I Apologize

"Come again?" Miranda Bailey asked. Her voice was hot with impending anger, exhaustion and downright confusion. She looked around.

"You didn't know y-you're pregnant?" Maggie asked shuffling her feet.

"A baby?" Ben said cutting into the silence of the room.

"You'd better look at those results again! I am not pregnant." Miranda shot back, ignoring Ben. They had always been careful—had always used protection. She couldn't be pregnant, could she? Although, there was a reason that abstinence was the only method that was 100%. Without it, there was always a possibility. "I know three women who are pregnant and none of them are me."

"A baby?" Ben repeated, lifting an arm to scratch his head.

"Yes, a baby. Pierce said 'baby,' but surely she is mistaken." Miranda crossed her arms. "Check again!" The General surgeon was well aware of her tone. Pierce was only trying to help, but this was urgent. "As a matter of fact, give me those papers. Let me check."

Maggie opened up the folder and started to hand it to Miranda. The sound of several pagers going off at the same time startled a heated Miranda. She closed her eyes as the people around her checked their devices. "Overturned tractor-trailer on the 405," Richard said putting his phone back into his pocket. "Okay, people, we have to go." The interns rushed out of the room, followed by Maggie.

Miranda opened her mouth: "I…"

"Uh, Bailey, will you be alright in here?" Her mentor didn't wait for an answer and jogged out of the room and down the hall.

"We…," she said after him, aware that he couldn't hear her.

"Maybe a little louder next time," Ben chuckled.

She glared at him and the smile left his face. "I can't believe this."

"Come closer. Why are you all the way over there?"

"Because I was about to leave. I was about to leave and go back to my room. See, back in my room, even though you were lying to me, I was not with child."

Ben ignored her slick comment. "So you really didn't know?"

"I don't know. This is all some big, big misunderstanding. It has to be." Miranda yawned.

"Tired?"

"Yes. Tired of nonsense."

"Everything will be okay, sweetheart," Ben assured her. She shrugged, looking through the thick glass at the hustle of the hospital dealing with a crisis without her. She desperately wanted to be out there; mentally and physically away from the stresses of her current life. "Get up here with me."

"I can't. I'm in pain. Physical and emotional."

"Get up here, woman."

Reluctantly, Miranda moved closer to him and pushed herself up, steadily. She moved beside Ben, avoiding the IV in his hand. With his arm around her, she exhaled. Her shoulders fell and she cried into his chest. Too much was happening. "What if it's not okay?" She said speaking softly, exposing her fear of the unknown. Unknown. The territory they were possibly about to enter was unfamiliar to her. She was just learning to trust and feel comfortable in their relationship with it just being them, but now a baby? How was she supposed to juggle her child, a long-distance relationship and a pregnancy? This is not what she'd bargained for.

"Don't you have any faith in us?" He asked using her question from before. He used his thumb to clear her face of tears.

Miranda looked up at him and smiled weakly. "Of course, but…"

"No buts. If you believe we have what it takes, then everything will be fine and we'll be fine. We're strong enough to handle anything. I'm convinced." She bit her bottom lip. "I know that look. How are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling?" He nodded. "Well, let's see. Uh, we just got into a car accident and I have a concussion and a headache. I also found out that not only does my boyfriend's oldest sister have liver cancer, but that he's going to have a surgery that I knew nothing about—"

"You really should think about letting that go."

"Mmm." Miranda put a finger to her chin. "I thought you asked me how I was feeling, not how you wanted me to feel," she said with an attitude. She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head to side. Her facial power pose. Ben opened his mouth to say something. Instead, he just inhaled. "And on top of all of that! Pierce says that I'm pregnant." She closed her eyes for a second.

"Didn't you just take a… a test? And it was negative."

"Yes. Which is why it doesn't make sense. Nothing is making sense." The tears were about to return.

After several, long minutes of silence, Ben asked: "What are you thinking?"

