The 'applause' sign went on just as Andy found her seat and clicked the little switch on her microphone back on. Kelly spoke as she slid off her chair to her feet. “Today we're talking with Andy Sachs and now a surprise guest, Miranda Priestly.” She walked over to where Miranda stood, quickly followed by Regis. “Thank you for agreeing to be here and demonstrate how you took down the gunman.”
“Yes, what exactly did you do to the guy?” Regis moved closer to Miranda and was now standing on the padded mats that had hastily been assembled during the break.
“Exactly? I took his legs out from under him then kicked him in the head when he tried to get up.”
Regis was intrigued and took a sort of half crouching stance. “Show me.”
Miranda smiled her sweetest faux smile, “I was informed that the man suffered a mild concussion and a hairline fracture to his jaw.” She didn't move from where she stood, “He was in his early forty's,” Raising her eyebrow as she assessed the nearly eighty year old man in front of her, Miranda almost smirked, “I'd kill you.”
“Oh, c'mon...” Regis gestured for the woman to come at him, “You can pull your punches can't you?”
Miranda laughed, a full rich Miranda laugh, and shook her head. “If there is one thing anyone who has ever dealt with me knows.” Her smile turned slightly predatory as her voice dropped lower, “I never pull my punches.”
Andy laughed and watched as a hapless assistant director was pulled from backstage and suddenly found himself as Miranda's punching bag. She clapped along with the rest of the audience as Miranda replicated what she had done to the gunman. Then it was time for another commercial break. Straightening in her seat, Andy watched the trio approach the interview area and smiled as a stage hand set another chair next to her. Miranda settled into it easily, sliding her hand into Andrea's in the process.
Andy leaned into her fiancee and kissed her lightly on the cheek, whispering, “You were wonderful, then and now.”
Miranda accepted the kiss and tilted her head to look at the young woman next to her. Brushing a strand of dark hair off the young woman's shoulder back up in place behind her ear, Miranda smiled softly and winked at Andrea. She didn't have a chance to say anything though because the 'applause' light went on and the show resumed.
Kelly took the lead as the 'after commercial' applause died down, “Thanks for being with us and giving us that demonstration.” She smiled at the couple but directed her question to Miranda. “How did you find the courage to face an armed man? I would have been scared to death.”
“Fear is something that often hinders a person's actions, many times for a good reason such as possible death.” Miranda held Andrea's hand tighter, “But if you can get past it, the rewards are often worth the effort.” The editor grinned as she informed the talk show hosts, “Besides, he wasn't armed at the time. Andrea had already gotten the gun away from him before I stepped in.”
“What?!” Regis laughed and looked at Andy incredulously, “You?”
Andy shrugged, “He... said something that made me more angry than afraid.” Andy knew what the next question would be.
Regis was curious, “What did he say?”
Andy's thumb caressed Miranda's wrist, “He called me 'Baby', one too many times.”
“Oh?” Kelly was surprised, “Marc calls me Baby all the time.”
Nodding at that, Andy agreed, “Some people do, and some people don't care. But I don't like it. There are only three people in this world who have the right to call me 'Baby', and only one who does.” Now Miranda was curious.
“Who is that, Andrea?”
Blocking out the crowd and their curious host's unconsciously leaning forward, Andy looked directly into Miranda's eyes and pushed the word past the lump in her throat, “Daddy.”
###
Dorothy closed her eyes as she heard her daughter utter that one, solemn, heartbreaking word. Dammit, she thought, Why can't he just see... She highly doubted Richard was watching the show this morning, but she had told him about the appearances and made him promise to record them for her so she knew, even if he wasn't watching now he damn sure would when she got home. Cassidy's small voice only served to strengthen her resolve.
“Why does Andy's Dad hate her?”
“He doesn't hate her, Darlin'” Pava sighed, “He's just having a hard time dealing with the fact that his daughter isn't exactly the person he wanted her to be.”
“Because she's gay?” Cassidy swallowed hard at that, not sure if she actually wanted to know the answer.
Thinking back to all the love she'd seen between the father and daughter, Pava assured Cassidy. “He'll come around... He loves Andy and eventually he'll see that she's happy in the life she's made for herself, with you and your Mom.”
