17.
Miranda made her way up to their bedroom and reluctantly stripped out of Andy's clothes. Instead of putting the clothes down the laundry shoot, she laid them on the bed, with every intention of putting them back on later. She padded naked into the en-suite then stopped when she caught a glimpse of her nude body in the mirror.
She turned facing the mirror and studied herself intently. Despite the things she'd done to abuse her body over the last year, a few days of Andy's TLC were already making a visible difference.
Her face reddened as her thoughts turned to the things Andy did to her last night and again this morning.
She didn't know the origins of these new desires, but she could not deny the effect just thinking about being dominated by Andy had on her.
"Am I sexually submissive?" she asked herself.
"Based on recent events, that answer is self-evident, but what does it say about me that I am so willing to submit to Andy's will.
Willing, more like Eager.
It is a sign of weakness?"
Miranda frowned, feeling a sense of unease by that last thought.
It wasn't that she questioned her love for Andy. Their bond that began under the direst of circumstances felt permanent.
As permanent as the bond with her children.
It was more about how she thought of herself. She was driven, and even brutal when necessary, and yet this new vulnerability was unsettling.
By the time she was dressed in her own clothes, her sense of unease had yet to abate.
She still could not reconcile her self-image with the woman who's eagerly laid on her lover's bed with her face down and her ass up in the air. The anticipation she'd felt with every step Andy took towards the bed made her wetter than she can ever remember.
"God help me, but I want her to have me in every way imaginable."
A shiver of pleasure ran down her spine and straight to her core at all the possibilities.
She shook her head, trying to get her vivid imagination under some sort of control.
Getting back to the problem at hand, she wondered how much of her former persona was really her and how much was just a glamour.
As a child, Miranda Priestly was everything she'd ever wanted to be and more. So after Charlie's death, she's thrown herself full time into becoming the Bitch In Heels.
In reality, she'd never been as sure of herself as what she's shown the rest of the world.
"I feel most like myself when I"m with twins and with Emily," She realized.
"And now with Andy."
The knot in her stomach loosened a bit, but she still wondered what it all meant.
"What does it say about me that I want Andy to do all these things to me?
This time she didn't even blush as new fantasy flashed through her brain in technicolor.
She ran her hand through silver hairs finding them slick with her own moisture. She slipped that finger into her mouth and sucked, wondering if she'd always enjoyed the taste.
Suddenly a memory from her last conversation with Andy sent her mind in an entirely new direction.
They'd been talking about what Andy had interrupted between her two assistance this morning when the conversation shifted to Andy and Sam's workplace trysts.
The fact that Andy and Sam, until recently, were having regular sex and sometimes in Andy's office, really did not bother Miranda.
What was now sticking in her head was Andy doing the things that she'd just been imagining to Sam.
She and Andy had not spoken much about the intimate details of her previous relationship, but Andy seemed quite comfortable taking a more dominant role in their sex life.
"Was She like that with Sam?" Miranda wondered.
"The answer was probably a big fat, yes.
Was that what ended the relationship?
"No," she concluded.
She knew that their sexual relationship had continued after the end of the engagement.
"That must mean that Sam had no qualms about being dominated by Andy," Miranda speculated.
She was having a hard time picturing Sam as the submissive type.
"Because you don't think of Samantha as weak."
"Oh," she said, finally coming to the heart of the matter.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, Miranda equated being submissive with being weak.
She did not think of herself as weak, and she had the battle scars to prove it. The things that she'd done in service of survival and even the things she'd done when survival was no longer her goal were evidence of a deep well of strength.
It made her wonder if she needed to reconsider her feelings on the subject. Maybe being vulnerable with the person you loved and trusted the most took more strength than she realized.
As she descended the stairs, her frame of mind lightened, and she felt more at home in her own skin than she had in years.
Later as she read Andy's, dog eared, copy of Pride and Prejudice, the bell rang, indicating the arrival of her guest. She walked to the door, opened it, and was greeted by one of the most striking women Miranda had ever seen.
