Chapter Ten
"What?" Miranda said. "Wait, let's get out of here. Tell me in the car."
Once safely ensconced in the town car, Andrea turned to Miranda. "Style Editor at New York mag," she said.
Miranda's eyes widened. "You're kidding. That's—well, that's pretty far from entry-level."
"Yeah, but it's amazing. I mean, that's like a dream job!"
"Well, I suppose."
"Miranda, what is it? Aren't you happy for me?"
"Of course I am," she said, pulling out her phone to browse through emails.
Back at Runway, after spending a few minutes with Rachel, she headed off to Nigel's office.
"Six, what's up?" he asked. "New girl stressing you out already?"
"No, she's fine. I got a job offer today. Style Editor at New York magazine."
"Oh my god, that's great! Congratulations, Andy!"
"Thanks," she said, smiling. "That was the reaction I expected. Miranda's having some sort of hissy fit."
"Well, she probably just doesn't want you to leave her," Nigel said.
"No, we've talked about this. I'm going to move into the townhouse once I leave here. A few weeks ago, she was actually looking forward to me leaving for that very reason. What do you know about a Daniel Kaizer?"
"The name sounds familiar—who is he?"
"Long-time boyfriend of New York magazine editor Adam Moss. Apparently he had an affair with Miranda back in 1980."
"Oh yes, that's where I've heard of him. He's still with Adam? Wow."
"Nigel, do you think Miranda would be upset if I took this job?"
"Because of him? Honey, that's water under the bridge."
"Since when is anything 'water under the bridge' with Miranda?"
"True. Does Adam know you two are together?"
"Oh gosh no. Do you think he'll fire me when he finds out? Or worse, try to do something to Miranda?"
"No, sweetie. I've only met him in passing, really, but he seems like a very amicable man. If you want this job, accept his offer."
"I do want this job, but I want Miranda more."
"Well that's just precious, but Miranda's a big girl. She can take care of herself."
"Nigel, you don't understand. I would do anything for her. I don't want to hurt her, but I'm afraid she won't tell me what she wants."
"Okay, look. Best I can do is take the girls one night this week. They can spend the night with me and you and Miranda can deal with whatever it is."
"Tonight, please?"
"Sure. I'll call Roy and let him know," he said.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Nigel's neck and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you so much. I owe you one!"
The rest of the day, Andrea spent watching Rachel closely, filling her in on anything she may have forgotten in the past two weeks. Surprisingly, she needed very little guidance. Around three o'clock, Miranda called Andrea into her office.
"Yes, Miranda?"
"Shut the door," she said. Andrea did. "Why is Nigel taking the girls tonight? It's a school night."
"Oh, I asked him to. Miranda, we really need to talk."
"About what? Why do you think you can make these decisions regarding my children without consulting me?"
"Please, Miranda," Andrea said, kneeling next to her chair. "I'm sorry I didn't ask you. I love you so much, but I can see something's not right. Please."
Miranda closed her eyes and nodded. "Will the new girl be okay on her own?"
"Yes. Is there anything else you need to take care of? Nigel already left," Andrea said.
"No, let's go," she said. "And Andrea, I love you, too. Very much. Don't doubt that."
Back at the townhouse, Miranda excused herself upstairs to change into something more comfortable. When Andrea heard the shower turn on, she took a few minutes to make Miranda a blueberry-banana greek yogurt smoothie. Once the shower turned off, she brought it upstairs along with an apple.
Miranda wrapped her hair in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom in her robe, which had become a little too small to fully cover her bulging belly.
"I made you a smoothie," she said.
"Thank you," Miranda said, eagerly reaching for the beverage.
Andrea climbed up onto the bed and sat indian style. Miranda slipped on a pair of capri-length cotton lounge pants and a sports bra, then slipped a light, drapey cardigan over her shoulders before she crawled onto the bed and curled up against her pillow. "Okay, what was so urgent that you needed to talk to me about?"
