Pava and Mary looked up as the door opened. They both stood and Pava walked down the hall toward her granddaughter while Mary held back somewhat.
“Welcome home, Darlin'.” Pava hugged Andy and smiled, “How was your dinner?”
“Good.” Andy glanced at Miranda and smiled weakly, “I'm gonna go on up... I'm kinda tired.”
Miranda nodded and watched Andrea ascend the stairs slowly. “I will be up to check on the girls momentarily... there are a few things I want to check on in the Book...”
“Yeah...” Andy's response floated down the staircase, “Of course.”
“What has gotten in to her?” Pava put her hands on her hips, “She seemed a little down...”
“Yes.” Miranda thought back to this evening's events and sighed, “She's been that way most of the evening...” It was something Miranda knew that she and Andrea needed to discuss. “If you will excuse me...”
“Oh, of course...” Pava watched Miranda follow Andy's path up the stairs. Warm arms around her waist made her smile, but the question Mary asked wiped it away again.
“What was that all about?”
“I'm not sure, Darlin...” Pava squeezed the arms around her, “I'm sure they'll work it out though....” Turning in the embrace, Pava draped her arms around Mary's shoulders. “How about you and I finish our drinks and turn in... we have a flight to catch tomorrow.”
“Mmm...” Mary sighed and rested her head on Pava's shoulder, “Home.”
“Yeah...” Grinning, Pava kissed Mary's temple, “We'll be back for the girls' birthday party though... and again for the wedding.”
“We should book our flights now... since we know the dates...” A tinge of worry laced Mary's words, “... it's cheaper that way...”
“Mmmm... Yeah. I think that Emily gal said there would be a plane for us to come to the wedding.” Pava nodded and grinned, “But then a few flights aren't going to hurt either of our bank accounts...”
“No, I guess not... life insurance is not fun to think about, but it's a good thing to have,” Mary shook her head a little, “It's just so weird, not having to worry about money...”
“I know, it took me quite a while to wrap my head around it. You'll have even more if you decide to sell the B & B. You have at least one offer to consider.”
“Yeah, I've had a ton of real estate people asking me about the property, like vultures, but only one of them has already had a buyer.” Mary sighed, “It was a surprise. I hadn't even thought about selling.” She looked up at Pava. “Do you think I should?”
“If you want to...whatever you want to do is fine with me.” Looking around quickly, Pava dropped a kiss on Mary's temple then smiled, “C'mon... let's see about getting some sleep.”
###
Miranda leaned down to kiss Caroline's cheek, “Good night, my darling...I love you.” She stood and began to leave the room when the girl's voice stopped her.
“What's wrong with Ma?”
Turning to face Caroline, Miranda questioned, “What makes you think something is wrong?”
“She seemed sad, when she told me good night.” Caroline was worried, “It seemed...” She didn't want to say it. Surely it wasn't true, Andy had promised; promised not to leave. “It seemed like the last time she was going to tell me...”
Shaking her head, Miranda assured Caroline, “Andrea will tell you good night for many more years to come.”
“Okay,” Caroline sighed and hugged her pillow. She couldn't hear and interpret everything the way Cassidy could, but even she knew what that tone in her mother's voice meant. Andy wasn't going anywhere. “G'night, Mom.”
“Sleep well.” Miranda left the room quietly. She stopped in Cassidy's room next. Cassidy was already sleeping, so all that was required was a kiss on the slumbering girl's cheek and a quietly whispered, 'I love you', before she made her way to the master bedroom. Quelling the odd urge to knock on her own bedroom door, Miranda entered the room and was surprised to find it empty. “Andrea?”
“In here.”
Miranda walked to the bathroom. Leaning against the door frame, Miranda watched in silence as Andrea removed her minimal make-up. It was always a pleasure to watch as the fake Andrea was replaced by the real person underneath. Now the real Andrea, her Andrea, turned toward her.
“What?”
