FF: Housesitter – Part 3/4
Author: Widdy
Disclaimer: I don't own the Devil Wears Prada, Miranda or Andy. I also don't own the film Housesitter, unfortunately someone else does so I'm just borrowing them and I will return them after I'm done.
Rating: PG
Feedback: Yes feel free to feed me.
Pairing: Andrea/Miranda
Summary: When successful architect Miranda Priestly's lover Stephen suddenly decides that their relationship is not working. Their dream house becomes nothing more than a monument to his rejection. That is until a chance encounter with a waitress turns her life upside down.
A/N:I have always loved the movie and I have been playing with this idea for months. I have changed some aspects to fit this story. I have had to extend this to four parts, so everyone gets an extra part.
Part 3
"You what?" Nigel asked as he placed his wine glass back upon the bar and gave Miranda his undivided attention.
"I thought you would love the idea." Miranda replied offhandedly as she looked away from Nigel's questioning gaze.
"Of marriage?" Nigel asked, not understanding what Miranda was trying to say.
"Of me living with a woman," Miranda elaborated, "besides it isn't a marriage. It's a simple arrangement, in which I will share my house, in exchange for which she will argue with me in public and generally make my life look really pitiful."
Nigel adjusted his glasses, "that's marriage Miranda."
Rolling her eyes Miranda picked up her own wine glass as swirled the red liquid, "is it your mission in life you question my every decision in life?"
Nigel shrugged, "Someone has to."
"I'm a grown woman Nigel." Miranda informed her friend as she took a sip of her wine.
"I know, that's why I'm mystified." Nigel said with a shake of his balding head.
"She has agreed to help me get Stephen back."
"I thought you wanted to close the book on that chapter on your life?" Nigel asked with a frown.
"Well I changed my mind."
"God Miranda." Nigel huffed.
Glaring at Nigel Miranda drained her glass, "Nigel, I know you don't particularly like Stephen."
"Like Stephen? Miranda I can't stand the man. Who was it who wiped away your tears when he decided that a house wasn't an appropriate engagement present?" Nigel raised his eyebrows in question.
"Don't exaggerate Nigel."
"Six days straight," Nigel continued, "I thought you would use up the entire western world's supply of Kleenex."
"Nigel, I love Stephen."
Nigel shook his head, "No, you just don't know any better. You have been pining after him for years."
"Oh shut up." Miranda pouted.
"No dear I will not." Nigel told Miranda with a smirk, "Enough about Stephen, I want to know all about this wife you have acquired."
Miranda quickly brushed her sweaty hands upon her skirt before she opened the gate that led to Stephen's house. It was a neat two story house. It was the same one that Stephen had grown up in, and three doors down from where her parents lived. It wasn't as grand as her family's Victorian affair, and it wasn't as big, but it had a simple charm all of its own. He had inherited it when his Mother had died a few years ago and he had lived in it ever since.
It had been three weeks since her deal with Andrea and things were moving slowly as far as Stephen was concerned. Andrea on the other hand seemed to be having a great time. The townsfolk, surprisingly to Miranda had taken her 'little wife' into their hearts. Every time she was forced to go anywhere with Andrea, the brunette was greeted by smiles, hugs, and waves. She even knew the town firemen by name.
As she arrived at the door, Miranda tugged on her blouse loosening it a little and ran her fingers through her hair causing her perfect styling to been ruffled. Sucking in a breath of air Miranda pinched the area around her eyes and her cheek bones.
With her ruse set in place, and looking as if she had been crying. Miranda lifted her fist and knocked on Stephen's door.
Miranda smiled as the door opened and Stephen appeared. He looked over his shoulder uncomfortably.
"May I talk with you Stephen?" Miranda caused her voice to waver as she leaned her body heavily upon the door frame.
"Err..." Stephen hesitated.
"Please, I just had a huge fight with Andrea. I came home from work and she just started in at me..." Miranda paused and looked down at her feet, "I'm sorry to come here like this, I should have..."
"No, Miranda its ok, it's just..." Stephen tried to explain but gave up as he looked back over his shoulder, "why don't you come in?"
"You're sure?" Miranda responded although she started to step over the threshold.
"Yeah, please come in." Stephen stepped aside and allowed Miranda to enter his home.
Miranda shook her head and allowed her shoulder's to dip for a dejected effect.
"I don't even know even know how I ended up here, I just walked out of the house and started wandering the streets. I just wasn't thinking, because of Andrea. But before I knew it I was here, I was going to go back to the house but," Miranda turned and threw Stephen a small smile, "then I saw the light in your window and I just needed someone to talk to."
Miranda frowned slightly as Stephen nodded nervously and then looked over her shoulder again. "Miranda?"
Miranda gave Stephen her full attention.
"Andy is here."
"She is?" Miranda asked caught of guard. She felt her irritation rise. She didn't know what Andrea was doing here, but it was messing with her plan.
"You bet your ass I am." Andy's voice said causing Miranda to turn in shock.
"What the hell are you doing here?" "Miranda asked outraged that Andy was intruding on her attempts to get Stephen.
She was sitting at Stephen's dining table with her legs crossed and her arms folded. The clothes she was wearing weren't anything Miranda had seen before; she knew however she had paid for them. In fact she had insisted that Andrea change her wardrobe, she couldn't walk around looking like a hobo; while she was suppose to be married to her, it didn't fit the lie they were perpetrating.
Miranda suspected that her Mother had taken Andrea shopping. The two had formed some sort of strange bond over the weeks and both took every opportunity that they could to gang up on her. Miranda felt a deep kinship with her Father; she just didn't know how he put up with her Mother all these year. The only plus side was that when she had Stephen back, she wouldn't have to put up with Andrea's lies any longer. She wondered how long her Mother would stop talking to her for when the 'divorce' happened.
