A/N: So, as always, this chapter ended up not going at all where I thought it was going! Who is surprised? Anyone? No? Yeah, me neither lol Also, Miranda wanted a turn, so there's that. I'll probably do a bit of After Dark after this - the story, that's not code for something lol As always, it's not beta-ed.
Also, I have never Taekwondo'ed. My wife has, but she was busy when I was writing this so I turned to Aunty Google. If I got something wrong, let me know! But I'm pretty sure I didn't :)
See disclaimer, Chapter 1.
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Miranda sighed as she slid into the backseat of the towncar, waving Roy off in an effort to get home faster.
"Long day," he said quietly, allowing her the option of remaining quiet if she wished. She sighed again, deciding that the man was really becoming an extension of their family at this point.
"Extremely," she muttered, watching as the night rolled by. "A whole week of long days."
"Do you need me this weekend?"
"What does your wife think about the hours you keep?" she asked in lieu of an answer, considering Andréa's insistence that there was no guilt to her working late.
"Miranda," he sighed gently. "You have single-handedly provided us with the means to own our own home. Our children are in great schools, we are practically debt-free and my kids all have college funds. I think there's nothing that you could do that would make Molly dislike you in any way."
She chuckled, meeting his eye in the mirror.
"It is down to you that you have all that, not me."
"I know who pays my salary, Miranda," he smiled. "Which is why I'm around if you need me. I'm your driver, not Runway's."
"Well," she sniffed, not sure whether to be pleased or embarrassed. She decided on the former and they fell quiet for a while before she looked up at him while they were at a light. He was watching her and she sighed. He could read her like a book after all this time.
"I don't know how to navigate Andréa not working," she whispered. "The guilt is -"
"Molly doesn't work," Roy muttered after she trailed off. "Because I work a lot. My hours match yours. I may not know Andy like you do, but I do know her. She wouldn't really do something she was against, not even for you. She dances between raindrops, that woman. She'd find another way. If it helps, I can tell you what Molly told me back when she stopped working?" Miranda nodded, enough for him to see, but not enough to look eager. "She told me that our kids deserve to feel safe and secure. You and me, Miranda, we provide the security. We put food on the table, a roof over their heads. That's hard, it requires sacrifice, especially in this city. And their Mama's? They provide the safety. The band-aids on the skinned knees and the discipline when needed. It's a team effort. But both roles are valid and necessary."
"She sounds like a very intelligent woman," Miranda smiled genuinely.
"She is," Roy returned her smile in the mirror.
"At the risk of further blurring our work relationship Roy, would you consider a playdate in the park? Perhaps one Sunday afternoon? We will take your family for dinner, or lunch, whatever you would prefer, but I trust you, I would like to meet your wife and I would dearly like for our children to meet."
"I would like that very much Miranda," Roy said quietly. "Thank you."
"Andréa has been trying to tell me for weeks that the people that I work with; you, Nigel, Emily, are not merely employees anymore. As our family grew, it grew exponentially as those around us helped us navigate. I hadn't even considered. You came with us to the hospital when Olivia hurt her hand, you sat with me so I wouldn't be alone. Serena, and even Jocelyn looked after our children when we couldn't," she shook her head in amazement. "I seem to have more family now than I ever have."
"Love is grand, Miranda," Roy said, pulling up to the kerb and running around to open her door. "You command the respect of everyone around you, but we love you for it. All those people, they love you. Not like your girl does, but we love you in our own way."
"I -," she swallowed back what she was going to say, as she stepped out. "Thank you for your friendship, trust and loyalty, Roy. It won't ever be forgotten."
"I'll always be here for your family, Miranda," he said, being brave and squeezing her hand. "Go see them. Take some time to hold them and it will look better in the morning."
"We'll go in late I think. Go home. Do the same. I'm not even considering leaving the house before ten. I may not go in at all. So I'll let you know."
"Yes ma'am," he grinned cheekily. "You have a lovely night."
"I shall," she nodded and walked up into the house. The printing fiasco was fixed, but the catch-up was brutal and she just wanted to settle down on the sofa with a -
"M'ANDA!"
She managed to drop her keys into the bowl just in time to prevent Sam from bowling them over.
"Oof, Samuel, careful little love," she said gently, tugging on his riotous hair, he'd need it cutting soon. "You don't want me to fall over."
"Unc'a Dougie's making us cross aunts!"
"He's doing what?" Miranda asked, spying Andréa's beautiful face shining around the doorframe.
"Come back and watch sweetie or you're going to miss it and Unc'a Dougie's going home in a minute."
"Awww!" Sam pouted, his hand firmly gripping the bottom of Miranda's jacket. "I don't want him to go home."
