Andy looked up in time to see Nigel jerk his head in the direction of the conference room. She rolled her eyes, saved her work and went to meet him.
"Are you alright Six?" he asked as soon as she closed the door behind her.
"Do I have to talk about it?" she asked sullenly.
"No," he stroked him chin and the little bit of stubble he'd taken to wearing. "But it might help."
"They're ridiculous," she conceded, slumping down in a chair. "It's not like anything has changed. I haven't changed."
"Oh, but honey, you have," Nigel replied ruefully. "But there's an element of jealousy as well."
"They can have my life," Andy grumbled. "It's not as if it's an easy one."
"Really?" he asked with a wry grin.
"No."
"Come on Six. You've bagged the Queen," he chuckled. "You're gonna catch some jealousy, and people are going to talk. Did she not tell you that?"
"Oh, she did," Andy shrugged. "I just wish she had been wrong." She sighed and leaned back with a groan. "And, realistically, I can't talk to her about it. I don't want her to fire people, it's," she shrugged again. "Normal I guess."
"It is," he smiled kindly, sitting on the conference table and taking her hand. "Find a way to talk to her honey. She might surprise you."
"You're a good fairy god uncle you know," she chuckled. "Maybe once I've talked to her about all," she waved her hand in a move that was only a little reminiscent of Miranda, "we can have dinner at the house."
"I'd like that," he said. "I don't see my nephews nearly often enough, so I'd like that a lot."
"Excellent," she smiled, getting up and hugging him. "Our five will be lucky to have you. Thanks for the pep talk Nig."
"You're most welcome."
Andy left the conference room with more of a spring in her step. It didn't surprise her that Nigel had found out about the whispers, or the not quite whispers that she'd been putting up with. The irony was that she didn't want to be different than anybody else. She wanted to be the same, but deep down, she knew that was impossible. She was Miranda's -
She paused here. With the exception of once, very early on in their relationship, they had never really spoken about what they were to each other. Andy didn't like the term girlfriend. It didn't fit Miranda, she wasn't a girlfriend. And it definitely wasn't a moniker that Andy wanted - any term that further showed the age difference between the two was something she wanted to stay far away from.
She'd decided, not long after that discussion, that it didn't really matter. They were simply together and it was okay if there wasn't a name for that relationship.
After a long day, straining over the keyboard, she heard the door to the office close in the next room over and looked up.
"Hey," Anton said awkwardly. Andy sighed.
"I don't tell Miranda anything about my day," Andy called after him as he turned. "I can't really, so I don't. So I'm asking you as Andy, not as Miranda's partner. Stop treating me with kid gloves. I can take it, and I want to work here. I understand if that can't happen but I want this. And I'm good, I know you think so."
He turned and looked at her for a beat before looking apologetic.
"I'm sorry Andy, I know I need to do better," he grimaced. "It's hard, you know."
"I do," she laughed. "Boy, do I know. But," she chewed her lip. "Look, if it's too hard. Tell me now and I'll look for something else."
"But Miranda -"
"Forget Miranda," Andy said harshly. "You're talking to me, about me. I can choose my life, and I don't work for Miranda, I work for you."
There was a tense pause as Andy watched him consider her words before coming to a decision.
"You're right," Anton nodded. "You do and I'll try to remember that. I'm sorry Andy."
"It's okay," Andy said, standing and packing up. "I knew there would be a steep learning curve and I'm prepared to traverse it if you are."
"I'm glad," Anton said. "You are right. You do good work and we're lucky to have you on staff."
"Thanks," she grinned, sliding her messenger bag onto her shoulder. "I," she paused. "I know I've been a bit flighty because of the situation at home, but I promise it'll get better."
"It's okay," Anton said. "We always have someone out of office. You've got your assignments and you get them done on time. We're in the 21st century Andy. If you need to work at home, just email me."
"Thanks."
"'Night Andy."
"Goodnight."
She watched him go, waiting for him to catch the next elevator before she made a move. She considered packing up and walking down to see Miranda before she set off home, but decided against it. Switching the light off, she walked to the door and waited for it to snick closed behind her.
"What is a nice looking girl like you, doing in a place like this?"
