Andy unlocked the door to the townhouse with a double cupped steaming tall double shot no foam Latte in her hands. She was just returning from a run around 12 on this last weekend before Christmas, after sharing a relaxing morning with the love of her life. The twins were off with their father again as Miranda had them the following week. Andy and Miranda were finally allowed some down time as Miranda attended her last requisite party on the holiday circuit the previous evening. This very morning they had lolled in bed, shared a bath, and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of poached eggs on toast before Andy left for her run, and Miranda went into the study to work on the Book.
Andy found Miranda where she had left her earlier. She was scribbling furiously on a post it, barely taking the time to look up. When Miranda worked her focus was intense. Andy kissed her on the side of her neck, and placed the coffee beside her. Miranda glanced up with a smile. "Thank you darling. I need another hour or so." Andy couldn't help herself and kissed Miranda one more time on the forehead before wishing her luck and running to shower.
Andy texted Doug as she and Miranda had discussed and asked him to meet her for coffee and a bit of Christmas shopping that same afternoon. She and Doug were leaving the following Wednesday to go back to Cincinatti, and it was time he knew the truth being that he was Andy's closest friend. Miranda had scheduled an afternoon pilates session so the two old friends would have a couple of hours together before dinner.
Miranda's trainer was arriving at three so Andy departed at 2:30 to meet Doug on Fifth Avenue. The two of them walked and shopped for a few hours, and Doug was surprised to see Andy buying gifts not only for her family but for the twin terrors as well. Andy explained that recently she and the twins had gotten close, with no further explanation.
Andy also made a stop to pick up Miranda's gift along the way at Runway. What did you get for the woman who had everything? It wasn't easy. While Miranda had spent the last week fulfilling her social duties, Andy had hijacked the kids and started her project. Together they helped Andy with what they thought would be the best Christmas present ever for their mom. Andy had called in quite a few favors to achieve her goal. Her last few lonely nights before coming to the Townhouse were spent writing and putting on finishing touches, and now the final product awaited her. When she finally saw it it was perfect. She tucked it away in her messenger bag for safe keeping. She and Miranda were celebrating Christmas together the night before Andy left on Tuesday, the last day Runway was open before the holidays. Andy made no plans to leave the Townhouse or Miranda's side until then.
On the way back home Doug was confused when Andy directed the cab away from their respective apartments. She brushed it off as an errand, and given Andy's crazed life with an impossible boss he just assumed it was for Miranda. When they arrived in front of the townhouse Andy insisted on paying for the cab and told Doug she needed his help. He grabbed all of their packages and exited the cab, sad to see it off for fear that on this busy Saturday they would never find another.
Andy opened the door with her key, and looked backwards to see Doug waiting at the bottom of the steps. "C'mon Dougie, you know you want to. Don't worry the coast is clear." At that Doug bounced up the stairs, always eager to know anything more about the infamous Miranda Priestly.
Doug took a pause upon noticing several flights of stairs making their way up and up and up, and was awed by photographs and artwork that surrounded him. "Kick your boots off Dougie, they're a mess." Doug looked at Andy like she was a crazy person, as she tossed her packages and messenger bag on the floor next to the closet.
"I'm just going to stay here Andy. I don't want to get you into any trouble."
"No worries Dougie, we're going to be a while. C'mon."
Andy kicked off her Motorcycle Boots, and made her way to the kitchen. Doug trailed a few steps behind taking in all of the sights along the way. Andy grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and handed one to Doug, taking a seat on one of the kitchen stools, and grabbed a magazine from the counter. Doug sat down as well, still a bit confused but following Andy's lead also reached for a magazine. Obviously they were waiting for something, so he may as well get comfortable.
Doug could not have been more shocked to hear footsteps on the stairs, until Miranda Priestly herself appeared in the doorway. He expected to see his friend who had obviously made a grievous error in judgment jump to attention like he did himself almost knocking over his stool. That never occurred. Andy was mid sip of her water bottle when Miranda entered the kitchen, and continued to chug down nearly half the bottle. Doug stared watching while Miranda smiled at Andrea, and proceeded to give him a big hello as if he had been an invited guest.