"Well, a few things. First, I'm hurt by what you said earlier about making decisions regarding the girls. I thought you trusted me. You know I would never put them in danger or anything, right?"
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I do trust you, immensely."
"Okay, good," Andrea said, leaning over and kissing her on the lips. "You were scaring me."
"What else?"
"Why don't you want me to take the job with Adam?"
"I never said that."
"Miranda, this is going to be a long night if you keep that up. Please, just talk to me," Andrea said, laying next to her and taking her hand. "Can you at least tell me whether it's the thought of me taking another job, or just this job in general?"
"Darling, I want you to find a job, and I want it to be the perfect job. You deserve the very best, sweetheart," Miranda said.
"So, you think this just isn't the right job?"
"I think it wouldn't hurt you to keep looking, that's all," Miranda said.
"Tell me this has nothing to do with Adam and Daniel. Tell me you just think it's a shitty job. Tell me there are plenty of other, better offers that are going to be throwing themselves at me. Tell me that, Miranda," she said.
Miranda closed her eyes and buried her face in the pillow.
"Tell me it's not about Daniel, Miranda!"
"I can't! I can't," Miranda cried.
Andrea took a deep breath. After a few minutes, she took the other woman in her arms. "Shh, it's okay. Thank you for being honest," she said quietly.
"Andrea, I do want the very best for you. And I'd be lying if I said that you'd probably get a better offer. I don't think you will. But I'm terrified of what will happen when he finds out about me. Or," she said, wiping her eyes, "when you decide the job means more to you than…than me."
"Oh my god, Miranda, no, no, no. Never."
"How can you promise me that? Everyone leaves me. I told you, I'm the common denominator," she cried.
"Miranda, please don't talk like that. This morning, I went to talk to Nigel—when I asked him to look after the girls. I told him that I want this job but I want you more. That I would do anything for you."
Miranda looked up at Andrea through bleary eyes. "You shouldn't say that, Andrea. I'm not worth it."
"Stop talking like this. You have two beautiful daughters who love you, and two beautiful girls in here who are counting on you right now," she said, placing her hands on her belly. "Miranda, what can I do? Just say the word and I'll do it."
"Darling, you need to make your own decisions. I can't tell you what to do," she said. "I have to go to the bathroom," she said, gently pushing her away.
When she returned, she noticed Andrea had rearranged the pillows on the bed.
"Lay with me, just for a little bit. I'll be your pillow," she said.
Miranda climbed onto the bed and snuggled against Andrea. "This will never work, darling," she whispered.
"I have an idea," Andrea said. "What if I talk to Adam, or better yet, if we go talk to Adam first. We can get his reaction and see if the offer still stands."
"Andrea, I am the face of his partner's infidelity. I can't just show up at his office," Miranda said.
"Miranda, Daniel asked about you when I was at their home. He asked about your pregnancy, and said he was glad you were happy."
Miranda sighed and leaned back. "The one thing I remember about him was that he always wanted children." She gently folded her hands on top of her belly. "If we go to Adam, we risk him going to Irv."
"So, we talk to Irv first," Andrea said. "If I accept this job, I'll be leaving Runway anyway."
"Oh, Andrea. It's not that simple."
"What is the worst that can happen if you tell Irv? He needs to know at some point. I'm sure he would prefer hearing it from you than the tabloids."
"Yes, but he could really make my life hell at work," Miranda said.
"Well, since you'll be on maternity leave, he would be making Nigel's life hell," she said with a wink.
"Andrea, sweetheart, I love your naive enthusiasm, but there is more to consider."
"Mmm, like what?" she asked, softly stroking the woman's belly.
"Oh god, Andrea," she moaned. "I can't think straight when you do that."
Andrea's hands caressed Miranda's breasts through the cotton bra. "Can I take this off?" she asked.
Miranda nodded and arched her back so Andrea could undo the clasp, gasping as her breasts bounced freely. "Not too rough," she warned.
