That's Why I'm Here

Miranda turned onto her back and groaned. "Morning," Ben said. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept really..." She stretched and looked over at him. He had a pillow propped behind him and was sitting against the headboard. "I actually don't feel that bad. I think I slept okay," she said with a yawn.

"That's good, I am glad."

"What about you?"

"Your bed is very comfortable, but I had a time trying to find the right position." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"You make everything dirty."

"You know you like it." Miranda giggled and picked up her phone and started to swipe and scroll quickly. "Unh-uh! We're on bed rest."

"I need to text Pierce. I need to see about this—a… about those test results."

"Miranda…"

"Ugh, I got locked out of my email thingy again!" Ben grunted as he leaned over and took the phone from her. "No, no, no—Ben, wait!" She reached for it, failing to grab it from his hand. She closed her eyes and pouted.

"Don't do that." She shrugged. "Come on, let's just relax. And not think about it."

"You telling me not to think about it, guarantees that I will think about." Miranda sighed deeply. "And not just think about it—no, I will obsess about it. Wondering, waiting, watching TV and wasting time on pointless conversations and—"

"Damn, Miranda, take it," Ben laughed. He gave her the phone and tossed his hands into the air before rolling out of the bed.

"Fine!" She growled and put the phone on the dresser. Either she was or wasn't. And not knowing for a little while longer wouldn't hurt. She could be clueless for another hour or so.

"Why are you so against Pierce's… announcement?"

"I'm not against it," she argued.

"Your reactions refute that statement." They were silent. "So why?"

"Because."

He waited a beat. "I need more than that." Miranda didn't say anything further. "Because" was sufficient enough for her, at least for right now, so he should have been happy to get that. "Do you really not want to be carrying my child that badly?" She tried to stop her eyes from rolling at the question. "Okay, then what?"

"This isn't about you," Miranda reassured him. "I promise."

"Okay. I believe you."

Her cell phone rang. She glanced over at it and saw that it was Scotty. "I should take this. It's my OB."

Ben nodded. "I'll go make us breakfast." He got out of bed and walked toward the door.

Miranda took a deep breath and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Miranda!" Scotty said in a relieved voice.

"Scotty," she said. Ben strolled back into the room. "Hold on one second, Scott." She stared at him. "What?"

"I got halfway down the stairs and realized that I haven't kissed you this morning."

Miranda blushed as he leaned down and put his lips close to hers. He groaned softly. "Don't hurt yourself, old man." She touched his beard, tugging it.

He laughed into her mouth: "Ass."

"Okay, okay. I need...," she kissed him again. "To get back to this call." She had to pull herself from him, pushing his shoulder at the same time. "Mmm, coffee."

"Copy that." Ben winked at her and was gone again.

"Hey, uh, Scott, sorry. How are you?"

"Girl, I have been trying to reach you for the longest time."

"I know. I know. Sorry, girl. I've been…what's up?"

"I have some kind of… news."

"I'm pregnant, aren't I?"

Scotty exhaled. "I don't rightly know. You have to take another test. Those other ones were goddamn recalled."

"Shit." Miranda grunted as she turned on her back.

"Mandy, I called you and called you. And I emailed. I even came by your place once."

"I was on vacation."

"Good! Good! It's about time you took some of my advice. I do know what I'm talking about a lot of the time."

Miranda chuckled at Scotty's rambling. "Yeah, yeah, so just tell me when I should come by and take it again?"

"We can do it today, now if you want. I can meet you over at my office."

The surgeon licked her lips. "Uh, I was going to tell you later, but we were in a car accident, Ben and I."

"Oh my God, Mandy!"

"We're good." Miranda relayed the story to Scotty, including the part where she was supposedly pregnant. "We're managing, but I'm not up for… you know, leaving the house."

"Never mind that. Do you need anything?" Scotty asked, concerned. She was such a good doctor and a really great friend.

"If you could bring the new, unrecalled test to me, I would be forever grateful."

The call went quiet. "Yeah, uh, Kevin will be home in a few hours and he can stay with the kids and then I'll be right over."

"Good. Thank you. For everything."

"Bye, girl."

Miranda grabbed a pillow and went into the bathroom and closed the door. She stripped and stepped into the empty tub and ran the water. It felt so good. And it was exactly what she needed. She put the pillow behind her head and leaned back, closing her eyes. "Miranda? Baby, where are you?" She swirled around the bubbles from her body wash with her feet and waited. "Are you in the bathroom?"

