A/N: Good morning world. I don't know how long I can keep giving you all excuses about why I haven't posted this chapter or that chapter. I guess as long as I keep posting them every now and I'm kinda hoping you'll all just stick with me as I go.
I'm not in the US yet, though I'd like to be, we have a funding problem lol as everyone does now and then, so I'm still stuck here in Australia and my girl is still there in the US. Difficult times!
Anyway, hope you love the update. I shall try my best to update soon again!
-0-
When Roy tapped on the privacy screen, Andy was halfway to heaven. Miranda was an outstanding kisser and Andy was gasping for breath when they finally pulled apart.
She sat back practically comatose, trying to get herself under control until Miranda tilted her head back to face her. Andy blinked as Miranda fixed her makeup and Andy's eyes finally focussed.
"You enjoy making me lose my mind don't you?" Andy asked as Miranda smoothed her lipstick.
"I can't say it's torturous," she smirked wickedly, "for me."
Andy laughed and picked up her things as she felt the car slowing.
"You're beautiful," Andy sighed. "Thank you for doing this."
"Honestly?" Miranda said quietly. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Andy's eyebrow crept up. "Well, you know what I mean."
"I do," Andy pecked her lips once more and exited the vehicle, turning around to help Miranda out.
-0-
"Good morning ladies, I'm Matt, I'm here to assist you in whatever way possible today, please follow me."
Andy glanced at Miranda, gauging her reaction before smiling at the man, who seemed genuinely nice, if a little eager as he spotted Miranda.
"They're all in love with you," Andy sighed, in a pained way.
Miranda snorted, but allowed Matt to show them into the dealership, sitting them down and then taking a seat before them.
"Tell me what you're looking for in a vehicle."
The question floored Andy. Nowhere else today had they been asked that question. Instead, they'd been given the sales pitch for every car in the lot that they'd glanced at, and it was a wonder that Miranda had stuck with it for so long.
"Well, we need a car with room for 8 people," Andy started carefully.
"Please be assured that your privacy will be maintained with me," Matt smiled kindly. "It was hard enough to come out to my parents, I can't imagine what it would be like to have the whole world suddenly know."
Miranda twitched in her seat, staring hard at the young man.
"Thank you Matthew, for your candour," she said quietly. "Though I am alarmed that you would see right through us in the five minutes you've known us."
"I, um, I'm a big fan," he shrugged. "I've followed you all my life and you've never looked at anyone the way you look at," he frowned, "it's Andy isn't it?"
For a tiny moment Andy felt a little uncomfortable, but Miranda's slowly relaxing posture and Matt's easy smile eased the tension and allowed her to relax a little as well.
"Yeah," she said holding out her hand. "Andy Sachs."
Miranda hadn't moved and was staring blankly at her joined hands.
"Miranda?"
"I am fine," she said quietly. "Matthew, we have had a very trying day, but you seem at least half way competent. We are after a SUV or larger, stylish, but practical, with eight seats, one of which will fold down to accommodate a large dog. We'd prefer something either of us can drive in the city, something comfortable for us to sit in as we watch the children play sports and we would like to be able to customise it. I would also like not to be treated as a fool."
"Wow," he said with a grin. "That was amazing."
Andy squeezed Miranda's hand as she realised what Miranda had said about sports but before she could say anything, Matthew surprised her once more.
"Okay, so what have you looked at so far?"
"Everything," Miranda growled.
"Yeah, vehicles like that can be pretty hard to come by," Matthew chewed on a pen he pulled from his inside pocket, making a note on a pad of paper. "Eight seats?" He looked up, shrugging as he continued. "I can't help but read the gossip papers, how many car seats?"
"Three," Andy said before Miranda could speak.
"Hmm," there was a terse minute of silence before he looked up with a grin. "Right, if you'd follow me."
Andy stood, waiting for Miranda before following the young man in silence.
"Sorry," Andy grimaced.
"You apologise for the strangest things," Miranda muttered. "I was actually thinking about why, if a boy like that can see that I love you with all my heart, have Page Six not run with it yet."
Andy stopped dead, looking at her lover in shock.
