Fic-A-Day July 11th Entry - Serendipity pt 6
And a bit more....
Andy applauded vigorously, careful not to drop Max off her lap as he also clapped loudly. They both cheered for Lexi's excellent performance and for the show in general since Lexi had been the last to display her talent.
Jill informed them, “I'm going to go backstage.”
Nodding at that, Andy wrapped a protective arm around Max's middle. “We'll be here.” She turned her attention to the boy on her lap. “Lexi did good huh?”
“Yep.” Max nodded. “She's good.”
“You gonna learn to play?” Grinning at the face Max made at that, Andy answered the question herself. “No huh?” She chuckled. “Well, maybe you'll change your mind later.” It took longer than she had anticipated, but Andy finally glimpsed Jill weaving through the crowd, Lexi in tow. “Here they come.” She stood and eased Max to his feet in time to hug Lexi. “You did a fantastic job, Sweetie.”
“Thanks, Aunt Andy.” Lexi returned the hug and stepped back to stand next to her mother. “I'm glad you liked it.”
Jill dropped her hand to Lexi's shoulder. “We aren't the only ones who liked it. Everyone did. And when your father sees the video, he will like it too.”
Lexi just nodded. “Can we go get ice cream now?” That was the standard, after-recital thing to do.
“You bet!” Andy licked her lips in anticipation. “Let's go.” She put away her phone, that had suddenly appeared in her hand, clearing the screen of Miranda's number for the thousandth time that day. She wouldn't call. Andy had promised herself that she would give Miranda the time apart that the editor had requested. Even if it killed her to do it.
###
Miranda was fuming. The run through had been a disaster, the new designer's showing had been dismal and now she was sitting in her silent study waiting for the Book to be delivered. Her cell phone was in her hand for all the good that did her. Neither her children nor Andrea had phoned today and at this point, she doubted that they would. She glanced at the small array of bottled spirits standing on a tray on the corner table. She thought a drink might calm her somewhat, but that was not a trap she intended on falling into. A half glass of red wine just before bed would suffice.
Closing her eyes, Miranda leaned back against the sofa cushions and sighed softly when the image of Andrea came to her, unbidden. It was simply impossible to not think about the woman. Not to remember how Andrea's full lips felt against her own. Not to recall the sensation of Andrea's large hands roaming her body. Her own hands tingled slightly at the memory of exploring Andrea's lean frame. The sound of the front door closing snapped Miranda's eyes open, but she did not say a word. She merely tracked the sounds of the Emily doing her job. The closet door opened and the dry cleaning bag rustled before the closet door was closed with a small click. There was the tiny thump of the Book being deposited on the table and then the Emily's footsteps going back the way they came. No hesitation, no dallying in Miranda's house. The front door shut solidly and Miranda was again alone. The Emily was obviously not willing to stay in the dragon's lair for any longer than necessary. Not many were.
Resigned to her lonely fate, Miranda took the Book from the table and retired to her study for the evening. It was almost a relief to focus on the dismal results the art department's day's work had produced. Detailing the changes she wanted was just the distraction Miranda needed from thoughts of Andrea and her infuriatingly silent cell phone.
###
Andy settled into the rhythm of running, one foot in front of the other along her favorite jogging path. She'd been coming to this park since she was a kid, although then she didn't care about running. Today she didn't really care about anything other than blanking her mind from everything. Research about Miranda online and thoughts of the phenomenal woman had kept her awake for most of the night. When she finally did doze off, dreams of Miranda made her wish she could have stayed in bed this morning. She wanted to stay in bed, but she hadn't. Instead she'd gotten up, gotten dressed and now found herself on a very familiar path but still having very unfamiliar feelings about one Miranda Priestly.
No one, male or female, had ever obsessed her as much as Miranda had managed to do. It was beginning to wear on Andy's nerves and she knew that soon she would break her promise to herself. Miranda had requested time, time to think about where they were going and if it was what they, she, really wanted. Andy knew that soon she would not be able to stay away. In fact, after the meeting later today, Andy was almost certain she would be headed back to New York. It was just too difficult to be so far from Miranda. She was concerned that Miranda wouldn't want to see her though. That would hurt. A lot. The problem was that it shouldn't. She barely knew Miranda. Andy knew that she should not be feeling this way about Miranda, not yet. Miranda was wrong, they didn't need time apart, they needed more time together. Suddenly stopping her run, Andy looked out over the soccer field and announced her final decision to the universe. “I'm going back to New York today!”
She began moving again, finishing her run and heading home to clean up before her meeting later. Andy wanted that over quickly and she hoped she wouldn't have to wait too long until a flight departed for New York.
###
Miranda gazed out the large windows that made up the back wall of her office. The overcast sky mirrored her mood. This morning had not started well and it seemed the day promised to be much worse as each appointment became dismal disappointments. She watched as droplets began to gather on the window, occasionally finding another to join with and continue its journey down the building. For several long moments she watched her reflection in the window seem to cry, before she turned away from the vision. “Emily.”
It took far too long for the current Emily to respond. “There you are...” For a moment Miranda forgot why she had called the woman into her office. Covering her lapse, Miranda pursed her lips. “Coffee. Now.” The terrified assistant scurried away. Before her cloying perfume had dissipated she had called out again and the current First Emily stood before her. “Cancel the rest of my day. Inform Nigel that I wish to see him, now. I expect The Book no later than ten pm. Tell Roy to be ready in fifteen minutes.” She took her seat and waved absently, dismissing the hapless assistant. “That's all.”
