A/N: Good morning, I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas, or holiday, depending on what you celebrate. i had a little spot of bother when my mother came to me on the 23rd and said, I've just read your list (I emailed it about a month before) it's too hard, I can't get any of it.
Cheers Mum...BUT if that was the only problem, I had a great Christmas lol
So that was fun. At least, having to buy your own presents, you get exactly what you want! Now all I want this year is to make an awesome routine and then stick to it!
But anyway, here is another chapter of More than Just Baggage. I hope you are all continuing to enjoy it as much as I am writing it! My beta is awesome, and I couldn't wish for a better one!
-0-
Bedtime that night had not gone as smoothly as it had done the previous nights. The long daytime nap, coupled with the change of energy within the house as everyone got ready for the working week was no doubt to blame.
Sam had been up and down for two full hours before passing out, Bop's ear in his mouth, on the steps outside the den where Miranda and Andy were busy going over what was needed for the next day. Andy carried him to bed, only to find Nicholas wide awake, staring at the ceiling. She sat with him for a while, but she stayed for so long that Miranda came looking for her, and then it was song after song from her to try and get him to sleep.
It took them far longer than it should have to remember his words from earlier; that it was his fear of the dark keeping him awake. Miranda rummaged through a cupboard somewhere and came back with a beautiful nightlight, no doubt a hand-me-down from the twins which did the trick. Nick was out before they could blink.
They had collapsed into bed, forgoing the kisses and whispered words they had enjoyed previously. Andy didn't know about Miranda, but she needed the small space between them to try and get her head around the fact that come tomorrow morning, she might not see Miranda as she had done this weekend until the following one, and how she was going to deal with that.
-0-
"Andy?"
The young woman rolled her eyes and looked to the ceiling, hoping for some guidance from any deity that was listening. So much for self-reliant twins; clearly Miranda either let them forget their school things or had Cara deal with it, because she clearly had no idea that they were so disorganised.
"Yes Cassidy?" Andy called, sighing as Sam clung tiredly to her leg.
"Have you seen my science book?"
"I saw it in the den yesterday, but I haven't seen it since. Will you tell Caroline that I have your breakfasts ready? Grab what you can and we'll have another look after you've eaten."
"Andréa, where is that piece of paper I had in my hand yesterday?"
Andy rolled her eyes once more.
"No idea," she said absently while dishing up some breakfast for the girls and Sam. Olivia and Nick were yet to surface, but she made a plate for the both of them to enjoy with Cara once she arrived in a few moments.
"Andréa, what do you mean you have no idea where it is, I need it today. How do you expect me to function if you cannot do your job?"
"Okay, STOP!" Andy said without thinking, slapping the spatula down on the bench. "Everyone stop what they're doing and be quiet. Cassidy, you're going to need to start packing your school bag the night before; I have no clue where your book is and I do not have time to find it. Caroline, if you are ready, why don't you help your sister, or me, or your Mom. Miranda," she paused, refusing to look at her as she continued, "I'm only telling you this once: if I'm going to live here, you're going to have to learn that when I am here with you, outside of work hours, I am not your assistant. I don't know where you put the piece of paper, I'm too busy trying to feed all the kids. If you wish to swap with me, I will gladly go and search for it while you supervise Sam with his spaghetti."
Andy turned around and finished what she was doing in complete silence. She closed her eyes against the tears that threatened to run down her face just as a hand on the small of her back startled her out of her thoughts.
"Andréa, I -" She heard Miranda sigh. "I am sorry, you are correct. You are busy, and I am placing too many demands on you."
"No, I - Look, I don't mind you asking. It's stupid to think that you could, or should completely stop talking about work with me, but ask me and then accept my answer when I say that in the middle of trying to get Sam's breakfast ready, I have no idea where anything is, except him and the plate."
Miranda snorted, but nodded.
"Okay," she nodded.
Andy wasn't sure, but she thought she heard one of the twins whistle quietly as Miranda accepted the chastisement and Andy didn't need to wonder why. Miranda had not only been told off quite summarily by her, but had accepted and acknowledged her in her feelings. That was new.
"I shall take over supervising Samuel, while you go and get dressed," Miranda said, looking dubiously at the little boy at the table shovelling tinned spaghetti into his mouth. "On second thoughts, I shall stand well back until Cara gets here then I shall see if I can find the paper myself. I was quite wrong to expect you to do everything." Miranda looked at the three children around the table, the twins looking as if she'd grown another head as she spoke apologetically. "Thank you," she said quietly, "for being honest with me."
Andy smiled, remembering the whispered conversation they'd had in the dead of night, hands and legs jumbled together. She nodded and slipped from the room to get herself ready.
-0-
As it turned out the piece of paper was in Miranda's bedside drawer, Cassidy's science book had fallen down the side of the sofa and by the time Nicholas woke up, the girls had already departed and the two women were ready to go.
"Alright kiddos," Andy said, kneeling a little awkwardly in her couture before the three small children. "You guys are going to stay with Cara while Miranda and I go to work, okay?"
