"Here I am. I hope you're hungry." And I hope you won't demand a steak, she added mentally.
"I can't say that I am." She had not been hungry for days, but she knew she needed to eat to get better.
Andrea sighed. "I can imagine, but you really should eat at least a little. Please."
The lack of protest was as close to agreement as she would get, so Andrea handed her the bowl of soup. "Here you go."
"Chicken soup, Andrea?" The editor's raised eyebrow told the younger woman that an explanation was required.
"You are unwell and that is the perfect meal for you."
Instead of replying, Miranda started to eat and Andrea held her breath.
A nod. Thank God!
"Acceptable."
Andy knew of course that an 'acceptable' from Miranda was like 'heaven on a spoon' from the rest of the world.
"Where did you order it?" She wanted to make sure that she could get more of this. Chicken soup has always been her soul food.
"I didn't order it. I made it."
"You 'made' it? How very domestic." Anyone who did not know the editor as well as Andy, would think it an unkind remark, given the tone of Miranda's voice, but the young woman knew better. Miranda was pleased. A little touched even that Andrea would really cook for her. Her husbands would never have thought of that.
"Indeed. I was surprised to find the fridge so well-stocked."
"You shouldn't be. I always hire the best."
Feeling the conversation drifting into dangerous topics, Andrea just nodded and waited in silence. "You can have the last pain meds for the day now."
Not waiting for a reply, she handed Miranda the pills and some water.
"Miranda, is there a guest room on this floor I can use?"
The editor raised an eyebrow. "Can I assume from your question that you have just invited yourself into my home?"
Andrea was flabbergasted to the point of speechlessness. "I… Miranda, what did you… of course! Somebody needs to be here with you and unless you want me to call Susi, you're stuck with me."
Miranda didn't really think that her Andrea would leave her alone tonight, but with their history… well, it didn't hurt to be sure. "There is a guestroom on the ground floor."
"That's too far away from you. It's either a room on this floor or I will stay right here."
Miranda nearly choked on her soup. "You will do no such thing!"
"Where then?" Andy decided to relent this time.
Miranda tried to stare her down, but seeing that Andrea was not so easily intimated, she decided to give her what she wanted. "There is a room at the end of this floor."
"Thank you." As there was no chair in the room, Andrea carefully sat on the foot end of Miranda's bed, waiting quietly until the older woman had finished her soup.
Surprisingly, Miranda didn't comment. She just looked at Andrea for a moment and resumed eating. Maybe she was too exhausted for another round.
After the editor stopped eating, Andrea got up and took the bowl from her. "Can I get you some more?"
"No. I… Thank you. I'm not hungry anymore."
Andy smiled. It was surprisingly easy to be with Miranda when she didn't hide behind the Ice Queen mask.
"All right. I think the drip still needs to stay in half an hour. I suggest you rest for a while and I'll get settled in the guestroom. When I am done, I'll come back, remove the drip and help you with your nightly routine."
"Are you planning on standing there all night?"
"And that's me gone."
XXX
When Andrea came back again, she found Miranda lying quite still with her eyes closed, but somehow she knew that the editor was not sleeping. Quietly she moved around the bed and gently placed her hand over Miranda's. "I'm going to take the drip out now."
Watching Andrea carefully, Miranda commented, "It looks like you know what you're doing."
The young woman stilled her movements for a second before she resumed her task. "I cared for my grandmother until she died. I do know what I am doing. It was just me back then so I had to learn fast."
"What about the rest of your family?"
"They didn't want to leave home and my grandmother didn't want to leave her's. I always had a special relationship with her, so I moved into her home to look after her. It was an intense time with University and taking care of her, but I wouldn't want to have missed it. She was a special woman. I came to NY right after she died."
Miranda was shocked when she realised how little she knew about her former assistant. The young woman had such a big heart that Miranda was scared New York would swallow it and spit it out again. She would not allow that. No, her Andrea was too precious for that.
"Miranda?" Andy asked, seeing her lost in thought.
"I'm sorry for your loss," she answered quietly.
Andrea looked into sincere blue eyes. "Thank you. I miss her a lot."
The young woman took a deep breath, trying to get her emotion under control. It was still very painful to talk about the death of her beloved grandmother.
"Now, what do you want to do now?"
