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Chapter Text

The ‘perfect’ present

Chapter 1

“Miranda, are you listening?” Nigel asked as his friend stared into the distance, deep in thought. She snapped back into the present and answered, “Yes, of course. I think the magenta top and the ebony jacket, do we have a matching belt somewhere?”

A woman, who’s name Miranda could not remember,  ran over to the racks holding the different outfits, then holding up a belt, “I got this pink polka dot belt, would that suffice or is it too messy?”

Miranda took the belt from her and held it up to the outfit on the mannequin, instantly making a face in dismay. She went over the rack herself, finding a cream-colored belt, putting it on, adding a white and rose-colored Hermes scarf and attaching it to the mannequin. She looked at it from a distance, pleased, saying, “I think we should go with it like this.”

They nodded at the fourth complete outfit as she said, “Make sure the pictures are taken so I have them on my desk by the end of tomorrow. I already told Ethan and Milly to come in to try the outfits on in about an hour.”

“We’ll make it work,” the nameless woman said, as Miranda left the room, Nigel and Emily hot on her tail. She didn’t even look at Emily as she addressed her, “The new assistant is useless, is there anyone better out there.  She just won’t do.”

“I…I will look into it.” Emily felt like this was a lost cause, mainly because Miranda had already sent ten assistants on their way in the past ten months, and she knew why. None of them were Andy Sachs, and none of them even came close. Emily, of course, was wise enough to know not to bring that up to her boss, unless she wanted to look for her replacement as well. Or to tell her boss that she might not need Andrea Sack in just her office.

“Out with-it Emily! I’m not paying you to think!” Miranda’s tone was sharp as a whip. Emily wondered how she could do it, sense when someone was not telling her the truth.

“I’m sorry?” she asked, trying to pretend nothing was on her mind.

“What is on your mind!”

“I just think that maybe the reason why none of these assistants work out for you, is because they aren’t Andy. That maybe you miss having her around, but I can of course be wrong.”

“You are! I expect a competent person on the desk next to yours by tomorrow morning, it shouldn’t be that hard!” she snapped as she walked into her office, slamming the door fell behind her.

“Bold move!” Nigel rolled his eyes at her.

“Shut up, Nigel! You know as well as I do, that she misses Andrea, for reasons I’ll never understand.”

“I’ll talk to her, just find someone that might be up for the task,” he said, slipping into Miranda’s office. She didn’t even look up from her laptop, “What is it, Nigel?”

“I think that maybe it is time that you face the facts, Miranda. Emily was only trying to help, maybe it is time to try to get in touch with her…Andrea…to ease your mind.”

“And I think the two of you have too much time on your hands if you think I even care one ounce about her!” she snapped angrily. He rolled his eyes, but left her be. There was clearly not any point in trying to force the subject.

It was early evening the same day and Miranda was listening to her daughters bickering over something having to do with a school trip. They both wanted to wear the same outfit for school next day, something that suited neither. All of a sudden they were looking at her to decide and come with a ruling, because clearly, she was the God of fashion and knew who the outfit looked better on.

“Neither wear the outfit if you cannot agree upon it,” she said tiredly, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“This is so your fault,” Cassidy stuck her tongue as both went back to their bedrooms.

Miranda shook her head at this as she turned on the TV, flipping the channels and settling on some trashy soap, while looking through a few pages that were to be in the next issue.

“What to wear on your first date, 10 fabulous outfits for the woman on the go.”

First date, it had to be over thirteen years since Miranda had been one of those. Or so she estimated as it was with the twins’ father. Of course, she had a casual fling or two over the years, and the occasional one-night stands on a work conference somewhere, she even slept with a model or two if she felt the need. Mainly because she could, because no one said no to her. But, although she has had her fair share of sex since her husband left her, she hadn’t been on a date, first or otherwise, in over thirteen years

She couldn’t find the time or the energy for something like that, not at her age. Besides who would be foolish enough to take on a woman that had two tweens? She changed the channel and gasped. There she was in the flesh, Andrea Sacks reporting a news story. Miranda turned up the sound to be sure, as if she didn’t trust her eyes.

So she did make it big after leaving, ‘Runway.’ A smile graced Miranda’s lips, happy to see that she was successful. If anyone deserved that it was Andrea. She could keep contact with her if she really wanted to, but for some reason she refrained from doing so. But every so often, in the evenings when she was all alone, she itched to call or text her, to catch up and try to talk to the woman that had struck a chord with her.

Miranda wasn’t even sure why she hired Andrea in the first place, because she was clearly incompetent when it came to her job at ‘Runway.’ Still, the woman had surprised her by proving herself, or trying to in any case. Miranda knew she could be more demanding than most, but she earned it. She had worked hard to get to where she was today, and she expected nothing less than that from her staff. Sure, she could be harsh and hard and demanding at times, but it was only in the best interest for her magazine, her legacy. Something that made her earn more than her fair share, both when it came to money and fame and enemies. She had it all.

“Mom?” she heard Caroline’s voice next to her and looked up, “What is it, my heart?”

“Can you look over my homework later? I had to write a piece about the person I admire the most, but my spelling isn’t the best.”

“Of course, my heart, will you send me the document?”

“Yeah, thank you.” She beamed at her mother and vanished back into her room. Miranda heard a loud scream from Cassidy’s room and sighed. Getting up from the couch she walked over to her room, knocking on the door before entering. She looked at her other daughter fuming over something on her laptop.

“What is the matter, my love?”

“I can’t do this assignment. I can’t find the right words! I hate writing papers, it’s not like I plan to be a writer anyways.”

“Let me see, please.”

Cassidy nodded and got off her chair so her mother could look over at the word document at the screen. It seemed to be the same assignment Caroline had asked her about moments ago, asking the students to write about someone they admires and why. It seemed easy enough, but her daughter had clearly asked her friends for advice as Miranda saw more than one paper up on her laptop.

“What is it you want to say, my love?”

“I wanted to write a paper about P!nk, since I think her music is really cool and I want to be a songwriter like her when I grow up.”

“I see,” Miranda nodded her head, “So you don’t like to write, but you want to write songs?”

“Yes, because it’s easier, because it has music on the side, in my head.”

“I understand. How about you write about why you like her music and point out a few of her songs and how you make her feel. To make it easier maybe you could write it like a song and not a paper?” Miranda suggested after thinking for a moment.

“You think the teacher will accept that?” Cassidy looked at her rather worried.

“I don’t see why not as long as you stick to what you are asked to write about. If not, I will talk to them.”

“Alright, thanks Mom. Can I email it to you later?”

“Of course, my love,” Miranda said and smiled at her, before walking out of the room. She always found it interesting how different her girls were in many ways and so similar in others. Cassidy was the more temperamental of the two, even if both were lively.

Miranda continued to work for a few more hours, before the papers arrived to her email. She made sure to make the necessary corrections and pointers before sending them back. They both seemed to be well written in her eyes.

A yawn escaped her as she realized how late it was, only six hours or so until she had to get up. She looked at her phone again, browsing her contacts for Andrea. Knowing she shouldn’t call her at all, not even knowing what to say if she actually did pick up, she clicked on the dial button.

Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, then the voicemail, “Hey this is Andy, I can’t pick up right now because I am busy. Leave a message and I will call you back as soon as possible.”

