A/N: I have 8 days to go until it's my turn for Punky's ficathon and am I ready, my loves? No. No, I am not. In the meantime enjoy this chapter of After Dark. It's possible that the next chapter will be the last but I don't know for sure. I just... am feeling like it might be. I'll let you know.
Thank you, as ever, for all the love 3
-0-
By the time she'd showered, Andy was almost floating. The endorphin high had hit, someone had named their child after her and it was a Friday. Added to that, her new lover was sitting at her kitchen bar, reading the news on her iPad, looking delicious in Andy's overly large off-the-shoulder t-shirt. Added to that, she had the whole day off to do with as she pleased with that same woman and her two mischievous children.
"Good morning, munchkins."
"Morning Andy," the girls said in stereo with twin glints in their eyes.
"Shut up," she groused, messing Cassidy's hair and kissing Caroline's.
"Hey!" Cassidy squeaked as Andy kissed her head as well.
She went over to the coffee machine and stopped, midway to hitting the button when a throat cleared behind her. She turned and found Miranda peering over her reading glasses.
"I don't warrant a kiss as well?"
Andy blushed and almost skipped back around the island and kissed Miranda softly.
"Good morning," she whispered as they parted.
"It really is, my darling."
Andy chuckled.
"Want a coffee?"
"I would love one. I've ordered breakfast."
"You have?"
"Hmm," Miranda muttered, swiping her iPad with aplomb. "There is this marvellous little app -"
Andy laughed as she saw the equivalent app she'd ordered Miranda's pizza on and kissed her again.
"What are we having?"
"Waffles," Cassidy squealed happily.
"Your favourite," Andy smiled.
She went back into the kitchen and made both of them a coffee, dropping it at Miranda's side and kissing her softly again before joining the twins on the sofa.
"What's been happening, Munchkins? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever! How's your Dad?"
"Lame," Caroline muttered.
They heard Miranda snort, but nobody said anything and Andy nudged Caroline with her shoulder.
"Why?"
"He's boring. And he doesn't listen and, like, remember when he hated my friends?"
"I do," Andy smiled. She thought back to that beginning where she wanted to be everything the three of them needed and realised just how blind she'd been.
"Well, now he thinks I shouldn't be hanging around with Jordan."
"Have you tried talking to him?"
"Yes," she groaned. "He doesn't listen. I had to tell Jordan that he can't come over when I'm with Dad."
"Well, maybe that's for the best," Andy frowned. "And maybe we can go back to the zoo sometime soon so you can hang out."
"Can we, Mom?"
"What are you asking me for," she smirked as she came around the sofa to join them. "Andréa is running this show."
"Yeah but, you'll come with us this time, right?"
"I'd love to," she said quietly as she snuggled beside Cassidy.
"This is nice," Cassidy whispered. "Finally. I know we were teasing you Andy but -"
"I know kiddo," Andy whispered back as Miranda's hand slipped into her's. "I know."
-0-
Her phone rang while they were in the middle of watching a movie and Andy stepped into her room to answer it.
"Hey, Nige,"
"Soooooooooo."
"I don't kiss and tell."
"Oh, come on Six. Just a morsel. A taste."
"A taste?"
"You're right," he said quickly. "Poor choice of words."
She snorted and sat on the bed.
"It's," she sighed. "Why couldn't I see?"
"Because you were so in love with her it blinded you."
"You knew."
"Of course I did," he chuckled. "As soon as she walked barefoot into your kitchen."
"Did you -"
"She and I spoke about it. Not long after that, I realised you had no idea."
Andy thought about how lonely Miranda must have felt at that moment.
"Thank you."
"Pfft," he chuckled. "She and I might work together but she's as close to a BFF as I have, besides you. So now that you're happy in love. Know any delicious morsels I can meet this weekend?"
Andy laughed and lay back and then realised that she actually did.
"I'll send you his number," she chuckled. "After I talk to him."
"Are you ready for when it breaks?" Nigel asked seriously after a while.
"I dunno if it will. How is it going to look any different than it already does?"
"That's an excellent point," he laughed. "Anyway. Is her majesty coming in at all?"
"Nah, we've all taken the day off."
"I imagine you're both very tired."
"Bite me, Nigel," Andy grinned, refusing to dispute the statement.
"Mmhmm. Well, when she feels like doing some work, can you tell her to look at page 27. I don't like the lighting, but otherwise, the pictures are perfect. So, I'm wondering if we can alter the page to offset."
"I shall make a note," Andy nodded, already doing that.
"Good. Have a great day Doll."
"You too Nige."
"Don't forget to send me that hunk's phone number."
