A/N: Firstly, a new chapter, yey. Secondly. I'm a terrible, terrible author. I have no replied to your reviews. Please know that I am reading them, and loving them, but right now I'm feeling pretty awful, so I promise you it will be tomorrow. Promise.

Seriously.

As always, I am greatly indebted to my awesome beta, who is awesome! Hope you're all still enjoying it. Please continue to leave reviews, even though I'm a terrible replier this month...because I love reading them and I promise you I will reply.

-0-

Miranda didn't know how long they'd walked, but it felt like weeks rather than days. The tension that had appeared during their atrocious walk past the scene of the accident had not abated. If anything it had become worse as they trudged on, and on, past roads and fields and the most picturesque scenes of rivers, lakes, forests and wildlife that sadly none of them cared about.

Her children had become more clingy as the adults of the group started lashing out at each other. If it wasn't for Roy pushing them, Miranda was sure they would have given up days ago. Roy was obviously handling it best, and surprisingly, though Miranda couldn't be completely sure, the next person seemed to be Emily. Miranda couldn't help a derisive snort - clearly working for the Devil in Prada had prepared her for anything.

Andréa, despite her stalwart efforts during the first day or so, had become withdrawn and moody. There was no more laughter, no smiles and even Douglas had given up talking to her. They had, unfortunately, had a massive argument that very morning over a pair of socks - of all things - and despite everyone knowing it was the two of them blowing off steam, it had become so heated that Roy had to drag them away from each other, while Miranda ushered the girls away.

Her girls.

They were so beautiful, going out of their way to make sure Miranda was comfortable and happy, and had everything she needed. Cassidy, the little cherub, had offered up her Game Boy when they settled down for the night. Caroline's had run out of battery seeing as they were playing on hers the most during the lunch breaks. They stood there holding out the little machine with such hope in their eyes Miranda couldn't bring herself to say no. The evening had been quiet, everyone laying down without ceremony and avoiding each other as Miranda sat up with her twins, leaning against a rock and letting them teach her the finer points of Mario Kart.

Andréa had huffed a few times, rolling over and over until Miranda tucked her babies down to sleep and lay down herself. It wasn't discussed, but despite Andréa's withdrawal, she always gravitated to Miranda's side, pulling her into her chest almost possessively. Miranda wasn't going to pull away. They both definitely slept better when they were lying in each other's arms and Miranda could only hope that soon Andréa would pull herself out of this funk.

"Alright, I've had enough," Roy said, pulling Miranda out of her head. She blinked, looking around in confusion as Roy pulled them up and pointed to a mark on the map that Miranda couldn't see without her glasses. "There's a farmhouse just here. We need to get some proper sleep, and we need some down time. We'll make camp there, it won't take us too far off course."

Miranda adjusted the straps on her pack and winked down at Caroline as she slipped her hand into hers.

"Will it be better once we get to the farm Mom?" Caroline asked quietly, looking sideways at Andréa.

"Oh, I think so sweetheart," Miranda said, taking the opportunity to crouch down in front of her eldest. "These things take time, and sometimes people get caught in their thoughts more than others."

"Cassidy said she's going to leave us," Caroline admitted, her bottom lip trembling a little as she looked up at Miranda with those blue eyes so similar to her own.

"Caroline?"

Miranda looked up in surprise at the voice and found the woman she had fallen in love with looking down at them, her hand in Cassidy's who looked happier than she'd seen in days.

"Caroline, do you remember when I told you I would never leave any of you behind, that nobody would leave anyone behind?"

"I guess," Caroline replied, with a glint in her eye that made Miranda want to smile. Clearly the twins had engineered this moment and Miranda had never been so proud of them as she was in this moment.

"Caroline, I -" Andréa sighed. "I love you guys, I'm so sorry I haven't been in the best of moods."

"That's okay Andy, as long as you're back now," Cassidy said, smiling as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

"I'm going to try and get back to normal guys," Andréa grinned, poking Caroline in the belly gently and accepting them both in her arms.

