Changes Wrought: Chapter 7/?
Changes Wrought 7/?
By: bargara-b
Fandom: Devil Wears Prada (film)
Pairing: Miranda/Andrea
Rating: PG-13 to R
Disclaimer: Honestly? Not mine.
A/N: I am not a writer nor can I claim any expertise in fashion, journalism, medicine, psychiatry, rescue operations, or teenaged girls (though I do have one of those they remain a mystery).
Thanks to Radak for the prompt.
Continued appreciation and respect to shesgottaread for the beta and the indulgence.
This story begins about one year after Paris.
Previous bits here:
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/816588.html#cutid1
http://bargara-b.livejournal.com/917.html
http://bargara-b.livejournal.com/1395.html#cutid1
http://bargara-b.livejournal.com/1669.html#cutid1
http://bargara-b.livejournal.com/1852.html#cutid1
http://bargara-b.livejournal.com/2122.html#cutid1
Current bit here:
Changes Wrought
Chapter 7/?
Today was the first time in almost two weeks she had completed her full swim routine.
Miranda Priestly typically swam three times a week and on alternate days she would power walk on her treadmill. Her days of aerobics and running were long gone; swimming and walking suited Miranda better. She strived to be religious about some type of exercise five times a week because, although genetically fortunate, Miranda suffered no delusions about her age and was determined to assist her genes in any natural way she could.
About a year ago, Miranda had installed a counter-current swimming pool in her basement. She’d always enjoyed swimming and found it to be the best regular exercise for her. There had been a personal trainer for a time but Miranda was disciplined enough to exercise without someone standing over her and she didn’t see the need for the added expense just to comment casually over martinis that she had a personal trainer.
What Miranda liked best about swimming--and what was most likely responsible for keeping her sane--was that she had twenty-five minutes of uninterrupted time just for her. There were no phone calls, no demands for attention, no idiotic employees with their idiotic questions, no need to multitask, no Book and no one but Miranda alone in the pool with her thoughts. Most of the time this was good because most of the time she was able to let go of work and just be in her own head. It was quite remarkable. So, Miranda had made it a rule early on that during her swims she would not allow herself to think of anything work related. Miranda considered this to be, perhaps, the single most indulgent thing she’d ever done. Instead Miranda used the time to do what she had come to define as free-thinking. It had been a challenge at first but with time she’d disciplined her mind to shut out all else and went wherever her thoughts took her as long as it wasn’t work related. Some days her mind was blissfully vacant, others she mind-traveled through her life with astonishing clarity, and then there were the days she would free-think her way into another life and time altogether. Miranda’s recent favorite of these was the time she saw herself living on the steppes of Mongolia, oddly enough, in a yurt decorated with colorful felt appliqués. Perhaps it was the cold, vast, wind-swept plains which had appealed to her when watching a National Geographic program a few weeks before that had brought on this particular fantasy, but it was probably just the exquisite fur-lined hats that were showcased. A subsequent issue of Runway featured very lovely Mongolian-inspired hats. Miranda hadn’t seen this as breaking her rule about no work while swimming.
She had attempted her swim last week but only managed a few minutes before she had to get out because a week ago, Caroline was still in hospital and although she was out of the woods she was still in hospital. That day, Chance had told Miranda to go home and take some time for herself. So, for the first time since the accident Miranda had felt she could do more than just take a quick shower and change her clothes. At the time, Miranda had thought a swim would do her good and that it would help relieve the stress of the week. But as she swam all she could see in her mind’s eye were images of Caroline: unconscious, or crying for her from the end of a dark tunnel, or ravaged by twisted metal. Shaken, Miranda had gotten out of the water before two minutes had passed. She hadn’t attempted her swim again until today. Since Caroline was now home and doing remarkably well, Miranda had expected a soothing swim. However, today as she swam her mind was not blissfully vacant nor was she imagining other places and times.
Today she could think of only one thing: Andrea Sachs.
Andrea hadn’t come to the hospital again but she had called Caroline each day and had spoken briefly with Miranda, as well, on a few of those occasions. It turned out, Andrea had explained, that she wasn’t yet allowed to be as mobile as she had hoped. Caroline had been obviously disappointed although understood after Andrea had explained her dilemma. Doctor’s orders, Andrea had said.
But Andrea finally did visit.
____________________________________________________
"Yeah, just pull over right here … in front of that … yeah, thanks." Andy reached for her wallet.
"I’ve already got it Andy." Money was passed to the driver.
