Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu (I Just Can't Stop Loving You)
Miranda and Ben sat on the bed, kissing passionately. For once, her phone wasn't ringing. And neither one of them was thinking about his eventual departure from Seattle. She pulled away and looked at him. She reached out and touched his lips; he responded by nibbling on her fingers. She squealed. "Stop," she said, gently pushing his head.
"Make me," he countered, biting his bottom lip with his perfect white teeth. She watched as his moist lip left his mouth. He looked at her, smiling seductively. She blinked slowly. When she opened her eyes, he was less than an inch from her face. "Kiss me."
She moved in, her lips crashing into his. She threw her arms around his neck, making them fall back onto the bed, on top of the covers. Her hands slipped underneath his shirt. His body shuddered as she touched his back. He helped her pull off his shirt. It was still light outside and she loved seeing him in pieces of the sunlight. She kissed his chest, tasting the salt from his sweat. She bit his shoulder. He winced. "Sorry."
"No, you're not," he said pulling up her shirt, feeling her stomach. She shook her head. He yanked it over her head and tossed it on the floor next to his shirt. In her sports bra, her breasts were compacted. She wanted him to pull off her bra as well and set them free from their restraints. He must have read her mind because his hand deftly unhooked her bra, releasing her breasts. She moaned as Ben attacked one of her breasts with his mouth. She grabbed his head, running a hand up and down his neck. As he licked and suckled on her chest, her body continued to heat up. He kissed her lips, pushing down her shorts as well as his own. She tried to help, but his kisses were distracting. When they were both naked, he climbed on top of her, admiring her body. He leaned down to kiss her lips quickly. He reached into her dresser and pulled out a condom. He opened it, tossing the wrapper back to the dresser. He rolled it on and inserted himself into her in one motion. Usually he left a little space between their bodies as they made love, this time, they were chest to chest. She whined softly. His hands stroked her hair. Her hands touched his face as Ben made slow and painstakingly purposeful strokes inside of her. He kissed her chin.
Miranda threw her head back. "Ahh!" She whined in his ear. Her hands touched the side of his body, making him flinch a little. She smiled. He may have been the one on the top, but she controlled everything. "Make love to me, baby."
"Okay, baby," Ben obliged while rocking on top of her.
She put her arms underneath his and pulled on his shoulders, forcing him deeper. She kissed his shoulder, burying her face into his chest. That was one of her favorite places. Ben sped up, grinding his body on hers. Miranda tried not to yell, but a scream escaped her lips. "Oooh! Mygod! Ben!" He just nodded and continued to pound her body with his. She twisted and he had to readjust.
"Feels good, Miranda?" He asked, already knowing the answer. She wasn't sweating and screaming and scratching him for nothing.
"So… good," she told him, purring in his ear.
"Mmmhmm, look at me!" His demand turned her on; it made Miranda clamp her teeth and squint at him. "Please!" He said in the same tone, not meaning the word at all, but doing it to make her wetter. Her eyes met his, serious, not smiling. He pumped hard a few times and then stopped completely, doing that a few times. He kissed down her body, stopping at her nipples. He bit them softly. She grabbed his head and pushed him down some more. He pulled out of her as his face moved between her thighs.
She was panting and out of breath and now he was teasingly kissing her below her waist and allowing his fingers to participate as well. She put her feet on his shoulders, lifting her body a little. Over her breasts, she could see him looking up at her. She whimpered, "Oh God!" He chuckled, but didn't stop using his tongue, masterfully, she might add. She was about ready to explode when he slid back into her, easier than the first time. A tear fell from her eye as she clawed his back.
He groaned. "Fuck, Miranda. I think you drew blood," he said into her ear. His breath sent chills through her body. A loud moan was her response. She kissed him passionately as her way of apologizing. "I accept." Beads of sweat covered his face and hers, too. Ben slowed down just as she was seconds away from her climax.
She started to object: "Sp—"
"Wait on it, baby," he told her softly. He was taking his time and enjoying every moment.
She was getting impatient, to the point of almost whining like a brat. As much as she wanted to keep this feeling, she also wanted to release the tension from her body. "Ben!"
