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 Seventeen:
They spent an hour listening to different bands play in Junie's Lounge and having a few drinks. Miranda stalked back from the bar with a large genuine smile on her face and a round of drinks in hand. "I met the most delightful man." She told her companions. "He's about 75 years old and a pianist. He insisted on telling me he'd played for the best singer in the Midwest." She raised her eyebrow at Andy. "He seemed very interested in you my darling, he told me you were a carbon copy of his old friend Ellen who'd run off and married a lawyer named Sachs and gave up a promising music career."
Miranda smirked at Andy's expression of shock as the old gentleman walked over. "Andy girl, look at you." He husked. "You are the image of your Grams." He grinned, offering a wide-toothed smile.
"Hey, Gus." Andy smiled. "Long time, no see. You look fantastic."
"You grew into a beautiful woman Andy. The Big Apple's has been good to you. The last time I saw you, well you were still an awkward teenager. This lady here says you work for her, among other things." He smiled at Miranda. "Anyway, I was hoping you'd join me and the boys for a song, like old times."
"I don't sing jazz, Gus." Andy shook her head sadly. "Thank you, but no."
"You are well aware it's not only jazz we play. I figured..." He shrugged. "Ellen loved it when you sang together as you learned the piano. She always hoped you'd let your artistic side flourish." He smiled sadly. "I was sorry to hear about your Pa. He was a good man; he was a promising musician but gave in to his father's insistence to study the law."
Doug stood and pulled a chair up. "Sit down Gus. I don't know if you remember me..."
"The fairy boy." Gus grinned. "And you understand I'm not talking about your sexual orientation. Gus grinned. "I remember Andy and Brad's sixth birthday. You had fairy wings, a wand and a tiara. Andy was dressed like She-Ra and Brad as Superman." Nigel, Miranda and Jill laughed at this remembrance while Doug blushed prettily and Andy grinned.
"Please sit down Gus," Miranda said happily.
"I'm due on stage in a few, it wouldn't hurt to join all you young ones for a spell." He looked towards Jill as she chewed ice from her glass of diet coke. "You are like your mom." He told her. "She was always a looker. If I was thirty years younger, well your Pa wouldn't have stood a chance." He provided another wide-toothed smile. "Did you inherit any of your Grams talents?"
Jill shook her head. "No." She spoke quietly. "I'm just another family egghead. I'm studying at the law school at UC."
"Well, that's something," Gus told her with a soft smile. "The world will always need big shot lawyers to get us little people out of trouble." He looked at Andy. "You should join us, Andy. The beautiful lady here said you still sing." He waved his hand in Miranda's direction. "Your guitar is here, which shows your interest in having a bash up on stage once they start open mic. Please, Andy darlin'. It would be our absolute honour to get you on stage with us. Will you join us?"
Andy looked hesitantly at Miranda and Jill who both wore wide smiles. "Okay." She agreed. "For old times' sake, for my Grams."
He clapped his hands together expressing his obvious delight. "Just wait 'til I tell Josiah. He'll be thrilled to see you again." He stood quickly and pulled Andy from her seat. "Now we merely need to pick you a song." He offered her the crook of his elbow. Andy wrapped her arm around his as they walked towards the bar and the rest of his bandmates while discussing options. Andy's laughter hit the table and caused everyone to smile.
Within a few minutes of intense discussion, they had set up on stage and had played I Put a Spell on You and Andy had walked back to her table and sat down. Miranda looked at her softly. "You made his night. He was thrilled to see you; he didn't want to come over in case you didn't remember him."
Andy smiled softly. "Gus was my Grams best friend; he was the one person, other than my Grandpa, who she trusted implicitly. They would be married if she hadn't met Grandpa." Andy's smile widened as the song merged into What a Difference a Day Makes. They continued to listen in silence as Jill and Richie spoke softly with each other and Doug and Nigel cuddled up. "Do you ever wonder what if?" Andy asked softly. "What if I'd chosen Auto Universe over Runway? We certainly wouldn't be together like this."
"It doesn't bear thinking about my darling. Can I ask, what made you choose Runway?" Miranda asked as she took a drink.
Andy grinned. "A coin toss decided for me. Well, I had more knowledge about cars than I did about fashion, so Auto Universe was really the logical choice. My uncle Jay was disappointed."
Miranda sputtered her drink at Andy's admission. "A coin toss?" She whispered breathlessly. Watching Andy nod and offer a wide smile she was amazed by Andy's admission.
"Plus you took a chance on me, ugly clothes and all. That helped." Andy's grin widened as she saw Miranda's expression of disbelief. "I'm up soon; this is the last song in their set." She listened to the opening strains of A Song for My Father.
Miranda saw the tears forming. "He's watching over you, my darling. The ones that love us never truly leave us." Miranda gave her a tender smile.
