A/N: This story idea came from celesse201, there were multiple ideas given which I will incorporate in this request while placing my spin on this.
Disclaimer: As always I am just fooling with these characters. I do not own or make any money from them. They are owned by Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox.
Summary: A few years after Andy leaves New York she finds herself pulled back into Miranda's world. Can Andy keep herself and the Priestly's safe from the forces working against the family?
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Chapter Fourteen:
Miranda had decided over the course of the evening that her Andréa was the most beautiful woman she had ever encountered. She was innately kind and generous and fierce. As she lay in bed, she focused on the night, her date. She smiled happily into the darkness at the image of her Andréa that entered her mind, the brunette blushing gloriously as she teased her. "Mine." She whispered into the night. She let her thoughts roam to the evening spent with the brunette.
"Tell me what you are thinking." She asked breathlessly as their server retreated quickly.
"I mentioned on Saturday night how surreal this felt. I must say how unequivocably happy I am that you invited me out tonight. Part of me thinks I should pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming." Andy smiled tenderly at the older woman.
"A dream or nightmare?" Miranda asked teasingly.
"Definitely the best of dreams," Andy whispered. She gave the editor a teasing smile. "Which should be obvious since I haven't run off screaming in the opposite direction."
Miranda let herself laugh at the brunette's words, she was stunned by the strength of the feelings coursing through her at the words. "You were never really afraid of the Devil."
"Oh, I most certainly was, for the first six months at least. Then one day I realised you were just pushing me to be the best I could be, I learned to think outside the box. It was a lesson I carried those lessons with me every day in order to succeed. Failure was never an option." Andy spoke quietly as the server made an appearance with the wine. "And I've come through my life fairly unscathed." She grinned at the older woman.
"Only you would say you've come through life unscathed when you possess a bullet hole in your trapezius." Miranda sniggered. "You continue to be the optimist I remember."
"And as I said on Saturday night, it's just a scratch." Andy's smile widened as Miranda rolled her eyes and grinned.
Tearing her eyes from the brunette she saw the server standing beside their table, wine in hand, eyeing Andy appreciatively. Letting out a quick cough her sike widened as the server's eyes snapped from Andy towards her. "Are you going to stand there all night?" Miranda queried icily. "I'm sure my date wouldn't mind." She noticed Andy's frown. "Although on further reflection I may be wrong."
Andy turned towards the server. "I must say your behaviour this evening has been quite appalling. I appreciate the fact that you may find me somewhat attractive but to flirt blatantly with me, to ignore my date entirely and stare at me in such a way that has caused me to become increasingly uncomfortable, well, it is just rude."
Miranda sat amazed at the fire within Andy's eyes. She found it mesmerising. Placing an elbow on the table she rested her cheek against her palm and watched the young woman as she spoke passionately.
"And to be frank, Amy, why would I want anyone else's focus on me but the beautiful woman sat opposite me? No one has compared to her since I met her over three years ago, and no one ever could." Andy stood gracefully, towering above the young woman. "Now if you'll excuse me, please pour the wine and go away." She looked at Miranda. "I'll be right back, Miranda."
Miranda watched as Andy picked up her purse and retreated. She saw as Andy got the Maitre D's attention from her cell phone and spoke gently to her. She saw as the Maitre D' shrugged and Andy scowled. She observed as Andy explained further, gesturing in the direction of the table before shaking her head and grimacing. Miranda noted Andy's jaw clenching as she opened her purse and threw her Platinum Card at the Maitre D' and spoke furiously through gritted teeth at the woman as she covered the bill. The card was handed back as Andy spun on her heel, walking towards the table, clearly frustrated.
Turning towards the server Miranda saw her face flushed and her mouth agape, her eyes highlighting panic as Andy strode ferociously towards them. "I see you haven't poured the wine?" Andy asked. "Good, because I refused to pay for it or for the meal we haven't eaten." She turned towards Miranda and held out her hand. "Come, Miranda, we'll eat elsewhere. The service here leaves much to be desired."