Blinking, Miranda shook her head, “Can I not just look at you? Do I need a reason?”
“Miranda,” Andy sighed in frustration and studying the floor intently, mumbled, “maybe you're right...”
“Pardon?”
“Maybe you're right...” Andy looked up, “What if... what if you would be better off with someone else...”
“Someone... else?” Miranda's vision began to tunnel, “What are you talking about?”
“Someone...rich, beautiful... someone who shares your interest in fashion... someone who can cook for you and... just someone who's a better match for you than I am... older than I am...” Andy's voice wavered. “Someone like...”
Taking a deep breath, Miranda understood now why Andrea had been so quiet during dinner. She completed her fiancee's thought, but didn't agree with it. “... Blair.” Miranda watched as Andrea's shoulders sagged in defeat.
“Yeah... Blair...” Andy felt like crying, “She's completely perfect for you... socially, financially close to your equal... she's a powerful woman in her industry, like you... and she's fashionable, and beautiful... ” Sighing at the final straw, Andy spoke through her wavering lips, “... and she can cook.”
“Mmmm...” Miranda tried to catch Andrea's eye. “Except for two problems...” Licking her lips, Miranda addressed the least important issue first, “She is married...” The editor smiled as Andrea's head snapped up to lock eyes with her, “... and more importantly, I love you, not her.”
“Miranda...” Andy shook her head, “I'm just so...”
“Oh yes,” Miranda smiled and moved to embrace the young woman, “Yes indeed,” Gently tipping Andrea's head back, Miranda leaned in for a kiss, murmuring, “You know I love things, just so.”
Melting into the kiss, Andy agreed when they broke apart, “You always have been very particular.” She reached up, gently running her fingertips across the lips she had just kissed, across the lips that Jo's hand had... Andy's eyes followed her fingertips as she spoke, softly, “She shouldn't have touched you.”
Sighing softly, Miranda moved away, “I really don't understand this perception that I am untouchable...”
“Miranda... it's because you are untouchable...” Andy took a deep breath, buying some time to organize her thoughts on the subject but there was one fact that was perfectly clear to her, “No one touches you.”
“Of course they do,” Miranda almost laughed, “There are many social gatherings where I shake hands, touch cheeks to air kiss, even link arms with people from time to time.” The older woman pointed out a recent example, “I linked arms with Blair just this evening... why are you not upset about that?”
Andy shook her head, “That's different... that is you touching them... your choice.” She didn't know how to explain it and admitted, “A lot of it is just my jealousy, I suppose. I love being able to touch you.” Reaching up, Andy lightly traced the shadow under Miranda's high cheekbone then trailed her fingertips down the side of the editor's smooth neck, feeling the pulse point there jump at her touch. “Do you realize that during the entire time I worked for you I didn't touch you, not even once?” Andy continued to trace Miranda's neck with her fingertips. “I wanted to. I wanted to so badly it hurt sometimes. I love having that privilege and I don't like it when anyone else is granted that... honor.”
“You are the only person in the world that makes me feel this way when you touch me.” Miranda leaned into the questing fingertips at her jawline, “The only one who ever has...” With a sigh, Miranda admitted, “I do notice that people don't actually initiate contact with me though. I thought about that when we were in Cincinnati with your parents. You are the only one who reaches out to me so casually...” She didn't mention his name but Miranda thought about her previous marriage, Stephen never touched me without a reason. His caresses were always calculated, for his own need.
“Good.” Andy was mesmerized by her fingertips gliding over the smooth skin of Miranda's shoulders. Replacing her fingers with her lips, Andy murmured against Miranda's neck, “I like it that way.”
Tipping her head back to grant Andrea better access, Miranda closed her eyes to savor the sensations as she moaned slightly, “Agreed.”
###
“I can't believe you.”
“Richard!” Dorothy gestured to the television screen, “Look! She is so in love...”