They got under way, Miranda watching with unabashed glee as Andréa played with the girls, laughing and pushing and causing a general ruckus that Miranda would usually have hated. To see them so relaxed and happy - all three of her girls - she couldn't bring herself to feel one iota of annoyance at their playfighting. Tonight, they'd all get some proper food and sleep, and tomorrow would be a new day.

When they finally got to the farmhouse, they spread out, checking behind doors and buildings to make sure they were alone. There were no signs of life, and apparently hadn't been for a while. They all hung back while Roy and Nigel crept into the house, collectively breathing a sigh of relief as Roy waved them in through the door.

"It's not going to be as nice as the last place, but we should be alright for one or two nights," Roy said, recoiling as he opened the fridge. "They power is on, but I think we'll be lucky to find anything fresh to eat. Nigel, take Miranda and check in the outbuildings and see if there's a freezer or something? It would be unusual for them not to store other food somewhere else. Andy, I noticed there was a garden of some sort just around the side, take the girls and see if there's anything of use to us in there. Serena, Emily, Claire, you guys are in charge of checking upstairs for things we can use. Doug, you're with me."

Everyone broke off to do as they were ordered, all with a spring in their step at the prospect of a good meal after so many days of meager rations of tinned food.

"How are you doing Miranda?" Nigel asked carefully as they walked over to the barn.

"I," she paused, even though she kept step with Nigel. "Honestly? I am struggling with the nightmares, but I am fine. And you Nigel?" she asked, glancing sideways at him. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," he said with a shrug. "I, I wasn't sure how to tell you, but Doug and I, we're, I don't know, exploring possibilities."

Miranda couldn't help but stop and pull him into a hug, surprising both of them at her free and easy show of affection.

"I did say you were my best girlfriend," she told him with a chuckle. He laughed.

"And you are mine as well," he nodded, pulling her into the barn. "I wasn't sure how you and Andy were doing, so I didn't tell you straight away. You both looked a bit tense there for a while."

"I think Andréa and I were a bit tense for a while," Miranda agreed. "But apparently my darling twins decided that they'd had enough and yanked her out of her mood so fast she could do nothing but surrender."

"They always did take after you," Nigel chuckled as they reached their destination. "Jackpot!"

"Mm, it would seem that I may actually get a good steak tonight," Miranda said, holding up her prize. "In fact, we could all eat very well tonight. A good protein meal will do us the world of good."

"If you say so, Ma'am," Nigel said, yanking out a few more steaks and a whole chicken. "This is going to be so good."

"It's funny the things you take for granted, isn't it?" he said quietly as they ambled back to the house. "I woke up this morning finding myself wanting a banana of all things. I don't even like bananas that much, but that is what I wanted," he mused.

Miranda chuckled and shifted her grip on the steaks, letting the ice burn her fingers a little.

"I find myself wishing for popcorn," Miranda said with a shrug. "It is one of my favourite things," she confessed, feeling herself blush just a little. "The girls and I often share a bowl on Sunday afternoons when I am done with work, and they are done with homework."

"Well, we're not going to be here forever Miranda. I'm sure there will be bananas and popcorn at Andy's grandparent's place."

"Indeed there will," Miranda said, wondering what the cost would be to have those things once more.

She was not completely oblivious; she had looked at the map with all the critique of a Runway layout. It was still a very long way to the border, and she knew it would take longer than any of them wanted. Roy, dear Roy, was doing an admirable job keeping their spirits high, and she thanked every deity she knew for having the courage to admit her familial feelings to every one of the people she now shared an unbreakable bond with.

She was quite sure they would never leave her, and she would never leave them. The conviction in Andréa's eyes was enough to allay her immediate fears, but as she thought about the relationships she'd built with the others, or rather, the relationships she'd built on, and repaired, she realised they would never leave each other, not now. Nothing was certain, of course, but there would surely never be too much space between their little band of travellers.

"Hey."

Miranda looked up, blinking in surprise and dropping a steak.

"Whoa, are you feeling alright?" Andréa asked, bending to pick up the meat.

