Andy rolled over in the bed and blinked as the digital readout on the clock changed from two seventeen to two eighteen. She sighed, she only had a couple more hours before she would have to get up and get ready for her television appearances. Soft warm arms slid around her and she smiled when she felt Miranda's lips press gently on her shoulder. “Sorry to wake you.”
“Mmm...” There was a shift as Miranda glanced at the clock, “It's early, go back to sleep.”
“I wish I could.” Andy hugged the arms around her and relaxed back into the embrace. “I just can't stop thinking about it.”
“Darling, you will do fine.” Miranda moved the arm she had draped over Andrea's waist to brush the thick wavy hair away from the young woman's exquisite neck. Dropping a light kiss there, Miranda asked quietly, “Shall I try to distract you?”
“Well you're doing a great job so far.” Andy moaned quietly as questing lips found her earlobe. “And thank you for yesterday.”
When they had finally dragged themselves away from each other in the sunroom, the rest of the afternoon had gone fairly normally. Much to Andy's delight and Dorothy's amazement, Miranda had prepared both their mid-day meals and cleaned up the kitchen afterward. They watched a rerun of Top Chef that the girls insisted on seeing again, and a movie before they all went to the music room for an impromptu concert. The girls played together quite well, but even people without an ear for classical music could tell that it was Cassidy who enjoyed the music the most. Several classic and contemporary songs later, Cassidy challenged Miranda to a rematch on Dance Dance Revolution. Miranda remained the champion even when the rematch became a three out of five competition. Miranda was correct, she liked to win. Dinner was a light affair mostly just 'grazing' as her mother put it, but Andy wasn't in the mood for anything heavy, not when she had to get up so early to go.
“Yesterday was quite pleasant, and I will be happy to recreate it at any time.” Miranda's mind wasn't on the past though, she was firmly in the present with Andrea's warm body to explore with abandon.
“We can't do it too often, Miranda.” Andy gasped as long fingers brushed a particularly sensitive area, “We have to keep things like that special, trying to recreate it only makes it... common.”
“Andrea,” Miranda caught the dark brown eyes with her own blue ones and kissed her fiancee's full luscious lips for a long moment, “Nothing about you, is common.”
Andy shifted so that most of Miranda's weight was on her, pressing her back against the mattress. Lanky arms wrapped around the older woman, pulling her impossibly closer, “I need to feel you, Miranda.” She admitted, “I'm scared.”
“I'm right here.” White hair mixed with dark as Miranda nuzzled her fiancee's neck, murmuring reassurances, “I'm right here... always with you... I love you.”
###
The rhythmic beeping caused one dark eye to open and a lanky arm to snake out from under the warm blankets. “Time to wake up...”
The other occupant of the bed took a deep breath, “Mmmm... this is early even for me.”
“You were always an early riser, Darlin.”
“Ah... in the last few decades I've started sleeping in, sometimes I sleep until six thirty!” Mary grinned as Pava chuckled.
“A woman of leisure indeed.” With a sigh, Pava released her hold and forced herself up off the bed. “C'mon, Andy needs us.”
“Does she really think this is a good idea?” Mary was worried for the young woman. Pava had explained to her about Andy's terrible stage fright. “Why television?”
“Dorothy said that Andy had explained to her the why... it is because of those rumors Miranda's ex-husband is spreading. They've been fighting each other in the press, but Andy believes this way is faster to stop the man's stories from getting any more attention.” Pava ran a brush through her hair as she looked into the bathroom mirror and spoke through the open door. “Television is faster, and a lot of people watch, people who gossip with each other around whatever passes for a water cooler these days.”
“So rumors bother her?” Mary hadn't thought Miranda or Andy really cared what people said about them.
Pava nodded, “When they are vicious, and false, yes.” Dark eyes examined her hair in the mirror and she nodded once before putting the brush down. “Miranda doesn't stand for that either, not when it hurts her children.” Pava sighed, knowing the lengths she'd went to in order to protect Richard from rumors about herself. She watched her mirror's reflection as Mary's arms reached around her stomach. Leaning back into the embrace, Pava's eyes closed as Mary pressed her cheek against her shoulder and spoke quietly.
“That's why you stopped socializing with me. Stopped going to the movies, stopped going shopping... after you had Richard, you completely pulled away from me.” Mary's voice choked, “From us...”
