Andy leaned against the lockers as she checked her watch. The woman in the office had told her that the class would be dismissed in a few minutes. It had taken a bit of detective work to find this boy and she tried not to think about the irony of practically stalking the boy who had for all intents and purposes stalked her.
Their first meeting in the park was cute with him trying to win a bet and impress his friends by talking to her. Then he had dug through the internet, including hacking into her old school records, to discover a great deal about her. It had freaked her out at the time. Miranda had been none too happy about it either when she'd eventually told her fiancee about the incident, but eventually Thomas had apologized and now that talent for internet search was exactly what Andy needed.
When the bell rang the first two students out the door were girls, blonde and thin. They looked her over closely, clearly not impressed with her ripped jeans and baggy t-shirt as they walked on down the hall. Andy didn't care what they thought, it was Miranda that mattered. It was true that Miranda probably wouldn't be terribly thrilled with her outfit, but Andy figured Miranda would be even less thrilled with delinquent boys attending summer school oogling her had she worn a designer outfit. She sighed to herself, partially annoyed, partially amused, and partially flattered when several boys walked out of the room and did just that. She kept her face neutral at their rather blatant stares, until the object of her search appeared then she smiled, “Thomas!”
Ignoring the rude boy's shocked expressions, Andy threw her arm around the young man's shoulders, “Just the person I wanted to see.” She guided him out of the building, aware the others were following. With a smirk she stopped at the Porsche, and leaned against the driver's side door. “You wanna lift home?”
“Yeah!” He eagerly climbed into the passenger seat of the convertible. “Wow.”
Andy laughed, “Yeah, it's nice.” Sliding behind the wheel, she asked, “Where to?”
“Oh!” Thomas laughed and told her where he lived. They were barely out of the school's parking lot before he asked, “Am I in trouble?”
“No.” Andy sighed and while they waited for traffic to clear, she handed him an envelope. “I need you to do something for me.”
Thomas opened the envelope and looked at the papers inside, reading one of the names there, “Candice....Dr. Goldman...” He looked over at Andy, “Um...You want me to... spy on these people?”
“Not really.” Andy's hands tightened on the steering wheel slightly, “That's all the stuff I can find on them. I want to see if you can find more. I know you're good at that.” Pulling up in front of his apartment building, Andy double parked, much to the annoyance of the cars behind her. She turned to look at the boy. “There are email address' on the last page where I want you to send all that information plus anything you find. It's a friend's lawyer and a reporter at the Times.” She sighed, “It will take too long to explain, but I don't want to be attached to this investigation.” Using her family as news was never something Andy was going to be comfortable with, nor did she want that to become what she was known for. It was sure to be picked up by the press though so she wanted Sandy to have first crack at the story. Andy trusted her to report the facts and possibly find more information for the lawyer. “Okay?”
“So you want me to send it anonymously?” Thomas nodded. “Sure.”
“Thank you so much.” She smiled at him, “It's good practice for when you're an official P. I. right?”
“Sure,” Thomas nodded and spoke absently, as he basked in the radiant smile, “It'll be fun.” Horns honking behind them helped him tear his mesmerized gaze away from Andy. He jumped out of the car quickly. “I'll get right on it.”
“Cool.” Andy smiled again. “Thanks, Thomas. I owe you one.”
“Nah,” He blushed, “You got my friends off my back and didn't compromise anything. And... and I scared you... I think, this will probably just make us even.”
Andy's dark eyes caught the blush and she grinned, “Okay then, we're even.” She shouted as he stepped toward his building and she pulled back out into the slow moving traffic, “But next time, I'll owe you!”
He grinned, clutching the envelope to his chest as he waved then bolted for his apartment and room with his computer.
###
“Where is she? I'll bet she doesn't even show until the end...” Caroline looked around from her perch on the back of the convertible. The crowd was crazy huge, there was no way anyone would get through that mob.
“She'll be here.” Andy grinned and waved at a few people on the sidelines. “Her plane has already landed, but Roy said the traffic is nuts because of the parade.” She winked at the girl. “He'll get her here.”
Cassidy slumped down in her seat. “Even if he does get her here, how's she gonna get through the crowd? It'll be just another thing she's missed and will apologize for.”
