DWP fic - Like Love pt 29
Hey, would ya look at that, it's after midnight.. LOL.. so here's the update for 4/29/12. :)
Hope you enjoy it. :)
Like Love part 29
Andy chuckled as she walked to the guest room. Walking in on Serena like that was kind of surreal. Like one of those sitcoms on TVLand, where someone walks in on someone else in the bathroom. Only there was usually a shower curtain to be pulled aside for the big reveal.
Bustling into the guest bathroom, Andy started the water in the shower and, laying aside the clean pair of sweats and dry t-shirt she'd grabbed from her part of the closet, began to strip her now cold, sweaty clothes off. She'd already showered once this morning, but the heat and run had made that go around pretty much moot.
The water felt good and Andy stood under the shower spray for slightly longer than was strictly necessary before she quickly washed her hair. A fast scrub of the rest of her and she was done, toweling off her hair and body briskly before putting on the sweats and t-shirt she'd brought in with her. Miranda loved her robes, but Andy always felt they were too hot and preferred to wear the comfy outfit until she dried sufficiently to change into what Miranda had dubbed 'real' clothes. She wondered if Serena was finished in her bathroom yet, because the time was approaching for the caterers to arrive and the hairdryer in here was fine, but Andy was used to the one in her own bathroom and liked it better.
A quick knock at the door was followed by Serena entering the room.
“Serena?” Andy laughed, “You looking for payback for earlier?”
“No.” The tall Brazilian dropped her bag and grabbed Andy's arms, pulling her out of the room.
“Serena?!” Shaking loose, Andy stared at the towel clad woman. “What the hell?”
“You have to go!” Serena gestured down the hall, “Miranda walked in on me, in the shower... she's...” Serena shook her head. “You must to go to her!”
Andy groaned, “She walked in on you in the bathroom too?”
“No...” Serena sighed, wanting Andy to go now. “Not the bathroom, the shower, she was going to surprise you I think...”
“Oh God...” Andy closed her eyes. “So she was...in the shower...with you...”
“Yes,” Serena confirmed, “For a heartbeat, or less. She can move very fast when she wants to.”
“Okay....” Andy scrubbed her face and asked, “How much did you...see?”
“I saw as much of her as she saw of me.” She hesitated and added, “She's very beautiful for her age...”
“Oh God,” Andy exhaled softly, “Did you tell her that?”
Serena nodded and sighed, “She told me to leave. So I will get dressed and go...”
Nodding, Andy thought she had enough information about the situation and was moving down the hall, fast, “Yeah, that might be best for today. I'll see you on Monday to run,” Andy was halfway down the hall now, calling back over her shoulder, “I'll call you about... this.”
Serena nodded as she watched Andy disappear into the door at the other end of the hall.
“Sure,” The tall beauty sighed and spoke to herself quietly, “I'll just be out looking for another job I'm sure.” She sighed to herself, there was always Vogue if Anna's multitude of offers was anything to go by.
###
For a woman your age... very beautiful, for a woman your age... Resting her forehead on her knees, Miranda couldn't shake the words, for your age... for your age... She heard the door open and squeezed her eyes closed. Miranda knew who it was, Serena would not return and Andrea was the only other person who would dare come in. She kept her eyes shut, not wanting to see the pity in those deep brown eyes. Keeping them closed also helped hold back the tears that threatened when familiar long fingers threaded through her hair.
“Miranda?” Andy knelt next to the distraught woman, speaking softly. “You wanna tell me what happened?”
“No.” Miranda sighed, “I don't need to do I? I'm sure Serena filled you in on all the sordid details.”
“Miranda,” Andy shifted to sit next to her fiancee, with her back against the wall she pulled Miranda across her lap. “It wasn't sordid, it was just an accident.”
Miranda's lips pressed tightly together for a long moment before she could bring herself to admit, “It was humiliating.”
Andy sighed, “You're both grown women, there was nothing you hadn't seen before.” She cradled the woman in her arms and rested her cheek on Miranda's forehead, “How many models have you seen in various stages of nekkidity?”
With a little grunt at the made up word, Miranda began to breathe slower, “I don't have any idea, I never paid attention.” She chuckled, “At least, not that way.”
Grinning, Andy knew that if she asked about the details of what every model Miranda had ever worked with had worn, then the editor would remember each stitch and button with the precision of a super computer. “She... um... told me what she, said.”
Blue eyes peeked out from under a wayward white lock, “Did she?”
“I happen to agree with her,” A knuckle under Miranda's chin brought the woman's face up to meet Andy's gaze, “You are a very beautiful woman.”
Wrenching away, Miranda stood, towering over Andy, still seated on the floor, “For my age!” she spat. “That's what she said, that I was beautiful for my age...”
“You are beautiful, Miranda.”
“For my age,” the white haired woman sneered.
“No,” standing slowly, Andy shook her head, “You are beautiful with no conditions, there have never been any conditions with me...” She held Miranda's arms and forced the woman to face her, “I love you.”
“Andrea,” Miranda felt her stomach muscles tense. She hated this, this insecurity, “How can you say that?”
“Miranda...”
“No, Andrea,” Miranda had to make the young woman see reason, “Serena knew... she saw... 'for your age' she said...” Pulling completely out of Andrea's arms, Miranda moved to grip the edge of the sink, but not daring to look into the mirror. “It will always be that way, me being older, too old...” Looking up she saw Andrea's horrified reflection as she spoke, “It's not fair to you, to... burden you with that life...”
