Bachata Rose

Miranda Bailey finished wrapping her hair and climbed into bed. Her house was quiet. And it made her mad; no, it made her downright furious. This morning, she just knew that come this time tonight, she would be pinned to the bed by her fireman husband, Ben Warren. That she knew. But here it was, 10 o'clock, and she was alone in their two-story, three-bedroom home. Their son was at his father's house and despite it being a random weekday, she and Ben had a date. But he was off being a hero and although she did her fair share of saving the world as Chief of Surgery at the local hospital, on this night, she just wanted to be in the arms of the only person who could make her crumble just by speaking her name. In bed, Miranda flipped through the channels desperately hoping to find something to watch that would distract her from her anger. She settled on "Matilda" and watched with fascination as the young girl's magic was fueled by her mother's apathy and her father's villainous behavior. "My God," she sighed to herself as she sank deeper into their queen-size bed, her eyes fluttering to a close.

"Miranda," a soft, deep voice sang in her ear waking her up. Her body reacted to her name being called. She opened one eye and stared at the brown-skinned man, her intense anger having melted into a small cup of disappointment.

"Hey, baby," she said calmly.

"Good morning, my love," he said holding her tightly from behind, his nose against her neck.

"Save it. I'm cool… ish." Ben kissed her neck and Miranda held onto his hands. "Don't."

"You seem mad. Are you mad?"

"I'm pissed."

"All I can say is that I'm sorry."

"That's all you can say?"

"And that I thought about you all night."

"Right," she said twisting her lips to the side. Ben's hands perused up her shirt and caressed her stomach. She pushed him away. "I waited for you."

"You did?"

She nodded and turned around in his arms. He looked at her and pushed some hair from her face and tucked it beneath her bonnet. "We had plans. And those plans did not include you ditching me at the last minute to go fight fires." She touched his face, unable to stop herself. His growing beard prickled her fingers.

"Blame Montgomery. He's still on bed rest."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mimicked. "I'm sorry, Miranda." Their foreheads collided gently. "I missed you."

"You did?"

It was his turn to nod. "I could have slept at the station, especially since…" His voice trailed off.

"Noooo," Miranda whined. She knew what he was going to say. He had to go back tonight. She rolled her eyes and leaned over him, reading their alarm clock. "It's time for me to get up."

"Five more minutes," he begged.

She shook her head. "You had your chance."

"Damn, girl," he said reaching for her as she rolled out of the bed. "I don't get any slack?"

"It's been a months," she told him.

He was so confused. "A month?"

"Since we last made love." Miranda watched his face contort and was slightly amused as he did their sex math. The surgeon started brushing her teeth, the combination of the humming toothbrush and fluoride calmed her.

"Shit."

"Yesh," she said with a foamy mouth.

"Baby, I'm sorry."

She spat into the sink. "Please don't say 'sorry' again, Ben. It's stupid. At this point, the only thing I need is for you to prioritize us over your new career—just once."

He yawned and walked into the bathroom. He put his arms around her thick waist, fingering the band of her shorts. Everything in her wanted to give in to his advances, but then she'd be late for work. She finished brushing her teeth with Ben hanging on to her, kissing her occasionally. Eventually, she had to shrug him off to get dressed. He got back into their bed, making himself comfortable. Her husband looked so exhausted, she almost felt bad for getting annoyed at their sex life or lack thereof. As she fixed her clothes in the mirror and applied her lipstick, he spoke: "Are you busy tonight?"

"Why, yes, I had big plans to watch sci-fi thrillers all night. And, apparently, wait up for my husband… again."

"Okay, well, put the movies and the waiting on the backburner. Tonight is about you and me."

She turned to him and put her hands on her hips. "Unless you can promise me… because…"

Ben yawned once more and climbed out of the bed. Miranda knew how tired he was and appreciated the gesture. "You know I don't feel comfortable making a promise about this. But me and you tonight. It's a go." He kissed one of her cheeks, his lips keeping the contact for longer than was necessary.

"Fine." She turned her head and kissed him quickly. "I have to go."