“Hmmm... She said she'd be here...” Andy looked around again and conceded that Cassidy was right about the crowd. Fishing her phone out of her pocket, Andy dialed quickly. “Yeah, Em... listen... I need you to do something,” She grinned at the huff in her ear and added, “for Miranda.” Knowing Emily was now listening and would comply, Andy spelled out what she wanted. Emily growled a bit but assured her former co-worker that everything would be taken care of. “Thanks, Em.” She hung up the phone and shrugged, “Em's on the job, everything will be fine.”
Caroline looked at Andy for a long time then spoke quietly, “You miss it, don't you, Ma?” At the furrow in Andy's forehead, Caroline elaborated, “Being Mom's assistant, doing things for her... making things happen for her... you miss it.”
Pressing her lips together, Andy took a deep breath and nodded. She licked her lips before actually responding, “Sometimes, yeah.”
Cassidy climbed up to sit next to Andy on the back of the car and informed their Ma, “She does too.” Suddenly Cassidy's eyes bugged out as she looked past Andy and her sister. “What is that?!”
“Cass!” Andy glanced in the direction Cassidy was looking and laughed, “You've seen men in drag before.”
Rolling her eyes, Cassidy scoffed, “I don't mean that.. I mean THAT... on top of his head.. what is that?”
Andy looked again harder then hazarded a guess, “Umm... peacock feathers?”
Caroline groaned and Cassidy giggled, “Oh my god... Mom is gonna have a damn field day with this bunch.”
“Language!” Andy reprimanded, but winced at the thought. She looked around again and knew Cassidy was right. Although many of the fashions Miranda often saw on the runway were just as outrageous as these outfits were, Andy wasn't sure how Miranda would take them being paraded down the middle of the street, instead of on a catwalk. She saw a man wearing a pair of leather chaps, and very little else walking toward them. Focusing on his face, she recognized him as one of the parade's organizers.
“We aren't going to be able to wait any longer,” he said, “We have to start!”
Andy nodded. “That's okay. Miranda is on her way, but she's been slightly delayed. She'll meet us en route.”
“Really?” He seemed breathless at the thought, “She's really going to be here?”
Andy just smiled. The girls took one look at her and knew Andy's arrangements with Emily would work. They both turned to the man and spoke in unison.
“She'll be here.”
His eyes widened as he realized, “Will she be angry that we started without her?!”
Andy grinned, “Don't worry. I'll take care of that.” She winked at the girls when the parade organizer's expression morphed into one of doubt, but he spoke into his walkie talkie for a moment then raised his hand and gave the signal for things to start moving.
Andy nodded and as the procession began, slid her phone from her pocket, texting several messages in rapid succession. Her smile widened as the reply reached her. She silently read the one word response; Miranda's tone lacing it.
Acceptable.
###
They were about a third of the way through the parade route when a golf cart silently moved up next to their car, pacing it. The crowd roared when they realized who was in the cart.
Andy grinned and leaned down from her seat on the back of the convertible to tap their driver's shoulder. “We need to stop for a few seconds.”
Glancing over at the driver of the golf cart, the man nodded. He sped up slightly to put some distance between the car and the rest of the parade, then stopped. The golf cart had kept up and as soon as the convertible stopped, it stopped too.
Licking her lips, Andy watched as Miranda stepped out of the cart and walked the three steps to the car. She laughed when Miranda raised an eyebrow, causing one of the tall men in drag that Cassidy had noticed earlier, to rush forward and open the car door for her. He bowed low, feathers brushing the top of the car door, and Miranda smiled as she stepped into the back seat of the car. Now the fun really began.
Caroline and Cassidy were both amazed when their Mom made a move to hug Andy, but Andy stopped her. With an exaggerated frown, Andy pointed to her wrist, to indicate the time and shook her finger at Miranda. The crowd hooted and shouted encouragement to the very late Miranda who was obviously in the doghouse with her future bride. Amazingly, Miranda looked sufficiently contrite and from the inside pocket of her tailored business suit, the one she liked to wear when traveling, she produced a small, rather wilted, flower. Caroline rolled her eyes as Andy visibly melted at the sight of the flower, then accepted it with a huge smile and a hug for Miranda. The crowd cheered and then cheered louder when Miranda kissed Andy on the cheek and took her place next to her fiancee, between Andy and Cassidy, who was sitting in the back seat.
