They continued to work side by side very effectively over the next few days but as Andy was about to leave one night, Miranda came down the stairs wearing an unreadable expression on her face.
"You can't leave." Miranda intoned.
If Andy didn't know better, she'd say the editor looked kind of shocked. "Oh, was there something you need me to do? Did I forget something?" Andy asked. She ran through the last chores she'd completed, trying to figure out what she could have forgotten.
"No, but they just closed everything down," Miranda said and stepped all the way down into the foyer. "Shutdown."
"Huh? Who's they?" Andy asked. She was totally confused.
"The government, Andrea. They've advised people to stay home and not leave, effective immediately." Miranda said.
Andy's mouth dropped open when her brain kicked in and she finally began to understand what Miranda was saying. "Fuck! I...uh...sorry..." She exhaled.
Miranda saw the panic in her eyes. "Come along, we'll have a glass of wine." She stalked into the kitchen.
Andy followed, her head bent as she scrolled through her phone. She started reading the latest news after sitting down at the breakfast bar.
"Of course you are allowed to go home now, but you wouldn't be able to go out after today..." Miranda stated as she poured the wine.
"…oh right. So we wouldn't be able to work. I see..." Andy said, still shocked by the news.
"Mom...Moo-oom..." The twins yelled as they clattered down the stairs.
"Have you seen the news?" Cassidy breathed.
"They told everyone to stay in their homes now," Cassidy explained.
"We're scared..." They admitted together, hugging their mother.
Tears welled in Andy's eye as she witnessed the scene before her.
"There, there, Bobbsey's." Miranda soothed. "Don't be afraid. They're simply doing this to protect us. Don't worry, my loves." She explained.
Caroline pulled away and stormed over to Andy. "Andy, please stay here with us." She pleaded. "I don't want you to be all alone on your birthday." She told her, tears forming in her eyes.
"Aww, munchkin. Don't cry, your mom has already told me she needed me to be able to work for her, so I will stay." Andy said. "But there's one condition." She grinned at the redhead.
"What, we'll do anything," Caroline declared.
"Well..." Andy teased. "I'll stay...but only if I can borrow some PJ's." She said.
The twins looked up at her smiling.
"I'm sure Mom will be able to lend you some," Cassidy offered from her place in Miranda's arms
The knowledge she'd be wearing something of Miranda's sent a shiver through her body. "Hey, how did you even know it's my birthday?" Andy asked, trying to distract the girls.
"Well..." Caroline blushed. "...I kind of heard you on the phone with your mom the other day when you took a break in our backyard. But it wasn't my fault." She insisted. "I promise I wasn't eavesdropping. It's just...my window was open and I couldn't help but overhear how sad she was that you'd not be home and on top of that, be all alone here in the City." She said, hugging her tightly once more.
Cassidy joined them and Caroline pulled her sister in the group hug.
"Well, I certainly won't be alone now, I guess," Andy muttered.
"You're guessing correctly." Miranda interrupted. "Girls, why don't you go up and wash up while I prepare dinner." She said softly.
With those words and how gently she spoke, Andy grew nervous upon realising how many private moments she'd now potentially share with her boss.
"Uhm, can I help you? Or do you even want me to stay? I can eat wherever you want me to sleep...I...uh." Andy started fidgeting.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Andrea. Get the tomatoes from the fridge." Miranda blew a breath out and placed a pot on the stove and started to boil some water. "You can prepare the salad. I trust you can do that?" She asked.
"Uh, yes...of course," Andy said.
Miranda pointed her towards where she'd find the things she needed for the salad. "It will be best to get to know your way around the kitchen as soon as possible and after dinner, I'll show you your room. I'm sure I have samples enough for you to wear over the next couple of days. Who knows how long this will last." She said with a wave of her hand.
Miranda appeared as calm and demanding as ever but what Andy didn't realise is that Miranda was feeling giddy inside. She couldn't believe that her lovely assistant would remain so close to her. The feelings frightened her but they excited her even more so. She had decided to make the best out of this situation.
