Chapter 47: Hurry Up & Slow Down!
Author: TheLadyHoll
Pairing: Andy/Miranda
Rating: M
Disclaimer: Yes, they are mine. I own them. Come to me my pretties and dance, DANCE I SAY. Or, more truthfully, not...
As always, your musings are my muse. It's funny how I have the end for this all ready - it's only this blasted middle part that needs to be written! :)
A day's worth of utter mayhem and panic settled affairs at Runway for the week for Miranda's part and Andy wheedled and cajoled her own editor into letting her have the week off. Really, the man had no other option other than to fire the young woman, which he wasn't even sure he could do legally even if he wanted to. There was really no HR precedent for 'famous lover' even if there was one to cover leave to take care of a sick spouse. Either way, the young journalist had yet to let him down on a story yet or to miss a deadline without prior notice of a valid reason for the delay.
She paused at the door, guiltily, turning to face the slightly bewildered older man. "I know I don't have to say 'off the record' with you Greg, and I can't tell you how much that means to me. She needs this, you know? We all do. It's been so hard, the trial, the girls,"
"Andy," now it was the older man's turn to reassure his young protégé. "I get it. I read the papers, you know?" he joked lightly, hoping to set the younger woman's mind at ease. "Go take care of your family, your job will be right here when you get back, okay?"
Andy just nodded as she left, not trusting her voice not to break with relief when she answered at having one aspect of her life be as uncomplicated as it could be and not met with another seemingly unsurmountable obstacle.
When she got home she noticed Miranda's things in the hall and realized that the woman was home uncharacteristically early. Worried that something might be wrong, Andy made her way upstairs, checking the bedroom and then the study before shaking her head at herself, realizing that she would most likely find her lover in one of her new favourite places.
And she was right. She found Miranda in the babies' nursery, sitting as she usually did in the oak rocking chair, except now she was rocking and leaning over a piece of fabric bunched tightly in one of her hands and Andy recognized it as one of the simple cotton and linen shifts the babies would be dressed in as one of their first outfits in the hospital. She had it laid out on her knees - or what was left of them and kept stroking the material, tears falling wordlessly as she traced each tiny button over and over
Uncharacteristically, she was the first to speak as Andy leaned against the doorframe, her expression thoughtful to match Miranda's. "Two," she spoke softly into the expectant silence that had settled over room. "Two babies, and so small and it feels foolish to entrust them to our care. Caroline and Cassidy… I had help from day one from multiple sources- it was so rare that I was alone with them, especially after the decision was made that my day would be made freer to work if I stopped breastfeeding or even pumping and they were switched to a formula-only diet.
"How can I, how can someone like me, after all these years of cultivating 'Miranda Priestly', be the mother I know, I want to be to these children even after, if after they are successfully delivered? Especially…especially if I'm only learning the kind of mother I want to be to my existing children now, after all these years."
"It's been a very long time since I've held a baby too," Andy admitted, thinking of her fourteenth birthday when her Aunt Ruth had brought her 6 week old son Raymond. She had shaken her head in disgust at first - but like the party dress her mother had forced her to wear, Andy was similarly forced into holding the infant.
"And I know you're picturing how small they'll be, but they'll only be wearing diapers in the incubators - and by the time they're out, which will be in no time, they'll fit into normal preemie clothing. Besides, I know Nigel is working on a surprise for them, and for you."
"Of course he is," Miranda smiled softly, before closing her eyes and sweeping back the white forelock into place with a shake of her head.
Seeing as Miranda was home early, she was there to see the girls home from school, and within a few minutes of the girls begging agreed to a family outing.
The family of four headed for the park at a leisurely pace necessitated by Miranda's current state. Indeed, the older woman could only walk at a careful, deliberate pace and often with a hand supporting the lower curve of her belly or back to ease the strain.
"Come ooooonnnn," Cassidy was almost dancing with impatience and Caroline nodded in agreement, although she stayed closer to Miranda who simply shook her head at her girls. Even though they were growing older, the personalities she had seen develop in them as babies still rung true.
"Relax guys, she's walking for three people!" Andy's arm curved around Miranda's waist to rest possessively on her hip as the woman reflexively leaned into her.
"Ugh, fine! Grown-ups are so slow." Cassidy gathered the wrappers from the hotdogs that Andy was still amazed Miranda had agreed to as they passed a vendor stand. She was more amazed still that the older woman had partaken herself, and to more than one plus a good deal of the large French fries they had shared.
"Agreed," Caroline skipped ahead now to join her sister.
The two grumbling redheads ran ahead, making sure they stayed in sight as they skipped and danced down the sidewalk, occasionally breaking into bouts of tag.
Miranda exhaled, rubbing her chest with the heel of her hand before placing her hand over her belly. "Something is not sitting well, I'm afraid," she admitted at Andrea's questioning gaze.
Andy bent her neck so that her cheek rested against the snowy crown at her shoulder for a moment.
"Are you sure it wasn't the fourth hotdog that's not sitting well?" Andy raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Miranda's face flushed red and she untangled her arm from Andrea's. "I wouldn't have expected you of all people to comment on what one ate." Her tone was biting, but behind the Armani frames she saw a flicker of hurt and all of a sudden she was the one with indigestion.
