Andy stared at the blank screen and sighed. It had been hours since she'd picked at her lunch with her fiancee and she had yet to come up with anything that remotely conveyed how she felt about Miranda. A soft knock on the door pulled her attention from the screen.
“Andy?”
Crossing the room, Andy opened the door to find Lily there, hand raised about to knock again. “Lily?” Blinking at her friend, she smiled. “Wow, you look great!”
Smoothing the dress over her stomach, Lily smiled. “Yeah... it fits pretty good.”
“It does,” Andy agreed. “But this,” she reached out but didn't touch Lily's amazingly styled hair. “Wow.”
“You bet... Terry is great, and she's fast! I used to have to sit for hours while mom put cornrows in my hair. Admittedly this isn't my whole head, but Terry did this whole 'do in just over an hour!” Lily looked at her friend apologetically and raised her eyebrows. “It's... um... time for you to start getting ready.”
“What?!” Andy ran her fingers through her hair. “Are you sure??” She looked around the room, eyes finally landing on the small digital clock by the bed. “Oh my God!” Shaking her head, Andy backed into the room. “It can't be... Lily... I'm not ready...”
Chuckling at that, Lily followed her friend into the room and nodded. “Yes, you are.” She took Andy's hand and squeezed it slightly. “You've been ready for this, since the day you met her.”
“But...” Gesturing to the laptop, Andy began to shake. “I don't have my vows...”
“You will...” Lily tugged on Andy's hand, pulling her toward the door. “You always choose just the right words in your articles.”
“This isn't an article, Lily.” Andy looked longingly back into the room, at her laptop, before the door closed between them and she was on her way to the dressing tent she'd been assigned. The trembling that had begun earlier increased and Andy tried to breathe normally. It was time and she was so... not, ready.
###
Serena smiled as she put the finishing touches on Dorothy's makeup and Terry made the final adjustments to her hair style. “You're all finished.”
“Thank you.” Dorothy looked into the mirror and shook her head. “I would never have believed...”
Chuckling at that, Serena patted the older woman's shoulders. “Andy has to get her beauty from somewhere, yes?”
“She takes after Richard's side of the family for that, I believe.” Dorothy smiled at the woman's reflection in the mirror, but before she could say anything else, Lily dragged Andy into the tent.
Andy was guided behind the partition in the room and she quickly stripped out of her shirt and sweats. Then, after her lingerie, was in place, she wrapped herself in the, luxuriously soft, white cotton robe that was available to her. Terry got to work quickly, knowing that even after she finished the hairstyle there would be possible touch-ups necessary after the dressing process.
Caroline and Cassidy arrived a few moments later. Their eyes were sparkling with excitement. Caroline spoke for them. “They're rolling the red carpet out on the sidewalk, and Emily says the press will start filling up their pen soon to lay in wait for the guests. She's already got security moving into their positions.”
Cassidy grinned at Dorothy. “You look great, Grandma.”
“Thanks, Sweetheart.” Dorothy grinned at the girls. “You aren't dressed yet. You should be getting your bridesmaids dresses on.”
“Yeah.” Caroline shuffled her feet. “We wanted to talk to Andy about that.”
Gesturing for Terry to stop for a minute, Andy looked at the twins, but spoke to Caroline. “What's up, Munchkin?”
“Well, the thing is, see... that you guys have never actually said which one of us you want as your bridesmaid....” Caroline shrugged. “And I know that you and Cass have this kinda bond thing... and I know you like her better, but..”
“Hey.” Andy was up out of the chair, moving to put her hands on Caroline's shoulders, squeezing them gently. “Look at me.” She waited for Caroline to look up at her, “I love you both, equally, without reservation.” She could see the doubt in those eyes, so much like Miranda's. “Cassidy has had some troubles lately that I've helped her out with. I hope that, if you ever need anything, you know you can come to me too...”
