Chapter Three:
Andy's blaring alarm pulled her from a dream about Miranda. It had been more like a memory, and it had taken place in the bathtub in Miranda's suit in Paris. Andy groaned, realizing it was time to get up, and get ready for work. She was looking forward to seeing Miranda, but she knew things would be much different in the office. She quickly got busy finding an outfit she knew would meet Miranda's approval. She settled on a black Armani dress that hugged her curves in a way she knew would drive her girlfriend crazy.
The Starbucks that Andy always stopped at was surprisingly slow for a Monday morning. She got Miranda's usual order, and herself a caramel macchiato. She needed the caffeine, as the jet lag from Paris was still very much affecting her. She balanced the coffee try as well as her work bag, and pushed the button for the elevator.
"Hold the door!" She heard a familiar voice. "Six, how are you this morning?"
"Hey, Nig. I'm good, how are you?" She asked him as the elevator moved. He sent her a smirk. "Uh oh, I know that look. Just tell me."
"I have a date with someone tonight," He told her. "We're getting drinks."
"That's great!" Andy grinned.
"Here's the thing, it's someone you know. I uh, I got your friend Doug's number that time we all met up at the bar. We just kind of clicked, and well, he agreed to come out with me." Nigel said, trying to gauge her reaction. Andy pushed him playfully.
"Oh my goodness, that's amazing! You two would be so great together! Were you nervous I'd be upset?"
"Well, I know your friends have been weird lately." Nigel said. Andy shook her head.
"Not Doug, he's great. I've known him forever, really. He's the greatest. You picked a keeper."
"Thanks, six. I'll be sure to keep you updated." Nigel grinned. He looked at her pointedly. "Anything you want to tell your fairy godfather? Perhaps about things that happened in Paris?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She blushed, avoiding eye contact with him. He laughed.
"It's okay, you'll tell me when you're both ready."
Before she could continue, they reached their floor. Emily was back, if a little restricted by her crutches. Andy had brought her a coffee as well, and the redhead accepted it with a small smile. Andy had called her the night before and asked if she'd take some Paris clothes off her hands. Emily seemed to be upset still, but given her injuries, she would have had to miss the trip regardless. Andy was glad that they were on okay terms, she'd had to have things be awkward at work. She would make it up to Emily somehow.
"Coat, bag." The familiar voice said, tossing her Prada bag and matching coat onto Andy's desk. She didn't even look at the assistant. Andy tried to remind herself that this is how it was supposed to be at the office. She took the coat and bag, and hung them up with care in the closet. "Emily, get Dermarchelier on the phone, Andrea, come here, and by all means take all the time in the world as if the earth spins for Andrea Sachs."
Andy stood, and hurried to her boss's office. Miranda began rattling off a list of things she needed Andy to do for her. Andy began to write them down, making sure not to miss anything.
"I need you to use your brain, and get the right amount of scarves from Hermes. Last time you brought me 15 instead of 17. Do not make that mistake girls need new tennis shoes, I pre ordered some for them, and you will need to pick them up. I need you to call my lawyer and confirm the divorce hearing is still happening next week. I understand that's a big task, should you need someone else to handle it, you can pass it on to Emily. When you return, there will be a runthrough, and despite your clear lack of fashion knowledge, I think you should be present. I will need coffee when you return and if it's not extra hot, don't even bother. One more thing, this is another thing I need you to take care of. I wrote it down, I can't afford any incompetence with this assignment, so do not disappoint me again." Miranda said, holding out a post it note. Andy took it carefully. "That's all."
Andy nodded and exited the room. She wasn't sure if Miranda was trying extra hard to keep up her appearance or if Andy was just imagining it, but her boss seemed extra cold today. Andy returned to her desk to get started on Miranda's list. She started with the post it note, since it seemed to be the most important thing. She smiled when unfolded it and read the message.
Dinner tonight 8? The book will be delivered electronically. Two nods if yes, one nod if no.
Love, M.
Andy looked up to see Miranda looking at her. She quickly nodded her head twice. Miranda grinned at her quickly before returning to her work. Andy let out a sigh of relief. She already couldn't wait for the day to be over so she could be back with her Miranda.
DWP DWP DWP DWP DWP
Miranda was surrounded by incompetent people. All day she had been fixing mistakes made while she had been in Paris. It was exhausting, and she couldn't wait for the day to be over. She loved her job, but she hated tedious work. After rebooking two shoots, sending back three layouts, and firing one makeup artis, Miranda was beyond ready to go home. She was glad she had set up an electronic delivery of the book, and was thinking tonight would be a quick look through rather than her usual scouring of the pages.
When Miranda entered the townhouse, she could smell the dish she'd requested. A rather little know fact about the editor was that she loved to cook, she just rarely had the time. She had asked Cara to make Miranda's own mushroom risotto recipe she'd created. It was one of her favorites, and she knew Andrea loved risotto, even preferring it over steak. Which, of course, was Miranda's favorite meal.
"The girls are finishing up their reading assignment, and dinner is all ready to go." The nanny told Miranda. Miranda thanked her, and walked her to the door.
Miranda had given herself a little extra time to freshen up before Andrea came over. She quickly changed into her favorite True Religion jeans, and a Burberry sweater. She wanted Andrea to be able to see her in a more casual setting, and hoped the assistant would see how easy it was for the editor to open her world up for those she loved. Just as Miranda had finished touching up her makeup she heard the key turn in the door. She'd called Andrea to let her know it would be fine to let herself in. she had the key already anyhow. It made Miranda gitty to think of Andrea coming to her home.
"Mom! Andy is here!" Cassidy yelled up the stairs. It didn't matter how many times Miranda asked the older of the two twins not to scream in the house, she still preferred that method instead of coming all the way upstairs.
