Andy returned with one arm wrapped around each girl's shoulders. “Here ya go, Boss. As requested.”
“Mmm...” Miranda eyed her children suspiciously. “You two haven't been causing trouble, have you?” She couldn't hold her serious expression when they both rolled their eyes and their, “Mo...ooommm...” protest sounded in stereo. She chuckled and gestured for them to move closer to her. “C'mere...” Gathering her children in a hug, Miranda was comforted by their not so little foreheads pressing into her neck. “I will miss you, Bobbseys...”
Pulling away, Caroline smiled. “We'll be fine, Mom. There's lots of stuff to do at Dad's now... and...”
Miranda tilted her head in question, “And?”
“And he needs some cheering up anyway.” Cassidy shrugged. “He's kinda bummed about the baby not being real. I think he was starting to look forward to it...”
Caroline agreed. “Yeah...he's sad. He already took Patricia back to the room. He said he'd talk to you after your honeymoon.”
“Ah... well, yes.. then it's good for you two to be there for him.” Miranda nodded. “I'm sure you can cheer him up.”
“I love you, Mom.” Caroline hugged Miranda again then stepped aside for Cassidy to do the same. Wrapping her arms around Andy's waist, Caroline whispered, “I love you too, Ma.”
“Right back atcha, Munchkin.” Andy smiled at her daughter. “I love you so much.”
Cassidy cut in on Caroline's Andy-time with a hug of her own. “Have a great honeymoon, Ma. I love you.”
“Love you too, Sweetie.” Andy returned Cassidy's hug then leaned down to kiss both of them on the tops of their heads. “You be good for your father... and try not to let Patricia jump on anyone!”
The girls laughed and Cassidy nodded. “Right.”
The twins looked around to spot their friends near the door. Both held up small packets of birdseed and indicated they had some for the girls too. “C'mon Ro.” Cassidy tugged her sister's hand. “Let's go get a good spot to watch them leave!”
Most of the family had seen the little farewell and now that the girls had gone, they approached the couple for one last round of congratulations and hugs. While Miranda said farewells to her family, Andy faced her own relatives. She looked around as she told her mother goodbye. “Thanks for being here, Ma... um... where'd...”
“Sorry... he couldn't take it. When Pava and Mary started dancing, he... left.” Dorothy sighed. “He probably went back to the room.”
“Oh...” Andy nodded, glancing out on the dance floor where Gram and Mary were still moving slowly to the music. She wasn't about to interrupt that couple. She hugged her mother tightly. “I love you, Ma, and Daddy too... I'll talk to you soon, okay? Tell Gram I'll call her...”
“Yes...” Dorothy nodded. “We have to make plans for the holidays.”
Andy managed not to roll her eyes but she did grin, and laugh. “Ma! That's months away!”
“Still... I'll be in touch. I may even figure out that e-mail thing.”
Laughing at that, Andy turned to playfully punch her brother in the stomach. “Glad you were here, Bro.”
“No place else I'd wanna be, Sis.” Chad looked over at the two models he'd had on his arms earlier. “Well... maybe one... or two other places.”
“Be careful.” Andy glanced over at the women. “They look hungry.”
“I hope so.” Chad wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. “I figure I can coax them to my room with the promise of an Oh Henry! bar.”
Miranda chuckled. “That sounds like a very good plan...try laying a trail of M&M's...”
“Yeah?” Chad seemed thoughtful for a moment then nodded. “Thanks, Sis.”
Chuckling at that title, Miranda placed her hand on Andrea's back. “Ready, Darling?”
“Oh... I have to tell your family bye!” Andy smiled and moved to gently hug Tante. “Thank you for being here...”
“My pleasure.” Louise patted the girl on the back. “It's always nice to witness true love.”
Moving on to Josie, Andy hugged her and David quickly. “Thank you so much.”
“Our pleasure.” David beamed. “I'm very glad Mir...anda, found you.”
“Me too!” Andy laughed and with a very bright smile, Andy turned to hug Asher. “Thank you for being here, Asher. I know that Miranda is very happy that you all attended.”
