All I want is you 14 3/4
SAYING GOODBYE IS THE HARDEST. 3/4
"I'm so glad you've got yourself a woman like Miranda." Big Al said to her lover. "You know I never did like that Nate..." he shook his head. "Always got a bad vibe from him. Women definitely are a much better partner."
Andrea laughed, patting her Uncle Al on the back. "You've certainly got that right. I am one lucky woman to have Miranda by my side." she turned to smile at her lover as Big Al opened up the back of his trailer.
"That ex-husband of yours really did one over on you." Al spoke as they pulled out their bags.
"Yes. Don't remind me." Miranda sighed. "He can rot for all I care. I never want to see or ever hear his name again."
Thankfully Big Al got the hint and didn't continue speaking about that deplorable man instead continued speaking with his niece again. "Let's get your stuff inside!"
Miranda stared up at the house, it was a beautiful white two-story home, and she knew it would have lots of character inside and lots of memories. "Magnificent."
"You think?"
"I really, really think." Miranda responded. "It's gorgeous." She couldn't wait to see what it's like inside. "I love old houses." She added, grabbing some of their things, helping get them inside.
As soon as she entered the house she was bombarded with two big and hairy dogs, one was a gorgeous golden Labrador and the other was a wolf dog, she liked to call them (it was a husky) and she has heard all about the mischievous dog. "Well, aren't you to adorable." She spoke, rubbing the tops of their heads, the Labrador delighting in smelling her hand no doubt being able to smell Patricia.
"Who wants treats?" Andrea asked, pulling out a zip-lock bag from her shoulder bag.
The dogs went wild with excitement with the husky running around in a circle before being commanded to sit. She watched her lover give a few treats to both dogs before petting their heads and cooing at them how beautiful and great they were, dropping down to her knees and cuddling them tightly.
Miranda knew her lover was stalling as she went over and helped Al but was waved away being told he would take it all upstairs for them.
With that she went back over to her lover who stood up.
"Now I have all your slobber over my hands." Andrea said, looking more at Dusty the lab than Boomer the husky.
The brunette then looked further into the house.
"I could just stay here with you two!" Andrea said, looking back at the dogs who jumped around with excitement once more.
Taking Andrea's right wrist, even knowing her hands were slobbered, she tugged on it. "Come on, we have to face this..." there was no point delaying this any longer.
"I know." Andrea replied, sighing. "I just wish I was dreaming..."
"I wish that too, darling." Miranda replied as they slowly began walking further into the house.
They rounded a corner and a young blonde came rushing over and collided in Andrea's arms.
"Pippa." Andrea breathed.
Pippa, her lover's seventeen-year-old sister, held onto Andrea tightly, eyes shut with tear stained cheeks.
"I'm so glad you're here." Pippa whispered, not wanting to let go of her older sister.
"I'm sorry it's taken so long." Andrea cried.
"I understand."
"I should have come sooner to be here for you. I have been very selfish, I know."
"Andy, you're stupid for thinking you have to say sorry. I get why you haven't come. It's been horrible. Mom can't stop crying, Dad is barely around, and Harrison looks like a zombie. I've just been trying to keep myself busy with house and farm work. I'm so glad schools finished because I wouldn't be able to concentrate on that. Then there's Daisy who is expected to give birth at any moment."
"Daisy?" Miranda chimed in. She couldn't remember Andrea telling her of a family pregnancy.
"Our cow." Pippa said, looking to her as she and Andrea slowly pulled apart but her lover didn't let go of her sisters left hand. "If the calf gets stuck I'm not going to be able to pull it out myself! I don't know what I'm going to do because Mom has barely gotten out of bed. Dad's being his useless self. I don't get why he remained living here if he won't get off his ass and help with the farm!"
Pippa was absolutely hysterical as was Andrea and it was clear the water works weren't stopping any time soon.
"Honey, everything with the farm and Daisy is going to be okay. If she goes into labour and the baby gets stuck I'll be there to help along with Miranda."
Her lover looked to her for assurance.
"Yes." Miranda responded. She's never witnessed an animal giving birth so she would be useless help but in these times of need she would do whatever she could. "I hate that we're meeting this way."
Pippa nodded, hugging her with her right arm, sobs escaping both sibling’s mouths. "All that I've heard..." she cried. "You're good for Andy. I'm glad she has you. It's an honour meeting you. What you do is out of this world."
"Thank you, that is very kind." Miranda replied, returning the brief hug before someone else came into sight, and she recognised him to be Andrea's older brother by a year, Harrison.
"Andy." He said, pulling the brunette into his arms. He had no signs of tears in his eyes but he looked awful.
"This is Miranda." Andrea said a few seconds later, pulling away from Harrison and turning to her as she accepted a tissue from Pippa and blew her nose. "Miranda, this is Harrison..."
"I hate that we're meeting like this." Miranda replied, as she watched Harrison held out a hand.
"It's not ideal." Harrison replied, watching her closely. "I just want to say to you what I said to Andy. Love is love. If you love and care for her makes me happy. But you go back to treating her like a lowly assistant again and I will not accept you into our family."
Having heard about Harrison's sometimes abrupt attitude Miranda wasn't at all surprised by his blunt words. She nodded. "I appreciate you saying that and I understand your concern. I can only imagine what Andrea said about me before we reconnected romantically." she laughed softly. "I was quite the monster, I willingly say that, but I am that way because my magazine demands it."
"If you were a man it would be completely different." Harrison nodded.
"Yes, and I can also safely say I have no intention of acting anything other than a loving partner towards Andrea which is what she deserves."
Harrison watched her closely for another few seconds until a woman appeared. He turned, putting an arm around her waist. "This is my wife Leah and out on the back porch are our two children Nancy and Richie."
"Twins?" Miranda questioned, she knew Andrea had mentioned her niece and nephew, but couldn't remember if they were twins or far apart in age, no doubt because at the time she'd been too distracted by Andrea's stunning ways.
"Unfortunately, no." Harrison said.
"I've always wanted twins though. My brother has twins with his wife.” Leah explained. “You have identical daughters I heard?"
