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.
It was nearing four in the afternoon, on a beautiful crisp fall day in Manhattan. After a very late breakfast, Miranda, Andy, and a worn out Patricia camped out in the sun in the back garden. Patricia was keeping guard at the foot of the outdoor daybed that Miranda and Andy were cuddled on. Miranda managed to catch up on the Book, and Andy traded off between napping and reading, after a somewhat sleepless night.
Despite the slight tension that lingered because of Andy's insecurity at Miranda's failure to comment on her written work, the day could not have been more pleasant. After Andy returned from her run, a mutual shower was shared, and the two women ended up back in bed. It was unheard of for Miranda Priestly to remain there until twelve on a Saturday, but for the first time in her life she had reason to. Miranda prepared her famous spinach and cheese omelets for brunch, and the two women took advantage of having a whole day alone together in the privacy of the Townhouse.
Miranda's mind wandered to the thoughts of the sleeping beauty and fashion disaster whose head was currently in her lap. Andrea's brown locks splayed wildly across the Editor's legs, and her striking eyelashes fluttered as she slept. As much as Miranda loved watching the scene in front of her, the girl had to leave soon and needed time to get ready.
Despite Miranda's earlier protests Andrea had donned a Northwestern tee shirt, Mountain Hardware fleece to combat the cold, and yoga pants. It was tragic. Miranda had threatened to throw her out, but Andy insisted that she was not at work, not out in public, and it was the weekend. Miranda was done for. The young temptress won again, and sadly Miranda loved it.
It was time though for both women to go their separate ways until returning back to each other later in the evening. Miranda's personal trainer was scheduled to arrive at five-thirty, and after that she had dinner plans with the girls, and their father Jonathan. Every two months or so they would all share a meal in an effort to maintain a positive family relationship. Jonathan was her ex, but he was one of the good ones. His issues of infidelity were unacceptable to Miranda, but she still loved him. She loved him as the father of her children, but after a while realized that maybe she had never been in love with him. When he cheated she was angry, but not devastated by any means except for the damage to her children. She could let him go. Miranda knew she could never voluntarily let Andrea go.
Andy awoke to the wonderful feeling of Miranda's fingers gliding along her scalp and head. "Mmmm, please don't stop." Looking up at the Editor, Andy asked, "what time is it gorgeous?"
Miranda continued her caresses and answered the cheeky young woman. "It's four o'clock darling. Time for you to get dressed I believe?" Despite her hesitation over Andrea's plans for the evening, she modified her voice to hide the concern. Miranda was a very private person. While she trusted her younger lover to be somewhat discreet, she knew that details of her personal life would be revealed tonight.
Andy was off to meet Nigel, Doug, Serena and Emily for a night of fun at the Hotel Gansevoort. They loved the rooftop bar. It had become one of their regular hangouts, particularly in great weather. The group was scheduled to meet at 6. That left an hour of daylight before watching the sunset over Manhattan on this Indian-Summer day during the first week of October. Nigel and Andrea had arranged to meet an hour earlier than the rest, as this was their first chance to sit down alone since Paris.
Andy laughed at the suggestion that was evident in Miranda's question about dressing. "You're still afraid that after all this time working at Runway I would go out wearing this? I have learned something from you, you know." After thinking about it for a second and feeling the tension in her lover's body, Andy realized there was something else going on.
Miranda shrugged off the response, maintaining her focus on the book beside her. Andy sat up and kissed her cheek. Recognizing the slight chill in the air between them, Andy used two fingers to turn Miranda's head towards hers.
"Miranda, you know that you can always, always have outfit approval when and if we ever leave this house together. Whether I am associated with you professionally or personally, I accept that I am part of the image. Please know that I will do my best to protect you." Miranda gazed at Andy, realizing that there a much bigger issue being addressed here. Her Andrea accepted that at some point, and maybe that point already passed, her actions and decisions had consequences for both of them. The same was true for the Editor.
Miranda caressed Andy's cheek down to her lips. "I know. Now go my darling, do not be late. I love you, Andrea." And she nudged Andy away with smile. Andy lingered after standing, leaning down to impart one last kiss, clearly reluctant to leave. "I love you, too," she said before kissing the editor, and after a few moments they separated, and Andy moaned at the loss. "Andrea, go, before you start something we can't stop. Nigel will want to have every minute alone with you that you have promised him."
On the last day of Paris Nigel had cornered Miranda for a quick and private discussion. He listed his concerns, for both parties involved. His views were conflicted and he voiced them with all of the honesty he could muster. While Miranda was his friend, she was still his boss as well and there were lines that were very grey all of which were tested that day.
