Chapter 1/?
“You know, in case you were wondering - the person whose calls you always take? That's the relationship you're in. I hope you two are very happy together,” Nate said before walking away completely.
“Hello Miranda,” Andy answered, making a Herculean effort to keep the tears at bay, but they were evident in her voice. There was a long pause as she began to walk away from the gallery.
“Meet me at the office in twenty minutes.” The tone was as soft as always, but Andy could tell this wouldn’t be a business meeting. The tone wasn’t exactly caring, but none of the usual harshness was present either.
Andy wondered yet again just what exactly she and Miranda were doing. It didn’t seem right really to call it an affair; there wasn’t enough sex being had. Not to say that they didn’t want to. Andy often found herself throughout the day imagining striding right into Miranda’s office and fucking her right on top of her desk, glass doors be damned. And every so often, she would catch Miranda’s eye and notice a fire burning in them. They would both then shake their heads and go about their day.
Most of their time together was spent with one of them finishing work while the other simply provided company. They could sometimes sit like this for hours without any interruptions. When the work was finished, they would smile softly at each other and begin talking. Miranda usually stuck to talk of Runway or her girls and would then ask Andy what seemed to be a random question of her childhood or her favorite food or where she would most like to vacation.
So that lead her back to the question as to what were they doing. In the two months since they had begun their…dalliance?, they had had sex a total of six times. The first time it had been the most passionate Andy had ever had. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other; there was too much to touch, taste and see. Two days later it was so tender it brought tears to her eyes that she embarrassingly blinked away before Miranda could see. The longer times between their…escapades?, the more passionate it would begin, but it always turned to being tender. As if they each needed the reaffirmation that the other was there and cared.
Andy shook her head out of her musings when she noticed her feet had instinctually taken her directly to the Elias-Clake building. She looked at her watch and noticed she had two minutes to make it up in the elevator and to be waiting on Miranda. Miranda was still a demanding woman, no matter what they were to each other. Andy no longer feared being fired if she was late, but Miranda would still let her displeasure known.
As Andy was hanging her coat and bag in the closet, she heard the elevator arrive. Andy smiled to herself when she saw her. Even after a long day at work and hours at home, Miranda looked perfect. She walked to Miranda, hand outstretched for her coat. Miranda waved her off and hung it up herself as she always did when they were alone. She then walked into her office knowing Andrea would follow.
“You were crying,” Miranda said after they were seated and she had studied Andrea for a moment.
Andy leaned her head back and rolled her neck. “I’m pretty sure Nate just broke up with me.”
“This is not exactly a surprise is it?” Miranda asked as she continued to study her. “I myself am simply waiting for the papers to be drawn.” After a long pause, she shook her head, trying to bring her thoughts back to the present situation. “But haven’t you spoken as to how displeased he is of your work and that you’ve evolved whereas he has not?”
Andy sighed as she stood and walked past Miranda’s desk to look out the window. “It’s not that simple anymore.”
“Of course it is,” Miranda said as she turned her chair to look at Andrea’s back. “Neither of you were exactly happy anymore. You changed and developed and matured while he has…” She stopped short when she heard a whisper she couldn’t discern from Andrea. “What?”
“I think I’m pregnant,” Andy repeated still just barely above a whisper, but she knew she had Miranda’s attention now and would be heard. After a moment of silence, she turned back to see a look of shock upon Miranda’s face. Andy couldn’t hold back the laughter. “Don’t worry honey,” she said in an overly sweet voice. “We were careful; it’s not yours.”
This caused Miranda to blink back into focus. “Well,” she said as she leaned back into her chair. “You think? So you aren’t certain? Why haven’t you taken a test?”
Andy turned back to the window and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m afraid of the results. Whether it will be positive or negative, right or wrong. So I’ve made an appointment for next Monday during your regular department meeting. I’m not exactly sure how long it will take, but I assumed your meeting would be longer after Fashion Week. Either way, pregnant or not, I think there must be something going on with me so I might as well go to the doctor.”
“It’s your decision Andrea. Even if I think you’re being ridiculous. And if you are in fact pregnant, you shouldn’t base that on your decision whether to stay with that boy or not. You should never stay in a relationship out of obligation. No matter what you choose, from what you’ve told me of them, your parents will support you.” She then added softly, but to where she knew Andrea could still hear her, “I will support you.”
