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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Thirty minutes into their journey towards Connecticut, Andréa set her cell up through the Bluetooth and set her music going.
Cassidy wriggled excitedly in her seat between Isabel and Caroline as a mix of songs played from Little Mix to Bon Jovi, with Andréa's eclectic taste often causing giggles or spontaneous bursts of singing as she drummed her fingers on her leg and her leg bobbed up and down to the music.
As the opening strains of Bohemian Rhapsody started, Andréa smiled and turned her head as Isabel started to sing. Andréa's voice joined the young woman's and they kept perfect harmony, until the first verse where Isabel's voice trailed off, allowing Andréa to sing alone.
"Mama just killed a man
Put a gun against his head,
Pulled my trigger, now he's dead.
Mama, life had just begun
But now I've gone and thrown it all away..."
Andréas voice held so much raw emotion, it was all she could do to keep her concentration on the road ahead.
"...carry on
As if nothing really matters..."
The lyrics tugged at something within Miranda, and the heartbreaking quality of Andréa's voice had her wondering about her inner pain. She had grown to be quite self-contained and in many ways, it was simply wonderful to be able to see how far she had grown.
Isabel and Cassidy started to singing along to the operatic melody until Andréa hit a high note and they all started headbanging.
Andréa growled out the next lyrics as their heads bopped.
"So you think you can stop me
And spit in my eye
So you think you can love me
And leave me to die
Oh baby, can't do this to me baby
Just gotta get out
Just gotta get right outta here..."
This nonsense was clearly something Andréa, Cassidy and Isabel had done before, they were in perfect sync and their eyes reflected their joy.
Caroline's laughter cut through as she eyed her sister and Isabel's antics. "You three are crazy." She laughed.
The song slowed, and Andréa finished singing softly as a symbol crashed through the speakers.
"...Anyway, the wind blows."
Andréa bit her lip as she turned and gazed at her before smiling brightly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "It's a good thing E.J isn't here, he would have insisted you and Caro join in."
"I'd simply have to refuse." Miranda grinned.
"Yeah, 'cause you find that so easy." Andréa teased. "Who let him pour his own syrup this morning, just because he pouted?"
Miranda pursed her lips at the memory of the pancakes swimming on a bed of maple syrup. "Yes, well..." Miranda trailed off. "...I find he is rather persuasive." She found herself smiling. "And it seemed fitting that we send him to his Tassie on a sugar-high."
"Tassie will have his hands full. It will make a change rather than him coming home like that." Andréa's laughter was like music.
"Quite. I look forward to hearing about his weekend. Christian mentioned the zoo." Miranda smiled softly as she concentrated on the road. "We should be in New Canaan in thirty minutes." She told them all.
Cassidy's groan and Isabel's small sigh could be heard over the pop music playing and Andréa turned around to face the pair. "Hey, it's only for a couple of weeks, okay? You'll both live."
"Andy, what's your favourite doughnut?" Caroline's question was unexpected but broke the growing tension.
Andy answered without hesitation. "Easy, the crème brûlée doughnut from Doughnut Plant."
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Andy drove away from Long Lake Camp, feeling rather good about things. Before dropping the twins off, Caroline and Cassidy had continued asking everyone random questions while they travelled the rest of the way towards their grandparents home.
Upon their arrival, Maria and James Hetherington greeted them all warmly and led them to the large screened in the verandah, where hot coffee and a range of juice waited for them. They spoke of the drive so far and the one to come. Andy was surprised when Miranda addressed them by mom and dad, but they were so friendly with the editor she couldn't say why she was surprised.
When they made their goodbyes, Maria surprised them with a bag full of snacks, soda and a Thermos of coffee. Miranda, in a surprising move, kissed her ex-mother-in-law warmly on the cheek and whispered her thanks.
Andy was hugged and James Snr told her she was very pretty. He whispered Miranda was a lucky woman while his wife chuckled as she watched Cassidy and Isabel say their bittersweet goodbyes.
Miranda continued to drive and the silence after all the music and laughter from the initial leg of their journey felt almost oppressive. Isabel fell asleep leaning against the window, her legs stretched across the back seat.
