Thank You Irv Ravitz 8/8
Title: Thank You Irv Ravitz 8/8
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Andy/Miranda
Summary: Andy overhears something very interesting. Now she needs to put it to good use.
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership over the characters contained herein.
A/N: Thanks to calliopedawn for being a great Beta! She gave me a smack for taking so long with this, and I deserved it! What a slave driver. ;) Also - Comments are love!
A/NN: So this is it. I hope you like the way I have ended it. Now that it’s over I have a few ideas for sequels. I am already being pestered by my wonderful beta!
Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Andy could not remember a more excruciating two weeks in her life, partly because she had to spend time with Irv and Preston, mostly because she had not seen Miranda since that Saturday. She would always know it as ‘that Saturday’, the one that changed her life. They had been in contact, but mostly over the phone. Miranda didn’t want to tip off Irv so they had kept their distance. The twins seemed just as keen as Andy was to have contact and were inviting her over constantly. She wasn’t coping, not when she knew what she was missing.
The party celebrating the appointment of Christiana was tonight and Andy was nervous. She was nervous because she would be exposing her duplicitous behaviour but mostly because she would finally be seeing Miranda.
The brunette studied herself in the mirror. She looked stunning in the red Valentino gown. Miranda had chosen it of course, and it showed. Andy couldn’t remember a time when she looked so good. There was no way she could be proud, not when her stomach was doing summersaults.
Preston picked her up at her door, well his driver called while he waited in the car. Andy did a double take when she shimmied into the backseat, not wanting to damage the dress. Is that a cravat? The journalist rolled her eyes internally. She shared a perfunctory kiss, still horrible, and drew her attention away pretending to fuss over the dress. This plan was momentarily successful until she realised she drew Preston’s attention to the significant split up the side of her leg. She realised that she was flashing more skin than she ever had. He was going to read into this, she was sure about that.
Andy walked into the room and felt eyes on her. The erstwhile assistant was at an Elias Clark function. Everyone in the room knew Miranda was due to arrive any minute. Most didn’t know whether they wanted to flee or stay for the fireworks. Andy locked eyes with Emily across the room offering a sympathetic smile. Whatever reaction the redhead was to offer was wiped off her face as she watched Irv Ravitz take his position on Andy’s left. She felt like the sacrifice about to be offered up to King Kong. Little did everyone know what this larger than life Dragon Lady was going to do with her.
The room died down and everyone heads turned instinctively towards Miranda. She was exquisite in a flowing floor length black vintage LaCroix and Andy found it hard not to stare. No one else seemed to notice, the collective attention of the room was focussed on the creamy skin and sumptuous curves. The journalist felt her mouth begin to water at the sight.
“Here we go.” Irv whispered into her ear. He smelled like whiskey and Andy wanted to lurch.
Andy’s stomach tightened as Irv drew her through the crowd toward Miranda who was actually smiling at Christiana. She wanted to run to her, she wanted to trail her lips down that creamy neck and into that voluptuous cleavage.
She didn’t know how Miranda could think she would be able to concentrate when she looked like that. Andy quickly realised that the older woman was suffering the same dilemma. She watched as the Editor’s eyes visibly glazed over when they were exposed to Andy.
The glazed look was quickly slipped behind the mask as the Ice Queen reigned again. Andy didn’t react to the change. She knew the pussycat behind the lion. There was no way she could possibly be scared of the woman before her when she remembered her whimpering and moaning beneath her.
“Irv, such a pleasure.” The editor turned and gave Andy a withering glare. The journalist knew that no one else in the room, except maybe Emily, would notice the slight curve to the woman’s lips. “Preston, I see you have met my erstwhile assistant. How fortunate for you.”
“Christiana” Irv made sure he spoke loud enough to gain the attention of the room. “Welcome to the board. It will be such a pleasure to have you.”
“Of course it is. Christiana is such a dear friend, Irv. She will be perfect for the position. I’m sure you agree.” Miranda’s eyes were dancing and Andy was enraptured.
“Indeed. Perhaps we can see how perfect right now?” This was it, Andy didn’t realise that Irv would do it this way. She looked to Miranda and saw no surprise on her face. Miranda must have known, she must have guessed that Irv would make this public. He wanted to humiliate her.
“What do you have in mind Irv?” Miranda was speaking for Christiana. The woman seemed reluctant to meet anyone’s gaze. Andy wasn’t sure whether she was acting or not.
“A vote. It has been such a long time since we have verified your position as Editor-In-Chief of Runway. What do you say to making Christiana’s first vote about solidifying your position.” The journalist wanted to slap Irv across the face. She saw the smug grins that he and Preston were sporting. The only thing that prevented her from calling them out for what they were was to watch their humiliation when they realised that Miranda had foiled them again. Her Champion had saved the day. Andy blushed at the thought. Her Champion, she had called her that all that Saturday. It would forever be etched in her memory.
