Friends With Benefits

6

At work the next day, Miranda walked the halls, she couldn't shake the remnants of her conflicted thoughts from the night before. But just as she was settling into her day, she spotted Arizona and Callie walking in, hand in hand with their daughter.

"Look who it is" Arizona exclaimed, her voice cheerful as she waved. Miranda smiled, feeling a surge of affection as Sofia spotted her and took off running.

"Tía Bailey" Sofia shouted, her face lighting up with excitement. Miranda reached out just in time to embrace her into her arms. "Guess what? We're having a pizza party tonight"

Miranda chuckled, her heart warming at the sight of the girl's excitement. "That sounds amazing. Do you think you'll save me a slice?"

"Only if you promise to come" Sofia replied

"I'll see what I can do." Miranda smiled. "Anyway, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

"I have a day off. Mommy and Mama brought me to see you"

"Are you doing doctor things?"

"Always doing doctor things," Miranda replied, ruffling Sofia's hair affectionately

Arizona and Callie were just a few steps behind, sharing knowing smiles. "We figured it was a good day for a little adventure," Callie said, glancing at Miranda. "And who better to show her around than you?"

"Well, you picked the right person. Ready to see what Auntie Bailey does at the hospital?"

Sofia's eyes widened with excitement. "Yes. Can we see some surgeries?"

"Not quite," Arizona chimed in, stifling a laugh. "But we can definitely check out the pediatric ward."

"Can I see the babies?" Sofia's eyes sparkled

"Absolutely," Miranda replied, leading the way down the hallway.

"Can I wear a doctor's coat?"

"Maybe."

As they moved through the hospital, Sofia's laughter echoed in the hallways, and for a moment, Miranda forgot about everything else—the pressures of work, the complexity of her personal life. She watched Sofia soak in the sights, her curiosity and wonder refreshing in a place that often felt so serious.

"Do you think I can be a doctor like you someday?" Sofia asked, looking up at Miranda with wide eyes.

"If that's what you want to do" Miranda replied using the spanish word for niece. "But remember, it's a lot of hard work. Are you ready for that?"

Sofia nodded enthusiastically. "I want to help people like you and my moms. And wear a cool coat"

Miranda laughed, and they continued on. However she stopped in her tracks when she spotted Terry sitting in the waiting room of the pediatric ward. A tight knot formed in her stomach. She turned to Sofia, who was busy looking around."Hey, sweetheart, give me a minute, okay?"

Sofia nodded, her attention already drifting to a nearby poster. Miranda walked over to Terry, her expression carefully neutral.

"Terry," she greeted, trying to keep her tone steady.

"Miranda," he said, his voice a mixture of warmth and hesitation. "I'm sorry for showing up at your work.... seeing you with a kid was a nice sight."

She crossed her arms, eyeing him warily. "What do you want?"

"We didn't finish our conversation the last time we spoke, and I'm heading back home soon. I thought it would be good to talk before I leave."

She felt her heart race. "It's inappropriate to show up at my job like this," she replied, trying to keep her professional demeanor intact.