"Yes, I'm fine," Miranda responded with a smile. "You startled me is all."

"Sorry," Andréa shrugged, taking the frozen packages off her. "Wow, is this steak? Bet you're in a good mood, aren't you?" she joked, nudging her with a shoulder.

Miranda chuckled, noting absently that nobody seemed surprised to see her do so anymore. That could only mean that she was laughing more often, something she was pleased about. With no Runway, no Irv, no annoying reporters hounding her every move, she was able to relax. Without ever realising it, and despite the fact that they were anything but, Miranda had never felt safer than at this moment.

"What?" Miranda asked, coming back to herself and staring at Andréa, who was looking at her expectantly. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"Miranda, are you alright?" Andréa whispered, pulling her from the kitchen and into the hallway.

"I, I am not normally a person that takes delight in sharing her deepest darkest secrets, Andréa." She cupped the younger woman's cheek, feeling elated to see that little spark back in those gorgeous brown eyes. "But I will, if only to allay your fears. I am fine, although I find myself thoughtful after realising that I have changed so much since starting this journey with everyone," she paused, tucking a strand of Andréa's hair back before continuing, "with you."

"Miranda, I -"

"Let me finish," Miranda said without the bite she would have put into it had she still been Miranda Priestly, Editor-in-Chief of Runway. "I feel safer, freer and more relaxed these days. I even laugh Andréa; I haven't laughed so freely since before the twins were born, and you," she sighed, "you are the reason for that, just as you are the reason that the twins are so relaxed and happy, despite our somewhat distasteful situation."

"Miranda, I love you."

Miranda's breath caught in her throat and she struggled to draw breath as she stared into Andréa's eyes, looking for any hint of misguidance, or misplaced pity.

There was none.

"Oh, my darling Andréa. I -"

"Mom! Mom! Look what we found!"

Miranda jerked back, already irritated by yet another interruption.

"Girls, wait a moment, I have to talk to Andréa." She turned to see the woman already in conversation with Nigel and Douglas, while rifling through a basket of what looked like fresh vegetables.

"Andy's talking to Doug Mom, check out what we have! Potatoes! Can you make your mashed potatoes for us?"

"Well, I can certainly try sweethearts, but there will be no milk or cheese."

"That's okay, really," Caroline said tugging on her mother's arm. "But please Mom, please?"

Miranda looked down at the two angelic faces staring up at her, and couldn't help but bend down and kiss them both sloppily on their cheeks.

"Of course I can. How about you two go and check who else wants mash and who wants a baked potato."

They whooped and hollered as they ran out of the room to the others, leaving Miranda standing watching Andréa's amazingly beautiful form, leaning over the kitchen table. The time was coming closer when she would not care if they were interrupted, but for now she was content to stare at those long legs and delishly round backside.

It startled her how easy it was to find Andréa attractive. She had been around models all her life, some of the most beautiful and perfectly formed women on the globe, but none of them had ever captured Miranda as Andréa had done. And though women had never held her fancy before, neither had the men - which Miranda found odd. Surely, if one didn't find women attractive, one would find the opposite sex attractive instead, but even though her first husband, the twin's father, was easy on the eyes, she had never felt the same longing in her body as she did when she looked at Andréa.

As if called by her raging hormones, Andréa turned her head slightly, catching Miranda checking out her backside. Miranda looked away immediately, feeling her face heat up having been caught ogling like a common man, but when she felt gentle fingers under her chin, she let them guide her face back to Andréa's where she got lost in a kiss that made her toes curl.

"I don't mind you looking," Andréa whispered quietly in her ear as her lips made their own path away from Miranda's mouth and towards her neck. "I don't know if you've noticed me walking behind you," she chuckled. "I always loved that part of my job the best, staying two steps behind you, so I could watch your ass in those amazing skirts you wore. And then when you wore stockings as well, the ones with the seam down the back, oh Miranda, you don't know what that did to me," Andréa hissed, nibbling on Miranda's earlobe.

"Andréa, we can't, there are, everyone is here."

