Against the Odds

24

Miranda couldn't seem to catch a break; just as she was grasping the idea that her husband wouldn't be with her forever, her favorite resident passed away. She got a taxi to the funeral, staring out the window the entire time. The sky was dull and cloudy, perfectly reflecting the somber mood at the funeral. Seattle Grace did a good job showing support to the family as many hospital staff, attendings, residents, interns, and nurses gathered at the gravesite. Everyone was dressed in black and their face held a deep sadness.

Miranda stood by his mother and held her hand tightly. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying her heart out all night. "My George, my baby," she kept muttering to herself. Her other sons were too distraught to even try to comfort her, which is why Miranda was holding her hand in the first place.

When the priest finished his rituals and read a brief summary of his life Miranda let go of Louise's hand and walked to stand in front of the crowd. She took a deep breath before she began reciting a poem she had written. Her voice was shaking and she tried her best to continue. After the poem, she spoke about George as her intern, her favorite intern. She shared stories about his tenacity, his persistence, and just the sweet and overly kind person he was.

Miranda then led everyone through putting roses on his casket, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to put hers down and leave. As everyone exited, Miranda remained standing there in contemplation. Her heels were dug in the dirt and she couldn't move. She felt frozen in time. Putting the rose down and walking away would make it painfully real. He was really gone. The man that helped her give birth to her daughter, the person she shared certain things with, exchanged advice with, and who felt like a son to her. All of those crazy interns were like her family and now, things were happening to them that she couldn't control. Izzie had cancer and had to be resuscitated literally the same day George died. This was too much. Nothing was going right in her life.

Ben stood at the back of the funeral and he watched Miranda the majority of the time. He had to find out from his daughter that George died and then call the hospital to figure out when his funeral was. He knew how much George meant to Miranda, and he was proud of her for getting up and speaking. He expected her to leave right after, but she was still standing at the gravesite. The people were beginning to push the dirt on. He knew she didn't need to be present for that. Judging from her body language he knew she was getting ready to cry. Walking swiftly over he pulled her into his arms. Miranda looked up, shocked at someone touching her, but when she saw it was her husband she laid her head on his chest and broke down crying.

Ben let her cry into his chest for a little while as he rubbed her back up and down. "It's ok, I know." He whispered repeatedly, kissing the top of her head.

Miranda pulled herself together and just laid her head on him, taking in his scent.

"I'm sorry about your shirt." She whispered pulling back and looking at the foundation and mascara on it. "I'll pay for the dry cleaning bill."

"It's ok. Don't worry about that." Ben said sincerely.

"How did you know about George?" She questioned.

"Mia told me two days ago. You could have told me."

"We don't really talk," Miranda stated, wiping her eyes.

"Here," Ben instructed, taking the handkerchief out of his pocket.

"Thank you." She replied, taking it.

"You didn't put your rose down." He noted.

"I know, I just... that makes it real."

"I know and I know how you felt about him."