"Correct. Girls. Cassidy and Caroline. The lights of my life."
"They sound like great kids." Leah responded.
"High IQs too, I heard?" Harrison spoke.
"Yes, exceptional. Some days I wonder how they're my daughters." Miranda laughed softly.
"And they want to become a paramedic and a pilot. Great fields of work. Pharmaceuticals has its ups and downs but I wouldn't have it any other way. What university will they be attending?
Andrea and Dylan weren't kidding when they mentioned Harrison's attitude. Miranda thought, as she responded to the older, unique, sibling.
"Their dream is Columbia to be closer to home, but it is still two years away and they may change their mind."
"As kids can do." Harrison said.
"Yes. We recently watched the YALE episode in Gilmore Girls and their eyes lit up. So-" Miranda shrugged. "Anything is possible. I will support whatever decision they decide on."
"Both great schools. I went to DUKE. Studied science and natural medicine. I'm now a pharmaceutical’s rep and the most sought out one this side of the Mid West. Fifty thousand sales this month. Last month 130 thousand.
"Impressive." Miranda replied as he continued talking about a new Pfizer drug coming out onto the market next year and he was already in the talks to get the first package this side of the country. It was clear that this Sachs member could talk on and on about himself all evening if she let him. He was a real gloater and she hates gloating. Sure, she's worked hard for what she does but she doesn't rub it in people's noses. She was glad when her lover came back over.
"You better not be grilling her!" Andrea said, playfully punching Harrison in the arm as he turned around and hugged her tightly again.
"Just friendly chatter about work and the twins. They both strive to achieve their dreams in fantastic fields." Harrison responded.
"Yes, we all know how much you love to strive." Andrea responded when they pulled apart. "As annoying as you are I have to love you."
"Holding up alright?" Leah asked when they pulled away from their tight embrace.
"Thanks to Miranda and the girls I am. Don't know what I'd be doing if it weren't for them." Andrea replied, reaching out for her hand.
"I'm really happy for you, Andy. I could tell you and Nate truly weren't meant for each other." Leah replied.
"My matchmaking did work for a little while!" Harrison pointed out.
"Nate's a great guy who I was meant to only be friends with." Andrea replied. She knew that her lover was still fond of her ex-boyfriend and missed the friendship they'd shared. "Do you know if he's coming tomorrow?"
Harrison nodded. "He's going to have to miss the first part but he'll be at the Wake."
"I still can't believe it." Leah said, shaking her head, tears welling. She and Andrea embraced again, crying softly together.
"We've had Pippa stay over the last couple of nights." Harrison said. "I can tell though she's been wanting you."
Andrea nodded and she knew her lover would be wanting to spend most of her time with Pippa.
Miranda looked over to the young teenager who was walking back downstairs with an older man following who she noticed from Andrea's pictures to be her Father Richard.
Taking a deep breath, she readied herself for whatever encounter they were about to have.
"Hi honey." Richard said, eyes puffy and red, pulling his daughter into her. "I'm glad you're finally here. Your mother is upstairs but she said she'll come down soon. She wants to check on Daisy." He spoke then turned to Miranda. "The former boss and now lady lover. I'm still confused, but I appreciate you being here for my daughter. This is going to be a hard time for us all."
Miranda awkwardly held out at hand. "I'm sorry we have to be meeting in such an unfortunate way. I had the great privilege of meeting Dylan and he was phenomenal, a wonderful, talented young man. He won me over straight away with the Sachs charm."
"He told us all about his stay and how you welcomed him in with wide arms. I appreciate that. He had the time of his life. Now he'll never be able to do that again." Richard said, taking off his glasses, beginning to walk away, tears welling in his eyes. "I have to go."
"Of course." Miranda spoke, her heart aching.
"Dad, did you want me to-" Andrea tried, but her brother cut her off.
"Just leave him. I've tried countless times to be with him, but he doesn't want the company." Harrison softly said as they watched their Father walk outside. "He's been out in the shed ever since. The most I've ever seen him out there."
No doubt regretting how he treated his son for the work venture he had chosen. Miranda thought and didn't say. She was a mother who loved her children no matter what and it baffled her when she hears of parents not supporting whatever work their children want to pursue. It's unthinkable in her mind. Paramedic work was a tough field, her daughter was going to see a lot of knitty gritty things that she won't be able to un-see but at the same time it was going to be incredibly rewarding for Cassidy. Then there's Caroline with her flying career, having always dreamed of being a pilot. It was a dangerous job but with the correct training she knew her daughter would excel. She would do absolutely anything to help them achieve their dreams. So, when she heard how Richard not only acted with Andrea and her journalism but with Dylan too. Simply put; ridiculous. Now he's regretting it.
"Mom hasn't showered in a week. I don't know what we're going to do." Harrison said, looking up to the second floor.
"Give her time." Miranda heard herself saying as she watched her lover picking up the lilies. "That's all that can be done in a situation like this." her lover nodded at her words.
"We got these for her." Andrea spoke, holding up the flowers.
"They're beautiful." Leah said. "I'll help you find an empty vase. I know the perfect spot to put them."
Andrea looked to her, squeezing her hand, looking at her as if asking "Will you be okay?" if she went away for a little bit.
Nodding she spoke. "Now that I have signal I can call the bank then I'll check in on the girls and RUNWAY."
"I can't wait to pick your brain about RUNWAY." Leah said from where she stopped in the kitchen.
"Shoot away when you're ready." Miranda replied before she realised the bad choice of wording she had used. Shoot away. Are you dumb?! Dylan fired a gun into his own brain!
The sound of sobbing was heard up from the second floor bannister and slowly looking up her stomach dropped upon seeing the familiar face of Kate Sachs from having been shown the family album a month ago by her lover. "Oh, my goodness..." she trailed off, opening and closing her mouth. "I wasn't thinking..."
"It happens." Harrison replied. "Don't worry about it. You weren't to know she was there." He added as he walked up the stairs to be with his mother along with the rest of the siblings.
