Miranda peaked out of her bedroom window peering down into the gardens in her back yard. The white chairs were filled with her family and her parents so called friends.
Miranda promised that she would keep it together today as much as she liked Ben as a friend. She didn't want to marry her friend. She wanted to start her life with the person she loved.
Startled out of her weary thought, she heard a soft knock at the door. Miranda turned to see her father in his black tuxedo.
"Almost ready?" He asked looking at his daughter in awe.
Miranda gave him a light smile and walked over to him in her white raw silk trumpet mermaid chapel train off the shoulder tulle sleeveless wedding dress. It fit and defined her shape wonderfully. Her hair was curled and her long veil was pinned at the top in the back of her hair.
"Despite the situation, you look absolutely beautiful sweetheart." William said and Miranda gave him a pained smile.
Miranda watched as two of the help maids came up behind her to hold her train.
Miranda and her father waited. She didn't want bridesmaids like her mother stressed. Miranda didn't have any friends and she definitely didn't want people to pretend to be either.
She wanted a small intimate wedding and Ben and her spent hours picking out everything.
When the wedding planner gave her a go, Miranda slipped her arm into her father's. Miranda took a deep breath and on her exhale she took a step forward.
Miranda's eyes searched the ground until she reached the start of the aisle. She search for Ben's eyes. Even if she didn't want to marry him, he was her only friend and she needed some kind of comfort to calm her nerves and the swarming butterflies in her stomach.
Miranda's eyes met his and he smiled causing her to relax some. Ben was there waiting to be her husband...well fake husband or real since it's legal.
Miranda left her father's arm and she step forward stepping up to Ben to stand directly in front of him.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Miranda and Benjamin and to be witnesses and supporters of the commitment they share with one another. Together we're a group of the most important people in their lives and they've brought us here to publicly recognize that we've all played some special role in the love they share. I would like to thank you all for being here on this beautiful day to support their love for each other. I would also like to recognize those who couldn't make it here today as they are certainly missed but not forgotten on this day of celebration." The officiant began.
"Speaking of important people, there were none more important in influencing the lives of Miranda and Benjamin more so than their parents. With that being said, who gives this woman to this man?"
"Her mother and I." William answered standing.
Both Miranda and Ben had a distant look on their face as the officiant talked. "The road that brought Miranda and Benjamin here today hasn't been an easy one. It's been filled with challenges that they weren't necessarily prepared for. But together they've taken each one on and have used those experiences to strengthen, not weaken, their love. In the Bible, first Corinthians Chapter 13, Verses four through eight tells us: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
"We put together a nice wedding." Ben whispered not paying the older man any mind.
Miranda chuckled. "We most certainly did."
Miranda and Ben said their vows to each other and Miranda could honestly say this was one of the most stressful times in her life.
"Benjamin and Miranda will now exchange rings to symbolize their commitment to each other. Rings are derived from humble beginnings of imperfect metal to create something striking where there was once nothing at all. It is customarily worn on the ring finger as it is the only finger with a vein running directly to the heart. The wearing of the rings is a visible, outward sign that they have committed themselves to one another." The officiant said.
Miranda turned to her mother who handed her Ben's ring and Ben turned to his brother who handed him Miranda's ring.
They both went through the process of exchanging rings only thing next were the I do's Ben held Miranda's hand and his thumb rubbed back and forth to comfort her.
"By the power invested in me by the state of Maryland, I now pronounced you husband and wife." The officiant said.
Miranda turned to Ben with a nervous smile.
"Benjamin you may now kiss your bride."
Ben lifted Miranda's veil and he smiled taking another step towards her. Ben wrapped both of his arms around her as he dipped and gently kissed her.
Miranda gasped at the feeling of his lips on hers for the very first time. It was the first time that she had ever kissed any one. Miranda closed her eyes and went with the flow of his lips. The kiss was very sweet and passionate.
Miranda heard the crowd cheer as they broke apart.
Ben looked down at Miranda. She was the most beautiful bride he had ever saw. Kissing her sparked something in him that he needed to press down. At this moment. He knew that he needed to keep his distance.
1month passed. Miranda was directing the movers as they brought boxes in. She walked to the kitchen and grabbed her a glass of lemonade.
"Hey." Ben said walking into the kitchen. The last time she saw Ben was their wedding and the night of.
"Hey." Miranda replied.
"Here is the contract to really make this official. Your family's and my family's lawyer will make copies and hold onto them for us." Ben told her using his professional business voice.
"Okay." Miranda said awkwardly. Miranda opened the document that was incased in a Manila folder. She read over a few things before signing her name Miranda M. Bailey in a pretty cursive writing.
"Um you saw your own room. Everything in this house is yours as well as it is mine. So feel comfortable. I'm probably going to get home late almost every night, since I'm doing my residency and working at the company. The nights that I don't come which might be often. I am with my girlfriend." He explained and Miranda just nodded. She didn't know what to say.