Nodding, Cassidy stared back at the monitor, but her mind wasn't on the show, or Caroline's tightening arm around hers. Andy's dad loves her, but because she's gay he won't talk to her. The corollary was obvious. What if Dad stops talking to me when he finds out I'm gay?! I don't want that to happen! She didn't spend a lot of time with James anyway, but the times they were together they had fun and he was a good guy. I don't want him to be mad at me! She felt the tears start and was angry that she couldn't do anything about them and angrier still when Ro and everyone gathered around her closer trying to comfort her, telling her 'it' would be okay and 'not to cry' like she could help it... she couldn't help crying... she couldn't help that she was gay... that thought just made the tears flow faster.
“What's going on here?” Miranda stood at the door, still in her karate Gi. “Cassidy, what's wrong?”
Andy pulled Pava aside, “What's going on, Gram?”
“I'm not really sure, Darlin',” Pava tried to smile at her granddaughter, “Cassidy asked if your daddy hated you because you were gay...” The older woman felt a pang in her heart at the pain she saw in those big doe-eyes, “and we were telling her that he didn't really, that he loved you and that he would come around eventually... then she started to cry.”
“Oh...” Andy moved to sit next to Cassidy. She wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders and looked up at the rest of the people in the room. “Can we have a minute?”
Nodding at that, Miranda spoke gently to her daughter. “You stay here with Andrea, I'm going to go change, yes?”
“Okay.” Cassidy sniffled and watched as they all filed out of the Green Room, following Miranda out the door. Caroline stopped at the door and looked back at her twin sitting on the couch with their Ma.
Andy asked Cassidy quietly, “Do you want Ro to stay?” The girl shook her head negative and Andy smiled a bit sadly, “Okay.” She looked up at the waiting girl and tilted her head toward the door, mouthing, 'Go on.' When the room was empty, Andy asked Cassidy, “Are you okay?”
“What if he hates me!?” Cassidy sighed, knowing Andy knew what she was talking about. “I know he loves me, but your dad loves you too... and he...”
“Hey,” Andy pulled the girl close and lay her cheek on top of the girls head, “Now you listen to me. James loves you so much... you and Caroline are the apples of his eye and nothing you do is going to change that. Your dad and mine are two different people. You can't think that your dad is going to react the same way mine has, because he won't.” Andy shifted to look Cassidy directly in the eye. “When you do finally tell James that you're gay, no matter what reaction he has he will still love you.” She reinforced that statement, with what she had been told over and over, “My dad still loves me, he's just reacting badly to a situation that he doesn't like and can't change. I love you. I love Caroline. And I love your Mom so much sometimes I wonder how I hold it all inside me. Even if James does react badly, at first, he will still love you, and your mother and I will be here for you until he gets over it. Just like you and Caroline and Miranda are here for me.”
“Because we're family?”
Andy grinned and wiped a tear streak from Cassidy's face and nodded. “Because we're family.”
“Are you going to tell Mom that I'm gay?”
Blinking at that, Andy answered with a question of her own, “Do you want me to?”
“I thought you might have already.”
Shaking her head, Andy ran her fingers through the girl's curly hair putting it in somewhat normal order. “You asked me not to. Do you really want me to?”
Cassidy thought for a second and nodded, “Yeah, I think she should know.”
“Don't you want to tell her yourself?” Andy tried to catch the girl's eyes as Cassidy looked down at her lap and remained silent.
Exhaling slowly, Andy nodded and licked her lips, “Okay, I'll discuss it with her later.” Kissing the girl's forehead, Andy squeezed her shoulders and shook them slightly, “You okay now?” At Cassidy's nod, Andy grinned, “Good, 'cause we gotta move.” Standing she offered her hand to the upset girl. “On to the next Green Room!”
###
Andy stood backstage, holding Miranda's hand. “You look great.” The older woman had changed out of her Gi and was now in her normal work clothes, which by the nature of her work, meant that Miranda was impeccably dressed. Andy did notice that the outfit today was an uncharacteristic combination of several designers, but she brushed that thought away as irrelevant. Serena had touched up both their make-up jobs and Terry had made sure their hair was all in place.
“Thank you, Darling.” Miranda let her eyes wander down the length of her fiancee, “You look lovely yourself.”
