“Mmm...” Miranda finished her evening routine, “I believe, had Dorothy not retired early, she would currently be in the kitchen baking cookies.”
Grinning at that, Andy nodded, “Yeah, I think so too.”
They walked to the bed, each to their own side then met in the middle, shifting into one of their usual embraces. Andy sighed as Miranda's head rested on her shoulder, “I love this.” It only took a small turn of her head to kiss Miranda's forehead. She smiled as Miranda returned the gesture on the side of her neck, “Quiet time, with you, at the end of the day. It's just.... nice.”
“MmmHmmm...” Miranda agreed then spoke quietly, “It's also a good time to discuss things.” She shifted to look up into Andrea's eyes, “You have something on your mind.”
Not bothering to deny it, Andy nodded, “I've been trying to figure out when, and how, to tell you...”
A line appeared between Miranda's eyes, “What is it?” Whatever it was worried Andrea terribly.
“It's.. um... Cassidy.” Before she could take a breath to continue Miranda was sitting up.
“What's the matter with Cassidy?!” Miranda was halfway out of the bed before Andrea stopped her.
“Whoa...” Andy held Miranda tightly partially for reassurance, partially to keep the woman from bolting to Cassidy's room. “She's fine...” Looking into Miranda's eyes, Andy nodded, “Honestly, she's fine...” Andy apologized, “I'm sorry I scared you, I didn't mean to do that.”
“What is this about, Andrea?”
“Secrets.” Andy pulled Miranda back into the bed, “One that Cassidy wants me to share, with you.”
“Oh?”
Not knowing how else to say it, Andy just took a deep breath and told Miranda, “Cassidy is gay.” She had no clue what reaction Miranda would have to that information, but she never in a million years would have thought it would bring out a medium loud burst of laughter.
“Andrea!” Miranda managed to speak between laughs, “She's twelve... she doesn't know...”
“No!” Andy pulled away from a quickly sobering Miranda, “Don't you do that. Don't make this into something that she's imagining, or will grow out of.”
“Andrea...”
“I mean it, Miranda. Listen to me,” Andy's eyes bored into Miranda's. “This is something she knows... she knows.... Miranda. She knows that something in her is different than what society thinks should be there. This is so important. It's so amazing to me that she would confide that in me...in us. Don't trivialize her feelings. Don't tell her she's confused, because she's confused enough... believe me. I would never have...” Shaking that thought away, Andy pleaded, “Please, Miranda...”
“Andrea...” Miranda smiled softly and moved slowly closer to her love, “I hear you. I'm sorry. She just seems so very young to be making that kind of statement.”
“She knows who she's attracted to, Miranda.” Andy moved into Miranda's gentle touch on her cheek, “Just like I do.”
Nodding, Miranda agreed and repeated, “Just like I do...” Guiding Andrea's lips to hers, Miranda's mouth moved against the softness making further speech impossible for a long moment. When they broke the contact, Miranda smiled and assured Andrea, “I will be appropriately conciliatory when I speak to Cassidy.”
“Okay...” The issue was finished in Andy's mind and she moved in for another quick kiss, then began trailing her lips down the line of Miranda's neck. She murmured against the softness. “I love this... I love you.”
Miranda wanted to return the sentiment but Andrea's lips took her ability to speak; in the very best of ways.
###
Cassidy kept her eyes on her cereal, but spoke quietly to the only other person in the kitchen with her, “She isn't pregnant, is she Ma?”
Andy pressed her lips together for a moment then answered the only way she could, “She isn't as pregnant as you said she said she was...” Shrugging, Andy continued, “There are some women who don't show their pregnancy as much as others.”
“I think she's lying.” Cassidy, finally, looked up. “I think she just wants Dad's money.”
“Well,” Andy allowed, “That is possible. Some people are like that.”
“Grandmother thinks so too.” Cassidy pushed her bowl away, “I heard her speaking to Dad about it. But, he doesn't think so... He said the Dr. Goldman was certain...”
Andy shook her head. “He said Candice's doctor's name is Goldman?”
“Um.. Yeah.” Cassidy nodded, “I remember because we have a teacher at school with the same name.”
Andy sighed, she had some more digging to do. She sympathized with James though, no one would want to admit they were being taken for a ride. Her heart melted a bit when she saw Cassidy's eyes begin to tear up.
“They're gonna shred him in the Press...”
