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.
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Chapter Sixteen:
Richard settled into his room on the second floor. He was happy to find the twins would share the floor with him, even with Miranda's warnings of the immense noise they generated. He had organised an early dinner with Max and had spoken to Jill at length about Ginny and Andy. Jill was thrilled he and Andy had overcome their differences but unamused by her mom's behaviour. He had sent the one call his wife had attempted, after he sent her a text telling her he was remaining in New York for a few days, to voicemail.
He looked up he saw a pair of blue eyes looking shyly up at him from the doorway. "Hi, Caroline." She said with a smile.
"Hey, Grandpa. Do you need anything?" Caroline asked.
"No honey, I was about to shower and dress for dinner with Max." He watched Caroline closely as she shuffled from foot to foot. "What is it, honey?" He asked gently.
"Will you and Mrs Sachs be getting a divorce, is that why you're seeing Max?" She asked hesitantly.
"Come here," He said. Caroline stepped into the room; she sat on the side of his bed as he knelt in front of her. "You can see how happy your mom and Andy are, can't you?" She nodded and offered a wide smile. "Well, I haven't been happy for a long time, but when I got married, I always swore it would be for life. I never pictured that 30 years later my wife would leave me. I am not having dinner with Max to talk about divorce proceedings; although I know he's great at his job, I am seeing him an old friend. Max and I studied at Stanford together, and we have kept in touch over the years." He smiled.
Caroline grinned up at him. "How well does Andy know Max?" She asked.
"Max is Andy's Godfather," Richard told her. "He has known her since her birth; he celebrated many a 4th July with us on my parent's farm."
"Oh," Caroline whispered. "So he's like what Nigel is for Cass and me?"
"When Andy and her sister Jill were born, I chose Max as their Godfather because he is a good man. I knew he would take an interest in my children's upbringing and their personal development; he would offer advice, understanding, support and encouragement when I could not. Is that what Nigel does?"
Caroline nodded. "Uncle Nigel is funny. He calls Andy Six."
"Why does he do that?" Richard was confused.
"Because that's what size I was when I started at Runway, and Six was apparently the new 14." Andy grinned as she leant against the doorframe.
"Is that why you lost weight? You are skin and bones, honey." Richard asked.
"No Dad. I lost a little weight with all the running around in heels I did, I became more toned. The weight loss happened while I was overseas. I lived off a primarily vegetarian diet, and I was sick for a little while. I also found I lost my appetite; I think I was a little depressed." Andy walked into the room and sat beside Caroline. "Please don't worry about me, Dad."
"It's just that, well, you see all these young women in the magazines and they're all so thin. I just thought..." Richard trailed off.
"Those women are thin and with reason; they showcase the designs they are wearing. I know right now I'm probably as close to their size as I'll ever get. I realise I was a healthy weight before I left for Asia, Miranda has also shown her displeasure at the weight loss." She saw Richard and Caroline's look of surprise and grinned.
Caroline smiled at Andy. "She said nothing when you ate two pieces of pie last night. Cass wondered about that because she always tells us not to overindulge."
"What kind of pie?" Richard asked. He knew his daughter hand a fondness for dessert.
"My favourite, Key Lime. I wonder if there's any left..." Andy trailed off as Caroline laughed. "What?" She asked the little redhead.
"Mom and Cass just finished it," Caroline told her.
"Ah, not fair!" Andy exclaimed as Caroline let out a burst of laughter at Andy's look of horror.
"I was just teasing. Mom saved you a slice for dessert. We have ice cream too." Cassidy giggled as Andy grabbed her and tickled her.
You. Are. An. Imp." Andy told her as laughter erupted from the little girl. She let Caroline go and stood up as Caroline got herself under control. "Come on my little love; we should let Grandpa get ready for this evening, we'll find Cass and torment her for a while." She grinned at Richard as Caroline grabbed her hand and pulled her from the room. "See ya later Poppa bear, say hi to Max from me."
