Fic-A-Day July 11th Entry - Serendipity pt 5
And a bit more....
Over the next few hours Andy slowly understood that Miranda's definition of behaving and hers were two very different things. First there was dinner. It was pleasant, sitting and talking to Miranda. Then Andy felt the tiniest of pressure on her ankle. Miranda's face had remained unchanged as the touch built and moved up her leg slightly and down. All Andy could do was thank whatever deity that might be listening for long table cloths, because the press would have had a field day if anyone had seen their feet basically having sex under the table. She was having trouble retaining her composure while Miranda remained as unchanged as ever, only once betraying her inner feelings when Andy had leaned forward and accused, “You are so bad.” The memory of the tiniest smile on Miranda's face made Andy grin, then and now.
The theater hadn't been much different. The seats were individual, but very close together, close enough for Miranda to continue the contact at their ankles. Andy took the shared armrests as a gift. She seized the opportunity of darkness and the inattention of the people around them to also link elbows with Miranda, gently stroking the woman's hand and wrist during most of the performance. It was gratifying to notice that the foot game Miranda had initiated often stopped for a short time in deference to the contact of their hands. The only drawback Andy could find in their conduct was that she had not paid a single moment's attention to the play they were supposedly watching. She assumed it was a good one, with fantastic performances, which is what she told the actors when, as VIPs, they went backstage. But even then she wasn't really paying attention. All she really wanted to do was get Miranda back to the hotel as fast as possible. She wanted, needed, to kiss the woman who had been tormenting her all evening and she knew she couldn't do it in public. She also needed Miranda to know that this sort of game went both ways.
She managed to make it all the way back to her suite, the door solidly closing behind them before she pressed Miranda against the nearest wall. Their bodies molded together, Miranda's hands rendered motionless by Andy holding her wrists. Her nostrils flared when she saw the desire in Miranda's eyes. Holding their lips scant millimeters apart, Andy spoke softly, “You, my dragon, are playing with fire.”
“Dragons like fire.” Miranda moved, trying to capture Andrea's mouth with her own, but Andrea matched the motion keeping them just barely separated. The only contact their lips had was when their ragged breathing caressed and warmed each other.
“I know what you're doing.” Andy shifted, passing her near kiss over every inch of Miranda's lips, cheek, neck. She could feel the heat from Miranda's skin increasing as she found Miranda's ear and whispered, “And it won't work.” Grinning at Miranda's shuddering reaction to the soft words, Andy moved completely away. “I won't do it.”
###
Miranda sagged back against the wall, grateful for its support. The shiver that Andrea's words had evoked started in her ear, still tingled in her toes. “What?” She gasped for air and shook her head to clear the fog Andrea's proximity had caused. “Do what?”
“Take you to bed...”
“Andrea I...” Miranda began to deny wanting that, but stopped herself. Andrea was correct. She had been, hoping, that her actions would drive Andrea to take the next step in their relationship. She wanted it, Andrea wanted it, but they both knew the reasons that they shouldn't and wouldn't. If Andrea were to insist, though, Miranda knew that she would not refuse. What she would be able to do was blame Andrea for the slip and blame her own participation as coerced in whatever small way it was. “I apologize. My actions were...” Unconscionable and unfair were two of the words that sprang to mind, but Andrea filled one in before Miranda could utter either.
“Understandable.”
Looking up to meet Andrea's large dark eyes, Miranda swallowed hard. “Excuse me?”
“It's understandable.” Andy took a seat in one of the sitting area's overstuffed chairs and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “We discussed it and agreed that we have not known each other long enough for that step. We agreed that we have impressionable young children watching our actions and that this is not something that we would want them to emulate.”
Miranda nodded in agreement to everything Andrea was saying even as she crossed the room to take a seat on the chair next to the younger woman. She managed to vocalize that agreement with a simple “Yes.” before Andrea continued speaking.
“But we both know how it feels when we're together. And we both want more...”
Nodding again, Miranda looked over at her companion and felt her heart skip a beat. One dark eye was covered by a length of wavy, equally dark, hair, but the other was gazing across the space at her with such desire, it took her breath away. “Andrea...”
“No.” Andy shook her head. “No, Miranda. I won't do it. No matter how much I want to.” She sighed. “Alexis is only seven but she looks up to me. I have not been as wild as Lily remembers me for quite a while. I don't want that life. A different person every weekend, sometimes just for a night.” Andy shook her head. “It's... lonely.”
“What do you want, Andrea?” Miranda let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when Andrea quietly answered.
“You.”