Andy snapped her head around and looked at Miranda. The honesty she heard in the words and the look on Miranda’s face caused tears to fill her eyes. She turned back to the window to compose herself.
Miranda cleared her throat. “Do you know what it may be if you aren’t pregnant?” she asked much more comfortable with speaking of practicalities rather than feelings.
“I have an idea,” Andy answered still looking out the window. “I’m really trying not to think about it though.”
“What exactly is this idea?” Miranda asked, intrigued by the tone in Andrea’s voice.
“Just an idea,” Andy said more forcefully than she meant to. She immediately turned back to face Miranda, an apology then pleading evident in her eyes. “Just please, leave it at that for now. If it comes to a point…For now just please accept it for what it is.” Andy gave a thankful smile at Miranda’s nod of agreement and then turned back to the window.
After long minutes of silence, Miranda rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around Andy’s waist from behind. With Andy’s height advantage and each of their heels, she was at a perfect level to place her chin on Andrea’s shoulder. “Whatever it is…” She trailed off and nuzzled her nose against Andrea’s jaw. “Whenever you’re ready to tell me, I’ll be ready to listen,” she finally said.
“Thank you,” Andy whispered as she relaxed back into Miranda’s embrace. That Miranda was a very tactile person was the greatest of surprises for Andy after they had begun their…relationship?. Miranda seemed to love simply holding her hand as they sat and talked, or stroking her cheek, or running her hands through her hair.
They stood looking over the city enjoying the comfort of each other’s company and support in silence for almost half an hour. Finally, Miranda placed a kiss on Andrea’s neck and said, “You should go home and get some rest. You will have a very busy and early day tomorrow.”
Andy groaned, Miranda lightly pinched her side, with thoughts of work breaking through the silence. She had everything planned and prepared, but hated to think of actually getting everything and everyone to the airport and settled in Paris. She turned to place a soft kiss on Miranda’s lips. “Did you actually call for a reason?”
Miranda shook her head as she lightly squeezed Andy. “I just wanted to make sure everything was covered for Paris, but I know you have it under control.” Andy fought to hide her surprise at the praise. It came more often now when they were in private, but it was still infrequent.
“The car will pick you up from your apartment in the morning before fetching myself and heading to the airport,” Miranda said as they donned their coats.
“I had actually planned on arriving at the airport early to make sure everything was in order.”
Miranda turned to study Andrea as they entered the elevator; permission was never an issue when they were alone. “You are an extremely efficient employee Andrea.” She noticed the blush this caused in her…lover?. “Tell me, where do you see yourself in ten years?”
There was a pause before Andy answered. “If you had asked me that even two months ago, I would have told you a journalist, not even necessarily a renowned or extremely successful one, but a journalist. I wanted to write pieces that mattered, that informed people. Now, I’m not so sure. I don’t necessarily have a ten year plan, more of a right now plan.”
“And what exactly is your plan for right now?” Miranda asked.
“Right now I plan on going home and catching a few hours of sleep. Then I’ll get up and make sure you and everyone and everything else is ready for our departure for Paris. While we’re at Paris, I’ll make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible for you. And when we return from Paris, I’ll handle whatever it is that needs to be handled.”
As they left the building, Miranda turned to walk down the sidewalk, inclining her head for Andrea to follow. “Yes, but none of these plans include anything for you. They all deal with myself and Runway. What is it you are looking for now?”
“Not Runway, just you. Having you happy makes me happy,” Andy shrugged. “When I started this job, keeping you happy was what I did in order to not have you throw me in front of a bus or working at TV Guide.” Andy couldn’t help but smile at the smirk that this comment brought to Miranda’s face. “Lately though, making you happy simply makes me happy. When everything is running smoothly, you’re happier, more relaxed. And I know that if you’re more relaxed, then you have more time for your girls and more time to enjoy life. Just the knowledge that I can give you even a small moment of peace makes me happy.”
Miranda paused and stepped back into a well-lit, but out of the way enough so that they would not be noticed, alleyway. There was a curious and almost bashful look upon Andrea’s face. “You inspire me to be a much better person than I ever thought I could be,” Miranda said softly as she cupped Andrea’s face gently between her hands. She then pulled her forward for a deep, soft, soulful kiss.