The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 24
Title: Science of Fashion (24/?)
Author: vicar_dibley
Fandom: The Devil Wears Prada
Pairing: Andy/Miranda AU
Rating: G (for now)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from The Devil Wears Prada
Author's note: English isn't my first language, this hasn't been beta'd so forgive me. The mistakes (language wise and otherwise) are all mine. This is my first DWP fan fiction. Hope you like it:) Comments are welcome!
Summary: It’s an alternative universe, Andy is about 35 and Miranda is 50. In my story Andy is not cheery.
Science of Fashion
24
After Andy had left Miranda sat thinking about their recent conversation. So, she had been right. Andrea did have strong insecurities where their physical relationship was concerned, just like she had. Talking to each other about it was a vital part of a successful relationship this much Miranda had learned. Andrea was fairly easy to talk to. She had to admit that she was as nervous as Andrea was. Miranda was well aware of her flaws, those of her personality as well as those of her ageing body. But she was convinced they could overcome their insecurities. What was the saying or was it from a song she had heard? “Love conquers it all?” She had always thought such sentiments too idealistic, too naïve but ever since she had met this stunning brunette, who so easily had knocked down all her protecting walls, Miranda was certain it had some merit.
Finally the silver haired woman got up to see what her girls and Andrea were up to in the billiard room.
In Sophia’s study the Contessa and Andy’s aunts were having tea and a pleasant conversation about the upcoming event. Lady Angela was filling the cups and handing them to the other women.
“Thank you, dear”, Sophia took the cup from Angela. Sipping slowly she leaned back in her chair with a content sigh.
“Well?” Helen asked, equally satisfied to have a nice cup of tea in pleasant company on a rainy afternoon.
“Well, what?” The Contessa asked with confusion.
“I think what my dear wife means”, Lady Angela explained patiently, “is what do you expect from us?”
“I have no right to expect anything”, Sophia said mildly, “I was merely hoping you would agree with me that for Andy’s sake we need to build a strong front at the party.”
“Like we neglected to do with Sarah, you mean”, Helen said softly.
“Yes”, Sophia agreed, “I refuse to make the same mistake again.”
“Don’t get me wrong, because I fully agree with you”, Angela injected, “but Miranda Priestly doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who can’t fend for herself. I’d say they call her Dragon Lady for a reason”
“I know, I know”, the Contessa sighed. “Regardless of what some people call her or not call her, I think it’s of the utmost importance to show everybody that she is Andy’s partner and therefore part of the family. To let them know if they try to cross her, they cross us.”
“You are right”, Helen nodded her assent. “Angela?”
“Fine with me, love.”
“Good”, Sophia was glad to have accomplished this, “now let me tell you who I plan to invite.”
Miranda was leaning against the door-frame of the billiard room watching Andrea guide her daughters through the shots of the balls on the big green snooker table. Miranda had to smile each time one of the little redheads climbed onto a chair to lean over the table with Andrea at her side, patiently explaining how to hold the cue and where to hit the ball. No wonder her girls adored Andrea so much, she was so incredibly good with them.
Miranda felt a laugh bubble up inside her throat when she heard Emily’s complaint in a whiny voice.
“Oh come on Sachs! Three against two is a bit much don’t you think”, the first assistant said with mock indignation.
“What’s the matter Em? Afraid to lose against two girls who need a chair to see the top of the table”, Andy asked with a grin.
“Yes, Emily, grow some spine”, Miranda ordered from the door.
“Miranda”, Emily squeaked, nearly falling from her chair.
“Mom!” Caroline and Cassidy called in unison, waving at their mother.
“Come join us Miranda”, Bridget offered, “we sure could use some help.”
“But I have never played before”, Miranda was hesitating.
“Time to give it a try then”, Bridget handed her a cue.
“I don’t know...”
“Come on, mom! It’s fun”, Cassidy tried to persuade her with a big smile.
