Chapter 9

AN: I hope you like this chapter, it's just a fill in chapter,not long at all! It's setting things up for the next few chapters :) Have a little surprise as well as a cliff hanger for you at the end hope you like! Please read and review it means a lot to me to know if you like what I'm coming up with and to know that someone actually is out there reading my stuff! :D

Andy pushed passed the smaller mob of paparazzi that were hanging outside of Miranda's townhouse. She had told Miranda to go round the back so that she didn't have to face the mob, Andy was wishing she hadn't opted for being the diversion! Pushing past them all she rushed up the steps and then opened the door. Slipping in and falling back against the door she sighed.

They had an amazing day, strolling in Central Park hand in hand, getting ice creams and sitting at the bench and just being a normal couple. Well almost normal. The paparazzi had given them one or more a problem. Hiding in the bushes didn't cover it, Andy just wasn't used to it, she knew it would be bad but this was ridiculous.

"Andrea, darling?" Andy heard Miranda's voice call from down the hall. "Are you ok? Did you have any problems?" Miranda sauntered down the hall to Andy who had pushed herself away and put her coat into the closet

"Yeah I'm fine, just a bit flustered is all! You hungry?" she felt Miranda's eyes boring into her back and before she knew it her wrist was being pulled back.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Miranda asked, leaning in for a quick kiss

"Yeah I'm fine, I'm just..." Andy decided opening up might help "I guess I'm a little overwhelmed with today. They can be really in your face and I'm not used to that" Andy smiled but saw Miranda's frown

"I knew it... I knew it was too soon for this" Miranda pulled away and walked into the kitchen to pour herself a drink, Andy quickly following.

"What are you on about?" Andy asked, worried now she reached over to grab Miranda's hand only to have it taken away when Miranda downed her drink and moved to her study.

"This it was too soon! I'm done Andrea! I can't believe I was naive to think you could actually handle it!" not even looking at Andy she slammed her study door and locked it behind her.

"Miranda this is crazy! You asked me what was wrong and I told you! This doesn't mean I regret coming out!" no answer

"Miranda please baby" Andy sighed and pressed her forehead against the wood of the study door "Miranda I promise! I'm not having second thoughts, I was just a little overwhelmed and it's going to take a lot of getting used to!" still no answer. Andy waited outside for a god 10 minutes before she finally decided that Miranda wasn't coming out any time soon, so getting up she called to Miranda.

"Look I'm going to make a sandwich and I'll speak to you when you're ready to come out" Andy chuckled "No pun intended" the attempt at humour met with silence finally giving up Andy walked back into the kitchen and made a sandwich for herself and Miranda.

Checking the clock as she sat down at the dining room table she saw it was just a little after 3 the girls would be home soon.

About 20 minutes later Miranda came out of the study just as Andy was washing the dishes. Miranda just stood and watched as Andy dried the dishes, Andy didn't say anything. Letting Miranda take her time.

All of a sudden Andy felt two arms encircling her waist and a kiss to her shoulder revealed by her tank top.

"Don't leave me" Miranda uttered, it was at this point that Andy realised Miranda had been crying.

Dropping the tea towel down she sighed and turned in the older woman's arms, taking her slender hips in her palms she leant down and kissed Miranda thoroughly as if promising that she would never leave her. Before the kiss got too heated Andy pulled back just so her lips were resting on Miranda's

"I'm never going to leave you Miranda" Andy whispered, wiping Miranda's remaining tears away "All I was saying was it was a shock to the system, not that I regretted it!" Andy smiled and kissed her quickly again. Pulling Miranda closer she just held the woman and made her feel safe, it was enough.

About five minutes later Miranda whispered something

"There's a benefit on Friday night, I have a plus one and I'd like you to come with me" Andy was shocked after the reaction Miranda had just had but only pulled her close

"I'll be there" she whispered and kissed Miranda's head

Two hours later the twins were begging Andy not to go home, knowing the younger woman could persuade their mother to get pizza and stay up late.

"Guys I have no clothes left, I only packed for two days and I have work in the morning" the girls pouted

"Can you at least stay for a movie?" Caroline asked as Cassidy batted her eyelids

Andy quickly glanced at Miranda and with Miranda's nod she smiled at the two in front of her

"Ok, one movie but that's all" it was too late the twins were off setting up the entertainment room. Andy rolled her eyes as Miranda sidled up to her.

"Thank you" Miranda whispered and kissed Andy's cheek

"My pleasure" Andy offered Miranda her elbow and they both wandered up stairs.