###
Andy continued talking even though she knew the words didn't really make sense. “I want you, Miranda. And before you say anything let me clarify. I want what we've had last night at dinner and today. I want to be in your presence and talk to you about anything and everything. I want to be there for you when you need your shoulders rubbed, just like you did for me earlier. That was amazing Miranda... no one...” Andy shook her head. “No one has ever done that for me before.” She smiled and felt her heart pounding in her chest when she finally looked up at Miranda. “I think I could fall in love with you.”
“Love.” Miranda's eyebrows raised at that declaration then her dragon mask slammed into place. “I'm not in the habit of being toyed with.”
“I'm not...” Andy slid off her seat, remaining on her knees in front of Miranda. She rested her hands on Miranda's knees. “Miranda, I'm serious about this. I've never met anyone like you. You're brilliant and beautiful. I've never felt like this about anyone and I want the chance to know you... I want... you.” Leaning forward she rested her head on the backs of her hands and whispered. “I want... us.” Miranda's hand on her head stilled Andy's breath. Miranda's next hushed words forced every bit of air from Andy's lungs.
“Go home, Andrea.”
Andy looked up, into Miranda's tear-filled eyes. “Miranda... No... I...” The older woman's fingertips stopped the protest.
“Go home.” Miranda smiled as she gently traced Andy's face. “I don't believe you want me.” She again stopped Andrea's response. “You may want the idea of me, but I cannot believe...” Miranda licked her lips and sighed. “You are young, smart, and oh so beautiful. To be involved with me is not in your best interests.”
“You're wrong, Miranda.”
Miranda smiled with a bit of sadness touching her eyes. “Possibly. But I think you should go home, take some time to consider things a bit more.” She nodded, giving Andrea's chin a final tweak. “Go, think about it and then, if you wish, return to me. From there we can figure out what we want, together.” Standing, Miranda brought Andrea up with her. Holding their hands between them, Miranda leaned forward and kissed Andrea's cheek lightly. “Until next time.”
She could feel the younger woman's dark eyes on her as she walked out of the hotel suite. Taking a deep breath as the door closed solidly behind her, Miranda squared her shoulders and walked down the hall toward the elevator. She nodded to herself as she went. Yes. She thought. This is best for both of us.
Miranda told herself that all the way home.
###
Andy slumped in her seat, thankful for the softness. Even though the plane ride from New York had been short, it had been horribly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure if it was because of the rock-hard seats, or the fact that every second took her farther away from Miranda.
Jill gripped the steering wheel tightly and glanced at her sister. “Dad is furious.”
“Dad can just...” Andy stopped herself and sighed. “Dad is always furious about something.”
“Is it true?” Jill kept her eyes on the road. “Were you going to blow off work for some woman you've only just met?”
Andy took a moment to think about that but then answered the question truthfully, “Yes. Sort of. I was just going to miss the meeting about Max becoming a partner. It wasn't a biggie. Dad knows I'm not against it.”
“Thank you, for that. Max worked hard to get his degree.”
“You worked hard to put him through law school.” Andy had hurt just watching the struggles her sister had put herself through, so that her husband could get an education. “You should have been the attorney you know, not him.”
Jill shook her head. “I'm not getting into this with you again. I never wanted that life.”
Andy was silent. She knew Jill's heart had never been set on a career, Jill had always dreamed about being a wife and mother. Ever since they were small that was all Jill had talked about. That was why Andy had... Jill's quiet voice stopped Andy's train of thought.
“Lexi would have missed you at the recital.”
All the air left Andy's lungs and she took a deep breath to replenish it. “I know. I'm sorry. You know I want to be there for her. She knows that, too.”
Jill nodded and checked behind them before changing lanes. “Yes, we know. Which is why I find it so amazing that you would have missed it, for this... woman.”
“Well, I won't miss it, okay?!” Andy crossed her arms and pressed back into her seat. “I'm here.”
“Don't pout.” Jill glanced at her passenger and smirked. “You look like Lexi when you do that.”
“Point of clarification,” Andy grumped. “I came first. Alexis looks like me.”
“I know that...”
Andy shook her head. “I didn't mean it like that. You're her mom.”
“I know.” Jill gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “My point is that you're being a child. I've never seen you like this before.”
“I've never felt this way before.” Andy sighed. “There's something about her, Jilly...”
Jill shook her head. “Andy, you can't just sleep with someone...”
“I didn't.”
“What?” Jill took her chance and again glanced at her passenger. Her shocked expression translated into her tone. “You didn't?”
“No.”
“Good grief...” Jill made a turn and snorted. “First time for everything I suppose.”
