Work Text:
“Utterly ridiculous, I do not need an MRI,” Miranda told her doctor.
“Well, you’re getting to an age-”
“I am not getting an MRI,” She sneered.
Miranda tried her best to keep her face neutral as she laid down on the MRI machine. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed. How the hell did she let herself be talked into this?
“Alright, just hold still,” the technician said, “I’ll put on some music so you have something to listen to.”
“Oh God, please-”
She was cut off by the music coming on and the machine turned on, pulling her into the tube. She began to press the panic button.
All of a sudden, everything started to shake as she was inside of the tube.
“What’s going on?” She cried out. She was met with silence.
After what felt like forever, the shaking ceased.
Finally, a voice came over the intercom.
“Sorry about that, just an earthquake,” the technician tried to reassure her.
“And I will be leaving,” she shouted out, hoping he would hear her from inside the machine. He must have because the machine was moving her out of the tube prison.
Thankfully, Roy was already waiting outside of her doctor’s office.
“Take me back to work,” She said as soon as she sat down. He nodded and turned on the engine, pulling out of the parking lot.
Earthquake. Hmpth. Earthquakes never happened in New York, and of all days to be stuck in an MRI… She strode into Runway as if she had not been panicked about dying in an MRI machine only an hour prior. That’s when she heard something strange as she threw her bag and coat onto her second assistant’s desk. Humming. She stopped and turned around, looking down the hallway. All of a sudden, the humming got louder and she began to hear singing.
It’s the hard knock life
For us
She whipped her head to see Andrea, her second assistant, singing that tune from that wretched little musical about that orphan.
“Stop that at once,” Miranda ordered. Andrea went pale.
“Um. Uh. Stop what Miranda? Oh no. I’m sorry, whatever I’m doing, I’m sorry. I’ll stop,” Andrea said.
“No singing in the office.”
“Sing-singing?”
That’s when she heard singing again, but it wasn’t Andrea. She turned around to see Emily, first assistant, continuing the song.
It’s the hard knock life
For us
Instead of treated
We get tricked
“Oh, absolutely not. I would expect this from other Emily, but not you,” She told her first assistant. It was Emily’s turn to go pale. She opened her mouth and attempted to answer, but nothing came out as Miranda glared at her.
“That’s all,” She said, heading into her office.
From inside her office, she watched as her assistants exchanged worried, questioning glances at each other before stealing a glance inside the glass fortress, then ultimately returning to their work. Or so she thought.
Instead of kisses
We get kicked
Oh, that was it.
She launched into the outer office.
“Pack your-”
She was interrupted by the sight that greeted her.
Runway employees galavanting in the hallway, singing along to “It’s A Hard Knock Life”.
Andrea and Emily were typing to the beat of the song.
Serena and Jocelyn were dancing as they sorted through clothes.
Nigel sang as he entered the outer office.
That’s when Miranda let her jaw drop.
What the hell was going on?
As fast as it started, it was suddenly over.
The employees went back to what they were doing as if they hadn’t launched into a whole dance number. Never speechless, Miranda stammered as she tried to come up with well, anything. She happened to look at her second assistant, a curious expression on the younger woman’s face. Miranda quickly looked away and went back into her office.
“Emily!” She barked. Andrea scurried into the office and Miranda immediately listed off about ten tasks for the woman to complete before the end of the day.
--------------------------------------------
Miranda closed her eyes and rubbed at her temple when she sat down in the back of the town car. What an awful, weird day. At least she was on her way home to the twins and Patricia. Stephen would be there too, she supposed, but his presence was less of a comfort these days. In fact, it bordered on nuisance.
The four of them had dinner together, which went fine with no weird hallucinations. She was grateful.
She was climbing into bed when she realized she had counted her blessings too soon.
Singing. From the wall behind her headboard. Stephen’s room. As he sang, she began to recognize the tune.
You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling
Woah, that lovin’ feeling
You’ve lost that lovin’ feeling
Now it’s gone, gone, gone
She groaned and put her pillow over her head. Evidently, if the song was anything to go by, he was feeling a similar way.