“Aww... Sweetie...” Andy moved to embrace the girl, “He'll be okay. Even if they do make a story out of it, it will blow over pretty quick. They always move on... they don't follow him as closely as they do Miranda.”
“Yeah...” Cassidy sniffled, “I guess.”
“Hey... What's going on?”
Andy released Cassidy and smiled at Caroline as she walked toward the table. “Hey Munchkin... Good morning.”
“Did you already run?” Caroline shook her head when Andy indicated that she had already finished her usual morning exercise. “Geez...”
“I got to meet Benji this morning though, they brought him home from the doggie hotel yesterday afternoon.” Andy watched both girls faces light up. “He and Patricia got along great.”
“Cool!”
“Lara said you guys could come over and meet Benji later.”
“Sweet!” Caroline poured herself a bowl of cereal. “What kind of dog is he?”
Andy grinned. “He's a dalmatian.” She laughed, “He's huge... I never thought I'd see a dog bigger than Patricia.”
“Wow.” Cassidy looked around, “Where's Patricia?”
Andy chuckled, “She's in the study. Miranda's in there going over the Book.”
“Oh.”
Caroline asked quietly, “Is Mom going in to work today?” From the look on Andy's face, Caroline knew the answer before the woman spoke.
“Yeah, for a little while.”
“Oh.”
With a deep breath, Andy laid out the plans for today, “We can give Ma, Gram and Mary a lift back to the airport then do some shopping, if you want.”
Shrugging at that, Cassidy spoke for both herself and her sister. “We just got a ton of stuff for our birthday... not much point in shopping at the moment.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” Andy agreed with that. “You did get a bunch of stuff...” She hesitated, “I.. um... still need shoes for the wedding. Things are going to start moving quickly now, so I need to get my outfit all settled.”
“Oh!” Both girls perked up at that. “We can totally help you pick out some shoes!”
Laughing at that, Andy finished her juice and placed her glass in the dishwasher. “We'll leave for the airport soon. Then maybe we can shop a bit and meet Miranda for lunch.”
Nodding at that, Caroline began to eat faster and Cassidy stood to put her bowl and spoon away.
“We'll be ready, Ma.”
###
“Miranda, your ten o'clock appointment is here.”
“Thank you, Bethany.” Leaning back in her chair, Miranda laced her fingers together over her stomach and nodded, “Send her in.” Thoughtful blue eyes tracked the short Latin woman's progress into the office. Miranda was impressed when the woman spoke without a tremble in her voice.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” Nodding, Miranda took her glasses off and tossed them on the desk, “I wanted to thank you for the excellent job you did at my daughters' party.” Licking her lips, Miranda continued, “And I was considering offering you the chance to repeat that at my wedding.” There was a hesitation and a small smile, one that always appeared when she thought about the upcoming event, “I understand, however, if you would rather not participate in that celebration.”
“Um... you would understand?” Carmen shook her head. “I don't think you...”
With a deep breath, Miranda nodded again. “While I cannot call them friends, I am quite well acquainted with certain people in certain circles of society.” She turned her least cold business gaze on the DJ. “When certain people's daughters foot the bill for her friend's wedding, and then the wedding gets canceled at the last minute, certain people tend to, rant about it.”
Carmen gasped, “You know Helena.”
“I know of her,” Miranda agreed but elaborated, “I do speak with her mother from time to time.” Studying the young woman intensely, Miranda asked, “Are you comfortable working at a wedding involving two women?”
“It's a job.” Carmen smiled, “Thank you for your consideration. I would love to perform at your wedding.”
“Technically, it would be the reception.” Miranda winked. “Your music choices seemed to keep the children dancing without overtaxing them. I look forward to my guests enjoying that same kind of thoughtful mix of fast and slow songs.”
“Sure.” Carmen raised her eyebrows, “What song would you want for your first dance?” She added, “So I can be sure and have it available.”
Pressing her lips together for a moment, Miranda considered the question. “There is a song, a copy of which will be provided to you when you arrive at the venue.”
“Good enough.” Carmen's smile reached her eyes. “Thank you.”
Another deep breath, and Miranda called, “Emily.” The redhead appeared in the doorway almost immediately.
“Yes, Miranda?”
“Ms. Morales has agreed to lend her services to the wedding reception,” Again, a small smile appeared on her face at the thought of that event, “Make the necessary arrangements for her travel and accommodations.”
