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 Eleven:
Miranda stalked to the car as she driver rushed to open your door. "Is there a liquor store near here?" Miranda asked him.
"Yea...yes." The driver said hesitantly.
"I want to go there and then for you to take me to Twin Lakes," Miranda told him.
"That's in Eden Park..." the driver stuttered.
"Yes, well I needed to be there 5 minutes ago, but I need to stop at a liquor store first. That's all." Miranda slid into the back seat and rubbed the bridge of her nose as the car moved. Her heart ached for Andréa and the circumstances behind her father's death. She was overwhelmed by the emotions the young woman conjured within her, she was stunned by the fact her old friend was actually Andréa's mother. She pulled her cell and hit the speed dial for Nigel.
"Good evening Miranda..." Nigel said upon the call connecting.
"It's Beth," Miranda told him without preamble.
"Wha...who...what's Beth?" Nigel asked confused.
Miranda sighed. "Andréa's mother, it's Beth. You remember her surely? Blonde, honey brown eyes, quite petite, had a wide smile and a laugh like music, much like her eldest daughter's. She disappeared off the face of the Earth one day never to be seen in New York City again."
"You're kidding? One sec..." Miranda could catch a grumbling voice in the background before Nigel returned. "Miranda, where's Six?" He asked.
"She took flight after some secrets were uncovered. I am on my way to her now, she's down at Eden Park or Twin Lakes or some such. I've never seen her so desolate, it was like her light went out."
"Look, you are on speaker, Doug is here, and he wants answers," Nigel told her.
"Okay, I'll give as concise an answer as I can," Miranda told them.
"What's happened, Miranda?" Doug asked.
"Andy demanded answers today regarding the fact Beth and Jill were keeping something from her, she's rather intuitive as you know. Well, she found out that her father considered the fact she lived 12 years ago, when her twin died, a mistake, one that needed correcting. The crazy fool was on his way to New York to drag his daughter back from the city of sin and despair to do God only knows what. The truck took care of that. Heartbroken and riddled with the guilt she apologised to her sister for losing her baby only to find out the father of the child was that scumbag, Nate. I should warn you, Douglas, that I believe she will break more than Nathaniel's nose if they cross paths."
"Doug gasped. "Nate and Jill? But he's with Lily, I found out this afternoon after I left you and Andy. They've been fucking, excuse the language, for six months apparently. I tried to call Andy, but she isn't answering."
"That rat bastard! I will take great pleasure in dealing with the fry-cook. By the time I'm done with him, he won't be able to get a job anywhere on the East Coast. I'll also chat with Roy, I'm sure he and his Marine buddies would find lots of fun to be had with that pathetic excuse for a man." Miranda said darkly. "Give me some time with her and I will ask her to call you Douglas."
"Miranda, you are kind of scary, do you realise that?" Doug asked with a laugh.
"You sound surprised Douglas, surely tales of my lack of mercy on those that displease precedes me." She smirked. "I am just pulling up to a liquor store, I have a plan that includes a hot bath, comfort food, pyjamas and a bottle of Jack Daniels. I promise I'll take good care of Andréa. Goodnight." She disconnected the call, exited the car and stalked into the liquor store. Within three minutes she was back in the car with a bottle of Jack Daniels. "Go." She whispered to the driver with a frown.
As the car pulled into the park Miranda tried to call Andy but got no answer. "Just drop me here and find somewhere to park. I will text you when I am ready to leave." Miranda moved from the car again and walked.
Trying to call Andy again she heard her distinctive ringtone in the distance and ambled towards it. She saw Andy's silhouette in the distance sat cross-legged on a wall overlooking the Ohio River. "Darling?" She questioned softly as she approached.
"Hey, Miranda," Andy muttered as she turned to gaze at the older woman. "I was just sat here wishing I was anywhere else in this world."
