A/N: This prompt came from Facebook's DWP Mirandy Page. I have been trying to coax my muse out from her winter hibernation by feeding her a particular nutty chocolate bar. Anyway, the prompt I was given is as follows;
Andy catches Miranda having a Snickers and almost dies of shock.
Disclaimer: As always I am just fooling with these characters. I do not own or make any money from them. They are owned by Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox.
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Chapter Nine:
Miranda grabbed Andy's purse. Pulling her cell out she tore the battery and out and replaced it with her own. Switching the cell phone on she waited for it to boot back up. The phone buzzed with incoming texts, voicemail notifications and emails.
"My darling, where is your charger?" Miranda asked quietly. Andy nodded to her desk in the corner as Miranda stalked across the room and plugged her own cell in. As soon as she had the minimum charge she made a call.
"Emily I need two tickets for the first available flight to Cincinnati, preferably first class, ensure it comes from my personal account. I will need you to reschedule my week. If there's anything that can't be rescheduled send Nigel in my place. Nigel can take care of the book but I want the electronic copy no later than 9 pm each night. Anything Andréa was to complete needs to be pushed to one side for now unless you can find the time to do it. Get HR to send a temp to assist you until further notice. I will send further updates as I require. I do not wish to be bothered after today unless Runway is on fire. That's all."
Andy had looked up at Miranda as she launched into her quick-fire instructions. The next call left her perplexed.
"Hi James, I need to keep the girls for a week...Yes...Thank you, James...Are the girls with you now? Can you put me on speaker and I'll explain? Hi Bobbsey's, mommy's got to go away for a few days so I will need you to stay with your father...No Caroline it's not good, Andréa's parents and sister were in an accident so I am travelling to Ohio with her...Yes, I will give her the biggest hug from you Cassidy...Yes, I will tell her you are sending your love Caroline...Be good for your father...I will speak to you both soon...I love you too...Yes...Goodbye. Thank you, James...Yes, we'll have dinner soon.
As she disconnected the call her cell buzzed as another call came through. "Emily, what do you mean there's no availability? Call Irv, Donatella, anyone...I do not care. Andréa and I need to be in Ohio now...Yes, what Nigel has told you is the truth...Do not fail me, Emily. Thank you."
Miranda sighed, looking up she caught Andy's confused gaze and walked back to the sofa. Sitting next to the brunette she pulled her into her arms and Andy finally let her tears flow.
"What am I going to do Miranda? I don't know what to think or feel. I can't bear to listen to the voicemail's or look at the texts and emails. I felt so free earlier and then this...this guilt for not being available." Andy sobbed as Miranda ran her hand in soothing circles on Andy's back.
"My darling, I will get you back to Ohio no matter what, I will be there with you every step of the way. I am here for you my Andréa." Miranda whispered against her temple as her phone buzzed with an incoming call. Picking up the cell she answered. "Yes, Emily...Acceptable. Pick up a bottle of Macallan and give it to Irv with my thanks. Call Roy and tell him I need him at the Townhouse in one hour. That's all...and Emily, thank you."
"You said thank you to Em, twice, her head will be spinning." Andy grinned sadly. "Why are you doing all this Miranda? You didn't sign up for the mess my life is about to become."
"You as good as told that boy you love me," Miranda explained. "Three days ago I told my only friend I thought I loved you and I was right, I do. I love you Andréa, I can't identify the exact moment when it happened but I can't deny it." Miranda looked down. "This wasn't how I was supposed to tell you, not the first time. I'd planned it in my head, a romantic dinner, candles, wine." Miranda sighed as Andy tilted her face so their eyes could meet.
"Do you mean it?" Seeing Miranda's small nod she smiled softly. "What I told Nate was the truth. I love you, Miranda, I have for so long." Miranda blushed "So what's the plan?" Andy asked
"We pack your bags, we will return to the Townhouse and I will grab a few things. The company jet is waiting to take us where we want to go." Miranda told her softly. "Irv for once has shown he can be a good man. He asked for me to pass on his condolences."