It took far longer than she would have liked for Nigel to appear in her office. When he did she already had her coat and purse, thanks to the current First Emily's anticipation of her needs. Her mind was whirling with thoughts of Andrea, but her voice was its normal monotone when she informed her art director, and long time colleague, “I am leaving for the day, Nigel. I am counting on you not to disappoint me.”
He straightened a little at that thought. He had known Miranda longer than anyone else in the building, besides Irv Ravitz, but even he did not ever want to disappoint their illustrious leader. “Of course.” He called upon their association to tentatively ask. “Is, everything alright?” One glance at her expression made him quickly add. “The girls?”
“They're fine. They will be back on Sunday.” Miranda sighed and offered a bit more information. “It's... personal.”
The admission stunned Nigel. Miranda Priestly, the Dragon Lady, did not do personal. He thought about it for half a second and recalled the last time Miranda had left suddenly for “personal” reasons. That had been when she had first begun her relationship with the twins' father. Nigel nodded once, accepting the pseudo-explanation without another question. Instead he looked to the future. “I'll see you tomorrow then?” Her hesitation to answer surprised him.
“Of course.”
Somehow, Nigel wasn't sure he believed her, but he nodded as she walked out of the office. He nearly smiled when the second assistant rushed into the office offering the hot coffee in her hand to Miranda. The hapless assistant's expression was priceless as Miranda continued past her, the editor's contemptuous voice floated back to Nigel's ears, “What's that? I don't want that.”
He took advantage of Miranda's whim and took possession of the coffee himself. Hurricane Miranda had left for the day, but he still had a lot of work to do. “Let's get to work, shall we?” He nodded as they both scurried back to their desks.
###
Andy looked out the plane's window. The storm looked nasty, but at least they were flying above it, for the moment. She seethed that she hadn't taken an earlier flight but her father had insisted that she attend the stupid meeting. Of course she hadn't needed to be there; all she'd done was nod her agreement. Maxwell Senior's installment as a partner was a mere formality. She wasn't thrilled with it. It felt like he was being given something she'd had to work her ass off to build. But she didn't totally opposed the idea of someone else helping with the workload. Especially now that she had other places to be, she hoped. Having Maxwell at the office doing some of the work would free up a lot of her time, time she could use to see Miranda. That is, if Miranda wanted to see her. Andy had never really liked the man though, the way he treated her sister was not something that Andy had ever approved of. Jill, however, seemed perfectly happy, so Andy had always overlooked her own misgivings. But that meeting, and a few other issues unfortunately had delayed her departure for New York until today. Andy wondered if Miranda's children had returned from their trip yet and what Miranda's reaction to her return would be. This weekend had so many possibilities, Andy couldn't really think of them all, but she did try. The plane's descent and subsequent turbulence as it dove through the storm to land pulled her out of her thoughts. She didn't care how bumpy the ride was, though, all she wanted to do was see Miranda.
It was late in the day when she landed, but not so late that she believed Miranda would be home. Andy had instinctively gone to the Elias-Clarke building, but now while standing in the lobby at the security desk that plan didn't seem to be going well. First, she looked like the proverbial thing that the cat dragged in, if the cat had been out hunting in the pouring rain. Second, apparently there was a strict policy in order to get to the elevators and she needed someone to vouch for her. She couldn't call Miranda, because that would ruin the surprise and Chase wasn't even in this building. She had gone to his office on her last visit and it was several blocks away. She wasn't going to make a scene either, that wouldn't help anything. Dejected, Andy resigned to call Miranda, surprise blown. She was about to press the call button on her phone when one of the security guards gestured to her. She moved to the end of the counter. “Yes?”
“You were at the Delacorte Theater with Miranda last weekend.”
Andy narrowed her eyes at the man but nodded. “Yes? Why?”
He also nodded. “I thought I recognized you.” He smiled. “I work security for the theater on the weekends. Gets me a little extra money...” He shook off that line of conversation. “You were out with her, so I guess it's okay to tell you. She isn't here. She went home early today.”
“Oh!” Now Andy smiled at the man. “Thanks!”
He nodded. “Sure thing.”
Andy waved over her shoulder as she headed for the door.
###
Miranda swirled the wine in her glass around again. She had been mesmerized by the motion for quite a while now, just listening to the storm outside and watching the red liquid form a small whirlpool, time after time. She had yet to take a drink; the feel of the glass in her hand was enough, for now. The doorbell echoed through the house and Miranda sighed. She had sent the housekeeper home earlier so her options were to open the door herself, or let whoever it was stand in the rain until they gave up and went away. She opted for the second choice.
The doorbell rang again, followed shortly by loud knocking. Miranda carried her wine with her as she went to verbally flay whoever dared disturb her. Throwing open the door, Miranda opened her mouth to begin the carnage, but no sound came out. The very last person she ever expected to see was now standing, bedraggled, on her doorstep. “Andrea.”
“Hi.”
Taking a deep breath, Miranda took a step backward and turned slightly, indicating that the visitor should enter. Licking her lips as she closed the door against the elements. Miranda raised her eyebrows. “This is a surprise.”
