Miranda stepped into the townhouse, closing the door and saving behind everything that had plagued her during the day. The only thing she was looking forward to was having dinner with the family and then spending the rest of her evening cuddled up to her wife.

My wife, she thought, Three years and I still get a thrill from saying it. Miranda had been married for the third time in June, and this time she was firmly convinced it was for the real deal. 'Priestly,' she had warned herself in a pep talk a few hours before the wedding, 'this time it had better work because if you manage to screw this up with someone like her, like Andrèa, you will be never be able to live with yourself.' The celebrations had gone on till the early hours of the morning and Miranda had never been happier than when she had looked into those doe-like eyes, once all of the guests had left, and seen the love radiating from them. "I love you," was murmured by the two women at the same moment and the resulting smiles had been a testimony to all the emotions that swirled around them.

Miranda was abruptly taken out of her reverie by angry voices coming from the kitchen. Frowning, she walked to the door and stopped when she saw Andrèa squaring off with Cassidy.

"I don't care if Caroline was in the house," the journalist was saying, her body language tense, "You are not to be alone in your room with a boy if there isn't an adult in the house!"

"Why, because you think I would be up to what?" The fifteen year-old answered back, waving her arms in the air, "Mom has given us the sex talk when we're twelve, thank you very much, I'm not going to do anything stupid!"

Andrea was getting ready to reply when a soft voice startled them both. "Would both of you care to explain what is going on here?" Miranda entered the kitchen with her usual poise, an expertly plucked eyebrow raised as she looked first at her youngest daughter and then at her lover. Silence greeted her and Miranda sighed, No relaxing evening for you tonight then.

Andrea was looking at Cassidy, as if waiting for her to start the conversation, but the teenager was looking intently at her shoes. Miranda huffed and then turned to her wife, "Andrèa, what is going on here?"

Andy looked once again at the girl she considered for all purposes her daughter and then started talking "I got home earlier than usual today, and went to check on the girls. However when I opened Cassidy's room I found her on the bed with a, hm, friend?" Andy was pained by the fact she had to rat out the red-head, but she couldn't let an episode of such importance slide. This time both of Miranda's eyebrows shot up and she quickly turned to look at Cassidy.

"Cassidy?" While the volume was low, the voice carried the undertone of a threat that had the girl quickly raising her eyes, which were captured by those ice-blue eyes so much like hers.

"Oh god mom, chill we weren't doing anything weird!" She all but snapped, "Yeah, fine we were kissing but I had no intention of overstepping that!"

"Modify your tone this instant, young lady," Miranda leveled her voice to ice-cold whisper, "Who is the boy Andrèa met in your room? And why weren't we informed you were seeing someone?"

Andrea was surprised that Miranda was turning her interrogation skills onto Cassidy, however she wisely decided to let the editor continue with the scolding.

Cassidy crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, "I haven't introduced anyone to anyone because I wasn't sure if Dan was, well, my boyfriend." And after a slight pause, added, "Not he might want to be now that he's seen how you've treated me!"

Miranda turned her head towards her wife, who sighed and said "I may have been a little bit harsh with her friend, but Cassidy... I was shocked, I wasn't expecting to find a boy in your room and my first thought was that you could do something impulsive."

Chocolate brown eyes were wide and reflected all of the love a mother could feel towards a daughter, and Cassidy's resolve to be mad at Andy crumbled immediately. "It's ok Ma, I know you have my best interest at heart. It's just, maybe next time could you avoid going all protective mama-bear on me? Don't get me wrong, I love you and all, but it doesn't make me look too cool."

And that's how she does it, Miranda mused, Puts each and every one of the Priestly household under her charm. Pouty lips, tear-filled eyes and we're done for.

Smiling, Andrea opened her arms to hug Cassidy who practically tackled her, and then kissed her on her temple. "I love you so much Cass, I would do anything for you. And I promise I'll try to lay off on the overbearing behavior."

Cassidy smiled and then stepped away, informing them she would go and find her sister in order to set the table. Andrea looked at her leaving and then gestured to Miranda to come closer. Miranda sighed and then moved towards her wife, whose lanky arms wrapped immediately around her waist.

"I don't think I'm ready to see them going out," Andrea mumbled into the silver-white bob, "Do you think we could keep them locked in the house for the next four or five years?"

Miranda chuckled, tightened her hold on the brunette and kissed the cheek next to her left ear. "I'm afraid not my darling, but we could come up with a strategy to make any future dates think twice before coming here to ask them out."

Andrea laughed, her eyes twinkling "Ha, you're right Mira, you'll grill them and I'll stand behind you looking menacing. Their suitors won't stand a a chance!"

Miranda's laughter filled the room and she squeezed her wife's waist once more. "Come on Andrèa,I'm quite hungry and I'm sure the girls will find your idea thrilling."

Andy smiled and stepped away from their embrace, however she kissed Miranda lightly and the lips and murmured "I love you Miranda."

"And so do I darling, as do the girls" the editor answered, lacing their hands together, "We are so lucky to have you."