Cassidy and Caroline greeted him.
Forcing a fake smile at them.
Stephen never liked these two, brats is what they were, Miranda's brats, they looked so cute and sweet to him once, both were dragons like their mother, turning his pocket squares pink for Valentine's Day and green for St Patrick's, taking up their mother's time every penciled in Friday evening with wanting her attention when he wanted Miranda to have sex with him. To perform her wifely duties by giving him head.
Which she never did.
Stephen should have been firmer and convinced Miranda to send both to boarding school in Switzerland. See both when their graduated.
''Miranda I…'' Stephen trailed off looking at her. Who on earth was she? ''Hello.'' Giving a dimpled smile setting off his pearly caps.
Miranda's blue eyes blinked. Stephen didn't know it was her. Of course, he wouldn't know her at seventeen.
''I'm Stephen you must be the girls new nanny? Nice to meet you.'' Stephen's flirting made her nauseous. Stephen was glad Cara had been replaced. Young and hot and redheaded nanny.
He thought she was her girls' nanny. Her twins stifled a snort. Miranda noticed Stephen kept leering as she turned to show him in. Felt him looking at her ass. He had no right to.
Did he always look at her staff like he was undressing them?
Poor Cordelia. Stephen probably stared at her kneading dough.
Andy noticed his hungry look. Sure Miranda wanting to forget they had sex but she was hers.
''Where's Miranda?''
Stephen really wanted to see Miranda right now, convince her that he'd decided to rethink their separation. They should stay married. Forget this whole separation and divorce.
They should get back together.
Mainly because of the money, if they really did end this marriage he wouldn't have certain things he had become accustomed to.
Mainly Miranda's vast wealth and influence paved the way for him and other numerous benefits from being Miranda's husband.
Like not cancelling his credit cards. Towing his actually hers Porsche a few weeks ago.
Or like this lovely new nanny here, wouldn't mind climbing into bed with her. Watching the back of her jeans, wow, he wouldn't mind getting familiar with that. Deep up in it familiar.
Stephen knew he could sort this out with Miranda.
Sure she got frightened of him when he drank and last time he'd seen her, he may have had too much to drink and thought a stapler was chasing him.
Stephen knew Miranda would take him back. Simple as that.
Hell he'd bring her a few blue bags from Tiffany's, some roses and take her for romantic weekend in Martha's Vineyard maybe to Bermuda and she'd give in. Eventually.
Both Andy and Miranda noticed he had his monogrammed bags with him, Miranda's blue eyes narrowed like hell he was moving back in.
Her attorneys would railroad him.
Andy really hated Stephen, Miranda was only separated from this prick. Not divorced yet. Andy gave her a long hard look and stepped in front of Miranda still protective of her.
''Miranda's not here. She's away on a trip.'' Andy informed him curtly, crossing her arms at him.
Hazily remembered him hurting her at Runway. It was a little fuzzy, she'd been smacked by him and called a tough guy. Then the rest was blurry.
Andy was fitter then him now. Both the same height.
Emily growled at him here. Hackles up right at Andy's sneaker and Miranda's bare feet.
Stephen Tomlinson looked at him hard, demanding. ''Who are you?'' Who was Mr Stubble and Rugged? Miranda must have a new handyman or gardener.
Miranda stroked Andy's arm, didn't want her to get hurt like last time by Stephen when she'd instinctively protected Andrea with her magic. Magic she hadn't done in years.
Cassidy spoke up. ''This is Mom's friend. Andy.''
Andy blinked then grinned at Cass, expected to be introduced as Miranda's staff. The help. Or as a hunky personal trainer or landscaper. Not that. Her friend. That warmed her smile, she was no matter what Miranda's friend.
Miranda smiled at her daughter's words.
Stephen looked at Andy. His wife had a friend. Someone that looked like him. Was he a pouf like Nigel? Probably was. Looked like he benched what 150?
''Miranda's friend.'' Stephen repeated outloud in surprise and disbelief.
Andy never liked Stephen ever from his tan to his brogues. He was a total tool.
Chuckling wryly at the idea. '' Kid she's old enough to be your mother. So what do you two do? Bake? Compare frocks.''
Andy looked at Stephen realising he thought she was another Nigel?
