Miranda barely had time to brace herself before Asher enveloped her in a bear hug, picking her up and swinging her around twice. Tolerating the manhandling, Miranda waited until she was set down, gently, before she smirked at her brother. “Must you be so dramatic?”
“Yes!” Asher smiled at his youngest sister. “I am far too happy for you to contain it.”
Miranda chuckled. “Thank you, Asher.”
“He's not the only one who's happy for you.” Daniel stepped up and also hugged Miranda although he didn't swing her around as his brother had done. He maintained a loose hold with his arms around her waist. “I'm very glad to see you so content.” Nodding, Miranda watched with some amusement as her brother was dragged away from her. It was obvious that the only reason he allowed it was because it was his wife that was doing the dragging.
Accepting a quick hug from Josie, Miranda smiled then found herself enveloped in her twin sister's arms.
“It was a beautiful ceremony, Mir...anda.”
“Well,” Miranda's deep blue eyes scanned across the room to meet Andrea's smiling face. She couldn't help a brilliant smile in return as Andrea began to walk toward her. “I have a beautiful bride...”
“That's funny.” Andy's eyes never left Miranda's face. “I have a beautiful bride as well.”
Natalie stepped away as Miranda and Andy stepped into each other's personal space. They both leaned in and just before their lips met a new arrival drew their attention.
“Ewwww...” Cassidy scrunched up her nose. “Can't you guys give it a rest?”
Andy touched her forehead to Miranda's then turned to look at Cassidy. “Give us a break, Sweetie. We just got married.”
Cassidy sighed. “Right... Ro wanted me to tell you that the guests are gone and the photographer is all set up.”
“Cool...” Andy jostled the arm around her wife, her hand almost automatically sliding up over the silk covering Miranda's shoulder, itching to remove it. “You ready to have your picture taken?”
“I'm ready for many things, Andrea.” Miranda smirked. “So let's get this over with and get on with the celebration.”
###
“How much longer?” Cassidy fidgeted and straightened her dress. It seemed like it had been forever since the photographer had begun positioning them in various spots around the tent. Now they all stood on the raised platform where the ceremony itself had occurred.
“Not much longer, Bobbsey.” Miranda glared at the photographer. “Isn't that correct, Ms. Deputy?”
Andy grinned as the woman hesitated a moment then laughed. “Don't worry, Amy, just get the shots you need.”
Pressing her lips together, Amy nodded and then shrugged. “I really only need one more, with the family.”
They all shifted as the extra members of the wedding party, Lily, Emily and Nigel stepped down and Andy, Miranda and the girls moved closer together. The camera shutter sounded several times before Miranda murmured.
“This is not our entire family.”
“No,” Andy agreed. “It isn't.” With a wink at Caroline, Andy let out a loud piercing whistle, calling Patricia to join them on the makeshift stage. She realized her mistake immediately as the St. Bernard came barreling down the aisle from the back of the tent where James had been holding her. “No...” Andy pushed Miranda away and held out her hands to the large dog as she took a step backward. “No... Patricia... No!” But it was too late and before she could utter another word she found herself in a playful embrace. The problem was that she'd taken another step backward and Patricia's weight had pushed her three more steps before she knew it. Barely even hearing Miranda's gasping “Andrea!” Andy felt herself falling off the back of the platform. Somehow she managed to remain upright, but now she was standing in two feet of water, the bottom of her dress soaked, with almost two hundred pounds of wet dog right in front of her, preparing to shake the water out of her coat.
Andy closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable spray that would completely ruin the dress, the makeup, the hair. The dog-powered shower never came. Instead Andy heard a small splash and then Miranda's voice.
“Patricia, go!”
Opening her eyes at the sloshing sound, Andy saw Patricia jumping out of the water, a safe distance away, before shaking the excess water out of her fur. Amazed, Andy turned to see Miranda with her blandest expression. “Miranda?” Blinking, Andy realized that Miranda was now, also, standing in the shallow water. “What?”
“It appears,” Miranda smiled and gave the impression of shrugging as she looked at their new positions, “that where you go, I will follow.”
“But...” Andy was horrified. “You're beautiful dress!”
“Shhh...” Taking a step forward, Miranda reached up to gently stroke Andrea's cheek with the back of her fingers. “The fabrics of both our dresses will survive.” Her lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. “You, however, should remove your shoes, as soon as possible.”