"I think… I'm regretting a lot of decisions that I've made since my divorce," she muttered under her breath. Did she just say that? It was purely out of irritation; she was just so tired and she didn't—

"Even me?"

"That's not what I meant."

"It sounded like exactly what you meant." The anger in his voice almost surpassed hers.

"I just mean that—"

"You know what, Miranda…" He grimaced as he repositioned himself, making her move. "I'm tired of you dismissing our relationship with such ease."

"I'm n-not. I don't." That was lie. Sometimes she did. Sometimes it was still hard to wrap her mind around the fact that she had picked him to be in her life and he'd agreed; that he chose her and continued to choose her every day. He was so great—so un-like Tucker; so special to her.

"Yeah, having a baby wasn't planned, but it's not the worst thing that could happen. I'm kind of… excited."

"You are?" Of course he was happy. Ben would make an excellent father. The ways in which he took care of Jazmin and even Tuck were testaments of that.

"Yes." The dim pain in her head had turned into a full-blown migraine. "I am. Honestly. Starting a family with you is a dream. Do you feel the same way?"

"I feel… overwhelmed." She shut her eyes and could hear and feel Ben exhale sharply. "And I think I want to go back to my room."

"Miranda."

"Yes?" She turned her head in his direction. Their lips were only centimeters apart. And as much as she wanted to be by herself, she wanted to kiss him more. She wanted to taste his lips and feel his hands on her neck, easing her pain. But giving in to her desires would only complicate things. She backed up a little and focused on a point past his face, his beautiful, hurt face.

"Don't go. You don't have to go. I don't want you to go." Ben's voice was near begging and her heart jumped.

"I know. I know," she said slipping back into her wheelchair. "I need time to think."

"Are you okay?"

She scoffed with a laugh. "No, I'm not."

"What can I do, baby? How can I help? Tell me what to do."

"Page the nurse, please."

Back in her own hospital room, Miranda fell asleep, but it wasn't easy. The tears wouldn't stop streaming down her face. She chucked a cup of water at an intern that came to check on her. She would apologize later, but, in the moment, she couldn't stop herself. All she could think about was a baby that she wasn't sure that she was ready for. A liar is what she would have been if she ever said that she didn't want another child. Tuck had brought her so much happiness and she'd had him with the man that she'd thought was the love of her life. Now, Ben was that man. Didn't she deserve a second scoop of happiness?

She exhaled and sat up in the bed. She reached over and grabbed her phone. There was a voice that she always wanted to hear. One that would make her feel better. The device started to ring in her hand. She answered it quickly, shocked to see the exact name and picture that she'd just been thinking about. "Momma."

"Oh, baby," Elena said. "Tucker called us and I know you need to get your rest, but, honey, I couldn't wait anymore."

Miranda smiled. She would have been the same way. Maybe even worse. "I was just thinking about you."

"Tell me everything." The General surgeon took a deep breath and began to unload her worries onto her mother. Talking to Elena gave Miranda a chance to dissect her life's happenings. "You said that? To Ben?"

"I was—I am—more than a little pissed."

"You owe that man an apology."

"I know, but—"

"Baby, look, stuff happens. These are but tiny bumps in the road."

"A baby isn't a tiny bump."

"They start out that way," Elena said with a laugh. Miranda's laughed turned into a yawn. "Are you really tired or is that your way of telling me you want me to end the conversation?"

A smile hit Miranda's face. "Tell Daddy I said hello."

"You were always a little pain in my ass." The call was disconnected after Miranda reassured her mother for the umpteenth time that she was really okay and that there was no need for them to come to Seattle—although she would have loved to see them.

When Miranda awoke, she ran her hand over her face, opened her eyes and looked around. Nope. The white walls, the bleeping, the familiar smell—it wasn't dream. Which explained why her head was still pounding. Had she not told anyone about her pain? The accident. Angela's cancer. A fetus supposedly growing inside of her. She sighed loudly. "What was that sigh for?" A voice said in the darkness. Richard.