“Of course, Miranda. Straight away.” Emily gestured for Carmen to follow her out of the office. Both women stopped when Miranda called the DJ's name.
“Carmen.” Miranda met the DJ's dark eyes as the woman turned back, “She will never work as a model again.”
“Um... what?”
“Ms McCutcheon... her involvement in the fashion industry is over, permanently.” Miranda's smile was no longer soft, “That is the reason Peggy spoke to me about the event to begin with.”
“She didn't want to be a model anyway. She's a hair-dresser.”
Nodding, Miranda picked up her glasses and slipped them on, “Want or not, she has no choice in the matter and hasn't for some time. In addition, no photographer I know will hire her to assist them on a shoot,” Miranda's voice lowered slightly, “and I know a great many photographers.”
“Um... wow.”
“Indeed. Peggy was quite incensed that someone would throw away her daughter's magnanimous gesture the way Ms. McCutcheon did.” Miranda vividly recalled that volatile conversation and had been glad that such a small matter would cancel any favor she owed Peggy Peabody. Miranda's phone buzzed and she smiled as she reached for the jumping cell phone. “Thank you, Carmen. I will see you at the reception.” Dismissing the women from her thoughts, Miranda read the text message on her phone and with a small sort of laughing grunt began to tap out a reply. She absently called after her assistant, “Emily, lunch for four at Le Bernardin.”
Carmen's eyes widened when Emily didn't miss a beat as they continued walking out of the office.
“Yes, Miranda.”
###
“Excuse me?”
Andy laughed, “You heard me. They contacted me this morning.”
“They want you to be the Grand Marshal in the Gay Pride parade this year??”
Andy winked at the girls and grinned as she responded to Miranda's incredulous question. “Actually, no. They want you. But they asked me, because they know that if they get me, they'll probably get you too.”
Miranda tossed her napkin on the table, “This is what I get for appearing on television with you?” She ignored Andrea's smirk.
“C'mon, Mom... it'll be great!” Cassidy's eyes glittered at the thought of the couple being in the parade.
Caroline nodded, “Yeah, you guys are really influential. It's good publicity for the event.”
Miranda shook her head, “I don't believe it would be in Andrea's or my best interests to be seen riding in a parade.” She paused for half a heartbeat to lick her lips and watch the expressions on her daughter's, and Andrea's, face fall, before she continued, “If we are intended on being poster children for the gay rights movement, we should at least ride as a family.”
“Oh!” Andy's million watt smile made an appearance. “That's a great idea!!”
“Really?” Caroline clapped her hands in front of her. “That would be so fun!”
“Cool.” Cassidy tried to show some excitement. She wasn't really sure she wanted to be in front of all those people though. There would be more onlookers to the parade than any recital or concert audience she'd ever been in front of. Plus, what if they could look at her and 'know'?
Andy hesitated, “But, Mr. Ravitz was really mad when you went on tv.” Miranda had told her the gist of that little conversation. The stock prices drop and rebound had been scary for major shareholders.
“Irving can deal with it. Besides, this will not be a surprise. They will all be informed and I'm sure there will be some public announcement regarding our participation.”
“Okay.” Andy picked her phone up from its place next to her plate. “Should I go ahead and confirm with the planning committee then? The parade is coming up soon, they'll need an answer.”
“How flattering that they wait until the last minute to ask...” Miranda sighed past her sarcasm and turned her attention to the children. “Girls?” Miranda waited for both of them to nod and then gestured to the phone Andrea held. “Proceed.”
Andy waited for the call to connect and asked for the person she'd been told to contact with her reply. She only waited a second before her call was transferred and answered.
Miranda watched Andrea smile into the phone.
“Yes. Hello. This is Andy Sachs...” She winked at Caroline, “I'm afraid I won't be able to be Grand Marshal,” She waited half a heartbeat and grinned, “Not unless my family can join me.”
The corners of Miranda's eyes crinkled when Andrea pulled the phone away from her ear quickly. The high pitched squee emanating from the phone's speaker nearly pulled a laugh from her. Andrea replaced the phone to her ear and continued speaking with the parade planner.
“Just email me with the details of where we should be when, but do it soon, because I'll have to get it on Miranda's schedule.” Andy was not looking forward to the chaos Miranda's work life would be once Emily had moved on. Rearranging the schedule was only one of the things Emily always seemed to handle effortlessly. Andy knew for a fact it was a very difficult task. She dearly hoped Bethany was up to dealing with the daily pressures of Runway. “Thank you.” She waited for the man to thank her profusely and nodded as he promised to email her the details as soon as he could although she already knew the general date and time of the parade. Soon.