Miranda stepped up to her. "I have an idea, my darling, I bought this..." She waved the bottle of Jack at her. "How about we sit here for a while and listen to the flow of the river or watch the stars in the sky? We need not talk should you not wish to, we'll crack this open and we'll just be. When you're ready, I'll take you back to the hotel, run you a bath, order you whatever comfort food you want to eat and we can watch TV or a movie in that excessively large king bed, whatever you want."
"Come sit with me." Andy held her hand out to Miranda with a small smile.
Miranda made her way to the wall, kicking off her heels she sat sidewards straddling it. "Drink?"
"Yeah sounds good." Andy caught Miranda's gaze. "Last night you said drowning myself in Jack wouldn't help."
"It doesn't make the problems go away, my darling, however, it can offer a brief respite to the pain, to give you the time required to process everything. That night in Paris after I learned of the divorce and sent you running into Christian's arms, I drank almost a full bottle of Scotch. I was disgusted with myself, for showing you what I deemed to be my weakness. I grew scared that it would be used against me somehow and then the realisation hit you were not like the rest. I reflected on the person I had come to know and I understood you would never do that."
"It wasn't weakness Miranda, and it wasn't the first time you had shown me your human side," Andy told her softly. "In that moment of time, in that Paris hotel room, I thought you were the most beautiful person I had ever seen."
"I know, I saw it in your eyes. The reason I said what I did, last night, about it not helping is that with you I found that I can't just numb my feelings with alcohol, and trust me darling I tried." Miranda smiled sadly.
Andy continued to gaze at Miranda in amazement. Breaking their gaze she asked. "How did this day get so out of control? It started off so promising."
Miranda unscrewed the bottle and took a large drink before passing it across to Andy. "I have no idea, darling. Yet here I am at the end of this crazy day, in a city in the Midwest, sat on a wall overlooking a river and I'm ending my day the way it started, in the presence of the most beautiful woman I ever encountered, with the addition of a bottle of Tennessee whiskey." Miranda leaned forward slightly and brushed a flyaway curl behind Andy's ear.
Andy looked at Miranda and gave her sad smile. "I'm sorry for running away again." She whispered before taking a large slug of the JD and wincing as it burned down her throat.
"I no longer see it as running away." At Andy's questioning look Miranda explained. "I've been thinking about it, about you, from your actions with me over the last few weeks and then those today." Miranda caught Andy's look of uncertainty. "Please do not be offended by what I am about to say, my darling." She breathed. "What I now see is that you're uncertain of where you fit in the world, you are unsure of your worth, home is not home for you. You fight against all your misgivings and then you take flight. I told Jillian as much before I left her apartment." Miranda shook her head her displeasure clear.
Andy took another large drink. "This world, this place I should call home, it makes me feel so...so lost. It always has, even before Brad, I was just too young to put it into words." Andy's eyes held tears as she tried to explain. "The people supposed to know me best don't really get me at all, they don't see me. I am always found lacking. It's like there's something missing from who I am as a person. People assume they can fix me. As if I'm broken." She whispered.
"You are strong, brave and so very smart. You may be slightly bent and twisted, as any of who fights against the world is, but you are not broken, my darling. I will tell you every day until you believe it if that is what it takes." Miranda told her pulling her close.
Andy spun around putting her back towards Miranda as she straddled the wall in the same position as Miranda. Scooting forward Miranda pulled her arms around the younger woman's waist and rested her head against her shoulder. "I feel safe in your arms like this," Andy told her as she pulled Miranda even closer. "You talked of the calm I bring to your life but it's the same for me. Your presence soothes me, it's like the world just stops and it's just you and I."
"Pass me that booze and I'll tell you my thoughts on it," Miranda whispered in Andy's ear. Grinning Andy handed the older woman the bottle, and she took a large gulp and hummed her pleasure as the whiskey coursed through her system. Miranda cuddled in closer as she spoke. "As my marriages fell apart, I thought somewhat like you do, that I was lacking something necessary to make my relationships work." Miranda took another drink. "I walked away from my marriage to James thinking I wouldn't ever find that one person who accepted me for who I am, and then I met Stephen. On paper, he was everything I wanted and needed. While we dated, he seemed to understand my responsibilities to Runway and the twins. The first year of our marriage was acceptable, but it went downhill quickly from there. He resented the time I gave to my Bobbsey's and to the magazine and it caused arguments. I don't particularly enjoy confrontation so I threw myself even more fully into my work and he found his comfort in scotch and other women. While navigating all that, you walked into my office, and in a blink of the eye, I experienced a recognition from deep within. It was as if something inside of me went 'Oh there you are, I've been waiting for you'."
