A/N: I have been remiss in telling you all this - THANK YOU! Thank you so much for all the love and all the reviews and all the general awesomeness you're all showing me. It is so appreciated and so loved and cherished. Thank you.

This chapter is more fluffy-fluff again. I figured we'd have a nice quiet weekend then move things along in a chapter or two. Next one was half done and Miranda's being decidedly stoic so we're arguing. And by arguing I mean that I'm trying to make her do things and she just won't. I've since decided to scrap it, so there's that. Good times.

Also, IsabeauBlue pointed out that the twins' Dad was called Jeremy at the beginning. This is a problem cos Miranda called him Max and there was a whole thing in the last chapter, but there's also Dr Maxwell Smart and that gag was a little bit funny so... I'm figuring that out. Maybe we'll have them both called Max lol How many Max's (Max'? Maxes?) can one person know?

Also (how long is this A/N?!) I realised I had Andy straighten 9 shoes in one of the last chapters. Apparently they have a foot missing lol cos 2 does not go into 9. I'm an idiot lol but also, none of you noticed lol thanks a lot guys.

Also, I'm going to say it cos...you never know. This chapter is not sponsored or affiliated with any products mentioned. Wish it was, life would be simpler and I would be richer, but yeah nah. It isn't.

As always, see chapter 1 for disclaimer.

-0-

Miranda had started whisking the eggs when a quiet throat clearing made her pause.

"Um, Andy went to get changed and she said I could come and help," he paused as she looked up. "If you need it?"

"Come in Douglas, I promise I'll behave."

"I'm trying to be cool, but you're a formidable woman and Andy's not here for back-up."

"Come now," she teased. "Be brave." He laughed nervously. "Douglas, I promise that I am only formidable when I'm working, these days," she smiled. "One cannot be formidable and let one's 5-year-old put Lion King barrettes in one's hair." He laughed and she congratulated herself for putting him at ease. "Can you cut in a straight line?"

"Yeah, ahem, yes?" he frowned.

"Good. The brioche was not sliced, despite me asking for it to be so, therefore it will need doing. 16 slices."

"I can do that."

They fell into an easy silence, concentrating on their jobs until Miranda finished adding the vanilla and cinnamon and started soaking the bread.

"I believe you were here to discuss something?"

"I," he cleared his throat, looking intently at the loaf. "Wondered if you could tell me a bit about Nigel? Andy said that you were, have been friends for," he paused. "A while."

"A long time," Miranda chuckled, continuing with the cooking. "What would you like to know?"

"Is he a nice man? I," he sighed. "Have had a run of relationships that were nothing close to nice and I'd, I'm," he paused. "He has indicated that he's interested, but I'm a little hesitant to commit to something, let's say."

"I understand that," Miranda smiled. "More than most," she chuckled at her own expense. "If I were to tell you all I know about Nigel, there would hardly anything for you to learn yourself. I will say, that if you wanted to know the most important thing about him, I would tell you that he is the kindest, sassiest, loveliest man I've ever met. And honestly one of only two men I have ever held in high regard "

"Who's the other?" Doug asked, making her smirk.

"Cheeky," she grinned. "Roy, my driver. A veteran of the army who works as long and as hard as I do, in his own way. Both men are two I call friend."

"Cool," he nodded. "I just," he sighed much too deeply for one so young. "I feel like I should just settle down and get a cat or something. Swear off relationships forever. I've been hurt too many times to get tangled up in something like this. But then he sent me a text and it was lovely and kind and nice, you know?" She nodded. Nigel fell hard for beautiful men. Unfortunately for Nigel, most of the men he'd fallen for were also vapid, insecure assholes. "And then he sent flowers, which honestly were beautiful and I could tell they were really special, but they made me sneeze so I had to give them to my neighbour." She bit back a grin. "And then! He sent me the most amazing ensemble from Banana Republic, which I am grateful for and that I adore, but I can never reciprocate. I can barely afford to live in the apartment I have, there's no way I could give him back even a fraction of what he's given me in the last week. I work sixty, sometimes seventy hours some weeks just to keep the lights on!"

"As one who now understands both sides of that situation, I can talk to him, if you like?"

"I don't want to have to make you do that. You're busy and I don't - I just," he sighed again. "I don't know him, you know? I know Andy loves him and if he's your friend then he must be a good guy, but -"

"It is hard to see a life with someone based on other people's opinions of them."

"Yeah," he groaned. "Everyone thought my last boyfriend was nice too, then he threw a chair at me and I had to lock myself in the bathroom until he passed out."

"I'm sorry," Miranda paused her cooking and looked at him carefully. "Are you free of him now?"

"Oh yeah, he woke up, cried when he realised what he'd done, packed up and left. I think he moved to LA, honestly"

"Good," she nodded. "Could you pass me that plate please?"

