Miranda had a cheerily smile on her face. After career day, Miranda and Ben went home and Miranda told him she wanted to change and take a nap. She wasn't in the mood to have sex again. She didn't know how long she could keep up with that excuse.
"Hey sweet heart." Miranda smiled as Nicole got in the car.
"Hey, I have heard so many people raving about you and my dad all day long. Some even said they want to change their careers to you all's." Nicole told her buckling up.
"Oh wow. That's awesome."
"Yeah, my new friends. They found out you were my parents when you both hugged me at the table. They were so jealous." She snickered.
"And as they should. I mean I wouldn't toot me and you father's horn but." Miranda then began to beep her car horn laughing.
Nicole laughed and said. "You are so funny and –
Miranda's phone rung cutting them off. "Excuse me." She said before picking up.
"Hello…..Okay. I'm on my way." Miranda said hanging up.
"Problem at the hospital, change of plans. Hey can you call your father and ask him to pick the boys up from school. Ooh also tell him that we can order to go from a restaurant instead of eating out since we are going to be late" Miranda said clicking her teeth.
"What do we got Kepner." Miranda said walking in through the E.r.
"Chief, we have a 7 car accident leading to the pile up in the pit." April explained.
Nicole could tell that it was rare for anyone to see Miranda in jeans and a tank top because they all looked to be shocked every time one of the doctors looked her way.
"Let me get some scrubs." Miranda said out loud.
"Come on honey." Miranda said walking with Nicole. Miranda grabbed a new pair of scrubs and changed into them.
"You wanna stay in my office until I get done." Miranda asked sliding her feet into her clogs.
"Is it possible for me to shadow you." Nicole asked and Miranda cheesed.
"Most certainly. Come on little Doctor Bailey." Miranda teased.
Miranda walked with her back down to the pit. Answering some of her questions along the way.
"Shattered Kidney. Blood pressure is dropping." The paramedics said bringing her in.
"Okay o.r. 3 I got it ." Miranda said.
"My mom. What's happening to my mom." A little girl exclaimed crying.
"Hi, I'm Nicole. Your mom is going to be taken to surgery. Don't worry my mom is the best and she will take care of your mom." Nicole said to the little girl.
Miranda's eyes widen at Nicole's statement. She did everything she could to make her feel welcome and loved and it caused her heart to swell with gladness and overjoy.
"Hey Nicole do you want to keep this young lady company while I take care of this. I will come get you when I am finish." Miranda asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine right here." She said sitting down.
Nicole waited with the little girl and she assured her, that her mom was going to be just fine.
"Emily." A man called out as he rushed over to her.
"Daddy " the little girl jumped up.
Nicole watched as the dad embraced her.
"We got into a car accident. I heard mom say that the other car kept speeding and switching lanes. Then the car flipped, it flipped into the front of our car." Emily cried as she explained.
"Oh Emily. Are you alright." Her dad asked examining her.
"The paramedics checked me. Just a few scratches and bruises. Mom got it worse because she was up front but Nicole said that she is confident that she is going to be alright. She said she was in the best hands we could ask for." Emily told her dad.
Nicole continued to sit with them and talk.
"Mr. Cartwright." Miranda said walking up with her scrubs on.
"I am Doctor Bailey, Chief of Surgery and I performed a Nephrectomy on your wife. She had a shattered left kidney. I was able to successfully remove and she will heal just fine. Her right leg and foot is being set in a case and then you all will be able to go and see her. She will probably be very sleepy but that is normal."
"Thank you so much." The man said pulling her into a hug.
"Oh." Miranda gasped in shock. "You are so welcome." She smiled patting his back.
"And thank you Ms Nicole." He said pulling her into a hug.
"She is quite the helper. My little surgeon in training." Miranda smiled.
"Oh this is your daughter."
"Yes she is." Miranda smiled brightly.
"Awesome kid you got."
"Thank you. I couldn't agree more and you have an awesome child as well. Very strong and brave." Miranda told him.
"Alright come missy let's get home." Miranda said as she said goodbye to the family.
In the car Miranda and Nicole talked all the way home.
"It must feel awesome to save lives and hold them in your hands."
"I value the privilege, it's priceless but it can get tough as well, but it's important to remember and for my sanity that God holds all of these lives in his hand."
Nicole nodded her head understanding.
"Hey." Ben said as Miranda opened the door.
"Hey baby."
"Hey" Nicole chimed in.
"Dinner just arrived. The table Is set." Ben said.
"Okay let me wash my hands." Miranda said walking to the kitchen sink.