“No!” He closed his eyes, stubbornly refusing to watch. It was just a bonus that he didn't have to see Regis Philbin staring at his daughter's breasts as a result.
Sighing, Dorothy fast-forwarded the recording and ruthlessly hit play, “Then listen, you fool... listen to your daughter.”
Refusing to be juvenile enough to cover his ears, Richard kept his eyes closed, but heard the conversation about the gunman, and how Miranda had taken him down. He ground his teeth together at the sound of Miranda's voice. When they talked about Andy disarming the gunman, Richard's eyes flew open as he heard the reason his baby girl had lost her cool. He swallowed hard when Miranda asked who actually called Andy 'baby' and Andy replied in a choked voice, 'Daddy'.
The muscle in his jaw jumped. “Shut it off...”
“Richard...” Dorothy sighed, “She really is happy...” She paused the playback on a still picture of Andy gazing at Miranda. “Can't you see how happy she is with Miranda?” Met with silence, Dorothy continued. “I was wrong about her, about Miranda, she loves Andy... she loves her with all her heart.”
Jumping out of his seat, Richard pointed to the picture, “That woman is a lying bitch... and she only wants to control Andy.”
“Richard!”
“It's true, Dot.” He took great glee in telling his wife all about his little encounter with Miranda in his office after Dorothy had left for New York. He was smug when he finished the story, “You see? She only wants to control the people around her and she uses her money to do it.”
“But...” Dorothy shook her head, not believing the woman she'd come to know would do that, not to Andy. Looking up at her infuriated husband, Dorothy swallowed hard and resolutely stuck to her belief, even though she didn't voice it again. They love each other... There was another more pressing issue at the moment. “What are you going to do?” Again, Richard was silent and Dorothy repeated her question. “Richard... What are you going to do?”
Leveling his best courtroom gaze at his wife, Richard spoke evenly. “I don't know, yet.” He caught a glimpse of the still picture on the television screen and his right cheek twitched then he turned and walked out of the living room.
Dorothy jumped as a door down the hall slammed and she bit her upper lip as she thought to herself, Here's an even better question, Dottie... What are you going to do?
Oddly enough, she found herself in agreement with her husband on that point, because she didn't have a clue what she was going to do either, yet.
###
“You can't be serious.” Emily was incredulous, “You really aren't going to tell me?” She had done what Serena asked and waited to ask about the incident at Miranda's. She'd waited, and waited, and now the woman wouldn't even discuss it?!
“I cannot.” Serena was firm on the subject. “Miranda doesn't wish it to be discussed and I will honor that request.”
“But...” Emily exhaled loudly and nodded, “... fine.” The issue had apparently been resolved and Miranda hadn't been acting any stranger than normal interaction with Andrea caused. Turning to her computer, Emily brought up the RSVP database and again saw the blanks from Andrea's allotted invitations. Without much thought on the subject, Emily speed dialed Andrea's number as she groused about the oversight.
“Perhaps she just hasn't decided who else to invite?” Serena didn't want Emily to be very upset while talking to Andy. The redhead was quite volatile, something that didn't really bother Serena. In fact, she liked the fire Emily exhibited from time to time. But other people often misunderstood the volatile nature and Serena didn't want Andy and Emily at odds with each other any more than they already were. “She doesn't know as many people as Miranda does.”
Scoffing at that, Emily waited three rings before Andy's irritatingly cheery voice sounded in her ear.
“Hello and good morning, Emily.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Emily got right down to business. “Andrea, there are three invitations missing from the database. I need to know who you sent them to.”
“Oh... Um... I gave them to Miranda.” Andy cringed because she knew what the next question would be.
“Well, do you know who Miranda sent them to?” This was ridiculous. You would think Andrea would know how to keep track of a guest list.
“I do, well two of them anyway.” Andy licked her lips and shifted her phone to her other ear. “But you aren't going to like it.”
