Miranda followed Josie and Tante, but from here she could hear the music and see the glow of a huge fire. A bonfire on the beach, Miranda nodded to herself, that is a perfect venue for Andrea. Lillian obviously knows what Andrea likes. That thought brought her to the strippers. Does Andrea really enjoy that sort of thing?

They approached the fire and saw a table with a nice variety of drinks and snacks and a small but comfortable looking sitting area with several styles of outdoor seating to choose from not too far away. The music seemed to be emanating from the other side of the flames. The others had all stopped at the refreshment table. After the walk across the beach a drink was required. Miranda nodded to herself as she saw Tante and some of the others reaching for the bottles of water resting in the ice filled buckets. She, however, was too curious about the music, that had changed from a thumping beat to one of Andrea's favorite slow songs, and continued around the fire. What she saw stopped her dead in her tracks. Andrea was dancing with Lara, dancing very closely to Lara. She watched as the woman threw back her blonde head and laughed. Miranda swallowed her jealousy enough to move forward and was close enough to hear Andrea's "friend" speak, her melodic, sultry, voice drifting through the night.

"I think Miranda is a very lucky woman."

Miranda couldn't hold her tongue at that but tried to keep the venom out of her tone as she spoke, quietly, but distinctly, "I agree." Her heart did a double thump as Andrea spun around then held on to the woman in her arms.

"Miranda!"

"Mmm..." Miranda frowned at the tight embrace that Andrea seemed reluctant to break, "It seems I'm interrupting..." Turning to leave, Miranda had only taken a few steps before a hand on her arm stopped her motion.

"Miranda..." Andy pulled her fiancee to a stop. "Come dance with me."

Pulling her arm from the loose grip, Miranda glanced back at the tall blonde and spoke, jealousy tinging her tone, "I believe you already have a dance partner, Andrea."

"Miranda..." Andy inched forward, slowly. It never paid to rush a dragon.

This was an annoying side effect to the drinking game she'd won earlier. She was no longer in complete control of her words. The lack of control also translated into her emotions being able to run amok within her. She trusted Andrea, she did, so why was it so hard to see her in this woman's arms? Miranda ground her teeth together and knew where this was stemming from. The seeds of doubt had been sown earlier and now they were beginning to grow. But she still didn't believe Andrea would do something like that. Her fiancee's arms sliding around her waist, exactly where they were supposed to be, calmed her slightly. Miranda looked across the dance floor at the still frozen Lara, "And what would your husband say if he saw you dancing with Andrea like that?"

Smiling, Lara lost her paralysis and moved toward the couple. "He probably would have cut in and began dancing with her himself." Stopping within a few feet of Miranda, Lara chuckled, "You can ask him tomorrow. He's supposed to be here in the morning."

"Mmmm..."

"Yeah?" Andy grinned, "Cool! It'll be nice to meet the guy." She turned to Miranda. "I've only ever seen pictures of him."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Andy rolled her eyes, "I think Lara has more pictures of him on the walls of her house than you do of me and the girls..."

"I see." Trying to dismiss the entire situation, Miranda asked, "Andrea, would you like a drink?"

Laughing, Andy grinned. "I've had more than enough to drink tonight. Some water would be good though, and maybe a rest."

"Very well..." With her arm still around Andrea's waist, Miranda guided the way back to the refreshment table. Andrea's arm around her waist was comforting, until they reached the others.

Andy quickly released her hold and rushed to say hello to the new arrivals. There was one person she didn't know personally, though she had seen her picture many times. Miranda did the introductions.

"Donatella, this is my Andrea."

"So lovely to meet you, Darling... Miranda just raves about you when we're together." Donatella looked at the young woman and laughed. "I can see why she adores you so much."

Miranda let her fears fade for a moment and chuckled, "No, you can't. Andrea's best features are inside."

Laughing at that, Donatella nodded. "Of course... of course..." With a tiny shake of her shoulders, the Italian opened her arms wide and gestured for Andy to move closer. "Come... I must hug you at least once before you marry Miranda."

Andy grinned and with barely a glance at Miranda's tolerantly rolling eyes, she moved into the embrace.

"Congratulations, Darling."

"Thank you..." Andy was going to say something else when a very familiar voice drifted out of the darkness.

"You got one of those left for me?"

Breaking the contact with Donatella, Andy spun to face the man now walking into the firelight, "Dougie!" She practically tackled him and laughed, "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "Lily told me to be here."

