A/N: This is my first attempt at Fanfiction. I woke up with the idea in my head after inhaling so much DWP/Mirandy fanfic. This is not beta'd. All mistakes are my own.
Disclaimer: I do now own any of the Characters belonging to The Devil Wears Prada. These are owned by Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox.
Summary: Andy leaves Paris with final words for Miranda.
A/N 2: I have spent some time since my last update editing this story in the hopes it would coax my muse from hibernation. There are no major changes to the storyline/plot.
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Chapter Nine:
The twins were quiet as Miranda drove them back to the City. Caroline and Cassidy were holding hands and peeking glances at Andy.
"Andy?" Caroline said.
"Yes, Caro?" Andy replied with a smile.
"Do you love us?" Cassidy asked nervously.
"Yes Cass, I love you both very much." Turning in the passenger seat she looked at the twins. Seeing their look of disbelief she whispered. "Why are you asking me this my little imps?" Cassidy cried as Caroline looked on with tears pooling in her eyes. "Sweetheart, please stop the car," Andy asked Miranda breathlessly. Her heart beat fast as she fought against her rising panic. She had never seen the twins so hurt or upset.
As Miranda found a safe place to stop Andy launched herself from the front of the car, pulling her seat forward she clambered between the twins and pulled the seat back in place.
It was a tight squeeze with her long legs so she picked Cassidy up and pulled her onto her lap. Gesturing Caroline over onto her lap as well she stretched out across the back seat and wrapped her arms around them both as they lay across her chest.
"Hush babies, it's okay. I'm here and your mom is too." Andy whispered hoarsely, fighting against the lump in her throat from her unshed tears. As they both settled in against her Cassidy continued to sob. She held them tightly placing a soft kiss on each of their heads.
"Dad said you don't really want us, that you're just putting up with us because of Mom and that you're only with her because of who she is and what she can give to you," Cassidy admitted as she snuggled into Andy's neck.
At the young girl's words, Andy's tears flowed. "Your dad's right in a way. Your mom has a lot to offer someone." She told them.
As Cassidy attempted to move off Andy's lap, anger clear behind the tears Andy pulled her tighter to her chest.
"Cass, please let me finish what I was saying." She asked quietly. Seeing Cassidy's small nod she continued to speak to the twins softly. "As I was saying your dad's right when he says your mom has a lot to offer. Other people will form a similar opinion, they will see the age difference between your mom and I and they'll believe I am after her money or her position of power. Your mom has done amazing things with her life and they will think I am trying to gain an advantage from it. They, however, don't know me like you do, they do not know what's in my heart." Andy sighed sadly.
"I didn't know who your mom was before I worked for her, they sold the job as one a million girls would kill for, I, however, never saw it that way, it was a job to pay the bills. Along the way my view changed, I was working for an exceptional woman who had two very precious children. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with all three of them. I love your mom, you know I have for the longest time. You two probably knew it before I even realised what it was I was feeling. Once I realised the depth of my feelings, all I wanted was to be able to love you all and have my love returned. I couldn't see how that could ever happen though, your mom is beautiful and accomplished and I'm so terribly ordinary."
Caroline raised her head, seeing the tears flowing down Andy's face, stroked her face tenderly before settling back into her previous position. Cassidy followed suit. Placing another kiss on both head's Andy hugged the young girls to her as she caught Miranda's eyes. Miranda also had tears streaming down her face as she offered Andy a small smile.
She looked at Miranda as she continued to speak. "I ran away in Paris. I didn't know how to handle the feelings I had. Running away hurt though, I missed you all so very much. Part of me wanted to cut off all contact, to lessen the ache I felt from our distance, but I couldn't do that to you. I remembered the promises I made to each of you I would always be there for you. I meant it my loves. As soon as I heard you wanted me here, I planned, and I came home."
Andy looked down at the twins and gave them a smile as she spoke. "I have nothing to offer you but my heart, it's yours. I've knowingly given it to the three of you, and each of you can break it or keep it safe. And I trust in you, that you will guard and cherish it, as I do yours." Andy swiped her tears. "Now my imps, I need you to believe me when I tell you I love you girls like you were my own children."
