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 Twelve:
Andy had left the room and moved down to the kitchen. After preparing two coffee's she moved back up the circular staircase to the fifth floor. Having not been to this part of the Townhouse she took in her surroundings. She was amazed by the natural light from a skylight above the stairs and located the stairs to the roof. She stepped up to them carefully.
Upon reaching the top she found herself amazed. Glancing around she found herself in a bright room with a large glass wall comprising of a large floor to ceiling windows. Andy noticed one of the large windows open to a 90-degree angle and as she walked past the industrial style hand-wheel crank that opened the windows she smiled.
Stepping onto the roof she spotted Miranda stretched out on an outdoor recliner. She was wrapped in a fleece blanket and staring out into the distance; the journal clasped tightly against her chest. Rushing towards the older woman Andy stepped loudly to ensure she didn't startle the woman. "Sweetheart?" Andy queried softly. "I brought coffee" She sat down in the recliner next to Miranda and handed her a steaming cup of coffee.
"Thank you, darling," Miranda breathed as she took a sip.
"Why did you come up here Miranda? Talk to me, please." Andy requested.
"I forgot how difficult navigating a new relationship is," Miranda admitted. "This, being with you is so different. I've never been overwhelmed by good experiences before. It seems much harder to talk about it when all things are good, so I'm trying to tell myself there's nothing to be anxious about, there's nothing negative happening here and being with you, having you here, well it is bringing so much joy."
"I'm so sorry that this whole thing is overwhelming you. I know how much you need control." Andy said. "It's not surprising you are affected by this. The last few days have been really intense."
"I'm scared I will sabotage this Andréa," Miranda whispered. "But that doesn't mean I'm not happy."
"It's perfectly understandable that you feel this way, Miranda. This is unfamiliar territory for us both. You are always so focused, you try to give everything your full attention." Andy let out a sigh as she sipped her coffee. "You are allowed to experience good things, my love, you are worthy of the good things happening in your life." Miranda turned and looked at the brunette, tears shining in the blue eyes. Andy placed her coffee down and stood up, taking two steps she knelt in front of the older woman and placed her head on Miranda's lap. "Maybe we're moving too quickly, we should take a step back," Andy whispered.
"No!" Miranda was scared that her behaviour had caused Andy to change her mind. "Don't say that."
Andy turned her head and raised her eyes slowly to catch the shining blue of Miranda's, seeing the fear she explained. "I don't mean I want to step back from this relationship or leave you, my love. I've told you I'm not going anywhere, and I meant it." Andy closed her eyes briefly "What I am trying to say, poorly, is maybe we should take a step back and just enjoy us, make meaningful memories and savour this experience together. Forget the past, forget that journal." She went to take it from Miranda only to find her grasp on it become tighter. "None of it is important. What is important is us now, today and all our future days." Andy explained. "And when you get overwhelmed, I want you to know it is okay not to tackle every single thing in your life alone because you are not alone now. I am here to help you, to support you and to celebrate every success with you. What we are building, this is for keeps. We need to focus on the long-term which will include that wedding you were so keen on last night."
Miranda smiled sadly. "What happens when I unleash the Ice Queen, which will invariably happen sooner than later?"
"I fell in love with her too Miranda. I experienced your worst and still see the most amazingly complex but beautiful person." Andy lifted her head off Miranda's lap. "I know you can be highly strung. I'm not that easy going all the time either, I admit to being overly sensitive, moody and often petulant. And I have my fire-breathing capabilities too." Andy grinned at Miranda rolling her eyes before turning serious. "I firmly believe you can't kill good things, and this is a great thing, Miranda."
"Get up off that floor," Miranda told her. "When will you learn to put warm clothes on?" Miranda smirked.
"Come back inside my love." Andy requested. "Or let me share that blanket of epic fluffiness, my word it's so soft."
Miranda smiled and scooted off the chair to allow Andy to sit. As Andy sat and reclined the seat Miranda placed the journal on the floor with her coffee and sat on Andy's lap. Wrapping the blanket around them both, Andy wrapped her arms around Miranda and pulled her closer. "I feel secure and wanted with you," Miranda admitted. "This is all so new and I can't help be scared of what might happen."
"Ghost worries." Andy breathed. "I get them too. If I am awkward during a conversation, I then worry they'll never want to talk to me again. It's like when you miss an important meeting at work and the ghost worry tells you you're fired but the truth is your meeting was about a promotion. I've always been that way, but I learned to only worry about the things I can control at that moment, the rest is left for later. The biggest thing these ghost worries do is to convince us we're not as lucky as we really are, and right now my love I know I am the luckiest person in the world."