"Will do, honey," Richard called after them as they made their way hand in hand down the stairs.
Andy and Caroline entered the den to find Miranda and Cassidy planning a dance-off on the Wii. Sitting down together, they watched as Miranda took the victory in the three bouts.
"You could let me occasionally win Mom," Cassidy stated.
"And what would that teach you Bobbsey?" Miranda smirked. "You play to win and accept both victory and defeat with grace. You must roll with life's triumphs and punches, Cassidy." Miranda imparted her wisdom.
Andy snorted out a laugh at Miranda's words. "So Scrabble the other day was you accepting defeat graciously, Miranda?"
Miranda mock glared at her before smiling. "Mm, maybe I showed poor sportsmanship when I tipped the board over. That it is certainly something I must work on. Maybe over a game of Monopoly."
"You don't want to play Monopoly with Andy, she cheats." Richard's voice came from the doorway as he entered the room.
Cassidy smiled up at him as she switched the Wii off and changed over to XBOX and Guitar Hero. "Mom does tool, Grandpa." She told Richard as she passed Caroline the second guitar.
"I do not cheat..." They both sputtered. Looking at each other, they locked eyes and grinned.
They broke the connection as Richard sat in the chair and spoke. "Max will be here for me momentarily."
Miranda smiled. "Where is he taking you for dinner?"
He mentioned Pastis. I've heard good things about it." Richard told her.
"Mm, an acceptable choice. I highly recommend the Seared Organic Salmon or Escalope De Veau."
Richard grinned, "Is it a French restaurant?"
Miranda nodded and offered a small smile. "Yes, it is a favourite of mine. Their breakfast and brunch menu is divine. We must have brunch soon. I'm back at work tomorrow, but my schedule should be fairly flexible until after the new year."
Andy heard the doorbell and made to move to let Max in. "I'll get it," Richard said. We will have a drink nearby before dinner.
"Tell him to take you to Harry's or Connolly's," Miranda smirked as Andy laughed and Richard left the room with a wave.
"Well, I never expected you to know of Connolly's. You don't seem the type to be frequenting Irish Pubs." Andy was surprised.
Miranda sat beside Andy on the couch and placed her head on her shoulder. "They have a delicious Irish Beef Stew and a great range of cocktails, and it is somewhere I have taken the twins occasionally for lunch." Miranda smiled up at the brunette. "Have you been?"
"Yeah, I had a quick Friday night dinner with Nigel there just before Paris. The shepherd's pie was one of the best I'd eaten." She looked down. "I'd never say that in front of my Grandma though, she'd kick my ass."
"Your grandmother is still around?" Miranda asked.
"Mm yes, my dad's mom. Ellen Sachs is very much a formidable woman. My grandparents gave up their farm when I was 15, and my uncle and Aunt took over. Dad built an accessory dwelling unit at the back of our house, and they moved in. Grandpa died back in 2000, and within a year Grandma had moved into one of those retirement communities. She plies all her visitors with cake and cups of tea." Andy grinned.
"So why did she move out of her granny flat?" Miranda asked.
"Ah, she butted heads with my mom quite a bit, she wasn't too impressed with Mom's continual interference in mine and Jill's lives. I was studying at Stanford and found I wasn't quite fitting in. I advised every one of my desire to move to Northwestern. My mom expressed her displeasure I was willing to give up a full scholarship at a top-ranking University and was especially furious when Grandma told me to follow my heart and gave me the incentive I needed to make the transfer to Northwestern."
Andy grinned at Miranda's gasp. "You had a full scholarship?" Miranda asked.
"Yeah. My SAT scores and 4.0 GPA helped. Stanford and Harvard were my parent's choices. I also applied for Columbia and Northwestern. Stanford offered the best scholarship so seemed like the most logical solution."
"Do you regret not going into law?" Miranda asked.
