FF: Housesitter – Part 4/4
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. This if the final part, I hope everyone has enjoyed the little journey. This part contains mention of physical abuse that might be upsetting to some readers if that is you them please avoid.
Part 4
Walking through the front door Miranda made her way into the house. Scanning the immediate area Miranda quickly spotted the object of her thoughts.
"Hi." Andy smiled as she watched Miranda make her way towards the dining table.
Miranda paused briefly to place her jacket, bag and laptop upon the dining room table. As she placed her hands on her hips Miranda gazed angrily at the array of gift wrapped boxes spread all over the surface. She vowed to return each and everyone when this ordeal was over and done with.
"Look what Aunt Millie and Uncle John sent us." Andy said as she held aloft an erotic sculpture of two women.
"Nice." Miranda replied with a wince as she imagined her Aunt Millie, who was in her late eighty's buying the sculpture.
Miranda continued to watch as Andrea opened the boxes, her face lighting up like a child at Christmas with each new gift. Even though she knew what she did about Andrea, Miranda couldn't quite let go of her anger.
"I went to The Sofia for lunch today." Miranda said casually as she rounded the table and stepped closer to Andrea.
Miranda saw Andrea's body stiffen as she opened another box, "You did?"
"I did," Miranda nodded, "and you would never believe who I bumped into when I was there."
"Ronald Macdonald?" Andy replied casually as she pulled a hand blown vase from the box.
"Close." Miranda smirked, "Your ex-roommate, Lily."
Andy placed the vase on the table and licked her lips and asked, "How is Lils?"
"Oh she's great," Miranda responded as she reached out to stop Andrea from grabbing another gift. "She was worried about you though. Can you imagine her surprise and hurt when she gets home from her night out and finds you gone?"
"Didn't she get my note?" Andy asked as she pulled her hand from Miranda's grasp and walked away from the table.
"No, funny that isn't it?" Miranda asked as she followed Andrea, "What's even funnier was when I informed her of how she had walked in on us naked."
"You didn't?" Andy threw over her shoulder.
"Oh I did," Miranda nodded angrily, "and can you imagine my surprise when I slapped a perfectly innocent young waitress across the face for being a homophobe."
"You hit Lily?" Andy asked as she stopped and turned towards Miranda.
"Yes!" Miranda screamed.
"For me?" Andy asked with a small smile.
She couldn't believe that Andrea's was interested whether she had slapped her friend for her. "Yes, I slapped a totally innocent woman."
"I know," Andy nodded, "but still no one has ever done anything like that for me before.
Miranda ground her teeth and threw up her hands, "I didn't know that you had lied, but considering our track record I should never had taken what you said at face value."
She felt her anger surge as Andrea turned and walked out of one of the open windows. Miranda quickly followed; there was no way she was letting Andrea run away from this, from her.
"I just can't believe that you lied about having nowhere to go, this whole thing has been one big sham." Miranda hurled at Andrea's back.
The younger woman didn't stop and Miranda followed as she walked out onto the grassy area at the front of the house.
"Lily knows quite a bit about you Andrea." Miranda called out causing Andy to stop and bow her head.
"I don't want to talk about this." Andy said firmly.
"Why not?" Miranda questioned refusing to stop, "Lily was happy to talk, she told me all about you Andrea."
Andy shrugged her shoulders, "She could have been lying."
"She could have been," Miranda agreed, "but somehow I don't think she was. She came across as very honest, unlike you."
Miranda watched as Andrea clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white with pressure.
"You have no proof what she told you was the truth."
"That sounds like a defensive answer," Miranda tilted her head to the side, "but she didn't have a reason to lie to me."
"She could be trying to get back at me." Andy offered.
"No, she was genuinely concerned for your safety. She told me how you two grew up in the same foster home in Toledo. She told me how your Mother left you that at age six, and that from the time you were eight all you used to do was run away. She told me that no sooner had you gone, than the police were dragging you back."
"This is all very interesting." Andy noted as she started to walk back towards the house.
"She told me about Nate, your knight in shining armour." Miranda called to Andy's back causing her to stop dead. Miranda sighed as she stared at Andy's rigid back. The story that Lily had told her was anything but pleasant.
"She told me how you were seventeen and in love, she told me how he swept you off your feet and how in a week you were married and off to California."Miranda shook her head and the continued, "She told me how he had all these big plans of how he was going to open his own restaurant, but instead he ended up flipping burgers and drinking his way to an early grave."
"I'm not listing to this." Andy growled before she started to move again.
"She told me how he got you pregnant Andrea." Miranda called out softly.
"Don't" Andy stopped, turned and half warned, half pleaded with Miranda. "Please don't."
Miranda moved her head from side to side. She wouldn't stop, she couldn't stop. She would not allow Andrea to run away from this, she knew the younger woman had to stop running away from her past. She had to stop running away from her pain.
"She told me how when you were four months pregnant he beat you so bad that you had a miscarriage." Miranda paused, her voice trailing off as she tried to shake the image the words invoked. "She told me how he left you broken and bleeding on the floor of your apartment and if it hadn't been for the landlord looking for rent you would have died there."
Miranda stared into Andrea's eyes. She could see the raw pain that Andrea held. She knew it had always been there, she had just missed it, or been so caught up in her own little world that she had refused to see it.
"She told me how you float around the country, not staying in one place for more than a few months. She told me how you haven't touched another man since then. She told me how you weave this web of lies to protect yourself, because you think that if it isn't real you can't get hurt. How you think that no one can hurt you again, not like Nate."
Andrea looked away, "it doesn't make a difference."
"Doesn't make a difference?" Miranda asked shocked that Andrea was willing to just dismiss all that had been aired. "What difference doesn't it make? God Andrea it's the difference between fact and fiction, between real and unreal, the difference between human interaction and fucking bullshit."
Miranda watched as Andrea shrugged her shoulders and turned her head away.
"You know just for once Andrea, tell me the truth, tell me why you did all this, why did you come here?" Exasperated Miranda threw up her hands, she wasn't really angry with Andrea anymore.
"I just wanted to see what it would be like to live in the picture." Andy confessed eventually, "Not just the house," Andy paused her lip quivering, "but the town, the people, the life. You have everything I have ever wanted."
Miranda didn't say anything. There was nothing she really could say.
"You have a perfect life." Miranda shook her head in disagreement as Andrea nodded.
"You do, you have parents who love you so much, and friends. I don't even know who my Father is, or if he and my Mother are alive. Everyone in town would go out of their way to help you. I grew up in a foster home; only Lils ever gave a shit about me and look at how I treated her. Seriously Miranda you don't know how lucky you are. I have never had anything like this before."
Miranda ran a hand over her face. She didn't have a perfect life, but she could see how to Andrea it would a appear that way. She was thankful for what she had, and at this moment even more so. She realised that her life could have been very different if the fates had conspired against her. While she had bemoaned the fact that Stephen had left her, Miranda knew it was a minor complaint compared to the hardships Andrea had endured.
"I really didn't intend for it to get this elaborate Miranda. It's just that everyone around here keeps treating me like I'm somebody," Andy paused and wiped a tear away from her eye, "except you."
Miranda took a deep breath as she allowed Andrea's words to wash over her. Did she treat Andrea like she was a nobody? Miranda knew that answer was one that she didn't like. Yes. She had to admit that while Andrea's lies had been fanciful and downright ludicrous as time she had never once told one that was malicious. She on the other hand had given Andrea an alcoholic Sister, an affair, and no parents.
At the time she hadn't known Andrea's story, if she had Miranda knew she could have handled the situation a little different. While the life Andrea had led didn't make up for the things she had done, it did make them understandable.
