A/N: Hello, long time no see! I've spent two weeks wishing for the time to update this, and it's finally here! How exciting. I shan't ramble on too much, only to say thank you to everyone who stuck by this and waited patiently, or not. Either way, I hope this is a worthy addition to the story!
Note: I did take a little tiny liberty with Hotel Athénée. It in fact, does not have a pool, but for my story, it does, okay? Just roll with it.
Addition: I seem to remember that one of my stories has Anna Wintour as the twin's godmother. Did I make that up? Is it someone else's story - although not the painting one, I remember that one and it's not that?! I'm so confused right now.
-0-
The second time the pillow nearly knocked the TV off the wall, Andy knew that they needed to do something to get rid of everyone's energy. She had them put up all the mess that they'd made, and wracked her brain for something short term for them to do before Miranda was done at the shows. Apparently she had dinner under control, but if Andy couldn't control the kids, it would be a nightmare.
"Alright you little terrors, let's get changed and go up to the pool. I know there's one here somewhere. Let's go on an adventure."
"Sweet!" Caroline cried, grabbing Liv's hand and running into their room.
"I swim too?"
She smiled down at Sam and opened her arms, allowing him to jump into them.
"All of us, my darling," she smiled, holding out her hand for Nick to join her too. "Let's go get your swimmers."
She tried to corral them as they raced down the corridor of the hotel to the elevator. She had to warn Cassidy fairly sharply not to push the button until they were all beside her, but otherwise the adventure up to the roof went smoothly. She held to two boy's hands as they stepped outside the elevator into a glass corridor, open to the Parisian weather. The days were beginning to get shorter, but the sunshine still lingered throughout the day. She wondered if she'd ever get some time to explore the city with Miranda.
Maybe next year.
"Look Mama!"
She smiled at Olivia's excitement as she pointed through the glass door. Andy gave Caroline the key card to swipe and held the door open for the kids. It was deserted, which was great. Andy didn't have to worry about the kids splashing anyone, or god forbid, pushing someone in!
"Excellent. Alright guys, dump your stuff here on this chair. Cassidy, Caroline, do not let go of Liv's hand, do you understand me?"
"Yes Mama," they nodded, Olivia's hands holding on to each of theirs. "Come on Liv, let's go jump in."
Andy only caught the second movement out of the corner of her eye and reached down to scoop Samuel up in her arm before he could run and jump in fearlessly with them.
"And just where do you think you are going, little monkey?"
"I swim," he said, matter-of-factly.
"You are going to swim, yes, but not until you get your inflatables on."
He rolled his eyes in a remarkably good impression of Miranda and held out his arm. She shook her head, but put them on him, blowing them up once they were situated.
"There," she said with a flourish. "Now, I want you to stay with me until we're in the water, alright?"
"Yes Mama."
Nick looked a little apprehensive so Andy picked him up and carried him to the shallow end where she could sit on the side.
"Alright Sam, go wild," she said, making sure to point out the area in which he could go wild. He whooped loudly and the next thing Andy knew, she was covered in water.
"You're a little monkey," Andy glared gently.
Nick seemed thoroughly unimpressed by the sudden deluge they'd had, and scowled at Sam as he doggy paddled his way back to the side.
"Wanna go in my little love?" Andy asked, wrapping an arm around him. "I can keep hold of you, if you like?"
NIck clambered onto her knee and wrapped his arms and legs around her. It wasn't the perfect position to try and slide into the water, but she made do. His legs got tighter and she could feel the tension in him.
"Easy little love," she whispered, turning them quickly as Sam cannon-balled into the water again. "Just ignore him, you and I can hang out here."
She spent some time cupping water in her hands and letting it run down his back. He giggled when it tickled, and after a few moments, turned around in her arms and icked his legs lazily while Andy was holding him.
"Wanna learn to float?" she asked him, glancing over at the girls, who seemed to be trying to teach Olivia how to do a somersault underwater. "I've got you under here, all you have to do is push your tummy out of the water and let me hold you okay?"
He smiled as she pushed him away from her body a little and held him under his back.
