“So...” Andy continued scrubbing down her face and watched Miranda doing the same. “Another decision down...” A non-committal grunt was all Andy got as a response to that, but she grinned knowing that Miranda had very much enjoyed the steak that had been cooked and seasoned to perfection. The Chicken Marsala she'd had was also divine. Gunter was true to his word and Andy had the sneaking suspicion that pretty much any catering job they had to do in the future, large or small, would be handled by this particular company and this particular chef. Her partner was being very quiet this evening though and Andy picked up some weird vibes rolling off the woman, ever since Gunter and his magical disappearing/reappearing entourage had left. Andy washed her hands and only just stopped herself from putting a dollop of antibacterial gel on them, “Miranda? Are you okay?” The answer was sharp and immediate.
“Yes.”
Uh oh... Andy bit her upper lip and with a slight feeling of dread in her stomach asked quietly, “Are you angry with me?”
“What?!” Spinning to face the young woman directly instead of looking at her reflection in the mirror, Miranda's eyes searched Andrea's face. “Why?”
“For yelling at the girls, for yelling at Caroline...” Andy hung her head, unable to look Miranda in the eyes, “I think I stressed her out, made her sick...”
“Andrea, look at me.” Miranda's eyes softened as tearful brown eyes rose to meet her gaze. She tried her best no nonsense tone, “You did not make Caroline sick.”
“But I yelled at her.” Andy bit her lips together and wiped a tear off her cheek. “I yelled at her and then she got sick.”
Moving forward, Miranda wrapped one arm around the young woman's waist and brushed away even more tears with the other hand, “Coincidence, Andrea, nothing more. You know Caroline often gets sick... you did not cause it.”
“I don't want her to be sick, Miranda,” Andy buried her face in the convenient hollow where Miranda's neck met her shoulder, breathing in the calming scent of Miranda's signature perfume, “I would do anything to help her, I'd be sick myself if it meant she'd be better.”
“I know that,” Miranda threaded her fingers through Andrea's dark hair, “And so does Caroline.” Kissing the dark head so close to her lips, Miranda smiled, “You love her and she knows you do... it's part of what makes you a great mother.”
Andy sniffed and blinked as she pulled away from the embrace slightly, “What... Nn.. no.. I'm not...” Dark eyes trailed along as her fingertips traced the outline of Miranda's face. “You, are the most wonderful mother... you love them so much...”
“I do love them and I will do anything for my family,” Miranda sighed, knowing the truth, “but I have not always been here for them.”
“Yes you have.” Andy moved closer, resting her forehead against her fiancee's, “Yes you have. They know that if they really need you you'll be there.”
“They deserve more than that.” Miranda shifted to rest her head on Andrea's shoulder, “They deserve better.”
“Miranda, there is no one better,” Andy pulled the woman tighter against her, “I wish I knew what to say or do to convince you of that.” Miranda remained silent, and Andy sighed, “C'mon, let's go check on Caroline one more time before we turn in.” She kept her arm around Miranda's waist as they walked to the girl's room, loving how the woman's skin felt as it warmed through the silk gown and satin robe Miranda was wearing.
Andy knocked quietly and when a faint 'come in' was heard, held the door to Caroline's room open and hung back as Miranda approached the child's bed.
Miranda sat on the edge of the bed, aware when Andrea moved, quietly, up behind her. Tracing Caroline's cheek gently, Miranda asked, “How are you feeling, my darling?”
“I'm okay.” Caroline took a deep breath. “I'm, um.. glad you're both here.” She hadn't told Andy earlier because she didn't want to have to say this more than once. But she also didn't want to tell them by herself, “Ma, can you go get Cass?”
“Um, sure, Munchkin...” Andy's hand trailed along Miranda's shoulder and neck as she moved away, “Be right back.”
“What's this all about?” Miranda didn't like the air of sadness surrounding her daughter.
“Please, Mom, can we just wait for Ma and Cass?” Turning on her side, Caroline curled around her pillow and sighed.
Miranda just nodded and reached out, watching the auburn curls on her daughter's head fall through her fingers, waiting for the others to join them.
###
Andy knocked lightly on Cassidy's door, pushing it open when she heard the girl's usual 'enter' response. “Hey Sweetie, um... Caroline wants you to come to her room for a minute.”
