A/N: So. My timeline is SO squiffy I can't keep hold of it. So I'm asking you to ignore the timings. Yes, I know the twins have just a two week holiday, which means it wasn't summer. AND for some reason, Miranda is sure it's nearly Paris Fashion Week time, which Google has told me is in September - which of course means that school has only just gone back really, with no two week holidays in sight. So roll with it. I'm only putting this here, cos someone will notice lol I don't direct, I just go where everyone tells me to go, so blame Miranda for wanting to go to Paris.
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-
"M'anda!"
"Sam wait!"
Andy's eyes widened as Sam came rushing down the hallways, his hands covered in sticky flour. In a move, Andy knew must have come from necessity many years ago, Miranda sidestepped the young lad and grabbed his arms, swinging him off his feet a little and making him whoop.
There was a generally muted moment of horror while everyone watched as Cara stepped forward and captured his hands.
"That was," Andy frowned. She wasn't sure what that was. "That was -"
"That was wicked," Caroline said, leaning against Cassidy with an impressed smirk on her face.
"Thank you darlings," Miranda said with a matching smirk. "I learnt that the hard way with the two of you!"
"You'd better be careful," Andy chuckled, pushing Nick further into the house so they could get off the front steps. "Now he knows you can do that, he'll insist, and you'll be helpless against his big blue eyes."
Miranda didn't reply, but Andy could see that she'd just had that thought as well. She laughed as she hung up her coat, and Caroline's blazer, as it was handed to her.
"Thanks Ma," Caroline said, slinging her bag, and Olivia's onto her shoulder and running up the stairs with the girl in tow.
"Cass, come with me?" Andy asked, nodding into the other room. "Miranda, don't leave, we'll be done in a minute."
"What," Cassidy said with a groan.
"Hey," Andy said, cupping her cheek. "Lose the 'tude. I'm trying to help."
"Sorry," Cassidy said, slumping into the wingback chair Andy thought wasn't all that comfortable. "Bad day."
"I know kid, but like I said. I wanna help, so help me help you," Andy said, taking her hand. "What do you need? What's going on?"
"I just," she shrugged. "I don't know. I forget things. I didn't think it was a big deal."
"Okay, when it was you and Caroline, maybe it wasn't a big deal," And smiled sadly. "But it's not just you and Caro anymore, so how do we make sure that doesn't happen. I know I don't want to do this morning over and over again, do you?"
"No," Cassidy whispered.
"No," Andy said, now crouching in front of the chair. "So let's think. What do you need? A reminder? An alarm? Maybe an alarm every school night? Remind you to get your stuff together? That way you've got time to find something if it's not where you expected it to be?"
"I guess," Cassidy said, looking at Andy with the most pathetic look on her face. "I really didn't mean unorganised this morning."
"I know," Andy said. "It happens. When I first started working for Mom, I was a mess. I never had anything ready, until I couldn't put it off anymore. I needed to be organised enough to do everything I needed to do, and some. So I'll help okay? Can't do anything about your punishments, cos we did remind you last night, and you didn't do anything about it, but I'll help you from now, okay?"
"Okay," Cassidy said, sitting forward and wrapping her arms around Andy's neck. They rarely hugged her, the twins, but Andy sighed into the girl's hair.
"I love you," Cassidy said quietly. "Thank you."
"Always my darling," Andy whispered. "Now, let's go find some food, I bet you're all starving. I'm hoping for cookies."
"I think marshmallow treats," Cassidy grinned, standing, but waiting for Andy to join her before she left.
"Andréa," Miranda said, beckoning her over with a nod. "I have to get back," she pressed a kiss to Andy's lips. "Thank you my darling, for Cassidy. She needed that, and not me punishing her."
"I remember being that age. It's rough."
"One up on me," Miranda chuckled, patting Andy's cheek affectionately.
"Whatever," Andy said, nudging her with her hip. "You were born fully formed, I'm sure of it."
"You are incorrigible," Miranda said. "You will be fine with them tonight?"
"Of course," Andy said, scoffing a little. "Treats, baths, and a movie for the littles. I think they'll be out before it's over. Sam will be the wildcard. I think he'll be ready for his M'anda time when you get home."
