My Angel In The Centerfold

by jedinite

It's been 3 years since Andy left Miranda in Paris. They haven't seen each other since that day on the street. Miranda followed Andy's stories in the Mirror, until they just up and disappeared. In fact, it seemed to Miranda that her former assistant just up and vanished, until she looked smack dab into those brown eyes that seemed to gaze back at her.

27. Chapter 27

Part 27

Andrea ran cool water over her face and was patting it dry, thinking about what a waste it was throwing up all that delicious soup. "Darling," Miranda said quietly, with the greatest of care. "Is there anything you need?" she asked against the bathroom door.

Andy now remembered that Jacqueline was there and had told her shitty things about Miranda, but right now she just didn't care. The woman who she loved more than anything was here, and she was taking care of her. That had to count for something, even if she wasn't ready to come out. Hell she wasn't entirely sure if she was and right now she honestly didn't want to think about that either. "No," she rasped, and slowly opened the door.

A worried, but beautiful face greeted her. "Again?"

Andy nodded sadly. "And I really loved that soup."

Miranda pulled her closer. "Come on, let's get you back in bed."

"Miranda," she sighed. "Do I have to?"

The older woman searched Andy's face. "You need your rest," she told her sincerely.

"Okay, I agree, but I don't want to be without you," she pouted. "But I understand if you need to go, or don't…"

Miranda just drew her into her and wrapped her arms around her. "I will be right here; um..." she paused, and pulled back. "How about I get changed and we can slip into bed together."

Andy perked up and smiled. "Really?"

Miranda cupped a pale cheek. "Of course, and maybe if you're up to it we…"

"Oh I can," Andy interrupted. She was still weak and really didn't feel all that great, but hell, if Miranda was willing then shit she was too. No way in hell was she going to turn her down.

Miranda chuckled. "Honey, no not that. You are sick remember? I was going to suggest that maybe we could try to talk."

Andy knew that they really needed to talk, but she was dreading it all the same, and now she was worried about what crap Jacqueline might have told her. She cringed, thinking she may have spilled about their impromptu make out session they did in the back of her car just a few weeks back. "You're right, we need to talk."

Miranda picked up on the worried expression on the other woman. "Darling, what's with the look?" She bent her head to the side. "Is there something you want to tell me or ask me?" She now was wondering what the hell that French bitch had told her.

Andy exhaled and rubbed at her brow. "Well maybe; do you?"

Miranda sighed loudly. "Let me change and wash my face and brush my teeth, and I'll meet you in the spare bedroom."

"Okay," Andy nodded and moved past Miranda, then turned back. "The spare room?"

"Yes, I am not sleeping in your bed, not after you were so sick in it. Unless you feel up to changing the sheets."

That made Andy chuckle. "Guest room it is."

…..

"Hey," Andy said softly as she reached over and pulled the comforter and sheets back so Miranda could crawl in.

"You look a little better. How's your tummy?" Miranda responded as she walked to Andrea's side of the bed instead, then reached out and ran her fingers lightly over her brow.

Andy's eyes slipped shut from the loving contact. "It's okay," she whispered. "I hope I don't have to throw up again."

"I agree." She then proceeded to bend down to brush her lips over her brow, then moved to the other side of the bed.

Andy watched her and couldn't help her domestic smile as she watched the other woman check a few things on her phone, then she plugged it in before kicking off her slippers and crawling into the bed.

"Everything okay?" Andy asked, letting her head hit the pillow.

She heard Miranda's sigh, and then a quiet groan as she wiggled closer, slipping her hand under the covers until it slid over Andrea's waist. "Noting of too importance, and nothing that can't wait until morning."

Andy gave Miranda an odd look, turning her neck so she could see her better. "Um who are you and what have you done with Miranda?"

Miranda just closed her eyes and snuggled closer, laying her head on the other woman's shoulder. "Hmmmm," she hummed. "You know what? This is what I want."

Andy scooted down a little more and wrapped an arm around the editor. "I like this too."

They lay there for a few quiet moments before Andy finally spoke. "Miranda?"

A weary breath fell from the older woman's lips. "What is it, Dear?"

"First off, I don't care what Jacqueline told me, which is probably not true, and if it is, we never discussed if this exclusive, so I really have no right. I mean…" she trailed off exhaling loudly. "I mean I won't lie… it sucks and it hurts, but again you are free to be with whomever you wish, but if that is the case then why did you tell me that you love me?"

Miranda was slightly dozing as she heard Andrea's rant. She blinked and lifted her head. "I'm a little lost here, and I don't like being lost….Andrea." She narrowed her gaze. "What exactly did she tell you? And what are you getting at?"

Andy groaned and ran her hands over her face. "Well you said we needed to talk, so let's talk," she actually managed calmly. She was trying to get her thoughts in order when she peered over and saw the disgruntled look Miranda was giving her.

"Again you know how I just love waiting," she quipped.

"Okay right to the point." Andy took a breath. "She told me that you'd never really be with me, that you're always looking for that next suitable bachelor. That your image is too important."

