I do not own anything from DWP, I just borrowed the characters for inspiration.
The next Saturday the family had been invited to Chris and Maxine's to see Sophia. The girls had a great time shopping at Lola et Moi's. Caroline picked out a white tulle ballerina dress, Cassidy picked a grey/pink kitten onesie, and Miranda and Andy picked a pair of white-flowered/butterfly sandals. The twins were so excited about seeing the baby and getting a chance to hold her.
Bonnie showed off her ring and told the story behind the proposal. Chris smiled and looked at Miranda. The woman was the most relaxed Chris had seen.
The group had a great time catching up on their separate activities. Miranda brought up the subject of her idea for the children's issue, asking if Sophia could be a model. Maxine was ecstatic.
Chris just rolled her eyes. "Only for you Miranda." Then everyone laughed.
Monday the January issue came out. Miranda had not made any special notices or requested any extra printing as she did not know how a teen issue would set with her readers. Much to her surprise once again the phones were ringing off the hook. Before long Runway had to call the printer and request two extra printings to go out the next day. Word had gotten out and caused a mad rush of teens to pick up the magazine. Stores were calling to find out where to call to place orders with the designer. Other magazines were calling to get information on Alexandra and how to reach her.
Miranda called Nigel into her office. Nigel had a bad feeling about this. "Nigel sit." Miranda looked at him. "The response to this issue is … astonishing."
"I agree Miranda." Miranda was running the earpiece of her glasses over her bottom lip. "Miranda what is going on in that mind of yours now?"
Miranda looked at Nigel. "You know we must be a sure win at the Paris Awards in September." Nigel rubbed his bald head with his hand. "When we do the board will not be able to say no to me, to Runway." Nigel did not speak. "We need to start a Teen Runway."
Nigel closed his eyes and groaned. "Thank god I have a few months before I am worked into the ground."
Miranda glared and a wicked smile spread across her face. "No I was thinking Emily."
Nigel stared. "Emily, Editor in Chief of a Teen Runway?" Miranda nodded. Nigel laughed. "Dose that brain of yours never stop?" Miranda glared. "Can we please get you married first?"
Miranda laughed out loud.
That afternoon was Runway's brainstorming session. Miranda brought forth her idea for a children's issue. The room was quiet. Nigel rolled his eyes. Miranda looked around and glared at everyone. "No one has any ideas or opinions?"
Nigel spoke up. "I can research designers for children's clothing."
Emily added. "We should use the children of the models we used in the pregnancy issue."
"Done." Miranda got up and left.
Nigel looked around. "It will be a winner."
When Miranda walked into her inner office she stopped. "John?"
John jumped up. Shit, he thought, I knew I should not have believed her. "She had your card Miranda. Said you told her to come by if she was interested in a job at Runway."
Miranda stared at the person sitting in her office. How did the girl get her card? Miranda walked slowly around to her chair, examining the girl sitting in front of her desk.
"Hello." The visitor squeaked.
Miranda stopped short. "The airport."
The girl nodded and smiled. "Yes Ms. Priestley."
"Miranda."
The girl stared questioningly.
"You may call me Miranda." Miranda sat down behind her desk.
The girl handed over some papers. "My résumé and some references." Miranda ran her finger over her bottom lip. The girl was obviously scared but was holding her own.
Miranda looked down at the papers. "Patricia?"
The girl smiled. "Yes."
Miranda took the papers and turned in her chair. Patricia, Miranda had not thought of the pet for a few days, now all the emotions came flooding back. She checked the tears that tried to fall from her eyes, stood up, and called for, "coffee." She excused herself and went into the joining private bath. Miranda hung onto the sink and took some slow deep breaths. It only took her a few minutes to calm herself. When she sat herself back down she looked at Patricia. "What would you like to do at Runway?"
"I majored in graphic design. I love piecing everything together."
Miranda thought a minute. After Nigel took over her position Emily would be alone. Miranda looked at Patricia, if she was good it would be a perfect fit. "John, take Patricia to Human Resources. She is Emily's new assistant. Nigel can break her in until Emily gets back from her honeymoon and maternity leave."
Patricia stood up. "Thank you Ms." Miranda glared at the girl. "I mean Miranda."
"That's all." Miranda flipped her hands in the air and John rushed Patricia out of the office.
Miranda called John back into the office after his return from HR. "I need you to find me some small homes for my Mother. She will be staying in New York permanently. I will want to see them tomorrow morning. You will need to get a decorator also to put the home together for her. The decorator needs to be willing to let her chose what she wants. That is mandatory."
