A week before Halloween, Mei-Li, Eric, and Caroline were eating lunch in the cafeteria before having to report back to Morgan or Claire for surgeries. Eric said, "Oh, I just wanted to let you both know that my girlfriend and I are having a Halloween party next Wednesday night and you both are invited."

Caroline took a sip of her soda and said, "I appreciate the invitation, Eric, but I have to work that night."

"And I already have a Día de los Muertos party on Friday, and I can only do so much partying in one week," said Mei-Li.

"Are you sure you can't come? You'll miss out on me and Kate rocking our Fred and Wilma Flintstone costumes," Eric teased.

"I also have to work the night shift the day before Halloween, so I'll need all of the sleep I can get and shouldn't be staying up two nights in a row," said Mei-Li.

"Suit yourself," said Eric.

After they finished their lunches, Eric dismissed himself to go find Claire while Caroline smiled and said, "So, a Día de los Muertos party huh?"

"Yeah, it's one of the biggest holidays in Mexican culture and my family has a big party every year. We rotate houses, so sometimes it's at my house, sometimes my grandparents' house, sometimes we go to Texas, the year my bisabuelo passed away, we went to Mexico for the holiday," explained Mei-Li.

"Sounds like fun," said Caroline.

The women cleaned up their trash and reported to the OR to scrub in with Morgan. The surgery took the rest of Mei-Li's shift, so after the operation was complete, Mei-Li went straight to the locker room to go home for the night. She was alone when she arrived back at her house; she figured her parents were either in surgery or completing paperwork before coming home for the night. Soon, Melendez arrived home, followed by Lim, and the three of them prepared dinner before they sat down to eat. Melendez and Lim discussed a few work related issues before Lim turned to face Mei-Li and asked, "So how has your week been going? We haven't gotten to see you much."

"It's been fine," answered Mei-Li. She put her fork down before she hesitantly asked, "Mom, Dad, I know we have everything mostly set for the party on Friday, and I know we don't usually invite many people outside of our family and close friends, but I was wondering if I could invite one more person?"

Melendez smiled a little and asked, "Let me guess? You want to invite Dr. Cho?"

"I know it's last minute, but I really want to get to know her outside of work and a bar," pleaded Mei-Li.

"Alright, but prepare her for what it'll be like ahead of time that way there are no surprises for her," Melendez teased.

"Thanks," Mei-Li smiled and went back to her dinner.

At work the next day, Mei-Li was busy and didn't see Caroline again until the end of her shift. She approached Caroline in the locker room and tapped her on the shoulder. Caroline startled, but turned around and smiled warmly once she realized whom it was, "Oh, hi Me-Li."

"Hey, listen, I was wondering…you know my family's Día de los Muertos party I was telling you about?"

"Yeah," Caroline responded as she shoved her lab coat into her locker.

"I was wondering if you wanted to come to the party?" asked Mei-Li hesitantly.

"What's it involve?" asked Caroline.

"Food, dancing, relatives sticking their noses into everyone's personal business…you know, usual family gatherings," Mei-Li said amusingly, "But seriously, they'll be lots of food and most of my relatives will be there and it's always a good time. So are you in?"

Caroline shrugged, "Sure, it sounds like it'll be a lot of fun."

"Cool," said Mei-Li, "The party is Friday, November 2nd starting at 7 PM. I can either give you my address or I can pick you up on my way home from work since you mentioned you were off that day."

"Giving me your address works," said Caroline.

Mei-Li sent a quick text and said, "I'll see you there," she smiled and left the locker room.

The day of the party, the Limlendez house was full of partygoers talking, laughing, eating, and having a good time. The living room was adorned with papel picado, marigolds, and ofrendas while the kitchen contained food and drinks. Mei-Li and her cousin, Isabella, were having a conversation when Caroline sent Mei-Li a text saying she had arrived. Mei-Li smiled nervously as she answered the door, "Caroline, so glad you could make it," Mei-Li hugged her.

"I appreciate the invitation," said Caroline, "I tried to apply some make-up like you sent me in those links, but I don't know how well it turned out."

"You look great," said Mei-Li, "Uh, Caroline, this is my cousin, Isabella. Izzy, this is my friend, Caroline. She's also a resident at St. Bonaventure."