"Be dressed and ready to go at eight."

Miranda shrugged her shoulder, feigning nonchalance, but inside, she was going crazy. At six o'clock, she texted her ex-husband, Tucker, to make sure that Tuck had been picked up from his afterschool program. Then she left her office, waving to her assistant. Making her way home, she realized that her excitement about her date with Ben was magnifying the closer she got to their home. She slipped into her dress and sat in their living room, with her legs crossed. It was 7:45; still early, but Ben was usually so prompt she started to get worried. Being the wife of a firefighter meant her nerves were always on high alert when he was away from her. At 8:00, she pulled out her phone to call him and was relieved just to hear the door handle jiggle. She stood up and walked to it, watching Ben saunter into the house. His face was long, but when he saw Miranda, his face lit up. "Man, you look beautiful."

"And you need to hurry up and get dressed."

"Miranda…"

"No. No." He just looked at her, not speaking. "No!"

"I'm… that word you don't want me say anymore." The corner of her mouth cracked for a smile. "Don't be mad."

Miranda walked into the living room with Ben on her heels, reaching for her. She moved out of his grasp. "This is ridiculous, Benjamin Anthony Warren." She used his entire name so that he knew that she was entirely pissed off. "Look at me!"

He looked down at her and she saw that his eyes were droopy. "I'm looking, babe."

"No! Look at me! I'm dressed up. I'm ready to go. I'm on time. And I am never on time."

"I know," he smiled. He put his hands on the back of his head. "I have a few hours before I have to get back. We could—"

"I took the morning off, too."

"You did?"

"Yes." She sat down on the sofa, kicking off her shoes. Her dress flowed around her body. "I figured that I would be so exhausted from our night that I would need some time to recover. Although that isn't the official reason that I gave my office." Ben chuckled. "Don't laugh. I needed this. We needed this."

"I know, baby, okay?" He sat down next to her and cuddled up next to her. She could smell the faint smell of smoke on his hair. What was once a strange smell was now so familiar. He worked damn hard. This she knew, but she wanted a night away from hospitals and fire stations. "You look gorgeous, Miranda. So stunning."

"Thanks. I had a hot date." She made a move to get up and Ben held her in place. "Uh-uh, I need to be alone right now."

"I love you, Miranda." She swung her foot to the floor, ignoring him. "You know the rules," he said with a smile. She shook her head. They could be angry at each other, wanting to kill, but they couldn't leave each other's presence like that without—

"I love you, too, Benjamin." It reminded them that their arguing would blow over and, of course, that they needed each other.

"Good. Then kiss me, woman." She put her mouth on his cheek. Ben grabbed her face gently and redirected it, kissing her lips. She returned it, unable to resist. His tongue slipped into her mouth. Her body caved, melting into him. His phone rang, making them jump apart. He looked at it. "Please. Hold on one second." He answered the call and as the conversation continued, Miranda got off of the sofa and went up the stairs to their bedroom. She undressed and fell into bed. Turned out, doing nothing was just as tiring as doing anything else. Before she knew it, she was sound asleep. Her dream was pretty ordinary; she was winning a Catherine Fox award and healing a world full of fistulae. Miranda stretched wildly, activating her bones and muscles. Her hand hit something. Something she absolutely knew wasn't the body of her husband. She opened her eyes and looked at it. It was an envelope with her name on it. She smiled. Ben. There was so much to love about that man. Her man. She opened it and started to read: Miranda, love of my life, mother of my son. I love you so much. And I know that I have not been living up to my duties as a husband. I'm (sorry).*I know, I know, but I had to. And I will make it up to you. I PROMISE. I love you. -Ben.

Miranda couldn't stop reading and rereading the letter. It was short, but it was beautiful. Rejuvenated by his words, she got up, got dressed and headed into the hospital. She could have just stayed at home and enjoyed a childless, husbandless house since she didn't really have to go in, but she decided to spend some time doing what she loved. After a long while, Miranda returned home and changed into some comfy clothes. A glass of wine settled her body and she tucked her feet underneath her body while the TV played. The door to the house opened and she turned to see Ben walking in. "You didn't get my text?" He asked coming over to her. She shook her head and picked up her phone. It was on 'silent'. Miranda read the message: Are you at home?

