UNDER CONSTRUCTION (continued, again)
Title: UNDER CONSTRUCTION (continued, again)
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Mirada/Andy
Summary: AU - Miranda is as always Miranda and Andrea is still Andy, but with a few character/career adjustments for the story
Disclaimer: This is especially important as I'm sure I DO NOT own or have rights to The Devil Wears Prada or any of its characters. But they sure are fun to play with!
A/N: This is just something bobbing around in my head. I have the next 4 chapters of Cerulean written but can't get to them right now to post (not at home). So I thought, what the hell. I'll throw this up for now. Hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think
NOT Beta-ed. Just typing as it comes to me.
3
Andy returned to her office and began making the necessary phone calls to set up everything needed to begin work at Miranda’s home in the morning. She would need at least 5 of her crew, plus herself to complete the demolition that was required before they could start the renovations. The other 7 members of her all woman crew were out on other jobs. She would call them in when their expertise was needed.
Andy had the complete respect and loyalty of her crew, and they in turn had hers. She had learned several things from Miranda’s management style, most of which she refused to employ. The one she did though was that she never raised her voice, ever. It had served her well on more occasions than she could count. She found the power it granted her was nothing short of addictive. (No wonder Miranda use the tactic). Theirs was the only all woman construction company working in New York City that did work for the most elite of the elite. All of their business was obtained by word of mouth or referrals from architects they had previously done jobs for.
When Andy had called her parents three years ago and asked for a plane ticket home from Paris, her father’s only stipulation was that she now return to the ‘Family Business’. She agreed, but on her terms. Her parents leant her money to begin her own branch of the business in New York. She knew she had contacts there and with a lot of hard work could make a go of it. They had not been disappointed. Upon completion of the existing jobs she had going and Miranda’s remodel, her parents would be paid back in full, after only two years. That was something to be proud of she thought.
Andy had decided when planning out how she wanted to run her new business that she would accept nothing but the best, perfection would be what she would require and she would have an all female crew. Finding women who were Master electricians, plumbers and carpenters had taken a while. She herself was still only an apprentice carpenter and would remain one until her father passed the title to her by retirement or his death. Having such influential crew members did however allow them to charge premium prices for premium work.
Andy hadn’t gotten rich yet, not that it was her main goal anyway, but she was now living much more comfortably than she was when she first came to the city. She was not a materialistic person, even though she had been tempted during her tenure at RUNWAY to be. Now she was able to live in and view the beauty of the high class world without needing to be a part of it. She was one of the lucky few who got to help make that beautiful world beautiful. And she was damned good at it.
Andy smiled at the picture on her desk, her inspiration in so many ways. The older woman had told Andy that she saw a lot of herself in her, funny how in such a short time Andy saw it too. She sighed. She just hoped Miranda would be proud of her. It wasn’t the most glamorous of goals, but a harder one to reach than just acquiring mere fortune and fame.
The younger woman had kept herself busy enough not to have to think about what working for Miranda, again, was going to be like. She wasn’t the skittish naive girl fresh out of college anymore. The last three years had given her the confidence and poise to meet any challenge head on. Everyday for her now was like getting the unpublished Harry Potter manuscript. Every day she completed something many wouldn’t think she had it in her to do. Of course Miranda knew, didn’t she. That’s what the conversation they had with out saying a single word to each other had been all about this morning. Miranda knew she was not the girl who walked away from her three years ago. The question was, had she reached the level of equality Miranda would deem acceptable to allow her to re-enter her life.
Wasn’t that what she longed for? To mean something to the older woman, other than someone trailing along behind her, living in her shadow. Perhaps fate was playing with her, teasing her to see if she had what it takes to grab what her heart desired. Guess what ‘fate’ I never back down from any challenge. That thought made her face light up with a smile like it hadn’t in a very long time. She wore the silly smile all the way home.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miranda rose from bed at 5am, well rested and grinning as she remembered the lovely dream she had had. Andy was due with her crew at 7am and she was determine to be ready and waiting with fresh coffee and muffins for them. She showered, dressed, did her makeup and brushed her iconic hairstyle into place. With a final look in the mirror she nodded to herself and made her way to the kitchen.
At 7am on the dot Andy rang Miranda’s doorbell and was greeted by a sleepy eyed red head.
“Good morning Cassidy”
“Andy?” She asked puzzled.
“Yep, in the flesh. How’ve you been?”
“Fine. What are you doing here?”
“She’s here to begin our remodeling job darling. Let them in.” Miranda’s soft voice came from behind the preteen.
Cassidy opened the door to allow the women to enter. Everyone’s attention was pulled to the stairs when a squeal of Andy’s name was heard.
“Andy!” Caroline came running down the stairs and leapt into the younger woman’s arms. They embraced each other in a tight hug and Miranda heard her daughter whisper in Andy’s neck, “I missed you.”
“I missed you too sweetheart. I’m sorry.” She said as she squeezed the girl tighter. The two had developed a fondness for each other after Andy found Caroline huddled on the steps crying one night when she delivered the book. The younger girl suffered from night terrors, as did Andy in her youth, so a bond was formed. Caroline would, on nights when their mother wasn’t home, wait for Andy and they would sit and talk for a while. No one else understood her like Andy, not even her twin.
