The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 25a
Title: Science of Fashion (25a/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
25a
The days until the big event flew by with lots of activities in- and outdoors. Wednesday ended with the arrival of Andy’s brother Peter who turned out to be as charming, good-looking and chivalrous as his big sister. Just as they had done with Andy the twins took an instant liking to the young man who was delighted to learn he was an uncle of two adorable nieces.
Everything for the party had been arranged and everybody was awaiting it with great interest and some with trepidation. Helen and Angela finished their surprise for Andy and Miranda on time and all they could do before the guests arrived was to get ready.
Andy was buttoning the vest she was going to wear under her frock coat, which was sporting her clan´s tartan, when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in!” The brunette called out, smoothing the front of her vest after she had shrugged into the coat and straightened the collar of her crisp white shirt.
“You look very handsome, your Grace”, Lady Helen said from right inside the door.
“Aunt Helen, please”, Andy rolled her eyes upon hearing the older woman use her title.
“No, Andy”, Helen stopped her with a raised hand, stepping towards the younger woman. “This is who you are and who you have to be this evening. They expect it from you, Sophia expects it from you. Wearing it gracefully honours your mother who would be very proud of you.”
“Thank you”, the Duchess whispered around the lump in her throat.
“Come sit with me”, Lady Helen gestured towards the bed, where she sat down next to Andy. Only now did the brunette see the small box in her aunt’s hand.
“Here”, Lady Helen held out the box, chuckling at Andy’s uncomprehending expression. “Open it!”
Andy did as she was told and let out an audible gasp when she saw a pair of delicate silver sterling earrings in the most intriguing Celtic pattern lying on a bed of velvet.
“They belonged to your grandmother”, Helen explained softly, “and they would have been your mother’s, well, now they are yours.”
“Why now?” Andy asked, wondering about this certain moment.
“It’s a tradition that they should be given to the oldest female for her 50th birthday. Don’t ask why, I can only guess that they are meant to be worn with the suitable grace and elegance by women of a certain age which was obviously a whim of one of our ancestors, for they are very old.”
“But I’m not...”, Andy tried to object but was interrupted by her aunt´s kind words.
“I know but Miranda is and I know nobody who could do them more justice than her.”
“Thank you”, the brunette hugged Helen fiercely.
“You are welcome, sweetheart”, Helen smiled at her niece who was already on her feet and nearly out of the door.
“Yes, go on give them to your woman, while I’m trying to straighten that damn sash”, Lady Helen muttered under her breath as she stepped in front of the mirror in an attempt to do just that. “A nice little patch of cloth would do nicely, but no.” Shaking her head at the stubborn piece of clothes which was of the same tartan like her niece’s vest, indicating her membership to Andy’s clan.
With the small box safely in her trouser pocket Andy walked determinedly to Miranda’s room, wondering about the dress the woman was going to wear. Well, she would find out soon enough.
Nervously she knocked on the door, flashing a blinding smile when Cassidy opened it in her cute Paddington Bear pyjama. She had wanted one ever since the twins had spent a night in Andy’s room and she had worn her Paddington Bear t-shirt.
“May I come in?” The brunette asked formally.
“Who is it, baby?” She heard Miranda’s voice from somewhere inside.
“It’s Andy, mommy”, Cassidy said over her shoulder.
“Ask her in!”
“Okay.” Cassidy merely grabbed her hand and dragged her into the room, closing the door firmly behind Andy. Letting go of Andy’s hand she ran over to her mother’s bed, where she joined her sister on top of the covers, the best place to watch their mother getting ready for the party. Caroline waved at Andy, smiling when she saw the other little redhead wearing another cute pj. Surprisingly enough Caroline had wanted her own tartan pyjama, just like Andy’s trousers and she looked really adorable, both girls did.
Searching the room for Miranda Andy’s eyes finally found the older woman on the other side of the room. Miranda was a vision in her long shoulder free black dress. Her silver hair perfectly coiffed, her skin glowing in the warm light of the room. The dress accentuated the curves of her body, showing a wonderful amount of creamy skin and cleavage, making the younger woman swallow hard. No jewellery was distracting from the classical beauty that was Miranda Priestly.