“I know, I'm sorry...”
“Mmm... you are also dripping all over my foyer.” Miranda gestured to the stairs. “First door on the left... there are towels in the cabinet.”
Nodding, Andy picked up her tattered carry-on bag. “Thank you.”
“I will be in my study.” Miranda pointed to the appropriate door. “We need to talk.”
“Right.” Andy sighed and began the trek up the staircase. “I won't be long.”
###
Miranda was sitting on a comfortable-looking overstuffed chair and seemed to be mesmerized by the wine in her glass. Andy took a moment to just memorize the sight. The woman was gorgeous in casual dark slacks and a pale gray, off the shoulder sweater. Andy could have stood in the doorway all night just watching Miranda, but after a few moments she drew up her courage and knocked lightly on the wooden door frame. “Miranda?” Blinking, Miranda looked up from her wine and seemed to have a bit of trouble pulling her thoughts together.
Miranda covered her obvious reaction, somewhat. “Oh... there you are.”
Andrea had changed from her wet jeans into a pair of soft, dry, cotton sweatpants with the word Stanford spelled out down her right leg and a matching warm dry Stanford sweater; her dark, damp, wavy hair darkening tiny dots where the ends touched the shirt. There were only bright white socks covering her feet. Miranda's heart did a double thump at how beautiful the woman was. Setting aside the glass in her hand, Miranda waved toward the sofa next to her chair. “Now that I know you won't drip all over the place, have a seat.”
Andy sat on the edge of the sofa cushion and remained silent. Now that she was here she had no idea what to say. Miranda got the ball rolling.
“Why are you here, Andrea?”
“I...” Andy exhaled softly and swallowed hard. “I had to see you.”
“Really.” Miranda's words were soft, but they had a bite to them. “It seemed you were doing quite well staying away, no phone calls, no texts...”
“I had to see you.” Andy shifted, dropping to her knees next to Miranda's chair. “It was too hard to stay away from you, Miranda.” She looked up into startled blue eyes and confessed, “I desperately missed you.”
Miranda dropped her hand to Andrea's hair, absently playing with the damp strands. “You have no idea how distracted I've been at work. One of my colleagues even called me on it and that is... well, unthinkable really.” She gently caressed Andrea's cheek with her fingertips. “I didn't tell him anything, of course, since there isn't actually anything to tell.”
“I want there to be.” Andy leaned into the touch and closed her eyes. “God, Miranda, I want there to be an us to tell people about.” Miranda's lips on hers brought her eyes wide open, before they drifted shut almost immediately as the kiss deepened. Like the first time this was an exploration of each other. Unlike the first, time they both knew that they would not stop at kissing. She stood as Miranda did, their bodies pressed together as the kiss continued. Their hands explored each others curves, their moans echoing each others.
Again, Miranda pulled away first, only this time she did not insist on stopping. With her eyes locked on Andrea's, Miranda took the younger woman's hand and whispered. “Follow me.”
###
Andy followed Miranda without question. Up two flights of stairs this time and into a room that Andy instantly identified as Miranda's bedroom. It was completely and utterly Miranda with tasteful furnishings that exuded luxury. If the sheets on the bed were less than six hundred thread count Andy would eat her law degree. That two-second glance was the extent of her attention to the room. The huge bed and the fact that Miranda was now climbing into it were much too pleasant to ignore. She crawled up the length of Miranda's body, pressing the older woman into the soft surface and continuing the kiss they had started what seemed like an eternity ago.
“Miranda...” Andy ran the tip of her nose along the side of Miranda's neck. Tasting the smooth skin there, Andy sighed. “I can't get enough of you.” Her actions were becoming more frantic by the second. She calmed down slightly as Miranda's laughter moved through her. Andy could not help but smile at the sheer joy the laughter released.
“We have time, Andrea.” Miranda pushed the woman back slightly to look up into her dark eyes. “We have all the time we want.”
“Impossible.” Andy fell forward, kissing Miranda's lips then moving again to explore the length of Miranda's neck. “There is not enough time in the world...”
“Mmmm...” Miranda tilted her head, providing Andrea easier access. “There's time, my darling.” She gasped as Andrea's leg slid between her own. “There's time.”
Andy finally understood what Miranda was saying. They did have time. The children were not here, she and Miranda were the only ones in the house, and she needed to slow down. The sensations coursing through her dampened slightly and she pulled away, just a bit. Taking a moment to look at Miranda, Andy swallowed hard at the sight. Miranda's hair was mussed, her blue eyes were darkened with desire and her mouth was slightly open allowing small puffs of air to escape with every moan. “I was right.” Gently tracing Miranda's face with her eyes, and fingertips, Andy exhaled softly. “You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.”
“You have not seen me, yet.” Miranda leaned into Andrea's touch. “I... I find myself, concerned...”
Andy shook her head. “No need to worry.” Her hands roamed over Miranda's still-clothed curves. “I'm the one who should be worried about that.” The odd expression on Miranda's face made Andy smile. “Seriously? You see beautiful women all day long. Wondering how I compare to...”
“You don't.” Miranda reached up to hold each side of Andrea's head. “You are more beautiful than all of them put together.”