“I do.” Caroline teared up a bit and then continued, “That's why... um.. that's why I would like to be... your bridesmaid, Ma.”
Andy let a tear slide down her cheek and pulled Caroline in for a hug. “I think that sounds fantastic.”
Cassidy grinned at Andy and winked as she gave her Ma the thumbs up signal. “Okay then, I'm just gonna head over to Mom's dressing room and get ready.” She gave them all a little salute. “See ya at the ceremony.”
Serena stepped in, “Andy, please come with me. I can see the mascara I used is not as waterproof as it claims.” She grinned. “Very bad for the review in the next edition...” Glancing at Caroline, Serena gestured for the girl to move behind the partition. “You, go get dressed. Your makeup and hair are next.” She grinned as the girl dutifully did as she was told. Her morning runs with Andy had the side effect of lessening the intimidation factor of the devil's spawn, as the girls were often referred to in the Runway offices when Miranda was not present. She had to admit that they could be quite the trouble makers, but after seeing the interactions Andy had with them, the girls had become human very quickly, just as Miranda had done in the wake of Andy's affection.
Andy allowed herself to be pulled back into the make-up chair, submitting to Serena's capable hands and Terry's quiet competence. As she sat there, she allowed her mind to wander trying to find the words to express how she felt about Miranda, and the girls, and the family she was on the verge of officially joining. That familiar thought brought a sun-dazzling smile to Andy's face. Familiar but with a thrilling addition.
I'm gonna marry her, today!
###
“Miriam?”
Miranda had been relaxing on the small sofa that had been placed in her dressing tent. Terry and Serena were attending to Andrea first so Miranda had decided to disappear into her tent before the press arrived. A few moments of solitude seemed like just what she needed. She had enjoyed her few minutes though and welcomed her most beloved relative with a smile. “Tante, come in. You look lovely.” The cream colored skirt and jacket ensemble fit the woman perfectly. She hugged the older woman and they both settled on the sofa. “What can I do for you?”
“I know this wedding is far from traditional...” Tante's eyes sparkled at the expression on Miriam's face. “But, I thought, you might want to follow at least one.” Reaching into her jacket pocket, Louise produced a gold brooch.
Remembering the item from her childhood, Miranda's eyes widened. “Your grandmother's brooch?”
Nodding, Louise looked at the jewelry in her hand. “Yes, but it's been in the family longer than that. Her Bubbe gave it to her... and now,” she looked at the stag carving and took a deep breath then handed it over to Miranda, “I'm giving it to you.”
“Oh.. Tante...” Miranda's hand shook as she accepted the heirloom. “I... I don't...”
“Shhh...” Louise smiled at her favorite niece and shook her head. “It's seen its share of trials and tribulations. It's fitting that it goes to you.” Kind eyes met Miranda's and Louise spoke quietly, “I know your life has not been an easy one, despite what many people may think.”
“But...”
“No but's.” Louise exhaled softly. “Bubbe gave it to me before she and Zayde left Poland for England. When... when the war got bad, Abba packed up most of our valuables and sent your father to join them.” Thinking back to that turbulent time, Louise's breath sped up a bit, and she admitted, “In all honesty, I didn't have much hope of seeing any of those things again. He wasn't all that reliable, even back then.”
“Tante...”
“No, it's okay...” Louise smiled and continued the story. “Despite my naivete and sunny predictions regarding the situation, things got even worse. When I was... taken, to the camps, the survival of... things, was very low on my list of concerns. I very rarely thought I would see another day myself.”
“But you did...” Miranda wiped the tears from her cheeks, tears she, and Natalie, always shed when they thought about the horrors their aunt had endured. “You survived.”
Nodding, Louise agreed, “I survived.” She licked her lips. “And when I did, finally, make it to England, Bubbe had passed on but Zayde returned the brooch to me.” She patted Miranda's arm. “Now I'm passing it to you, as you, will one day pass it to one of your children... or grandchildren.”