Ready to scream in frustration, Emily chastised her former co-worker. “I don't care who you invite to your wedding, I merely have to keep track of them. Now who is it?”
“I can't tell you...” Andy quickly spoke to the outraged silence on the other end of her conversation, “If Miranda wants to tell you then that's fine, but we put Miranda's number on the invitations for the people to RSVP.” Andy had been amazed to get those calls. Miranda was very controlled about it, answering the phone, nodding once and responding in a very civil manner. She had not said 'thank you' that would have been too much, but she did calmly inform their future guests that she would 'inform Emily of their attendance.' It was major progress. All the hassles at work lately must have made the tiny detail slip Miranda's mind, “They have both accepted, so just mark them as going to be there.”
“How?!” Emily pinched the bridge of her nose. “I suppose I can do guest one and guest two...”
Andy sighed, “Use their initials. A.W. And C.T. Neither will be bringing a guest.”
“Ohmygod.” Emily blinked as the initial's registered. “A.W. Andrea, you don't mean...”
“Just go with it.” Andy had pushed for the rival editor to be invited for very good reasons, the main one being that Miranda was starting a new life and Andy wanted it to start with a clean slate. She spoke the only words she knew would calm Emily down. “Miranda agreed to it.” Now that the editor's name had been invoked, Andy decided the original topic of this phone call was done. “She'll be in early this morning... I'd say you have another five minutes before she arrives.”
“Brilliant.” Making the appropriate notations in the database, Emily obediently switched modes of thought to the birthday party. “Have the twins mailed their invitations yet?”
“Yes.” Andy thought they should start being delivered tomorrow. “You can expect calls on those anytime after tomorrow.”
Hesitating, Emily managed to keep the contempt out of her voice. “And Andrea, I'm going to need your Maid of Honor's phone number. I'm not sure if she wants to plan two separate hen... bachelorette parties, or if we should have one large party with both you and Miranda as guests.” Emily would prefer separate parties, because Andrea's friend would no doubt believe fried tidbits with beer and a Chippendale's stage show would be an appropriate party. Emily thought Miranda would want a little more class to the event than that.
“Oh,” Andy laughed, “Sure.” She gave Emily the number. “Her name is Lily, by the way... just in case you were interested.” Andy's grin came through the phone, “And you have three minutes left before Miranda arrives. She just texted me that she's pulling up in front of the building now.”
“Of course,” Emily managed to remember her manners. “Thank you, Andrea. I will call you again if I have any more problems.”
Laughing loudly at that, Andy agreed, “I know you will, Em.”
Emily ground her teeth together as she hung up the phone then Miranda's imminent arrival penetrated her brain. “ohmygod” She stood and started toward the elevator when she saw Bethany at her desk. Forcing herself to stop for a moment, Emily turned to Serena who had just been standing there watching her talk on the phone. “Will you watch the phones?”
“Of course.” Serena's dark eyes watched as Emily gestured for Bethany to follow her to the elevator. Emily began speaking quickly about the duties the First Assistant has regarding Miranda's arrival and the Book; Bethany nodding all the way.
###
“Long day huh?” Andy wondered what had gotten into her. She knew better than to make small talk when Miranda's day had been this long.
“Mmm...”
“Emily said her bride's maid's dress will be a Valentino...” Andy scrubbed off her makeup and watched Miranda's reflection at the same time. Of course, Emily hadn't actually told her that, Lily had called after Emily had called her about the bachelorette party. “Should I choose someone in particular to make Lily's dress?” She finished her task and turned to Miranda, “And what about the girls?”
“One of the girls can wear a smaller version of the gown Emily is being fit for.” Miranda continued her own makeup removal, “Your bride's maid's gowns should complement your dress.”
Andy nodded, “Adrianna Papell has a few designs that might work.” The dress she was going to wear had been a fluke, what Jean-Paul deemed 'a moment of inspiration'. Andy didn't want to take the time for the man to be 'inspired' enough to design the bride's maid's dresses.
