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Part 14

"Miranda." Nigel swiftly entered her office, red book in hand. "I have the mock up for the next issue with Dior, and the 'Addict line'.

"Hmmm," she finally turned her face up to look at what he placed in front of her. Her eyes seemed far away, and the loud exhale of breath made Nigel's brow cave in bewilderment.

"I've already determined the list for both products." He gazed down at what he thought was really good work, and minutes ticked by before he started to wonder if his boss was okay. "Miranda?"

"Hmm?"

"Any thoughts?" he added, after another bout of silence.

After another an entire minute more passed without Miranda saying anything, she finally drew in a large breath and blinked. "I suppose…" she started, and then faded off, groaning as she leaned back in the chair.

Nigel moved so he could stare down at her. "Okay that's it; let me have it."

Miranda wanted to groan again, and she desperately had the urge to slump her head back, but she remained poised. She glanced down at Nigel's piece, and then finally gazed at him. "It's nothing," she relayed to him, but her eyes still looked glazed over, like she was someplace else.

Nigel frowned, yet his eyes shined with enlightenment. "Did you know that she is here?"

Miranda lifted her gaze from the far wall back to her Art Director. "Who?"

"Oh you know whom I am referring to," he somewhat badgered with a smug smile and then continued. "She's here doing a new movie."

"Movie? Hmmm." She kept a straight face, even though inside she felt as if every single organ inside her was being ripped apart.

"Doing Regis and Kelly in a few days," Nigel remarked. "I talked to her yesterday. She is getting settled in her temporary apartment, and I might add that she sounds exhausted."

"Why do you feel like I need to know this?" she carefully hissed, tilting her head and eyeing him inquiringly with an arched brow.

He shook his head and sighed. "Because whether you want to admit it or not, deep down you know that you do," he breathed. "Hell, it's where you've been these last few weeks, heck even longer, even though you try to convince yourself otherwise."

Miranda regarded him for a minute and he waited as patiently as he could. "I don't know what to do," she actually admitted weakly. "I feel like I am stuck."

Nigel lifted a surprised brow. He could not believe what he was hearing. "Miranda, all you have to do is ask yourself…what is it that you want?"

She considered it as tears actually nipped in the forefront of her blue eyes. "I've been trying to tell myself that she's better off, that I am better off….but…." She faded out, and suddenly she stood from her desk and went to the window.

"But you're not," Nigel whispered, eyeing her keenly. "There has always been something between you two…hasn't there?"

Miranda turned back to him and her expression grew serious. "Yes….No, I don't know…and never like that." Her tone was firm, and then it suddenly softened. "And now it doesn't matter." Her voice now cracked. "Plus, I don't even know what to do or where to start."

Nigel blinked in shock; this was huge coming from Miranda. He opened his mouth to respond, and then pursed his lips in thought before he smiled. "I don't believe that the great Miranda Priestly doesn't know what to do," he snorted. "Oh please….that's like Andy Cohen not knowing what to do with a Housewife." He grinned, and mentally patted himself on the back for that one in spite of the scornful way she looked at him. "You know exactly what you should do; the question is, do you want it? And if you do, then do it, but if you do….this will be the only time I will say this and I will say this with conviction." He puffed up his chest. "Don't you dare pull her in and then drop her, because if that is the case, then you'd better just let her go."

Miranda faintly frowned. "Don't you know that's what I've been doing….trying desperately to let her go," she heaved, clicking her heel down with such force that Nigel thought her Prada heels were going to shatter from it.

"Then don't, do the opposite and be happy for once," he pointed out with a clever grin, then gathered his portfolio off of her desk and he peered up at her. "Let me know when you are ready to go over this." He waved it back and forth and then left.

Moments later Emily's skinned crawled. "Emily!" She knew that wasn't for her, so she just pointed across the way at the new girl.

"That's you!"

Christine jumped up with a pad and pen and scurried off toward Miranda. "Oh there you are. I was starting to think that you had forgotten your name," she spat.

"Sorry, Miranda, I came as soon as you called," the blonde cringed.

"I want to know what Andrea Sachs' schedule is…everything. All of her interviews, dinner dates and her on-set shooting schedule. I want to know all of the ins and outs when she is here in New York."

Frightened eyes finally looked up from her pad. "Andrea Sachs, the actress that was in our latest edition?"

