My Saving Grace

Making It Through

Ben sat outside the hospital in the car trying to get his thoughts together before he walked in. It had been eight weeks and Tuck had been in the hospital all eight weeks. Miranda was trying to be strong but she was crumbling. He heard her sobbing in the shower last night when she came in for an hour since Tuck was asleep. The treatments were working but the treatments were causing adverse affects on Tuck's little body.

He was developing cysts on his intestines which made his belly hurt and his loss of appetite was huge. He was having to be fed through a NG tube while they waited for his body to be strong enough to have surgery.

Ben was coming up there to bring food for Miranda and somethings for Tuck. He finally got out of the car and walked into the children's hospital. When he made it to the floor Miranda was on the phone with Tucker, pacing back and forth.

"The doctor is saying they want to do the surgery in the morning so that Tuck will be able to get back to his treatments. So make sure you're boss knows you have to take time off. Okay, talk to you later," Miranda said hanging up the phone.

Miranda let out a sigh of relief when she saw Ben with food. "Hey Ben, you would be happy to know that I'm actually hungry right now," she said as she took the food bag from Ben and he kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad to hear that because you need your strength," Ben said as he walked into Tuck's room.

Ben looked at the two year old who visibly looked downtrodden. "Hey Tuck," Ben said as he walked over to him and pulled out his blue teddy bear that he had gotten him awhile back.

Tuck's eyes glittered slightly seeing the bear he'd come to love. He quickly took it from Ben and held it tightly. Ben sat in the chair and Miranda came to sit in his lap  so he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close.

"How are you feeling baby?" Ben asked.

Miranda just stared at her son for a moment. "We been through so much, I thought I would never see him again. Now he is sick and he could possibly die....I just want to know when our best days are going to begin," Miranda shared as she tired not to cry.

"Well no matter what happens I will be right here with you if you will let me," Ben said rubbing her back and looking into her eyes.

Miranda cupped his face, "you aren't going anywhere Benjamin Warren," Miranda said before she kissed his lips softly.

In the mist of all that was going on with Tuck they hadn't had a moment of intimacy with each other. They both moaned low as they caressed each other's lips soft and gently. Miranda put her hand on his chest and stopped their kissing. She put her forehead against Ben's as they caught their breath.

"Ummm for a second I almost forgot where we were," Ben said and Miranda chuckled.

"I know it's been awhile since we've kissed. We have to make sure we at least kiss from now on," Miranda said and Ben agreed.

The next morning came and Ben was still sitting in the chair while Miranda was on the bed asleep, holding Tuck. Tucker walked in and Ben woke up and said good morning.

"Miranda, Tucker is here," Ben said touching her thigh.

Miranda woke up and looked at her son before she laid him back on the bed so she could get up. He began to whine and reach for her when Tucker walked over and leaned down into his face.

"Hey little man, daddy is here," Tucker cooed.

Moments later the nurses and anesthesiologist came in to prep Tuck for surgery. Ben sat and listen to the anesthesiologist talk about what he would be giving Tuck. Shortly after transport came to wheel him to the operating room. Ben walked behind them as they began to wheel Tuck to the operating room and when Miranda let go of his hand he began to cry. Her eyes began to water so she tired to stop the tears but couldn't. Tucker understood so he leaned down to comfort Tuck but his crying wouldn't subside. Miranda looked at Ben with her tear stained cheeks and he moved over to Tuck.