Andy waited for a response, a noise, nothing there was nothing. The house was silent. Andy called out again a little louder this time "Miranda, are you here?". No response, Andy's shoulders sagged, looking down at the book Andy thought of Miranda's hands holding it, caressing the pages as she looked a them, bringing the book to her chest Andy hugged the book as if it were Miranda, careful not damage it or leave any creases Andy stood there in her solemnity lost in her love for Miranda.
A gentle touch on Andy's shoulder brought her back to herself, turning to find out who was touching her Andy's eyes widened "Miranda!".
"Yes Andrea, it's me, I'm in my house, should that be a surprise?"
"No, no, I mean of course not, I, I ..." Andy stammered.
"Is there a reason your hugging the book? Miranda held out her hand.
" What? Oh no sorry." Pushing the book towards Miranda Andy started to move quickly past her to the front door.
"Oh no you don't" Miranda grabbed the book with one hand and Andy's waist with the other trying to body block her, Andy was moving with such force that she managed to take Miranda with her to the door, they both crashed into it. Miranda banged the back of her head and gasped at the pain as her knees gave out. Andy automatically grabbed Miranda caught her and lowered Miranda and herself gently to the ground with the flow of momentum that took them.
Andy groaned in delight realising that she was entangled with Miranda's warm body on the floor of Miranda's hall. "God this feels good" she thought to herself, not wanting to move but knowing she needed too.
"Andrea? Are we going to stay like this all night?" Miranda whispered in Andy's ear.
"Huh? What? No, sorry Miranda I'll just get up." Slowly Andy disengaged her limbs from Miranda's and as Andy moved her body away she looked into Miranda's eyes. They held each other's look for just a second and then Andy got up and held out her hands to Miranda. Miranda stared at Andy's hands then took both of them, Andy pulled Miranda up who swayed a little with a small groan. "Miranda are you all right?"
"Mmm, the book Andrea, bring the book" with that Miranda walked slowly to the kitchen.
Andy's right hip was little sore from where Miranda had landed on her leg but right now she was more worried about Miranda.
"Should I call a doctor Miranda?, I'll call your doctor, you hit your head" as Andy started to get her phone out of her pocket Miranda leaned over and held Andy's wrist.
"Andrea, must you insist on blowing this out of proportion, I am fine, just get me a pain killer from my hand bag" which Miranda looked around for, Andy saw it still lying on the hall floor, she picked it up and brought it to Miranda "I just have a little head ache, which I already had, I was just out buying Tylenol, it's just been made a little worse!"
"There isn't anyone here." Andy blurted out.
Miranda looked at Andrea with pursed lips and one raised eyebrow "I am well aware that besides from us the house is empty Andrea, what concern is it of yours?"
"Well, you hit your head"
"Which was your fault" Miranda whispered.
"Yes, but you need someone to look after you. Miranda"
"Well then get a glass of water so I can swallow this Tylenol, then you may stay in the guest room if you are that worried about me"
Andy hurried to the fridge and pulled out a small bottle of San Pellegrino and a glass and placed them on the counter in front of Miranda. "Miranda, May i check your head ?"
"Are you a qualified psychiatrist now Andrea?"
"No, I mean may I check your scalp for bruising, make sure there's no cut or anything?" Andy was shaking now and feeling cold.
"Very well" Miranda swallowed the Tylenol, put down her glass of water and closed her eyes.
Andrea moved and stood behind Miranda, she was shaking even more now, she had always wanted to run her hands through Miranda's hair but not because she had caused her bodily harm in her panic. Slowly Andrea gently moved her hands through Miranda's hair marvelling at how soft it was. feeling her scalp there it was a bump just below left of her crown, Miranda moaned a little, Andy parted the hair to have a closer look. "No cut Miranda, just a red bump, bit of an egg shape!" Andy smoothed Miranda's hair back into place.
"I'll live then?" Miranda questioned as she looked up into Andy's eyes.