Andy shook her head. "No, that was my parents dream for me, it is also Jill's dream, it was never mine. When I was a child, I dreamed of being an artist, and I've always wanted to write."
"Well, I am extraordinarily proud that you are trying to follow your dream and I will do what I can to assist, even if it's just to offer encouragement." Miranda looked up and smiled softly. "Now, what shall we do for dinner?"
"We could go out..." Andy trailed off as thoughts of the press entered her mind.
"Acceptable." Miranda smiled widely. "Bobbsey's, what would you like for dinner?"
"Serendipity 3." They both claimed.
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Dinner was a happy event for the four of them. Only Miranda declined Serendipity 3's famous dessert, choosing instead to pick at everyone else's; Caroline's banana split. Cassidy's Peanut butter ice cream and Andy's Forbidden Broadway Sundae, even with Miranda's help none of them could finish their enormous desserts. Andy and the twin's had Frozen Hot Chocolate's, and the three of them had been hit with brain freeze much to Miranda's delight, it was a moment that had caused much laughter from the four of them and their server.
The twins were asleep by the time they had made their way back to the townhouse and Andy, and Miranda had to pick up the sleeping redheads and carry them into the townhouse in front of the few milling paparazzi as their camera's flashed brightly.
Kicking the door closed behind them they gently carried the twins up to their respective bedrooms. Andy quickly laid Caroline on her bed and straightened. Pulling the sneakers and socks off the young girl, she pulled the blankets over her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as Miranda entered the room looking flushed.
"You're letting her sleep in her clothes?" Miranda queried.
"I didn't want to wake her by manhandling her," Andy admitted shyly.
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Watch this." She stated. Sitting Caroline up, Miranda pulled her t-shirt over the young girls head and replaced it efficiently with a nightshirt. Laying Caroline back down against her pillows, she tugged at the button and zip of her jeans and pulled them down. As Miranda removed the jeans, Caroline grumbled incoherently and rolled onto her side. "The twins could sleep through the apocalypse." She shook her head and offered Andy a smile. "Now I know they'll be up early as Cara is due back. They miss her when she has time off."
Andy grinned and stepped towards Miranda. "What will she say about my presence here?"
"Knowing Cara something like 'about effing time'." Miranda smiled. "Come with me darling, we'll get a glass of wine and settle in the den, I'll light us a fire, and you can choose a movie."
"Don't you need to work?" Andy asked hesitantly.
"Work will be there tomorrow. I would rather focus on my time with you." Miranda admitted.
"Wow, okay." Andy clasped her hand and led her from the room and down to the den. Leading Miranda to the couch Andy looked down as Miranda sat. "I'll go get us that glass of wine. White okay with you?" She smiled.
"Mm, yes." Miranda smiled one of her rare genuine smiles.
"What? No 'acceptable'?" Andy asked cheekily. Watching as the older woman rolled her eyes, she chuckled and left the room quickly.
Andy returned to the den a few minutes later with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She found Miranda sat on the rug in front of the now roaring fire with her feet curled up underneath her. She was staring contemplatively into the flames. Andy sat crossed legged next to her and waited for the older woman to speak.
Andy poured them each a glass of wine and handed Miranda one. Miranda looked at her and spoke quietly. "If Rolling Stone doesn't give you full editorial control of the exclusive they want, the editorial team at Runway have advised me they will," Miranda told her. "I initially said no. As Editor-in-Chief, the magazine has always been about fashion and lifestyle, not my private life. I do not want to be accused of promoting my own personal agenda or of nepotism by publishing you in Runway. I know you are talented and I'm sure your writing will reflect that but..." She trailed off.
"I'll not say no to the to the possibility of ever publishing an article in Runway, but I would prefer this not to affect your professional life," Andy said. "Why would they want to publish such a thing, anyway?"