“You know what? I'm getting a little sick of the people who supposedly love me telling me I'm a slut.” Andy tried not to think too hard about the truth of it. That was all over though, ever since Lexi had been born. Even if it hadn't been over, that lifestyle was no longer an option. Andy knew, even without sleeping with her, that no one would ever compare favorably against Miranda. Jill hadn't responded and Andy was glad for the silence in the car.
When they pulled up in front of Andy's apartment building, Jill broke the silence. “Sorry.”
Pausing with her hand on the slightly open door, Andy nodded. “S'okay.” She spoke as she continued out of the car. “Pop the trunk.” Retrieving her bag quickly, Andy went back to speak to her sister, through the open window. “You gonna come up for a bit?”
“Can't.” Jill shrugged. “Gotta go get Max Jr. from his play date.”
Andy nodded. “Okay then. Give him some huggles from me. Tell them both I have presents...”
Jill rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
Hefting her bag to her shoulder, Andy smiled a bit sadly. “I'll bring them over tomorrow before the recital.”
“Okay.” Jill reached out to touch her sister's arm. “Come over for lunch.”
Andy nodded and moved toward her building. She didn't watch the car pull away, instead focusing on putting one foot in front of the other until she found herself sitting on her couch staring up at her ceiling. She checked the messages on her phone and saw only her father's number listed a few more times than when she last checked. Her fingers almost automatically pulled up her contact list, as she had been doing nearly every free moment she had since Miranda left the hotel room, and her thumb hovered over Miranda's name. With a sigh, Andy cleared the screen and tossed the phone into a chair across from her. Miranda wanted them to have some space, time to think, well then Andy was determined to give her that time. She had never given Miranda her number. The woman could look her up, she wasn't hard to find online, but if Miranda didn't want to bother doing that, it was her decision. Barely bothering to kick off her shoes, Andy shifted and stretched out on the couch, dropping off to sleep while hoping that Miranda would appear in her dreams.
###
Miranda stalked to the office barely even noticing when the minions scattered in front of her. Yesterday had been the longest day of her life, spent listening to the silence in her home, unbroken even once by the phone. No word from her daughters had been bad enough, but Andrea had not called either. That had been the worst of it. It was terrible to say, because her daughters were obviously top priority, but they were with their father and obviously safe. She would have heard otherwise. That knowledge left her mind free to roam over thoughts of Andrea. True she had been the one to send Andrea home. True that she had been the one to say they needed time to think about being together. But still, the woman could have called, texted, something, anything to let Miranda know that her flight had landed safely. Was that too much to ask? Miranda didn't think so.
Tossing her coat and purse on the second assistant's desk but holding on to her cell phone, Miranda continued to her desk. “Tell Nigel I want to see him immediately.” She didn't care who carried out the task and, setting her phone aside, turned to her computer. She used the pretense of checking her email to cover for her constant thoughts of Andrea, and to wait for Nigel's arrival. No one could see her eyes darting to the silent phone on her desk between each mouse click. The order for one of the Emily's to find Andrea's number remained on the tip of her tongue. If Andrea didn't call, then Miranda wouldn't either.
Several deleted emails later, Nigel rushed through the door carrying a stack of photos mounted in matte black cardboard frames. “Here are the possible cover photos you requested yesterday.”
“Mmmm....” Swiveling in her chair, Miranda grabbed her glasses. Half a glance at the top photo drew an immediate “No” from her and she tossed it aside. “No.” Three more no's and three more discarded photos brought her to the last image. With a sigh of relief Miranda nodded. “Yes.” She tapped the photo's frame. “At least the shoot wasn't a total loss.” She glared at Nigel. “Why did you not show me this one to begin with?”
Nigel didn't have an answer for that which was fine because he knew Miranda didn't really want one. He took the pictures back when she handed them over and nodded. “I'll get the cover worked up for you today.”
Nodding at that, Miranda waved him away and closed her eyes as she rubbed her temple lightly. “That's all.”
The phone jumped on her desk and Miranda grabbed it, her shoulders only dropped slightly when she read the screen. She actually smiled when she answered the call, “Hello, Bobbsey!” Her smile faltered somewhat and she nodded. This was the call she had known was coming. Her smile was now fake and her tone stressed but hidden well enough. “Of course you can stay.” The thought of another five days without her children caused her heart to ache, but she understood the desire to prolong the vacation. “I will look forward to hearing all about it when you return.” She spoke to the girls, each taking the phone from the other, for another few minutes and then the call was over. Putting the now silent phone back on her desk, Miranda had no illusions that it would ring again today. That didn't stop her eyes from drifting to it every few moments for the rest of the day nor did it stop her mood from worsening as the silence continued.