"You're warm," she said. She turned the handles off with her toes. He knocked on the door. "Getting warmer."

"Can I come in?"

"Yeah, but I can't get to the door right now," she said as he turned the handle. "But you're hot."

She could hear him laugh behind the door. Opening it, he saw her sitting in the tub and his face went red. "I-I-I…" He turned around. "Oh, I didn't know you were taking a bath."

"I needed to soak the muscles."

"Do you want me to… you know, step outside?"

"You don't have to…," she started. He took a deep breath and sat on the toilet. They didn't make eye contact. Miranda's heart wasn't the only thing pounding underneath the water; her lower half was going insane. She smiled slowly as the awkwardness continued. It was a weird feeling to be embarrassed by her boyfriend having full visual access to her body; that the only thing separating his eyes from every inch of her body was a thin layer of bubbles. "I mean, you've seen pretty much everything at this point." Of course he had. And, to let him tell it, he enjoyed everything that he'd seen. But to Miranda, there was a certain vulnerability that came with being covered by only foam and water and with Ben blushing as he snuck glances while trying to keep his eyes focused on any point away from the tub.

"True." He scratched his head.

"And I wouldn't have thought that it would make you incapable of conversing."

"Not at all."

"Then?"

Finally, he looked at her, the smallest smile appearing on his face: "I just wanted to let you know that I made breakfast."

"Thank you. I'll be right out."

"Maybe I should just bring it in here. You look so comfortable."

"Eww," she said flicking water at him. He laughed and raised an eyebrow. She looked down to see what he was staring at—her side boob.

"Damn," he said wistfully. "Uh, I mean, how about I just bring it into the bedroom."

"Tha-that would be amazing, Ben. There are a couple of trays on top of the fridge." She lifted her hand from the water and reached for his.

He took it and kissed it. "I'll be right back."

Miranda stayed in the water until she heard Ben moving around outside of the door. She stepped out of the shower and looked around for her towel. "Shoot."

"Are you almost finished in there? Don't let the food get cold."

"Can you toss me a towel please?"

Ben chuckled and came to the door. "You always forget your towel, woman." He held it open for her.

She hurried into, wrapping it around her body. "Thank you."

In her room, she put on a pair of panties, slipped into a pair of shorts and a shirt, put her robe on and got back into bed. "I love this! You should do it more often."

"Will you reciprocate as often?"

"Of course I will," she told him with a giggle. They both knew she was only telling a half-truth. He sat one tray across her thighs and let down the legs. On it was a short stack of pancakes, a small bowl of syrup and a plate of fruit. "Damn. This looks good. Where's yours?" He grabbed another tray from the foot of the bed and reached over on the dresser and picked up another plate with the same items on it. "And I thought these were just a silly wedding gift."

The two of them said a quick prayer. "Who gave them to you—y'all?"

"I don't quite re—ah, it was Scotty." Miranda cut a piece of her pancake and dipped it into the syrup.

"Scotty?"

"My OB."

"Your OB is a guy named Scotty?" Ben shoveled fruit into his mouth. "I didn't know that."

"No, sexist, Scotty is Aisha Scott and she's been my friend since college. We call her Scotty."

"Oh, I see."

"And she's also coming over in a little while."

"Because…?"

"Yes, because…"

"Ohhh." She stayed quiet. If they didn't talk about it, maybe it would go away? "Should I stay or disappear into the guestroom or go or what?"

"Um, it's up to you. Whatever you want to do. Doesn't matter."

"I know you can't be embarrassed by me."

"No," she shook her head. "Of course not."

"Shoot! Because I am a handsome Black doctor, a future surgeon, awesome boyfriend. I'm like a unicorn."

"Oh jeez! Someone thinks highly of themselves."

"For good reason."

"I know," Miranda said with a sigh.

"But if it's going to cause you anguish, then I'll just stay up here."

"There's no anguish." She felt like she was supposed to be upset, but there was no logical reason for it.

"Good. Because I want to meet all of your friends and get to know them and I want them to get to know me, too."

"I do, too."

"Then I don't know what the problem is." He moved his tray and started to get out of the bed. Miranda touched his arm. What was wrong with her? Ben was only trying to be supportive and like clockwork, she was pushing him away. "What?"

"Don't 'what'' me," she told him.

"What do you want, Miranda?"

"I'm sorry, okay? I guess I'm just feeling..." She moved her head from side to side. "Stupid. I feel really stupid right now. Of course I want you to meet Scotty. She's the best and she'll love you."

