Always Be My Baby

I'm Still Wearing Your Name

Two months later, they were driving around her college town, eating fast food and pointing out houses that they would someday like to own when Ben pulled over. "What's wrong?" She asked putting a fry to his lips.

"Nothing. I'm just thinking," he said chewing.

Miranda ate a few fries. "About what, babe?"

"What your dad said the last time we were at the house."

She sipped her sweet tea to force down the food suddenly caught in her throat. "He said a lot of shit."

"Chill, baby. That language." She apologized with a small smile. "But, specifically when your dad mentioned us not being married, it got me to thinking." In lieu of responding, she just licked her lips. "I should have asked for your hand in marriage a year ago. Then maybe your parents wouldn't hate me."

"They don't hate you. Me maybe, but they love you."

He ignored her. "No one can hate you. You're perfect." She gestured for him to come closer and she kissed him passionately. The kind of kiss that raised temperatures. When they pulled away, she wiped the side of his mouth and fed him another fry. "My point is that we know how we feel about each other."

Miranda took his hand, locking their fingers. "We do."

"There's no other woman in the world for me."

"You're the only man I want," she said smiling.

He reached across her body and opened the glove compartment, pulling out a small box. "I was hoping you'd say that." Ben lifted the top of the box, revealing a beautiful ring.

Gasping, tears filled her eyes. "What is that? What are you doing?"

He stroked his thumb over her skin. "Miranda Bailey, you make me so happy. You... you make me feel like I can take on anything and you make me laugh. Even after I leave your presence, I can't wait to see you again." Miranda's bottom lip quivered as he spoke. "And the fact that you're carrying my child gives me emotions that I can't quite articulate. Baby," he sighed, his voice shaking a little, "I know we're young and we don't have shit and we don't know shit, I do know that I love you so much and if you would be my wife, I promise to love you and our family forever." She put her hand to her chest already knowing that her heart had been stopped beating. "Will you marry me, Miranda?"

Tears were falling down her face and sogging the paper bag on her lap. She took the quickest second to think about it, wiping her face before she replied. "I am so pissed at you," she said. "I mean, you know that you have my heart and you're my best friend." Miranda exhaled. "You're the father of our baby and that makes me so happy." In the napkin that she used to wipe her face, she saw eyeliner and mascara. Her eyes probably looked a mess. But Ben's gaze showed nothing but adoration. "And I wouldn't want to be doing this with anyone else. You, Benjamin Warren, are my person. I love you."

"Yeah?"

Miranda nodded. "Yeah."

"So, are you..?" His eyes held a questioning look.

"Of course, baby," she said leaning toward him, her chest exploding. They both exhaled, kissing through their tears. "I'm saying yes."

Ben leaned down to her stomach. "You hear that, Tater Tot? Your mom wants to marry me."

Miranda laughed loudly. "I can't help myself," she said looking into her future husband's brown eyes.

...

Ben was so jittery as he tried to fix his tie. He was supposed to be getting married to Miranda in one hour and not only was he not ready, but he wasn't ready. Anthony walked in and touched his shoulder making him jump. "What can I help with? The older man asked.

"My tie. I can't stop fidgeting long enough to tie it," he said exasperatedly.

Anthony stood in front of him, eye-level, and said: "Relax."

"I'm trying." He closed his eyes as his father helped him.

"Miranda is a beautiful, smart young woman, the mother of your unborn child, and she wants to marry you. She loves you. You love her. This is simple. This is the easy part. Take a deep breath for me." Ben followed his father's instructions. "Good."

"Thanks, dad," Ben said holding out his hand. His father slapped it and pulled him in for a hug.

Anthony nodded. "I'm proud of you."

"You are? I thought..."

The older Warren moved his head from side to side. "I'm happy that you're happy, son."

...

Miranda put her hands on her stomach, trying to calm herself and her baby. She'd passed nervous hours ago. Now Miranda was spiraling and on the verge of being sick yet again. "There's nothing to worry about, Tater Tot, okay?" She said sitting down. "Ben... your dad is perfect." Tears began falling again. "Yes, he is all I could ever hope for—that we could hope for. I love you more than anything," she whispered. "We're getting married today and I'm already nervous, so one of us has to relax." She shut her eyes as her body settled. Before Tater Tot, they'd had plans on a big church wedding complete with her father walking her down the aisle in a dress with a long train. She'd wanted all their family and friends to be there and had wanted to take more pictures than were photo albums available. But she and William still weren't speaking besides a "hello" and a "love you" every now and again. And, lately, Miranda wanted nothing to do with anyone except Ben so they chose to go to the courthouse and get married there.

"Do you, Miranda Bailey, take Benjamin Warren to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The officiant asked.

Miranda smiled and squeezed Ben's hands, positively overwhelmed. "Yes, I do."

The woman had nodded. "And do you, Benjamin Warren, take Miranda Bailey to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Of course, I do," he responded making her heart swell.

"By the power invested in me by the state of Maryland..." Miranda didn't hear the rest, but when she saw Ben leaning in to kiss her, she realized that it was time seal their vows. Her tongue worked its way into his mouth and he let out a low groan that made her stomach leap. She touched her stomach to feel the baby slowly rolling.

"Tater Tot?" Ben asked. She nodded. The two of them thanked the officiant and met up with their families in the hallway. She hesitated before hugging her father who sighed, pressing an envelope into her hand before kissing the top of her head and walking out of the building.