###
Andy grinned and gathered her nephew, Max, up in her arms as he ran down the hall to greet her. “Hey there, Junior.” She hugged him and kissed his neck and cheek until he wriggled away. She watched him run off past his sister who moved quickly to meet her favorite aunt at the door. Andy chuckled as she wrapped her arms around the girl. “Hey, Lexi... nervous?”
Alexis shrugged, but ruffled her bang self-consciously just like Andy always had when she was a kid. “Not really.”
“I know you'll be great.” Andy picked up the bag she'd dropped to greet Max and jostled it a little. “I've got presents from New York.”
Jill peeked around the kitchen door and called down the hall. “No presents until after lunch!” The stereo “awwww” and two sets of dark brown eyes turning on her only caused a shadow of emotion to cross her face. “Come on now... it's ready.”
They all took their seats at the table quickly. Jill placed Alexis and Max's plates in front of them, then retrieved the one she'd loaded for herself and a large bowl for Andy.
Andy looked at the offering and smiled softly. “Thanks, sis.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Jill just gestured to the meal. “It's easy enough.”
Andy dug in to her favorite salad, spinach with strawberries and raspberry vinegrette dressing.
“Aunt Andy?” Max looked across the table. “Why don't you eat regular food like us?”
Jill snickered and Andy glared at her sister. Her expression softened when Andy turned toward her nephew. “I used to. I like chicken nuggets very much, especially the way your mom makes them.”
“Like Grandma does!”
“Yep. I even used to help Grandma make them. She'd cut up the chicken and I'd put the coating on and put them on the tray. Then Grandma would put them in the oven. But I found out that I feel better, on the inside, if I just eat fruits, veggies and fish every once in a while.”
“ Oh.” He looked dubiously at her salad then asked. “Can I try some?”
“Sure.” Andy placed a leaf of spinach and a sliver of strawberry on Max's plate. “Remember how they did it in Ratatouille? Taste each one separate, then both together.”
Max nodded and picked up the strawberry first and took a little nibble then he tried a bit of the spinach leaf. He made a face at the taste, but he rolled up the rest of the strawberry in the spinach and ate it, chewing slowly while he decided if he liked it or not.
Andy watched him swallow the combined bite and asked, “Whaddaya think?”
Shrugging, Max picked up a chicken nugget. “It's good. I just don't want any more right now.”
Andy grinned at him. “Fair enough.” She turned to Alexis. “How about you, Lexi? Wanna try it?”
“Ha!” Jill pointed at the girl. “She ate half the strawberries while I was slicing them!”
Lexi tried not to grin and ruffled her bangs. “I like strawberries.”
Andy smiled widely and winked. “Me too.”
Jill just watched the exchange and pushed down a bit of jealousy and a bit of something else. She knew it was unfounded, but watching Andy and Lexi together always brought out a twinge of worry. “Okay, enough chatter.” Jill gestured to the plates. “Eat up.” Her eyes twinkled at her children. “Your presents await...” She smiled at the cheers that announcement drew. “Then we can all get ready to go to the recital.”
Without another word they all dug in. Jill did see a second wink that Andy gave Lexi but ignored it and concentrated on enjoying eating lunch with her family.
###
“No.” Miranda shook her head as she browsed through the offerings she'd been given, holding on to her cell phone the entire time. “Where are all the advertisers? Why are there no decent dresses?”
“Well there's this..”
“No.” Miranda continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. “I just don't see what is so difficult about putting a run through together. You people have had hours and hours...” Abandoning her search, Miranda waved them all away. “You have used your allotted time for today. You have until tomorrow morning to fix this...” The implied threat that there would be no second chance for some of them was thick in the air. If Miranda wasn't happy with tomorrow's run through, someone would be fired. Everyone scattered quickly, taking the pitiful amount of clothing with them, everyone except Nigel.
Taking her seat, Miranda waited for a moment before prompting the man to speak, “By all means, move at a glacial pace. Apparently today is the day for wasting time.”
“Are the girls okay?”
Miranda instantly negated that thought. “Of course they are.”
“So what's got you so...”
“Bitchy?”
Nigel temporized, “I would have said 'out of sorts.'”
“It's nothing.” Miranda ruthlessly clamped down on her emotions. “Have your people ready in fifteen minutes.”
Nigel opened his mouth to say something else then stopped himself and simply smiled. “Of course.” He left quickly to gather his team for the off-site designer's showing.
