''Here's Caroline and my granddaughter.'' Miranda was sitting down in the wrap around porch, turning. Heard them first stepping inside through the screen door.

Blue eyes blinked at them. Andrea. Shorter spiky hair. Alive.

''Andrea.'' Brown met hers, first shocked at her here then stormy at Miranda.

Andrea was alive and here walking up to her. It was a good thing she was sitting down, didn't trust her legs.

Miranda just sat there. All she wanted for four years was to tell Andréa how she was sorry for how she'd behaved and treated her, but now was rendered speechless. Words failing her, just staring at her.

''Miranda.''

Andy was angry with Dona for not telling her Miranda would be here. Could have phoned and given her a little warning.

Andy was going to kill Dona. Yep, bury her own sneaky flesh and blood in the sandy dunes for this very unwanted person being here.

La Priestly was just staring at her which was beginning to make Andy feel self-conscious in her blue eyes.

Perhaps superficially in outer shell she was still a semblance of Andrea to Miranda here but she wasn't the same person at all from that night that broke and shattered her to splinters.

However Miranda was still the same. Exactly the same.

''Mom. Cassi.'' Caroline exclaimed behind Andy's shoulder.

Andy saw Miranda greeting her daughter stiffly who to Andy's annoyance didn't even hug her.

What was Caroline in damn charm school with her, would affection make Miranda evaporate or combust suddenly.

Andy was not in the least receptive to her here, Miranda saw Andrea's tense body language directed at her.

Dona offered more ice tea or lemonade, Andy felt like she needed something harder to endure Miranda sitting here, studying her so intensely. Holding the coldness of the glass against her neck because her blood pressure was rising.

Andy couldn't believe the injustice of life right now. Never planned on seeing Miranda again. If ever. Yet, here she was preening in her beach house, Miranda's sharply cut couture clad figure sitting on her lumpy couch.

''I'm sure we can arrange a financial agreement. I feel perhaps we can settle this incident by me offering…Andy cut her off harshly.

''No. Miranda redemption isn't for sale today. It's the principle of what Caroline did and she gave me her word she'd do this work all summer.''

''My daughter isn't a labourer.''

''No but Caroline shouldn't have damaged my home and property either.'' Andy pointed out hotly.

''Mom I have to stay. I gave my word.'' Caroline said, surprising Andy greatly. Miranda looked at Caroline, Nigel had said how she begged for her to come and get her.

Andy saw La Priestly was not pleased at this. Tough. Caroline had done something wrong and wanted to stay to atone for it.

Miranda stood up. Feeling steadier. ''Andrea I want to speak to you in private. Please.''

Led Miranda outside Andy's crossed her toned arms at her.

''Talk to me. Miranda.''

In the sunlight, got a better look at her. The involuntary gasp didn't help, Miranda winced at her own reaction to it, from the car accident.

Almost reached out to touch the side of Andy's face.

''Andrea I am sorry for what Caroline did here and I want to repay you for any damages sustained if you could just let me...''

''Miranda. Caroline isn't getting out of this, you wouldn't want Page Six to receive a story that Caroline here is on a one way ticket to Juvy from a first-hand source.'' Andy maliciously added.

''You wouldn't.''

Andy grinned in delight. ''Oh I would Miranda. I am not the same Andréa now.''

Blue eyes flashed coldly on Andy, she well deserved this reception from Andréa.

'' Cassidy and I will have to stay for…Andy bluntly interrupted her. ''Tonight. Fine.'' It was one night as long as Miranda stayed the hell away from her.

''No the summer.''

Once Andy was pretty easy going but no way in hell freezing over was Miranda staying here all summer as well.

Firstly Miranda was not welcome here.

''You can't stay. We don't have any rooms.''

Andy was reeling with Priestly, following her inside.

Miranda ignored Andy's protest of no vacancy, as Dona was asked how much it is to stay per night. Miranda paid it in full.

Just like that, Miranda was staying here till September 1st.

Dona smiled at this Miranda Priestly as Andy grumbled out a welcome to their beach house.

Miranda could run her magazine from here or anywhere. Emily would arrange to have anything sent to her, in the next 24 hours.

Caroline was incredulous to her staying here. 'You're staying Mom.''

Smiling at Caroline, yes she was and there was no way she was leaving here without trying to make Andréa forgive her.

