FIC: No Matter the Miles (11/ tentatively 20)
Title: No Matter the Miles (11/ tentatively 20)
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: Miranda/Andy
Prompt(s):From random_flores..."Love's not a competition (but I'm winning)"
Summary: Five years after Andy leaves Runway, circumstances bring our two favorite characters back together.
Disclaimer: haha...please. If I owned them, they'd so do it every chance they got.
A/N:I'm back! This took slightly longer than I intended because modly duties took precedence, but barring that or rl interruptions, the time between updates should be significantly shorter. So, thanks for baring with me. It's really really appreciated. Thank you dragonwine, who has acted as my emergency beta once again. You totally rock! Also, most of you should thank kitnkabootle for practically threatening to kick my ass if I didn't take the time to sit down and finish writing this chapter. So without further ado...here's the story. Comments as always are love!
“What shall we have for dinner, Chuck?” Andy asked, pulling the freezer door open. “We have frozen pizza or last night’s Sheppard’s pie.”
Chuck’s face scrunched in disgust, but she didn’t protest. “Sheppard’s pie…”
Andy nodded, grabbing the microwave safe dish from the refrigerator. She popped the lid and moved to the microwave, sitting it on the rotating glass plate. Four short minutes later, she was dishing out the cheesy potato and meat mixture. Chuck climbed up onto the barstool, taking a big gulp of her chocolate milk. She dug in with no complaint and Andy breathed a sigh of relief.
In the month since they’d stopped eating with the Priestlys, Chuck had become an extremely picky eater, even going as far as to say that their food wasn’t as good as what they ate at “’Randa’s house.” Not that she was wrong. Andy had come a long way in the five years she hadn’t lived with Nate. She cooked for Chuck, Lily, Doug and herself all of the time and no one had had food poisoning in three years. Still, as she bit into the reheated instant potatoes, she had to admit it was nothing compared to the feasts she had gotten used to at Miranda’s.
“I wonder what Caroline and Cassidy are eating for dinner,” Chuck said suddenly, breaking into her thoughts.
“I don’t know, sweetie.”
Chuck took another gulp of milk. “Think they’re having duck?”
Andy finished chewing before answering, now used to this line of questioning. “Maybe, there’s no way to know.”
“You could call them,” the little girl said hopefully.
“Chuck…I’m sure they’re sitting down and eating with their mother. It would be rude to interrupt.”
Disappointed, the tiny brunette picked up her fork and pushed her food around her plate.
“Hey, no long faces. You’ll get to see them tomorrow.” That seemed to do the trick and they finished their dinner with the usual chatter about the day.
Before she knew it, it was time to put Chuck to bed. She sat down and read the new book they’d picked up at the library before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to her daughter’s forehead.
“Mummy?” Chuck said as Andy reached over to turn off her lamp.
“Yes, Peanut?”
Expression growing serious, the little girl stared up at her for a moment. “I miss ‘Randa.”
“I know you do. But remember I told you about how she has a really important job and that means she can’t be around sometimes?”
Chuck nodded solemnly. “Maybe we could visit her at work! Like when I come visit you sometimes.”
Andy grinned at her enthusiasm. “I don’t know. Runway is not really a place for kids, sweetie.”
“Could you ask ‘Randa? Please?”
Not having the heart to break Chuck’s, Andy nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, kiddo. Right now, it’s time for you to go to sleep.”
Smiling Chuck grabbed, Mr. Blueberry, her favored bear, and turned over. Andy lingered in the door a moment before turning and walking into the living room. She sat down on the couch and sighed into her palms as she buried her face. She wondered how many times one of Miranda’s ex-husbands had had similar conversations with the twins. Hell she wasn’t even with Miranda and she was having to explain her absences. And the worst part was that she missed Miranda too. How had this happened? When had they become so ingrained in each other’s lives? Andy missed their afternoon conversations. She found herself thinking of things she wanted to tell Miranda because she thought it would amuse her, only to feel the pang of disappointment when she realized she no longer had the luxury of being in her presence.