"That's it little Prince," she grinned. "Push that tummy."
It took him a few goes and a few stern words to Sam when he nearly drowned him by jumping right next to him, but eventually, aided by his armbands, Nick was floating like a little bobbin.
"Now you," Andy growled, sweeping Sam out of the water. "Listen here little monkey, no jumping on people okay?"
"I was jus' splashin'!"
"Well, you jus' splash somewhere else okay?" Andy said, giving him an Eskimo kiss. "Not on top of your brother."
"Mom?"
In her swiveling supervision of all five kids, Andy had completely missed the door sliding open and a figure standing in the way.
"I think Mama is quite brilliant for bringing you all here, wouldn't you say?" Miranda smiled, genuinely as Samuel yelled in happiness.
"No running Samuel," Andy called, watching him screech to a halt and walk very fast, giggling when Miranda scooped him up, even though he was soaking.
"Won't that ruin your shirt Mom?" Cassidy asked, wearing a frown.
"Not so much Bobbsey," she smiled, stepping in and allowing them all see her. "It is the perfect over shirt for wearing bathers under."
"You're coming in?!" Caroline exclaimed, nearly allowing Olivia to go under the water as she momentarily forgot to hang onto her.
"I thought I might," she smiled, dropping a towel on one of the loungers and taking off the shirt.
Andy nearly swallowed her tongue as inch by perfect inch was revealed, encased in a stunning black bathing suit.
"Jump in wiv me M'anda!"
"Oh my darling," Miranda chuckled. "My days of jumping in are long behind me, but I will catch you if you like?"
"Me too!" Olivia yelled, coughing as she swallowed some water.
"Don't rush kids," Andy called. "There's enough time for everyone to play with Miranda."
"Good evening my darling," Miranda whispered as she slid into the water.
"It is definitely good," Andy smiled, allowing Miranda's arms to go around her.
"Yes," Miranda answered with a matching grin, capturing Andy's lips for a long and slow kiss.
"Grown-ups kiss a lot," Liv said quietly to Cassidy just behind Andy, making her smile into the kiss.
"Tis love little sis," Caroline drawled, swimming up and draping herself over Andy's shoulders. "Can we have our Mom now Mama?"
"Yes, Andy smiled. "Off you go. Tag, you're it Miranda."
"Well," Miranda smiled. "Do your worst."
That turned out to be about right. Sam had drenched her entirely in about ten minutes and everyone wanted something at once.
-0-
"Darling," Miranda said gently after they had done baths for the kids some two hours later. "I do not know how you do it, AND work. I feel like maybe we should up Cara's hours."
"They're just excited about spending time with you," Andy said, purposefully trying to keep it light.
"Implying that I don't spend enough time with them," Miranda said quietly.
"No," Andy said, stopping Miranda's retreat and turning her to face her. "Meaning they love you and love spending what time you can with them."
"I feel like I've been saying 'wait until Paris is over' for a hundred years."
"And they'll wait for you. There's a bunch of stuff the girls want to do with you, they have a list and everything. Nick would be happy to sit and watch a movie with you now and then and Sam spends the most time with you, and he adores it. Miranda," Andy cupped the older woman's face. "You're doing fine."
"When did you get so good at this," Miranda smiled, kissing her sweetly.
"It's a very quick learning curve," Andy grinned, nibbling on Miranda's lip.
"I seem to remember making an appointment with you for tonight that I neglected to complete this morning. I shall not forget again Andréa."
"I can't wait Priestly."
Leaving her woman to finish getting ready, Andy went into the bedroom and smiled at what was laid out for her. Smirking, she pulled on the underwear and walked back to the bathroom.
"You did have big plans for tonight now, didn't you," she said, trying her best to look a little sultry as she leaned against the doorjamb.
Miranda stopped stock sill and stared in the mirror at the black La Perla perfectly encasing Andy's assets.
"I maintain that nothing I have ever put in my magazine has looked as good as you did in this moment."
"Miranda," Andy scoffed, turning, only to be spun back around and kissed deeply.
