A/N: Hello all. Here we are again. I wish to address a comment someone left, can't remember who it's not important, about the realism of Miranda not romancing Andy, and their lack of sex. Now. I'm one of 4 siblings in a single parent family, and I'm a step-mum of one and I'm one of those weirdos that kids gravitate to, so I often end up minding the kids wherever we go. Whether I know the kids or not (ask me about the time I ended up with 2 toddlers following me around the supermarket and having to gently and awkwardly herd them back to their parents!).

Let me tell you something you may not know. Any child under the age of 10 is absolutely exhausting. Any 2 children under the age of 10 is exhausting. 3 children under the age of 5 is ridiculous. And by the time you've done everything you need to AND worked a 9 hour day, everyone can actually get lost (I said a stronger word in my head). This is absolutely real and this story is not about Miranda and Andy's sexy times. This is a story about LIFE. Although we WILL get to the sexy times, I simply ask everyone to trust me - cos I've done this before and I always deliver for you. You know I do.

So... that review was actually a sure fire way of getting me to do the opposite, so here's more sexy tension! :D The irony was that we were finally there... And now we're not. So that's nice! I love a bit of passive aggressiveness. Good times. It hasn't been beta-ed, except for what I can see. Please point out the errors, in a way that is conducive to me doing what you want ;-) Have fun!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

-0-

A breath tickled the back of her neck as she eased into wakefulness. She rolled her hips a little and blushed at what she found.

"Mm," Miranda hummed, her hand twitching and letting Andy know exactly how they'd fallen asleep last night. "Wha' time is it?" she mumbled, her lips caressing Andy's shoulder.

"Early," Andy smiled. "What dya have in mind?"

Miranda chuckled and pulled Andy closer, running her thumb across Andy's hardened nipple.

"I was thinking about how lucky we were to not be disturbed last night," Miranda muttered. "And about how disappointed I am that we must put on some nightwear."

"Yeah," Andy grinned, turning in Miranda's arms. "That's a damn shame."

She kissed Miranda, teasing with her tongue. Her hands began to wander and before she knew it, Andy was laying on top of Miranda kissing her soundly. Miranda's legs wrapped around Andy's hips and Andy tilted her hips a little, making Miranda moan into Andy's mouth.

"We don't have time," Miranda panted, glancing at the door, even as her nails clawed at Andy's shoulder. "I," Miranda whined. "I can't -"

"Shh," Andy whispered, easing back a bit. "It's okay."

"I'm sorry."

Andy dropped her weight onto her elbows and looked at the apologetic sadness on Miranda's face.

"Don't," Andy said, kissing a lone tear on Miranda's face. "Don't cry. I don't want to force you."

"I am," Miranda swallowed. "I am unaccustomed to feeling so nervous. I want," she breathed a big shaky breath. "I want this. I have never wanted something more, I just -"

"I know," Andy smiled. "And I will wait for you. For as long as it takes."

"I feel like I have cheated you somehow," she broke off their eye contact. "You are so patient and so kind and -"

"Hey," Andy said, kissing Miranda so she couldn't speak anymore. "I know I said to maybe leave La Priestly at the door, but I didn't know Miranda was so unsure."

"I am not longer sure of anything," Miranda whispered. "You have," she sighed. "You have turned my world upside down."

"I didn't mean to make you so unsure," Andy said sadly.

"No," Miranda said, bringing Andy's head to her shoulder and running her hands up and down the bare skin on Andy's back. "You misunderstand me. I do not know how to do this. I have never had this. This is," she chuckled. "This is something completely different to what I have had before."

"When you are ready Miranda, I am ready. There's no rush. I think," Andy ran her hand down Miranda's thigh and patted her bottom. "I think we took a good step last night. And I'd like to do it again so you see I'm not just some horny juvenile."

The peals of laughter that rolled around the room warmed Andy's heart. She smiled down as Miranda laughed and carded her fingers through Andy's hair.

"Oh darling," Miranda said, giggling still as she tried to speak. "You are many things, but horny juvenile, you are not."

"Well, you know what I mean," Andy grinned, pecking Miranda's cheek. "Wanna coffee?"

"Always," Miranda said, but her arms tightened around Andy's body. The uncomfortableness of being naked around each other had fallen away overnight. Andy was so very comfortable nestled in Miranda's arms, her head resting on the gentle swell of her breast. "In a moment."

-0-

Down in the kitchen, Andy smiled into her first cup of coffee. Last night was beautiful and gentle and what some would describe as heavy petting. Andy turned her nose up. She hated that phrase.