"Cannes sounds better than Cincinnati," Andy whispered. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to face what's coming next."
"You will find the strength, my darling and I will be there by your side. Come, we should get you packed. You may also be better getting changed into something more comfortable, at least shoe wise." Miranda told her gently as she pulled the young woman into the bedroom.
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Fifteen minutes later they were packed and making their way to the car when Andy heard her name being called before being swept into a hug.
"I'm so sorry Andy." Doug cried as he held his friend close. "Nate rocked up at my apartment and told me what had happened. I came as quickly as I could."
"He was probably slower than usual because he was with me and I wasn't trailing down here looking less than fabulous." Nigel quipped half-heartedly before he turned to pull Miranda into a conversation.
Nigel and Miranda stepped to the side and murmured among themselves creating a plan of action for the coming week.
"Nate was so angry with me Dougie. He saw me with Miranda." Andy snorted. "He went ballistic at her so I told him I'd knock him on his skinny ass if he said one more thing to her, then I told him to fuck off back to Boston."
Doug looked from her to Miranda and smiled. "Well from what I read it wouldn't have been the first time this weekend. He wasn't too impressed to find Nigel at my place either, he ranted about Runway taking everything from him, so I also told him to fuck off. He's probably at Lily's licking his wounds. No doubt I will hear about it later if she deigns to speak to me."
"All I keep asking myself is why the hell he assumed it was his place to break that news to me, it was him that left. I would have stayed with him. It's true I didn't love him as I should, but I cared enough to make us work. I can't identify if that makes me selfish or not." Andy explained.
Doug shrugged. "I don't know about selfish, you deserve to love someone with your whole heart and Miranda makes you glow in a way I have never seen. Anyway, I'll grab Nigel and let you go. Text me when you have more news. Give your mom and Jill my love and Andy, if I can do anything just call, anytime day or night." He pulled her into another hug.
As they finished their conversation Miranda was surprised when Nigel took her into a hug and whispered. "Take care of our Six, she's obviously fierce, but she's also fragile. Did she tell you she was a twin?" At Miranda's nod, he smiled. "She's opening up to you, that's good. And the dragon tattoo, Doug showed me a photo, wow!"
"It's beautiful, she's beautiful," Miranda whispered. "She told the fry-cook she loves me."
"As if it's not obvious," Nigel smirked. "I know her and I know you. Please take care of each other."
"I will do what I can to ease her through this Nigel. I promise." Miranda told him.
"We should let you go, I won't let you down, Miranda," Nigel said.
"I appreciate it. I'll speak to you in the week Nigel. Thank you." Miranda offered him a smile as she slid into the driver's seat of the Porsche and watched as he pulled Andy into a hug and whispered reassurances in her ears.
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Miranda hit the Townhouse like a whirlwind packing bags and her laptop in record time. By the time she was done Roy had arrived and placed Andy's bags into the trunk of the Town Car as Andy sat at the bottom of the stairs with her head in her hands. Miranda rushed down the stairs she handed her bags to Roy and stood in front of Andy. "Are you ready, my darling?" She asked.
Andy looked up and saw the concern etched in Miranda's eyes. "Yes." She whispered hoarsely as she fought against her tears.
"Come on Andréa, we should get going." Miranda led Andy to the car and opened the door for her as she walked around and slid into the back seat. Before the privacy glass was moved up Miranda spoke to Roy. "On your way back I will need you to pick up Patricia and take her to the girl's, they are at their father's."
"Of course, Miranda, we will be at Teterboro within the next 45 minutes. Emily has arranged clearance to take you directly to the plane." Roy confirmed.
Looking at the brunette Miranda slid further along the seat and pulled her closer so Andy could rest against her. "We will be there around 3 hours from now if the itinerary Emily has provided is correct. She has arranged a car from the airport and has booked us a hotel, The Cincinnatian. Apparently, it's not too far from the Hospital."
"Yea, it's just over two miles." Andy offered a small smile. "I should text and thank her."
