The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 15
Title: Science of Fashion (15/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: G (for now)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
15
Miranda Priestly has never been someone who doubted her decisions after they had been made. If she wanted something she went after it, Miranda Priestly was not to be denied. But she had never been the one to pursue a relationship, it has always been the other way round. It has always been the men in her life who went after her and where had it ended? Sighing at her insecurity which was completely foreign to the editor, she leaned back in her chair, swivelling around to look out of the windows of her office.
The thought of her conversation with Caroline on Friday brought a smile to her face. Miranda knew the girls adored Andrea but having been given their blessing for a relationship with the younger woman had floored her. Knowing all this was one thing but deciding on a course of action to get what she wanted was something entirely different though.
What was so special about Andrea was the intriguing combination of old fashioned courteousness and modern attitude. The attention Andrea had lavished on her during their dinner at the museum and the reception had been breathtaking. Miranda had never been treated this way. There was no other way to describe Andrea than as a gentlewoman in said old fashioned way. It had been romantic and gentle, good humoured and caring at the zoo but always with the utmost respect and consideration. Miranda had enjoyed it immensely; it was like a dream come true. Being a romantic at heart herself it was no wonder she had felt like a queen. Her husbands had been considerate, yes, to some degree. Their attention has always been goal oriented never just something in itself. Andrea never expected anything. She didn’t do it with a purpose, just to give her something special, to treat her special because she wanted to.
So how was she going to pursue the younger woman? Did she even have a chance to win her over? Andrea had made it clear that she didn’t want her anywhere near her. What was Andrea feeling for her? Emily had said they were both more than caring for each other. But what did it mean? What was more than caring? Did Andrea love her too? At one point Miranda had thought the feelings were mutual but now? She wasn’t getting anywhere and with a sigh she turned her chair back to her desk and returned to work.
Unbeknownst to their mother the twins were pondering the same questions. They wanted their mother to be happy and Andy made her happy. The adults didn’t seem to be able to make it work, so it was upon them to make it happen. Two weeks after Caroline’s conversation with their mother they had decided on a course of action. It was on a Tuesday, they had nothing scheduled after school and on their way home with Roy their plan was set into motion.
“Roy?” Cassidy asked the man with childlike innocence. “Do you know in which hospital Andy is?”
“Yes.” Roy answered carefully.
“Roy, you do like mom, don’t you?” Caroline thought it was pointless to waste more time.
“Yes. Why?” He was already dreading this conversation.
“You want her to be happy?”
“Yes.” Roy sighed, knowing fully well where this was heading.
“Will you take us to the hospital? Please, Roy!” Both girls looked at him with pleading eyes. How could he resist? Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
“All right. But if your mother gets mad at me you will have to make her write a letter of recommendation for me.”
“Oh, please”, the girls snorted in unison, “you are family, she is never going to fire you.”
“What?” Now he was flabbergasted. Well, he knew Miranda kind of liked him, as far as she was able to but family?
“Yeah, you and Maria are family. Mom trusts you, so do we.”
“Yup”, Caroline seconded her sister, “remember when Stephen asked her to get rid of Roy, Cass?”
“Oh, man”, the other twin huffed, “it wasn’t pretty. I can still hear him `Really, Miranda, a gay driver. How do you suppose that is going to reflect on me?´” She was mimicking the man’s whiny voice.
“That was great”, Caroline giggled, “that has been the wrong thing to say. Did she ever get angry at him. Mom told him in her most frightening voice, you know, the one that’s all ice, that she would never ever fire you. Least of all because you were gay. And if he had a problem he could take a taxi. Stephen was really pissed.”
Roy had to smile at the twins. Miranda Priestly really was one of a kind. She had hired him when nobody else wanted him. Jack, his lover, worked as an accountant at Elias-Clarke. They had met before he applied as her driver. He had never made a secret of his sexuality but that’s why it had been so hard to find a job. Miranda didn’t even blink an eye when he told her. She was demanding, always expecting the best from her employees and getting it, of course. He could deal with that and they got along quite well. When Miranda was looking for a new housekeeper during the last stages of her first marriage and his mother was feeling bored after his father’s death she became the housekeeper at the Priestly household. Just as fiercely loyal and protective of the Priestly women like himself.
“Thank you, ladies”, Roy smirked at the twins. He had never really liked Stephen, the man was a pompous ass. Roy always thought Miranda could do better than this. The Professor on the other hand was the right person to sweep Miranda off her feet. Their dinner at the museum had been a nice touch.
