I Blame You
Miranda floated through the rest of the week. Everything seemed to click at the hospital and in her personal life. Her son was back with her and she hadn't noticed any changes in him which meant everything was back to normal. She'd talked to him about his actions, but kept it short, he'd probably heard enough from Tucker. Ben had taken her and Tuck out to dinner one night and they'd had a great time. During dinner when Ben mentioned Jazmin, Tuck quickly looked at his mother before averting his gaze. She knew that he was eager to get back to the park. And with her boyfriend, he understood her weird hours and although they missed each other a few times, he made time to find her and talk to her and, of course kiss her.
When the weekend came, Miranda had plans to sleep in late, but she was awaken with breakfast in bed by her son. On a tray he'd fixed her a bowl of cereal, a toasted Pop-Tart, a glass of milk and a glass of orange juice and three dandelions that he must have gotten from outside. She'd told him once that dandelions were weeds, but that she adored them anyway, making them her favorite flower.
"Okay, mister, what do you want?" Miranda asked her son. She took a bite of the Pop-Tart.
"Can we go to the park?" She inhaled and made a face. "Please, mommy. I haven't been in a long, long, long, long time. Please?" She smiled as he showed her a big grin. His eyes locked on hers and she caved.
"Yeah. Sure." He hugged her tightly nearly knocking over the glasses. "Now go, before I change my mind."
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" Miranda shook her head and took a few spoonfuls of cereal.
Begrudgingly, Miranda got out of bed. She took a quick shower and dressed in a pair of dark blue basketball shorts that fell just above her knee and a gray t-shirt that had the Seattle Grace logo on the front. Tuck was waiting at the door with her keys and purse in his hand. "Thanks, Tuck," she said taking her belongings.
Pulling up to the park, Tuck hopped out, taking his ball with him. He ran over the court. Miranda followed her son with a bag of bottles of water. He was talking to Jazmin and Ben. There were also two familiar faces, Karev and Damon. Miranda waved to everyone. Ben jogged over to her. "Hey, baby," he said enveloping her in his arms. "You know you could have told me you were coming today."
"I didn't know I was coming," she told him kissing his cheek and then his lips quickly.
"Okay, lovebirds!" Alex called out. "We now have enough players for a three-on-three." Damon nodded. "And we'll take Bailey. You guys can have LT."
"Is that fair?" Miranda whispered to her boyfriend. He shook his head.
"Who's on my team?" Tuck called out.
"Oh… uh, it's you, me and Damon," Jazmin told him as she took a gulp of her Gatorade.
"Got it," Miranda and her son said together. The game started with Miranda's team getting the ball first. Even without the ball, Damon defended her hard, pushing up on her and accidentally grazing her breast.
"My bad, ma," Damon apologized throwing his hands in the air.
"Watch it, Damon," Ben warned.
"I said my bad, Ben," Damon shot back.
"Ben, it's okay," Miranda told him. Ben, played by Tuck, passed her the ball. She swung it back to him when she saw that Tuck slacked off. Ben knocked down the shot. "Bang!" Miranda slapped Ben's hand as he touched the ball up with Tuck. He passed the ball to Alex who made a quick move around Jazmin to the basket where he was stopped by Damon who picked him up. Alex kicked the ball to her and she faked like she was about to shoot, making Damon jump. She passed the ball back to Alex who made a layup.
"Jaz, be strong down there," Damon called out. She nodded and ran back to her man.
"How about you stay on your feet?" Miranda told Damon. He rolled his eyes and grinned. Ben touched the ball up again and threw a pass to Miranda that was easily picked off by Damon.
"Alright, everyone, lock up," Miranda told her teammates. Damon played with the ball in front of her. She didn't go for it instead she watched as Ben snuck up behind him and poked the ball away, Miranda tried to get it, but Damon ended up with it and made a pass to a wide open Tuck. He made a three-pointer that tied the game. Both teams traded baskets for three possessions. The score was 8 to 9. Miranda's team had the ball and was up by one point. They needed to sink a three or they needed to score twice to win the game. Miranda touched the ball up with Damon. He swiped at the ball and hit her arm. The ball flew out of her hand. "Damn!" Miranda recovered the ball and passed it to Ben who was on the wing. She set a pick on Tuck and rolled to the basket with the taller and stronger Damon right on her heels. Ben dumped the ball off to her. She saw Alex cutting behind her and tossed to him behind her back. He caught it and did a reverse layup. It was 10-8. They only needed one point. Sweat dripped down Miranda's face as Damon called a timeout. "Thank God." She took a sip of water and watched the other team huddle. Ben came over to her.