"That's true. This is such a weird situation though." Andy grew flustered. "Not me staying here, but the whole pandemic. To be honest, I'm glad I get to stay here and be occupied with work. I would go crazy in my tiny apartment by myself." She babbled as she prepared the salad.
"Mm, you are right, it is a very unique situation but I think my girls are rather thrilled you are staying." Miranda smiled a little. "So since Caroline and Cassidy want you to have a nice birthday, how would you like to celebrate the day tomorrow?" She asked as she put some pasta into the boiling water.
"Oh! Seriously, there's no need for you to do anything special tomorrow. It's just a day like any other." Andy shrugged. "I'm just glad I'm not by myself." She said and smiled at the editor.
"Very well, if you insist," Miranda stated. "I will be ordering some groceries online later so if there's anything you'd like in particular, just let me know." She turned back to her pasta. She knew this time with her assistant would bring them closer.
"Thank you, Miranda." Andy breathed. "And yes, there are some things I'd like. I'll pay half of it since I'm staying here, or I can place the next order and pay for that." She offered as she tried to find her way around to set the table.
"The cutlery is right here next to me and you will do no such thing. Write me a list of what you require and I'll happily cover it. You are my guest after all. It's not like I don't want you here." Miranda stated.
Andy stood next to her, getting the cutlery out of the drawer. She gave her a flirty look as she smirked, whispering a breathy "thank you" her way.
Miranda was relieved when Andy left her side or she'd certainly notice the blush creeping up her chest and up to her cheeks.
Once they were all sat at the table, Andy was busy pouring water for everyone as Miranda brought the steaming food.
"Yum, I love your chicken Parmesan, mom," Cassidy stated as she piled a good amount on her plate.
"Woah, Sis, leave some for the rest of us," Caroline said chuckling.
"There's enough for everyone, Caroline." Miranda insisted. "Cassidy, as you know, in our house the guest gets dinner first." She reminded softly. "Where are your manners?" She asked.
"Andy isn't just our guest." Cassidy insisted in an attempt to defend herself. "She lives here now."
Miranda shook her head and taking the pasta fork, put some spaghetti on Andy's plate first before adding chicken. Once satisfied Andy had enough to eat, she served herself a much smaller portion.
"Thank you, Miranda. It smells delicious." Andy said as they all started to eat. Taking her first bite, her eyes went wide.
"Good huh?" Caroline asked as she noticed Andy's look.
She hummed in delight. "Oh god, Miranda, I know you're brilliant but this is beyond delicious." Andy gushed as she dug in.
Miranda chuckled and felt a little proud that her assistant liked her cooking and that she could surprise her in this way. She adored Andy's reaction. "I'm happy you like it." She told her softly.
After dinner, Miranda helped the girls get ready for bed while Andy decided to clean up the kitchen and write the list of things she needed from the grocery store.
"Oh, thank you for cleaning," Miranda said in surprise when she came back downstairs.
"Thank you for the lovely meal. I loved it and would love the recipe." Andy said. "I've also made my list and I don't need much."
Miranda took it from her fingers and checked it out and smirked. "Glazed donuts, Andrea? Really?" She asked with a mischievous look.
"Oh come on, Miranda. Everyone has a weak spot and I love them. What's your food weakness?" Andy asked. Miranda looked down but didn't respond. "Come on, I know there must be something..." She teased.
Miranda closed her eyes and had a dreamy look on her face. "Warm. Cinnamon. Rolls." She said drawing out every word.
"I knew it." Andy crowed triumphantly. "You're lucky I'm here. I'll make you the best ones, at least according to my parents." She chuckled.
"Well, I guess I am...lucky that is. Come along, I'll show you your room, Andrea." Miranda said turning around to go back upstairs.
And oh, how Andy loved that sight.
TBC