"I can't kiss you here can I?" she asked when Miranda turned to look at her.
"No," Miranda said quietly, sadly. "No you can't. But I appreciate the sentiment."
"I'll show you sentiment when we get home," Andy growled suggestively leaving Miranda to ponder than while she went in search of Matthew.
"I didn't upset her did I?"
"No," Andy assured him. "Just the opposite."
"Ah, there you are," Miranda joined them. "Let us see what you recommend."
Matthew started talking, and Andy couldn't help but get involved. He had a way about him that made you want to talk to him; want to help him figure it out for you. Miranda spoke more than she had in all the other car yards put together. After half an hour or so, they had it narrowed down to two SUVs and a four-wheel-drive. Andy could see Miranda was uncomfortable standing around the cars any longer, and suggested they go back inside and discuss their options.
"So," Matt said when they were sat in the air conditioning. "What are your thoughts so far."
"I'm not displeased. The cars that you showcased are definitely the best suited to our needs that we've seen so far."
"Thank you," Matt nodded.
"I guess the question is, what do we do now?" Andy asked, leaning back in contemplation.
"I think the Landcruiser would be the best option," Miranda mused. She looked over at Andy. "Though I know you would prefer the 4Runner."
"I think that's bad-ass," Andy grinned. "And hybrid. But I agree that, even though the rear seats in the Landcruiser don't really lend themselves to our situation, it works better as a whole."
"Would you like to take it for a spin?"
"Yes," Andy grinned, before Miranda could speak.
The older woman chuckled and waved her hand, watching as Matt left to get everything organised.
"You're enjoying yourself," Andy said, leaning closer, but keeping enough of a distance.
"I am," Miranda said, her poker face in tact. "Who knew it would be so enjoyable."
"I think it mostly has to do with the guy selling it though."
"It certainly helps."
"Alright, if you both just sign here, you can go for a drive and get a feel for the vehicle."
Miranda scrawled her signature and Andy then did the same, accepting the keys with a grin.
"Thanks," she smiled.
They were led to a car, seeming a little bigger to Andy as she clutched the keys in her hand.
"Shall I start?" Miranda said quietly.
"Um, yeah. Thanks," Andy grinned, feeling her face going a little pink.
As soon as they were on the road, Andy was smiling, and Miranda reached over and took her hand.
"This is it isn't it," Andy asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, I think so. I'd like you to drive it though."
"I'm not," Andy paused. "I haven't driven for a while."
"It will be fine," Miranda smiled. "I trust you."
Andy nodded, rolling her eyes. Miranda pulled up and slid out, trailing her fingers down Andy's arm as they met in front of the car.
"Okay, I can do this."
"How did you drive the Mercedes?" Miranda asked, leaning sideways on the seat as she watched Andy.
"Badly," Andy grimaced.
"Relax Andréa. It is just me in the car, and I love you, completely."
Andy heard the words, felt them wash over her and she did relax. She pulled out into traffic and after a tense moment, they were driving comfortably through the suburbs.
"This is nice.," Andy said quietly, not wanting to disturb Miranda from a quiet moment if she needed one.
"It is," Miranda said, her hands resting on Andy's thigh. "And you really have nothing to worry about, you're a very good driver."
"Can I tell you something that I don't want you to get upset with?" Andy asked, her hand covering Miranda's hand.
"You can try," Miranda smirked, squeezing Andy's thigh.
"I like you giving compliments."
"I give compliments," Miranda frowned.
"No, you give vaguely hinted not-quite-insults," Andy said, hanging onto her hand as she took it back. "Which works, as Miranda Priestly the Editor, but I like you, my woman, my partner, giving me compliments."
"I -"
Andy didn't push when Miranda went quiet, but Miranda's thumb started rubbing along the seam of her jeans. She smiled as she pulled into the dealer again, and they sat for a moment, having been noticed by Matt, but allowed the privacy.
"I love you," Andy said quietly. "All parts of you, you know that don't you?"
"I do," Miranda smiled, finally looking into Andy's eyes. "I do with all my heart. I feel it every day Andréa and I promise you, I want this and I will do everything in my power to make sure that you know that. I will pay you compliments, I promise."