Miranda settled into Andy further and shivered. "We should go in soon." She whispered.
"I left the twins playing their new games. They were setting up Rockband or Guitar Hero on their XBOX when I came up from the kitchen." Andy smiled softly. "When I asked if they were planning to get dressed they stated they're too comfortable in their pyjamas to bother with normal clothes. Caro told me to get up here and to give you a hug, hugs make everything all better, apparently."
"Your embraces do." Miranda turned and smiled shyly up at the young woman. "I love you my Andréa."
"I love you too beautiful. I love the fact you call me yours. That will always be true." Andy whispered quietly.
"I have a question for you," Miranda stated quietly. "If someone gave you a box with everything you had ever lost what would be the first thing you would look for?"
Andy grinned. "That's easy. Those thigh-high Chanel boots. It would be so worth the discomfort to get that attention from you again, your eyes were incandescent, magnetic. That expression has haunted my dreams." Miranda's eyes widened at Andy's words. Turning around she straddled Andy's hips and leaning back let her blue eyes rake over Andy appraisingly, devouring her beauty. She bit her lip subconsciously as her eyes caressed the curve of breast and up to full lips. Sweeping her eyes up she met Andy's hazel eyes and was mesmerised by the swirling emotions held within them. Searching the depths she found love and desire evident in the gaze.
"As soon as I had seen her, I was lost. For Beauty's wound is sharper than any weapon's, and it runs through the eyes down to the soul. It is through the eye that love's wound passes, and I now became a prey to a host of emotions..." Andy quoted breathlessly.
Miranda's breath hitched at the words. "Achilles Tatius?" She queried. Seeing Andy's small smile and a nod she leaned in and brushed her nose against Andy's in a gentle Eskimo kiss. Seeing the smile widen she brushed the curls out of Andy's face and placed a delicate kiss on her forehead. Continuing her worship. she let her lips move to the bridge of Andy's nose before sweeping them across her cheeks and trailing a light kiss on waiting lips. In a final act of devotion, Miranda raised Andy's hands and placed a chaste kiss on each palm.
Leaning back again she was amazed at the fire burning within the young woman's eyes, pupils dilated and breathing heavy her desire was obvious. "My God you're beautiful," Miranda whispered. "You said before that you felt like the luckiest person in the world, it is I who am lucky my darling. You make me feel alive in a way I never experienced before, when we are together like this it feels like time stands still, and there is just you and I." Miranda raised her eyes as something caught her attention. Looking over Andy's shoulder intently she called out. "Bobbsey, don't just lurk there, come here and tell us what you came up here for."
Cassidy walked hesitantly towards the two women. "Andy's parents are here." She whispered before turning around and haring back into the house.
"Oh fuck!" Andy muttered as Miranda scrambled off her knee.
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Andy and Miranda made their way through the house. Stopping off at their bedroom Andy pulled her hair into a quick ponytail and changed into jeans and a t-shirt quickly. Grabbing her cell she made her way downstairs leaving Miranda to shower and dress. Checking the den and living room she found them empty. Moving down to the ground level she saw the door to the formal living room open and voices coming from within.
As she stepped towards the door, she heard Caroline sobbing and Cassidy's raised voice. "You can't take her, she belongs here with us now. She's ours."
Walking into the room she saw the face of her Mom looking at the twins with disapproval. "What the hell is going on here? What the fuck did you say to her?" She looked at her parents and Caroline, who was curled up in a ball in the chair, inconsolable. Stalking over she pulled the young girl into her arms and attempted to soothe her. "It's okay baby, I'm here now." She glared at her parents.
"You should watch your language in front of the children Andy." Her mom, Virginia, sniffed huffily. "I see that woman has already been a poor influence if that is how you're speaking to people, towards your parents especially."
"Miranda rarely, if ever, uses profanity. You can thank Nate for this delightfully colourful language." Andy hissed back. "And the twins are smart enough to know not to repeat anything less than appropriate for their age. Now, what did you do or say to upset Caroline and to make Cassidy raise her voice?"
"We told them we are taking you home." Andy's dad, Richard, grumbled.
"He speaks!" Andy stated sarcastically. "It's only taken three months."
"Andy, moderate your tone." Virginia was getting angry.
"Not going to happen." Andy seethed. "And like Hell are you taking me anywhere. You made it perfectly clear months ago what a disappointment I am, how lacking I am. You have another daughter, rule her life if you want to control someone so badly, I'm sure she'll be overjoyed." Andy was still rubbing soothing circles on Caroline's back as she paced the room like a caged lion and Cassidy continued to glare at the older couple. Looking up at Andy she saw the shirt and smiled as she read the words on the front;
"My parents wanted me to be a lawyer, I became a disappointment instead.'