"Hold on," he growled, kissing her and biting her bottom lip gently. "NOW!" He moved quickly, shaking the bed. She touched her breasts and grabbed her hair. With one final stroke, both Ben and Miranda orgasmed. Her body clenched, gluing him to her. He wiped her forehead and pushed back her hair, running his fingers on her scalp a little.
She transcended the scene and looked down at their exhausted bodies, both on their backs, sweaty and worn and trying to catch the breaths they'd lost. She was happy. He was—"Are you happy?" She asked as she started breathing properly. She reached for her comforter and crawled under it, glad to feel the warmth.
"Miranda…," Ben said poking out his lip. He hadn't joined her under the covers and she could see nearly every inch of his beautiful, chocolate body. Looking at him, revved her up some more. She bit her lip. She was still starving. He turned to her and she gestured for him to get under the comforter.
"So?" Miranda prodded. She touched his arm and watched his muscles contracting with each breath.
He propped his head up on his hand and looked at her. "I'm not answering that question. It's ridiculous," he told her with a laugh. He threw an arm over her and nuzzled her chest. The sparks from their lovemaking were still shooting between their bodies.
"Please, Ben Warren."
"Yes, okay? I'm happy, Miranda Bailey. I think I can honestly say that I'm the happiest man in the world."
"You're only saying that because I just gave you some."
"It's no less true," he told her kissing her chin. They laughed. "Now, since you're asking me questions, I get to ask you one."
"I suppose. Go on." Her heartbeat increased a little. She didn't have a clue as to what he was going to ask.
He pushed some hair from her face, looking into her eyes. He pulled her in, kissing behind her ear. "Did you really think I was going to pop the question?" She sighed deeply and pretended that she didn't hear the question even though he was practically whispering in her ear. Ben lifted her chin and stared into her eyes. She met his gaze, trying not to blink, trying not to look away. "Miranda. Earlier. D-d…did you think I was going to propose?"
The room was starting to get a little chilly. She shut her eyes. It seemed to take her away from the room and the question being posed. She didn't want to tell him that she'd panicked when she'd seen his hands going to his pocket. The ambiance had been so beautiful, what was the other option? And how she'd said yes! to her last marriage proposal not only because she'd loved Tucker, but because she'd been young and thought he was he was her one shot at happily ever after. "Of course I did." She chuckled nervously. "And it scared the hell out of me."
"I had—Never mind." Ben started and stopped his comment abruptly.
"What?"
"Nothing." He shook his head.
"I know you're lying," she said touching his chest, feeling the hairs beneath her fingertips.
He grabbed her hands and pulled her on top of him. Her breasts dropping into his face. She could see him resisting the urge to play with them. "I'm not." She picked up a pillow. "Hey!" He shouted. "Do not start."
"You are," she said with a nod and hit him with it anyway. He snatched the pillow away and put it behind his head. He grabbed her hands and locked them with his own. She was sitting right on his waistline. She could feel his erection pulsating on her butt. She leaned down to kiss him, stopping just before their lips touched. "Tell me."
"It crossed my mind." She fell off of him and turned her back on him. Automatically, he curled behind her. "Sweetheart?"
"Yes, baby," she said with a yawn. Her brain was bouncing in a million different directions. She just needed to sleep.
"Can we just…" His hands wandered aimlessly between her legs.
"Yeah, put…all of that stuff on the backburner?" She finished. He nodded into her back.
His hand touched her butt, squeezing it. She screamed with laughter. "Stop, Ben Warren!"
"Make me," he told her. They laughed again. She turned back around. "Hi."
"Hey," she said. She touched his face, tugging at his beard a little. He was so handsome. She pulled him in for a kiss. Sometimes she couldn't help herself, she had to kiss him. It always seemed like his lips were waiting patiently until the next time they met hers again. Even the smallest of their kisses was electrifying and left her wanting more. She knew he felt the same way. Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't hear him speaking. "Miranda?"
"Sorry, yes. I'm listening." She blushed. "What did you say?"
"I said can we go eat the food now?"
