Corpse Bride

8

Miranda adjusted the last pin in her curls and took a step back from the mirror, admiring her reflection in the shimmering red sequin dress. It hugged her in all the right places and she knew the fabric would glisten under the lights in the ballroom. Seattle Grace was putting on a winter ball for fundraising for the surgical department. It had been a whirlwind of Two Months of rebuilding her life, and tonight felt like a celebration. She had her own apartment, and car, and she was back on the path to fulfilling her dreams. This week she’d actually had the chance to do her first solo surgery and it made her feel complete. 

Her parents came out to stay with her for two weeks and they spent Thanksgiving together. But there was only one person she missed more than she thought that she would. 

It made no sense, she thought, as she smoothed down her dress one last time. How could someone she barely knew, someone she only spent a couple of days with, linger in her mind like this? She found herself wondering what he was doing if he was happy, and if he’d finally settled into the life he’d chosen. She’d often catch herself thinking of his laugh, his warmth, and how it felt to be underneath him or curled into him that night.

When she entered the ballroom, she took in the music, laughter, and lights. It was nice and the decorators went all out. 

Ben was invited to the ball by his friend Knox. He stood in a circle of people as they all sipped their drinks and talked about the newest anesthesia case. Then, across the room, he saw Miranda. He didn't even think about her being here tonight or that he would ever run into her. She was there and he still couldn't believe his eyes. Miranda was radiant, the red sequins caught every flicker of light as she moved and her smile lit up her face.

“Excuse me for a second,” Ben said, moving away from the group. He watched as she talked to her friends or co-workers as he moved through the crowd. When he was close enough to be heard, he called out, a smile playing on his lips. “Is that my wife?”

Miranda’s head turned quickly at the sound of his voice, her eyes widening in surprise. She didn’t even hesitate and practically threw herself into his arms, laughing as he caught her and held her close.

“Benjamin,” she breathed, unable to hide the happiness in her voice. “What…what are you doing here?

“My friend Knox is an anesthesiologist here. He invited me to come with him and damn I'm glad I came. You look… beautiful, Miranda. Absolutely stunning.”

Miranda blushed, looking up at him through her eyelashes. “Thank you. You look handsome. You must have known you were going to see me again,” she said, gesturing to his red tie.

“Still connected huh,” he laughed.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again,” Miranda admitted.

He held her gaze, his thumb tracing gentle circles along her back. “Neither did I. Believe it or not, I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“Dance with me,” Ben stated, holding his hand out for her to take. 

“They call me the Nazi here.”

“The Nazi? That's disrespectful.”

“It's because I'm no-nonsense and I'm strictly professional.”

“So is this your way of telling me you don’t want to dance with me?”

“No, I'll dance with you. I'm just letting you know that it's going to start rumors about my personal life.”

“Your wedding ring doesn't do it enough?”

Miranda looked down at the ring on her hand and blushed. She never found a reason to take it off, she liked it. “It keeps the men away,” she lied with a shrug.