Title: New Territory
Author: EllieWrites
Beta: Obviously no Beta! If someone wants to be mine (which will take a helluva lot of work) please please PM me! I'm new to all of this and have no DWP friends.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Devil Wears Prada or the characters but I have taken the liberty of borrowing them for this story. Please forgive any injustice I do to them as I have tried my best to stay true to them.
"Emily," Miranda summoned her first assistant who had only moments before been sitting at her desk, looking over a few sketches and samples from a new designer that Miranda was previewing. Miranda had returned a half hour ago from her Monday meeting with accounting, and given that Irv had stepped in to add his two cents, Miranda was barely recovering mentally from the two hours of painful "discussion." Emily hopped up quickly, glanced in Andrea's direction, and silently chanted a prayer as she hurried her way through Miranda's door. "Yes Miranda?" Miranda hardly looked up over her glasses to acknowledge Emily's presence.
The last two months since Paris had flown by, and the normally frantic pace of the office had slowed measurably, due to a more efficient staff. Miranda hardly had reason to complain, but that never stopped her. Emily had begun to make amends with Andrea, and was still lusting over a few items of couture that Andy had brought back for her and she had yet to wear. Emily maintained her position as first assistant, and accompanied Miranda to every preview, showing, and event that she was attending. Emily was thriving as Miranda's right hand, and her learning curve was steep.
Between the two assistants Miranda's office was running more smoothly than ever before, and an oddly more relaxed Miranda took advantage of short, teachable moments, to impart her knowledge to Emily. A year before the assistant would have given her entire paycheck just for one of them, and now they came regularly. She was growing professionally by leaps in bounds. The confidence she gained from success in her personal life didn't hurt either.
During the weeks that Emily was incapacitated with her injuries, her friend and colleague Serena had risen to the occasion. Many a movie night later, curled up on the couch under a blanket while keeping Emily company, Serena took a chance and moved in for the kill. Emily was terrified that her crush on the tall Brazilian was one sided, but looking back she realized that she had not in fact been the pursuer, but the pursued, all along. Having a girlfriend who turned everybody's head when she entered a room and only had eyes for her, was empowering. Emily was on top of the world, but working for Miranda she realized that one wrong step and she would be flying off of a cliff with no wings.
"Emily" Miranda said as she continued to analyze the proofs on her desk with a hint of annoyance, "Andrea will accompany me on Wednesday to the retreat in your place. Make the necessary adjustments." Emily had spent the entire previous week figuring out her outfits for the Elias Clark Advertiser's Retreat and was now regretting it. It would have been her first time to the Caribbean as the Retreat was being held at the St. Regis in Puerto Rico. Miranda had planned to attend two days of meetings and meals that took place in between the golfing events that most attendees would be taking part in. She only had planned to make an appearance on Wednesday and Thursday morning, and allow Irv to entertain the men who were only there for the golf and the sun anyway. They didn't really care who Miranda Priestly was, except to their bottom line.
The Editor glanced upwards quickly, enjoying the chance to witness the brief flash of disappointment now evident on Emily's face. Oh how this girl must learn to control her display of emotion she thought. That will never suit her ambitions. "Problem Emily?" Miranda questioned her and cut off the girl with a flick of her pen when she made an attempt to reply in the negative. "Book two tickets for the girls who will accompany us. We will return Sunday night. Use my personal account for the girls of course, and make sure we are all seated together. And take care of my schedule for Thursday afternoon, and Friday. I will not return Thursday as planned."
Great Emily thought. Is this where it begins again and I get left behind? Andrea would sit in first class siding up to Miranda, but at least she wouldn't have to entertain the Twin Terrors. Emily wanted no part of that. Controlling her voice while her mind raced she stated, "Of course Miranda. Will there be anything else?" But before realizing it and forgetting her own rule she blurted out the thought in her head. "Oh but Damien George is only in town Friday, and Nigel will still be in Los Angeles. Do you want me to reschedule him for the next time he comes to New York?" Emily panicked slightly at the thought of losing this new designer to another publication, and froze realizing her mistake of questioning her boss. Miranda lifted her head and met Emily eye to eye. Drawing out the suspense with silence, Miranda took her time before questioning the blossoming young women in front of her, "I told you to take care of my appointments did I not? Must I repeat myself Emily?"
