DWP - fic Lucky Girls 11/15
This story was written for Peetsden as a part of the charity auction to benefit the Queensland flood victims.
For further disclaimers see part 1
“No way.” Andy stared at the 'more casual outfit' Miranda had laid out for her and shook her head. “No, friggin' way...” She looked at the sweat pants, white tank top and thick cushion-y, obviously brand new, socks and laughed. It was exactly the outfit she'd been wearing by the end of their night together at her apartment. “More casual indeed.” It did look comfy though and Andy had enough formalities for one evening so she kicked off the amazing shoes and began to strip out of the stunning dress that Miranda had given her.
She had just sat down on the edge of the bed to pull on the socks when a small knock at the door drew her attention, “Yes, come in.”
“Andrea...” Miranda opened the door, “I've cued up the movie.” She watched her guest quickly don the socks and smiled as she nodded approval at the outfit, “You look lovely.”
Laughing at that, Andy moved toward her host, “Thank you. It's sweat pants and a tank top, Miranda.” Andy raked her eyes down and back up Miranda's form and gave a little nod of her own, “Which I must say, I never pictured you in, but they look great on you too.”
“Thank you. You seemed so comfortable in them the other night, I thought I might try it.”
“And?” Andy smiled. “Do they meet with your approval?”
Miranda smoothed the fabric over her flat stomach and nodded, “Quite comfortable indeed.” She offered her arm to Andrea. “Shall we?”
Linking her arm in Miranda's, Andy felt the goosebumps rising on her bicep as their skin slid together. “What are we going to watch?”
“I am a great admirer of Audrey Hepburn's work.” Miranda led Andrea to the Entertainment room and they settled on the couch in the middle of the room. “I thought we might watch one of my favorites.” Picking up a large remote control, Miranda dimmed the lights and the movie began. It filled the nearly theater sized screen on the wall in front of them.
“Neat.” Andy curbed her desire to snuggle in with Miranda and settled for leaving their arms touching, from shoulder to wrist, as she tangled her fingers with Miranda's. “Maybe next time we can watch one of my favorites?”
Blue eyes glittered in the dimmed lighting. “That would be acceptable.”
They watched the entire movie in silence, just sitting side by side, holding hands. When it was over, Miranda brought the lights back up and asked, “What did you think?”
“I've always loved that movie.” Andy smiled, “I even liked the remake with Harrison Ford. But Audrey always brought something special to the roles she played.”
“Mmm... indeed.” Miranda licked her lips and brushed the back of her fingers against Andrea's cheek. “You remind me of her. You have that same classic beauty.”
“Um... wow.” Andy swallowed hard at the comment and the look in Miranda's eye. “Thank you.” Finding her confidence, Andy asked slyly, “So... does that make me Sabrina in this situation?”
Smiling, Miranda nodded, “I believe it does.”
“Sooo... which are you,” Andy turned slightly on the couch, it put a little distance between them, but she was facing Miranda more fully. “the playboy or the serious businessman?”
“Had my brother survived the car accident,” Miranda also turned, her hand reached up to caress Andrea's shoulder, “He would have been the playboy.”
“I see,” Her heartrate increasing with every soft touch and every word uttered, Andy whispered, “I guess that means you're the one for me.”
Miranda's gaze focused on Andrea's lips and she also whispered, “I suppose it does.” Leaning in, Miranda continued to speak softly, “Andrea, I'm going to kiss you now.”
Andy moved closer and nodded slightly just as Miranda's lips touched hers. She'd known it was coming and yet, the instant she felt Miranda's lips moving against her own, Andy's mind blanked out. For a long moment she didn't react, couldn't react. The sensations were too overwhelming, it was softness, heat, and electricity coursing through her. Before Andy could process anything else, the contact was broken and Miranda was moving away.
Miranda took a deep breath and nodded, “I see.” A small smile of bitter understanding hardened the so recently pliable lips into a thin line.
Dismay and urgency mixed in the strangled sound Andy made as she reached for Miranda, “No, you don't.” Pulling the woman back to her, Andy captured the hurt smile and proceeded to kiss it away. One hand found the back of Miranda's head, holding the older woman firmly in place, while the other explored the expanse of smooth shoulder exposed by the tank top. She was ecstatic to feel Miranda's fingers threading through her hair. The lightest of pressure deepened the kiss and as insistent tongues pressed into each other, Andy swallowed Miranda's soft moan.
Breaking the contact with Miranda's mouth, Andy trailed kisses down the side of Miranda's neck, smiling against the silken skin as Miranda's head tilted to allow her better access. The pulse point under her tongue fluttered rapidly and Andy broke the contact completely, moving back slightly. “Miranda, are you okay?”
Miranda shook her head slightly and tried to speak, only able to push a small whisper past her lips, “I didn't realize...”
“Miranda?” Andy now shifted closer to wrap her arms around Miranda's shoulders and felt the older woman trembling. “Sweetheart... please tell me what's wrong...”
Seizing on the term, Miranda recalled the stages that Andrea had listed for their relationship to follow and managed to speak, “Have we reached the 'Sweetheart' stage now?” Andy's million-watt smile lit the room.
“I believe we have.” She lightly rubbed Miranda's arms, “You're still shaking.”
Miranda took a deep shuddering breath, “You were correct when you refused to kiss me that day in the park.”
Andy's smile disappeared, “Oh... s...so you didn't... um... like it?” She began to put some distance between them.
“Andrea,” Miranda's voice alone stopped her girlfriend's motion, “If the experience then had been anything like we just had...” Miranda's darkened blue gaze met Andrea's large expressive eyes, “...I can only think that we would still be sitting on that bench, lost in a kiss.”
“Miranda,” Andy smiled, her dark eyes reflecting a mixture of desire and mischief, “Surely someone would have called the fire department, to hose us down...”