Asher answered the thank you, without releasing the embrace. “As David said, it was our pleasure.” He continued his hold on Andrea until an annoyed throat was cleared, very loudly.
Andy pulled away and shook her finger at the man. “One of these days... she really is going to kick your...”
“Tuchus...” Asher waved off the threat. “I know.. I know...” He grinned. “It would be worth it, I think.”
Even Miranda laughed at that. “Yes, Asher... I believe it would.”
###
Their exit from the ballroom out into the garden was accompanied by a hail of birdseed the likes of which would have satisfied even Hitchcock's flock. They made it down the path to the car but not before they were practically covered with the tiny bits. Miranda hoped the convertible aspect of the vehicle and the length of the ride would take care of the bulk of the problem.
Miranda slid behind the wheel of her beloved Porsche. “Emily was supposed to have had our luggage stowed in the trunk.”
Andy laughed and ran her fingers through Miranda's hair. “Whatever...” She grinned and leaned over to kiss her wife. “It's not like we're going to need clothes for the next two weeks anyway. Are we?”
Miranda rolled her eyes. “Don't be ridiculous, Andrea.” Starting the car, she pulled away from the curb and laughed. “Of course we won't.”
###
“So.” Alan watched the couple escaping down the path. “Now what?”
Caroline shrugged. “It's getting late. We're leaving early in the morning to head back to Dad's...” She looked pointedly at Cassidy. “We should probably turn in.”
“Yeah...” Cassidy nodded and shot an apologetic look at their friends. “We probably should.”
“No worries, Kiddo.” Alyssa grinned. “We'll email ya, and see ya when you get back home.” She looked over Cassidy's shoulder at her parent's approach. “Right, Mom?”
“Yep.” Lara winked at the twin girls. “Benji will be more than ready to play with Patricia again by then.” She laughed. “He's never gotten along with any other dog so well, so quickly.”
Michael grinned at the girls. “Hopefully we'll be seeing you two around our house more.” He jostled the arm around his wife's waist and teased her. “Apparently you guys can teach Lara a thing or two about playing the piano.”
“Michael!” Lara slapped him lightly in the stomach then informed the girls, “You are welcome anytime, but you are in no way required to give me piano instructions.”
Both Cassidy and Caroline laughed at that, then said their good nights. The Hartstone family headed to their rooms, too.
The entire party thinned out very quickly after the newlyweds left. Soon there were only the hotel staff cleaning up the tables. Carmen continued to play some soft slow music. Partially for the clean up crew, but mostly for the lone, older, couple still dancing. It was a beautiful sight, and Carmen knew she would play for these two, for as long as they wanted to dance.
###
The door had barely closed behind her before Dorothy heard her husband's shaky voice.
“She's gone.”
“Good Lord, Richard, don't be so dramatic about the whole thing.” Dorothy sighed. “She and Miranda have left, yes.”
“How can you be so casual about it?”
“It,” Dorothy's tone conveyed her disgust at her husband's attitude, “is making Andy incredibly happy. That's good enough for me.” She sighed and sat next to her husband on the couch. “That's all we've ever wanted for her... to be happy.”
“But...”
“No.” Dorothy shook her head and hugged her husband's arm. “Think about it. We've only ever wanted her to be happy.” When he remained quiet, Dorothy continued, “I told her we'd be in touch to arrange for the holidays.”
“She won't come home without...them.”
Dorothy grinned, “Now you're getting the idea.” When Richard looked at her, startled, she sighed, “She probably won't want to visit us without her family, but, Richard, she is home with them.”
He buried his face in his hands. “I'm going to miss her.”
Exhaling softly, Dorothy nodded and tried to comfort him. “Honey, you've been missing her ever since she went off to school.” She shook him gently. “She's all grown up now, time to let her live her life.”
“But...” Richard looked up, to see nothing but loving compassion his wife's eyes.