"YES!" She pulled the cover from the bed and used it as a dress as she went to her dresser to get some clothes. She didn't bother putting on panties or a bra. She needed a shower and would end up taking them off again. "It smells like outside and sex in here," she told him as he put back on his shorts. He inhaled deeply, making her groan and laugh.
"You're right."
In the kitchen, she asked Ben where he'd ordered from. "Chicken, pork ribs, rice, French fries and salad from a place called King's."
"Smells good."
"Oh, it is." He fixed two plates. "They grill the chicken and ribs on this big barbecue pit inside of the restaurant. You can smell it for blocks. It's amazing."
And it was. Miranda tore into the food, trying to eat like a lady and then not caring because she looked over at her boyfriend and saw that he had a few pieces of rice stuck to his naked chest. He smiled at her. She smiled back. "Want to go out after this?"
"Go where?" He asked.
"Well, we could go walk around the mall or, uh, go to the movies."
"Sounds good to me."
Miranda took a bite of her chicken and chased it with a forkful of salad. She heard her phone ringing. She left the table to go pick it up. "Hello?" She said looking at the face on the phone. Her mother.
"Hello, darling."
"Momma!" Miranda said sitting on her sofa, pulling her legs onto the chair. She picked up the remote and turned on the TV, muting it.
"Oh, so you do remember who I am?"
"Clever," she said. "How are you guys? How's dad?"
"He's good. Still annoying as heck." Miranda chuckled. "I'm wonderful, you know me." Miranda nodded. "How's my little baby?"
"Perfect. I saw him earlier. With Tucker."
"And how is Tucker?"
"Great," Miranda said simply. Elena had never been a big fan of Tucker's, but over the years, she'd grown to love him. Ben sauntered into the room and sat next to her, putting his head on her stomach.
"And the handsome Ben Warren?"
"Mom," the surgeon said putting her hand to her face, her cheeks hot. "He's amazing." Miranda stroked Ben's head.
"And you?"
"The people closest to me are safe and healthy and happy and that makes me happy. So, I'm good."
As Miranda and Elena talked on the phone, Miranda heard Ben start snoring. "…plane ticket to come to Seattle in two days."
"What?"
"I'll be there in two days," Elena repeated.
"Oh… oh… okay. Is dad up to making the trip?"
"Doesn't matter. He's not coming," Elena said.
"Mom, before I start freaking out, please tell me that everything is okay."
Elena sighed dramatically. "Yes, yes, Miranda. I will be there in two days and you can see for yourself."
"And what's daddy going to do if you're here?"
"He's resourceful, he'll find something." Both women laughed. Twenty minutes later, they wrapped up the conversation. Miranda postponed telling her mom about Ben going to UCLA. She didn't know why. But something deep inside of her didn't want the news to get back to her father who would chastise her, like it was something that she was doing wrong that made men want to leave. Was she doing something wrong? Am I? She thought. No, Tucker leaving had been about his ego. Ben leaving was about helping others. She got it, but she wasn't sure that her parents would. She hung up with her mother and promised that she would be at the airport to pick her up in two days' time.
"You didn't tell her I was leaving," Ben said coming out of his nap.
"I will," Miranda responded. He got up, put on his socks and sneakers and said that he was going home to change and that he would back in an hour and then they would leave. "Alright."
He kissed her lips a few times before he got into his car and drove away. Miranda lay on the sofa and closed her eyes for a second. When she woke up, there was a pounding on her door accompanied by the doorbell. She popped up and ran toward the door, moving too quickly and giving herself a headache. She hoped nothing was wrong. She flung it open. "So, you are okay!?" Ben said. He stormed into the house angrily. "I have been texting you like crazy and calling both your cell and house phones. Why didn't you answer?" He was waving his arms wildly, wearing a dark blue t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans and black sneakers. So casual, yet there was something about his outfit that made her want to go for round two.
"What time is it?" She asked. She looked out of the door. It was dark.
"It's eight o'clock, Miranda," Ben said glancing around. He walked from the foyer to the kitchen and then back to the living room.
"What are you looking for, Ben Warren?"
"I'm just making sure you're alright."