Reaching up to caress Andrea's cheek, Miranda shook her head, “It wouldn't have helped.” She licked her lips and searched the young woman's face intently. “Will you kiss me again?”
“Miranda...” Andy shifted and pulled Miranda closer as she whispered, “I will kiss you forever.”
Andy put her words into action and captured Miranda's mouth again, spending long, lovely moments exploring the new experience before stopping to catch her breath. Miranda too sucked great amounts of air into her lungs and spoke between panting breaths.
“Does that mean we won't reach the next level of our relationship? You intend on simply continuing to kiss me?”
“There is nothing simple about kissing you, Miranda.” Andy smiled and traced the outer edge of Miranda's face, trailing her fingers along her jawline and down the smooth neck to the small hollow just at the base of Miranda's throat. “And I do indeed intend on kissing you again, and again and again... but I also intend to... as you say, take us to the next level at some point.”
“I see.” Swallowing hard, Miranda pulled herself away from Andrea and stood. She moved to a shuttered window and opened it to see a nice view of the rooftops and some of the cityscape. Warm arms slid around her waist and soft lips kissed the back of her neck, exactly where Andrea had kissed her this morning when she had awakened to find herself in bed with the young woman.
“Hey...” Andy rested her chin on Miranda's shoulder and assured her, “It's okay. If you don't want...”
Turning in Andrea's arms, Miranda's fingers pressed to the young woman's lips, stopping her speech. “I do want, Andrea. I more than want... I need...” She tried to organize her thoughts while Andrea's lovely dark eyes threatened to swallow her whole. “But what I need...is...” Miranda let her hand fall away and shook her head, “...complicated.” How could she explain her desire for a relationship involving emotions that were deeper than mere sexual encounters?
Andy chuckled, “It's not that complicated, Miranda.” She leaned forward and kissed Miranda's forehead, “You don't just want to have sex. I understand and I agree.”
“Oh, but I...” Miranda blinked as Andrea's long fingers now stopped her speech.
“Listen to me.” Caressing Miranda's lips as she lowered her hand, Andy smiled, “I do not want to have sex with you.” She kissed Miranda gently and assured the older woman, “I do, however, very much want to make love with you. When we're both ready.”
“Both...” Miranda tried to break the embrace, “Implying that you are ready now and are waiting on me.”
“Implying...” Andy held fast, not allowing Miranda to put any distance between them, “that it is far too early in our relationship for declarations of love.” She smiled as Miranda stopped trying to move away. “We send each other flowers and postcards, texts and emails. We have dinner and hold hands while watching movies, kiss on the couch, dance at concerts in the park and watch the sun set together. Those are all good things, Miranda. With better things yet to come.”
“You forgot the gifts.” Miranda laid her head on Andrea's shoulder, “We exchange small gifts...”
“No, Miranda.” Andy chuckled, “You have given me gifts, and they aren't so small... I don't have any clue what the gloves cost, but the outfit you sent was probably a month's take-home pay, for me. The shoes would have been an entire week's pay. The overnight bag alone is almost as much as the Christian Lou's... and then the contents...” Andy shook her head, “I can't reciprocate that, Miranda, at least, not until I sell a few novels,” she grinned, “or win the lottery. But I love spending time with you, in the park, with you here, with you and the girls... that's really all I need. Time with you.”
“Spending time with you is lovely for me as well, Andrea.” Miranda tilted her head and addressed Andrea's previous comment. “You want to be a novelist?” This was new information, “I was under the impression you were happy being a newspaper reporter.”
“Mmm...” Andy released her hold, but remained in contact with Miranda through their hands. “Can we sit?”
“Of course.”
They settled back onto the couch and Andy answered the implied question. “I do love being a reporter, writing articles that inform people of important things is fun and I feel as though I'm going some good. And I love editing, like I did in college. I will do that for as long as I can. But, you and I both know that newspapers are a dying breed. I need to find another way to use the skills I have, to support myself,” Andy tilted her head to lightly touch Miranda's, “and my partner, in the manner to which we're accustomed.”
“Partner?” Miranda smiled, “So we've just skipped the 'lover' level and gone directly to 'partner'?”
Laughing at that, Andy grinned, “We haven't skipped it, I was speaking in the future sense.” Dark eyes twinkled with amusement, “After all, I haven't even submitted any of my finished novels to anyone, yet.”
“Mmm...” Blue eyes crinkled around the edges, “Nor have you won the lottery, I assume.”
“Nope, not yet.” Andy chuckled, “I did buy a ticket the other day though, when I bought your postcard.” She shrugged, “I was feeling kinda lucky.”
“Were you?” Miranda was charmed by the sentiment.
“Yep...” Andy shifted closer. “Um.. Miranda... you know, just because we aren't going to...” she grinned, “doesn't mean we can't make out for a while...” Andy's eyebrows moved up and down a few times and she grinned as Miranda burst out laughing. “Right?”
“Oh, yes.” Miranda pulled Andrea closer then lay back as the young woman shifted to press the length of their bodies together as their lips once again meshed. Thoughts of everything, except the immediate sensation of Andrea's warmth against her, were driven away and Miranda did something she very rarely allowed herself to do.
She became lost in the moment.
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Andy reveled in the sensation of Miranda's lips moving against hers. Her hands caressed Miranda's curves, loving how her hand fit so perfectly in the dip between Miranda's ribs and hips. She alternated kissing Miranda's lips and her neck. It occurred to her that her lips were becoming a little tender and Andy wondered, for a brief second, just how long they had been laying on this couch kissing each other. Then Miranda's hand fit itself against the small of her back and Andy couldn't care less about the time. It couldn't have been that long anyway, right? With a deep breath, Andy pulled herself away from Miranda and looked around the room for a clock. The window caught her attention and Andy moved, reluctantly, to sit up, “Miranda...” Andy blinked at the light filtering through the window. “Miranda, it's morning!”
