Romancing Dr. Bailey

That's Why I'm Here

Miranda turned onto her back and groaned. "Morning," Ben said. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept really..." She stretched and looked over at him. He had a pillow propped behind him and was sitting against the headboard. "I actually don't feel that bad. I think I slept okay," she said with a yawn.

"That's good, I am glad."

"What about you?"

"Your bed is very comfortable, but I had a time trying to find the right position." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"You make everything dirty."

"You know you like it." Miranda giggled and picked up her phone and started to swipe and scroll quickly. "Unh-uh! We're on bed rest."

"I need to text Pierce. I need to see about this—a... about those test results."

"Miranda..."

"Ugh, I got locked out of my email thingy again!" Ben grunted as he leaned over and took the phone from her. "No, no, no—Ben, wait!" She reached for it, failing to grab it from his hand. She closed her eyes and pouted.

"Don't do that." She shrugged. "Come on, let's just relax. And not think about it."

"You telling me not to think about it, guarantees that I will think about." Miranda sighed deeply. "And not just think about it—no, I will obsess about it. Wondering, waiting, watching TV and wasting time on pointless conversations and—"

"Damn, Miranda, take it," Ben laughed. He gave her the phone and tossed his hands into the air before rolling out of the bed.

"Fine!" She growled and put the phone on the dresser. Either she was or wasn't. And not knowing for a little while longer wouldn't hurt. She could be clueless for another hour or so.

"Why are you so against Pierce's... announcement?"

"I'm not against it," she argued.

"Your reactions refute that statement." They were silent. "So why?"

"Because."

He waited a beat. "I need more than that." Miranda didn't say anything further. "Because" was sufficient enough for her, at least for right now, so he should have been happy to get that. "Do you really not want to be carrying my child that badly?" She tried to stop her eyes from rolling at the question. "Okay, then what?"

"This isn't about you," Miranda reassured him. "I promise."

"Okay. I believe you."

Her cell phone rang. She glanced over at it and saw that it was Scotty. "I should take this. It's my OB."

Ben nodded. "I'll go make us breakfast." He got out of bed and walked toward the door.

Miranda took a deep breath and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

"Miranda!" Scotty said in a relieved voice.

"Scotty," she said. Ben strolled back into the room. "Hold on one second, Scott." She stared at him. "What?"

"I got halfway down the stairs and realized that I haven't kissed you this morning."

Miranda blushed as he leaned down and put his lips close to hers. He groaned softly. "Don't hurt yourself, old man." She touched his beard, tugging it.

He laughed into her mouth: "Ass."

"Okay, okay. I need...," she kissed him again. "To get back to this call." She had to pull herself from him, pushing his shoulder at the same time. "Mmm, coffee."