Road Trip Lost

Emily had warned Andy about France but Italy seemed so straight forward by map, a cinch driving a rental car. How hard could finding Alessandro's Tuscan villa be?

Grinning at Mir, as if she knew exactly where they were, hadn't they passed that field before?

Cass and Car between baby Delphine in her car seat, knew something was up.

Andy had convinced Mir not to order a car to meet them at the airport. No they'd rent one. It would be fun. A blast. Bonding time. Ready for the memories to be made. Andy was stoked.

When they finally cleared customs, no one was in the airport at luggage claim. Deserted. After hauling ten bags herself, which under no circumstance allowed to be put on top of their rental, only in the trunk.

Mir's Louis Vuitton Leather Luggage Set, Delphine's stroller, Cass and Car's bags, Andy's one backpack G2Ruck made to fit. Packed dressier items in Miranda's.

Wonder what jogging was like in Toscana.

After loading the boot up, they were all buckled in for their adventure. Full tank of gas. This is going to be so much fun together.

Red sunsets of Florence were breath taking.

The twins felt carsick. Thought they'd be wiped out, down two narrow roads. Okay Andy was a bit forgetful on which side of the road did Italians drive on. Told through Mir's screeching same as the USA.

They'd been on a how long transatlantic flight on Alitalia. 11 hours and 25 minutes. Tempers were bound to be short.

Alessandro had assured Andy on the map just drive from Florence easiest route, staying southwards through landscapes of coffee table golden vineyards and hilltops. The kids in the back could take snaps of the lovely countryside.

After driving around in what felt like circles for hours. Dark out now, Andy missed the Apennine Mountains.

Resounding backseat whines. ''Are we there yet.'' Car was using her Alitalia Magnifica Class Frette amenity kit pillow and duvet yawning. ''Wake me if we ever arrive.'' Cass had already fallen asleep

Andy grumbled. ''Thanks for the support kiddo.''

Andy's t-shirt she'd changed into when Delphine had spat up on her. It read Three Rules ''Always look cool. Never get lost. And if you get lost, look cool.''

Miranda had been trying to be supportive of Andy's determination of this little venture but a road trip was like taking her camping to Yosemite National Park and expecting her to pitch a tent. Should have let her order a chauffeured town car.

Counting to ten, no she wasn't going to berate Andy but she was jetlagged and just wanted to arrive at Alessandro's villa and drop into anything remotely resembling a bed.

''Andréa.'' Testily.

Oh oh she was in trouble Mir only used her full name drawling the pronunciation when displeased.

''Pull over Andrea. We're lost.''

''No we're not Mir.'' Gripping the steering wheel defensive. Driven hours to NYC not once did she or Nate, Doug and Lily get lost.

''Just chill Mir.'' More confident then she really was. ''We're not lost.'' Just not where we should be yet.

Andy frowned getting to their destination was supposed to have taken 2 hours tops.

Chill. Hmmph'ing Andy just told her to chill. Really.

Miranda pinched her nose bridge, Andy was not listening to simple instructions she'd clearly translated from the Sandro's directions. ''Almost there'' was not fooling her. Andy had absolute no clue where they were. Wherever they were felt like 80 below zero.

They were lost. Why not just admit it. Stop somewhere and ask directions.

Seeing a manned traffic booth on a long highway. Andy pulled over.

''Good Evening.'' Andy brightly greeted the attendant. ''We're a bit lost.''

''Passports please.'' Andy frowned, handing the documents over.

''Guten Abend. Willkommen in Österreich.'' The customs officer spoke English. ''Welcome to Austria.''

Yikes Sachs, drove her family jetlagged to Austria. Oops! Turning to pursed lips who'd heard where they were.

''Um Mir. We're lost.''

PTA Night at Dalton

Where was Andrea?

Miranda always attended Car and Cass's PTA night on her own every time, James never made one and Stephen made excuses he didn't have the time. The twins weren't his after all. Apparently Andrea was having the same problem tonight.

Not here. Absent. Promised Cass and Car she'd be here.

Over breakfast assured Mir I won't forget. I'll be there.

Left a reminder on Andy's calendar, pinned on the fridge by her, told Emily to send an IM, Miranda left a voicemail for her. ''Presuming you're on your way. I'm at Dalton.''

Andy had been very busy with Hosea Philanthropic Foundation for inner city kids, grow a community garden, and eat organic. Attending Lamaze classes on Tuesdays, Miranda would be having a C-section but Andy had been reading up on every giving birth book she could get her hands on and felt they should go to a few to be prepared, bickering of ''Andy you have count when I breathe in'' between them in class, both still enjoyed attending Mimsie Colville's cooking classes biweekly.

