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.
A/N 2: Lack of updates to this fic has had my anxiety through the roof. I talked it out with my therapist (aka the wifey) and she put things into perspective for me. She is often my inspiration, but this update is for all you guys and gals who have been waiting patiently for me to get my shit together. Without all your continued support, through your comments, follows and kudos, this would end up being yet another unfinished Mirandy fic. So thanks to each one of you. You're all freakin' marvellous. Thanks for sticking with me :)
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Chapter Twenty-One:
Miranda pulled Andy's sports car behind Jill's sensible Honda Civic. Looking at the brunette she raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Andréa, I forgot to ask, am I to be set up in the guest room?"
"God, no!" Andy exclaimed before blushing at how emphatic she sounded. "I mean...well, I...that's up to you. You are welcome to stay in my room, or..."
"Acceptable." Miranda grinned as Andy let out a sigh of relief. Miranda opened the driver's side door and slid from the car gracefully as Jill opened the front door and looked over her shoulder at them.
Andy grinned as she moved from the car and made her way to the trunk to remove their bags. "Oi, Shithead, are you gonna stand there all night?" She hollered.
"Yeah, yeah," Jill muttered as she stalked towards the car. Picking up the two smallest bags she poked her tongue out at her older sister before offering Miranda a wide smile. "Did Andy give you the grand tour the other day?" She asked.
"She showed me the 'important stuff'." Miranda's grin widened as Jill looked her sister in disbelief.
"The important stuff?" Jill scoffed and looked at Miranda. "I take it that included the kitchen, family room and her bedroom?"
"I glimpsed the den, home office and dining room too," Miranda smirked.
"So you didn't show Miranda the other bedrooms, basement and attic?" Jill spoke softly as Andy grabbed Miranda's heavy case from the trunk.
"No, I didn't think the guest or mom's room was suitable for viewing. The basement was full of dad's gym equipment the last time I was home and the attic..." Andy trailed off. "...well, that was...and...I don't...No, I did not show her the attic. Go ahead though, Jillian." Andy shook her head and walked towards the house quickly.
"Have I missed something?" Miranda asked quietly.
Jill closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. "Me and my damned mouth. For fuck's sake, I should apologise to her." Jill stated.
"Why?" Miranda asked as she pulled Andy's smaller case from the trunk and held her hand out for one bag that Jill had in her hand. Jill held it closer and scowled.
"The attic was Brad's bedroom, she hasn't been up there since the day after the accident. She'd just returned from the hospital and ran up there. She ended up on the roof and it took Mom hours to talk her down." Jill explained as Andy charged out of the house towards them.
"Jeez, what the hell are you two doing stood out here? It's freezing." Andy grabbed her case and both small bags from Jill and charged back towards the house. Looking over her shoulder she caught Miranda's eyes. "Come on in, sweetheart. I'll light a fire and organise dinner." Miranda frowned as Andy blanked her sister.
"Leave her be, for now, Jill. I'll talk to her." Miranda shook her head and sighed. "Come on, before she charges back out here and hoists me over her shoulder to carry me in."
"You know, she would, too," Jill smirked.
Miranda looked up and saw Andy leaning against the front door. "God forbid," Miranda smirked at the young woman before stepping towards the brunette. As she reached Andy's side she caught her hand and entwined their fingers. "Now, my darling. What can I do to help us get settled?"
"Coffee," Andy smiled sadly and led her into the house. "You know where mom's good stuff is."
"Oh, yes. The coffee I can do." Miranda brushed a kiss on Andy's cheek and stalked off towards the kitchen, unfastening her scarf and jacket as she moved.
Andy stiffened as Jill stepped beside her and closed the door. "Andy?" She queried softly.
Andy shook her head. "Just don't, Jill. I'm this close to losing my shit, right now." She squeezed her thumb and index finger together. "Just give me time and then we'll talk, okay?"
"Okay, sis. Do you want me to do anything?" Jill asked.
"Nah, There should be enough wood to start a fire up in the family room." Andy caught Jill's eye. "You should rest, Jilly."
"I may curl up on the sofa." Jill smiled sadly before making her way towards the family room. Spinning around, she called out to Andy. "I am glad you're both here."
"Yeah..." Andy trailed off as she watched Jill enter the family room. "...I wish I could say the same." Her voice echoed along the empty foyer.
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Andy had lit the open fire in the family room and they were sharing a pot of coffee. Untangling herself from where she was sat wrapped around Miranda, Andy stood quickly. "I will grab more wood."
"I don't think there's much chopped. Dad and Uncle Jay felled a tree last week and..." Jill trailed off as Andy grinned.