“Please, by all means, take a vote.” Miranda looked at Andy. Outwardly, she seemed cold; Andy could see the laughter in her eyes. She wanted to feel slightly ashamed for being a part of this. She knew that any plan she would have come up with would not have been be so public. She couldn’t bring herself to care. Irv brought this on himself.
The vote was carried out. Irv and his followers voted to have Miranda ousted. The Editors voted to keep her in. All that was left was Christiana’s vote. Irv was visibly salivating. Miranda, as usual, was the picture of calm.
“Well Christiana, what say you?” Irv shot a pointed look to Andy as he spoke. He was clearly reminding the woman of what she risked if she voted against him.
“Oh Irv, there is no need to be so obvious.” Miranda was smiling, that soul clenching, brighter than the sun, true smile. Irv noticeably sank.
“Thank you Miranda.” Christiana finally perked up. “I vote to keep Miranda as Editor-in-Chief.”
Irv was furious. His little head became red; veins were popping out of his forehead.
“Did you think that Christiana would succumb to blackmail Irv? I told Christiana that there was no reason to be ashamed. It was the 60’s, the sexual revolution and all that. Why wouldn’t such a beautiful woman take a lover? Of course her husband agreed, didn’t he my dear.” Both women smiled at each other. It took some convincing but Miranda managed to persuade Christiana to tell her husband about her dalliance with her professor in College. It was years before they met. The Editor could never understand why her friend was so self-conscious about it.
“Well Andréa, shall we?” It seemed that everyone in the room had forgotten about Andy in the furore.
“You?” Irv laughed bitterly. “I should have known that Miranda’s pride and joy would never turn on her. You are a good actor I will give you that. I hope you don’t plan on working in publishing, my dear, I will see to it.” Miranda snapped her head back to the small man, her grip on the journalist’s wrist tightening. She was about to say something scathing when she felt Andy’s hand on her shoulder.
Irv Ravitz was about to find out what made Andy the talk of Runway. He was about to find out why she was so highly regarded by Miranda. Andy hoped his realisation was as wonderful as she had planned it to be. No one messed with Miranda Priestly, and no one threatened her career.
“Threatening my career? You could try, but I am valuable for a reason. I am good at my job.” Andy spoke in a low even tone; she had learned her lessons from Miranda well. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. If you had just accepted defeat, we could have been fine.”
Irv actually snorted at this. Preston regarded Andy with a questioning gaze. He offered her a small nod, turned and left. He knew when he was beaten.
Smarter than I thought. Miranda thought. If only Irv was as cleaver.
“I think the board would be interested in some information that I have discovered. It seems that Mr Ravitz has been using company funds in his numerous attempts to oust Miranda as Editor-in-Chief of Runway. According to the documents I have, he has spent over Two Million Dollars in his various attempts.” Andy regarded each board member individually.
“Miranda is costing the company!” Irv was incensed. “Her constant changes and mismanagement are exorbitant. Runway is the most expensive Magazine we have! How do you know any of this?”
“You should treat your assistant’s better Irv.” The irony of the statement was not lost on Miranda. The older woman smirked at the comment.
Carly Jameson regarded Irv as she would something on her shoe. “The magazine also makes more than any other of our publications combined. Our finances are not so abundant that we could afford to foot your personal endeavours, however.”
There it was, Irv watched it happen, the favour of the board turning against him one person at a time. The writing was on the wall.
“Well. What do you say to another impromptu vote?” Miranda’s voice was melodious. She couldn’t believe her luck. It would seem that the Dragon lady’s champion had helped her slay her mortal enemy.
Andy turned and walked towards Emily at the bar. There was no reason for her to watch the vote; she knew what was going to happen. As much as she was glad that Irv was being punished for threatening her Miranda, she still didn’t have the heart to watch his demise.
“Andrea-Bloody-Sachs to the rescue again!” Andy was about to defend herself when she saw the smile on the redheads face. They laughed together and began talking like old times, before Paris, before ambition came between them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Nigel regarded his employed throughout the vote that finally removed Irv as head of the Board of Directors. She was glowing. It was clear to anyone who decided to see it, that she was actually happy. He knew it was more that just the removal of Irv. He saw it when the woman had finally acknowledged Andy.
“Well that was invigorating.” There it was again, her eyes were dancing.
“Yes, Miranda. What a coup! Irv did not see that coming.” He was happy for Miranda, he really was. Despite all that happened in Paris, he still respected the woman. She had made it up to him in her own small ways. He had more responsibility, more power at Runway. It was clear that she was grooming him to replace her - eventually.
“Neither did I.” Miranda searched the crowd for a glimpse of her Champion, her Andréa.
