Neil and Audrey couldn't believe it. Today was Saturday, March 13, 2021: their daughter's first birthday. Lim had sworn she didn't want to throw an elaborate birthday party for a toddler, but as the guest list grew, it quickly became an extravagant affair—Melendez's family alone increased the guest list, but they had also invited Josh, Laura, Everly, and a few of the doctors from St. Bonaventure. The two parents awoke when Mei-Li began crying, so Melendez stirred and rolled over to face Lim. She smiled at him and he kissed her, "Well, we made it a whole year Mommy."

"We most certainly did Daddy," she said happily, "One year down, many more to go."

Melendez smiled and chuckled, "I'm going to go get our little dumpling ready to eat."

Lim nodded, "Okay, I'll go start some coffee for us and get her food prepared."

Lim went downstairs and Melendez went to Mei-Li's nursery. He smiled as he walked over to the crib and rubbed her chest to soothe her fussiness, "Hey there amorcita," he cooed softly, "Guess what day it is today?"

Mei-Li stopped crying some when she heard her father's voice, "Dada," she uttered softly.

Melendez lifted Mei-Li into his arms and kissed her temple. He went to lay her on the changing table. As he changed her diaper, he asked, "Do you know you are one year old today? Oh this time last year was the best day of my life and I know it was the best day of Mommy's life. We've had a lot of adventures together this year, mija, and I know we'll have many more. All the laughter and tears you've brought to us…it's been worth every second."

Melendez carried his daughter down the stairs and brought her over to Lim, "There's Mommy's birthday girl!" she said happily and took Mei-Li into her arms, "I can't believe you're a year old today," Lim put Mei-Li in her high chair and Melendez tied her bib before Lim sat down in front of her and asked, "How's some birthday baby cinnamon apple cereal sound for breakfast?"

Mei-Li laughed at Lim as she made airplane noises to feed her. Melendez couldn't help but laugh at how silly and relaxed Lim always was around Mei-Li. He thought back over the past year: all of the late night feedings and diaper changes, the first tooth, the first crawl, the first smile, the first time trying solid food, the first babbles that semi-sounded like words…Lim had melted into a puddle of tears with each milestone, despite her best efforts, and she had grown into a wonderful mom over the course of the year. Melendez kissed Lim's head and sat a cup of coffee down in front of her, "You've become a wonderful mother."

"And you haven't been half bad at fatherhood yourself. Hasn't he sweet pea?" Lim tickled Mei-Li a little and she giggled, "Today, some of our family members and friends are coming over for your special day," she turned to Melendez and said, "I just hope the party is successful."

"Audrey, she's one. As long as everyone shows up, Mei-Li gets cake all over her face like she did at our wedding, and she only cares about the boxes and wrapping paper, it's a success," said Melendez.

"Yeah, you're right," Lim sighed. Mei-Li finished eating and they cleaned her up and put her in her playpen for the time being. Lim went to go set up some decorations in living room when Melendez grabbed her hand to stop her, "Neil," Lim said in a warning tone.

"Come here, you," he pulled her closer and wrapped her in a loving embrace. He buried his nose in her dark, brown hair and muttered, "I'm so proud of how far you've come these past several years. And you're still a kickass trauma surgeon, an amazing Associate Chief of Surgery, a loving mother, and my life partner and the best friend I've ever had."

Audrey melted into her husband's warm embrace, inhaling his scent that she had learned to associate with comfort and familiarity. They really had been through so much together in thirteen years. It began with their grueling residency, where they had a love/hate relationship with each other, but in the end, Neil's competiveness made them both become better surgeons. He had been her closest friend ever since. He was her rock as she recovered from the respiratory virus and helped her to recognize and admit that she needed help for her PTSD. Through Neil's love and support, she had learned to accept her diagnosis and have someone to lean on through times of crisis.

Of course, none of that compared to the fact that he had helped her bring Mei-Li into the world. She could still vividly remember the look on his face when she told him she was pregnant, that he was going to be a father. And then the moment they had laid their eyes on little Mei-Li Lim-Melendez one year ago, their entire universe had shifted. It was no longer about them, but their child: the physical product of their love and their primary joy in life.