With a deep breath, Andy nodded and smiled. “Thanks.” She glanced at the monitor and cringed as she saw their hosts' outfits, most of them were okay and would probably pass inspection... but.... She closed her eyes as the applause filtered through the corridor and a shudder ran through her, “This audience is larger than the other one.”
“It makes no difference how many people are there Andrea.” Miranda squeezed the hand in hers. “We are together, there is nothing to worry about.” They both turned to listen as Barbara Walters began to speak.
“Several months ago, a wave of astonishment spread through the fashion world. Miranda Priestly, editor in chief of Runway magazine, the flagship of Elias-Clarke publications announced her relationship with her former assistant, Andrea Sachs; a woman half her age. As if that wasn't enough send shock waves through the industry, now amid the Proposition Eight controversy brewing in California, Miranda and Andrea have announced their engagement and are scheduled to be married in Massachusetts later next month. Please welcome, Miranda Priestly and Andrea Sachs.”
Andy attempted to separate their hands as they walked out onto the stage, but Miranda was having none of it. The editor only released her hold to greet the women hosts as she would anyone at a social function, an almost real smile and an air kiss next to their cheek.
Giving each woman a quick hug and a genuine smile, Andy moved to the long curved couch that served as an interview area on the show. She slipped her hand back into Miranda's as they settled into their seats and took a deep calming breath when she felt elegant fingers lace in hers, tightening slightly. She saw the slight pursing of Miranda's lips and the direction of the fashionista's glance. Andy leaned closer, whispering, “Be nice.”
“Andrea,” Miranda barely vocalized, “It's hideous!” There was no more time to discuss the formless shapeless frock Whoopi Goldberg had chosen to wear because the interview was beginning.
“We're glad you could join us today.” Barbara Walters studied her guests closely, “We were amazed to learn that you would be joining Andy for the interview, Miranda. It was my understanding that you don't do talk shows.”
“Yes, well, Andrea did a marvelous job on Good Morning America but I realized that the subject of the subsequent appearances would be slightly different.” Miranda tilted her head slightly toward Andrea, “I believe that issue is really one that both of us should address, together. So I rearranged my schedule at the last minute.”
###
“She rearranged her schedule?!” Emily made a frustrated sound and the others in the conference room laughed. They all knew that no matter how Emily Charlton fumed and blustered, the woman was totally devoted to Miranda and if the Dragon Lady were to say jump, Emily would wonder which floor she was going to be diving from as she walked to the elevator.
Nigel chuckled, “Don't worry Emily. We all know what a great job you do for her.”
Pressing her lips together, the redhead nodded and thought, Not for much longer. She and Serena had talked about it and Emily was going to take Miranda up on her offer of the Events Planning job. They had yet to do more than declare their intentions of exploring the relationship further, but she and Serena were both intent on seeing where their feelings led. Emily also wanted to stay in New York, So, sorry Joan, it's off to London with you. Watching the screen intently, Emily narrowed her eyes as the camera angle caught Miranda and Andy's hands joined together. She couldn't help the thought, Lucky cow.
###
“'This issue' being, your marriage?”
Miranda agreed, “Yes, and the slanderous comments regarding our relationship.” She looked into the camera, knowing Stephen was watching, “My lawyer informs me in no uncertain terms that all slanderous and liable comments can be court actionable, if we wish.”
Andy spoke up, “But, we don't want it to go that far.”
“There have been some very serious allegations being made as to inappropriate behavior while Andy was employed as your assistant, for quite a while now...” Whoopi questioned the couple, “Why are you just now coming forward to say, stop?”
“Because of the girls.” Andy smiled as the pressure of Miranda's hand in hers increased for a moment and she fell silent for her partner to take up the explanation.
“The fact is that this is a free country and everyone, even my ex-husband, Stephen...” It was rather amazing that Miranda could say the man's name and make it sound as though she were spitting out something nasty at the same time. “... is entitled to their opinion about anything. Anyone, apparently, can think and even say what they want about any subject. It is then up to the tabloids or any legitimate publication to decide if they want to risk the possible legal action it will cause to print it.” Miranda continued matter of factly, “Neither Andrea nor I have any problem with anything said about us in the papers because we are adults and we know what is true and what isn't. It is when the comments begin to include our children that our protective instincts arise.”
