December 23rd - New York, New York

"And Leslee will issue the press release as soon as you talk to Irv, so be sure to let her know how that goes."

Miranda took a deep breath and nodded. "Nigel is thrilled about it. I was worried he wouldn't buy the idea that I want to take some time off to work on a book, but it seems after Paris, well, he isn't very concerned about me at all."

"Well, that probably works in your favor—professionally, that is. How are the girls?"

Miranda's shoulders tensed. "They don't understand, and I can't blame them, really." How could she expect her nine-year-old daughters to understand? They asked why she couldn't write her book at night after work, or why they couldn't see her over spring break. "What if it doesn't work out?"

"The pregnancy or the cover-up?" Andrea snapped.

"Sometimes I regret telling you anything—ever!" Miranda cried, running to the bathroom.

Andrea waited a few minutes, and when she heard the crying soften on the other side of the door, she knocked gently. "Miranda? I'm sorry."

"You're judging me—for hiding. You think I'm a coward for running away from my career, my family. You think think I should have terminated in Paris," she said.

"No, Miranda, that's not true. Please, lets talk about this somewhere else, in private."

"Later," Miranda said, opening the bathroom door and marching out. "I need to meet with Irv now. Then, I'm spending the day with my daughters tomorrow. Presuming all goes well with Irv, we are still on schedule for first thing Monday morning in the new year."

Andrea hung her head and nodded. "Please believe me, Miranda, I am not judging. I can only imagine what you're going through. I know it's cliche, but I support your decisions, whatever they may be."

"I know that, Andrea, I do. I'm incredibly emotional right now and—I'm going to be late for my meeting with Irv," she said, adjusting her blazer and marching out of the office.

Later that night, when her girls were asleep and she had finished wrapping a few Christmas presents, she picked up the phone and dialed Andrea.

"Hello, Miranda," she answered on the first ring, as if she was expecting the call.

Miranda smirked and sank back into her pillow. "Hello, Andrea. Did I wake you?" she asked, glancing over at the clock and seeing it was nearly midnight.

"No, I was up. I was hoping you'd call, actually. I feel terrible about earlier—"

"It's okay," Miranda interrupted. "I have been rather…emotional. I don't remember it like this with the girls, but then again, I was so nauseous all the time, I don't remember much of anything."

"Oh, wow. But you're feeling okay now?"

"Aside from the daily crying spells, yes, I am feeling great. My lawyer said the divorce should be finalized in sixty days or so, and, well," she paused and took a deep breath. "I can't stop thinking about how much easier this would all be if I just…never mind."

Andrea waited for a moment, unsure of whether the woman would continue. "Did you want another child after the girls were born?"

"No. The girls were such a handful when they were babies, and then James and I separated. Stephen didn't want children, go figure."

"But, did you want another child?" Andrea asked.

"Of course I did. But I also wanted to bring a child into a loving home. James and I were so lucky—one of us was always there with them until they were three or four. I could never do that again."

"Oh I'm sure—sorry."

"You know, I've never terminated a pregnancy. I don't know why I thought I'd be able to do it in Paris," she said. After a short silence, she said, "I know what you're thinking. There were two miscarriages before the girls."

"I'm sorry. That must have been difficult."

"Thank you."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the quiet sound of breathing echoing through the phone.

"I should let you get to sleep. You have a flight out in the morning, right?" Miranda asked.

"Yes, but it's fine. Is there anything else you need from me? I mean, I'll have my phone on me in Ohio, but I won't be able to run errands or anything."

"Honey, it's Christmas. I don't need anything, and if I do, I am perfectly capable of getting it myself. Enjoy your time with family, and we'll speak when you return."

"Okay, thanks. Merry Christmas, Miranda."

"Thanks, you too, Andrea."

.

.

TBC