"Mom --"
"Come on, let me help you. Here--hand me that crutch." Andy slid across the seat of the van and hopped down on one foot to the sidewalk. "Thanks, Mom." She looked up at the familiar townhouse and felt a sudden surge of nerves.
"You okay, honey?"
Andy flashed a quick smile at her mom. "Yep."
They were halfway up the steps when the door opened and there stood Miranda Priestly.
"Miranda, hi," Andy said, butterflies swarmed. She mounted the final steps and turned to her mother. "Mom, I’d like you to meet Miranda Priestly. Miranda this is my mother, Kathryn Sachs."
Andy would never have imagined, let alone dreamed, this scenario in a million years but here in front of her were her mother and Miranda shaking hands all warm and friendly-like.
Andy’s mom had arrived a few days after Andy had gotten out of the hospital. She had been able to take some time off work either side of a weekend and today was her last full day with Andy. Andy was going to miss her mom and was still wondering how she was going to manage.
Andy had told her mom the story of Caroline but hadn’t disclosed--like any good storyteller--who Caroline really was until the end. "Miranda Priestly? Your Miranda Priestly?" Kathryn Sachs’ eyebrows had almost converged with her hairline. Andy had laughed. "Well, yeah. But, Mom, she was . . . wow . . . just so different." That had gotten a skeptical look from her mother. "No, really, she’s just a mom, you know, who was scared to death for her kid and, well, grateful somebody was there for her kid. That it was me was just kind of--" Andy had thought for a moment, "--serendipitous."
Andy’s mom had remained doubtful to the possibility of a kind and loving Miranda but seemed willing to keep an open mind when Andy had asked her to accompany Andy to visit Caroline and so far so good. Not only were her mom and Miranda being remarkably polite to each other but it appeared to be sincere.
"What an absolute pleasure, Mrs. Sachs."
"Please call me Kathy."
It was one of those classic moments when if Andy had been drinking something one of three things would have happened: she would have choked on it, she would have spewed it, or she would have snorted it out her nose. As it was, Andy did make a sort of choked-snort sound which she tried to cover with the ‘I’m just clearing my throat’ sound. This choked clearing of the throat was exacerbated by Miranda’s ever so slight widening of the eyes which was then mitigated by downright affable smile from Miranda which was even accompanied by an affirmative "Mm." Oh, wow.
Miranda ushered them into the sitting room. "Caroline’s resting but she’s due for her medication shortly." She watched as Andy angled herself to sit on the sofa.
Andy needed to prop her leg. "Um, Miranda, do you have …" She looked around and spotted an ottoman.
"Oh, of course, of course," Miranda practically leapt toward the footstool and quickly situated it for Andy. "Let me get a cushion--"
Andy hauled her leg up like an old pro. "Miranda, this is great."
Miranda looked down at Andy and seemed lost for a moment before the more familiar Miranda persona returned which made Andy feel a lot more comfortable. This was territory and energy she understood. Even so, it wasn’t the full-on Miranda Priestly, but still one who exuded her usual confidence, just softer. So this was good, Andy thought, this was okay.
"I was fixing coffee," Miranda said and turned to Kathy Sachs. "How do you take yours, Kath . . . Kathy?" Miranda was already moving out of the room but Andy still heard the hesitation, the swallow, and the disbelief in Miranda’s voice.
"Why don’t I come help you, Miranda?" With that Andy’s mom took Miranda by the elbow, and together they left the room.
Huh.
Andy sat for a few moments and tried not to think too hard about how strange this whole scenario was because, really, if this were any other person it would not be strange at all. As Andy looked around the room, she could hear the faint voices of her mother and Miranda in the kitchen. Andy had been in this house, what, maybe a hundred times and she’d never once sat down. Most of the time, it had been a quick in-and-out thing with the occasional standing in front of Miranda while handing over the book, or photos, or samples, even coffee a few times. Andy breathed in deeply and appreciated the subtle fragrance in the room that was slightly spicy, a little floral and definitely Miranda. Andy found it comforting.
"Andy, I was just telling Miranda about . . ." Andy could see that her mom was speaking and pretty much knew she was talking about Andy’s physical therapy but she was only partially listening. Instead Andy took her coffee from Miranda and thought again: not in a million years. She brought the coffee to her lips and took a test sip. It was perfect and delicious and of course it was.