"Well, I'll just have to spend the next hour chopping," Andy stated with a shrug. "I'll just change my shoes and find a sweater. I'll have my cell."
Miranda stood up. "Would you like company?"
"I won't be overly long, sweetheart," Andy reassured. "Stay here and keep warm."
"Okay, if you insist. I'll bring you a warm drink a little later." Miranda offered a small smile. "Now, I may have a bath."
"There should be plenty of hot water. I'll see you soon." Andy kissed Miranda's cheek before nodding at Jill and running to her room.
Pulling boots on to her feet, Andy sighed. It would be good to do some physical activity. She was feeling anxious about everything. It had been such a whirlwind few days with the start of her relationship with Miranda, her run-in with Nate, finding out about his assault on her sister and the death of her father, she was struggling to process everything that had happened.
Rummaging through her clothes she struggled to find something to wear over her t-shirt. Sighing she stalked to her closet and rummaged through a stack of clothing. Her hands touched the soft, worn materials, and she sighed as she pulled an item from the stack. Looking down at a red check flannel shirt she grinned. It was something she used to wear when helping her dad chop kindling and when working on her car. As she was pulling it over her head, Miranda entered the room.
Miranda let out a tinkle of laughter at the sight of the brunette. "Well, look at you." She got her laughter under control. "You look like a lumberjack, my darling."
Andy grinned. "I didn't think it would do to ruin my latest designer casuals." Stepping towards the older woman she swept her hair out of her face and spoke softly. "You look tired, sweetheart."
"I'm fine. It's been a busy few days." Miranda clarified.
"I will put a load of washing on. Do you need anything put in the machine?" Andy turned and rummaged through her bag pulling out the items she had worn over the last few days.
"Yes, these." Miranda pulled out her lingerie and t-shirts and smiled.
"Okay." Andy smiled and took the items from the older woman. "Um, will you be okay? I can have Uncle Jay come bring us a stack of wood but..."
"Go, do what you need to. I will have my cell if you need anything." Miranda brushed a soft kiss on Andy's lips. "I understand this last few days have been hard for you. You need an outlet to let it all out. Use the axe and the wood and let go."
"How did you know..." Andy trailed off and bit her lip.
"I see more than you think, my darling." Miranda cupped Andy's cheek. "You will come back from all this stronger than before, physically and mentally."
"I hope so," Andy whispered as she closed her eyes and leaned into Miranda's touch. "I don't know how I can get past all this, Miranda. I don't know if I have the strength to bounce back this time."
"Well if you find you do not always have the strength, I can be strong for both of us, you can lean on me," Miranda told her. Stepping back she looked at Andy. "Now, I will bathe, for some strange reason I ache."
Andy smirked and stepped towards the older woman. "Mm, I'd apologise for that, but it would be a lie." She stepped path the older woman and received a gentle swat against her ass. Gasping she turned and saw Miranda biting her lip to smother a smile.
"I'll get you back for that, Priestly," Andy smirked as Miranda blushed. Shaking her head, she moved from the room and moved towards the back of the house.
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Andy made her way out to the workshop at the side of the house. Looking around she saw the logs that her dad and uncle had prepared. She checked the remaining wood for nails. The last thing she wanted was to damage her axe or be hit by a flying nail. She could see they had been prepared into manageable ready-to-split logs.
Walking towards the wall she found a pair of gloves and safety goggles and picked up her dad's maul. It was a little heavier than her usual axe, but it offered a wider head. Walking towards the chopping block she used her booted foot to clear the twigs and debris that was underfoot. Shaking her head, she realised she was doing exactly what her father would have done. She took comfort in it.
She picked up a piece of wood and balanced it on its end. Standing with her legs shoulder-width apart, she took her maul in both hands, her right hand resting near the head of the tool. Lifting the maul over her head she swung with a straight arm as her hand moved down the handle. She hit the wood dead centre and watching it split slightly. Finding satisfaction in the thud of the maul on the wood she wrestled the maul from the wood and once again hit it dead centre. It took four swings for the wood to split and the maul to do its job. Smiling she pulled another log into the block and repeated the process, the steady rhythm quietening her mind and leaving her with a sense of peace.
Continuing to split wood she lost track of time, only stopping once to pull her shirt over her head and toss it to the side, as the pile next to her rose steadily. It was the sound of a branch snapping underfoot that broke her attention and taking a final swing at the piece of wood in front of her watched it split down the middle with satisfaction. Stepping away from the block she kept the maul in her hand and turned, expecting to see Miranda. Instead, her eyes met the dark brown of her ex-boyfriend. "Hello, Nate," Andy stated lightly as she removed the safety glasses and dropped them to the ground. She watched as Nate's eyes raked over her, coming to rest on her glistening chest, where it showed at the v-neck of her fitted t-shirt. He licked his lips and she only just stopped the shudder of disgust she experienced at his heated perusal. "You shouldn't be here." Andy turned slightly and put the maul down, Putting her hand in her pocket, she pulled out her cell. She decided that the police could deal with him as required.