"Go on, little love," Miranda said, pushing him gently. "I'll come and join you in a moment."
Andréa sauntered down the hall, patting their littlest on the bottom as he passed. Miranda held her breath for barely a second before those beautiful lips pressed against hers and she was lost. She had missed her, even though they'd seen each other at lunch.
"Oh, you're so beautiful," Andréa smiled into their kiss. "I'll never tire of kissing you, Miranda."
"Nor I, you," she muttered, nipping at Andréa's bottom lip.
"Mm," the younger woman grinned, pulling back a little. "Can't wait for the kiddos to go to bed," she chuckled. "Here," she slid her hands over Miranda's belly and up to her shoulders. It made Miranda's breath catch. "Let me help you let go of your day."
"Is Douglas -"
"Doug is the new Super-Uncle," Andréa chuckled. "He's successfully charmed the kids so they're pretty much eating out of the palm of his hand. He's like a Disney prince as far as they're concerned. He's fine."
"You're sure?"
"I wouldn't have left him there if I wasn't," Andréa said gently, but firmly.
She knew, of course, that she was being over-cautious. Douglas was Andréa's best friend, but she was so tired.
"Come on love," Andréa whispered against her ear. "Let's get you some food and a cup of tea and then we'll put them to bed and I'll give you a back rub."
Miranda bit back a groan at the thought and followed Andréa into the kitchen. Douglas smiled gently his arm around Nicholas and Samuel as they stood on a chair and grappled with what looked to be pastry.
"Yeah, this one made croissants from scratch. Pastry and everything."
"Gracious Douglas, if that is true, you will need to be a more permanent fixture in our lives," Miranda muttered. "Seeing as you are Andréa's best friend, I do not mind telling you that there is not much I won't do for a fresh croissant."
"Luckily for you, there's a fresh batch about to come out of the oven," Douglas smiled. "Then Andy can supervise these and I'll get out of your hair. It's been a long day."
"It has, but you are more than welcome, anytime."
"Thank you," he said genuinely.
She could see why he and Andréa had become such good friends. He was steady. And kind. She could see why the children liked him too. He squeezed Caroline's shoulders as she showed him her attempt and fist-bumped Cassidy. Even he could see that they were different; that they needed different things. It reminded her that she needed to speak to their father. They'd not seen him in more than a month and while they had not said anything, she wasn't sure why he hadn't said anything either. There was so much in her head.
Nicholas tugged on Douglas' shirt and pointed, receiving a high-five for his efforts and smiled, patting the man's cheek in thanks. Miranda chuckled at the tiny flour handprint Nick left on Douglas' cheek and watched as their eldest boy plopped down onto his bottom and took the opportunity to sneak across the kitchen to where she sat.
"Hello beautiful boy," she muttered, wiping his hands and accepting him on her knee. He squirmed for a while before he slid off and opened his arms for her again and she picked him up, letting him wrap his arms and legs around her. He didn't often settle for her and she took the gift for what it was, pressing kisses to his temple and rubbing his back.
It was serene. The children mirrored Douglas in his steadiness and even when Samuel saw that his usual place was taken by his brother, he didn't complain. He glared a little, and she bit back a smile, seeing much of herself in him. But then Douglas redirected his eyes and everything went back as it was.
"See," Andréa whispered, as she placed a cup of tea before her. "He's a wizard."
She smiled, genuinely and leaned up for a kiss. She didn't really have the energy to talk, and where months ago, she perhaps would have been angry at the intrusion to their kitchen, now it felt right. Andréa was right. Their lives had changed beyond the three children. They had grown outwards, somehow. She thought of Nigel and she studied Douglas as he pulled a tray of fresh croissants out of the oven. They would be good together. Nigel needed the steadiness. She didn't know Douglas well enough to know if he would like Nigel, but she hoped so. Nigel deserved someone to make him as happy as Andréa made her.
She recalled the day he had asked her the question he'd always asked her when she met someone new. If their behaviour earlier was any indication, it would be her turn to ask him soon. She hadn't asked him since they were much, much younger than they were now and she lamented that. Nigel had had many beaux's over the year but she had let their friendship shift somehow, out of friendship and into something else.
"My lady," Douglas said with a sweeping bow, interrupting her thoughts as he placed a plate before her.
She'd eaten more carbs with Andréa in the house than she probably had the last ten years combined, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. And she wasn't lying. Croissants were a particular weakness of hers. She took a deep breath and groaned, making he and Andréa chuckle. She tore off the corner and her eyes widened as the pastry passed her lips.
"Where on earth did you learn to do that?"