"I believe you, I can see it in your eyes," Caroline told her softly as she looked up at the brunette.
"If I am ever blessed with babies, I can only hope they are half as amazing as you two are," Andy told them both softly. "I want you all to know I'm not going anywhere, I promise. It won't always say or do the right thing and I'll no doubt drive your mom crazy, but I want this, the four of us muddling through life, a family. I will always love and protect you." Andy told them.
"I'm sorry." Cassidy sobbed as she wrapped her arms tighter around Andy.
"There's no need to be sorry." Andy soothed.
"We automatically believed what dad said, we didn't think about how you feel," Caroline confirmed.
"My loves, you will never hear me speak poorly about your father but he doesn't know me, he made an assumption about me based on a poorly written article in a tabloid newspaper, many people will do it. But I don't care as long as the three of you know the truth."
"You love us," Cassidy whispered.
"Yes, I do," Andy confirmed.
"And we love you," Caroline told her.
"I hope so," Andy said.
"And you'll never leave," Miranda said.
Looking across at the older woman she caught her eye and said. "I'll never leave you again. I promise."
"Acceptable." The three of them chimed simultaneously causing the young woman to burst into a fit of giggles.
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They pulled up at the Townhouse an hour later, the twins fast asleep against Andy's chest. Stroking their hair Andy whispered. "C'mon my loves, we're home. Miranda smiled at the sight of her beloved daughters snuggled in her love's arms as she got out of the car. Pulling the seats forward she hoisted Caroline into her arms with a small grunt as Cassidy snuggled in further. "Honey, we're home now, time to move," Andy whispered again to the sleeping redhead.
"Don't wanna, warm," Cassidy mumbled sleepily. Pulling the young girl closer Andy gingerly extracted herself from the car, holding her precious cargo securely.
Miranda fumbled with the key as she attempted to hold her daughter and unlock the door. Rolling her eyes she finally managed to get it open and entered the Townhouse and made her way upstairs to the den as Andy followed slowly behind.
Placing Caroline on the wide sofa Miranda stood and stretched as Andy walked into the room. Noticing the tight grip her daughter had on Andy she tried to untangle her hands from the front of Andy's t-shirt. "Bobbsey, you need to let go of Andréa so she can put you down." Miranda attempted to coax
"No! Not lettin' go ever." Cassidy mumbled. With a sigh, Andy sat herself down on the opposite side of the sofa to Caroline, the weight of the sleeping child against her chest.
"Cassidy do you want to bake cookies?" Andy asked gently. At that Cassidy sat up straight and let go of Andy's shirt. Rubbing her eyes she looked around.
"We're home?" She asked.
"Yes, my love. You were doing a rather amazing impression of a comatose sloth as I brought you upstairs." Andy smiled at her as she stroked the wild red hair out of the young girl's face.
"Did you say cookies?" Cassidy asked eyes wide. Miranda snorted out a laugh.
"Yes. Would you like to help me bake some? It's not really Christmas without warm gingerbread cookies."
"Yes!" Cassidy jumped off Andy's knee and shook Caroline awake. "Wake up sleepyhead, we're making cookies with Andy."
Miranda and Andy grinned at the twin antics as Caroline woke up and happily launched herself at Andy. "Hey, I only just got untangled from one baby monkey." Andy smiled at the redhead in her arms.
"I think you likened my other daughter to a comatose sloth." Miranda deadpanned, a twinkle of amusement shining in her blue eyes.
Andy smiled up at the older woman. "Are you going to help too?" At Miranda's answering smile and a nod of agreement, Andy said. "C'mon then kiddo's, go wash up and meet me in the kitchen." Caroline jumped off her knee and dragged Cassidy from the room as Andy looked on happily.
"You were truly wonderful with them in the car," Miranda told her as she sat by her side and entwined their fingers.