"Yes darling, I must agree." Miranda grasped the offered hand and stood. Pulling her jacket from the back of the chair she shrugged it on as the owner flew across the room towards them.
"Miranda, what seems to be the problem?" April asked breathlessly as Miranda assisted Andy with her blazer.
"My date is not happy, April. I was looking forward to dinner, however, I cannot in good faith stay to have my date left uncomfortable due to the actions of your server. And it appears taking the matter up with your Maitre D' was a colossal waste of time, maybe if she wasn't so focused on talking to her friends or on her cell she may be aware of the inappropriate behaviour of the staff under her guidance." Miranda explained. "Andréa has paid for the drinks we consumed, however."
"Please Miranda, stay, have the meal on us, it is nearly ready and..." April trailed off as Miranda finished securing Andy's arm.
"No, no." Miranda waved off the chef and looked at Andy. "Andréa, I know a great Greek place that's to die for. They do the best octopus. It is within walking distance." Miranda looked up at the brunette and smiled gently and was left stunned and the answering bright smile.
"Miranda, I would be happy with a hot dog from a street vendor as long as I'm with you," Andy stated and blushed.
"A hot dog?" Miranda queried.
Andy grinned. "Yeah, or a slice."
"Well, either of those sound perfect, my darling. Shall we?" She held her hand out for the brunette and was amazed as she entwined their fingers. "Now I will leave the choice to you."
"I...I...well, actually that Greek sounds good." Andy bit her lip as Miranda rolled her eyes.
"Come on then, darling." The server and restaurant owner looked on amazed as Miranda swept from the restaurant without a backward glance.
After their abrupt departure from the Breslin, they walked a couple of blocks hand in hand and had ended up at Periyali. Miranda watched as Andy looked around, amazed at the restaurant.
The decor was simple and elegant, which Andy seemed to enjoy and she was mesmerised by the school of steel fish swimming on the wall opposite the gorgeous marble bar.
"What do you think?" Miranda asked hesitantly.
"The decor is soothing with its draped ceilings and dim lighting," Andy spoke softly. It was an intimate setting, cosy and somewhat romantic. She smiled at the older woman and leaned in to whisper in her ear. "You have good taste."
Miranda smirked. "I am aware." She whispered, secretly pleased with the young woman's reaction.
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Upon their return to the townhouse, Miranda had followed her downstairs and had started to help her get ready for the night by unloosening the buttons and zip on her dress. Andy turned in the older woman's arms and rested her forehead against Miranda's. "I can manage from here, Miranda." Her tone was insistent, and she knew her cheeks were burning.
Miranda had nodded and cupped her face in the palms of her hands. "If you insist, darling." She smiled up at the brunette. "Thank you for a wonderful evening." She leaned in and brushed a kiss on Andy's lips causing her to blush even more. "Goodnight." She whispered.
Andy stepped back from Miranda's touch and smiled. "Sweet dreams, Miranda." She turned and made to enter the bedroom but Miranda's words stopped her in her tracks.
"I'm certain they've never been sweeter." Miranda breathed.
Andy spun on the balls of her feet and stalked towards the older woman, offering her a megawatt smile, she pulled Miranda into a loose one-armed hug and captured her lips in a gentle kiss before turning again and entering her bedroom.
She took her time to make herself comfortable, changing from her dress into a pair of boxers and a t-shirt and securing her shoulder with some difficulty. She settled in the La-Z-Boy and switched on the TV, flicking through the channels until she found a movie. She stared at the flickering TV, not taking in the movie that was playing. her thoughts with the woman she had left a short time before.
They sat at the bar taking softly about Andy's life in Los Angeles and some work she had done since her return to the States as they waited to be seated. Miranda enjoyed a cucumber Martini while Andy stuck to Pellegrino. After a short time, they were led to a table by the open window where they benefitted from a beautiful breeze.
