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Miranda's hands were comforting. They were so soft, yet so strong from all the hours she spent editing as she poured her soul into the glossy pages of Runway. They stroked Andrea's hair gently, but with determination, as if Miranda was trying to wipe the cancer out of the brunette's head. Andrea allowed herself to finally absorb of all the feelings that had festered in the past couple of months, and cried her heart out, protected in the older woman's sheltering embrace. Burying her face into the side of Miranda's throat, Andrea had never felt so safe. She felt tears on the top of her head, and realized Miranda was crying as well. She attempted to look up, but Miranda held her tighter and whispered, "Don't move. I've got you." Andrea's eyes filled with more tears, and tried to bury herself further into Miranda's elegant neck. She would have wrapped her arms around Miranda and reciprocate the embrace, but the Editor was holding her in a position where it would have been awkward, so her arms were pressed tightly up against Miranda's chest. Her hands were clenched together, and she was curled in a fetal position.
The two women cried together silently, both wishing they could take the other woman's pain away. After Andrea's eyes had ran out of tears to cry, she tried to look up again, and found Miranda looking down at her with watery eyes. Andrea had never seen the beautiful woman cry since Paris. Heart threatening to break, Andrea looked up at her with eyes reflecting the pain and sadness that was present in Miranda's heart. Miranda was dumbstruck at the sight of Andrea's big brown eyes gazing into hers. Nobody had ever looked at her with such heartbreak and suffering.
"Miranda," Andrea whispered, and reached up and brushed Miranda's cheek with the back of her hand.
The older woman tilted her head onto Andrea's hand, a few tears leaking out of her crystal blue orbs. Andrea turned her hand over so that her palm was cupping Miranda's cheek, making the woman sigh and close her eyes.
"Thank you," Andrea murmured.
"For what?" Miranda replied in a husky tone, her voice hoarse from the sudden tiredness she felt from crying so much.
"For being here," Andrea sniffed and glanced down. She tried to drop her hand from Miranda's face, but Miranda was faster, and quickly reached up her own hand on top of Andrea's.
Kissing the palm, Miranda said lowly, "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner."
"Mira," Andrea said, quickly reverting back to the nickname, "I...left you. I used you. How-Why did you come back to me?"
Miranda interlaced her fingers with Andrea's, and looked at their joined hands before looking back at the brunette with love shining from her eyes, "Because, Andrea, I am in love with you. I knew when we...made love for the first time, but I didn't allow myself to believe that I did. I have missed you so much during the past couple of years. It was seeing Les Mis that really triggered my...romantic feelings to manifest into something deeper. So much so, that I knew that I had to have you in my life again." She paused to let the brunette process her words, watching how Andrea's face suddenly sported an adorable shade of pink, her eyes looking down shyly with a smile on her face. "And then when we made love...I knew that you were the one for me. I was going to tell you that I loved you in the morning, but you had left. I remembered however, that you said that you couldn't be romantically linked to me-not that you didn't want to. I was desperately curious, yet I pushed so hard, so technically, I was at fault."
"Miranda, stop," Andrea's eyes bore into hers pleadingly, not wanting the woman she loved to take responsibility for her faults. "I'm to blame. I'm so sorry that I left. I didn't want you to find out about my cancer. I knew-well, know- that I'm going to die, and I didn't want to burden you with that information. It was the worst possible way I could have left you."
"Don't say that," Miranda felt a sob wrack her body, and she squeezed Andrea's hand tightly. "Please," her voice dropped to a whisper, "please don't say you're going to die."
"I am Miranda," Andrea averted her gaze, "I had a bone marrow test the morning I left you, and the results you read stated that I'm positive, meaning that the lymphoma has infected the bone marrow. It's high grade lymphoma-aggressive and rapidly growing. It requires intensive and immediate treatment, but it's often uncurable. I decided not to do chemo because it would be palliative, meaning it won't change the outcome or prolong it. Besides, you weren't in my life. What was there to live for?"