"I do not wax lyrical about things in my magazine my Andréa," Miranda whispered as she bit down gently on Andy's pulse point, making it thumb quicker. "And I certainly do not say anything I don't mean when I'm talking about how perfect you look."
Andy didn't know what to say, so kissed Miranda again, deeply until they were both panting.
"How I wish I had not agreed to pizza tonight," Miranda mused, pulling back and nuzzling Andy's cheek.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry," Andy husked, her excitement getting the better of her. "My body is going to be on fire all night at this rate."
"I look forward to putting that fire out my love."
Miranda let her head rest against Andréa's and they breathed quietly as they let things cool off.
"Come on love, I know everyone waits for Miranda Priestly, but you've got an entourage tonight, and that entourage is probably hungry enough to eat the couch."
"I'll be 15 minutes."
"I'll see you out there."
Andy turned to walk away, slipping the sheer dress up over her legs and sliding into her Blahniks.
"Andréa," Miranda called, mascara in hand at the bathroom door. "I love you."
Andy's face broke into a grin and she crossed the room and kissed Miranda once more.
"I love you."
-0-
"Pierre, ça va?"
Andy smiled as she tried to keep the kids all together as Miranda let forth a perfect stream of french. She could see Cassidy listening intently, trying to follow them. She watched as Cassidy's face lit up and turned to look further into the restaurant.
"Ah, oui bien sûr."
"It seems as though Nigel, Emily and Serena are here, along with a number of our friends from the various fashion houses," Miranda said, a twitch above her right eye the only thing that let Andy know how much it stressed her to still be on duty.
"Who," Andy asked quietly, taking her hand and letting her capture Sam's before he ran off.
"Valentino, Donatella and," she swallowed, looking around. "Anna."
"Anna is here?"
"Apparently she was supposed to dine with Valentino, and when he heard Donatella was coming here after Nigel spilled the beans, everyone just decided to come with."
"Don't panic. The kids are good kids, and they're here for the pizza. And they're all in couture."
"Andréa."
"Breathe. I know you wanted a night off, but I already have plan for that."
"You do?"
"Mhmm," Andy smiled, pulling Miranda closer and nodding for the girls to go first.
"Ah, Miranda."
"El Maestro," she said, smiling genuinely at the old man. "You look well."
"As do you," he said, his eyes widening as he saw all of the children. "Bei bambini," he smiled kindly at the little ones. "And dressed so magnificently."
"That is down to my beautiful Andréa, you do remember her, don't you?"
"Certamente," he smiled, reaching forward and kissing both of Andy's cheeks. "Not Miranda's assistant anymore I see?"
"Life partners Maestro," Miranda smiled serenely. "Hello Donatella," she turned, locking eyes with their third guest. "Anna, lovely to see you."
The tension ramped up in the room until Sam stepped forward and, to Andy's horror opened his arms to Anna and scrambled up onto her lap, assuming she was just another Emily, Serena or Nigel.
"We need pizza soon, you now," he said to her, patting her hands as they held onto him to stop him falling. "Everyone so skinny."
The tension evapourated as Andy laughed, stepping forward. "Lovely to see you again Anna, do you want me to take him?"
"I think he and I shall be quite fine were we are Andréa," she said, reaching over and shaking Andy's hand. "But it is lovely to see you too," she glanced at Miranda, smiling and extending out her hand as well. "And you Miranda."
-0-
Dinner was a hoot. Between Samuel entertaining their guests and Andy running her foot up the back of Miranda's calf whenever she could, they had a marvelous night. Even Emily and Serena had managed to join in as much as possible. The table groaned under the weight of so many bespoke pizzas that Andy thought she was in heaven, helping herself to a healthy, but respectable portion.
Andy could tell Miranda was pleased at Emily's involvement especially. She debated the best tea with Anna and discussed Vivienne Westwood's latest with Donatella and above all held her own. She could feel the pride rolling off Miranda's skin.
Nigel just kept grinning at her. Everyone kept everything light and it wasn't until Anna stopped mid-sentence, glancing at Andy's left hand, where the leather cuff that Nick had picked out of Anna's magazine was wrapped around her wrist. She frowned and looked up at the two of them, and Andy felt Miranda stiffen at the unspoken implication.