“No.” Dorothy licked her lips. “We've done our job. Now it's up to Andy.” She lightly kissed his cheek and stood. “It's been a long day, time for bed I think.”
Frowning at that, Richard thought about it and nodded. “Yeah, I'll be there in a bit.”
With a final ruffle of her fingertips through the graying hair at his temple, Dorothy nodded. “Okay.”
###
Miranda felt Andrea's fingers running through her hair, reveling in the sensation. She didn't know how exactly they had gotten here, home, in bed. She vaguely remembered Andrea picking her up and carrying her into the house, new-bride style. The memory of Andrea peeling her dress off her was slightly less fuzzy, although how Andrea's dress made it to the pile of fabric on the floor was a mystery. One thing was perfectly clear though as Andrea caressed every soft curve she could find.
“I want you, Miranda.”
Smiling at that, Miranda licked her lips and rolled them so that Andrea was pressing her back into the mattress. “You have me.” As Andrea's mouth explored her neck, Miranda murmured her assurances. “You have me... all to yourself...” Miranda gasped as Andrea's moans warmed her ear and sent thrills racing down her spine. She reached up, pulling a few key hairpins, letting Andrea's dark locks fall down around her face. “Nothing but you and me.” It only took a few more passes with nimble fingers through dark hair to release the rest of Andrea's long, soft hair.
“God, Miranda.”
Miranda groaned as her flesh pebbled against Andrea's palm. Her wife's husky voice surrounded her.
“You feel so good.”
Miranda arched to meet Andrea's mouth.
“Mmm... you taste so good.”
“Andrea!” Miranda's hands grasped her wife, but she was conflicted. She wanted Andrea to move up, to kiss her, to move down, to taste more, and to stay where she was, but closer to continue the sensations she was feeling. The sensations were threatening to take any semblance of coherent thought. She was now pressing herself rhythmically against Andrea. Crying out as Andrea's lips traveled across her ribs, gasping as Andrea's soft, warm, tongue tasted the inside of her thigh. Miranda looked down the length of her body to see Andrea's dark head dip down. She was unable to stop her reaction as her body moved to meet her wife's mouth. “Oh! God...” With Andrea's strong arm holding her in place and Andrea's questing tongue deliciously swirling against and inside her, Miranda grasped at the sheets in her fists. “Andrea!” The answering hum pushed her closer to the edge and reduced her to a series of gasping “Ah” sounds that grew faster and higher pitched with every breath.
###
Andy reveled in the sensation of Miranda writhing under her. She loved being able to do this, to give Miranda this much pleasure. She loved Miranda so much, Andy knew she could do this forever and never get enough. She also knew that Miranda was very close to the edge and truthfully, Andy was very close as well. This time she didn't want either of them to go first. Replacing her mouth with her hand, Andy kept up the rhythm as she trailed kisses up Miranda's body. Then she slowed and stopped her ministrations for a moment. “Stay with me, Miranda.” Her dark eyes took in the expression of love on Miranda's face and she smiled as she guided her wife's hand to exactly where she wanted it to be. “Together.” Groaning as Miranda picked up the previous motions, Andy laid tiny kisses on Miranda's neck and undulated against the elegant woman. Miranda's hushed voice reached her ears.
“Together. Andrea, please.”
“Always.” Andy's long fingers found their target, resuming her efforts, matching Miranda's motions and urging them to increase. They were both so close and both so frantic. Andy cried out as the waves of pleasure crashed over her. “Miranda!” That was apparently all Miranda needed to hear and Andy held on tight as her wife also shook uncontrollably. Experiencing the moment, that one brilliant, blinding, moment where they each blended into the other and, for an instant, were the same.
As they lay twined together, basking in the afterglow, drifting in and out of consciousness, Andy sighed. “This is how it should be.” She smiled and kissed the tears of joy from Miranda's face. “Together always.” She chanted softly as they settled into each others arms, both drifting off to sleep, “always, always, always...”
###
Andy became aware of warmth first, then comfortable softness. She took a deep breath, smiling as Miranda's familiar scent overwhelmed her senses. Opening her eyes, Andy smiled, “Hey you...” She shifted, placing a light kiss on Miranda's lips. “How long have you been awake?”
