Their drive back to San Jose was fun. Neil was loving driving the rental, it hugged the road and took the corners amazingly. He was going to be sad to give it back but Audrey was right, they wouldn't be needing a two seater again anytime soon.
In an attempt to prolong their trip as long as possible, they stopped off in Santa Cruz, around an hour from home for a late lunch at The Crows Nest.
Neil filled his stomach with the Seafood Fettucine loaded with scallops, prawns, clams and fresh fish. It was beautifully sautéed with vegetables and tossed with fresh semolina pasta in a smooth creamy alfredo sauce. So good that he mopped up every last bit with the freak bread that came with it.
Audrey snagged a prawn or two from his dish and saved them on the side of her plate for after she'd finished her Chargrilled Ahi Brochette. It was drizzled with a spicy Szechwan sauce and tartar wasabi and served over a soft and fluffy jasmine rice. It was spicier than she expected making her cheeks flush a little.
"You're literally glowing right now" Neil teased as she took a few gulps of her iced water.
"But not pregnancy glow" she laughed. "Spicy food is my thing, this..." she said as she waved her hands by her cheeks. "This better not be permanent!"
"You'll be fine I'm sure, just a little sensitive right now" he said, mentally crossing his fingers. "Fancy getting our toes sandy before we go?"
"Anything to keep this trip going" she said taking his hand across the table. "Going to work tomorrow is going to be total crap."
"They're not going to know what's hit them. You know the aim of this trip was to make sure you're wonderfully relaxed for this last stretch. You can't let the hospital undo all that hard work we've done" he smiled giving her a wink.
"Oh, I won't" she said smiling at him. "I'm not going to let them see this soft squishy side of me..."
Neil responded with a snort and laughed out loud at that.
"What!" she said indignantly. "I'm adorable" she argued, smiling at his reaction.
"You are absolutely adorable to me" he smiled softly. "But let's be honest, everyone else thinks you are terrifying."
"Exactly how I like it" she laughed.
They walked down towards the sand and along to the lighthouse and sat a while and she rested her head on his shoulder. They quietly watched dog walkers, families walking the sand and surfers heading out into the waves.
"Have you remembered the big delivery coming this week?" Audrey asked him as they walked in the breakers back towards the parking lot.
"About 9 weeks early love" he smiled as he gave her a little nudge.
"You're hysterical, you know that? Such a funny guy!" she said sarcastically.
"That's why you married me right?"
"Yes, of course" she said stopping to kiss him. "That, and that you're just so pretty."
X
Arriving home, they pulled up onto the drive and sat in the car looking at the house.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Neil asked, looking over at her.
"That if we don't get out of the car, this trip isn't over? Absolutely!"
"Pretty much" he smiled putting his hand on her thigh. "Can't sit here all night though, come on" he said as he got out and walked around to open Audrey's door. It had taken her a little while to get used to someone being so chivalrous but now she loved it, one of the many ways he showed her just how much he cared.
"I've got to take this bad boy back and pick up your car too" she said gently tapping the roof of the sports car.
"Can't we get one? Seriously? We should have two cars anyway. While your on leave, you'll want the car and I still need to get to work" he suggested hopefully.
"You have a point" she agreed. "We could look into it, maybe get a short lease? People are going to talk though" she teased.
He looked at her, not speaking but raising his eyebrows to question her.
"Late thirties, wife has baby, shows up in fancy sports car... screams midlife crisis!" she laughed as she gently prodded his chest. "With your usual, grumpy 'arrogant asshat' demeanor, it'll be guaranteed, you'll be a middle aged man" she continued as she watched his face change to one of mock horror.
"I have no idea what you are talking about Lim, I'm a nice guy. The 'arrogant asshat' has been tamed by the love of a good woman... or you at least" he smiled as he closed the small gap left between them. "Besides, it's not like I haven't been gossiped about before" he said before kissing her.
X
Two days later, while Audrey was at the hospital the delivery arrived. Box after box was unloaded and carted upstairs and he just stood looking at it for a while before closing the door and going downstairs to start on dinner.
Audrey arrived home in quite the churlish mood. She threw her bag and jacket onto one of the barstools, took a soda from the fridge and walked straight past Neil to sit outside. She flopped down onto one of their usually comfortable outdoor chairs and winced as she landed awkwardly.
He watched for a moment from behind the counter before turning down the cooker top, getting a drink of his own and going to sit on the seat next to her. He didn't speak, he just waited and eventually she erupted.
"This stupid job sucks" she exclaimed, rounding on him. "I literally sat on my arse in meetings all day and do you know what we achieved? Do you?" she ranted.
He remained silent.
"Absolutely nothing!" she continued. "Stupid bureaucracy about where we're spending too much money just for them to end the meeting making no changes at all. What was the point?" she blurted, getting louder.
"This job is nothing but stress. It's a no brainer, money should be spent on patient care and ways to push that forward. Not what kind of desk some board member wants!" she said pausing to take a sip of her drink. She looked over at him and saw him just smiling at her. "What are you smiling at" she snapped.
"Have you quite finished?" he asked her softly.
"I haven't actually" she sniped. She took a deep breath to compose herself. "I miss surgery. I really do miss the buzz of actually helping people" she said more gently.
"I know you do" he replied. "But this is a temporary thing remember. Come with me" he said taking her hand and pulling her up.
He led her by the hand upstairs until she stopped halfway.
"It's this your idea of fixing it? Really? I'm not in the mood Neil" she objected stubbornly.
"Shush woman" he said pulling on her hand until she followed him again.
They stopped outside the door next to their room. He stood behind her with one hand on her shoulder while the other reached around to the handle.
"Look" he whispered in her ear as the door swung open. "It's getting fuller" he smiled.
He could see her relax. Her shoulders dropped and she let out a small sigh as she leaned back lightly against him.
"Thank you" she whispered back as she turned slightly to kiss his cheek.
"Always" he replied smiling.
She turned to look at him cupping his face on her hands.
"Let's get dinner sorted. You've got a busy evening" she said kissing him and sauntering away leaving him standing, just shaking his head.
"Yes Ma'am" he quipped in reply. "Dishes are all yours though."