"JESUS!" Andy jumped and spun around in shock to see Miranda leaning smugly against the conference room window. "Why do you keep doing that?"
"Because it's fun," Miranda chuckled, holding out her hand. "And because I love the shade of pink that brushes your cheek."
"Whatever," Andy said, poking out her tongue. "Shall we?"
"Let's," Miranda said, her eyebrow quirking a little as Andy wrapped her arm around Miranda's. "I have spoken with Cara. Dinner is nearly ready and the babies are bathed."
"I am soooo glad you have Cara," Andy said tiredly.
"We darling," Miranda said, allowing her to push the button. "We have Cara." Andy shrugged. "I trust whatever was eating you up during the production meeting earlier has been resolved?"
"I -" the elevator opened and they stepped in. "Can we talk at home?"
"Of course," Miranda said, pressing a kiss to Andy's cheek once they were inside the elevator. "As long as you are alright?"
"I think so."
"Hmm," Miranda hummed, looking at Andy sideways. "I see it is not completely resolved."
"Mostly. I just need to talk to you about it."
"As you wish," Miranda nodded demurely.
Andy was quiet on the way home and went about getting changed on autopilot. It wasn't until she was interrupted by a quiet knock that she realised she'd walked upstairs without even saying hello.
"Ca' I come in Mama?"
"Course you can sweetie," she said, pulling her t-shirt down and turning to catch Sam in her arms.
"You grumpy?"
"No," Andy smiled gently. "Just tired. Were you good for Cara today?"
"Yep," he said, leaning back and looking at her. "We changed Livvy's bandageges and it was icky," he scrunched up his nose.
"It was?"
A tendril of worry made its way down her spine at the thought of Olivia's finally healing fingers becoming infected. They did not need that, especially when she was due to start school in about three weeks.
"Car-wa said it was fine but I fought it was icky."
"Let's go see shall we?"
He nodded happily and rode in her arms as they walked downstairs. He enjoyed the one on one attention he got from either woman, but he never relaxed in Andy's arms like he did in Miranda's.
"Found her!" he called they entered the kitchen. It was crowded with all of them and Cara there.
Miranda looked up barely but kept talking to Cara. Andy figured they'd hang by the door until dinner was ready.
"And you're sure it was fine?" Miranda asked, running her hands through Olivia's hair.
"Absolutely," Cara nodded, winking at Olivia. "I checked it thoroughly and made sure to clean it like the Dr showed us. "It's healing nicely, I think."
"Good. Thank you Cara, if Andréa is indeed here now, you may go when you are ready."
"Thank you Miranda," Cara nodded.
"Later!"
"I'll see you tomorrow, terrors," Cara chuckled as she hugged the girls. "Bye Livvy."
"Bye Cara," Olivia called, already lost in whatever it was they she and Nick looked to be engrossed in. Andy stepped forward and put Sam down on a chair while she nodded to Cara and turned to Miranda for instructions.
"I will be four minutes," she said, without disappointing Andy. "Then we shall eat. Are we all hungry?"
There was a chorus of bored yeses and Andy bit her lip to stop herself from grinning.
"You'd be a great kindergarten teacher," she quipped as Miranda walked out the door.
The twins laughed as she jumped, thanks to the soft swat on her behind for her cheek.
"How was your day kids?" Andy said, sitting down and getting a closer looked at what the littles were doing.
"Math was soooooo boring," Caroline huffed. "But art was awesome. We're doing photography and we got to watch a film being developed."
"Yeah?" Andy said, impressed at the range of educational experiences the twins often got.
"Yeah and next week we're going to learn about light and shade and all those other awesome things that you need to know."
"That sounds awesome!" Andy said, and meant it. "What about you Cass?"
"Meh," she said, coming around and leaning on Andy until the older woman put her arm around her.
"Huh," Andy said quietly, watched as the three little ones busied themselves in their game and Caroline joined in. "You okay?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah," Cassidy said, wrapping her own arm around Andy's shoulders. "People are buttheads though, you know?"
Andy laughed and nodded, her day clearly mirroring Cassidy's.
"Yeah baby," she chuckled, giving the girl a squeeze. "I know exactly what you mean. Did you get it sorted out though?"
