Chapter 11

Neil waited patiently for Audrey to open her door. He arrived at her place early but he sent her a message ahead of his arrival. He was in a good mood today even though he didn't properly sleep last night out of excitement. Audrey had agreed to join him this weekend so he planned all the details for it to be perfect. The butterflies in his stomach feel so familiar. It was what he felt during the weekends they spent together as a couple, months ago. Short lived as it is, those early days of their relationship were unforgettable. Both of them felt like young teenagers falling in love for the first time ever.

Falling in love with her threw Neil off unexpectedly. Being friends and colleagues for so long, she was someone he knew very well. She is someone he respects and admires for her skills. He didn't know how it happened from the many days they spent together at work, but one day he just looked at her and started seeing her differently. For them their romance moved quickly beyond their will but to those who watched them gravitate toward each other for the last decade, it was a long time coming.

It took her minutes before she finally appeared. Her hair was wrapped in a towel but he could still smell the fresh flowery scent of her shampoo.

"Sorry, I was in the shower. I didn't read your message until now," she waved her phone with an apologetic smile. She stepped back to let him in.

"It's fine. You can take your time," he walked inside and sat down on her couch making himself comfortable in her familiar place. "I can wait," he gives her a smile.

"Okay but first, have you had your breakfast? Come join me, you need to be full so that you can drive me wherever you'll bring me to," she didn't wait for him to respond. She grabs him by the arm and pulls him up to her joint kitchen and dining room.

When Neil saw the table set for two and the food on it he turned to Audrey with a smile. He remembered the time when she ordered breakfast for the two of them at his home. He didn't have the time to fully appreciate the gesture that time, his thoughts were full of grief and guilt. When he tried to make it up to her that night, it was too late.

Knowing him too well, Audrey could guess what he was thinking at the moment. "Yeah, I cooked. It's just eggs, sausage and toast though," she laughed shaking her head lightly. "I can guarantee it's edible so you better eat my breakfast this time," she emphasized the last five words. She wasn't holding that past against him, rather she was teasing him as evidenced by the smile on her lips now.

Feeling hungry from the smell of food, Neil gladly sat down to eat. Audrey brought two cups of coffee for them before joining him at the table.

"Anyway, where are we heading? So that I know what to pack in my bag, " Audrey asked before taking a bite on her toast.

"Somewhere with fresh air," he hinted. "Just bring a day's worth of necessities," he advised. "Trust me, I'll make your weekend worthwhile,"

Catching his eyes she said in a sincere manner, "Of course I trust you." Touched by her, Neil smiled warmly. He reached for his coffee, his eyes closing to enjoy it's aroma. Copying his actions, Audrey also took a sip on her coffee. The scene reminisces of their countless times spent drinking together - whether it's a caffeinated or alcoholic drink.

They ate their breakfast in a familiar silence. When Audrey finished her plate, Neil volunteered to do the dishes. So she went to her room to pack her bag. She wasn't like the other girls who take too long to get ready. She's efficient and fast. Plus, she didn't like people waiting for her even if Neil says she should take her time.

Soon, they were finally on their way. Audrey still didn't know where they were headed but she's smart. When the road view changed from the urban town to rural countryside she turned to Neil with eyebrows raised, "This is the farthest that we travelled together,"

"I've always wanted to go out of town with you," he replied, not taking his eyes off the road. "You are fun to travel with, according to our fellow residents before,"

"But you never joined our trips," she accused.

"You guys started those trips late into our residency," he thought about those times he declined their trips because he had other plans with Jessica. There were times they tried to invite Jessica as well but their fun wasn't her type of fun. That's why Neil missed out so much when they were still together.

Audrey fell silent also thinking about those days in the past. It also took her some time to loosen up and have fun with her co- residents. Some of them turned out to be great friends whom she is still in contact with until now.

"Where did you guys even get the time for fun? I would rather catch up on sleep that time," he glanced at her briefly.

"You weren't sleeping. You're busy pulling extra work --"

"Which I needed to get chosen for a slot in cardiothoracic," he defended. "I needed it to get into the specialty that I want. I wasn't competing with you,"

Audrey gave him the look of disbelief. "Fine. I was no longer competing with you," he corrected. She grinned at him prompting him to do the same. References about their younger days always bring him nostalgia.

They fell into a long silence after that with her appreciating the view of nature they passed by. When they stopped at a crossroad, she turned to him and said sincerely, "It doesn't matter you didn't join us before, we can always travel together now don't we?"

With the intense look he gave her, Audrey realized her slip so she added, "We have more flexible time now than we were as residents,"

He just smiled in response. Good things take time. He believes. And this time it's their chance together.

...

They were almost there at noon but Neil decided they would stop over at a diner for lunch.

"We're going camping but you didn't tell me to bring food," she exclaimed when they sat down at the farthest side of the diner.

"Don't worry I got you covered. Didn't I tell you to trust me?" He flashed her that boyish smile that she secretly loved. "Now tell me what you want to eat. You have to be full for today's activities."