Andrea looked at her as she crossed the room to the staircase. "It's okay. These things happen." she said, reaching out for the bannister.
Even so Miranda couldn't shake the horrible feeling as she watched them disappear upstairs. "I didn't know she was there."
"Neither did I." Leah replied moving to the back door. "It was an accident. Don't kick yourself over it."
That was going to be hard for her when she felt so terrible. The first time she sees you and you're saying that! She pinched her thigh, cringing at the pain. Idiot!
~*~
"What about Andrea's account. Surely you can put money in there for us to use?"
Andy heard her lover's voice as she walked downstairs.
"A couple thousand. Four at the most." Miranda said, causing her eyes to widen, as her lover looked up at her. "Good. I'll send you through her bank details."
Miranda snapped her phone shut and instantly walked over to her. "About before-"
"Darling, it was an accident. I didn't even know she was there! I hadn't thought anything of what you said. It would have been like me saying "Shoot!" when someone asked me something. I'd have said that on auto-pilot without thinking. I say it all the time, you know that."
"Of all the ways for my first impression with your mother..."
"Darling, please stop worrying, and relax. She'll have forgotten by the next time she sees you."
Miranda sighed, trying her best to relax.
"Now what's happening with your accounts?"
"My bank froze all of them due to suspicious activity going on. They froze my main account right before 3.5 million was transferred into an unknown account. It's clear Eric has someone on the outside helping him try to clear his debt... or something."
"I'm glad your bank noticed this time before anything more was stolen. What do we need four thousand for?"
Miranda shrugged. "Whatever I can do to help your family. Buy drinks at the Wake... anything."
"You just being here is enough, you know that." Andrea put her arms around her.
"I do, but I still want to be useful in some way, and if my money can help then I am going to do so."
Knowing her lover wasn't used to such a situation like this Andy simply kissed Miranda. There was no point making a big deal over what her lover decided to do with her money. "She's a big girl! She can decide for herself what she does with her money!" Dylan's words echoed through her mind. "I'm going to go check on Daisy for mom. Would you like to come?"
"Of course, darling. I want to meet all of your family members including the animals." Miranda replied, reaching into her bag for her camera having promised the girls she would take lots of photo's.
"Great. I'll show you around. Let me find you a pair of suitable boots first."
"Boots?"
"Yes darling, you're in farm territory now and it's coming in to snake season." Andy replied, pulling open the cupboard by the door, rummaging through. "Uh huh! Found your size! They're mom's second pair but she never uses them. They can officially be yours now."
Once her lover had the boots on she watched as Miranda looked down to them.
"I never thought I'd see the day." Miranda spoke, staring at the heavy gumboots.
Andy laughed. "You'll get used to it!" She said, tugging on her lover's hand. "Come on, there's lots to show you."
"You're going to make me have sore feet later, aren't you?"
"Probably." Andy responded, looking at her lover with a closed lip smile. "Farm life, baby, the soles of your feet will adapt to it."
"These boots don't feel very supportive."
"They're better and more expensive than you think."
"Hmm, like 30 dollars?"
"85!" Andy said over her shoulder. "I was there when mom brought them. But then her sister, my aunt Judy brought her a different pair and they're now her favourite."
~*~
Coming back inside from the warmth of the sun Miranda took off her thin jacket and hung it up on one of the many hooks by the door.
Andrea took off her boots before walking over to their bags the ones she'd insisted Big Al let her take upstairs. "Time for me to show you my old room."
Secretly Miranda has been waiting for this moment. Nodding she helped Andrea with their bags as they headed upstairs.
Once on the second floor they went right and walked five steps down and entered the first door on the left.
The smell in the room was a little musky, which was easily fixed by opening a window, along with a very girly perfume scent which didn't seem much like Andrea.
Looking around Miranda's eyes widened at the posters on the walls. She was a little surprised by what she saw. "The BANGLES, Dixie Chicks..." she trailed off with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, you have some taste at least." She commented upon looking at the poster next to the window of her dear friend, Michael Jackson. "We are well and truly overdue for a catch up." She spoke and her lover raised an eyebrow.
"Wait... your friends with MJ?"
"Have you not seen the pictures in the hall way near my room?" Miranda asked, turning to look at the back wall opposite the double bed where there was a huge array of photos of Andrea with friends and family on the wall.
"Yeah, but I didn't think it meant that you guys actually "hung out" and it's never come up in a conversation until now."
"Well, now you know." Miranda responded, looking over to her lover and smiling. "We were meant to see each other a few months ago but you and I ended up going to the South of France together."
"Oh. Em. Gee! You stood up MJ for me?!"
"He understood." Miranda shrugged. "It's okay though because I think McCauley had been there and I'm not going to Michael's whilst he's there until he's cleaned his attitude up."
"Woah woah! You're saying that Dylan and I were talking about cute little Kevin McCallister from HOME ALONE just the other month and this whole time you're like... friends with him as well as Michael fucking Jackson?!"
At Andrea's words, she turned to look at her lover. "Yes, it didn't come to my mind to tell you. I'm sorry, had I known you'd have both wanted to know I would have told you."
"I think I need to sit down." Andrea said in a bit of a daze as she sat down onto her old double bed. "This is insane. Dylan should be here to hear this."
"I wish he were, my darling." Miranda replied.
Andrea breathed in and out deeply a couple of times. "What do you think of my old room?" Her lover asked, being strong and changing the subject.
"Beautiful. Just like I expected it to be with all the novels, slight clutter and photos."
"But the music posters are shocking you."
"Yes." Miranda replied, lips curling. "You don't seem to listen to that music anymore... but you picked a great Michael poster."
It's my favourite one. The world’s greatest singer."
"You'll have to come with me when I visit him next."
"You're kidding."
"Only if you want me to be."
"I'll be a nervous wreck!" Andrea responded, standing from the bed. "What would I wear? What would I say? Oh no... I couldn't possibly..."
Miranda took a hold of her lover. "You could wear whatever you want, a paper bag and you would still be breathtaking, and you can talk about whatever your beautiful mind desires."
