Audrey closed her laptop once she finished her final patient report for the day. She packed her bag and went to the locker room to change into her casual clothes before arriving back to her office. When she got there, Neil was standing by her desk waiting for her. He had changed as well, and his shirt emphasized his physique. Lim began to gather her things as Melendez came up behind her, massaged her shoulders, and began to kiss her neck, "Neil, we're still at work," Lim said.
"So?" he asked innocently.
"You know I don't like doing PDA at work," scolded Lim.
"We've kissed in the ER at least twice," he reminded her.
"Neil, I promise, when we get to Napa, you can spend the weekend with your hands all over me. But here, don't be stupid," she said as she turned around and kissed him lightly.
"Alright, fair," said Melendez. Lim locked her office door and they proceeded towards employee parking. The couple placed their bag and briefcase in the trunk next to their suitcases and climbed into the car. Melendez started the engine, and before they knew it, they were off to Napa. Melendez reached over and grabbed Lim's hand. He said, "I can't wait to spend a whole weekend just the two of us."
Lim looked down at their entwined hands and said, "I know you are. I am too, but…"
"What's wrong?" asked Melendez.
"Just that it's our first trip without the kids other than our honeymoon. I'll miss those little knuckleheads," Lim admitted.
"I know, so will I," said Melendez, "I figure it's stupid to say not to talk about them because they'll inevitably come up every few conversations this weekend."
Lim chuckled, "Probably," the couple drove in silence for a while before Lim asked, "So how long did it take you to plan that vow renewal?"
"Well, first I had to get approval from Andrews to use the emergency room, not to mention discuss it with the hospital chaplain. Then I had to coordinate with Shaun, Claire, Morgan, and Alex, all the while hoping Shaun wouldn't spill the beans to you," he laughed and Lim laughed along with him.
"I understand. I felt the same way when I was pregnant with Mei-Li and he was one of the few doctors who knew for a long while."
Melendez smiled as he remembered that time in their lives before he continued, "Well, then I had to have someone pick up the kids so they could be there, not to mention make sure Mom and Dad were available to watch them this weekend. I made all of the reservations a few months in advance. So I've been planning this whole ordeal since early September or so, at least."
"Damn. And I thought you had completely forgotten," joked Lim.
Melendez chuckled and said, "Well, I'm glad to know that after ten years of marriage, I can still surprise you."
"Hopefully that's a good thing," Lim smiled at him. They arrived at the bed and breakfast, checked in, and went to their room to get settled. Melendez unpacked the suitcases some while Lim took a stroll around the room, looking out onto the balcony, the mini bar, and the fireplace, "It'll be nice to have a couple glasses of bourbon while cozying up in front of the fireplace," Lim commented.
"Yes, it will be," Melendez agreed.
"Can I admit something though?" asked Lim.
Melendez scowled, "Of course, always."
Lim sat down on the bed and Melendez sat down next to her, "I'm going to miss the kids," Lim said softly.
Melendez grabbed her hand and asked, "I know I've been looking forward to this trip for a while, but would I be a hypocrite if I admitted that I'll miss them too?"
"No," Lim laughed softly, "It means we're parents who really love our kids."
"Well, there's always Face Time," said Melendez, "But for now, we need to get changed. We have dinner reservations."
"Where?" asked Lim.
"You'll see," said Melendez.
They changed into their evening attire—Neil in a neatly pressed suit with a salmon blouse and Audrey in black dress pants, an evergreen blouse, and she wore her glasses just because—and then, they were on their way to their dinner destination, "So where are you taking me?"
Melendez shrugged, "You'll see," he responded, doing his best to hide his usual cocky smile.
When they pulled up in front of the French Laundry, Audrey grinned from ear to ear and said, "You didn't?"
"I did," Melendez confirmed.
Lim leaned over and kissed his cheek, "Oh Neil, thank you so much! I've always dreamed of coming here with you, but we haven't found the time with work and the kids."