"Like you're in a position to tell me where I'm supposed to be," Nate spoke slowly, each word clearly enunciated.
Andy pressed her contacts list absentmindedly. "Well, I know if you were in New York you'd be in the care of the NYPD for vandalism, criminal mischief, aggravated harassment and trespassing. If they charge you under hate crime misdemeanours, you could be up for a lengthy stay in prison." Andy let him know she knew of his actions. "The detectives looking for you will also be advised that you are a rapist, even if those charges don't stick, word will get out. I will tell Lily the story of how my sister cried as she recounted the events of my birthday weekend when you drugged and then fucked her. She may not have been able to fight you off or say no, but it doesn't stop it from being rape. Lily will hate you as much as I do, now." She heard Nate step towards her.
Turning her head she watched as Nate ran a hand over his scruffy stubble. "She was asking for it, as were the others I have...Well, I wasn't getting what I needed at home, Andy. How dare you judge me?" His tone was frustrated as he took another step towards her.
"You may not have been getting any at home, and obviously Lily has proved over the last six months not to be enough for you either. You ended up being just another fragile little man obsessed with his penis." Andy turned again and catching his eyes let her disgust of him flow freely. Channelling Miranda, her eyes filled with ice. "How disappointing that you turned out to be so pathetic. I should have left you years ago." She looked down and continued to scroll through her contacts.
"What are you doing with your cell, Andy? Put it down, now!" Andy clicked a button as Nate reached out and snatched the cell from her hand. Looking at the screen he saw Miranda's name highlighted and dropped the cell. "You're calling her?" He was furious. "You and that old dragon bitch? I'll say it again, it's disgusting, Andy."
Andy became furious. "Don't you dare, Nate. You don't know Miranda, you do not understand." She glowered at him, fists clenched.
"Fuck, Miranda Priestly." Nate roared, losing control.
Andy smirked at him. "Oh, I have. Multiple times." Her tone was calm as she watched Nate's jaw clench. "She is exquisite."
"Shut up." Nate spat between clenched teeth. "I don't want to hear it."
"Would you prefer it if we spoke of how she makes me feel? How gentle? Or how about how wet she makes me?" Andy asked. Nate's hand lashed out in an open-handed slap against Andy's cheek, leaving a red stain in its wake. "You are pitiful." Andy hissed as she dodged another open-handed slap. She launched herself towards the man. The first punch glanced Nate's cheek, and he yelped in surprise. He noticed too late that a second punch was about to hit as Andy hit him in his solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him. He stumbled backwards and a warm hand in the middle of his back stopped him falling.
Nate straightened and stepped quickly away from the touch. His eyes bulging with shock at the sight of Miranda behind him and Jill hovering in the doorway. He stared at Andy, rage in his eyes as she rolled her eyes at Miranda. "My love, why did you stop him falling on his skinny ass?"
"Shit splatters, my darling" Miranda stated with a smirk as she moved past him towards Andy.
"You…fucking…" Nate took a lurching step quickly towards Miranda, his fist clenched. He stopped at the sound of two familiar clicks behind him. He looked around to see Jill raising her hands, holding a gun. "You would shoot me, Jill?" Nate offered a disarming smile.
"Damn fucking straight I would," Jill spoke softly. "I would end you in a heartbeat for how you've made my sister think she's lacking, not to mention what you did to me." She shook her head. "You are trespassing, Nate." Her voice shook and her eyes held fear. "In the State of Ohio, I can shoot to kill and claim self-defence. You are the one who committed a crime of hate against Miranda in New York. You are a threat."
"You wouldn't shoot me, Jill. You're weak." Nate tried to stare the young woman down, to call Jill's bluff.
Lowering the gun she pulled the trigger and took out Nate's knee causing him to scream. "Do not underestimate me, Nathanial." Jill thundered above his howl's of pain. Andy and Miranda stood in shock as the petite blonde walked towards him and pulled him to his feet by his shoulder, almost tearing the collar of his shirt. They heard the slight rasp of material ripping as she pushed him awkwardly towards the chopping block as he whimpered. "You will sit there. Move another inch and I'll take out your other knee." Pulling out her cell she dialled quickly. "Hi, I need to report a trespasser. He is currently wanted by police and...Yes, Nathanial Cooper. He's wanted in New York and detectives here have been notified...Yes, Jillian Sachs...that's right. I should warn you he has a bullet lodged in his knee...Yes, Fox Hollow Lane, Indian Hill." She ended the call and looked at Andy and Miranda before turning her eyes away from them to look at Nate, who had tears streaming down his face. "I want you to apologise to Andy and Miranda," Jill told him. "I want an apology for what you did that night in September."