“Excuse me,” Joy turned on the couch to face their guests at a better angle, “'your' children?”
“Yes.” Miranda smiled softly at her partner, “Ours.”
“I love the girls and I'm very protective of them.” Andy grinned into the camera, knowing they were watching from backstage. “And they've been known to stand up for me, if they feel the need.”
“They adore you, Andrea.” Miranda leaned a little closer to her fiancee, “Almost as much as I do.”
“I have to say,” Elizabeth spoke up, “When the news broke about your relationship I was very skeptical about you two as a couple, but you seem happy together.”
“You make a striking pair,” Barbara agreed and they all turned to see the large screen behind the couch displaying photos of Miranda and Andy together at a few public events, a few paparazzi shots of them candidly walking in and out of the townhouse and a very lovely picture of them walking into Signor Sassi in London.
“But there is quite a difference in age.” Joy smiled and addressed the gasps from the audience, “What? It's true. I'm just asking what we're all wondering...”
“Most of the time, our ages make no difference.” Miranda's eyes slid to Andrea, “There are only a few, specific, situations where it causes slight problems.”
Joy was the only one blunt and curious enough to ask the next logical question, “Like in the bedroom... how do you deal with that?”
“That is...” Miranda began, when Andy signaled through their joined hands that she would take this question. Falling silent, Miranda wondered what Andrea was going to say, her first words were unexpected.
“It's not easy.” Andy managed not to grin at the interviewer, “But I exercise and eat right,” She kept a straight face as she informed their hosts, the audience and a large portion of America, “...so most of the time I can keep up.”
Miranda licked her lips and chuckled as their hosts jaws dropped. Reaching over with her free hand, she patted Andrea's thigh lightly. “You do just fine.”
###
Emily wrapped her arms around her middle, not that she'd eaten anything today, but she just knew the last thing she'd eaten was going to come back up at any moment. No way Andy had just said that on national television, no way Miranda had said that... there was just no way in hell that Miranda Priestly, fashion goddess was sitting on a couch, talking to four loud mouthed gossips, on national television, about her sex life with Andrea Sachs! No. Way!
###
“Ewwww....” Caroline and Cassidy chorused. “Gross...”
Dorothy sighed, “Well if Richard was watching he won't be anymore...” She shook her head. It wasn't really anything she wanted to think about either, but she wasn't wide-eyed enough to think her daughter was going to be in a relationship with anyone that she was about to marry without having sex with them. Her husband was a smart man, but he had long since chosen to ignore certain aspects of their daughter's development. It was part of what made him so reluctant to accept her new relationship. Dorothy knew it was a cardinal rule in Richard's mind; Andy, his baby, did not have sex.
###
“Moving on!” Barbara changed the subject, “How do you feel about the controversy regarding the definition of marriage being between a man and a woman?”
“Obviously we don't agree.” Miranda shifted uncomfortably and admitted, “However, I am not exactly the best person to talk to regarding this issue.”
Whoopi jumped into the conversation, “Your previous divorces do beg the question. Why would you want to get married, to anyone, again?”
Miranda nodded carefully looking at Whoopi's face and not her outfit, “That is a good question, and the only answer I can give you is... This time, it's different.” She smiled at Andrea and spoke softly, “This time, it's right.”
“That's amazing...”
Miranda turned her gaze to the woman on her left. “Yes, Sherri, it is.” Reaching out, Miranda casually patted the woman's knee. “I find myself amazed by it every single day. Believe me I know how lucky I am...”
Andy jumped in, directing her comment to Sherri, “We have arguments over who is the luckiest.”
“Is that all you argue about?” Joy's asked, “Because I had heard a rumor you were arguing just before the last charity event you attended.”
Miranda nodded shifting slightly closer to Andrea who was studying her own lap intently. “We did have a misunderstanding at that time. It did not last long and was completely overshadowed by the threat of death.”