They should never have done this Miranda realised, they should never have started this. Miranda knew she would have kicked Andrea out when she first found her here. Things would have been so much simpler for them both. As it stood it was a situation they had both made, and it was a situation that they both had to escape from.
Taking a deep breath Miranda looked up. She frowned when she noticed that the object of her thoughts was missing. Calling out her name Miranda quickly flew into the house. She scanned the lower floor, checking the kitchen and laundry room. Eventually Miranda made her way up the floating staircase and hesitantly entered the master bedroom.
As she gazed around the space Miranda's eyes were instantly drawn to the old gray holdall that was sitting on the bed. Its zip was open and mounds of clothes were struggling not to burst free.
"What are you doing?" Miranda asked as a sliver of panic settled in her spine.
"Catching a bus." Andy replied as she placed another pile of clothing on top of her holdall.
Shaking her head Miranda stepped into the room, "hey, this is not something you can just walk out on, not after everything we have concocted here."
Andrea ignored her and Miranda felt her panic fully rise. She couldn't let Andrea go.
"Andrea, how the hell am I suppose to get the promotion, YOU gave me? That Stephen already thinks I have. If Irv comes here tomorrow and finds that you've gone...?" Miranda trailed off as she imagined the scenario, it was horrific.
Andy paused in her packing and looked over her shoulder to the place where Miranda had just collapsed upon the bed. "Do yourself a favour Miranda, let it go."
"Let it go? We made a deal." Miranda replied softly. She just couldn't find the energy to raise her voice. It was like something was sapping her energy.
"Yeah and that also included that we get divorced." Andy reminded Miranda as she pulled free another pair of jeans and tossed them onto the bed.
Miranda knew she had to keep Andrea here, she knew she had to stop her from leaving her. She couldn't pull the thing off on her own. Closing her eyes one thing occurred to Miranda. To do what she always does when she is unsure or desperate.
Licking her lips and taking a deep breath Miranda took the plunge. "I'll pay you alimony."
"What?" Andy asked shocked at what had just been thrown into the game.
Miranda nodded slowly her eyes pleading, "Just if you stay and help me, just for the reception. I'll give you one thousand dollars a month."
"For life?" Andy laughed.
"Well yeah, or until you get remarried that's the custom isn't it?" Miranda swallowed hard as she awaited Andrea's answer.
"You're even crazier than I am." Andy said her eyes wide.
Miranda bit her lip as Andrea dropped the last of her clothing into the bag and pulled upon the zip.
"So what do you say?"
"All right, I'll stay. Just keep your money Miranda."
Miranda couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped her. But it wasn't just relief that centred on the promotion and Stephen. It was relief that Andrea was staying. At some point in the past few months she had grown fond of the younger woman. Miranda's mind flashed back to the evening she had been at Stephen's, when her mind had conjured up images of Andrea. She didn't really want to think about what that meant.
"But I want you to have something." Miranda insisted as she watched Andrea walk from the master bedroom.
"I don't want your money," Andy shouted before she leaned back into the bedroom, "I will take the furniture though."
As Andrea disapeared Miranda couldn't help but smile and laugh to herself as she had to admit that when this is all over she will really miss Andrea.
"Right Sarah you have everything under control here?" Charlotte asked as she scanned the hallway.
"I do Mrs Priestly." Sarah the Priestly's maid nodded as she lifted up her schedule for the day.
Miranda rolled her eyes at Sarah. Her Mother had been writing those lists for Sarah for thirty years, Miranda was sure that she knew what her tasks were.
"That's wonderful dear," Charlotte smiled and then turned towards Miranda, "oh Miranda sweetheart, did you borrow a punchbowl?"
"Yeah." Miranda nodded as she handed her Mother her purse.
Miranda glanced down at the watch on her wrist. It was the morning on the reception and she was not looking forward to it. Her Mother was fussing and taking an age. Andrea had taken her car to go and find herself a sibling. It was already twelve and Miranda could feel the wall of pressure closing in. She knew if one thing went wrong today their hastily constructed house of lies would crumble.
"From Aunt Millie?" Charlotte asked as she accepted the purse and scanned her appearance in the hallway mirror.
"No," Miranda shook her head, "from Aunt Louise."
"Not Aunt Millie?"
Miranda rolled her eyes, she couldn't believe her Mother was having a go at her today of all days. She didn't need the added pressure. Who cared who she borrowed a punch bowl from?
"Don't start Mother." Miranda warned.
Miranda watched as she Mother's eyes narrowed at the tone she used.
"Well..." Charlotte started.
"Has Andrea's Sister arrived?" Jonathan interrupted dissipating a potential argument.
Miranda shot her Father a grateful look and jumped at the chance to change the subject.
"She's just gone to pick her up now."
As she reached the bottom of the stairs Andy moved her gaze from person to person. All were dressed in a similar fashion, women in red and men in black. Andy herself had dressed like them for the duration of her time spent here.
A head of curls flooded her vision and Andy couldn't help the smile of familiarity that spread of her face. It was smile that always arose when she saw her oldest friend. Lily.
Navigating the tables and chairs Andy kept her eyes on the woman who was neatly placing empty wax covered bottles on each table.
Andy stopped as she was a table away. Lily was one of the most stubborn women Andy had ever met. She had been like that since they where children. She knew that the following conversation was going to be hard, general Lily was forgiving, but if she had hurt her as much as Miranda had indicated that she knew any apology she gave would be an extremely hard sell.
"Hey you."
Lily looked up from the table with a frown, "Andy?"
Andy nodded and lifted her eyebrows, "How are you Lils?"
"What are you doing here?" Lily asked, not allowing Andy the opportunity to gather her nerve.
Andy took a deep breath, "I came to apologise."
"That's a first." Lily noted as she folded her arms across her chest.
Andy ran a hand through her hair as she nodded at Lily. Her friend had always been willing to forgive her transgressions. This time however Lily's body told Andy that Miranda was right and she wouldn't be so easy to forgive.
"Ok, I deserve the cold shoulder, but I never thought for a minute you would be directly affected by what I was doing."
"You never think Andy that's the problem."
"I know." Andy sighed and allowed her shoulder's to dip. Lily was right, that was her problem, and she always jumped head first into everything. First it had been Nate. Andy closed her eyes briefly against the sharp pain that stabbed at her heart. She had really loved him and he had destroyed her spirit. Now it was Miranda, she had used the situation the older woman had presented her with to construct the life she had always wanted to have. Things had back fired slightly, now she had started to have feelings for Miranda.
"You know I can accept the leaving without any notice," Lily said as she drew Andy back out of her thoughts, "because it's not like you haven't done it before, but did you have to say I was a homophobe?"
"Well it just came out," Andy hastened to explain, "I didn't mean it."
"You really are a piece of work." Lily growled angrily.
"I know," Andy readily agreed, "I'm a total bitch Lily, Miranda has already told me. I am so sorry, you can never know how much."
Andy felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn't slept well the previous night. What she had done had truly hit home, it wasn't just the fact that Miranda now knew who she really was. It was the true consequences of her actions. The situation wasn't just about her. It was about everyone she had lied to.
Lily nosily exhaled as she shook her head from side to side, "You know I never could stay mad at you. Even when you cut all the hair off my Barbie and threw it out of the window of our room."
Andy smiled painfully at the memory of a small Lily, her hair pulled into bunches, her body language exactly the same as she desperately tried to beg her forgiveness. "I was trying to make her a stunt woman."
Lily snorted and unfolded her arms, "Jesus Christ Andy, you have gone and done it this time."
"I know." Andy paused and then twisted her mouth, "Lils I need your help."