"I couldn't bear to see them hurting Sweetheart, it was like someone had punched me in the chest. My heart ached when I saw the disbelief in their eyes. I could throttle Greg for putting that doubt in their head but I understand where he was coming from."
"You are much more understanding than I would be in your situation my darling. I'll admit that I was scared Greg would keep my girls away from me but I had faith you wouldn't let that happen. You handled it marvellously, you continue to astound me," Miranda told her.
"You and the girls mean everything to me, Miranda, I won't let anyone or anything hurt any of you, including their father. After you left the room, he attempted to stare me down, he's not quite as frightening as you though and I told him so." Andy smirked. "His parting words were that he believed you had met your match."
Miranda laughed. "You really are a sleeping dragon."
"And don't you forget it." Andy gave the woman a bright smile as she heard the thundering of little feet down the stairs. "We should go down, God only knows what mischief they can get up to unattended in the kitchen."
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Walking into the kitchen hand in hand Andy and Miranda found the girls raiding the pantry and fridge. "What are you terrors looking for?"
"Ingredients, I have flour, baking powder and sugar, what else do I need?" Cassidy asked.
"Well, we will also need baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, molasses and Vanilla," Andy told her. "What do you have Caro?"
"Eggs and butter," Caroline responded happily.
"Ah that's great, the only thing I need now is a lemon."
"Lemon?" Miranda questioned as she sat at the breakfast bar.
"Yes a lemon, I use the zest," Andy explained with a smile as Miranda grabbed mixing bowls and utensils.
"Right Cass, do you have everything? Andy asked.
"I think so." She replied hesitantly as she placed the final items on the bench.
Andy looked at the ingredients happily. "These cookies will be epic." She said happily. "Right who wants to measure and who wants to mix?" Andy asked the twins. They glanced at each other formulating a plan.
"I'll measure," Caroline said happily. "Cass will mix."
She winked at Miranda as she handed her a lemon and a small bowl. "If you could zest this lemon it would be much appreciated." Looking at the twins she fired off instructions. "Okay Caro, I need 3 cups of flour, one and a half teaspoons of baking powder, three quarters of a teaspoon of baking soda, a quarter teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon of ginger, 1 and three quarters of a teaspoon of cinnamon and a quarter teaspoon of ground cloves put into that bowl," Andy explained.
"On it boss," Caroline said happily as she measured ingredients.
Andy grinned. "Cass when Caro has finished with that I will need you whisk the stuff together until it's well blended."
Pulling out the Kitchenaid Andy beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed. She added the molasses and vanilla as she waited for the lemon zest, which she added once Miranda had completed her chore.
Miranda got up from the breakfast bar and left the room leaving the zest on the counter
"Is this good?" Cassidy asked after a few minutes
Looking at the mixture Andy smiled. "It's perfect. Come over here and help me mix it. It needs to be done slowly." Andy asked.
"Yes, chief." Cassidy grinned wickedly. They poured the dry ingredients into the Kitchenaid slowly as they blended it all into a smooth dough before switching the Kitchenaid off.
"I need two sheets of plastic wrap," Andy told Caroline. As she pulled the wrap from its roll and laid it out on the bench Andy divided the cookie dough into two. "We need to leave this for an hour or so, two would be better now," Andy explained as Miranda re-entered the room with a smile on her face.
"Movie?" She asked them happily.
"Yes!" The three of them said unanimously.
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Andy grabbed her journals and pen from the study as they moved towards the living room, smiling at the raised eyebrow on the editor's face.
"Do you have much more writing to do?" Miranda asked quietly as she followed the young woman.
"Just a few more pages and I'll be done," Andy told her. "You don't mind?" She asked hesitantly.
"No." Miranda smiled. "I'm grateful just to have your presence in the room," Miranda said.
"I love you," Andy whispered as she pulled Miranda into a hug.
"And I love you, my darling," Miranda said smiling brightly. "Now let's see what movie my terrors have chosen?"
Andy grabbed Miranda's hand and led her up the stairs to the living room. Making their way to the sofa each sat in the same spots as before. The twins rather than sitting on their beanbags snuggled between the women.
