Four
"Andrea, stop sulking. It doesn't suit you."
"I'm not sulking."
"Sure you are. You haven't said a word since you arrived."
"I just did, didn't I?"
"Stop being a smartass now."
"Stop doing this, stop being that. You stop being so bossy."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Andrea…"
"Now what?"
"You won. I'll do it."
"I knew you would."
"Cheeky girl."
"I already chose your first assignment. # 27."
"# 27? Let me see…That's the worst cliché ever Andrea."
"Maybe, but we're doing it anyway."
"We?"
"We, you… focus, Priestly. You only have five days to prepare."
Andy grabbed the editor's waist, pulled her close and planted a loud, wet smooch on her lips.
"Thank you, thank you."
Andy stepped back and jumped around the room singing.
"YAY. Valentine's Day. You'll love it."
Miranda shook her head at the girl's antics but embraced the warm fuzzy feeling that came with it. For the first time in ages she awoke with a smile on her face and a funny tingling sensation on her lips.
Nine
According to many, Valentine's Day was the most romantic day of the year. According to Miranda Priestly it was just like any Monday. She hated it. As the editor-in-chief of a leading fashion magazine she sure understood the business concept behind it. Runway's Valentine's Day special edition had always been a huge success, one of their best sellers. For her that was all. Business. Nothing more, nothing less. She cringed when she came across those pathetic fools carrying oversized balloons, boxes of chocolate and stuffed animals. In the past, husbands and suitors tried to impress her with ridiculously expensive flowers, jewelry and diners. One went all the way and hired a string quartet. They all failed. The Ice Queen didn't budge. Things changed a little after the twins reached a certain age and they had their own expectations of a perfect romantic day. Strangely enough, it always required their mother's presence. While Miranda loved her daughters and cherished every second they spent together, she wished they would forget about Valentine's Day. They didn't. They loved it. Caroline once declared that it was better than their Birthday. Thus, they were over the moon when Miranda announced that they were going on a carriage ride in Central Park.
"Mom, this is awesome. We should do this every year."
"We'll see, Bobbsey." answered Miranda without conviction. They had only started the ride five minutes prior, and she had already decided that no repeat would follow. It had begun to snow right after they arrived at the park. Huge, fluffy snowflakes danced in the air. Romantic. Sure. She couldn't deny that it was beautiful, even romantic, although somewhat lacking. Something was missing. Something…
"Missed me?" a cheerful voice asked, close to her ears and she jumped in surprise. Andrea.
"I can't say I did." huffed Miranda but she couldn't hide the smile, forming in the corner of her mouth.
"Oh don't be a party pooper. Look at the girls, they enjoy every minute of this."
Miranda looked fondly at them chatting excitedly and the smile widened.
"Yes, they do. Perhaps you were right and it was a good idea."
"Miranda Priestly said I was right. Call the press."
"Hilarious." Miranda rolled her eyes - which happened a lot when she was with Andrea - and removed her gloves. "You're freezing. Put these on and" she lifted the blanket she was wrapped in "come closer."
Andy gratefully slid under the blanket, and snuggling close to Miranda, she nestled her head in the crock of the older woman's neck and sighed happily.
"You are toasty warm. Hot flushes again?" Andy asked cheekily.
"Whoever told you that you were funny, I should have a word with them." Miranda circled Andy's waist and pulled her even closer. It was heaven.
"You are warm." whispered Andy, rubbing her cold nose against Miranda's throat. "Warm, warm, warm."
"You already told me that. Now you are just repeating yourself."
"I'm not talking about your body temperature."
"You need a reality check, Andrea. Everybody knows that I am anything but warm. They don't call me The Ice Queen for nothing."
"They are all stupid then."
"Are they now?" Miranda smirked. This girl was unbelievably sweet. Naive, but sweet nonetheless.
"For them you are the harsh winter. They are fooled by your snow white hair, ice blue eyes and chilly demeanor. For me you are the soft snowflake, gleaming brightly under the streetlamp. The whimsical frostwork painting on my window in the morning after a freezing night. The ray of golden sun skating across the frozen lake. You are my gentle winter."
"Mom, Mom."
Miranda opened her eyes and blinked sleepily at the girls.
"Yes, Bobbseys?"
"We've arrived Mom." answered Cassidy. "You fell asleep and missed the best part of the ride."
Smiling at her firstborn, Miranda leaned forward and patted her knee.
"Don't worry, Bobbsey. I can assure you I didn't miss anything. Let's go, we have a reservation at your favorite restaurant."
Gracefully she extracted herself from the carriage and reached up to help the girls off.
"Mom?" asked Caroline taking her hand. "Where are your gloves?"
Miranda frowned, her eyes already searching the seats and the floor. No gloves.
"They must have dropped off somewhere, along the way."
When they got back to the car, she found the gloves on the back seat and there were heart shaped drawings on the frosty window.
Thirteen
"You did not."
