Chapter Text
Sons and daughters
Chapter 1: Mini-Neil
“Noooooooooooooo, I want Mommy and Daddy.” The little boy in the ER cried. His nursery school teacher had him on her lap. According to her, he just fell from the jungle gym and hit his head. Understandably, the five-year-old was quite upset and wouldn’t sit still for Dr. Browne and Dr. Park.
“Juan, listen. Those nice doctors just want to help you, okay? Just like your parents. Mrs. Mary promised to call them as soon as we left the nursery. I’m sure, they will be here soon.” His teacher tried to sooth him. But it was in vain. The little one wouldn’t sit still, at least he kept pressing the compress against his head, which he had been given at the nursery. He didn’t allow the doctors to change it or treat the wound, though.
“No, no, no. Mommy says no one is better at stitching than her, but Daddy says he is. I want my Daddy to stitch my wounds.” The child continued wailing. Park and Browne just looked at each other, staying clam. It wasn’t the first time a child was scared and not cooperating. Luckily, the wound didn’t seem bad enough to warrant to be instantly stitched and they could wait for the boy to calm down a bit. The residents were a little distracted by the boy’s look, both of them seemed to recognize those eyes, but couldn’t pinpoint whom they reminded them off.
Juan’s last comment, finally gave Claire the idea how to get through to him. Dr. Browne looked at teacher and asked calmly, “His parents are doctors?”
“YES! Daddy repairs hearts and Mommy fixes broken bones.” The, still bleeding, child answered before his teacher could. Claire noticed he seemed a little more relaxed, when he talked about his parents. So, she looked at him and very gently asked, with a small smile “Oh really? Do they work in a hospital or in a practice? Do you know?”
He nodded, smiled with a big grin and answered proudly, “in a hospital.”
“Ok, great. Now that you told me so much about your parents, maybe you could tell me your name?” Claire asked happily, trying to build a rapport before trying to stitch the wound, again.
“Juan Ricardo Melendez.” He mumbled, getting shy again, “I want Daddy to be here. Or Mommy.”
“Melendez really? That’s funny one of our bosses has the same name.” Park said innocently, while Claire was feeling flabbergasted. Someone would have told them if Neil had a child, right?
“See, maybe they know your Dad. Could you please let them now have a look at your head?” His teacher chimed in, again. Juan was about to answer, when an all too familiar voice interrupted.
“Sweetheart!” Lim said with a worried voice, trying to stay calm. “Mrs. Freya, thank you so much for bringing him in. I’m sorry, I couldn’t be here sooner.” Audrey greeted distractedly, while sitting down next to his teacher, so she could take her son on her lap. The boy with brown hair and brown eyes immediately climbed over and rested the non-bloody side of his face on her chest. Calming down in the arms of his mom, seeking her comfort.
Meanwhile, Browne and Park were at loss for words. They had no idea what was just happening. Since when was Lim a mom? And was Melendez the father? They had so many questions. Where they a couple or was he a result of a one-night-stand? Also, why had nobody ever told them? This was huge. And how come, Morgan didn’t know?
“What happened, my love?” Audrey asked in her mom-voice, while kissing his head and trying to get a good look at the wound. Ignoring everything around her. The only important thing being Juan getting the help he needed.
This got Juan to look up and saying with a big grin, “I made it on top of the jungle gym, but I tumbled while going down.”
“Oh, can we please not tell your dad this? He’s just going to say I’m at fault, because you got that adrenaline love from me”, his mom joked, distracting him enough to get a clear look at his wound. Her son just giggled. He loved it, when his parents were telling him how much he was like them.
“Cielo, listen. We need to get your wound stitched. Can you look at Dr. Park for me please, while Mrs. Freya and I keep your head steady?” Audrey asked serious in her no-play voice. Trying to think more like a doctor and staying rational, instead of freaking out like she wanted to. Her son was bleeding from his head, after all. Neil would be in surgery for a while, so she had to deal with this alone. And, therefore, couldn’t get lost in her worry, her son needed her to be on the top of her game.
“NO. Daddy! He knows best.” Juan stated, starting to get restless again. Audrey just rolled her eyes.
“Love, we discussed this. Daddy only thinks he knows best, I’m just as smart. Even smarter sometimes, just not as arrogant.” This was not the first time she had this conversation with her son. One day she would probably kill Neil for telling their kids constantly what a great surgeon he was. Juan didn’t look convinced. Knowing this won’t bring them any closer to get her son fixed, she tried a different tactic. His daddy-only phase was at an all-time high at the moment.