"This is insane!" Andrea said, shaking her head. "I wish all of this could be happening differently."
"So do I." Miranda replied, putting a supportive arm around Andrea. "What can I do for you?"
"What you're doing now... being here for me..."
They remained quiet for a little while.
"I really like this photo." Miranda spoke, looking at one of the pictures of her lover. "You're so very young but so beautiful."
"When was this taken?" Miranda asked.
Andrea laughed softly, looking to the photo. That was on the day of my 18th. It was the second and only time I ever dressed up like that... until I become a RUNWAY employee."
"You look like you're doing a shoot for RUNWAY!" Miranda said, in awe.
"Oh please."
Miranda turned to Andrea to see her lover was blushing. "I'm being serious. Good lord, look at you!" she was stunned. "Young and blossomed into such an extraordinary, stunning woman who I love so much." She spoke, still unable to believe she has fallen in love with someone so young, but it is how it is, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
~*~
Later.
"Here. Have this." Miranda said, turning around to Andrea who sat at the counter.
"What is it?" Andrea asked, reaching out to take the glass of green juice.
"I made it. It has lots of healthy goodness with Chia and Flaxseeds. You'll have your body loving you later for the clean out."
Andrea raised an eyebrow, taking a sip. "Huh, not bad."
Smirking Miranda nodded. "It's because it's made with love."
Andrea gave her a close-lipped smile, eyes red and blotchy. Her lover downed the drink in record time.
Fifteen minutes later and it was working its magic as her brunette beauty raced upstairs for the bathroom. "What did I say!"
"You weren't lying!"
Chuckling Miranda took the empty glass and turned to the sink to begin washing it along with the juicer before picking up her glass of coffee for another sip.
"I can see how much you care for her."
Miranda looked over her shoulder at the unexpected voice and found herself face to face with the grieving Sachs mother. "Oh." She cleared her throat. "I really do."
"If you hurt her..." Kate trailed off, unable to come up with an argument.
"I know it's strange with the age gap, but I love her, and I will never hurt her."
Kate searched her eyes before nodding. "Richard will take time accepting this. It's not the lesbian part, it's-"
"Me. I know. I was a nightmare to Andrea when she first worked for me, I can only imagine the tales she has told you, but I've apologised for all of that to her."
"As long as Andy is happy... that's all that matters." Kate responded, pulling open the fridge to take out the orange juice before grabbing a bottle of Vodka atop the fridge. "Richard is an arrogant bastard even at the best of times. Harrison takes after him. I can't stand it at times."
Miranda watched as the other woman who looked so like Andrea just older taking a shot of vodka.
"Can't stand either of them at times, I should say." Kate shook her head, looking to her mug. "I hope the coffee is how you like it?"
"Oh, yes. Excellent coffee, very strong."
"Andy told me you loved your coffee. I got the best I could find in the store and I set the coffee machine the hottest it would go."
"Oh, Kate... You didn't need to do-"
"Of course, I did, you love my daughter… she loves you, and I will do whatever I can to help welcome you into our home... Our family."
"I'm pleased to finally be meeting you, Andrea can never stop talking about you and this magnificent home... I just hate and wish we weren't meeting like this. I wish I could make all this pain go away. All the money I have and there's nothing I can do." Miranda said, realising she was rambling. "I can't imagine how hard this all must be for you." she added, no idea how she would be acting or even standing up from bed if one of her girls did such a thing to themselves.
Kate's hands began to shake and she wordlessly opened and closed her mouth, shaking her head, looking up at her with watery eyes. "I was the one who-" the woman's throat caught. "Who found him... My beautiful boy, laying there like that, so...so lifeless and blood.... there was so much blood, and bits of his brain… splattered all around… I just... I don't know...why? Why... Why did he do it?"
Miranda wordlessly shook her head unsure as to what to say as Kate broke down in front of her. "I wish I had the answers."
"He was a good boy, loved life, he had his secrets and bouts of depression but I... he was your typical moody teenager, and then did your typical early twenty things... I know the drinking was getting a tad over the top, and we were going to talk about that next year after his big birthday party at the end of the year... I never thought... This would happen. We talked a lot, he always confided in me when he was ready, he could never talk to Richard the way he does... did with me. I never saw the signs. I should have seen the signs! I can't believe I didn't see he was struggling!"
"You couldn't have known."
"I should have! I'm his mother!" Kate pushed away from the island counter, beginning to pace so much like Andrea. "I'm his fucking mother and I couldn't even see that my baby boy was struggling!"
That was clearly another moment where she could have said something differently. Miranda watched as Kate tried to calm herself down. She didn't know what to say, and decided to remain silent so as not to say anything else stupid.
"I lost my baby boy. I don't know how to... continue." Kate confessed. "What would you do?"
"Oh, I..." Miranda trailed off. What a loaded question! She honestly had no idea other than - "I think I'd want to die, but then I'd have the other daughter there to think about so I wouldn't be able to just slit my throat. Not to mention I have Andrea now and she has helped change my life around in many ways. I firmly believe she would be able to help me get through anything just as I am now with her." She responded, not at all okay with the thought of her daughters never on this earth at least while she was still alive. It was not okay or fair for a child go before their parent.
"I can see now you're who Andy has been waiting for. You're who she needs." Kate said through her tears. "I am thrilled you're a part of our family."
"I... thank you. I'm thrilled to be a part of it." Miranda responded, unable to believe she was "Meeting the Family" in such a distraught way.
"Drink?"
"Sure." Miranda replied, not much of a Vodka fan but was not going to be rude and decline when really she was enjoying just her coffee. She watched as two drinks were poured, one being placed in front of her. "Thank you."
Kate, in her daze simply nodded and walked away, forgetting to put the juice back and close the fridge. "Welcome to the family." The older brunette said over her shoulder.
Biting the inside of her lip, unable to believe all of this was happening in such a devastating way, she closed the fridge to come face to face with a picture of Dylan grinning widely with that Sachs charm. Why did you do it...?