"Good." He chuckled and sat back next to her. "Now can I have your pancakes?"

"You can have a strawberry."

"And I thought you loved me."

"I do. Very much." Miranda took a sip of her orange juice. "No coffee?"

He reached under the pillow and pulled out a thermos. "Now I gotta have lukewarm coffee?"

"I forgot," he winked. "It should still be warm… ish." She took it from him and opened it. Steam emitted from the metal container. Miranda tasted it. "Good?"

"Really good actually." Ben went back to his food. "Scotty is going to adore you," she said wistfully.

"Yeah?"

She nodded slowly. "She was never a big fan of Tucker. I knew that, but I ignored her because he is so damn charming. Scotty saw through him though."

"And what will she say about me?" He picked up the thermos and drunk some coffee.

"She is going to see how happy you make me and how genuine you are."

He nodded. "If she doesn't see that, then what?" His question was mixed with concern.

"I've gotten good at ignoring her," Miranda said with a wide smile. Ben leaned over, careful not to knock over the trays. He grabbed the back of her head and put his lips on hers. It was aggressive and full of passion. When they pulled away, she was breathing heavily and aching for more.

"And now I need to take a shower." Miranda cocked her head to the side. Ben glanced downward quickly.

"Oh!" She blushed. "You're a mess!"

He put his plate on the nightstand that was on his side of the bed. "Are you finished?" She nodded. He placed her plate on top of his and collapsed both trays, setting them on the floor. "I'll be right out." With a kiss to her neck, he got off of the bed. Miranda pulled the sheets and covers up to her chin and dozed off. She and Ben were back in the car, laughing and kissing. "Miranda," Ben said softly. She could feel the heat from his hand through her robe. She opened her eyes and looked around quickly. "You good?"

"Yeah." She gave him a smile. It was weak, but he didn't seem to notice. "I'm up." Miranda stretched and rolled out of bed, her robe swishing behind her as she walked to her dresser. It felt like a lazy outfit kind of day. She reached into her drawers and pulled out a pair of black leggings and a gray t-shirt. Ben moved behind her and turned her around and slid his arms around her body. "Stop," she whined. He laughed into her chest. "I'm going to poke your chest."

"Okay, okay. Don't. I hurt." He stuck out his bottom lip. "I need to pop some pills."

"Same. I'm starting to hear a djembe behind my ears."

He laughed again and kissed her clavicle. "How's that feel?"

"Pretty good, but you missed a spot." Miranda spun around and pulled her hair to the side revealing the back of her neck. Ben's lips brushed softly against her skin as the doorbell rang.

"Damn it."

"Can you get that?"

"Sure thing. How do I look?" He asked.

She eyed him. "Very handsome and relaxed."

He hugged her and left. Miranda put on her leggings and shirt and followed Ben down the stairs. She heard another deep voice and was utterly confused. That wasn't Scotty's voice. It was Tucker. "Tucker Jones, what are you doing here?"

"Hey, just checking up on y'all."

"Thanks," she said with a smile. She walked into the living room and gave him a quick hug. He'd been really great. Her smile widened. She wasn't shocked, but she was impressed with his diligence.

"I'm on my way to work; I was just wondering if either of you needed anything."

"I'm good," Miranda responded. There was a knock on the door. Tucker hustled to answer it.

"Um, do I have the right house?"

"Whhy?"

"Because you don't live here. Jackass." Miranda giggled. She knew that voice.

"Nice to see you, too, A-i-sha." Tucker pronounced every syllable in their old friend's name. "Where's Kevin?"

"Home with the kids." Miranda peeked around the door and watched them hug.

"Scotty!" Miranda said moving toward her friend.

"Mandy." The two women hugged tightly. Miranda noticed that Scotty's stomach had gotten bigger. A sharp pain hit her side and she tried to hide her wince behind a smile. "What is this crazy, albeit fine brother doing here?"

"Just checking on me," Miranda responded. "I mean, on us."

Ben wandered into the foyer. "Oh, yes. Yes. You must be the Ben."

Miranda blushed, "Aisha. C'mon, be normal."

"She can't," Tucker claimed.

"Hi, Aisha, er, Scotty?" Ben extended his hand in her direction. "It's nice to finally meet you." Scotty looked at it for a second and Miranda held her breath. She half-expected Ben to pull his hand back, but he kept it outstretched.

"The pleasure is all mine," she said taking his hand.

"That's not what you said to me," Tucker interrupted. "I believe you scoffed and said: 'Huh!'"

