Love Come Down

"Yesterday was so much fun," Miranda Bailey told her boyfriend as they got into his car. Tucker had come and picked up Tuck and Ben drove Jaz home after breakfast that the three of them cooked together while she slept in.

"Today's gonna be fun, too," Ben said pulling out of the driveway. She put her hand on the steering wheel. "What's wrong? Did you forget something?" The surgeon shook her head. "Then what is it?"

"You've done so much for me, anything else would be too much."

Ben licked his lips. "I do it because you deserve it."

"You deserve it, too," she argued.

"And when my birthday comes up, I expect the royal treatment."

"Come on, now. I'm serious."

"I am, too." He put the car in park and turned to her. "Before you, I was going through the motions. I was content and not challenging myself. I was falling off. Then I met this woman and she… you… you make me laugh and push me and call me out on my crap. I didn't know I needed you, but I did. I'm so happy that we're here. So, if getting a body scrub or with you or having fun with your son and my niece keeps your happy, puts a smile on your face. I'm doing it. No questions."

Miranda focused on the brown in his eyes to keep from bawling. "Okay." He took off down her street. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at an elegant hotel. "Here?"

He nodded. "I know you have to get back to work tomorrow, but one night in this hotel will have you refreshed and alert and feeling… so good." Miranda's body tingled as he spoke.

They checked in and Miranda flopped on the bed. "I love this room," she squealed. "And the view of the city." She stood at the window.

"Our spa day begins in an hour."

"You're doing it, too?" Her face was colored with amusement.

"Of course."

"I thought you were kidding." He shook his head. "They said we should dress loosely." Ben took off his jeans and pulled on a pair of shorts. "Because we have to get naked."

"Oh, really?" He came behind her and put his arms around her stomach. "Naked."

"Yes," she said kissing his cheek and breaking the hold he had on her.

After going downstairs into the private spa suite, Ben and Miranda changed into the robes that were hanging in the lockers and followed the instructions on the card that accompanied the items. Once finished, they were told to relax for twenty minutes in a cozy room where ambient music was playing. They each sat in their own chair with their eyes closed. "Is this the spa?" He asked with a loud laugh.

"Shhh!" She giggled behind her hand. "And, no, we're just getting… seasoned."

He looked over at her, his eyes low. "Kiss me."

"You're too far away."

He got up and rearranged his chair so that they were facing each other. "Now?" He leaned in and she met him, lips ready. Miranda touched the side of his face and kissed him softly, pulling away after only a few seconds. "Wow."

"Ma'am, sir, My name is Kim, are you ready for your pedicures?" A woman asked arriving in the doorway. Ben helped Miranda up and they followed Kim to a balcony where they stared at the mountain. She reached out for his hand and he grabbed it.

"I know I've said this before, but I love this view," she said.

"I knew you would," he replied softly.

Soon after they were finished, they were taken into a room. "Your robes please," Kim requested. Miranda blushed as she avoided eye contact with Ben as they laid down on their respective massage tables. "Miranda, I'll be working with you. Anya, will be working with your husband."

"We're not married," Ben and Miranda said together.

"Oh, I am so sorry," Kim said genuinely.

"It's perfectly fine," Miranda responded.

Ben added, "Happens from time to time."

"Well, um, we ask that you relax and breathe slowly and deeply and become one with the universe."

Miranda's eyes found Ben's and her body shook with laughter. He joined in. "I'm sorry, she's sorry," Ben said.

"We'll be good," Miranda assured Kim. "Be good, Benjamin."

"Fine. You need to be good, too."

"Hmm." The couple placed their faces into the headpieces. Miranda was tense at first as the woman rubbed her body. The woman's small hands started on her legs and worked their way up. Soon, she forgot about everything. It all went away. Her mother's pregnancy, failed relationships, surgery, Ben's move, their future… Her mind became a smooth, blank palate. An hour later, Miranda peeled herself off of the massage table, her legs dangling over the edge.

"Kim, that was amazing," she said dreamily. "Just incredible." The woman smiled and nodded shortly.

"Anya, I second that. Your hands were like magic," Ben said. Miranda looked over at him. "Uh, not… not better than yours, baby." She raised an eyebrow as Kim and Anya laughed.

"Now, you two will enjoy a nice soak in the jacuzzi."

"How long are we in here for?" Miranda asked as they sank into the water.

"Forty minutes, I think," Ben answered. He reached for a couple of towels and placed them behind their heads.

"Thank you."

"No doubt." They held hands under the water. Keeping her free hand to herself was proving to be quite difficult. She dropped his hand and ran her fingers through her hair. Her eyes followed his gaze and she saw him staring at her chest. "You think they have cameras in here?" He asked.