If Andy hadn’t been a participant, she wouldn’t have believed it: Miranda Priestly doing polite small talk. Again, Andy was surprised, to say the least, that Miranda appeared to be genuinely engaged with her mother and her while discussing everything from the weather in Ohio to Caroline’s current condition. There was no saccharine, no disdain, and no condescension.
"I do worry about how Andy will handle things without me."
"Oh, mom, I’ll be fine."
"Your mother is right to be concerned, Andrea, how ever will you manage all those stairs?" Miranda asked.
"Slowly," Andy laughed but Miranda waited, clearly expecting a real answer. "Oh, well, I can weight bear a little bit now but I just can’t bend it so . . . that will be a challenge with the brace and all but it’ll be pretty much the same as what I’ve been doing--" Andy looked over at her mom "--just without the extra support from mom. She’s been kind of a safety net." Andy shrugged and Miranda leaned back in her chair looking from Andy to her mother and back again.
All three women started when Miranda’s phone beeped.
"It’s time for Caroline’s medication." Miranda stood and held out a hand to Andy. "Why don’t you come with me to see if she’s awake?" Andy gaped at the extended hand.
"Okay, sure," Andy replied and reached for Miranda’s hand. It was warm and it was soft and as Miranda helped her to her feet Andy thought that this was pretty weird but it felt . . . nice.
Miranda led Andy down the hall to a room just off the kitchen. "There is a small elevator in the house but I decided it would be easiest to put Caroline in here," Miranda explained quietly as she opened the door and peered inside. Caroline was asleep. They entered and Miranda moved to the bed. She stroked Caroline’s arm. "Hey there, sleepyhead," Miranda crooned. She caressed Caroline’s cheek with the back of her hand and whispered. "Can you open your eyes for me, baby?" Caroline’s eyes fluttered open. "Well, there you are." Miranda smiled and pressed her lips to her daughter’s forehead. "I have a surprise for you." Andy stood a few steps behind Miranda with a smile already in place.
"Andy?" Caroline’s eyes were still somewhat glazed over from sleep.
Miranda stepped aside to allow Andy access.
"Yep, it’s me," Andy said and reached to take Caroline’s hand. "Hey, how are you? Staying out of trouble, I hope," Andy gently teased.
Andy felt a hand on her shoulder. "Here’s a chair for you, Andrea." Miranda had pulled a chair over for Andy. "I’m going to leave you two for a few minutes," Miranda said.
"Thanks, Miranda," said Andy as she sat.
Andy and Caroline just smiled at each other for a few moments. Though Caroline was still a bit dopey from sleep and medication, she was clearly very happy to see Andy.
"So, I brought you that CD we were talking about . . ."
______________________________________
A brief knock at the door preceded Miranda’s entrance back into the room. Andy was sitting holding Caroline’s hand. Caroline had drifted off again.
"I wonder about all these drugs they have her taking," Miranda said. Andy looked down at her watch and was surprised a half hour had passed.
"Oh, I’m sorry, Miranda, we should be going." Andy pulled herself up and adjusted her crutches. She smoothed a hand down Caroline’s arm.
"Well, not on our account, I hope," Miranda replied.
Caroline stirred. "Stay, Andy."
"I wish I could sweetie but my mom is leaving tomorrow and we need to get home so she can pack."
This brought Caroline almost fully alert. "Your mom is here? Where? Can I meet her?"
Andy laughed. "Sure, kiddo." She leaned in closer to Caroline. "I think our moms have been hanging out together in the kitchen comparing notes on what rotten kids we are."
Caroline looked scandalized then giggled. Andy laughed. Miranda snorted and said, "That’s exactly what we’ve been doing but the pages of Andrea’s youthful shenanigans go on and on such that we’ve simply run out of time."
Kathy Sachs appeared in the doorway behind Miranda. "That’s true. Poor Miranda couldn’t get a word in edgewise."
Andy laughed even more and nudged Caroline’s shoulder. "That’s my mom."
Caroline was at once shy.
"You must be Caroline." Kathy Sachs went to the bedside and leaned down to Caroline and took her hand. "Caroline, I’ve heard so much about you and how brave you were with Andy." Like Andy, her mother was prone to tears. "I need to thank you for being there for her. She said if it hadn’t been for you she probably wouldn’t have . . ."
"Oh, no," Caroline said, immediately over her shyness. "Andy’s the one that saved me, Mrs. Sachs, and she’s awesome and I love her," Caroline blurted earnestly and glanced over at Andy.
