I Know This Story

After his shower, Ben fell into bed beside his wife. For the first time in weeks. Miranda moved toward him and put her arms around his body. He kissed her hands and fell asleep in her arms.

He woke up and looked over at his wife who was reading the newspaper. "I had the wildest dream," he told her.

"Did Kepner give birth in it?" She asked pulling off her glasses. She put them on the table.

"Yeah?" Had he told her about that dream before?

She chuckled. "That wasn't a dream. April Kepner had a baby on Meredith Grey's kitchen table. And you were the one who opened her up."

Ben groaned remembering April's scream. "And she's okay, right? Because she was okay in the dream."

"She's fine. They're both going to be just fine."

He took a deep breath. "Good."

"Because you acted quickly and wonderfully and admirably and brilliantly." Miranda rolled over to him and kissed his cheek.

"And you said you trusted me."

"I did," she said stretching the phrase out. Ben cleared his throat.

When she did that, she was usually holding back on something. He prompted her: "Did you mean it or were you just saying it to get me through the pressure?" Once again he found himself waiting for an answer to a question he probably shouldn't have asked.

"Benjamin Warren, you know me better than that."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, baby," she said moving to him. "I do. I trust you." They were quiet for a long time. There was a lot he wanted to say, but he also wanted to sleep. He closed his eyes as she asked him about breakfast.

"Maybe later." He yawned and the next thing he knew, he was dreaming again. He was just about to cut April open when she asked him to save the baby over her. Only when she asked, she was Gretchen and they weren't in Grey's kitchen, but the locked hallway. "I'll save you both," he said. "All four of you. I'll save you," he said waking up. The bedroom was empty. Ben glanced out of the window, the sky was dark. He got out of the bed and took another shower, trying to wash off the regret of saving April and her baby and losing Gretchen and hers. Wandering around the house he saw that Miranda was gone, but Tuck was in the living room watching cartoons and playing on his phone. "Hey, Tuck."

"Hey, Ben."

"Where's mom?"

"She went to the hospital to check on April," the boy said not looking up from his game.

Ben sat next to the boy and picked up the remote. "How was sc—"

"Did you really cut her open with a knife?" Tuck asked looking at him wide-eyed, his mother's eyes. He looked so much like Miranda, it was so crazy.

"W-w-what? Who?"

"You and April!"

"Who said that?"

"Mommy when she was talking to Uncle Richard."

"Y-yeah, well..."

"Was there blood everywhere?" Somehow Tuck's eyes got bigger and Ben reveled in the attention that he was getting from the boy. He and Tuck had a good relationship and their conversations were some of his favorites.

"All over the place," Ben answered, waving his hands and making a face to dramatize the situation. "Ceiling, my clothes, the refrigerator."

"Wow! She's going to be okay?"

"I'm praying so, bud." Ben rubbed the kid's head and tickled him.

"I'm home!" Miranda yelled coming through the door. She walked to the kitchen and back to the living room.

"Hey, mommy! There was blood everywhere! April's blood. All over Ben and on the ceiling, everywhere."

She cocked her head to the side and stared at Ben who just shrugged. "Well, you sir, go and get your bag ready. Your dad will be here in like five minutes."

"Yes, ma'am!" He said saluting her and running up the stairs.

"Blood everywhere, Ben?"

The man had to laugh. "He asked." Once they'd seen Tuck off with his dad, Ben closed the door and grabbed Miranda's hand and guided her to the sofa. He sat her down and looked her in the eyes. "I am so…hungry. So hungry. Can we eat?"

She shoved his arm. "Jerk!"

"What? What'd you think I was going to say?" He asked, laughter spilling out of him. She cracked a smile, too. And soon they were both giggling like teenagers. They hadn't been this Ben and Miranda in a very long time.

Her hand fell on his knee. "C'mon, I brought you something to eat."

Inside of the kitchen, Ben washed his hands and sat down. "Smells like my favorite thing."

"After the day you had, you deserve whatever you want," she said touching his head.

"Whatever I want?" Ben wiggled his eyebrows.

"Don't be nasty," she said putting a plate in front of him. "Now, this is only because you were put in a high-pressure situation and you passed with flying colors. Otherwise, I would not have gotten this greasy, potato-filled, coma-inducing, artery-clogging food."

"Give it to me, woman!" She put the roll of aluminum foil on his plate. Inside was an Italian hotdog, loaded with onions, peppers and his favorite condiments. He sniffed it and said grace quickly, unraveling it. "Did you get this from Hucho's?"