Andy hung up before he could say anything else and sent a message to Doug before she got up. Their friendship wasn't what it used to be and she wondered if it was perhaps her fault for that at this stage. They'd reconnected when she was living in Miranda's house but since then they'd talked now and then and gone for a coffee one or two Saturday afternoons that the girls were with their Dad but she'd been reluctant to bring him round. She understood why, now.
"Everything alright?"
"Oh," she smiled as Miranda kneeled on the bed and carefully let her weight rest on Andy's body. "Yes, I am."
"Mmm," Miranda muttered, stealing a kiss before sliding off resting her head on Andy's shoulder.
"That was Nigel. Something work-related, a bit of us related. Then I got to thinking about my friend Doug. I haven't wanted to bring him over to see the place. I hadn't really understood why until now."
"You can," Miranda shrugged. "It's your home."
"What are we going to do about that," Andy muttered. "Shall I -"
"I -" Miranda sighed and sat up.
Andy followed, chasing Miranda's eyes as she looked away.
"Hey -"
"I, I did something a few months ago. I perhaps shouldn't have. But I did."
"Oh?"
"I may have signed this over to you."
"I beg your pardon?" Andy said, her heart beating loudly in her ears.
"I -"
"No, actually I heard you. When, why and how did you do that?" Her voice had gone up a few octaves and she was struggling to remain calm.
"Um."
"Miranda."
"I lied," Miranda whispered. "When we first started this. I knew I wanted you to have it. You. It is of no use to me but it is everything to you. This will open your options so wide. You own real estate in New York City."
"I -"
"It's all legitimate. Sadiq is handling it."
"What do you mean Sadiq is handling it. I spoke to him three days ago."
"I know. I forbade him from telling you."
Andy stood up and started pacing and Miranda let her.
"What about -"
"I paid the fees."
"Of course you did," she muttered, going back to pacing. "What about -"
"The rent you're paying has gone into an escrow account that is now paying the building's fees. Your investment interest as well. Sadiq assures me it's solvent at this point."
"At this -"
"You'll get a pay rise in the new year."
"But -"
"Sarah and Ann make it work, Andréa. Please don't tell me we can't. We went over this."
"Miranda," she groaned, sitting back down on the bed. "You are," she shook her head. "I don't know but you are."
"Do you want to move out? I'm not saying you should. Or that you must."
"I don't know," Andy shrugged. "I want to be where you are. And the Townhouse is as much home to me as here is. Why?"
"Because I want you with me," Miranda muttered.
"What was that?" Andy grinned.
"Because," Miranda grabbed Andy's collar and drew her closer. "I want you. With me. Always."
"Mushball," Andy accused right before their lips met.
They kissed languidly for a long time until one of the twins knocked on the door.
"I'm sorry," Caroline said quietly. "But we're kinda hungry again and Andy has no food."
"Don't be sorry," Andy grinned, opening one arm and letting Caroline bounce on the bed and join them for a cuddle. "Wanna go out to lunch?" she asked Miranda.
"Why not," she smiled, pressing a kiss to Andy's jaw. "Do you have my -"
"You keep as many clothes here as you do at home," Andy chuckled. "I really should have known."
"Let me change and I'll join you."
"Want me to -"
"I want you to wear whatever you like," Miranda said seriously, smoothing Andy's collar where she'd ruffled it. "There are no prerequisites to this, except at benefits and the like."
"I will try not to embarrass you."
"You couldn't," she whispered, kissing Andy again before going into the closet.
"She's pretty amazing," Andy sighed, blushing as Caroline grinned at her.
"Do you think she'll be mad if I don't like girls," Caroline said suddenly and without preamble.
"What? No," Andy said, swallowing her shock. "Not at all. I think as long as whoever it is you fall in love with treats you right and loves you, it won't matter one iota."
"What Andréa says is true, Bobbsey," Miranda said, kneeling back on the bed and kissing Caroline's cheek. "As long as they love you for who you are and in a way that you deserve I shall have no issue with it."
"Even if they work at Vogue."
The temperature dropped in the room and Miranda's face went pale.
"I would cope, but they should not expect an invite to Thanksgiving."
Andy and Caroline both laughed as Miranda disappeared back into the bathroom with a sway of her hips.
-0-
Doug picked up after three rings.
"Hey Dougy."
She pulled the phone away as a very loud squeal came through the phone.
"Andy, are you alright?"
"Yeah?" She glanced down at her phone at his weird tone. "Dougy, are," her frown deepened as she heard sirens. "Are you alright?"
"Honestly?" he said, as the noise in the background faded. "No. There's been a fire in my building. I don't know if it was on my floor or what but the," his voice broke. "I -"
"Dougy, where are you?"