"My help?" Lily asked confused as to what Andy could need her help with.
"Yeah," Andy nodded as she took a step closer to her best friend, "this is what I have in mind..."
As her Mother parker her car next to the caterers van Miranda quickly jumped out, leaving both her Mother and Father to see to themselves. She glanced at where her Car was parked upon the grass. She had to see how Andrea got on finding a Sister before her Parents could blunder in.
Swiftly moving up the steps Miranda sidestepped the stream of men and women dressed in white and black carrying boxes and trays. Miranda had wanted a simple affair, but her Mother had insisted upon having the reception catered, she had also insisted on paying much to Miranda's annoyance.
Throwing open the door Miranda quickly spotted Andrea wearing the same ripped jeans she had told her not to wear and a tight white t-shirt. She felt her mouth dry and her stomach clench as she made her way towards Andrea. She had her head thrown back and was laughing with wild abandonment at someone seated upon the sofa. Miranda didn't know why she had to be so beautiful, but it was becoming a distraction.
Miranda rushed towards and her and stopped as the person sitting on the sofa came into view.
"Miranda, you've met my Sister." Andy smiled.
"Is this a joke?" Miranda asked looking from woman to woman, her eyes demanding an explanation.
"No, Miranda Priestly, Lily Dunkel. Lily Dunkel, Miranda Priestly."
"Are you trying to kill me?" Miranda breathed as she closed her eyes.
She had really thought that if they could just get though the day, they would be fine. Now she wasn't sure they would make it though the next ten minutes.
"Nope."
"Oh God." Miranda opened her eyes and looked up. She had thought that Andrea would hire an actress of something; she didn't think she would go and get her friend from the restaurant.
"Miranda? Andrea?"
Miranda looked over her shoulder just as her Mother and Father reached them.
"Oh there you are, and this is?" Charlotte asked.
"This is Andrea's Sister, Lily." Miranda smiled brightly.
"But she's..." Charlotte started.
"Adopted." Miranda quickly said as interrupted her Mother's before she could comment on Lily's race. Andrea opened her mouth to elaborate but Miranda shook her head. She shot her a look to keep her mouth shut and just go along with it.
Miranda knew her Mother well, and as her eyes widened in understanding Miranda knew she had said the right thing. Her Mother was always raving on about all the celebrities who adopted children from different backgrounds and races. She had always been a strong believer in altruism.
"Well, I can't tell you how happy I am to finally meet you. Lily was it?" Charlotte said with a big smile reaching a hand out towards Lily.
"Yes, and it's a pleasure to meet you to Mrs priestly." Miranda watched Lily smile as she took her Mother's hand and gave it a small squeeze and accepted a kiss on the cheek.
"Please call me Charlotte. This is my Husband, Jonathan." Lily then repeated her earlier action with her Miranda's Father.
"Ok Charlotte, Jonathan, Andy has told me all about how you and your husband have taken her into your hearts and souls." Lily smiled widely as she started to turn on the charm.
Miranda rolled her eyes at Lily's words; she was almost as bad as Andrea. What was worse to Miranda was the way a small blush rose in her Mother's cheeks.
"I'm just so glad that she and Miranda found each other." Lily continued.
"Oh so am I." Charlotte agreed. "If you don't mind me asking, what on earth happened to you lip dear?"
Miranda winced as her Mother pointed out the swollen and raised area that marred Lily's bottom lip.
"She's afraid of flying." Andy jumped in helping Lily.
"I thought you were driving here?" Charlotte asked not understanding what flying had to do with Lily's swollen lip.
Lily opened her mouth to respond but Andy answered for her, "With the reception being so short notice I insisted that she fly down here instead of driving. You know what they say; you're safer in the air than on the ground."
"Yeah," Lily laughed nervously, "I bit right through it."
"Oh," Charlotte touched her own mouth in sympathy, "I hope it doesn't hurt too much."
"Oh no," Lily waved off her concern. "It will be fine in a day or two."
"Oh marvellous. Are you staying long?" Charlotte asked with a small inquiring smile.
Miranda watched as Lily's eyes widened as she shot Andy a look.
"She has to get back tomorrow, she is working on Monday." Andy supplied smoothly.
"That is a shame dear; we would like to get to know more about you and Andrea." Charlotte suddenly turned and flicked her wrist towards her handbag, "Oh Jonathan, get my camera out of my purse, I want to take a few picture."
"Mother." Miranda groaned.
"No Miranda." Charlotte glared at her daughter and then smiled towards Andy and Lily, "Let's start with one of Andy and Lily."
"But I'm not dressed." Andy said weakly as she looked down at the ripped jeans and white t-shirt she was wearing.
"Nonsense" Charlotte waved off her attempt to escape, "you look fine."
Miranda had to agree with her Mother. However in her position Andrea looked more that fine. Shaking off that thought Miranda stood and observed her Mother positioning the two women together and then accepted the camera from her Father.
Miranda suddenly found the camera thrust into her hands.
"Mother?"
"Now one of us with Lily and Andy." Charlotte insisted as she grabbed Jonathan and dragged him over towards the two women.
Miranda lifted the camera and looked at the small screen. She watched as her Mother positioned her Father next to Andrea and then took her position next to Lily. Miranda couldn't help the small stab of pain as she thought of how disappointed her Mother would be at the end of the day. Lily had been right; her Parents had taken Andrea into their hearts. They had accepted their relationship and they had treated Andrea like she was their own daughter.
Pressing the button on the top of the camera Miranda watched as the image was forever recorded.
She looked up and smiled when a familiar voice came from behind her.
Miranda turned and watched as Nigel decked out in an immaculate Armani suit came walking towards her, a bottle of red wine in one hand, and a gold gift box in the other.
Miranda handed the camera to her Father and then pointed towards Nigel. Her Father nodded and took her position.
"Nigel, you're early." Miranda smiled as she accepted the bottle and gift from Nigel.
"I know, I just wanted to get here before everyone else, I don't want to miss a thing." Nigel smirked as he glanced around the house, looking at caterers as they went about their business.
"You want to see if things collapse around me?" Miranda snorted.
Nigel laughed, "Yes."
"Thank you so much Nigel, you're such a good friend." Miranda replied sarcastically.
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your lovely wife Miranda?" Nigel asked as he looked over Miranda's shoulder towards Andrea.
"You have been introduced." Miranda said with a roll of her eyes.
Miranda turned and waved a hand towards Andrea. She watched as the young brunette excused herself from her parents and Lily and made her way over. Miranda flashed Andrea a brief smile and frowned slightly when she didn't receive an enthusiastic one in return.
"Andrea, you have already met Nigel."
"So we have." Nigel nodded as he reached out and grasped Andy's hand. "Is to be called Andrea? No?"
"Yes." Andy laughed lightly in remembrance as she allowed Nigel to shake her hand.
"Nigel Kipling." Nigel said introducing himself properly.
Andy smiled, "Andrea Priestly."
Miranda sputtered as Andrea announced her surname. Nigel smirked and Andrea looked at her in concern.
Miranda frowned as she looked over the heads of the guests that were milling around the room. Miranda smiled as she met people's eyes and accepted the congratulations from family members who were ecstatic that she had finally met someone she could spend the rest of her life with.
The guests had only just started to arrive and Miranda needed Andrea's help. She couldn't handle all these people on her own. A lot had already started to ask where her other half was. Something Miranda was wondering herself.
"Miranda?"
Miranda felt her agitation fade as her Mother's voice penetrated though the buzz of voices. "Mother, thank God."
"Where is Andrea?" Charlotte asked as she too looked around the room.