Looking over the now stylishly dressed young woman, Miranda's mind tracked backwards. She had interrupted her and Stephen on various occasions over the past three weeks. It had started when they had been about to kiss in the bathroom and had progressed from there. Every time Stephen visited, Andrea was around them.
"No, I think the question should be, what the hell are you doing here?" Andy asked with a jut of her head.
"Oh God!" Stephen groaned as he rubbed his forehead.
Miranda could see that he was uncomfortable and that he wanted to be anywhere rather than here.
Looking back to Stephen Miranda held up her hands, "Stephen! You have to understand that I am trying so hard to make this marriage work."
"Oh that is rich!" Andy spat with a short sharp laugh.
"Rich?" Miranda barked back.
"Please! Can you two not argue? Just for one night?" Stephen asked quietly as he looked from one woman to the other.
Looking back at Andrea Miranda felt her ire rise. She didn't know why she was here, but she knew she had to use the situation. Andrea liked to lie and Miranda was fast learning how to keep up with her. Seeing that this was a moment that required a lie Miranda pounced.
"She promised she would never see her again." Miranda howled as she turned from Stephen and gazed at Andy.
Miranda watched on as corner of Andy's mouth twitched before she uncrossed her arms and pointed her right index finger into her chest. "Oh and that's my fault?"
"Yes," Miranda nodded, "it's not like its mine."
"Oh no?" Andy inquired and then focused her attention upon Stephen. "Why don't you ask Mrs Matrimony here when the last time we slept together was?"
Miranda didn't move. She could feel Stephen's eyes burning holes into the side of her face. It wasn't like she could tell the truth; they had only slept together the one time.
The only sound was that of Stephen clearing his throat nervously. She knew she couldn't keep silent, she knew she had to lie, but as she scrambled for a suitable fabrication all Miranda could draw was a blank.
Cursing Andrea for bring up the subject of sex Miranda licked her lips. "What?"
Miranda watched as Andy's eyes widened and her head nodded slightly in what she interpreted as encouragement. When she didn't pick up the baton Miranda saw Andrea's lips purse.
"You want to tell him the truth?" Andy asked Miranda.
Miranda shook her head and looked away. Andrea started this as far as Miranda was concerned she could finish it.
"Once." Andy jumped in without missing a beat, "Once, in I don't want to tell you how long."
Miranda felt Stephen's eyes on her again.
"You wanna tell him why?" Andy asks
"Me?" Miranda responded. The answer she really wanted to give was hell no.
"I'll tell you why, because our Ms Priestly lives with a little dark secret."
Both Andrea and Stephen stared at Miranda. Even Miranda couldn't stop her eyes from opening in horror as she dreaded what Andrea was going to say next. She was so unpredictable; it was like playing a game of Russian roulette. Her lies were so complex and off the wall that Miranda felt herself sinking half of the time.
"Look I really don't want to get involved..."
"Oh but your already involved. " Andy cried as she stood up from the chair she had been seated upon. "You're the secret. "
Miranda followed ever word gobsmacked as Andrea walked towards Stephen.
"Oh she's tried to overcome it god love her, she's tried to forget about you," Andy looked back at Miranda. "For a time there I thought we were really going to make it. You felt so close to me Miranda."
Andy smiled gently as she got caught up in her own lie, "We used to wash each other's hair, and everything with our relationship was just so perfect."
Miranda tilted her head upwards and sighed and she tried to imitate a look of remembrance.
"And then came Maui."
Miranda watched on as Andy turned and leaned heavily on Stephen's fireplace for support.
"What happened in Maui?" Stephen asks as he turned back to Miranda.
Miranda shook her head and held out her hand towards Andrea. "Well..." Miranda stuttered, "Andrea might as well tell it."
Feeling weak in the knees Miranda flopped down onto Stephen's sofa and stared wide eyed at Andrea's back. She knew she must be using the time to think of the next part of her lie or hoping she picks it up, well Miranda thought. It was her story, she can finish it.
"Well we went there to celebrate her promotion." Andy turned back to them and gave a sad smile, "and she was so happy then, almost too happy some might say. She was working so hard, and trying to have fun and to please me in every possible way. She would chase me into the surf and she would pull me into the cabana, we would dance and we would drink, and she would toss macadamia nuts up into the air and catch them in her mouth."
Stephen turned around as Miranda looked away with her fist pressed to her mouth.
"Breaking her tooth in the process." Andy continued before she made her way over to where Miranda sat, "We had to spend the entire last day of our vacation looking for a dentist to do an emergency crown."
Miranda looked back at Andrea as she felt the sofa dip and the brunette take her hand. "And I'll never forget holding her hand as she sat in that dentist chair, waiting for her to wake up from that gas they had given to her."
Miranda couldn't help but be impressed by Andrea's lie. She didn't know how she did it but she was like a classically trained actress, were deception was concerned.
"She had that cotton wool hanging out of her mouth. She gazed up at me," Andy paused and rolled her eyes upwards, "and she said...Stephen?"
Miranda watched as Stephen's mouth dropped open in shock.
"Oh... Stephen." Andy sighed angrily and dropped Miranda's hand.
Miranda adopted a look of dejection and looked towards Stephen and slowly nodded indicating what Andrea was saying was the absolute truth.
Miranda felt Andrea stand and she shifted her gaze to her.
"I came here tonight, because when you walked out that door, I had to see if this was where you would come." Andy said the last part with a hitch and then ran out of Stephen's house.
"Andrea..." Miranda called as she turned on the sofa and looked towards the front door.
"What are we going to do?" Miranda asked as she pushed herself up.
She knew she had to go after Andrea, however she didn't want to.
"Oh Miranda."Stephen breathed.
