Lim and Melendez awoke entwined in each other's arms, Lim feeling the most well rested in months. The only thing she would have really appreciated is if the little hands and feet inside her belly would settle down at night so she could sleep comfortably. Lim had the 7 AM-3 PM shift and Melendez had the 3 PM-11 PM shift but then they were both off through Tuesday morning. Lim went to shower when Melendez came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her abdomen and nipping at her neck, "Neil," she chuckled, "We didn't wake up early enough for that and I'll be late if we do that this morning."
Melendez pulled away in disappointment, "Alright," he sighed sadly.
Lim turned around and kissed him, "I appreciate that you're still interested though."
"That works for me," he stroked her cheek.
Lim threw on a pair of pants and a blue maternity top, cursing to herself at the fact that they were now getting tighter and she'd need yet another round of maternity wear. And she didn't know which was worse: having Laura constantly saying how beautiful she was or having Neil constantly saying how beautiful she was. After she arrived at St. Bonaventure, she grabbed a coffee from the hospital cafeteria and made her rounds before going to scrub into a long and complex surgery. Morgan had called in sick, so Shaun would be the only resident assisting her. She entered the scrub-in area and began washing her hands, "Well, it looks like it's just you and me today, Murphy," Lim said.
"Yes," Shaun nodded and stared into the operating room, "Because Dr. Reznick called in sick."
Since it was just the two of them, Lim decided to let Shaun assist more with some of the more complex stuff, guiding him if he started to struggle. The two surgeons were silent for the longest time when Shaun suddenly asked out of the blue, "Dr. Lim?"
"What Murphy?" asked Lim.
"Are you and Dr. Melendez still fighting?" asked Shaun.
Lim shot her head up, unaware that her residents even knew about her argument with Melendez, "No, we're fine, Murphy."
Shaun didn't speak any longer until he said, "You both seem very happy together."
"Yes, we are," Lim responded. Where was Shaun going with this conversation?
More silence on Shaun's part, "Dr. Browne thinks I'll be a good father someday. But I don't know how to love."
"Clamp here," Lim instructed Shaun. Shaun did as ordered, "Let me tell you a little secret, Murphy. None of us really know how to love. We learn over time. For some people it's easier than others. But it's all something we have to learn. Having the right partner makes all the difference."
"Mm. Okay," said Shaun, "The baby is lucky to have you as her mother, Dr. Lim."
"Thank you, Dr. Murphy. Suction here," she said.
As her shift wore on, Lim began to really look forward to the concept of three whole days to herself. Not that she or Melendez could rest: their first HypnoBirthing class was the next day, she would probably have to do some more clothes shopping, they had promised themselves that they would pick out a rocker or glider for the baby's nursery, not to mention there was a basket of laundry to wash and a pile of paperwork that they needed to complete by Wednesday afternoon. Melendez was arriving just as Lim was packing her bag, though she had agreed to stay a bit longer so they could both talk to Jerry Webber face to face. Melendez smiled when he saw Lim and gave her a quick kiss, "Hi."
"Hi," she smiled back.
Melendez could tell she looked exhausted, "Rough day?"
"Not rough as much as it was long. Working these longs shifts and growing another human isn't easy," she admitted. They both walked to Jerry's hospital room and Lim knocked on the door, "Mr. Webber?" Jerry looked over at the two physicians, "I'd like to introduce you to Dr. Neil Melendez; he's Casey Garrison's doctor."
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Melendez," said Jerry.
"You too," said Melendez politely.
"So I guess Dr. Lim told you about what I'd like to do?" asked Jerry.
"She did," Melendez confirmed.
"Well, I'll leave you both alone. I'll see you later," Lim said to Melendez and left the room.
Melendez watched Lim leave the room and turned back to face Jerry, "This is a big decision you're making."
"I know," agreed Jerry.
"Have you talked to your family about this decision?" asked Melendez.
"I wanted to get all of the details before I talked to them," he admitted.
Melendez sat down in the chair in the room, "You really need to talk to them. It's not something we can reverse obviously; you really need to be confident in this decision."
"I know," said Jerry, "I will have a serious discussion with Cathy about it. I can't tell you what to think and what to believe, Dr. Melendez, but once my wife passed away, it took a long time for me to move on. Cathy and Kyle kept me going, but Kyle was only two when Jean died. She had pancreatic cancer and I had to watch her suffer. She was always in a lot of pain and I did everything I could to take her out of her misery, but I always felt so helpless. I just don't want for Cathy and Kyle to feel that helpless as I slowly deteriorate and have to watch me suffer the way we all watched Jean suffer. And if I can save someone, I'd like to do so."
"Well, I'll consult with Dr. Lim on your confession, but I'd also like to tell you this: your family might not see you as a burden even if you think so. And I would recommend seriously considering their thoughts and feelings before you make a final decision," said Melendez. He stood and said, "I'll check in on you later."
After a successful valve replacement surgery assisted by Claire and Park, Melendez changed into his casual clothes and headed for home, grateful for the fact that he was no longer fighting with Lim. He reheated some leftover lasagna from dinner a few nights ago and went upstairs, though he could hear Lim's voice reading…Goodnight Moon? He brushed his teeth before entering the bedroom, "You're a little old for that book, aren't you?" he teased.
She looked up at him and glared jokingly, "I'm not reading it to myself. I'm reading it to the baby."
Melendez changed into his pajamas and crawled under the comforter. He kissed her abdomen and said, "Well I'm sure little Mei-Li enjoys hearing Mommy read to her," Lim smiled nervously and Melendez asked, "What?"
Lim put the book on her nightstand and rolled over to face Melendez, "Just thinking about everything we're doing this weekend and the fact that we're starting the childbirth classes tomorrow."
"And?" asked Melendez.
Lim sighed and rubbed a hand over her abdomen, smiling to herself as she received not-so-gentle kicking in response, "Guess I'm just nervous about the birth. It's not going to be easy, especially with the fact that my lungs are now weaker."
"Hey," Melendez took her hand, "You've been eating well, most of the time anyways," he laughed and Lim laughed as well, knowing he was referring to her sometimes unusual cravings, "You've been exercising and Dr. Garcia says everything is going well. And no matter what happens, I'll be right there by your side in the delivery room."
"And you'll willingly take my insults and vulgarity like the strong man you are?" she agitated.
Melendez sighed in amusement, "Of course, Audrey. But honestly, that won't be much different than how you are now," she smacked his chest and he laughed, "I'm kidding. Now give me that book."
Lim handed him the book and he wrapped his arm around her. She snuggled against his chest as Melendez began, "In the great green room…"