"Don't you dare even think about it," Miranda warned.

"It was just a question." Before his hand could land on her lap, hers was already on his.

His eyes shot open. "Miranda Bailey."

"Yes?" She said, her voice normal and low. Taking some cues from her own masseuse, she massaged Ben's piece meticulously.

He exhaled and put his head back on the towel. "My God, woman," he said putting a hand on her chest. She bit her bottom lip and eyed the door. "Look at me." She closed her eyes for a second before looking at him. Their eyes locked as her strokes sped up. He played with her breasts and for a brief second, she stopped and focused only on the pleasure she was receiving. When she started up again, he held her wrist. "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. It's your birthday."

"I know."

"Then…" He drifted his way on top of her, smiling. "Let me give you another present."

Her tongue traced her lips. "I'm ready."

"Mmmm. How's your birthday been so far?" He asked kissing her neck.

Breathlessly, Miranda said, "Good." Her mind, once clear, was chock-full of all the ways that she wanted Ben to make her scream, all the ways she wanted her body to meld into his. The smallest bit of him touched the tenderest part of her body. She grabbed his back and pulled him into her. He stared at her, half-confused and fully stimulated.

"Miranda…" His voice trailed off and it snapped her out of her sexual tunnel. Ben leaned down to kiss her and slid into her a little more.

She screamed an obscenity into his shoulder, biting him. "Oh, God!" The water splashed around them as he stroked her, slowly. Miranda felt the intensity in her body to the nth degree. This was the most connected they'd ever been. There was nothing between them and it aroused her to no end. "Ooooh!"

"Shh!" He groaned and squeezed her hips, his hand moving between her legs. Ben's fingers stirred her pot and she hooked her leg around him, driving him deeper. He growled, "Damn, Miranda."

"Yes! Yes! Ahhh, baby! Yes!" She whined. While kissing him, she could almost taste the passion on his lips. "Yes, Benjamin!

"Baby, baby, baby. Shit, I'm coming, baby," he said pulling out of her, falling back into his original spot awkwardly. His fingers didn't leave her body and he rubbed on her, until she melted into his chest, orgasming controllably. He held Miranda in his arms and kissed her head. Miranda blushed when she remembered where they were. "That was good," Ben said floating the thoughts from her head.

"Yeah, it was." She looked up at him to see him looking down at her and they cracked up. "We have to find the whatchamacallit," she said frantically. "This is embarrassing."

"It's your fault," he whispered while searching for the stopper. "Got it." He flipped the metal button and the water began to disappear.

Fiddling with the knobs, she ran more water into the jacuzzi. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's my fault." Standing up slowly, she stepped out of the tub and grabbed her robe, tying it just as someone knocked on the door. Ben jumped out quickly and threw his own robe on. "Come in."

"Are you two ready?" Kim asked stepping into the room.

"Yes," he said slinking his arm around her waist. "Sweetheart?" Ben kissed her head and Miranda's cheek warmed instantly.

"Absolutely."

Back in their hotel suite, Miranda fell into the bed, relaxed but exhausted. "Want to do room service?" Miranda asked.

"How about we go out?" Ben responded, getting comfortable next to her.

"I suppose."

"You suppose? Don't sound so excited."

She chuckled. "I am excited. I'm just a little tired."

He looked at the clock. "It's still kind of early. So, we can take a nap?" He suggested. Miranda propped her leg up on his body. Ben caressed her thigh. They were quiet and Miranda felt herself falling asleep when he asked: "Your face massage go okay?" After their second round of massages where Kim and Anya had started at the top and worked their way to the bottom, Miranda and Ben had parted ways. She had a face massage and Ben had a seaweed wrap. She nodded into a pillow. "Good."

"Your wrap?"

"It felt different." His fingers trickled up and down her leg, sending her into a well-deserved rest. "Miranda," he whispered in her ear. "Sweetheart."

"It's time to get up, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Fine, but I'm doing this in protest."

"You don't have to protest, we could do room service."

Inhaling, she shook her head. "I just need a couple of minutes."

"Nope." Ben grabbed her feet and pulled her to the edge.

"Whoa!" Her laugh reverberated off the walls. He stood between her legs. His hands smoothed her skin, touching her goosebumps.

"Now that I have your attention… Get dressed, woman."

In the car, Miranda looked up a few restaurants in the area. Finding one that was close with good reviews, they headed out. "So, look, I know you're going to object," she started. "But I'm going to pay for dinner."

"Are you mad, woman?"

"What now?"

"I cannot let you pay for your own birthday dinner."

