A/N: Good evening. Hope you're all having an enjoyable time? I've had an exhausting weekend looking after my niece - I'm happy to say that I survived...but only just. Hope you all enjoy the new chapter.

Thank you to my beta extraordinaire. So many chapters, not nearly enough time :D

-0-

They trudged home, the tension that was growing between Caroline and Miranda only serving to push everyone else into silence. The had managed to get most of the way back with only a block to go before Sam gave up on trying to decipher what was wrong and stopped dead in his tracks, looking warily at Miranda and holding out his arms to Andy.

Andy wanted to pick him up, desperately wanted to in fact, but her common sense told her that she was not always going to be around. Miranda had to be the one that he turned to, the one he needed the most. She shook her head, making him pout until Miranda crouched before the little boy looking contrite.

"Am I being ill-tempered?" she asked adorably, making Andy smile as she pretended to look across the street.

"You be grumpy," Sam said nodding seriously.

"Hmm, perhaps I should carry you to make amends?"

"Yup," he said, jumping into her arms and wrapping his arms and legs around her body and clinging on tightly.

"Well alright then," she said quietly, thanking Andy with a nod before they were on their way again.

By the time they'd returned to the townhouse, unpacked all their things, washed hands and faces and finally eaten, Sam was soon fast asleep on the sofa. As they all reconvened in Miranda's office, Andy carried him upstairs to bed.

"Is he asleep?" Miranda asked when Andy returned.

"Out like a light," Andy said, perching herself on the end of the sofa, away from where all the children were sitting quietly, waiting for Miranda.

"Okay," she said, sitting forward and mirroring Andy. "Olivia, Nicholas, do you understand that you are going to live here from now on?" Andy watched as the two kids nodded, their faces a little sad. "I would like you both to feel as comfortable while living here as you did at your home, and that means I need to know a few things about you both. What is your favourite colour Olivia?"

"Um, yellow," she said, looking a little uncomfortable at being in the spotlight so suddenly.

"And is the bedroom you are in suitable? Do you need anything?"

"Miranda?" Andy interjected, noticing Olivia's confused face. "Liv's probably alright with what she's got, or at least what she will have, but if we do as we plan on Monday, then it might help to understand what else she needs," Andy said pointedly, without wanting to say outright that they were going to the children's former home.

"Of course," Miranda looked at the twins. "Is there anything either of you need for this change to become permanent?"

"No ma'am," Caroline said quietly.

Andy knew so many of Miranda's different facial expressions, and the one she wore now was one she so often wore around the twins. A look of sadness, one that screamed disappointment not in the twins, but in herself. Miranda had once again bore the brunt of a teenage mood and thought it to be her own fault.

"Caroline, I think your mom would prefer you to be honest with her, rather than just saying what you think she wants to hear."

Miranda looked shocked at the comment and turned back to Caroline.

"Bobbsey? Whatever is the matter?"

Caroline shook her head and Andy wondered what had made her so shy suddenly. Making an executive decision, Andy offered her hand to Nicholas and Olivia, and nodded her head to Cassidy before walking from the room. Cass followed a little while later, no doubt after double checking her twin was alright with her leaving.

"Andy?" Cassidy asked as she helped Olivia climb the stairs. "Do you know what's eating Caro up?"

Andy sighed as she sat on Olivia's bed, letting the two younger kids play with the meagre toys they had on offer while she patted the bed for Cassidy to join her.

"I have no idea Cass. Don't you know?"

Cassidy shook her head and leaned into Andy, accepting the arm around her shoulders as they sat watching the two little ones playing.

"Hi."

Andy looked over to see a sleepy Sam standing at the doorway. He was carrying Bop by the ear, dragging it along the floor as he shuffled up to them and tried to clamber on Andy's knee.

"Good afternoon little monkey," Andy said, cuddling him. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Yup," he yawned, sitting quietly with the rest of them for a moment before going to join his siblings. Andy was happy to simply sit back along the wall with Cassidy, wondering what Caroline had a problem with, and hoping that it wasn't her.

-0-

Much, much later once the three siblings were fast asleep and the twins had retreated to their room, Andy and Miranda sat in silence, each sipping a glass of wine. Andy couldn't be sure of what Miranda was thinking at that point, but her own palms were sweating and she kept rubbing them on her jeans as they sat there.

"Please stop that," Miranda said quietly.

Andy squeaked, but did as she was told, putting down her wine and clasping her hands in her lap.

"Caroline has expressed a wish to have you here," Miranda said suddenly, emptying her wineglass in a rather uncouth gulp and moving over to the bar with purpose.