Miranda laughed and covered her eyes momentarily. "Well, I said what I said," Scotty responded.

They chatted for a few minutes longer. "Well! I gotta get going," Tucker said. "Ben, I got your car towed to Abdul's. He said about a week—no more than."

"Wow, that's quick," Ben said. He put an arm around Miranda's waist.

"He's doing it that quickly as a favor to me," Tucker answered. As the men talked, Miranda caught Scotty's eye. Her friend was nodding; she approved. They laughed.

"What's… so… funny?" Ben asked looking from one woman to the other.

"Oh, don't mind them," Tucker scoffed. "They do that all of the time."

"Do what?" Ben inquired.

"This thing where they have a whole conversation and no one speaks. It's all signs and eye movements." He gestured dramatically.

Scotty rolled her eyes, "I thought you were leaving?"

"I'm gone." He told Miranda and Ben to call if they needed anything and he was out the door.

"Finally!" Scotty said with a clap of her hands. "And can we sit down please?"

"Of course," Ben told her. The three of them walked into the living room. "So, tell me about my woman? What was she like in college?"

"She was…" Miranda cleared her throat exaggeratedly. "She has always been the reserved and brilliant woman that you see before you."

"We'll talk later?" He asked, winking at Scotty.

"No doubt," Scotty answered. Miranda could only cross her arms and shake her head.

Ben clapped his hands. "So, Scotty, can I get you anything to drink or something?"

"Yes, please. You can get me a bottle of water, some orange juice with a dash of cranberry and a toasted Pop-Tart, I know Mandy has them." He nodded and headed to the kitchen. Miranda looked at Scotty oddly. She'd hated the fruit-flavored pastries in school. "It's the baby."

"Right." Miranda nodded.

They were both sitting on the sofa. Scotty leaned in. "Before whatever happens happens, I'm really sorry about this Miranda. I mean, obviously it's not my fault, but I do feel bad."

"It's okay. Everything happens the way it's supposed to." Scotty nodded. "And have any of the tests you've redone reversed the original tests?"

"No. Not one. Thank God." Scotty put a hand on Miranda's thigh. "And, thankfully, you're the last one." They exhaled in sync. "And Ben knows about… everything?" Miranda nodded. "Good. This is way better than last time when no one knew anything."

Miranda laughed: "Right." She dropped her voice. "Girl, I'm so nervous."

"That's a reasonable feeling."

"I don't necessarily want to be pregnant, but I wouldn't…" She sighed deeply. "I guess, ugh, I wouldn't mind being pregnant. Seeing you reminds me of that feeling of carrying Tuck and being excited to see him for the first time. And to have a guy who is in love with me..." Scotty smiled. "You know what? Just give me the test—my anxiety will have me tripping until I know for sure. You know what I mean?"

Scotty reached into her purse. "You will be fine, no matter the result."

"Okay."

"Mandy, Ben will love you. He will still adore you. He won't run away. I know this. He's the real deal, Miranda." The General surgeon bit her bottom lip and began to tear up. "I can see it in his eyes. And in yours. And you know I have a gift for these things."

Miranda sniffed. "Girl, you had only one damn job, bring the damn test."

"That's not my job here. My job was to call you, but I'm here. I'm with you. I'm your best friend." They hugged again, holding each other for a long while.

"Um, sorry to interrupt ladies, but I checked every cabinet and the pantry, there's no cranberry juice," Ben said. He looked from Miranda to Scotty and waited. "Baby, you're okay?"

Miranda wiped her eyes and Scotty spoke: "Who wanted cranberry juice?"

"Didn't you…?" Ben started. He squinted at Scotty who lowered her eyes at him.

"Nope!" She answered, popping the "p".

Miranda took the test and stood up. She walked up to Ben and kissed his lips softly. "You're good?" He asked.

"I'm very good."

In the downstairs bathroom, she sent up a quick prayer to God. When she was finished, she laid the stick on the sink. The box only said she needed about ten minutes. For two of those minutes, she circled the small room. "Mandy?" Scotty asked.

"Yep, coming out," Miranda said washing her hands a third time. She plastered an unbothered look on her face and stepped out of the bathroom and saw her best friend and her boyfriend both with supportive looks on their faces. "Distract me."

Scotty pointed to Ben: "Um, so, this guy is pretty alright."

"Is he now?" Miranda said wringing her hands. Ben winked at her.

"Yes, girl. And he's really handsome—if you don't mind me saying."