She got lost for a moment remembering the feel of Miranda's skin under her hands while they kissed and kissed and kissed.

"Geez Ma, what's got you all happy."

"JESUS!" Andy said, spilling her coffee down her shirt. "What is it with you Priestly women!"

"I only said good morning," Caroline smirked. "Not my fault you were in La La Land."

Andy rolled her eyes and kissed Caroline's head.

"Get some breakfast you little brat," Andy laughed. "Why are you up so early?"

"Dunno," Caroline shrugged. "Sometimes I wake up early. Cassy doesn't," she laughed. "I think that's probably the one thing that's different."

"Oh I think you're pretty different in a lot of ways," Andy said kindly, watching the coffee brew for Miranda.

"You do?"

"Sure," Andy smiled, running her hand over Caroline's hair. "You might look similar, but you aren't the same. Not at all."

Caroline smiled and sighed.

"You catching some trouble at school?" Andy asked cautiously. "About us?"

"No," Caroline shook her head. "Well, some of Cass' so-called friends reckons it's all evil and like totally losing their minds. Cass told them to get over it."

"I'm sorry," Andy said, biting her lip.

"It's not your fault Andy," Caroline patted her arm. "Not your fault that she's got weirdos for friends."

Andy laughed and they lapsed into silence.

"I'm really glad you're here," Caroline whispered just loud enough for Andy to hear.

"Oh baby," Andy said, leaving the coffee and wrapping her arms around Caroline. "I am so glad to be here too."

"Please don't leave."

Andy's heart broke at how lost Caroline sounded.

"What's eating you up little one?" she asked. "What's got you so down?"

"I," her lip trembled. "I -"

"Come 'ere."

Andy picked Caroline up and sat her on her knee, rocking her back and forth. She had no idea what was going on, but Caroline's hands gripped her shoulders tightly.

"I like a girl."

Andy almost laughed at how quickly all the terrible calamities evaporated from her mind. Caroline's confession was so not what she was expecting and it was a relief, almost, to hear that nothing bad had happened.

"Oh my darling girl," Andy said gently, pulling back a little so Caroline would look at her. "That is totally okay. Did you think that we'd be upset or something?"

"No," Caroline hiccuped. "It's just," she hiccuped again. "It's scary."

"Yeah it is," Andy chuckled, wiping away Caroline's tears. "When I realised that I loved your Mom, I was so very terrified."

"She is pretty scary," Caroline giggled.

"She can be," Andy agreed. "And feeling all that love for someone is absolutely terrifying. Not knowing what to do, or what to say. Not knowing how to act," Andy shook her head. "Scary. What's her name?"

"Elise."

"Has anything happened, or -"

"She asked if we wanted to play soccer," Caroline shrugged. "Cass said she'd play if I wanted her to. But I really kinda just want to do it on my own. But that's why we asked ages ago."

"Well if that's something you want, then I think your Mom will be okay with it," Andy pondered for a moment and Caroline waited. "It would be good if you could maybe examine how you feel and whether you want to play soccer for you, or for Elise."

"I have thought about it," Caroline nodded. "I really would like to play."

"Well, providing I can talk your mother into it, let's get it done."

"Awesome."

The toaster popped with Caroline's breakfast and Andy realised she'd been gone a while longer than Miranda was probably expecting. She kissed Caroline's cheek and looked into her eyes.

"I love you Caroline. Really." Andy smiled. "You are so very smart and I'm so proud of you for handling this like you have."

"Thanks," Caroline sighed, hugging her tightly before sliding off her lap. "Are you gonna tell Mom?"

"I can," Andy shrugged, realising she'd have to microwave Miranda's coffee now. "But I think she'd prefer it if you told her."

"I thought you'd say that," Caroline nodded. "Do you think maybe I should tell her now? Or like, on the weekend?"

"It's up to you love," Andy smiled, stirring in a dash of cream. "I think she will only tell you that she loves you, and ask you if she can help with anything. Really you could have just brought Elise home for dinner or whatever, but I get it."

"Yeah," Caroline said, staring at her toast. "I guess I want to tell Mom today," she bit her lip. "As long as you think she'll say the same thing you will?"

"Honey, we love you. Knowing your Mom, she'll ask you if you're sure, and if you're happy, but otherwise, we'll just go on as normal. Let me go take her her coffee, and then once you've finished your breakfast, come on up and I'll get the kids ready while you talk."

"M'kay," Caroline said, grinning cheekily.

"Cheeky," Andy laughed.

"Thanks," Caroline said again.

"Always love," Andy said, winking as she carried the coffee up to Miranda.