See disclaimer, Chapter 1.
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"Do you have siblings?" Miranda asked once they were on the way to the office.
"Um, no?" Andy said. "Where did that come from?"
"How you treat my children. Emily," Miranda shook her head. "Well, Emily is not a good example. Not many other people would have done what you just did for Caroline."
"Ah," Andy smiled. "I realised quite suddenly that Cas must be quite like their Dad? Cos Caroline? She's your mini-me."
"Explain."
"Caroline is your twin. She is laser-focused, to the point where she'd forget to eat if she wasn't disturbed. She craves order and perfection and is easily frustrated when she cannot have it."
"I -"
"I realised I just have to treat her like I do you."
"It is truly a little alarming how well you can read me," Miranda mused. "And you were right earlier."
"About what?"
"Coffee. Get Cara to get you the number of the man and we'll put one in the office. In my office. On my budget."
"Yes," Andy hissed, making Miranda chuckle.
"Don't ever change, Andréa," Miranda said as the car slowed. "Don't ever change."
Andy sat, knowing that Miranda would want some sub-par coffee, and watched as the woman stalked across the plaza.
Miranda confused her sometimes. Sometimes, Andy thought that maybe Miranda might be the best friend she'd had ever had. Then, sometimes, she'd be reminded that the woman was her boss and a formidable one at that. It was confusing, to say the least.
"Alright?" Roy asked as he got back in.
"You've been driving Miranda forever, right?"
"Yup," he grinned. "I carried those babies out of the hospital for her. Talk about terrifying. I'd only been on the job a week."
"Wow," Andy smiled. "Were they tiny?"
"Tiniest little things I've ever seen. My kids were like tiny Sumo wrestlers. The girls were like little china dolls."
"I'm teaching Caroline to cook pancakes this weekend and I'm taking her on an adventure on Wednesday while the Boss Lady is at the board meeting. What's her favourite place to eat, do you know?"
"Caroline? I honestly have no clue. Cass kinda runs the show when they're together. She's got her own thoughts on things but I'm not sure that she ever really gets a word in."
"Alright. Thanks, Roy. I guess I'll see you at 2?"
"Yep," he tipped his hat. "I'll be here at 1:30,"
"Thanks, man," she first-bumped him and got out, running across the road and grinning when the Barista presented her with a tray of coffee and she passed him $30. She'd learnt to tip well for good service from Miranda.
She took the elevator up and marched right in to find Miranda seething on the phone.
"I do not care what you want, James. This will be the third time this month. Why bother at all if you are not going to make an effort?"
There was a pause and Andy dithered for a moment until she realised the coffee would be cold of she stood much longer. She placed it on Miranda's desk, taking her own out and touching the woman's shoulder briefly to meet her eyes. Miranda looked up at her and rolled her eyes, muting the call.
"He's going to Cancun while I am scheduled to be in Milan, despite him already going somewhere this week, as Cassidy mentioned."
"Seriously?" Andy said, unimpressed.
"Hmm," she growled, unmuting it again. "No, do you know what James, don't bother. And no, I'm not telling them. You tell them. From this moment forth, I will not be doing your dirty work for you. If you wish to abandon then once again, in favour of your latest floozy, then you call them and tell them. I will not be. Go to hell."
She threw her phone and Andy caught it one-handed as it slid off the desk.
"I'd hate to have to call Tim for a replacement," she quipped.
Miranda snorted, then laughed as she took her coffee.
"Don't stop me from being mad at him."
"Oh I'm not," Andy said. "I'm pissed at him as well and I don't even have a right to be. Want me to take a hit out on him or something?"
"God," Miranda groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Don't tempt me. Between the fight with Caroline and now this, he'll be lucky if they ever want to see him again. Cassidy is so very protective of Caroline."
"I've noticed," Andy grinned. "Well, we'll think of something."
"I've already given Cara the time off."
"Ah," Andy chewed on her lip. "Leave it with me?"
