A/N: You guys are all amazing. I love it. My apologies that this took longer than I intended to post. My brother, his girlfriend and baby FINALLY got a house (it's nicer than ours!), so they're moving out (good and bad news. sad to have baby leave, and my brother I suppose...not so much the girlfriend lol). So we're in chaos - AGAIN. And this morning I'm heartbroken after hearing about Robin Williams. Dead Poet's Society changed my life. I still hate poetry, but I am going to be a published author. Hats off to you Captain, my Captain.
A housekeeping note: Sam's bedwetting is not super important. A few people have commented about it - not that I'm singling them out or whatever, just airing my thoughts - it's not a huge deal. I've tried to fix a few of the issues a few of you raised with me, but it is only a fix. It's not going to be a big deal, perhaps come up once more but really, I'm writing chapter 15 and I haven't had cause to mention it.
On a second housekeeping note: Not in relation to this, more in answer to a review I received in something else - I detest stories where everything is spoon fed to me. I hate details and would much rather use my imagination to fill in the blanks. Not only is it more exciting, cos I can tailor someone's story to my own beauty, but I can also enjoy it more owing to the fact that the character I have in my head can remain as that character, rather than suddenly changing their appearance. Please, PLEASE use your imagination. I will never put an abundance of details in my story; I don't do weather, I don't do appearances much, unless it really calls for it.
Lastly, to other writers, the greatest lesson I was ever taught at Uni was that 'your readers are not morons, don't treat them like they are.' Allow them to enjoy your story their way.
That's all.
Thank you wonderful beta, who is wonderful :D
-0-
Andy left Olivia in Cara's capable hands, intending to perhaps sit and watch TV with Sam until Melody arrived with some clothes for them all, but was interrupted by the most terrified scream coming from upstairs.
-0-
Andy left Sam with Cara and raced up the stairs two at a time, bursting into Miranda's room to see Nicholas sobbing on her knee as she rocked him back and forth.
"There, there darling," she said sadly. "It's alright, you're alright."
"Is he okay?" Andy asked, frowning at the heart wrenching sobs Nicholas was making.
"I think he had reached the end of his capacity to hold onto things," Miranda said gently, pressing a kiss to his temple. "It's alright Nicholas, you're safe. We're going to take care of you."
"Mommy!" he cried, in such a heartbreaking way that Andy had to blink back her own tears.
She had nearly managed to control them when Miranda shifted back on the bed, taking Nicholas with her. The scene alone made Andy's heart beat erratically, but as Miranda rocked him, she started singing a lullaby. Not that Andy would have expected anything less, but Miranda's voice was beautiful.
Andy stood mesmerised, wondering how someone who had seen this side of Miranda would ever let her go. She couldn't believe that the twins' father, Stephen, or even Alec could leave this woman. This, what she was watching, was enough to make all of the memories of Miranda's ill temper disappear.
"Oh wow, she hasn't sung that since we were little," Cassidy whispered, appearing at Andy's side.
"What is it?" Andy asked.
"It's an old Irish tune; Mom's grandmother was from there, or something," Cassidy whispered unhelpfully.
Andy blinked again, realising that perhaps it would be best if they all left Miranda to calm Nicholas down instead of imposing on them both.
"Come on," Andy said, easing Cassidy from the room and shutting the door behind them and doing her best to smile. "I'm starving, is breakfast ready?"
"Is Nicky okay?" Olivia asked, appearing behind them.
"Nicky?" Andy asked, smiling as Olivia nodded. "Yeah princess, he's fine. He just needed a cuddle, that's all."
"I needs cuddles!" Sam screeched, running out of Caroline's grasp and latching onto Andy's knees.
"Whoa there little man, I know you need cuddles," Andy said, picking him up and cuddling him tightly. "But I bet there's something you need more."
"Wha'?" he asked, tilting his head to the side like he'd no doubt seen Cassidy, or Miranda, do.
"Pancakes."
"Yey!" he squealed, pumping his fists in the air and making them all laugh.
"Come on then pancake monster, let's go get something to eat."
Clutching Olivia's hand and trying not to drop Sam as she made her way down the stairs, Andy suddenly wondered how empty her life would feel without these children, the twins included, around. She had a terrible sinking feeling in her stomach that when Miranda went back to work, when she went back to work, everything would go back to the way it was. The problem was now that she'd experienced it this way, Andy wasn't sure she could survive that.
-0-
Melody came and went, dropping off clothing, diapers and other sundry items Miranda had requested, all in a daze of confusion, especially when she bumped into Andy running around downstairs with a very naked Samuel clinging to her back like a monkey. She'd managed to get him into the shower finally, after discovering that he had indeed wet the bed. Thankfully, Cara had taken care of it, along with the shirt he had borrowed, which had managed to escape for the most part.
Andy had only just managed to stop the poor woman from fainting on the spot at the sight and as she waved her out of the front door, she knew it would be only a matter of time before she had a phone call from Nigel or Emily. Or both.