A smirk filled Miranda's face and humor shaded her eyes. "Well if that is the case," she leaned in and lightly kissed Andy's nose. "Then with you, My Dear, I have hit the jackpot in that department."

"I'm being serious; you know you are not ready for the press to get a hold of this, of us. You told me the hell Stephen is putting you through, trying to blackmail you into giving him more money, plus Irv looking for an excuse to can your ass," she expressed. "Is this what you want? And I am hardly a suitable bachelor."

"Andrea, Darling, I still don't see what the problem is? You know I handled Stephen."

"For…"

Miranda held a hand up and stopped Andy's protest. "And if he tries again, I'll tell him to go right on ahead and tell the press. I just don't care anymore."

"You want people to know?" she asked slowly.

"Yes," Miranda said simply. "If you do."

"Wait…. wait what?" Andy inhaled slowly as she took that in, eyeing Miranda intently.

"Honestly, I am tired Andrea."

"No no, no…you can't tell me that then say you want to sleep."

Despite herself, Miranda smiled faintly and patted Andy's thigh. "That's not what I was referring to." She leaned forward and kissed Andrea lingeringly. "I'm tired of not getting what I want, and you my dear sweet Andrea are what I want. I'll wait for you as long as you want, or I am willing to call the press right now and let the entire world know that you are mine."

"And that's it?" Andy was still in shock, not really trusting any of this was real.

"That's it, it's that simple."

"But what about your public image, and the men you date, and Irv, and the board members at Elias-Clark?"

"To hell with all of it, I'm tired of maintaining what they all call a certain look I need to acquire and hold," she grinned.

Andrea groaned and inched out of bed, resting her hands on her hips. "Stop with the games, Miranda. Can we please be serious?"

"I am being serious; now get back in this bed," she demanded.

"You are not being serious, you are saying to hell with…with…with…" she splayed her hands out trying to come up with what she was trying to explain, then went another direction. "You know what, you told me everyone wants to be us, and now you're what…you're willing to throw it all away? Everything you worked so hard to hold on to? You're not making any sense."

Miranda huffed and now got out of the bed. "I guess I shouldn't have sprung this on you, it's just, I suppose that that woman brought a few things to my attention, and maybe she was right." She gently grasped Andrea's arms. "I no longer want that, and most of all I don't want to lose this, lose you."

"And that guy you were kissing?" she blurted.

"Guy?" Miranda blinked, not sure where that all of a sudden came from.

"You know what, never mind. I'm sure there is a good reason, maybe publicity stunt, I don't care."

"You must, or you wouldn't have brought it up." She felt Andy tense up. "Come on; lay your ass back down will you? Before you get yourself sick again."

"Fine," Andy relented and dropped back down on the bed, but Miranda stayed standing.

"There is no one but you, I promise. I did have a date with a nice young man while we were on hiatus, but it led nowhere. I only went out with him to try to get over you, but it just proved that you are the one who will always have my heart. Andrea." Miranda now moved to the bed and gazed sincerely into those big brown eyes. "You are the one that makes me happy."

Andrea smiled, thinking how Miranda said that they were only on hiatus, but hell Miranda just told her that she made her happy, that was huge. "Awwww I make you happy."

"Well at least you got that part," she teased, exasperatingly shaking her head at the younger woman. "Do you get that I do, I want this Andrea, all of it. I can't bear to live this life alone and without you not in it."

Andy blinked in surprise, and then a huge smile bowed her lips. "You're serious," her voice softened.

Miranda exhaled sharply. "Oh finally, she gets it."

"Sorry, it's just a lot to take in, I mean you're you're….. you're Miranda Priestly, and this sort of thing just doesn't happen to me, especially with someone like you."

"Well it has, and it did. Is this all you have to say?"

Andy shook her head; her mind was still going over everything. "I mean are you sure?"

"Are you questioning me now Andrea? You think being such a good assistant you would have learned not to do that by now," she teased with a stoic face.

"Oh shut up." She wrapped her arms around Miranda's neck and pulled her in closer.

"Now I have you telling me to shut up?" Miranda teasingly reprimanded. "Why do I even put up with you?"

"Because I am a good kisser, and well, other things."

"Yes you are that, and other things you left off your resume," Miranda breathed, with a slight smile. "Honestly I keep telling you that you are one of my biggest disappointments."

"Hey," Andy frowned, but her eyes shined with delight.

"I mean surely if you would have put ALL of your skills on there, I would have promoted you a whole hell of a lot sooner."

That made Andy chuckle. "Ah who knew, Miranda does know how to joke."

"That was no joke, Dear," she glared, her voice going firmer.

"Huh?" Andy swallowed, thinking back to those long nights at the office with just her boss, who now was her girlfriend. She remembered seeing Miranda look at her at times like she was so ashamed of her, but now seeing it in a new light she just wanted something else from her all together. "Well shit, I guess I was clueless."