"Nicky got me this for my birthday," smiling at the boy and simultaneously implying that she should tread very carefully. "It's amazing isn't it! Just my style. He found it," she grinned cheekily. "In a magazine I think."
"Bloody hell," Emily muttered from across the table as Nigel sniggered. Donatella caught his attention with a frown and he leaned over and whispered in her ear.
It didn't take long for Chinease whispers to go around the whole table and soon, even Miranda was chuckling.
"What can I say Anna. You certainly won that round."
Caroline and Cassidy giggled and asked if they could get some ice cream for dessert. It was the perfect stopping point for the evening and Miranda agreed readily.
"Woo!" Sam yelled, throwing his arms back and nearly elbowing Anna Wintour in the nose.
"Samuel," Andy said, sternly, offering her arms. "Steady there kid, we can not go around clobbering the other editor-in chief-s of New York City. that would be very impolite."
Anna chuckled and gathered up her clutch, standing while Valentino insisted on kissing everyone one of the kids on the hair and grasping Miranda's hand and staring at her.
"This is the happiest I have seen you in a long time il mio Bell'amico."
"I am happy," she said gently, leaning forward and kissing his cheeks, once, twice, three times, lingering at the end.
Andy knew why. He seemed to have aged in the last year, and was moving slow as Anna escorted him from the restaurant.
"It's okay," Andy said gently. "It's late. We'd all feel like that if we had half the energy he has."
"Still," Miranda said quietly. "He seems to have aged ten years in the last six months."
"Yet," Donatella smiled sadly as she took Miranda's hands in hers. "He would design you the most beautiful gown at a moments notice if you asked him mio caro."
"I worry."
"About so many things caro," Donatella laughed. "Go, enjoy the evening with your family. We overran your family dinner, we shall not overrun your ice cream too."
"Caoi," Miranda smiled as her friends sashayed out of the restaurant.
"Come on munchkins, Miranda wants to tell Aunty Em how impressed she was tonight."
"Andréa!"
"Cow!"
Nigel chuckled as he took Nick's hand and walked them out of the restaurant.
"Don't think I didn't see what was going on over there young lady," he said quietly. "And don't think I didn't notice how very chipper her majesty was this morning."
"Boil your head Nigel," Andy grinned, but blushed just the same.
"Mhmm," Nigel said, nudging her gently. "Love looks good on you both."
He let it drop and as Miranda exited, she sighed, smiling as Olivia immediately claimed a hand before Sam could.
"Hey, no fair!"
"You went with M'anda to the shows, I'm holding her hand."
"Samuel, as I always say, there is plenty of me to go around, and Olivia, one must refrain from gloating when we win things, okay? Take the victory with dignity."
"Mhmm," Nigel chuckled.
"Samuel, you can hold uncle Nigel's hand, unless he has somewhere else to be tonight?"
"No Miranda," he smiled at his friend. "Nowhere I'd rather be in the world."
-0-
The energy was different as they strolled down the Rue, in search of some ice cream. Caroline had her phone out as was giving out directions, with Andy looking over her shoulder now and again, making sure they were going the right way. Ice cream found and demolished, a good portion ending up on Sam's trousers, Miranda declared it home time, smiling serenely as she was surrounded by a chorus of complaints.
"No my darlings, today was a big day for me, and tomorrow the gatherings begin, which means Uncle Nigel, Mama and myself will be in attendance and you will have to behave for Aunty Serena and Aunty Jocelyn."
"She bring her boy?" Sam asked, his ears perking up as he remembered the name.
"No darling, but I don't doubt you'll all get up to lots of trouble with the two of them, but Uncle Nigel needs his beauty sleep."
They hailed a cab, and did as they had the night before, Nigel escorting the girls home, and Andy and Miranda snuggling the little ones in another. Sam and Nick had both fallen asleep by the time they got back and with the twin's help managed to get them all upstairs and into bed in record timing. After kisses and cuddles and tucking ins, Andy left for their room, dropping her dress at the door for Miranda to find when she followed moments later.