So, maybe this separation was a good thing. It had to be. She was so dangerously getting close to being sucked back into the gravitational pull that was “Miranda Priestly: Queen of the Fashionistas.” It was as if the last five years hadn’t happened. And now, to make matters worse, Chuck was involved. She’d promised herself going into this that she’d shield Chuck from Miranda’s world as much as possible. Yet, somehow, without her permission, Miranda had crept back in. Well not anymore, she decided. She and Chuck just had to make it through the next two months and then Miranda would be out of their lives for good. And she could get Miranda out of her mind for good.
However, that night her dreams were filled with familiar white hair and piercing blue eyes.
The next day was busier for Andy than it had been in a long time. She had interview after interview and a staff meeting. She spent lunch at her desk, working on the article she’d put off last night and making phone calls. She called Lily asking her if she’d be willing to cook dinner tonight so that Andy could finish her article. She was chained to her desk for most of the afternoon and before she knew it, she was late leaving to go pick up Chuck.
Andy rang the doorbell and let out a surprised gasp when a man slightly younger than herself opened the door. She was tempted to step back and see if she’d somehow walked up to the wrong house. She squinted, looking at the man closely. He had dark, wavy brown hair that reminded her of Nate, but unlike her ex, his skin was pale and unblemished. It looked almost like porcelain. His full lips quirked before they pulled apart, revealing dazzlingly white, perfectly straight teeth as he smiled. His honey colored eyes sparkled and she felt herself swoon slightly. He looked so familiar, but at the moment, Andy was having a hard time remembering her own name, let alone where she might know him from.
“Well, hello,” he said smoothly.
“Uh…hi…yeah hi…” Andy stumbled.
“Um, do you mind not answering our door? You don’t live here, you know?” Cassidy pushed through, startling Andy out of her reverie. “My mom will be home soon. Why don’t you, I don’t know, wait in the sitting room like I asked you to?” Her tone was one Andy hadn’t heard in five years. It was one of blatant disrespect and she frowned at the girl slightly.
Surely this man wasn’t here to date Cassidy or Caroline. Andy’s stomach soured at the thought. There was no way. The girls weren’t that naïve were they? She watched as the man met Cassidy’s glare with humor until he realized she wasn’t joking and strolled back down the foyer.
“Sorry about Connor. He just kind of showed up out of no where,” Cassidy apologized. She smiled sweetly at Andy.
Connor…Connor…where did she know Connor fr- Oh! Connor Lucas! He was Miranda’s…Something in Andy’s stomach clenched and she frowned. “Oh, it’s okay. Is Chuck ready? We’re meeting my friend Lily for dinner and I’m running a little late.” Andy hoped Chuck would be along quickly. She suddenly wasn’t feeling so hot. Maybe Lily would want to take Chuck out to dinner alone.
“Oh sure! No problem. I’ll just go get her.” Cassidy headed to the stairs, leaving Andy alone in the foyer. She felt oddly out of place there, for the first time in a very long time she felt as if she didn’t belong here. And that was a good thing, she told herself, because she didn’t belong. This was just a temporary foray into this world just like Runway had been.
She felt something in the air shift and realized she wasn’t alone anymore. She turned to find Connor leaning against the table with the flowers, his eyes alight with more than just a passing interest. He slithered towards her, giving her what she could only assume was a charming grin. It made her skin crawl. How had she ever found him attractive even for a second? “I’m sorry we weren’t properly introduced before. I’m C-”
“Connor Lucas…Yeah, I’ve seen your picture in the paper before,” Andy finished for him. She shook his proffered hand, barely suppressing the shudder of repulsion she felt as he turned over her hand and pressed his cold, moist lips to her hand. Snatching her hand back she grimaced. “Weren’t you and Miranda a-”
“That’s the past. I’m more into looking at the future. Say, Friday night are you free?”
Andy wanted to smack him. How dare he stand here in Miranda’s house and disrespect her like that? Disrespect them both, really. What had Miranda seen in this guy anyway? He was too…shiny or something. Andy couldn’t put her finger on it, but he wasn’t good enough for Miranda. She’d read the papers over the past few years. She’d heard that Miranda had become less discerning over time, but this guy, really?