~*~
Notes: Picture of "young Andy" Anne Hathaway found on Google.
http://pure-ecstasy6.livejournal.com/46860.html
"I'm so glad you've got yourself a woman like Miranda." Big Al said to her lover. "You know I never did like that Nate..." he shook his head. "Always got a bad vibe from him. Women definitely are a much better partner."
Andrea laughed, patting her Uncle Al on the back. "You've certainly got that right. I am one lucky woman to have Miranda by my side." she turned to smile at her lover as Big Al opened up the back of his trailer.
"That ex-husband of yours really did one over on you." Al spoke as they pulled out their bags.
"Yes. Don't remind me." Miranda sighed. "He can rot for all I care. I never want to see or ever hear his name again."
Thankfully Big Al got the hint and didn't continue speaking about that deplorable man instead continued speaking with his niece again. "Let's get your stuff inside!"
Miranda stared up at the house, it was a beautiful white two-story home, and she knew it would have lots of character inside and lots of memories. "Magnificent."
"You think?"
"I really, really think." Miranda responded. "It's gorgeous." She couldn't wait to see what it's like inside. "I love old houses." She added, grabbing some of their things, helping get them inside.
As soon as she entered the house she was bombarded with two big and hairy dogs, one was a gorgeous golden Labrador and the other was a wolf dog, she liked to call them (it was a husky) and she has heard all about the mischievous dog. "Well, aren't you to adorable." She spoke, rubbing the tops of their heads, the Labrador delighting in smelling her hand no doubt being able to smell Patricia.
"Who wants treats?" Andrea asked, pulling out a zip-lock bag from her shoulder bag.
The dogs went wild with excitement with the husky running around in a circle before being commanded to sit. She watched her lover give a few treats to both dogs before petting their heads and cooing at them how beautiful and great they were, dropping down to her knees and cuddling them tightly.
Miranda knew her lover was stalling as she went over and helped Al but was waved away being told he would take it all upstairs for them.
With that she went back over to her lover who stood up.
"Now I have all your slobber over my hands." Andrea said, looking more at Dusty the lab than Boomer the husky.
The brunette then looked further into the house.
"I could just stay here with you two!" Andrea said, looking back at the dogs who jumped around with excitement once more.
Taking Andrea's right wrist, even knowing her hands were slobbered, she tugged on it. "Come on, we have to face this..." there was no point delaying this any longer.
"I know." Andrea replied, sighing. "I just wish I was dreaming..."
"I wish that too, darling." Miranda replied as they slowly began walking further into the house.
They rounded a corner and a young blonde came rushing over and collided in Andrea's arms.
"Pippa." Andrea breathed.
Pippa, her lover's seventeen-year-old sister, held onto Andrea tightly, eyes shut with tear stained cheeks.
"I'm so glad you're here." Pippa whispered, not wanting to let go of her older sister.
"I'm sorry it's taken so long." Andrea cried.
"I understand."
"I should have come sooner to be here for you. I have been very selfish, I know."
"Andy, you're stupid for thinking you have to say sorry. I get why you haven't come. It's been horrible. Mom can't stop crying, Dad is barely around, and Harrison looks like a zombie. I've just been trying to keep myself busy with house and farm work. I'm so glad schools finished because I wouldn't be able to concentrate on that. Then there's Daisy who is expected to give birth at any moment."
"Daisy?" Miranda chimed in. She couldn't remember Andrea telling her of a family pregnancy.
"Our cow." Pippa said, looking to her as she and Andrea slowly pulled apart but her lover didn't let go of her sisters left hand. "If the calf gets stuck I'm not going to be able to pull it out myself! I don't know what I'm going to do because Mom has barely gotten out of bed. Dad's being his useless self. I don't get why he remained living here if he won't get off his ass and help with the farm!"
Pippa was absolutely hysterical as was Andrea and it was clear the water works weren't stopping any time soon.
"Honey, everything with the farm and Daisy is going to be okay. If she goes into labour and the baby gets stuck I'll be there to help along with Miranda."
Her lover looked to her for assurance.
"Yes." Miranda responded. She's never witnessed an animal giving birth so she would be useless help but in these times of need she would do whatever she could. "I hate that we're meeting this way."
Pippa nodded, hugging her with her right arm, sobs escaping both sibling’s mouths. "All that I've heard..." she cried. "You're good for Andy. I'm glad she has you. It's an honour meeting you. What you do is out of this world."
"Thank you, that is very kind." Miranda replied, returning the brief hug before someone else came into sight, and she recognised him to be Andrea's older brother by a year, Harrison.
"Andy." He said, pulling the brunette into his arms. He had no signs of tears in his eyes but he looked awful.
"This is Miranda." Andrea said a few seconds later, pulling away from Harrison and turning to her as she accepted a tissue from Pippa and blew her nose. "Miranda, this is Harrison..."
"I hate that we're meeting like this." Miranda replied, as she watched Harrison held out a hand.
"It's not ideal." Harrison replied, watching her closely. "I just want to say to you what I said to Andy. Love is love. If you love and care for her makes me happy. But you go back to treating her like a lowly assistant again and I will not accept you into our family."
Having heard about Harrison's sometimes abrupt attitude Miranda wasn't at all surprised by his blunt words. She nodded. "I appreciate you saying that and I understand your concern. I can only imagine what Andrea said about me before we reconnected romantically." she laughed softly. "I was quite the monster, I willingly say that, but I am that way because my magazine demands it."
"If you were a man it would be completely different." Harrison nodded.
"Yes, and I can also safely say I have no intention of acting anything other than a loving partner towards Andrea which is what she deserves."
Harrison watched her closely for another few seconds until a woman appeared. He turned, putting an arm around her waist. "This is my wife Leah and out on the back porch are our two children Nancy and Richie."
"Twins?" Miranda questioned, she knew Andrea had mentioned her niece and nephew, but couldn't remember if they were twins or far apart in age, no doubt because at the time she'd been too distracted by Andrea's stunning ways.
"Unfortunately, no." Harrison said.
"I've always wanted twins though. My brother has twins with his wife.” Leah explained. “You have identical daughters I heard?"