“My...” Andy looked down to see the very tips of Miranda's toes peeking out from under the hem of her dress, under the water. Miranda had apparently had the presence of mind to step out of her shoes before jumping into the water. Her own shoes were still securely fastened to her feet, the leather straps becoming more waterlogged by the moment. “Oh...”
“Leather must be treated correctly to withstand water...” Miranda led Andrea to the edge of the pool and they both exited fairly gracefully. They moved to the nearest lounge chair and Miranda gestured for Andrea to sit. Kneeling at her wife's feet, Miranda quickly undid the elaborately woven pattern the straps had been fashioned into earlier. She lightly rubbed the pattern the laces had made in Andrea's legs. “If I didn't know better, I would think you trained Patricia to do that, just to get these...shoes, off.”
“Miranda...” Andy laughed, her dark eyes reflecting a mischievous thought that she voiced without reservation, “These shoes went great with this dress... now the only thing left to do is...” Pressing her lips together, Andy tried not to smile as Miranda's most scandalized expression appeared. “I'm sorry, but there really isn't any other alternative.”
Finishing her task, Miranda removed the silver sixpence from its place on Andrea's left sole and handed it to her. “You are a very intelligent person, very resourceful... I'm sure you could...”
Shaking her head, Andy accepted the coin and stood. “No, Miranda... there isn't anything else to be done. There are no boutiques open right now, and even if every shop on the island was open, the chances of them having the exact shoes I need would be slim to none. To find out I would have to visit them all, taking how many hours away from our evening together... our first evening together as a married couple?” Wrapping her arms around Miranda's shoulders, the thin blue silk warming between their skin, Andy smiled, kissed Miranda's forehead and informed her in no uncertain terms. “I'm just going to have to go barefoot for the rest of the evening.”
Miranda sniffed haughtily. “I suppose it would be an authentic look... but,” she shook her head, “perhaps if I don't actually look at your feet...”
“There ya go.” Andy pressed into her wife a bit more, “Just look into my eyes.”
“I could do that forever.”
Smiling softly, Andy nodded. “Forever's a very good start.”
###
Hair dryers and helpful friends made quick work of getting rid of the water on their dresses. Andy had found herself quite comfortable standing, barefoot, next to Miranda in the reception line. However, the seemingly endless line of people entering the room, offering their congratulations, was beginning to wear on her and her knuckles were beginning to ache each time she shook hands with someone. She wondered how Miranda stood it, but then realized that Miranda hardly ever actually shook anyone's hand. Andy wondered if she could ever master that little bit of social nicety. It certainly would save my hand, she thought, and again marveled at her wife's grace then smiled at the thought, my wife.
Miranda took advantage of a short break in the line of guests by pulling Andrea to her side and whispering, “Wrap your arms around me, Darling, and merely acknowledge the congratulations with a nod.”
Doing as she was told, Andy's arms slid around Miranda's waist. She rested her head on Miranda's shoulder and whispered, “I love you.”
Miranda took a quick kiss and was rewarded with a gentle squeeze. She winked at her bride, “I love you, too.”
They continued greeting their guests and accepting congratulations until, to Andy's relief and delight, Emily declared the time for greetings was over. Anyone else arriving would just have to approach the couple on an individual basis. Miranda nodded at that assessment and led Andrea to follow Emily as the entire wedding party moved to the main table.
A quick text from Emily to Carmen prompted the DJ to interrupt the soft music she'd been playing for the announcement that dinner was about to be served. Everyone who had been milling around the room shmoozing now found their seats quickly. Part of the reason for wandering around the room had been to find their names on the placeholders.
There were two servers for each table of eight, so the wine glasses were filled quickly and just in time for the distinctive sound of silverware tapping the side of a glass drew everyone's attention to the main table. Nigel raised his wine glass and smiled.
“On behalf of my dear friends, Miranda and Andy, thank you all for being here this evening. It is truly a remarkable occasion when a family begins its journey. To share it with so many friends creates a great starting point...” Nigel took a breath to continue waxing poetic about the love the newlyweds shared when Miranda cleared her throat.
“Nigel, as much as we appreciate the sentiment,” Miranda smirked, “I believe at this point even the models are ready to eat.”
