DWP fic - Like Love pt 40
Okay...my out of town trip is over so we should start regular updates again. :)
Here we go:
Like Love part 40
Andy knocked on the door and smiled as the tall blonde opened it. “Good morning. Are you ready to go?”
Lara held up her hand, “One second... I need to leave a note for the kids.”
Andy nodded and restrained Patricia from running into the house, “Sure. We'll just wait out here.”
Glancing at the tall woman standing next to Andy, Lara smiled and went back into the house for a moment. When she returned she took a deep breath and introduced herself, “I'm Lara Hartstone.”
Laughing, Andy rolled her eyes, “Yeah... sorry... Lara, this is Serena... Serena, Lara.”
“Pardon me for saying so,” Lara looked Serena up and down, “You don't seem to need to run...” Much to the architect's surprise that drew almost musical laughter from the tall bronze skinned woman.
“Running allows me the freedom to eat what I want with impunity.” Serena shot a conspiratorial look at Andy, “The consequences would be very bad if I didn't.”
Andy nodded, “You got that right... I'd be as wide as I am tall...”
“Doubtful,” Lara laughed, “but your point is taken.” She checked to make sure she had her keys and pulled the door shut behind her, making sure it was locked, her children safely inside. “Okay... so show me this fabulous dog park that Benji is going to love.”
###
“What is this?” Miranda looked at the sheet of paper Emily had handed her.
“Um.. it's your schedule for the rest of the week.” Emily winced knowing what the problem was; Friday afternoon. Miranda had asked her to try and keep that time free but after canceling two meetings with this particular designer, Emily had made an executive decision. Unlike the decisions Miranda made, Emily's required explanation. “They didn't have any other time free and you've already canceled on them, twice.”
“Yet another example...” Miranda mumbled, finishing the thought silently, of what Miranda wants and what she gets being two different things. She almost sighed and then merely pursed her lips, “Very well... inform Bethany that my eggs and coffee should both arrive here hot... soon. That's all.”
Emily went back to her desk. She knew that whatever it was Miranda wanted to do on Friday had to do with Andrea... it had to, because it was making her life miserable and anytime her life was miserable, Emily knew it was Andrea's fault. Picking up the phone to call Bethany with her status on the breakfast situation, Emily shook her head. Miranda had been eating at home so the eggs order was a rare thing indeed lately. Looking back through the doors Emily saw that Miranda was on her cell phone talking to Andy. Emily knew it was Andy on the other end of the conversation because Miranda was smiling and only Andy could make Miranda smile like that. Exhaling slowly, Emily snobbishly informed Bethany of Miranda's orders and turned to her computer screen the RSVP database for the wedding waiting for her. Trying to push the thought of Andy making Miranda smile out of her head, Emily automatically began her mantra... I love my job... I love my job... then her breath caught in her throat, knowing that the job she loved so dearly was not going to be hers for very much longer. The thought nearly brought her to tears.
###
Andy sat on the bench watching Patricia play. Lara sat next to her. Serena had opted to take another lap around the long circuit. Andy smirked, apparently the Brazilian had some extra energy to work off but Andy wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.
“Your friend seemed a little...agitated.” Lara licked her lips as she looked around the park, “She having problems with her boyfriend?”
Running her tongue over her teeth, Andy cleared her throat and corrected, “Girlfriend.”
“Oh... I um...” Shaking her head, Lara sighed, “You'd think I'd know not to assume...but she seems so...”
“S'okay...” Andy laughed, “Contrary to popular belief you can't really tell just by looking who's gay and who isn't.”
“How do you know then?” Lara turned on the bench to look at Andy, “I mean, how do you find...someone...”
Andy held up her hands in defeat on that question, “I wouldn't know and don't need to try... I've found my someone. No one elses orientation matters to me in the slightest.”
“You realize that is an incredibly romantic thing to say... right?” Lara grinned at the blush on her new friend's cheeks. Chuckling, Lara patted Andy's leg casually. “I think it's wonderful how in love you two are.”