“Hello Andrea, this is Miranda Priestly. I was wondering if you would be interested in meeting up for a conversation one of these days, perhaps a cup of coffee. Please call me back.”

She hung up and cursed at herself. Why on earth would she leave a message like that, she never caught up with anyone, ever. Why now? It was not like Andrea would ever call her back in any case, that much she was sure off. Miranda groaned as she shut down her laptop and went to bed, annoyed at herself.

The next morning, she made sure the twins had what they needed for school. She told them goodbye and to behave before they left, then drank a cup of espresso from her coffee maker and got ready for work.

Once inside her office she tried calling Andrea once more, thinking she was probably asleep the night before. No answer this time either, but at least Andrea hadn’t blocked her number, which was a good thing. She tried a couple of more times during the day, but still no answer.

Should she give up, because clearly this woman was impossible to reach. No, she needed to speak with her, even if she didn’t know why. It was only when she looked at her calendar the answer came to her. Fashion Week was around the corner and subconsciously she wanted to make amends for how they parted the year before. If she could get Andrea to go with her, and try to relieve the good times, then maybe she had a chance for her to actually consider starting something with her again. Or at least she could hope so.

By the third morning Miranda was even more frustrated than before, Andrea still hadn’t picked up the phone, nor returned any of her, and it was driving her insane. She looked at Emily who handed her the daily notes, asking, “If you wanted to go out with someone, what kind of gift would be appropriate to send to try to convince them?”

“Flowers or chocolate for a woman, cigars and or liquor for a man. Do you want me to send either item to someone?”

“No, thank you, I’ll take care of it myself,” she said and walked into her office. She closed the door, wishing she knew what Andrea liked, but she never really cared to ask. Did she even like flowers or was that just a cliché that every woman liked flowers?

It couldn’t hurt to try and since she didn’t know if Andrea still lived at the same address where she had a year ago, she decided to send it to her work. She found a flower company and ordered a bouquet to be delivered to the place she knew Andy worked, after doing some research. It couldn’t hurt, could it?

Miranda didn’t think more about it as she had quite a busy day, with meetings all over town. It was late afternoon before she returned to her office, only to find the bouquet of flowers on her desk with the card torn up. Clearly flowers didn’t work, so what was next? Chocolate or sweets of some kind?

Miranda eagerly started to google, a bit excited that Andrea bothered to send the flowers back. Soon she found a chocolatier she deemed was good enough and called and order to be delivered for the following morning. She wondered for a short moment if Andrea liked the flowers, but did not like that they were from her and perhaps that was the reason she sent them back.

She used the call button and called for Emily, who appeared in her office a second later.

“Emily, was it a delivery person who came with the flowers earlier?”

“Yes.”

“I see, that is all.”

“I take it she didn’t like them then?”

“So it would seem.”

“Maybe you should just give up, take a no as a no.”

“No, if I want something I usually get it, even if it takes time. I think it is time to show her that I don’t give up that easily. I still have some more options left.”

Emily shook her head and walked back to her desk, she wasn’t positively sure what her boss was doing was the best idea, but as long as it got the older woman off her back she didn’t really care.

“Just take it!” Miranda said annoyingly, tossing a box of chocolate on Emily’s desk the following afternoon. She frowned at her, but didn’t say anything. Clearly flowers and chocolate were wasted on the woman Miranda was trying to woo, and her boss was fuming by the looks of it. She had just come back from a meeting when Emily handed her the box.

“What is going on?” she heard Serena’s voice next to her.

 “Miranda is sending some poor woman gifts, but the woman is sending them back. This is the second day it happened, yesterday it was flowers.”

“Wow, who on earth would say no to her?”

“I have a hunch, but I need to confirm it, then I will tell you.”

“Okay, can I have one of those chocolates?”

“You can,” Emily offered her the box and smiled at her.

“Thanks, see you after work?”

“Yes,” Emily nodded and watched the other woman walk away. She looked through the glass doors into Miranda’s office, watching her boss rub her neck, which was probably stiff due to stress. She needed someone to take care of her, that much was for sure. Not that Miranda would ever admit it, though, she was too proud and set in her ways.

She was startled when she heard a male voice say, “Excuse me, am I at the right place?”

Emily looked up to see a young man in a suit, standing over her desk, “Depends on what you want?”

“I was told to come here for an interview, for an assistant position.”

“Do you know anything about fashion?”

“How about everything?” he winked at her.

“And you are good at following orders at any given point of the day?”

“I am, at least that’s what my previous boss said, and I’m very punctual.”

Emily looked him up and down once more with a smile, “I think you will do quite nicely, but she will have to make the final decision.”

“That’s alright,” he said as Emily picked up the phone to call Miranda, receiving a word from her to send him in. Something told Emily that this would be her new second in command and he would be great at it. He wasn’t like the rest and he didn’t seem scared of walking into the devil’s lair either. She smiled wider, just as the phone started to ring and she answered, “Miranda Priestley’s office.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

The heels on Andrea Sachs shoes clicked hard against the floor of the ‘Runway,’ building. What on earth was Miranda thinking sending her flowers and chocolate was one thing, but a diamond necklace… and quite stunning one at that, but still… And for what, to go out for coffee and talk. They didn’t have anything to talk about, not now, not ever. Especially not after the manner in which they parted ways, there was nothing left to say. Her only regret was tossing the phone in the fountain, and not changing her number afterwards. The woman simply couldn’t take a hint.

And so she found herself walking right down the hallway she hadn’t seen in almost a year opened the door to Miranda’s office. She heard a man’s voice, the second assistant based on the direction it came from, “You can’t just walk in there, she is busy.”

“Shut it!” Andrea’s tone was harsh as she closed the door behind her. She saw Miranda was on the phone, but this time she didn’t care. She walked over and slammed the box with the necklace hard on to her desk.

“What the fuck is the meaning of this?”

“Ralph, I will have to call you back. Something has come up that I have to deal with…ff course, bye.”

“Andrea, you could at least wait until I was available, I was on an rather important call just now…”

Miranda glared up at Andrea who stood right before her desk, demanding an answer. Andrea raised her brows, “No, you don’t get to pull that card, Miranda. Not after sending lord knows what to my office! Have you any idea how that makes me look? No, because you don’t care! All you care about is yourself and what you want! Always!”

“I didn’t know there was a crime to send gifts to a love interest, and for that I am sorry. I was trying to do a nice thing here.”

“Love interest? Since when was I ever that? Have I given you any indication I want anything to do with you or that I am even interested in going on one date with you? Have I given you any indication I would say yes to any of your advances?”

“That is beside the point and no you have not. I just figured it was worth a shot since you didn’t pick up the phone. If you had told me not to send things or not to call I would have stopped.”

“Sending things back doesn’t exactly say keep on going either.”

“I suppose not, but if you really wanted me to stop, you would have said so. Hell, I’d bet you didn’t even bother to input my number in your new phone to begin with.”

“Who said I did?”

“I can only assume you have now, after the first call to avoid picking up when I called again. So what will it take to go out with you, what gift or gesture would it take?”

“Nothing! You could buy me the entire universe, but I would still say no. After how you treated me the first time around, I would be crazy to go out with you or have anything to do with you ever again. Just.. just leave me alone, Miranda.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I can get a restraining order.”