“A few hours.”
“Hours?” Andy tried to pull away, only to be stopped by her wife's surprisingly strong arms.
Miranda smiled. “I adore watching you sleep.”
Andy's large dark eyes blinked as she smiled. “No nightmares last night...” She shifted closer, nuzzling Miranda's deliciously smooth neck, nipping the skin there lightly. “I have the feeling those are gone now.”
“Mmmm...” Her own nightmare had not returned and her dreams had actually been pleasant after the Good Detective had informed her that she had in no way contributed to the murder/suicide tragedy. Tilting her head to allow Andrea better access, Miranda laughed. “Good!”
Tearing herself away long enough to look into Miranda's eyes, Andy smiled. “I love that sound. I want to make you laugh all the time.”
Another laugh bubbled up from Miranda. “Not all the time, my Darling... I must still be serious at work.” She sighed as Andrea resumed her exploration of skin. “It will be a great help to know that this is waiting for me at home.”
Stopping her activity, Andy again pulled away to scan Miranda's face. “Waiting for you at home? Am I supposed to quit my job?”
“If you wish...” Miranda smirked. “You are a very wealthy woman now, Andrea. There is no need for you to work.”
Sighing, Andy rolled away, landing on her back to stare at the ceiling. “Miranda, we've had this discussion. I don't want your money.”
“Ahhh... but you're stuck with it now.” Chuckling, Miranda also rolled to place herself on top of her wife. “You never signed a pre-nup so now, legally what's mine is yours.”
“Miranda...”
Smiling wickedly, Miranda continued, “And what's yours is mine.”
Shaking her head, the reality settled over Andy. “Miranda what could I possibly have...”
“Shhh...” Miranda ran her fingertips over Andrea's lips. “These are mine...” She lowered her head to capture the lips in question. Groaning as Andrea's hands traced the curves at her waist and pulled her closer, Miranda deepened the kiss. Her tongue explored Andrea's mouth with abandon. She broke the kiss, breathing heavily as she shifted and murmured against the skin on Andrea's neck, “This is mine...” Her hands began to explore the nubile body under her. Trailing kisses downward, Miranda stopped to taste the flesh Andrea's arching body offered. “Mine.” Her tongue flickered over hardened nipples, her teeth exerting gentle pressure there.
“Oh, God!” Andy pressed herself into Miranda's questing lips, “Miranda!” She gasped for air as Miranda's hands explored lower. Miranda's almost musical voice drove her toward the edge almost as fast as the sensation of Miranda's skin sliding next to hers.
“Aaaallll mine...” Miranda sighed as her tongue made tiny swirls against Andrea's muscular stomach. She grinned as Andrea's long fingers threaded through her hair and subtly pushed her lower. She chuckled and felt the muscles under her hand ripple. “My my...” She looked up the length of Andrea's torso to meet large dark eyes, filled of need. “Is this all for me?”
Andy nodded, “All for you.” She dropped back against the pillow. “Always for you.”
“Mmmm...” Miranda kissed the small patch of glistening curls. “I like that.”
“Do you?”
“Mmmm... yes.” Miranda dropped another lingering kiss against Andrea's smooth thigh. “Always.”
“It will be.” Raising her head, Andy looked down the length of her body to meet Miranda blue eyes looking back. “Always, won't it?”
“Yes, Andrea.” Miranda smiled. “Always.” She shifted slightly as Andrea did and exhaled softly as the younger woman opened herself, giving herself over with a sliding of legs and a whimper of need.
“Miranda...” Andrea's dark eyes were huge with desire as she pleaded, “I need you.”
“You have me.” Miranda lowered her head and hummed against the slickness she found. “I love you, my Andrea.”
It did not take long before Andrea began to tremble violently. Miranda merely continued her adoration until Andrea nearly sat up in the bed before falling back to her pillow, moaning.