Andy nudged Miranda's shoulder with hers as the car began moving again, “How was your trip?”
“Tedious.” Miranda waved to the crowd. “I haven't seen you in almost a week and you practically force me to go through this charade.” It was almost a pout.
“Awww...This is New York... they love theater and street performances.” Andy wrapped her arm around Miranda's waist and pulled her closer. Leaning over, she whispered into Miranda's ear. “I'll make it up to you when we get home.”
“Why wait?” Miranda turned her head and received a proper hello kiss. The crowd went wild.
Andy pulled away and rested her forehead against Miranda's. “Thank you for my flower.”
“Mmm...” Miranda took comfort in the familiar pose, “Edelweiss, I had the rest delivered to the townhouse. Remind me to tell you its history.”
“I know the history, Miranda.” Andy sat up straighter and grinned as she automatically brought the offering up to her nose. “I'm sure you didn't brave the cliffs of the Alps to retrieve this though, as many suitors in the past were said to have done, just to prove their love to their chosen bride.”
“No,” Miranda belatedly waved to the crowd as she continued her conversation with Andrea. “I was not in the correct area for that. I did pick it in Germany though. On the grounds of the castle. The gardens there are quite extensive and will make excellent backdrops for showcasing the fashions.”
“The castle...” Andy laughed and waved at a group of particularly loud cheerers. “Of course.” Shifting closer, Andy enjoyed the sensation of Miranda's thigh against hers. “I'm sure the pictures were gorgeous.”
“I'm sure they will be.” Miranda shrugged, “They will be sent to me as soon as the shoot is over.”
“You didn't stay to watch?” Caroline was amazed at that. With all the trouble getting a site for the layout had been, she assumed her mother would stay to oversee the shoot.
“No, there wasn't time if I wanted to be back here with you.” Reaching down Miranda traced Caroline's cheek with her fingertips. “And family is my highest priority...”
Cassidy grinned, “We love you too, Mom.”
Andy winked at the girls and refocused her attention on the crowd, smiling and waving to the revelers. She was happy to see that Miranda also waved to the throngs of onlookers. The girls did too. This was a good day, the best one in nearly a week, because Miranda was home. Andy continued to wave as the procession moved slowly down the street but her mind was happily fast forwarding to a specific day a few weeks away.
We're gonna get married!
###
They all walked through the townhouse door, laughing.
Andy spoke while she marveled at the amount of Edelweiss and other flowers covering nearly every available surface she could see. “Are there any flowers left in the castle garden?!” She chuckled at the twinkle in Miranda's eyes and tolerantly waited for Miranda to calm Patricia's enthusiastic greeting.
Patricia barreled down the hall to greet her long absent owner, but skidded to a halt at her feet and nudged her head under Miranda's hand.
“Why doesn't she jump on you like she does me?!” Andy shook her head and grinned as Miranda knelt to greet the dog.
“She wouldn't dare!” Miranda laughed at the incredulous expression on Andrea's face.
“Whatever,” Andy ran her hand through her hair, “The parade was fun, right?”
“Mmm...” Miranda ruffled the fur on Patricia's neck and, on this occasion, allowed a warm welcoming lick on her cheek. “It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours.”
“I especially liked the part at the end when all the parade participants gave you an impromptu runway show.” Andy grinned and, when Miranda stood, handed over five business cards. “Here are the designers you wanted to set up meetings with.”
Miranda set the small stack of cards aside for the moment. She took a tissue from the box on the side table and wiped the bulk of Patricia's greeting off her cheek.
Andy watched Patricia, satisfied with her greeting, pad off deeper into the house before she moved to hug her long absent fiancee. “Welcome home. We all missed you.”
“Thank you, my darling.” Miranda returned the embrace whole-heartedly, “It's nice to be home.”
“Mmmm...” Andy inhaled the fragrance that was Miranda's signature perfume and sighed. “Next time.. I'm going with you.”
Miranda chuckled, “Absolutely.” She leaned in for a kiss and sighed when the moment was broken by a rather loud summons.
“Mom!” “Andy!” “C'mon, we're starving!”
