4.
"You should leave now babe. Before mom gets here." the caramel skinned girl about Cassidy's age said, as she caressed the Priestly twin's hand lovingly. Cassidy who was sitting on the edge of the hospital bed leaned over the girl's prone figure and pressed a light kiss on her forehead.
"Relax babe. Andy is cool. She'll get over 'us' fast. Can you imagine how my mom would have reacted if she knew about our relationship?"
"Well. Can you?" The unexpected voice raising the question, caused Cassidy to pale. Without turning she gave Mandy, who was staring at the newcomer behind her, a quick peck on the lips and whispered. "I'd better run now if I want to survive. You're safe though, because a sick tiny girl is no prey for the big bad dragon. I'll call you later."
Standing straight she turned toward Miranda with a big, bright, innocent smile.
"Mom. I'd like to stay and explain but you won't listen. So I'll just go home and ground myself, so you won't have to bother." She winked at Mandy and rushed out leaving the bewildered editor behind.
Mandy had heard numerous stories about the Dragon Lady's bad temper and now facing a possible volcanic eruption she tried to become invisible. Somehow she couldn't believe Cassidy. Being sick is not good enough protection when you are face to face with a visibly irritated Miranda Priestly.
"Good evening, Amanda. Please forgive my daughter. She has absolutely no manners. One would think she was raised in a barn." Miranda stepped closer to the bed and squeezed the girl's hand. "How do you feel?"
"I…I'm ok, Mrs. Priestly."
"Call me Miranda. Your mom is with Dr. Hart. She'll be here soon."
Mandy studied the editor who seemed more sad than angry.
"I'm sor...sorry Mrs...I mean Miranda. We…we didn't want to cause any problems. We ju..just…"
Miranda interrupted the stammering girl. "Let's postpone this conversation to when you are feeling better and everybody is present, ok?"
Mandy nodded and an awkward silence descended on the room.
"She loves you, you know." The quiet voice pulled Miranda back from her thoughts and she looked at Mandy, tilting her head questioningly.
Mandy smiled warmly. No longer timid, her smile was much alike Andrea's. "My mom...Andy. She loves you very much."
Miranda returned the smile ruefully. "After what I've done today…I doubt that."
Mandy rolled her eyes. "You old folks always make things difficult."
Miranda released an amused chuckle. "How come young lady?"
"Mom has been waiting for you, for the last five years. She never goes out. No matter who wants to date her, she always refuses them. Yet she doesn't contact you or do anything to express how she feels in any other way. When we moved into the penthouse she got you a security pass. And guess what?"
Miranda raised an eyebrow.
"The cards are recoded every six months. And every time they ask mom if that card should be renewed as well. Her answer is always the same - Just once more."
Miranda didn't know what to say. She was taken back by what she'd heard, but Mandy hadn't finished.
"We celebrated her 30th birthday two months ago. She hardly ever drinks, so she got a bit tipsy on the champagne. I asked her about you and this nonsense she's been doing." Mandy gave Miranda a sheepish grin, "No offense."
Miranda just waved and the girl went on.
"She said, when you find the one who makes you whole, you wait for them forever, because living with even the littlest of hope, it's still better than settling for second best."
Miranda was stunned. For once, the English language failed her. There were no words to properly express the myriad of thoughts and emotions that fought for dominance in her mind. She was in incredulous. Andrea loved her? After Paris? After all these years? She was anxious. Andrea loved her. What had she done? How could she think the worst of someone like Andrea, let alone accuse her of something so heinous? She was hopeful. Andrea loved her! She had waited. Miranda wasn't the only one to feel this way. A warm fuzzy feeling bubbled up and enveloped Miranda. If she were prone to theatrics she would have burst out in tears. She felt like a giddy school girl, finding out that her secret crush was reciprocated. Except what Miranda felt for Andy was so much more than a crush that when Andy walked into the room a few seconds later, Miranda could only look at her with newfound wonder.
"Sweetie" Andy sat on the bed and hugged her daughter. "What happened?"
"I haven't done anything mom. I didn't run or anything. We were just walking around the park, and suddenly I couldn't breathe and I fainted. "
"Sweetie. I had a discussion with Dr. Hart and she doesn't want to wait any longer. You were lucky this time but…"
"When?" Mandy asked. The calmness of her voice showing her quiet determination.
"Now. They will be here soon." Andy said her eyes glistening.
"Everything is going to be all right mom. And you don't have to do it alone. Miranda's here."
Two nurses stepped into the room. "Are you ready?"
Mandy shook her head, then grinned. "No. But let's get this over with. I have a hot date tomorrow, I don't want to miss it."
As she was rolled out, she pulled Miranda down and spoke softly. "Please tell Cassidy that I love her. But most importantly, if anything happens, take care of mom."
"I promise." Miranda reassured Mandy. The promise was easy to make. Now that Andy was back in her life. She wasn't going anywhere.
Miranda watched as the nurses continued to roll Mandy down the corridor and around the corner, when the most heart wrenching sound caused her to turn. The dam had broken. Andy doubled over on the bed. The fear and dread that she had been holding in, so that she could be strong for her daughter, had burst out in a body shaking waves.
"Sssshhhh...sssshhhh. It'll be ok. She will be ok. She is a spectacular young lady. She's strong and brave. Nothing is going to happen to her. I'm here for you darling." Miranda reached to embrace Andy. Determined to absorb her pain.
Wrapping one arm around her waist to shore herself, Andy held up the other to keep Miranda at arm's length. Composing herself she said firmly, "I don't want us to have a misunderstanding, Miranda. You hurt me more than words could describe. Your accusation made me question everything I ever thought about you...about us. I understand now, that actually there is no us and probably never will be, because you are not capable of trusting."
Andy paused, stood up and took a deep breath. "However, right now, I need you here with me, because I wouldn't survive if I lost the two most important people in my life at the same time."
She walked to the window and stared out into the darkness for a long moment. With another shaky breath, she turned, her voice soft yet unfaltering when she continued.
"When the surgery is over and my daughter is alive, I want you gone. And I never want to see you again."