“You won’t. From what I am hearing you simply want me to change.”

“You know what, hear what you want to hear. I will never take you up on your offer. That is final!”

With that Andrea walked out the door, head held high. Miranda watched her walk away, wondering if she was right. Maybe she should stop this foolish pursuit. There were other fish in the sea after all. No, she wouldn’t give up that easily, it was not in her nature. It was time to try a different approach.

That very same night Miranda managed to gain entrance into Andrea’s apartment building. She knew it was a high risk, but she didn’t care. She needed to try this, maybe it could at least give her an idea of what Andrea was like if she could see her apartment and then find the perfect gift.

With a rising pulse she rang the doorbell. It was in her advantage that Andrea didn’t look through the peephole first. Andrea gasped when she saw Miranda standing there, because never in a million years would she imagine that she would ever go to the trouble of finding and visiting. Maybe she actually did want to go out with her.

“Miranda, what are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you, but if this is a bad time…”

“For you it will never be a good time.”

“I understand. Well in that case,” Miranda turned to walk back down the hall, when Andrea said, “Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Please come inside,” Andrea resigned. It couldn’t hurt to hear Miranda out, before she rejected her again, could it?

Miranda nodded and did as asked, fully aware that for the first time in her life she did not have the upper hand. Once she was inside the small apartment, she looked around, knowing that this place was not what she expected. Then again, when it came to Andrea she never knew quite what to expect.

Andrea made a motion for her to talk and she said, “When you first started at Runway, you lied, didn’t you?”

“Excuse me?” Andrea looked at her former boss with confusion.

“You made an indication you didn’t know me or the magazine, but that was a lie. Am I correct?”

“Well, I had heard of you and seen the magazine around, but I didn’t fully know what it entailed. I never imagined that your standards would be so high. I simply applied to a bunch of assistant jobs to get writing experience and you were the first to call me back.”

“Yes, well…still, you had to have known that when you applied to be my assistant there wouldn’t be much writing. It is a fashion magazine, so why?”

“What does that have to do with anything, Miranda? Why are you even here?”

“I am just curious about why someone like yourself would want to work for someone like me for experience. If you have an interest in fashion, sure, otherwise…”

“I wanted to learn from you. You worked your way to the top, I wanted to learn how to do the same.”

“I see. So you were more interested in me as a person than the job itself?”

“I honestly don’t know. I suppose I might have been, until I saw your true colors.”

Miranda nodded, not quite knowing what to say next, which didn’t happen all that often. She knew that she wanted Andrea with her on a date, perhaps more, but it all seemed like a lost cause. Maybe her ex-husbands were right, she did put the job first and that was the problem.

“I… wanted to ask you out on a date, a proper one, to get to know you better.”

Miranda didn’t recognize her own tone of voice, it sounded insecure and weak. She never had any problems claiming anything in her life, so this shouldn’t have been a problem either.

“You’re joking right? Why on earth would I even go out with you?” Andrea asked, looking at her in disbelief.

“Because I have enough wealth to secure you for life and because I genuinely would like to take you out.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. You have only shown me reasons why I shouldn’t go out with you. You treat people like they are toys and throw them out when you get bored with them. I am not even sure if you are capable of really loving anyone.”

“I see. Well then I shall be on my way.” Miranda turned to walk towards the exit and Andrea didn’t stop her this time. It was only when she was gone that she discovered something sitting on the dresser in the hallway. An expensive pen, next to it a note, “Every serious writer needs a good pen. Good luck.”

Andrea looked at it for a second wondering whether she should toss it out or keep it. In the end, she couldn't decide so she tossed it into a drawer in the hallway. Out of sight out of mind.

Or so she thought, because ever since the gifts had started showing up, maybe even before it, Miranda had managed to sneak her way into her mind. Maybe she never really left, because there was something about the woman that left trace. No matter who she touched, Andrea was sure that the woman left scars. Not visible, but emotional. Each small remarks and stolen glances were left as imprints on your mind. Things you never forgot, because that was how big of a life force Miranda Priestly was.

Andrea in her silent mind wondered if Miranda ever felt bad about how she treated people on a daily basis, probably not. Miranda couldn’t afford to, and she surely wouldn’t have been divorced twice if she did. Then again, she had seemed rather upset about her second divorce, although it might have been more for the girls than for herself. Andrea would have no way of knowing if Miranda ever loved the man or he was just there to keep up appearances. But she did know one thing, and is that Miranda did loves her girls. Over the course of her time working at Runway she had seen Miranda’s face would light up every time she talked with them on the phone, and would even put her life on hold if there was a crisis regarding the twins.

“Stop it, Andy,” she told herself. There was no way in hell she would agree to a date with her. She knew that if she did, she had to be crazy. It would be crazy, wouldn’t it?

A million thoughts ran through her mind as she went to sit down in front of the TV set, turning on some mindless entertainment. She tried to force Miranda out of her mind, but she found herself drifting to thoughts of the older woman as she watched a mindless TV-show. She was wondering why Miranda asked her now, and not right after Andrea left her company. Was she trying to make it up for how she treated her in the past or was this some kind of cruel joke? Andrea wasn’t sure. She suddenly felt so very tired, and decided to go to bed instead, since she had to be in the office early the next morning.

Only the next morning, Andrea’s mind was still racing with thoughts about Miranda Priestly and so she called, Runway, hearing a male voice pick up after the first ring.

“Miranda Priestley’s office.”

“Hello, my name is Andrea Sachs, does Emily still work there?”

“One moment and I will transfer you,” Andrea heard a click and then Emily picked up.

“This is Emily, who’s this?”

“It’s Andy, I don’t know if you remember me?”

“Andy, of course I do! How are you?”

“Right now, I’m honestly very confused. Which is why I need to ask you something regarding Miranda.”

“Okay?”

“I need to know if she spends more time with her children or if they have a nanny.”

“I don’t see why you would need to know, but yes, she does. She goes home earlier in the evenings than she used to and they sometimes spend time in her office after school.”

“I understand, thank you, Emily.”

“You are welcome, but really why the question?”

“I am just curious as to if someone like her can put someone else ahead of her job, considering how it ended with her two husbands.”

“Ahead of it, no. The most you’ll ever get is equal to it, and even if that is too much to ask of someone like her. Wait…are you the one she is trying to convince to go out with her?”

“Yes, but I don’t plan to say yes, so it doesn’t matter.”

“You should know that she will spoil you rotten with whatever you can ever desire, if you do.”

“Yes, well money isn’t everything. I don’t want to be just another toy. I can’t do that.”

“I don’t think she thinks about you like that, Andy. The woman has missed you. Not that she would ever admit that to anyone.”

“I somehow doubt that.”

“Trust me, it hasn’t been the same without you. I am not saying that she needs you as an…shit I got to go. Listen, just think about it. I think you two could be good for each other.”

Emily slammed the phone down, before Andy could say another word. She looked at the phone with confusion noticing how late it had suddenly become and hurried out the door. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t focus on her job, her mind seemed to somehow drift back to Miranda and her advances. She wondered if she had seem the last of her them or if Miranda would try again. But deep down she knew she wouldn’t, not when Andrea had clearly said no the night before.