"Oh Andrea," Miranda tilted her young love's face up, "I wished I would have gone to the bone marrow appointment with you...I would have held you throughout the whole thing. And Andrea, I am no reason to throw your life away. I still want you to do the chemo, no matter what the chances are. I need you in my life."
"And I need you," Andrea sniffed and wrapped her arms around the older woman, "I need you because I love you too Miranda. I have since Paris...every day I didn't see you only made my affection grow stronger. I missed you too so much, it almost physically hurt me. It seemed like a cruel twist of fate when you contacted me. I had just gotten a blood test on Friday, received my results on Tuesday, and right after I learned I had lymphoma, you called me. My life turned for the better after I met you for lunch, and with the photoshoot and everything. Yet I knew I couldn't pursue anything. Even though I knew I had cancer, I didn't know my survival rate until recently, and it seemed unfair to put you through everything."
"I would have gladly gone through everything with you-doctors appointments, staying up late with you, and whatever else you needed," Miranda said, becoming weepy again. "Can't you see that? I want to cherish every moment I have with you." Pausing to wipe her eyes, she continued, "Don't shut me out. I want to help you and love you to the best of my ability. And that includes getting you to do chemo."
Andrea stiffened and backed out of Miranda's embrace quickly. "I can't Miranda. That would kill me emotionally, don't you see? Chemo won't do a thing except for make me even sicker and give me even more insomnia."
"I won't sit back and watch you kill yourself!" Miranda exclaimed, raising her voice slightly.
"I'm not killing myself," Andrea said with a hurt expression. "The cancer is."
Standing up, she cast one last sorrowful glance at the woman still sitting on the cheap wooden floorboards of her apartment, and strode over to where she dropped her blankets. Picking them up, she threw them over her shoulder and swiftly left her home. Miranda sat on the floor in shock, still trying to comprehend how everything could have gone so wrong.
After logically thinking about the places Andrea had gone, Miranda climbed up the four flights of stairs it took to get to the roof of the apartment building, praying that she was right. She had noticed the blankets the younger woman had, and quickly ruled out that she would have left her apartment building to go somewhere in the city. One reason being that Andrea seemed incredibly weak, and another reason being that she was now a celebrity, and would have been surrounded by paparazzi if she roamed the streets by herself. After Miranda had quickly clicked up the metal stairs in her high heels, she quietly opened the door to the roof, and a chilly gust of wind blow straight through her body. Shivering, she pulled her Prada coat tightly around her as her sharp eyes scanned the roof. Spotting the frail brunette wrapped tightly in her blankets, Miranda's heart broke all over again. She walked over to Andrea and sat down next to her, but didn't look at her. For a minute or two, the two women breathed out clouds of air, and listened to the busy streets of New York.
"I used to dream about you being here with me," Andrea said, breaking the silence. "On the roof I mean."
"I'm here now," Miranda said softly.
"Yes you are," Andrea looked at her and smiled her beautiful smile that Miranda loved so much.
She opened her blanket up, and motioned for Miranda to get under it. Miranda scooted over gracefully, and let her head fall on the brunette's shoulder. Andrea appreciated the heat that the older woman provided, and she wove her arms around the lithe body. She rested her cheek on Miranda's soft locks, and tightened her hold on Miranda.
"I'm sorry," Miranda said, looking at the bright lights of the taxis traveling below.
"Me too," Andrea replied, softly kissing the top of Miranda's head. "I'll do the chemo."
"Darling, it would mean the world to me," Miranda lifted her head and looked into Andrea's eyes. "I want you to have a fighting chance to survive."
"I'll give it a shot," Andrea sighed and looked up at the sky twinkling with stars. "I hope it works."
Miranda reached her bare hand up, shivering slightly when it was exposed to the windy air, and gently turned her love's face back towards herself. "It will. It has to."
"I love you Miranda," Andrea murmured.
"And I love you Andrea."
