The Greatest Love

Ch 1

Miranda was nervous but excited because she was doing something she hadn't done in a long time. Well...something she hadn't done ever and that was take a vacation. She had just landed in the Bahamas and would be staying at one of the most expensive resorts on the island. "I need this break, I deserve this break...it's okay for me to have this break," Miranda said to herself as she rode on the shuttle to the resort.
She was the first black female chief of Grey Sloan Memorial and although it was her dream job and hadn't proved to be very easy. Her stress levels had been through the roof. And after having her heart attack she knew that she needed to learn to take time to enjoy life and rest. After healing and finding someone to be interim chief for her for the next 4 months, she booked this vacation so that she could relax and just be Miranda for awhile.
The shuttle stopped in front of The Ocean Club Four Seasons Resort and the driver helped Miranda out of the van. Miranda smiled at the man and gave him a tip before grabbing her luggage handle and walking towards the front entrance of the resort.
"Hello, Welcome to The Ocean Club, how can I help you?" The front desk attendant asked smiling.
"Hi, I am checking in, my name is Dr. Miranda Bailey," Miranda said politely as she looked quickly checked in and was escorted to her room by an attendant. The room was beautiful with the dark hardwood floors with high wood ceilings and a wooden ceiling fan, the crisp white king size bed and a beautiful ocean view. Miranda thanked the attendant as he placed her bags beside her bed and left the room.
Once Miranda unpacked her bags she decided to call her son and ex-husband to let them know she had made it there safely.
The phone rang two times before Tucker picked up. "Hey Miranda, you made it there safely?" Tucker asked sounding relieved.
"Yes Tucker Jones I did," she replied pleasantly. After all these years of being divorced they were able to be nice with each other.
"Well I'm glad and proud of you for deciding to take a break and go on vacation. Especially after all that you went through. To be honest Mandy...even though we haven't been together for a long time now, that was scary thinking about you not being here," Tucker confided.
"I know...and I proud of myself too because even though I'm excited to be here all I can think about is work," Miranda giggled.
"Well I don't want to keep you on the phone too much longer and I know you want to talk to Tuck. So have fun, relax and be safe Mandy."
Miranda smiled, "I will Tucker and yes let me speak to my son."
"Hey Mom, how is it in the Bahamas?" Tuck asked.
"Miranda rolled her eyes at how deep her teenager's voice is getting. "Well from the looks of it, it's going to be amazing. I just got into my room but maybe the next time that I call I will have more to share with you," she replied.
Okay, mom make sure you send pictures and bring me a present back please," Tuck begged.
"Of course I will Tuck and be good for your dad and Priscilla. I love you.
After Miranda said goodbye to her son she walked out into the large patio that was connected to her room; it had a pool, outdoor furniture and a hot tub. Miranda decided to go shower and change into her swimsuit and relax in her pool before adventuring. She quickly showered, put lotion her body and a purple two piece swimsuit the top was a teddy style with a slit in the back that exposed her back and showed off the bottoms that covered her large, round backside. Normally Miranda wouldn't dream of wearing a two piece but since she was in the Bahamas and away from anyone who knew her she decided to take a chance.
She stepped back out onto the patio and quickly got into the pool. It had been so long since she swam that she almost felt like an excited little kid. She was glad she made the decision to get her hair braided, a style she hadn't wore in so many years. After a few laps around her small pool she dried off a little and laid back on one of the patio chairs to soak in some sun.
Miranda realized that she had fallen asleep when she heard a splash from the pool next door. She opened her eyes and saw a person swimming underwater. Seconds late this fine, handsome brown skin man emerged from under the water. He wiped his face with his hands and when he opened his eyes he immediately looked at her. He took her in and then flashed his white teeth at her. Miranda could see from a distance how beautiful his smile was and she couldn't help but smile and wave back. Miranda felt feelings she hadn't felt in so long both in her mind and between her legs so she clenched her thighs and quickly got up and went inside of her suite.
Benjamin watched as this short, full figured and thick woman walked into her suite and he couldn't help but stare. He immediately noticed from a distance how beautiful she was and he hoped that he would be able to get up close to her soon. He almost wanted to stop her from going in but he didn't want to be weird so he just continue me to swim.
It had been awhile since Ben had taken a vacation. And his life as of lately had been stressful dealing with his recent loss of his dad and finding out that his brother was transitioning to become a woman. On top of that him and his long term girlfriend finally decided to part ways months ago. Him and Camille had been together off and on for 5 years and she suddenly didn't think they were good together. He knew they weren't a match but they had been friends for awhile before dating and were compatible on paper. So to clear his head he decided to take a solo vacation and seeing this gorgeous woman instantly made him feel glad that he did instead of falling back into old habits and asking his ex like he first considered. The sun was beginning to set and Ben wanted to make it to the dinner the resort served for the guest each night so he left the pool and went into his suite to shower and get dressed for dinner.
