21.

She didn't remember when or how, but surely it happened. Emily fell down the rabbit hole. Or the whole world was swallowed by that elusive hole and now they all shared the same crazy dream, filled with loonies and atypical proceedings.

First of all, there was Miranda and her seemingly nonchalant reaction to Emily's emails and messages. After sharing the news of the security door installation Emily expected her to show up at Runway and breathe fire at anyone who dared to violate her sanctuary. Never happened. A short "noted" message, nothing else. And then today. Today she dumbfounded Emily by calling her instead of messaging back. She thanked her for the updates and expressed her appreciation for such efficiency. She was friendly. Warm. And that scared the shit out of Emily. The confusion grew more when she granted Emily one week paid leave. One week. Paid. Emily wasn't a fool. After reading Miranda's note, she knew, that all of this had to do something with Ed's sister. Or more concretely, with the relationship Miranda might have developed with her. She instantly recognized the young woman on the cover of the book, Ed had left behind. She also recognized the background. It was the kitchen of the out of this world delicious cinnamon rolls. Yes, she took four rolls when Miranda had summoned her to that small café a couple days prior. She was literally salivating while she was waiting for the cleaning and baking crew to finish up and as soon as she got home she consumed two of the pastries in less than five minutes. It was her cinnamon flavored, dirty little secret. A secret, she would have treaded for some information to help her get a clearer picture. How had Miranda ended up at the place of a random girl Emily had dragged to her office by accident? Miranda did not mingle with nameless nobodies. The girl wasn't nameless per se and Miranda never did anything that didn't serve a purpose. Was it a part of some evil genius plan and Miranda was actually after Edna Martin? Using her sister? It didn't sound right and Emily quickly dismissed the idea. Miranda was lots of things but she wasn't cruel by default. Then how? Serendipity? Yeah, right.

And then, there was Edna Martin. A one night stand from Emily's past, who now ruled her present and quite possibly defined her future. A torn woman carrying more baggage than the Kardashians on a month long vacation. A mysterious sister and the even more mysterious Cordelia Black, who apparently wanted Ed dead. Figuratively. Or she hoped so.

She pressed redial and tried to call Ed again. It went directly to voicemail like all the other calls before. Emily had been waiting in the CEO's office thinking that Ed would come back. She left without her shoes and coat for God's sake. Surely, she was somewhere in the building, wasn't she? After two hours and many failed calls it became obvious that Ed had no intention of returning, nor did she want to be reached. Emily checked with security and was told, that Ed had indeed left the building.

"As if I care." she huffed. She gathered her belongings and headed home. She could have found out Ed's address and gone there, but decided against it. She wasn't about to make a bigger fool of herself, it was bad enough, that she tried to call the CEO that many times. Last thing she wanted was to come off as a stalker. If Ed didn't want her help, screw it then.

"Good afternoon, Miss Charlton." Opening the door, the security guard greeted her politely. He was a burly, ex-military guy with a heavy southern drawl.

"George." Emily nodded, slipping through the door.

"You have a visitor, Miss." George hesitated for a second then he continued. "She is not wearing shoes. Or a coat. And someone must have beaten her up, because she has a face injury and some blood on her shirt." George cleared his throat and looked around. "I recognized her as a returning guest of yours, Miss and let her in." He pointed toward the security monitors. "Keeping an eye on her though. Thankfully none of the busybodies were around, so we're good."

Emily sighed. Great. Living in a high-end, fancy apartment complex had it perks. And overly cautious rules and regulations. It was against the house rules to let underdressed visitors in, not to mention someone who looked like just came from a street fight. George could have gotten in trouble if one of the aforementioned busybodies had uncovered his action.

"Thank you George, I appreciate it." She pulled a twenty dollar bill from her valet and slid it into his pocket.

"Don't mention it, Miss." George saluted with two finger and winked at Emily. "You'd better hurry, Miss. Mrs. Pry is coming home soon and you don't want her to find your visitor in the hall."