"Oh, my," Miranda thought while surveying the striking Anna Hansen.
"Would you like some coffee," Miranda offered inviting Anna into their home.
"Or tea," she added.
She smirked to herself as the last part of that famous phrase, "or me," popped into her head.
Not that she was tempted, but she had to admit that Katherine Janeway was a lucky woman.
"Tea would be lovely," Anna said, giving Miranda a smile that suggested that she was thinking of the same two words.
Miranda led Anna into the kitchen and offered the young woman a seat at the kitchen island.
"Chamomile, Earl Grey, or Black?" Miranda questioned.
"Chamomile would be lovely," Anna said.
Miranda made the tea, all the while taking surreptitious looks at the beautiful young woman.
She knew it was not lust that kept drawing her attention to the blonde bombshell; she just could not stop herself from picturing the other woman draped in the most exquisite fabrics.
"Cream, sugar?" Miranda questioned as she placed a cup in front of the young woman.
"Both, please," Anna said politely.
She added the additives to Anna's tea and her own. Anna took a tentative sip then graced Miranda with a full wattage smile.
"Kate Janeway, Is one lucky girl," Miranda thought again while taking a sip of her tea.
"I hear that you've been promoted," Miranda said, curious to hear how Anna would respond.
"Yes, Andy promoted me to first assistant replacing Katherine, who was also promoted today."
"Ah, Are you and Katherine close?" Miranda probed, taking another sip.
Anna appeared to measure her words for a moment before she spoke, "I was performing oral sex on Katherine underneath her desk just before she received her promotion."
Miranda sputtered, as tea found its way down the wrong pipe.
Anna rushed to her side and gave her three quick pats on the back.
Miranda took in a deep breath chastising herself for not anticipating Anna's frank honesty.
"I see now that Katherine was correct, Andy was indeed aware of my presence under Katherine's desk.
I will not underestimate her powers of perception in the future," Anna said.
"So pretty close," Miranda said, recovering herself.
"I think she's going to ask me to marry her tonight," Anna said, retaking her seat.
Miranda smiled at the hopeful look on the young woman's face.
"I'm sure you're right." Miranda said, thinking, "Kate Janeway would be a fool if she let this one get away."
"Has Andy asked you to marry her yet?" Anna asked.
Miranda gave the woman a long look, reappraising her.
"Why do you think Andy wants to marry me?" Miranda questioned.
"The last couple of days, she smiles the way she did when she and Samantha were engaged to be married."
Miranda felt warm inside, knowing she's made her fiance visibly happy.
Miranda did not answer directly; instead, she held up a cup saying, "to finding the love of your life."
Anna smiled as the two women clinked teacups.
Miranda waved bye to the woman, thinking she'd just made a new friend.
Miranda, once again wearing Andy's clothes, was in the study reading when Andy got home.
Miranda got up eager to greet the woman who she's missed terribly, so without giving it much thought; she threw her arms around Andy's shoulders, looking up into warm brown eyes.
She leaned in and captured Andy's lips in a kiss that promised oh so much more.
"I take it you enjoyed having tea with my new first assistant," Andy said with a grin.
Miranda pulled back a little but did not take her arms from around Andy's neck.
Andy held back her laughter as a pout appeared on Miranda's face.
"What makes you say that," Miranda said cooly.
"Because you probably spent the whole time imagining her draped in vintage Dior," Andy said with a smirk.
Miranda blushed as she wondered how this woman knew her so well so soon.
Andy leaned in and whispered, "I know you, Miranda, and you know me. It doesn't matter how or why we both know it's true.
I also know how bad you want me right now."
Andy grabbed a handful of Miranda's ass as if to further prove her point.
Miranda narrowed her eyes, but Andy was correct; she wanted to be taken right here even if it meant being taken on the mudroom floor.
