6
The next few days found Miranda busy at Runway. Andrea and the girls spent time playing music or watching movies together. As hoped, the trip to Julliard was a huge success. The girls spent the entire day with their mother on Sunday telling and retelling the events that took place.
By Wednesday Andrea's staff had arrived. She had spent every free minute with the Priestleys and it was now dawning on her that after the concert on Friday she would be leaving behind her new family. She would just have to make trips back as often as possible and make time in her busy schedule. It had taken her too long and too many heartaches to get to this happiness and Andrea was not about to risk losing it again.
On Thursday morning Miranda was doing something she had in all honesty never done in her adult life. She woke and readied herself for the day then book in hand she went into the girls entertainment room and turned on the TV. Andrea, her Andrea was a guest on the Today show and was going to perform her new hit song to promote her concert the next night at Madison Square Garden to kick off her new tour. Miranda felt a thrill in her as she realized this would be the first time she saw Andrea perform. Her head was down her eyes focused on the book, blocking out the mindless drivel on the box in front of her when her ears heard the now familiar intro music of Andy Sachs's song. Miranda quickly forgot the book and removed her reading glasses from her face.
There in front of her looking beautiful and 'hot', she noted, was Andrea on stage with a band behind her singing the song that brought her to New York, brought her to Miranda. Her heart was filled with pride as she watched the woman that had become to mean so much to her, in such a short time, once again doing what she loved. Watching her was invigorating!
After the song ended one of the people from the show walked onto the stage to congratulate her on her success with the song and wished her luck on her upcoming concert and tour.
"Thank you," she said a little breathless, "this is an opportunity I've waited for, for quite a while."
"Your concert at the Garden tomorrow kicks off a twenty city tour in six months and then you'll be back in time for the CMA's."
"Yes. It's going to be a crazy time, but I'm looking forward to it."
"Anything you'd like to say to your fans out there?"
"Oh my goodness yes! Thank you to everyone for giving me this chance, especially" Andrea touched her bandana, "my girls!"
Miranda didn't even try to hold back the tears that filled her eyes. She happily let them fall down her cheeks.
Andrea waved to the crowd, thanked the speaker and left the stage.
Miranda hit the speed dial button on her phone.
"You saw?" came Andrea's voice in her ear.
"I saw" Miranda's breath was labored "you were incredible Andrea. I could never have imagined what you would look like performing. I was so proud of you!"
"You don't know how much that means to me." Miranda could see her bright smile through the phone. "Listen, I have to go. I'll see you and the girls tomorrow at one. The passes and everything you'll need will be messenger to your office today. Miranda."
"Yes Andrea."
"Thank. You. That's all" and she disconnected.
Miranda laughed a joyful happy laugh. "That cheeky girl."
The package did arrived for the concert Thursday afternoon. Inside Miranda found personalized passes, T-shirts for the girls to wear only if they wanted, the note said, Amelia, Andrea's assistant's phone number and the information about when the car would arrive at the townhouse to pick them up.
Andrea had scheduled the car and bodyguard to arrive at one o'clock. They were going to get to experience the entire process of what it takes to put on one of Andrea's shows. Miranda couldn't help finding herself excited about the whole thing. The anticipation of watching Andrea work was barely second to Paris fashion week.
Miranda woke early to attempt to get some work done before they started getting ready. She worked on the book so it would be ready for Emily to pick up by eleven that morning. She was not planning on returning to the office until Monday.
Andrea had to leave early Sunday morning and she wanted the four of them to spend as much time together as possible before she left.
Miranda woke the girls at ten. She had let them sleep late, knowing they were in for a long day and late night. She was not going to limit any of their time with Andrea. None of them knew when they would see each other again.
The girls had chosen to wear the T-shirts Andrea had sent for them with the tour information on the back under the word STAFF and a picture of Andy Sachs on the front with the wording "Party in the USA Tour 2009. They were beside themselves with excitement. Chattering through brunch about what they expected from Andrea's descriptions.
While the girls chatted and ate Miranda excused herself to go and get ready. After finishing her hair and make up she went to her closet, and she stood there. For the first time, ever, she had no idea what to wear. A small pang of panic rippled through her. She walked calmly over to her nightstand, picked up her phone and hit the speed dial number already programmed in. It was answered after the first ring.
"I don't know what to wear Andrea!"