"She did?" Andy looked around to find Lily. Lily was over by the seating area, helping the new arrivals settle in, but also looking around curiously, cautiously. "What's she up to?" Frowning, Andy realized there were other friends of hers that were not here. "Where are Jo and Blair?"

"That is a good question, Andrea." Miranda took a deep breath. "They left prior to our departure." The main reason she wasn't too worried was that Blair had been so insistent on driving. "I'm sure they'll be along soon." The fact that the strippers would be accompanying them need not concern Andrea at the moment.

"Okay then," Andy grabbed two bottles of water and tugged Miranda over to the seating area. "Let's get comfy and wait for them then..." She settled onto a lounge chair, similar to the one they had shared in her parents backyard and patted the space in front of her. Dark eyes looked up at Miranda and Andy smiled, "Share?"

Looking around with great care, Miranda noted that there were several other seats available, but grinned and mock-reluctantly agreed, "I suppose, if I must." Taking her place on the chair, Miranda reveled in Andrea's arms circling her, and their legs tangling together. The heat from the fire kept the ocean air from chilling them but Miranda was surprised, and grateful, for a thin blanket that Andy pulled from under their seat and arranged over them.

"This is nice." Andy whispered in Miranda's ear. "Can we just stay here tonight?"

Chuckling at that, Miranda shook her head. "While I believe it would be perfectly fine for me, you, would be worse for wear in the morning. This chair isn't exactly good for your back."

"Mmmm..." Andy nibbled on the soft skin on the side of Miranda's neck. "There are some perfectly good hotel rooms not too far away, excellent beds..."

Pulling away from the caresses, Miranda turned to look at her fiancee. "I was under the impression that you wished to stay away from me tonight."

"I never, wish, to stay away from you, Miranda. I was only going by the tradition." Andy grinned and tapped the tip of her nose against Miranda's. "And since when have we been traditional?"

"Very true." Miranda listened to the blood singing in her veins, the ocean pounding against the shore, the fire crackling, and then another sound reached her ears. She smiled and took a deep breath. "Here's a tradition you may enjoy."

"Huh?" Andy looked confused, then Lily made a sort of happy little sound and jumped up out of her seat. "Where's Lily going?"

Miranda chuckled darkly, her jealousy returning even as she lay in Andrea's arms. "She is seeing to your bachelorette party."

"I don't..." Andy's eyes widened as Lily, Jo, Blair, and four people she didn't recognize appeared in the firelight. "What's going on?" That question was immediately answered when one of the women set a portable stereo down on Lily's empty chair and thumping music started blaring from the speakers. All four of the unknown people began to dance and as they did, began to remove articles of their clothing. "Oh my God!" Andy dropped her head to Miranda's shoulder, not looking at the dancers, "They're strippers!"

Lily laughed and spoke loudly to Andy from where she was dancing with one of the male dancers. "I finally got you to come to a strip show with me, Andy! Even if I did have to bring the show to you!" She laughed as the man grabbed her hand and twirled her away and then back to him. "See what you've been missing?"

"Missing?" Miranda was confused. "What does she mean?"

Andy sighed. "She's constantly wanting me to go to strip clubs with her. I've always refused... it's just not my thing."

"Ah..." Shaking her head, Miranda tried to make sense of it. "Then why would she..."

Laughing at Lily's antics, Andy shrugged and grinned at her friend. "For her of course... the strippers aren't for me at all. They're for her!"

"Not all of them," Doug laughed and leaned against the other man in the group. They moved together rather well and it was obvious Doug was having a blast. Some of the others also began to join in the fun.

Jo and Blair found a seat near Miranda and Andy. Miranda questioned the couple. "It took you quite some time to get here."

Looking down to study the label on her water bottle, Jo mumbled something incoherent. Miranda thought she heard the word, lost.

Blair rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't allow Ms. I've-Got-This, to drive. I shouldn't have allowed her to navigate either. We ended up in the next cove and had to backtrack."

"I said I was sorry!" Jo sighed, "I should probably just go on to bed."

Miranda reached over an patted Jo's knee. "Nonsense, there is still plenty of party in you."

Snorting, Jo took a swig of her water. "Not after you drank me under the table, Lady. I know when to quit."

"You actually did that drinking contest?" Andy sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"

Jo laughed, "Well you're never going to beat her in a drinking contest, that's for damn sure."