Miranda analyzed the newer more confident Emily that had emerged recently, and watched as she squared her shoulders. The girl's eagerness and excitement could not be fully suppressed, and Miranda held back a smile when the girl dared an attempt at clarification. "So you want me to…" Miranda cut Emily off and snapped back "bore someone else with your questions Emily. Meet with Damien as scheduled. I want a full report with samples, and your selection of items to feature on Monday morning. Nigel and I will review them then. That's all." And with that Emily retorted with her typical "of course Miranda" attempting to place as little glee in the words as she could, while physically restraining herself from jumping and squealing. Even the British could not maintain their composure at all times, but Emily was trying her best. Miranda was trusting her judgment on designs that could make it onto the pages of Runway, Emily's bible. She would not fail.
Andrea did not have any idea of what was taking place in the office with Emily, but Miranda had stayed up the previous night, alone in the townhouse, knowing that it was time for a change. Runway was intact, her position was no longer in jeopardy, and changes could be made without chaos ensuing. Emily was ready to move on, and knowing that Andrea was more than capable of taking over was comforting. Now was the best time to make a change.
The past two months with Andrea were wonderful and exciting, but she wanted more. They were living off of stolen moments, quickies while delivering the book, early morning "meetings," car rides, the occasional desperate kisses in Miranda's private bathroom…but none of it was enough. Miranda wanted to slowly integrate Andrea into her life, and a trip with the children was a place to start. To the children, they would remain the façade of a work relationship, but at least they could all become a bit more familiar with one another.
The divorce would be finalized shortly. Press over the separation was dying down, and Miranda's iron clad pre-nup paved the way for an uncontested divorce that was days if not minutes away. Both parties walked away with what they came in with, and no more. That was fine by each of them. Stephen had been a fine companion, but even he realized he was there to fill a requirement. The couple had not shared a bed in over a year.
And then there was Andrea, the women just outside her door, wearing a Chanel pencil skirt, and Westwood blouse that had not come from the Closet. Miranda simply could not help herself in supplementing Andrea's wardrobe, but she had to be careful as Nigel noticed everything. Andrea was currently pretending to go about her business as if they had no connection other than boss, and assistant, but was all the while curious about what was taking place behind closed doors.
Andy was happy to play the game, but Miranda knew she deserved more and they would both have it. Miranda cared for Andrea, like none other. Many of Miranda's lonely nights were spent mapping out their futures, both personally, and professionally. The consummate loner who trusted nobody fully aside from her children, was somehow letting this young women invade her soul. Andrea had proven her loyalty, but she was young. The fear that Andrea did not yet truly know herself, was the only hurdle Miranda had to overcome to give herself completely. Would she truly want a life with the Editor, and her two children? When the excitement of a secret love affair died down, would Andrea still feel the passion and love she felt now?
In the meanwhile, at the office Miranda knew that it was time for Andrea to step up as her first, at least for a short while, learning to train a new assistant, and delegate, and direct. She could then take all of her skills into the arena of her choosing. One could learn a lot working for Miranda Priestly, and Andrea was well on her way. With her demanding personality, natural charm, and fighting spirit Andy had already fulfilled her position better than any before her. Miranda would make Andrea's development her top priority. The young woman was going places. Well, not in fashion of course but she was going places.
There were more benefits for the two of them once Andrea became first assistant. They would be together almost full time, aside from going home together. The first assistant was on the road with the Editor, which meant that Andrea would accompany Miranda everywhere, without questions from outsiders. Andrea would have the opportunity to make a name for herself as she would be exposed to an endless number of important people, and her ability to work a room combined with Miranda's glowing introduction would give her a platform to shine. This would be the next step in their journey. The separation to this point was necessary, but both women wanted more.
