12 Days of Christmas
Deanlu
Devil Wears Prada is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lauren Weisberger, and Aline Brosh McKenna. No this doesn't follow the song, however, I hope it's interesting. I'm not sure how this will turn out. Just hoping it turns out well. Please understand this is something pushing in me so I'm not sure there will be 12. But we will see.
Day 1:
Andrea was moving down the sidewalk at a fast clip. Her earbuds were pounding out Gloria by MercyMe and her heart was light. Now if she had been worrying a little more on where she was going she might have realized she was being followed by several paparazzi. She popped into a nearby boutique to pick up an item for one of the twins she had been looking at for several weeks and debating on.
Caroline was into bold, vibrant colors and had begun sharing her designs with Andrea sparingly at first, but even more so now. Andrea had found the perfect sketch books and pencils to assist the budding young designer. Caroline had taken a long time to warm up to Andrea. The pain and suffering of Miranda's previous relationships had traumatized the young lady. When Miranda had declared her feelings for Andrea they had both decided to take the relationship slowly. Andrea wanted to make sure that this was what Miranda really wanted and that the girls wouldn't suffer terribly. Miranda and Andrea had date for two months before they let the girls in on the relationship. The day they had revealed their relation to the twins all had not gone well. Cassidy had been reluctantly accepting, but Caroline was the more emotional of the two. She felt things deeply and had made sure Andrea and Miranda knew what she directly thought about the relationship. Miranda had told Caroline and Cassidy that Andrea would be it. If this relationship did not work, there would be no others. They could be mad all they wanted, but Andrea and Miranda were going forward. Caroline had screamed at the top of her lungs and left the room. Now almost two years later, Caroline and Andrea were had a hard won friendship and respect. The clerk wrapped Andrea's package as she felt her phone buzz. Andrea picked it up and smiled.
Caro: We are stlll on for lunch right?
Andy: You bet, I'll be there in ten minutes.
Caro: Do you need Roy to pick u up?
Andy: Nope, I'm almost there now.
As Andrea moved quickly down the sidewalk with her bag holding the precious Christmas gift she did not see the New York Post reporter hanging back following her. She came through the door of Big Daddy's Diner to see Cara and Caroline at a nearby booth. Cara rose hugged Andy as the young reporter looked toward her step-daughter. The excitements on Caroline's face shining through toward the reporter.
"She's all yours. Have a great time." Cara said as Andy nodded and watched her go. The reporter slid into the booth removing the ear buds.
"Cassidy is going to be so jealous." Caroline said as she hugged Andrea. The young woman smiled and shook her head.
"I'm sure she is having fun with your mom right now. I know she had wanted to see the exhibition as MOMA for a while." Andrea responded as she grabbed a menu and handed one to Caroline. Big Daddy's Diner was a through back to the fifties with a mix of sixties bright colors. It was the perfect outing for a young woman like Caroline. Andrea and Caroline perused the menu finally deciding on Chicken Licken Sandy and Ma's Mac and Three Cheese. Caroline asked for a coke and Andrea had one with her.
"So it's just you and me today?" Caroline asked as they worked on their order. Andrea could see the edginess in the young woman. There was excitement and yet, fear that she was going to be betrayed and dumped. It twisted Andrea's heart that this young woman had that fear in there. When Andrea was young the joy and wonder of Christmas filled her so deeply no fear could enter.
"Yes. You and me today with no interruptions." Andrea said as she gave her full attention to the young lady. Now fourteen, Caroline was turning into a fine lady. She had grown taller in the last few months, and her red hair shined around a face that was as serious as her mother's at times, but still held a great deal of innocence. Andy hoped it would stay that way for a long time. She would work hard to make sure the world allowed this young woman to have as much joy as possible. As they continued their meal Andy questioned the young woman about her studies and friends causing Caroline to laugh at points and blush at others. It relaxed the young girl and caused the confidence Andy knew was hiding inside to shine forth. They finished their meal, bundled up, and headed out into the afternoon winter. The two women headed off to Bryant Park where they shopped for several hours goofing around with hats and glasses, snapping pictures of each other, trying samples of chocolates and different candy's before making purchases. They ended up ice skating for a few hours Caroline showing her prowess while Andy showed her dorkiness.