She was saved from answering by two pairs of footsteps coming down the stairs. “Mummy!” Chuck exclaimed, running full speed over into her mother’s arms.
“Hi, Peanut!” Andy beamed down at her daughter, forgetting the lecherous man standing next to her.
Chuck made a face when she looked over at Connor. “Who are you?”
“Chuck, don’t be rude,” Andy admonished out of a polite sense of duty.
“He’s not important, Chuck,” Cassidy said, stepping between the girl and Connor. “Hey Andy, I brought down that paper you helped me with. I wanted to show you the grade I got.”
Taking the paper, Andy looked down. “Hey you got an A! That’s wonderful.” She reached over and pulled Cassidy into a hug.
Cassidy for her part was trying hard to act nonchalant, but was failing miserably and hugged the brunette back. “He said he really liked my imagery. He said I have a knack for metaphors.”
“Well, that’s what I was saying all along.” Andy felt her heart swell with pride. They’d spent a few hours trading emails back and forth, working on the paper. Andy had thought it was fine, but Cassidy said something was off. So, she offered whatever advice she could give her, but ultimately she’d told Cassidy to just trust her instincts. And that had certainly paid off.
The front door opened suddenly, revealing a sight that had Andy swooning all over again before she could stop herself. Miranda stepped into the house, sporting a long, gray Burberry trench that seemed to compliment her hair in the most unnaturally beautiful way. Her Chanel glasses hid her blue eyes, but it didn’t matter because she was turned, looking behind her.
A frowning Caroline followed her into the house. “I can’t believe you did that. It was so embarrassing!”
“Caroline, do you have any idea what it took for me to rearrange my schedule to accompany you on this little shopping excursion? That dress was unacceptable.” Miranda turned and for a moment surprise flashed across her face before she pursed her lips.
“Yay! ‘Randa!” Chuck said before running up and wrapping her arms around the editor. Everyone seemed to freeze, holding their breaths while they waited to see what the normally untouchable Miranda Priestly would do.
She looked down at Chuck, a small smile dancing across her lips. She rubbed the child’s back lightly. “Hello, Charlotte, I believe you are the only person present who’s genuinely pleased to see me.”
She’s not the only one, Andy’s mind protested, stunning her for a moment. She could feel the color rise to her cheeks and quickly turned away. What the hell was wrong with her lately? Maybe she was sorely in need of a vacation.
“What are you doing here?” Miranda asked in a deadly calm voice as she stepped away from Chuck. She’d turned her focus on the man still lurking just behind Cassidy.
Walking over to the older woman, he invaded her personal space. How could he turn around and hit on Miranda when just moments ago he’d been asking her out. What a creep! The scene turned Andy’s stomach and she busied herself helping Chuck into her coat and hat. “Miranda, baby, I was wondering if I could convince you to talk. Maybe we could go-”
“Do not. How dare you have the audacity to show up at my home unannounced, Mr. Lucas. Everything I had to say to you, I said at our last meeting. Now, please leave or I will have the NYPD remove you and you can spend the night in lock up.”
“No way! This is Connor Lucas?” Caroline asked, stepping around her mother to take a good look at him. She took her time, giving him a calculated once over that Andy was sure she’d inherited from her mother. She looked back at Andy and then back at Connor. This continued a few more times before she looked over at Cassidy. “I thought you were losing it, but you were right. These two could be twins.”
Something sparked in Cassidy’s blue eyes, but Miranda looked anything, but amused. Connor, to his credit, didn’t seem to have been paying much attention as he continued to make unwelcome pleas to Miranda.
Appalled, Andy looked over at Connor. There was no way they looked even slightly alike, but then she really studied his face. He reminded her of some of her father’s younger pictures. She shuddered. Something about that was weird, but oddly flattering. She really needed to get out of there. “Come on, Chuck. Aunt Lily is waiting.” Desperate to flee, she grabbed Chuck’s hand and backed out of the door quickly. She didn’t pause until they were nearly at the subway. Her heart was pounding, but she couldn’t tell if it was because of the excursion or something else.