With a dazzling smile, Andy blushed a bit, “Thanks.” Her cell phone ringing distracted her with a grin she quickly answered the call, knowing who it was by the ringtone, “Hello, Beautiful.” She loved answering Miranda's calls like that, because no matter how gruff the woman was, Andy knew Miranda loved it. Winking at Lara, Andy listened to what Miranda was saying then sighed, “Miranda... Blair will be heartbroken. She's been so looking forward to...”
“I know, my darling.. but it honestly can't be helped. Emily informs me that I have already canceled on these people twice.” Miranda looked over the paper in her hands. “The only other time I have this week would be this evening...and from the looks of things I may have to fly to Germany next week to settle some kind of misunderstanding about the photo shoot there...”
“Yeah? Germany?” Andy thought about that for a moment then decided to deal with the immediate problem first, “Let me call Jo and see if she thinks Blair could be ready by tonight...”
“Thank you, Andrea.”
“Of course,” Andy smiled and didn't bother to whisper into the phone, declaring in an almost sing-song voice, “I love you, Miranda.”
“I love you too, Andrea.” Miranda chuckled, knowing Andrea understood her, even though she'd said the phrase in German.
“I'll call you back about the Blair thing.” Andy took a deep breath and disconnected the call, then dialed Jo's number. She explained the situation to the detective and was glad that Jo seemed almost relieved at the change of schedule.
“Blair's been going' nuts waiting...” Jo said, “The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. We'll see you at the penthouse, tonight.”
“Great! Later then...” Andy looked up the path to see Serena turning the corner and nodded as she disconnected her call, “Time to
go.” Whistling for Patricia, Andy stood and stretched a bit while she waited for Patricia to return to the bench.
Lara also stood. She didn't want to comment on anything she'd heard Andy discussing on the phone and brought the topic back to one relevant to their relationship, “You were right about this place, Benji is gonna love it.”
Andy laughed as she barely stopped Patricia from jumping up on her and clipped the leash on the collar, “It is nice.” Ruffling the fur at the large dog's neck, Andy spoke to the animal, “You like it, don't ya girl...” Dark eyes widened as the expected tongue lolling response gave way to a deep low-throated growl. Looking around, Andy asked absently, “What's wrong girl?” Nothing seemed to be out of place as Andy scanned the area, “C'mon,” Tugging the leash, Andy started moving down the path, “Let's go home.” They met Serena on the way and they all jogged to the park exit, Patricia growling the entire time.
Calculating brown eyes watched from behind a tree as the trio of runners and the huge shaggy dog left the park. Leaning against the rough bark, he smiled unkindly and hefted the camera in his hands lovingly. It was a little skeezy and he gladly admitted that to himself. The focus of his pictures wasn't really doing anything wrong, but perception was the key. His job was only halfway done but he expected a large reward to be waiting for him when it was over.
###
“Are you two going sightseeing again today, Gram?” Cassidy looked up from her cereal at the two older women.
Glancing at Mary, Pava sipped her coffee and nodded, “We were considerin' it...” Pava turned to Dorothy, “Do you want to join us?”
“Um.. no... thank you.” Licking her lips, Dorothy sighed, “I think I'm going to go ahead and fly home.”
“Awwww...” Cassidy and Caroline both protested, “Why do you have to go so soon?”
“Well,” Dorothy shrugged, “Andy's found her dress, so I'd like to go home for a while before we come back for the wedding.” She knew Richard wasn't thrilled with her being in New York and was a little anxious to get home as soon as she could, to minimize his annoyance. They all turned as Andy, Serena and Patricia entered the kitchen.
“Good mornin', Darlin'” Pava grinned as Andy released Patricia from her leash. “Have a nice run?”
“Yes...” Andy grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off her face. “It's hot though... I need a shower.”
“Me too.” Serena leaned back against the wall next to the door, “I should be going.”
Andy's dark eyes twinkled, “We have showers...”
Serena's eyes widened as she held up her hands, “No thank you... I'll go home.”
Shrugging, Andy grinned, “Suit yourself.” She asked, “See you tomorrow?”