“What?” Miranda also struggled to sit up and looked toward the window. “But...”
Andy began to laugh, “We've been kissing all night!” From the expression on Miranda's face, Andy could tell it was just as much of a shock to Miranda as it was to her. “It seems like it hadn't been more than a few minutes.”
“I have never been so... absorbed in someone before.” Miranda sighed and leaned against her girlfriend, “We missed the sunrise.”
Grinning at that, Andy spoke softly to the woman in her arms, “You know one of the things I do like about sunrises?”
“Hmmm?” Miranda was a little preoccupied with the idea of losing as much time as she had tonight. “What's that?”
Ignoring the tenderness of her lips, Andy pressed them quickly against Miranda's temple. “There is always another one, tomorrow.”
Miranda grunted at that, “Well, Little Orphan Annie, would you care for something to eat? Some gruel perhaps?”
“Honestly?” Andy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “I'm really rather tired. Do you think it would be alright if I napped for a while, before I head home?”
“Of course,” Miranda smiled, “Stay as long as you like. The girls are at their father's this weekend, and I have no plans.”
Andy licked her lips lightly, “What about the museum thing? The fashion exhibit opening... isn't that tonight?”
Nodding, Miranda exhaled noisily through her nose, since her mouth was busy turning downward in a frown, “I suppose I should attend for at least half an hour. It will be tedious at best.” She bit out the truth, “They have a wax sculpture of me in the exhibit.”
“What?” Andy was amazed that Miranda wasn't more excited about being immortalized in the museum.
“It's hideous.” Miranda knew how the evening would go. “There will be hundreds of people there, telling me how the horrid thing looks 'just like me'.” She looked at Andrea, “Would you like to attend? I have an extra invitation.”
“You mean, just go, or go with you?” Andy wasn't sure either of them were ready for the press that would bring.
“Are you ready for that kind of publicity?” Miranda shook her head, “Too soon for that I think. But I would welcome your presence even at a distance.”
“Okay then,” Andy smiled, “Never let it be said I don't support my girlfriend...” she bumped her shoulder lightly against Miranda's, “even at a distance.” Yawning, Andy stood and stretched, “Whoa... I'm gonna need some rest though, otherwise I'll be useless in a social situation.”
“Mmm...” Miranda nodded. “I'm quite tired as well.” Her blue eyes twinkled with barely contained amusement, “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not...” Andy offered her hand to assist Miranda up from the couch, “You need your sleep too. We wouldn't want you to be cranky from no sleep now, would we?”
Running her tongue across her teeth, Miranda chuckled, “Not that anyone would know the difference, but no, we don't want that at all.”
They walked arm in arm to the guest bedroom that Andrea used and settled in the bed. Miranda was amazed to find herself already drifting off to sleep, even with the young woman's lanky arms wrapped around her. She tried to think of the last time she had been so comfortable sleeping in the same bed with someone else then began to laugh.
“What?” Andy sleepily asked, “What's so funny?”
“The only other time I've felt this comfortable in bed was also with a female.” Miranda grinned as the arms around her tightened and Andrea's voice was tinged with jealousy.
“Who?”
Twisting around to keep the arms around her, but enough to see Andrea, Miranda winked, “Patricia.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Andy kissed Miranda's cheek. She settled her arm around Miranda and laid back down on her pillow. “Go to sleep, you're obviously delirious.”
Miranda too resumed her comfortable position, comforted by Andrea's arm around her, and smirked as she closed her eyes, “Yes, Andrea.”
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Miranda was right, Andy thought as she stared at the wax figure, It is hideous. In the fifteen minutes she'd been standing here, staring at the wax likeness Andy had heard several comments, as Miranda had predicted, exclaiming how much the thing looked like Miranda. It was, Andy admitted a fairly decent likeness as far as the sculpture went but there was a plastic quality to the figure that was just entirely wrong. A decidedly British voice hissed low in her ear.
“What are you doing here?”
Andy smiled but never took her eyes off the wax statue's face, “Hello, Em.”
“Don't 'Hello, Em' me!” Emily scoffed, “She will be here soon! Leave. Now!”
Turning to see Emily's face, Andy answered firmly, “No.”
Emily's eyes hardened, “Well at least you're wearing something decent.”
Andy grinned, “You look nice too, Em.”
“Ladies,” A cheery man with a slight accent stepped, not quite between them, “I see you are admiring my work.”
Andy's nostrils flared as she turned her dark eyes on him, “You did this?” She gestured to the faux-Miranda.
“Indeed,” He smiled proudly, “It is a good likeness, no?”
“No.” Andy replied, watching his smile fade, “I think it's an abomination.”
“Andrea! Really...” Emily's words didn't quite have the sting they would normally have though, because she too thought the wax figure was just, wrong, somehow.
“But...” The sculptor gestured to his work, “It is just as she is, in every picture I was given...”
That was it, Andy realized, at least one problem with the figure. It was so very still, Miranda, the real Miranda, was always in motion. “You've never actually met Miranda?”
“No...” He shook his head, “There wasn't time, her schedule is very exacting and they needed the piece for the exhibit!”
The air in the room shifted and Andy glanced toward the entrance of the display, “Well, now's your chance.” She directed the artist's attention to the woman in question and leaned close to his ear, “Watch her for five minutes, then tell me that thing,” she motioned toward the statue, “isn't hideous.” She watched him being drawn closer to Miranda's circle of light then turned to Emily, “Nice to see you again, Em...” Her eyes shifted to Miranda's progress being hindered by well wishers. Isabel was half a step behind Miranda as her assistant should be. Andy wouldn't have minded speaking to Miranda in public but she had forgotten about Isabel's presence. Andy knew the assistant would recognize her as the flower delivery person. “Time for me to fly.”
Emily released an exasperated breath, “I told you that earlier...”
Andy grinned, “Tell Nigel and Serena I said hi.”
“Go!”