"I know beautiful, but I swear to you, I won't wait too long." She pulled back and looked straight into Miranda's eyes, sharing with her a look that made all the moisture head due south in an instant. "I will have you soon."

"For the first time in my life, I, I feel," Miranda felt her whole face heat up and couldn't meet Andréa's eye, "I feel as though I cannot wait for that moment."

"Good," Andréa whispered, reaching around and squeezing the globes of Miranda's backside almost possessively.

"Andréa!" Miranda hissed, unable to do anything but watch as her soon-to-be-lover walked away.

"Mom?"

Miranda shook her head at the many directions she could be pulled in in such a small amount of time. She patted Serena's shoulder as she walked past, not even registering how out of character it really was. She got started on peeling the potatoes for dinner that the twins had found after raiding the little garden for as many as they could find.

"Can I help Mommy?" Cassidy asked so sweetly that Miranda couldn't refuse.

"Of course Bobbsey, go and wash your hands and then you can come and help."

"What about me?" Caroline huffed, stomping her foot childishly.

"Why the tantrum?" Andréa said, making Cassidy giggle and Caroline growl. "Why don't you come and help me and Roy build a fire. He has found a small little sheltered area where we could have one and not make it too obvious."

"Can I Mom?" Caroline asked, breaking out of her little snit immediately.

"Of course, but you heed Andréa's advice though, do you understand me? Fire is a dangerous thing and we are a long way away from a working hospital."

"Yes Mom," Caroline said, high-fiving Andréa and following her out of the back door like a gambolling puppy.

Miranda turned back to see Cassidy rolling up her sleeves and holding out her hands for inspection. They hadn't done this since Cassidy was about four and Miranda grinned at her youngest as she grabbed them both, rubbing her nose on the palms of her hands and then, when she smelled the scent of the soap, kissed them repeatedly over and over again, making Cassidy squirm and giggle uncontrollably.

"They're clean Mom, I promise," she said at last, still laughing a bit.

"Good, hop up here with me then," Miranda said, pulling across one of the chairs that was not already occupied by people preparing vegetables or dessert before helping Cassidy kneel on it in front of her.

"Will you help me?" Cassidy asked, looking up at her mother. "Like we used to do?"

"Of course," Miranda said, taking Cassidy's hands in her own and started peeling the potatoes. Knowing that Cassidy was more than capable, Miranda was content to rest her hands on Cassidy's forearms, leaning down to press a kiss on the crown of her head, smelling the unique scent that was her youngest baby.

"Mom?" Cassidy said, looking up with a smile. "Will you tell me about when I was born?"

"What? Why would you want to know about that?" Miranda said asked, feeling a little shocked at the question.

"I dunno, just want to I guess," Cassidy shrugged. "Please?"

Miranda nodded and removed her hands from Cassidy's arms, instead wrapping them around the small body, revelling in the time she could spend with her daughter that she otherwise would not have time for.

"You, my darling love, were forty minutes and thirty seven seconds behind your sister," she began quietly, glaring at anyone who appeared to be listening in. "Caroline was born as she acts today, straight away, and with minimal fuss, but you my love, you weren't quite ready to come out yet."

The potatoes were soon forgotten as Cassidy leaned back against Miranda's chest, hanging onto her arms that were still wrapped securely around her middle. "You let Mommy have a rest after Caroline's whirlwind birth, and then, you still didn't want to come out and meet me."

"What happened?"

"Well the doctors thought that maybe you weren't feeling very well, but I thought I knew my baby better than any doctor," she whispered, running her hands through Cassidy's free-flowing hair. "I knew you would come when you were ready, so I told them they could just wait. And then I felt I had to push, and you came along, but the doctors were right. You were smaller than Caroline and weren't breathing that well. But then they handed you to me, and we had our first family cuddle - you, Caroline and I - and you reached out and wrapped your hand around my finger for the very first time. Your other hand went out to Caroline, and you got better so quickly the doctors were astounded," she said, blinking away a tear as she remembered those precious moments. "You were my miracle baby."