“Yes,” The tall Brazilian gave Andy a brief hug and waved at the others before she left quickly.
Dorothy asked, “What was that all about?” Then she realized it was none of her business, “Nevermind... you want some breakfast, Sweetheart?”
“Nah... I'll just grab some toast. I gotta get cleaned up and go into the office for a while today.” She ruffled Cassidy's hair, “If I don't go in every once in a while they might forget I work there.”
Caroline informed Andy. “Grandma's going home.”
“What?” Looking at her mom for confirmation, Andy questioned, “Why?”
Shrugging, Dorothy told her what she'd told the girls, “You've found your dress... I need to go home for awhile, before I come back for the wedding.” She watched Andy pull her shirt away from her sweaty chest, “We can talk about it later... right now you really need a shower.”
Laughing at that, knowing Miranda wouldn't agree, Andy grinned, “Yep... be right back.”
###
“I have Patrick.” Bethany pushed the hold button and grinned as the flashing light went solid, indicating Miranda had picked up. Cool. That didn't last long though, as soon as the light on the phone line went out, Miranda's voice called out.
“Bethany.”
Scrambling to stand in front of the editor's desk, Bethany held her pad and pencil at the ready, “Yes, Miranda?”
“Push the run through up to this afternoon, I want everyone ready by four.” Miranda ordered. “And I need more coffee,” she indicated the container on her desk, “This is cold.”
“Yes, Miranda. Right away.” Bethany left quickly. She tried to figure out which to do first and Emily was surprisingly helpful.
Impatient at her replacement's indecision, Emily picked up the girl's cell phone from her desk and shoved it into her hands. “Call Joscylen on your way to Starbucks...when the new girl arrives she will be the one getting the coffee.” She practically shoved the smaller woman toward the door and hissed quietly, “Go.. never keep Miranda waiting.”
“Never keep Miranda waiting...” Bethany murmured to herself and thought, That's what Andy said too... She dialed as she walked and informed the others about the run through schedule change then she sped up her pace toward Starbuck's, her new mantra repeating in her head, Never keep Miranda waiting... Never keep Miranda waiting...
###
“I still need shoes...”
“Andy,” Dorothy sighed and continued packing her suitcase, “You don't need me here...” she mumbled as she folded a shirt into the carry case, “You didn't really need me before.”
“Ma,” Andy stepped between Dorothy and the dresser drawer, “I do need you.”
Stopping her activities, Dorothy shook her head, “No, not here.” She smiled, “If we were in Cincinnati, I would be able to take you around to the stores for a super shopping spree, but here... I can't even pronounce the names of some of the places we went yesterday.” Moving closer, Dorothy embraced her daughter tightly, “I love you Andy, but it's time for me to go.”
“But...”
“No buts... I'll try to come back for the girls' birthday party and I will definitely be back for the wedding.” Dorothy grinned, “That nice hairdresser, Terry, offered to do my hair for the wedding too.” She tilted her head appraising her daughter quietly, “Your hair should go up. It would go great with that dress, up with a bit of the length hanging down the back in curls... ancient Grecian style.”
Nodding, Andy ran her fingers through the hair in question and stepped aside, “Yeah,” Licking her lips, Andy turned to the mirror on the dresser. She bunched her hair in her hands and lifted it off her neck, turning her head from side to side she appraised the look, “Miranda likes it up.”
Dorothy chuckled, “Sweetheart, Miranda likes your hair any way you want to wear it.”
Lowering her arms and shaking her head to settle the dark locks back into place, Andy whined a little, “Isn't there anything I can say to convince you to stay?”
“Not this time,” Dorothy closed and zipped the bag she'd been packing shut. “I really need to be going...” Exhaling softly, she admitted, “Richard isn't too pleased with your television appearances yesterday.” She clenched her teeth at the look of hurt that caused on Andy's beautiful face, “I'm going to go home to try and smooth things over.” She asked softly, “Do you still want him to come to the wedding?”