"Essex and Grand."
"I'll be there in," she glanced at the time. "Shit, it'll probably take me half an hour. Is there somewhere you can go?"
"There's a Subway. We can go there."
"We?"
"Um, my neighbour. Amira. And her little boy."
"Gotcha. Do you have any of your things with you?" She considered her options as she messaged Miranda, who'd gone home for a few hours to catch up on her emails. Andy had been headed there anyway.
"Amira was home. She managed to grab some things for Malik, but otherwise no. Just what I had at work. Gym bag etc."
"At least you have that," she said, trying to remain upbeat. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Keep me updated."
"Andy -"
"It's alright Dougy. I'll be there."
She hung up and ran out of the apartment and down the stairs, choosing not to wait for the elevator. Miranda was on the kerb outside in the Mercedes.
"What are you -"
"How long has it been since you've driven?"
Andy chuckled and got in.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"This is your friend and they are in trouble. I know you, my darling. What is your plan?"
"I don't know."
"Yes you do," Miranda smirked. "I had the same thought when your message came through."
"My bed -"
"It can go in the spare room," Miranda shrugged. "You can furnish it how you like or he can. You know it makes sense."
"You didn't orchestrate this did you," Andy quipped. Miranda pinched her thigh.
"I'm not the actual Devil in Prada, you know."
Andy soothed any potential hurt by leaning over and kissing Miranda's cheek.
"I know," she whispered.
"Well," Miranda said, swallowing and brushing an invisible piece of lint from her trousers. "If you were looking for a sign, darling, I'd say this is it."
"Doug's neighbour is with him. Amira, I think he said. She has a child? Baby? I don't know." Andy put her head in her hands. "Miranda -"
"Darling, it will work out. They may not want to move so far away. Let us go and rescue them, as you are wont to do, and then we shall see."
"I love you," Andy whispered, somewhat afraid of just offering up those words like that.
"I know," Miranda smiled. "I love you."
"I know."
"Good," Miranda smiled. "You can navigate."
"Where are the girls?" Andy said, suddenly realising.
"We wouldn't have had enough room, so I allowed them to stay at home on their own."
"Big step," Andy smiled.
"I trust them."
"Me too," Andy grinned. She reached over and lay her hand on Miranda's thigh. "If they do agree to stay, are you sure -"
"Andréa," Miranda groaned. "Don't make me repeat myself."
"Yes Miranda."
"As it should be," Miranda muttered, smoothly pulling onto the FDR.
-0-
They'd picked Doug, his neighbour Amira and her son Malik in not much time at all, in the end. Miranda had weaved in and out of the traffic like a rally driver and had pulled over outside the subway, waving away the honking cabs and other drivers at the inconvenience. Andy had loaded their precious cargo into the backseat and they'd driven home in silence. Miranda dropped them at her place and left to go to her's while Andy got them settled.
"Andy, I -"
"I know," she smiled as she let them inside. "It's alright. Please," she nodded them in.
Amira was quiet and honestly looked exhausted so Andy pointed her in the direction of the twin's room and dropped Doug's bag by the sofa while she poured them all water and rummaged through the pantry for snacks.
"You alright?" she asked as she sat down beside him.
"I'm covered in smoke, I shouldn't be -"
"Wanna shower?" she asked. "Here." She took him into her room and pointed him at the shower, passing him a pair of sweats she'd stolen from Nate which might just about fit him and one of her shirts. "Take your time," she said gently. "I'm going to go and check on Amira."
"K," he nodded.
She realised he was probably in shock but she left him to it.
"Hey," she said as Amira opened the door. "I'm Andy, by the way. I'm sorry about all the circumstances but it's nice to meet you."
"And you," she said sadly. "I," she looked around. "Don't know how to thank you. Your children -"
"Don't worry. I'll explain everything in a while when you're both settled. What do you need?"
"I have a few things," she explained. "What I could carry. But with Malik, I -"
"It's okay. I have some clothes that will fit you," she smiled. "Does he need anything?"
"Not right now. I have enough for maybe tonight."
"Okay. We'll tackle tomorrow, tomorrow. My," she paused. "Partner will be back in a while, probably with some clothes and things, I shouldn't wonder," she chuckled. "She's like that."
"I know who she is," Amira said quietly. "Doug explained."
"She's extremely kind out of office hours," Andy chuckled. "Don't worry. Do you want me to watch Malik while you shower? Or," she shrugged. "Really, anything I can do?"
"He's sleeping but if he wakes and I'm not out -"
"I'll keep an ear open," Andy smiled. "Don't rush. There's plenty of water."
