Disclaimer: The Devil Wears Prada does not belong to me. No infringement intended. The characters belong to Lauren Weisberger and 20th Century Fox. I own nothing.
Chapter 8
Miranda poured another shot of Scotch into Andy's glass as they sat in the privacy of their suite. The girls could immediately sense that something was wrong so they took Alex down to the hotel pool to give their parents some time alone.
"If we are going to drink this entire bottle of Scotch, I'm going to need to call down and request some pain medication for the headache we'll surely have in the morning." Miranda said as she tossed back her own drink. They were enjoying a bottle of the finest aged Scotch the hotel had in stock. With nearly a third of the bottle gone, they were definitely starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.
Andy smirked lazily. "I don't think that will be necessary. I'm sure your other wife, Keisha, packed some in your bags anyway. Although I suppose I can't call her your work wife anymore since she's dating our daughter. That sounds a bit incestuous, don't you agree?"
Miranda ignored the question and stared intently at her wife's sullen yet still beautiful features. She knew Andy was using humor to cover up her feelings. "I wish you would talk to me." She finally whispered.
Andy tossed back another shot of Scotch wincing as it burned its way down her throat. "I wish I knew what to say."
"You can say whatever you wish. I just don't want to see you holding all of this… hurt inside. It's not…"
"What? Healthy?" Andy snorted. "You my shrink now?"
Miranda pursed her lips. "I won't apologize for being concerned about you, Andrea."
"I'm sorry, honey. I know you're only trying to help. It's just that…" She sighed with frustration. "I'm not handling this very well. I feel like I've been all over the place these last few days. I don't even know where to start."
"There isn't a right or wrong way to grieve, darling." Miranda leaned back against the sofa and patted her thighs. Andy laid down and put her head in Miranda's lap. "How about you talk and I listen. It doesn't have to make sense to me. I just want to be here for you."
Andy practically purred as Miranda ran her fingers through her hair. "If you keep doing that, I'm going to fall asleep."
Miranda smiled. "That wouldn't be such a terrible thing, would it? You haven't been sleeping very well recently."
Andy frowned as she looked up into intense blue eyes. "Have I been keeping you awake?"
Miranda rolled her eyes. "No, Andrea. Stop worrying about me. This isn't about me, darling. It's about you."
Andy bit her lip and thought for a moment. "That's the weird thing about all of this. I don't feel connected to any of it. The only thing I've felt so far is anger because I'm pissed. I'm pissed that my father has somehow managed to disrupt my life yet again."
She looked up at Miranda searching for understanding. Miranda sat in silence waiting for her to continue.
"And everyone keeps looking at me… waiting for some kind of response. It's almost as if everyone is gauging their grief on mine; like they can't grieve for him if I don't. Does that make sense?"
Miranda nodded slowly. "He was your father. There was a time when he played a huge role in your life. It's completely normal to feel… some anger… even loss."
"That's just it though… I don't feel a loss, not anymore. I feel like my father died years ago. I've already grieved for that man. This man… the man who hurt me and turned his back on me wasn't my father. Now, I've gone and dragged Josh into all of this." She shook her head sadly.
"Look at me." Miranda said prompting Andy to sit up. She waited until brown eyes met blue. "You didn't do anything wrong concerning your brother. He wanted the truth and you told him. Anyone who really knows you, Andrea, would know that you would never shut your father or anyone you loved out of your life without good reason. Joshua is your brother. More than anyone else, he should know that. So, I will not have you blaming yourself."
Andy sighed with a heavy heart. "In my head, I know that."
"He needed to know, Andrea."
"Again… my head says one thing, but my heart feels… I don't know." She sighed and shook her head. "There is a part of me that still feels bad because now he knows. I know better than anyone how Josh must be feeling right now and I want to make it better for him, but… I'm not ready to make nice yet either."
"Who says that you have to? You don't owe anyone anything, not even your brother." Miranda replied fiercely. "So he knows that his father wasn't perfect. You're kidding yourself if you think he didn't already know that. Some people simply prefer to live in denial, Andrea.