Ducking away, Andy avoided Isabel's roaming eyes but managed to give Miranda a small wink and nod, from a distance, before disappearing into the restroom. As soon as the bathroom door shut behind her, Andy checked her watch, in half an hour Miranda would be leaving. She looked around the empty room and nodded to herself in the mirror, “Ah well, you've spent longer amounts of time in worse places, Sachs...” Taking one of the surprisingly comfortable seats, Andy held her phone at the ready so in case someone walked in, she could pretend to be texting, or speaking to someone and settled in for the wait. She wasn't particularly worried about that happening. It was early in the evening and she didn't expect many people to be availing themselves of the facilities just yet. Plus, with Miranda's arrival, most people would want to be out there in Miranda's presence. Andy knew that her 'hiding' in the bathroom would make even more sense to anyone who knew Miranda that happened to come in. Because, no one would blame a former assistant, especially her, for ducking away from the gathering while Miranda was in attendance.
Andy had come to realize during her first few minutes there, that her dramatic departure in Paris was still spoken of in certain circles. Whether the comments were favorable or not depended entirely on the circle doing the speaking.
She'd slept quite well today, waking up very late in the day, with her arms around Miranda. That particular way of waking up was an experience Andy was sure she wanted to do as often as possible. They had cooked a light meal and, after eating and cleaning up the mess, Andy had gone back to her apartment to change while Miranda also prepared for the evening. Even with her hours of restful sleep next to Miranda, Andy tilted her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, just for a minute.
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A warm breeze swayed the palm trees and touched Andy's face. The wooden lounge chair she was leaning against scratched her back slightly as she looked out over the ocean. There were a few surfers on the water and a vaguely familiar form watched over two of the smaller ones playing on Boogie boards at the edge of the water. The sun was just beginning to pink the sky. Tearing her eyes away from the beautiful sunrise, Andy looked to her right to see Miranda there with her. She knew that the sunset would be equally as beautiful and couldn't wait to share that with Miranda as well. A butterfly tickled her cheek and Andy waved it away. It landed on her shoulder, heavier now and although the Miranda next to her never said a word, the butterfly spoke with Miranda's quiet voice.
“Andrea, wake up.”
“What?” Andy blinked her eyes open to see Miranda staring down at her. “Oh, Miranda... sorry.” She winced and grabbed a tissue to wipe the small bit of drool that had escaped the corner of her mouth, “I fell asleep.”
“Mmm...” The fashion icon nodded, “Obviously.” Turning to the mirror, knowing they were alone in the room, Miranda spoke with just a hint of amusement. “You seemed very peaceful, sleeping there, without me.” Her mirror image sprouted two extra arms as Andrea embraced her from behind. A light kiss, minimizing the chance of lipstick transfer, touched her shoulder.
“I was dreaming of you, does that count?”
“Were you?” Miranda was skeptical at that.
“Oh yes, we were on some tropical island, Hawaii maybe. Because we were watching the sunrise, and I was thinking that sharing the sunset with you later would also be great.” Andy rested her chin on Miranda's shoulder and looked at their reflection in the mirror, promising, “One day, when I win the lottery, or sell my first novel, I'll take us there. Whaddaya say? Would you like a fantastical trip to a tropical island?”
“Just me and you?” Miranda watched Andrea's reflection closely.
“That would be nice, but no.” Andy gently squeezed Miranda then began to release her hold. “The girls, Tay and Sam, would be there too.” She winked at her girlfriend, “At least, they were there in the dream, playing on those Boogie boards you insisted I get for them, back when I was your assistant.” Andy held her breath and used the 'F' word, “It would be a... family vacation.”
Miranda smiled and reached up and back to hold Andrea's cheek in her palm for a brief second, “That sounds lovely.”
Andy's mega-watt smile appeared and she kissed Miranda's palm. “Good! Still though, it's a ways off. I have to win the lottery...or sell my novel. Either way there's all that paperwork... ”
“You've already written a novel?” Miranda was intrigued, “I want to read it...”
“It may not be your cup of tea, Miranda... it's kinda.. Princess, Dragon, fantasy stuff...”
Feeling the tension in Andrea's form, Miranda softened her tone, “Please?”
A deep breath filled Andy's nose with Miranda's signature fragrance and she nodded, “Let me spiff it up first.”
Miranda chuckled, “Of course.” With a deep breath, Miranda turned to look directly into Andrea's eyes, “Thank you, for being here.”
“Of course,” Andy brushed the ends of their noses together, “What else are girlfriends for if not to lend moral support for a poorly executed wax sculpture in a major museum exhibit opening?”
Chuckling at that, Miranda gave the impression of shrugging without actually moving, “I wouldn't have a clue.” Reluctantly, she began to move away. “I must go. The car and driver will be waiting for me by now. Will you return to the townhouse tonight?”
“No.” Andy stopped Miranda from moving away and pulled her back, holding the lengths of their bodies together. “Come and stay with me at my apartment tonight.” She flashed a smile as Miranda pretended to think about it.
“Hmmm...” Blue eyes sparkled with amusement, “When?”
Checking the time on her cell phone, Andy calculated the subway travel time, “I should be home by ten.”
With a nod and a final butterfly caress to Andrea's cheek, Miranda moved away. “I will be there.”
Andy watched as the door closed behind Miranda, leaving her alone in the powder room again. She decided to wait another five minutes. That should be enough time for Miranda to get out the door.
The bathroom door opened and as though Miranda's departure had opened a gate, a steady stream of attendees paraded through the room for the next several minutes. Andy listened to the snarky comments being tossed around, grinning a little when the topic turned to Miranda. Most of the comments had to do with Miranda's legendary Dragon Lady status and how they would hate to be the person who created that wax figure. Andy eavesdropped, while she pretended to send texts and actually sent one before she rose and left the roomful of gossiping women.