As Andy turned her back she saw the words,
'Close enough.'
"I like your t-shirt, Andy," Cassidy stated cheekily.
"Thanks, my little love." Andy looked down and grinned back at the mischievous redhead as her mom's scowl deepened. "It wasn't an intentional choice." Taking a deep breath she sat herself down in a comfortable chair. Cassidy walked over and clambered up onto her knee and wrapped her arms around Andy and Caroline. Placing a kiss on both the girls' heads she looked across at her parents with an eyebrow raised in inquiry, waiting for them to speak. When nothing was forthcoming Andy talked. "So you are here to drag my butt back to Cinci? As I've said multiple times that is not happening. You're sat there glaring at me in silence, that's just showcasing your petulance."
"Well, at least now I know where your admission of such behaviour come from." Miranda stalked into the room offering Andy a gentle smile. She looked beautiful in her black Bill Blass Pants and Red Donna Karan wraparound blouse, 5" black, snake heel, red bottom Louboutin's finished her ensemble. "Have you offered our unexpected guests a drink, darling?" Miranda queried with a smirk.
"Nope, I was hoping they'd take the hint and leave. Plus my baby monkey and comatose sloth seem to be attached to me." Andy smiled up at Miranda as she brushed Caroline's hair out of her face. "You look beautiful Miranda," Andy told her with a bright smile.
"Thank you, my darling." Holding her hand out to Caroline she said. "Come here, Bobbsey."
"No. If I let go they will take Andy away." Caroline stated through her sobs. "She promised me she wouldn't leave us."
Ice filled Miranda's eyes as she glared at the elder Sachs. "I see that your behaviour disrupts not only your eldest daughter's life, now you come here and upset mine too. Does it make you happy that you made my ten-year-old daughter cry? It's Christmas day for crying out loud." Looking at Andy's face she saw the tears forming from Caroline's words. "Do you take pleasure in causing your own child to cry too? Does it leave you content knowing Andréa wonders if she's good enough to be loved, that she questions if she's worthy? Does it concern you she feels she's inadequate?" Miranda questioned in a deadly tone.
Seeing Mr Sachs evident nervousness she rolled her eyes. "For my girls, I will do anything to protect them. Andréa is included in that, and if that means I let my inner dragon out to play so be it." Miranda gave them a glare, the look in her eyes was cold with determination. "What I really want to know is if you are satisfied that your daughter, who you nurtured and watched grow into this amazing woman in front of us, experienced nothing but darkness and despair as she travelled the world? The knowledge that her parents and friends found her so lacking eating away at the confidence she had built. You may have felt the need to invalidate her feelings over the last three months, I, however, will not undermine her feelings or mine by denying them now she has returned."
Virginia sputtered angrily as her husband looked on in disbelief. "How...how dare you...to say..."
"Oh, I dare. And I will say whatever I please, I am not well known for holding back when everything I love is threatened, and you being here, looking to strong arm your daughter into returning to a place she does not want to be, to a career she has no interest in, well that is endangering the peace of my home, the joy of being with my daughter's and having Andréa back in my life." Miranda was calm in the face of the Sachs disbelief and anger. "Now you seem to be under the impression you can coerce your daughter into going back to the Midwest with you. If you believe that, then you are mistaken. She has made her choice in where she wants to be, New York is her home"
"And if she wanted to come?" Virginia hissed. "How do we know what she wants while your daughters cling to her as if she is the most important person in their lives?"
"Have you thought of asking her? Haven't her emails been enough to show her preferences?" Miranda shook her head incredulous. "I'm sure you're aware that if she did not want to be here, she would not have returned to New York. She is under no obligation to stay here even if my daughters and I wish for her to remain indefinitely. Andréa had a room in some Midtown hotel organised before the invitation was made for her to stay with us, and if she decided she wanted to leave tomorrow I would not stop her, in fact, I would assist in helping her find a permanent home and provide the recommendation for the job of her choice. She would have received such after leaving in Paris if she had not travelled. As to the fact my daughter's hold on to Andréa so fiercely, she is important to them, they love her."
"Do you?" Richard asked. He was quietly impressed by Miranda's words regarding his daughter, her protectiveness.
"How I feel is between Andréa and me. However if you insist on knowing then yes, I love her very much. She is an impressive human being, she consistently amazes me." Miranda admitted. "You have raised an extraordinarily talented, beautiful, kind and generous woman."