Miranda's fingers gently touched Andy's chin, turning the younger woman's face back towards her own. "In a perfect world, we would all like to believe that our parents would never harm us or make mistakes and let us down, but they do. My mother was a cold-hearted bitch that didn't care if I lived or died. It took me years to realize it, but I finally learned that her shortcoming as a mother was her problem and no fault of my own. The woman just didn't know how to love. Your father forced you into a position where you had to choose between your own happiness and sanity over his wishes. Your choices were only acceptable if it was on his terms. He was wrong for that, Andrea. And I believe that somewhere deep down your brother already knew this. He just didn't want to admit it."
Several minutes of silence surrounded them before Andy finally found her voice again.
"I know you're right. I'm sure Josh always knew there was more to the story, but he never knew Dad could be that cruel. No son should know that about their father." Andy said sadly as a stubborn tear fell.
"No child, young or old, should have to experience the abandonment of a parent… for any reason. Can you even fathom a reason for which you'd be willing to turn your back on any of our children?"
Andy's head jerked up and her eyes were blazing through tears. Miranda smirked. She'd gotten the reaction she was looking for. "That's what I thought? You would lay down your very life for our children and they know it. That's why they adore you so. They have always been able to not only see your love, but feel it. "
She gently cupped her wife's cheeks in her hands, wiping away the tears with her thumbs. "You have such a gentle soul, Andrea. You wear your heart on your sleeve. It is both your blessing and curse. All these years, I've tried to stand back and let you fight your own battles when all I've wanted to do was eviscerate anyone or anything that made you unhappy."
Andy sniffed and smiled gently. "I know. You did that for me and I know it wasn't easy for you. No matter how awful Dad was you never once spoke badly about him to me or the kids… even though you had every right. You've always been my knight-in-shining… Prada."
Miranda rolled her eyes as she leaned in and captured Andy's lips with her own. It was a kiss to comfort and soothe. "I wish I had done a better job of that, darling. I feel you were unhappy much too often on my watch."
Andy moved into Miranda's arms and sighed softly when Miranda tightened her hold. "This right here…you, me and the kids… is all I've ever needed to be happy. It's the only thing that's ever truly made me happy."
"You are an incredible wife, a wonderful mother, and the best friend I could ever hope for, Andrea. I never thought I'd say this, but… I actually feel sorry for your father."
Andy raised a skeptical brow. "Why?"
"Because he couldn't see past his own issues and see just how amazing you are. I am so proud of the woman you have become. I can only pray that our girls follow suit. I hope you know how happy you've made me all of these years. I love you more than I could ever express in words." Miranda said staring into her eyes.
Andy blushed and nearly swooned. It was at times like this that made Andy realize just how blessed she was to be loved by Miranda Priestly. "It's amazing. It still surprises me just how much of a romantic you are."
Miranda pursed her lips, but Andy could see the tips of her lips curling upward. "You know, as my wife, you are obligated to keep my secrets. I can't have the public thinking I've gone soft."
"Babe, I really hate to break it to you, but everyone already knows." Andy said chuckling. "You went completely soft the day Alex was born."
Miranda wanted to frown, but found she was unable to. When blinded by one of Andrea's special smiles, she couldn't help but smile too. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Flashback: Eight Years Ago-
"My god this bed is bloody huge! I don't even want to imagine the things you and Miranda do here." Emily said covering her eyes dramatically.
Andy slapped her arm playfully. "Shut up."
"I'm just saying. I know that Miranda is in great shape. I'll bet she's quite maneuverable so to speak." Emily smirked.
Andy's cheeks blushed a deep red. This made Emily laugh even harder. Since moving on to the Art Department as Nigel's second in command two years prior, the red-head had calmed down immensely. She was much more confident and at ease with her abilities. Andy figured this was the person Emily had always been without Miranda scaring the shit out of her. With Miranda not the focal point of her life, Emily was more open to a friendship with Andy. The two got along surprisingly well. Andy now considered Emily one of her closest friends and she had become a fixture in the Sachs-Priestly family which is how she found herself in Miranda Priestly's bedroom that day.
Andy was nine months pregnant and due any day. With the twins away at their father's and Miranda dealing with an unexpected emergency at RUNWAY, Andy was left home alone. Miranda found the situation completely unacceptable and sent Emily over to keep her pregnant wife company in her absence.
