A/N: This story idea came from celesse201, there were multiple ideas given which I will incorporate into 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. Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox owns them.
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?
Note:
I had a guest reviewer (Dany) state the following,
"Something is off. Wish Andy would snap out of it, its getting boring maybe she needs to get laid."
As an FYI from someone who suffered from PTSD and still struggles with anxiety from events beyond my control, there is just no snapping out of it and getting laid does nothing to ease the torment of mental illness. And saying such an inane thing is offensive to those who struggle daily.
The comment almost prompted me to write even more angst while Andy and Miranda steer beyond the events with Stephen instead of moving towards the happy ending I had written for the next two chapters. It p*ssed off an author who has poured blood, sweat and tears into a fic written for other people's enjoyment, however, I will continue on as planned, for no other reason for all those who have left reviews, comments and kudos across both FFNet and AO3.
This is for you, my loyal followers and reviewers (Too many names to mention), who give me the courage to continue to write. 500 kudos later...I am beyond thrilled.
I hope you enjoy the coming chapters.
Chapter Twenty-Five:
Irv had pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him at his arraignment. Assistant District Attorney pushed for the judge to hold him without bail and they had remanded him in custody to complete a stint on Rikers. He had also waived his rights to the grand jury hearing knowing indictment would happen, regardless. The prosecution team offered a plea bargain, which he refused and yet the conspiracy charges had been dropped. The witness account of the evening all showed his guilt and something that would put him away for a long time. Irv's defence attorney had not filed motions to suppress statements or physical evidence from proceedings and he decided that he would have a bench trial rather than by 12 of his peers.
At 9:00 am Andy stepped out from the cab outside the New York Supreme Court wearing a charcoal Versace three-piece suit with black Christian Louboutin pumps. They had delayed the trial after her therapist wrote a report she was not ready to testify against the defendant. The judge granted the prosecution an extra two weeks on medical grounds. Irv's trial had been going on for four days as they advanced through the opening statements witnesses and evidence of the night. Now, on the fifth day, it was time for herself and Miranda to testify.
Andy had watched passively from the gallery after the judge decided her testimony would not be affected by hearing other witness accounts at the trial. Placing her sunglasses firmly on her nose she looked around and frowned at the milling press. Moving quickly forward, she had almost reached the door when she was spotted.
"Andy, hey, what do you think about the proceedings against Irv Ravitz."
"Hey, Andy. How's the shoulder?"
"Hey, Andy. How does it feel to know you are incapable of doing your job?"
"Was it only another job or love?"
"Andy, is it true the Dragon dumped you the night she shot her ex?"
"So what is it like fucking La Priestly?"
"Do you prefer Andy, Ahn-dréy-ah or Alexis?"
Andy spun around, her fists clenched. As she glared at reporters, she saw Miranda's town car idling at the curb. "No comment." She hissed. Spinning on her heel she moved quickly into the court and found a bench. Sitting down, she bent over, placing her head between her legs and took deep breaths, hoping to get her overwhelming panic under control. How the actual fuck had the press found out about Alexis? She caught the familiar click of heels and closed her eyes as Miranda's perfume surrounded her. "Just go away, Miranda."
"I cannot do that, Andréa. Are you okay?" Miranda was hesitant.
Andy lifted her head and saw the concern expressed in the pools of blue. She snorted out a harsh bark of laughter. "Fucking peachy keen, jellybean."
Miranda couldn't help rolling her eyes but smile blossomed on her face as she took in the sight of the younger woman. She'd styled her hair in a chin-length wavy bob, framing her high cheekbones, Her bangs swept to the side. She was tanned, and she had filled out to a solid size two, tipping towards a four. It was a look reminiscent of the young woman she had first met. "You look beautiful." Miranda blurted. "I wasn't sure if I'd see you."
Andy turned and made to move away to the elevators, Miranda keeping stride walked by her side. "If I hadn't had a subpoena I'd be out enjoying the blue skies of sandy beaches of Genovia." Andy's frown showed her unhappiness as she entered the enclosed space and hit the button for the 14th floor. "It was a fucking asshole move. Like I need any more fucking trig...reminders." As she spoke the elevator bustled between floors with throngs of attorneys, defendants, court officers and administrative workers and her cussing had people eyeing her.