Her panic surfacing and reaching the younger woman on the other end of the phone.
Andrea chuckled
"This isn't funny, I have never not know what to wear."
"I'm sorry," Andrea said now calmly. "Wear what ever you'll be comfortable in. I know you will be worried about being seen other than Miranda Priestly in public. Honestly, I just want you to be relaxed. As much as I wouldn't mind seeing you in the jeans and white blouse again, I don't think my staff or crew would get any work done." The singer giggled. She knew the older woman was blushing at the other end.
"You really are no help." Miranda iced with a hint of humor in her voice.
"And you're just discovering that now?" Andrea laughed. "Really, sweetheart, wear anything. I think you look great no matter what. I have to go see you in a bit"
Andrea disconnected before Miranda could respond to the endearment or flirty comment.
It took Miranda a moment to catch her breath then she was aware that Andrea had hung up. She just looked at the phone with a huge grin on her face. The older woman collected herself and walked into her closet and pulled out her Prada black pin striped pant suit.
The car arrived fifteen minutes early. Only two weeks and already Andrea knew her better than her staff of years.
A large broad chested man in khakis and a black polo shirt with Andrea's tour logo embroidered over the left breast in cerulean blue, got out of the limo passenger side door and opened the back door for the them to get in.
"Ms Priestly, ladies. My name is Richard and I will be in charge of you protection for today." He motioned for them to get in, "after you"
The girls climbed into the car followed by their mother. Richard got back into the passenger seat and they began to move.
Once moving in traffic, Richard turned in his seat to address them. We will be going directly to Miss Sach's tour bus where she is waiting for you. Those packages are for Cassidy and Caroline and this one," he handed it to her over the seat," is for you."
The girls had already torn through their boxes to find a pair of cowboy boots and cerulean blue bandanas.
Miranda in the meantime was staring at the box with the Cartier logo embossed on the top of the box sitting in her hand.
The girls had their boots on and were tying each others bandana bracelets when they realized their mother still hadn't moved.
"Mom?" Cassidy asked softly as Caroline gently touched her mother's arm. "Aren't you going to open it?"
Miranda glanced at her girls then back at the box in her hand in a daze. "No one has ever given me something like this for no reason."
"Of course there's a reason." Cassidy said, "She loves you" Caroline completed
Miranda blinked, Caroline's words hitting her. "What, what did you say?" She looked at her daughter as if she was seeing her for the first time.
"We said she loves you." Cassidy looked at her like she had no idea why her mother didn't know that.
"Oh" was all she could get out to respond to their statements. Miranda took a deep breath and opened the box. Inside on a bed of black velvet sat a small broach in the shape of a bandana with blue sapphires, cerulean sapphires and one diamond off to the side. "Oh my" she whispered
"Wow mom" Cassidy starred
"That's beautiful" Caroline said in awe.
Miranda picked up the treasure to find a small note tucked underneath. Tears rolled down the older woman's face as she read it.
For the only person who knows
the secret of my Cerulean Blue
Andrea
Miranda only became aware that the car had stopped when her door was opened and a hand with a blue wrist attached reached in to help her out. When she stepped out she stood looking into the brown orbs she had come to adore.
"You like it?" Andrea asked shyly
Miranda found her voice. "I will treasure both, always." She smiled
Andrea smiled her beautiful smile at the older woman.
The girls crawled out of the car. "Andy" they squealed in unison and moved to hug her.
"Thank you for the boots" said Cassidy
"And the bandanas" Caroline chimed in
"Well you can't go to a country music concert and not look the part" the singer grinned. "Come on let's go inside" she motioned to the bus.
An attractive woman, smartly dressed, Miranda noticed, was standing at the door to the bus.
"This is Amelia, my assistant. Amelia this is Miranda, Cassidy and Caroline."
Amelia shook each girls hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Then she looked at Miranda, "and an honor to meet you."
Andrea leaned into Miranda, "She's a big fan" she grinned
"Well. It's nice to make your acquaintance, Amelia was it." She used her icy glare to look her up and down.
Andrea couldn't help but laugh as Amelia lost all colour in her face. "Alright you, don't scare my help to death, I need her. Let's go inside and get this show on the road." Andrea opened the door and ushered the three inside.
Miranda couldn't help but notice the elegance of the décor as she stepped up the steps and into the vehicle.