“Our....misunderstandings rarely last too long.” Andy tried to smile. “I hate it when we argue.” There was still one big thing that Andy felt was between them. Miranda's attitude about her age continually caused friction. Even today, Andy knew the whole reason Miranda wanted her to do the shows alone was just to prove that she could. Because, Miranda wanted her to prove to herself that she didn't need the older woman. Andy realized what Miranda was doing, She's preparing me...even after all that talk about living to be a hundred and five... She's still preparing me... That logic was just wrong as far as Andy was concerned and she shivered a bit at the thought, Miranda isn't dead, The practical side of her knew what Miranda was getting at though and her mind couldn't help adding one tiny, terrifying word, yet. With a tiny shudder rolling through her, Andy focused on the conversation. Joy was speaking.
“I heard there were no injuries. There was actually an officer attending the event?”
Andy nodded, “My friend, Detective Jo Polniaczek was attending with her wife. She kept the gunman calm and kept the attendee's safe.”
“The Good Detective did a wonderful job but there were injuries,” Miranda informed them, “Andrea had bruises on her wrist...” she pressed her lips together from disclosing the other bruise location. They had not told the girls about that one.
Unlacing their fingers, Andy held up her left hand and wrapped her fingers around her wrist, “He grabbed me here and squeezed very tightly.”
“Some of the witness' said he seemed to have a fascination with you.” Whoopi lounged back against the couch, “That must have been scary.”
Nodding, Andy licked her lips, “Yeah, I was umm, really glad he was by himself.” She knew without a doubt if the man had been with an accomplice, if he had someone to watch the rest of the hostages, she would have been separated from the others. “Things would have gone a lot worse if he had been able to get me alone.”
“Witnesses said you danced with him.” Barbara shook her head, “That must have been terrifying.”
“Andrea,” Miranda gently turned Andrea's face to hers and spoke softly, “You do not have to speak about this...”
“No, I can do it.” Andy touched foreheads with Miranda for a second, then turned back to Barbara, “It was my idea to dance. I was going to trip him while we were dancing, try and get the gun away from him.” She swallowed hard at the memory, “But before we started he told me... he told me that if I did anything 'funny' he would kill Miranda.”
“So he forced you to dance...” Elizabeth shivered, “That's awful.”
“I could feel the gun on my back while we danced.” Andy shuddered, “A gun against my skin is not a sensation I will forget any time soon, no matter how much I want to.”
“Your dress was backless?” Sherri eased into the subject she'd been dying to talk about. She hadn't seen any pictures of the back of the dress Andy wore to the charity event in question.
“Mmmm, I wore one of the Oscar de la Renta's. Miranda had given me the Cerulean Blue collection for my birthday and I thought it was appropriate to wear one of them to mark the occasion of the first time we went 'out'.” Andy grinned at the fashion conscious host, “It's not all just love and understanding,” She winked at Miranda, “There are some fairly fabulous clothes that come with the package as well.”
“I'll bet!” Sherri wiggled in her seat, “Do you get to meet all the designers too?”
Andy laughed, relieved to be off the more serious subjects, “As a matter of fact, I met more of the designers when I was Miranda's assistant than I have as her partner.”
“That will change.” Miranda assured her, “Our lives thus far have been far too scrutinized for any social engagements. When all this press dies down, and the wedding is finally behind us, there will be ample opportunity for you to meet everyone. In fact, many of them will be at the wedding.”
Andy leaned closer and laughed, “Yay.”
###
Cassidy and Caroline were jumping up and down when Andy and Miranda entered the View's Green room. The women barely had time to brace themselves before the children attached to their sides.
“You did great, Mom!” Caroline's eyes glittered up at her mother. “I've never seen you on TV before.”
“I am frequently on television.” Miranda reminded her daughter. “I often issue press releases.”
“That's not the same, Mom.” Cassidy grinned and squeezed Andy tighter, “This was like... you, on TV. It was awesome...”
“Yeah, except when you started talking about...” Caroline couldn't bring herself to say it, but Andy grinned, knowing what part of the conversation the children would have not liked at all.
“Sorry about that, Munchkin...” Andy grinned, not sorry at all. “Are we ready to eat?”
“Yes!” Cassidy and Caroline had both taken advantage of the snacks available in the series of Green Rooms, munching here and there on some fruits and veggies provided. Dorothy had also snacked a little, but the two older women had not.