"I'm fine," Miranda said grabbing his arm. "There's no one here. I'm good. I guess I was just tired. I had a very long and, uh, invigorating day." Ben looked down at her, his face stern. She tried to soften him up again. "I'm okay. So stop freaking out." She pulled him to the sofa that she'd just gotten off of. She kissed him. "Feeling calmer?" He nodded.
"Wait, wait, wait… what do you mean there's no one here?"
"Hunh?"
"You said 'there's no one here'. What did that mean?"
"Well, you kind of came up in my house like a jealous boyfriend who thought his woman was cheating on him."
"Well, you did kiss Eli and Tucker," he said putting his forehead to hers.
"Hey! They kissed me," she said poking him. Miranda and Ben kissed. "I hope it's not too late to go to the movies."
He shook his head and looked at his watch. "No, it's not. There should be a movie at 9:00 and 9:45." She nodded. He leaned in to kiss her neck. "And you need to shower."
"I do not!" He gave her an odd look. "Okay, I do. Just sit here and watch TV while I go and get ready."
She brushed his nose with hers and walked toward the stairs taking her phone with her. She waved it in a dramatic fashion to show that she'd be able to answer it if someone called. "Alright, alright."
Miranda showered, taking her time. She used her favorite body wash, lathering her skin and gently scrubbing it with a loofah. A knock on the door made her jump. Thank goodness for the non-slip shower mat or she may have slipped and knocked herself out. "Ben? Is that you?"
"Yeah. I just came up to make sure you're alright. You've been up here for a while."
"I was until you gave me a mini heart attack," she said laughing. She didn't hear him laughing and thought that maybe he'd gone back downstairs.
"Can I come in?" Suddenly she couldn't find the words to answer. "Unless you don't feel comfortable. I mean, I don't want to come in the shower with you, just into the bathroom while you're in the shower. Is that too weird?" While he rambled, she smiled.
"It's open," she said while pulling on the curtains, covering 75% of the tub. She could see him sit on the toilet. He made eye contact with her. "So, just how many messages did you send me?"
"At least twenty." She turned off the water and saw the guilt appear on his face. "Sorry."
"It's… fine. I would have been the same way." He nodded. "Can you hand me a towel?"
"There's little on your body that I haven't seen yet."
She scoffed. "That is not the point, Ben Warren." She jerked her head in the direction of her towels.
"Tease. I didn't come in here to be your towel boy," he said with a laugh.
Ben grabbed a towel and opened it up for her. She twisted her lips to the side. He turned his head as she stepped out of the tub. He wrapped it around her body. "Thank you." Ben hugged her waist, kissing her cheek, wet from the water. "Once I get dressed, we can leave. For real this time." She walked out of the bathroom and sat on the edge of her bed. Her phone rang. It was on the sink in the bathroom. "Get that please."
"You're sure?" He said with a laugh. "Remember last time?" Miranda cut her eyes at him as he ran into the bathroom and answered her phone. It wasn't a big deal, but something about it made a toothy grin appear on her face.
"Hey, LT!" Ben exclaimed. "What are you up to? Sounds like fun. I'm just chilling with your mom." Miranda wished that she could hear both sides of the conversation. She was a little jealous. Miranda pulled on her panties and quickly slipped into her bra, dropping the towel. Ben laughed loudly. "You saw that? I didn't think anyone saw that! Did he? Tell him he's a punk and that we're no longer friends." He laughed again. Miranda put lotion on her body. "Oh, yeah. Your mom's right here. Hold on. I'll see you later, bud. Okay." He handed her the phone.
"Oh, is it my turn now?" She asked reaching into her drawer for a shirt. Ben came up behind her and squeezed her hips and butt. She shrugged him off. "Hey, baby." She picked up a burgundy one with a small breast pocket. Ben flopped down on her bed and picked up her tablet. She could hear the faint sound of "Subway Surfers" coming from the speakers.
"Hi, mommy!" Tuck said.
Miranda put on a pair of blue jeans, throwing on a pair of black boots with three-inch heels. "Did you guys get to go the movies?"
"Yes, we're at the laptop store now." Miranda chuckled. "Daddy said to call you and ask if I needed one that was touch screen."