Miranda eyed her like she couldn't believe that this girl had asked her that. Catching on to that look Christine just nodded. "Is there anywhere I can find this out at?"

Frustrated Miranda groaned as she waved her off. "Oh, go bore someone else with your questions."

All the poor girl could do was swallow and nod, and she didn't even get another breath in before she heard. "That's all."

…

Andrea awoke to the sound of sirens blaring in the streets below. She had to be to Regis and Kelly in just a matter of hours. It was still dark out, so she knew it was well before 6 a.m. She rubbed her face and the sleep from her eyes as she tried to get out of bed. "God this is too early." she griped. She hadn't been back to New York all that long, and she hadn't even had time to meet up with her good friend Doug, or even Nigel yet.

Starting this new film and promoting the other was getting to her. She was definitely due for a vacation after this was over. Her chest burned with the knowledge that just a few miles away, Miranda was probably already awake and ready to start her day, looking perky and perfect as ever.

…..

"What's the worst thing that could happen?" Jolene emphasized, still looking down at her phone.

Andrea crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her as their car came to a halt. "Explain why it is necessary."

"Do you want the short version or the long version?" Obviously Andrea's personal assistant was more than a little exasperated with her stubbornness.

"Do I pay you to be this obtuse with me?"

Jolene nodded, still searching through her phone. "Yes, that was what you required during my interview."

Andy just huffed. "I don't remember that."

Jolene tried not to sigh. "Oh let's just get this over with, then this afternoon you will be doing that fan event."

"No," Andy said flatly, refusing to be coerced into something she didn't want to do.

Jolene lifted an eyebrow toward her boss and actually looked up from her phone. "It wouldn't look good for you to miss your first fan event. Besides, your agent was adamant that I make sure you get there."

Andy made a weird noise in the back of her throat. "Fine, whatever," she growled. "But just so you know, I will be there for only as long as I need to be. Do I need to remind you this is my only day off? I mean, this is the only day I have before my tedious weeks of steady filming schedule before my next break."

Jolene smirked and slightly giggled. "Um, I am the one who does your scheduling, am I not?"

As soon as Andy rested her head back against the car's back seat, the driver finally got out of the car and opened their door. "It is time," Jolene said, and peeled out of the car. As soon as she got out, Andy took a moment to gather herself, then slipped on her shades even though it really wasn't bright outside in the early morning streets of New York. In fact, the sun was clearly hidden by the huge skyscrapers. Fans of hers knew she'd be there and they soon clamored around the building, while the security guards kept them at bay as they held out card stock pictures of her, screaming for an autograph. She sweetly signed a few before ducking inside the building to be escorted to her dressing room.

….

Hours later Andy found herself at the back of some restaurant. A makeup and hairstylist were redoing her hair and makeup, and she sipped on some sort of health shake. Grimacing she shot her assistant an odd look. "What is this?"

"Spinach, Mango, Banana thingy," she replied nonchalantly, still gazing down at the agenda on her phone. Jolene could feel Andy's dark eyes on her and finally lifted her gaze. "What?" she finally countered. "It's good for you."

"Well," Andy smacked her lips. "It's not really my cup of tea. Why can't I have a slice of yummy, cheesy, greasy pizza?" The brunette had a dreamy expression on her face. "New York's finest."

Jolene made a strange noise and rolled her eyes. "Because it is fattening, and you are doing a film, and the producer was adamant that you remain the size that you are right now."

Andy sighed. "I can eat the pizza, and you want to know why?"

"No." Jolene just looked back down at her phone.

Andy grumbled in irritation. "Because I workout. Remember Bruno, the personal trainer from hell?"

"Well good for you," Jenifer rebutted with another eye roll.

"I'm gonna fire you," Andy threatened.

Jolene smiled. "You say that everyday, and yet here I remain." Just then her phone buzzed. "You have forty five minutes before your fans start arriving."

…..

"Miranda," Christine said brightly. "I just made arrangements for Cassidy and Caroline; they will be there on time."

Miranda gave her a strange look, so caught up in her meetings and her grueling schedule. Whatever it was, it must have slipped her mind. "In time for?"

"Yes. Do you recall I made arrangements for them to be at that fan signing thing that Andrea Sachs is doing."

