Chapter 10 - Epilogue: Bliss
Such a meeting didn't happen every day and least of all with one's former boss whom one not only liked but really loved. Which was why Andrea was agitated and nervous. First this crazy dream or whatever it was and not half an hour later Miranda calls. That alone is strange in itself, she also suggested a meeting. Why now? she wondered. With a shaking finger she pushed the bell of Miranda's townhouse and fumbled nervously with the seam of her coat. Everything had been so real in her dream, the return to the past up to the day when she met Miranda for the first time, the feeling she had at their first kiss. How could she not think about the gaze full of longing, love and warmth in those blue eyes? How could she, filled with so many emotions, meet the same woman who hadn't experienced all that?
The door opened and Miranda stood in front of her, "Hi!" she managed.
Miranda had trouble keeping her expression neutral and not revealing what she felt, "Come in, Andrea", she led them into the living room.
After Andrea had taken a seat in a chair and Miranda on the couch they were silent for a few moments. Miranda, because she pondered how to phrase it and Andrea because she wondered what Miranda wanted to talk about. Miranda finally was the first to speak, "May I offer you something to drink?"
"Water, please", she answered because her mouth felt like the Sahara. Was she imagining things or was there really a hint of nervousness? Andrea lightly shook her head, it was nearly impossible that Miranda Priestly would be nervous in the presence of a former assistant, one that had left her of all things. When Miranda returned with a glass of water and wine for herself, Andrea had gathered enough courage to start the conversation. "Thank you", she said and took a sip, "What is it you want to talk about?" she asked politely and without a quiver in her voice.
Miranda evaded her gaze, probably afraid Andrea could see in her eyes what she thought and felt, "Something happened to me or not. But that isn't important, only that I realised a few things", she explained.
Nervousness and strain gave way to curiosity, "How can you not be sure if something happened to you?" Andrea wondered.
"Everything was more real than any dream I ever had. People, scents, fee...", Miranda stopped at the last word because she wasn't sure if she hadn't already said too much.
Andrea felt as if Miranda was talking about something she herself had experienced lately. First she and Miranda had been shot at the gala by Nate and the next thing she knew was that she was sitting behind her small desk again without so much as a delay of time. She needed to know more, "What happened in your dream?"
What could she say without having to fear that she would drive Andrea away? The fear that Andrea would disappear from her life again had been real as soon as the dream was over. She already missed the soft lips on her own, the touch of hands that gently stroked her skin and through her hair and words whispered lovingly into her ear. But having Andrea here alive, in front of her gave her the necessary strength to risk it, "Despite the end it was the best dream...", she paused briefly to look directly into Andrea's brown eyes, "You know I usually don't invite former assistants."
Even though she tried to detect something negative in the words, there was no accusation in the tone, "Why me then, Miranda", she asked and maintained eye contact.
"In my dream I have made the first step and didn't regret it for even one moment", she took a deep breath, "Without realising it you have become special to me", she admitted. Her blue eyes looked away from the brown ones because she was too afraid to find a negative reaction in them.
Andrea's heart made a somersault of joy and happiness. Never had she dared to hope that Miranda would feel that for her. Even though her mind said that she could be wrong her heart told her otherwise. Slowly she got up, walked over to Miranda, sat next to her and with her thumb and index finger she softly lifted Miranda's chin. Gently she turned Miranda's head her way so she couldn't evade her gaze. There were so many things she wanted to say right now but she couldn't put into words what was going on inside her. She knew only one way to convey her feelings and so she closed the distance between them and without hesitation their lips met.
Not a single word, she heard nothing from Andrea. Was she so shocked? What was it that Andrea thought? Because even though she didn't say it directly Andrea could read between the lines. Had she lost the younger woman forever? She was so deep in thought that she hadn't realised that Andrea had taken a seat next to her. The fingers under her chin startled her from her thoughts and she didn't even try to fight it. Her body reacted on its own accord to Andrea's touch. No resistance when the two digits took over the guidance of her head. The feeling of those, oh so velvety soft lips on her own were so familiar and although it seemed like the first time that their lips touched. With her eyes closed she got lost in the kiss and every remaining thought was of Andrea.
J'attendais, j'attendais, Le pays de ton corps le toucher de tes mains, Ma douce boussole mon nord, Le sens à mes demains, the words of the song sneaked into Andrea's mind. Words, spoken like a siren's call of longing, spoken by Miranda in her dream. She had felt the waves of emotion when Miranda quoted the lines from the song and the same emotions she could feel right now in that kiss. The kiss ended and she looked into blue eyes, "I love you Miranda."
"And I love you", Miranda answered. She grabbed Andrea's hand, "Would you like to stay?"
With a smile Andrea agreed, "There is nothing I would like better."
Two weeks later
Somewhere in the city.
"No, I can't believe I've seen that", a young woman said.
"What do you mean?", the man next to her asked.
"It's her fault, I'm sure", she grumbled, ignoring the question.
The man looked at the blonde woman who also appeared confused and shrugged her shoulders. Before they could ask another question though the puzzling explanation continued, "I can't understand how this could happen."
"Could you please explain what you mean", Serena wanted to know.
The redhead looked at Serena and Nigel, "Andrea Sachs", Emily answered curtly.
"Six? What has she done that got your knickers in a twist?" Nigel insisted curiously.
"I saw her yesterday."
Serena was getting impatient, "And?"
After a dramatic pause she offered the last piece of the puzzle, "I saw her, shortly before I delivered the Book, entering Miranda's house."
Before the listeners could digest the information she continued, "This was a surprise but what I really refuse to believe was the fact that she and Miranda ki...", she shook her head at the picture in her mind.
The other two guessed Emily's last word and chorused, "You mean kissed?"
"Oh yes", she confirmed.
The three of them sighed because they knew what was going to come when it was to become public knowledge.
At the same time
Andrea was lying on her belly on the big bed in Miranda's bedroom and was looking through the latest issue of Runway. She looked over her shoulder at the door of the bathroom but since it didn't open she returned to the magazine when she glimpsed something in the corner of her eyes. She knew that her curiosity would get the better of her so she didn't really think about it but simply tried to fish something from behind the bedside table. When she reached it she pulled the object out which turned out to be a CD. It must have fallen under the table when she kicked the table the last time in her sleepy haze. She looked at the CD but when she couldn't find out what was on it she put it in the player and pressed play. The CD started to play and when the first tunes of the song started to play she remained in her current position. It was the song from her dream and like the first time it lured her in.
The song had caught Andrea so deep in her mind that she didn't register Miranda opening the door of the bathroom and stopping in the door when she heard the song. Leaning against the frame she smiled at the younger woman who had turned her world upside down over the past few weeks. First it was a song of longing, then the memory of a dream or illusion that ended tragically and had at the same time become a second chance. It was strange that the both of them had experienced the same illusion and had thought it for real. Quietly she started to sing along and her voice joined harmoniously into the song. Every word revealed more about her feelings and nobody would have guessed they were Miranda Priestly's.
Now Andrea detected her presence and looked astonished before a small smile appeared on her lips. She got up, walked over to Miranda and took her hand, "I love you", she whispered.
Miranda smiled and with each word she drew nearer to Andrea's irresistible lips. Her singing was silenced when their lips met in a fiery kiss and pushed Andrea gently towards the bed. Like the wind was pushing a sailing boat, the tune of the song pushed their love and longing for each other farther and farther and the memory from a never existing past became their future.
The End