She couldn’t sleep. What was this hallucination? It was almost as if people were sharing what they were feeling through song. She only realized this after Stephen’s song, dismissing the original encounter as a hallucination of sorts. Was this a new ability or was she going crazy? Likely the latter.
She was walking into work, after Roy dropped, when strangers walking on the sidewalk past the building launched into a rendition of “9 to 5”. She hurried to the elevator as fast as her stilettos would allow. She practically growled when an unsuspecting stranger tried to get into the elevator with her. Today would be hell.
“Tell Nigel I needed those prints yesterday, where are the dresses from Chanel? I want my lunch in ten,” Miranda demanded, depositing her coat and bag onto Andrea’s desk, before heading into her office. She had hope, by God she lived on it, that she could make it throughout the rest of the workday without another song and dance.
Miranda had been acting strangely since she had gotten back from her appointment yesterday, Andy realized. More demanding than usual. Also, she had thought they had been singing? Odd. Andy wouldn’t even think of doing that in Miranda’s presence. Now, her and Emily were exchanging tired looks before she got up to run to get her boss’ lunch. Miranda hadn’t even said where she wanted her lunch from! So, Andy decided to take a chance and order ahead to Smith & Wollensky, one of Miranda’s usual lunch places.
She rushed into the restaurant (thankfully it was ready), picked up the food, and rushed back over to Elias-Clarke.
She made it to Miranda’s office with two minutes to spare.
She had just finished plating the steak as Miranda walked back into the office. Andy gave Miranda a bright smile, but it quickly disappeared when she saw an odd expression on the editor’s face. Her boss was staring at her, mouth slightly agape. The expression soon disappeared, the editor’s usual mask slipping back into place. She gave Andy a small nod of approval before sitting down at her desk.. She waved her hand and Andy took that as a sign to go back to her own desk. As she walked out of the door, to this day, she swears she heard her boss humming to a song.
Miranda’s hopes had been dashed as soon as she heard the instrumentals to that damned Christina Aguilera song. Unfortunately, it was catchy. Curse this… curse! She might as well come to terms with this new ability. She had to focus on the new issue, so perhaps the sooner she got a handle (ignoring it until it goes away) on this damned thing, the sooner she could focus.
---------------------------------
Over the next few days, her boss seemed to return to normal. Every so often, she would catch a bewildered expression on her face. It would only appear for a moment before disappearing. However, Andy had been training herself on reading Miranda’s expressions, so it did not go unnoticed by her. It was strange, but at least Miranda’s demands had calmed down. Best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
-----------------------------------
Days turned into weeks as Miranda forced herself to get used to the impromptu musical numbers. The only one that had gotten under her skin was Stephen’s “You’re So Vain”. Oh well. At least her second assistant was finally dressing like someone who worked at Runway (all it had taken was a scolding after a hurricane and a missed recital).
She walked into her office as Andrea was preparing her desk with coffee and the usual arrangement of magazines. Her assistant flashed her a smile as Miranda took in her outfit. She paused her phone conversation, as a smile tried to fight its way onto her lips. She launched back into conversation, but she couldn’t help but watch her assistant’s but-back as she walked away.
Yes, nothing could bring her down today.
And that’s when she heard the music.
No. Not today!
The music sounded vaguely familiar as she heard her assistant begin to sing.
Cupid, draw back your bow
And let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover’s heart
For me
For me
Miranda sighed and turned to her work. The last thing she wanted to hear about was her assistant’s love life, so she tuned it out as best as she could. However, there was a line that caused her ears to perk back up.
There’s a danger of me losing all of my happiness
For I love a girl who doesn’t know I exist
And this you can fix
Miranda looked up from her work and made direct eye contact with her second assistant, who was looking at her dreamily. Oh no. No no no no. She watched as her second assistant got up from her desk and began to dance around the outer office, before she pressed herself against the glass of Miranda’s office, staring right through the glance at Miranda as she sang.