“You... this... I...”, Andy stuttered unable to form a coherent sentence because of the beauty in front of her. Miranda blushed at the desire she found in Andrea’s eyes, glad that she had thought of packing Valentino´s latest creation for her.
“You are incredibly beautiful”, Andy breathed in awe when she had gathered her wits again.
“Thank you, darling”, the editor said softly. “You look quite dashing and handsome yourself.”
“Thanks”, Andy mumbled, self-consciously trying to hide her scar under her left hand. She had opted for a different hairstyle which left her face exposed.
The gesture and a flicker of insecurity in the younger woman’s eyes made Miranda close the distance between them. Reaching out for the obscuring hand Miranda gently took it in her own, leaning forward and pressed a tender kiss to the cheek.
“None of that, my darling”, the older woman whispered into Andrea’s ear. “You are beautiful the way you are.”
“Only in your eyes”, Andy choked.
“The only eyes that matter”, Miranda replied huskily.
“Absolutely”, Andy agreed with her lips only inches from Miranda’s. She had every intention of kissing the older woman when they heard childish giggles from the bed. Causing both women to step apart with a blush.
“Oh, I wanted to give you something”, the brunette said remembering the reason why she had come in the first place. Fishing the small black box from her pocket she opened it and held the contents out to Miranda, silently asking her to take them and put them in.
Covering her mouth with her hand, Miranda was stunned when she saw the earrings on their bed of black velvet. Delicate in the most fragile way they looked old and expensive. Their form was an interesting Celtic design she had never seen before. They were beautiful.
“Darling?” Miranda asked shyly.
“They belonged to my grandmother and I want you to have them to wear them the way they are meant to be worn”, Andrea explained softly.
Miranda lifted them carefully out of the box to step in front of the mirror to put them in. Andrea followed her, standing behind Miranda their gaze meeting in the reflection.
“Thank you, they are beautiful”, Miranda whispered gently.
“My pleasure, my love.” Bending down Andrea placed a tender kiss on the woman’s bare shoulder.
The twins still lounging on their mother’s bed looked fascinated at the two women. Never before had they seen their mom like that, so freely showing her affection to somebody else but them. She had never been that way with their father and certainly not with Stephen. When she tried because of their insistent and constant nagging it always felt wrong somehow. With Andy though it was not only natural it also felt completely right. What put them steadfastly in Andy’s corner though was the way she treated their mother. Andy treated her with respect, care and loving attention and they liked that a lot.
“Caroline would you please fetch the box from the top of the bedside drawer”, Miranda asked her daughter.
“Sure mom!” Scrambling to the edge the girl opened said drawer and retrieved a neatly wrapped box from inside. She brought it to her mom who kissed her head affectionately when she took it from her.
Miranda offered it to Andrea who took it and looked at her questioningly.
“Open it!”
Wondering what it could possibly be Andy discarded the paper to find a familiar seal on top of the lid. Andy found a pair of onyx cuff links inside. Each with a dragon with a blue stone for its eyes on it.
“Miranda they are beautiful. When did you...”, Andy was flabbergasted.
“After the reception at the end of New York Fashion Week. I found them most appropriate”, Miranda said good-humoured.
“I don’t know what to say”, Andy was touched by the gesture, “to simply thank you seems not adequate.”
“Nonsense”, Miranda waved her off, “just put them on.”
“Would you do that for me?” Andy held out the box to the older woman.
“Gladly, darling.” Taking them from the box Miranda exchanged the cuff links with the old ones.
Putting on the last touches of make up Miranda and Andy finally said their good nights to the girls who had the permission to stay in Miranda’s bed, Andy held out her arm to the editor. Miranda took it with a gracious nod and together they left her room and proceeded downstairs to meet the rest of the family and Emily to greet their guests.