“Oh,” Miranda grinned, “Mediterranean flair?”
Running her tongue over her teeth, Andy sighed, “Yes...” and mumbled, “You would know that...”
There had been subtle comments from Miranda ever since Andy had told her that she'd picked out a dress. Nothing intrusive, just bits of garnered information here and there. Andy was sure by the time the wedding rolled around Miranda would have a sketch of Andy's dress on her desk. And she still didn't know a thing about the dress Miranda claimed to have chosen except that it was not Valentino.
“Emily said you weren't wearing Valentino...” Andy prodded. “Why not?”
“I wore a Valentino gown when I married James.” Miranda finished her nighttime ritual and moved back toward the bedroom.
“Okay... I get that.” Andy followed the older woman, still pressing for information, “Then, why not wear Chanel? I'm sure Karl would design something for you...”
Miranda hesitated then stopped her forward motion and studied the carpet beneath her feet, “I have also, already worn Chanel.”
Andy stopped dead in her tracks. “What?” Her jaw clenched and her nostrils flared, “Miranda.... you wore Chanel for him? For Stephen?!” Shaking her head against the notion, Andy argued against it, “Cassidy said you got a dress off the rack from the Closet.”
“I did.” Miranda sighed, “We were doing a bridal issue, there were several vintage Chanel dresses to choose from.”
“Vintage.” Andy echoed, “Vintage Chanel...” Shaking her head, Andy continued on to the bed, mumbling, “Unbelievable.”
Miranda climbed onto her side of the bed and stayed there, “Are you very angry?”
“Only at him, for making so many things difficult for you,” Andy shifted closer, draping her arm over Miranda's stomach, “and for not recognizing the honor you gave him by wearing Chanel.”
“How do you know he didn't?”
Andy snorted at that, “Because we're talking about Stephen...”
Snuggling with Andrea, in their bed, at the end of a long day, Miranda nudged her nose against the leonine neck, “Why are we talking about him?”
Tipping her head back, Andy moved into Miranda's questing lips and murmured, “Who?” She felt Miranda smile against her skin and found herself smiling at the ceiling until her lips became otherwise occupied.
###
“So are you ready for the big day?” Jo grinned at her friend and crunched into a french fry. “It's getting close.”
Andy picked up her burger, “Oh I know,” She eyed the sandwich in her hands lovingly, “This is the last time I'll be able to eat one of these until after the ceremony.”
“What?” Jo looked at the sandwich, “Why?”
Andy shrugged, “I love red meat, but sometimes it makes me feel heavy. So after this, I'm gonna stick to chicken and fish as much as I can until after the ceremony.” Looking across the small bar table at her friend, Andy grinned, “Your big day is tomorrow though.”
Laughing at an expression as close to terror as she'd ever seen on her friend's face, Andy winked, “Don't worry, you'll be fine. I think Miranda is going to have you in the Armani suit, if that makes you feel any better. She really liked you in that, even if she was drugged the first time she saw you in it.” Andy took a bite of her burger and chewed as Jo thought about that.
“Yeah, actually, it does.” She was comfortable in the Armani suit. “I've been looking through that magazine and some of those women, they need to eat a sandwich!”
“Yep,” Andy swallowed her bite, “Most of them are far too thin. There are a few designers who have started tailoring their designs to larger women, which to them means size four and six... but it's a start. Miranda features them a little more prominently in the magazine, so more and more designers will do it.”
“That's a subtle game.” Jo was dubious about the impact 'a little more prominently' displayed designs would have on the industry as a whole. “Reminds me a lot of the politics on the force.”
Andy caught an odd inflection in Jo's voice, “Problems?”
“Nothin' I haven't dealt with before,” Jo sighed, “Or will again I'm sure...” She explained the situation briefly. “There's a new captain at our precinct that doesn't care much for women... or homosexuals... so it's a double whammy for me.”
