Disclaimer: The Devil Wears Prada does not belong to me. No infringement intended. The characters belong to Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox. I own nothing.

A/N: As this story winds down, I've found myself humbled by the constructive feedback and positive encouragement. I wasn't sure I could actually do this pairing justice. I hope I was able to. As always, let me know what you think.

Chapter 10

"Are you sure you can't stay longer?" Audrey asked hugging Andy once again.

"Sorry Mom. Alex needs to get back to school to finish up the school year and the girls have finals coming up soon. Besides, Miranda has to start making the transition from RUNWAY to being the big bad Chairwoman of Elias-Clarke. She'll start climbing the walls soon if she doesn't have anyone to terrorize."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "Nonsense. I still have you around for that, darling."

Andy and Audrey both laughed.

"It won't be long before you see us again. You're coming out to California for the girls' graduation right?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I can't believe their already finishing up college. Where did the time go?"

"I know. It's been so quiet around the house these last few years. I'm not sure what to expect when they move back." Miranda said watching the children play basketball with Josh across the driveway.

"They're really moving back?" Audrey asked surprised.

Andy nodded. "Yep. They both have jobs lined up in New York so Miranda decided to let them move into the bottom floor apartment at the townhouse. It has its own entrance so they can come and go as they please… or at least that's what they think."

Audrey laughed. "They have no idea what they're getting into, do they?"

Andy shrugged. "I don't care. I'm just glad to have them back. Alex went nuts when they told him. I think having a kid brother cramping their style might be more of an issue than the over-bearing mother."

"Don't you mean mothers?"

"Nah, I'm the cool mom." Andy said crossing her arms.

She and Miranda both rolled their eyes. "Uh huh." Everyone knew Andy was more protective of the girls when it came to dating. The girls used to refer to her as the Priestly Pit-bull.

"What? I am the cool Mom."

"If you say so, but I seem to recall you not being that particularly cool when our girls first started dating." Miranda said.

Flashback: Seven Years Ago-

Miranda stepped out in the backyard of the townhouse and looked around. She had looked everywhere and Andy was nowhere to be found. Miranda was confused because she knew that her wife was home. As she turned to go back inside the house, she heard noises coming from the garden area. She smiled as she spotted her wife on her knees pulling weeds

Miranda slowly made her way over, careful not to startle her while Andy was handling a sharp pair of shears. Hearing the approaching footsteps, Andy turned slightly but kept working.

"Did you not hear me calling you, darling or are you just ignoring me?" Miranda said allowing her eyes to take in the vision before her.

Andy looked up from her position on the ground and wiped the sweat from her brow, eyes squinted from the sunlight. "I was busy."

Miranda bit her lip and tried to ignore how alluring Andy looked all sweaty and dirty. Who knew all it took was a tiny white Northwestern tank top and a pair of old jeans to turn Miranda Priestly on. Miranda always pretended to be appalled by the plebeian clothing Andy wore around the house, but they both knew she secretly loved it. Miranda was sure her young wife wore the tight shirts and jeans deliberately to drive her to distraction.

Andy stood and moved around Miranda for a bag of potting soil. She lifted the large bag over her shoulder and carried it to the other end of the garden. Miranda bit her lip at the sight. The muscles in Andy's arms and shoulders were flexing beneath perfect skin. The soft sheen of sweat made it look like her entire body was glowing in the sunlight.

Miranda shook her head and regained her focus. "Andrea, you cannot stay out here and brood all day."

"Who says I'm brooding? The garden needed weeding and I needed to pot the new plants Louisa brought yesterday. That's what I'm doing."

Miranda merely raised a brow in response. Andy raised her own in return before moving back to her original spot.

Miranda stood behind her and crossed her arms. Andy could feel Miranda's intense glare on the back of her head. She tossed the shears aside and growled. "Fine. I'm brooding. Why can't I just stay out here and brood all by myself?"

"Because our daughter is in there getting ready for her first date and she wants her mothers… both of them… to see her off."

"I don't want her to go." Andy sat back on her knees and glared up at her wife.

"Darling, we talked about this. If I'm not mistaken, you were the one to convince me it was time to allow them to date alone and you said you were okay with her going out with Pierce."