Stunned, Miranda exhaled quietly as she checked her watch. "Is that today?" She couldn't believe how fast the days seemed to slip by. She wanted to see Andrea, and when she found out very little except for this fan event day. She was going to take her daughters there to get autographs, and it would be a perfect way to see her. She was also hoping to get a word with the younger woman.

Christine bit her lip, as she watched the myriad of emotions fall across Miranda's face. She waited, holding her breath, until Miranda spoke.

"Cancel everything else, and tell my daughters I will meet them there."

"Will do." Christine turned around and nearly ran right into Irv.

Irv loudly sighed. "What on earth are you trying to cancel again? More of my money going down the drain?" he fired.

Miranda was already standing, but she stood straighter so she really towered over the small man. "Irv?"

"Oh Miranda, don't act like you don't know why I am here."

"Again?" she snipped. "I guess you just can't stop yourself can you? I mean, I know I am wonderful, but I should start charging you to breathe the same air as me."

He glared and turned around to shut the doors firmly. "I'm just counting down the days."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "For?" She knew exactly what he was referring to, but she had to hassle him. "By the way, I was just leaving. So if you want an appointment, you will have to set that up with my assistant."

He just flopped into one of her chairs. "I am not going anywhere and either are you. I've been trying to have this meeting for over a week, so we are getting this done now."

Miranda clenched her teeth together, knowing how terrible his timing was. She couldn't help think that right now, karma was definitely playing a huge role.

…..

Running toward her car as swiftly as she could in her stilettos, Miranda huffed loudly once she slid into her well air conditioned car. New York was very muggy today, and she was sure her hair was paying the price. "How are we on time?" she clipped testily.

Roy merged into traffic, and gave her a look in his rear view mirror. "Not looking good, Miranda," he replied gently, giving her a remorseful smile.

Miranda groaned and decided to call her girls and then groaned even louder when neither of them answered.

"I bet that they are inside now, and they probably can't hear it," he offered carefully. "I'm sure they're okay."

"I am not worried for my daughters; they are more than capable of doing this," she heaved.

Roy lifted a questioning brow, and now was wondering why his boss seemed so agitated if she wasn't worried for her daughters, but he didn't dare ask. He just stepped harder on the accelerator, because after years of working for Miranda, he knew that look, and that look meant for him to hurry.

….

One by one Andrea would glance down at each and every professional head shot of her and inwardly sigh. A fake smile would grace her lips as she signed her name at the bottom of each one and made small talk with her fans. "Oh really?" she would answer sometimes, or opt for, "Oh you are so sweet." Or even go with the regular good old fashioned "Thank you."

Finally the crowd was thinning out and that's when her assistant whispered in her ear. "After you finish these, there is a certain fan that requires a moment of your personal time."

Andy's forehead furrowed and she gave her a strange look. "What?" she asked softly.

Jolene exhaled slowly. "They paid extra, lots extra, so I didn't think you would mind."

"Excuse me?" Andy said, refusing to let herself glare at her assistant.

"It'll take five minutes tops, and be grateful you have fans."

"Wait, we charge for this?" Her dark eyes now narrowed in on the young woman.

"Yes, and so does everyone else."

Andy paused and Jolene could see the muscle jumping in her jaw. "God, I've turned into one of those people," she muttered quietly, and suddenly the image of her leaving Miranda's car in Paris filled her mind.

"Come on, just sign the rest and meet me and your happy fan in the other room," Jolene said stubbornly.

Andy inhaled sharply, aggravation creased very unmistakably in her forehead, and it only made Jolene give her a satisfied smile. "I'm going to fire you," Andy hissed quietly, still smiling at a fan in front of her.

…..

As Andy finally walked away from her pleased fans, she was ushered into another room, and the tired lines etched around the brunette's eyes. She got the approval from her stylist that she still looked impeccable; she only placed a coat of lip gloss on her lips before she entered the room.

Her heart caught immediately once she noticed who was there waiting on her. "Caroline? Cassidy?" Andy noted with heat in her cheeks.

"Andy!" Both girls yelped in surprise and immediately flew to her side.

Quickly her assistant stood in front of Andrea, blocking the twins from reaching her. "Whoa, relax, and I asked you not to touch her," she expressed.

Andy was so shocked to see them that she opened her mouth, hesitated, and then closed it with a snap. Finally her brain stopped malfunctioning and she blinked. "What are you two doing here?' Then it occurred to her, that maybe if they were here then Miranda had to be close.