"Thinking, sir."

"How's the pain?"

"I need more drugs," Miranda told him. They laughed, which paused her headache for the briefest time. He moved from the corner of the room and stuck his head into the hall. Ten minutes later, the pain had subsided. "Thank you." Richard didn't answer; he only cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"I want to ask you how you're feeling, but…" He sighed and kept going. "I know you're tired of that question."

"I'm feeling better now. I am floating."

"Even with everything?" Richard's question was serious.

"In spite of everything."

Richard chuckled. "So I have some good news and some other news."

"Other?"

"All non-emergent patients are being transferred to Tacoma and Seattle Pres."

"I'm not going to either of those. Send me home."

"You didn't let me finish."

"Oh," she said nodding.

"And we're sending you and Warren home on your own recognizance." Miranda laughed. "It's probably best if you're under the same roof for a few days."

"And where is the good news?" She said raising an eyebrow.

Richard tried to hold back a grin. "I just told you the good news."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm mad at him."

"Well, be mad at him at your house. We need beds."

"It's only two beds."

"It's two rooms and four beds."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really," he shrugged. "I mean, unless you want to go to—"

"Don't say it!" Miranda laughed. She winced a little. "But, sir, I need to see those results."

"It's more than a little chaotic out there.

"So what are you doing in here?"

"I'm just taking a break before my next surgery."

"Right! Damn! The tractor-trailer!" Miranda's face lit up as she imagined the multiple available surgeries. It fell when she remembered that she wouldn't be able to participate in her favorite game: "Save All the Patients". "Uh, how is it?"

"A damn mess. We got more than a few saves, but there've been a few losses."

She sighed. "I hate that part of the job."

"Yeah." Richard moved to her beside.

"Is there something else?" She asked. Her heartbeat sped up. She was trying to prepare herself for more bad news.

"No, I'm just feeling overly protective of you."

"Aww. Thank you, Richard," she said patting his hand. Richard settled back into his chair and Miranda closed her eyes. Her head sank into her pillow. As she was being discharged, Tucker appeared in the doorway. "What are you doing here? Where's my son? I thought you said you were going to bring him?"

"We were coming before I took him to school, but we were running late."

"Oh."

"And how the hell did you think you were going to get home?"

"I was going to, ugh, drive or… get an Uber," Miranda said as she struggled to put her jacket on. Tucker helped her. "Thanks."

"Mmhmm. Let's go."

"Not that I care, but where is Ben?"

"Stop that. You do care. And Angela is helping him." She gritted her teeth. "Relax, Mandy."

"I'm relaxed." She sank into her chair as Tucker wheeled her to the lobby where Callie was waiting and checking her phone. "Shouldn't you be in surgery?"

"I… just wanted to make sure you were getting on okay."

"I'm fine. Now go." Callie squeezed her hand and sprinted in the other direction. Seconds later, Ben rolled up beside her. "My house or yours?" She asked, pretending to be uninterested.

"Wherever you feel most comfortable."

"I guess we're going to my house," Miranda said looking up at Tucker.

Ben rode with Angela and Miranda stayed with Tucker. "What is going on with you two?"

"Nothing. We're perfect," she answered.

"You say that like I haven't known you since the beginning of time." Tucker hit the steering wheel and laughed.

"It's just stuff."

"You two will talk it out. And you two will work it out." She pursed her lips and didn't respond. "You didn't tell me that Elena was pregnant."

"Tuck?"

"Yeah.

"You know he can't keep a secret for anything; especially from me." Miranda and Tucker laughed as they walked up the stairs to the home they'd once shared. He opened the door for her and helped her to the sofa. She lay back and put her feet up. A few minutes later, Ben and Angela came in and Ben eased into the reclining chair. Angela made sure they had a few snacks and drinks, their devices and chargers, before saying: "So, I have to go back to work. I will call in an hour and I'll be back later." She looked from Ben to Miranda. "Be good."

