She waited.
She watched his handsome face while he slept. So peaceful. Last night had been challenging but their admissions to each other had led to a new level of intimacy between them. She woke this morning with her nose almost touching his, legs tangled and feeling relaxed.
She drew back to take in his whole face. He had the smallest hint of a smile and she wondered what he was dreaming about. "See something you like?" He asked, his voice thick with sleep. He stretched his lean body and wrapped his arms tightly around her kissing her lightly on the lips.
"Do you have plans this weekend" she asked.
"Nothing solid" he replied. "I'll be visiting Gabi but that's flexible. What were you thinking?"
"Let's go out"
"Erm, okay. Anywhere in particular in mind?"
"Just out. Let's go for brunch them spend the afternoon in Kelley Park. They have a beautiful Japanese Garden I'd like to see."
Neil couldn't help the look of confusion that crossed his face. Audrey looked shy all of a sudden. "I just thought it'd be nice to go out properly. We don't have to hide anymore and I've never really had a reason to go there before and..."
"Stop, stop, stop! It's fine, I'd love to go with you. I just wasn't expecting that! I was expecting something a little more rough and tumble."
"Rough and tumble hey...I'm sure that can be arranged. Brunch is a late morning thing, I'm sure we can entertain ourselves until then." Audrey quipped raising her eyebrows.
"You are incorrigible woman! But I'm not going to argue." He leaned in for a long kiss and got to work building an appetite for brunch.
-‐-
An hour or so later, they were dressed and ready to go. She didn't think she'd tire of seeing him dressed casually. She appreciated his sharp suits and tight shirts and even the baggy hospital scrubs highlighted his toned arms. But this was a look she could get used too. He was in casual jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, nothing special but she couldn't resist giving him the once over.
Neil chose the brunch location. They headed to Southern Kitchen to fuel up for the day. It was an odd looking place with a small seating area but the menu had some nice Mexican specialities which he particularly enjoyed. They shared a couple of their giant plates to fill them for the afternoon. Paying the cheque, they drove to Kelley Park to spend the rest of the day.
They spent the remainder of their afternoon strolling hand in hand like any other couple, enjoying the peace in comparison to their normal hectic lifestyle. Picking up a coffee from a park vendor, they chose a quiet spot on a bench inside the Friendship Garden to take the weight of their feet. Audrey let out a big sigh, closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feel of the sun on her face.
Neil took this chance to study her. 'She really is beautiful' he thought to himself. He placed his arm along the back of the bench, watching her out of the corner of his eye. He was sure she was falling asleep! Leaning in and dropping a little kiss on her neck. She startled and just managed to keep hold of her coffee. Jumping quickly to her own defence "it's been a busy week, I haven't slept much" she exclaimed! He chuckled and countered "And I thought I'd kept you awake all night!" That earned him a smack on the arm and a lingering kiss on the lips.
After wandering around for another couple of hours people watching, they decided it was time to head home. It was an easy decision, they had done the normal couple thing for a bit but neither of them could wait to get back to being just the two of them. One more stop on the way back at the market for dinner supplies and they'd be done.
He waited.
He waited with the small cart honestly wondering how long Audrey was going to try and haggle at the meat counter. At this point, he would have eaten at one of those dodgy burrito trucks she favoured given half the chance!
This steaks were the last thing they needed to pick up and then they could go but apparently the correct marbling was the most important thing right now. He wandered off to pick up another bottle of wine, they had finished one last night during their heart to heart so needed to stock up. When he came back he was happy to see Audrey had finished her great debate but was now chatting with a familiar blonde.
"Dr. Reznick" said Neil.
"Dr. Melendez, hello! Dr Lim and I were just discussing how much of a power couple you two are becoming"
Audrey raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes as Morgan tried to engage with Neil. She knew the conversation wouldn't last long. He had never really had much time for all the ass kissing that went on and would shut it down as soon as possible. Reznick was going to be a great doctor but she had a few social quirks she needed to work on too.
On hearing Neil close the conversation with a quick "see you Monday" she snapped out of her reverie. "Goodnight Dr Reznick" she chimed in.
Audrey took the cart and made towards the checkout, stopping suddenly when a colourful display caught her eye. "You ok? " Neil asked catching up to her and casually placing a hand on her hip. "Sure" she replied. "I was thinking, maybe I could come with you tomorrow, you know, to see Gabi. I could bring her a little something?"
Neil smiled "That would be great, she would love to meet you. What were you thinking? " They stood a little while choosing something. With his guidance, she chose a new puzzle with some zoo animals. "She'll love it" Neil assured her and they continued to the front of the store.
At the checkout, once all the items were unloaded in the belt, Neil stepped in close behind her to trap her against the handle of the cart. Her dropped a couple of light kisses on her neck and whispered "thank you" in her ear. She shivered. He pressed the full length of his body against her back and continued with "I'll show you later just how grateful I am". If she hadn't been held up between Neil and the cart she was sure her knees would have buckled!
They were snapped out of their own little world buy a shrill "Next" from the checkout person. Audrey could feel herself blushing and Neil grinned away her reaction. She heard herself apologising to the lady who responded with a smile and said "it's nice to see two young people so in love". They both blushed at that!
Walking to the car, Audrey was quiet again, she seemed to be lost in thought. They loaded the trunk with the bags, she returned the cart and ever the gentleman, Neil opened the car door. As she approached, with a worried tone Neil asked "Was that ok? I mean, I thought it would be ok to do that in public now seeing as all this is out in the open." She opened her mouth to respond but he jumped in again with "Sorry, I didn't think, I'll..."
She shook her head, placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him soundly not caring who was watching. Right there in there middle of the car park, once again she staked her claim on Neil Melendez. He smiled again, panic over and mumbled into her lips "Let's go home."