“Miranda...” Andy managed to whisper, “What are you saying?” Andy thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest.
“You know what I'm saying.” Miranda swallowed against the inevitable, “You are quite intelligent.” for your age...
“No!... No no no...” Angry now, Andy moved, turning Miranda to face her, cupping both the older woman's cheeks in her hands, forcing the troubled blue eyes up to meet her dark brown ones. “You listen to me... I love you.”
Miranda tried to look away, away from that intense gaze, those eyes she could never resist, but Andrea wouldn't allow it.
“No. You look into my eyes,” Andy waited for the Miranda-blue eyes to meet hers, “I love you, Miranda. I loved you yesterday, I love you today, I will love you tomorrow, and the day after that and the day after that... a year from now, ten years from now, forty years from now...”
Words are easy, Miranda thought. She had said them, and they had been said to her hundreds of times. James and Stephen had both professed their love for her, others had as well if she were honest about it, but standing here, looking into Andrea's eyes she couldn't deny the depth of feeling the young woman had for her; that she had for Andrea. She couldn't not feel the love Andrea had for her, my Andrea.
Andy's trembling thumb shifted to catch a tear as it tracked down a nearly invisible wrinkle on the editor's cheek and Andy whispered, “I love you so much Miranda, always. That won't change, married or not.”
Miranda sagged against the stalwart young woman and sighed, “I love you too.”
Letting out a breath of relief, Andy squeezed the woman in her arms gently, “So are you still going to marry me?”
“Mmm...” Kissing the smooth skin of Andrea's neck, Miranda exhaled softly. “I'll consider it.” She sighed and pulled away from the embrace. “Our guests are going to wonder where we've run off to.”
“Caroline and Cassidy will keep them busy.” Andy kept her arms loosely around her fiancee.
“Will the girls also evaluate the caterer samples?” Miranda's lips twitched at the corners, “Our wedding guests will be enjoying Cheese Doodles and Potato chips...”
Andy smiled and breathed a quiet, “Yay.”
Rolling her eyes, Miranda sounded exasperated, “Only you would cheer for Cheese Doodles.”
“Miranda, you love Cheese Doodles, and I'm cheering for knowing there will be a wedding.” Andy rested her forehead against Miranda's, “You hadn't told me if you were still going to marry me or not.”
Miranda hesitated, “Was that really ever in doubt?”
Andy bit her lip and nodded a little, “You scared me for a minute.”
“I...” Licking her lips, Miranda pulled away slightly, “I overreacted. It was just very shocking, expecting to see you and then... seeing...”
“Serena...” Andy couldn't help the little rumble in the back of her throat.
“Yes, Serena...” Miranda recalled the encounter, for your age “she is very...”
Andy's eyes widened at Miranda's lips beginning to smirk. “She's very...what?”
“Tall.” Miranda reached up to stroke her fiancee's cheek, “And she doesn't hold a candle to you in my eyes.”
“No one holds a candle to you in my eyes...” Andy brushed aside the one errant lock from Miranda's forehead and kissed the cleared space then moved lower to kiss the woman's cheek, before brushing her lips across Miranda's lips.
“Andrea...”
“Shhh...” Andy moved to nip at the pulse point on Miranda's neck, smiling against the smoothness as the older woman's head tipped back, giving her better access despite the protests.
“Andrea, our guests...”
“They can fend for themselves.” Andy mumbled and reached down, loosening the robe's belt. “Don't you think?”
Miranda arched into the touch as Andrea's hand slid under the fabric to caress her ribs. She gasped as the wandering hand dropped lower. “No, Andrea... when you touch me I can not think at all.”
“Mmm...” Andy pulled the woman closer, “Good answer.” Walking Miranda backward, Andy moved them to the much more comfortable bed. She was determined to show Miranda exactly how loved and adored she was.
Miranda closed her eyes and even as the normally mind-blanking sensations Andrea was so adept in evoking in her began, there was a tiny voice in the back of her mind, for your age.... for your age...
###
Serena dried off and dressed quickly before making her way downstairs. She closed her eyes briefly as Emily's voice reached her ears just before she entered the kitchen.
“Should we go check on them? The caterers will be here soon.”
“No.” Serena took the final steps down and entered the room. “They... um.. need to talk.”
The mother in her recognized that tone and Dorothy asked the tall woman, “What happened?”
Shaking her head Serena refused to answer that, “Not for me to say.” She sighed, “But I need to go, and they need to talk.”
Emily rolled her eyes and spoke, “Oh God, what has Andrea done now?”
“Hey!” Dorothy rounded on the redhead, “That's my daughter you're talking about!”
“She is always causing trouble!” Emily's eyes widened as Dorothy advanced on her and Serena spoke quietly.
“It wasn't her this time.” Serena stepped forward, between Emily and the angry woman. “This time it was me, and now I have to go.”
Emily blinked, “Go?” She moved forward, closer to Serena, instinctively, “Go where?”
“Just go,” Serena gave in to what she was feeling and pulled Emily into a hug. When she broke the embrace, the Brazilian spoke quietly, “Do not mention my name to Miranda, do you understand?” She nodded at the redhead's expression and repeated, “Don't mention my name and don't act like anything is wrong. Hopefully, Andy will correct the situation and there really won't be...”