"It won't be late," Miranda said. "I've already cleared most of my evening."
"Good. I'll wait and have supper with you. We only just ate anyway."
"You could order something if you like?" Miranda said, kissing her again as a horn sounded outside. "Surprise me?"
"Sure," Have a good afternoon," Andy said, kissing her properly before she could escape."I love you. GUYS!"
"Andréa," Miranda rolled her eyes. "You're as bad as the girls."
"I'm worse," Andy chuckled. "More practice cheering on football teams."
"Heathen," Miranda said, as she was careened into by two small children while I third gripped Andy's hand and waved enthusiastically. "Goodbye darling, be good for Mama."
"Love you M'anda," Olivia said, taking a deep breath while she hugged her middle tightly.
"I love you my little ones," Miranda said, running her hand over Olivia's hair, then Samuel's. "And my big ones," she winked at the twins, who had joined them at the bottom of the stairs. "I won't be late, I promise," she made sure to catch the twin's eyes. "I promise."
"'Kay Mom," Caroline said, glancing at Cassidy, who nodded with a small smile.
"You guys are going to eat early, but I'll be home for supper. Talk to Andréa," Miranda said, picking up her bag. "Have a good afternoon sweethearts."
"Bye!" Sam yelled, content to let Andy wrap an arm around him so he didn't follow.
-0-
She wasn't late, but she wasn't as early as she thought she would be. She winced as she dropped her keys into the bowl and Andy couldn't help but chuckle as she leaned on the doorframe of the kitchen.
"Busted," Andy said with an easy smile. She could see the awkwardness in Miranda's face and knew that all the times she'd been late in the past were colouring this time. "You're exactly," Andy looked at her watch. "20 minutes later than I thought you would be. The littles are all sleeping, although I expect Sam might be back up in a while, but we'll see. Cassidy and Caroline said they'd like you to look in on them, but we made sketti for dinner, so they're stuffed and content to go to bed early too. Cassidy has packed her bag and has both shoes," Andy paused. "It was under the laundry that she never took down.."
"You are too good to me," Miranda whispered, her forehead leaning against Andy's.
"Nah," Andy smiled, kissing her gently. "Just love you, unendingly."
"Too good," Miranda whispered again. "Is there leftovers?"
"There is," Andy said, surprise affecting her tone. "You want some sketti?"
"Is there garlic bread?" Miranda asked, blushing.
"There is," Andy chuckled. "I can't say I'm upset, I was planning on snagging some for work tomorrow if I didn't get to eat any tonight."
"Open some wine?" Miranda asked. "A Chianti."
"Ooh, you're feeling playful. Which one?"
"Any," Miranda groaned. "No, wait," she pulled Andy back and kissed her gently. "The Colonia."
"I'm sure I'll find it," Andy said, heading a little further down the hall to where the wine cellar was. They'd had it moved from the end of the kitchen when the other renovations had been done, to make way for a bigger informal dining area. Now they could all sit around the table without being squashed.
She made it back in time to watch Miranda plating up the spaghetti, heavy on the sauce.
"You okay?" she asked, quizzically.
"Yes," Miranda said, placing the plates on the table and reaching around Andy, who was reaching up for the corkscrew, for two forks. "Weird day. Long day."
"No arguments from me," Andy grinned, pouring the wine and sitting down with a groan. "Throw me the lighter?"
Miranda did one better and handed it to her with a smirk before joining her at the table as Andy lit the candles that Miranda and Andy usually ate supper by on nights like this one. They sighed as they looked at each other, the weight of the world finally falling off their shoulders.
"What a day," Miranda muttered, groaning a little as the first forkful of pasta went past her lips.
"You shouldn't really do that if you want nice gentle dinner," Andy said, her face trying to decide whether it wanted to grin or stare lecherously.
"Pasta is not usually my fare, but sometimes," she sighed. "Sometimes carbs are exactly what one needs."
"One should remember that this one needs you not to groan like that if one wants to eat the rest of dinner."
"It's not an altogether terrible prospect," Miranda said, sipping her wine. "Although, I take your point. Eat, don't sit there staring!"
"How could I not," Andy said but spinning her fork in the pasta. "You're beautiful."
"I'm tired."