"I want that, too, but there is something we need to discuss first."
Andy took Miranda's hand and led her back to the study. Andy took a seat then reached for Miranda.
Despite her weariness, Andy was pleased when Miranda came to her. She pulled the woman into her lap and spent a long moment savoring the feel of her lover's body.
'Some things have happened since Emily and Sam left last evening."
Before Miranda could speak, Andy continued, "They are both safe."
Miranda relaxed visibly after Andy's assurance, so she slid the older woman off her lap so she could better see Miranda's face as she spoke.
"Last night, Sam discovered a connection between the conspiracy to destroy you and a scheme to dethrone Queen Amelia."
Miranda's eyes widened, but she kept quiet, wanting to hear the rest of what Andy had to say.
Andy went on to explain the plot to frame Mia for embezzling more than four billion dollars from the Genovian treasury.
"Sam, with the help of another hacker, managed to restore the embezzled funds making it appear that nothing untoward occurred. Sam believed that things were going to come to a head when the Elias Clark quarterly report was released tomorrow."
"It feels like there's a but in there somewhere," Miranda pointed out.
"It appears that they discovered Sam's interference earlier than we'd hoped.
After she dropped Emily off, some men followed Sam. She thought she'd lost them but was confronted on a subway train by four men, one of which held a Genovian diplomatic passport.
She managed to successfully extricate herself from the situation; then, she came to see me.
She believes, and I concur, that the conspirators have gone to Plan B."
"Plan B," Miranda said, sounding concerned.
"I think they hoped to kidnap Sam and force her to undo her work, but once they discovered it was irreversible, I believed they would have killed her."
"They've certainly proven themselves capable of such barbarous acts," Miranda replied bitterly.
"Sam isn't concerned about herself, but she is worried about Queen Amelia, so she is heading to Genovia later tonight."
Andy took a deep breath before she said her next words, "And I'd like you and Emily to go with her."
"Absolutely not," Miranda replied fiercely.
Andy was not surprised by the intensity of Miranda's response, so instead of countering her fiance's strong reaction, she went in a completely different direction.
"I have something I want you to see," Andy said, reaching into her attache'. She handed Miranda the documents then waited for her to review them.
"Happy anniversary," Andy said when Miranda reached their marriage license.
When Miranda looked up, tears were threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Are you OK?" Andy asked, voice full of concern.
Miranda took several moments to compose herself before saying, "I wish with everything that I am that this was true. That I had you by my side during the worst years of my life."
Andy grabbed both of Miranda's hands and gave her a sad smile before saying," Miranda look at me.
I would give all that I have for that to be true, but know that from the moment we met, you've become my first priority. Protecting you and your daughter's is now my only concern.
That's why I need you someplace safe."
"I can't leave the twins," Miranda practically pleaded.
"Do you trust me," Andy asked.
Miranda's shoulders relaxed before replying, "You know that I do."
" I promise you that I will protect them with everything I have."
" Including my life," she added to herself.
Miranda took a deep breath then let out a cleansing exhale then said, "I do trust you, my love."
Then she moved back on Andy's lap before kissing her wife deeply.
When they came up for air, Miranda wondered," Did you tell Sam to change my name to Sachs."
" No, she figured that part out all on her own," Andy replied.
" She knows you well." Miranda said.
" Better than me," she did not add.
Andy stroked Miranda's cheek before saying," After I proposed to Sam, we planned to head up to Boston to tell her adopted family.
The night before we left, I had a dream about a mystery woman. In my dream, I knew this woman would become the love of my life. I couldn't see her face, but she had these amazing blue eyes."
Miranda drew in a sharp breath as she remembered the moment her eyes first met Andy's.
Something in the other woman's warm brown orbs had felt so familiar. It was if she'd always known them.
"Maybe we were together in another life or another world," Miranda breathed her voice full of wonder.
" I like the thought of us being together in other worlds," Andy said.
