A/N: Here we are again. Liverpool has played and Jordan Pickford is a total a-hole and he should be suspended. But no matter. It's given you an update so there we are.
Miranda is being very quiet of late. I shall let you decide as to why that might be...
LATE EDIT:
10,000 apologies to GinStan who inspired the little comment about halfway down, which I then forgot to put in the A/N lol #facepalm
For disclaimer, see chapter 1.
-0-
Andy, as she so often did, snapped awake at 6 am. She immediately knew something was wrong and looked around. She sighed in relief when she saw Miranda sleeping peacefully in the same position she'd been in when they fell asleep.
She watched the sleeping woman for a moment, once again thanking her lucky stars for allowing her this access. Miranda was as much a goddess as she was an enigma and Andy went a bit giddy when she thought about what a blessing it as to have Miranda as her best friend.
She slid out of bed and used the bathroom as quietly as she could. She pulled on her running gear and crept out of the room, gratified to hear the happy sigh as Miranda stirred, then fell right back to sleep.
"Hey Munchkin," Andy grinned, seeing Cassidy making her breakfast at the stove. "Egg-white omelette with cheese and spinach?"
"You shouldn't mess with perfection," Cassidy laughed, sobering as she flipped the top of her omelette. "Andy?" Andy smiled gently. "Is Mom ok?"
"Yeah. I don't really know whether it was jet lag or what but," she shrugged. "She's okay. I figured you'd forgive me for waking you and bringing you here, rather than waking up to a note."
"That's why you're the best, Andy."
Andy chuckled, squeezing Cassidy's shoulders before she got herself a bowl of cereal. They were a luxury of empty carbs and a bit of sugar, but between the running around for Miranda - even at the reduced rate it now was - and running most mornings with Cassidy, she was now a very toned, very slender 4, bordering on 3. Nigel had been very impressed.
They lounged in front of the TV for a while until their food was sufficiently digested before Andy asked if Cassidy wanted to use the gym. They left a note and headed down the stairs.
"Carefully," Andy cautioned. "Don't hurt anything. Light repetition, use your bodyweight."
They did a light training session, Andy kept an eye on Cassidy to make sure she didn't pull anything before her phone alerted her to a new message.
Where are you?
She grinned and typed a response before getting Cassidy's attention.
"Last set kiddo."
They finished up their work-out and made their way back upstairs.
"I -"
"Here," Andy smiled, picking the note up not two feet from where an irate Miranda was standing. "It says we were at the gym and would be back by 8."
"Yes," Miranda sniffed. "Well."
"We won't ever go without you, you know," Andy smirked.
"Shut up Andréa," Cassidy chuckled, mimicking her mother very well.
"I -" Miranda gaped for a moment before coming to her senses. "Shut up Cassidy," Miranda chuckled. "Cheeky monster. How was your gym session?"
"Great. Hey, Coach said there were going to be scouts there today for one of the Universities, so it's a big game."
"I am excessively glad you have found something you enjoy so much."
"Hmm," Andy muttered as she brewed coffee. "Sports 'ey."
"Andréa -"
Andy made a zipping motion with her hand and chuckled as she presented a cup and started pulling out ingredients for Caroline's breakfast.
"I think brunch for us?" Miranda asked, looking nonplussed. "After the game?"
"Can we have waffles?"
"I'm game," Andy chuckled.
"Waffles it is," Miranda smirked. "May I shower?"
"Of course," Andy chuckled. "I don't have anything close to what you use?"
"No matter," she shrugged.
Andy watched her go and then looked at the girls.
"She's hella chill these days," Cassidy said pensively. "You're not drugging her coffee are you?"
Andy actually spat her own out, down her work-out top.
"CASSIDY!"
"I'm just saying!" Cassidy giggled. "I mean, two years ago, could you have imagined this?"
Andy smiled and shook her head.
"I didn't even know your Mom two years ago, Cass."
"She wasn't happy," Caroline said quietly. "I'm not sure she's ever been happy. Not with Dad. Not with Stephen. Maybe in between?" she considered it. "And now."