When it came to ordering, they decided to share a few entrees and have a main meal each, a different lamb dish. To start, they ordered the Oktapodi Sharas, charcoal grilled, red wine marinated octopus, Psita Manitaria, charcoal grilled oyster mushrooms and Gigandes Skordalia, giant beans with garlic sauce. Miranda ordered a bottle of Santorini Assyrtiko.
When their server brought their wine, she didn't linger and Miranda grinned across at the young woman. "It seems someone is impervious to the many charms of Andréa Sachs." Miranda poured them each a glass of the fruity white wine as Andy snorted.
"She was cutting her eyes at one Miranda Priestly instead, that's why." Andy teased.
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, darling."
Andy sputtered. "You obviously didn't see her face when The Miranda Priestly walked in, I thought she was going to bow in supplication at your feet." She looked at the older woman disbelievingly. "You honestly don't see it, do you? The effect you have on people and on a room when you enter it?"
Miranda shook her head, her eyes holding her incredulity. "No, I do not see it, Andréa. Please explain?"
Andy looked down, trying to formulate an explanation. "All those years ago I knew when you had entered the room, it was like the room crackled with a new energy, it was distinctly you. Unmissable, unmistakable and electrifying. I first noticed it at the Met Gala as you descended the stairs in that gorgeous Valentino creation. It had everyone turning just to stare at you." She looked up as their server placed their entrees on the table and attempted to change the subject. "Oh wow, this looks amazing."
Miranda's lips quirked as she noted Andy's attempt. "Dig in, darling."
As they ate Miranda spoke quietly to her about the emergency board meeting, where she had been made aware that Irv had been once again gunning for her job, he had provided them with figures indicating that Runway had been running at a loss.
"So what did you do?" Andy asked.
Miranda smirked. "Well darling I, of course, handed them the correct fiscal information, a copy of my list and the proof of the financial implications should I leave and start my own magazine."
"And?" Andy queried.
"And, after careful deliberation, I was offered the position as C.E.O." Miranda let out a tinkling laugh at Andy's expression of disbelief. "Oh, I declined the role and made an alternate suggestion. Harrison Clarke will be stepping into the position and Irving is now being investigated for misappropriation of company funds. I found out today the board actually increased my budget two years ago and Irving incidentally forgot to make me aware."
"So you declined the position to run, not just Runway, but every Elias Clarke publication?" Andy was gobsmacked.
"Darling, you are aware of the hours I give to Runway, the hours are taken away from my family, my relationships. It has been the reason for so many missed occasions. Dinners, recitals, birthdays and anniversaries. Could you imagine if I was attempting to run ten magazines the way I do Runway? No darling, it would not be wise."
"Oh, of course." Andy looked down.
Miranda dipped some bread in EVOO and sighed as she bit into the delicacy and closed her eyes. As they opened, she caught the burning gaze of the brunette opposite as she watched her. "I have recently realised that life is far too short to waste. I cannot say what tomorrow will bring, Andréa, but I refuse to waste any more time. So I have started implementing a structure which will allow others to take more responsibility at Runway, I will be leaving work at 5 pm each day barring a major catastrophe. It will do me and my girls good to spend more quality time together."
"That's amazing, the girls will love it." Andy sat back and grinned, she could imagine the squeals of delight ringing through the townhouse when the twins realised.
"I also imagine it may be nice for us to have dinner occasionally, with and also without the twins. I understand you don't want to impose yourself at the townhouse but I would like you to make yourself at home," Miranda admitted.
"Miranda, I...well..." Andy stuttered.
Miranda leaned forward to speak quietly. "All I ask is that you consider it, your presence will never be unwelcome and I rather enjoy your company."
"Thank you, Miranda. I will take your offer into consideration. I do not want to impact the time you spend with Caroline and Cassidy though."
"My girls are extraordinarily fond of you, Cassidy especially. Caroline, well, Caroline is very much like me, she isn't always comfortable expressing her feelings, especially when they frighten her. She often comes across as standoffish, but she loves fiercely." Miranda tried to explain.
