Cassidy asked bravely. ''Why didn't you tell us Mom? About us and magic.'' Miranda had slid the privacy screen up from Roy eavesdropping.
''Girls we never do magic on people. Am I clear.'' Andy raised a brow almost coughing. Miranda's blue eyes narrowed on Andy.
Caroline scrunched her nose up at her Mom. ''You probably couldn't cast or do magic if you tried.''
''Hey Caroline don't talk to your Mom that way. Now say sorry to her and instead of getting what I have for you both I'll give it to you both tomorrow. No ice cream tonight.'' Andy spoke firmly.
Andy meant this.
Caroline's attitude had to be curbed.
This was how her Mom must've felt laying down the law when Andy was a kid. Andy made sure to look like she meant it, looking into both of their pretty blue eyes, Miranda's eyes she was not giving into. No matter how much lashes fluttered and almost brimming tears.
Miranda made to speak. Andy expected verbal evisceration for daring to discipline the twins. ''Thank you Andy.''
''But Mom.'' Caroline whined.
''You both heard Andy.''
''Fine.'' Said in unison.
Andy privately felt Gloria Upson deserved it. Acne till thirty.
Dinner was a quiet affair tonight. The twins weren't speaking to Andy or their Mom. Andy was told she double sucked. Miranda told the twins she'd be home with them from now on indefinitely.
Andy couldn't figure out why the twins weren't thrilled, before when she use to come with the Book and dry cleaning when Miranda was out to events the twins adored their Mom and wanted her home more often.
Told Andy this one night when they were frightened during a rain thunderstorm Andy had to go out in as soon as Miranda came home that night.
Andy talked to both like people not just the terrible two of the dragon lady's spawns. She had spent two hours that rainy night with Cassidy and Caroline reading to them.
Miranda had found them huddled in their tent asleep in the middle of their bedroom as Andy's almost sleepy eyes met alert blue. Quietly slipped up to stand, Miranda had been just watching Andy and the twins snuggled.
Grabbing her sling backs she usually tripped in. Miranda's unfathomable blue eyes pierced Andy's timid brown. Both had been staring at each other for a few minutes.
Miranda plucked something out of Andy's brown hair, untangling the strand. Felt her tapered fingers brushing her made Andy shiver.
Stephen interrupted as Miranda dropped her hand with Stephen's curt words. ''You. The assistant your still here. Goodnight.''
Still pouring outside, Andy looked back. ''Night.'' Part of Andy felt like she was left out in the cold as Miranda blue eyes turned away from Andy on the doorstep.
Saw Stephen kiss Miranda in the wet glass. That was when Andy knew she was in love with her boss. Wishing she was the one kissing Miranda.
The twins took Emily who was cradled and taken upstairs for a beauty night. Andy heard words of hair dye streaks.
Andy quietly warned. ''Don't dye Em blue maybe a small washable streak.'' Emily gave Andy a look leaving her to be Kool Aid dyed to her ginger hair and she'd eat baked beans for their nightly walkie.
Caroline thought it was odd, earlier Em was made a cup of tea but only Yorkshire teabags Red.
Loading the dishwasher, Andy with Miranda heard Nigel at the front door.
''Miranda. Here is The Book and what you asked for.'' Nigel trailed off. ''Oh hello there, tall dark and handsome.'' Andy blinked was Nigel flirting with her. Hardly subtly. Nigel Kipling thought he was a cross between Marlon Teixeira and Francisco Lachowski. Lovely eyes.
Miranda saw it too. Nigel was flirting.
Nigel kept staring. ''So this is who your dressing Miranda or should I say maybe undressing.'' Held the hangers and bags out. Andy took them from Nigel blushing.
''You are?'' Owlishly looking at Andy up and down.
''The twins nanny.'' Miranda supplied.
Nigel blinked at both. '' A Manny. My all the Mothers will want one.''
Miranda coldly stated. ''Andy lost his luggage from the airport.''
Nigel didn't believe a word of it. ''Another Andy for you.'' Miranda gave him an icy look that made Nigel go silent. He knew what he saw with Six once. The one that got away in Paris. Fled. Miranda could deny it all she wanted. Nigel saw it between them. Miranda was attracted to Six.