“But...” Emily was horrified at the instructions. Don't mention her name? Something terrible had happened and Emily was going to find out what. “Call me tonight.”
Hesitating, Serena bit her lips together and nodded, “Okay.” Looking up as if seeing their boss all the way on the fourth floor, Serena winced slightly, “I have to go.”
Emily watched as Serena hurried out the kitchen door, gym bag in hand and wondered if she really would ever see the woman again. She got the feeling Serena wasn't sure either.
Dorothy had been angry about the woman verbally attacking Andy, but now, the look on Emily's face, well it's like she just lost her best friend isn't it? Dorothy's heart went out to the young woman and she asked quietly, “What was that all about?”
“I'm not sure, but we need to take her advice for now. Don't mention her name around Miranda.” Emily looked down the hall when the doorbell rang. “I'll get it,” She looked at her watch, right on time, which meant they were late, but Miranda and Andy hadn't come downstairs yet anyway. “They'll want to set up in here and serve in the dining room.”
Dorothy nodded numbly. Just a moment ago the woman had been on the verge of tears, and now she was all business. She wondered if it was just this woman's nature, or if working for Miranda Priestly gave you that ability. Or maybe, if you don't have that capability, working for Miranda is impossible. She wondered if that might be why Andy had left her job as Miranda's assistant. Dorothy didn't think her daughter was capable of such fast mood changes.
###
Miranda propped her head up on a pillow and looked at the dark head resting on her stomach, “We need to be going.”
“Mmmm...” Andy grinned as Miranda's fingers found their way into her hair, “I heard the doorbell, I guess the caterers are here.” She didn't move though, staying right where she was, listening to Miranda's strong, steady heartbeat. Shifting, Andy turned her head so she could still hear the rhythmic pumping but could also see Miranda's face. She smiled and the rhythm increased, “I love you Miranda.” She grinned as the heart just beyond her ear did a double thump.
“And I love you,” Miranda took a deep breath and nodded, “but it is time to rejoin our guests.”
Sighing, Andy turned her head slightly and nibbled on the edge of Miranda's ribs, “Mmmm... It will just be Ma and Emily now, Gram and Mary decided to go sightseeing today, but... I suppose you're right.”
“Andrea,” Miranda chided, “I thought you knew...” Blue eyes twinkled down at her young fiancee even as her eyebrow disappeared behind her errant lock of white hair, “I am always right.”
Andy grinned and gave the soft surface she was currently exploring a final kiss. “Fine,” She laughed and began to move off the bed, “I should take another shower!”
“Oh no...” Miranda shook her head, “If I don't get one, neither do you...” She also rose from the bed, “We will have to make do with just washing our naughty bits...”
“What?!”
Miranda chuckled, “Something Daniella used to say,” Miranda mimicked in a sing-song voice, “ 'Wash your feet and your pits and your naughty bits...and you'll be ready for the day', she was quite the character.”
“She probably didn't have this situation in mind.” Andy went to the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a polo type shirt.
Miranda followed closely behind, choosing a less casual skirt outfit. Decisions were going to be made, she didn't want to be casual for that, plus Emily was going to be here. It wouldn't do for an employee to see her in too casual of clothing, even Emily. For your age...
Despite Andy's protests that they needed more time to clean up, they were both more than presentable in record time and arrived downstairs just in time for the caterer to present them with samples of cold appetizers. From the aroma wafting from the kitchen, there were hot morsels almost ready to be taken from the oven.
Miranda was impressed that the caterer didn't blink an eye when the entire complement of the house gathered around the table, six people instead of the two they were most likely expecting. Reaching out she chose one of the offerings and tried a nibble. It wasn't bad. Ignoring Emily's comfort zone, Miranda fed the rest of her bite to Andrea, “What do you think?”
Andy chewed and swallowed, “Not bad.”
“Mmmm....” Miranda looked over the samples again, “Perhaps we should do better than 'not bad' for our guests?” She reached out and selected a different morsel, gesturing for Andrea to take one as well. This one was also, not bad.
Andy frowned slightly as she bit into the next morsel, but didn't say anything good or bad about the taste, so they moved on, bite, after small bite, caterer after caterer; frown after frown.
###
Andy grimaced as she chewed the beautiful little canape and sighed. This was the third caterer that she had pretty much rejected. For Emily it was the last straw.
“Andrea, may I see you in the kitchen for a moment?”
Nodding, Andy stood, “Yeah,” She wanted a drink of water and wash her hands anyway. What she didn't want and was not prepared for was Emily's venom as soon as they entered the other room. The woman's hand on her arm whirled her around to meet the angry redhead's eyes.
“I told you before I am not going to put up with this bridezilla crap...”
“Hey!” Andy pulled her arm out of Emily's grip and backed off slightly, “I'm not doing it on purpose! Everything just tastes weird!” She sighed, “Maybe I'm coming down with something...”
Stepping forward, Emily grabbed both Andy's biceps in her hands and shook the young woman, “Well, snap out of it!”
“Emily,” Miranda's quiet voice from the door way froze her assistant mid-shake, “Do you honestly believe physical assault will improve the matter?”
The redhead glared at Andy, still angry enough not to hold her tongue, “It makes me feel somewhat better.”
Miranda's lips twitched in what could possibly have been the beginning of a smile, covered by a quick lick of those same lips. “Go and evaluate the selections, Andrea and I will return momentarily.”
