This chapter takes place in connection to 3x02 when Lim mentions going to Napa. :)
The sun was just beginning to set over the vineyards in Napa Valley when Melendez and Lim arrived at the Blackbird Inn. The couple checked in, and then, headed to their room where Lim immediately stepped out onto the balcony, "The view is gorgeous."
Melendez came up beside her, wrapped his arm around her, and kissed her temple, "I'm still trying to figure out how you could afford this place."
"The promotion came with a healthy raise," Lim admitted and went back inside. She sat down on the bed and Melendez sat down next to her. He took her hand and Lim looked over toward him, "No work talk this weekend, okay?"
"I promise," said Melendez, "The whole purpose of this trip was to get away from work." Melendez had taken up Lim's offer to go to Napa Valley for a weekend so they could be a couple and not boss and employee.
"I mean it, Neil. This weekend, we're not Dr. Lim and Dr. Melendez, we're Audrey and Neil," she scolded jokingly.
Melendez stroked her cheek and said, "With someone as beautiful as you are, it's easy to forget about work," he kissed her. It had been an adjustment for the past month or so: Audrey had become Chief of Surgery—and subsequently, Neil's boss—leading them to have some disputes over things at St. Bonaventure. Lim did have to admit, it was tough adjusting to the new dynamic, not just because they were dating, but also because they had been friends and equals for many years, and now suddenly, she was in charge of him. Of course she still greatly valued and respected his opinion, but in the end, she was the one who got to make the final decision on things, and needless to say, Melendez didn't always like it. She would be lying if she didn't admit that it was awkward sometimes. Melendez wrapped her in a loving embrace and said, "I'm so proud of you, you know?"
"For what?" asked Lim.
"For your promotion and how well you've been doing. You're St. Bonaventure's first female Chief of Surgery," Melendez reminded her.
"Yes, Dr. Reznick already told me that fact as she was attempting to kiss my ass," Lim laughed.
"And not only that, you also…"
"Neil," Lim said in a sing songy voice, "You're talking about work."
"You're right. I'm sorry," he kissed her temple, "This weekend is all about spending time as a couple."
Lim leaned her head against Melendez's shoulder and whispered, "I've missed this."
"Me too," Melendez admitted. They untangled from each other and Melendez asked, "So it's almost dinner time. Where did you want to go?"
"Well, we did pass an In-n-Out a few blocks from here," said Lim.
"Seriously, we drove all the way out here to Napa Valley, have all of these restaurants to choose from, and you want to eat at a burger joint we can go to back home?" Melendez asked in amusement.
"Hey, I paid for this room, and you're paying for dinner at the French Laundry tomorrow. I think we deserve some animal style burgers, fries, and chocolate milkshakes tonight. And then, maybe we could come back to the room and have something a little stronger."
"Alright, deal," Melendez agreed.
When they arrived home from dinner, they changed into pajamas and lit the fireplace to relax for the evening. Lim poured two glasses of Riesling and handed one to Melendez before she sat down in the other chair, "It's nice to finally get away just the two of us," she commented.
"Agreed," Melendez nodded and sipped his wine, "It's beautiful out here. I can't believe I've never been to Napa Valley before now."
"Really? You haven't?" asked Lim in surprise.
"Jessica and I talked about coming out here once, but then work got in the way, and we could never make a trip here before we broke up," Melendez explained.
Lim chuckled, "Well, I'm glad I'm the lucky woman who got to take your Napa virginity."
"How about you? You been here before?" questioned Melendez.
Lim sighed and set her wine glass down on the table between them, "Once," she answered and folded her hands in her lap, "Kashal took me here as a surprise after I officially became an attending surgeon, partially as a congratulatory present, and partially because we were having a lot of problems and he thought the change of scenery would help our relationship."
"Oh," Melendez nodded in understanding.
"And it worked for a few months. I mean, he proposed a week after we got home, but then, reality smacked us in the face, threw us down on the ground, and kicked us hard for good measure," Lim rambled.
Melendez reached across the table and grabbed her hand, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I promise I won't propose to you when we get home."
Lim smiled and shook her head at him, "Ass."
"But on a more serious note, I know we're both treading lightly because of our past relationships, but I'm not Kashal, and you aren't Jessica. We'll make it work," Melendez comforted.
"That's what we both said about our last relationships," reminded Lim.
"True. But we've taken those experiences and learned from them. I think there's a reason why things didn't work out in our previous relationships. And that reason is so we could find our way to each other," said Melendez.
How was it that a man with such a giant ego could say the most romantic things to her? Lim didn't know, but what she did know was that she was falling in love with Melendez more every day. They finished their wine in comfortable silence before Lim said, "I have another surprise for you."
She seductively untied the belt on her robe and revealed what was underneath—which was next to nothing—and Melendez stood and walked toward her, "You. Are. So. Beautiful," he drew out each word.
"Neil, I know I told you that I didn't want to talk about work, but I am going to give you one order as your Chief," she said.
"Which is?" asked Melendez, so close she could feel his breath on her neck.
"Show me how much you love me."