“Ah... yes, well...” Nigel nodded, “Of course.” He grinned. “I'll just save the rest of my little toast for later.” Sitting down, he took a sip of his wine and winked at Andy.
Rolling her eyes at the threat of a later toast, Miranda gestured to the man in the caterer's outfit that was standing next to an inner door of the room. He nodded and opened the door to let a steady stream of servers, well-laden with four plates each, enter.
Miranda smiled as Andrea practically attacked the small salad that had been set in front of her.
Andy saw the look on Miranda's face and laughed. “What?” The raised eyebrow look caused an even wider smile. “Miranda, I'm starving... I didn't eat much breakfast and only a few bites of lunch because I was so nervous...”
Chuckling, Miranda patted Andrea's hand lightly. “I know, I'm just concerned that you will not get any nutritional value from the food if it isn't chewed.”
“I chewed it!”
“Mmmm...” Continuing to chuckle, Miranda wasn't exactly thrilled with Andrea's antics, but she did understand them. It seemed like a long time since the small lunch she'd eaten, as well. She lifted the onion from where it sat on the lettuce, setting it aside, before taking a small bite of her own salad. Chewing and swallowing it, Miranda laughed. “When the soup comes do try not to pick up the bowl to drink it.”
Andy, and everyone within earshot, laughed at that. The response drew even more chuckles.
“I'll try,” Andy grinned, “but I'm not promising anything.”
The atmosphere in the room was pleasant. Carmen was playing light background music at a low enough volume that people could hear each other speaking in normal tones. The occasional clink of silverware on china and random bursts of laughter added to the general joviality of the room. When the empty salad plates were taken away and the small bowls of soup took their place Andy grinned. With a mischievous look in her eye, she reached for the bowl. What she had come to think of as Miranda's “scandalized” look began to appear, then faded as she dutifully picked up her spoon.
After eating the first spoonful, Andy laughed, “It's French onion soup, Miranda. You can't drink that out of the bowl.” She watched the tension across Miranda's shoulders ease, before adding, “Not until you get to the end.”
Shaking her head, Miranda chuckled. “You are so bad...”
Andy took another bite of her soup, savoring the onion and creamy cheese flavors for a moment before swallowing that bite and responding, “You bet I am.”
###
Tante Louise grimaced when the servers began to set the bowls of soup on the table. Her salad had been blessedly free of the ubiquitous ring of raw onion. She was about to stop the man from setting the bowl in front of her when she realized that hers was different. “What's this?”
“Tomato soup, ma'am.” The server was very polite. “The chef was quite specific that you were to have it. He said to tell you there are no onions in it, with his compliments.”
“Ah...” Tante nodded and smiled. “Thank you, young man... tell him... thank you.”
The server grinned. “Yes, Ma'am.. I will.”
Natalie raised her eyebrows, “Wow, Tante... You must have made some impression on the chef this morning.” She knew that Tante had met with the man to make sure the family recipes were correctly prepared.
“Yes,” Louise took a deep breath. “I suppose I did.” Without another word, she took a small taste of the soup. It was delicious.
###
“You doin' okay, Princess?”
Blair shifted in her seat and adjusted her hair. “I'm sure I don't know what you're referring to.”
“Uh huh...” Jo reached up tenderly brushing her fingers across her wife's cheek. “You're always emotional at things like this...”
“You can't fool me, Joanne Polniachek-Warner... I saw you wiping away a tear or two during the ceremony too!” Blair smiled softly at the love of her life. “You're not so much of a barbarian that true love doesn't affect you.”
“Gee, thanks.” Jo grinned, “I'm glad you've realized I'm not a barbarian all the time.” Shifting closer, Jo whispered to her wife, “You did a great job on the Old Lady's dress.” Brushing a lock of Blair's hair away from her face, she continued to speak softly. “I don't care what she says, if you want to become a designer... go for it.”
“Do you mean that?” Blair had heard so much whining when her short-lived obsession had taken over their lives, she thought Jo might just be saying what she wanted to hear.
“I just want you to be happy.”
“I am,” Blair used her napkin to wipe away a tear as it leaked from her eye. “I don't want to change my life one little bit.”
“I love you, Princess.”
“I love you too, Joey.”
They had been so focused on their conversation that the servers had removed their soup bowls without them even realizing it. Nigel, once again tapping his glass, drew their attention to the main table.