She quickly googled the calendar seeing that it was soon time for Fashion Week, knowing that if they were to pursues a relationship, Miranda most likely would want her there with her, to make up for the year before. Andrea would never how much she enjoyed working at Runway, both in Paris and New York. It was a world so much bigger than herself; and the colors and people coming together for it was enough to take her breath away. That, however, also meant wearing clothes that she couldn’t really afford. No one had known that half of the clothes she wore when she worked at, ‘Runway,’ had belong to the magazine itself, the other half were rentals. Not that she would have to worry about it if she was Miranda’s girlfriend. Did she expect her to dress like that, or would she be allowed to herself this time around.  She groaned in dismay over this, hearing her boss ask, “Andrea, are you alright?”

“Not really, no.”

“Do you want to talk about it? Maybe I could help with whatever it is,” he offered, looking at her, concern showing in his grey eyes.

“You remember those gifts that were sent to me?”

“From your secret admirer?”

“Yes, well, that secret admirer is actually my former boss, Miranda Priestly. She wants to take me out on a date of all things, and I told her no by sending the things back. She showed up at my door last night, and I still told her no, but now I am wondering if it was the right thing to do.”

“Why is that?”

“I honestly don’t know. The woman is the most insensitive person I’ve ever met. I would be a fool to even agree to this, but on the other hand I would be equally a fool if I agreed not to. I don’t know what to do, and I have a feeling she won’t take no for an answer.”

“The way I see it, you have two choices. Say yes to the offer if she asks again, go on the date and if you feel nothing and if nothing has changed since you two talked last, then tell her once and for all to leave you alone. Or tell her no once more, and tell that if she doesn’t leave you alone you will get a restraining order.”

With that he turned to back into his office. Andrea thought about both options, none of them seemed appealing. She figured it wouldn’t matter since there would be no way Miranda would be foolish enough to make an advance after the night before. She started up her computer to begin her day, pushing the idea of Miranda Priestly, the most annoying person in the world aside.

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Miranda was sitting in her apartment, looking over her notes from that day, the first day of Fashion Week. It was the start of a month of fashion in the biggest capitals of the world, which would take her from here to Europe and back. She took off her glasses and placed them on the table, feeling absolutely drained. It was the month of the year she almost didn’t see her girls at all as she went from fashion show to fashion show and then talked to people if there was any time between, which wasn’t much time, if any at all. She had had been more than lucky that Stephen had agreed to take care of the girls when she was married, but this year it was different.

This year was the first of many when she was the soul caretaker, meaning she would have to find a way to be two places at once. Today she had managed with texting and a video call or two, and the coming days she would be home before the girls went to bed. The trouble would be when she had to be in Europe, since she had no family and couldn’t hire a sitter. She would either have to take the girls with her or cancel the event and neither option seemed like a good one.

She needed someone, anyone to take care of them while she was away. Her mind drifted back to Andrea, but the woman clearly stated that she wasn’t interested and so far the past five days Miranda had left her be. She knew that Andrea had called her office once and spoken to Emily, but not about what. She didn’t pry even if she wanted to. Right now she had enough on her plate.

Maybe she could ask Nigel to look in on them, the girls were fond of him and the other way around. It might work, but she also knew he was dying to go with her, catch up with some friends in the three other capitals, she even suspected he had a love interest in Milan. No, she couldn’t ask that of him. She would simply call the school and ask if her young ones could miss the weeks if she made sure they did what was needed.

She heard a click of a door and footsteps coming towards her, looking up to see Caroline, looking equal parts sad and scared. As Miranda looked at the young girl, she doubted she would be around for her whole life since she had them both so late in life, but at least she could be there now.

“What is the matter, my heart?”

“I had a bad dream,” she answered, coming to sit down next to her mother.
“What was it about?” Miranda wrapped her arm around her daughter, holding her close.

“Your plane, the one you’re taking to Paris, it went down. I never got to see you again,” tears blinking in her blue eyes now. Miranda felt her heart break as she asked, “Would you rather I stayed home with you?”

“No, because I know it is important to you. We don’t want to stand in your way. It’s just that we miss you when you are away, you know,” she answered between her sniffles.

“I know, my heart, and I miss the both of you,” Miranda pressed kisses into her red strands.

The girl held on to her for quite some time, before she let go, asking, “Are those photos from today?”

“They are, some of these outfits are rather peculiar, aren’t they?” Miranda was making some notes on a notepad next to her laptop.

“Yes, they are. Are they going in your next issue?”

“Just the highlights, what I feel is most important or most interesting.”

“I understand,” Caroline nodded, wondering if her mother was allowed to even take these photos, knowing the rules around photos on the runway were strict. She assumed that her mother and her competitors had a way of bending the rules, otherwise these fashions wouldn’t sell at all.

“Do you think you will be able to go back to sleep or is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” Miranda wondered, looking at her young girl.

“I’m not sure, it was quite scary and I’m afraid it’ll come back when I close my eyes,” Caroline answered honestly.

“I understand, how about I come and lay with you until you are asleep?”

Caroline nodded and got up from the seat. Her mother followed her into the room and tucked her in. She lay down next to her and gently played with her hair to calm her by whispering, “It will be alright, my heart, I promise.”

“I love you, Mom,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

“I love you too, my heart,” Miranda whispered back, laying with her and watching over her until she fell asleep. Her daughters were growing up too fast, and these moments when they still needed her meant the world to her. More so than any companion ever would, but she knew she was struggling without one to share the responsibility with. In the beginning she considered hiring a nanny, but it somehow didn’t sit right with her. She wanted to be there for them as much as she could, not missing any milestones, knowing all too well that there would be a time when they would shut her out completely.

She suddenly felt so very tired and fed up with it all, wondering how much harm it would do if she closed her eyes if only for a second. She could easily finish up before she left for the fashion show the next morning.

Early the next morning Miranda woke up by Caroline’s alarm and groaned knowing she might not have time to look over the rest of her notes she needed. She got up, stretched and went to the bathroom to grab a shower and freshen up, before making breakfast and lunches for her daughters.

Once that was done, she quickly glanced over her notes and added a few more before closing down her laptop. She felt absolutely exhausted as she knocked on her daughters’ doors, reminding them to hurry up or they would be late. Even more so as she grabbed her things and got to the car with them. She kissed them goodbye and told them they would have a late dinner together the very same night. They could even order in if they managed to both decide from the same place. It earned her a, ‘best mom ever!’ comment.

Miranda looked at the time and told the driver to stop by Andrea’s workplace. She knew she didn’t have much time, but she owed it to herself to try one last time, before moving on.

Her heels clicked along the linoleum floor, while she wondered if she was mad to even have feelings for this woman in the first place. Be that as it may, she needed to settle this once and for all, to either try this out or put it behind her. She asked a receptionist where Andrea’s desk was and she told her stuttering where to find her, but that Andrea was not in yet. She should be there any second though, so she was welcome to wait at her desk.

Miranda thanked her and went to do just that. When Andrea showed up moments later, her jaw instantly dropped when she saw her former boss sitting in front of her desk. “Miranda, what are you doing here?”

“I think you already know.”

“Still asking me for a date? Wow, you really don’t give up easily, do you?”

“My reputation should be a clear sign of that. I am willing to either set time aside tomorrow night to take you out or whenever it suits you next Tuesday. I won’t beg, so if you say no, I will leave you alone. Consider this my final attempt.”

“You really will leave me alone if I say no?”

