone. A truck ran a stop sign and you swerved to avoid them. They clipped you. You and your Ducati went airborne.” Melendez explained. Lim looked slightly relieved.

“Dr. Lim, we will go over your injuries in a moment. I did overhear you say that you had an ocular migraine. I’d like to examine you to make sure that you’re doing okay. We’re going to need to run tests too.” Alex informed the injured woman.

Twenty minutes later and Alex Park just finished examining Audrey Lim.

“Well, you’re still slightly dehydrated. As for your vision it should return to normal in a few days. You’re still going to need to be seen by an ophthalmologist as well as neurologist to make sure everything is healthy with your eyes and because the concussion your brain.” Park starts, “Now, we did run a blood panel on you and we did make a discovery.”

Lim looked only mildly interested. She just really wanted to go to sleep.

“Audrey,” Melendez takes over, “The blood tests showed an elevated hCG. Dr. Park ran an ultrasound. It confirmed the blood tests…Audrey, you’re pregnant.”

Audrey Lim did not say anything. For an entire minute there was no reaction.

Park looked at Melendez, “Dude, I think you broke her.”

Melendez rolls his eyes and squeezes Lim’s hand,

“Aud, are you okay? You’re scaring us a bit here.”

Lim slowly blinked, “I’m sorry. I thought you said that I was pregnant.”

Melendez chuckled, “I did…added to this surprise your almost fourteen weeks with identical twins.”

Lim raised an eyebrow at her fiancé, “I have the headache from hell, my vision sucks and this room is spinning. Are you two dumbasses joking right now?”

Both men shook their heads negative.

“This is seriously turning into one of those cheesy rom com movie moments. I have had no morning sickness, no weight gain…none of the typical things that happen when you’re pregnant. Hell I even lost weight. We’ve been training for the marathon.” The injured woman stopped and then her eyes went wide, “Did this accident hurt them? Did I hurt them?” Lim starts to panic and the heart monitor starts to beep louder.

“Dr. Lim” “Audrey, you really need to calm down.” Both doctors call to the panicked woman.

“I swear, I did not know that I was pregnant. I didn’t know. Neil, we had bourbon this past weekend and we went to the wine tasting party. I did not know that I was pregnant. I swear.” Lim states with tears falling down her cheeks.

“Audrey, it’s going to be okay. I saw the ultrasound, the babies look great. I know that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt them. Please we need you to calm down.” Melendez tried to comfort his love.

“Dr. Lim, I had Drs. Atler and Ferris review your ultrasound. They both agree that everything with the twins looks great. They were not hurt in the crash. They both agreed on that. This is a healthy pregnancy.” Park informed the couple.

“See, Mi Amor. They are healthy. We just need to get you there. So, we need for you to calm down and take some deep breaths.” Melendez worked with her to settle her breathing.

“Dr. Lim, you said that you have been training for a marathon?” Park asked.

“Yes, Neil’s friend Chris from college has a teenage son who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He wanted to run a marathon for charity, but unfortunately the tumor is not allowing for that right now. So, Neil, Chris and a bunch of their friends signed up to race for Chris’s son. The more people involved the more money raised. I wanted to help out.” Audrey explained.

“That’s probably what caused your dehydration. Which threw off your electrolytes…which caused the migraine.” Park started to theorize, “Add in the pregnancy and your system went completely out of whack.”

“That makes so much sense, Aud. We have been training, and doing everything right to stay healthy…but we did not factor in you being pregnant.” Melendez chimed in.

“No we didn’t. I’m telling you I never want to experience an ocular migraine again. I have had migraines before, but the ocular one was the absolute worst. Even now my vision is hazy and I’m seeing auras still.” Lim expressed her discomfort.

“Alright, Dr. Lim we will be running more tests later, but right now I’m going to let you rest. Rest, some IV fluid and you’ll start to feel better as far the electrolytes and low potassium goes. The concussion is not going to help your migraines I’m afraid. Also, later today you will be having surgery for your broken arm. You’re going to feel like shit for a bit.” Park informed his chief and then he stepped out of the room.

“Twins? Really, Melendez. You got me pregnant with twins?” Lim joked tiredly.

“What can I say. When I do something, I do it really well.” Melendez joked back.

“I know you talked about having a nice wedding with your family and what not, but how about we just go to the courthouse with your parents. I really don’t want to plan a wedding and be pregnant too. And before you say it, no I don’t want to wait until after the babies are born. We will be way to busy then. What do you say, after I’m out of here we fly out to see your parents and go to the courthouse there and get married?”

Melendez smiled, “I think that’s a wonderful idea. My parents are going to be surprised about the babies. What do you say we don’t tell them until after we get married and surprise them as their wedding present?”

“Hopefully I’m not showing too much by then. So far so good, but I’m not going to be training anymore so that could change things.” Lim said with her eyes closing.

“Go to sleep, Mi Amor. We can figure everything out later. Right now you just need to sleep.” Melendez said reaching over and gently kissing her forehead.

Lim was soon asleep. Melendez sat back in his chair and soon joined her in sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three week later and Lim had beer cleared to travel. She was seventeen weeks pregnant, but she was still not showing much. Her abdomen was now round, but wearing a loose shirt and nobody knew. They still hadn’t told anyone at work. Only Park knew, and he agreed not to tell anyone. The couple would when they returned home from San Antonio.

Currently they were standing in a courthouse waiting for the judge to call them for the ceremony. Neil’s parents at first were disappointed about the switch to a quick wedding but soon were on board.

“Thank you for agreeing to this, Neil.” Audrey said leaning in and kissing Melendez on the lips.

“I’d do anything for you, Mi Amor. How are you feeling? I know that your knee is still bothering you.” Melendez asked with concern.

“My arm is aching pretty good, but that’s because I bumped it off the dresser at your parents place. My knee? Well, I’m glad that I have the brace on. I’m just sorry that it’s going to show in the pictures that your mom is taking.” Lim answered with a hint of frustration looking down a tea-length flowing black skirt. Lim had on dark emerald green round neck dress shirt with black jacket. The outfit fully hid her baby belly.

“Mi hija, you were in an accident. Do not be upset by the brace and the cast. You survived being hit by a truck. You walked away with broken arm and badly bruised knee. You were saved for a reason. Don’t worry about the pictures. We are just happy that you’re here with us.” Paloma Melendez told her soon to be daughter-in-law. After which she went to sit next to her husband Juan.

Audrey whispered to Neil, “What did you give your mother to be nice to me? And whatever it is do we have an endless supply of it? Your mom normally hates me.”

“Maybe dad gave her something.” Melendez whispered back.

Suddenly the court clerk comes out and calls them in. Once inside the judge begins talking. Soon though it’s time for the vows.

“Audrey, I know that marriage was always more my idea, but when you said yes I was ready to throw you over my shoulder and run to Las Vegas. I didn’t care if we had an Elvis impersonator marry us or not. I’m glad that we waited. You are my best friend, the love of my life. When we are apart, my mind looks for you everywhere. You are the first person I want to see when I wake up and the last person that I see when I go to sleep. I’m not while unless you are by my side. I promise that we will fight, disagree, compete against each other…but I also promise that we will laugh, celebrate each other and always love. You are my heart. I love you, Mi Amor. I will love you always.”

The judge looked to Lim.

“Neil, this is typically the part of a movie where I’m making the gagging gestures. I’m not an over the top express my feelings person. That changed when I met you. It just took me forever to realize that I was only denying myself the unconditional love that you give to me. You’re my best friend. I don’t ever want to know my life without you in it. You make me whole. I am grateful that I get to spend everyday with you by my side. Three weeks ago I was hit by a truck and when I woke up in the hospital you were there. You like always made sure that I was okay. You sat at my bedside and held my hand. When I was finally home, you again held my hand and told me that everything was going to be okay. Through the scary moments, Neil you make me feel safe and loved. I never want to go through any moments without you. I love you always.”

Soon the rings were exchanged, the judge pronounced them man and wife. The couple kissed. Neil’s parents cheered. Everyone was happy.

After pictures the couples drove back to the Melendez’s home. They were sitting down in the living room talking when Neil told his parents to close their eyes. He told them that he and Audrey had a surprise for them. They closed their eyes and Neil helped his now wife stand up.

The couple place cards into the hands of Paloma and Juan.

Lim stepped out of the room and Neil told his parents to open their eyes.

“Where’s Audrey?” Juan asked.

Melendez smiled. “She’s putting the finishing touch on your gift.”

They looked at the card in their hands. The read the words,

“One plus one equals two. This Christmas we can’t wait to meet you.”

The older couple look confused at each other and then to their son.

At that moment their now daughter in law came back into the room wearing shorts and a skin tight t-shirt. Her small round abdomen was on full display.

“Ohhh myyyy.” Came from Paloma.

“Mijo!!” Juan Melendez stopped and looked between Lim and Melendez, “One plus one equals two. This Christmas we can’t wait to meet you…TWINS!! You’re having twins?”

Audrey nods her head as Neil’s smile grows wide.

“Ahhhh, this is such amazing news!! Why didn’t you say anything sooner?” Paloma asked with tears forming.

“Mrs. Melendez, we only found out after I was in the accident. I was almost fourteen weeks, but I was not showing yet. I’m seventeen weeks now and honestly the baby belly did really pop until a little over a week ago. We haven’t told anybody at work. Only the doctor, nurse, a specialist and my now OB know about them. We wanted to tell you about them first. And so you don’t worry the specialist was just to make sure that the babies were okay from the crash.” Audrey explained everything to her in laws.

“First Mi hija, you are to call us Juan and Paloma…or when you’re comfortable mom and dad. I know that you lost your father years ago and Neil told us how your mother passed not long after you were sick. We don’t want to replace them think of us as your bonus parents. Second, you’re are giving us the best gift we could ever ask for. Thank you!” Juan told Audrey as he wrapped her in a hug. He then hugged his son.

“Audrey, may I ask to feel them?” Paloma asked tentatively.

“Yes, of course. I can feel them but as you know it’s too early for anyone else to feel them. I’m looking forward to that.” Audrey said.

Paloma stepped closer to her daughter in law. With a shaky hand she placed it onto Lim’s round belly. She took a deep breath and then the tears began to fall, “Ohhh my…this is just simply breathtaking. Gracious, Mi hija.”

Jaun too placed his hand on Lim’s belly as Neil pulled out his phone and started to take pictures.

The small family spent the rest of the day talking about the twins and the future.

All too soon after three days, the newlyweds were back home in San Jose. They had another day off before they had to return to work. They each had paperwork to file at different places now that they were married. They also had to call their health insurance company to change their status as married. Audrey surprised Neil but updating her drivers license to have her married last name.

They went to bed early and gently made love. Neil being mindful of not just the babies but careful of Audrey’s still healing injuries.
Before long they both fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms dreaming about the their future together.

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The newlyweds arrived early to work and dropped off paperwork to HR. They did ask that they not say anything as they wanted to be the ones to tell their colleagues.

Next, the found both Andrews and Glassman in the former’s office.

“Welcome back you two. How was San Antonio?” Andrews asked.

“It was great. We got to give my family some news.” Melendez looked at Lim who nods her head, “When Audrey had her accident Dr. Park noted something in her blood work.”

The two older doctors looked puzzled and worried.

Melendez continued, “Audrey is pregnant. We didn’t know. So, when Park did the sonogram it came as a shock to see that the babies were nearly fourteen weeks.”

Glassman recovered from the shock first, “Babies?”

Andrews recovered too, “Holy shit! That’s crazy. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We are having twins. You two think you’re in shock? Imagine waking up and finding out. I am so glad that I was laying down or else I would’ve fallen down.” Lim smirked.

“Wait you’re seventeen weeks pregnant with twins? You seriously don’t look it. Are you planning on telling your team or what?” Glassman asked.

“I’m not going to tell them, but I’m not going to not tell them either. Let them figure it out on their own. I’m not hiding anything, and besides at the rate these two are growing it will not be long before everyone will know about them.” The trauma surgeon answered having pointed to her abdomen.

Andrews was about to reply when all four of the doctors chimed with text messages.

“There’s a mass casualty incident coming in. We are getting twenty to thirty patients from a warehouse fire.” Lim called out as she rushed out of the room well before the men had a chance to react.

The quickly followed behind their chief of surgery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twelve hours later an exhausted Neil Melendez sat on the couch in his office. He was waiting for his wife to get out of her third surgery of her shift. This was her first full day back since the accident and he was worried. She couldn’t operate yet because of her arm still being in the cast, but she was their most experienced trauma surgeon. Lim was assisting by coaching the surgeon through.

Audrey was still recovering from broken ribs, concussion and her bruised knee. The knee concerned him most. It was still swollen and bruised. Her orthopedic surgeon had wanted to do an MRI, but they wanted to wait until more of the swelling was down. Melendez was worried about her being in her feet for too long and what the swelling would be like. He was also concerned about her getting dehydrated too. All he could do was sit, wait and worry.

“Excuse me, Dr. Melendez?” Neil looked at his office door and saw DR. Claire Browne.

“What can I do for you Dr. Browne?” The cardio thoracic surgeon questioned.

The young resident stepped into the room.

“Here are the updated charts of our last three patients.” Browne handed the attending the charts.

Melendez took them and started to go through them.

“So, there’s a street fair nearby and maybe we could go. They have some great food trucks that we could checkout. We can go, get something to eat before anyone knows that we are gone.” Claire said sitting down right next to her attending.

Melendez was not paying her any attention. His focus was on the report in his hand.

“Dr. Melendez? Did you hear anything about what I said?” The younger doctor asked.

“No I’m sorry. What did you need?” Neil asked his eyes still focused on the report that he was reading.

Claire brushes a piece of fuzz off of Melendez’s shoulder surprising him by her actions.

“Dr. Browne, what are you doing?” He asked scooting away from the resident.

Claire smiled shyly, “Relax, you had a piece of fuzz on your shoulder. I was removing it. Can’t have the hospital’s number one cardio thoracic surgeon covered in fuzz and lint. Who would take you seriously?

Melendez chuckled a bit. Browne continued, “I had asked if you wanted to go to the street fair that’s nearby to get some dinner from the food trucks that they have.”

Melendez looked at his watch. “Sorry, but Dr. Lim and I have plans later. Just waiting for her to get done with her latest surgery surgery that she’s shadowing.”

Claire tried to not to look too disappointed but she was honestly crushed. She stood up was trying but not really to step past her boss when she conveniently lost her balance.

Melendez looked up in time to see her wobbling, and put his hands up to try to help her regain her balance but he was too slow. Claire landed right into his lap. Fully knocked the wind from him. As Melendez tried to catch his breath Claire was enjoying her position in his lap and arms.

Finally his breathing was back under control. “Dr. Browne, are you alright?”

Claire looked at him with wide eyes and tried to look embarrassed. “Oh I am so sorry Dr. Melendez. I should’ve watched where I was going. I’m such a klutz. Are you okay?”

“You just knocked the wind out of me. Let’s get you up and make sure that you’re not hurt anywhere.”

Slowly Browne sat up and slid off of Melendez’s lap. He took a deep breath.

“Okay, now are you okay does anything hurt?” Neil asked the younger woman.

“Dr. Melendez, I’m fine really.” To prove her point she goes to stand up, but immediately cries out and sits back on the couch.

“I think I twisted my ankle.” She tells a concerned Melendez.

Neil reaches down and carefully lifts her foot and examines the injury.

“There’s some minor swelling. It probably is just a sprain but you need an X-ray to be sure. I’m going to go get a wheelchair. I’ll be right back.” Neil finished as he props her foot up on the table telling her to stay off her feet.

Claire sat on the couch smiling to herself thinking about how she came to be in this situation.

“He never could walk a way from a woman in distress.” She thought to herself. “The look on his face when he realized that I was hurt. I knew that he cared for me. This all just proves it.”

Melendez arrived with a wheelchair. He helped her into the chair and he quickly took her to the ER for X-rays.

As Claire laid waiting on an exam bed Morgan Reznick showed up at her side.

“Don’t think that I didn’t see your little trip.” The blonde hissed in a low voice. “Hell, his office has all glass walls, I’m sure more people saw.”

Claire looked slightly annoyed, “I tripped, rolled my ankle and unfortunately fell onto him. It was not intentional”

“I smell bull shit.” Morgan snapped, “You have a crush on a man who is madly in love with and engaged to the chief of surgery. Stop flirting with him, batting your eyes or playing victim who needs to be rescued. He’s not in to you.”

“Shut up! You don’t know anything. I am not flirting with anyone.” Claire replied back.

“We all see it. You are lucky that it was me and not Petringa who saw you. Never piss her off. Dr. Lim is one of her favorites. Then there’s Lim, they are engaged! She can and will destroy you. I’m telling you now, leave him alone. He’s not into you. You will get burned.”

Claire rolls her eyes, “I have done nothing wrong. I can’t help it if he’s not as happy with her as everyone thinks. He flirts back at me. Everyone else sees it.”

“No, we see you’re crazy for even thinking that he’s in anyway into you. Melendez and Lim are engaged.” Morgan began.

“He was engaged to Jessica.” Claire countered.

“Oh please everyone including Jessica knew that engagement was going nowhere. Jessica said it best, it’s always been Audrey for him. Take your blinders off, Claire! Before someone gets hurt.”

Claire was about to say something else when Melendez came back to let her know that she had sprained her ankle. Petringa came to wrap her ankle up and to put a boot on it. Then Claire was to go home and rest it as she would not be able to work for a few days.

Neil stayed to help Petringa until he received a text from Lim letting him know that she would meet him in her office. Melendez barely tossed a ‘feel better’ to her before he walked out, but Claire was over the moon excited with how everything went for her.

“Listen, Girlie! I know what you’re thinking, but you can just kill those thoughts right now. He’s head over heels in love with Dr. Lim. If you’re not careful it will blow up in your face and I will enjoy watching the fallout.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you are talking about.” Claire shakily replied.

“Sure you don’t just remember what I said. He loves her. You are not even on his radar. I’m going to say this once. Stay in your lane. You do anything to try to come between them and you won’t have to fear what Lim will do.” Pretringa states clearly.

“Are you threatening me?” Claire asks in a panic.

Petringa finishes placing the last strap on the ankle brace, “I only promise. Now, keep off your foot for at least five days. I know that you know how to use crutches, so I have a set for you. Not to waste time. I have your discharge paperwork here, I ordered you a cab. We will see you in no earlier than a week, Dr. Browne. Nurse Dason will help you to the cab. Feel better.”

Petringa leaves. Claire is quickly helped to the waiting cab.

“They are wrong. Dr. Melendez does love me. They will all see it soon too.” Is her last thought as the cab pulls away from the hospital.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nearly two weeks later Lim and Melendez are sitting in her office reviewing labs and filling out reports on their respective patients.

Lim leans back in her chair. From his angle he could see her shirt tightening across her swollen abdomen.

“Still impressive that nobody has figured out that you are pregnant. I mean at this point it seems pretty obvious.” Melendez mentally kicked himself as Lim raised an eyebrow at him, “So sorry, that came out all kinds of wrong.”

Audrey laughed, “Calling your wife fat are you?” She winks at him and laughs, “Well husband of mine, the belly is only fully showing when I’m sitting. My long torso helps with when I’m standing.”

Melendez laughed with her, “What’s the time and date for the anatomy scan next week?”

Lim pulls up her schedule on her phone, “Monday morning eight AM. Dr. Camp said the sonogram machines are going for software updates starting Tues, so she is sliding us in. Otherwise we’d have to wait for another week and a half.”

Melendez shakes his head, “I can’t believe that in less than a a week we are going to know if we are having two boys or two girls. We literally only just found out that you’re pregnant. It crazy.”

“It really is.” His beautiful wife agrees. “If anyone would have told me a year ago that we would be married, and that I would be pregnant with twins right now…I would have had them admitted for a seventy two hour psychiatric hold. Being honest here. I didn’t really picture my life with kids. Now? I have you and these two little wiggle worms I’m excited.”

“Me too.” Melendez smiled “What do you say after we finish these charts we go out for some lunch and just walk around?”

“Lunch sounds great, but can we take the car? It’s cold and raining. I’d rather not look like a drowned rat that entered a wet t-shirt contest.” Audrey answered with a slight frown.

Melendez chuckled at her analogy, “Aud, you’re too beautiful to ever look like a drowned rat.”

Lim smiled, “You’re such a sap, but you are sweet. Now, let’s hurry up and finish these reports because your kids are starving and I have headache probably from being hungry too.”

Melendez laughed and the couple went back to their reports.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Who the hell closes the sky bridge from the garage to the building in the middle of a damn winter thunderstorm?” Audrey Lim groused coming into the hospital soaking wet.

“Your guess is as good as mine. My question is why didn’t they put notices up? Come we need to change into something dry.” An equally soaked Melendez said pointing towards the elevators.

Both were about to step on when Lim’s text alerted. She checked the message.

“Damn, no time to change. There was a sixteen car pile up. I need to get to the ER now. First ambulance should be rolling up any second.” Audrey said as she turned back away from the elevator. “I love you! I’ll see you later.” She rushed off towards the ER.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Audrey Lim had been going from patient to patient helping where she was needed most. She was itching to get into the OR, but her team needed her patient side first. She was chilled from not getting the opportunity to change out of her wet clothes or at least dry her hair. Fortunately she was able to grab her white lab coat that she had left behind before she went to lunch. Wearing it was helping to warm her up and making it less obvious that her wet shirt was clinging to her.

Currently Drs. Browne, Reznick and Park were working on setting a hip on the driver that had caused the crash. Park was standing above the gurney on a safety stool with a sheet wraparound the patient’s hips. He also had the leg of the patient. Reznick and Claire were on either side of the patient. Lim had been standing slightly behind Dr. Browne who was just back and wearing a boot for her healing sprained ankle. Lim was guiding the residents when she looked at the patient and noticed his lips turned blue and there was a dip in his oxygen numbers.

Just as Park was popping the hip back in Lim went behind Browne calling out,

“Behind you, Claire.”

At the same moment Park called out,

“It’s in!”

Browne stepped back lifting her booted foot to an unaware Dr. Lim. Lim had her back facing the counter as she started to slip past Browne. Suddenly her leg collided with something solid but it also moved. Audrey stumbled, lost her balance and fell backwards.

Both Park and Reznick had seen what happened and called out to their new chief. They watched as she fell backwards into the counter and then onto the floor.

“He’s blue! I need help here.” Claire called out seemingly unaware of what she had just done. Morgan jumped in to help. While Park went to help Lim.

“Chief are you okay?” Park asked out loud but he whispered into her ear, “Are the babies okay?”

“I hit my back not stomach. They should be fine.” Lim whispered with a pain filled voice.

As Park helped Lim to stand Petringa rushed over to help him while Villanueva helped the residents.

Alex and Petringa helped Lim into a small treatment room and sitting on the gurney.

Petringa helped Lim to carefully take off her white coat, and then proceeds to help her friend remove her scrub top to put on a gown to be checked out. When Petringa turns back from picking up the gown she sees Audrey’s swollen abdomen. The nurse’s eyes widened in shock

“Holy shit. You’re pregnant!” Petringa practically shouted.

“A little louder there. I don’t think they heard you in Los Angeles.” Lim quipped. “Yes, I’m pregnant. Nineteen weeks with twins. Yes, my husband is the father and no we are not telling anyone. They can figure it out on their own.”

The older nurse smiled. “And you’re married too? Master of the secret keeping right here.”

“Wait you and Melendez got married. I get to know about the twins but not the marriage?” Park exclaimed looking disappointed.

“Wait, you married Neil Melendez and Park you knew about the twins?” Petringa asked Park before turning back to Lim and Melendez, “You two got married? Andrews must have pissed himself when he found out.”

“”I was the doctor who treated her after her motorcycle accident. She and Melendez didn’t even know.” Park informed the nurse.

“Okay enough. Can we focus back to this for a moment. My arm and back hurt like hell.” Lim snapped bringing an end to the round robin of commentary from the older nurse and the resident.

Park apologized and began his exam. Twenty minutes later he was writing in her chart,

“You have large bruise on your back. I’m guessing as you were falling you turned and that’s where the right side of your back made impact. No new breaks in your arm that I can see, but I’m going to have the radiologist recheck the X-rays. I think the cast broke when Claire stepped back on it with the boot. She got you twice, Dr. Lim.”

“Not her fault. It’s my fault. I should’ve been louder when I called out that I was behind her. What about the babies?” Lim asked.

“That’s what I want to know.” Melendez said coming into the room. Surprising his wife, “Petringa texted me.”

Lim smiled at Petringa. Park answered, “Was just going to start the sonogram. Perfect timing.”

Petringa went and locked the door.

“No need for anyone to wonder in here and discovering them…yet.”

“We are not hiding them. Like I said we are letting everyone find out on their own.” Lim said as Park squeezed the gel onto her round belly.

Soon they all turned and watched the monitor.

“If you can see their gender, don’t say anything or note it. That part we are not willing to share just yet. We will find out next appointment.” Melendez spoke for his wife.

Park looked at the monitor. “Everything looks good with the kids. They are very active in there.”

Lim smiled and Melendez kissed the top of her head.

“So, we are going to recast your arm.” Park informed his chief.

“Why? I’m two weeks from getting the damn thing off for good. Put a brace on it and call it a day.” Lim stated.

“I see your point, but now try to see mine. My chief always has us follow the her rules. Two weeks is two weeks and like with antibiotics we may not like it but we have to finish what we start.” Park answered with a straight face. Melendez turned his head to hide his laughter. Lim scowled.

“You trained him right, Dr. Lim. Now, pick what color cast that you want.” Petringa stated with a smirk.

“Fine, if I’m forced into this I will take black.” Lim replied sulking and rubbing her forehead.

Park left the room to get the supplies. Petringa did a final vitals check after clearing the sonogram.

Park came back in and quickly removed the broken cask.

Melendez saw her arm first. The were a few new spectacular new bruises.

“Are you sure she didn’t break anything?” Neil asked voice fully concerned.

“It’s possible, but I’m not seeing it. But again the radiologist will recheck the X-rays.” Park reiterated.

Audrey looked at her arm and saw the bruises.

“Bet you’re glad the we are casting you back up now. Pertringa remarked.

Lim rolled her eyes. “Can we please just get this over with. I’m needed back in the ER.”

“Mi Amor, you’re going to be pretty sore for awhile. Are you sure that going back to work is going to be a good idea?” Melendez asked his wife.

“I’m fine. The babies are fine. My back is bruised and my cast was broken. I am okay to work. I won’t be lifting anything…” Lim is cut off by the sudden arrival of Andrews and Glassman.

“Damn straight you’re not going to be lifting anything. You’re going home!!” Glassman dictated.

“What I want to know is how the hell this happened? Lim, you are pregnant!” Andrews began.

Audrey gasped and feigned surprise, placing her hands on her baby bulge. “Oh shit, I thought I swallowed a volleyball!” She rolled her eyes while Neil chuckled at her comment. “Seriously, Marcus I haven’t forgotten that I’m pregnant.”

“Audrey, you cannot be in the ER. It’s too dangerous for you.” Andrews returned to her sarcasm. “You and your babies could have been seriously hurt. At this point it’s probably safest to have you only do administrative duties. When you’re back from maternity leave we can discuss when you’ll be able to return to both the ER and the OR.”

Audrey Lim looked as pissed as she felt. Park stepped back. Petringa looked ready to fight but also interested to see how this conversation would go for Andrews.

“There you go Marcus. Pissing off Audrey Lim on a good day is bad enough, but piss her off on a day like today? Park grab the popcorn and drinks!! This should be good.” Glassman quipped.

“Please tell me you are not stupid enough to use my pregnancy as a threat against me for my job? Discrimination, Dr. Andrews? Really? My being pregnant had nothing to do with what happened today. I tripped. Nothing would have been different had I not been pregnant. We were in limited space, Browne stepped backwards at the same moment that stepped behind her while announcing that I was there. It could have happened to anyone.
You do not get to decide whether I work in the ER, the OR or my office. That’s my call. I have done nothing wrong.” Lim slowly got up from the gurney and stood practically toe to toe with the hospital president, “Press this and I will have my lawyer draft up a lawsuit quicker than you can blink!”

“Look Lim, I’m not trying to push you out. I’m trying to protect you and those two babies that you’re carrying right now. The hospital would have been held liable if you or those babies were seriously hurt. I…” Andrews doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence as Audrey cuts him off.

“There it is the real reason why you are trying to bench me. You’re not concerned about these babies or me. You’re concerned about the hospital. What the board riding your ass again? They bitch slap you for Han and you come after me because you’re too much of a coward to stand up to them. You never stand up for us, this hospital, the patients hell even yourself with them.
You just come at those under you. You fired Han after he made Shaun’s and my life a living hell. You take the chief of surgery position for yourself as a means to run it all so you don’t have to make a decision between Neil and I. But the board whines again, you bend to them and poof it’s me against Melendez all over again. Neil says no. I get the position. You and Glassman work to break us up. It almost worked. Thankfully it didn’t, but not for a lack of effort on your guys part. Now? We are married and I’m pregnant. Thanks to a resident’s sprained ankle I trip and you’re benching me. That seems fair.” Lim’s anger dies.

“If you are quite through Dr. Lim, I will see you in my office. Where we will discuss your insubordination, lack of respect and unprofessionalism.” Andrews states calmly and turns to leave.

“No.” Lim snapped running a hand across her forehead. She had a headache and he was making it worse.

“No?” Andrews questions.

Glassman, Park, Petringa and Melendez all watched the argument like they were watching a tennis match.

Something about the way Lim said no had Melendez on edge. He was just waiting for his wife to drop her bomb.

“That’s right, no. No I am not following you to your office to be reprimanded for speaking the truth. No I am not going to apologize. I did nothing wrong here. I tripped and you decided to pull a Han move and bench me. I’m not going to stand by and let you sideline me for being pregnant.
What I am going to do is call back Dr. John Morris at San Jose General Hospital and finally tell him yes that I will be happy to be their new chief of surgery and chief of trauma. You will have my resignation letter on your desk tomorrow morning. Now, if you will excuse me, I still have an ER to run.” Lim finished and as quickly as she could left the room with Neil following closely behind.