Miranda glanced up at Andy before looking ahead. "I hope they get through today quickly. They will call me to the stand today, according to the prosecution."
Andy ignored her and stepped from the elevator. Looking around saw a clerk stood outside the courtroom. Moving towards him he explained that the prosecution was busy, and something had delayed the proceedings. They would call her once the proceedings were ready to begin should she find somewhere quiet to sit, advising her the building had a coffee shop and a newsstand available in the lobby. Andy nodded and moved away as Miranda frowned. She followed the brunette towards the coffee shop.
Andy was muttering under her breath as she queued for her coffee. She could feel the heat of the editor behind her as she stepped towards the counter. "A triple venti no-foam latte and a Double Double, both searing hot, please." Andy moved away, seating herself in a comfortable chair and pulled her journal out, writing. Noticing Miranda hovering she looked up. "You can sit, you know."
"I wasn't sure if you would appreciate my presence," Miranda spoke hesitantly.
"I ordered your coffee, didn't I?" Andy smirked as Miranda sat and pulled the Book from a Runway tote bag with a stash of post-it notes and a red fine-tip marker. "Oh, I have something for you." Rummaging in her wallet Andy found what she was looking for at handed Miranda the small squares that were once a cheque for $2 million dollars. "I don't want your money, Miranda. In fact, I never signed the contract that P.J and Kate brought from L.A." She swallowed. "I was never in your employ, I decided once you told me we could...date...well, I concluded it would not be appropriate."
"But I paid Kathryn and Phillip..." Miranda sputtered.
"For the upgrades to your security, yes. For my work, not a dime. You covered my medical expenses without me digging in my heels. That was more than enough." Andy's initial anger at seeing Miranda's cheque had disappeared. She bent her head and scribbled again.
She had discussed her feelings in depth with her therapist once she knew she would return to New York. Miranda had been the one issue she had not spoken about, not willing to admit that her heart was shattered. Her therapist was pleased by her honesty, believing it was a step in the right direction in overcoming everything, she had worked through the anger, had curled up and cried and had found a modicum of peace but she was unwilling to put her heart back on the line for the editor.
"What are you writing?" Miranda asked.
"It's part of my therapy, a way of working through things. I keep writing about the events as they occur in my mind, in the hope, they will become memories and not situations I keep re-living." Andy explained.
The explanation stunned Miranda. "You re-live those moments?"
"Every night. I told you that morning we went out to the Hamptons. Things just got worse after I left." Andy looked up and saw Miranda looking broken. "I refused to let myself sleep and one evening, shortly after arriving in Genovia, Joe startled me and I lashed out. It took three Palace guards to subdue me and Queen Clarisse suggested a therapist. She brought one in from Paris who specialises in PTSD."
"Are you getting better?" Miranda whispered, fighting tears.
"Each day is a little better, but there's no quick fix for this. There are days I take half a dozen steps backwards. It is finding out my triggers and..." Andy stalled as Miranda stood up quickly.
"Excuse me, one moment." Miranda grabbed her purse and stalked off, and Andy was sure she saw the older woman swiping at free-falling tears.
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Miranda found the nearest bathroom and locked herself in the stall. Resting her head on the door she let her tears fall. She hated how powerless she was in the face of the damaged soul that was Andréa Sachs. The young woman was so complacent, but also guarded and wary of her. It seemed like the events had extinguished the light that always shone brightly within her.
Having spoken to Princess Amelia the day before as they walked through the court, they had provided her quite a few home truths as the young woman ranted over certain behaviour towards her friend, not just by her, but Kathryn too. Miranda had not realised that her little sister had ceased contact with the brunette, she believed it was something they did not speak about. She knew Kathryn's absence from Andréa's life would hurt the brunette. She had stated to Kathryn that day in her office she wouldn't lose her or Andréa, but she had not considered that Kathryn would be the one to keep her distance after everything.
