A/N: So here we are again. This brings us to the last of the mostly prewritten chapters. However, it will not be like last time. I intend to keep on writing, especially as I've just looked at my notes and realised that while there's still a lot of story to be told, we are now closer to the end than I thought.
Hope you all enjoy the chapter. Keep leaving reviews. If I haven't replied to you yet, know I'll be doing that next! Much love, LA.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.
-0-
Miranda was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when Andréa and Nick walked in.
"Ready?" Andy said, hanging up her, and Nicky's coat.
"Olivia is finally asleep," Miranda said without preamble. Andy nodded as Cara took Nicky into the kitchen.
"Okay," Andy said, taking stock. "I got Livvy's meds. I'll explain them to you later. What time did she have the last lot?"
"Nine," Miranda said, pausing as she picked up her purse.
"You ready boss?" Andy smiled and rubbed Miranda's arm.
"We'll be fine."
"I'll be home as expediently as possible."
"Please don't," Andy said, pulling Miranda carefully into her arms. "I just mean, if it's going to take 16 hours, get what you can done in 10, then catch up tomorrow. We're okay here, and we'll be okay tonight too. Remember though, that you have to eat too. I get it, and the kids will too. You've had some time off to take care of this crazy family, and now you have to make it up somehow."
"How did I managed to find someone that loves me and is so understanding."
"Well, obviously, you had to fall in love with your assistant." Miranda snorted and pressed a gentle kiss to Andy's lips, taking care not to smudge her lipstick.
"I will see you as soon as possible."
"Yes you will," Andy smiled. "Text me if you need anything, or if you want to kill one of them."
"Really Andréa," Miranda said quietly. "I cannot be texting you every minute now, can I."
Andy laughed as Miranda squared her shoulders and held her head up high. She watched in awe as the woman pulled open the door and slid her sunglasses on against the camera flashes.
Damn, that woman was something else.
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It hadn't taken Miranda 16 hours to get Runway in order, but it was close. Andy felt the bed dip as Miranda joined her in the early hours of the morning.
"Hey," Andy murmured, rolling over and pulling Miranda in close.
"I loathe getting in this late."
"I know," Andy whispered. "But the kids are okay, I'm okay. All is well in your world Miranda."
"I adore you," Miranda whispered, snuggling into Andy's arms.
"I adore you," Andy sighed, throwing her leg over Miranda's thigh with a sigh.
"Mama?" Andy blinked and looked over Miranda's snowy white hair to see Sam blinking owlishly and sucking on Bop's ear.
"What's up monkey?"
"Livvy's hand's hurting. Nicky's cuddling her, but she keeps crying."
Andy clicked her tongue and looked down to see Miranda fast asleep. It didn't surprise her, she was exhausted after such a long day. Andy gently disentangled herself from Miranda's body and nodded for Sam to take her place. The replacement worked and Miranda sighed happily as Sam snuggled into her. If Nick's favourite was Andy, Sam's was definitely Miranda.
Andy kissed Sam's hair and left him cuddling to sooth Livvy.
"Hey lovely Livvy," Andy said gently, brushing Nicky's hair back as he scooted to the bottom of the bed so she could sit.
"My hand hurts," Livvy said with a wobble. The tear tracks were well set in.
"We're going to fix that right now," Andy assured her. "Nicky love, hop back into bed for me." He frowned and pouted until she rolled her eyes.
"Alright, alright. Come on then," Andy chuckled, poking him in the tummy. She scooped up Olivia and assumed Nicky was following.
The kitchen was dark and quiet and she popped Olivia on the counter while she got together some toast and juice. They'd learned the hard way that the tablets didn't go down all that well when she took them with water.
"Here we go sweety," Andy said, putting two plates of toast before the littles. "Have a few bites before you take your tablets okay?"
"Yes Mama," Olivia sniffled.
Andy tried not the panic as she watched Livvy chewing on the toast and shook her head at herself. That name was beginning to appear more prevalently in her life and it was throwing her just a little.
"How about we make this a bit easier." Andy reached behind the oatmeal for a stashed jar of Nutella.
"This will help won't it," she grinned as Nicky's eyes lit up. "Don't tell Miranda, okay?"
"Oh, I think we should all have some now that the cat's out of the bag, don't you think?"
Andy jumped and nearly threw the Nutella through the window.
"JESUS! Miranda!"
Sam giggled from Miranda's arms as Andy leant against the counter.
"Sorry," Miranda said airily, but Andy knew she wasn't. Despite the soft smile, Andy could see how exhausted she was.
"Uhuh," Andy grinned. "Guess we'll get more bread later."
"Indeed, I'm not going in before 10," she said kissing Andy. "So Nutella toast all 'round I should think."
"Right you are boss," Andy chuckled. "Can you help Livvy with hers?"
"Of course." She sat Sam in his chair and picked Olivia up and settled her on her knee. "A few more bites and we can take the tablets."
"M'kay," Olivia shrugged. Miranda held her gently as they all ate in silence.