Giving in to the pressure, Andy felt Miranda's lips capture hers. She groaned into the kiss. “You're amazing, Miranda.”
“Mmmm...” It was Miranda's turn to explore Andrea's neck. “So they tell me.”
“Oh they do, do they?” Andy shivered as a very soft tongue encountered a particularly sensitive area.
Miranda allowed a stab of satisfaction roll through her. Being able to cause Andrea's body to react from such a small action was amazing. “But I am already in your bed, so I tend to believe you more than the others.”
“Point of clarification. I am in your bed, Miranda.”
“No lawyer speak.” Miranda tugged at Andrea's sweater. “I am not commenting on your outfit, now am I?” Her grin echoed Andrea's smile. “However, I will say that I think it would look much better in a pile on the floor.”
Andy laughed and leaned in to whisper in Miranda's ear. “Yours too.”
Miranda pushed Andrea back and sat up. “Help me.”
Gladly assisting Miranda by pushing the soft sweater up and over her head, Andy dropped the top over the edge of the bed. She tossed her own sweater near it a second later. In less time than it took to strip the fabric away, Andy pressed Miranda back and slid against the older woman. So much skin on skin contact drew renewed moans from them both.
Miranda arched into Andy's lips on her stomach. Smiling against the smoothness, Andy's hands filled the space created under Miranda's back and quickly undid the fastener on Miranda's bra. Pulling the lacy fabric away, Andy wasted no time exploring the newly exposed area.
“Oh... Dear God...” Miranda held Andrea's head to her breast as the younger woman's tongue laved the puckered flesh. “Andrea!” Suddenly releasing her hold, Miranda's arms went limp to her sides.
Abandoning her task for the moment, Andy looked up. “Did you just...”
There was a mixture of embarrassment and sadness in Miranda's eyes. “I'm sorry.”
“No...” Andy smiled and kissed away a tear that escaped from the corner of Miranda's eye. “Don't apologize. You're amazing.”
“But...”
“Shhh...” Andy shook her head. “I'm glad you feel so strongly about me, about us.”
“It's not fair, to you.” Miranda played with a long strand of hair. “You deserve more.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Are we stopping?” Andy grinned at the shock on Miranda's face and reached down to unbutton Miranda's slacks. “I think slowing down might be a good idea, but stopping?” She eased the pants down Miranda's helpfully shifting body. “I don't think I want to stop for quite some time.” A wicked gleam appeared in Andy's dark eyes. “Is that acceptable?”
Miranda only nodded.
###
Miranda's mind was whirling. In some far off way she realized that Andrea was removing her clothing. In a haze of sensation she realized that Andrea's soft lips were again brushing her ribs. She gasped as Andrea moved lower and then lips were replaced by soft fingertips tracing just below her navel. There were no stretch marks, she had made sure of that with the meticulous and judicious application of creams during her pregnancy. Blinking, Miranda looked down the length of her body and knew what Andrea had found. The scar.
Andy looked up to meet Miranda's eyes. “The twins?”
“One of them.” Miranda spoke softly. “Cassidy was stubborn.” She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes as Andy kissed the, somewhat jagged, thin white scar. It was a tiny imperfection, one her husbands and previous lovers had often avoided. For Andrea to so studiously not avoid it was more than refreshing. It was exhilarating.
Energy renewed, Miranda shifted. It was her turn to press their naked bodies together, her turn to make Andrea moan and writhe under her. Miranda reveled in the power of it. She smiled down at the beautiful young woman under her. Oh yes, it was her turn now.
There was a moment's hesitation when Miranda realized that she had no clue what she was doing but the dynamic was familiar. The difference in her partner didn't deter her for long. Driven by desire and her knowledge that she was a very fast study, Miranda forged ahead. She started with the things she liked and mimicked Andrea's earlier motions. The efforts seemed to pay off.
“Miranda...” Andy arched into Miranda's touch. “Oh Fuck!”
Miranda took it as a good sign that after Andrea's profanity-laced outburst the young woman was reduced to incoherent mumbles and intermittent moans. When her hand found the copious moisture between Andrea's legs, gasps were added to the array of sounds the woman was making.
As mesmerized as Miranda had been by the liquid in her glass earlier she was twice as focused on the motions in Andrea's neck; every sound, every swallow, every small jump of muscle and flutter of pulse. It was quiet now, only their labored breathing and the shifting friction of their skin on the sheets and each other breaking the silence. Andrea's eyes were closed, but Miranda desperately wanted them to open. She wanted to look into Andrea's eyes, to see what the young woman was feeling. Stopping her hand, Miranda whispered, “Look at me.”
Andrea's eyes snapped open then almost closed again as Miranda resumed her motion. She had chosen a languorous rhythm before but now Miranda increased the tempo and loved the way Andrea's body arched against her. The young woman's hips began to match the motion and before she was quite ready for it, Andrea collapsed back on the bed, groaning. Grinning, Miranda continued her exploration until Andrea found the strength to take Miranda's hand in her own.
“Stop! You'll kill me.”
Miranda grinned and shifted to lay next to the exhausted woman. “Are we stopping?” She threw the words back at her lover. “I think slowing down might be a good idea, but stopping?”
Andy groaned again. “Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?”
“Oh Andrea.” Miranda's low chuckle filled Andrea's ear. “Your God can't help you now...”