Before she could take a step however Miranda found herself in Stephen's arms.
Andy took a deep breath as she swiftly made her way from Stephen's house. She had been all ready to tell a tale of how Miranda was still hung up on him, when Mirada had shown up. She had been fuming when she had heard the other woman's voice. Andy knew she could handle the situation on her own, but Miranda always complicated things.
It wasn't just what she said, it was the fact that people looked to her for confirmation. Sometimes it wasn't too bad because of the fact that they could play off each other, but most of the time, things just ended up getting out of control, fast.
Looking up at the darkening sky, Andy was just thankful of the fact that they had escaped the situation relatively unscathed.
"Wait, Andrea."
Andy halted as she heard Miranda call out her name. She was the only one who called her by her full name, apart from her Mother. Glancing over her shoulder Andy watched as Miranda looked left and then right before she ran over the road after her.
"What?" Andy asked as she turned and faced Miranda.
"That was brilliant." Miranda gushed as she graced her with a huge smile.
Andy felt her heat skip as she stared at Miranda, Stephen didn't realise how lucky he was. She still found it hard to believe that Miranda would put up with everything she had done, just to get him back. Andy didn't think he was worth it. There was something about him that just oozed slime. He seemed to have a way about him, she had seen the way his eyes had lit up when she had mentioned Miranda had been promoted. She felt for Miranda, she knew Stephen was only after one thing. Her money. She knew if anyone knew what she had done they would say that was why she was here, but Andy knew it wasn't, she didn't want Miranda's money.
"I think he is defiantly starting to come around. Thank you!"
Andy shrugged with a half smile. She had made a deal with Miranda and as much as she wanted to tell Miranda to get over Stephen, she intended to honour the deal. "Hey, I'm just doing my job."
"Doing your job? Maui, the dentist, maybe you went over the top with the macadamia nuts, but I'll let that go." Miranda laughed, "My God, did you come up with all that on the spot?"
"Yep." Andy nodded. Lying was something she had become an expert at over the years; necessity had forced her hand at times.
"Jesus, you are some kind of genius Andrea." Miranda threw up her hands, "you're like the Ernest Hemmingway of bullshit."
Andy laughed as Miranda smiled at her. She had received some complements in her time, but Miranda's was defiantly one of the best.
"No, no," Miranda shook her head, "your like the Venus De Milo, you're a work of art."
"Oh, stop." Andy blushed as she waved of Mirada's praise.
"Why? It true."
Seeing that Miranda wasn't going to let her get away with not accepting the compliments Andy dipped her head, "Thank you."
Miranda sighed as she placed her dessert spoon upon her plate. Her Mother had insisted that both she and Andrea come for lunch. Miranda had been hesitant, but as usual Andrea hadn't given her a chance to say no. Miranda would have been angry, but after yesterday with Stephen, Miranda had acquitted to let her 'wife' have her way.
"Now Miranda," Charlotte started, "your Father and I have been talking, but before you say anything I just want you to know that this isn't something we want to force on you."
Charlotte smiled as she looked from Miranda to Andrea. "What we would like you to consider is a little reception."
"A what?" Miranda asked convinced she had heard her Mother wrong.
"So many people have been coming up to us. Now that the word is out." Jonathan responded, "They have been asking what they should do. In terms of gifts and what not."
Miranda sputtered as her Father looked at Andrea and smiled.
"Gifts?" Andy asked as her eyes lit up.
Seeing this Miranda shook her head firmly, there was no way on earth she was going to let this happen. It was bad enough with the house, and the furniture, but to have her family and friends buy gifts in celebration for a wedding that never took place; it was a step too far. "Absolutely not! No gifts!"
"Miranda, why not? We aren't talking anything lavish." Charlotte frowned in disapproval.
"Lavish?" Miranda rolled her eyes, "Mother that's all you know. Remember my tenth birthday party?"
Charlotte nodded, "Yes."
"An elephant Mother, you hired an elephant and half of a travelling circus." Miranda could remember the day well. She had been ecstatic at the time, now she just used it as an example of what her mother liked to call a little party.
"It was your birthday." Charlotte said with a shrug.
"Come on Miranda, where's the harm?" Andy asked as she looked into her eyes.
"Harm Andrea?" Miranda asked. There was no way she was letting them talk her into this.
Before anyone could say anymore Miranda knew she had to get out of the room. She was close to losing it. Standing up Miranda grabbed her plate and Andrea's and then marched out of the dining room and into the adjoining kitchen.
Standing at the sink Miranda took a deep breath and tried to calm her beating heart. She had asked herself over the past weeks if Andrea's was trying to kill her. Now she was convinced that Andrea just liked having fun at her expense.
After dropping the plates into the ceramic basin Miranda turned and headed back to the dining room to gather her parent's plates.
As she entered the room again she observed Andrea looking at her parents.
"Is this the type of thing where I can go register?" Andy asked to Miranda's horror.
"Yes, we could even go together." Charlotte offered happily.
Hearing the joy in her Mother's voice, Miranda's shoulders rose automatically as if she was defending off a blow. She couldn't believe that Andrea was doing this to her.
"Darling?" Miranda called out sweetly from her position by the kitchen.
"What is it honey bun?" Andy asked equally as sweet.
Miranda narrowed her eyes at the sudden nickname, "Don't you think you think a reception is a really horrible idea?"
Miranda held her breath as Andrea looked at the ceiling contemplating her question. Eventually she looked back down and raised her eyebrows and answered. "Nope."
Clenching her jaw Miranda painfully exhaled, "I mean this could be dangerous. Our marriage is in a very ambiguous state at the moment."
Charlotte nodded, "Which is why your Father feels, and I must say that I agree that this reception might be just what the doctor ordered. You know give this marriage a fresh start."