"I know, but who is this boy... Pierce? I mean, what kind of name is that? He sounds like a thirty year old playboy. What do we really know about this kid? I haven't even met him yet. He could be some punk... and you want me to trust him with my…my…"

Miranda smiled softly. She knew that her wife adored both the twins. After a rocky start, the twins grew to adore Andy and she had become the steady second parent they had always needed. Andy brought the stability and security that even their father was not able to provide. They were as close as any parent and child could be but Miranda knew that Andy still questioned her place in their lives from time to time.

"Your daughter?"

Andy stood and shoved her hands into her pockets, a habit that manifested itself when the brunette was nervous or agitated.

"She is, you know? They both are. They've been yours from the very beginning… even when they tried to dislike you."

Andy couldn't help but grin a little in that aw-shucks way that Miranda found utterly charming.

"They're really growing aren't they?"

Miranda stepped close and gently wiped a smudge of dirt from Andy's cheek. "I'm afraid so, darling."

They were both having a difficult time watching the girls grow up; however because it was Caroline first, this made it a little more difficult for Andy. Andy had always been very protective of Caroline. Caroline was very much like Miranda. She could be very cool and prickly on the outside but that was only to protect her extremely sensitive heart. Andy had recognized this from the start and worked hard to convince the young girl that she was in it for the long haul. Once Caroline had come around, it was obvious that she adored Andy and Andy felt the need to protect her from any harm.

"If it will make you feel better, you should know that I had the young man checked out. His father is a partner at James' firm and his mother is the Assistant Principal at Dalton. I've known them both for years. He volunteers in the pediatrics wing at Bellevue Hospital. All evidence points to him being a suitable date for Caroline."

"If you say so." Andy grumbled.

"We have to accept that she's not a child anymore. She's growing into a beautiful young woman." Miranda said realizing just how difficult it was for her to admit it herself.

"I know she's beautiful; they both are. Anyone with eyes can see that. That's why I don't want her to go out with this kid."

Miranda chuckled with amusement. "Andrea, you don't want her to go out with anyone. This isn't about this boy at all. This is about you."

Andy looked down and kicked the dirt with her sneaker. Miranda caressed her cheek. "I know you don't want the girls to grow up; neither do I. Every time I look at them, I think about bringing them home from the hospital for the first time. But we don't have a choice, sweetheart. They're not eight years old anymore. They're almost sixteen. They're both turning into wonderful young ladies and that is greatly due to you."

Andy shook her head. "No, they were already great kids by the time I came into the picture."

Miranda raised a brow. "Need I remind you of the pranks they pulled on my assistants, you included? Or should I remind you of how spoiled they were until you gave them chores and taught them about responsibility? No darling, those girls are who they are in great part because of you and your influence."

Andy remained quiet, still sulking a bit.

"Caroline is a very smart and mature girl. We've raised her to respect and carry herself like a lady. Now, we have to trust that she will do just that."

"I know... I know. That doesn't mean I have to like it." Andy said with disdain.

Miranda chuckled. "No, it doesn't, but it does mean that you have to play the role of the doting mother for her. She wants so badly for you to approve of this. You don't want to disappoint her do you?"

"You don't play fair, Miranda."

Miranda laughed. "What would be the fun in that?"

Andy sighed heavily. "Okay. Okay. I'll go inside and see her off... on her ... date." Andy said the last word like it was the plague.

"Her first date." Miranda added.

"Alright, I get it. This is her first date and I should be there for it."

"That's my girl." Miranda said with a grin that quickly turned to a frown as she eyed her wife's filthy clothing. "But first...you will shower and make yourself more presentable. I will not have this young man thinking our daughter is from some hillbilly family with questionable personal hygiene and missing teeth."

Andy looked down at herself and grinned back at Miranda knowingly. "What? You don't like my new rustic look?"

Miranda's eyes darkened as her eyes devoured every inch of her wife's body. "I said nothing about disliking it. It might even be worth revisiting at a more appropriate time. However, Caroline might die of embarrassment. Now, come along. You need to shower then check on her. She changed clothes three times before I came out here. I think it's safe to say that she's a little nervous." Miranda said causing Andy to laugh.

