Never before in her fif- forty years had Miranda experienced such a kiss. She was utterly paralysed by the revelation of it.

Was she gay?

Did it matter?

It seemed as though her entire universe had been upended. The result of which left her sorting through all the planets and stars looking for a semblance of understanding. She blinked as Andréa's lips left hers and she saw the hurt in her eyes. She realised, belatedly, that she hadn't responded. She rolled her eyes at herself and stepped forward, into Andréa's space. Into her very existence.

"Andréa," she whispered, tangling her hand in the beautiful chocolate tresses and dragging her back to her lips.

Time stood still. It was like tasting the most exquisite wine, or coffee, or anything. There were no words to describe the taste of Andréa Sachs.

"Miranda," Andréa whispered, running her hands down Miranda's back and pulling her closer with a gentle squeeze of her backside.

"Andrea, wait." Miranda suddenly remembered where they were. She gripped Andréa's jacket as they separated. She was struggling to breathe properly while their foreheads were resting together. Andréa's eyes were endless pools of chocolate and coffee and pure gold. She sighed. She was happy.

"Wow," Andréa whispered. Her face suddenly broke into one of her most blinding smiles and for once, Miranda returned it.

"Indeed." Miranda chuckled as she gently rubbed her nose against Andrea's. "I -"

She could hear strains of cautious music in the back of her mind and she looked beyond Andréa at the door to the classroom they were in.

"Andrea, my children."

"Shit!" Andréa laughed but slipped her hand into Miranda's. Miranda didn't pull away. "It's okay, I'm on it," she said, dragging into the hall.

They followed their ears down the lighted hallway. Even in the intense fluorescent lighting, Miranda didn't find their joined hands anything other than natural. They arrived at the hall and tried to open the door, horrified to find it locked. Andréa tried it a few times, and it remained so until the applause for the current performer started and someone let them in. The doorman looked stern but whispered that there was only standing room left. Miranda was less than thrilled but nodded her understanding. She chose a place at the back, away from the other latecomers. Andréa leaned against the wall and, happily, Miranda leaned against her.

It was bliss.

Thankfully, the girls had yet to perform. When they took their first steps onto the stage, they searched the audience for her. She was gratified to see them smiling widely as Andrea waved obnoxiously, whistling loudly, much to Miranda's chagrin.

"Andrea, please," she said looking around at the other parents grinning at them. She plastered a smile on her face, nodding to a few that she knew.

"They love it," Andrea whispered, her hand warm against Miranda's lower back.

The lights went down and they began to play. Miranda had heard it before, but never in complete harmony as they only had the one piano. It took her breath away as her cherubs played their hearts out. Cassidy, the better of the two, controlled the pace but Caroline was still impressive. She wondered how much longer Caroline would continue to get lessons. Miranda knew she enjoyed playing with Cassidy, but music was not her passion.

"They're amazing," Andréa whispered, interrupting her thoughts. Miranda nodded in agreement and leaned a little into Andréa's body. She closed her eyes and listened as her former assistant's long arms wrapped around her middle. She was thankful for the dark corner. Nobody here would leak such a picture, but it would be better to remain private. For now.

"They are, after all, my children." Miranda leaned back against Andréa's shoulder with a sigh.

"That they are," Andréa whispered back. Her lips brushed the shell of Miranda's ear. The cheers as she yelled her excitement nearly deafened her though.

"Andrea, please," she said whacking Andrea's stomach lightly.

"Sorry!" she smiled cheekily, before whistling once more. "They really are brilliant Miranda."

Andréa was right. The twins were brilliant and clearly one of the more outstanding acts if the number of parents on their feet were anything to go by. As usual, they adored the attention, beaming and waving as they took their bows and relinquished the stage for the next student.