Hi all! Just a little note to let you know I'll give the prequel thing a bash. My issue is, I know absolutely nothing about the education/training for surgeons so will have to do some reading etc. before I start. Please bear with me and wish me luck!
X
After taking the eggs off the heat and throwing the ruined pan in the sink, he sat back down next to her at the breakfast bar. He was in shock and the questions came thick and fast.
"When did you find out? How far along? You feeling ok?" he blurted out in quick succession not giving her any time to actually answer.
She just sat and smiled at him until he was finished.
"Ready?" she asked him. He checked himself and smiled right back.
"Sorry" he said sheepishly. "I should probably let you answer."
"I'm about 4 weeks along Dr Churchill said. I found out at the appointment for bloods earlier this week. I was trying to figure out some kind of big reveal for you, but couldn't wait anymore" she said a bit shyly.
He took her hands. "That casual announcement was the best" he said with a goofy grin still plastered on his face. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine" she replied. "I'm excited and nervous all wrapped up together! It's a bit early to start feeling sick but fingers crossed I'll get away with it. "
"It is very early isn't it. We're keeping it quiet for now, yes? Neil asked, already knowing the answer.
"Gosh, yes" she replied. "Waaaaaaay to early to tell anyone."
"I kinda like that's it's our little secret for now" he said getting up to make some fresh breakfast. "Still want eggs?" he asked.
"No thanks, hard eggs are a waste" she replied with a laugh. "Toast will be fine."
X
They stuck to their originally plan of visiting Gabi for lunch but their evening plans changed. Their original plan of going dancing was put on pause for their new plan of staying in and talking about how much their lives were going to change.
"So do you need to do anything differently" Neil asked. "Workwise I mean?"
"I should probably tell Andrews for Health and Safety reasons but apart from that we aren't obliged to tell anyone."
"What about Murphy?" Neil asked.
"What about Shaun?"
"He'll know something is different even when you carry on as normal" he said with a smile.
"You're probably right. He'll see I'm walking differently, or holding myself differently even when I think I'm not" she said with a sigh. "Maybe we should tell him and make sure he knows how important it is to keep it quiet."
"Probably the best option" Neil agreed. "We'll tell him tomorrow after we've seen Andrews."
For the rest of the weekend, the conversation seemed to drift back to the fact that Audrey was pregnant. One conversation that started about the plants in their garden, ended with them discussing how they would baby proof despite that being over a year away.
Sunday evening came around and Neil noticed Audrey getting gradually more quiet. Ashe didn't seem interested in conversation anymore so he bit the bullet.
"What's wrong?" he asked. As she opened her mouth to say 'nothing' he jumped back in.
"Don't say nothing, I know there's something" he said softly. "What's wrong?"
"What if" she started. "What if we tell people about the baby and then something happens. You know, something bad?"
"You can't think like that" he replied. "How many times do you tell patients to keep a positive mental attitude? Looks like you're hoping to have to follow your own advice Dr Lim" he said pulling her to him.
"And your right, again" she replied. "Does it get boring being right all the time."
"It does not" he replied in matter of fact with a smile.
X
Getting ready to leave for work on the Monday, Audrey was quicker to get ready than usual.
"Can I get a lift today?" she asked.
"Sure" he replied. "It's a beautiful day though, no bike?"
"I think I'll give the bike a miss for a while, you know, just to be careful."
"I can't say I'm disappointed" he replied as he handed her a coffee. "I'm just glad I didn't have to suggest it" he teased.
They arrived an hour later and headed straight to Andrews office to try and catch him before the day started. He was just arriving and hanging up his jacket as he gestured for then to come in and take a seat.
"How can I help you both today" he asked in his usual, slightly condescending style.
They looked at each other, Neil nodded and Audrey took a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant" she blurted out.
He looked back and forth between them both and his face broke into a wide smile.
"That's wonderful news" he said. "How far along are you?"
"Just four weeks so we'd appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself for now. We just wanted to let you know for health and safety reasons, you know."
"Absolutely, nobody will learn it from me. I appreciate you letting me know and trusting me with this. Thank you" he said.
"You'll be needing time for appointments together I'm assuming. Don't worry about running it past me, I trust you to make sound judgements regarding that" he continued.
"Thank you Dr Andrews" Neil replied.
"Yes, thank you" added Audrey.
They stood and headed towards the door and just as they were about to leave he spoke again.
"I'm truly happy for you both, this is a blessing. Congratulations."
"Thanks" they replied in unison.
As the door closed behind them. Dr Andrews sat down heavily in his chair. The conversation had brought some buried feelings back to the surface. He looked at the photograph on his desk, smiled and picked up the phone to call his wife.
X
"That went better than I thought" Audrey said as the elevator doors closed.
"It did" Neil agreed. "Was quite unexpected."
"And now for the tricky one" she teased. "Shaun should be here by now, let's go find him."
They ran into Shaun as he emerged from the changing room to start his shift.
"Can we have a word Dr Murphy" Neil asked.
"Of course" he replied. "Is there something wrong?"
Audrey placed her hand on Neil's arm and gave a look that said 'let me take it from here'. He was happy to oblige.
"Shaun, can we talk in private please?" Audrey asked directing them to an empty exam room.
"Is there something you need help with?" Shaun started.
"Yes please" Audrey replied. "We need you to keep a secret for us please. It's very important."
Shaun considered this request in silence whilst looking at them critically.
"Dr Lim is pregnant" he announced. "She is standing slightly differently and Dr Melendez, you looked at her stomach when Dr Lim mentioned a secret. Also," he continued, "you just look... different."
"Told you" Neil said smiling. "Didn't take him long."
Audrey continued to hold Shaun's attention and continued speaking.
"It's very, very early days so we would like to not say anything to anybody until we are ready to announce it. Is that ok?"
"It is Dr Lim. I will not tell anybody about your good news. Am I required to give you a hug?" he replied. Audrey shook her head with a smile. "I should go now, I'm late" he said as he turned on his heel and walked out.
They stood there a little while, just shoulder to shoulder with their hands touching.
"It was actually nice to share that with someone" Audrey said smiling.
"It was" Neil agreed. "You watch, time will fly by and we'll be screening calls from our mothers in no time" he teased.
"Can't wait" she smiled.