The girls finally got to their doorstep. Ten minutes of thirteen year old chatter and Andrea didn't hear a thing. Too unnerved to comprehend anything that was happening until she was right in front of the townhouse door. Miranda's townhouse door.

Andy thought that maybe should go now, leave, and tell the girls goodbye before Miranda could get the chance to see her. The girls had different plans.

"Andy come inside for a little, please. I really want to show you this article I wrote for the Dalton Newsletter." Cassidy looked at Andy with face that no one could say no to.

"Cass, I'm not sure. I think I should g—" Before she could finish the two girls were pulling her through the door way.

Andy couldn't think of anything, she was drowning in the warmth of Miranda's home. Impossible by Nat King Cole was playing on the radio and she could hear Miranda's singing voice coming from the kitchen. Andrea inwardly gasped at how beautiful Miranda's voice was.

"Girls, I'm glad your home I started to make the dough for the pizzas." Miranda wiped her hands on the apron around her waist and started to walk to the entry way. "What movie are we watching tonight? I really do not wish to watch another one about those…" Miranda's voice faded out as she saw just who the girls were with.

She stopped by the table where the book usually was delivered. She stood there staring at Andrea. Her Andréa. She took in Andrea's appearance. Nothing had changed her hair was a bit more wavy but pulled back. Same big brown eyes and the same smile that lit up a room. She had missed that smile. She had missed Andrea.

Andrea was staring back at Miranda. She looked relaxed with casual slacks and a simple blouse on. Simple was probably the wrong word nothing looked simple on that woman. Never once while working for Miranda had she seen the woman cook. A lot could change in two years, she guessed.

They were both shaken from their thoughts when the girls said in unison "Hey mom."

Miranda looked away from Andrea and looked at the twins. "Where have you two been?"

"Well you see Cass and I wanted to go for a walk in the park before you got home and-"

"And while we were walking we got separated and this guy tried to take my purse but Andy stopped him before he could. We really hope you aren't angry we went out alone." Cassidy said finishing her sister's sentence.

Miranda just stood there with her mouth open. She contemplated whether she should be angry with the girls for going out by themselves or to be happy they that they weren't hurt. Andrea had saved Cassidy? That was just like her.

Miranda smiled a true smile and walked over to Cassidy and hugged her.

"Oh Bobbsey, I'm not angry." She looked up at Andrea over Cassidy's shoulder. "I'm just glad you are safe now."

Shrugging off Miranda Cassidy grabbed Caroline's hand and started to run up the stairs. "Come on Caro let's go get my article!" She looked at Caroline winked.

Miranda stood in front of Andrea. You could feel the tension in the air. She was at a loss for words. For two years she was thinking of this moment and what she would say. How ironic was it that all of the things she planned to say had vanished. Without thinking words came out of her mouth.

"Thank you, Andrea. Really." She was wringing her hands which was very uncharacteristic of her.

"Oh no, it's fine. I'm glad I was there." The words sputtered out of her mouth from the fact that she had been waiting all this time to hear Miranda say her name.

"I'm glad you were there also." She didn't have any clue what to say. "How have you been?" She bit her lip.

Andrea knew Miranda was not one for small talk which made it clear that the question was laded with meaning. "I've been fine, great actually. How have you been, Miranda?"

Saying she was great was really just lie maybe Miranda would be able to tell. Sure her job was amazing and her friends had forgiven her but everything else, everything meaning her untold feelings for Miranda, was not great.

Miranda noticed how the younger woman's eyes changed when she said she was great. Those eyes that were so audible, conveying everything she felt, told Miranda that Andrea was lying.

"I have been… superb." Miranda hoped Andrea would not be able to read her like she was able to do.

Andrea saw something that looked like hope and sarcasm flicker across Miranda's face. She stepped closer to Miranda. "Miranda I want you to kno—" She was cut off by a shrill ring of Miranda's phone. Thank God for that she thought. What was she going to say? That she wanted her to know that she was sorry for leaving like she did and tell her why she really left? For what, Miranda to laugh at her? Her diatribe of thoughts was cut short.

"Oh that will probably be Emily. I'm sorry." She walked to the kitchen to retrieve her phone. What was Andrea going to say? Damn Emily and her horrible timing.

Caroline looked at Cassidy from where they were sitting at the top of the stairs. "Did you see all that tension and mom say she was sorry? Ask mom if she can stay for dinner!"

"That's a great idea." Cassidy said rushing down the stairs.

"Here Andy! Here's the article." Cassidy handed the article about the science fair.

Miranda walked back into the room and Andrea gave Cassidy back her paper.

"That was really well written Cass." Andy said genuinely impressed with the article.

"Thanks." She turned to her mom, "Mom would it be okay if Andy stayed for pizza and the movie?" Cassidy turned on her smile that Miranda couldn't resist saying yes to.

Miranda looked over from Cassidy to Andrea searching Andrea's eyes to see if she was against staying. "If Andrea would like to stay than I have no reason to object." Miranda wanted more than anything for Andrea to stay for dinner and the movie.

"I would love to!" Andrea felt as though she was forgetting something, then it hit her. "Actually tonight isn't a good time. I have a prior engagement but I can defiantly come tomorrow. That is if the offer is still open." Andrea bit her lip and prayed to every God she knew of for Miranda to let her come tomorrow.

Miranda didn't know if she would be able to make it dinner tomorrow. Of course the only day she was free Andrea would not be. Also what was this prior engagement? She hoped Andrea wasn't still seeing that dish washer. Or was he a cook? It really didn't matter, either way she was insanely jealous of whoever got to spend time with Andrea.

Cassidy and Caroline both crossed their fingers behind their backs hoping their mother would be open to Andrea coming over tomorrow.

"Of course, tomorrow would be perfectly acceptable. I can not promise I will be home in time for dinner though. It might just be you and the girls." Miranda stared into Andrea's deep brown eyes.

Andrea felt suddenly let down. Dinner with just the girls was fine but she really wanted to be with Miranda. "Oh that's fine. I'm sure it won't be too horrible with just these two tyrants."

Miranda chuckled and the twins shouted protests in unison.

"I'm just kidding!" She said hugging the girls. "Well I have to get going. Is 6:30 a good time to come over tomorrow?"

"Yes, 6:30 is perfect." Miranda walked around the girls and Andrea and opened the door.

The girls said their goodbyes and ran into the kitchen.

"It was really great seeing you Miranda. I hope you can make it to dinner tomorrow." Andrea said walking through the open door and turning around to face Miranda.

"It was very nice to see you too. I hope I can also." Miranda smirked "Have a nice time on your prior engagement."

"I'll try." Andrea threw over her shoulder as she walked down the side walk.

Nigel, Emily, Lily, and Doug were not going to believe her when she told them about today or about dinner tomorrow.