A knock on the stall door caught her attention. "Will you be in there long, I need to pee." The door between them muffled Kate's voice, but it was unmistakable. Miranda unlatched the door and let it swing open. Swiping under her eyes she gazed at her little sister. "What's up, Miranda?"
"Just...I was...Andréa..." Miranda closed her eyes. "She is saturated with pain. She has lost so much."
The comment confused Kate. "Lost?" She queried.
"I spoke with Princess Amelia yesterday. As you can predict she had quite a few things to say, most of which valid. Andréa feels the absence of the people she thought of as friends." Miranda clenched her jaw. "Fix this."
"Family comes first," Kate whispered. "I wanted to be there for you, you needed someone too."
"She is your family, I have overheard you tell her so multiple times. She is loyal to you and Phillip, Kathryn." Miranda brushed her hand through her hair in frustration. "I cannot believe you kept your distance due to some false belief I would have an issue should you support her, after what I said, how I've wished I could turn back time and take back those words I uttered. You are her best friend, and you disappeared from her life. Can you imagine how alone she has been? It is not like she has anyone else, her own blood disowned her because she identifies as something other than heterosexual, they told her they wished she was dead. No matter how much we reassured her don't you think a portion of her may believe it was a valid point?"
Kate stepped back, astounded by the force of Miranda's ice, as the door opened behind her. "Katie, Miranda." Andy's eyes flickered between the two women as she held two takeaway coffee's as she stood in the doorway. "Um, well, you can be overheard from outside and..." Andy trailed off as she took in Kate's baby bump. She couldn't stop her wide, genuine smile. "...Jeez, Kate, you look amazing."
"Yeah, it's been a while." Kate grinned ruefully, unsure if they would be okay.
Andy handed the coffee back out to P.J and moved forward quickly, pulling Kate into her arms carefully as much as possible with her large stomach. "I thought you were on bed rest?" Pulling back she saw the question in Kate's eyes. "P.J mentioned it in an email."
"I was. I'm okay though, as long as I take it easy." Kate assured her. "I had to make sure you were okay."
"I'm fine, Kate. Enjoying beach life." Andy offered a weak smile, showing both Miranda and Kate the obvious lie.
Miranda snorted. "You are still a bad liar, Andréa. Now, I left the book in my haste." Andy looked at Miranda and saw the smudged makeup around her eyes, her nose was red and shiny.
Moving out of Kate's personal space she headed towards Miranda and taking her elbow pulled her to the vanity. Taking Miranda's purse she located the small makeup bag she always carried and rummaged through it until she found the items she needed. "Tilt your head" As Miranda did what Andy told her and she worked quickly and quietly to repair the damage, Miranda's chin held gently in one hand. "There, now you are perfect."
"I'm far from perfect," Miranda whispered, stunned at Andy's gentleness and efficiency.
"Maybe not, but as a wise woman recently told me, as humans we are prone to making mistakes," Andy smirked. "Now, if you are finished berating your little sister, I recommend getting your coffee off P.J while it is still hot. Nigel has the book."
"Yes, Andréa." Miranda offered a genuine smile.
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It was after 11 am when the trial began. Everyone except Miranda made their way to the gallery, and after further evidence was given, they called Miranda to testify. She took her oath firmly before the Assistant District Attorney approached.
"Ms Priestly, in your own words can you tell the court about the night in question?" The Assistant District Attorney had prepped Miranda, and she understood she would have to provide clear and concise answers.
"Please, call me Miranda," Miranda asked. "Well, Andréa and I were attending a bi-annual dinner dance held for Elias Clarke executives. We had dinner and were dancing when Andréa became distracted by a commotion at the door. Two men ran towards the dance floor, one was waving a gun." Miranda swallowed nervously. "Andréa pulled herself from my arms and kicked one man in the groin. As he doubled up, she moved to put him in a stranglehold to make him unconscious. She told someone to restrain him and then she kicked off her shoes and moved towards where I was stood beside Irving. The man was waving a gun at me, he told me I would die." Miranda faltered and closed her eyes briefly.