Speechless at the gesture, Miranda could only stare at the piece of history that she held in her hand. She had been an outcast in their family for so long that being included, tethered, to the others, to their shared past in this way was, overwhelming. A slight squeeze on her arm drew her gaze away from the brooch.
“There is something else...” Tante again reached into her pocket and this time withdrew a coin. “I know most people leave this part off of the tradition.” Grinning, Louise handed over the coin, “But if you're going to do it, you may as well do it all...”
Miranda looked at the coin in her palm and laughed, grateful for the break in the tension, reciting the saying, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue... and a silver sixpence in her shoe.”
Louise chuckled. “Yep, although with the price of silver these days they're worth quite a bit more than sixpence.”
“Thank you, Tante...” Miranda grinned as she tucked the coin into her left shoe, to get a feel for it there before she changed into her actual wedding outfit. “Now I just need something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”
“I'm sure the others can take care of that.” Louise patted Miranda's knee and pushed off of it as she rose from the seat. “I need to get going. I have another stop to make.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out another sixpence piece. “There are two brides at this wedding, you know?”
“Thank you, Tante.”
With a small smile, and a little wink, Tante nodded once and left the tent.
Miranda looked down at the brooch in her hand, felt the coin pressing against her foot, and took a deep breath. So far this day had been far more emotional than she had expected, and it wasn't nearly over yet. But when it is over, Miranda's face lit with joy, I will be married to Andrea!
###
Dorothy was just leaving the main tent when Louise exited Miranda's dressing room. She smiled at the older woman. “Would you like to join me for a drink?” Knowing the woman was from England, Dorothy grinned. “Tea, maybe?”
Slipping the sixpence piece that she intended on giving to Andrea back into her pocket, Louise nodded. She knew that Miranda's young bride had been nervous about the ceremony and thought giving Andrea a few minutes alone would be a good idea. She responded to the invitation, “That sounds lovely.” Linking elbows with Dorothy, Louise allowed herself to be led out of the tent and back toward the hotel. There were already a few members of the press milling around in the little pen that Emily had designated as theirs. Louise chuckled as the so-called reporters ignored them as they walked past. Just as they were about to step out of the “press zone”, she spoke, quite loudly, to Dorothy. “I'm surprised none of the press wanted to interview you, being the mother of the bride and all...”
There was a surge of reporters toward them just as they stepped out of the “Zone” Emily had designated for them. Louise chuckled at the collective groan that went up from the pen as the people there realized the opportunity they had missed.
Dorothy also chuckled as they continued to walk. “You're a troublemaker.”
“Meh...” Louise rolled her eyes. “Serve's 'em right.”
“You know they will descend on us when we walk back through?” Dorothy grinned at the glint in her companion's eyes. With a bit of pleading mixed with a bit of chiding, she asked, “Just don't get me in trouble with Miranda, okay?” Dorothy sighed as Louise chuckled again and assumed the hand patting her arm was supposed to be reassuring.
“You just let me do all the talking, young woman.”
Dorothy nodded as they continued walking. “Yes ma'am.”
###
Cassidy watched Tante Louise and Grandma Dorothy walking out of the tent. With a deep breath she steeled herself and moved toward her mother's lair. Slipping into her mother's dressing room, Cassidy nervously spoke. “Mom, do you... need anything?”
“No, Bobbsey.” Miranda turned to look at her daughter. “I'm very well at the moment.” tilting her head, Miranda studied Cassidy's body language. “You, however, seem to have something to say...”
“Well, um...I know you like her better.” Cassidy moved closer to her mother. “But, Caroline is going to be Andy's bridesmaid, so, I guess you're stuck with me.”
“Like her better?” Miranda's forehead wrinkled. “Stuck with you?” She opened her arms and gestured for Cassidy to come closer. “Come here, Bobbsey.” She settled the girl on her lap. “You are extraordinarily special to me. I love you both with equal intensity. There is nothing I wouldn't do, for either of you.” Miranda took a deep breath. “It is possible I have paid a bit more attention to Caroline ever since she expressed an interest in publishing. It was not my intention to make you feel neglected.”
