more than i can hold in my heart.

period

Miranda was reading a book with Ben's head on her lap. He was sleeping, snoring softly through his nose, while her hand was slowly massaging his scalp.

She smiled softly as he stirred, burrowing his head deeper into her thighs. He was so adorable, and in moments like this, she really, really thanked God that she found him.

"Mom! Mommy!" A voice suddenly interrupted her musings, and Ben stirred again, waking up. "Daddy!"

The panicked voice made them sit up in alert. Miranda quickly closed her book and both of them ran out of their bedroom.

"Dani, baby?" Ben asked, rushing into their daughter's bedroom.

"Daddy," Danielle Bailey-Warren whined, her tears falling down her cheeks. "Mommy."

"What is it, baby?" Miranda asked, her eyes scanning the young girl's body, looking for injuries. "What's wrong?"

Ben stood at the other side, a look of concern. "Dani, tell us."

The young girl bit her lip shyly and continued to cry. "I'm… I'm bleeding," she sniffled.

The adults looked at each other with wide eyes. "Where?!"

"Down there." Dani covered her face and cried. Miranda hugged her, a breath of relief coming up as she realized what was happening.

She looked up at her husband, who was still a little confused. "Ben, can you go into my room and get my pads, please?"

His eyes went wide with understanding. "Oh. Oh!"

She smiled softly. "Yeah. I got this, hon."

Ben smiled, kissing the top of Dani's head. "It'll be alright, darling. Your mother will explain, okay?"

Dani looked up at her mother questioningly as Ben walked out to their bedroom. "Mommy?"

"Let's get you into the bathroom, honey, okay? You should clean up first. No need to panic."

She nodded her head, and ran into her bathroom. Miranda sighed and sat on the teen's bed just as Ben went back inside. "She's growing up."

He chuckled. "Yeah. No boys allowed now." She rolled her eyes. He was so protective, and she adored him. "What? You don't agree?"

"Of course I do. But you're such a protective father." She smiled, hugging his shirtless body.

Dani returned shortly. "So, what's going on?"

"The elder gods demand tribute," Ben said with a straight face.

Miranda smacked him upside the head. "Ben!" They started laughing, and Dani had wide eyes, tearing up again. "Oh, honey, your father…" She glared at him, and he grinned. "...is just joking."

She quickly explained that when a girl's body grows older, their bodies release blood every month.

Their daughter, being a curious little girl just like her mom, asked, "Why?"

Miranda's eyes widened, and she assured Dani that she'll tell her one day, because damn, she was not ready to give her daughter the birds and bees talk.

Ben snickered at the side, and she glared at him. "Okay, Dr. Warren, stop with the laughs and hand me the pads." He obeyed her. "Here, you use this. These are called pads, and there are other ways you can manage the blood, like tampons and diva cups, but since it's your first, this would work just fine."

Miranda continued explaining how it was used, and once it was over, she looked questioningly at her daughter. "Any questions, sweetie?"

Dani shook her head, and smiled at her mother. "It's fine, Ma, I think I can do it."

"Woah, woah, wait," Ben spoke up. "Do you have any cramps on your stomach?"

The girl frowned. "A little."

"I'll get you some ice cream and warm compress." Ben grinned and kissed her forehead. As he left, he shouted, "No boys, Danielle Warren!"

Miranda giggled and shrugged at Dani's confused face. "It's nothing, dear, I'll explain tomorrow. Now, I'll be out here, and if you need help, just call for me, okay?"

Dani nodded, and ran to her bathroom with the pads. Miranda sighed, smiling.

Her baby girl was growing up.