When I Saw You

The first one is about Ben and Miranda. Happy reading!

Home-run

"No, no, no! I'm too old for this," Miranda said with a furious shake of her head. The two pink plus signs in the tiny window mocked her. She turned to look at her husband. "What are you smiling about?"

"I'm smiling at you; you're beautiful."

"Don't try to butter me up, Ben. You're in the doghouse for knocking me up."

Ben came to stand behind her, lifting her hair off of her neck and kissing down the column of her throat. "Don't you start with that, Ben Warren," Miranda said. "That's what got us into trouble in the first place."

Ben chuckled. "Sorry … Okay no, I'm not sorry. You're irresistible, especially with that glow."

"Glow? What glow?" Miranda asked as she studied herself in the bathroom mirror.

"The pregnancy glow."

"That's not a pregnancy glow. It's sweat. It's hot tonight. Can't you feel how hot it is?"

"Oh, baby, yes I can," Ben said, cupping her full breasts, kneading her sensitive nipples.

"Stop that," Miranda said but her protests were weak as she began to moan.

"Ben…"

"What is, baby?"

She sobered noticeably. "A baby… That's what we'll have in nine months. A living, breathing spit up and poop machine."

Ben met her eyes in the mirror, a sigh escaping his lips. "Is this really such a horrible thing?"

Miranda shook her head. "No. I just never thought that this would happen for me again. And now it has and –"

"You're scared."

"Bite your tongue."

"Okay, you're concerned then."

"Maybe a little," Miranda allowed. "I'm just way too old to change my ways."

"Miranda, come on. You are barely forty. You aren't ancient. Are you sure that's all that's bothering you?"

"I just know that having to raise William almost single-handedly … Well; it makes me wary, thinking that it could happen again with this new baby." Ben could see that she hated admitting that; hated admitting that she was human with fears and foibles just like everyone else had.

It just made him love her more.

"You don't have to be wary. I will be there for you every step of the way. I swear to you I am here to stay."

"Tucker promised that too."

"Tucker is a colossal asshole."

"I agree with that! Just promise me, if you're going to leave us that you'll give me some warning. Tucker left so fast I got whiplash."

Ben hadn't realized until this moment how affected Miranda was by what her ex had done. His heart broke for her but he knew better than to say anything. The last thing she would want was his sympathy – or pity, as she would see it.

"I'm not leaving you, or little Tuck or this new baby either. You're all stuck with me."

Miranda turned in his embrace to face him. "I believe you, Ben. I trust you. I don't trust a lot of people so this is a big thing for me."

"I know. That's what makes all of this so special." He cupped her belly in his hands. "A baby is special too, Miranda. A miracle actually. I really believe that."

"Me too… But damn, have you noticed how many women are sporting baby bumps at the hospital these days? Everyone is pregnant and they're all much younger than me."

"But none of them are as strong and beautiful as you are."

Miranda tugged at the front of his white tee-shirt. She smiled. "I guess you've heard that flattery gets you everywhere."

"Will it at least get me to third base tonight, honey? I'm horny and you're looking so fine in that red silky thing you've got on."

"It's a negligee," Miranda said. "Now come on." She grabbed him by the hand and led him into the adjoining master bedroom.

She paused in her tracks suddenly. "You really are happy about this?"

"Getting to third base?" He teased. He received a solid punch to the gut for that. "Oh, you mean the baby."

"Yes, I mean the baby."

"I'm very happy about him or her. Really, I am."

"Good," Miranda said. "I think I am too."

Ben grinned. "I'm glad… Now about that big, lonely bed of ours…"

"Alright, alright," Miranda grumbled, sinking down onto the mattress. She stared up at him, tugging him between her shapely legs. She could feign grouchiness all she wanted but he well knew that she was into this. The passion in her eyes gave her away.

She grabbed him, pulling him to her for a very passionate kiss.

It sure seemed like Ben would be scoring a home-run tonight…