She sighed and continued: "Just listen for a second." He shook his head and turned up the music. Her serious face was destroyed when Ben began bobbing his head. She rolled her eyes as he grabbed her hand, kissing it. They pulled into the parking lot and Miranda reached to unbuckle her seatbelt. His hand stopped her. "What?"

"You're my lady and I love you. And I hope you're having a great birthday."

"Everything has been wonderful."

"Good. Then I'm succeeding."

"You've been perfect." His cheek begged to be stroked and she obliged.

He kissed her softly, their foreheads met. "So, do me a favor?"

"What's that?" She said in a soft voice. The moment was so sweet, she didn't want to let it go.

"Let me do my job as your man, okay?" He told her. "Let me spoil you. Let me make you happy. Let me show you how much you mean to me. How honored and grateful I am to have you." His tone was strong and unwavering.

She pulled in her bottom lip. Ben watched it exit from between her teeth and squinted. "Okay," Miranda said fiercely. She grabbed his cheeks and pulled him in for another kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart." Ben's eyes lit up as he smiled and Miranda found that she couldn't contain her own. "Now, I was going to wait until after dinner, but I guess I'll give you your other birthday present now."

"You are doing too much," she whispered.

"Okay, then I won't—"

"Ugh, fine, give it to me."

"Nah, I don't like that tone… even on your birthday."

Miranda gritted her teeth, glaring at him. "May I please have my other gift now?" She asked, softening her voice and batting her eyelashes.

"Well, since you're asking so nicely." Ben reached into the backseat and pulled out a long box. Miranda's heart pounded. "Relax, sweetheart, it's not a ring."

"I didn't think it was. I'm just excited, anxious." He handed her the box and she opened it, revealing a beautiful necklace. Seven stones floating on a white gold chain. It went perfectly with the earrings that she was wearing, the ones he'd given her. "Thank you, baby. I love it."

"I thought you might. I know you."

She looked into his brown eyes. "You know me," she echoed. "Help me put it on?"

Ben nodded and Miranda took the necklace from its setting, handing it to him before turning in her chair. She lifted the hair from her neck as he put it on. "Finished."

Miranda turned again. "How do I look?"

"Beautiful."

Two weeks later, Miranda strolled through what would one day be, in the near or distant future, her hospital. She was ready to take over and had proved it—to her mentors and colleagues and, most importantly, to herself. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. "Hello?"

"Hi, Mandy girl," Her mother said, her voice slightly somber.

Miranda's ears perked up and her heart began thumping loudly in her ears. She stepped into an empty supply closet. "Mama?"

"Relax, Miranda."

"Mama, are you okay? Is Daddy okay? What's wrong?" Her mother didn't respond right away; and Miranda felt her heart drop into her stomach and her head felt light. If she passed out in the closest, surely someone would find her. She held onto a rack and sat down on a crate. "Mama?"

"Yes. Sorry, yes, I'm fine. He's fine. We're both just fine."

"Mama, don't do that! God! I was about to faint." Elena chuckled a little. And Miranda's breathing finally returned to normal. "Good."

"But I'm calling to tell you that I don't think that…" Her voice dwindled. "I don't think that a pregnancy is something I want to go through at my age." Miranda closed her eyes and listened. The dichotomy of the loudness of the hospital versus the silence in the supply closet was eerie yet pleasant. When Elena spoke again, her voice was small but strong. "I think… I'm going to have to..."

"Oh, Mama."

Miranda could hear Elena smiling through the phone. It wasn't something she wanted to or a decision that she'd come to lightly. "So, I just wanted to tell you that."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. Truly. I'm really just thankful that no one on this side of the country knew about it. I do not want to hear their damn mouths." Mother and daughter laughed.

"And daddy?"

"He's a little… you know, but so am I. I'd rather just not go through a something that could potentially…"

Elena couldn't seem to get the words right, so Miranda jumped in: "I understand. You don't have to explain it to me." They were quiet for a second. Miranda's phone buzzed against her face. Ben was wondering where she was. They were supposed to meet for lunch and she was fifteen minutes late. She messaged him her whereabouts. "So when…"

"In a week."

"I'll be there."

"No, Mandy, no. You don't have to. No. Don't come all the way out here making a small thing a big thing."

"I'm coming."

"Okay," Elena told her. Was that relief that Miranda heard?" "But don't try and change my mind either."

"I won't. I promise."

"Are you at work?"

"Yes."

"Well, go on. I don't want to keep you. And I will… talk to you later or rather I'll see you soon."

"Love you."

"I love you, too."

It wasn't until Miranda ended the call that she realized she'd started crying. She grabbed a piece of paper towel from a roll on a shelf and wiped her face. Ben opened the door and sighed, kneeling in front of her. "What can I do?" She fell into his arms. What had she done before him? What was she going to do without him?