"What are you writing?" Cassidy asked as she wrapped herself around Andy.
"Just my journal," Andy explained. "I want to get everything down while I remember it." Andy smiled at the young redhead. "So what have you chosen to watch?" She asked.
"Miracle on 34th Street. It's the 1947 original, it's mom's favourite Christmas movie." Caroline grinned across at her from Miranda's side.
"It's one of mine too along with It's a Wonderful Life. I like the new one too." Andy sat back as Miranda started the movie, a gentle smile forming on her face.
Pulling her feet underneath her Andy rested her journals open on the arm of the sofa and scribbled on a new page as she occasionally glanced at the writing within her old journal and occasionally across to the TV. Cassidy lay curled up with her head on Andy's thigh and occasionally Andy ran her fingers through the young girl's wild red curls.
About an hour into the movie Andy's attention was captured by a question. "Andy what did you want for Christmas when you were our age?" Caroline asked curiously.
"Mm, that's easy. A Sega Game Gear or Nintendo Gameboy. They were expensive though. I think it was the year I got a new Super Soaker, my first leather bound journal and some Troll Dolls." Andy grinned happily at memories of her ten-year-old self. "It was different back then, the advances in technology over the last 15 years has been amazing."
Miranda snorted back a laugh. "I can picture you at ten with a big grin and unruly curls soaking everyone with freezing water."
Andy laughed. "I'm pretty sure that was the case, I'll have to ask..." Andy stalled as she realised she couldn't ask her parents to share their memories of Christmas past. Tears sprang to her eyes. "Anyway I bought myself my first handheld console aged twelve, I saved birthday and Christmas money from aunts, uncles and my grandparents and the cash made from doing odd jobs." She swiped her eyes and focused in her journal until she gained control of her whirling emotions.
"Why did you have to save?" Cassidy asked. "Didn't your parents give you what you wanted?" She looked up at the brunette curiously
"They gave me everything I needed Cass. I was brought up in a middle-class family. My parents are lawyers but my mom only worked part-time hours, she spent a lot of my childhood as a stay-at-home mom. We weren't poor but there wasn't always a vast amount of money floating around for luxuries." Andy explained gently. "You girls are extraordinarily lucky. Your mom works like a crazy lady to provide you with this life. To give you the best education, to give you whatever you want and need." Andy smiled at the young girl.
"Will we meet your parents?" Cassidy asked gently.
"I don't know Cass. They're not really supportive of some decisions I've made over the last few years." Andy said hesitantly. "I hope you get to meet them one day, they always wanted grandchildren."
"Well, you have us. We'll always support you." Cassidy told Andy as she wrapped her arms around her.
Extracting herself with a quick apology Andy closed her journals and made her way from the room and to the bathroom. Leaning her back against the door she let her tears fall. She felt she couldn't let the twins see her fall apart. She took her time to get her emotions under control before splashing her face with cold water to remove the telltale tear marks.
Opening the door she walked straight into Miranda and was pushed back into the room. "The girls are worried. Are you okay my darling?" Miranda queried softly as she brushed an errant curl out of Andy's eyes.
"I'm fine, or I will be. I just...you know...I just...I didn't want to break down in front of them. They've already had such an emotional day." Andy explained as she fought against a fresh onslaught of tears. "I can't believe my parents are being so..."
"They want what is best for you Andréa, as do I. Right now their views may not be in alignment with yours but they will come around my love. They will be there to celebrate your successes in life, which I am positive will be many. Just give them time." Miranda told her gently as she swiped at the single tear that had made its escape from her words.
"I want to believe that, I want to hope. How do you do it, sweetheart? How do you continue to find that ray of hope in the darkness?" Andy asked.
"It is only in the darkness we can see the stars." Miranda sighed sadly. "I learned a long time ago that hope isn't pretending that our troubles don't exist my darling, it is knowing they won't last forever. You have me and our girls supporting you at every step and you will heal and overcome your difficulties, coming out of this pain stronger and more resilient." Miranda told her. "May I ask something?"