"I second that," Tucker said nodding. "But I'll text y'all and make sure you haven't kicked the bucket."

Miranda picked up a small bag of pretzels and hurled it at him as he ran out of the door. Angela waved and Ben returned it. Miranda noticed that he hadn't said anything since they got to the house. That wasn't like him. Goose bumps filled the surface of her skin. His silence was eerie and it unnerved her. "Do you want to watch a movie or something?" He shook his head. "So you're not going to talk to me?" That kind of annoyed her. She wanted to be the silent one.

"I wanted those pretzels."

The General surgeon smiled. "Sorry." She turned on a movie and before the plot could reveal itself, Ben was snoring. She took a deep breath as her eyes fluttered to a close. "Lights." A soft murmur left Miranda's lips as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Lights."

"Lights?" Ben's voice startled her. "What about lights?"

"Nothing." At least he'd spoken to her. She opened one eye and looked at him. He put down his phone and looked at her. "Hi."

"Hi." Maybe she was imagining it, but his tone was a little cold. Aggravated, she sat up. She took another breath as she stood up, balancing her entire weight, for the first time in what seemed like forever. "Where are you going?"

"Bathroom."

"Oh." Instead of using the one on the first floor, she decided to climb up the stairs to the one in her bedroom. After using the bathroom, she rested on the edge of the bed. She was so tired. She inched up the bed and fell back on a pillow. She didn't have to go back downstairs. It wasn't like Ben was talking to her anyway. There wasn't much conversation between them; they might as well have been in two different parts of the house. Finally, in her own bed with her own sheets and comforter, she slept peacefully. "Miranda?!"

"Yeah?" She said stretching her muscles gently.

"You're up here?"

"Didn't I just answer you?"

"A simple 'yes' or 'no' would suffice," he told her as he entered the room. "You didn't come back down."

"I'm surprised you noticed."

"Of course I noticed. There was no one talking me to death and bossing me around."

"Is that all I do?"

"Stop trying to get offended," he laughed. Miranda smiled and then pulled her bottom lip in to readjust her face. He walked to the bed and unfolded his body next to her, grunting. She cleared her throat. With them lying next to each other like they'd been the day before was flooding her with guilt. She had to—"Miranda, I'm…"

She cut him off: "No, let me."

"Good. Go ahead."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "I… apologize… for saying…" she sighed. This was harder than she'd thought, "For saying what I said." Ben nodded and put a hand her hip. His touch reminded her that their relationship would only work if she was able to check her shortcomings. She didn't want an empty relationship like the one she'd had with Eli. Or a stagnant one like with Tucker. She wanted this one to be rewarding. "Of course I didn't mean it. I regret nothing when it comes to you. I am blessed to have you in my life." He picked up her hand and kissed it. "I know that. I was just pissed off before. And I shouldn't have said that, but we say things when we're upset and confused and angry. So I said a thing. But that doesn't give you the right to stop talking to me."

"You're right. And, I, too, apologize."

"You should." He squeezed her body gently. She turned on the TV and they watched for a few minutes.

"Both of our phones are downstairs and Angela will be calling soon."

"Well, you should have given her my house number."

"I keep forgetting that people even still have house phones," he said laughing. He rolled away as she reached out to hit him. "I'm hungry?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

"Telling you. I wish your mom was here."

Miranda moved behind him and wrapped her arms around his body. "And why is that?"

"Because she would make us soup and chicken—" He feigned a whimper. "Can you call her, sweetheart?"

"No, she does not need to be flying across the country," she laughed.

"Well, there is one thing up here that I could eat."

Her mouth dropped against his back. Even while concussed, he was turning her on. "And what's that?" She asked, biting her bottom lip.

"A Kit-Kat that I left in this drawer one night."

"You get on my nerves."

"What did you think I was gonna say?"

"Ugh, nothing. Just break me off a piece of that."