"Sorry," she said typing out a response. She sent him: Yes.

His phone beeped and he laughed. "Thanks for responding." He sat down next to her. "Hey, baby."

"Hello," she said taking a sip of her wine and offered the glass to Ben who declined. Instead, he put his head on her lap. "Tired?" He shook his head. "Want something to eat?" He shook his head again. "Wait… why are you home so early?"

"I told you I would make it up to you," he said looking up at her. She smiled. "Would you like to go out?"

Miranda gasped dramatically with a small smile on her face. "Benjamin Warren, are you asking me out on a date?"

"That's exactly what I'm doing."

"Then, no," she said returning her gaze to the TV.

Ben sighed heavily. "And why pray tell not?"

"Because you've stood me up twice already."

"True, but—"

Miranda cut him off. "And I'm not interested in getting let down again," she admitted. It seemed juvenile and trivial, but it was true.

"What can I say to change your mind?"

"Say we're really going."

"We're really going out, babe."

She thought for a second, moving her legs so that he was forced to sit up. "Say you'll be better."

He exhaled with a chuckle. "I will be."

Then, she leaned closer to him and grabbed the back of his head. "Say you'll remember all of my favorite places to be touched… and kissed."

He dropped his head and looked up at her with his bottom lip pulled in and responded: "I promise that I'm going to devour you like you're my last meal."

Miranda squeezed his head and eyed him to let him know that, at this point, she didn't even want to go out anymore. She wanted dessert first. "Do we have to go?" She whispered on his cheek.

"Yes," he told her while adjusting his body to fit hers.

She cleared her throat. "This is happening? Like the two of us are leaving the house and going somewhere… out there?" He nodded against her neck and she smiled. "Fine. You get one shot." Miranda kissed him on the lips. He touched the back of her head, enhancing the connection. When they pulled away, she asked: "Where are we going?"

He shrugged and headed toward the stairs. "You coming?" In their bedroom, she pulled out her outfit, a black shirt with a deep cut that exposed just enough of her breasts with three small buttons that would only make the cut deeper and a pair of black washed jeans that accentuated the curve of her hips. She grabbed a jacket and her purse and she was finally ready to go.

"Okay, I'm going to blindfold you."

"Absolutely not! Are you insane?"

"Don't tell me that my wife doesn't trust me."

"I do."

He gave her a look. "Then lemme…"

"Ugh, I just…" She groaned. "Whatever."

"Wow. That was easier than I thought it would be," he commented as he wrapped the scarf around her eyes.

"Shut it." Miranda took a deep breath as they drove off.

"Relax," he said rubbing her knuckles. "You'll love it."

What felt like twenty minutes later, the car stopped. "Already?"

"Yep."

"Can I take this off now?"

"Not yet." She heard him get out of the car and soon her door was open. Ben picked up her hand and helped her out of the car. He hugged her. "Be careful… Good. Damn, you're beautiful, Miranda."

"Thank you. I would compliment you, but I've forgotten what you're wearing." The two of them laughed. Ben put his lips against her cheek. Her lips found his and she kissed him deeply.

He moaned. "What was that for?"

"Because."

"That's good enough for me," he said as he held her waist and guided her to their destination, giving her instructions along the way.

They were in a restaurant; that much she could make out. The chorus of voices, delicious smells and soft music gave that away. "Hello," a strange voice with a strong Caribbean accent said. Ben moved them forward. "Welcome to—Oh! Sorry."

"No problem. Reservation. Warren, Ben," her husband said, squeezing her hips.

"Right this way," the voice said.

"Ben! Take this off," Miranda whispered. She was so curious about where they were and was going crazy.

"Not yet, baby," he answered. He kissed her cheek.

"Here you are. Enjoy."

Ben helped her into her seat. "Okay, I'm going to take the bandana off now."