"Things are getting easier at work, and life is pretty great, right? She's just happy things are going so well."
"Yeah," Caroline considered. "I guess."
"Anyway. You," Andy ordered. "Cass, eat. I'll run you home to get your things."
"Alright."
-0-
The game was a good one and Andy almost screamed herself hoarse as Cassidy's team edged out the other team two goals to one. Even Miranda had cheered when Cassidy had curled a free-kick into the box and onto an attacker's head to win the game.
"She was so good!" Andy yelled over the roar.
The excitement was palpable as the coach called them into a huddle and they screamed out a triumphant cheer. There was respectful applause by the crowd as the players shook hands. It really was an amazing game and Andy was gratified to see that all of them had had as much fun as it seemed Cassidy had. It was only as the impromptu celebration in the centre circle had dispersed that Andy finally noticed two men with clipboards heading towards the group. Cassidy had come over for a cuddle but was now grinning proudly as she was cajoled by her teammates back in the circle. Her coach called her over and she stood up a little straighter. The four talked for a while before Cassidy pointed their way.
"What's the plan boss," Andy asked quietly.
"Andréa, I would give my children the world. I am not so obnoxious that I cannot see that this is a magnificent achievement. Especially considering she has been playing for such a short amount of time. I confess to being a little torn as she does not need a scholarship, but I will not take that away from her after how hard she has worked."
"That's why you're a good Mama," Andy smiled, squeezing the woman's hand. "Caro, how 'bout you and head back to the car while your Mom talks shop."
"Sure," she nodded.
"Andréa -"
Andy didn't get a chance to ask Miranda why she was looking at her like she was before Cassidy called out to her and Miranda turned to greet the scouts with a charming smile and a firm hand-shake each.
"You ok with all this?" Andy asked as they wandered back to the car. "Did you have plans for university?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Caroline chuckled. "I don't have plans yet," she sighed. "I don't really even know what I like. Hey," she said suddenly. "We never did go rock-climbing though."
"Oh shoot," Andy groaned, slapping her forehead. "You're right. Are you free next weekend?"
"Uhuh," Caroline grinned. "Especially seeing as soccer is over."
"Awesome."
Andy unlocked the SUV and groaned as she slumped onto the backseat with Caroline beside her. They lay in silence and Andy smiled as Caroline played with Andy's hair.
"Hey, Andy?"
"Yeah, kiddo?"
"You had a boyfriend once, right?"
"A while ago," Andy smiled. "It didn't work out."
"How come you don't have another one?"
"Who needs all that, when I have you guys?" Andy chuckled. "Besides, boyfriends are complicated. And I'm not sure I even want another one."
"Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
"No," Andy shrugged. "Though I wouldn't be opposed. Why?" she asked, looking up at her. "You like someone, a girl?"
"No," she shook her head. "No reason," Caroline smiled. "What waffles are you getting."
They talked together for nearly half an hour until Andy glanced up to see a beaming Cassidy walking with Miranda, the woman's warm wrapped around Cassidy's shoulder.
"Andy!"
Cassidy ran at her and she just planted her feet in time to catch the gangly teenager and spin her around.
"They want me to give me a scholarship! Can you believe that?"
"I can," Andy whooped. "Because," she said, dropping Cassidy back to the ground. "You worked for what you wanted and you didn't let anything get in the way of your dreams."
"You ran with me," Cassidy whispered as she held on around Andy's neck. "And you kicked the ball with me when I asked."
"Well," Andy grinned, tapping Cassidy's nose and glancing at Miranda, who has just joined then. "Prada's aren't really built for soccer are they?"
Miranda's lips twitched and Andy was reminded they were still in public.
"Let's go get some brunch and you can tell me all about it."
-0-
Brunch was a hoot and Andy was still chuckling about it later as Miranda locked up the car and handed Andy the keys in the Runway parking lot.
"If I'm going to leave my bag, then you might as well take care of the important things," Miranda chuckled.
