Title: Unexpected Vacation part 1 of 2
Author: Abilena
Pairing: Miranda/Andrea
Rating: I'm going to say M just to be safe
Summary/Prompt: Miranda takes Cassidy (and Caroline) to England to see her favorite team play when the girls' father bails.
Spoilers: contains spoiler scenes from Imagine You and Me.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is just for fun.
AN#1: Thanks to my beta readers xiotonks and giligankane.
AN#2: This is my first DWP story and the longest story I have ever written.
Andrea was having trouble concentrating on her work. She was too excited; she and Miranda were going on vacation for a whole week. They had been together for 3 years now, and had yet to go on a vacation - just the two of them, not work related. They were going to Weggis, Switzerland. Andrea had it all planned, Miranda had no clue where they were going.
Andrea had found a beautiful 5 star hotel nestled in the Alps on the edge of a beautiful lake. Miranda loved to ski, so Andy had planned that on a couple of days they would be doing just that. They could also take a carriage ride around the lake, take a cable car ride up a mountain, spend a few hours in a spa house, and of course spend most of the time making love in their suite. Weggis was about 40 minutes from Zurich, so Andrea had also planned a night out at the opera. They were going to see the Verdi opera La Traviata.
Andrea knew this vacation was going to be perfect and one neither of them would forget. The Cartier box hidden in her purse guaranteed that. She didn't have her proposal all planned out, she was just going to carry the ring around. She would know when the perfect time was.
Cassidy and Caroline would be with their father in London for an English football game. Cassidy's favorite team Chelsea was playing against Newcastle United. Cassidy and Caroline both play soccer for Dalton's junior varsity team, but Cassidy loved soccer. She would eat, drink, and breathe it if her mother would allow it. So it was decided by Miranda and Greg, the girls' father, that for Cassidy's birthday present Greg would take the girls to England to watch Chelsea play.
Andrea finished proofreading her last article and e-mailed it to her editor. As she was waiting for his final approval she straightened her desk, then sat down at her desk and started to play a game of spider solitaire when her phone beeped. Looking at the display, a smile broke across her face. Miranda was texting her.
"I am surrounded by incompetent fools! How is your day going, Darling?"
"Just sent my last article to my boss. I have been having trouble focusing! Just think in less than 24 hrs. We will be on vacation and you will only have to deal with me. Love you, Mira. When do you think you will be home?" Andrea replied.
A few minutes later her cell started ringing. She answered it without looking at the screen. "Hello, love. What's up?"
"Well, Darling, there is no way I'm going to make it home in time for dinner. I probably won't be home before 10, so why don't you order a pizza and have Roy pick you and the girls up and then come have dinner with me in my office." Miranda said with a sigh.
"Anything for you, Mira. We'll be there in an hour or so. I love you." Andrea replied.
"I love you, too Andrea. That's all." then Miranda hung up.
Andrea chuckled to herself and thought. 'She always has to have the last word and be the one to hang up.' Just then Andrea's computer made the sound of an incoming e-mail. She opened her inbox and there was an e-mail from her editor. She clicked on it and read the few sentences telling her she had done good job and to get out of there. She didn't have to be told twice. Andreas shut off her computer, called Roy and asked him to pick her up, then called Da Ciro's and ordered a pizza to be ready in 45 minutes.
Andy expected to find two very excited teenage girls when she entered the townhouse 15minutes later. What she found was completely opposite, sitting on the stairs before her were two devastated redheads whose faces were red and eyes puffy.
"Cassidy! Caroline! What happened? Are you two alright?" Andrea said with alarm in her voice as she strode across the entryway to wrap the girls in her arms. Cassidy didn't answer but just sobbed into Andy's shoulder.
Caroline lifted her head and answered, "Dad called and cancelled. His case is going to trial tomorrow, so he can't take us to London," then proceeded to bury her head in Andy's other shoulder.
"He WHAT!" Andy exclaimed, then thought 'stay calm Andy you don't want the girls to get even more upset'. It was too late though, a fresh wave of tears started to soak through her shirt where the girls where laying their heads. "Does your mom know yet, girls?" Andy asked while rubbing soothing circles on each of the girls' backs
"No, he said he tried to call her but he couldn't get through so he decided to just call us." Cassidy exclaimed through her hiccups.
"Cassidy, Caroline, look at me." Andy stated while pulling away slightly so she could see the girls' faces. "We'll figure something out okay. Right now though I need you to go wash up because we are going to Runway to have pizza with your mom. And first we have to pick up the pizza from Da Ciro. Plus we have to be at Runway in 20 minutes."