"I don't want you to go!" Samuel whined, on the verge of a tear-jerking tantrum as he clung to Andy.
Olivia seemed to be coping the best, but Miranda and Andy had already discussed how rarely she allowed herself to appear less than stoic - the similarities to another person in the house were something Andy took great delight in teasing Miranda with.
"I promise you that you will have so much fun you won't even notice we're gone," Andy said, poking his tummy. "Cara's going to keep all of you entertained, and maybe, if you're lucky, she'll teach you how to make cookies."
"Wi'v sp'winkles?" he said, his big eyes looking up at the nanny in awe.
"I bet there are some somewhere in this house," Andy said conspiratorially.
"Cool! Bye Andy, Bye M'anda."
Miranda waved absently as Sam pulled Cara through to the kitchen, the woman calling goodbye before she disappeared through the door. Olivia stood watching them for a moment, biting her lip before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around Miranda's waist, then Andy's.
"Bye," she said quietly, before running after her little brother.
"What about you sweetheart?" Andy asked Nick, who just shrugged. "Would you like a cuddle before we go?"
He nodded sadly and Andy scooped him up and held him tightly before passing him off, very carefully, to Miranda, who nuzzled his cheek, but didn't kiss him owing to the perfectly applied lipstick she already had on.
"Try and have fun today," Miranda said quietly, making Nick shrug again. "Cara knows to ring us if you need us."
She let him go, and he toddled off to the kitchen as well, leaving the two women in the doorway.
"Roy's here," Andy said quietly, helping Miranda into her coat.
"Darling," Miranda said, capturing Andy's hand and pulling her close. "We will not be able to do this until later."
Andy was swept up in a kiss, and before long, the perfect lipstick was no doubt now applied to Andy's lips, rather than Miranda's own. Even as she reeled in delight, Andy made a mental note to make sure that if Miranda was willing to ruin it on her lips, she could put a little kiss on the kid's cheeks as well.
-0-
By the time they got to Elias Clarke, Miranda was in full dragon mode and Andy had spent the time she was being ignored making phone calls and getting a head start to the day. As they pulled up, Roy got out and opened the door for Miranda, who swept imperiously across the sidewalk and into the building, leaving Andy and Roy watching her leave.
"She's really something," Roy said quietly as he came back around the car.
"Yeah," Andy sighed. "She really is. Thanks Roy, for all your help this weekend. I never got a chance to tell you."
"No problem Andy," he said tipping his hat with a grin. "So, is this a permanent fixture then?"
Andy sighed and wondered how much to tell him.
"As long as it doesn't go past your ears right now, I can answer yes. Miranda trusts you Roy, otherwise we would have made it through the weekend without you."
"I've been working for Miranda for a long time Andy, no need to worry about me."
"I know," she smiled, patting his arm.
"So you and the boss lady 'ey?"
She laughed, shaking her head and left to get the coffee - her blush revealing the answer to the question without her saying a word.
The morning at work started as any other did; Melody getting on with her job, even if she was unable to look Andy in the eye. It wasn't until a messenger walked in with a package for Miranda that everything changed. Inside was all the paperwork for the adoption and anything else Miranda's lawyer had no doubt slaved over, and consequently thought was relevant at that moment. Miranda placed all the paperwork in her purse and passed a single sheet of paper to Andy, along with the keys to Alec's house.
"Andréa, if you would."
She nodded, taking the keys from Miranda's hand and brushing her fingers against Miranda's palm as they parted.
"Drinks tonight? I feel you have something to tell me," Nigel asked, appearing through the doors as she walked back to her desk.
"Um, I can't," Andy said, glancing into Miranda's office. "I'm pretty busy."
"Nigel. Andréa."
Andy grimaced a little but followed Nigel back into the office. "Shut the door." Andy leant against it as Miranda met her eyes for a moment. Reading the look she was giving her she nodded her consent. "Nigel, Andrea's circumstances have changed quite significantly, as have mine."
Andy smiled as she looked at the back of Nigel's jacket as they let the news sink in.
"You two?" he squeaked, turning to stare at Andy. "I knew something was going on after Melody's phone call, but you are both -"
"Indeed," Miranda smiled. "It is still very early, but needs must and to have a," she paused, "a friend in our corner would be an advantage."
Andy grinned at the purposefully obtuse comment and went round to stand with her hand on Miranda's shoulder while Nigel polished his glasses on his cravat.
"I think I'm missing something. Needs must? Andy, are you sure? Miranda, don't take this the wrong way, I mean, Andy's like a kid sister, I just -"
"Alec and his wife died in a car accident last week," Miranda said. Andy squeezed her shoulder gently and Miranda reached up and squeezed her hand in return.
"What?" he said, his eyes widening. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly as I've said," Miranda shrugged. "The point is, he had, has three children. For some unfathomable reason they named me guardian."
Andy had since moved back around the desk and had the presence of mind to push one of the visitor's chairs under Nigel as his knees gave out.
