"Nice jab with the right"
Finally Andy could sit to have some lunch at 1:35 pm after a crazy morning, dealing with meetings and incompetent people. She knew now what Miranda felt like when dealing with the same problem but of course Andy didn't bite their heads off or make people cry in the meeting room. Just as she started to unpack the Chinese take out Julian brought for her, the office phone started to ring.
"Hello" she didn't even bother to look at the ID, already taking the first bite.
"Hello, I would like to talk with Mrs. Andrea Sachs Priestly, please"
"This is she, who is this?" she asked to the not totally strange voice.
"This is Virginia Ford from Dalton School, I got in touch with you around a month ago."
Andy dropped the fork to the memory already feeling something was wrong. "Yes I remember; is something wrong with the twins?" she asked worried.
"No they are fine, but I have a situation here with Cassidy this time and I need you or Miranda to come to school now."
"Can you tell me what this is about?" Andy was fidgeting already.
"I would rather talk to a family member here at school but I can anticipate she got into a fight." the principal's assistant told her.
Andy froze on spot and totally forgot that she hadn't even had breakfast today. "She what?" Andy asked like she needed reassurance.
"She got into a fight." she woman repeated.
"You mean a verbal fight right?" Andy was massaging her temple, this woman had to be on drugs because there was no way in hell she believed that any of Priestley's clan, except for Evelyn of course, could be in a physical fight with anyone.
"Unfortunately not; she punched the nose of another student and I really need you or Miranda to come here but Cassidy asked to call you first."
"Ok," Andy was about to make a hole in her forehead from too much rubbing, "I will be there in half an hour thank you."
"I'll be waiting, bye"
"Bye," Andy hung up the phone resting her head in her hands. After a few second she picked up the phone again and called Nil to pick her up.
-Dalton school-
Andy walked as quickly as she could in her high hells being greeted by a secretary that guided her to the principal office.
"Hello Mrs. Priestly nice to see you again" Virginia said with a smile.
"Likewise, even if it is always under some troubled circumstances. And you can call me Andy" Andy answered with a shy smile.
"Yes unfortunately, please have a seat, Andy" Virginia nodded to the chair and turned to her secretary, "please ask Cassidy to come in here."
"Yes maam," the secretary said exiting the room, leaving them alone.
"But precisely what happened? Is she hurt?" Andy asked, worried. She was not ready to think about that possibility yet.
"No, school security was able to control them before something really bad could happen, but as you know the school can't tolerate any kind of aggressive attitude by any student, even if they are Miranda´s twins," Veronica said taking a long breath saying Miranda's name and thanking God she was not having that conversation with the devil herself.
"Caroline was involved too?" Andy was becoming impatient. She wanted to see her stepdaughter and make sure she was all right.
"No Caroline was not with her when it started, she came when the security stopped them." Virginia explained.
"I understand, but how did it start?" Andy asked curious, she still couldn't believe Cassidy could do such thing; maybe Caroline, with her Miranda-like-temper, but never Cassidy.
Andy´s question was interrupted by a knock on the door and Cassidy stepped into the room, not able to look at Andy.
"Cassidy, have a seat please," Virginia said.
"Hi baby," Andy greeted her putting a hand on her arm but not receiving any answer back.
"Cassidy, can you please tell us what happened now?" Virginia reclined into her seat, "She refused to say before," she added talking to Andy now.
"Honey, why did you hurt your classmate?" Andy asked in a tender voice, she knew better than raise her voice to Cassidy. It only would make it worse.
"He is not my friend," Cassidy finally looked at Andy "and he is older, he is not in my class." She added, like Andy should know everything that happened by now, and looked down again.
"It doesn't matter Cassidy, you can't punch people's nose, why didn't you simply talk or better walked away from him? He is older, he could´ve had hurt you" Andy put her hand in Cassidy's chin trying to make the younger girl face her.
"I asked him to stop and he pulled me and didn't stop and continued to say things that aren't true," Cassidy was breathing heavily, trying not to cry, because crying meant she was guilty and she didn't feel that way at all.
"What did he say Cassidy?" Virginia inquired already knowing everything that happened by the other students that were present at the moment.
