Andy rang the doorbell again, standing at the front door of her townhouse at six in the morning, she'd only just seen Miranda a few hours ago, and when she was giving her a small wave on the curb as the white haired Editor got into her chauffeured Mercedes.
Andy knew Miranda saw her. Not that Miranda looked back at her.
Ringing again, a figure could be made out through the glass reflection by Andy, wrapping a robe around herself more.
Andy swallowed as the door opened to her, both were face to face.
Half asleep walking to the front door, Patricia was at her heel, Cassidy and Caroline were at their father's this weekend.
Disarming her alarm and unlatching her door.
If it was girl scouts disturbing her only morning of sleeping in on Saturday by selling cookies they better have the thin mint ones or caramel delights, even tagalongs, with her luck it would be Jehovah Witnesses trying to convert her.
Opening her front door with a low grumble, wiping her lids to wake up.
Miranda stilled at her.
Andrea.
What was Andrea doing here? Why was Andrea here at her door, at this hour?
Stilling in mute shock, her hair wasn't even brushed, she wasn't wearing any makeup, knowing she must look hideous.
It also was so early. Miranda wasn't good in the mornings. She hadn't had her coffee.
Folding her arms at the perky wide awake brunette at her door, defensive standing here in her robe.
Miranda in a soft robe, made Andy instantly recall her being in the same one, in that Paris hotel suite. Andy saw how she'd been crying that night, her eyes red and still glistening with tears in her normally unreadable blue eyes and wearing a robe was Andy's almost undoing, she wanted to let Miranda see she was there for her.
Somehow fix it. That's what Andy did for Miranda, fix and smooth things easily. Emily didn't, only Andy could.
That asshole Stephen wasn't coming to meet her in Paris because he had faxed her divorce papers, Andy just sat there across from Miranda, wanting to offer anything to her.
Trying to tell her with her eyes. That she was there for her. She was hers. Didn't Miranda see that?
She chose her over Nate.
Andy of course hadn't said that. Miranda just tersely told her to do her job.
Assist her. Do her job of fetching for her. Rejected and dejected that night and to be only just that, to the hard to figure out it would take two lifetimes to possibly decipher a sliver of her white haired Editor.
Andy tried and was rebuffed as her knight in shining armor over Ravitz's almost oust of Miranda.
Seeing her just taking Nigel's dream, Andy had to go.
Flying back to New York, Andy was upset by her and unbelievably miserable she knew she was in love with Miranda.
When John told her what Miranda said and he showed her the letter. Andy knew she had to see Miranda again.
Yes, Miranda was infuriating and she was also the most all-purpose epitome of selfish, icy and impossible to please but she was all hers.
Andy just had to show her that right now at six in the morning.
Unsmiling at her last assistant. ''Andrea what are you doing here?''
''Good Morning. I…I'm here because I just wanted to see you again.'' Andy sputtered this out. It sounded weird, blurting that out to her. Miranda was probably going to call the police on her.
Miranda just stared at her, feeling very self-conscious under those big brown eyes looking at her, pulling up her robe more to her neck.
She wanted to just see her.
At six in the morning.
Andrea still had a phone didn't she or was hers underwater in a fountain in Paris.
Blue eyes blinked then narrowed on her, Andrea on a whim just came to her doorstep at the crack of dawn on a Saturday to just look at her. Was Andrea on weed?
Patricia wagged her tail at Andy. Miranda sniffed, her nostrils flared, Patricia the big flirt liked Andrea.
Patricia's large head nudged at Andy's hip.
Some guard dog to sic on her former assistant.
Her lips thinned. ''You want to see me?'' Repeating this out incredulously.
''Yes.'' Andy said. Standing in front of her.
Still crossing her arms. ''Well you've seen me. Andrea just go home.'' Making to close the door on her face.
Snapping out of her tongue being all tied in knots. '' Hey just wait a sec, Miranda.'' Putting her heavy boot out to stop the door from slamming on her, blocking Miranda's frame.
Held by her arm, Andy didn't loosen her grip.