"Three times? She really is a Priestly woman isn't she?" Andy said brushing herself off as she followed.

Miranda just laughed. "Indeed."

After a quick shower and change, Andy finally made her way up to Caroline's room. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Caroline sitting at the vanity brushing her hair. Andy's breath caught in her throat. Caroline looked so lovely. She and Cassidy had grown into such beautiful young girls. They were tall with long auburn hair, which complemented their big blue eyes... and that smile. They had Miranda's incredible smile. Caroline glanced up into the mirror and saw Andy leaning against the door staring at her.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Andy said looking down, studying a spot on the floor.

"You didn't. I can always tell when you're near me, Moms."

"Can I come in for a minute?"

Caroline smiled brightly. "You don't have to ask to come in, Moms."

"I just wanted to be sure. I know how you girls are about your space." Andy walked in and took a seat on the bed.

Caroline rolled her eyes, looking eerily like her other mother. "So, how do I look? Mom helped me pick this out to wear." Caroline asked standing up. She twirled around for Andy.

Andy felt herself tearing up. She just looked at her daughter and smiled warmly. "You know your mom has great taste. Anyone would be lucky to have the Queen of Fashion choose their clothes, but... you'd look beautiful in jeans and a t-shirt. You know that."

"Thanks Moms." Caroline tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and looked down shyly. "You weren't around and… I was a little worried."

"Worried about what, sweetheart?"

"I thought you didn't want me to go on this date…that you might say I couldn't go, you know… because you haven't met him." Caroline said going back to doing her hair.

Andy was quiet for a moment. She then took a deep breath and responded. "Miranda said that he is a very nice boy. We both know your mother wouldn't allow you to go out with anyone that she didn't approve of so...I think you'll have a good time with him." Andy stood from the bed. "Well, I'm going to go and let you finish getting dressed. I'll let you know when your date gets here."

"Okay"

Caroline stared at Andy through the mirror for a moment. "Hey Moms?"

Andy stopped and turned around. "Yeah."

"I love you."

"I love you too, kiddo... and just so you know, I will probably never like any of the guys you date. Nobody will ever be good enough for you in my eyes. I'll see you downstairs." Andy gave her a wink and smile before slipping out the door.

As Andy made her way downstairs, the doorbell rang. She saw Miranda making her way over to the door.

When Miranda opened it, she was greeted by a very handsome but obviously nervous teenage boy.

"Hi… Hello... Mrs. Priestly... I'm Pierce. I…ummm... I'm... I'm here to… for Caroline." Pierce stuttered.

Miranda blinked and tilted her head. There was something strangely familiar about him. He was tall and lanky with thick brown hair and big brown eyes. She simply gave him a nod and allowed him inside. Andy made her way across the foyer to meet him. When Miranda saw the two of them together, she instantly understood. She bit back a smile. Apparently, Caroline was more like her than she ever thought.

"Pierce, this is Caroline's other mother, Andrea."

Pierce extended his hand to her. Andy just stared at him for a moment. The stare was one that rivaled even Miranda's. Miranda cleared her throat. Andy finally reached out and shook his outstretched hand.

"So, you're Pierce?" Andy asked as they moved into the living room. "My wife and daughter have told me quite a bit about you. It's a shame that I haven't met you before tonight."

"Well, Caroline has told me a lot about you too, ma'am. You and Mrs. Priestly are all she talks about." He said nervously.

"Well, Caroline is very special. I'm sure you understand how protective I am of her right, Pierce?" Andy said evenly.

Pierce nodded nervously. "Yes ma'am."

"Pierce, you're not going to give me any reason to worry about my daughter while she's with you are you? Because I would hate to think that I would have anything to worry about concerning you."

Pierce shook his head. "No ma'am."

"Good... Then, you'll have her home by ten and not a minute later?"

"Yes, ma'am... ten."

Miranda had originally planned to put the fear of God in the boy herself, but apparently there was no need. She actually felt a little sorry for him. It was obvious that he was very nervous and shy to boot. Not to mention, Andy could be very intimidating when she wanted to be. Andy's sweet appearance could be quite deceiving. Just as Andy was about to grill him some more, Caroline made her way into the room.

