Before and After. Part 4/?
Title: Before and After.
Author: pure_ecstasy6.
Pairing: Andrea/Miranda.
Rating: PG.
Beta: A huge thanks to my new Beta, musicinferno for going over this! =)
Feedback: Comments are most welcome =)
Summary: Andy and Miranda meet at Dalton and from there a relationship forms.
Here are the previous parts if you havent read it or want to catch up:
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/856506.html#cutid1
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/857428.html#cutid1
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/858193.html#cutid1
~*~
Not long after Dr. Beaumont left, another Doctor came in to talk with Andy. He was too caught up to even mention his name. How unprofessional, he doesn’t even wear a name tag Miranda thought.
The male doctor was now looking in Andy's eyes for a reason as to why the brunette couldn't see.
"Well, there is no obvious damage to the optic nerves." He began, shining the light from one eye to the other. "Both her eyes appear to be perfectly normal." He said as he stood and looked at Miranda.
"Except I can't see." Andy huffed through a frustrated sigh.
"Well, what can you see then? Shapes? Shades of grey?" He asked again as he shone the light in Andy’s eyes.
"Nothing. I see nothing but black." Andy said with irritation, swallowing the sudden lump that formed in her throat.
"I believe that your loss of sight is Psychological." He said after a couple more moments of examining.
"What?" Andy asked as she couldn't believe it. "What, are you saying it's all in my head?" she asked in disbelief.
"Well, there are many well documented cases of transient or psychosomatic blindness as a result of trauma. For whatever reason your brain just does not want to deal with anymore visual stimuli." He explained, flicking off the light as he pocketed it and reached for his chart.
Andy took a short moment to process the information. "Are you saying it's like some sort of post traumatic shock?" she finally asked the air, realizing that the doctor was no longer facing her.
The doctor looked up from his charts as he spoke. "Technically it's known as a conversion disorder."
"If it is this ‘disorder’ you're talking about, how long will it last?" Miranda asked as she tightened her hold on Andrea's hand.
"Unfortunately there is no known time limit for this kind of thing. I mean it could be weeks. Maybe months..." The doctor trailed off.
"Years?" Andy spat in surprise. Surely it couldn’t last this long. She felt Miranda’s grip tighten. It would be possible to not see Miranda again. She wouldn’t be able to see the defining lines on her face, the smooth curves of her hips, or even that smile she rarely flashed outside of home.
"Look, I'll organize a psyche consult for you and given the right treatment your recovery could be relatively rapid." He replied before looking up at Miranda. He continued. "I'm sorry that I cannot be more specific. There are just too many unknown factors involved." Miranda glared at him before nodding and saying her dismissive "Thats all." And watched as he left the room.
"Fantastic." Andy said sarcastically after the door had clicked shut.
Miranda let out a sad sigh as she looked at her lover before cupping her cheek. She took a moment to search those brown eyes, curious if Andy could sense the sadness the older woman emitted. Andy couldn’t see, but she could feel it, and let Miranda know by placing a soft, tender kiss on her frowning lips.
~*~
2 DAYS LATER.
Miranda quietly wandered inside Andrea's hospital room, placing a bouquet of flowers on one of the tables.
"Miranda...Is that you?" Andy held her breath as she asked. The air was suddenly thicker. No matter where Miranda was or what mood she was in, it was a well known fact that whenever she entered a room, people would hold their breaths until the Dragon Lady had passed. Hence, thicker air.
A clacking sound broke her thoughts. Definitely Miranda. "Yes...It's me." Miranda replied softly as she crossed the room to Andrea's bed. "You sleep though. I’m just about to go over ‘The Book’" Miranda added as she regally sat down in the chair next to the bed.
"I'd actually like to speak with you." Andy replied as she finally managed to get herself comfortable on this log called a bed.
"Of course." Miranda replied, setting The Book aside.
"Um...I've been doing a lot of thinking about...us." Andy began. Miranda waited patiently for her to continue. "And well that's all I really can do at the moment." Andy added with a forced laugh, giving herself a moment as she went over the words in her head. "Um...I'm not really sure how to say this..." Andy spoke each word softer and lower. "Just spit it out Andrea." Miranda said firmly, beginning to grow impatient. Andy nodded her head and swallowed hard. "I just - I don't think we should continue to see each other anymore." There. She spat it out.
Miranda’s impatience dissolved, and no emotion but confusion replaced it. "Where did this come from, Andrea?" Miranda finally asked as she tried to get her head around everything.