###
Caroline slid her phone under her napkin as Nigel again called for the attendee's attention.
With barely a glance at Miranda's glare, Nigel smiled out at the crowd. “A toast... to Miranda.” He tilted his glass toward his boss. “You have always amazed me with your eye for beauty on the page, congratulations for finding that in the three-d world.” He turned to the other blushing bride. “Andy... well done.” He winked. “Gold star.” Taking a sip of his drink, he gestured for Emily, as a bridesmaid, to stand and speak.
Emily shook her head and looked to Lily to go first.
Standing slowly, as if thinking about what to say, Lily looked at Andy with a smile. “Girl, you've come a long way since we were five...” Laughing along with Andy, she continued, “You were my best friend then, and you're my best friend now. I always knew you'd get married and have a family.” Lily grinned at Miranda. “You weren't quite what I was expecting, but you make her happy, so that's good enough for me.” Tilting her glass toward the couple, Lily nodded. “Best wishes to you both.” She took a sip of her drink then, as she sat back down, pointedly passed the metaphorical toast baton to Emily.
With a deep breath, Emily stood and turned to face her mercurial boss, and former co-worker. “Miranda, I wish you all the best.” Sipping her drink, Emily set the glass on the table then locked her eyes with Andrea for a heartbeat. With a roll of her eyes, she gave Andy a sort of shrugging, I give up, kind of gesture.
Miranda would have taken great offense at the motion had Andrea not smiled and burst out laughing. Turning to her bride, Miranda silently but clearly requested an explanation.
Andy leaned over, putting her lips very close to Miranda's ear as she whispered the required information. “That's exactly the same thing she did when she caught up to me in the lobby of Elias-Clarke...when you hired me.” Licking her lips, the tip of her tongue just brushing the edge of Miranda's ear, Andy grinned. “That seemed to work out okay, right?”
Turning, Miranda kissed Andrea quickly and smiled. “You bet it did.” She would have moved in for another kiss, but the servers had began to serve the main course.
Andy licked her lips, wanting to continue kissing Miranda, but she was also very ready to eat some real food. She wasn't kidding when she'd told Miranda that she was hungry. Her meals today had been sparse, and she'd been too nervous to eat much of anything. The small salad and small bowl of soup they'd already eaten hadn't done much to fill her stomach. The aroma of the chicken marsala on the plate in front of her made her stomach growl. She smiled sheepishly at Miranda's chuckle, “Sorry...”
Waving off the apology, Miranda gestured to the plate, “Eat, my Darling. You're going to need your strength.” She didn't miss Andrea's dark eyes darting to the blue that covered her shoulders. Miranda was certain that she was as ready for Andrea to take away that covering as her wife was ready to remove it. Smiling as Andrea began to eat, Miranda also cut into her steak. My wife.
###
The background music continued to play, but the conversations in the room became louder as the servers cleared the entree plates from the tables. Emily caught the DJ's attention from her place at the main table and nodded.
Returning the nod, Carmen let the song that was playing fade out and then picked up the microphone next to her. “Ladies and Gentlemen... It's time for the first dance. It is my honor to introduce Mrs Priestly-Sachs and Mrs. Sachs-Priestly. Miranda, Andrea... if you would take the dance floor.” She smiled as Miranda rose from her seat, gracefully and offered her hand to the younger woman. Miranda guided Andrea to the dance floor and when they were in the middle of the space, Carmen played the file on the flash drive Cassidy had given her earlier. She didn't know the title of the song. The file was only labeled “AL-M”. As soon as it began to play, however, she and everyone else in the room smiled. It was a classic first dance song.
As soon as she recognized it, Emily winced at the commonness, of the song. She wondered if Andy had anything to do with choosing it. Then the lyrics began.
At last.... My love has come along...
Everyone, including Emily, began to mutter and shake their heads at each other, none of them able to discern who was singing.
Dorothy blinked, her forehead wrinkling as she asked her mother-in-law, “Do you recognize the singer?”
My lonely days are over....
Pava shook her head. “Nope... I know it's not Etta James...”
Mary chimed in. “No, the words are different. It's closer to the Joni Mitchell version, but she's not the one singing either.” She glanced at Cassidy, knowing the girl had an ear for music and was struck by the expression on both the twins' faces. It was a “cat that ate the canary” look that meant they did indeed know who was singing the song. Half a second later she heard Dorothy gasp and with a glance at the woman, she turned to look in the direction Dorothy was gazing. The sight nearly brought tears to her eyes. How one person could pour so much love into a smile, she would never know but the smile on Andrea's face was breathtaking.