"You're kidding! I mean, I know you're not, but oh my God, Miranda. You just don't think something like that would happen. And you as their guardian? How are they? What are they like? Melody couldn't' tell me much about them."
Andy took over, pulling out her phone and showing him a picture she had snapped the night before.
"This is Olivia, the littlest is Sam and the middle, Nick. He doesn't talk, but Sam is a little firecracker. Olivia's, well she and Miranda get on extremely well. They're a little alike." Nigel peered at the screen.
"Do they understand?"
"Samuel is too young, Olivia does and we believe Nicholas does as well, as he seems to be suffering rather acutely," Miranda explained. "Hence the not talking."
"Poor mites," Nigel said. "What's the plan? How can I help? I'm a terrible babysitter, but anything I can do, I will."
"Andréa is on her way to supervise the movers in packing up their house. Personal possessions will go into storage but the house and furniture will be sold off, the money will be more than enough for them all to go to college by the time they are old enough."
"When did you get them?" Nigel asked.
"They've been with us," Miranda smiled at Andy making her heart thump loudly in her chest, "since Friday. The conditions they were in were deplorable."
"Wow," he said. "Just wow. And you two as well."
"I would welcome your thoughts Nigel, as my, as our friend."
He sat for a moment, obviously taking in everything but Andy stayed calm, looking into Miranda's eyes while they waited. A lot had happened since Paris between Nigel and Miranda, the most significant being Miranda coming good on the assumption Nigel had made - that she would somehow make up for ruining his dream job at James Holt.
"Firstly, if you are both planning on working together, someone not totally on your side should be told. Someone in HR. I'd hate for Irv to get wind of this and use it to get rid of you. Secondly, are you sure you can both work together if you're also seeing each other?"
"I have already told Andréa that she is taking the position in Features when Anton leaves next month. It gives her time to train a replacement, and retrain what's-her-name," Miranda said with a sniff, feigning disinterest when Nigel choked. "And it's living together, not just seeing each other."
"Living together?"
"Well," Andy replied, scratching the back of her neck as she blushed. "We're thinking about it."
"Andréa. We spoke about this. You are moving in."
"Um, right, well okay," Nigel said, looking warily between the two women. "If you truly want my opinion, I think as much as Emily can be - well, how she is - I think she also needs to know. If you are both here together, what happens when one, or God forbid more than one of the children are sick or in need of you? You can't cover for each other indefinitely."
"I hadn't thought of that," Miranda mused. "Thank you Nigel. Yes, I believe I will tell Emily, if only to inform her of our change in circumstances. If she wishes to stay on as your assistant, then she may and if she wishes to move on then we will find somewhere she can go. Andréa, I believe you are now late to meet with the removalists."
"Oh, shoot," Andy said, checking her watch. "I'll see you later."
"Andréa?" Miranda called as she lay her hand on the door.
"Yeah?"
"You've forgotten something." Andy looked at her blankly, watching bemusedly as Miranda crooked her finger.
"Oh," Andy said, charmed by the little gesture.
"Goodbye darling," Miranda purred when she leaned over to kiss her gently.
"See-ya."
Andy scurried from the office, beaming as she gathered her things, trying to ignore the somewhat surprised outburst from Nigel and the cat-that-got-the-canary grin that she could feel Miranda wearing. She had things to do and there was no way she was going to be distracted.
-0-
It was only when they were nearly onto the freeway that Andy realised she'd forgotten the kids' lists of things they wanted at the townhouse. She apologised profusely to Roy, who just shrugged and turned around, well used to last minute changes of plans. Andy made a quick phone call to the movers, then another to Cara, telling her what was happening while also checking in.
"Miranda just called me," Cara said, though Andy could hear the smile in her voice. "They're all fine, Olivia is sitting colouring and the boys are both napping. They've played hard this morning."
"You're amazing Cara," Andy said appreciatively. "Could you grab the list off the kitchen bench? I left it there this morning, and the kids will be devastated if I don't get all the things they wanted."
"It's already on the table waiting for you Andy," Cara said happily. "Try not to make too much noise though, if they see you, you'll never get away."
"Thanks for the heads up," Andy said genuinely. "I'm not sure when we'll all be home, but if you need me, just ring. I hadn't planned on being at the house for too long; I thought they'd still be a bit wary of being left on their own."
"They are a bit timid," Cara agreed. "No doubt Miranda thought they'd be fine."
Andy didn't say anything, but Cara understood her agreement.
"I'll call you if anything happens, but I've been doing this a long time Andy. Hopefully they'll be fine. If anything it'll be when they wake up from their naps, or when they go for a bath."
"Okay, let me know," Andy said. "We're pulling up now, I'll talk to you later."
She slid out of the car before it had come to a complete stop and ran up the steps, stealing into the house and back out without a sound. List firmly in hand and everything triple checked, she nodded for Roy to continue onto the home that held all of the memories of the three little children's parents.