And Andrea leaned in and pressed her lips to the mouth of the woman she had missed so desperately over the past couple of months. She took her time re-familiarizing herself with Miranda's mouth, her lips tenderly brushing over the thin pink lips as her arms drew Miranda in tighter. Taxis honked, and the screech of tires could be heard every couple of minutes, but the two women were so absorbed in each other, nothing else mattered. Soon, as their kisses grew deeper, they also turned salty, as both Miranda and Andrea started crying softly. Urgently, Andrea pressed herself closer to Miranda's body, shivering when she felt Miranda's curves against her own.
Breaking the kiss, Miranda trailed her warm mouth up Andrea's cheeks, brushing her lips against the tears that were falling from the chocolate pools. Andrea closed her eyes, smiling blissfully as her heart melted at the other woman's actions. When Miranda was done, Andrea opened her eyes again and reached up with her hands to cup the beautiful face. She used her index fingers to wipe away the trail of tears that were spilling from Miranda's blue eyes, and leaned in to rest her forehead against the Editor's. They reveled in listening to each others laboured breath, as their minds and souls tried to comprehend all the feelings they were experiencing. Their emotions were a crazy mix of love, hopefulness, sadness, and heartbreak, among countless others.
"I don't want you coming out here again," Miranda whispered. "It's far too chilly."
Andrea nodded her acquiesce and drew Miranda in for another kiss. Sitting there holding Miranda in her arms, Andrea was sure that nothing felt as good as having her love back in her life, even if only for a short while.
Miranda helped Andrea hobble down the stairs to her apartment room. It was slow going, since the brunette was already very weak, and the cold winter air hadn't helped any. But Miranda loved holding Andrea in her arms. It gave her a sense of comfort, since she knew that she could protect the brunette from anything...Except for the cancer that was spreading rapidly through the young woman's body as each second passed. When they made it to Andrea's home, Miranda helped her walk to her bedroom, and shut the door behind them. Andrea fell down on her bed, exhausted, and Miranda watched her with worry evident in her red-rimmed eyes.
"Can you stay?" Andrea looked pleadingly at Miranda. "Or do the twins need you?"
"I need to go back to them," Miranda sat down on the bed next to the tired woman, and grasped two cold hands in her own, "but please come home with me. Not just today, but for the rest of our lives."
"Um..." Andrea looked at her speechless.
"Please Andrea. It would bring me peace of mind if you were safe in my house. We can sell this apartment, and you can live with me."
Andrea didn't say anything and looked at Miranda with rounded eyes, still not fully comprehending.
"Andrea, is there anything tying you here?"
She thought for a moment, and then shook her head no. Nate had left, her acting job was done, and her parents were gone. The only reason why she would stay would be because of Lily, but her friend could just come to the townhouse if she wanted to visit, right?
"Is there anything you would regret if you moved in with me?"
Again, Andrea shook her head no. The final days of her life would be spent with the woman she loved. No, there would be no regrets about living with Miranda.
"Then please, come home with me tonight," Miranda reached up and pushed back a stray piece of chocolate-colored hair. "Your hair is getting longer again," she commented arbitrarily.
Andrea grinned at that statement, and then placed a quick kiss on Miranda's lips. "I would love to. Thank you Mira."
"Thank goodness," Miranda said, closing her eyes and letting a small smile grace her lips. She stood up and helped the brunette stand shakily on her feet.
"I have to grab my stuff," Andrea said, carelessly waving her hand around her small room.
"Stuff?" Miranda raised an eyebrow, but there was a spark of humor in them. "I have everything you need at the townhouse Andrea. But if you wish to grab anything, I'll call Roy while you gather your things."
"Alright."
As Andrea shuffled around her small apartment, collecting the one thing that mattered the most to her, Miranda pulled out her phone and called Roy. When she was done, she found the brunette sitting on the edge of her bed and tracing her fingertips across a photo frame. Miranda gently sat down next to her, barely making a dent in the bed, and wrapped her arm around Andrea's waist. She kissed Andrea on the cheek and looked down at the photo of what she assumed to be Mr. and Mrs. Sachs. They were both grinning widely at the camera, their arms thrown around each other in a dance position. Discreetly looking back and forth at the picture and her young love, Miranda could easily see where Andrea had gotten her beautiful eyes and kind smile. Mrs. Sachs had the pretty doe-eyes, while Mr. Sachs had the easy-going grin.
