BUILDING DREAMS TOGETHER 7/7
Title: BUILDING DREAMS TOGETHER 7/7
Sequel to Making Dreams Come True
Rating: PG for now
Pairing: Mirada/Andy
Summary: AU What if at the end of the movie instead of the nod and wave, Andy mouthed ‘thank you’ and Miranda then nodded to her before she got in the car and smiled?
Disclaimer: This is especially important as I'm sure I DO NOT own or have rights to The Devil Wears Prada or any of its characters.
A/N: The next chapter in the lives of our lovely Ladies. I hope I am still staying as close to the actual characters as I intend. Let me know!
A/N 2: A HUGE THANK YOU TO RADAK FOR THE AMAZING ARTWORK!!
A/N 3: I’ve take a few (quite a few) liberties with Paris fashion week.
7
The next two shows that first they set the routine they fell into for the rest of the week. They entered together, Andy took a place behind her love to make verbal notes, they greeted the designer, Andy got answers to her questions, they left, together.
It was a comfortable pattern, both were finding enjoyable. At the end of long busy days, they would return to their rooms, change and would then dine together in Miranda suite. Kissing goodnight had become the best part of the day for both, sometimes with just standing and holding each other for long periods of time.
The fourth night was the first occasion to go out and be seen as a couple. Ironically, it was for a dinner recognizing the advances James Holt had made in the past year since becoming a global brand.
For the first time in a year Andy was feeling nervous about being at Miranda side. Her old fears of not being good enough to be with the woman were surfacing. It was silly, she knew that, but tonight’s event would be where they would possibly verbally confirm the rumors and announced, in no uncertain terms to the world that they were indeed a couple. A couple, whose reputations preceded them. A couple, whose power and influence in the publishing world could make or break careers. A couple, whose beauty could and would outshine most all in their vicinity. A couple, who, by choosing to be together would set the fashion world on its ear.
Andy closed her eyes and took a breath before opening them again to look at her reflection in the mirror. “You can do this.” She told herself. “You can do this for her.”
She gave her body a once over one last time. It had taken Nigel and Emily weeks to accomplish the miracle of acquiring the dress. Miranda had not seen it and she hoped the older woman would take it for the deep meaning she intended it to say; that she had always heard every word the editor said, since her very first day.
Andy had given Miranda key to her room and knew the woman had entered when she heard the soft click of the closing door. She smoothed her lipstick, fingered her hair, took another deep breath and exited the bathroom.
Miranda was standing next to the couch when she entered the sitting room. Andy caught her breath. The older woman was breathtaking. A chill ran down her spine as she looked at her. “Oh. My. God. Sweetheart you look amazing.”
Miranda turned to thank her love, but the words were lost and her knees gave out causing her to sink unceremoniously onto the couch. Tears filled her eyes as she ran them up and down Andréa and the gown. She was speechless. The gown was from the De la Renta Cerulean collection. Andy stood still unsure of what to say about the reaction.
Finally Miranda found her legs and rose from the couch to approach Andréa. She walked around her taking her in from every angle. Then she found her voice, “How? Where?”
Andy smiled. “Nigel and Emily helped”
The editor moved back to face her love. “I have never seen you look so beautiful. Thank you, my love.” She took Andy’s hands into her own. “I don’t think you know how much this means to me, that you did this,” she spread their arms out from their sides, “for me.”
“I love you Miranda.”
“More than I deserve.” She leaned in and they shared a light kiss. Soft enough to convey their feelings and not smear their lipstick.
“Shall we. The car is waiting” Miranda said casually, motioning to the door.
Andy blinked slowly. “Yes.” She picked up her clutch, and they headed to the fate that awaited them, together.
Andy watched through the car window as the opulence of the city passed by. Miranda could sense the woman’s unease. “What is a darling?”
Andrea turned to her. “Nervous I guess. I don’t know what I’m going to say, if anyone asks about us.”
“Hmm, I see.” She tilted her head to get a clearer view of Andréa’s face. “What you want to say?”
Andy smiled. “That I love you with all my heart and soul”
Miranda blinked and placed her hand to her chest over her heart. “Then that is what we will say.”
“Miranda, I…”
The older woman moved her hand from her chest to gently place two fingers on the other woman’s lips. “Is it not the truth, for both of us?”
“Yes.” She took the hand into her own. “But, it could cause you so much trouble.”
Miranda turned in her seat, careful not to wrinkle her dress.” Darling, the only thing that could cause me trouble is not having you by my side. I have waited too long to share my life with you. I will not be shamed into hiding any longer, my love for you. Anyone who matters to us will be happy we found each other, those who are not can go to hell.” Then she grinned. “And I know just the devil to get them a ticket.”
Andy laughed, breaking the serious moment and causing her to relax.
“Please do not ever change my love.”
“I think someday you may regret that request my darling.”
“No. I love you, all of you. I’ve seen you at your worst and at your best.” She smiled. “I know the Dragon has a heart.” Andy placed her hand on Miranda’s sternum and felt her fingers tingle at the beating beneath them. The older woman placed both of hers on top of it.