Andrea with Miranda by her side formed the head of the group to welcome the guests with everybody else firmly and steadily behind them. A fact which didn’t go unnoticed by Miranda especially that Sophia wasn’t the first to be greeted but took only second place after her granddaughter. She knew the older woman wanted to present a supportive front to the guests but the editor had no idea what was going on why her and Andrea were the front. Miranda wanted to understand and she meant to ask as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Which was even more intriguing was the fact that every woman of Andrea’s family wore a sash of her clan’s tartan and her brother was wearing a kilt. Even George and the rest of the staff were dressed that way. It was a signal that much was obvious but what kind and for what purpose Miranda had to find out.
After the last guest had made his entrance the mingling and small talk could begin. Andy, always the gentlewoman, went to fetch a drink for Miranda while Peter kept Miranda company. Peter had kept a close eye on Miranda smiling when he saw the slightly confused look on her face at the proceedings.
“Miranda”, the young Lord inclined his head at the fascinating woman, “may I say that you look very lovely.”
“Thank you, Peter”, Miranda smiled at the man. “You look quite exceptional.”
“Why thank you”, Peter laughed, sounding very much like his sister, “I take that as a compliment.”
“May I ask you something?” Miranda asked, there was no time like the present.
“Why are you wearing a kilt? The women are wearing these sashes, why is that? And your grandmother, she is the matriarch of the family but she took second place to Andrea why is that?”
“These are quite some questions”, Peter said thoughtfully, “I thought you were going to ask a few.”
“Stupid questions, I know”, Miranda snorted at her own ignorance.
“No, valid ones”, Peter corrected gently. “Come, sit with me.”
The Baron of Edgewood led Miranda to a pair of chairs where Andrea would spot them easily when she returned with Miranda’s drink.
Waiting until the editor had taken her seat, Peter sat down and patiently explained what was going on.
“Well, lets see. Me wearing a kilt and the women wearing tartan sashes as it is customary for the Scottish means we are honouring my sister and our tradition.” Peter waited for Miranda’s nod of understanding before he went on.
“As for nonna, you are right, of course. She is the matriarch in this family where age is concerned”, he explained respectfully, “but other than that my sister is the head of the family.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“As you know, my sister due to Scottish custom inherited my mother’s title as Duchess of Dunnmore. This makes Andy the head of the family by right. And strange as it may sound even my grandmother owes her respect in that regard, like everybody else in the family. The same goes for all of our guests. Nobody in this room, and I literally mean nobody is my sister’s peer.”
“I see”, Miranda said slowly, processing all Peter had just said. “But what you do tonight is more of a message for the guests is it not because I know Andrea does not like it that way.”
“Yes”, Peter agreed readily, “nonna, insisted. It’s an act, well, most of it. Andy could convince her to have a buffet instead of a formal dinner. Andy would have abhorred the fact of preceding a dinner with nonna only being second at the table as well.”
“I understand”, Miranda nodded. It was a power-play for the sole purpose to impress their guests and send a message that said don’t mess with us. She did understand that because it was similar to the things she did on a regular basis to remind people who held the reigns in the fashion world and who they were dealing with. No wonder Andrea understood her the way she did. That thought and the approaching figure of her lover brought a sensuous smile to her lips.
“Here you are”, Andy handed Miranda her champagne.
“Thank you, darling”, Miranda’s fingers touched Andrea’s when she took hold of the glass sending a warm feeling to her belly.
“Nonna wants you to meet some of her friends. Would you awfully mind if we join them”, Andy asked hesitantly.
“Not at all”, the editor got up and took the offered arm with a new-found pride at the other woman.
Sophia’s closest friends turned out to be very welcoming and nice. Soon they were joined by Lady Helen and Angela which led to a constant flow of people coming and going to talk to them.
Andy’s hand on the small of Miranda’s back made her feel warm and secure without feeling crowded in the company of so many strangers. Andrea seemed to understand and share the need to be not overly affectionate with each other in public.
“Well, look at you, I thought I would never see the day when you were in love again”, they heard the melodious voice of a woman.
