Miranda couldn't sleep. She could hear her new next door neighbors baby crying all night long. It was coming through the walls. She was glad that Tuck was with his father because he would have been up too.
Miranda sat up staring at the ceiling and then thought maybe the baby or the parents needed medical attention.
She got out of her bed and grabbed her robe throwing it on. Miranda opened her door and walked to apartment 103. She knocked on the door and waited. She listened as the cries got louder. Signaling that they were getting to the door.
When the door opened up Miranda quickly assessed the situation. A tall handsome man holding a screaming baby.
"Hi my name is Miranda I live next door 101 and I was just coming to make sure everything is okay. I can hear her crying." Miranda said softly nodding towards the baby.
"I'm sorry to keep you up she just won't stop crying and I don't know what to do." Ben said nervously frustrated.
"May I?" Miranda said holding her hand out gesturing towards the baby.
"Of course." He nodded
Miranda took the screaming baby from his arms and rested the baby against her breast bouncing her. "Its okay sweetie, your okay. Are you hungry?" Miranda cooed. The baby stilled in her arms and calm down with only soft cries and a little fussing. " Sir she –
" I'm sorry I'm Benjamin, Ben warren." Ben said properly introducing himself to the beautiful woman.
"Okay Ben Warren , she is probably just hungry and her diaper is wet." Miranda said feeling her diaper. "I tried the bottle but she wouldn't take it." Ben said frustrated.
"How old is your baby?" Miranda questioned trying to think as to why the baby wouldn't take the milk.
"I'm actually not sure." Ben replied.
Miranda raised an eyebrow confused.
"Um when I got off this evening. She was here in her car seat in front of my door with a manila envelope on top."
Miranda gasped and looked at him apologetically. "Do you mind if I come inside?"
Ben nodded his head and moved back so she could walk in.
Miranda walked over to his couch and pulled the baby blanket from behind her laying it down before placing the baby on top. Then she unbuttoned her footed onesie. Miranda raised up the baby, pulling away the wet diaper. She wiped the baby over with the wet wipe and fastened the sticky tape on the sides of the fresh diaper.
"There," she cooed as she snapped the sleeper back up and held the little girl against her collar bone to try and soothe her.
Ben sat and watched this woman in awe. He didn't know her but she was a God sent.
"Let me see the bottle." Miranda asked and Ben got up and handed her the bottle. Miranda took the bottle and put the milk on the inside of her wrist feeling the temperature.
"This milk is too cold. Where did you get this from?" Miranda asked.
"Ugh it was already in the bag." Ben said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Okay dump this out and heat water in the microwave for 30 seconds. Only 30 seconds." Miranda repeated seriously.
Ben did as he was told and came back with it in his hands.
"Okay now put two scoops of milk. Close it and put your finger across the nipple and shake." Ben once again did as he was instructed and shook the bottle. When he was done he handed it to Miranda.
She cradled the little girl in her arms and offered her the bottle. The baby fussed for a few moments, then accepted the nipple into her mouth. She whimpered softly as she drank the formula so quickly Miranda thought she might choke.
"Slow down, Honey. It is all yours. No one is going to take it from you. " Take your time, it isn't ladylike to eat so fast especially in front of men." Miranda teased.
Ben smiled watching her with the infant. "Do you have kids?" Ben asked Miranda.
"Yes a son who is 2."
Ben nodded and smiled looking across her hands and noticed that she wasn't wearing a ring but now is not the time to ask her that.
He sat in the chair across the room and picked up the manila envelope. He exhaled as he opened it and slid out a stack of papers.
There's a letter," he said as Miranda looked up at him.
"What does it say?" Miranda asked , but then thought maybe that's too personal. "You don't have to tell me." Miranda rambled
" oh no its completely fine especially after all the help you just gave me. Its says that the baby's mother was killed in a car accident last week."
"Poor little thing," Miranda said looking down at the baby in her arms.
"She was left with some friends of the mother, but they are unable to care for her. So they are leaving her with me."
" But Why you? Are you related to the mother the next of kin or something?" Miranda asked looking back up at him.
Ben was quiet for a moment, then he looked up at his neighbor. "Because apparently ….I am her father."
Miranda sat the bottle on the table and raised the baby to her shoulder after putting the blanket on there. She burped her and counted how many she did. "I bet you feel so much better now , don't you sweetheart?"
