A/N: I wish to point out that I in fact, am not adopted and as such could never fully understand the turmoil one might face in this situation. Having very little to go on, I can only hope that nobody feels as though I have taken it too far and should you find it so, you have my apologies. It is, after all, fiction and a product of my imagination.

As always, huge love to my beta and her b/f for helping me pick out the title in their lunch break. They're awesome friends to have :D

-0-

The sitting room upstairs wasn't all that different to the one downstairs, except it was perhaps a little more personal. There were photos on the wall, mainly of the girls, but also some of Miranda when she was younger, with twin babies in her arms, or with her arms around people that looked old enough to be her parents.

"Have a seat anywhere," Miranda said, joining her in the room and interrupting her perusal. Andy took the sofa again, and as before, Miranda sat next to her.

They didn't speak for a good ten minutes, Andy staring straight ahead, figuring that Miranda was the one that wanted to talk, but not wanting to look at the older woman. A part of her was horribly embarrassed at her behaviour, and her slip at the end of her rant. She hoped Miranda hadn't caught that.

"You're adopted?" Miranda finally said, almost conversationally.

"Yep," she replied, refusing to elaborate.

"When?"

"I was four when someone first took me in. I had a lot going for me then," Andy said sadly, shaking her head at the few memories she did have. "You hear horror stories you know, about kids who are taken from orphanages at a later age. A few good ones as well, but nothing really bad happened to me, except the couple who took me, they didn't really want a child. They wanted a pet, something to parade in front of people at parties, and take out when they needed to drum up some support for something or other. I wasn't treated badly. In fact, if I'm being truthful, it was alright; lonely, but alright. And then, when I turned nine they handed me back. Told me I couldn't take anything from my time there. I of course had been sent to a private school, which I loved, but I had to leave. I couldn't go back there after returning to the orphanage." Andy shook her head. "Why do you even care?"

"Because Andréa, we," she paused, "there is something between us, isn't there?" she said, finally catching Andy's eye and keeping it as she continued. "I am not blind you know. And I know you are not either. Whatever this is, it's something that I don't think we can ignore anymore."

"Miranda -"

"No no," she said, with a barely concealed smirk on her face, "that wasn't a question."

Miranda's quip did as it was supposed to, making Andy chuckle and relax against the back of the sofa.

"God, I don't know Miranda, what are we doing?"

"Damned if I know," Miranda answered, matching Andy's position beside her.

They sat quietly for a moment. When Patricia wandered in and lay down lazily at their feet, it seemed the catalyst to start Andy talking again.

"I am sorry for insulting you," Andy said quietly, staring at Miranda's left hand that seemed to be stroking the side of Andy's own with her pinky.

"It was nothing I didn't deserve," Miranda shrugged. "Perhaps it was time to hear a few hard truths. My parents would be horrified." She shook her head.

"Tell me about them?" Andy asked, turning on her side a little and resting her head on her arm.

Miranda, to Andy's surprise, did as she said. Miranda was an only child, but had lived with many cousins and family friends that had always had a place in the Princhek home. They had taken in wandering kids from the darker parts of East London whenever they could, always giving whatever they could.

"They were all well loved, as I was, but I yearned for something more," Miranda said with a sigh. "They're both dead now."

"I'm sorry," Andy repeated.

"Nonsense. When you get to my age, you lose people along the way. It's to be expected."

"You're not old," Andy scoffed. "Older than me perhaps, but you're as strong as an ox and I don't believe for a second that you think of yourself as old."

"I imagine you would be surprised what goes on in my head Andréa," Miranda whispered. "I'll take them."

Andy sat for a moment before realising what she'd said.

"What?"

"I said I'll take them. You were right, there is absolutely no reason for me not to, except my own petty inconvenience. I can give them a good education and a good home, even if I'm not here very often."

"You're not doing this because I had a go at you, surely?" Andy said, trying to figure out what was going on.

"A moment ago, you were disgusted with me for not taking them, now it sounds as though you're trying to put me off," Miranda pointed out, surprise colouring her features. "Make up your mind."

"Miranda -"

Andy didn't know what to say, it was against everything she knew about Miranda. Not the change of mind, that happened often enough, but Andy couldn't shake the feeling that this was about Miranda doing something she thought Andy would want her to do. Which brought her back to the swirling thoughts in the deep recesses of her mind over what Miranda had said earlier.