"First, stop thinking of my wife that way. Secondly, shut up so we can watch the movie."
"Alright. Alright. Don't get your knickers in a twist. We'll watch your dreadful movie. I still can't understand why you like this rubbish." Emily said switching the movie on with the remote. "It's so… eighties."
"This happens to be a classic, Emily. It's one of the most romantic movies ever." Andy said stuffing her mouth full of popcorn.
"Yeah right! This is a teen flick, Andrea." She said tossing a few pieces of popcorn into her own mouth. Another change in Emily since she was no longer Miranda's assistant was that the red-head actually ate what she wanted now, within reason of course.
"It's a great movie, Em."
"Do you actually make Miranda watch this?" Emily asked curiously.
"I don't have to make her. She loves it too, thank you very much." Andy said indignantly.
"Miranda likes this movie?"
"Yes."
"Miranda Priestly, Queen of the Fashion World… likes 'Sixteen Candles'?" Emily asked skeptically.
"Yes! That's what I just said."
Emily lifted a brow. "Andrea?"
"Okay! So she doesn't necessarily like it... but she does watch it with me."
"That's because she's your wife and she is legally obligated to be tortured by you and she's smart enough to agree so you'll allow her to shag you again." Emily laughed causing Andy to laugh along.
"Oh shut up! It's a great movie. It reminds me of Miranda and me."
Emily looked at her as if she had lost her mind. "How so?"
"Jake is the suave, good-looking, popular guy who notices something wonderful in Samantha; the quiet, shy, ordinary girl. They are the other halves of each other. Don't you see? Miranda is Jake and I'm Samantha."
"Well you certainly have Samantha's fashion sense." Emily deadpanned.
Andy hit her in the head with a pillow and they both laughed.
"You're supposed to be keeping me company, not making fun of me." Andy pouted.
Emily rolled her eyes at her sappy friend, but couldn't help but smile. "Only you would find the deep meaning behind an eighties chick flick... but I would have to agree with you on one thing."
"What's that?"
"Miranda is rather suave and good-looking." Emily wiggled her brow.
"Yes, she is... and she's all mine. And I've told you a thousand times Emily, stop checking out my wife! Serena is going to kill you one day."
"Oh Serena knows I'm just a tease." She shrugged her shoulders. "Besides, Serena is absolutely stunning and she keeps me more than satisfied."
Andy put her hands over her ears. "TMI Emily."
Emily just laughed as the movie came on. They watched for nearly an hour in silence.
"Oh God No! This cannot happening!" Andy gasped grabbing her stomach.
"What? You've seen this a million times. You know that they will end up together in the end, Andrea. Try not to get so wound up." Emily said still staring at the screen.
"I think it's time Emily."
"Me too! These two keep dancing around each other. It's bloody maddening."
"No Emily! I think it's TIME!" Andy said grabbing her Emily's shoulder. Finally, Emily turned to look at Andy.
"What?"
"Em, it's time! ... My water just broke."
"What do you mean your bloody water just broke? Andrea! For the love of Chanel, you cannot be in labor now... Miranda's not here!"
"Sorry Em, but I'm pretty sure I'm in labor."
"Bullocks! Right... Right... I know what to do... umm... we need to get you to the hospital." Emily said jumping up from the bed.
"Em... Emily... Hey! Just calm down okay." Andy said patiently. "Look in the desk drawer and get Miranda's stop watch so you can time my contractions. We don't need to go to the hospital until my contractions are closer together."
Emily ran over and got the stop watch. Andy got up and waddled into the bathroom to change. When she returned she found Emily pacing back and forth.
"Em, calm down. Miranda and I practiced this over and over. First, you need to call over to RUNWAY and let her know what's going on. Just tell her to meet us at the hospital. Then call my doctor and…"
"You want me to tell Miranda Priestly what to do?" Emily said with eyes the size of saucers.
Andy would have laughed if she wasn't busy trying to breathe through a small contraction. "Yes. Just tell her that I'm in labor and she needs to come to the hospital. No, wait! Call Nigel instead and have him come with her. Nigel will keep her from freaking out."