The baby yawned and blinked her eyes and Miranda stared into them they were beautiful brown eyes. She stirred a little before closing her eyes and sleeping.
"Well do you know the mother?" Miranda questioned. " and I don't mean that in the way it sounded. I mean to make sure it isn't a uhh mixed up." Miranda said clarifying.
"I know what you meant. Yes its my ex girlfriend Dana. We broke up a year ago." Ben exhaled. "According to the birth certificate the baby is just little over two months old."
"Okay so congratulations are in order. Do you know what you want to do next?" Miranda asked.
"I'm going to keep her. I'm 100 % sure of that. I just have to figure somethings out like for starters how to care for a baby because I only know the basics and two I have to find daycare and other things when I'm on call." Ben said stressing.
Miranda's ears perked up when she heard that. " You're a doctor?" Miranda asked.
"Yes an anesthesiologist at Mercy West."
" I'm a general surgeon at Seattle Grace." Miranda replied.
" A mom and a surgeon you are practically superwoman because I know it can't be easy." Ben said admiring her.
"It isn't especially since my divorce but I get the job done."
Ben smiled hearing her say she was divorce. He wondered why because she was so undeniably beautiful.
"Thank you." Miranda blushed at the handsome mans confession and compliment. Ben blushed realizing he said that out loud.
" ugh my ex husband wanted me to pick my job over him because he felt like I wasn't home enough."
"Wow I'm sorry, but what did he expect he was married to a surgeon." Ben said confused.
"My point exactly." Miranda chuckled.
"What's your daughters name." Miranda asked
Ben grabbed the birth certificate again "Alannah Nicole Warren."
"That's a beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl."
"It is, her mom had a great pick." Ben said smiling.
Miranda started thinking maybe she should help the man when she could. He was a new father and needed serious help. She thought about her busy work schedule and time. "I can help you." Miranda said looking at him in the eyes smiling because his eyes matched his daughter's.
"You would seriously help me?" Ben questioned.
"Yeah on the days I'm off I can watch her if you have to work. And if we both have to work I can bring her to my hospital daycare they are really good my son still goes there. We can do a rotation thing until you get on your feet or get the hang of it." Miranda said.
"Oh my God I don't know how to thank you." Ben said hugging her careful of Alannah.
Miranda took her free arm and hugged him back.
"Where is she going to be sleeping tonight?" Miranda asked.
"Uh I haven't thought that far ahead." Ben chuckled
"She can sleep in my son's crib I just have to put the bed guardrail back up ."
"Ok great I need to get some sleep." Ben said stretching
"Uh no your coming too. You need to get use to your baby crying in the middle of the night." Miranda said popping his bubble.
Ben laughed getting his and Alannah's stuff together.
When he was ready he ushered Miranda out. And they walked next door. Miranda opened the door and walked inside cutting on the lights.
She handed Ben Alannah and went into Tucks room.
Ben waited a few minutes then walked into the direction of where she went. He walked through the door and groaned. Miranda took her robe off leaving her in a black nightgown showing off her curves. It also didn't help that she was bent over looking for something. Ben looked over her body a few times trying to memorize it, before turning his head towards the hallway.
Miranda stood up finding the piece to convert the toddler bed back to a crib. She hooked it up and made sure it was tight before taking out all of Tucks little toys.
"I like the theme." Ben said looking around at the sesame street room.
"Thank you , he's not old enough to understand star war's so the next theme is space." Miranda smiled
"You like Sci Fi ?" Ben asked tilting his head curiously.
"Nope. I love Sci Fi." Miranda smiled.
Ben smiled he could tell she was different and he liked that about her.
Once Miranda finished up she took Alannah from Ben laying her in the crib.
"Always make sure there is nothing in the crib when you lay her down. No toys, stuff animals or blankets. Those are hazards and are dangerous. "
Ben nodded his head thankful for the information.
The two walked out into the kitchen and they sat at the counter.
"Did you eat?" Miranda asked
"No. I didn't have time to." He chuckled.
"I made seafood pasta. I could heat you some up if you would like."
"Yes, thank you."
Miranda got up going into her refrigerator pulling out everything. She made his plate and heated it up. After getting him something to drink Miranda handed him his food.
"Thank you for this."
"Hey it's no problem."
"No really for all of this." Ben said putting his hand on top of hers.