Andrea gently cupped each breast and laved it with her tongue. She was careful not to pinch or suck directly on her nipples, and judging by her moans, Miranda was enjoying this foreplay very much.
"Wait, wait," Miranda said as she sat up. "I can't lay on my back like this." She pushed herself onto her hands and knees.
Andrea piled a few pillows underneath Miranda's chest and trailed her hands down the woman's back, slipping her hands beneath the waistband of her pants.
"Off, take them off," Miranda panted.
Andrea did, and trailed her hands slowly up and down Miranda's thighs as she positioned herself behind the woman. "Are you ready for me?" she whispered, softly grazing her fingers along the woman's swollen, wet slit.
"Yes, please, Andrea," she moaned.
The younger woman slowly began tracing her fingers along her folds, circling but not penetrating, careful to avoid her clit. "Oh god, Miranda, you're so wet. Talk to me."
"Inside—I need you inside, oh god!" she cried out.
Andrea plunged two fingers inside the hot, wet center and slowly began curling her fingers.
"Oh god—hurry—I'm almost there. Please!" Miranda cried.
Andrea used her other hand to rub her clit vigorously, but to her surprise, it wasn't taking Miranda over the edge. She spun around so she was laying on her back and began sucking on Miranda's clit, gently using her teeth in the way she knew Miranda loved.
"I need more, Andrea. Deeper, go deeper!" she panted.
Andrea tried adding a third finger, and Miranda was anxiously thrusting her hips backward to no avail. Andrea reached up and cupped Miranda's breast, gently pinching her nipple, but Miranda swatted her hand away.
"Not that. Go in the top dresser drawer. There's a box in the back," she said. Andrea quickly retrieved the box, surprised to see two dildos, a harness, an egg vibrator, and a small tube of lubricant. "The purple one," Miranda panted. "Oh god, please."
Andrea squirted a drop of lube on her hand and rubbed it over the dildo before slowly inserting it, penetrating Miranda's core. She heard Miranda's gasp, and after giving her time to adjust, Andrea began pumping the dildo in and out until Miranda cried out her orgasm and slumped against the pillows. She slowly crawled up Miranda's body and took her face, kissing her.
Miranda pulled Andrea closer and deepened the kiss, her tongue expertly exploring the young woman's mouth. When they parted for air, the young woman began trailing kisses down her neck. "I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Needing that thing," she said.
"Don't worry about it. I saw that harness you have, maybe we can play with that sometime soon, no?"
"Mm, yes," Miranda purred. "I was thinking, why don't you let me talk to Irv tomorrow?"
"Wait—you were thinking of this while we were having sex?!"
"No, before."
"And you still let me try and seduce you?"
"Of course. I wasn't going to pass up that opportunity," she said with a smirk. "But in all seriousness, I'll talk to Irv. I've told you how easily distracted he is with my pregnancy. I'm fairly certain I can convince him of just about anything."
"Whatever you think," she whispered, draping her arm across Miranda's body. "My god, you're so sexy."
"Oh be serious," Miranda said with a laugh. "I'm a heifer."
"Noo, god no, Miranda," Andrea said. "How can you even think that? You're the most beautiful woman in the world."
Tears began to pool in Miranda's clear blue eyes. "You can't mean that," she said, rolling her eyes.
"I do, Miranda," she said, softly cupping her cheek.
Miranda closed her eyes and gently shook her head as the tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Don't cry," Andrea whispered as she kissed the tears at Miranda's temple. "How about we take a bath, and then I'll rub some cream on your gorgeous body?"
The next morning, they dressed and headed into the office together. In the car, Miranda suddenly put her phone down and turned to Andrea. "What were the details of your offer? You never said."
"I never looked," Andrea said.
"What? Why?"
"I don't want to know what I'm turning down."
"Andrea, you are not turning this down!"