###
Andy stood in front of their double sinks and scrubbed her face clean. She waited for Miranda to do the same before she spoke, “You've been awfully quiet today.”
“When am I chatty, Andrea?” Miranda knew that particular trait would never be associated with her. Andrea's response surprised her.
“When you're relaxed.” Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda's waist and exhaled softly, “Sweetheart, your back is tight as a drum...” She took an educated guess at the general cause, “Problems at work, again?”
“Mmmm...” Melting into the embrace, Miranda nodded. “A myriad of small problems have caused a domino effect, and they are still having issues with the German photo shoot.”
“You're gonna have to go, aren't you?” Andy rested her forehead against Miranda's, “When?”
“I will give them a few more days to work it out on their own.” Shifting, Miranda led Andrea to their bed. She hesitated, then shook her head, “But if it hasn't been resolved by the end of this week, I will most likely have to go and take care of it myself.”
“Next week?” Andy's heart beat a little faster, “But, Miranda...”
“I know...” she admitted, “it will be cutting it close, but no worries. I will be back in plenty of time for the parade.”
They climbed into bed and Miranda's lips twitched as Andrea made a twirling motion with her index finger. Complying with the unspoken order, Miranda rolled onto her stomach and loved the familiar sensation of Andrea straddling her legs. The young woman's hands gently massaged her back in long easy strokes, “Mmmm... you're very good at this.”
Leaning down, Andy kissed the exposed bit on the back of Miranda's neck and whispered, “I've had some practice.” Sitting up she continued the back rub and spoke, “You're really tense tonight, Miranda. Is there something else bothering you?” Often, Andy had found, that although the back rub was helpful, what allowed Miranda to relax the most was talking about what was going on to make her tense in the first place. “Is it the wedding?”
“No.” Twisting her neck to glance at Andrea, Miranda assured her fiancee, “No, the wedding is the one thing I am not worried about. It is being handled quite well.” She rested her cheek on the pillow. “Ms. Morales has agreed to perform at the reception.”
“Excellent.” Andy continued the long soothing strokes on Miranda's back, “I know Cassidy had a great time helping her at the birthday party.”
“Mmmm...” Groaning when Andrea's fingers touched a particularly hard knot of muscles, Miranda felt warm and melty when the gentle fingers paused to work that tension away before continuing with the massage. “I can't believe James bought them all those gadgets.”
Andy grinned at the term. The 'gadgets' that Miranda was talking about were brand new iPhones, and the most mega, memory laden, graphic driven, laptops Andy had ever seen. Both girls had not been found without their respective machines somewhere very close to their person since they'd unwrapped them. Caroline's had been pre-loaded with the latest versions of her favorite graphic manipulation software and video clip editing programs. Cassidy's had the most cutting edge music editing software and she had already plugged the synthesizer in to record several songs, in addition to downloading a ton of her favorites to play with in the program's mixing function. “Gadgets are fine, Miranda. The girls love them. But they loved all their clothes and the things we got them too.” Deft fingers found another small knot and kneaded it away gently.
“Ohh...” Miranda was nearly asleep now, lulled by the delicious luxury of Andrea massaging her back. She mumbled, “Coor, that feels good.”
Andy smiled softly. The English phrase and lilt in her voice, told Andy more about Miranda's relaxed state than the pliancy of the muscles under her fingertips. She continued with a few more slow, languid, strokes before ending the massage with another kiss on the back of Miranda's neck. Shifting, Andy curled around Miranda and sighed in contentment as Miranda automatically accommodated her. This, she knew, was where she belonged. Miranda was already asleep, but Andy couldn't contain the feeling in her chest and the words slipped quietly from her lips. “I love you.” She smiled when Miranda, even as deeply asleep as she was, responded to the whisper with a hum at the back of her throat and a slight tightening of the embrace.
Closing her eyes, Andy smiled again and thought, She's going to marry me!
###
“Miranda.” Andy gently shook her whimpering fiancee's shoulder. “Miranda, wake up.” The suggestion became an order when she noticed tears leaking from Miranda's eyes. “Miranda! Sweetheart, you're dreaming... wake up!” Confusion, and profound hurt, were foremost evident when the liquid blue eyes opened. For a fleeting second, Andy felt a strange sense of disconnect, it was normally her who was waking from a nightmare.