"I completely agree Mrs Priestly." Andy said defiantly.
Having heard enough Miranda lifted the plates from in front of her parents and headed back into the kitchen to escape her parents and Andrea's planning.
As she reached the sink Miranda heard her Mother's voice drift in from the dining room.
"That's another thing. Andrea, I hope this doesn't make you feel uncomfortable, but I would like you to call me Mom."
The sound of breaking crockery filled the air.
"Miranda I hope that wasn't my best china you were breaking" Charlotte asked warningly.
Miranda hurried back into the dining room and looked at her Mother in disbelief, "You joking right? Won't even let me call you Mom."
"Oh don't be such a baby Miranda." Charlotte said as she pushed herself up from her chair.
"I'm not," Miranda persisted, "I remember how you told Aunt Kathryn that before I had been born you had been toying with the idea of making me call you Charlotte."
"I have no idea where you get these things from Miranda. Andrea shall we head into the living room?"
"Of course, and no it wouldn't make me feel uncomfortable at all." Andy smiled as she to stood and reached out and linked Charlotte's arm. "Mom."
Charlotte beamed Miranda found herself having to force a smile onto her face when her parents looked at her.
Following them into the living room Miranda was internally seething. She was not allowing this reception to happen, even if she had anger both her parents. Miranda sat upon the two-seater sofa next to Andrea and shot her a look of reproach and a warning to keep her mouth shut.
"Now, let me lay out our thinking here." Charlotte said as she sat in her chair. "Uncles, Aunts, first cousins, Andrea's parents of course, and any siblings or relatives you might have who would like to come."
"I think this is getting way to out of control."
"A marriage is bigger than two people Miranda." Jonathan said.
"Yeah, but we don't have to invite her family."
"Miranda! I didn't raise you to be so rude." Charlotte chastised, "We would like to meet them, and they are out family now."
Taking Andrea's hand Miranda gave her a small smile.
"Well, Andrea's parents are... dead." Miranda winced as Andy squeezed her hand, hard. She regretted the comment the moment she said it. She didn't know if Andrea even had parents, she hadn't taken the time to ask.
"Oh no, dear I am so sorry." Charlotte apologised softly as she turned her attention to Andy.
"It's ok, Mom" Andy loaded emphasis upon the title that Miranda's mother had asked to be called by. "They died a long time ago."
"What about other family dear?" Charlotte asked Andy, "you have a sister am I right? Travis was telling me how she lives in Toledo."
Andy nodded, "yes that right..."
"She is an alcoholic and they don't get along." Miranda interrupted and got another painful squeeze for her troubles.
"Oh..." Charlotte trailed off with a sigh of sadness.
"I just don't think a reception would be wise." Miranda insisted with a small shake of her head.
"Well..." Andy started.
Seeing her opportunity to clamp down this situation once and for all Miranda pounced.
"No!" Miranda gave Andrea a hard look and then turned back to her mother. "No."
Miranda momentarily took her eyes of the road and looked at the brunette strapped into the seat next to her. They had left her parents fifteen minutes ago and Andrea had been less than pleased. Miranda knew it had to do what she had said in her parents' house about Andrea's family. The former waitress had just got in the passenger seat and had rebuffed every offer of conversation.
"You're angry aren't you?" Miranda asked as she changed gear and gently squeezed the accelerator.
"I am not angry." Andy spat though clenched teeth.
Shaking her head Miranda looked back at the road, "Well your acting like you're angry."
"I'm not." Andy instated.
Growling Miranda noticed the traffic lights had changed, she pressed the break, flung the car into neutral and coasted to a halt.
"What the hell would you have done in my place?" Miranda demanded as she glared at the red light hanging above her head.
Miranda didn't have to look right to know that Andrea was boring a hole into the side of her head.
"Miranda I told you I'm not angry, my parents are dead, my sister is an alcoholic and we hate each other's guts."
Turning her attention back the road Miranda scowled and sped off from the lights.
"Did you really design this?" Nigel asked as he stared at the screen of the laptop.
"Yeah." Miranda sighed heavily as she leaned back in her chair. She was exhausted.
"Jesus Miranda it's brilliant." Nigel breathed as he entered a few commands into the laptop and highlighted several areas of Miranda's design.
"I wouldn't go that far." Miranda said waving of Nigel's praise.
Nigel stepped back, "God it is so depressing to work alongside some one of your calibre, I'm just glad I don't have to compete with you on the floor anymore."
"Thanks Nigel."
"When did you come up with this?" Nigel asked as he pointed back at the screen.
"This morning, or last night I can't remember." Miranda shrugged as she pushed both her hands through her hair.
"Have you been here all night?"
Miranda nodded, "Stephen already thinks I made partner."
"Why the hell did you tell him that Miranda? Are you insane?" Nigel asked puzzled as to why she would tell such a potentially damaging lie.
Miranda couldn't help but laugh, "I didn't Andrea did. So what do you think? Can you show this to Irv while I go and grab a shower, something to eat and a coffee?"
"I... I can't." Nigel stuttered as he took a step backwards.
"Why the hell not, your my second?" Miranda frowned.
Nigel licked his lips and adjusted his glasses nervously, "because if I go in there and he starts raving about how ingenious the design is, Miranda I'll say I did it."
"What?" Miranda cried outraged.
Miranda watched in disbelief as Nigel nodded his head and hummed low in his throat. She couldn't believe that he would do that to her, she knew he had a ruthless streak. He had picked it up of her. Miranda had dragged him up from the bullpen of the third floor all the way to up to the twenty-fifth and senior management.
"How could you do that? Were the hell are your ethics Nigel?"
"You would do the same." Nigel responded with a raised eyebrow.