"This is one of the few photos I have of them," Andrea said sadly, but without tears. She knew that they were in a better place, and she had already grieved for them. Of course she still missed her parents like crazy, but she could now talk about them without breaking down every time the mention of their names came up. "It's my favorite because both Mom and Dad look so happy. It was taken on one of their vacations to Italy." She smiled sadly. "They loved to travel. Mom didn't like Iowa, but since my Dad taught at Northwestern, she didn't have much choice. Dad compensated by taking her on exotic trips every year for their anniversary."
"They both look incredibly happy." Miranda reached over and traced the outline of Mrs. Sachs lightly with her fingertip. "She is beautiful, much like you."
"Thank you," Andrea rested her head on Miranda's shoulder and smiled down at her parents beaming up at her. I wish you could have been alive to see me in love with the most beautiful, wonderful, and perfect woman.
Miranda's phone buzzed, and she unlocked her iPhone to read it. "Roy is here," she said, standing up. Andrea stood up too, and Miranda placed her hand in the middle of the young woman's back and guided the brunette to the door. Once outside in the car, Roy gave Andrea a friendly wink and smile, and opened the door for her. Blushing slightly, Andrea murmured her thanks, and climbed in before Miranda. After the Editor slid in, she motioned for the brunette to lay her head across her lap, which Andrea gratefully took advantage of. She was so tired-the cancer had made it almost impossible to sleep at night, since she was prone to night sweats, and the emotional turmoil she felt when she didn't have Miranda by her side kept her up countless hours. Yet now, in this moment laying in Miranda's lap, Andrea felt her system finally relax. Miranda's nimble fingers came to massage her scalp and run themselves through her hair, and Andrea's eyelids got heavier and heavier. All too soon, Roy had pulled up to the townhouse, and Miranda gently roused the fatigued woman. Thanking Roy, Miranda led Andrea into the warm house, and up to her bedroom. Even though she was tired, Andrea let her eyes wander over the room that she had been in just weeks prior. But this time, she wasn't going to slip away early in the morning.
"Darling, I need to go check on the twins," Miranda said in a soft tone. "They're supposed to be in bed, but I'm going to make sure that they're asleep."
"Alright," Andrea clutched the photo frame tightly.
"Go ahead and run yourself a bath," Miranda urged. "God knows you need it. Everything you need is in the bathroom. There are pajamas in the closet, so pick out anything you would like. I will join you in a while."
"Thank you Mira," Andrea leaned in and captured Miranda's lips with her own.
Miranda cupped the brunette's face with her hand and gazed at her, sending shivers down Andrea's spine when she saw the love clearly written in the clear blue eyes. Placing one last kiss on the plump lips, Miranda turned away and melted into the shadows as she glided down the darkened hallway to her daughters' rooms. Andrea watched her go with an expression of love on her face, and then reluctantly turned away to step into Miranda's extensive closet. Quickly picking out a silk tanktop and the only cotton shorts Miranda owned, she picked out La Perla underwear with a prominent blush to her cheeks. Just the thought of Miranda in those delicious items...Andrea mentally shook herself, and headed to the bathroom. She ran warm water in the jacuzzi, and stripped off all of her clothes. Searching for a bathrobe, she spotted a purple one hanging on the back of the door. Pulling it on, Andrea suddenly began to feel nervous. Her body wasn't ideal for Miranda. It was covered with bruises, the largest being the one on her hip from the bone marrow test that hadn't fully disappeared. The other marks had came from Andrea doing small things, like accidentally knocking into the table as she stumbled up to grab the phone, or from bumping into a door as she walked through it. Plus, she was skinny-bordering on skeleton skinny. It wasn't attractive at all, and Andrea suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious and embarrassed. Tying the robe tightly around her thin waist, she paced back and forth, her mind suddenly going crazy. What if Miranda finds me ugly? I'm not beautiful enough for her. She's the most gorgeous creature on earth, and she deserves much more than...Andrea looked down at herself...this.