Miranda watched Emily leave the office in a hurry, and through the reflection in the glass watched Andrea's face momentarily perk up when she heard about the Caribbean trip, and then adjust itself to a more acceptable expression for one who just found out they would be travelling with the Devil herself. Andrea was becoming a rather good actress, but that wasn't surprising. She was good at everything, or so it seemed. "Andrea, we're leaving in five minutes. No steak today as I'm going out for lunch. Roy will drop me and I have a list for you of items the girls need for Wednesday." Miranda intentionally announced this from her office for Emily to hear. Andy threw a questioning look towards Emily, and the British women smirked a knowing "you'll find out soon enough" in Andy's direction.
"Em, are you and Serena meeting me and Doug for dinner later? Nigel said he'd be ready by 8, and could join us" Andy asked as she was packing her Miu Miu tote. With an affirmative nod and a yes from Emily, dinner plans were confirmed, and Andy silently hoped she would not have much in the way of lunch today. Yes, she hoped that Roy would be taking a lengthy drive around Manhattan and maybe even Connecticut and back. They had done that on one, two, or five previous occasions, and thus far all had made Andy's top ten favorite afternoon activities list. Roy was ever the professional, and while Andy knew he was amused by the recent developments, he kept to himself. He knew to raise the privacy screen, turn the radio up, and just drive until he received a text to turn around.
Moments later Miranda flew out of her office giving Andrea a look of distaste when she took a few seconds too long to hand Miranda her coat and bag. "Move at a glacial pace Andrea, we have all the time in the world don't we?" Andy kept her head down and refused to look her boss in the eye. As she passed over the items, and grabbed her own bag and coat she kept a straight face while uttering a "sorry Miranda," and moved to follow the older women. Miranda all but ignored her heading to the elevator, and gave Andy the nod necessary to acknowledge that today her elevator could be shared. Both women stepped in, and Andrea pressed the button for the lobby before positioning herself along the back wall at an acceptable distance from Miranda, keeping her eyes forward. Once the doors closed Miranda went off on a tirade, all the while looking straight ahead for the cameras.
"The girls tortured me this weekend with sleepovers, and I hardly slept. I spent the last three hours in accounting which would be fine save for the nonsense spouted from a little, little man, who would like our masterpiece, and the flagship of Elias Clark to be little more than naked women surrounded by advertisements. Despite my regular attempts to educate him, he has a distinct inability to see the bigger picture, and that our work pays his bills." Miranda took a breath and hesitated for a moment. "This would all be fine but on top of it I haven't seen you since Friday, and then going away this week, it was just too much. You have ruined me Andrea," and Miranda glanced sideways to see the response on the younger woman.
Andy was not ready for this level of confession on a Monday, and she let herself smile a bit until the doors opened. She was not alone in her attachment, which she still sometimes questioned despite Miranda's more recent vocal admissions. As Miranda exited she waited an extra step while contemplating what had just been said, and then leapt out to follow. Roy had the Mercedes today instead of the Towncar so there would be no long drive to nowhere. Andy was immediately disappointed, but attempting to remain professional tried not to let it show. Maybe she really was just running errands today. She still had a job to do and if that was picking up items for the girls she would do it with a smile.
When she sat down next to Miranda, the two women clasped hands and intertwined fingers. "Pastis Roy," Miranda directed as Andy looked up in question. "Lunch darling. You have a pad and paper don't you? I cannot imagine it will look too unusual for us to have lunch together on a working day, as long as we bring some props. I deserve a reward for what I just endured." Andy flashed a genuine smile knowing that for Miranda to take a risk meant that she was truly invested in this, in them. "Sounds great Miranda, I can't wait."
The twins found it slightly odd that Andy was staying with them in Puerto Rico through the weekend. Ever since Harry Potter they had liked Andrea, but something was off about her. It wasn't Andy so much as their mother around her, and their interaction. Sometimes their mother seemed almost, like, well, their mother, around Andrea. Few others saw that side. Regardless, they were having dinner at a restaurant overlooking the ocean, after having spent the day on a private beach in front of their fabulous villa. The girls had swam, snorkeled, and played while their mother watched and occasionally photographed. They would not complain or even begin to question. They did not want to ruin this.