Now cupid, if your arrow makes her love strong for me
I promise I will love her until eternity
I know between the two of us her heart we can steal
Help me if you will
So
Miranda let her jaw drop. After what felt like an eternity, the number finally ended and Andrea was back at her desk as if nothing had happened. Miranda snapped her jaw closed and tried to get back to typing, but her trembling fingers made it impossible. So did her mind, which was racing a million miles a minute. Of course, Miranda was aware by now that Andrea did not mean to admit those thoughts out loud, and probably never intended on ever letting Miranda know. She doubted the girl was even aware of her own feelings. So, she knew that technically her second assistant was at no fault whatsoever. Unfortunately, that brought no comfort to Miranda. It was when Andrea had suddenly turned and looked at her did Miranda realize she had been staring. She quickly looked away, turning her attention back to her laptop.
What the hell was she going to do?
Would she acknowledge it?
Should she?
No, best to ignore this new information.
It was also best to ignore the warm feeling she suddenly felt all over her body.
Andy noticed that the odd behavior was back. Miranda had been staring at her. Staring! She even saw the blush that appeared on the editor’s face when Andy had caught her staring. She couldn’t understand why that small moment made her smile when she thought about it for the rest of the day.
Unfortunately, it seemed this new power was making it hard for Miranda to ignore. Her and Andrea were on their way to the James Holt runthrough when their car got stuck in traffic. Miranda walked out of the car and motioned to Andrea to follow. It was faster for them to walk there, at that point. That’s when she heard the instrumentals to that one Fleetwood Mac song. Miranda tried not to outwardly groan as her second assistant began to sing to her. Again.
Can you hear me calling
Out your name
You know that I’m falling and I don’t know what to say
I’ll speak a little louder
I’ll even shout
You know that I’m proud and I can’t get the words out
Oh I,
I just want to be with you everywhere
They made their way into the studio, Miranda pressed the button for the elevator. The singing continued.
Something’s happening
Happening to me
My friends say I’m acting peculiarly
Finally the elevator came. She watched Andrea stand outside of the elevator, which made Miranda roll her eyes and jerk her head, motioning for Andrea to join her.
Come on, baby
We better make a start
We better make it soon before you break my heart
Miranda shot her a glare, which made the song abruptly end. Maybe there was a God.
Andrea made an awkward laugh before saying, “I guess I know why you hate riding with people on elevators. No small talk, got it.”
Oh, if she only knew.
The Holt runthrough had been a disaster, if the pursing of Miranda’s lips was anything to go by, according to Nigel. The only good thing that came out of it was that Miranda let Andy ride in the elevator with her, which was the twist of the century Andy would argue.
They were on their way back to the car when Miranda began barking orders again.
“Call my husband and confirm dinner-”
Andy cut her off, “At Pastsi’s? Done.”
Miranda stopped making her way into the car.
“And I’ll need a change of clothes,” Miranda said.
“Well, I’ve already messengered your outfit over to the shoot.”
Miranda was making her way into the car again, but she stopped and looked right at Andy as though coming to a silent decision.
“Fine, and Andrea, I’d like you to deliver the Book to my home tonight. Have Emily give you the key.”
Okay, three good things came out of today.
It was probably against her better judgment to let the second assistant with a crush on her into her home, but the young woman had been doing a good job, so Miranda decided to reward her. Strictly professional, or so Miranda told herself.
It turned out it had been against her better judgment for a different reason. Her and Stephen had been arguing for the umpteenth time. How he still didn’t understand that her work came first was beyond her, especially after three years of marriage. Anyway, she had been in the middle of trying to reason with him when she saw him looking at something over her shoulder. Miranda had turned out to see her second assistant watching them from the steps. Out of all the…. She was furious. She didn’t know how she didn’t turn the girl to goo with her look alone. Andrea timidly slid the Book onto the second floor carpet before she scurried down the stairs.
“Miranda-” Andrea said as soon as she came into Miranda’s office the next day. Miranda immediately cut her off.
“I need the new Harry Potter book for the twins,” Miranda said.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll go down to Barnes & Noble right now.”
“Did you fall down and smack your little head on the pavement?”
“Not that I recall.”
“The twins have all the published Harry Potter books, they want to know what happens next.”
Andrea visibly gulped, “You want the unpublished manuscript?”
“Well, we know everyone in publishing. It shouldn’t be a problem, shouldn’t it? And you can do everything, right?” Miranda taunted. Andrea quickly exited the room after that.
Miranda decided to torture her further as she left the office.