“Yes, believe it or not I have a lot on my plate, especially now.”

“And if I say yes, what does that entail?”

“I take you out on a date, we eat, we talk, I believe that is what people do.”

“And after that?”

“That depends on how well this date goes. Know that I can never put you first, that position is reserved for my girls, then my company, but I can put you in between.”

“Every girl’s dream is to be put second…” Andrea rolled her eyes slightly.

“You as an adult should know that your behavior when we last worked together was not up to my standards. You had little respect for me or the workplace and I could have been a lot harder on you, which is more than you deserved. I won’t be as harsh as a partner, but I still will not  tolerate nonsense either.”

“Do you even have a human side?”

“There’s only one way to find out. Take me up on my offer.”

“Why on earth would I even consider it? Your standards are so sky high that I am surprised you can even care for your children.”

“Of course I do, they are my heart and soul,” there was a softness in Miranda’s voice as she spoke. Andrea raised her brows at her, “I can’t make it tonight, Tuesday is fine, just let me know when and where.”

“I will,” Miranda said and hurried away to her waiting car, her heart beating fast. She was wondering if she was doing the right thing, but there was only one way to find out if there was a spark there and that was to take Andrea out.

“I will be home later than usual tonight, make sure to go to bed at a reasonable hour. I don’t want any of your teachers calling me tomorrow because either of you fell asleep in class,” Miranda said in a serious tone, looking at her girls. They were having breakfast together.

“Wait, I thought the closing party was tomorrow?” Cassidy asked, confused.

“It is, but I am going on a date after the Fashion Show. You can call me or Uncle Nigel if there is an emergency,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee.

“A date?” Cassidy wondered with a frown.

“Anyone we know?” Caroline looked at her mother with questioning eyes.

“I won’t disclose that unless we are get serious. This is just a first date. Can I trust you two to manage on your own?”

“We will!” Both girls exclaimed in unison, nodding in a very serious way. Miranda frowned at this, but she didn’t say anything. She knew they most likely would take their chance to order in and eat junk food, but right now she didn’t care. They could order and eat what they wanted as long as they were safe at home.

“You will text me every other hour, so I know you’re alright,” she said in a not-up-for-discussion way. Both nodded, not even bothering to roll their eyes, as they packed up their backpacks and headed towards the hallway. She finished her coffee and found her things before she followed.

Andrea Sachs wasn’t quite sure what to expect when she got ready for her date that evening. She wasn’t even sure if she should go, but it was too late to cancel now, and she didn’t really want to either. What she did find more curious was that Miranda hadn’t tried to send more gifts in the duration between her last attempt and her accepting her offer.  

Pulling on her boots she wondered if that was the gift itself, giving her space or if something was waiting for her at the restaurant, other than Miranda herself. No, surely that couldn’t be. Then something came to mind, and she knew. The Friday before it had been in the beginning stages of Fashion week, Miranda had most likely planned on blowing off whatever party was that night to take her out. She planned to put her first to show her she was being serious about this date. Miranda was giving her the gift of her time, and she was most likely doing the same tonight.

Andrea quickly getting pulled up her phone to search the dates of Fashion Week yet again, learning that today was the second-to-last day. She wondered if there were any parties Miranda should have gone to tonight or that she was expected to go to. Something inside her shifted by the idea that Miranda had put her first. She hurried up and grabbed her things so she would not get late for the cab waiting downstairs.

Once she arrived at the restaurant, she paid the cab driver and went inside the restaurant, informing the hostess who she was meeting. The woman eyed her up and down without saying anything, before she showed her to the table where Miranda was waiting. The other woman quickly jumped out of the chair and said, “Andrea, I am pleased to see you.”

“Likewise,” Andrea shook her hand before sitting down. This to her somehow felt awkward and staged. She shook it off, before asking, “How was your day?”

“More entertaining than usual, a few of the models ended up showing off a little on the runway.” She smiled a little by the thought of it.

“Have you been to every show?”

“I have, but some are more interesting than others, as some designers are a little less appealing.  I would never tell them that though, I do have manners after all. Besides, it’s all worth it for the job. Making new connections and maintaining the old. I will be going to London later this week, then Milan and Paris. This is the start of the season and I am expected to make an appearance.”

“But not tonight?”

“No, I am only expected to appear here tonight,” she smiled at Andrea. Not one of the fake ones she was used to while working for Miranda either, this smile was more sincere.

“And your girls, what do you do with them when you plan to travel this much?” Andrea wondered, more out of curiosity than anything else.

“They will have to accompany me this year, I have no one else to take care of them after the divorce. I did consider to hiring a nanny to either stay at home with them or bring with me on the journey, but I don’t feel comfortable with anyone else looking after them. Besides, there are children and teen fashion there as well, so I think I can find something to pique their interest.”

“Wow, you are not joking are you, you’re really going to bring them along?” Andrea didn’t know why this surprised her, since the girls were clearly too young to be left home alone for the entire length of Miranda’s trip. Besides, it was not like Miranda wouldn’t go, as this was her job and her life.

“Yes, I already made sure it’s alright and booked them a suite next to my own. I don’t feel like I can leave them at home, especially Caroline and I think they can benefit from this extra dose of culture. I’ve already cleared it with the school so they won’t miss anything education wise and I will make sure whatever papers or schoolwork they have while we are gone are sent in on time. I plan to tell them later tonight, I just wanted to make sure all was in order first,” Miranda quickly explained.

“Understandable. Do you mind if I ask why you are more concerned about Caroline? You don’t have to answer if you don’t feel comfortable. I would find it useful to know, should if anything happen beyond this date,” Andrea’s tone softened slightly.

“She took it harder when Stephen and I parted ways after the divorce and she also had a nightmare that the plane I took to Paris would go down. I think she is afraid to be left without any parents if something happens to me as well. Which of course is reasonable as I am not young anymore.”

Andrea nodded quietly, not quite sure what to say to this. Never in a million years would she have pictured Miranda as a caring mother. She rather pictured her as the kind of mom that spoiled her children since she was never around, and clearly she was very wrong. She was about to speak when their waiter came over and asked if they wanted something to drink and if they knew what they wanted to order. Miranda clearly did and Andrea quickly browsed over the menu ordering something as well. She didn’t even point out the prices of the place which was higher than she could ever afford on her own, even if her current job paid her more than her fair share every month.

“You never told me what you like doing outside the office.” Miranda said, diverting the subject away from herself.

“You never really asked. But to answer your question, I like movies, both going to the movies and watching them at home. I sometimes watch series as well, but I find movies easier in the long run, series demands that you are committed. I like to go out occasionally, with friends and with the boyfriends I did have, and I like to travel. Not that I have done that much, but I have enjoyed visiting the few places I have been to. What about yourself?”

“You’re most likely right as it would have been unprofessional of me to do so at the time. I enjoy an occasional movie as well, and series. I have some I have watched for years, and others I watch an episode here and there. I must admit that some of the series I watch are because it interests my girls and I try to keep up with what’s the latest in their world, even though I don’t really understand the appeal about most of it. The habit of living mostly at work and not having all that much time to spare. I do however read occasionally and enjoy travel, not only for work, but privately.”

“I used to read, but I find it hard to focus on it other than when I am on vacation. Too much seems to be happening at work and with friends and so on. I take it you can relate?”