Andy applauded vigorously, careful not to drop Max off her lap as he also clapped loudly. They both cheered for Lexi's excellent performance and for the show in general since Lexi had been the last to display her talent.
Jill informed them, “I'm going to go backstage.”
Nodding at that, Andy wrapped a protective arm around Max's middle. “We'll be here.” She turned her attention to the boy on her lap. “Lexi did good huh?”
“Yep.” Max nodded. “She's good.”
“You gonna learn to play?” Grinning at the face Max made at that, Andy answered the question herself. “No huh?” She chuckled. “Well, maybe you'll change your mind later.” It took longer than she had anticipated, but Andy finally glimpsed Jill weaving through the crowd, Lexi in tow. “Here they come.” She stood and eased Max to his feet in time to hug Lexi. “You did a fantastic job, Sweetie.”
“Thanks, Aunt Andy.” Lexi returned the hug and stepped back to stand next to her mother. “I'm glad you liked it.”
Jill dropped her hand to Lexi's shoulder. “We aren't the only ones who liked it. Everyone did. And when your father sees the video, he will like it too.”
Lexi just nodded. “Can we go get ice cream now?” That was the standard, after-recital thing to do.
“You bet!” Andy licked her lips in anticipation. “Let's go.” She put away her phone, that had suddenly appeared in her hand, clearing the screen of Miranda's number for the thousandth time that day. She wouldn't call. Andy had promised herself that she would give Miranda the time apart that the editor had requested. Even if it killed her to do it.
###
Miranda was fuming. The run through had been a disaster, the new designer's showing had been dismal and now she was sitting in her silent study waiting for the Book to be delivered. Her cell phone was in her hand for all the good that did her. Neither her children nor Andrea had phoned today and at this point, she doubted that they would. She glanced at the small array of bottled spirits standing on a tray on the corner table. She thought a drink might calm her somewhat, but that was not a trap she intended on falling into. A half glass of red wine just before bed would suffice.
Closing her eyes, Miranda leaned back against the sofa cushions and sighed softly when the image of Andrea came to her, unbidden. It was simply impossible to not think about the woman. Not to remember how Andrea's full lips felt against her own. Not to recall the sensation of Andrea's large hands roaming her body. Her own hands tingled slightly at the memory of exploring Andrea's lean frame. The sound of the front door closing snapped Miranda's eyes open, but she did not say a word. She merely tracked the sounds of the Emily doing her job. The closet door opened and the dry cleaning bag rustled before the closet door was closed with a small click. There was the tiny thump of the Book being deposited on the table and then the Emily's footsteps going back the way they came. No hesitation, no dallying in Miranda's house. The front door shut solidly and Miranda was again alone. The Emily was obviously not willing to stay in the dragon's lair for any longer than necessary. Not many were.
Resigned to her lonely fate, Miranda took the Book from the table and retired to her study for the evening. It was almost a relief to focus on the dismal results the art department's day's work had produced. Detailing the changes she wanted was just the distraction Miranda needed from thoughts of Andrea and her infuriatingly silent cell phone.
###
Andy settled into the rhythm of running, one foot in front of the other along her favorite jogging path. She'd been coming to this park since she was a kid, although then she didn't care about running. Today she didn't really care about anything other than blanking her mind from everything. Research about Miranda online and thoughts of the phenomenal woman had kept her awake for most of the night. When she finally did doze off, dreams of Miranda made her wish she could have stayed in bed this morning. She wanted to stay in bed, but she hadn't. Instead she'd gotten up, gotten dressed and now found herself on a very familiar path but still having very unfamiliar feelings about one Miranda Priestly.
No one, male or female, had ever obsessed her as much as Miranda had managed to do. It was beginning to wear on Andy's nerves and she knew that soon she would break her promise to herself. Miranda had requested time, time to think about where they were going and if it was what they, she, really wanted. Andy knew that soon she would not be able to stay away. In fact, after the meeting later today, Andy was almost certain she would be headed back to New York. It was just too difficult to be so far from Miranda. She was concerned that Miranda wouldn't want to see her though. That would hurt. A lot. The problem was that it shouldn't. She barely knew Miranda. Andy knew that she should not be feeling this way about Miranda, not yet. Miranda was wrong, they didn't need time apart, they needed more time together. Suddenly stopping her run, Andy looked out over the soccer field and announced her final decision to the universe. “I'm going back to New York today!”
She began moving again, finishing her run and heading home to clean up before her meeting later. Andy wanted that over quickly and she hoped she wouldn't have to wait too long until a flight departed for New York.
###
Miranda gazed out the large windows that made up the back wall of her office. The overcast sky mirrored her mood. This morning had not started well and it seemed the day promised to be much worse as each appointment became dismal disappointments. She watched as droplets began to gather on the window, occasionally finding another to join with and continue its journey down the building. For several long moments she watched her reflection in the window seem to cry, before she turned away from the vision. “Emily.”
It took far too long for the current Emily to respond. “There you are...” For a moment Miranda forgot why she had called the woman into her office. Covering her lapse, Miranda pursed her lips. “Coffee. Now.” The terrified assistant scurried away. Before her cloying perfume had dissipated she had called out again and the current First Emily stood before her. “Cancel the rest of my day. Inform Nigel that I wish to see him, now. I expect The Book no later than ten pm. Tell Roy to be ready in fifteen minutes.” She took her seat and waved absently, dismissing the hapless assistant. “That's all.”