Miranda stood in the bathroom mirror with a towel wrapped around her body as she did her makeup. She decided to get out of her room and attend the dinner the resort provided for their guest each night. After she finished her makeup she slid into a hot pink form fitting dress and put her Steve Madden sandals on. Since she wasn't at work she decided she wouldn't torture her feet with heels. After she looked herself over and sprayed her perfume she headed to the outdoor dining area.
Miranda walked over to the buffet and felt her OCD flair up as she thought about all the hands that had touched the utensils. As she stood there trying to convince herself that it would be okay because she had hand sanitizer, a large hand took her plate.
"Just tell me what you want and I will fix your plate for you," the handsome man from the pool said smiling.
"Ummm, I'll take a little of everything," Miranda said slowly as she felt herself calming down.
He fixed his plate as he fixed hers and when he was done he turned towards the tables. "Where would you like to sit?" He asked. Miranda lead him to a table that was on the outside of the table arrangement. He quickly sat the plates down and before he could speak, "I can get the drinks," Miranda said quickly as she scurried off. She returned to the table just as quick and sat the glass on the table as Ben pulled her chair out so that she could sit down.
"Thank you," Miranda said as she settled into her seat. As Ben smoothly sat down Miranda admired how casually but nicely dressed he was in a white button down, khaki shorts and brown loafers.
"Now that we've gotten the important stuff done and out of the way, my name is Benjamin Warren.
"I am Miranda Bailey," she giggled realizing they were just now introducing themselves.
"Nice to meet you," they replied at the same time.
"Oh and thank you for fixing my plate. I have OCD so sometimes it's hard for me to touch things that I know have germs on them," she stated seriously and a little embarrassed as she sanitized her hands and then offered some to Ben.
"You're welcome. I noticed it right away when I saw you look at the tongs and pause. So that's why I knew I should help you. I had a friend with OCD so I know the symptoms," Ben responded seriously but reassuring.
Miranda said a quick prayer over her food. "Amen," Ben responded when she was finished.
"So what brings you to the Bahamas all by yourself," Benjamin asked as he began eating his food.
"Well I just really needed a vacation so that I can relax and lower my stress levels and I kind of have never take vacations so I decided to do this for myself. What about you Benjamin Warren? Why are you in the Bahamas alone?"
"I guess my reason is similar to yours. It's been awhile since I've had a vacation and I needed sometime to myself to relax and clear my head," Ben responded looking at Miranda intently.
"What do you do for a living," Miranda inquired.
"I was an Anesthesiologist for several years at Mercy West, then I became a surgeon at UCLA, theennn I came back to Seattle a year and half ago and became a firefighter. Recently I started something called the PRT, Physicians Response Team. It's where we have surgeons out in the field performing surgeries that victims need out in the field if we can't get them to the hospital in time," Ben beamed.
"Wow! A man of many careers. That is so cool, it sounds like the same thing that one of the fire stations where I live has," Miranda replied.
"Well I founded the PRT so that would mean you live in Seattle," Ben smiled.
"I do live in Seattle. I am the chief of surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial, Miranda said proudly.
"Wait you are Miranda Bailey...the MIRANDA BAILEY!!! The first black woman to become chief of the hospital. I've heard of you but never seen you," Ben stated slowly. Ben got down on his knee in front of her and started to playfully bow. Miranda laughed and pushed his shoulders to get him to stop.
As they continued to talk and eat a band began to play live music. And Miranda watched and swayed her hips in her seat. Ben watched her light up as the music played and how she was lightly dancing in her chair.
"Would you like to dance? Ben asked. Miranda giggled realizing he was watching her move.
"Oh no I couldn't," she giggled and put her head down shyly.
"Oh come on Miranda, I can tell just by the way you're moving in your seat that you're a good dancer," Ben complimented.
He stood up and extended his hand out to her. She looked up at him still shyly smiling and took his hand as he lead her out on the dance floor. The band began playing and singing "Sumthin Sumthin" by Maxwell and Miranda began swaying and rolling her hips and Ben swayed with her. He was mesmerized watching her, he grabbed one of her hands and spun her around. She held on to his hand in the air as she rocked her hips until her body was against his. He wrapped his hand around her waist holding her tight against him feeling her booty against his crotch and he let out a groan.