"Okay! Got it. Call RUNWAY… Nigel… doctor. Got it."
"Good." Andy noticed Emily was still standing there holding the phone. "Emily?"
"Yes?"
"You have to actually make the call."
"Oh! Right. Right."
Emily called Nigel who relayed the message to Miranda. As Andy had predicted, Miranda started to freak out and took the phone asking a thousand questions. Eventually, Andy had to take the phone and demand she put Nigel back on the phone to get a hold of the situation. A stronger contraction hit at that exact moment.
"Nigel, I need you to keep Miranda calm and get her to the hospital."
"You know what you are asking of me don't you, Six? She's…"
"Nigel! I really need you to grow a pair right now buddy! This kid is coming and I need my Dragon Lady. If you don't get her there, Miranda isn't the one you should worry about." She ended the call and started waddling to the door. "Let's go, Em."
Once she and Emily arrived at the hospital, things started happening faster than she thought they would. Apparently, those little Braxton-hicks pains she'd been having since the night before were actually contractions.
Emily fell back into assistant mode, taking care of hospital accommodations and calling relatives and friends. The usual suspects arrived within the hour. Everyone was there except the one person who mattered most to Andy. Unfortunately, Miranda and Nigel were stuck in traffic and still quite a ways away. Emily stayed on the phone with her, relaying information to Miranda while praying the editor would get there soon because Andy had declared that she was not having the baby without her.
"Andy, your contractions are closer together now. I don't know if Miranda's going to make it." Emily said worriedly.
"No! Miranda will get here." Andy said between breaths. "She'll make it."
Dr. Claiborne arrived and looked at Andy's condition. "Mrs. Priestly, It appears that you are ready to have this baby."
"Ab...so...lute..ly... NOT!" Andy yelled through her pain.
Emily wiped the sweat from her brow as she looked at the doctor. "She's gone mad! She refuses to have this baby without Miranda." Emily told the doctor.
"Well, we need to get Miranda in here because this baby is coming. Now." The doctor said in a stern voice.
"There's a problem with that... Miranda is stuck in traffic." Emily added holding up her cell. "She's on the phone."
The doctor snatched the phone from Emily's hand and spoke very briskly with Miranda. A few moments later, she handed the phone back to the redhead and turned her attention to Andy. "Miranda just informed me that she forbids you from waiting and putting yourself in danger. She wants you to hold the phone to your ear and she will be with you the entire time."
Tears sprang to Andy's eyes. This was not how she wanted it to be. She wanted Miranda there holding her hand. "Miranda?"
"Yes, darling."
"I need you. I need you here." Andy cried.
"I know, sweetheart. I'm trying." The sound of her wife crying tore at Miranda's soul. Pushing the door open, she got out of the car and looked around. "I'm coming, sweetheart. You just do what the doctor says and I will be there soon. I promise."
Miranda tossed him the phone and took off. Nigel's eyes bugged as she witnessed something he had never seen before. Miranda Priestly was running up the street in a pair of four-inch Jimmy Choos. He jumped out of the car and followed. It took every athletic bone in his body to keep up with Miranda.
"She will get here. I know it." Andy yelled through the pain. "Ohhh! Shit this hurts!"
Emily wiped her brow and helped her breathe through another contraction as the doctors got into position.
Miranda finally made it to the hospital with Nigel hot on her heels. She didn't even bother with the elevator. Sprinting up the seven flights of stairs to the maternity ward, Miranda was glad she had kept up her exercise regimen. As she rounded the corner, she nearly ran into Doug who was pacing in the hallway.
"Douglas! Where is Andrea? How is she?" Miranda asked panicked and out of breath.
Doug grabbed her hands and got Miranda to focus. "Shhh... Andy is fine. She's through there. Emily is with her now."
Miranda quickly made her way to the door before he even finished talking.
"Come on Andy! You can do this. Just breathe." Emily wiped the sweat from her friend's face. "Just hang in there a little longer and my godson will be here."
"No! Miranda's not here." Andy panted.
"Miranda is coming, but you have to keep pushing."
"Oh god!... I want… Mir…an…da!"
