Lara looked up from the box she was unpacking in the kitchen and smiled as the children piled into the room. Alan dropped the ball into a basket just inside the door. Lara had wondered how long they could play in this heat and admitted to herself that she probably wouldn't have lasted nearly this long without stopping for a drink.
“Thirsty!” Alyssa declared and opened the fridge. She began to list off the available choices for their guests. “Water, milk, orange juice, apple juice, grape juice...”
Caroline decided quickly, “Apple juice.”
Alyssa grabbed the small bottle and looked over her shoulder, “For you Cass?”
“Grape.”
Alan set four small glasses on the counter, “Juice is all well and good, but we're gonna need milk for the cookies...”
“Are there any cookies left?” Alyssa cast a significant look at their mother who scoffed and spoke with innocence tingeing her voice.
“I certainly wouldn't know what you are talking about...they're right there on the counter.” Lara turned her back to continue unloading the box she was working on and casually wiped an incriminating crumb from the front of her shirt. She knew her children were smirking at her, glancing over her shoulder then wilting under the relentless gaze, “Okay, fine.. I had two... you happy now?”
Alyssa looked over the pile of cookies on the plate and rolled her eyes. She winked at her new friends and held up her fingers, thumb tucked next to her palm, and mouthed 'four'. Cassidy giggled and Caroline grinned.
###
Andy rang the doorbell and smiled when Lara answered the door. “Hi, are the girls' ready to go?”
“They're all in the kitchen having cookies and milk,” The woman ran her fingers through her long, nearly white hair and stepped back, opening the door wider, “Come in.”
“Um...” Andy hesitated and indicated Patricia, “Should I tie her up out here?”
Waving off that suggestion, Lara gestured them all inside, “Don't worry about it. We have a dog too, but Benji is boarded until the moving is done.”
Andy relaxed a little and they all walked into the house. It was similar to Miranda's, Theirs, Andy corrected herself, and spoke aloud. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.” Lara smiled as she looked around her new home, “I loved it the minute I saw it.”
Andy chuckled and mumbled to herself, “I do know that feeling.”
They all followed Lara into the kitchen where the kids were just finishing their snacks. The room was huge and Mary spoke up, “Great kitchen.”
Lara beamed, “Yeah, it's really what sealed the deal on this place.”
“Well it beats the heck out of the kitchen at the Bed and Breakfast, that's for sure.” Mary looked around the space then at Pava. “Do you think I should remodel the kitchen at home?”
Chuckling at that, Pava grinned, “It's your house...”
Lara licked her lips and grinned at her children before redirecting her attention to Mary. “I, um.. might be able to help you with that.”
Alan finished his milk and carried his, and Caroline's, glass to the sink to rinse before putting them in the dishwasher, “Mom's an architect.”
Alyssa spoke up as she followed her brother's example and took care of her glass as well as Cassidy's, “She's the best.”
“Hartstone, LLC,” Andy breathed a sigh of relief, finally remembering where she'd heard the name before, “Your company designed the new resort that's going up in the Catskills this year...” She frowned, “Wasn't there some kind of big scandal about that?”
“Controversy,” Lara nodded, “Yeah, they aren't sure if the project will go through or not. There is still a lot of political maneuvering that needs to be done, apparently. But my part is finished. I designed the thing, it's up to someone else to get it built.”
Alyssa snorted, “You mean, Dad.”
Lara wiped her hand across her mouth, rubbing her chin as if she had a beard, “Eyah.. that is who I mean.” She explained to their guests, “My husband is a general contractor, his company would build the resort, if it gets pushed through.”
Dorothy nodded and thought, No wonder they can afford this house. Even with Richard being as successful a lawyer as he was, Dorothy knew they would never have a chance at a home in this neighborhood. Shaking her head to clear that snide thought, Dorothy laughed at herself, not like I want one. She realized where the thought had come from and tried not to think about it anymore. She knew she was going to have to get over her bias toward rich people. With her daughter marrying Miranda, there were plenty of times she was sure she would have to associate with people in income brackets several steps above hers and Richard's. One of the movers knocked on the kitchen's doorframe.