Andrea's grip didn't hurt her but held her strongly, keeping her from going inside.
'' I'm sorry about everything that happened in Paris.'' Holding her blue eyes meaningfully, her hand stroked Miranda's bare arm from her rolled up sleeve.
Miranda trembled at Andrea's fingers feathering along her skin, biting her lower lip.
''I am sorry I left you Miranda. Just know that. I had to.''
Miranda took in her words. Andrea was sorry for leaving her. Telling her, she had to. That stung.
That just summed everything up didn't it? Andrea really explained herself, for her sudden abandoning her.
Miranda's mouth opened then closed again, at her standing here, getting cold in her bare feet. ''I accept your apology. Now please go.'' Not released by Andrea's hand.
''I didn't mean to hurt you with me leaving.'' Andy soothed.
''Andrea don't be silly.'' Miranda eyes were coldly perceptive on her.
Andy stared at her. ''Miranda please I didn't mean to, if I did.''
''Didn't you?'' Miranda snarled.
''Miranda.'' Andy pleaded.
''No. You've seen me now please just go. I don't care to pursue this discussion further. Now, let me go.'' Her voice was soft and vicious.
''Okay. Just know I'll always be there for you.'' Andy's eyes were glistening.
Miranda was still held by Andrea's palm. ''Why when you hate me?'' It never bothered her, but Andrea repulsed by her really upset her.
''I don't hate you Miranda.'' Andy swallowed. Didn't Miranda see, she was in hell of desire for her? ''I won't hurt you again. Please just let me explain why I couldn't work for you.''
'' Why should I believe you, Andrea when I just can be hurt by you.''
''Miranda just please. Don't be you for a minute.''
''Andrea goodbye.'' Miranda expected Andy to let go of her.
Andy still didn't relent. ''You really are a difficult woman aren't you?''
Miranda was livid. She was not. Why Andrea wouldn't just let go of her arm and just leave.
'' Miranda okay I'll let you go, please just hear me out then I'll leave you alone. For good. I promise. I'll go away. You'll never see me again, I swear. In Paris not listening to me over what Irv Ravitz wanted to do to you and then you doing that to Nigel, you demolished me.
I was really mad at you. How you treated me. Told me to just fetch, than I got back and I heard your reference you gave for me and doing that made me realize how strongly I feel about you. I want you to know this, how I feel.'' Andy's warm eyes pierced hers.
Miranda was rigid. Andrea knew about her reference, she wasn't ever to know that, swallowing anything hotly she might say. That often happened with Andrea around her. '' How you feel about me?''
''Yeah I have very strong feelings regarding you.'' Andy shared.
Miranda winced. Expecting to hear what many said about her. How she's a bitch. Bracing herself for Andrea's mouth.
''I want to give you something in return before I go.''
''There's no need.'' Miranda wished Andrea would just stop touching her arm like that, shivering at feeling Andrea's fingers brushing her skin giving her goosebumps, her thumb slowly moving along her inner arm.
''No I want you to have it. Do you want it now Miranda?'' Andy's fingers rested on her arm as Miranda's body responded from her touch.
''I guess. If you have it with you. What is it?'' Miranda asked, keeping her voice even, she was still held by Andrea. Andrea wasn't holding anything, taking in her long winter coat.
''I thought this might be a good exchange.''
Her face came closer as Andy's mouth pressed to hers, slowly kissing her, their lips grazing, and Andrea's kiss tasted of burnt caramel and was so soft compared to any of her husbands' kisses, Miranda first was rigid at feeling Andrea's lips brushing to hers, with wide open blue eyes she began responding to those lips kneading to hers as she began kissing her right back.
Andy pulled away.
Miranda was disappointed that the kiss just stopped. This maddening brunette who upheaved her very orderly world was a great kisser and it was supposed to be a full thank you, worth her reference.
Held to Andy, her palms were on the lean brunette's shoulders like she was the only thing grounding her.
''That is quite a thank you for my reference.'' Miranda murmured out, dazed and pressed against her door.