"That can wait, my darling. She knows you'll appreciate her efforts, she knows you are not the type of person to take it for granted."
"I checked my messages, most of them are off Jill and she's okay. Her last message said my mom's expected to make a good recovery. They were concerned as she hit her head pretty badly and they struggled to bring her around but she's awake now, she's got a concussion, a broken wrist and her thigh is fractured. She's in surgery having a rod inserted into the bone to keep it aligned as it heals."
"Did Jill say what happened?" Miranda asked gently.
"It seems a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, my dad tried to manoeuvre so they weren't hit head-on and took the brunt of the collision. He died at the scene." Andy sobbed and Miranda rubbed her back.
"Tell me about your parents," Miranda asked gently.
"My dad wasn't always an easy man, he seemed calm and easy-going to most people he met but he could be really over-bearing and controlling. He was protective of us; he provided for us and loved us." Andy told her between sobs.
"You must get your protective side from him, it's not a bad thing, my darling," Miranda told her.
Andy swiped at her tears. "Mom's always been the calming force in the family. She went to Columbia for two years before transferring to Case Western Reserve at his request. Andy shook her head sadly. "He couldn't wait the few years it would take her to graduate. She loved him so much she gave up her dream of the big city life. When the women in my family give their heart, it's for keeps."
Miranda shook her head and smiled softly. "I am extraordinarily lucky then."
Andy smiled back as she grasped Miranda's free hand. "My mom pushed him into agreeing to my move to New York, he was dead set against it, more so after he visited about 2 months into the job. It was the night you got stuck in Miami. He threw a tantrum worthy of the most spoiled toddler when I refused to go home with him."
"Oh God, he must have thought the worst of me, I was at my most impossible that night. Deep down though I hope he realised that New York is the best place for you to be? You will have more opportunities here to succeed in your chosen career." Miranda said.
"After Brad died, he got overly protective of Jill and I. He thought I was working for the devil herself after that night. Mom admitted she thought you sounded amazing, I remember her saying you appeared to be a force of nature and that she would love to meet you. She's always appreciated strong, driven women, she said in a male-dominated world, women like you show the world we are just as good as them. I believe she's a secret feminist." Andy admitted offering a small smile.
"Your mother sounds sensible. What will she say about us being together?" Miranda asked nervously.
"She may hold one or two reservations as you are a little older." Andy offered her a smile as Miranda rolled her eyes. "She will accept this, I hope."
"Will she have a problem with you being in a relationship with a woman?" Miranda asked.
"Mom's not homophobic; she had Doug move in with us when his parents kicked him out at 16 after he told them he was gay. She helped him get the scholarship to Northwestern." Andy told her. "She's always said she just wants us to be happy."
"Your mother seems like a kind woman. I believe I will see much of her daughter in her. So who do you look like?"
"I am a mix of both. I have my dad's nose and jaw and hair colour, the height comes from his side of the family too. I have my mom's smile and eyes, she's blonde and petite though. Jill looks just like her. Grams used to tell me I had the best of both my parents, I don't know though. I think I could've done without the 5-inch growth spurt within six months of my 14th birthday."
"Miranda snorted "You're what? 5ft 8 compared with my 5ft 5ish" Miranda smirked.
"Is the"ish" a precise measurement?" Andy asked cheekily.
"Of course. When have you known me not to be exact?" Miranda replied with a grin.
They say back in silence as Miranda continued to hold Andy against her chest until they reached the airport.
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They arrived at the airport 35 minutes after leaving the Townhouse and Miranda led Andy on to the Airbus A318 owned by Irv. Andy gaped open-mouthed at the opulence as Miranda settled them in the middle cabin on a wide four-seat L-shaped sofa pulling Andy down beside her. Andy was overwhelmed having travelled Economy everywhere except on her return from Paris where Miranda had upgraded her return flight and made her swap seats with Nigel.
"Do you travel like this often?" Andy asked as they taxied along the runway.