After their arrival at the hospital Roy briefly wondered how they would get to Andrea but then he reminded himself who they were and realised it would be a piece of cake for them.
Andy was sitting on her bed crutches at her side, clad in grey sweat pants, a navy blue t-shirt and trainers on her feet, getting ready for another walking exercise when the door to her room opened and two redheads poked around the door.
“Girls! What are you doing here?” Andy smiled at her young visitors.
“Hey, Andy! We wanted to see, we miss you.” They entered the room and walked over to the bed. Careful not to hurt their hero both girls hugged her and sat down one on each side of the biologist.
“I missed you too”, Andy was honest. She had missed them terribly, their laughter and antics. Just like she missed Miranda. No, better not go there.
“How did you manage to get here?”
“Well, Roy drove us and we told them you are our aunt.” Caroline explained in a no nonsense tone which reminded Andy of Miranda. They truly were their mother’s daughters.
“Does it hurt badly?” Cassidy finally asked with a worried expression.
“Not so much anymore”, Andy hugged both girls to her side. “It’s getting better each day. I will be released next week, thank goodness.”
“Can you walk again?” Caroline pointed at the crutches.
“Yes, slow but steady. It is also getting better. I will have to do exercises when I return home to strengthen my muscles and help my hip getting more flexible.”
“Will you still need your cane?”
“I’m afraid so, but it will be less painful in the future and I will be able to be on my feet for longer period of time without too many problems.” Andy explained.
“That’s good. Because you still owe us a visit to the museum, you know”, Caroline informed her helpfully.
Laughing at the reminder Andy was glad they had come. She had missed them so much.
“That I do. I haven’t forgotten. You will have to wait though.”
“That’s okay”, Cassidy nodded in understanding. “Maybe during the summer?”
“Sorry, girls”, Andy hated to disappoint them, “but I’m going to visit my grandmother in Britain .”
“Oh.”
“Can we talk to you while you are there?” Caroline asked shyly.
“Sure.” Andy made them safe her mobile phone number before she went on, “Tell you what, as soon as I’m back I will give you a call and we go to the museum. How about that?”
“Can mom come too?” Two pairs of hopeful green eyes were looking up at her causing Andy to swallow hard at the prospect of spending time with Miranda again.
“Well, yes, of course, if she doesn’t mind.”
“Sure not, silly. She likes you”, Caroline informed her.
“She does, huh? I like her too.” Andy’s expression had turned into longing at the thought of Miranda liking her. Unaware of being carefully watched by the girls she didn’t catch their knowing smiles, confirming their suspicions that she loved their mother like their mother loved her. They simultaneously rolled their eyes in Miranda-fashion at the stupidity of adults.
The girls had enjoyed their visit with Andy. It was always fun to be with her. They had told her about school projects and the last movies they had watched with their mom. Told her about Patricia’s last faux pas in the kitchen, their spider’s well being and enjoyment of alive food much to their mother’s disgust. When it was time for them to leave Andy accompanied them to the elevator. They walked in a very slow pace but the girls didn’t mind at all because it meant their time together was prolonged even just a little bit. On their way home they were determined to talk to Maria about Andy and their mom. These stupid adults needed all the help they could get.
The girls ran through the front door of the townhouse shouting for their housekeeper. They were on a mission after all.
“Maria!”
“I’m in the kitchen, dears! And stop yelling, I’m not deaf! Not yet.” Maria shook her head at the girls´ boisterous behaviour, wondering what it was this time that got them so excited.
“Maria, we need to talk to you”, Cassidy stated without preamble after entering the kitchen.
“Well, hello to you too”, Maria answered with a smirk.
“Sorry, hello”, Cassidy blushed at her rudeness and went over to the older woman to give her a welcome hug. She was soon followed by her twin. They loved Maria, her steady presence and warmth. She was the nearest thing they had to a grandmother. The older woman cared for them and their mom. That was something the girls always remembered.
“All right, now”, Maria patted their backs and guided them towards the kitchen table where sandwiches were waiting for them.
“What is it you need to talk about?”
Taking their seats at the kitchen table, the girls waited for Maria to do the same before they could properly talk about what was on their minds.
Cassidy bit with great gusto into her sandwich, leaving the talk to her sister knowing Caroline would do just fine without her input, being the talker of the both of them.