"Correct. Girls. Cassidy and Caroline. The lights of my life."
"They sound like great kids." Leah responded.
"High IQs too, I heard?" Harrison spoke.
"Yes, exceptional. Some days I wonder how they're my daughters." Miranda laughed softly.
"And they want to become a paramedic and a pilot. Great fields of work. Pharmaceuticals has its ups and downs but I wouldn't have it any other way. What university will they be attending?
Andrea and Dylan weren't kidding when they mentioned Harrison's attitude. Miranda thought, as she responded to the older, unique, sibling.
"Their dream is Columbia to be closer to home, but it is still two years away and they may change their mind."
"As kids can do." Harrison said.
"Yes. We recently watched the YALE episode in Gilmore Girls and their eyes lit up. So-" Miranda shrugged. "Anything is possible. I will support whatever decision they decide on."
"Both great schools. I went to DUKE. Studied science and natural medicine. I'm now a pharmaceutical’s rep and the most sought out one this side of the Mid West. Fifty thousand sales this month. Last month 130 thousand.
"Impressive." Miranda replied as he continued talking about a new Pfizer drug coming out onto the market next year and he was already in the talks to get the first package this side of the country. It was clear that this Sachs member could talk on and on about himself all evening if she let him. He was a real gloater and she hates gloating. Sure, she's worked hard for what she does but she doesn't rub it in people's noses. She was glad when her lover came back over.
"You better not be grilling her!" Andrea said, playfully punching Harrison in the arm as he turned around and hugged her tightly again.
"Just friendly chatter about work and the twins. They both strive to achieve their dreams in fantastic fields." Harrison responded.
"Yes, we all know how much you love to strive." Andrea responded when they pulled apart. "As annoying as you are I have to love you."
"Holding up alright?" Leah asked when they pulled away from their tight embrace.
"Thanks to Miranda and the girls I am. Don't know what I'd be doing if it weren't for them." Andrea replied, reaching out for her hand.
"I'm really happy for you, Andy. I could tell you and Nate truly weren't meant for each other." Leah replied.
"My matchmaking did work for a little while!" Harrison pointed out.
"Nate's a great guy who I was meant to only be friends with." Andrea replied. She knew that her lover was still fond of her ex-boyfriend and missed the friendship they'd shared. "Do you know if he's coming tomorrow?"
Harrison nodded. "He's going to have to miss the first part but he'll be at the Wake."
"I still can't believe it." Leah said, shaking her head, tears welling. She and Andrea embraced again, crying softly together.
"We've had Pippa stay over the last couple of nights." Harrison said. "I can tell though she's been wanting you."
Andrea nodded and she knew her lover would be wanting to spend most of her time with Pippa.
Miranda looked over to the young teenager who was walking back downstairs with an older man following who she noticed from Andrea's pictures to be her Father Richard.
Taking a deep breath, she readied herself for whatever encounter they were about to have.
"Hi honey." Richard said, eyes puffy and red, pulling his daughter into her. "I'm glad you're finally here. Your mother is upstairs but she said she'll come down soon. She wants to check on Daisy." He spoke then turned to Miranda. "The former boss and now lady lover. I'm still confused, but I appreciate you being here for my daughter. This is going to be a hard time for us all."
Miranda awkwardly held out at hand. "I'm sorry we have to be meeting in such an unfortunate way. I had the great privilege of meeting Dylan and he was phenomenal, a wonderful, talented young man. He won me over straight away with the Sachs charm."
"He told us all about his stay and how you welcomed him in with wide arms. I appreciate that. He had the time of his life. Now he'll never be able to do that again." Richard said, taking off his glasses, beginning to walk away, tears welling in his eyes. "I have to go."
"Of course." Miranda spoke, her heart aching.
"Dad, did you want me to-" Andrea tried, but her brother cut her off.
"Just leave him. I've tried countless times to be with him, but he doesn't want the company." Harrison softly said as they watched their Father walk outside. "He's been out in the shed ever since. The most I've ever seen him out there."
No doubt regretting how he treated his son for the work venture he had chosen. Miranda thought and didn't say. She was a mother who loved her children no matter what and it baffled her when she hears of parents not supporting whatever work their children want to pursue. It's unthinkable in her mind. Paramedic work was a tough field, her daughter was going to see a lot of knitty gritty things that she won't be able to un-see but at the same time it was going to be incredibly rewarding for Cassidy. Then there's Caroline with her flying career, having always dreamed of being a pilot. It was a dangerous job but with the correct training she knew her daughter would excel. She would do absolutely anything to help them achieve their dreams. So, when she heard how Richard not only acted with Andrea and her journalism but with Dylan too. Simply put; ridiculous. Now he's regretting it.
"Mom hasn't showered in a week. I don't know what we're going to do." Harrison said, looking up to the second floor.
"Give her time." Miranda heard herself saying as she watched her lover picking up the lilies. "That's all that can be done in a situation like this." her lover nodded at her words.
"We got these for her." Andrea spoke, holding up the flowers.
"They're beautiful." Leah said. "I'll help you find an empty vase. I know the perfect spot to put them."
Andrea looked to her, squeezing her hand, looking at her as if asking "Will you be okay?" if she went away for a little bit.
Nodding she spoke. "Now that I have signal I can call the bank then I'll check in on the girls and RUNWAY."
"I can't wait to pick your brain about RUNWAY." Leah said from where she stopped in the kitchen.
"Shoot away when you're ready." Miranda replied before she realised the bad choice of wording she had used. Shoot away. Are you dumb?! Dylan fired a gun into his own brain!
The sound of sobbing was heard up from the second floor bannister and slowly looking up her stomach dropped upon seeing the familiar face of Kate Sachs from having been shown the family album a month ago by her lover. "Oh, my goodness..." she trailed off, opening and closing her mouth. "I wasn't thinking..."
"It happens." Harrison replied. "Don't worry about it. You weren't to know she was there." He added as he walked up the stairs to be with his mother along with the rest of the siblings.
Andrea looked at her as she crossed the room to the staircase. "It's okay. These things happen." she said, reaching out for the bannister.