"I love you Mommy," Cassidy whispered, turning and wrapping her arms around Miranda's chest and snuggling into her.

"I love you too, sweetheart. Now let's get these potatoes peeled so that we can have some mash with our steaks."

"'Kay."

It was just another example of how much Miranda appreciated the time she'd been given to enjoy with her babies. Caroline was far more like Miranda, and didn't often get sentimental about anything, but to have the opportunity, however 'public', to talk to Cassidy about something that had previously never been mentioned meant more to Miranda than it had ever done so before. She kissed her youngest once more and got stuck into peeling those potatoes, thinking ruefully that now her nails were ruined there was no point worrying about how they'd look after her 'hard labour'.

-0-

The fire was roaring by the time Andy had delivered all the food to it's side. The boys had managed to find quite a good number of outdoor chairs and loungers, and had set them up accordingly complete with a small table where most of the food was being laid out. The steaks were resting and the salad was prepared. All they were waiting for was the aptly titled 'Miranda's Miraculous Mash'.

The older woman had given a baleful stare at the moniker, but said nothing after Cassidy giggled. Andy had never been more sure of anything when Emily commented quietly after they were away from earshot that the 'ice queen' had melted.

"Don't be too hard on her Em, she's done so well letting us all see the real her," Andy replied, a little upset that Emily would still be holding some sort of grudge.

"No, Andy I didn't mean it like that," Emily hurriedly apologised. "I know you and she are close, I, I guess I was just commenting on how different she is with all of us, to how she was before."

"It's because she trusts us," Andy shrugged. "But if she thinks we're talking behind her back, she's just going to clam back up again, so watch what you say, alright?"

"Shan't," Emily said with a wicked smile, making Andy grin too.

"You're a crazy lady,Emily Charlton," Andy said, squeezing her shoulder. "Serena can have you."

"Yes she can," Emily practically purred, making Andy blush.

"Damn, girl!"

They were interrupted as Miranda and the twins appeared with the biggest bowl of mashed potatoes Andy had ever seen, along with some sauces and garnishes that Andy couldn't wait to taste.

"Gosh you guys, this looks fabulous," Andy said, hugging both girls. "You all did amazingly well."

The girls thanked her in stereo, not waiting around as they grabbed what food they could, settling down on a lounger together and tucking in before anyone could say boo. The adults laughed at their antics and followed suit, leaving Andy and Miranda waiting a little to the side.

"And what about me Andréa, don't you think I deserve some credit?" Miranda joked, making Andy laugh.

"Is Miranda Priestly fishing for compliments?" Andy asked, grabbing Miranda's hand and linking their fingers together.

"I am merely making sure that proper thanks go to the proper people."

"Ah, well, I was hoping to thank you quite differently later, once the girls went to sleep, but if you'd prefer the same thanks as they got, I'm more than happy to do so here?" Andy said, wrapping Miranda up in a full body hug and rocking from side to side.

"Will you take me to bed Andréa, once the children are asleep? Will you take me away from here and love me?"

Andy leaned back, looking straight into Miranda's eyes as she tried to work out if the woman was being serious.

"Honey? You and I are going to knock the world off it's axis!" Andy declared with a grin.

"That's something I'm interested to know whether you live up to," Miranda winked, pinching Andy's butt and walking away.

"Hey!" Andy squealed, rubbing the sore patch. "I'll get you back for that."

"Oi, come and get your steak before it goes cold," Doug called, pointing at the two remaining steaks on the table. "You can cause a ruckus later."

Even in the firelight, Andy could see Miranda's neck go a bit pink and she wrapped an arm around her middle, kissing her cheek.

"Don't worry about Doug, he has all the subtlety of a B-52 bomber, but he loves me and he likes you, so there's nothing to worry about."

Miranda nodded once but smiled, and Andy felt the tension leave her body.

Dinner was heavenly. Everyone sang Miranda and the twins' praises for their mashed potatoes, and the noise that came from Miranda when she took a bite of her steak was enough to make Andy moan in response. Apparently, sitting together on the remaining lounger was not that great an idea while Miranda was having a food-gasm, and Andy couldn't help but squirm a bit throughout the whole meal.