"Let's just see how today goes. If you still talk to Irv and smooth things over, then I'll open the email."
"Darling, just for that I'm going straight up to Irv's office," she said.
Sure enough, once they arrived at Elias Clarke, Andrea pressed the button for the 18th floor, and Miranda pressed 32.
"Oh, hello, Miranda. What a surprise," Irv's assistant greeted her.
"I need to see Irv right away."
"I'm afraid he has a conference call in a few minutes. Can I schedule something for later this morning?"
"I'll only be a minute," Miranda said, walking into Irv's office and shutting the door.
"Well, Miranda, what a surprise," he said.
"Yes, que supresa," she said, rolling her eyes as she thought of Jacqueline. "There's something I need to speak to you about urgently," she said as she shrugged her jacket off her shoulders.
"Of course, please, come sit," he said, taking her jacket and leading her to the sofa. "Can I get you a glass of water or perhaps some tea?"
"No, I won't be long," she said.
"I must say, you are looking absolutely radiant. I trust the pregnancy is going well?"
Miranda took a deep breath. "Well, that's part of why I'm here. Yes, everything is going well, though my doctors are scaring me nearly to death with all this talk of 'over fifty' and 'high-risk multiples'—I'm really quite scared. If something were to happen to me, there would be no one to look after my children."
"Miranda, you mustn't think that way," Irv said, sitting down on the sofa next to her. His hand awkwardly hovered in the air for a few seconds before he tucked it back on his lap. "If you need more time off, take it. Runway will be here when you get back, and of course, your health is more important than anything right now."
"Thank you, I really appreciate your concern, Irv. I—I'm sorry, I'm a little embarrassed to be saying this, but I've started seeing someone. A partner. Someone who can take care of me at home, and who loves my children nearly as much as I do," she said, dabbing at the corner of her eye.
"Well, I'm happy for you. Do I know him?"
Miranda took a deep breath. "Her. And yes, you do."
Irv's eyes widened. "Oh my. I suppose I did hear that Jacqueline was back in New York."
"What? No! I'm talking about Andrea Sachs."
"Your assistant?"
"Yes. Soon-to-be former assistant."
"Well, I see why you wanted to come to me. How long has this been going on?"
"On the record, our relationship began the day she handed in her resignation. Off the record, well, that's off the record," she said. "I need to know if this will be a problem," she said, arching her back and smoothing her hands over her belly. She could feel Irv's eyes glued to her swelling bosom, and unfortunately the disgust only sent a shiver through her, making her nipples hard against her cotton bra. "Irving? Will this be a problem?" she repeated.
"Oh, um, sorry," he stammered.
Then, as if on cue, one of the babies kicked her hard, causing a gasp. She pressed her hand to the side of her belly and smiled. "The one on the left is a little spunky," she said with a shrug. "You can feel if you'd like. She's kicking now," Miranda said as she turned to face him.
He reached out an unsteady hand and gently pressed his palm against her blouse. "My god, that's amazing," he said.
"So, regarding Andrea, she will only be staying on for two or three more weeks, as she is about to accept another offer."
Irv slowly pulled his hand away. "That's fine. I trust that you would not jeopardize the magazine in any way. Just, you know, don't make a scene of it."
"We won't," Miranda said. "The last thing I want to deal with right now is a gaggle of paparazzi following us around."
"Thank you, Miranda, for coming to me. My offer still stands. If there is anything that my wife or I can do—now or after the babies are born—please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you," she said. "I should get back to my office, though. I realize I've kept you from a meeting."
Irv extended his hand and helped Miranda from the couch. She picked up her jacket and headed for the elevator, which Irv's assistant was holding for her. As she strode out of the elevator towards her office, she made eye contact with Andrea and gave a little nod, indicating that she should follow her.
"How did it go?" Andrea asked after she closed the office door.