"I'm sorry. No really, Miranda, I am," Andy caught the older by the woman by the arm, only pulling back when icy eyes found purchase on Andrea's arm gripping her own and the brunette let go as though she had been burned. "Come on, Miranda, you know I was just teasing. I'M not pregnant and I had three hotdogs myself! Please sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm so glad you're eating for the babies."
The mention of the babies softened Miranda and she reluctantly allowed Andrea to take her arm again.
Miranda finally agreed to let Andy call Roy to pick them up from the park only after the younger woman threatened to pay one of the horse and carriages to take them home. The girls' response had been enthusiastic - Miranda's not so much.
To herself though, Miranda had to admit she was thankful she didn't have to make the trek back to the townhouse even if it was only a few blocks. It was pathetic, she told herself, that such a short period of physical activity could wind her as it did.
Even the familiar stairs up to the townhouse seemed an elephantine feat, and she didn't have to be told before she went to the living room and sitting on the chaise end of the sofa, so that her feet were elevated. Soon, she thought privately, she wouldn't be able to wear any sort of heel at all. How was it that she was only one month into her third trimester and she already felt as though she could give birth at anytime. She prayed though, everynight, although she didn't tell Andrea, that she would carry these babies for as long as her body could stand, and pray God that her body would hold out that long, until they could be delivered safely. Although she had all but demanded an answer from the woman, Dr. Jansen couldn't give her an answer as to when that would be as the babies' conditions were so different.
"Okay, mom, Andy, stay there. I'll be right back." Cassidy ran up the stairs and Miranda opened her mouth to reprimand her for the unladylike behaviour, but when she opened her mouth a yawn escaped instead and a warmth bloomed in her chest as her fiancée settled into the couch beside her, knees tucked under her and curled into Miranda's body so that her head was resting on Miranda's shoulder and her hands as always went to the warm, rounded globe, making Miranda even sleepier.
She was just about to nod off when Cassidy came bouncing back into the room. "Mom! You can't fall asleep! I wanna show you something."
"I'm sorry, Bobbsey," Miranda tilted her head in apology and waited for her daughter to continue, but instead she just dropped a plain manila file folder in between the two women. Seeing as she had squished Miranda slightly into the sofa, Andy untied the red string and shook out its content, which were ten or twelve pictures, beautifully composed in both black and white and colour.
Andy traced a finger over a picture of hers & Miranda's hand loosely intertwined and resting on the upper curve of her belly - she recognized the image from one of their movie nights a couple weeks ago, and the memories the photos brought forward took her breath away.
"Cass…these are stunning." Andy held out the prints for Miranda to see. Taking them from the younger woman, Miranda slipped on her reading glasses and examined them carefully, with the practiced eye of an editor instead of simply a casual observer or mother examining her child's school project.
"They're beautiful darling, you truly have a talent."
"You guys are so mushy, it was easy. I just had to make sure you didn't see me."
"When are they gonna get here? It's taking so long!" the other redhead exclaimed, prompting Miranda to chuckle dryly as she passed a hand over her swelling stomach. "Sooner than you expect darling, there's very little room left for them to do any more growing. In two more months maybe."
"You're huge," Cassidy agreed and Andy guffawed at the tempered indignation that lifted Miranda's eyebrows to her hairline before she rolled her eyes helplessly.
"Thank you, Cassidy."
"You know what I mean, you're like a million months pregnant!"
"It certainly feels that way," Miranda's hand began to move in circles where it rested in her lap.
"And then once they're born, we get to be big sisters and I'm not gonna be the youngest anymore so Car can't boss me around."
"Yes, I can."
"Can't."
"Can!"
"Girls…"
"Sorry mom."
The day they planned on leaving for the trip, Andy went to visit Miranda on the set before they both went home to the girls.
Nigel came over and nodded to Andy in acknowledgement, but his gaze was set on Miranda and she saw a flicker of annoyance in the older man's eyes as he spoke, just barely managing to keep from rolling his eyes.
"Charlise says the bright light is harmful for her skin and she cannot work in these conditions."
"Nor should she have to," Miranda replied smoothly. "Inform her as such as she collects her belongings and leaves the set."
Nigel smirked and nodded, this time winking at Andrea as he left the pair to do Miranda's bidding.
"Oh my God, I forget who you are sometimes." Andy chuckled wryly.
"A painful reminder then, is it not? To see me as I am?"
"Never, I fell in love with all sides, remember? You, Miranda Priestly, are the love of my life and you're not going to get out of it that easily."
Miranda let the papers slide from her lap as she tilted her head up and reached out her hand to cup the back of the brunette's head and bring it down to her level as they kissed.
When Andy pulled back though she frowned. "Miranda, where is the water?"
"Hmm, I was thinking for this weekend-"
"Nope". Andy wasn't taking the bait. "Where's your water, Miranda? You're supposed to have it with you or available at all times."
Miranda looked past Andy at the set, seeming not to hear her before she replied in a slightly bored manner.
"It is highly disruptive for me to get up and down so many times and for the shoot to have to stop and restart, waiting for my return."
