Title: A Chance of Happiness (Pt.11)

By: Cath

Rating: M

Fandom: Devil Wears Prada

Pairing: Miranda/Andy

Disclaimer: Don't own them, just hoping to bring them closer. Anything you recognise from the movie or extra's is not mine!

A.N.: Thank you to all those who have commented, I really appreciate it!

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Andy worked steadily for a couple of hours before she felt a presence at the door. Looking up she was stunned by the intensity in Miranda's eyes.

'It is time to leave.' Andy watched as Miranda turned and frightened a couple of clackers as she made her way through the hallway. Andy packed her bag and followed Miranda to the elevator.

They made their way to the restaurant in silence. Andy revelled in Miranda's presence and watched the world rush by. Roy pulled up at an exclusive restaurant but before he could move Andy had leapt from the car to open Miranda's door.

With a faint smile Miranda exited the car and sailed in through the doors. Andy saw her greet the owner who directed her across the room to a secluded table. Andy on her heels settled into the chair held for her. Amazed by the reflection of candles in Miranda's eyes it was only when Miranda spoke she realised she had been staring.

'It would appear that you are quite intent with regard to this relationship.' Miranda stated it as a challenge to Andy.

'Indeed.' Unsure what Miranda was angling at, Andy was reluctant to say any more than was necessary.

Just then the waiter arrived with their menus and the next couple of minutes were silent as they decided what to eat. Having ordered Miranda looked intently at Andy, who was unsure at the purpose of the dinner.

'Let me be clear Andrea. I am not, nor have I ever been an easy woman to be in the company of. Indeed I have found that I am impossible to love.' At this Miranda swallowed convulsively before taking a sip of her wine. When Andy would have disagreed Miranda held her hand up silencing her.

'Accepting this, given current ... circumstances ...' Miranda waves her hand as if not sure quite how to refer to her behaviour, 'it is particularly challenging to be around me presently. As can be attested to by multiple members of Runway staff. Yet you are here. You have previously informed your family or your intentions towards me. What is your game Ms Andrea Sachs?. This last sentence delivered with a piercing glare left Andy breathless.

'Miranda I have no game. I love you and had begun to love you when I worked for you. As I said in Vegas it was because I couldn't do more for you that I felt the need to leave.'

'Yes very convenient. Then within the space of seventy-two hours you had me married and agreeing that you could move into my house. Into my life. Tell me Andrea, what exactly are you bringing to this arrangement.'

Caught completely on the back foot Andy was left grasping for understanding. First Miranda insists she inform her parents immediately, in her presence. Then only a few hours later she is all but verbally eviscerating her.

'Miranda, I thought this was something you wanted too. I would never try to impose myself in your life against your wishes.' Andy looked directly into Miranda's eyes. 'I will not deny wanting to share our lives. I will not deny that I love you more than I thought it possible to love someone. However I will deny being with you for any other purpose than to be with you.'

'That is quite a speech Andrea. How do I know you are not after my name or my money?' Miranda countered.

'If you don't already know that, nothing I say now will convince you otherwise.' Andy decided to stop talking, she was tempted to get up from the table and leave. At that moment the food arrived, Andy decided not to leave as Miranda appeared to expect that.

The silence at the table was only disturbed by the scratching of cutlery and the occasional replacing of a glass on the table.

'I am sorry Andrea.' Andy looked up at Miranda shocked that she had heard those words from the other woman.

'No need to apologise.' Andy had been thinking over their situation and could understand why Miranda would be suspicious of her motives. Truth be told the entire situation still seemed surreal to her to. The only aspect she was sure of was that she loved Miranda and wanted a relationship with her.

'Of course I do. When I invited you to dinner I intended to celebrate the fact you had told your mother. I did not intend to level accusations at you.' Miranda's face tensed slightly as if preparing to defend herself. Andy tried to catch her eyes with no success.

'Thank you. I was delighted to be able to see you before Friday.' Andy was ready to finish this conversation. 'So how was your day?'

'It was as good as can be expected. Irv's supporters are running scared which is making everyone else on edge. The sooner this mess is cleared up the better.' With that Miranda informed Andy of all the changes that had to take place over the coming months. Andy listened attentively through dinner amazed that on minute Miranda was declaring a staggering lack of trust in her and the next divulging sensitive information.

The remainder of the meal passed pleasantly however when their fruit salads arrived for dessert Miranda seemed to stiffen while the atmosphere became unpleasantly tense.

'I do not know how to be the person you want.' Miranda declared into the silence. The tone defeated.

'Miranda, you are already the person I want. I love you.' Andy said after long moments. 'You do not have to change one aspect of yourself.'