"Those two are not mutually exclusive," Andy clarified, reaching out and taking Miranda's free hand. "Times like these are my favourites."
"When I'm too tired to bandy words with you?"
"When you're just mine," Andy said, ignoring the self-deprecation.
"I'm always yours," Miranda said quietly. "I meant what I said to Nigel. He and I have been having that conversation for nearly forty years. I'm glad I came to lunch, if only to remind him of that."
"I thought as much," Andy chuckled. "You're really very sweet to me."
"I love you," Miranda shrugged, uncharacteristically. "What I said was the truth."
"Well," Andy said leaning over and kissing her cheek gently. "It was beautiful."
"Over soup with a plastic spoon?"
"The best moments involve plastic cutlery," Andy chuckled.
They fell silent and ate the rest of the dinner the same. By the time Andy sat back, Miranda had stopped eating with some left on the plate and nibbled on a little garlic bread while Andy mopped up the sauce.
"Life is awesome," Andy said, looking over.
"It is," Miranda said, picking up the plates and rinsing them, loading them in the dishwasher and turning it on. "Come along Andréa."
"No Book tonight?"
"That was why I was late," Miranda sighed. "No Book tonight, and possibly tomorrow too. A catastrophic printing issue. I left before I fired the entire department."
"Well, I can't say I'm displeased," Andy chuckled. "I get you all to myself? I'm definitely the winner here."
"A fact Nigel reminded me of," Miranda chuckled. "Bed. The children will be up early tomorrow, and I can imagine they'll want feeding. Why they can't just cope without sustenance is beyond me."
Andy followed Miranda's very pretty backside up the stairs, laughing the whole way.
-0-
"Andy Sachs?"
"Darling, can we postpone Friday's date? I know it's not what you want to hear, but Barbara is in town for a single night.
"Barbara?"
"Potts, from Saks Potts."
"Who?"
"Honestly, how is it you're still employed in my magazine?" Miranda huffed, but Andy could hear the smile in her voice.
"Look, if we need to postpone date night, we can. It's not a big deal. Either way, I win."
"I don't understand darling," Miranda said.
"Well, if I get to take you out, then I get to spend some time with you, and it will be divine and you'll be dressed up," she pondered that. "Or not, if plastic cutlery is involved, or alternatively, you could go out with the Barbara woman, and I could still see you dressed up," she grinned. "But then I get to help you take off whatever beautiful thing it is that you will be wearing when you get home." She let Miranda ponder that for a moment before she chuckled. "And, after either of those scenarios, I get to take you to bed, so. Win, win."
There was a very long pause between Andy's cheeky flourish and the clearing of Miranda's throat.
"Well."
'I thought you'd like that," Andy said quietly. "I'm not them. If you have to work, then you should always work, unless you can do the same work at a time that is more convenient for the family."
"I am not always good at that though," Miranda said.
"That's why you have me," Andy said gently, allowing her off the hook. "Go out with this person, come home. Spend the weekend with us. Happy wife, happy family."
"I'm not sure that's how the saying goes, but I do like it better than the other."
"Me too," Andy smiled into the phone. "You could have told me this later you know," Andy reminded her.
"Ah," Miranda said, making Andy look at the ceiling and take a big breath.
"Hmm?"
"Have you perchance noticed the date lately?"
"In terms of what?"
"In terms of Paris."
"Ooh," Andy looked at her calendar, a feature that was always on top of her screen. "Well fuck."
"ANDRÉA!"
"Sorry. I hadn't exactly forgotten, but I'm working on the articles for after, so yeah okay. I'd forgotten." Andy blew out a big breath. "Wow."
"Indeed. In a month, I shall be leaving for Paris. And there's nothing I can do about that."
"No," Andy said gently. "I know," she looked up as Camille knocked quietly on her door and pointed to the conference room. They had an editorial meeting, "Hey, how late will you be?"
"Maybe 9? I have a budget meeting at 6, and James wants to go over his designs."
"Isn't that what she's for?"
"Well yes, but I'm arranging a coup."
"Miranda," Andy sighed.
"I jest," Miranda said quietly. "But it will be late."
"I'll wait up."
"You're exhausted."