"This is beautiful Andy." Caroline said.
"Thanks Caroline. It's not the townhouse, but it's home for the next six months. Have a look around. I had the juices you like stocked in the frig, help yourselves."
Miranda noticed a photo that Andrea had taken of her and the girls on one of their outings together sitting in a silver frame on a small table next to the couch. She walked through the bus listening to Andrea tell them about the different features and how they make life on the road easier to tolerate. When she got to the back of the bus, Andrea's bedroom, she saw another photo of her and the girls making silly faces at the camera and sitting next to it in a black onyx frame was a picture of herself. A profile looking out her window in her office at Runway.
Andrea saw her looking at the photo and saw the older woman reach to pick it up. Andrea moved to stand behind her, "So you're never too far away." She said in almost a whisper.
Miranda gasped then looked at her "How did you get this, who took it?"
Andrea smiled, "All those years of snappers following me, I picked up a few things."
Miranda smiled at her and brought her hand up to touch Andy's cheek. "You and your hidden talents."
Andrea leaned her face into the touch for just a moment and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, Miranda was looking at her lovingly. Andrea gave her a small smile, then looked away.
"Well now, time to go to work" and she moved out of the room.
Miranda gently placed the photo back where it belonged and turned to follow the singer back into the other room.
Cassidy and Caroline were sitting at the table drinking their juice, and a Starbucks was waiting for her. She and Andrea joined the girls.
"Okay, here's what the plan is." looking at the twins. "You'll see how the concert preparations happen, watch what goes on, we'll come back for a break before the show, then, hopefully, I'll go make magic." All four smiled. "First though, I want to tell you some things. Most important," she glared at each girl, "you are not to go anywhere, and I mean anywhere without your mom, me or Richard. Is that clear?"
"Yes Andy."
"Yes Andy."
Miranda sat and drank her coffee and watched the younger woman take charge.
"That bein' said, you can go anywhere, ask anything, do anything you want. I want you to do and see everything you can." This time she looked at each girl tenderly "Now, once we go out there and I start to work you won't see your Andy anymore. I will be Andy Sachs okay?"
"Okay" in twin choir.
"You'll hear me raise my voice, not always be as polite as I like and possibly use the kind of language your mother detests." She grinned at Miranda.
"This is a totally different world than you're use to, and I don't want you to be surprised. I want you to enjoy it." She looked at each girl, "So, you okay with this?"
"Yea Andy, we get it" said Caroline.
"It's just like with mom" Cassidy added.
"Work mom is not home mom." Smiled Caroline.
"And Work Andy is not home Andy" said Cassidy.
"Good." She turned to Miranda "You have any questions?"
"Hmm, just one." She sipped her coffee. "How do I look?" She smiled.
"Mom" the girls laughed together with Andrea shaking her head.
"Let's go" and Andrea rose and led them to the door. The girls exited first and as Miranda moved to the steps, Andrea caught her elbow and whispered in her ear "Beautiful" and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Miranda smiled and exited the bus. She turned in time to see Andrea take a deep breath, close her eyes, then open them and look skyward, there her Andrea became Andy Sachs.
When Andy reached the ground she headed right to Richard walking past Miranda, the girls and Amelia. "Richard, you are not to leave these girls sides for one second, and if I hear so much as a fly has landed on them, you know what will be hanging on my wall by morning." She looked at him with a look that rivaled any of Miranda's, even the girls noticed and Amelia flinched.
"Yes Ms. Sachs. Understood."
"Amelia" the girl moved to her side with a palm pilot in her hand. They all followed as Andy moved toward the concert arena. The twins at her heels, Miranda directly behind them Richard bringing up the rear.
When the doors opened, the girls and Miranda were awestruck. Bodies moved every where. Dancers on the stage, the band setting up, men and women moving around like worker ants in a busy colony.
The group approached the stage and moved up the steps to stand just at the edge. Miranda heard a voice say "Now" and all movement and sound stopped. It wasn't until she saw everyone's attention on Andy that she realized the voice that she heard had come from the young woman. It had been loud, but not yelling loud, just strong and commanding, then there it was again.