Miranda was surprised with herself, she usually would never dance on a man she didn't know like this but she felt so comfortable with him. When the next song came on she turned around in his arms and looked up at him. He was biting his bottom lip and let out a sigh when she wrapped her arms around his neck and Ben moved his hand to the small of her back. The feeling of him touching her made her clench her thighs. They danced to a few more songs before Miranda felt tired.
"Ben I'm a good dancer but I'm not as young as I use to be, can we sit down?" Miranda asked.
Ben nodded and lead them back to their table pulling out her chair so she could sit. Ben just stared at her as she smiled watching other people dance, eat and just enjoy themselves. She was beautiful and he felt completely enamored with her already.
"Why are you staring at me Benjamin Warren?" Miranda asked still looking out the corner of her eye before turning her head to look at him.
Ben chuckled, "I was just admiring how beautiful you are."
Miranda continued to just look at the people and the band playing thinking about how she was feeling. Here was this gorgeous man that she just met giving her his attention. She could tell that they had chemistry and were attracted to each other. It had been such a long time since she had the attention of man of his quality . "Should I just see where this will go?" She thought to herself. When she looked back over at him, he did the same and smiled at her.
Benjamin stood up and looked around before focusing his attention back on Miranda. "Would you be willing to take a walk around the resort with me?" Ben asked.
"As long as you don't try to kidnap me and sell me," Miranda said jokingly but serious.
"I promise I won't sell you but I can't promise I won't try to make you stay with me," Benjamin teased as he extended his hand for her to take.
She smiled and took his hand as he led her away from the outdoor dining area. As they walked around the large fountain, Miranda looked at Ben still holding her hand and then looked up at him. She liked how holding his hand felt and she was so surprised at herself for being this 'intimate' with him when they just met.
As they walked Ben continued to hold her hand. Her presence made him feel at peace and even though they were in paradise, he hadn't felt this level of ease since he arrived and honestly he felt an ease he hadn't felt with anyone else. They walked around a large fountain then decided to sit down. When they sat down they each turned to face each other and their legs touched. Ben didn't understand but for some reason he felt like confessing his love for her and he'd only known her for a few hours.
"It's so crazy to me that we've been in the same city, both doctors and I come to Grey Sloan all the time yet we've never run into each," Ben said shaking his head.
"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be until now," Miranda said squeezing his hands.
"Ben, ummm why are we still holding and hands and looking at each other like this?" Miranda asked looking into his eyes.
"I don't know Miranda Bailey but I like it," he replied kissing her hand. Miranda shuddered at the feeling of his lips against her hand.
"So I think it's safe to assume that you are single and didn't just decide to take a solo vacation because your significant other couldn't come with you," Miranda asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You would be correct, but I can't believe that any man would allow a woman as beautiful, talented and accomplished as you to come to a place like this by yourself," Ben responded.
"You always know how to say the right things. I've been divorced and single for the past 10 years and I've only dated once but that didn't work out. But I did get a beautiful baby boy out of my marriage and he is 15 now," Miranda beamed think about her son.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that Miranda but I believe you are an amazing mother just by the nurturing presence that you have," Ben replied.
Miranda yawned and Ben made a concerned face, " Are you getting tired," he asked.
"Yes Benjamin I am actually. I never fully got to take a nap when I first got here this afternoon. But since we're neighbors we can walk back together."
"Oh I wasn't going to let you walk back by yourself anyway. I don't want anyone else to try to kidnap you and make you theirs, I found you first," Ben joked as they got up to walk back to their suites.
As they got closer to Miranda's door they walked and talked a little slower until they stood in front of her door.
"I don't understand how we seem to connect so effortlessly in such a short amount of time," Benjamin said grabbing Miranda's hand again.
"Me either but since we're neighbors we can just walk over to each other's patio and knock when we want to talk," Miranda suggested.
"Hey now, you suggested it so don't be surprised if I come to your patio door later," Ben giggled.
Miranda used her keycard to open her door and Benjamin kissed both of her hands before saying goodbye. When Miranda closed the door she leaned up against it and let out a deep sigh. She slowly undressed and got in the shower, she was very tired and excited to see what her king size bed felt like . After she finished showering, she put lotion on her body and put on a thin black night gown.
The bed felt even better than she had imagined and she quickly felt her body relaxing so that she could fall asleep. As she began to drift asleep she thought about Ben. Benjamin Warren was a dream and and the few hours they had just spent together felt like minutes, he was the last thought she had as she closed her eyes to slumber.
Ben laid in his bed on his back and his hands behind his head, watching the ceiling fan turn and occasionally looking out at the ocean waves roaring. He couldn't get this short, full figured, curvy, intelligent, beautiful woman off of his mind. He really wanted to take her up on the offer to knock on her door to talk but she did mention that she was tired, so he wanted her to sleep. He was ready for morning so that he could see her again.