Miranda looked uneasy. "If you could help me to the bathroom."
"Of course," Andrea smiled at her." Just let me get a chair for you to sit on in the bathroom."
"I don't need…" The editor gave her the best Runway glare she could muster, but Andy just smiled very sweetly. "Maybe you don't need it, but I'd feel better. Please do me this favour."
Andrea knew that was a low blow but, on the other hand, all was fair in love and war and although she was not sure exactly what this was, it felt like a bit of both. Moreover, it worked.
"Oh fine! If you insist!"
Time spent as Miranda's assistant taught Andy very many things, the most important being when to keep your mouth shut. And that was what she would do now. She quickly went to get a chair from the next room and placed it in front of the bathroom sink.
"Everything is ready for you now. I'll help you sit up and that we'll wait for a moment and see how you feel. Ok?"
When Miranda did not respond, the young woman bend down and reached for the editor's hands and slowly helped her to sit up and get her feet on the floor. The flicker of pain on Miranda's face told Andrea that movement of any kind still felt uncomfortable. A wave of compassion washed over the brunette and she carefully sat down beside her former boss.
"Are you dizzy?" Seeing the editor close her eyes, she already knew the answer and placed a gentle hand on her back. "Try not to close your eyes. That only makes it worse."
Feeling grateful for the steady presence beside her, Miranda allowed herself to lean into Andrea's side and felt the hand on her back reach around her and pull her closer. She absolutely detested feeling the way she did. Weak and sick and dependent. At least the dizziness slowly abated.
A nod indicated that Miranda was ready and Andrea stood up, offering her hands, slowly pulling the editor up. "Ok so far? If you feel any pain, just let me know and I'll carry you back to your bed."
That comment caused the unsteady woman to chuckle. "You would carry me?"
"Of course. Do you think I'm not strong enough? " Andy asked, moving carefully towards the bathroom.
"Oh no. I always knew your size was good for something."
Andy was glad that Miranda felt well enough to joke. At least she hoped that is was a joke...
"Watch it, Lady, or the big strapping lass here will fling you over her shoulder right now."
Although the older woman didn't reply, Andrea could see her lips twitching. Who knew Miranda had a sense of humour...
"Here we are. I'll get you settled and then you can call me when you're ready. Or is there anything I can help you with?"
Miranda put the Runway mask back in place. It was typical for her to hide behind the icon when she was uncomfortable with a situation or felt her control slip.
"What on earth would I need you for in the bathroom? I am quite capable of washing my face alone. That's all."
Wordlessly Andy left the room. It was no use discussing anything with the editor when she was in a mood like that. It was hard not to be hurt when Miranda behaved like that, but having had enough practice, Andrea just took a deep breath and got over it.
"Andrea," was heard through the closed bathroom door after a few minutes.
Miranda was sitting on the chair Andrea had provided, looking at her reflection. It was obvious she wasn't happy with what she saw and Andy thought it would be best to get her back to bed as soon as possible. The older woman would feel better tomorrow with her hair done and make-up applied.
"Let's get you back to bed now. You'll feel better tomorrow."
"What do you know about how I feel? How you dare assume that..."
"It's called empathy, Miranda. A soft skill you are obviously lacking. I assume that you are not quite happy with your appearance. I assume that you are still in pain. I assume that you are struggling with the fact that you are not in control here. I assume that you are still shaken by the events of the past few days. I assume that you'll feel better when you look more like your usual self. So, tell me, I am wrong? How did that stupid fat former assistant of your's mess up this time?"
Andrea was angry. She tried to ignore Miranda when she was like that, but sometimes it just was not possible. "Can I help you to bed now, or shall I call someone who doesn't assume as much as I do?"
Miranda did not say anything when she stood up. Quite simply she did not know what to say. She never apologised to anyone. Andrea was different from everyone else in her life and most of the time she did not know what to do with her, but she knew she needed to keep her close. It was a mystery to her how the young journalist could be so angry with her and still hold her so carefully around the waist to make sure she got back to bed safely. Andrea was so gentle with her, so caring, even when she was angry. She needed to keep her. She did not know how, but she needed to keep her Andrea.
Thank you for all the reviews! I hope you enjoyed the new chapter as well. Thanks to my wonderful beta!