3

Roy was indeed waiting for her outside at six o'clock. When he saw her exiting the hotel he got out to open the car door. When she finally made it through the small group of fans to the car she smiled her best smile for Roy.

"Miss Sachs" he said

"Andy, Roy and thank you."

"My pleasure" he said closing the door and it was a pleasure for him. She was such a breath of fresh air and Roy knew, probably better than anyone, having privy to the Priestly women behind closed car doors, how much the three needed that.

When they pulled up to the townhouse Roy got to open the door. He was going to have to be quicker with this one he realized, she had already had it open and was getting out.

"Please allow me Andy," he said offering her a hand.

"Such a gentleman" she smiled. "What are we doin` here…." Her question was interrupted by two squealing red heads bounding down the front steps toward her.

"Andy!"

"Hello again ladies" Andy grinned. So, Miranda's home. Well, that's more wonderful than she had expected.

"Moms' cooking for you" said Cassidy as each girl took a hand to lead her up the steps to the front door.

"That's wonderful, but she doesn't have to do that." She looked up to see Miranda standing at the front door. 'WOW' again ran through her Andy's mind. She was wearing a pair of dark slacks and a white silk blouse buttoned to just a respectable height over her bust. Andy just couldn't get over this woman's beauty.

"Welcome" said Miranda as she stepped back to allow the three into the house.

"Thank you. You look very nice." Andy said in a soft voice. Was that a blush in Miranda's cheeks?

"As do you" Miranda replied. She ran her eyes from Andy's boots up a pair of black True Religion jeans that hit her low on her hips. A thick black belt separated the jeans from a blue, (cerulean blue, she noted) satin top that was scooped just right on her chest. A chest that was turning pink? Miranda immediately looked to the twins, silently commanding them to lead the way into the kitchen. They did, with Andy in tow.

"Mom thought you might like a home cooked meal" Caroline said.

"And we can play for you while she does." Cassidy smiled at her.

"That sounds wonderful Cassidy"

"You knew it was me!" Cassidy said excitedly.

"Why wouldn't I?" Andy asked and Miranda noted that she really didn't understand why it surprised the girl.

"Mom is the only person that has ever been able to tell us apart." Said Caroline

"I think that's a shame." Andy said matter of fact. "I don't see one person, I see two!" the girls beamed at her.

"But how can you tell?" Cassidy inquired

"Oh, now I can't go givin away all my secrets, can I.' Andy sent a look Miranda's way that caused the woman to catch her breath.

"No" Caroline sulked.

"I guess not." Cassidy finished.

"Why don't you girls take Andy to the music room and play for her while I work on dinner. I hope you like lamb chops Andy." Miranda turned to the sink.

"Are you kidin. I'm from the country. Red meat is mother's milk!" Andy smiled.

"Come on Andy" the girls were again on each side of her pulling her to music room. Miranda grinned and listened to how different, yet similar the young woman's boots sounded on the hardwood floor compared to her own heels.

The music room was on the first floor, same as the kitchen, so Miranda was able to enjoy the melody drifting around her as she prepared the meal. After about thirty minutes she became aware that it was neither of her girls playing the song that was now permeating the house. She wiped her hands an the dish towel on laid over her shoulder and walked to the room where the beautiful music of Claire de Lune was coming. She stood at the entrance leaning against the door jam and watched as Andy's hand effortlessly and smoothly stroked the keys of the white grand piano. Her girls watched with awe as she played. Miranda closed her eyes and allowed the beautiful music to caress her mind and body. The song had always been one of her favorites. It's gentle soft melody always seemed to relax her in way no other song did. The song ended and Miranda felt herself release a long sigh, one that she had probably been holding for far too long, and opened her eyes to see Andy looking at her with unbelievable understanding in hers.

"That was amazing Andy!" Caroline cooed

"Where did you learn to play that?" asked Cassidy

"Well, they don't exactly teach country music at Julliard." Andy smiled at them

"You went to Julliard?" they both question together.

"I did. I even graduated." She poked a finger in Cassidy's belly

"You are full of surprises Andy Sachs." Miranda said softly.

Andy turned to her and locked her eyes with Miranda, "you have no idea."

Miranda knew in that instant this was no small town country girl in front of her. The depth at which her eyes began to pull Miranda in was telling her that.

Andy broke the gaze first "so, you still wanna hear some of my old songs?" she asked the girls

"Yes" they cheered in unison.

"Dinner will be ready in about forty minutes. Miranda turned to leave.

"Okay Mom" came twin voices

"Andy would you like something to drink?" she asked before she walked away.

"No thank you. I'll wait til supper"

'Supper?' Miranda thought. She hadn't heard the evening meal called that in a very long time. Refocusing her thoughts she returned to the kitchen. She listened as Andy began an upbeat tune on the piano and soon had the girls singing along. This was turning out to be the most enjoyable evening Miranda could remember in recent history. It felt, what she thought, it felt peaceful and comfortable, it felt right.