“Mrs. Hartstone? Everything is unloaded.” He shuffled his feet, “Did you decide where you want the piano?”
“Oh!... Yes!” She quickly wiped her hands on her pantlegs and walked toward the man, “In the living room...”
Cassidy glanced at Andy and followed, highly interested in the placement. The rest of the group followed Cassidy. When they arrived in the living room, Lara was directing the men to move the instrument into the corner and Cassidy was shaking her head.
Alyssa noticed the girl's displeasure, “What is it?”
“Wrong corner,” Cassidy said. “It should be in the other one.” Pointing to the space on the opposite side of the room, she explained, “The case would be facing the correct way to disperse the sound and the light from the window would be available in the daytime to see the music.”
Alyssa seemed impressed, “Hey, Mom... Cass says put it in the other corner.”
Lara looked at her daughter and then at their young guest with some amusement. “You are the authority on the subject?”
Andy moved forward, placing her hands on Cassidy's shoulder. “Yes, Cassidy knows her stuff.”
Grinning at that, Lara directed the men to move the piano across the room.
“It doesn't really matter anyway,” Alan shook his head, “Mom's never gonna get around to playing it...”
“Alan!” Lara huffed, “I will too, eventually... when it gets tuned...” Realizing she was leaving their guests out of the conversation, Lara explained, “I bought it a few months before we moved. The guy said it needed tuning and he actually had some tuning tools that he sent with it, but I never found anyone to do it...”
Cassidy looked up at Andy with a bit of plea in her eyes, “Ma?”
Andy winked at the girl then asked Lara, “Where are the tools?”
“Uh... seriously?” Lara raised her eyebrows in question, receiving a small nod from Andy in answer, “I think they're in the bench.”
Cassidy walked over to the bench the mover had just placed in front of the keys and opened it. “Yep,” she looked over the equipment and sighed, “No tuning fork though...” Reaching up she hit the middle C key on the keyboard and winced at the sound. “Yikes.”
“He did say it needs tuning.” Lara wasn't sure what Cassidy had in mind. She certainly didn't expect the girl to call to her sister.
“Ro, I need a middle C.” Twirling the tuning tool in her hand, Cassidy glared at Caroline. “Ro...”
With a sigh for the inevitable, Caroline moved to stand next to the piano and Cassidy. They all watched as Caroline stood straight and inhaled deeply, expanding her stomach to its fullest extent before opening her mouth to emit a clear tone. Cassidy nodded and pounded on the key as she tightened the string to match. When Caroline ran out of breath she stopped for a moment to wait for Cassidy's tweaking to finish.
“One more.”
Caroline let out an exasperated breath then sang the sustained note again.
“Thanks, Ro.”
“S'okay...” Caroline punched her sister in the arm playfully, “Just don't take too long, eh? We're supposed to meet Mom for lunch at home.”
Lara watched the entire procedure and again looked at Andy, “Is she serious?”
Nodding, Andy grinned at the diligently working girl, “Yep,” A glance at Caroline's disgusted look and the off-key, even to her, tones coming from the string Cassidy was working on, told her it would be a while too. “We should probably go back to the kitchen. This could take some time.”
They all gathered back in the kitchen, the adults sat at the table while the kids found stools around the center prep island. With the sounds of Cassidy working away in the other room, Lara looked at her guests then addressed Caroline, “How old are you guys?”
“The party you're invited to is for our twelfth birthday.”
“Twelve?!” Lara shook her head, “I don't remember what I could do when I was twelve, but I'm fairly sure I couldn't do anything as complicated as tuning a piano...”
“Cassidy is very, thorough in her education...” Andy shared a glance with Caroline, “When she likes something she learns everything she can about it.” A small twinkle appeared in Andy's eyes as she thought, Just like Miranda.
“Will it take long?” Dorothy looked at her watch. “What time was Miranda going to be home?”
Andy looked at her watch and sighed, “Soon.” She licked her lips, “I don't think Cass will be able to finish before we need to leave.” She listened to the girl's progress and thought she might be wrong, “Then again, it will depend on exactly how much she has to do.”
“C'mon...” Alan gestured to the girls as he picked up the basketball from next to the door, “Let's go back out and play...”