Miranda sighed. "Over the next year we have been discussing putting the focus of each issue on the under-represented minorities in fashion, plus-size and women of colour were two of our ideas. We have been toying with some ideas, of promoting how the LGBT community influences the fashion industry."
"I could understand that it aligned with Pride month but..." Andy trailed off as Miranda snorted.
"My thoughts exactly," Miranda stated. "But as Nigel, Emily and multiple others have advised Pride is not just something to celebrate one month a year. And according to the emails, I have been receiving; as a figurehead of the fashion world, people seem to believe our newly gained relationship status could be the focal point of that issue."
"So, are you saying you want me to write our story for Runway?" Andy queried gently.
"No, just to consider it, if, for any reason, Rolling Stone cannot meet the requirements you laid out." Miranda looked at her. "I know you offered the exclusive to them due to a sense of loyalty for the relationship you have built with their editorial team..." Miranda trailed off and closed her eyes as Andy cupped her cheek.
"Haven't you realised by now that my loyalty is to you, and by an extension of that, to Runway," Andy stated softly.
"I would never voluntarily ask you to go back on your word, and I am still unsure if it would be suitable," Miranda admitted. "It may be best going to an alternate publication and focusing on the LGBT issue idea for the June edition."
"I don't know if writing about us is such a good idea at all." Andy shrugged. "But people are, for whatever reason, curious." Andy sighed as she took a sip of her wine. "I just hope the press presence eases soon, for the twins sake rather than my own. I can well handle myself but the girls..."
Miranda snorted. "You missed it when the press was at its worst at the start of the divorce. My terrors pelted the paparazzi outside with water bombs filled with poster paints."
Andy grinned. "And I'm sure Cass was flipping them all the bird from the balcony too."
"Mm perhaps." Miranda smiled sadly. "Unfortunately our girls are well versed in dealing with those vultures, probably more so than you."
Andy nodded her agreement. "True, I won't stand for them having their lives disrupted more due to my presence here. Those comments today, they don't deserve that Mira, and I will do what I can to protect them, and you."
"You can't fight the entire world for us my darling," Miranda stated softly.
"Wanna bet?" Andy grinned widely at the editor before pulling her into her arms. Placing a light kiss on Miranda's cheek, she settled in behind the older woman as they continued to watch the flames.
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They finished their glass of wine watching the flames of the fire together before Miranda turned in Andy's arms and had placed n urgent kiss on the brunette's lips. Their kisses deepened and Andy laid Miranda down in front of the fire hovering carefully over her. "Mira, you are beautiful," Andy whispered as she broke the kiss. Her breathing was ragged and her face flushed.
Miranda smiled up at her. "As are you, my darling." Miranda's eyes flitted between Andy's lips and eyes, and she bit her lip. Slipping her hands over Andy's back she gripped her ass and pulled her flush against her. "Now I have you where I want you, what are you going to do about it?" Miranda husked throatily in Andy's ear.
Andy moaned as Miranda's hands squeezed her ass cheeks. "Wh..what do you want me to do?" Andy hissed as she placed her elbows on either side of the woman under her and rested her weight on them.
"Right now, I'll settle for finishing the kiss I started." Miranda snared Andy's lips in yet another searing kiss and moaned as Andy cupped her face and teased her lips with the tip of her tongue. "Andréa, please. Do not tease me so." Miranda pleaded as she moved slightly, causing Andy's leg to fall between hers. She gasped at the contact before moving against Andy's strong thigh.
"Mira, I..." Andy moaned as the front door slammed and she heard her Dad throw an apology up the stairs. She heard the closet door close, followed by a heavy footfall. "...Fuck!" Andy hissed as she pushed quickly away from Miranda and tried to straighten herself.
"That's what I was attempting, darling." Andy could hear the laughter in Miranda's voice. Looking across at Miranda she saw the small smirk on the older woman's face.
"It's not funny, Mira." Andy tried to keep a straight face as her lips twitched. Rolling her eyes she gave Miranda a wide smile. "You're incorrigible." She muttered.