''Nigel stop spraining your neck. You'll need a chiropractor.'' At the door, Miranda was seeing Nigel out. ''Miranda keep him. Flaunt him in front of Stephen.''
''Goodnight Nigel.''
Andy watched Nigel wave goodbye all a titter. ''Gee. He has a bit of a crush.''
Miranda's ivory skin flushed pink at Andy peeking into the shopping bags and holding up a box of boxer briefs.
''These are for you.'' Andy took them. Had to be told to stop thanking her.
The twins all morning tried to get Miranda to show them magic. Miranda adamantly refused, that was a first, usually during Andy's time at Runway, and on the phone Miranda spoiled, indulged and coddled both and never refused them anything.
The Dragon Lady, Ice Queen cosseted those two redheads of hers.
Andy drank from a guest mug. Smiling at Miranda who over the rim of her glasses, blinked at black teeth from ink. From the twins calligraphy lessons. ''Andy your teeth.''
Those little stinker dragons. Andy examined her mouth that usually was a white smile. ''Cassidy. Caroline.'' Miranda stood up.
''Oh Mom.''
''Oh Mom. I want you both to apologise to Andy.'' Miranda ordered them.
''Sorry.'' Caroline said to Andy. Cassidy got her Mom's full attention. ''Mom why is Andy a guy now?''
Miranda swallowed. They could see it was Andy Sachs. How?
Andy saw a slightly plump feline at the kitchen french doors begging to be let in. Pressing a face to the glass pitifully. Andy stood and let it inside. A thinner cat also entered with the heavier one.
Purring at Andy's ankle in gratitude.
The twins were being told by Miranda for the ink drink on Andy, no outings and since they'd both been suspended from Dalton for a week, it was not a no school fun day, expected to clean their room and help walk Patricia. No allowances for the month.
''Really Mirybelle such rules to my great nieces.'' Andy and the twins saw the round cat, popping up with a flourish into Zelda.
Emily even looked gobsmacked.
Andy mulled. Mirybelle.
Melusine a thinner cat materialised up to herself. ''Hello dears. Mir. We've found a book that may help this predicament.''
Miranda folded her arms in her dark navy casual jeans and a navy shirt. ''Why do I feel like a but is coming along?''
''No buts. Mir. However this rare book is in London or Paris.''
Miranda pinched her nose bridge in irritation. ''It may take a couple of weeks to locate it. Ludlow this rare book dealer told us that it is sought after. Merlin and Vivian's diaries are priceless.''
Merlin. Andy sputtered.
Andy realised she'd be a few weeks like this. For how long exactly? She had to pay rent.
Miranda heard Andy's inner turmoil. ''Andrea we'll just…I'll have your other things bought here or I'll pay rent for you.''
''No forget it.''
Andy's shoulders slumped. First jobless and now homeless. It was a crummy apartment anyway.
Melusine did make it up to Andy with magic to fix Andy's black teeth. Now gleaming pearly white like she'd been at a dentist. The twins begged did magic work on braces so they could have theirs off. Think of the money you'd save Mom.
Miranda wasn't amused. Magic did not solve everything.
Mel also kindly helped Andy. ''Why pay for movers by the hour.'' Andy was told her things were now in her room. Her bastard of a landlord would be having a lapse of memory to anything owed.
The twins could see Mel wasn't to be trifled with, with pranks. ''Try anything on me and you'll both get more than you bargain for little ones.''
Cassidy and Caroline gulped at Mom's old Aunt who was tall and thin.
''So you two, I've seen like mischief.'' Zelda said seriously. ''Have you both been causing any?'' Cassidy nodded at her. Caroline joined in with her sister.
Zelda smiled brightly at both redheads. ''Good. Now there's this spell that causes…Miranda gave Zelda a look of do not teach my children magic. Zelda and Melusine were going to go pack and would be in Europe in ten minutes.
Andy figured they saved on airfare.
It was raining outside, even though Andy shouldn't, considering the ink incident, she gave her gift to them that she got yesterday for Cass and Car. It was I'm not uncool or have nerditis as your new enchanted nanny gift.