She ignored the problem for now, happy that her phone was upstairs charging by her bed - by Miranda's bed - and wondered whether Nicholas was feeling any better. Everyone had eaten their fill of pancakes, then spent a messy hour icing the cupcakes. Sam had ended up with more icing on his face than on any of his cakes, but he had lots of fun, and loved the thought of the new clothes he could wear after washing it all off. Caroline and Cassidy were doting on little Olivia, and had so far declared their rooms a 'girls only zone' and proceeded to put her hair up in a braid, matching theirs, and taught her how to sing into a hairbrush.
Andy was content watching Sam play with the blocks she had bought at the store yesterday. He would make a tower, then knock it down, pretending to do it by accident, before rolling on the floor giggling and holding his sides. She couldn't help but smile with him as she watched, thankful that his spark hadn't been put out by that awful place or thoughts of his parents.
"Andréa?"
Andy looked up, beaming as she saw Nicholas standing beside Miranda, holding her hand and dressed in his smart new clothes.
"Hey buddy, are you feeling a little better?" she asked. He nodded, but didn't say anything, so Andy turned her attention back to Miranda. "Can I get you a coffee?"
Miranda sighed, nodding thankfully and lead Nicholas into the room, motioning for him to go and play with the blocks and cars with his brother while she rejoined Andy at the door.
"Are you alright?" Andy asked, seeing the little creases at the corner of Miranda's eyes.
"He is inconsolable, and there's only so long you can listen to his sobbing before you succumb yourself."
"Hey -" Andy said, moving without thinking and wrapping Miranda up in a hug.
"Thank you," Miranda sighed, resting her head against Andy's shoulder and closing her eyes. "I might be too old for this."
"Nah, you're just out of practice. By the way, Melody caught Sam and I playing horsey, so you may get a phone call from Nigel demanding to know whose children you have acquired."
Miranda snorted, but didn't move from her place in Andy's arms.
"Let him. I shall have to talk to him about this week anyway. I am not sure how everything is going to go with the three of them here."
"Well, we can play it by ear," Andy said with a smile. "Even though I know you don't like doing that."
"Do you mean that?" Miranda asked, finally lifting her head and looking straight into Andy's eyes. "Do you really?"
"What?" Andy said, feeling confused.
"We?"
Andy's frown deepened, but then she understood what she'd said. Knowing Miranda would rather the truth than a knee-jerk reaction, Andy took a moment to think about it. She thought back to the moment of terror she'd felt on the stairs that morning, how going back to her empty, lonely apartment now felt so terrifyingly sad she wasn't sure she could do it.
"I would be more than happy to stay here Miranda," she replied quietly, letting her feelings take over for a moment and gently running her nose along Miranda's hairline. "I would love to stay, with you."
"Good," Miranda breathed, smiling gently as she looked up at Andy, "because I'm not sure I could let you go."
Andy grinned as Miranda stood on her toes, pressing a chaste, but heartfelt kiss to Andy's cheek. With her heart about to beat out of her chest, Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda's waist, keeping her on her toes and leaning down to kiss her lips, wishing she didn't have to pull away so soon.
"Do we need to talk about this?" Miranda asked, resting her arms on Andy's shoulders and playing with the hair in her ponytail.
"Only if you want to," Andy shrugged. "If there's anything we need to talk about, I figure we'll get to it. We should probably tell the girls though."
"All the children," Miranda sighed, dropping back and leaning against Andy, letting her sway them both to music only they could hear.
"M'anda?" Sam said, tugging on her shirt.
"Yes Samuel," she said, without pulling away.
"You give good huggles? Nicky says you gives good huggles. Tham has huggles too?"
"She gives the best huggles kiddo," Andy grinned, finally letting Miranda go and picking up the young man. She passed him over to Miranda and left them playing while she went downstairs to the kitchen. She was barely able to restrain a whoop of joy at the knowledge that she wouldn't have to leave at the end of the weekend.
-0-
"Hey buddy," Andy groaned as she sat down on the floor and folded her legs up. "You feeling a little better?"
Nicholas nodded, flashing Andy a small smile before going back to building what looked like a house from just the red blocks.
"Are you hungry for anything? Toast? I could make you some pancakes if you like?" Nicholas shook his head without even turning round, making Andy frown a little. "Well, when you get hungry, you let me know alright?"
She sighed as he kept on playing, wondering if there was something they were missing, or whether the trauma of losing both his parents, and then being stuck in that God-awful place had done this much damage to him. She didn't have the energy to think about it.
She realised that they should probably get a hold of someone who knew the kids, and she left Nicholas, after explaining to him she would be right back, and grabbed her cell. She rang a few numbers before hitting the jackpot on her fourth call. The lawyer's office that had handled the will reading had the number for the nursery they had all attended. Andy rang the after-hours number and spoke to the woman in charge. She spoke at length about all three children, though Sam she knew the least about. Nicholas had been a beautifully well rounded child, full of joy and happiness and usually you couldn't get a word in edgeways. It seemed, to Andy, that this ordeal had crushed his very soul.
