Romancing Dr. Bailey

Favorite State of Mind

Miranda rolled to her right and felt a small body next to hers. She sniffed and opened her eyes. "Hello, son," she said to Tuck who was pretending to be asleep. His eyelids flickered as he tried to keep them closed. "Oh, well, since you're still sleeping, I guess I'll just make pancakes for myself. Sigh."

With that, Tuck giggled loudly. Miranda's heart danced. "Okay! Okay!" He pleaded.

"Oh, you're awake?"

"Yes! Can I help?"

"Hmm, of course!" Miranda said hugging his head. "Good morning, baby."

"Good morning, mommy."

The boy scrambled out of the bed. His mother listened and heard his footsteps clamoring down the stairs. She shook her head and got out of bed and threw on her robe. Her phone rang on her nightstand as she made her way out of her bedroom door. She doubled back and picked it up. "Hello?" She said not looking at the caller.

"Miranda."

"Yes?"

"Baby, it's me," Ben said.

"I know that now," she answered, pulling her robe closed. She sauntered to the mirror and ran a hand through her hair. She wiped her face, prettying herself as if he could see her. "Good morning."

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"What's up?"

"Just wanted to know if you've finished packing. Our flight leaves—"

"Later on tonight. I know." She smiled and walked to the door. "Is there a game this weekend?"

"I don't know, maybe, but we won't be there."

They laughed. Miranda walked into the living room to see that Tuck was now really asleep on the sofa. She chuckled softly. "This child..."

"Huh?" Ben asked. Miranda told him and they laughed again. "Do you have to work today?"

She shook her head before she answered, "No."

"I see."

"I wasn't going to take off today, but then I thought why the hell not?"

"You deserve it," Ben reassured her.

"Exactly. Do you go in?"

"Yep, I do. I think I have two early surgeries," he said with a sigh.

"What's with the sigh?"

"Uhh, I'll tell you later."

In an un-Miranda-like fashion, she didn't pry. He'd tell her when he was ready. "My ears will be open."

"Noted." Miranda started on breakfast and wasn't surprised at all when her son came wandering into the kitchen. "Miranda, you're sure you want to go?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking if you still want to go with me to L.A."

"Do you still want me to?" Miranda asked, tossing the question back at him.

"Of course," he answered as she slid a pancake, bacon and grits onto her son's plate."

"I wanted to help," Tuck whined.

Miranda made a face and rubbed his head. "Next time don't take a nap."

"I didn't take a nap," Ben said.

"I'm not talking to you," she told him.

"My buddy is awake?"

"Yep and now we're about to enjoy breakfast, so I will have to talk to you later."