Andy laughed, "I imagine not. My Miranda does take winning very seriously."

Miranda watched the dancers, without seeing them. She did hear Andrea's comment though and spoke quietly to her fiancee as she hugged the arms around her. "I am you know."

"What?"

Turning to see those huge dark eyes trained on her, Miranda smiled. "Yours."

Andy nodded and grinned, "Yay." She glanced back at the dancers and laughed, redirecting Miranda's gaze with a single word. "Look."

A huge smile crossed Miranda's face as Pava and Serena each claimed one of the female dancers, Emily and Mary both had small scowls on their faces. She laughed out loud as the song changed and the man dancing with Lily kissed her hand before moving away to take Tante's hand in his. The other man had switched partners as well and was now dancing with Josie.

Louise laughed and rose out of her seat to dance with the man for a short time. He gallantly kissed her cheek before moving on to Natalie. It was apparent that each of the women in the group was going to get a personal dance from at least one of the strippers. Miranda was impressed with the gentleness the man had displayed toward her Tante. She would have to ask Lily what service she used to find these people. Already a photoshoot layout was taking form in her head and she knew exactly which designer the spread would best promote. A snide comment, that she attributed to the alcohol in her system flitted through her mind. I wonder if it will be strange for them to be paid to put clothing on... Miranda groaned as she realized what she was doing, even here, on the eve of her wedding in her fiancee's arms. It was a romantic beach setting, with a bonfire, good friends, good music and still she was almost fixated on work. How on Earth would Andrea ever put up with her?

"Hey."

Miranda turned her head slightly to see the dark eyes of the woman she loved sparkling with amusement.

"It's okay." Andy smiled, "You can think about work..."

"How did you know..."

Andy chuckled, "I can hear the circuits firing in your head." She kissed Miranda's neck. "I was just outlining a story in my head too. It's not a crime you know?"

"It is a crime," Miranda sighed, "I should not neglect you..."

Laughing at that, Andy tightened her grip around Miranda's waist and kissed her cheek, "You aren't... you're right here."

"But you would rather I not be," Miranda looked back at the dancers, "You would rather be dancing, with..." she glanced at the strippers, encompassing Lara in her gaze as well, "someone else?"

"No, Miranda, I want to dance with you, but I've danced plenty this evening," Andy whispered in the older woman's ear. "And the only person at this party who I ever want to see naked..." her hands roamed across Miranda's ribs, dangerously close to her breasts, "... is you."

"Andrea..." Miranda looked into Andrea's lust darkened eyes and chuckled. Reaching up she brushed her fingertips along Andrea's cheek, "... later, my Darling. There is time."

"Mmm..." Andy relaxed back in the chair, feeling Miranda's tension drain away as well. "Two whole weeks... and then the rest of our lives. It's gonna be awesome."

Relaxing into the embrace, Miranda smiled as she watched her friends and family dance, "You bet it will."

###

Andy had said her goodbyes to her guests, including Nigel who had shown up just as the strippers were leaving, and given Lily an extra ferocious thank you hug before leaving the party hand in hand with Miranda. Now they stood in front of the hotel room that she and Miranda had shared since they'd arrived. "I don't want to leave you."

"It has been a most pleasant evening." Miranda smiled and brushed the backs of her fingers against Andrea's flushed cheek. "But I am getting married tomorrow and should be going."

"Ah," Andy's eyes roamed restlessly over Miranda's face, "You're fiancee is lucky." Settling her gaze on Miranda's lips, Andy smiled, "Are they... very jealous?" Andy's eyes reflected Miranda's amusement at the question, "Do you think I could invite you back to my room, for a drink?"

"That sounds lovely," Miranda raised an eyebrow, "but, I was told earlier that you are going to be married tomorrow as well... Would your intended be jealous of this, late night liaison?"

Andy nodded and moved in closer. With their lips only millimeters apart, she murmured, "Murderous," before she pressed their lips together.

"Mmmm..." Miranda reluctantly broke the contact and pulled the keycard for the room from her pocket. "In that case, perhaps it would be wiser for you to remain here with me..." She walked into the room, not seeing the large manila envelope on the floor.

Laughing, Andy agreed and followed Miranda inside, but when she turned to close the door she saw the envelope, "What's this?" Andy's amused chuckle matched her grin and upraised eyebrows, "More work?" She quickly opened the small metal tabs holding the envelope closed.