“Listen, Love, those doctors have learned everything they know from Daddy and me. Why don’t we let them do the stitching and after we are done, and you’ve got your ice-cream, your Daddy should be out of surgery. And you can tell your Dad what a great teacher he is? How does that sound?”
Juan took a moment to consider, before looking serious at his mom. He was having a daddy-phase the last few weeks. Everything that was done, needed to be approved by Neil. Audrey found it adoring to see the father-son-relationship so tight knit. They were as thick as thieves. But at times like these, Lim wished they wouldn’t be like twins.
“Where IS Daddy?” Juan asked almost reproachfully. Looking around for emphasis.
“He’s in surgery, fixing someone. And we know how nervous daddy gets when he knows you are hurt, right? Remember, when you fell from your bike and Daddy ran across the street without looking right and left first?” Audrey explained carefully. They never shared any gory details of their work with their little ones. The kids never knew the risks that came with their jobs. While Trinity was starting to ask more questions, luckily Juan was still satisfied by short answers. When her son nodded, Audrey continued. “So, we have to wait until he is done, in order to make sure his patient gets better as well, okay? Do you know why they’ll get better?” Audrey asked, looking at him with a grin on her face. Trying to lighten the situation. “Because Daddy is the best?” Juan answered excitedly. Lim couldn’t help, but laugh. “Yes, because he’s a gifted surgeon.” She hugged her son tighter and kissed his head again. Hoping they could start stitching him up soon. Gosh, she just wanted him to stop bleeding and be fine again. She also slowly started to remember where they were and suddenly the glances on her felt hot. But she didn’t care.
“Can’t you do it, Mommy?” He asked with big teary eyes, the pain of his wound starting to become his focus again. This was a mom’s worst nightmare and Audrey had to swallow hard.
“No, cielo, I’m sorry. I need to hug you and this is way more important, don’t you think so as well?” She tried to get this idea out of his head immediately, kissing his head once again.
“But you’ll watch what they are doing?” The boy asked, trying to get reassurance from his mom.
“Of course, believe me, I’ll make sure everything is going as it’s supposed to. I’m not going anywhere I promise, Love.” After kissing his cheek, she looked at her residents, waiting for them to get started. If it wasn’t her son who was hurt, Audrey would have laughed. The look on their faces was priceless. But right now, none of it mattered. All that was important to her, was for Juan to get better. The questions could be answered later or better yet avoided.
“Daddy!” Juan shouted when he saw his Dad coming into the ER, almost jumping from the bed he was sitting on, stitches already done. Getting examined before being discharged by Dr. Park. His teacher had left them alone, knowing that the little one was in the best hands possible. Unsurprisingly, Juan was treated with the utmost care and every single test that existed regarding his injury had been suggested by the residents. Lim knew that technically it wasn’t necessary. But this was her son, of course she would never say no. Even if Juan would have to be treated a little while longer, better to be safe than sorry.
“Juan, baby, please. I need you to sit still for a little while longer.” Audrey raised an eyebrow towards her son. She was standing next to Park watching every step of her resident, carefully.
“Cariño, hey.” Neil looked at his son, worry clearly radiating from his body. And then at Audrey, “what happened?” This was exactly why Lim hadn’t wanted to tell him earlier. As soon as their kids were involved Neil was only thinking with a tunnel vision, unable to concentrate on anything else.
“He fell from the jungle gym. Are you already done with your surgery?” Lim answered offhandedly, still observing what Park was doing. Hoping Neil wouldn’t dwell on the jungle gym. This was new territory for them as well. Juan had never been hurt seriously enough to warrant a trip to the ER and they never behaved like a couple at the hospital. Except for when they met Trinity, their daughter hadn’t seen a hospital from the inside again, either. Then again, their oldest was the more cautious one of their kids. Do they take each other's hand and comfort each other like they would outside of work?
“No, I just scrubbed out in order to get something to drink when I saw your text and well, I needed to come here, see if he was okay.” He answered while looking at his son. Not even caring a second about the question marks on the faces of his two residents.
Before Lim could answer their son interrupted.