Life is like a lovely song....
###
Turning the brightest of all megawatt smiles to date on Miranda, Andy asked quietly, “When did you find time to do that?”
Miranda returned the expression, loving that with her heels and Andrea's bare feet, they were now eye to eye as they swayed to the music. Reaching up to brush the backs of her fingers against Andrea's soft cheek, she blocked out the sound of her own voice singing. “I will always find time for you. I'll make it if I have to.” She smiled and laughed as Andrea took the lead and they moved around the space easily.
At last... the skies above are blue...
My heart's wrapped up in clover
ever since the night I looked at you...
Now people were beginning to mutter as they realized that it was Miranda singing the song.
And found a dream that I could speak to
a dream, to call my own...
Everyone was mesmerized by the music and the couple dancing together so effortlessly.
I found a thrill, to press my cheek to...
a thrill like I have never known...
Miranda was floating in Andrea's arms, disregarding everything that was more than three inches away from them.
When you smiled, when you smiled at me...
Her heart thudded in her chest as Andrea did just that, the dazzling smile always having such an effect on her.
That's how the spell was cast.
Miranda could tell that Andrea was recalling a conversation they'd had regarding Andrea's smile and what magic it had cast over her.
Now here we are in Heaven....
It did feel like heaven, here in Andrea's arms. Miranda sighed, loving the sensation of Andrea's arms around her.
I've found my love
At last.
Blocking out everything, Miranda did just as the song suggested, pressing her cheek to Andrea's as they glided around the dance floor. The words to the song, she knew so well faded into the background.
I found a dream that I could speak to
a dream to call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
a thrill like I have never known
Images of Andrea's smiles flashed through her mind, in anticipation of the next lines in the song. The tensing of the cheek next to hers confirmed that Andrea was indeed smiling at this very moment.
Oh when you smiled when you smiled at me
that's how the spell was cast
and now here we are in Heaven...
I've found my love....
At last....
As the music wound down and faded out, Miranda couldn't help but echo the final words softly into Andrea's ear.
At last....
The music ended and Andy pulled away slightly, to look into Miranda's eyes. “I love you.”
Smiling at that, Miranda responded, “I love you, too.” This was a much larger audience than they'd had at the wedding ceremony, but it didn't matter to her one bit. Moving forward, Miranda captured Andrea's lips for a long moment, making sure the young woman understood that it wasn't just something Miranda was saying. She truly loved Andrea, with her whole heart.
The sound of applause pulled them apart and Carmen began a faster paced song. A large number of people partnered up and moved out into the dance area. They would have some time now to work off their dinner, before the cake cutting would take place.
Andy smiled and began to move to the fast beat, loving that Miranda was also matching the rhythm. She couldn't help glancing at the blue covering Miranda's shoulders, her hands, again, twitching to remove the barrier between herself and the soft skin she knew was under the scarf. Instead, she just continued to dance, smiling and laughing, with her wife. That thought made her smile even wider. My wife!
###
They had been dancing for several songs, fast and slow, when Andy saw Christian Thompson out of the corner of her eye. “Christian's here...” She saw Miranda bristle and moved closer, soothing her protective wife. “Just let me talk to him... we can dance and I'll...”
“No.” Miranda shook her head, “He will not touch you... ever.” There was steel, and a plea, in Miranda's eyes. “Don't ask me to allow that, not today.”
Nodding slowly, Andy licked her lips and kissed Miranda gently. “Okay.” She looked around and spotted Nigel, sitting at a table, speaking with James Holt. “I'll just grab Nigel for a dance then...”
“Acceptable.” Miranda's gaze landed on Christian Thompson's perpetually dazed face. “I will handle, Mr. Thompson.”
“Miranda,” Andy smiled and squeezed her wife's hand. “Be nice.”
“We need answers, Andrea.” The thought of “being nice” to this man, this man who had... with Andrea... her Andrea was beginning to make Miranda's blood boil.
“I know that...” Andy whispered softly into Miranda's ear. “Just don't make him piddle on the dance floor...”
Unable to help herself, Miranda smiled, then laughed at that suggestion. “I shall do my very best.”