"I can carry it if you'd prefer?"
"We will not need it," Miranda shrugged. "And there is some time to kill before Jordan arrives?"
"Yeah, he's due to arrive at two."
"Excellent," Miranda nodded. "Come along girls."
They rode the elevator up to the Runway floor and the girls disappeared to the left to raid the closet, as they did every time they came to Runway.
"Leave the ones on the racks, darlings."
"We know Mom," Caroline rolled her eyes, before hugging her impetuously. "Love you."
"I love you," Miranda whispered, kissing her hair. "Remember to be back here before Jordan arrives."
"I have my phone," Caroline nodded.
"Come along Andréa."
Andy followed her mercurial boss into their office and immediately split off to her own desk to read the notes left in her inbox. She was about to boot up her computer when Miranda called her in.
"Hmm?"
"Someone has been in the safe," she muttered, standing with a hand on her hip.
"Are you sure?"
"I am," Miranda muttered. "I remembered an old trick Cassidy used to use on her bedroom door when she was young," she scoffed, shaking her head. "Look."
Andy peered into the safe and chuckled when she saw the fine white hair taped to the door.
"Sneaky," Andy chuckled as she looked up at Miranda. "Did they take anything?"
"No," Miranda waved the idea away. "And I really don't keep anything in here worth him taking. It is more personal. Everything is secure on the Cloud, no?"
"Yep," Andy nodded. "And Pete's got instructions to message us both if anything is untoward."
"Hmm."
"He's getting desperate. But I don't get why?"
"I'm wondering if he knows that we are onto him. He cannot be that dense. He's not risen to that position with no intelligence at all. He just fails to use it appropriately."
"What do you want to do?"
"Do we still have those cameras in?"
"Oh!" Andy said, her eyes widening as she remembered. "Yes!"
"Can you pull them up?"
"Yep. Two minutes."
She pulled out her phone and made a phone call to the IT department and their inside man. After a few quiet words, her phone pinged and she moved closer to Miranda to watch with her.
The video was not as clear as Andy would have liked, but small mercies, it was clearly Irv who had come in after hours, in the dark.
"That isn't suspicious at all?"
Miranda snorted and pulled Andy's arm closer so she could see better.
"I'm beginning to regret my decision to not allow you to put cameras in my office."
"No," Andy shrugged. "I think it's okay. I mean. This is shady as -"
"Andréa," Miranda muttered.
"Sorry. But he clearly lets himself into your locked office and comes out again twenty minutes later."
"I," Miranda swallowed. "Get a cleaning crew in here, will you?" she asked, looking a little uncomfortable. "I can't imagine what he was doing and I"m not interested in finding out."
"Ew," Andy groaned. "Ew ew ew."
"I wouldn't put it past him. I think he's been sleeping with someone from HR for a long while."
"No way!"
"Hmm."
"Mom?"
"In here loves," Miranda called. "Actually. We'll come out there. Stay there."
"Ew," Andy repeated, taking the small slap to her arm.
"Jordan's nearly here. Can we meet him so his Mom doesn't have to park?"
"Yes, although if they want to pull into the parking lot, they may. I'm not sure they'll have to pay for parking if I validate their pass."
"Good point," Cassidy giggled. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Miranda nodded. "There is some funny business afoot and Andréa and I were just discussing our defence."
"Mr Ravitz again?"
"Shh," Andy whispered. "Not too loud."
"Yes," Miranda nodded. "But it is nothing to worry about. Andréa and I have it in hand. Now. If Jordan is on his way, perhaps I will lock this in Nigel's office, instead of mine and we shall be off."
"I'll go if you like?"
Miranda pulled out her credit card and ID, handing them to Andy with a grin, then handing over the bag.
"You are my assistant."
"Bloody cheeky," Andy rolled her eyes.
She did what she had to, double-checking Nigel's door as she left and joined the Priestleys at the elevator.
"Ready?"
"Jordan's Mom is just parking," Caroline said as they entered the elevator. "You'll be kind, won't you Mom?" Caroline asked quietly.