"My grandmother was French. Well," he clarified. "My grandmother's mother was French, Nanna didn't speak a word of it, but she could cook. My father learnt, then I learnt. I imagine my nephew will learn it too when he's old enough to hold a whisk. All the women since Nanna are terrible cooks. My aunt nearly burnt her house down cooking instant ramen.
Miranda smiled, charmed by this gentle man.
"Well, I thank you for this. It is exactly what I needed."
"You're welcome. Andy was telling me that Cass has Taekwondo on Friday?"
"She does," Miranda glanced at her eldest by twelve minutes. "I am excited for her."
"Did you know Doug is a 1st kup red belt Mom?"
"I don't even know what that is Cassidy," Miranda said gently.
"He's one test away from a black belt. In Taekwondo!"
"Really?"
"Yeah," he blushed a little. "I," he looked at the kids. "Had a hard childhood."
"I'm sorry," Miranda said, genuinely.
"I started Taekwondo to fight, but I learned so much more than that. It isn't about fighting. It's about peace, somehow. It's a way of life."
"I knew he did some form of martial arts, I just didn't know which one," Andréa said, sitting next to her at their well-loved table and taking a piece of croissant from between Miranda's fingers. "Otherwise we would have called you Dougie."
"You're fine," Doug smiled. "I know the place Cassidy is going and it's a good Dojang. They have a great kid's program too."
"Oh!" Andréa said, her eyes shining. "Now that is a good idea."
"I will," Miranda rubbed her cheek against Nicholas' hair. "Take it under advisement once I have seen Cassidy's lesson. Although teaching trouble over there," she nodded towards Samuel, who was currently trying to wipe flour on Caroline's nose. "How to take someone's knees out might not be in our best interests."
"As it should be," Douglas laughed. "I'll get out of your hair. Thank you for having me," he said mainly to her, grinning at Andréa.
"As I said, Douglas," Miranda said gently but firmly. "You are most welcome here, at any time."
Andréa ordered him an Uber and walked him out, leaving Miranda to chew on her pastry thoughtfully.
"You okay Mom?" Caroline asked gently, drying her clean hands on a towel and wrapping them around her shoulders.
"I am extraordinarily tired, darling," she smiled gently, watching Cassidy play with Samuel and Olivia.
"Do you have another long day tomorrow?"
"No, I'm going in late tomorrow. Honestly, I may not go in at all."
"Good," Caroline whispered. "Maybe we can take care of you, instead of the other way around. I have training tomorrow and Cassy will bring the little ones home. Andy will be here. It'll be okay Mommy. We'll get it all sorted."
"Oh my darling, I know," she smiled, her heart squeezing painfully at how much love she felt in this room. "I do not have any worries at all."
"Well that's what I like to hear on a Tuesday evening," Andréa grinned. "My love, I'm running you a bath. Sam needs one too, but he can have one tomorrow. Liv baby, let me see that hand, then maybe your sisters can go supervise you in the shower?"
"We got it Ma," Cassidy grinned, leaning against Andréa's hip. One thing was abundantly clear, Roy was right. She might provide the security but Andréa was their Mama, through and through.
She thought about that for a moment; the feeling she'd got when her twins had first called her Mommy. It made her smile even now, but she had missed that somehow with their three little ones. They called her what they wanted to, but she had to admit, even after these long months, that it still niggled at her. Not that she wanted to replace their mother, it just -
"Hey," Andréa's sweet voice brought her from her maudlin thoughts. She realised Nicholas had fallen asleep in her arm and she looked up at her love. "I think I lost you for a moment," Andréa whispered, letting her forehead lean against hers. "You okay?"
"I am plagued with maudlin thoughts."
"Luckily for you, I've started the bath, opened the wine and I'm waiting to wash your back when you're ready; if you're ready?"
"What did I do to deserve you," she whispered, blinking quickly. "I -"
"Hey!" Andréa whispered, crouching before her. "Hey, you weren't kidding! We're fine Miranda. We have everything we need!"
"I," Miranda swallowed. "I want to be their safety too."
"Babe, I don't know what that means!"
Miranda laughed, looking up at the ceiling while she tried to will the tears that were gathering at the corners of their eyes.
"Roy," she cleared her throat. "Roy and I were talking on the way home. I," she blushed. "I asked him what I am supposed to do about the guilt of you not working and the guilt of working late and he said that we, he and I provide our families with the security, and their Mama's provide the safety."
"He's a beautiful man, our Roy," Andréa said gently. Miranda blinked hard again as her love wiped a thumb under her eye. "Being the security blanket of our family doesn't mean they feel less safe with you love, or that you mean less to them. It means right now, it's your job to make sure that we can give them the best we can. And you do. You are."