Andy frowned, “I...” Pressing her lips together for a moment she thought about the question then nodded, “Yes, but only if he wants to be there, and won't make trouble.”
Nodding at that, Dorothy hefted her suitcases, “Okay then. Can you call me a cab?”
Rolling her eyes, Andy slid her phone from her pocket and grinned. “I can do better than that.” She winked as the call connected.
“Hello, Roy. Can you do me a favor?”
###
Lara patted her hair down a bit as she walked down the hall to open the door. “Hello?” She smiled at her visitor, “Oh, it's you!”
“Hi,” Cassidy grinned and held out a business card. “I wasn't sure if Mom had gotten back to you about the piano.” She indicated the card, “This is the man that tunes ours. He's really good and he's nice too.”
“Okay, thanks.” Lara took the card and nodded, “I'll give him a call.”
Looking past the girl, Lara asked, “Are you alone?”
“Not really... Caroline stayed home with Peggy, but Gram and Mary are taking a walk.” Cassidy pointed to the couple walking farther back down the sidewalk. “They're slower than I am but they want to go on to the park. I'll just head back home.”
Lara's eyes widened, “Not alone you won't.”
“But...” Cassidy indicated their house. They could see it from here. “It's only a block and a half away...”
“That is a block and a half too far young lady...” Lara waved at the older couple as they arrived, “Hello, I was just telling Cassidy here that she has two choices... one, wait here for you to pass back by and walk home with you, or two, I'll have my twins walk her home...”
Pava nodded, “Or we can just walk her back then go to the park...”
“Gram!” Cassidy protested, “It's not that far!”
“Nope... not at all...” Pava was firm, “Makes it easy for us...”
“Ugh!” Cassidy shook her curly head, “I'm not a baby!”
“Of course not,” Lara laughed, “But you aren't old enough to be walking the streets of New York alone, no matter how nice the neighborhood is.” Stepping back into her house, Lara yelled, “Frick... Frack... get down here! You have a visitor.”
Cassidy listened for the tell-tale sound of twins coming down the stairs and was surprised when first Alan then Alyssa appeared on the staircase walking down to the foyer quietly. She smiled at the older children, “Um.. Hi.”
“Hey!” Alyssa grinned and moved to stand next to the girl, almost automatically wrapping her arm around Cassidy's shoulder. “Come to play some more music for us?”
“Nah...Just wanted to give your Mom the name of the piano tuner.” Cassidy grinned up at her new friend. “Now she says I can't go home.”
Alyssa shot a reprimanding look at her mother, “Kidnapping children again? What have we told you about that?”
Rolling her eyes at that, Lara looked at Pava and Mary, “My daughter the comedian.”
Pava grinned and asked Cassidy, “You want us to walk you back home, darlin'?”
“Nah... I'll be okay.” Cassidy looked up at Alyssa when the older girl spoke up.
“She can stay for a while.. or we can walk her home.” Alyssa pointed to herself and Alan then looked down at Cassidy, “If that's okay with Cass...”
Cassidy swallowed hard and nodded, “Sounds good to me.”
Pava carefully avoided looking at Mary, but grinned at her soon-to-be great-granddaughter and nodded, “Okay then. We'll see you back at the house later.”
Lara smiled at the older couple, because there was no doubt in her mind that was what they were, a couple. “Have a nice walk.”
With a chuckle and a wave, Pava and Mary moved on toward the park.
“Wanna come in for a minute?” Alyssa gestured to the open door.
Cassidy nodded, “Sure.”
###
It had not been a particularly long day, but the incompetence Miranda had dealt with on an exponentially increasing level throughout the day had left her nerves on edge. Minions scattered as she stalked across the Elias-Clarke lobby and a path from the door of the building to the waiting car was instantly created when she stepped outside. Upon entering the vehicle, Miranda spoke crisply to Andrea, “Let's get this over with.” before thinking. I want to go home.
