I do not own DWP I have just borrowed the characters for inspiration.

Will Miranda ever rid herself of all her demons?

At the brainstorming session Monday Miranda brought up the requests from artist of all kind to have an issue featuring them. Miranda suggested newswomen, talk show hosts, singers, and then out of the blues she said men. Everyone looked at her dumbfounded.

Miranda looked around and glared. "Am I the only one here who has a mind? How many women would love to have ideas on how to dress their men?"

Nigel piped up. "We could use sports figures. If they would wear it any American man will."

Miranda smiled, "finally someone is thinking, being inventive. Run on that Nigel. The rest of you …" Miranda flung her hands in the air. "That's all."

Everyone except Nigel got up and left. He look cautiously at Miranda, "How are you doing Miranda?"

"I would be doing fine if the people who worked here actually worked." She got up and left.

Nigel took a deep breath and wiped a hand over his bald head. He knew Miranda was hurting deeply.

Miranda got home late that night. Andy could feel it the minute she walked in the door. It was like being in the outer office again. The cold chill. The shift in the atmosphere. Andy was sitting in bed reading a book when Miranda walked through the door.

Andy smiled sweetly and called out, "Hey Babe."

Miranda looked at the person she loved so much and found herself just wanting to be alone. She was irritated, but replied, "Hello."

Miranda walked into the closet, changed her clothes, and then started to walk out without even a second glance at Andréa.

"Hey, where are you going Babe?" Andréa asked quietly.

Miranda turned, "I have to work The Book needs going over."

Andréa tried smiling once again, "Do you want me to come downstairs with you?"

Miranda gave one of her iciest glared, "I believe I can do it all by myself." She turned and walked out.

Andy cringed, her heart was beating out of control. Miranda had not been this cruel to her in a long time. She took some deep breaths trying to figure out what she had done to deserve the wrath of the Ice Queen. Andy put her book down turned out the light and curled up under the covers as tears came to her eyes. Hours later Andy was still awake and she heard Miranda walk into the room. A short time later she could feel Miranda crawl into bed. Miranda did not say anything, did not touch Andréa ,not even a kiss. Large silent tears once again fell from Andy's eyes. Andy eventually fell asleep but when she awakened Miranda was already gone.

Andy got up and readied for work. Once downstairs she fixed a cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal. She was sitting at the island when the twins came in.

The girls looked around. "Is Mom still upstairs?' Cassidy asked.

Andy looked at the two girls and tried to smile shaking her head no. The twins looked at each other.

Caroline went over to Andy, "Are you staying home again today? Are you still sad about the baby?"

Andy squirmed. "No I am not staying home today. I will ride with you and Roy will drop me off after he drops the two of you at school."

The girls held hands. Something was so wrong. Andy had never snapped at them before. "O.K." They looked at each other and then nodded. Caroline went to fix herself a bowl of cereal.

"I will be back I forgot something upstairs." Announced Cassidy.

Andy just nodded.

Once upstairs Cassidy went into her Mother's study and picked up the phone. "Mommy?"

"Bobbsey, what is it? Why are you calling me at this time of the day?" Miranda was concerned.

"Mommy, Caroline and I are worried."

"Worried? About what?"

"You left today without Andy. Is Andy sick again? She looks very sad. Is she still sad about our sister? I think she needs you Mom."

Miranda turned her chair to the window. She covered the phone with her hand. "Everyone out. Now." The minions fled.

"Mommy are you there?" Cassidy stated sternly.

"Yes Bobbsey I am here. Andréa is alright." There was silence.

Cassidy was angry. "No she is not! Did you have a fight with her? If you did you need to say you're sorry! Don't forget, you promised to do everything you could so she would never go away!" Cassidy slammed the phone down.

The car ride to the girls school was very quiet. As they were getting out of the car Caroline turned, "We will see you tonight … right?"

Andy looked up at the girl, "Of course you will. Why would you ask that?"

Caroline just shrugged, "I love you Andy." And the girl turned and shut the car door.

Miranda was home very late again that night. She went right to the girls rooms. As she figured they were both in Caroline's room fingers entwined they lay close together. Miranda then went to her bedroom and saw Andréa curled up on the far side of the bed. Miranda sighed and went into the bathroom. She was looking in the mirror when Andy showed up at the door.

Miranda did not even look at Andréa, "I thought you were a sleep."

Andy had her arms crossed over her chest, "You mean you hoped I was a sleep so you would not have to talk or touch me again tonight!"

Miranda closed her eyes she was not in the mood for this tonight, "That is not what I said." There was silence.

Andy was furious, "Are you going to tell me what is going on with you?" Miranda did not respond. "So this is it. Ignore me. Don't bother about what it is doing to us. Our family. I guess the Ice Queen lives again." Andy turned and left.