"I understand this must be hard to recount, but we need to hear it." The Assistant District Attorney urged Miranda.
"Andréa tapped the man on his shoulder to get his attention, I pleaded with her to do something, anything really. The moment left me petrified. I saw her grip his wrist and heard the crunch as it snapped. He dropped the gun, but it went off. She jabbed at him and as he stumbled back, she caught him in a right hook. As he sank to the floor, she asked for a belt and told everyone not to touch the gun as she tied his ankles up. I looked down and saw Irv was bleeding from a wound in his thigh. Andréa led me away to a chair before asking for a scarf which she used to stem the bleeding. When he groaned, she told him to shut up as it was just a scratch and if he hadn't been hiding behind me, he would have had his penis shot off." The comment caused laughter from the gallery and Miranda looked up to see both Mia and Nigel chuckling.
"Were those her exact words, Ms Priestly?", The Assistant District Attorney asked knowingly.
"No," Miranda closed her eyes and spoke. "She said, 'if you hadn't been so busy cowering behind Miranda like the fucking pussy you are, you'd have had your dick shot off'."
Mia hissed out a loud yes at the recounting. The judge eyed the young royal warily.
"Irving responded with the news I should have been the one that 'copped the bullet'. He then called Andréa a cunt.", Miranda tripped over the word, disgusted that she had to repeat it. "Andréa questioned his meaning about the bullet being meant for me and while she waited for answers she pulled her cell out. She wanted to capture his words. He admitted to hiring the two thugs, he wanted to scare me into thinking about retiring. He expressed disbelief that Andréa had protected me and asked why when I am such a cold bitch. Andréa explained. As she finished he lunged for the gun and pointed it at her, I got up, panicked. I caught her laughter, not her usual boisterous cackle, but one filled with despair. Andréa told him to shoot her, she had his confession and what would a few more years be added to a lengthy sentence if he did it properly. She told him she had nothing to live for, no children. She felt she was in love with someone who she believed could never love her in return. She told him to shoot her, it would do her a favour and put her out of her misery." Miranda couldn't stop her tears. "He saw me moving towards them and changed his focus on to me, aiming the gun at my head. Andréa moved so quickly as the gun went off, sweeping me against her chest and tucking my head down protectively. She fell as the police entered the building. There was so much blood, and her pulse was so faint." Miranda looked up and met the startled brown eyes of the woman she loved. "I tried to stop the bleeding by pressing down hard on the wound, but the blood just pooled around my hands. She had saved my life and almost lost her own. I needed to save her."
Miranda's words stunned Andy. They had not really discussed what had happened that night before being ferried off in the ambulance to the hospital. She surmised Miranda's blood donation saved her, not the actions as she treated her wound.
"Does Andréa love someone who cannot return the feelings?" The Assistant District Attorney smiled at the older woman in the witness box, offering reassurance.
"She is, in fact, loved, very much so, much more than she will ever comprehend," Miranda whispered.
"No further questions your honour." The Assistant District Attorney looked towards the gallery and saw the young woman had her hands balled into tight fists, she was pale and tense as Princess Amelia of Genovia muttered in her ear. She sighed. She had looked over the therapist reports regarding the young woman's PTSD and it allowed her to delay things but she had a sense the defence would rip both Miranda and Andy to bits.
The Assistant District Attorney sat down as Irv's attorney stood up. "Ms Priestly, Miranda. What is your relationship with Andréa Sachs?"
"I am her former employer and I suppose you could now call me her ex-girlfriend." Miranda was honest.
"And when did your relationship start?" Irv's lawyer was a toad, just like his client.
"Objection, your honour. Miranda and Andréa's relationship has no bearing on this case." The prosecution jumped to her feet.
"Objection overruled." The judge intoned. "You better have a good reason for this line of questioning."
"Yes, your honour." He offered Miranda a smirk. "Please, answer the question."
"We started the relationship the day after Irving Ravitz shot Andréa." Miranda looked down.