"Just a minute," Miranda said as she rushed into the bathroom to relieve her bladder. She left the door cracked open. "He's fine with it," Miranda said. She flushed the toilet, then washed her hands. "He almost made me vomit, but whatever. We don't have to worry about him."
"Are you not feeling well? What did he do?"
"Aside from undress me with his eyes, I let him feel the baby kicking," she said, leaning against the doorframe. She reached down and took Andrea's hands and placed them on her belly. "I want to remember your hands, not his," she said.
Andrea leaned forward and chastely kissed her on the lips, careful not to smudge her lipstick. "Later," she said, "I have to get back to work."
"Come by tonight?"
Andrea nodded, then quickly walked out of the office.
That evening, when Andrea arrived at the townhouse, the Priestlys were all sitting in the living room. Miranda was on the couch with her feet propped up on the coffee table, Caroline was working on her Algebra homework on the other end of the coffee table, and Cassidy was lying on her stomach, taking notes from her History textbook.
"I come bearing gifts," Andrea said as she set her bag down next to the couch.
"Andy!" Cassidy squealed as she jumped up to hug her.
"First, I hope you had a nice time with Uncle Nigel last night. And second, because you are seriously the two prettiest, kindest, smartest fourth graders ever…I brought you cupcakes," she said, pulling a pastry box out of her bag.
"Andy, did Mom tell you about our awards on Thursday?" Caroline asked.
"No, sweetie. What awards?" Andrea said.
"I didn't tell her because I haven't spoken to her since you told me, girls," Miranda said in her defense.
"Academic All-Stars," Caroline said, grinning. "I have the highest grade in Science, so I just know I'm going to get an award!"
Cassidy rolled her eyes. "I have the highest grade a lot of the time, but they give it to other kids because they 'put more effort' into their work. It's silly."
"Oh, just because it comes so naturally to you, huh? Well, I think my project on the solar system is insurmountable," Caroline said.
"Not the right usage, Caro," Cassidy said.
"Hey, girls. Cut it out," Andrea said. "Or your mom and I will eat your cupcakes."
Miranda's eyes widened.
"Don't worry," Andrea said, winking at her, "I bought six. You'll get one regardless."
Miranda bit her lip and softly shook her head. "Andrea, would you like to come with me to their Awards Assembly at school with me Thursday? It's at 1:30 PM."
"Yeah, please come, Andy!" Cassidy said.
"Sure. I'd love to," she replied. "Why don't you two get us plates and napkins and forks, and we'll divide up these cupcakes." When the girls were in the kitchen, Andrea took a seat on the couch next to Miranda, setting the pastry box on the table. "What do you have a taste for? Let's see if I could read your mind."
"Hmm, let's see. Choco—no, wait, lemon. Whipped lemon with a buttercream or meringue frosting."
Andrea opened the box and pulled a cupcake out, setting it on the plate Cassidy held out. "One lemon meringue pie cupcake for your highness," she said, handing over the plate dramatically.
"Whoa, how did you know that's what Mom wanted?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. I bought six different cupcakes and hoped one was close."
Cassidy selected the red velvet for herself, and Caroline chose the double-chocolate cupcake. Andrea's options were now narrowed down to oreo cookie, birthday cake, or white chocolate raspberry.
"Here," Miranda said, holding out a forkful of the lemon cupcake. "Try this."
Andrea let Miranda feed her a bite of the rich lemon cake.
"Thank you for spoiling me, darling," Miranda said. "Girls, when you're finished can you take these into the kitchen? And make sure to save that Oreo one for me tomorrow."
Andrea cuddled against Miranda's side and took her hand as the girls returned to their homework. "I love this," she whispered.
"Me too," Miranda said. "You realize that it will only be quiet like this for a few months longer, right?"
Andrea smiled and squeezed her hand. "It will be quiet when we're watching them sleep," she said.
Miranda chuckled. "When they're sleeping, we're sleeping or running errands. I'm warning you, if this is what you think it will be like, you're wrong."