"I appreciate that, Miranda. I am able to see behind Caro's barriers like I can with her beautiful mother. I see beyond what she shows the world. I recognised she was angry when I left, I understood." Andy smiled softly.
Miranda was stunned. "How?"
"When I brought them the Harry Potter manuscript before they headed off to their grandmother's we spoke briefly. Caro made her opinion of me at that time quite clear. To her, I was just another assistant that would come and go and who would not see them as anything other than a pair of mini-Miranda's." Andy smiled. "I actually shocked them both that day when I spoke to them, not as a pair, but as individuals. They were equally astounded I could tell them apart."
"I always wondered how you did that. Their own father struggled." Miranda rolled her eyes.
"They are similar but there are differences if you look close enough." Andy took a small bite of the octopus as Miranda looked at her, waiting for her to continue. "Caro has your high cheekbones while Cass has a rounder face and your chin, her hair has more of a curl to it too. Their personalities come out in their demeanour. Cass is a little more relaxed where Caro can be a bit more apprehensive. Cass snorts when she laughs and it loud and somewhat boisterous. Caro's laughter is a little more sedate, it sounds like wind chimes, it's beautiful."
Miranda smiled softly, surprised by the words. "So how did you get them to change their mind about you?" Miranda asked. She was curious.
"I spoke to them occasionally when I delivered the book, they would ask me about your day, wanting to ensure you had eaten and were taking care of yourself. I used to reassure them. They realised I cared, it wasn't just the job. When they found out you were taking me to Paris, they asked me to look after you for them. I told them I would try but then...Well, I couldn't do that. I couldn't take away your hurt, and though I wanted to I couldn't pull you into my arms and just hug you, I couldn't give that comfort."
"You wanted to comfort me?" Miranda breathed.
"I wanted to take away the pain, to make things better. What Stephen did was cowardly and unnecessarily cruel. It was a shock when I realised why I responded so strongly." Andy admitted nervously.
They continued to eat in silence as Miranda considered what the young woman had told her. Looking up Miranda whispered. "It wasn't my words in the car that made you leave, was it?"
Andy sipped her wine. "No, Miranda. You telling me you saw a lot of yourself in me was a compliment I thought I didn't deserve. I can admit that the strength of my feelings at the time scared me, I took flight rather than face them. What shocked me most perhaps, upon reflection, is that those closest to me at the time seemed to recognise it before I did. The last words my ex-boyfriend said to me before he walked away was the person's who's calls I took was the relationship I was in. I couldn't understand why his mind had gone there, but then Paris happened and I became aware that he was right in a way. I let my belief, that the way I felt was wrong, throw me into a situation that left me out of control."
"Christian?" Miranda asked softly.
Andy stopped herself from nodding but looked down. "I didn't realise you were aware of that. Yes, Christian happened. I had agreed to dinner because he helped me get Harry Potter manuscript. I drowned myself in quite a lot of red wine that night, after that moment in your suite, trying to forget the moment I realised I cared more than I should for my boss. Well, the morning after I realised what a mistake I had made. I was no longer with Nate, he'd already left me, so it wasn't cheating, but my heart belonged elsewhere. Christian stood there that morning, in nothing but a towel, with this fucking inferior copy of Jaqueline's Runway in his hand, pleading with me to listen to his bullshit. I was furious. In that moment I just knew..." Andy looked up. "...I knew I had made a serious error in judgement. I felt dirty, I had cheapened my feelings and in the process, I broke my own heart."
"He was quite vocal about certain things after you left," Miranda admitted. "He's in Europe now, no one in New York Publishing will touch him," Miranda smirked.
"I should have kicked him in the bollocks with my Christian Lou's." Andy hissed.
Miranda chuckled. "I would like to see that, darling. Maybe I could invite him to New York with the premise of writing for Runway."
Andy laughed as she pulled some more octopus onto her plate. "Your Prada heels would do an awesome job too."