"Hi Pierce." She said shyly.

"Hi... You look..." Pierce caught a glimpse of Andy glaring at him in the corner of his eye and changed his words. "...nice. You look very nice" He walked to her and smiled. "I... umm... I brought these for you." He handed her the bouquet of flowers that he had brought.

Caroline blushed. "Thank you."

Suddenly remembering, he turned and handed the two smaller bouquets to Andy and Miranda. "I forgot. I brought these for you too."

The considerate act seemed to thaw the chill in the air. Miranda smirked as she saw the tension leave Andy's body.

Andy couldn't help it. She didn't want to like him, but she did. He was charming and he made her little girl's face light up. Caroline looked so happy. Andy found herself smiling at them in spite of herself. Miranda noticed and put her arm around her waist. She leaned in and whispered in Andy's ear.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Andy just nodded and smiled.

"Mom... Moms. Roy is out front; we're going to go now. I'll be home before curfew. I promise." Caroline said giving them each a hug.

"Have a good time, darling. You look beautiful." Miranda whispered into her ear.

"Have fun." Was all Andy could manage.

They watched them walk out. Andy went to the window and peaked out. "Aww, honey! He beat Roy to the door and opened it for her. They look so cute."

"Now, they're cute together? Just a few minutes ago, you wanted to castrate the boy." Miranda chuckled

"I know, but she's my little girl... that's not so little anymore." Andy sat down on the bottom step.

Miranda sat down next to her and pulled her into her arms. "You know... it doesn't really matter how old she gets... she's always going to be our daughter. That won't change."

Andy laughed and snuggled more into Miranda. "How can you be so calm about this stuff? I would have thought you would have been breathing fire by now. You are the 'Dragon Lady' after all."

Miranda chuckled. "I'm not calm. I hate the fact that she's dating now. And to think, Cassidy has her own date next week."

Andy groaned. "I hate teenage boys! I feel like I need to get a shot-gun or something."

"I know. With them both dating, I'll have to do background checks on every teenage boy in New York City." Miranda said evenly.

Andy laughed. "You'd really do that wouldn't you?"

"What? Your mother did the same thing to me and I was a wealthy upstanding magazine editor."

Andy laughed even harder. "Oh, stop it! My mother did no such thing."

"Maybe she should have. My intentions weren't exactly pure as far as you were concerned." Miranda looked at her suggestively and grinned. Andy blushed.

"What are your intentions now?" Andy asked.

Miranda answered with a passionate kiss.

Andy pulled back just long enough to speak. "Where's Cass and Alex?"

"Study group and napping in the nursery." Miranda mumbled over her lips.

"Good. Let's go." Andy stood and pulled Miranda behind her up the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

"Use that big brain of yours, sweetheart. I'm sure you'll figure it out." Andy said pulling Miranda in for another blistering kiss. "Any objections?"

Miranda shook her head and allowed herself to be led up to their bedroom.

"Okay, I might have been a little over-protective. There's nothing wrong with that. I am still the cool mom. I'm not the one that freaked about Cassidy's new girlfriend."

"Cassidy has a new girlfriend?" Audrey asked.

Andy grinned mischievously. "Yep. Her name is Keisha Norwood. She's a NYU graduate that looks like Naomi Campbell. She's perfect for Cass and Miranda freaked out and scared the shit out of the girl by answering Cass' phone."

"I did no such thing. I find Keisha quite… suitable. I was simply surprised that my daughter's new paramour was my assistant. I have adjusted accordingly to the situation." Miranda said in a haughty tone.

Andy and Audrey both laughed. They knew it wasn't Keisha that Miranda had a problem with. It was the fact that the two had carried on a yearlong secret affair right under the editor's nose."

"See. I'm still the cool mom." Andy said pointing at herself.

"Of course you are, darling. We never doubted that for a single moment." Miranda leaned over and kissed her chastely on the lips before walking into the house.

Andy frowned. "Why do I get the feeling she's mocking me?"

Audrey laughed. "Because you're married to Miranda Priestly… and she is."

