When Andy woke the next morning she found herself alone in her king sized bed. A smile crossed her lips, of course she was. It was a big day, sure to be a very busy day.
After showering and dressing, the singer made her way to the kitchen to find total organized chaos. Apparently, Miranda had decided to make it home base for the shoot that was happening on Andy's ranch today. God she loved that woman. Loved how when she saw a problem or situation she made the choice to just correct it and move on. They were so alike in that personality trait.
Nigel and Serena had commandeered the dining room and the long oak table was covered in files, paperwork, photos and a hundred other things needed to coordinate the day.
Andy heard a distinctive "that's all" as she approached the inner kitchen area and was passed by Emily who offered her a harried "Good morning Andy."
"Good mornin' Em." She responded to the Brits back as she scurried away in true Emily fashion. Andy's eyes then fell upon the three true loves of her life.
Cassidy and Caroline were sitting at the kitchen table enjoying breakfast cooked by their new favorite chef, Amy, and Andy could see the excitement in their eyes to be this close to the inner workings of their mother's job. She walked over and placed hard meaningful kisses on each of their heads. "Mornin' Bach, mornin' Mozart."
"Morning" was the choired response around mouthfuls of eggs and waffles.
Andy proceeded to Miranda who was just closing her phone, ending a conversation the way only she did. The singer leaned down and kissed her lover's cheek, "good morning beautiful."
A blush tinted Miranda's cheeks, what this woman did to her. Her heart fluttered. "Good morning Andrea." Andy continued to the coffee pot and poured some into her waiting mug. She smiled. "You know sweetheart, you are more than welcome to use the office."
Miranda looked up from the paper she was reading. "I didn't want to assume. This is your space."
"No." Andy walked over to her and laid a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "This is our space." Miranda and the girl's eyes widened. A grin lifted Andy's lips. She looked at each of them then focused back on her lover. "What's mine is yours. Isn't that how I'm treated when I'm in New York?"
"Well of course, but…"Andy knelt down in front of Miranda, "No buts. You are my family. You and the girls are everything to me." A tear found it's way down Miranda's perfectly made up cheek. Andy reached up to wipe it away then offered her one of her million dollar smiles.
Miranda took her hand and squeezed it. She didn't have the words.
Andy stood up, still smiling and looked at the girls. "So, what are we going to get into today while your mother works? I have a meeting this mornin'," she sat down at the table, "but then I'm yours after that."
Caroline and Cassidy looked at their mother. Andy noticed a Cheshire grin forming on their faces and looked to their mother to see a mirrored expression.
"What?" Andy asked nervously, looking between mother and daughters. They continued to smile at her. "What?"
Miranda cleared her throat but before she could speak Amelia interrupted, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the models are arriving. I thought you would want to greet them."
The editor nodded to Andy's assistant and turned to see a confused look on her lover's face. The girls jumped up and were at Andy's sides. She looked down at them as each took a hand, them back to Miranda.
"Sweetheart, what's going on?"
Miranda pursed her lips. Time to fess up, admit to the first untruth in their relationship. She took a deep breath. "I wasn't completely honest with you regarding the issue we are shooting for today."
Andy's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?" She felt the girl's hold tighten.
Cassidy and Caroline watched in silence as a thickness in the air they had never felt between the two older women began to make them a bit nervous. They so much wanted Andy to be happy about their mother's surprise. It meant a great deal to her. It was her way of showing the younger woman how much she truly meant to her.
"Well to start." Miranda began.
"To start?" Andy questioned.
Miranda gathered her inner strength, praying she knew her lover well enough that when all was said and done, she would see this effort from her for what it was. A confirmation, in her way, to the love she had for Andrea.
"To start with," she began again, "I've been in 'cahoots' I believe you call it, with your assistant. The women modeling today, well, let's just say that's not their career of choice."
Andrea looked at her confused.
Miranda nodded to her daughters, who then tugged on Andy's hands, leading her towards the living room. Andy's confusion deepened when they entered the living room and her eyes fell upon several of her female peers, standing around talking to each other as Emily served them coffee.
Andy turned around to face Miranda who had followed behind them. A questioning look on her face.
She ran a gentle hand down Andy's arm. "The theme of the entire issue is Women of Country Music." The editor watched as realization hit Andy. She continued. "We are featuring several of your peers as well as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness ribbons on every page. Articles about research, an interview with Mark and Amy, your benefit concert, your interview, and," Miranda took a deep breath, "I would be beyond honored if you would grace the cover of the issue."
Andy stood frozen for a moment, then felt her knees weaken when it hit her what Miranda was doing for her. Luckily, the girls had had the foresight to have her standing next to a chair. She collapsed into it, continuing to stare into Miranda's eyes.
"What?" She whispered, her voice cracking.
Miranda elegantly knelt down beside her, an unfamiliar nervousness clenching her stomach. The mask of the fashion diva fell away. She looked hopefully into Andrea's eyes.
"You…you…you…" Andy couldn't fathom this. She took a deep quick breath. "You want me…Miranda? I'm not a model."
