TAKE-OFF

"Yes Mommy, this is Miranda. Miranda, this is my Mommy."

Andy had to remind herself to breathe. She was equally stunned by the beauty of the woman and the emotions that slammed into her like a freight train at the sight of her. The brunette didn't know what to feel first; joy, sorrow, love, bitterness or fear. All these things and more simmered at the surface of Andy's being. She had missed the woman immensely, but she wasn't ready to face her yet or the feelings that accompanied her presence. Andy had managed to navigate three years of Paris Fashion Week without once crossing paths with her former boss. Yet here she was, on the very flight that Andy had booked to avoid a clash with the Runway teams' departure.

For the last five years, Andy had played this encounter over and over in her head. Every time it was different. Sometimes, Andy would storm through the corridors of Runway and into Miranda's office and demand the chance to apologise. Occasionally she would find herself outside of the townhouse, pouring her heart out to the woman standing at the door. Other scenarios included meeting at a benefit, at Fashion Week, on the street; but the common factor was that each time, no matter how she pleaded, begged or wept, Miranda would look at her with an air of indifference and cast her aside. However, for all her planning and avoidance it seemed the moment was upon her whether she was ready for it or not. She unconsciously began steeling herself for the heartbreak that would no doubt occur. It wouldn't do to fall apart in front of Miranda or Charlie.

Andy took the seat next to her daughter and in doing so made herself a barrier between Miranda and her child. Whatever punishment Andy was about to receive, she would be damned if an ounce of it would be turned upon her Princess. She hadn't forgotten that the editor had forgone black balling her after Paris. Miranda's revenge may be long overdue, but Charlie wasn't a part of it. Andy was shocked that after attempting a conversation with the older woman that her child wasn't already in tears. Apparently automatic fear of the silver vision wasn't actually present in her DNA. Catching the mirror image whiskey eyes within her own, she spoke loud enough for the older woman to hear her.

"Princess, I think Miranda would rather be left alone." 'She never was one for small talk.' Andy silently added.

With this she turned to the editor to gauge her reaction. She noted the raised eyebrow, as well as the fact that it no longer instilled the same fear it once had. However, Andy would be lying if she said that her pulse didn't quicken at the sight of it. Not that she would necessarily put that down to fear…

"Don't be absurd Andréa. Charlie and I were just getting to know one another. Isn't that right sweetheart?"

A shiver ambled down her spine at the pronunciation of her name. Andy didn't have to look at her daughter to know she was beaming. It appeared as though Miranda had chosen, for reasons only know to her, to show a kindness to her daughter that she had never shown Andy. There was no stopping what was about to unfold now. With a familiar sense of defeat, she gave in. It would seem that Miranda had found yet another weakness in her former assistant. If Andy and Miranda were alike in any way, it was that neither of them enjoyed disappointing their daughters. A fluttering memory of a grey robe and red eyes kissed her senses.

Andy sighed. "Very well. If you must." She turned back to her little girl, leaned in to touch their noses and returned the beaming smile. "Swap seats with me Princess."

They settled into their seats as the plane began to taxi. Eyes squeezed shut, Charlie grabbed her hand as they gathered speed. Andy took the opportunity to shoot the editor a warning glare. She couldn't be sure what Miranda's motivations were but she'd be damned if her daughter would be a pawn in a plot to get under her skin. The silver beauty turned up the corners of her mouth in a smirk, and Andy felt herself, for the first time, longing for the coldness and lack of interest that she had once prayed to banish.

Breaking away from the connection Andy watched the ground fall away beneath them and had the distinct feeling that the next eight hours would be the longest of her life.