"Nice to meet you," Caroline went to shake her hand, only to receive a kiss on her cheek.

"It's a pleasure," said Isabella.

"Well, there's food and drinks in the kitchen, I'm sure there's lots of dancing in the living room. I'll introduce you to some of my other family members," said Mei-Li, leading Caroline into the kitchen, "This is my Abuelita, Maria Melendez, and my Abuelito, Mateo Melendez, and you already know Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez. Abuelita, Abuelito, this is my friend, Caroline Cho. She's a resident at St. Bonaventure with me."

"Nice to meet you both and nice to see you both," said Caroline.

"You too, Dr. Cho," said Melendez.

"I'll be in the dining room setting the table, Neil," said Lim, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"I'll help you and Elena," said Maria.

"I better go find Gabi, Miguel, and the boys," said Mateo.

Melendez left after pouring himself a drink and Caroline turned to Mei-Li, "Which way is the bathroom?"

"Down that hall, second door on your right," said Mei-Li.

"Thanks," said Caroline.

When Mei-Li turned to face her cousin, Isabella had her arms crossed over her chest, "What?"

"Mei-Li, you came out as bisexual ten years ago. I don't think you have to pretend she's 'just a friend' anymore," Isabella said, using air quotes.

"Izzy," said Mei-Li, "Look, we really are just friends right now as you put it. But I'd like that to change. I think Caroline likes me, but I want to be certain before I dump the whole, 'Hey, I like you romantically' speech onto her."

"Got you," said Isabella.

Mei-Li poured some pumpkin mezcal margarita for herself before she held it out for Isabella, "Drink?"

Isabella said, "No, thank you, I um," she laid her hand on her abdomen, "We need to abstain from alcohol for now."

"Oh my God, Izzy!" Mei-Li threw her arms around her, "Congratulations! How far along are you? Does the rest of the familia know?"

"Eleven weeks along. Only Mom and Dad know besides Jimmy," answered Isabella.

"How did Tío Miguel and Tía Elena react?" asked Mei-Li.

"They're over the moon. Mom's exact words were 'I finally get to be an Abuelita!'," Isabella imitated Elena's voice.

"Isabella, Mei-Li, dinner's ready," said Melendez.

The two women went to dining room and Mei-Li sat in between Isabella and Caroline. Elena said grace and then stated, "Before we have everyone talking over each other, my daughter and my son-in-law have an announcement to make."

Isabella and Jimmy glanced at each other and Isabella said, "We're expecting!"

Everyone clapped and cheered and asked the standard questions of 'how far along are you?' and 'how bad is the morning sickness?'. Carlos asked, "So do you know what you're going to name the little munchkin? I know you always like to have everything planned out ahead of time."

"If it's a boy, Rafael, and if it's a girl, Carmen," answered Jimmy.

"Rafael Ramirez or Carmen Ramirez both have a nice ring to it," said Isabella.

"So how have you been feeling?" asked Lim.

Isabella groaned a little, "The morning sickness has been pretty bad. All I can keep down are saltines and McDonald's french fries."

"After I got past the morning sickness, I craved everything when I was pregnant with Mei-Li. It was awful," Lim chuckled.

"No, what was awful was trying to find Thai Pepper Chicken Doritos at one in the morning, only to find out that they're only sold in Taiwan," said Melendez in amusement, "Thank God for the internet."

Caroline snickered a little at the story, trying to picture her bosses arguing over a flavor of tortilla chips. The family ate and continued to party late into the night since it was Friday. Around midnight, Caroline decided it was time to leave for home. Mei-Li escorted her outside as Caroline said, "I had a really great time tonight. Thank you for inviting me."

"You're welcome," said Mei-Li, "It was nice to get to know you more outside of work and a few happy hours."

The women paused and Mei-Li wasn't quite sure of Caroline's intentions, but soon, she pulled out her car keys and said, "I guess I'll see you at work on Monday?"

"Maybe. I work the 3-11 shift all next week," said Mei-Li.

"Oh, I work from 7-3. Maybe we'll see each other in passing?" asked Caroline.

"Hopefully," said Mei-Li.

"Well, have a good night," Caroline got into the driver's seat and drove down the street.

"Good night, Caroline," Mei-Li whispered to herself.