Miranda bristled. On the tip of her tongue to fill Stephen in what they shared and she was not, that old. Andy was her enchanted lover. In fact Miranda was going to tell Stephen how she'd been with Andy this morning and all last night.
How it was amazing sex with Andy. How she loved her. How most times with him was awful and quick. She faked most times. Often.
Andy saw Miranda was about to speak to Stephen, covered her mouth with her hand. If Stephen heard her speak there'd be no way to explain it. Why and or how she suddenly had Miranda's voice.
Miranda made a noise in Andy's palm. Andy whispered the reason to her.
Stephen oblivious was making himself right at home. Rolling in his other suitcase on wheels like a stewardess. Kicking off his loafers.
''Now if you can get me Randi's number to reach her on sweetie and I'd like a scotch please no ice. Oh and Andy be a sport and take my bags up to our bedroom.''
Miranda stared at him, in no way was she Stephen's sweetie or his cocktail waitress. Livid.
Andy was not his take his luggage anywhere person.
Almost lifting her finger outstretched in front of him. Aiming her fingertip, feeling it, her magic pulsing. Andy pushed it down and shook her head.
''Miriam help me out in the kitchen with that thing we were doing.'' Andy's guided her away.
Stephen loosened his tie, Miriam, what a plain Jane name but what a body.
Crackling magic shot out of Miranda's fingertip missing her copper pots and stainless steel range, gathered in Andy's arms. Andy swallowed at the scorch mark left that was going to need new wallpaper.
If only she knew a good spell to turn her ex Stephen into a slimy frog and give him to that odd little boy Timmy next door who went through pets frequently. Flushing Stephen would teach him.
''Miranda you cannot curse Stephen.'' Andy reasoned. Part of her wanted Miranda to but it wasn't right.
Sure she thought Stephen was a douche. By Andy's Yooper lines he was a great big gingambob.
''Oh but I really want to.'' Miranda hissed. Her cheeks flushed. Stopping as she liked how it felt with Andy holding her.
Andy remembered her mother once warning her about redheads. Andy was bigger and stronger than Miranda. ''Andrea let me go.'' Held still against Andy.
''Miranda I'm not letting you go until you promise me no magic.''
''Miranda. Promise me.'' Andy said calmly.
Resigned as she gave in. ''Fine. No magic. I swear.'' Letting Miranda go, releasing her arms around her.
''I though in Paris he was divorcing you?'' Andy asked her.
''He is. We were. He won't sign the papers.'' Miranda confessed. ''I want Stephen out of my life.''
Held Andy's eyes as she tiptoed up to her. ''That's good.''
''What is it Andy?'' Saw Andy was watching something behind her shoulder.
Andy saw them first in a painting in the kitchen, it was them trying to be still and avoid any and all eye contact. Outstaring them. One sneezed as Andy almost said Gesundheit.
''Do it Mir I need a jarred frog.'' Zelda happily encouraged.
Both stepped out of the painting to be beside Andy and Mir. Andy was way beyond being fazed by this pair any more, greeting them both politely and respectfully. They both knew their magic, Zelda had done this to Andy.
Heard him.
''The damn fur ball piddled in my briefcase on my Q4s.'' Miranda face broke into a beaming smile at Emily doing that.
Emily did have an erratic bladder.
Cassidy and Caroline plucked Emily up for her safety.
''Trust us Mir. We'll make Stephen go away. For good. He'll sign the papers. I'll make him.''
Melusine swooshed a scotch poured and ready for Stephen, that inebriated bastard was going to need it when she was through with him.
''Mir how do feel about introducing Stephen to some visitors.'' Melusine asked her niece brightly.
''Visitors?'' Miranda looked confused at her Aunt.
''Mir. Andy try not stare.'' Zelda informed them.
Stare? Why? Andy saw why.
It was hard not to stare.
Andy remembered how when she was little, being really scared of witches like in the film The Witches and usually thought of them as having big ugly noses and bad rotten decaying teeth at Halloween and trying to poison people with shiny apples. These pen pals were scarier.
Both were from the Hebrides. Both were penpals of Zelda's. Both hadn't seen a hairbrush in centuries unless an eggbeater counted as one. Both Andy couldn't understand a word they spoke. They both really seemed to like Miranda though. Words of bonnie and pretty hen like her Mum.
Gave Andy a long strange look between them as Andy froze. Andy was not staring. Emily was.