"Andrea?" a knock came from outside the door, and Andrea yelped.
"Um, yes?" she squeaked, trying to sound normal.
"May I come in?" Miranda's voice was laced with concern.
"Um..." Andrea's eyes wandered looking for an excuse when she noticed the bathtub almost flowing over. Letting out a shriek, she ran over to the tub and spun the knobs to shut off the flow of water.
"I'm coming in Andrea," a firmer tone made Andrea groan and drop her head onto the jacuzzi steps.
The door clicked open, and Miranda gasped. Hurrying over to the fragile body, Miranda sat down on the steps and gathered Andrea in her arms. Holding her close, Miranda asked, "Andrea, what is it?"
"I'm ugly," she whispered brokenly, once more crossing her arms over her chest in a fetal position and hiding her face in the crook of Miranda's neck. Miranda nudged Andrea's head with her nose, forcing the actress to look up at her.
"Andrea Sachs, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Miranda said firmly and looked deeply into Andrea's eyes.
"You haven't seen what the cancer has done to my body," Andrea murmured.
"It makes you even more beautiful to me," Miranda pressed her lips to Andrea's forehead. "You are so brave and strong Andrea."
"But-"
"Trust me. You are not ugly," Miranda kissed Andrea deeply, trying to convey how sincere she was. "You are beautiful Andrea Sachs. Now take your robe off and let yourself indulge in the bath you've prepared."
Andrea closed her eyes and whispered, "Ok." She stood up and loosened the knot she had made. Inhaling deeply, she averted Miranda's eyes and dropped the robe, revealing her bruised and battered body to the most powerful woman in fashion.
"Beautiful," Miranda spoke softly.
She held out her hand for Andrea to take, and gently guided her into the warmth of the bath. Andrea moaned when she felt the heat of the water soothe her tense muscles, and her head fell back onto Miranda's arm that was supporting her.
"Doesn't it feel good?" Miranda's husky tones made Andrea moan again and she nodded.
"Come in with me," Andrea whispered. "Please."
"I will," Miranda agreed and quickly shed her clothes, warmth spreading across her naked body when she saw the brunette gazing at her with such affection shining clearly from the large brown eyes.
Miranda slid into the bath behind Andrea, letting out a groan of her own when she too felt the warmth of the bath relaxing all her muscles. She wrapped her arms around Andrea's middle, and gently pulled the woman back to rest against her body. Andrea sighed with happiness, and let her head fall back on Miranda's shoulder. She could feel the older woman's firm breasts on her back, and it drove her crazy. But for now, being held was more than enough. Miranda' cool breath exhaled in Andrea's ear, and Andrea rested her own hands on top of Miranda's. They didn't turn on the jacuzzi, since they wanted to enjoy the silence.
"I meant to tell you, I loved your gown at the Oscars," Miranda said suddenly. "Prabal Gurung fit you beautifully."
"Thank you," Andrea blushed. "I thought of you when I was looking for possible dresses to wear. I tried to imagine your voice, assessing each gown, and it helped me pick the white Gurung."
"You chose correctly," Miranda said warmly, resting her chin on Andrea's shoulder. "I also wanted to thank you for including me in your Oscar speech, as well as singing the incredible song to me."
"Oscar speeches are the times to thank everyone in your life that meant something," Andrea sighed. "And you, Miranda, mean so much to me. And the song was my way of trying to apologize to you. The lyrics were perfect, since they described exactly everything I was going through. I just wanted to convey to you that I didn't just use you for sex. It was so much more to me than that, yet I didn't say anything because I didn't want you to know."
Miranda placed her wet hand at the top of Andrea's shoulder, and ran it down the length of her arm, caressing the pale skin as she went. When she reached Andrea's wrist, she circled it with her index finger and then interlaced their fingers together, warmly clutching Andrea's hand. "I understand everything now," Miranda pressed her lips to the side of the brunette's neck.
"I cannot tell you how sorry I am though," Andrea said softly, squeezing her hand in Miranda's.