She gave the girls another hug and kissed their heads before sending them upstairs to wash their faces. As she was waiting her mind started working on this new problem. 'Damn Greg!' she thought. He knew Miranda and her were going to be gone the same week as him and the girls. Why on earth did he take this case when he knew he was going to be gone and that there was a possibility that this exact thing would happen. Miranda and she were just going to have to postpone their vacation to Switzerland and go to London with the girls. She thought with a sigh. Hopefully it wouldn't be too hard to switch their flights and get a fourth ticket to the soccer game. Now how in the world was she going to break the news to Miranda without being killed in the process? Just then the sound of stampeding feet on the stairs brought her out of her thoughts. The girls were ready to go.
It didn't take to long to pick up the pizza and before she knew it they were at Runway. In the elevator Andy broke the silence that had fallen over them since the townhouse. "Girls, let's not tell your mom what's up until after we have eaten dinner and then I'll be the one to tell her. Okay?"
As the elevator doors opened onto the Runway floor she heard two very quiet 'Okays' come from the twins. Miranda was there to greet them. She gave the girls each a hug and kisses on the head and then gave Andy a quick peck on the lips before striding back towards her office. Andy and the girls were shocked when they reached Miranda's office. She had a table and four chairs brought up from the art department, and it was set with plates and silverware. There was even a tablecloth on it. They had eaten dinner before in the office when Miranda couldn't make it home in time but the girls always sat on the floor and she and Miranda always sat on the couch. Never had Miranda gone to this length for a family dinner in the office. It made Andy's heart swell with love for her lover and family.
As they sat down to eat their pizza, Miranda noticed how subdued her girls were being. She opened her mouth to ask them what was wrong when she saw Andrea shake her head slightly. So instead she asked the girls, "How was school today, girls?" She didn't want to spoil dinner and knew Andrea would tell her what was wrong later.
The girls told about their day at school and then the three of them ganged up on Andrea and tried to get her to tell them where she was taking Miranda on vacation. She refused to tell them and before they knew it dinner was over and Miranda needed to get back to work. Andy decided to send the girls home while she told Miranda about the change in their plans. The girls helped clear the table and remove the chairs and table while they waited for Roy. Andrea walked them to the elevators, gave them a hug and whispered in their ears "It's going to be okay. I'll be home in a while. Why don't you pick out a movie for us to watch when I get home, okay?"
When Andy got back to Miranda's office she found her lover sitting on the couch with a worried look on her face. Miranda patted the spot on the sofa next to her, indicating she wanted Andrea to sit next to her and tell her what was going on. Andrea sat down and turned to face Miranda. She took Miranda's face in her hands and kissed her gently and lovingly before pulling away. She took Miranda's hand into her own and took a deep breath before speaking.
"There has been a slight change in plans," Andrea spoke in a calm voice. Miranda's eyebrow rose at this, but she didn't speak, she just waited patiently for Andrea to continue.
"Greg is unable…." Andrea got out before Miranda jumped up and exclaimed,
"WHAT!" then she started mumbling under her breath while pacing, "That bastard, I'm going to kill him!"
Andrea got up from the couch and approached Miranda cautiously. "Miranda let me finish please before you go off and kill him and then get sent to jail for the rest of your life." She said and waited for Miranda's nod to continue. "Greg is unable to take the girls to London because his case is going to court tomorrow and probably all next week as well. We are going to take them instead."
"What about…" Miranda started to speak and then stopped.
"I know, I know Mira. I really wanted you to myself for a week but Caroline and Cassidy especially have been talking about this for months. I will not let Greg break their hearts. We will go on vacation just the two of us some other time. I promise, but the girls, they come first and they need us to take them, so we will." Andrea said.
Miranda let out a long sigh and then spoke, "I love you Andrea. You know that right. You're right of course; we will take the girls to London." Then she stepped forward and hugged Andrea tightly. "I'm just really disappointed right now. I was really, really looking forward to our week alone." She whispered in Andrea's ear.
Andrea stepped out of the embrace and kissed Miranda on the lips. What she meant to be a gentle reassuring kiss quickly became passionate and demanding. When they broke apart because the need to breathe became too great she looked into Miranda's eyes and saw a great fire in them. It was probably the same fire that was shining in her eyes.
Andrea took a step back from Miranda then and spoke in a husky voice, "I'm going to use the phone here to change our flights and get a fourth ticket for the soccer game. Then I'm going to go home, tell the girls what is going on, and then we are going to watch a movie. When you get home we will finish what that kiss started." Then she turned on her heel and left Miranda's office with and extra sway to her hips.
