Hey peeps! Just a quick note to say that I am going to go back and edit some things (when I have time) on previous chapters and fix a few things. SO bear with me.
Enjoy!
The warm April sun filtered through the windows of Miranda's townhouse, casting a golden glow over the living room. It had been three months since Andrea and Vannah had been transferred to a rehabilitation facility in New York, and two weeks since Miranda had insisted on bringing them both to her home for the remainder of their recovery.
The transition had been far from smooth. Andrea, still grappling with the physical and emotional aftermath of her ordeal, often woke in the night, her screams echoing through the house. Vannah, while putting on a brave face, struggled with the pain of her knee replacement and the psychological weight of her near-death experience.
Miranda, for her part, found herself in uncharted territory. The ruthless editor-in-chief was now a caregiver, a role she approached with the same determination and attention to detail she applied to running Runway. But the challenges were unlike any she had faced before.
On this particular morning, Miranda stood in the kitchen, preparing a tray of tea and toast. The sound of shuffling footsteps made her turn to see Vannah making her way slowly into the room, leaning heavily on her cane.
"Good morning," Miranda said softly, taking in the older woman's drawn face and the dark circles under her eyes. "Rough night?"
Vannah nodded, easing herself onto a stool at the kitchen island. "Andy had another nightmare. I could hear her through the walls."
Miranda's heart clenched. She had spent countless nights by Andrea's bedside, holding her hand and murmuring words of comfort as the younger woman battled her demons. "I didn't hear her," she said, a note of frustration in her voice.
"You were dead on your feet, Miranda," Vannah said gently. "I told the girls to let you sleep."
The 'girls' in question were Caroline and Cassidy, who had taken to checking on Andrea and Vannah throughout the night. Their compassion and maturity in the face of this situation had brought tears to Miranda's eyes more than once.
"They shouldn't have to deal with this," Miranda sighed, placing a cup of tea in front of Vannah.
"Neither should you," Vannah pointed out. "But here we are."
Miranda met Vannah's gaze, seeing in it a reflection of her own exhaustion and worry. Over the past months, an unlikely friendship had blossomed between them. Vannah's straightforward nature and dry humor had broken through Miranda's icy exterior, providing a much-needed source of support and understanding.
"How's the pain today?" Miranda asked, nodding towards Vannah's knee.
Vannah grimaced. "Like someone's taking a cheese grater to my kneecap. But I'll live."
Just then, a crash from upstairs had both women tensing. Miranda was already moving towards the stairs when Andrea's voice rang out.
"I'm fine! I'm okay, I just... I dropped the hairbrush."
Miranda and Vannah exchanged a look. 'I'm fine' had become Andrea's mantra, even when she was anything but.
"I'll go," Miranda said softly. Vannah nodded, understanding in her eyes.
Miranda climbed the stairs, her heart heavy. She found Andrea in the guest room that had become hers, sitting on the edge of the bed, tears of frustration streaming down her face.
"Andrea," Miranda said gently, kneeling in front of her. "What happened?"
"I can't even brush my own hair," Andrea choked out. "I'm useless. I'm broken. I should just—"
"Stop," Miranda interrupted, her voice firm but kind. She took Andrea's hands in hers. "You are not broken. You are healing. There's a difference."
Andrea looked at her, brown eyes swimming with tears and something else—a vulnerability that made Miranda's heart ache. "Why are you doing all this, Miranda? Why do you care so much?"
The words Miranda longed to say caught in her throat. Instead, she reached for the hairbrush. "May I?"
Andrea nodded, turning slightly to allow Miranda access to her long, dark hair. As Miranda began to gently work out the tangles, she spoke softly.
"You know, when I received that call about your injury, I felt as though the world had stopped turning. The thought of losing you..." She paused, swallowing hard. "Andrea, you have become incredibly important to me. More than I ever thought possible."
Andrea remained silent, but Miranda could feel some of the tension leaving her body as she continued to brush her hair.
Later that afternoon, Miranda found Vannah in the study, poring over some paperwork. "Discharge papers," Vannah explained. "The Marines want to know if I'm going to try for active duty again or take a medical discharge."
Miranda sat beside her. "And what are you thinking?"
Vannah sighed heavily. "I don't know. The Corps has been my life for so long. But after everything... I'm not sure I have another tour in me."
"Whatever you decide," Miranda said, "you have a place here for as long as you need it."
Vannah looked at her, a small smile playing at her lips. "You know, for someone with a reputation as an ice queen, you're pretty damn warm, Miranda Priestly."
Miranda felt her cheeks warm slightly. "Yes, well, don't go spreading that around. I have a reputation to maintain."
They shared a chuckle, but Vannah's expression soon turned serious. "Miranda, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"When are you going to tell Andy that you're in love with her?"
Miranda's breath caught in her throat. "Vannah, I—"
"Don't try to deny it," Vannah interrupted gently. "I've seen the way you look at her, the way you care for her. And I know my daughter. She feels the same way."
Miranda's heart raced at Vannah's words. "She's been through so much," she said softly. "I don't want to add to her burden."
Vannah reached out, taking Miranda's hand. "Love isn't a burden, Miranda. It's a lifeline. And right now, Andy needs all the lifelines she can get."
Tears pricked at Miranda's eyes. "What if I'm not enough? What if I can't give her what she needs?"
"Oh, honey," Vannah said, hugging Miranda, her voice thick with emotion. "You already are. You already do. Every day, in a thousand little ways, you show her how much you care. But sometimes, people need to hear the words."
Miranda nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'm scared," she admitted in a whisper.
"Of course you are," Vannah said. "Love is terrifying. But it's also the most beautiful, powerful force in the world. And if anyone deserves to experience that, it's you and Andy."
Just then, they heard Andrea's voice calling from the living room. Miranda stood, wiping her eyes quickly.
"Go to her," Vannah said softly. "Tell her how you feel. Trust me, Miranda. It's time."
With a grateful nod to Vannah, Miranda made her way to the living room. She found Andrea curled up on the couch, a book open in her lap but her gaze distant.
"Andrea," Miranda said softly, sitting beside her. "There's something I need to tell you."
Andrea looked at her, curiosity and a hint of apprehension in her eyes. "What is it?"
Miranda took a deep breath, her heart pounding. She thought of all they had been through, of the long nights and difficult days, of the moments of laughter and tears they had shared. And in that moment, she knew Vannah was right. It was time.
"Andrea," she began, her voice soft but steady, "I love you. With everything I am and everything I have, I love you. I think I have for a long time, but I was too afraid to admit it, even to myself. But life is too short and too precious to hide from our feelings. You are the bravest, kindest, most remarkable person I have ever known. And if you'll have me, I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."
Andrea's eyes widened, filling with tears. For a moment that felt like an eternity, she said nothing. Then, with a sob that was half laugh, half cry, she threw her arms around Miranda.
"I love you too," she whispered fiercely. "God, Miranda, I love you so much."
As they held each other, both crying and laughing, Miranda caught sight of Vannah standing in the doorway. The older woman gave her a tearful smile and a thumbs up before quietly slipping away, leaving Miranda and Andrea to their newfound joy.
In that moment, surrounded by love and bathed in the warm afternoon light, Miranda knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. The road to recovery was long, but with love as their guide, anything was possible.