11

Miranda woke early Sunday morning and decided to go into work and start the two month absence by diving into her work. She called Emily and told her to be at the office by ten, then called the girls nanny and requested she be at the town house by eight thirty and called Roy to be there at the same time.

After the phone calls she went to shower and ready herself for the day. When she got to the kitchen around eight she was surprised to see the girls sitting and having breakfast.

"Good morning bobsies" she moved to kiss each girl on top of the head.

"Morning Mom" they replied in unison. Miranda moved to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup.

"Are you going into the office today?" Caroline asked

"Yes darling." She turned to face them, "I need to catch up after having the last couple of days off," and saw their faces take on the typical sad blank look they got when she wasn't going to be around on their day off. "I won't be late, I promise." She smiled and walk toward them. "How about pizza tonight for supper, I mean dinner?"

The girls grinned at their mother's vocabulary slip.

"That sounds great." Cassidy said

"So she's really gone, huh." Caroline asked, looking at the stairs.

"Yes baby, she is. But she said she would video you this afternoon, so you'll see her soon."

"Yeah, but it won't be the same" Cassidy slumped in her chair and played with her spoon in her bowl.

"I know", Miranda replied, trying to put on a happy front for her girls, "but we have the laptops and phones she gave us to keep her as close as possible until we see her again" she patted Cassidy's back to sit up straight, "before you know it we will be in Colorado with her again." She winked at them.

Just then the front door opened and the nanny walked in. "Okay bobsies, I'm going. I'll see you later."

"Bye Mom" they both said

Miranda retrieved the new laptop and phone from the entry way table and made her way to the front door. "I should be home around five." She told the nanny as she passed her then left and walked to Roy waiting with the door open for her.

"Good morning Roy"

"Good morning Ms Priestley" he tipped his hat and closed the door behind her. He walked around to the driver's side door smiling to himself. 'Good morning Roy', almost ten years of service as her driver and that's a first. Looks like Ms Sachs has melted the Snow Queen.

They drove in silence. Roy watched her in his rearview mirror as she starred out the tinted windows of the silver Mercedes.

"If I may" he asked, "how was Andy's concert?" He watched as her reflection produced an ear to ear smile, but her voice gave away nothing.

"The girl's seemed to enjoy themselves."

"Well that's nice" he replied but couldn't ignore how her face had lit up at the very mention of one Ms Andy Sachs. Roy knew there was a new Miranda Priestly sitting in the back seat and thanked the heavens that she had finally arrived. He knew most of the world either feared or despised the Dragon Lady, but during his tenure as her driver he was privy to the many sides of the woman. He respected her strength, drive and conviction. She didn't get where she was by allowing the world to see her weaknesses. Roy on the other hand had seen her at her lowest and now, it seemed, at her highest. Miranda Priestly, The Dragon Lady, The Snow Queen, had fallen for the gentle heart of a beautiful country singer. He chuckled to himself and thought, "And who says miracles never happen." He knew his life was going to get much better. A happy Miranda meant a happy Roy.

Miranda exited the elevator to find Emily waiting. She handed the brit the BOOK and walked to the office. "We have much to do today Emily" they entered the office and Emily was thrown off a bit by her not rattling off her normal list of orders. Miranda tossed her purse onto the second assistant's desk and continued into her office. "Deliver the BOOK to the editors, call Nigel and tell him I need to see him today then come to see me." She entered her office.

"Yes Miranda" she turned on her four inch heels and dialed Nigel as she made her way to editing with the BOOK. When she returned she noticed the additional laptop open on her boss's desk.

"Nigel will be here by ten, the BOOK has been delivered" she stood, pad and pen in hand and waited.

"Take a seat Emily" Miranda said without looking up.

Emily sat fearing this was the moment she had been dreading for almost two years. She was getting the axe.

Miranda glanced over her glasses and saw the fear radiating from the younger woman. "Relax Emily. I'm not firing you, today anyway." She watched as her first assistant relaxed. "There is however, going to be some changes. You, as my first assistant will now be somewhat more involved in, well, in my personal affairs."

Emily gulped

"I trust I will have your utmost trust and disgression." She raised her brow at the young woman.

"Of course Miranda. Always" she replied, sitting straighter in her chair.