They sat up in the bed. Ben broke the candy in half and gave Miranda a piece. "So Tucker is still your emergency contact, huh?"

"Unh-huh, and I didn't even remember it until I woke up and saw him looking at me all concerned."

"Yeah."

"Does that bother you?"

"N-no, not at all."

"Yes, it does."

"Yeah, okay, it does. A little."

She smiled. "Do you want to be my emergency contact?"

"I would love to be, but that doesn't really make any sense; especially with me moving out of town."

"Guess not." Being someone's emergency contact meant that two people were closer than close. It would mean that he was "her person". She began to laugh and gently eased onto her back, trying not to irritate her bruising. Her former interns had coined the phrase around the time that Tucker was hers; the one person in the world she could call, who would put up with her stuff, who she trusted with her life. Was Ben that person? Her eyes closed and she took another bite of her candy.

"It wasn't my idea."

"What's that?"

"It wasn't my idea not to tell you about Ange's illness. Only my mom, Curt and I know."

"Jazmin doesn't know?" Miranda asked, shocked. She looked over at her boyfriend. He shook his head. "Wow."

"Ange doesn't want her to worry."

"How long has she… known?"

"She didn't give me a straight answer, but I think about a year."

"Foolish."

"Who me?"

"No. Angela." Miranda watched his eyes get smaller as he chuckled, shaking the bed. He reached for her hand. "And what about you?"

"How long have I known?" Miranda nodded. "About five months." She forced the candy into her mouth for another bite. "I offered and offered to… you know, give… do this for her, but she refused. She's so stubborn. But, when my mom came into town, she got on Angela and told her to stop being dumb." He laughed again. "That's exactly what she said, 'stop being so damn dumb'."

Miranda joined in with his laughter and squeezed his hand, eyeing him. "Okay." She realized that she had to stop being mad at him for keeping a promise to his sister. He'd probably wanted to tell her as soon as they started to get close, but he couldn't. And she appreciated that he was loyal to his family. Goose bumps appeared on her arms. She went to taste some more chocolate, but, suddenly, the taste of the chocolate was no longer appealing. "Now, I'm hungry."

"Hand me that phone," he said pointing to her house phone. "I'll call Ange and tell her to bring some us something. What are you in the mood for?"

"Um, a grilled chicken Caesar wrap," Miranda answered. "With a Snapple."

"Yes, baby. That sounds—Hello?" Miranda pulled the covers up to her chin and tried to redirect her hunger by closing her eyes again. "Miranda?"

"Yes?"

"She'll be here in about a half an hour."

"Should we take Tylenol? I need Tylenol."

"I wish we could have something stronger than some damn Tylenol." The two of them peeled themselves out of the bed and hobbled down the stairs. The doorbell went off as they reached the living room. "Can you get that, please?" He poked out his bottom lip.

"Fine," she sighed. "Only because that face you're making is so damn sexy."

"That's all I have to do to get my way with you?"

"Don't get any ideas," she said as she saw Tucker and Tuck standing behind the door. "Hi, my baby!"

"Mommy!" Tuck shouted rushing to her.

"Stop, Tuck," Tucker said pulling him back by the tab on his book bag. "Ah, is that what that's for?"

Miranda shook her head and wrapped her arms around her son. She kissed the side of his head. "Oh, God!" She said with soft tears streaming down her face. "I love you so much. I've missed you so much." She kissed him again and held him tighter, ignoring her pain.

"Are you okay, mommy?"

She wiped her face with her shirt. "I am now." She smiled down at him. Her reason. Reason.Tuck was the reason why she'd once thought about quitting at her career. She had wanted him to have everything, including her time, fully, with no ifs or buts. At some point, she'd realized that as he grew up, she couldn't very well preach to him about following his dreams if she didn't do the same thing. So she kept working and striving to be the best, so that he would be proud of her. And he was. "I am so good now."