“Oh, uh... sure.” Cassidy straightened her pajama top then pulled a folded piece of paper from under her pillow and followed Andy the short distance down the hall.
The first thing Miranda noticed when Andrea re-entered the room was the odd expression on her face, the second thing was the piece of paper in Cassidy's hand. “What is this all about?”
Andy shrugged and took a seat on Caroline's bed, behind Miranda, but close enough to feel the heat radiating from the woman's skin.
Cassidy climbed on the bed to sit next to Ro. She spoke quietly to her sister, “You want me to tell them?” She sighed internally as Caroline nodded. “Okay.”
Miranda and Andy listened as Cassidy explained to them about the pre-college classes at Julliard, about the admissions audition and as she handed over her letter, about the results, “I got in.”
Caroline slid her own letter out from under her pillow, handing it over sadly, “And I didn't.”
Miranda's forehead wrinkled as she took the papers, passing both of them to Andrea.
Andy blinked then realized Miranda wasn't wearing her glasses. She opened Cassidy's and read the first line, “We are happy to inform you of your acceptance into...” then opened Caroline's, “We regret to inform you that you currently do not possess the skill required...”
“What!?” Miranda was outraged, “Of course she does...”
“Mom!... Mom... calm down.” Caroline reached out and caught one of Miranda's hands. “They're right. I totally blew the audition. I got really nervous and flubbed a bunch of stuff.”
Miranda looked directly into her daughter's eyes and asked, “Do you want to be in this program?”
They all knew immediately what that question meant. If Caroline wanted it, Miranda would make it happen. For a moment, Cassidy was slightly upset, she and the other participants had earned the right to be there, and if Caroline could get in on their mother's whim then what was the point? Her sister's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“No,” Caroline shook her head, “not like that.”
Andy smiled, proud of Caroline for turning down the easy way. Miranda nodded too, “You can do anything you want, but I think there was a reason you 'flubbed' the audition.”
“Yeah!... I was nervous!” Caroline laughed, glad that Miranda didn't seem disappointed in her, “Cass went first and she was just totally awesome!”
Blue eyes twinkled as Miranda spoke to her musically inclined daughter, “I'm sure you were wonderful.” Turning back to Caroline Miranda asked, “Why did you take piano lessons in the first place?” Both girls snorted and answered at the same time.
“You made us.”
Miranda nodded and heard Andy's chuckle behind her, “And when you got older, when I no longer forced you to take the lessons, why did you continue?” This time the answers were different.
“Because I loved it.” “Because Cass did.”
Again nodding, Miranda smiled at her girls, but spoke to Caroline, “You only took lessons because I forced you to, and only continued because your sister did. But, she loves music and takes great joy in creating and playing it. I observed that earlier when Dorothy and I were listening to her new song.”
“You finished it?” Caroline looked over at her sister, “You didn't tell me you finished.”
Cassidy shrugged, “You were sick and it still needs a title and lyrics.”
“My point is,” Miranda reached out to tap Caroline's cooling cheek, “You don't love it as she does. If you wish to further your studies in something, find what you love and we will discover ways for you to explore that.”
“So you really aren't angry that I... failed?” Caroline swallowed hard, “You aren't disappointed?”
“As your mother, someone who loves you both, I only want you girls to be happy.” Miranda patted the Caroline's knee through the blankets. “You can never disappoint me so long as you're happy.”
Andy pressed her lips together at the words, wishing all parents felt that way. Deep brown eyes watched as the girls exchanged a look as Caroline's hand slowly reached under her pillow again.
“In that case,” Caroline gathered her courage and pulled another folded page from under her pillow, “I think this is what I want to explore.”
Miranda took the paper and could see the header and logo, New York Film Academy, before she passed the paper to Andrea.
Andy scanned the page and vocalized the relevant information for Miranda. “Summer camp for kids?”
Caroline nodded, “I can't do it this year, but I'm going to check into some things and next year I might want to go.”
Can't do it this year? Andy looked at the dates and smiled sadly at the girl, “It conflicts with the wedding date this year.”
Caroline nodded, “Yeah, and that's okay.”