She thought for a second. "Put your father on the phone." The phone exchanged hands.
"Miranda," Tucker said. Even though it had been years, sometimes she still waited for his voice to make her cave the way it used to. Nothing.
"Tucker."
"Touch screen?" He asked.
"I don't know if that's the wisest thing," she said. "I mean, we could get a cover for it, but touch screen is a hassle. One that doesn't have to exist."
"That's what Jaida said, too." She nodded. "So, he'll just get a regular one."
"Well then. Go with that one." He agreed. "Talk to you later." She hit the red button on her phone and tossed it on the bed. She turned to face Ben. "How do I look?"
He turned off the tablet and stood up. "You look great, baby. Sexy and Urban, but I think you need these," he said pulling a small box from his pocket.
She opened the box to see a pair of diamond earrings. "Ben Warren, what is…" She heard a small click. She looked up and into the camera of his phone. "What in the world is going on?"
"Nothing. These are for you."
"Yeah, I got that. Thank you, they're beautiful, but what's with the pictures, Gordon Parks." She gestured to his phone.
"I just wanted to make sure that I immortalized the look that you had on your face. You looked so happy and shocked."
"I still am," admitted. She examined the earrings. They were really nice and she'd bet anything that they were as expensive as they looked. They were absolutely gorgeous.
"I know. I meant the initial reaction." She nodded and put on the earrings. "Your face lit up—You look gorgeous, sweetheart." He put his lips on hers slowly, only having to lean down a little because of the heels that she was wearing.
She moved from his grasp and walked to the mirror and looked her outfit. The earrings fit perfectly. She loved them. "This is your second gift to me in two days. What's going on?"
"Why does something have to be going on?" He told her with a smile. He came up behind her and put his arms around her. "Damn, we are fine." Miranda smiled, her cheeks turning red. She put her head down. Ben lifted her chin, forcing her to stare at their reflection. "The gifts don't mean anything. I just wanted to show you how much I love you."
She nodded. "Or… you're really trying to spoil me," she said laughing. Ben nodded into her back, chuckling. Miranda turned around and faced him. He pushed her against the mirror, kissing her neck, his hand on the side of her body. "Ready to go?" She whispered onto his cheek.
"Yes," he said kissing her lips once more.
"Let's go." Once they got their tickets, food and drinks, they went into the theater to see that it was the complete opposite of the last time they were there. This time, there were people everywhere. It took them a minute to find an aisle with two seats side by side, the second to last row. They squeezed by the people, pardoning and excusing themselves in the process. When the preview came on about turning off the phone, Ben smirked at her and put up the divider. "I'll turn it to vibrate, but I cannot turn it off." He nodded and put his hands up. He dropped one behind her, pulling her in, his hand grazing her shoulder. He kissed the top of her head as the movie started. She'd seen this movie a million times. The title and actors always changed, but the plot stayed the same. The girl and guy meet and wacky and endearing things happen that lead to them falling in love. No matter how many times she'd seen this movie, she loved watching it. And being with Ben was always a treat. When the characters kissed for the first time, Miranda was taken back to her first kiss with Ben, in her parents' home in Baltimore. That had seemed like such a long time ago. So much had happened since then. She turned and smiled at him, kissing his cheek.
"What was that for?" He whispered. She shook her head and focused on the film. When the first lovemaking scene came on, Ben leaned over: "Remember our first time?" She blushed, biting her lip thinking about that time. It'd seemed like so long ago. The couple in the movie split, living on opposite ends of the country because of their jobs. Miranda's face fell. She knew that it was just a movie, but she needed some positivity about her and Ben's situation. And this wasn't helping. "It's only a movie, Miranda." Could he hear the thoughts floating through her brain? Or had he been thinking the same things? By the end of the movie, they were back together and happy. Miranda started to breathe more easily. As they walked out of with the huge crowd of people. "So, this movie has me thinking."
"That is a good habit to get into," she said taking one last sip of her drink before tossing it into the garbage.
"Am I being stupid for wanting to stay in Seattle with you?"
"Yes," she answered quickly.
"Wow, thanks, Miranda," Ben said in an irked voice.