Miranda broke the silence. "Would you rather lose the ability to lie or believe everything you're told?" She asked.
Startled, Andy didn't think the answer though. "Believe everything."
"Explain." Miranda seemed displeased by the answer.
"Well, I am aware I am a bad liar, and I prefer to tell the truth where possible, but there are times small lies are necessary." Andy focussed on being concise. "Like last year when E.J asked me if Santa was real, I had to lie, and when Izzy asked me if choices in life had hurt me. Those lies are okay if want to protect someone's feelings. Alternate to that you'd need to develop an amazing ability to deflect the questions. It's a hard question though, believing everything you're told could get you hurt you more and potentially make your life worse."
"When you put it like that, I suppose you are correct," Miranda smirked. "Would you rather lose all your memories from birth or not be able to make any new memories?"
"Lose my memories from birth." Andy continued to explain, knowing Miranda would demand it. "It's the moments now that are important, living in this moment, not a hankering for the past or people that no longer exist." Andy grinned. "So in the spirit of this game, would you rather die in five years with no regrets or die in twenty years with lots of regrets?"
"Twenty years with lots of regrets." Miranda glanced in the rearview at the sleeping girl. "I have many regrets from my past, and they colour who I am now, but if I could go back and have a do-over, I wouldn't change a damn thing, because it jas brought me to this moment, to building something special with you, Isabel and Ethan, and I know inherently that will never be something I regret. How could I, when I am following my heart."
An easier silence fell as they continued to travel north with only soft music and her own humming washing gently over them.
And now they were heading back to the city, with Miranda tapping on her iPhone while she drove. They had just passed Albany, having been driving over two hours when Miranda finally spoke.
"When you can, pull over." Miranda's soft request broke through her concentration.
"There's a service area in a few miles," Andy stated.
"Acceptable." Miranda leaned against the door, turned slightly towards her. It seemed like the older woman was at a loss for words. "What is your idea of a perfect date?" She asked hesitantly.
Andy was surprised by the random question. "Getting coffee or having dinner, preferably somewhere quiet. It has to be somewhere you can just sit and talk, taking the time to get to know the other person." She smiled. "I like the idea of just being able to be yourself, to talk, giggle and tell jokes and then realise hours have passed, but you aren't all that surprised because you are comfortable with that person."
"What if you already know that person?" Miranda queried.
"Ah, then it would be a night binge-watching all those shows I've been putting off watching because I don't have the time." Andy chuckled. "And then to be greeted the next morning with hot coffee and perhaps an onion bagel."
Miranda laughed heartily making Andy's heart soar. She saw the road stop and indicated to pull off the I-87.
Andy waited, feeling a rising sense of dread as Miranda stepped from the car and moved around to open her door.
Miranda held her hand out to help her from the car "I need your undivided attention, Andréa." She stated quietly.
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Andréa slid from the car and followed her the three steps to a large wooden bench and they sat side by side.
Miranda wondered when the last time she had a truly meaningful conversation with someone, other than her daughters., but knew it was needed if she wished to deepen her relationship with the younger woman.
The fact was, she had always found the communication side of a relationship vastly difficult. She decided on an opening and ran with it. "What do you want out of life, Andréa?"
Andréa looked away and spoke quietly. "I just want someone to love me for the horrific, raging, emotionally unpredictable bitch I am."
She could hear the teasing held in the younger woman's voice and knew she was keeping her eyes averted so she didn't laugh. Andréa's good moods were rather infectious but underneath she could sense the brunette was wary.
Andréa turned to face her, her eyes solemn. "Seriously, Miranda. I just want a stable personal life, to have people in my life I can cherish, knowing they hold the same affection for me." Andréa sighed. "If you are having second thoughts about us, just tell me. I will back off and continue to live my life as I did before, keeping my distance and my heart safe."
"No, that is not what..." Miranda brushed her hand through her hair in frustration. "...How could you even think..." She was growing agitated. She knew this conversation was a bad idea. "...I know you want to have sex." She blurted.