"Why was Andréa Sachs at the dance with you?" The defence attorney asked.
"I had no date, Andréa was free, and so I asked her to be my date," Miranda stated blandly.
"So it wasn't to offer you protection due to the threats you had been receiving from Stephen Tomlinson?" He asked.
"No, I wanted to take Andréa out." Miranda lifted her head her jaw set.
"So you wanted to date a woman half your age, who is not your social equal? I find that unbelievable." He was baiting Miranda and was delighted by the tightening of her jaw.
"Look at her." Miranda spat through her teeth, gestured at where Andy sat, her head down, in the gallery. "It is unbelievable that anyone in their right mind wouldn't want that beautiful, fiercely loyal woman on their arm. I have loved Andréa Sachs for years. I will always love her." Miranda was apoplectic, her fury making her tone icy.
"Your honour, I would like to submit further evidence that suggests Miranda Priestly paid Andréa Sachs for her security services. The relationship between them is a farce." The criminal defence attorney moved to his clerk and grabbed a sheath of documents which he approached the bench with.
"This is a contract between yourself and PJE Elite Security?" The judge was incredulous.
"Yes, it is," Miranda admitted. Trailing her mind back she smirked. "And if you look at page two and three, you will see Andréa did not sign the contract. I paid PJE Elite to connect a new security system." Miranda pursed her lips. "It is true Andréa's return to New York was to discuss offering personal security, however, we found the mutual attraction, that has always been present between us, was too much to ignore." Miranda licked her, dry lips. "In her infinite wisdom, Andréa did not wish to be in my employment if we were to navigate a relationship, and it is not like she could offer much protection after a bullet hole ripped through her trapezius."
The judge looked down and scanned through the contract as Miranda's lawyer Maxwell frowned. He'd been helping PJE Elite re-brand to Emerson-Sackville Elite and understood from what they had advised him, employee documentation was kept on a secure server. There had been a serious breach of privacy. Leaning over he whispered to the prosecution.
"This line of questioning is unnecessary. Whatever you were trying to prove has failed." The judge was firm. "There was no professional relationship between Andréa Sachs and Miranda Priestly but even if there was it would have no bearing on these proceedings."
"No further questions your honour." Irv's attorney's shoulders slumped in defeat.
"I have one further question for Miranda." The Assistant District Attorney stood. "A woman of your standing would want to ensure you have your privacy maintained when hiring individuals. What knowledge do you have of PJE's confidential client and employee files?"
"I once asked Andréa why she did not want people to link her to Alexis Sackville, she advised me she preferred having a sense of anonymity in her work. She told me that Andy Sachs and Alexis Sackville existed in the company database as individuals. She informed me that everything linking her to Alexis was, as far as she was aware, unbreachable. This shows those contracts could only be illegally gained. I am sure I would have heard if the DA's office issued a warrant for the files. To my knowledge, someone has released the information to the press overnight. I will have my legal team investigate and I will suggest to Phillip and Kathryn that they also bring have a complaint raised, and the breach investigated by the police." Miranda eyed Irv as he gulped nervously and tugged at the white t-shirt under the orange jumpsuit he wore.
"No further questions, your honour." The Assistant District Attorney smiled happily.
"You may step down Miranda. I will call a recess. We will recommence proceedings at 14:00 hours."
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As soon as the judge swept to his chambers Irv was led limping to what was, colloquially known, as the Tombs. The defence attorney left the room followed by those watching the trial. Andy stood up unsteadily and fled without a word. Kate eased herself up and looked towards the door. Setting off with a waddling gait after the brunette.
"Leave her." Mia's quiet command had Kate stalling. "The needs time to process and refocus."
"What would you know?" Kate hissed loudly as Miranda stepped close.