Part 12:
http://akasarahsmom.livejournal.com/36583.html
For further disclaimers see part 1
“No way.” Andy stared at the 'more casual outfit' Miranda had laid out for her and shook her head. “No, friggin' way...” She looked at the sweat pants, white tank top and thick cushion-y, obviously brand new, socks and laughed. It was exactly the outfit she'd been wearing by the end of their night together at her apartment. “More casual indeed.” It did look comfy though and Andy had enough formalities for one evening so she kicked off the amazing shoes and began to strip out of the stunning dress that Miranda had given her.
She had just sat down on the edge of the bed to pull on the socks when a small knock at the door drew her attention, “Yes, come in.”
“Andrea...” Miranda opened the door, “I've cued up the movie.” She watched her guest quickly don the socks and smiled as she nodded approval at the outfit, “You look lovely.”
Laughing at that, Andy moved toward her host, “Thank you. It's sweat pants and a tank top, Miranda.” Andy raked her eyes down and back up Miranda's form and gave a little nod of her own, “Which I must say, I never pictured you in, but they look great on you too.”
“Thank you. You seemed so comfortable in them the other night, I thought I might try it.”
“And?” Andy smiled. “Do they meet with your approval?”
Miranda smoothed the fabric over her flat stomach and nodded, “Quite comfortable indeed.” She offered her arm to Andrea. “Shall we?”
Linking her arm in Miranda's, Andy felt the goosebumps rising on her bicep as their skin slid together. “What are we going to watch?”
“I am a great admirer of Audrey Hepburn's work.” Miranda led Andrea to the Entertainment room and they settled on the couch in the middle of the room. “I thought we might watch one of my favorites.” Picking up a large remote control, Miranda dimmed the lights and the movie began. It filled the nearly theater sized screen on the wall in front of them.
“Neat.” Andy curbed her desire to snuggle in with Miranda and settled for leaving their arms touching, from shoulder to wrist, as she tangled her fingers with Miranda's. “Maybe next time we can watch one of my favorites?”
Blue eyes glittered in the dimmed lighting. “That would be acceptable.”
They watched the entire movie in silence, just sitting side by side, holding hands. When it was over, Miranda brought the lights back up and asked, “What did you think?”
“I've always loved that movie.” Andy smiled, “I even liked the remake with Harrison Ford. But Audrey always brought something special to the roles she played.”
“Mmm... indeed.” Miranda licked her lips and brushed the back of her fingers against Andrea's cheek. “You remind me of her. You have that same classic beauty.”
“Um... wow.” Andy swallowed hard at the comment and the look in Miranda's eye. “Thank you.” Finding her confidence, Andy asked slyly, “So... does that make me Sabrina in this situation?”
Smiling, Miranda nodded, “I believe it does.”
“Sooo... which are you,” Andy turned slightly on the couch, it put a little distance between them, but she was facing Miranda more fully. “the playboy or the serious businessman?”
“Had my brother survived the car accident,” Miranda also turned, her hand reached up to caress Andrea's shoulder, “He would have been the playboy.”
“I see,” Her heartrate increasing with every soft touch and every word uttered, Andy whispered, “I guess that means you're the one for me.”
Miranda's gaze focused on Andrea's lips and she also whispered, “I suppose it does.” Leaning in, Miranda continued to speak softly, “Andrea, I'm going to kiss you now.”
Andy moved closer and nodded slightly just as Miranda's lips touched hers. She'd known it was coming and yet, the instant she felt Miranda's lips moving against her own, Andy's mind blanked out. For a long moment she didn't react, couldn't react. The sensations were too overwhelming, it was softness, heat, and electricity coursing through her. Before Andy could process anything else, the contact was broken and Miranda was moving away.
Miranda took a deep breath and nodded, “I see.” A small smile of bitter understanding hardened the so recently pliable lips into a thin line.
Dismay and urgency mixed in the strangled sound Andy made as she reached for Miranda, “No, you don't.” Pulling the woman back to her, Andy captured the hurt smile and proceeded to kiss it away. One hand found the back of Miranda's head, holding the older woman firmly in place, while the other explored the expanse of smooth shoulder exposed by the tank top. She was ecstatic to feel Miranda's fingers threading through her hair. The lightest of pressure deepened the kiss and as insistent tongues pressed into each other, Andy swallowed Miranda's soft moan.
Breaking the contact with Miranda's mouth, Andy trailed kisses down the side of Miranda's neck, smiling against the silken skin as Miranda's head tilted to allow her better access. The pulse point under her tongue fluttered rapidly and Andy broke the contact completely, moving back slightly. “Miranda, are you okay?”
Miranda shook her head slightly and tried to speak, only able to push a small whisper past her lips, “I didn't realize...”
“Miranda?” Andy now shifted closer to wrap her arms around Miranda's shoulders and felt the older woman trembling. “Sweetheart... please tell me what's wrong...”
Seizing on the term, Miranda recalled the stages that Andrea had listed for their relationship to follow and managed to speak, “Have we reached the 'Sweetheart' stage now?” Andy's million-watt smile lit the room.
“I believe we have.” She lightly rubbed Miranda's arms, “You're still shaking.”
Miranda took a deep shuddering breath, “You were correct when you refused to kiss me that day in the park.”
Andy's smile disappeared, “Oh... s...so you didn't... um... like it?” She began to put some distance between them.
“Andrea,” Miranda's voice alone stopped her girlfriend's motion, “If the experience then had been anything like we just had...” Miranda's darkened blue gaze met Andrea's large expressive eyes, “...I can only think that we would still be sitting on that bench, lost in a kiss.”
“Miranda,” Andy smiled, her dark eyes reflecting a mixture of desire and mischief, “Surely someone would have called the fire department, to hose us down...”
Reaching up to caress Andrea's cheek, Miranda shook her head, “It wouldn't have helped.” She licked her lips and searched the young woman's face intently. “Will you kiss me again?”