"That was a badass pass, Miranda," he said grabbing the water that she held out for him.
"For real, Dr. Bailey. That pass was awesome. I can't wait until you join our team," Alex said. He used his shirt to wipe of the sweat that poured down his face. "They're ready."
Miranda touched the ball up again. "If you don't play tough defense, my team will beat yours," she told to Damon.
"I can't let that happen, Dr. Bailey." Damon winked at her. Miranda passed the ball to Alex and cut to the basket. Damon played her hard. Alex gave it to Ben who rose over Tuck and shot a three-pointer, it missed and Miranda grabbed the rebound just out of the reach of the six-foot Damon. she passed back to Ben who shot it again. This time he didn't miss. Game over. "Damn!" Damon said loudly.
"Yo, watch your mouth," Ben said holding up his hand and gesturing to Tuck and Jazmin. Damon nodded. "Good pass, Miranda." Ben hugged her and wiped the sweat from his face onto his girlfriend. She giggled. "Oops, my bad," Ben laughed imitating Damon. Everyone laughed.
Alone, Miranda walked to the benches and sat down. Damon ran over and sat next to her. "Good game, Dr. Bailey."
"Thanks, Damon. You too," she responded and they shook hands.
He cleared his throat and said: "That wasn't an accident before."
"Damon, you're crossing the line," Miranda said getting up from the bench.
"I'm kidding."
"No. I don't like that," Miranda said.
"Well, you'd certainly like it if I come at you in a way you'd never expect." Damon winked at her.
"What?"
"You heard me, Miranda Bailey." She lowered her eyes at him and breathed deeply.
"Did you threaten me?" He shook his head and smiled.
Sensing that something wasn't right, Ben walked over. "Everything okay, Miranda?" He put his arm on her waist.
"Uh… no, we're done here," Miranda said and she walked away leaving Ben and Damon behind her. She found Tuck and told him it was time to go.
"But we just got here," he told her.
"I didn't ask you a question, William George. I said it's time to go. Say goodbye and go to the car." Miranda waved goodbye to Alex and Jazmin and went to the car. Ben ran over to her. "And I'll call you later."
"Miranda, talk to me. What did he say to you?"
"Nothing. It—it was nothing."
"I know you. It wasn't nothing. Just tell me."
"I said it was nothing, Ben. I can handle it," Miranda said. She and Tuck got into the car. In the car, Miranda was silent. She didn't turn on music and Tuck sensed her mood and didn't bother to open his mouth. Her phone rang. It was Tucker. She didn't answer. She'd call him back.
When they got home, Tucker was in the driveway. "Hey, Mandy. I gotta take Tuck to his boxing lessons. I know I'm early. I had to change the time, but I called you." She nodded. "You're welcome to come along." She shrugged. "Are you okay?" Miranda nodded. "I don't believe you, but come along."
After Tuck got his stuff for his lesson, the three of them rode to the boxing studio. Tucker and Miranda talked. Actually, Tucker talked, Miranda nodded and listened. She didn't know why, but Damon's behavior put her in an angry and silent place. She wasn't going to cry, but his comments made her downright uncomfortable. And she didn't want or know how to tell Ben, or Tucker, so the rage brew inside of her. Ben was calling her, for the fourth time. This time he left a message. She listened to it while Tucker helped their son get ready. "Miranda? Mirandaaa. Sweetheart, just talk to me. Tell—he sighed—just tell me what happened. I want to be there for you. Alright, call me when you get this. I love you. Bye." Miranda put her phone into her pocket and watched her son. His footwork was excellent and although she knew that boxing wasn't his scene, he had skills.
Tucker came back home with them. He babbled the entire time. He was waiting for Miranda to break down and talk to him. She fixed a late lunch and early dinner for the three of them. She felt a warmness in her heart when they sat at the table. It was just like old times. The conversation flowed around and between Miranda. For the first time in a long time, they both were able to put their son to bed. They both kissed him on his cheek before exiting his room. "Okay, Miranda. I have to get going."
"Alright, Tucker. Thanks for today."
"Ben called me. Several times."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. He said something happened at the park and that you weren't saying what. I told him that I knew and that I'd keep an eye on you. He's worried about you, Mandy. Call him."