Walking arm in arm with Andrea to the kitchen, Miranda reprimanded her daughters, “Must you bellow through the house like that?” She took her seat while Andy helped Peggy set the plated meals on the table. “Really Andrea, is this the influence you have on the girls; raising the general volume of the house? Should I check to make sure the upstairs windows are not broken from the volume of music as well?
“Don't be silly, Miranda!” Andy slid into her seat, “We had all those repaired before you arrived.”
They all grinned at the little amused grunt Miranda made and Peggy spoke in a laughing tone.
“Welcome home, Miranda.”
Miranda smiled and nodded. She scanned the table quickly. “This looks delicious.” They hadn't been able to afford it too often when she was growing up, but roast beef and veg was, in fact, one of her favorite meals. She didn't fail to notice that Andrea's plate held a chicken breast instead. “Thank you, Peggy.” She indicated the plate in front of her, “A welcome change from the sausages they continually tried to stuff me with in Germany.”
Peggy laughed, “I'll scratch sausages off the meal plans for the next few weeks.” She grinned as both women smiled softly at the thought of the next few weeks. The wedding was soon.
Miranda asked, “Have you thought about what you would like to do on your vacation?”
Waving off that question, Peggy shrugged, “My son and his wife have settled things, and my grandson is happily enjoying a nice daycare facility so I figured I'd just stay home and take it easy for a while, sleep in... get some things done around my house....” Her plans faltered as Miranda shook her head. “No?”
“No.” Miranda smiled, “at least not for the entire two weeks.” With an airy gesture, Miranda spoke firmly, “Pick a place that you and your husband would like to see and go. Life is too short to miss any opportunities.”
Andy's eyes held deep amusement as they shifted back and forth between Miranda and the long time servant. Miranda had told Andy that this gesture was coming, and had hinted at it to Peggy, but the woman hadn't realized what Miranda meant.
Peggy laughed, “I'm not complaining about my pay, Miranda. You've always been extremely fair with that, but we can't afford to just...”
Miranda put her fork down, “I will pay for it.”
That stopped Peggy short. “What?”
With a deep breath, Miranda looked at the woman and smiled. “You have cooked our meals,” she glanced at the girls and Andrea's plate, “always adjusting to our dietary whims, cleaned our messes and stood by this family, stood by me, steadfastly for many years, despite pressures from the press to do otherwise. You have been on the receiving end of many a prank,” Miranda again glanced at the grinning twins, “and yet have never shown any signs of wanting to leave, never ask for raises, never complain about sudden parties or extra work. That kind of work ethic, loyalty, should be rewarded, should have been rewarded long ago.” Miranda gestured to her dining companions. “Andrea and I will not be here for two weeks. During that time the girls, and Patricia, will be with James. There will be nothing here for you to do, besides clean, which you have already done meticulously.” Miranda now spoke with a hint of command. “Choose a place, and I will send you and your husband there for a week.” She picked up her fork and loaded it with beef, “Roy chose the Bahama's.”
“Um.. can I discuss it with my husband?”
“Of course,” Miranda smiled, “You should decide soon though. The wedding is only a few weeks away. The travel agent will need time to make the arrangements.”
Nodding as if in a daze, Peggy responded, “Yes, Miranda.”
Satisfied with that response, Miranda winked at her grinning girls and took a bite of her dinner. Covering her mouth politely, she spoke around the bite to compliment the cook, “Delicious.”
###
“Miranda!”
Andy's back arched off of the bed, her hands grasping the sheets wildly, “Oh God, Miranda...” Collapsing back onto the soft surface, Andy gasped for air. She gazed down to see Miranda's bright eyes staring back at her. “I have missed you...” She laughed, “and I love you.”
“Delicious.” Chuckling, Miranda made her way back up the length of Andrea's body, slowly, stopping along the way for random tastes of the thin sheen of sweat now covering the young woman. With one last lick, just below and behind Andrea's ear, Miranda smiled against the soft skin there and whispered, “I've missed you too.” She settled into their familiar comfortable embrace and murmured against Andrea's shoulder. “I love you too.”
“Mmm...” Andy took a deep breath and smiled in her half dozing state. “I'm gonna marry you.”
Miranda tightened her hold slightly, now counting the days until that event, “And I am going to marry you.”
“I can't wait...” Andy shifted to kiss Miranda's temple. “It's gonna be so awesome.”