It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust, but when they did, Miranda saw that the two of them were all alone in small room that was beautifully decorated and softly lit. "Hmm, now, this set up looks familiar," she laughed, remembering a certain Valentine's Day years ago before they'd gotten married. "I'm dating Dr. Bailey. I know the drill. I know you." "You know me." He'd swept her off her feet and recaptured her heart that day.

"Hey! That was a great night."

"It was. It was."

Miranda picked up the menu and looked at the name of the restaurant. Grandenetti's. "What!?" She screeched. He nodded. "How did you? When did you? The…" She struggled to finish her statement. People had to make plans weeks, even months in advance to this restaurant. It was one of the best and expensive ones in the city. The roof of the building had collapsed a few years ago and the two of them had worked to save more than a few employees and patrons.

"Yep. We had a reservation last night, but, obviously, I fucked that up," he whispered as if they were surrounded by other people in the private room. "And so I named-dropped to get it moved."

"Oh, you're good," she said reaching across the table to hold his hand.

"I told you we would visit it when it got back to its former glory."

"You did," she said looking across the table at a man who would do anything to make her happy. And she reciprocated those feelings. Along with her son, he was her world. "You did." They ordered their food with both of them eyeing each other seductively. If he was thinking what she was thinking, their night would only get better. They talked freely and happily. The room was quiet and perfect for their intimate conversation.

When their dessert came, Ben scooped up some ice cream and offered it to Miranda. "Thank you, baby," she said eating from the spoon. "Want some of this?" He nodded. She took another scoop and held it out to him. He devoured it and licked his lips. She ate another spoonful. "Mmm, have you ever tasted anything so good?"

"Yes," he responded confidently. They looked at each other. Ben winked.

"I'm not touching that."

"I want to."

"You need to stop," she blushed. "I can't believe you did this."

"Don't you deserve it?"

"Of course I do, but do you know that?"

"Yes, I do. You deserve everything, baby," he said stroking her fingers. He played with her wedding ring. "I love you."

She pursed her lips. "I suppose you want me to respond."

"If you don't, I won't make love to you all… night… long."

Miranda gritted her teeth. Her mind drifted as she wondered about how much they could get away while they were alone. She smiled at her dirty thought. She hadn't always been so outwardly flirtatious, but Ben always made her feel sexy and always made her want to experiment with him. "And who does that help?" She countered. Ben moved his chair closer to hers. She put a hand on his firm chest and leaned in. He met her halfway and they kissed. It was soft and slow and it turned her on. Her other hand dropped to the front of his pants and he laughed in her mouth. "You were saying?"

"You are dangerous," her husband whispered in her ear.

"Just you wait," she told him and picked up the spoon again and offered it to him. He took some and kissed her cheek. After they paid the check, they left the restaurant. In the car, Miranda gushed about the night. Going to Grandenetti's had been such a surprise and so sweet. She absolutely adored her husband. They passed the exit for their house and Miranda told Ben this.

"Patience, Chief."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere I know you haven't been before."

They parked in the heart of the city. The bright lights surrounding them made it seem like it wasn't almost ten o'clock, but it was. "Uh, I have been here before."

"But have you been up there?" He said pointing to the top of the Space Needle.

She closed her eyes. Heights were one of her biggest fears. "No," she said swallowing hard. "But isn't this closed?"

"To everyone who isn't us," Ben winked. They walked arm in arm toward a back entrance. He pushed the button on the intercom. As they waited for a response, Miranda grabbed him tighter. "Relax, honey. You'll love this." He turned to her and looked her in her eyes. "I promise."

"I'm relaxed. I'm relaxed." He nodded unconvincingly. "So, er, who's your 'in'?"

"Rosalind," he smiled. They were buzzed in. Rosalind, Ben's sister, was waiting for them. They hugged her. "Thanks, Ros."

"I did this for my sister-in-law. Not for you," the woman laughed, winking at Miranda.

"Thank you anyway," Ben said. He kissed his sister's cheek.

"I heard you hate heights, Miranda," Rosalind commented while she led them through the halls. "But once you get on the elevator, you'll be fine."

"Right."