“Yes, Miranda.” With a final glare at Andy and a nod to Miranda, Emily left the room.
Miranda studied her young fiancee for a long moment before crossing the room, closing the distance between them. She brushed away the dark hair from Andrea's forehead and laid her hand on the cleared space. “No fever.”
“I'm sorry, Miranda,” Andy sighed and moved to the sink, washing her hands, she dried them on the kitchen towel and automatically squirted a dollop of antibacterial gel into her palm. “I just don't know what's wrong with me today.” She laughed at herself as she rubbed the gel on her hands, “You know, normally I love to eat!”
Miranda watched the entire hand-washing process and her blue eyes narrowed at the end of it. “Andrea, what does the food taste like, to you?”
Andy shrugged as she wrung her hands together, “I dunno, just... yuck. The first one you fed me was okay... but then...”
“Then you began to feed yourself...” Miranda reached down and brought one of Andrea's hands up between them. She kissed the back of it and grimaced, “You think the samples taste something like this?” Miranda manipulated Andrea's fingers so that her thumb was available to taste and pushed it toward the young woman's mouth.
Andy automatically opened her lips but pulled away quickly when her tongue touched her thumb, “Ewww...”
“It's that antibacterial gel you continually put on your hands.” Miranda sighed, “You use far too much of that anyway.” She instructed her fiancee, “Wash your hands and let's get on with this.”
“Oh my god, why haven't I ever noticed that before?”
Miranda chuckled, “I believe you normally eat with a fork.”
Andy washed her hands, twice, and just stopped herself from squirting another blob of gel on her hands afterward. “It's become a habit I guess.”
“It's a bad habit, Andrea.” Miranda wrapped her arm around Andrea's slender waist and pulled her away from the sink. “Soap and water are plenty.”
“But, I go out, running, and on the subway, and all that... I don't want to pick up anything that will make you, or the girls, sick...” Andy clung to Miranda, “I don't want to make you sick, again.”
“Andrea, you didn't make me sick the first time...” Miranda sighed, “Dr. Dawson said I could have gotten it from anywhere, and you know she has since given me a clean bill of health. The antibiotics did their job and I'm fine. People get sick from time to time, I am no exception, but it's no reason to live in fear of it happening. When I get sick, I will take whatever medicine the vampires tell me to and will be cured in no time.”
“Okay, I'll try not to use the goop while I'm home, but I'm still taking some with me for the subway.” Andy shuddered a bit just thinking about all the germs she could be bringing home with her from those trips, even though lately she'd started standing in the middle of the car and only touching what she needed to, to hold on while it was in motion.
“Fine,” Miranda sighed, she didn't want to argue about the issue right now, “Smear it wherever you want, but it's not edible...” Miranda grinned, thinking she might know a way to help Andrea break the habit. She reached down and pulled Andrea's now clean hand up to her mouth, “...so anywhere that...goo... touches you will be off limits to my lips.” She gently kissed each recently cleaned fingertip.
Andy smiled and cleared her throat, “You know, I um...have never put any of that...goo... um... here,” She pointed to her cheek and closed her eyes as Miranda kissed the spot. “Or.. um... here,” She pointed to the side of her neck, elated when Miranda nuzzled that very spot, kissing it lightly.
“Perhaps, I can find some other places you've never applied the gel... later.” Miranda continued her exploration of the young woman's neck.
“I can't wait.” Andy began to return the kisses.
Both women froze when a loudly clearing throat reached their ears.
Andy sighed, kept her eyes on Miranda, but spoke to the person at the door, “Hi, Ma.”
“What is it with you two and kitchens?” Dorothy chuckled as the couple moved away from each other, “That redhead woman, Emily... sent the caterer away.”
“Very well,” Miranda kept her arm around Andrea's waist, “We have a little time before the next baker arrives.”
“At least I'll be able to enjoy this one.” Andy sighed and laid her head on Miranda's shoulder.
“Not if they are like the last two...” Dorothy grunted at the memory. “They bring out the fat free, sugar free... whatever else free cake, because it's you,” she looked at Miranda, “So obviously they aren't going to taste like anything good.”
“She's probably right.” Andy acknowledged, “You're reputation is working against us in this case.”
“In that case, the first baker that realizes our wedding should be a celebration of decadence will get the job.” Miranda laughed at the looks on both women's faces. “What?”
Andy grinned, “A celebration of decadence?”
Miranda smirked, “You want it some other way?”
Dorothy held her tongue as she watched her daughter interacting with Miranda.
“Our wedding, will be perfect, no matter what food is served, who is there, or not there...” There was only a brief flash of her father's face in Andy's mind, before she continued, “So long as we're married at the end of the day, I'll be happy.”
Miranda smiled and kissed Andrea's cheek lightly, “I only want you to be happy.” For your age...
Dark eyes narrowed at that, but accepted the kiss. “So, what do we do until the baker gets here?”
“I believe Cassidy wanted another chance at beating me at that video game...” Miranda raised her eyebrows. “Care to cheer me on?”
Andy smiled, “I'm there for ya, always.”
Miranda returned the smile and nodded once, “Come on, let's dance.” For your age...
Dorothy just smiled and followed the couple upstairs. Andy and Miranda were so in love it was beautiful to watch. She wished Richard would see it, would accept that this is where Andy belonged. She sighed, doubtful that would ever happen.