Andy was dumbstruck by her incredulity. "Are you sure it wasn't something from my mom you recognised in me?"
"No, I would never guess you were mother and daughter. Upon seeing you together I can see your smiles are similar and your eye colouring but you are also very different. Your eyes are vastly more expressive than Beth's ever were. She lacks the fire you hold within you. That undefinable something that makes you so distinctly you." Miranda told her softly.
"So it was just friendship?" Andy queried.
"Yes, my darling, it was purely platonic. To explain clearly, your mom made me smile and laugh for the first time. I spoke briefly over dinner last night about what I was like as a child and that carried on through my teens and early twenties. I loved Beth, she was someone I didn't need to hide from, she got my quirks, my reticence and even my sarcasm and she offered no judgement. She was my friend, I held nothing more than gentle affection for her. It hurt me when she disappeared without an explanation. That pain became one of the many catalysts of why I am the Miranda Priestly you see today. I closed myself off, even from Nigel, so I wouldn't face that kind of hurt again."
Miranda took another drink and sighed as Andy gestured for the bottle and took a large gulp. "So why am I different? You heard my mom state how similar we are."
"The closest thing I can consider, to explain what I experienced with you, is what the French call 'le coup de foudre', the thunderbolt." Miranda smiled. "It was something far beyond my comprehension. You made me question everything, you challenged me and made me want to be better, not just as a boss but as a person. You treated me with kindness, consideration and respect even when I was at my most vicious. You made me smile despite all my best efforts. I couldn't work you out. You were like a mystery wrapped in an enigma and you got under my skin in a way no-one else ever has."
Miranda was concerned as Andy became silent, her contemplation palpable. After a few minutes, Andy turned entirely to face Miranda, cupping her face she whispered. "What chance did either of us stand against kismet?" Andy leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against Miranda's lips.
"Not a single one. Let's go back to the hotel." Miranda whispered. "It's been a long day and I want to wrap my arms around you and forget the world." Seeing Andy's nod of approval Miranda pulled her cell out and sent a text to the driver. Standing she slipped back into her heels and pulled the brunette to her feet before walking to the car park.
"You know we're finishing this whiskey right?" Andy muttered.
"Acceptable," Miranda whispered as she led her to the waiting car.
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Andy awoke to a warm body wrapped around her and hammering on the door.
"Andy Sachs you open this door, right now!' She heard Jill shout.
Hearing Miranda mutter venomously under her breath at the noise she extracted herself gently and winced at the thumping in her head as she made her way to the door. Flinging it open she looked balefully at her sister. "What the hell do you want Jillian?" She looked at her watch. "It's 7:20 am, I have a hangover the size of Ohio, and you are the last person I want to see."
"You have a hangover? Like I even care..." Jill sputtered.
"You made that abundantly clear almost three months ago." Andy hissed grabbing her arm. "Get the fuck in here and keep your voice down before I bound and gag you and dump you on the Kentucky side of the river." She pulled her into the room and slammed the door behind them.
Stepping back Jill looked heartbroken. "You hate me." She stated.
"What the fuck do you expect Jillian? You blurt out that my dad wanted me dead and to top that marvellous news off, you complete your whole bare your soul confession about Nate. You got drunk, fucked my boyfriend and stopped talking to me, most probably through guilt, and you somehow think I will hug you and tell you everything will be okay. I've forgiven a lot of things over the years but I'm not that much of an idiot." Andy was furious.
"Is that why I had Lily call me multiple times telling me I'm a slut?" Jill asked.