"Have fun, y'all, and remember there are cameras up there," Rosalind told them while tapping the side of her nose.

Ben moved behind Miranda as they traveled up the 520 feet in less than a minute. She closed her eyes for the first few seconds. "Isn't it beautiful?" He asked in her ear.

"My eyes are closed," she admitted. Ben turned her around and kissed her deeply. Then he kissed behind her ear, down to her neck. She finally got the courage to open her eyes and stared at the city. Through the glass, she could make out the lights of the hospital and smiled. It was the city in which her career and son had both been born. It was where she'd met Ben—where her whole life had been changed. She kissed her husband suddenly, putting her hands up his shirt, scratching his back. "I love this."

"I knew you would."

"You know me well."

"I do," he said as the elevator stopped. They stepped off of the car and moved toward the barriers. "This is one of the places I'd planned to propose, but…"

"I'm not apologizing for 'ruining' your proposal again, Ben Warren."

They laughed as the Seattle wind changed and chilled her body. She shivered. "Chilly?" She nodded. "I thought you would be so I had Rosalind put some blankets up here. They should be around here somewhere." While he looked for them, Miranda took another step toward the rails and took everything in. Looking at the quiet, still bustling city, she smiled. Ben called her name as not to scare her and placed a blanket around her. He stood behind her. "I found them. Do you like it?"

"Yes. If only because you're here." Miranda turned to her husband.

"I'm sorry that my schedule has been all over the place lately. But I want you know that you are important to me and I want us to be the best we've ever been." Miranda pulled the blanket tighter around her and hugged him. "I'm in love with you, woman."

"And this is the way you show me that?"

"Of course, baby. It's been a great night, wouldn't you say?"

"Let's see… Grandenetti's and sneaking into the Space Needle?" He nodded with a huge smile. "You are so damn extra."

"I wish I could do more, but, alas, it is time for sex."

"You're stupid," Miranda said. They cracked up and got back on the elevator. And for the 43 seconds, they nuzzled, lazily, placing kisses on the other everywhere but on the lips. They thanked Rosalind and waved goodbye to her. "Are we actually going home this time?"

"Yes," he said simply. "I've been aching to get you out of those jeans all night."

"Really?"

"And your breasts have been looking at me since we left the house," Ben added. Miranda took off her jacket and threw it in the backseat. "What are you doing? Are you hot?" She didn't answer and instead she started to unbutton her blouse revealing a black bra. Miranda stared at him with her eyes low. "Okay, shit! I can confirm, you are… hot." He stopped at a red light. "I am s-so confused, but…"

"The light is green." He stepped on the gas, dropping one hand from the wheel to her stomach. "Slow down, Benjamin Warren," she advised. She said his name in a soft tone, knowing it would drive him crazy. Ben nodded and he reached for her thighs making her moan softly. They laughed as he drove them back home. There, he got out and opened her door. He kissed her and quickly slipped a hand down the front of her pants and between her legs. Miranda moaned. "Some… OhmyGod… one… ahhh… could see us." The thought made her body pound. Ben didn't answer. He took her hand and they hurried inside. Miranda kicked off her shoes slowly.

"Miranda?"

"Yes?"

"You're ready?"

"What's the rush?" She climbed the stairs to their bedroom with Ben right behind her, his hands on her butt.

"Because you want me and I need you," he said pulling off his shirt and touching her waist. Miranda nodded. She did want him, but she also wanted to make him wait the way she'd had to. She finished unbuttoning her blouse and let it fall to the floor. She shivered as the air hit her skin; her nipples stood at attention in her bra. She watched Ben bite his lip. "Goddamn." Miranda released a smile as she moved away from her husband. His mouth dropped open and he furrowed his brow. "Where are you going?" She answered by pushing him back on the bed. "Jesus Christ!"

"Stop being so blasphemous," she said as she turned around and unfastened her pants and slid them over her thighs, giving Ben a show. In the mirror connected to their dresser, she could see him stretch his arms out, but she was out of reach and he gave up, staring at her intensely. He stood up and she shook her head, making him sit down again. Finally down to her bra and panties, she pulled her hair into a ponytail, revealing her neck. He groaned behind her. She hoped that he was as hard as she was wet. She couldn't wait for his fingers to scale her body like a piano, playing a song of forgiveness and love. Miranda smiled wickedly. "How sorry are you?"

