A/N: This one is going out with a massive shout out to Callie-G over on FFNet for providing the prompt.
Summary: Years after the events in Paris, Miranda finds one of her darling Bobbsey's remained in touch with the assistant that got away, Andréa (Call me Andy) Sachs. What will happen when the editor comes face to face with her past? Will she still see a lot of herself in the brunette?
Disclaimer: As always, I am just fooling around with these characters. I do not make any money them because Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox own them.
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"Andy, please." The man's voice was soft and hesitant as he beseeched her to hear him out.
Andy froze, she had never heard her dad sound so desperate. Turning around, she gazed at the man. His face was more lined than she remembered and his usually straight shoulders, covered by a Tom Ford tailored shirt she had given him when she worked at Runway, were stooped.
"I have nothing to say, Dad. I have nothing left to give." Andy whispered brokenly. "All those years ago, you stood by and let the woman who gave me life, tear strip's off me before banishing me from your lives. She spoke for you both when she told me she wanted nothing to do with me and the child I was going to have, yet she insisted I not keep her great-niece away. I entrusted Isabel, that little girl who holds a large portion of my heart, into the life of the woman who broke mine, only for her to do the same to her."
"I made a mistake." Andy's dad stated. "I should have told her she was wrong. I should have fought harder to make her reconsider her actions."
Andy felt bolstered by Miranda's strong presence beside her, but the editor was pulling away. "I should leave you to talk with your father, Andréa..."
"No, please don't leave." Andy whimpered. She sighed in relief when Miranda's warm hand rested on her back and looked back towards her father. "You didn't stop her though, dad. You never have. You stood by and let her belittle every decision I ever made about my life. You stick your head in the sand like an ostrich and hope it all goes away. You do anything for an easy life." She caught the man's eyes. "Frankly, it's pathetic." She spat.
"You know, your mom is a strong woman. It's sometimes hard not to be swept away by her." He swallowed nervously. "I could not stand by and watch her hurt Isabel though. When I came home from my meeting today to find her at the door calling out to Joanna, I acted in the girl's best interest. I pulled her back into the house and took the phone, catching your words about Isabel's actions being nothing in comparison to yours and I told you I would take care of this. You were reassured, I heard it in your voice when you thanked me." He swiped at his eyes. "I have not heard your voice since that day you told us you were pregnant."
He took a shuddering breath in an attempt to control his emotions. "I have counted each and every day and wished that I could hear your laughter once again as you told me about Emily's love of cheese, Nigel threatening to feed you to the models or one of the many other things you always laughed over. One thousand, two hundred and ninety-three days, Andy...I have missed so much of your life, and I know I cannot get that time back, I just...I hoped..." He husked. "...I needed to see you, so I called Moe's and they told me where Isabel was dropped off. I needed to see you...I wanted to say...I need you to know...I understand the sacrifices you are making. I've heard about the awards you have won from following your work...I am so proud of you, of the woman you have become, Andy...and my God, your boy is beautiful."
Andy swallowed her tears, her jaw working as she fought against the pain of her parent's rejection. "You know his name?" Andy watched her dad nod once. "Ethan, after his uncle, the brother I never met. He has two middle names, Josef after his great-grandpa and Mirth, as a reminder of the joy he brought to my world and as a nod to the strong, remarkable woman by my side." She felt Miranda stiffen in surprise.
"When I told you I had feelings for a woman, you knew immediately who it was. You mentioned her name, and I couldn't deny it. You allowed my mother to disparage that woman and nodded your agreement to her hateful words about someone she had never met. You agreed based on that one night you spent in New York." Andy turned away. "That is one thing I cannot forgive, nor forget. Neither of you understood. And your wife's words to Izzy were just as unforgivable. She had no right to tell my daughter it was just a phase, or that she was wrong in her feelings and paving her own way to hell. She certainly had no right to make any disparaging comments about a young woman she had never met, even if she is a Priestly."
She turned a ferocious gaze on her father and he stepped back, surprised by the heat in her gaze. "That woman will have no further contact with Izzy. I am raising my children to know their own mind and heart. Izzy and Cassidy have, since the day they met, a connection that is rare. It is beyond anything I have ever witnessed, but it is also the truest thing I have ever seen. They are meant to be in each other's lives, as friends, and perhaps one day much more."
"Andy, you know I don't..." The man faltered.
"When Izzy told me about the change in her feelings for Cassidy, I stressed the fact that she would have my unconditional acceptance, that I love her and will support her regardless of her sexual orientation. That is what you do with your children, even when they are not children anymore." Andy shook her head sadly. "Go on back to your wife, Dad and continue to pretend I do not exist. Right now, it's time for me to be with my family, to reassure my girl that she is not less because of who she loves..."