"Harry Potter?" Andy grinned as Miranda nodded. "You are something else, Miranda." She shook her head still smiling before seeing Gus beckoning her. Andy got up and leaning down brushed a small kiss on Miranda's cheek. "I'll be right back, sweetheart."
As she made her way to the stage Gus stood from the Piano and walked to the mic. "Tonight we are finishing with a guest singer. Many years ago this band had a wonderful broad singing with us; she had an amazing voice and was a talented woman. That talent and her innate beauty were inherited by the young woman I am inviting to the stage, her granddaughter. Thank you all for listening."
As Gus stepped back from the mic and sat at the piano Andy stepped up and adjusted the mic stand. As the music started, she took a deep breath and sang.
Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But you're the key to my peace of mind
'Cause you make me feel,
You make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural woman
She looked out towards the table where Miranda sat and was stunned to see tears sparkling in the editor's blue eyes as she watched the stage.
When my soul was in the lost and found
You came along to claim it
I didn't know just what was wrong with me
'Til your kiss helped me name it
Now I'm no longer doubtful, Of what I'm living for
And if I make you happy I don't need to do more
She closed her eyes and sang the chorus.
Oh, baby, what you've done to me
You make me feel so good inside
And I just want to be, close to you
You make me feel so alive
You make me feel,
You make me feel,
You make me feel like a natural woman
She looked across and could see that Nigel was mouthing along to the words merrily while he videoed her on his cell as Miranda looked at him with amusement lighting up her face.
You make me feel
You make me feel
You make me feel like a natural woman
Oh darlin' you make me feel
You make me feel so good inside
I feel like a natural woman
She ended the song to applause. As she looked out at her table Doug wolf whistled as Nigel and Richie clapped enthusiastically. Jill swiped tears from her eyes and hugged Miranda. Miranda pulled back gently and spoke softly to her.
She hugged Gus, and he thanked her effusively. Josiah gave her a soft kiss on her forehead and the other band members said their goodbye as she left the stage making her way back to Miranda. Sitting down Andy grabbed her beer and took a hefty swallow.
Miranda leaned towards her and brushed a kiss against her cheek whispering. "That was breathtaking my darling. I do however believe Nigel may vie with me for the position as your biggest fan."
"I take it you're up to the challenge of proving your number one?" Andy grinned at Miranda's raised an eyebrow.
"Challenge accepted. You can consider it won." Miranda grinned. "What's my prize for winning?"
Andy leaned in and whispered. "Me."
"Well, what if Nigel wins?" Miranda asked cheekily. "You're not exactly his flavour."
"Ah damn. Well, I suppose a cheap box of wine will suffice. Call it a consolation prize 'cause you get me whether you win or lose." Andy grinned as Miranda sniggered. Turning serious Andy looked at the older woman. "I saw Jill crying. Is she okay?"
"She will be. The pregnancy hormones will start to kick in. She was reflecting on what you said to her at her apartment, about being lacking, implying you were less of a woman because of everything, and suddenly you started singing Aretha." Miranda smiled sadly. "She hugged me and thanked me for loving you. I told her I couldn't help but love you. That you make my heart smile in a way no one else ever has."
"Wow." Andy breathed as she got lost in the tenderness held in Miranda's blue eyes. A small cough caught Miranda's attention as Nigel pointed to Gus.
Miranda smiled up at him. "They're starting the open mic. The piano set up if you still need it."
"Oh thank you." Miranda smiled happily. "Would you like to join us, Gus? It's my round and I'm sure Nigel wouldn't mind hearing more about Doug in his fairy costume."
Gus sat down and requested a Jack Daniels and coke and regaled Nigel and Richie with stories of Sachs family parties as Doug and Jill laughed. As Miranda stood and moved to the bar. Andy followed and looked at the older woman. "So you play the piano?" Andy asked.
"Mm yes. Not of the level of my girls but I can play a few select songs. I have one in mind for tonight." Miranda smirked and turning to the barman ordered another round, craft beer for herself and Andy, JD and coke for Gus, Mojitos for Doug and Nigel and diet cokes for Jill and Richie.
"So are you going to tell me your song choice?" Andy asked.
"Will you tell me yours?" Miranda countered with a small smirk. "You can be guarded with your choices."
"I can't make my mind up," Andy admitted. "There's a few I was teaching myself before Paris that I wouldn't mind throwing out there." She grinned. Looking across at Jill and Richie. "They have been talking non-stop all night,"
Miranda looked where Andy was. "She told him about the baby when he asked about her not drinking. I thought it was sweet he joined her in the non-alcoholic drinks."
"He seems like a nice young man," Andy said sighing.
