Chapter 6:
Miranda stood staring at Andrea and then at her youngest daughter before shaking her head slightly and looking back to the older woman. "How did she come to be in your care?" her voice was barely higher than a whisper when she spoke her eyes narrowing slightly.
Isabella smiled and looked at Andrea her eyes and heartwarming at the sight of the daughter of her heart. "Andrea was under my care in the hospital immediately after her accident, at the time I worked full-time in the hospital she was treated at in Paris. When she woke from the coma she was in I was the first person she saw, one of the few who did not suffer a language barrier. When she was well enough to return home she begged me not to leave her. She still could not remember much and had learned upon waking up that she was pregnant. Her name, birthdate, and a few other details were all she could recall at first. When she was discharged I took her to my Paris estate." Isabella looked back to Mirada and chuckled softly.
"I slowly regained some memories. Random things, a lot without reasoning and even more that were scrambled beyond my understanding. Sergei, my late husband, would write everything down in a journal. After time most of my childhood memories returned, although not enough if what Lillian and Doug said is to be believed, and a few scattered memories from my adult life. I remembered parts of New York, college is still fuzzy, surprisingly, or maybe not so much. It seems thus far that most of my educational knowledge remains intact."
Miranda watched Andrea as she spoke her mind racing through questions and concerns, her emotions confusing even to herself. She glanced to her second assistant and then to Nigel before speaking again, "Indeed. My children and I need to be going, and I am sure your children," she said locking her eyes with Andrea, "are exhausted with all the commotion that took place upstairs, may I suggest we continue this conversation some other time. Nigel. Brittany call for the car. Girls." With a single nod to the room's occupants Miranda walked from the room without a backwards glance.
Cassidy and Caroline watched their mother retreat followed swiftly by Brittany who was dialing her phone as she left. Nigel smiled and looked to Andrea, "Well Six, I mean Andy, it's been unreal seeing you again after all this time. I hope we can reawaken the friendship we shared. I'm no longer at Runway but here is my card. Give me a call." With that he left through the front doors and into the swarm of media cameras.
"Mrs. DeMarzio, would you mind if we came by sometime to talk with you? Perhaps help with the girls and maybe it will help you remember us?" Caroline asked shyly watching Andrea lift a now sleeping Rory from her seat against the far wall.
Andrea looked over at the twins and smiled and nodded, "You would be most welcomed. Just be sure your mother has no problems with your visiting. Now hurry along, you're mother doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Cassidy gaped at her while Caroline laughed, "See already you remember something about her. Come along Cass. We must retrieve our coats." The girls smiled and left together to get their coats and meet their mother at the car.
Half an hour later Isabella opened the door to their home and led the way inside. Irene appeared immediately with a young woman with honey blonde hair and soft green eyes standing just behind her.
"Madame DeMarzio, I found the nanny for the girls today. Her name is Katora St. James. She by far exceeds expectations. I've insured she knows the young Mademoiselles schedules and all medical issues. She is ready to start immediately. Should she put the young ones to bed now?" Irene asked softly her accent thickening slightly.
Andrea nodded and Isabella passed a sleeping Lexxi to the new nanny before heading off to her study. Moving towards the stairs Andrea paused and turned to Irene, "Get to bed Irene, we'll have guests tomorrow. No earlier than noon. You are free until they arrive. Sleep well, dear friend."
Irene smiled tiredly and nodded, "Goodnight Ms. Andy. Sleep well."
Andrea nodded and continued up the stairs stopping at Rory's room. She changed her daughter into her jammies and tucked her into her bed. Kissing her softly she watched her for a moment a small smile playing at her lips, "Sleep well my beautiful angel. I love you." She kissed her cheek once more and left the room pulling the door until it was closed behind her. She continued down the hall and peeked into Lexxi's room. She smiled at her youngest daughter lying with her pillow over her head. She flipped the light off and made her way to the bed by way of the small TinkerBell night light in the corner. Leaning over she returned the pillow under her head and pulled the covers up over her.
Sitting on the side of the bed Andrea ran her fingers softly over the slight bruise covering her daughter's arms feeling tears pool in her eyes. Biting her bottom lip she softly caressed Lexxi's hair pushing it back from her beautifully peaceful face and let her tears fall silently, "Never again munchkin. Mommy will never let another man hurt you this way. I love you my little princess. Sleep in peace. Mommy will watch over you." Kissing Lexxi again she stood and went in search of Isabella.