Petringa stepped up to Andrews, “Fix this or I can guarantee that the nurses will make your life a living hell.” The older nurse left after her threat.

Not sure what to do, Park left too.

Glassman stood next to the other doctor.

“I cannot believe that Lim just snapped like that!” Andrews said.

“I can’t believe that you thought it was a good idea to try to bench her because she’s pregnant. You just opened this hospital to the biggest lawsuit ever. Plus, she had four witnesses to it. I have to ask because you’re normally smarter than this. Did you hit your head recently and l forget how to not be a pompous ass? After everything that Han put her through…put Shaun through. You went with this?” Glassman stopped and walked towards the door, but stopped turned to the other doctor, “I really hope that you can figure a way to fix this. Though I am afraid that it’s already too late.” Glassman left Andrews to think about what he had said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three days later Audrey Lim had already turned in her resignation. Both she and Melendez had the day off. They had just completed her tour of San Jose General. She loved everything that she saw. She had asked that they not tell anyone who she was so she could get a better read on her possibly soon to be staff. The hospital president agreed and she again like what she saw.

“If I took the position I think it would honestly be a great fit.” Lim said as she and her husband were walking through the parking despite how cold it was.

“Mi Amor, as much as I don’t want you to leave, I truly believe that you shouldn’t waste this opportunity…well unless Andrews fixes things.” Melendez said squeezing her hand.

“I don’t want to leave either, but Neil enough is enough. I’m tired of others trying to dictate my work life. Han tried with all the crap that he pulled. Glassman tried with trying to separate us. Andrews and the HR department were in on that. Then because I tripped over our resident’s booted foot, I’m all the sudden a liability for the hospital. Claire didn’t set out to hurt me. She was doing her job. She was focused there. She was paying attention to the patient and didn’t hear me. It was a freak accident, but Andrews wants me to stop doing my job because I am pregnant. The pregnancy didn’t cause the accident.” Lim finished her thoughts.

“Well, the nurses have already started expressing their anger. Granted I honestly think it would be worse if they a knew that you are pregnant. Which I say that you go in wearing a tight shirt and just put your pregnant belly on display. This way everyone can see that my hot wife is pregnant. The residents minus Park would piss themselves.” Melendez said laughing. “That would set the nursing team off even more. Petringa would lead them! I would’ve loved to have seen her reaction to seeing your baby belly. Bet it was great.”

Audrey smiled, “She was floored. Then pissed because Park already knew. As for the rest, honestly I just don’t care if they know or not. I really don’t want to be there anymore. If I didn’t have to go back…I would just not go back tomorrow. I’ve had enough. Everything that’s happened, and then add in Glassman trying to get me to stay. It’s enough.” She stops and looks at her husband who stopped walking too, “Let’s forget about work and just focus on us.”

“I like the sound of that. What do you want to do?” He asked his beautiful wife.

“How about we go see an afternoon movie, go get something for dinner and then for dessert…” Lim whispered in Melendez’s ear. When she pulled back she had a twinkle in her eyes.

“Can we skip the movie, order in and just go have dessert now? And again after dinner?” Neil asked with a devilish smile.

“I think that sounds perfect.” Audrey responded. Melendez wrapped his arms around her and they headed off for their much needed time together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

Meanwhile at St. Bonaventure Hospital a flustered Morgan Reznick sat next to Claire Browne in the meeting room. They were researching a case for Dr. Andrews.

“So, when are you going to fess up?” Morgan snapped at her colleague.

Browne looked at her with a hint of worry and confusion, “What are you talking about? I have nothing to confess to.”

The blonde doctor rolled her eyes, “How about the fact that you deliberately tripped Lim. Then played it off that you were so focused on the patient.”

“Morgan, I was focused on the patient. I didn’t know that Lim was behind me. I stepped back and lifted my foot up because the boot was hurting my already sore ankle. I was relieving the pressure of the boot.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I saw you. You looked over your shoulder. You did it on purpose. You know that she’s defending you right? Why? To come off as the innocent victim in this? Lim is leaving. This was the catalyst for the blowup between her and Andrews. Claire, they are engaged. He’s never going to see you like that he’s madly in love with Lim. Please just tell them and maybe we can keep our chief.” Morgan pleads with Claire as Park joins them.

Claire stands up and grabs her research notes. “Reznick stay out of my business! I did nothing wrong.” Claire huffs and storms off.

“Do I want to know what that was about?” Park asked.

“Claire thinks Melendez is in love with her. She’s flirts with him at every turn. The man is oblivious and madly in love with Lim.” Morgan starts.

“More than you know.” Park mumbles.

Reznick gives him an odd look but continues, “She deliberately tripped Lim in that trauma. I saw her. Lim called out that she was passing behind her, Claire glanced over her shoulder and stepped back. You know the rest.”

Park slams his pen down, “What? Are you sure?” He looked away muttering, “They could have been seriously hurt.”

Morgan heard him. She already had her own suspicions, “Who could have been seriously hurt, Alex!”

Park looked at her with wide eyes. “What are you talking about?” Reznick gave him a look (the don’t give me that bullshit look). “Morgan, whatever you got going on in that mind of yours…leave me out of it.”

“You said they could have been hurt when I told you what I saw. Since it was just Lim who was trip she’s one person…you said they.” Morgan’s eyes went wide, “You just confirmed what I’ve been thinking. Dr. Lim is pregnant!”

Park’s jaw dropped, “I didn’t say anything about Lim being pregnant.”

“Yes you did. When you said they could have been hurt. Lim was the only one who fell. Last time I checked she’s only one person…unless there’s someone we can’t see. I have other facts to support my theory, but you gave me the piece that I needed.” Reznick gloated.

“You really should have been a detective instead of a doctor. You’re too good. Just to let you know they are not telling anyone, but they’re not, not telling anybody. They said if you know fine, but honestly it’s nobody’s business but theirs.” Park informed her.

“I am so happy for them. They’re going to have such a good looking kid.” Morgan said with a smile, “That kid will probably have his wavy hair and dimples. Plus, her eyes…ahhh, this kid made out in the gene pool.”

“Kids.” Park said with a knowing smile. Reznick raised an eyebrow questioningly. “Lim is pregnant with identical twins. Before you ask we don’t know the gender yet.”

“Ohhh this just keeps getting better. Now, they just have to get married. Wait, no they already are married I bet. That would make the most sense. When they came back from San Antonio they made a stop to HR. I saw them go. To keep everything above board they would have to notify the HR department.” Morgan theorized.

“Damn, you really are the smartest out of all of us. Most would say Murphy. They just never saw how your mind works.” Park was duly impressed.

Reznick smiled at him for a moment then thought out loud, “Oh wait until Claire finds out. She’s been going after a guy who’s not only married but about to become a dad.”

“I want to feel bad for Claire but she’s bringing it onto herself. How she feels about him is not even a percentage of what he feels for Lim. Claire is about to get a dose of reality. She also needs to own up to what she did. Lim could have been seriously hurt or the babies.” Park aired his feelings.

Reznick agreed with Park. The two continued to talk and even set up plans to go on a date.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally for Melendez and Lim it was Monday. It was the day they were going to learn the sex of their babies.

Melendez woke up excited and rushed to get ready. Lim however woke up with a migraine. It was a bad one. She didn’t get morning sickness in her pregnancy, but her migraine had made her dizzy and nauseous. Twice she had to rush around Melendez to get sick into the toilet.

Neil Melendez felt horrible for his wife. She wore dark sunglasses, had a bottle of Sprite and water close by. The car trip was rough on her. They were in the waiting room of her OB’s office and she had her head laying on his shoulder. Every so often she would moan slightly. He would kiss her forehead. They were the only ones in the room which helped to keep things quiet. When they checked in the receptionist completely understood and made sure to keep her voice low, turned the waiting room music and TV off.

Finally a nurse called for them. She had been made aware how Lim was feeling. She kept the conversation light and quietly went through taking Audrey’s vitals. Her blood pressure was elevated but only slightly. Everyone agreed that it was probably from the stress of the migraine.

There was a gentle knock on the door and then in walks Dr. Randi Atler.

“Hi, Audrey and Neil. I’m glad that we could get you in. They tell me that you’re dealing with a severe migraine, and by the looks of you I can see how true it is. Tell me what’s going on.” Atler questioned.

Lim began speaking in a quiet tone,
“I’ve not had any kind of morning sickness, so the only throwing up I have done has been due to this migraine.
Stress? Yes, as I had a showdown with Andrews and put in my notice. I accepted another job at San Jose General. Haven’t signed the contract as I have to be one month away from my current position. When I leave work, Neil and I do things to help relax us. Exercise, walks, we went for a long car ride too. Oh and we get weekly massages. We do everything to minimize the stress and at work too.
Everything was great last night, but during the night started with a bad headache. Neil helped me to take a relaxing shower and it did help a little. It was rough trying to sleep and then I woke up with a full blown migraine.
If it was not for the migraine I would feel amazing.”

Dr. Atler nodded her head and did a quick exam. She also rechecked Lim’s blood pressure.

“Okay, your blood pressure is only slightly elevated. We are going to monitor you a little more closely to make sure that this isn’t something more serious going on.” Dr. Atler started.

“You mean something like preeclampsia?” Melendez asked quietly.

“That is something we will watch for. Keep in mind this could just be from stress, but some women and men just get migraines. They can start out of the blue. The difference for you right now is that you are pregnant, so we need to make sure that you and these babies are healthy.” The OB answered honestly.

Both Melendez and Lim nod their heads in agreement.

“I’ll have my nurse give you some information to go over on ways to help with the migraines. She will have for you when you go to check out. Now, let’s get you to lay back, raise your shirt and lower the waistband of your pants. It’s time to see if we can figure out if these littles are boys or girls. Any guesses?” The older doctor asked the couple as she set up the sonogram machine next to the bed. It was already turned on. the doctor sat near Lim’s swollen abdomen, squirting gel onto it. The doctor pressed a button on a remote to dim the lights of the room. The doctor started running the wand over Lim’s belly.

“Girls! I have a feeling that they are girls. Which I’m excited for whichever but I keep picturing two little girls.” Neil said with a smile.

Audrey smiled, “I’m fine with either. I am just looking forward to when Neil can feel them moving.”

Atler took measurements, they listened to the heartbeats and soon came the moment that they had been waiting for,

“Congratulations, Mom and Dad you’re having two girls.” Dr. Atler excitedly informed the parents.

“YES!” Melendez called out a bit too loud for Audrey who winced and squeezed his. “Oh, Aud. I’m sorry. I’m just too excited. We are going to have two little princesses. They might be into tea parties or football. I’m there for it all. Nail painting, forts, makeovers…whatever my girls want.”

Dr. Atler was laughing. Putting her sunglasses back on Lim too laughed. “These girls are going to be spoiled. I can see it now.”

Dr. Atler wiped the gel off of Lim’s still on the small side belly. She then told them that was going to print off pictures and get them a link to the sonogram. She was also writing a prescription for the the nausea for the when the migraines were bad.

After scheduling Lim’s next appointment the couple were soon they were on their way to work each with copies of the sonogram pictures.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Without opening her eyes the chief replied quite like, “I’m fine.”

“Hair is fine. You are pale with a slight hue of green. What did your fiancé get you pregnant and now you’re dealing with first trimester morning sickness.” Villanueva joked.

Lim opened her exhausted pain filled eyes, and slowly stood up on her shaking legs. She pulled her untucked scrub top tight from behind allowing for the nurse to see her pregnant belly,

“Yes, my husband got me pregnant. No, not first trimester morning sickness. Second trimester migraines.” Lim informed the stunned nurse.

Villanueva stood in shock staring at her boss’s baby belly.

“That was my joke guess!” The nurse yelled. Seeing Lim wince in pain the nurse apologized and lowered her voice, “Holy Shit, Melendez knocked you up.”

Lim sighed and slowly sat back down on the steps, “He knocked me up twice actually.”

“Oh damn! Twins?” Villanueva asked sitting next to the surgeon.

“Identical twin girls. We just found out this morning. The migraines? I started getting them before I got pregnant. Woke up this morning with one. It’s only gotten worse as the day has progressed. Since I’m pregnant I cannot take anything for it. This stairwell has been the quietest place that I could find.” Lim tiredly explained.

“What about your office? or your husband’s? Which that is just bizarre to say by the way.” Villanueva questioned.

“They are doing some sort of renovation in the rooms below our offices, so it’s too loud to be in there.” Lim stated closing her eyes.

Villanueva looked at the pregnant doctor. “Shit. We need to get you home, but to do that would one require you moving and two a lot of twist and turns. If you weren’t pregnant we could max you out on anti nausea medication.” Villanueva was running over options.

“Dalisay, can you help me up I’m going to be sick.” Lim quietly asked looking even paler.

Villanueva quickly stood up. “Right so restroom first.”

Lim stood up slowly with the help of the nurse. Villanueva was going to take her up the steps as it was closer, but Lim put a stop to that. She whispered,

“Go down. Trust me when I say it’s easier.”

The nurse nods her head in understanding and quickly as they can the two women make it to the next level. They open the door and proceed towards the nearest restroom which happens to be near Dr. Glassman’s clinic.

Villanueva sees an empty treatment room and guides the surgeon there. She helps Lim to sit in the chair in the room and grabs an empty container and hands it over to the sick woman.

“I’ll be right back.” Dalisay says rushing out the door.

A few minutes later Villanueva comes rushing back in dragging a very confused Dr. Glassman. He’s about to yell at the nurse when he hears someone vomiting.

Glassman looked and saw Lim getting sick, “Ahhh morning sickness. My wife struggled with that too. Not too much that we can do unfortunately.

Lim stopped vomiting and caught her breath,

“Not morning sickness. Horrible migraines. Woke up with it. The head pain is making me dizzy and nauseous. My OB gave me a script for anti nausea medication but it’s not working. I can’t keep it down long enough for it to start working.” Lim sadly explained.

Glassman helped his pregnant colleague up onto the exam table.

“Okay, we are going to start you on an IV an then give you some IV meds for the nausea. Then you’re going to lay here and get some sleep. Pregnancy and migraines are not a great combination as you, my friend know. Let’s see what we can do to get you feeling better.”

Glassman and Villanueva soon had their colleague hooked up to an IV and had the medication administered. The older doctor also did a check of her vitals. Other than her blood pressure being just barely slightly elevated her numbers were good.

The medication did nothing to relieve her migraine but did help to alleviate her nausea. She was also getting really sleepy. Glassman and Villanueva helped her to get into a comfortable sleeping position. They turned out the lights and left her to rest. Glassman also texted Melendez to let him know what was going on with his wife.
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Shaun Murphy and his friend Lea were walking past the clinic when Glassman and Villanueva came out of a treatment.

“Glassy!!” Lea shrieked.

“Shhhhh.” Both Glassman and Villanueva tried to quiet the excited friend.

“We have a patient in here suffering from a severe migraine. She just finally fell asleep.” Glassman explained.

“The patient looked like Dr. Lim.” Shaun said with a hint of concern to his monotone voice.

“It is Lim, Shaun. She’s been sick all day. We just need to let her rest until Dr. Melendez can take her home.” Dalisay informed the young man.

“Look Shaun, Dr. Lim will be okay in a few days. It’s just right now the pain is really intense. So much so that it has made her sick.” Glassman explained.

“Migraines suck. I get them every so often. I just take the prescription medication and sleep in a dark room until I feel better. Oh, did you prescribe Dr. Lim Topamax or Zomig? They are two that I’ve use before.” Lea questioned

“We really shouldn’t say this but, Lim has a newly discovered allergy to an ingredient that is in migraine medications. So, she right now is just toughening it out.” Glassman quickly covered. Both Lea and Murphy seemed okay with the answer.

“That sucks! Maybe she can try Botox injections. I’ve done that too. It worked pretty well. When she’s able to hold food down tell her to eat a banana, drink a powerade and then a muscle milk. Replace the potassium and electrolytes quickly or she’s going to have a lot more issues.” Lea suggested.

“Great tips. We will tell her.” Villanueva replied.

Lea and Shaun left with a quick goodbye.

“Great thinking saying it was an allergy.” The nurse complimented the older doctor.

Glassman is about to reply when they hear someone rushing towards them. They both look up to see Neil Melendez running up to them.

“Aaron, Dalisay is she okay? What’s going on?” Neil asked trying while trying to catch his breath.

“Villanueva found Lim in the stairwell looking a bit green.” Glassman began.

“Morning sickness? Really? Why now?” Neil asked not thinking

“She has a migraine. It’s pretty bad at the moment. She’s dizzy and nauseous. Dr. Glassman gave her Comazine and she’s sleeping at the moment.” Villanueva informed the worried husband.

“I have been so busy since her appointment this I completely forgot about the migraine. I’m such an idiot.” Melendez ran a hand through his hair.

“Agreed. She had an appointment with her OB? Did they give any ideas? Are they thinking early early stage preeclampsia?” Glassman asked.

“Her blood pressure is only slightly elevated. Which only happens when she has the migraine. Plus, the migraines started before the whole virus fiasco. I only know that because I found her in the stairwell of the garage near tears because of it. I’m betting it’s not preeclampsia. She just suffers from migraines.” Melendez told the other doctor and nurse.

“Alright go be with your wife and when the IV is done you’re taking her home. She needs to be able to rest in quiet and darkness. She won’t get that here.” Glassman stated as he quietly opened the door and let the younger doctor in to be with his wife.
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Audrey Lim was standing next to her husband’s car door. She was shivering waiting as he unlocked the door.

“It’s the beginning of July in California. Why the hell are we having a cold snap?” Lim groused wrapping her arms around now untucked scrub top. This in turn made her swollen belly stand out.

Melendez chuckled unlocking the car doors.
“It’s not that cold. You’re not feeling good so that will add into it. Remember, I offered you my jacket but you said no. Now, you and the girls are cold. Come on let’s get in, you can wrap my jacket around you. We will get home, you can take a shower, get into bed and I will have soup ordered in. How does that sound?”

“Neil, I think I just fell in love with you all over again.” Lim said with a weak smile.

“You’re going to love me more when you see the bottle of sprite and your favorite gold fish crackers in the car. Don’t worry I have a bucket too if you get sick.” Melendez smiled and they both got into his Tesla. They soon pulled away unaware that they had been seen.

“Shauny!! Dr. Lim is pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me?” Lea asked as they sat in her car.

“I did not know that Dr. Lim was pregnant either. I believe that could be the reason behind her migraines. Pregnancy can cause a wide range of common and uncommon side effects.” Murphy explained to his friend.

“Drs. Lim and Melendez baby is going to be so beautiful. I cannot wait to see what their baby looks like.” Lea coo’d.

“I too agree that their features are compatible and will produce a good looking offspring.” Shaun replied.

“Awe Shauny, you see it too. What do you say we go get something dinner and go back to your apartment and have an indoor picnic.” Lea asked as she started driving as Murphy nodded his head.

Chapter Text

Two days later Audrey Lim was back at work. Though she was tired her migraines were gone. She was happy.

Today she had a meeting with Andrews and other department heads to discuss the upcoming residency interviews. Lim was normally one of the doctors to conduct the interviews for her department, but with her leaving they needed others in place to take over. Melendez would not be available as he was taking two weeks paternity leave after the twins were born and then first two weeks when Lim started back to work at her new job at SJH. He knew that his wife would feel more comfortable with him staying with the girls her first days back instead of having them in daycare.

The meeting was soon over and the couple were walking together toward the ER. Lim’s day would start there and then take any trauma surgeries that would come in.

Melendez could not get over how hot his wife looked today. Because of the meeting they had wear suites, but at twenty weeks pregnant with twins it was more comfortable for Lim to wear a dress. There was no hiding her small baby belly now. It was on full display as she wore a dark teal wrap dress and her white lab coat over top.

“Damn, Mi Amor if we were not at work…you and I would be having some fun.” Neil said leaning closer to his wife as they walked.

“Well, fun like that is what got us two daughters on the way, dumbass.” Lim said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

They both stopped when their phones chimed with a text message.

“Andrews wants us to hurry back in his office for an emergency consultation for someone in Venezuela.” Neil said with a sigh.

“Wish his highness would have let us know before we got almost to the ER. I’m all for getting my steps in, but I’m also carrying two other humans inside my body. The only things that I hurry for right now are restrooms, food, naps…” Lim leans in to whisper in her husband’s ear, “and mind blowing sex with my too hot for words husband!”

Melendez turned a deep shade of red. “Damn, Lim! I cannot wait until we get off shift.” He said winking at her as they walked back the way they had just come from.
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“Hi, I’m doctor Claire Browne. How are we doing today?” Claire asked stepping into the clinic exam room with Morgan Reznick.

“I was rushing to get to work when I stepped my ankle rolled and I heard as well as felt a pop.” The model looking patient said with a hint of pain in his voice.

Claire and Morgan spent the next several hours with the patient as well as seeing others. They soon were sent the ER for the rest of their shift.

They were standing in one of the supply closets grabbing some needed items talking when Claire started going on about Dr. Melendez.

“He’s been so great to me since my mom died. We go out running and we talk. We talk about everything. After our last run Lim bailed on him for their date. We went out and had tacos together. It was such an amazing time.
I really don’t see them staying together much longer. They definitely will never get married.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. “You honestly think that you have a shot with Melendez? The man who is head over heels in love with the chief? You are delusional. Besides once he finds out that you deliberately tripped Lim…well, all bets are off for your little fantasy.”

“I did not intentionally trip her, and I am not delusional. Melendez was pissed when she bailed on him. There’s no way that they stay together. I just have to bide my time” Browne said as they gathered up the supplies and headed out of the supply room.

“You did deliberately trip her. I saw you do it. So, don’t try to play me, Claire. You tripped Lim on purpose to make her look like what a fool? A klutz?” Reznick retorted.

They stopped dead in their tracks. Standing nearby the nurses station were the couple of their conversation.

Claire Browne was floored by what she saw. The couple were smiling to each other. Claire was even more shocked when Melendez placed his left ringed hand onto the side of Audrey Lim’s swollen abdomen. Lim placed her hand over his.

“She’s pregnant.” Brown said in shock.

Morgan leaned close to her friend’s ear, “Yep. It’s twins and look at his finger.”

The young crushed doctor looked, “That’s a wedding ring.”

“Told you that you were delusional. They got married right after the motorcycle accident. When she called him to cancel he was probably more worried that she was overdoing things because of the pregnancy. They’re not breaking up anytime soon. He only has eyes for her. Don’t believe me? Look at her. She’s carrying his kids. Face it, Claire he’s never going to walk away from what he has with her for you.
Now, drop your school girl crush and move on. Oh, and hope and pray that nobody ever figures out that you deliberately tripped her. Which by the way you can clearly see that she was pregnant at the time.”

Claire Browne and Morgan Reznick turned the corner to step into the treatment room with their supplies when they heard, “Get in the room now ladies.”

Neither of the residents turned around. They just went into the room and sat their supplies down.

They heard the door shut, but a few moments later they heard it opening back up and a surprised voice, “What the hell, Petringa?”
Bothe residents turned around to to see Petringa pull a surprised Dr. Lim into the exam room. She shut the door and locked it.

“Petringa, what the hell?” Lim asked again confused.

The older nurse crossed her arms and glared at the residents. Lim looked to them.

“Alright, what did you two do?” Audrey asked the residents.

Neither said anything.

“Tell her, blondie! We know girlie won’t.” Petringa ordered.

Lim looked suspiciously at the three women.

“Someone better start talking. I’m already pissed off after a meeting with Andrews, so let’s not drag this out. I’m ready to bitch slap whoever adds to my frustration, so come on let’s get it over with.” Lim vents crossing her arms over top of her round abdomen.

“You didn’t trip on accident. Claire knew that you were there and stepped back on purpose. She thinks your husband has the same feelings that she has for him. Claire believes that he has been showing her these feelings when they are out running and then again when she fell into his lap in his office and sprained her ankle.” Reznick let out in a quick rush.

They waited for Audrey Lim to say anything. She stood still. There was no movement detected other than being able to see her chest moving as she breathed. After a few moments it was like a switch had been turned on and she started to move slowly.

“Thank you for your honesty, Dr. Reznick. If you will excuse me I have a surgery to prep for.” Lim straightened her lab coat, turned around and reached for the door handle when she heard a voice.

“Dr. Lim, I’m truly sorry for my spoiled brat antics. I’m not sure what else that I can say, but I’m really sorry that I hurt you.” Claire Browne apologized.

Without looking back at the three other women. Lim nods her head and again reaches for the handle. Petringa spoke up,

“Dr. Lim…Audrey, are you okay?” The older nurse asked while stepping closer to the trauma surgeon.

Lim held her hand up, “Thank you. I’m fine. It’s been a hell of a day and I have another surgery. I really need to hurry. If you’ll excuse me.” Lim said quietly as she left the treatment room.

“Alright, girlie. You need to fix this. I don’t care how, but you will fix this.” Petringa stated with ice in her voice.

“I apologized. I honestly didn’t do much wrong, but I did apologize.” Claire tried.

“You hurt her. She’s been nothing but supportive of you. Did you know that she’s been calling her self a klutz. The fall to her was her fault. She defended you. Think about that. She defended you, and all the while you knew the truth. I told you this would bite you in the ass.” Reznick snapped and left the room.

Claire saw Petringa standing in front of the door.

“Excuse me, Petringa. I’m needed back in the ER.” Browne said quietly walking closer toward the door.

Petringa put her hand onto the door holding it closed,

“No, you’re needed to have a conversation with me. I’m telling you right now, if Lim leaves this hospital for good it’s not just going to be Andrews who the nurses come at. Note it that’s not a threat. Now, zip your lips, sit your ass down and listen really hard!” Petringa said with a smile as she locked the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours after Audrey Lim had finished her last surgery of the day she was walking into her apartment. Her amazing husband was due home soon as he was picking up their dinner.

Lim was exhausted. She also had not allowed herself to think about what Reznick had admitted to her. Audrey went about changing her clothes and then climbed into her bed. To say that she was angry was an understatement. Petringa was probably floored that she didn’t blow up at Browne, but honestly she couldn’t formulate words through her anger. Now, she was home, her eyesight was blurry and she had a headache. Lim closed her eyes and fell asleep. That’s how Melendez found her thirty minutes later.

Neil Melendez smiled when he saw his pregnant wife asleep in their bed. He hated to wake her as he knew that their daughters were constantly on the move inside of her, but he knew that she would wake up feeling miserable if she didn’t eat. So, Melendez walked over to where she lay curled around her curved body pillow. He sat next to her. He placed a soft kissed to her round abdomen that currently housed their daughters. Neil could not wait until he could feel them moving in their mother. It would be amazing, beautiful and all the more real.

Melendez gently ran a hand through his wife’s hair and then placed a soft kiss to her lips,

“Mi Amor, I hate to wake you up…” he started.

“Neil, too tired for sex, and I honestly do have a headache. Can we do this tomorrow?” Lim asked ask with a sleepy voice and eyes still closed.

Melendez chuckled. “Sex was not why I was waking you up. Dinner is here. You really need to eat something. Is this a normal headache or a migraine headache?”

Lim kept her eyes closed, “A normal headache. It was a long day.” She slowly started to sit up as her husband supported her. Once she was sitting up he noticed something was off with her more than just a headache.

“What’s going on, Aud? You’re really quiet and you won’t look at me. Did I do something to upset you?” Melendez asked his voice full of concern and confusion.

Lim slowly looked at him and sighed. “I have a lot on my mind. I just need to sort it out in my head before I try to talk about it. I’m honestly okay. I’m not mad at you. Please know that. I just need sometime to figure out what I’m feeling. I don’t want to do or say something to the wrong person.”

“I’m here for you, Mi Amor. Whatever is upsetting you. I’m here for you. If you just want to yell, scream or hit something. I’m your guy.” Melendez said leaning in and giving his wife a kiss.

“You’re my guy in every way that I need and love. I love you you.” Lim kissed her amazing husband back. Neil smiled at her. “Now, husband of mine I believe you mentioned something about dinner?”

Melendez laughed at her, “Yes, dinner is on the table. I ordered from the new place that’s supposed to be like home cooked food. I got you the rotisserie chicken, red potatoes, corn, asparagus and a slice of chocolate cake for dessert. I got the roast beef and the same sides and the cake.”

Together the couple stood up and started to head out of the bedroom. Lim stopped and turned around and rushed for their restroom.

“Sorry, your kids are using my bladder as a kick ball. Meet you there.” Lim informed him in a rush as she quickly shut the door.

Melendez chuckled and left to go wait for his wife to join him at the dining table.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aaron Glassman was angry. The chief of surgery and trauma had been gone not even a week and the hospital was in chaos. The residents didn’t know who to report to. They thought Melendez, but according to him it was Andrews. Andrews said, “No, Aaron it’s you.”

The nursing staff was just flat out pissed off. They were doing everything in their power to make Andrews life a living hell. Although he was enjoying watching the man being taken down a peg or two Aaron Glassman was tired of being put into the middle of everything. The only person not bothering him was Neil Melendez.

Glassman walks into Marcus Andrews office. The hospital president doesn’t acknowledge him until Glassman slams the door to the office closed.

“What the hell! Aaron? What is your problem?” Andrews asks.

Standing in front of the sitting man, Glassman glares, “You are going to fix this nightmare. You have less than thirty days before she can sign that contract with SJH. You are going to do whatever you need to do to get Lim back! You don’t get to hide behind your belief that you’re right. You will apologize for your stupidity of putting the hospital ahead of her. For trying to sideline her because of her pregnancy.
Let’s be real you this was never about protecting her or the babies that she’s carrying. It’s always been about protecting the hospital and money.
Marcus, this hospital is falling apart and getting Lim back is the only way to save this.”

Andrews stood up, “You’re acting like Audrey Lim is the all and all of this hospital. It was able to function before her will now that she’s left.”

Glassman laughed, “That’s cute that you think like that. If you don’t get Lim back I’m telling you more than half of our staff will end up at SJH. The rest will gladly go on the waiting list for a job there. Fix this, Marcus.”

The balding doctor turned and left the office as abruptly as he entered. He left behind the other doctor to contemplate his next move.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neil Melendez finally made it home. The hospital was in chaos and he had enough, but he also needed to talk to his wife.