It took far longer than she would have liked for Nigel to appear in her office. When he did she already had her coat and purse, thanks to the current First Emily's anticipation of her needs. Her mind was whirling with thoughts of Andrea, but her voice was its normal monotone when she informed her art director, and long time colleague, “I am leaving for the day, Nigel. I am counting on you not to disappoint me.”
He straightened a little at that thought. He had known Miranda longer than anyone else in the building, besides Irv Ravitz, but even he did not ever want to disappoint their illustrious leader. “Of course.” He called upon their association to tentatively ask. “Is, everything alright?” One glance at her expression made him quickly add. “The girls?”
“They're fine. They will be back on Sunday.” Miranda sighed and offered a bit more information. “It's... personal.”
The admission stunned Nigel. Miranda Priestly, the Dragon Lady, did not do personal. He thought about it for half a second and recalled the last time Miranda had left suddenly for “personal” reasons. That had been when she had first begun her relationship with the twins' father. Nigel nodded once, accepting the pseudo-explanation without another question. Instead he looked to the future. “I'll see you tomorrow then?” Her hesitation to answer surprised him.
“Of course.”
Somehow, Nigel wasn't sure he believed her, but he nodded as she walked out of the office. He nearly smiled when the second assistant rushed into the office offering the hot coffee in her hand to Miranda. The hapless assistant's expression was priceless as Miranda continued past her, the editor's contemptuous voice floated back to Nigel's ears, “What's that? I don't want that.”
He took advantage of Miranda's whim and took possession of the coffee himself. Hurricane Miranda had left for the day, but he still had a lot of work to do. “Let's get to work, shall we?” He nodded as they both scurried back to their desks.
###
Andy looked out the plane's window. The storm looked nasty, but at least they were flying above it, for the moment. She seethed that she hadn't taken an earlier flight but her father had insisted that she attend the stupid meeting. Of course she hadn't needed to be there; all she'd done was nod her agreement. Maxwell Senior's installment as a partner was a mere formality. She wasn't thrilled with it. It felt like he was being given something she'd had to work her ass off to build. But she didn't totally opposed the idea of someone else helping with the workload. Especially now that she had other places to be, she hoped. Having Maxwell at the office doing some of the work would free up a lot of her time, time she could use to see Miranda. That is, if Miranda wanted to see her. Andy had never really liked the man though, the way he treated her sister was not something that Andy had ever approved of. Jill, however, seemed perfectly happy, so Andy had always overlooked her own misgivings. But that meeting, and a few other issues unfortunately had delayed her departure for New York until today. Andy wondered if Miranda's children had returned from their trip yet and what Miranda's reaction to her return would be. This weekend had so many possibilities, Andy couldn't really think of them all, but she did try. The plane's descent and subsequent turbulence as it dove through the storm to land pulled her out of her thoughts. She didn't care how bumpy the ride was, though, all she wanted to do was see Miranda.
It was late in the day when she landed, but not so late that she believed Miranda would be home. Andy had instinctively gone to the Elias-Clarke building, but now while standing in the lobby at the security desk that plan didn't seem to be going well. First, she looked like the proverbial thing that the cat dragged in, if the cat had been out hunting in the pouring rain. Second, apparently there was a strict policy in order to get to the elevators and she needed someone to vouch for her. She couldn't call Miranda, because that would ruin the surprise and Chase wasn't even in this building. She had gone to his office on her last visit and it was several blocks away. She wasn't going to make a scene either, that wouldn't help anything. Dejected, Andy resigned to call Miranda, surprise blown. She was about to press the call button on her phone when one of the security guards gestured to her. She moved to the end of the counter. “Yes?”
“You were at the Delacorte Theater with Miranda last weekend.”
Andy narrowed her eyes at the man but nodded. “Yes? Why?”
He also nodded. “I thought I recognized you.” He smiled. “I work security for the theater on the weekends. Gets me a little extra money...” He shook off that line of conversation. “You were out with her, so I guess it's okay to tell you. She isn't here. She went home early today.”
“Oh!” Now Andy smiled at the man. “Thanks!”
He nodded. “Sure thing.”
Andy waved over her shoulder as she headed for the door.
###
Miranda swirled the wine in her glass around again. She had been mesmerized by the motion for quite a while now, just listening to the storm outside and watching the red liquid form a small whirlpool, time after time. She had yet to take a drink; the feel of the glass in her hand was enough, for now. The doorbell echoed through the house and Miranda sighed. She had sent the housekeeper home earlier so her options were to open the door herself, or let whoever it was stand in the rain until they gave up and went away. She opted for the second choice.
The doorbell rang again, followed shortly by loud knocking. Miranda carried her wine with her as she went to verbally flay whoever dared disturb her. Throwing open the door, Miranda opened her mouth to begin the carnage, but no sound came out. The very last person she ever expected to see was now standing, bedraggled, on her doorstep. “Andrea.”
“Hi.”
Taking a deep breath, Miranda took a step backward and turned slightly, indicating that the visitor should enter. Licking her lips as she closed the door against the elements. Miranda raised her eyebrows. “This is a surprise.”