“Miranda...” Andy shifted and pulled Miranda closer as she whispered, “I will kiss you forever.”
Andy put her words into action and captured Miranda's mouth again, spending long, lovely moments exploring the new experience before stopping to catch her breath. Miranda too sucked great amounts of air into her lungs and spoke between panting breaths.
“Does that mean we won't reach the next level of our relationship? You intend on simply continuing to kiss me?”
“There is nothing simple about kissing you, Miranda.” Andy smiled and traced the outer edge of Miranda's face, trailing her fingers along her jawline and down the smooth neck to the small hollow just at the base of Miranda's throat. “And I do indeed intend on kissing you again, and again and again... but I also intend to... as you say, take us to the next level at some point.”
“I see.” Swallowing hard, Miranda pulled herself away from Andrea and stood. She moved to a shuttered window and opened it to see a nice view of the rooftops and some of the cityscape. Warm arms slid around her waist and soft lips kissed the back of her neck, exactly where Andrea had kissed her this morning when she had awakened to find herself in bed with the young woman.
“Hey...” Andy rested her chin on Miranda's shoulder and assured her, “It's okay. If you don't want...”
Turning in Andrea's arms, Miranda's fingers pressed to the young woman's lips, stopping her speech. “I do want, Andrea. I more than want... I need...” She tried to organize her thoughts while Andrea's lovely dark eyes threatened to swallow her whole. “But what I need...is...” Miranda let her hand fall away and shook her head, “...complicated.” How could she explain her desire for a relationship involving emotions that were deeper than mere sexual encounters?
Andy chuckled, “It's not that complicated, Miranda.” She leaned forward and kissed Miranda's forehead, “You don't just want to have sex. I understand and I agree.”
“Oh, but I...” Miranda blinked as Andrea's long fingers now stopped her speech.
“Listen to me.” Caressing Miranda's lips as she lowered her hand, Andy smiled, “I do not want to have sex with you.” She kissed Miranda gently and assured the older woman, “I do, however, very much want to make love with you. When we're both ready.”
“Both...” Miranda tried to break the embrace, “Implying that you are ready now and are waiting on me.”
“Implying...” Andy held fast, not allowing Miranda to put any distance between them, “that it is far too early in our relationship for declarations of love.” She smiled as Miranda stopped trying to move away. “We send each other flowers and postcards, texts and emails. We have dinner and hold hands while watching movies, kiss on the couch, dance at concerts in the park and watch the sun set together. Those are all good things, Miranda. With better things yet to come.”
“You forgot the gifts.” Miranda laid her head on Andrea's shoulder, “We exchange small gifts...”
“No, Miranda.” Andy chuckled, “You have given me gifts, and they aren't so small... I don't have any clue what the gloves cost, but the outfit you sent was probably a month's take-home pay, for me. The shoes would have been an entire week's pay. The overnight bag alone is almost as much as the Christian Lou's... and then the contents...” Andy shook her head, “I can't reciprocate that, Miranda, at least, not until I sell a few novels,” she grinned, “or win the lottery. But I love spending time with you, in the park, with you here, with you and the girls... that's really all I need. Time with you.”
“Spending time with you is lovely for me as well, Andrea.” Miranda tilted her head and addressed Andrea's previous comment. “You want to be a novelist?” This was new information, “I was under the impression you were happy being a newspaper reporter.”
“Mmm...” Andy released her hold, but remained in contact with Miranda through their hands. “Can we sit?”
“Of course.”
They settled back onto the couch and Andy answered the implied question. “I do love being a reporter, writing articles that inform people of important things is fun and I feel as though I'm going some good. And I love editing, like I did in college. I will do that for as long as I can. But, you and I both know that newspapers are a dying breed. I need to find another way to use the skills I have, to support myself,” Andy tilted her head to lightly touch Miranda's, “and my partner, in the manner to which we're accustomed.”
“Partner?” Miranda smiled, “So we've just skipped the 'lover' level and gone directly to 'partner'?”
Laughing at that, Andy grinned, “We haven't skipped it, I was speaking in the future sense.” Dark eyes twinkled with amusement, “After all, I haven't even submitted any of my finished novels to anyone, yet.”
“Mmm...” Blue eyes crinkled around the edges, “Nor have you won the lottery, I assume.”
“Nope, not yet.” Andy chuckled, “I did buy a ticket the other day though, when I bought your postcard.” She shrugged, “I was feeling kinda lucky.”
“Were you?” Miranda was charmed by the sentiment.
“Yep...” Andy shifted closer. “Um.. Miranda... you know, just because we aren't going to...” she grinned, “doesn't mean we can't make out for a while...” Andy's eyebrows moved up and down a few times and she grinned as Miranda burst out laughing. “Right?”
“Oh, yes.” Miranda pulled Andrea closer then lay back as the young woman shifted to press the length of their bodies together as their lips once again meshed. Thoughts of everything, except the immediate sensation of Andrea's warmth against her, were driven away and Miranda did something she very rarely allowed herself to do.
She became lost in the moment.
------------
Andy reveled in the sensation of Miranda's lips moving against hers. Her hands caressed Miranda's curves, loving how her hand fit so perfectly in the dip between Miranda's ribs and hips. She alternated kissing Miranda's lips and her neck. It occurred to her that her lips were becoming a little tender and Andy wondered, for a brief second, just how long they had been laying on this couch kissing each other. Then Miranda's hand fit itself against the small of her back and Andy couldn't care less about the time. It couldn't have been that long anyway, right? With a deep breath, Andy pulled herself away from Miranda and looked around the room for a clock. The window caught her attention and Andy moved, reluctantly, to sit up, “Miranda...” Andy blinked at the light filtering through the window. “Miranda, it's morning!”
“What?” Miranda also struggled to sit up and looked toward the window. “But...”
