Well, here we are Limlendez shippers. I know we are all still trying to process what happened last night. As I wrote this chapter, I had tears in my eyes. I will be forever grateful to Nicholas Gonzalez and Christina Chang for portraying Neil and Audrey's love so beautifully and wish Nick the best in his future career endeavors. You will always be our Dr. Neil Melendez. #LimlendezPorVida

It was a warm, summer day in August when Audrey Lim-Melendez was cooking dinner. Neil was at work and Mei-Li was in the living room watching a movie. As Lim prepared dinner and listened to the music from The Little Mermaid in the background, she couldn't help but hiss at the pains in her abdomen every so often. It was a little over a week before she was due to give birth to her second baby, so of course, she was looking out for any sign of impending labor: contractions, back pain, bloody show, hell, even a dramatic occasion of her water breaking in the grocery store even though she knew that last scenario probably wouldn't happen. She usually had a pretty high tolerance for pain, and she had been dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions for the past few weeks, but when a wave of discomfort tore through her abdomen for the third time in about half an hour, she knew it might be time to start paying attention to them, "Mei-Li?"

"Yeah," she called from the living room.

"Can you get my cell phone out of the front pocket of my black bag and bring it to me?" asked Lim. It seemed like forever, but it was only a minute before Mei-Li came into the kitchen with Lim's cell phone. She placed it on the island and then took a seat on one of the stools, "Thank you, sweetheart."

"What's wrong, Mommy?" asked Mei-Li.

"Nothing," Lim affirmed. She leaned across the island and took Mei-Li's hand in hers, "I think I might be having the baby."

Mei-Li's eyes lit up and she sat up straighter, "Really?"

"Mmhm," Lim nodded mutely, "I have to make sure it's time though, so that's why I need my phone. You can go back to your movie; it'll be a long while before I have the baby."

"Oakey dokey," Mei-Li jumped down and ran back into the living room.

"Oh Lucy, I'm home!" Melendez called as he entered the front door. He smiled when his eyes landed on Lim and Mei-Li, "And how are my beautiful girls?"

"Mommy says she's having the baby," said Mei-Li.

Melendez's eyes widened and he went over to Lim. He laid a hand on the small of her back and softly asked, "Audrey, why didn't you call me?"

"The surges just started about an hour ago. I wanted to make sure it was the real thing before pulling you away from work," said Lim and kissed him.

Suddenly, Melendez's adrenaline kicked in and his heart began to race, "Well, I've got to let the hospital know I won't be in tomorrow. I have to call my parents and let them know we'll probably be dropping off Mei-Li with them sometime tomorrow, possibly early in the morning. And shit, I don't have my bag packed, just yours…"

"Neil, we can do all of that stuff after dinner," said Lim calmly, though Melendez hadn't heard her as he disappeared upstairs.

Mei-Li asked, "Mommy, is Daddy okay?" Lim didn't answer right away, "Mommy?" Mei-Li turned to face her.

Lim stood up straighter once her contraction was over and said, "Yeah honey, he's fine. It's just that when it comes to you, me, and your soon-to-be newborn brother, he tends to…panic a little more. Now go wash your hands; dinner's almost ready," Lim called Melendez down for dinner, and as he came down the stairs, another contraction started, so he let Lim lean against him as she breathed through it. Once it was over, Lim took a deep breath and said, "Well that one's over."

Melendez looked into her eyes compassionately and asked, "Audrey, are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital now?"

"Neil," she looked at him skeptically, "You know as well as I do that if we go in now, they'll send us back home until the surges are five minutes apart and lasting for a minute for sixty minutes."

"I know," Melendez sighed, "I'm just worried about you. Both of you," he emphasized.

"I know you are. But you know me. I'll be fine. If I really need to go to the hospital, I'll let you know," she said.

"Okay," Melendez squeezed her shoulders. Lim couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself over her husband's agitated state. He was worried about all three of them: the fact that she was about to go through another birth, of course, how the baby would handle it, and how Mei-Li would react even though they had explained the process in child friendly terms to her. Actually, in Lim's mind, watching a movie with Neil and Mei-Li that night was a welcome distraction from the slowly increasing pain and pressure. Mei-Li didn't notice much other than Lim's occasional moans of discomfort, and once she explained that it helped her get the baby out, Mei-Li didn't seem to mind. Once Moana was over, Melendez scooped Mei-Li into his arms and said, "Alright Princess, time for bed," he laid his hand on Lim's shoulder and said, "Go rest. You'll need the energy for later."

Lim nodded and hesitantly stood, "I'll be up to tuck you in sweetheart," Mei-Li nodded sleepily and Melendez carried her up the stairs. Lim laid a hand on her abdomen and said, "Well, little guy, I guess it won't be long before we all get to meet you," another contraction started and she leaned against the couch and said, "But I forgot how damn painful it would be to bring you into this world."

When Lim reached the top floor, she could hear Melendez reading to Mei-Li. Lim went into Mei-Li's room and helped her husband tuck their daughter under the covers, "Now, remember we might have to wake you up in the middle of the night, mija," warned Melendez.