“Miranda... ”
Gradually slowing her exploration to a stop, Miranda moved to hold Andrea in one of their normal and most comfortable positions with Andrea nestled in her arms, the dark tousled hair spilling across her chest and shoulder. She sighed and admitted, “I love this.”
“Mmmm...” Andy snuggled closer. “Me, too.”
Closing their eyes, they both drifted off, safe in the knowledge that the other woman was there, and not going anywhere.
###
Andy again woke to the sensation of being watched. Opening one eye she smiled at the woman staring at her, “Is this something I'm going to have to get used to?” She grinned and explained, “Waking up to find you watching me...”
Miranda's laugh sounded more self-depreciating than than anything else and Andy felt Miranda's soft fingers brush the sleep disheveled hair from her face. The woman's words were as gentle as the caress on her cheek. “You'll have to forgive me, Darling. I have no experience with this...”
“Miranda,” Andy lowered her eyes, suddenly feeling the difference in their lives, her youth, Miranda's experience. “You've been married before.”
“Not like this.”
She moved with the pressure of Miranda's finger under her chin, her dark eyes meeting Miranda's. The older woman continued speaking. “Nothing in my life has prepared me for this... feeling of...” she shook her head. “I wish I had the words.”
Smiling at that, Andy moved forward. “You don't need them, not with me.” Capturing Miranda's lips with her own, Andy conveyed all that she was feeling to her wife in a single action. “You see... I already know.” She sighed and resumed their usual sleeping position, wrapping herself around Miranda's body, resting her head on Miranda's shoulder.
“There is still a lot we must learn about each other.” Miranda pressed her cheek against Andrea's forehead and although Andrea couldn't see it, a gleam of mischief appeared in Miranda's eyes. “For example, did you know that, as of today, there is a...new... editor-in-chief at Runway?”
“What?!” Andy pulled away from the embrace they'd been so comfortable in. “What are you talking about? What happened? Did Irv...”
“Shhhh...” Miranda smiled, “Calm yourself. Irving did nothing.” She grinned, “I... requested it.” Gesturing to the nightstand, Miranda instructed, “See for yourself.”
Pulling open the small drawer, Andy retrieved the magazine there. She turned to the masthead and gasped. Her expression softened as she read the credits. Next to the title, Editor-in-Chief, was the name of the new person in charge printed in bold letters, Miranda Priestly-Sachs. Andy set the magazine aside and snuggled with Miranda again. “You didn't have to do that.” She had fully expected Miranda to continue using the name she was known for. Professionally it made sense and Miranda had never changed her name when she'd married James or Stephen. The response surprised her.
“Yes, I did.” Miranda sighed, “You've changed me, for the better I might add. My name reflects that change.”
“I didn't change you, Miranda.” Andy kissed the shoulder under her cheek then settled back down. “I only let you be, you. The real you.”
“Most people find that concept, terrifying.”
“True.” Chuckling, Andy murmured, “But then you once made an entire magazine of women look like me and I confronted you about that, so... I guess it would take a lot to terrify me.”
“Mmmm...”
Andy would never forget that time in her life, when everything had been so confusing. But, confusing or not, one thing had been clearly and completely obvious, to her. Her place was with Miranda. Anything else just wouldn't do. “On the walk to Elias-Clark I saw hundreds of brunettes that looked like me.”
Miranda protested, “None of them were as beautiful as you.”
Smiling softly at the sincerity in Miranda's voice, Andy sighed. “They all wanted to be like me.”
“And now?” Miranda sounded curious as to what her bride was thinking.
“Now, I'm sure we're both the envy of people far and wide.”
“Hardly likely,” Miranda scoffed. “I doubt anyone would want to deal with me on a daily basis. Even those well compensated often don't enjoy the experience.”
“Don't be ridiculous, Miranda.” Andy took a deep breath and snuggled in, closing her eyes as she drifted off again, safe in her wife's arms.
“Everyone wants to be us.”
End
A/N – Thank you to everyone who has taken this ride with me. I hope you all had as much fun as I did on the trip. :)