Andy began to laugh, “We've been kissing all night!” From the expression on Miranda's face, Andy could tell it was just as much of a shock to Miranda as it was to her. “It seems like it hadn't been more than a few minutes.”
“I have never been so... absorbed in someone before.” Miranda sighed and leaned against her girlfriend, “We missed the sunrise.”
Grinning at that, Andy spoke softly to the woman in her arms, “You know one of the things I do like about sunrises?”
“Hmmm?” Miranda was a little preoccupied with the idea of losing as much time as she had tonight. “What's that?”
Ignoring the tenderness of her lips, Andy pressed them quickly against Miranda's temple. “There is always another one, tomorrow.”
Miranda grunted at that, “Well, Little Orphan Annie, would you care for something to eat? Some gruel perhaps?”
“Honestly?” Andy took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “I'm really rather tired. Do you think it would be alright if I napped for a while, before I head home?”
“Of course,” Miranda smiled, “Stay as long as you like. The girls are at their father's this weekend, and I have no plans.”
Andy licked her lips lightly, “What about the museum thing? The fashion exhibit opening... isn't that tonight?”
Nodding, Miranda exhaled noisily through her nose, since her mouth was busy turning downward in a frown, “I suppose I should attend for at least half an hour. It will be tedious at best.” She bit out the truth, “They have a wax sculpture of me in the exhibit.”
“What?” Andy was amazed that Miranda wasn't more excited about being immortalized in the museum.
“It's hideous.” Miranda knew how the evening would go. “There will be hundreds of people there, telling me how the horrid thing looks 'just like me'.” She looked at Andrea, “Would you like to attend? I have an extra invitation.”
“You mean, just go, or go with you?” Andy wasn't sure either of them were ready for the press that would bring.
“Are you ready for that kind of publicity?” Miranda shook her head, “Too soon for that I think. But I would welcome your presence even at a distance.”
“Okay then,” Andy smiled, “Never let it be said I don't support my girlfriend...” she bumped her shoulder lightly against Miranda's, “even at a distance.” Yawning, Andy stood and stretched, “Whoa... I'm gonna need some rest though, otherwise I'll be useless in a social situation.”
“Mmm...” Miranda nodded. “I'm quite tired as well.” Her blue eyes twinkled with barely contained amusement, “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not...” Andy offered her hand to assist Miranda up from the couch, “You need your sleep too. We wouldn't want you to be cranky from no sleep now, would we?”
Running her tongue across her teeth, Miranda chuckled, “Not that anyone would know the difference, but no, we don't want that at all.”
They walked arm in arm to the guest bedroom that Andrea used and settled in the bed. Miranda was amazed to find herself already drifting off to sleep, even with the young woman's lanky arms wrapped around her. She tried to think of the last time she had been so comfortable sleeping in the same bed with someone else then began to laugh.
“What?” Andy sleepily asked, “What's so funny?”
“The only other time I've felt this comfortable in bed was also with a female.” Miranda grinned as the arms around her tightened and Andrea's voice was tinged with jealousy.
“Who?”
Twisting around to keep the arms around her, but enough to see Andrea, Miranda winked, “Patricia.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Andy kissed Miranda's cheek. She settled her arm around Miranda and laid back down on her pillow. “Go to sleep, you're obviously delirious.”
Miranda too resumed her comfortable position, comforted by Andrea's arm around her, and smirked as she closed her eyes, “Yes, Andrea.”
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Miranda was right, Andy thought as she stared at the wax figure, It is hideous. In the fifteen minutes she'd been standing here, staring at the wax likeness Andy had heard several comments, as Miranda had predicted, exclaiming how much the thing looked like Miranda. It was, Andy admitted a fairly decent likeness as far as the sculpture went but there was a plastic quality to the figure that was just entirely wrong. A decidedly British voice hissed low in her ear.
“What are you doing here?”
Andy smiled but never took her eyes off the wax statue's face, “Hello, Em.”
“Don't 'Hello, Em' me!” Emily scoffed, “She will be here soon! Leave. Now!”
Turning to see Emily's face, Andy answered firmly, “No.”
Emily's eyes hardened, “Well at least you're wearing something decent.”
Andy grinned, “You look nice too, Em.”
“Ladies,” A cheery man with a slight accent stepped, not quite between them, “I see you are admiring my work.”
Andy's nostrils flared as she turned her dark eyes on him, “You did this?” She gestured to the faux-Miranda.
“Indeed,” He smiled proudly, “It is a good likeness, no?”
“No.” Andy replied, watching his smile fade, “I think it's an abomination.”
“Andrea! Really...” Emily's words didn't quite have the sting they would normally have though, because she too thought the wax figure was just, wrong, somehow.
“But...” The sculptor gestured to his work, “It is just as she is, in every picture I was given...”
That was it, Andy realized, at least one problem with the figure. It was so very still, Miranda, the real Miranda, was always in motion. “You've never actually met Miranda?”
“No...” He shook his head, “There wasn't time, her schedule is very exacting and they needed the piece for the exhibit!”
The air in the room shifted and Andy glanced toward the entrance of the display, “Well, now's your chance.” She directed the artist's attention to the woman in question and leaned close to his ear, “Watch her for five minutes, then tell me that thing,” she motioned toward the statue, “isn't hideous.” She watched him being drawn closer to Miranda's circle of light then turned to Emily, “Nice to see you again, Em...” Her eyes shifted to Miranda's progress being hindered by well wishers. Isabel was half a step behind Miranda as her assistant should be. Andy wouldn't have minded speaking to Miranda in public but she had forgotten about Isabel's presence. Andy knew the assistant would recognize her as the flower delivery person. “Time for me to fly.”
Emily released an exasperated breath, “I told you that earlier...”
Andy grinned, “Tell Nigel and Serena I said hi.”
“Go!”