“Not completely,” Thinking back to those days, Pava felt a tear slip down her cheek, “We still did things together, as couples...”
“You and John, me and George,” Mary almost laughed, “Dinner parties and backyard barbeques...” Memories of those times brought a sentimental note to her voice. “Stolen moments in the kitchen, fingertips brushing when we pass the salt... it was torture.”
“I know.” Pava swallowed hard against the lump in her throat and managed to whisper, “I was there.”
“Why?” Mary released her hold, stepping back to wipe the tears from her cheeks, “Why didn't you just stay away altogether?”
Pava leaned forward with her hands on the vanity for a long moment, “I couldn't.” She turned to face the woman she loved, and melted at the tears, “I had to see you...” Moving forward Pava gathered the crying woman into her arms and smiled sadly, heedless of her own tears, “...I didn't think I could live without seeing you but, I understand why you needed to stop... that...”
Mary sobbed, “It hurt so much...and when the company they worked for closed....” It had been the perfect opportunity, different jobs, different schedules, lives diverging. Dinners and barbeques became less frequent, then stopped altogether. It was hard at first, not seeing Pava, not brushing past her to get to the kitchen, not hugging her when they arrived and left. Soon all she'd had were her dreams. “I missed you so much.”
“I know, Darlin'. I missed you too.” Pava held on tight while Mary cried on her shoulder. She hated this and knew it was why they'd put off this conversation for so long. It had been coming though, building since the minute she had knocked on the door of the bed and breakfast so many weeks ago, with the legitimate reason of Andy being there. It had been a little awkward at first, staring at each other over untouched cups of coffee. But then they'd began to talk, like friends, friends that hadn't seen each other for a long time. “I'm sorry.”
“Don't be,” Mary sniffled and wiped her tears away as best she could with the sleeve of her nightgown, “Like you said before, we had good lives with men who loved us.”
“We did.” Pava bent down slightly, kissing Mary's moist, salty, cheek lightly. “And now?”
“Now...” Mary looked up at the only woman, the only person, she'd ever really loved and shied away from the subject, “Now, we need to get ready to go. Andy will be waiting.”
Pava took the subject change in stride. Mary wasn't ready to define their relationship past friendship and that was frustrating, but okay. It is a big step to take, and we've hidden it from everyone, even ourselves for decades.... Pava moved toward her own room, beginning to unbutton her pajamas. “I suppose we need to be getting dressed then.”
“Pava, I...” Mary called after the tall woman, but faltered when dark understanding eyes turned to gaze at her. “I...”
“S'okay, Darlin...” Pava smiled, “We can talk more later.”
Nodding, Mary turned back toward her own room with a slightly lighter heart. We.
###
Andy fidgeted in front of the mirror, making odd faces at herself, “Are you sure?” They had stayed up very late discussing the issue after all the rest of the house had gone to sleep. They talked and talked about the issue and although Andy didn't agree with Miranda's logic, she understood the woman's reasoning and thought. I need to do this alone. Reassuring robe covered arms appeared around her and Andy leaned back into the embrace.
“You will be fine.” Miranda rested her chin on Andrea's shoulder as she smiled at their reflection, “Don't worry.”
“I can't help it,” Andy turned to look into Miranda's actual blue eyes. Resting their foreheads together, Andy sighed, “What if I say something stupid? What if I embarrass you?”
“You are very intelligent Andrea,” Miranda tipped her head back and kissed the young woman lightly on the lips, “Just stick to the truth.”
Andy had interviewed quite a few people in her nearly two years at the newspaper, “What if they ask me questions I don't want to answer.”
“Then don't.” That was an easy fix for Miranda, “Just tell them, 'I don't want to answer that without some thought' or 'I would rather not answer that at this time'.” Some questions would be harder than others though, and Miranda knew it. “You'll do fine. They asked you to be there... remember that, and I believe Mr. Cuomo will take it easy on you.”
“Really? You think he'll be the one to interview me?” Andy wasn't above tweaking Miranda, especially after the whole deal with Lara yesterday. “I was hoping to get Robin Roberts... or...” She let the dreamy look settle on her face, “Diane Sawyer...”
“Andrea...” Miranda's voice was low and her blue eyes narrowed, “She's older than I am...”