"I've been there for the last four months, Kate." Mia glared. "I did not turn my back on her, I did not make her think she is unworthy." Kate made to interrupt her. "Andy has PTSD. She's in the middle of therapy which is helping her manage her triggers. It started with her talking through everything, including the negative beliefs she had somehow accumulated about certain things and her fears. They moved to exposure therapy. She talks of the events that brought her to this point, she writes about them, she listens to recordings of herself recounting every moment she re-lives when she closes her eyes. Over the last two weeks, she has done twelve sessions of EMDR. I don't know what it entails something to do with eye movement and desensitisation, we don't talk about her therapy unless she wants to." Mia frowned. "Through it all, she has been having Stress Inoculation Training, it's helped her learn to breathe and massage techniques and other ways to stop her negative thoughts by relaxing both mind and body. That is what she'll be doing now."
"I didn't realise," Kate mumbled.
"Why would you? You haven't emailed, there have been no calls. Even she..." She waved her hand in Miranda's direction. "...made contact, and boy, if you saw her reaction after the initial tears, it was pure Alexis. And that night she picked up the guitar we got for her, and she played for the first time since she left New York, and she's played it every night since. She doesn't sing, but she's taking better care of herself, she has put weight on, and is kicking every single one of my guard's butts." Mia shook her head. "She has so much strength and courage, but she cannot see it past the pain in her heart. If you all love her as much as you claim, you need to understand she is not the Andy Sachs that came to New York and dated the Devil." Mia turned away. "I will get her a coffee. Once she's in control, she'll need something comforting."
"I'll come with you, if that is okay, your highness," Miranda spoke softly.
Mia's lips quirked. "Acceptable." She led Miranda from the courtroom.
Miranda rolled her eyes, unable to stop her chuckle. Tilting her head to the side she looked at the Princess. "You know, you and Andréa are similar and she also displays the same impertinence. Are you sure there is no genetic bond between you?"
Mia laughed. "Grandmère asked the same. Come, I'll tell you about Andy's first attempt at mattress surfing."
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The prosecution did not call Andy to testify against Irv after the recess, insisting it wasn't necessary after all the testimonies, and now all the evidence was in. The defence case included no witnesses, not even Irv. The Assistant District Attorney's closing statement was clear-cut. The witness statements and Irv's recorded confession proved, beyond all doubt, his guilt. If someone fired the gun, the bullet was meant it for Miranda Priestly, and they should commend the bravery of Andréa Sachs. Her final statement was a specific sentence recommendation to the judge, the maximum sentence available, life. The defence attorney's closing statement was brief. His bone contention was Miranda and Andy's fledgeling relationship considering their professional relationship and the belief it was not a premeditated murder attempt.
The judge had ordered a pre-sentence investigation and report after the second day of the trial. The reports provided him with information on the Irv's background, possible mitigating circumstances involved in the crime, the likelihood of successful probation and suggested programs of rehabilitation. He could not, in good faith, after hearing the witness statements, give the lower sentence.
The judge cleared his throat and spoke. "I have taken all the evidence presented and the Probation Departments pre-sentencing report into account but before I get on to sentencing, I have two people I need to address." He looked at Andy and Miranda. "You are not victims, you are survivors. You're both extraordinarily strong, and I hope you overcome the events that have transformed your life and your relationship." Licking his lip he continued. "I allowed the prosecution to delay this trial as I am aware, due to medical grounds, that you may not have been able to face your demons, Andréa. I hope you find closure from these events." Miranda placed a hand on Andy's back, offering her support.
He turned to Irv. "Regarding the charges levied against you, Irving Ravitz, I find you guilty of both attempted murder in the first degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree. You have shown no remorse for your actions. The prosecution has proven, through your own confession to the survivor of your actions, you hired the men who stormed into the rooms, we heard their testimony you handed them a gun, they had no knowledge you loaded the firearm prior. But it was you that pulled the trigger on the woman who bested all your workplace manoeuvring. In a display of petulance, you threatened a young woman with the said gun and she laughed down in your face, daring you to shoot. The courts have eliminated indeterminate sentencing for the first-time violent felony offenders. For attempted murder in the first degree, I sentence you to twenty-five years. For the charge of Reckless Endangerment in the first degree, I sentence you to seven years. That is thirty-two years. You will receive jail credits for the time you have already served." Irving's shoulders fell and his brow was sweaty. "You will pay restitution on an amount yet determined and your attorney can ask me for a restitution hearing so I can determine what a reasonable amount is for the survivors. You have 21 days to appeal, Do you acknowledge the receipt of your appellate rights?"
