A/N: This story is a continuation of Miranda's Secret for the MirAndy Fun Frolics. Comments and Reviews are always vastly appreciated.
Card 6 - Dream Lover
Disclaimer: As always, I am just fooling with these characters. I do not own or make any money from them. Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox own them.
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Miranda often wondered if she had known Andréa in another life. It seemed as if she'd loved Andréa for an eternity. Their relationship continued to be effortless and yet somewhat daunting. There were times Andréa drove her crazy for one reason or another but she would do anything for her.
Although she was known for her impatience with small talk, she loved nothing more than hearing Andréa chattering away, ensuring she remained fully aware of what was occurring in her life outside their relationship. It was beyond anything she ever experienced before the young woman.
As a child, she imagined her fantasy lover, and she got it so wrong. Supposedly, her partner would fit right into the exact shape and size of that hole she left in her heart, the space left especially for her dream lover. James and Stephen fit in with what she perceived as her perfect love, and they had been far from ideal.
Mr Right had turned out to be Ms Right and finally, all those sappy love songs from over the years made sense. That morning she'd hummed along to Bobby Darrin's 1959 song, "Dream Lover." as it played through the Bose as she drank her coffee.
"Dream lover where are you, with a love, oh so true."
She dreamed of her Andréa the night before and woke up happy and comforted. The dreams happened regularly. She often dreamt of them enjoying good times, where they laughed together, but the dream the night before showed her marrying the young woman who held her heart. She appreciated the infinite happiness the dream caused.
At almost 50 years old she honestly believed true love would elude her for the rest of her life. But then she had come along, her beautiful Andréa. She had found the true love, everyone searched for.
She now understood what love looked and felt like. Andréa realised, without being told, that she relished the quiet moments with soft music and candlelight, and that she wanted to be respected or supported when she became troubled by her various insecurities. She never assumed Andréa was her Ms Right, regardless of the deep feelings she harboured for the young woman while in her employ. She never tried to force her to fit in with the image of her dream lover, something conjured up by an imaginative child. She did not consider that Andréa could love her.
The last seven months with the woman had been a revelation. And she remained thankful for every moment she got to share them with Andréa.
She entered their relationship with no expectations, fearful that if she did, it would disappoint her when they somehow weren't met. She didn't need to nag or cajole the wonderful young woman who stormed into her life and turned everything on its head. She did not need to sulk, beg or plead for attention. She did not need to snoop, stalk or follow the young woman's every movement in the fear she sought comfort elsewhere. She trusted in what they were building together and she knew a level of contentment than she'd ever experienced before.
She recognised she always looked for someone who would just magically know what she wanted and who'd give it to her before she even asked. She needed someone who would take care of her every need. In her personal and professional life, it was sorely lacking, until Andréa. What she found in the woman provided her with the security she needed, but what she never expected was that it would roll over into her personal life.
And now, somehow, she was in her first ever authentic relationship. She recognised herself but she allowed Andréa come to know her in the most profound way. She had not sacrificed her soul to be in a relationship with Andréa. They both understood they held a responsibility to make things work, not only because of their deep feelings and the connection they built but for the children they would raise together. They were both willing to be swept away in the romance and passion of their love, but she recognised what she was building with Andréa was far more than that.
As Andréa waddled adorably into the room, her belly barely covered by the vest she wore, Miranda couldn't help but smile at the sight. They had celebrated the 28th week and had now entered the third trimester. The young woman stated she was ready to be done with the pregnancy, finding she'd needed to slow down, she was also finding it harder to get comfortable and struggled to sleep.
As the weeks bled into one another, they had been navigating a new level of intimacy, based on their enjoyment of one another in a non-sexual way. They had spoken openly and had taken the time to redefine what it really meant to be close. They made time to go on dates, enjoying dinners and light conversation as they focussed entirely on each other. She often spent the last part of her night caressing Andréa or massaging her into a state of pure bliss and the young woman's nimble fingers worked their magic and unloosened the tight knots in her neck and shoulders. The best moments were those they cuddled in bed. She adored it when they settled naked together and sharing that vulnerability as they spooned. She ran them baths in their large tub, and settled close, taking comfort from each other's bodies. They spoke about their hopes and dreams and their fears and longings and they were free to be open about their secret desires without fear of judgement. They had become emotionally closer.
They still enjoyed plenty of physical contact and Miranda was sure to find reasons to make sure she provided her beautiful Andréa with loving touches. She reached out to grab her hands to give them gentle squeezes and when she walked past, her hands caressed her neck, back or ran through her hair. She kissed her good morning, goodbye, hello and goodnight. She told her how beautiful she was every day. She did not want Andréa thinking she was unloved, and the woman returned her affection willingly. It sometimes appeared she didn't have time to cuddle, but she often stopped what she was doing to go in search of the young woman just to hold her for a few minutes. It seemed to reassure her she still found her attractive, and she loved her. She hoped Andréa found it comforting. It was something she missed with her pregnancy with the twins.
"My darling, how are my little eggplant's." Miranda's smile widened.
"They're fine, our boy's doing karate chops. I wish I could get a solid night's sleep." Andy grumbled.
"I have bought you one of those pregnancy pillows. Hopefully, we can get you comfortable." Miranda watched as Andréa eased herself onto the couch. "Do you need anything?" Miranda stood from her desk and moved towards the young woman. "Some tea, a book, some music?" She queried
"Do you mind if I put my feet up here?" Andy asked.
"Not at all my darling, I finished up with the book and was just thinking," Miranda explained softly.
"What were you thinking about?" Andréa spun her feet around and stretched out, grinning up at her.
"You," Miranda admitted. "As hard as I try, mere words really aren't enough to express how I feel about you, in all my life, I never dreamed I'd find a love like this." She watched as a blushed formed beautifully across her Andréa's cheeks. She knelt down in front of the brunette. "Having you in my life makes each day a little brighter. I can't wait to wake up in the morning because I know you'll be there. I think of you often throughout my day, and I rush home from work so I can be close to you again. You are one of my favourite people, my darling."
Andréa's smile was incandescent, and she realised she had never seen anything as beautiful. Unable to stop she moved in to snare her lips in a gentle kiss. She found herself pulled closer as Andréa deepened the kiss. She settled on the edge of the couch with the brunette and they continued to make out. Finding herself getting a little steamed up she broke the kiss and chuckled at Andréa's pout. "As much as I would like to continue this, I would infinitely prefer you to be comfortable, my darling. Now, I shall get your Kindle, a cup of chamomile, and some of those cookies our children are so fond of." She stood gracefully and made to move from the study.
"Miranda?" Andy's voice was sweeter than honey as she settled into the comfortable pillows on the sofa. "I love you."
Miranda smiled shyly. She had, beyond all doubt, found her dream lover, the one to last a lifetime.
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