Miranda cleared her throat and dipped her head, because she knew deep down that Nigel was right. She had done somethings that she wasn't proud of in her time at the firm and she probably would take the praise if the positions were reserved. It was a cutthroat business after all.
"Beside, my ethics lay in the fact that I know this about myself so I am not going to take that in there and screw you over."
Closing her laptop Miranda stood and marched over to the door in her office, she pulled open the door and fixed Emily was a stare.
"Emily, get me someone from the printing department on the phone, and get me an appointment with Mr Ravitz."
"Today?" Emily asked as she looked up from her monitor.
Rolling her eyes Miranda shook her head, "No Emily, half an hour ago."
"Yes Miranda!"
Glad that at least one person was playing by her rules Miranda turned back to her office and Nigel.
Two hours later Miranda found herself walking towards Irv's office with her design in hand. The Print department had done an excellent job in the limited time she had given them. Taking a deep breath Miranda shifted the A2 piece of kappa board into her opposite hand.
She also had to give her assistant credit; Emily had somehow managed to get her an appointment with Irv. She promised herself that she would consider giving Emily a rise is she managed to somehow get the promotion.
As she got closer to Irv's office Miranda noticed a small Asian woman in a blue suit sitting behind a desk clicking away at a keyboard.
As she stopped by her desk the woman looked up questioningly.
"Miranda Priestly, I have an appointment with Mr Ravitz." Miranda responded smoothly as years of experience managed to erased most of her nerves.
She had done this before, she had managed to worm, plead and blatantly slash her way up to the position she held now. She was sure she could make partner if she was confident.
"Hang on a sec I'll just check." She picked up the phone. "Go right on in Ms Priestly, Mr Ravitz is ready to see you."
"He is?" Miranda asked shocked. She had been to see Irv twice before and on both occasions she had been sat outside his office for half an hour at a time.
"Yes." The small woman nodded.
"Ok thanks." Miranda nodded.
Thanking a deep breath she shoved down all her emotions to the pit of her stomach and forced a confident smile upon her face. Grabbing the brass handle of the door that lead to Irv Ravitz office Miranda forged ahead.
As the door opened Miranda quickly took in the expansive space her boss spent his days in. It was almost three times bigger than her office and was flooded with natural light.
"Mr. Ravitz." Miranda greeted as she noticed the small slightly balding man standing by his desk.
"Miranda you're in a lot of trouble." Irv said as he walked towards her his arm outstretched.
"I am?" Miranda asked as she accepted Irv's handshake and allowed him to steer her into the room.
"Come in, come in. Why didn't you tell me you were married?" Irv asked to Miranda's astonishment. "When someone in my company decides to tie the knot I want to know about it."
"Hi honey!"
Looking into the room Miranda struggled to keep the agitation from her face and stop her shoulders from tightening. There sitting in a chair next to Irv's desk with her legs crossed was Andrea. She didn't know why she was here, or what she was doing in Irv's office but the brunette always had some sort of plan.
"Why if this young lady here hadn't wandered up to the wrong floor, I would never have known. That Miranda is unacceptable." Irv continued as her finally let go of her hand.
Forcing out a laugh Miranda turned back to Irv, "Well things have been so hectic. It was an impulse, love at first sight, spur of the moment things, sir."
"Well you should have told me Miranda. Why Andrea and I have just figured out that her sister and my nephew both studied History of Art and Architecture at Brown." Irv beamed.
Licking her lips Miranda wanted to strangle Andrea, she had heard about how Irv had raised his nephew after his sister had passed on. He doted on him; somehow Andrea had picked up on that and found the way to his heart.
"Really?" Miranda inquired.
"Isn't that incredible?" Andy asked her eyes impossibly bright.
"Not half as incredible as meeting Miss Dunkel."
"Who?" Miranda frowned.
She resisted the urge to turn around and walk back out of the office. She didn't know who Miss Dunkel was but she was sure she had come straight out of Andrea's imagination.
"Andrea's sister." Irv supplied his brow dipped.
"Oh yeah, was that ever funny." Miranda laughed.
"You thought it was funny?" Irv asked aghast.
"Well...well, later on it was funny, and there was that incident..."
"That made me so angry," Irv interrupted, "let me shake your hand Miranda you are an extraordinary human being."
"Well she's just a great girl Andrea's sister." Miranda admitted.
"What's Andrea's sister got to do with it? I'm talking about your Mother, how you sang Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral, bringing tears to that woman's eyes."
Miranda just nodded while she internal cringed at the lie Andrea had told, it is by far her worst. She would never sing to her Mother, she also couldn't see her Mother crying. Miranda was convinced her tear ducks had dried up sometime in the late seventies.
"There is a lot more to you than meets the eye Miranda. I always had you down as kind of a strange duck." Laughing Irv looked at Andy.
Feeling offended Miranda was about to lash back when Andrea quickly took her arm and smiled back at Irv.
"That's because she's a swan Mr Ravitz." Andy gushed as she pressed her body close to Miranda's side.
Miranda had to force another smile onto her face.
"Honey, how come you never invited Mr Ravitz over to the house?" Andy asked with a look of innocent curiosity that Miranda saw straight through. She then looked back at Irv, "My Miranda designed the most beautiful house, and it's just magnificent,"
"Did she now?" Irv smiled as he took of his glasses of and wiped the bridge of his nose.
"Hey I have the perfect idea." Andy said with a click of her fingers, "The reception."
Miranda felt her anger rise the moment the word reception left Andrea's lips. She should have known that saying no to the other woman would come back to bite her in the ass. This was just like the other woman, using the situation to her advantage. She knew that needed the promotion so she knew that she couldn't say no to whatever she was going to say.
"You know we are having a little reception next weekend why don't you come, bring that nephew of yours?"