"Well, things weren't going so well before the accident, were they? I mean, with the twins." Andy explained. "I remember that's what we were arguing about in the car before all of this happened..." Andy said with a wave of her hand and before she could continue Miranda cut her off. "Yes but we can work through all that." She let out a sigh when she realized what Andrea was doing. "I can see what you're doing. You're trying to push me away for my own sake but you don't have to do that." Miranda added, trying to assure the well-being of their relationship.
"No." Andy said. "It's not that." she added and sighed.
Miranda kept going as if Andy had never interrupted her. "I admit. It was a bit of a shock at first and to be honest, I did have my doubts about the pressures it would put on as a couple. But I have worked through all of that and I'm here for you. I love you." Miranda continued and she moved in closer to Andy.
A tear had brimmed over and down her cheek at Miranda's words, but she knew this couldn't happen anymore . Wiping the tear away roughly, Andy put a stop to it. "No!" The confidence in her firm voice made Miranda withdraw from the closeness.
"No.” Andy repeated. “I'm sorry but I'm not." She said it convincingly; as much as it killed her to lie to the one person she deeply cared about.
Miranda looked at Andrea in disbelief and just hoped the silly girl knew what she was saying.
"Just..." Andy said before letting out a sigh. "I'm doing this for myself, okay?" she said and continued as Miranda looked at her again. "I've just got to be alone to concentrate on my recovery and that's just the way I deal with things." When she didn't get a reply, Andy wondered if - yet again - she was talking to air.
"I'm sorry. Do you understand Miranda?" Andy asked.
"Yes..I understand." Miranda replied mindlessly. But she really did not understand what her lover was doing. She rose from her seat, grabbed her bag, and reached for The Book, holding it against her aching heart.
"I should let you get some rest then." Miranda replied, a few tears streaking down her face. For this, she was thankful Andy was blind. The last thing she wanted the brunette to see was the mess she had become.
"Miranda..wait." Andy blurted out, her heart going against her mind. Miranda stopped at the door with her hand tightly on the knob.
"Don't." Miranda whispered firmly over her shoulder before turning the knob of the door. "Take care, Andrea." she added before stepping outside the room and into the hallway.
Miranda breathed in a shaky breath and let it out through deep, regretful sigh. She ran her weak hand through her silver tresses before making her way down the bright corridors to her waiting car outside.
Behind the closed door, Andy rolled over in the bed. She knew this was the right thing to do even though she hated to admit it. She hated having to lose Miranda. She hugged one of her pillows tightly against her stomach and willed herself not to cry.
~*~
A WEEK LATER.
Andy was released from the Hospital and that was why she found herself stumbling into her apartment with Liv trailing slowly behind her.
Once Liv had helped Andy settle in back home, she sat down on the couch and looked at her friend. "Now are you sure there is nothing else I can do for you?" she asked and watched Andy closely.
"No. I'm alright." Andy replied and forced a weak smile. Liv could see right through it and knew Andy was anything but alright.
Liv took her friend’s hand in hers. "Andy. Why don't you call her? I know you miss her. I can tell."
Andy let out a sigh and shook her head. "This is for the best." she replied quickly and hoped she wouldn’t begin to cry.
Liv also let out a sigh. "Well, how about I get you something to eat then?" She sensed the dam holding back seas of tears would crack any minute. So out of respect, she changed the subject.
"You know. That would be really good. I'm dying for a home cooked meal!" Andy replied before fiddling with her thumbs in her lap.
Liv nodded her head before she stood from the couch ready to rummage through the cupboards and fridge. She came back with nothing.
She heard Andy's laugh from the couch. "I doubt there is much in the fridge." Andy said.
Liv couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Yeah, well there isn’t very much of anything. I'll go shopping for you later but for now I'll go out and get us something." Liv replied before wandering over to the couch and picking up her hand bag. She gave Andy a peck on the cheek and announced her temporary depart. "I'll be back soon." Andy nodded before she made her way out of the apartment and strolled down the street.
~*~
Once Liv had ordered and received her Starbucks orders, she turned around from the counter but stopped mid-step when she saw Miranda Priestly standing in front of her, giving her an uncanny look. "Hi there." Liv said as she stepped aside from the counter.
"Hello." Miranda briskly replied before asking, "How is she?"
Liv couldn't help but smile at Miranda's question as she could tell how much both women loved each other.
"She is alright." She answered and Miranda nodded her head. "She was allowed to go home today from the Hospital, I really think you should visit her." Liv added, hoping her role of matchmaker would work on Miranda as it had failed with Andy.
Miranda looked at her for a moment and she contemplated the idea. Miranda knew she wanted to see Andrea, but the younger woman probably didn't want to see her just yet. She made the decision to give her lover some more time before going to visit her.