Cassidy looked at her and then to Andy's supportive eyes, "He said you are my mom´s toy and that you use a collar like a dog so my mom can show you around in parties as a trophy" Andy´s ears were starting to get red in anger, she could feel her heart trying to pump the blood in her veins. "And then he said you are only with us because my mom bought you with her money and you don't care about us."
"He said what?" Andy was about to combust in anger.
"And when I said his dad is a thief he came at me and held my hair tight so I punched him," Cassidy felt a single tear falling down her face but she quickly wiped it away, "I'm sorry Andy."
Andy nodded to her and turned her attention once again to Virginia "Who is this moron?"
"Mrs. Priestly, please," Virginia called Andy to help, not to have her lose control too.
"I'm sorry," Andy quickly rephrased "Who is this boy? I want to talk to him and his parents."
"He was sent to the infirmary to put some ice on his nose and after that he got suspended for a week." Virginia explained.
"I'm sorry but I don't agree with Cassidy being suspended as well." Andy was trying to defend Cassidy.
"I didn't say she was suspended." Virginia looked confused.
"That is not why I am here?" Andy asked also confused now.
"Not quite, taking in the fact that he provoked the fight and that he is 2 years older than her, he should know better. Besides with his school record with fights, we decided to suspend only him this time. However if that ever happens again she will take the same punishment. Do you understand Cassidy?" Virginia explained in a firm tone. Cassidy nodded to her.
"Who is this boy?" Andy asked still very upset.
"It's Thomas Ravitz," Cassidy replied before Virginia could answer.
Andy was pinching her leg in an effort to bring some kind of pain that could camouflage her urge to smile. Priestley versus Ravitz. Make your bet.
"Well," Andy started "then I hope he had learned his lesson and will never do that again specially to a girl younger than him."
"I don't think he will learn, but we can only hope." Virginia shook her head.
"Can I go back to class now?" Cassidy asked Virginia.
"Yes Cassidy," Virginia said with a smile.
"I will see you at home honey." Andy said with a warm smile.
Cassidy gave Andy a quick hug and bit the inside of her cheek locking eyes with her. Andy knew what that look meant. It was a slight plea not to tell her mother what had happened.
-Sachs-Priestly townhouse -
Miranda and Andy had an agreement to try to have dinner together as much as they could during the week, and when one of them couldn't, the other had to try harder. That night around 7pm Joanna was starting to serve dinner to the girls when Andy unlocked the front door.
"Good evening girls, Joanna," Andy said coming from the bathroom after washing her hands, "what are we having for dinner? I'm starving."
"What else is new?" Joanna joked with her while putting the drinks on the table.
"Ha ha very funny Joanna, I didn't even have lunch today" Andy said while Cassidy focused on her food in silence knowing she was part of the reason.
The rest of the dinner came along in small talk about their day, mostly between Andy and Caroline since Cassidy remained quiet and Miranda so far was trapped in her board meeting.
After dinner the girls went to do their homework and Andy went to her office to finish her article and finish packing for her flight the next morning to Denver. She was going to be there for 4 days covering the Democratic National Convention for the Mirror. She heard a soft knock and a cute twin coming in.
"You wanted to talk to me?" Cassidy asked in a low voice.
"Yes honey and the reason you already know right?" Andy sighed to her to come and sit on the sofa.
"I know and I already said I'm sorry." Cassidy rolled her eyes exactly like her mother.
"Yeah, from the way you just rolled your eyes I can tell how sorry you are." Andy said smiling, "but sorry or not that was not the right thing to do, you can't get into fights in school. You can either hurt someone, get hurt or both, doesn't matter the reason or who started it."
"I know," Cassidy was thinking that the spot in Andy's sofa was very interesting to look at.
"Promise you will not do that again, and if something happens you can call me, your mother, your dad or go to your principal and tell them that someone is bothering you," Andy said while sitting close to her on the couch.
"I promise" she said and Andy saw truth in her eyes.
"Thank you," Andy sighed heavy, "but you are grounded, you can't get out of this that easily and you know that."
"I know, but it's not fair, I wasn't punished at school, why should I be at home?" Andy could not help but smile. Arguing with the twins was worse than going to court. Lawyers had nothing on those two.
"True, but that rule doesn't work here, you have to understand that what you did was wrong and deal with the consequences."
"I was trying to protect you, what he said was wrong and a lie" Cassidy ´s eyes were turning red with unshed tears.