Andy turned and beamed at the dark haired woman coming towards them in a wheel chair with a blonde woman right behind her pushing the chair.
“Diana!” Andy called out, moving towards the newcomer, bending down to kiss her cheek before she welcomed the blonde with another friendly kiss on her cheek.
“Good to see you, your Grace. I’m sorry we are late but getting dressed took longer than I anticipated”, Diana said ruefully.
“Never mind”, Andy waved off the apology, “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Miranda”, Andy turned and held out her hand to the older woman who took it without hesitation and joined her. “Please meet my mentor and friend Dr Diana Weston and her partner Dr Susan Blakely. Diana, Susan this is my partner Miranda Priestly.”
The women shook hands taking an instant liking to each other, leaving Miranda wonder about the story behind this interesting couple. Diana seemed the same age like herself, whereas her partner Susan seemed to be more of Andrea’s age. Susan was tall, blonde and beautiful, Diana even though bound to her wheel chair exuded live and unbound energy, her dark hair was heavily streaked with grey and her grey eyes shone with impatience for life and warmth every time she looked at her partner.
With Diana and Susan to join them with the family the conversation turned more lively than before when the sudden gasp of Lady Angela made them follow her gaze across the room.
“What the bloody hell, pardon my language, is she doing here?” Helen was exasperated and angry.
“Who is it?” Miranda asked Andrea when she felt the younger woman stiffen next to her.
“Lady Elizabeth Devonsham.” Andy said through gritted teeth.
So this was the woman who couldn’t keep her hands of the women of this family. Miranda flared her nostrils as she watched the woman slowly make her way towards their little group of family and friends. She was at least as tall as Andrea, with dark blonde hair, blue eyes, a curvaceous body clad in a dress that clung to every curve and her cleavage left nothing to the imagination. This woman screamed sex in the most unattractive possible way, at least as far as Miranda was concerned. But by the look on everybody else’s face she wasn’t alone in her verdict. Taking a step closer to Andrea and putting her hand on the younger woman’s back Miranda was satisfied when she felt Andrea relax under her touch.
Lady Elizabeth Devonsham was gliding nearer, her eyes firmly trained on Andrea but when the biologist turned her head slightly she saw a glimpse of the scar on her face and couldn’t hide her reaction.
Even though she tried to hide it Miranda had seen the brief flicker of disgust in the blue eyes and so had Andrea. Feeling very protective of her lover Miranda would shred her to pieces with the smallest indication of hurt on Andrea’s side. Sparing a glance at Andrea’s cousin Miranda could see a tightening of her jaw as she watched the blonde nearing. Her posture rigid and pain evident in her green eyes Miranda felt her heart go out to the redhead.
“What a nice little party”, Lady Devonsham was now standing before Andrea, her mouth turned into a smile which was supposed to be sensuous.
“To which you weren’t invited”, Lady Helen spat.
“Ouch”, Elizabeth held her hand over her heart in mock hurt. “How could I not pay my respect to the Duchess of Dunnmore.”
“Nobody expected you to”, Angela said coldly.
“But that would have been impolite, would it not?” Elizabeth racked her eyes over Andy’s body in such a possessive manner it made the other woman recoil.
“Good evening, your Grace”, Elizabeth breathed, stepping nearer intending to kiss Andy’s cheek in greeting but was more than surprised when Andy turned away to avoid being touched by her in any way.
“Elizabeth”, Andy greeted curtly.
“Why so short, darling? Who is this with you?”
“Miranda Priestly meet Lady Elizabeth Devonsham.” Andy introduced them.
Miranda inclined her head in greeting not offering any more to the other woman.
“Well, who would have thought”, Elizabeth drawled lazily, her eyes firmly on the editor. “Andy and the fashion queen. You must be ecstatic Sophia.”
“Elizabeth why don’t you go and spit your poison somewhere else”, Sophia asked nicely, knowing she couldn’t throw her out without causing a scandal.
“Of course. See you, Andy darling.” Before she disappeared in the crowd she winked at Bridget, sending the younger woman storming out of the room in the opposite direction.
