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Miranda Priestly was renowned in her field as one of the greatest and most passionate astronomers of all time, students clambered over themselves to get into her classes at Harvard. She was dedicated, hard working, and passionate. She was also many things outside of that, she was a dedicated wife, loving mother, and she loved to knit. But her students didn’t know that.
It was late, she was in the observatory alone, focusing on charting a supernova that was predicted to happen at some point in the next week when a voice startled her. “Starlight? Are you in here?” Andy called into the observatory.
“Yes, what are you doing here so late?” Miranda asked as she looked up from her work over at her wife.
“I had a few late meetings with the other English teachers.” Andy offered as she navigated through the dim room. “Has she gone yet?”
“Not yet, sometimes I feel like I’m anticipating a birth not a death. It’s so hard to sit here and wait.” Miranda told her wife who had finally reached her.
“Yes, because I remember how patient you were while carrying Caroline and Cassidy.” Andy teases. “Starlight, have you eaten? I brought dinner.”
“I haven’t. After lecture I decided to come up to the observatory. But it doesn’t look like she’s going to do much of anything tonight.” Miranda told her wife as she hit record on the telescope. “There, I’ll have footage to review tomorrow. What did you bring me?” Miranda asked as she looked up from her microscope.
“Just a chicken Caesar wrap and some French fries, I got myself one too.” Andy offered, as she held the bag up. “Do you want me to grab the blanket? We can enjoy dinner together under the stars.”
“That sounds perfect.” Miranda told her as she stood up and wrapped the shawl she was wearing around herself just a little tighter. “But first, I haven’t kissed you all day Nyxia.” Miranda cooed as she grabbed Andy by the waist to pull her in for a soft and sweet kiss.
Andy hummed as she pulled away. “Let me grab the blanket, come along Starlight.” Miranda stood up from her stool and followed her wife over to the utility closet where she grabbed a blanket and they went up to the roof to sit down and enjoy the stars together as they ate their dinner.
“What do you think they are doing right now?” Miranda asked Andy referring to their twins.
“Probably cramming for finals in their dorm rooms just like every other college student.” Andy offered as she set the bag of food down then rolled out the plush blanket for them to sit on.
“At least they are here, not thousands of miles away.” Miranda relented.
“Why go somewhere else when tuition is practically free?” Andy joked before she leaned close and kissed Miranda softly on the cheek. “I miss them too, the house seems so empty at night, especially on nights when you are here.”
“I’m sorry, you know-“
“It’s always been this way, I’m not mad, I just miss them and you. But I can’t go bother them right now. I can bother you though.” Andy said cutting her wife off. “Come on, sit. Let’s eat. You can tell me how today went.”
“Sounds delightful.” Miranda said as she went to sit down, Andy followed closely behind before she opened the bag and handed Miranda a to go container of surprisingly still hot food and a cold bottle of water.
“Did you speak to them today?” Andy asked as she picked up half of her wrap.
“I did, Caroline was stressing about her clinical, and Cassidy was cramming for family law.” Miranda answered.
“I love how we created two individuals who want to fix people and the world.” Andy commented as she looked up at the sky.
“I had hopes one of them would want to pursue astronomy, but alas they decided to keep their feet firmly on the ground.” Miranda said in an amused tone.
“They know everything you know, hell they know everything I know. What’s the point in having a career in something you’ve known since birth? They’ve lived and breathed astronomy and language their entire lives. I’m just happy they have something they are passionate about. That makes for a fulfilling life.” Andy reassured her wife.
“It does. Hopefully they can find themselves husbands or wives who make that life even more fulfilling.” Miranda told her wife as she looked over at her fondly, then she took a bite of her wrap. They both settled into a comfortable silence as they ate and enjoyed the clear night sky. Once their food was finished, they laid down and looked up at the stars together while holding each other’s hands.
“Often, I look out the window at night, up at the stars and find comfort in knowing that you and I are looking at the same constellations at the same time. It makes me ache less when I’m alone. You look to the stars like they are the greatest gift to the universe, and all I can think of is how the universe sent you to me. My own embodiment of starlight.” Andy whispers into the night air and Miranda looks over at her wife with tears in her eyes.
“Nyxia, my beloved.” Mirada starts to say, but Andy just turns her head and smiles at her.
“Yes my Starlight?” Andy asked with a bright smile that made Miranda’s chest ache.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Now do you wanna tell me about her?” Andy asked as she pointed up at the night sky, off in the distance there was a little white dot that was flickering in the black abyss of space. Miranda smiled softly at her wife, Andy always knew how to shift her focus back to what really mattered.
“I expect her to go supernova, hopefully some time tonight or even tomorrow.” Miranda answered.
“What will this one’s designation be?” Andy asked.
“SN 2016AP.” Miranda answered.
“AP?”
“Andréa Priestly.” Miranda answered unflinching in her decision to name this supernova after her wife.
“Miranda, this is a discovery of a lifetime, you should-“
“Name it after one of the most valuable and important things that has ever existed to me? Yes. Yes I should.” Miranda cut her off before she looked directly at her. Andy felt tears well up in her eyes, and an ache settle in her chest.
“I- I don’t know what to say.” Andy’s voice cracked softly as a tear slipped out. Miranda reached forward and brushed the tear away.
“There’s nothing to say, your actions have spoke volumes over the last twenty years Nyxia, I love you, let me proclaim it to the universe.” Miranda whispered before she leaned in to kiss away the tears. When she pulled away Andy smiled brightly at her, so bright that Miranda felt like she was watching a supernova happen in real time.“All the stars in the universe could never come close to how brightly you smile for me Andréa.”