The Flight Before Christmas

chapter two

Ben woke up the next morning and tried to turn, but he couldn't snuggled up against Ben was Miranda; her face was buried on his chest with her leg and arm thrown across his. He wondered when did they even get into the same blanket. For a moment he considered not getting up but he wanted to make them breakfast.

So slowly and carefully Ben let go of Miranda and slid her on to a pillow before carefully getting up so as to not wake her.

Ben prepared the food he didn't know what she liked so he made a variety.

Miranda woke up to an enticing smell of coffee and food. The fire in the room was still blazing. She stretched her arms above her head. She sat up and looked towards the kitchen seeing Ben flipping pancakes. She quickly stood on her feet and made her way to his bedroom. She fixed her hair and brushed her teeth.

When she emerged in to the kitchen she was greeted by Ben "Good morning Miranda," he said handing her the cup. "Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas and Thank you," she smiled as she took her first sip.

"The food looks wonderful. You could have woke me I would have helped you cook."

"Its okay you were sleeping peacefully and it was a beautiful sight."

Miranda blushed hard and looked down smiling. Ben place her food in front of her and they began to eat , laugh, and joke with each other. Miranda helped Ben clean up the kitchen and they cut music on and played card games. Ben laughed at Miranda pouting because he beat her in Gin rummy twice.

"Just give up." Ben said laughing at Miranda

"No set it up again." Miranda replied licking her lips.

She danced in victory when she finally won.

The next song on the radio began. "This Christmas" and it couldn't have been more perfect if he'd planned it.

"Dance with me," he asked reaching for the hand at her side, suddenly feeling bold.

"Ok." She let him pull her in close, and brought one arm up to wrap around his back reaching to hold his shoulder and letting her other hand lay flat over his heart. She rested her head on his sternum like they'd done this before. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her as close to his body as he could. As the song continued, they swayed back and forth and he ran his hand gently up and down her spine. They were genuinely having fun and Ben swirled her around a few times. Both dancing to the beat.

She couldn't help inhale his scent, lingering cologne and pine from the tree branches she found very alluring. "You smell nice," she said quietly.

"Um, breakfast, a new fragrance by Benjamin," he teased.

Miranda felt so comfortable in his arms, she could feel herself relax and melt into his chest. It felt almost healing to be in his arms. It had been so long since she had been held. She has never felt like this before and that was a scary realization for her. She felt that she was finally letting herself have what she wanted, what she needed and it filled her with peace she hadn't felt in a long time. It also filled her with courage.

As the song was ending, she slowly raised her head and met his eyes. Her hand had been wandering, caressing his chest and playing his shirt. She lifted it now and and gently stroked his cheek.

"Miranda" he said his voice straining in warning. He couldn't help but close his eyes and enjoy her touch for just a moment. He reached his hand up and placed it over hers. "Maybe-maybe we should get lunch now," he told her and though it pained him to start to step away from her he tried too, before he did something he shouldn't.