Miranda hung her head. What was she going to do? She looked into the mirror then turned. Once in the bedroom there was no Andréa. Miranda looked around all she could think of was the night Stephen had attacked Andréa and Miranda could not find her. Miranda walked out of the bedroom and started searching for her. She looked all over downstairs and on the second landing but she was nowhere to be found. Miranda turned toward the guest bedroom door. When she opened it there was Andréa lying in bed. Miranda stepped into the bedroom and closed the door. If Andréa wanted a fight she was going to get it.

Miranda stood at the door, arms crossed over her chest, one leg crossed in front of the other, "What are you doing in here?"

Andréa did not move, "Trying to sleep."

"This is not your bed." Miranda hissed.

Andréa was ready for a fight, "Well the other bed does not feel like mine either."

"Andréa I demand you come back to our bedroom." Miranda's eye were dark almost black. Her arms were stiff at her sides, hands clenched into fists.

Andy swung around in the bed eyes blazing, "Why? Why would I want to come back to a place I am not welcome? A place that is cold."

"Do not be ridicules Andréa. Stop acting like a child."

"Don't be ridicules! I'm acting like a child?! Then tell my why when you came to bed last night you did not touch me, no kiss. And why you left to work without even waking me this morning! You haven't sent me a single text in two whole days. Are you already tired of me? You have no desire to have a child? Hell Miranda you were probably glad when I lost my Baby!"

Miranda was red in the face. The Ice Queen had turned into the Dragon Lady, "How dare you. That was just as much my Baby as it was yours. I wanted our Baby just as much as you did."

Andréa had slouched down in the bed, drained of any energy, tears falling down her face, "Then why? What is this?"

"I have told you before. I can ... not do this. Not again. I cannot risk losing you. I cannot allow you to try to get pregnant again. I would die." Miranda backed up against the door. "I can't."

Andy sat looking at Miranda. Then she remembered the words from Miranda's sister:

It will be difficult for her to let her guard down, or to give up any control. You will need to give her time. Forgive her when the Dragon Lady comes out and let her know you still love her when she makes a mistake … she will make mistakes when it comes to you and love. She will make mistakes because she does not know what to do with the kind of love she has for you. It scares her, because she does not want to lose you.

Andréa stood up and walked over toward a visibly shaking Miranda. She placed a hand up to Miranda's cheek and Miranda leaned her head into it. Andréa wiped a tear from Miranda's cheek as it fell. "Oh Miranda. I know it is scary, but we do not know what will happen to any of us. We should not stop living because we are scared."

Miranda swallowed, "But … what if it happens again?"

"Then you and I will handle it just like we have handled everything else up to now." Andy leaned her head against Miranda's forehead. "Miranda if you do not want to try to have a child it is O.K. with me. All I want is you, with me. The last two days have been like living in hell without feeling your touch, or hearing your sweet voice. You don't want to lose me, but I feel like I have lost you."

Miranda laid her head on Andréa's shoulder. "I am sorry."

"Miranda don't be sorry about being afraid. Just don't shut me out. We are a family. What hurts you, hurts me. If I lose you Miranda I will die too. You mean the world to me."

Andréa could feel the hot wet tears on her shoulder. Andréa kissed Miranda's neck and nibbled on her ear. She took Miranda's hand and led her back to their bedroom, stripped her clothes and helped her into bed. Andréa made sweet love to Miranda that night. It was not to bring Miranda to a mind-blowing orgasm but to show her how much she was cherished and loved. Full of soft sweet kisses and caresses Miranda glowed with her release. Afterward they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Wednesday Andréa and Miranda sat hand in hand across from Dr. Edwards.

"Well, Andréa everything checks out fine. Do you have any questions?"

Andréa looked at Miranda, and Miranda did not smile but nodded. "Dr. when can I try to get pregnant again?"

Dr. Edwards looked from Andréa to Miranda. "Once you have your first period you can start injections again and in about two weeks depending on your temperature chart we can transplant your donor sperm into you again."

Miranda prayed silently. "It is safe for her to try again right away?" Miranda quietly asked.

Dr. Edwards was concerned, "Yes there is no reason for you two to not try again when you are ready."

Andréa looked at Miranda, and Miranda smiled. "We would like to try again as soon as possible."

Dr. Edwards smiled. "I'll give you a prescription for the injections and call the office when you start them. Check you temperature every morning and let the office know when you spike."

Once outside the building Andréa did not care who saw them she grabbed Miranda and hugged her tight. Miranda just grinned and rolled her eyes. Roy was smiling as he held the door for the two women. He was glad they made it through this tough time in their life.

I just want to thank those who have left comments and have become followers of my series. I am glad others are enjoying this story I am writing.