It didn't take long for the warmth of the crackling fire and the full bellies of the twins to lull them to sleep, and after carrying them both to bed, Andy and Miranda returned to the fire, settling down together on the same lounger, with Miranda and Andy matching Serena and Emily's pose - Andy sitting against the back with Miranda between her legs, resting against her chest.

"This is glorious," Emily sighed as Serena held her tight. "I don't know about you, but despite tonight this whole survival thing is getting old."

"I would rather be surviving," Nigel said diplomatically.

"Well, yes, of course, I just meant -"

"It's alright Em, we know," Roy said with a smile. "It certainly is nice to sit here though," he said, pulling Claire onto his knee just as she walked past. "After so long walking and moving and carrying on, this is going to do us the world of good."

"I agree," Miranda said sleepily.

"Do you miss it, Miranda? The rush, the hustle and bustle of the city? Do you miss bossing people around?"

Trust Doug to ruin the mood.

Andy let her head drop back against the seat while giving Doug the full glare she had learnt from the woman who had sat up stiffly and was now pulling away from her arms.

"I cannot say that I do," Miranda said quietly, getting up. "Excuse me."

"Did you have to do that?" Andy said accusingly. "Why would you ask that?"

"I just thought -"

"No Dougie, you didn't, you didn't think at all."

Andy got up to chase after Miranda, hearing Nigel lay into Doug a little more as she moved away from the group, following where her woman went, as she would forever more.

She found Miranda eventually, looking out across the fields in the moonlight, one leg up on the big wooden fence, looking every inch a farmhand in her Stetson.

"Hey Cowgirl, come here often?" Andy joked, leaning against the fence and looking at Miranda, rather than the view.

"Who am I, Andréa?" Miranda whispered, remaining rigid in her stance.

Andy chuckled, moving over to her and wrapping her arms around her middle, hooking her chin on Miranda's shoulder.

"You are Miranda Priestly, once amazing Editor-in-Chief of Runway magazine, but, now, and perhaps most importantly, you are Miranda - mother of two of the most amazing girls, epic walker, first-aider, survivor." Andy took a deep breath, loving the scent of Miranda mixed in with the earth, the night and the moonlight. "And you're the woman who holds my heart."

"You almost make me sound noble," Miranda said, clearly choosing to ignore the latter statement.

"Well, I couldn't love someone who was fickle, Miranda."

Miranda turned in Andy's arms, letting her back lean against the fence while she ran her hands up from Andy's elbows to her shoulders.

"You shouldn't love me, Andréa," Miranda whispered sadly. "You can't love me."

"I thought we'd discussed this," Andy said, bending a little to meet Miranda's eye. "I love you. And there's not a damn thing you can say, or do to change that."

"I'm old, Andréa, the oldest one here."

"So?" Andy said, trying to comprehend the meaning behind Miranda's words.

"I am the least likely to make it out of this Godforsaken part of the country."

Andy laughed, she couldn't help it but Miranda pulled herself from her arms and stalked away.

"Bullshit Miranda," Andy said, stopping her in her tracks. "You're the fittest one of us here, except for Roy. I'm pretty sure he's Bear Grylls in disguise, but -"

"Andréa, I'm serious," Miranda pouted.

"So am I," Andy retorted, grabbing Miranda around the middle and pulling her back against her body. "For an intelligent person my dear, you are being really rather stupid. I will not let anything happen to you, or your children." She pressed a kiss against Miranda's throat, tipping her head to avoid knocking off the hat she found so sexy on that snow white hair.

"You shouldn't, I'm certainly not worth it," Miranda whispered.

Andy spun her around in her arms, poking the hat so she could see Miranda's face.

"I'll show you how much you mean to me, then maybe you'll believe me when I tell you that you are the most perfect thing in my life," she promised, leaning in to kiss her again.

