It was a weekend toward the end of May when Melendez and Lim arrived home from work, content to spend the weekend watching TV and relaxing. Lim flopped down on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table, taking a deep breath and saying, "I'm glad we have two days to ourselves where we don't have to do anything. And next weekend is a three day weekend and neither one of us have to work. How about we go away for Memorial Day weekend?"
Melendez smiled and chuckled before sitting down next to Lim, "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about," he took her hand and said, "Next Saturday, my parents are hosting a cookout for the family, and naturally, they expect me to be there."
"Oh," said Lim, "Then I guess I can figure out something to do on my own next weekend…"
"No, Aud," Melendez interrupted her, "I want you to come with me."
Lim sat up straighter and took her feet off of the coffee table, "Neil, are you sure? We haven't even revealed our relationship at work yet, and introducing me to your parents and other relatives is a big step for us."
"I know," Melendez squeezed her hand, "But believe me, if I wasn't serious about our relationship, I wouldn't bring you with me and introduce you to everyone. So what do you say?" Lim didn't make a noise other than her quiet breathing, so Melendez said, "You don't want to."
"No, it's not that," said Lim, "Just feels like a huge step for us and we haven't been together that long."
"Well, it is," admitted Melendez, "But you mean a lot to me Audrey, and I want to be able to tell people about us. I understand you don't want to at work, but I think we should take the time to introduce each other to our families."
Lim took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay," she agreed.
"Yeah, you'll go?" asked Melendez excitedly.
"Yes," Lim smiled happily, both excited and nervous to take the next step in their relationship.
Later that night, Melendez called his parents to let them know he was bringing a guest, though it was just a lot of arguing in Spanglish, at least from Lim's point of view, "No Mamá, Jessica and I broke up a long time ago; I'm bringing Audrey with me next Saturday. She was in the same year of residency with me," more conversation from Maria, "No, Mom, Melanie was the red-head. She got a job at Boston Children's after our residency ended. No, Audrey isn't the one I always had a crush on," he scolded embarrassingly. Lim couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself. Melendez rolled his eyes and said, "Just make sure you mark down the fact that I'm bringing a guest. Okay. Te amo. Adios y buenas noches," he hung up the phone and crawled under the covers next to Lim, "Warning number one: my mother is a bit overbearing."
"That's okay. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone," Lim kissed him.
They deepened the kiss when Melendez stopped her, "Warning number two: they'll ask you when we're getting married and when you're giving them grandkids. Just smile and nod and know that I'm in no rush for either."
Lim laughed and said, "Oh believe me, I have family members waiting for a mini-me too. And I can picture it. Little Mommy and me matching black leather jackets, teaching him or her about all of the different kinds of motorcycles…"
"Okay," Melendez interrupted her with a kiss, "How about I introduce you to my family first, and then, you can tell me how you're going to mold your future offspring into miniature versions of yourself."
Lim smiled and said, "Deal," she kissed him with fervor again, "Now, where were we?"
The Saturday before Memorial Day arrived and Melendez and Lim woke up bright and early. They both showered and dressed before heading out for some breakfast since the cookout wasn't until closer to 4 PM. When they arrived at Denny's, the waitress took their orders and brought them their coffee before they were even able to begin to converse, "I'm so nervous," she admitted.
"You'll be fine," Melendez said comfortingly. "I wouldn't be bringing you with me today if I wasn't serious about us."
"I know; that's what I'm worried about," she admitted, "What if introducing me to your family changes our relationship and not for the better?"
The waitress brought their food and Melendez didn't answer Lim's question right away, so she worried that she had somehow offended him. He switched the subject to baseball scores and a few work related matters before they paid and drove home. When they arrived back to Melendez's apartment, Lim stopped Melendez from leaving the living room by grabbing his hand, "Neil, did I say something to offend you during breakfast?"
"What? No," Melendez answered.
"Then why didn't you say anything when I mentioned how I was nervous about meeting your family?" asked Lim softly.
Melendez took her hand and led her over to the couch. They both sat down and he said, "Because, I think things will change after today," he admitted, "But I want it to."
"What if they don't like me, Neil? I know how important your family is to you," said Lim.
"They are, and I would do anything for them," Melendez answered honestly. He tucked a lock of hair behind Lim's ear and said, "But you're smart, you're compassionate, you're hard-working, you're dedicated to everything you do, and you're the best woman I've ever been with. What's not to love about you?"
