AN: First Devil Wears Prada fic! I hope you like. Sorry for any mitakes and over OOCness! I am trying! I own nothing but Mikcheal, Malcolm, Marcus, and a mention of a cousin.
Please review and check out my other fics!
Last chapter! Our time together has been short but sweet! See ya!
I was delivering the Book, as usual to Miranda. Nate and I were hardly talking and sadly I found myself really not caring. I hung up the dark cases in the closet and made to set the Book down.
"Andrea?" Miranda's voice called out down the hall. I looked up but nobody was standing there. I swallowed and slowly made my way down the hall. Ripping off my hat and fixing my hair. Mikcheal hopped along ahead of me and turned almost towards the doorway.
"Hi pretty lady!"
I heard her chuckle. "Hello Mikcheal."
"What cha doin?"
"Working."
"Can I see?"
"Come here."
There was silence for a few moments and I heard Mikcheal whisper, "Cool."
I walked into the room then. Mikcheal was seated on Miranda's lap and flicking through the designs she'd been looking at, He stopped on each page and took in everything there. He sometimes traced a finger across a small detail and Miranda mumbled, "Good eye." Oh he would be in fashion. No doubt about it.
"Do you have the Book?" No duh. She looked up at me. She was in what most people would call casual. A loose sweater and black slacks.
I handed it over and she took it, flipping through a few pages. She didn't mind Mikcheal on her lap at all. She glanced up at me. "Paris is the most important week of my entire year." I nodded. I always felt on edge whenever she looked me in the eye. The look of recognition was getting stronger. "I need the best possible team with me." She look me up and down then returned to the Book.
Mikcheal mumbled something and flipped another page.
"That no long includes Emily." Miranda went on. Oh no.
"Wait y-you want me to go? N-no I couldn't…Emily would die. Her whole life is about Paris, she hasn't eaten in weeks. I couldn't…I couldn't do that." She didn't care about a word I said.
"If you don't go I'll assume you're not serious about your future." What was she playing at? "At Runway or…any other publication." She was forcing me to stay. "The decisions yours." She finished coolly.
"You can't…why?"
"Why what?" She continued to look through the book.
"You're forcing me to stay. You're not giving me a choice."
"Oh you have a choice. You can leave and simply…find something else to do. Help direct movies perhaps?" She knew I wanted to be a writer…if I didn't stay she would put in a bad word for me. I couldn't believe this was happening.
I would stay.
"That's all." She stated.
"Are we leaving?" Mikcheal looked up from the designs. "Can't we stay a little longer? Please?" Miranda brushed a hand through his curly locks.
"Of course." She mumbled.
He beamed at her and continued to look through the designs. I sat on the sofa and watched him. After a while he looked up. "I'm thirsty."
"There's juice in the fridge." Miranda stated. The kitchen was right in the other room. Mikcheal climbed off her lap and bolted for the kitchen, stumbling and tripping, but getting right back up and rushing to get his drink.
"Where's his father?" Miranda asked quietly.
"…He left." I lied.
"Where is he?"
"Around."
"Do you know him?"
"Of course."
"On a personal level?"
"Kind of."
"How old were you?"
"I'm twenty three now and I had him four years ago."
"Nineteen is quite young."
"How old were you?"
"Never you mind."
I couldn't help but smile.
"What's so funny?" She wasn't mean about it, it was general curiosity.
"Nothing. I'm glad you two get along." I mumbled stupidly.
"And why is that?"
"He needs somebody mature to look up to." I lied easily. Well it was true, but it was also a lie.
"I suppose. He clearly looks more like his father. I imagine he must be very handsome."
"Oh his father is beautiful. I just wish Mikcheal knew him better." I picked at my fingernails.
"Is he nice?" This was the most we'd ever spoken to each other.
"…Sometimes. A lot of people don't like him."
"He's private?"
"Just kind of mean. He demands a lot and gives little." Shut the hell up Andy!
"Mm a man after my own heart. As long as he's getting the job done right…what else matters."
I looked at her. "That's a little cold."
"But true. You get hurt if you mix personal with professional." She spoke quietly, meeting my eyes. Why was Mikcheal taking so long? "You know you seem very familiar. Have we met before?"