"No, what? Hucho's is like two towns over. I went to Joe's."

"Eh, same thing." He took three quick bites. He was starving and wasn't even tasting the food, just letting it slip down his throat. "This is why I love you so much." He looked over at her.

"Because I bought you a sandwich?" He shook his head, his mouth full. "Then…?"

Ben held up one finger and swallowed. "Because you're my wife and you take care of me. And I appreciate that."

She moved around the table and kissed his cheek. He pulled her down on his lap and put his arms around her waist. "You're not eating," he whispered into her ear.

"I already had something, a little while ago," she told him as she got up and handed him a soda.

"Thank you, baby. You want a piece, don't you?" He picked up the rest of the sandwich and pointed it in her direction.

"A piece of what? It's almost gone, you joke."

"Why didn't you get one?"

"Because I didn't want one!" She said laughing. He put his hands up in concession and continued to eat. When he was nearly done, he pushed his plate back, wiped his mouth and let out a burp. "Ew!"

"Excuse me," he said rolling his eyes dramatically.

They were quiet again. It was peaceful. There were some things he wanted to say, but he didn't want to make a good day weird. "We, um, need to talk, Ben."

"Hey, that's my line." They laughed, but it was true. He was the one who usually initiated their important, hour-long conversations. Ben liked to talk his problems over until he gained clarity, but Miranda could hold onto her issues until she erupted like an undiscovered volcano. "What are we talking about?"

Miranda stood up and walked into the living room. He took a deep breath and followed her. On the sofa, only their knees touched. They both started to speak at the same time. "Y-you go first."

"No, Ben, you go."

He nodded. "Okay." With another breath, he said: "I'm tired of being out of your good graces, Miranda. I-I-I am. And I apologize for what I did. I made a bad call, it was an error, but I feel like I've paid for it. That…we've paid for it. I messed everything up and, for that, I am truly sorry. I'm also sorry that I disappointed you." Ben touched Miranda's hands. He kissed them. "And, basically, I want to get back on track. You are my wife and I love you so much, baby." He moved closer to her and she shrugged him off. "Miranda?"

"I know you are. I know, Ben." Miranda fingered her hair. "I'm sorry, too. It hurt me so badly—all of this." Her head fell back onto the cushion. "And, with you, I couldn't separate the business from the personal. The…"

"Church from the State?" He offered.

Miranda leaned forward and smiled at him. "Yeah. The Church from the State." She played with the necklace around her neck. Ben had given it to her after she'd been named Chief. A white gold and diamond necklace with three, small, overlapping pendants; it had cost him a grip, but had been so worth it. It had all been worth it. She deserved it and so much more. "I was crushed. This whole thing has been a pain in the ass. And I'm over it. I want you back."

"Back where?" He asked, forcing her to be more transparent. "Back in the resident program?"

"Yes," she said.

"Back in your good graces?"

"Yeah," she confirmed.

"Back in our bed?" Ben put his arms around her, holding her tightly.

"Oh, hell yes!" She said kissing him, hard. "It's been cold in it without you."

"Let's go and see what we can do about that." Miranda took his hand and led him up the stairs. "You're sure?" He asked as he closed the door behind them.

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Yes, ma'am." Ben touched the side of Miranda's face and pulled her in, kissing her lips gently. He put his tongue in her mouth. Her hands slipped underneath his shirt touching his abs and reaching up to his chest. He touched the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. His fingers smoothed her bare shoulders and arms. They'd made love so many times and they'd mostly all been great. She was a fantastic lover and she had a touch that made him go wild. But there were a few times that had a great deal of significance for them. Like their very first time making love and after they'd gotten back together after breaking up a few years ago. And when their bodies connected after they'd gotten married. Or the time they'd had sex outside and had nearly gotten caught by their neighbors. This one was going on that list. Their fight, the one they had almost gone to counseling for was finally over. They'd each said what they had to say and listened to the other person and made their peace with the situation, she'd forgiven him and he'd redeemed himself. Now, it was time to celebrate. They'd come a long way. Ben put his face in the nape of her neck, inhaling. She smelled so good, like a flower. The rarest and most beautiful of them all. "You smell good enough to eat."

"Didn't you just eat?"

"I could eat again." Ben took off his shirt and backed her onto the bed. He crawled on top of her, pinning down her arms. Miranda was a total control freak. Everything had to go through her. And he'd admit, she loved when she was in charge, it turned him on more than anything. But he loved being in charge, too; and she also liked it when he took over and became the dominant one. There were no sincere pleases or thank yous while they made love after fighting; just orders being given and taken. Ben lifted up her black skirt.