"I know baby," Andy brought Cassidy into her arms, "You know I'm here because I love your mother, you and Caroline very much don't you?" Cassidy nodded in her chest, "and I appreciate what you did for me, but you can't deal with difficult situations with violent behavior" She finished kissing her head.
"I understand," Cassidy said getting out of the embrace, "how many days?" She asked in her original puppy dog eyes she knew Andy couldn't resist.
"Four days, no TV, no internet except for homework and no going to your friends house after school" Andy settled the punishment.
"One," Cassidy proposed back.
"Three," Andy offered.
"No, two," was the reply.
"Ok five then," Andy nodded raising an eyebrow.
"Ok three works, but starting from today" Cassidy fast agreed with a grin.
"Oh God," 'Damn blue eyes,' she thought. How hard it is to win against a child? Forget the question, this is not a simply child, this is Miranda´s child "ok go to your room then, and don't think because I will be away for 4 days I will not know if you trick me."
"I promise I won't." Cassidy shook her head with indignation.
"Good."
"Andy," she started in low voice not smiling anymore, "are you gonna tell mom?"
Andy sighed once again, "I think I have to honey, you wanna tell her yourself?"
Cassidy shook her head.
"Go to bed baby, we'll talk about that tomorrow ok" Andy calmed her and kissed her head once again, "I love you and thanks for defending me."
"You're welcome," Cassidy said hugging her, "goodnight Andy."
"Goodnight sweetie, I will be right there to say goodnight to your sister."
"Ok" Cassidy said closing the door behind her.
xxxxxxx
Around 10:20 pm Miranda came into the master bedroom caring the Book and found Andy coming out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
"Hey baby," Andy said smiling walking closer as Miranda put the Book by the bed. Andy opened the towel allowing Miranda to embrace her cold naked body. "How was your day?" She asked kissing her.
"Less appealing and amusing than now" Miranda answered in her mouth.
"I'm sure it was" Andy broke the kiss fastening her towel once again moving to the closet to get dressed. "Did you eat something already? Joanna left some salad with roasted chicken for you. Do you want me to bring it for you?"
"I'm not hungry," Miranda said kicking off her heels.
"Wrong answer, I'm absolutely positive that you didn't have any descent meals today so I'm going to get it and you are going to eat it." Andy said glaring seriously to Miranda.
"You know you can't pierce me with your stares don't you?" Miranda glared back.
"You can't blame me for trying," Andy chuckled putting on her underwear.
"Anyway," Miranda started clearing her throat at the vision, "I went to say goodnight to the girls and Caroline asked me to go to Julia Steiner´s house tomorrow after ballet but surprisingly Cassidy said she didn't want to go and that I should talk to you." Miranda finished with her usual raised eyebrow that not even Angelina Jolie would envy.
'Thanks Cass for passing the hot potato to my hands' Andy murmured "Well, ah, can we talk about this tomorrow morning maybe?" Andy tried but Miranda´s pursed lips gave the answer.
"I didn't think so." Andy inhaled, "she is grounded," she simply said.
"Grounded for what?" Miranda asked unbuttoning her silk blouse.
Andy stood there wondering why she had suddenly started sweating even though she had just left shower. This was not the first time she grounded the one of the twins and Miranda supported her decisions each time, but still it felt weird especially because this time she didn't quite agree with the grounding and she totally supported Cassidy´s principles. If something like that had happened to her she would´ve had done more than punching them. That was a clear example of 'Do as I say, not as I do'. Andy started to explain "Well, something," she paused searching for the right words, "odd happened today and we talked about it and we agreed she had to stay home for a few days to think about it." Andy explained in the most evasive way possible, already knowing it was for nothing because she would have to explain it one way or another.
"And what odd thing happened that I was not informed about?" Miranda faked a smile.
"She got into a fight at school and punched another student in the nose," Andy finally explained looking everywhere but Miranda.
"She did what? Is she ok?" Her eyes filled with terror, "and why on earth was I not informed Andrea? She was not raised to behave like a non civilized person," Miranda with her ice cold tone was putting her blouse back and going to the door when Andy stopped her.
"Miranda calm down, she is ok and I'm sure she is sorry and will never do something like that ever again," Andy said holding the door with her back not letting Miranda pass by her, "you don't know the whole story."
