Just a quick reassurance before we start that we won't be rushing to get a baby into this story. It was just a chat I wanted out of the way as it was so important in ending the last relationship. I'm enjoying myself too much

/

It was another couple of days before they had some time off together. It was just a mid week day off work, no surgeries or meetings and neither was on call. They woke slowly that morning, no alarms and just enjoyed waking up together for a change.

They were sat having breakfast and she heard "Fancy coming to a yoga class with me today?" She almost spat out her coffee.

"What? Why on earth?" She laughed.

"Yeah really. Mid week classes are normally quiet, it'll be fun."

"It'll be something but I'm not sure I'd call it fun."

"Ok let's make a deal. You come to some classes with me and when you get your license back I'll come out with you on the bike"

"Really" she exclaimed. "You always called my bikes 'donor machines'. Why on earth would you do that?"

He rolled his eyes, "yes really. Considering that we're living together then don't you think we should embrace these sides of each other? I'm not sayin I'll enjoy it but maybe i could figure out why you love it so much... and then never do it again" he laughed.

"Wow, sure, ok then. Your right again. You know you're going to have to let me be the grown up in the relationship at some point you know!"

Neil just smiled.

"What time is the class?" She asked in between mouthfuls of breakfast.

"10 down at the Sportsplex" he replied. He checked the clock "best get moving."

"I need to shower first"

"Um, no after!"

"No before. I'm gross. How will I compete with all the yummy mummies in yoga pants like this!"

This time it was Neil's turn to almost spit out his coffee "you're mad woman."

"Yeah and I'm aaaaaalllllll yours" she replied over her shoulder on the way to get ready.

/

Class was not a roaring success by any stretch of the imagination. He had honestly never seen anyone with less balance than Audrey Lim. How she ever managed to stay upright on two feet astounded him.

In the car on the way back to the condo, they sat in a comfortable silence. Neil had enjoyed class as usual but looking at Audrey he couldn't really tell. She was sat with her eyes closed enjoying the sunshine on her face and he didn't want to disturb.

As they pulled into his parking space, she startled and half shouted "I'm awake."

"Sure you are" he replied. "Maybe you enjoyed after all?'

"God no, that was mortally embarrassing and I'm never going again. But I wouldn't say no if you wanted to go through some of it again at home together."

"We can definitely do that" he smiled.

"And besides, I won't have to share you with all those other ladies. They couldn't keep their eyes off you."

He looked at her surprised "is the unflappable Audrey Lim jealous?" He teased.

"No, of course not" she argued. "Well, maybe a bit. But can you blame me, those women were almost drooling!"

He let out a big belly laugh at that one. "I did not see this coming"

"Stop being an ass"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm just surprised that's all."

"At least if we carry on at home, you can practise with no shirt on for me to ogle at you properly!"

"You have no shame, but I love it" he smiled.

"We can practise tonight if you like" she said with a wink.

/

After a light lunch, they were at a loose end again. Lim excused herself to make a calls while Neil busied himself clearing up and doing some prep for dinner. Once he was set, he headed off to find Audrey. Not in the office where he expected her to be, she was say on the bed chatting away. He waited outside the door a little while listening then gave a light knock and pushed the door ajar. She waved him in and gave a thumbs up, a sign to let him know that he could go about his business.

A few minutes later she finished up her call and put the handset on the bedside cabinet.

"I wasn't eavesdropping on purpose, I thought you meant business calls"

"Unless you've developed fluent mandarin recently I think I'm safe! That was mom."

"All ok?" He asked.

"Sure, just a regular check in. The is one thing though."

"Which is?"

"She wants to meet you?"

He froze, "Um, ok. We're at the parents meeting stage then are we?"

"It appears so. She seemed a little hung up on the name Melendez though so could be interesting."

"How did your ex husband talk her around?"

"He's an ex for a reason" she quipped!

"Crap!"

"You owe me, Melendez after this morning's disaster."

"No way, we made a deal. I'd go on that bike if you did yoga".

"I'm not due to get my licence back for another 7 months. You'll probably owe me for something else by then!"

He rubbed his hand over his face and sighed "Fine, next full day we have off, we'll go for lunch. That ok? That way if she doesn't like me I've still got a few hours of the day left to myself. "

"I'm sure you'll be fine, but that's a good idea just in case!" She laughed.

/

They spent the rest of the day just pottering around and then prepared and ate a great dinner. They were very much enjoying cooking together. Neil had always cooked but it was quite a new thing for Audrey and she was enjoying rediscovering some dishes from her childhood. Tonight's dish was a delicious, rich beef noodle soup which reminded her of sitting at her mother's kitchen table. It was just what she needed after chatting with her mum today and she enjoyed sharing the memories with Neil.

After dinner, Neil rose with purpose and startled her a little.

"Let's get started" he said.

"What are you taking about?"

"You had better start teaching me some Mandarin if I'm going to impress your mum."

"Ah, what would the residents say if they could see the sweet Neil Melendez I know" she teased.

"I'd deny it all." He retorted with a smile.