"Mm, as they say, shit splatters." Miranda's words as Andy took a bite of the octopus, caused the brunette to laugh so hard she started to choke as her food made its way down the wrong hole. She held her napkin to her mouth as she coughed through the laughter as Miranda stood giggling while she rubbed circles on Andy's back as their server came rushing over.
"Is everything okay?" She asked nervously.
Andy chuckled as she laid the napkin down and swiped her eyes with her fist. "Yes. Everything is awesome. Can you tell the chef his Oktapodi is to die for, almost literally." She husked as Miranda handed her her glass of water and she took a sip.
The server grinned. "Ms Sachs, please try not to choke again, my boss would hate the amount of paperwork health department would land upon him."
Miranda sat back down and smirked at the two young women.
"Call me Andy. And I promise I will try not to choke again." Andy chuckled. "You may have to ask my date to stop making funnies though."
"Oh no, that will not be possible, Ms Sachs."
"Andy." She reminded the young woman gently.
The server smiled. "Okay Andy," She looked across at Miranda. "Have you finished with these dishes, Miranda?"
Miranda nodded. "Thank you, Alice, yes."
"I'll bring your mains shortly," Alice said softly.
"You know her?" Andy queried.
Miranda smiled, "Yes, she is a student at FIT. She interned with us last summer, working with Nigel and Jocelyn. She is studying Fabric Styling. She showed a lot of potential in the area. We requested she let us know when her studies are finished."
"That explains the look she gave you when we came in," Andy smirked. "Serving the Queen of Fashion."
Miranda rolled her eyes, "Do you know how she knows who you are?"
"Page Six or The Mirror?" Andy teased. "There's been a bit of press surrounding the Dragon slayer's return as a dragon tamer. The Mirror has been particularly vocal." Andy grinned.
Miranda shook her head and chuckled. "No, not through the press. You are legendary at Runway, darling. You are the one that got away and survived to tell the tale." Miranda swallowed some wine. "You generated hope within those seeking favour because you received a recommendation when everyone assumed you would be blacklisted." Miranda looked at her. "I'll admit I considered it at the time, to push you out of New York, but the reality was I wanted to witness the woman you would grow into. You have always peaked my curiosity, and you achieved the impossible."
"When John at the Mirror hired me he took great pleasure in showing me your recommendation, it went around the newsroom too. He then kept pushing for me to cover fashion and celeb news, and I appreciated it would throw me directly into your path, so I dug my heels in. It seemed like I was being set up to fail. I thought you hated me, I was your biggest disappointment after all." Andy closed her eyes. "I don't quite know what to think now. I asked you the other day how long you have cared for me, you looked horrified so I left it without being answered. I am beginning to realise though."
"I'm glad you are realising. I struggle like my Caroline..." Miranda trailed off as Alice brought their main meals and placed them down before moving away quickly. "...I know Maria has more than likely spoken to you, she probably told you information I would rather not have had mentioned or things I would have told you myself, once I was sure of where this was going."
"Where do you hope this goes, Miranda?" Andy asked breathlessly.
"I like how you used hope rather than want. No matter how much I may want from a relationship, I have realised I will only ever receive as much as the other person is ready or willing to give." Miranda smiled sadly. "Hope doesn't require that we subject ourselves to unacceptable ideologies. With hope and a little imagination, I have the freedom to shape my expectations into an infinite number of possibilities. She looked across at Andy and saw her playing with her Arni Youvetsi, braised lamb shank with tomato orzo stew.
"Please tell me?" Andy leaned slightly towards the older woman.
Miranda tried her Paidakia Thedrolivano and hummed her pleasure as the flavour exploded on her tongue. She looked up and caught Andy's burning gaze. "I hope we can continue to have meaningful and engaging conversations, like the one we are having now. That we find we have a lot in common, but that perhaps you can still teach me something new. How about you?" Miranda asked.
"I hope our feelings settle into an unbreakable bond of trust, honesty and respect. That we can lean on each other when we struggle to stand on our own. I hope when we argue, which will no doubt happen, neither of us says anything so hurtful we can never take it back." Andy whispered.