Andréa caught her eyes. "Well I won't deny it, nor will I say I don't or desire you, Miranda, it would be a blatant lie, but it's not like I'm planning on ravaging you right here and now. And I'm happy to wait..."
"Forever?" Miranda interrupted her.
"As long as necessary. If I get frustrated I have ways and means of fixing it." Andy stated. "I'm not some unruly teenager unable to handle my sexual urges. I have hands and a very good vibrator..." Andréa clapped her hand over her mouth as a blush rose across her pale cheeks.
She allowed the silence to grow between them in the hope they could both get themselves together. To allow Andréa to overcome her embarrassment and for her to gather her swirling thoughts.
"You said forever?" Andréa whispered.
"I don't know if I am able to..." She bit her lip. "...enact certain intimacies." She frowned at her choice of words. She watched closely as Andréa contemplated the words, her head nodding slightly as a frown formed.
"Is this about those ridiculous nicknames from Page Six, the Ice Queen and frigid fashionista?" Andréa asked.
"There may be some truth in those names, but no," Miranda stated softly.
She saw Andréa thinking and knew she had jumped to her own conclusions about her behaviour when she stiffened. "You don't desire me then?" She queried. "I thought, after our kisses..."
That was the last thing she wanted Andréa to think. She saw the younger woman's confidence plummet.
"I do, very much so. You are just being ridiculous now." Miranda informed her firmly. "This is rather embarrassing, my darling." She licked her lips nervously as Andréa's head snapped up at the admission. "Although we have ignored it so far, you are surely aware of the rather large age difference between us, my body is changing, Andréa and..."
"Menopause?" Andy chuckled darkly. "Is that all?"
"All?" Miranda's asked, her voice rising in surprise.
"Look, I told you my mom had me later in life. She was in her late forties when I came along. I was there when she went through her change, I understand there are physical changes that affect sex drive, spanning from a dry vagina, hot flushes, night sweats, touch sensitivity and a slower sexual response to even, God forbid, putting weight on and growing a moustache."
Andréa cackled at her look of shock. "Andréa, I..." She didn't know what to say as she waited for the laughter to run its course.
"I am a woman too, Miranda. I want you to be comfortable enough with me to talk openly about sex. We could plan, when we are ready, a slow, lingering, intensely passionate, mind-blowing lovemaking session. I do not have to penetrate you to make love to you if you do not wish, although there are plenty of lubricants available. You don't even have to take your clothes off if you feel self-conscious." Andréa was growing louder as she battled to get her point across. "Jesus, Miranda, I would even masturbate for you should you find that is what you want. There is no pressure to rush this." Andréa blushed again and glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. "Did you know masturbation can help to improve blood flow and muscle tone down there?" She whispered.
"It was mentioned at my last physical," Miranda admitted, embarrassed. "I exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet which also helps, and I do actually desire you, it's just..."
"I've always found you beautiful, Miranda, that won't ever change," Andréa spoke hesitantly. "I am not in a position to compare who you were before this to who you are now, however, if we find sexual intimacy isn't always possible we have other options available to us. We can make time to have romantic dinners, take a moonlit walk or a carriage ride through Central Park, we could organise a secluded picnic or I could give you a sensual massage. We can be intimate without sex."
"You are still so young. How long will it be before you realise I'm not..." Miranda's words disappeared when Andréa captured her lips, drawing her in as she teased them with the tip of her tongue.
"I will prove this is what I want, that it is, and always will be, enough, in every way," Andréa whispered, breaking their kiss gently and leaving her craving more. "To have you in my life, in any way, is a blessing, Miranda and it is more than I ever imagined possible."
Miranda felt reassured at the determination in Andréa's eyes. "If you say so, my darling." Miranda smiled softly. "Now, if you could go anywhere in the world with me, where would you want to go?"
"Paris," Andréa admitted with a shy smile. "I'd really like to experience the City of Light and Love by your side rather than two steps behind you."
"Then we shall plan to do so." Miranda stood and held her hand out once again to have it grasped firmly. She tugged the younger woman to her feet. "Thank you for your understanding, my darling." She sighed.