"I expect you to enforce these new changes without ever disclosing the reasons behind them. Do I make myself clear Emily." She removed her glasses to glare at the girl.

"Crystal clear Miranda"

"Good" she took a deep breath "It seem there are to be some significant changes in my personal life that have surprised even me." She let a smile just tip the corners of her mouth. "I assume you noticed the additional laptop on my desk?"

"Yes"

"When I am on said laptop it will be because I am having a video conference with someone." She leaned back in her chair, "I will alert you to the conference and you will take what ever measures necessary to ensure my office is emptied of anyone in it and my door is closed and locked to the outside world. Reschedule anything interrupted and not allow me to be disturbed before I reopen my door." She leaned forward on her desk. "Is this understood Emily?"

"Absolutely Miranda"

"In addition to the laptop I also have a new phone," she held up the new cell phone, "When this phone rings it will never go to voice mail, therefore, it is your responsibility to let everyone know not to interrupt me while I am on this phone."

"Understood Miranda"

"Make sure the new girl is aware of these needed details, I do not wish to repeat myself to her."

"Yes Miranda"

As the words left Emily's mouth the new phone rang.

"That's All."

She rose and hustled out of the office closing the door behind her. Did Miranda just smile? She shook her head, no not possible.

Miranda pushed the call button before the second ring, "Hello darling" she turned her chair to face the windows with a huge smile on her face.

"Good morning beautiful" Andrea replied. "How did you sleep?"

"Fair"

Andrea chuckled, "Me either, I tossed and turned all night."

"This is going to be hell." Miranda spat sadly

"It'll be okay. We just have to get use to it for a while. You'll see, time will fly by."

"I don't see that happening, but I trust you." Miranda ran her fingers from her chin down her neck. "I miss you already." She sighed.

"Me too baby." Andrea sipped her morning coffee.

"Where are you?"

"Just outside Pennsylvania."

"How long will it take you to get to California?"

"About three days. I'm not going to push yet. It's going to be a tough tour and we have time right now to move at a slower pace."

Miranda turned to see Nigel in the outer office when she reached for her coffee.

"Did you go into the office this morning?"

Miranda smiled, "how did you know?"

"You're too much like me in some ways, you're not going to sit around and mope. You'll bury yourself in your work." Andrea could hear her smile through the phone.

"Hmm, being a bitch always helps my mood."

Andrea laughed

Miranda met Nigel's eyes, Emily was obviously relaying her new information. The older woman sighed.

"What is it sweetheart?" Andrea asked

"I'm afraid Nigel will undoubtedly take one look at me and know. He knows me better than anyone."

"I don't have a problem with that. Maybe having someone you trust to talk to while we're apart would be a good thing for you."

"I do love you darling."

"I know. I love you too. I'm gonna let you go. Call me later, or better yet, video me. I'm leaving it on all the time."

"Later then my love." Miranda didn't want to hang up, so unlike her.

"Bye baby" Andrea disconnected.

Miranda took a deep breath and sighed before she rose from her chair and moved to open the door.

Nigel allowed her the time to return to her desk and regain her composure before he entered. He also was taking the time to decide on his approach; business or friend. One look at her sad eyes made his decision for him. He walked in and sat in the chair in front of her.

"I've known you for over twenty years," she looked up at him, "but I never realized how beautiful you were until right now." She looked at him with a raised brow. "Love looks very good on you Miranda." He smiled, she blushed.

"I still don't know how it happened." She admitted

"You always find it when you least expect it and never where you expected."

"You couldn't have given me this information before my life was turned upside down."

"Now what would have been the fun in that?"

She squinted her eyes at him, "You knew!"

"The minute you said you were going to design her dresses." Nigel smiled and acted as if his manicure needed inspection.

Miranda shook her head and laughed.

He looked up at her, "It's been too long since I've heard that sound."

She smiled at him, "It seems I do it all the time now, who knew."

"I did. She is very lovely and I am incredibly happy for you my friend."

"Thank you my friend" she smiled at him honestly.

"We'll have to go out for drinks soon so you can tell me the whole story."

"We will do that very soon, I promise."

"Now" Nigel said turning back to business, "what is it you need from me today?"