"Yes, he spoke passionately about Valentino's final ready-to-wear show." Miranda grinned. "He waxed poetic about that final vibrant red dress. I told him you had been given one, off Valentino himself, and he nearly wet himself." Miranda smirked.
Andy grinned. "I need to find somewhere to wear that dress. Em was so envious when she saw it was made especially for me." She laughed. "It was a beautiful gesture off Valentino, especially as I'm the other Emily."
"He knew your name Andréa. He knew your name before I introduced you as the other Emily. Your name is mentioned reverently across the industry." Miranda told her flippantly. "You are the one that achieved the impossible, you tamed the Dragon." She smiled widely at the brunette. Andy rolled her eyes and snorted.
As the drinks were placed in front of them and paid for, they each grabbed a handful and made their way back to their table.
They sat quietly as person after person took to the stage, some good, some excellent and some bad. Listening to a nervous performer being jeered at Miranda sighed. "I don't know if me getting up there is a good idea darling."
Andy looked at her. "They wouldn't dare heckle you, my love." She growled.
Gus chuckled as she heard the words. "They wouldn't want to mess with a pissed off Sachs woman hey Andy?"
She grinned. "Nope, forget karma, a Sachs woman will hit harder."
"You can be scarily fierce," Miranda told her softly. "I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of you."
Andy looked at her seriously. "I hope you realise I wouldn't hurt you for the world Miranda," Andy told her softly. "But I won't stand by and let rude little assholes spoil what I guess will be an epic performance. You say I can do anything, well I'm throwing that right back at you sweetheart. You can do this, and you will be brilliant, you'll light the room up in a way no one else here can."
Gus smiled at them, "Gee, could you two be any more in love? The sparks flying between you could set the room alight."
Nigel smiled seeing Miranda and Andy blush. "Be grateful you didn't see them before they admitted their feelings; you could cut the atmosphere with a knife when they were in the same room. The tension made my knees weak and my little heart flutter." He chuckled. "Miranda's other assistant Emily has been teasing Andy mercilessly for months." Nigel grinned.
Jill smiled across at her sister and Miranda. "Those two, they're twin flames burning brightly Gus. Each fiercely protective of the other. They'll no doubt infuriate each other but at the end, they recognise what they feel is undeniably real. Now Miranda, are you going to sing for my big sister or are you too chicken-shit?" Jill gave the older woman a mischievous smile as Andy frowned at her.
"Jill," Andy warned. "Behave." She looked towards Miranda. "There's no pressure love. Ignore her." She flicked her head at Jill. "She may possess all the fashion sense in the family but she lacks all other sense." Andy grinned as Jill huffed, pretending to be insulted by her sister's teasing.
"Unacceptable. I will allow no one to suggest I cannot rise to a challenge. However, I must throw down a challenge for you Jillian." Miranda caught her eye. "I'll happily get up on stage; your challenge is to do the same. You can get up there and sing a song of your choice or quote a poem of my choice." Miranda smirked.
"You're on Priestly," Jill stated with a smile. "So what's it to be? Shakespeare, Frost, Whitman..."
"Oh no, nothing that simple. My choice is the poem is This Be the Verse by Philip Larkin." Miranda smiled at Andy's burst of laughter.
"And song choice?" Jill asked concern clear in her tone.
Miranda gave her a wide grin. "As I said, you can choose a song. Don't tell me you're too chicken-shit?" Her blue eyes twinkled at the young woman's shock.
"Andy laughed loudly. It seems you finally met your match Jillybean. So what's it going to be?"
Jill looked dumbfounded at having the tables turned so effectively on her. "I think your guitar skills will be required, sis." She looked towards Gus. "Do you by any chance own a tambourine?"
Gus smiled widely and nodded. "I may know just the person." He got up quickly and gestured for Jill to follow. Biting her lip she got up and made her way to him.
Andy looked at Miranda and grinned. "You're wicked my love. You've inadvertently made Jill's worst nightmare come true."
"Well, she should learn not to dish it out if she can't take it," Miranda smirked. "I'm looking forward to this."
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Jill headed up to the side of the stage with Gus and was given a choice from Josiah's instruments. Looking down at the maracas and the tambourine she grinned and made her choice. Stepping back to the table she shook the maracas at Andy who grinned widely. "Hey, big sis, how 'bout we do this?"
Andy stood and grabbed her guitar from its case. Nodding at Jill she smirked. "I think I know where this is going. We're going back to 1997?" Jill nodded and offering her hand pulled Andy onto the stage.
Looking at her sister Jill muttered. "I think I may hate your girlfriend, just a little."
Andy snorted out a laugh. "I think it may be mutual. Miranda doesn't do well at being challenged and when she is she sets out to win."
"God, I'm petrified," Jill admitted as she set the mic up. "You know I hate being in the spotlight."