"Oh I wouldn't want to intrude it's a family thing." Irv blushed and waved a hand.
"Oh no imposition at all Irv," Andy smiled using all of her charm on the older man, "your more than welcome and you just wait until you see this house that she had designed. It's particularly great for entertaining."
"You should come." Miranda added after she felt Andy's elbow dig her in the ribs.
"If you sure?" Irv asked making sure he wouldn't be unwelcome.
"I am sure; Andrea's sister will be there, she is driving in from Toledo." Just as Miranda finished she felt another sharp jab in the ribs from Andrea. This one however wasn't meant in encouragement.
"Really? My nephew has been in such a slump since he lost his job at the museum, do you think your sister could cheer him up?"
"Oh you betcha." Andy added.
"Ok, we'd be honoured to attend." Irv finally agreed.
"Great." Miranda breathed already dreading the party she was being forced to throw.
"I should be angry, but considering you were only trying to help me get this promotion I'll forgo ripping you a new one." Miranda shook her head as she strolled next to Andrea as they headed to her car.
Irv had given her the rest of the day off so she could take Andrea home. She still couldn't believe that Andrea had charmed the old goat. He was notorious grouch and didn't take to too many people. Andrea it seemed was the exception to the rule.
"Thank you so much." Andy said with a roll of her eyes.
"So you should. Did you notice how I was right there to pick up on your cue?"
"Unfortunately." Andy noted as she glanced to her left.
Ignoring her Miranda asked, "How come you never told me your last name was Dunkel? All this time and it never even occurred to me to ask."
Andy looked annoyed, "it's Fineman."
"Fineman?" Miranda echoed.
"Well it's technically my husband's name." Andy replied with a lazy shrug.
"You're married? I thought you were gay?" Miranda asked confused by what Andrea was telling her.
"Was married, and I'm liberal."
"So Dunkel was your maiden name?" Miranda enquired trying to sort out the information that Andrea was casually giving her.
"Sort of," Andy said with a tilt of her head, "it was my Mom's name, maybe my Dad's name; I don't know he was never what you could call in the picture."
Miranda rolled her eyes, "So who do you consider your family?"
Miranda watched and Andrea's shoulder's moved up and then down.
"Let me put it this way. Who is the girl in Toledo who studied History of Art and Architecture at Brown with Ravtiz's nephew?"
"An invention." Andy replied as she threw her hands up in the air.
"I don't believe this." Stopping dead Miranda closed her eyes and drew in air through her nostrils. She had suspected that the fact that Andrea's sister's education had been a fabrication. That fact that she didn't exist at all was news.
Opening her eyes Miranda saw that Andrea had kept walking towards her car and was now standing looking expectantly towards her. Hitting the key fob Miranda unlocked the BMW and rounded the red convertible.
After she was settled Miranda removed her sunglasses from the glove box and slid them onto her face.
"The problem is if I do say so, is that you suck a lying Miranda, and every time you try it you get us into even more trouble."
Looking at the bane of her existence Miranda snorted, "Forgive me oh Queen of Crap. The problem right now is that you don't have any family."
"No, I don't." Andy replied softly.
Noticing the change Miranda let her anger fade a little.
"What about actual parents?" Miranda asked as she slipped the key into the ignition and turned causing the engine to come to life.
Andy moved her head from side to side, "I don't know."
Looking right Miranda pursed her lips, "did they really pass away like I told my parents?"
"I don't know." Andy repeated.
"What about your sister?" Miranda asked feeling concerned over the fact that an imaginary woman was supposed to show up at their reception.
"I don't know. Don't worry, I'll get one." Andy said as she turned and looked away from Miranda.
Not feeling reassured in the slightest Miranda threw her car in reverse and pulled out of her parking space.
"I am so pleased that you to change your mind about the reception." Andy smiled as Charlotte beamed at her. "And now your sister's coming to town and the way you two are starting to get along, Jonathan and I like to think we had a hand in that."
Andy sighed gently. She knew that this thing with Miranda had gotten way out of hand, but she just couldn't seem to stop herself. Every lie they both told just seemed to pile up. Andy knew if they were physical they would resemble the leaning Tower of Pisa.
Then add on to that the feelings she had started to have towards Miranda. She had always been attracted to her, the fact that she had slept with her proved that. This however was something deeper; she enjoyed spending time with other woman and even got a little excited when she knew she was on her way home. The only down part of the situation was Stephen.
"Oh now look." Charlotte suddenly said as she tried to recapture Andy's attention.
Andy pulled a face and caught Miranda's eye. The platinum haired older woman shook her head and indicated that she agreed.
"Mother no," Miranda interjected as she grimaced, "it looks like something that Granny would have had."
"I think that's a nice pattern." Charlotte said with a frown. Andy liked shopping with her. The woman did have taste; it had even been passed on to Miranda. Still the plate was hideous and wouldn't go with the house. Seeing something that would Andy picked it up and held it aloft.
"What about this?" She asked.
"Now that I like, that is us." Miranda announced as she pointed at the plate.
Amused Andy smiled at Miranda's slip; it appeared that she wasn't the only one who was getting confused by the situation. She then turned with said plate and walked to the shop counter with Charlotte in tow.
As she walked to the counter Andy didn't see Miranda start to follow and then pull up short when she realised just what she had said.
Sitting next to Stephen on the sofa in his living room Miranda allowed him to slip his arm around her shoulders. She had been half listening to him talk as she thought about the incident in the department store and the way Andrea had been a little distant with her when she told her that she was seeing Stephen tonight.
She still couldn't believe that she had said that about the plate, it had taken Miranda a good hour to convince herself it was just a slip of the tongue and not anything deeper. Andrea's behaviour however was more puzzling, she didn't understand why she had barely talked to her after she had mentioned her plans. It wasn't like she could stay with her, she had been banished by her Mother so that she and Andrea could buy dresses for the reception. So Miranda hadn't had the time to question her.