“This is a day for new beginnings.” Andy reminded her, “He may not have had anything to do with the photos.”
Nodding at that, Miranda moved away from her new bride. The crowd parted as she approached, giving her a clear and easy path to one of the men she most hated in her life.
###
Nigel muttered, “Well that doesn't look like anything good.”
“But it is...” Andy grinned down at the man. “If Miranda finds out the information we need.” She held out her hand. “Care to dance?”
“I'm not much of a dancer...”
“C'mon... I saw Serena showing you some moves at my bachelorette party. How long did you guys stay after Miranda and I left?” She grinned as he blushed. “Uh huh...”
“Fine.” He took Andy's hand. “But if I get in trouble for this...”
“Nah...” Andy pulled him out onto the dance floor. “You're Miranda approved.”
With a wide-eyed look over his shoulder at James, Nigel laughed. “Lucky me.”
###
“C'mon Ro, put that thing down.” Cassidy's tone made her opinion of her sister's texting habits very clear and she had no problems informing their tablemates, Alyssa and Alan, about the extent of Caroline's addiction. “I think she'd have her iPhone surgically attached to her hand if she could.”
“Allison is just bitching because she can't be here.” Caroline sighed. “I'm trying to appease her.”
“Why?” Cassidy snorted, “She isn't here because her parents are standoffish assholes that have never even met Mom... why would they be invited to the wedding??” She grimaced and told Alyssa, “The nanny would be more likely to get an invitation.”
“I know.” It was the truth. Allison's parents were so weird, but that was why Caroline almost always gave the girl the benefit of the doubt. It had to be hard being raised by such strange people.
Cassidy saw the expression on her sister's face and asked, “Ro... do you like her?”
“Sure I do...” Caroline blinked at Cassidy's grin and realized what her sister was asking. “Oh... no, not like that. C'mon, I'm not the gay one!”
Cassidy gasped and looked wide-eyed at her sister then at the shock on their new friends faces. Standing quickly, she nearly yelled at Caroline but modified her tone to an intense hiss worthy of Miranda Priestly's daughter, “How could you?!” Her cheeks turned bright red with embarrassment. Cassidy didn't give Alyssa or Alan the chance to say anything before she ran off, disappearing into the crowd.
“Well.. crap.” Caroline sighed and looked at her friends. “I shouldn't have said that...”
Alan smiled. “She'll forgive you.”
Caroline looked into the crowd where Cassidy had disappeared. “You sound pretty certain about that...”
“Well...” He looked at his sister who nodded. “'Lyssa forgave me when I did it... so, I'm thinking Cassidy will forgive you too.”
“You?” Caroline shook her head. “I... had no idea.”
Alyssa shrugged. “Why should you?”
“Do... do your parents know?”
“Yep... they've been great.” Alyssa smiled and stood. “I'm gonna go see if I can find Cass... okay?”
“Yeah.” Caroline exhaled slowly, “Thanks...”
Winking at the girl, Alyssa moved off in the direction Cassidy had been heading.
“Wow...”
Alan laughed. “Yep, she's somethin'” He sighed. “It's a pain though.”
“Oh?” Caroline wondered at his tone. The siblings had always seemed to get along so well with each other. Did he really not like the idea that his sister was gay?
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “I'll have to watch her around every girl I ever go out with, to keep her from stealing them away!”
With a small snort of laughter, Caroline grinned. “I'm sure that won't be a problem. You two are so different, I doubt the same girl would go for both of you.”
“You think?”
Shrugging at that, Caroline just nodded.
###
“Miranda.” Christian smiled, tentatively, at the older woman. “This is a surprise.”
“Mmm...” Miranda's nostrils flared, but she held out her hand and practically commanded, “Dance with me.”
Setting his drink aside, Christian nodded and took the offered hand. “Gladly.” He automatically placed the hand not in Miranda's on her waist as they danced with a respectable distance between them, “You look lovely this evening.” He knew better than to comment on Andy's appearance. He had learned that much at least.
“You seem... thinner.”
“Well, I haven't been eating quite as well as normal in the last few months.” His bright eyes crinkled around the edges. “As you probably know.”
Unwilling to waste time on small talk, Miranda got directly to the point. “I have two questions for you, Mr. Thompson and I expect you to answer them truthfully.”