Only Andrea Sachs who exasperated her and infuriated her would kiss her on her street at six in the morning.
''Now that we got that out of the way. Well, how 'bout tonight at 8 you and me?''
Miranda stammered out. ''Excuse me?''
''Let's have dinner.'' Andy just grinned down at her. Brushing her white hair through her hand.
''Are you asking me out on a date?'' Miranda demanded.
''Yeah. Is that all right?'' Andy countered, finding Miranda adorable with the way she got all bossy at her.
''Hold on a second. Andrea. How do you know I'm not involved with someone or back with Stephen?'' Her haughty brow arched on Andy.
''Well, are you?'' Andy looked unsure at her now. Hoping that she didn't take Stephen, the idiot back. Honestly, Andy hadn't really thought about her seeing anybody. She just shown up and kissed her.
Miranda read it on Andrea instantly, seeing she was worried that there was someone else.
''Are you with anyone Miranda?'' Andy bit out hollowly.
''No, but I still don't know you Andrea, yes you worked for me and this happening, us… dating, I don't know a lot about you yet. You're younger and we don't often get along. You wear cotton.'' Miranda reasoned this, in only her way she did.
Feeling Andy's plain shirt beneath her fingers.
''And those.'' Glancing down at Andy's shoes. '' We don't go together.''
''Well, I think we do by that kiss, Miranda, but that's sort of the point of the date, right?''
Threading her fingers through dark rich brown hair. ''I'm getting a divorce. Page Six follows me everywhere. I have my children to consider, Cassy and Car who need me.''
Andy smoothed her hand across Miranda's face. ''Miranda, I happen to really like those two pranksters.''
''Being married to Stephen made me miserable.''
Andy's jaw was traced by her ivory fingers tenderly. ''Well, I could do that to! Come on, Miranda give me a chance. Date me.''
''Right. But what if we date and then you start to have dinner with me and we do more things than just that, like sharing certain intimacies.'' she couldn't say it, sex. Pink blooming her pale complexion on this chilly morning.
Andy pulled her closer, wrapping the sides of her long coat around her, pulled to her.
''Sharing breakfast. Coffee.'' Andy supplied, her eyes sparkling on Miranda, nuzzling her face.
Coffee meaning sex.
Quirking a small smile on Andy. ''Yes but not just sharing a coffee in your place or mine, if this date is good and starts us, which would mean you and I, sharing many things like…
Shyly Miranda gave a look.
''Like?'' Andy teased her to say it.
''Like a bed. We start to have months of sharing really good…
Seeing Andy grinning smugly at her. '' No Miranda. Really amazing hot sultry coffee.''
''Andrea I'm not that sexually adventurous.'' She wasn't. Sex was alright with Stephen and Greg.
'' Miranda you don't have to be. I'll take that on for us.''
Tracing Andy's mouth, her blue eyes glinted on hers.
''Than we'll start to fight about me, my work, what we watch on TV. By that time, my girls will know you and love you and me…I'll start to love you more and then you'll decide we're over and you'll just leave me again. I'll cry and I don't want to cry over you again. Like Paris.'' Looking vulnerably down and away from her.
Andy lifted her chin.
''It's just dinner. Miranda. A date. Not a ring.'' Andy's hands roamed her curves and held her closer, to her in the doorframe.
Miranda stiffened. If Andrea thought this was just a fling. She couldn't be just that with her. Andrea maybe young and bi and clearly nonchalant about partners but she wasn't.
Miranda wanted more and also monogamy and love.
''That's good to know. I'll just be meaningless coffee to you.'' Detangling herself from Andy's arms.
Andy saw her hurt in her eyes. This wasn't just sex to her. Far from it.
''Miranda I can't promise you that I won't let you down but I don't want to, I want to be codependent with you.''
Andy's palms cupped her face.
'' I want to not be able to work the TV remote without you. I want, not to be able to pick out a dress and wear it, without you looking at me like you do. I want to give up a part of myself to have you. Only you. If you want those things with me Miranda, just have a date with me. I promise we will love having coffee together. You'll be the only coffee I taste.''