"DOUG!"

"Hey squirt!"

"Must everyone give my children nicknames," Miranda grumbled good-naturedly, winking at Douglas' worried face. Cassidy giggled and wrapped her arms around him.

"Hi."

"How are you doing little one? Your Mom's just making us breakfast."

"She's pretty great isn't she," Cassidy giggled, wrapping her arms around her mother from the back.

"Yeah, she is," Dough smiled.

"Well, when you're done pontificating my brilliance, the coulis needs making?"

"Ooh, I can do that," Douglas smiled. "You wanna help Squirt."

"Sure."

Miranda busied herself with the rest of the French toast, smiling indulgently as Douglas talked Cassidy though the process. She put together 8 plates and dusted a little powdered sugar on seven of them (missing her own) and sent a text to Andréa to round up the rest of their brood. It was nice, the downtime. She had learned to love letting go of Runway. It hadn't been easy, and she definitely slipped up on occasion, but she had learned that in order to be present for their children, she needed to be present. And so, she put work down as soon as she could on a Friday night and did not pick it up until Monday. She could do anything, after all. These days, she tried not to even think about it until she woke up on Monday morning, although she knew Andréa had designs on her attention later that afternoon so they could restart their routine of going through the schedule. Life was too busy to avoid it any longer.

With that in mind, she started some coffee and smiled as she heard what could only be a herd of stampeding wildebeest coming down her staircase.

"Walk," she said in a louder voice than she liked using. "We are not herd animals outrunning predators. Please try to have a little decorum."

"M'anda?" Sam said, saying at the door, his thumb almost creeping into his mouth. "What's core-um?"

"It doesn't matter, Samuel," she sighed, pulling that hand and bending to kiss his fingers to distract him. "Go and sit down please."

"Dougie!"

She rolled her eyes as their youngest bypassed his seat and crashed into the legs of the young man spooning the berries onto everyone's plates under the watchful eye of Cassidy. They manage to encourage Samuel back to his seat while they continued, missing Olivia's plate, owing to her slight sensitivity to strawberries and instead, Cassidy fetched the peanut butter from the cupboard and scooped some out onto the side of the plate.

"Thank you, Cassy," Olivia beamed as she was presented with her plate.

"Welcome Sissy," Cassidy said, kissing Olivia's temple, like she'd seen Andréa do before.

It was a curious thing, watching two humans that grew inside of her take on so many character traits of the woman she loved. It would stand them in good stead for the future and she couldn't help but be proud of the way they had turned out.

"Hey."

Andréa's long arms wrapped around her middle and she sighed, leaning back in her arms for just a moment before she patted the hands that were joined on her stomach.

"It's getting cold, let's eat."

It was a jolly affair. Douglas was impeccably good company. He was at home with the children as much as he was with Andréa and her. When he suggested the children put on warmer clothes and go outside to play soccer, they jumped at the chance and Andréa squeezed his hand gently as he left them sitting at the table surrounded by dirty plates.

"Leave it," Miranda muttered, looking lovingly at her woman. "We'll do it in a while. For now, I wondered if you would accompany me upstairs so I can kiss you finally with impunity."

Andréa grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs, laughing as they landed on their bed. They spent more than a short moment languidly kissing until Andréa rolled off her panting.

"If we start something, I won't want to stop and while Doug is good, I can't guarantee he can hold them forever," she muttered, her hand rubbing Miranda's stomach absently.

"Mmm," Miranda agreed, her heart loud in her ears. "I suppose you're correct. In that case," she rolled, pulling open the bedside drawer and presenting Andréa with a leather binder that had been delivered to her on Friday. Inside she'd find new bank cards to the accounts with her own name on them, an additional credit card and a simple, but comprehensive, breakdown on Miranda's financials.

"Oh," Andréa whispered, looking at the totals on the bottom of the page. "That's," she swallowed. "A lot."

"It is," Miranda said gently, rolling and resting her head in Andréa's lap. "Which is why I keep telling you not to worry. As you can see, most of it is in stocks and bonds, but we are not even remotely middle-class darling. Warren Buffet I am not, but we are definitely," she rolled her eyes. "More than 'okay'." Andréa's hand went to her hair absently and Miranda luxuriated in the felling of Andréa's nails on her scalp. "I have an exceptional financial planner. One I'd like to introduce to you when you feel you're ready."

"I don't -"

"When you are ready," Miranda said gently, interrupting her. "And if you still are not comfortable with the split of wealth, I will lend you the capital and you may pay me back once you've made enough to feel more comfortable. Although," she reached up and cupped Andréa's jaw. "What is mine, is yours. And while that may seem to you that it is very one-sided, you have given me so much more than I could ever give you, my darling. Money is nothing. Helpful," she headed off Andréa's arguments. "Yes, but nothing. While I have become accustomed to the life I have, I would be just as happy being with you and our children as poor as I was as a child. Because between us, we would be alright," she chuckled. "More exhausted, perhaps. Hungrier, but no less happy."