"I do not understand what the fuck you're going on about, I've not spoken to Lily since Nate left. In fact, one of my friends told her and Nate to piss off just last week when they were getting all up in my face. I recently rekindled my friendship with Dougie though."
"Doug must have told her then and as a friend, she's calling me a slut..." Jill tried to find a reason.
"I haven't spoken to Doug since before the flight yesterday. He's been trying to call but I haven't exactly been in the right frame of mind to talk. And frankly, I don't fucking care!" Andy was becoming frustrated as Miranda came out of the bedroom wrapped in a bathrobe.
Giving Jillian a small nod she muttered. "I hear the word slut mentioned and find your sister in my suite. How appropriate."
"Miranda sweetheart, not helping," Andy told her as she tried unsuccessfully to suppress a smile. "Lily has been calling Jill all night telling her she's a slut, my confused, hung-over and dehydrated brain can't grasp a reason for that other than some weird alternate universe thing where Em didn't tell her to piss off last week and she's still my friend." Andy shook her head. "But that means you wouldn't be here either 'cause there's no way Lily would be my friend if I was forming a relationship with you 'cause she thinks you're a bitch. And if you weren't with me, there would be no reason for me to punch little dick in the nose as we certainly wouldn't be having dinner together. And without those things, there would be no Page Six article and perhaps my dad would not have decided I'd be better off dead. There's no way I'd be here in this hotel, not on my salary." Andy shook her head and sat down on the sofa holding her head in her hands. "Fucking hell my head hurts."
Miranda rolled her eyes at Andy's logic and language. "Lily's calls are easily explained, she has been sleeping with Nate, from what Douglas told us last night. That particular 'fuck-fest', to use Nigel's endearing term, has been going on for around six months." Miranda said. "Douglas and I told you last night, my darling, you laughed until you cried and then you passed out. Doug had to carry you to bed. By the way, you lied Andy, you do snore." Miranda told her smirking.
"Doug...last night, he's here?" Andy said. "I imagined it was a dream, Nigel, too?"
"Yes, he and Nigel flew out to ensure I was taking good care of you. They're travelling back to New York early tomorrow." Miranda said with a smile. "I promised we would meet them for lunch. Doug will visit your mom this morning with Nigel." Miranda turned and looked at Jill ice filling her eyes. "Now you've disturbed our peace enough. You now know Andy has nothing to do with Lily calling you a slut, however, I possess a firm bit of advice for you Jillian...if the cap fits wear it! You can see yourself out." Grabbing Andy's hand she pulled her off the sofa and back into the bedroom. Hearing the suite room slam she winced. Sitting Andy on the bed she said. "Darling, there's two Tylenol here and a bottle of water. Re-hydrate and I'll run you that bath I promised last night."
"You don't need to..." Andy whispered as she gulped the two tablets down with the water and lay back down.
"I want to take care of you, my darling. Let me." Miranda asked sitting by her side.
"How much did I drink last night?" Andy asked. "It's all such a blur."
"Move over slightly," Miranda asked. As she scooted back Miranda lay by her side and brushed the hair out of her face. "You probably put away a bottle of Jack on your own and a six pack of Budweiser. Nigel and Douglas came well prepared. Before their arrival, you had drunk just over half of the bottle of Jack with me."
"Ugh, if I look as bad as I feel I am sorry for you having to be seen with me," Andy said
"Nonsense. You are beautiful, my darling." Miranda whispered with a smile. "You will be better after a bath and something to eat. I'll order room service shortly."
"I think I'd be better off having a cold shower, I imagine I'd fall asleep in the tub." Andy smiled sadly. "Can I throttle my sister? Do you think I'd get away with it? I could plead temporary insanity."
"I'm sure you'd get away with it. I'd hire the best lawyers for you." Miranda smiled sadly. "It wouldn't be worth it though, my darling."
"I think what scares me the most is that I don't know if I can forgive her. I should do, she's my little sister and I'm aware she isn't perfect, no-one is. What she did though, well it has destroyed every ounce of trust I held in her. And what if mom knew and just did nothing, said nothing? They're my only family and I possess no faith they'll do right by me." Andy let her tears fall.