Miranda softly laughed. "No, no, it would have never happened; I cared too much for you to do that to you. Even though I would have never admitted it."

She pulled Miranda in and held her tight, and then maneuvered her so she was back in her side and holding her. "So what now?"

"Now, well I have been thinking."

"Oh no," Andy teased. "That's never good."

"Anyways," she drawled a little louder. "Since I have always loved California, and well you do have such a nice place there, well I was thinking I would just come live with you….. I mean if you'll have me."

Bafflement creased Andy's brow and she pushed Miranda away so she could look into her blue eyes. "Holy shit, did hit your head on the pavement or something? What is going on?"

"Well Irv wants to me to retire….so why in the hell not?" she mention nonchalantly. "And like I said I'm getting old, and that warm weather there is rather enticing."

"Yup it's official; you really did hit your head."

Miranda growled and gently pinched the side of her hip. "I'm serious, Andrea."

Andy flinched. "What about Cass and Caroline? They love it here." She blew out a breath. "They won't go along with this…come on, this is just absurd."

"Yes they do love it here, and I was thinking about that, and well they graduate in just a few years, and then they will be off to college, and who knows, they may pick one on the West Coast."

Frazzled beyond belief Andy again tried to get up off of the bed, but this time Miranda held her down and wouldn't let her. "Where are you going?"

Andy rubbed her head, and then rubbed it again. "Okay you didn't hit your head; I hit mine…that's it. Or I'm dreaming, or I got so sick it threw my ass in a coma."

"Would you stop being so dramatic and calm down?"

"Calm down?" Andy sucked in a gulp of air. "You're being crazy, and you want me to calm down?"

Miranda eyed her for a moment, and then cupped her cheek lovingly. "It doesn't have to all go down tomorrow. It's just a suggestion," she inhaled. "It's simple, I. Want. To. Be. With. You." She drove her point across and then softly kissed her lips.

Andy nodded, tears filling her eyes. "I want you; you are all I have ever wanted."

"Then it's settled, I tell Irv first thing tomorrow."

Andrea slapped her forehead. "Why is this so easy for you?" She cleared her throat. "I mean, come on, this is just crazy talk right?"

Andre…"

"No," Andy quickly interjected. "Don't Andrea me. I mean how could I even let you do this? This is just insane. Seriously I could never let you do this, not for me. Let's think about this…..You love your job Miranda, it's your entire world. It is, and it's one of the things that attracted me to you in the first place." She paused to take a breath. "But you have to think I'm an idiot to let you just up and quit and move across the country just like that and not know that it would have ramifications on us. You'd resent me in less than a year."

"I wou.."

Again Andrea held her hand up and wouldn't let Miranda say anything. "I won't let you do that, I won't. In fact I was already planning on buying an apartment here so I could be closer to you."

Miranda grinned and actually softly giggled. "Don't be absurd, you will do no such thing."

"Excuse me? No you can't tell me that, I can do what I want with my money. I have money, you know. In fact, I have new endorsement deals with Mugler and Covergirl, so I think I can afford it."

"That's not what I was…"

"Usually I just let you get your way, but not this time," Andy interjected, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she was getting more and more agitated by the second.

Miranda groaned, getting frustrated with the younger woman and grasped both of Andy's cheeks to get her attention. "Will you just stop it and look at me?" She waited for the brunette to finally stop her rant, and turn to her with now calmer eyes.

"Andrea, why would you buy or lease an apartment when I have a perfectly good townhouse here? One which I might add is very spacious."

Andy's eyes glazed over as it all dawned on her. "Oh…oh…uh you mean?"

"That's what I have been saying, we can spend half the time here, and half of our time in L.A."

"You're not telling Irv, I won't let you do that."

Miranda inhaled a deep breath. She really didn't want to retire from Runway or let that little man get his way, but then again she was getting tired of all work and no play, and most of all not being happy. It had been gnawing on her for years, well ever since Andrea had left her in Paris.

"You're putting your foot down huh," her lips twisted in a satisfied grin.

"I can't let you do that for me," Andy pleaded, with tears in her eyes.

Miranda just pulled her in closer. "Andrea, it's not for you, it's for us. Darling, you need to know that I absolutely adore you, and even though I have never told you this, you held this old heart of mine for a long time. You are my everything, and I'd be lying if I told you I could go on without you. So this, me retiring, is just another chapter in my life. You my darling Andrea are now my future."

By now Andrea was a mess of sobs and tears streamed down her face, her body trembling from her crying.

"Miranda," she whispered shakily, her breath shuddering for air.

The older woman just bent her head and offered her a smile. "If I would have known you'd get so emotional I would have waited until maybe you were stronger," she teased with a loving wink, then just swept the younger woman into her arms and held her. "So is this your way of saying yes?"

Andy nodded into the crook of Miranda's neck. "Yes, yes, I love you," she said hoarsely. "I mean are you sure? You love it here."

"Yes," she relied surely. "I love you more, and I can't wait to make new wonderful memories with you, My Darling. It's not where we live, it's how we live and love while we are there."