When he entered their apartment and smelled an amazing aroma. It smelled like cinnamon, vanilla and chocolate.

“Audrey?” Neil called out. He could see that she was not in the kitchen. There were covered dishes, but he could not see his wife anywhere.

Melendez was about to call out again when he saw his wife come out of their bedroom. She was dressed for the beautiful summer day that it was. Melendez was as always floored by her beauty. Lim was wearing black canvas shoes, dark blue jeans shorts that despite her rounded belly could zip up easily. She wore a skin tight dark purple camouflage tank top. Her long dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail.

“Damn, Mi Amor you’re so hot.” Melendez said as she walked up to him.

“You’re going to eat first and then we will see about anything else that you have in mind. I am not the best cook, but I did make French toast, with a vanilla bean sauce. There’s home style potatoes. For dessert chocolate chip cookies.” Lim said with a smile.

“Wow! Was not expecting this today, but I am truly grateful.” Melendez kissed his beautiful wife. “If I carry this out would you mind if we ate on the balcony? I just have been feeling closed in at work. I need to feel the outside.”

“Since the balcony is covered and screened in are you still okay with that?” Lim asked.

“Audrey, it’s just what I need. To be outside, having a good meal and with my beautiful wife.” Neil kissed her again.

They quickly set up everything onto the balcony table. Melendez was just taking a bite of food when Lim came out with their drinks. Milk for her and a pitcher mimosas for him.

“Just because I can’t drink doesn’t mean that you can’t.” Audrey informed him with a smile and she sat at the table and started eating.

They were more than halfway through their meal when Melendez asked his question,

“Hey Aud, when I brought dinner home last week and woke you up. You said that you had a lot to work through and that you would tell me later. Can you tell me now?”

Audrey sighed and leaned back into her chair. “The trip and fall accident that started this whole mess with Andrews was not completely an accident.” She told her husband while looking at her plate of food.

Lim looked up startled when she heard Neil’s fork drop to his now empty plate, “What do you mean that it was not completely an accident? Audrey what are you talking about?”

“Neil, calm down and I will explain everything. Okay?” Lim told him.

Melendez nods his head and leaned back into his chair, “I’m calm. Please, Audrey continue.”

Lim takes a deep breath, “I was on my way to get ready for surgery when Petringa pulled me into an exam room. Both Reznick and Browne were there. They looked like deer caught in headlights. Petringa told them to start talking, and then after a few minutes nothing was said. I told them to start talking…Reznick took off running her mouth. She stated that Claire knew that I was behind her and deliberately stepped back to cause me to trip. I didn’t say anything because I was bit in shock, but Dr. Browne did apologize and in doing so confirmed that she did it on purpose. So, there you have it. I’m angry, hurt and disappointed. I just didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing and I walked out.”

Neil ran a hand through his hair, “Why would she do that to you? It makes no sense.”

Audrey takes a drink of her milk and then replies, “Claire believes that you have feelings for her. From the extra encouragement that you have given her to the running that you guys have done since her mom passed. We’ve all seen it, but I know that you would never let it go anywhere. Claire apparently sees it another way. Morgan mentioned something about Claire falling into your lap. I honestly don’t know, I don’t care nor do I want to hear about it. I’m just…Neil, I defended her. I took the full blame for the fall. Then to have the whole blow up with Marcus. I quit my job because of that moment. The girls could have been hurt. I get she didn’t know that I was pregnant, but that does not excuse what she did.”

Neil Melendez was beyond angry. His wife was attacked and their unborn daughters could have been seriously hurt, “All of this is because she thinks that I am in love with her? She deliberately set out to cause you to trip. Audrey, I in no way have said or done anything to make her think that I was in love with her. Claire was spiraling and I didn’t want her to get hurt. She needed a new focus. So, I got her into running. It worked for me and you. Well, more so me and then you when you found out that you were pregnant. That’s neither here nor there. You’re my heart and soul. My thoughts of Claire Browne go as far as I didn’t want her to hurt herself and showed her a way to safely let out her anger. This is my fault.”

Audrey leaned as far forward as her twenty week round belly would let her, “None of this is your fault. Claire took things too far.”

“Audrey, you damn near broke your arm for a second time and bruised the hell out of your back in that fall. What if you had landed a different way. You could’ve hit your abdomen. The girls could have been hurt. It could have forced you into early labor. Will you be filing charges against her? She admitted to assaulting you.” Neil rants.

Audrey held up her hand, “I’m not filing charges…yet. First, we need to let the hospital know. I’m not employed there anymore but they should still be informed. Petringa knows, and if I know her so do the other nurses. Claire has potential to be an amazing surgeon. She just needs to see past herself. For that to happen she cannot stay on your team. She should get transferred to either Glassman or Andrews. They can teach her a lot. If she doesn’t agree then we file charges.”

Melendez and Lim continued to talk and agreed to go the next day to let the HR team at St. Bonaventure know what they had learned. Audrey knew that she would have to deal with Marcus Andrews. Definitely not something that she would be looking forward to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Late the next morning Neil and Audrey were sitting in the conference room just off of Marcus Andrews office. They were sitting on one side with Dr. Glassman next to Melendez and Andrews next to him at the head of the table to his other side was Sara Walsh and Steve Harris from the HR department. Lim had just finished informing them of what she had learned about her fall in the ER and reminding everyone that it had led to Andrews trying to bench her…then her putting in her two weeks notice.

Steve Harris looked angry, “Dr. Lim,” he began,

“I no longer work here. I now go by Dr. Audrey Melendez and would have used my married name formally once I was legally able to sign my contract with SJH.” Lim informed the man.

“My apologies, Dr. Melendez” Harris began, “You were deliberately tripped by a resident who believed that your husband was in love with her? When the president of the hospital learned of your accident he tried to have you sidelined from both the OR and the ER due to your pregnancy?”

Both Lim and Melendez nod their heads but Lim responds, “That’s correct.”

Harris looks pointedly at Andrews, “Are you trying to bankrupt this hospital, Dr. Andrews? You try to bench her because she’s pregnant? The pregnancy never had anything to do with her fall! The resident meant to trip her! Had she not been pregnant at the time of the incident she still would have fallen. Would you have tried to bench her still?”

Marcus Andrews was starting to sweat, “No, but the fact remains that she was…she is pregnant. Lim and her babies could have seriously been hurt.”

“It’s Dr. Melendez to you.” Neil snapped.

Harris held up a hand, “Marcus, you are right. She an her unborn children could have been seriously hurt. We all agree to that, but the facts still remain the same. The resident set out to trip Dr. Melendez. Had the resident not done that there would have been no fall. Since they did there was a fall. You yourself said that if Dr. Melendez was not pregnant at the time of her fall you would not have tried to bench her.” Andrews nods his head.

Mr. Harris continues, “That is discrimination. You as the president of this hospital should know better. St. Bonaventure proudly taught’s being inclusive. We have a resident with Autism. This sets a bad precedent.
Dr. Melendez and her husband have every right to sue this hospital. If they decide to do so this hospital will lose.”

Sara Walsh finally spoke up, “What about the resident? Are you planning on pressing charges, Dr. Melendez?” She asked Lim.

Audrey looked at her husband and Neil shook his head. Lim spoke, “My husband and I spoke about this at great length, and we are hoping that the hospital would be open to what we have to propose…”

Audrey went on to discuss their ideas. Several hours and a few bathroom breaks later a deal was reached. However, Glassman put the breaks onto the conversation before they called out for the other parties to be brought in. He needed to quickly speak with Andrews. Finally given the go ahead Sara Walsh paged the other parties. The group now waited for the rest of the group to show up.

They only had to wait about twenty minutes before Drs. Claire Browne and Morgan Reznick as well Nurse Petringa were brought into the conference room.

The two young residents were floored to see Dr. Lim sitting at the conference table. Claire immediately knew what was about to happen was not going to be easy for her.

Steven Harris began the meeting explaining what the meeting was about. He also asked a few yes or no questions from the three women.
Finally he informed them what the hospital had decided with the blessing of both of the Drs. Melendez.

“Dr. Reznick and Nurse Petringa no actions will be taken against either of you. However. Dr. Reznick should something like this or anything else be brought to your attention, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is reported. The health and safety of our employees is a priority here at St. Bonaventure. You will do best to remember that.”

Morgan nods her head.

Mr. Harris continues, “Dr. Browne, while if my call alone you would be expelled from the residency program and have criminal charges filed against you. However, it is not just my call. Be grateful for that. You will be suspended for thirty days. You will attend mandatory counseling until they clear you. Upon your return from your thirty days, you will be assigned exclusively to Dr. Andrews team. If you’re at all in the ER at the same time as Dr. Audrey Melendez and especially if you’re working the same case you will be closely monitored. This will continue for the remainder of at least this residency year. These terms are non negotiable. Should you choose not to comply you will be out of the program and this will follow you. Any other programs will be very reluctant to take you on.”

Claire looked pale, “All I did was trip her and I never meant to hurt anyone. I didn’t know that she was pregnant. That’s the only reason why this has gotten this far. I have already apologized. If I agree to this it goes on my record. My career could be ruined before it starts.”

Before anyone else could speak Lim did, “You chose to deliberately step back into my path and trip me. Pregnant or not it was wrong. Claire, that’s a deliberate attack. Your reasoning in the misguided belief that my husband is in love with you.
Claire, I don’t get it. I have done nothing to you other than be your boss and tried to be your mentor. I knew you flirted with Neil. It’s all that I thought it was. I know that he stepped up when you were spiraling after your mother passed. He took you running to help you clear your mind and decompress. Neil was trying to be a friend. You read more into it than it was. I’m sorry that you felt like there was more going on.
Now, I am well within my rights to press charges against you. I don’t want to do that. You are a brilliant and talented woman. I want to see you achieve your dreams. This deal gives you that. I’m not angry with you. I’m disappointed, but I am not angry. This is not something that I would have ever expected from you…Reznick sure but never you.” Audrey pauses looking at the blonde resident, “Sorry, Morgan. We all thought that you would be the one to pull a stunt like this.”

Morgan Reznick smirked, “No trust me I can see why you would think that. Hell even I thought it would be me to snap first.”

Lim turned back to Claire, “All anyone here wants is to see you finish this program. You have a gift for this. Please take the deal. We don’t want to lose you or see you in a worse situation than this.”

“If I take this, then I’m only going to get to be involved in cases dealing with plastics. I don’t want to be in plastics.” Claire stated crossing her arms.

“You would be on Dr. Andrews team. However, you will get opportunities to be on cases other than plastics. Dr. Glassman has stated that he would be happy to have you scrub in on surgeries with him.” Sara Walsh informed the young resident.

“Claire down the line I would be willing to have you scrub in on procedures with me again.” Audrey offered to the surprise of everyone at the table.

“Only if I am there to keep an eye on her.” Petringa answered back.

“Petringa, it won’t be necessary. We will be fine.” Lim sighed.

“I’ll make sure of it.” Petringa answered back.

Claire glared at Melendez, “You have nothing to say about this? Are you just going to hide behind Lim?”

Melendez’s eyes flashed, “I am so beyond angry right now! Claire, you deliberately tripped a person. In most situations it’s a minor thing. But, she was hurt.” He pointed to Lim. “It was minor thankfully, but it could have been worse. Based off the bruising on her back we know that she fell hard. What if she would have hit her abdomen? The babies could have been hurt. I’m blown away by the fact that you of all people would set out to deliberately hurt someone or maybe in your mind to make them look like fool. That’s not who I thought you were.
Claire, my wife has already said this but it needs to be repeated. You are a talented doctor and you can go far. If you can get out of your own way.
As for everything else? I’m disappointed in you and your actions towards Audrey. She did nothing to you to deserve your actions.
As for you thinking that I’m in love with you…I’m sorry if I ever gave you mixed signals that I was. I never meant to. I only wanted to be a friend to you. I saw someone who I thought needed help, so I helped them. I didn’t realize that my help would lead you to believe in something that was never true.”

After a bit of silence Dr. Glassman clears his throat, “What do you say, Dr. Browne?”

Claire glared at the table for a moment but did answer, “Fine. Let me sign whatever you need from me. I want out of here.”

“One more thing before we leave. As you heard through all of this, Dr. Lim will be coming back to St. Bonaventure starting tomorrow. We are pleased with the turn of events. Also, Dr. Lim will be going by Lim-Melendez while here. She has stated that it’s fine if we still call her Dr. Lim but for the patients it’s Lim-Melendez. Welcome back, Audrey.” Dr. Andrews concluded as everyone got up from the table.”

Neither Neil or Audrey said anything to Andrews before he rushed out.

Petringa came over to the couple, “You’re really coming back?”

Audrey smiled, “Tomorrow morning. I’ll be pulling both OR and ER shifts until these two,” she points to her round abdomen, “make it too difficult for me to be in the OR.”

Petringa smile wide, “I can’t believe that Andrews agreed to this. Someone had to have held him by the balls.”

“Woah! Petringa, not a picture I want in my head!” Neil winced.

“Little squeamish there, Pretty Boy?” The older nurse asked with a smirk.

Audrey laughed. The three longtime colleagues continued talking as they left the conference room. All were excited to be able to work together again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Neil, I don’t think your daughters are ever coming out.” Audrey Lim sighed to her husband as she came into his office holding her big heavy round belly with one hand and the other hand on her back.

Lim was now over forty one weeks pregnant and her OB told her at her last appointment that other than the babies had dropped, there were no signs that she was ready to go into labor. It was unusual for twins, but the doctor said that as long as everything looked good for the girls they were fine with letting things happen naturally. Audrey on the other hand was miserable. Her Christmas due date came and went. It was New Years Eve and all she wanted was for her girls to if not come then just let her sleep for a solid eight hours.

Neil smiled at his tired wife. He was sitting on the couch in his office, but he stood up to help her sit in the chair by the couch. They had learned that if she got onto the couch then her large pregnant belly would not make it easy for her to get back up.

“Mi Amor, they will come. I know that you’re miserable and I am truly sorry. The girls will be here before you know it.” He sat beside her on the couch. Neil reached over and placed his hand on her swollen abdomen. He could feel the girls moving. They each gave a sharp kick to which Melendez smiled. He looked up at his overly pregnant wife. Behind her glasses were tired eyes smiling back at him.

Lim had taken to wearing her new glasses a few months ago. Her vision had changed during her pregnancy, but she didn’t want to deal with getting contacts yet. Putting glasses on was just easier for her and anything that made her life easier at this point was worth it.

“I’m just seriously over it today. I honestly do not have the energy for anything right now. I know that I’m supposed to be on tonight for a double shift, but I really cannot do it. It’s not even seven am and I’m just…”Audrey spaced out mid sentence. Melendez chuckled. She’d done that periodically the last few weeks. Falling asleep while talking.

Neil shook his wife’s shoulder gently and she sleepily turned to look at him. “I did it again didn’t I? I’m sorry. These two have been keeping me up all hours. I’m just exhausted.” Audrey smiled to her husband.

“It’s okay. Audrey, I’m texting Glassman and then I’m taking you home. You cannot keep going like this. You really need to go on maternity leave now.” Neil told his wife helping her from the chair. Lim swayed a little bit. Melendez steadied her.

“I think that you’re right. I’m just too tired. Can we stop on the way home and get some pizza?” Lim asked with a hopeful smile.

Neil kissed her lips gently, “it’s still early morning, but we can stop at the store and I can get stuff to make you some pizza. I’ll do anything for you, Mi Amor.”

Together the couple gathered Melendez’s belongings, sent a text to Glassman, went to her office to do the same and left for home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The happy couple had been home for a little bit and ate the pizza Neil had made, and then the couple went to try to take a nap…but like always the nap turned into something more. Now, after a steamy shower the couple were sitting on their bed timing contractions.

“Seriously, Aud. If I would’ve known that having sex twice in a row with you was all it would take to jump start your labor…I would have done it weeks ago.” Neil said sitting behind her as she breathed through her latest contraction.

Lim smacked him on the arm. “Got it. Not helping.” Melendez replied as she rode out the end of her contraction.

When Lim was finally able to fully catch her breath, “At our last appointment Dr. Atler said it would probably be a few more days before these two came. I guess the girls don’t like being issued a challenge.”

Melendez chuckled, “These girls are just like their parents. We do things how we like it and screw what others say.”

Audrey was leaning back against him and she was quiet. Neil was positive that she fell asleep. He chuckled a bit. He called to her a few times.

“Hey, Mi Amor! I know that you are really tired, but trust me when I say that you do not want fall asleep this close to the edge of the bed sitting upright.” He called into her ear.

Audrey startled a bit, “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’m just exhausted from not sleeping the last two nights.”

“I fully understand. Aud, I think that you’ll be more comfortable if you got fully on the bed, and I can prop you up on some pillows. Then you can take a nap that way. The contractions are still pretty far apart. I think you might feel better if you took a nap.” Melendez said then he kissed the side of his wife’s head.

“Actually would you mind walking with me? I just honestly feel like I need to be moving.”

“You got it.” Melendez carefully slid out from behind his wife and helped her to stand. He noticed her sway a bit, “Hey, are you sure that you’re up for this. You’re looking a little bit pale there.”

Lim chuckled, “I have two small humans literally fighting each other to see who is coming out first of my body. I’d be surprised if I wasn’t pale.”

Together the couple walked around their apartment. They stopped as needed for Audrey when the contractions got closer together.

Finally they decided to head to the hospital to get Lim admitted. Their OB Dr. Atler was shocked that they were there.

Hours later the Atler came into talk with the couple,

“There’s been no real progression. You are still only at three centimeters dilated. We need to talk about a c-section. Audrey, I know that you don’t want to, but you came in exhausted. Your vitals are slowly dipping and really showing the stress. Plus, the girls are starting to show it too. At this point it’s honestly going to be better for all three of you if we go ahead with the c-section.” The doctor informed the very tired mother.

Audrey looked at Neil who nods his head to her.

“Let’s go ahead and do whatever is safest for the girls. Let’s get them here.” Audrey said pulling the oxygen mask that she had been using down.

“Alright, let’s get you up to the OR and see if you’re girls at going to be here for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. We are really close.” The OB said with a smile as she started calling out orders.

Melendez held his wife’s hand and gave her a kiss before giving her baby belly a final rub. The team was soon rushing them to the OR.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At twelve thirty AM on the first of January Drs. Glassman and Andrews along with the residents and several nurses received a text from Neil Melendez.

“Sorry to interrupt your festivities Audrey and I would like to announce the birth of our daughters via c-section: Ryan Arizona Melendez was born at 11:58PM weighing in at seven pounds, eight ounces and measuring at nineteen inches. Ryan was followed by her sister James Aria Melendez and she born at midnight on the dot. James weighed in at an equal to her sister seven pounds, eight ounces and measured in at twenty inches. James, Ryan and their parents are happy, healthy, and tired. We thank you for your love and support. We are turning our phones off and will reach out tomorrow after we have gotten some sleep and a little bit of bonding. Happy New Year!!” Pictures of the girls soon followed.

After the residents read the text Morgan looked at Park, “Pay up, Alex! I was right.”

Shaking his head and laughing, “Damn, Morgan are you psychic or something? You had all guesses correct and were the absolute closest on their birth times.”

“It’s Lim and Melendez…you honestly think that their kids would be any different? Of course they would have twins born in two different years.”

Park laughed as he paid a smiling Reznick.

Lea, Shaun and Claire looked at the pictures.

“I was right. Drs. Lim and Melendez have very compatible genes. They made good looking offspring.” Dr. Shaun Murphy answered his friend.

“They look like their dad. They have his hair and dimples too.” Claire commented with a hint of sadness.

“Ahhhh, but they have Dr. Lim’s eye shape, long legs like her. These girls are the perfect combination of the two of them.” Lea said with a mega smile.

“Look at these babies gentlemen,” Petringa said with a smile to Glassman and Andrews.

“They’re some cute kids.” Glassman replied.

“I’m wondering why they gave their daughters boy names.” Andrews replied.

“There are plenty of women who have names that are typically given to boys. They’re also men with names that typically are female. Who cares. They are the perfect names for their girls.” Nurse Villanueva sniped at Andrews.

“I think they are great names and I cannot wait to get the chance to meet them.” Petringa said with a smile.

The doctors and nurses continued on talking about the newest members of the St. Bon’s family while celebrating the new year in the hospital cafeteria with other hospital staff that were working that night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two months later and Audrey had been back at work for a week. She sat at her desk rubbing a hand across her forehead. It had been a long morning already. They had a mass casualty and she had to operate twice on two different people. Lim was tired. She wanted to take a nap, but she had a meeting with Glassman and Andrews in a half an hour. So, she sat in her office to try to start her reports on her surgeries but her eyes were too blurry.

Neil Melendez stood at his wife’s office door and watched her. To say that he was worried about her was an understatement. She had more headaches than not. Exhausted for her would be an understatement. This was more than being a first time mom. James and Ryan were quick to get onto a schedule. They were like their momma. When asleep don’t wake them up until they wake up. Which made their nursing schedule fun in the beginning.

“Mi Amor, why don’t you get checked out?” Melendez asked his wife as he stepped into her office, “I really think that it’s time.”

Lim looked at her husband in surprise, “Neil when did you get here?”

Melendez smiled softly sitting down on the edge of her desk, “I have been here a few minutes.”

Audrey smiled as he leaned down and kissed her.

“Neil, I am okay. I’m just tired. It was just a long morning. I promise I’m good.” Audrey looked up at her husband with a half smile.

“James, Ryan and I are worried about you. We just want you to feel better.” At this point Melendez was not above using their daughters to try to get her to get checked out.

Audrey chuckled, “Our two month old daughters told you that they are worried about me, huh?” Melendez smirked and nods his head.

Audrey stands up as does Neil, “That’s a pretty neat trick considering they are two months old and cannot talk yet. Still, I am fine. I just need a really good night of sleep, so how about you get up and feed the girls tonight and I sleep? Oh wait, you can’t breastfeed. The girls refuse to take the bottle at night, so unless you have a plan to fix that…I’ll take a nap when I get off. You can pickup the girls after you get off.”

Melendez leaned in and kissed his wife. “You have a deal. I wish you would have taken a longer maternity leave, but I get why you did not. We will have the entire month of June with just the four of us. I cannot wait.”

“Me too. Four weeks of just being together, watching the girls and not doing anything unless we want to. It’s going to be amazing.” Lim said as she kissed him.

Suddenly her text alert goes off on her phone. Lim quickly checks it. “Damn! I’m going to have miss the meeting. There’s a kid coming in. They were hit by a car. I gotta go. I’ll see you when you get home with Ryan and James. I love you.” Lim tossed over her shoulder as she rushed out of her office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Two weeks later Neil Melendez was driving his Tesla home. He and his beautiful wife had the same two days off. They were going to spend their time at home with their beautiful two month old daughters. He could not wait.
The day after he and Lim had a talk in her office she started to feel better. Three days after that she started to join him on his runs again.

“Gotta get back into pre pregnancy shape.” Lim said with smile.

“You’re already there, Mi Amor. When you carried the twins the Dr. Atler said it best you were all baby…well, babies. Four weeks after they were born you could hardly tell that you were pregnant now? You wear a size smaller than before you were pregnant. You are beautiful always and I support you in everything.”

That was it, they ran every day. Whether it was in the morning before work or evening after work. They would bundle the girls up, strap them into their jogging stroller and off they would go as a family.

Just thinking about his beautiful wife and daughters had Melendez extra excited when he parked his Tesla. He quickly made it into their apartment where everything was anything but peaceful.

Ryan and James were crying loudly and Audrey was calling to them, but she was stumbling into things. Her speech was off…slightly slurred. It was almost if she was intoxicated. Neil ran to her side.

“Audrey? Audrey?” He grabbed her by the shoulders. Neil couldn’t smell anything but her coconut perfume. She was not intoxicated, “Audrey it’s me. What the hell is going on!”

Audrey startled but answered him with tears streaming down her cheeks, “Neil, something is wrong. I can’t see anything. I’ve had a headache all day. My vision was blurry. I took an Uber to get the girls and come home. It wasn’t safe to drive. I was making lunch for us, but I had a sharp pain, starburst of silver light flash and everything went dark. I can’t find the girls. I need to nurse them.” Melendez could see that she was leaking through her shirt as she begged him for help. ”Please help me to get to them. I’m so sorry.”

Neil walked with his arms around Lim’s shoulders to the nursery. He sat his wife into the rocking chair.

“Stay here. I’m grabbing the girls.” Melendez told his crying scared wife. He quickly got each of the girls and soothed them as best as he could.
They were hungry for sure. Neil didn’t like the idea, but Audrey was at least stable at the moment. Lim insisted that he help her to set up to nurse the girls.

While the girls were nursing Melendez assessed his wife. He took her vitals.

“Audrey, I don’t know what is going on, but as soon as the girls are done, we are taking you to the hospital. I don’t think this is a stroke, but we need to run tests to make sure. This could all be from your migraines.” Melendez said in a soothing voice. He hoped that he sounded calm to her because he was panicking on the inside. “How is your vision now?”

Audrey was slower to respond, “I don’t see anything. No shadows or flashes…just total darkness. Neil, I’m scared.”

Melendez, who was kneeling at his wife’s side, kissed her head, “Audrey, we are going to get this figured out. Listen, just sit here, finish feeding the girls…I’m going to pack their diaper bag and cooler w/the bottles of expressed milk. Then I’m going to pack you a bag. I will come back change the girls, get them into the carriers. I’ll grab you and then I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Neil, I don’t want to go in through the ER. Please, can we go in a different way? Less people to see. I just…need some privacy.” Lim begged her husband.

“I will text Glassman. He can meet us at the back entrance. I’ll have him take you up and then I’ll get the girls settled and then come find you.” Neil informed his wife. He quickly stood up, “I’ll be right back as fast as I can.”

Audrey sat in the rocking chair with her daughters each latched on to one of her breasts. All she could hear was their suckling, Neil in the distance getting things ready and her own heartbeat thumping in her ears. The darkness was was suffocating. Lim was on the verge of panicking when she suddenly heard her amazing husband’s voice.

“I’m back. It looks like the girls are just about done. Well, Ryan is completely done. I’m going to get her ready while you finish nursing James.” Neil said as he picked up the sleeping infant from her mother. “Without giving him much detail, Glassman agreed to meet us at the back entrance. Petringa will be with him.”

Twenty minutes later Neil pulled up to the back entrance of the hospital. Glassman quickly opened Lim’s door, “Audrey? How are you doing?” The balding doctor asked. He noticed the unfocused eyes, the extremely pale tone to his chief of surgery. She just was not aware. He looked to Melendez who quickly answered,

“I’ll give you the full story when I get in there, but I came home she was frantically trying to find her way to the girls. She had another ocular migraine. Instead of losing vision in one eye, she lost it in both. Her speech was slightly sluggish but got better. On the way here she just spaced out. I can’t get her to respond to anything.”

Glassman checked her pupils but there was no reaction. He did get a slight response to pain stimulation.

“We are going to get her in and run some tests. This is definitely not an ocular migraine situation. There’s something else going on here. We’ll be in room forty three zero six in nero. Meet us there.” Glassman told a worried Melendez.

Glassman then nodded to the male nurse who easily picked Audrey up and carried her quickly into the hospital followed by Nurse Petringa.

“Tell her I’ll be there as soon as I drop the girls off in the nursery.” Melendez said as the older doctor shut the door of the Tesla.

Neil Melendez quickly drove his car to his parking spot. As quickly as he could he got his baby girls out of the car. He had their carriers locked into the stroller. Next, he grabbed their diaper bag and the cooler of breast milk and then he shut and locked his car.

Melendez quickly got the girls to the hospital nursery. He quickly explained that he and Audrey were in for an emergency case. They readily agreed to take the girls.

After explaining their schedules, showing them the shirt with Lim’s sent on it, he said goodbye to his sleeping babies and rushed to his wife’s room.

By the time Melendez arrived there were more nurses in the room and Glassman was calling out orders. Alarms were sounding and everyone in the room was in action.

“What the hell?” Melendez yelled.

Without looking at the panicked man, Glassman explained the situation.

“She’s having a seizure. It’s been ten minutes now.” The older doctor could see Lim’s scared husband approaching her. “This is her third one. once we get it to stop we are taking her for an MRI with contrast.”

Melendez tore his eyes away from his seizing wife to look at Glassman, “Why not a CT with contrast? Why an MRI? The CT would be faster.”

“Neil, we know that the MRI with contrast is better for picking up changes in the soft tissues and she had a CT after her motorcycle accident. We are not dealing with a head injury here. Something else is going on. We need to figure this out. The sooner that we do, the sooner we get her back home to James and Ryan.”

Five minutes later the seizure finally stopped. Once they had Lim stabilized they rushed her for an emergency MRI.

Glassman insisted that Melendez go wait in his office or go spend time with his daughters. It would be a bit before they had any answers.

Melendez sat in his office waiting. He looked at his pictures on his desk. There were Lim’s ultrasound from when Park discovered her pregnancy after the accident. Their wedding picture and his favorite one. Petringa had taken one on his phone. Both he and Lim were dressed in scrubs, but had a surgical gown covering them. They had just removed their caps and gloves. They looked exhausted, but they looked at each other. The picture was them finishing something that they loved.

“What the hell is going on, Audrey? You keep fighting.” Neil closed his eyes.

He must haves dozed off because next thing he hears is his phone text alerting him.
Melendez checks the message. It was from Glassman telling him to meet him back at Lim’s room in neuro.

Neil does not even remember leaving his office. He rushes to his wife’s room. Once there he is surprised by all of the machines and tubes that she was now attached to. Glassman and Petringa look at him with sadness.

“She has a grade two meningioma tumor. Its size is slightly larger than a lemon.” Glassman informed a surprised Melendez.

Chapter Text

“Grade two? Are you sure?” Neil asked quietly.

“We checked the CT scan and X-rays from before her motorcycle accident. It looked more like a small artifact than anything. Normally meningiomas are slow growing. This one grew fast. Hormones can play into the side effects. Neil, thanks to her pregnancy and then after giving birth her hormones have been all over the place.
We will need to go in and remove it, but at the moment because of the seizures she’s not stable enough. For at least tonight we are keeping her under sedation with the hope that she doesn’t have anymore seizures. Then if she stabilizes I want to wake her up and let her know what’s going on.” The older doctor carefully explained the plans for their chief of surgery. “Neil, other than the exhaustion and the migraines did she have any other symptoms?”