Miranda shook her head, "I was just going to ask you that. I'll go and look, try and keep everyone occupied."
Miranda turned away and quickly cut a path through the throng of bodies and headed upstairs. The door to the master bedroom was shut and Miranda grasped the handle. She tapped her knuckles upon the wood and then twisted the handle. To her shock she found that the door was locked.
"Andrea?" Miranda called out as she pressed her ear to the door.
"Go away." Andy's voice said as it drifted from the other side.
Miranda's eyes widened. A feeling of panic formed in her chest. There was no way that Andrea could do this to her now. First she had been going to leave yesterday, and now she had locked herself in her bedroom. Miranda didn't think she could cope with much more.
"Go away?" Miranda cried her voice rising. "We have a house full of guests get out here right now."
"Leave me alone." Andy shouted.
"What's wrong? What's going on?" Miranda demanded angrily. When she got no response Miranda dropped to her knees and pressed her eye to the key hole.
"I see you." Miranda accounted.
Andrea was sitting on the bed. Miranda's eyes widened as she noticed that her body wrapped in her old grey bathrobe.
"I said go away." Andy repeated.
Miranda shook her head as she kept her eye pressed to the door's keyhole.
"Irv's going to be here any minute and Lily is going to need your help with Irv's nephew." Decide to switch tactics Miranda lost all traces of anger from her voice. She couldn't afford to have Andrea leave. "Please Andrea."
When it didn't work Miranda couldn't stop her anger from rising again. Lifting her fists Miranda started to pound on the door while she cried out Andrea's name.
That was the sight that greeted Charlotte, Jonathan, and Lily as they walked up the stairs.
"Is something wrong Miranda?" Charlotte asked concern peppering her tone.
Turning Miranda's eyes widened as she quickly pulled herself up to her feet, "Err no."
"Is Andrea in there?" Charlotte asked.
Miranda sighed moved over towards her Mother with a nod. "She won't come out, she's nervous or something."
As she finished Miranda looked down the stairs and watched as Irv Ravitz along with a tall dirty blonde haired young man entered her house. Miranda closed her eyes. She couldn't deal with both Andrea and Irv.
"Oh god Ravitz is here." Looking back at her Mother Miranda licked her lips, she didn't need this now.
"I'll be back in a minute see if you can coax her out."
Andy sighed as she heard Miranda's announcement that Irv and his nephew had arrived. This was it. It was now show time. She knew she should be out there helping Miranda, but Andrea just couldn't bring herself to move. She knew if she did it was the first step to the end, and she didn't want it to be over. She didn't want the end to come. For the first time in over nine years she had started to feel happy.
"Maybe you should talk to her." Andy heard Charlotte say.
"Me?" Was Lily's hesitant response.
She could just imagine what Lily's face was like. She knew her friend wouldn't know what to say. She had been less than pleased when she had shown up at The Sofia and she had dead set against helping her. It had taken her over an hour to convince Lily to help her; even then she had promised to be with her every step of the way in case she struggled.
"Yes, you."
Closing her eyes briefly Andy groaned as she thought of what was to come.
Miranda bobbed up and down as she looked over the head of her guests. Miranda swore under her breath, by the time she had reached the bottom of the stairs, Irv and his nephew had disappeared into the crowds.
Manoeuvring herself through the bodies Miranda smiled and accepted the greetings of passing friends.
As she neared the dining table Miranda slammed into the back of someone.
"Oh I am so sorry."After apologising quickly Miranda looked up and met two familiar blue eyes.
"Hey Miranda." Stephen smiles widely as he stepped closer to her body and placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"Stephen." Miranda breathed as she forced herself to return his smile. A day or two ago it wouldn't have been a problem. Now it was.
Stephen stepped closer to her and Miranda was reminded of how his touch had ignited her two evenings ago. She was also reminded once more of the fact that she had also thought of Andrea at the same time.
"Hey, where is Andy?" Stephen asked as he placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"She's in our room she won't come out." Miranda confessed as she frowned at Stephen's hand. There was no fire, no spark.
"I thought she wanted this reception." Stephen said as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Miranda sighed, technically that was true. She knew the fact that she had revealed her knowledge of Andrea's past must be a contributing to the other woman's state. Andrea had wanted to run yesterday and Miranda felt slightly nervous that she still would.
Looking in to Stephen's eyes Miranda forced another smile upon her face, "Well this is what it's like with her, I try and I try."
Stephen nodded in sympathy and before he could reply Miranda heard a voice call out her name. Turning she found herself standing face to face with her boss and his nephew.
"Miranda, there you are." Irv smiled as he came to a halt.
"Mr Ravitz." Miranda greeted.
Miranda turned and smiled at Stephen. "It was great talking to you Stephen; I will catch up with you later."
As she turned back to Irv Miranda caught him pushing his chest proudly out and looking at his nephew.
"Miranda this is my nephew Walker."
Miranda smiled and looked up at Walker. He looked nothing like Irv. Were Irv was short and stout, Walker was tall and slim. His hair was blonde were Irv's had been brown when he was younger. The only thing they shared in common was their eyes. They were identical in both colour and shape.
"Nice to meet you Walker." Miranda said as she took the younger man's hand.
"And you, where is Lily?" Walker asked as she looked around the room.
"Yes Walker is anxious to meet her." Irv added.
Miranda forced out the biggest grin she could muster. She could sense an impending problem. She couldn't let them go upstairs. Not with Andrea sulking in her room. Even then she didn't think Lily could pull off talking to Walker without Andrea there to pick up on her lies. Knowing the only way she could stop a meeting between the two was to try and keep the separate. Miranda decided to take charge of the situation and steer the two men as far away from the master bedroom as possible.
"Well let's go take a look."
"Err... Hello, Andy sweetheart, it's your Sister lily, we're all waiting for you..." Andy rolled her eyes as she heard Lily pause. She felt bad for having dragged Lily into this; her friend had been thrown into the deep end.
"Talk to me Andy, Miranda's such a wonder full woman, with a beautiful house and a fantastic family. Tell me what wrong, what's the matter?" Lily asked confused.
"It's all going to end." Andy confessed sadly.
"What is Andy?" Lily asked even though Andy knew she knew just what she was talking about.
"You wouldn't understand Sis." Andy shouted in answer to Lily's question.
"I wouldn't understand? Your own Sister? Please Andy don't shut me out, don't leave me alone out here standing in the cold. Please Andy don't treat me like a stranger, don't treat me like someone you just picked up off the street!"
Andy blinked and looked towards the door. At any other time she would have laughed at Lily's over acting, but now it just made her mood darken.
"Is one of these Lily?" Walker suddenly asked as she pulled a graduation picture from his pocket.
Miranda accepted the picture as scanned the mass of faces as both Ravtiz's looked over her shoulder. She knew Lily was on the picture so Miranda found the first girl she could and pointed to her. "Oh I don't know, it's taken from so far away. I think maybe this girl."
"This girl?" Walker asked with a frown as he took the picture back.
"Yeah," Miranda nodded. "Let's go look for her in the kitchen. I wanted to show you the kitchen anyway Mr Ravitz, because in my opinion a lot of our fellow professionals forget about the Kitchen."
Miranda smiled brightly and indicating for both men to follow her. Marching down the corridor to the kitchen Miranda hopped Andrea would sort herself out soon. She didn't know how long she could keep both men occupied.
Andy listened at the bangs on the door and Lily's cries for her to open it and let her in.
"Put a lid on it Lils." Andy growled as she stood and moved closer to the door.
"Now Andrea your Sister is only trying to help." Jonathan voice interjected.
Andrea sighed and rested her forehead upon the door.