“I know, I'm sorry...”
“Mmm... you are also dripping all over my foyer.” Miranda gestured to the stairs. “First door on the left... there are towels in the cabinet.”
Nodding, Andy picked up her tattered carry-on bag. “Thank you.”
“I will be in my study.” Miranda pointed to the appropriate door. “We need to talk.”
“Right.” Andy sighed and began the trek up the staircase. “I won't be long.”
###
Miranda was sitting on a comfortable-looking overstuffed chair and seemed to be mesmerized by the wine in her glass. Andy took a moment to just memorize the sight. The woman was gorgeous in casual dark slacks and a pale gray, off the shoulder sweater. Andy could have stood in the doorway all night just watching Miranda, but after a few moments she drew up her courage and knocked lightly on the wooden door frame. “Miranda?” Blinking, Miranda looked up from her wine and seemed to have a bit of trouble pulling her thoughts together.
Miranda covered her obvious reaction, somewhat. “Oh... there you are.”
Andrea had changed from her wet jeans into a pair of soft, dry, cotton sweatpants with the word Stanford spelled out down her right leg and a matching warm dry Stanford sweater; her dark, damp, wavy hair darkening tiny dots where the ends touched the shirt. There were only bright white socks covering her feet. Miranda's heart did a double thump at how beautiful the woman was. Setting aside the glass in her hand, Miranda waved toward the sofa next to her chair. “Now that I know you won't drip all over the place, have a seat.”
Andy sat on the edge of the sofa cushion and remained silent. Now that she was here she had no idea what to say. Miranda got the ball rolling.
“Why are you here, Andrea?”
“I...” Andy exhaled softly and swallowed hard. “I had to see you.”
“Really.” Miranda's words were soft, but they had a bite to them. “It seemed you were doing quite well staying away, no phone calls, no texts...”
“I had to see you.” Andy shifted, dropping to her knees next to Miranda's chair. “It was too hard to stay away from you, Miranda.” She looked up into startled blue eyes and confessed, “I desperately missed you.”
Miranda dropped her hand to Andrea's hair, absently playing with the damp strands. “You have no idea how distracted I've been at work. One of my colleagues even called me on it and that is... well, unthinkable really.” She gently caressed Andrea's cheek with her fingertips. “I didn't tell him anything, of course, since there isn't actually anything to tell.”
“I want there to be.” Andy leaned into the touch and closed her eyes. “God, Miranda, I want there to be an us to tell people about.” Miranda's lips on hers brought her eyes wide open, before they drifted shut almost immediately as the kiss deepened. Like the first time this was an exploration of each other. Unlike the first, time they both knew that they would not stop at kissing. She stood as Miranda did, their bodies pressed together as the kiss continued. Their hands explored each others curves, their moans echoing each others.
Again, Miranda pulled away first, only this time she did not insist on stopping. With her eyes locked on Andrea's, Miranda took the younger woman's hand and whispered. “Follow me.”
###
Andy followed Miranda without question. Up two flights of stairs this time and into a room that Andy instantly identified as Miranda's bedroom. It was completely and utterly Miranda with tasteful furnishings that exuded luxury. If the sheets on the bed were less than six hundred thread count Andy would eat her law degree. That two-second glance was the extent of her attention to the room. The huge bed and the fact that Miranda was now climbing into it were much too pleasant to ignore. She crawled up the length of Miranda's body, pressing the older woman into the soft surface and continuing the kiss they had started what seemed like an eternity ago.
“Miranda...” Andy ran the tip of her nose along the side of Miranda's neck. Tasting the smooth skin there, Andy sighed. “I can't get enough of you.” Her actions were becoming more frantic by the second. She calmed down slightly as Miranda's laughter moved through her. Andy could not help but smile at the sheer joy the laughter released.
“We have time, Andrea.” Miranda pushed the woman back slightly to look up into her dark eyes. “We have all the time we want.”
“Impossible.” Andy fell forward, kissing Miranda's lips then moving again to explore the length of Miranda's neck. “There is not enough time in the world...”
“Mmmm...” Miranda tilted her head, providing Andrea easier access. “There's time, my darling.” She gasped as Andrea's leg slid between her own. “There's time.”
Andy finally understood what Miranda was saying. They did have time. The children were not here, she and Miranda were the only ones in the house, and she needed to slow down. The sensations coursing through her dampened slightly and she pulled away, just a bit. Taking a moment to look at Miranda, Andy swallowed hard at the sight. Miranda's hair was mussed, her blue eyes were darkened with desire and her mouth was slightly open allowing small puffs of air to escape with every moan. “I was right.” Gently tracing Miranda's face with her eyes, and fingertips, Andy exhaled softly. “You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.”
“You have not seen me, yet.” Miranda leaned into Andrea's touch. “I... I find myself, concerned...”
Andy shook her head. “No need to worry.” Her hands roamed over Miranda's still-clothed curves. “I'm the one who should be worried about that.” The odd expression on Miranda's face made Andy smile. “Seriously? You see beautiful women all day long. Wondering how I compare to...”
“You don't.” Miranda reached up to hold each side of Andrea's head. “You are more beautiful than all of them put together.”
Giving in to the pressure, Andy felt Miranda's lips capture hers. She groaned into the kiss. “You're amazing, Miranda.”
