Hi readers,

I wish I could update my fic more often but a lot of things have been happening and time is short in the midle of so many chaos...Plus, health still an incognito and working more hours because Christmas is coming and when you work in retail...

I will try update again before Christmas.

About the last review:

Donna Sheridan, things slowly will make sense... I do hope you like this chapter as the same way from the previous one!

Hope you all enjoy.

RDana

Disclaimer:

I do not own DWP and its characters; they belong to Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox. I only own some characters, some of them already had been created and others might be in the near future of this fanfic. This fic is for entertainment and fun and, I do not own any money with the fic...

WARNING: There may be content – involving the twins- that can disturb some people, please tread carefully.

21.

First stop: Fort Lauderdale: 6 am

The girls had been reading the trajectory of the cruise for days and this was the first day they would stop. They understand their mother will not go out, she hates cruises and sea but more than that, she hates places full of tourists.

As they approach the land, both girls stand near the windows watching the area. A sudden movement and a hand on each of their shoulders and they know their mother's around.

"Bobbseys. Good morning."

"Hi, mom."

Miranda smiled. It was a sad smile, but still a smile. The cruise has not been what she would have liked it to be, but at least she has had this time with her daughters and this is something she will always be grateful for.

"Bobbsey's, I will not be going ashore today."

"We knew that mom. We are okay about it, but when we arrive in Brazil, we are going to, right?"

Brazil. At the moment Miranda remembers the talk between Andrea and Serena. She truly believed this would be a good idea but now, she is not so sure.

Miranda believes the next few days of the cruise will be a nightmare, with the requirement to be near the younger woman. So, she will do what she does best, be the "Ice Queen" and work hard in the moments she is not with her daughters.

"Yes, Bobbseys. We will get off the cruise there."

The girls nodded not wanting to push their luck.

9 am

The ship has been anchored for just over an hour and a lot of the travellers have alighted to explore the local area leaving more space to the Priestly's walk with no issues.

Approaching the swimming pool the girls pay close attention to their mother. She looks tense. As if she wishes to avoid the area.

"Mom, can we go to the pool? It's not full of people in and Mr Fonseca told us that it is cleaned every night.

"I will allow half an hour and after we will get our breakfast in the cabin."

"Yes, mom."

Miranda sat down and a shadow on the floor alerted her to the fact she was no longer alone.

"Miss Priestly, is this a good moment to talk about what happened yesterday?"

"Shoot."

"Miss Sachs was a little drunk. I stayed, watching carefully as you have engaged me to do. A young man decided to take advantage and I do believe he drugged her. Somehow she was still able to avoid his advances and after you left, Miss Sachs slapped him."

Miranda's mind stopped when she heard the word "drugged". If Mr Fonseca's report was true, and she wanted to believe it was, something really bad could have happened to her Andrea.

"Drugged?"

"We are going to stay ashore here for a few hours and I have sent the glass she used to a private laboratory. The results will be available in 3 hours."

"Did you said that Miss Sachs slapped the man?"

"Yes, Miss Priestly."

The woman suddenly felt a shiver run through her body. Her emotions were high but she could still keep them hidden from other people. The only ones that recognised it was her daughters, who were still in the swimming pool but looking to her and with worried faces.

"As soon as you have the results, I want them."

"Yes, Miss Priestly and the man that approached Miss Sachs..."

Miranda move her body slightly and faced Mr Fonseca. The man, who had only known the "Ice Queen" for a bit more than a month and a half, shivered slightly.

Miranda smiled as she spotted the gesture.

"Yes, where is the vermin?"

"He is locked in his room. I have spoken to the captain and if the results are positive, he will be taken off the cruise and will go straight to prison. Since we are still in America, it will not be an issue."

Miranda nodded and Mr Fonseca left. The older woman looked towards the swimming pool, smiling at her daughters.

9:38 am: Priestly's Penthouse

When they returned to their room, the girls immediately asked for their breakfast, but their mother said she was not going to eat. She simply ordered herself some tea. The girls nodded and soon as the food arrived, 4 minutes later, they are all quiet.

Caroline ate her breakfast in silence. She had decided to have some apples and apple tea. Cassidy, sat beside her, was eating a soft boiled egg and some apples and black tea. Miranda, sat at the opposite side of the table, looking at them while considering everything.

Miranda simply cannot believe that Andrea might have been drugged. If she did not have Mr Fonseca watching from a distance, her Andrea could have been a victim of rape or something worse, murdered. The man could easily have made her disappear by throwing her body overboard...

With this thought, Miranda stood up from the table and moved to the bar. She grabbed a small glass, adding ice and whisky. The girls, watching in silence, decided to have one of their telepathic conversations. Something needed to be done and they only see one person being able to do it: Andy.