Miranda stared after Andrea with a gleam in her eye. God she loved that woman she thought. Once Andrea was out of her sight she sat down at her desk and picked up her phone. She was going to let Greg know just how upset and disappointed she was with him. He answered on the first ring and started apologizing and explaining the situation. She listened to him speak for 2 minutes and then she cut him off. She proceeded to tell him how devastated the girls were and how she and Andrea were canceling their vacation to take the girls instead. She also told him that she and Andrea would be taking their vacation some other time and when they did he would have to take the girls no questions asked. Then she hung up on him with her trade mark 'That's all'.
Meanwhile Andrea had changed their flights, purchased another ticket for the soccer game and was now on the phone canceling their reservations at Park Hotel Weggis. She was trying to explain to the woman on the line that something in the family came up and they wouldn't be able to make it. She assured the woman that when they decided to go on vacation again they would be coming to Park Hotel Weggis. When she got off the phone she peaked her head into Miranda's office. She found her lover going over the layout with Nigel. Andrea felt it safe enough to interrupt so she entered the office and strode across to where Miranda was.
She stepped behind Miranda and whispered in her ear. "I'm heading home. Don't take too long, I still have to finish what I started. I love you." Then tenderly kissed her behind the ear and walked out. Miranda just blushed a little and smiled, then turned her attention back to the layout in front of her. It took her and Nigel another hour and a half to finish the layout. It wasn't exactly how she wanted it but she was tired and wanted to get home. She did of course have unfinished business to take care of at home.
Meanwhile, when Andrea arrived at the townhouse she found the twins watching Gossip Girl and discussing the realness of it. When it was over she had them turn off the T.V. so she could talk to them.
"Okay, girls, your mom and I talked and decided that we would take you to London instead of going on vacation by ourselves. I was able to change our flights so we are now on the same flight. I also purchased another ticket for the soccer game. The only thing left for me to do is make hotel reservations. While I do that why don't you girls pick out a movie for us to watch and make some popcorn" Andy said before slipping out of the family room to call the Four Seasons.
As she dialed the Four Seasons, she crossed her fingers hoping that the Presidential suite would be available, knowing it was the only place Miranda liked to stay when in London. Unfortunately, Four Seasons London was closed and under construction. However, luck was on Andy's side, as soon as she mentioned Miranda Priestly's name and that it was a family trip, the man on the phone said that the presidential suite at the Four Seasons Canary Warf would be available along with an adjoining room for the twins.
When she returned to the family she found the girls all ready for her. She settled down in her usual spot, back against the couch, a twin snuggle next to her on each side. When she asked what they were watching the girls shared a secret smile and told her it was a surprise. As the opening credits of "Imagine You and Me" started playing, Andy smiled to herself. She remembered the twins asking her and their mother a couple of weeks ago what were some of their favorite movies. Andy had mentioned "Imagine You and Me" and the girls then proceeded to ask if they could watch it. Andy had smiled at them and said she would discuss it with there mother. Miranda had said it was fine, so here they were getting ready to watch it. When the soccer game part flashed across the screen an idea started to form in Andy's mind.
A little bit later when Piper Perabo's character, Rachel, was standing on the roof of the car screaming that, "I can do this," Andrea felt eyes on her. She turned her head and locked gazes with her lover. Miranda then crossed the room, sat down next to Caroline and watched the rest of the movie. When the movie was over, Miranda sent the girls to bed with hugs and kisses. She then helped Andrea up from the floor and led them to their bedroom. They did not sleep right away though; they had some unfinished business to take care of first. And boy did they ever take care of it, many times over in fact.
The next morning Miranda and Andy woke to the smell of coffee and a tentative knock on their door. Andy quickly shouted them to wait a minute. They quickly found their pajamas that they didn't wear last night and pulled them on. Miranda climbed back into bed as Andrea went to open their bedroom door. She was greeted by two showered and dressed, smiling teenage girls, one holding two cups of coffee and the other holding a tray with breakfast on it. Andrea motioned them inside and then climbed back into bed next to Miranda. The twins went to their mother's side of the bed, gave her a morning kiss and then set the tray on her lap.
"We wanted to do something nice to say thank you for giving up your private vacation to take us to London. So we made you breakfast," Caroline said. Eggs, toast, and fresh fruit was beautifully displayed on two plates.
Cassidy chimed in with, "We also called Hannah, the nanny that used to watch us when we would go to London with you. We asked if she could watch us for a couple of days this week, so you and Andy could have a few days alone. She started to say no at first, saying we were too old and didn't need her, but we explained the situation to her and said we just needed an adult to be with us so you wouldn't worry. So she said we could tag along with her as she went about her daily routine on Monday and Tuesday.