"I'm doing you a favour here Andy." Andrea closed her eyes as Lily's angry response reverberated through the door and around her brain.
Andy heard Lily storm off and Jonathan's voice fade as he followed her leaving Charlotte behind. Andy knew she was out of order shouting at Lily. Her friend was right; she was doing her a favour. She didn't have to be here. Andy couldn't help it; her good mood had been fading fast all day. It was like she was slowly drowning and she knew the reason was Miranda, or the fact that after today she wouldn't have her any longer.
"Andrea? I don't know the exact situation between you and your Sister or between you and Miranda for that Matter so I can't give you any advice on that. I certainly won't tell you what to do. I can only say that we love you Andrea, your family now. I don't know if that means anything anymore, but we are here for you sweetheart, if you need us."
Andy felt her tears spill over her cheeks at Charlotte's words. She loved them to and that was the problem. She had always wanted a Mother and Father who adored her. She had fallen in love with Miranda's parents. However the thing that was really killing Andrea was the fact that she had also fallen in love with their daughter. Andy closed her eyes and sobbed openly as she finally admitted to herself that she was in love with Miranda Priestly.
"Let me show you the garage." Miranda said pleasantly as she walked from the kitchen.
"You don't think Lily is in there do you?" Irv asked.
Miranda laughed as she looked at Irv and his smiling nephew.
"No," Miranda shook her head, "I decided to have it built as part of the house, because I didn't want to ruin the overall shape. There is nothing worse than having an unrelated building floating next to a main structure."
Irv nodded agreeing with her design, "your absolutely right Miranda, how were you able to do all of this? On your salary?"
Miranda smiled as she recalled everyone who had helped her.
"Borrowing mainly. I had a little money I had saved over the years but, my Mother lent me the majority of the capital I needed. You know how close we are." Miranda smiled, as she said the last part and held up her crossed fingers.
Irv nodded and Miranda turned back to navigating. As she turned she spotted her Father looking around a slight panic in his eyes. It wasn't a look that Miranda particularly liked and she knew all was not going well with Andrea.
"Come this way Mr Ravitz." Miranda pointed towards one of the open windows. She couldn't take them past the staircase; no doubt they would hear Lily talking to Andrea.
"Ravitz?"
Miranda turned at the name and stared wide eyed at Lily. Her hair was a little airy and she was holding an empty champagne flute in her hand.
"Yes." Both Ravtiz's said as they frowned at the young woman in front of them.
"Lily Dunkel, Brown University, class of 2005."
Miranda watched as Irv's nephew straightened his back and a huge smile spread across his face.
"Walker Ravitz, this is a pleasure, you know you do look familiar." Walker said his smile firmly fixed in place.
Irv turned to her with a look of hope and pleasure. Miranda flashed him a grin. Andrea had told her about his nephews problems, Miranda couldn't help but feel they could get worse.
"I was just about to say the same myself." Lily returned his smile.
"I'm just going to say three words." Walker paused and brought his hands up to his chest, "Spring Break, Rome!"
Lily's head pulled back as an exaggerated look of pleasure spread across her features.
Miranda cursed Andrea. She looked over to where her Father had been. Now there was no sign of him.
"Ohm, what can I say It was fantastic. There we were, in Rome." Lily stopped and looked at each of them in turn, "The food, the architecture, the people, the atmosphere, it was stunning. We used to structure our days, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Fascist..."
Lily looked towards Walker who nodded with a smile. Miranda knew her eyes must be wide. She was stunned at Lily's knowledge of Roman architectural movements. Her heart was hammering in her chest as Lily wove a web to equal Andrea's. She didn't know what Andrea had told Lily about Walker and she certainly didn't know what Lily knew about Rome.
"Well this one day when we were visiting the Villa Doria Pamphili, we lost half of your group. There we were stuck in Rome's biggest park land looking for the other half of our little group."
Miranda felt her stomach drop, she knew that Lily had said something wrong as Walker's smile faded and a look of confusion crossed his face.
"We never lost anyone, while we visited the Villa Doria Pamphili." The younger Ravtiz's said with a little shake of his head.
"Are you calling me a liar?" Lily asked outraged.
"Oh God." Miranda closed her eyes as Walker disputed Lily's lie.
"Miranda?"
"Yeah." Miranda opened her eyes and looked pleadingly towards her Mother, hoping for some good news.
"I think you should talk to Andrea." Charlotte said after she had smiled a greeting at the small party gathered at the back of the living room.
"Did you even go to Rome?" Lily asked loudly.
"Did I even go to Rome?" Walker repeated shocked.
"Lily!" Miranda warned as she stared hard at the waitress.
"Miranda!" Charlotte called as she tried to recapture her daughter's attention.
Mother!" Miranda looked back at her Mother with a frown. She didn't know what she wanted her to do.
"Sis!"
"Andrea!" Miranda called. She had never been so happy to hear anyone's voice.
Miranda looked up and felt like thanking every God when the crowds parted and revealed the dark haired woman.
Miranda took a step forward as everyone smiled and turned towards where Andrea stood. Miranda felt her eyes bug slightly as she took in Andrea's dress. She had hidden it from her for the past few days, she had asked to see it but the younger woman had refused. Now Miranda could see why. She looked stunning in a strapless blue and black Valentino dress. The contrast was amazing and Miranda found herself hypnotised as she walked towards her.
"You look Beautiful." Miranda blurted as she grasped Andrea's shoulder and pressed her lips to Andrea's cheek.
"Thank you." Andrea breathed across her ear as her hands ghosted over her back.
Miranda swallowed hard and nodded as she stepped back and allowed Andrea access to Lily and the Ravtiz's.
"You are?" Andrea asked with a smiled as she stopped next to Lily.
"This is my Nephew Andrea, Walker Ravitz."
"Walker, hi, I'm Andrea." Andy then looked and Lily, "That's not was happened at all."
"It isn't?" Lily asked.
"No, you will have to excuse Lils; she hadn't been quite right since..." Andy leaned back and made a drinking motion with her hand and then adopted a suitably sad look.
Walker's eyes widened, "Oh, I didn't know."
"It's ok." Andy smiled.
"I myself suffered when I lost my job." Walker admitted.
Deciding that she had to break up this little group AA meeting Miranda clapped her hands together and placed her hand on Irv's back and started to steer him towards the open window.
"Yeah, look Mr Ravitz, I really do want to show you the..."
Irv stopped, "Miranda, would you sing Too-Ra Loo-Ra Loo-Ral?"
"What?" Miranda asked shocked. She looked at Andrea and then back at Irv.
"This would be the perfect time; I was so moved by that story when you brought tears to your Mother's eyes." Irv confessed.
Miranda shook her head firmly, "Oh, no, no, no, I couldn't."
"Miranda it would mean a great deal to me."
Turning Miranda darted for the open window and escape. She knew if she could just make it she could get out of singing. Before she could get away however Irv grabbed a glass from a passing waitress and then pulled a pen from his jacket pocket. Miranda watched on her mouth open wide as he tapped the pen against the glass and called out for everyone's attention.
"Miranda has consented to sing a song which is very special to her and her Mother." Irv announced as everyone turned towards her and then started to clap.
Miranda closed her eyes and then opened then to see her Mother smiling at her bemused. Swallowing hard Miranda felt humiliation peppering her cheeks. She couldn't believe that Irv was asking her to sing in front of a crowd. They might be family and close friends, but she still didn't want to sing in front of them. She knew it would become the stuff of ledged, and that she would never, ever live it down.
Clenching her fists Miranda sucked in a huge breath of air. She knew there was no way out of it. She cursed Andrea and her lies, she didn't know what she had told Irv but she could just imagine what the tale of singing to her Mother had involved.