She watched him as she spoke to the woman, noticing the way he seemed to be watching her as well. Not obviously, but every now and then he'd look up, and Andy couldn't decide whether he was checking she was still there, or just keeping an eye on everything she was doing. Andy decided it didn't matter, and thanked the woman profusely, telling her they'd be in touch if they needed anything else.
For now, they were in a holding pattern. Andy made all the necessary calls, but until Monday came, they could not get a key to the kids' old house, and could therefore not pack up their things. That meant for now they were stuck playing in Miranda's not very kid-friendly home with a bag of blocks, a handful of toy cars and a few colouring books.
"There you are, I was wondering if you had the number for -" Miranda came sauntering in but paused when she saw Nicholas and smiled when he met her gaze, "- the number for the lawyer that contacted you; I need to get in touch with someone who knew the children."
Andy smiled and drew Miranda from the room, making sure Nicholas could see them, even if he couldn't hear them.
"I already spoke to him, and he gave me a number for Olivia's kindergarten teacher. The same woman that Nicholas had."
"Whatever did I do before you came into my life?" Miranda mused, smirking a little when Andy blushed.
"Um, well, she said Nicholas, or Nicky, was a beautiful little boy, who usually talks a dime a dozen and you could hardly ever get a word in edgeways."
They both looked back through the door to where Nicholas was perusing the shelves full of books. Andy hadn't even had time to look at them other than in passing, but she could not wait to get a spare moment to scope out those shelves. She was salivating at the thought.
"You are the literary master here," Miranda said, pushing her back towards the room. "Go and read him a story. It had gone entirely too quiet upstairs where I left Samuel with the girls and I really hope they're not painting his nails."
Andy snorted and went back in the room, startling Nicholas, who dropped back onto the floor and picked up a block, feigning disinterest in the books he had just been studying.
"There's heaps of books in here, isn't there?" Andy said, going over and looking at the spines.
Some were first editions, Andy could tell by the binding on them, but most looked well loved. There were so many that Andy was a little overwhelmed at the choice. She felt rather than saw Nicholas join her by the shelves and she smiled when his arm slipped around her leg, but she couldn't take her eyes off the shelves.
There were sections of books that Andy wasn't surprised to see; the usual fashion books and autobiographies of notable woman. There were books on art, history and culture but Andy knew Miranda was the kind of woman who had a thirst for knowledge, who liked to be informed about any situation she got herself into. It was Nicholas who pointed her to the section that made her smile the most. It seemed that as unsentimental as Miranda appeared, books were something she felt strongly about. Filling just over a third of the shelves were children's books, all well worn and loved.
"Wow!" Andy said, kneeling next to Nicholas so she could look with him. "What about we pick one and I'll read it to you?" Andy asked. "Would you like that?"
Nicholas' mouth curled just barely and he nodded. Andy bit her lip as she looked at the choices. There were some that were obviously the girls' books. Pippy Longstockings and a beautiful, but well worn copy of The Bobbsey Twins, as well as what seemed like all of the classics including: The Wind in the Willows and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They all seemed a bit involved for Nicholas' age, especially not knowing where he was in his learning and understanding. She saw him twitch out of the corner of her eye and turned as he ran his fingers over a set of books that Andy knew about, but had never read. She was past the age of people reading books to her by the time she'd found a family who would, so she'd missed out mostly. It was why she suddenly felt very excited.
"Would you like me to read Peter Rabbit?" Andy asked gently, moving forward to take a few of the books from the shelf. "Do you already have a favourite? Or shall we just work our way through?"
He cautiously stopped her hand from taking one of the books from the middle, instead, moving her hand to the end of the row, starting at the beginning. He tugged on his shirt sleeves as Andy wrapped her arms around his middle and pulled him with her to the corner of the sofa, all cuddled up together with him on her knee. She took a deep breath as he let out a sigh and relaxed against her chest.
"The Tale of Mr Jeremy Fisher."
By the third story, Andy was enjoying herself just as much as Nicholas was. He wasn't paying attention all that much to the story, although he did smile now and then as she read the more amusing bits, but mainly his fingers would stop hers and stroke the pages, enthralled by the beautiful pictures.
"Andy?"
Nicholas and Andy both looked up to see Caroline smiling at the door.
"Mom wants to know whether you guys want to go to the park. Sam is a bit bored I think, and we even put his hair in pigtails!"
Andy giggled, tickling Nicholas gently on the ribs.
"What do you say munchkin, do you want to go to the park with your brother and sister?"
He nodded, and Andy desperately wanted to sing at the small step he seemed to have made in the time it had taken for her to read three short books.
"Alright my little prince, how about we go upstairs and find Miranda and see where she's put your shoes? Then we can all go to the park."