“Daddy, can you look at the stitches? I wanted you to do it, but they said you couldn’t be here. But now you’re here and you’re the best, so can you look if it’s okay?” The little boy looked at his father, the shy tone in his voice gone. The excitement of the attention he was getting, making his pain only a second thought.
“Of course, cariño, I will have a look.” Neil looked at Audrey, before he checked the stitches. Giving a short grin to his wife, when he saw her rolling her eyes.
“I fell from the top of the jungle gym.” Juan proudly announced, grinning while his father checked his stitches.
Neil raised an eyebrow looking at Audrey, her gaze told him to better not say anything now. They had had the discussion about the jungle gym more than once.
“Glad you made it to the top, buddy. We’ll talk about getting down safely, again, some other time, hm, Love?”
The boy nodded still grinning being super proud of himself. Lim had to admit, she couldn’t even be mad at her boy, she would have done the same.
“You’re stitches look absolutely flawlessly. Good work Dr. Park.” Neil said after assessing his son’s forehead for some time. Trying to calm down and get his nerves under control. Juan was fine and would be fine. When he read Audrey’s message, he had been sick to the stomach immediately. Only thinking about the worst-case scenarios. Neil knew, he wouldn’t be able to operate any further until he was assured his son would be fine. The knot in his stomach was slowly getting better.
“Thanks.” Park answered, still unsure how to behave.
“Well, then, since your great daddy has given his approval for your stitches, these two doctors here can do the remaining tests and then we can get you finally home.” Lim answered just trying to behave as normally as she could. “Dr. Browne, Dr. Park do an MRI just to make sure his head is okay. And do an X-Ray at his leg, even if he can move it, I just want to make sure there isn’t a small fracture. He sprained it a few weeks ago when he fell from his bike.” Lim explained, unsure how to be a doctor and a mother at the same time.
Park and Browne nodded, already aware that they wouldn’t get any answers now. While Park was doing a relatively good job at hiding his curiosity, Claire’s face screamed for answers. By now, the number of nurses and other personal who somehow needed to be in ER was getting ridiculous, but neither Lim nor Melendez cared, at that point. Still too concerned about Juan, to think about all the question that were to come.
“Daddy why can’t you do it?” Juan whined, refusing to let his dad go, hugging him tighter.
“Because, my Love, I wasn’t done with saving a life. And I need to go back there. But your mommy will come with you. She knows just as well what needs to be done. I just need to talk to her for a second. And I promise you, these two doctors are great and they will take super good care of you. Do you want to know why I know that?” Neil whispered those last words, trying to act like he was telling him a big secret.
The boys’ eyes lit up and he nodded, leaning in closer to his dad. Stitches already forgotten.
“Because they learned from the best. I taught them”, he already felt Lim’s eyebrow rising on him and heard her huff, “and of course mommy, too.” He kissed his son on his cheek and after hugging him tightly again, he nodded towards his residents. Audrey stepped a little closer, running her hands through the little one's hair. Feeling a little helpless and sorry for her husband. She could only imagine how hard it must be to leave their son and get back into surgery mode.
“Start with the MRI, I’ll be there in five. Sweetheart, I want you to behave. Those two are going to tell you what do. You’ll just have to do what they say. Especially if they tell you to lay still, do that please? Just pretend you’re stone, okay? Show them you’re a big boy, okay?” Lim looked at her boy, serious gaze on her face and after he grinned and nodded proudly, she smiled and kissed him once more, before she turned towards Melendez and they walked a few steps away from the bed. Seeking at least some privacy, even if there wasn’t a real chance at it in the middle of the ER.
“We both know from whom he has this need for adrenaline kicks, right?” Melendez asked accusingly, looking at his wife and raised an eyebrow. The annoyed tone in his voice couldn’t be overheard. There were days he wished his son wouldn’t just look like him, but also be a little more like him.
“Neil, he’s five and it’s just normal behavior for a five-year-old to climb jungle gyms, or ride a bike for that matter, this has nothing to do with me. But can we please not discuss this in here?” Lim answered dryly, already aware that literally all of the nurses, residents and other staff members who were in the ER, were trying listen to them, “I guess you have to scrub back in anyway, right? Are you sure, you are okay?”