''Have you seen her yet?''

''Well I heard that she's only with her for money. Was even a waitress.''

Two scandalised Moms from Scarsdale gossiped over refreshments.

''No Helen I heard she wasn't just a waitress, she was her assistant once. Hmmm.'' Millicent Drysdale gave a knowing look. ''I don't need to guess who brings home the bigger pay check.''

Helen sniggered. ''What other reason would they be together for? Do you know that Priestly's toy actually waved to me, to me, well I didn't know what to do? I mean I've never.''

Millicent one upped Helen. ''Do you know she walks the Priestly twins to Dalton and made them Halloween costumes so tacky that is well I never.''

Those vile botoxed cows.

Miranda Priestly never eavesdropped, stiffening with very word. As all assistants knew Runway's Editor had perfect hearing.

Andréa's was not with her because of wealth. How dare they speak about her relationship with Andy, they knew nothing about. Making Andy sound tawdry.

Andy Sachs was running latish, looking for CR6, greeted by Dalton's Head thanking her for the very generous donation she'd given. She'd caught a cab from Harlem to East 89th street.

At reception given a badge to stick to her blazer. Smiling. ''Priestly's.'' liked that claim. Told go down this hallway, turn left and follow the signs.

Catching sight of her lady.

''Hi I made it.'' Andy greeted. '' This school's a maze.''

Miranda winced at the id badge. ''Priestly's.''

''Hey there's Cass and Car's coach.'' Grabbed by the arm. ''No we're leaving.''

She hadn't done anything yet to warrant leaving right now. Andy was ready to mingle.

Andy looked puzzled. ''I just got here.'' In no way tonight was she going to embarrass Mir or the girls. Their teachers knew her quite well.

Geez Andy spent enough time 'helping' with Cass and Car's science projects and homework as an assistant once earned A+s because she'd been downright terrified if her work for the twins came back with a grade B or C she'd be packing up her desk accused by The Dragon Lady of ruining Cass and Car's academic futures and even now Andy helped the girls with any assignments enthusiastically and she'd already been given a lecture by the twins last night of how to behave.

What to expect at PTA night.

The Dos and Don'ts. The rundown on every teacher. There was Mrs Babcock who flunked you just for looking at her wrong. Mr Wigan drama who was fun. Their Coach.

Andy had been given strict rules.

Under no circumstance engage in conversation with Michael Striker's parents or Kent Riley's Mom and Dad.

Andy had teased Cass and Car sure she wouldn't talk to the parents of the two boys they had the biggest no most massive crushes on.

All the more pitiful because neither Cass nor Car had said more than ''Hi'' to both boys. But had long in depth conversations in their bathroom mirror what they might say one day.

Just have to invite The Strikers and The Riley's to dinner one night.

Miranda held Andy's arm seething about to walk out.

Deciding to not leave. Not yet. Turning. Andy knew that smile. The 'Cerulean one and my name is Andy one'. Gulp.

Uncertain. ''Mir? Is everything okay?''

''It will be.''

Approaching the refreshment table. Good Andy would get them something to drink. Something had happened, her Dragon had that look in her eye.

Miranda elegantly walked over to Helen and Millicent interrupting them graciously.

Andy was beginning to pour punch or maybe it was juice into flimsy paper cups, taking a sip. Kool-Aid. Come on, like Cass and Car's Dalton tuition didn't pay enough for better refreshments.

Andy had heard the food was fantastic for lunch just for the kids huh.

''Good Evening Ms Priestly.'' Both chorused. Even almost due Miranda was like a perfectly coiffed pregnancy unicorn.

Nigel and The Closet helped a tad bit.

''Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, regarding myself and she has a name Andréa. Other than love. The reason we're together is because of the mind blowing sex we have. You see we schtoop till we can't see straight.''

Miranda haughty face was impassive, speaking to them.

''Which I know is something neither of you both would be too familiar with. Because neither of you prune sour faced trouts have ever experienced it. That I am certain you both have never.''

Andy's jaw dropped. Miranda! Never discussed their intimate affairs with anybody.

Ookay what was in the Kool-Aid?

''Andréa darling take me home and ravish me.''

Andy didn't need to be told twice. ''Yes Mir.''

Helen and Millicent's mouths agape. Told by the Principal. '' Oh you met. Andy Sachs. That's Ms Priestly's companion, she just donated $80,000.''

Author's Note:) Since it's my birthday and I am amazed at the lovely responses and also since EvilAngels26 asked for more and so did MMAD about SVU, brief vignettes I thought I'd attempt some glimpses. I also will be posting a new Mirandy very soon with a Rizzoli and Isles crossover.