Turning to see the envelope in Andrea's hands, recognizing the handwriting on the outside, Miranda gasped and moved to intercept Andrea's next action. "Andrea! No!"

Andy had already spilled the contents of the envelope out into her hand. She blinked down at the photos and shook her head, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. "Miranda..." Andy swallowed hard and managed to push a whisper through her rapid breathing, "What is this?"

Miranda sighed, "An annoyance I would rather you not have had to deal with."

"This is... " Andy didn't have the words to describe exactly how wrong the photos were. "...I didn't... we didn't..."

"Shhh..." Miranda nodded, "I know."

"I would never... with anyone, much less..." Andy shook her head and still focused on the photos, whispered the name of the other person depicted there, "Lara."

Eyes widening, Miranda glanced at the photos in Andrea's hand, "Hmmm... that's new." Miranda was glad that she had not seen these photos prior to witnessing Andrea and Lara dancing.

Andy looked up from the visual lies in her hand and questioned the comment, "New?"

With a slightly apologetic glance, Miranda retrieved a matching envelope from her overly large purse. "These were delivered to me, with my mail... on the last day I was in the office."

Andy gasped as the contents of this envelope mixed with the ones already in her hand. "Does Blair know about these?"

"Yes, of course." Miranda led Andy deeper into their suite, "I phoned her immediately after I received them."

"Oh!" Andy looked up from the photos. "This is why you were so upset... at the airport, when Mom started to say something about Blair..."

"Mmm..." Miranda acknowledged that, "That was perhaps an overreaction on my part, but Blair has been very gracious about this entire matter." She hesitated then added, "We should inform Lara of this, new, set as soon as possible."

Tossing all the pictures onto the small table in front of the sofa, Andy turned to Miranda, "It's not true... I would never..."

"Shhhh..." Shifting closer, Miranda wrapped her arms around Andrea's trembling frame and assured the young woman. "I know."

"Why would someone do that? Send pictures like that?" Andy looked again at the photos. What they represented made her nauseous but something about them niggled the back of her mind. "Who would hate us being together that much?"

Pressing her lips together, Miranda did not want to speak the name that had immediately crossed her mind when the photos first appeared. Andrea, of course, could read her like a book and shook her head against the idea.

"No... Miranda... I can't believe..." Andy glanced at the photos again then buried her face in the crook of Miranda's neck, "Daddy wouldn't do that... not to me."

That, Miranda had to admit, was true. Richard wouldn't have used photos with Andrea in them. If he had been the perpetrator, the photos would have been of her, obviously naked, in the arms of women she knew, not Andrea. Miranda tried to console her fiancee, "Whoever is doing it, for whatever reason... they have failed. The wedge they seem to want driven between us is simply not there. The wedding will go on, despite this, childish attempt to tear us apart."

"What if the pictures get released to the press?" Andy held Miranda tightly. "You and I can weather something like that... but, what about Blair... and Lara?"

"Blair has assured me that she can deal with any possible fallout from the photos. Lara also seems rather capable. We can discuss it with her in the morning." Miranda kissed Andy's temple and assured the trembling woman, "We have the best private investigators in the business working to find the culprit or culprits, and I believe the Good Detective has been diligently tracking down a few things as well."

"It's Judy..." Andy rested her head on Miranda's shoulder and stared off into space, numbed by the thought. "I don't know how, but she did it..." A tear leaked out of Andy's eye. "Why can't she just leave me, us, alone?"

"We do not know for sure that she is the one responsible." Miranda, however, did silently acknowledge the possibility, "The private investigators will complete their task and we will respond to the information they discover accordingly."

"Okay..." Andy snuggled closer and nodded, her cheek brushing against Miranda's shoulder as she did, "You're right. We'll just wait and see what the P.I.'s find out."

"In the mean time..." Miranda smiled and kissed the top of Andrea's head. "We should get some sleep."

"Really?" Andy grinned and licked the skin so near her mouth. She inhaled Miranda's scent and almost growled, "Sleep? Are you sure?"

"It is late..." Miranda shifted on the sofa, bringing Andrea down on top of her, "but suddenly I don't feel all that tired."

"Mmmm..." Smiling at that, Andy pressed their lips together, lightly at first then with growing fervor. When she broke the kiss, gasping for air, Andy's breathless voice asked plaintively, "Can we start the honeymoon a little early?"