“I can, although to be honest I don’t have many friends, occupational hazard. One has to sacrifice to get to the top. I have a couple, and acquaintances, but I have no regrets. Besides I have my babies and there aren’t many that will take on two girls, sadly. I had hoped my relationship with Stephen would have lasted but…” Miranda stopped to take a sip of her glass, “Ces’t la vie, no one can have it all.”

“I suppose that is true,” Andrea said thoughtfully.

Neither of them said anything for a while, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Andrea was about to speak when the appetizers arrived, but waited for the waiter to leave them before she did.

“Miranda, I have to ask, how did you hope tonight would go? Clearly you must have had something in mind since you asked me out, aside from getting to know me that is. Do you want me to join you for the Fashion Weeks again? Do you want me to wait for you? A fling? A long term relationship? What?”

Miranda thought for a few minutes, and swallowed one of the scallops on her plate before she spoke.

“I suppose I would have liked for you to come along when I leave for Paris, so I could continue to date you and in the long maybe a long long-term relationship. I do, however, understand it would be hard for you to accompany me to Paris on such short notice. I can also do with text messages and phone calls while I am away, but I leave that up to you. For now I am happy with this conversation we were having.

“Alright,” Andrea nodded, at least now she had half an idea what Miranda wanted, which was something to consider. She looked at the wine bottle left by the waiter and poured some in her empty glass.

“So how have the past few days been, surely there must have been tons of outfits to pick for your new magazine?”

“I have found what I needed that is for sure, but even I have to wonder what some of the designers are thinking,” Miranda shook her head and reached into her pocket to find her phone where she had taken a few pictures, she handed it over to Andrea letting her browse through them.  

“I see what you mean,” she said after looking at a few. She handed it back, before asking, “Do you find it hard, being there when you know the girls are home alone?”

“I do.”

“Is this why you are on a date with me? So in the future you have someone that can stay home with them?”

“In the long-run perhaps, but I don’t mind bringing them along, I know that some of the others do, which is why there are also child and teen displays.”

“Did you carry them yourself?”

“I did, yes.”

“And you were not at all concerned about the dangers when it came to being pregnant that late in life?”

“Of course I was. If you must know I was rather sick in the beginning of my pregnancy, which is why my doctor and my obstetrician advised me not to go through with it. I did talk it over with their father and we decided to follow through, which I don’t regret. We divorced when they were two and Stephen and I got married when they were four, he is the only father they have ever known. I asked him if he wanted to be present in their life after the divorce, but he declined and I didn’t see any point in forcing the matter, even if the girls were fond of him.”

Miranda stopped for a second to finish her appetizer before she continued, “I don’t plan to bring you into their lives, before I know it is a sure thing, I hope you understand.”

“Of course, Miranda.”

Andrea thought everything over; their situation, knowing that they were at different points in their lives, she was not opposed to their children, and she never would be, but how would they see her if they did become serious. Surely Miranda would introduce them to her and what if she wanted children of her own. She had envisioned it, but now she wasn’t sure. She looked at the woman across the table, the one everyone thought had it all, but she knew better than anyone it wasn’t true.

“You are lonely.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You are lonely, that is why we are here, isn’t it?” Andrea looked her right in the eyes.

“Sometimes, but I think that goes for most of the people around the globe.”

“I suppose. If I wanted children, would you be opposed to it?”

“I wouldn’t. If that was something you truly wanted, I wouldn’t stand in the way of that, I would find it unfair to deny you anything. Do you want that, children of your own?”

“I’m not sure. I know Nate wanted them, we planned to, but…” she knew why they ended it. Of course she did. In the end it didn’t work, they were too different, or maybe she needed to grow up, she wasn’t sure if she ever did. Thinking back over her life as she sat there, she wondered in her silent mind if they were all right. That she needed to become more adult, take charge of her life, figure out what she wanted. Miranda didn’t say anything, she just nodded.

This woman across the table, the leader of one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world, the one they all feared, was putting everything aside to get to know her. Tonight she wasn’t the leader of Runway, tonight she was simply Miranda, whatever that entailed.

“What do you prefer I call you, Andrea or Andy?”

“I would prefer Andrea.”

“Andrea it is,” Miranda smiled at her, making something inside her stir. She smiled back as the waiter came to remove their plates, only to deliver their main courses a few minutes later.

“Can I ask you anything?” Andrea didn’t break eye contact with Miranda. She could get lost in her eyes for sure.

“I have nothing to hide,” Miranda said, suddenly feeling naked.

“Have you been with a woman before?”

“If you have mean if I had a girlfriend before you, no. If you mean if I flirted with one yes, more than once. Same goes for having sex. I do have preferences, but not when it comes to gender. Those I have been with are, however, wise enough not to tell the world.”

“And here I thought you preferred men.”

“I prefer whoever can satisfy my needs, whether it comes to work or personal pleasures, men or women alike.”

Andrea nodded and resumed eating her dinner, feeling her cheeks burn. Miranda grinned, amused by this. She didn’t say anything more, instead she started to eat her dinner as well. For a long time she remained silent and simply ate. When she was done, she looked at Andrea asking, “Who was your first kiss?”

“Julian Woods, sixth grade, he took me to a school dance and walked me home after. He kissed me outside my gate. You?”

“Ben Rhodes. We were neighbors and it was a dare, we were fourteen at the time.  We went steady for a couple of years, until his family moved. He was a sweet boy, and wrote to me for some time after.” Miranda sometimes wondered what happened to him, as the letters stopped coming when she was about seventeen. She simply assumed he moved on with someone else.

“Aww, that’s sweet,” Andrea tried to picture a young Miranda writing to her then boyfriend.

“It was,” Miranda nodded, still deep in thought.

“Favorite ice cream flavor?” Andrea asked the first thing that came into mind.

“Mint-chocolate chip, you?”

“Pistachio.”

“First bad thing you did?”

“Hmmm I believe I stole something from school and blamed it on my brother when I was quite young.”

“You have a brother?” Andrea asked rather surprised, realizing she didn’t know much about Miranda’s family.

“I have two, an older and a younger. They both live in London so I will visit them when I am over there.”

“That’s nice, I always wanted siblings, but I am an only child.”

“I am sorry, if it is any consolation we hardly speak, we are very different from one another.”

“I see.”

“Do you want any dessert or…?” Miranda looked at the time, knowing she would have to go home soon, if she wanted to catch her girls while they were still awake.

As if Andrea read her mind she said, “You want to go home to check on the girls, don’t you?”

“I do, not because I want to leave, but because I haven’t seen them all day,” Miranda felt herself blushing.

“It’s alright, Miranda, I understand it,” Andrea reached over the table to put a hand on top of one of Miranda’s. She didn’t really, but she had to try if she wanted to get anywhere with this woman. Miranda nodded quietly as she got a hold of a waiter to ask for the bill. He nodded and soon came back with it, only then did Miranda withdraw her hand from Andrea’s. She paid and got up from her seat, waiting for Andrea to do the same. Walking towards the exit, she let her hand slip into one of Andrea’s.

Andrea didn’t say anything to this, just gave her hand a gentle squeeze to let her know it was alright. Once outside Miranda turned to look at her, “I can have my car drop you off if you want?”