"Douglas, so nice to see you again." Miranda greeted Doug with a handshake as if they were life-long friends. He was in an alternate universe. She waited a moment for him to form a response, but gave up and turned her head towards her love with a questioning smile and then back towards Doug. "Ah, I see, very well..."
Andy smiled as she stood up ready to greet Miranda. They met with a kiss, hands on each-others waists, lingering just long enough to make it count. When they pulled apart Andy pushed back the stray white hairs behind Miranda's ears, and gazed at the love of her life. "I thought it would be more fun this way, and I know you always like to keep people guessing." They smiled at one another, and then Miranda went to pull a bottle of wine from the refrigerator, while Andy dared a glance at Doug. His smile could not have been bigger, and she imagined soon he would even learn to speak again.
Tuesday came around all too quickly. It seemed the more time they spent together, the more difficult it was to separate. Runway was clearing out early the day before Christmas Eve, and Miranda fully expected to make it home by 7:30 to enjoy a holiday celebration with Andrea and the girls. They had wanted to have a chance to exchange gifts before going their separate ways, and alert the girls to the impending change in all of their livelihoods.
The night went as expected. Miranda had arranged for dinner to be delivered from Smith and Wolly's, followed by Andy and the girls exchanging gifts. After eating the four women and one oversized St. Bernard moved from the dining room to the living room where many gifts lay under the professionally decorated and lit Douglas Fir. The twins tackled Andy, almost knocking her wine glass out of her hand with her presents. They decided that Andy needed to upgrade her gadgets now that she was a professional writer and insisted their mother finance their activities. Within no time Andy was looking at her brand new Ultralight laptop, with a bunch of dvd's for her trip home, simply shaking her head at the reality of her new world.
Andy had given the girls and Miranda a few fun gifts all personalized of course. The girls received new games for the Wii, a few gadgets for secretive note passing in school, and a few other trinkets that suited their tastes. Andy had even thought of Patricia, and Miranda opened Patricia's gift to see a beautiful leather collar, with an Engraved Silver Plate stating only "Patricia." She smiled and kissed her smiling lover, and replaced Patricia's old collar with Andy's new one, knowing that Andy was attempting to acknowledge Miranda's entire family in this celebration.
Cassidy and Caroline knew what their Mother had bought Andy but they hadn't seen it yet. In the past weeks they had all but forgotten the somewhat rough start, and came to realize that Andy was part of their future. She was different than all of the others, and she had changed the mother for the better. It was obvious to all of them that the mood around the Priestly household had lightened dramatically over the past year.
Miranda moved towards the tree and leaned down to pick up a flat box marked Andrea. "Darling, I wanted to start with the basics. It's simple elegance, bright and beautiful just like you. Merry Christmas my love." Miranda attempted to keep it light as her daughters were in the room. Seated on the couch with a twin on either side of her, Andy hesitantly unwrapped the gift. When a velvet box emerged marked Bvlgari she knew she was in trouble.
Managing to keep her nerves in place and remember her promise to herself she peeked inside. Before her was a Griffe Tennis Bracelet, with diamonds sparkling like none she had seen before. "Whoa, mom no way," Cassidy blurted out opening the box further, as Andy went into panic mode.
Andy took a breath to steady herself while Miranda knelt down before her, placing a hand on her knee. With two fingers under Andrea's chin, she forced her younger lover to meet her eyes, and directed Andrea's stray hairs back behind her ear. Never losing eye contact, Miranda took the bracelet out of its holder, and with two hands placed it around Andrea's wrist, clasping it in place. They both looked down at the bracelet resting so elegantly on Andrea's left wrist, just above where their hands were intertwined in one another's. "It's beautiful," Andrea whispered as a tear rolled down her face. Miranda squeezed her hand awaiting her fate, reluctant to display too much emotion in front of her girls. She was shortly thereafter attacked by her Andrea who joined her in kneeling, surrounding Miranda in a back breaking hug. "Darling, does this mean I don't have to take it back?" At this the girls laughed and Andy just held on tight.