"So Andrea didn't want to have the reception?" Stephen asked Miranda as he tried to kick start the conversation.
With a smile Miranda attempted to banish all thoughts of Andrea's mood from her mind.
"No," Miranda answered, "I was the one who convinced her, because my feeling is that a marriage is bigger than just two people. I just feel that I have to do everything I can to save it."
"That's such an admirable thing Miranda, you make a great wife." Stephen smiled winningly and Miranda felt herself melt, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure Stephen, go ahead." Miranda quickly agreed.
"When you married Andrea, was it," Stephen looked down at his lap. "Maybe in a small way to get back at me? To show me what a wonderful wife you would have been?"
"That probably had something to do with it." Miranda nodded.
Stephen shook his head, "People do such foolish things at times."
"I know, when I met Andrea I think I was still on the rebound from the end of our relationship." Miranda added as she gazed into Stephen's eyes.
Miranda knew she had to use the most of this situation to get Stephen back, it was the only opportunity she would have before the reception to be alone with him. It was probably the only time Miranda knew that Andrea wouldn't be there to interrupt them.
"I'm so sorry Miranda." Stephen apologised.
Miranda dipped her head and adopted an appropriately sad look, "I know."
"No, this situation is my entire fault." Stephen held up his free hand, "If I hadn't turned you down and I had just said yes, you wouldn't be in the turmoil you are in now."
"No Stephen." Miranda said as she tried to brush of Stephen's apology, even though every word of it was true.
"It's the truth though. It was a mistake, and I haven't been happy since. The women I have dated since have made me realise how lonely I am Miranda. They don't hold a candle to you. They are crude, unsophisticated, or just plain dumb. You know some of them even lie; they make up all manner of stories to try and hold on to me. None of them are like you Miranda. I just didn't appreciate how lucky I was until it was too late."
Miranda felt Stephen's body press against her own as he leaned into her and pressed his lips to her cheek. His lips lingered a little longer before they were removed and replaced by his forehead. Miranda felt her heart hammer in her chest as his kiss ignited all the passion she held for him, all the passion she had spent three years burying. Miranda felt her breath catch in her throat as Stephen's hand cupped her breast and his lips returned only this time to her mouth.
Miranda closed her eyes and moaned deep in her throat as Stephen's fingers deftly kneaded her over sensitive flesh. As she revelled in the contact she was receiving Miranda saw a flash of brown hair and a seductive smile that didn't belong to the man who was making her moan. Miranda's eyes snapped open at the image.
"We should stop." Miranda breathed hard as she pulled away from Stephen's grasp.
"Why?" Stephen asked confused by Miranda's sudden reluctance.
"Because, I'm married Stephen and I don't want that on your conscience." Miranda lied as she ran a hand down her face. She couldn't believe she had finally gotten what she wanted and she had thought of Andrea.
"Miranda?" Stephen called after her as she grabbed her shoes and shoved them on her feet.
"Every marriage ends Stephen, but I would rather you not be directly involved." Miranda murmured as she glanced around the room making sure she had all her belonging.
"You're trying to protect me?" Stephen asked.
"Yes." Miranda said as she frowned at herself. She knew she was not only lying to Stephen, but she was lying to herself.
"Oh Miranda." Stephen smiled, "You're always thinking of me."
"I have to go." Miranda announced as she pointed to the door.
"I understand," Stephen nodded, "when will I see you again?"
Taking a deep breath Miranda turned back to Stephen, "The reception."
Andy hummed to herself as she folded her own and Miranda's laundry. Everything that had been washed had been sorted, ironed if needed, folded and then placed in accordance to colour, category, and ownership.
Placing each pile on top of the other Andy placed them in the laundry basket and headed upstairs.
After heading to Miranda's makeshift bedroom and placing her laundry on her bed, Andy headed to the master bedroom and started to place her own laundry into the chest of drawers that sat against the left hand wall.
So lost in her task Andy failed to hear Miranda enter the house until she heard the rapid clicking of her heels as she made her way up the staircase and into her room.
"You did my laundry?" Miranda said as she walked into the master bedroom.
"Yeah, I was doing my own, so I did yours as well." Andy replied.
Miranda smile, "Ah, well, thank you."
"No problem." Andy smiled and then looked at the bag that Miranda held in her hand. "What's that?"
"Chinese food."
"Chinese food?" Andy repeated faintly as one of her stories about Miranda came true before her eyes.
"Yeah, you were shopping with my mother, and I knew that you would be exhausted after that, I get exhausted just thinking about it so I thought what the hell I'll get take out. Did you get a nice dress?"
"You bought me Chinese food?" Andy asked still in shock about the food Miranda held in her hand. When she had told that lie it had been a little fantasy, something she had always hoped the person she loved would do.
"Yeah, did you get a dress for the reception?"Miranda asked again, "it's in two days."
Andy nodded, "oh yeah."
"Oh good, I'll just go and put this out then." Miranda turned and started to walk from the bedroom.
"Do you need a hand?" Andy called after Miranda as she threw the shirt she held onto the pile on her bed.
Miranda waved off her offer, "No, I've got it."
"Ok."
"Oh Andrea?" Miranda said as she walked back into the room causing Andy's head to look up.
"Yeah?"
"Can you not wear that stuff anymore?" Miranda pointed towards Andrea's body and the clothing she wore.
"What's wrong with it?" Andy asked as she looked down at the old vest and the ripped denim jeans she was wearing. She had picked them up on her travels, and she couldn't quite remember where they came from, but they were comfy. She didn't see the problem with it; it wasn't like she was walking around naked.