“Where are we going for lunch?” Pava wondered if they were going to head back to Miranda and Andy's home or if they were going to go out.
“Perhaps French?” Miranda asked the group, smiling as the girls grinned widely and Andrea also nodded enthusiastically. Without a thought, Miranda dialed her phone and spoke into it as soon as it connected, “Please make lunch reservations for seven at that French restaurant I like. We are on our way there now. That's all.”
Andy put her hands on her hips, while the rest of the adults looked stunned. “Miranda! Be nice.”
Miranda widened her eyes, slightly taken back by the admonishment, she placed her hand on her chest, “What?” She looked at the others in their group, seeing that they were astonished, but not sure if it was because of her phone call or Andrea's order. Looking back at her fiancee, Miranda shook her head, “Andrea... I said 'please'.”
Laughing at that, Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda and held her tight, “God, I love you.”
Miranda laughed and briefly returned the embrace, “Come now. You are obviously delirious with hunger.”
They all laughed at that and agreed that lunch sounded like a very good idea.
###
Emily hung up the phone then finished confirming the guest's attendance at the wedding on her RSVP database. A crease appeared in her forehead as she noticed a discrepancy between the list and the number of invitations. Immediately she turned to Andrea as the trouble maker and, as she thought, three of the handwritten invitations that Andrea was allotted had not been listed with the appropriate names. With an exasperated sigh, Emily started to pick up the phone, but was halted by Miranda's voice floating out of her office. “Emily.”
The assistant's breath caught and she responded uncharacteristically slowly. Hanging up the phone with exaggerated care then standing in front of her chair for several heartbeats before walking into Miranda's office. “Yes, Miranda?”
Looking directly into Emily's eyes, Miranda asked, “Have you come to a decision?” There was no need to elaborate, they both knew what she was talking about.
“I would like to remain at Runway even if I cannot remain your assistant.” Emily loved the thought of going home to London but there was no way she would ever ask Serena to make that kind of move. Even though Serena claimed that her feelings had been present for quite some time, the relationship between them was far too new and fragile to put it through that kind of stress. “I would very much like to stay in New York.”
Nodding once, Miranda maintained her gaze, “And my other... offer?”
Pressing her lips together for a moment, Emily took a deep breath and spoke from her heart, “I don't think she's good enough for you.” Seeing Miranda bristle at that, Emily kept talking quickly, “But I understand that you believe she is...” The redhead licked her lips and continued, “I won't do it for her, but, if you are sure this is what you really want.” Emily nodded, “I'll do it, for you.”
Miranda picked up a Post-it note from her desk. “You are to go to Valentino's showroom for a fitting this afternoon.”
“Fitting?” Emily numbly took the small square of paper.
“Yes, for your bridesmaids dress...”
“You're wearing Valentino for your wedding?” Emily blinked when Miranda shook her head.
“No, Emily,” She chuckled, “You are wearing Valentino for my wedding.” Leaning back in her captain's chair, Miranda locked her fingers together over her stomach, “I'm still not sure what I'm going to wear.” She waited a few heartbeats, watching her Maid of Honor standing in front of her desk, staring at the paper she'd been given. It was sweet that the woman was so flustered, but Miranda needed to get on with her day. “That's all.” Emily scurried away and Miranda immediately called, “Bethany.” The small woman appeared in front of her desk in very short order and Miranda informed her, “Emily's time with us will soon be at an end. You will begin training to take over for her and you will need to begin the process of finding a replacement for yourself. Cheri in HR will assist.”
“Uh... Yes, Miranda.”
Blue eyes twinkled, “That's all.”
###
“This is a very popular design this year...”
Andy's eyes widened considerably as a model walked out from the dressing room. The dress was beautiful, on the model, but her waist had to have been the tiniest Andy had ever seen, even from her days at Runway. She could use Patricia's collar for a belt! Caroline's reaction stunned Andy.
“It's nice. It could work, with a few modifications.”
Cassidy snorted at her sister, “You mean like making it proportional to a human?”
Andy turned to her friend, “Whaddaya think, Lil?”
“I think it's a work of art,” Dark eyes studied the dress, the lines and the beading, carefully, “And it's entirely unsuited to you... it's completely... tense, you are far more relaxed than that.”
