Chapter Text
The hospital was filled with Christmas decorations and carols echoed through the halls, where doctors and nurses talked joyfully about their vacation plans. It was also the time of the year when deals were being sealed, as the ones who had families waiting for them at the Christmas table took time off and searched for people who were willing to cover for them and take over shifts.
Lim fit into the second category, as she was the person most of the other surgeons relied on for always being at the hospital. She would rather drown herself in work than stay home during the holidays. She never really disclosed the actual reason for this, maybe because she was too embarrassed, but she didn’t like this time of the year. All the happy laughter, the children playing in the streets and especially the families that came together to celebrate were a reminder of what she didn’t have. No one would be there to greet her if she came back home on the 25th, and she hated it. The first Christmas she spent after her divorce was miserable. Her apartment was empty, with no lights or decorations to be seen. She sat down at her kitchen table and ate a poorly prepared meal of Taiwanese food that at least smelled like home, to maybe feel the warmth that used to embrace her as a child. Instead, slurping at her soup in the dimly lit room, a lump formed in her throat. Christmas didn’t feel special anymore, it was just like any other day. No Santa to bring her gifts, no family to enjoy her time with, no joyful spirits, nothing. That night, as she stared out her window to see the few people roaming the streets and dancing in the rarely seen snow in California, couples holding hands and children jumping up and down, tears slowly fell down her cheeks in a deafening silence. She hated this. She hated the way holidays made her feel. Unlike any other day, this time, she hated being alone. This is what determined her to help the colleagues who actually mattered and spend her time surrounded by people at the hospital. She presented it as a selfless act, when in reality, she was just making herself forget.
Melendez fit into the first category, as this time only brought him happiness. He never spent a single Christmas alone. The holidays were a sacred time when his family would all gather and celebrate together. He always looked forward to seeing his parents, but not so much for his other relatives, since only counting them would take ages. Everyone asking when he was going to get married or when he was going to have children was inevitable, but over the years he had gotten used to it and it wasn’t bothering him the same (as he likes to believe). He loved the music, the food, catching up with cousins, exchanging gifts and most importantly, the deep affection his family shared. This was a perspective of holidays he got used to, until this year. The universe had other plans for him, as his plane ticket to Colorado got cancelled at the last minute, and buying another proved to be impossible. It was unfortunate, but Christmas wasn’t entirely ruined. He had Audrey. Even if she still wanted to work (influencing him to do the same), he had planned to come back before the New Year, anyway. He convinced her to take time off after the 27th under the pretext that she “deserves a break from the holiday chaos”. It would also be a time of celebration for one of them, as a day before Christmas Eve, Andrews announced the new chief of surgery.
The polls Alex Park started were getting big cash as the minutes ticked by, with everyone rooting to win the bet. Lim had even given some money herself to keep up the joke and to mess with Melendez. They had come close to arguing over the past few days, as they kept squabbling about their qualities as surgeons and how much better the other one was, butting heads on every occasion, like they were back to being their old overly competitive selves.
Everyone was gathered in the conference room, with Aoki staying by Andrews’ side at the end of the table, an unsure smile on her face. He started with a brief speech about the hospital’s improvements, future plans and other things that didn’t really seem to spark any interest among the crowd. Finally, as his words turned the attention to the main subject of the gathering, all eyes were on his lips. Audrey and Neil were sitting on opposite sides of the room, taking glances at each other as Andrews continued to speak, waiting to see him spell the same they yearned to hear.
“It’s now more important than ever that we maintain our high standards and so, while there are many worthy candidates, I’ve decided...” He spoke firmly and paused for a few seconds to analyze the room with his eyes. He noticed the eager faces of Lim, Melendez, Philips, and all the other surgeons in the department. With a hopeful smile and a hopeful attitude, he continued his sentence. “To retain the title myself.”
Silence. For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Not a single soul in that whole department expected this to happen. Well, of course, except for Shaun, when he broke the confused state of the crowd with a loud “Yes!”, followed by Alex handing him the stack of money from the bet. Neil didn’t know if he should laugh or cry, as the weight of the stress seemed to have been removed from his shoulders. His eyes met Audrey’s, who bit her lower lip and, as he knew her, was struggling not to throw one or two curse words for how much crap Andrews put them through.
The applause and fabricated smiles wore off and people left the room in a quiet chatter. Lim had already stormed off to her office, followed closely by Melendez. When she got to the door and noticed him behind, she placed one arm to block the entrance and forced a grin.
“You are staying five feet away from me until we get home, because I’m not having it.”
“Why are you taking it out on me? You should vandalize a photo of Andrews or something,” he chuckled.
“Noted. Now go and be all congratulative. He might even give you a star.”
They did not prepare for this outcome, as both were at a loss for words. Their caution and stress had been in vain, and while they were glad it was over, the list of reasons why they hated Andrews had again been updated.
Melendez was taking the pizza out of the oven when he heard the door open. Audrey threw her stuff at the entrance and huffed as she made her way into the living room.
“He never fails to make me hate him! How can someone even be this unlikable?” She shouted.
“At least it’s all over.”
“He played us both.”
“Good thing we stood together and confronted his game!” Neil said sarcastically.
They sat on the couch and Neil poured two glasses of whiskey while Audrey kept commenting.
“If he comes to us with the offer two weeks from now because his ass gets beaten and he realizes he’s not Superman, I will shove it right down his throat.”
“To the win of absolutely nobody. Cheers.” He spoke and raised his glass, earning a smirk from Audrey.
“This made me look forward even more to our little break after Christmas. I don’t think I can see his face without clenching my hands,” she laughed.
“Let’s hope tomorrow’s not too busy of a day. It’s Christmas Eve after all.”
“Since when do I care how this day goes?”
“I want to make it special. It’s going to be our first Christmas as a couple.” He beamed and placed one hand on her back as she leaned into him.
“I’m sorry you had to sacrifice the time with your family. I’m boring when it comes to holidays.”
“Don’t be sorry! Audrey, you are family. How could I be mad to spend Christmas with my lover?”
She smiled sheepishly and took another sip, the whiskey burning her mouth. Deep down, behind the indifferent masquerade she put up, she was in the ninth cloud when she heard she would finally have someone dear she could see on the days she made sorrow. Finally, she would be spending Christmas with someone she loved.