Melendez thought about it, “She would space out or what we thought was her randomly falling asleep because of how tired that she was from the pregnancy. Audrey also went to the eye doctor where they told her that her vision had changed a lot. They attributed it to her being pregnant. We just honestly thought that she had migraines and everything else was from her being pregnant.”

“Damn. I noticed some of it too, but it never happened when she was with a patient, so just chalked it up that her pregnancy was really taking it out of her. I wish I had asked her or said something sooner.”

“Aaron, based off what you saw off the MRI and in your experience is the tumor…I mean is there a chance…” Melendez could not finish his question.

Understanding what he meant Glassman answered the younger doctor, “Neil, I’m not going to lie to you. There’s a chance that the tumor is malignant but an equal chance that it’s benign. Most meningiomas are benign. We have to remove it and biopsy it. Hopefully we can get out in one go. Just remember that grade two means there’s a high chance of regrowth. Audrey will have to be closely monitored for the rest of her life.”

Melendez nods his head and looks at his wife. “I can’t believe we are here talking about brain tumors, possible cancer and Audrey. This is surreal.” He shook his head “Can we please just keep this between us for right now? I don’t want answer a bunch of questions. Plus, you know how Audrey is. She would not want to be the center of attention.” Melendez asked with tears in his eyes.

Both Petringa and Glassman agreed.

“Aaron, I have to know one thing. Will Audrey’s vision come back? Will she see again or is the blindness permanent?” Melendez asked with a shaky voice.

“It’s far too early to say for certain. She could wake up have her vision, but undergo surgery and lose it again. The tumor could have done damage or destroyed the optic nerves, but with the pressure and the swelling we can’t say for sure yet.” Glassman answered truthfully.

Neil nods his head and then goes back to looking at his wife.

“Pretty boy, what are you going to do about James and Ryan? You cannot keep them in the nursery all night. They need their routine. It will help keeping that for when their momma comes back home to them.” Petringa questioned using her nickname for the terrified doctor.

“My parents live in San Antonio. I can call them, but they won’t be able to get here until tomorrow. I can’t just leave Audrey here alone. What if something happened? I’d have to rush to get myself and the twins back here. She’s not see, heard from or talked to her older brother since she was a kid. Her mother was killed in a car accident a few days after the virus that nearly killed Lim. There’s not really any one that Audrey would trust to keep the girls overnight yet.” Melendez informed his two colleagues.

“What about Dalisay Villanueva? Her shift ends in an hour, and I’m sure she’ll be willing to help out. Her boyfriend is out on a job for the next few weeks, so she’s going to have time I bet. Plus, she loves the girls. I will take her and the girls back to your place and help her get settled with them. Then I will come back here and be here if anything comes up for our girl.” Petringa offered the nervous father and husband.

Neil looked from the nurse to his unconscious wife. He picked up her limp cool hand and he kissed it. Looking back to the smiling nurse, “Okay. I think that’s what will be best for the girls. Thank you.”

Melendez quickly went over everything that he could think of for the girls with Petringa. He also called to the nursery while Petringa called Dalisay.

Finally, they were both off the phone. Glassman had to step out to order some tests for Lim.

“Villanueva said yes. I didn’t tell her about Lim yet. I figured I’d do that in the car. Speaking of which, Pretty Boy no arguments, hand your keys over. The bases for the car seats are in there. It’s just easier not to move them. Also, we will need a key for your apartment.” Melendez hands Petringa the keys, “I know that she’s been breastfeeding the girls. Is there back up the stuff for the next few days?” Petringa asked.

“She’s expressed enough for the next month and a half. Audrey is going to be pissed if they have to go on formula.” Melendez answered the nurse with a hint of panic.

“Relax, it will not be the end of the world if James and Ryan have to go onto formula. They will be fine. So will Audrey.” Petringa replied. “Hey, how did you two come up with the girls names?”

Neil smiled looking at his wife, “James is the name of a professor that we each had when we were at med school. Different people but they made such an impact and we would not be doctors without them. Aria just fit with the name James. Ryan is named after a young girl that we met when we were residents and we did volunteer work at the women’s shelter. Ryan Arizona, with firey red hair, emerald green eyes and such passion. That girl saw Audrey ride up on her motorcycle and the girl was in love…there was no separating Ryan from Lim. When our volunteer program ended we learned that Ryan’s mom moved them back in with her wife. Then one night the two women got drunk, fought and Ryan tried to stop them. Ryan didn’t survive her injuries. They found in her room a toy motorcycle and a picture of Ryan and Audrey sitting on Lim’s Ducati. So, when we learned that we were having girls, we knew one’s name right away. Both the girls are named for people who have had such an important part of our lives. We wanted to honor them.”

“I remember you two volunteering at the shelter. I completely forgot about the little girl. The girls are aptly named, but know this they get their strength from you and their momma. Audrey will get through this.”

Melendez finished talking with Petringa. He gave the older woman a hug. The nurse quickly left with a promise of a quick return.

Neil Melendez sat at his wife’s bedside. He picked up her hand and kissed it.

“Mi Amor, I’m so sorry that I didn’t realize that you were in trouble sooner. We are going to figure this out. We will you better and back home to our girls as soon as humanly possible. You keep fighting. I love you.” Melendez finished with tears falling.

Forty minutes later Petringa walked in and found him sitting next to his wife, holding her hand and fast asleep. She draped a blanket over him and quietly left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning Glassman stood in the patient room of his once top resident. He was talking to her husband and colleague,

“We took her off all sedation at around four this morning. If all goes right she should be awake by this afternoon. She’s starting to stabilize. The plan is to have her rest today and then do the surgery first thing tomorrow morning.”

“I called my parents, and they can’t get here until late this afternoon because of bad weather in Texas. Villanueva is going to keep the girls until my parents can get here.
I tried to reach her brother, but his number was disconnected. Not that I’d ever expect him to care, but still he should know what’s happening. Josh didn’t even tell Audrey that their mom had been killed. She tried calling her mom for days. After not getting anywhere Audrey called in and asked for a wellness check. Her mom’s neighbor was the officer who took Audrey’s call. He had to tell her. It crushed her that she didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to her mother. Josh is twelve years older has always treated Audrey like she was invisible.” Melendez rambled.

“Damn. I knew that she was not close to her family, but I didn’t realize how bad it was.” Glassman replied.

“Her parents always criticized her…especially her dad. Nothing that she did was ever enough. So, she acted out. I met her mother when she came to town when we were first years. Kashal was being an ass and flaked out. So, I went with her to have lunch with her mom. Let’s just say I went home took a hot shower and downed four bourbons to calm down. Audrey took it all. She even thanked her mom for the criticism. I wanted to hit the woman. No matter how bad they treated her Audrey always showed them love. She sent Josh a birthday present (despite how he treated her after their mom passed) and included pictures of Ryan and James. We got it back return to sender. Aaron the look that passed over her. My heart broke for her. Audrey smiled and said she’d keep it just in case he reached out to her.
Some family she has. The girls and I are all that she really has. I just want her to be okay and we can get back to planning for our month long time off from work.”

“Yes, she has you and the twins. Just remember you both have us. Such as this place is, we are kinda like a dysfunctional family.
Speaking of which…do you want to tell them?”

Melendez sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked at his wife. “I’m not leaving her. I’ll tell Andrews first. Can you have him come here. Don’t tell him anything, I will. The rest of the staff and team can be told later.”

Glassman agreed and left to go get the other man.

Melendez sat down and waited. He looked over to his beautiful wife. Normally so full of life. Now so still, pale and quiet accept for the monitors and the ventilator that she was attached to.
Neil wished that they were home curled up together in their bed, holding their baby girls and being safe.

“Comeback to us, Mi Amor.” Melendez whispered gripping his unconscious wife’s hand desperately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Twenty minutes there was a soft knock on the door. Neil Melendez stood up and walked closer. The door opened and in walked Aaron Glassman followed by a confused Marcus Andrews.

Where Neil had stood he had blocked Andrews view of the patient in the bed. Marcus was agitated and needed to get back to work,

“Alright, Glassman insisted I meet him here. I get here and find you. Why are you in this patient’s room in neuro, Melendez?”

Neil, slowly stepped aside allowing Marcus to finally see the patient in the bed. Andrews stepped closer to the bed. His mouth slightly opened. Slowly his eyes scan the monitors and machines. Quickly he turns to look at the other men in the room.

Glassman is scowling slightly. He’s worried Andrews can see it in the older man. From the pinched forehead to the slight twitching of his mouth.

Melendez was pale. His forehead wrinkled with worry, and the surgeon’s fists were clenched at his side.

Andrews asked his burning questions, “What the hell is going on? What’s wrong with Lim?”

Glassman spoke up, “Grade two meningioma brain tumor. She’s had multiple seizures since she was admitted yesterday.”

“Yesterday? Why the hell wasn’t I told sooner?” Marcus demanded.

“Aside from the fact that you tried to bench her for being pregnant. Why would we? We haven’t spoken to you unless it’s work related. Not that we haven’t tried, but you have shut us out completely. Fine you’re our boss and not a friend we get it.
As for why she didn’t want to say anything, you know that Audrey doesn’t like to be the center of attention. It’s why we came in the back way. She was scared. Marcus, I found her in the apartment stumbling around because her vision was gone. The girls were crying because they were hungry, and Audrey was terrified because she couldn’t get to them. She couldn’t see to get to her children, Marcus.” Melendez told his colleague with tears in his eyes.

Marcus looked at Lim, “Is the blindness permanent?”

Glassman quietly spoke up, “We don’t know. There’s too much swelling going on to be sure. We also are waiting for her to wake up to tell her what’s going on. We will take her to surgery tomorrow to remove the tumor.”

“Why are you waiting until tomorrow? Why didn’t you remove it as soon as it was discovered, Aaron?” Andrews snapped.

“Because she was not stable! She had multiple seizures. The worst one went on for over ten minutes. We had to give her system a chance to recover. Lim’s condition is stabilizing now, but we need her stronger before we go cutting into her head to remove this tumor that’s slightly larger than a lemon. If we would have rushed this it could’ve caused her harm. I’m not going to be the one that causes her babies to grow up without their mother.” Glassman snapped.

“ENOUGH!” Neil Melendez hissed, “She’s coming off sedation and could quite possibly hear hear you two idiots. Knock it off. If you’re going to argue take it out of here because you’re not helping! I swear since she can’t I’ll kick your asses for her.”

The two arguing doctors held up their hands and separated.

After a few minutes Andrews asked, “When and what are you going to tell her team?”

“They’re not on shift until tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully by then she will be out of surgery and we will have answers. They can be told then.” Melendez answered.

“Okay.” Was Andrews answer, “Keep me updated on her condition.”

Both Glassman and Melendez nod their heads. At that Andrews heads out.

“Look, Audrey is still going to be out of it for a while yet. Why don’t you go get cleaned up, grab something to each and check in with Villanueva about Ryan and James. Before you think about arguing with me, remember what you said she maybe able to hear us. Go regroup for a bit. I’ll have Petringa bring some food to your office.” Glassman ordered the tired looking surgeon.

“Page me if anything happens?” Melendez asked.

“I promise. Don’t worry. I will stay with her until you get back.” Glassman said taking over the seat that Melendez had sat in all night.

Neil walked over to his wife’s side and kissed her forehead and whispered that he would be back soon. Then he quickly left the room.

Glassman looked at the hospital’s unconscious chief of surgery, “You are going to get through this. I’ve got your back.”

With that the balding doctor sat back and watched over his colleague.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that afternoon Neil Melendez sat again next to his wife’s bedside. She had been taken off the ventilator in the late morning. The did keep her on supplemental oxygen via a nasal cannula.
Lim did have two more seizures but they were quickly controlled. Melendez, Glassman and Petringa were relieved.

Here Melendez sat holding Audrey’s hand. He sat with his eyes closed and head resting on the headrest of the chair. The doctor suddenly felt movement from the hand that was in his. Opening his eyes, he looked at his wife. Lim was slowly opening her eyes.

“Audrey? Are you with me, Mi Amor.” Melendez asked.

After a few attempts Lim spoke, “Neil?”

Neil smiled squeezing her hand, “Hey, Mi Amor. How are you feeling?”

Lim was drifting a bit but answered, “Tired. Wha hapn’d? Where are girls? Too dark…in here.”

Melendez deflated at hearing the last part. His wife still could not see. He had to try not to panic. The tumor was putting pressure on the optic nerves and was causing the blindness. It could be just temporary until after the surgery.

“Audrey the girls are safe. Dalisay has them. They’re at the apartment.” Melendez began.

“That’s nice. Where are…where are we?” Lim still struggled with her speech. A common side effect of the tumor.

Melendez rubbed his thumb from the bridge of Lim’s nose to across her forehead,

“Aud, I need you to listen to me. Stay calm, and now that we are working on fixing this.”

“Fix what? Neil? Why…see?” Lim struggled trying to find the words that she wanted to say, “Sorry. Why can’t see?”

Melendez had tears in his eyes, “Aud, we are are at St. Bonaventure. You’re a patient because you had what we thought was an ocular migraine. Instead of losing vision in one eye you lost it in both. The did some tests. Audrey, you didn’t have an ocular migraine. That’s not what is causing your blindness.”

Lim squeezed his hand, “Wrong? Me?” She paused. She was frustrated, “What..wrong withhh… me?”

“Easy, Aud. Take it easy.” Melendez ran his hand through her hair, “Audrey, you have a grade two meningioma. It’s slightly larger than a lemon in size.”

Tears felled from his eyes as he watched the words hit his wife. Glassman and Petringa entered the room and her Melendez tell Lim the news.

“Is it maliig…mali…damn it!! Cancer is it?” Lim struggled out her question.

Glassman answered this time, “We do not know. Surgery is set for tomorrow morning to remove it. We will biopsy it.
As we all know eighty five to ninety percent are benign. Grade twos just tend to comeback at a higher rate and they grow quickly. From your accident scans where it looked like an artifact then a year later it’s this size.
That is what told us what grade it is. It’s putting pressure on the optic nerves and other parts of your brain. The tumor is why you have had migraines, spaced out, exhaustion, speech issues, all of your vision issues and I’m sure other issues…well, now we can add in seizures.”

Lim’s unseeing eyes widen, “Bad?”

Glassman, Petringa and Melendez look at each other in confusion.

“Bad? Is what bad, Aud?” Melendez asked his wife.

“Seez…seez…Damn it!!” Lim’s frustration grew as her inability to form simple words increased the long that she spoke.

Understanding what she meant Glassman answered, “In total that we are aware of you had six seizures. Two that lasted longer than ten minutes. We have you on anti-seizure medications and you haven’t had any since this morning.
We are going to get you something to eat. We need you to keep yourself calm and we will get you through this.
I have a consultation in twenty minutes. I will be back to see you later. Try to get some rest.”

Glassman turned and left.

“Alright, Dr. Lim we are going to get you something good to eat. Nothing from the here. I’m going to that cafe that we like down the street. I’ll get you favorites. Unless you want something different?” Petringa asked.

Lim shook her head, “Not food. Head hurt. Sick.”

Melendez and the older nurse looked at each other.

Petringa spoke first, “Are you say you have a migraine, it’s making you nauseous and you’re not hungry?”

Lim closed her eyes and nodded her head.

“Okay, we can get you something for both, but you need to eat something better than hospital food.
You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow and trust me this will help.
I’ll be back with the medication and then I’ll go get the food.”

Petringa left leaving the couple to talk.

“Neil? Girls?” Lim asked.

Melendez smiled, “They are fine. Villanueva has them at the apartment. My parents will be here soon and they will stay with the girls.”

Lim was looking in his direction, but not seeing him. She had tears in her eyes, “See girls. Neil! See babies!”

Melendez’s heart broke at his wife’s plea.

“Audrey, we can’t bring the babies into the ICU. You know it’s not allowed.”

Audrey with tears falling started to push the blanket off of herself and tried to sit up. Due to her muscles being weak from the seizures, the dizziness that she consistently been having and add in her current lack of vision…she nearly fell from the bed.

Melendez was stunned at how fast she moved and caught her as she started to fall face first off the bed into his lap.

“AUDREY!” Melendez shouted, “Where the hell do you think you are going? You cannot get up. You can’t try standing. Your body cannot handle this.”

Weakly Lim tried to push him.

“Go to girls.” Audrey said with as much strength as she could.

Monitors started to sound as the distraught mother tried to get out of bed. Petringa and Glassman came rushing in.

“What the hell is she doing?” “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” The two asked as they helped get Lim back into the bed. Though she still struggled against the three others.

Andrews came running in. He was surprised to see that it was three people struggling to keep a weak but equally struggling Audrey Lim in bed.

“What are you people doing?” Andrews snapped.

Everyone stopped.

“Audrey was trying to get up and damn near fell out the bed. She wants to see Ryan and James. I told her that it’s not allowed.” Melendez answered.

“I…I’mmm go see…myyyy…girls! Now!” Marcus noted that Lim’s difficulties with speaking were getting worse.

Marcus looked at Neil, “Call Dalisay. Have her bring the girls. We can’t bring them in here, but there’s an empty room just outside of the neuro. Closely monitored her, but let her hold her girls. After she has surgery tomorrow it will be awhile before she can hold them again.”

“Thank…Marccccss.” Lim stuttered out.

Neil thanked the hospital president too.

“I texted Villanueva and she’s getting them ready. I’m going to go pick them up. Pretty boy, I still have your car keys. I’m taking your car to go get them.” Petringa said without waiting for a response. She turned and left the room. Andrews quickly followed the nurse out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Petringa and Andrews stood waiting for the elevator. Andrews looked impassive. Petringa would glance at him from time to time.

“You finally did the right thing in there.” Petringa simply stated without looking at the man.

“Don’t go being nice to me now, Deena. Someone might overhear you and think that you liked me.” Andrews quipped back.

“Don’t fool yourself. They’d probably put me on a psychiatric hold for evaluation.” Petringa deadpanned back.

The elevator doors opened and they stepped on.

“You like me.” Marcus egged on, “Don’t worry I won’t tell anyone.”

“Keep it up and you’re going to need to be seen in the ER, Dr. Andrews.” Petringa snarked as the elevator doors closed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An hour and a half later Villanueva came into Lim’s temporary room with the twins in their stroller.

Melendez was carefully helping his wife eat a bit of rice and chicken.

“Thisss…gross.” Lim stammered out after swallowing tiny mouthful. “Done.”

Melendez looked at the plate of food. Lim hadn’t eaten more than three bites of the dry looking food. He was going to comment when he saw Dalisay enter with his baby girls.

“Audrey, the girls are here.” The tired doctor set the nasty food aside. Lim perked up,

“Hold…plll…ease.” The exhausted chief of surgery pleaded.

Melendez and Villanueva got the girls I strapped and brought them to their bed bound mother.

“Hey, Dr. Lim. I have James. She’s super excited to see you.” The nurse carefully placed the tiny infant into her mother’s arms. Due to her muscle weakness there was a pillow placed under Lim’s arms to help support the baby. James nuzzled into her mother’s chests and started making small grunts.

“I believe James can smell your milk, Audrey. Unfortunately with all the medications that your own you cannot nurse the girls. We can give her a bottle while you hold her.” Melendez reminded his wife.

Audrey had tears falling down her cheeks, “Misssss, Jaaaammm. Love…my girl.” She carefully ran a hand over the little girl’s face. Lim could not see the girl with her eyes but did with her hands.

With Dalisay’s help, Audrey was able to bottle feed James. Pictures of the mother and daughter were captured by Petringa.

Soon Ryan was in James’s place and much of the same was done. Pictures were taken by Petringa and Dalisay. Neil sat in the bed with his wife as he helped her to hold their baby girls. The girls were laying in the middle of a curved nursing pillow that was propped up against Lim’s bent legs. Melendez kept a hand on the pillow to make sure that if his wife’s legs gave out he could quickly grab the two babies.

Neil looked at the two nurses who quietly left the room.

“You okay there, Mi Amor?” Neil asked his wife. He could feel her trembling ever so slightly. She was exhausted and fighting it to stay in the moment with her girls.

“Tired. Happ. Needdd…’em.” Audrey slowly got out, “Wishhh…I..see them”

Melendez hugged his wife tightly. “I know that you do. We are going to do everything that we can to help you see them again.”

Audrey ran her shaking hand over each of the girls soft curly hair. In her mind she was looking directly at James and Ryan’s beautiful faces, but in reality she was looking above them. Neil would never tell her.

The couple sat with their sleeping daughters for a while longer occasionally talking.
Lim had to fallen asleep holding her daughters. Melendez held all three.

Soon there was a quiet knock on the door and it opened to his parents quickly coming in.

“Mijo, how is our girl doing?” Juan asked seeing his daughter in law asleep in Neil’s arms.

“Shhhh, guys not so loud. We don’t want to wake up James and Ryan. They keep trying to nurse from Audrey, but with all the meds that she’s on at the moment it’s not recommended to breastfeed.” Neil informed his parents in a quiet voice. “As for Audrey, she’s exhausted and just wants to be with her girls.

“I still cannot get over the fact that you gave my granddaughters boys names. I mean seriously what were you two thinking? Did Audrey ever think about how the girls will get teased in school. I’m embarrassed for them, and I’m truly embarrassed to tell my friends their names. How could she knowingly humiliate her children? Just proves that I was right about her. Very selfish I mean look at how she broke up with you so she could take the job that you rightfully deserve. The level of disrespect that she showed you. Sometimes I wish that the motorcycle accident ended differently. Such a drama queen you married there son.” Paloma Melendez snarked.

“Mom! This is really neither the time or place. Look at where you are! Your daughter in law, the mother of your grandchildren is laying in the hospital waiting to have surgery to remove a brain tumor that at the moment has left her blind, screwed with her ability to speak clearly and has caused her to have seizures. Audrey cannot even nurse her daughters because of all of this, but let’s make sure that the first priority here is that you don’t like what we have named our daughters, and feel embarrassed by that. Oh and how humiliating it is for you to tell your friends.” Melendez vented.

“Paloma, you have seriously crossed a line here. We all thought that you had changed how you felt about her after she had her motorcycle accident. You were so amazing to her at the wedding and then finding out she was carrying our first grandchildren. What the hell has gotten into you? The level of disrespect you have shown our daughter in law is a disgrace.” Juan snapped at his wife.

“I asked for you to come here to help us out with the girls. I don’t want you anywhere near them. Especially because their very names embarrass you. I’ll make other arrangements for them. Dad, you’re more than welcome to visit the girls whenever you want and you’re welcome to stay now.
Mom, nice to see you, but you’re no longer welcome here. Please leave. Now.”

Paloma looked stunned. She could not believe that her son had just cut her out.

The tension was thick in the room, but before anyone could respond, the twins started to stir which in turn caused Audrey to awaken.

“Babiessss. I here.” Lim spoke softly to her girls.

Melendez saw his wife struggling to hold the twins, and secured his hold on his girls a little tighter.

At that moment Dalisay came in with two bottles, “I had a feeling that these two angels would be waking up soon.” She handed Neil one bottle. He took it and started to feed Ryan. Dalisay took the other bottle and helped Lim to feed James.

Neil suddenly spoke up, “Dalisay these are my parents Juan and Paloma. My father can come as much as he would like, but please have it noted that my mother is not allowed anywhere near Audrey. No information is to be released to anyone unless I give permission.
Also, this is a big ask…but would you be willing to help us out longer with the girls?” Melendez glared at his mother.

Villanueva looked at everyone in the room. Melendez looked angry. Juan looked sad but upset. Lim looked bewildered. Paloma seemed indifferent.

“Sure, Dr. Melendez. I can help out. If you’d allow Petringa and I to talk to a few other nurses we could get you as much back up as you need.” Villanueva offered the doctor..

Melendez smiled at the nurse, “Let me talk it over with Audrey and we can go from there. Just please remember no matter what my father will be allowed to see James and Ryan, but until further notice my mother is not allowed anywhere near them.”

“Understood, Dr. Melendez.” Villanueva replied.

“Dad, would you like to hold your granddaughter while I see my mother out?” Melendez asked his father.

“I would love to son. Paloma, I’m going to be awhile. You might want to find some place for yourself to sleep. If my son will allow it, I’d like to stay with my granddaughters tonight.” Juan stated looking to his for permission.

Neil handed Ryan to his father who quickly took the infant into his arms and held her bottle for her to continue to eat. “Dad, that would be wonderful.”

Neil turned to his mother and walked her to the door, “Mom, I will always love you. However, the disrespect that you have shown towards my wife and I for decisions that have nothing to do with you is beyond hurtful. We needed your help and support. Instead you chose to be upset by what we chose to name our children. Then you insulted my wife.
Mom, all we needed was love, support and encouragement. Not this. Maybe in the future we can talk about this and make peace. However, that’s not going to be anytime soon.
Take care.” He held the door open and after a few moments she walked out.

Melendez closed the door and walked back to his wife. He could see that what little energy she had was failing her.

“Audrey, it’s time for Dalisay and my dad to take the girls home.” Neil said to his wife.

With new tears falling Lim agreed. Dalisay helped her say goodbye first to James who was still drinking her bottle.

Juan Melendez said his goodbyes and then helped his daughter in law to say goodbye to Ryan as she too finished her bottle. Juan and Dalisay had the girls wrapped up and were out the door to take them home.

Melendez sat next to his wife, “Transport will be here soon to take you back to your room soon.”

Lim nods her head slightly, “Neil? Yyyyoourrr mom? Hapn’d?”

Melendez wrapped his arms around his beautiful wife and answered, “Not worth getting into right now. Let’s forget about her and focus on getting you through this an on your way to being healthy again.”

Lim leaned into her husband and quickly fell back to sleep. The transport team came in and quickly moved her back to her room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that evening Melendez was sitting next to his exhausted wife. They had the lights in the room dimmed even though could not see the light. Since Lim’s headache was at an all time high it made Melendez feel like he was doing something.

Both Glassman and Andrews were there to talk to her about the game plan for the surgery. Lim honestly didn’t seem to be fully aware. They continued anyway.

“Surgery should start at seven AM. Depending on what we find when we get in there will depend on how long the surgery will take. She will be taken for an angiogram at five AM to check the blood vessels. As you know when we do a craniotomy for this type of surgery it’s riskier, but at this point because of the size of the tumor and the location we need to have full access to the tumor. We hope to get this out all in one shot. Our goal is clean margins. Otherwise, we run the risk of needing to use radiation to destroy the remaining tumor even if it’s not malignant.
As doctors we know the risks of complications. The tumor is extremely close to if not sitting at the sphenoid bone. It’s the shelf bone in the middle of the head behind the eye. We have to be extremely careful here.
We are hoping that by removing the tumor it will cause the fluid that built up in her brain and is causing pressure to interfere with her speech and causing the seizures to drain off when we place the drainage tube. Hopefully that takes the pressure off of the optic nerves and and that there is no complications that causes the impairment to be permanent. That’s also the hope for the seizures.” Glassman informed his patient and her scared husband.

Melendez held Audrey’s hand, “What about her speech how soon until she can speak normally again?”

Glassman adjusted his glasses before answering, “She will be awake during part of this surgery. We will know right away for her speech. Her vision could come back right away, slowly or if there are any complications it may not come back at all, but try not to panic right now. Tomorrow is day one we will take this all one day at a time.
Another reminder that she will be on anti seizure medication for the foreseeable future. That could change later as to where we could wean her off of them, but again this all goes in how she fairs with the surgery.”

Andrews takes over, “Dr. Lim, we have decided to hold off on telling your team until we have more answers. I know that this would be a great teaching experience for them, but Glassman needs his sole focus to be on what he is doing.” Melendez nods his head. Andrews continues, “Tomorrow is going to be a long day. Try to get some rest. You have my thoughts and support. I will see you on the other side of this.”

Audrey had no real energy at this point as she was falling asleep but she did reply quietly, “Thankkkk…Mmmmarrr…” Andrews understood and placed a hand of support on her blanketed foot.

Andrews left as Petringa walked in.

Glassman and Petringa talked with Melendez as Lim had quickly fallen asleep.

They talked about the surgery, the recovery prospect and the girls. Glassman soon left to get rest for the surgery. Petringa helped him make up the cot that hey had brought in and placed next Lim’s bed. Then she too headed out as she would be the lead nurse on Glassman’s team.

“Get plenty of sleep, Mi Amor. You have a really big day in the morning. I love you. Sweet dreams.” Melendez kissed his wife, laid down on the cot, held her hand and drifted off into a restless night’s sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Five am came far too quick and Audrey was off for the angiogram. Melendez said his goodbyes to his wife with the promise to be there when she woke up.
Neil Melendez was going to be hanging out in his office. Though he would not be working he still had charts to catch up on and orders for the residents. The world did not stop because his wife was having brain surgery to remove a tumor.

Sometime after seven he received a text from the scrub nurse letting him know that they had started the surgery. Neil took a deep breath, closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

Try as he might Melendez could not concentrate on his work. An hour and a half after the surgery had begun there was a knock on his office door.
He looked up and smiled as he saw his father, Villanueva and they had his and Audrey’s two month old daughters. They came in quickly and set up some food while Melendez held Ryan and James in his arms.

“How have my sweet girls been? Have you two been good for your abuelo and Tia Dalisay?”

Juan Melendez answered, “They have been good. The girls just miss their parents.”

Melendez nods his head, “We miss them too. Hopefully this surgery fixes everything and we can get Audrey back home to these two.”

Dalisay smiled, “It’s not just me right? This entire situation? It’s weird. To be talking about brain tumors, surgery and Lim all in the same sentence.”