Miranda flicked her wrist up, looking over her watch. "I should go." She announced, realizing she was needed back at the office. Liv gave an understanding nod and said goodbye to the back of the silver-haired woman who, by now, had clacked her way into the busy crowds of people outside.
~*~
A MONTH LATER.
Miranda found herself sitting in her study in the townhouse. She also found out she could not concentrate on ‘The Book’ as she was missing Andrea terribly more as each day passed.
She glanced at the clock on the mantel and saw it was a quarter past eleven. She sighed, clapped ‘The Book’ shut and pushed it aside before taking off her reading glasses. Miranda stood from her warm seat and grabbed her cell before making her way down to the foyer.
“Yes Ms. Priestly?” Roy answered tiredly.
Miranda felt guilty for keeping him up late sometimes. Today was not one of them. Today she had a good reason. “Be at my door in two minutes.” She hung up and took a deep breath.
She then took a detour and wandered down the hall way of the second floor and checked on her girls who were fast asleep. She made her way down to the first floor where she found Cara who she had yet to dismiss for the night. Politely, Miranda asked her to stay a while longer, and though it was to Cara’s dismay, Miranda had asked nicely. She had asked nicely… for once.
Cara nodded in assurance she would keep an eye on the girls. Miranda mimicked the nod in thanks to such loyalty and gave Cara a small smile.
Making her way down the hall and into the foyer, she opened the closet door, pulling her coat on and slipping into red Louboutin’s. She remembered her last thought and bolted into the kitchen, thankful she didn’t forget.
Miranda flung the door open eagerly, and sure enough, Roy was waiting. She reminded herself to give him a raise the morning after. She walked down the steps of the townhouse and towards the car. Roy yawned, and slowly opened the door for his boss. He eyed the hot cup of coffee she carried with her as she slid inside pulling the door shut. Miranda watched Roy get in the driver’s seat with his eyes nearly shut.
“Where to-”
“Andrea’s apartment. You know where it is.” Miranda cut in.
Roy yawned once more and began to pull away from the curb.
“And for the sake of both of our lives, drink this.” She held the coffee over his shoulder and Roy’s eyes widened in appreciation. She knew all too well that some late night coffee would make him squirm and fidget in his seat; Miranda didn’t want to be the only one. She clasped her shaking hands in her lap as they wound down the streets.
~*~
TBC...
Author: pure_ecstasy6.
Pairing: Andrea/Miranda.
Rating: PG.
Beta: A huge thanks to my new Beta, musicinferno for going over this! =)
Feedback: Comments are most welcome =)
Summary: Andy and Miranda meet at Dalton and from there a relationship forms.
Here are the previous parts if you havent read it or want to catch up:
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/856506.html#cutid1
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/857428.html#cutid1
http://community.livejournal.com/dvlwears_prada/858193.html#cutid1
~*~
Not long after Dr. Beaumont left, another Doctor came in to talk with Andy. He was too caught up to even mention his name. How unprofessional, he doesn’t even wear a name tag Miranda thought.
The male doctor was now looking in Andy's eyes for a reason as to why the brunette couldn't see.
"Well, there is no obvious damage to the optic nerves." He began, shining the light from one eye to the other. "Both her eyes appear to be perfectly normal." He said as he stood and looked at Miranda.
"Except I can't see." Andy huffed through a frustrated sigh.
"Well, what can you see then? Shapes? Shades of grey?" He asked again as he shone the light in Andy’s eyes.
"Nothing. I see nothing but black." Andy said with irritation, swallowing the sudden lump that formed in her throat.
"I believe that your loss of sight is Psychological." He said after a couple more moments of examining.
"What?" Andy asked as she couldn't believe it. "What, are you saying it's all in my head?" she asked in disbelief.
"Well, there are many well documented cases of transient or psychosomatic blindness as a result of trauma. For whatever reason your brain just does not want to deal with anymore visual stimuli." He explained, flicking off the light as he pocketed it and reached for his chart.
Andy took a short moment to process the information. "Are you saying it's like some sort of post traumatic shock?" she finally asked the air, realizing that the doctor was no longer facing her.
The doctor looked up from his charts as he spoke. "Technically it's known as a conversion disorder."
"If it is this ‘disorder’ you're talking about, how long will it last?" Miranda asked as she tightened her hold on Andrea's hand.
"Unfortunately there is no known time limit for this kind of thing. I mean it could be weeks. Maybe months..." The doctor trailed off.
"Years?" Andy spat in surprise. Surely it couldn’t last this long. She felt Miranda’s grip tighten. It would be possible to not see Miranda again. She wouldn’t be able to see the defining lines on her face, the smooth curves of her hips, or even that smile she rarely flashed outside of home.