"It would be equally disruptive if you fainted - again, or had to leave because of dehydration."
Miranda just growled slightly as she snatched the water bottle out of the younger woman's hand who was bouncing happily, rocking back and forth on her heels as she watched the editor down half the bottle in one swallow.
"Is that enough to satisfy you or shall I continue to waterboard myself for your viewing pleasure? "
"The babies thank you," Andy leaned in for a kiss to which the still pouting Miranda grudgingly supplied, unable to deny the younger woman or herself the pleasure of the simple embrace.
"Would the promise of a foot rub when you get home make it any better?"
"Barely." Miranda was still pouting.
"Fine." Miranda grumbled, keeping her eyes pointedly on the set. "Go home. I'll be there as soon as this disaster of a shoot is under control, since the director is obviously incapable of telling the models where to stand."
The editor arrived home an hour late, and the twins could barely contain themselves, nearly attacking their mother as she came through the door.
"Moooom, come on!"
"You're late! You promised!"
"I know Bobbseys, I know," Miranda placed her bag on the front hall table and looked around for Andy. "Where's Andrea?" she asked, thinking it uncharacteristic for the young woman not to greet her at the door. It was silly really, but she had come to expect it and secretly treasured the sign of the younger woman's devotion. Inwardly, she berated herself. She was going soft.
She touched a hand to her temple, trying to ward off the headache induced by the frustrating shoot and made her way up the stairs, pausing at the first levelling to painfully pry off her heels, unable to take the way they pinched her swollen feet any longer.
Coming to their room, she lingered in the doorway, watching Andrea go back and forth, packing a few last things for the trip. When she looked up from the suitcase she saw Miranda at the door, a grin split her face, like the sun shining through the clouds and the tight clench of her heart eased slightly.
"Shoot turn out okay?" Andy straightened up and brushed back her bangs.
"As well as could be expected given the dismissal of one of the senior models. Nigel managed to rally them rather skillfully in the end."
"God bless 'im." Andy grinned again.
"Indeed," Miranda murmured distractedly, her fingers moving to toy nervously with one of the rings on her finger.
"The girls wish to leave immediately, so I'll just change quickly and we can leave…"
"Hey," Andy moved forward and brushed the curl she loved so much away from her lover's face.
"This was meant to be for you. This is your vacation. We don't have to rush anything. We have a whole week." Andy's arms found their way around Miranda's waist and the older woman wilted slightly into the embrace, truthfully exhausted and let Andrea's fingers move across her waist and back soothingly.
Andy leaned back slightly and Miranda mourned the loss of contact with the younger woman.
"I think we should wait to head up to the cottage. We can get up early tomorrow morning, so we don't miss any time, and you and the girls can sleep in the car."
"Absolutely not." Miranda straightened and Andy sighed, she knew the older woman wouldn't do anything to upset the girls, but she too was firm in this.
Her voice stronger now, instead of soothing and melodic, Andy looked Miranda in the eye and spoke.
"We're not leaving tonight. I can tell you're exhausted, it's too much for you." She slid her hands from around Miranda's back to her stomach, feeling her son or daughter kick against her hand and making her resolution even stronger.
She cupped Miranda's cheek and brought her head forward to meet her lips. "I'll handle the girls. Go run a bath while I throw something together for dinner, okay? It'll be fine."
Miranda bit her cheek but stayed silent. It was true, all she wanted to do was crawl into bed. But disappointing Caroline and Cassidy was not an option either. But she had to weigh their disappointment against the health and safety of the babies, and she knew, looking in the bedroom mirror, that her blood pressure was up and that her features were ever so slightly swollen. Only enough so that only she or Andrea would be able to tell. And she had been able to tell, hence why Miranda found herself undressing and turning on the water for the bath as hot as she was allowed.
Leaning her head back against the edge of the bathtub, Miranda closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to let the stress flow out of her body. It was working until she heard raised voices from downstairs and then slamming doors. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply once again, trying to focus on Andrea's consolation that the girls wouldn't be terribly upset for long.
"What? What do you mean we're not going now? You said we were leaving right after school, we're all packed and everything!"
"That's not fair!" Caroline chimed in with her sister.
Andy looked at the two furious little redheads she loved as her own daughters and fought a smile at how much they reminded her of their mother, but managed to keep a straight face as she responded, calmly but firmly.
"Cassidy, Caroline. You know this trip is special because we're all going as a family, but this trip was planned so that your mom could relax and be as healthy for the babies as possible because they're going to be coming soon. She's had a long day at work and it could be dangerous for her to travel right now. But like I said, we're leaving first thing in the morning, so you won't miss anything. It'll be just like we got there late tonight except you won't be waking up there. And if your mom rests here, it means she'll be able to do more things at the cottage, isn't that what you want? I know your mom wants to be able to do things with you two."
The pair thought about this for a moment, and Caroline leaned over to whisper something in Cassidy's ear who was scuffing her foot on the marble tile of the front hallway.
"So…" the little girl began tentatively. "You mean if mom gets rest now, she won't need to so much at the cottage?"