Andy managed to keep her grin from appearing, and let the wistful tone in her voice continue, “I know...”
Miranda's eyebrows rose, “And she's married.”
Andy grinned and winked at her fiancee, “So am I.”
“Not yet...”
“Practically...” Andy grinned, “...and loving every minute of it.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Miranda scoffed, “You are so ridiculous sometimes.”
Laughing at that, Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda's shoulders and pulled her close, “I try.” She sighed as the worry settled on her again, “I'll do my best.” She couldn't quite keep the tremor out of her voice.
“Andrea,” Miranda melted into the embrace. “Your worst is better than many people's best. You will do fine.”
“Will you watch?”
The quiet question pulled at Miranda's heart. “Yes, my darling, I will be watching.”
“Good,” Andy smiled as she released her hold, “It will be easier to pretend I'm only talking to you if I know you're really watching.”
“Pretend?”
Andy nodded and pulled away from the embrace entirely, “That's how I'm going to get through it, I'm going to pretend that I'm only talking to you. That's how I managed the promo video, I pretended you were watching me through the camera.” She ran her fingers through her hair, “It will be harder today, because the studio will be full of people, but I think I can do it.”
“You can.” Brushing the back of her fingers against Andrea's cheek, Miranda smiled, “You can do anything.”
“Yeah, well, if I'm gonna do this... I better get going...”
Nodding, Miranda stepped aside, “Let me finish dressing and I will ride to the studio with you.”
“Really?” Just the thought of that calmed Andy down considerably.
“Yes, I need to go in early this morning anyway.” The editor waved her fiancee out the door, “Go on... get glass of milk or something. I'll be down shortly.” Miranda knew Andrea wouldn't want any food on her stomach right now. “Perhaps we can all meet for lunch after the tapings.”
Andy looked at Miranda for a long moment, She knows me so well... She swallowed hard and spoke quietly. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Blue eyes twinkled at the young woman, “Now go...”
With a jaunty grin and a playful bow, Andy laughed, “Yes, Miranda.” She was glad the woman was in the bathroom and not still on the bed, or else Andy knew she would be dodging a pillow missile right now.
Her smile didn't fade until she reached the kitchen and found her entire family assembled there. “What's going on?” She looked at the girls, confused, “I thought you didn't want to get up this early?”
“Yeah well,” Caroline shrugged, “I can't miss an opportunity to see backstage at the morning shows... I need something to rub Allison's face in.”
Cassidy grinned and told the truth, “We want to be there for you.”
“We will all be there for you.” Dorothy smiled tentatively at her daughter, “I want to be there, for you.” She indicated their nearly empty plates, and another untouched plate. “I made you some breakfast.” It was just a slice of bacon, some toast and some fruit, Dorothy intended on making some eggs for Andy when she arrived downstairs.
“No thanks, Ma.” Andy hugged the woman tightly then moved toward the fridge, “I'm gonna get a drink.”
“You should eat something.” Dorothy worried about her daughter's increasing thinness. Despite Andy's assurances that Miranda didn't want her to lose any weight, it seemed to Dorothy that Andy was thinner now than ever.
Andy shook her head, “Too nervous. I'll just drink some juice. Miranda said we can all go out for lunch after the tapings. She'll be down in a minute and we can all ride to the studio together.”
“She's going with you?” Pava had been under the impression Miranda wasn't going to appear on the shows, only Andy.
“She's going to ride to the studio with us, then go on to the office.” Andy's eyes twinkled over the rim of her juice glass. “She's going to watch the shows though, from her office.”
She should be there with you... Dorothy thought, but didn't say anything. It was difficult, but she didn't want to be the stereotypical mother-in-law any more than she already was.
###
Miranda met them in the kitchen. She draped a closed black garment bag across the back of a chair before accepting a cup of coffee from Andrea. “Thank you, love.”
“What's with the clothes?” Andy indicated the bag Miranda had carried downstairs.
Swallowing her coffee, Miranda made a dismissive gesture to the bag, “Just some things I need to take back to the Closet.”
Pava looked at her watch, “Should we be going?”
Miranda looked over the rim of her cup at Andy, waiting for the young woman to respond.
“Yes.” Andy sighed, “I guess it is time.”
