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13.

"What do you mean, you want to come home?"

Miranda entered the kitchen, her cellphone pressed to her ear. She sat at the table, listening intently but her eyes were glued to Andy, who was busy with the coffee maker. Miranda knew immediately that something was off, when the girls' ringtone interrupted her conversation with Andrea. She picked up the phone and before she could say a word, Cassidy started to whine about everything and anything. It was evident after ten seconds, that there was no real emergency unless Cassidy's blunt demand – get us home now – qualified as one.

A fresh cup of coffee was placed in front of her and she smiled at the brunette gratefully, mouthing a silent thank you. A gentle squeeze on her shoulder provided some comfort, but she needed more. Circling Andy's waist, Miranda pulled the younger woman closer, right between her legs. She propped her forehead against Andy's stomach and let out a contented sigh when two strong arms circled her shoulders. She was so lost in the sensation, that she almost missed Cassidy's last comment. Almost. She tensed and Andy literally felt the air freeze around them.

"Watch your language, Cassidy." Miranda warned her daughter in a low voice. "I can't imagine where you learnt that."

Except she could. Miranda was well aware how her ex-husband's girlfriend tried to influence the girls. The young blonde's ultimate mission was to get a ring on her finger and she presumed that the key to achieve that was Cassidy and Caroline. Her brainwashing tactics failed on Caroline but unfortunately Cassidy was more susceptible and that caused countless arguments between mother and daughter. Miranda pursed her lips, as she listened to Cassidy. The girl's temper was beyond control today and Miranda, not for the first time, gave boarding school a serious thought.

There was some huffing and puffing on the other end and Cassidy hung up, without so much as a goodbye.

Miranda Priestly loved her daughters. It was a well-known fact. Long line of miserable assistants, second assistants and other employees could tell endless tales of how protective the editor was and how she made sure all their whims were satisfied. When the girls were younger, Miranda was absent a lot due to her insane work hours and traveling. Until recently, family dinners, goodnight kisses or bedtime stories weren't her strength, she never managed to get home on time. She fooled herself thinking that expensive gifts and fulfilling all their wishes were enough to make it up to them. It didn't work out well. At the age of ten the twins were almost unmanageable, disrespectful and full of shitty attitude. Hoping that she could still get it right, Miranda dropped the pretense and switched into being present, mom mode. While her relationship with the girls had changed significantly in the last two years, it was far from perfect. The peace was fragile and sometimes it resembled more of a cold war than a real truce. So she loved the girls dearly, although at that moment, she didn't like Cassidy that much and she couldn't care less that her feelings weren't exactly motherly.

Miranda let go of Andy and withdrew from the embrace. She threw the phone on the table with more force than she intended. It slid along the smooth surface and landed the floor.

Andy collected the phone and handed it to Miranda, then receded and stood against the counter. Uncertain of the situation, she didn't want to pry, she was just waited patiently. She didn't have to wait too long.

"They want to come home. Actually I didn't have a chance to talk to Caroline, so I don't quite know her view on this. Cassidy…she's bored. Apparently there is nothing to do and their father is not in a rush to entertain them. She hang upon me but first she had to rant about how I am the worst mother ever. How I exiled my daughters, so I could spend the holidays getting fucked by a strapped dyke."

"Whoa. The kid has a colorful way of expressing herself. Does she even know what that means?"

"No. Those were not my twelve year old daughter's words." Miranda rubbed the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.

Andy stood still, observing the editor and Miranda didn't move either. Her breathing was even and after couple minutes passed in silence Andy thought she might have fallen asleep. She crouched at the editor's chair and gently squeezed her thigh.

"Miranda?"

Miranda opened her eyes.

"I'm awake" she said. Covering Andy's hand with hers, she spoke slowly, drawling the words as if speaking was painful.

"I thought we were making progress. I'm home almost every evening. On time for dinner. We talk. I listen, really listen. Pay attention. I am present. Part of their everyday routine. I dance hip-hop with them for god's sake…And all my efforts seem to be nullified by an airhead bimbo, whose lifetime goal is to marry someone with a healthy bank account. Sometimes I wonder…" Miranda's voice cracked and she took a long, shaky breath. "And here we are again. I question myself, my credibility as a mother. Did I make the wrong decision when I let them travel, instead of coming here? Why didn't I attend all their school events? Why didn't I spend more time with them? Why did I divorce their father? And there are many more whys..."

"Do you have answers to those whys?"

"I believe I do."

"Reasonable ones?"

"Mostly." Miranda stood, pulling Andy up with her. She framed the younger woman's face in her palms and gave her a light peck on the lips. It was natural and matter of fact, in a way only long-time couples can relate to each other. They weren't officially a couple, let alone long-time ones, yet the kiss had the familiarity of a lifetime spent together.

"You're right. I guess, I'm just tired. All these unexpected affairs, drained me emotionally as well as physically. At my age it's harder to keep up. I'm not twenty anymore."

"No, you're not."

"Why thank you, Andrea. You are too kind." Miranda didn't seem offended in the least, Andy could detect a hint of humor in her voice and a half smile. She interpreted it as the ultimate sign of Miranda's affection. She presumed that not many dared to joke about the editor's age, or if they did, must have faced the consequences.

Miranda picked up the phone, then dropped it back with the same motion. "I should make arrangements for the girls to fly home. Although I'm not sure I want to."

"Unfortunately, I can't help you decide. I don't know anything about kids. Heck I've hardly been one myself."

"What do you mean darling?"

"Being a prodigy basically stole my childhood. Studying and more studying. No playtime, toys or anything normal kids did. I can't say I didn't enjoy books, school and learning things but sometimes it became so overwhelming. Without Ed… I don't know. I might have not survived those years."

"You miss her, don't you?"

"Who? Ed? No."

"You speak fondly of her. It appears that she was your world. What happened Andrea? "

"I promise I will tell you the whole story. But first, why don't you take advantage of the hot tub and soak your old bones, Miranda. Relax, clear your mind and figure out what to do with the girls. Meanwhile, I'll be your personal chef and make you a royal breakfast."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Royal breakfast?"

"A royal breakfast for the Queen of Fashion."

"Really, Andrea?"

Andy grimaced and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah, well…in my head it sounded much better."

"All right. I'll go and take a bath." She leaned in and gave Andy a lingering kiss on the left cheek. Her lips trailed across her face in a feather light touch and stopped at her ear. Andy jerked when sharp teeth bit on her earlobe. "And don't think," whispered Miranda, her breath hot and stimulating "that I didn't notice that you used old and my name in the same sentence. We can discuss your punishment later."

Miranda breezed out of the kitchen, leaving a very flustered Andy behind.