"I will."
"What I said about you being my best friend is so true. You're my best. So, just know I'm here for you, girl."
"I know, Tucker. I just have to make it make sense in my head, I think," she told him. He hugged her. "Tell Jaida I said hey and I'll talk to you later."
Miranda kissed his cheek and he was gone.
In her room, Miranda decided to take a warm bath. She felt that soaking her body would ease her mind and get her head straight. Stepping out of the lukewarm water, she put on a towel robe. She pulled on a pair of panties and a bra and sat on the edge of her bed. She picked up her phone to call Ben when she heard a knock at the door. "He must have read my mind," she said to herself. Hustling down the stairs, she looked through the peephole and saw that it wasn't her boyfriend, but the reason why she was feeling so irritated. Damon. "Yes?" She called through the door.
"Dr. Bailey? It's Damon, from the park." She took another look and saw his car. A black Jeep Cherokee.
"Okay?"
"I know it's a little late for unexpected house calls, but I wanted to talk to you."
"Can't it wait, Damon?" She asked. Her cell phone was upstairs. Her house phone was about six steps away.
"Honestly, I need to get this off of my chest. I feel really bad. Please?" His voice cracked. He was young, just a kid-dult… old enough to do whatever he wanted, but too young to know exactly what he wanted. She opened the door.
Miranda tightened her robe: "You have five minutes."
"Thank you," he said sliding into her house. He looked around. "Nice house."
"Thanks." They were quiet. He looked regretful. "So?"
"Oh, right. I was high earlier. I know that's not an excuse, but I messed up and I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. It won't happen again. I don't often get high. I had a stressful day and I apologize."
Miranda nodded. "Well, I'll let you know when I accept."
"You're not going to do it now?"
"No. You made me really uncomfortable. You ruined a perfectly good day, so, no. I will not accept just yet." She opened the door and jerked her head for him to leave. He just stood there. "You need to go, Damon."
"Not until you accept," he growled closing the door.
"Well, I'm not and you will," she responded fiercely. Terror grew in her heart. Fairy tales. Snow White. That's all she could think about. She was the naïve Snow White opening the door to the Evil Stepmother with the poisonous apple. And she hated that story for that exact reason, Snow White should have known better and so should she. That's what she got for thinking that people could be better than what they present. Miranda took a deep breath and spoke calmly. Her son was upstairs and there was no need to panic him. "You really need to go."
"Shit, I'm not going anywhere." Damon grabbed her forearm and his nails dug into her, scratching her and drawing blood. "Before I wasn't leaving because you wouldn't take my damned apology, now I'm not leaving because you'll try and call for help. Where's LT?" She didn't fight back. He was too dominant and crazy. She'd have to play it smart. What if he had a gun?
"He's—he's with his father," the lie slipped out of her. "It's the weekend." She knew that a little detail was enough to throw him off. Give him too much and he'd get suspicious.
"Good. He doesn't need to see this," Damon said pushing Miranda down onto the floor. Her robe fell open. She looked at her arm and saw small bits of blood appearing as Damon quickly climbed on top of her, rubbing her body. With a swiftness, she clawed at his eyes. "Bitch!" He slapped her, giving her whiplash before he grabbed her arms and pinned her down. "This just gets better and better. I like them feisty."
Miranda didn't speak and as much as she wanted to cry, she didn't. She didn't want him to think that he'd won and that she was giving in. She wished that someone would feel that something was wrong, hear her screaming in her mind and would help. "Asshole! My boyfriend is coming over."
"Who Ben?" She nodded while he smiled creepily. "If he was coming over to get some, he would have already been here." He looked down at her body, her robe was still open and he glared at the tops of her breasts in her bra. She felt dirty. "And there is so much of you for him to get." Damon put his lips to her neck and licked it, kissing the same spot. Miranda squirmed and a small whimper left her lips. "Oh? You like that?" He asked.
"I will press charges against you and you will go to jail," Miranda spat out. She tried to escape, but his strength overpowered her, pushing her deeper into the floor.
