"I'm sorry?" Megan finally managed to squeak out.

"Dr. Audrey Lim-Melendez is my mother," said Mei-Li.

Megan and Eric glanced down to look at the name on Mei-Li's lab coat. It indeed said Mei-Li Lim-Melendez, MD, "Wait a minute?" Eric questioned, "So that means Dr. Neil Melendez, Chief of Surgery…is your father I assume?"

Mei-Li nodded slowly, "Yes, he is."

"So the Chief of Surgery and the president of the hospital are married and you are their daughter?" Megan asked, though Mei-Li could tell it was a rhetorical question.

"I think you know the answer," said Mei-Li. The three residents made their way to the locker room, not conversing with each other anymore. Megan left without even saying goodbye to Eric or Mei-Li.

Once Megan was gone, Eric turned to Mei-Li and said, "Clearly she's going to be the competitive one."

Mei-Li glanced over at Eric and chuckled, "You're probably off the hook. I have the target on my back. I feel like I'm back in high school and have just been labeled as the principal's kid."

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't earn it," said Eric.

Mei-Li leaned against her locker and said, "Dr. Harrison, with all due respect, we barely know each other."

"I know, but being the daughter of two high ranking surgeons probably means being a good physician is in your genes," he whispered in amusement in her ear before he left the locker room.

Mei-Li smiled and laughed. Eric was probably just trying to make her feel better, but Mei-Li was pretty certain he was threatened too. Mei-Li left and before she had even made it out the front entrance, Shaun came up behind her and said, "Hi Mei-Li."

Mei-Li turned and faced Shaun, "What do you need, Dr. Murphy?"

"Our shifts are over. You can call me Dr. Shaun if you want," said Shaun.

"I don't think that's a good idea," said Mei-Li.

"Mm. Okay," Shaun began to walk away.

"Shaun, wait!" Mei-Li called out to him, "Can I talk to you about something? It's important."

Shaun didn't say anything, but instead, pulled out the key to his office and began walking towards it while Mei-Li followed. She knew where everyone's offices were here at St. Bonaventure: Lim's was the president's suite, Melendez's was the Chief of Surgery's office, and Morgan's was next door to Melendez. Shaun and Claire were in the cardiothoracic wing while Park's was by the emergency room. When they finally reached Shaun's office, Shaun asked, "What's wrong, Mei-Li?"

Mei-Li sat down on the sofa and asked, "Don't you want to sit down too?"

"I'd prefer not to," said Shaun.

Mei-Li nodded and continued, "When you first started at St. Bonaventure, you told me people didn't like you because you're autistic…."

"But you don't have autism, so you don't have to worry about that," Shaun interrupted.

"I know," said Mei-Li, "But think about it Shaun? My mother is the president; my father is the Chief of Surgery. How can I get through this residency without everyone thinking I only got here because of my parents?"

Shaun stayed silent for a while before he said, "You won't."

"Excuse me?" asked Mei-Li.

"You won't," said Shaun. He finally sat down and said, "People didn't like me at first because I have autism. Dr. Glassman, who was the president at the time, helped convince Dr. Andrews to hire me. Dr. Andrews and Dr. Melendez didn't like me at first. They eventually learned to like me. But not everyone did learn to like me."

"So what are you saying?" asked Mei-Li.

"You are Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez's daughter. You can't change that. Just like I can't change the fact that I am autistic. It's who I am. And being the president and Chief of Surgery's daughter is who you are. You have a lot to prove. But even after you prove yourself, people will still think it is favoritism. But that's okay, because you know what you are capable of," Shaun paused, "Claire said you did a good job in surgery today. I trust her to tell the truth."

Mei-Li smiled and said, "Your marriage would be in trouble if you didn't trust her."

"I know. But I trust her, so that's why I married her," said Shaun, oblivious to Mei-Li's slight sarcasm, "I will see you tomorrow, Dr. Lim-Melendez."

"Thank you, Dr. Shaun," said Mei-Li.

When Mei-Li arrived home later that evening, Lim was already setting dinner on the table. Lim smiled proudly and said, "There's my little surgeon!" she came over and hugged and kissed Mei-Li.

"Mom, I'm twenty-six," Mei-Li whined jokingly.

"And I don't care how old you are, you'll always be my little xiǎo jiǎozi, my little dumpling," Lim smiled.

Mei-Li figured it was best not to argue with Lim, so she glanced over towards the dinner table and asked, "Did you make that extensive of a dinner?"

"Oh God no. I ordered that extensive of a dinner. But I managed to keep it warm. Just a little something to celebrate your first day as a resident and since Carlos begins his senior year at Berkley next week, it'll be an opportunity to celebrate you both. Your father and brother should be home from work soon."

The two women heard a rumbling from outside, so Mei-Li said, "Well, Carlos has arrived upon his chariot of death."

"Mei-Li," Lim scolded.

"Yeah, I know. Black Lightning and Wonder Woman are yours and Carlos's most prized possessions," Mei-Li said. While Mei-Li had been a mostly well-behaved child except maybe during her teenage years, Carlos had been rebellious almost since he was born. He was always climbing trees, skateboarding, or anything else that looked remotely dangerous. If it involved possible injury or death, Carlos was attracted to it. He had pretty much made a trip to St. Bonaventure's emergency room annually. And now he was the proud owner of a Harley Davidson Iron 883.

Not only did Carlos rebel with his behavior, but also his life choices. As if buying a motorcycle over a car wasn't enough, at least for Melendez—Lim had cried tears of sheer joy until Carlos bought a Harley over a Ducati—he had made sure not to buy a Ducati because that was Lim's favorite motorcycle. When it came time for college, he had deliberately enrolled at the University of California, Berkley solely because it was Stanford's rival and he didn't want to be a legacy. Lim had described the choice as "my own flesh and blood betrayed me." At least Carlos had the common sense to major in computer science since he had always been good with computers and other forms of technology, "Hey Mom, I'm home!" Carlos called.

"Hi honey," Lim kissed his cheek.

"Well, if it isn't my older sister, the hot shot doctor!" Carlos said excitedly as he placed his helmet next to Lim's on the table inside the front door.

"Very funny," said Mei-Li sarcastically.

Melendez arrived home a short time later and Lim poured the champagne before raising her glass and saying, "Well, I know you all hate it when I make toasts, so I'm going to do it just to torture you. As Mei-Li begins her residency and Carlos begins his senior year of college, I can't help but admire the young woman and young man you've become. Here's to a successful residency and a good senior year. And here's to a year of Carlos losing his senior year rivalry football game to Stanford."

"Hear hear!" Mei-Li cheered jokingly just as Carlos shouted, "Just you wait!"

Mei-Li knew it would be a long five years ahead, but with her family by her side, she felt that she could handle any challenges that came her way. Now if she could only gain the courage to face those challenges.