Epilogue

Andy looked in the mirror while securing the emerald drop earrings in place. She fluffed her bangs and straightened her shoulders before nodding at herself. Ready. She delivered a fake smile, but it became real when she saw Miranda appear at her elbow.

"You look lovely, darling."

Sighing as Miranda wrapped her in a careful hug, arms sliding around her waist, Andy closed her eyes and indulged in a moment of contentment. She turned in Miranda's arms and ran her fingers down the side of her throat, tracing her collarbones before stopping over her heart. She gazed into blue eyes she knew so well. "I love you."

Miranda's full smile and crinkling eyes made Andy's heart speed up. After five years together, Andy was not surprised that Miranda affected her so strongly. The woman was a force of nature, and Andy learned that when she loved, she did so with all her heart and soul.

"I love you, and I'm proud of you. You're the youngest recipient of the Sigma Delta Chi Award for your drawings and the first to receive two awards in one year from the SPJ. Not that I'm surprised. You deserve the Fellows of the Society Award for your series, Female Leaders in the Technological Age. It led to some of the largest conglomerates overhauling their internal hiring and promotion policies."

"Thank you. It means a lot to me, hearing you say that. And even more that you're sharing these triumphs with me. Your support has made all the difference." Andy slipped her hand into Miranda's and led her toward the bedroom door. "Are Caroline and Cassidy ready?"

"Yes. They're downstairs." Miranda stopped Andy before they crossed the threshold. "Although I appreciate the sentiment, you would have earned these awards and all the future accolades I am certain you shall receive even if I weren't by your side. You traveled this road before I reentered your life. It's important to me that you recognize how talented you are. I did nothing other than love you."

Andy cupped Miranda's cheek. "Don't you see, Miranda? You changed my life. And you're right. I was walking down this road of sketching and writing before we reconnected, but it was our interactions at Runway that helped me learn how to work hard and not give up on my dreams. You showed me where the road was. Hell, your hard work created that and so many other roads for women in publishing." She leaned in to deliver a soft kiss on Miranda's lips before whispering, "And I don't want to do this without you by my side."

They made their way downstairs, and Andy smiled at Cassidy and Caroline when they looked up from their phones. "Are you both ready to go?"

"Yes. The car's outside," Cassidy said. She rose from the sofa, her lithe runner's body highlighted by the navy YSL summer dress.

Caroline rose a moment later to join them. She wore an eggshell Kate Spade cocktail dress which showed off her muscular legs, honed through years of playing lacrosse. Miranda continued to complain about how barbaric the sport was, yet she never missed a game. "Don't forget I have a game tomorrow at one."

"I'll be there, Caro," Andy said, reaching for her purse. "I just need to drop by my apartment to get a change of clothes."

"I don't know why you don't just move in already," Cassidy muttered.

Blinking, Andy straightened up and glanced at Miranda, who wore a pensive expression. Andy had no idea what to say, so she turned toward the door. This wasn't the first time one of the girls made such a remark, but Miranda hadn't asked Andy to move in, and she refused to invite herself. It was true she hardly ever slept at the apartment, but she still had many of her belongings there. Andy still paid rent, and Lily had told her several times that she'd be able to find a new roommate without any hassle if Andy did decide to move. A hand on her shoulder stopped Andy from moving toward the front door.

"I was going to do this after the awards ceremony, but I can see that my girls are too impatient to allow it." Miranda opened her purse and took out a wrapped present. She stared at it for a few moments before she allowed her gaze to rise, and her face looked solemn when their eyes connected. "For you."

Andy took the gift, noticing how her hand shook. She took a deep breath before tearing open the paper. Inside was a small ornate ebony-colored box, similar in size to a jewelry box, but larger than a ring box. Andy chastised herself for feeling a swooping sense of disappointment. She doubted Miranda would ever want to remarry, and Andy had made peace with that realization long ago. She opened it and gasped.

Inside was a charm bracelet. She lifted it to get a better look at the charms. A quill, a typewriter, an open book with a pen on top, a Prada shoe, two little girls holding hands, a key with a small diamond, and a heart with the words "Marry Me" engraved on it. Andy started to tremble, as her eyes filled with tears. She looked up to find three pairs of blue eyes trained on her. "Is this what I think it is?" she whispered.

Miranda got down on one knee, a ring in her hand, extended toward Andy in supplication. She heard Cassidy and Caroline gasp and knew they were as astonished as she was. Andy placed a hand on her heart, feeling it beat like a drum.

"We talked about this long ago, how we felt we were meant to be in each other's lives. I'm not one to voice my feelings, but I had hoped I'd shown you how happy you've made me. Then I realized, with some help from my outspoken girls, that maybe you didn't know. That's my fault. I should have asked you to move in years ago, as I should have proclaimed to the world how grateful I am to have you sharing your life with me. Andrea, please marry me. Stand next to me. Live with me. Allow everyone to see with no uncertainty that we are together now and always."

Andy stared at the magnificent woman before kneeling in front of her. "Yes, Miranda. I'll marry you." Her breath caught when Miranda's face broke into a wide, relieved smile. A moment later Andy was swept into a passionate, affirming kiss, as hands thumped her on the shoulders. Her mind scrabbled to make sense of the accolades Caroline and Cassidy were shouting, too consumed by the thorough kiss she was receiving. She broke away, giggling, before extending her left hand and fluttering her fingers. Miranda slid the engagement ring on her finger, and they both rose.

"It's gorgeous." Andy tilted her head from side to side, studying how the light reflected off the large diamond. "I love it. She pulled the charm bracelet from its box and handed it to Miranda. "Please put this on me?" Once in place, Andy took a few moments to appreciate it. "Well, now that I'm all dolled up, it's time to go."

"Not so fast," Miranda said. She stepped forward and used her thumb to wipe away some lipstick before applying a fresh coat to Andy's tingling lips. "Perfect."

They smiled at each other.

Andy looked toward the girls and shared a wide grin with them.

Looking around the hallway, Andy felt as if she were seeing it for the first time, even as she felt its familiarity hug her like a favorite blanket. That was the key, she realized. Everything was the same, and yet everything was new. It was her perspective that was different. Maybe that's what made her a good artist—how she saw things and how she helped others to see. This time, though, Miranda was the artist. She was the one to infuse color into Andy's world with her willingness to share all of herself.

Opening the door, Andy took a deep breath and exhaled. She couldn't wait to see what came next.