They were sitting down to "supper" and Miranda began to pour Andy a glass of wine. The singer put her hand over the top of it to keep Miranda from pouring the red liquid into her glass, "No thank you Miranda" Andy looked at her, "I don't drink" the older woman's surprise didn't shock her, but she was able to convey the explanation to her by her look.

"What can I get for you?" This was one of those surprises she was talking about Miranda thought.

"Water is fine, really" Andy responded then lowered her gaze from Miranda's. I don't know if I'm ready to share that much of my secrets with her yet Andy thought.

The meal was enjoyed in comfortable silence. Each woman lost in her own thoughts. When they finished Andy leaned back just a little in her chair, careful not to lift it from the floor. "Miranda those were the best lamb chops I have ever eaten, the entire meal was incredible. Thank you very much." Miranda heard the honest sincerity in her voice.

"You are very welcome. It was the least I could do for you protecting my girls." Miranda replied equally sincere.

Andy snorted, "That," she smirked at the girls, "I just didn't want to get twin splat on my new shirt." They all chuckled at the remark.

"Coffee?" Miranda asked and the girls rose and began clearing the table of the dirty dishes.

"Sounds great" Andy rose and began to help them.

"Sit" Miranda instructed her. Her words and tone were the equivalent of hands pushing down on her shoulders. "It's their responsibility to clean up after a meal." Miranda inclined her head to the girls who were again flowing in turn together like a choreographed dance to empty the table of all indications of the meal. Caroline returned from the kitchen a few minutes later with a tray holding a carafe of coffee, two cups, cream and sugar.

"Thank you Bobsie" Miranda said as she took the tray.

"You're welcome Mom," and she returned to clearing the remaining dishes.

Andy smiled at the retreating girl. "They are just so darling."

Miranda chuckled, "thank you, but trust me, you are seeing their absolute best side because they like you so much."

"Well I like them too" Andy turned to Miranda, "and you."

"Ditto" the older woman nodded and smiled.

"This was absolutely one of the best days I have had in a very," she sighed, "very long time." Andy could feel the slight sting of tears in her eyes.

Miranda saw the brown orbs begin to shine with moisture, "I feel the exact same way" and both women smiled. They drank their coffee, enjoying the quiet comfort.

Miranda looked up to refill her cup, raising her brow at Andy inquiring if she would like more.

"Yes please. It is very good."

"Thank you. So, you are here for a show?" Miranda asked

"And a few publicity gigs"

"I was very impressed with the way you handle yourself with the public." Miranda sipped her coffee. "You seem very comfortable in your own skin. That's a rare quality."

"Thank you." Suddenly Andy was feeling self conscience.

'Curious' Miranda thought. "Is that something you learned when you began in the business?" the older woman noticed her lightly touch the bandana bracelet on her wrist, for a second Andy's eyes starred at nothing then returned.

"No. It's something I've learned in the very recent past." Her smile returned and she took a drink of coffee. "I would love to invite you and the girls to my concert at Madison Square Garden." Andy said just as two bouncing red heads entered the room.

"Please, please, please Mom" Miranda laughed at the choir of pleas.

"I have a feeling I would regret saying no," she looked to Andy, "and not just from my little devils."

Andy smiled and lowered her eyes.

"Very well." She sighed like it was a hard decision and smiled brightly as the girls flanked her on each side and kissed each cheek. "Thank you Mom. Thank you Mom." from each of them.

"I don't think I'm the one you need to be thanking" Miranda grinned at the uncharacteristic show of affection from them in front of a stranger. No, not a stranger. It seems as if they have always known Andy, even if there is so much they still don't know about the younger woman.

The girls turned their attention to Andy and each bear hugged her, one on each side.

"Hey, I'm an Andy cookie," she laughed.

"Thank you Andy" Cassidy squeezed.

"Thank you Andy" Caroline squeezed

Andy wrapped her arms around the girls and squeezed back, "You are so welcome!"

They released their hold on Andy. "I can't wait to tell the kids at school" squealed Caroline.

"They are going to be so jealous" grinned Cassidy.

Miranda and Andy both laughed at the girls jumping around with excitement. "Okay" Miranda said, "homework." The girls bounced out of the room and up to their study to finished their homework.

Andy continued to laugh at the retreating bodies.

"Let's move to the den" Miranda stood. Andy rose as well

"Sure let me take our dishes to the kitchen as she began gathering their coffee cups.

"Please just leave it. Maria will get it in the morning."

"Nonsense, she didn't drink it." Andy continued to clear the dishes.

"But it is what I pay her for" Miranda stated plainly but could see the young woman's mind was made up. She looked at Miranda with the full tray in her hands.

"Just point me in the right direction" she grinned.

"You know, if one of my employees saw me let you defy something I said, they'd call for the men in white coats, thinking I'd lost my mind." Miranda led her to the kitchen where she proceeded to rinse the cups and put them in the dishwasher while the older woman put the milk into the refrigerator.

Andy snorted," mine would too. Trust me, you're not that scary."

"Really" Miranda used the iciest voice she had.