“Isn't there someone you can go to, higher up?” Andy knew Jo's job was hard enough as it was without some asshat giving her grief about her private life.
Jo shook her head, “I don't want to go there. If I started running to the big brass every time some jerk made a comment about my orientation, I'd never stop running.” She shrugged, “This is my problem to deal with. Speaking of which.. how's you're little problem?”
Andy put her burger down, “Miranda handed the problem over to her lawyer after a very irate call she made to the governor. Things were taken care of pretty quickly after that.”
“Good.” Jo nodded. “I'm glad that worked out for you.”
“Well, they tell me she's still writing the letters, she just can't send them. But, if there is anything we can do for you just let us know.” Andy assured her friend, “Miranda will be on your side for sure, which is pretty good considering her pull with the Mayor and the Governor.”
“I'll keep it in mind.” Jo laughed and gestured for Andy to eat, “You better finish up,” She teased her friend, “You and I both have to get back to work at some point.”
“Yeah,” Andy sipped her drink, “The paparazzi have pretty much cleared out from the Mirror.” It wasn't actually a happy thought for her. Andy loved being home for the girls. She was having a little trouble lately with the concept of working. The temptation of Miranda and her money was a huge pull on her to stop working at the Mirror and just stay home. Andy knew she could write from home, and wondered if a freelance sort of life would satisfy her. The idea of letting Miranda support her was so very seductive, but then she would think about how that would make her feel. She'd hated it when she'd been unemployed and Nate's paycheck had supported them. She didn't want to feel that way with Miranda. She wanted to be self-sufficient, needed that, for her own piece of mind.
“Hello? Earth to Andy?” Jo grinned as her friend's dark eyes refocused, “Where'd ya go?”
“Sorry, Just lost in thought for a minute...” Andy took a big bite of her burger to avoid answering the next obvious question, but it never came. Jo opened her mouth to ask, but her cell phone rang. Saved by the bell, Andy thought then grimaced because she realized that it was Jo's work calling and that meant bad things. Since Jo had done such an excellent job with the hostage situation, she had been given her choice of assignments. Much to Blair's dismay, Jo chose homicide.
Jo closed her phone and stood, “I gotta go.”
Andy got an idea, “Can I tag along?”
Pausing for a moment, Jo looked at her friend then agreed, “Yeah, just stay behind the tape.”
“Gotcha.” Andy tossed some bills on the table to cover their meals and grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair. Jo had teased her about the coat since it was so hot outside, but inside most establishments the a/c was on full blast often making her chilly. Andy sighed to herself and also admitted that the jacket went with the outfit. She knew Miranda would be scandalized if it wasn't at least carried with her.
###
Miranda walked into the townhouse earlier than her usual long day, but still far after meal time. She heard laughter filtering down through the stairwell and climbed the stairs, intent on saying hello to her children.
Reaching the entertainment room, Miranda frowned as she realized the children were playing a game that she did not approve of, it was violent and the way they scored points was to guide their character through illegal and possibly immoral acts. Miranda believed there was enough of that in real life. It didn't take long before her presence was sensed and Caroline quickly shut off the game, much to the others dismay.
“Mother.” Caroline had the grace to look embarrassed, “Alyssa and Alan brought one of their games over...”
“So I see.” Miranda sniffed judgmentally, “Your mother approves of this game?”
“No,” Alan realized what the problem was and stood to face Miranda, “She doesn't approve of it. Our father gave it to us and we brought it here to play. We should have asked you first.” He bowed slightly, “I apologize. It won't happen again.”
Miranda studied the boy, looking for any sign of insincerity; unable to find any. Her lips twitched slightly, “See that it doesn't.” Turning to her daughters she saw the concern in their eyes. They knew punishment was imminent. Miranda decided to let them sweat for a while. “Where is Andrea?”
“Ma's taking a bath.” Cassidy exchanged a look with Caroline, wondering when the other shoe would drop. “She's been in there for a while.”