“No, that is quite alright, I can take a cab,” Andrea answered, afraid that if she got in that car she would never get out. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of being touched and kissed by Miranda Priestly.

“Will you think about joining me at least?”

“You mean in Europe?”

“Yes, I will gladly pay the expenses if needed.”

“I couldn’t agree to that, it is way too much. But I will think about it.”

“Alright,” Miranda paused before she continued, “I am not asking for a lifelong commitment here, I just want to continue seeing you for now. Take you out on a date or two, see where we’re at.”

Andrea nodded, not bothering mentioning that a normal person usually took you out in the city where you live, not a city halfway across the globe. She looked down at the pavement, not sure how to end this, realizing she didn’t want it to end. She felt Miranda’s free hand gently push her chin up and for a short second their eyes met, before she leaned in and pressed her lips against Andrea’s. Andrea kissed her back, letting herself linger in the moment. She smiled at her, feeling nothing but bliss as the kiss broke. Miranda pressed another kiss to her cheek, before letting go of her hand to get into her town car. Andrea looked after her as she drove away completely stunned, the taste of Miranda still lingering on her lips.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

Andrea would never know how Miranda managed to slip access passes for the Fashion weeks into her purse before she left the restaurant. She only discovered it when she got back home after the dinner. At first she was tempted to call and tell her she couldn’t be bought, but after some careful consideration she realized that she actually wanted to go. And after talking to her boss, she managed to get time of from work at the last minute.

She could only guess which hotels Miranda was staying at, so she booked rooms there and the flights to the different places, then she was on her way. If nothing else she would at least see her at the events if she was lucky.

She arrived the day before the first show and settled into her room before decided to check out the town. On her way back later that evening she ran into Miranda in the elevator. She silently arched her brows, but didn’t say anything, until Andy was about to get off the elevator Miranda’s hand touched hers, making her turn her head to look at her. The look Miranda gave her sent shivers down her spine. It didn’t help that Miranda leaned over to whisper in her ear, “I want to have you in every town we are in. I’m in room 731.”

Andrea practically fell out of the elevator, and forced air back into her lungs as she attempted to steady herself.  Clearly Miranda wanted more than just to date her, which she should have known. For a second she wondered if she had imagined Miranda saying it, but knowing the serious nature of the woman, she found it best not to think that she did this time either. She shook it off and walked in the direction of her room to take a much-needed cold shower to calm herself down.

Miranda sat up in the bed at the hotel room, stretching a little, before she walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Once she had dried off a little and put on her undergarments, she reached for a fluffy bathrobe to wrap around her body before walking back into the bedroom of the suite she was occupying. Her eyes glanced over at Andrea Sachs, naked and sound asleep in her bed.

She grasped for the phone on her nightstand and walked out of the bedroom so as not to wake her. Once she found herself in what could be considered the living room of the suite, she opened her laptop and transferred the pictures she had taken the day before. She had just finished up when she heard a knock on the door. A yawn escaped her as she went to open the door, only to find her twins outside.

“Mom, is it okay if we go and see the Eiffel Tower with Pierre and May? We promise we will be back near the runway before noon?” Cassidy asked, hope shining from her eyes.

“Only if you will snap some pictures so I know you are there,” Miranda said with a smile.

“Of course. Do you have any Euro’s to spare in case we need it?” Caroline asked.

“One second, my heart,” Miranda said and went back inside to find her wallet. Once she had done so, she came back and gave both a few bills. 

“Thanks, Mom!” the twins sounded in unison.

“You are welcome, my hearts. Now run alone and have fun, I have some work to catch up on,” she gave both a kiss on the cheek.

“Bien sûr,” Caroline said and hurried off.

“Au revior, Mama,” said Cassidy and ran after her sister.

Miranda looked after them with a pleased smile, glad her girls picked up the language fast wherever they went. She walked back inside, closing the door behind her.

“You’re not comfortable with hiring a nanny, but comfortable with sending them away with strangers?” Miranda heard Andrea’s voice from inside.

“They’re not strangers, they’re teen models and I know they have to be on the main stage before noon so the twins are perfectly safe,” Miranda shrugged a little. She smiled at Andrea standing there in nothing but panties and an oversized T-shirt, her casual sleepwear. She didn’t say anything, just walked over to give Miranda a loving kiss.

“Good morning, babe.”

“Bonjour, mon chèrie,” Miranda said, nuzzling against her cheek.

“You’re incredibly sexy when you speak French,” Andrea said, kissing her lips again.

“It’s what I strive for,” Miranda said with a soft laugh, breaking the kiss.

“Hmmm, is there any European language you don’t know?” Andrea wondered, as thus far she heard Miranda speak Spanish at work and both Italian and French on their journey.

“I know most of them or at least what I need for work, I always found it useful.”

“Understandable. How long do you have until you need to leave?”

“Long enough to go over my notes and get something to eat, but not long enough for a morning exercise,” Miranda pressed a kiss to her cheek. Andrea nodded and broke from the embrace, only to head in the direction of their bathroom.

Andrea took her time in the shower and got ready for the day while thinking about how amazing these past few weeks had been, and how afraid she was that everything would come crashing down once they returned to New York after Fashion Week was over.

Even if she and Miranda kept their relationship of out the public eye, Miranda was more than affectionate behind closed doors. For a woman of her age, she even had quite a sexual appetite, which gladly surprised Andrea. She could not get enough of her kisses and touches, whether they found themselves in the bedroom of Miranda’s suite, or Miranda simply had to take her right there on the dining room table, which was the case the evening before.

It seemed like the longer it went between kisses and touches during the day and the shows, the more fired up she was when they got back. Andrea had asked her about it, to witch Miranda had answered, “I need to be sure you are appreciated, so I don’t lose you again.”

And appreciated she was, for hours on end in the evenings, after the twins had said goodnight to their mother. Andrea usually stayed hidden in either her apartment or Miranda’s in the meantime. She found she didn’t mind all that much. If Miranda wasn’t ready for the girls to see they were in a relationship yet, she was not the one to push. She didn’t see the need to do so. She had all the time in the world, knowing that Miranda wouldn’t treat her like she used to. At least now that they were on vacation together, she seemed like a totally different person. Well, for her it was vacation at least.

She put on a pair of black heels and walked out to join her love, noticing that her Miranda seemed tired this morning. Not that Andrea could blame her, between the countless fashion shows, the twins and herself, she couldn’t see how Miranda even had time to sleep. Miranda finished up on her laptop and closed the lid, then finished up her coffee and got up from the seat.

“I need to get down there, will you be joining me now?

“I will meet you a little later, I still need a bite to eat.”

“Very well, I will see you down there,” Miranda said and went over to give Andrea a lingering kiss, before she headed out the door.

Miranda didn’t tell Andrea that she hadn’t eaten anything that morning either, she was sure her girlfriend just assumed she did. And truth to be told normally she would, she would have ordered room service or something, but the past couple of days she had been too tired and forgotten about it. Between her job, the girls and Andrea, caring for her own well-being seemed less important.

She didn’t even have just enough time to grab an energy bar or a chocolate somewhere to tie her over to lunch. Not that she ate much there either, not wanting to miss anything. She got into the waiting car, which drove her to the next even. Ignoring that her body was worn and screamed for substance she got out, walked inside the building and sat down on the seat reserved for her. Maybe she could ask Andrea or the twins to bring her something, anything…

As the hours ticked by not noon she got some texts from the girls letting her know they were having the time of their lives. She was glad that they seemed to enjoy this time away from home, and that they seemed to thrive from the experience. She was started as Andrea sat down next to her during the third show that day, dressed accordingly as the rest there.