"I don't want a model darling." She laid her hands on Andy's knees, a smirk graced her lips. "It seems, my staff is already referring to it as 'Andre's Issue'."
Andy's face went blank. She stood up quickly taking Miranda up with her, by surprise. Without a word she took the editors hand and led her back toward the kitchen, but made a turn to her left. She entered a small mud room off of the kitchen, tugged Miranda passed her and shut the door, closing out the rest of the house and its occupants.
The two women stood silently looking at each other, both catching their breaths from the fast retreat. Miranda didn't move, she was actually afraid to. She blinked first and before she could reopen her eyes Andrea had turned her and pushed her against the door they just entered through. The younger woman's grasp tightened to the back of the silk Dior blouse Miranda wore as her mouth attacked Miranda's with all of the desire, devotion, appreciation, and love she could put forth.
Miranda felt dizzy, her knees weak and she was shaking. She wrapped her arms tightly around Andy's shoulders and moaned into the kiss.
As they separated Andrea peppered her lips with gentle kisses. Slowly she pulled back from the older woman to look into her glazed blue eyes. She couldn't find the words; didn't know what to say, how to thank this amazing woman who held her heart.
"Marry me." She finally said in almost a whisper.
Miranda's legs buckled and Andy grabbed her tighter.
"Wh-What?" The editor whispered back.
"You are the love of my life. I never want to be without you or the girls." She got down on one knee. "Miranda Priestly, will you marry me?"
Tears exploded from the fashionista's eyes. She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around Andrea pulling her into a adoring embrace. "It would make me the happiest woman on the entire earth to marry you, to be your wife. Yes."
"Oh God." Andy cried. "Thank you." She kissed Miranda passionately. "Thank you. Thank you for loving me. I love you so so much." She kissed her again.
"And I love you." They held each other for a few minutes, basking in the love they shared.
Finally, after several quiet moments Miranda spoke. "Darling, we need to get back in there. I have a lot to do today."
"Okay." Andy chuckled and pulled herself away from her lover, her fiancée. "But can we tell the girls before we get started?"
"Of course." Miranda kissed her lightly on the cheek.
The two women rose and walked back into the living room. The girls were by their sides immediately, concern showing on their faces. Miranda motioned Emily to come over.
"Please let everyone know I will be with them shortly."
"Yes Miranda."
Andy turned to Caroline and Cassidy. "Let's go outside for a minute okay."
The girls looked between the two older women they both loved so dearly. Fear beginning to seep into them, fear that their mother's surprise was as not well received as everyone thought it would be.
"Okay." They chorused softly.
Andy took Cassidy's hand and Miranda Caroline's as they headed outside, back through the kitchen.
Outside was a small, secluded patio with a high fence surrounding it on three sides. Andy led them to a park bench and motioned for the girls to take a seat.
"Mom?" Cassidy asked.
Andy moved next to Miranda and slid an arm around her waist.
'Okay, that's a good sign' Caroline thought. Andy didn't seem angry with their mother.
"Girls." Andy spoke, "Your mother and I have something we need to tell you before everything gets crazy around here.
"Alright. Is everything okay?" Cassidy asked.
The two older women looked at each other then Miranda spoke. "Andrea has asked me to marry her."
"And she said yes." Andy finished.
They turned to look at their girls. It was deadly silent, then…
"Yay. So cool. That's awesome. When? This is so cool." Both girls were jumping up and down, talking a mile a minute.
Both adults smiled and tightened their arms around each others waist.
"Well, I guess their okay with it." Andy laughed. Suddenly the older women found themselves engulfed in pre-teen arms and bodies, toppling the four to the ground in a wiggling pile, all of them laughing and hugging one another.
If any of the older women's employees could have seen them rolling around on the ground, laughing, they would have sworn the end of days was coming.
After a few minutes of enjoying being a happy family, Cassidy suddenly sat up. "Oi!" She looked between her mother and Andy. "We can't tell anyone, can we."
A sullen quiet came over the group. Andy broke it first. "Not for a while. Your mom and I have a lot of things to settle first." Faces that moments ago were lit with happiness were now blank of expression. She looked at Miranda and took her hand. She squeezed it gently, a smirk tipped her lips, "Besides, it's not official until I give her a ring anyway. Miranda squeezed Andy's hand.
The singer turned to their girls. "It won't be long, I promise. I need to finish my tour and your mom has an issue to get out. "She cupped each of the girls chins. "I also promise, when we do tell everyone, we'll all do it together, like the family that we are."
Miranda leaned into Andy. "Exactly!"
Andy broke the silence that surrounded them. "Now, I believe I have an incredible surprise waiting for me inside." She bowed at the waist and gestured back to the house. "Ladies, shall we."
Caroline and Cassidy giggled as they proceeded the older women back inside. Just before she entered the house after Miranda, she looked heavenward. Then said softly, "Thanks Gram." She smiled and headed into meet and greet her peers and begin her part to help her lovers beautiful gift to her get underway