Damon was sweating and some of it fell onto her forehead as he kissed her hard. He stuck his tongue in her mouth. She bit his lip and could immediately taste the blood in her mouth. He swore and licked his lips. "When I'm finished, you're going to wish that you had just accepted my apology. You're going to wish that you'd just said yes, Dr. Bailey." She shivered when he said her name. He said it like he knew her. "I find you so—"
While he rambled, Miranda lifted her leg and with all of her energy, she kneed him… right in the groin. She could feel his penis bend from the weight of her blow. "Fucking bitch!" While he writhed, she got up, releasing herself from his grasp and rushed up the stairs. She went into her room, grabbed her phone and the clothes that she'd been wearing earlier and ran into Tuck's room. She flicked on the light and locked the doors. She thanked God that she hadn't taken the locks off of the doors like her mom had suggested. Immediately, she called the police. She pulled her robe closed while she talked. No, she didn't know his last name. No, she didn't know if he had a weapon. Yes, he had assaulted her. Her son is in the room with her. The questions seemed to go on forever before the dispatcher told her that someone was coming.
"Mommy?" Tuck said sitting up.
"Go back to sleep, baby. This is all just a dream." She smiled weakly and hoped that it sufficed. He nodded and lay back down, soon he was deeply breathing and asleep. She couldn't hear anything. She didn't know if he was gone or if he was just outside of the door, waiting for her to open it. She didn't play those games. She sat at the edge of her son's bed and put on her clothes quickly. She called Ben and Tucker at the same time. The pain in her arms was getting worse and more blood was trickling. Fault. Who was to blame? Blame. Was he to blame for making advances? Or was she to blame to put up with his shameless flirting? Did she encourage him? Was it his fault for inviting himself to her house and in her house? Or was it her fault for opening the door? What had she done to entice him? His for assaulting her? Or hers for not talking to her boyfriend? The questions bounced around in her head. While she waited for them to answer, she went to the door and pressed her ear against it. She listened. Still nothing.
"Miranda?" Ben said coming on the phone. "I've been so—"
"Mandy?" Tucker said interrupting Ben. Neither knew they were on a three-way phone call. If the situation wasn't so gripping, their confusion would have been funny.
"Tucker?" Ben said.
Tucker was confused. "Ben? You called me?"
"No, I got a call from Miranda," Ben answered.
She moved away from the door. Tears formed in her eyes and she spoke in a low and frantic voice: "I called b-both of you. Damon is here. Damon is here! He's here! And he's in my house … Come. NOW! I can't explain, just come! Please."
"I'm in the car now," Tucker said at the same time that Ben said that he was on his way. "Stay on the phone, Mandy." She nodded and tears fell rapidly.
"I'm coming, baby," Ben told her. "Is the door unlocked?"
"It was when I came upstairs. I'm in Tuck's room."
"Did you call the police?" Tucker asked.
"Yes. yes."
"How's LT?" Ben asked.
"He's still sleeping."
"I'm outside," Tucker commented. "I don't see another car. What was he driving?"
"A Jeep. Cherokee. Black."
"Did he have any weapons?" Ben asked her. She could hear the concern in his voice.
"Not that I know of."
"I just pulled up," Ben said. Tucker disconnected his call. "Should we wait for the police?"
"Miranda, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. But, I don't know if he's gone or if he's just downstairs or right outside of the door."
Miranda heard Tucker telling Ben that he should go around the back and enter the house, using the spare key that Miranda had given to Tucker. Tucker would go through the front. Tucker knocked on the door first. "Miranda, it's me, Tucker."
"Tucker?" It sounded like Tucker, but she want to be naïve again. She didn't want to be suckered into another awful and disastrous situation.
"Yes," he said. She still didn't open the door. "Miranda, it's me." She didn't speak. She had to be sure. She told him to say something that would easily convince her. "Our son's name is William George." More tears fell down her face. "We named him William after your dad. He's one of my favorite people. I talked to him the other day; he's slowly getting back on his feet after his heart attack." Miranda nodded and a soft sob escaped her lips. "And we gave him the name George after your favorite intern. He's the one who tried to fix our marriage, running back and forth between you in surgery and me in the waiting room like a Harry Potter owl. I miss that guy." Miranda took a look at her sleeping son and unlocked the door. Tucker rushed in with Ben right behind him. Tucker gave her a hug and kissed her forehead. "You're fine." She nodded. He went over to Tuck's bed. The father picked up the son without rousing.
"Baby," Ben said softly pulling her into his chest. It was then that Miranda let out all of her tears. She didn't have to hold back anymore. "It's okay. It's alright," he said rubbing her back.
She caved in his grasp. She shook her head cried. "I fought back." She hugged him, holding on for dear life. For a second she thought she was holding on too tightly. Then, she realized it was okay. He was holding on just as tightly as she was.