“Can I, Ma?” Caroline was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Sure,” Andy grinned as Caroline kissed her on the cheek. They both gave Patricia's head a pat when the animal raised up from her place at Andy's feet.
“Thanks, Ma!”
“So you're their 'Ma' and... Miranda is their 'Mom'?” Lara studied the young woman sitting at her kitchen table. “That must be different.”
“I wouldn't have it any other way.” Andy smiled and reached for her phone, “Sorry but I really should call Miranda.” Dialing, she didn't bother to leave the kitchen, she grinned when Miranda's vibrant voice sounded in her ear.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Beautiful.” Andy grinned and took Miranda's moment of silence to stick the tip of her tongue out at her audience, “I was just curious to know about when you were going to be home for lunch.”
“Andrea, really, are you going to be one of 'those' wives?”
Andy smirked and winked at her tablemates, who couldn't hear the playful remark, “Yes Miranda, I'm practicing to be a nagging wife.” The exasperated sound in her ear and the smiles all around the table forced a wide grin to her lips. “We just took a walk. We met the new neighbors and Cassidy discovered a severely out of tune piano in their possession...”
“Ah, I assume she is correcting the situation?”
“Yes, but she only started a few moments ago... so I wondered how much longer you will be at the office.” Andy nodded at Miranda's response.
“There are several things here I can do.” The editor hesitated, “I would like to get them done as a head start on tomorrow.”
“Of course, we can push back lunch,” Andy glimpsed her ring and a soft look crossed her face, “Just give us a call when you're heading back, or have Roy call me.”
“Very well.” Miranda cradled the phone to her ear, “I love you, Andrea.”
Lara gasped quietly as the young woman on the phone smiled to rival the sun and spoke in a tone so full of feeling it almost made her blush.
“I love you too.”
###
Miranda placed the phone on her desk and looked at it for a long moment. She hadn't exactly lied to Andrea, there were several things that she could do to get a jump on Monday's workload, but she didn't really want to do any of them. There was one thing in particular that she didn't want to do but she picked up the phone anyway. After looking up the number, Miranda dialed slowly and took a deep breath as the accented voice on the other end of the connection answered.
“I need to speak with you. I'm in the office now.” Miranda's tone was no nonsense, “Get here as soon as you can. That's all.” Ending the call, the editor went about the business of going through her inbox, slowly clearing it out as she waited for her guest to arrive. A glint off her dragon ring caught her attention and Miranda suddenly looked around the empty office. She had always liked coming in on Sunday when no one else was around. She felt it was easier to get things done without the distraction of other people thinking their ideas needed attention as well. But now as she looked around the empty office, Emily and Andr...Bethany's abandoned desks, and listened to the silence that she once cherished, all she felt was, alone. But I'm not alone, she thought and turned her attention back to the ring on her finger, She's always with me. Had the security cameras still been installed in Miranda's office no one would have believed any guard that happened to see Miranda at that moment. The editor was working as diligently as she always did but with one major exception. Today there was a brilliant smile on her face.
That state lasted for quite a while, until the distant ding of the elevator let her know that the woman she had summoned had arrived. Schooling her features into her normal work mask, Miranda waited for the tall woman to enter her office. Vivid blue eyes watched her approach and studied the Brazilian intently down and back up as Serena stood in front of her desk. One word escaped her lips. “Jeans?”
“It is the weekend, Miranda. You said as soon as possible, so I did not change.” Serena smiled, “At least I tucked in my shirt.”
“I suppose I should be grateful that you are wearing clothing at all.” Miranda smiled softly and gestured toward a chair, “Sit down, Serena.”
“Yes, Miranda.” Serena licked her lips and swallowed convulsively as she found a seat. From the intense scrutiny her boss was giving her, Serena thought she may as well be naked, “You, um.. wanted to speak to me?” She winced as she realized she'd just asked Miranda a question; something Emily had warned her against time and again.
“I did.” Miranda took off her glasses tossing them on the desk negligently. “I wanted to make sure that we did not have a problem, before we had to confront each other in an office full of people.”
Serena assured her boss, “I do not have a problem, Miranda.”