Andy sort of understood one thick brogue. ''Och Cannae believe it's an enchanted mortal.'' Bravely poked Andy with her long sharp yellow fingernails.
Tugged by her chin. ''Yer work is not bad Zelda.''
Peering at Andy closely, Andy's good manners from her mother in Ohio kicked in with a friendly smile to the one holding her face still and towards the other one just staring at her.
Cassidy and Caroline politely were offered and took some wrapped taffy from one as Andy plastered a smile at them. ''That's really nice of you. Say thank you Caroline.''
Caroline squeaked out. ''Thanks.'' Her mouth open in shock.
Andy gave Miranda a look at one popping in her dentures. Promising they'd send shortbread to them on the holidays.
Melusine brought Stephen his drink with no ice cubes, at 10 in the morning. One sip was all it would take to seal Stephen Tomlinson's fate.
Miranda's soon to be ex, should have given up drinking, Melusine mused. Been a nicer person to her niece and a better husband or she wouldn't be teaching him a lesson from two hags who hadn't seen a man in a few hundred years.
A few drops of befuddlement in his scotch. Stephen hiccupped and signed.
Mel took the papers from him. ''Well that's that. All signed oh and you've packed for yourself. That'll save us time.'' Stephen blinked looking confused.
''Time for what?''
''I do hope you understand that this contract is binding and unbreakable.'' Melusine said cheerily to him.
''Hope you like Scotland. Stevie.'' Zelda appeared on his left side, guiding him along with her. ''You'll be there for a while.''
Mel and Zelda saw him off as he screeched at meeting their friends.
Stephen didn't even need to get his passport out for this trip.
Both Aunts felt that was the best way to separate and divorce for good. Send him away to keep lonely Hag's company.
Andy dried plates, watching Zelda in deep conversation with Patricia about the boy next door and that no pet was safe with him. Engrossed Zelda gasped at Patricia's words. ''Turtles. Gerbil. The boy is a hazard. Wants a rat next.''
Melusine was in the study with Miranda. Andy had heard from Zelda the news. This enchantment on her would be over soon.
Andy knew she should be thrilled, back to her old self, no more hairy legs or standing up to go to the bathroom or shaving her face. That also meant no more being with Miranda. Near her again.
That made Andy quieter tonight.
''Zelda I need to know will I remember any of this?''
Zelda stopped chatting with Patricia the gossip, turning back to Andy. '' No not likely. You won't remember.''
Andy stilled. She'd forget. All of this with Miranda. Everything of their time together.
Watching Andy closely. ''Mir's mortal you okay?''
Wiping her lids with the back of her hand. ''Fine just aftershave.'' Andy lied.
Softly spoke to Andy. ''It'll work out. You'll see.''
Andy didn't see how. Miranda didn't even know how she felt about her like this or not. Andy wouldn't have these memories of her.
Zelda floated a box of Kleenex to Andy. Nudged by the box, Andy took one.
''I like you mortal. You have kind eyes and your mushy and don't worry so you belong to Mir and she belongs to you.''
Transforming into a plump cat, padding over to Andy with similar blue eyes concerned on her, purring into Andy's chest as Emily pranced over to Andy to, pawing her to be picked up by her. Scooped up and licked Andy's cheek.
''You like me now Em. Have I grown on you.'' Cuddled and taken upstairs.
''I sure can use the company tonight.'' Andy couldn't phone her Mom tonight with the news she was going to be unenchanted as a guy in a few days and lose the one person she wanted to be with forever.
Melusine showed Miranda, Merlin and Vivian's book of magic, ran her finger down the index to breaking enchantments. ''Here it is.'' Miranda read it. ''Enchantment breaking.''
Zelda and she would begin this tonight. Just required a drop given. Have to brew tonight carefully.
'' Andrea will forget this in three days' time.'' Miranda looked up stricken. What? So soon. Forget all of this? Forget her?
''Mir despite you turning away from magic once, I know that you know that any magic and humans must forget.''
Melusine closed and held the book she'd paid a fortune for from the muse. ''What is it Mir darling?'' Mel saw it in her niece's blue eyes.
Miranda didn't want Andrea to forget all of this and her.
Only had three days together.
''I won't forget.'' Miranda said quietly.
Melusine studied Miranda, her eyes were the same blue. ''No you won't.''