A few tears fell from his eyes, “One minute I’m standing outside of my apartment door excited to spend a quiet night with my wife and our twin daughters. I was excited, I couldn’t wait to open the door…but then I did. I walked into a nightmare that cannot wake up from.” Melendez paused and placed a soft kiss to the top of each of his daughters soft baby curls. “We should still be at home right now. Audrey would have just nursed the girls again. We would have given them a bath an got them ready for the day. We would have had today off to spend with these two.
Ryan and James are not going to remember any of this. There’s a tiny part of me that wishes that I won’t. I don’t want the memories of my wife blind, franticly walking into things with her babies equally franticly crying.
I don’t want the memories of my wife sitting in a rocking chair nursing her starving babies and looking lost and scared.
Audrey insisted on nursing them before she would let me bring her here. Through her fears of suddenly not being able to see, she put these two first. It was a simple act of nursing, but all she wanted was to take care of her girls.”

The three adults sat quietly for several long minutes before Juan insisted that Melendez eat something.

Another hour had passed and then two more. Melendez finally received a text from the OR.

“They are starting the process of removing the tumor.” He informed the other adults int the room.

“Neil, have you decided if you want to update your mother. I’m in no way excusing her or her behavior. Trust me, her and I will be having a long talk when I know that my daughter in law is through this surgery.” Juan knew his son needed a distraction.

“I have no desire to tell her anything. Mom crossed a line. She insulted my wife. Told me that the names that we chose for our daughters were an embarrassment. Then has the audacity to suggest that things should have gone differently for Audrey with the motorcycle accident!! Mom basically said that Audrey should have died!” Neil recounts as a stunned Villanueva listens.

“Dad, if Audrey would’ve died in that accident…if she would’ve died then so would have James and Ryan. Audrey was already almost fourteen weeks pregnant at the time of the accident.
Mom said what she did to me the night before my wife was to have brain surgery.” Neil felt himself getting more angry. Ryan and James started to fuss. He handed to his dad and Dalisay. He didn’t want his anger to upset the girls. “What she said and implied was sick and cruel.
When we were at the courthouse for wedding Audrey thought that it was odd that mom was being nice to her. Then we announced the pregnancy and she actually showed kindness and excitement. It was all an act. It was a sick and twisted act.”

“Son, I won’t apologize for your mother. I will apologize to you. I did know that she was for lack of better words pretending that she was happy with you two getting married and the twins. I just didn’t realize how deep her hatred for Audrey was until last night. For that I’m truly sorry.
I have let her say many things against people, and I never said anything to her. I’m done. When I see her later I will be having a long conversation with her. I’m not going to go along with her attitude anymore.
These two little girls deserve better. You, your sister and your wife deserve better.” Juan Melendez tearfully told his son.
“Dad, I’ll support you in whatever you decide. Just know that until she’s willing to apologize, I’m not allowing her anywhere near my family. She can try to blame my wife, but Audrey still doesn’t know what happened last night. With everything else that she’s got going on mom’s toxic opinions were not something that I wanted to add on to her.” Melendez told his dad.

Villanueva sat and listened to what the father and son had been discussing. She would ask Melendez about it later. He would definitely need somebody to talk with about this. Dalisay was angry at his mom and she didn’t know the full story.

“That woman better not try to come anywhere near James and Ryan while she was watching them. Oh and lookout if Petringa gets her say in. Paloma will be in tears.” Villanueva thought to herself. She would let the older nurse know later on what has happened.

Juan Melendez finally managed to get his son to eat. Neil didn’t eat much, but it was enough to give him some energy.

Dalisay took the twins back home with Melendez’s father promising to come back after Lim was out of surgery and they had some answers.

Juan and his son settled back into their own thoughts as they waited for any news.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At three fifteen Marcus Andrews stood in the break room with Lim and Melendez’s team. He was going to tell them limited information and give them their assignments.

“Alright, due to a family emergency both Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez will be out indefinitely. Please note, if by chance that you see Dr. Melendez here at the hospital, do not stop him to talk to him. Do not go to him if you see him in his office. If he speaks with you, do not share what he said unless he tells you that you can.
When we have more information, we will update you.” Andrews informed the residents. “Now, let’s go over your assignments and who is going to working with which attending.”

Marcus gave out his orders. He did check his watch. He knew that the surgery should be wrapping up soon, and he wanted to be there when Glassman gave the update. He kept his phone close by waiting for the text to come in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little after six that evening Glassman stood before Neil Melendez, his father, Marcus Andrews and Petringa was by his side.

“We have removed the tumor. The margins were clean. So, she will not need radiation treatments.” Glassman’s began.

Melendez let out a deep breath. He knew that she would not need many rounds of radiation but he didn’t want her to have to go through it.

“Audrey gave us a run for our money in there. When we had her awake to access her speech she gave a us our first scare. She at first didn’t say anything, then she spoke only mandarin. We were finally able to get her to speak English again. She will need a little bit of speech therapy as her words start to comeback.” Glassman allowed the news to sink in.

He continued, “She did have multiple seizures. Lim will probably have more, but we stabilized her after each one. The main scare that she gave us was with the bleeding. That started right as we removed the tumor. We got it under control. We will be closely monitoring her. The brain was being pushed by the tumor contributing to her migraines. Now there’s more room and her brain is shifting back into place. There’s swelling going on. We did insert a shunt to help drain the fluid. We are keeping her under for at least the next twenty four hours. This also depends on any complications. We want to give her brain a chance to regroup and start to recover.”

Neil kept nodding his head this is mostly good news. “What about her vision?”

Glassman took a moment and then continued, “There is still swelling on the optic nerves and fluid too. Her brain has been through a trauma in a sense. We will have to run tests. As of now she’s fully blind. It’s going to take time for the swelling to come down. We will know more when it does, but Neil it’s not going to be a quick fix. It’s going to take time. It could be weeks, months or likely longer. I’m not making promises. Her vision may fully be restored, or restored to where she needs stronger glasses full-time…or she could be blind for life. We don’t know anything at this point. She will need rehab. They will use her skills as a doctor to help her. We all know how bad ass she is, and if anyone can comeback from this it’s her.
Like I said last night…today is day one. We got her through the surgery. We wait on the pathology report, watch for any complications, get her into therapy and get her back to her girls.”

Marcus and Neil looked stunned. At least for now their motorcycle riding, bourbon drinking bad ass chief of surgery, was blind. The news was shocking, heartbreaking and made them each for different reasons angry.

Andrews looked at the other man, “Do you want me to say anything to the residents?”

Melendez looked a bit shell shocked, “No, not until she’s awake and can make the decision for herself. You know how she is if we make decisions for her without her consent…she’d kick our asses.”

Andrews agreed and then excused himself.

Glassman told Neil that after her had a chance to see his wife, that he was to go home. “You need to decompress, eat a real meal, spend time with your daughters and sleep in a real bed. Audrey will not be waking tonight. She would want you to take care of yourself too. I will be here and so will Petringa. She will not be alone. I promise you.”

Melendez reluctantly agreed. Glassman and Petringa took him back to the recovery room.

When Neil saw his wife his knees nearly gave out. Audrey was hooked up to a ventilator. He knew that she was likely only going to be on it while she was sedated. She had multiple IVs including a unit of blood to replace what she had lost in surgery. There was the ICP monitor sticking out of her head.
What stood out the most was how pale she was. The dark circles that she had under her eyes stood out and were even darker. The dark circles looked more like bruises.

Neil stood by his wife’s bed. He took her hand in his and whispered his love into her ear. Soon Petringa was leading him out to his car. She had promised to call him if there was any change in her condition. Reluctantly Neil left to go home for the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Morgan Reznick rushed into the hospital cafeteria and sat next to the other residents.

“I just saw Dr. Melendez being escorted out of the hospital to his car by Petringa. He looked absolutely devastated and like he hadn’t slept in days.” Reznick informed the group.

“You heard what Andrews said he and Lim were dealing with a family emergency. Maybe there was a death in their family. We just have to wait until we get told anything.” Park replied.

“I just hope that their daughters are okay.” Reznick replied.

“Would not Dr. Lim have been with him if there was an issue with Ryan or James Melendez?” Dr. Murphy asked before he took a bite of his sandwich.

“Maybe he and Dr. Lim broke up?” Claire Browne asked.

Reznick rolled her eyes, “Ugh, we are not back on you crushing on Dr. Melendez again are we? It didn’t end well the first time around.

“I have a boyfriend. Remember? Jonah Michele. We’ve been dating for three months now.” Claire informed the group.

“How did you two meet, Claire?” Lea asked.

“He was a patient of mine and Morgan’s months ago. He’s a model and we ran into each other at a party that we were both attending. We started talking and just hit it off.” Browne informed Shaun’s friend.

“Really? He’s a model? Anything that we might know?” Lea asked.

Claire lit up at the question, “He’s been on several billboards for different clothes ads, but he’s the main model for that new photography company in downtown. He’s also partnered with Doctors Without Borders. He goes on missions with them. He uses photography to make a connection with the kids. He has his masters in child psychology and nearly has his doctorate. He goes for his doctorate presentation next week. He’s excited that he’s nearly completed his dissertation.
Jonah loves what he does and loves working with kids.”

Lea smiled. “That’s really sweet. We’d love to meet him sometime.”

Claire nods her head with a smile.

“Look there’s doctor Glassman and Andrews. They are headed this way.” Reznick replied.

“Alright, listen up. Effective immediately anyone who is normally on Dr. Lim-Melendez’s team will now be assigned to Dr. Glassman.” Dr. Andrews informed the group.

Since Park and Reznick had worked on her team the most lately they were the most impacted. However it was Shaun Murphy who asked the questions that they had all been wondering,

“Is Dr. Lim-Melendez not coming back? Dr. Reznick saw Dr. Melendez being escorted to his car by Nurse Petringa. She said that he looked devastated. Are the Melendez family okay?”

Glassman and Andrews looked at each other before Glassman answered,

“Dr. Lim-Melendez is on an indefinite sabbatical. Dr. Melendez too is out indefinitely, but should be back sooner.
When we have more information on the matter we will update you.”

Reznick spoke up, “Dr. Glassman, please can you tell us if their daughters are okay?”

“Ryan and James are perfectly fine. They are getting to know their grandfather. He’s visiting from San Antonio.” Glassman answered the blonde resident.

“Now, finish your lunch. We have a long night ahead of us.” The two older doctors left.

“At least we know that the twins are okay.” Lea tried to cheer the group up.

The rest of the group at tabled nod their head in agreement and continued to eat their lunch lost in their own thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neil Melendez had just finished updating Dalisay and his father on Audrey’s condition.

“Like Glassman said this is day one. She made it through the surgery and the tumor is out. That was the hard part. Next, we get her to wake up. Then we take it from there. Lim is a freaking bad ass. There’s nothing going to keep her down for long.” Villanueva said with full confidence.

The other two were lost in thought when the doorbell sounded. Dalisay went to go see who was there. They were a dinner Oder to be delivered in another twenty minutes.

Villanueva opened the door, “Mrs. Melendez!” The nurse said loud enough for Juan and Neil to hear.

Melendez put his head in his hands. “Not what was needed tonight.” He looked at his father but called out to Villanueva, “Let her in, Dalisay.”

“Lady, know this…if it was up to me you would not be allowed in the state let alone in this apartment. Tread carefully!” The nurse told the the older woman as she let her past.

Once the door was closed Melendez started, “After everything that you said yesterday I don’t want you here. I do not even want to talk to you, but Audrey would be the one to at least hear you out. Make it good.”

Paloma smiled to her son, “Neil, I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I was tired from the flight and just frustrated with everything that happened at the airport. Did your father tell you how poorly they treated me? They made me go through extra security. Me, of all people.”

“They know a problem when they see one.” Dalisay said not so quietly. Paloma rolled her eyes.

“You understand, I was hurt for how Audrey had treated you. She then got the promotion that you rightfully deserved. I was just disappointed for you. That woman has brought you nothing but pain. Look at what she’s putting you through now. Putting me through.” Paloma snarked.

“Paloma, enough! Do not lie to the boy. You meant everything that you said. You hate Audrey. You have since the moment that you met her. I thought maybe that you had changed after the motorcycle accident, their wedding and after finding out about the babies. You played us all. When we get home, I am moving out. I have already contacted my lawyer. The paperwork has been filed. I will not stay married to a woman who can treat anyone the way that you have treated our daughter in law and son. Please know that I have also filed to be primary guardian over Gabby. All of who you once were, the woman who I fell in love with is gone. Maybe one day you and Neil can work things out, but for you and I we are done.” Juan told his wife in no certain terms.

Paloma did not get to say anything else, “Mom, you brought this all upon yourself. Maybe one day we can try to be a family again, but if you cannot accept Audrey as my wife then I want no part of you. James and Ryan will never know you. That’s a shame, but it is something that I can live with. By the way my wife’s name is Audrey. Oh and I turned down the promotion. She didn’t take it from me. Now get out of my home!” Melendez went and held open the front door. Once Paloma left. Neil shut and locked the door.

Melendez turned & looked at his father. “Dad, I know that was rough on you and I want to sit down later to talk with you, but can you bear with me while I go look in on Ryan and James?”

“Absolutely,Mi hijo.” Juan answered his son with full understanding.

“Dalisay, I’m sorry that you had to witness all of this.

“Do not apologize, Neil. She’s just lucky that Audrey is not aware of what is going. It’s one thing if somebody goes after her, but if you start going at her family. Hell, Petringa already has a bail fund all set for her. We all put into it…so does Audrey.”

Neil smiled at that thought. “I’m going to go check on the girls. I just really need to see them. Then I’m going to grab a shower. I’ll be heading back to the hospital around nine.”

Melendez did not wait for a response. He quickly rushed to see his young daughters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little after ten the next morning Neil Melendez was sitting next to his wife’s bedside. He held her hand and told her about the girls. He had been telling her about the two blowout diapers the girls had during the night when he felt movement from her hand.

Melendez watched between her hand and her face. He was told when he got in earlier that Lim had two seizures during the night. Glassman had Audrey scheduled for more testing in the afternoon.
Melendez was concerned that she was leading up to another one. As he watched Melendez knew that his wife was starting to wake up.

Twenty minutes later Audrey Lim was awake. Her eyes were open though not fully. More like she was trying to stay awake but her eyes kept closing.

Glassman and Petringa came in as Neil started to really talk to his wife.

“Audrey, I know that you are tired…but can you answer some questions for me? Squeeze my hand once for yes twice for no. Audrey did you hear me?” She weakly squeezed his hand once.

“That’s good. Do you know where you are?” Melendez asked. He received one squeeze.

“That’s good. Do you remember why you are here?” Melendez asked, but he received no response.

Glassman took her other hand, “Dr. Lim? I need you to answer the question. Do you remember why you are here?”

Lim’s heart rate picked up. She was getting agitated. Petringa stepped up,

“Lim, answer the question. We will take the tubes out as soon as Glassman thinks that you’re ready. I know you wake up and you can’t see still, you’re probably a bit scared. Just know that your girls are safe and waiting for you to get better so they can come visit you. Now, answer the damn question!”

Lim weakly squeezes each of the guys hands once.

“Good, now I know you’re in pain and tired. I’m sorry about that. We want to see how you do without the ventilator assistance. We are going to do a few trials to see if you are ready to be off of it. It will get uncomfortable. Do not pull at the tube. We are going to be right here.” Glassman old the downed chief. “Alright let’s get started.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Six hours later and Lim was fully off the vent. Dr. Glassman, Petringa and Melendez stood beside her bed.

“Audrey, I know that your throat hurts but these two asshats and I need for you to try talking for us.” Petringa spoke calmly.

They looked expectantly to the woman in the bed. She shifted slightly in the bed.

“Audrey, can you please talk to us? Please? I want to tell Ryan and James that their momma is asking about them.” Neil pleaded with his wife.

Five minutes passed before they heard a soft, “Apple, you’re being too loud.”

Petringa and Glassman looked happy but confused.

Melendez laughed, “I told you I resent being called an apple.”

“Asshat.” Was quietly heard.

“Alright what the hell? Apple?” Petringa asked.

“Don’t worry she’s not confused. It’s an inside joke.” Melendez said with a smile.

Glassman pushed up his glasses, “Audrey, I know that you’re exhausted but can you stay with us long enough to answer a few questions?”

“No.” Lim quickly replied.

Petringa laughed, “She told you. Alright Lim, answer the damn questions and we will leave you alone for a few hours.”

“Dr. Audrey Melendez. Chief, Apple, Ryan and James.” They always ask the same questions, so Lim answered them in one sentence.

“Well, she knows who she is and her family. I’m still not clear why she calls you an apple but we’ll let that go.” Glassman smirked, “Audrey, what is your pain level at?”

Lim held up her right hand. Slight warning bells went off for the balding doctor. “Audrey, hold up your left hand for me and tell me your pain level.”

Audrey slowly lifted up her left hand and quietly answered, “Slevphtn.”

“What the hell?” Neil asked.

“Call a code! Now!” Glassman called.

Petringa pressed the call button and quickly a team swarmed into Lim’s room.

“What the hell, Aaron? Is this a stroke?” Melendez shouts the the older doctor.

“Neil, I’m going to say this once and you will do it. Get the hell out, NOW!” Glassman ordered.

Melendez hesitated for just a moment. Melendez slowly left the room. When he got into the hallway Neil’s legs started to give out. He put his hand on the wall and slowly slid down until he was sitting on the floor. Melendez pulled his knees to his chest, he leaned his head against his knees and he cried.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An half an hour later the door to his wife’s room opened. Petringa and patient transporter guided the bed containing his wife out the door and down the hallway. Melendez stood up and was about to follow when Glassman stopped him,

“We are taking her for an MRI to see what’s all going on.”

“Aaron, what the hell happened in there?” Melendez asked wanting to know but afraid of the answer.

“I’m not sure. Her speech slurred, her hand twisted and I’ll be honest…I thought that she was starting with a stroke, but instead she had a severe seizure. We have stopped it for now. We are going to run the MRI to make sure that we didn’t miss anything.
All of this could have been just how her system is handling things as her brain adjusts to not having the weight of the tumor pressing on it and the nerves.” The older doctor explained as he rushed after his patient.

Melendez didn’t say anything. How could he? His wife was struggling and all he could do at the moment was stare into the empty space where Glassman was.

All Melendez could do was wait. He paced, worried and his mind raced. Neil thought of everything that had happened in the last forty eight hours. He wished that he could go back to hour forty nine when everything was perfect. He was happy, his baby daughters were perfect and his wife was healthy. Though he now knew that last part was a lie. Lim had the tumor in her head that was wreaking havoc. All of the migraines, the dizziness, the exhaustion…she had a brain tumor. Neither realized what it was. They were both top in their field doctors and they missed it.
How could they have been so oblivious to everything. The signs were there. Yes, they had two newborns that had the majority of their focus…still they should have realized. Right? They didn’t, and now here he stood wondering how the hell that they got here.

“Dr. Melendez?” He heard a quiet voice was heard and he quickly turned around. He came face to face with Morgan Reznick.

Quickly wiping his face, he put a half ass smile on his face, “Dr. Reznick, what can I do for you?”

“I just dropped off my patient to their room, but I saw you looking for someone. Did you need any help finding who you are looking for?” The blonde doctor asked sincerely.

Quickly Melendez grabbed the resident’s hand and pulled her into his wife’s room.

“Woah!! Loosen the grip there, Doc. I’m not your wife, how you role play in the bedroom with your wife is not my business.” Reznick snapped.

Once the door was shut Melendez turned and looked at the resident. After a few moments he spoke, “Dr. Reznick, I am going to tell you something. What I tell you does not get back to the other residents. Do you understand me?”

The young woman nods her head, “I promise, Dr. Melendez.”

The surgeon stared at her for a few moments, “Two days ago Audrey was admitted to the hospital. For what we at first believed to severe ocular migraines with full vision impairment. After she started having seizures Dr. Glassman ran an MRI. It was then that we discovered that she had a grade two meningioma brain tumor. This morning she had surgery to remove it. We were able to get her off of the ventilator and she was talking, but it only lasted a few minutes before she ended up having another seizure. Glassman just rushed her off for an emergency MRI.”

The blonde doctor stood with her mouth slightly agape and eyes wide. She came to her senses a few moments later, “Two big questions. One, has Glassman said anything about if the tumor was malignant? Two, full vision impairment…was it restored?”

Neil Melendez sat down in a nearby chair and then answered, “The pathology report is not back yet. No, Glassman did not give any indications as to whether or not he thought that the tumor was malignant or not.
We do not have a definitive answer if it is permanent, but at least for now my wife is completely blind. There was a lot of swelling and fluid…as well as the tumor itself that impacted her optic nerves. They are too swollen right now to know if they are damaged or not.”

Reznick looked at Melendez completely stunned, “Dr. Lim is blind? Holy shit. What happens now? I mean she can’t be a surgeon, work in the ER…damn she can’t ride her Ducati.”

“MORGAN!” Melendez snapped. After a few moments of quiet, “We don’t know anything at this moment. The blindness could clear in a few weeks or months.”

“Or it may never. Dr. Melendez, how do we help her? This is going to destroy her if she can’t be a surgeon anymore.” The young resident asked her attending.

“We just be there for her. Look I don’t know why I dumped this on you. It’s a lot and I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know.” Melendez ran a hand through his hair.

Reznick sat in the other chair in the room. “Dr. Melendez, you needed to let it out. You needed to vent to someone who in a weird way trust. Trust in that you know that I can keep a secret, and that I won’t judge anyone. I probably will say something inappropriate because that is what I do, but please know that I’m here for you both. If you need anything, please ask.”

Neil nodded his head, “Thank you for that, Morgan. I appreciate you for listening and being a friend.”

“Dr. Melendez, I’m truly sorry that you guys are going through this. What I’m about to say sounds cliche but it will get better. In time these moments will be a distant memory. They will be the ones to show you how far that you have come. Just take a deep breath. It’s going to be hard but it will be okay.” She reached over with one hand squeezed his.

Melendez with tears in his eyes he squeezed her hand back.

In those few moments Melendez while scared felt himself relax just a little. For that he was grateful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A little while later Audrey Lim was back in her room with her husband sitting by her side.
Glassman and Petringa had just come back in.

“Neil, so far everything looks okay. It was the seizures. We adjusted her anti seizure meds and hopefully she’ll bounce back from this fairly quickly. Though we will be monitoring her for swelling, bleeding, clots…all of the normal stuff after surgery. Another thing is we have to watch out for infections. Remember some of these symptoms can happen at later points in her recovery. She going to be closely monitored for a while.” Glassman explained.

“I thought for sure that you were going to say that she had a stroke.” Melendez shuddered at the thought.

“I thought that she was starting with one. It honestly looked like it. That’s not to say that she won’t have one later. Again we will be monitoring her closely for everything.”

Melendez nodded his head. He looked to his sleeping wife. “Neil, if she stays stable for the rest of today and tonight…we are going to start her on physical therapy. Just stuff that she can do from her bed until we remove the ICP monitor from her head.
We are going to go into this as if we know that her vision is definitely coming back. As you know surgeons do a lot of things by feel. She may not be able to see but she can feel. We are going to keep her up on her skills so that should her vision return then she can get back to the OR. We are not giving up on her.
When she’s ready to comeback to work, she will still have a job here. We can use her in a teaching capacity as well as consulting.” Glassman gently informed Melendez the plans for his wife’s physical therapy.

Neil Melendez sat looking at his wife, “Hey pretty boy, go get yourself something to eat. I’m going to watch her for a bit. Glassman is going to take you and feed you.” The voice of Petringa was heard.

“What am I the family dog? Is he going to take me for a walk after I make a happy bowl?” Melendez asked sarcastically.

“Keep it up and I’ll flea dip you and send you to bed with out giving you your pup cup.” Glassman deadpanned.

“Hear that Audrey, I’m now the hospital family dog. Right now it’s Dr. Glassman’s turn to feed me and take me for a walk.” Neil said with a smile, “I will be back in a little bit. Petringa will be here if you need anything. Aaron and I are going to go for a walk and I’m going to check in on Ryan and James too. I know that they miss you and cannot wait to have you home.” Melendez leans in and kisses his sleeping wife’s brow.

A few moments later Glassman and Melendez are walking together towards the cafe,

“I ran into Dr. Reznick. Well, she had just dropped off her patient and saw me outside of Audrey’s room. I swore her to secrecy, but I did let her know what was going on. Believe it or not, Morgan was very supportive.”

“Good. You needed someone to talk to who wasn’t in the middle of all of this. Reznick’s a good choice. She will be honest and blunt. That resident never sugarcoats it. You needed that.”

Soon the two doctors were sitting down together with food. Glassman noticed that the younger doctor was just pushing the food around his plate,

“Melendez, eat or I swear when your wife is awake I’m helping her kick you ass.” Glassman said with a sly smirk.

Melendez looked at his former mentor and gave a small smile. He nods his head and takes a bite of his food. The two men sit together finished their meal.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Morgan Reznick was flustered. She was supposed to be updating patient charts but her mind was on something else…someone else several floors away.

Reznick wanted nothing more than to go check on Lim, but she knew that in order to protect the privacy of the Melendez family she couldn’t.

“Penny for your thoughts.” The sudden voice of Alex Park beside her cause Morgan to jump.

“My thoughts are not for sale, Alex.” The blonde replied quietly.

“What’s going on with you? You have been really quiet since you got back from dropping your patient off in the surgical neurology department. Is your patient okay?” Park asked.

“They are fine. I just saw a family that was just waiting for news on their loved one. I think the patient has two young children. It was just…so hard to see how upset the husband is. They are waiting for a pathology report and the wife had a seizure. It was just…part of the job that no matter how tough you are it can still get to you.” Morgan explained quietly.

“Who knew? The ice princess has a soft spot for people after all.” Park quipped.

Morgan gave a small laugh and a light punch to his shoulder. “I needed a laugh thank you.”

“Anytime, Morgan.” Park smiled at the blonde resident and then left to go to his next patient.

“Listen here, girlie! Of all the men that you could get with he would be a great choice. Just don’t try to make him into someone that he’s not. Treat him as an equal and you will do fine.” Petringa said coming up behind the resident.

Reznick looked at the nurse with a blush to her cheeks, “I’m not interested in Park like that. He’s just been a good friend to me. I’ve needed it that especially today.”

The older nurse nods her head in understanding, “I had a feeling that you would be the first looped in this. Walk with me to my car, Girlie. We are going to have chat.”

Morgan smiles slightly, “I just have to let the on duty charge nurse know that I will be stepping outside for a few minutes, and then I will be right with you, Petringa.”

“No need. I’ve already spoken to them. Let’s go.” The older woman placed a bag in the doctor’s hands. Reznick looked stunned for a moment and then looked into the challenging face of the head nurse and smiled,

“Let’s go.”

Together the two women carried a few bags out to Petringa’s car and had long talk about their chief of surgery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning Neil Melendez walked into his wife’s room. He was thrilled when he heard his beautiful wife’s voice. She was talking to Aaron Glassman.

“Good morning!” Melendez called out.

“Bout time showed. We have been working.” Lim informed him.

“Oh what have you been working on?” Neil asked with a smile in his voice.

“Hand work. Words, spelling order.” Lim said with small smile.

“That’s great. Sounds like you’ve been busy so far this morning and it’s still pretty early.” Melendez commented looking to Glassman.

“The therapists wanted to get her started early to see what she could do, what she needs to work on and make a game plan. Now, her speech therapist assured us that we will notice vast improvement in her ability to speak in full sentences as the day goes on. That last seizure really stressed out her nervous system, but we have already seen marked improvements from when she woke up through now.” Glassman assured the couple.

Melendez was about to say something else when Petringa came in and handed Glassman’s an iPad.

“Audrey, Neil we have the pathology report on the tumor…” Glassman paused as he read the report.

Melendez reached out and took his wife’s trembling hand into his.

Glassman continued, “The tumor was definitely a grade two but it was benign.”

“Ohhh thank goodness!! Audrey, that’s fantastic news.” Neil leaned down and kissed his startled wife.

“Congratulations, Audrey. That’s the best outcome that we could have hoped for this. Now, we continue with your therapies, get you stronger and get you back home. But, remember since this was a grade two we will have to monitor you closely for regrowth or new tumors showing up.” Glassman reminded his patient.

Lim nods her head as Melendez asked, “What about the seizures and the blindness?”

Glassman pointed for Neil to sit which he did as did the older doctor, “Audrey, for more than a year this tumor grew. It caused trauma to your brain, the nerves and caused your system to go completely out of whack.
We will have to monitor everything. It’s not quick fixes here, but having the tumor out is going to help.
You’re in the early stages of healing. Setbacks are going to happen. Our goal is to try to limit them and prevent lasting damage.
The seizures should if all goes right go away in time or they could be permanent. We just have to see how you respond as your system heals.” Glassman looked at both of the couple, “As for the blindness? We don’t know. Between the swelling, pressure and trauma from the tumor…look, it’s going to take time. We have to give the steroids a chance to work. This is a marathon not a sprint. I’m hopeful, but we are always realistic too.”

“Gotta love the maybes, hopefully and we don’t know.” Melendez commented. “Sorry, it’s just been a long few days.”

“How so? To home?” Lim asked.

“We are working on finding you an in patient rehab facility, but there’s wait lists like you would not believe. The other options would be to have in home nurses come and work with you at home, but we are waiting to see what the insurance company approves, but you’re definitely going to be with us at minimum another week.” Glassman updates the couple.

“I get to girls. Can feed them..damn it.” Lim thumped her bed.

“Easy, Audrey. Unless you have another seizure, I’m betting by this time tomorrow you will be back to near normal speaking. Just try not to get too frustrated. Stressing will make it worse.” The older surgeon reminded his patient.

Lim sighs, “When can I…when can I nnnurrsss?” The tired trauma surgeon asked

“Once we have your medications leveled out in your system in theory I believe that you could, but it’s been days since you have even tried. We will get a lactation specialist in and you can discuss it with them, but for right now we need for the pressure in your head to come down completely, we need to get your strength back up, get you to eat more than what the IVs and feeding tube that you have is providing you.
The girls are fine at the moment. Let’s get their momma there too.” Glassman encouraged the desperate mother.

“Aud, once you get the ICP monitor out then you will be moved to the step down unit. We can bring the girls in. Then you can spend some time with them.” Melendez promised his wife.

“When take out?” Lim asked

Galassman smiled as the door to their chief of surgery’s room. Andrews ducked into the room.

Andrews smiled, “Sorry to interrupt, but I had a few minutes in my schedule. I wanted to see how you were doing, Lim.”