“Whoa!” Andy shook her head and pulled out her cell phone, dialing quickly. “Jo! Listen, we just got in the car but traffic is horrid and I'm dying of thirst so give us at least an hour before you expect us... m'kay?” She listened to the response and nodded, “Great. Thanks...” Disconnecting the call, Andy sent two quick text messages then turned to Miranda, “What's wrong?”
“No one thing, Andrea.” Miranda sighed, “There were several small annoying things, incompetence and a labyrinth of red tape...”
“Ah,” Andy shifted closer, sliding her hand into Miranda's, “Permits for the patriotic shoots not coming through?” Andy knew that was the last layout needed for this month's issue.
“Oh they will...” Miranda narrowed her eyes, “There is a clerk that has realized there are certain times that withholding permits will garner him some extra 'tips' to facilitate the paperwork...” The editor shook her head, “Such as when the print deadline is looming...”
“Wow...” Andy thought about that, “Corruption at City Hall... You want me to dig more? Maybe this guy is doing this to other people too... we can get him out of that job.”
“No, unless you are very low on stories.” Miranda began to relax as Andrea's thumb gently caressed her wrist. “He's an annoyance, but not actually all that costly. I would pay a lot more to have the paperwork expedited.” Miranda growled, “This time it's the location that is causing most of the problems. There is a lot of paperwork involved.”
“Oh? Where's that?” Andy's smiled faded and her thumb stopped moving at Miranda's quiet response.
“Ground Zero.”
“Miranda... No...” Andy's eyes became misty, “You can't...” Wiping an escaped tear from her cheek, Andy pleaded, “You can't make Jo go back there... Please...Please, Miranda... pick another place. You can't make her... you just can't...”
“Shhhh...” Wrapping her arms around the distraught young woman, Miranda sighed, “I should have realized... Shhhh...” She kissed the top of Andrea's head and promised. “I will have Patrick choose another location.”
Andy sniffled and nodded against Miranda's shoulder, “Thank you.”
“Can I ask, what happened to the Good Detective?” Miranda had her own demons from that day and knew that although it was hard, talking about it did help.
“She doesn't talk about it, at all.” Andy took a deep shaky breath, “But once, I was at the penthouse... we had been watching a movie and then turned the television on. One of those commercials came on for the commemorative coins?” Andy waited for Miranda to nod and continued, “Jo jumped off the couch and left the room...” The car started to slow and then stopped. Andy held Miranda in place, “We're just at Starbucks. Roy's going to get the coffee I ordered.”
Miranda was confused for a moment then realized, “You texted the order in and texted Roy to get it...” Miranda relaxed slightly, she loved Andrea's efficiency.
“Yes,” Andy could see the line for pick-up orders through the window and knew that they had a bit of time, so she continued the story. “After Blair turned off the television, she explained Jo's sudden departure.” Swallowing hard, Andy tried to imagine the horror of that day for New Yorkers and knew it was impossible. Only someone who had been there could truly understand. “Jo was there, at the towers, that day...she watched them fall. Blair wouldn't say more, only that Jo wouldn't want to talk about it.”
“Understandable.” Miranda ran her hand up and down Andrea's arm, “No worries, Love. Patrick will choose another suitably patriotic location.”
“Okay,” Andy felt the tension in Miranda's arms and asked gently, “Miranda... Where were you when the towers fell?”
Closing her eyes for the time it took to exhale softly, Miranda tried to smile, “A story for another time.”
“Okay.” Andy rested her head on Miranda's shoulder and waited for Roy to bring their drinks.
###
“CAROLINE!” Cassidy stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked up into the spirals of the staircase expectantly. When Ro didn't appear, Cassidy sighed and gestured to her escorts, “C'mon...” Leading Alyssa and Alan up the stairs, Cassidy complained, “She's probably got the headphones on...” The television/entertainment room was empty, so Cassidy led her escorts on up to the music room where they found Caroline, headphones on, playing the electronic keyboard. She stopped when she saw they had guests.
“Hello.” Taking the headphones off quickly, Caroline patted her hair back into place. “What's up?”
“How's the practice going?” Cassidy indicated the keyboard, knowing her sister had been going over the song they were going to play for the wedding.