Andy pulled Cassidy and Caroline to her sides. "This is Cassidy" she motioned to the girl, "this is Caroline" she moved to the other sister. "You know my feelings regarding look-a-likes, if you have any problem telling them apart, you better hope I don't get wind of it." The girls each took a hand and looked back at their mother beaming. Miranda smiled at them. "if they ask for or need anythin, best you know it's the same as me askin for it." Miranda could swear she heard a hundred 'gulps'. Andy released the girls' hands and moved towards Miranda and winked at her. Miranda swallowed her grin and Andy continued. "For those of you as ignorant as I was, this is Miranda Priestly, The Miranda Priestly." She sent a knowing smile to the girls. "Trust me when I say, every thing you've heard about her is true." She glanced at Miranda, then with a smile on her face and in her voice "You think piss'n me off sucks, try cross'n her. These are my friends and I expect the same respect you show me, shown to them. "Heads nodded all around. Then Andy spoke one word, "GO" and the business resumed all around them.
Miranda turned to Andy "Now that's a trick you have to teach me." They smiled at each other.
"You wish." Andy replied, "I hope you don't get too bored this afternoon."
"Are you kidding. This is the best show I've seen since Paris Fashion Week 97." The older woman smirked.
"Well, feel free to scare anyone you want, especially my costume designer if the spirit moves you." She grinned "I took the liberty of having someone on stand by to go between here and your office and set up a comfortable chair and table." She pointed to the orchestra pit, "for you if watching me gets old."
Miranda brushed her hand against Andy's "that's not possible. Thank you for thinking of me though."
"ALWAYS" she winked again and turn to the girls.
She spread her arms out "It's all yours" the singer said and they were off like a shot. Richard on their heels.
Miranda decided to take advantage of the comfortable chair Andy had supplied for her and moved to it to sit back and enjoy the show. A young man wearing a tour t-shirt walked by and she said "You" the man stopped "Coffee. That's all."
"Yes Miranda" and he was gone in a shot. 'Oh yes, she was going to enjoy this immensely.'
Andy caught the interaction out of the corner of her eye and smiled to herself, and thought just one word, 'WOW'.
As the afternoon progressed, Miranda was more and more impressed with Andy's abilities. She had no idea running a show entailed so much work. In her world all the activity seemed to center on one thing, and so she dealt with one thing at a time. Andy however was doing four to five things at once and watching everything going on around her.
(To her left) "Tom, I don't want the pyro's to go too high tonight. Jim my guitar needs tuned." (Behind her) "Alice let's try the dancers for the second number downstage three steps". (To her right) "Amelia, get Ben for me, I want to go over the camera set up, and get me an update on my tour schedule please, and can't I get…" a bottle of water is handed to her… "Thanks." Andy takes a long drink and looks over at Miranda who is sitting back with her elbows on the chair arms and fingers steepled at her smiling lips. She takes another drink and walks over and takes a seat next to the older woman.
"So, what to you think?" Andy elbows her arm.
"I didn't believe that anyone could rival what I do." She turned to look at Andy. "I was wrong. You never cease to amaze me."
"You ain't seen nothin yet." She rose to meet a man and Amelia walking toward her.
"Ben, I want to make sure for the second last number before the encore set" Amelia hands her a piece of paper and she glances at it as Amelia turns to walk away. "that we have four…" She holds a finger up to him "FREEZE!" Amelia stops her forward motion and turns back around. "Excuse me a minute Ben." He moves off a few feet away.
This has Miranda's undivided attention and she tunes in her sensitive hearing.
Andy addresses Amelia. "Please tell me I need my eyes checked, because I'm sure I can't be seeing what I think I am on this itinerary."
'All she did was glace at it, impressive' Miranda thought.
"No Andy, you don't need glasses".
"Care to explain?"
"Elizabeth said there was no way to get out of it."
Andy holds out her palm. Amelia takes out her phone pushes a button and lays it in Andy's hand. She puts it to her ear.
"Elizabeth, please tell me my assistant is takin a new hallucinogenic drug, because she seems to be under the impression that an invitation I distinctly remember turning down is now on my schedule for the L.A. Leg of my tour…"
"No Elizabeth"…
"I will not be doing her show"…
"You know damn well why"…
"My admiration and appreciation for her have nothing to do with it"…
Miranda is intrigued.
"Elizabeth I don't care it it's been confirmed"…
"Well you better find a way to cancel it"…
Miranda is seeing a new side of Andy. She has a temper, and it's about to go. Her staff is aware to, everyone is trying to look everywhere but where the singer is pacing.
