17

With only four weeks before the trip to Tennessee and the shoot for Andrea's issue, as she was now referring to it, Miranda's days had begun hours earlier and were ending hours later than normal. The current issue going to press would be completed in two weeks, finally freeing up her time to focus on her three favorite girls.

Andrea was incredibly understanding. She spent her weekend visit, after the editor's surprise visit, keeping company with Caroline and Cassidy. They enjoyed every moment together and took selfish pride in spending the time alone with singer. She was quickly becoming a second parent to them and they loved it.

Miranda came home exhausted both nights of Andy's visit. The Thursday concert worked out better for her trip to New York to see her girls, freeing up the long weekend. To the older woman's heart filled with happiness that her young lover was content to allow her to fall asleep in her strong arms and hold her closely through the night. Not that sex wasn't foremost in her mind, her body just wasn't willing. Age and career dedication did have its shortcomings.

Andy, however, by her actions and understanding words, cemented herself more fully in her lover's heart. Confirming once again to Miranda that this was not just a passing fancy, and experimental affair between the two of them. This was the real thing. This love between them was what fairytales were made of.

Miranda arrived home after midnight on Saturday. The issue had been sent to the printer and another issue of RUNWAY would hit the stands in a few days. She was going to enjoy tomorrow with her daughters and as many hours as possible online with her lover.

The editor was dreaming of beautiful dark eyes and strong arms wrapped tightly around her. Her mind began drifting in that state between sleep and consciousness when she heard the soft voice of an angel singing lovingly.

Her lids fluttered to let in the morning light. As her deep blue pools focused on the empty spot in her bed, the voice became clearer and when she turned to face the opposite side, the vision before her was one that stopped her heart. On the computer screen of her connection to Andrea she saw her beautiful young lover moving around the small kitchen of her tour bus, dressed in only an oversized white T-shirt, singing a love song while making morning coffee.

Miranda propped her head up on her fist and lifted it to lean on her elbow. She smiled, watching the young woman moved effortlessly around the small area. Her heart was full. Her life was wonderful. She could wake up to this every morning and never tire of it.

Lost in her thoughts, the older woman was startled by the sound of her name spoken softly.

"Miranda?" Andy asked.

She looked into the screen to see her Andrea watching her.

"Good morning darling." She said as she offered Andrea a big honest smile.

"Good morning lover." Andy sat down and sipped her coffee. "Did I wake you?"

"Mm Hmm." Miranda blinked slowly. "And what a glorious way to wake." She grinned slyly.

Andrea blessed her with an equally radiant smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Not as well as if you were with me." The older woman move to sit up with her back against the headboard. She ran her hands through her sleep messed hair to calm the strays and flyaways.

Andy gazed at her lovingly. "I love how beautiful you are in the morning."

Miranda raised a brow." Really?" She snorted.

"Really. You're beautiful. You always take my breath away."

The older woman sucked in a breath. It still surprised her to hear her young lover speaks such sincere sentiments to her. Before words of her attractiveness or beauty were just that, words, they held little meaning to her. But from her Andrea, she felt the words all the way to her soul.

"Thank you darling."

"My pleasure, I assure you." She sipped her coffee. "So what are your plans for the day?"

Miranda slid the laptop to rest on her thighs, giving her lover of better view of her lace clad bust. She saw her lick her lips and grin, and was that a slight squirm in her chair? Her expression remained neutral, only from years of practice.

"After we spend some time together," she smiled, "I thought I'd treat the girls to a day of shopping for our visit."

"Mmm." Andy hummed against her mug. "They'll love that."

"Is there anything we should look for specifically?"

"No. I have everything they'll need for riding." Andy wiggled her brow. "However, if there's anything 'special' you'd like to pick up for yourself, please feel free."

Miranda chuckled. "Cheeky girl."

"And you wouldn't have me any other way."

"No." Miranda said seriously, "No I wouldn't."

"I love that so much about us." She leaned back in her chair. "We are just us. I can see you first thing in the morning and you don't feel uncomfortable with it. We have no pretenses between us."

"I love that too darling. I love it very much. And I love you very much."

"Ditto baby!" Andy smirked.

They sat in silence for a while, just looking at each other, taking in those things that were beautiful about each other.

Emily met Miranda at the door of the elevator on Monday morning, pen and pad in hand. She took the BOOK from her and began taking notes of her boss's immediately spouted orders.

"I want to see the dresses Nigel has suggested for Andrea's issue. Confirm lunch with Donatella. Have Joslyn in my office at 10 to see what new atrocities she has for the run-through at one. Let her know I will not accept any spring or flowery ideas. If she has nothing original to show me, she need not to show up. Make sure we have all of the measurements for the Women of the Country models. I refuse to not be completely prepared or not stick to the timetable and schedule for the shoot. I will not have our time with Andrea interrupted due to the ineptitude of my staff. Also get hold of Amelia and have her get you the contact information of that singer who just came out. That's all."

Emily stopped writing after the words 'Andrea's issue' and stood dumbfounded. 'No way' she thought. 'Andrea's issue,' her mind replayed everything from the last several weeks. The computer and her directions for privacy, the trip, with the girls, the phone calls, Andrea's surprise visit and Miranda's extreme mood changed that day. And the smiles. Miranda had been smiling, a lot. Miranda didn't smile.

The first assistant looked up to meet ice blue eyes staring holes through her as she spoke unaware out loud. "Oh. My. God."

The corner of the editor's lip curled into a smirk. "Oh. My. God." Emily said again.

"Emily, I believe you are repeating yourself." Emily looked at her like she was seeing her boss for the very first time. She had been Miranda's right hand for almost 3 years, but had never truly seen the woman before. Emily was speechless, she was caught completely off balance, how could she, of all people not have realized what was happening with her boss.

All of the signs had been there. But Emily had been so absorbed, as usual, in the everyday demands of keeping the fashion icon's schedule on track, that she hadn't let the obvious clues confirmed the nagging feeling that something had significantly changed in Miranda's world. The editor had all but told her several months ago that her personal life was changing and that Emily would be needed to help maintain business as usual.

"For someone who has on a few occasions proven herself not to be a total disappointment, this relatively new realization you have apparently just reached does not encourage my confidence in your competence." Miranda took a seat in her chair and leaned back. "And please, cease your imitation of a child who just discovered that there is no Santa Claus."

Emily took a deep breath, "Yes. Well. There it is then."

"Yes Emily, there it is." Miranda grinned evilly. The grinned her first assistant new well, the one that meant she would always have the upper hand in the information department. "I believe it is safe to say that this newly discovered bit of information is not something you, of all people," her grin widened, "would feel any need to discuss with people."

The Brit swallowed hard. 'Bloody hell' she thought, 'she knows I play for the same team.'

"Of course Miranda."

"Good. Now that we understand each other Emily, I hope you can now continue your duties."

Emily nodded and turned on her heels to go back to her desk.

"Oh and Emily," she turned to face her boss again, "make sure Serena's accommodations for the trip are taking care of personally."

Catching the doorjamb with an outstretched arm was all that kept her from falling flat on her face. Then she gasped when she looked at her boss.

"That's all." Miranda winked at her.

Emily turned to retreat again, taking slow breaths. How did she… did she just… 'Bloody hell', she thought. Serena is going to die, she smiled as she sat down in her chair, mindlessly beginning that tasks that Miranda had given her to do. Andy Sachs was quickly becoming one of Emily's favorite people.