Must Get Out

Miranda picked up the remote quickly and pressed 'mute'. "Tuck," she called out softly. She took a deep breath and waited.

"Yes!" Her son called back. She rolled her eyes and felt a sharp pain come over her. She groaned quietly, turning on her side. She didn't speak and knew that he would be strolling into her room when she didn't answer. Another pain hit her and she pulled at the sheets. Tuck walked into the room. "Yes?" He asked. He saw her in pain and he started to panic and ran next to her and touched her shoulder. "Mommy!" Miranda tried not to laugh, mostly because she could feel herself pushing when she did. "Are you okay?!" He screeched.

"Yes. I am," she nodded. "The baby… is just ready to come… out." Tuck nodded wildly. "So hand me my phone so I call Ben at the hospital. And then put my suitcase in the car and we're going to leave." Miranda grimaced.

"Mommy?"

"It's okay. It just hurts like a b—ohh!" She breathed deeply. "But it's okay."

Tuck nodded. "Okay. I'll be right back." He handed her the phone and she called Ben. He'd been at the hospital all night.

"Good morning, baby," Ben said in a raspy voice. She'd probably waken him up and he sounded so sexy.

Miranda forwent the greeting. "I think I'm going into labor. My contractions are about ten, maybe fifteen minutes apart," she told him calmly.

Ben spoke quickly: "I'll be right there."

"No, just tell…," Miranda took a deep breath. "Just tell someone that I'm on my way."

"Baby, let me come and get you. You shouldn't have to drive yourself to the hospital."

"Tuck will be with me."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I'm coming. I'm in the parking lot now. I'm coming to get you."

"NO!" She yelled. Ben didn't speak. He waited for her to explain. But she couldn't. She didn't have time to explain to him and have him dismiss her fears. "Just get back in the hospital and stay. Stay there." She could feel hot tears burning her eyes.

"Baby? W-what? Why?"

She groaned. "I don't want you driving while I'm in labor."

"But why?"

"Just don't leave, okay?" She told him. She wiped away her tears.

"Okay. Okay," he said surrendering.

"Promise me, Ben!"

"I promise, Miranda," he said sincerely. Miranda relaxed and breathed. "But if you're not here in fifteen minutes, twenty tops I will come to get you."

"Ahhh!" She screamed

"Miranda, please just let me send someone to get you. Even if it's not me."

Tuck came back into the room. "I'm finished," her son said. She gave him a weak smile.

"Fine!" Miranda said to Ben. "Okay."

With the help of Tuck, Miranda walked down the stairs. "Okay, son, run and take my suitcase out of the car; someone is coming." He ran off.

Miranda paced back and forth between the rooms on the first floor, trying to find comfort, with Tuck right beside her. A horn sounded and Miranda heard a car door open and shut. Tuck ran to the door. "It's the Chief!" He yelped.

"Richard?" Miranda asked squinting her eyes, trying to breathe.

"Yes! The Chief is here."

Tuck opened the door and Richard rushed in. "Bailey." Miranda nodded her head. "Hey, Tuck."

Tuck waved. "Hi, Chief," he answered.

"Sir? What are you doing here?" Miranda asked.

"Well, your husband sent me over. He said you didn't want him driving or something. Practically begged me to come and get you."

Miranda blushed. "Tuck… can you put my suitcase in the Chief's car, please?" Tuck nodded and ran outside.

Richard watched him leave and looked down at the very pregnant Miranda. "Does your fear have anything to do with Tucker's accident and his brain surgery while you were giving birth to Tuck?" They sat down on the sofa.

Miranda nodded, releasing more tears. Miranda turned to her mentor. "If… If Ben stays at the hospital, then nothing bad can happen to him."

Richard rubbed her back. "Everything will be alright." Miranda didn't answer. "You will have a beautiful and healthy baby girl who's smart and funny just like her mother." Tuck came back in the house and Miranda looked at him. His bright smile made her smile. "Now let's go because I haven't delivered a baby in years and I don't want you to be my refresher." They laughed as they made their way to the car. At a red light, in the backseat, Miranda yelled loudly. Tuck covered his ears. "I'll drive with my left hand and you can squeeze my right arm, if you want," Richard laughed. "We're almost there, Mandy. Hang on."

When they pulled up to the hospital, Ben was waiting anxiously at the door with a wheelchair. Miranda's heart burst. She no longer had to worry about him. He was here and he was safe. He hurried to the car and helped her out. "How are you, baby?"

"I am so much better—Ahhh!"

Ben smiled. "I can see that."

She laughed. "Don't make me laugh!"