"I'm here! I'm here, darling! I'm here." Miranda said in a hurry as she rushed to her wife's side completely out of breath.
Emily let out a sagged in relief and moved aside. "Thank God. I'll be passed out in the waiting room."
"Miranda! You're here. I told them you would be here." Andy said looking at Miranda through weary eyes. "You always keep your promises,"
Miranda smiled and kissed her forehead. "Andrea, I'm here now, so I need you to push. We'll do this together."
"Okay."
After a few minutes of pushing, Andy leaned back against the pillow drenched in sweat. She was exhausted and tired of hearing everyone telling her to push and breathe. "I can't! I'm tired. I can't do this anymore!" Andy said panting between words.
"Yes, you can. Just one more, sweetheart. Please."
"I can't! OOOH! God! This... hurts so much!" Andy squeezed Miranda's hand so hard Miranda thought she would drop to her knees.
"You're doing great. Just breathe, darling."
"Breathe! Breathe! What kind of lame ass advice is that, Miranda?!" Andy snapped. "All this breathing crap is bullshit! I swear to god, the next person that tells me to breathe is getting their ass kicked! I already know how to breathe. Goddamn it you breathe!"
Miranda looked at Dr. Claiborne in pain as Andy clenched her hand again. She had no idea her wife was so strong. Miranda was sure she'd never be able to hold a pen again.
Andy glared at Miranda. "You've had two of these things. You knew this would hurt! Why did you let me do this to my body?"
"I love you, darling. You're doing fine."
"Well I hate you right now! OWW! God help me this kid must be the size of Paul Bunyan or something."
"You're doing great honey." She looked at Andy lovingly and kissed her forehead. "Have I told you how proud I am of you? You are so amazing. You can do this. Just hang in there. It's almost over."
Andy laid her head back and panted. "Miranda…."
"You can do this, Andrea. Our son is just a little stubborn, but you can do it, darling." Miranda said trying to convince her. "I believe in you, Andrea. I always have."
"The head is out. I just need one more push, Andy." Dr. Claiborne added.
Miranda kissed her forehead gently and stared into her eyes. "You are the love of my life, Andrea. I waited so long to find you. You put up with me every single day because you love me. I just need you to do one more thing for me. I need you to bring our son into the world, darling. Just one more push."
Andy bore down and squeezed Miranda's hand drawing from her strength and gave one last push. When Andy slumped back, there was complete silence in the room. After about two or three seconds, they both heard the most beautiful sound. A loud shrill cry erupted in the room.
"Congratulations you two! You're baby boy is here."
"Oh, he's here. Miranda, did you hear that? He's here."
Miranda was too emotional to speak.
"Would you like to cut the cord, Miranda?"
Miranda blinked a few times and nodded. She moved over and took the medical scissors and cut the cord. She was so nervous; Dr. Claiborne had to hold her hands steady. Andy smiled through her tears.
Miranda sat down on the stool in complete silence. She couldn't find her voice as she saw Dr. Claiborne hold up their son. The nurses took him over to a nearby table to clean him up. Miranda turned and faced her wife.
Miranda's eyes filled with tears as she kissed Andy's forehead. "Oh my god, you did it. There he is."
"His eyes are the bluest I've ever seen." The nurse said as she gently placed the baby in Andy's arms.
Andy looked down and started to cry. He looked just like she had as a baby except he had the most incredible blue eyes.
"Hey there little man... that's right you're our little boy."
"He's beautiful, Andrea." Miranda whispered as she stroked the top of her son's head. She looked up and smiled at Andy with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I can't believe you did this. Thank you."
"We did this...together. I love you."
"I love you." Miranda leaned in and kissed her softly. The both pulled apart as their new son let out a loud wail. "... and I love you too!"
"Did you see? He has your eyes".
Miranda smiled as those big blue eyes blinked at her. She touched his little hand and watched in amazement as his tiny hand latched on to her pinky. Miranda was instantly smitten. Andy witnessed the exchanged and smiled.
"I think he's already wrapping you around his fingers."
Miranda chuckled. She couldn't deny it. She knew she would give this boy the world if he asked. "Indeed he has."
"I'm sorry I yelled at you and you know I could never hate you." Andy said caressing Miranda's warm cheek.