"I," Andréa faltered, her fingers playing with the edges of her new Chase Sapphire Reserve card. "This is a big deal and I'm working through it. I've never had money, Miranda. And I've been trying. I even put something on the AMEX the other day."

"I know darling," Miranda said gently. "Not that I was checking up on you. My conversation with Douglas earlier only reminded me of," she chuckled morosely. "Oh, how young you both are. I have had a lot more time to get my finances in order, as has Nigel."

"You also don't have any student debt. That whole system is utterly ridiculous."

"Ah," Miranda said, feeling a wave of anxiety overtake her as she sat up "While I understand you may not appreciate me over-reaching -" she slipped her hand back into the drawer and brought out a flat while, nondescript envelope. "I wanted to. And I have the means to do so."

She watched with bated breath as Andréa frowned and opened the envelope. As her eyes ran down the page, she burst into tears. Miranda shuffled forward and pulled her into her arms and held her tightly.

"I have no care for money, other than to make our lives easier, my darling. I don't care if you wish to donate all of what I would like you to consider yours, although I already do plenty of that. There are many, many people who need it. But this, I wanted to do for you, so you can finally let go of it, and start building. I love you, I hope you are not angry with me."

"Angry?" Andréa said, through hiccuping sobs. "Angry Miranda? How can I be angry with you? You," she sniffed. "You paid off my student loans. You've freed me. Entirely. And you, you -"

"Come here," Miranda chuckled, wiping away the tears and kissing her gently. "I did what I could to help you feel less like an outsider in our family. I talked it over with Bartholemew and he counselled me that to go from crippling debt to a bottom line like mine can be overwhelming, but that student debt is the single biggest credit injury a person can have. For someone who has one, it's everything, but for me, for us," she shook her head and cupped Andréa's cheek to make her eyes meet hers. "To our family, that is nothing. It seemed like everything to you, but it's now nothing. I didn't really know how to help you feel less 'other', except to make sure that you could at least start fairly. I'm only sorry it took us six months to have this conversation. "

"I," Andréa stared at the paper. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"As I said, my beautiful, darling love. What is mine, is yours. From these walls to the money in the bank, to the children in my heart. I love you Andréa. Ever so much more than I think you realise."

Andréa pulled her closer and Miranda straddled her thighs at her silent insistence, letting Andréa nuzzle into her chest. For a while, they simply sat. Miranda ran her hands through Andréa's glorious hair as Andréa's breathing came in fits and bursts until she finally relaxed.

"I love you so much Miranda," Andréa said, looking up at her with such devotion in her eyes it squeezed Miranda's heart. "Not for the money. We could be penniless for all I care, but I love you -" Miranda sighed as those plump lips dropped kisses on her sternum. "I love your big, beautiful heart. And I love your wicked brain and your perfect smile. I love you with all of me Miranda. And honestly, that is all I will ever truly have. But it is everything. And it is yours."

"I know love," Miranda whispered, into Andréa's hair. "I know."

They sat, gaining strength from each other until Andréa let her head fall back and Miranda took to opportunity to place a gentle kiss to her lips.

"My darling, there are a few more things I'd like to talk to you about?"

"Hmm?" Andréa said, her nose nudging Miranda's breast as her lips tickled her cleavage.

"Andréa," she smirked.

"Mm, I'm just giving you time to get used to the idea that tonight your body is mine."

"And I very much look forward to it darling, but in the meantime," she gripped Andréa's chin and kissed her. "There is more to talk about and I do not think we shall have much more time."

"Fine," Andréa grinned, sitting back and pulling her down with her.

"I want us to find some time to see Bartholemew this week, so he can teach you how to use these," she waved her hand in the general direction of the cards. "There is a trick to getting the most out of them, and increasing your credit score. For example; most of our household expenses are put on this card," she held up the AMEX. "Any personal travel expenses and meals out on this -" the Sapphire.

"Really?"

"Half of the country would be so much better off if the game wasn't so hard to play, my darling."

"Huh," Andy frowned. "It's geared up to keep people poor."

"Correct," Miranda muttered. "But it is the way it is played and we are in a position to play it and do the most good with it. You already know of the charities I support. I am not opposed to adding more, perhaps a family one that we all choose? We can even set one up if you like. The little ones are quite wealthy in their own right, though they will not come into it until they are older. I have Bartholemew looking at and managing that too."

"This is a lot," Andréa said again.