Miranda looked into his eyes and blushed. He really was a handsome man. "You don't have to keep thanking me. It really is my pleasure. Do you have to work tomorrow?"
"No I'm off. what about you?" Ben asked back.
"I'm off too. We need to go shopping for Alannah tomorrow and get her everything she needs." Miranda told him.
"Okay what time?" Ben asked
"Whatever time we get up and get dressed."
After Ben finished eating Miranda showed him to her guest room and she fixed the bed for him.
"Goodnight Miranda." Ben said catching her attention as she walked to the door.
"Good night Benjamin." Miranda smiled.
Miranda got into Bed and started thinking about the man down the hall. She noted that she shouldn't feel these butterflies for someone she just met, but the way he pronounced her name made her heart sing. She turned on her side and went to sleep.
A few hours later Miranda heard the tiny cries of Alannah and woke up . She wondered if Ben could even hear them or if only she could because she's a woman and a mother. Miranda went into the kitchen and fixed her a bottle knowing exactly what she wanted.
She walked into the room picking her up carrying her to her bedroom.
"Hey sweetheart, you hungry again and your daddy didn't hear you at all did he? No he didn't. You need to cry a little louder if you want to disturb him." Miranda said softly talking to Alannah.
"I'm going to say something to him in the morning, Yes I am." Miranda cooed.
Miranda gave her the bottle and burped her putting her back to sleep. She didn't feel like getting back up so she put a pillow under her back propping herself up and she laid the baby on her breast and fell asleep too.
Ben got up the next morning and went into the next room over to check on the baby he was surprised she didn't cry at all last night. When he got inside he noticed the baby wasn't in the crib. He walked a little further and saw Miranda's door opened and peaked inside.
He smiled seeing Alannah on her chest and both the girls sleeping. He took in Miranda's curvy frame and looked around her room. He wondered if purple was her favorite color because her back wall was purple and her bed spread.
Ben slowly backed out of the room and into her kitchen. Looking into her cabinets and refrigerator. He laughed when they were empty. He left out to his apartment and came back with the breakfast essentials. He put on a pot of coffee and then he began to cook. He made pancakes ,bacon , eggs, and grits.
Miranda sat up slightly grabbing Alannah who was wide awake. "You let me sleep. You're such a good baby. Come on it smells like your daddy is cooking."
"Good morning Benjamin." Miranda called from behind him. She looked at him standing in her kitchen in his pajamas. She hated to admit it but she could get use to this. There hasn't been a man in her house in almost 2 years.
"Good morning Miranda." Ben said smiling
"Good morning." Miranda said bouncing Alannah.
"She slept good last night." Ben stated grinning.
"No you slept good last night, you can't sleep hard when you have kids Ben." Miranda said sternly.
"I wasn't sleeping hard I was sleeping normal." Ben said confused.
"There is no normal sleep when you have a newborn. You need to be able to sleep and hear."
"Sleep and hear. I didn't know that was a thing." Ben chuckled.
"Well you are certainly about to find out because Miranda wont be up all night with the baby." Miranda said seriously.
"Your going to have to get up when she's with you at night." Ben laughed.
"We are going to have a routine aren't we lannah." Miranda said smiling down at the baby.
"Where did you get food from because I'm sure I didn't have anything in here." Miranda said laughing.
"I got it from my apartment." Ben replied putting a plate in front of Miranda.
She handed him Alannah "She needs another bottle she eats every 4 hours by the way."
Miranda started eating and moaned at the taste causing Ben to drop the bottle in the sink and snap his head towards her. He looked over at her face as she had the fork in her hand and she was licking her lips.
"Damn." Ben mumbled.
"This food is so good Benjamin." Miranda said eating some more. It tasted like he ordered from Cracker Barrel somewhere.
"I'm glad you like it." Ben said finally fixing the bottle.
"What else can you cook?" Miranda asked drinking her juice.
"Just about anything." Ben said thinking.
"Or whatever you want." Ben finished enticingly.
Miranda popped her eyes open and looked at him "whatever I want." She repeated.
"Whatever you want." Ben confirmed. She didn't know if he was even talking about food anymore, but she definitely felt something brewing.
Miranda cleared her throat and told him to sit down an eat and she would hold the baby. "We need a baby swing and a bouncer. For moments like this and so she won't get spoiled. We also need a crib for your house and a bassinet for mines. You need tons of diapers/wipes, bottles, and clothes. Miranda said rattling off a list of things.
