A/N: Happy New Year to everyone who didn't read the other fic I posted. I had this long A/N written when I suddenly realised that we are really close to the end. There's like one more movement left which I can maybe stretch to 5 chapters? But it really might be three. So I'm sorry? But I'm also not. This deserves the ending I started with - I knew that last line before I even started writing in *checks* *gulps* July 2014! Is that right? That's before I met my wife! That's... damn. I'm sorry. Life got hectic there. But. Now it's more stable, I can say that there's plenty more coming, even if it isn't this particular fic.

Thank you to all of you. If you read, comments, kudos, bookmark or whatever. Every single one of you is precious and I love you all.

See disclaimer, Chapter 1

-0-

After watching the harvest festival from the car window, Miranda managed to find a park and sighed as she looked out of the windshield.

"There are a lot of people here," she muttered.

"It'll be alright. There will be a great coffee bar somewhere?"

"Redeeming qualities," Miranda mused, leaning over to peck Andy's lips quickly.

"Mama!" Sam yelled as he hopped out of the car and almost running across the lot. "I want a punkin!"

Andy just managed to grab him before he could get very far and she hauled him into her arms.

"What have I told you about waiting for me? Hmm?"

"But da punkins!"

"Slow down wild man," Andy chuckled. "We'll get there."

Nicholas poked his head out of the car with a scowl on his face as he saw Sam in her arms. She smiled at him and chuckled as Miranda rolled her eyes and took Samuel from her.

"Honestly, why anyone would think he is difficult to communicate with, I do not know," she nodded as Sam happily went to her.

"Come on then, my little Prince," Andy smiled, scooping Nick into her arms.

They made it to what they deemed to be the nearest entrance to the park, after having to stop to pet more dogs than Andy could even count.

"Maybe we could bring Patricia next year Mom?"

"I'm sure we can Caroline," Miranda said absently as Sam wriggled down her body in an effort to walk on his own. "Samuel, how many times do I have to ask you to simply communicate with me?"

"I get down pease?"

Miranda rolled her eyes and let him down, keeping a hold of his hand as they wandered around the park.

It was a lovely morning, despite Miranda's earlier misgivings. After wandering around for a while, eating a piece of pecan pie that even Miranda stole a little off, all five kids designed and carved a pumpkin while Andy and Miranda sat on a spare hay bale sipping rather good coffee. They talked amicably about Runway and the last issue and as Andy looked up to check on them, Miranda muttered something that made Andy still.

"Say again?" Andy asked.

"Alexi intimated that he was interested in a new Art Director for the whole company. I told him that if he hired someone that wasn't me, I'd walk. And that I wanted a significant raise."

Andy gaped.

"You did what?"

"I told him -"

"No," she said carefully. "I heard you the first time, I was just wondering whether you were going to discuss it with me before you decide to do something that will affect us all? I could have just stopped working, but I spoke to you about it first, remember that?"

"Andréa."

"No," Andy sighed, finishing her coffee. "I know there's a big difference between the two of us, but you still should have spoken to me."

They sat in silence, until Miranda, in a rare show of public affection, slid her hand into Andy's.

"You are right and I apologise."

"I know you know what you're doing, I guess," Andy sighed, rubbing her head. "I wish you'd discussed it," she nudged Miranda's shoulder gently. "But I guess I can forgive you."

"I was truly only thinking of us all. We are not short of money, not at all, but more is always helpful and doing this, for the whole of Elias Clarke, will pave the way for me to move up and Emily to move up too. It might be a bit hectic for a while, but it also enables me to make decisions that will benefit the company on a whole. And when Elias Clarke is doing well, we are doing even better."

"Yeah," Andy nodded. "Has he accepted yet?"

"I get a copy of the contract on Monday. I'll," she hesitated. "Call you once I get it."

"That would be a good idea, once you read through it and see what you think. If it needs a redo, you can tell me about it after work? I don't need a blow-by-blow if you don't think it's right. Just call me if you're signing."

"I," she sighed. "Am still not used to having a true partner, honestly. I keep expecting the other shoe to drop."

"You do alright," Andy said, lifting their joined hands to press a kiss on the inside of her wrist. "We all know how I am doing, especially with the money and family thing," she said gently. "You're doing just fine."

"M'anda! Look!"

They looked up to find Sam lugging a pumpkin that was bigger than his head towards them.

Andy managed to rescue it just in time before they both took a tumble and he leaned happily again Miranda knees while she spoke quietly to him.

Andy left them to it and wandered off to see whether the others would soon be finished. She snapped a few pictures of them surreptitiously watching as Caroline worked with Nick and Cassidy and Liv giggled together at Cassidy's effort.

She saw they were nearly finished and turned back to see Miranda and Sam, their foreheads touching while Miranda said something to him. She quickly snapped a run of photos, smiling at the results and vowing to get them printed and on the wall asap.

