Safe Haven

7

Just like that, after the court date on Friday, Noah Benjamin Bailey-Warren was legally theirs, and they threw a dinner party to celebrate.

9 months passed, and Miranda was curled up on the couch with Pru laying against her as they watched cartoons. It was a lazy Saturday afternoon. The boys went to the mall, and it was just Ben and Noah left upstairs taking a nap.

"Miranda! " Ben called out excitedly from upstairs.

"What!?" She called back.

"Hold on, I'll come down," he returned. Ben quickly ran down the stairs, and Miranda looked over, annoyed.

"I know you didn't just run down the stairs with my child."

"Sorry," He said sheepishly.

Ben leaned down onto his knee and placed Noah on the ground. The baby boy stood shakily on his feet, and slowly, Ben let go of his sides.

"Go to Mommy," He whispered, smiling and pointing to Miranda. The little boy lifted his foot lightly off the ground and fell down, a look of wonder crossing his face when he landed with a small 'oof'. Pru giggled a little, but Miranda kept a mute grin. Her husband lifted Noah again and placed him onto his feet. He held onto Ben's hand and took a step towards his mother, making her gasp in surprise. He took two more steps, then Ben let go, the baby standing there, unsure. He lifted his little leg again and, this time, succeeded before slowly making his way over to her.

"Aww, come here, champion." Miranda leaned down and reached her arms out for him, waiting for him to reach her. When he made it in front of her, he stood and held his arms up.

Miranda scooped him up quickly, and Noah let out a squeal as she blew raspberries into his cheek. "Good job, Noah!" She praised.

"I saw him try upstairs, and I knew that you would be the extra encouragement." Ben said.

"Mommy got you moving." Miranda cooed.

"He stared walking before his first words." Ben voiced.

"They are coming soon. I know it, and you are going to have so much to say, Mr." She teased, tickling him.

"I bet his first words will be daddy." Ben told Miranda, crossing his arms.

"Please, momma will be first...isn't that right, Noah, you are going to say mama." She smiled, making the baby sound.

Ben slid onto the couch beside Pru and scooped her up into his arms. "What are we watching?" He asked.

"Moana." Pru pointed, and Ben rolled his eyes playfully. He was tired of this movie.

A month later, Miranda sat on the bed with Noah and Ben. All of her other children were spending the weekend with someone, and it was just the three of them.

They ate dinner, and Miranda bathed the baby before taking a shower herself. Now they all were widing down for bed.

"Say, Mama."  Miranda cooed to her son.

"No!" Ben yelled. "Say, dada! It's much more manly."

Miranda glared at her husband before returning her attention to their son.

Their son looked at his parents in childlike wonder. He had no idea what his parents wanted from him. He was more interested in the building block in his hands and chewing on it... He made some cute gurgling sounds, which made the proud parents smile.

He was starting to form phonetic sounds but has yet to say any real words yet.

"Mama." Miranda enunciated "ma-ma"