"I am so sorry," he said with, poking his lips out.

"And?" She egged. Her eyes caught his in the mirror and she winked at him.

"I'll be better at showing you than telling you," he answered. She turned on her heels and went to the bed, getting onto it and placing a leg over his body, straddling him like a bull rider. "Shit." He rubbed her back and pulled her down for a kiss.

"Say more." Miranda exhaled against his cheek.

"I want you, Miranda," Ben whispered as his hands glided over her body awakening it. "So much." She felt him rise beneath her; she repositioned herself, making it tough to keep an explosion at bay. She refocused and breathed slowly. Her hands went to the front of his pants and she undid his belt and slipped a hand inside. "I'm struggling not to burst, baby." His breath melted her. She rocked her hips, her head rolling back with satisfaction. He laughed on her neck.

"You are not funny."

"It's your fault that we're not making love right now." Her wont to hold out was evaporating. She no longer wanted him—she needed him. He pushed her off of him and she gasped. He stood up and tugged off his jeans, ridding his body of unnecessary clothing. She looked him over and was in completely in awe. He was so gorgeous; fighting fires was certainly doing his body well. Miranda reached up touched his brown skin, thankful. He slid his arms beneath her body and pulled her toward him. "Are you done being a tease?"

"Yes," she purred. "I'm finished."

"Good." They moved further up the bed and he pushed aside her panties and entered her easily. Her eyes closed as they connected for the first time in weeks. A soft tear rolled down her face and hit her ear.

When she scratched his back, he went deeper and hit a spot that had been forgotten; even by her. She touched herself trying to speed up the impending orgasm. "Need help?" He asked. He swiped her hand away and took over. At the same time, he ground her body in their bed.

Miranda cried out loudly: "Ahhh! Beeeenn! Aahh-ooh! Ohh! Ohmygod!"

"Now who's being blasphemous?" He bent his body and licked her nipples. After having been ignored, they were ready for the attention. She whined into his ear and Ben sped up. "Shhhhiitt!"

She tightened her body around his organ and he bit her chest, kissing up her skin until his lips found her own. As they kissed slowly, their bodies followed suit. "I've missed you, Ben," she said unexpectedly. That was one thing that she both loved and hated about sex—she'd say the first thing that came to her mind before it could be edited or swallowed.

"I love you so much, Miranda," he replied, smoothing back her hair with his unoccupied hand. Miranda came softly, a high-pitched moan escaped into her husband's mouth as they continued to kiss. His tongue moved around in her mouth and he lifted his hand and put it to her lips. She sucked his finger and he dropped his face into the nape of her neck as he came. "Fuck, Miranda! Da... damn, baby!" Miranda couldn't stop a smile from easing across her face. The way his body caved because of her would always turn her on and make her fall in love with him. Gently, he elevated and fell beside her. She put her arms around her husband's body and smiled against his back. She kissed his skin, loving the firmness underneath her soft lips. "You know I love when you do that," he said, his voice raspy, while stroking her hand.

"I know," she said, trying to get her breathing back to normal. "That's why I'm doing it."

"I'm glad we finally got our date."

"Yeah."

"I promise it won't take so long next time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she said half-jokingly.

"Seriously?" He said turning a little bit.

"What?"

"What was that about?"

"Nothing. Although it had been a month, Ben." Miranda's heart sped up in her chest; this time because she could feel an unwanted argument coming and she had to get on the defensive end. And she didn't want to put all of the blame on him, but, if she was being honest, it was his fault. She wanted to laugh to herself.

"Okay, well… halfway through week one, you should have said something," he countered.

"But you should have known!" She retorted. Her face was getting hot and she touched her cheeks. Ben licked his lips and massaged his forehead. "I didn't mean… to yell." He nodded. "Let's just sleep."