Over the next few hours Andy slowly understood that Miranda's definition of behaving and hers were two very different things. First there was dinner. It was pleasant, sitting and talking to Miranda. Then Andy felt the tiniest of pressure on her ankle. Miranda's face had remained unchanged as the touch built and moved up her leg slightly and down. All Andy could do was thank whatever deity that might be listening for long table cloths, because the press would have had a field day if anyone had seen their feet basically having sex under the table. She was having trouble retaining her composure while Miranda remained as unchanged as ever, only once betraying her inner feelings when Andy had leaned forward and accused, “You are so bad.” The memory of the tiniest smile on Miranda's face made Andy grin, then and now.
The theater hadn't been much different. The seats were individual, but very close together, close enough for Miranda to continue the contact at their ankles. Andy took the shared armrests as a gift. She seized the opportunity of darkness and the inattention of the people around them to also link elbows with Miranda, gently stroking the woman's hand and wrist during most of the performance. It was gratifying to notice that the foot game Miranda had initiated often stopped for a short time in deference to the contact of their hands. The only drawback Andy could find in their conduct was that she had not paid a single moment's attention to the play they were supposedly watching. She assumed it was a good one, with fantastic performances, which is what she told the actors when, as VIPs, they went backstage. But even then she wasn't really paying attention. All she really wanted to do was get Miranda back to the hotel as fast as possible. She wanted, needed, to kiss the woman who had been tormenting her all evening and she knew she couldn't do it in public. She also needed Miranda to know that this sort of game went both ways.
She managed to make it all the way back to her suite, the door solidly closing behind them before she pressed Miranda against the nearest wall. Their bodies molded together, Miranda's hands rendered motionless by Andy holding her wrists. Her nostrils flared when she saw the desire in Miranda's eyes. Holding their lips scant millimeters apart, Andy spoke softly, “You, my dragon, are playing with fire.”
“Dragons like fire.” Miranda moved, trying to capture Andrea's mouth with her own, but Andrea matched the motion keeping them just barely separated. The only contact their lips had was when their ragged breathing caressed and warmed each other.
“I know what you're doing.” Andy shifted, passing her near kiss over every inch of Miranda's lips, cheek, neck. She could feel the heat from Miranda's skin increasing as she found Miranda's ear and whispered, “And it won't work.” Grinning at Miranda's shuddering reaction to the soft words, Andy moved completely away. “I won't do it.”
###
Miranda sagged back against the wall, grateful for its support. The shiver that Andrea's words had evoked started in her ear, still tingled in her toes. “What?” She gasped for air and shook her head to clear the fog Andrea's proximity had caused. “Do what?”
“Take you to bed...”
“Andrea I...” Miranda began to deny wanting that, but stopped herself. Andrea was correct. She had been, hoping, that her actions would drive Andrea to take the next step in their relationship. She wanted it, Andrea wanted it, but they both knew the reasons that they shouldn't and wouldn't. If Andrea were to insist, though, Miranda knew that she would not refuse. What she would be able to do was blame Andrea for the slip and blame her own participation as coerced in whatever small way it was. “I apologize. My actions were...” Unconscionable and unfair were two of the words that sprang to mind, but Andrea filled one in before Miranda could utter either.
“Understandable.”
Looking up to meet Andrea's large dark eyes, Miranda swallowed hard. “Excuse me?”
“It's understandable.” Andy took a seat in one of the sitting area's overstuffed chairs and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “We discussed it and agreed that we have not known each other long enough for that step. We agreed that we have impressionable young children watching our actions and that this is not something that we would want them to emulate.”
Miranda nodded in agreement to everything Andrea was saying even as she crossed the room to take a seat on the chair next to the younger woman. She managed to vocalize that agreement with a simple “Yes.” before Andrea continued speaking.
“But we both know how it feels when we're together. And we both want more...”
Nodding again, Miranda looked over at her companion and felt her heart skip a beat. One dark eye was covered by a length of wavy, equally dark, hair, but the other was gazing across the space at her with such desire, it took her breath away. “Andrea...”
“No.” Andy shook her head. “No, Miranda. I won't do it. No matter how much I want to.” She sighed. “Alexis is only seven but she looks up to me. I have not been as wild as Lily remembers me for quite a while. I don't want that life. A different person every weekend, sometimes just for a night.” Andy shook her head. “It's... lonely.”
“What do you want, Andrea?” Miranda let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding when Andrea quietly answered.
“You.”