What was that all about?
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Pairing: Miranda/Andy
Prompt(s):From random_flores..."Love's not a competition (but I'm winning)"
Summary: Five years after Andy leaves Runway, circumstances bring our two favorite characters back together.
Disclaimer: haha...please. If I owned them, they'd so do it every chance they got.
A/N:I'm back! This took slightly longer than I intended because modly duties took precedence, but barring that or rl interruptions, the time between updates should be significantly shorter. So, thanks for baring with me. It's really really appreciated. Thank you dragonwine, who has acted as my emergency beta once again. You totally rock! Also, most of you should thank kitnkabootle for practically threatening to kick my ass if I didn't take the time to sit down and finish writing this chapter. So without further ado...here's the story. Comments as always are love!
“What shall we have for dinner, Chuck?” Andy asked, pulling the freezer door open. “We have frozen pizza or last night’s Sheppard’s pie.”
Chuck’s face scrunched in disgust, but she didn’t protest. “Sheppard’s pie…”
Andy nodded, grabbing the microwave safe dish from the refrigerator. She popped the lid and moved to the microwave, sitting it on the rotating glass plate. Four short minutes later, she was dishing out the cheesy potato and meat mixture. Chuck climbed up onto the barstool, taking a big gulp of her chocolate milk. She dug in with no complaint and Andy breathed a sigh of relief.
In the month since they’d stopped eating with the Priestlys, Chuck had become an extremely picky eater, even going as far as to say that their food wasn’t as good as what they ate at “’Randa’s house.” Not that she was wrong. Andy had come a long way in the five years she hadn’t lived with Nate. She cooked for Chuck, Lily, Doug and herself all of the time and no one had had food poisoning in three years. Still, as she bit into the reheated instant potatoes, she had to admit it was nothing compared to the feasts she had gotten used to at Miranda’s.
“I wonder what Caroline and Cassidy are eating for dinner,” Chuck said suddenly, breaking into her thoughts.
“I don’t know, sweetie.”
Chuck took another gulp of milk. “Think they’re having duck?”
Andy finished chewing before answering, now used to this line of questioning. “Maybe, there’s no way to know.”
“You could call them,” the little girl said hopefully.
“Chuck…I’m sure they’re sitting down and eating with their mother. It would be rude to interrupt.”
Disappointed, the tiny brunette picked up her fork and pushed her food around her plate.
“Hey, no long faces. You’ll get to see them tomorrow.” That seemed to do the trick and they finished their dinner with the usual chatter about the day.
Before she knew it, it was time to put Chuck to bed. She sat down and read the new book they’d picked up at the library before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss to her daughter’s forehead.
“Mummy?” Chuck said as Andy reached over to turn off her lamp.
“Yes, Peanut?”
Expression growing serious, the little girl stared up at her for a moment. “I miss ‘Randa.”
“I know you do. But remember I told you about how she has a really important job and that means she can’t be around sometimes?”
Chuck nodded solemnly. “Maybe we could visit her at work! Like when I come visit you sometimes.”
Andy grinned at her enthusiasm. “I don’t know. Runway is not really a place for kids, sweetie.”
“Could you ask ‘Randa? Please?”
Not having the heart to break Chuck’s, Andy nodded. “I’ll see what I can do, kiddo. Right now, it’s time for you to go to sleep.”
Smiling Chuck grabbed, Mr. Blueberry, her favored bear, and turned over. Andy lingered in the door a moment before turning and walking into the living room. She sat down on the couch and sighed into her palms as she buried her face. She wondered how many times one of Miranda’s ex-husbands had had similar conversations with the twins. Hell she wasn’t even with Miranda and she was having to explain her absences. And the worst part was that she missed Miranda too. How had this happened? When had they become so ingrained in each other’s lives? Andy missed their afternoon conversations. She found herself thinking of things she wanted to tell Miranda because she thought it would amuse her, only to feel the pang of disappointment when she realized she no longer had the luxury of being in her presence.