Andy smiled through her own tears then looked at Miranda who looked on indulgently. Sensing Andy’s gaze Miranda looked at Andy. Their eyes held for several beats before Miranda looked away again and Andy felt a bit breathless because that was just weird.
"Caroline, we mustn’t keep Mrs. Sachs and Andrea they’ve much to do."
Caroline had a slight pout on her face but was a good sport as she said good-bye to them with promises from Andy for another longer visit in a few days. She easily extracted a similar promise from Andy’s mom next time she was in town. Plus, Caroline needlessly explained that Cassidy would feel left out if she didn’t get a chance to see everyone next time.
____________________________________
"She’s nothing at all like I expected, Andy."
"I know," Andy replied. "It’s like she’s … I don’t know, an alien or something." Andy smiled as she watched the townhouse disappear through the rear window of the taxi as they turned a corner. Miranda had waited with them on the sidewalk until the taxi arrived. She had been warm and gracious. Andy’s mom had been utterly charmed - hell, Andy had been utterly charmed--but Andy suspected that her mom had done a bit of charming herself.
Andy lay in bed that night and listened to her mother sleep next to her. She worried. She really wasn’t too sure how she was going to handle the next couple of weeks. Doug had said he’d come over in the evenings so that would help a lot. Also, Dixon said she was to work from home and Catie would drop off any necessary paperwork. So that helped, too. Really, everything would be covered except from seven in the morning to seven at night. Andy grimaced and decided she would think about it tomorrow.
___________________________________________
Andy had timed her PT appointment with her mom’s departure so that she could accompany Andy to the appointment then leave from there for the airport. That meant Andy had to manage getting home on her own. She managed the taxi and was even managing the stairs pretty well though it seemed to take twice as long given that Andy was twice as careful. As she approached her door, she heard her phone ring from her bag. She rummaged for both her keys and the phone succeeding just in time. "Hello?" Andy inserted the key in the lock and opened her door. Damn, did the call already go to voice mail? "Hello?"
"Andrea?"
"Miranda?" The sweat from Andy’s struggle up the stairs was already trickling down Andy’s spine and the sound of Miranda’s voice was the bell to Andy’s nervous system producing what felt like a steady stream of sweat not to mention breathlessness. It wasn’t really that odd, Andy thought briefly, that she should react this way in spite of Miranda’s new-to-Andy self, after all she’d spent the better part of a year being trained to sweat whenever Miranda called. Needless to say, Andy had done a lot of perspiring through those months.
"I’d like to stop by if that is convenient for you." Miranda said.
"Uh okay, sure.” Had Andy heard her right? “When?"
"Is there a problem with now?" Miranda’s voice was crisp.
"Oh, uh, no not at all." Andy tugged the key free from the lock as the door swung open. "I’m just getting--I just got home from PT so, um, but now is fine." There was an uninterpretable silence. "Uh, Miranda? Is Caroline okay?"
"So now would be all right?"
"Uh, sure." Andy switched on the light glanced frantically around her apartment. Thank god for mothers, Andy thought, her apartment hadn’t been this clean since ever. The immediate sound of the apartment buzzer stopped Andy short. Um, seriously? She pressed the intercom button.
"Y-Yes?"
"Andrea?" Andy pulled away the phone at her ear and looked at it. Call ended, it said.
"Miranda?" Andy said, incredulous, into the intercom.
There was a beat of silence. "Yes."
"Oh, um, sorry. I’m on the fourth floor. Uh, sorry." Andy buzzed her up. Holy shit.
Andy left her door open for Miranda’s arrival and hobbled to the table where she shrugged off her coat. Another benefit of her mom’s visit was a full refrigerator. She surveyed the options and wondered what would be the best beverage to offer Miranda Priestly: iced tea or diet coke. Hmm, such decisions. Oh wait, was that cranberry juice behind the already-cut fruit? Better stick with water, Andy thought as she pulled out two bottles.
"May I come in?" Miranda stood at the threshold of Andy’s apartment. For just a moment Andy allowed the surreal moment to wash over her, though it was more flood-like than gentle brook.
"Sure," Andy said from the kitchen. "I was just getting a drink. Can I get you something?"
Miranda had stepped in to the apartment and was politely not surveying the room. "No, thank you."
Andy gestured to the sofa. "Uh, please, have a seat." She continued into the room with a water bottle in hand and crutch in the other.
"I thought you were supposed to stay off that?"
Andy looked down at her leg. "Well, you know, I’m allowed to weight bear a bit."