"Yes. Go and do some work or whatever it is you do. Send Nigel in when you get hold of him."
"On it boss."
The day passed uneventfully after that. Miranda ordering a reshoot, Accounting complaining about the budget. Andy redoing the budget and then Miranda leaving for the Marc Jacobs showing.
Miranda suggested, at about midday, that Andy was not required at such a frequent customer so she finished up what she needed and took her lunch, pondering what to do with the Twins while they were scheduled to be in Milan.
The obvious choice would be to take them with them but Andy knew it wasn't a great idea. Milan fashion week was not as long as Paris, more like an extended weekend. And Miranda was usually in and out.
Another idea came to her but she wasn't sure whether it was good or not. She made a note to go through it with Miranda later and warned up her lunch, humming happily when she took her first mouthful.
She sent a text to Cara extolling her virtues and went back to her desk. She hadn't been there long when the door opened and Irv walked in.
Andy was immediately on her feet, leaving her lunch.
"Mr Ravitz, I'm afraid Miranda isn't in right now."
"I thought you'd have gone with her."
That worried Andy.
"Well," she said pleasantly. "Somebody had to hold down the fort!"
She texted Serena subtly, knowing she was still around and did her best to stay between him and Miranda's office but also well out of his reach.
"So we're once again alone," he said taking a step forward.
"Was there something you needed?" She took a step back, towards Miranda's office.
"Just here to check on our esteemed colleague," he said airily.
He'd just taken another step towards her when the door opened and Serena strode in.
"What-up, querida?"
"Serena! Hi, thanks for coming, I just need to get your input on the figures for the next shoot. Mr Ravitz was just leaving."
Serena, bless her heart, came and stood by her. Irv looked between then both and left without another word. Andy let out a breath.
"Fuck! Thanks, Serena."
"It's no problem," she shrugged. "Is he causing trouble?"
"He made some distasteful remarks to me in the elevator the other day," she sighed. "When I told Miranda, she asked if he touched me, which," she made a face. "And then when I told him Miranda wasn't here, he said he thought I'd be with her."
"So he's snooping!"
"Yes, I think so." Andy worried her lip. "But he was getting pretty fresh as well, without saying anything."
"Tell Miranda, she'll sort it out."
"I don't wanna add to her worries," Andy shrugged. "And nothing really happened."
"Look, if he comes back, call me again. But I would tell her, she'd want to know."
"Thanks, Serena," Andy smiled. "Are we doing drinks Friday?"
"Yes, new place up on the Eastside."
"Sweet. Text me the address."
"Will do."
She waved and left, leaving Andy biting her lip. On the one hand, Serena was right. Miranda should know about this. But on the other, the woman already had so much in her plate that Any didn't want to add to it over what was essentially nothing. Deciding to just keep it to herself, Andy went back to her desk, lamenting her cold lasagne.
-0-
It was later that night when there was a soft knock at Andy's door. She pulled her well worn Northwestern jersey over her think singlet and opened the door. Miranda was standing, looking as regal as ever, holding two mugs in her hands.
"Far be it from me to discuss work while you are off the clock, but I would like a word with you and I will bribe you with my favourite tea."
"You don't have to bribe me," Andy chuckled. "But welcome."
Miranda glanced around the room.
"You can unpack, you know," she smirked, even though she could see that Andy mostly had. "And if you wish to do something different with the room you may do so as well."
"I thought about maybe getting a little TV so I wouldn't encroach on family time," Andy shrugged.
"Andréa," Miranda said gently, but firmly. "Encroach."
Andy chuckled.
"Yes, Miranda."
"That's more like it," she smirked, sitting in one of the wingback chairs in the corner. "Now," she said, nodding to the chair. "Irving."
"What about him?"
"Don't be coy. Serena knew you wouldn't tell me so she did so. You should have."
"He didn't do anything. Like you said, he's lashing out."
"He intimidated you enough to call Serena," Miranda whispered, sipping her tea. "That is not nothing, Andréa."