Miranda instantly replaced her mask of the fashion icon and began. "Andrea is performing at a benefit in her hometown in Tennessee in four months. I would like to dedicate a months issue to whatever the cause is and tie it to her world of country music." She leaned forward, "We have never done an issue inspired by that industry. I was thinking of her fellow artists for the spreads and ads. The CMA Awards are roughly six months away, I would like it to run in that month. What do you think?"

He eyed her, "I think it's the most original idea we done in years. I like it."
Miranda released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Good. There is a lot to do. I'd like to schedule the shoots for the week we are in Tennessee with Andrea and surprise her."

Nigel chuckled

"What?"

"Miranda, only you could turn such a romantic gesture into a profitable business idea."

She grinned, "see what she's done to me. Romantic, huh."

"I like it! It suits you."

"Hm" she placed her glasses on her nose, then looked past him.

"Emily" the brit jumped at the sound of her name being said and moved quickly to the office with pen and pad at the ready.

"Yes Miranda"

"Has Amelia contacted you with my travel plans?"

"Yes Miranda. I was just getting the information together for you."

"Good. Is it safe to say that she also sent her contact information?"

"Yes"

"Get her on the phone please."

"Ye..yes Miranda"

"Careful there Snow Queen" Nigel grinned and she glared at him, "politeness will scare the help to death."

"Very funny"

"I have Amelia"

She picked up the phone, "Amelia…no, I'm not calling for Andrea, I need to speak to you. Is this a convenient time?"

"And Andrea is no where around?"

"Wonderful" Miranda proceeded to fill Amelia in on her plans and requested the needed information to begin contacting Andrea's fellow artists, information regarding the benefit and location ideas. "Thank you Amelia. Myself or Emily will contact you as soon as details develop." Miranda hung up with a sullen look on her face.

"What is it Miranda?" Nigel asked

"The benefit concert," she choked, "it's to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer."

"Oh" he leaned forward and laid his hand on top of hers, "it seems this was meant to be."

"It seems." She smiled weakly

"Is Andrea aware…" she cut him off

"No. I told her I lost Mother to cancer, but not what kind." Her eyes clouded for a moment then returned to their blue ice.

Nigel was aware of Miranda's love and intense feelings for the loss for her mother even though it was over a decade ago. "I just had the best idea."

"Hm?"

"Purple ribbons on every page. Tied into to all the ads and layouts. Truly devote the entire issue to awareness."

Miranda lifted the corner of her lips in a half smile. "That could work." She removed her glasses. "We need to contact the designers after we decide who we will use. Maybe showcase that new fellow you have had your eye on. My mind is playing with the idea of 'The Glamour of Country' or something along those lines."

"And your Andrea, what do you have in mind for her?"

"Well her dresses won't be completed that soon, so, Chanel, yes, no question." A beautiful soft smile crossed her lips as she thought of her love dressed and being photographed.

"And I assume it's safe to say that the 'Princess of Country music' will grace the cover of said issue."

She looked at Nigel as if his brain just fell out of his head. "And a story on her career, tour, music, etc., and tie with the charity and benefit." Her face went expressionless, "if she's willing. Let's make sure we have a suitable backup plan in place. I'm not going to ask her to do it against her will."

"Miranda, I doubt she would deny you anything." He smiled

She grinned at him. "I hope so Nigel, I truly want to do this for her."

Nigel rose. "I'll get right on it. Buy the way when am I going to see those designs MP. We'll need to get them mocked up. Sooner the better."

"Yes. I believe I will work on them today. I have them already, I just need to put them down on paper." She stood, " I'll get some rough drafts to you later today."

"I can't wait. It's been too long since the world of fashion saw your other talents." Nigel turned to leave.

Miranda moved to a large cabinet in the corner of her office and pulled open the drawer that held her long sleeping design pad and pencils. She pulled them out and moved to sit on the couch. She took a deep breath and flipped the pad open. Suddenly her past was flashing in front of her eyes as she turned the pages. "A whole lifetime ago" she whispered to an empty room. On the first blank page she came to, she took a pencil out and began to sketch. Nothing she designed cold equal the young singers beauty, but she could do her best to accentuate it.

The first six weeks apart seemed to move in a slow blur on a daily basis, but then all at once there was only two weeks left before the family reunited at Andrea's place in Colorado.

