Epilogue
3 Years Later - Part I
"Marple?" Miranda poked her head into Mike's home office, and he spun around quickly in his chair. "I have something I have to tell you."
Mike panicked, and his heart skipped a beat. Miranda sounded so serious, to which anybody who even remotely knew Miranda knew that it wasn't exactly normal for her. "What's up?" He couldn't tell whether or not it was anxiety he saw in her, or whether it was something else completely.
"Well, you know how I went to the doctor the other day?" He nodded. Hopefully it didn't end up as the whole 'rubbing peanuts' on her chest thing again - she'd mentioned that to him, and he'd hoped she'd never bring it up again.
"Did they find out what was causing the pain?" She nodded slowly. "Are you alright?" Oh god, what if it was cancer? Then again, the internet did make everything seem like it was cancer, but it had seemed scarily similar. She nodded again, letting out the smile that she'd been holding in for the whole drive home. "Wait, what is it?"
"Well, you know how we'd been trying and thinking about perhaps starting a family?" Mike's eyes suddenly grew wide at the almost certain realisation of what Miranda was about to admit. At least, what he hoped she was going to admit.
"You're joking."
"No," she beamed, running up to him and placing a kiss on his cheek. "We're going to be parents," she said quietly, a bashful smile on her face. He placed a hand near her stomach and looked up, and smiled. Some little thing was in there, and he was going to be a father.
"Hello, Mr what-I-call Cliche, also, correct usage of what I call, what have you done with my husband?" Mike pulled away his hand in embarrassment.
"Sorry, he's just in total shock at the moment," he laughed. He took her hands again, and squeezed them tightly. "I just can't believe this. It's fantastic. I don't think I've been happier in years."
"Me neither."
"You're going to be an amazing father."
"You're going to be an incredible mother."
3 Years Later - Part II
Despite the tears, the pain, and the stress which had gone on throughout the last hours, Miranda could
not have wished for anything more.
In her arms lay the result of the past nine months, a baby girl, who they had decided to name Andrea, after Mike's mother. She wasn't particularly a large baby - not the 10 pound monster Penny continuously called Miranda. Andrea Stevie Jackford, the cot read. Stevie had insisted that since she was the godmother, that the baby should at least have part of her name. They agreed, at least, after being convinced by Stevie. It was a name that immediately they realised suited her perfectly, and they'd figured out that Andy would be a cute nickname, well, at least, they thought so.
"I thought this day would never come," Miranda admitted, admiring Andy who slept peacefully in her arms.
"I always hoped it would."
"It's here now," she said softly, smiling at both him and Andy.
"And I'm so glad it is." He placed his arm around her and stroked Andy's head ever so softly. She looked like Miranda, he thought. Her eyes are the same, he thought. He wondered if she'd inherit her mother's ability for her eyes to tell them everything. "She's so beautiful," he said quietly. Just like her mother.
"Surely you helped with that!" Mike laughed a little. He was excited, no, thrilled, to be a father. All the excitement really had lead up to this. He stroked the tiny baby's head gently, and pulled over a chair to sit next to the bed.
Miranda looked up briefly. "Do you know what I've realised?"
"What?" Mike said hesitantly, looking back at Miranda.
"No, no, it's nothing bad… just… I wouldn't change anything for the world right now," she said softly, smiling. "It's wonderful. What-I-call wonderful."
"You sound like your mother," Mike chuckled. Miranda pointed at the door, just as Penny walked in. Speak of the devil! Miranda thought quickly.
"Oh, look at you three!" Penny cooed. "She's what-I-call gorgeous!"
"She is gorgeous, mother, not just what you call gorgeous!"
"It's little Stevie!" Miranda sighed as Stevie came into the room. She gave her friend a hug, as Finn followed. "Well, at least, little middle name Stevie."
"Look, the lovebirds have finally made a nest," Finn smirked, standing next to Stevie. "By the way," he added, pulling out an envelope from his suit. "This is for you."
Miranda and Mike looked at each other, and Miranda took the envelope. She quickly tore open the packaging, and saw that it was from Cambodia, from Gary.
To Miranda and Mike,
Sorry we couldn't be there for the birth, hope all went well. The children here are so wonderful, we never want to leave. Give our best wishes to everyone,
Gary and Rose x
She smiled and looked up at Mike. She and Gary had made up, and the truth was, he was truly happy now. He and Rose had gone on to explore the world, to learn more about themselves. If she'd learnt anything about herself over the past 6 years, it was simple. No matter what happened, her heart would go on.