Ever since the wedding, he wasn't as warm as he was in the beginning. He barely called or text.
"Thanks for telling me." Miranda told him as she put her glass in the sink.
"Right this way." Miranda said walking up the stairs to her bed room.
She spent the morning unpacking and hanging everything up in her closet. She then took a nap at one moving all the junk over on her bed.
Ben walked up the stairs to see if Miranda wanted anything for lunch. He looked into her room that was wide open and saw her laid across her bed sleep.
He smiled looking at her as she lightly snored. He hasn't seen her in a month and he honestly missed her.
Ben walked into his condo and he walked up the stairs. He heard light sniffling as he got closer to his bedroom."Erica what's wrong." Ben asked opening the door to see his girlfriend crying."How was the wedding." She asked bitterly."It's was okay...I'm sorry E." Ben said seriously."You two look really in love." She said throwing the people magazine on his side of the bed.Ben looked at the cover of the magazine of him and Miranda kissing at the wedding.He opened the article flipping to their page. It was a picture from their engagement. A shot of them holding hands in the mall and wedding photos. Ben closed the book and blew out a breath."Rica you know it's just business. I do not have feelings for Miranda." Ben stressed reaching out to touch her.Erica looked down at Ben's wedding ring and she smacked his hand."Get your hands off me." She snapped."Do you want me to take it off. " Ben asked pulling it off his finger and sitting it in his night stand drawer."Erica you told me that all of this was okay. I don't need you switching up on me now. I love and need you. " Ben told her seriously."I know I said I didn't care but this hurts Ben." Erica said wiping her tears."Come here." Ben said scooping her up into his arms."I love you Ben." Erica told him."I love you too and don't forget that."Miranda sat at the counter and she highlighted and read through her book, writing down mnemonics.
"Hey Miranda." Ben said walking into the kitchen setting his work bag down.
"Oh you're home tonight." Miranda commented rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, what are you studying for ?" Ben asked changing the subject.
"My first exam is coming up and I'm just trying to make sure I'm prepared tomorrow." Miranda mumbled.
"It's 9:30." Ben commented.
"Don't you think I know that." Miranda snapped.
"I'm just saying you are not going to do your self any good being tired."
"I'm Miranda Bailey. I don't get tired." Miranda answered quickly causing Ben to chuckle.
"Did you even eat." Ben asked.
"Didn't have time." She responded still reading through her book.
Ben shook his head at her.
He went into the fridge and he looked around
"When did you go grocery shopping." Ben asked.
Miranda clicked her teeth. He was really getting on her nerves with all the questions.
"Yesterday before I went to class." Miranda responded. "I don't have to go as quick when it's just me living here." She added and Ben bit the inside of his cheek at her comment.
He pulled out the sausages, asparagus, potatoes and he looked in the freezer pulling out shrimp.
He let the shrimp thaw in hot water and he cut up the sausages, potatoes asparagus and put them on a sheet pan.
He then got a stew pan and grabbed a block of butter putting it in the pan to melt. He added lemon pepper, minc garlic, Cajun, and obey seasoning and lastly paprika.
He put the shrimp on the sheet pan as well and he put that into the oven.
Ben then sat beside her and he read along with her in the text book to see what part was she studying.
After 15 Minutes Ben got up and took the pan out of the oven. He turned his stew pan off and poured the sauce on the items on the sheet pan.
He grabbed two plates and made both of them a plate.
Ben moved Miranda's book. "Hey." Miranda whined and glared at him.
"Eat." He said firmly. Miranda blew out a breath and picked up the fork mumbling thanks
A 31-year-old female presents to your clinic "acne" and a cough for the past several months. She has tried OTC medications for both the cough and the acne, but nothing has worked at all. Her vitals are normal, on Px you noted red-violaceous discoloration of her cheeks and tip of nose, as well as cervical LAN. Based on the most likely dx, which of the following is the best tx for this pt.? A. Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide, topical B. Albuterol C. Prednisone D. Sulfasalazine E. Dextromethorphan "
Ben randomly asked off the top of his head.
"Prednisone for her immune system with the cervical LAN and Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide topical for acne and skin discoloration. " Miranda answered scrunching her nose up.
"Good job. I though you would get tricked and just choose one." Ben said smiling.
"Ask me some more." Miranda encouraged.
Ben began to ask her more questions and he helped her come up with things to remember certain medicines and known diseases.
"This food is really good." Miranda complimented.
"Thank you. It was a meal I learned in college. It's quick and easily to clean up."
"You are going to do great tomorrow Miranda. You know everything." Ben told her touching her arm.
"Sure do hope so." Miranda said standing.
"You do. You got this. I'll clean this, don't worry about anything. Go get ready for bed." Ben told her taking the sponge out of her hand.
"Goodnight Benjamin." Miranda told him softly.
"Goodnight Miranda." Ben replied putting their plates in the dish washer.