“ You want to study filmmaking?” Miranda hoped the tone of her voice wasn't terribly confusing for Caroline. She had just told the girl that she wouldn't be disappointed if Caroline was happy, but, “I was under the impression you wanted to go into publishing...” like me.
“Yeah, but there is a creative writing class at the Academy,” Caroline shrugged, “And I can't seem to find any programs for kids in the publishing field, not for magazines.”
“Really...”
Andy's lips twitched as she held back a smile. She could practically see the wheels in Miranda's head turning.
“Perhaps we can remedy that situation.” Smiling at her girls, Miranda leaned forward, “Right now it is late and you should get some sleep.” She kissed Caroline on the forehead.
“Thanks, Mom...” Caroline hesitated, not sure how to explain what she was thanking the woman for, “For everything you do...” She turned her pleading eyes to Cassidy who winked and nodded. Caroline knew Cassidy would explain it for her.
Miranda automatically answered the thank you, “You are welcome. Good night, my Darling.”
Smiling, Caroline snuggled down in her bed, “G'night.”
Andy stepped forward and brushed some hair away from Caroline's shoulder then leaned in and kissed the girl's cheek. “Good night, Munchkin. I'm really proud of you.”
“G'night, Ma and thanks.”
Miranda and Andy sandwiched Cassidy between them as they walked out of Caroline's room, back to Cassidy's. They got all the way to her door before Miranda stopped and wrapped both arms around the girl. “I'm very proud of you.”
“But...”
“I wanted to tell you in private, because I don't want Caroline to get the wrong idea. I'm proud of her too.” Miranda tapped the girl's nose, “I meant what I said about wanting you girls to be happy. I know music does that, makes you happy.”
Cassidy nodded, “That's what Ro was thanking you for.” She led the adults into her room and settled on her bed much like Caroline had. Miranda again sat on the edge but this time Andy sat behind her, cross-legged at the foot of the bed. “We both know that we are very lucky to have you as a Mom. We know that it's because of you, your hard work, that we can do things like this.” She waved the letter she'd received from Julliard at them. “There are so many kids, talented kids, who can't even dream about doing this, because they...their parents... just can't afford it. We know we're lucky like that and we aren't going to waste it. Making the most of what we have, it's a talent that you gave us.”
Cassidy smiled at her mother, “It's like that scene in the movie, National Velvet, when Velvet wants to enter her horse in the race, but needs a bunch of money to do it and the Dad won't allow it... but the mom... takes Velvet up into the attic and shows her a trunk full of stuff from when she'd swam the English Channel, including the money she'd won. When she gave that money to Velvet...to follow her dream...” Cassidy shook her head to clear the emotion from it. “That's what you do... Doing what you love to do, with Runway and fashion, has given us the chance to do what we love.” She didn't know what else to say, to explain. “You're a great mom, Mom. I promise you, neither Ro or I will ever forget it.” Sitting up Cassidy wrapped her mom up in a fierce hug and was almost surprised, but kind of not, when it was reciprocated.
“I love you, Cassidy.” Miranda's voice was tight with emotion. “Thank you.”
Andy waited for the embrace to be broken and when Miranda moved away, Andy also wrapped her long arms around the girl. “You did good, Sweetheart. I'm really proud of you.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
Miranda leaned into Andrea's solid form as they walked back to their room. The older woman was silent and Andrea maintained the peace until they reached the privacy of their room and Miranda sighed, “Go ahead.”
“Hmmm?” Andy turned down the blankets and climbed into bed, holding the covers up for Miranda to do the same.
Rolling her eyes, Miranda took off her robe and draped it at the foot of the bed before snuggling in next to the brunette. “You know you want to, so just say it and get it over with.”
Andy bit her lips together and smiled but didn't say a word. Her dark eyes twinkled at Miranda's, almost squirming, discomfort for nearly a full minute before she wrapped her long arms around the fashion icon. She trailed tiny kisses from the corner of Miranda's mouth up her jaw to the woman's ear and whispered softly. “Told ya.”
An exasperated sound escaped Miranda, “You are the only person in the world who can get away with saying 'I told you so' to me.”
Chuckling, Andy continued to drop light kisses on Miranda's neck and jaw, “Hmmm...” She shifted to press the annoyed woman down onto the mattress, “Let's find out what else I can do that no one else in the world can.” A wicked grin pulled a low moan from the back of Miranda's throat.