"You said there was something going on," Andy said quietly, "between us?"

"One revelation is enough for one night, don't you think?" Miranda said absently, stopping the somewhat distracting motion with her finger on Andy's hand. "I think I'll turn in. I will leave The Book for tonight and perhaps shock Nigel tomorrow and have him look at it for me. We're far enough away from the print deadline that it won't matter. You'll stay of course. The guest bedroom is already made up. I think you will have to help me tomorrow with the arrangements. I will only just have enough room for them all."

"Miranda -" Andy tried again as Miranda stood at the doorway.

"Goodnight Andréa," she said with finality, leaving Andy to herself in the softly lit loungeroom.

-0-

"Is she dead?"

"No dummy, she's asleep."

"Was asleep, no thanks to you two," Andy groaned, rolling over and hiding her face in the sinfully plush pillows.

"Mom said to see if you were awake for breakfast. She's cooking omelettes."

"I'll be down in a moment girls," Andy said, waiting until they were out of the room before she slumped back onto the bed and sighed.

Last night had been by far the most confusing, revealing and overwhelming night of her entire life. And now, she had to go downstairs and pretend that nothing had happened. She closed her eyes at the realisation that Miranda didn't just have herself to worry about. She had the twins as well.

"Good one Andy," she whispered, before hauling herself out of bed and into the adjoining bathroom, hoping that a good hot shower would do more for her than her tumultuous thoughts.

-0-

"Good morning Andréa," Miranda said without turning around. "Take a seat, I have an omelette for you here."

"You didn't have to do that Miranda," Andy said politely. "I would have just grabbed something on the way to the office."

"We're not going to the office today," Miranda replied, sliding what looked to be a perfectly fluffy omelette onto her plate.

"Is there anything you can't do?" Andy blurted, blushing violently when the twins giggled.

"She can't juggle," Caroline said, still chuckling.

"And how do you know that?" Miranda asked, turning and brandishing a spatula at her daughter.

"Whatever Mom, you can't juggle."

"Andréa? Hand me those peaches," Miranda demanded, nodding at the fruit bowl in the middle of the table.

"Huh?"

"Three of them, quickly," she said, holding out her hand.

Andy passed them over, watching, like the girls, with a look of astonishment as Miranda juggled the three pieces of fruit perfectly.

"I can't, are you real?" Andy said, poking Miranda's shoulder as she reached to put them back.

The girls dissolved into hysterical laughter calling for an encore.

"I'm sorry girls, the eggs will burn and juggling I'm afraid is something I only do very infrequently."

"That was way cool Mom!" Cassidy said, putting her plate in the dishwasher and kissing her mother's cheek.

"Thank you darling," Miranda said, smiling proudly as the girl walked from the room.

"Cass said you two were fighting last night," Caroline said quietly, stopping both Miranda and Andy in their tracks.

"I got a little hot headed Caroline, it's my fault, but I apologised to your Mom, and now we're fine," Andy said quickly, but truthfully. "I wouldn't have stayed over if she was mad at me."

"Are you gonna stay over a lot?" Caroline asked, still picking at the crumbs on her plate.

Andy noticed Miranda concentrating very hard on the pan in front of her, as if waiting for Andy's input.

"I guess it depends on what's going on. I imagine you'd get bored of me if I stayed here all the time. Special occasions perhaps."

"Okay," Caroline said, putting her own plate in the dishwasher and kissing Miranda before joining Cassidy by the door.

"Bye Andy," Cassidy called. Caroline echoed the sentiments before the door slammed, leaving the two women alone again.

"I have already called Nigel. He will handle anything that may crop up today while you and I go out to Philadelphia."

"Sorry?" Andy said, looking confused.

"The children Andréa, they're in Philadelphia."

"Look, what I said last night, I didn't think. You have Caroline and Cassidy to think about, and I was just -"

"Stop," Miranda said, sitting down with her plate and glass of water. "You were right. I did as you said and thought of the girls when they were that age. I would not want someone to disregard them as nothing, should anything ever happen to me."

"Miranda -"

"No, it's fine. The appropriate phone calls have already been made."

