Thunder With A Chance of Pizza

Chapter 15

Sam

I shift nervously outside of Miranda door. I promised she and the girls pizza and I couldn't back out no matter how much my mind was telling me this was a bad idea. I shake away my negative thoughts and finally build up the courage to knock on the door. It doesn't take long before Miranda is answering. "Hi." I smile and hold up three boxes of pizza. She arches her eyebrow and I quickly explain, "There's a storm coming. We're gonna be trapped inside."

Miranda run her fingers through her hair and check her phone. "I didn't notice." She say. She take in my soak hair and wet clothes. "Sam." She finally pulls me into the home. "Why are you wet?"

I immediately turn red. "I parked across the street..." I explain while trying to hide the blush from my face. I look around the condo and it feels warmer in a way. There is blankets tossed everywhere and board games on the floor.

Miranda looks in my direction embarrassed.

"Sorry." She apologize. "I haven't had the time to clean. The girls is a handful."

"It's cool." I smile and place the pizza on the marble island. "Good news. The pizza is safe." I open the box and the hot steam and aroma comes from the box.

"Why didn't you park in the parking deck, Sam?" Miranda mutters. "That is what it is there for."

"I'm not on the list anymore." I explain in a whisper.

"What?" Miranda questions while picking up things around the living room.

"I'm not on the list anymore..." I repeat louder.

"Oh." Miranda pause as if everything clicks. "I'm sorry. I will put you back on the list immediately."

"It's cool." I shrug. "I'm sure Joy would be more useful having that spot."

"This has nothing to do with Joy, Sam. I was upset." Miranda explains. "You broke up with me and I needed..."

"I get it." I say. "Honestly. Don't worry about it."

Miranda nod her head ending the conversation. She continue to put away the toys. I lean against the island and you can hear the aggressive rain outside the window. Miranda close the curtains and speak, "The girls are fast asleep. They will be up soon and up all night."

"Are you hungry?" I ask. I open the second box and it's vegetarian pizza. "I have your favorite that shouldn't be your favorite and I have my favorite that you pretend you hate." I finish with a smile.

Miranda laughs, "Vegetarian for me and meat lovers with extra cheese for you."

My smile widens at the fact that she still remembers.

"What did you get the girls?" She ask.

"Half pepperoni and half cheese." I reply proudly.

She comes toward the counter and look into the boxes. I could tell she is starving. She walks around the island and begin to set out expensive plates and silverware. I roll my eyes in amusement. "We can eat out the box."

"I'll pretend you didn't say that." She replies in her regal voice.

I playfully roll my eyes again and pick up a slice out the box and begin to eat. I hum in pleasure as my taste buds dance in happiness. Miranda turns around with a disapproving look in her eyes. She sit a plate down in front of me and I place the pizza on top of it.

Footsteps catch our attention and the girls is sprinting down the hall. Shouts of my name and pizza rings through the condo.

Miranda rub her temple, "Girls. No screaming."

However, the three girls ignore her and jump into the stools before grabbing pizza out of the boxes. Miranda sigh annoyed and put the plates away. I smile in satisfaction and she playfully roll her eyes at me. She then picks up a slice out the box and take a bite. I grin widely and she close her eyes while she chew.

I give her the moment to herself.

The girls stuff their face. Sauce and cheese all over them. Delilah and Lily eat pepperoni and Piper sticks with the cheese pizza. Once we are done the girls is running into the living room to play the game.

Leaving Miranda and I.

Miranda shut the boxes and leave them on the stove. She yawn in her hand and I say, "Go shower and sleep. I'll watch them."

Miranda arches her eyebrow.

"You need some time to yourself." I say. "Go take one of those glorious bubble baths. You'll enjoy it."

Miranda smile and relax her shoulders. "I'm getting too old for this." She admits softly. "How am I supposed to keep up. I have Piper every weekend and it wears me out. How am I supposed to have her everyday for the rest of her life and keep up."

"You're freaking yourself out ba..." I swallow thickly. The word babe almost slipping out my mouth. I try again. "Bathe. Then we'll talk later. I will entertain them so take your time."

Miranda chews on her bottom lip as if she's debating but then she nod her head and disappear to her room. Piper is the first to notice Miranda is missing. She pouts and look around the room. "Where's mom?" She questions.

I freeze. I wasn't expecting that. "She's bathing." I answer.

"Okay." Piper smile. She then turn back around and giggle at whatever Lily was doing. I sit on the couch and watch Delilah and Lily play the game. They were pretty good but Lily was better. I watch closely as Lily instruct Delilah on the best method to win.

"Ugh." She frown. "This is stupid."

"Let me." Lily smile. Delilah hand over the controller and Lily begin shooting all the enemies away. I haven't had time to play the game in a while but I knew from experience that Lily was playing online against others and she was good.

I pull out my phone and dial Rose.

"Yeah." She answers.

"Did you know Lily and Delilah plays Fortnite?" I question.

"Yeah. Why?" Rose ask and I could hear the TV through the phone and the ruffling of a bag of chips. I roll my eyes. Typical.

"I was curious." I say. "Lily is really good."

"Duh. She's a freaking nerd. She plays that Minecraft game too." Rose explains. "I was gonna enter her into a few competitions to earn a few extra bucks for myself. But, that will take the fun away. I'll wait till she's older."

I roll my eyes.

"That's all you wanted to know?" Rose ask. "I'm busy."

"Busy doing nothing." I hiss through the phone.

"You're right." Rose respond. "Leave me in peace."

"Whatever. Bye."

"Wait." Rose shout.

"Ugh. What?" I ask.

"You have the twins? I thought..." The phone goes silent. I could feel the huge grin on Rose face even though I could not see her. "You're with Miranda huh."