Andy crouched down and chucked her under the chin. "That's what we're hoping for munchkin. And I know she feels badly about disappointing you, she didn't want to delay the trip either. But I know she's not feeling good and it could be dangerous for her and the babies if she pushes herself. You two are old enough and mature enough now to be able to help your mom and make things easier on her. I know it's hard for you too but I need you to be those, loving, responsible, smart mature young women you're growing into. Can you do that for me and your mom?"
"Yeah."
"I guess."
The replies were grumpy, but Andy knew her request had been heard when their next steps were into the kitchen to start setting the table for dinner.
"'K guys, I'm just going to help your mom out of the bath and by then dinner should be ready."
Andy found Miranda dozing lightly in the bathtub, her hands resting softly on her belly and Andy fought back a lump in her throat as the glint of Miranda's engagement ring caught her eye. She was really going to marry her. It still felt like a dream.
She knelt beside the bathtub and stroked Miranda's hair away from her face. Something it seemed she was always doing, but both women knew it was a sign of love. "Miranda, wake up, it's time for dinner.
Blue eyes, tired but calmer now met her own and she accepted Andy's hand in standing up in the tub and stepping out carefully onto the bathmat.
The worn grey bathrobe was no longer sufficient to cover her midsection and Andy fought back a grin as the fabric gaped. She'd bet a million dollars that Miranda had indeed noticed but was stubbornly and typically ignoring the problem so that it didn't exist.
The question was on the tip of her tongue to ask the older woman if she felt well enough for dinner when she bit her tongue to keep from speaking as she thought of the two flights of stairs the editor would have to navigate, twice.
She chose her words carefully so that Miranda didn't catch on to what she was trying to do. "D'you think we could have a picnic up here for dinner?"
Miranda's brow furrowed in confusion and irritation at the younger woman's request. "Andrea, I thought you would know the mattress does not double as a dining table, nor do the pillowcases replace napkins. The bedroom is no place for a family dinner.
"I know, I know," Andy held up her hands. "I just thought since the girls were disappointed in missing out at the first night at the cottage, we could have a picnic up here, so they felt they weren't being cheated out of anything."
Miranda looked around the room and bit her lip before inclining her head once, regally. "You may tell the girls we shall be having dinner in here."
"Thank you, Miranda,"
"But make no mistake, if there is a mess made after all of this picnic nonsense, you'll be 'camping out' on the couch for the rest of the night."
"Understood." Andy nodded, but a big grin split her face and Miranda couldn't help but roll her eyes as the young woman bounded from the room, calling for the twins. She was nearly as bad as they were.
Early next morning saw the Priestly and soon-to-be Priestly family, standing beside their bags in the front hall. A honk from outside signalled their ride, and the twins raced forward while Andy hopped out of the car to grab her and Miranda's things, before returning for Miranda herself.
The older woman was pleased to see a steaming hot Starbucks in the coffee holder next to her and surmised that the brunette had woken up extra early for a coffee run. Brown tresses tickled her lap as Andrea bent over from the driver's seat to make sure Miranda's seat belt was on properly.
"For goodness sakes, Andrea, I do know how to operate a seatbelt!" A flicker of annoyance crossed her face and Andy ran a hand over her belly where the seatbelt was.
"I know," she responded softly, raising her head and meeting Miranda's lips. "I just want to make sure that I've done everything in my power to make sure you're safe and comfortable.
And there she was again, trying to wear down her thickly walled defenses, Miranda blinked back a sudden prickling at her eyes, still unable to see herself as something that could be considered precious. The babies, she could understand. But this impossible young woman felt this way about her, past any other reason.
She cleared her throat. "If we'd like to get there while the sun is still in the sky, I suggest we leave."
"Yes, ma'am! Girls are you buckled up"
A chorus of 'yes Andy's' came from the back seat and then silence as they both settled in for the trip, Caroline reading on her Kindle and Cassidy on whatever the latest videogame gadget was.
"Andrea, .this?" Miranda all but hissed, and the hairs on the back of Andy's neck stood up as a flicker of the old fear returned. She turned to meet Miranda's gaze. "It's what it looks like. It's a pillow."
"I can see that it is a pillow, but why it is contorted in this ridiculous shape and in the vicinity of this car, I cannot fathom."
"Mirandaaa," Her groan turned into a whine as she begged with her eyes for the older woman to understand.
"It's shaped to go around your neck to support your head if you fall asleep in the car."
"And who says I plan to fall asleep?"
"I do. And YOU did, remember? I distinctly remember extracting a promise out of you while my lips were just past that sensitive spot at the back of your knee."
Miranda shivered at the memory, and then covered her involuntary response with a shrug and a sniff, saying nothing further but bowing a snowy head to place the squishy blue tube that curved around her neck.
Twenty minutes in, though, Miranda still wasn't asleep, and Andrea could see the restless motions of her lover out of the corner of her eye as she was driving. Keeping her eyes on the road, Andy casually leaned over and placed her palm over Miranda's belly, keeping it there for a moment before beginning to rub wide, slow circles. Three minutes of this and Andy dared a glance over at the woman in the other seat, who was now snoring delicately.
Rewarding herself with one of the donut holes she had gotten for the girls when she had gotten coffee this morning, Andy turned her attention back to the road and the promise of a week free from the press and pressures of the city.
