A/N: Many thanks to the wondermouse beta readers, Jazwriter and Quiethearted. I usually listen to most of their suggestions. I also normally tweak the stories a bit after they've looked at them, so all mistakes you find are totally mine. :)

A/N 2 – This is written and posted as a part of the July 2014 Fic-A-Day effort. :)

Running with Patricia

A Glimpse into the Like 'verse

by

Gin

Miranda blinked at the doctor and tilted her head slightly as if to hear the last words better. "Excuse me?"

"Patricia is in excellent health for a dog her age, but you should probably try to cut back on her walks a bit now. With some care in the present, her quality of life will be extended." The veterinarian smiled and ruffled the fur on the St. Bernard's neck. "Saint Bernards do not need a lot of exercise." She cautioned Miranda seriously, "She's not a good jogging companion like other breeds. Too much exercise is bad for her hips, and she will wilt in hot climates. Saints suffer from heat exhaustion quite easily and need access to shade and plenty of fresh, cool water during hot weather."

Nodding, Miranda couldn't focus on the kind doctor's continued words. The previous ones echoed in her mind... not a good jogging companion... not a good jogging companion. This was horrible. Andrea took Patricia running all the time. A short daily walk is all Patricia needs. Why did Andrea not know that? The runs that Andrea took Patricia on were hurting the dog! This was unacceptable, but Miranda's heart broke slightly. Andrea loves Patricia. It will kill her to know her actions have been bad for Patricia! Realizing that the doctor had stopped speaking, Miranda thanked her politely and guided Patricia out the door.

###

Caroline and Cassidy were at the kitchen table eating their breakfast when their stepmother, Andrea Sachs, joined them.

"Hey, Ma!" Cassidy grinned. "When did you get back?"

"Late!" Andy ran her fingers through her hair. "My flight didn't even get in until midnight." She kissed both girls on the top of their heads and mussed their hair slightly. "I'm going for a quick run." Andy grabbed Patricia's leash from the drawer and called for the large dog. "C'mon, girl. You wanna go to the park?"

"It is quite warm this morning."

Andy looked up as her wife, the infamous, Miranda Priestly entered the kitchen with such a regal air that, for a moment, it seemed as though she didn't really belong there. Queens didn't hang around in kitchens, did they?

"Do not let Patricia overheat. Perhaps you shouldn't run with her today." There had been no time to speak to Andrea about the issue, but it had not been a problem since the young woman had been out of town for the last few days. That had been why Miranda had taken Patricia to the vet herself to begin with.

Laughing at that, Andy moved to take Miranda in her arms and kiss her thoroughly although with slightly less fervor than last night's welcome home kiss had contained. "I won't overheat either... thanks for the concern."

"I have more faith in your ability to know when you are overheating and your ability to cool yourself down." Miranda knelt to pet the St. Bernard dog. "Imagine doing what you are doing but wearing a fur coat while doing it!"

Shaking her head at that, Andy put her hand on her hip and tilted her head slightly. "You know she doesn't really 'run' with me, right?" The blank look on Miranda's face made Andy blink. "Um... St. Bernards can't run that much. It would hurt her hips. I looked it up when I was your assistant and had dog walking duty on occasion." Andy ruffled the fur on Patricia's neck and snapped the leash to her collar. "I jog, fairly slowly, or walk to the park. We usually have to stop at a few lights to cross the streets anyway. When we get to the park there is only a short jog to the area where the dogs can run off their leashes. I let her go, and then follow the circuit around there a few times. Patricia plays with her doggie friends, and I run. There are only two places that I'm out of sight from the dogs, and then it's only for about five steps before I can see them again. Since I keep to a fairly regular schedule, like most other people do, more often than not there are people there that will watch her, too, if I want to run a on a different path. Patricia plays and then usually ends up just resting under her favorite tree." Andy shrugged. "After I'm done, I'll cool down some, there is a bench I often use to wait for her, if she's still playing with the other dogs. That's where I met with Emily when she was planning our wedding. Otherwise I'll just call Patricia back and we jog, slowly, home."

Miranda took a deep breath. "You never cease to amaze me, Andrea." A small smile tugged at the corners of Miranda's lips. "Even when I feel it would be impossible, you do or say something that makes my love for you grow."

Andy smirked. "Well, yeah... that's me." Leaning in for a quick kiss, Andy whispered. "Andy Sachs, making the impossible possible since Two Thousand Six."

"Do be careful though. It is quite warm today."

Bowing slightly, Andy smiled. "Of course." She grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and shoved it into her small backpack. "C'mon, Patricia. Let's go to the park." She didn't have to tug on the leash to get the large dog moving toward the front door. Andy laughed. "Out the front? You wanna go see if Benji can play too?"

Miranda watched her wife leaving the house and felt absolute joy bubble up in her chest. Her life had been changed irrevocably when Andrea had entered it, changed for the better.

"I am so glad I married her."

Caroline and Cassidy just looked at each other, rolled their eyes, grinned and continued eating their breakfast.

end.