“No, I can see that,” Miranda leaned back, resting her head against the chair, “There was, however, the distinct possibility that I may have had a problem working with you after the events of yesterday morning.”
Nodding, Serena dared to ask more questions, “Do you? Should I request a transfer?”
“You are the best makeup artist at Runway or anywhere else for that matter. I will not allow the magazine to suffer because of my personal feelings.” Miranda licked her lips, “The issues I have are mine to deal with.” She waited a moment, impressed that Serena said nothing in response to that. “Andrea will be appearing on television in the morning. I want... would like, for you to be at the ABC studios to do her makeup for the appearances.”
“Of course, Miranda.” Serena blinked, “What time should I be there?”
“Andrea is sworn to be there at five a.m.” Miranda waved her hand, “I'm sure a few moments before that will suffice. Get with Emily if necessary, she can clear the way for your admittance, or you may come to the house and accompany Andrea there.”
“Thank you, Miranda.” Serena gave the impression of bowing while still seated, “I will meet her there at the appointed time.”
“Very well,” Miranda nodded in dismissal and picked up her glasses as Serena slowly stood. The woman didn't leave the office though and Miranda was resigned to the knowledge there was a little more to discuss. Looking up over the rim of her glasses, Miranda instructed Serena, “Say what you must regarding yesterday's event, then the whole incident will be forgotten.”
“Yesterday's 'event', Miranda, was an accident.” Serena clasped her hands in front of her, “I saw no more of you than you did of me,” she continued quickly, before she lost her nerve, “You are very beautiful Miranda, and if it is your wish that we never mention the incident again I will honor it... but even if I live to be one hundred and five, as my Vovó did, I will not forget.”
Her Grandmother lived to be one hundred and five... Miranda's lips were on the verge of the expression every designer and Runway employee dreaded then the countenance shifted. Crystal blue eyes twinkled with mischief as Miranda smirked, “Nor will I.” She watched a small smile appear on Serena's face and nodded, “Tomorrow morning, at the studios, and bring Terry. Andrea's hair will need attention as well.” Now Serena's smile was full blown and Miranda rolled her eyes at the familiar response.
“Yes, Miranda.” The tall woman bowed slightly at the waist then turned to leave, a slight spring in her step. She was not in trouble, she was not going to lose her job, and right now, she was going to see Emily, just as Miranda had ordered.
The editor watched as Serena left the office and nodded to herself. She had hoped there wouldn't be any awkwardness between them and there didn't seem to be any more nervousness than usual coming from the Beauty director. There was actually a little less, if she thought about it. She admitted, to herself, that there was a little stiffness from her toward the woman, but she didn't know how much of that was simply her usual manner and how much stemmed from the 'accidental' exposure of herself. Serena's assertion that she had seen no more of Miranda than Miranda had seen of her was not exactly helpful. Miranda knew what and how much she'd seen. Shaking that thought from her head, Miranda began closing down her computer. Reminding Serena of Andrea's television appearances served to remind herself as well.
Andrea will be nervous, she thought, I need to be home for her.
###
After an hour of pleasant conversation mostly regarding Mary's new kitchen and a possible exercise area in the basement at the townhouse, the pounding single notes that had been emanating from the living room turned into a quick run through the scales.
Caroline sat her glass of juice down and grinned, “She's finished.”
The proclamation was confirmed when Cassidy's favorite Chopin piece began to fill the house. They all went to the living room and watched as Cassidy performed the musical composition flawlessly, from memory. When it was over she ran down the scales again to confirm none of the notes had lost their tuned status. With a grin, Cassidy stood and bowed to the small but appreciative audience then looked at Lara, “It won't last too long, some of the strings need replacing.” She smiled, “Maybe mom can give you the name of the guy who does ours, but until then...” she gestured to the piano, “It should do.”
“Wow...” Alyssa stared at the younger girl, “That was fantastic!”
“That's why they picked you...” Caroline smiled at her sister. “I could never do it that well.”
“You play too?” Alan was impressed. “Mom tried to get us to take lessons once, when we were younger... but we refused.”
Caroline's eyes widened, “We can get away with a lot of stuff, but...”