"Hey mom." Tuck said as he jumped off the stairs.
"Hey." Joey said as he followed behind Tuck.
"Hey my boys." Miranda smiled.
Sitting at the table. Ben looked at everyone as they laughed and joked. "So what happened for you to get called into work." Ben asked eating his pasta.
"A 7 car accident, a woman with ashattered kidney." Miranda responded.
"Oh wow, okay."
"It was so cool dad. She jumped right into action and saved the day." Nicole told him after she swallowed her garlic bread.
"Nicole saved the day as well. She got the first steps of a surgeon down. Family care and sensitivity." Miranda explained.
"Way to go kiddo." Ben smiled.
"Ben Nicole called me mom" Miranda smiled happily.
"Really when?"
"When we were at the hospital, she was talking to a little girl and she said don't worry my mom will take care of your mom." Miranda cheesed.
"The feeling that I got and the amount of joy that is coursing through my body. It made me so happy."
"I'm so happy for you." Ben smiled.
Miranda wrapped her hair in the mirror, preparing for bed. She stoodby her dresser, pulling out a night gown to throw on. Miranda took her robe off and started to put her night gown on.
"Woah woah. Not so fast." Ben said as Miranda pulled it up over her thighs.
"Ben." Miranda laughed. "Come on Miranda." Ben said kissing the back of her neck.
Miranda shuddered, she did want him but her mind wouldn't let her go there.
"Not now Ben." Miranda shrugged him off slightly.
"It's been monthssss, Miranda I just don't understand, this is not like you."
"I don't want to have sex and I don't want a baby." Miranda burst out
"What who said anything about a baby. Is this why you have been denying sex. You don't want to get pregnant again." Ben asked.
"So you don't want to have my baby?"
"No I don't want to have your baby and loose it." Miranda said quietly.
"I thought you told me you were in the menopausal stage now anyway, so you can't have anymore."
"You were just telling me that because you didn't want to try again."
Miranda looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Wow." Ben said putting it all together.
"So all this time we could have tried again for another, it was a possibility." Ben said hurt.
Ben you don't understand. I can't try and loose another baby. The pain…it hurt so much. It still hurts so bad." Miranda cried.
"But you tried for seven years with your first Husband and I don't even deserve a try, a second chance." Ben said angrily and hurt.
"With Tucker that was different Ben and you know it. Having a baby and she not make it. Is completely different than not conceiving at all."
"Right." Ben said blowing out a breath. He looked at Miranda for a few more seconds and then he walked to their bedroom door and walked out closing it behind him.
Miranda let her tears fall as she sat on the bed. She understood why he was angry but she was scared and she didn't want to go through what she went through anymore but her husband had an urge to have his own children with his wife like any normal husband would and if she would have thought about this a few years ago, she would have jumped at the chance to give him a baby. Something they could have together and he most definitely deserved it more than any man.
Miranda wiped her eyes and got up under the covers. She scooted close to the middle where she normally would sleep and closed her eyes. Her chest was still heaving up and down occasionally from her sniffles.
Hours passed and sleep never found her. She groaned and got up. Walking down the stairs. Miranda saw Ben sitting on the couch. She saw the tv on but it was on mute.
Miranda walked and went to the couch sitting beside him. She looked to see if he was going to say anything but still he looked at the tv. His legs were stretched out and feet on the coffee table. Miranda scooted closer, leaning in on him slowly, afraid that he would push her away. Miranda continued until her head was on his lap. She turned and looked up at him, their eyes connected and stared back at each other.
"I'm sorry." They both whispered.
"Ben I can-
"Let me say something Miranda." Ben said cutting her off.
"First, I love you Benjamin." Miranda said sighing.
"I love you too Miranda with out or with out a child. I love you before and I love you still. You are my all." Ben said leaning down to kiss her lips.
"You can get on birth control until you complete menopause, because I really don't want to wear condoms with my wife." Ben said.
"And I'm cool with not having another child, not that these children that we do have is not enough. It's just I didn't know I wanted it until….but it's God's will." Ben said blowing out a breath.
"I understand Ben and I'm sorry, I know you always have to sacrifice a lot for me." Miranda told him sadly.
"I'm your husband, I do what I'm supposed to do as a man and as my vow to you and our marriage and you do everything you are supposed to do as a wife and I never thought any different."
"Come on let's go to bed." Ben said putting his feet in the floor.
"Good because I couldn't go with out you. We are really going on a date next week, I already have planned where we are going." Miranda smiled as she put her hand in his walking up the stairs.