"Come sit down with me," Miranda told her. "You realise it will look suspicious you being on the other side of the room if he pokes his head in."
And took three large strides and sat crossed legged beside Miranda. Pouring them both a fresh glass of wine she grinned as Richard stuck his head around the doorframe nervously. "Hi, dad."
"Hey, ladies." Richards smile was initially wide but turned into a frown. "Um, I wanted to let you know I was back, and..." He rubbed his hand along his jaw. "...I'll just...yeah...um..." He faltered slightly. "...I'm off to bed."
Andy faced him fully, confusion lighting her eyes. "Dad?" She queried as he stepped back through the door.
"Um...I'll just leave you to do...um...whatever..." He turned and rubbed his jaw again before grinning at the two women. "Miranda's lipstick looks good on you honey. You should wear it more often."
Miranda's laughter followed him from the room as Andy' s hand flew to cover her mouth and she blushed furiously. "At least I now know where that wide smile and the babbling comes from." Miranda leaned into Andy's side.
Andy looked up into Miranda's laughing blue eyes. "You knew, didn't you?"
"I didn't think he'd notice," Miranda mumbled.
"Oh, God. My dad knows we were making out." Andy was embarrassed.
"Oh, I'm sure he does," Miranda stated. "However, I do not believe it was an issue, you lived with that boy before Paris." Andy looked up into Miranda's face. "Surely he knows his little girl is not so little anymore?" Miranda smirked at Andy's small nod of agreement. "Now, I believe we should finish our wine and then you can take me to bed. I aim to finish what we started."
Andy grinned. "Yes, well. Drink up." She watched as Miranda sipped her wine until the glass was empty.
"Ready?" Miranda husked.
"Oh, yes," Andy breathed. Standing she helped Miranda back to her feet and led her hand in hand up to the master suite, flicking off lights as they moved through the house.
Entering the suite Miranda moved to the bed and switched on the lamp on the bedside table as Andy locked the door behind them and leaned against it. Watching Miranda move lightly through the room she was amazed that she got to see this side of the older woman. The side that was usually seen by her daughters. The softness and vulnerability was something that blew her mind.
Miranda turned and watched Andy looking at her. "What?" Miranda asked nervously.
"You take my breath away, Mira," Andy admitted. "I feel blessed to be with you, like this."
Miranda stalked over with a smirk and stood in front of Andy, looking up into hazel eyes she offered Andy her hand and led her towards the bathroom. "Get ready for bed, my darling."
Miranda rarely allowed herself to dwell on her past relationships but as Andy left the room, leaving the en-suite door ajar, she let her thoughts roam. She sat on the bed and let her thoughts flicker to her relationship with Gregory. The hurt she had experienced in finding him in their bed with a younger woman when she was six months pregnant and feeling particularly ugly. She'd stupidly forgiven him for that misdemeanour after he promised it was the first and last time. Seven months later divorce papers landed on her desk at Runway and he moved in with the young woman who had been pleasuring him that afternoon she had caught him. Letting out a deep sigh she closed her eyes as memories of arguments with Stephen forced their way into her mind.
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Six Months Earlier:
"You married me, Miranda. To love, cherish and obey. You seem to have forgotten your vows, honey. How disappointing." Stephen's voice was raised. "I do not feel particularly loved nor cherished. It's like sleeping with an iceberg when you actually deign to sleep with me."
"Stephen, I...I..." Miranda stuttered, swallowing her apology. She was furious at his words, at his lack of understanding.
"You left me there, Miranda. I was sat in that fucking restaurant, waiting." Stephen continued to rant.
"What did you expect me to do, walk out in the middle of a cover shoot?" Miranda asked.
"Well, I rushed out of an investment committee meeting…and I sat there waiting for you for almost an hour." Stephen's tone was whining and irritated Miranda.
