12 Days of Christmas
Deanlu
Devil Wears Prada is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lauren Weisberger, and Aline Brosh McKenna.
Day 2:
"Andy, this is real dorky you know?!" Cassidy said as she dodged a five year old running past them. Andy shook her head and laughed.
"You don't have to do it with me Cassidy, nor you Caroline." Andy said as they made their way through Macy's toward where Santa was located. Just before they got there Andy made a detour to the bright red mail box. Andy pulled a red envelope out of her bag, whispered something under her breath, and gave the envelope a kiss before she placed it inside the mailbox. Cassidy and Caroline rolled their eyes at the young woman, but stepped up and placed their letters into the mailbox also. Andy smiled at them and then they headed toward Santaland. Christmas decorations glittered around them as carols played their joyous music. Andrea even thought maybe they had added a hint of gingerbread into the air since she kept smelling it.
"Oh Andy, look at the sleigh. Have you ever been on a sleigh ride before?" Caroline asked as she looked excitedly at the young reporter.
"Nope, but I bet we could find one and check it out one of these Christmas's." Caroline jumped against Andy hugging her hard. Caroline commented on the way the sleigh really evoked those childhood dreams that her and Cass had when they were younger. Cassidy loved the snowmen, even talking about how you could change up their portrayal a little more to something that was reminiscent of a Burl Ives Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.
"Hey, you think we could make a few snowmen when we get home? I mean, we haven't been in the backyard since the snow started." Cassidy asked as they passed the reindeer with a wistful look. Andy thought about it and nodded as they made their way toward the Big Guy! "Cool!"
"In fact, I've got a cool idea if you want to try it out something to surprise your mom." Andrea said as the warmth of Christmas began to light a fire in the young twin's eyes. They both nodded as one of Santa's elves approached them. Santa worked his loving magic on the girls calling them by name and asking what they would like for Christmas. Both girls were surprised Santa knew who they were and looked on him with suspicion.
"Girls, I have watched you since you were just a sparkle in the eyes of your parents. I even heard your late night whispers and did I not bring Andrea to you all." Santa said softly as the girls looked at him with a shocked face. Then both twins did something that they hadn't done in ages. They hugged Santa and said Thank you tears falling softly. Pictures were taken individually, together, and then with Andrea. As the moved to leave Santa called to the young reporter. Andrea returned to Santa and he pulled an envelope from his pocket waving it gently in front of her. Andrea bent near to see what he held and noticed it was the envelop she had placed in the box.
"You're welcome." Santa said kissing her softly on the forehead. She looked stunned at the older gentlemen in the red suit even as an elf hustled her out as another child was brought forward. Both girls were chattering away as they walked through Macy's and out to where Roy waited for them. The whole drive home Andrea just smiled trying to puzzle out what had happened. Finally, she decided it was just one of those things. However, she buried it in her heart for later rumination.
"Andrea? Are we really going to make snowmen?" Cassidy asked softly seeing the reporter seemed to be trying to muddle through something. Andrea broke from her revere to look at her daughter.
"Yeah, come on." Andrea said as Roy pulled up to the townhouse. "Roy can you send a text to me when Miranda heads home?"
"Sure, what's up?" Roy asked as the twins piled out. Andy's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Just a little fun," said the young reporter as she followed the girls. Roy watched them head into the townhouse and shook his head.
"Oh, boy." Roy commented as he headed off toward Runway, letting Emily know he was returning.
Later that night, Roy pulled up to the townhouse with Miranda inside. He had texted Andrea as soon as Emily had called for him. He jumped out opening her door.
"Thank you Roy. I will see you at eight tomorrow morning, no sooner." Miranda said as got out of the car. Roy nodded and watched to make sure she got into the house safely, and then smiled as his phone buzzed. He picked it up to see a picture and message from Andrea. Softly chuckling, he got back in the car and headed out.
"Andrea?" Miranda called out as she entered the foyer. The house sparkled with Christmas decorations filling the fashion maven with a sense of peace and warmth. Wonderful smells of dinner emanated from the kitchen, but there was no sound of her family. Miranda hung her coat and set her purse on the table. She moved down the hallway trying to discern where her family was located. Peggy, her housekeeper intercepted her with a glass of red wine.
"Good evening Miranda. The vegetable lasagna, French bread, and salad are already. Now if you can pry your loving family from the backyard where they have been all afternoon seems there is some major construction going on." Peggy said her eyes sparkling with laughter. Miranda smirked and headed toward the back door. The girls were sitting on the porch with Andrea enjoying hot cocoa and laughing at something in the yard. Miranda stepped out only to be stopped dead by the view of the backyard.