“The twins leave for their grandmother’s at 4:00, so the book should be here no later than 3:00. Also, I want my lunch in 15 minutes,” Miranda said, as she walked out.
How the hell was she going to do this? Smith & Wollensky didn’t open until 11:30 AND she had to get the unpublished manuscript for the new Harry Potter book. It was utterly impossible. She really shouldn’t have listened to Cassidy and Caroline. Hindsight truly was 20/20.
Plop
“One copy. What are my twins going to do with that?” Miranda asked, “Share?”
“Oh no, I made two copies,” Andrea began, a grin on her face.
It turned out even the impossible was not too much for one Andrea Sachs.
Emily sneezed for the billionth time (and that was just in the afternoon).
“Andrea, Emily” Andy heard Miranda call. Both assistant launched out of their seats.
“Yes, Miranda?” They asked in sync. Wow, this was getting scary, Andy thought to herself, before shaking away the thought.
“I need you both to accompany me to the gala tonight,” their boss said.
“But I thought only the first assistant attended?” Andy asked. Miranda narrowed her eyes.
“Only when the first assistant hasn’t become an incubator for viral plague,” the editor said, “Emily, make sure Andrea is prepped for tonight, make the necessary arrangements.”
With that, they were dismissed and Emily motioned for Andy to come to her desk.
“These are all the names you need to memorize by tonight,” Emily said.
“All of those?” Andy asked.
“Of course not,” Emily smirked, dropping another huge binder on the desk, “There’s these ones as well.”
Andy groaned. Really, today out of all the days? She had promised Nate…
Andy sighed as she began to flip through the first binder. She would have to make it up to him, somehow.
Miranda stepped out of the room, about to make her down the stairs when she heard music once again. She recognized it as one of the Eagles’ more popular songs.
I thought I heard them say
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
(Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
She watched as people danced together and decided not to analyze why they were singing this particular song (it was most likely something about debauchery and falsehoods, anyway). As she descended the stairs, however, she heard another melody began to take hold. She paused her descent as the people dancing seemed frozen in place. Down below, she saw one figure moving: Andrea. Gone was “Hotel California” now replaced by the song Andrea was singing. There was no music accompanying her, this one was different. Acapella. Time seemed to stand still.
Somewhere in her smile, she knows
That I don’t need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me
She watched with bated breath as Andrea slowly began to make her way up to the stairs to Miranda as she sang.
I don’t wanna leave her now
You know I believe in how
You’re asking me, will my love grow?
I don’t know, I don’t know
Andrea was only a few inches apart from her now, the younger woman smiled, taking Miranda’s hands. For some reason, she let her.
Something in the way she knows
And all I have to is think of her
Something in the things she shows me
I don’t wanna leave her now
You know I believe and how
The song was finished and Miranda blinked. All of a sudden, Andrea was gone, back in the crowd. The party proceeded as if nothing had happened (she was never going to get used to that). Miranda swallowed and finally made it to the bottom of the stairs. Emily and Andrea were immediately by her side, and the gala proceeded as normal as it could.
Until Stephen, of course.
The idiot decided to get drunk and antagonize her boss, but then there was Andrea. It was always Andrea who took care of things for her. The woman swooped in, distracted Irv, which gave Miranda time to pull her husband aside and distract him as well. She caught Andrea’s eye as the younger woman was making her exit.
‘Thank you,’ she mouthed to her assistant.
Andrea practically glowed.
Why had she thanked her?
Nothing more than a reward for Andrea’s hard work.
She didn't even believe that little lie anymore.
That night, Miranda had the strangest dream.
She had been walking into the office on the phone, and instead of depositing her coat and bag onto Andrea’s desk, she let the items drop onto the floor as she launched into a song of her own.
Time goes by so slowly for those who wait
No time to hesitate
Those who run seem to have all the fun
Time goes by so slowly
Time goes by so slowly
Time goes by so slowly
I don’t know what to do
Everything that you say or do
I’m hung up
I’m hung up on you
Miranda woke up in a cold sweat. She felt her heart racing as she ran a hand through her hair before falling back onto her pillow. She checked the time: 2:30AM. She groaned and slapped her hands over her face. Utterly ridiculous. Only men, especially those going through a midlife crisis, fell for their assistants. Not to mention that she was married (albeit probably not for much longer, if she was being honest).