“You didn't!” Cassidy shook her head. “Not really. It's just... I dunno, she's so much like you and I'm... not.”
Miranda hugged her daughter and assured her. “You are both individuals, unique and special in your own ways.” She grinned. “I'm not 'stuck with you'. I'm very happy that you will be standing up for me in this ceremony. You are an extraordinary person who will, I'm sure, become even more spectacular with time. I'm always extremely proud that you are my daughter.”
“Oh.” Cassidy nodded a little sadly, “I guess Andy didn't tell you yet then.”
“If you are referring to the fact that you are gay,” Miranda nodded, “Andrea did inform me.”
“You aren't angry?”
“I am not.” Miranda sighed. “I am a bit disappointed.” She held tightly to her daughter when Cassidy tried to bolt. “Disappointed that you felt the need to relay that information through Andrea.” Miranda asked, “Why did you not come to me directly?”
“I dunno.” Cassidy laid her head on Miranda's shoulder. “It's hard to talk to you, sometimes, especially about...” She stopped talking, unable to even voice the subject.
Miranda filled in the blank as delicately as she could, “...things of a sexual nature?”
Cassidy nodded. “It's not really though.” Cassidy blushed. “Sexual I mean. It's just that I know that when I find someone to... love, that person will be a girl. Like you did with Andy.”
Smiling at that, Miranda looked her daughter in the eye. “It is my sincere wish that you do find someone to love as much as I love Andrea, no matter what gender that person may be. The only goal that I expect you to attain in your life is to be happy. Everything else should be a secondary consideration.”
Smiling at that, Cassidy whispered. “I love you too, Mom.”
Accepting a light kiss on the cheek, Miranda also smiled and gently urged Cassidy up off of her lap. “Alright then, I believe it is about time for you to be getting dressed.”
With a little bounce in her step, Cassidy nodded once and headed for the zippered garment bag hanging in the corner. “Yep, I'll be right back.”
###
Andy sat in the chair that Terry had used to do her hair and looked in the large mirror. Her hair was perfect. It would go exactly right with the dress she was going to wear, just like her mother had said it would. Glancing at the clock on her cell phone, Andy nodded. It wasn't going to be long now before the others would return to help her get into that dress. She almost couldn't believe the turns her life had taken to get her to this point. She thought back to the beginning of her turbulent relationship with Miranda, not the weekend after the brunette issue was published, but farther back, back to the time that Miranda had admitted that her feelings had begun. The memory used to make her cry, but now, Andy smiled a bit as she recalled the royal chewing she had received regarding her sweater and the color Cerulean Blue. The last line of that rant still echoed in her mind from time to time.
However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room, from a pile of... stuff.
Andy laughed softly at the words... choice, and selected,,, because they brought to mind another conversation she'd had with Miranda, much later in their association. In a luxurious town car, driving through Paris.
“I was very very impressed by how intently you tried to warn me. I never thought I would say this, Andrea, but I really, I see a great deal of myself in you. You can see beyond what people want, and what they need and you can choose for yourself. “
“ I don't think I'm like that. I couldn't do what you did to Nigel, Miranda. I couldn't do something like that.”
“You already did. To Emily.”
“That's not what I... no, that was different. I didn't have a choice.”
“ No, no, you chose. You chose to get ahead. You want this life. Those choices are necessary.”
Choices, Andy thought and remembered Tante's subdued voice as they'd watched the sunrise.
So many people let hatred rule their lives. They decide what is right and what is wrong based on what they hate, instead of what they love, if they love anything. You must choose for yourself how to react to their decisions.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Andy smiled softly at her reflection and spoke quietly, “It really does all come down to choices, doesn't it?” She didn't get a chance to answer herself, because there was a commotion outside the door to the room.