The kiss started off slowly, until Miranda nipped at Andy's bottom lip which set off a growl deep within Andy's chest that made her want to ravish Miranda right there, leaning up against the fencepost. Andy felt like her body was winding up, like someone was twisting her stomach tighter and tighter as she felt Miranda's hands suddenly enter her shirt, running over her stomach and around her back, her nails scoring a path down her spine that made her moan out loud.

Andy combed her fingers through Miranda's hair, her hat having fallen off some time ago, messing the slightly longer locks and exploring every inch of Miranda's mouth with her tongue.

"God Andréa!" Miranda hissed as Andy bit down on her neck in an effort to calm her heart.

"You taste so good," Andy breathed, using her tongue to map the tendons on Miranda's neck.

"SHIT!"

Andy wasn't sure what happened, but somehow she ended up on the floor, staring up at Miranda, who looked as equally horrified as Emily did standing there glancing nervously between them.

"I'm so sorry!" Emily said, looking pained. "I just, I mean, I -" She sighed, not unlike the way she used to when she was at Runway and held up a roll of toilet paper, immediately breaking any tension in the air when Miranda giggled quietly, building and building until she was doubled over with laughter until she remembered to extend her arm for Andy to use to stand up.

"I am not going to say it's alright, Emily," Miranda said, still unable to wipe the smile off her face. "But I cannot begrudge you wishing a little privacy."

"The plumbing isn't working," Emily said awkwardly, still looking at the ground.

"Don't worry about it, Em," Andy said, slipping her hand into Miranda's, knowing that despite her good natured reply she was feeling every bit as disappointed as Andy was right now.

"Well yes, goodnight then," Emily said, walking away from them quicker than she had ever walked before.

"I am getting sick of being interrupted," Miranda growled once Emily was out of earshot. "Not that I blame her, I just, I -" She tailed off and looked beseechingly at Andy, who shrugged and bent down to retrieve Miranda's hat.

"I know," Andy said simply, brushing off the dirt and placing it back on her girlfriend's head. "There, perfect," she declared, leaning in for a far more gentle kiss than they had just shared.

"I think it's time for bed," Miranda said sadly.

"Hey, it's not over, we're going to find some time together, even if I have to tell someone to get lost and make sure the others do too," Andy said, cupping Miranda's cheek. "We'll have our night together. I promise you that."

Miranda didn't say anything and let Andy lead her back to the fire, calling goodnight to everyone before heading into the house to get some rest. They were due to be on the last watch of the night together, so they would take as much sleep as they could before they were woken.

"I, I'm sorry I haven't said it yet," Miranda whispered as they sank into the devilishly comfortable king sized bed with the twins cuddle up on the other side. "It's not that I don't -"

Andy placed her finger over Miranda's lips and kissed her nose, making her blink owlishly in the dark.

"I didn't say it so you would say it back, Miranda," Andy replied quietly, pausing as Caroline rolled over and plastered herself to Miranda's back, making them both chuckle. "I love you, and I'm okay saying that to you, and I can't wait for you to feel comfortable enough to say it back to me, but I can wait." She sighed, kissing Miranda's lips in earnest, but without the heat of earlier. "I have waited so long to be with you, and now, I'm with you. You can take as long as you like, as long as you keep showing me it's so."

"I do?" Miranda asked, looking a little shocked. "You seem to be able to read me far better than anyone else I've ever met, aside from my girls."

"That's the benefit of being your assistant, and then falling in love with you. Once I realised how I felt, I needed to know everything about you and so I watched you. I watched you talk to people, listened to you on the phone, and I studied you so much in order to know what you were thinking and what you were feeling. The girls helped," Andy confessed as Miranda's eyebrows rose. "They'd give me pointers, letting me know how you were when you got home, and I could attribute your mood to whatever had happened over the day."

"You love me," Miranda said, as if it was a new revelation.

"Yeah honey, I do," Andy said, pulling her closer and kissing her temple. "Let's get some shut eye so we're ready for watch duty later."

"Good night," Miranda paused, "darling."

"Goodnight love," Andy whispered finally, letting her eyes close as she listened to the sounds of her family breathing.