Pulling the dark head back down to hers, Miranda answered, in a breathless sort of chuckle, "You bet we can."

###

Miranda was woken by a broken whisper, "Miranda..."

"Andrea..." Tears leaking from the corners of Andrea's eyes spurred Miranda to shake the woman gently. "Andrea, wake up... please don't cry, it's just a dream."

Andy's eyes flew open and with a sob she pulled Miranda closer to her. "Oh god..." Burying her face in Miranda's shoulder, Andy sobbed, "I hate that... you weren't there, weren't with me. I couldn't find you..."

"Shhhh..." Miranda assured her fiancee. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." Continuing to soothe the younger woman, Miranda tried to speak casually. "This is the first one in a while..."

"Yeah," Andy sighed. "I thought they'd gone."

Miranda felt the tension slowly draining from Andrea's body and smiled. "It's still early. Go back to sleep..."

"I don't think I can this time..." Andy sighed. "You try and get some sleep okay?" She began to shift, "I... I'm just gonna go for a run..."

"Alone?"

Andy shrugged, "Maybe just a walk around the hotel grounds... until later when Serena and Lara wake up."

"We still need to discuss the photos with Lara." Miranda reluctantly released her hold to allow Andrea out of the bed.

"I know," Andy's tone was apologetic. "I just need to clear my head."

"It's a big day." Miranda's smile reflected a tiny bit of the brilliant expression Andrea flashed her way. "I will see you at breakfast?"

"Yeah." Andy nodded as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm just gonna take a quick shower and then just a short run. I'll have my phone with me. Call if you need me."

"I always need you, Andrea." Miranda smiled. "Be careful."

"I will." Leaning down, she kissed Miranda lightly on the lips. "Go back to sleep."

Andy smiled and waited for Miranda to settle back into the bed before heading toward the en suite bathroom.

###

After a short three-mile run, Andy was walking past one of the smaller, immaculately landscaped, terraces at the hotel, when a familiar profile caught her attention. She moved closer, cautiously, so as not to startle the woman. "Tante?"

"Oh!" Louise smiled at the young woman approaching her. "Hello, Andrea."

"Are you okay?" Andy found a seat next to Miranda's beloved aunt, concerned at the early hour. "Can't you sleep?"

Chuckling at that, Louise reached over and patted Andy's hand lightly, "As I told your grandmother yesterday, I don't sleep very long at a time anymore." Gesturing toward the sky, she explained, "I was just going to wait for the sunrise."

"Ah," Andy smiled at the older woman and leaned forward conspiratorially. "I know a better place to watch. I found it yesterday on my run." Standing she offered her hand to Tante. "Care to take a short walk with me?"

"That sounds lovely." Taking the hand, Louise hauled herself out of the lounge chair. "Thank you."

"Sure." Andy linked elbows with the shorter woman and led her down the paths that crisscrossed through the hotel grounds. As promised, it didn't take long before they reached another small landscaped area. This one looked out over a small drop-off and afforded a wide, beautiful, eastern vista view. It was also dimly lit against the early morning darkness.

"Very nice." Louise settled onto one of the benches there and smiled as Andy moved to sit next to her.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Louise nodded and turned to face her young inquisitor. "What is it?"

"You were very... accepting, when you found out about Miranda and me being involved. I'm not sure that is very common for people your..."

"Age?" Louise grinned.

Andy temporized, "Generation." She licked her lips, "Why is it you're so accepting when... others, aren't." Pressing her lips together, Andy waited for Louise to think over the question. The sky began to lighten before Tante spoke, softly.

"I have seen too much hatred in my lifetime." Louise reached out and held Andy's hand, squeezing it lightly. "So when I see love, it gives me hope."

"Hope?"

Louise nodded and watched the sky begin to blush. "That the monsters don't always win." The sunrise also filled her with hope, the beginning of a new day, another night survived, another day to be alive. "So many people let hatred rule their lives, they decide what is right and what is wrong based on what they hate, instead of what they love, if they love anything. You must choose for yourself how to react to their decisions. If enough people give in, look the other way, don't step up, then the monsters win." Glancing at her companion, Louise smiled, a bit sadly. "Forgive me. I do tend to become lost in memories a bit." She gestured toward the sky. "It's a beautiful sunrise."

Andy looked at the colorful vista and heard a familiar chuckle from behind them.