"Oh, I do hope so" Andy whispered with a gentle smile to her lips.
They were so close, Miranda was mesmerised by Andy she moved to stand up she wanted to kiss her Andrea on those beautiful lips, as Miranda began to stand, Andy started to lean in, this was it, this was their moment. As they got closer Miranda began to move her arm to reach up to put her hand behind Andy's neck, all of a sudden Miranda's arm caught the glass of water and the open San Pellegrino bottle both of which went flying off the counter and smashed at Andy's feet. They both froze with wide eyes. Looking down, Miranda saw that Andreas Donna Karan trousers were wet and the shattered glass had nicked at the top of Andreas foot, blood was forming in the open wound.
"Ow!" Andreas action was delayed as the pain in her foot caught up to her brain.
"Andrea sit down" Miranda pulled a chair out for Andy who fell in to it. " foot up here on this chair, yes that's it Andrea"
Andy looked up at Miranda "it's ok Miranda it's just a knick".
"No no let me look after it, please!" Miranda moved swiftly for the first aid kit. Taking our tweezers and a cleaning pad. Miranda gently dabbed at the cut, peering at it closely, Miranda put down the pad and left the room returning very quickly with what Andy could only describe as a huge magnifying glass. Miranda peered through the glass at Andy's foot and picked up the tweezers. Hold still Andrea, this shouldn't hurt too much"
"What? Argh! MIRANDA!
"Quiet down Andrea, it's really not that bad, there I've got that glass out, i can't see any more. I think you will also live to see another day"
Andy sat with her mouth open as Miranda re cleaned the cut and covered it with a plaster. All andy could do is stare as Miranda went busily about cleaning up the broken glass with a long handled dustpan and hand brush "who new Miranda could be so domesticated" that was when Andy remembered Miranda's bump on the head.
Jumping up Andy winced as she put weight on her foot "Miranda, let me help, you need to rest"
Miranda turned from putting the brush away "Andrea, I think perhaps we both need to do that, time for bed".
Andrea limped a little, whilst trying desperately not to, behind Miranda up the stairs. The pain in Andreas foot lessened as she was captured by the sway of Miranda's derrière. At the top of the stairs Miranda stopped and swayed as she closed her eyes. Andy stepped up beside her and put her arm around Miranda's waist " let me help you".
Miranda turned to look at Andy "do you think that's safe? We don't seem to be doing so well do we?" Miranda had a slight smirk which turned to a grimmice as her head pounded and closed her eyes.
Andy chuckled lightly "no Miranda, but surely things can only get better". Andy turned Miranda around and started to guide her along the corridor when she abruptly stopped. "Miranda which room is yours?"
Miranda giggled "the one behind us".
"Wow" Andrea thought "Miranda giggles, so cute".
They turned around as they entered Miranda's bedroom Andy was awed by the gentle colours and beautiful furniture. Miranda disappeared through a door which she closed after a few minutes the door opened and Miranda came out in a silk nightgown free of make up. She disappeared again through another door and came out again holding some pyjamas. "Are these alright for you?" Miranda offered the clothes to Andy.
Andy smiled and walked over to Miranda taking the soft brushed cotton pyjamas "yes thank you".
"You'll find everything you need in the bathroom" Miranda gestured with her hand to the first door.
Andy entered the bathroom and shut the door, she spent far to long working out that she could fit her whole apartment in this one room. When Andy had changed, removed her make up and seen to her teeth and ablutions she returned to the bedroom to find Miranda laying in the opposite side of the bed with her eyes closed. The bedside light was on closest to Andy and the duvet had been turned down inviting Andy in.
"Oh boy!" Andy swallowed and then moved to the bed where she got in covered herself over with the duvet and turned of the light. Laying there Andy thought she wouldn't be able to sleep not this close to Miranda, she just didn't trust herself. Two seconds later there were two women sleeping peacefully side by side the only sound to be heard was the gentle breathing and the quiet ticking of a clock.