Hope you enjoy it. :)
Like Love part 29
Andy chuckled as she walked to the guest room. Walking in on Serena like that was kind of surreal. Like one of those sitcoms on TVLand, where someone walks in on someone else in the bathroom. Only there was usually a shower curtain to be pulled aside for the big reveal.
Bustling into the guest bathroom, Andy started the water in the shower and, laying aside the clean pair of sweats and dry t-shirt she'd grabbed from her part of the closet, began to strip her now cold, sweaty clothes off. She'd already showered once this morning, but the heat and run had made that go around pretty much moot.
The water felt good and Andy stood under the shower spray for slightly longer than was strictly necessary before she quickly washed her hair. A fast scrub of the rest of her and she was done, toweling off her hair and body briskly before putting on the sweats and t-shirt she'd brought in with her. Miranda loved her robes, but Andy always felt they were too hot and preferred to wear the comfy outfit until she dried sufficiently to change into what Miranda had dubbed 'real' clothes. She wondered if Serena was finished in her bathroom yet, because the time was approaching for the caterers to arrive and the hairdryer in here was fine, but Andy was used to the one in her own bathroom and liked it better.
A quick knock at the door was followed by Serena entering the room.
“Serena?” Andy laughed, “You looking for payback for earlier?”
“No.” The tall Brazilian dropped her bag and grabbed Andy's arms, pulling her out of the room.
“Serena?!” Shaking loose, Andy stared at the towel clad woman. “What the hell?”
“You have to go!” Serena gestured down the hall, “Miranda walked in on me, in the shower... she's...” Serena shook her head. “You must to go to her!”
Andy groaned, “She walked in on you in the bathroom too?”
“No...” Serena sighed, wanting Andy to go now. “Not the bathroom, the shower, she was going to surprise you I think...”
“Oh God...” Andy closed her eyes. “So she was...in the shower...with you...”
“Yes,” Serena confirmed, “For a heartbeat, or less. She can move very fast when she wants to.”
“Okay....” Andy scrubbed her face and asked, “How much did you...see?”
“I saw as much of her as she saw of me.” She hesitated and added, “She's very beautiful for her age...”
“Oh God,” Andy exhaled softly, “Did you tell her that?”
Serena nodded and sighed, “She told me to leave. So I will get dressed and go...”
Nodding, Andy thought she had enough information about the situation and was moving down the hall, fast, “Yeah, that might be best for today. I'll see you on Monday to run,” Andy was halfway down the hall now, calling back over her shoulder, “I'll call you about... this.”
Serena nodded as she watched Andy disappear into the door at the other end of the hall.
“Sure,” The tall beauty sighed and spoke to herself quietly, “I'll just be out looking for another job I'm sure.” She sighed to herself, there was always Vogue if Anna's multitude of offers was anything to go by.
###
For a woman your age... very beautiful, for a woman your age... Resting her forehead on her knees, Miranda couldn't shake the words, for your age... for your age... She heard the door open and squeezed her eyes closed. Miranda knew who it was, Serena would not return and Andrea was the only other person who would dare come in. She kept her eyes shut, not wanting to see the pity in those deep brown eyes. Keeping them closed also helped hold back the tears that threatened when familiar long fingers threaded through her hair.
“Miranda?” Andy knelt next to the distraught woman, speaking softly. “You wanna tell me what happened?”
“No.” Miranda sighed, “I don't need to do I? I'm sure Serena filled you in on all the sordid details.”
“Miranda,” Andy shifted to sit next to her fiancee, with her back against the wall she pulled Miranda across her lap. “It wasn't sordid, it was just an accident.”
Miranda's lips pressed tightly together for a long moment before she could bring herself to admit, “It was humiliating.”
Andy sighed, “You're both grown women, there was nothing you hadn't seen before.” She cradled the woman in her arms and rested her cheek on Miranda's forehead, “How many models have you seen in various stages of nekkidity?”
With a little grunt at the made up word, Miranda began to breathe slower, “I don't have any idea, I never paid attention.” She chuckled, “At least, not that way.”
Grinning, Andy knew that if she asked about the details of what every model Miranda had ever worked with had worn, then the editor would remember each stitch and button with the precision of a super computer. “She... um... told me what she, said.”
Blue eyes peeked out from under a wayward white lock, “Did she?”
“I happen to agree with her,” A knuckle under Miranda's chin brought the woman's face up to meet Andy's gaze, “You are a very beautiful woman.”
Wrenching away, Miranda stood, towering over Andy, still seated on the floor, “For my age!” she spat. “That's what she said, that I was beautiful for my age...”
“You are beautiful, Miranda.”
“For my age,” the white haired woman sneered.
“No,” standing slowly, Andy shook her head, “You are beautiful with no conditions, there have never been any conditions with me...” She held Miranda's arms and forced the woman to face her, “I love you.”
“Andrea,” Miranda felt her stomach muscles tense. She hated this, this insecurity, “How can you say that?”
“Miranda...”
“No, Andrea,” Miranda had to make the young woman see reason, “Serena knew... she saw... 'for your age' she said...” Pulling completely out of Andrea's arms, Miranda moved to grip the edge of the sink, but not daring to look into the mirror. “It will always be that way, me being older, too old...” Looking up she saw Andrea's horrified reflection as she spoke, “It's not fair to you, to... burden you with that life...”