"Don't thank me," she told him, slipping the rest of the Buncha Crunch into her leather jacket pocket. She walked ahead of him.
"C'mere!" He growled. She could hear his footsteps behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and guided her to the nearest wall, pushing her into it, gently, and kissing her, passionately, his tongue deep in her mouth and his hands reaching beneath her shirt.
"People are watching," she mumbled between kisses.
"Let them."
"Ben!" She managed to whisper. He wiggled his eyebrows at her and pulled away. She looked up to see a few people staring at them. When her eyes landed on the eyes of one of the onlookers, Miranda felt her cheeks get hot. She put a hand to her face. Ben ignored the stares and took her hand and pulled her to the nearest store, an ice cream parlor, Cold Stone. They stood in line and debated what kinds to get. Miranda glanced at the door of the store and saw Jackson Avery and April Kepner just outside of the door. Jackson had his hand on April's stomach, his face was beaming. "Kepner's pregnant," she said to herself.
"What's that?" Ben asked.
"Nothing." She continued to watch the young couple. April looked up and waved at her, frantically.
"Dr. Bailey!" April shouted and made her way over to Miranda.
Miranda snapped out of her trance. "Dr. Kepner, Dr. Avery." Ben turned around and greeted them as well. Waves and handshakes were exchanged.
"So, um, did you guys just watch Going to Denver?" She asked.
"Yes, we did," Miranda said. Ben and Jackson started another conversation.
"It was good, right?" April said.
"Really good," Miranda agreed.
"So, I don't know who else in the hospital knows, but I'm just telling people one by one, Jackson and I are expecting."
"That is amazing, April. I'm… I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Dr. Bailey. That means a lot."
"Aye, Congratulations, man!" Ben said loudly. "Baby, did you hear the good news?"
"I sure did. Although I think I already knew," she told them with a smile. Miranda gave both Jackson and April a hug. "This will definitely be an exciting journey for you two." The four of them talked a little more while getting ice cream. They sat down at a table to eat it. Miranda relaxed and started to see Jackson and April as more than just co-workers, more than doctors that she'd helped train. They started to become real people, even acquaintance-like friends. With one more Congratulations, both couples parted ways.
On the way home, Miranda tried to keep her eyes from closing. It was a task. "My house?" Ben asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. He glanced at her briefly, before putting his attention back on the road. "Can we just stop at my house so I can get some stuff?"
"Of course." After packing a small bag, they were on their way to his apartment. Ben held her bag and her hand as they went up to his apartment. They changed and crawled into the bed. Ben's arms swallowed her body. She melted into him, exhaling. "Miranda?" The tone of his voice made her eyes widen.
She turned around to face him. "Yes?"
"You, uh, know that I value your opinion, right?"
She nodded. "I do… know that."
"So if you ask me to stay—like if you really want me to stay, I will."
"Do you want me to ask you to stay?" He didn't answer. He just stared at her in the darkness. She ran a hand over her face. "Ben, even if I wanted to, I couldn't do that."
"You wouldn't want to come with me, would you?" She raised her eyebrows, more shock. "I mean, I was right not to ask you that, right? Or did you want me to?"
"Um, I think you were right not to ask."
"Good. I don't want you to think that I don't want you with me. Because I do, but I know Tuck's life is here. Your life is here."
She nodded with a smile on her face. She kissed him a few times. "Plus, you're not going across the country or across the world. You're just going a thousand miles that way," she pointed in a random direction. He took her hand and pointed it in the right direction.
Ben cracked up, his loud laugh shaking the bed. "What am I going to do at night if I can't look at your beautiful face?"
"Look, this will be hard. This will be very hard. Even when it's good and easy, it will be…"
"Hard," they said at the same time.
"Yeah, hard," she repeated. So hard. It wasn't until this moment that she'd realized how much she'd come to rely on Ben. He helped her with her son and around her house. He was her man, one of her best friends, and it was going to be tough without him, but they'd be just fine. As they were quiet, she said a quick prayer. Miranda turned back around. He pressed his body against her. She pulled his hands up to her chest. That is how she fell asleep.