Pulling her close Miranda held her tight as she ran soothing circles on her back. Tilting Andy's head so she could catch her eye she whispered. "You are a part of another family Andréa. There are me and my girls, Nigel and Douglas, Emily and Serena. We are your family. A family is not always the people you hold a bond of blood with, it is the people who accept you, love you and whose commitment to you is unshakeable. We are the people who will stand by you when your world turns to Hell, unwavering in our support of you. My God darling you even have Irv in your corner, not to mention all the people outside Runway who care for you and respect you, people like James Holt. You reach so many people with your kindness and generosity. How can you not see the positive impact you have on the lives of those around you, my darling?"
"I...I don't know." Andy hiccuped as she fought against her tears. "When I returned from Paris, I called my Parents to ask for some money from my trust fund to buy necessities for the apartment, my Dad had plenty to say about it, about my life in New York and Nate leaving." Andy sighed. "It shouldn't have been that hard to get money I'm legally entitled to."
"What was the problem?" Miranda queried. "You don't have to tell me. I know financial matters can be hard to discuss in a new relationship."
"I have no problem discussing it. My Grams set up a trust for Brad, Jill and I to be provided, upon her death, on our 21st birthday, If she lived past that we would receive it upon her death as part of the legal settlement of her estate. When Brad died, she put his share in mine and Jill's trusts equally. At 21 I had no idea what I would do with $75,000 so I let Dad talk me into giving it to him to invest. Ever since it's been an uphill battle to get anything from it."
"Do you know what kind of return you have had on your investments, or what he invested in?" Miranda asked. Seeing Andy shake her head she sighed. "Well you should hear about it within the next few weeks, I can put you in touch with my investment analyst Graeme, he's a whiz with all things financial. You could even purchase that excessively large Hummer you mentioned yesterday." Miranda smiled.
"I don't care about the money, not really," Andy told her. "I'd rather have Grams here, she would have liked you. She was what was known as a ballsy woman. She adored my Grandpa, but she ruled him with an iron fist." Andy grinned happily at her memories.
"Was she the jazz singer?" Miranda asked.
"Yea, she was awesome, I have some of her music on CDs in my old room at my parents. She used to tell mom and dad to leave me be. I would be who I am meant to be, and that there was nothing they could do about it. I miss her every day."
"The people who touch your life never really leave you, my darling, they leave a bit of themselves behind," Miranda told her softly. "Your Grandmother lives on in you, it shows up in your talents, your love of music and literature is an extension of that, your ability to sing, play piano and guitar is just another way you carry on her legacy." Miranda smiled. "How's your head now?"
"Better since the water. How are you not feeling as rough as I do?" Andy asked.
"I have a fairly high tolerance, and I didn't drink as much as you. I stopped just after we finished the first bottle." Miranda smirked at the brunette. "Nigel finally got around to showing me the video of Vogue, really Andréa it was something else. You had the dance moves down too."
"Oh God, I will kill him." Andy covered her face to cover her embarrassment.
"I cannot really do without my Creative Director, my darling. I hope you will refrain from committing any acts of murder on one of the few competent staff members I have." Miranda chuckled lightly. "He said he couldn't wait to show Beth that and it also seems he has somehow captured your Pink performance from last week."
Andy groaned. "I make no promises about not killing him. I'm going to shower."
Miranda chuckled. "Do you want anything in particular for breakfast?" She asked.
"Eggs and bacon...and coffee. Oh my God coffee is a must." Andy declared as she moved from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. Spinning around, she grinned at Miranda as she was lay on the bed watching her. She walked back towards her.
"I thought you were having a shower?" Miranda queried.
"I forgot something," Andy told her. Bending down she kissed Miranda's cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart. You've been amazing."
"Go get your shower. You smell like you bathed in that whiskey." Miranda smirked up at Andy.
"Going off how I feel I think maybe I did." Andy smiled and stalked back to the bathroom.