"Nope."
"Hmm…"
"Who do I remind you of exactly?" I dared. Her blue eyes bored into my brown eyes.
"A girl I met a few years ago. She was small and really quite sweet."
"Did you know her personally?"
She gave me a sarcastic smile. "Personally as in flesh to flesh then yes."
I chuckled. I'd never heard her speak like this. It was nice.
"But no…we met the one night and…that was that."
"Did you get her name?"
"If I did I forgot it. Maybe I should have stuck around in the morning to catch it." She spoke more to herself than to me.
I hummed thoughtfully. "Why do you like Mikcheal so much?"
"Oh he's just a small boy eager to learn. He's sweet and he reminds me of my little brothers when they were little. You know he looks curiously like Marcus. Or myself."
"What color was your hair?" I asked curiously, eyes her silver locks.
"Strawberry blonde like his. Although much less curly, obviously."
"Stress?" I questioned.
"That's usually what leads to premature discoloring of hair." She smirked.
"I see. We can leave if you're busy."
"No it's alright. I'm sure the girls would love to have a friend over." She was really trying to make me stay.
Later that night I realized one way or another I'd have to tell her eventually. She may not believe me at first…but I have the proof with me and she has every right to know about him.
Nate was upset to find out I was going to Paris. Mikcheal was hyped up. He wanted to see the shows and meet the people that made them. I was glad he found something to be passionate about at his age.
Mikcheal's birthday was in a few days. We'd be in Paris by then. I figured seeing a few of the sights would be a good birthday gift.
He was coloring on the floor when Miranda walked in. She eyed me with satisfaction and I went to take her coat but she dumped it on Emily's desk. Had I somehow, without my ever noticing, become the first assistant…or simply a favorite of Miranda. I didn't know if I should be happy for me or sad for Emily. Mikcheal picked up his coloring book and crayons and walked right into Miranda's office.
Miranda stood in the doorway a moment later. "Andrea, don't forget to tell Emily." Was she happy that I was taking Emily's place? I wasn't. But I could see a slight smirk playing across her lips as she turned and entered her office again. "Do it now." She ordered.
Mikcheal stood on his chair and watched me.
Emily's cell was on speed dial and I prayed to the high heavens that she didn't pick up. But of course she did and I acted like everything was fine. I jumped when I heard a loud thud and the screech of tires over the phone and shouts of, 'Call 9-1-1!' Emily had been hit by a car. I hung up the phone and walked into Miranda's office.
"What is it?" She asked coolly.
"Um…I think Emily got hit by a car." I twisted my fingers.
She rolled her eyes and looked over across the room where Marcus was sitting, watching me silently. How long had he been here? "Take the calls would you?"
"Okay." He stood and walked out to sit at my desk, propping his feet up.
"Go make sure she hasn't crippled herself or died." Miranda huffed and I sped out of there. I ran into Malcolm on the way out. He looked me up and down like his sister had done.
"You do realize that shirt is see through don't you."
"That's the point."
"Oh yeah. Maybe I'll get Jordan one."
"Jordan?"
"A cousin who wants to impress her man." He clarified.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty seven."
"I see. Hey, can you spare a few hours?"
"Always. What's up?"
"Emily got hit by a car."
"Well let's go and see her then." He took out a set of keys and clicked button, the lights on a shiny silver sports car flashed.
Awesome.
I mean…boo for Emily but…awesome car!
Emily was very very angry with me.
"I don't care if she was gunna fire you or beat you over the head with a red hot poker! You should have said no!" I really didn't have a choice.
"Em, I didn't have a choice. You know how she is."
"Please, that is a pathetic excuse!"
She was given her food and she dug in. She was clearly depressed. "You're the one who said you weren't interested in fashion!"
"But I am now, and so is Mikcheal. He loves it. And this could be a great experience for him."
"Ugh…the clothes you and him are going to get…argh! You don't deserve them! You eat carbs for Christ's sake!"
"Emily, I know you're mad. I don't blame you but…"
"Just go."
"Em.."
"I said go."
I sighed and walked out. Malcolm following along behind me.