"You're okay," he whispered into her hair, kissing the top of her head.
Soon Miranda heard sirens. And for an hour and a half, it was a whirlwind of questions and officers. They'd met at the park. No, they didn't date or have sexual relations. She'd only seen him a couple of times. Friends? Facebook. They played ball together. He flirted. She'd turned him down. He had tried to rape her. She did fight back… so many questions. The paramedics checked her bruises, nothing was broken. They bandaged her up. No, she didn't need to go to the hospital, she was a doctor.
Miranda was exhausted by the time the officers arrived and by the time they'd gone, leaving one officer in front of her house for the night, she was spent. Tucker didn't go home; he stayed and slept in Tuck's bed. Ben and Miranda slept in her room. Before falling asleep, she told Ben to call Callie and The Chief. They would be pissed if they found out later. They both cared for her immensely. Ben said he would and soon she was asleep. She expected a night full of fitful dreams, but her mind and body relaxed with Ben beside her.
When she woke up, Ben was already awake. The TV was on, but no sound was coming from it. "Good morning, baby." He started to hug her and she backed up a little. She could see from the expression on his face that he was hurt, but he just said: "They caught the bastard about a half hour after they left from here." She nodded and a few more tears fell. She told herself that those were some of the last ones she'd get about this situation. It was over. It was done. Damon was in custody. Miranda put both hands on her face.
"Where's my son?"
"I think he and Tucker are downstairs eating breakfast," Ben said settling back into the bed. Miranda got out of the bed and went down the stairs. Everything in the house looked the same, but everything was different. She heard her ex-husband and her son laughing and talking in the kitchen. She rushed in and hugged Tuck.
"Hey, baby," she said kissing his cheek.
"Mommy? Are you okay?" He asked and his eyes swelled with tears. She looked at Tucker who confirmed with a nod that their son knew about what happened.
"Yes, Tuck, I'm—I'm okay," she told him smiling and wiping away a few of his tears. He looked at her and a few tears ran down her own cheeks. "You're making me cry." Her son shook his head and didn't speak. She looked at Tucker who was looking away. She saw him wipe his face. Miranda felt Ben's presence and turned around. His face was flushed. She wondered if he'd been crying as well. She started to laugh a little. "Look at all of us, strong ass ballplayers and people crying." Tucker, Tuck and Ben started to laugh as well. Ben sat down in an empty chair and gestured for her to sit on his lap. She hesitated at first, then walked slowly towards him. He held her hands as she sat down then wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay to be upset, obviously. But we can't let an asshole make us feel like this, okay?" They nodded. "Tuck, do me a favor, can you go upstairs and run me bath?" Tuck nodded and popped out of his chair. For some reason, he loved running her a bath. She figured that it was because he could play with the bubbles while he put it into the water. When her son was gone, she turned to Tucker: "Hey, uh, I know this is a lot to ask, but can you take Tuck tonight? I know it's not, you know… but I-I—and I just need to clear my head. I'm all over the place right now. I still can't believe that what happened actually happened."
"Miranda, I'm not a babysitter. He's my son, you don't have to ask. I will take him. Especially after last night." Tucker rubbed his head, a gesture that used to turn her on. "Baby girl, look—," he started. Ben cleared his throat. "My fault, player." Tucker smiled and winked at Miranda. "Mandy, look, if you're feeling bad about last night, don't."
Ben jumped in. "Right. He was an idiot and he'll be in jail for a minute." Miranda nodded and tears formed in her eyes. He kissed her shoulder.
"True," Tucker spoke up. "He had some priors."
"What did you tell Tuck?" Miranda asked.
"I told him as much as knew. I told him that last night, someone came over and tried to attack you and you fought back because you're a ninja." Miranda smiled. She was about to ask him if he told their son who had done the attacking. She didn't want him to know that or any other details that might make him more uneasy. "No, I didn't. I just said it was someone you met once."
"Thanks, Dump Tuck." He nodded.
Miranda noticed just how long Tucker's beard was getting when he spoke again: "Well, let us go. I'll, um, take him for the rest of the weekend. Are you going to work?" Miranda didn't answer. She just got up and fixed herself a bowl of cereal.
"Miranda?" Ben said. "I don't think you should. Not for a few days at least. Please." He looked at her.
"Okay," she said quietly.