“Want go home.” Audrey told the hospital president.

“I was just telling Lim here that if she stays stable over the next twenty four hours, then we should be able to take the ICP monitor out. Then we can start working on getting her up and then walking.” Glassman told the group.

“Hear that, Aud? Twenty four hours and you could be up and walking.” Neil said with a smile.

Lim smiled, “No walk me in walls, apple.”

Melendez laughed, “No, I will not walk you into walls. Andrews here might, though.”

Glassman smirked. Andrews smiled, “Let’s let her head recover before I walk her into walls.”

Lim shifted slightly in her bed. She licked her lips and swallowed fast. After a moment she asked,

“Can have some…some…thing. Drink for upset…stomach?”

Neil’s eyes went wide and he looked to Glassman and Andrews in a panic. The older doctor held up a finger, “Audrey, do you feel like you’re going to be sick? Are you nauseous?”

“A little. From head…ache. Plus…” Lim points to the tube taped to her face that runs up her nose, “too much.”

“Shit, I’m sorry about that, Audrey.” Glassman went to the stand that held the formula bagged IV that was feeding into Lim. Glassman adjusted the flow rate to a lower level. He was grateful that she didn’t need to have a longer term placed feeding tube placed directly into her stomach, but it was sometimes tricky finding the appropriate flow for the tube up the nose and down the throat. Too fast and the patient could feel bloated, nauseous, cramp or just vomit right back up. Too slow and the patient could feel hunger pains, cramping, nauseous…it was trial and error with some patients. Most though they could get the sweet spot right off the bat.

“Why didn’t you say something sooner? This should help you with the nausea.” The older doctor questioned.

“Not sure if…head or this.” Audrey pointed towards her face.

“We understand, but please say something sooner if something feels off. Our goal is to keep you comfortable and get you better.” Andrews pleads with his colleague.

“Will try. Can drink now?” Lim asked.

“I’ll go grab her a sprite. That should help.” Andrews exclaimed as he rushed out the door.

“He’s odd now.” Lim states.

Glassman takes Lim’s hand that is close to his, “I think that you scare him on a good day, but with all of this…it has him shook. Hell, this has shaken all of us, Audrey.”

Lim squeezed the older man’s hand, “Didn’t mean…to! I didn’t…know it was there.”

“Not your fault. I wish that I would have recognized the signs before it got to this point.” Glassman started to apologiz but Lim cut him off,

“Not your…fault! Nobody to blame. Happened.” Lim paused for a moment, “Will be back…to work! Ride bike too.”

Both Glassman and Melendez chuckled.

The older doctor replied, “I bet you will. We will work hard to get you back, Chief.”

The three friends continue talking. Before long a nurse brought in a bottle of Sprite in. She told them that it was from Andrews. He wanted to bring it but was called in for emergency board meeting. The nurse quickly left and the three friends went back to talking and enjoying each other’s company.
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Chapter Text

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Five days later and the physical therapists had Lim up and walking. She needed help and could not go far on her own yet and they made her wear a helmet too. Her skull was healing from being cut open. They did not want to risk it if she fell and hit her head. The helmet was light weight and had plenty of padding. Lim was certain that she looked as stupid as she felt, but that didn’t matter to the surgeon. Wearing it meant she was participating in therapy and walking. Every step that she did take put her one step closer to being with her daughters. For Lim that’s all that mattered.

After being assisted into scrub bottoms and a comfortable t-shirt, Lim was sitting in a chair in her room. The on duty nurse had her sitting waiting for the physical therapist team to come in and take Lim on her daily walk around the unit. The nurse got paged out for a code with one of her other patients. Lim told her to go. She would wait in the chair for the PT team to arrive. The nurse thanked her and rushed out.

Lim had been waiting to her what seemed like forever. She realized that she needed to use the restroom. Remembering that the nurse didn’t hand her the call button, Lim carefully stood up.

“This can’t be too hard. I’ve walked the inside of this room multiple times. I can find the bathroom faster than I could find the call button.” Lim thought to herself as she took a moment to get her bearings. After a few moments she started to walk forward. Thankfully she had been detached from her IVs, so she did not have to worry about getting tangled in the IV tubing. Using her left hand to guide herself along the side of her bed, Lim hesitated for just a moment before continuing on counting the steps in her head, she carefully walked forward. Her left hand made contact with a door frame and she soon felt the door handle.

“Well done, Dr. Lim-Melendez. But, you’re not supposed to be walking by yourself yet.” The voice of the physical therapist startled the blind woman.

“Krissa, my nurse had a patient coding and you guys were late. I waited as long as I could but needing to use the restroom won out. I couldn’t find the call button, so I decided to take myself. Now, before we end up with me wetting myself, can you please help me or let me do this myself. I really need to go and I don’t have time to argue with you.” Lim snapped. She was thankful that her stunted speech had cleared completely after two days.

Krissa rushed to her side and helped her to the restroom. A few minutes later, Lim and Krissa were on their first lap of the unit.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez you’re doing really well using the cane here. Later this afternoon we are going to go to the therapy room where we have set up some obstacles for you to navigate, and we are then taking you to the occupational therapy room to work on cooking, cleaning and laundry.” Krissa informed her patient.

“Cooking? Well, Krissa on a good day I can’t really cook…so, you may want to have the fire department on standby for that class.” Lim joked.

Krissa laughed, “Well, we just did one full lap here. How are you feeling? Any dizziness or nausea?”

Lim shrugged her shoulders, “They’ve both been my constant since I woke up from surgery. They are manageable at the moment. Thankfully the feeding tube is out because that stuff was making me sick.”

Krissa gave the doctor a glance. She could see that her patient was a bit pale, but she could also see the look of determination on Lim too.

“Alright, if you’re okay with it I say we go another lap.” Krissa said with a smile.

“Race you.” Lim replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Sorry no racing allowed on this floor. Maybe when we get to the therapy room.” Krissa answered.

“Party pooper.” Lim quipped with a smirk, “Come on, buzz kill let’s go for another round.”

Though she knew the surgeon could not see her, Krissa smiled. Together the duo started their next lap around the floor.
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Thirty minutes later Krissa was bringing a very tired Audrey Lim back to her room, but she stopped at the nurses station to take an emergent call from her department head.

Audrey Lim stood next to the therapist listening to everything going on around her. The sounds were all things that she was familiar with from working in a hospital but never really paid attention to. Suddenly there was a different sound. Someone was not wearing the squeaky nurses shoes or had the walk of nervous family members. This was a walk of someone who had confidence, determination but based of the smell of perfume someone liked to have fun.

“Krissa was right. Sight gone the other senses kick in. Still whoever was wearing that rosé smelling perfume earlier really needs to shower they smelled like a funeral home.” Lim thought to herself, though she did like the perfume of the perfume of whoever just walked up.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez? I thought Shaun said that you wouldn’t be back for a while because you were on a sabbatical? Are you back for good?What’s with the helmet? You and Andrews finally going to fight it out?” The voice Lim recognized as Leah Shaun’s neighbor friend who now works in the hospital IT department.

“Oh ummm, Leah. No, I am not back for good. I ummm…I’m…” Lim was cut off by Krissa,

“Alright, I just spoke with my boss there was a water leak in the therapy rooms. We will continue your training here up on the floor later this afternoon. In the meantime you have been up long enough. Let’s get you back to your room. We need to get that helmet off and check the incision to make sure there’s no signs of infection.”

Lea’s eyes went wide, “Dr. Lim-Melendez? Are you okay? What incision? And what training? Does this have anything to do with that helmet?”

Audrey looked nervous but replied, “Krissa, can you give me just a moment?” The PT stepped back.

Carefully Lim turned to where she thought Lea would be standing, “Leah, I’ll tell you more about this once I’m back in my room, but the short version is I had surgery to remove a tumor from my brain. I’m here working on learning to get around while not having my vision. As soon as Krissa gets me into my room…cause she won’t let me go it alone yet we can talk more. She thinks I am going to walk into a wall or wander off somewhere.”

“You do realize that I could walk you into anything I want just because I can see it coming and you can’t.” Krissa teased the surgeon.

“True, but I have my walking cane and could trip your ass before you can blink.” Lim quipped.

Leah watched the exchange in amusement.

“How about this? If your friend here is willing to walk you back to your room and help you get back into bed, I’ll leave you alone until therapy later this afternoon? I’ll even set up a race course to see who can get through faster. Don’t worry I’ll be blind folded to even the odds.” Krissa offered knowing that the race would be set up with the safety of her patient in mind.

Leah nods her head, “Dr. Lim-Melendez, I’d be happy to help you out if you’d like. I promise not to walk you into any walls.”

Lim only slightly hesitated as she didn’t know much about the young woman. She only knew that Shaun Murphy had a thing for her. “Uhhh, sure. If you don’t mind. Thank you.”

Krissa gave Leah quick instructions on how to safely guide the chief of surgery back to her room. Before she left the physical therapist informed them that the nurse would be by shortly to reattach Lim to her IVs.

A few minutes later Leah had Lim back in her bed. The IT specialist sat in the chair beside the older woman.

Lim felt exhausted from the time that she had spent up and walking. Her headache was on point, but she knew that she was getting better. She would suffer through anything to get home to her babies. That’s why she was trying not to focus on that what ifs. All Lim wanted was to get home, hold her daughters and husband.

“You seem a million miles away.” Leah’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Lim smiled slightly and turned her gaze in the direction that Leah’s voice had come from.

“No just fifteen minutes away.” Lim admitted.

“I bet. Ryan and James are the sweetest little girls. You miss them and that is understandable. Have they indicated how long that you will be in here?” The younger woman asked.

Lim shook her head, “No, not really. They are working on getting me into a rehabilitation center, but there’s a waiting list. So, they are also working for in home rehabilitation, but so far no word given from the insurance company on approval yet. In the meantime they are putting me through my paces here. Plus, I have to be closely monitored for seizures, bleeding on the brain, strokes…the list goes on and on.”

Leah’s eyes went wide, “Wow! That’s a lot. I’m sorry that you’re going through all of this. I’m surprised that Shaun didn’t say anything about this.”

The surgeon gave a light chuckle, “He didn’t say anything about it because he doesn’t know about it. Only one from the team who knows is Morgan. From what Neil tells me, she found out on accident. Leah, I’m going to ask a huge favor of you. Can you please not tell Shaun about this. I want to tell my team about this myself. I’m just struggling to figure out how, but I want to tell them about this myself. I owe it to them.”

“Of course, I understand you wanting to tell them.” Leah responded, “May I ask? Have they said if the blindness is permanent?”

Lim shrugged her shoulders and leaned her head back a bit into her pillow, “We don’t know. The optic nerves are still swollen and I still have some swelling inside my head from the tumor. The tumor was larger than a lemon and it put a lot of pressure on my brain and the optic nerves.
It’s a wait and see game at this point.
In the meantime they have me going through therapy to relearn how to everything only not being able to use my eyes.
I’m actually looking forward to getting to the learning braille. Listening to the tv gets boring. I love to read books. Learning braille will give me that back.
I also am looking forward to learning how to take care of the girls. Everything I relearn puts me closer to being with them.”

Leah smiled at that, “Knowing how you are, you will be back with them very soon.”

Lim yawned behind her hand before answering, “That’s really all that I want. Ryan and James need me. I have been away from them for too long.”

Leah noticed how tired the doctor was getting but she had to ask, “How long have you been here?”

With her eyes now fighting to stay open Lim answered, “I think a little more than a week. I do know that I had the tumor removed six days ago. Therapy started the next day.”

Leah was impressed with how fast they got her into therapy. She had many more questions m, but the surgeon was barely awake, “Dr. Lim-Melendez, close your eyes and go to sleep. I’ll stay here until the nurse comes in to reattach your IVs.”

“Thank you, Leah.” Was the last thing the Lim said before she drifted off to sleep.

Leah smiled, and then sat back into her seat and waited for the nurse to show up.
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Chapter Text

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Two days later after another morning filled with different therapies and tests Lim was laying in her bed sleeping when her husband came into her room with a surprise for his sleeping wife.

Upon seeing his wife Melendez set his surprise carefully down. He walked over to his wife and kissed her forehead. This caused Lim to stir awake.

“Hey, sleepyhead. I have a surprise for you.” Melendez kissed his wife again.

Audrey smiled slightly, “As long as I don’t have to stand up. I’m so tired.”

Neil chuckled, “So tired huh? Well, Ryan and James…Momma is too tired for a visit. I guess we should go home.”

Lim shouted, “Don’t you dare leave here. Neil, are they really here? Are my girls really here?”

Melendez laughed, “Yes, Mi Amor. Our girls are right here. Let’s get you set up, and then I will get them for you.”

Melendez helped his wife get set up. Once he was sure that she was ready he got one of their daughters and placed her in his wife’s waiting arms.

“Aud, here is James. Both of the girls are asleep, they have clean diapers and were fed ten minutes ago. So, these two cuddle bugs should sleep for a while.”

Lim snuggled with James for a few moments. Melendez took a few pictures of the mother and daughter reunion.

“Neil, where’s Ryan?” Lim asked.

Melendez smiled, “Hang on, Mi Amor. I’m getting her right now.”

Soon he was placing Ryan into her other arm not occupied by her sister.

“Oh my goodness. My sweet baby girls. Momma has missed you so very much. I have thought of you both every single day. I’m working really hard to get back home to you both.” Lim said with tears in her unseeing eyes.

With tears in his eyes Melendez took pictures of his wife with their daughters. They both enjoyed the time together, but sadly all too soon it came time for the visit as Lim had more therapy starting soon.

“Audrey, I hate to say this, but I need to get the girls back into their carriers. I have to take them with me to see my dad off.” Neil sadly informed his wife.

“Damn, I wish that you guys didn’t have to go just yet. Neil, before you go I need to ask. What’s going on with your parents?” Lim asked her husband as he placed James into her carrier.

Once he was sure that he had her strapped in, he quickly did the same with Ryan. Finally, he took Audrey’s hand and he kissed it. Then he told her everything.

Audrey sat in complete silence. She was not sure what to say. After a few moments she spoke, “I am so sorry that you, your dad, sister and the girls have to go through this. I always knew that your mom didn’t like me. I honestly am okay with that. I did find it odd at how she was treating me after the accident and when she found out about the girls though.
Neil, I’m sorry that her hatred for me has put such a strain on your relationship with her and for your dad. I never wanted that for you guys. I’m not sorry that Ryan and James are not really going to have their grandmother in their lives. If she hates their names and is embarrassed by them, then how can she love them?”

Neil kissed his wife’s hand, “That’s what dad and I said.
Aud, dad was so disgusted, hurt, angry…I could go on. He’s already filed the divorce paperwork. My mother has been served.
Gabby has been removed from her assisted living facility. My cousins who live in Los Angeles have taken custody of her for my dad. Mom had tried to take my sister before the new custodial order went into affect.”

“Neil, I am sorry that I’m the reason for your family drama. I never wanted any of this. I’m so sorry.” Lim said with tears streaming down her face.

“Mi Amor, you did nothing wrong. My mother is full of hate, and that is on her. She now just has to deal with the consequences of her actions.
All you ever did was love her son, give her two amazing granddaughters and show her compassion.
You could have been killed in that motorcycle accident. My mother suggested that maybe you should have. Audrey, she said this right before you had surgery to remove the tumor. She thinks that you should have died. If you had, so would have our daughters! I cannot have her in our lives. I don’t want her near Ryan and James.”

“Still…I do get what you’re saying. I do, but I still feel like this is my fault.” Audrey answered him.

“Don’t. You did nothing wrong, Mi Amor.” He kissed her, “Now, I really do need to head out. I will be back later. The girls will be back another day. I promise you.”

“I cannot wait. I love you all.” Lim told her husband with a smile.

The couple shared a few moments together before Melendez and their daughters left.

Audrey didn’t have long before her PTs came in for more therapy sessions.
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The next day Lim and Krissa were in her room getting Lim ready for that day’s therapy session. Audrey was not feeling herself and wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed and go to sleep. She knew that wasn’t going to get her home to her daughters and husband any sooner, so she pushed herself on.

“You’ve been pretty quiet this morning, Dr. Lim-Melendez.” Krissa said with a smile. “Are you feeling okay?”

Lim smiled slightly, “I have a little bit of a headache. Dr. Glassman said that’s normal. He gave me some medicine for it, but it really hasn’t helped. I’ll be okay once we get going.”

“Are you sure? We can take this morning off and let you get some sleep to see if that helps with your headache.” Krissa asked with concern.

Lim shook her head, “As long as we don’t go extreme, I’ll be fine. As much as I want to sleep, I also feel like I could run for hours.”

“I understand. You have been cooped up in the hospital for so long your anxiety is high. I understand. Let’s get you going and help release some of that nervous energy.” Krissa stated.

Lim agreed and the two set off for their walk. They walked multiple laps around the unit. They could not go outside because it was storming. Another reason for the recovering surgeon to have a headache.
Krissa had set up multiple obstacles for Lim to overcome. She nailed them all.

“You’re doing fantastic work!! I have to call down to the therapy rooms. Do you think that you can handle getting back to your room and into the chair by the bed?” Krissa asked her tired patient.

Lim readily agreed not knowing that this was a test from Krissa. What Krissa had not counted on was Lim nearly being run into my Drs. Murphy and Park rushing out of a patient room. Krissa couldn’t call a warning out in time, but she was impressed to see Lim jump back slightly and she turned away from the rushing men. Lim put her left hand out and caught onto the arm of one of the men. Neither fell and neither were hurt.

Park had hand on Lim’s forearm as she grabbed his to steady themselves. After a moment they let each other go.

Both men were stunned to see their chief, but they were more surprised by the cane as well as the helmet that she currently was sporting.

“Dr. Park and Dr. Murphy, nice to run into you both. Sorry about that.” Lim stated.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez! Wow, it’s so great to see you. I mean we have missed you.” Park quickly replied but winced at his wording.

Shaun Murphy was not known for tact simply stated, “Dr. Lim-Melendez, you are blind.”

Park looked at him with his mouth agape.

Lim chuckled, “Yes, Shaun I am.”

“Then how did you know that it was us?” Murphy questioned his confusion.

Lim smiled softly, “That’s easy, Dr. Murphy. I can still hear and smell. Dr. Park wears a clean smelling cologne.
You, Shaun have a distinctive walking pattern. When you’re in a hurry your shoes give off a low pitch squeak.” She shrugged, “I learned to listen for it when we worked overnight shifts. You’re a quiet person in general. It made it easier to know when you were nearby. Now, walk with me to my room and I will tell you both all about it.”

Krissa watched with a smile as the men followed their chief to her room as she explained what was happening in her life.

Speaking into the phone to her supervisor Krissa informed her boss, “You should have seen how Dr. Lim-Melendez just handled nearly being run over by two of her rushing colleagues. Her other senses were on point. I’ll be down in a few minutes to tell you all about it.” Krissa hung up the phone and finished filling out her patient, Audrey Lim-Melendez’s chart.
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The two residents sat near their chief’s bed. Audrey Lim sat on her hospital bed.

“Okay, I know that you both have a bunch of questions. I will explain and then if you have questions we can go from there. Deal?” Lim asked.

Both men replied with a yes. Lim went on to explain about the tumor, the surgery and everything since. When she was done she asked them if they had any questions. Naturally Shaun Murphy spoke up,

“When will you be coming back to work?”

Lim was expecting something other than that question. She was slightly thrown off but answered,

“Unless my vision returns, Shaun then there’s not much that can do here. I obviously cannot be a surgeon. There’s no reason for me to be here at that point. I’d just be in the way.”

“No. You can be a teacher, we can come to you for consultations…there is more that you can still do.” Shaun insisted.

Park leaned forward and placed his hand on her arm, “Shaun is right, Chief. There’s still a lot that you can still do that you don’t need your site.”

Lim gave them a small smile. “Thank you. I appreciate both of your support. I need to ask a favor of you both and let you know something as well.” She took a deep breath, “I ask that you both keep my condition to yourselves.”

“Yes, Dr. Lim-Melendez.” “Of course, Chief.” Both men responded.

“Thank you. Now, you two are not the first to know about this. Aside from Glassman, Andrews and Petringa…Nurse Villanueva and my therapy team know. Both Dr. Reznick and Leah know. Please do not be upset with them. They too were asked to not let anyone know.”

Park looked over to Murphy who looked uncomfortable with the news that Lim gave them. Realistically Park understood why Morgan didn’t say anything to him, but it still stung that she didn’t. If it bothered him he knew that learning that Leah knew before genius doctor knew…Alex knew that Shaun was hurt. He would have to talk to him later about it.

“Chief, we will keep your confidence. Don’t worry.” Park stopped for a moment, “How long are you going to be here for?”

Lim shifted in her bed. Her headache was increasing and wearing the damn helmet was not helping, but she did not want to worry her residents, “I was already supposed to be at a rehabilitation center, but there’s just not space available. The insurance company has been dragging their feet on approving in home rehabilitation nursing. If all goes right we should have some answers on that later today.
I’m ready to go home and be with my girls. Even if that means that I have to wear this stupid helmet all day to do it.”

“Why have they not allowed you to take it off?” Murphy asked.

“I had a craniotomy to to remove the tumor. They removed a larger portion of the skull than they had initially thought that they would need. I’m supposed to wear the helmet while I’m out of bed because the skull is not fully healed yet. Add to this, I had a really bad seizure after I first woke up. There’s still a high chance that I could have more, and if I was up and fell while having one…and if I hit the unhealed part of the skull it could be problematic.” Lim informed the two men.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez, are you feeling alright? You have tension between your eyes.” Murphy states matter of factly.

Lim smiled a bit, “I am having a bit of a migraine. Which as doctors we know is normal after the surgery that I had. It’s just making me a bit nauseous.”

Park looked to Murphy who was standing up. He approached Lim’s bed from his side of her bed. While Park stood and approached from his side.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez, we need to remove the helmet and check your incision site, now.” Park took a worried note of Shaun’s insistence.

“Shaun? What’s wrong?” Park asked in confusion and assisted him in removing the woman’s helmet.

“She has a fever. I believe there is an infection starting.” Dr. Murphy replied carefully removing the helmet from their chief’s head.

“Dr. Murphy, will you please get your hands off of my head. I already have a migraine without you pushing on it.” Lim grumbled.

Murphy continued as he removed the dressing covering the surgical site.

Park answered, “Chief there’s slight redness around the incision, but that could be from wearing the helmet. We really need to run some tests. I can feel the heat coming from the top of your head, you do have a fever going. I’m going to step out and call Dr. Glassman.”

Park quickly left the room. Murphy not knowing what else to do, he reached out and placed a warm hand on his chief’s shoulder.

Lim was surprised but moved by the gesture. She reached up to Murphy’s hand and held her hand over his. Together the two waited for Park and Glassman to return.
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Two and a half hours later Audrey Lim was back in her room. Her husband had been waiting for her. Once they had her settled in her bed Glassman updated the couple,

“Audrey, there’s been an increase of fluid and pressure in your brain. We need to monitor that. Now, you are running a fever, but it’s not from an infection in the surgical site. Though you are fighting an infection in your lungs. Between the increased pressure and fluid…then add in the lung infection I’m betting that you feel like you’ve been beat up.
So, for the next few days you’ll be closely monitored for your ICP and on antibiotics for the lung infection. You can continue with your therapy, but for now you will need to stick to just walking. You will need plenty of time to recover too.” Glassman finished.

“A lung infection and a higher ICP? How far does this set me back? I want to go home.” Lim asked in frustration.

Glassman sat on the edge of her bed, “Audrey, I know that it feels like I told you that your world is ending, but as long as you keep doing your therapies and the medicines do their job, it should not set you back much.” Glassman looked to Melendez and began again, “We also heard from your insurance company. Audrey, you have been approved for in home rehab.”

Melendez broke out into a wide smile, “That’s great!! Right, Aud!!”

Lim nervously nodded her head, “It is, but how long does the lung infection and higher ICP delay me in going home?”

Glassman replied, “We are going to closely monitor the swelling for the next few days, and we will also run a few EEGs to make sure that you’re not having any seizure activity that we can’t see. That can happen as you know.
Absolutely no promises but let’s give it a week. We can reevaluate then. Audrey, you need to relax and give yourself a chance to heal. There are going to be many set backs, but that’s all they are. I have full confidence in you. If anyone can beat the odds…I’d place my money on you.”

Lim thanked her mentor. Melendez, Glassman and Lim talked until Lim drifted off to sleep. The two men stood up and walked out of the room.

“Aaron, is she really going to be okay?” Melendez asked nervously and with true fear in his eyes.

Glassman looked the younger man in the eyes, “That woman is one of the strongest people that I know. If anyone can make a comeback it’s her. She’s just going to have to fight for it. I said in the beginning that she’s going to have setbacks. Audrey is in one right now. I can promise you that there will be more later. It could be months or years later. We just have to watch her, keep up with her checkups too.”

Melendez nodded his head. “What about if she wants to try to have another baby? Will it be safe for her?”

Glassman smiled, “If she wants to I don’t see any reason why not. Just let’s get her through this first. Let her body heal a bit before you guys try.”

Neil smiled, “Audrey and I talked about having more kids before the girls were born, and it was her who asked me. Aaron she was in pain from the migraines from hell and she was talking about having more kids. The woman who never wanted them…those two months that she had with the girls was not enough. Audrey should be home with them now. I can see her on the floor with Ryan and James during tummy time. Audrey is missing so much right now. It’s not fair. I just want to get her back home with the girls. They have more than earned it.”

“Neil, I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen with Lim. She may be blind for the rest of her life or it will come back later. What I do know is that woman in there is by far the toughest, most determined, pig headed woman that I know. In some way, Audrey is coming back from this better than ever. It’s just going to take a bit of time.” Glassman emphatically replied.

Neil Melendez smiled at his once mentor. The two men headed off to the cafe for a quick bite of food.
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Chapter Text

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Two weeks later Audrey Lim was were she wanted to be most…back home with her husband and twin daughters.

While recovering the last few days while at the hospital Lim worked with a lactation specialist and they were able to guide her into being able nurse her girls again. She had been home two day and Ryan was able to switch back to nursing the easiest. James would nurse for a bit but then would stop and cry until they gave her a bottle.

“It could be the meds that you’re taking, Aud. While Ryan’s system has had no reactions, James’ could be sensitive to it. Or like the lactation specialist said, James may just like the flow from the bottle better. Just don’t be too upset and if James only bottle feeds from now on that’s okay. We need to do what’s best for her.”

That had been three days ago. Ryan was fine with breastfeeding but her sister had just stopped. While it hurt Lim to not be able to nurse both girls, she understood that it was what was best for James.

Now, the family of four were starting to settle in to their new normal. Audrey had in home therapy to relearn how to do everything while blind. Just as when she could see cooking was not her strong suit blind. Melendez thought it was funny.
The parts of therapy that involved the twins were her favorite. She also loved the braille classes. She was far from perfect, but she could read to the girls from the basic reader. Being able to read gave her more of an escape than watching a movie. She could create the scene scape, the atmospheric sounds…everything in her mind.

The last several therapy training involved using things from the hospital. She was a surgeon after all. Keeping up on her dexterity was important.

When she wasn’t dealing with rehabilitation and doctors appointments Lim, Melendez and the girls spent time together. Like tonight the family was out for a walk. Melendez had James strapped in a carrier to his chest and Lim had Ryan. Audrey had fed the girls right before they left and now they were both knocked out.

Neil Melendez was full on in love with his wife and his little girls. Spending time together just as a family was what made all of the recent changes easier. Knowing that his wife could have been sicker, could have died from the motorcycle crash…everything was put into perspective. That’s what he had told his therapist. Audrey had to speak with a therapist as part of her rehab, but Glassman had recommended it for Melendez too.

“Audrey is going through everything physically. Neil, you’re going through everything emotionally. Talk to someone now! If you don’t? You could end up having a breakdown. Lim’s not the only one whose world just changed.” Glassman told him over a glass of bourbon. It took a while but Melendez finally agreed. Neil actually found it helpful. He had an outlet for his frustration and fears.

This evening though they were just being a couple. No talks of anything medical related. The couple held hands as they walked through their neighborhood.

Lim had her walking cane in her left hand while her right was wrapped around Melendez’s left arm. Not that she completely needed him. For her she just wanted to feel close to her husband. Neil enjoyed the closeness.

“What do you say we stop at the bake shop on the corner before we head back home. We can also stop at the mini market and grab some snacks. Then head home for a movie night.” Melendez suggested to his wife as they waited for the light to change so they could cross the street.

Lim smiled, “I think that sounds amazing. We just need to bathe these two and get the into their pajamas. Then we can join them for tummy time before we put them down. I love nights where it’s just the four of us.”

Melendez leaned over and gave his wife a quick kiss, “Me too, Mi Amor.”

The twins woke up as they entered the bakery their little legs kicked out in excitement as the looked around. Everyone commented on how adorable the girls were. They loved that their outfits were identical but in different colors.

As they stood and waited for their order number to be called the couple heard a voice call to them from behind.

When they turned around they heard Claire Browne’s voice say,

“I didn’t know that you guys came here. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve seen you. Hope all is well.” She didn’t notice the cane that Lim was using.

Melendez spoke first, “Dr. Browne, didn’t know that you lived in the neighborhood.”

Browne smile, “Actually, I don’t my boyfriend does. He just recently successfully argued his doctoral thesis. This is the first chance that we’ve had to celebrate. We have tonight then he heads out of the country for six weeks on a relief trip with Doctors Without Borders.”

“Well, congratulations to him and you. Getting his doctoral degree is impressive and to work with Doctors Without Borders. That’s great.” Melendez congratulated the resident.

Lim had listened to the conversation, but she was also trying to settle Ryan as she was beginning to fuss. Browne continued to talk to Melendez neither noticed how crowded the little bakery had become.

Lim had been busy trying to settle her three month old to notice that other customers had stepped between her and her husband. She reached over and placed a hand onto who she believed was her husband,

“Neil, we need to check to see how much longer our order will be. The girls are going to need to be fed soon. Ryan is starting to get her I’m hungry feed me now attitude.”