Miranda sucked her teeth. "Please. If you didn't find him good-looking I would have to rethink the whole relationship."

"I guess I'm just not standing here," Ben laughed. He moved next to Miranda. "And I didn't know you had a goddaughter."

Miranda wiggled her eyebrows: "You don't know everything about everything." Ben shook his head. "But, yes, I do. Andrea is so adorable."

"She asks about you all of the time," Scotty assured her.

"Now you're making me feel bad," Miranda said with a smile. "I need to scoop her up one of these days."

"She'd like that," her friend said.

"Hey, and maybe Jaz could join you guys because she texts me about you almost as she does about basketball."

"Is Jaz your daughter?" Scotty asked.

Ben had a smile on his face: "Naw. She's my niece."

"Aww," Scotty said. "So that sounds like it could be fun."

"Yeah," Miranda said looking at her watch.

"So how was your vacation?" Scotty asked.

"It was great," Miranda said looking up at Ben.

He took her hand and added: "Very relaxing."

"It's time, Miranda," Scotty responded switching stealthily into doctor mode. The former walked back into the bathroom. "Don't be so daggone somber, girl."

The three of them laughed as Miranda looked at the small, plastic apparatus. "It's… negative," she looked at Ben's face and waited for it flinch or show any indication of being upset or disappointed. There wasn't any. And she was grateful.

He walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "Feel better now?"

"Yes, I do," she answered. He kissed her forehead.

Scotty cut through their intimate moment. "Wait…"

Miranda popped her head up and looked at her friend. Scotty squinted in her direction. Wait. "W-what's going on here?" They didn't answer him. "You're staring, but you're not talking." Miranda pulled herself from Ben. "Is this the thing that Tucker was talking about?"

"Did you see the papers from the hospital? The blood work?" Scotty asked.

"No, I haven't," Miranda confirmed.

"So…"

"I don't know. Maybe another patient."

"But they wouldn't mix up your blood work, right?"

"Maybe the name."

Ben thought for a second: "There's an intern, um, Thomas Bailey in Anesthesiology. I always joke that he might be related to you."

"Oh, how is Tommy?" Scotty asked Miranda. "I didn't see him at the Family Reunion last year."

"Wait, y'all are related!?" Ben shouted.

"No, she's not telling anything like the truth," Miranda said cracking up.

"But high hcG levels for him probably wouldn't mean a pregnancy," Scotty said moving next to Miranda.

They walked arm and arm into the living room. "Yeah, that would be… testicular cancer or something," Miranda commented.

"And he wouldn't have been in there during… everything. He was off for the day," Ben said.

"Why do you know your interns' schedules?" Scotty asked. Miranda grinned at her shocked face.

"Oh yeah! I was going to cover a shift for someone and I need to know which ones I'm getting when I come in," he laughed.

"Amen to that," Miranda said.

Scotty took a bite of her Pop-Tart. She grimaced as she bit into it. "These are pretty decent."

Miranda nodded. "Yeah, we eat them in moderation because they're not healthy at all."

"You and LT have one like every other day," Ben jumped in.

"Can't you just let me have this one little lie?" Miranda asked. The three of them laughed. Ben and Miranda grabbed some Tylenol as Scotty finished her snack. "I would offer you some food, but I don't feel like cooking."

"And we're all grateful," Scotty told her gesturing from her belly to Ben who was sitting next to Miranda on the arm of the chair.

"Damn," Ben said shaking his head with a smile.

"I'm not that bad!" Miranda screeched.

"You ain't nothing like Mama E, though," Scotty said drinking some orange juice. "How's she doing?"

"She was just…," Miranda's voice trailed off. "She was… Oh! Ohhhh!"

"What? What? What?" Ben said.

"What is it, Mandy?" Scotty asked.

"She's pregnant," Miranda said.

"Who?" Scotty asked with wide eyes.

"My mother, E. M. Bailey, is pregnant."

"Okay?" Ben said.

"Not me, M. Bailey," Miranda exhaled and laughed.

"Wait, slow down. Your mom is pregnant?" Ben and Miranda nodded. "Shit. I mean, wow!"

"So you think they got your stuff mixed up with hers?"

"Wouldn't be the worst thing I've ever witnessed," Miranda said. She exhaled.

"So it wouldn't be that hard to mix up the names," Scotty offered.

"I suppose," she echoed.

Ben hugged Miranda and kissed the top of her head. "Should we call Webber and Pierce?"

Miranda moved her head side to side: "Yeah. I mean, I just really…"

"Don't want the techs to get in trouble?" Ben asked.