Saw this as a chance. Her chance.

''Yes like a long overdue holiday.''

Andy was fuming. If Miranda wanted a holiday so bad she should book one to Hawaii or the Seychelles. Not here with her.

''Fine. Stay but Caroline will do everything I tell her to with no interference from you. You're word Miranda.''

Miranda stuck out her hand to Andrea. ''My word.'' Andy palm met hers, Miranda holding Andy's cautious brown eyes clasping Andy's fingers gently.

Andy dropped her grasped hand quickly. Priestly was not affecting her, not this time and never again, suffered enough with how she affected her. Anything she felt for Miranda once was dead.

Andy decided to skip dinner with them, would be in her study, as she had student papers to grade even if they weren't due until September, now was the perfect time, it kept her away from Miranda which is what Andy needed most of all.

'' Joe come.'' To her pet who ignored Andy grumbling '' traitor'' at Joe DiMaggio not obeying but fascinated with the whitehaired perfumed stranger.


Miranda glanced at the hall, Andrea was not joining them.

Dona same brown eyes met Miranda's kindly showed her after dinner to her room. ''Forgive my granddaughter she isn't always so rude to guests.''

''Just only to me.''

Miranda surveyed the bedroom, it was nice with a view of the beach.

''Is there anything else you need. Miranda?''

Shaking her head, Miranda called after Dona. ''When is Andrea usually up?''

''Early. Around 6 at the latest.''

Dona left Miranda's room. Setting her clock on her phone. Miranda phoned Emily. Fiddling for paper and a pen to make a list, opening a drawer, stopping on a diary.

Pulling it out with a stationary pad, jotting down items she'd need Emily to send down.

Thanking Emily.

Miranda set her phone down, shrugging off her white cashmere blazer, heard scratching at her door. Found Andrea's dog, ears back, wagging tail pushed by her.

Settling up on her bed.

''Aren't you incorrigibly bold.'' Charmingly so, just like his owner, scratching behind the mutt's ears. ''Do you have any advice to help make your owner like me or for that matter stay in the same room with me.''

Licking Miranda's face in reply.

Opening this found diary of folded letters, Miranda began reading.


Andy opened the fridge door just that slit of light illuminating the kitchen, unwrapping leftovers, getting this and that out for a sandwich. Her midnight dinner, tucking a jar of mayo and bread bag under her arm turning into a pair of speculative blue eyes.

''Hi Cassidy.''

Cassidy held Andy's gaze, pleased she could tell the difference.

''You really don't like my Mom being here do you. Car told me you got us Harry Potter.'' Cassidy came closer to Andy at the counter who was unwrapping a plate of chicken.

'' We made you go upstairs during that fight Mom and Stephen were having. Sorry about that.'' Cassidy meant it, she was sorry looking back now on it but it had been the only thing she and Car thought could make them stop.

''Accepted.'' That was so long ago when Andy walked in on Miranda and Stephen arguing and paid for it. Once she had been petrified by those blue eyes on her.

Andy shrugged as she smeared butter and mayo on a slice of brown bread on a plate as Cassidy watched Andy. '' I think you're the one.''

Andy brows furrowed in confusion. ''The one what?'' Biting into her sandwich, chewing.

Cassidy smiled at her. '' The assistant who kissed Mom. You did. Didn't you? Is that why you don't want to be around her so much.'' Andy stared at the redhead. Miranda's progeny missed nothing.

''I can tell it's the way you look at her.''

Andy remained taciturn about Cassidy's Mom. ''Why's your dog called Joe DiMaggio?

''Wiping her mouth. ''Because that name saved my grandfather.''

''Oh. You do know he's in bed with Mom.''

''My grandfather?'' Cassidy shook her head bemused at the lanky brunette. ''You're dog. Mom doesn't mind she misses Patricia.''

Andy almost laughed her SPCA Heinz 57 special in bed with Miranda. Shouldn't have given Joe a bath this week, it was a shame her dog didn't suffer from flatulence.


Watching Andy jogging in the rain at sunrise on the beach from the screened porch. Last night Andrea had avoided her and Miranda knew it.

They had a lot to talk about. Miranda decided all last night stroking her new canine bed mate, and with Andrea's noticed absence during dinner that she wanted to ease Andrea to her and maybe make her love again.