“No sir, you can't go in there.”
“Yes I can... I'm family. I have to see her...”
Andy gasped and was across the room in a flash. Opening the door, she stared at the frozen tableau she'd caused by her appearance. She blinked then broke the silence. “Daddy?”
“Hi, Sweetheart... Can I talk to you?”
“Um... yeah...” She nodded. “Yeah.” She motioned her father into the room, signaling to the security man that it was okay at the same time.
He nodded, but didn't like it, and as soon as the man and his daughter were behind the closed door, he radioed the situation to his boss.
###
Miranda watched the activity in her dressing tent with tolerant amusement. There was music playing, loud enough for even Andrea's tastes, a trait she was not happy about Cassidy emulating, and both girls were giggling as Terry finished making Cassidy's hair match her sister's French braid style. Serena was trying to put some last touches on Cassidy's makeup and they were all singing to a fairly popular tune, if their familiarity with the lyrics was any way to judge. This particular singer was not yet influential enough to turn the tide of fashion. By the enjoyment of the girls, and the others, Miranda recognized that the artist was someone to watch for future trends.
“Okay.” Terry pronounced Cassidy's hair finished and motioned her up and out of the chair. Turning to their mercurial boss, the hairdresser motioned Miranda over to the dresser. “Your turn.”
Standing, Miranda adjusted the robe around her and moved to sit in front of the large mirror. With a very bland expression, Miranda waited. She smiled as Terry lifted her hands as if to adjust some lock of hair, then lowered them just as quickly. Blue eyes pinned the woman's reflection in the mirror as one eyebrow quirked upward. “Problem?”
Terry laughed. “No, just that I'm an idiot for thinking...” She shook her head. “I'm not going to touch one hair on your iconic head.” She grinned at Serena when the Brazilian chuckled. “It would be sacrilege!”
Serena nodded. “I agree.”
Miranda also chuckled. “Ridiculous.” Grabbing a brush, she proceeded to do her hair as she always did it in the mornings before work. “It's just hair...” Tossing the brush back down on the dresser, Miranda smiled at the reflections of her girls moving up on either side of her.
“You look great, Mom.” Cassidy hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
“You sure do...” Caroline also wrapped her arms around Miranda and kissed her other cheek. Resting her chin on Miranda's shoulder, she studied their reflections. “We need to get a picture of us, like this.”
Protesting that, Miranda pointed out. “We aren't dressed yet!”
“We are.” The girls chorused.
Miranda laughed, noting that the girls were indeed fully clothed and she was the only one in the room yet to put on her dress.
“Shall I help you dress, Miranda?” Serena's eyes sparkled at her boss, partially because of the scene she was witnessing. The few interactions she had witnessed between Miranda and her daughters were always very heartwarming to watch. And partially because, although she wasn't supposed to discuss, The Event, Serena often couldn't help herself from uttering little reminding teases about the incident. “I would be more than happy to help.”
“Ha!” Miranda pointed her finger at the tall beauty and chided, with amusement. “You're a cheeky thing aren't you?” She had long since gotten over her accidental exposure to Serena. The small, more often than not, tasteful reminders of the incident frequently amused her more than anything. It was actually nice to have an “in-joke” with someone other than Andrea. She was surprised when the amused grin dropped from Serena's face and the woman's jaw went slack. She heard a quiet, awed sound escape the Brazilian's lips, something that sounded very much like, “Baaaahhhh...” Turning toward the door, Miranda smiled. Of course, nothing less would revert Serena back to her native language. “Emily...” She complimented her loyal friend, “You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Miranda.”
It was Miranda's turn to lose her expression as she realized the consternation being displayed on her assistant's face. “What is it?”
“It's... um...” Emily swallowed hard and looked back through the door, down the corridor, across the width of the main tent, to the other closed dressing room door. “Andy's... father is here.”
Miranda stood immediately. “Oh?”