“What?” Furrows appeared in Miranda's normally smooth forehead. “Andrea? What...” Pushing away the disturbing remnants of the nightmare, Miranda focused on her partner. “Did you just call me sweetheart?”
“Um...” Andy seemed to think about it for a moment. “Yeah... I guess I did.” Shaking off that bit of weirdness, she got back to the subject. “You okay?”
“Mmmm... odd dream.”
“Need to talk about it?” Andy knew that she never remembered her nightmares, but wondered if Miranda would.
“No, it's only fleeting disturbing images, fading now.” Miranda did have one clear memory regarding the dream though and was determined to investigate it further, later. “What time is it?”
“Early.” Andy settled down into their most familiar embrace. “We should go back to sleep.”
“Oh really?” Miranda smirked when Andrea looked up at her. “Not really enough time to go back to sleep...”
“Oh?” Andy's slow smile increased as her hand found its way under Miranda's pajama top. “Do tell...” Her fingertips brushed across Miranda's ribs, causing Miranda to inhale deeply. “What should we do instead?”
“Mmm...” Her eyes never left Andrea's as the backs of her fingers gently traced the young woman's soft cheek. “I can think of a few things...”
Andy chuckled, “I've always said you were quite intelligent... oh, wait, that's your line isn't it?”
Miranda's blue eyes twinkled in the early morning dimness as she moved to capture Andrea's lips with her own. “You bet it is.”
###
Miranda took a deep breath and looked around her empty office. She didn't really have to be here today, on a weekend, a Sunday. She had been making a concerted effort to be home more often lately, especially on the weekends. The long hours during the work week were necessary to finish everything that needed to be done before she left for the wedding and honeymoon but she had consciously tried to put some of that aside to make time for her family. This was different though, there was a phone call she wanted to make. A call she didn't actually want to make, but there was some information she needed to know. She needed to be here, in her office, calm and collected, in charge, when she requested the information, and hopefully acquired the answer she wanted.
Scrolling through the contact information on her cell, Miranda found the number she wanted and pushed the button. Two rings later the rather serious voice sounded in her ear.
“Polniaczeck go.”
“Hello, Detective.”
“Miranda!” Jo sounded surprised to hear from the fashion icon. “What can I do for you today?”
“I need some information, Detective.” At Jo's silence, Miranda closed her eyes and explained. “Andrea was quite upset regarding the crime scene she accompanied you to not so long ago. A murder, suicide...”
“Yeah...” Jo interrupted, “I tried to tell her not to...”
Miranda stopped the quick apology, “Andrea's stubborn nature is well known to me, Detective. My dilemma is regarding the motivation for that tragedy.” With a deep breath, Miranda calmed herself and continued. “I need to know if... if there is a possibility, that I was responsible for that event.”
“You?”
“Andrea told me that the man was a stock broker, and that you believed he had lost a great deal of money in the market and had gone insane.” Pressing her lips together, Miranda explained, “Not too long before that, crime, my actions caused Elias-Clarke stock prices to plummet dramatically, for a short time. They bounced back quickly, but for a brief time period anyone holding Elias-Clarke stock would have lost a great deal of money had they been holding several shares and panicked enough to sell them.”
“Oh.” Jo hesitated, “I'm really not supposed to give out any information like that Miranda.”
“I understand. I don't require specifics. I merely need to know if the man in question lost money due to my actions.” Miranda was glad this was not a face to face meeting as she reached up to wipe a tear that had escaped the corner of her eye from her cheek. “I need to know, Detective.”
“I'll look into it.”
“Thank you... Joanne.” Miranda sighed, “I believe Andrea is missing the company of friends. Perhaps one day, before the wedding you and your lovely wife can join us for dinner?”
“Blair and I would both enjoy that very much. Thank you, Miranda.” Jo tried to keep her tone light. The switch from Miranda's normal name for her to her actual name had shocked Jo more than anything else the woman had said so far. “I'll get back to you on that other matter as well.”
“Thank you.” Miranda nodded and leaned back in her captain's chair. “We will speak again soon.” Disconnecting the call, Miranda tossed the phone on her desk and tried to calm herself.
Time was moving quickly toward the date of the wedding. Her days had been filled with one crisis after another at Runway. The sudden realization that the crime scene Andrea had observed could have been due to her actions had caused a recent nightmare, one that Andrea had needed to wake her from. What she was going to do with the information, once she had it, Miranda didn't know. She did know that it was important for her to ascertain if she was responsible, one way or the other.