"Look, I'll organize a psyche consult for you and given the right treatment your recovery could be relatively rapid." He replied before looking up at Miranda. He continued. "I'm sorry that I cannot be more specific. There are just too many unknown factors involved." Miranda glared at him before nodding and saying her dismissive "Thats all." And watched as he left the room.
"Fantastic." Andy said sarcastically after the door had clicked shut.
Miranda let out a sad sigh as she looked at her lover before cupping her cheek. She took a moment to search those brown eyes, curious if Andy could sense the sadness the older woman emitted. Andy couldn’t see, but she could feel it, and let Miranda know by placing a soft, tender kiss on her frowning lips.
~*~
2 DAYS LATER.
Miranda quietly wandered inside Andrea's hospital room, placing a bouquet of flowers on one of the tables.
"Miranda...Is that you?" Andy held her breath as she asked. The air was suddenly thicker. No matter where Miranda was or what mood she was in, it was a well known fact that whenever she entered a room, people would hold their breaths until the Dragon Lady had passed. Hence, thicker air.
A clacking sound broke her thoughts. Definitely Miranda. "Yes...It's me." Miranda replied softly as she crossed the room to Andrea's bed. "You sleep though. I’m just about to go over ‘The Book’" Miranda added as she regally sat down in the chair next to the bed.
"I'd actually like to speak with you." Andy replied as she finally managed to get herself comfortable on this log called a bed.
"Of course." Miranda replied, setting The Book aside.
"Um...I've been doing a lot of thinking about...us." Andy began. Miranda waited patiently for her to continue. "And well that's all I really can do at the moment." Andy added with a forced laugh, giving herself a moment as she went over the words in her head. "Um...I'm not really sure how to say this..." Andy spoke each word softer and lower. "Just spit it out Andrea." Miranda said firmly, beginning to grow impatient. Andy nodded her head and swallowed hard. "I just - I don't think we should continue to see each other anymore." There. She spat it out.
Miranda’s impatience dissolved, and no emotion but confusion replaced it. "Where did this come from, Andrea?" Miranda finally asked as she tried to get her head around everything.
"Well, things weren't going so well before the accident, were they? I mean, with the twins." Andy explained. "I remember that's what we were arguing about in the car before all of this happened..." Andy said with a wave of her hand and before she could continue Miranda cut her off. "Yes but we can work through all that." She let out a sigh when she realized what Andrea was doing. "I can see what you're doing. You're trying to push me away for my own sake but you don't have to do that." Miranda added, trying to assure the well-being of their relationship.
"No." Andy said. "It's not that." she added and sighed.
Miranda kept going as if Andy had never interrupted her. "I admit. It was a bit of a shock at first and to be honest, I did have my doubts about the pressures it would put on as a couple. But I have worked through all of that and I'm here for you. I love you." Miranda continued and she moved in closer to Andy.
A tear had brimmed over and down her cheek at Miranda's words, but she knew this couldn't happen anymore . Wiping the tear away roughly, Andy put a stop to it. "No!" The confidence in her firm voice made Miranda withdraw from the closeness.
"No.” Andy repeated. “I'm sorry but I'm not." She said it convincingly; as much as it killed her to lie to the one person she deeply cared about.
Miranda looked at Andrea in disbelief and just hoped the silly girl knew what she was saying.
"Just..." Andy said before letting out a sigh. "I'm doing this for myself, okay?" she said and continued as Miranda looked at her again. "I've just got to be alone to concentrate on my recovery and that's just the way I deal with things." When she didn't get a reply, Andy wondered if - yet again - she was talking to air.
"I'm sorry. Do you understand Miranda?" Andy asked.
"Yes..I understand." Miranda replied mindlessly. But she really did not understand what her lover was doing. She rose from her seat, grabbed her bag, and reached for The Book, holding it against her aching heart.
"I should let you get some rest then." Miranda replied, a few tears streaking down her face. For this, she was thankful Andy was blind. The last thing she wanted the brunette to see was the mess she had become.
"Miranda..wait." Andy blurted out, her heart going against her mind. Miranda stopped at the door with her hand tightly on the knob.
"Don't." Miranda whispered firmly over her shoulder before turning the knob of the door. "Take care, Andrea." she added before stepping outside the room and into the hallway.
Miranda breathed in a shaky breath and let it out through deep, regretful sigh. She ran her weak hand through her silver tresses before making her way down the bright corridors to her waiting car outside.
Behind the closed door, Andy rolled over in the bed. She knew this was the right thing to do even though she hated to admit it. She hated having to lose Miranda. She hugged one of her pillows tightly against her stomach and willed herself not to cry.