Miranda leaned into her hand and looked down at their son. "I think you just made it up to me."
"Like I said, you turned into a complete mush ball."
"That's entirely debatable."
"Oh really? You're going to sit there and act like your son doesn't have you wrapped around his little finger? You ran five blocks in heels to get to his birth."
Miranda pursed her lips. "I was being a dutiful wife."
"Okay, well how about the time you tried to buy an entire circus for his 1st birthday?"
Miranda's eyes glowed a little at the memory. "Clowns would always make him smile. I don't know why you wouldn't allow more than just that one measly clown… although I did find it rather entertaining to see Nigel in that get-up."
"So did I, but trying to hire an entire circus because he smiled at a clown was ridiculous. He was only one, Miranda. He smiled at the damn ceiling fan." Andy laughed.
"So you say."
"Okay, what about when you bought him a pony because he pointed to one on the television." Andy held up a finger to stop Miranda from interrupting. "And I didn't even find out about that little joy until after the fact. Imagine my surprise when your new assistant called asking me if I knew where we would be placing the stable for the damn thing."
"Nonsense, Andrea. Everyone knows taking care of a pet like a pony builds character and responsibility in a child." Miranda responded regally.
"Alex was two. Exactly how was he supposed to take care of a pony on his own?"
"The girls agreed to help."
"Because you promised to buy them new state-of-the-art cell phones." She nodded when she saw Miranda flinch. "Yep, I totally knew about that too. And just in case I haven't proven my point yet, I just have four words for you."
"What?"
"Pinky and the Brain."
Miranda opened her mouth to object but quickly closed it. She even had the good grace to blush which only made Andy laugh harder.
Flashback: 4 Years Ago-
Louisa met Miranda as she opened the door. "I am sorry to call you at work, Miranda but with Miss Andy out of town this week, I did not know what else to do.
"You did the right thing, Louisa. What happened?"
Louisa shrugged her shoulders. "Cassidy called this morning and they spoke on the phone for a while. When Alexander finished the call, he would not stop crying. He was very upset."
Miranda handed off her purse and coat. "That explains it then. She left a message at my office earlier. Cassidy was supposed to be home today for a visit. She'd planned to take Alexander trick-or-treating tonight. Where is he?"
"I tried to get him to eat but he would not. He is in his room."
"Alright. Thank you, Louisa, I'll take it from here."
Miranda quickly climbed the stairs to the third floor and made her way down the hallway. The door to Alex's bedroom was slightly ajar and she could hear soft sniffling coming from inside. She found her son curled up in a ball on his bed. Her heart ached in her chest when he looked up at her with his big blue eyes filled with tears.
"Mommy"
"Oh, dear heart. What's the matter?" Miranda asked taking a seat on his bed. She wiped his tears away with her Hermes scarf. "Why all the tears?"
"Cassie can't come home for Halloween."
"I know that, sweetheart. Cassidy is very disappointed too, but she had to stay at school so she could finish her class. I know you really wanted to see her, but she will be home very soon for Thanksgiving and you know that you can call her any time you like."
"But she won't be my Pinky." He pouted.
Miranda frowned. "Your pinky?"
"Cassie was going to be Pinky and I was going to be Brain. See?" He pointed his little finger at the costume hanging on his closet door.
Miranda eyed it. Her son had recently become very enamored with some ridiculous cartoon called Pinky and the Brain.
"You can still go and wear your costume, darling. We can take lots of pictures and send them to Cassidy on the computer so she can see them."
Alex turned over and continued to cry. "It's not the same. I can't be the Brain without my Pinky."
Miranda rubbed his back gently. She hated seeing her son cry. "What if you wore one of your other costumes? You could wear the Superman suit with the bright red cape."
Alex shook his head.
"What about the Batman suit? I know you love that one."
Alex's answer was another sniffle.
Miranda looked at the ceiling and sighed heavily. The things she did for her children. "What if Mommy went with you then… as Pinky?"
Alex rolled over and eyed his mother suspiciously. The look was as intense as Miranda's RUNWAY glare. Under different circumstances, Miranda would have laughed.
"You'll be my Pinky?"