"Okay," Andy laughed, "maybe a little scary."

Miranda laughed as they walked to her den. She walked over to the small bar and pulled the cork from a bottle of wine and turned over a glass. Before she pours she turns to a now seated Andy, "Do you mind?" indicating the bottle in her hand.

"Not at all, please." Andy gestures with a nod indicating her to proceed.

"Can I get you something?" the older woman asked as she filled her glass half way then re-corked the bottle setting it back in it's place.

"Nah, I'm just fine." She says with a smile, leaning back comfortably in the chair.

Miranda seated herself in the matching leather chair across from her. "Tell me, how many people do you employ?" she asked before taking a sip of her wine.

"Well, for a venue as large as the Garden about 150. Regular concert venues usually require 75 to 80. However, my main staff, including my band, agent and assistant is 35."

"Really." Miranda looked surprised, "I had no idea so many employees were required."

"Hm. It tends to be a vicious cycle. Concerts to promote record sales which in turn pay for the people who run my concerts." Andy chuckled

"Indeed." Miranda looked down into her glass. "So, a Julliard graduate"

"You seemed a bit surprised by that" Andy grinned

"I meant no offense. I guess it was just unexpected." The older woman looked at her, fearing she was insulting her, not meaning to.

Andy smiled, relaxing her fears. "None taken. Honestly," Andy flourished her hand down herself, "I'm not exactly the poster child. No one would put the two, Julliard and country music singer, together." She chuckled again.

"How did it come about, you going there I mean?" Miranda found herself honestly being interested in the younger woman's history. She slid off her heels and tucked her feet up under her legs and leaned on the arm of the overstuffed chair facing Andy.

"It seems'" with a sigh, "I'm some what of a prodigy. I was accepted when I was twelve. I attended a couple of years then my career took off. By the time I was fifteen I was already tourin, so I put my education on hold. Hmff, hind sight is 20/20." She was playing with the knot on her bandana bracelet, staring past Miranda, in a daze. Her mind was beginning to flash on images of the past.

Miranda watched with fascination, trying to read the emotions playing in the woman's eyes.

With a slight shake of her head and pulling her hand from her cloth wrapped wrist, she smiled at Miranda, returning to the present. "I returned several years later and graduated, with honors I might add." Smirking.

Miranda laughed lightly. 'There's so much more to this woman than she is telling. Why am I so interested? Although, this has been such an enjoyable evening. I've never pursued a conversation that didn't relate to me or the girls or directly affecting us. Never just to converse. How strange.' "What talent makes you a prodigy?"

"I can play several instruments." Her response non boasting, just factual, spoken almost without interest. "I have a gift that allows me to master any instrument I pick up after seeing and hearing it played only once."

Miranda blinked opening her eyes wide. "How many do you play?"

"Haven't found one yet that I can't." grinning "I can even play the harp at the girls' weddings for them."

"Well I'm quite willing to wait several years to hear that," smirking. "Seriously though, I'm interested" looking at Andy sincerely

"Okay. Piano, which you know, or guitar when I'm writing a song, sometimes the steel guitar, if it's one that I want to twang" she grinned "Most of my music uses a lot of orchestra sounds, so I also play violin, bass, harp and other stringed instruments. Sax, trumpet, flute, clarinet, obo, trombone, tuba, that one is fun to watch, and four or five others.

"UNBELIEVABLE!" Miranda is truly stunned

"Yea, that's what I hear." Miranda doesn't hear any pride in her comment, just the opposite she almost seems disgusted by the fact that she has this amazing ability.

"It's not that astonishing when you realize I can have an instrument mastered after about a month from the time I pick it up. Honestly, it stopped being something I look forward to after the seventh or eighth occurrence." She snorted

"Not that astonishing? Not that astonishing!" Miranda felt her Dragon Lady mask sliding into place, something that had been missing almost since they met. "Do you truly not know how special your gift makes you. How unbelievably unique you are?"

Andy looked stunned at her outburst and the ice in her voice. "Trust me, Miranda, being unique is not what it's cracked up to be." She told her coldly.

There it is again, in her eyes, regret. Her mask again slipping off, returning to herself. The older woman was feeling, feeling? Yes feeling pain for the woman, she suddenly seemed all alone. Do I ask what she is regretting? Do I push? We hardly know each other, even if it seems otherwise. Miranda stares into her wine twirling it around the sides of the glass.

Andy is again starring into space. 'Please, just drop this Miranda. I'm not ready to share it with you yet. Please get to know the better sides of me first.'

As if reading her thoughts, Miranda looks up and asks, "so about these gowns you need. What exactly is it you're looking for?"

'Thank you' returning to her bubbly self Andy answers, "I have NO idea. I live and perform in jeans and cowboy boots." She smiled "I have heard of names like Donna Karan, Versacce, Dior but have no idea what those names mean in your world. I just know they design fancy clothes."

"Tomorrow we will change all that with a crash course in high fashion." The light always shines in Miranda's eyes when she's talking about her world.