Nigel watched Miranda scan the crowd, he decided to speak his mind. “She would be good for you, you know.”
Miranda turned to face her colleague and long time friend. “She already is good for me.” She smirked at the shocked expression on Nigel’s face.
“Way to go six.” Nigel mumbled to himself as he watched Miranda glide across the room towards the journalist.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They should have stayed; it was an Elias Clark function after all. There was no way that either woman could have focussed knowing the other was in the room. When the door of the town car finally closed behind them, they launched themselves at each other. Their lips met in a heated kiss. Andy could feel it all the way down to her toes. They finally broke apart, gasping for air.
“Two weeks.” Andy couldn’t manage to say anything more. Everything she was feeling was expressed in those two words, the loss, the loneliness, the desperation.
“Never again!” Miranda pulled the woman into a bone-crushing embrace. She buried her face in the crook of Andy’s neck inhaling her scent. Her hands began to stroke the journalist’s hair absently and she revelled in the feeling of their bodies pressed together. They spent the entire car ride in the same position, neither wanting to lose the contact.
When they got to Miranda’s town house, the girls were still home. They were meant to be at their fathers but when they heard Andy was coming they wanted to stay and see her. Both women were slightly frustrated by the interruption. They both engaged the girls in conversation. The twins both gushed at how pretty Andy was in her dress. Neither missed the appreciative glances their mother was aiming at the journalist.
“Will you be here tomorrow when we get back?” The implication of the question was clear. Andy found herself fidgeting, avoiding the twins gaze. She saw the silent question when she locked eyes with Miranda.
“Yes my darlings.” That was that. They were out to Miranda’s children. Andy suspected it should have been harder. It wouldn’t be for sometime that she would finally learn of the children’s brush with depression over their mother’s behaviour. Andy would begin to understand that the children knew that their own happiness depended on that of their mother. That was the reason they decided to suspend belief and allow their mother the happiness she deserved.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Andy had chatted to the girls in the kitchen until their father collected them. She found Miranda in her study, staring out of the window the same way she did that Saturday. Andy silently crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her lover’s waist, burying her nose deep into the white tresses.
The symmetry of the moment was not lost on either woman. This was the exact position they were in when they finally found each other.
”My Champion.” Miranda’s voice was a whisper, honeyed with emotion.
Andy felt tears streak down her cheeks. “Always my darling.”
They found themselves in bed, again. It was different this time. It should have been frenzied, after weeks apart, but it wasn’t. Andy was slowly worshipping Miranda’s body. She brought her lips down the curve of her lover’s neck, slowly nipping and licking at the smooth skin exposed to her. She finally drew her attention to Miranda’s naked breasts, already glistening with sweat. The journalist drew small circles with her tongue around the hardened nub, drawing out gasps and whimpers from her lovers lips. Her hands were never idle. First caressing the other breast, then travelling down the curve of a hip and finally, teasingly slowly up the inside of Miranda’s thigh.
She was high, she felt drunk on it. Miranda was shivering under her touch, barely able to form a word; her hips began to move unconsciously seeking out the touch she so desperately desired. Andy was not going to give in, she wanted to stay like this forever, the feel of skin on skin had her reeling.
Andy was about to travel further down Miranda’s soft frame when she felt a hand grip her shoulder, pulling her up. Blue grey eyes opened to gaze into wide brown ones. They came together in a kiss, their devotion seeping into their actions. The kiss deepened with Miranda wrapping her arms around Andy’s waist, drawing her into her.
They stayed like that, exploring each other’s mouths, for what felt like an age. Andy’s attention was finally drawn away from the luscious lips moving against her own when she felt Miranda’s hips begin to rock against her. The brunette gasped at the contact. Her lover’s desire was evident on her thigh. Andy began to move her hips in tune with Miranda’s rhythm, desire coursing through her body.
The pace began to quicken as their slick centres ground against one another. Andy’s attention was fixed on the look of pure desire written on her lover’s face. When Miranda opened her eyes, she found herself ensnared, she couldn’t look away. The journalist rested their foreheads together as they gazed at each other, slowly bringing each other to climax.
Miranda moved her hands from Andy’s waist to grip at her hips, increasing the friction between them. “Oh Andy!” They were the last coherent sounds the woman was able to utter before she felt her orgasm begin to coil and release low in her gut. Both women came with a cry, their eyes never leaving each other.
It was a religious experience. There was no other way for Andy to describe it. She rolled onto her back and pulled the older woman onto her chest. Both women were still heaving from their combined effort. Andy pushed the damp hair off Miranda’s face watching her expression with awe.
Miranda tilted her head and met Andy’s gaze with a brilliant smile. “Thank You Irv Ravitz!”
Andy began to laugh uncontrollably. Truer words had never been spoken.
- Fin -