Nodding, Miranda pulled out her cell phone and pushed one of her most used speed dial buttons, “Roy, there are two children here that need to be taken home. They only live down the block. When you have delivered them to their doorstep you are finished for the evening.” She'd had him wait because she'd entertained the idea of taking the girls, and Andrea, out for ice cream to make up for missing the evening meal, even though she had called to let them know of her absence in advance. She spoke to Caroline quietly, “There were no hounds on the doorstep when I arrived, therefore you may walk your friends to the car.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Caroline swallowed hard, knowing there was still some sort of punishment to come for playing the forbidden game.
“Mmm...” Miranda sniffed and pocketed her phone, “I am going to check on Andrea.”
“'Kay.” Caroline gestured for her friends to follow her, she was a little jealous when Alyssa draped her arm around Cassidy's shoulder. Not that Caroline liked Alyssa in particular, but because Alan didn't do the same for her. Alan seemed a little more uptight than his sister though, Caroline laughed at herself, knowing that between she and Cassidy, she was the more uptight of the two as well. Caroline thought absently, Maybe that's why I like him so much.
###
Miranda waited for the children to move down the stairs before she began her trek up. Andrea very rarely took baths,alone, but when she did they were long, soaking things that usually meant she was troubled by something.
Entering their bedroom, Miranda shed her jacket, draping it over the back of the dresser chair before walking into the ensuite bathroom. “Andrea?”
“Hmmm?” Andy answered absently. She was too absorbed in the water she was lifting up with her hand and letting trickle down out of her palm back into the huge tub. “Hello, Miranda.”
“Andrea, what's wrong?”
“Nothing.” Dark, troubled eyes raised to meet Miranda's gaze, “I have the perfect life.”
“Save for the fact that we are together, our lives are not perfect, Andrea.” She conceded that their lives were very close to perfect though. Miranda sat on the side of the tub and ran her fingers through Andrea's dark, damp, hair, “Talk to me.” When the young woman remained quiet, Miranda asked, “Have you washed your hair yet?”
Andy shook her head, “No, I just wet it when I first got in.”
“Wet it again.” Miranda stood to turn fully toward Andrea as she began to roll up her sleeves. She watched as Andrea obediently dunked her head under the water. Reaching for the shampoo Andrea preferred, Miranda put a dollop of the gel in her palm and rubbed her hands together as she knelt waiting for Andrea to resurface.
Holding her breath, Andy slid under the water and shook her head, making sure to wet it all the way down to the roots before she sat back up. She closed her eyes at the sensation of Miranda's fingers threading through her hair, the older woman's fingernails gently scratching her scalp. “God that feels good.”
Miranda smiled, “It certainly does.” She loved washing Andrea's hair, it was different than when she had washed the girls' hair when they were younger. That was a mother's duty, loving but necessary. With Andrea, there were a great many levels of emotions associated with the act. Right now it was simply to reassure the woman she loved that she was loved, but there were times that washing Andrea's hair turned into an exercise in sensuality. Miranda heard the small groan that indicated Andrea was very relaxed. Miranda continued massaging the young woman's scalp for several moments longer then gently pushed on the lathered head, “Rinse.” Again, Andrea obediently slipped under the water.
When she rose out of the water, Miranda was sitting back on her heels, her forearms resting on the edge, fingers interlocked flat on the ledge surrounding the tub and again she asked, “What's wrong, Andrea?”
Andy sighed. She knew this time she'd have to answer. “I had lunch with Jo today.”
“Oh,” Miranda wondered what this had to do with the pensive mood Andrea was in, “And how is the Good Detective?”
“She's fine, but,” Andy bit her upper lip, “She got a call just as we were finishing our meal... and, I... went with her.”
Miranda blinked, “Why on Earth would you do a thing like that?”