"A wish to have me he-" Andy frowned. "Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean."

"She is insisting I keep away from you, so that I don't make you leave," Miranda whispered, looking at the scotch in her hand.

"What?" Andy said, rushing to her side and stilling her hand. "She said that?"

"She said that you were the best thing that happened to all of us, but that I would ruin it; like I always do."

Andy's heart broke as Miranda's voice cracked at the end, just barely, but enough for Andy to pull the glass from the woman's hand and pull her closer.

"Do you know what I love about your girls?" she asked in hushed tones, brushing her lips against Miranda's ear. "I love that they're so smart and mature. But do you know what I love more? That they're still kids. They have no real concept of adult decisions and lives and love." Andy explained gently, wishing for Miranda to see where she was coming from while trying not to insult the girls. "Caroline has obviously been hurt in the past Miranda." She leaned back a little and tentatively ran a hand through Miranda's hair. "But so have you. Kids don't have that concept, they don't understand that adults hurt too."

It was like someone had removed the rigid bindings holding Miranda still and she sagged against Andy's solid form.

"Caroline doesn't have the experience to understand the concept of adulthood yet, let alone the experience to comment on any relationship you have with someone else. I have already discussed staying here with her and the others, but I think she was wrong anyway. I think what we have is very hard to ruin, I mean, there's just as much chance that I will be the one to ruin it," Andy whispered. "But just in case I can't persuade you, I'm going to do something you might not like."

"Andréa, what -"

Andy cupped Miranda's cheek and pressed her lips together with Miranda's. She let out a breathy moan as Miranda froze for a moment, before reaching up and grabbing the back of her neck, making sure she couldn't pull away.

"I can't say that I disliked that, even a little," Miranda confessed, a little out of breath.

"This won't go wrong," Andy said as she kissed along Miranda's jaw. "I could never walk away from you."

"You did once," Miranda whispered, even as she gasped from the sensation of Andy nibbling on her neck.

"And I ran straight back to you," Andy said. "I've never regretted anything more than leaving you on those steps in Paris. When I sat down to book a plane ticket home I cried, uncontrollably, at the thought of not seeing you again."

"I was more upset that you had left than I was at Stephen," Miranda muttered as her hand started stroking from Andy's ear down to her collarbone.

"I'm going to say it, if only to minimise your fears," Andy revealed, touching Miranda's chin lightly so she would look at her. "I've fallen in love with you Miranda, and I don't mind if you haven't, or you can't talk about it yet. I need you to know. I need you to know I won't leave you. I've seen you at your worst, I can pick your mood from across the room and I always know what you need."

"You can do the impossible."

"Someone did tell me that, yeah," Andy smiled, cupping Miranda's cheek. "Let me love you Miranda."

"I'll try," Miranda said, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. "My God Andréa, I'll try."

"Good," Andy said, leaning in for another kiss.

They stood there, Andy's hip resting against the bar, her arms wrapped around Miranda's waist stroking gently up and down with Miranda's hands in her hair. They kissed deeply and slowly, until they both reluctantly pulled away, out of breath and searching each other's eyes.

"Stay, always stay Andréa," Miranda begged. "Move in here, get out of that horrid little apartment and we'll just be here, together. I need you here, I need you more than I've ever needed anyone, and I," she paused, "I am unsure of what that means for me. I just know that my feelings for you are far greater than anything I have ever experienced with a paramour and the children are far smaller than I've had to deal with in such a long time, but more than that, aside from that, I finally have you here, in my arms. I -" She pulled away, wrapping her arms around herself and making Andy's heart ache at how vulnerable she looked. "I'm not ready to," she blushed to her ears, "engage in intercourse, but I would like you next to me, if you are amenable. I slept very well last night."

"Intercourse?" Andy grinned, taking a tiny bit of pleasure in Miranda's awkwardness.

"I pour my heart and soul out to you, and that's all you get from it," Miranda said, affronted.

"No, no," Andy said, grabbing Miranda's hips as she turned to leave the room. "Don't go, I'm sorry. Just please don't ever say that again. It's so clinical. What we have isn't clinical Miranda," Andy said, not feeling nearly as brave as she sounded. "We can, when we're both ready, when we reconcile what we have here, and what we have at work as well. And when we do, I think I'd prefer to make love, rather than have sex, or intercourse. I believe there really is a difference."

Miranda snorted and nuzzled Andy's neck, breathing out in relief against her skin.

"You make everything better," she mumbled around a yawn.