Nodding, Miranda dumped the rest of her coffee into the sink and rinsed her cup out before stacking it in the dishwasher. All the breakfast dishes were loaded and the machine was started before they left, despite Dorothy's protest that the machine wasn't full. Peggy would unload the clean dishes when she arrived.
Roy had the schedule and knew what time Andy wanted to leave, so he was waiting outside for them, along with a large number of paparazzi. The women managed to wade through the crowd and were safely in the limo before anyone spoke.
“Is that what it's going to be like when we get there?” Mary was dismayed by the tactics of some of the photographers. Apparently shouting obscenities was a legitimate way to get their subjects attention, at least try to, but doing so with children present wasn't something Mary had any respect for at all. Andy and Miranda seemed to ignore the throng of yelling people and flashing cameras. As shocked as Mary was by the paparazzi, she was equally amazed by the two women at the center of the attention.
“No,” Miranda assured her, “Roy will go to the underground parking facility. It is a secure area with an entrance to the studio. You will be met by security guards there.”
“We will?” This was the first Andy had heard of that precaution.
Miranda nodded, “I told Jeff to see to it, personally.”
Andy smiled and wrapped her arms around Miranda's shoulders, “Thank you.”
“I will always do everything in my power to protect you.” Miranda glanced at the other people in the car, including the horrified look on the girls' faces. Pulling away from the embrace, Miranda smiled and brushed the back of her fingers against Andrea's cheek. “Everything will be fine, Andrea.”
Nodding, Andy leaned into the touch then shifted to lay her head on Miranda's shoulder. Breathing in Miranda's, unique, signature scent calmed Andy considerably. Closing her eyes, she spent the rest of the trip just trying not to worry.
Dorothy watched her daughter relaxing on Miranda's shoulder while Miranda gazed out the window thoughtfully. Again, Dorothy held her tongue. She wanted to tell Miranda how frightened Andy was, how unfair it was for the older woman to make her daughter do this all alone, but she didn't. Andy looked too calm at the moment and Dorothy didn't want to interrupt that. It was Cassidy who broke the silence.
“Where are we going dress shopping after this is over?” Both girls looked to their dark haired parent. “What kind of dress are you looking for?”
“After the shows we will be going to lunch, Andrea didn't eat anything this morning.” Miranda barely acknowledged the 'neither did you' comment from Dorothy's direction, “Your first stop after we eat will be the James Holt showroom, I'm sure you can find your way from there.”
“We sent him an invitation didn't we?” Andy thought she remembered his name on the main list for the reception.
“Yes, most of the designers received reception invitations, only a few of them have invitations to the wedding ceremony.” Miranda took a deep breath, that was going to be a problem, as was her dress selection. She knew that Andrea was quite anxious about choosing her dress, but in all honesty Miranda's choice of outfit would be even more difficult.
Showing favoritism for one designer over another was something Miranda really couldn't afford to do. Feuds among designers were notoriously fierce and she really didn't want to cause herself headaches at Runway by bruising any of the diva designers feelings. The very last thing she needed was to have a hot rising designer turn to that 'other' magazine. Miranda kept her gaze out the window, even when Roy turned the car into the ABC parking entrance, and thought sarcastically. Anna would just love that...
“I guess this is my stop...” Andy smiled nervously as she found the back of her hand being kissed.
“I will be watching, Andrea.” Miranda smiled, “You will do fine.”
In a sort of odd mutual consent, everyone piled out of the car to give Miranda and Andy a moment alone, Roy even raised the privacy screen.
“You sure you won't come with me?” Andy's eyes clearly expressed the terror that was building in her heart.
“We discussed this last night.” Miranda traced the outline of Andrea's face.
“I know I need to face my fears...” Andy sighed, “But it sure would be easier if I could face them looking over your shoulder, maybe from Cincinnati...that should be far enough away.” She took a deep breath, “You and me on the porch of the Bed and Breakfast... we can face anything there...”
“You do not need me to hide behind, Andrea. You are an intelligent, beautiful woman.” Miranda's fingertips brushed the young woman's lips lightly, “There is nothing you can't handle.”
Capturing the wandering hand in her own, Andy placed a kiss on the pulse point of Miranda's wrist and smiled against the faint rhythm she could feel through her lips. “I love you.”
Swallowing hard, Miranda nodded and smiled, “I love you too.”