“You’re right. I’ll be fine, as long as you’re with him. I don’t want him to get scared or feel alone. What about your schedule? How’s Juan getting home? You’re covering the ER, aren’t you?” Usually, Juan would’ve been in kindergarten until Audrey would finish her shift. This was actually the first time in six years the needs of their kids were crashing with their work, thanks to some great Au-Pairs and nannies, so Melendez was a little helpless. It was also the first time that Juan or Trinity got seriously hurt. He didn’t want his son to think his parents didn’t have time or that work was more important. Nothing was more important to them than their kids.
“I’ll take care of it. I’ll figure something out. Focus on your surgery. I promise you, I won’t let him alone. I’m just as shaken as you are. But we’ll be okay and, yes, I’ll let you know if there’s something to worry about.” Audrey answered trying to calm him down with her gaze, knowing that he was still worried about their son and of course not wanting to give all the responsibility to Audrey. That was something they had discussed for some time before they decided to adopt Trinity and later have a second child, again. That they would share the responsibility fairly, whatever would happen in their relationship or careers. And until today that actually had worked out fine.
Melendez nodded and smiled thankful, maybe for a second longer than usual and then left the ER. It was hard doing this at their workplace. Usually, they would comfort each other, which would help them calm down, as well. But being worried parents and keeping professional distance at the same time was as hard as could be imagined. But he was needed back in the OR, he couldn’t let his feelings take overhand. This would have to wait until tonight.
Half an hour later, Lim was looking at Juan’s results in her office together with her residents, taking a deep, relieved breath.
“No further head injuries, the X-Ray doesn’t show any small fractures, everything looks fine. Looks like Juan can go home.” Park recited the findings, when he handed the tablet to Lim. Claire was just standing there, glaring daggers at Lim.
Lim took her time to recheck the results. It wasn’t like she didn’t trust her residents, but well this was her son. There was no way, she wouldn’t double check everything.
“Looks like it, yes.” She smiled towards her boy, sitting on the couch in her office, eating his ice cream happily.
“I already talked to Andrews, he’s taking over my shift. He should be here within the next minutes. You’re almost second year residents. I guess, you’ll be fine to cover it on your own until he’s arriving. If you need any help, call me.”
“So, Andrews is aware you have a son?” It was the first time Claire spoke again, since Lim had shown up in the ER.
“No, I just told everyone I got fat and took five months off without reason. Of course, he is. He’s my boss.” Lim answered dryly, already starting to pack up her stuff into her backpack, she didn’t have the energy to deal with those questions at the moment. “If there are no further questions, especially not about my private life, I think we’re done for today. If there’s anything you need my help with, while Andrews isn’t here yet, call me, anytime. I mean it.”
“Yes, of course.” Park answered before Claire could say something else. It was quite obvious that this wouldn’t end well if she did. Audrey had to admit that she wasn’t proud what had happened years earlier, when she told the whole hospital stuff the stop talking about her private life, in a not so kind manner. But the fact, that no one of the new residents or newer staff members knew about her kids or relationship with Melendez was actually nice to know. At least those vicious fights hadn’t been for naught. Until now. She guessed, it would come to the point again, where it was needed for her to make a statement that her private life was a topic non grata and she’d make everyone’s life a personal hell, who decided to gossip anyway.
Lim nodded and after the residents left her office, she took her son by her hand and convinced him it was time to go. Unsurprisingly, he was super excited to be in his mom’s office. Lim was debating with herself, if she’d rather take the bus and need more time or take a cab and be annoyed by the usual driving style of those taxi drivers, given the fact that Neil would probably kill her if she’d take Juan home with the bike after he already had an accident with the jungle gym today. Plus, she didn’t have his backseat and helmet with her anyway. So it was out of the question, to begin with. While Juan seemed fine, Lim didn’t want to take any risks and decided to get a cab. In case Juan started to feel unwell, it was just easier. He was starting to get tired too, so this would be the fastest way. When Juan asked to be carried, she couldn’t say no either. She still hadn’t fully dealt with the shock of seeing him hurt.
“Okay, pepito. Let’s get you home. We can decide what we want to eat on the way home and maybe then daddy can get it when he comes home. How does that sound? And later we can go and get your sister from school. Fresh air will do you good.” She offered, while kissing his uninjured side of his forehead. Her son just nodded happily, the pain already forgotten and the excitement of seeing his parents at work still wearing off.
Lim walked towards her husband, hugging him from behind, kissing his shoulder, while he was standing in the door frame, watching his sleeping son.
“He’s alright, love. Probably having a headache and some bruises tomorrow, but alright.”