A promise Andy hoped was kept.
Pairing: Andy/Miranda
Rating: M
Disclaimer: Yes, they are mine. I own them. Come to me my pretties and dance, DANCE I SAY. Or, more truthfully, not...
As always, your musings are my muse. It's funny how I have the end for this all ready - it's only this blasted middle part that needs to be written! :)
A day's worth of utter mayhem and panic settled affairs at Runway for the week for Miranda's part and Andy wheedled and cajoled her own editor into letting her have the week off. Really, the man had no other option other than to fire the young woman, which he wasn't even sure he could do legally even if he wanted to. There was really no HR precedent for 'famous lover' even if there was one to cover leave to take care of a sick spouse. Either way, the young journalist had yet to let him down on a story yet or to miss a deadline without prior notice of a valid reason for the delay.
She paused at the door, guiltily, turning to face the slightly bewildered older man. "I know I don't have to say 'off the record' with you Greg, and I can't tell you how much that means to me. She needs this, you know? We all do. It's been so hard, the trial, the girls,"
"Andy," now it was the older man's turn to reassure his young protégé. "I get it. I read the papers, you know?" he joked lightly, hoping to set the younger woman's mind at ease. "Go take care of your family, your job will be right here when you get back, okay?"
Andy just nodded as she left, not trusting her voice not to break with relief when she answered at having one aspect of her life be as uncomplicated as it could be and not met with another seemingly unsurmountable obstacle.
When she got home she noticed Miranda's things in the hall and realized that the woman was home uncharacteristically early. Worried that something might be wrong, Andy made her way upstairs, checking the bedroom and then the study before shaking her head at herself, realizing that she would most likely find her lover in one of her new favourite places.
And she was right. She found Miranda in the babies' nursery, sitting as she usually did in the oak rocking chair, except now she was rocking and leaning over a piece of fabric bunched tightly in one of her hands and Andy recognized it as one of the simple cotton and linen shifts the babies would be dressed in as one of their first outfits in the hospital. She had it laid out on her knees - or what was left of them and kept stroking the material, tears falling wordlessly as she traced each tiny button over and over
Uncharacteristically, she was the first to speak as Andy leaned against the doorframe, her expression thoughtful to match Miranda's. "Two," she spoke softly into the expectant silence that had settled over room. "Two babies, and so small and it feels foolish to entrust them to our care. Caroline and Cassidy… I had help from day one from multiple sources- it was so rare that I was alone with them, especially after the decision was made that my day would be made freer to work if I stopped breastfeeding or even pumping and they were switched to a formula-only diet.
"How can I, how can someone like me, after all these years of cultivating 'Miranda Priestly', be the mother I know, I want to be to these children even after, if after they are successfully delivered? Especially…especially if I'm only learning the kind of mother I want to be to my existing children now, after all these years."
"It's been a very long time since I've held a baby too," Andy admitted, thinking of her fourteenth birthday when her Aunt Ruth had brought her 6 week old son Raymond. She had shaken her head in disgust at first - but like the party dress her mother had forced her to wear, Andy was similarly forced into holding the infant.
"And I know you're picturing how small they'll be, but they'll only be wearing diapers in the incubators - and by the time they're out, which will be in no time, they'll fit into normal preemie clothing. Besides, I know Nigel is working on a surprise for them, and for you."
"Of course he is," Miranda smiled softly, before closing her eyes and sweeping back the white forelock into place with a shake of her head.
Seeing as Miranda was home early, she was there to see the girls home from school, and within a few minutes of the girls begging agreed to a family outing.
The family of four headed for the park at a leisurely pace necessitated by Miranda's current state. Indeed, the older woman could only walk at a careful, deliberate pace and often with a hand supporting the lower curve of her belly or back to ease the strain.
"Come ooooonnnn," Cassidy was almost dancing with impatience and Caroline nodded in agreement, although she stayed closer to Miranda who simply shook her head at her girls. Even though they were growing older, the personalities she had seen develop in them as babies still rung true.
"Relax guys, she's walking for three people!" Andy's arm curved around Miranda's waist to rest possessively on her hip as the woman reflexively leaned into her.
"Ugh, fine! Grown-ups are so slow." Cassidy gathered the wrappers from the hotdogs that Andy was still amazed Miranda had agreed to as they passed a vendor stand. She was more amazed still that the older woman had partaken herself, and to more than one plus a good deal of the large French fries they had shared.
"Agreed," Caroline skipped ahead now to join her sister.
The two grumbling redheads ran ahead, making sure they stayed in sight as they skipped and danced down the sidewalk, occasionally breaking into bouts of tag.
Miranda exhaled, rubbing her chest with the heel of her hand before placing her hand over her belly. "Something is not sitting well, I'm afraid," she admitted at Andrea's questioning gaze.
Andy bent her neck so that her cheek rested against the snowy crown at her shoulder for a moment.
"Are you sure it wasn't the fourth hotdog that's not sitting well?" Andy raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Miranda's face flushed red and she untangled her arm from Andrea's. "I wouldn't have expected you of all people to comment on what one ate." Her tone was biting, but behind the Armani frames she saw a flicker of hurt and all of a sudden she was the one with indigestion.