"Anything," Andy whispered.
"When you came home you said you were following your heart, but what pushed you? Was it the feeling that happiness might come from your choice?" Miranda asked.
"Yes, with a healthy dose of fear I may be rejected," Andy told her softly.
Miranda pulled her in and held her close as she whispered. "That feeling pushing you was hope my darling, and hope is the only thing stronger than fear." Miranda pulled back and gave her a bright smile. "You have hope within you Andréa, it may be well hidden but you simply have to search for it, find the courage to grasp it and not let your fears overwhelm you. You are one of the bravest people I have had the pleasure to meet, you are amazing." Placing a soft kiss on Andy's lips Miranda stepped back and made to leave her. "I will leave you to do what you need. We will wait for you my darling, we will be there when you are ready to return to us."
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Andy returned to the living room fifteen minutes later armed with juice, diet soda, coffee and a family bag of Cheetos. Squealing the twins launched themselves towards her to grab the snacks. Cassidy ran back to the sofa Cheetos raised triumphantly over her head.
"Well I know how to get around you two, all that's needed is a well-timed Cheetos run." Andy smiled happily at the twins.
"Where did you go?" Cassidy asked.
"Have you been crying, your eyes are red?" Caroline asked softly.
"I went to get snacks, make coffee for your mom and check the cookie dough. Should be ready to roll and bake once the movie's over." Andy said thinking she had successfully dodged Caroline's question.
Caroline stood looking up at her, blue eyes, so much like her mothers, gazing up at her with affection before wrapping her arms around Andy. Holding her tight she mumbled into Andy's stomach incoherently.
"What was that Caro?" Andy asked softly.
Stepping back she looked back up at her and smiled. "I said we love you. We want you to be happy with us."
"I am, my gorgeous girl, I promise. There will be occasional things that make me sad and I may sometimes need a few minutes to get myself together but it's not because of being here with you." Andy explained. "Come on let's finish watching this movie, we have about 30 minutes until the dough has settled enough." Leading the young girl to the sofa she placed the cold drinks on the table, handing Miranda her coffee with a brief smile, she picked Caroline up and sat her on her lap as Cassidy snuggled back in. Placing a soft kiss on both heads she whispered. "I love you all."
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The movie ended and Andy led the twins back to the kitchen. Miranda followed behind and attached her iPod to the Bose speakers and played Christmas songs as she perched herself at the breakfast bar.
"Right my little imps, as you can see the oven's preheating I organised the baking trays. I need cookie cutters, more flour and rolling pins." Cassidy ran to the drawers and pulled out a range of cookie cutters as Caroline grabbed the flour and two rolling pins. Grinning, they both made their way back to Andy.
"I want to do Gingerbread people," Cassidy said.
"Well, I want Santa and Christmas trees," Caroline said sticking her tongue out at her sister.
"Okay, no arguments. Caroline, please give your sister a rolling pin and we'll get started." She sprinkled flour in two spots on the worktop at either side of her and placed the doughs in each spot. "Right sprinkle a light coating of flour on top of your dough and on your rolling pins and roll your dough until it's an even 1/4-inch. If it sticks use more flour. okay? When that's done cut out as many cookies as you can and place them on the baking trays."
"Yes, Andy." They replied together.
Andy made her way over to the older woman. Stroking the side of Miranda's face she looked at her and offered a sweet smile. "What would you like for dinner?"
"We could order out. I'm sure the girls wouldn't mind. How about Thai?" Miranda asked.
"I can cook if you like, I have a few recipes for a Thai dishes. There's a superb Thai beef and broccoli stir-fry dish I learned, it pairs really well with coconut rice." Andy smiled happily.
"That sounds delicious," Miranda whispered as she placed a kiss on her cheek. "Do not feel you have to do this for us, Andréa."
"Maybe I want to, my love," Andy told her.
"Well, who am I to refuse you anything?" Miranda questioned softly causing Andy to grin.