Audrey's laughter trailed off as she saw her son walking up to the porch, loitering around the steps. "I think someone else would like to talk to you before you leave. You want me to stay with you?"

Andy eyed him and shook her head. "It's okay, Mom. It's fine."

"Alright. You two play nice. I'm going to spend a few more minutes with my grandchildren and drive my darling daughter-in-law crazy before you all leave. You know how I enjoy rattling her cage a little."

Andy shook her head. "You two don't fool anyone. You know you like each other. You're too much alike."

"And what does that say about you sweetheart? You grew up and married your mother." Audrey said with an evil glint in her eyes.

Andy frowned as her mother walked away laughing. She shook her head. It was like having two Miranda Priestlys in her life.

Josh came over shaking his head. "You know that's really weird, right?"

"Well, weird is my life, Little bro."

He laughed. "Now that I think about it, I guess you're right." He shuffled from one foot to the other nervously. "You uh… you wanna take a quick walk?"

"Sure."

They walked in silence for a while just taking in their childhood home. Andy glanced at her watch and knew they would need to leave soon.

"So… what's up?" She said kicking a loose rock out in front of them.

Josh shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed. "Andy, I… I don't even know where to start. I feel like I let you down and I feel awful for…for everything."

"You should. You should have known me better than that, Josh. I've always been there for you and when I needed you most, you weren't there. That hurt." Andy said not bothering to soften her words.

Josh swallowed the lump in his throat and took a deep breath. His chest felt so heavy. "I know. I knew something wasn't right with him… his story about why you two didn't talk. It was easier to blame you and Miranda rather than face the truth. I just… I just didn't want to believe that he could…be so cruel."

"I know."

"He wasn't the father I knew. The father I grew up with adored us… especially you. I guess I couldn't separate the two. I wanted to hang on to the way things used to be so I wouldn't have to deal with the reality."

"I can understand that."

"I'm glad you can because I can't." He laughed humorlessly. "I purposely stayed away the last few years." He said after a long silence.

Andy eyed him closely, but remained silent.

"Every assignment that required travel and extended business trips, I volunteered for them. I could see the change in him. It was like I didn't even recognize him anymore."

"So you stayed away too."

Josh dropped his head in shame. Andy shook her head. How had things gotten so mixed up?

"Seeing him acting that way made me question myself. If our father could turn on one of us maybe I would turn on one of my kids one day."

Andy stopped and looked at him for a moment. "That's why you can't commit and why you won't even entertain the thought of having kids, isn't it?"

Josh shrugged his shoulders and they started walking again. "Maybe I'm just not cut out for it."

"You could never do that, Josh. It's just not in you."

"I'm glad you still think so... after I've been such an ass."

Andy sighed. "Josh, you know what this week has taught me?"

He shook his head.

"It's taught me that life is too short to hang on to all the bad stuff. It's painful and I don't want to carry it around anymore. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. I miss my brother. I'd like to have him back… all of him."

He wiped away a tear and nodded. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot. I've missed my big sister."

"Good because if you haven't noticed, your nephew idolizes you and would love to see you more often."

"I'm looking forward to spending more time with all of them. I'm looking forward to seeing you too... if that's okay." He said hesitantly.

She simply smiled and pulled him close. She held him tight and felt the last bit of heaviness leave her heart. She felt completely free for the first time in a very long time.

"That's good because you could really use my help in the ladies department, Joshie."

He pulled away and scoffed. "What? Now way! I'm great with the ladies."

"Uh… no you're not. You can't keep a girlfriend for more than six months."

"And you're supposed to be the expert with women?"

"Uh… yeah. Have you seen my wife?"

Josh stopped and pursed his lips. "Okay, you have a point there. She is pretty hot."

Andy smacked him on the back of the head.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?" He asked rubbing his head.

"That was for checking out my wife." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "That was for admitting that she's hot."

Josh was still rubbing his head. "I'm telling Mom! Mom, Andy hit me!"

"Oh don't be such a little wuss, Joshie! It didn't even hurt."

Audrey and Miranda watched them arguing from the front porch. Audrey shook her head and sighed. "I think I liked it better when they were estranged."

Miranda chuckled.

TBC… Epilogue to come.