Miranda's eyes filled with tears at the thoughtfulness of her girls. They had changed so much in the last 3 years and it was all thanks to the beautiful woman sitting next to her in bed. Andrea had such a good influence on them and her as well. She smiled and said, "Thank you, girls, that was very thoughtful of you. You didn't have to do that though. Andrea and I are looking forward to spending a week with you in London."
The girls left then saying they would be back in 20 minutes to collect the dirty dishes. Once the door was closed Miranda pulled Andrea close and whispered in her ear. "I love you so much, my Darling. This breakfast in bed is your influence on them. They would never have been this thoughtful if it weren't for you. They have matured and grown so much in the last 3 years. Thank you for loving them and loving me."
Andrea blushed at Miranda's words. "Thank you, Mira." She replied. "I love you too. Now let's eat before this food gets cold."
They drank their coffee and ate their toast in silence. The girls had only sent up one fork so they took turns feeding each other eggs and fruit. After they were finished Andrea placed the tray and dishes outside their door. When she turned back into to the room she heard the shower running and decided to join the love of her life in the shower. What normally would have taken Miranda 15 minutes to do, took twice as long once Andrea joined her. They simply could not keep their hands off each other. Once they finally emerged from the bathroom, they quickly got dressed and Andrea carried their suitcases downstairs. Miranda went in search of the twins. She found them in their rooms packing last minute books and ipods for the plane ride. A half hour later, Roy was loading their bags into the car and they were off to JFK. They made it through security in record time and before they knew it they were boarding a flight to London. Once the plane was in the air Miranda and Andy both fell fast asleep and slept for 7 hours of the 9 hour flight. While they were sleeping Caroline took many pictures of the cuddling, sleeping couple.
When Miranda awoke she found herself staring into gorgeous chocolate orbs filled with love. She smiled at Andrea and then proceeded to stretch. She checked on her girls and found them both engaged in the books they were reading with their earplugs hanging from their ears. Then she turned to Andrea and they started making a schedule for their week in London. Andrea, never forgetting her days at Runway as Miranda's assistant, always carried a notepad and pen that was easy to get to. Not long after finishing the list, the fasten seat belt sign came on and the captain announced they would be landing in the next 15 minutes. Once the plane landed and they disembarked they made it quickly through customs and baggage claim. As they excited Heathrow they were met by a handsome looking chauffer, whose name was Stuart. He took their bags and then drove them to the Four Seasons in Canary Wharf. It was about 1:30pm by the time they reached the hotel.
Miranda was impressed when they were shown to their suite. She had stayed in the Four Seasons many times before but she always stayed in Four Seasons London not the one in Canary Wharf. The view from the room was excellent. The master bedroom was gorgeously decorated and the bathtub was the perfect size for her and Andrea to share. Miranda decided then that this was going to be a wonderful vacation. Granted it wasn't what she was planning on, but spending the week with her children and her darling Andrea and watching them experience new things was going to be just as wonderful.
It was decided that none of them were tired so after quickly freshening up they made their way to Trafalgar Square to the National Gallery. They spent about 3 hours admiring the art. The girls and Andy were then able to convince Miranda to take a tour of the city in a Double Decker bus. The girls had a blast, pointing out all the places they wanted to go. They got off in Piccadilly Square and found a suitable restaurant for dinner. After a delightful dinner they called their driver to pick them up and return them to their hotel. By the time they got back to the Four Seasons everyone was exhausted, jet lag had finally caught up to them.
They had a big day tomorrow, as it was the soccer game. Unbeknownst to the girls Miranda had been able to arrange for the girls to meet some members of the team before the game. They of course were supposed to experience this with their father but…oh well. She was looking forward to their reactions when they found out. Andrea had convinced her that on this vacation it was Mira Priestly, mother and lover; Miranda Priestly, the editor of Runway was left in New York. Which meant she brought her casual designer clothes and could relax and do things that the editor of Runway would never be seen doing,
Andrea and Miranda kissed the girls good-night and sent them to bed telling them they had to be up and ready to leave by 11:00am. This could be a problem for Cassidy, who loved to sleep in, in the mornings. Andrea and Miranda then retired to their bedroom. They quickly changed into their designer pajamas and climbed under the covers. Miranda laid on her back with Andrea's head on her shoulder, Andrea's arm wrapped possessively around her waist and their legs intertwined. They kissed for a few minutes but they were both exhausted so they stopped and fell asleep instantly to the sound of breathing and heartbeats.