Miranda collects The Book from her desk, before smiling at Andy, and then, much to the brunette's surprise, joins her on the sofa. Andy had expected her to go over it at her desk.
"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?" Miranda asks quietly. "I can work at the desk if you would rather I did not encroach?"
Andy returns Miranda's smile, shaking her head in response, pleased the other woman asked to join her. She collects her own laptop and settles back next to Miranda, who has curled her feet up beside her and is resting The Book on the arm of the sofa. She tries to focus on the article before her, but finds herself very distracted by the peaceful, domestic feeling that has settled over them. The brunette has dreamed of moments like this over the past few years, and finds herself enjoying it even more than those blissful little daydreams.
A soft small nudge to her thigh a few minutes later pulls at her attention making her very aware that Miranda pushed her bare feet against her, the heat of them feeling like it is scorching her, even through the material of her jeans. She looks up and sees the small, soft smile on Miranda's face, even as she can see her eyes flicking across the pages in front of her, her red pen at the ready to slash through anything she finds displeasing.
'Hmm!' she thinks, turning her eyes back to her screen, despite her attention definitely not being on her article, before she very casually drops her hand to Miranda's ankle and begins to run soft circles across it with her thumb.
Miranda releases a very soft sigh of contentment at Andrèa's action, the connection to her Mate, even as small a touch as it is, sends curls of heat rampaging through her system. It is extremely distracting and she very much wants to forget about work for tonight and just drag Andrèa to bed, but she is determined to get through The Book, so any changes can be made as quickly as possible.
Print deadline is in two weeks, so she needs it to be ready and Serena not being there in the coming days is likely going to cost the magazine. It surprises her just how quickly Andrèa and Cirilla have become a priority in the last few days, even over and above Runway. That is something she never did for her previous husbands and would never have believed possible prior to Andrèa arriving on her doorstep the week before.
Andy has given up all hope of writing any part of her article, most of her attention focused on the feel of Miranda's ankle under her hand. She keeps her eyes on her screen though, not willing to draw Miranda's attention from The Book. At least, not yet. She doesn't think she is ready for things between them to progress further than they did earlier.
Andy is fairly self-aware, so knows she needs time to process, especially after the park incident with Ciri. She knows things are changing rapidly and just wants a little time to catch up. Even within herself, things are changing. She knows it, feels it. What these changes mean for her, she has no idea. She wants to find out though, desperately; she hates the unknown.
With Miranda's admission earlier, Andy knows all she ever wanted is being offered to her. She just needs to reshape her world-view to include things of the supernatural, and her logic is fighting her, even with all the evidence before her. Sounds easy enough… right?
She thinks about that for a moment, before rolling her eyes. No, there is no issue with accepting what's happening around her. She finds the acceptance slotted easily into place with no conscious thought. When, she does not know. She just knows it happened.
It's the changes she can now feel happening within herself she is struggling most with. The need she can feel growing, to be where Miranda is at all times. Her ability to sense that Ciri was in danger, even though Ciri was not in her presence. The urge she had fought to swallow, to just roar in anger after hearing about the attack on the girls during dinner. Not yell or scream. An absolute roar of wordless noise, in a way in which she has never reacted to anger before.
The way, when Miranda stated all three girls are theirs, she felt it was true immediately. Like a gift Miranda gave her with the utterance of those words. She may not have birthed the twins, but they are now, without a doubt, hers. Different even, to how she felt about them before. Oh, she loves them, immeasurably. As a mother does. Exactly the same as she loves Ciri. She admitted as much to Cassidy the night before, but the feeling sitting in her chest now though, makes them hers as if she gave birth to them. The difference is hard to explain, even to herself, but she can feel the difference.
While she is extremely elated in the fact they are hers, that it even happened at all is just one of the occurrences happening she was struggling to wrap her head around. Another is the fact that Miranda even allowed it to happen. A privilege she even hates sharing with their father.
A very soft voice interrupts her thoughts and her eyes widen as she realises it is Miranda's voice in her head. She turns to stare at Miranda in astonishment.
Yes Andrèa. They are yours, as they are mine. Accept it and don't think so much on it. It is how it should be. Tell me, does it not feel undeniably… hmm… Right?
Andy can only nod, too shocked at being able to hear Miranda inwardly.
Now… Please stop thinking so loudly. You are already distracting enough. Miranda's lip curls up in a barely there smirk. I do need to finish this tonight.
Andy really wants to ask what is going on and how Miranda talked to her telepathically, but bites her tongue, knowing the quicker Miranda gets through The Book, the happier she will be. She can ask her questions later.
She returns her attention to her laptop, pushing all other thoughts away as she tries to focus on her article. She pulls her hand off Miranda's ankle to type, only to be stopped by a playful growl. How she knows it is playful just from the sound, she has no idea.
"Put that back." Miranda's voice is slightly breathy.
Andy shoots her a side glance, even as a smile crosses her face at the idea of Miranda liking her touches. She does as Miranda said and puts her hand back, continuing the soft strokes with her thumb and attempts to continue typing one-handed. That lasts for all of three letters before the laptop tilts and goes to slide off her lap, so she has to use both hands to grab it before it hits the floor. She barely manages to stop its descent and she hears a soft snort of amusement from beside her.
Rolling her eyes at Miranda's amusement, she pulls it back into her lap before closing the lid and setting it on the table in front of her. She is happy to let her work go for now and give Miranda what she wants. She leans back, tilting her head against the back of the sofa and closes her eyes, returning her hand to continue its ministrations. Letting all thoughts go, she just loses herself in the soft feel of Miranda's ankle.