“Fine...”
“You know we need to practice that together, right?” Cassidy sighed as Caroline shrugged, “If we get set playing it each in our own way it will never mesh...”
For a moment Caroline forgot about their visitors and focused on her sister, and the terror she felt at the prospect of playing at the wedding. “I'm gonna screw it up!”
“You know the song, Ro. You'll be fine.” Cassidy knew the problem though, it was the same reason Caroline always flubbed things at recitals, usually small stuff... but enough to make the girl angry at herself.
“You want practice with an audience?” Alan smiled at the unsure girl and alternated pointing to himself and his sister, “We can listen... we're not that scary are we?”
“Yeah, that's a great idea!” Alyssa smiled, “Play for us! We don't know the difference if you screw up!”
“You wanna give it a try, Ro?” Cassidy watched her sister take a deep breath and grinned. Moving to her piano, Cassidy waited for Ro to settle on the bench in front of her own instrument and turn back to the beginning of the sheet music. “Ready?”
Nodding, Caroline waited for Cassidy to play the first note before she began on the second. She didn't struggle with the music exactly, but it never came as easily to her as it had to Cassidy. The fact that her sister wasn't using any sheet music didn't escape any of their notice.
When the song was over Alyssa and Alan clapped and Alyssa whistled through her teeth. Both musicians blushed slightly and Caroline looked at her sister, “Told you I'd flub it.”
“Just those three places... they're tricky. You'll get it before the wedding... I know you will.” Cassidy grinned, “I doubt anyone would know the difference anyway.”
“Mom will know.” Caroline sighed, “Mom always knows.” A chuckle drew their attention to the door.
“That's what Mom's do, Darlin'.” Pava grinned at her great-grandaughters. “They're supposed to know.”
“That was lovely music.” Mary watched the girls carefully, “We didn't get to hear it all though... could you... would you play it again?”
Cassidy looked to her sister, “One more time?” She grinned as Caroline shrugged and she waited for Gram and Mary to settle on the couch before she began playing, Caroline again coming in on the second note.
###
Even though they were aware that the elevator was on its way up, Blair jumped a bit as the doors opened to reveal Miranda and Andy, coffee in hand. Standing nervously next to her wife, Blair fell back on her socialite training and smiled, “Miranda, Andy, how nice to see you again.”
“Blair,” Miranda matched the faux polite smile and leaned forward as Blair did, brushing their cheeks close but not touching each others for a socially accepted 'air' kiss. “I hear you have some fabulous designs to show me.”
Jo's eyes widened as she slowly turned to evaluate Blair's actions then shot a 'what the hell' look at Andy.
Andy laughed softly and stepped forward, pulling Jo into a brief hug, saying “Hiya Jo.” outloud then whispering into the detective's ear, “Just go with it.” Andy knew what Miranda's presence did to even the most seasoned designer. Blair must be feeling nervous to the extreme, Andy thought and was very proud of Miranda for putting aside her own day's irritation to help Blair through the case of nerves. Or, Andy thought morbidly, Miranda is just falling back on the social niceties to get herself through this showing... If that was the case, Andy hoped Blair had a thicker skin than it seemed.
###
Andy used her vantage point well to watch Miranda as yet another design was modeled for the editor. Blair's voice was soothing as she explained the details of this particular gown. Andy was a little worried though, because Miranda only seemed to be paying minimal attention. Since the third dress had been brought out, Miranda seemed lost in her own thoughts and that worried Andy tremendously. Miranda very rarely let her mind wander or her attention lapse. Andy watched as Miranda slowly drew her index finger and thumb along her chin in thoughtful contemplation. Three times Andy thought she saw a frown begin to form, but then the index finger would pass across Miranda's lips and her expression of mild interest would be reset.
Blair nodded to the model currently next to her and turned to Miranda hopefully. She kept the socially accepted smile on her face as she unclasped her hands from in front of her and spread them wide in a gesture of finality. “That's all I have for you right now.” She spoke quietly to the model, telling her that she and the rest could leave after they changed back into their street clothes.