"Elizabeth, I don't pay you to think, I pay you to take care of what I tell you to." Andy's voice is rising. Miranda's interest extremely peaked, wondering what could put the young singer into this state, uncharacteristically undone.
"Elizabeth…" louder.
"Elizabeth…" louder.
"BETH!" loud enough to shake the rafters, "FIX IT. NOW!" Andy hangs up and hands the phone back to Amelia along with the piece of paper the woman handed her moments ago. "FIX IT. NOW!" in a much softer more Andy like tone.
Amelia hands her a bottle of water and walks away.
Andy takes a drink of water and Miranda notices she won't look at her.
"Ben." He walks back over. "Sorry. Anyway, I want all four cameras focused on the stage only and one in the wings for that number. Then I'll need the show cut and edited like we discussed and four copies printed by tomorrow afternoon."
"Got it Andy." She pats him on the shoulder before he walks away.
"Thanks Ben." Andy turns in the opposite direction from Miranda so as not to meet her eyes. The young singer had never intended on Miranda seeing her lose her control and was not ready to explain herself just yet.
"Tony" the younger woman looked up into the rafters, and Miranda followed her gaze to see a man sitting precariously on a suspended scaffolding. "I want to stay away from the strobes tonight. Let's run with the canisters only and use a mix of soft, feathered beams for spotting. Did you get the blue sets I wanted?"
"Sure did Andy", Tony's voice fell from above. "You want them with the same number we discussed?"
"Yep! Yep! Good man." She shot a thumbs up skyward.
Andy looked at her watch and the older woman again heard that strong commanding voice come from the younger beauty standing before her, "NOW!" and again all activity ceased. "Could someone track down Caroline and Cassidy from me, and bring them back to the stage? Thanks. GO" a flurry of activity began again.
Miranda found herself immensely enjoying the younger woman's power and intelligence, her commanding authority. She moved to the stage.
Cassidy and Caroline came running to a waiting singer and mother.
Both smiled at her and moved to hug her. She took a step back into Miranda's hand for support from the surprise onslaught of attention.
"This is so amazing Andy." Caroline cooed excitedly.
"We've never had so much fun". Cassidy looked up at her, then Caroline too. There were moments they looked like miniature Miranda's when their blue eyes twinkled. She turned to look at the older woman and found the third set of blue eyes also trained on her.
"Well, I'm glad" she turned her attention back to the twins. "I'm goin to kidnap your mom and scare my costume and makeup staff out of their minds." She grinned evilly and glanced at Miranda "and maybe she will help me choose my clothes for the show." Miranda's brow raised questioningly. "I think now would be the perfect time for you to have those music question for my band answered" a glint showed in her deep brown eyes. Two heads bobbed in unison and huge smiles spread across their faces.
"Richard, take the girls to Adam and ask him to take care of what he and I talked about earlier." She looked at her watch again. "He has one hour."
"Will do Miss Sachs."
"Richard, for the two thousandth time… Andy." She looked pointedly at him. He nodded and led the girls in the direction of back stage.
Andy looked at Miranda and grinned "Ever have one of those?"
"Yes." Miranda smirked. "But not very long."
The women chuckled together and the singer led them outside to her dressing trailer.
William, the man in charge of Andy's costumes, was beside himself at the sight of the DRAGON LADY, Queen of Fashion. He ever got "the vapors" when she spoke to him in regards to his choices for Andy's performance that evening.
Andy couldn't help but smile inside and grin as Miranda gave him the full experience of the Snow Queen. He was in heaven! Plus, the singer knew every comment, suggestion and idea from Miranda about her look would be taken to heart by the man. 'This is great' she thought, in a way, the older woman was dressing her. Andy found she was wanting the older woman involved in more of her business life. She wanted to be both Andy and Andrea to the woman.
The hour seemed to pass to quickly and Amelia arrived with the twins and Richard at her heels.
"Right." Andy said. "Let's go back to the buss and relax and get somethin to eat. I'll have to start getting ready and do a final sound check in about an hour."
Back in the bus, Andy had food waiting for them. Amelia was there to go over the corrected tour itinerary. The tree adults sat eating and listening to Cassidy and Caroline rattle excitedly about everything they had done and seen.