“Well, you see we visited Andy today, in the hospital”, Caroline started tentatively before she was interrupted by Maria.
“How did you know where she was and how did you get there?” Although Maria had a good idea on both accounts.
“Mom told me and we asked Roy to take us. Please, don’t be mad at him!”
Rolling her eyes, Maria shook her head at her son. Of course he would take them, knowing the girls´ stubborn streak it was better it had been Roy than if they had taken the underground to get there. And they would have gotten to the hospital one way or the other. They were Miranda Priestly´s children after all.
“I’m not. Better him than you on your own.”
“That’s what we thought too.”
“Anyway”, Caroline wanted to return to the problem at hand, “we visited Andy and we need your help.”
“What for?” Maria was suspicious.
“To get her and mom together, of course.” Caroline said indignantly.
“Of course”, Maria agreed with a small smile.
“Mom loves Andy and Andy loves mom.”
“How do you know?”
“Mom told me”, Caroline smiled sheepishly.
Maria knew of Miranda’s feelings for the younger woman and she also knew that Miranda would always tell her children the truth if they asked.
“And Andy? Did she tell you, too?”
“No. But we could see it in her eyes”, Cassidy chimed in with conviction.
“I agree with you girls”, Maria sighed, “but I’m afraid that’s something they have to do on their own.”
“Oh, please”, Caroline whined, “adults are just too stupid. If we leave it up to them they will never get together. But Andy needs mom and mom needs Andy.”
“I know what you mean but your mother needs to figure it out on her own. I highly doubt she would appreciate any interference.”
Sighing in defeat over Maria’s unwillingness to help them Caroline turned to her sandwich, clearly not happy about it. They would have to think about something on their own. Typically.
Ever since their conversation at Miranda’s house the other night, Emily felt that there had been a nearly undetectable change in Miranda’s and her relationship. Nothing she could put a finger on but it certainly felt that way. She couldn’t describe it but it was different somehow, not bad different but definitely good different. There had also been a change in attitude in Miranda’s behaviour towards Nigel. That was something Emily could fully understand though. It seems he no longer was her confidant in anything at all. Not that anybody beside Nigel or her would have noticed.
Emily also knew that what Nigel had said to Andy at the reception was unforgivable in Miranda’s book. The British woman also knew that Miranda’s feelings for Andy ran deep, she loved the biologist that much was clear. Which made Nigel’s words even more hurtful. It would not go unpunished, sooner or later he would have to pay for it. Probably when he at least expected it.
Nigel’s recent fall from grace, which he hadn’t realised yet, wasn’t the only thing bothering Emily lately.
Irv was more of a pain than usual and that annoying bloke Jefferson Carlyle kept pestering Miranda mercilessly. A fact that was even more tiresome since he tried to win over Miranda in more than one way, whereas Miranda only cared for him as a business associate to help her get the upper hand over Irv. In Emily’s estimate Jefferson Carlyle was just another trophy hunter like Greg and Stephen with Miranda being said trophy. Even if it weren’t for Miranda’s love for Andy, Emily highly doubted the man would have a chance at all. With a sigh Emily answered another phone call from Jefferson Carlyle before she went into Miranda’s office to ask her about his invitation for dinner on Thursday.
“Miranda?” Emily waited for the editor to acknowledge her presence.
“What?” Miranda looked up from her laptop.
“Jefferson Carlyle just called. He asked if you could meet him for dinner on Thursday.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him you were already otherwise engaged.” Emily answered truthfully.
“Good”, the editor sighed, “thank goodness for Donatella. That’s all.”
Before Emily was out the door Miranda’s voice called her to a stop.
“How is Andrea?”
Turning around Emily thought she saw a flicker of worry in those blue eyes but is was gone before she could have a closer look.
“Quite good”, the corners of Emily’s mouth lifted slightly, “they released her yesterday. She has to go to physical therapy but otherwise she is fine. I think she will be back at work next week, just to finish her courses and the exams. The summer break will start soon and give her more time to heal and work up strength in her leg.”
“Good”, Miranda softly said before she turned her chair to the windows, dismissing Emily.