Irv nodded. "Yes."
Anything else to add?" Irv and his attorney shook their head's. "That's all. I dismiss the court."
As Irv was being led away Andy stepped away from everyone. "Hey, Irv?"
"Yes, what?" Irv blustered.
Andy looked at him from the tip of his shoes to the crown of his head. "Orange is not your colour."
Miranda's loud laughter echoed in his ears as they led him handcuffed from the room and back to his small bunk on Rikers Island.
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Miranda invited everyone to dinner. Only Kate and P.J declined as Kate's ankles were swelling and she felt nauseous. Andy expressed concern and let Kate lean on her heavily as they drifted towards the exit of the court. Roy had sent a text and warned Miranda there was a large press presence outside the North Entrance and upon circling the building suggested the South Entrance, there was press present, but nowhere near the level of the North. Mia had called her guards to keep the press at bay as she pulled them through the doors.
The few milling paparazzi surged upon seeing Miranda's signature silver hair and shoved camera's in their faces, the flashes blinding them. Andy held on tighter to Kate and batted a camera out of her face. "Get out of my fucking way." She snarled. Someone elbowed her in her shoulder and she stumbled, letting go of Kate. Miranda stepped up and shielded her sister as Andy twirled around, standing with her hands on her hips glaring at the perpetrator. "You should watch what you are fucking doing unless you want to be in there for assault. There is a fucking pregnant woman here, so back the fuck off."
"Can you give me a few words about the sentence today, Andy?" The reporter asked.
Andy scoffed. "After you barged my shoulder and tripped me? You must be joking, right?"
"Please?" The young man was desperate. "Just a few words."
"Name and paper?" Andy asked.
"John Baine, New York Mirror." The young man was breathless in the face of Andy's ferocity.
"Tell Greg Hill he's a dick." Andy snarled. She pointed to a female reporter who stood on the sidelines writing on a notepad. "You, who are you?"
"Megan Stein, New York Observer." Andy grinned and gestured for the young woman to follow. This would make her career.
"I want to you to quote me verbatim, okay?" The young woman nodded as Andy leaned in. "They served Justice. That's all."
"That's all?" Megan queried softly.
Andy spoke firmly. "Yes. That's all." Andy looked around. "You will get no further comments. I'll ask that you back off and let me and my family and friends go about our business. It has been a long few months." Andy spun on her heel and stepped towards the waiting cars where Kate, P.J, Mia and Miranda were waiting.
As she reached the four, Kate doubled over with a loud groan and they heard liquid hitting concrete. Andy and Miranda looked down to see the pooling wetness on Kate's maternity dress.
"Oh, shit," Andy whispered. Leaping to action she opened the door and pushed Miranda into the seat bodily, receiving a squeak of displeasure. P.J followed quickly as Miranda slid across the back seat and she helped Kate carefully into a position next to her husband. "Roy, keys." She demanded of the stunned driver. "Quickly unless you want to be cleaning amniotic fluid from the upholstery for the next few weeks.
Roy launched his keys at her and she snatched them from the air as he moved around the car to the passenger seat. She looked at Mia and grinned before pulling her into a quick hug and throwing herself into the driver's seat. She heard Mia's low chuckle as she switched on the ignition and pulled out into oncoming traffic with the squeal of tyres. Roy held on to the dash firmly as Andy sped towards the Presbyterian.
"Andréa, you need to calm down..." A loud cry cut off Miranda's words as Andy sped up.
"Yeah, yeah, by the sound of things we really have the time to move at a glacial pace." Andy's words were lighthearted and as she took in the rearview at the people sitting in the back, she caught the amusement in three sets of eyes as Roy chuckled from the seat next to her.
"She's back." P.J exclaimed happily as Kate breathed through a contraction.
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