Nothing about this chapter is canon, but I don't care at this point. Anyway, enjoy the chapter!

On Lim's last day, the hospital held a retirement party for her. As Lim finished packing up her office, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Some of the items were staying: medical books on the shelves, the small refrigerator, and the mini-bar with a bottle of whiskey for some occasional after work meetings. There were also a few pictures in the office staying behind because they were ones Melendez had wanted to keep in there since he didn't have them in the Chief of Surgery's office—a picture of the father-daughter dance at Mei-Li's Quinceañera, their first picture as a family of four after Carlos's birth, Carlos with his first motorcycle, and her favorite portrait of her and Neil on their wedding day.

Lim ran her fingers over the mahogany desk, the dark brown wood having a few stains from spilled coffee and whiskey. The desk was mostly cleared of her personal belongings now, minus the few pictures. She was so wrapped up in her memories that she didn't notice Melendez come into the office. He didn't have any boxes at the moment. He came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her temple. "I'll let you come in here any time you want if it makes the separation easier."

Lim blew out a breath and laughed lightly. She laid her hands over Melendez's and said, "I know it's what's best for me as well as the hospital employees, but it's still hard to say goodbye. You won't be any better."

Melendez wanted to argue, but he knew his wife was probably correct. St. Bonaventure meant as much to him as it did to her. He squeezed her hands, and said, "The party is in the main conference room. You deserve some acknowledgement and well wishes."

Lim nodded. Melendez grabbed her black bag and swung it up onto his shoulder. They locked hands and went to leave the room, though Lim turned to look back into the office for a final time. As they walked through the long corridors toward the main conference room, Lim couldn't help but reminisce. "It seems like it wasn't that long ago that we were the residents. Now our daughter is one."

"We got old fast," Melendez said jokingly, and Lim smacked his chest and coughed a little.

"We are not old, Neil Melendez," said Lim. "We're experienced in life."

Melendez laughed, and kissed the top of her head. "Did I mention how much I love you?"

"A couple times since 2019," said Lim. "Even though there were times I didn't appreciate it."

"Like when?"

"It was quite annoying of you to constantly pour praise and affection over me while I was in labor. All I wanted to do in the moment was strangle you for putting me in that position in the first place. Also, some of your ideas of foreplay involving certain movie franchises."

"I thought you liked the Marvel movies?"

"I do, but you're not Chris Hemsworth or Robert Downey Jr."

When they arrived at the conference room, it was decorated with red and blue streamers and balloons, since they were Lim's favorite colors. There was a banner which read 'Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Audrey Lim-Melendez,' and a cake decorated with superhero characters. The tabletop centerpieces were motorcycles. There were also a few banners with well wishes written in Mandarin. Lim couldn't help but become overwhelmed with emotion.

"Congratulation, Mom." Carlos came up to her, and hugged her.

"Shouldn't you be at school?" asked Lim.

"I don't have classes on Fridays."

"Carlos and Mei-Li also helped us plan the theming," said Morgan.

"I don't like that it doesn't have one specific theme," said Shaun. "But it encompasses your personality."

"So are you ready for retired life?" asked Claire.

"No," Lim admitted honestly.

"I can't blame you. I went through too many unique hobbies trying to find a purpose in life after I retired. I drove Isabel insane," said Andrews. "Congratulations, Dr. Lim-Melendez. You've earned it. I'm honored to have mentored as great of a surgeon as you."

"Thank you, sir. I couldn't have gotten here without your guidance."

Mei-Li came over to the group, and hugged her mother. "Congratulations, Mom. You're the best hospital president I've ever worked under."

"I'm the only hospital president you've ever worked under."

"Wait until I take over," Melendez joked. "I'm going to implement a no dating the president's daughter rule."

Mei-Li chuckled, and shook her head. "I'll just find a significant other outside the hospital. Then you won't be able to do anything about it."

Everyone wished Lim a happy retirement, enjoyed reminiscing about their time at St. Bonaventure, and ate food and cake. Soon, several people took to the front to give farewell toasts, beginning with Park. "Dr. Lim-Melendez, coming into the medical field mid-life wasn't easy. I was older than all of my residents and mentors. But, you never treated me any differently. Sure, we had our disagreements about things, but you've made every single person here feel like they belong. Mia and I both wish you well."

Claire stepped forward and said, "Dr. Lim-Melendez, we definitely had our differences of opinion on things, but I also greatly admired you. You're driven by a sense of justice, and want everyone brought through those doors to be treated fairly, no matter their background. And the same went for employees. I didn't realize it early in my career, but I was subconsciously learning those lessons from you every day. As one of the only other women of color here, I saw you face some of the same obstacles I face. And to see you reach the presidency makes me feel like I can achieve anything. I hope you have a good retirement, Dr. Lim-Melendez. You've earned it."

Shaun looked down toward the floor before looking into Lim's eyes. "Dr. Lim-Melendez, when I first started at St. Bonaventure, very few people felt I belonged here. Dr. Glassman was one. Claire was another. You were the third. You always treated me as part of the team, and never treated me differently because I'm Autistic. But you also accommodated my needs. You always believed in me. I am still honored that I got to deliver Mei-Li and Carlos, and that I get to be a part of their lives. You're not only one of the best bosses I've ever had; you're also my friend."