Next week
Ben looked at his watch and blew out a breath. He called Miranda over ten times leaving voice mails and he even texted her. Ben got off early to make sure he was here so they could go on the date she planned except she was no where to be found.
Annoyed Ben cooked something that was in the fridge and he ate before going up stairs. He stopped past Nicole's room to see she wasn't in there. Ben smiled as he heard loud laughter coming from Tuck's room.
"Hey" Ben said walking through the door.
He looked at his children. They had pizza and snacks in the middle of the Bed. As the played Mario Cart together.
"Dad." The 3 of them said in unison.
"I bet I could beat all 3 of you." Ben said grabbing a controller that was on the dresser.
"Yeah right." Tuck said.
"Add me in and I'll show y'all how it's done." Ben laughed.
Ben beat them twice and Nicole beat them the third round. She loved the character Ms. Peach. Ben preferred Mario or Toad.
"Alright you all I'm going to head to bed. Clean all of this up before mom gets here and make sure you all are in bed by 11. School is in the morning. Goodnight" Ben told them.
"Good night dad." He heard them call.
Ben took his shower and he put on his pajama pants before hopping into bed. Ben grabbed his tablet and scrolled through on social media for a while before he heard the front door open. Turning it off and turning on his side, Ben cut the lights off.
"Hey Baby." Miranda said coming into the room.
"Hey Miranda." Ben said not turning over.
"Ben I got held up at work and I figure you knew I was busy so-
Before Miranda couldn't finish her sentence Ben cut her off. "So what you didn't think I ad least deserved a call, a text or something." His voice boomed turning over to look at her
"Ben." Miranda said cutting the light on.
"And Miranda this is not about you working all the time and not spending time with me. I know what I signed up for in the beginning, I am understanding and would never shame you for being time consumed in you career because you worked your ass off but what I didn't sign up for was you being careless and inconsiderate." Ben said yelling.
"Ben." Miranda whined as he stared.
"I'm sorry." Miranda whined some more.
"I'm tired of it Miranda and those big beautiful sad eyes. Is not cutting it."
Ben turned over on his side and he pulled the covers over his shoulder.
Miranda clicked her teeth and she walked into the bathroom. Washing up before climbing into the bed next to him. She scooted close to him. She hated that he was pissed with her and even more that he was right.
Miranda struggled a little but closed her eyes. Falling into sleep.
The next morning Miranda woke up and reached for Ben but saw he was gone. She looked up at the clock and knew that everyone should be at school.
Miranda hated that she hurt Ben's feelings, she got dressed and went to work beforedeciding to take off early.
Miranda drove to the fire station and she parked, walking inside.
"Bailey." Dean said acknowledging her.
"Miller." Miranda replied smiling, moving her bang out of her face.
"Dean can you tell Ben I'm here. I need to speak with him." Miranda said sweetly.
"I'm sorry about our date last night Ben." Miranda said as Ben walked to the rail of the stairs.
"It's fine Miranda." Ben said nonchalantly.
"No it's not fine. I promised you a date last night and I went into work instead. That's messed up on my part. I want to make it up to you. I saw on our calendar that you get off at 5. Can I make it up to you. " Miranda asked sweetly biting her lip.
Ben nodded his head. Not leaving his spot. Miranda walked up the stairs and met him where he was standing. She pulled him into a hug and Ben couldn't help but hug her back. She was frustrating sometimes and was definitely the cause of some of his headache but he rather be with her and have occasional headaches, than without her and have a forever heartache.
After Miranda let go she looked up at him and she pushed her lips out telling him to kiss her.
Ben bent down and pecked her lips and Miranda held his face with both of her hands. She kissed him again passionately and swiped her tongue against his. They broke apart when they heard someone clearing their throat.
"Oh sorry Captain." Ben said looking at Mya.
"I'll be back for you in 4 hours. Miranda said looking at her watch.
Ben smiled and said "okay drive safe."
Miranda parked her car out side of the planetarium. She grabbed her purse and walked in.
"Hi how many I help you." The woman at the counter said.
"Hi, yes I am trying to see how much it would be to rent this out."
"Rent it out ?" The woman questioned.
"Yes, I'm planning a date with my husband and I would like to rent out the planetarium for may 3 hours for the star show and we can eat dinner together." Miranda smiled.
"We close early on Saturdays at 6:30."
"Why would you close early on the weekends.. that doesn't even make sense." Miranda said getting frustrated.
"Okay are you the closing manager."
"Yes ma'am I am." The young girl spoke.
"So you are in college right." Miranda said reaching in her purse, pulling out her check book.