"Just make sure I'm going to burn these calories later,"

"You could join me on my morning workout if you're that concerned," he teased.

"I'm not a morning person, you know that. My mornings are calculated on time from the moment I wake up until I get to work."

They ordered and ate their lunch. They took their time eating and talking about stuff not related to work. It was nice to finally hangout without the stress of their professions.

A number of tourists were also passing by the diner but nobody recognized them. Neil made sure it was far from their place so they can really relax themselves.

Soon they were back on the road again but not for long. They reach the tourist hall just an hour after noon. They got off and had themselves registered at the tourist hall.

"There's no signal here," Audrey commented looking at her phone.

"That's perfect," Neil said and she frowned at him. "Why?"

"What if someone at the hospital calls me? What if someone sent me a message that needed my immediate response? How about you too? You know the nature of our work,"

Neil took her phone and set it on flight mode. He took his own as well and did the same. "Remember when Glassman went on a week-long vacation and left us alone? We survived that hell week. The residents will survive this too,"

"They will learn,"

Audrey looked at him skeptically but eventually convinced herself this is okay.

They left the car at the tourist hall parking lot and proceeded to rent some bicycles. This is what will take them to the camping site.

Neil was initially afraid Audrey would complain but he didn't hear any from her. She gladly took a bike and together they followed the trails.

The weather was fine and it was a little windy so the grasses on the field were dancing as they passed by. Sometimes they would slow down to appreciate the view.

Neil would steal a glance at her and smile at the contented and happy look on her face. The wind blowing on her soft hair and he could just stare and admire her beauty. At times Audrey will catch him staring and she would just secretly smile and urge him to keep up the pace.

After almost an hour of biking they finally stopped at the camping site. Upon choosing their side, Audrey jumped off her bicycle to take a stretch. Neil followed her, carefully dropping the bags he brought.

"I didn't realize it was so high up here," she said overlooking the green fields they passed by a while ago.

"Were you tired from biking?"

Audrey shakes her head smiling. "No. I kind of like it actually. It feels refreshing"

"I should buy you one then,"

"Why? Is that your way of talking me out of my Ducati?" She looked at him amused.

"Is that possible for you to drop your beloved Ducati?" Neil grinned. "No, I just thought if I can't make you join my morning jogs then maybe biking together would be a possible substitute."

"I would love to spend more time with you outside work," he told her honestly. "Just the two of us,"

Audrey smiled thinking about it. "Okay,"

"Okay?" He asked, surprised.

"I'll join you sometimes,"

Neil can't help but smile excitedly at the idea of her spending more time with him. He secretly celebrated the fact that Audrey seemed to have loosened up herself and embraced life.

They began setting up the camping tent. Following the instructions seemed hard but they eventually got it right. Then Neil started digging up his bag pulling lots of Tupperware and bottles and setting it on the wooden table beside their tent.

"All of these were food?" Audrey asked, touching one of the container lids.

"What else would it be? I cooked some of it. Bought some of it. For us,"

He woke up early to prepare these foods. She looked at him, touched by his gesture. I love you. Saying it should have been easy but she didn't know if the moment was the right one. Instead her eyes show what her heart wants to convey.

He stares at her and knows it all.

…..

The afternoon was spent in a peaceful manner. Audrey found a nice spot on the hammock hanging by the trees near their tent. She occupied it, resting with her earphones plugged to her ears. Soon she fell asleep under the shade of the trees.

Meanwhile Neil sat on the foldable recliner and brought out a book to read. Occasionally he would stare at his surroundings. He would find a couple of birds playing hide seek among the trees. When he couldn't concentrate on the book any longer he put it down and watched nature instead. It took him a while until he joined Audrey into dreamland.

"Thanks for making my birthday a memorable one Neil," Audrey said late that night as they sat side by side in their recliners. They spent the sunset setting up a small dinner celebration for her birthday. She was delighted to discover that Neil brought so many of her favorite foods. He even brought a small size cake for her to blow. She wondered how it all fit inside his backpack. "It is a nice start to a new year ahead."

"Anything for you Aud,"

She didn't talk for a moment, just enjoying her coffee that he made for the two of them. She smelled the aroma and found herself closing her eyes in contentment.

"You know, you asked me awhile ago to make my birthday wish," she started. " I realized all these years I've been using them for material things. A new pair of shoes, leather jackets, an airfryer," she laughed lightly.

"All of them made me happy but now as I become older I realized that material things alone won't make me happy."

Neil listened to her intently. She took something out of her pocket and his eyes widened when he realized what it was.

Smiling while caressing the small box she looked him in the eye. "Why did you give your grandmother's engagement ring to me?" She asked him. She knew about the story of that ring. She recognized it from the night he told her about it many years ago. He was contemplating on popping the question to Jessica that time. He asked her opinion on which ring suits her better. The family heirloom or the brand new one he bought from an expensive shop. She simply told him to go where his heart wants. She found that advice cheesy but her heart fell when she learned the news of their engagement a few days later. She saw the shining new diamond ring on Jessica's finger.