"Okay, okay, so, let's let mommy sit down," Tucker instructed.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

They walked into the living room. "I knew I heard some cool people," Ben said when he saw Tucker and Tuck standing there.

"Hi, Ben!"

"LT, my man!"

Tuck ran to Ben and held out his hand. The two of them shook hands. "How are you?"

"Good! How are you?"

Miranda put a pillow on the side of her hurting side and Tuck sat on the opposite side of it, leaning against his mother. "I'm okay. Thank you for asking."

"What's up, brother?" Tucker said slapping hands with Ben.

"Nothing much, brother. Healing." The two men laughed.

"Alright then, we came by so little man could see you two and check for himself to make sure y'all were okay."

"Thank you, man," Ben said.

"How was Lost… Angeles?" Tuck said smiling.

"Los Angeles," Miranda corrected. "And it was really fun."

"Did you bring anything back for me?"

"Yes! Upstairs in your room," she said with a smile. Her son kissed her cheek and headed for the stairs.

"Do y'all need anything?" Tucker looked at Miranda.

"Not that I can think of," Miranda said. Tuck returned to the chair and fiddled with the bag.

"Open it later," Tucker instructed. His smaller twin started to object. "Wait until we get home or don't open it at all."

Miranda grinned and rubbed Tuck's head. "Uh, Angela is bringing us some food, so we're all good."

"Okay, well, call me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Tucker Jones."

"Yeah, thanks, man," Ben echoed.

Miranda kissed Tuck's cheek as he got up from the sofa. "Bye, Ben! Bye, mommy." She blew him a kiss and he giggled before bumping fists with Ben. Tucker hugged her and kissed her cheek. "I'll lock up." He slid his palm along Ben's and they left.

"We're too far apart," Ben said flipping through some channels.

"Come over here then," Miranda yawned.

"Give me a minute and I'll be right over."

She laughed and put her feet up on the coffee table. He made his way onto the sofa. He dropped his head onto her shoulder. "I am so exhausted."

"I feel you."

"And I'm starving."

"Me too, hon."

"And I'm horny," he said looking up at her, displacing the dormant butterflies in her stomach.

The doorbell rang again. "I-it's your turn to get it."

He put his lips on her chin. "Saved by the bell," he told her.

"Get the door, man." She pushed his shoulder.

"Ow!"

"That hurts?" She asked, concerned. She leaned in to check his shoulder.

"No, it doesn't." He kissed her lips and stood up, walking to the door. "Finally, girl, damn! My woman and I have been waiting forever."

"Next time I'll let you starve and only bring food for Miranda," Angela threatened. "Hey, Miranda!"

"Hey," Miranda said following them into the kitchen.

"So, I got a bunch of stuff for you two. I picked up some wraps and French fries, chicken wings and shrimp fried rice, stuff to drink and napkins."

"I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back," Ben said. He headed toward the stairs.

When he was out of earshot and while they unpacked the bags, Angela turned to Miranda: "So, I know you know."

"Yeah, I know," Miranda said. She twisted the cap off of her drink and took a sip. It was so refreshing.

"I'm sorry I had Ben keep it from you." Miranda listened as she grabbed her wrap. It smelled so good. "He wanted to tell you, of course."

"Of course."

"But I didn't want to risk Jaz finding out. It's silly and it's ridiculous that the surgery is right around the corner and my teenage daughter still doesn't know, but she has enough on her plate."

"I'm sure."

"So any anger that you're feeling toward Benji, just send it my way."

"I'm okay. We're okay. No more anger."

"Great," Angela responded with an exhale.

"So when you dropped her off at Ben's house and you went to 'Portland'…?

"Marijuana retreat upstate. The pain had gotten too bad; I need a reprieve."

Miranda could only shake her head and smile. "Did you ever think that you're not giving Jazmin enough credit?"

"I don't follow."

"Put yourself in her shoes. Would you want to know about your mother's illness, whether or not you could help? Or would you want to be left in the dark?"