“What a mess”, Andy mumbled under her breath. “I’m sorry, nonna. Aunt Helen, aunt Angela.”
“Nonsense”, they said nearly at the same time.
“Emily why don’t you look after Bridget”, Andy suggested gently spurring the redhead into action.
“Miranda”, hanging her head in shame after what the silver haired beauty had witness, “I’m so awfully sorry. I had no idea she would come here uninvited. I guess I should have known better though. I’m really...”
A soft finger over her lips stopped her heartfelt apology. “No need to apologise for something you had no control over.”
“But...”
“No but. There is nothing you could have done to prevent it.”
“Miranda is right”, Helen chimed in. “Come on it’s time for the little performance I promised Miranda the other day.”
The little performance turned out to be a group of dancers doing a traditional Scottish dance to the music of bagpipes. Afterwards everybody was invited to get refreshments from the buffet and mingle and risk a dance of their own to the music of a band in the other room. Standing around and talking to nearly everybody at the party took it’s toll on Andy. She felt a dull throbbing in her leg, knowing she had to get her feet some rest before she could enjoy the party a bit longer.
“I need to sit down for a little bit”, she whispered into Miranda´s ear.
“Are you all right, darling?” The older woman was instantly worried.
“Yeah, just to get off my leg in the study”, Andy soothed Miranda’s fears, “don’t worry. It will be fine after a little rest.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I’m sure nonna wants you to meet a few more of her friends. I’ll be back in half an hour.”
“All right”, Miranda gave in, knowing the brunette would be true to her word. She watched her walk out into the hall with a pronounced limp, glad that Andrea listened to her body and took a little break. A frown etched itself into her forehead when she saw somebody following behind Andrea. Miranda excused herself from the conversation and left towards the study as well.
Emily had followed Andy’s suggestion to look after the Scottish woman which was easier said than done. First of all she had to find her and then they could talk but finding her was another cup of tea. Sighing, after she looked in every room possible Emily gave it a try in the garden. Stepping through the French windows in the sun room she saw a figure in the distance leaning against a tree. Making her way over she could tell it was Bridget. Careful not to startle the other woman, she called to her.
“Bridget!”
“Emily”, Bridget wiped at her cheeks before she turned to her friend.
“You all right?” Emily asked softly. When she stood in front of the taller woman she could have kicked herself for asking such a stupid question. Because Bridget was definitely not all right, she had been crying that much was obvious. Emily felt the sudden urge to strangle this blonde vamp who, in Emily’s estimation, was responsible for Bridget’s current state.
“It’s her, isn’t it?”
“What?” Bridget was confused.
“The woman you had a relationship with that had ended recently”, Emily explained.
“I wouldn’t call it that”, Bridget snorted. “I thought she was in love with me when in all reality she was looking for an affair, which at the time I didn’t know.”
“I’m sorry”, Emily whispered, her heart going out to the other woman.
“Don’t be”, Bridget shook her head, “Elizabeth knows how to seduce and make you feel like you are the centre of her attention, when all she wants is somebody to satisfy her needs.”
Bridget paused to take a deep breath and gazed into Emily’s sorrowful eyes. They were so warm and caring like the woman they belonged to. She knew she could fall for Emily, it would be so easy. But Emily deserved better, maybe if they would take it slow. Andy was right, taking things slow to get to know each other better wasn’t such a bad idea. That was definitely something she wanted. Clearing her throat gently Bridget reached out and took one of Emily’s hands in her own, squeezing it slightly before she asked what was on her mind.
“Uhm, Emily, I meant to ask you if it’s, well, what I’m trying to say is I think I really like you.”
“I like you too”, Emily confirmed hastily, eliciting a full smile from the other woman.
“Great”, Bridget beamed, “so, uhm, would it be all right if we spent more time together, to get to know each other better?”
“I would like that.”
“Me too.”
Standing there in the middle of the park gazing into each other’s eyes they could care less about the party or anything else that was going on inside the house. They were content with the knowledge that they would give it a try whatever it was right now.
TBC