"I am, and so are you, but I have a meeting now, and we still need to talk about this."
"I had thought that if I just -"
"Hang on, don't do all the thinking on your own, remember," Andy reminded her gently. "Talk it over with me, even if we end up doing exactly as you want, you gotta share Miranda."
"I am not a child," Miranda said dangerously.
"I know, but I'm not your assistant either. Tell me later, at home, I gotta go. I love you."
She hung up with a sigh and gathered her things. She'd be late, and Anton would frown, but she was ahead of the game anyway, so it would be alright. A week without Miranda sounded hellish though. And she really wasn't looking forward to the fallout from the phone call either. But it would keep. Andy pushed it from her mind and concentrated. Now that she'd realised it was a month to Paris, she'd have to be on her game.
-0-
Someone forgot to remind Andy that the second day of school was worse than the first. By that evening, even Sam was over it, and Andy found herself hiding in the bathroom just to get a moment's peace. Once Cara had left, there was not enough of Andy to go round, and between helping the twins with their homework, and Sam's unusual clinginess, Andy was over it by the time dinner was over.
"Right, baths, then bed."
"Maaaaaama," Sam wined, his eyes filling with tears.
"No, tonight everyone is very tired, including me."
"I'll help Livvy in the bath, if you like?" Cassidy asked helpfully.
"Great. I'll take the boys, and Caro, do you mind doing the table? Just put the dishes in the sink and I'll get to the later."
"Ma, I'm perfectly capable of loading a dishwasher," Caroline snorted as she got up.
"Of course you're," Andy smiled, realising that she must really look like she was having a hard time if both twins had decided on helping.
Usually, Cassidy and Olivia gravitated to each other by the end of the night. Olivia would lay on Cassidy's stomach while the two watched videos about who knew what, or, if Andy was paying attention, she'd get Cass to read a book or something. But by the time she did, it was usually too late to start one.
"Hey Ma?"
"Yes?" she turned, seeing Cassidy hover. "What's up chuck?"
Cassidy turned her nose up at the nickname, but continued.
"Do I have to do anything special with her hand?"
"Um," Andy thought about it. "Actually, let's give it a good soak for tonight. Livvy, come here baby."
Andy captured her hand and kissed her cheek while she leant on her. She made quick work on unwrapping the dressing they'd put on to keep it covered. She wore a brace over it when she was at school, but once she was home, it came off to give the rest of her hand a rest. Dr Swari's appointment was in two days time, and Andy hoped Miranda had remembered to ask the snooty one to put it on the calendar.
"Are you doing your exercises Livvy baby?"
"I," there was a pause. "I didn't do them yesterday, and I," she frowned. "I didn't really do them today."
"Well," Andy said, inspecting the hand. "Guess what?"
"What?" Liv asked, her head tipping a little like Miranda's did.
"Today isn't over yet! Can you do them for me in the bath with Cassy? Show her how you do them okay?"
"Yep," Livvy nodded. She ran off, taking Cassidy's hand with her good one and trying to pull her up the stairs.
"I don't need to do anything?"
"No, just keep her from scratching," Andy smiled gently at the young woman. "A good soak will help it heal. And make sure she shows you her exercises. I'll check on it before she sleeps. We'll probably leave it uncovered tonight so it doesn't go gooey," Andy winked and Cassidy allowed the little girl to pull her up the stairs.
"Alright munchkins," Andy said, turning to the boys. "Bath together? Or separate tonight?"
Nick looked at Sam, who looked dead on his feet and held up two fingers, making Andy smile.
"Anytime you want to say something, you go ahead okay? We won't make you say anything at all, but if it's easier sometimes, you can."
He shook his head and looked sad, and Andy pulled him into her arms.
"It's okay baby. You're in charge here," Andy kisses his hair and held out her arms to Sam. "Come on trouble, let's get you in the bath. Do I need to ask Cara what she's doing with you all day! Why are you so tired?"
"I itchy," Sam said forlornly.
"You are?" Andy said with a frown. "Where are you itchy?"
"Here," he said sadly, pointing at his eyes. "An' my ears."
"A bath will help, baby," Andy said, hefting him up in her arms with a groan. "What on earth is Cara feeding you! You're such a big boy."