"I best go back to the terrors before they take it upon themselves to start a flour fight." Hearing a snort coming from behind her she turned and rolled her eyes as the twins gave her a faux-innocent look before pelting her with flour. Andy playfully growled as she stalked towards them causing them to squeal as she picked up a handful of flour and blew it over them before they all laughed.
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A few hours passed since Andy and the twins had baked their cookies and she had helped them to decorate them. They'd all settled back in the living room to watch movies and play board games.
Andy was relaxed, she'd spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening laughing with the twins and teasing Miranda. She had found the editor was a poor loser after a game of Scrabble ended with Miranda tipping the board over and declaring the game quite ridiculous. She had cooked an early dinner of Thai Beef with Broccoli with coconut rice for the Priestly's who had raved about it, and they'd extracted promises she'd cook for them again soon. After dinner, they had made their way back to the living room.
Getting up from her seat she made her way to the bedroom she had been sharing with Miranda and searching through her luggage found the packages she had set aside for them all. Smiling, she made her way back to the living room.
Entering the room she found three pairs of blue eyes on her sparkling with curiosity at the gift-wrapped packages in her hands. "We had a tradition when I was growing up I wanted to share with you," Andy explained. She handed the gifts over. "Every Christmas Eve we got to open one gift, it was always the same thing. Please open them." She smiled at the expression of excitement on the twins face as they tore at the wrappings.
Opening the gifts they looked down to find brightly coloured silks.
"What is it?" Miranda asked softly.
Cassidy shook out the purple silk in her hands and gasped at the intricate design of the kurta and churidar custom pyjamas in her hands, she traced the silver embroidery around the neck of the kurta. "Wow! They're beautiful." She whispered reverently. "What colour did you get Caro?"
"Mine's green with silver embroidery," Caroline said happily. "What about you, mom?" She asked.
Miranda gently opened her package and looked down. She saw the matching silver embroidery emblazoned on blue silk. "Cerulean." She whispered her eyes blazing with happiness. "I see you have a similar package, what colour did you choose for yourself?"
Andy smiled and opened her package. "To be exact, it was violet for Cass, emerald green for Caro, cerulean for you my love, and I requested a fire engine red for myself." Andy smiled happily as she shook her pyjamas out of their packaging. Miranda snorted her laughter causing Andy's shoulders to shake with her own silent laughter. Getting herself under control she told them. "I had them custom made at a shop I found in Delhi. When I knew I was coming home, I asked them to ship them to the U.S. I picked them up the morning of my arrival, even before I had booked into that hotel." Andy grinned happily as the twins launched themselves at her and wrapped their arms around their waist.
"Thanks, Andy," Caroline whispered.
"You're welcome honey," Andy told her gently.
"I can't believe you remembered our favourite colours," Cassidy said.
"I remember everything you have ever shared with me my little imps," Andy said as she gave them a tighter squeeze.
Releasing themselves from Andy they scooped up their new pyjamas and stormed out of the room and upstairs declaring a pyjama night was needed.
Andy walked over to Miranda who was smiling gently at her. "Thank you Andréa, they are beautiful."
Andy blushed. "It was just a little something."
"Handmade to exact specifications, hand embroidered. A lot of work went into the choices and into the items themselves. And you have the audacity to say it's just a little something'." Miranda shook her head. "You are special my Andréa, a truly beautiful soul." Miranda shook her head and cupped her face. "Now the twins have declared this to be a pyjama night so I think we should do as our daughter's wish."
"That's the second time you have referred to them as ours, Miranda," Andy said as tears sprang to her eyes.
"You offered yourself up as a second parent. I assume you have not changed your mind." Miranda said with a smirk.
"Never," Andy whispered. "You're all mine and I'm never letting go." Pulling Miranda close she gave her a soft kiss. "Let's go on up, I can't wait to see how your eyes sparkle when you are wearing my favourite blue."
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Come on then, you know how our daughters love to be kept waiting."
"Just like their mother." Andy giggled as she was pulled out of the room by an impatient Miranda.
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