"Why?" asked Mei-Li.

"Because, after a while, Daddy and I will have to go to the hospital so I can have the baby," said Lim.

"Oh, okay," said Mei-Li.

Lim and Melendez gave her good night kisses, "Buenas noches, mija."

"Don't worry about me, sweetheart; I'll be fine," Lim kissed her cheek and they exited the room. Thankfully, Melendez had closed the door when another contraction started, "Ow, fuck," Lim cursed to herself.

"How far apart are they?" asked Melendez, supporting her weight.

"About seven minutes and getting stronger," answered Lim, "And hurting more," she muttered into his chest.

Melendez stroked her back soothingly and asked, "Do you need me to give you a massage?"

Lim shook her head, "No, I think I want to relax in the tub for a little bit."

"Okay," Melendez squeezed her shoulders, "I'll go run the water."

Hours passed and Lim's contractions grew closer together and stronger. Melendez helped her through them, coaching her through her breathing, giving her massages, and fetching her anything she needed. At one in the morning, Lim's water broke, so she decided it was time to go to the hospital. Melendez helped her downstairs before he went back up to wake Mei-Li. He quietly opened the door and walked over to his daughter's bedside. He gently rubbed her back and whispered, "Wake up, mija," he kissed her cheek.

Mei-Li sleepily opened her eyes and questioned, "Daddy?"

"Mommy has to go to the hospital, mija, so we have to take you to Abuelita and Abeultio's house," Melendez explained softly.

He gently lifted Mei-Li into his arms and the three of them went to the SUV, "Neil, please try to drive as fast as you can. It hurts for me to sit still for long periods of time."

"I'll try, Audrey," comforted Melendez.

"Mommy?" asked Mei-Li.

"What, sweetheart?" asked Lim a little perturbed.

"Why couldn't you have had the baby during the day?" asked Mei-Li.

Lim couldn't help but smile a little and said, "Because I couldn't control when I started getting the tummy pains that help push the baby out."

"Oh," said Mei-Li.

When they arrived at Mateo and Maria's house, they were both waiting for them out front. Maria carefully took Mei-Li out of her car seat and Mateo got her bag from the trunk, "Keep us updated," said Mateo.

"Will do, Dad," said Melendez.

"Buena suerte to the both of you," said Maria.

"Thank you, Maria," said Lim and Melendez rode off towards St. Bonaventure. Another contraction started and Lim moaned in pain, "Are we almost there yet?"

"Deep breath, sweetheart; we're almost there," Melendez rubbed her shoulder soothingly.

"Dear God, PLEASE don't call me sweetheart as if it excuses you from the fact that you put a second baby in me that I have to painfully push out of me!" shouted Lim through gritted teeth.

Melendez chuckled to himself, fully embracing Audrey's verbal abuse. He parked in his usual spot in employee parking and helped her into the hospital. They passed through the emergency room on their way to the maternity ward, and Morgan was one of the attending surgeons on call. She smiled when she saw Melendez and Lim and asked, "Baby time?"

"Yeah," Lim smiled back and sat down in a wheelchair.

"Well, good luck. I'll try to come by when my shift is over or tomorrow to see him," said Morgan.

"Okay, thank you, Dr. Reznick," said Melendez.

Lim finished breathing through another contraction and asked, "Did you call Dr. Garcia and Murphy?"

"Yes, Dr. Garcia was on her way. Murphy said he'd try to get things ready," said Melendez.

They got Lim checked in and settled into her room. Shaun checked her dilation and announced, "You are four centimeters dilated, Dr. Lim-Melendez."

Audrey moaned a little and leaned back into the pillow while Melendez grabbed her hand, "It's okay, Audrey. You'll get through it. I believe in you," Shaun left the room and Lim had another contraction before she looked into Melendez's eyes, "Hey," he wiped away a few tears falling down her cheeks, "I know it hurts, but you'll be holding our sweet baby boy before you know it."

"Oh it's not that," Lim tearfully said, "I know it's pain with a purpose. I just can't believe we'll have two kids soon."

Melendez smiled and chuckled, his hand drifting down to her abdomen, "Try to take it easy on Mommy, little man."

Lim hissed as pain washed over her abdomen and radiated down her thighs and through her back, "Too late for that."

Melendez couldn't help but be in awe of Audrey's strength and determination. The pain she was going through to bring their son into the world, the same agony she had gone through to bring their daughter into the world…he still couldn't believe Audrey Lim-Melendez was his, "How did I get so lucky to have you in my life?"

"I don't know, but can you save the sap for after I've pushed this kid of yours out of me?" she quipped.

As things got more intense, Lim threw insults at Melendez, insults at Nurse Petringa, insults at Dr. Garcia, even Shaun wasn't saved from a few hurtful words—Melendez quickly assuring him she didn't mean it no matter how much it sounded like she did. Transition came and Melendez knew shit was getting real when Lim hurled curse words in both English and Mandarin towards him, "Neil, I don't know how much longer I can fucking take this!" she admitted to him.