"Of course it is, Tante." Miranda moved up and kissed her beloved aunt on the cheek, "It wouldn't dare be otherwise." She kissed Andrea on the cheek and explained, "Today I am marrying the love of my life, so naturally it will be a beautiful day."

"Miranda, what..." Long fingers stopped Andy's question.

"I grew... concerned when I woke and you had yet to return." Miranda sat next to Andrea and pulled her close. "Have you worked things out?"

"Getting there."

"Good." Releasing her hold, Miranda stood and asked both women, "Shall we see what we can find for breakfast today?"

"I should go get cleaned up." Andy indicated her slightly sweaty self.

Miranda pulled her closer. "Don't you dare."

Laughing at that, Andy smiled, "Mom will kill me for showing up to breakfast like this."

"She won't say a word." Miranda grinned. "Now... shall we go see what the hotel is offering this morning?"

Andy leaned close to Miranda and murmured, "All your favorites I'm sure."

Miranda offered one elbow to Tante, and one to Andrea. "Naturally."

###

Breakfast became a drawn out event as their other family members slowly trickled into the hotel's dining area.

When Dorothy appeared, she took one look at Andy and opened her mouth to say something. It snapped shut when Miranda glanced at her and then pulled Andy in for a kiss. When the kiss broke, Dorothy just continued on to the buffet without a word.

Miranda raised an eyebrow at Andrea, but otherwise kept her expression neutral. "Told you."

Chuckling at that, Andy just shook her head and continued to enjoy her breakfast. She was surprised to see the kids, Caroline, Cassidy, Alyssa and Alan all arrive before some of the adults, then she realized why. When Lily and Jo and Blair arrived, Lily was moving slowly, Blair looked very annoyed and Jo looked extremely worse for wear.

Andy smiled her million watt smile. "Good morning, Jo!"

Jo shielded her eyes, "Could ya turn that down a bit? Geez."

Miranda chuckled and with a smirk on her face, asked, "Not feeling well this morning, Detective?"

"Oh you've gotta be kidding me..." Jo ran her fingers through her dark hair and asked Miranda, plaintively. "Not even a headache?"

Laughing a genuine Miranda-laugh, the silver haired woman's smirk turned into a smile. "Not even."

Standing with her hands on her hips, Jo glared at Miranda. "You know I hate you just a little bit right now?"

Laughing louder at that, Miranda waved the woman to take a seat. "Everyone does from time to time."

Rolling her eyes, then groaning a bit at the pain that action caused, Jo sat next to Blair.

The attentive waiter arrived for their drink orders but held a carafe of coffee in his hand, much to Jo's relief. She nodded when the level in her cup was sufficient. "Thanks."

"No problem, Ma'am." He gestured to the array of food on the steam tables, "Help yourself to the buffet."

Jo groaned again, the thought of food was just so, not, appealing right now. She did sip her coffee though and sent another glare toward the chuckling winner of their drinking contest.

Miranda leaned toward Andrea and murmured, "I will be right back." Rising from her seat, Miranda took a plate from the end of the buffet table and proceeded to fill it. She procured some scrambled eggs, and some toast, along with a smaller plate with some banana and kiwi fruit on it. She winked at Blair as she set the fare in front of Jo. "This will help." Miranda grinned and gestured for the waiter. He appeared promptly and Miranda ordered, "Bring Ms. Polniaczek a glass of orange juice." He bowed and scurried off to fulfill the request. Miranda looked down at the miserable woman and smiled. "I expect you to be recovered by the time the ceremony begins."

Nodding, Jo waved off the statement. "Yeah, yeah... it's not for hours yet. I'll be ready."

"Mmm..." Miranda shifted her gaze to Blair. "When you are finished with your meal, I would like to see you in my room. We have some, photos, to discuss."

"I haven't heard anything..."

"More were delivered to me last night." A bit of resignation crept into Miranda's tone, "Andrea and I looked them over."

"Ah..." Blair nodded. "Of course. I'll see you there in a little while."

Miranda nodded and returned to Andrea, but did not sit. She leaned down, her hand on Andrea's shoulder, and kissed the young woman's cheek. "Finish your breakfast, then bring Lara to our room."

"Okay." Andy grabbed Miranda's hand and kissed the back of it. "See you there." She watched Miranda walking out of the dining area and smiled. Shifting closer to Caroline, who had sat down next to her earlier, Andy whispered, "I'm gonna marry her."

Caroline rolled her eyes, but grinned as she continued to eat her cereal.