"And you need to sleep. You're losing it, Priestly."

They turned off the lights and moved upstairs, looking in on the girls and both of them kissing Cassidy, before Andy met Miranda at Caroline's door.

"You go," Andy said. "I'll talk to her tomorrow if that's alright?"

"Of course," Miranda said quickly. "I've asked you to move in Andréa and as far as I'm concerned, since you have agreed, we are co-parenting from now on; there is no need to ask permission."

Andy blushed, but didn't argue, going upstairs to wait for Miranda while she said goodnight to Caroline. She dropped by the kids' rooms then changed for bed, snuggling under the million thread count sheets, and sighed. Today had been a big day but Andy didn't regret any minute of it. As she felt Miranda slip in behind her and wrap her arms around her, she knew it had been one of the best days she'd ever had.

The little kiss behind her ear helped her to close her eyes and in minutes, she was asleep.

-0-

Andy woke in the opposite position to the one she'd fallen asleep in. She stared down in awe at the woman snoring gently in her arms, and she beamed, unable to keep it in any longer.

"I can hear you smiling," Miranda grumbled, without opening her eyes.

"How can you hear a person smiling?" Andy asked, frowning as Miranda chuckled. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," Miranda sighed, rolling over and snuggling deeper into Andy's chest.

"I would never have picked you for a snuggler," Andy whispered as she skimmed her fingers from Miranda's shoulder to her wrist.

"That tickles," Miranda mumbled, capturing Andy's hand and pulling it around her.

"We're crazy," Andy muttered, shaking her head as she pulled Miranda even closer.

"Not so much," Miranda said with a sigh, rolling a little so she could look at Andy even as she lay in her arms. "We both know this has been building for months."

"What about work?" Andy asked quietly. "I, I'm not sure I should continue to work for you."

"I have had a thought about that," Miranda said, waking up a little more as the conversation progressed. "Your year ends at the beginning of next month. I'm going to recommend you take the position that will be made available for you in the Features department."

"You," Andy let go and scooted back, peering suspiciously at Miranda. "You want me to write for Runway?"

"I know it's not exactly what you wanted, but -"

"It may not have been when I moved here, but my God Miranda! I'd be honoured, as long as I did this on my own merit, not as a solution for what we're doing."

"Andréa, when have you ever seen me make a business decision that was affected by anything other than business?"

Andy bit her lip, feeling chastised as she thought about her answer.

"Never."

"That's right. I imagine you think I haven't read your work. I have, I read it that first day you appeared before me in that God-awful skirt."

Andy blushed and buried her head in Miranda's shoulder.

"Don't remind me. I am so embarrassed," Andy chuckled. "I can't believe how green I was."

"Yes, well. As long as you don't still have that skirt, or that hideous jumper, we should get along fine."

Andy smiled against Miranda's skin, kissing it gently before moving back.

"Are you sure you want me in Features? I mean I'd love to, but I can look elsewhere if you -"

"Andréa."

The word that usually brought shivers to Andy's spine rang out as the warning it was, and she graciously let it go.

"I would be honoured to write for you Miranda Priestly."

"That's better," Miranda said nonchalantly, though Andy could tell she was pleased. "As long as your skills as a writer have not wasted away under the monotony of working for me, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Miranda," Andy replied, rolling on top of Miranda before she realised what she was doing. She paused, looking down at her, ploughing on in a fit of bravado. "Working for you is many things, monotonous is not one of them."

Miranda smirked again and Andy couldn't help herself, she propped herself up on her elbows, bringing her closer to Miranda's body, and leant down, kissing the smirk off Miranda's face.

"I could get used to this," Andy whispered as she peppered kisses all over Miranda's jaw and neck.

"It is strange to me," Miranda said, turning her face away awkwardly. "I've," she cleared her throat, and Andy stopped pushing and let her think, stroking her thumb across Miranda's cheek, "I've never had this. Even with my first husband, when we were young and stupid. Alec tried, I suppose, but by then I was too busy with the girls and Runway that I never just -"

"Never let yourself enjoy it?" Andy asked, feeling so privileged to be allowed to see this side of Miranda.

"They were not like you," Miranda smirked. "They loved the Editor, not the woman."

"I admit, I might have fallen in lust with the Editor, but it wasn't long before I started seeing the woman," Andy admitted. "There was no contest after that."

"The Editor is untouchable, which is perhaps why they did not succeed where you are. I am definitely enjoying your touch Andréa."

"Well then," Andy said cheekily, running her hand down Miranda's side, over her hip and down to her knee.