"I do not know why I am so maudlin."
"Ah," Andréa smiled awkwardly, a beautiful shade of pink appeared along her cheekbones. "I think that might be my hormones? Maybe? I was feeling particularly weepy earlier and I've just made note of the date."
"Bloody hell Andréa," Miranda smiled, even though she was still crying.
"If I could avoid it, you know I would," Andréa chuckled, kissing her gently. "What about you and I go and have a bath, you can tuck the kids in, then I'll make good on that promise of a back rub. I heard a little birdy mention you were taking the morning off?"
"I am," she nodded, smiling as she cupped Andréa's cheek. "I would like maybe if we went out for breakfast before school? Together? No rushing, just," she shrugged. "I don't want to go back to being alone."
"Oh love," Andréa whispered, her forehead resting on Miranda's. "Never alone. Not for a second. Do you really think all of us could make you feel alone? Next time you have to work late, and you know about it early, let me know and I'll bring them for a visit, okay? It won't always be helpful to you, but the moment you need us, we'll be there."
"Thank you, my beautiful Andréa."
"As for breakfast?" Andréa considered it. Miranda did so love watching the woman think. "Sure, we can do that. We'll have to be up early? Sarabeth's is supposed to be good? It's only around the corner?"
"That is where the girls will decide to take us should we ask them," Miranda sighed. "I think they'll be alright with it," Miranda shrugged. "They are up early most days. Oh," she shook her head at herself. "I gave Roy the morning off too, so we'll have to take them?"
"Any excuse to hang out with their M'anda for a while longer," Andréa said so gently, Miranda blinked hard again. "And I bet they'll love that." A tear rolled down to Miranda's chin. "Goodness babe, I'm so sorry," the woman chuckled, wrapping her long arms around her.
"Let's go up, I'm done crying for now. Damn your nubile hormones."
Andréa threw her head back and laughed, disturbing Nicholas a little, but he glared and pushed his face back into her neck, his little fingers gripping her collar and rubbing the skin on her collarbone.
"I think I have a growth for the night."
"I will take him, you are having a bath, which if you don't hurry up and get it, it will only be an excessively hot temperature, instead of centre-of-the-sun."
Miranda pulled her closer and kissed her properly, sighing against her lips.
"I am all over the place," she said, knowing that Andréa knew this, but needed to repeat it. "If I am at all -"
"Hey," Andréa said kindly. "This is kinda my fault. You can be as grumpy as you like until I get past it."
Miranda smiled, something she found herself doing more and more. She let Andréa help her up and they tangled their fingers together as they caught up to Sam, who was running away from Cassidy, wearing nothing but a cheeky smile.
"Let's have the young man, while I wrangle this monkey into his clothes and I'll be in a minute."
Miranda let her take Nick and watched as Samuel obeyed immediately, knowing it was time to get ready for bed and spied Cassidy looking a bit put out as she watched him comply immediately.
"Cassidy, darling, come here."
She watched as her eldest walked towards her cautiously, but she smiled, one more, and yanked her into her arms, breathing deeply against her hair.
"I love you," she whispered. "So much. Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for stepping up."
"Are you sick?" Cassidy said, leaning back and looked at her.
"No," Miranda chuckled, tracing her eyebrow. "Just feeling grateful. Tomorrow you're going to take us to breakfast."
"Sarabeth's?" her eyes widened. "Before school?"
"Think you can get up early enough?"
"Can we ever. Wait til' Caro finds out! This is awesome," she sobered suddenly and looked up. "I love you too Mom. You really are the best," she coloured. "Not just cos we're going to breakfast."
"I'll come and tuck you in after I have bathed, unless you're too old for that now?"
"No way," Cassidy grinned. "We may never get too old for that Mommy."
She chuckled, kissing her baby's nose.
"I can't say I'm upset to hear that," she kissed her once more. "Right. Showers and bed then?"
"I have a bit more homework, Andy said I could do it later cos Doug was here."
"Off you go then."
She closed the door to her, she shook her head, their bedroom. Andréa was everywhere in their home and contrary to how it felt with Stephen, Alec and even the girl's father, it was such a relief to see evidence of her everywhere. A book, open on the bedside table, most of it unread. Socks tucked just under the end of the bed where she'd no doubt toed them off after she got home. A t-shirt Miranda would never be seen dead in, but that fitted her lover like a second skin, poking out from under the covers. She sighed and dropped her own clothes, sinking into the bath with a groan and closed her eyes. At least she wasn't losing her mind. Monthly hormones lived vicariously, she could deal with. For now.