Ducking away, Andy avoided Isabel's roaming eyes but managed to give Miranda a small wink and nod, from a distance, before disappearing into the restroom. As soon as the bathroom door shut behind her, Andy checked her watch, in half an hour Miranda would be leaving. She looked around the empty room and nodded to herself in the mirror, “Ah well, you've spent longer amounts of time in worse places, Sachs...” Taking one of the surprisingly comfortable seats, Andy held her phone at the ready so in case someone walked in, she could pretend to be texting, or speaking to someone and settled in for the wait. She wasn't particularly worried about that happening. It was early in the evening and she didn't expect many people to be availing themselves of the facilities just yet. Plus, with Miranda's arrival, most people would want to be out there in Miranda's presence. Andy knew that her 'hiding' in the bathroom would make even more sense to anyone who knew Miranda that happened to come in. Because, no one would blame a former assistant, especially her, for ducking away from the gathering while Miranda was in attendance.
Andy had come to realize during her first few minutes there, that her dramatic departure in Paris was still spoken of in certain circles. Whether the comments were favorable or not depended entirely on the circle doing the speaking.
She'd slept quite well today, waking up very late in the day, with her arms around Miranda. That particular way of waking up was an experience Andy was sure she wanted to do as often as possible. They had cooked a light meal and, after eating and cleaning up the mess, Andy had gone back to her apartment to change while Miranda also prepared for the evening. Even with her hours of restful sleep next to Miranda, Andy tilted her head back against the seat and closed her eyes, just for a minute.
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A warm breeze swayed the palm trees and touched Andy's face. The wooden lounge chair she was leaning against scratched her back slightly as she looked out over the ocean. There were a few surfers on the water and a vaguely familiar form watched over two of the smaller ones playing on Boogie boards at the edge of the water. The sun was just beginning to pink the sky. Tearing her eyes away from the beautiful sunrise, Andy looked to her right to see Miranda there with her. She knew that the sunset would be equally as beautiful and couldn't wait to share that with Miranda as well. A butterfly tickled her cheek and Andy waved it away. It landed on her shoulder, heavier now and although the Miranda next to her never said a word, the butterfly spoke with Miranda's quiet voice.
“Andrea, wake up.”
“What?” Andy blinked her eyes open to see Miranda staring down at her. “Oh, Miranda... sorry.” She winced and grabbed a tissue to wipe the small bit of drool that had escaped the corner of her mouth, “I fell asleep.”
“Mmm...” The fashion icon nodded, “Obviously.” Turning to the mirror, knowing they were alone in the room, Miranda spoke with just a hint of amusement. “You seemed very peaceful, sleeping there, without me.” Her mirror image sprouted two extra arms as Andrea embraced her from behind. A light kiss, minimizing the chance of lipstick transfer, touched her shoulder.
“I was dreaming of you, does that count?”
“Were you?” Miranda was skeptical at that.
“Oh yes, we were on some tropical island, Hawaii maybe. Because we were watching the sunrise, and I was thinking that sharing the sunset with you later would also be great.” Andy rested her chin on Miranda's shoulder and looked at their reflection in the mirror, promising, “One day, when I win the lottery, or sell my first novel, I'll take us there. Whaddaya say? Would you like a fantastical trip to a tropical island?”
“Just me and you?” Miranda watched Andrea's reflection closely.
“That would be nice, but no.” Andy gently squeezed Miranda then began to release her hold. “The girls, Tay and Sam, would be there too.” She winked at her girlfriend, “At least, they were there in the dream, playing on those Boogie boards you insisted I get for them, back when I was your assistant.” Andy held her breath and used the 'F' word, “It would be a... family vacation.”
Miranda smiled and reached up and back to hold Andrea's cheek in her palm for a brief second, “That sounds lovely.”
Andy's mega-watt smile appeared and she kissed Miranda's palm. “Good! Still though, it's a ways off. I have to win the lottery...or sell my novel. Either way there's all that paperwork... ”
“You've already written a novel?” Miranda was intrigued, “I want to read it...”
“It may not be your cup of tea, Miranda... it's kinda.. Princess, Dragon, fantasy stuff...”
Feeling the tension in Andrea's form, Miranda softened her tone, “Please?”
A deep breath filled Andy's nose with Miranda's signature fragrance and she nodded, “Let me spiff it up first.”
Miranda chuckled, “Of course.” With a deep breath, Miranda turned to look directly into Andrea's eyes, “Thank you, for being here.”
“Of course,” Andy brushed the ends of their noses together, “What else are girlfriends for if not to lend moral support for a poorly executed wax sculpture in a major museum exhibit opening?”
Chuckling at that, Miranda gave the impression of shrugging without actually moving, “I wouldn't have a clue.” Reluctantly, she began to move away. “I must go. The car and driver will be waiting for me by now. Will you return to the townhouse tonight?”
“No.” Andy stopped Miranda from moving away and pulled her back, holding the lengths of their bodies together. “Come and stay with me at my apartment tonight.” She flashed a smile as Miranda pretended to think about it.
“Hmmm...” Blue eyes sparkled with amusement, “When?”
Checking the time on her cell phone, Andy calculated the subway travel time, “I should be home by ten.”
With a nod and a final butterfly caress to Andrea's cheek, Miranda moved away. “I will be there.”
Andy watched as the door closed behind Miranda, leaving her alone in the powder room again. She decided to wait another five minutes. That should be enough time for Miranda to get out the door.
The bathroom door opened and as though Miranda's departure had opened a gate, a steady stream of attendees paraded through the room for the next several minutes. Andy listened to the snarky comments being tossed around, grinning a little when the topic turned to Miranda. Most of the comments had to do with Miranda's legendary Dragon Lady status and how they would hate to be the person who created that wax figure. Andy eavesdropped, while she pretended to send texts and actually sent one before she rose and left the roomful of gossiping women.
Part 12:
http://akasarahsmom.livejournal.com/36583.html