Even so Miranda couldn't shake the horrible feeling as she watched them disappear upstairs. "I didn't know she was there."
"Neither did I." Leah replied moving to the back door. "It was an accident. Don't kick yourself over it."
That was going to be hard for her when she felt so terrible. The first time she sees you and you're saying that! She pinched her thigh, cringing at the pain. Idiot!
~*~
"What about Andrea's account. Surely you can put money in there for us to use?"
Andy heard her lover's voice as she walked downstairs.
"A couple thousand. Four at the most." Miranda said, causing her eyes to widen, as her lover looked up at her. "Good. I'll send you through her bank details."
Miranda snapped her phone shut and instantly walked over to her. "About before-"
"Darling, it was an accident. I didn't even know she was there! I hadn't thought anything of what you said. It would have been like me saying "Shoot!" when someone asked me something. I'd have said that on auto-pilot without thinking. I say it all the time, you know that."
"Of all the ways for my first impression with your mother..."
"Darling, please stop worrying, and relax. She'll have forgotten by the next time she sees you."
Miranda sighed, trying her best to relax.
"Now what's happening with your accounts?"
"My bank froze all of them due to suspicious activity going on. They froze my main account right before 3.5 million was transferred into an unknown account. It's clear Eric has someone on the outside helping him try to clear his debt... or something."
"I'm glad your bank noticed this time before anything more was stolen. What do we need four thousand for?"
Miranda shrugged. "Whatever I can do to help your family. Buy drinks at the Wake... anything."
"You just being here is enough, you know that." Andrea put her arms around her.
"I do, but I still want to be useful in some way, and if my money can help then I am going to do so."
Knowing her lover wasn't used to such a situation like this Andy simply kissed Miranda. There was no point making a big deal over what her lover decided to do with her money. "She's a big girl! She can decide for herself what she does with her money!" Dylan's words echoed through her mind. "I'm going to go check on Daisy for mom. Would you like to come?"
"Of course, darling. I want to meet all of your family members including the animals." Miranda replied, reaching into her bag for her camera having promised the girls she would take lots of photo's.
"Great. I'll show you around. Let me find you a pair of suitable boots first."
"Boots?"
"Yes darling, you're in farm territory now and it's coming in to snake season." Andy replied, pulling open the cupboard by the door, rummaging through. "Uh huh! Found your size! They're mom's second pair but she never uses them. They can officially be yours now."
Once her lover had the boots on she watched as Miranda looked down to them.
"I never thought I'd see the day." Miranda spoke, staring at the heavy gumboots.
Andy laughed. "You'll get used to it!" She said, tugging on her lover's hand. "Come on, there's lots to show you."
"You're going to make me have sore feet later, aren't you?"
"Probably." Andy responded, looking at her lover with a closed lip smile. "Farm life, baby, the soles of your feet will adapt to it."
"These boots don't feel very supportive."
"They're better and more expensive than you think."
"Hmm, like 30 dollars?"
"85!" Andy said over her shoulder. "I was there when mom brought them. But then her sister, my aunt Judy brought her a different pair and they're now her favourite."
~*~
Coming back inside from the warmth of the sun Miranda took off her thin jacket and hung it up on one of the many hooks by the door.
Andrea took off her boots before walking over to their bags the ones she'd insisted Big Al let her take upstairs. "Time for me to show you my old room."
Secretly Miranda has been waiting for this moment. Nodding she helped Andrea with their bags as they headed upstairs.
Once on the second floor they went right and walked five steps down and entered the first door on the left.
The smell in the room was a little musky, which was easily fixed by opening a window, along with a very girly perfume scent which didn't seem much like Andrea.
Looking around Miranda's eyes widened at the posters on the walls. She was a little surprised by what she saw. "The BANGLES, Dixie Chicks..." she trailed off with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, you have some taste at least." She commented upon looking at the poster next to the window of her dear friend, Michael Jackson. "We are well and truly overdue for a catch up." She spoke and her lover raised an eyebrow.
"Wait... your friends with MJ?"
"Have you not seen the pictures in the hall way near my room?" Miranda asked, turning to look at the back wall opposite the double bed where there was a huge array of photos of Andrea with friends and family on the wall.
"Yeah, but I didn't think it meant that you guys actually "hung out" and it's never come up in a conversation until now."
"Well, now you know." Miranda responded, looking over to her lover and smiling. "We were meant to see each other a few months ago but you and I ended up going to the South of France together."
"Oh. Em. Gee! You stood up MJ for me?!"
"He understood." Miranda shrugged. "It's okay though because I think McCauley had been there and I'm not going to Michael's whilst he's there until he's cleaned his attitude up."
"Woah woah! You're saying that Dylan and I were talking about cute little Kevin McCallister from HOME ALONE just the other month and this whole time you're like... friends with him as well as Michael fucking Jackson?!"
At Andrea's words, she turned to look at her lover. "Yes, it didn't come to my mind to tell you. I'm sorry, had I known you'd have both wanted to know I would have told you."
"I think I need to sit down." Andrea said in a bit of a daze as she sat down onto her old double bed. "This is insane. Dylan should be here to hear this."
"I wish he were, my darling." Miranda replied.
Andrea breathed in and out deeply a couple of times. "What do you think of my old room?" Her lover asked, being strong and changing the subject.
"Beautiful. Just like I expected it to be with all the novels, slight clutter and photos."
"But the music posters are shocking you."
"Yes." Miranda replied, lips curling. "You don't seem to listen to that music anymore... but you picked a great Michael poster."
It's my favourite one. The world’s greatest singer."
"You'll have to come with me when I visit him next."
"You're kidding."
"Only if you want me to be."
"I'll be a nervous wreck!" Andrea responded, standing from the bed. "What would I wear? What would I say? Oh no... I couldn't possibly..."
Miranda took a hold of her lover. "You could wear whatever you want, a paper bag and you would still be breathtaking, and you can talk about whatever your beautiful mind desires."
"This is insane!" Andrea said, shaking her head. "I wish all of this could be happening differently."
