The Flight Before Christmas

Chapter One

Miranda sat at the airport bar, sipping her wine. She looked out the window, the gusts of snow making it difficult to see anything, except some flashing lights in the distance. She looked down, checking her phone for the hundredth time, but there was nothing there.

It was sad, really. It was Christmas Eve, and there she was, sitting all alone, a few random people scattered around the dimly lit room. She sighed, looking around at everyone with their heads in their laptops or phones, headphones in, completely oblivious to where they actually were. She turned back to the bartender and waved her empty glass, signaling for another. One more drink, she decided.

She took a sip of her new drink and rested her cheek in her palm, elbow on the bar, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Ehm, yes, hello, a beer " she heard a voice say and her ears immediately perked up.

Miranda looked to the right of her to see a tall man situating himself three seats over from her. He was really handsome and had a nice smile.

She watched as he thanked the bartender and took a sip of his beer. He looked over at Miranda, catching her eye for a moment and gave a small smile before looking away.

Miranda realized she had been staring and clumsily reached for her drink, accidentally knocking it over onto the bar. "Shit," she swore as the bartender ran over with some napkins.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "I'll get you another."

Miranda gave him a nervous grin, not daring to look back over at the handsome stranger.

"Excuse me, are you alright?"

Miranda turned to the source of that smooth, voice and felt her heart beat faster when she realized the man was talking to her. "Oh, yeah, yeah, just...a...a little clumsy," she stumbled, waving her hands in the air.

He nodded and chuckled at her, turning back to his beer and phone. Miranda blushed and looked a way from him. He was making her extremely nervous, but then she heard his voice again and her heart started racing faster

"Hey, um, so I don't mean to bother you, but I can't help but wonder what brings you to a Seattle airport on Christmas Eve," Ben turned facing her.

"Oh, well, my flight has been cancelled. I was going home to my parents house for the holiday, but I guess that is not happening," she answered.

"Oh, damn, sorry, that's a bummer," Ben replied, continuing to nurse his beer. He got up and moved closer. "Well, since you're not going anywhere, would you mind some company? I'm kind of bored...my...uh...flight was cancelled too."

"Please," Miranda responded, gesturing toward the seat next to her. She ran her hand back through her flowing curls as Ben made his way onto the bar stool.

"We have not been properly introduced," Ben noted, holding his hand out, "Benjamin Warren. "

Miranda extended her hand to meet Ben's. It was rough and warm and Miranda grasped it for a little too long. "Miranda Bailey," she replied with a smile.

"Nice to meet you Miranda". He said pronouncing her name slowly testing it out.

Miranda tilted her head and grinned, "Nice to meet you too."

She is gorgeous, Ben thought, grabbing his beer and taking a long swig.

"So what brought you to Seattle?" Miranda asked, her elbows up on the bar, mindlessly twirling her fingers together.

"Oh, I live here, born and raised my family left for the holidays and I couldn't leave at the same day they did because of work. " Ben replied, taking a sip of his beer as he looked at Miranda.