She tried to put the matter out of her mind while she waited for the detective's return call. Picking up her red pencil, Miranda began to peruse the photographs on her desk, slashing through many of them immediately, ruthlessly. It didn't take long for the number of choices to dwindle to a mere few. The best of the best, that was what Miranda wanted in her magazine, that was what the fashions, and Runway, deserved. Finalizing her choices for the photo layout, Miranda cleared her desk and was nearly ready to leave when the phone on her desk rang. She was expecting a call from Jo, but had assumed the woman would call her back on the cell. The possibility that this could be Andrea or the girls was too much for Miranda to risk, so she answered the annoying device. Clearing her throat, she consciously allowed her English accent to surface in a fair approximation of Emily's tone.
“Miranda Priestly's office.”
She pulled the receiver away from her ear quickly as a spate of very loud, very quickly spoken German words assailed her. Keeping her English accent, Miranda, very calmly, spoke to the man. “Please hold for Miranda.” Pushing the 'hold' button on the phone, Miranda took a deep breath and sorted through the jumble of German words she'd heard. Now there was some sort of problem with the alternate site chosen for the shoot. Something about stuck up royalty, and a family problem they were having. After a few more moments, she pushed the button and answered the call, in German.
“What is the problem?”
Again the quickly spoken words rang through the small speaker. Miranda followed the story and sighed, she was going to have to go and straighten this out herself. “Enough!” The Dragon Lady spoke, clearly unhappy, a tone that was conveyed very distinctly in the German language, “I will arrive soon to handle this myself!” The main reason for her displeasure was that a trip now meant she would miss time with the girls.
Family time was at a premium these days. With the wedding and the honeymoon approaching things were very busy. And after the honeymoon, the new school term would begin, so the girls' time would be scheduled as much, if not moreso than her own. “Be ready to work when I arrive.” She hung up the phone without waiting for the man's farewell. It was a quick matter to send Emily an email to have her schedule the Elias-Clarke jet for a flight to Dusseldorf tomorrow then Miranda was done with the office for the day. If she was going to have to go to Germany, she was going to spend as much time with the girls now as she could. Joanne would call her back on the cell.
###
“Ma?”
Andy looked up from her computer screen and felt her heart drop. “Awww, Munchkin... feeling bad?”
Caroline nodded. “I felt kinda sniffly yesterday, but didn't say anything.” She hung her head. “I'm sorry.”
Moving to place her hand on the girl's forehead, Andy exhaled softly, “No fever yet.” She smiled and tried to cheer the girl up. “Maybe we can still catch it in time. C'mon.” Wrapping her arm around Caroline's shoulder, Andy guided her upstairs to the master bedroom and into the bathroom. “Here ya go...” She handed over two of the antihistamine capsules that the doctor had recommended Caroline take at the onset of her symptoms.
Taking the pills, Caroline felt them hit the bottom of her stomach and grimaced. “I hope I don't start puking.”
“Me too.” Andy watched the girl closely. “Is this why you didn't go with Cass to the Hartstone's?
Caroline nodded.
Pushing some of the auburn hair away from Caroline's forehead, Andy kissed the cleared space. “Next time, tell us when you start feeling sniffly.”
Nodding, Caroline agreed, “Yeah, I just didn't want to interrupt the weekend. We were having so much fun.”
Andy smiled, “It has been fun, hasn't it?” The girls had been scheduled to go to their father's this weekend but he had canceled at the last minute. He had assured them that he would make it up to them when he stayed with them after the wedding. A good thing had come from the change in plans though because, aside from the hour or two that Miranda had gone in to the office today, the editor had taken the weekend off. They'd watched three movies and had two video game tournaments that resulted in Cassidy becoming the undisputed champ at Mario Kart, while Miranda still held the title for Dance Dance Revolution. She grinned at the girl. “You know, we're gonna have to start practicing those video games more, if we ever want to have a hope of winning the championships.” A new voice made them both jump.
“There is always hope, Andrea.”
Laughing, Andy turned to see Miranda leaning against the frame of the bathroom door. “Hey, that didn't take long.”
With a sigh, Miranda shrugged and stood up straight, “Long enough.”
“Uh oh.” Andy studied her partner and grimaced. “You're going to Germany.” At Miranda's nod, Andy asked, “When?”