Unfortunately for Andy, Nate had not been impressed with her impromptu birthday treat.
Why couldn’t he understand? She was just doing her job. Also, if she wanted to be mean, she would’ve told him about the networking opportunities that she missed out on to spend this time with him, but it wasn’t a competition. She blew out the candle shortly after he laid down in bed. She set the cupcake on the kitchen counter before sitting down on the couch and staring at the ceiling.
Nate was great, he was. She just wished he was a little more supportive. If she was being honest, she was beginning to feel alone. No one else besides her boss seemed to understand her job, and confiding in her boss was off limits. Andy closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again with a sigh.
Here she was, thinking about Miranda again. She hadn’t really understood why until she saw Miranda in that stunning, strapless, black dress that accentuated her body perfectly. Andy might as well have been drooling for everyone to see. It was just something about Miranda, but she knew she would have to shove those feelings deep down. Unfortunate, really, to be hung up on her boss. She got off the couch and eventually joined Nate in bed. Nate was sweet. They had been together forever. Most importantly, Nate was interested (as far as she knew). So, she was determined to make it work.
Even if her brain had other ideas. Particularly in her dreams that night.
The next night, Andy made her way into the townhouse with the Book. She was about to set it down on the table when she heard a voice call out, “Andrea.”
She froze for a moment before following Miranda’s voice into the nearby room. Miranda held out her hand when she entered, Andy deposited the book into her hand and stood at attention.
“Yes, Miranda?” She asked.
“As you know, Paris Fashion Week is coming up and it’s an extremely important time. I need the best possible team with me. That no longer includes Emily,” Miranda said, not even batting an eye. Just nonchalantly looking through the book as she made an executive decision to break Emily’s heart, seemingly without a care in the world.
“Wait, you want me to- Miranda, I can’t do that to Emily. She’d been crushed. Her whole life is Paris. I just.. I can’t.”
“If you refuse this, I’ll assume you’re not serious about your career at Runway.. Or any other publication,” Miranda said, finally looking up from the Book to look at Andy. She gave her a once over before returning her attention to the Book. “The decision’s yours. That’s all.”
She couldn’t do that to Emily. She couldn’t. Could she? Miranda basically threatened to block Andy’s future career goals if she didn’t go to Paris. Andy sat on the couch as she contemplated all of this. Emily would be crushed, yes, but she had her future to think about. Also, if she really thought about it, would Emily even have hesitated? Probably not. The Brit would probably push her down a flight of stairs if Miranda told her to. The decision was hers, and so she made it.
The office felt eerily quiet as Andy waited for the arrival of Miranda. Emily had not yet shown up, which was unlike the redhead. How was Miranda going to tell her first assistant? Would she make Andy watch? Her new found attraction for her boss did not eliminate her fears it seemed. She was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard heels clacking against the floor towards Miranda’s office. Miranda came into view shortly thereafter, pausing her pursuit when she was in front of Andy’s desk. She gave Andy a slow, cruel smirk before throwing her coat and purse onto Emily’s desk.
Andy’s heart sank (even though she had to admit it was a little sexy).
“Andrea,” Miranda said, poking her head back into the outer office. Andy lifted her head to meet Miranda’s eyes. “Don’t forget to tell Emily.”
Well, that answered Andy’s earlier question.
“Don’t pick up, don’t pick up,” Andy muttered as she rang Emily’s cell.
Click
Shit.
“Hi,” Andy said.
“Hi, hi,” Emily said, sounding winded, “Sorry I’m late. It’s just Miranda wanted scarves from Hermes and she told me yesterday but I forgot like an idiot.”
“Emily-”
“And then I called Martinne and asked if she could open the shop early, which she did thank God. Now, I’m on my way to Starbucks for Miranda’s coffee and-”
“Emily! I need to tell you something,” Andy tried once again.
“Well I hope it’s not another Miranda problem,” Emily said. Andy paused for a moment.
“Not exactly,” Andy said.