Miranda swallowed hard at Andy's words.
''Miranda. I need you.'' Intense brown eyes on hers.
Miranda's took her hand and kissed her inside palm. ''I need you. Andy.''
Andy looked at her thrilled. She said her name. ''You called me Andy. Say it again.'' Urged to.
''Oh. You. You're impossible. I think I knew that the first time you spoke back. Brazen.'' Miranda softly spoke, pressing her lips to Andy's neck in response.
''Really me?'' Andy's face was look of who me, made Miranda roll her eyes.
Smiling at her as she held Miranda closer.
''Were you attracted to me before? Did you want me?'' Andy asked her. ''Was it the boots?'' Andy cheekily smirked. It was the boots.
Miranda shook her head. ''No.''
Andy's face fell, not Nigel's makeover and those boots she wore.
Trailing Andy's firm mouth. Miranda's corners of her mouth lifted up. ''It wasn't the day we met or you with that vile briefcase Emily took from you and in those shoes. It was when you said call me Andy. You interested me.''
'' Did I?'' Andy just stared at her.
Her face pinked. '' Also at the run through, I was starting to be aware of you and tense that I wanted to just teach you a lesson and mainly kiss you, you made me so mad.''
'' So Cerulean was foreplay for us. I've often wondered about that. Yet we kept our clothes on. You were quite flirty over saying clearance bin and a pile of stuff.'' Andy was swatted lightly.
Andy held her coat around Miranda more with the cold air. ''It might snow for our date.''
''Don't call it a date, Andrea, because that sets a high expectation with a multitude of things going wrong.''
''Like what?''
''Running late. Lost reservations. NYC Health Department citations.''
Andy gave a look, taking Miranda out on a date, it wouldn't be a place condemned.
'' The NY Times raving reviews wrong.''
Andy shook her head. Dating Miranda was going to be interesting.
''Okay. So we'll go out. No expectations. I say we try Koja Korean bbq. We'll eat, we'll have some light conversation, you can criticize my hair, wardrobe, a few awkward silences over the menu, I'll eat too much, wine optional, but definitely no dating for us.''
Miranda's face was stern but softened, shaking her head at Andy, her pink lips twitching at her. ''No dating. Just this. So, how does that sound Andy.''
''Sounds manageable. Ms. Priestly.''
Leaning her face close and kissing Andy's mouth slowly, slicking Andy's lips, making her moan, Miranda could kiss really good, as her lids opened to hers, her knees weak, blue shining on hers, growing annoyed as Miranda simply stopped their kiss.
''About coffee, I think I do want some now. I have been without it for a long time.'' Blue eyes sparkling on Andy.
Andy's breath came out with the frosty air, it was cold, rubbing Miranda's robed shoulders.
''Okay I'll just go get you some, espresso or a latte, there's a Starbucks open at 7, I could try that little place Jumpin' Joe's down a block. It's organic. Don't call Emily. I'll be five minutes.''
Miranda saw how adorable Andrea was.
Trailing off at how Miranda was looking at her fondly with disbelief etching her face, Andy was tugged inside, letting out a startled. ''Mira! As the door shut on them.
Mira that she could get used to.
''You said you wanted a coffee.'' Andy said now confused. Her phone plucked out from her hand.
'' Yes I do. Want coffee.'' Miranda stated this. ''Only a brand that comes from you.''
Andy stared at her, getting it now. ''Oh that coffee.''
'' Andrea I do not want to be kept waiting for my coffee.'' Undoing her robe, falling over her shoulders to the hall foyer.
Andy's coat was discarded on the marble floor by Miranda who proceeded to undress her beautiful brunette, every layer peeled off and away, giving a sensual kiss to Andy.
Pulling back. ''I do expect it to be hot and full bodied, to savor it slowly.'' In her Editor's voice which Andy was turned on by.
Andy chewed her lower full lip, admiring her woman. ''Of course Miranda. One incredible coffee coming up.''