"I curse too much, I burn pancakes every time I try to cook them, I can't parallel park, I always let my laundry back up, and I'm messy," Lim listed.
Melendez embraced her and kissed the top of her head, "Well, if those things are the worst things about you, then I still love you."
"Ass," Lim muttered against his chest.
They arrived at the Melendez house around 3 PM and went out to the backyard where there were a few people grilling and others running around the yard. A woman who appeared to be in her early sixties handed some vegetable trays to Melendez and began to promptly give him some instructions in Spanish, so Melendez did as ordered before he ushered Lim over to the two of them, "It's okay, Audrey; don't let her scare you off," he joked. Lim hesitantly walked up beside Melendez and Melendez said, "Audrey, I'd like you to meet my mother, Maria. Mom, this is my girlfriend, Audrey Lim."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Melendez," said Lim, thinking that it was still a little strange to hear Melendez call her 'my girlfriend.'
Lim went to shake Maria's hand only to receive a kiss on the cheek instead. "Pleasure to meet you, Audrey. You're even more beautiful in person than how Neil described you," said Maria.
"Um, thanks?" responded Lim, not quite sure what to say.
"Where's Papá?" asked Melendez.
"He went to pick up Gabi," responded Maria, "Abuelito and Abuelita are on their way. Most everyone else is here. Tío Hector and Tío Miguel have the hamburguesas and hot dogs cooking. Drinks are in the cooler."
"Gracias," said Melendez.
Lim turned around to find people talking, laughing, eating, and enjoying themselves, "Are all of these people related to you?" asked Lim to Melendez.
"Three-quarters of them," he answered and laid his hands on her shoulders, "Just be yourself and don't worry," Melendez introduced Lim to all of his tíos, tías, and primos before they stopped to eat. Once they were finished their burgers and beer, Melendez squeezed her hand and asked, "Are you ready to meet my Abuelita?"
"If you think I'm ready," she smiled softly.
"Alright then," Melendez led him over to her, "Hola Abuelita."
The older woman smiled and embraced him, "Neil," they conversed a little while longer, though they were speaking in Spanish, so Lim didn't understand everything.
Melendez finally took Lim's hand and said, "Abuelita, esta es mi novia, Audrey."
"Hola. Me llamo Audrey Lim. Encatada de conocerte," Lim shook her hand. Melendez had taught Lim a few basic Spanish phrases.
"Me llamo Rosalinda," she responded.
She turned to Melendez and asked him a few more questions, "She wants to know if you're Catholic?" Melendez translated.
"Um, no," Lim answered.
More questions on Rosalinda's part, "Now she wants to know if you plan on marrying me and having children?"
It was the first time Lim had to seriously answer that question. Sure, Melendez and she talked about the future: marriage, kids, the whole nine yards, but talking to Neil about it and answering his conservative Catholic Abuelita were two different stories. But somehow, in that moment, the future looked clearer than ever before. Lim nodded and answered, "Si."
Rosalinda and Neil talked a little bit longer before Rosalinda kissed Lim on the cheek and said, "Bienvenido a la familia."
They arrived home later that night and Lim flopped down on Melendez's bed, "You have a really big family," she commented.
"I know," Melendez lied down next to her, "But you did great."
"I think that's the first time I've ever told anyone I'd be willing to marry you and give birth to your babies," she chuckled.
"Well, now that you've met Abuelita, that means you're stuck with me," he kissed her.
"Neil, I've been thinking…you remember my friend's daughter was one of my patients recently?" Melendez nodded, "Laura has had me thinking and meeting your family has had me thinking…I think it's time we tell Andrews about our relationship."
Melendez was surprised by her admission, "Why the sudden change?" he asked.
"Because…as you introduced me to all of your family members today, being asked multiple times if I was going to marry you or just break your heart like that other gringa, having everyone there know about our relationship…it was nice to be able to hold your hand, to kiss you, to show affection toward you without fear of being caught. I know introducing me to your family meant you're committed to our relationship, and I want to show you that I'm committed too."
Melendez leaned over and softly kissed her lips, "Andrews will probably make us file an official report with HR."
"I know," said Lim, "And not only will Andrews and HR know, all of our colleagues and residents will find out too. But I love you, Neil, and I'm ready to tell the world that I'm proud to call you mine."
Melendez gently stroked her cheek and gazed into her eyes lovingly, "I'm proud to call you mine too."