“Miranda...” Andy managed to whisper, “What are you saying?” Andy thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest.
“You know what I'm saying.” Miranda swallowed against the inevitable, “You are quite intelligent.” for your age...
“No!... No no no...” Angry now, Andy moved, turning Miranda to face her, cupping both the older woman's cheeks in her hands, forcing the troubled blue eyes up to meet her dark brown ones. “You listen to me... I love you.”
Miranda tried to look away, away from that intense gaze, those eyes she could never resist, but Andrea wouldn't allow it.
“No. You look into my eyes,” Andy waited for the Miranda-blue eyes to meet hers, “I love you, Miranda. I loved you yesterday, I love you today, I will love you tomorrow, and the day after that and the day after that... a year from now, ten years from now, forty years from now...”
Words are easy, Miranda thought. She had said them, and they had been said to her hundreds of times. James and Stephen had both professed their love for her, others had as well if she were honest about it, but standing here, looking into Andrea's eyes she couldn't deny the depth of feeling the young woman had for her; that she had for Andrea. She couldn't not feel the love Andrea had for her, my Andrea.
Andy's trembling thumb shifted to catch a tear as it tracked down a nearly invisible wrinkle on the editor's cheek and Andy whispered, “I love you so much Miranda, always. That won't change, married or not.”
Miranda sagged against the stalwart young woman and sighed, “I love you too.”
Letting out a breath of relief, Andy squeezed the woman in her arms gently, “So are you still going to marry me?”
“Mmm...” Kissing the smooth skin of Andrea's neck, Miranda exhaled softly. “I'll consider it.” She sighed and pulled away from the embrace. “Our guests are going to wonder where we've run off to.”
“Caroline and Cassidy will keep them busy.” Andy kept her arms loosely around her fiancee.
“Will the girls also evaluate the caterer samples?” Miranda's lips twitched at the corners, “Our wedding guests will be enjoying Cheese Doodles and Potato chips...”
Andy smiled and breathed a quiet, “Yay.”
Rolling her eyes, Miranda sounded exasperated, “Only you would cheer for Cheese Doodles.”
“Miranda, you love Cheese Doodles, and I'm cheering for knowing there will be a wedding.” Andy rested her forehead against Miranda's, “You hadn't told me if you were still going to marry me or not.”
Miranda hesitated, “Was that really ever in doubt?”
Andy bit her lip and nodded a little, “You scared me for a minute.”
“I...” Licking her lips, Miranda pulled away slightly, “I overreacted. It was just very shocking, expecting to see you and then... seeing...”
“Serena...” Andy couldn't help the little rumble in the back of her throat.
“Yes, Serena...” Miranda recalled the encounter, for your age “she is very...”
Andy's eyes widened at Miranda's lips beginning to smirk. “She's very...what?”
“Tall.” Miranda reached up to stroke her fiancee's cheek, “And she doesn't hold a candle to you in my eyes.”
“No one holds a candle to you in my eyes...” Andy brushed aside the one errant lock from Miranda's forehead and kissed the cleared space then moved lower to kiss the woman's cheek, before brushing her lips across Miranda's lips.
“Andrea...”
“Shhh...” Andy moved to nip at the pulse point on Miranda's neck, smiling against the smoothness as the older woman's head tipped back, giving her better access despite the protests.
“Andrea, our guests...”
“They can fend for themselves.” Andy mumbled and reached down, loosening the robe's belt. “Don't you think?”
Miranda arched into the touch as Andrea's hand slid under the fabric to caress her ribs. She gasped as the wandering hand dropped lower. “No, Andrea... when you touch me I can not think at all.”
“Mmm...” Andy pulled the woman closer, “Good answer.” Walking Miranda backward, Andy moved them to the much more comfortable bed. She was determined to show Miranda exactly how loved and adored she was.
Miranda closed her eyes and even as the normally mind-blanking sensations Andrea was so adept in evoking in her began, there was a tiny voice in the back of her mind, for your age.... for your age...
###
Serena dried off and dressed quickly before making her way downstairs. She closed her eyes briefly as Emily's voice reached her ears just before she entered the kitchen.
“Should we go check on them? The caterers will be here soon.”
“No.” Serena took the final steps down and entered the room. “They... um.. need to talk.”
The mother in her recognized that tone and Dorothy asked the tall woman, “What happened?”
Shaking her head Serena refused to answer that, “Not for me to say.” She sighed, “But I need to go, and they need to talk.”
Emily rolled her eyes and spoke, “Oh God, what has Andrea done now?”
“Hey!” Dorothy rounded on the redhead, “That's my daughter you're talking about!”
“She is always causing trouble!” Emily's eyes widened as Dorothy advanced on her and Serena spoke quietly.
“It wasn't her this time.” Serena stepped forward, between Emily and the angry woman. “This time it was me, and now I have to go.”
Emily blinked, “Go?” She moved forward, closer to Serena, instinctively, “Go where?”
“Just go,” Serena gave in to what she was feeling and pulled Emily into a hug. When she broke the embrace, the Brazilian spoke quietly, “Do not mention my name to Miranda, do you understand?” She nodded at the redhead's expression and repeated, “Don't mention my name and don't act like anything is wrong. Hopefully, Andy will correct the situation and there really won't be...”