When Andy looked back at Miranda, what she saw stole her breath.
" I need you right now," The older woman said.
Andy stood, pulling Miranda with her. Miranda wrapped her legs around Andy's waist as the younger woman picked her up then put her back down on her back. Miranda released her hold around Andy's waist but kept her legs spread wide, offering easy access.
Andy took full advantage, kissing Miranda deeply while reaching into what she realized was a pair of her own yoga pants. When she encountered no panties, she smiled at the older woman and saw a blush creep up here cheeks.
"None of that, Love," Andy admonished.
"Never feel embarrassed about how we feel about each other."
Miranda had just enough time to nod her head before Andy's fingers began to probe her outer lips.
"God, I'm wet," Miranda whispered more to herself than to her partner.
She let out an audible sigh as she fell herself, penetrated deeply.
Miranda pushed her hips up to meet Andy's thrusts wishing she'd taken the time to strip out of her clothes first.
"Andy's clothes," She corrected certain now why she'd chosen not to wear panties. This moment had been on her mind all day, and now Andy was inside of her where she belonged.
That was her last coherent thought for a while.
Later after each woman was fully sated, the couple lay naked and in each other arms still on the couch in their study. Miranda was tracing shapes on Andy's chest when Andy spoke, "I'll miss you."
Miranda felt tears sting her eyes at Andy's words. She hated being separated for even a few hours, so she wasn't sure how she would deal with days, maybe even weeks apart.
"I'll miss you too," Miranda said, feeling the need to comfort as much as she needed to be comforted.
Miranda buried her face in Andy's neck, breathing deeply, trying her best to commit this moment to memory.
After they showered together, Andy helped Miranda pack for the trip. Andy smirked at the number of her own items that ended up in Miranda's bag but wisely chose not to comment further.
As they were having dinner together, Andy brought up something she'd meant to bring up earlier.
"Sam is worried that Emily's apartment is still being watched."
When Miranda looked up, Andy explained the clandestine plan to get Miranda's eldest daughter to the airport undetected and what she needed Miranda to do to make it happen.
After dinner, Miranda picked up the new iPhone that Sam had sent home with Andy. With just a moment's hesitation, she dialed a familiar number then waited for it to be answered.
" Hello," came the voice of her former employee.
" Roy."
" Miranda," Roy said tentatively.
"It's good to hear your voice," Miranda said.
Roy's voice was thick with emotion when he spoke again," I'm glad to hear you too."
"You had me worried, you know," the former Marine said voice cracking a little.
Before Miranda could respond, Andy walked into the room, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I never intended to make anyone worry," Miranda said in a heartfelt tone.
"I know," he said before clearing his throat.
After a moment of silence, Roy spoke clearly wanting to move the conversation into safer territory, "Is there something that I can do for you."
Miranda was struck by how much she'd missed his calming presence in her life.
She outlined what she needed from him, and he quickly agreed to help.
After the call, the two women sat together in silence, content to enjoy the little time they had left before they needed to head to New Jersey airport where the company jets were hangared.
"I have something for you," Andy said, getting up and walking towards her desk. She reached into her attache' and came out with a pair of small velvet boxes. She walked back over, then said, "I would like to make this official."
Miranda watched as Andy opened both boxes, revealing a pair of elegant wedding bands made of platinum and featuring a tasteful row of diamonds.
Miranda placed her hand over her mouth when she saw two C's and E carved inside of her wedding band.
"I know that they are a part of you, and I promise to love them as much as I love you."
Andy took the ring and slipped it onto Miranda's finger saying, "I intend to do this again when we have our family together."
Taking her queue, Miranda took the other ring and slid it on to Andy's left ring finger.
"I accept that Lily and Sam are your family, and I want to share our family for the rest of my life."
The two women consecrated their words with a kiss.