Miranda and Andy had discussed a few pressing issues over the previous weekend such as money, and Andrea's parents. The parent issue was going to be shelved until Andy's next visit home, as it was too soon for them to understand. Once Andrea was employed elsewhere they may find it more acceptable. Her parents were someone open minded, but this was potentially a whole new level of open.
Money was a different story. Miranda knew what Andy was paid, so that of course was no question, but she had insisted on being allowed to spoil her younger lover. Andrea had to understand that it was a gift for Miranda to be able to use her money to shower the woman she loved with presents. It made her truly happy to give, and she had never had an opportunity like the one with Andrea to give beautiful gifts. Miranda could hardly contain herself at the thought of dressing and accessorizing her Andrea. It brought her great joy.
Andy understood this, and realized there would always be a gap of inequity between the two of them when it came to finances and of course age and wisdom. Miranda had had a two decade head start, and frankly very few would ever achieve the professional success and financial rewards that Miranda had. Andy wavered initially but decided to go against her every inclination and trust what Miranda said to be true. She would accept what she was given with a smile, realizing that it was not only her happiness at stake.
Andy's gift receiving had begun over the weekend, even before this pre-Christmas Eve. When Andrea awoke Sunday she was directed to Miranda's closet where a space had been cleaned out for her belongings, and was already packed full of clothes. Andy looked through the carefully chosen items with awe. Miranda had thought of everything, and Andy stared at the piles of lingerie, workout clothes, jeans, suits, couture, outerwear, and shoes. Miranda had truly gone overboard.
More than that though Andy was speechless realizing the significance of it all. Miranda's closet was sacred to her, and Andy had always treaded lightly, hardly ever even accompanying Miranda inside the closet. Now Andy's belongings were beside Miranda's. Their new resting place solidified the fact that Miranda had declared a level of permanency. The clothes were spectacular, but the gesture was priceless. It was a dream for many to be dressed by Miranda Priestly, but it was a dream come true for Andy to be loved by Miranda Priestly. She vowed right then and there to never take it for granted.
The two girls bounced in their seat knowing that Andy's gift to their mother was next. They were slightly uncomfortable at the recent emotional outpouring, and decided to help move things along. "Andy come on mom needs her gift," Cassidy stated while watching the two women still staring at each other having some sort of silent conversation. Andy reluctantly separated herself from Miranda and took the carefully wrapped box marked Miranda out from under the tree. She walked Miranda backwards towards the couch, helped her take a seat, and placed the gift upon Miranda's lap. "Merry Christmas Miranda."
Miranda took a sip from the glass by her side, and placed it back on the table examining the box before her. She eyed the two excited girls and one nervous girlfriend before her, who all very obviously knew what it contained. The love from each of their eyes was evident, and she couldn't help but smile herself at the true gift that she was being given, happiness. This young woman had brought her peace, hope, and happiness like she had never known before.
Miranda carefully unwrapped the paper surrounding a thin box, taking her time knowing that Andrea was growing more impatient by the moment. Andy was all nerves, and knew that Miranda was playing with her. She threw out with a huff, "move at a glacial pace darling, you know how that thrills me." Miranda laughed, out loud, and managed to unveil the gift in no time.
Staring back at her were her girls, dressed to the nines in what appeared to be mini couture, in their cover shot of "Teen Priestly" magazine. Miranda was enthralled. As she flipped through the pages, her children were everywhere. Photos from professional shoots were combined with candid shots from the past year to fill the pages. Articles written by Andy highlighted different subjects that flowed with the subject matter. It was incredible. From sporting events, to days at the beach, to model like images the magazine appeared to be real in every way. It was a work of art.
Andy handed Miranda a second gift, but realizing the woman was focused on her new Book Andy helped her open it. The twins watched the emotions running across their mother's face and moved to either side of her to admire the finished product. Without even noticing what she was being handed Andy caught her attention, "Miranda? I though you may want these." Andy handed her a freshly unwrapped stack of post it notes, and a new red pen. The Editor smiled at her lover with tears in her eyes, and held her hand not letting it go. She would never, ever let it go.