“But...” Emily was horrified at the instructions. Don't mention her name? Something terrible had happened and Emily was going to find out what. “Call me tonight.”
Hesitating, Serena bit her lips together and nodded, “Okay.” Looking up as if seeing their boss all the way on the fourth floor, Serena winced slightly, “I have to go.”
Emily watched as Serena hurried out the kitchen door, gym bag in hand and wondered if she really would ever see the woman again. She got the feeling Serena wasn't sure either.
Dorothy had been angry about the woman verbally attacking Andy, but now, the look on Emily's face, well it's like she just lost her best friend isn't it? Dorothy's heart went out to the young woman and she asked quietly, “What was that all about?”
“I'm not sure, but we need to take her advice for now. Don't mention her name around Miranda.” Emily looked down the hall when the doorbell rang. “I'll get it,” She looked at her watch, right on time, which meant they were late, but Miranda and Andy hadn't come downstairs yet anyway. “They'll want to set up in here and serve in the dining room.”
Dorothy nodded numbly. Just a moment ago the woman had been on the verge of tears, and now she was all business. She wondered if it was just this woman's nature, or if working for Miranda Priestly gave you that ability. Or maybe, if you don't have that capability, working for Miranda is impossible. She wondered if that might be why Andy had left her job as Miranda's assistant. Dorothy didn't think her daughter was capable of such fast mood changes.
###
Miranda propped her head up on a pillow and looked at the dark head resting on her stomach, “We need to be going.”
“Mmmm...” Andy grinned as Miranda's fingers found their way into her hair, “I heard the doorbell, I guess the caterers are here.” She didn't move though, staying right where she was, listening to Miranda's strong, steady heartbeat. Shifting, Andy turned her head so she could still hear the rhythmic pumping but could also see Miranda's face. She smiled and the rhythm increased, “I love you Miranda.” She grinned as the heart just beyond her ear did a double thump.
“And I love you,” Miranda took a deep breath and nodded, “but it is time to rejoin our guests.”
Sighing, Andy turned her head slightly and nibbled on the edge of Miranda's ribs, “Mmmm... It will just be Ma and Emily now, Gram and Mary decided to go sightseeing today, but... I suppose you're right.”
“Andrea,” Miranda chided, “I thought you knew...” Blue eyes twinkled down at her young fiancee even as her eyebrow disappeared behind her errant lock of white hair, “I am always right.”
Andy grinned and gave the soft surface she was currently exploring a final kiss. “Fine,” She laughed and began to move off the bed, “I should take another shower!”
“Oh no...” Miranda shook her head, “If I don't get one, neither do you...” She also rose from the bed, “We will have to make do with just washing our naughty bits...”
“What?!”
Miranda chuckled, “Something Daniella used to say,” Miranda mimicked in a sing-song voice, “ 'Wash your feet and your pits and your naughty bits...and you'll be ready for the day', she was quite the character.”
“She probably didn't have this situation in mind.” Andy went to the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and a polo type shirt.
Miranda followed closely behind, choosing a less casual skirt outfit. Decisions were going to be made, she didn't want to be casual for that, plus Emily was going to be here. It wouldn't do for an employee to see her in too casual of clothing, even Emily. For your age...
Despite Andy's protests that they needed more time to clean up, they were both more than presentable in record time and arrived downstairs just in time for the caterer to present them with samples of cold appetizers. From the aroma wafting from the kitchen, there were hot morsels almost ready to be taken from the oven.
Miranda was impressed that the caterer didn't blink an eye when the entire complement of the house gathered around the table, six people instead of the two they were most likely expecting. Reaching out she chose one of the offerings and tried a nibble. It wasn't bad. Ignoring Emily's comfort zone, Miranda fed the rest of her bite to Andrea, “What do you think?”
Andy chewed and swallowed, “Not bad.”
“Mmmm....” Miranda looked over the samples again, “Perhaps we should do better than 'not bad' for our guests?” She reached out and selected a different morsel, gesturing for Andrea to take one as well. This one was also, not bad.
Andy frowned slightly as she bit into the next morsel, but didn't say anything good or bad about the taste, so they moved on, bite, after small bite, caterer after caterer; frown after frown.
###
Andy grimaced as she chewed the beautiful little canape and sighed. This was the third caterer that she had pretty much rejected. For Emily it was the last straw.
“Andrea, may I see you in the kitchen for a moment?”
Nodding, Andy stood, “Yeah,” She wanted a drink of water and wash her hands anyway. What she didn't want and was not prepared for was Emily's venom as soon as they entered the other room. The woman's hand on her arm whirled her around to meet the angry redhead's eyes.
“I told you before I am not going to put up with this bridezilla crap...”
“Hey!” Andy pulled her arm out of Emily's grip and backed off slightly, “I'm not doing it on purpose! Everything just tastes weird!” She sighed, “Maybe I'm coming down with something...”
Stepping forward, Emily grabbed both Andy's biceps in her hands and shook the young woman, “Well, snap out of it!”
“Emily,” Miranda's quiet voice from the door way froze her assistant mid-shake, “Do you honestly believe physical assault will improve the matter?”
The redhead glared at Andy, still angry enough not to hold her tongue, “It makes me feel somewhat better.”
Miranda's lips twitched in what could possibly have been the beginning of a smile, covered by a quick lick of those same lips. “Go and evaluate the selections, Andrea and I will return momentarily.”