"Look," she sipped her tea. "Oh, Miranda!" She coughed as the sour hibiscus assaulted her senses. "What the heck!"
"I thought you'd like it," Miranda smiled.
"Holy moly, you say I'm a dark horse," she said, blinking. "Anyway. What concerned me more is what he said before I called Serena. That he expected me to have gone with you."
"Ah," Miranda said thoughtfully, thinking for a moment. "I'm no longer comfortable with leaving you on your own, so you'll accompany me wherever we go. Even if you're not needed. You can get some lunch or," she waved her hand and Andy smiled. "Whatever, as Cassidy would say. But when we do go, we must ensure all documents are locked away, either in the safe or in our desks."
"I'll change the passwords on the computer tomorrow too. I've downloaded a password keeper, I'll sync it to your phone."
"I also want to ensure the security footage is adequate. I want no blindspots. Will you call Security in the morning?"
"Yep," Andy smiled as Miranda nodded to herself. "You done with work now?"
"I am." Miranda arched her eyebrow.
"What do you do for fun. Cass plays sport. Caroline draws. What does Miranda Priestly do when no one has tickets on her time?"
"Honestly? I don't know," Miranda mused. "I'm not sure I've ever had a moment of spare time."
"Do you read?"
"Sometimes," Miranda smiled. "I'd like to read more, but by the time I finish The Book, it is late enough that all I want to do is sleep."
"I think you need a hobby."
"Quilting perhaps?" Miranda said.
Andy looked at her for a long time while she struggled to keep a straight face. Before either could say anything else, both of them burst out laughing and Andy had to concentrate to prevent herself from spilling the tea.
"That wasn't quite what I meant," Andy chuckled as she got herself under control. "In another life, what would you have done?"
"Your journalist is showing, darling."
Andy paused for a second, hearing it but not quite believing it. She decided that Miranda was tired and she'd move on, ignoring it.
"Sorry, not sorry," Andy grinned. "Enquiring minds would like to know."
"I don't think anyone has ever asked me that before," Miranda muttered. "And I don't think I've ever considered it before. I swam, in my youth, but I am not interested in putting in a pool."
"Well, I guess we'll figure it out. I plan on having you home by 5 most nights so it's not like you won't have the time anymore!"
"I'm not sure I'll ever be able to let you go if you do that," Miranda whispered.
"I told you," Andy smiled. "I'm it. We're going to be the dream team. People are going to try and poach me. Maybe for millions, and I'll always turn them down."
"Andréa if someone offers you millions, you let me know."
"Miranda," Andy scoffed.
"Don't joke, Andréa. A great assistant is worth their weight in gold. Which I will always pay." Miranda looked at her sternly. "If you are insistent, I will take you up on it."
Andy shook her head and sat back. Every time she thought she had Miranda figured out, she shifted her form and remained an enigma.
"In the interest of encroaching, wanna watch a movie?" Andy asked. "I'm not sleepy yet."
"Only if you let me pick."
"As always, I bow to your superior knowledge."
Miranda grinned and Andy was once again struck by how relaxed she was at home. Andy's brain ignited with ideas on how to shorten her days so she'd be home more often. She could see the girls benefiting immensely from it but if Miranda was so relaxed as well, it would only be great for all of them. All three of them, Andy reminded herself. Despite the comfort she'd found almost immediately in the Priestly household, Andy was not part of it.
That hurt her a little and she stopped on the stairs as she realised.
"Alright?" Miranda asked, nodding into the media room.
"Yeah, just lost in my head for a while."
"If you look on the third row, right-hand side, you will find my favourite film."
Andy handed her the mug she had been carrying and did as she was told. She laughed when she found it, setting it up with a smile.
"This happens to be one of my favourites as well," Andy grinned as Miranda joined her.
"Good," Miranda nodded. "I can definitely trust you then."
Andy chuckled as the opening strains of The Sound of Music began and she curled up on the sofa, watching until her eyes closed against her will and she fell asleep to the Captain serenading Maria in the summer house.