Miranda smiled. "It's not my first time on a private plane, however, I usually travel first or business class. I actually find this whole thing overly extravagant but it's a means to an end, my darling. This is Irv's new toy, I'm surprised he's allowed me to use it."
Andy felt awed. "Why would he do this for me?"
"Irv isn't a bad man, although his business decisions sometimes leave a bit to be desired." Miranda sighed. "He likes you, my darling, he's mentioned multiple times how capable you are. He asked me if I would consider letting you go to become his assistant after the Met Gala. He has wondering hands where his young assistants are concerned, so I obviously refused. I told him the position with me was the best place to be a stepping stone for your career in journalism or editorial. You impressed him, deflecting Stephen the way you did."
"I wanted to punch Stephen that night too," Andy admitted causing Miranda to smile.
"So did I, my darling," Miranda told her. "Do you need anything?"
"I may sprawl out in a chair once we are settled in the air. Would you mind?" Andy asked softly.
"Darling there's a bedroom at the back of the plane, or we could lay here together should you wish. The cabin crew have been told not to disturb us unnecessarily." Miranda told her.
"You don't have to lie down with me Miranda," Andy told her after a few minutes silence.
"I want to lie with you, to offer you my love and support darling," Miranda explained.
"Then I think the bedroom may be the best place for us to settle," Andy said with a small smile.
"Come on then, my darling, if you think out here's extravagant you should really view the rest of this bird." Miranda smiled softly as she pulled Andy to her feet and they made their way into the executive bedroom.
As she walked into the bedroom and viewed the king size bed, she was amazed enough to shout. "Holy shitballs, you've got to be kidding me?"
Miranda laughed. "Welcome to the lifestyle of the rich and famous, my darling. Now let's get settled."
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Miranda woke up with Andy wrapped around her, looking at her watch she found they had around 30 minutes before they were due to land. Moving gently she tried to extract herself from the bed without disturbing the young woman next to her but found herself totally encompassed. "Darling." She whispered. "We need to get up."
"No..." Andy muttered drowsily. "...nice 'ere."
"My darling, we really need to get up, we have just 30 minutes left on the flight before we're due to land at Blue Ash."
Andy opened one eye and grinned sleepily at the tousled older woman. "Have I really been asleep for most this flight?"
"You have, as have I. Now I could do with a drink, do you need anything?" Miranda questioned softly.
"Mm, there are so many possible responses to that question, sweetheart. Right now I'll settle for a coffee." Andy grinned as she rolled back and unloosened her grip on Miranda.
"Okay, my darling, I'll see you out in the cabin," Miranda told her softly as she got up, picking her sneakers up she stalked out of the room.
Five minutes later Andy joined Miranda back at the L-shaped sofa as the cabin crew placed the coffee on the table in front of them. Lifting her cup Andy inhaled the coffee and relaxed back into the seat. "Thank you for today." She breathed.
"There's no need for thanks, my darling. The next few days will be tough. If there's anything I can do to make things easier, I will. You seem to be holding up quite well now considering..." Miranda said hesitantly.
"Before I fell asleep, I realised that I could have lost my entire family in one hit. I will really miss my dad and I feel sad but I am also grateful my mom and Jill will be okay. At my apartment and the townhouse, I was overwhelmed with guilt. I was also furious at Nate for his words to you and that he considered it necessary to break that news to me rather than letting me find out for myself. It wasn't his place to do that."
"No, it wasn't. What he said though..." Miranda trailed off.
"What he said was bullshit." Andy declared. "Yes I have changed since I worked at Runway, I grew up. In the five years we were together I never lied to him about my feelings for him, I always knew he felt more than I did and I told him very early in our relationship it was wrong for us to stay together, he insisted that we try, that his love for me would be enough." Andy sighed. "He walked away the night before we left for Paris, telling me the person's calls I always take is the relationship I am in. He left for Boston that week, with no notice and no explanation. I arrived back from Paris to find an almost empty apartment. He took almost everything, including the guitar he bought me for our first Valentine's." Andy shrugged. "Regarding his comments about our age difference, it doesn't concern me, Miranda. You are the most beautiful person I have ever met."