“Tomorrow.” Miranda braced for it; the tirade she knew was coming. Her partners always railed against her work taking so much time away from family. To her amazement Andrea just sighed.
“I've never been to Germany. I wish I could go with you.”
A band of tension eased across Miranda's chest, “That would be lovely and preferable.” Miranda shook her head, “But also counterproductive. I would want to show you around and it would just take three times as long.”
Andy nodded, “Yeah, plus I have some stuff here to do. Work to get caught up on...” She sighed, “And, in case you can't get back in time... I need to be here for the parade.”
“Can we still ride with you, Ma?” Caroline was looking forward to the parade. She'd seen bits of it on the news every year and thought it was going to be a blast.
“Sure, Munchkin.” Andy ruffled the girl's hair, “I'm sure your mom will be back in time to ride with us too.”
Miranda nodded, “I will try my best.”
Moving to embrace Miranda, Andy smiled at her fiancee, “Miranda, your worst is better than most people's best... your best... well,” Andy kissed Miranda's lips lightly, “we'll see you at the parade for sure.”
Melting against Andrea's form, Miranda sighed, “Thank you, Andrea.” Reluctantly moving away from the embrace, Miranda spoke quietly, “I should go pack.” Emily had texted her during the drive home; the plane was set to take off in the morning. Miranda doubted she'd even be able to stay until Andrea returned from her run. Fleetingly she thought about how much she would miss Emily and her efficiency.
Andy watched Miranda leave the room and heard her enter the big closet. She turned to ask Caroline. “You gonna be okay, Munchkin?”
“Yeah.” Caroline just turned twelve, but she knew that Andy wanted to be alone with her mom. “I'm gonna go practice.”
“Thanks.” Andy waited until she knew Caroline was in the music room before she approached Miranda. Andy wrapped her arms around her fiancee's waist, pressed herself against Miranda's back and linked her fingers together over Miranda's stomach. She whispered, “Hey there, Beautiful...”
Miranda made a contented sound in the back of her throat and leaned back into the embrace. They stood that way for a long moment before Miranda spoke quietly. “I used to love Runway, the travel, the excitement, there was always some crisis somewhere that I needed to deal with...” she hugged the arms around her and sighed, “Now I'm beginning to hate it, for those very same reasons.”
“Miranda,” Andy shifted so that Miranda could turn in her arms, “You don't hate Runway, you love all that fashion and glamor. Your priorities are just shifting, slightly. Does it bother you?”
“No, what bothers me is that they didn't shift a long time ago.” Miranda leaned forward, resting her cheek on Andrea's shoulder, “Family should have been first on the priority list from the beginning.”
“The girls have always been your first priority and they know you love them.” Andy moved forward to brush her lips lightly against Miranda's, “And so do I.”
“I do, Andrea.” Miranda, uncharacteristically clutched at her fiancee, “Don't ever doubt that... no matter what anyone tells you, or says about me.. I love you, always.”
Nodding, Andy ran her hands up and down Miranda's slim back and reassured her, “I know. Shhh... It's okay, I won't forget.” not again. Smiling, Andy pulled away from the embrace and looked into Miranda's watery blue eyes. “C'mon, let's get you packed, and then I can spend the rest of the night showing you exactly how much I love you.”
“I'm not going to get any sleep tonight, am I?” Miranda's lips twitched. She wasn't exactly worried about that event. Andrea's quite sensible response confirmed her reasoning.
“Nope.” Andy grinned, “But you're taking the Elias-Clarke plane, right? It has a bedroom.” She opened Miranda's lingerie drawer and picked out a few unmentionables to pack, “You can sleep on the way over.”
“It's only a seven hour flight, Andrea.” Miranda grinned, “After a night with you, I should think I would need much more than that to recover. Unless...”
Andy's dark eyes narrowed at her grinning partner, “Unless, what?”
Miranda casually looked through the suits hanging on her side of the closet, “I thought perhaps your age was catching up to you.”
“My...” Andy chuckled and shook her head, “Lady... you're gonna pay for that one. I'll show you 'my age'.”
Blue eyes sparkled as Miranda continued to peruse the selection of clothing, however, her mind was not on packing for the trip. It was firmly on the bed in the next room and looking forward to paying, and paying, all night long. Although the air pushed past her vocal cords, she knew her comment wasn't audible.
You bet I will.