Family Matters

M.I.A.

After Ben listened to the whole voicemail he just stood there in silence as Miranda watched for his next reaction.

"Benjamin....You okay baby?", she touched his face and he slowly put her hand down off of his face. Miranda waited for him to speak, but it seemed like he was never going to.

"So she really isn't mines Miranda?!", he said as his voice started to break.

"I don't know Ben, but that doesn't change anything. You raised her for 16 years from the time she was born to now. She's yours regardless", Miranda said trying to be strong for her husband, but she was falling apart herself.

"I want a paternity test Miranda."

"Seriously Ben are you even considering her feelings right now...what are you going to say come on let's go get tested to see if I'm your father. That's not okay and you know that. And if she's not then what are you going to do kick her out? The test is not going to change anything Benjamin so why even get it done, to hurt the both of yall even more. Why would you even do that to yourself or her?"

"It doesn't matter to you because she's not even yours at all so you wouldn't understand", Ben said angrily.

Miranda's feelings were hurt. "So what have I been the last 8 years of her life....a damn landlord to her", Miranda yelled tearfully.

"Miranda I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that, but-....."

"But nothing you meant what you said and that's perfectly fine. I don't know what's your damn problem right now, but whatever happens or if she agrees to the test no matter what it says Melanie is mine. She's my daughter and will always be a daughter to me and nothing less. I'm sorry you can't feel the same way as me."

"Not until I know the truth!", Ben said wishing that he hadn't.

"I'm sorry too!", Melanie said standing there crying listening to their entire argument.

"Melanie wait!", Miranda said going after her, but she ran  into her room shutting the door.

"Are you happy now Benjamin", Miranda yelled.

"I CAN'T DEAL WITH THIS MIRANDA ANOTHER DAMN THING FROM MALAYSIA I SWEAR SHE WAS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN MY LIFE", Ben yelled flipping the coffee table shattering it then walking out of the house.

Miranda had never seen Ben like this before and it scared her. After sitting down on the couch in disbelief she finally got up and swept up the glass, but couldn't flip the table back.

She went into the kids play room where Milana and BJ were both playing the game and Gianna and Mina were sitting on the floor playing with dolls and stuffed animals.

Slowly getting down to the floor Miranda sat down playing with her girls trying not to cry, but it was hard.

Gianna slowly got up holding herself with her hands bending over with her butt in the air then finally got confident enough to stand up by herself and tapped her little feet across the room walking for the first time towards Miranda.

"Mama", Gianna smiled taking her pacifier out of her mouth putting it towards Miranda's mouth and taking her little hands wiping Miranda's tears away.

"Thank you baby.... Oh my God Gianna baby you walked....you walked. Big girl baby", Miranda said clapping and crying and Gianna giggled clapping with her. "Yaaaaaa", Gianna giggled and clapped again.

Mina got up and start rubbing Miranda's head and back. "It's okay mommy don't cry." Miranda grabbed and held them both.

"Mom what's for dinner?", the twins asked.