Andy closed her eyes against the desperation in Miranda's voice.
"No," Andy said, turning to take Miranda's hand. "No, I don't want you to superficially, I just," Andy sighed. "What I meant was it was nice, to be complemented by the most amazing woman in the world as far as I'm concerned. I don't want you giving them out willy-nilly and I certainly don't want you to become something you're not. I love you."
"You are an incredibly special person Andréa, do you understand that?"
"If I am, it's because of you."
The shared a moment, before Miranda winked at her and got out of the car.
"I think young Matthew has waited long enough. I believe it's time for him to earn his commision."
All Andy wanted to do was tangle her hand in Miranda's hand and lean against her, but they were still playing cool. Andy resolved to take Miranda somewhere where they could do that, but she would have to get creative.
-0-
"Did you get it, did you get it?"
"Bobbseys, let us get inside," Miranda said tiredly.
Andy had realised on the way home that Miranda had put up with a hell of a lot for her, and she was definitely going to be doing something special for her lovely woman that night.
"Alright kids, where are we up to?"
"Cara's putting dinner in the oven, it's chicken pie."
"Caroline's favourite."
"Yep," the girl in question said as she appeared. "I can't wait. Hey Mom, hey Andy."
"Hi sweetie," Andy said, accepting the hug. "Where are the kids?"
"Sam and Olivia are colouring but Nick is looking at books again. I asked if I could read him one, but he shook his head."
"That's okay kiddo," Andy said with a smile. "Sometimes he prefers to have a bit of alone time."
"Or he just loves you reading to him," Cassidy laughed.
"Yes, well that too," Andy looked up at Miranda's worn out face. "Coffee love?"
"Yes," she groaned. "I'll be upstairs hugging the children."
Andy nipped into the kitchen, greeting Cara and preparing Miranda a cup of coffee. She rummaged around in the cupboard until she found the cookies that Miranda liked and rarely partook of, taking one for her and one for Miranda. The children, Cara told her, had polished off a snacks plate not that long ago.
She carried two coffees and two coffees up to the den and sat down with a groan.
"Don't you start groaning at your age," Miranda mused. "Only I am allowed to groan when I sit."
"Whatever Mom," Cassidy said, squashing next to her Mom. "You're like fitter than my Sport teacher.
"I am not," she chuckled, moaning in pleasure as she took a sip. "But thank you for the compliment."
"M'anda?"
"Yes Samuel?"
"M'anda can you cuddle me?"
"Of course I can," she said, putting down her coffee. "As long as you don't mind Cassidy sharing me."
"I guess," Sam shrugged, getting up and looking seriously at Cassidy. "You get one half of M'anda and I can keep da o'va okay Cassy?"
Andy shook her head at Cass when she went to laugh and she schooled her face and nodded.
"Okay Sam, I have one half of Mom and you have the other."
"Good," Sam said, wrapping his arms around Miranda's neck. "You can have the legs o'tay?"
Miranda broke first and chuckled, moving Sam to her right and wrapping her right arm around Cassidy.
"I think I'd prefer to be split down the middle," she muttered, kissing Sam's head, then Cassidy's. "There is more than enough of me to go around."
"What about me?" Olivia asked, looking at Miranda with a frown.
"Well, I have a knee," Andy said, patting one knee gently. "You could come and cuddle me."
Like lightning, Nick was up off the floor where he'd surrounded himself with his Peter Rabbit books, over Caroline and around Andy's neck.
"Goodness me," Miranda chuckled. "You are a little sportsman!"
"Don't fret little Princess," Andy said, wrapping her arm around Caroline. "I have longer arms than Miranda I can cuddle you both at the same time."
There was a tiny pout appearing on Olivia's lips, but it soon disappeared when she saw Andy was telling the truth. She settled down, happy in Caroline's arms as well as Andy's and they, nearly all of them sighed.
"Love you guys," Cassidy whispered, sounding a little afraid of the words.
"And we love you Bobbsey, all of you, each and every one of you."
Patricia wined and landed on Andy's feet, making her groan, but understanding the sentiment. They were together. It was enough.