Morgan said, "Dr. Lim-Melendez, when I first began my residency under you and Dr. Melendez, the first thought that came to mind when we did the bet was, 'Why haven't they gone after each other yet? It couldn't be any more obvious that they like each other.'" Everyone laughed. "I'll admit, I was quite competitive, dare I say, a bitch. But, as I watched you in the operating room, I learned how to be a smart, confident, and powerful surgeon without being quite as nasty. I also realized it's okay to be a strong woman, and have flaws. Having conversations about some of your own health problems made me accept the fact that I'd have to scale back my involvement in the operating room due to having rheumatoid arthritis. You always offered good advice, and helped me navigate life in and out of the hospital. I wish you the best in your retirement."

Andrews stepped forward and said, "Dr. Lim-Melendez, from your first day of residency, I knew there was something special about you. You had the focus that it took me years to get in the OR. You would always ask the most questions, and offer the most creative solutions. I know it's been said that the student should do the most learning. And while I agree with that to an extent, you also taught me a lot. And I think there are other people I mentored at that time who've changed for the better because of you." Andrews glanced over at Melendez. "I wish you a good retired life."

"Mom, I don't really have anything to say that hasn't already been said. It's a good thing you worked for a hospital with the amount of dangerous shit I attempted growing up. But I guess it's also because of all of the stories you told me about wanting to bungee jump and zip line and how Black Lighting was your favorite thing after me, Mei-Li, and Dad. All I know is that because of your passion and daring nerve, St. Bonaventure was in good hands. I love you, Mom," said Carlos.

"Mom, growing up, I always admired your dedication to everything you loved, but I also wondered how you did it. Yet somehow, you managed to be a great trauma surgeon, Associate Chief of Surgery, and president, while also being a good wife and mother. I'll admit there were times throughout my life I wished my mommy was with me, but I also knew I wasn't the only person who needed you. Granted, that wasn't the only thing I wondered while I was growing up. I also wondered why you hated the Disney princesses, or why on Earth you insisted on riding a donorcycle. But you also inspired me in many ways, and I know you've inspired many other people as well."

Melendez looked into the eyes of his beloved wife and choked back a few tears. "Audrey, mi amor, there isn't enough time in the world for me to say how I feel about you. I've spent the last thirty-eight years trying, but I'm sure I've been unsuccessful. That first day of residency, you intrigued me. As I observed your skills as a surgeon, I became very competitive with you, but it was only because I was jealous of you. But since that day, you've become so much more to me. My competition became my frenemy. My frenemy became my best friend. My best friend became my crush. My crush became my girlfriend. My girlfriend became the love of my life. And the love of my life became my wife and a wonderful mother to our children. All of this was while going from resident to attending surgeon to Associate Chief of Surgery to president. And as everyone is talking about lessons they've learned from you, I don't think I can pick one thing you've taught me. All I know is I couldn't have asked for a better partner in life. I love you, Audrey."

Everyone went back to chatting, and Mei-Li made her way over to Eric and Caroline. "Good speech, Mei-Li," said Eric.

"Thanks. I'm not much of a public speaker. I've done theater, not oratory."

"Nothing will beat the romantic soliloquy Dr. Melendez gave," said Caroline. Mei-Li glanced over at her parents. When she faced Caroline again, Eric has wandered over to the snack table. "Do you think we'll ever have what Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez have?"

"Nobody will have the unique love my parents have for each other," Mei-Li joked. "But I can see myself settling down, getting married, and starting a family in the next several years." Mei-Li looked over at Caroline, who had gained an apprehensive look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," said Caroline.

"Honey, if something's wrong, you can tell me."

"I said it's nothing."

"Fine," Mei-Li said and sighed. "Oh, next month, my friend from college is having a big party since both my birthday and his are early March. Plus he usually likes to throw a start of spring party. He said I could bring a guest. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me. He lives in LA, so we could spend the whole weekend together."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" asked Caroline.

"It's only one weekend. But if you don't want to, it's okay."

"I'll think about it. I should be going. I'm covering the ER with Dr. Wolke today. I'll see you later."

"Did you want to grab dinner tonight?"

"No, I think I'll go home early tonight after work. It's been a long week for the both of us. Bye, honey."

"Bye." Mei-Li kissed her, and watched Caroline leave the conference room.

When the day ended, Mei-Li went to the president's suite, where her mother was sitting at the desk. "Still can't give up that spot, huh?"

Lim looked up at Mei-Li, and said, "I'm just waiting on your father to get out of a meeting with the board. Monday will be his first official day as president."

"Oh," said Mei-Li.

"So, what's up?"

"Nothing, just don't have any plans for tonight."

"You're not going out with Caroline?"

"No, she said it's been a long week, and that she didn't want to go out tonight."

"Well, just because you're dating doesn't mean you both have to spend every waking hour together. It's probably not healthy anyway," said Lim. "Since Carlos is home, how about we do something as a family? Maybe we can go to a movie."

"Are you allowed to do that?"

"Mei-Li, I have the portable oxygen tanks to help me breathe better. I have my medications and my emergency inhaler. They even adjusted my medication for my PTSD. I don't have to live as a homebody."

"I know, but it's still scary. I know you sometimes need Xanax or Ambien, but you said you haven't needed daily medication since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they've put you back on sertraline because of the nightmares and flashbacks resurfacing."

"If you'd prefer, we could stay home and role play."

"So help me if this hospital finds out we've held Limlendez family Dungeons & Dragons quests…"

Lim stood, and sat next to Mei-Li on the couch. "It'll be an adjustment, but we'll get through it like we always do through rough times: together."

Melendez knocked, and entered the room. "The meeting ended about ten minutes ago, but I was making some last minute finalizations with Reznick. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, Mom suggested we all go see a movie."

"Works for me if it works Carlos," said Melendez.

"How about we meet him at Crowley's for dinner, and then go see what's playing," said Lim.