Miranda had taken the kids out of school for this trip recognizing the need for quality family time. She had left the girls with Andrea at the villa while attending the Elias Clarke events at the nearby St. Regis, but now she could focus on her family. She could focus on her girls, and her girlfriend rather. Her family? Maybe that's what they would become. It was too soon to think so long-term, or at least she chastised herself for doing so. But one could hope. She lived on it in fact.
Andrea had a way with the girls. Miranda could tell already that they liked her. She did not let them get away with anything. The girls had tried initially to torture the assistant as they did the others, using their mother as a threat but this no longer worked. Now they had begun to look up to Andrea, who had won them over with a few simple changes. Andrea no longer did the girls homework. Instead of blatantly throwing that in Miranda's face as she had wanted to, Andy took the smarter route and invested the time to start working with the girls. They had even spent a few nights at local Starbucks together completing various different projects at a table in the back corner, where they had asked her all about her life, and family. They liked getting out without someone who was not officially their babysitter. Andy seemed more like a big sister. Occasionally as a reward, Andy took them for ice cream or to their favorite cupcake shop without mentioning it to their mother.
Miranda did not intend to discuss work or Runway on this trip, but on the flight down south she informed Andrea of her plan to promote Emily in the coming weeks. A management position in the Art Department was opening as Miranda knew ahead of time that one of her employees was being poached. While normally she would cut that off at the legs, and then go for blood, this time it suited her. It would be a big step for Emily, one that would not normally take place so early in a career but the young women was ready. She was in fact more creative, and cutting edge than the women in the position currently.
Miranda had also been moved up the ladder quickly by a stroke of luck, and after more than two years as her assistant she knew that Emily would succeed anywhere. She had needed more confidence, but her passion, original sense of style, and her take charge mentality would propel her far in fashion. Secretively Miranda could not wait to see the look on her Emily's face when she delivered the news. So many thought her heartless, as she maintained the La Priestly image, but that was only a careful disguise perfected over thirty years. Her girls knew the truth. Andrea knew it to a degree. Emily's face would likely mirror hers from many many years ago, when she was given the promotion to editor of British Runway. She had managed to maintain a blank stare attempting to cover the overwhelming elation at the recognition of her accomplishments. Yes that would be fun to watch.
But now the Editor had two nights and two days of Sun and Sunsets to simply forget about Runway, and reality. There were no Paparazzi to hide from. Their fortress this week was an exclusive three bedroom villa on private acre of beachfront, complete with a pool, hot tub, housekeepers and chef who currently had the night off. It was the perfect setting for everybody to relax a bit.
Andrea and Miranda had become quite adept to staying up late and waking up early enough to separate themselves before the girls knew any better. Andy sipped her Margarita at the table remembering waking up this morning with Miranda in her arms at 5am, and making love until forcing themselves apart two hours later, as Andy left for her own bedroom across the hall. The girls shared a room on the lower floor, and never knew any better. It was perfect. She smiled at the thought and while Caroline and Cassidy were chatting away the two women gazed briefly at one another, almost as if they were both remembering the same moment. It was bliss.
Less than two hours later Caroline and Cassidy were falling asleep on the couch beside their mother, as Andrea watched from an arm chair. They were wiped out after a day running around in the sun. Upon returning to the villa from dinner the girls changed into their nightclothes, and picked out a movie to watch, barely making it through half. Andy looked at Miranda and whispered, "I'll take one if you take the other?" At that point they proceeded to deliver the two half sleeping children into their King Size bed, and Miranda kissed each on the forehead before turning off their light and leaving the room. While she didn't encourage it at home, the girls loved sleeping near one another, and on this trip Miranda was happy to have the privacy of having the girls sleep through the night without interruption.
Miranda walked back into the great room and found Andrea with her head in the refrigerator grabbing a two bottles of Pellegrino. Upon seeing her lover enter the room she placed both bottles in one hand freeing up the other to reach out towards her lover. "Come with me" she said in a lowered voice with her outstretched hand reaching towards Miranda. "We're going swimming" and she led the way through the glass doors to the pool.