Andy sighed, but nodded. She felt terrible.

"Relax Andréa. I'm not doing this completely because you told me to. My entire reputation would be ruined."

Andy snorted into her orange juice, coughing as some went down the wrong pipe.

"Careful," Miranda laughed, passing her a napkin. "If I have to take you to the ER people would think I'm trying to kill you." She smiled faintly as she took another bite of her breakfast. "Although," she chuckled thoughtfully, "whatever damage you've already done to my fierce reputation would be immediately reversed. Imagine the headlines: 'Ice Queen Takes Orders, Then Tries to Kill Assistant'."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Miranda Priestly?" Andy said seriously as she looked at the woman before her.

"What makes you think I'm not always like this at home, and you have just been invited to see it now?" Miranda suggested, concentrating more on her plate than she needed.

"Now? Why now?"

"I have not forgotten what I said last night, nor your face when I said it. But I cannot deal with that at the moment, not with everything else that is currently going on. Know, however, that I will not forget the words, nor the feelings I have."

"For me?" Andy asked quietly.

"For you. As, I hope, you have for me?"

Andy nodded, but realised the truth of Miranda's words. She was about to take custody of three children that had never met her, and were not used to her.

"I will need -" Miranda stopped, shaking her head. "No, I would like it if you would accompany me today Andréa, as my friend, not my assistant."

"Just your friend?" Andy asked, afraid of the answer.

"For now," Miranda acquiesced with a small smile.

Andy nodded, realising that wasn't going to cut it with Miranda.

"I'd love to join you." Miranda nodded, taking Andy's hand in hers and squeezing. "What have you told the girls?"

"I," Miranda frowned, "Nothing yet, but I will talk with them tonight."

"Won't that be a little late?"

"Andréa," Miranda groaned.

"No, I'm sorry, I'll just -" Andy got up, setting her plate in the dishwasher as the girls did and ran for the door.

"Wait, wait Andréa, don't leave again. Please," Miranda said, catching her sleeve. "Please?"

Andy looked down at Miranda, who was staring at the floor rather than at her.

"I'm not sure I like this side of you. It's a bit desperate."

"Well, I'm about to take on three children under the age of six because you told me I was an over-privileged bitch. I've been that woman for so long, I'm not sure how to be anything else. I need your help."

"I never called you a bitch," Andy grimaced.

"You implied it. Now come and sit down."

Following orders was something Andy had come to do without thinking, so before she knew it, she was sitting back down at the well-loved table, watching Miranda also return to her chair, taking a multivitamin with her first cup of coffee of the day.

"I know I should have told them, but I am afraid of them loving the idea, or conversely, hating it."

"I understand," Andy said. "I, I just think they're old enough to think they should have some say in the matter, which means that even if you have the last decision you should maybe include them."

"Perhaps," Miranda sighed, "perhaps we will stop in at Dalton on the way, explain to them what is happening. I have Cara picking them up after she fetches Patricia from the groomers. I didn't know how long we would be."

"That sounds like a good idea and they'll enjoy seeing Patricia straight from school," Andy nodded.

"Good. Let me get my things and we'll go. Roy should be arriving any minute with the SUV. Leave your things here Andréa, we'll be back later."

Picking up her purse and her phone, Andy stood by the front door watching the road for a few minutes, waiting for Roy to appear.

"All ready?" Miranda asked, making Andy turn and gasp at her appearance.

The fashion editor looked stunning in a pair of blue jeans - designer of course - with a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps on her feet. She also had a button down shirt on, plum, with a big silver buckled belt at her middle.

"I, wow!" Andy said, rolling her eyes at herself as Miranda swept past her.

"Your facial expression said as much Andréa," she chuckled as she opened the door. "I was not sure what constituted as 'Mom-wear', so I hope this is suitable?"

"Miranda, I -"

Andy noticed the smirk on Miranda's face as she put on her sunglasses and walked to the car, leaving Andy in charge of the alarm and the front door.

"I have no idea what I'm getting myself into," Andy muttered as she joined Miranda in the car. Somehow the casual sway of her hips as she walked made everything look just that little bit better, and Andy's mind couldn't help but replay it on a loop as she put on her seatbelt. "I'm doomed," she told herself, nodding to Roy and settling in for a trip out of town.