"I'm sorry. No really, Miranda, I am," Andy caught the older by the woman by the arm, only pulling back when icy eyes found purchase on Andrea's arm gripping her own and the brunette let go as though she had been burned. "Come on, Miranda, you know I was just teasing. I'M not pregnant and I had three hotdogs myself! Please sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm so glad you're eating for the babies."
The mention of the babies softened Miranda and she reluctantly allowed Andrea to take her arm again.
Miranda finally agreed to let Andy call Roy to pick them up from the park only after the younger woman threatened to pay one of the horse and carriages to take them home. The girls' response had been enthusiastic - Miranda's not so much.
To herself though, Miranda had to admit she was thankful she didn't have to make the trek back to the townhouse even if it was only a few blocks. It was pathetic, she told herself, that such a short period of physical activity could wind her as it did.
Even the familiar stairs up to the townhouse seemed an elephantine feat, and she didn't have to be told before she went to the living room and sitting on the chaise end of the sofa, so that her feet were elevated. Soon, she thought privately, she wouldn't be able to wear any sort of heel at all. How was it that she was only one month into her third trimester and she already felt as though she could give birth at anytime. She prayed though, everynight, although she didn't tell Andrea, that she would carry these babies for as long as her body could stand, and pray God that her body would hold out that long, until they could be delivered safely. Although she had all but demanded an answer from the woman, Dr. Jansen couldn't give her an answer as to when that would be as the babies' conditions were so different.
"Okay, mom, Andy, stay there. I'll be right back." Cassidy ran up the stairs and Miranda opened her mouth to reprimand her for the unladylike behaviour, but when she opened her mouth a yawn escaped instead and a warmth bloomed in her chest as her fiancée settled into the couch beside her, knees tucked under her and curled into Miranda's body so that her head was resting on Miranda's shoulder and her hands as always went to the warm, rounded globe, making Miranda even sleepier.
She was just about to nod off when Cassidy came bouncing back into the room. "Mom! You can't fall asleep! I wanna show you something."
"I'm sorry, Bobbsey," Miranda tilted her head in apology and waited for her daughter to continue, but instead she just dropped a plain manila file folder in between the two women. Seeing as she had squished Miranda slightly into the sofa, Andy untied the red string and shook out its content, which were ten or twelve pictures, beautifully composed in both black and white and colour.
Andy traced a finger over a picture of hers & Miranda's hand loosely intertwined and resting on the upper curve of her belly - she recognized the image from one of their movie nights a couple weeks ago, and the memories the photos brought forward took her breath away.
"Cass…these are stunning." Andy held out the prints for Miranda to see. Taking them from the younger woman, Miranda slipped on her reading glasses and examined them carefully, with the practiced eye of an editor instead of simply a casual observer or mother examining her child's school project.
"They're beautiful darling, you truly have a talent."
"You guys are so mushy, it was easy. I just had to make sure you didn't see me."
"When are they gonna get here? It's taking so long!" the other redhead exclaimed, prompting Miranda to chuckle dryly as she passed a hand over her swelling stomach. "Sooner than you expect darling, there's very little room left for them to do any more growing. In two more months maybe."
"You're huge," Cassidy agreed and Andy guffawed at the tempered indignation that lifted Miranda's eyebrows to her hairline before she rolled her eyes helplessly.
"Thank you, Cassidy."
"You know what I mean, you're like a million months pregnant!"
"It certainly feels that way," Miranda's hand began to move in circles where it rested in her lap.
"And then once they're born, we get to be big sisters and I'm not gonna be the youngest anymore so Car can't boss me around."
"Yes, I can."
"Can't."
"Can!"
"Girls…"
"Sorry mom."
The day they planned on leaving for the trip, Andy went to visit Miranda on the set before they both went home to the girls.
Nigel came over and nodded to Andy in acknowledgement, but his gaze was set on Miranda and she saw a flicker of annoyance in the older man's eyes as he spoke, just barely managing to keep from rolling his eyes.
"Charlise says the bright light is harmful for her skin and she cannot work in these conditions."
"Nor should she have to," Miranda replied smoothly. "Inform her as such as she collects her belongings and leaves the set."
Nigel smirked and nodded, this time winking at Andrea as he left the pair to do Miranda's bidding.
"Oh my God, I forget who you are sometimes." Andy chuckled wryly.
"A painful reminder then, is it not? To see me as I am?"
"Never, I fell in love with all sides, remember? You, Miranda Priestly, are the love of my life and you're not going to get out of it that easily."
Miranda let the papers slide from her lap as she tilted her head up and reached out her hand to cup the back of the brunette's head and bring it down to her level as they kissed.
When Andy pulled back though she frowned. "Miranda, where is the water?"
"Hmm, I was thinking for this weekend-"
"Nope". Andy wasn't taking the bait. "Where's your water, Miranda? You're supposed to have it with you or available at all times."
Miranda looked past Andy at the set, seeming not to hear her before she replied in a slightly bored manner.
"It is highly disruptive for me to get up and down so many times and for the shoot to have to stop and restart, waiting for my return."
"It would be equally disruptive if you fainted - again, or had to leave because of dehydration."