Grimacing Miranda looked towards Irv who nodded firmly.
Licking her lips Miranda cleared her throat. She told herself she could do this. It was nothing. The only problem was she only knew the chorus to the song.
Closing her mouth Miranda stared at the sea of expectant faces. She could feel the sweat gathering on her upper lip and brow. She had never felt more nervous about something in her entire life.
She had stood up in front of her peers, and she given speeches and she had delivered cutting criticism, but in that moment Miranda understood what stage fright was. Miranda opened and closed her mouth several times. Her voice just refused to come out.
Looking around again Miranda caught her Mother's eye; she smiled at her gently and nodded.
Miranda was suddenly reminded of when she was a child and her Mother had looked at her like that. Miranda had always through she had stopped when she had gotten older, now she wondered if she had just stopped looking for it.
She told herself that she could do this again, stepping towards her Mother, Miranda opened her mouth and Miranda finally let go.
"Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Hush now don't you cry!
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, Too-ra-loo-ra-li,
Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ral, That's an I-rish lul-la-by."
As she the last word left her lips Miranda felt her Mother's arms engulf her as cheers and claps rang out. Miranda couldn't help the wry smile that crossed her face as gazed over her Mother's shoulder and saw Andrea beaming happily at her.
"What's so funny?" Andy asked as she stared at the group lounging upon her sofa.
Some of them she had met, others she hadn't. All of them she knew had been friends since they were children. Stephen was at the head laughing as he gestured with his hands.
"We were just telling Miranda stories." Stephen smiled as she looked up at her.
"Oh how fun." Andy forced a smile out.
"Miranda?" Stephen called, "Miranda?"
"Yes." Miranda said as she turned and looked at the people gathered around.
"Do you remember that time that you designed and we built that tree house when we were kids in my parents back yard. " Stephen looked at his friends and they all nodded in remembrance. "It was so incredible."
Once again Andy forced herself to laugh. She disliked Stephen intensely and as he smugly smiled Andy felt her dislike turn to hate. She had seen the way that he had laughed and looked away and mouthed the words 'how embarrassing' to his friends as Miranda had started to sing to her Mother. He was the one who should be ashamed as far as Andy was concerned. He professed to love Miranda yet he didn't offer her support, and Andy could tell he didn't really care about her.
"Miranda built me a tree house too." Andy lied and she stared in to Stephen's eyes.
"She did?" Stephen asked as his eyebrow rose sceptically.
"Yes, "Andy nodded as she glanced at Miranda who was looking towards where Lily was standing with Walker Ravitz. "It was on our honeymoon night."
"Really?" Stephen laughed.
"Yeah, in a big tree on the Boston common." Andy grinned as everyone's eyebrows got lost in their hairlines.
"And the cops didn't stop you hammering away in the middle of the Boston common?" Stephen asked his disbelief clear.
"Miranda?" Andy called her voice hardening.
Miranda turned and Andy glared at her telling her to play along.
Miranda looked down at Stephen and nodded, "well it was temporary structure, I had planning permission and hired contractors who prefabricated the panels and secured it to the tree with cable suspension."
Andy felt her heart soar slightly at Miranda's quick lie.
"Isn't she the greatest?" Andy asks as she hugged Miranda.
Stephen nodded, "Miranda? Do you remember our adventure walks?"
"Oh yeah." Miranda laughed.
"Remember that time we went looking for that crashed meteor?" Stephen chuckled.
Miranda smiled and then looked away again.
"Miranda and I adventure walked from Manhattan to Boston."Andy blurted. She knew her lies were getting ever more elaborate and unbelievable but she couldn't help it.
"Really?" Stephen's smile grew.
"Yes really."
"Well being so creative you and Miranda are obviously well suited." Stephen smirked and Andrea felt her eyes narrow. She could see in his eyes that she didn't believe a word she was saying. There was something in his body language that told her that he had stopped believing a long time ago, and he was just hanging around looking for the right opportunity to steal Miranda.
"Miranda? Did we or did we not adventure walk from Manhattan to Boston?"
Miranda looked from her to Stephen before she swallowed and then nodded. "Yes we did."
"Satisfied?" Andy asked her anger starting to rise.
She could feel everything slipping away from her. Stephen's look spoke of triumph. Andy looked at Miranda. She had been acing differently towards her since they had spoken about her past, but even before that she had been changed. It was after she had come back from Stephen's with Chinese food. Andy's stomach churned and her mind conjured up unwanted images of the two old lovers.
"I never said you didn't." Stephen said his tone condescending.
Andy turned back to Stephen and snorted. "Ha, like hell."
Stephen tilted his head to the side, "all I said is that you and Miranda are obviously well suited for each other."
Andy narrowed her eyes, "don't you think I know what that means?"
"Andrea." Miranda said as she shifted her attention back to Andy.
Andy knew she was losing her grip, but she couldn't help it. After her personal revelation an hour or so ago Andy had felt off kilter. She was in love with a woman who didn't love her. Yes she held some form of attraction but that was all. Andy wanted it to be more.
"I just said that you're both very creative." Stephen elaborated.
"Oh so in other words we're both liars?" Andy spat and glared at Miranda. She didn't see why Miranda was blind to Stephen's smugness. "I hope you listening to this Miranda."
"Darling." Miranda pleaded as people started to turn and looking at them.
"Don't defend him," Andy growled, "are you listening to what he is saying?"
"I don't hear him saying anything," Miranda shook her head and looked at her confused.
"Exactly, that exactly the problem. You don't hear and you don't see." Andy laughed as she thought about the real meaning of her words. Miranda didn't hear her heart breaking and she didn't see the love she held for her.
Andy walked away from Miranda and stopped by the dinning table. She turned and looked back at Stephen. "Don't you think I know that you're in love with my Wife?"
Stephen at the decency to look away embarrassed, "Don't you think I don't know of your sympathy for her, for having married a fruit cake like me?"
"Darling." Miranda reached out and tried to capture Andrea's hands.
Andy brushed her off and took a step away.
"Well you had your chance and you threw it away." Andy screamed as her eyes misted and her throat tightened, "You had her building your damn tree house, on your adventure walks and you had her when she built you this house and you blew it."
Andy felt tears roll unrestricted down her cheeks.
"I'm the one who found her and I'm the one who knows what she is worth." Andy cried a she pointed a shaking finger into her chest, "But you're the God damn one she wants."
The sound of breaking glass filled the air and Andy knew she had lost when she turned with a cry and knocked the gifts from the dining room table on to the floor. "You're the one she wants."
Andy looked at Stephen one more time before she turned and stormed out of the open window, leaving Miranda and everyone else standing stunned and shocked.
"I better go after her." Miranda said her shock immobilising her.
She could not believe what she had just witnessed. Andrea had gone berserker. She had been like a force of nature; it had been like watching some great actress give the performance of a lifetime.
Until she had walked out Miranda had found herself believing every word Andrea had said. She had been so genuine and so raw. The pain in her eyes the realness in her voice. Miranda shivered as she turned and followed the younger woman.
As she stepped outside Miranda heard her name called.
"Miranda."
Turning Miranda sighed as she looked at Irv. "Mr Ravitz, I'm sorry about this and about Lily..."
Irv shook his head and waved his hand, "Oh Walker remembers Lily, and he says she was always like that. Miranda I don't know what's going on between you and Andrea, but keep this in mind. I wouldn't have seen this house if it wasn't for that young wife of yours, and I wouldn't be offering you a place as a partner if it wasn't for this house."
With those words and a sharp nod of his head Irv turned and walked back into the house.