With the same steely determination that made her become the youngest Runway's Editor-in-Chief in it's history, she was going to slowly get back into Andrea's heart. By treating it with more fragile care then last time.

Starting now.

Pouring two mugs of coffee, she'd made herself at home, Miranda sat down waiting for Andrea to return.

Andy jogged, sneakers sinking into the sands giving way to the perfect friction for a runner, music blasting in her ears loudly drowning out thoughts of her here. Deciding she was going to ignore Miranda simple as that. She was in control. Miranda being here was one thing she would control.

Sweaty as she stopped sprinting, stepping inside kicking off her shoes and pulling off her faded sweatshirt turning to Miranda.

Blue eyes saw them silvery on her clavicle, long and jagged scars.

Almost traced it with her hand, saw Andy was flinching. ''What are you doing?'' Andy demanded. Pressing her fingers back. ''Andrea I want to talk about that night, what happened to you.''

Tensing up. Andy's brown eyes hardened on her. '' Miranda what happened is behind me. Now I would appreciate if you will leave me alone.''

''Andrea please just hear me out. What I need to tell you is when you kissed me that night I was very cruel and blind...''

''Miranda you or I, we can't go back. Now if there is something you need for your room or stay. I'll do that for you. Anything else like conversation of giving a damn what you say dial Emily.''


Miranda's word of not interfering, lasted fifty one minutes and thirty seconds this morning.

First it was Andy should ask Caroline to do things nicer. Overbearing protective coddling Priestly.

How was Caroline going to learn anything with Miranda sheltering and spoiling her?

Miranda didn't back down from Andy's glare at her.

Caroline wasn't paying attention and since her Mom was hovering nearby wasn't inclined to do fuck all this morning as Andy was hammering on a ladder, wiping sweat from her brow, ''Nail.'' Andy demanded of Caroline.

Turned on the ladder to see her goofing off with Cassidy on an iPod, sharing the bud in one ear. '' I love this song too.'' Cassidy was sun tanning on the beach.

Andy climbed down the ladder, storming over to them. ''Caroline. Playtime is over.'' Cassidy stared at Andrea in absolute disbelief as Andy took Caroline by the arm inside.

Miranda had been on the phone for the last two hours holding a meeting with Nigel and Paul, Lucia with Jocelyn by conference call.

''This collection is fifty shades of puke.''

Holding a telephone book in her hand trying to locate a number she needed, Miranda could multitask without an assistant just hadn't done so in years.

''This isn't going to work. You have to leave Miranda.'' Taking off her workman's gloves, placing her hands on her hips in low slung jean shorts as Miranda looked like she was at Runway.

Putting her call on hold. ''I beg your pardon.''

''Just check out Miranda. Go back to New York. I can't have you here. Ok.''

Miranda still held the phone book.

''Caroline is acting like this is Club Med with you and Cassidy here, so you have to go. So say your goodbyes and she'll see you later in September.''

''I most certainly will not. Andrea let Caroline go.''

Releasing Caroline's arm.

''Caroline give Andrea and I a moment please.'' Caroline left them.

Cool blue eyes on Andy. ''Andrea I don't like the way you've been treating my daughter. I think you should be a little more patient with her and not so forceful.''

Andy shook her head at Miranda in absolute disbelief. ''Why all this concern suddenly Miranda?

Andy's harsh words hit a nerve with Miranda. ''You're hardly ever with Caroline or Cassidy. Your whole life is your precious Runway. Nothing else matters to you. Why should Caroline here matter? Unbelievable you want to try being a mother for once.''

''You don't tell me how to be a mother.''

''Well someone sure as hell better. You barely greeted Caroline yesterday. Afraid she'll muss you up Ms Ice Queen.''

Saw crimson red and Stephen with Andy's words about her inadequacies.

Smacked with the telephone book, lammed hard. What a morning Andy was having, she gets dropped by a telephone book. Assault and battery with the yellow pages by Miranda.

'' My God, I'll go get you some ice. I am so embarrassed. Here.'' Dabbling at Andy's nose with her sleeve.

''Here.''

Holding her nose with her head tilted back. '' I don't need that. I'd rather bleed to death.'' Sore from her collision with an irate primal Priestly wielding a phone book and wild blue eyes.