Lim was surprised when the voice that she heard back was not her husband’s,

“I’m sorry, Miss. I’m pretty sure that you got the wrong husband.”

Lim quickly apologized and tried not to panic when she realized she didn’t know which way to move.

“Don’t freak out. Remember what Krissa said. If I got separated from someone, don’t know which way to turn…then I’m to stop, listen and use the rest of my senses to guide me. It should help even in loud chaos.”

Lim tried to focus around the people and listen for the quieter cues to guide her. She heard the door open to the left of her. Lim knew that when she and Neil came in they walked twenty steps straight and turned right on step twenty one. They then walked three forward, placed the order at what Audrey guessed was the counter and then they turned around. They went slightly left and then walked twelve steps and stopped. Claire came from behind them. While Lim was going over everything in her mind she started to retrace her steps. Using her cane and listening Lim slowly made her way. She was about to give up when she heard Melendez,

“Audrey, there you are! I was starting to freak out when I couldn’t see you anymore.”

Lim let out the breath that she didn’t realize that she was holding, “I am so sorry. When you were talking with Claire the rush of people came in and we got separated. I stopped myself from panicking and remembered what Krissa taught me and I found my way back to you.” She finished with a smile.

Claire looked at the other woman is shock, “I don’t understand. Dr. Lim-Melendez, you’re blind?”

Melendez and Lim turned to the resident having forgotten about her.

“Wow the others really did keep the secret.” Melendez said in awe.

“Yes, Dr. Browne I am.” Was all that Lim had said.

Melendez could see the shock on the young resident’s face.

“Wait, what happened?” She asked full of concern.

The woman at the counter called out the Melendezs order number and Neil went to grab their order. He quickly came back.

“Dr. Browne, honestly it’s a long story. I do not want to get into it here. Please just ask any of the team.” Lim paused as Ryan started to get more fussy which started James too, “As for us? We are going to get going and get the girls home. It was nice to see you. Again congratulations to your boyfriend on such a great achievement.Enjoy your night, Dr. Browne.”

With Melendez guiding his wife the family left the bakery. Claire watched as they left. After a few moments she pulled out her phone, dialed a number and then,

“You guys have a lot of explaining to do…”

Claire continued the conversation as she grabbed her order and she too left the bakery.
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A few days later in the morning Audrey was walking through the mall with her father in law. Juan Melendez was pushing the double stroller with his granddaughters sleeping in it. They had gone shopping to find some smaller sized clothes for Audrey as she had lost weight while in the hospital. To look at her one would not be able to tell that she had twins three and a half months ago.

“Mr. Melendez?” Lim asked suddenly.

“Audrey, mi hija!! I told you to call me Juan or when you are ready, you may call me dad like Neil and Gabby do.” Juan told his daughter in law with a smile.

Lim blushed slightly, “Juan, do you think that you could help me set up a surprise for Neil? He’s done so much for me through everything. I just want to thank him in some way. Neil has been through so much and I want to do something for him.”

Juan smiled at his daughter-in-law knowing that she could not see him. She wanted to make his son happy, and he quickly agreed to help her pick out the perfect gift.

A hour later the shopping complete Juan Melendez and Audrey Lim had their packages stored in the tailgate of Lim’s SUV. Since she could not drive due to the blindness, Juan was to use the vehicle while he was in town.

Juan Melendez was struggling to put Ryan’s carrier into the car seat base. Lim already had James’ locked in place. She shut the door after assuring herself that the sleeping infant was securely strapped into her carrier.

Lim used her cane to guide her around the SUV to the driver’s side of the vehicle. She tapped Juan on his shoulder, “Juan, may I help you get your granddaughter locked in?”

The older Melendez laughed and stepped out of his daughter in law’s way, “Audrey, please help this old man out.”

Quickly Lim got Ryan’s carrier locked into position of the base of the car seat and adjusted her straps.

“Mija blindness has not slowed you down. That’s impressive.” Juan told Lim with a chuckle.

With as straight of face as Juan had ever scene fired back, “If you think that’s impressive you should see me drive.”

Juan laughed, “Mija, I know that in the not so distant future your vision will be restored, and when it is maybe I’ll allow you to take me for a ride on that Ducati of yours.

Lim smiled, “I’d really like that, dad.”

Juan’s jaw hit the ground for a moment and then he let out a whoop. “This day is perfect. I have a son, two beautiful granddaughters and now two beautiful daughters. Audrey, I know that hugging is not really your thing, but may I please give you a hug?”

“Of course. I would love a hug.” Lim said and she was quickly enveloped in a hug.

After a few moments the pair separated. “I think we better head for home. The girls will be waking up soon and they will demand to be fed.” Lim said wiping the tears from her face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Later that afternoon Neil, Juan and the twins were out and Lim was alone. She was listening to music and practicing braille reading when there was a knock at her door.

Lim got up from her seat and walked carefully to the door. Moving around her own home was easy because she knows where everything is and she didn’t need to use her cane.

“Who is it?” Lim asked as she reached the door.

“It’s Paloma,” Lim recognizes her mother in law’s voice. Lim closed her eyes for a brief moment. She unlocked the door and opens it.

“What do you want, Mrs. Melendez?” Lim asked coolly.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” Paloma asked.

Crossing her arms Lim leaned on the doorframe, “No.”

“Audrey, you’re being childish. Now, step aside and let me in. I have gifts for the girls.” Paloma snipped.

“I will let you in, but that’s only so the neighbors don’t call the cops for me being too loud.” Lim retorted as she stepped aside.

Once both women were back into the living space Paloma started, “Now, point me to my granddaughters room. I’m going to take them with me and have some quality time with them. I’ll bring them back in a day or two.”

Lim stood up straight, “The hell you will! First off Ryan and James are not here, but even if they were here you not be allowed within breathing distance of them.”

Paloma rolled her eyes, “Audrey, please there’s no need to be rude.”

Lim stepped closer to the sound of her mother in law’s voice, “Lady, you have not even begun to see rude. My daughters are not yours to come and take whenever you want to. Hell you wanted them dead!”

Neither of the women noticed that Neil and Juan had just come into the condo. Neither men said a word. They just watched and waited.

Paloma gasped, “I never wanted them dead. I just wanted you to change their names. You gave them boys names for heavens sake, Audrey. It’s embarrassing.”

Lim took another step closer towards her mother in law unaware of how close she was…well, it seemed like it to the Melendez men.

“James was named after two different female professors of medicine at both Neil’s and my universities. Neil would have to tell you the full story of his James, but Prof James X Riser was the top female professor of our university. She was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marines. She served six tours. Was awarded the Purple Heart and silver star. Oh, she was also a three times published author. She was killed saving two men who had been in a car accident. Professor Riser was hit by another car and died on impact. That’s just one of two amazing women that we named James after. As for Ryan? She was named after a very special little girl who Neil and I met early in our careers. Ryan Arizona was a very courageous, strong and special little girl. She lived a hellish life but did not let it define who she was. That’s who we named Ryan after.” Lim informed her mother in law, “By the way you did wish that they were dead. When you told my husband and yours that you wished the motorcycle accident had gone differently. You do realize that I was fourteen weeks pregnant with the girls. Had I died, so would have they!
I get it. You hate me. I’m used to that. It doesn’t even phase me, but my daughters will never feel the hatred that you have for them and me.”

“I do not hate my grandchildren.” Paloma argued.

Lim counters, “No, you just hate their names, wished their mother had been killed which would’ve killed them too.”

Paloma rolls her eyes, “Audrey, you’re being dramatic. Just like always. Taking my words and twisting them to fit your narrative.
Now, call my son and have him bring the girls to me.
They need some time away from their selfish, narcissistic mother…”

“Get the hell out of my home!! Paloma you’re no longer welcome here. Take your gifts, your attitude and leave.” Lim cut the older woman off, “My daughters may one day ask to see you, but it will not be until they are eighteen. By then they will know that you wished their mother and by extension them dead. They will know that your obsessive hatred for me destroyed your relationships with your son and your husband.
Lady, you hate me? I have no problems with that. I can live with it. What I will not put up with is the disrespect for me in my own home. The trashing of my daughters names. Emotionally hurting my husband and yours.
You can come at me all you want but you do not come after my family. Especially my daughters. If you try I promise you it will not end well.”

Paloma was so angry and shaking that she pulled her arm back…before either of the Melendez men could call out a warning Paloma hit Audrey in the face. She did not lose her balance from the impact but stood up straighter.

Without missing a beat Lim eerily replied back, “The fist hit is free,Paloma. Try that again and you’re not going to like the outcome!”

At that moment both of the Melendez men stepped between them.

“Paloma! Get the hell out of here! You are not wanted here!” Juan yelled.

Realizing that they were not alone Paloma turned on the water works, “Juan, Neil she was saying the most hateful things to me. I only hit her because she hit me first. I was just defending myself.”

“She came to take the girls. Neil, get the girls out of here. Please take them away from here. I am fine. Just please take the girls out of here.” Lim calmly told her husband.

Paloma shouted, “She’s lying. Don’t listen to her. She’s nothing more than a lying bitch. Just like I always said she was. I would never just take the girls.”

There was a sudden knock at the door and Neil quickly went to the door while

Melendez opened the door and saw his neighbor who as it turned out was a police officer, Carl Walsh.

“Dr. Melendez, I was on my way to work when I heard yelling coming from here. Is everything okay?” Officer Walsh asked.

Paloma Melendez heard the officer, “Officer, please help. My daughter in law has gone mental and is threatening me. She’s accusing me of trying to take my grandchildren. She was saying the most vile and hateful things. I feared for my safety. I did the only thing I could think of…I hit her before she could hit me with her cane.”

Officer Walsh looked skeptical, “Ma’am, that’s an interesting version of events, but I heard a big chunk of what happened here.” He turned to Audrey and could see the markings on her face of what was sure to be a spectacle black eye.

Officer Walking heard all sides after pulling each person aside. Paloma Melendez was taken out of the condo screaming and in handcuffs. She believed that she was going to jail, but Audrey just wanted her out of her home. A report would be filed. Officer Walsh told them to call the department to get the case number to file for a restraining order.

Once that was settled Melendez insisted that he take his wife to be checked out. The three adults and two infants went to St. Bonaventure where they had Glassman check Lim out in a private room. While Juan Melendez waited in Neil’s office with his sleeping granddaughters.

A CT scan was ordered for safety concerns. Lim laid in the bed looking annoyed, “Neil, please feed the girls while I’m gone. Don’t forget to change their clothes after so we can stay on their routine. Their schedule has been upended enough by me.”

“Audrey, the girls are sleeping and will be fine.” Melendez said as the transportation team came and took her for her scan.

Three hours later the tests were completed and Lim sat in her room with an ice pack held to her face waiting for her husband and doctor to come in to let her know what the tests showed.

Finally Melendez and Glassman came into the room.

“Audrey,” Glassman began, “The scans showed what I suspected. A hairline fracture to your nose and a mild concussion. There’s no major changes to anything else. Neil, you’re just going to need to monitor her for the usual stuff. Since she’s still prone to seizures be on the lookout for those too. Otherwise there’s no reason to keep you here. I’m going get get your discharge paperwork and a prescription for pain medication.” With the update given Glassman left the couple alone.

Neil stepped up to the bed where his wife was sitting, “How are you feeling, Mi Amor?”

Lim sighed, “Honestly? I feel like I want to go home and hide from the world until after the girls graduate college.”

Melendez laughed, “Well, I can’t give you that. What I can do is take you home, draw a bath for you and then when you’re ready I can put you to bed. We can cuddle together until the girls need to be fed.”

Lim smiled, “That sounds perfect. Let’s go.”

Glassman came in, gave Neil the prescription of pain medication and Melendez helped Audrey sign her discharge paperwork. Quickly Melendez had his wife out in the hall. Once there they were greeted by Juan Melendez who was pushing the twin stroller with two wide eyed infants.After a wick update the family headed for their SUV and to home.
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Chapter Text

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It was a big day in the Melendez household. Ryan and James had started walking. Both girls were playing in the living space, they had each been standing next to the sofa when they heard Lim call for the girls and that’s when it happened in tandem they let go of the sofa, balancing for a moment and slowly started taking wobbly steps towards their mother.

Juan Melendez who had been sitting on the sofa quickly pulled out his phone and started to record the moment.

Neil Melendez walked into the living space as the girls were walking towards their mother.
He sucked in a breath and watched as the girls got closer towards their mother and finally close enough for them to fall into her lap surprising her.

“What the…how did you two get over here?” Lim asked from her spot on the floor sitting in front of the bookcase.

“Audrey, they walked over to you.” Neil said with a huge smile on his face.

As the girls crawled over her Lim teared up, “They walked?” Tears started to form in her eyes.

Melendez sat down next to his wife, “Dad recorded it on his phone so you will see it when you get your sight back. Don’t worry.”

Lim smiled, “I’m not sad because I didn’t see it. I’m sad because our babies are growing up! I honestly thought that they would have started when they were closer to a year not the day the turn nine months.”

Melendez hugged his beautiful wife and the family cheered as the girls walked around more.
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The next morning after dropping Juan off at the airport so he could fly out for a trip with his friends to Venice, Italy.

Melendez dropped the twins off at daycare and then he took his beautiful wife out for an early lunch. Neil was off for a few days and he planned to make the most out of the time. After they ate he took his wife to a small private airport.

“Mi Amor, I know that you’ve been missing driving your Ducati. I can’t arrange that, but I did arrange for you to go sky diving.” Melendez said as he parked the car.

Lim looked towards her husband, “Are you serious right now?”

Melendez got a little nervous, “I am. Ummmm, if you don’t want to do this…I can find something else.” He stumbled over his words.

Lim reached out for her husband, and with his help he guides her hand to him. Once she feels him she leans over and kisses him. After their kiss she leans back, “Thank you so much for this!! I haven’t been skydiving in a really long time. I can’t believe you set this up. Are you coming with me?”

With wide eyes and a chuckle, “Nooooo. This is all for you!!! I only fly in planes. I do not jump out of them. Have sex with my hot wife? Yes, I would do that…incase you’re ever wondering, but jumping out of one is not on my bucket list.”

“Mile high club, huh? Ohhh, I’d definitely would be up for that.” Lim said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow, “Now, let’s go get this adventure started!!”

Melendez got out of the car, walked around and helped his wife get out. Soon she was getting instructions from the captain who would be flying the plane. The senior instructor would jump with Lim. Soon she was on the plane heading off for her big jump.
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Later that afternoon Audrey Lim was at home waiting for her husband to come home with their daughters. After her jump which she absolutely had a ball doing they went for a walk through a nearby park. Where Audrey told him excitedly about the jump. Though she could not see anything she said that she could picture it it in her head. The not being able to see this time made the jump scarier and all the more exciting.

“It was like I was stepping out and falling into nothingness. Ahhh it was amazing!” She tried to explain to Neil. He just laughed and listened to her go on about her adventure.

While she waited for her husband and daughters to get home Audrey sat trying to read her latest medical journal that her therapist had given her in braille. She was having trouble concentrating. Lim could feel the start of a migraine coming on. So, she put the journal away and laid on the sofa. It had just started to rain and she was tired. Lim closed her eyes and was soon asleep.

The next thing she knew she was being awakened by a kiss from her husband.

“Hello, my sleeping beauty!! Ryan and James are waiting to see you. Did you enjoy your nap?” Melendez asked with a soft smile.

Lim did not want to move. Her head hurt and she was nauseous. So she kept her eyes closed and replied, “Not done napping.”

Melendez chuckled at the same moment Ryan and James placed their hands on their mother’s leg and excitedly caked out their favorite word, “Momma.”

“Looks like the twins think that you have had enough sleep. They want their mother.” Melendez laughed out.

“No, they are probably hungry and one wants the boob and her sister the bottle.” Lim said opening her eyes. She could not see her girls, but she knew where to reach for them.”

Melendez helped his wife get the girls up to her lap. He was surprised though when James started muzzling at Lim’s chest.

Neil spoke quietly, “Aud, giving you a heads up that’s James trying to nurse through your shirt. Ryan is trying to eat the remote.”

Lim raised an eyebrow, “Okay, can you help me sit up. I’ll see if I can get both of them to nurse.”

Melendez helped his wife to sit up. Lim took off her shirt, her bra had been taken off after she got back from their day out. Melendez handed her James and after she was positioned the infant began to nurse. Ryan was soon positioned at her other side and she too was happily sucking her dinner from her mother.

“Ohhh, Neil!! I never thought that James would do this again. I’ve missed this.” Lim said with tears in her eyes.

The couple sat with their girls happily nursing until they both had fallen asleep. Melendez got each girl up into his arms and he walked them back to the nursery and put them into their respective cribs as Lim put her shirt back on.

After Neil had the girls in their room he came out to the living space. He quickly got their dinner that he had brought home and the two a quiet meal. They turned in early both exhausted from the excitement of the day. Plus, Audrey had a slight migraine, which she didn’t tell her husband about, that she was hoping to sleep off.
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The morning Neil Melendez was supposed to go back to work after his three days off everyone in the Melendez household woke up sick.

Neil called out after explaining their symptoms to Glassman. The older doctor believed that the twins had a virus while Neil had a bad cold. The older doctor believed Lim had the flu. He was concerned with the migraine that Audrey had admitted to having. Glassman ordered for the family to come into the hospital clinic to be examined.

By ten AM the family had all been examined. They were waiting for the bloodwork to comeback. While they waited Audrey held a sleeping James while Neil had Ryan. Both parents sat on the hospital bed and just being quiet. Audrey did have an IV due to her being dehydrated. They gave her medication for the migraine too.

Aaron Glassman walked into the exam room with Nurse Petringa.

“Alright, bloodwork confirmed the girls have the stomach virus going around in a lot of the daycares and schools. They should start feeling better in about two days.
Neil, you have a sinus infection.” Glassman began, “We are going to start you on antibiotics. Now, Audrey…you do not have just the flu. You win the prize for going above and beyond. You too have a sinus infection, but you also have the beginnings of pneumonia. We’ll give you medicine, but we will need to monitor you closely. Just to make sure that there’s no harm to the fetus.”

Both Lim and Melendez looked towards him in shock. Lim spoke first with her scratchy voice, “What fetus?”

Petringa laughed, “You really didn’t know? Thought you were just trying to keep it to yourselves.
According to the blood work you are pregnant. From the hormone levels I’d say you’re pretty far along. Now, since you guys obviously didn’t know that Audrey is pregnant, we are going to do a quick scan to make sure everything looks good.”

The couple were in complete shock, but that only compounded by what the three seeing doctors saw on the ultrasound, “You’re definitely far along. About twelve plus four, and guys you’re having twins again.” Glassman informed the stunned parents.

Petringa started laughing at the parents reactions. “Dr. Glassman, you broke them.”

Glassman laughed as he finished the scan and printed off pictures. When he was done he gave them prescriptions for their respective medications and prenatal vitamins for Lim.

Later in the car the family currently of four were quiet sitting in the parking garage of their apartment building…until Lim spoke up,

“Neil, twice you’ve gotten me pregnant. Each time it’s been with twins. Please hear me when I say this…if this happens again you will not need to schedule an appointment for a vasectomy.”

Melendez laughed, “Message heard loud and clear, Mi Amor. No twins next time.” He pauses and with a smirk unseen by Lim he asked, “How bout quads?”
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Chapter Text

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Five weeks later Neil Melendez opened the door to their apartment to allow Audrey’s therapist for the day.

“Krissa, welcome. I didn’t know that you were part of the in home therapy team.” Melendez greet the woman.

“I work this part time right now. My husband and I are trying to buy a larger house so his seventeen year old special needs brother can come stay with us. So, both he and I took side jobs to help us get the down payment money.” Krissa explained.

“Wow that’s impressive. I hope that you’re not going to have to do doubles for too long.” Melendez exclaimed.

Krissa smiled, “We actually reached our goal last month. I’m working extra to be able to take time off to spend with Spencer once he moves in. I think having family with him full time when he first moves in will help him to adjust to his new environment quicker.”

Melendez nods his head, “Congratulations!! On getting the money together. Spencer is so lucky to have you guys. He’s going to thrive.” Krissa smiled at the compliment as the two start walking through the apartment, “Audrey is in the second nursery putting the girls clothes away.”

Krissa stopped, “Why do you have a second nursery?”

Melendez smiled, “You’re one of the few to know this…Audrey is pregnant again. We found out when she was twelve weeks. She’s seventeen weeks now. It’s twins again.”

Krissa raised her eyebrows to him, “Holy shit! How has she not killed you yet?”

Melendez laughed, “Oh she threatened me with a do it yourself vasectomy if I got her pregnant with twins ever again, Don’t worry.
Now, just like when she was carrying Ryan and James Audrey is barely showing. Which with twins is impressive.
Alright, Krissa…I have to finish getting ready for work. I will be taking the girls with me. I’ve already said my goodbyes. If you go to the e third door on the right, you will find our girl. Like I said she putting the girls clothes away as they will be moving into there.”

Krissa nods her head says her goodbyes and enters the larger nursery.

“Looking good there, Audrey.” Krissa exclaimed as she watched Lim moving about the room with little issues.

Lim smiled, “Krissa, I’m so glad that you’re here. I’ve missed you.”

“Damn you can lie better than most! You know you loved not having me around so you could slack off. So, how long have you had the migraine for?” Krissa smartly questioned her client.

Lim leaned against the wall that she was standing next to, “I’ve had it off and on since I now know I would have been ten weeks pregnant. I told Glassman when we came in whe Ryan, James, Neil and I were all sick. He chalked it up to the pregnancy. I questioned him later about it. He said the migraine was probably from the pregnancy as at my last CT scan they didn’t see anything.”

Kris’s walked over to where the trauma surgeon was standing, “You’re seventeen weeks now. Neil told me you were twelve weeks when you learned that you were pregnant. You just told me that the migraines started before you found out about your pregnancy. I really think you need to get checked out. I don’t think they are pregnancy related.
Have you had any seizures or symptoms of a seizure?”

Lim took a deep breath, “No seizure activity that I’m aware of. Unless it’s happening while I’m asleep. Just the migraines, nausea from the migraines. Which Glassman is convinced it’s from the pregnancy. When I don’t have a migraine there’s no nausea. I have had dizziness too, but I have not spaced out. My speech is normal too.”

Krissa reached out and took Audrey’s hand into hers, “We will get this figured out. I’m going to go make a call. Stay here and keep doing whatever you’re working on. I’ll be back.”

Krissa left the room while Lim continued to move James and Ryan’s clothes into the closet. Twenty minutes later Krissa came back into the room.

“Audrey, you made huge progress with the girls closet.” Krissa informed her patient, “Now, the rest is going to have to wait. A friend of my wants to see you at his office. Dr. Mike Holden is a neurosurgeon, and I told him all about your case. He wants to see you as quickly as I can get you there.”

Audrey agreed and Krissa helped her to get ready. While Audrey had a few moments alone. She sent a voice text to Neil asking him to call her right now. She received back a text through the automated translator that said, “Rushing into surgery, and will talk to you at home.” Lim was disappointed but understood. She finished getting ready and the two women left for the appointment.

Three hours and a half later Lim was sitting in an exam room with Krissa standing nearby. They were listening to Dr. Holden explained his findings, “Dr. Melendez, there’s definitely another tumor growing. It is not very big at the moment, but with your history of grade two, we need to do some more testing. The good news is we caught this early enough that we maybe able to get by with just using medication to treat this. Which I want to start you on today. Since you’re pregnant we will need to monitor you closely, but since you’re past your first trimester you should be fine. If medications don’t work then we will need to consider other options, this includes delivering the babies early. I won’t lie you may need another craniotomy, but we are not there yet. Try not to panic because that’s not good for you or the babies.”

Lim and Krissa were both shocked at the news. They got back the apartment before Neil did with the girls.

When he got the girls settled in their cribs for their nap he came back out to talk with Audrey and Krissa.

The women told him everything that they had learned. He asked why they didn’t bother to call him. Krissa had no answer.

“I audio texted you asking you to call me right back. You replied back that you were headed into surgery and would talk to me at home.” Lim answered through tears.

Melendez was confused, “Audrey, I never received or sent a text message to you.”

Lim handed him her now open phone. He went to her text messages and he saw that she was telling the truth but he had no clue still, “Someone responded to you, but I can promise you that it wasn’t me. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you.” Neil told his wife.

The three adults talked a bit more. Kris’s showed Melendez the new medication for Lim to take. She also went over the updated therapy schedule. Since Lim was doing so well they decided to cut back on the needed appointments.
Later that evening as the couple were snuggling together in bed they talked about everything.
Neil promised to try to figure out who sent her the message from her phone. He also changed the passcode to get into his phone.

They fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Both dreaming of a future where they were not dealing with sickness and tumors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fourteen weeks later Audrey Lim was thirty one weeks pregnant with her second set of twins. They decided to wait to find out the genders of their newest babies.
Just like when she was carrying James and Ryan her baby belly blew up at week twenty weeks. Lim was carrying this pregnancy all in her belly, and was actually bigger with this pregnancy.

Ryan and James were one now and into everything. Audrey was loving the one on one time with the girls, but the further she got into the pregnancy the less she was able to keep up with the twins.

Melendez hired a nanny to help Lim keep up with the girls and the upkeep of their home. Kelsey was only part time but the girls loved having her around so did Lim.

Kelsey was feeding the girls breakfast when Audrey came into the dining space.

“Good morning, Dr. Melendez. Ryan and James are having French toast. I have made some for the two of us as well. I already cut it up for you as I was already cutting some for the girls. Ryan and James asked for me to eat with them.” Kelsey explained sitting a plate down on the table in front of Audrey.

“Kelsey, thank you so much. Please call me Audrey.” Lim found her fork. It was easy for her. They used the clock method for placement of items, meals on the table. Seeing as though she was left handed they put her utensils at the nine on the clock.

Kelsey sat down, thanked Audrey and the four continued to eat. Kelsey explained what her plans for the girls were that day. She asked if Lim wanted to join them. Audrey agreed to go to the museum with them, but stated that she would not be joining them for the rest of the outing to the park and and library. She wanted to try to take a nap before the girls got home. Kelsey thought that was a great idea.

While at the museum the girls were able to take two kiddie art classes. One with painting and the other with clay. For being only one both of the girls had natural talent. Ryan was better at the painting but not by much. James was better with the clay but like Ryan not by much. The instructors were impressed.

Soon Kelsey and the girls were off on the rest of their day out. Audrey had beer dropped off by an Uber. She was currently in the elevator of her apartment building. Leaning against the wall of the elevator Lim placed a hand on her lower back and tried to massage out the knot that had been bugging her the last few days.

Finally the elevator came to a stop sounding her floor. When she exited the elevator she slowly made her way to her apartment. She got her key out and finally made it to her front door, put the key into the lock, she turned the door knob and opened the door.

Once safely inside she closed & locked the door. Almost immediately she noticed something different. The smell was different, there was also light music playing. For a moment she panicked that she had entered the wrong apartment. Then she heard the voice of her husband,

“Welcome home, Mi Amor! I have a surprise waiting for you in the living area.” Melendez helped her take off and hang up her jacket and purse. She still used her white cane to guide her into the living space.

“Neil what’s going on? Why does it smell and sound like a spa in here? It also feels darker and is some else here?” Audrey asked in pure confusion.

Melendez smiled though she couldn’t see it, “I have arranged for a in home couples massage for us. I know that your lower back has been bothering you a lot because of the pregnancy, so I wanted to do something to try to help. Also, you’re going to get a facial too. I just want you to feel relaxed and taken care of for a few hours.”

Lim started to tear up, “Oh Neil, this is the most amazing present that you could have given me.”

“Well, there is more. Kelsey is dropping Ryan and James off with my dad and Patringa at my dad’s hotel suite. Petringa is going to stay there to help him keep an eye on the twins. They will bring them home for dinner tomorrow.
After our massage and your facial I have arranged for dinner to be dropped off here. I have the latest Marvel movie set up and ready for us to watch. Tomorrow we will have a late breakfast after you have gotten a good night’s sleep.”

Lim really started to cry. She kissed him and thanked him. He helped her get ready for her massage. The therapist specialized in maternity massages. She came highly recommended by Lim’s obstetrician. Who once she and her team heard what he was doing for Lim demanded that he let them know how everything went for his romantic gesture.

Lim and Melendez both enjoyed their massages and both ended up getting a facial. They both were feeling much more relaxed.

After the massage teams left the couple put on their most comfortable night clothes. They still had a bit of time before dinner and decided to have a slow dance or two.

After they had finished their second dance the food had arrived. Neil served them. Audrey thought it was dopey but cute that he acted like a server at an Italian restaurant.

After a delicious meal the couple took to the balcony to watch the sunset. Neil watched and described the colors to his bride. As it was a chilly evening the snuggled under a warm, buttery soft blanket.

Finally, they went into their bedroom with snacks, drinks and settled in and watched the latest Marvel movie. Well, Melendez watched and Audrey listened.

As the end credits rolled Neil looked at his beautiful wife. He could see her trying to stay awake for him. Leaning in Melendez kissed her,

“Mi Amor, close your eyes and go to sleep. You need the sleep. I know that these two,” he started to softly rub her large baby belly, “have not been letting you get much sleep. The babies are calm at the moment. Get some sleep.”

Audrey was asleep within moments of closing her eyes. Neil leaned down to her swollen abdomen,

“Okay you two, go to sleep in there. Your momma needs some sleep. We love you both and cannot wait to meet you soon. Goodnight my loves.” Melendez kissed Lim’s round baby belly and he too fell asleep with his hand resting on where his children were growing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days later Audrey Lim was walking into her husband’s office at St. Bonaventure. He had asked her to stop by so they could head to her neurology appointment together.

“Dr. Lim-Melendez, I didn’t know that you were going to be here today. It’s so great to see you.” Dr. Alex park expressed as soon as she walked into the office.

“Thank you, Dr. Park. I have a follow up appointment and my husband wanted to go with me. I told him that I would wait here for him. How are you? How’s your son doing?” Lim asked.

“I’m good, and Kallen is doing great. He’s loving going on college tours. He and his mom are checking out two universities in New York and Pittsburgh this week.” Park informed his chief.

“That’s so exciting!! Does he honestly want to go to school out East?” Lim asked.