"Duh," Caroline quipped. "Like that isn't obvious."

Cassidy dipped her head and smiled. "This is soooooo awesome, and when Mom said she put you in Runway and then she didn't get us an autograph we were so mad, so…" she shrugged. "Here we are," she rambled. "God everyone at school is going to be sooooo jealous."

Andy was still taken aback from seeing them there. "Are you guys for real?" She slightly shook her head as if she was clearing out debris that suddenly clouded her vision.

They both had a matching expression of humor. "Of course," they both said.

Andy exhaled and decided to treat them like the fans they were, and not the daughters of the woman she secretly loved. "So," she turned to Caroline first. "So Caroline, how are things with you?"

Caroline's eyes went wide, and her face paled. "Oh my god," she fanned herself with her hand. "How did you know it was me?"

Andy inwardly grinned. There was no way she was going to give her secret away, knowing which girl was which. "Because," she drawled and gave a playful wink. "I am Andy Sachs and I know everything."

Cassidy snorted. "Well you did get us Harry Potter, so I think you are right." She then held up a copy of Runway, and instantly Andy realized it was the issue her face on the cover. "So will you sign my copy of Runway?"

"Of course." Andy quickly signed it, and then signed the one that Caroline held out for her.

"This is now my favorite copy of the magazine ever," Caroline said with a huge smile.

"Loved the interview by the way," Cassidy mentioned casually. "And the pics in the centerfold… wow you looked really beautiful."

"Oh uh…well….." Andy didn't know what to say, and found she was blushing. "I uh, actually I haven't seen them yet, but thank you."

Cassidy blinked. "But why? I mean Mom did a wonderful job."

Caroline snorted. "Mom always does, but she's right, it was really spectacular, you should see it." She quickly opened up the magazine to the center of it.

Andy glanced at it, and for some reason it made her stomach flop knowing what happened that day and she suddenly got ill. She ran a hand over her brow and took a weary step back. Jolene noticed and gave the girls a sorrowful expression.

"It's time you guys left; Andrea here has a prior commitment that she needs to get ready for."

"Aw man," Caroline voiced with a frown.

"Sorry girls." Jolene began to lead them out of the room.

"Can we at least get a hug and photo first?" Cassidy asked.

Andy swallowed the bile that seemed to fill her throat. "Sure," she agreed, holding out her arms.

As soon as Cassidy slid into them she hugged her tight and then whispered in Andy's ear. "Just wanted you to know that Mom has never been the same since you left."

Startled, Andy pulled back and gazed into her eyes, eyes in which reminded her of Miranda's. "What are saying?"

Cassidy shrugged. "I'm saying that Mom mi…" she didn't get to finish because Caroline was pushing her to the side so she could wrap her up in a huge hug.

They quickly took a photo of them together, Andy squished in-between them, before Jolene pushed them out of the door. She was back before Andy could even gather a thought. "I have a car waiting; let's get you out of here."

Andy was so grateful to be out of that stuffy building and to be on her way home. She was worn-out, and she just wanted to take a shower and go to bed. She desperately wanted to know what Cassidy was going to tell her, then tears found their way to her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. It was probably for the better she didn't know. Stepping out onto the busy streets of Manhattan, her heart unexpectedly stuttered with a sliver of pain, and she clutched at her chest in an attempt to relieve the ache. Grimacing, she found herself looking up from the sidewalk. She glanced across the street and as soon as she did she wished to god she hadn't, because right then and there, like a page out of her own fantasy, stood the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was staring right back at her.

All of a sudden it seemed that Andy forgot to breathe as a soft smile bowed Miranda's perfect pink lips, her eyes shining in happy gratification that seemed as though it was directed right at her, and straight into her heart. Sucking in a deep breath, she found the last bit of strength in her body so she didn't topple right over there on the busy street.

Instead she held it together and arrogantly held her head high, throwing her best glare right at her former employer, but only for a second before she gracefully slipped on her black shades like she was fucking Marilyn Monroe and then slid into the backseat of her limo. She even held it together when the older woman slightly waved at her, a characteristic Andrea herself was sure she had never seen before. She swallowed tightly, ignoring the tears behind her sunglasses and the woman across the street who had broken her heart only weeks before.