"Then I will say good day to you. Ginny?" He called hesitantly as he held his hand out to his wife. "It's time to leave this family to enjoy the rest of their day."
"But...but..." Virginia sputtered. "I'm not leaving without her."
"Then you will wait a long time love, I think the term is until Hell freezes over." Richard let out a small grin at Miranda's raised eyebrow. "Our Andy is happy here, that's obvious. I know you believe this is a sin, but look at them." He asked. "Look at this family, open your eyes and heart to the love that is so clear here and then tell me it is wrong?" Richard was pleading. "Love, the persevering truth that the Christian faith is based upon, is never wrong Ginny. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails."
"But..." Ginny trailed off.
"But what? I won't lose my daughter over this Ginny, and we will if we don't adjust. Personally, I am content now I've seen Andy and Miranda together. My faith in God has never been as strong as yours is, and although I may not understand this thing between our daughter and Miranda, I cannot in good conscience condemn."
"Richard please..." Virginia trailed off at the look of resolve in her husband's eyes. The stubbornness she had seen over the last 35 years visible, the same stubbornness that her eldest daughter held in abundance. Nodding her agreement he stepped towards him and clasped his hand.
Miranda looked towards the woman and her husband. "When do you leave?" She asked softly.
"Tomorrow evening," Richard told her.
"We should have lunch tomorrow, or come to dinner tonight." Miranda offered.
"Miranda?" Andy questioned. "You don't have to do that." She stated.
Smiling at Andy her eyes twinkled with devilry. "Really Andréa? Anyone would think you don't want me getting to know my future in-laws." Hearing Virginia gasp she smiled widely and winked at the young woman. "On that note, I should check the bird is in the oven. The offer is there should you wish to take us up on it. Dinner will be at 6 pm." Miranda stalked from the room calling over her shoulder. "Bobbsey's, come with me, there are vegetables to prepare."
As the twins jumped to do Miranda's bidding Andy ran her fingers through her hair. Looking up she saw the eyes of her parents focused on the ring on her finger.
Blushing, she stated. "It's not what it looks like."
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Virginia let go of Richard's hand and paced as Andy tried to explain. "It's a promise ring, it's not like we are planning on running off to Massachusetts tomorrow to have ourselves a wedding."
"Promise ring?" Richard asked gently.
"Yeah, Dad. A promise for the future we hope to have with one another. A promise to continue to nurture a relationship full of love and mutual respect." Andy explained.
"Do you want to marry her? She doesn't exactly have a good track record going off what the press says." Richard asked his daughter.
"The gutter press doesn't know her, and her last husband was an ass who was bitter that his wife was more successful than he could ever be, that she wouldn't bow-cow to him and become the dutiful little housewife he wanted. So he handed half-truths to the media making Miranda and the twin's lives Hell." Andy told them. "And just so you're aware I would be happy to call her my wife one day. It's still early days though. I'm not rushing this."
Virginia spun around and glared at her daughter. "You'd be happy calling that... that...woman your wife? Have you lost your senses? She's still married."
"She's legally separated and the divorce will be completed in the New Year. It would be an honour to have Miranda as my wife. How dare you of all people sit in judgement?" Andy stood, her hands clenched as she seethed. "You need to leave. Now! I don't want you here infecting my life and that of my new family with your negativity and ignorance. You claim to be a good Christian, I call bullshit! I've had about as much as I can take from you. We are done."
Richard could see that his wife was about to lose her temper. "Ginny, before you say anything further stop and think." He warned. "Don't say something you can never take back." Virginia spun on her heels and stalked from the room. Andy winced as she heard the front door slam. Richard looked at Andy and smiled softly. "She'll come round Andy. I'll talk to her."
"It doesn't matter if she doesn't. I can't change how I feel Dad, I tried. I fought so hard against this, I ran to the opposite side of the world to escape my feelings. Miranda told you the truth, I emailed and wrote to her in the depth of my pain and she offered me reassurance, she let me know I'd always have one person fighting my corner, that I wasn't alone in the world. She was the light in my very dark world Dad." Andy tried to explain. "I thought walking away from her in Paris was the hardest thing I had ever encountered, but it was staying away that broke me. Even before I left for India I missed her, and she was in New York then, in the city I was in. I ached for her, and for the twins."