"You know, when the time is right, I'm going to try, right? You once said I can do anything." Andréa's smile was wide as they stepped hand-in-hand towards the car.
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Andy struggled to concentrate while Miranda's warm hand sat lightly on her thigh as she drove through the city back towards the townhouse. She had refused Miranda's various offers to take over driving.
She squinted through the windscreen, marvelling at the beautiful red and orange colours of the sunset as the sky darkened rapidly and the night set in.
It really had been a good day, they had fallen silent only fifteen minutes before having continued to ask one another questions in a rousing game of Would You Rather. It seemed rather silly to play such a game with Miranda Priestly, but it had been eye-opening.
She wondered how they had come to this, so quickly. Miranda wanted her but was concerned over her own ability to allow her to reciprocate. Although she had a momentary lapse in confidence earlier that day, she understood Miranda desired her, the way she moaned against her lips when they kissed and the hunger held in the darkening of her beautiful blue eyes told her the truth of the older woman's feelings. She swore she would continue to give Miranda the time she needed.
"Would you rather lose the ability to read or the ability to speak?" Miranda's voice cut through the comfortable silence that had grown between them.
Andy found herself smiling. "I'd rather lose the ability to speak. As you know I'm a fairly adequate writer and I could always have a robot voice like Stephen Hawking or learn sign language." Her smile widened at Miranda's laughter. "I'm as much a reader as I am a writer and although it may seem I like the sound of my own voice, not enough to sacrifice reading."
Miranda smiled. "I find I must agree. I can easily lose myself in words. Words are forgiving. They never judge, they never hate, and they turn you into whatever you want to be. So often, the words that fly from between my lips are harsh. I find talking detrimental to my mental and emotional health. I think that is why I am often so quiet."
"That explains a lot," Andy stated softly, stunned by the editor's honesty.
"I think today has been an acceptable first date. We have spoken in depth and the time has passed reasonably quickly. We have had the opportunity to show one another our true selves." Miranda smiled softly as she navigated Lexington Avenue and turned onto East 73rd St.
"You wish to count this as a first date?" Andy was surprised. "If that's the case, I should leave you with a chaste kiss and the hope to get your number." She teased.
"Oh no, that will just not do. How about we extend things and share a bottle of wine, watch Netflix and eat leftover pizza?" Miranda counteracted.
"Then I have no choice but to say yes to all. That would be the perfect end to the day." Andy pulled up outside the house and switched off the ignition before turning to face Miranda. "Is it too early to say how much I have loved spending this time with you?" She asked hesitantly.
"Not at all. I must admit, I enjoyed the day greatly, especially your rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody." Miranda leaned forward slightly and ran her fingers up Andy's jaw, pulling her closer. "Thank you." She whispered.
"What for?" Andy breathed.
"For simply being you." Miranda husked, brushing a light kiss against her lips.
The flash of a camera had them pulling apart and Miranda's lips pursed in displeasure at the sight of the lone photographer. "Well, it seems we are going to be outed sooner rather than later." She whispered. "This is your time to run, Andréa."
Andy stepped from the car and moved around to the passenger side quickly. Holding the door open, she extended her hand to Miranda. "I'm not going anywhere, Miranda. I spoke the truth last week, the press can kiss my ass." Bending low to catch Miranda's eyes, Andy spoke the truth of her heart. "I will set the city, fuck it, the entire world even, on fire with the truth. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the luckiest person in the world." She caught Miranda's started expression. "I told Caro it was too early for lovey-dovey declarations, but I need to be fearless in the face of what ignites my soul." She licked her lips nervously, knowing her words could potentially be overheard by the lurking paparazzi. "I love you, Miranda Priestly. I have loved you for years and I'll continue through life, to my grave, always loving you."
Miranda reached for her outstretched hand and squeezed it as she slid from the car. "You brave, beautiful woman." She muttered. "How did I get to be so blessed as to have you?"
"You're just lucky, I guess." Andy's teasing reply had Miranda laughing as the flash of camera lit up the night sky.
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