So, maybe this separation was a good thing. It had to be. She was so dangerously getting close to being sucked back into the gravitational pull that was “Miranda Priestly: Queen of the Fashionistas.” It was as if the last five years hadn’t happened. And now, to make matters worse, Chuck was involved. She’d promised herself going into this that she’d shield Chuck from Miranda’s world as much as possible. Yet, somehow, without her permission, Miranda had crept back in. Well not anymore, she decided. She and Chuck just had to make it through the next two months and then Miranda would be out of their lives for good. And she could get Miranda out of her mind for good.
However, that night her dreams were filled with familiar white hair and piercing blue eyes.
The next day was busier for Andy than it had been in a long time. She had interview after interview and a staff meeting. She spent lunch at her desk, working on the article she’d put off last night and making phone calls. She called Lily asking her if she’d be willing to cook dinner tonight so that Andy could finish her article. She was chained to her desk for most of the afternoon and before she knew it, she was late leaving to go pick up Chuck.
Andy rang the doorbell and let out a surprised gasp when a man slightly younger than herself opened the door. She was tempted to step back and see if she’d somehow walked up to the wrong house. She squinted, looking at the man closely. He had dark, wavy brown hair that reminded her of Nate, but unlike her ex, his skin was pale and unblemished. It looked almost like porcelain. His full lips quirked before they pulled apart, revealing dazzlingly white, perfectly straight teeth as he smiled. His honey colored eyes sparkled and she felt herself swoon slightly. He looked so familiar, but at the moment, Andy was having a hard time remembering her own name, let alone where she might know him from.
“Well, hello,” he said smoothly.
“Uh…hi…yeah hi…” Andy stumbled.
“Um, do you mind not answering our door? You don’t live here, you know?” Cassidy pushed through, startling Andy out of her reverie. “My mom will be home soon. Why don’t you, I don’t know, wait in the sitting room like I asked you to?” Her tone was one Andy hadn’t heard in five years. It was one of blatant disrespect and she frowned at the girl slightly.
Surely this man wasn’t here to date Cassidy or Caroline. Andy’s stomach soured at the thought. There was no way. The girls weren’t that naïve were they? She watched as the man met Cassidy’s glare with humor until he realized she wasn’t joking and strolled back down the foyer.
“Sorry about Connor. He just kind of showed up out of no where,” Cassidy apologized. She smiled sweetly at Andy.
Connor…Connor…where did she know Connor fr- Oh! Connor Lucas! He was Miranda’s…Something in Andy’s stomach clenched and she frowned. “Oh, it’s okay. Is Chuck ready? We’re meeting my friend Lily for dinner and I’m running a little late.” Andy hoped Chuck would be along quickly. She suddenly wasn’t feeling so hot. Maybe Lily would want to take Chuck out to dinner alone.
“Oh sure! No problem. I’ll just go get her.” Cassidy headed to the stairs, leaving Andy alone in the foyer. She felt oddly out of place there, for the first time in a very long time she felt as if she didn’t belong here. And that was a good thing, she told herself, because she didn’t belong. This was just a temporary foray into this world just like Runway had been.
She felt something in the air shift and realized she wasn’t alone anymore. She turned to find Connor leaning against the table with the flowers, his eyes alight with more than just a passing interest. He slithered towards her, giving her what she could only assume was a charming grin. It made her skin crawl. How had she ever found him attractive even for a second? “I’m sorry we weren’t properly introduced before. I’m C-”
“Connor Lucas…Yeah, I’ve seen your picture in the paper before,” Andy finished for him. She shook his proffered hand, barely suppressing the shudder of repulsion she felt as he turned over her hand and pressed his cold, moist lips to her hand. Snatching her hand back she grimaced. “Weren’t you and Miranda a-”
“That’s the past. I’m more into looking at the future. Say, Friday night are you free?”
Andy wanted to smack him. How dare he stand here in Miranda’s house and disrespect her like that? Disrespect them both, really. What had Miranda seen in this guy anyway? He was too…shiny or something. Andy couldn’t put her finger on it, but he wasn’t good enough for Miranda. She’d read the papers over the past few years. She’d heard that Miranda had become less discerning over time, but this guy, really?