Nigel was protective towards both women. It was simply in his nature. Miranda took into consideration much of what was said. Nigel had given Miranda a bit of a wake-up call when describing what the outside would see. This was probably part of reason for her week long separation from Andrea prior to today. Her head had been stuck a bit in the clouds, something that was quite out of character for the Editor. He asked her to reconsider her path, but she would not. In addition he reminded the Editor that regardless of how discreet they were, she was still a public figure. In all likelihood the couple would be revealed before choosing to reveal themselves. She acknowledged that this was in fact the most likely scenario.
Miranda took steps in the past week to protect herself, and her Andrea. She met with her attorneys who found nothing in her contract stating she could not be involved romantically with her subordinate. There was no official "no fraternization" policy at Runway, or Elias Clarke. Both she and Andrea were consenting adults, and Miranda was legally separated when the relationship began, at least by a day, but nobody but she, Andrea, and now Nigel would know the exact timeline anyway. Miranda was simply a thrice divorced woman who had finally found the love of her life, and would stop at nothing to have her chance at a happily ever after.
What was necessary though was that they disclose their relationship to Human Resources. If they were truly going to make this work with Andrea remaining at Runway that was a precaution they should take. This was on Miranda's list to discuss Monday with her first assistant, along with the article.
After completing a week of due diligence concerning the legal aspects of their relationship, and the very recent discovery of Andrea's obvious talent, Miranda was beginning to formulate a plan for both of them. Maybe Andrea could remain at Runway, building her freelance portfolio while still performing her assistant duties. The girl was a wonder at multi-tasking, and ambitious enough to welcome the challenge. That could catapult her at a later date to a higher level position at another publication.
Miranda as the Editor in Chief had minimal input on her assistant's compensation. That fell into the category of a somewhat standard Elias Clarke pay rate. Human Resources had little to complain about. Miranda had to consider and reconsider that idea several times over, trying to remain impartial. If she could only be selfish, then Andrea would remain her assistant indefinitely. No future assistant could ever fill her shoes. There was only one Andrea.
But Andrea wanted to write. If she left now and went to a newspaper, she would be stuck covering park openings, and writing filler articles on inane subject matter for the next few years. Remaining at Runway she would be at the forefront of an industry that very few were allowed access. She had an up close look at fashion, high society, and an international industry that others could view only standing on the outside through a glass window. Andrea would be an insider, within reach of endless material to further her career. Her connections as Miranda's assistant (not to mention lover,) would open doors that would be padlocked to any other reporter. If Andrea could make herself known, and trusted, as ambitious as she was she could balance both worlds and make a name for herself. Runway would be her Launchpad, but many more publications would follow, diverting the spotlight once they finally revealed themselves. Yes, that would be the ideal scenario.
Andy made her way into the kitchen, wearing her standard weekend uniform of True Religion jeans, motorcycle boots, and a stylish button down rolled at the sleeves. She was properly accessorized, her hair down and styled, and Miranda noted the smoky evening shades of eye-shadow bringing out the allure of the woman's eyes. Miranda sipped her Pellegrino, while leaning against the refrigerator watching the temptress enter. Only one thought came to mind. "Beautiful."
In her Andrea's left hand Miranda noted were the pages of her article intended undoubtedly for Nigel. Miranda knew Nigel had been Andrea's Mentor all along, and valued his opinion as well. She set them down on the kitchen island, before striking a pose with her hand on the edge of the tile, waving up and down, challenging Miranda to asses her outfit. Miranda stepped back and signaled for Andrea to spin. When the girl turned away Miranda lunged forward, grabbing her shapely ass with both hands, making her jump while being pulled backwards. She then wrapped her hands around Andy's jean clad hips and growled in her lover's ear, "acceptable" before biting down on the length of muscle at the crook of Andy's neck. It left a subtle mark for the observant.
Nigel was waiting for Andy on a couch in the North East Corner of the roof-deck. Of course he had managed to secure the premiere spot for their evening gathering. He was trying to impress Doug, and fortunately for Nigel that was easily accomplished. Andy pranced in at exactly five. Nigel watched her with new eyes noting the heads that turned as she passed. The girl was oblivious to all of it. She had something they all wanted, but none would get.
"Aaaaandrayah" Nigel attempted to lighten the mood as Andy met him with a kiss to both cheeks. "Hi Six," "Hey Nige," were exchanged as Andy placed the folded sheets of paper in the inner pocket of his blazer. "For later," she said looking him in the eye before sitting, and he nodded.
They spent a few uncomfortable moments figuring out where to start as their relationship was also at a turning point. Before, Nigel was the person who had helped Andy manage her "Miranda problem," as they had termed it. He had taken the child who walked through the doors of Runway day one, and helped her understand the error of her ways, and find the path to success. He opened her eyes to the world of Fashion, and business. She had entered with a chip on her shoulder, judging the world only in black and white, but Nigel helped her embrace the gray.