"What's past is past," Miranda pulled their interlocked hands back down to rest on Andrea's belly. "My only concern right now is you. I know I said this earlier, but I need you in my life Andrea. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I can't lose you. I just can't."
"How did I get so lucky?" Andrea breathed and turned her body around so she was facing Miranda.
The front of their bodies pressed breast to breast, and Andrea's long legs crossed together behind Miranda's waist, bringing their centers dangerously close in an intimate position. Andrea wrapped her lanky arms around Miranda's back and drew her in for a hug, resting her cheek on the side of Miranda's face. Miranda's arms came up to copy Andrea's position, and both women could feel the other's heart beating erratically. It was such a wonderful feeling, being able to physically experience the heartbeat of their partner. It was a sign of life, and Miranda never wanted to stop hearing Andrea's.
The two women stayed in the bath until the water ran cold, and Andrea's shivering alerted Miranda to get her lover out of the tub before she froze to death. Miranda stood up first, and Andrea stared at her body in awe. Rivers of water trailed down the elegant chest, dripping down the flat stomach and gently splashing into the tub of water. She was a goddess, simply put. Miranda smirked at her younger lover's face and reached for a towel, covering herself up. Grabbing an extra one, Andrea stood up from the chilly water and Miranda wrapped the soft fabric around the trembling body. It felt so good to have somebody take care of her. Andrea smiled gratefully at her love, and dried herself off. Turning to the counter, she pulled on her pajamas and as she waited for Miranda to finish getting dressed herself, she hung the towel back up. When Andrea was finished, Miranda had donned a black negligee that skimmed the tops of her knees. Andrea's mouth went dry as she feasted her eyes on the older woman, and she could barely form a coherent sentence.
"Is this...acceptable?" Miranda purred, loving the gleam in the brown eyes that widened even further.
"Very much so," Andrea said hoarsely and crossed the distance between them in two long strides.
"You also look incredible," Miranda licked her lips, trailing her eyes down the brunette's chest and long legs. Tracing a bruise lightly with her fingertip, she asked, "Do they hurt?"
"Not really," Andrea sighed. "Sometimes they can be a bit tender, but usually they look a lot worse then they actually are."
Miranda nodded before her eyes suddenly went wide with shock. She snatched her finger away and Andrea gasped from the sudden sting that came with the loss of contact.
"That means I hurt you when we slept together," Miranda covered her mouth, sick with her own actions. "That's why you wanted the lights out. You didn't want me to see what I would do to you."
"No Miranda! You never hurt me," Andrea pleaded. "I would have told you to stop if it was painful. Trust me. You never caused me any physical pain."
"I even touched the bump," Miranda muttered and her forehead creased. "I believed you when you said it was from fixing your sink. God. How dumb could I have been? I could have-"
Andrea quickly placed a kiss on Miranda's lips, breaking the older woman's turmoil. Feeling the sudden tension drain from Miranda's body as she probed the soft mouth with her tongue, Andrea broke the kiss and placed a hand on Miranda's cheek.
"Don't blame yourself in the slightest Miranda. Please. I can't bear it that I brought you so much pain. I lied to you, and yet you still took me back with open arms. None of this is your fault. Promise me that you won't blame yourself for anything."
"But-"
"Promise," Andrea's eyes bore into Miranda's fiercely.
"Alright," Miranda gave in, slumping her shoulders. "I promise."
"Good," Andrea gave her a lopsided grin. "Now where were we?"
And she covered Miranda's mouth with her own and rested her hands on Miranda's upper arms, forcing the older woman to drop the topic. Their kisses started out gentle, and slowly turned more and more passionate. Much like their first time, they ended up in the bedroom without any recollection of getting there. Miranda hit the bed first, and Andrea's light body hovered above hers.
Breaking the kiss, Miranda looked up at the love of her life with concern in her eyes. "Are you sure?"
"I've never been so sure about anything in my life," Andrea smiled down at her. "I love you so much Miranda. I'm not going to make the same mistake as I did before."
"I'll be gentler this time," Miranda reached up and held the back of Andrea's head, pulling her down for a sweet kiss. "And I love you too Andrea."