"Want me to take this off?" She breathed.

"No. Leave it on. For now." He kissed the top of her head and worked his way down to her toes. Moving up a little, he pried her legs open. She gasped loudly. His body ached for hers, his heart was racing and he was throbbing in places that she hadn't touched in weeks. But all he wanted to do was please her. Ben dipped his head between her legs and licked the soft fabric of her panties.

"Oh, God!" She whined holding on to his head.

He reached his hands up and touched her covered breasts pushing her bra up so he could feel her nipples. They stood at attention and he couldn't wait until his mouth could devour them. Her body was a full-course meal and he had to focus—one feast at a time. Ben chewed through her underwear, pushing them out of the way. His first taste of her body was like finding the Holy Grail. Miranda clasped her knees against his head and he nearly exploded. She scratched and beat on his head as he kissed and licked and sucked on her without coming up for air. Deftly, he used his hands and his mouth to please her. Ben gritted his teeth as she moved her body on his fingers as they played inside of her, gently scraping her walls. Miranda pulled him up and knew that she could taste herself on his lips. He was so turned on. "Ready? Ben asked, already knowing the answer. He got off of the bed and kicked off his pajama pants and boxers as she pulled off her bra, skirt and panties. Back on the bed, Ben stroked her hair. Their legs and arms were intertwined, their bodies sparking at every connection. Ben eased into her. He could have burst the second he did, but he'd been waiting for this moment for too long to screw it up. They kept complete eye contact as they made love. This was beyond sex. This was several apologies and trying to make up for months of near celibacy. "How's that feel?"

"Damn… good." His body shook as she tickled his spine. Ben put his arms around her body and rolled them over. "Jesus!"

"You weren't expecting that, were you?" She didn't answer. He pulled her down and kissed her passionately. His lips made their way to her breasts and she moaned as he ate them gently, tasting a bit of sweat and flowers. "Damn, Miranda," he groaned as Miranda rotated her hips on his waist. If he were to die right now, he'd die so happily, so content.

"Sh—it, Ben," she whimpered as she ran her fingers through her hair. He watched her body move on top of him, in control. Miranda knew exactly how to please him; and he relished the fact that he had his ways with her, too. "Ahhh! Mmmm! OhmyGod!" She bounced on him, bringing him to his climax. Ben sat up and kissed her as they orgasmed simultaneously.

"God!" He exclaimed as he kissed her again.

"Don't be blasphemous!" Miranda said biting his chest. He started to soften inside of her.

"Look who's talking." Ben smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. She rolled off of him and put her head on his chest. "That was great, baby."

"Yes, sir," Miranda responded, pulling the covers up to her chin.

"We should, uh…" He cleared his throat. "We should fight more often." The two of them laughed lazily.

Ben ran his fingers up and down her arms. "Feels good. I've missed that."

"I've missed you," he said into the silence.

"Yeah, you've just missed getting some."

"That, too, of course," he admitted. "But I've missed talking to you and holding you whenever I want." Miranda looked up at him blushing. "Which is all of the time." Ben closed his eyes. His phone rang. By the ringtone, he knew it was Rosalind; he ignored it. "Why'd you come downstairs that night?" He didn't have to remind her, she knew exactly what night he was referring to. "And why'd you let me get into bed with you? You could have kicked me out as soon as I walked in."

She paused. "Because I needed you. I needed my husband," she sighed. "And I just didn't know… I didn't know the direction of our family, Ben," Miranda confessed. "I just had to be sure. And when you got into bed with me, I knew." His heart was beating so swiftly. Ben smiled and lifted her hand, kissing it "Any other questions, Mr. Nosy?"

"Yeah."

"What is it?" She asked playing with his side.

"Why were you crying?" He sat up, making her pout. She poked her lips out and looked up at him. He squinted at her. There were just some things he just couldn't resist and her pouting was one of them. Not only was it annoying, it was adorable as shit and sexy as hell. It was his weakness and she knew it. When she made that face, he wanted to give her anything she asked for, no matter what it was. He had to look away before she made him forget—"So?"

She sighed loudly. "Can we not talk about it?"

"If you were hurting, I want to know," he shot back.

"It had been a tough day. Everything had been… piling up on me. And it felt like I was drowning in paperwork. And problems. And patients. On top of that…" She stopped talking. "On top of all of that, I thought my period was coming and I—" ." Ben laughed loudly. "Shut up! So I was emotional about everything."