“Oh, let's.” The issues that had upset her previous to checking on the girls seemed to dissipate. Miranda was sure they would return later, but on that occasion the doubts would be dealt with, she gasped as Andrea's lovely lips found a sensitive spot. Miranda knew that no matter what, anything could be dealt with so long as Andrea was by her side.
###
Conversation at the breakfast table was unusually subdued. The clink of utensils on the dishes randomly broke the silence.
Pava looked up at the ceiling and asked, “When do you think they'll be down?”
Caroline and Cassidy exchanged glances and then they both just shrugged and continued eating their cereal. Dorothy ventured a guess, “I wouldn't think it would be too much longer, it's already eight a.m.” Mary, wisely, decided not to comment.
The girls had almost finished their cereal when the back door opened and a very sweaty Andy walked inside. She stopped short at the sight of her family crowded around the small kitchen table. “Whoa! I guess I'm just in time for breakfast, huh?”
“Oh, Hello, Darlin'” Pava laughed, “We didn't even think you were up yet.”
Andy ran her fingers through her damp dark hair, “Are you kidding? It's after eight!” She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed the first number on her speed dial list. “Hey you...Everyone is up.” She paused at the response, “Okay... we'll be here.” Smiling into the phone, Andy laughed, “I love you too.” Ending the call, the youngest Sachs in the room washed her hands, only just stopping herself from blobbing some antibacterial gel on her hands afterward and informed her guests, “Miranda will finish up at Runway soon and be home in time for lunch.” She grinned at their astonished looks, “We're supposed to 'determine if we want to go out or get delivery'.”
“We're going to cook here,” Dorothy stated in no uncertain terms, “That was the whole purpose of going to the Farmer's Market yesterday morning.”
“Right,” Andy laughed again and pulled her sweaty shirt away from her chest. “I'm going to go hose off.” Snagging a half slice of toast from her mother's plate, Andy dashed up the stairs. “I won't be long.”
“I don't recall her ever being that energetic.” Dorothy shook her head and chuckled, “Not when she lived with me.”
Pava laughed, “She has different priorities now, different obligations.” A sly grin crossed the older woman's features as she thought, Different ways to re-energize.
“I guess so.” Dorothy reached for her remaining half piece of toast and smiled, “She's still my daughter though...”
“Of course she is,” Pava snorted, “That never changes, no matter how old they get.”
Caroline groaned, “So when we're in our fifties, Mom is still gonna treat us like kids?”
Pava laughed, “Probably so...”
Dorothy snorted softly, “If you can drag her out of her office long enough.” She blinked at the twin's soft almost sad expressions and explained, “I'm surprised she's working today, on a Sunday.”
They both nodded, but everyone concentrated on the food in front of them for a long time after that comment then Cassidy broke the silence.
“Coco Chanel died on a Sunday.”
“What?” Mary glanced at the other adults at the table, then back at Cassidy. “Coco Chanel?”
Cassidy nodded, “She was Mom's favorite designer. Mom told us a story about her yesterday, but we've both done research on Coco Chanel for school projects.”
Caroline took up the explanation, “Coco Chanel changed the world of fashion, forever, she was a revolutionary, like Mom is.”
“She worked all the time, like Mom does.” Cassidy watched her spoon swirling the last bit of cereal around the milk in her bowl.
Miniature Miranda eyes pinned Dorothy with a look, “They say, Coco Chanel died on a Sunday, because her shop was closed that day and that was the only time she had to do it.”
“You think that's why your mom works?” Mary was intrigued.
Both girls nodded.
Caroline temporized, “I think that's part of why.”
Dorothy grunted, “Most people work because they need the money.”
“Mom doesn't need the money.” Cassidy picked up her bowl and carried it to the sink to rinse.
“That's the truth...” Caroline took a drink of her juice. “There's already enough money for her, and us, and our children, and our children's children's children...before we even do a thing.”
“Really?” Pava knew Miranda was rich but thought the girls were probably exaggerating somewhat and chuckled. “Well, just don't go all 'Paris Hilton' on us...”
Caroline rolled her eyes and Cassidy scoffed, “Not likely.”