"You'll be great Jillybean." Andy cupped her sister's face gently to soothe her nerves. "Remember we practised this so many times."
Jill smiled sadly. "Do you remember Dad bawling at us to shut up? He said he was sick of hearing it."
Andy nodded. "Well we'll do this for him, and we'll make sure it's damn good."
Jill smiled and stepped up to the mic. "Right this is a fun little cover. We hope you enjoy."
Andy played and Jill, taking a deep breath, sang.
I come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun
Jill shook the maracas in time to the music as Andy kept up the melody.
I come home in the middle of the night
My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one
And girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Oh, girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun
Andy looked out at the table and saw Miranda smiling widely as Nigel captured the song on his cell. Shaking her head, she grinned as Jill continued to sing.
Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I wanna be the one to walk in the sun
Oh, girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun
That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Oh, girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have fun
Andy sang along with Jill as she picked out the song on her guitar.
Fun they wanna
Wanna have fun
Girls wanna have
They just wanna
They just wanna
They just wanna
They just wanna
Girls, girls wanna have fun
They just wanna
They just wanna
They just wanna
They just wanna
Girls, girls wanna have fun
When the working day is done
Oh when the working day is done
Oh, Girls,
Girls just wanna have fun
Andy finished the song with a flourish grinning widely at her sister as they were politely applauded. Spinning her guitar so it sat against her back she hugged Jill to her and whispered. "That was fantastic. I hope you realise Ma will see it, Nigel's got it on video."
"Your friends are a nightmare." Jill laughed and shook her head. "Nigel and Doug are cute together though. I can't believe you both found love at Runway?" Jill dragged Andy off the stage and to the table they had commandeered. Miranda was sat talking to Doug about the upcoming Haute couture Fashion weeks and Nigel was stood at the bar drumming his fingers against it waiting to be served as Richie stood awkwardly beside him. Sitting down Jill let out a deep breath and grinned at Miranda. "I think that is my side of the challenge completed sufficiently. Now it's your turn."
Miranda smiled back happily. "Oh look at that, there's someone new on stage." She took a large drink of her beer as Jill huffed.
"Don't think you're getting away with not getting up there," Jill stated causing Miranda to chuckle.
Andy placed her guitar back in its case and leaned into Miranda's personal space as she sat back down. "What did you think?" Andy asked quietly.
"You play the guitar exceptionally well, Jillian kept rhythm with the maracas, her voice is acceptable," Miranda smirked.
"Wow, high praise indeed. No frown or pursed lips and an "acceptable". Woohoo!" Jill dead-panned.
Miranda rolled her eyes at the young blonde. "I can just tell you will exasperate me as much as your sister does." She grinned at Andy who looked at her, shock expressed in her eyes.
"I exasperate you?" Andy asked hesitantly catching Miranda's eye.
"Yes, quite frequently," Miranda told her honestly. "No matter what I asked you to do, no matter how absurd my request, you completed it with such aplomb. It's extremely disconcerting and has left me extraordinarily perplexed. It was infuriating to be left stymied. I told you that you are a mystery wrapped in an enigma. You are hard to define, a paradox. You are a riddle I found impossible to solve." Miranda brushed Andy's hair out of her face. 'Don't look so concerned my darling. It is a good thing." She smiled softly at the brunette. "You told me I've looked at you like maybe you were magic." Andy nodded causing Miranda's smile to widen and her eyes to sparkle. "You are obviously quite enchanting. I'm not sure what Quidditch position you play, but I believe you're a keeper." Miranda winked at her.
Andy let out a peal of laughter at Miranda's pick up line. Doug and Jill caught each other's eyes. Raising her eyebrow Jill made Doug sputter his drink as she pulled a face and put her finger in her mouth as if she was gagging.
"Oh my God that has to be the best-worst pickup lines I've ever had aimed at me," Andy told Miranda as she blushed. Nigel and Richie sat down and handed everyone their drinks. "I unequivocally adore you, Priestly," Andy stated.
"What did I miss to cause that public announcement of adoration?" Nigel asked.
Doug smirked. "Miranda was telling Andy how infuriating she is. It was adorable and then out of nowhere she hit her with the worst chat-up line, which by the looks of that blush may have disintegrated Andy's panties."
Miranda grinned at Nigel as Andy blushed even harder. Giving her an incredulous look Nigel shook his head. "Oh, Christ I wish I'd heard it. How much have you had to drink Mira?" He asked as he laughed.
"Not nearly enough," Miranda told him chuckling. "I'm getting up on that stage while it's free." Turning to Andy she leaned in and whispered. "You are irresistible when you blush like that. I love you, my darling." She spun and stalked towards the stage stopping briefly to have a word with Gus and Josiah. She laughed at whatever they said and continued on her way to the stage area.
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