''Just be quiet and take it. Please Andy. I still can't believe I did that to you.'' Touching Andy's nose bleeding who was protesting turning her head to the side from her.

''Don't... Ow! Face it, Priestly, I bring out the animal in you.''

Miranda felt like she'd shot or slugged Andrea, cradling her face, smoothing her soft fingertips along Andy's face, nails raking her brown hair.

''I'm sorry.'' Ashamed of herself blue eyes looking into hers.

Still holding her throbbing nose bridge. ''It could have been worse. You might have thumped me with a dictionary or the Book.''

Miranda didn't mean to, couldn't help. Beginning to laugh as Andrea joined in with her own laughter despite the pain.

Miranda was over Andy who was on the couch, groaning as Miranda ran her fingers down Andy's face almost leaning forward, pressing her mouth against Andy's lips.

Andy went rigid and stiffened at Miranda's curves against her. ''What are you doing?''

Arched aristocratic brows rose. ''Attempting to kiss you better.''

Pushed her away suddenly. ''Don't. Just don't.''

Leaving Miranda feeling rejected on the couch.

Passing Dona in the hall, staring at her bloodied nose. ''Andy what happened?''

''Prada linebacker. A silver haired Valkyrie.''


Emily sent enough luggage as if the Queen was visiting the beach house. Essentials for three months, lugging each bag up a flight of stairs.

As Miranda sat serenely in the screened porch reading the diary of folded letters she found in her room's drawer to herself.

''My Darling Hummingbird,

I can't tell you in this letter, where I'll be sent on mission but know that as I fly I always hold you close like a talisman. Touching clouds with my wings I think of you singing joyfully Puccini or cadenza.

Remember that time when you sang to capture my attention. What was Raul's words to you? ''Are you ready to capture the audience'' all except one picking straw out of my teeth Carolinian.

Here I thought I hated opera. Then I saw you.

I will write you soon

With most ardent love,

Jonas

Brought a tray by Dona.

''Oh Ms Priestly sorry Miranda, you found my husband's letters to me.'' Warm brown eyes crinkled.

Miranda flushed pink in embarrassment, this lady's private correspondence. ''My apologies for reading them on you.'' Handing it back to Dona.

''No. No. please do read them.'' Dona studied Miranda Priestly she was just like what she'd seen on the internet and in Runway magazine, Dona had read Miranda's Editor's letter.

Andy's Miranda had captivating blue eyes and silvery white hair with porcelain skin and the way her eyes watched Andy so intently confused Dona greatly.

This was a woman whose message through Stephen when she'd phoned her at home about what had happened to Andy that night was cold and cared less. Part of Dona wanted to go to her Upper East Side townhouse and take her to see Andy in hospital.

Confront her with Andy's condition.

''Miranda are you still married?''

''No. I divorced three years ago. Stephen and I, we weren't good together.'' Miranda confessed this.

''Do you love my granddaughter? Or is Andrea some whim of yours you wish to try now?''

Miranda was first offended, her nostrils flaring.

''I only ask this Miranda because Andy has been hurting for a long time… if it is just a joy of flesh then you probably should leave and go back to New York, but if this is more that you feel, that you love her, please be patient Andy has a lot she is still so angry about.''

''I want to be given the chance to love her.'' Miranda never opened up about her feelings to anybody. Always careful with how she felt.

Miranda wondered if Andrea will even have her.

''Andy does need you. She wants to need you. She just needs to find a way to grab onto you.''

Dona picked up a framed photo, bringing it to Miranda to look at.

''Meet Jonas, Andy's grandfather.'' Shown his photo with her, to Miranda. Jonas was similar to Andy, tall and dark haired with the same 100 watt smile.

''Andy is very much like Jonas.'' Miranda almost asked her, in what way was Andy like him.

Andy came downstairs from offloading Miranda's luggage.

''Andy I want you to take Miranda out tonight, I'll watch the twins.''

Miranda saw Andy didn't look at all pleased with that suggestion.

A date, with Miranda. For tonight, set up by Dona, was she in junior high.

Looking everywhere but at Andy, Miranda flushed pink, almost voicing that Andy didn't have to be forced to take her out.

Andy exhaled out. ''Fine. Be ready at seven.''

Letting the screen porch door slam. ''No phone books.''