During the time apart they had fallen into a comfortable daily routine. Andrea would video Miranda every morning at seven and they would sit in front of their prospective laptops and have coffee together. Miranda would then call Andrea around lunch and they would talk for twenty or thirty minutes. The singer videoed the girls every night at six, (unless she had a show), for their guitar lessons. She really wasn't surprised at their musical abilities and how quickly they learned, but she was incredibly proud of them none the less. Every night Andrea and Miranda would take their laptops to their rooms and talk until one or both fell asleep. It was in no way equal to holding each other while they slept, but at least if one of them woke in the night, they had the comfort of watching the other sleep until Morpheus took them again.

Andrea's tour was going extremely well with sold out shows at every venue. Word of her New York concert and the performance of the song for "the city" had become the talk of the tour. At every city, they now included a song, or two, that veered away from country music and the crowds seem to love it.

In the world of RUNWAY things continued to move along normally, with the exception of Miranda's temperament being a bit gentler to those who worked closely with her. The first half dozen times she said please or thank you to Emily, the girl almost fainted. However, on those occasions Miranda would make a snarky comment about her eating a piece of cheese and the young brit would regain her regular fidgety demeanor and carry on.

On Monday morning Miranda found herself smiling and humming as she rode the elevator up to her office. She and Andrea had had a wonderful morning coffee together, swooning at each other like teenagers. The wonders of modern technology. The older woman never felt so desired or loved in her life. Luckily, the last two weeks before they saw each other again would be exceptionally busy for the fashionista. She had the plans to finalize for while she was gone, a run-through, that was bound to take most of a day, to decide on the outfits for Andrea's issue. Nigel had finally talked her into taking time for dinner and drinks this evening and she had promised the girls an afternoon of shopping for what they would need for the trip. All of this in addition to the regular daily grind would hopefully keep her mind busy enough to survive the wait.

During her phone call to Andrea at lunch she reminded her about her dinner plans with Nigel and let her know she would try to make it home early, but her experience with the fashion director seldom allowed that to happen. Andrea laughed and encouraged her to enjoy herself. She would leave her laptop on when she went to bed. If she fell asleep, the tone set to announce Miranda's 'visit' would wake her up.

The older woman resigned to enjoy her oldest friends company this evening and maybe learn a few things about the new world she had willingly fallen into.

Seven o'clock found the two old friends sitting in a quiet secluded table at an upscale restaurant. After the waiter brought Nigel his bourbon and Miranda her scotch they settled back into their seats and relaxed.

Nigel raised his glass, "To happiness and Andy Sachs for bringing my oldest and dearest friend happiness by just loving her."

Miranda raised her glass and tapped it to Nigel's, "To my Andrea" she smiled then took a drink.

Nigel took a drink, set his glass down, leaned forward and turned on his gay flame, "Now girlfriend, spill!"

The older woman laughed at his antics. "I have missed this my friend."

"Me too." He took another drink. "It seems our lives have taken control of us." He set his glass back down. "Not how we imagined it all those years ago, believing that we would control our destinies."

"Hmm" Miranda took a drink

"But tonight," he regained his hopeful joyous disposition. "tonight we talk about a new future. Your future." He tilted his glass to her and took another drink then motion to the waiter for two more.

Miranda grinned around her glass.

"I have to tell you MP, I can't remember ever seeing you glow like you have in the past few weeks, not even when you were carrying the twins. You look absolutely radiant."

Miranda blushed at his comment. Nigel was the only man she'd ever know able to read her emotions and body language. That coupled with knowing all of her secrets made him the most dangerous person in her life, but also the most trusted. Their friendship had long since overreached the boundaries most set as standard. He always believed in her when no one else did.

The fashionista release a long sigh and took the last drink of her scotch as the waiter set the second in front of her.

Nigel told him to just keep them coming and waited for Miranda to speak.

She was dazing into her drink while gently shaking it to twirl the ice around. "I am worried I'm being a silly old woman. What could she possibly want with me. I mean, really. She has beautiful young women around her every day. Fans in every city." Nigel let her vent all of her fears before he would contradict them. "She's gay you know. She's been with several women. How can I compete with that? And we both know I have no positive experience with relationships to bring to this." Miranda took a long drink.

