Miranda woke up and Ben was turned away from her. Ben made her feel safe and she was kinda glad he was so relentless. She slept even better with him beside her and she missed that feeling even though Tucker never made her feel safe. Sleeping beside Ben felt better than all the years that she never in bed with Tucker and she was so glad they were becoming close friends.
Miranda didn't realize she had reached out and was rubbing his back until he began to move and turned over towards her. His eyes were still closed and he took her hand and laid his head on it and Miranda giggled at the big grin on his face.
"I want to go ahead and call Tucker now," Miranda said reaching for her phone. Miranda scooted close to Ben and he sat up putting his arm around her waist. She looked at his arm around her waist for a moment the put the phone on speaker so that he could be a witness to whatever Tucker said.
"Hello," Tucker said nonchalantly.
"Hey, it's Miranda...I want to see my son. You have kept him away from me for a month and that's not fair because the judge told us to be mature adults and come to an agreement," Miranda said firmly and Ben smiled.
Tucker clicked his teeth through the phone, "I haven't kept him from you, this the first time your even reaching out about him," Tucker retorted.
"You literally said to me that you were going to make sure I never see my baby again! Miranda exclaimed getting loud.
"Okay, okay, claimed down Miranda," Ben said rubbing her arms.
"You're right...I shouldn't have let your words paralyze me. Tucker I'm coming to get my son this morning so please have him ready when I get there," Miranda demanded.
"Fine, I have to be to work in an hour and a half so hurry up," Tucker spoke hard before hanging up.
Miranda smiled then jumped onto Ben wrapping her arms around his neck which surprised him. Ben slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, receiving her hug and closed his eyes processing the feeling of her body against his.
He put his face in her neck and cherished the hug she was giving him. As much as he was doing all he could to support her, she didn't understand just how much she was helping him just by having her around.
"Okay so I need to get up and get dressed so we can go get my little boy," Miranda said climbing over Ben and grabbing her duffle bag.
Ben just watched her for a moment seeing her light up and it made him so happy to see her feel happy and have some hope in this moment.
Ben drove Miranda to Tucker's apartment because she was too excited and nervous to drive. Excited because she was ready to see her little boy but nervous too because it had been over a month and her inquisitive and intelligent two and half year old would probably have questions about her whereabouts.
As Ben drove he kept glancing over at Miranda who was visibly having a sea of emotions running through her. She kept going from smiling excitedly to looking nervous and scared. She was also pulling at her fingers hard so eventually he covered her hands with his free hand and she held his big, strong hand with both of hers.
When they pulled up to Tucker's townhome Miranda looked nervous. "Miranda I'm going to stay here because he doesn't know me and I don't want him to feel disrespected but if you need me just let me know," Ben told her and she nodded her head and got out his car.
Miranda walked up to the door and hesitated before knocking on the door. It was a minute before Tucker opened the door with blank look on his face and a bag in his hand.
"Tucker," Miranda said plainly.
"Mandy," Tucker said just the same.
She hated him calling her Mandy because that was the nickname her mom gave her but he took it and made it a name she despised when it came from his lips.
"I'm glad you decided to call and stop acting like I'm the one to blame for you not having seen him," Tucker shot at her.
Miranda felt her anger rising but she kept it at bay because she just wanted to get her child and go. She just stared at him before speaking, "After the trial you put my son in the car without letting him speak to me and I know you heard him yell for me. Then you blocked my number when I called everyday, twice a day for a week straight...where is my baby?" Miranda asked through her teeth.
Tucker just glared at her but her focused switched when she heard heavy, quick steps that sounded like they belonged to her son. She saw him turn the corner and her heart jumped seeing her baby for the first time in over a month.
"Mommy!" Little Tuck yelled as he ran towards her and Miranda could barely hold back her tears as she opened her arms and received her son. He laid his head on her shoulder, "mommy...mommy...mommy," little Tuck kept repeating as he held her tight and she held him just as tight.
Miranda opened her eyes as her tears flowed and when she looked back at Tucker he seemed to have a ounce of sadness and maybe even regret for trying to keep her away from their son. Miranda put her hand out and Tucker handed her the bag.
"I have to go out of town for the rest of the week anyway and I won't be back until next Tuesday so you will have him until then," Tucker told her.
She nodded her head and turned quickly walking to the car afraid that he would say something else or stop her for whatever crazy reason.
Ben got out the car and helped Miranda, he looked over in Tucker's direction and he was scowling.
As Miranda fastened Tuck into the car seat she moved out the way because he was asking questions with his roaming eyes.
"Tuck this is mommy's good friend Ben. Can you tell Ben hello?" Miranda asked.
"Hey Bean," Tuck said confidently and they both giggled at the mispronunciation of his name.
Ben opened the car door for Miranda, holding her hand as she got in. They both watched as Tucker went back inside and slammed the door. Miranda put her hands in her face and cried for a few seconds before wiping her face. Ben rubbed her back as she got her emotions together before driving off.
Ben drove them back to his place so they could go look at the condo. Ben was excited, him and Miranda were going to move in together as roommates and she got her son back, they would be like a little family.
They quickly arrived back at Ben's condo and he helped Miranda with Tuck.
"Hey Bean," Tuck said when Miranda took him out of his car seat. They laughed louder than before and walked up to Ben's condo.
Ben had an hour and a half before he needed to get to the hospital. "I just need to go get the keys for the condos and then we can go look," Ben said once he opened for door to his place for Miranda and Tuck.
"Ben...ummm maybe we shouldn't look at the condo," Miranda said with hesitance in her voice.
"Why Miranda? We can't keep staying in one bedroom especially now that you have your son back, we will need the space. You think we should go for a house instead so that Tuck can have more space?" Ben replied talking fast.
"No...I think I should just get my own place. I've burdened you enough and now that I have my son back I think I'll be better now and it's not your responsibility to take care of me let alone my son so I think I will just go back to my place," Miranda spoke softly.
Ben was feeling crushed, he'd just imagined how great it would be for them to live together and to have Tuck around because he loved children. Ben couldn't bring himself to answer in that moment because he knew he would sound upset and he didn't want to be that way in front of Tuck.
"Hmmmm well I have to go to work," Ben said as he quickly started to grab his things to leave.
"Ben I promise I will be around, but I just can't keep feeling like a victim that needs rescuing even though I'm grateful for you. We can still hang out all the time because you are my friend and I don't want that to stop, but I need to give my son stability and he needs his own room," Miranda explained as she followed him around the apartment still holding Tuck on her hip.
"You have a key so just lock up for me when you leave. Nice to meet you Tuck," Ben said smiling a little.
"Bye Bean," Tuck said waving as Ben went out the door.
Miranda blew out her breath, she didn't understand why this man wanted her around. She was starting to feel better mentally by the minute. Especially since she had her son back so she knew she would keep getting better. She packed up her things, grabbed her son and left.