Miranda looked at Angela; they really were two leaves on the same branch, honestly trying to do the best for their children. "You are a smart woman."

"'Tis true."

"I can't wait for us to get drunk together."

Miranda and Angela laughed as Ben appeared in the doorway of the kitchen: "Hey, ladies! Let's dig in."

"Actually, um, I'll take a rain check. I… uh, need to get going," Angela said picking up a chicken wing. "You two should be good for the night, right?"

"Yeah," the couple answered.

"Good then because I have a long discussion with your niece ahead of me," she said pointing at Ben.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Finally!" He turned toward Miranda. "Because she didn't listen to me."

"Shut up," his sister said heading toward the front door with Ben on her heels.

When she heard the door close, Miranda took a huge bite of her wrap. "Can you get the pills?" She asked.

"Only because you're so fine," he said. "Even with that dressing on your cheek." Miranda chuckled and wiped it off with a napkin. They took some pain medication and continued to eat. "So, um, are you going to eat that?"

What was he talking about? "Eat what?"

"That piece of chicken that fell from your wrap?"

"Get out of my food, Ben Warren."

He reached over and tried to grab it and she slapped his hand away. "Aye! I just want a little taste. "

"You have a wrap right in front of you." He moved his chair beside her and put his lips behind her ear. "You are very close, super close, dangerously close."

"What else?" He whispered.

"I'm no longer hungry…" she said turning to look him fully and put her hands on his face. She hadn't kissed him in so long, she was literally aching to put her lips against his, knowing that he would grab her waist, searching for her skin underneath her shirt, her hands…

"Yes? You're not hungry and—?"

"I am still quite tired," Miranda finished.

Ben dropped his head against her chest. "Shi—you're a tease," he laughed. She licked her bottom lip. "Can I kiss you?"

"Please." They kissed slowly, their bodies falling into a rhythm. Their rhythm. They continued to kiss as they both stood up. Miranda turned away from him and he held onto her waist and they left the kitchen. After grabbing their phones, they went back upstairs.

"I have to ask you something." She raised her eyebrows in response. "You mad at me?"

"About what?" She asked, distracted, while looking for a movie. Nothing was on—again. Why did she pay all that money for hundreds of channels when she was never able to find anything to watch?

"The accident."

Miranda gave up and clicked off the TV. "What? That's ridiculous."

"I'm the one who pulled the car over."

"Nope, nope, we're not doing this. We're absolutely not doing this."

"What?"

"Would you be mad at me if I were the one who had been driving?"

"Hell no!"

"Then why do you want me to be mad at you?"

"I don't. I just feel a little guilty."

"Well, feel guilty on your own time. Because I'm not mad at you and I don't want to be mad, Ben. I'm tired of being mad." He cleared his throat. "And do not ask me if I'm sure."

"You know me so well," he chuckled. "I want to spoon you, but I'd have to lay on my aching side."

"I think we can go one night without…"

"But do you want to?"

"No," she smirked.

"Come on this side."

"But I love this side of my bed."

"Then you hold me."

"My pleasure," Miranda said putting her arms around Ben. He eased his long and lean body into her smaller, thicker one. She threw an arm over his body, lightly stroking his abdomen. He sighed and she copied his breathing. "I love you."

"Wow."

She shuddered. "What now, Benjamin Warren?"

He laughed loudly. "Ow…"

"That's what you get."

"I mean, y-you usually wait for me to say it; especially at night."

"Do I?" He nodded. She thought for a second. He was so right. The cherry at the end of her nights since they'd started being intimate was semi-patiently waiting for him to verbally acknowledge his affection for her. She smiled. "I do."

"But you know that I love you, right?"

"Yes, I do." Miranda's hand moved to his waist and she fingered it, absentmindedly. "And I love that you love me." He picked up her hand and put it against his chest. "Goodnight, Miranda."

She smiled into his back through his t-shirt. "Goodnight, Ben."