"Dr. Garcia said you're at nine centimeters. It won't be much longer now," said Melendez soothingly. Melendez grabbed her hand, their wedding rings close together, and he kissed the top of her head, "You're doing great and I love you."

"I'll love you again after you get your ass a vasectomy," Lim groaned in agony, "But until you have one, we're never having sex again! Understand?"

"I understand, Audrey," said Melendez placating her.

"And get Dr. Garcia's and Shaun's asses in here because I need to fucking push," said Lim.

Melendez let Petringa know that Lim felt the urge to push and Dr. Garcia and Shaun set everything up for the delivery. Melendez grabbed Lim's hand and smiled, "This is it, Audrey. Baby number two."

Lim smiled and chuckled nervously, "I can't wait to meet him."

"Dr. Lim-Melendez, when you have a contraction, I need you to push," instructed Shaun.

"You think I don't know that, Murphy?" asked Lim sarcastically as she began to bear down.

"I know you do. But you seem to be in a lot of pain, so I was…"

"Murphy," interrupted Melendez, "Not now."

"Alright Audrey, big push for me," said Dr. Garcia. Lim did as instructed and Dr. Garcia said, "Good job, Audrey."

"You're doing great, sweetheart," said Melendez, "I love you so much."

Lim stopped pushing and glared at Melendez, "You're damn lucky it's not men who have to do this or else you'd find out how annoying all of this praise pouring out of you is while I labor."

Another fifteen minutes passed and Dr. Garcia smiled and announced, "I can see his head, Audrey. You're almost there."

"A few more pushes, Audrey, and then you'll be holding him, and it'll be a beautiful moment," encouraged Melendez.

"Seriously, are you ALWAYS this annoying?" asked Lim.

Melendez smiled, "Yes."

"Another push, Dr. Lim-Melendez," said Shaun.

Lim pushed hard, first the head, then the shoulders, finally the rest of the body. She cursed just for good measure, but breathed a sigh of relief when she heard her baby crying. "10:12 AM," said Shaun happily and placed the baby on Lim's chest, "Congratulations Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez. He is very beautiful. You make beautiful babies together."

"Thank you, Shaun," Melendez smiled as he gazed down at his son.

"Oh Neil, he's here," Lim sobbed happily.

Melendez kissed her forehead, "You did a good job, Audrey. I am so damn proud of you."

"Neil," Lim gestured her head towards the baby.

"Sorry," he apologized.

Melendez cut the cord and Shaun and Dr. Garcia weighed and measured Carlos. He weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz. and measured 21 inches long. They swaddled him in a blanket and gave him a hat before handing him back to Lim, "Hi Carlos," she cooed at him.

"You're a beautiful boy and we love you, mijo," Melendez rubbed his son's back.

"Here we are with two kids," Lim chuckled amusingly.

"Speaking of baby number one, I'm going to go call my parents," said Melendez.

"Okay," Lim nodded.

Melendez stepped out of the room and dialed his parents' house, "Hello?" Mateo answered.

"Hi Dad," said Melendez.

"Neil, how's everything going?" asked Mateo.

"Carlos Samuel Lim-Melendez is here. Born at 10:12 AM. He weighs 8 lbs., 3 oz. and is 21 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing great. Tell Mom and Mei-Li they can come visit him if they want," said Melendez.

"I see. Okay, I'll tell them," said Mateo.

"Te amo y adiós," said Melendez.

"Te amo. Adiós," said Mateo.

Melendez went back into Lim's hospital room and said, "Mom, Dad, and Mei-Li should be coming by soon."

"Okay. You get to meet your big sister, Abuelito, and Abuelita soon," said Lim.

Mateo, Maria, and Mei-Li came for a visit and shortly afterwards, Morgan, Claire, Park, and Shaun stopped by Lim's room, oohing and aahing over Carlos. Morgan had brought an 'It's a Boy' bear and Claire had brought 'It's a Boy' balloons. Park had brought a few of Kellan's old Tonka trucks and cars, "Aren't you a handsome little boy," Morgan smiled.

"So how was the first meeting with big sister Mei-Li?" asked Claire.

"Oh she loved all over him. Even got him a stuffed tiger in the gift shop," said Melendez.

"Now, we'll see how long that sibling love lasts after he's been home for a while, crying all the time, disrupting her sleep, and using up all of Mommy and Daddy's attention and time," admitted Lim.

"You both are good surgeons and good parents. You both will be good with both Mei-Li and Carlos," said Shaun.

"It meant a lot that you could be here with us, Shaun," smiled Lim.

"Truly," acknowledged Melendez.

The other doctors left the room to begin their shifts or go home for the day. Melendez sat next to Lim on the bed and wrapped his arm around her while Carlos nursed. He didn't know how he managed to get Audrey, Mei-Li and Carlos in his life, but right now, he felt like the luckiest man in the world for being blessed with all three of them.