"Can I comes to work wiv you tomorrow?" Sam said quietly, playing with Andy's hair. "I don't wanna stay home."
She sighed. One the one hand, Sam was the youngest of three, and now, the youngest of 5. He was only now figuring out how to be on his own. On the other hand, she remembered exactly how alone she'd felt for so much of her life. To have that security that you thought you had, torn asunder from one day to the next was tough. And she was older than Sam was.
"Let's get you in the bath, and we'll think of something okay?"
"M'kay," he whispered.
Andy ended up bent over the bath, helping him lay back in the water as he started crying. Not histrionic crying, but sad, deep sobs. It broke her heart.
"It's okay baby," Andy whispered as she rinsed his body. "It'll be alright."
"I want you mama," he hiccuped.
"Let's get your hair washed, then we'll get out and cuddle okay?"
She wasn't sure what she was going to do about Nicky's bath, but she'd figure it out once she got Sam to stop sobbing.
"I want Mummy."
"Oh sweetheart," she whispered, making quick work of his hair, pulling him out and wrapping him up in his dinosaur poncho towel and in her arms. "I've got you, it's okay to miss Mummy."
He sobbed and sobbed and sobbed until Andy's legs were numb from kneeling on the bathroom floor, and her clothes were soaked. She didn't care. Her baby was hurting in the worst way. In a way, she couldn't help, and all she could do was hold him, and rock him until he passed out, tears staining his cheeks and his breath coming in this gasps.
"Ma?" Caroline whispered from the door. "I bathed Nicky in Mo- your bath. That okay?"
"You're a superstar Caroline Priestly," she whispered back.
"Mom just walked in. I'll go get her. I don't think I could take Sam off you."
"Okay," Andy smiled, hoping Miranda understood the somewhat urgent nature of how long she'd been on the floor.
"Oh Andréa."
"My legs are seriously numb. Can you take him?"
Miranda rushed forward, her shoes staying at the door and she grunted as she picked him up in her arms, cradling him as he pushed his face into her chest with a sigh.
"Shit," Andy groaned, pulling her legs from under her and leaning against the bath.
"You alright Ma?"
Caroline and Cassidy both poked their heads in the door and smiled at the picture Miranda was making, humming softly to her littlest favourite.
"Girls, can you help me up?" Andy winced. "I need to be up by the time the pins and needles come in."
"Ouch," Cassidy said, wincing. "I got them all the time when we were about 8. Nightmare."
"I didn't," Caroline said. "Although sometimes my arm goes dead when I'm reading. It tickles when it comes back."
"This isn't going to tickle," Andy groaned as it started.
"Andréa, come and sit down," Miranda said from the hallway, nodding towards the wingback chair that Andy had never understood. Why was it at the top of the stairs anyway. The best she'd come up with is dead space, but she was too distracted to even consider it now. Her thighs were screaming.
"Oh shit," she whispered, trying to remain very still. "Nobody touch okay? It'll go off, I just can move."
Sam started stirring again and Miranda went back to rocking and singing until he went back to sleep.
"Shall I put him down?"
"I think so," Andy groaned. "He'll sleep better if we get him down now."
Miranda disappeared into the boy's bedroom, and Andy could hear her quietly asking if Nick was alright and whether he needed. Andy was ready to scream.
"Here Ma," Cassidy said, looking like she could feel what Andy could feel. "Take my hand."
"Thanks Cass."
The pins and needles seemed to go on forever, but eventually, she felt Miranda's hands on the tops of her thighs rubbing forcefully. It helped distract her, but also, disrupt what was now going on in her feet.
"Oh," Andy said finally. "God, I haven't had that happen is a long time. Sorry."
"Don't," Miranda said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Are you alright now?"
"I will be in another 5 minutes," she looked gratefully over to Cassidy. "Thanks honey."
"No worries. I already packed my bag and my shoes are at the door with yours."
"Well done," Andy said pulling her closer and kissing her temple. "Homework done and in your bag?"
"Yeah," Cassidy said quietly. "I'm ready."
"Great. Caro's got soccer tomorrow so can you round up the other two and meet Roy out front?"
"Sure," she said with a smile. She stood up taller when she did and kissed her mom before heading off to her room.