"Has Mommy ever let you down before, little one? Of course, I will. Do you want Mommy to be Pinky?"
All of the money and success in the world couldn't compete with the gleaming smile on her son's precious face. It could have lit all of Time Square.
"Yes! Thank you, Mommy!"
"You're welcome, darling."
While Alexander danced around the room singing the theme song to Pinky and the Brain, Miranda was already making a call to her assistant.
"I need an adult sized costume of Pinky from that cartoon my son likes. If it is not delivered to my house by five o'clock this evening, I will be very disappointed. That's all."
"Yes Miranda."
Several hours later, an exhausted Andy hauled her luggage through the door. After receiving a call from Cassidy that morning about the Halloween catastrophe, she hopped on the first flight back to New York.
"Alex? Hey bud, Mama's home." She called as she rushed up the stairs holding the costume she'd purchased on the way home. "Alex, Mama knows all about Cassie and I'm going to take her place okay? I even have a costume."
Turning the corner into the upstairs family room, Andy stopped in the doorway in complete shock. Standing before her was her son dressed as a short white mouse complete with pink and white make-up and little black whiskers. His little tail was even bent as a staircase just like in the cartoon. He looked absolutely adorable. But that wasn't the most shocking part of the scene before her. Andy blinked several times just to make sure she wasn't seeing things. There was no way Miranda Priestly, the undeniable Queen of the Fashion World, was standing next to their son dressed as a tall lanky mouse with pink ears and a bright red nose.
Alex saw his mother in the doorway and barreled into her legs. Andy recovered from the shock and bent down to kiss his chubby cheek.
"Oh my goodness, don't you look adorable. I almost didn't recognize you. You look just like Brain."
"Look Mama, Mommy is my Pinky!" He said pointing back at his other mother.
Andy stood and took a good look at her wife. She grinned wickedly.
"Not one word." Miranda said sending her most frightening glare in Andy's direction. Considering she was dressed as a fuzzy mouse, the glare wasn't very effective.
To Andy's credit, she didn't say a single word, but she did take pictures with her cell phone. She knew she would need actual proof if anyone would ever believe her.
"Andrea, give me that phone!" Miranda growled.
Andy pulled her phone away and out of Miranda's reach. "Oh no. This is too good to pass up!"
"Andrea, come back here!"
Alex laughed as he watched his mother's running through the house. Grownups were so funny… and his Mommy was the best Pinky ever.
"Oh my God! You were so funny chasing me around the house in that costume!" Andy laughed through her tears.
Miranda found her laughter contagious and soon joined in. To this day, she wondered if Andy still had a copy of that photo hidden away just in case she ever needed it. Knowing her wife as she did, she was sure she did.
"Alright, I'll admit that I might have a… small weakness when it comes to Alexander. However, I have a legitimate excuse."
"And what would that be?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes, Andrea. It's all your fault really." Miranda responded in a haughty tone.
Andy scoffed in disbelief. "How do you figure that?"
"I could never say no to anything you asked of me. As soon as you would bat those enormous doe eyes and smile that little grin of yours, I would give you the world. Alexander is practically the mirror image of you. Therefore, it is all your fault." Miranda finished with a dismissive wave.
Andy shook her head. "I must be really crazy because that just made me love you even more."
"I have been saying you were crazy for years, darling. Do keep up."
Andy laughed out loud. "Oh my god! You are the most impossible woman I've ever met, Miranda."
Miranda smiled and watched the playful twinkle return to those brown eyes. Even if she knew it was only for a moment, she was happy to see it. She knew tomorrow would prove to be quite difficult for the younger woman no matter how she tried to deny it. So, if playing the teasing wife was the only comfort she could bring Andy, she would gladly play the role.
"Well aren't you lucky then." Miranda said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Andy's eyes softened as she pulled Miranda into a kiss. "Luckiest in the world." As she lay in Miranda's arms, she placed a soft kiss on the older woman's neck. "Thank you, Miranda. I really needed that." She whispered.
Miranda's only response was to hold her tighter.
TBC…
A/N: Thank you so much for the feedback and helpful suggestions. It helps tremendously. I hope you liked the latest installment. Like always, let me know.