"It's not the quiet I like. It's having all the people I love here in the same room. I'll be the sleep-deprived parent, that's okay. You can sleep while I watch them," Andrea said.
Miranda softly chewed on her lower lip as she tried to hold back tears. "Parent," she said. "I like that."
They sat in silence for a while, watching the girls and just enjoying each other's presence. "So, can we talk about my job again?"
"Certainly."
"I really can't believe everything went okay with Irv earlier," Andrea said.
"I know. He really has a soft spot for pregnant women. You know, he and his wife tried to have a child for years. She had several miscarriages, and one of them was in the third trimester."
"But he has two sons, right?"
"Yes. They eventually gave up and adopted two boys—brothers—who were living in foster care."
"Wow, I had no idea."
"His wife Myra is quite a remarkable woman. I don't know how she's stayed with him so long."
"Anyway, so he knows you and I are more-than-friends, and he's not going to fire you?"
"Correct. I told him I was scared, and that I couldn't do it on my own—without you," she said. "That is the absolute truth."
"Are you still worried something will happen to the babies?"
"Anything can happen. I can get in a car accident or slip and fall down my stairs. Nothing's certain until I can hold my babies in my arms."
"Nightmares?" Andrea asked.
"Vivid."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"They only happen when you're not here. And then I forget when I see you," she said with a shrug. "So, back to your job. Have you read the offer letter yet?"
"Yes. It's a five-year contract, $70,000 salary, based in New York with minimal travel. I mean, there has to be a catch, right?"
"Wow, that is a very generous offer. My first salaried position as Assistant Editor was $13,500."
"Yikes."
Miranda smiled. "Andrea, I spent the afternoon re-reading my contract and our Code of Business Ethics at Runway. Are you familiar with the term 'conflict of interest?'"
"Sure, like when a politician is in the position to make decisions that can benefit him personally, and it kind of blurs the lines of whether he's able to do his government duty."
"Exactly. But in the business world, we also have this. It's what keeps a healthy level of competition between similar publications." She took a deep breath. "I really hate to say this, but if you and I are in a personal relationship, and you have a position in publishing where you're responsible for that publication's fashion or style coverage, the Board of Directors has the power to terminate me, whether or not I disclose this conflict."
Andrea closed her eyes and squeezed Miranda's hand. "Is it limited to fashion and style?"
"It's actually listed as 'style, including fashion, apparel, accessories, and beauty,'" she said. "But that wasn't what you wanted to write about anyway, was it?"
"No, you're right. So what do I tell Adam?"
"I think you should be honest with him. He might think better of you if you are upfront. You might even ask him if a different section is available like entertainment or politics."
"Yeah, I guess. It just sucks."
"It does, and I'm so sorry. It really didn't occur to me that they would be considering you for style coverage. No offense—it's just not your background. Though, I'm sure you would be wonderful at it."
"I'll call Adam tomorrow. Maybe this interview at The Journal will pan out."
"I'm confident you'll find something," Miranda said. "Girls, do you have much more homework to do?"
"No, I'm done," Cassidy said.
"Me too," Caroline said.
"Okay, why don't you head upstairs and get ready for bed?" Miranda said as she stood from the couch.
"Is Andy staying tonight?"
Miranda turned and looked at the young woman, who nodded. "Yes, she is. I'll be upstairs to tuck you in shortly."
The girls headed upstairs, and Andrea tugged Miranda backwards, onto her lap.
"Oh, Andrea, I will crush you," she said as she struggled to get up.
"No you won't," the young woman insisted. "You're as light as a feather, and I just miss holding you."
Miranda smiled and settled into her chest. "You say 'miss' as if…" She let her voice trail off and they sat in silence for a few minutes. "I should go tuck them in," Miranda finally said as she went to turn the light off. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, I'm going to take a quick shower first," she said. She caught up to Miranda on the stairs. "Look, I didn't mean to unsettle you. I know we've only really been together for a few months, but…I don't know. It just feels like a lifetime."