"Are you really alright?" Miranda said, crouching at her feet.
"Yeah," Andy sighed, leaning back and taking Miranda's offered hand. "Long long night."
"Have supper with me? I'm famished," Miranda asked, tugging on Andy's hand a little. "Just tea and toast I think."
"Yep," Andy sighed. "Give me 5 minutes to get out of these things. They're a damp."
"I'll help," Miranda whispered.
Miranda walked Andy to the closet and had her stand still while she undressed her. Andy smiled with closed eyes as Miranda's fingers wandered over the growing expanse of skin on show. She shivered a little and Miranda's hand stilled.
"Fascinating," she muttered.
Andy opened her eyes and smiled as Miranda was watching her skin got goosebumps.
"You are extraordinarily beautiful," Miranda whispered.
"You are," Andy said, trying to deflect.
"Perhaps," Miranda whispered, finally looking into Andy's eye. "I adore you Andréa. I've had a lot of thought about what I said and did earlier and you were, are, right. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Andy said with a smile. "Really. With Paris coming up, something I'd forgotten about, I know it's only going to get more stressful."
"I wish," Miranda sighed, but didn't continue.
"You wish?"
"I had thought that I meant I wish I didn't have to go," Miranda said, stepping forward and moulding her front to Andy's. "But that is incorrect. I adore Paris Fashion Week for so many reasons. But," she pressed a kiss to Andy's bare shoulder. "I wish that you could come with me."
"You will have the best time," Andy sighed, finally wrapping her arms around Miranda.
"M'anda?"
They turned, looking at Sam, tears on his face, rubbing his eyes.
"Come here little love," Miranda said, only taking the time to press a gentle kiss to Andy's lips.
Andy threw on a pair of sweats and a singlet, taking advantage of his distraction.
"Want me to hold him while you change?"
Sam clung to Andy while they waited for Miranda to change, emerging in something similar to Andy, but a little more class. As usual. Not that Andy minded. Silk pyjama bottoms had a way of making Miranda's bottom look just that bit nicer.
"You're staring," Miranda muttered as they walked downstairs.
"I am," Andy grinned, catching up to Miranda's side. "Can't help it. You're beautiful. Sit, I'll make."
Miranda groaned as she sat at the table, Samuel once again asleep in her arms.
"He's too big for this really," Miranda said quietly.
"There's something going on," Andy said in reply, leaving the kettle boiling and joining Miranda, wrapping her arms around both. "He said he was itchy earlier actually?" Andy said, remembering. "I thought maybe it was just whatever he did with Cara."
"Did you ask her?"
"Honestly, no. I didn't think of it. Didn't get around to it."
Without being asked, Andy fetched Miranda's phone from the hallways where she'd left it in her hurry to get up the stairs and went about slathering butter on the toast.
"There's some jelly in the refrigerator."
"Ooh, it was a long day for you," Andy grinned.
"I confess I had a bit of yours the other morning. I've been thinking about it ever since."
"One or two pieces of toast and jelly a few times a year isn't going to cause Valentino to let out your frocks Miranda," Andy said cheekily, giggling when she was goosed on the backside for her trouble.
"Cara said that they went to the park for a while, they took Patricia. I'm hoping it's allergies as that is a relatively easy fix."
"What would it be if it wasn't?"
"Chickenpox?"
"Oh shit," Andy paled, sitting down with a thump.
"I'm sure it's allergies."
"We can't get chicken pox now. That would be a disaster."
"The girls have already had it, so they are immune. We can contact their physician in Philadelphia to see if the older two have had it."
"I haven't, I don't think," Andy winced.
"I had it about seven hundred years ago," Miranda said, her face totally neutral until Andy heard it and looked up sharply. "Relax. We'll be fine."
"You think you're really funny," Andy smirked, holding out a piece of toast. "The rub is, you're really hilarious."
"Only at home love," Miranda said, around her mouthful.
"The best place to be funny," Andy sighed.
They ate in amicable silence until Miranda groaned.
"He's heavy," she complained, trying to shift him into a position that worked for her.
"Let's go to bed. I'll carry him, you bring the tea. Is the Book coming?"