“The two schools that he is looking at are two of his top picks, but he also is wanting to go to three here in California. At this point I don’t think he knows where he truly wants to go.” Park said with a laugh.

“Thankfully I still have many years before the girls are even thinking about colleges. It’s going to be rough with two of them and then to do it again with these two.” Lim chuckled while pointing at her round belly.

“Do you have any guesses as to what you’re having this time around?” Park asked.

Lim sighed, “Neil is convinced that they’re both girls again. Me? I think at least one is a boy.”

Not that she could see him Park raised an eyebrow in curiosity, “Why do think that?”

“I know that each pregnancy is different, but this one has been a lot different. I’m definitely bigger now at this stage than when I was carrying the girls. Plus, all of the weight is in my abdomen just a bit higher.” Lim explained.

The two continue to talk until Melendez comes to collect Lim and he quickly signs off on the four charts that had brought him.

Soon Lim and Melendez were in an exam room waiting to speak to Dr. Holden about her latest test results.

The suddenly was a knock on the door and Dr. Holden came in.

“Sorry I’m late,” Holden shakes Neil’s hand, “My nephew was brought into the emergency department after he fell and broke his arm. Joey is fine his dad is a mess.” The doctor finished with a laugh.

Dr. Holden did a quick examination of Lim and then asked, “Other than what you deal with being I believe now thirty one weeks pregnant with twins, how are you feeling?”

Lim gave a soft smile, “The migraines come and go. Thanks to the medication they don’t last as long. Still no seizures.”

“Her hearing has been plagued with tinnitus, but she says that it’s manageable.” Melendez added.

Holden nods his head, “Based off of your latest tests, plus what you have told me…Audrey, we are comfortable just waiting and seeing how things play out for now, but be aware that we may have to deliver the twins early.”

Both Lim and Melendez were relieved at that news.

“Now, after the twins are born we want to aggressively start treating this latest tumor. We know the medication is only a stop gap measure. So far it has kept you stable. That can change at any time.” Dr. Holden explained to the couple.

“What if I have to have another c-section?” Lim asked nervously.

“Depending on how that procedure went we could realistically do the surgery two or three days after. I know that is a lot for one person to go through, but the sooner we get the tumor out the better for you. You will start to feel better and we can hopefully stave off any seizures or other issues that you may have to worry about.” Holden answered.

“What is the method that you are going to take for treatment?” Melendez asked.

Dr. Holden crossed his arms, “As much as I know that you don’t want to, we are going to surgically remove it.” Lim took a deep breath, “Dr. Melendez, I know that you don’t want to do this. However, at this point it’s going to be the best course. The other treatments would just delay the end result which is surgery.”

Melendez squeezed his wife’s hand, “Will you be doing a craniotomy like she had before?”

“Thankfully, no. We should be able to go in by using burr holes. Unlike the last tumor it’s in a fairly easy place to access and as of now the tumor is the size of a golf ball. In comparison to the larger than a lemon that she had removed. Overall, I believe recovery will be easier and faster this time around.” Holden informed the couple.

The three doctors continued to discuss Lim’s upcoming surgery for another twenty minutes. After the talk Lim and Melendez went to schedule her next checkup with Holden and then headed for home and their girls who were being watched by Morgan Reznick and Dalisay Villanueva.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Text

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three weeks later Audrey Lim woke up early. Today they were taking Ryan and James to a winter street fair and it was Valentines Day. Lim was excited to take them. There was going to an artist from Taiwan there. The artist was a master pottery but also photography. Ryan and James loves art, and Lim thought this was the perfect activity for the girls.

It was Saturday and Neil was off. He currently was making breakfast while Lim took a shower.

Audrey was officially thirty four weeks pregnant that morning. Lim stood in the shower rinsing the conditioner out of her long dark hair. The two that she was currently carrying within her were very active. Several times they moved and took her breath away. That did not help the backache that she had for the last week.

Lim finally finished her shower, dried off, added lotion all over, got dressed (Neil helped her get the outfit together) in a pair of army green cargo pants, a black tight fit tank top with a black and white long sleeve flannel shirt. For shoes she wore her black and white converse shoe. Lim chuckled to herself. The girls would be wearing Valentines Day outfits and she was wearing green, black and white. Neil told her that he found Valentines Day attire for the girls. Ryan’s was red while James was in a dark pink. Lim hated those colors but nobody had anything in black.

Once she was done she headed off to the kitchen. Neil was just plating their French toast casserole pancakes, home fries and for the girls cut up grapes, strawberries and a few blueberries.

Lim set about pouring drinks for everyone. Neil came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her to give her a hug. She leaned into him,

“Neil, I really wish you could pickup my huge belly and you could carry these two for a bit. These two are are getting heavier each day and are killing my back too.” Lim whimpered.

Melendez placed his hands under her large bump and lifted her belly up, thus giving her a bit of relief.

“Neil, thank you for this.” Audrey said closing her eyes.

“We did this with the girls, I should have thought to have done this before now. I hope it helps.” Neil spoke quietly into her ear.

Enjoying having someone else holding even a tiny fraction of the weight that she had to felt great. Though she still was having the lower backache.

The couple stayed together for a few more moments, and then went about the rest of their morning.

Audrey was not sure how she managed to make it through even a third of the street fair. The artist from Taiwan was the girls favorite. They bought two of her ceramic pieces titled “Right and Left” and “Two of Two”. The way the artist described them both reminded Lim and Melendez of their twins. For her by the feel and him by the look of the pieces.

They had just sat down to have lunch at a cafe not too far away from their car when Melendez asked, “Mi Amor, are you feeling okay?”

Lim leaned back into her chair, “Neil, I think we should go to the hospital.”

The hair on his body stood up, “Audrey, what is going on?” Melendez asked trying not panic.

“I think we’re going to be meeting the newest members of our family soon.” Lim replied tiredly.

“You’re in labor? Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Melendez asked signaling the server.

Lim chuckled, “I haven’t had any contractions. Just a backache. Still that’s all that I have, but it feels different. And let me tell you it’s been a struggle to be here.”

Melendez really looked at his wife. At first glance she looked like herself. However when he really looked at her he could see the exhaustion, the tension in the way that she was sitting and when she reached for glass of water there was a slight tremor to her hand. Hell even her breathing was different.

“Well, if you’re right we are about to be parents of four under the age of two. Let’s go get you checked out.” Melendez said with a smile. The server came over and he quickly explained to them what was going on. Though they didn’t get the chance to order, Neil gave the server a nice tip. The server wished the family luck as they left the restaurant. Neil dropped Ryan and James off with his father who now had an apartment as he was living in San Jose part time. Then he quickly got Audrey to the hospital and up to the labor and delivery floor. Lim was quickly admitted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just before midnight on Valentines Day Neil and Audrey Melendez sat in the latter’s hospital room. They were had just finished talking to the NICU doctors about their newest additions.

Born first was River Xavier Melendez. He weighed in at five pounds and was seventeen inches long.

His baby sister, Elliott Muse Melendez was born a minute after. She weighed in at four pounds eleven ounces and she was barely sixteen inches.

Both infants were healthy and strong. While River was on C-pap for his breathing, Elliott was on a ventilator. Both had feeding tubes and were being fed breast milk through them and were tolerating their feeds. Both infants were stable.

“Seriously, Melendez what is it with our kids being holiday babies. We have New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and now two Valentines Day babies.” Lim suddenly spoke out.

Melendez started laughing, “Joking as I say this I want that noted…We could have more kids and try to cover every major Holiday.”

“Only if you carried and birthed them.” Lim retorted.

They laughed for a moment. Melendez kissed her forehead, “I texted my dad and the team. The team were shocked when they found out. They all send their love and will be by later today.”

Audrey yawned and nodded her head, “Did you call Dr. Holden and let him know what is going on?”

“I spoke to him while you were being closed from the c-section and before I could see the twins. He was stunned that you had the babies. He actually said to let you wait a week before they do the next surgery. Which I’m relieved about because that gives you the chance to see the babies and the girls.” Melendez said in pure relief.

Lim yawned again, “That’s good. How about you climb up here with me and we can take a nap together before the nurses come to check on me again?”

Neil agreed and carefully got into bed with Lim and the new parents drifted off to an exhausted sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Three days later Audrey Lim was sitting in a rocking chair next to her newborn son’s isolette. According to the doctors he was thriving. He had put on two ounces and they were able to lower his pressure numbers.

“Dr. Melendez?” A quiet voice called to Lim interrupting her thoughts.

Lim startled. She looked at the young nurse, Violet. Lim smiled, “Morning, Violet. How are you this morning?”

Violet smiled, “I am so great. Thank you for asking. Your husband will be here in a few moments.”

Lim raised an eyebrow at the woman, “Why is my husband coming back? He’s supposed to be here a meeting with Dr. Andrews.”

Instead of Violet she heard Melendez, “Meeting with Andrews pales in comparison to being able to hold our son for the first time.”

“Hold our son?” Tears started to fall, “Are you serious right now? We can hold River?” Lim asked in fear that they were playing a joke on her.

Neil sat beside her and undid the ties on on the back of her gown. She soon felt Violet’s hands at the front of her gown. Then she felt her son being placed onto her chest. The gown was pulled back up and a blanket was draped over top of her.

“Oooohhh!! Hello, my sweet boy!” Lim said through her tears.

Neil sat beside her with his own tears falling. The nurses took pictures as the parents spent time with their beautiful boy.

Later that evening Lim was back in her bed in her room. She was to be released in the morning and while she was excited to be able to spend time with Ryan and James, Audrey did not want to leave River and Elliott behind.

“I cannot believe we got to hold River today. It was amazing. He is so tiny compared to how big the girls were.” Lim said as Melendez wrapped his arms around her.

“Me either, Mi Amor. I can’t wait to hold Elliot too. She’s even more tiny that Riv.” Melendez smiled, “Aud, did you ever think that we would have three daughters and a son?”

Lim let out a breath, “I honestly never thought I’d have kids. I know that you always wanted them. I just didn’t, but our four babies…are everything to me. I don’t care if I never see again. As long as I have my husband and my children then I have everything that I need.”

Melendez leaned over and kissed his wife. They spent the next few hours talking about the kids an everything else in between. They talked until Lim fell asleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Before going up to the operating room Lim had spent quiet time with her husband. They talked about kids, their life and when he could let their team know what was going on. They had not told anyone including Glassman what was going on with her nor this new surgery. To keep the secret Melendez and his dad would split their time with being at SJG and the NICU at St. Bonaventure. Neil’s cousin in LA had brought Gabby in for a visit. They were staying at a nearby hotel and were watching Ryan and James.

Before they could blink transport came and rushed Lim to the pre-op room. Then then she was taken into the operating room. They quickly got her transferred to the operating table and into position for the procedure.

“Alright Dr. Melendez,” Dr. Holden addressed his patient, “Let’s get this tumor out and get you back to your babies.”

Lim smiled, “I cannot wait. The sooner this is over the sooner I can hold my son again and hopefully soon my youngest daughter.”

Holden smiled under his mask, “We are injecting the medication that will put you out. Count backwards from one hundred.”

Lim started counting, “100, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91. 90, 88888…..” she went quiet.

“Damn! I’ve never had a patient make it that far down the court before.” The anesthesiologist exclaimed as he set about get his patient onto the ventilator.

Dr. Holden got into position, “Everyone knows the plan. We get this done and back with her family. Let’s roll folks.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~< Six and a half hours later Audrey Lim Melendez was in the recovery room and her team was trying to wake her up from the anesthesia. They had been trying for the last half an hour, but as of yet they were not having any success.

“Dr. Holden, it’s been forty five minutes and we have yet to get a response from her.” The recovery nurse exclaimed.

Holden was checking his patient’s vitals, “I can see that. Alright, contact the CT department and let them know that we are bringing up a priority.”

The team quickly got their patient and the equipment that she was attached to ready and rushed her for the waiting CT.

Over an hour and a half later Mike Holden walked out to the family room and found Neil Melendez sitting with who he believed was his father, “Neil?”

Both Melendez men stood up, “Dr. Holden, this is my dad, Juan. Dad, this Dr. Mike Holden. He’s the neurosurgeon who specializes in the types of tumors that Audrey has.”

Juan thanked the other doctor and shook his hand, but he could see that something was wrong,

“Dr. Holden, there’s something wrong with Audrey…isn’t there? Please tell us that my grandchildren are not going to lose their mother.” Juan pleaded while Melendez looked to Mike with wide eyes.

“Neil…Juan, we have not been able to wake Audrey from the anesthesia.
She did great throughout the surgery. We got all of the tumor including what looked like another one starting to grow beside the one she had. We have sent them both out to pathology.
In the meantime, we have tried for the last forty five minutes to wake her up. Audrey is just not responding. We took her for an emergency CT and then she was hooked up to an EEG to see what that tells us.” Dr. Holden informed the stunned men what was happening.

Neil found his voice after a few moments and questioned, “What the hell is going on? Audrey has never had a reaction to anesthesia before. Did she have a seizure? A stroke? What did the CT and EEG show?”

Mike held up his hands as Juan held his son’s arm. Dr. Holden replied, “Everything is normal for what she’s been through. I think it’s her system reacting to everything from the last week.
Neil, think about it. Little more than a week ago your wife was pregnant. She went into sudden labor and had an emergency c-section.
I’m hedging a guess here that her system is just stressed out and I that’s why it’s taking her so long to wake up.”

Melendez looked defeated as he stepped back Dr. Holden. He ran his hand through his hair, “When can I see her?”

Holden smiled, “We have her set up in the ICU. You can go see her right now.”

Melendez nods his head. Together the three men head off to see Audrey Lim.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marcus Andrews and Aaron Glassman sat in the former’s office looking at the laptop screen. They had been asked by Neil Melendez to get on a video chat with him. He needed to tell them something.

They were ten minutes into the call when Neil explained what Audrey had just been through. Both doctors were beyond shocked to hear the news.

Glassman was upset with himself for dismissing Lim when she told him about the migraines being back. He stay quiet.

“Lim still hasn’t regained consciousness?” Andrews asked.

Melendez sighed, “No. it’s been five hours since she’s been out of surgery. The tests are all normal. She should be awake by now.”

The three doctors talked for a bit longer before Neil had to get off.

Glassman and Andrews looked at each. The worry was clear on both of the two.

“Now we just need to tell the team what’s going on.” Andrews said. Together both doctors left to go address Lim’s team.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Six hours later Neil Melendez watched as his wife finally started wake up. It seemed to take forever but finally her eyes opened.

“Welcome back, Mi Amor.” Melendez said quietly with the biggest smile on his face.

Lim turned her surprised filled eyes towards him,
“Well, this is different.” She spoke in a near whisper.

Melendez was confused and worried, “What’s different, Audrey?”

Lim tried to speak again but instead she coughed from the dryness of her throat. Melendez quickly got the glass of water from the bedside try and placed it in her hands startling her.

“Easy there, Aud. Take a drink and we will try again.” Melendez said as she took a few swallows of the cool liquid. When she was done he took the cup and sat it back on the tray, “Feeling better?” Melendez asked his wife who nodded her head, “They got the tumor out plus the second one that was growing beside the first one. You took forever to wake up from sedation. We were getting worried. You were unconscious for over seven hours, Mi Amor.”

Lim looked towards him with wide eyes, “Are the kids okay?”

“All four are doing great. The girls are having fun with my cousin and my sister. Dad is with River and Elliott. They’ve lowered River’s pressure levels and he’s taking more of the breast milk. Our youngest daughter has been a rock star. She gained a whole ounce, they lowered her ventilator settings and are hopeful to have her on c-pap by the time that you’re discharged.”

Lim smiled, “That wonderful.” Lim paused as she closed her eyes for a moment.

Melendez looked at his wife with deep concern, “Audrey? Audrey are you okay?”

Lim opened her eyes, “It’s taking some time adjusting.”

Now Melendez was confused, “Adjusting to what?”

Lim smiled, “The brightness.”

Melendez’s jaw dropped, “Audrey, can you see?”

“I can see I guess shapes or shadows. I can’t see you but I can tell that you’re beside me. I think someone just walked in because I can see a lighter shape.” Lim informed her husband.

Melendez was smiling as Dr. Holden responded, “I came here to see if there was any changes and if you were awake yet. I find that not only are you awake, but you are seeing shapes. Dr. Melendez…Audrey, this is fantastic news. We have a lot of tests to run. Get ready for a busy few hours.”
Both Lim and Melendez smiled as Holden began asking questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Four days later Audrey Lim had been released from the hospital. Her healing was going faster this time around much to everyone’s delight. Upon release she went straight to St. Bonaventure to see her youngest children.

There she sat in a rocking chair beside both of her children. She was listening to the sounds of her children’s medical equipment as Neil held her hand while sitting beside her.

“Dr. Melendez, welcome back. Are you ready to hold your son again?” Violet asked with a smile as she reached to place the infant on his mother’s chest.

“Ohhhh, River!! Momma has missed you!! I love you so very much. You, Elliott, Ryan and James you four are who I keep fighting for.” Lim said through tears.

“Ooohhh myyyy.” Melendez said breathlessly scaring his wife.

“Neil? What’s wrong?” Lim questioned with a hint of panic.

“Mi Amor, there’s a surprise for you.” Melendez said as tears fell.

Lim suddenly felt the front of her gown being pulled away from her son’s body, “Please don’t take him just yet. I just got him. Please let me hold him longer….” Lim stopped when she felt another even smaller body placed next to River.

“Dr. Melendez, say hello to your daughter. Elliott Muse, say hello to your Momma.” Violet spoke softly as she covered the twins up.

Lim could not find her voice right away. She savored the moment that she had longed for. She had a headache from the surgery. She was exhausted too, but in the moment they placed her son and daughter on her chest there was nothing but pure joy and happiness.

Neil and Audrey enjoyed their time with their youngest children. They took turns holding them, and many pictures and videos were captured of the surreal moment.

Later that evening after putting Ryan and James into bed Lim and Melendez talked about the day’s events. Neil wished that he could bottle up Audrey’s excitement. He loved getting to see her smiling face. When he fell asleep next to his beautiful sleeping wife, Melendez dreamed of a bright future for his family.
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Chapter Text

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Six months later and the Melendez family of six were all at home. River came home first after spending two months in the hospital. River only needed supplemental oxygen at night.
Elliott came home a week later. She too needed oxygen though she needed it throughout the day.

Now, four months later River was completely off oxygen and Elliott was only on it at night. The family had quickly adjusted to being a family of six.

Ryan and James were almost two. They were talking, getting into everything and they exact copies of their parents personalities.

Lim had started getting more of her vision back. While she could not yet see complete details, she could see outlines, shapes and she had to take to wearing sunglasses as she could not control how the lighting would be from place to place. Often for her if she did not wear the darkened glasses the changing light tones would give her a massive headache and made her nauseous. When she was at home they could control the amount light was used and she could go without the glasses. Which when you are taking care of two toddlers and two infants made things a lot easier.

Lim had even taken to working at St. Bonaventure in teaching and consulting capacity. She also continued to practice her surgical skills in occupational therapy. They helped to me her fine motor skills on point.

Audrey Lim Melendez was loving her life. Never did she imagine that she would be the mother of four and married to her soulmate. They had been through a lot and she was beyond grateful to have him in her life.

“Momma!!” Lim startled from her thoughts at hear her daughter call her. She had been trying to read a surgical journal when she started daydreaming.

“Ryan, what’s wrong? Also, please don’t shout unless you’re trying to wake up your little brother and sister.” Lim said with a smile.

“Sorry, Momma. James and I finished our movie. You said that when it was done that we could help you make dinner for Poppa.” Ryan said excitedly.

“Momma, we want to help!!” James chimed in.

Lim loved that her girls wanted to help make their father a special dinner. Lim got up and together the three made a feast for dinner.

When Melendez got home he was greeted by his two oldest daughters. They hugged him and screamed in delight. He loved on them for several minutes. Finally, Lim called the girls to go wash their hands for dinner allowing him to make it into the rest of the condo.

“Mi Amor, it smells amazing in here!! Look at all of this stuff. Are we having a party?” Melendez asked laughing as he wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist. Leaning in he kissed her neck.

Lim leaned back into his arms. She stopped plating the food. “Thought my amazing husband deserved a surprise. You have done so much for this family…for me. This is just something small that I could do. Don’t worry, I didn’t burn anything, and the girls made sure that I didn’t combine recipes. I tasted everything and it all tasted pretty good…minus the pie. We just won’t talk about that.”

Melendez laughed. He turned his beautiful wife around to face him. “Audrey, you don’t have to thank me. Taking care of this family, taking care of you…it’s my job. Just like I know you would do the same if it was me who had to go through everything that you have.”

Melendez and Lim shared a tender kiss until their daughters came running back into the room laughing and squealing.

Lim broke the kiss and called the girls to sit at the table. Both she and Neil set the plated food upon the table. Together the family enjoyed a delicious meal. It was one that Lim actually got to eat most of while it was hot before Elliot and River woke up demanding to be fed too. Once dinner was complete and the youngest twins had been nursed they decided to sit out on their balcony to watch the sunset and watch the first stars of the night to appear.

Wrapped in blankets the family laid together on a large lounger. Ryan and James were talking to each other while River and Elliott played with their toys that the girls insisted were needed.

Lim had her heard resting on Melendez’s shoulder as she listened to him describe the sunset sky to her. Lim closed her eyes and imagined the twilight setting in. The intense orange, yellow and reds leading into dark purples, blues and black as the day turned to to night. She could picture looking up and seeing the stars just starting to shine and the soft glow of the moon.

Lim sighed and opened her eyes…something was different from what she saw before closing her eyes. Gone were the shapes and outlines. Gone was the variants of white, black and grays. It was all gone.

Lim turned her head to where she knew her husband was and called his name, “Neil?”

Melendez turned, smiled and replied, “Mi Amor, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Are you okay?”

Lim had tears starting to fall, she let out deep breath, “I don’t want to close my eyes and open them again to have this not be real.”

Melendez look at her in total confusion and fear, “Audrey, what’s going on? What are you talking about?”

Lim raised a shaking hand towards his face and he guided towards himself, “If I close my eyes I am afraid that when I open them again I won’t be able to see you anymore. I don’t want to go back to the darkness.”

“Wait, Audrey…are you saying that you can see? Can you see me right now?” Melendez asked excitedly.

“It’s like I’m looking through water, but I definitely can see you, Neil.” Lim said with even more tears falling.

Melendez pulled her into an excited kiss. When he finally let her go to breathe they both laughed.

“Momma and poppa always kissing.” Ryan giggled.

“Yuck! Always kissing.” James mimicked her sister.

Lim and Melendez laughed. Then Audrey turned and looked at her children. Getting to see her oldest daughters for the first time since they were infants and seeing her son and youngest daughter for the first time ever.

“Ohhh myyy.” Audrey whispered.

Melendez took her hand, “Are you okay, Aud?”

Lim smiled, “They are beautiful. These babies that we created, Neil…they are perfection.”

James looked at her mother and tipped her head and smiled, “Hi , Momma. You see differently now. You see like Poppa, like Ry and like me now.” She laughed and threw her arms around Lim’s neck and hugged her mother.

“Almost, baby.” Lim said as she hugged the little girl.

The rest of the night was spent together celebrating Lim’s healing and being a family.
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Four months later Audrey Lim stood in the room that she never thought that she would get back into…well at least not as a surgeon. She looked around the room. Aside from her family this place brought her the most joy and happiness.

“Welcome back, Dr. Melendez.” Lim turned and looked and saw Dr. Morgan Reznick, Dr. Alex Park and Dr. Shaun Murphy standing at the entrance of the empty operating room.

“Thank you, Dr. Reznick. It’s great to be able to come back.” Lim adjusted her glasses that she now wore. Her new contacts hadn’t come in yet and as such she had to wear her black wire rimmed glasses Lim looked at her team. The only on missing was Dr. Claire Browne. She had taken time off for a family emergency. “Are you all ready to get back to training with me?”

The three residents eagerly agreed. Lim smiled and handed out her orders for their shift. They went over each case and then went about their respective duties for the day.
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Neil Melendez was exhausted when he went to his wife’s office, but when he saw her reading her case notes with her eyes and not her hands…his heart skipped a beat. Never did he think that he would get to see her back to doing what she loved, but today she was doing just that.

“How’s your day going so far, Mi Amor?” Neil asked with a huge smile.

Lim looked at him with an equally large smile, “I never thought raising two almost three year olds and two one year olds would be easier than running this hospital. My day has been crazy busy and it’s not even one in the afternoon.”

Lim stood up and walked to her husband. They shared a kiss. Then she sighed, “Now I need to the emergency department. We have medical students who are learning how to use a sonogram machine. Reznick is going to play the patient. It should be a great time.”

They both laughed as they walked out of her office.

“I’ll be in the emergency department in a few minutes. I have see a patient first. Give them hell.” Melendez said as they parted.

A few minutes later Audrey Lim walked into the patient room that they were using for training. Three medical students stood looking at the monitor as Villanueva was explaining the different features of the machine. She noticed Lim walking in,

“This is our Chief of Surger, Dr. Audrey Lim-Melendez. Dr. Melendez, would you be willing to be our patient for this class?” Dalisay asked.

Lim gave a tight smile, “Where’s Dr. Reznick?”

“Dr. Andrews pulled her in on his case.” Dalisay answered rolling her eyes.

“Of course he did. Okay, let me get on the table.” Lim replied curtly as she walked over to the exam table. Once she was in position she lifted her shirt and lowered her waist band.

Villanueva laughed, “Done this before I see.”

Lim laughed, “With two sets of twins…I’ve had my fair share of scans.”

Villanueva handed the probe to a med student, “Alright, Lacy you’re up first.”

The young med student nervously took the probe. Looked at it for a moment and then reached over to the cart and grabbed the bottle of sonogram gel. She warned Lim that it might be cold and then squirted some onto Lim’s tone abdomen. Lacy then places the probe into the gel a the sonogram screen came to life.

The Ned student started high in the abdomen and Villanueva told them things that they could possibly see if there was an injury, cancer or blood clots. Lim knew she had nothing to worry about as Lacy moved the probe lower and she leaned back and closed her eyes. Villanueva had stepped back to reply to a text from Petringa.

“Dr. Melendez, you told nurse Villanueva that you’ve had two sets of twins?” Lacy asked trying to get to know their boss.

“Yes, I have twin daughters Ryan and James who are going to be three in a few weeks. Then we have River and his sister Elliott they are a little over a year now.” Lim said with pride.

“Bet the your youngest kids were excited when you and husband told them that they were going to be a big brother and sister like Ryan and James are.” Another med student chimed in.

Both Lim and Villanueva’s eyes flew to the monitor.

“Dalisay!!” Lim called out.

“Go find your asshat of a husband and drag him in here by his balls if I have to. I’m on it!!” The nurse rushed out the door leaving behind three confused med students and a stunned chief.

Dalisay ran around to different parts of the emergency department looking for Melendez. She finally spotted him talking with Andrews and Glassman. She rushed up stepping in between the three doctors and grabbed Melendez’s arm pulling him with her.

“He’s late for his training of the med students.” Villanueva called to the other two doctors as she dragged him with her.

After a few moments they reached a room, but Melendez stopped them from entering,

“Dalisay, what the hell is going on? I’m not supposed to do any training with the med students.” He argued.

“No, but they have a surprise for you.” The nurse retorted as she opened the door and pushed him in.

An overly confused Melendez looked around the room and saw three med students surrounding his wife who was laying on an exam table.

“Audrey? What’s going on?” He asked still confused.

“I told you if you got me pregnant with twins again that you would not need to schedule a vasectomy…I would take care of it myself. Hope you don’t have any plans for the rest of the day.” Lim snapped at him.

Melendez raised an eyebrow, “Oh shit!!” He noticed the sonogram machine beside his wife. Melendez looked at the screen and there he saw what had his wife pissed off. Two little miracles.
“Twins again?”

Lim turned to the med students, “You three, what you learned in here today stays amongst us! Until I’m ready for the world to know you will keep your mouths shut, or I promise you will never make it past being a great bed pan cleaner.
Villanueva can you please take them anywhere else, and reinforce what I have said.”

“You got it, Chief! You three out. Let’s go." The nurse and three med students quickly left the room.

“Audrey, I’m so sorry.” Melendez began with a smile, “You know that this is not just my fault here? Based off their size,” Neil looked at the monitor. He smirked, “I bet I can guess the night they were conceived.”

Lim looked at her husband, “I recall that night eleven weeks ago very well, and I also remember you telling me that you were wearing a condom.”

“I did, I swear. I guess the condom had a tear that I didn’t notice. We both had to rush to get cleaned up because the kids woke up from the storm. Ryan and James nearly caught us.” Melendez recalled.

Lim chuckled, “That would have been an awkward conversation to have with our two year olds.” She paused and looked at the monitor again, “You got me pregnant with twins again, Neil!! Three pregnancies and six kids. You always said that you wanted a lot of kids, but I’m telling you right now. Unless you want to carry the next one no more getting me pregnant with twins.”

Melendez was about to respond when there was a knock on the door and soon in walked Dr. Joe Atler he was the head of the OBGYN team.

“Drs. Melendez, I’m sorry to interrupt, but Villanueva asked me to come in here for a VIP consultation. She did not tell me it was for you.” He looked at the monitor, “Really, Neil? You got her pregnant again with twins? And you left him still standing, Audrey?”

Lim and Melendez laughed and Atler picked up the probe to finish the ultrasound. He was taking measurements when he paused, “So, Neil got your running shoes on?”

Melendez looked at him in confusion, “No, why?”

“Because she’s going to really try to kill you. Seems you actually got her pregnant with triplets this time.” Atler said with a smirk as Melendez turned pale and Lim looked shocked.

“You have got be kidding me!!” Lim exclaimed and glared at her husband.

Melendez’s eyebrows were the highest they had ever been, “Triplets?” He looked from Atler, to the monitor, to his wife’s abdomen and then to her face, “Ohhhh, I’m a deadman.”

Dr. Atler laughed as he left the couple to discuss their news in privacy. The doctor knew that no matter what came at this family they would be okay. They had been through the worst and they came out stronger and more in love.
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