"I do not want to -" Miranda gasped, looking panicked.

"Shh, I'm not," Andy said gently, rubbing her thumb over Miranda's hip bone. "I'm sorry, I was just marvelling at how gorgeous you are."

"I am not," Miranda shook her head, and it occurred to Andy than Miranda Priestly was as reticent about her body as any other woman.

"Hey, I know you may not believe me, or it might not change how you feel about yourself, especially here in this situation, but I think you're the most beautiful woman on the planet."

"Many people do," Miranda whispered, still refusing to look at Andy, "at least when I am in couture, make-up and my Louboutins."

Andy smiled, cupping Miranda's chin and turning her face back towards her own.

"You are hot when you wear work clothes, but it's a uniform. Something you need to wear to do what you do. I was actually talking about you, here, lying here like this with me, exploring your feelings, and mine. Nothing between us but pyjamas."

"Nonsense Andréa, I don't even have any make-up on."

"I know, it's beautiful."

"Andréa, do not mock me."

"I'm not," Andy protested, making sure Miranda knew she was serious. "Just like nobody can tell you what to do at work, consider this is your warning Miranda. Don't dismiss my opinions, whether they're about you, or politics or the weather. They're mine Miranda, and I went a long time without having any, so now I have them, I intend to keep them. I think you are the prettiest, most beautiful woman when you're lying here in my arms. You may feel differently, but quite frankly, I'm the only one that matters when it comes to this particular opinion. I think you're perfect when you're here, with me. I wouldn't change it for anything, anything at all."

Miranda said nothing, but Andy felt her heart pumping quickly and she knew Miranda had heard her.

"Thank you," the older woman whispered, pulling Andy down and kissing her.

Seeing as Miranda had initiated things this time, Andy was more than happy to be led through the most sensual, most heartfelt kiss she'd ever received.

"Please don't ever lose that," Miranda said when she pulled back a little, rubbing noses gently.

"What?"

"The honesty you show to me. So many people are dishonest with me even if they mean well, but you aren't, you never were." Miranda sighed, letting her head drop on the pillow and pulling Andy down to rest on her chest. "Don't ever stop being honest with me, even when you know I will get angry."

"I'll try," Andy whispered, feeling sleepy again as she listened to the thumping beat under her ear.

"Hi."

Andy nearly jumped out of her skin as she looked around for the voice that had just disturbed them.

"Good morning Samuel," Miranda said, smirking as Andy fought to get her breathing under control. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yup," he said simply.

Andy finally found him, standing at the end of Miranda's bed with the bunny over his shoulder and a thumb in his mouth.

"Morning little monkey."

"Hi," he said, waving again.

Before either of them could ask him anything more, he threw Bop onto the bed and heaved himself up. Andy bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at the sight of his little legs kicking at the covers. Eventually he made it, and he huffed as he crawled up and dropped down between them, catching Andy's arm in the process.

"Ow!"

"Samuel, please do not do that again," Miranda said sternly, before opening her arms. "However, you are always welcome to come for a cuddle in the mornings. Are your Pull-ups alright?"

"Yey," he grinned, ignoring the question and kicking the covers down so he could get under them instead.

Andy just chuckled as he rolled on top of Miranda, in a slightly different position to the one she was in not so long ago. His thumb went back in his mouth and he sighed as his head rested on Miranda's chest.

"Well then," Miranda said, looking amused. "I would have put money on you being the cuddler in our new family."

Andy didn't mean for tears to run down her face as she heard the words, but they did, and she immediately felt very stupid.

"Andréa?"

"I'm sorry," she said, trying to keep herself from sobbing outright and waking the dozy little boy.

"Andréa, come here," Miranda said kindly, holding out her hand.

"No, it's alright, I'll get it together, I just -"

"Andréa."

One word, that was all it took from Miranda to make Andy do whatever she wanted. So, rolling her eyes at herself, and pressing on her eyelids to try and stop the tears, she rolled back into bed and allowed Miranda to pull her closer. Andy desperately tried not to sniff as Miranda brought her arm around her and Sam, making it impossible to stop the tears from running down her face.

"You are part of our family Andréa," she whispered, brushing away Andy's bangs as best she could. "You have been part of our family for longer than you realise."

"It's just nice, you know?"

"I understand," Miranda said, kissing Andy's forehead tenderly. "Let's sleep a little longer, before the rest of them find us."

Andy chuckled, but nodded, falling asleep almost instantly with her forehead resting against the love of her life and a little hand stroking her arm.