“I’ve already got so much to deal with, I swear to God-”
That’s when Andy heard what sounded like someone laying on their car horn before the call ended. Andy put the phone back on the receiver and put her head in her hands.
Miranda had been checking over the proofs for the new issue when the music interrupted her. She recognized it immediately and it was a song she would have never expected to come from Andrea, or at least this Andrea. Maybe the Andrea of old who believed she was above Runway, but not now. That’s why she froze as Andrea began to sing.
When are you gonna come down?
When are you going to land?
I should have stayed on the farm
I should have listened to my old man
You know you can’t hold me forever
I didn’t sign up for you
I’m not a present for your friends to open
This girl’s too young to be singing
The blues
Miranda allowed herself to peek out into the office. Andrea was on the phone, but shortly after Miranda began to watch her, she hung up the phone and started to grab her things.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Miranda asked. The music stopped.
“Emily’s in the hospital. Car accident. I guess now I have a decent enough excuse to crush her dreams,” Andrea said with a sad chuckle. The music picked back up again.
So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m going back to my plough
Back to the howling, old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road
Miranda went slack-jawed as she watched Andrea disappear out of the office.
What had she done?
“You should have told her no!” Emily screamed at her from the hospital bed.
“I couldn’t, Emily, you know how she is! I didn’t have a choice”
“Please, that is a pathetic excuse,” Emily said before they paused their argument momentarily as a nurse came in with Emily’s food. “You know what really just gets me about this whole thing? It’s that you’re the one who said that you don’t really care about this stuff. That you don’t care about fashion, that you just want to be a journalist. What a load of bollocks!”
“Emily I-”
“Save it, Andrea. You sold your soul the first time you put on those Jimmy Choos.”
Miranda tried to focus back on the proofs in front of her. She took off her reading glasses and ran a hand through her hair. She closed her eyes momentarily and opened them back up to see her office phone staring at her. She quickly looked away, instead grabbing her reading glasses to look once more at the proofs. She could still feel the phone’s stare. She willed herself not to look at it. Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Why should she care that the assistant with the hopeless crush is possibly upset with her? She stole a glance at the phone. She would not call. She hit her hand on her desk and grabbed the phone, dialing the all-too familiar number.
“Yes Miranda?” Andrea said as soon as she picked up the phone.
“Make sure to pick up my coffee on your way back, that’s all.”
As if Andy’s day couldn’t have gotten worse, Lily decided to make assumptions when Christian decided to flirt with her at the gallery opening (not that she was remotely interested, no that was reserved for- Forget it. She had Nate, for christ’s sake!). The real cherry on top, though, was when Nate made his appearance, and it seemed he wanted to chew her out as well.
“Andy, what the hell is wrong with you?” He asked as he followed her outside.
“Please Nate, I’m not in the mood tonight. I didn’t have a choice, you know I didn’t.” Andy told him.
“I know, I know. That’s your excuse for everything lately. I didn’t have a choice like this job was forced on you-”
“Listen Nate, I know you’re upset because I work all the time and that I missed your birthday party-”
“You think I’m upset by that? You think that little of me? Andy, I make port wine reductions all day I’m not exactly in the Peace Corps. You know, I wouldn’t have cared if you were out all night pole dancing, as long as you did it with a little bit of dignity,” Nate said. Andy rounded on him.
“Excuse me?” Andy said.
“You used to say that this was temporary and that you hated this job and people like Miranda. Now, you’re one of them!” Nate said. Andy gave him a deathly glare.
“I think we’re done,” She said.
“What?” Nate asked.
“You heard me, we’re done. I want you out by the time I get back from Paris,” Andy said.
“But-”
“No buts. Goodbye, Nate. I’m sure Lily would be happy to let you crash at her place. You guys can discuss how I’m ‘one of them’ now,” Andy said, a cab appearing right on time. She didn’t say another word as she got in and was on her way back to her apartment.
Good riddance.
That dreadful day, a few days ago, Miranda tried not to smile when she saw Andrea appear back in the office, Starbucks in hand. Now, she had to hide her smile as she watched Andrea’s visible awe at the sights outside the town car window. Hm, this was the right decision after all.