“Right.” Andy agreed. “Not the one.”
Non-plussed at the decision, the salesman clapped his hands together and gestured for the woman to go, smoothly introducing the next model. “Now this design is classic...”
They all watched as yet another emaciated model stepped through the doorway.
Andy sighed softly. This morning television appearances had gone far better than she'd expected, and lunch had been wonderful even with her mother's dismay at her estimate of the final bill. Closing her eyes, Andy almost smiled at the memory of Miranda's matter-of-fact voice, “Unless you are in France and know where to go, good French food is rarely cheap.” But all during this long afternoon, they'd been looking at dress after dress, showroom after showroom and nothing seemed... right. They were all beautiful, with the embroidery and the beadwork and the extra special silk fabrics, but Andy knew not one of them was right for the occasion, not right for her. She felt restless and frustrated. She wanted to see Miranda. Pulling her phone from her pocket, Andy dialed quickly speaking before the familiar 'hello' sounded in her ear, “I need to see you.”
“Where are you?”
“Anna Sui's showroom” Andy licked her lips, “I just need to see you.”
“I'm on my way.”
Andy took a deep breath nodding as the call was disconnected.
“You okay, Darlin'?” Pava studied her granddaughter closely.
Andy nodded to the older woman and spoke to the salesman, “These are all very beautiful but none of them seem to be... speaking to me.”
The man took a deep breath, wanting to sell Andy on one of these dresses so bad he could taste it, the designer that managed to dress either women in this wedding would get a huge jump in business and if he could manage it Anna would give him a raise for sure. But he had dealt with enough brides to know he was out of luck today. “Of course,” He was too much of a salesman not to take a chance, “Feel free to look through the catalog perhaps something will strike your fancy for the bridesmaids?”
“Whaddaya think girls?” Andy motioned to the books, “Wanna take a look?”
Shrugging Caroline and Cassidy took a few minutes to look through the pages and although they did like the dresses, they didn't think any of them were appropriate for a wedding. “I think we need to see your dress first.” Caroline looked at Andy, “Then we can decide on ours.”
Lily draped one arm over each girl's shoulders, “I'm with these guys, don't make them pick something without seeing yours first.”
Andy grinned, “Well, Lily, funny you should phrase it like that... because I would like you to be.”
Narrowing her eyes, Lily released her hold on the girls, “Be what?”
“With them... when I get married... will you?” Andy looked hopefully at her long time friend. “Will you be my maid of honor?”
“I...” Lily swallowed hard, “Andy... I... I can't afford...”
“Don't worry about that Lil, the dress is covered...” Andy exhaled softly, “I know you were mad, when Nate and I broke up... but, you've been my friend for a long time and... you need to be there.”
Smiling at that, Lily hugged Andy tightly, “Damn right I do...” Lily looked over her friend's shoulder to see a car pulling up to the curb outside. “Wonder Woman has arrived.”
Andy turned to see Miranda walking into the showroom. She walked quickly to meet her, “Miranda, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupt...” Her apology was stopped by warm lips on her own.
“Now, Andrea.” Miranda wiped a bit of lipstick smear from Andrea's lips, “What seems to be the trouble?”
“We've been looking at dresses for hours and there is just nothing that is striking me as 'the one' dress I want to wear.” Andy knew it sounded like she was whining and tried to describe her dilemma, “I want it to be special, I want it to be 'right'.”
“It will be.” Miranda assured her, “You'll find just the right one... I promise.” She looked at the entourage Andrea had collected around her and informed them, “I am on my way to a showing, would you like to attend?”
Dorothy nodded, “It would be interesting to see you doing what you do.”
“I agree,” Pava nodded as did Mary.
“I wish I could,” Lily spoke up, “but I should be getting back to the gallery.” She hugged Andy, “Talk to ya later, girl.”
Caroline was all business. “Who's the designer Mom?”
“Jean-Paul.” Miranda winked at the girl's astonishment, “I told you I could salvage the situation.” She hoped that statement was true. The redesign had been so rushed that Jean-Paul had never even given her preliminary drawings for the new fashions.
“I knew you could.” Caroline grinned at her mother. One day, Caroline thought, I'm going to be just like her.