###
Andy continued talking even though she knew the words didn't really make sense. “I want you, Miranda. And before you say anything let me clarify. I want what we've had last night at dinner and today. I want to be in your presence and talk to you about anything and everything. I want to be there for you when you need your shoulders rubbed, just like you did for me earlier. That was amazing Miranda... no one...” Andy shook her head. “No one has ever done that for me before.” She smiled and felt her heart pounding in her chest when she finally looked up at Miranda. “I think I could fall in love with you.”
“Love.” Miranda's eyebrows raised at that declaration then her dragon mask slammed into place. “I'm not in the habit of being toyed with.”
“I'm not...” Andy slid off her seat, remaining on her knees in front of Miranda. She rested her hands on Miranda's knees. “Miranda, I'm serious about this. I've never met anyone like you. You're brilliant and beautiful. I've never felt like this about anyone and I want the chance to know you... I want... you.” Leaning forward she rested her head on the backs of her hands and whispered. “I want... us.” Miranda's hand on her head stilled Andy's breath. Miranda's next hushed words forced every bit of air from Andy's lungs.
“Go home, Andrea.”
Andy looked up, into Miranda's tear-filled eyes. “Miranda... No... I...” The older woman's fingertips stopped the protest.
“Go home.” Miranda smiled as she gently traced Andy's face. “I don't believe you want me.” She again stopped Andrea's response. “You may want the idea of me, but I cannot believe...” Miranda licked her lips and sighed. “You are young, smart, and oh so beautiful. To be involved with me is not in your best interests.”
“You're wrong, Miranda.”
Miranda smiled with a bit of sadness touching her eyes. “Possibly. But I think you should go home, take some time to consider things a bit more.” She nodded, giving Andrea's chin a final tweak. “Go, think about it and then, if you wish, return to me. From there we can figure out what we want, together.” Standing, Miranda brought Andrea up with her. Holding their hands between them, Miranda leaned forward and kissed Andrea's cheek lightly. “Until next time.”
She could feel the younger woman's dark eyes on her as she walked out of the hotel suite. Taking a deep breath as the door closed solidly behind her, Miranda squared her shoulders and walked down the hall toward the elevator. She nodded to herself as she went. Yes. She thought. This is best for both of us.
Miranda told herself that all the way home.
###
Andy slumped in her seat, thankful for the softness. Even though the plane ride from New York had been short, it had been horribly uncomfortable. She wasn't sure if it was because of the rock-hard seats, or the fact that every second took her farther away from Miranda.
Jill gripped the steering wheel tightly and glanced at her sister. “Dad is furious.”
“Dad can just...” Andy stopped herself and sighed. “Dad is always furious about something.”
“Is it true?” Jill kept her eyes on the road. “Were you going to blow off work for some woman you've only just met?”
Andy took a moment to think about that but then answered the question truthfully, “Yes. Sort of. I was just going to miss the meeting about Max becoming a partner. It wasn't a biggie. Dad knows I'm not against it.”
“Thank you, for that. Max worked hard to get his degree.”
“You worked hard to put him through law school.” Andy had hurt just watching the struggles her sister had put herself through, so that her husband could get an education. “You should have been the attorney you know, not him.”
Jill shook her head. “I'm not getting into this with you again. I never wanted that life.”
Andy was silent. She knew Jill's heart had never been set on a career, Jill had always dreamed about being a wife and mother. Ever since they were small that was all Jill had talked about. That was why Andy had... Jill's quiet voice stopped Andy's train of thought.
“Lexi would have missed you at the recital.”
All the air left Andy's lungs and she took a deep breath to replenish it. “I know. I'm sorry. You know I want to be there for her. She knows that, too.”
Jill nodded and checked behind them before changing lanes. “Yes, we know. Which is why I find it so amazing that you would have missed it, for this... woman.”
“Well, I won't miss it, okay?!” Andy crossed her arms and pressed back into her seat. “I'm here.”
“Don't pout.” Jill glanced at her passenger and smirked. “You look like Lexi when you do that.”
“Point of clarification,” Andy grumped. “I came first. Alexis looks like me.”
“I know that...”
Andy shook her head. “I didn't mean it like that. You're her mom.”
“I know.” Jill gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter. “My point is that you're being a child. I've never seen you like this before.”
“I've never felt this way before.” Andy sighed. “There's something about her, Jilly...”
Jill shook her head. “Andy, you can't just sleep with someone...”
“I didn't.”
“What?” Jill took her chance and again glanced at her passenger. Her shocked expression translated into her tone. “You didn't?”
“No.”
“Good grief...” Jill made a turn and snorted. “First time for everything I suppose.”