"God forbid, no." Emily hurried down the hall towards the elevator. The short ride to the second floor was long enough to stir up her emotions. Why was Ed there? What did she want? Thank god, she was all right. But why didn't she pick up the phone? By the time she reached her apartment she was pissed off. Or relieved. Or both. She couldn't tell. One look at the lonesome figure, leaning against the wall, next to her door instantly washed away her annoyance. Her thirsty eyes were drinking in the sight of the other woman, taking in every little detail. They had separated only a couple hours ago, yet it felt as though she had not seen her for ages. She was still wearing the clothes from the other day. The stained shirt hung untucked on her lean, muscular body. The unruly locks she unsuccessfully tried to rake back with fingers fell on her forehead. There were fine lines around her eyes and some deeper ones at the corner of her mouth, as she flexed her jaw, waiting for Emily's reaction. Emily's refusal. Ed reached out for help by coming over but without much hope of being accepted. It was written on her face, in her intense stare and Emily read it instinctively. Without a word, she unlocked the door and pushed it open. Stepping inside she left it open, expecting Ed to follow. She did.

"You have a beautiful home, Red. Why didn't I notice that before?"

Really? Ed was standing in her living room, barefoot, disheveled, and shivering from cold, but instead of spilling out her agenda, she attempted to make mannerly conversation.

"You were otherwise occupied, Ed. You didn't have time for the nickel tour." Emily tried not to sound snarky. Or too snarky.

"Oh, yes. Makes sense." Ed looked around again and shrugged. "Well, it's very nice. You must have spent a great deal of time decorating it."

Small talk? SMALL TALK. Was she for real? Emily threw her arms up in the air.

"Fine. If you insist. You probably wonder how a low paid assistant could afford a place like this." She motioned with her hand, "This is my dear family's way to make me stay away from home. They pay for this posh apartment and in exchange I am kindly asked not to return to England. I am not allowed to mention any family ties or use the family name. Apparently, I'm an embarrassment and I should be ashamed of who I am."

"Ashamed of what?" Ed was cold. Hungry and tired. She had no clue why they were having this conversation. Who started it? And why?

"Being a fag, Ed." Emily rolled her eyes. "Surprised? Don't be. Homophobes still exist and sometimes they are your family. That's why I don't do relationships. I'm not willing to go through this, let's discuss our families, bullshit. I would hate to have to explain how and why I don't have a connection with them and mostly I would hate to be bloody pitied by someone I care for."

"You just explained it to me, Red. So that issue, check. My family might be even more screwed up than yours. There is only one person who is worth mentioning but that's a long story and only if you want to hear about it. Family bullshit discussion, check. And be assured I wouldn't pity you. Ever. Check."

"What are you saying, Ed?" Emily shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Was Ed talking about what Emily thought she was talking about? How did they get there? What was happening? Emily pressed her palm against her forehead and glared at Ed under her half closed eyelids.

"Ed? Why are you here?" She asked resignation colored her voice.

"I needed to talk someone. And," she shoved her hands into her pockets and lowered her head. "I trust you." She ran a hand through her hair and looked at Emily. "You can kid yourself that we just fuck, but I know better. Call me and idiot. Tell me I am delusional. I don't care. There is more between us than simple physical attraction. I'm here, because you, Emily Charlton, are my only relationship."

The word relationship hung in the air, floating around ready to be taken. Emily chose to ignore it. Now was not the right time to make big life altering decisions. She anticipated that it would not just drift away, it would be there to grab later, when they finally managed to get out of the fucking rabbit hole.

"Shower first. Than we talk."

Ed nodded and followed Emily obediently to the bathroom. A hot shower wasn't going to solve anything, but boy did she desperately need one. Who in their right mind would walk around outside barefoot, without a coat in December? Mind that it was just a short walk to her car, then to Emily's apartment, still it was something she wouldn't practice on a regular basis. Ed knew, that she was pathetic. Miserable even, but a lot was happening, an overwhelmingly lot. She spent some time sitting in her car in front of Emily's apartment, thinking. In the morning she had a clear path in front of her, she was ready to make amends with anyone she had to. She felt confident in her abilities to find whomever was responsible for that mess they were in. Then the unexpected visitor, a disturbing message and Emily's discovery, quickly turned her confidence into total doom. The message from Miranda Priestly suggested, that the queen was more than a distant acquaintance to Andy and Ed hated the idea of her sister being attached to her. Unlikely as it was, she had to face reality. Miranda had Andy. Miranda bought the publishing company and made Andy's dream come true. A dream that accursedly was almost ruined by Ed, except Ed had not done anything. But she now understood who did. A ghost from the past emerged. Cordelia Black. That woman was poison, anything she touched slowly withered away. Ed escaped once, though never fully recovered. The witch was back and Ed felt her world was falling on her. For the first time in years she put her stupid pride away and reached out for help and while Emily wasn't utterly receptive she didn't kick her out. She let her stay and for now that was enough. Ed wanted to remain strong but refused to fight alone. She was done being lonely. She wished that there was a setting option in life where you could change the level of difficulty. But life was not a videogame, you cannot just switch from insane mode to easy.

