a romance-y christmas.

the part where someone disapproves (but they can manage)

Dec. 26

Miranda considers herself to be a strong woman. She prided herself on being a successful mother, that she can fight for her son and for herself and the fact that she didn't take shit from anyone.

And part of that is being able to control herself.

But when she wakes up, stirs in her bed, and inhales the beautiful scent of Ben Warren in her bed, she panics.

Her eyes open and Ben's eyes are also open. They stare at each other, and for a second, she imagined herself leaning in for a kiss. After all, she'd already gotten a taste of his plump lips. Then, the panic settled in.

She scrambled out of bed, and almost tripped at her comforter, "I, uh, I'll uhm, shower and then I go, no, uh, that's wrong," she shook her head, trying to get her feet untangled from the sheets, "After you, I go. No, after me, you go. Okay." She could hear Ben trying to push his laughter in.

Miranda finally got the sheets off, took her towel from her vanity and rushed to the bathroom. She let out a sigh, closed the door behind her, and closed her eyes as she slid down the door in a sitting position. Her towel was scrunched up in her hand, and she let out a smile at the memory of feeling Ben's arms around her.

×+×+×+×

Once they all finished breakfast, Ben offered to wash the dishes.

"I can do it," Miranda said with a little attitude. Does he think she can't do it?

He scoffed. "I know this is your house, but I am part of your house now, too. I carry my own weight, thank you very much."

"Fine." She was shocked. She knew Ben was a gentleman, but Tucker just let her wash the dishes. When he stayed home to take care of their son, he never liked to do household chores, and often complained to Miranda about it.

She shook her head. She can't be comparing Tucker to Ben. If she did, then it meant that she was imagining a future with him. She can't do that. She was busy pulling herself and her son's life together.

As she stepped away from the sink, he got close to her. “Thank you.”

Suddenly, she remembered his words to her last night. She blushed. “No problem. It’s time you picked up your slack,” she smiled, to let him know it was a joke.

Ben snickered. “Anything for you, Dr. Bailey.”

A swarm of butterflies settled in her stomach and a smile fought its way to be placed on her lips. “Flirting will get you nowhere, Dr. Warren.”

“Well, I am here in your house, aren’t I?”

She scoffed, and an apologetic look flashed in his eyes. He probably thought that the marriage between them was still a rough topic for her, but in all honesty, Miranda isn’t that much bothered by it anymore. Even if it had only been a day and a half, at most, Ben’s presence in her life isn’t that abnormal to her. She smirked playfully, and he relaxed.

“Santa could’ve chosen better, but you’re okay, I guess.” As he rinsed the plates, she took a towel and wiped them.

“Ah, I’m sad you think that way. I’m certainly lucky to have you.” Ben looked at her right in the eyes, and leaned in.

Miranda closed her eyes and almost closed the gap, his lips just an inch away from hers. She could already feel the static and his breath on her lips, when the doorbell rang.

They jumped away from each other, mostly Miranda. “Uh, I’ll get that.”

She walked away, and held a hand to her lips. She hasn’t even properly kissed him yet, and her lips were already tingling from the barest touches.