"What in the world…" Miranda said gasping in astonishment. The entire backyard had been transformed into a fusion of Christmas light and color. Snowmen and women decorated the backyard in a mock -up of RUNWAY Magazine offices, catwalks, and production. It was amazing! The girls giggled and Andrea smiled at how gob smacked Miranda appeared.
"Come on mom, let us show you." Both girls grabbed Miranda's hands pulling her into the backyard while stumbling over each other's words explaining to their mother what they had done. They walked her past a fashion catwalk with snowwomen models and white Christmas lights, next came a run through with racks of Barbie clothes and fashion accessories, then a fashion shoot on a ski slope, Nigel's office where Nigel's significant other was standing near with an arm wrapped around his waist, and then a Runway brainstorming meeting with all the departments present with a different face of terror on each one.
"Did anyone tell you Andrea Sach's you are an amazing blessing to this family?" Peggy asked from behind her. Andrea turned and sighed.
"No, they are the blessing Peggy. There the missing piece of my heart. I'm the one that's blessed." Andrea said turning back toward her girls as they giggled and chuckled. Peggy shook her head.
"I'll be going now. Have a wonderful evening, Merry Christmas." Peggy said as she returned to the warmth of the townhouse. Thank God the Priestley's had found Andrea Sach's. Andrea may think they were a blessing to the young girl, but that girl had breathed life into a dead home. Peggy was so thankful for the young woman that she touched the mantle and said a prayer each night as she left.
The tour continued in the backyard. Several snowmen were labeled to identify them. Emily snowwoman was eating a cheese cube causing Miranda burst out laughing. While Serena snowwoman had men falling at her feet. Miranda was portrayed as this bigger than life snowwoman watching over all. They returned to the porch to find Andrea holding a fresh glass of wine for Miranda.
"Well, you all have been busy. Now inside before you catch your death of cold. Wash up for dinner so you can tell me more about your momentous day. The girls hugged their mom and ran inside. Miranda approached Andrea slowly with a smirk on her face. "So I take it you had an eventful day?" Andrea gave Miranda one of those smiles that would melt your heart as she wrapped her arms around her wife.
"You could say that." Andrea responded as she enveloped her wife's lips in a slow, deep loving kiss. When it ended they heard giggling behind them both turning to see the girls peering through the door glass at them. "Come on, Peggy has dinner on the table." The women returned to the warmth of the townhouse and dinner as laughter and excitement could be heard settling over the back yard. None of the occupants inside saw the magical appearance of a man in Nordic cloak peer through the glass to see into the home filled with warmth and love. He pulled a letter from his pocket gently removing the letter and reading it carefully.
"Dear Santa,
I know many think you aren't real, but I know the truth and have kept the magic of Christmas alive even when the darkness encroached. Thank you for granting my one wish that I have asked for since I was 6. I know it was quite a chore, but you found my dragon. Thank you so much. I have no wishes for myself, only that you would give Miranda, Caroline, and Cassidy their heart felt wish.
Thank you Santa,
Andrea Sachs."
Santa smiled disappearing and reappearing within his home. One of Santa's elves came running up.
"Estelle, please place this with Andrea Sach's other letters." Santa said as he handed the letter to little elf. The young elf scurried off into a room filled with small file drawers, tapping a specific tune, a drawer forty-five levels up and two rows over opened and floated down. The young elf gently laid the letter into the drawer causing a rustling of papers within and the sound of a child's voice to repeat over and over again as it grew…
Dear Santa,
Bring me a dragon of my own to love. My friend, Nate says no one can love a dragon, but Santa I do. Douggie, my other friend, says I should ignore Nate, but it hurts sometimes Santa. It's the only thing I really want Santa. Just bring me dragon.
Thank you, Andrea Sachs.
PS If you could let Douggie know its okay to be different that would make everything perfect. A dragon and Douggie knowing he is perfect the way he is. Thank you, Santa.
Estelle smiled and tapped another tune as the file rose and replaced itself on the shelf. She then pulled another file ninety-two rows up and one over. It floated down into her hands and she brought it to Santa. Santa pulled another letter from his pocket.
Dear Santa,
Thank you
That's all!
"Ho! Ho! HO!" Santa laughed hardily as he placed this letter into the file box listening as young woman's voice spoke from within.
Dear Santa,
I don't think anyone could love a dragon, but if it's possible could you bring them to me? I feel so alone.
Thank you,
Miranda
Santa smiled handing the box back to Estelle and watched the elf scurry off. He then took a snow globe shook it and watched as the image of Miranda Priestley's family around the table appeared again.
"Wish granted" he whispered as he picked up another letter feeling the magic of Christmas fill the air around him.