She wrote in it before showing it to the girl.
"I'm sure you need a little change for books and other things. This should be enough to cover it." Miranda said showing the 1000 dollar check to the girl.
The young woman's eyes widen. "Uh yes ma'am. What I can do for you is let you in at 6:00. There is a pre recording of the stories and different things. I can have that set up so all you have to do is press the button. I can leave and go home and when you are finished, you can text my phone and I will come lock up." The young girl whispered.
"That sounds perfect." Miranda smiled.
"I really appreciate it." Miranda told her.
"Oh I appreciate you."
Miranda got all of the information and the woman's number.
She then went to the store and she grabbed wine, light weight nice plates, silverware, napkins, wine glasses, a picnic basket and blanket.
She stopped by edible arrangements and picked up a small chocolate covered strawberries and mini cheesecakes platter.
Miranda then went to the steak house that was close by the planetarium and she ordered two orders of steak, broccoli and bake potatoes. She asked for it to not be ready until 5:45.
Miranda then went home and she freshened up before changing into a jean dress that fit tightly. She loved the dress. She was excited that she actually gets to wear it. She paired it with small nude heels.
After she got dressed she packed everything in the basket. Miranda left money on the counter and wrote a note telling the kids to order Chinese.
Miranda picked up the food and placed it in the basket as well. Arriving at the station, Miranda walked inside and she smiled as she saw Ben holding a smoke detector. He must have been explaining what was wrong with it to the woman.
Miranda waited until he got finished talking before she walked up.
"Um excuse me Mr. Fireman, but this woman needs assistance." Miranda smiled looking into his eyes.
"Dam you should come with a caution sign because you are too dam hot. Smoking." Ben said licking his lips.
"Ben Warren, you are so." She started as her pulled in for a kiss.
"No Miranda seriously when did you get this." He asked knowing he never seen this on her.
"A couple of months ago, I just didn't have anywhere to wear it." Miranda told him.
Miranda looked him over and she loved when he wore blue. He was so sexy and it went well with his brown skin.
"You ready, I'm excited to show you." Miranda said clapping her hands before putting it in his.
"Why are we at the planetarium?" Ben questioned looking at Miranda in the passenger seat.
"Because we was supposed to have a date last night. I was going to take you to the outdoor restaurant where could have dinner last night. So I can't do that because it's still bright out side so we still are going to have dinner under the stars with a show" Miranda explained unbuckling her seat belt.
Ben smiled, he loved the idea, this would have been something he would have done for her if he had thought of it.
"Can you hold this basket honey." Miranda asked and Ben did as told.
Miranda pulled the door opened and she smiled when they walked into the auditorium. Miranda pulled out the blanket and laid it on the ground. She then set up everything the way she wanted it. "Okay take a seat." Miranda said smiling.
"Hey Miranda I think you have gotten better at romancey things." Ben said laying back.
"Really. Well I said that if you fault me for working then I don't even want to have romancey things with you but you proved yourself to be true and better than anyone I've known. I love you so much Ben and so deeply. It consumes my entire heart, it makes me question did I even love my ex." Miranda said seriously looking at Ben before turning to press the button on the computer and monitor that was set up.
As soon as she pressed the button, the lights dimmed and the dome began to light up starting the show.
Ben and Miranda ate together and they watched the showed and talked back and forth.
Miranda cleaned up and put their discarded things in the basket. She poured some more wine in a glass and she sat down leaning into Ben.
" I love the stories that are told by the stars." Miranda said.
"Me too." Ben said smiling.
As the show ended and the stars were left shinning.
Miranda turned and looked him in the eyes.
"So, you liked my date, did I make up for last night." Miranda asked smiling.
"Oh you definitely did." Ben said as he put his hand on her thigh.
Miranda already got the hint of what he wanted now. She smiled and she slid onto his lap. Ben leaned forward and kissed her lips passionately.
"We don't have to Miranda." Ben said letting her know.
"Ben I want you and it's been long enough. Five months is a long ass time." Miranda said pulling her dress up so she could sit on his lap more.
"Thank God." Ben groaned flipping her on her back softly.
Ben kissed down her neck and he pulled down the zipper to the front of her dress.
Miranda and Ben spent hours making love, resting and starting it back up again.
"Dam Ben." Miranda said sitting up on him
"Why are you so wild Miranda." Ben asked.
"You bring it out of me Benjamin." Miranda smiled as Ben held onto her waist.
"Come on, let's go home." Miranda said looking at her watch seeing that it was 3 minutes after 10.