"No." Nate spat out through his clenched teeth.
Jill shrugged and raised the gun again. Andy rushed in front of Nate and the gun. "No, Jilly. Please, he's not worth the cost of a bullet."
Jill frowned. "He's done nothing but hurt us. He cheated on you, made you believe you were lacking and he did not support you. He hurt me, took my virginity, gave me a child I then lost, gave me..." Andy interrupted her quickly.
"And he will be punished for his actions," Andy stated stepping towards Jill and holding her hand out. "Give me that gun, Jilly."
"No, he needs to pay." Tears lept into Jill's eyes as her hands shook. "You said so yesterday."
"And he will. Legally. You know the police will handle this. His actions will not go unpunished." Andy tried to reassure her sister as she detected the crunch of tyres on the drive. She watched over Jill's shoulder as Miranda stepped out of the workshop and move towards the front of the house. "Please, Jill. Think about it if not for you then for Mom, she needs you now. For me, I'll need you. And for your future children, they'll need you. You can come back from this, Jill. You can still create the future you want for yourself, you can still find that one person who makes your soul sing."
"Like Miranda?" Jill questioned softly.
"Exactly like my Miranda." Andy smiled softly, her back still towards Nate.
He charged, knocking both women off their feet. The gun clattered away from their reach. Andy could feel Nate's full weight against and a groan escaped her lips. She could feel the press of his erection against her ass as he pinned her. "I think I should have taken advantage of this position in our bed. I should have taken it from you rather than finding those gullible girls who were..." He trailed off and fumbled with his pants as Andy tried to arch her back and throw him off. His hands came up around her neck and he squeezed. "..they weren't you, however much I wished they were...And if you think I'll let you live happily ever after you are mistaken."
Nate was overwhelmed with his need for release, unfurling himself from his jeans, he tried, one-handed, to undo Andy's jeans as his remaining hand continued to squeeze at Andy's throat as she choked, clawing at his hand to release his grip. He was so busy he did not see Jill roll to the side and grab the first thing that came to hand, a metal pipe. Scrambling to her feet she saw Andy's lips turning blue, swinging the pipe over her shoulder she watched as it connected with Nate's skull. She heard the crack and saw the blood pour as Nate shook the disorientation away with a groan. Raising the pipe again she caught the movement behind her and caught Miranda's gasp at the sight in front of her. Placing a warm hand on Jills back she felt herself relaxing as officers pulled Nate off Andy forcibly.
Andy's wheezing breath caught their attention as she gulped for air. They watched as Nate frowned, confused about the sudden interruption, blood flowing from his curls as the police restrained him. They overheard the dispatcher's confirmation that two ambulances were in transit. Miranda closed her eyes as Andy rolled onto her knees and retched.
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Miranda was pacing the hospital waiting room. The doctor's had advised her that as she wasn't listed as Andy's next-of-kin she could not be in the room with the young woman as they rushed her into treatment. She was furious. Moving towards the doors she was amazed to see Jill pushing Beth through the doors. Stopping her pacing she knelt in front of her old friend. "They won't tell me a fucking thing." She hissed.
"Relax, we'll fix this," Jill stated softly. She gestured for Miranda to get up and wheeled the chair towards the main part of the waiting area. Leaving her mom and Miranda, she moved to the desk. Placing a firm hand on the desk she spoke quietly. "Where is Andrea Sachs?"
"Are you family?" The nurse asked.
"Yes, her sister. Her mother is also here as her partner has been made to wait for a fucking update because of your bureaucratic bullshit. I will advise her to sue." Jill stated menacingly.
"Her partner?" The nurse stuttered.
Jill smirked. "Yes, and I would advise you that Miranda Priestly is not someone to be trifled with."
"Mir...Miranda Pr..." The nurse was amazed. She had listened to her fourteen-year-old son explain to her husband that Miranda was in Ohio for the funeral of her assistant turned girlfriend. He had admitted to her recently that he wanted to be a fashion designer and move to New York. She was happy that he knew exactly what he wanted, so many teenagers didn't. "Um, Andrea has finished being treated. You can all go through." She looked at the older woman and shook her head. She seemed far from the rumours of the editor that graced Page Six in her jeans, loose-fitting t-shirt, leather jacket and Converse.