She was saved from answering by two pairs of footsteps coming down the stairs. “Mummy!” Chuck exclaimed, running full speed over into her mother’s arms.
“Hi, Peanut!” Andy beamed down at her daughter, forgetting the lecherous man standing next to her.
Chuck made a face when she looked over at Connor. “Who are you?”
“Chuck, don’t be rude,” Andy admonished out of a polite sense of duty.
“He’s not important, Chuck,” Cassidy said, stepping between the girl and Connor. “Hey Andy, I brought down that paper you helped me with. I wanted to show you the grade I got.”
Taking the paper, Andy looked down. “Hey you got an A! That’s wonderful.” She reached over and pulled Cassidy into a hug.
Cassidy for her part was trying hard to act nonchalant, but was failing miserably and hugged the brunette back. “He said he really liked my imagery. He said I have a knack for metaphors.”
“Well, that’s what I was saying all along.” Andy felt her heart swell with pride. They’d spent a few hours trading emails back and forth, working on the paper. Andy had thought it was fine, but Cassidy said something was off. So, she offered whatever advice she could give her, but ultimately she’d told Cassidy to just trust her instincts. And that had certainly paid off.
The front door opened suddenly, revealing a sight that had Andy swooning all over again before she could stop herself. Miranda stepped into the house, sporting a long, gray Burberry trench that seemed to compliment her hair in the most unnaturally beautiful way. Her Chanel glasses hid her blue eyes, but it didn’t matter because she was turned, looking behind her.
A frowning Caroline followed her into the house. “I can’t believe you did that. It was so embarrassing!”
“Caroline, do you have any idea what it took for me to rearrange my schedule to accompany you on this little shopping excursion? That dress was unacceptable.” Miranda turned and for a moment surprise flashed across her face before she pursed her lips.
“Yay! ‘Randa!” Chuck said before running up and wrapping her arms around the editor. Everyone seemed to freeze, holding their breaths while they waited to see what the normally untouchable Miranda Priestly would do.
She looked down at Chuck, a small smile dancing across her lips. She rubbed the child’s back lightly. “Hello, Charlotte, I believe you are the only person present who’s genuinely pleased to see me.”
She’s not the only one, Andy’s mind protested, stunning her for a moment. She could feel the color rise to her cheeks and quickly turned away. What the hell was wrong with her lately? Maybe she was sorely in need of a vacation.
“What are you doing here?” Miranda asked in a deadly calm voice as she stepped away from Chuck. She’d turned her focus on the man still lurking just behind Cassidy.
Walking over to the older woman, he invaded her personal space. How could he turn around and hit on Miranda when just moments ago he’d been asking her out. What a creep! The scene turned Andy’s stomach and she busied herself helping Chuck into her coat and hat. “Miranda, baby, I was wondering if I could convince you to talk. Maybe we could go-”
“Do not. How dare you have the audacity to show up at my home unannounced, Mr. Lucas. Everything I had to say to you, I said at our last meeting. Now, please leave or I will have the NYPD remove you and you can spend the night in lock up.”
“No way! This is Connor Lucas?” Caroline asked, stepping around her mother to take a good look at him. She took her time, giving him a calculated once over that Andy was sure she’d inherited from her mother. She looked back at Andy and then back at Connor. This continued a few more times before she looked over at Cassidy. “I thought you were losing it, but you were right. These two could be twins.”
Something sparked in Cassidy’s blue eyes, but Miranda looked anything, but amused. Connor, to his credit, didn’t seem to have been paying much attention as he continued to make unwelcome pleas to Miranda.
Appalled, Andy looked over at Connor. There was no way they looked even slightly alike, but then she really studied his face. He reminded her of some of her father’s younger pictures. She shuddered. Something about that was weird, but oddly flattering. She really needed to get out of there. “Come on, Chuck. Aunt Lily is waiting.” Desperate to flee, she grabbed Chuck’s hand and backed out of the door quickly. She didn’t pause until they were nearly at the subway. Her heart was pounding, but she couldn’t tell if it was because of the excursion or something else.
What was that all about?