Miranda could feel Andrea smile against her lips and it spurred her to flip her over so the actress was on the bottom. Miranda kissed Andrea until her lips were swollen. Giving them both a quick reprieve, Miranda moved onto Andrea's neck and swirled her tongue across the soft skin, making the brunette moan softly. Miranda then gently pulled Andrea up into a sitting position so she could pull the tank top off, which made Andrea giggle. Miranda raised an eyebrow in question, and Andrea responded, "So much for even bothering with pajamas! I just put them on not twenty minutes ago." Miranda shook her head at Andrea's words and went back to worshipping the woman she loved. Pushing the brunette's hands up above her head, Miranda kept her hands firmly in Andrea's as she went lower. At the first touch of Miranda's hot, wet mouth on her breast, Andrea cried out and tried to reach down to thread her fingers in Miranda's hair, but was stopped by the older woman's hands locked firmly in her own. Miranda smirked against the smooth skin, and took the bud in her mouth, swiping her tongue across it. Andrea bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling at the sensations Miranda was creating. After switching breasts and giving the other one the same amount of equal attention, Miranda finally let her hands go, and Andrea's fingers went down to immediately to tangle in the soft head of silver hair. The queen of fashion kissed her way back up the panting brunette's body, and began sucking at Andrea's neck. Miranda's hand went between Andrea's legs, and she entered her gently with two fingers, making Andrea open her mouth wordlessly in ecstasy. Andrea wrapped her arms around Miranda's back, drawing her closer to her body as Miranda's fingers drove her closer and closer to the point of oblivion.
"I love you," Miranda breathed in Andrea's ear.
"And I love you," Andrea whimpered back.
Andrea climaxed silently, her muscles tightening around Miranda's fingers. Miranda gently eased her fingers out and Andrea smiled lovingly at her. Turning them over so she was once again on top, Andrea proceeded to make love to the fashion editor. This time was so much better than the last. Both of them were gentler, and instead of being quick, messy, and forceful, they were loving, passionate, and slow. Not that either woman didn't enjoy it quick, messy, and forceful, but it seemed too rushed- too hurried for their first time. There was no 'real' love invested in the first time. Yes, their hearts were invested, but neither woman had any way of knowing what the other thought. Now basking in their afterglows, both Miranda and Andrea believed that it was the very best sex they had ever had.
After they had re-dressed themselves in case the twins decided to come in the morning, Miranda turned down the covers and exposed the expensive sheets, which were a different set this time. Andrea chuckled when she saw the Mulberry silk donning the bed, and she snuggled down into the pillowy softness, letting out a purr of contentment. Miranda settled down next to her, and immediately reached out to gather her love in her arms, wanting her close. Andrea rested her head against Miranda's chest, and smiled sleepily.
"I can't believe that today happened," she murmured in the darkness. "I can't tell you how happy I am Miranda, that you are with me right now."
"You don't need to," Miranda's eyes shined with tears, yet she refused to let the brunette see them. Keeping the trembling out of her voice, she said, "I feel exactly the same way."
Another couple of minutes passed in silence. Miranda stifled her sobs and rested her top of her head on Andrea's.
"Your scent relaxes me," Andrea said quietly, tracing the top of Miranda's negligee with her fingers. "I haven't slept in so long, but I have a feeling that with you holding me, I will be able to sleep better than I have had in the past couple of weeks."
"I'll always be here for you," Miranda pressed her tender lips against Andrea's forehead. "Sleep now Andrea. I love you."
"I love you too Mira," Andrea mumbled, her eyes already closing.
Soon, her breaths evened out, and Miranda finally let herself cry for the woman she had almost lost. Miranda tightened the frail body closer in her arms, and promised herself that she would do everything in her power to keep the young woman alive. She just couldn't lose Andrea...she would break. Miranda shuddered and hugged Andrea even closer. After laying awake dealing with her inner chaos, Miranda finally succumbed to the fatigue that overtook her body, and fell asleep holding her love in her arms.