"I just don't understand how you can be from Cincinnati, Ohio and not know how to skate?" Caroline questioned Andrea as she removed her skates. Andrea sighed, thinking of how many times Lily had tried to get her to ice skate. She shook her head and gave a evaluating look to Caroline trying to decide if she should share why she had never learned to skate.
"When I was five my brother had taken me down to nearby pond to go skating with him. I was so excited. Dad had warned my brother to keep a close eye on me." Andrea explained as she and Caroline moved to hand in their rental skates. "My brother and I were having a great time. I was really starting to get it. Then some of his friends showed up and started making fun of him. So he gave me more and more space as he started to talk to them. I kept working around the sides of the pond. I wasn't worried, but was hurt his attitude had changed." Andrea explained as she ordered them hot chocolates and they moved to sit down at a nearby table. Caroline had become very attentive wanting to know the rest of the story. Andrea continued as they sipped their hot chocolate. "The ice toward the far side of the pond was thinner than where we had started out before I knew it I was falling through the ice. I remember screaming, the shock of the cold, and struggling in the water. I heard my brother's voice and his friends calling for me. Then nothing but darkness and a sense of cold nothingness." Andrea's voice had fallen off as she went back to that day in her mind. Caroline's heart hurt seeing the look on Andy's face and thinking she might never have known this young woman, that she might never had a chance at true happiness because of one mistake in childhood.
"Andy? What happened?" Caroline asked as she reached out to hold onto her Andy's arm. Andrea came back to herself feeling Caroline's touch and hearing her voice. The young reporter took a deep breath in centering herself and smiling at Caroline.
"I had stopped breathing by the time they got me out of the water. My brother performed rescue breathing while an ambulance was called. I began breathing again and was taken to the hospital. Everything turned out fine." Andrea said grabbing Caroline's hand reassuringly and then taking a deep drink of her hot chocolate attempting to push the shadows away from that day.
"Andy, remember when we said we would never lie to each other." Caroline said as the young reporter looked away briefly. "It's not all that happened is it?" the young Priestly inquired. A tear fell down Andrea's face.
"No, but the rest you don't really need to know. Suffice to say I am here and will be here for a long time." Andrea said as she went to rise. Caroline's hand pulled her down into the chair as the expression on her face would not release the young reporter. Andrea shook her head at how easily the Priestly women had tied her around their little fingers.
"I suffered from hypothermia and then got pneumonia. I spent two months recovering in the hospital and another two at home just getting my strength back." Andrea whispered not noticing the reporter that had been following them all day writing down what she had said as he strained to hear her. "Let's just say it was not an easy time, but I learned life is worth fighting for and the love of your family can anchor you to this life." Andy finished as Caroline engulfed her in a big hug.
"Thank you Andy for staying. Thank you for being my mom." Caroline said as tears leaked down Andrea's face as she hugged her step daughter back.
"Come on, we need to get home. Your mom and sister will be worrying about us." Andrea said feeling very off center. The late winter sun began to fall below the horizon as the two women headed toward a cab to take them back to the townhouse. The ride home was quiet as both women were left to their thoughts. They entered the house to the strong aroma of meatloaf.
"Go on and take your packages up stairs to wrap." Andrea said as she placed Caroline's coat into the closet. Caroline nodded and headed up stairs. Andrea removed her coat hanging her coat up and closing the closet door. She leaned her head against the door as shadows of that day threatened to overwhelm her. She was suddenly engulfed in strong, warm arms as Miranda's body came in contact with hers reminding her that she was not alone.
"It would seem that you have many hidden depths Andrea." Miranda whispered as Andrea turned in her loves' arms a confused expression on her face. "It seems that a reporter from the New York Post was following you today. They have your entire day with Caroline posted online including the story of a terrible mishap during your childhood. Andrea's face reflected shock and fear as tension took her body.
"No, no it is alright. Shh, calm yourself dear." Miranda said pulling Andrea closer and feeling her tremble. "You have not embarrassed yourself or me. You have only shown me a little more how precious you are and how truly blessed I am." Andrea's hugged Miranda tightly as tears leaked from her eyes. Miranda held her closer whispering sweet words of comfort until the twins showed up and pulled them into dinner. As the warmth of her family surrounded her Andrea realized how truly blessed she was and was happy she had hung on through all the trials.