“I got you some water.”

Andrea handed her a bottle, and Miranda gave her a vague nod as a thank you. Could she leave between the shows to a nearby restaurant or a street vendor? She leaned against Andrea who frowned suddenly.

“Sweetheart, are you alright? You look a little pale.”

“I feel a little off, I haven’t been able to eat all day,” she whispered. It was a cry for help and she could tell Andrea was figuring out how to solve this, as the show ended and got ready for the next designer showcase.  She took Miranda’s hand and led her out of auditorium and to a nearby café. For once Miranda didn’t argue, she wasn’t up for it. She listened halfway as Andrea ordered them food and drinks, and waited for her to eat up, which she did, slowly. Andrea didn’t say a word and for that she was glad.

Instead, she leaned in and kissed her cheek lovingly, taking her hand in her own, “I will make sure you eat tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, my darling,” Miranda said and gently kissed her lips. She didn’t get up for some time, needing to recover a bit first. Once she did, she felt much better and by the time they got back the twins were there as well. Overjoyed that this designer house served popcorn to everyone. They handed two bags to Miranda and Andrea. Neither said a word to them holding hands, or their mom leaning against Andrea for the rest of the shows that day.

Once they were done for the day the twins headed to hang with some friends, while Miranda and Andrea went back to the hotel. Andrea told Miranda she needed to sleep and for once she didn’t argue with this. Miranda simply got undressed and climbed into bed, while Andrea hooked up her phone to her laptop to transfer the pictures and typed in the notes for the day.

Miranda didn’t know for how long she slept, until Andrea woke her, looking at the watch on her wrist she estimated a couple of hours and panicked. She sat up with a jolt, letting out a groan, clearly neither her head nor her body agreed with that. Her hand rubbed the back of her neck, trying  to soothe her aching muscles, annoyed at herself  for always tensing up when she had too much work to be done.

Still in sleeping attires she matched into the living room, snapping at Andrea.

“How could you let me sleep that long? I need to type up my notes and go through the pictures for today. Not to mention prepare for tomorrow! Now I am going to be up all night!”

Andrea frowned a bit at the woman of her affection, before answering, “I already input your pictures, so all you have to do is go over them. I also typed in your notes and ordered up some room service. I let you sleep because you needed it, you can argue against it all you want, but we both know I’m right.”

“You…did all that? Wait, my phone, the twins!”

Andrea handed Miranda her phone, by the looks of the messages they were having a blast, not even worried she hadn’t answered them yet. She quickly responded to their messages, telling them not to be out too late. “Chill mom, we are heading back to the hotel in a little bit with some food and some friends.”

She took a breath of relief as she sat down by her laptop, to go over what Andrea had done while she was sleeping. She added some additional notes and went over the pictures, deleting what she didn’t need and then turned to Andrea. She didn’t apologize for her outburst and Andrea didn’t expect her to, knowing how the woman could be to begin with. She still felt a warm feeling spreading inside her when Miranda said, “Thank you, you were right, I…needed that.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Andrea was about to add something more when there was a knock on the door. She went to open the door for the hotel staff to hotel bring in a trolley with their room service, tipping him before he left. She was glad no one questioned that it wasn’t Miranda that called down to begin with as she pulled the trolley inside and put the dishes and drinks on the table.

Miranda didn’t say anything to this, she simply started to eat once it was all put out, including plates and cutlery. She wasn’t even sure when the last time food tasted this good. She made sure to eat slowly so her stomach wouldn’t act up, as it sometimes did when she ate too little too fast. Once she emptied two plates with various contents, she felt satisfied. She eyed Andrea across the table looking at her with loving eyes and felt something inside her stir. She didn’t want this to end when they got home, she wanted Andrea there for her every day for the rest of her life. She needed Andrea to be there.

“Is something wrong?” Andrea asked as Miranda looked to be conflicted.

“No, everything is alright, my darling,” she answered and smiled.

“Good,” Andrea replied and smiled back.

“Would you be opposed to continuing this, whatever it is when we get back home?”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Would you prefer if we lived apart in the beginning?”

“I think that would be best, considering the girls.”

“Very well. If you don’t mind, I think I want to go back to bed, I am still drained.”

“I will clean this up and join you,” Andrea said, getting a dignified nod in return. As she started to clean up she heard loud music from the room next door, in addition to yelling. The twins were having a party for sure. She smiled at this, wondering if it was getting out of hand, but she heard both decline when offered illicit substances more than once while they had been there, so she wasn’t too worried. They were raised well and didn’t seem to be getting off the handle.

When she was done with cleaning up she went into their bedroom to find Miranda sound asleep, snoring lightly. Andrea cast a loving glance at her, before crawling into bed with her. She fell asleep only to wake a bit later in the night and went to the bathroom. The noise from the room next door was gone, and she decided to check on the twins just in case. They would, after all, be her concern since the two of them decided to continue dating. She found the key to the room next door in the hallway and quietly sneaked in, finding some people sleeping in the living room, cards and video games all over. She found the twins sharing a bed in the bedroom of their suite, one on each side of the huge bed, sleeping ever so peacefully, clinging to a stuffed toy each, making her heart melt.
Andrea sneaked out as quietly as she could and back to their suit, where she crept under the covers with Miranda.

“Andrea?”

“Hmm?”

“Where did you go?”

“To check on the girls.”

“Why?”

“Just wanted to make sure they were alright.”

“And?”

“They are, they were sleeping peacefully, just like you were when I left.”

“Good.”

Miranda snuggled closer, burying her face in Andrea’s shoulder as she went back to her sweet slumber. Andrea’s arms wrapped around her, holding her tight as she slept. She felt safe and at home. Andrea let herself fall asleep to the softness of what was once the most terrifying woman she had ever known. Not anymore, though. Now Miranda was her girlfriend and treated her as such, in every way of the word, which made her happier than she ever thought she could be. Happier than she ever dreamed off, knowing it would last.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

Miranda was leaning against Andrea’s shoulder. It was the last day of Fashion week, which meant that tomorrow they would go back home, together. A diamond ring was in Andrea’s left hand, a belated Valentine’s gift, a random moment frozen in time, and in their memories. On the other side the twins were waving at some of their model friends on the Runway, talking excitedly about a party they would attend the very last night. She and Andrea would go to a more adult party and afterwards she would once again make love to her. A celebration of the engagement, that no doubt would be on every front page when they got home. Their date at the café some days earlier already were. She didn’t care though, and Andrea didn’t seem to care either, she only cared about her well-being.

“My darling,” she whispered as a new outfit was announced.

“Mhm,” Andrea responded, her eyes still on the stage in front of them.

“Thank you for agreeing to come with me, and be a part of my world.”

“You’re welcome and thank you for showing me there is more to you than just fashion.”

“Hmm,” Miranda said, smiling, feeling how Andrea pressed a kiss into her graying strands. She felt everything was changing, for the better, all because she was too stubborn to let Andrea go the second time around. Then again, Miranda Priestly always got what she wanted, it was just the way it was.