"Am I to gather that you two haven't…" He took a quick drink to drown the thought.

"No. She insists that we wait until the tour is over."

"But you want to."

Miranda looked directly at him, "I have never wanted anything so much in my life." She took another drink

"You're afraid she not attracted to you sexually."

"Well let's face it Nigel, I'm no young woman anymore. I'm easily over twenty years her senior, I have no experience with a woman, just to name a few reasons."

"Okay" he sat up straight and looked at her, "stop right there. Andrea fell in love with you. It's to her advantage that you are in better shape than most women half your age, sexier than most any woman alive and might I add, past that horrendous period in your life, that only a few of us survived, menopause. Which means, if I'm not mistaken, knowing you, your libido will be a true test of her youthful exuberance you seem so concerned with." Miranda's shoulders drooped just a bit at his tongue lashing disguised as a moral booster.

"Now then." He calmed by taking a much needed drink. "As far as her insisting that you wait to…" he waved his hand, "tells me that she does indeed desire you very much and also that she loves you. You have never been with another woman MP, as a gay man I can tell you, gay sex can be an incredibly intense, mind blowing experience. I can only imagine the degree of severity when it's with someone you are truly in love with." Both emptied their glasses and went to pick up the next. "Trust me when I tell you, she is trying to protect t you as well as herself."

They sat in silence before Nigel spoke again.

"So, I am going to assume, " he smiled "the red rising from your neck is from the alcohol and say it's time to order dinner." He motioned to their waiter who moved to the table with two menus.

Miranda sat looking at the menu but not really seeing the print. She was contemplating Nigel's words. Most were reassuring, the information referring to "the experience" however, sent a thrill through her as she flashed on a naked Andrea on top of her. Behind the menu she bit the corner of her bottom lip and smiled. She laid the menu down and said "steak" all she could think of now was eating quickly and getting home to Andrea, well video Andrea anyway.

"Really," he tilted the corner of his menu and peered over it, "how original."

"Shut up" and she took another drink, this time of water, she suddenly didn't want Andrea to see her too intoxicated.

The two old friends enjoyed the rest of the evening in comfortable conversation. Miranda told Nigel how Andrea had gently inducted herself into her and the girl's lives and hearts. Without sharing any of her loves secrets, she shared the events of their friendship and it's quick transition to a loving romantic relationship. She finished just as they finished their meal. They were enjoying coffee and the fashion director laid his hand on hers atop the table. "I am truly, truly happy for you Miranda." He smiled, squeezed her hand, "And a bit jealous."

"Thank you Nigel" she smiled back at him

Nigel and Miranda said their goodbyes when Roy dropped Miranda off at the townhouse. She was feeling giddy. Between the drinks at dinner and knowing the girls were staying with their father for the week, leaving the house empty, the fashionista was having racy, to her mind, thoughts about how far she and Andrea could push the boundaries of what, video sex. She laughed at herself. Miranda wasn't a prude by any means, but thinking about it, could she do something like that, in front of Andrea. Especially since there had been a limit to their sexual intimacy.

She decided to shower and change into her night clothes before contacting Andrea. Miranda reached into the drawer that held her pajamas and took out a thin sheer negligee' instead of her regular satin night gown. "Might as well take the bull by the horns." She grinned to herself while pulling it over her head. She checked herself in the mirror, her body was in very good shape for a woman her age. Hopefully the younger woman would think so as well.

Miranda settled into bed with the BOOK setting next to her and got comfortable before turning on the video feed on the laptop on her nightstand. She looked at her alarm clock, it was midnight, which meant ten o'clock where Andrea was. The singer might already be asleep, "Well here goes."

She turned on the laptop, watching the screen. The picture came into focus and she released a loud gasp, stared for only a second or two then slammed the computer closed.

On the other side of the country in a tour bus bedroom the beeping alarm on Andrea's laptop pulled her out of her dozing. She opened her eyes to look at the screen just in time to see the horrified look on Miranda's face and the screen go black. She shook her head to clear the fuzziness and make sure she wasn't dreaming. But when she felt a body move against her and looked down to see the head resting on her chest, realization dawned on her. "SON OF A BITCH!" and she threw her head back against the headboard.