Caroline tilted her head thoughtfully, “Nicky isn't so bad though.” She knew Cassidy was nodding in agreement.
“Oh?” Mary didn't really keep up with celebrity gossip but she had of course heard Paris Hilton's name in the 'news', but there wasn't as much coverage on the attention hound's sister. “Do you know them?”
“Know who?” Andy took the final few steps down the stairs, still ruffling her damp hair with her fingers.
Cassidy mumbled, “Nicky and Paris...”
“Ah...” Andy shook her head a bit to settle her damp hair in place, “What brought them up? Has Nicky done another clothing line?”
“No, Gram was just warning us not to be like Paris... you know, RGS, when we hit our teens.”
“Um...” Dorothy questioned the letters, “RGS?”
Andy, Cassidy and Caroline spoke simultaneously, “Rich Girl Syndrome.”
“Miranda won't tolerate it,” Andy explained, “There have been a few discussions as to what is and is not appropriate behavior for young women, usually after a more sensationalistic story hits the papers and/or tabloids.”
“Ah...” Dorothy nodded, but then questioned, “She doesn't like the behavior, but she does like the clothing designs?”
Andy grinned as the twins shook their heads, “Not 'like', as such,” Andy chuckled, “More like...didn't hate.... Nicky got a mention in the article Runway did in conjunction with the Las Vegas fashion week when they were unveiled. I think Miranda gave her a small picture or two as well.”
Caroline nodded, “Yeah...Chick was a pretty basic label. Mom didn't want too much space devoted to it.”
“Why devote any space to it?” Mary was fascinated by the conversation. Miranda seemed so, unapproachable in the media, but was in fact quite lovely to socialize with. Insight into the fashion icon's mindset was interesting.
“She rewards effort.” Andy chuckled, “Her employees wouldn't agree with me, but she does.”
Pava gave a soft grunt at the statement then changed the subject. “So, what are we going to do this morning, while we're waiting for lunch?”
“We could take a walk...” Andy suggested. “We still have birthday invitations to mail and I could show you around the neighborhood,” She grinned at the girls, “I saw a moving truck at the house down the street, so I guess someone bought the place. Looked like they might have kids...and I saw a piano in the truck.”
“Yeah?” Cassidy thought about it for a second, “I could take a walk.”
“I thought you said it was hot...” Dorothy felt bad about it, but she wasn't as in-shape as the rest of the group was, even the older women. “What about the reporters outside?”
Andy shrugged, “It's not too hot if you aren't running, and if you don't mind having your picture taken, the reporters shouldn't bother you. They usually leave after I get back from my run anyway... there won't be many, if any, out there now.”
“Can we take Patricia?” Caroline didn't want the dog to be left out.
“Sure,” Andy laughed, “If she'll come. She may be tired enough from her run that she won't want to go.”
Andy was a little surprised at the large dog's enthusiasm for the walk. Maybe because of all the other people joining them, or because Patricia recognized Andy's 'street' clothes as opposed to 'running' clothes she had changed out of.
In any case, the group of them paraded down the street. Their first stop was at the new 'neighbors'. Two kids, a boy and a girl, who looked slightly older than the twin's, were playing basketball with a portable hoop set aside, obviously temporarily, on the sidewalk. Andy did her best to hold Patricia back at the sight of the ball. Her stern “sit!” command got the player's attention.
“Hello.” The girl tucked the ball under her arm.
Andy sighed in relief as Patricia calmed down somewhat. “Hello.” She smiled at the two young people. “We just live down the street and thought we'd say Hi, and Welcome.” She gestured for Cassidy to move forward.
Taking a step closer, Cassidy held out a Chinette plate piled high with cookies. “We... um... made them ourselves.” She tried not to stare, but the taller girl was so, mesmerizing. Her light blonde hair was cut short, but styled to accentuate her high cheekbones. Cassidy thought maybe it was her eyes that were the most striking though, they were very very pale blue, almost gray.
“Really?” The girl exchanged glances with her brother as she took the offering, “We'll have to hide them from Mom.”
Wincing at that, Andy tried to diffuse any trouble the kids would get into, “If you aren't supposed to have them...”
“Oh, no!” The girl laughed, “She'll just eat them all if she sees them!” Looking back at Cassidy, the girl grinned, “They look delicious...”