“Mmmm...” It was Miranda's turn to explore Andrea's neck. “So they tell me.”
“Oh they do, do they?” Andy shivered as a very soft tongue encountered a particularly sensitive area.
Miranda allowed a stab of satisfaction roll through her. Being able to cause Andrea's body to react from such a small action was amazing. “But I am already in your bed, so I tend to believe you more than the others.”
“Point of clarification. I am in your bed, Miranda.”
“No lawyer speak.” Miranda tugged at Andrea's sweater. “I am not commenting on your outfit, now am I?” Her grin echoed Andrea's smile. “However, I will say that I think it would look much better in a pile on the floor.”
Andy laughed and leaned in to whisper in Miranda's ear. “Yours too.”
Miranda pushed Andrea back and sat up. “Help me.”
Gladly assisting Miranda by pushing the soft sweater up and over her head, Andy dropped the top over the edge of the bed. She tossed her own sweater near it a second later. In less time than it took to strip the fabric away, Andy pressed Miranda back and slid against the older woman. So much skin on skin contact drew renewed moans from them both.
Miranda arched into Andy's lips on her stomach. Smiling against the smoothness, Andy's hands filled the space created under Miranda's back and quickly undid the fastener on Miranda's bra. Pulling the lacy fabric away, Andy wasted no time exploring the newly exposed area.
“Oh... Dear God...” Miranda held Andrea's head to her breast as the younger woman's tongue laved the puckered flesh. “Andrea!” Suddenly releasing her hold, Miranda's arms went limp to her sides.
Abandoning her task for the moment, Andy looked up. “Did you just...”
There was a mixture of embarrassment and sadness in Miranda's eyes. “I'm sorry.”
“No...” Andy smiled and kissed away a tear that escaped from the corner of Miranda's eye. “Don't apologize. You're amazing.”
“But...”
“Shhh...” Andy shook her head. “I'm glad you feel so strongly about me, about us.”
“It's not fair, to you.” Miranda played with a long strand of hair. “You deserve more.”
One dark eyebrow rose. “Are we stopping?” Andy grinned at the shock on Miranda's face and reached down to unbutton Miranda's slacks. “I think slowing down might be a good idea, but stopping?” She eased the pants down Miranda's helpfully shifting body. “I don't think I want to stop for quite some time.” A wicked gleam appeared in Andy's dark eyes. “Is that acceptable?”
Miranda only nodded.
###
Miranda's mind was whirling. In some far off way she realized that Andrea was removing her clothing. In a haze of sensation she realized that Andrea's soft lips were again brushing her ribs. She gasped as Andrea moved lower and then lips were replaced by soft fingertips tracing just below her navel. There were no stretch marks, she had made sure of that with the meticulous and judicious application of creams during her pregnancy. Blinking, Miranda looked down the length of her body and knew what Andrea had found. The scar.
Andy looked up to meet Miranda's eyes. “The twins?”
“One of them.” Miranda spoke softly. “Cassidy was stubborn.” She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes as Andy kissed the, somewhat jagged, thin white scar. It was a tiny imperfection, one her husbands and previous lovers had often avoided. For Andrea to so studiously not avoid it was more than refreshing. It was exhilarating.
Energy renewed, Miranda shifted. It was her turn to press their naked bodies together, her turn to make Andrea moan and writhe under her. Miranda reveled in the power of it. She smiled down at the beautiful young woman under her. Oh yes, it was her turn now.
There was a moment's hesitation when Miranda realized that she had no clue what she was doing but the dynamic was familiar. The difference in her partner didn't deter her for long. Driven by desire and her knowledge that she was a very fast study, Miranda forged ahead. She started with the things she liked and mimicked Andrea's earlier motions. The efforts seemed to pay off.
“Miranda...” Andy arched into Miranda's touch. “Oh Fuck!”
Miranda took it as a good sign that after Andrea's profanity-laced outburst the young woman was reduced to incoherent mumbles and intermittent moans. When her hand found the copious moisture between Andrea's legs, gasps were added to the array of sounds the woman was making.
As mesmerized as Miranda had been by the liquid in her glass earlier she was twice as focused on the motions in Andrea's neck; every sound, every swallow, every small jump of muscle and flutter of pulse. It was quiet now, only their labored breathing and the shifting friction of their skin on the sheets and each other breaking the silence. Andrea's eyes were closed, but Miranda desperately wanted them to open. She wanted to look into Andrea's eyes, to see what the young woman was feeling. Stopping her hand, Miranda whispered, “Look at me.”
Andrea's eyes snapped open then almost closed again as Miranda resumed her motion. She had chosen a languorous rhythm before but now Miranda increased the tempo and loved the way Andrea's body arched against her. The young woman's hips began to match the motion and before she was quite ready for it, Andrea collapsed back on the bed, groaning. Grinning, Miranda continued her exploration until Andrea found the strength to take Miranda's hand in her own.
“Stop! You'll kill me.”
Miranda grinned and shifted to lay next to the exhausted woman. “Are we stopping?” She threw the words back at her lover. “I think slowing down might be a good idea, but stopping?”
Andy groaned again. “Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?”
“Oh Andrea.” Miranda's low chuckle filled Andrea's ear. “Your God can't help you now...”