Nigel now had to trust Andy. She was an influence on his boss, and his friend, more so than anyone else in the twenty years they knew each other. Miranda was too smart to risk so much for her Andrea, if she was not one hundred percent invested in their relationship. Her decisions were calculated, even when it came to her personal life. That meant without even aiming for it, Andy had a substantial amount of power.
Less than a half hour later a relieved Andy jumped to greet her best buddy Doug, who apparently had been equally as excited for the evening as Nigel. He was impressed by the set up with their private little alcove, and Nigel summoned the waiter for him. Andy loved the blush on Doug's cheeks, when a flirtatious Nigel attempted to shower him with food and drinks before the girls arrived. Andy so hoped something would come of this for Doug who hadn't had a steady boyfriend in well, forever.
"Dougie I've missed you," Andy said as she moved to sit practically on his lap when they got their drinks. The two were best buds since college, and Andy could not have dreamed of a better friend. While Lily was still giving her the cold shoulder, Doug was the opposite. He took advantage of Nate's absence to get closer to Andy, and loved her like a sister. Ever since Andy moved to Runway Doug felt they had even more in common, and a stronger bond had formed. If there was one person who understood him it was Andy.
Doug loved the attention from both sides, and realized this could easily turn out to be the night of his life. Hanging with the Runway crew was still thrilling for him. After spending his days surrounded by former football and hockey players in their new adult rolls of bond traders and big swinging finance dicks, he was happy to let loose his inner Queen. Andy's new friends were great, except maybe for Emily who paid him no attention. Serena though was a blast, another gorgeous woman who shared his love for good food, just like Andy. And Nigel, well Nigel was just, well, fabulous.
It was going to be an early night. By Eleven the bar was hopping, but the Runway Crew and Doug were slowing down. They had not intended to remain in the same spot all night, but somehow the hours passed, and the five drunken friends were laid out on their couch and chairs, all a bit done for. Their voices were even cracking after the hours of hard core celebration and laughter.
Emily was sitting practically on top of Serena, the two women sharing a wicker arm chair, and Nigel was shoulder to shoulder with Doug, deep in a private conversation on the couch that Andy shared. Andy gazed out over the sea of Manhattan, happy for the momentary peace. They had made it through a full bottle of Grey Goose between the five of them, and it had been a blast. Many of their acquaintances had stopped by throughout the evening sharing a drink or a chat, but now only the original five remained.
"Andrea," Emily drawled in a very un-Emily like manner, bringing Andy back to the present. "Why are you still here," Emily questioned after spending the last five or ten minutes leaning back against Serena, observing the now stylish woman seated next to Doug. Andy hadn't even noticed Emily watching her, but now she met Emily's questioning eyes, noting the lack of malice in her voice. Emily still had a difficult time with Andy, despite her promotion. Andy had invaded her heart, but her brain was slowly catching up.
Nigel, Doug, and Serena turned to look at Andy as well, surprised by the question, but also curious for varying reasons to hear the answer. "Em, it's still early." She replied as if the answer was obvious. "We're all still here. You, me, Doug, Nigel, Serena?"
Serena circled Emily with her arms and turned her a bit, asking "Querida, should I take you home?"
"I'm fine." Emily answered curtly, and then kissed Serena's head in apology. "I'm wondering Andrea, why are you still at Runway. It has been well over a year now, and you're still here. You could already take Miranda's recommendation and go save the world somewhere, so why?"
Everybody aside from Nigel waited patiently for the answer. Even Doug had to admit he was also surprised that Andy had remained at Runway. Nigel on the other hand was ready to grab Andy and run, afraid the girl was unprepared to cover her tracks.
"Guys, I like it." Andy answered honestly. "Is that so crazy? I'm still learning, and I'm starting to write, and it's not like the offers are pouring in every day. In the meanwhile, I just passed Nigel something to read that I've been working on and if it's good enough then maybe it'll help open some doors." Andy hoped that answer was enough to satisfy a drunken and unusually perceptive Emily.
Serena then made a move to encourage Emily up from the chair and to the elevators, allowing the boys to remain behind and pick up the tab. After helping Serena get Emily into a cab, the two women said their goodbye's with a quick hug. "Sorry Andy, she doesn't mean any harm. For me I'm glad you stayed." Serena left an introspective Andy on the street with a smile. Andy took in a breath and looked up at the few stars she could pick out despite the city lights. The evening replayed in her mind, the laughter, and stories, and good times with her friends. They were becoming part of her and she just hoped they would still be there for her when they knew the truth.