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Twenty minutes later Miranda knocked on the door of the bathroom where she could still detect the shower running. Hearing no response she called through the door. "Breakfast is here darling." Moving to the room service cart she wheeled it to the coffee table in the living room and arranged the food on the table. Pouring herself a coffee she paced, as she sipped her drink, her concern growing with the time Andy was taking in the bathroom. Walking back to the bathroom she knocked again. "Andréa." She called. "May I come in?" Hearing a muffled response she stalked into the bathroom, which was filled with cold condensation. Hearing the sobs coming from deep in the shower she stalked over and opened the shower screen door to find Andy curled up in a ball on the floor with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Stripping quickly she stepped into the shower and turned the water up into a warm position. Kneeling beside the brunette pulled her into her arms. "God, you're freezing." She whispered.
"Mir...Miranda?" Andy queried teeth chattering.
"Shh, let's get you warmed up and out of here," Miranda whispered. "It's okay, you're okay. I'm here darling."
"You...well...you're in the shower with me...you're naked," Andy whispered.
"Well, of course. I couldn't very well get in here in my silk pyjamas and bathrobe. It's good to see your powers of deduction haven't been frozen with the icy water." Miranda smiled at Andy's look of shock and amazement.
Andy's eyes roamed over Miranda hungrily. "You're so beautiful." She whispered.
"As are you. Are you ready to leave the shower? Are you warm enough?" Miranda queried. "Breakfast has arrived."
"I need to just wash my hair. I'm sorry." Andy told her.
"No apologies, my darling. Let me help with your hair." Miranda said softly.
"Okay," Andy whispered as she stood
Miranda smiled as she massaged shampoo through Andy's long hair. "Your hair is magnificent," Miranda whispered as she rinsed the shampoo and began the conditioning.
"Gram's used to say we had Indian blood running through our veins. Did you know Ohio comes from Iroquois Indian word for beautiful river?"
"It doesn't surprise me, I believe the overlook we sat at last night would provide a wonderful vista in the daylight hours. I never expected to say this but Cincinnati has a certain charm, maybe it's the company here." Miranda smiled happily as she switched places with Andy and washed her own hair. "I won't be too long, it'll be good to leave the conditioner to sit for a few minutes, anyway."
Andy stepped backwards and watched Miranda as she completed washing her hair. Once it was completed, and she set it with conditioner and switched places with Andy again to rinse her hair thoroughly. "I have to say, darling, that this wasn't the outcome I expected when I've imagined of sharing a shower with you," Miranda told her with a grin.
"You've thought of showering with me?" Andy questioned a smug smile lighting up her face.
"I've thought of doing a multitude of things with you, showering is just one of them," Miranda told her with a mischievous smile. "Switch." She told her. As Andy stepped away Miranda rinsed her hair and switched the shower off. "Come, we'll get dressed..." Miranda stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. Holding it out, she wrapped it around Andy as she followed her before wrapping herself in one.
"Your coffee will be cold," Andy whispered.
"Well, I'll just order a fresh pot." Miranda smiled at the brunette. "Fresh bacon and eggs too if necessary." Andy looked down embarrassed. "Do you want to tell me what this was about?" Miranda asked lightly.
"I...I'm so overwhelmed, by everything," Andy admitted. "I usually have a cold shower when I'm hung-over, it clears my head. I didn't realise how long I'd been in there." Andy admitted shivering.
"We'll find you some warm clothes, my darling. Come." Miranda held out her hand and upon it being grasped led the brunette into the bedroom. Pulling her in for a hug she whispered. "Don't be scared to show me when you're overwhelmed, my darling. It's good to let it all out Andréa, but I am here, I will love you and offer you my support for as long as you allow." Stepping back from the embrace Miranda cupped Andy's face in her palms. "I can be strong for you when you believe you cannot be strong for yourself. You don't have to carry this load alone. You are not alone."
"I love you, Miranda," Andy whispered. "So much."
"I love you too, Andréa," Miranda said giving her a breathtaking smile.
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