Miranda just growled slightly as she snatched the water bottle out of the younger woman's hand who was bouncing happily, rocking back and forth on her heels as she watched the editor down half the bottle in one swallow.
"Is that enough to satisfy you or shall I continue to waterboard myself for your viewing pleasure? "
"The babies thank you," Andy leaned in for a kiss to which the still pouting Miranda grudgingly supplied, unable to deny the younger woman or herself the pleasure of the simple embrace.
"Would the promise of a foot rub when you get home make it any better?"
"Barely." Miranda was still pouting.
"Fine." Miranda grumbled, keeping her eyes pointedly on the set. "Go home. I'll be there as soon as this disaster of a shoot is under control, since the director is obviously incapable of telling the models where to stand."
The editor arrived home an hour late, and the twins could barely contain themselves, nearly attacking their mother as she came through the door.
"Moooom, come on!"
"You're late! You promised!"
"I know Bobbseys, I know," Miranda placed her bag on the front hall table and looked around for Andy. "Where's Andrea?" she asked, thinking it uncharacteristic for the young woman not to greet her at the door. It was silly really, but she had come to expect it and secretly treasured the sign of the younger woman's devotion. Inwardly, she berated herself. She was going soft.
She touched a hand to her temple, trying to ward off the headache induced by the frustrating shoot and made her way up the stairs, pausing at the first levelling to painfully pry off her heels, unable to take the way they pinched her swollen feet any longer.
Coming to their room, she lingered in the doorway, watching Andrea go back and forth, packing a few last things for the trip. When she looked up from the suitcase she saw Miranda at the door, a grin split her face, like the sun shining through the clouds and the tight clench of her heart eased slightly.
"Shoot turn out okay?" Andy straightened up and brushed back her bangs.
"As well as could be expected given the dismissal of one of the senior models. Nigel managed to rally them rather skillfully in the end."
"God bless 'im." Andy grinned again.
"Indeed," Miranda murmured distractedly, her fingers moving to toy nervously with one of the rings on her finger.
"The girls wish to leave immediately, so I'll just change quickly and we can leave…"
"Hey," Andy moved forward and brushed the curl she loved so much away from her lover's face.
"This was meant to be for you. This is your vacation. We don't have to rush anything. We have a whole week." Andy's arms found their way around Miranda's waist and the older woman wilted slightly into the embrace, truthfully exhausted and let Andrea's fingers move across her waist and back soothingly.
Andy leaned back slightly and Miranda mourned the loss of contact with the younger woman.
"I think we should wait to head up to the cottage. We can get up early tomorrow morning, so we don't miss any time, and you and the girls can sleep in the car."
"Absolutely not." Miranda straightened and Andy sighed, she knew the older woman wouldn't do anything to upset the girls, but she too was firm in this.
Her voice stronger now, instead of soothing and melodic, Andy looked Miranda in the eye and spoke.
"We're not leaving tonight. I can tell you're exhausted, it's too much for you." She slid her hands from around Miranda's back to her stomach, feeling her son or daughter kick against her hand and making her resolution even stronger.
She cupped Miranda's cheek and brought her head forward to meet her lips. "I'll handle the girls. Go run a bath while I throw something together for dinner, okay? It'll be fine."
Miranda bit her cheek but stayed silent. It was true, all she wanted to do was crawl into bed. But disappointing Caroline and Cassidy was not an option either. But she had to weigh their disappointment against the health and safety of the babies, and she knew, looking in the bedroom mirror, that her blood pressure was up and that her features were ever so slightly swollen. Only enough so that only she or Andrea would be able to tell. And she had been able to tell, hence why Miranda found herself undressing and turning on the water for the bath as hot as she was allowed.
Leaning her head back against the edge of the bathtub, Miranda closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to let the stress flow out of her body. It was working until she heard raised voices from downstairs and then slamming doors. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply once again, trying to focus on Andrea's consolation that the girls wouldn't be terribly upset for long.
"What? What do you mean we're not going now? You said we were leaving right after school, we're all packed and everything!"
"That's not fair!" Caroline chimed in with her sister.
Andy looked at the two furious little redheads she loved as her own daughters and fought a smile at how much they reminded her of their mother, but managed to keep a straight face as she responded, calmly but firmly.
"Cassidy, Caroline. You know this trip is special because we're all going as a family, but this trip was planned so that your mom could relax and be as healthy for the babies as possible because they're going to be coming soon. She's had a long day at work and it could be dangerous for her to travel right now. But like I said, we're leaving first thing in the morning, so you won't miss anything. It'll be just like we got there late tonight except you won't be waking up there. And if your mom rests here, it means she'll be able to do more things at the cottage, isn't that what you want? I know your mom wants to be able to do things with you two."
The pair thought about this for a moment, and Caroline leaned over to whisper something in Cassidy's ear who was scuffing her foot on the marble tile of the front hallway.
"So…" the little girl began tentatively. "You mean if mom gets rest now, she won't need to so much at the cottage?"