Ben nodded making a mental note. "Okay so while you take a shower I will watch her and vice versa."
Miranda nodded her head and handed Ben his baby back once again going into her room. She took a shower and put a denim fitted dress on with brown sandals with silver jewelry.
She walked out into the living room and sat on the couch. Miranda watched Ben take her in as she walked out. His mouth was gaped open then he licked his lips.
Miranda watched as he started walking towards the front door with his duffle bag. " Wait you don't have to leave you can use my bathroom. My guest bathroom has all of Tucks toys in the tub." Miranda said nervously.
"Oh okay." Ben said turning around.
Miranda walked with the baby in her arms grabbing him a towel and a wash cloth. She watched as he disappeared into her bathroom.
Miranda sat on the bed and laid Alannah between her legs singing to her. She heard the door opened up to her bathroom and she turned her head. Ben stepped out with her red towel around his waist.
Jesus Miranda thought as she looked his body over. She watched the water slide down his body and if this baby wasn't between her legs she would have clinched her thighs together.
"I forgot my bag." Ben said pulling her out of her thoughts.
This man was a sin and he was making her sin because she was having lustful thoughts. She stared at his impressive abs and wonderful v line. Praying that the damn towel would slip.
Miranda finally looked away fanning herself when he was gone back into the bathroom.
Ben got dressed then him and Miranda got Alannah's things together and walked out. When they got to his car Miranda buckled the baby in and Ben opened the door for her.
"Thank you , such a gentleman." Miranda complimented.
"You're welcome. What stores do we need to go to?" Ben asked cutting down the music.
"There's a store down town called Buybuy BABY. That I like. It has everything. "
"Okay great." Ben said driving following her directions.
Ben and Miranda walked into the store. Miranda grabbed a basket so they could perch her car seat on top and Ben grabbed another basket for the heavy things.
Miranda was walking through the isles putting everything in the cart. Different size bottles, two baby monitors, bibs, diapers, wipes , a dozen cans of milk, 4 bottle warmers.
"Why do we need 4 bottle warmers?" Ben questioned.
"One for my bed side and kitchen and then one for your bedside and kitchen."
"Right." Ben said
They stopped at the cribs and bassinet and Miranda looked at which one she wanted. Miranda pointed for Ben to get the one off the top shelf.
"Baby delight beside me." Ben read grabbing it.
"It can be used as a stand alone bassinet or as a bedside co sleeper."
"That's smart.
"Do you see a crib you like Ben?
Ben looked around at the different colored cribs.
"I'm not sure which one." He said turning to Miranda.
"Okay lets think of a theme first." Miranda said smiling at him.
"I like the baby Animals." Ben said thinking.
"Me too. How about purple , teal and white." Miranda said rubbing her hand across the white crib.
"You love purple don't you?" Ben questioned.
"I do. It's very calming." she replied smiling.
Ben grabbed the white crib box and put it in the basket.
They got No-Vocs paint in the colors. And found stuffed animals with cute bows as Miranda stated. Miranda and Ben casually walked through the clothing isles and picked up different things.
Miranda smiled buying all these baby girls things. She always wanted a girl, but she didn't think that it will happened because first she had to fall in love and meet the one again.
Ben picked up onesies and ran his fingers over the little strawberries on the pink one in front and then he read the writing on the white one in the middle, "Daddy's Sugar Pie" right above a picture of a pie. Ben smiled,The third onesie was purple with a golden crown embroidered into the front with the word "Princess" written in a fancy font. He grabbed several other girl onesies and a few other plain packages of neutral colored generic onesies and put them in the basket.
They strolled at a leisurely pace to the baby bath supplies and Ben started to pile some things into the basket. He tossed in some baby shampoo, lotion, powder, soft cloths towels, the temperature ducky, baby nail clippers, the snot grabber, brush, and Miranda just stood back and watched him as he quickly surveyed the shelves for items on the list and also added a few things that weren't on the list.
She wondered to herself how would they get all this stuff in the car let alone in the house. Ben stood by Miranda holding things up to her for her approval as she nodded her head.
"You two are a beautiful couple and you have a beautiful baby." A women said causing them to turn their heads towards her. Miranda stepped closer to the car seat blocking Alannah from the strangers view. It reminded her of a lifetime movie.
"Thank you." Ben said nodding.