“Is it?” Clamping down on her negative thoughts Miranda berated herself. Of course it is, but couldn't help adding, for me.
“Of course.” Shifting again, Andy turned to look directly into Miranda's eyes. “I love you, and I always will. No matter what.”
Miranda marveled at the sincerity in Andrea's voice. “I still don't know what I've done to deserve... that. I can't imagine anyone doing anything to warrant your love, Andrea, much less me. It is my sincere wish to be worthy of that honor.”
Andy knew this conversation was much too serious. The physical intimacy they'd just enjoyed had relaxed their bodies needs, but Miranda was tired from her trip and needed to relax her mind as well. Suddenly, Andy thought a bit of humor might help. “Hmm...” Gently tracing Miranda's nose with the tip of her own, Andy smiled, “I... am going to be the best wife you've ever had.” She was rewarded with a genuine Miranda-laugh, the kind that warmed Andy all the way to her toes.
“I have no doubt of that, Andrea. No doubt at all.” Bringing her hand up to hold Andrea's head in place, Miranda gazed into the deep dark eyes of her one true love for a long, long moment. “I do love you, Andrea and I will do my very best not to, ever, let you forget.”
“I know, Miranda.” Andy promised, “That goes both ways.” She smiled and kissed her future bride lightly. “But right now, it's late... and we both need sleep.”
Miranda smiled and settled in. She should ask about the events in the house while she'd been gone, she should ask if Andrea's young computer hacker friend had found any more information regarding James' so-called fiancee, but instead Miranda obediently closed her eyes and murmured softly, “Yes, Andrea.”
###
“Emily.” Miranda looked up as her long time assistant walked into her office.
“Yes, Miranda?”
“Have all the arrangements been finalized for our guests' arrival?”
“Yes, Miranda.” Even as Emily handed today's mail over, she could see the tension in Miranda and did the only thing she knew to reassure her mercurial boss. She ran through the list. “I triple checked everything this morning. Flights and ground transportation have been confirmed and verified, hotel accommodations are also confirmed. By tomorrow evening both your and Andy's entire family will be at the hotel on Martha's Vineyard.”
Miranda took a deep breath and nodded, “Thank you Emily.” She looked up from the sorted stack of envelopes on her desk and smiled at the shocked woman. “You have gone above and beyond to put this wedding together. I do appreciate it.”
“Yes well,” Emily blushed slightly and admitted, “You know I would do anything for you.” Thoughts of the upcoming event were overshadowed by a more immediate gathering. Emily bit her lip and asked, “Are you ready for all this?”
Chuckling at that, rather tentative, question, Miranda nodded, “I believe I am.” A mischievous glint appeared in the depths of her blue eyes, “Perhaps the question is... Are you ready for it?”
“I will do my best.” Emily tried not to think too much about upcoming events. Of course the next big thing to happen was the wedding, but before that, there were the hen parties to deal with. Andy's friend, who insisted on calling them bachelorette parties, had wanted to have the gatherings here in the city, but that had turned out to be logistically impossible. Too many of the people invited would be traveling to the wedding and already be on Martha's Vineyard. So it was either transport them, have the party and then transport them back, or, have the party there. Miranda had indicated that she would also prefer it if her sister could attend, and her sister wouldn't arrive until tomorrow with the rest of Miranda's family. Therefore, today was Miranda's last day at Runway, before she and Andy left for the wedding venue. The thought struck Emily like a fist to the stomach. I won't be Miranda's assistant anymore!
Miranda read the expression on Emily's face easily and reminded her, softly, “It's a promotion Emily, well deserved and long past due.” She offered a small smile to her veteran assistant, “For what it's worth, I'm glad you decided to remain here in New York.”
“It's worth a lot.” Emily's chest heaved as she tried to control her breathing, “Thank you.”
With a little nod, Miranda studied the redhead for a moment longer then tilted her head in question. “Well then, shall we get on with the day? There are quite a few things that need attending to, before I leave.”
Emily swallowed her emotions and nodded, answering the only way possible.
“Yes, Miranda.”