They stay like this, content, for another half an hour or so. Andy sits there, reveling in the simple touches she is giving. The only sounds are pages turning, the pen slashing across the pages as needed and Miranda's scathing mutterings about whatever she is viewing that brings her displeasure.
Finally, Miranda grunts then sighs before closing The Book. There is a lot of work to be done before print but at least half of it is somewhat close to acceptable. She moves The Book over to the table next to Andrèa's laptop, thankful she is now done for the evening.
Leaning back, she turns a little in her seat so she can watch Andrèa. She is unsure if she is sleeping, given her eyes are closed, but the still-moving thumb leads her to believe she is not. Her eyes trace gently over Andrèa's facial features, and she finds the love she holds for the other woman swelling within her.
Miranda wonders what the brunette is thinking about but doesn't prod at her mental barriers. It is bad enough she overheard her earlier thoughts, if only because of how loud Andy was broadcasting. Well, it was loud to Miranda. Not as clamorous as the reporter's extremely loud mental THANK GOD upon their safe arrival home, which made her realise that another connection was unlocked between them, but still loud.
Since then, she has tried extremely hard to not listen in to Andrèa's mental mutterings, knowing it is a breach of privacy with permission not yet given, even as she is overjoyed to find that connection slipping into place. It is a sign that Andrèa is moving closer in her acceptance, further opening and growing of their Bond. It was one of the contributing factors to her declaration earlier that night.
It is only because of Andrèa's previously loud thoughts that she is fully aware the brunette is not ready for more amorous activities than kissing, despite Miranda desiring otherwise, but Miranda wonders if Andrèa would be willing to join her bed, for sleeping only, nonetheless. Knowing all she can do is ask, hoping Andrèa will agree and not reject her, she pushes out with her foot nudging the soft thigh it is resting against.
Andy turns her head toward her at the same time as Miranda's foot nudges her, smiling as she says. "I can feel you staring, you know." Her chocolate-coloured eyes flutter open and lock onto crystal blues.
Miranda cannot help returning the smile, even as a slight blush creeps up her cheeks at being caught staring. It feels strange; Miranda Priestly does not blush. The things this woman can do to her with a mere look!
She clears her throat, glancing away briefly before she returns her eyes to Andy before asking, "Would you perhaps, consider spending the night with me?"
Andy blinks at her in surprise. "Um… wha?"
Miranda stumbles over her response. "Not for… Not for that. I know you are not ready. Just…" she sighs, feeling more awkward than she has in a millenia. "Just to sleep. I find that I want you close tonight."
Andy takes comfort in Miranda's awkwardness, somewhat gratified she is not the only one uncertain at this point. It gives her courage to follow through on her next thought.
She turns, placing her hands either side of Miranda's knees and crawls toward the Editor, who straightens her legs out. Once her hands reach Miranda's hips, she places them onto the armrest behind the other woman, leaning in slowly to brush her lips over Miranda's as her knees settle beside her hips. Miranda's hands settle on her waist and her lips part under the soft touches, inviting Andy in.
Instead, Andy leans back, parting them for the moment. "I'm not going to ask about the mind-reading," She says quietly, looking deeply into Miranda's eyes. "I'm just going to file it under 'a dragon thing' and leave it at that for now." She has spent the last while just trying to let everything settle within her, and while she doesn't think she is done yet, it feels like the acceptance she is offering is enough for now. "I will, absolutely, ask later though. Probably tomorrow. I'm too tired to question anything tonight. So yes, Miranda. You may take me to bed." She leans in again, kissing the other woman briefly. "To sleep, as you so eloquently put it." She smirks at Miranda, before climbing off her and offering her a hand.
Miranda takes her hand, rising from the sofa and by mutual-silent agreement, they head together toward the guest-room Ciri is sharing with her mother to check on her before retiring. They discover the bed empty though and poke their heads first into Caroline's room, which is also empty, and then Cassidy's to find all three of them curled up in Cassidy's Queen-sized bed, Ciri snuggled between her sisters, who each have an arm curled over the tot, their hands linked.
"Awww." Andy whispers before pulling out her phone and snapping a few pics. Both she and Miranda give kisses to the two heads they can reach, causing soft mumblings from the twins, and Andy kisses her own fingers before reaching across Caroline to caress them softly over Ciri's forehead.
They leave the room as quietly as possible, closing the door gently behind them.
"That is like, the cutest thing ever!" Andy mutters as she moves back toward her own room, intent on gathering her pyjamas for her stay in Miranda's room.
"I concur." Miranda agrees. "I'd like a copy of those photos please."
Miranda follows her, leaning against the door frame as she watches Andy collect the items of clothing she needs. "At least we don't have to worry about her rolling out of this huge bed."
"Hm-mm." Andy agrees before she collects Miranda's hand to head upstairs.
They spend a few minutes each in Miranda's massive ensuite bathroom, separately getting ready for bed, before climbing in. Miranda switches off the bedside light before rolling towards the middle and reaching out to pull Andrèa into her arms. Andy's head settles into Miranda's shoulder and her leg drapes across Miranda's, like the position is the most natural thing in the world. It certainly feels that way to both of them. Andy lifts her head for a moment, pressing a soft kiss to Miranda's cheek before wishing her good night and settling her head back down. Synchronously, they both let out a content sigh before they drift off to sleep.