“...our mother isn't 'refused' very often, even by us.” Cassidy slid her eyes to Andy, “Or by...”
Andy grinned and wrapped her arm around the girl's shoulders, “No.. not even by me.”
Alyssa was more interested in the first thing Caroline had said, “Who's 'they' and what did they pick Cassidy for?”
Everyone looked at Cassidy who blushed and mumbled, “Julliard.”
“Julliard?!” Lara gasped, “But you're only twelve!”
Cassidy nodded, “I will be. It's their pre-college classes, every Saturday, starting in September.”
“Wow.” Alyssa looked at her new friend with awe and just a little envy. “That's excellent, I wish I could do something that well...I'm nearly sixteen!”
“Everyone has something that they excel at.” Pava assured the girl, “You're still young. You'll find yours.”
Alyssa was curious, “What do you excel at?”
“Alyssa!” Lara reprimanded her daughter for the intrusive question.
Pava chuckled, “Young woman, I possess infinite patience.” She glanced at Mary, “I can wait for as long as it takes, for the things that I want.”
Andy's nearly smiled at her Gram, and the slight blush gracing Mary's cheeks. I knew it. She cleared her throat, “I think we should be going soon...” She doubted Miranda would be at the office for very much longer. As if on cue, her phone rang. Andy didn't even look at the screen before she answered it, and was surprised at the irritated voice in her ear before she could even say 'Hello'.
“What the hell, Andy?”
Andy's forehead wrinkled, “Lily?”
“Yeah, Lily.. remember me... your supposed best friend that you never tell anything anymore?” The woman accused and asked, “Why did I have to see you in a promo for Good Morning America before I knew you were going to be on TV?”
“Oh!” Andy smacked herself in the forehead, “Sorry... it was all pretty sudden and Ma and Gram are in town... I only did the promos on Friday and then yesterday we had the tastings for the wedding...” Her excuses dwindled down and Andy shook her head, “Sorry... I should have told you.” She glanced around at the people watching her and smiled, then gestured back toward the kitchen.
Dorothy nodded and watched her daughter walk back down the hall, to take the call with some degree of privacy.
###
“You know...” Lily was obviously grinning through the phone, “You aren't going to be able to use that 'things are hectic planning the wedding' excuse for too much longer.”
“Yeah...” Andy smiled, dazzling even through the phone, “I know.” She looked at the ring on her finger and sighed, “I really am sorry, Lil... Um... after the tapings tomorrow we're all gonna go dress hunting, you think you could come along?”
“To the dress hunting or the taping?”
“Both if you want, or you can meet us after...” Andy grinned, knowing her friend's habits, “I have to be at the studio early.”
“How early?” Lily sounded suspicious.
“I, umm... have to be there at five a.m.” Andy heard music begin in the other room and was slightly amazed that someone had talked Cassidy into playing one of her own songs.
“Oh my god... that's obscene...” Lily almost couldn't believe Andy would be able to do that. “Is anyone even awake that early?”
Andy admitted, “I often am.”
“You are so not the Andy I grew up with.” Lily laughed, “But you're still pretty cool, where should I meet you to begin the dress hunt?”
“Not sure yet,” Andy confessed, “I'm going to ask Miranda where to start. She won't be with us, because of the whole bad luck seeing the bride in her dress thing... but she can give me an idea where to start at least.” The brunette smiled, “I'll call you okay?”
“You better!” Lily laughed. “Or else I'll hunt your ass down!”
Andy laughed, “Yes, Ma'am!” The easy camaraderie she'd always had with Lily was a comfort right now and her voice softened, “Thanks, Lil.”
“Any time...” The woman joked, “except five a. m.! Sheesh!”
Andy laughed again, “See ya tomorrow, Lil...”
“Yep.” Lily assured her, “I wouldn't miss it. Bye now.”
Andy disconnected the call and tapped the phone against her chin for a moment before she looked at Patricia. She told the resting animal in no uncertain terms, “Things are coming together.” She ruffled the fur on the dog's neck and grinned. “Your Mum and I are getting married.”
Patricia just huffed and laid her head back down on her paws.