Nodding, Cassidy agreed, “They taste great,” She sighed and indicated Dorothy, “Grandma helped us make them.”
“Neat,” Alyssa laughed, “Our grandma never makes cookies with us.”
Alan snorted, “You got that right, I doubt she even knows where the kitchen is in her house.”
Andy laughed and introduced the group, “My name is Andy,” She pointed to her walking companions naming them quickly, ending with Caroline and Cassidy.
“Identical twins...” The boy smiled, “Neat.” He stepped forward offering his hand to shake to Caroline, “My name is Alan, this is my sister, Alyssa.”
“Hi,” Caroline took the boy's hand and shook it firmly. Something in the way he had said their names tipped her off. “Twins?” They didn't look anything alike, almost opposites in fact. Alan had dark hair and deep brown eyes, he did have the same bone structure as his sister though. Caroline thought the boy's high cheekbones and soulful eyes made him look very handsome.
Alyssa shoved the basketball into Alan's chest, “Fraternal, obviously. I am so much prettier than him.”
Alan grinned, “You wish.” He tossed the basketball up in his hands a few times. His eyes twinkled at Caroline. “You two wanna play?”
Andy grinned as both Cassidy and Caroline's eyes lit up. “Hey, why don't we,” she indicated the older women and herself, “finish our walk, mail your invitations and then meet you back here?” She looked around as she told the twins, “We have to make sure it's okay with your parents first though.”
Alyssa nodded, tipped her head back and yelled, “MOM!”
A tall, thin woman with long, light blonde, almost white hair appeared at the door of the house. Seeing her children standing with a bunch of strangers, she walked toward them quickly. She rolled up the sleeves on her white button down shirt, but didn't tuck it in to her form fitting jeans, as she approached them. “Why are you bellowing, 'lyssa?”
“Can Cassidy and Caroline stay and play?” The blonde girl wrapped one arm around Cassidy's shoulder like they'd known each other forever and teased her mother ruthlessly, waving the plate of goodies under the woman's nose, “They brought homemade cookies...”
Andy laughed, “Hi,” She reached out to shake the woman's hand, “I'm Andy Sachs...” She went through all the introductions again.
“Nice to meet you,” The blonde smiled as she shook Andy's hand, “I'm Lara, Lara Hartstone.”
That name sounded familiar to her, but Andy couldn't place where she'd heard it before. “Your children have invited the girls to stay and play,” Andy grinned at the girls, “They love to play basketball but I wanted to clear it with you first.”
Lara looked at the younger children, “You love to play basketball?”
“Yeah, we play sometimes at school and Grandma has a hoop in her driveway.” Cassidy grinned at the memory and at the arm around her.
Caroline also remembered it fondly, “Yeah, we wiped the court with Uncle Chad and Andy's Dad.”
Andy felt a pang in her heart, Not Grandpa, she thought. Andy exchanged glances with her Mom and Gram then let it pass. “We just have some things to mail, and I was showing my family around the neighborhood...” She grinned at the twins, “I thought the girls might find it boring.”
“Oh,” Lara scanned the group of older women, “you aren't from around here?”
Dorothy stepped forward, “We live in Cincinnati. We're just here to help out Andy with some wedding plans.”
Lara glanced at Andy's hand, just now noticing the ring on her finger, “Wow... that's... wow.”
“Yes,” Andy looked down at the ring concentrating on the love it represented and not how much this particular ring had cost in terms of money. She had to put it out of her mind or she would worry about wearing it every day. Or, she would start obsessing about how much more this one cost than the one she got for Miranda. Cassidy's voice brought her out of her musings.
“It's us.”
Everyone looked at Cassidy who regretfully ducked out from under Alyssa's arm to hold Andy's hand. “The diamonds, Mom explained it to me. They're us...” She pointed to the large gem in the middle then to the two smaller ones on each side, “Mom, Ro, and me.”
Andy looked at the ring again swallowing hard as the love she didn't think could grow any more, swelled in her heart. Lara's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
“Um...you, Ro and... Mom?” She blinked now realizing something fairly important. The woman standing in front of her was engaged, to another woman.