"They are your chosen family. Those little girls are beautiful, and it's obvious they adore you. The one doing the shouting at you mom, Cassidy? She called you her bonus-mom." Richard was gentle with his daughter having finally realised the damage caused by his and his wife's behaviour. Seeing his daughter smile he continued to speak from his heart. "For all it's worth, I'm sorry...about how I reacted. It was wrong. I couldn't see how this could work, now I cannot see how it could not. You have a deep connection with Miranda, you gravitate towards her. When she is in the room, you light up in a way you never did with Nate. All I've ever wanted is for you happy Andy, it's the same with Jill."
"I am happy," Andy confirmed. "This, being here with Miranda and the twins...I am home." Richard pulled his daughter into his arms and embraced her tightly. Andy closed her eyes as memories of childhood encompassed her as she was surrounded by her dad's familiar scent. "You smell like cigarettes, I thought you'd quit?" Andy said.
"Your mom's been full on recently, it was just a couple of sneaky ones," Richard admitted with a smile. "Have you quit your occasional habit?"
"Yeah, I've not had one since Paris. Don't let mom catch you at it, it's not worth the added earache." Andy lifted her head from her dad's shoulder and grinned up at him.
"I best go." He sighed heavily as he stepped back.
"Wait, give me your cell, I have a new number," Andy told him. He handed her his cell, and she edited her contact to reflect her new number. "I'd ask you not to give it to mom but..." Andy shrugged.
"I have a lock on it when it's not on me." Richard grinned. "It's annoyed her but what can she say?"
"It was Mom that cheated on you, Dad. Christ only knows why she now treats you like the guilty party. I honestly don't know why you stayed." Andy told him as Miranda walked back into the room.
Hearing the last part of the conversation Miranda stalled. "Sorry, I assumed you had left Mr Sachs." She told Richard.
"Please call me Richard. It was Ginny slamming her way out, she can be hot-headed, my apologies for the disruption." Richard smiled sadly. "I was just spending a few extra moments catching up with Andy."
"Would you like to stay to lunch? It will only be soup and a sandwich but you're welcome." Miranda asked nervously.
"Thank-you for the offer Miranda, but no. I best catch up with the wife." Richard stated.
Andy grinned. "Happy wife, easy life."
"I wish," Richard mumbled. Looking down at his daughter and seeing the twinkle in her eyes he gave her a genuine smile. "Cheeky girl."
"I'll walk you out, Dad," Andy said.
"I'll do it." Miranda offered.
"Thanks, sweetheart." Andy offered her a bright smile. Stepping back up to her dad she wrapped her arms around him and muttered. "I've missed you poppa bear."
"I have missed you too honey bear," Richard told her gruffly. "It is fantastic to see you happy." Pulling back he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I'll call you, okay?"
Andy nodded mutely as she watched Miranda leading her dad out of the room. Sitting back in the chair she had vacated she closed her eyes. She heard the quiet conversation before the door closed softly. Hearing Miranda's light steps making her way across the room she opened her eyes to find Miranda stood before her watching silently. "Come here," Andy asked offering Miranda her hand. As it was grasped she pulled Miranda onto her lap.
"I'm sorry for winding up your mother, I couldn't resist." Miranda apologised.
"No apologies. She knows what I want from our future now, the balls in her court, she either accepts it or she loses me." Andy smiled sadly. "I told her to get out, that I didn't want her here infecting my life and the life of my new family with her negativity and ignorance."
Miranda looked at her, her eyes gentle. "I cannot promise you an easy life or that I will never disappoint you my Andréa, I cannot promise that when it happens, I will be the perfect wife...But I can promise you I will love you every single day of my life my darling."
"I don't want perfection Miranda. I want you, flaws and all. You hold my heart in your hands and I trust you not to break it." Andy told her softly as she brushed Miranda's signature forelock out of her eyes.
"I'll cherish it. I promise." Miranda twisted the ring on Andy's finger.
"You're making a lot of promises my love," Andy said.
"I don't want you to regret the decision to be with me," Miranda told her softly.
"The only regret I have right now is that my parent's disturbed our time on the roof and I had to get dressed," Andy smirked. "Are my imps dressed?"
"No, they're refusing to get out of their pyjamas." Miranda rolled her eyes causing Andy to chuckle. "Cassidy told me she wanted you to take her shopping for t-shirts."
"Yes! My mini-me has my taste." Andy grinned as Miranda snorted. "Do you have a problem with my clothes my love?" Andy asked in mock outrage.
"Mm, no comment." Miranda smiled. "I do infinitely prefer when you are wearing nothing but your glorious birthday suit though," Miranda whispered the words close to Andy's ear, her warm breath firing Andy's imagination.
"I may have to change that idiom I used on my dad for you. It shall be, happy life, naked wife." Andy grinned cheekily and Miranda chuckled.
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