She turned on the shower and sighed blissfully as the first drops of hot water touched her skin. Heaven. The glass door slid open and a new sensation took over. The familiar feeling of Emily's naked body pressing against hers immediately overrode the simple joy of bathing.

"Let me guess. This doesn't mean anything." groaned Ed.

Emily snorted and shook her head in denial.

"Of course not. We are just saving water here."

Ultimately it was highly suspicious that no water was saved after all.

"How did we end up like this again?" Ed called out to Emily from the bedroom.

How indeed. Emily didn't answer. Why state the obvious? She placed two mugs filled with tea on a tray, cheese and crackers and after a short internal debate she added the two remaining cinnamon rolls too. She had not eaten yet, and besides she had burnt those calories in advance.

"Guess, this is my clue." Murmured Ed. The silence on Emily's end was loud and clear. It was time for her to leave. Where were her clothes?

"Are you going somewhere?" Emily entered the room, juggling the heavy tray. She placed it on the bed and looked at Ed somewhat frustrated.

"I thought…You always want me to leave after we…you know." Ed's voice faltered. Her eyes fell on the tray and she grinned smugly. Two mugs. Food for two.

"I'm an idiot aren't I?"

And again. Why state the obvious?

They ate in silence. Comfortable silence for a change. Ed munched the cheese and crackers and Emily nibbled on the cinnamon roll, savoring every bite. Swallowing the last bite she moaned and licked her fingers.

"That good, huh?" teased Ed.

"You have no idea. Addictive." answered Emily eyeing the other pastry. "Your last chance, Ed." She waved the pastry in Ed's face taunting her to take a bite.

Ed caught her wrist, gently holding it in place, she nipped the edge of the roll. She recognized the taste straightaway.

"Addictive, yes." she agreed almost inaudibly. "The secret is in the dough and in the frosting. Orange zest and bergamot. Simple ingredients yet a whole new level of flavors."

"Bergamot. That's you." Breathed Emily. Ed smelled like Bergamot. Tasted like Bergamot. Now Emily was wondering if her cinnamon roll fixation derived from that.

"I love Bergamot. Andy, my sister created these special cinnamon rolls for me. This is her way of communicating. This is how she expresses love. Through pastries. Cakes. Cookies. If she ever comes up with a unique flavor combination, that represents you, you'll know that she loves you."

Ed smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "I wasn't aware she was still making these. And as for her love, I'm sure it's long gone. Where did you get these?"

Emily shook her head. She couldn't possible tell, without lying. Protecting Miranda's privacy still struck as her number one priority.

Ed nodded. "I understand."

And she did. She respected Emily's decision, no matter how badly she craved obtaining some information.

"She was a tiny little thing when she was born. I remember holding her the first time, she was hardly bigger than a loaf of bread. She wrapped her teeny fingers around my thumb and wouldn't let go for anything. It was love at first sight." Ed cracked a half smile. "That's my specialty. Falling in love at first sight. Not always with the right person, mind you."

Emily put aside the tray and reached for Ed's hand. Entwining their fingers she encouraged her to continue. She sensed that all Ed needed at that moment was someone who really listened and she planned to do just that.

"Cordelia Black is the perfect example of my malfunction. It's crazy how you miss the red flags or ignore the fair warnings when you think that you are in love. Looking back now it's crystal clear. It was never love. Some bizarre mixture of obsession and despair. Never love." She squeezed Emily's hand. "Andy cautioned me many times, that Cordelia was after my money. I didn't believe her. She presented evidence. I refused to listen. We fought. Fought a lot, but in those days it wasn't unusual. The irony is that our fights started over her love choice. I was convinced her boyfriend only wanted her money, she thought the same of my fiancée."