"I could get Roy to bring you an overnight bag you know?" Miranda suggested

"No really Miranda, I need to actually sleep tonight... I have work in the morning" Andy smiled

"Ok fine" Miranda finally gave up "Only if you're sure?"

"Absolutely"

"Ok well at least let Roy take you home?" Miranda asked.

"No I'll just take the subway" taking Miranda by the waist the walked into the entertainment room to find the twins watching the opening credits of Mamma Mia! The two women groaned in mock protest but sat down anyway.

The next morning

Andy was typing an email to Mark when she felt her phone buzz, looking at the caller ID she nearly fainted when she saw her mother's ID flashing on her iPhone.

"Shit" picking up her phone she answered cheerfully

"Hey mom how are you?" trying to sound as calm as possible

"I'm good. But I'm not phoning for a friendly chat, are you free at the weekend?"

"I'm at a benefit on friday night, but other than that I'm free Saturday and Sunday" Andy paused "Why?" hearing her mother sigh she waited for a scathing remark

"Well me and your father are planning a visit and we thought when best to come than at the weekend" Andy frowned but stayed quiet and let her mother continue "Well it was more me than your father, but I thought we could use this opportunity to meet..." Andy knew her mom was struggling with the name "your partner" Andy rolled her eyes and chose to ignore it

"Sure mom, that sounds great just let me know when your flight is and I'll come get you?" Andy suggested "Where are you gonna stay?" Andy asked

"We thought we'd stay in a hotel close by, it's not as if there aren't enough in that big city!" her mom nervously laughed along with Andy

"Sure mom I'll sort everything out" Andy chuckled

"Thanks Andy honey, see you soon" and with that her mom hung up.

Andy was panicking, her mom had sounded civil sure. But would it be the same in person? Hell could she even look at Miranda let along be civil with her? And her dad? This was no good, she hadn't even spoken to her dad since he had found out. What were his feelings on it and can he tolerate Miranda?

Andy began to feel dizzy, her breathing irrational. Standing from her desk she called to one of her colleagues

"Claire I need to go can you cover me?" seeing Andy's distressed state Claire nodded and watched as Andy left the building.

As Andy pushed back the doors she realised that she couldn't just walk anymore, not with the press hanging around everywhere she went. Before the press got a hold of her exiting she quickly slipped on her sunglasses and pushed the doors back. As soon as she stepped foot out of the building flashes were going off left right and centre, questions that Andy couldn't quite hear being shouted at her. She managed to quickly hail down a cab just as she heard one reporter shout out

"What's it like to fuck the dragon lady?" that was it Andy flipped out, tuning round and getting in the reporters face before she could stop herself

"Amazing but of course you'll never know, considering her type is someone with a little more balls!" Andy snarled at the reporter, shocked at what she had said she slapped her hand over her mouth and got into the cab telling the cab driver where she needed to be.

After about two minutes when the realisation of what she had just said hit her, Andy burst into tears. She was only a few blocks away from more of the reporters but she couldn't help it. She could lose Miranda for this, her parents had a potential to absolutely hate her and not only that the world will know just how foul her mouth is when the papers are released tomorrow.

"Are you ok miss?" a soft voice asked, looking up she saw it was the cab driver

"Hey wait, your Miranda Priestly's chick?" Andy's sobs got harder

"Hey lady I didn't mean to upset you!"

"No it's not you..." Andy hi upped her way through an explanation of exactly what was wrong

"And now I don't know what to do" Andy had finally calmed down

"You know my wife always says to me, "Never keep secrets from me" I did once and it turned out bad, we nearly divorced for it. And ever since then I've never lied to her. So my advice is... Go to your lady and tell her exactly what's happened! It will make you feel a load better and it will also help build trust" Andy nodded through the cabbies advice. Just as his advice finished he pulled up. Andy handed him a $20 and got out the car

"Keep the change, thanks for the advice." Andy stood back up and looked at Elias-Clarke. Taking a deep breath she walked towards the gold revolving doors. She had a lot to talk about.

TBC...

Told you! Fill in chapter! This chapter sets things up nicely for the next few chapters. To make things interesting, I'm uploading the benefit night next friday. There will be at least one more chapter before then but just so you know :) hope you like this chapter

PS thank you to EVERYONE who reviewed for me, it gave me the courage to carry this on! Keep it up because it means a lot to me that you guys are out there reading my story and enjoying it! I only hope that I can keep it up and do you guys justice! So again thank you to everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed! Means a lot and keep it up! X's