Andy took a deep breath, steeling herself for the ordeal then set her face in a determined expression. “Right... here I go then.” She exited the car before she could lose her nerve and actually smiled as a uniformed guard approached her. “Jeff!”
“Good morning, Andy.” The large man gestured toward the door where the rest of her family waited, “Everything looks secure... although I can't do anything about the cameras this time.”
Laughing at that, Andy patted his beefy arm and nodded. “Thanks, Jeff...” She walked to her waiting entourage and forced herself not to look back at the limo. She knew it was still there because she hadn't heard it leave, but if she looked back, she wasn't sure she could keep herself moving toward the building.
Miranda rolled the window of the car down to get a better look at the scene. Jeff approached the car, blocking her view just as Andrea and her family entered the building. She looked up at the friendly guard as he spoke.
“Good Morning, Miranda.”
“Jeff...” The woman actually smiled, “Thank you for doing this.”
“My pleasure.” He glanced back at the door Andy had disappeared through. “Are you sure about...”
“Yes.” Pushing her errant lock of hair from her face, Miranda licked her lips, “I'm sure.”
Nodding at that, Jeff smiled, “See you at work then.”
“Yes.” Blue eyes again drifted to the innocuous door. “At work.” She rolled the window up, and the privacy screen down. Issuing her orders to Roy, Miranda picked up her phone and dialed, barely even aware of the driver's grin or his 'Yes, Miranda' response as the ringing in her ear became a sleepy voice.
“yes?”
“Archie, listen closely, I want to do something for my fiancee...” She nodded when the man indicated he was indeed listening, “I know you aren't a real estate agent, but there is a house...”
###
Andy and her entourage were led to her dressing room. The intern assigned to be their guide seemed very excited to be meeting her and Andy tried not to laugh at the girl. She didn't understand the attitude, but she'd encountered it before. She did allow herself a grin when her mother brought up the exact meeting she'd been recalling.
“Do you remember that gal at the airport?” Dorothy asked as they walked through the corridors.
“Yes,” Andy nodded as the girl's face popped into her head, 'surfer girl' Andy had labeled her, Sarah was her name. An architect student from California. A designer of roller coasters. Andy had promised the girl that she was going to do something to make her room mates believe that they had actually met. Her intention had been to print the story of the meeting in an article, but she hadn't been able to manage it, yet. Dark eyes twinkled at the thought, perhaps I'll be able to mention it on TV... She wondered if that hadn't been the plan all along. Ever since Miranda had mentioned the possibility of doing this kind of show Andy had known it would be inevitable. She had just put it off for as long as she could. She hoped they would take it easy on her then chided herself. Get a grip Andy... it's not like Jerry Springer, they aren't going to surprise you by bringing out Christian, or Stephen or... Nate... That thought caused her mind to take a tangent wondering where Nate was. Neither Lily or Doug had seen or heard from him in weeks... even his friends that Doug knew in Boston didn't have a clue where he was. It was beginning to be concerning, except that a stop had been put on his mail, according to the Boston friends. So wherever he was, Nate intended on going there.
“Um...” The intern wrung her hands together. “You can't all stay in the dressing room, there isn't enough room. I'll take the rest of you to the Green Room.”
“It's huge,” Andy protested, “I was here on Friday...”
“It won't fit eight people...”
Andy glanced around, “There are six of us...”
“Oh,” The girl laughed nervously, “But your hairdresser and makeup artist are already inside.” She opened the door for her charges.
Peeking inside Andy relaxed when she saw the familiar faces. “Serena! Terry!” Rushing into the room, she hugged both of them tightly. “What are you doing here?” She held up her hand and laughed at herself, the answer was obvious and she spoke the name, “Miranda.”
Serena smiled and nodded, “Yes.”
Andy felt her mother's arms around her and leaned into the embrace, speaking quietly, “She didn't tell me she was going to do that.”
Pava moved to sandwich Andy between herself and Dorothy, “She loves you, Darlin'. More than I've seen anyone love anyone else in a very long time.”
“I know Gram.” Andy took a deep breath and relaxed for a moment in that knowledge then gently squirmed for release. “Time to get ready.” She kissed the girls' foreheads and sent them off with the older members of her family to the Green Room to wait. Knowing they were here in the building, with her, was comforting. With a nervous smile, Andy reached for the garment bag with her outfit in it and spoke to the two remaining women in the room. “Do your worst.”