With a tiny grunt at that oh so familiar response, Miranda's lips formed a small smile. The same smile she was never able to suppress when thoughts of the wedding invaded her mind. Reaching for one of the large envelopes in the mail pile, the familiar Photos Enclosed stamp was not concerning, Miranda's brow did furrow though when she realized there was no return address. Upon opening the envelope, the smile on her lips faded then turned to a frown. Photo after photo left Miranda shaking with anger. This would have to be dealt with, immediately. She picked up her cell phone and scrolled quickly through the contact numbers. Conscious of the time of day, Miranda chose the work number and was grateful that the connection was picked up after only one ring. “Yes, Miranda Priestly to speak to Blair Warner. Urgently,” Miranda paused and continued softly, “please.”
###
Andy stood nervously next to Miranda at the airport terminal. Emily had worked what amounted to a logistical miracle and the planes carrying their families were arriving almost simultaneously. Checking her watch, Andy leaned over slightly to ask, “Are they still on time?”
“Yes!” Emily rolled her eyes, “They're just approaching the gate.” The English woman made a sharp gesture with her hand, “Stop fidgeting!”
“Emily...” Blue eyes gazed past Andrea to meet Emily's eyes, “You can still go to London.”
“Right,” Emily nodded, “Sorry, Miranda.”
“I am not the one you need to apologize to.” She was lenient, because she knew that Emily did not know why Andrea was so nervous.
“Right,” Emily took a deep breath and actually looked a bit chagrined, “Sorry, Andrea.”
Andy nodded absently, all her attention was on the doorway where her family began to arrive. Her brother, Chad, was first. He held the door for the rest of them to follow. Aunt Dawn, Gram Sachs, Mary and, Andy deflated a bit when her mother walked through the door, alone. Her father hadn't come with them. She was grateful for Miranda's hand sliding into her own and the woman's voice very close to her ear, reassuring her.
“There is still time.”
Nodding at that, Andy lifted the hand in hers and kissed it lightly, then released the hold to welcome her family properly. “Ma!” She hugged Dorothy tightly, “Good to see you.”
“You too, sweetheart.” Dorothy released her daughter so Andy could greet the others, and turned to Miranda, “Hello.”
###
“Hello, Darlin'” Pava hugged her granddaughter tightly. “How are ya?”
“I'm good, Gram.” Andy rolled her eyes, “Things are hectic, but going smoothly.” She didn't mention how strangely Miranda had been acting since the last day she worked at Runway. “How are you, Mary?”
“Better.” Mary smiled. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course.” Andy hugged her grandmother's friend gently, “You're family too.”
“Hey,” Chad moved closer to Andy, “Can I get in on this hug fest?”
Andy sighed, the sound of a much put upon older sister tolerating her little brother's antics, “I suppose so.” She laughed and tugged him over to her. “C'mere ya big lug.” She smiled as he picked her up and swung her around in an enthusiastic hug and laughed as he set her back on her feet. She glanced happily at Miranda and mockingly scoffed, “Brothers!” She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest. “It's good to see you.”
“You too.” Chad moved aside for their Aunt Dawn to say hello.
Andy hugged the woman and kept her arm around Dawn's waist, “C'mon, I'll introduce you to Miranda... I don't think you were ever properly introduced when we were in Cincinnati.”
###
“Hello, Dorothy.” Miranda smiled at Andrea's mother, “How was your trip?”
“Considerably shortened I'm told.” Dorothy's eyes sparkled with a mixture of emotions, “There were a lot of jealous people at the airport when they found out we were flying here in a private plane. They said this was far preferable to taking a commercial flight to Logan, then getting here via car and ferry.”
Miranda sensed that Dorothy had something else she wanted to say, the amusement and hint of anger in the woman's eyes was rather confusing, but she seemed unwilling to say it here, so Miranda continued with the light conversation. “I've found that most of the time, the direct way is best.” Miranda shifted her attention to the other new arrivals. “Pava, nice to see you again.”
“You too.” The elder woman laughed and pulled Miranda into a hug, “Thanks for sending the plane.”
Returning the embrace, Miranda chuckled, “You're welcome, the Elias-Clarke company plane isn't quite as luxurious as Donatella's plane, but hers was already in London.” She grinned at the woman who seemed to be ever-present at Pava's side, “Also nice to see you again, Mary.”
“Thank you for the invitation...”
“Of course,” Miranda smiled then focused up at the tall young man with them, “Hello again, Chad.”
