The FedEx package arrived at the Runway offices on a dreary Tuesday morning. Emily eyed it suspiciously, noting the military APO return address. With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, she placed it on Miranda's desk, wondering what could possibly be inside.
Miranda arrived in her usual whirlwind of coats and scarves, barking orders before she'd even fully entered her office. It wasn't until mid-afternoon that she finally noticed the package, her eyebrows rising slightly in recognition of the sender.
With uncharacteristic care, Miranda opened the package, revealing two sealed envelopes inside. One addressed to her in Andrea's neat handwriting, the other—surprisingly—addressed to "Caroline and Cassidy Priestly" in an unfamiliar script.
Miranda opened Andrea's letter first, her eyes quickly scanning the contents:
"Dear Miranda,
Your email left me speechless—a feat I'm sure you'll appreciate, given how chatty I can be. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but it's all I have. So, thank you. For your words, your support, and for seeing me as more than just an assistant who disappointed you by leaving.
Life here continues to be challenging, but your words have become a source of unexpected comfort. I find myself returning to them on particularly difficult days, drawing strength from the reminder that I'm capable of more than I sometimes believe.
The care package was a hit—not just with me, but with my entire unit. You should have seen their faces when I pulled out the latest issue of Runway. For a moment, we weren't soldiers in a war zone; we were just a group of people appreciating beautiful things. It was a much-needed respite.
Your offer of a position upon my return is... well, it's overwhelming, to be honest. I'm honored that you see potential in me beyond fetching coffee and meeting impossible demands. I don't know what the future holds, but I promise to give it serious thought.
I've enclosed a letter from my mother, Vannah, to your daughters. She overheard me talking about them once and was struck by the idea of twins serving as a support system for each other. She thought Caroline and Cassidy might enjoy hearing from a 'cool military mom' (her words, not mine). I hope you don't mind. If it's inappropriate, please feel free to discard it.
Thank you again, Miranda. For everything.
Yours,
Andrea"
Miranda set the letter down, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She picked up the second envelope, considering it for a moment before reaching for her phone.
"Emily, get me the twins on the phone. And clear my schedule for the next hour."
Moments later, Caroline and Cassidy's excited voices filled the office as Miranda explained about the letter. With their enthusiastic agreement, she opened Vannah's letter and began to read aloud:
"Dear Caroline and Cassidy,
You don't know me, but I'm Andrea Sachs' mom. I'm also a Marine, currently deployed with Andrea in Afghanistan. When I heard about you two, I couldn't help but think how amazing it must be to have a built-in best friend.
I thought you might like to hear about life over here from a mom's perspective. It's not all sand and camouflage, you know. Sometimes it's about making sure your daughter remembers to put on sunscreen (the desert sun is brutal) or reminding her that yes, she does need to eat her vegetables, even if they come from an MRE packet.
Did you know that we have movie nights here? Last week, we watched a film under the stars. The screen was just a white sheet hung between two Humvees, but with the vast Afghan sky above us, it felt magical.
I'd love to hear about your lives too. What's it like being twins? Do you have secret twin powers? (If you do, your secret's safe with me!) What's your favorite subject in school?
If you're interested in being penpals, I promise to tell you all sorts of cool (and maybe a few embarrassing) stories about your mom's former assistant.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Vannah St. Claire
Corporal, USMC"
As Miranda finished reading, she could hear the excitement in her daughters' voices. They chattered eagerly about what they would write back, asking Miranda if they could send pictures and drawings too.
"Of course, Bobbseys," Miranda said, her voice softer than it ever was at the office. "We'll put together a package this weekend. Now, tell me about your day..."
As she listened to her daughters' animated descriptions of school projects and friend drama, Miranda's eyes drifted back to Andrea's letter. The girl—no, the woman—continued to surprise her, bringing unexpected warmth into the Priestly household from halfway across the world.
Later that evening, as Miranda watched Caroline and Cassidy hunched over the dining room table, earnestly drafting their reply to Vannah, she felt a surge of gratitude. In her world of cutting-edge fashion and cutthroat competition, it was easy to forget the broader picture. But Andrea and Vannah, in their own ways, were offering her family a glimpse into a world far removed from their own—a gift Miranda hadn't known she wanted, but now treasured.
With a soft smile, Miranda pulled out her laptop. She had an email to write, thanking Andrea for this unexpected connection and sharing the twins' excitement. As her fingers flew over the keys, Miranda realized that somehow, against all odds, Andrea Sachs had once again managed to exceed her expectations.