"My beauty pales compared to yours, darling. You are just starting out in the world and I acknowledge you will do great things with your life. I don't want to be the one that holds you back." Miranda admitted looking away.
"Sweetheart, look at me." As Miranda looked up into Andy's eyes she saw the love and desire blazing and it took her breath away. "I want this, I want you. I know I have nothing to offer you but myself, and you can have all of me. The rest won't mean a thing unless I have you to share it with. I've given you my heart Miranda. As I've told you it isn't something the women in my family do lightly."
"Do you believe in soul mates?" Miranda asked quietly as she sat back and sipped her coffee.
"From the Greek mythology? It's an absurd concept really, four arms, four legs, a single head made of two faces and split apart by a vengeful God and forced to go in search of their missing half." Andy shook her head and smiled softly. "I believe there's someone for everyone, someone you have a deep affinity with but I prefer the term twin flame," Andy told her.
"Aren't they the same thing?" Miranda asked.
"Not at all. Twin flames are a single soul that was created at the beginning of time but then divided. The soul mate is a separate entity with whom you have spent many lifetimes as a friend, lover, co-worker or partner, and are drawn together to fulfil a specific mission." Andy explained softly.
"My father used to tell us that our mother was his bashert, his destiny. He said theirs was a marriage made in heaven." Miranda smiled sadly. "I used to believe it was romantic folly..."
"And now?" Andy queried.
"And now I wonder why my soul sings for you and it is the only explanation I can think of." Miranda pulled her close. "There has always been an inexplicable pull between us, my darling, from that first day you walked into my office when I had to send Emily after you."
"There's me thinking it was my impassioned speech about my excellent work ethic." Andy smiled.
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Their descent into Ohio went smooth. Upon the plane's arrival, the driver was waiting for them as Emily had advised and he had their arrival at the hotel within 45 minutes of their exit from the plane.
As they entered the hotel Miranda walked up to the front desk to check them in as the driver brought in their luggage and Andy made a quick call to the Hospital. Upon announcing her name Miranda was advised they had made a double booking and could not provide the presidential suite as requested.
Andy walked to the counter to find Miranda's jaw clenched as she muttered. "That is just unacceptable."
"There's enough room for two adults in the Hannaford Suite." The receptionist said helpfully as Miranda rolled her eyes and stalked off.
"What's the difference between the Hannaford and the Presidential? Andy asked.
"The Presidential Suite is 1250-1300 sq. ft. with 2 Full Bedrooms, a separate living room area with full couch, a dining area with a wet bar. A master suite with 1 king bed, Master bath with whirlpool tub for 2 and separate walk-in shower. The second bedroom has a queen bed and a full bathroom." The receptionist reeled off the list breathlessly offering Andy a wide smile.
"And the Hannaford suite, let me guess. Half the size, one bedroom with one king bed, separate living room area and bathroom?" Andy queried.
"Yes, the room also holds a dining table big enough to sit six and a very large Roman tub." She girl smiled innocently.
"Give me a minute." Andy walked over to Miranda. "Sweetheart you should take the room." She told her.
"But Emily booked the Presidential..." Miranda muttered darkly.
"Why does having the extra bedroom and bathroom matter? In the grand scheme of things, it's not that important Miranda." Andy told her gently.
"Well...well I...well two bedrooms seemed ideal, you would have the space you need, as would I." Miranda attempted to explain.
Andy tried to grasp Miranda's reasoning. "So separate rooms? If that's what you want I can get another room here or go home. You could even come home with me and stay in the guest bedroom." Andy smiled. "Alternatively you could share my childhood bed with me, which is just a queen, or we can both stay here and share a wonderfully large king bed in a one bedroom suite. The choice is yours."
Miranda huffed and stalked back to the front counter. "I suppose if the Hannaford Suite is all you can offer then we will take it." She gave the poor receptionist a glare that would make any clacker at Runway wither. The young girl squeaked as she passed two key cards to Miranda before she spun and stalked off towards the elevator. "Come along, Andréa," Miranda smirked over her shoulder at the brunette before adding. "By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me."
