Something. Chapter 4
So, now it's Friday night and I promised an update around the weekend, so here it is. I hope you like it...! ;)
They started their relationship slowly. Miranda told her girls she was seeing someone and a week later the twins met Andy again after a little more than two months, for dinner. Of course they remembered her - she got them Harry Potter at least.
But they didn't go out often, so the press wouldn't get a hint of it before they even were ready to give a statement.
Andy still hadn't called her parents and Miranda didn't push her. She could imagine how difficult it might be for Andy to come out to her parents. And she was right. The brunette knew that she didn't have a problem to tell her parents with whom she was in love. It was rather that she was in love with a woman at all, not the person. Well, it didn't make much sense to herself, so she tried to write it down. It was her lunch break on a sunny Wednesday and she thought she could use her free-time as she wasn't hungry. She would have dinner with Miranda and the twins tonight.
But just as she started typing, her cell rang. She gasped. Her parents.
Suddenly her heart rate increased and her mouth went try. As she picked it up, she noticed that even her hands had got damp.
She was nervous. And frightened.
“Hello?”
“Yes? Sorry... Mom?”
“Yes, Andy. Hey girl, how are you?”
“I-I'm fine and how are you? How's dad?” she asked back.
“We are both great, thanks. We just... Well, we were worried. Hadn't heard from you for such a long time. So we thought we might just ring you.”
“I'm really fine, mom, no need to worry, really...”
“How's your work? Any news from Nate?”
That had been the last update Andy had given them, that she had a job at The Mirror and Nate had left. Well, one and a half months ago.
“Work is fine. I hadn't heard anything from Nate. It's over, mom...
A sigh came through the line. “ I know, I know, Andy. We just wondered... you know, how life must be in such a big city, nearly entirely alone. You said, Lily wouldn't speak to you any longer. Well, did you find someone new? New friends, maybe a new boyfriend?”
Andy closed her eyes. “Wait a moment, please, mom.”
The workplace wasn't truly the best place to speak about that. She stood up and walked quickly into the bathroom. Finally alone she sighed heavily and then started talking again.
“You know, I still have Doug as a friend. He's my best mate. And then... Mom... I don't know how to say that...”
“It's all right, Andy. Just say it. That's the easiest way.”
“I know” Andy whispered. Then she took a deep breath and looked into the mirror. She imagined Miranda would stand behind her, her blue piercing eyes upon her, a hand touching her shoulder lightly for comfort.
“I'm in love with someone” she whispered again. “I'm in love with a woman.” There, that was it. She said it. She could feel her heart beating out of her chest, her hands still sweaty. What would her parents say?
***
“Emily.” the quiet voice drifted into the outer office area.
The slim red head quickly got up and held her notepad and pen at the ready.
“Yes Miranda?”
“Confirm my lunch with Lagerfeld on Friday. Then alert the Art Department, I want everything ready for the next Run-through in 30 minutes. Tell Nigel to be here 15 minutes earlier. Get those dresses for my girls I saw last week. Then call Patrick and tell him 'no' to his so called 'brilliant idea'. Why is everyone thinking he's a genius is beyond me.”
Miranda hadn't looked up while she had informed her first assistant of what was to do. She had been looking intently on her phone.
But suddenly she looked up. With an intent glare she said:
“Get me four new Blackberry's. That's all.”
Emily blinked in surprise but knew better than to stand there in the doorway, gawking at her boss. She had things to do and still could wonder whatever Miranda would want to do with four Blackberry's. Brand new ones, of course. Four new cell phones. Didn't she already have one? Where they for her kids? But what would each child do with two cells? She couldn't think of any reason. Well, she would know soon enough. Or not. Whatever Miranda had in her mind, like always.
Miranda stared at her phone. She knew Andrea must have her lunch break right now and she just wanted to talk to her for a few minutes. As well as checking on her, of course. Miranda was still worried. Her Andrea ate way too less. It was better if she was with her or her girls, but she knew if she was alone, the young journalist wouldn't eat much, if anything at all.
But the editor only reached voice mail, so she was either already talking to someone else, or in the tunnels and without reception. That left Miranda only more worried.
That, and she had had an idea because of it. She wanted to be able to reach her anytime. And as her girls still didn't have each an own cell (they still shared one) she thought it might be time for everyone getting a (in Andrea's and her case, private) phone. A family phone, in a way.
Family phone. That was ridiculous. She was ridiculous. Andrea and she had been together for a few weeks now. And she was thinking of 'family'. Nothing and no one could assure her the girl would stay. She hoped, god, she hoped Andrea would stay a part of her future, forever. But she was young and could do ways better than her. Miranda wasn't a fool, she knew that.
“Emily.” she said again, changing her mind quickly.
“Yes Miranda.” Emily said, standing again in the doorway.
“Forget about the Blackberry's. That's all.” she dismissed her again.
Emily went white. She had done that first. She had ordered them online, directly at the company's site. She bit her lip in worry. She could return them, of course, but she would need to pay even more for them then. And if Miranda didn't want them, from which account should she pay them? Her own? What would she herself do with four Blackberry's?
Miranda still felt Emily's presence.
“Move, before you grow roots into my carpet.” she hissed.
“I'm sorry, Miranda. I-” she was cut off by Mirandas cell phone ringing.
The editor shooed her out. “Close the door. I'm not to be disturbed until I open the door again. That's all.”
Emily hurriedly complied.