"No. Nigel is staying to look at it electronically. The server is not yet set up for looking over it electronically."
"Poor Nige," Andy said.
"He is well paid," Miranda said, a touch of "work Miranda" in her tone.
"I know," Andy said placatingly. "I just meant it'll be a long night for him too. Come here little one," she said, arranging Sam on her shoulder. "You okay to bring the tea?"
"Yes. Do you need water?"
"Please," Andy called over her shoulder.
She headed upstairs, intent on putting Sam to bed, but when she got there, as soon as he was out of her arms, he woke up crying and rubbing his eyes.
"Alright sweetie. Come on," Andy sighed, picking him back up and putting him in the middle of their bed, sitting next to him and brushing her fingers through his golden curls.
"I was wondering whether he'd go down," she said quietly as she brought in a tray of tea and water plastic box. "Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In case he gets hungry in the night. Cassidy had allergies early on," Miranda explained. "She'd wake in the night and I soon realised that when they are feeling stuffy, they don't always feel like eating, and of course when the allergy eases when they're asleep, they wake up hungry."
"I think you're super mom, did you know that?" Andy said.
"I am decidedly not that," Miranda muttered as she headed into the bathroom. "I'll be a moment."
"Don't rush," Andy said.
She sat there, contemplating life in general as she tugged on Sam's curls. They fascinated her. She wondered where he got them from, seeing as she was fairly sure Alec's hair was straight and boring. It was odd that she had thoughts often about the kid's parents. She wondered whether Miranda often thought about them too. And whether her thoughts were coloured by her knowledge of Alec, or whether it was more coloured by their relationship to the children they loved like their own.
"Do you ever think about Alec?"
Miranda popped her head out of the bathroom, toothbrush in her mouth and shock on her face. Andy couldn't help it, she laughed, shaking her head.
"Sorry, carry on. I'll explain in a minute."
Miranda disappeared again for a few moments before joining Andy on the bed, and taking off her makeup with some removal wipes she favoured on days when she was home late.
"I mean, do you think of him in the abstract. Or at all, I guess," she said, thinking about it. "I'm realising I'm thinking about him, and his wife, but I don't have a name or a face to go with her. In terms of the kids, I mean. Has it improved your thoughts of him?"
"I had very few thoughts about him, to begin with," Miranda started but paused as she took off her mascara. "But now that you mention it, yes. In my head, there are two Alec's, almost. One was the arsehole that I caught," she looked down at Sam. "In flagrante delicto with one of the models that were supposed to be on my set, in the back room of a hall we were in. He'd brought me flowers."
"Shit, that's," Andy winced. "That's fucked up."
"Hmm," Miranda said, no longer so shocked at Andy's occasional swear word. "But the children are," she pondered, her hands going still. "They are well rounded and polite and beautiful. So he must have done something right. He wasn't the one for me, and now," she coloured a little. "Now I know what the right one feels like, I understand his unwillingness to try."
"I," Andy's eyeballs nearly popped out of her head. "Wow."
"Did you doubt it?" Miranda asked. "Do you," she swallowed. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"You're saying that I'm your one and done?" Andy asked, leaning forward and cupping a makeup-free cheek. "Just like you are my one and done?"
"Yes," Miranda said decisively, before blinking and looking up at Andy with equally wide eyes. "Yes?"
"I love you, Miranda Priestly. I cannot imagine anyone else ever holding my heart like you hold it. I wouldn't want anyone else to hold my heart like you do. You're mine, and I'm not giving you up."
"The feeling is mutual," Miranda said, smiling serenely.
"Great. Think you can hang here while I get ready. I'll be quick."
"Don't rush," Miranda parroted as they swapped positions and Andy added just a little more sway in her walk as she entered the bathroom, throwing a wink over her shoulder before she closed the door.
Andy was true to her word and before long, they were settled down, tea gone, lights out, with Samuel sandwiched between them. They would have liked the evening to kiss and cuddle and perhaps go further, but as Sam mumbled unhappily in his sleep, the want evaporated as they sought to protect their youngest from his troubles. Miranda pulled him on almost on top of her, wrapping her arms around him as he snuggled under her chin while Andy squashed up to her side, wrapping an arm around both of them.
The kids would always come first.