Miranda blinked slowly as she realised that everything she had wanted before the day began is suddenly floating above her palm. She had her promotion and Miranda also knew that she had Stephen. Everything she had dreamed of was now here.
Stunned by the turn of events Miranda turned back to the lake and slowly walked over towards Andrea.
As she drew level she glanced at Andrea. Mascara was smeared around her eyes as tears were still streaming down her face. "You are fantastic. It's miraculous, I got the promotion!"
"Do you have a Kleenex?" Andy asked her voice soft.
"Oh yeah," Miranda pulled a piece of silk from her jacket pocket and handed it to Andrea.
"I was really starting to panic in there; it was all looking so hopeless. Between Stephen, and your Sister. I mean Lily." Miranda looked at Andrea as she dabbed her eyes with the piece of red silk, "You... in just one stroke you fixed everything. Maybe smashing the gifts and all was a bit over the top and all, but who am I to complain. You did it Andrea, you really did it."
Miranda laughed to herself as she contemplated what it all meant. Her life would change now she had the promotion. She knew she owed everything to the woman next to her.
"I really think we can make this marriage work." Andy suddenly announced as she turned to face Miranda.
Looking at Andrea Miranda couldn't help the frown that marred her brow, "What?"
"Well you heard me damn it. I want it to. I really think that we should give this a go."
Miranda shook her head as she looked at Andrea dumb struck. She couldn't believe she was hearing this. Andrea was serious.
"Was Maui nothing to you, or Trixie, the way we worked though that, I mean ok we had to go to counselling and I'm not saying that everything was easy, or is perfect, but I really think that we have something that is worth saving."
"What marriage?" Miranda asked utterly confused by Andrea's behaviour. She didn't understand what was happening.
Andrea smiled sadly, turned and started to walk away from her.
"Andrea." Miranda called as she took a step following the younger woman.
"Where are you going?" Miranda asked.
"Andrea!" Miranda called again as she watched Andrea stop by a catering van and talk to one of the drivers. He nodded and then Andrea rounded the van and climbed into the passenger seat.
"Andrea!"
The van slowly made its way down the driveway, taking Andrea with it much to Miranda's dismay. Miranda felt her shoulders slump as she realised that Andy had meant every word she had said to Stephen.
Bringing a hand up to her face Miranda closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her mind furiously tried to come up with a reason for why Andrea would say the things she had said. Miranda's thoughts suddenly flashed back to the look Andrea had given her when she had brought her the take out. She had pretended not to notice at the time, but there had been joy and hope there.
Then when she had offered her alimony there had been surprise and bemusement and anger. She didn't blame her. Andrea had never said she had wanted anything from her part from a roof over her head. Then came today. It had been a disaster from the start. First Andrea had locked herself in her room. Then she had come out and saved the day only to lose her temper at Stephen. No, Miranda corrected herself, she had been the reason Andrea had lost her temper.
Something had happened between them, Miranda was just realising that. Something had been established between them, some sort of connection. They had been living together like a couple, and at some point Andrea had started to believe that they could be a couple. At times Miranda herself had found herself slipping into this pattern at times.
"Miranda?"
Miranda laughed and shook her head as she stared down the drive way. Standing behind her was the man she had wanted for years, and now she wanted nothing more than for him to go away.
"She left me." Miranda admitted keeping her eyes firmly fixed on the driveway.
Part of her was praying that the van would suddenly come back up the drive way and Andrea would jump back out and come running back to her.
"I know Miranda." Stephen said as he stepped closer.
"Everything was going along fine." Miranda murmured to herself.
"You tried Miranda, you did your best."
Miranda shook her head and turned around, "You don't understand."
"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be." Stephen offered.
"I was always honest with her; I always told her the truth, about you, about everything."
Stephen nodded, and then smiled slightly, "Miranda? Was it really true about the way you met her in the hospital and the way you and she got married? Oh and the trip to Maui? Building her that tree house?"
Miranda sniffed and blinked back tears as Stephen started to rattles of the lies that Andrea told. Miranda closed her eyes as she was reminded of how crazy and unpredictable Andrea was. When she told her lies, it was like everything really happened. Miranda had listened to some of them and actually visualised the events. She had turned her life from a miserable hum into a vibrant and bright crescendo.
Miranda had enjoyed her company from day one. There was a captivating aura about her. As she had stared down the drive way Miranda knew she would miss her. She hadn't been gone five minutes and already Miranda felt like someone had ripped her heart out. When Stephen had said no Miranda had felt pain and disappointment, but it was nothing compared to what she was feeling now.
Miranda blinked as moisture gathered in her eyes. It had taken days for Nigel to coax a tear from her about Stephen, when it came then it had been a flood. Now she didn't need any encouragement. Her tears for Andrea and what she was losing flowed freely.
"Miranda?"
"Look at me, I'm crying. I am really crying for her." Miranda sobbed as Stephen stepped forward and folded her in his arms. Miranda had told Stephen that he didn't understand why she was crying, but she didn't really understand herself. Closing her eyes Miranda shook her head. It wasn't like she had lost the love of her life.
As the words echoed around her mind Miranda's eyes suddenly snapped open. Miranda groaned deep in her throat as she realised that was exactly what she had lost. Miranda cursed herself as she realised what an idiot she had been. At some point she had fallen in love with Andrea, and at some point Andrea had started to love her back. She had even tried to fight for her, but she had been too stupid and to dense to see what was right in front of her.
"Of course you are. Miranda just tell me the truth."
Miranda pulled back and stared up at Stephen. As she looked at him Miranda saw him for the first time, really saw him. He didn't care about her. She was crying and there was no real concern in his voice. Even his question and been about whether Andrea had told the truth. Miranda couldn't believe that all he was interested in was getting to admit that she and Andrea had lied.
Andrea had never been like that. She had never said anything nasty about Stephen, even her lies hadn't meant to cause her trouble. Like the younger woman had said they had just gotten out of hand. Miranda could now see that all Stephen was interested in was whether or not he is right.
Shaking her head Miranda wondered what she had ever seen in him. Pulling away from him Miranda shrugged off his hands.
"Stephen?"
"Yes." He answered with a small smile of triumph.
"Everything she said was true."
Miranda felt a small stab of triumph as Stephen's eyes widened and his face slackened with shock.
Turning away from him Miranda started to run towards her car. She only knew one thing, she had to find Andrea and she had to do everything she could get her back. Running her hands down her front Miranda cursed herself when she realised she had given Andrea her car keys.
"Miranda?"
Miranda turned as she heard her Mother's voice, "Mother I can't talk..."
"Here." Charlotte interrupted.
Miranda felt her Mother's car keys impact with her chest and only her quick reflexes helped her reach up and clasp them before they fell to the ground.
"Now you go and get my Daughter-in-law back."
Smiling her gratitude Miranda sprinted the short distance to her Mother's Mercedes. Not even bothering to open the door Miranda threw herself over the door and turned the key in the ignition.
Putting her foot down Miranda could see the van in the distance. A surge of joy flared in her chest as she drew closer. Slamming her hand on horn Miranda flashed the cars head lights as she tried to gain the Van driver's attention. When the driver didn't pull over, Miranda waved her free arm and pointed to the side of the road.
Miranda put her foot down and swerved into the opposite lane. The car glided along the asphalt as Miranda dew level with the van. Screaming over the wind Miranda called out for the driver to pull over. He looked at Andy and then shrugged his shoulders and increased his speed.
Feeling angry Miranda dropped back. Shifting gear Miranda slammed her foot down on the accelerator once more. Her Mother's car surged forward behind the van, the bumpers nearly touching.