They sat like that for long moments, looking into each other’s eyes. When the car stopped and the driver got out to open their door the activity brought them back to the world. Miranda squeezed her hand.
“Are you ready my Andréa?”
She nodded as the door next to her opened. The driver took her hand and helped her out of the car. She stepped aside as he assisted her love. Flashes and voices exploded around her. Then in the glow of the bulbs firing, Miranda exited the car. Andy caught her breath, at the vision.
Miranda immediately took Andréa’s hand upon stepping out of the car. There was a moment of stunned silence from the crowd. Then there was a burst of activity all around them, trying to capture and confirm what they were seeing.
They tightened their hold on each other’s hands as they took the first steps into the lion’s den. Andy blocked out everything and everyone except for Miranda. Her heart was racing, her blood rushed in her ears as she smiled for the cameras.
It wasn’t until she felt the other woman stop that Andy was pulled back to reality. Someone was asking her question, Miranda was smiling at her slyly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you. Would you repeat your question.”
The reporter grinned at her with an honest look in his eyes. “Is there anything you would like to say regarding your relationship with Miranda Priestly?”
This was it. The moment she had feared. Should she say what she felt? Should she ignore the question? Should she reply evasively? She looked at Miranda, and in that moment, seeing the love and happiness in her eyes she knew there was only one thing to say.
“I love her with all of my heart.” She turned back to the reporter. “That’s all”
Every reporter, photographer and guest near them froze in silence. Miranda smiled a true, bigger than life smile at Andy and they moved to enter the building.
Outside everyone was going crazy. Not that the young writer had just outed their relationship to the world, but that the Snow Queen, Dragon Lady, Devil herself had smiled. Truly smiled at the younger woman and they were all still alive to say that they had witnessed it.
Inside the women made their way to the table where their friends and colleagues were seated. Nigel rose to greet them, kissing them in turn on the hand. “Miranda, Andy.” He pulled their chairs out for them to be seated.
“Thank you Nigel” Miranda nodded.
He nodded back and turned Andy. “You look absolutely radiant doll.”
“Thank you Nigel”
Miranda looked at Andy with loving eyes. “I don’t know what you and Emily had to do to get your hands on that dress Nigel, but I assure you it was more than worth it.” She looked at him, “Thank you my friend.”
Nigel just bowed his head at her and took a seat.
Much to Andy’s delight, her relationship with Miranda was not topic of the evening. They enjoyed themselves very much. After the event, Andy gave their driver quiet instructions to take them to the fountain of the Place de la Concorde.
As they drew closer Andy saw her reaction of emotions move across Miranda's face. She took her hand and whispered, “Trust me.” Miranda looked at her with fear in her eyes and a hollow feeling in her stomach she had hoped to never experience again. Her voice was trapped in her throat, so she nodded her confirmation.
The vehicle stopped and the driver help them out the car. Miranda exited first and when Andy followed she found her staring across the street at an empty flight of stairs.
The memory flashed in Miranda’s mind. Turning to say Andréa’s name and being met only with cameras flashing in her eyes. Only her trademark sunglasses permitted a shield against the bulbs exploding enough to see the figure in black walking away, away from her.
Andy ran her hand up and down the woman’s arms soothingly.
Miranda turned to face her. She had a tear track on each of her cheeks.
Andy took her face in her hands and wiped each tier was a thumb. “I’m so sorry.” She held her face and Miranda raised her hands to cover her loves on her face. Andy continued. “I’m sorry I hurt you. That was never or will ever be my intention. But I’m not sorry I left. I had to so we could be here, where we are now.” She smiled. “And there is nowhere or with anyone else I ever want to be again. I’m in love with you Miranda. My heart is so full of love for you, I sometimes think it will explode. You complete every dream I’ve ever had or will have. I would only exist without you. With you, I live.” Andy had tears running down her face. “I wanted to be here with you to start our new life together where our old life together ended.”
Miranda clutched the woman’s hands to her face tighter. “Oh my darling Andréa.” She took a breath and gathered her words. “I never thought I could feel so much for anyone but my children. My heart has you wrapped around it so tightly you cause it to beat. I know I am not an easy woman’s love yet somehow your heart is big enough to do so. Because of that I find myself, for the first time wanting to be better, to be good enough to deserve your love for me.” She proceeded to pull each of Andy’s hands to her lips and kissed them. “I know this relationship will have its obstacles, but in the end, a life with you is more of a blessing that I ever dreamed possible. I’m in love with you Andréa and I will be until I no longer exist.”
Andy’s face was soaked in tears, her eyes glowed with love.
They leaned into each other’s space and kissed each other. Andy slid her hands around Miranda’s neck, running her fingers through the soft gray hair at her nape. Miranda in turn slid her arms around the younger woman’s waist. Together they pulled each other closer and deepened the kiss. Pouring into it all of the love and desire, want and need for the other that they felt.
When they finally broke to breathe they leaned to for heads together. “Thank you for loving me Andrea.”
“Thank you for letting me Miranda.”
So, they both knew, in this place that had once held sad painful memories for them both, now was the place where they had begun the life and dreams they would build together.
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Keep a lookout for the next chapter in this series: Creating A New Life As One
As always, thanks for reading.