Neil nodded and leaned a little further into his wife’s hug.
“Okay. You’re right. Let’s give him his undisturbed and much needed sleep.” Melendez whispered after a while of silence, just standing there, being comforted by his wife and watching their son.
Lim nodded, kissed his shoulder one more time and took one last look their son sleeping peacefully. Needing to reassure herself as well, that he really was fine. Before going downstairs, they went to go and check on their daughter, who had been the most doting sister anyone could have hoped for.
A few minutes later she sat down on their couch, making herself comfortable while Melendez poured them two whiskeys.
“Are you okay?” He asked his wife, when he handed her the bourbon and kissed her forehead.
“Yes. Still shocked and scared, but actually okay. You?” She smiled thankfully and let him sit down next to her, leaning against his chest when he had made himself comfortable.
“Same. And I apologize for being a jackass. I didn’t mean to accuse you. You’re right, it’s kind of a normal thing that happened today. That doesn’t mean I wish for it to happen again. Seeing him on the gurney, Audrey, that will hunt me. I hate that our worlds collided like that.”
Audrey smiled and turned a little to kiss him slightly. “You’re always a jackass at work, Neil, that was kind of the only thing what felt normal in this situation, Love. And I agree, I really hope this won’t happen again. But he is a little rascal, so I doubt we’ll get him out of the house without any further injuries. No matter whether we like it or not.”
Neil couldn’t help but grin at her, being home, having his wife in his arms, slowly but steadily his worries were starting to lift from his mind. Sharing really helped.
“It was weird. I mean, I didn’t know how to behave accordingly.” Audrey admitted after leaning into his hug a little more. It wasn’t just the first time, in all those years, she had had her son at work, it was also the first time they were confronted with being parents and a couple instead of just colleagues at work, since the fall out after Trinity’s adoption had happened.
“If it helps, me neither. I guess there were a lot more people who didn’t know either of us thought. If it hadn’t been so serious, I could’ve laughed the whole time, given those confused gazes of our residents. I really thought the others would have told them. Then again, there never was a reason, was there?” Neil tried to lighten the mood by talking about the least problematic outcome of the day.
“You should’ve seen them, when I came into the ER. Frankly, I didn’t even care about it and just hugged Juan at first. Though, getting a picture of Browne’s and Park’s face would have been amazing. Claire was very surprised, when Andrews took over my shift, that he already knew about our son. Guess you’ll see a lot of more curious gazes tomorrow when you’re entering the residents’ lounge.” Lim couldn’t help but chuckle. It wasn’t that Neil and she were hiding intentionally that they had children or the fact they were actually married for years. It was just that both of them had decided that it was nothing, that was needed to be discussed at work or that they needed to behave like a couple at work. After all the gossip had taken place and they told the staff the stop talking about them, they behaved accordingly as well. Never giving anyone a reason to look at them as a couple. Though, before Audrey had left for maternity leave, there had been some odd looks, but never a real discussion. They wanted to be seen as the individuals they were and not being tiptoed around when their significant other was mentioned. Nor that they felt the need to share they had kids. The hospital was such a serious place, their innocent little ones shouldn’t have to see the grewsome part of the world, if it wasn’t needed.
Once they had admitted their feelings for each other almost seven years ago, they had told everyone who needed to know. They also didn’t have a big wedding back then. So, there weren’t many things to be told, really. It was quite clear that they would just behave like colleagues at work, just like when they were residents and after they got Trinity. And that was something that was respected, and actually very appreciated, by HR and their bosses. It was also clear, and nothing that needed to be discussed, that they would behave like that again from tomorrow on. It was the way both preferred it. Work was work and their private life was their private life. This separation of their lives was needed to keep them sane and they wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
“Is it okay for you to stay at home with him one more day?” Melendez chuckled as well, but then looked at his wife seriously. When Melendez had been leaving the looks of this residents were still super curious, but nobody had dared to say anything.
“Yes, it is. He’s hurt and I’m not going to just send him to the kindergarten or let Ana take care of him tomorrow. And we both know you have some quite complex surgeries scheduled. So, it’s just logical. Nothing to worry about. I’m just a little bit sad that our together weekend off has to be postponed because of this. But actually, very thankful it was possible to switch shifts on such short notice. I figure you guys will have fun on your own, anyway.” She intertwined their fingers getting the comfort she had missed during this scary moment in the ER.