###

"You see," Serena ran her hand up and down Emily's back. "Everything is perfect."

Emily looked around the tent and nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, the decorators did quite a good job." Every inch of the tent sides that wasn't taken up with marble looking columns or intricate water fountains, was draped in greenery. It was actually quite beautiful and Emily could almost imagine she was in a temple on the Greek Isles when she stepped into the space. "I suppose."

"It is not what you envision for your own wedding then?" Serena asked, watching Emily's reaction closely. She was not prepared for the shock on Emily's face.

"I've never even considered getting married." Emily didn't notice the disappointment in Serena's eyes. "Marriage is really not for me." She continued looking around the space, making sure everything was ready to go.

The pianos stood ready for the children to play. The aisle was sufficiently wide enough for two people to walk from the entrance straight to the raised structure Lara had created yesterday. The portable air conditioning units were checked and double-checked, the main part of them being outside the tent so as not to create too much of a disturbance during the ceremony. The chairs were set up and the ones in front all had reserved signs on them, for family and close friends. Emily sighed to herself, Only a few more hours before the ceremony... That thought panicked her somewhat and she turned to Serena, wide-eyed. "I'd better go over the checklist again!"

Pushing aside the small bit of hurt Emily's words had caused in her, Serena chuckled and nodded, "Very well..." She knew Emily was a nervous wreck and tolerantly let the woman freak out just a little. "I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Fine?" Emily shook her head against that word. "It can't be just "fine"! This is Miranda Priestly's wedding! It has to be, perfect!"

"Shhh..." Serena leaned down and gently kissed Emily's lips. "It will be. You will make it so."

Calming slightly at the oh-so-rational words, and Serena's steadfast presence, Emily nodded and then gasped, "I must check on the cake!" Running out of the tent quickly, she didn't even notice that Serena was left standing alone in the middle of the beautiful temple.

With a small sigh, Serena began to move, gravitating toward Emily, as she always did.

###

"This is... But I didn't..." Lara looked up at the other women in the room. "We didn't..."

Miranda held up her hand to stop the halted protests. "We know..." She indicated Blair, "There are also photos of Andrea with Blair and they also did nothing of the sort."

"Who would do this?"

"That is what we are trying to determine." Miranda sighed, "We have some of the best private investigators in the business looking into the matter. When we learn something more, Joanne has agreed to step in on the law enforcement side."

"Why isn't she here?" Lara looked at Blair. "Surely your wife doesn't believe these... lies."

Blair shook her head, "No, she doesn't. She's just um..." Glancing at Miranda, Blair chuckled a little, "...not feeling too well right now."

"Speaking of..." Andy cautiously entered the discussion. "How's your husband going to feel about all this?"

"Well he won't believe it, if that's what you're asking." Lara looked at the photo's again trying in vain to see where the perpetrator had joined her head to the naked body on the bed. "Even though it is a very good job... If I didn't know, for a fact, that I didn't do this..." She was going to be hard-pressed to explain these pictures.

"Mmmm..." Miranda nodded and sighed. "It is quite flawless."

Lara and Blair both blinked at the tone of the statement. Lara's eyes widened, "You don't believe it, do you?"

Andy laughed and reassured both her friends. "No, she doesn't. She's just ticked that someone who can do this kind of work doesn't work in the Art department of Runway."

Miranda glared at Andy, but quickly redirected her gaze to Blair who quietly asked.

"Who says they don't?"

"That is a good point," Miranda nodded, but denied it. "If there was anyone in my employ who could do this kind of work, I would know about it."

Andy agreed. "She's right. They don't think she pays attention to them, her minions, but she does." Taking on a sonorous tone, Andy fluttered her eyes. "She...knows... all..."

Scoffing at that, Miranda spoke through her smirk, "You are so ridiculous."

Turning her million watt smile on Miranda, Andy dared her, "Tell me I'm wrong." Smirking at Miranda's silence, Andy let out a triumphant, "Ha!"

Lara laughed at their antics, knowing they were for everyone's benefit, to ease the tension. Her phone buzzed against her hip and she jumped. "Ugh... I hate it when it does that." She checked the text message, Dad's here and nodded. "My daughter informs me that my husband has arrived. Shall I ask him to join us?"

Miranda exchanged a glance with Andrea and nodded. "By all means."

Lara pressed the appropriate buttons to let her husband know what room she was currently in, and to join them.