Turning away, she stepped away from Miranda and her father. She caught Miranda's soft words. "You raised a remarkable woman, and I must thank you for that. But tell me, knowing how her mother is, from your own words, and how you are, how could you not know she would be a rare mix of softness and ferocity? If you missed her so much, how could you not pick up the phone or write an email?"
"I...I..." The man had no answer for the editor, unable to get over the sheer force of her presence now it was focussed entirely on him.
"That's all." Miranda dismissed the man, turning on her five-inch heels and striding forward to catch up. Andy felt the small, warm hand slip into hers and looked down into blazing blue eyes. "Let's settle and have dinner, darling. Things will look better after some good food."
"Are you sure about that?" Andy asked.
"I have hope, Andréa. I live on it." Miranda reminded her with a smirk. "And then there's pizza and pasta. Italian food fixes everything. Emily made us a reservation at A Tavola."
"Awesome." Andy grinned. "That's one of my favourites."
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"Tell me about the woman you adored?" Miranda asked quietly as they made their way across the lobby to the elevator that would take them to their two-bedroomed suite. She smirked as Andréa's head spun on a 90-degree angle to look at her.
"What do you want to know?" Andréa asked reluctantly.
"What is she like?" Miranda's lips twitched.
She watched Andréa contemplate how to answer. "Well, she's totally amazing. In her professional life, she's determined to succeed. She's a true perfectionist. She has this immense ability to push the people around her to achieve the impossible and to be the best they can be. But she is, underneath it all, a little softer, human, especially where her family is concerned. Her heart beats as surely as mine does. She often hides it well though."
"Describe her to me." Miranda was curious about how the young woman viewed her. She tugged Andy's hand, leading her into the elevator.
"She's a true force of nature and simply gorgeous." Andréa breathed. "She's a little shorter than me and petite. She has the most beautiful crystal blue eyes that hold a wealth of secrets that no one seems to want to unlock. I do though. I want to know her, to find out what truly makes her happy. She has lips I just want to kiss forever and hair I want to run my hands through." Miranda caught the hint of mischief in Andréa's eyes as she bit her full bottom lip. Clearly, her next words would be teasing. "I want to watch her come undone, to unravel under my fingertips as I worship every delicious inch of her."
Miranda's breath caught at the imagery. "Well..." She breathed."...it seems this woman would be extraordinarily lucky to have you." She smirked. "What's her name? I shall have Emily find her and tell her she's an idiot."
The doors of the elevator opened and they heard Ethan's laughter coming from the suite of rooms further down the corridor. Andréa stepped out into the hallway and waited for her to follow.
Miranda stepped beside her and they walked side by side to the door of their suite. "Her name, Andréa?"
Andréa swiped the key card she held in her hands and they caught the telling click. She gazed to her left at the editor. "Miriam Princhek." She admitted, surprising Miranda with her birth name as she pushed the door of their suite fully open.
Miranda was unable to make a comeback, stunned at the sight that greeted them.
Ethan was clinging to Caroline's back, laughing hard as she bounded on her hands and knees around the room, and rearing up, pretending to be a horse. Cassidy and Isabel were sat on the sofa holding hands and giggling at the antics.
"Again, again, Car," Ethan called.
Caroline rolled her eyes and made to take another turn around the room but stalled at the sight of the older women. She blushed furiously at being caught in the middle of the horseplay.
Ethan squealed happily at the sight of his mom and slid off Caroline's back, landing with an oomph on his little butt. Picking himself up, he rushed towards them, only to be swung up into Andréa's arms and smothered in kisses. His laughter was loud and infectious as he squirmed in the woman's arms.
"I love you, sunshine," Andréa whispered.
"I love you too, mommy." Ethan provided her cheek with a sloppy kiss and grinned up into her eyes. "Car makes the best horsey, even better'n you."
Andréa's loud laughter was a welcome relief and as she stepped past the mother and son, she looked at the smiling faces around the room. Yes, this was the family she wanted. It was in no way traditional, but it would be happy. Sitting in an armchair, she watched as Andréa swayed with the little boy in her arms and she felt the smile tug at the side of her lips. Her heart was lighter at that moment than it had been for years. She swore to whatever Deity that was listening that she would do anything to keep this, to have these five people become her world.
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Dinner was loud, with Cassidy and Izzy talking a mile a minute as they ate pizza while Caroline sat quietly just listening. Ethan caused much laughter when he claimed Andy's spaghetti looked like wriggling worms and asked to taste Miranda's perfectly cooked medium-rare steak. He'd not been impressed at the editor's choice declaring is tasted 'yuck'.