Miranda shifted, licking her lips briefly before asking quietly, “Is there somewhere we can speak in private?”
“Wait just a minute...” Jo was becoming alarmed, “Why private?” If Blair was going to get her heart broken, Jo damn well wanted to know what Miranda was going to say to break it.
“No,” Blair assured her wife, “It's okay, Joey...” Gesturing to a door across the room, Blair set her socialite smile in stone and nodded, “I believe my office would suffice.”
“Miranda?” Andy stopped the older woman's forward motion and moved to look her in the eye, “Miranda... are you okay?”
Reaching up to caress Andrea's cheek with the backs of her fingers, Miranda felt the small tug of a smile at the corners of her mouth. “I am fine, Andrea... no worries.”
Catching the hand touching her, Andy kissed Miranda's wrist, “Okay...” She watched Miranda move on into Blair's office and linked arms with Jo to prevent the detective from following. “C'mon, Jo... buy me a drink.”
Jo's eyes never left the, now closed, door. “You sure this is gonna be okay?”
Andy took a deep breath and told the truth, “No, I'm not sure, but I hope so... for all our sakes. C'mon,” Andy tugged her friend toward the kitchen, “I need some grape juice plus.”
Reluctantly, Jo allowed herself to be led to the kitchen. The sight of the appetizer tray on the counter reminded her, “Blair's made dinner...” Jo asked quietly, “Do you think you'll stay to eat?”
Andy pressed her lips together and shrugged, “Let's just wait and see...”
Nodding, Jo poured two glasses of wine, handing one to Andy with smile, “One “grape juice plus” for you.”
Accepting the stemmed glass, Andy nodded, “Thanks.” They'd watched one of the original Planet of the Apes movies a few months ago and when the female chimp doctor had called wine 'grape juice, plus', both she and Jo had cracked up, laughing so hard they'd hurt for a while afterward. It had been a joke between them ever since. They both took a drink and Jo asked again, glancing in the direction of Blair's office.
“Do you think it'll be okay?”
Andy just sighed, and took another drink.
###
Blair courteously gestured to a large chair across from her office desk and asked, “May I offer you a refreshment?” She indicated the small bar in the corner, “I have ice water... or wine if you prefer.”
“No, thank you,” Miranda leaned back in the seat and studied the woman standing in front of her. “What do you expect to gain from this endeavor?”
“Um... gain?” Blair took a seat, not in her office chair, behind the desk, but in the other large chair next to Miranda's. “I don't...know.”
“Were I to say that your designs are brilliant... would you resign your position at Warner Industries to pursue a career in fashion design?” Miranda tilted her head as she continued the questioning, “If I were to say your designs are hideous, would your life change in any way?”
Blair thought about it for about thirty seconds and shook her head, “The answer to both those questions would be, No.” She smiled, a genuine smile, “I love being CEO of Warner Industries, and even if you believe all my designs were terrible, my life will be the same tomorrow as it was yesterday.”
“So this is a hobby for you...”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Blair sighed and chuckled at herself then questioned the fashion icon, “That bad huh?”
Blue eyes twinkled as Miranda answered the question, “Not at all... some of them were quite good.”
“Really?!” Blair almost melted with relief. Miranda was right, even if her designs had been deemed catastrophes it wouldn't impact Blair's life in the slightest. Blair was greatly relieved that Miranda liked them though, Blair hated to fail.
“Yes.” Miranda cautioned, “But I'm afraid you won't be getting a layout in Runway for them.”
“Oh,” Blair hid her disappointment, but did ask, “Why not?”
“Because it is a hobby for you...” Miranda spoke with quiet intensity, “...a game, a diversion from your stressful occupation.” The editor continued as Blair nodded. “The people I feature in Runway are actively pursuing careers in the field. I cannot in good conscience devote pages of Runway, in effect taking away from someone's livelihood, in order to promote your hobby.”
“I understand.” Blair did her best to smile, “I had hoped to brag to my friends about my designs being featured in Runway... One of my best friends used to dabble in fashion design. I had hoped to impress her with your approval.”