He blinked but smiled and nodded as they continued dancing. “Of course.”
“What did Jacquline Follet have to do with procuring your hotel room during that Paris trip?” She saw him tilt his head in question, but he didn't respond with the obvious “Why?” that was on the tip of his tongue. “And, have you had any contact with her recently?”
“Jacquline booked the room for me. She said it was her favorite hotel. It was very nice.” He shrugged as they danced, “We had a couple of meetings there to discuss the changes she was going to make at Runway.” He smiled, resigned to the way things turned out. “I've run into her a few times since then. Lately? No, I haven't seen her, not since she took the editor-in-chief spot back at French Runway. She was furious with me during...that Paris trip. She thought I had sabotaged her bid for American Runway by telling Andy about it...”
“Surprising, since she had the cushier job with James Holt waiting for her.”
“No, she knew...” Christian now grinned at his dance partner. “She knew that wouldn't last. You had backed her into a corner though. She didn't have any choice but to take it. Not after Irv pulled his support for her to move into your job.” He shook his head. “She was furious, and fuming at me... I'm sure that's the only reason she explained anything to me, after the luncheon.”
Not pulling any punches, Miranda commented, almost too casually, “So you have nothing to do with the photos.” His confused expression was enough to convince her that he had no clue what she was talking about. With a deep breath, she nodded. “Very well. Andrea has reminded me that this is a day for new beginnings. Therefore, you are reprieved. People have seen you here and us dancing together either one of those would automatically lift the restrictions on your social invitations. I will also inform you that in the spirit of new beginnings, the strikes against you have been, removed.” The song was winding down and she began to pull away. “Consider it a new inning, Christian... three more strikes is all it takes for you to be out again.”
Digesting that information, he smiled. “Will Andy be free for a dance later?”
“No.” Miranda's gaze turned hard. “You will not touch her, ever again.”
He nodded, but didn't allow her to leave. “In the spirit of truthfulness, I need to tell you something, Miranda.”
“You are treading on thin ice, Mr. Thompson.”
“I know... but hear me out.” He understood now exactly how Miranda felt about that night in Paris and he wanted to set the record straight. “I will deny it to the press until the day I die, I do have a reputation to maintain after all, but you at least, should know the truth.”
He was glad that the next song was also slower paced at the beginning, enough that they could continue to dance the way they had been. He took a deep breath and confessed, “Nothing happened between Andy and me that night.”
Miranda blinked. “Excuse me?”
“We went to dinner, and I admit I did ply her with more wine than I should have.” He pressed his lips together in self-depreciation. “I know, it was stupid, but... anyway, I walked her back to my hotel... we did kiss and she seemed willing enough, in her drunken state,” he continued to speak quickly as Miranda bristled, “but when we got up to my room she... passed out.” He shrugged. “Eventually I'm sure she'll realize that when she woke up, she was still somewhat dressed.”
Miranda's eyebrows rose sharply. “Somewhat?”
“I tried to make her as comfortable as I could. She did still have her underwear on, at least.” He had no idea how women even wore those strapless bras, much less slept in them. His forehead wrinkled in thought. “Does she always snore like that?”
As if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, Miranda laughed, a genuine Miranda-laugh and reached up to tap his cheek with her fingertips. “Not often.” She smiled and leaned in, kissing his other cheek lightly as she whispered. “Only when she's passed out drunk.” Walking away from Christian, with a smile on her face, Miranda immediately spotted Andrea dancing with Nigel, if dancing was what you could call what Nigel was doing. The song's tempo increased as Miranda stole Andrea away from her current dance partner, kissed her soundly then began to whirl with her around the floor.
“I heard you laugh.” Andy grinned. “I take it things went well with Christian?”
“Better than I would have imagined.” Miranda wrapped her arms around Andrea's shoulders. “He had nothing to do with the photos.”
Nodding, Andy's arms slid around Miranda's waist. “I'm glad.” She sighed and rested her head on Miranda's shoulder. “It would have made me sad if he'd been involved.”
“Indeed.”
Locking her hands behind Miranda's back, Andy felt the heart charm on the bracelet she still wore brush against her arm. “Oh...” Pulling away, she looked around, spotting Mary sitting at a table next to the dance floor. Gram Sachs was out in the space dancing with Chad. With a smile, she kissed Miranda's cheek. “Be right back.”