"Do you think I wouldn't be?"
"No," Caroline said. "It's just important to me."
"I will behave," Miranda smiled, waiting for Caroline to look up at her. "I promise."
"And you'll come with us to Kinokuniya."
"I am even looking forward to it," Miranda chuckled. "Try not to worry, darling."
"Andy said she'd take me rock-climbing next weekend too."
"No way!" Cassidy said and Andy saw Carolie's face drop.
"Just me a Caro, munchkin," Andy said airily. "I figured she can show me how it works and then once we get a handle on it, we'll invite you guys?"
Caroline leaned against her in relief and Miranda met Andy's eyes over her head. Normally quite privy to Miranda's thoughts, something flashed across them that Andy couldn't read but the gentle smile was enough for her to let it go.
"I for one am quite alright with that," Miranda smiled. "Lord knows I will have to take some valium in order to join you both."
"It's not that high, Mom," Caroline giggled, looking much recovered.
"Anything that is higher than my highest pair of shoes is high, my darling. But we are here now, so no more talk of it."
Cassidy and Caroline laughed as they exited the elevator and Andy held the door for Miranda.
"Such chivalry."
Andy smiled and followed as Miranda, ever the consummate professional met Jordan's mother, who Andy waved to from the side, and they set off for a day out in Downtown Manhattan.
-0-
Very much later, as was their custom, Andy was reading an article about cybersecurity when her phone rang.
"Hey," she put her finger between the pages.
"Do you think she should accept the scholarship?"
"No small-talk, right," Andy chuckled. "I don't know. I imagine she doesn't need one, on account of your impressive bottom line. But," she lay back on her bed. "She's also earned her spot."
"My thoughts exactly. I know nothing of universities, but I know a little."
"I know they're expensive," Andy chuckled. "My parents paid a little. And co-signed one of the loans. But -" She got lost thinking about what a burden that had been on all of them. "Well. It's my loan, so."
"I understand," Miranda mused. "On the one hand, I have in mind that perhaps they should learn a little about being," she paused.
"Poor?"
"Hmm. Careful."
"They are pretty careful anyway. I mean you have to practically force Caroline to buy those pens today."
"She is quite amusing at times," Miranda chuckled.
"Did she say anything to you about Jordan?"
"No, but I fear it is her that is going to get the first 'talk', as it were."
"Hmm. She asked me why I didn't get another boyfriend earlier," Andy chuckled.
There was silence on the other end, where Andy had expected a laugh and she frowned.
"You there?"
"Why have you not found someone else to share your life with?" Miranda asked quietly.
"As if I have time for a boyfriend," Andy chuckled. "Also, it may have escaped your notice, but I'm pretty happy on my own. Plus, I know you. I get the privilege of being your friend. I don't imagine that I could persuade you to let a perfect stranger join us."
"I do not want to stand in the way of your happiness," Miranda said tersely.
Andy frowned.
"I'm not saying that."
"I think I should -"
"No," Andy groaned. "Don't. I'm not sure what just happened, but you're not listening."
"I was simply -"
"You're not simply anything. You three are more important to me than any man could ever be, alright? Why don't you know that?"
There was more silence on the other end of the phone and Andy let it sit for as long as she could stand it.
"Miranda?"
"I'm here."
"Wanna watch a movie with me?"
"Yes," Miranda whispered. "I left a copy of Charade on your DVD cabinet."
Andy chuckled and got up to put it on.
"Ready?"
"Mmm," she muttered. "OK."
They watched quietly until Andy heard the soft snores of Miranda on the phone.
"Good night Miranda," she whispered, hanging up the phone.
She watched the rest of the film before turning it off and sitting in the dark. She couldn't help but think that there was something she was missing, but even in the quiet of her beautiful apartment, it just would not come to the front of her mind. Giving up on thinking, Andy curled around one of the cushions on the sofa and lay back down, putting Planet Earth on Netflix and watching it absently as she slowly fell asleep.