Miranda turned her head fully and looked the woman up and down noticing her huge belly."
"Wow , how far along are you?" Miranda asked.
"9 months next week and ready to pop." The woman said smiling but frustrated.
"Is he your first baby?" Miranda asked curiously.
"Oh my God how did you know it was a boy? And yes. "
"I looked just like you when I was carrying my son." Miranda responded chuckling.
"Wow baby number two how are you doing it?" The young woman asked curiously.
"Oh um no this is no- "She's superwoman." Ben replied smiling.
Miranda turned her head to Ben eyeing him before speaking. "We are women we just do it. We may think we can't, but one day we wake up and we can." Miranda said answering honestly.
"If you don't mind me asking how was your labors."
"I um delivered my kids naturally with no medicine. And it was hell especially with my son he was so big, but honestly once their in your arms you fall in love and suddenly you don't even remember being in pain anymore and it was all worth it." Miranda told her smiling.
Ben listened to Miranda talk to the woman some more honestly amazed at her. They said their goodbyes and continued walking through.
"Do you want more kids?" Ben questioned.
"I always wanted at least 2 or 3 , but my job got in the way and then I got divorced so I don't really know what the future holds for that."
"Oooh Ben get that stroller right there. That's the one its high quality. Its a stroller for two." "There isn't any on the shelf. He said looking.
Miranda clicked her teeth as she called for the employee passing.
"Excuse me do you have any more of these uppababy Vista?"
" Yes ma'am they are still in the back. I'll bring it up front so when you're ready you and your husband can pick it up." The employee said not waiting for a response and walked away.
Ben chuckled at Miranda's annoyed face. "You hear that honey?" He teased.
"Shut up." She said but inside her stomach was doing summersaults. She smiled as they went to get the last few items she wanted for Alannah.
He looked at the cart and chuckled. There was a diaper bag, boppy pillow, receiving blankets, swaddlers, thermometer, sling bath, washcloths, a car seat, vtech-video, humidifier, sterilizer, fisher price chair, baby first aid kit, nasal bulb syringe, lots of bottles, diapers, wipes, activity mat, onesies, pacifiers, clothes, socks, toys.
The two were exhausted when they finally got back to their apartment's. "What do you want for lunch?" Ben asked her.
"Pizza or Chinese." Miranda stated unbuckling her seat belt.
"Chinese sounds good. " Ben answered.
"Okay I'll order when I get inside just tell me what you want."
Miranda grabbed the car seat, and a few bags that Ben took out her hands stopping her. "I got it. Go ahead change her diaper and feed her while I bring everything inside." Ben said handing her his keys and already getting the bags from his trunk.
After Miranda order their food she was sitting on the couch feeding her a bottle while she watched Ben bring in all the bags. As she saw them pile up in the living room she chuckled amused. Maybe we did go a bit overboard.As she watched him, she couldn't help but appreciate his muscly arms carrying the bags and boxes. He looked very handsome focused on his task.
"Let's get this stuff assembled." Ben said as he opened the stroller box.
"I'll help you too." Miranda said shifting Alannah who was falling asleep.
"Miranda I appreciate your help today but you don't have to do that. She's finally starting to fall asleep. I'll be able to get things done now." Ben said proudly.
"I'm good. I don't have anything else to do and my son doesn't get home for another 3 hours." She said ignoring his comment.
Ben opened the box and started getting the stroller ready. Then he got the playpen set up. "Put her in here."
"You should put it in your room until you get the crib and nursery together." Miranda said.
"Right thank you." He picked up the playpen and walked to his room. As he walked in. Miranda walked behind him holding the baby she took a look around and smiled. The colors were so manly and the king size bed looked welcoming. She walked to the playpen setting Alannah down hopefully for the night. It was 8pm and she was sure that Ben was also ready to pass out as well.
"Okay I'm going to go but let me know if you need anything okay?" She asked with her hands on her hips. "She's going to be hungry again in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Ben nodded his head smiling.
The two of them walked to the front door and he opened it. "Hey I really am thankful for your help today." Ben said nervously.
"I'll see you tomorrow Ben." she smiled and walked out. "Wait do you have to work tomorrow?" Miranda asked staring up at him.
"I work a late shift tomorrow. 6 to 6."
"What about you?" He asked her.
"8 to 5. I will get off on time and get her for you before you go to work." Miranda said smiling.