When the right moment came Miranda turned the wheel and pulled into the opposite lane again. The small Mercedes engine roared as it sped ahead. Miranda glanced right and then pulled ahead.
When she put enough distance between them Miranda turned the wheel hard. A screech filled the air as her Mother's car skidded sideways along the road and slid to a stop across both lanes.
Opening the door Miranda exited the vehicle and walked into the middle of the road. Holding her hand up Miranda stood stock still her arm outstretched.
As the catering van grew closer Miranda watched as the driver slowed down and eventually came to a stop in the road a foot away from her position.
Stepping forward Miranda walked around to the right hand side of the van and looked at Andrea through the open window and the pulled the door open.
"Can we talk?" Miranda asked as she gazed at Andrea who was trying to ignore her.
"You can talk all you want to Miranda." Andy answered.
Miranda took a deep breath and reached out and captured Andrea's hand and pulled her from the van. "Please Andrea; I am sorry I didn't see it."
"It doesn't matter." Andy pursed her lips.
"It does matter." Miranda insisted, "I love you Andrea, I really want to marry you."
Andy lifted an eyebrow and shook her head, "Is that it?"
Blinking at Andrea Miranda could hardly believe what Andrea had just said, what more did she want.
"Well yeah, what more do you want a public address?" Miranda asked sarcastically.
Rolling her eyes Andy smiled sadly. "Look Miranda we are not right for each other."
"You didn't think that fifteen minutes ago." Miranda growled. She had driven after Andrea, when she had finally realised what she felt for the other woman, and what the other woman felt for her. Now she was telling her that she didn't think they were right for each other. What a load of bull shit Miranda thought.
"I have had time to think." Andy said as she looked back at the van.
"Well so have I." Miranda replied angrily. She could see what Andrea was trying to do. Andrea was trying to run. Andrea had allowed her heart to open, and like everyone else in her life Miranda had hurt her.
"Look I can see this wouldn't work. I don't want you to feel bad about this Miranda; you were really kind off decent to me, most of the time." Andy placed her foot on the step in the van.
"What? Hey wait, you can't just get back in that van and drive away."
"Watch me." Andy threw over her shoulder as she climbed in.
Grabbing the door Miranda refused to allow Andrea to just drive away with her heart.
"I can change Andrea. I can live in a make believe world if that's what you want, hell I have been for most of my life. Half of what I told myself was true was fiction." Miranda paused as Andrea looked at her. "Please Andrea stay with me. The only thing that I know is real is that I have fallen in love with you are some point in this crazy game we have been playing."
"I used to think that that was enough Miranda."
"Well isn't it? Why isn't it enough Andrea?" Miranda asked.
Miranda gazed at Andrea; she knew she would do anything for her. She would do anything to get her to stay with her. She had told her she would live in a make believe world, and she meant it. If that was what Andrea wanted she would do it. She didn't care about anything else. Andrea had created a world where they were happy, yes they were lies but Miranda was determined not to let them go. If Andrea wanted a perfect life the Miranda would create one for her.
"Look Miranda..."
"Don't you remember the time I had myself delivered to you in a box for your birthday?" Miranda suddenly said interrupting Andrea. "And how the girl I paid screwed up and delivered me to the wrong apartment?" Miranda paused and saw as a small smile playing about Andrea's lips.
"And how the lady who opened the box freaked out and started screaming. And I ran out of there just as you poked your head out into the hall." Andy nodded and Miranda saw tears gathering in the corner of her eyes.
"And the next thing I know this one is bashing at me for having an affair with her neighbour, and this one is bashing at me for being some sort of gift wrapped lesbian pervert. And all I had to protect myself was a couple of balloons and a dozen long stemmed roses, and you never even read the note."
"What did the note say?" the van driver asked breaking the silence that had descended as both women stared at each other.
Not looking away from Andy's eyes Miranda allowed all her emotion to pour out. "It said marry me Andrea, I'm lost without you."
Miranda suddenly found herself wrapped in Andrea's arms, their lips locked together in a passionate kiss. There was no hesitation as they touched, it was if they were both are taking the time to memorize the feeling before they part. Miranda couldn't help but whimper as her lips finally lost their connection with Andrea's. She knew that she had kissed Andrea before but she's couldn't help but be amazed at how good it feels. Not only does it not compare to her memory, it exceeds it. It's like she had been stranded in a desert and finally her thirst has been quenched.
"You're crazy." Andy breathed as she rested her forehead against Miranda's.
"I know," Miranda agreed, "but so are you."
"You really love me?" Andrea asked still finding it hard to believe.
Miranda nodded furiously, "More than anything."
"What about Stephen?"
"Screw Stephen." Miranda frowned as she recalled the last time she had spoken to him. He could go to hell as far as she was concerned. "I love you, not him."
"I love you too." Andy finally admitted with a bright smile.
As she looked at Andrea Miranda realised her life would never again be dull. Miranda felt her head pulled down and closed her eyes in anticipation of another kiss. When the lips never arrived Miranda opened her eyes.
"What about Lily?" Andy asked her eyebrows raised.
Miranda frowned, what about Lily?
Epilogue
Looking over the lake Andy watched as Miranda shook her head as she kept tabs on the construction crew building a scaled down version of their house. It has been six months since the reception. Things hadn't always been easy, but they had managed to work though any problems they had encountered. Stephen had been the biggest one. He had been willing to fight for Miranda until the other woman had told him in no uncertain terms that she didn't want him.
Andy smiled, who would have thought that when she was charming the other woman with her Bulgarian act she would end up living, and more importantly falling in love with her, certainly not her. Andy had never thought she would fall in love with anyone again. Andy had never been so happy to be wrong in all her life.
"I can't believe I have to build that." Miranda announced as she turned away from the view and looked back at her.
"You said you would." Andy reminded her. She had told her she would build Lily a house across the lake and true to her word Miranda had done just that.
"Yeah I know."
Andy shook her head at Miranda. "She's the closest thing I'll ever have to a Sister."
"I know, and she did help me get my promotion." Miranda conceded.
"Yes she did." Andy nodded as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Miranda's waist.
"I love you Andrea Priestly." Miranda smiled.
Andrea smiled back and easily responded with the words that she never thought would become comment place in her life. "I love you too Miranda Priestly."
Miranda leaned forward and Andy pressed her finger to her lips and halted her movement, "I have something to tell you."
"Oh?" Miranda asked with a perplexed smile.
She had been waiting for the perfect moment to say this. As far and Andy was concerned that moment was now. Miranda was happy, she had her new job, and she was a lot more relaxed. Andy herself was happy, she had a part-time job at the local newspaper office, and there was only one thing that would make everything perfect.
Andy nodded and then spoke, "I'm pregnant."
Andy swallowed hard as Miranda's eyes opened in shock. They had both decided a couple of months ago that they wanted they wanted children and in wake of that revelation both had decided that they should try sooner rather than later. Even though she knew this, Andy was still nervous. The last time she had told someone that she was pregnant it hadn't ended well. Old memories haunted her, but as Andy saw Miranda's eyes widened in pleasure she felt all her fears fade.
"That is fantastic," Miranda enthused, "I have to go and tell Mother, she will be ecstatic. I'm going to be a Mother; we are going to be Mother's."
Andy nodded and watched bemused as Miranda turned and started to skip back towards the house.
"Oh Miranda?"
"Yes darling." Miranda turned her smile huge and wide.
"It's twins."
Suddenly Andy found herself staring at the empty space her wife had just occupied. Allowing her eyes to dip Andy stared at her wife's crumpled form. Andy couldn't help the smile that contorted her mouth as she thought of what would have happened if she was having triplets.
~Fin~