The shows so far had been… acceptable. However, her full attention was something else, or should she say, somebody else. Andrea’s transformation had been remarkable. The woman belonged here, not just at Runway, but at Miranda’s side. Oh, how she had found herself thinking that she wished the woman was here as her plus one instead of as her instead. In fact, she was not looking forward to the arrival of Stephen, fearing that it would ruin the vibe that she and Andrea had created.
They went from show to show as Miranda introduced her to various designers (Valentino included). It was lovely. Andrea was lovely. Miranda tried to shake that thought away as she got ready for bed. Thankfully, her thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. She had a small smile on her face as she went to open the door. The smile quickly disappeared as she was handed a large, yellow envelope. She thanked the messenger and shut the door. Her heart raced as she opened the envelope. Time froze when she discovered what was inside.
Divorce papers .
How dare he. She fought to urge to scream as she made her way onto the couch. Anger quickly turned into sadness and she found herself allowing her tears to fall freely.
Knock, knock
She quickly wiped away her tears, hoping her voice didn’t sound hoarse when she said, “Come in.”
Andrea made her way inside and Miranda tried not to laugh at the irony.
“We need to go over the seating chart for the luncheon tomorrow,” Miranda said.
“Um. Okay, what changes need to be made?” Andrea asked.
“You need to move Snoop Dogg to my table.”
“But your table’s full.”
“Stephen is no longer coming.”
A pause.
“So, I do not need to pick up Stephen from the airport tomorrow?”
“Not unless you can convince him to rethink the divorce.”
Andrea’s eyes immediately softened.
“And when we get back to New York, we need to contact, um, Leslie. See what she can do to minimize the press on all of this. Another divorce, splashed across Page Six . I can just imagine what they’re going to write about me. ‘The Dragon Lady’. ‘Career-obsessed.’ ‘Snow Queen drives away another Mr. Priestly.
“Rupert Murdoch should cut me check for all the papers I sell for him. Anyway, I don’t care what they write about me. But my girls, I just, it’s just so unfair to the girls. It’s just…Another disappointment, another let down, another father figure. Gone. Anyway, the point is.. The point is..”
Miranda allowed herself to look up and meet Andrea’s gaze. The woman looked on the verge of tears herself. Never had anyone been this.. Concerned. Sympathetic, even. She couldn’t remember the last time-
That’s when the music started and Andrea began to sing, putting her hand on Miranda’s as she did so.
You with the sad eyes
Don’t be discouraged
It’s hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
The darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small
Miranda looked down at their joined hands, a gasp escaping her as she met Andrea’s eyes once again.
Show me a smile then
Don’t be unhappy
Can’t remember when
I last saw you laughing
This world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear
Just call me up
‘Cause I will always be there
At that moment, Miranda knew this was more than just a silly crush.
And I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid
To let them show
All of a sudden, Andy was aware that she was holding hands with Miranda. Her eyes widened at the sight and she tried not to faint when she suddenly heard music and Miranda began to sing.
Your true colors
True colors
Are beautiful
I see your true colors
Shining through
(Not entirely) against her will, Andy felt herself joining in with Miranda.
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you
So don’t be afraid
To let them show
Your true colors
True colors
Are beautiful
Like a rainbow
The music surrounding them slowed down to a stop as they stared at each other.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I was singing-”
Miranda’s eyes went wide.
“You heard it, too? Has that happened before?”
Andy shook her head. “No, never. It just randomly happened- Wait, what?”
Miranda cupped Andy’s face.
“Nevermind that. Did you mean what you were saying? Singing? Did you mean it?” Miranda asked, searching her eyes. Andy hesitated for a moment before saying,
“Yes.”
Then, Miranda’s lips were on hers. Andy immediately returned the kiss, deepening it as she did so. Andy tried to pour everything into the kiss, willing Miranda to understand. Eventually, they pulled back for air, resting their foreheads against each other.
“Please Andrea. Please understand this isn’t just a one time thing for me,” Miranda whispered. Andy pulled back so she could look into Miranda’s eyes.
“Didn’t you hear the song? I see your true colors and that’s why I love you,” Andy said, smiling. Miranda rolled her eyes, the wide smile on her face giving her away.
‘Maybe,’ Miranda thought to herself, ‘This ability had been a blessing after all.’