She nodded and pushed the door closed and Andy slumped down on the sofa with a sigh. She wondered how she'd feel if it had happened to her, but she couldn't even imagine. She heard the door open and a few moments later, Miranda sat beside her with much more elegance.
"Nigel is putting together a wardrobe for them both and I have ordered groceries. I thought you could make spaghetti for them. That way it'll be there when they can eat."
"Miranda -"
"Just because I am an antisocial monster most days does not mean that you must also be," she chuckled. "Douglas is your friend, one which you've avoided seeing to placate my needs. I can bend, darling. I know it does not seem like it, but I can."
"You always bend for me."
"Hmm," Miranda mused, tangling their fingers together. "Don't you ever think otherwise."
Andy kissed her softly but not intensely and they sat together in the quiet for a while until Doug came out of her room.
"Your sweats were four inches too long," he chuckled as he sat down. "These are clean. I always keep a spare pair in my bag."
"I have the same problem, Douglas."
"Miranda," he swallowed and offered his hand. "It's nice to meet you, finally."
"And you," she smiled as she shook his hand. "Please don't stand on ceremony. This is Andréa's home, not mine, though you are welcome in it whenever you wish."
"I don't know what is going on," he sighed.
"We're together," Andy shrugged. "And now you are here."
"Wait, you weren't together back when -"
"No," Miranda chuckled. "It's very recent."
"I thought," he sighed and ran his hand through his wet hair. "I honestly thought you'd been together this whole time and we're avoiding me because you thought," he shrugged. "I dunno, that I would disapprove or something."
"I'll tell you all about it," Andy laughed. "But no, really really new."
"I dunno what to do," he suddenly said quietly. "I don't know how to -"
"I will help," Miranda muttered. "You were insured?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "And I'm ok, Amira is studying at NYU but," he sighed. "Honestly I just looked out for them. I don't know them, know them."
"It's ok," Andy assured him as she reached over and squeezed his hand. "We'll figure it out "
He nodded and they all sat quietly until the groceries arrived along with Nigel and three tote bags full of clothes for them all. Andy introduced them, but he didn't stay, leaving with Miranda to see the girls.
Andy made them all dinner but Amira didn't come back out. Doug shrugged and Andy decided to leave a note on the counter instead.
"I'll stay tonight," she said, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. "Then tomorrow I'll get sorted and stay with Miranda. It's only a block away."
"What happened, Andy," he asked. "Why did we drift apart?"
Andy took a deep breath and decided just to be honest. She recounted the talk she'd had with Miranda after the Paris incident and what had followed. She explained their delicate friendship and that of the twins. She told him all about Irv and how that had come about, and Ann and Sarah and the baby. She recounted the whole, incredible tail until she sat back, her voice hoarse from talking.
"I," he shook his head. "You're kidding."
"I'm not," she chuckled. "I really am that dense."
"That's pretty beautiful, ya know," he smiled.
"Pretty dense."
"Nah," he nudged her shoulder. "I can't wait to get to know her."
"I can't wait for you to get to know her either," Andy smiled. "If you only knew, Doug."
"Well, I might need to borrow your couch for a while."
"I have a plan for that but we'll get there. This is a futon so we'll set it up whenever you're ready."
"I'm pretty ready now, to be honest."
"Then let's do that," she nodded.
She set up the sofa bed and found a spare set of linens that she gave to him and insisted that he think of the place as his own. She left him to it and went to her room where she fell onto the bed and immediately called Miranda.
"This wasn't how I'd envisioned our first 24 hours," she quipped in lieu of a greeting.
"No, though I am not surprised," she mused. "We do seem to do things the more complicated way, sometimes."
"Do you think they'll be okay?"
"Yes. With time. Insurance will take care of everything it can. Tomorrow is a new day, my darling. Get some sleep and then perhaps tomorrow, we can fall asleep together in my bed."
"Our bed?" Andy quipped.
"Yes," Miranda said seriously, surprising Andy with the vehemence. "Ours."
"Well then, how can a girl refuse?"
"She cannot. I am a bastion of charm." Andy laughed as she was meant to. "I shall be over for breakfast. I've already told Caroline that you will not be climbing this weekend."
"Aw," Andy frowned. "I think we'll go anyway. I'll see how they're going here but then I'll take her. I don't want to disappoint her."
"There you go, making yourself indispensable again," Miranda chuckled. "Andréa, I love you. I love the way you love my children, and I love the way you love me and I love," she sighed. "You."
"I love the way you love me," Andy whispered, a little overwhelmed. "And the way you love those you care about. Quietly. Understated. You are," she was the one to sigh this time. "Inimitable."
"I will see you tomorrow, my darling. Sleep well."
"You as well," Andy smiled. "I love you."
"And I, you."