Jill sighed and caught her attention. "Which room?"
The nurse blushed. "102. Go through the door take a left and it's about seven doors down."
"Thank you." Jill spun on her heel and stalked towards Beth and Miranda. "Go on, Andy's waiting for you."
"Finally." Miranda hissed as she moved at an almost run through the door.
"112, Miri," Jill called after her. Looking down at her mom, she whispered. "Are you okay, mom?"
"I will be, once that monster is locked up." Beth had been furious when Jill had arrived upstairs and told her about the events at the house. "Give them a few minutes, Miri was never very patient and they'll need time."
Miranda stalked down the corridor quickly, looking at the door numbers. Spotting 112 she tapped the door before poking her head around. Andy was curled up on the bed, her eyes closed tight. Miranda stepped up to her quickly and eased her sneakers off. Climbing up beside the younger woman she pulled her close as Andy let her tears fall. She held Andy close without saying a word. As Andy's sobs turned to snuffling hiccups Miranda turned her gently and gasped at the bruising that had formed on Andy's cheek and throat. Running the tips of her fingers over the marks she closed her eyes and whimpered. "I will ensure my legal team decimate him. He will rue the day he crossed my path and yours."
"I'm okay, I thought..." Andy's voice was hoarse. "...when I woke up alone..." She swallowed and moaned. "...I thought this was the moment you finally decided enough was enough. You didn't sign up for this, Miranda."
"That is true, but I will not leave you, my Andréa. I am not one to give up and walk away when things get hard." Miranda placed a gentle hand on Andy's face and watched as she took a shuddering breath.
"Why weren't you here?" Andy asked.
"I am not family, my darling." Miranda tried to soothe Andy as she frowned. "Not in the eyes of the hospital. Jillian sorted it, and here I am. Your mom and Jill are here, they'll be along in a few moments."
"Ma's here?" Andy whispered. "I will kill Jill. Mom doesn't need this additional worry."
"It is a mother's job to worry, my darling," Miranda advised gently. "Now, let me dry your eyes." She pulled a box of tissues off the bedside table and swiped gently at Andy's eyes. "Perfect." Miranda pressed a brief kiss on Andy's lips as there was another tap at the door and Jill and Beth entered the room.
"Hey, Ma." Andy husked, turning on her back as Beth was wheeled to her side.
"Hi, baby girl. I hear you had a rough few hours?" Beth spoke softly and reached her hand out to stroke Andy's hair from her face, taking in the bruising. Her heart broke at the sight and she swallowed a lump forming in her throat as she continued to soothe her daughter. "I want your opinion on something, Andy..." She looked up at Jill as she placed a chair down and sat beside her. "...You too, Jill."
Miranda made to move off the bed. "I shall leave you to talk." She spoke softly.
"No, stay," Beth told her. Nodding, Miranda sat with her back resting against the metal frame of the hospital bed. Andy caught her hand and entwined their fingers. Beth looked at the three women surrounding her. "I am thinking selling the house. I will go back for a short time but once I'm back on my feet, I will look for work elsewhere. Chicago, L.A, Boston or Seattle."
"Why not New York?" Jill asked. "It is where Miranda, Andy, Nigel and Doug are." She took a deep breath. "And I could transfer to Columbia before the baby..."
"I don't think Andy and Miranda want us descending on them, Jill," Beth smiled sadly as Andy raised her head and frowned.
"You'd be wrong, Ma." Andy husked. "If New York is where you want to be. If you want to be a part of mine and Miranda's life and the life of your grandchild, then you would be welcome."
"My grandchild?" Beth whispered. Looking at her daughters she saw Jill with tears in her eyes as Andy held out her hand to her little sister.
Jill jumped up and launched herself at Andy, causing the brunette to let out a little oompf as her sister climbed on the bed and pulled her into a tight hug. Andy's hands soothed Jill as they ran circles between her shoulders. Looking up, her eyes held uncertainty. "Are you sure?" Andy nodded. Jill looked into Miranda's shining blue eyes. "Miranda?"
Miranda's face split into a genuine smile. "Acceptable."She whispered pulling both women into her arms and wrapping her arms as far around them both as she could. "Now, which one of you will tell my twin's they will be big sisters?" Miranda rolled her eyes at the squeak of panic that escaped from Jill's lips as Andy chuckled.
"Oh my word, I will be a grandma," Beth whispered.
"To ten-year-old twins too," Andy told her softly. The comment caused Miranda to squeeze her tighter and place a kiss on the top of her head.
"Oh shit," Beth exclaimed. Looking up she grinned and excitement sparkled in her eyes. "I can't wait to meet them."
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