People slowly arrived for the party and brought plenty of toys, books, and a few other gifts for Mei-Li. Though Mei-Li was clearly confused as to why everyone was focused on her, she took advantage of all of the interaction, "So you've made it a year. How's it feel Mommy?" asked Laura as she hugged Lim.

"What you said about motherhood not being exhausting is far from true and you know it," scolded Lim jokingly, "But I've loved every second of it."

"How can you not love spending time with this sweet little girl?" Morgan cooed at Mei-Li.

"Mm. Some of the times we were comatose while trying to feed and change her at two in morning had us second guessing parenthood," Melendez admitted. As the afternoon wore on, all of the partygoers sang Happy Birthday to Mei-Li and Melendez and Lim blew out the candle on her cake. They opened her presents, and as Melendez had predicted, Mei-Li was more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents underneath it.

Soon, everyone began to bid their farewells, but Shaun approached Lim and asked, "Dr. Lim-Melendez, may I hold Mei-Li?"

"Of course, Shaun," she passed her to him, "Just be careful because I think she's getting sleepy."

Shaun sat down on the couch and smiled down at the young girl, "One year ago today, I helped deliver you. You are the second baby I delivered. You were 6 lbs., 7 oz., and 23 inches long. Your Mommy and Daddy introduced you to me and it was a very special moment. It was not only the best day in Dr. Melendez and Dr. Lim-Melendez's life, but it was also a very special day in my life."

Mei-Li started fussing, so Melendez held out his arms and said, "Here, I can take her, Murphy. She missed her afternoon nap today, so she'll probably need to be put to bed early."

Shaun handed Mei-Li to Melendez and Melendez began to say soothing words to calm her. Shaun went to leave and said, "Thank you for inviting me to Mei-Li's party. It meant a lot to me."

Lim smiled and said, "It was our pleasure."

After Lim had gotten Mei-Li settled down and in her crib, she couldn't help but watch her baby girl peacefully sleep. She gently stroked her chest and softly said, "You know, baby girl, that this year has been the best year of my entire life? I've made a lot of good memories over the years, but none of them compared to the year we've had together. From the moment I found out you were growing in my tummy, you had captured my heart. Seeing you on the ultrasound for the first time, hearing your little heartbeat, feeling you kick me, reading to you, singing to you, and then, you decided you were ready to make your appearance into the world. Friday the 13th: a day a true child of mine and Daddy's would choose," Lim chuckled to herself. She held back a few tears and continued, "I've been through a lot of really tough things in my life, and Daddy has always been my biggest supporter, my biggest fan, and my biggest cheerleader. And he was right there by my side holding my hand as I brought you into our lives. And watching him play with you, sing to you, read to you, and rock you to sleep has made me fall in love with him even more. He really was born to be a father. I can't wait to see where life takes all three of us this year. Happy birthday, my sweet girl."

Lim quietly closed the door and went back downstairs. Melendez looked up from the book he was reading and commented, "You were up there for a while. Did you have trouble getting her to sleep?"

"No, she fell asleep as soon as I put her in her crib," Lim sat next to him on the sofa. They both lied down and Lim said, "Well, I think today was a success, if I do say so myself."

Melendez nodded, running his hand along Lim's back, "Agreed."

"I think we've learned a lot this year," admitted Lim.

"What do you mean?" asked Melendez.

"We've learned to balance married life, parenthood, and work life. And I'll admit, I was really nervous about becoming a mom," Melendez went to speak and Lim stopped him, "I know, I know, I'm good with Murphy and Gabi and my child patients and the other residents, but they aren't dependent on me for everything. For the longest time, I felt really out of my comfort zone, no matter how much anyone tried to convince me I was doing a good job."

Melendez kissed the top of her head and said, "But if it's any consolation, you're the best mother anyone could ever ask for in life and I'm glad to call you my wife. And at this time last year, I had the honor of watching you bring our little girl into the world with courage, grit, and determination. Over these past few years, I've gotten to see how strong you really are and I'm so damn proud of you."

Lim sat up and said, "It's been a long day and I have an unopened bottle of whiskey in the cabinet. Want to enjoy a glass before bed?"

Melendez smiled, "I've vowed to spend my lifetime drinking whiskey with you."