“What gives you the idea you won't be able to do that anyway?” The distinctive glint in Miranda's eye would have garnered her one of Andy's sun-rivaling smiles. “Let us change the subject, slightly.” Miranda smiled as Blair leaned forward in her chair in order to hear the quiet words better, “Let us discuss... the third gown you presented.”
###
Jo stood from her seat at the kitchen counter for the tenth time, “That's it... I can't take it...”
“Jo!” Andy quickly blocked her friend's path, “They'll be finished when they're finished...”
“But what if...” Jo never finished that sentence because at that moment the door to Blair's office opened and both women emerged, arms linked together, both laughing fairly loudly.
Andy's eyes widened perceptibly while Jo's narrowed. It was the detective who spoke, “What's so funny?”
Blair tried to control her laughter and answered, “Nothing...”
The reporter in Andy also wanted to know, “Miranda?”
Miranda too tried, with better results than Blair, to control her expression, “As I said before Andrea, no worries.”
“Uh...” Dumbstruck for a moment, Andy finally just shook her head and went with it, “Yeah, okay...” She pointed to the significantly reduced tray of snacks on the counter, “Blair made snackies... and dinner...”
“Excellent,” Miranda perused the remaining offerings and raised her eyebrows at the first taste of her selection. Swallowing the bite she began to speak only to find an unexpected hand covering her mouth. Jo's voice was near her ear, but the detective spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“Do not tell her she could be a caterer... I'll spend the next month with her obsessing about food and all my meals will be appetizers!” Releasing Miranda, Jo grinned, Blair tossed her hair in a huff, Miranda glared, and a subdued Andy simply watched the action with narrowed eyes. Miranda's next words vocalized what Andy was thinking.
“You are being very familiar with me, Detective.” Miranda leveled her Dragon gaze on Jo, “It is not often someone is allowed to do that to me...not without consequences.”
“I... uh...” Jo's eyes widened. “I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking...”
“Mmmm... It seems luck is on your side this evening.” Popping another morsel into her mouth, Miranda raised an eyebrow, she dismissed the subject, returning to the earlier topic. “Would having all appetizer meals really be so bad?”
Scoffing at her wife's behavior and thankful that Miranda was so gracious about it, Blair answered Miranda's question, “Yes.” Crossing to the oven she opened the warming tray and removed a platter with one large steak, two smaller cuts and a chicken breast on it. “My carnivorous, Barbarian, wife would go insane if she didn't have a huge chunk of meat at least three times a week.”
“That's right, Princess...” Jo grunted as the large steak was transferred to her plate. “Meat... good.”
Miranda chuckled at the caveman impersonation. Mischief twinkled in her eyes as she cut into the perfectly prepared meat. Tasting the steak, Miranda nodded. “Delicious.” She smiled at their hosts, “You are a lucky woman, Detective...”
“Oh, I know that...” Jo grinned at Blair then scowled as the blonde preened a little under the admiration. “Well don't get a fat head about it!”
Miranda chuckled then realized Andrea had become very quiet, “Andrea?”
Jumping a little, Andy looked up from the spot on the table she'd been studying. She tried to smile, “Sorry, Miranda... I'm fine.”
“Are you sure?” Miranda put her fork down and reached over to hold Andrea's hand. “If you're ill we can leave.”
“No.” Andy squeezed the hand in hers, “I'm okay.” She nodded at Miranda's questioning look then smiled at Blair and indicated the chicken on her plate, “This is delicious.”
“Thank you.” Blair studied Andy closely for a moment then shook off the weird feeling she was getting from the younger woman. Andy was more Jo's friend than Blair's, but she'd had enough interaction with the reporter for the last year or so to know when something was bothering Andy. Right now though, Blair was far too happy with the turn of events her showing had brought to even worry about Andy's strange mood. She was bursting to talk about it, to Jo, but couldn't, not yet. So she took a small bite of her steak and smiled shyly at Miranda, smiling wider when the older woman took a bite of her steak and winked.