Upon their return to the hotel, the three girls asked to watch a movie and after taking turns to shower, settled down in one of the large king-sized beds. Two hours later, the women were both settled in their pyjamas with soft music playing. With Ethan bathed and asleep in Miranda's arms in the armchair and the bedroom filled with light snores, Andy stood and pulled out the sofa bed and grabbed blankets and pillows.
"What are you doing, Andréa?" Miranda queried quietly.
"Well, that's clearly obvious, I'm making my bed up. I'm not Disturbing Izzy and the twins now they have settled for the night." Andy whispered. "So Ethan and I will sleep here."
"Ridiculous," Miranda muttered. "You can both sleep with me. The bed is clearly large enough and..."
"Oh no," Andy interrupted firmly.
"Why ever not? I can assure you I am well able to resist any temptation you provide." Miranda nodded at the sleeping child in her arms.
"You may be, but I can safely say, I may not." Andy offered a small smirk at Miranda's widening eyes. "In all seriousness, Miranda, when I share a bed with you, and God willing it will happen, it will be just us. And frankly, the last thing you need is my restless boy's foot in your neck at some point in the night as he dreams."
"I do have two children, darling. I know just how uncomfortable night spent with them can be." Miranda smiled. "I would rather..."
"Momma, can I have a drink?" Isabel's voice interrupted Miranda.
"Hey, sweetie." Andy smiled at the sleepy girl clutching her purple rabbit close to her chest.
"Come along, Isabel, let's see what we can find." Miranda gestured for Andy to take the little boy and handed him over carefully when she stepped closer. She followed Andy's movements as she took Ethan and climbed into the sofa bed, laying him against her chest.
Feeling a little disappointed that she would most certainly be sleeping alone, she led the little blonde towards the kitchenette she'd asked to be fully stocked with snacks and drinks, Miranda opened the fridge, and at Isabel's request, grabbed a bottle of water for the young girl and poured it into a glass.
Andy glanced at the editor as she wrapped an arm around Isabel's shoulders as she gulped her water. She took the empty glass and placed it down beside the sink before guiding her back towards the living room.
Andy caught Isabel's quiet words. "Do you think my mom would have been angry with me, Mrs Priestly?"
"Please, I have asked multiple times for you to call me Miranda. What do you think your mom would be angry at you for, darling?" Miranda asked gently.
"For loving Cassi and for calling Andy, momma. For just being me..." Isabel trailed off biting her lip as tears flooded her eyes.
Miranda spun Isabel around to face her. "Darling, no. I do not believe, from the little I have heard about your mom, that she would be angry with you. She loved you very much, so much so that she ensured, should anything happen to her, you would be taken care of. She knew Andréa would do her utmost to keep you safe and make you feel loved." Miranda swiped at the young girl's flowing tears. "I am certain your mom would be extraordinarily proud of you, Isabel."
Isabel threw herself into Miranda's arms and the older woman caught her and held her close as she cried. "Aunty Joanna said..." She hiccupped. "...she said...she...She called E.J a mistake and when I told her momma would never say that, she told me Andy's not my momma, she was nothing, a nobody. She told me you would hate me for loving Cassi and that you probably hated Momma and were waiting for a chance to ruin our lives."
Miranda led Isabel back to the chair and sat, pulling her into her lap and holding her close. "You realise, by my reputation alone, I have the capacity to ruin lives, darling. But I never do so without just cause." Miranda pursed her lips. "When Andréa left me, it hurt more than I care to ever admit. Until today, I did not realise she felt anything for me other than disdain. All those years ago, I felt the need to protect myself so I pushed her away." Miranda rubbed soothing circles between Isabel's shoulder blades. "At no stage did I think of blacklisting Andréa, or interfering with her career. I do not willingly hurt those I love, darling. As for what she said about your momma and Ethan, she is wrong. Your momma is everything that is good in this world. And as an F.Y.I, I adore the fact you love my Cassidy, because all I ever want is for her and Caroline to be happy. "
"Really?" Isabel husked, looking up into Miranda's face searching for the truth.
Miranda gave her a soft smile. "Yes, really. I am not one to say things I do not mean, Isabel."
"Momma always said that," Isabel whispered conspiratorially.
"Your momma sees a lot more than anyone else ever did. It is partly what makes her such a good journalist, she sees things others do not. Plus, she is honest and trustworthy." Miranda stated, catching Andy's eyes.
Andy watched the older woman soothe her little girl. She was stunned by the editor's words and reassurances. She felt an overwhelming warmth when looking at the two of them together, Isabel's silvery blonde curls casting a halo around them in the lamplight.
"You sound like you love her," Isabel muttered sleepily, her eyes falling shut.