I choose to not answer. Rose chuckles loudly through the phone and I hang up. "Immature." I mutter underneath my breath.

Miranda finally come into the main room and she is wrapped in a thin robe. I swallow hard. Her hair is pinned up showing her neck and her robe stopped mid thigh showing off her legs. She is insane. I pull my bottom lip between my teeth. "Sam you're gonna miss it." Lily pull at my hand and I turn my head to look at the TV.

They were watching another action film. I nod my head at Lily and turn back to Miranda. She's in the kitchen grabbing a bottle of water. She then put away all the dirty dishes and leftover pizza. I frown.

The island was blocking my view.

A few moments later she finally come into living room and announce, "Girls. Bedtime once this movie is done."

They all begin to protest.

"We've already been to sleep." Delilah say. "Too much of anything can be harmful."

Miranda couldn't help but laugh. Delilah grin widely and follow Miranda to her bedroom. I'm left with Piper and Lily. The two of them sit on each side of me before falling asleep. I pick them up one by one and take them to the guest room before putting them in the bed. I pull the sheets over them and crack the door.

I make my way back to the couch and wait for Miranda. I flip through the channels before settling on Food Network. Miranda finally come from the back and she is dressed in a nightgown. I internally groan. She take a seat next to me and explain, "Delilah is asleep in my bed."

I chuckle, "She's too smart for her own good."

Miranda nod her head agreeing, "So much potential."

We sit on the couch and get lost into different conversations as we listen to the rain and thunder. It's peaceful and I enjoy every moment. I don't remember falling asleep but when I awake I am on the couch with blankets on top of me. I smile and shift before falling back into slumber.

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The next morning is long. The girls do not wanna get up and they are grumpy. Piper cries in the kitchen during breakfast because she is not ready to go back to her foster home. I take the twins in the other room to help them dress and pack up their things. The two of them is oddly quiet.

"Why can't she stay?" Lily ask.

"It's complicated." I answer. "But, Miranda is going to take care of everything."

After the twins brush their teeth we head back to the living room. Miranda is whispering to Piper. "Sweetheart. We spoke about this. I need you to be strong for mommy. Just a little longer. Okay?"

"I don't wanna go back." Piper admits. "I wanna stay here with you."

"I know baby and I want you stay with me to." Miranda replies. "But, we have to wait on them to finalized all the paperwork. Once that is done I promise you'll never have to go back."

Piper chew on her bottom lip. She wipe her tears away. "Okay." She throw out her pinky. Miranda smile and wrap her pinky around Pipers before picking her up and kissing her all over her face.

We go for ice-cream before dropping off the twins. Joy is happy to see them. She and Miranda speak shortly before she is getting back into the car and heading towards the foster home.

Piper is quiet the entire ride and I can tell this is hurting Miranda more than she wanted to admit. I want to hold her and tell her that everything will be fine. I question myself the entire ride. Finally, I build up the courage and place my hand on top of hers and give her a light squeeze. "Everything will be fine." I tell her.

We finally arrive and Miranda grab Piper bag and the two of them disappear into the home. I watch from the car as Miranda give Piper kisses all over her face and a big hug. Piper giggles and rushes into the building. Miranda then slowly walk back to the car.

We ride together in silence but I can feel every stab to the heart that she is feeling the further we drive away.

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I sit on the couch the next day and listen to Rose complain about last minute preparations for the wedding. "It's almost here." She laugh nervously. "Fuck. Sam. I'm scared shitless."

"This was your idea." I roll my eyes. "You asked Nathalie to marry you. Too late to back out."

"What the fuck, Sam." Rose frown. "I know what I asked and I'm not backing out. I'm fucking scared."

"You'll be fine." I tell her.

"Are you serious?" Rose shout. "Look at me? I can't even stop my hands from shaking."

I ignore her. Austin come into the room and take a seat next to me in exhaustion. "What did you do to Miranda?"

"Now I see why you're being an asshole." Rose scowl. "I forgot you were at Miranda's last night."

I continue to ignore Rose.

"Why?" I question Austin. "How is she doing?"

"Well, Rose told me the two of you were together last night." Austin explain. "I prepared myself for either a horrible morning or a very happy morning. Instead I get a very depressed Miranda. She wouldn't even look at me. Did you break up with her again?" Austin ask while narrowing his eyes. "Cause you didn't have to go to her house."

"What?" I frown. "No asshole. Can the two of you stay out of me and Miranda business?"

"Nope." Austin frown. "I work for her. My life revolves around Miranda..."

"Yeah, Austin. Her professional life not her personal life. Let it go." I hiss.

"What happened?" Austin push.

I frown. He wasn't letting this go. "It's Piper." I tell him. "Don't try to talk to her about it. She will explode. Just give her space."

"Don't you think you need to be with her." Rose comments. "And not here being mean to me."

"I tried." I reply. "But, she's shutting me out. So, I called Nathalie..."

My phone begins to ring cutting me off. "Speaking of Miranda." I say before answering the call. Rose and Austin move closer. I push them away.

"Sam." Miranda screams in panic. "Sam! Piper is missing. They can't find her."

I stand abruptly hitting Rose in the face. "Ouch." She shout.

I hurry and grab my shoes and jacket ignoring Austin questions. "Calm down." I say through the phone.

"I can't fucking calm down, Sam!" She screams back at me. "Piper is missing and these wasteful policemen cannot find her." Miranda pause. "Sam. They can't find my baby. They can't find her."

"I'm on my way. Stay there." I tell her.

I hang up the phone and hurry out the condo. "Piper is missing." I tell Austin and Rose who is close behind me. "We have to find her."