“Yeah,” Cassidy stiffened her arms at her sides, her hands balling into fists as she turned to face the blonde woman. She stood between Lara and Andy, seemingly ready for anything, “You got a problem with that?” She was aware of Caroline moving next to her, shoulder to shoulder in front of Andy.
“Easy girls...” Andy put one hand on each of their shoulders and looked over the curly red heads, locking eyes with Lara, “I think it just surprised her.”
“Oh!” Lara realized now what she had sounded like, “Yes! Sorry... yes, I was just surprised for a minute. I don't have a problem with that at all...” She smiled at the protective girls, “... I think it's wonderful.”
Andy felt the tension under her hands relax and grinned at the woman, “Thanks.”
“So,” Alan sounded thoughtful and asked Andy, “You're gonna be like... their mom?”
Again, Cassidy tensed, but it was Caroline who spoke, “She is our Ma!”
Alan held up his hands, “Whoa... I didn't mean...” He swallowed hard at the look in Caroline's eyes, a look that many Runway employees knew and feared, “I think it's cool, having two mom's... that would be awesome.”
“I dunno...” Alyssa spoke up thoughtfully and grinned at the shocked look on the adult's faces, “With two mom's we'd never get any cookies!”
Lara snorted and rolled her eyes at her daughter as everyone in the group chuckled a bit at the statement.
Dorothy took the break in the tension and ran with it. “I think maybe we should continue with our walk.”
“Yeah,” Andy agreed. She bent down and hugged Cassidy, then Caroline. “Thanks guys. It won't take us long.” They waved goodbye to Lara, “Thanks for watching the girls for a minute...”
“No problem,” Lara smiled as Alyssa again claimed Cassidy's shoulders for an arm rest.
Andy began walking in the direction of the mailbox, the others following, when Cassidy stopped them.
“Wait!” The girl ducked away from her new friend and grabbed the packet of invitations out of Andy's hands. She looked though them quickly, taking one out and handing the rest back to Andy. “Okay.”
Cassidy felt bad about misjudging the comments their new neighbors had made. She looked at the invitation and gathered her courage as she spoke to Alyssa, “It's going to be our birthday...” She handed the taller, older, girl the envelope, “You guys can come to the party...if you want.”
Alyssa blinked at the addressed invitation, “Um... who's James Apple?”
“Not Apple, Appel... He's our dad... but he doesn't really need an invitation... I'll just send him an email, and call him. I was only going to send him a card because I had an extra.” Cassidy smiled at Alyssa as she opened the card.
Caroline spoke up, “You can both come to the party. Just tell Emily how many will be with you when you RSVP.”
“Emily is Miranda's assistant,” Andy explained to Lara, “She's handling all the arrangements for the birthday party. You're more than welcome to stay at the party or you can just drop them off... whatever you are comfortable with.”
“Miranda...” Lara smiled, “that's a lovely name...” Sky blue eyes twinkled at Andy's smile.
Alan peeked over at the invitation, “Cool.” Then he began to dribble the basketball again. “C'mon, let's play.”
Andy winked at her girls then clicked her tongue at Patricia, “C'mon girl...” They started again on their mission to mail the rest of the invitations. Andy walked absently for a short distance in silence, just putting one foot in front of the other, as she thought about how great it felt to hear Caroline say she was their Ma. Then the sunlight glinted off her ring and she stared at it as if this was the first time she'd seen it. She was almost glad Miranda hadn't told her what the diamonds represented, if she'd known, she was sure the gunman who had taken them hostage at the charity event would have had to kill her to get it off her finger. Dorothy fell into step next to her daughter and asked quietly, “Are you okay?”
“Hmmm... “ Dragging her eyes away from the ring, Andy looked at her mother with watery eyes, “Yeah, I'm great.”
Dorothy smiled and wrapped her arm around Andy's waist and jostled her a little. “You bet you are.”
Pava's arm slid around Mary's waist and she leaned close, “Are you okay?”
Mary nodded, “I had gotten used to the atmosphere at the house, but when it seemed like those people weren't going to... accept...”
With a sigh, Pava nodded, “Yeah, I know...” She keenly felt the loss when Mary moved out of the embrace. Pressing her lips together, Pava sighed to herself, Things haven't changed as much as we thought.... Shecontinued walking next to, but not touching, her friend and listened to Andy as she began to tell them about the neighborhood.