“Hello again.” He took her hand and kissed it gallantly.
Andy cleared her throat to get Miranda's attention, “Miranda, you remember my Aunt Dawn, right? She's Gram's youngest sister.”
“Ah yes...” Miranda nodded and immediately her socially correct smile appeared, “From the barbecue. How have you been?”
“I'm well.” Dawn chuckled, “I was elected to represent the rest of the family at this event...” She shrugged, “I don't honestly believe you would want my hooligan grandchildren running around here anyway.” Leaning forward she mock whispered, “I think they're still a little frightened of your girls.”
Miranda's eyes mirrored the amusement in Dawn's, “Yes, well... they can be frightening at times. We left them back at the hotel to terrorize our friends.” She continued graciously, “Any and all of Andrea's family are welcome to visit when they can.”
Dawn chuckled at the gasp that offer drew from, Andy, Dorothy, Pava and Chad. “I'll do you a favor and not pass that on to the rest of the family.”
“Thanks Aunt Dawn.” Andy grinned. “I owe you for that.”
Dawn winked, “Should we go find our luggage now?”
Miranda indicated the porters arriving with all the bags piled on a cart. “No need to find it, it comes to you.” She indicated another plane arriving at the gate, “We are still waiting for some people. Would you like to stay and greet them with us or continue to the hotel?”
“We can stay.” Dorothy wrapped her arm around Andy's waist, “It won't take much longer, will it?”
“Nope,” Andy grinned as she looked out the large windows, “Our friends are disembarking their plane now, and the other one we're waiting on is just landing.”
Dorothy looked out the window to see a portable stairs being moved into position next to the door of a large streamline aircraft with the Warner Industries logo on the tailfin. When the sealed door opened she took a deep breath and blinked at the couple who emerged, “Is that your police officer friend?”
“Yep.” Andy grinned. Jo had worn an Armani suit for the trip and Blair was dressed in her always impeccable way. They made a great looking couple. “And that is her wife, Blair Warner.”
“Oh...” Dorothy nodded, “So her Daddy gave her...”
“No.” Miranda could tolerate Dorothy's prejudice against rich people, but the woman's attitude, in this instance, needed to be corrected, immediately, before she met Blair.
“Blair Warner is the CEO and has successfully lead Warner Industries for several years, ever since her father stepped down and turned control over to her.” Miranda looked Dorothy directly in the eye, “That woman started at the bottom of the ladder in her father's company and worked her way to the top, earning each and every promotion she received based on the exceedingly savvy business decisions she made. That is the only reason David Warner turned control over to her, because daughter or not, he wouldn't have left his company in the care of an incompetent.” Miranda made it quite clear. “Blair Warner is not one to ride on her family name, or 'sleep her way' to the top as many people believe beautiful women in positions of power have done.” Miranda continued her tirade against the speechless woman, “Blair Warner is one of the kindest people in the world and aside from Andrea, Blair has the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. If I hear one malicious word against her I'll...”
“Miranda!” Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda's waist. “Easy...”
“I meant no offense.” Dorothy swallowed hard. She really hadn't meant anything by her comment but realized where the thought had come from. Dorothy knew she needed to get over this prejudice she had or the next few days were going to be very uncomfortable for her. There would be a great many very rich people attending the wedding. “I apologize.”
“Miranda?” Andy looked her fiancee in the eye and asked quietly, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, Andrea...” Miranda calmed herself and patted the arms around her. “Thank you.” She turned toward the doors, “Our guests are arriving.”
“Right...” Andy tried not to think too much about Miranda's over the top reaction and smiled as Jo and Blair entered the terminal. She hugged Blair and in a rare show of affection hugged Jo too. She watched Miranda as she and Blair actually kissed each others cheeks instead of doing the socially accepted air kisses. They also murmured some quiet words to each other. Pushing down a bit of jealousy, Andy had to smile as Jo swept Miranda up in a big hug.
Emily watched and bristled slightly at the woman's handling of Miranda.
“You are being quite forward, Detective.” Miranda couldn't help but smile at the woman's uninhibited greeting. “Is there a reason for that?”
Jo grinned and nodded, “Sure.” She put Miranda back on her feet and winked, “Because I can.”