She quickly sent a message to Nigel about exactly who they used to print photos and slid her phone back into her pocket as she rejoined her love and their youngest.

"Can we get hot chocolate?"

Miranda opened her mouth to decline, Andy thought, but then her eyes widened. Andy followed her gaze and found herself staring as Nigel and Doug stood looking at them awkwardly.

"Unkie Dougie! Unkie Nigel!"

Sam raced forwards and Doug caught him with ease, groaning as he picked him up.

"You're getting big little man."

"It's my birfday soon."

Andy paused at that, consulting her mental calendar and almost hurting herself.

"Shit, so it is," she muttered. "Can't forget."

"I will remind you," Miranda smirked, getting up and greeting their friends.

"Hello dear," she said gently as Nigel blushed under the scrutiny. "It is good to see you."

He accepted her air-kisses, looking horrified she'd caught him here if all places.

"Miranda, I -"

"I'm here, aren't I?" She smirked, cutting him off. He paused while his brain caught up with them and then he chuckled as another little buddy crashed into his legs.

"Oof. Hello, little Nicholas!"

And glanced back at the table and touched Miranda's hand before going to help her girls pack up their pumpkins. They lugged them over to where they're left Sam's and greeted their two favourite uncles.

"Children, it is time to go," Miranda said gently after a time, looking at her best friend. "Say goodbye to your uncles."

"I wanna stay wiv Unckie Dougie."

"You'll see Douglas again, very soon Samuel," Miranda said gently but firmly. "Let us not disturb their Sunday any longer than is necessary."

They said their goodbyes and the kids and Andy waited while Miranda hugged Nigel and whispered in his ear, waiting a beat and watching him nod with a bashful smile on his face. She kissed his cheek properly, then winked at Doug before carrying Sam's pumpkin and walking back to the car with them.

"Starbucks?" Andy asked before they got in.

"Lunch, I think," Miranda said with a shrug. "I'm starving."

"Alright, where to? Cos you know where the littles will choose."

Miranda smirked and nodded.

"Head back towards home and I'll make a decision before we get there," she muttered.

"You got it, boss," Andy smiled, Sterling up into the car. "Everyone belted?"

She wanted for the chorus of yesses before getting underway.

-0-

Miranda sat in the library, hours later, working on the book when the door opened slowly and a tiny sleepy face peered around it.

"Nicholas," she said softly. "You are supposed to be in bed."

He pushed the door open and stood looking at her, his thumb creeping into his mouth.

"Ah-ah," she smiled. "No thumbs. Come here, darling."

He shuffled over to her side and leaned on her legs while she scratched through a passage in the main editorial.

"Now," she said, marking her place and putting it on the arm of the side-table."Come here, my darling."

She pulled him onto her knee and wrapped her arms around him, smiling gently as he sighed into her neck. She rocked him gently and kissed his hair. She remembered doing this for hours when the girls were small and she chuckled at the thought. She'd had to time it back then, ten minutes with Caroline and ten minutes with Cassidy. Eventually, they'd worked out that they could have longer if they stopped fighting over her, but it had taken a few years.

"Now," she muttered. "What's got you up at this hour?"

She waited for a little while, a little hope remaining that he would just come out and say whatever was bothering him. He did not.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

He shook his head and snuggled closer, making Miranda think that it was probable that he did.

"Should I try and guess? Or would you prefer to just sit here?"

He reached up without looking and covered her mouth and she kissed the little fingers.

"Alright little love," she whispered. "You settle in. I have to complete the book and then we shall go up to bed, where the rest of our family currently sleeps."

He smiled and pushed his head against her chest before sighing again.

She worked until she was satisfied with her progress before putting it down for the night. She sat still for a while, taking solace in the calm of the house when most of its residents were slumbering.

She tried to remember a time before they had the children in her life and smiled when she couldn't. Nicholas hummed in his sleep and she sighed. She had thought her family complete when she was handed her two precious Bobbsey's. And now, she could not imagine living without them.

"Mommy?"

"Mommy's here, baby," Miranda whispered, her heart squeezing painfully.

She didn't begrudge them the name they called her. Andréa had come to the term she had naturally thanks to the girls, but the little ones already had a mother and she absolutely would never want to come between that in an effort to make herself feel better.

She sat for a while longer, but Nicholas didn't speak again. She sighed and got up, cradling him in her arms. She was looking forward to their time away. The idea of waking up in a secluded villa to the sounds of the ocean was enough to make her groan at the prospect. She had already decided that should Cara be free, they would take her along. She tried to remember whether Cara had a significant other and decided that she'd have to eat humble pie and ask in the morning.

"Hey," Andréa whispered, startling her as she was making her way to the boy's bedroom.

"Oh, Andréa," she sighed. "I'm alright. Nicholas came down for a cuddle and I was just returning him."