The trip to the airport was uneventful with Andy piloted them in her Tesla Model X. On Sam's advice, she'd changed cars and took a different route to Teterboro. She checked her rear and side cameras the entire trip but saw no sign they were being followed. After a brief stop at the security gate, they were allowed to drive directly into the companies hanger.
They were met by a couple of members of the ground crew who took Miranda's luggage and loaded them aboard the Gulfstream. Andy walked her wife over the pilot and introduced them.
"Harold, this is my wife, Miranda.
Miranda, this is Harold Lancaster, your pilot tonight.
Harold's been with us since he retired from the Airforce.
Miranda smiled at the man who clearly recognized her.
"How's the weather?" Andy asked, moving past her revelation with ease.
"Severe Clear," he answered, referring to ideal flight conditions.
"We even have a twelve-knot tailwind, so we'll make the flight in a little under eight hours."
"I'll let you get back to your preparations," She said to the former Air Force Major.
He dipped in cap then climbed the airstairs into the sleek corporate jet.
The two women looked around, realizing that they were now relatively alone. Andy put her hands around Miranda's waist, pulling them close. They kissed but kept it light, not wanting to restart that fire with no place to quench it save the back of the Tesla.
A moment later, a black Maybach pulled into the hangar. When Emily got out of the car, Miranda could tell something was off.
"Are you alright," Miranda asked, walking over and placing a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"We picked up a tail just after I picked her up," Roy said, joining the conversation.
"There were three black SUVs. I did my best the lose them, but they were all over us."
"What happened?" Andy asked, stepping up next to Miranda.
"All of a sudden, they were surrounded by cops cars," Emily answered.
Before the couple could ask any more questions, Sam arrived riding a sleek black Zero S.R. electric motorcycle.
She took off her helmet, and all eyes turned her way.
"I assume we have you to thank for the rescue," Emily said.
"Well, for some reason, their OnStar reported that all three cars were stolen," Sam said with a smirk.
"Thank you for looking after Emily," Miranda said, pulling Roy into a warm hug.
Roy stiffened for a moment, surprised having never made physical contact with his former boss before.
He quickly relaxed, hugged her back, saying, "Anytime, Miranda."
They waived goodbye as the former Marine got into the Maybach and drove away into the night.
Emily said goodbye to Andy and was surprised when her new stepmother pulled her into a warm embrace. When she got to the top of the stairs, she looked back at her mother and Andy and was pleased to see how they clearly loved each other. She turned away before her own desire to be loved like Andy loved her mother could cloud the sweet moment.
Andy grabbed Sam, pulled her close, and whispered, "Take care of my girls and send me everything you have on Gregg Brant" into her ear.
Sam gave her a solemn nod before grabbing her duffle and getting on the plane.
Left alone, the women just stared at each other for a very long moment — neither woman wanting to make the first move toward their unwelcomed separation.
"I've lived most of my life without you, and yet I can't stand the thought of not having you near me for a single day," Miranda said.
Andy gave a watery smile before saying, "You are my heart, Miranda, and I will always come back to you."
Andy pulled Miranda into her arms, placing a gentle kiss to the top of Miranda's head.
"I love you, and I will do whatever it takes to protect Caroline and Cassidy."
They shared a long sweet kiss before finally breaking apart. Andy wiped a tear from Miranda's cheek before saying, "If you don't go now, I won't be able to let you go."
Andy stayed long enough to watch the Gulfstream take off climbing fast until it disappeared into inky darkness.
As she turned away from the hander door, her strides were purposeful, now that Miranda was safely away, she had work to do.
AN: I think Miranda and Sam are going to have some interesting conversations on the way to Genovia. I wanted to add a little levity before we got to the sad goodbye, for now, so good job, Anna. The only good thing about goodbye, in this case, is that it isn't permanent. Expect the reunion to be extra sweet. Speaking of reunions, I can feel Sam bouncing on the balls of her feet, waiting to see Mia again. Next chapter, you'll get to see a little of what Sam loves so much. I hope you enjoyed this update and let me hear what you think.