Melendez parked and they entered the restaurant, "Table for two under Melendez," he informed the host.
"Of course. Right this way sir, ma'am," he said. The couple followed him and was seated. They picked out a bottle of champagne and looked over the menu before ordering an oyster and caviar appetizer, a dish with asparagus and mushrooms in a creamy lobster sauce, and a side of custom macaroni and cheese with parmesan and black winter truffles.
Their food arrived and Melendez held up his champagne glass, "To ten years of marriage with my beautiful girl."
Lim smiled and clinked her glass with his, "To ten years of surviving being married to you," she grinned. They both took a sip and Lim said, "Did I mention that Carlos will probably lose his first tooth soon?"
"No, I guess we'll have to start getting the Tooth Fairy money ready," Melendez smiled. He continued to gaze at Lim and said, "How did I get so lucky to marry you?"
"Because you're a stubborn ass who never gives up once he has his heart set on something," Lim smiled back.
"Exactly what you said on our wedding day," said Melendez.
The couple ate dessert—assorted fruits, chocolates, candies, and small slices of cake—and Melendez paid before they drove back to the B&B, "That was wonderful, Neil. Thank you."
He kissed her hand, "You're welcome. Now why don't we Face Time the kids before we settle down for the evening."
Lim agreed and Melendez connected his iPad to the WiFi. Soon, Melendez's parents and the kids were on the screen, "Hi Mommy, hi Daddy!" Mei-Li waved.
"Hi mija," said Melendez, "How is it at Abuelita and Abuelito's house?"
"We had pizza for dinner and tomorrow we're going to Chuck-e-Cheese!" said Carlos excitedly.
"And we get to stay up late and watch a movie," said Mei-Li.
"Don't keep them up too late Mateo, Maria," said Lim.
"We're keeping them up until 9:00, no later," said Mateo.
"What did you guys do?" asked Carlos.
"Well, Buddy, we went to a nice dinner and after we get done talking to you, we're going to talk by the fireplace," said Lim.
"And then what?" asked Mei-Li.
"Um," said Lim and she glanced over at Melendez. They could see Mateo and Maria were struggling to hold their laughter, "We're going to make some bread afterwards and then go to sleep."
"Like when we make pan de muerto on Día de los Muertos?" asked Mei-Li.
"Sure mija," said Melendez.
"Okay, well, we have a big night planned so we're going to make some popcorn and then settle down and watch Finding Nemo," said Maria.
"Well, have fun guys," said Lim.
"We love you," said Melendez. They disconnected and he looked over at Lim, "That was a close one"
"You did great," Lim kissed the top of his head. They changed into their pajamas and Melendez poured two glasses of bourbon before they sat down on the sofa and Lim snuggled next to Melendez. They drank their bourbon in comfortable silence before Lim said, "It is nice just to be the two of us though."
"Agreed," nodded Melendez.
As they nursed their drinks, Lim said out of the blue, "I think we should travel more."
Melendez glanced over at her and asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean the fact that the kids haven't been outside of California other than one trip to San Antonio. They're getting a little older now and I'm sure they'd appreciate more sites besides Disneyland, Six Flags, Sea World, zoos, and aquariums. We should take them to Taiwan and Mexico and show them some of the sites that were special to us growing up. There are so many places in the US even, museums, historic sites, monuments, and national parks. There's so much we have to explore, because before we know it, they'll be away at college and then have lives of their own."
"Well, maybe we can look into it for future trips with them. But for now, we need to be alone for what I'm about to do next," he winked. They placed their empty glasses on the coffee table and Melendez untied her robe, revealing the lingerie underneath, "God you're beautiful. You look exactly the same as the day I first laid eyes on you."
"Neil Alexander Melendez, that is not true and you know it. This body has birthed two babies and aged about twenty years."
"But you're still mine. Now if you don't mind, I want to show you how much you mean to me." Lim went to say something, but Melendez immediately stopped her with a kiss.