With one last look at her boss Emily finally left the office and returned behind her desk. Emily wondered what kept Miranda holding back. The older woman was a person of action, it was so unlike her to let Andy just slip away if that was who she wanted. And wanting Andy was what Miranda did of that Emily was sure. Had Andy been finally successful in her attempt to drive the editor away? Hopefully not. Soon enough Andy would return to Britain for the summer and then there was no way for Miranda to take what was already hers. Gritting her teeth in frustration Emily wished she could just take them by their ears and bang their stubborn heads together to make them see. Wishful thinking but she might do just that out of sheer desperation. How could two intelligent women be so stupid?
Andy was glad to be back at work again. The students were ecstatic, her colleagues happy and Carl was beyond grateful that he didn’t have to change everybody’s schedule any longer to make her courses go on.
The only annoyance that was slowly getting on her nerves was that nearly everybody insisted on treating her with kid gloves. Besides Kate who was her usual no-nonsense self. Thank goodness for Kate Moran, as well as Pauline, of course.
Although Andy still had to do physical therapy she felt better and her leg wasn’t bothering her so much any more. Walking had become easier, even with her cane. The pain was still there which was normal but according to Dr Hoffman would become less and less with the healing process going on.
She was glad that the academic year would soon be over and she could visit her grandmother. Going away over the summer would hopefully help to get over her feelings for a certain silver haired beauty whom she didn’t seem to be able to get out of her head. Maybe the distance would help and after her return they could indeed be friends. Andy didn’t really believe it but at least she could hope.
Andy was rubbing her tired eyes after grading papers for one of her seminars when Carl Richardson poked his head around her door.
“Hey, Andy, you have sec?”
“Sure”, Andy nodded, “come in! Coffee?”
“Please”, the head of the biology department grinned.
“Kate, would you please make us some of your famous brew?” Andy called out to her secretary.
“Yes, mistress”, Kate playfully answered, having taken care of it as soon as Carl had entered the office.
“Thank you.”
“Well, Carl, what can I do for you?”
“Funny you should ask, Andy”, Carl sheepishly said. “There is indeed something I would ask you to do for me. Or rather the department, that is.”
“Like what? Take over some of Sharon’s lectures, help Peter with the library or do the inventory of the lab?”
“Nothing like that. It’s all been taken care of. No, it’s something completely different you might not like at all, I’m afraid.” Carl sighed.
“What is it. Come on spill it! It can’t be that bad now, can it?” Andy laughed at the man’s pained expression.
“Well, you see...”, he was interrupted by Kate’s appearance with their coffee, looking gratefully at the woman who shot him a sympathetic look.
“I’m waiting”, Andy was getting impatient.
“I-need-you-to-attend-the-sponsor’s-cocktail party”, Carl rushed out the words before he lost his nerve.
“I beg your pardon? Did you just say what I think you said?” Andy was narrowing her eyes at the man.
“Yes.”
“I hate these things. I went to that fund raiser for you, now you want me to go to the sponsor’s cocktail party. Why?”
“Because, thanks to you Miranda Priestly agreed to become a new sponsor for the biology department.” Carl explained.
All the more reason for Andy to stay away from the party.
“No.”
“What?”
“I said, no.” Andy leaned back in her chair looking defiantly at her boss.
“All right. You asked for it. Either you attend or there will be no funding for your project next semester.”
“You can’t do this”, Andy was flustered. “You know how important it is. Especially now. Going to the schools and getting the children interested in science and in biology in particular.”
“I know. Will you do it?”
Sensing there was no way of getting her way, Andy relented with a nod and clenched her jaw.
“Great”, Carl was enthusiastic. “It’s kind of not to formal, so don’t worry. In two weeks, remember. The last day of the semester.”
“Knowing you, you will not let me forget it”, Andy hissed.
“Nope.” With a spring in his step he left her office.
When Emily opened the letter from the University to Miranda she couldn’t believe her luck. Maybe this was the moment she had been waiting for to have her friend and her boss meet again.
Leaning forward in her chair she risked a peek into Miranda’s office before she got up and with a new bounce in her step entered the office.
“I can’t remember having asked for your presence”, Miranda sounded not amused at being interrupted.
“This invitation just arrived”, Emily handed over the card.
Without another word Miranda looked at it, nothing giving away her emotions. She stood up and walked over to her windows contemplating what she should do. Maybe this was what she had been hoping for.
“Make sure my schedule is cleared”, Miranda ordered without turning around.
“Yes, Miranda”, Emily rushed out to her desk. Never had she rescheduled Miranda’s appointments with more joy than at this moment. Rescheduling Jefferson Carlyle again has become one of the greatest joys of her life.
TBC