“You’re incredible, did I tell you already?” He stroked her fingers with his. If he could, he would have hugged her even tighter, showing her how much he loved her and how much this comfort meant to him.
“Not often enough. And yes, I love you too.” Lim turned around smiling at him and kissing him one more time. “Can we just agree on one thing?” She asked when they parted, looking at him rather seriously.
“On what?” Neil asked skeptically.
“You need to stop telling our kids – especially your son - that you’re the best surgeon all over the world, it’s a) not true, ‘cause we both know I am better than you, especially when it comes to stitching and b) it was quite hard to convince him that anyone else could stitch his wound as well.”
“That would mean I would stop telling them the truth and that’s something I can’t do, I’m sorry. But I’ll tell him that it’s possible to get stitched up by someone who’s not their father.” He grinned with his damn arrogant smile, the one he knew Lim couldn’t resist at the end of the day. Knowing that it probably annoyed the hell out of Audrey, but also that she loved it just as much. And before she could say a word against it, he pressed his lips against hers, pulling her closer to him. Hearing her mumble something not understandable while feeling her smile widen at the same time.
“You didn’t let them have ice – cream for breakfast, did you?” Audrey looked at her husband skeptically when she came down to their kitchen, quite appalled. Looking at her son eating some chocolate ice-cream happily, while Trinity’s bowl was empty, already.
“He got hurt yesterday and well, I’m going to leave you both alone, after a day like yesterday, so I couldn’t resist. And since Trin was such a great sister yesterday, they deserved it.” He smiled at her apologetically. Gosh how she love–hated that damn grin, to make matters worse, her son had the same grin, this damn grin she could never say no to.
“And what in the world, made you think it would be a good idea to leave me alone with a hurt five-year-old on a sugar rush? I think it’s best you leave for work, before I hurt you. Trin’s teacher will thank you, as well. You should get going anyway, some probably very curious residents are waiting for you.” Lim rolled her eyes smilingly after she let him kiss her good morning.
“True. Have a great day with him at home. And you wouldn’t hurt me, you love me too much.” He kissed his son on his uninjured forehead side and tickled him one last time, doing the same with Trinity, before kissing his wife once more afterwards leaving the kitchen to get ready. A few minutes later he left the apartment, with a very active Trinity in tow. He’d rather stay at home with his loved ones, but sadly responsibilities wouldn’t stop, just because Juan had to get some stitches. Though he did enjoy the ride with Trinity to her school. Just the two of them joking about their usual school stuff.
“Good morning, everyone. I have some good news for all of you.” Melendez couldn’t help but smile when he entered the residents lounge. Those four residents had been talking eagerly when he was outside and stopped right in the second, he had opened the door. He didn’t even need to ask what they were talking about.
Without saying a word, all of them just looked at him expectantly, when Melendez entered the lounge telling them he had good news, one thing was for sure, the upcoming news were anything but good.
“Dr. Lim won’t be in today, so different to how it was originally scheduled, two fourth year residents are covering the ER. What means, Dr. Browne, Dr. Park, you’re going to assist me on my surgeries today, at least you don’t have to work another 36 hours shift. Dr. Murphy, Dr. Reznick you’re with Andrews on his surgery, as planned. I know, that’s a change of plans on very short notice, but well, sometimes things can’t be helped. Take it as a chance to improve your flexibility.”
The residents nodded, of course they wouldn’t discuss the scheduling.
“How’s your son?” Dr. Reznick was the one who found her voice first. Trying to get at least some information about what was going on between their attendings. The residents had been discussing this with each other, before Melendez had entered the lounge. Of course, they had been asking some of the nurses, but it looked like no one was sure about the current relationship status between them. And of course, they couldn’t just ask the older staff members, since rumors and gossiping weren’t something that was very appreciated by them.
“Thanks for asking, he’s already doing better. His mother is taking care of him today. Any other questions, not concerning my private life?” Melendez answered dryly. Making it quite obvious that he wasn’t about to reveal anything more about his son, or his son’s mother for that matter. When the residents remained quiet, not wanting to provoke a bad mood from their attending for the rest of the day, Melendez only nodded and said, ”Great. Let’s get to work. It quite an ambitious schedule to get through today.” Melendez made a mental note to text Audrey about this scene later, she would sure get a chuckle out of the idea that the residents didn’t dare to ask about them.