"Cheer up home girl! You're goin to Paris! Who knows how many other places you could go to if you stick with us. Maybe even go with Marcus to Hawaii sometime. He's on vacation here." Mal tossed an arm over my shoulder as we walked back up to Runway.
Nate and I broke it off and I ended up staying with Malcolm. His place was great. He said I could stay for as long as I liked, he welcomed all visitors.
Paris…oh Paris was beautiful. Mikcheal sat securely on my lap looking out the window at all the places we passed. I found Miranda staring at me again.
"I do think we've met before."
"When would we have?"
"At that party. But the more I think of it the more confused I get."
"So forget about it."
"No. I never leave a mystery unsolved."
"How interesting and new of you."
"Sassy?" I saw her lips twitch into a small smile.
"Something like that."
Mikcheal sat on Miranda's lap when we went to shows. He was enamored with how the gowns would flow so easily, and how the designs were so amazing. He was Miranda's all right. He was on her hip when Miranda was interviewed and chatted with the designers themselves. I was happy to let her take him. He needed to know her, even if it was just as my boss.
Christian came around and managed to get a date out of me, and I got Marcus to go with us. He was as quiet as ever but…if Christian did something wrong I had no doubt he would help me. He had a safe vibe about him. Even if he was only fourteen.
Marcus and Malcolm were questioned as much as Miranda was. About their own Runway magazines. Both were very passionate about it. I was beside Malcolm when one reporter asked him "Do you ever want to do anything else?"
He had laughed, deep and hearted. Honest in his answer. "No. No, I could never see myself doing anything else but this. This is my dream and I'm gunna live it till the day I die." He then made a peace sign at a camera and continued on his way.
Marcus was much quieter. "What else would I want to do? We're all made for certain things and this is what I was made for. So no…I'd never do anything else. Like my brother I plan on being in this world until I die." He smiled shyly and followed his brother.
They were two young, honest, kind, good men. And I was happy Mikcheal and I could meet them.
I found Miranda in her room on her couch in nothing more than a robe. Mikcheal was curled up beside her, sleeping soundly.
It would be tonight…no matter what I had to tell her.
It was then that I realized she wore no make up on her face. The makeup took off several years but in all honesty she looked like she could be in her mid thirties and was simply over stressed.
She was running her fingers absentmindedly through Mikcheal's now cut hair. I uttered a small 'Oh' and she noticed me. She seemed to reign in any loose emotions. Once again becoming the bitchy boss.
"There you are." She spoke in annoyance and eyed the small package I had in my hand. "What's that?"
"It's Mikcheal's birthday." I mumbled.
"Five now?"
"Yes."
"I see. They grow up fast don't they?" She looked down at Mikcheal and brushed his hair to the side. "He really does look like he's related to me."
"I think to them growing up takes forever. It felt that way to me."
"Yes I guess that is true."
I tried to lighten the mood. "Different strokes for different folks right?"
She let out a small laugh. "Yes that's true too."
"Um…"
She looked at me then looked at the seat across from her. "Sit." I obeyed. "Something you want to say Andrea?"
"I lied." I mumbled.
"Excuse me."
"I lied. When you said you thought you knew me and I said you didn't…I lied. That girl at that party…five years ago today…"
I reluctantly met her gaze. Her blue eyes widened. "That was you."
"Yeah."
She looked down at Mikcheal. "So they…the doctors were right." She groaned and pressed a palm to her face. "Oh my God…I thought they were just trying to get something from me…this…oh this isn't possible." She was panicking.
"That's what they say but…" I looked over at Mikcheal.
"Oh my God…and you!" She pointed at me, giving me a glare of icy death. "Were you ever going to tell me?"
"Would you have believed me? Some girl calls and claims to have a child by you. You'd think I was nuts."
"Well…probably." She sighed and calmed down, falling back against the couch. "But now that I see him…"
Miranda actually opened up and talked to me. And I got to know her as well as her brothers did. Mikcheal was quick to catch on and understood why he felt so attached to Miranda. Malcolm and Marcus were all smiles and when we got back to New York, Caroline and Cassidy seemed to like having a little brother around. And by the end of that month…I was friends with Emily, still staying with Malcolm…and I I started to admit my feelings for Miranda, who, after another month, asked me out on a date.
Who knew the devil had a soul.
The End