"I already told you this before. Grandma wants me to give this to the girl I wanted to marry,"

"You didn't give this to Jessica," she pointed out.

He released a deep sigh. "The young and unwise version of me thought the shinier one would suit her better. She was the flashy and elegant type of girl." When seeing Audrey's raised eyebrow he continued. "That ring you hold was a special one. My grandparents had a long but fruitful marriage and she hopes I would have the same so grandma gave that to me."

He let out a small smile staring at the box on her hand. "Not choosing that for Jessica that time might be a sign that she wasn't the one," then his eye caught hers, "but with you, I didn't hesitate giving it to you."

"Whether we end up getting back together and you eventually wearing that ring, or not, that's already yours,"

Their eye contact lasted for a minute before Audrey reached for his hand, placing the box on his palm. His smile fell upon the gesture so Audrey explained. "Please hold it for me until the day you have to put it on my finger," she requested gently.

"It's already mine okay?"

It was always destined to be yours.

Neil held her hand with the box between their palms. It wasn't a proposal but in that moment it was clear where their relationship was heading. Audrey knew that the missing piece for her happiness was in front of her right now. After finding an overdue closure with her past relationship, she wants to try again. This time no more surrendering to her fears and doubts.

For Neil it was a second chance at holding her hand and he promises he would never let it go.

...

Neil was awakened by his phone alarm at dawn. Stretching his arms and legs, he turned to his side to find Audrey still fast asleep in her sleeping bag. She was curled up in it, facing him to her side. With the stillness of their surroundings, he could hear her soft breathing sounds. Her face was calm, which was far from the troubled look she had the past few days. He watched her for a moment, loving this rare moment of seeing her vulnerable. He felt lucky she allowed him to see this side of her. He earned her trust and that is something he wants to protect forever.

She looked so peaceful, he didn't have the heart to wake her. But he needed to. This was the highlight of the event and he didn't want her to miss it.

He nudged her gently at first, "Aud, wake up," he called softly. When she didn't stir he caught her arm shaking her a little bit.

"Aud,"

"Hm?" she responded finally but her eyes were still closed.

"It's time for us to go,"

"I'm still sleepy,"

"I know but it's the peak of the meteor shower. You said a while ago you were excited to see it," Audrey reluctantly opened her eyes. He coaxed her by helping her sit up first. After rubbing the sleep off her eyes, she quickly fixed her hair. Then Neil grabbed her coat to help her put it on.

The chill air combined with the fresh smell of nature welcomed them as they got out of their tent. Audrey looked up at the sky and saw the stars shine brighter than what she normally sees down the city. It was dark but the place was illuminated by the stars and the crescent moon.

"Come on, let's get to a better view," he whispered, pulling her hand with him. Neil was wide awake so he guided her through the grassy trail. The summit wasn't that far from their camping site but since it was still very dark, they were careful on their steps.

They reached the spot in thirty minutes and along the way Audrey could make out the meteors that passed by.

"It's beautiful Neil" she whispered, her eyes in awe at the scenery above her. He hums in agreement but his eyes were fixed on her. He thinks she's as beautiful as the stars and moon above them.

"We always see arteries, blood and organs everyday so this is a nice change of view," she laughed lightly.

"You love it anyway," he grinned at her.

She kept her eyes on the view above, watching the vast galaxy that can be seen by the naked eye at the moment. The low light pollution and high ground level made it possible for them.

She noticed that he kept looking at her so she teased him, "I'm sure you didn't come all the way up here just to stare at my face,"

"I think I just did that,"

Her lips form a small shy smile. Only him has that effect on her.

"I wish time would stop. I don't want this moment to end. I'm not yet ready to go back to work," she confessed, turning to face him. "Although I love my job, it gets so stressful sometimes too.

"I know but," he took her hand, lacing them with his. "Your presence makes my day lighter,"

The idea of you not being around wasn't okay with me. She was reminded of the time when she was lying in the hospital bed recuperating from a virus.

Giving her hand a light caress, he told her, "I love you." He's been wanting to say that to her since last night. Saying it at that moment was easier than when he first said it to her. He was sure that no matter what, he'll always love her. Their breakup only proved to him how important her presence in his life was.

He didn't want to pressure her to say it back so he tugs her into a hug instead. He was surprised when she reciprocates and hugs him back tightly.

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she whispered, "I love you too,"

She pulled away after a second, "No buts this time," she added after seeing the confused look on his eyes.

"I didn't intend to rush you Aud--"

She put her finger on his lip to hush him, "I know. I know. I thought we have this unspoken agreement of finding a new balance within our relationship, given my position. I think I am ready to give it a try…" she paused "...if you still want me."

"I love you Audrey, of course I want you. I want to share all my good and bad days with you. You being in my life is more than enough, you don't have to choose between me or your career. I'll support you in any way that I can."

Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears but she leaned her forehead against him. Closing her eyes, she felt Neil's hand caress her cheek. "Let me be your home," he said kissing her forehead.

"You already are,"

I inserted a hint of a "possible" new limlendez story here. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter. Next one would be the last chapter.