The receptionist gave Andy an incredulous look. "Is she famous or something?" She whispered.
Andy shrugged and grinned. "She's definitely something. Have a good evening." Andy walked towards Miranda who was tapping her foot impatiently at the elevator.
"Finally." She said with a smirk as the elevator landed and they made their way inside. "I hope you don't snore."
Andy sniggered. "I've had no complaints."
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As they entered the suite Andy gasped at the elegant furnishings surrounding her. "Acceptable," Miranda stated as she looked around. A small smile playing on her lips.
"Miranda this is amazing." Andy stuttered breathlessly. "I will freshen up and meet Jill at the hospital. Would you like to come?"
"I don't think..." Miranda said.
"Miranda, sweetheart, if you're about to say it's not your place then you are wrong," Andy told her. "You got me here faster than anyone expected and Jill has expressed the wish to meet you."
Miranda sighed. "Well if you are sure I will also freshen up and will be ready to leave in 20 minutes. I will let the driver know his presence is required."
They stood side by side at the marble twin vanity as Miranda removed her make-up, washed her face and reapplied her makeup efficiently. Andy washed her face and applied a small amount of mascara and some lip gloss, looking at her hair up in its high ponytail she sighed as she noticed her hair had curled. "These goddamn curls." She snarled. "I don't have the energy to fight them."
"Untie your hair and sit." Miranda requested. As Andy complied Miranda smiled at her through the vanity mirror. She wet Andy's hair slightly and brushed it. Finding some styling foam she used a hefty amount and ran it through Andy's hair gently. "Tilt your head to the side." Andy did as she was told as Miranda swept all her hair to the side and scrunched the hair between her palms from the tip. "Now the other side." She whispered. Andy followed the instructions as Miranda repeated the previous gestures. "Now forward." As Andy tilted her head Miranda completed the action from that angle. "Let me see." As Andy's hair settled, she noticed perfectly unstructured voluminous curls. "Perfect," Miranda whispered as she placed a kiss on Andy's head
"Wow thank you." Andy was overcome with the gesture. "How did you know what to do?" She asked.
"I worked in a hairdresser's in the East End before I got into fashion. It helped me pay my way through night school." Miranda smiled gently and shrugged. "I'm just going to change, my darling. I won't be long."
Andy walked back into the bedroom to find Miranda sorting through her luggage with a frown. She was still wearing her cashmere sweater and jeans but had replaced her Converse Chucks with Giuseppe Zanotti heels. She held a Balenciaga leather jacket in her hand.
"Have you forgotten something?" Andy asked softly, concerned.
"My Prada pumps." Miranda frowned again. "I never travel without them."
"We were in a rush, sweetheart. I can always ask Emily to messenger them." Andy said.
"Never mind. I can manage without them for a few days." Miranda smiled at Andy's look of concern. "Are you going to change?"
"Yeah, I want to put on some comfortable clothes first," Andy told her causing Miranda to smirk.
"And what do you define as comfortable, my darling? Not that hideous cerulean sweater I hope?" Miranda asked laughing.
Andy pulled her luggage open and grabbed a pair of Levi's and an over-sized purple Northwestern t-shirt. "This." She grinned as Miranda rolled her eyes.
"Well, at least your sneakers match the t-shirt. Cassidy would like your indigo hi-tops."
"I'll get her a pair and Caro some green ones," Andy said happily.
"You know their favourite colours, how?" Miranda queried softly, amazement showing in her eyes.
"I pay attention, sweetheart, it is part of my job to do so, to notice what you do so I can find an obscure lamp from that place we passed three weeks earlier," Andy told her with a smirk. "And those boogie boards you made me get them for their summer break at the Hampton's were in purple and green so it was an educated guess."
"You have a good eye for detail Andréa. Now don't dawdle your mom and Jill are waiting for you." Miranda said as her cell pinged. Looking down she read the incoming message. "The driver is here. I'll give you five minutes."
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