"I most certainly did."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I have panties that cover hardly anything. Not much difference really."
"But still."
"Fine. If you really want to know it was cold."
"Cold?"
"Must you repeat everything I say?"
"Come on, spill it"
"The rundown I had to attend was held in an old factory building."
"And what? I swear, you are the worst story teller, Priestly."
"And cold air was blowing up from under the chairs, continuously."
"Oh."
"Oh yes. I was sitting on a top of a giant vent. In February. It's a miracle that my pussy is not sneezing."
"I don't believe you just said that."
"I don't believe you talked me into doing that ridiculous list."
Thirty-Eight
"# 101."
"That one is pathetic."
"Don't be a snob. Not everyone gets to travel. 11% of Americans have never traveled outside the state they were born in."
"All right. Tomorrow I leave for the Hamptons with the girls. I can do it there .And stop humming. Very distracting."
"I'm not humming."
"You are. You hum quite frequently nowadays. It's the same melody every time. It's very catchy."
"It's something I've been working on recently. I can't tell you more, but I promise to show you when it's done. I have to go now. See you at the Hamptons."
"You are not invited."
"Bah."
Thirty-Nine
It was rather warm for mid-March, which made their sea shore walk more enjoyable, as Miranda had expected. After having lunch in a small family owned seafood restaurant, they spent most of the afternoon exploring the neighborhood. They had been there before, but it felt somewhat different, almost like a new adventure. She studied their surroundings through new glasses, thinking back to Andrea's words. 11% of Americans have never traveled outside the state they were born in. She knew she was lucky. Yes she worked hard and it paid off, but there were others who worked even harder yet got nowhere. # 101. Sitting on the shore and watching the sunset. A simple every day activity, taken for granted for some, a dream for many.
"Thank you for doing this."
"It's not a big deal, Andrea. I'm not doing anything out of my comfort zone."
"I know you care, grumpy."
"Why don't you just enjoy the sunset? Quietly."
"Spring."
"Pardon me?"
"The elegant snowdrop, hiding under the frozen soil, waiting for the perfect moment to rejuvenate. The balmy, fresh air during the day, then shall the evening come you realize the bite is still there. You are my spring Miranda."
"Mom? Are you dozing off again?"
"It appears so, Bobbsey. It's getting chilly, time to go back home."
Forty-Five
"What's this?" Andy looked at the document Miranda stashed into her hand as soon as she arrived.
"Read it."
"Oh my God. This is amazing." She threw her arms around the editor and hugged her tight, whispering shakily in her ears. "You are amazing." Pulling back she looked at the paper again, tears pooling in her eyes.
"Now, now Darling. No need for any of that." Miranda wiped the drops away, except one sneaky little pearl which landed on the top of the form Andy was holding. It formed a wet, heart shaped spot right above the title: Anja's Cerulean Scarf Foundation.
"I contacted Anja's family. I was looking for a way to help them cope with their loss. The foundation's main purpose is to help to fulfill the dreams of children battling cancer. It will also help them deal with the financial struggles. Hospital bills, unpaid leave from work etc."
"Summer. The golden sunshine feeding the growing plants on the fields. The quiet, mid-summer shower watering the crops, making sure they live yet another day. The bright star at night guiding the traveler, giving hope to the lonely. You are my summer Miranda."
Forty-Nine
"Andrea? What are you doing here? It's the middle of the night."
"I…I'm not sure. I don't feel too well. I'm feel anxious and just don't want to be alone."
Miranda slid to the center of the bed, making space for Andy. Raising the cover she sighed. "Get in."
She didn't have to say it twice. Seconds later, she had a very warm but rather thin body on the top of her.
"This bed is big enough for two, Andrea. And I have pillows, you don't have to use me as one."
"I recognize sarcasm." murmured Andy "I'm not moving. Deal with it."
And Miranda did. She embraced Andy and held on to her all night long. When she awoke the next morning there was a note on the pillow next to her.
"Autumn. Some call it Fall but with you it would never happen. You are my Autumn but you will never be my fall."
Fifty
They were in Miranda's study, sharing the couch. Miranda was working on the Book, while Andy was sitting next to her humming quietly. She had arrived a few minutes ago and hadn't say a word. It wasn't an unusual behavior, so Miranda just let her be.
"I'm finished." Andy announced sadly.
"Your melody? That's wonderful Andrea." She noticed the forlorn expression and she frowned.
"And you are sad about it because…?"
"Despite my promise, I can't play it to you."
"I am known as an objective critic, Andrea. I'll promise I won't judge your work harshly."
"I'm not afraid of that Miranda. There is something else. I came to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?"
"My time has come. I'm sorry." She leaned forward and kissed Miranda.
"I don't understand." Miranda reached for her but Andy was already at the door.
"Miranda. You are my winter, spring, summer and autumn. You are my woman of every season. You are my love of every season."
She vanished into thin air and never came back.