'Andrea please be realistic. I am an older woman with twin, almost teenage, daughters. I have a proven track record of being difficult to be around and impossible to love. Not to mention my current ... issues. I cannot be what you need.' Miranda sat up straight in her chair to meet Andy's eyes unwaveringly.

Andy could see her daring her to disagree, but at the same time expecting her to have finally seen reason and leave her. Andy was beginning to feel that Miranda did not actually want to be in a relationship with her. This constant pushing her away was becoming more than she thought she could handle.

Staring at each other unspeaking for endless moments both women sized the other up. Andy for her part went over the whirlwind of the last week in her mind. Flashes of getting ready for Vegas going through her mind. Remembering the hollowness in her chest thinking that she would never again see Miranda. Never get to spend time with her. She would have eradicated the million girls who would kill for the job of being Miranda's assistant, if it gave her one more day in the presence of the other woman.

Yet here she was, not even a week later, married to Miranda. Having spent more time with her that she would have even dared to dream of. Having kissed her. Held the other woman in her arms. Spent time with her children. Been trusted with information that she was sure no one else was privy to.

The only difficulty with the whole situation was that Miranda kept trying to push her away. Kept highlighting the difficulties and explaining how unlovable she was. In that moment Andy would have murdered Stephen, and anyone else who contributed to Miranda's apparent lack of self worth, with her bare hands. She knew, had seen and experienced, the confident, steadfast woman who ran Runway with an iron fist. She was magnificent, glorious in her throne ruling the fashion world.

The woman seated across from her was that woman, Andy was sure of it.

'What do you want or need from me Miranda?' Andy tried desperately not to smile at the shocked look on the other woman's face. When no answer was forthcoming Andy tried again.

'I am at the very beginning of my career, as low on the totem pole as you can get, without being fresh out of college. While I have enough money to live, I will not be able to treat you to the life you have become accustomed. Added to this I can be moody and infuriatingly idealistic.'

'Indeed, when you put it like that ...' Miranda looked at Andy with a smirk on her face, and the hint of a twinkle in her eye. Andy could have danced on the table. 'It would appear I am with you merely for the fact that I love you.' Andy smiled shyly at Miranda, it was a perfect moment.

'Exactly. We are together because we love each other.' Andy couldn't help but do a happy dance in her head. 'Let's see where this crazy whirlwind takes us?' Andy couldn't help finishing the sentence as a plea, hoping Miranda would go with her.

Miranda seemed to weigh the situation. Andy could almost see the rationalisations going through her head and anxiously hoped they would come down in her favour. Seeming to come to a decision, Miranda nodded her head decisively before asking Andy what they would do Friday evening with Caroline and Cassidy.

They relaxed and finished their wine leisurely discussing the various options. When it was time to leave Miranda insisted on dropping Andy home first, before Roy drove her home.

Climbing into bed Andy checked her mobile phone and noticed a number of missed calls from her parents house. She sent her mother a quick text assuring her all was well and she would speak to her the following day. With that she fell into a deep sleep.

~~xx~~xx~~

Thursday passed very quickly. Andy had a lot of research to do for her current story. Added to that she needed to follow up on a couple of interviews kept her running well into the evening. However Miranda was never far from her thoughts. Wondering what she was doing. Whether she had slept the night before. Sometimes just thinking about nothing and everything about the other woman.

Late afternoon Andy decided she just had to make some contact with her so sent a quick email. Having spent twenty minutes contemplating her email she went with direct, yet discreet from her private email address.

M. Thinking of you. Love A

As she was tidying up for the day Lily and Doug called wondering if she wanted to go for a meal, to catch up after the crazy weekend.

Checking her emails one last time she was delighted to see one sent from Miranda.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow evening. Love M

At the end there was a different email address Andy had never seen when working with Miranda. Excited what the added information meant Andy sent another email to the new address.

For you see, each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow. All my love, A

Andy had always liked the quote from Rosemonde Gerard but had never imagined it to be relevant to her life until Miranda walked into it.

Andy had a great time as she sat over dinner chatting with her friends. She caught up on how Lily and Mike were planning to move into a new apartment together. Mike having successfully applied for a transfer. Lily was even beginning to consider starting a family. While Doug was going to move in with Nigel when his lease was up at the end of the following month. However from the sounds of it, he wouldn't be spending much time there.

When they had told their tales they looked at Andy for an update. She told them all about her dates and outlined the agreements they had made before returning to New York. They teased her about going doe eyed every time she mentioned the other woman. To Andy life looked wonderful.

~~xx~~xx~~

TBC