"Mm, yes. Sometimes it seems I have loved Andréa in numberless forms, numberless times...In life after life, in age after age, forever." Miranda quoted softly as Isabel snuggled into her further, a small smile on her face.
Miranda placed a light kiss on the crown of blonde curls and settled deeper into the armchair, unwilling to let go of the precious girl who had captured her daughter's heart and soul. She continued to gaze at the woman, lay just a few feet away, her dark, expressive eyes holding a wealth of deep affection as she looked at them.
"You know, I don't think I've quite explained just how much you being here with me today means, Miranda," Andy whispered. "After all this time, I still adore you. It has always been you my soul call to. It will always be you." She admitted. She turned slightly and lay Ethan down gently on the mattress before sliding from the bed.
She turned the music off and stepped lightly towards Miranda and her sleeping daughter. Andy lifted the girl from the editor's lap with a small grunt and lay her down beside the little boy, tucking the blanket around her. She grabbed the purple rabbit and settled it beside the sleeping girl before brushing the hair from her forehead and placing a kiss there. Straightening, she glanced at the older woman. "Will you take me to bed, love?" She husked.
Miranda nodded and standing up, held her hand out for Andy to take.
Talking two steps forward, Andy grasped the offered hand and let Miranda lead them to the king-sized bed cast in a glow of amber light.
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Miranda couldn't help but become a nervous wreck at the thought of the young, beautiful woman with the knockout, megawatt smile sharing her bed. While Andréa prepared for bed in the bathroom, she lay down and curled up on her side with her back to the door.
Miranda really wanted to build a solid foundation for a relationship, getting to know Andréa as she was now, and building on their connection before becoming physically involved. This was not just an itch she needed to scratch.
She stiffened as Andréa slipped in the bed beside her and after a few minutes sighed. "I know you're awake Miranda," Andréa stated matter of factly. "You need to realise I have no expectations from tonight. We can pretend to sleep, or we could simply talk. Whatever you want."
Miranda turned to face the brunette and saw the gentle expression in her eyes. "May I have a hug?" She asked hesitantly.
Andréa's smile was almost blinding. She opened her arms and as she scooted closer, was wrapped her up tight against her chest. It felt so good to have the younger woman's body against hers. She inhaled the sweet scent of vanilla and could smell the hint of mint on her breath. Unable to resist, she drew back looked up at the brunette. "Andréa, if I don't do this I'm going to regret it tomorrow," Miranda whispered
"Do what?" Andréa was confused.
Miranda tilted her head up to touch Andréa lips with hers, a shy, probing touch, a simple brush of lip. Andréa stiffened before kissing her back gently. They continued to hold each other while Miranda provided sweet, chaste kisses.
As her tongue entered Andréa's mouth, her hands came up and caressed the younger woman's face. Finally settling on her cheeks and gently drawing her closer. When their tongues began playing things soon turned passionate as Andréa pulled her closer and moaned in the back of her throat. She could feel Andréa's legs and breasts against hers, as she found herself turning Andréa so she was on her back with her laying half on top of her.
Miranda's lips blazed a trail of kisses along Andréa's neck and she arched her head back. She was delighted by the strong flicker of her pulse beneath her lips. Her hands pulled on Andréa's shirt and raised it so she could get access to the skin underneath. Her warm hands trailed over Andréa's hips and upwards towards her ribs.
"Miranda!" Andréa moaned, snaring her lips in another intense bout of kisses. She slowly ran her hands down Miranda's body, they started down her back gently kneading the muscle before her hands gripped her ass, pulling her even closer.
"My darling, my Andréa." Miranda husked between kisses. "It's too quick. We should..." Their lips softly broke apart and Miranda moaned at the loss. She looked into Andréa's eyes and saw a deep longing there. She hugged her tightly.
Miranda closed her eyes and took a staggering breath. The kisses they had shared were important to Miranda. It was extraordinarily rare for her to find one that could make her toes curl in such a way. It was also shocking not to feel a hard cock pressed uncomfortably into her leg. Instead, she felt Andréa, her full breasts, flat stomach, and the firm ass that had always caught her attention. It was intoxicating.
It wasn't that she didn't want Andréa. She truly did, and the desire coating her panties and the fact her heart was hammering in her ears was a testament to her aching need. She thought the younger woman was a wonderful, intelligent, beautiful soul and she was so ridiculously attracted to her. She was simply too scared to move too fast and scare her away.
Her eyes blazed open and she saw the confusion and despair highlighted in those deep pools of chocolate. Pulling back, Miranda brushed her hand up through Andréa's curls she started to do something she never usually did.
Explain.
With trepidation, she spoke of her hopes for their future and of her fears. She saw the pleasure at her openness shining in Andréa's eyes and swore she would try, every day, to continue to do the same.
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