~*~
A WEEK LATER.
Andy was released from the Hospital and that was why she found herself stumbling into her apartment with Liv trailing slowly behind her.
Once Liv had helped Andy settle in back home, she sat down on the couch and looked at her friend. "Now are you sure there is nothing else I can do for you?" she asked and watched Andy closely.
"No. I'm alright." Andy replied and forced a weak smile. Liv could see right through it and knew Andy was anything but alright.
Liv took her friend’s hand in hers. "Andy. Why don't you call her? I know you miss her. I can tell."
Andy let out a sigh and shook her head. "This is for the best." she replied quickly and hoped she wouldn’t begin to cry.
Liv also let out a sigh. "Well, how about I get you something to eat then?" She sensed the dam holding back seas of tears would crack any minute. So out of respect, she changed the subject.
"You know. That would be really good. I'm dying for a home cooked meal!" Andy replied before fiddling with her thumbs in her lap.
Liv nodded her head before she stood from the couch ready to rummage through the cupboards and fridge. She came back with nothing.
She heard Andy's laugh from the couch. "I doubt there is much in the fridge." Andy said.
Liv couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Yeah, well there isn’t very much of anything. I'll go shopping for you later but for now I'll go out and get us something." Liv replied before wandering over to the couch and picking up her hand bag. She gave Andy a peck on the cheek and announced her temporary depart. "I'll be back soon." Andy nodded before she made her way out of the apartment and strolled down the street.
~*~
Once Liv had ordered and received her Starbucks orders, she turned around from the counter but stopped mid-step when she saw Miranda Priestly standing in front of her, giving her an uncanny look. "Hi there." Liv said as she stepped aside from the counter.
"Hello." Miranda briskly replied before asking, "How is she?"
Liv couldn't help but smile at Miranda's question as she could tell how much both women loved each other.
"She is alright." She answered and Miranda nodded her head. "She was allowed to go home today from the Hospital, I really think you should visit her." Liv added, hoping her role of matchmaker would work on Miranda as it had failed with Andy.
Miranda looked at her for a moment and she contemplated the idea. Miranda knew she wanted to see Andrea, but the younger woman probably didn't want to see her just yet. She made the decision to give her lover some more time before going to visit her.
Miranda flicked her wrist up, looking over her watch. "I should go." She announced, realizing she was needed back at the office. Liv gave an understanding nod and said goodbye to the back of the silver-haired woman who, by now, had clacked her way into the busy crowds of people outside.
~*~
A MONTH LATER.
Miranda found herself sitting in her study in the townhouse. She also found out she could not concentrate on ‘The Book’ as she was missing Andrea terribly more as each day passed.
She glanced at the clock on the mantel and saw it was a quarter past eleven. She sighed, clapped ‘The Book’ shut and pushed it aside before taking off her reading glasses. Miranda stood from her warm seat and grabbed her cell before making her way down to the foyer.
“Yes Ms. Priestly?” Roy answered tiredly.
Miranda felt guilty for keeping him up late sometimes. Today was not one of them. Today she had a good reason. “Be at my door in two minutes.” She hung up and took a deep breath.
She then took a detour and wandered down the hall way of the second floor and checked on her girls who were fast asleep. She made her way down to the first floor where she found Cara who she had yet to dismiss for the night. Politely, Miranda asked her to stay a while longer, and though it was to Cara’s dismay, Miranda had asked nicely. She had asked nicely… for once.
Cara nodded in assurance she would keep an eye on the girls. Miranda mimicked the nod in thanks to such loyalty and gave Cara a small smile.
Making her way down the hall and into the foyer, she opened the closet door, pulling her coat on and slipping into red Louboutin’s. She remembered her last thought and bolted into the kitchen, thankful she didn’t forget.
Miranda flung the door open eagerly, and sure enough, Roy was waiting. She reminded herself to give him a raise the morning after. She walked down the steps of the townhouse and towards the car. Roy yawned, and slowly opened the door for his boss. He eyed the hot cup of coffee she carried with her as she slid inside pulling the door shut. Miranda watched Roy get in the driver’s seat with his eyes nearly shut.
“Where to-”
“Andrea’s apartment. You know where it is.” Miranda cut in.
Roy yawned once more and began to pull away from the curb.
“And for the sake of both of our lives, drink this.” She held the coffee over his shoulder and Roy’s eyes widened in appreciation. She knew all too well that some late night coffee would make him squirm and fidget in his seat; Miranda didn’t want to be the only one. She clasped her shaking hands in her lap as they wound down the streets.
~*~
TBC...