“You know what? I'm getting a little sick of the people who supposedly love me telling me I'm a slut.” Andy tried not to think too hard about the truth of it. That was all over though, ever since Lexi had been born. Even if it hadn't been over, that lifestyle was no longer an option. Andy knew, even without sleeping with her, that no one would ever compare favorably against Miranda. Jill hadn't responded and Andy was glad for the silence in the car.
When they pulled up in front of Andy's apartment building, Jill broke the silence. “Sorry.”
Pausing with her hand on the slightly open door, Andy nodded. “S'okay.” She spoke as she continued out of the car. “Pop the trunk.” Retrieving her bag quickly, Andy went back to speak to her sister, through the open window. “You gonna come up for a bit?”
“Can't.” Jill shrugged. “Gotta go get Max Jr. from his play date.”
Andy nodded. “Okay then. Give him some huggles from me. Tell them both I have presents...”
Jill rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
Hefting her bag to her shoulder, Andy smiled a bit sadly. “I'll bring them over tomorrow before the recital.”
“Okay.” Jill reached out to touch her sister's arm. “Come over for lunch.”
Andy nodded and moved toward her building. She didn't watch the car pull away, instead focusing on putting one foot in front of the other until she found herself sitting on her couch staring up at her ceiling. She checked the messages on her phone and saw only her father's number listed a few more times than when she last checked. Her fingers almost automatically pulled up her contact list, as she had been doing nearly every free moment she had since Miranda left the hotel room, and her thumb hovered over Miranda's name. With a sigh, Andy cleared the screen and tossed the phone into a chair across from her. Miranda wanted them to have some space, time to think, well then Andy was determined to give her that time. She had never given Miranda her number. The woman could look her up, she wasn't hard to find online, but if Miranda didn't want to bother doing that, it was her decision. Barely bothering to kick off her shoes, Andy shifted and stretched out on the couch, dropping off to sleep while hoping that Miranda would appear in her dreams.
###
Miranda stalked to the office barely even noticing when the minions scattered in front of her. Yesterday had been the longest day of her life, spent listening to the silence in her home, unbroken even once by the phone. No word from her daughters had been bad enough, but Andrea had not called either. That had been the worst of it. It was terrible to say, because her daughters were obviously top priority, but they were with their father and obviously safe. She would have heard otherwise. That knowledge left her mind free to roam over thoughts of Andrea. True she had been the one to send Andrea home. True that she had been the one to say they needed time to think about being together. But still, the woman could have called, texted, something, anything to let Miranda know that her flight had landed safely. Was that too much to ask? Miranda didn't think so.
Tossing her coat and purse on the second assistant's desk but holding on to her cell phone, Miranda continued to her desk. “Tell Nigel I want to see him immediately.” She didn't care who carried out the task and, setting her phone aside, turned to her computer. She used the pretense of checking her email to cover for her constant thoughts of Andrea, and to wait for Nigel's arrival. No one could see her eyes darting to the silent phone on her desk between each mouse click. The order for one of the Emily's to find Andrea's number remained on the tip of her tongue. If Andrea didn't call, then Miranda wouldn't either.
Several deleted emails later, Nigel rushed through the door carrying a stack of photos mounted in matte black cardboard frames. “Here are the possible cover photos you requested yesterday.”
“Mmmm....” Swiveling in her chair, Miranda grabbed her glasses. Half a glance at the top photo drew an immediate “No” from her and she tossed it aside. “No.” Three more no's and three more discarded photos brought her to the last image. With a sigh of relief Miranda nodded. “Yes.” She tapped the photo's frame. “At least the shoot wasn't a total loss.” She glared at Nigel. “Why did you not show me this one to begin with?”
Nigel didn't have an answer for that which was fine because he knew Miranda didn't really want one. He took the pictures back when she handed them over and nodded. “I'll get the cover worked up for you today.”
Nodding at that, Miranda waved him away and closed her eyes as she rubbed her temple lightly. “That's all.”
The phone jumped on her desk and Miranda grabbed it, her shoulders only dropped slightly when she read the screen. She actually smiled when she answered the call, “Hello, Bobbsey!” Her smile faltered somewhat and she nodded. This was the call she had known was coming. Her smile was now fake and her tone stressed but hidden well enough. “Of course you can stay.” The thought of another five days without her children caused her heart to ache, but she understood the desire to prolong the vacation. “I will look forward to hearing all about it when you return.” She spoke to the girls, each taking the phone from the other, for another few minutes and then the call was over. Putting the now silent phone back on her desk, Miranda had no illusions that it would ring again today. That didn't stop her eyes from drifting to it every few moments for the rest of the day nor did it stop her mood from worsening as the silence continued.