Miranda responded with a look that said ‘I don’t like your answer’ as she shifted somewhat awkwardly on the sofa.
"But not much," Andy quickly amended. She sat on the other end of the sofa. There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence while Andy took a drink from her water bottle and Miranda clutched at the strap on her purse.
"So, your mother got away all right?"
Andy nodded in reply. "Just this afternoon after my therapy appointment; she went to the airport from there and I came home."
Miranda gave small a noncommittal look that said: Mm.
"She’s a lovely person, your mother," Miranda said then added the non sequitur, "And you’re doing well?"
This was beginning to be more than awkward and the sweat was still trickling down Andy’s spine.
"Uh, yeah," Andy said. "Miranda, is Caroline all right?"
Miranda immediately looked relieved. "Yes, yes she is. She’s doing well." Miranda gave her a slight smile then her gaze shifted to the window behind Andy. "Which brings me to the reason for my visit," Miranda said then hesitated for a moment before she added, "to see how you are doing, of course, and to offer you a proposition."
"Oh?" Andy swallowed.
"Andrea, as you know I had a very pleasant conversation with your mother yesterday. She told me you’re being allowed to work from home until things become," Miranda gestured to Andy’s knee, "less cumbersome for you."
"Yes, they are being very accommodating." Andy shrugged. "I guess I’m lucky about that." What on earth was Miranda getting at-or trying to get at, Andy wondered.
Miranda gave a quick half smile and took a breath.
"As you may know, I’ve spent very little time at Runway since . . . this past week or so," Miranda said. “I’ve no choice now but to return full-time." Miranda fiddled with the strap on her purse. For a woman who knew how to cut to the heart of a matter better than anyone on Earth, Miranda was doing a remarkable job of talking around whatever was on her mind. “This may come off as self-serving, Andrea, but I think you will find this to be beneficial for you as well so I hope you’ll take it the way it’s intended.” Andy had never known Miranda could be uncomfortable but wished that Miranda would just hurry up and say it already because this was making Andy flat out nervous. “I would like you to consider staying at my home for a time.” Miranda finally looked at Andy but Andy was too busy being floored. Miranda quickly continued. “I need to have someone with Caroline and you need a more . . . accommodating place to recuperate.” Andy just stared at Miranda and was reminded of telling her mother that Miranda had become an alien. Gee, Andy had no idea at the time just how accurate that statement was. “I was planning to have Cara do it, but I know Caroline would prefer you and it would also--” Miranda seemed to search for a word, “-help you out.”
Andy was speechless for only a moment. “I’ll do it.” Oh god, did Andy just agree to move into Miranda Priestly’s house?
“I will compensate you, of course.”
“Oh, um, well, that’s very thoughtful of you--”
“Andrea,” Miranda practically huffed and Andy flinched ever so slightly. “Thoughtfulness has nothing to do with it. I would have to pay someone and Caroline has already asked for you so I don’t see why on earth you would even hesitate to accept my offer.”
“But I am-I did,” Andy said quickly. “You just don’t have to pay me to do this.”
Miranda inhaled sharply through her nose. “Let me put it this way, Andrea, you will accept my offer on my terms or not at all.”
Andy gave Miranda a long look under which Miranda actually fidgeted. Then Andy understood that this was a way for Miranda to ‘pay back’ Andy for saving Caroline. So, Andy could graciously accept and move into a situation for a few weeks that would be as awkward and uncomfortable as hell or she could decline the ‘invitation’ and risk Miranda’s eternal scorn for not accepting her gratitude. Huh, it really was a backhanded way to say thank you, Andy thought, but she’d rather accept this than deal with Miranda’s hurt feelings.
“All right,” Andy said.
Miranda immediately stood. “Good, I will have Roy come back in an hour.” She moved to the door.
“But Miranda, I can’t be ready in an hour.”
“Why ever not?”
“I’ve got to make arrangements and pack . . .”
Miranda looked annoyed. “Very well, I’ll have him come by in the morning-nine o’clock?” She opened the door and turned to Andy.
“But I have food in the refrigerator,” Andy said almost imploringly.
Miranda’s eyebrow twitched upward in disbelief.
“My mom,” Andy mumbled. “She stocked my fridge before she left.”
“Oh.” Miranda looked momentarily embarrassed then said, not unkindly, “then I’ll have Roy bring an ice chest.”
And with that Miranda Priestly closed the door.
TBC