Andy had got for Cass and Car a board game, a set of nail polishes, and a Baking Cookbook and an Arts and Crafts Book with a make jewellery kit and few DVDs for rainy days with a Totally '80s sing-along: ladies and guys of the '80s DVD, which came with a microphone.
Also Andy gave a printed invitation to a day out at Brooklyn Grange Farm, it was an urban farm Andy enjoyed and owned a plot with some packets of seedlings for the twins to plant.
Miranda was impressed and touched at the thought that went into it. Murmuring softly. ''Thank you Andy.''
Miranda worked for three hours on speaker to Runway, had heard them in the movie room earlier belting out. ''I wanna dance with somebody, with somebody who loves me! Woo!'' Ending that hit song to starting on ''Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.''
After two songs of Madonna it was now suspiciously quiet. What had they done to Andy? Softly stepping along the carpet to stand in the doorway watching the three of them interact to Titanic.
Doing the Leo and Kate flying scene falling back on pillows.
Caroline peered at Andy intently. ''Andy listen…if say we were all on the Titanic and the ship hits the iceberg… Mayhem, horror, ocean of ice and the ship sinking and then you're on the last lifeboat… with one space left. Who do you think you would choose to save?''
Andy didn't need to have to think about it too long. ''You guys of course and your Mom and maybe somehow squeeze Patricia on. Definitely you to Emily. I'd save.''
Andy was given an approving bark at Andy. Almost wagged at Andy's words.
Miranda had heard ahem eavesdropped on Andy correctly. Almost slipped away but Andy saw her hiding in the doorway. ''Miranda.''
''Mom come on join us.'' Miranda saw Emily was sprawled on a cushion eating popcorn.
Andy warmly moved over. ''Saved you a spot.'' Miranda almost declined, her girls looked so expectant and it was raining, joined them. Miranda sat next to Andy.
Towards the ending. Even Emily was sniffing and watery eyed.
''Another tissue.'' Miranda shook her head lying. Almost wiped her eyelid with a sleeve. Andy grinned it was on her. ''No I'm never this soppy or sentimental. Except on holidays or once heavily pregnant with those two.'' Clearing up a blanket and an empty bowl of popcorn, Andy brushed near Miranda. ''I am. I'm a hallmark card. I weep.''
''Do you?''
Andy brushed closer. ''Yeah. Silly I know.''
''No.'' Miranda didn't think that was silly. It was wonderful to be sensitive.
''Miranda?''
''Yes.'' Miranda lent up to Andy.
Andy knew hugging was very different. Hugging, that involves arms and hands and this, this was leaning their whole bodies moving in. Closer, felt Miranda's breath.
Trailing a fingertip on Miranda's ivory cheek to a brush tear that ran down. Andrea always had such nice hands, long slender fingers. Use to watch them at Runway bringing her coffee or papers.
The power went out on them from the rainstorm as Emily pranced with them in the kitchen, Miranda rummaged, finding in the drawer matches and a candle. Miranda burnt her fingertip as she lit a candle.
Andy saw and offered. 'Here let me have a look.''
Andy took her hand. Kissed it, her pale fingertip. ''There better.'' as Miranda's wordlessly nodded, enjoyed the sensation of Andy's lips on her, unbidden thoughts echoed inside her to Andy. ''Kiss me. Please just kiss me.''
A tugging pull came over Andy who hardly resisted it as Miranda's blue eyes lifted to Andy's own.
Andy stepped closer without any control over her actions, or body, Andy slickened her mouth to Miranda's. Threading her fingers through dark hair, sliding tapered manicured digits into Andy's hair, clasping the back of Andy's head, and running fingertips down to the back of Andy's nape, Miranda was reveling in this kiss.
Guiding Andy's kiss to her warm mouth, stroking her tongue tip to hers, Miranda bit teasing and drew at with a tug of Andy's lower lip.
Lifted onto the edge of the island marble counter, Andy's velvety mouth delved along her ivory throat, Miranda slowly was raking her fingers through Andy's hair. Saw Andy looking down at her with the same far way look like last time. They were floating.
''Andy we can't do this.''
Stopped this as both sunk down to touch the floor.
She'd made this happen. Disgusted with herself, breaking free swore she'd never use a lust spell.