"You could have told me."

"So we could have started arguing and yelling?" He shrugged and kissed her cheek before lying back down.

"I'm telling you that you can talk to me about anything no matter how mad we are at each other."

Miranda sighed. "Fine, Ben Warren." She kissed his chest and rolled on top of him. "I have a surprise for you."

"Yes, baby. You know I love surprises," Ben said putting his hands behind his head and closing his eyes. He felt her shuffle on the bed and grew excited. His thighs tingled with anticipation. He loved the feel of her mouth on him. He waited a minute before realizing that he didn't hear or feel anything. He opened his eyes to see his wife at their dresser. He made a mental note of the shape of her ass as she bent down to pick something up. "What's up? I-I thought I had a surprise coming." He laughed at his own sexual joke. Miranda got back on the bed between his legs, smiling. She showed him something. A thermometer, a tampon? She held it out for him. He took it and turned it over. There were two pink lines. And according to the diagram, two lines in the small window meant—"You're pregnant?"

"We're pregnant!" Miranda said with tears in her eyes.

"We're pregnant?" He asked. He didn't know why he was so confused. Maybe because he'd never said that phrase before. His wife was pregnant.

"Yes!" She exclaimed.

"Pregnant?" He said more to himself than to Miranda.

"Ben?"

"Yes, baby. I—"

"You're happy, aren't you?"

"Of course. I guess I'm just shocked, that's all."

"You don't sound happy." She was pouting again. Ben gritted his teeth as Miranda snatched the pregnancy test out of his hand. "Here I was thinking that you'd be… I don't know… more excited. I thought you'd think this was a good thing." He could hear the concern in her voice and it pulled him out of his confusion.

"I'm sorry, Miranda. I am happy. I am so happy, baby. Th-this is so amazing!" He put his arms around her, squeezing her body. "I love you so much." He smothered her with kisses, making her laugh. "I can't believe we're going to have a baby." A tear fell from Ben's eye. He wasn't a man who cried often, but he never saw any reason to hide his tears, especially now. She kissed his cheek. "When did you find out?"

"Earlier this week," she said. He opened his mouth. How long was she going to keep this from him? Now he was starting to get heated. "Before you get all mad, I was going to tell you yesterday, at the wedding, but you were off saving lives and such."

"Oh that," Ben said as they kissed. Whenever his lips were on his wife's, time seemed to slow down. He smiled into her mouth and took the test out of her hands.

"Yeah, that." Ben gasped loudly. "What? What?"

"I know what you're trying to do."

"What?" She scrunched up her face and sat back.

"You're trying to trap me." She burst out laughing. "Yep. And now I bet you want me to marry you, right?" Ben shook his head in faux disbelief.

"Might as well. You're not doing anything anyway." Miranda fell on her back and Ben lay on his, their heads on opposite sides of the bed. He picked up one of her feet and started to massage it. "Mmmm. Thank you, baby."

Ben heard Miranda snoring lightly and moved to her end of the bed and pulled the covers over them. He looked at his wife, even in her sleep, she was making that face. Damn, she was so hot. He kissed her cheek a few times. "Go to sleep, Ben Warren."

"I'm going. I'm going," he said. He turned on his side and touched her stomach. Miranda put her hand on top of his. It was just about perfect. All that was missing was Tuck snuggled between them as he did occasionally. Even at almost ten years old. Ben chuckled silently, not wanting to wake up his pregnant wife. If someone had told him that so many good things were going to happen in the span of 48 hours, he would told them to check themselves into a psych ward. Helping April give birth would have been amazing in and of itself, but performing surgery outside of an OR was a surgeon's dream and he hadn't even been a surgeon at the time! Ben smiled to himself. And his wife had forgiven him and they'd clear so much stuff up between them. It was such a relief and so much weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. He turned on his stomach and scratched his head, reaching for the remote they'd knocked to the floor. And the best news of all, he was going to be a father—again. Their family was growing and he had so much work to do. For a split second he remembered the Preminger Grant and was glad that he hadn't applied for it all those months ago. No offense to the other candidates, but he most certainly would have gotten it and instead of being a hero and a soon-to-be dad, he probably would have been across the country, studying medicine. But he'd wanted to be in Seattle with his wife and kid, working and learning alongside the people who meant the most to him. And this is what he got: a good son who was becoming a great young man, a gorgeous and pregnant wife who he loved so much and a career that made him feel like he was making a difference. It was awfully funny the way things worked out. Just when everything seemed against him, it had all turned around and created his beautiful life.