Tucker and Ben left her in the kitchen and walked out. They spoke in hushed voices. Miranda imagined that they were talking about kicking Damon's ass if they ever crossed his path. Meanwhile, she daydreamed. She replayed the events of last night over in her head. She played the scenes forwards and backwards. She floated above those scenes and watched it play out from above. Miranda felt a tap on her shoulder and looked down to see that she hadn't taken a bite of her cereal. It was soggy and disgusting, much like she felt. She knew she must have presented as a mess. Several unruly strands of hair were in her eyes and her face felt dry. She looked up and into the face of her son, his smile was crooked. She pulled him into her arms. "You're leaving me?" She asked.
"I'll stay if you want," he said looking at her.
"No, that's okay. I won't be much fun this weekend." He nodded. "But when you come back, we'll do something really fun, maybe go somewhere really fun." That last part uplifted him. He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "Have fun, Tuck."
"I will, mommy. Get some rest," he told her walking out of the kitchen.
Miranda shook her head and smiled. She could hear Ben close and lock the door. He came into the kitchen and sat down. He sighed. "Baby, I'm sorry."
"What did you do?" She asked defensively. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that."
"That's okay, Miranda." He moved his chair closer to her. "I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you."
"I didn't give you a chance to be." Her voice was small. She knew that what she'd said was true. If she'd told Ben about what Damon had said, maybe the whole situation could have been avoided.
"I should have pushed you more, pestered you. And asked more questions."
"Ben, don't try to shoulder the blame. It's my fault. I'll own that and I will always own that."
"No. No. It's not your fault, Miranda. It's his fault."
"I need to get away. Being in this house is making me sick." Ben reached out to touch her and she winced. He pulled his hand back.
Ben got of his chair and knelt in front of her. "Miranda Bailey, know that I would never, ever put my hands on you in a malicious way. I would never raise my hand to you. I love you. Okay?"
She nodded and leaned down to kiss him. He touched her face and deepened the kiss. "I love you, too, Ben Warren."
"Then, let me touch you without you flinching."
"I'm trying. I'm scared even though I'm not scared of you. I-I can't explain it." He told her that it was okay and he grabbed both of her hands and kissed them. He asked her where she wanted to go. "We could go to your apartment."
"Sure. Of course. We can do that. Whatever makes you feel comfortable."
Ben followed Miranda up the stairs. She let the water out of the tub and packed her bag while he put on his sneakers and grabbed his jacket. Miranda sat on her bed. She started to speak, mostly thinking out loud, her face was still and she stared straight ahead. "I've convinced myself that it's my fault. That it all wouldn't have happened had I not been so friendly or if I hadn't shut you out or opened the door. I made so many decisions today and each one, added up, lead to a man coming into my house and assaulting me while my son slept upstairs. It was my words that irritated him to the point where he felt the need to push me down and cl-climb on top of me. And he kissed me and what if I was turned on by it? What does that say about me?" She turned to him and her voice got louder. "What does it say about me, Ben? That I would put myself and my son in jeopardy?!" She stood up and went to her large dresser with a mirror hanging above it. Miranda leaned on it and took a glance at herself before, putting her head down. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Ben's reflection. His anger and sadness was completely visible on his face. "I can't even look at myself. Naïve, stupid, dumb, those are thoughts running through my head right now. I knew better, I should have done better." She lifted her arms and pushed the contents of the dresser off onto the floor. Two bottles of perfume broke against the wall.
"Miranda!" Ben yelped. He walked behind her and hugged her, making her shiver. She'd have to get over this fear of having him touch her. In the mirror, she could see him hesitate a little before completely wrapping her in his arms. She didn't turn around. "Miranda, baby—stop. Just stop. It's not your fault." Miranda started to speak, but Ben cut her off. "And I will say it however many times you need to hear it. It's n-not your fault," he said. She thought she could hear his voice break.
Miranda turned around with eyes full of tears. "Yes, it is." She blinked and let the tears fall down her face. She looked into Ben's eyes; they were watery.
"No, baby, it's not. It wasn't your fault. It's not your fault." Miranda looked at him; a tear raced down his cheek. What is it about him that made her want to believe him? He held her tighter and she broke down in his arms as he whispered into her hair: "Miranda, it was his fault. Not yours. I promise." Miranda stood on her toes and kissed him. She could taste his tears as well as her own. "I promise," he said one last time and he stroked her head as she cried.