Once outside Miranda realized Andrea had been very productive during her "bathroom" break. The outside lights were on but not those around the pool. You never knew when you had to be careful. Stepping out on the patio Miranda could see here were towels set out on the loungers that faced the ocean, and an ice bucket with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot already chilling. "What's this darling?" Miranda took Andrea closely in her arms, looking up into her sultry eyes, while standing by the edge of the pool. "This is for you baby. I wanted to thank you for bringing me. This is all for you."
With that Andy pulled Miranda closer and their lips met with a moan from Andrea seeping out. Miranda just tasted too good for words. After controlling the hunger and need she had for this older women, Andy found the zipper she needed to rid Miranda of her black Prada Dress. Maintaining the kiss Andy slid the dress lower until Miranda stepped out of it, left only in a black lace bra and panties. "Take off your sandals," she panted before moving Miranda backwards towards one of the covered loungers. When the back of her Miranda's knees hit the edge of the chair, she lowered her lover to a sitting position and straddled her on the edge. Andy was in charge here. She hovered for a moment kissing Miranda and pressing their bodies firmly together, until backing off and pushing them further onto padded lounger, and then forcing Miranda down with her body. Seductively kissing her way from neck, to chest, to her belly, and continuing Andy was interrupted when Miranda lifted her head to meet Andy's gaze, and asked with a smirk "I thought you wanted to go swimming?" Keeping her eyes pinned on Miranda's, Andy continued her journey south to her ankles stating. "All things in good time baby. You just sit back and enjoy the view."
Andy slipped off Miranda's sandals and carefully lifted each leg, until a foot rested on each corner of the lounger. She carefully kissed her way down from the insides of her knees, to her inner thighs while harshly grabbing her ass, and then oh so carefully teasing around the outside of Miranda's lace underwear, before pulling at them with her teeth. After removing the offending item with the help of her fingers on either side of Miranda's hips, she stood up, placed her knee inside Miranda's legs pressed her thigh into wetness giving Miranda a kiss while reaching out with her right hand to grab a towel she would need and threw it behind her. Backing off a bit she continued the kiss down Miranda's chest carefully opening and removing her lace bra, spending a few moments worshipping two perfect brown nipples with her tongue. Lifting herself off her naked lover she placed the towel under her knees as she returned to her former position, and admired the view herself. She grabbed under Miranda's hips and thighs and pulled her closer to the edge of the chair, and did what she did best.
When the young women attacked with her mouth, Miranda knew this was heaven. She loved it when Andrea took charge, and in their love life that was often. That particular pleasure though was short lived though as Andy knew Miranda was too on edge to continue on that spot for too long and wanting to prolong the activity she moved down, and used her tongue to tease and touch her endlessly. It was incredible how this woman could turn her world upside down with a caress. Andrea could make her beg for it. Miranda Priestly did not beg, but for Andrea Sachs she would be on hands and knees if that's what the girl demanded. In fact occasionally she did demand that but not tonight. Miranda liked dominance but with grace, and when her young lover carefully used her hands to fingers to play with her ever so sensitive breasts, Miranda moaned without even knowing it, and begged for more.
Andy was happy to oblige. She moved back up towards the hard bundle of nerves, and entered Miranda with two fingers while taking her with her mouth. Miranda was writhing beneath Andrea, and getting closer to the edge. Andy used her arm to push both of Miranda's legs further apart leaving the women completely open to her. Swirling her tongue and sliding a third finger into the sopping wetness that was her lover, she fought to hold her mouth in place following the women on her journey both up and down, for what she gathered from the sound of it was a mind blowing orgasm. When the journey had ended, she kissed both sides of Miranda's inner thighs, lifted herself off of her knees, and took a seat on the back of the lounge chair behind Miranda. She pulled the dead weight of her lover up to her chest, and covering them both with a towel, proceeded to pour two glasses of champagne. They remained there for a short while, under the stars, with the sound of waves lapping in the background. The evening would continue in the pool, and the hot tub, and in the bed later on but for now they simply enjoyed the peace and each other. While too soon to make declarations, both suspected they were each struggling to withhold many.