Romancing Dr. Bailey

Something Special

While driving home, Miranda remembered that Ben was supposed to be coming over. She convinced Tuck to take a detour and get some pizza from their favorite pizzeria. They opted to take the pizza home and watch a movie instead of eating in the restaurant. While Tuck put in "The Lion King" (a movie he would only watch if someone else was watching with him), Ben called Miranda. She decided to ignore the call and focus on her night with her son. They settled into her bed as the movie started. "Don't get food on my bed, William George," Miranda warned her son. He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, okay." She'd be changing her sheets in the morning. She loved the kid, but he definitely got his eating habits from his father. She shook her head and turned her attention back to the movie. She heard her phone vibrating and saw that was Ben was calling again. She figured that she should answer it in case there was an emergency. "Hello?" She whispered trying not to disturb the movie.

"Hey. Are you busy?" He asked.

"Tuck and I are watching a movie."

"Oh yeah? Which one?" She told him. "Damn. I love that movie. Why wasn't I invited?" Miranda scoffed as Ben chuckled.

"Because it's mother and son time," she told her friend as Simba and Nala escaped the Elephant Graveyard.

"My bad, Dr. Bailey. You shouldn't have answered the phone. You must have really wanted to speak to me." His voice in her ear was relaxing her.

Miranda rolled her eyes as her heart sputtered. "Didn't you notice that I ignored the first one?"

"I did, but I figured you'd hurt yourself jumping over the chair when you heard the phone ringing." Miranda laughed out loud. "Are you okay, sweetheart?" The goose bumps were back.

"Yes, I'm okay. But, uh," she lowered her voice. "I wish you'd come over and ease my pain. By the way, you were supposed to be coming over."

"Miranda. I know, I know. That's one of the reasons I'm calling. I can't come by tonight. I'll have to take a rain check."

She kind of wanted to see him, but she didn't tell him that. She just nodded and said: "Maybe next time." She hoped she sounded as cool as she meant to sound.

"Are you disappointed, Miranda?"

She decided to be truthful: "Yes, I am. A little." What was he doing that he couldn't stop by? It wasn't any of her business, but she was still curious.

"I'm on-call tonight."

"Ohh, okay," she told him. "Hold on. I'm getting a text." Miranda looked down at her phone and saw that she had a message from Ben. She sucked her teeth loudly causing Tuck to turn around. She made a face and looked at the screen and realized that the movie was on Tuck's favorite part; Simba had just been found by Timon and Pumbaa. She blew him a kiss and he giggled and turned back to the movie, rewinding it a little.

The text message read: Im sorry I cant be there. I really wanted to spend time with you & LT. Reading the message, Miranda's heart melted. Instantly she forgave him. And she messaged him back: That's okay. It's kind of a good thing that we don't overwhelm Tuck with our friendlationship... I just made that up.

"Friendlationship, hunh?" Ben said. "I like that."

"I like... that you called," she told him.

Her phone was buzzing again: I know you like me. J She sighed and texted him back: What gave you that idea?

"Because you've been on the phone with me even though you're supposed to be watching a movie with LT," Ben responded on the phone and she heard him laughing. The corners of her mouth turned up. His laugh was intoxicating. She started to chuckle.