Author's Note: Every now and then, I get in a funk where I listen to the same (usually depressing) song over and over and over—for weeks. Well, the past few months have heard one tune on repeat: Wintersong, by Sarah McLachlan. Look it up and give it a listen. :)

P.S. - I will be posting the entirety of this story today. Happy Christmas/Chanukah/whatever you celebrate. xo

Wintersong

Chapter One

Andrea Sachs was running late for the third time this week—and it was only Wednesday. "Jacob, sweetie, please. Mommy has to work," she said as she pried the six-year-old's hands from her pant leg. "Mark? Are you coming down?" she shouted.

Her husband came down the stairs with two suitcases, softly kissing her on the cheek before placing the bags by the door. "Jake's is already in the car," he said. "If we leave now, we'll make it to Cincinnati in time for dinner."

"Okay, can you make sure he gets his coat on?" she said as she distractedly scrolled through her phone. Suddenly, Andrea gasped. "No, no, no, no, no!" She frantically dialed a number on her phone.

Mark quickly handed Jake his NintendoDS, sensing that something wasn't right with his wife.

"Care—I just saw on Reuters. I'm so sorry," she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "What happened?"

"Another heart attack—she was too weak. Cass and the girls were on their way."

"The place in Sagaponack?"

"Yeah. I'm heading there now, actually."

Andrea looked over at Mark and Jacob, waiting patiently for her to get off the phone.

"Andy? Will you come, too? Mom would have wanted you with us," Caroline said.

"I know, sweetie. I know. I…um…give me a minute—"

"I have a few calls to make, so I have to go, but I hope you can come join us. We'll wait for you," she said, ending the call before Andrea could respond.

Of all things to pick up from her mother, Andrea thought. She shook her head and looked up to see a very concerned Mark staring back at her. She couldn't bring herself to say the words—not yet—so she pulled the news release up on her phone again and showed it to him.

"When was the last time you spoke to her?" he asked.

Last week, she thought. "Oh, it was a long time ago. Maybe right before the wedding?" she lied.

"Ha, I wouldn't be surprised if she staged all this just to freak out all of her former assistants!" he said with a laugh.

At that moment, she knew Miranda had been right all along. She should have never married him. "I can't come to Cincinnati with you," she heard herself say.

"Wait, what?"

"I have to go take care of something. Caroline and Cassidy—they need me."

Mark rolled his eyes. "Of course. You were probably more of a mother to them than she ever was."

She ignored the comment and took a deep breath and walked over to Jacob. "Hey sweetie, something just came up and I can't come with you and Dad to Ohio. I know, I'm sorry. Will you tell your Grandma and Grandpa Sachs that I said hello and give them a big hug from me?" When the little boy nodded, she pressed a kiss to his forehead and headed towards the door, grabbing her suitcase that was conveniently waiting.

"When will you be back?" Mark asked.

"I don't know," she said. And with that, she walked out the door.

The drive to the Hamptons was eerily quiet. Miranda would have probably fallen asleep, Andy thought to herself. To be honest, that's what Andy wanted to do most of all.

When she arrived, Caroline and Cassidy were sitting on the front porch, despite the 30-degree temperatures. Andy could see that Sabrina and Anna were inside with Aiden, watching something on the television.

"They're going back to the city tonight," Cassidy said by way of greeting, gesturing at her husband and daughters in the house. "I'm glad you could come."

"Your mom would have wanted me here," Andy said, wiping the tears from her eye. "Oh god, I can't believe she's gone."

Caroline got up and hugged her, burying her head in Andy's neck. "I miss her, Andy," she said.

Andy wrapped her arms tightly around the younger woman, kissing her forehead and gently stroking her hair. "I know, sweetheart. I know."

"Can I get in there?" Cassidy asked.

Andy smiled and lifting her arm, holding Miranda's daughters as they grieved their mother. They stayed like that on the porch until the front door opened and Cassidy's girls came out.

"Mom? We're leaving," Sabrina said.

"Bye Mom, love you," Anna said.

Cassidy walked over and hugged her daughters tightly. "Be good for your dad, okay? I love you, my darlings."

After hugging and kissing her, they said goodbye to Aunt Caroline, but stopped when they got to Andy.

"I don't know if you girls remember me," Andy said.

"I do. You're our Aunt Andy," Sabrina said. "You were our Bubbie's friend."

"I was," Andy said. "I first met your Bubbie when your mom was about your age. Can you believe that?"

"I'm Anna," the outgoing five-year-old said.

"And I'm your Aunt Andy. I know your Bubbie loved you and your sister very much. You are all she ever talked about."

Cassidy's husband joined them on the porch. "Okay girls, let's say goodnight—we have to drive back to the city," he said.

Sabrina and Anna again gave hugs and kisses and ran to the car. Once the girls were buckled in the backseat, Aiden looked back at Cassidy. "Will you be alright?" he asked.

Andy instinctively wrapped her arm around the young woman, while Caroline reached for her hand. Cassidy nodded and waved goodbye to her husband as the three women entered the house.

.

.

.

TBC very soon. Reviews will make it quicker!