"No, I want to be there when he brings his wrath upon them," his girlfriend answered. The room shook with laughter. And Miranda found that a weight seemed to have been lifted off of her shoulders.

"And, with that, I shall be going." Scotty held out her hand and Ben helped her to her feet. They headed for the door.

"You're sure you can't stay for… take out?" Ben asked Scotty.

Scotty looked past Ben to Miranda who was shaking her head. He followed her gaze. "Uh, no, Kevin will be expecting me soon."

"Aww, so sorry you have to go," Miranda said with insincerity.

"You could have just said you want me to leave so you two could knock boots," Scotty said. The three of them chuckled. Ben put out his hand for Scotty to shake. "No, you can get a hug, young man." While they hugged, Scotty nodded at Miranda with a wacky grin. "And, you, please call your goddaughter." Miranda hugged Scotty, sighing on the shoulders of her best friend. A woman who had gotten her through every major event in her life. Scotty blew her a kiss over her shoulder and walked out of the door. Miranda and Ben watched her go.

Ben turned to Miranda. "Did you send your friend on her way so that…?" She raised her eyebrow, forcing him to shake his head. "You know what? Don't answer that."

She smiled. "You're hungry?"

"Yes. I am. You?"

Miranda nodded. "Yes, because you offered Scotty food and drinks and I got nothing."

"I was just trying to impress her and you."

"By ignoring me?" Ben reached across his baby for her and grimaced. "See that's what you get."

"We should warm up the rest of the food Ange brought."

"Good idea," Miranda said. After heating up the food and getting a couple of drinks, she made sure the door was locked and they sat at the table and ate. "Scotty really liked you."

"I liked her, too. She's funny."

"I can't believe I was hesitant for you two to meet."

"It's understandable."

Miranda spooned some rice into her mouth. "Yeah."

"Why do you sound like that?"

"Huh?"

"You sound so… what's the word?" The surgeon shrugged. "Melancholy."

"I'm probably just tired."

"Naw, something else is wrong."

"I don't think so."

"Miranda?"

She sighed loudly, blowing air out of her nostrils. "I'm fine. Why can't you just leave well enough alone?" She got up from the table and took her drink with her. She walked up the stairs and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ben pulled off his t-shirt as he crossed over the threshold. "What?"

"Nothing," she answered.

"Shouldn't we be rejoicing? You wanted the test to be negative, you wanted to be not pregnant and you got your wish." Miranda looked at him crossly. "You were all regretting things and making me feel bad," She threw him another look to faze him, but it didn't work. "But now you can relax."

"I'm relaxed. I'm the most relaxed person in this room." He laughed. "Don't laugh at me, Benjamin Warren."

"Fine, Miranda Bailey. My head hurts too much to go back and forth with you right now."

"Good." She huffed and rolled into the bed, pulling the covers up to her neck and started sweating immediately. She was so hot, but for some reason, she felt like she couldn't push the comforter down. It would just be another thing she was wrong about.

"You're not burning up?" He asked moving behind her.

"I am."

"What is going on with you, woman?" Ben got out of the bed and walked around it, lying down in front of Miranda. Neither one of them had bothered turning off the light, so he was able to see and read her face. "Okay, I'm listening."

"Scotty has three kids and one on the way."

"Tha-that's beautiful, baby, but what…?"

"I thought I'd have that many by now," she said while shaking her head. "Don't get me wrong; obviously, Tuck is… he's my life. I just wanted… I don't know what I'm saying." She shrugged.

"I think my headache is affecting my thoughts."

"You don't have a headache."

"You don't know everything."

"So are you saying that you did want to be pregnant?"

She laughed a little. "Maybe. Somewhere deep… inside of here somewhere." She touched her chest. "But you're leaving, so I'm relieved that I don't have to be alone, but I'm still—"

"Upset?" Ben offered.

"No, more like unsettled," Miranda responded.

He put his arms out and she moved into them. She sighed and melted as he kissed her forehead. "If you were pregnant and I was in LA or here, I would be involved and care about you and the baby. And Tuck. And our family. I would be here." He locked his hand in hers and placed them back on her chest.

Miranda smiled slowly. "I know. I know."

"Good. Now can we go to sleep?"

"Yes." He got up and turned off the light and got back into the bed facing her. "Hey! This is my side," she giggled.

"Well, it's ours tonight, sweetheart."

"Fine." Miranda found herself going to sleep with a huge smile on her face.