"We cannot go to sleep like this," he said with a low chuckle.

"Like what?"

"With me feeling like crap and you being mad." She looked at him. He was so right. "Talk to me."

She waited a minute before saying: "When I became Chief, we had a problem just like this one and we vowed that we wouldn't let it happen again." She grinned in spite of the situation. "And here we are."

"I'm trying, Miranda."

"I know."

"But?"

"But I'm still feeling neglected. I'm waiting for you and you don't show. I wonder when you're coming home, our calls are short. It's almost like you're back in Los Angeles."

"Damn, baby, I didn't… I didn't know you felt that way."

"And that is my fault. I didn't say anything."

"No, you didn't."

"I thought you'd figure it out, I guess."

"You know I'm dense." The two of them laughed. "Forgive me?"

"I don't think it's that easy."

"So what do we do, Miranda?" Her name out of his mouth sent vibrations to certain parts of her body.

"We have to try, Ben. Like really try. We're both busy. And we need to make time for us and for Tuck. We have to put in the work."

"Effort."

"Yes."

"I promise to try." He winked at her. "But I'm new to the station and I'm still figuring out how to juggle all of this. And, you know, it's a learning curve. We had it easy before, working in the same building for years. Now, we have to find a new different, a new easy." She stared at him as he spoke.

"I promise to try," she echoed. "And I promise to cut you some slack. I know it's tough. Just don't forget that in addition to needing phone calls and messages, I need you. "

"Okay, baby." He gripped her tighter, making her heart race. "I need you, too."

"I know." Miranda turned around and Ben kissed between her shoulder blades. "That feels so good."

"So you do forgive me?"

She sighed loudly and dramatically. "I suppose."

When Miranda woke up, she adjusted her bonnet. She smiled to herself. Last night, she and Ben had been open with each other and even after so many years, it was a relief that she could be so honest with him. It was the complete opposite of her previous marriage. The surgeon reached over to where Ben should have been lying. She wanted to feel his skin under her fingertips—wanted to kiss him deeply. Instead her hand hit something that was most definitely not a body. She opened one eye and was surprised to see a huge bouquet of flowers next to her where her husband should have been. They were large red and orange roses. And they were beautiful. Turning over, she pulled the comforter up to cover her naked chest. "What in the world?" She mused. Miranda picked up the roses and smelled them as she searched for a note. "These are so beautiful." She pushed aside a rose and plucked up the card: Miranda, I know that I owe you more than flowers, so here's a gift card to your favorite spa. I want you to really relax and enjoy yourself. Also, my love, I have something else for you. I love you, Benjamin. Her husband called her just as she was reading it for a third time. "You are too much, Benjamin Warren."

"Hello to you, too, Miranda Bailey."

"Hello," she said sweetly. She laid the flowers beside her and sunk back into the bed.

"Do you like your gift, babe?"

"I love it," she told him quickly. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"And I really don't need anything else, Ben. You've done enough, husband."

"I know. I know, but it's my job to sweep you off of your feet from time to time so let me do that, wife."

"You're relentless."

"What are you doing?"

"Laying down. I'm still in bed."

"I thought you had to go to work."

"I had faith that you wouldn't let me down a second time; and you didn't, thank God, so I'm on-call." He laughed his laugh and Miranda responded with one of her own. There was a knock on the mostly closed bedroom door. "Hello?" No one answered and she held her breath. "That had better be you."

"It is me," Ben said smiling in her ear while standing in front of her. She disconnected the call and sat up, and glared at him; the sheet fell from her chest, exposing her left nipple. Ben clinched his jaw.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry."

"What are you doing here?"

"I can't come home to see my wife?"

"You can, but you don't do that often."

"I'm trying to change that. I mean, I'm going to change that."

"Good." He pulled off his jeans and sweater and slid into bed with her, squeezing one of her thighs. "Hi, stranger," Miranda said stroking his head.

"Low blow, woman," he said putting his head on her stomach.

"Thank you."

"For…?"

"For everything."

"You're welcome, baby."

"You are truly amazing."

"We are truly amazing."