Miranda entered the townhouse, a smile on her face as she opened the closet to put her coat in. She'd had a good day at work: her new assistant was starting to show some actual capabilities-meaning she had managed to get the coffee back while it was still scalding- and the editor had managed to snag an advertiser from another magazine's editor. Although, her favorite part of the day was when she came back home to her family: Caroline, Cassidy, Andrea and three-year-old Thomas.

The white hair woman had pondered over the decision to have another baby for quite a while – a baby at fifty-one, she kept reminding herself- but now Miranda thought that no other choice could have brought her more happiness.

So when she realized that the girls hadn't given any sign of being home, neither by running down the stairs nor calling out to her, her smile turned into a frown. She climbed the stairs and started to look for them, but they were not in their rooms nor the den. She was about to call Andrea and ask if she knew where the girls were when she heard some voices coming from her study.

The sight that greeted her immediately made her heart squeeze: her daughters were lying on the couch, Caroline hugging her huddled sister, murmuring in her ear and rubbing a hand on her back. When the editor made to move through the door she caught the younger twin's attention.

"Mom!" she cried, her face a mask of distress.

"Caroline, what is going on?" Miranda asked, settling down next to a sniffling Cassidy, and laid a soothing hand on her back.

Caroline glanced at her sister and then back to her mother. "It's something regarding Cass," she said, shoulders slumping. "Cass do you want to tell mom?". The resulting shake of her sister's head was a clear answer and Miranda couldn't help but kissing the girl's head. Then she turned her eyes to Caroline and raised an eyebrow, requiring an explanation.

"Mom, Cass had her heart broken today, " she declared, getting straight to the point and making both of the editor's eyebrows reach her hairline. "She found out that the boy she liked was only leading her on, and just wanted to be seen and photographed with her."

The white-haired widened her eyes, not knowing whether to be surprised that her daughter was in a relationship she didn't know anything about or enraged that someone was using her for their own goals. Deciding that Cassidy's pain was more urgent she set out to discover who had hurt her baby. "Continue," she prompted.

"Wait Ro, I wanna tell m-mom," Cassidy interrupted, her broken voice striking a chord in Miranda's heart. "I started going out with Richard a few months ago: he was really nice to me and I thought he was a decent guy. Turns out I was wrong: I overheard him talking to a friend of his that he only wanted to be photographed by the paparazzi, as he's planning on becoming an actor." By the end of her story Cassidy had started crying again, and all Miranda could do was hug her close to her own body.

"Bobbsey he clearly wasn't worthy to receive even a second of your attention and you should be glad you are rid of him now," the fashion maven said, trying to comfort her daughter "Although I don't understand why he decided to use you to achieve his goal."

"He knows who you are mom, and he hopes that by being seen with me and getting into your good graces his dream could receive a boost." Caroline answered for her sister, who was now sobering up but held on tightly to her mother.

"My good graces indeed. He will find out what my reputation is based on," Miranda spoke so softly that the words she uttered sounded even deadlier, " I will prove that 'Dragon Lady' is not a nickname. This young man's name is Richard -?"

"His name should be Dick," a voice floated in from the open door, "And hopefully Mira, you won't have to do anything.. for now."

The editor's wife strolled into the room, settling on her knees next to Caroline and turned her chocolate eyes towards her family. She knew Miranda must be incensed if she didn't bother to correct her language, and by the way Miranda's eyes were flashing she knew she was right.

The older woman asked, "What have you done darling?"

The journalist caressed Cassidy's back and answered "I've already made a call to a Michael Smith, he's the editor of Page Six: I'm good friends with him, and he agreed that it wouldn't be a problem not to feature any recent pictures of Cassidy." Miranda nodded at this, although she was thinking of other ways she could make this boy's life hell. She was seething at the way her daughter had been treated and was fighting with the guilt that her position could have brought this much pain to Cassidy.

"I've also called a few of the film critics I know: they will spread the word between agents and scouts that this particular young actor is not to be cast. " the brunette added, a gleam not unlike Miranda's sparkling in her eye. "And I'm pretty sure that once word gets out he is…undesirable, his chances of become an actor will decrease considerably. He will never be featured in any pictures, no matter how hard he tries."

Andrea's smug expression reassured Miranda somewhat, knowing that her wife would go to great lengths to defend their family. The following words only confirmed what she was thinking.

"Cass, you should remember that your mom and I will do anything to protect you guys. And whilst I haven't disclosed why he should be shunned rest assured that it is enough to make him regret he ever hurt you." she said gently, the love she felt for the girl she considered her daughter evident in her voice.

Cassidy had broken in sobs when she heard what Andy had done for her, and launched herself into the journalist's arms to thank her. Miranda had then hugged Caroline and for the next few minutes the family was quiet, needing the time to regroup.

Andrea turned towards the twin huddled into her lap and said "C'mon Cass, let's get you to bed. You'll feel better tomorrow I'm sure." The red head had nodded and mumbled "Thank you Ma, I'm so happy you were there to defend me."

Cassidy got into bed, and looked at her family through red eyes, and the editor seized the opportunity to sooth once more her daughter. "I'm so sorry that my job caused you pain darling," Miranda said, regretting that it was once again her work that was hurting her daughter, "I'm sure Andréa handled the situation perfectly, but rest assured that if he ever bothers you again he will be accountable to me. And since Andréa covered the East Coast I'll inform you that I know a fair amount of people in Hollywood."

This managed to get a chuckle out of everyone, and they all hugged Cassidy goodnight. The two adults followed Caroline to her own room, and before they left the teenager sleepily called out "You are the best parents we could ask for, thank you."

The two women went then to Thomas' room to check on him, and Miranda slid her arm around her wife while she gazed lovingly at the small bundle in the bed. Young Thomas was sleeping peacefully, unaware of the hustle that was going on with his sister and the two women were glad that he at least was having a peaceful night.

"Oh God, why did they grow up?" the editor said, nuzzling into Andrea's neck, "I want to spare my babies from ever getting hurt, Andréa, I want to keep my little treasures safe."

Andy hugged her and kissed Miranda's ear. "Mira you know that's not possible, and I know that you are very proud of how the twins have grown up. What we do for them shows them how much we care."

"Andréa, I meant to thank you for placing those calls to your acquaintances. I am so grateful to have you with me." the older woman murmured, "Cassidy and Caroline have so much faith in you: now you've told them you've dealt with this situation I'm sure Cassidy will be able to sleep soundly."

"I will always do whatever it takes to protect each and every one of you Miranda. You are my family, and nobody can mess with it and expect to escape unscathed." Andrea answered, her jaw clenching and her hold on the editor tightening.

Miranda's eyes darkened, Andrea's protectiveness awakening a deep emotion in her, and she tangled their fingers together before leading the journalist to their room.

"I know Andréa, and you have no idea of how much this affects me." she purred, sauntering to the bed, knowing her wife's eyes would be on her derriere.

"I may have an inkling my love, " Andrea smiled, while she began to undo her shirt, "But to be on the safe side I'd rather you gave me some tangible proof."

Miranda's eyes were fixed on Andrea's beige lace Sarrieri bra, and she knew the moment her wife would join her on the their bed everything else would be forgotten. "Come then, and let me show you." she answered in a sultry voice, licking her lips.

Andrea's soft laugh was all she took note of before their lips locked and they spent the night reassuring each other of their mutual love.

Soo, I did mention a first date and a baby.. which means that sooner or later I'm going to write something more about them! Gird your loins people ;)

I'll try and update during the break, but in the meanwhile Happy Easter!