12 Days of Christmas
Deanlu
Devil Wears Prada is the property of 20th Century Fox, Lauren Weisberger, and Aline Brosh McKenna. I appreciate your reviews. I'm not sure where these are coming from, but they continue to come to mind.
Day 4:
"Miranda, Patrick on line two." Stephanie, Miranda's assistant called from the outer office area.
"Patrick, to what do I owe this wonderful call? I hope all is going well with the shoot?" Miranda asked in her stern, but soft voice. The more Patrick spoke the angrier Miranda became. "I will be there momentarily. Make sure that sniveling worm doesn't leave till I have spoken with him." Miranda responded coldly as she hung up. How dare he think he can shut down my photo shoot? "Coat, bag!" Miranda called to Stephanie her assistant. 'Why hadn't Nigel called her?' Miranda thought as she grabbed her coat and bag. "Have Roy outside in 5 minutes and make sure that the skirts for the Valentino shoot are here by the time I arrive back. Have Margaret run to Banana Republic for the order we placed, grab the footstool I saw 32nd street last week, and find out when Andrea will be home tonight." Miranda said as she stepped onto the elevator and the doors closed. Stephanie finished writing, notified Roy, and then called Andrea.
"I hope you and Patrick know what you are doing! She was livid when she left here. Tell Nigel to expect a call enroute." Stephanie screeched at Andrea. "You are not making my job easier Andrea."
"Don't worry, if all works out you won't see her the rest of the day." Andrea reassured the frantic first assistant. Andrea hung up the phone. Roy texted that he was 18 minutes away. Nigel and Patrick looked at Andrea dressed in a shimmering white dress and a scarf of the most elegant lace covered her head. Nearby an elegant picnic had been set up inside a tent in the backyard estate of a friend. The tent was filled with rich hues of color that reflected Christmas, heaters had been set up to warm the space even as a low fire burned in a brazier set in the center of the ten and vented out the top. Many pillows and blankets were set nearby on raised sleeping area that Andrea hoped would be used much later. The grounds were well protected from the outside world by a high wall. Runway had received special permission to shoot on the grounds because of its winter fairy tale feel. The photo shoot had ended an hour ago, but Emily and Serena had gotten special permission from their friend who owned the mansion for this gift for Miranda. It was just getting the editor of Runway here. "She'll be here in 14 minutes. Can someone help me to the tent?" Andrea asked as she was led over carefully through the snow. "Are you sure you can handle her Nigel? I don't want you in trouble." Andrea whispered.
"Oh ye of little faith just trust me." Nigel said as he lowered the scarf over Andrea's face and allowed her to kneel before the tents opening just far enough not to trip the fashion maven, but close enough to cause her to see Andrea. Nigel had arranged for the clothing from a Middle Eastern designer to bring the Winter Sahara here on this cold afternoon. Nigel could hear Patrick moving several items around the entrance of the tent which was decorated with poinsettias and small Christmas trees readying it for the editor's arrival.
"She's here, ready yourself." Patrick said as he left to retrieve the editor. Patrick smiled at the young reporter. He wished he had someone this romantic in his life. He shook his head wondering how Miranda had found someone as unique as Andrea Sach's.
"Have fun Andrea." Nigel whispered as he stepped outside lowering the tent flap and bracing himself against the dragon's wrath to come. Andrea took a bracing breath. She hoped Miranda liked her surprise and did not throw a tantrum.
"Where is that sniveling worm and where did you move the shoot?" Miranda's cold, icy words chilling Patrick deeply. Patrick's steps faltered inside the house as he intercepted Miranda and brought her to the backyard.
"The person you need to see is inside the tent we set up earlier. They seemed quite adamant that nothing could proceed without your presence. Nigel argued with them, but he felt this would take your special finesse to fix." Patrick said as they made their way across the yard on a preset carpet to the tent. Nigel stopped Miranda outside and waved Patrick off. Patrick was only too happy to move back toward the house to await Nigel.
"Let me through Nigel! I will take care of this now! If Mr. Dukane thinks he can just…" Miranda raged until Nigel cut her off.
"MIRANDA!" Nigel shouted interrupting her diatribe. Miranda stopped abruptly surprised at Nigel's outburst though still seething inside that anyone would delay her photo shoot costing her thousands of dollars. "The shoot is finished." Nigel said firmly, but softly. Miranda looked at him perplexed.
"If the shoot is done, then why am I here? Why did I receive a call that the shoot had been held up?" Miranda demanded coldly as she pointed her finger into Nigel's chest.
"Emily, Serena, Adam, and I wanted to give you a gift." Nigel said turning and pulling back the opening of the tent. Nigel then took Miranda's hand and led her inside the door of the tent. "Your schedule has been cleared for the next twenty-four hours. You are to remain here until such time as all your needs have satiated. Merry Christmas my friend." Nigel said as he kissed Miranda's hand, closed the heavy flap of the tent, and walked back toward the house. He was actually pretty happy with leaving Miranda speechless. It was the first time.