"Then enlighten me please," Miranda´s tone by now could make hell freeze.
"Well, she was provoked at school by a two-year-older boy and she verbally argued back and she only punched him when he grabbed her hair. For me it's a clear case of self-defense." Andy was playing the advocate.
"Yes, pull the hair and punch in the face, same thing," Miranda said with pure disdain making Andy raised her hands in defeat. "She is grounded for a whole month, end of discussion." Miranda firmly pointed and turned away from Andy and sat on the bed with her hand on her eyes. Damn headache coming.
"Miranda," Andy softy said, "that boy said to her that I am with you because of your money and that I am your little bitch," she nodded and Miranda felt her head spin with the new information "well not using the word bitch but was that the message" now was Andy´s time to sit on the bed close to Miranda, "you raised your daughters to respect and demand respect as well, and for them never surrender to prejudice and others disrespectful things mean people can do or say even if they are children," since Miranda didn't say a word Andy continued. "She was trying to protect me and fight against something she knew was wrong, she just used the incorrect way to demonstrate her point of view, because I don't agree with violence the same way you don't but sorry, in this case I would've done worse," Miranda glared at her, "but, I'm sure Cassidy understood now, that is why I grounded her. For me this is more than just punishment, it's a time for her to think about what happened and a month will make her lose that concept and it will only upset her."
Miranda didn't even blink letting Andy's words sink in. "However" Andy put a hand over her shoulder "they are your children and you know what is best for them, I only tried to help, they are amazing kids and I hope the child I will eventually have with you be smart and strong, exactly like them." Andy finished with a smile.
"I will talk with her in the morning" was Miranda's only response. Andy nodded. "You never cease to amaze me" Miranda stood up and locked herself in the bathroom. After a few minutes of shower running Miranda came out already in her nightgown. Andy was already under the covers at her side of the bed facing Miranda's pillows. Miranda laid at her side facing the ceiling deep in thought.
"Are you mad with me?" Andy finally broke the sepulchral silence.
"No, I'm mad with myself that I couldn't protect my child from getting hurt, I should´ve known my acts bring consequences to them", she said looking at Andy.
"Miranda please, you have nothing to be sorry about, this boy is a copy of his parents and he says what he hears at home. He is a trouble maker at school, and his parents will be the ones with a real problem on their hands in a close future, from what I've heard about him at Dalton today, not us. I know that Cassidy is still a kid but she is strong. In the morning she will not even be upset any more, she was more worried about you finding out about it and being mad at her. The girls are proud of you and it doesn't matter to them who you share your life with, as long as you are happy." Andy was closing the distance between them; she wanted the warmth she only got from Miranda's body.
"Who is this boy? Is he from her class?" Miranda asked curiously allowing Andy to snuggle with her. "I will have to talk to the principal."
"It was Thomas Ravitz," Andy said the name feeling once again the anger raising as she put her head on Miranda´s shoulder.
"Great, just getting better and better" Miranda murmured playing with the small of Andy´s back. "I understand that Cassidy was defending you and her principles, I'm very proud of her, but she can't lose her temper like this even if is against Irv´s son."
"Let's talk about that in the morning ok?" Andy asked kissing her neck. She knew Miranda would only get more upset if they kept talking about it. "How was your meeting?"
"Terrible, so far the financial lawyers Albert hired found an enormous hole in the last 7 years expenses of Elias-Clarke, they are tracking Irv, his wife and brother´s accounts at Cayman Islands and the prospects are not good."
Andy was playing with Miranda´s wedding ring in her finger. "I'm glad you took the position from him, he never deserved it."
"What time is your fly tomorrow?" Miranda asked wanting to change the heavy subjects for the night.
"At 10:30 am, and I still have to finish my bag" Andy yawned felling relaxed under Miranda's touch. "Patricia will be disappointed, no one running in the morning with her for 4 days."
"She will live." Miranda said turning the light at the bedside off. "I suggest you to go to sleep" Andy tried to occupy Miranda´s personal space cuddling closer.
"Have you ever heard about a physics theory that says two bodies can never occupy the same point in space at the same time?" Miranda asked amused.
"I love you too Miranda and I'm not moving from here, goodnight baby" Andy was already drifting into sleep, Miranda looked over her kissing her forehead closing her eyes as well, there was no other point in space she rather be, but there.
Fin.