“Yes, Miranda.” With a final glare at Andy and a nod to Miranda, Emily left the room.
Miranda studied her young fiancee for a long moment before crossing the room, closing the distance between them. She brushed away the dark hair from Andrea's forehead and laid her hand on the cleared space. “No fever.”
“I'm sorry, Miranda,” Andy sighed and moved to the sink, washing her hands, she dried them on the kitchen towel and automatically squirted a dollop of antibacterial gel into her palm. “I just don't know what's wrong with me today.” She laughed at herself as she rubbed the gel on her hands, “You know, normally I love to eat!”
Miranda watched the entire hand-washing process and her blue eyes narrowed at the end of it. “Andrea, what does the food taste like, to you?”
Andy shrugged as she wrung her hands together, “I dunno, just... yuck. The first one you fed me was okay... but then...”
“Then you began to feed yourself...” Miranda reached down and brought one of Andrea's hands up between them. She kissed the back of it and grimaced, “You think the samples taste something like this?” Miranda manipulated Andrea's fingers so that her thumb was available to taste and pushed it toward the young woman's mouth.
Andy automatically opened her lips but pulled away quickly when her tongue touched her thumb, “Ewww...”
“It's that antibacterial gel you continually put on your hands.” Miranda sighed, “You use far too much of that anyway.” She instructed her fiancee, “Wash your hands and let's get on with this.”
“Oh my god, why haven't I ever noticed that before?”
Miranda chuckled, “I believe you normally eat with a fork.”
Andy washed her hands, twice, and just stopped herself from squirting another blob of gel on her hands afterward. “It's become a habit I guess.”
“It's a bad habit, Andrea.” Miranda wrapped her arm around Andrea's slender waist and pulled her away from the sink. “Soap and water are plenty.”
“But, I go out, running, and on the subway, and all that... I don't want to pick up anything that will make you, or the girls, sick...” Andy clung to Miranda, “I don't want to make you sick, again.”
“Andrea, you didn't make me sick the first time...” Miranda sighed, “Dr. Dawson said I could have gotten it from anywhere, and you know she has since given me a clean bill of health. The antibiotics did their job and I'm fine. People get sick from time to time, I am no exception, but it's no reason to live in fear of it happening. When I get sick, I will take whatever medicine the vampires tell me to and will be cured in no time.”
“Okay, I'll try not to use the goop while I'm home, but I'm still taking some with me for the subway.” Andy shuddered a bit just thinking about all the germs she could be bringing home with her from those trips, even though lately she'd started standing in the middle of the car and only touching what she needed to, to hold on while it was in motion.
“Fine,” Miranda sighed, she didn't want to argue about the issue right now, “Smear it wherever you want, but it's not edible...” Miranda grinned, thinking she might know a way to help Andrea break the habit. She reached down and pulled Andrea's now clean hand up to her mouth, “...so anywhere that...goo... touches you will be off limits to my lips.” She gently kissed each recently cleaned fingertip.
Andy smiled and cleared her throat, “You know, I um...have never put any of that...goo... um... here,” She pointed to her cheek and closed her eyes as Miranda kissed the spot. “Or.. um... here,” She pointed to the side of her neck, elated when Miranda nuzzled that very spot, kissing it lightly.
“Perhaps, I can find some other places you've never applied the gel... later.” Miranda continued her exploration of the young woman's neck.
“I can't wait.” Andy began to return the kisses.
Both women froze when a loudly clearing throat reached their ears.
Andy sighed, kept her eyes on Miranda, but spoke to the person at the door, “Hi, Ma.”
“What is it with you two and kitchens?” Dorothy chuckled as the couple moved away from each other, “That redhead woman, Emily... sent the caterer away.”
“Very well,” Miranda kept her arm around Andrea's waist, “We have a little time before the next baker arrives.”
“At least I'll be able to enjoy this one.” Andy sighed and laid her head on Miranda's shoulder.
“Not if they are like the last two...” Dorothy grunted at the memory. “They bring out the fat free, sugar free... whatever else free cake, because it's you,” she looked at Miranda, “So obviously they aren't going to taste like anything good.”
“She's probably right.” Andy acknowledged, “You're reputation is working against us in this case.”
“In that case, the first baker that realizes our wedding should be a celebration of decadence will get the job.” Miranda laughed at the looks on both women's faces. “What?”
Andy grinned, “A celebration of decadence?”
Miranda smirked, “You want it some other way?”
Dorothy held her tongue as she watched her daughter interacting with Miranda.
“Our wedding, will be perfect, no matter what food is served, who is there, or not there...” There was only a brief flash of her father's face in Andy's mind, before she continued, “So long as we're married at the end of the day, I'll be happy.”
Miranda smiled and kissed Andrea's cheek lightly, “I only want you to be happy.” For your age...
Dark eyes narrowed at that, but accepted the kiss. “So, what do we do until the baker gets here?”
“I believe Cassidy wanted another chance at beating me at that video game...” Miranda raised her eyebrows. “Care to cheer me on?”
Andy smiled, “I'm there for ya, always.”
Miranda returned the smile and nodded once, “Come on, let's dance.” For your age...
Dorothy just smiled and followed the couple upstairs. Andy and Miranda were so in love it was beautiful to watch. She wished Richard would see it, would accept that this is where Andy belonged. She sighed, doubtful that would ever happen.