Andy set the girl down and ruffled her hair. “You’ve grown.”
“That tends to happen.” Caroline smirked.
Andy looked at Cassidy, “Still playing soccer?”
Through the entire display Miranda stood in awe. How was it that Andrea had this connection with her children and she had no idea? They never acted this way with any of her other assistants, that she was aware of, not even Emily. In fact, playing tricks on her first assistant was one of their favorite hobbies.
“So, you build stuff now?” Asked Cassidy.
“Yep.”
“Cool.” Caroline chimed in.
“I think so.”
“Why don’t we let Andy and her crew in so they can get started.” It wasn’t a question. Miranda turned to lead the women to the back solarium. The twins followed behind her continuing to ask her questions. Once in the small room off of the kitchen Miranda turned to speak. “I thought this would be the best space for you to use as a headquarters, so to speak.”
“Thank you Miranda, this will be perfect.” She motioned to her team to begin setting up what they needed. Miranda watched as the six women moved like a well oiled machine.
Andy glanced at her once to see a look of tenderness in her eyes. She smiled inside as she turned to speak to her crew.
Miranda saw Andy catch her gaze, she smiled too as she turned to her girls. “Okay, time to get ready for school. You can talk to Andy later when you get home. Go on, breakfast is on the table. Then go up and get dresses, Roy will be here to pick you up in thirty minutes.”
Both girls moaned their unhappiness but moved to do as their mother said.
Miranda turned back to Andy, “Andrea, there is coffee and muffins on the breakfast bar for you and your staff, please make yourself at home.”
Andy looked at Miranda like she was seeing her for the first time then smiled her most sincere smile at the beautiful woman. “Thank you Miranda. That was very sweet of you.” Andy decided at that moment that by the time this job was over, she would have the woman that she loved in her arms and have herself embedded in Miranda’s heart. Fate had better watch out!
Miranda nodded. “I’ll be in my study, please let me know if there is anything you need.”
Andy watched the sway of Miranda’s hips as she retreated to her study. She shook herself and set her mind to business. They still had a job to do.
By noon they had the majority of the demolition completed. Andy was just about to call lunch for the crew when Miranda came up behind her. With the noise from tools and hammers she didn’t hear the editor approach. She was bent over picking up debris when a gentle touch to her lower back caused her to jump and knock Miranda backwards.
“Oh God, Miranda,” she offered a hand to help the woman back to her feet, “I’m so sorry, you startled me, I didn’t hear you coming.” Without thinking she began to wipe the dust from Miranda’s clothes. When she realized what she was doing she froze, her hand resting on Miranda’s thigh. She felt the heat of her blush rising up her neck and jerked her hand away. But before she could start babbling her apology she noticed the same red tint colouring the other woman’s cheeks.
“No, it’s my fault,” Miranda rasped out, “I didn’t mean to surprise you.” They both looked at each other then away. Miranda picked up where Andy had stopped, brushing herself off. “I wanted to tell you lunch is ready if you and your crew would like to stop and eat.”
Andy looked at her. “Miranda, that isn’t necessary. You don’t have to supply lunch for us.”
“Don’t be silly. I have to eat. I might as well make enough for everyone.” Her composure was failing in the younger woman’s presence. “Besides, I wouldn’t want the rumor to get out that the Dragon Lady refused to feed guests in her home.”
Andy laughed. The music Miranda had dreamt to hear for the last three years. Her heart pounded in her chest and she had to catch her breath at the sight and sound of Andrea.
Much to Andy’s pleasure, she heard the same music escape Miranda’s lips. The older woman began to laugh, a true heartfelt laugh. Andy watched as the woman of her dreams relaxed before her eyes. She had never seen a more beautiful sight. Feeling like the whole world had slowed; she spoke before her mind could stop her and told her so. “You are beautiful when you laugh.”
Miranda looked into Andy’s eyes and responded as honestly as she could, “I’m glad you think so.”
Andy smiled. “I know so.” Flirting with Miranda had just become her most favorite thing in the world. And she was gonna do it as much as she could.
“Thank you Andrea.” Miranda smiled back. “Now, let’s get you fed. If I remembered correctly, you become a bit irritable when you get too hungry.”
“Hey.” She chuckled then began to round up her crew for some much needed lunch.
The seven women sat around Miranda’s dining room table enjoying a wonderful lunch of salad and sandwiches. The conversation was light and most of the discussion was centered on Miranda’s remodel. The editor decided this was the perfect opportunity to show Andrea that she had some knowledge of what she had accomplished in the last three years. She wanted the younger woman to know how proud she was of her.
Just as she was about to begin her prepared dialog, Andy’s phone rang. She looked at the caller id and excused herself from the table to answer the call.
When Andy re-entered the room, Miranda’s smile faded and her heart pounded at the look on her Andrea’s face. Something was terribly wrong. The younger woman’s eyes were glazed over and tears rimmed the edges, waiting to fall.
Miranda stood. “Andrea?”