"And what do you want from a relationship?" Miranda entwined their fingers and gave Andy's hand a gentle squeeze.
"What I want is companionship. stability and commitment. Someone who goes out of their way to show me they want me, someone who genuinely cares. Someone who isn't afraid to be sensitive and vulnerable even if it is only with me. I don't want someone with a hardened heart because the things that are going to mean the most are the morning texts and cute little love notes and nauseating shit like that. I want to belong, to not only have a place where I fit in but a place where my presence is missed." She took a deep breath and sipped her wine. She relaxed and thought of what she really wanted to say. "I want all of you, forever." She heard the gasp and looked up into startled blue eyes, looking back at what she said she realised her errant thought had escaped. Andy looked away embarrassed at her slip and untangled her fingers from Miranda's.
"Don't be embarrassed, darling," Miranda said, her tone was gentle as she watched the young woman pick up her fork and continue to play with her food. "Have you eaten enough? You have barely touched your lamb."
"I just like to take my time," Andy admitted with a deep exhale. "I find when I eat fast I don't realise quite how much I'm eating, and I don't have the luxury right now to put myself through my paces at the gym to work off the excess energy."
Miranda looked across at her and frowned. "You look to be a size two?" She watched as Andy nodded once. "That is not large, Andréa. In fact for your height, you could be classified as too thin." She pursed her lips. "Why do you feel you have to work so hard to maintain this weight?"
Andy laughed heartily. "Well, that is not something I thought I'd hear you ask. I maintained a four for a while after initially leaving Runway. When I first started training, I dropped weight rapidly but amassed muscle so I was heavier than I'd ever been. It confused me until Kate explained. I've been busy these last few years, I eat healthily because it makes me feel better within myself, I still enjoy a good dessert though, especially ice cream. I don't actively think about my weight but I don't want to be..." Andy trailed off and bit her lip. "...fat."
Miranda closed her eyes at the words, thinking of the pain she must have inflicted on this beautiful young woman with her words. "You were never fat, darling. You were beautiful as a six. Jesus Andrea, you would be beautiful as a sixteen, what makes you beautiful is not those long limbs, toned and muscled from exercise, it is not those delicious curves you will never really be able to hide, it is you, my darling, just you. You hold an innate beauty that time will only increase." Miranda sighed. "Anybody can love a body that's starved to an unnatural thinness, tanned, made up, styled and replicated to look like some crazy social ideal, but that kind of love doesn't usually last. Having someone who loves your body the way it is, not the embellished version, is what we should all look for. What's better than someone who looks at you and thinks you're the most beautiful thing they've ever seen when you're wearing an ugly, bulky and hideously lumpy cerulean sweater or when your face is free of makeup, your nose running and your eyes red-rimmed from crying."
Andy gaped at Miranda's words. Searching her eyes she saw the sincerity. She tasted her main meal and smiled. The dark savoury meat was complemented by the tomato orzo, which distinctly enhanced the lamb's flavour. "You looked beautiful that night." She muttered.
"So did you when you started working for me." Miranda leaned in and told her softly."Do you know what I want from a relationship? It's very simple, really." Miranda sighed. She caught Andy's eyes. "Someone who displays interest, kindness and willingness. I don't want to spend my days with someone who is disengaged and largely uninterested. I want to be comfortable and at home with someone, the person I don't have to pretend or put on airs and graces with. I want someone who is as interested as I am. To share and validate the experiences of my life and world by having this person share them with me. But mostly I want someone who is willing to talk about what things mean to them and how we can compromise to meet each other's needs, not just whine when theirs aren't met."
"I hope neither of us becomes ambivalent about our feelings." Andy breathed.
"Me too, darling." Miranda sat back and picked up her wine glass. "And just so you know I think forever may not be long enough." She smiled tenderly at the brunette and was once again provided one the young woman's brightest smiles.
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