"What the hell?" Miranda whispered still not having noticed Andrea as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"What is thy wish Mistress?" Andrea's firm, but soft words floated up to Miranda. It was then Miranda opened her eyes and took in her surroundings including the young woman in front of her.
"Andrea?" Miranda questioned as she reached out gently removing the lace head scarf to reveal those glorious soft brunette locks she loved. Andrea bowed her head rising to take Miranda's hand, but keeping her eyes low in submission.
"May I make you more comfortable mistress?" Andrea asked softly waiting for permission to remove the winter coat. Miranda nodded as her brain attempted to catch up with what was going on around her. It was then she noticed the meal set out, the soft strains of classical music, the warm rich colors and lights within the tent, and the nearby bed on the raised dais. Andrea had removed her high heels and was leading her to several pillows set near a fire. Once Miranda was seated near the low table Andrea served her a glass of wine.
"Andrea, please tell me what is going on?" Miranda said as she sipped her wine eye widening recognizing a very expensive, bold flavor. The editor looked down at the wine and over to where it chilled recognizing the extremely expensive bottle she loved, but did not indulge in much. Andrea knelt before her wife taking in the confused, but softening features.
"I am yours for twenty-four hours to command in any way, use in any way, have in any way. We have been provided a safe haven to carry out your fantasy my love." Andrea said watching as an alarmed expression took hold of Miranda's face. She knew exactly what thoughts were occurring in that steel trap of a mind. She couldn't have her wife think she had betrayed her in any way. She would never do that to Miranda. "No, they do not know what the fantasy entails my love. Only the parameters of what I needed to provide you a Christmas present. Nothing more, I promise." Andrea leaned closer whispering, "Your secret desires whispered to me in the heat of passion are safe and known only to me. I would never betray you." Andrea left a soft kiss upon Miranda's ear and then lips returning to kneeling position as she waited to see if the editor would take her up on the gift she offered. Miranda reached for her wine glass again looking around the tent and back to Andrea seeing the deep love reflected in her wife's eyes. Her friends had gone to a great deal of trouble to provide her with this gift. They knew how hard it was to carry out something like this without fear of the press finding out. Miranda smiled slyly thinking of the specific fantasy whispered to Andrea one night. She wouldn't waste this moment not when so many had provided her with the safety to explore it. The editor shifted slightly and nodded. Andrea's lit up in answer as she began serving Miranda knowing this would be a night to remember.
The following day Miranda stepped into Runway in the late afternoon heading straight to her Fashion Directors office. Her walk was steady, relaxed, and her face held a deep evil smirk on it. Nigel was bent over a lighted table examining several photos when the sound of a purse and coat hitting a nearby chair startled him from his focus. He looked up to see Miranda walking toward him looking like the cat that had eaten the canary.
"Good Afternoon Miranda. How was your gift?" Nigel asked as Miranda came over to examine the photos he was looking at. Miranda's face held a secret smile and for a moment the years fell away to reveal the friend he had first met so long ago.
"Magnificent, astonishing, breathtaking." Miranda declared confidently as she turned to Nigel.
"I heard from a little bird that our sweet little Six had to be carried by Roy to the car. Supposedly she was too worn out, covered in gentle bruises, and wearing a loving smile in her sleep." Nigel said as he moved away from Miranda hoping he did not anger her. He had actually heard a little more than that. Andrea had been mumbling in her sleep the words 'more Miranda, please more' all the while as Miranda had kept close to her running loving hands over the young woman's face. Once in the car, Roy had gently laid Andrea into Miranda's lap where she had curled into the editor snuggling under her neck and covered with a blanket still soundly sleeping and never waking. Nigel smiled to himself. It must have been one hell of a night. "That must have been some gift she gave you." Nigel teased gently. He knew poking the dragon was dangerous.
"One would hope that these little discretions were kept quietly." Miranda said leveling a warning look at her fashion director. She then relented and walked past him running her hand across his shoulders sending chills down his spine before declaring firmly, "however, with that said Andrea will not suffer any lasting problems and is safely ensconced in my bed recovering from a very interesting night." Miranda said smiling and seeming to drift off for a moment in memory.
"Not even a small hint?" Nigel asked needling the dragon just a little more. Miranda's eyes refocused on Nigel as gave him a dirty look.
"No, but I would like to thank you all for the gift. It was extremely considerate and wonderful." Miranda said as she walked over to pick up her coat and bag. "Adam and you are invited to the townhouse Friday for a small dinner party; of course, Emily and Serena will be there also just a small thank you for your amazing gift." Miranda walked toward the door; stopped, and turned back she looked at Nigel for a moment. "Thank you." Then she was gone the sound of her stilettos striking the tiled floor receding from him.
"Merry Christmas Miranda!" Nigel said chuckling to himself as he went back to work.
** Side note, I may be willing to post a 13th chapter of what happened this night under an M rating if any are interested. However, I have always been told that things left to the imagination are much better.