"It's okay," Andréa smiled, that smile that made Miranda's heart stutter. "You don't have to explain, you know."

"I'm sorry," Miranda smiled. "I'm tired."

Andréa slid her hands between hers and took Nicholas from Miranda's arms and nodded to the door.

"Come on Momma bear. Let's tuck the boy in."

She wondered if it was the universe testing her resolve. She knew Andréa didn't even realise what she'd said and she followed her in.

They tucked both the boys in and Andréa took her hands and pulled her into the bedroom, kissing her over and over again.

"Darling, not that I don't want to, but my body is so tired."

"Shh," Andréa smiled. "Don't worry my love," she whispered. "I'm going to take care of you."

Miranda's breath caught as Andréa unbuttoned her shirt and slacks, pulling them from her body gently and leaving her sitting on the bed in nothing but her underwear. She stifled a yawn and smiled as Andréa brought her a make-up wipe to remove most of what she was wearing. Job done, Miranda smiled as Andréa pushed her backwards.

"Roll, my beautiful woman," Andréa whispered.

She frowned, trying to figure out what Andréa wanted and groaned as Andréa's hands helped her. Those long, muscular arms, culminating in those long fingers Miranda loved so much started massaging her back.

"Oh, god, Andréa," she moaned.

"Hmm," Andréa chuckled. "You like that? Apparently, you carry the tension in your back."

Miranda couldn't answer and groaned again as Andréa leaned on her gently and felt a few vertebrae crack. She massaged for a while longer, and Miranda's whole body was singing beneath Andréa's hands. Miranda stilled as a kiss was pressed on the back of her neck.

"Andréa," she moaned. "If you start this, I will not be awake to reciprocate."

"Who says you have to?" Andréa chuckled. "Just relax and let me make you feel good."

"You make me feel good everyday darling," Miranda hummed, her brain stuttering to a halt.

Andréa's lips kissed every vertebra on her way down. Miranda hissed as there was a firm bite on her hip and she jerked uncontrollably when Andréa's hands slid around her hip and beneath her.

"Hmm," Andréa whispered. "You do like that."

"You," Miranda hissed as Andréa rolled her clit over and over, each time more infuriatingly gentle than the last. "You are what I like."

For someone who had previously thought her body was on it's way to death, Miranda was constantly surprised when it came alive as Andréa whispered words of love in her ear and slid her fingers through Miranda's embarrassingly wet centre.

"Andréa," she moaned. "Please don't wait."

"No?" Andréa whispered. "You don't want to wait, Miranda? But you're so patient usually."

She groaned loudly as Andréa moved away altogether.

"I'm coming back lover, give me one second."

There was a rustling and Andréa was back, draped over the top of her body now naked, if the hard nipples on her back were any indication.

"Lift up," she whispered and Miranda was powerless to resist.

She did as she was told and only had a moment's hesitation until Andréa's body draped over the top of her again and her fingers found her channel.

"Fuck," she groaned as Andréa sunk her fingers up to her knuckles. "Andréa -"

"Shh," she chuckled. "If you wake them we won't be able to finish this."

It was agonisingly slow. Every time she thought they were getting close, Andréa would move away, or change the angle so that the impending flutters went away.

"Andréa, for the love of God," she hissed as she heard a little chuckle. "Please, my love. Please, just fucking fuck me!"

"Oh, you know how to give an order," Andréa groaned and sunk back into Mrinada's pussy with a triumphant moan.

The younger woman did as she was told and in an embarrassingly short amount of time, Miranda could feel it coming.

"Andréa. Andréa!"

"Come for me, Miranda."

Despite her not being one to do as she was ordered, Miranda did. Her body clenching and clenching and clenching on Andréa's fingers until the other woman groaned as well, draping herself bonelessly across Miranda's back. Her whole body was shaking as Andréa caught her breath and helped her lay down again.

"God, you are the sexiest, most delicious thing I've ever seen in all my life," Andréa whispered, kissing her gently. "I think, if ever you decide that you are done with me, I would die."

"How could I decide that I would be done with you, my darling," Miranda managed to say after a while. "When you are my whole world?"

She felt the warmth of Andréa and the smile on her face. She allowed Andréa to pull her close and revelled in the way their legs tangled together.

"I love you, you know," Andréa whispered. "More than I thought a person could love."

"I know," Miranda whispered, a smile permanently attached to her face. "And I love you more than I thought was possible. More than anything in my life." She paused for a moment as her brain tried to come to terms with that, but Andréa kept talking.

"I know, my love," Andréa whispered. "I can't wait to make love to you with the ocean as our backdrop. Not that I don't love this room, but -"

Whatever else Andréa had planned on telling her fell on deaf ears. Miranda simply couldn't keep her eyes open any longer and fell asleep imagining the sounds of the waves rushing onto the shore and Andréa's naked body splayed out under the moonlight on a deserted beach.