a romance-y christmas.

the part where magic happens (in the bedroom)

Still Dec. 26

“Torres?” Miranda’s voice came out quivering.

“Miranda, hey!” Callie’s cheery voice did not help. “What’s up, Mrs. Warren?”

She ignored her best friend’s name-calling and jumped to say the thing that has been freaking her out all morning. “Parents. Ben. Tuck. Joey.”

“Say what now?”

“My parents. They’re here, for Christmas. And they met Ben. Luckily, Santa obliged that we stop the shenanigans for a while, so the rings are off, and Ben’s pretending to be my boyfriend,” she paused to breathe, “And, and I… I like him. I think. My son is definitely in love with him; apparently Tuck didn’t know how to tie his shoes, ‘cause Tucker forgot, and now, Ben taught him! And Joey! His son is adorable. I’m in love. What the hell am I supposed to do? We’re all getting way too attached to each other. Did I mention my parents were here?”

Callie was quiet for a few seconds. “Woah. Damn, girl.”

Miranda frowned. “That’s all you have to say? After all I said? Torres, I did not call just so you can enjoy the drama. I need help, advice, anything. Even a getaway car would be nice.”

The Ortho surgeon laughed. “I can drive.”

“Torres,” she whined.

Callie snickered, then let out a breath. “Alright, look. Your parents, as long as things are fine, and they don’t hate you too much for ‘hiding’ your fake boyfriend, then all’s good. Your feelings about Ben, girl, honestly? Just tell him.” At that, Miranda sucked her teeth. Would it be that easy?

“I can read your mind, yes, it would be that easy. You’ll be making everything more complex if you don’t tell him. He already told you that he’s always liked you.” She paused, trying to get Miranda to process everything.”And then one thing can lead to another…”

Miranda scoffed.

“Nope, get your head out of the gutter, Bailey. I mean, one thing can lead to another, and y’all can talk about your relationship with his son, then his relationship with yours. See? Win-win.”

“Well, when you say it like that, it all sounds good.” Miranda sighed, rubbing a hand to her forehead.”

“Okay, I am being paged. By my beautiful wife, to the bedroom,” she chuckled, “So, I gotta go.”

“Wait, Callie.” Miranda pursed her lips. “What if I’m no longer young enough, or stupid enough to deal with this crap? I can’t do this. I’m a mother. And a surgeon, for God’s sake.”

“Miranda, I’ll let you in on a secret…” Callie whispered. “So am I.”

They laughed, and the Latina continued. “And I’m doing great. I love my wife, my child, the father of my child, and look, I’m even giving life advice to you. I’m good. You just gotta take the risk, and jump. Jump him.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be nasty.”

“Ah, there was an opening. I had to. Anyway, I’m serious. Jump. Or else, you’ll berate yourself for not taking the risk. At least, you tried, right? That’s what good ol’ Santa said. Try. You can do it. You can.”

Miranda sighed. “Okay. Thank you, Callie.”

“No problem, Bailey.”

The door to her bedroom opened as she ended the call. She glanced up, seeing her mother.

Miranda sighed in relief. Ben, her father, and the boys were still downstairs, no doubt having boy-related games. "Hey, mama."

"Was that Callie?" Elena asked.