Nodding, Emily explained, “Security called me a few moments ago...”
“I see.” Miranda had moved so that she too could see out her door and over to Andrea's. It took everything she had not to go running over there, but her iron will held her in good stead, for now. “Perhaps we should let them talk for a moment.”
Emily's eyes widened but she nodded. “Yes, Miranda.” Turning to leave, she was stopped by Miranda's hollow voice.
“Don't go.”
Opening then closing her mouth, Emily nodded and stepped back into the room, automatically reaching for the door.
“Leave it open.”
With a quick glance at Serena and Terry, Emily took her hand away from the doorknob and nodded once before she continued on into the room. “Yes, Miranda.” She wasn't sure their inscrutable boss had even heard her as Miranda's gaze was fixed on the door across the way. The only time her eyes lost contact with Andrea's door was when the girls, after glancing at each other, quickly left the room.
###
Andy pulled the robe surrounding her a little tighter, wishing she knew what to say to the man. She tried to think about what Miranda would say and fought the urge to laugh out loud. No, in this instance she would not be following Miranda's probable approach to the situation.
There was awkward silence between them until Richard spoke quietly. “You look beautiful...”
“I'm not even dressed yet... Daddy.” Andy smiled. “But thanks.”
“Listen, Sweetheart...” Richard sighed. “I know you weren't happy about my reaction to your... announcement.” Suddenly he found his arms filled with a joyous Andy.
“Thank you... thank you, Daddy!” Andy hugged him tightly. “I knew you'd see reason...”
“Andy...” Richard tried to untangle himself from his daughter. “Andy... Baby... listen to me.”
“Huh?” Pulling away, Andy searched her father's face. “What?”
“I need to tell you something...” He knew the expression on his face was pained, it had to be. He didn't want to hurt his little girl, but, “There is something you need to know... about...” He forced himself to say her name. “Miranda.”
“What?” Andy shook her head as she backed away from him. The real reason for his visit becoming clearer by the moment. “Daddy,” she warned. “Don't do this...”
“I have to!” Richard sighed. “You deserve to know, the truth.”
###
“Grandma!” Caroline and Cassidy ran up to the two women enjoying their tea. Caroline spoke for them. “You need to come quick.”
Dorothy turned to face the upset children. “What's wrong? Has something happened to Andy?”
“Sort of.” Cassidy glanced at her sister then continued, concern lacing her tone. “Her father's here.”
“What?” Dorothy stood quickly. “Richard, is here?”
Caroline nodded, “Security called Emily about it a few minutes ago. We could tell that Mom wants to go and check on Andy, but she told us to give them a few minutes to talk...”
Cassidy took up the story, “We're not sure that's such a good idea.” She swallowed hard, “What if.. what if he convinces her to call off the wedding... to leave Mom?”
Tante chuckled and reassured her great-grand-nieces. “Don't you worry about that. Miriam and Andrea love each other more than anything... nothing he can say will change her mind.”
Dorothy fretted along with the girls. “My husband can be very... persuasive.”
Louise shook her head. “I don't care if he can sell snow to Eskimos. He won't, can't, say anything to make Andy stop loving Miriam.”
Nodding at that, Dorothy exhaled softly. “You're right, he can't...” She tsked her tongue against her teeth. “And he's not going to be happy about that either...” She gestured in the direction of the tents. “I should probably go, be there, to check on them.”
“Yep.” Louise stood, but waved Dorothy on. She linked her elbow with Caroline. “We'll be along.”
Caroline nodded to her sister and watched as Cassidy and their Grandma sped off toward Andy's dressing tent. She paused for a minute and asked, “So, where do you think we should look first?”
Louise chuckled and patted the small arm in hers. “You're quick.”
“I've been told I have good genes.” Caroline sighed. “I wish these dresses had a pocket for cell phones...”
“Well, since the ceremony is so close, I have an idea.” Louise guided the child toward the hotel elevators.