''I'm…I'm sorry so sorry. I shouldn't have done this to you.'' Leaving Andy feeling very frustrated. ''Miranda…please don't go.''
Saw Miranda had already gone upstairs upset. Andy sadly wondered was it her kiss or just her.
Emily wide eyed even looked stricken for Andy.
Miranda was avoiding Andy this early morning like the plague. Last night made her a roast chicken sandwich because Andy couldn't cook like Cordelia. Left it on a tray at her door.
Knocked. Miranda wouldn't answer.
This sunny morning, Andy was flipping pancakes in the air. ''Get ready Troll number 1.'' Andy called Caroline the eldest who giggled and watched as Andy bowed serving her fluffy pancakes and poured more batter for Troll number 2. Cassidy.
''Mom!'' Miranda had hoped to not see Andy. Andy saw Miranda dressed for work. ''You're going to Runway?''
''Yes Andy I am The Editor- in- Chief. I'll be late tonight.'' Andy knew that tone. La Priestly.
''I thought you were staying at home.'' Andy dared to state. ''Andrea I do not answer to you, what I do and do not do daily.''
''Gosh Miranda maybe you should draw up a list of things I can talk about and cannot concerning you.''
Maybe I will Sachs. Miranda huffed to herself. She had to be like this to Andy. For Sachs own good.
Why was Miranda avoiding Andy now all of sudden? They'd kissed. They didn't do anything wrong. Did Miranda find her so revolting?
Miranda kissed Caroline then Cassidy on each of their cheeks goodbye with a loving smile. Andy leaned her own cheek towards Miranda which earned a withering glare. So much for being impish to Miranda.
Andy saw Miranda out who snarled at her. ''Will you put a shirt on. Please make a pretence of separating oneself from a shirtless labourer.''
Roy opened the door promptly for Miranda who was in an icy temperance this morning.
Look out Runway for the witch.
''Guys big smiles not gross faces for your Mom.'' Andy had taken Cass and Car to Central Park Zoo to see the red pandas and penguins.
Snapping her camera again. Cass took one of Andy smiling at the camera. So it was like Miranda could enjoy the visit too as if she was here with them.
Typed in Miranda's email address.
Sent to her to enjoy what they were doing and she was missing.
Miranda's two temporary assistants watched her stomp into her office. Irv Ravitz had another thing coming if she was going to sleep with him. To save her job. Staring into her private executive bathroom mirror, styling her elegant white hair.
Maybe she should have just stayed home today. Cooped up in her study, hiding from Andrea.
Opening a drawer of two hidden Galaxy bars. Unwrapping one. What was she going to do?
The Gala was tomorrow night, somehow Miranda needed to convince Tess Mahoney to invest in Runway and also avoid Irv and his blatant sexual overtures.
In the meeting with him he'd all but salivated over her. Suggesting they meet tonight for a one on one meeting in his office. Miranda shuddered, she was a lady. No way in hell was she being bent over a desk.
Felt terrible hurting Andrea but she had to, it was to protect her from the Hozier curse. Anyone, Miranda's father included who loved a Hozier witch ended up dead. The curse did that. That stupid curse on love that even was inflicted on her so that she suffered.
Stephen she didn't love. James only because he helped giver her Cassidy and Caroline.
Even false love with Andrea felt almost real. She wouldn't do this to Andrea.
Miranda had watched her mother also expire from a broken heart. Remembering the night her mother had begged her sisters to bring him back.
Zelda and Melusine refused. Miranda had been little then, didn't know what she meant. Then Miranda's mother succumbed to the curse herself.
Miranda was left with her Aunts. At sixteen found out the truth and about the Hozier curse. What she was. Had been lied to all that time. Miranda vowed she wouldn't be like her mother. No to magic and no thank you to love.
Miranda had never used magic to terrorise or get ahead. It was just her lovely social skills and demeanour that terrified. No she'd shelved and stifled her magic to be normal.
Miranda phone pinged as she stood in the loo.
Her blue eyes took in the video clip sent to her. Oh Andrea what was she going to do about her. When this enchantment broke on Andy and she forgot all of it. How was Miranda going to do the same?
Forget as well.
Miranda believed there was no spell in this world to forget Andy Sachs.