"What's wrong with it? Are you kidding can you not see?"Miranda asked the disbelief clear in her tone.
"No." Andy shook her head.
"Look, you might not believe it but you can't just walk around like that."
"Why not?" Andy asked as she gazed into Miranda's eyes. What she saw their excited her. She could see arousal. She wondered if she caused that, or if it was just a remnant from her evening with Stephen. With that last thought Andy felt her excitement dip.
"Because a lot of what you wear makes you look... pert. I have to live here to, and it's just not appropriate."
"What why?" Andy persisted; she was interested in whether Miranda was also attracted to her. She had willingly fallen into her bed.
"Because it's confusing." Miranda admitted.
"Confusing? What about these?" Andy asked with a frown, as she held up her yellow hot pants.
Miranda shook her head, "no, especially not those."
"Why not?"
"You look incredible in them." Miranda said answering Andy's silent question of whether she was attracted to her. "Just don't wear them, in fact throw them away!" Miranda demanded as she turned and fled the room with the takeout bag still in hand.
Andy couldn't help the sad smile that tugged up the corners of her mouth. Even though Miranda might be attracted to her, Miranda had told her so many time times that she loved Stephen. Andy knew that that was all it was, attraction there was no point in hoping for anything more.
Walking briskly across the road Miranda brushed an imaginary piece of lint of her lapel.
"Ravitz sure is pumped about meeting your family and his nephew meeting Andrea's sister." Nigel said as he smiled at a particularly pretty man who was walking past them.
Rolling her eyes at Nigel's actions Miranda gave a shake of her head, "if I can just get through this reception tomorrow, everything is gonna fall into place. Making partner, Stephen, the whole ball of string."
"You can't possibly believe you're going to pull this off?" Nigel asked as they stopped next to a restaurant and they both entered.
Walking down the steps that led to the restaurant interior Miranda looked at Nigel. "Me? Not me. Andrea. She'll pull it off, I am telling you Nigel she is some kind of genius or a savant, she had Irv eating out of her hand."
"That is impressive," Nigel admitted as he side stepped a woman on the stairs, "he's usually such a hard ass."
"I know. Even so, I want to do something for her once I have Stephen back." Miranda said.
She had been thinking about it since the night when they had shared the take away. From the surprised and happy look on Andrea's face when she had brought home the unexpected food, Miranda had instantly suspected that Andrea had had a hard life.
"Like what?" Nigel asked.
"I don't know," Miranda admitted, "I just feel bad because she will basically be homeless and I know she doesn't have a friend in the world."
"That's so nice, and so unlike you Miranda." Nigel laughed.
"Thank you for pointing that out Nigel." Miranda rolled her eyes and laughed along with her friend.
"Welcome to The Sofia my friends." The name and the voice caused the smile to slip from Miranda's face.
Turning around Miranda found herself eye to eye with the curly haired waitress who Andrea had once called a friend. The woman who had thrown poor Andrea out on the street, she had kicked Andrea out without so much as a thought as to what would happen to the girl.
Standing just behind Andrea was the bleach blonde owner of the restaurant with a large smile on his face.
"I don't want to eat here anymore." Miranda spat as she started to turn and walk back up the stairs that led to the street,
"Why what's wrong?" The waitress asked with a frown. Miranda couldn't remember her name.
Miranda turned, "Andrea."
"Andrea beautiful Andrea, where is she? You can tell her that she can come back anytime." The owner said with a huge smile.
"Yeah where is she?" the waitress asked with a matching smile.
Before she knows what she was doing Miranda found herself stepping forward with her hand raised. The next thing she knew her palm was stinging and the young waitress was in a crumpled heap on the floor holding a hand to her lip.
"You bitch, throwing a young gril like that out on the street." Miranda hissed as she looked down at the girl at her feet.
Miranda felt a tap on her shoulder and she briefly turned and looked at Nigel.
"You know what Miranda, I remember I left my phone off the hook, I better get back to the office. See you later." Nigel said before he quickly abandoned his superior and made his way up the stairs behind them.
Miranda didn't take much notice as she stared at the girl on the floor.
"Oh Lord, somebody, call for the police." The blonde owner shouted as he leaned down and grasped the girls shoulders.
"Yeah call the police for her." Miranda added.
"What wrong with you? What you talking about? What has Lily ever done to you?" the owner of The Sofia asked in broken English.
"I'm not talking about what she has done to me," Miranda bellowed, as she noted the name. "I'm talking about what she did to Andrea Dunkel."
"Huh?" Lily murmured and looked confused as did the blonde man who was pulling her up to her feet.
Miranda had a sinking feeling as she quickly scrambled for the other name Andrea had said she went by, "Err, or Fineman."
"Andrea? You mean Andrea Sachs?" the waitress asked and she pulled her hand away from her mouth a revealed a bloodied lip.
Wincing slightly at the damage she had done Miranda nodded, "Sachs, ok yeah."
"You know where Andrea is?" Lily asked as her tongue darted out towards her lip.
"Yeah, you should know, you're the one who kicked her out when you found out she was gay." Miranda replied viciously.
"I did? That's a little hard to believe." Lily shouted back the outrage evident in her tone.
"Why?" Miranda asked her bravado fading fast. She had the feeling that Andrea had fed her another lie, and like everyone else she had fallen for it once again.
"Well for one thing, I already knew and didn't give a shit, and two when I got home she was already gone." Lily informed Miranda.
"She was?" Miranda closed her eyes and shook her head from side to side. She was defiantly going to kill Andrea when she got back to the house. She had made a fool of her, again.
"Yeah," Lily nodded, "but that's just Andrea for you, I have known her since Toledo. What's she been up to?"
Miranda eyes opened slowly as four words stood out above the rest, "You know Andrea?"