"Yes Miranda I will get on that right away." John turned to leave.
"John." Miranda almost whispered.
John turned back around, "Yes Miranda."
"Make sure it is close to my townhome." Miranda had turned her chair and was staring out the window.
"Yes Miranda." John exited the office.
Miranda leaned her head back on the chair and closed her eyes. That name. Patricia, seemed to always lend its way back into her life.
The next morning Roy informed Miranda he would be taking her to the first property, and the realtor would meet her there. The first place they stopped at was huge.
"Roy are you sure this is the right place?" Miranda stared.
"Yes Miranda." Roy replied.
Miranda saw a woman coming toward the door. Miranda rolled down the window.
"Ms. Priestley." The woman was smiling brightly.
"Call me Miranda. I specifically told my assistant I was looking for a small home. Did he not relay this to you?"
The realtor coughed. "Yes, but I figured you would want something with more room."
"That's all. Let's go Roy." Miranda rolled the window back up leaving the realtor standing at the curb staring wonder what she did wrong.
Miranda came off the elevator fuming. "If you cannot even find a realtor who can follow directions just call HR right now and tell them to find a replacement for yourself." She stormed into her office and closed the door. Thank god there was coffee.
A few hours later there was a knock on the door.
"Enter" Miranda barely whispered.
"I have a new realtor who assures me …" John did not even finish.
"I do not have time for details." Miranda hissed.
John laid a card on her desk. "She can show you homes at any time."
He turned and left. Luckily she had a light afternoon. She called the number and transferred it to Roy so he could get the address of the first house. "Schedule all my meetings for this afternoon tomorrow. I will not be returning today." Miranda walked out as Corinne rushed to get her purse for her.
The first house was very pleasing but too far from her townhouse she felt. They went to a couple more and Miranda was getting frustrated. The last house for the day Miranda did not give it much hope until they walked inside. The realtor had her fingers crossed. She felt that Miranda was very unhappy with her. As they walk toward it Miranda nodded her head as the outside was very attractive but then so where the others. Once inside Miranda was pleasantly surprised. Miranda did not like a lot of talk or having someone following her around. The realtor figured that out at the first house. The size was perfect for her Mother. A small two bedroom two bath with a nice size kitchen and living area. It was well-kept. She would need to replace the appliances and was happy to see a fireplace. Her Mother loved the fireplace in their home in Scotland. She walked out the door. The best thing is it was just blocks from her townhome. The girls would be able to walk to their Grandmother's any time they wanted.
"My assistant will be in touch with you." Roy held the door to the Town Car for Miranda, and then they were gone. The realtor stood perplexed. Did she just sell a house to Miranda Priestley?
Miranda came off the elevator with just three requests. "Call the realtor and tell her I will take the house I liked pending proper inspections. Make sure she does not recommend them. Let me know when the details are taken care of. I would like to show my Mother the place this afternoon." Later that morning between meetings Miranda called the house. "Mother I want to show you a place this afternoon. Roy and I will be at the townhome at 1:30."
"You found a place already?" Sarah was surprised.
"Yes, and I believe you will like it." Miranda answered.
"O.K. Miriam I will be ready."
Roy got out of the car at Miranda's and went up to the door to help her Mother. Once inside the car Miranda asked her Mother, "are you sure you want a place of your own? You know we would all like you to stay at the townhome."
"I am sure Miriam. You and your family need your space." Miranda nodded. Once they stopped Sarah exclaimed. "We did not go far."
Miranda smiled. "It is just a few blocks from the townhome. The girls can walk here when they want to visit."
When they got out the realtor was waiting for them. She let them in and gave them all the time they needed. Sarah walked around and Miranda followed. Sarah ran her hand over the fireplace and Miranda smiled.
Sarah turned around. "It's lovely."
"All we have to do is get furniture and you can move in."
Sarah turned with tears in her eyes, "Thank you Miriam."
"Mother do not cry." Miranda went to wipe Sarah's tears and hugged her. "I am just glad you have decided to stay. I am happy to be able to do this for you."
When they walked outside all Miranda said was, "Draw up the papers and send them to my lawyer."
They were back in the car headed back to the townhome. Once inside the car Miranda told her Mother. "I have someone coming tomorrow to take you out to pick out furniture." Miranda turned to her Mother. "Do not worry about the cost. I want you to be comfortable. Please. Promise me."
Sarah sighed. "O.K. I promise."