"So do I." Miranda replied, putting a supportive arm around Andrea. "What can I do for you?"
"What you're doing now... being here for me..."
They remained quiet for a little while.
"I really like this photo." Miranda spoke, looking at one of the pictures of her lover. "You're so very young but so beautiful."
"When was this taken?" Miranda asked.
Andrea laughed softly, looking to the photo. That was on the day of my 18th. It was the second and only time I ever dressed up like that... until I become a RUNWAY employee."
"You look like you're doing a shoot for RUNWAY!" Miranda said, in awe.
"Oh please."
Miranda turned to Andrea to see her lover was blushing. "I'm being serious. Good lord, look at you!" she was stunned. "Young and blossomed into such an extraordinary, stunning woman who I love so much." She spoke, still unable to believe she has fallen in love with someone so young, but it is how it is, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
~*~
Later.
"Here. Have this." Miranda said, turning around to Andrea who sat at the counter.
"What is it?" Andrea asked, reaching out to take the glass of green juice.
"I made it. It has lots of healthy goodness with Chia and Flaxseeds. You'll have your body loving you later for the clean out."
Andrea raised an eyebrow, taking a sip. "Huh, not bad."
Smirking Miranda nodded. "It's because it's made with love."
Andrea gave her a close-lipped smile, eyes red and blotchy. Her lover downed the drink in record time.
Fifteen minutes later and it was working its magic as her brunette beauty raced upstairs for the bathroom. "What did I say!"
"You weren't lying!"
Chuckling Miranda took the empty glass and turned to the sink to begin washing it along with the juicer before picking up her glass of coffee for another sip.
"I can see how much you care for her."
Miranda looked over her shoulder at the unexpected voice and found herself face to face with the grieving Sachs mother. "Oh." She cleared her throat. "I really do."
"If you hurt her..." Kate trailed off, unable to come up with an argument.
"I know it's strange with the age gap, but I love her, and I will never hurt her."
Kate searched her eyes before nodding. "Richard will take time accepting this. It's not the lesbian part, it's-"
"Me. I know. I was a nightmare to Andrea when she first worked for me, I can only imagine the tales she has told you, but I've apologised for all of that to her."
"As long as Andy is happy... that's all that matters." Kate responded, pulling open the fridge to take out the orange juice before grabbing a bottle of Vodka atop the fridge. "Richard is an arrogant bastard even at the best of times. Harrison takes after him. I can't stand it at times."
Miranda watched as the other woman who looked so like Andrea just older taking a shot of vodka.
"Can't stand either of them at times, I should say." Kate shook her head, looking to her mug. "I hope the coffee is how you like it?"
"Oh, yes. Excellent coffee, very strong."
"Andy told me you loved your coffee. I got the best I could find in the store and I set the coffee machine the hottest it would go."
"Oh, Kate... You didn't need to do-"
"Of course, I did, you love my daughter… she loves you, and I will do whatever I can to help welcome you into our home... Our family."
"I'm pleased to finally be meeting you, Andrea can never stop talking about you and this magnificent home... I just hate and wish we weren't meeting like this. I wish I could make all this pain go away. All the money I have and there's nothing I can do." Miranda said, realising she was rambling. "I can't imagine how hard this all must be for you." she added, no idea how she would be acting or even standing up from bed if one of her girls did such a thing to themselves.
Kate's hands began to shake and she wordlessly opened and closed her mouth, shaking her head, looking up at her with watery eyes. "I was the one who-" the woman's throat caught. "Who found him... My beautiful boy, laying there like that, so...so lifeless and blood.... there was so much blood, and bits of his brain… splattered all around… I just... I don't know...why? Why... Why did he do it?"
Miranda wordlessly shook her head unsure as to what to say as Kate broke down in front of her. "I wish I had the answers."
"He was a good boy, loved life, he had his secrets and bouts of depression but I... he was your typical moody teenager, and then did your typical early twenty things... I know the drinking was getting a tad over the top, and we were going to talk about that next year after his big birthday party at the end of the year... I never thought... This would happen. We talked a lot, he always confided in me when he was ready, he could never talk to Richard the way he does... did with me. I never saw the signs. I should have seen the signs! I can't believe I didn't see he was struggling!"
"You couldn't have known."
"I should have! I'm his mother!" Kate pushed away from the island counter, beginning to pace so much like Andrea. "I'm his fucking mother and I couldn't even see that my baby boy was struggling!"
That was clearly another moment where she could have said something differently. Miranda watched as Kate tried to calm herself down. She didn't know what to say, and decided to remain silent so as not to say anything else stupid.
"I lost my baby boy. I don't know how to... continue." Kate confessed. "What would you do?"
"Oh, I..." Miranda trailed off. What a loaded question! She honestly had no idea other than - "I think I'd want to die, but then I'd have the other daughter there to think about so I wouldn't be able to just slit my throat. Not to mention I have Andrea now and she has helped change my life around in many ways. I firmly believe she would be able to help me get through anything just as I am now with her." She responded, not at all okay with the thought of her daughters never on this earth at least while she was still alive. It was not okay or fair for a child go before their parent.
"I can see now you're who Andy has been waiting for. You're who she needs." Kate said through her tears. "I am thrilled you're a part of our family."
"I... thank you. I'm thrilled to be a part of it." Miranda responded, unable to believe she was "Meeting the Family" in such a distraught way.
"Drink?"
"Sure." Miranda replied, not much of a Vodka fan but was not going to be rude and decline when really she was enjoying just her coffee. She watched as two drinks were poured, one being placed in front of her. "Thank you."
Kate, in her daze simply nodded and walked away, forgetting to put the juice back and close the fridge. "Welcome to the family." The older brunette said over her shoulder.
Biting the inside of her lip, unable to believe all of this was happening in such a devastating way, she closed the fridge to come face to face with a picture of Dylan grinning widely with that Sachs charm. Why did you do it...?
~*~
Notes: Picture of "young Andy" Anne Hathaway found on Google.
http://pure-ecstasy6.livejournal.com/46860.html