"I think so," Cassidy shrugged. "If they can't handle it, I'll just stop being their friend."
The little girl looked so like her mother in that moment, Andy couldn't help but smile.
"You looked just like your Mom when you said that."
"Yeah?" there was hope shining in her eyes as she asked for confirmation.
"Yeah," Andy nodded.
"Cool."
"What about you little munchkins," Andy said, turning to the three around the table. "How was your day?"
"Sam helped clean my hand!" Livvy said, beaming at Andy. "And we made ice cream."
"You made ice cream?" Andy said, looking at the girl in excitement. "How did you do that?"
"Cara put the stuff in and turned it on. Then we ate it all up!"
"All of it!" The surprise in Andy's voice wasn't entirely put on. Some ice cream for dessert would really go down a treat after the day she'd had.
"Cara saved some for you my darling," Miranda smirked from the doorway. "Right. Everyone wash hands please. Girls, help your brothers. Olivia, seeing as your hands are already washed a quick wipe will do. There's some -"
"I got it M'anda," Livvy replied getting down from her seat and moving to the drawer where she pulled out a packet of antibacterial wipes.
"You have them so well trained," Andy quipped, slapping Miranda's ass this time as she left the room to do as she was told.
Dinner was lively, and happy and Andy felt herself relaxing. Sam had become much better at sitting at the table until everyone had finished and all in all, it passed pleasantly.
"Can Mama read to us before bed?" Livvy asked as they cleared the last of the plates away.
"That is up to Mama, but I'm sure she can."
"Sure sweetheart," Andy said, cupping her cheek. "Whatever you want."
"Cool."
Story read, teeth brushed, pyjamas on and babies in bed, Andy retired to the sitting room where Miranda was curled up on one end of the sofa with the book on her knee.
"I love seeing you like this," Andy said quietly. "I always did."
"Human?" Miranda said, with a smirk.
"Relaxed," Andy corrected gently.
"Well, I was only amusing myself until you came along darling," Miranda said, putting aside the book. "How about you tell me what it is that is bothering you so?"
"There was an incident today, someone said something and nobody stood up for me," Andy shook her head. "They should have, and they didn't and it hurt a little and made me question whether I can continue to write for Runway."
"What are their names? I shall fire them," Miranda said, her tone clipped and clinical. "Then next time, perhaps you should talk to your direct supervisor. It is not in my habit to become part of the office politics ordinarily, but I will not stand for them to take this out on you."
Andy groaned and got up to pace back and forth.
"That was not the answer you were looking for?" Miranda asked, sounding genuine her eyes following back and forth.
"I just -" Andy grabbed her hair in frustration. "I'm not telling you because I want you to fix it," Andy said finally, feeling a sense of calm return to her. "I'm just, I guess I'm just decompressing, you know?" Andy wondered if Miranda did know. "Like, I've been coming home and not telling you about my day, because of this. But I want to," she said sadly, looking sadly at Miranda. "I want to come home and tell you about my day so that you know how my day went, not so you could fix it for me," Andy softened and joined Miranda' on the sofa. "Can you maybe just listen as my lover, rather than the boss of Runway?"
"Are they not one in the same?" Miranda asked, throwing her glasses on the side table.
"Well, they can be, I suppose," Andy shrugged. She turned to look at Miranda, leaning against the back of the sofa with a small smile. "I fell in love with Miranda, not La Priestly. She is not welcome in our bed," she checked Miranda was following and it was interesting to watch her consider what Andy was saying. "Don't get me wrong," Andy said quickly. "I love La Priestly; she's a part of the Miranda that I love, but I don't ever want to make love to her. Do you think you could maybe just be my Miranda?"
"Yours?" Miranda asked imperiously.
"Yeah," Andy grinned mischievously, leaning forward.
"Mm, for kisses I would do a lot of things," Miranda smiled, cupping Andy's cheek.
"I'd do anything for your kisses," Andy admitted, kissing Miranda again, deepening it. "Would you," she cleared her throat. "Would you like to join me in bed?"
"Only if I get to keep on kissing you," Miranda whispered, sounding almost afraid of what that meant.
"Well," Andy said, standing up and tugging on her sleeves. "Let's go and find out."