###
Andy grinned and gathered her nephew, Max, up in her arms as he ran down the hall to greet her. “Hey there, Junior.” She hugged him and kissed his neck and cheek until he wriggled away. She watched him run off past his sister who moved quickly to meet her favorite aunt at the door. Andy chuckled as she wrapped her arms around the girl. “Hey, Lexi... nervous?”
Alexis shrugged, but ruffled her bang self-consciously just like Andy always had when she was a kid. “Not really.”
“I know you'll be great.” Andy picked up the bag she'd dropped to greet Max and jostled it a little. “I've got presents from New York.”
Jill peeked around the kitchen door and called down the hall. “No presents until after lunch!” The stereo “awwww” and two sets of dark brown eyes turning on her only caused a shadow of emotion to cross her face. “Come on now... it's ready.”
They all took their seats at the table quickly. Jill placed Alexis and Max's plates in front of them, then retrieved the one she'd loaded for herself and a large bowl for Andy.
Andy looked at the offering and smiled softly. “Thanks, sis.”
Rolling her eyes at that, Jill just gestured to the meal. “It's easy enough.”
Andy dug in to her favorite salad, spinach with strawberries and raspberry vinegrette dressing.
“Aunt Andy?” Max looked across the table. “Why don't you eat regular food like us?”
Jill snickered and Andy glared at her sister. Her expression softened when Andy turned toward her nephew. “I used to. I like chicken nuggets very much, especially the way your mom makes them.”
“Like Grandma does!”
“Yep. I even used to help Grandma make them. She'd cut up the chicken and I'd put the coating on and put them on the tray. Then Grandma would put them in the oven. But I found out that I feel better, on the inside, if I just eat fruits, veggies and fish every once in a while.”
“ Oh.” He looked dubiously at her salad then asked. “Can I try some?”
“Sure.” Andy placed a leaf of spinach and a sliver of strawberry on Max's plate. “Remember how they did it in Ratatouille? Taste each one separate, then both together.”
Max nodded and picked up the strawberry first and took a little nibble then he tried a bit of the spinach leaf. He made a face at the taste, but he rolled up the rest of the strawberry in the spinach and ate it, chewing slowly while he decided if he liked it or not.
Andy watched him swallow the combined bite and asked, “Whaddaya think?”
Shrugging, Max picked up a chicken nugget. “It's good. I just don't want any more right now.”
Andy grinned at him. “Fair enough.” She turned to Alexis. “How about you, Lexi? Wanna try it?”
“Ha!” Jill pointed at the girl. “She ate half the strawberries while I was slicing them!”
Lexi tried not to grin and ruffled her bangs. “I like strawberries.”
Andy smiled widely and winked. “Me too.”
Jill just watched the exchange and pushed down a bit of jealousy and a bit of something else. She knew it was unfounded, but watching Andy and Lexi together always brought out a twinge of worry. “Okay, enough chatter.” Jill gestured to the plates. “Eat up.” Her eyes twinkled at her children. “Your presents await...” She smiled at the cheers that announcement drew. “Then we can all get ready to go to the recital.”
Without another word they all dug in. Jill did see a second wink that Andy gave Lexi but ignored it and concentrated on enjoying eating lunch with her family.
###
“No.” Miranda shook her head as she browsed through the offerings she'd been given, holding on to her cell phone the entire time. “Where are all the advertisers? Why are there no decent dresses?”
“Well there's this..”
“No.” Miranda continued as if she hadn't been interrupted. “I just don't see what is so difficult about putting a run through together. You people have had hours and hours...” Abandoning her search, Miranda waved them all away. “You have used your allotted time for today. You have until tomorrow morning to fix this...” The implied threat that there would be no second chance for some of them was thick in the air. If Miranda wasn't happy with tomorrow's run through, someone would be fired. Everyone scattered quickly, taking the pitiful amount of clothing with them, everyone except Nigel.
Taking her seat, Miranda waited for a moment before prompting the man to speak, “By all means, move at a glacial pace. Apparently today is the day for wasting time.”
“Are the girls okay?”
Miranda instantly negated that thought. “Of course they are.”
“So what's got you so...”
“Bitchy?”
Nigel temporized, “I would have said 'out of sorts.'”
“It's nothing.” Miranda ruthlessly clamped down on her emotions. “Have your people ready in fifteen minutes.”
Nigel opened his mouth to say something else then stopped himself and simply smiled. “Of course.” He left quickly to gather his team for the off-site designer's showing.