"What happened with Cordelia?"

"You read the rags Red, you know what happened."

"I won't pretend I didn't google it. I'm curious what really happened."

"Those vultures weren't far from the truth. They got the essence of my fairy tale romance surprisingly accurate. I overheard a conversation, where she confessed her real intentions. Nothing more sobering than listening to your beloved describe your sex life as nauseating and unnatural."

Emily gasped. "Oh Ed."

"I broke up with Cordelia but I made a huge mistake. It was a bad judgment on my part, not to press charges. She stole money from the company, also from my private account."

"Why didn't you?"

"I was ashamed. The story hit the papers and I was already a laughing stock. Juicy details about my incompetence as a lover, some made up garbage about my kinks and dark sexual demands. I didn't want to give them more."

Emily tugged Ed's hand.

"Kinks? Dark sexual demands? Sounds like something I would like to try."

Ed snickered and the tension broke slightly. Raising on her knees she leaned over and tapped Emily on the nose.

"You are the worst Red. But no, I have to disappoint you. I'm just plain old me, no kinks whatsoever."

Plain? There was nothing plain about Ed. Kinks or not, she was a passionate, considerate lover. She dropped her arrogance and Emily could see the sensitive, caring person who just didn't fit the image of the ruthless Barracuda.

"What?" asked Ed. She couldn't interpret Emily's expression.

"Nothing. Go on."

"After Cordelia's betrayal I went through a phase. A long and dark one. Long story short, Andy hated the person I became and frankly I hated myself too. I still do. After a heated argument Andy walked away and never came back. She practically disowned me. I called, I sent emails, snail mails, messengers. The only response I got was an email. Short, straightforward. Leave me alone. After that I didn't try to reach her anymore. I stayed in the background and ensured that she was all right. I never interfered, everything she achieved was her own doing, her hard work. She doesn't know this but I was there all the way. Cheering from the bench. Or more like from the dressing room."

Ed got up and started to pace up and down the room. She looked distressed.

"I failed her, Red. She hates me. Now she probably thinks I sabotaged her book release. And above that she's with Miranda Priestly. What does that woman possibly want from her? Twice her age…"

"Don't be a hypocrite Ed. You didn't choose your fuckbuddy form your age group either."

"I'll just ignore your fuckbuddy comment for now, Red. I'm not comfortable with the idea. She's my little sister. What if Miranda is just using her? I'm asking again. What does that woman possibly want from her? They're not in the same league."

Emily was getting pissed.

"Now you are just being an ass. Not in the same league. What does that even mean? She is older and wealthier than your sister so what?"

"Wealthier? Red, Andy owns half of Martin Entertainment. She's rich. Filthy rich."

"Then what the bloody hell are you talking about? Not in the same league?"

"It's just not right."

Emily was on her feet now, standing in front of Ed, practically screaming in her face.

"Skip the bullshit, Ed. What the hell is your problem?"

"I'm jealous ok? I'm jealous of Miranda."

Emily backed off. That was unexpected.

"You're what?"

"It's completely irrational, I know. I'm acting like one of those overly protective fathers who can't cope with the fact that their daughter is all grown up and has her own life."

Emily took a deep breath. Great.

"You'd better get over it, Ed. If you want your sister back, criticizing her choice again is not the best approach. And here is another piece of advice, coming from someone who knows Miranda well. You want her as an ally. Not an enemy. Especially now, with your ex back and cooking up some nasty plans in her cauldron."

Not waiting for an answer, Emily grabbed the abandoned tray and left the room. What a mess. And she was right there where she didn't want to be. In the middle of it. She put away the dishes, wiped the counter and decided to make some fresh tea.

"What the heck?"

A surprised yell made Emily rush back to the bedroom. Ed was sitting on the bed, phone in hand. She looked up when Emily entered and grimaced.

"It's a message from Miranda Priestly. A dinner invitation."

Emily dropped the kitchen rag.

"Oh my God. Where is my phone? I'm so screwed."

Emily ran around in a frenzy, looking for her phone. Miranda must have sent a message ordering her to make a reservation.

"Red. RED!"

Emily stopped her frantic search and glared at Ed.

"What? I have to make a reservation. What restaurant?"

Ed held out the phone, showing the screen to Emily.

"I don't think a reservation is needed. It's at her home."