"I know, and it is not the time to go over it all. And there are times when you are going to buy ridiculous, frivolous things and that is alright. You can even buy one of those ridiculous lighters you seem fascinated by, if you like?" Andréa laughed, making Miranda smile. "You will get buyers remorse and you will give away too much, but in the end, eventually, it will right itself. I am not worried, my darling and will keep an eye on you if you wish, though I do not think I need to," she kissed her gently. "I haven't, so far."

"I," Andréa swallowed. "Perhaps every now and then. I," she sighed. "Would like to speak to," she smirked. "Can I call him Barty or something? Bartholemew is such a pompous name."

"He prefers Jack, honestly," Miranda smirked. "But when I first met him, he was introduced to me as Bartholemew, so it stuck. He suffers through it."

Andréa laughed again. That glorious laugh that always made Miranda's insides squirm; the one that filled her with happiness and joy. She revelled in it for a while, unable to stop the smile from crossing her face.

"MAMA!"

Miranda slid off Andréa's thighs in time to catch Samuel's still coat and booted body hurtling towards them.

"SAMUEL WALKER," she said sternly, stopping him in his tracks. "Are you still wearing your boots? In the house?"

"Oops," he said, his face ruddy with a runny nose and bright eyes. He had a twig in his hair and dirt across his cheek. "I fordot."

"Take them off please," Miranda said gently, but in a way that he complied immediately. "Alright, thank you. Now," she smiled. "Let me wipe your nose first, then I'll help you with your coat and we'll wash your face. You've brought some of the garden in with you."

"Mom!"

"Caroline?"

"I'm sorry, he ran off while I was helping Nicky. Liv got her hair stuck in her button so Doug and Cassy are helping her."

"It's quite alright darling. Is it very muddy outside?"

"Nah, it's pretty dry out. Just chilly," she said, her nose matching Sam's red cheeks.

"Alright you lot, I'm thinking hot chocolates all round, whatdayasay?"

"Andréa," Miranda rolled her eyes. "Annunciate one's words my darling. I fell in love with a wordsmith, not a hooligan."

"Oh," Andréa said, kneeling on the bed and letting their foreheads rest against each other for a while. "There's plenty of hooligan in me. I've just been saving it for Caro's grand final matches."

"Terrific," Miranda snorted, kissing her gently. "Fine. Off we go. Is Douglas still here?"

"Yeah," Caroline smiled. "He's really nice, Andy."

"That's why he's my best friend Caro," Andréa smiled, wrapping an arm around her as they went downstairs.

"M'anda?"

"Yes my darling," Miranda answered patiently as she wiped Samuel's nose and carried him to the bathroom where she rinsed a facecloth with warm water.

"Does I has a Daddy?"

Her hand paused for a moment on its way to his face and she sighed as she cleaned him off.

"Why, my darling?"

"Sissies has a Daddy, but he not my Daddy."

"You are correct. The twins' Daddy is called Max, he was here yesterday, remember?"

"Uhuh."

"You," she paused, wondering how best to word it. "Did have a Daddy. Remember? You had a Daddy and a Mummy that loved you so very much. But now they live in heaven my darling. And you get to be loved by Mama, and me."

"They not coming back?"

"No sweetheart, they are not."

He frowned, his bottom lip poking out and Miranda did her best not to interfere. They had decided very early on that they would take the kid's cues on this. But it was so hard to see his tiny heart hurting.

"Do you fink my Sissies' Daddy would be my Daddy?"

"I -" she sighed, crouching in front of him. "Not all families have a Daddy, little one. Some families have two Mommies, like ours. Some have two Daddies. Some have one Mommy or one Daddy. Some don't have either."

"But I wants to play likkle league. Daddy says I could. So can Sissies' Daddy take me?"

"I -" She felt like someone could have knocked her over with a feather. She was so confused. "Can we not take you?"

"Daddy said it was for Daddy's and little boys," he frowned "Not Mommies."

"Ah." Typical Alec. She growled at him inside her head.

"Can I?"

"Well, let us go downstairs and have a hot chocolate and I will talk to Mama about it later, once little boys like you are in bed. But," she said gently, carefully wiping away the dirt and whatever else he had on him. "Even if we decide that you may ask him," she paused wondering what to call her children's father. "Uncle Max," she soothed his frown. "May not have the time to do so. We must ask him nicely, next time we see him and accept whatever answer he gives you."

"M'Kay. Lub you M'anda," he grinned, as she threw the cloth in the sink and kissed his nose.

"I love you, my wild child. Now, will you escort me to the kitchen?"

"I s'pose I have to," he sighed, making her chuckled. He hopped down off the bathroom counter and held out his hand.

It wasn't how she'd expected the day to go, but more and more she found herself returning to work on Monday with a tired but contented smile.