Miranda chuckled and spoke dryly, “Of course.”
“Miranda.” Emily spoke up, “Your family has arrived.”
Reaching out, Miranda took Andrea's hand and they all turned to watch the terminal's doors open. She had sent invitations to all her siblings and Tante Louise as she had promised Andrea she would. They had all confirmed their attendance with Emily, all except Samuel but she had assumed he wouldn't come anyway. She smiled as Daniel and Josie walked through the doors, Asher close on their heels. Andrea's hand in hers tightened as Emily gasped when Natalie appeared arm in arm with Tante Louise. Miranda grinned and winked at Andrea then released their hands in order to greet her family.
“Daniel...” Miranda laughed softly as she found herself enveloped in a hug with her brother, “Thank you for being here.” Turning to Josie, Miranda saw the hesitance in her sister-in-law and smiled, pulling her into a brief, but heartfelt, hug as well. “Nice to see you again, Josie.” Miranda nodded to accept Josie's murmured, “You too.” then turned to find herself being scooped up and swung around by Asher. She made a small sound of disgust as he sat her back down on her feet, then rolled her eyes at Emily and scoffed, mimicking Andrea's earlier tone, “Brothers...” She assured her shocked assistant, “Do not worry so, Emily... he is always like that.” She looked over to see Asher hugging Andrea, and hugging her, and hugging her. Clearing her throat, Miranda tapped the man on the shoulder, “Asher... mine, remember?”
“Ah.. yes...” He stepped back with a grin. “Sorry.”
Chuckling at that, Miranda tapped his cheek with her fingertips and shook her head, “No you aren't.” She dismissed the man from her mind as she returned to her greeting duties.
“Hello, Natalie.” She hugged her sister tightly, “Thank you for being here.”
“Thank you, for inviting me.” Natalie smiled, “Little sister.”
Ignoring the jibe, Miranda turned to Tante Louise and hugged her as tightly as she dared, “How was your flight, Tante?”
“Very nice. Thank you, Miriam.”
Miranda heard Emily gasp and decided to get everything out of the way right then. “Emily, this is my Tante Louise, my father's sister, she's over eighty years old, and she has earned my utmost respect for the majority of them. She has the right to call me whatever she wishes.”
Emily absorbed that information and nodded, “Yes, Miranda.”
Miranda winked at her aunt and gestured to the loaded carts being wheeled down the corridor toward them. “Here is your luggage, they will load it all in the cars and then we can make our way to the hotel. You can all settle in to your rooms and rest for a while before the evening meal.”
“The rehearsal dinner is tonight?” Natalie sounded as shocked as she looked.
“No, ma'am.” Emily spoke up. “Tonight is free. Tomorrow evening will be the rehearsal dinner, followed by the hen parties... then the next day will be the wedding itself, in the late afternoon with the reception that evening, obviously.”
“Well, young woman.” Tante Louise smiled at the organized redhead, “You seem to have things well in hand.”
“Thank you.” Emily almost bowed to Miranda's aunt and gestured down the terminal's wide corridor, “This way to the cars.”
Andy interjected her own comment, “There are menus next to the phones in your rooms just call the number and let them know the entree you prefer for the rehearsal dinner, and also for tonight...” Glancing at Emily apologetically, Andy informed them, “I've made arrangements at the hotel for a small banquet room this evening... so that we can all have dinner and get to know each other before the festivities formally begin.”
“That's a lovely idea, Andrea.” Louise linked her arm with Miranda's fiancee and looked at the redhead, Emily. “Lead on.”
Andy looked over her shoulder at Jo and Blair. Jo gave her a thumbs up. Andy smiled, glad that her friends didn't feel neglected and then concentrated on her escort. “Did you get any sleep on the flight, Tante?”
“I did indeed.” Louise patted the arm in hers and nodded, “It's a very nice thing to have an actual bed on the plane. I probably won't ever have that luxury again.”
Grinning at the amused and obviously joking lament, Andy glanced at Miranda, “Yes, it is quite nice to have an actual bed on the plane.” She glanced at her fiancee again and smiled, biting the very tip of her tongue between her front teeth as a light but discernible blush colored Miranda's cheeks. Andy couldn't help but love Miranda a little bit more and sighed to herself.
I'm gonna to marry her...soon!