Miranda nodded. "And then some," she said. "I'll meet you in the bedroom in a few minutes."
While Andrea was showering, Miranda made her way to her daughters' bedrooms. As was becoming ritual in the Priestly home, Miranda climbed up on Cassidy's bed with one daughter on each side as they took turns talking to the babies and feeling their kicks.
"Mom, what did you mean about the conflict of interest?" Cassidy asked quietly.
"Yeah, are you going to get fired because of Andy?" Caroline asked.
Miranda frowned. "I thought you two were doing homework."
"We have ears, you know."
She rolled her eyes. "No, mommy is not going to lose her job."
"So what is a conflict of interest?" Cassidy repeated.
"I can lose my job if I have a conflict of interest. Like, if Anna—you know, from Vogue—was my girlfriend instead of Andrea."
"Eeeew."
"She looks so old and bony."
Miranda's lip curled up in a smile. "But I could get fired because she and I would be able to tell each other secrets that we could use at work. Does that make sense? I'm sorry, I'm not explaining this very well," she said, hugging them both.
"No, I think I get it. Is Andy going to find another job?"
"She's looking, sweetie. I'm trying to help her, but she needs to do this on her own, too."
"I like having her here, Mom," Caroline said. "It's not like Stephen. It seems like Andy actually likes us."
"Yeah, like she's not just buying us stuff and hugging us because she wants you to think she does."
Miranda smiled. "I have no doubt she adores you, completely independent of her feelings for me. And I'm really looking forward to her staying here permanently."
"So, can we like call her and talk to her more and stuff? Since she's going to be moving in?" Cassidy asked.
"Well you will have to ask her for her phone number, but I'm sure she won't mind," Miranda said, kissing her on the forehead. "Okay you two, off to bed. I think you lulled the babies to sleep, so maybe I can get some rest, too." She bent over and kissed Caroline on the forehead, too.
"G'nite, Mom. Love you."
"G'nite, love you. And tell Andy I love her, too."
"Me too!"
"I will, darlings. Sweet dreams," Miranda said as she turned out the light and shut their door.
As she made her way to her bedroom, she felt a dull pain in her belly that almost made it feel like she had to pee. She used the guest bathroom, but when she climbed into bed, the tightness was still there. Leaning against the headboard, she pulled out her iPad and began looking through the book.
Some time later, Andrea stepped out of the bathroom. Her hair was dry and she was wearing one of Miranda's silk sleep shirts. "I wish I had a camera right now," she said as she approached the bed. "You look ridiculous and adorable with this iPad resting on your belly."
"Andrea, what does 'DH' stand for?" Miranda asked, peering at the screen through her eyeglasses.
"Um, I don't know. Designated hitter?"
"What?"
"You know, in baseball. A guy who's not playing in the field but just goes up to bat, usually for the pitcher."
"No, that's not it."
"What are you reading?"
"This article about pregnancy," she said, handing Andrea the iPad.
Andrea skimmed through the page and started giggling. "Miranda, I never thought you'd be browsing these mommy message boards. "I think it means dear husband," she said, handing the iPad back. "What were you looking up anyway?"
"Nothing."
"Come on, it's not nothing," Andrea said.
"I just felt this weird sort of pain. It's different than what I was feeling before. But it's fine. It's better now that I'm laying down."
Andrea curled up against her and carefully took her glasses off, setting them on the nightstand. She turned out the light and pulled the covers up and around Miranda.
Miranda settled against Andrea's body. "I meant to tell you, the girls wanted me to tell you they loved you."
"When did they say that?"
"When I was tucking them in. Sometimes they act so grown-up, I forget they're still children—my beautiful, precious children," she said, softly stroking her belly as tears pooled in her eyes. "Andrea, I'm so glad you're here."
She smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of Miranda's head. "Me, too," she said.
TBC