"I told you the cell phones didn't work. Nobody could get a signal out," Miranda explained yet again, her frustration palpable. "You know my position at Runway is precarious. Irving is baying for my blood."
"I knew what everyone in that restaurant was thinking…" Stephen stated. "...There he is, Mr Priestly. Waiting for her again." He spat.
"Stephen, please. Don't..." Miranda lowered her eyes to be caught in Andy's expressive hazel eyes, which showed her concern and embarrassment. She had been disturbed that Andréa had witnessed their altercation with her husband. She had heard her pleading for his understanding.
Stephen followed her gaze and smirked at the retreating form of the young brunette. "Well, well. So that is your Andréa? I must say, she is exquisite." His smirk widened. "And now she knows just how pathetic the great and powerful Miranda Priestly really is." Stephen gloated. "She most probably sees the ugliness inside you. Look at her, running away from the Devil."
Miranda bent and picked up the book from where Andréa had placed it at the top of the stairs. Looking up, she saw her daughters scampering away and sighed. Schooling her features she turned to her husband. "This conversation is over, Stephen." Miranda's tone was deadly. "The guest room is made up, don't bother attempting to join me tonight, I wouldn't want you to get frostbite." Miranda spun on her heel and made her way to her study. She'd deal with Andréa in the morning.
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Andy moved from the bathroom to find Miranda lost in thought. She walked over and brushed the forelock out of Miranda's eyes. "Miranda?" Andy whispered. Getting no response, she knelt in front of the older woman and leaned in to tilt Miranda's face up to meet her eyes. As the older woman raised her eyes, she saw the glistening tears trailing down her face. "Where did you go?" Andy asked softly.
"Memories." Miranda husked. She thought of how easy it had been having Andréa with her. How she had come to rely on the tender expression in the dark eyes of the younger woman, even when battling her desire and the passion as they made love. "I was thinking of my marriages. How they started and ended."
Andy wiped the tears from the older woman's face with the pads of their thumbs. "The death knell of my marriage to Stephen was the argument you witnessed that first night you delivered the book. I sent him to the guest room, and I was relieved more than saddened. He stayed there until he left." Miranda admitted looking down.
"What made you think of that, sweetheart?" Andy asked. She wanted to know why Miranda's mind had taken her back to those times.
"I don't know." Miranda husked. "I do not dwell on the past but tonight, for a moment..." Miranda bit her lip. "...Stephen told me you would see how pathetic I am, how ugly inside...I'm broken, Andréa, that's why everyone walks away, that's why Gregory left me. No one can fix me."
"No, Miranda." At Andy's firm tone Miranda looked up sharply causing Andy to sit back on her haunches. "No, I do not see ugliness inside you. I see so much beauty in you that you often try so hard to hide. I see it in the passion and gentleness for the things you love, for me and our girls and for your work. It can be seen in your sensitivity and the vulnerability, caused by thinking you are not good enough when you are, Miranda. You are good enough. You are worthy of love. You are beautiful inside and out." Andy told her. "There's nothing to fix. You are whole. You are you, and Christ, Miranda, I wouldn't want you any other way." Andy took a deep breath and watched as Miranda's eyes widened at her words. "You are not pathetic. It is the men who have called you such, those that have made you feel as if you are broken, that you are at fault for the failure of your relationships, that you are incapable of creating happiness or loving with your whole heart, they are the ones who are pathetic because they could not admire the strength of the fire burning brightly inside you. They could not handle your success, your fantastic mind or your sharp tongue."
Miranda snorted at Andy's final words and her eyes held amazement. "You really believe that, don't you?" She asked.
"Of course, I do. Because it's the truth." Andy grinned up at the woman before turning serious. "I will tell you every single day if that's what it takes. And if it takes the rest of your life for you to believe it, you will believe it one day. I'll make sure of it." Andy reassured. "Now go get ready for bed, you have an early start tomorrow and will no doubt face an excess of incompetence."
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