“I had the stupid idea that I could get the scoop on the story.” Andy swallowed hard, “That maybe Greg would put me on the crime desk instead of filler stuff...” Sad, dark eyes looked up at Miranda and Andy pushed the words past the lump in her throat, “Miranda, I don't want to be on the crime desk... ever.”
Taking a deep breath, Miranda resisted the urge to gather the young woman up in her arms, choosing instead to reach out and brush some damp hair away from Andrea's forehead then kissing the space created there. “Tell me what happened.”
“It was horrible, Miranda.” A tear rolled down Andy's cheek. “It was a nice apartment building. Someone called the police because they heard gunshots. Jo told me to stay behind the police tape, but I snuck in...” Andy swallowed as if to keep the words from coming out, but they did anyway, “There were three bodies, a man, his wife, and their two year old son all dead, they had already been, bagged, I didn't see them... but, there was so much blood... and, I... saw a picture on the wall. He was such a cute little boy...” Andy looked up into liquid blue eyes and couldn't help the anguish in her voice, “He was only two, Miranda!”
“Does the Good Detective have a theory as to why this happened?” Miranda wiped away a few of Andrea's tears but more took their place.
“She said the man was a stock broker. They think he lost a lot of money in the market and went crazy.” Andy moved closer to Miranda. “It was awful.”
“Yes,” Miranda wiped more tears away and smiled sadly at her beautiful fiancee, “But people do crazy, awful, things when money is involved.” She kissed a damp, salty cheek and knew that Andrea would have nightmares about this event, if not tonight then soon. Miranda wanted to try and take Andrea's mind off the scene she witnessed at least for a little while and gestured as she drew an old argument into play, “Out you go, you're going to have more wrinkles than me soon.”
“Miranda...” Andy let out an exasperated breath, “You have some of the smoothest skin I've ever seen.”
Blue eyes twinkled with mischief, “Well then you already have more wrinkles than me, right?”
Rolling her eyes at that, Andy smirked and stood. Stepping into the shower, she turned on the spray for a moment to rinse the shampoo and soap from her body. As the water sluiced off of her naked skin, Andy grinned, “I don't know,” She turned off the shower and indicated the length of her body, “You tell me.”
“Hmm...” Miranda helped Andrea out of the shower and took her time examining Andrea's body, brushing her hands over shivering curves, “It appears your body has escaped unscathed.” Trailing her hands down Andrea's arms, Miranda lifted her fiancee's hands, “Your fingertips seem to be a different matter altogether.”
Andy laughed and pulled her hand away, “They'll smooth out soon enough.” Hearing Miranda's stomach gurgle, Andy asked, “Miranda? Have you eaten supper yet?”
Darkened blue eyes continued to roam over Andy's body as Miranda smiled slowly, “Not yet.”
“Oh...” Andy shivered slightly partially due to her damp skin in the cool air, but mostly because of the predatory look Miranda was giving her. “Um... Where are the girls?”
“They are downstairs,” Miranda moved in closer to lick a bead of water that rolled down Andrea's chest, “Is there some reason you want them?”
“No, I...” Arching into Miranda's touch as Miranda projected the water drop's journey with her tongue, Andy gasped, “I just wondered.”
“Mmm...” Miranda guided Andrea out of the bathroom toward the bed. “They will not dare interrupt us.” Miranda gently pushed Andrea back onto the bed and smiled down at the feast in front of her. “They believe they are going to be punished...”
“Punished?!” Andy propped herself up on her elbows, “For what?”
“Playing that horrible video game that I have expressly forbidden them to have or play.” Miranda laughed, “Of course they won't be punished, they'll just worry about it for a while.”
“But...”
“Shhh...” Miranda stretched out next to her young fiancee, “I will inform them that they are not in trouble when we kiss them goodnight.”
“Okay,” Andy gasped and surrendered herself to Miranda's touch, “Whatever you say...”
Chuckling against the skin at Andrea's throat, Miranda murmured, “Naturally.”