“Yes.” Miranda answered somewhat reserved. She didn't know what to think. Andrea could run away from her and she wouldn't be able to stop her. Who would want to be with her? She was old, demanding and a work-aholic. And Andrea could meet someone younger, nearer to her age, someone with more time for a 'family'.
Her train of thoughts was stopped by Andreas voice.
“Miranda?” it sounded empty, even over the phone. Empty and sad.
“Andrea.” Miranda whispered, the worry in her heart grew and made it clench with fear.
“I told my parents.” Andy said in such a low voice Miranda had to strain her ears to understand her. But then she could hear sobs, quiet, but they were clearly sobs. Oh no, she thought.
“What did they say, darling?” Miranda asked carefully. The thoughts about Andrea running away from her were pushed determinant into the back of her mind.
But the sobs at the other end of the line didn't stop.
“Andrea... Oh god, I'm sorry, darling. Where are you?”
“Work... bathroom...”
“Stay where you are, darling. I'll be there shortly.” Miranda hung up while she already was on her way to the door.
“Coat. Bag. Roy downstairs as soon as I'm out of the elevator. Emily, call the editor-in-chief of The Mirror, tell him, Miss Sachs will come with me and won't be returning for today. If he has questions to the why, tell him to call me. That's all.” she said, grabbed her demanded items and fast but still gracefully made her way to the lifts.
Her face was as hard as stone, her blue eyes showed furry and fire. Everyone scurried out of her way as soon as their feet could carry them. She tried not to think anything and only hoped Roy was already downstairs or Emily would never work anywhere near fashion and publishing again. Heads would roll, for sure.
***
As Miranda arrived at The Mirror she was worried beyond everything. But she didn't let it show, of course. Instead she was even more the Devil in heels. Roy had been frightened, she had seen it during the ride. Well, she had made some cutting remarks as traffic didn't allow him to drive as fast as she wished him to. It wasn't his fault, she knew that, but still, she needed to let some steam out. She dialled Andys number to ask her where to find her as she already was on her way into the building. But then she saw her. Face paler as ever, eyes red rimmed and glassy and a slightly red nose from blowing it, she guessed. Her heart clenched in pain and sorrow for that usually happy girl.
“Andrea” she said in her quiet office voice, still a few paces away from Andreas desk, but the brunette looked up nonetheless, as if she had heard her over the noises in the open-plan office. As her eyes found Andreas she gasped. Those lovely brown eyes looked dull, emotionless. Miranda wanted to run to her, enclose her in her arms and whisper soothing words. Something, she had only experienced with her daughters... and her baby-sister before she had died.
So, instead of rushing over and spill everything about them to the reporters around them she walked over like she normally would, with force in her steps but still gracefully and elegant looking any way.
“Miranda.” Andrea greeted her, a wan smile on her features that didn't even try to reach her eyes. “I... My boss told me I could go home for today. He didn't even ask. Did you tell him something?” Andrea asked with a chocked voice. Miranda shook her head no.
Andrea nodded. “What do we... what are we going to do now?” she whispered, tears are already shining in her eyes again.
The white haired woman gently took hold of Andreas wrist and pulled her up, but not into an embrace like she wished she could do.
“Not much, Andrea. For now, you are coming with me. I won't let you be alone right now. I still have work to do, but we can talk tonight, before or after dinner, what you prefer.” Her hand glided down to the cold hand, she squeezed it lightly. “Now, come, my darling.” she whispered gently.
Andy nodded, grabbed her things and followed the older woman out of the building, under the following gazes of her boss and co-workers.
It wouldn't take long until their relationship would be spread over every front page, they both knew it. But as long as they could, they would bask in the anonymity that sometimes was New York City.
***
They didn't talk much on the way back to Mirandas office, but the white haired woman had pulled Andrea close as soon as the door was closed behind them. Roy would never talk about what was going on in the interior of the towncar.
The editor just used some soothing words and placed light kisses on top of the girls head as the young journalist started to cry again.
“I'm so sorry, Andrea...” she whispered.
“It's... not y-your fault...” Andy countered, tears still evident in her voice.
“ I suppose -”
“No, Miranda. It was ME who changed, it was ME who fell in love with a woman. That's the problem they have, not with whom, no, just that I fell for a woman. And if you were someone less popular or even more popular. They wouldn't care. It's just the woman-thing.”
The girl was angry, Miranda not only heard it, she felt it, too. Andrea had tensed in her arms.
“Shh... it's okay Andrea, they'll get over it...”
“You think so?” the woman asked quietly.
“I believe so. I can only imagine how I would react if one of my daughters would come to me... I mean, I wouldn't react like that in the first place, but I certainly would need some time to adjust.” Miranda said.
As the car came to a halt she looked out of the tinted window. “But let's talk more about that tonight, darling.”
Andy sat up and Miranda caressed her cheek gently. “Let's get upstairs, I have a Run-through in five minutes.”
Andrea nodded. “Let's go then.” she said. But before Miranda could open the door, Andy pulled her towards herself again and gave her a brief kiss.
“Thank you” she whispered.
“You are welcome, Andrea. Always, don't forget that.” the white haired woman whispered back.
The brunette smiled. It was still not as bright as her normal ones, but it wasn't as wan as a few minutes before either.
Miranda took that as a good sign.
With a small smile herself, she got out and rushed with Andrea on her heels into the building. It looked like two months ago, as if Andy had never left her side.
And Roy was left behind, slightly stunned about the situation that had took place in the car only a few minutes ago.