"You're having a party and nobody invited us?" Andy looked up to see the twins standing in the doorway. Andy saw the thinly veiled smirk on Miranda's face and nodded them in. It was early, but it wasn't too early for them to be up. Miranda would, or should, probably go back to sleep before going into Runway later.
"You could go up you know," Andy whispered.
"I'll be fine," Miranda smiled, kissing Olivia's hair.
"Mom," Cassidy said with a tone of one much older than she was. "You have to take care of yourself. There's only one of you, you know!"
"Oh Cassidy," Miranda reached over and cupped Cassidy's cheek. "I do. You all help me to do that."
"Andy too," Caroline grinned.
"Ha!" Miranda smiled, leaning into Andy's lanky arms as they wrapped around Miranda and Olivia. "I think if our Andréa wasn't here, we'd all be torn asunder."
"Under wha-?" Sam said, sliding under the table.
"No darling," Miranda smiled., nodding him back into his chair "Asunder. We'd be lost without Mama."
"Yep!" he grinned, doing as he was told with a chocolatey grin.
"Well, that's what families do," Andy said, ruffling his hair.
"We love you Andy," Caroline said happily as she buttered her own toast.
"That's the end of the bread."
"But you didn't get any!" Cassidy said, looking around.
"That's what Mamas have to do sometimes," Miranda said gently.
"But it's okay," Andy grinned. "'Cos I had some of Sam's."
Sam protested as the others laughed. Andy looked across the table at Miranda, seeing her already staring. It was the second time Miranda had said that particular word since they'd been down in the kitchen and it dislodged something in Andy's chest. Deciding that they'd have to discuss that later, Andy pulled Nick on her knee. There was a tired lull for a while before Caroline launched into an inane conversation about a school project.
Olivia had fallen asleep in Miranda's arms, the tablets making her sleepy, and Sam looked to be on his way. Andy kissed Nick's hair and went to Sam's side before he fell off his chair.
"Let's get this pair back to bed. Girls, you okay with Nicky?"
She made sure to look at Cassidy until the little girl met her eyes. Olivia's accident had knocked some of the confidence from her, and asking her to stay in the kitchen with Nick was, Andy hoped, enough to show her that neither Miranda, not herself, held any hard feelings.
"We got it, Andy," she nodded with a grim smile.
Andy followed Miranda up the stairs, splitting off to tuck Sam back into bed as Miranda did the same for Olivia.
"You are so good with them," Miranda said as she joined Andy at the top of the stairs.
"You're delirious with exhaustion," Andy chuckled.
"No Andréa," Miranda stopped Andy for a moment. "I mean it. You have changed all our lives for the better. I don't think I will ever accurately tell you that in a way that equals what I feel for you."
"Miranda," Andy chuckled and pulled her into a deep, soulful kiss. "I love you, and that's what families do."
"It's not that simple," Miranda said, cupping Andy's cheek. "And you know it."
"I do know it, but we make it work, and it does. And you don't have to call me that," Andy said quietly. "I don't mind just being Andy."
"You mistook my labelling you for something I chose," Miranda said quietly, cupping Andy's cheek. "Both Olivia and Sam have called you that more than once to me, and if I am not mistaken, it is what Cassidy called you when Olivia hurt herself?"
"Close," Andy shrugged. "But I'm just -"
"You are not just anything my darling," Miranda said definitely. "You are their Mama."
"But -"
"But nothing," Miranda said, pecking her lips, then pecking them again and lingering. They kissed for a few moments before Miranda pulled away, leaving Andy frowning. "Andréa, I -" Miranda paused, moving away and wrapping her arms around her middle. "I can't help but think we are missing things that other couples don't."
"You mean sex."
It wasn't a question, and Miranda threw her arms out desperately.
"I mean," she sighed. "I mean dates, wining and dining, and yes. Okay," Miranda paused. "Sex."
She breathed the word like she was afraid of it. Andy understood. The thought of taking Miranda to bed, properly to bed was a bit more than overwhelming. Even though they'd been sleeping in the same bed for all this time, she shivered at the thought of Miranda naked, underneath her.
"You see!" Miranda squeaked. "You're thinking the same thoughts.
"Of course I am," Andy grinned. "Who wouldn't. Have you seen you?"
"Well," Miranda said. There was a smirk on her face that made Andy laugh out loud. She wrapped Miranda up in her arms and ran her nose along the beautifully soft skin.
"We are both very grown up," Andy whispered. "I do not need sex to love you. I do not need to sleep with you to love you. I do not need more than what we already have, to continue to love you." Andy leant back, rocking them gently like they were dancing. "Right now, you and I are second to those beautiful babies. Livvy will be at school soon. Nicky too. Our lives will settle and we'll settle and then you and I can make up for lost time."
"What on earth did I do to deserve you, my darling girl."
"You trusted me," Andy shrugged. "Let's go join the girls for a while before they have to get ready and you have to go back to sleep."
"I love you," Miranda smiled. "Utterly and completely."