Andy crouched down and chucked her under the chin. "That's what we're hoping for munchkin. And I know she feels badly about disappointing you, she didn't want to delay the trip either. But I know she's not feeling good and it could be dangerous for her and the babies if she pushes herself. You two are old enough and mature enough now to be able to help your mom and make things easier on her. I know it's hard for you too but I need you to be those, loving, responsible, smart mature young women you're growing into. Can you do that for me and your mom?"
"Yeah."
"I guess."
The replies were grumpy, but Andy knew her request had been heard when their next steps were into the kitchen to start setting the table for dinner.
"'K guys, I'm just going to help your mom out of the bath and by then dinner should be ready."
Andy found Miranda dozing lightly in the bathtub, her hands resting softly on her belly and Andy fought back a lump in her throat as the glint of Miranda's engagement ring caught her eye. She was really going to marry her. It still felt like a dream.
She knelt beside the bathtub and stroked Miranda's hair away from her face. Something it seemed she was always doing, but both women knew it was a sign of love. "Miranda, wake up, it's time for dinner.
Blue eyes, tired but calmer now met her own and she accepted Andy's hand in standing up in the tub and stepping out carefully onto the bathmat.
The worn grey bathrobe was no longer sufficient to cover her midsection and Andy fought back a grin as the fabric gaped. She'd bet a million dollars that Miranda had indeed noticed but was stubbornly and typically ignoring the problem so that it didn't exist.
The question was on the tip of her tongue to ask the older woman if she felt well enough for dinner when she bit her tongue to keep from speaking as she thought of the two flights of stairs the editor would have to navigate, twice.
She chose her words carefully so that Miranda didn't catch on to what she was trying to do. "D'you think we could have a picnic up here for dinner?"
Miranda's brow furrowed in confusion and irritation at the younger woman's request. "Andrea, I thought you would know the mattress does not double as a dining table, nor do the pillowcases replace napkins. The bedroom is no place for a family dinner.
"I know, I know," Andy held up her hands. "I just thought since the girls were disappointed in missing out at the first night at the cottage, we could have a picnic up here, so they felt they weren't being cheated out of anything."
Miranda looked around the room and bit her lip before inclining her head once, regally. "You may tell the girls we shall be having dinner in here."
"Thank you, Miranda,"
"But make no mistake, if there is a mess made after all of this picnic nonsense, you'll be 'camping out' on the couch for the rest of the night."
"Understood." Andy nodded, but a big grin split her face and Miranda couldn't help but roll her eyes as the young woman bounded from the room, calling for the twins. She was nearly as bad as they were.
Early next morning saw the Priestly and soon-to-be Priestly family, standing beside their bags in the front hall. A honk from outside signalled their ride, and the twins raced forward while Andy hopped out of the car to grab her and Miranda's things, before returning for Miranda herself.
The older woman was pleased to see a steaming hot Starbucks in the coffee holder next to her and surmised that the brunette had woken up extra early for a coffee run. Brown tresses tickled her lap as Andrea bent over from the driver's seat to make sure Miranda's seat belt was on properly.
"For goodness sakes, Andrea, I do know how to operate a seatbelt!" A flicker of annoyance crossed her face and Andy ran a hand over her belly where the seatbelt was.
"I know," she responded softly, raising her head and meeting Miranda's lips. "I just want to make sure that I've done everything in my power to make sure you're safe and comfortable.
And there she was again, trying to wear down her thickly walled defenses, Miranda blinked back a sudden prickling at her eyes, still unable to see herself as something that could be considered precious. The babies, she could understand. But this impossible young woman felt this way about her, past any other reason.
She cleared her throat. "If we'd like to get there while the sun is still in the sky, I suggest we leave."
"Yes, ma'am! Girls are you buckled up"
A chorus of 'yes Andy's' came from the back seat and then silence as they both settled in for the trip, Caroline reading on her Kindle and Cassidy on whatever the latest videogame gadget was.
"Andrea, .this?" Miranda all but hissed, and the hairs on the back of Andy's neck stood up as a flicker of the old fear returned. She turned to meet Miranda's gaze. "It's what it looks like. It's a pillow."
"I can see that it is a pillow, but why it is contorted in this ridiculous shape and in the vicinity of this car, I cannot fathom."
"Mirandaaa," Her groan turned into a whine as she begged with her eyes for the older woman to understand.
"It's shaped to go around your neck to support your head if you fall asleep in the car."
"And who says I plan to fall asleep?"
"I do. And YOU did, remember? I distinctly remember extracting a promise out of you while my lips were just past that sensitive spot at the back of your knee."
Miranda shivered at the memory, and then covered her involuntary response with a shrug and a sniff, saying nothing further but bowing a snowy head to place the squishy blue tube that curved around her neck.
Twenty minutes in, though, Miranda still wasn't asleep, and Andrea could see the restless motions of her lover out of the corner of her eye as she was driving. Keeping her eyes on the road, Andy casually leaned over and placed her palm over Miranda's belly, keeping it there for a moment before beginning to rub wide, slow circles. Three minutes of this and Andy dared a glance over at the woman in the other seat, who was now snoring delicately.
Rewarding herself with one of the donut holes she had gotten for the girls when she had gotten coffee this morning, Andy turned her attention back to the road and the promise of a week free from the press and pressures of the city.
A promise Andy hoped was kept.