Miranda put on the final touch, Chanel Number 5. She knew the scent would drive Andy insane. She put on a few spritz before she headed downstairs. The twins were busy talking to Andy about the newest books they were reading. They had found out that Andy loved to read, and since then had been asking her for recommendations, and filling her in on what they'd read.
"Okay, girls, I think Andrea needs some room to breathe." Miranda smirked. The twins reluctantly let go of their new friend. "Go wash your hands for supper."
The twins raced off to get ready to eat. When Miranda was certain they wouldn't come running back in, she pulled Andrea in for a proper greeting. She kissed her quickly, but with as much passion as she could muster in those few seconds.
"Hello, darling." She smiled at the younger woman. She cupped her cheek in her hand. "I'm so glad you're here."
"It's so nice to see you outside of the office." Andy replied, sounding a little sad. Miranda frowned, and made a mental note about it for them to discuss when the twins were in bed. "I missed this."
"Me too, Andrea." Miranda assured her. She pulled back as the sound of the twins coming back was heard. "Ready for some food?"
The four women ate together, and the twins entertained them with stories from school. Caroline told Andy about a prank they played on a teacher who had given one of their friends a hard time. Apparently they'd sat a thumb tack on his chair, and he screamed so loud the principal heard from her office. No one could prove the twins had been responsible, and Caroline grinned with pride about it.
"He called Robbie stupid because he's dyslexic." Cassidy explained when Miranda looked at them with disapproval.
"Yeah, and he said Robbie's parents are not really his parents because he's adopted by his two dads," Caroline added with a frown that very much mimicked her mothers. "But families can look different. Just because he has two dads doesn't mean anything, right? And Mr. Schnieder shouldn't have said that about Robbie. He's a bully."
"Looks like I need to make a phone call to the school board tomorrow." Miranda commented. She smiled warmly at her twins. "I do love that you were standing up for your friend, but next time come to me and I will assist you. No need for you to become vigilantes."
"Vigilwhats?" Cassidy asked. Miranda and Andy laughed.
"Never mind, bobbsey." Miranda said. She looked down at her watch. "Alright, my loves. Off to bed with you. It's 9:15 already."
"But mooooom, Andy's here. Can't we stay up a little later?" Cassidy begged.
"Sorry, girls. Andrea has to help me with some very important paperwork. But, I'm sure if you hurry with putting on your pajamas and brushing your teeth, she'll come up and help tuck you in."
The twins hurried to get through their night routine. As promised, Andrea went upstairs with Miranda. The editor watched in awe as her assistant tucked in her twins and kissed each of their foreheads. She was amazed at how easily Andrea had come to fit into their little family. The twins never liked Stephen, but they already loved Andrea. Miranda couldn't wait for them to know that Andrea was so much more than just an assistant and friend.
Once the girls had fallen asleep, Andrea and Miranda retired to the study. Miranda got them each a cup of tea, her favorite night time beverage. The pair snuggled up close on the sofa. Andrea slipped herself into Miranda's arms.
"What's bothering you, my sweetheart?" Miranda asked, squeezing Andrea closer.
"I know we agreed to pretend like nothing has changed at work….but you were so cold this morning. I was worried you'd changed your mind about us for a moment." Andrea admitted. Miranda frowned.
"I am your boss, Andrea. I cannot coddle you at the office."
"I'm not asking you to, Miranda." Andy replied. She sat up and moved out of Miranda's embrace. "But you could at least treat me like a human. Or at the very least, you could say thank you every now and then. You were so harsh with me today. It honestly made me a little dizzy, all the back and forth."
"You're acting like a child, Andrea." Miranda said coolly. Truthfully, she was shocked at Andrea's words. They had discussed this at length.
"Damn it, Miranda. I am just asking for a little kindness here. You don't have to turn into Mary Freaking Poppins. I just want you to not treat me like I'm nothing."
"At Runway, when we're working and you are my assistant, you are nothing more than that." Miranda reminded her.
"Right, got it. Thanks for that."
Andrea stood, almost knocking over their mugs of tea. She ran a hand through her hair before turning back to Miranda. She looked at her seriously before she spoke.
"I love you. I want this to work. But I won't allow you to treat me like a doormat. We can be professional, and keep up the facade at work, but you need to be respectful to me," Andrea said. "If not, I can't do this."
"Andrea I-"
"I know it's a change for you. I'll give you some space to think about that."
DWP DWP DWP DWP DWP
Andy got home and kicked off her shoes. She flopped on the couch, and let the tears she'd been holding back fall. She had known things at the office would be different, but she hadn't expected Miranda to downright belittle her. She loved Miranda, she truly did. But, she wouldn't let anyone treat her that way. She felt her phone buzz, and picked it up, hoping to see Miranda's name. Instead, it was someone else.
"Hello? Nate?" She answered.
"Andy, hey. I heard you got back from Paris," Nate said into the phone. Andy was surprised that he called her. They had ended on bad terms. "I was just calling because Lily, Doug, and I are getting drinks with Doug's new boyfriend. I know you and Nigel work together, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with us."
"Oh, I don't know, Nate. I don't want to make things weird." She said.
"Come on, Andy, we're all friends. Look, I feel bad about how everything went down. I want us to be cool. Come with us tomorrow night. Please?"
"Okay, fine. I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She said.
In her head, Andy knew Miranda would not like this. Andy had told Miranda how much of an ass Nate and Lily had been to her. Miranda didn't like the way the two had spoken to Andy, and Andy agreed. They had been jerks, but still. They had all been friends for a long time, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to throw that all away. She'd deal with Miranda later.
A/N We've reached our first fight...