a romance-y christmas.

epilogue

Miranda smiled as she looked at Ben as he sped around the kitchen, talking to Elena Bailey.

It was Christmas Eve, and she was so lucky to be at home with her husband and their family.

As she watched Ben and her mother talk to each other as they cooked, she thought about the past year.

The year flew by, but it was one the best years of her life. Ben took her to a hundred dates, sometimes only the two of them alone, and others they spent with their sons. Early on in the year, she found out she was pregnant, and they moved in together again.

Soon, they prepared their wedding, and in the first week of December, they sealed their bond in front of God, their family and friends.

Tuck and Joey were thrilled at the news that they were going to have a little sister. Although they were curious about how their sister got into their mother's belly, Ben told them they'd find out when they were older. Miranda had laughed at him later on in their bedroom.

As grateful they were for each other, it had been a hard year for Ben too, having cut off ties with Abigail. The woman had been calling nonstop, and wanting to meet with him. He agreed to meet her, but he'd walked out as soon as she passive-aggressively implied that their relationship was torn apart by his new family.

Miranda had comforted him, but it led to a huge fight. He'd slept on the couch for a few nights, until Miranda experienced vertigo due to her pregnancy and almost fell down the stairs. Ben's concern overthrew their fight, and they both apologized for things they said.

Overall, it had been a roller coaster year, but she loved it anyway, being with Ben, their sons, and a new baby on the way.

Ben glanced at her and gave her a big smile. She winked at him as she caressed her baby bump. Her baby girl was restless nowadays as her due date loomed over them. She felt a pain in her lower back, and she winced.

"Miranda, baby, are you okay? Is it Dani?" Ben noticed her discomfort immediately and headed over to her.

Miranda smiled to appease him, and waved a hand. "Benjamin, I'm fine."

His concern brought Elena to her side as well. "Honey, are you sure?"

She nodded. "I'm fine, Mama. It's just Braxton-Hicks. I've been having them all week. Nothing to worry about."

The two of them frowned, but let it go. Elena headed back to where her lasagna was cooking. Ben stayed and rubbed his hand on her shoulder. She relaxes at his touch.

"C'mere, woman," he murmured, and she faced him and rested her head on his chest. His hands rested on her neck and he massaged her muscles there. She sighed as the kinks and the soreness of her muscles melted away. "Better?"

Miranda raised her head and looked up at him. "Much. Thank you, baby." She raised herself onto her toes. She kissed him, as she felt another pain in her lower back.

She groaned. "Ugh, I think I need to sit down for a while."

Ben's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Maybe we should get you checked out, hon."

"I'm fine, I'm going to check on the boys." She rolled her eyes as she moved away from him. Her one hand rested on her back as she waddled to the living room. She spotted their sons laughing and talking to the couch, and her pain settled in the back of her mind. "Hey."

They both looked up. Joey grinned, while Tuck hurried to help her.

"Hey, mommy," her baby boy spoke gently.

Joey moved to the side as Tuck helped her sit down. The smaller boy sat beside her. "How's Dani?" His small hands twitched as he reached for her belly. He pulled away, hesitating.