Looking at five sets of expectant eyes, three of them most dear to her heart, Miranda had no choice but to give in and join them for a game of snooker. As it turned out she had quite a talent for snooker, much to her own surprise and Emily’s badly disguised delight. But even with Bridget at their side it couldn’t prevent them from losing against Andy and the twins.
Andy received a high five from both girls, while Emily looked dejected. Miranda was gazing fondly at the woman she loved.
“Come on English, you look as if you could need a stiff drink”, Bridget put her arm around Emily’s shoulder, leading her from the room.
“What about you two?” Andy asked the twins. “I’m sure you’ll find nonna in her study with some snacks for you.”
“Okay, come on, Cass”, Caroline nudged her sister and followed her in search of nonna for some snacks and time with the older woman.
Leaning against the snooker table Andy was glad to finally be alone with Miranda.
“Hey”, Andy said softly.
“Hey, yourself”, Miranda walked towards the brunette to stand between her legs with her arms around Andrea’s neck.
With her hands on the older woman’s waist Andy pulled the older woman impossibly closer. Miranda’s scent was intoxicating, the feeling of her body made her light headed.
Andy slid her hands into the back pockets of Miranda’s tight fitting jeans, softly kneading her bottom.
Miranda captured Andrea’s lips in a passionate kiss and was surprised when she heard herself moan into the younger woman’s mouth.
“Oh god, darling”, Miranda put her forehead against Andrea’s, stroking the soft skin of her neck.
“Indeed”, Andy still held her tight, not wanting to let her go any time soon.
“I’m so much in love with you, Andrea”, the older woman whispered, “I’ve never known it could be possible.”
“I love you too, Miranda”, Andy kissed the older woman again. “So very much.”
Angela was searching for them when she came across the billiard room. Through the crack in the door she saw Miranda standing snugly between Andy’s legs. They were kissing and forgetting everything around them. She knew she should announce herself, it was impolite to watch them like that but she just couldn’t tear her eyes away. Angela knew of Miranda’s reputation, she knew what the press called her and she knew of her failed marriages. Who didn’t? So no wonder that she was a bit more reluctant than her wife to accept her as Andy’s new partner. This Miranda though was nothing like the Miranda Priestly she had expected. She had seen her interact with her daughters and she had been very affectionate and warm. The Miranda she saw right now was a passionate woman in love. It suited the silver haired woman, just as much as it suited Andy to be in love again.
Angela softly cleared her throat to gain their attention without being too intrusive. She smiled when she saw Miranda trying to step away from Andy but was refused by the younger woman, holding her firmly in place.
“Hello, aunt Angela”, Andy said over Miranda’s shoulder, nuzzling the white hair of the older woman.
“Sophia wants to talk to you”, Angela stepped further into the room.
“All right”, Andy sighed and kissed Miranda’s temple before she let go of her to leave for her grandmother’s study.
Left alone with Andrea’s aunt Miranda waited for the verdict, she knew would come, from the other woman. She could understand that, they were Andrea’s family and they cared for her. Wonderful, warm women and fantastic role models. It warmed her heart to know that they cared and protected Andrea. Miranda appreciated it immensely, she felt grateful because they had been there when her beloved Andrea had needed people to rely on.
“Thank you”, Lady Angela said, surprising Miranda.
“What for?” The silver haired editor asked.
“For making her happy.”
“She deserves to be happy”, Miranda said softly.
“So do you”, Angela walked over to Miranda, leaning against the table just as Andy had a few moments ago.
“My ex-husbands, most of my employees and a lot of other people wouldn’t agree”, Miranda snorted. “But thank you.”
“You don’t strike me as a woman who gives a shit about what others think”, the Scottish woman offered.
“I don’t”, Miranda sighed, “at least not where I’m concerned. They can’t get to me personally, they can’t hurt me. The hold they have on me is where my girls and Andrea are concerned.”
“Don’t worry about Andy, she can handle it”, Angela assured her. “They better not mess with her. Just because she rarely uses it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have the power to protect you or the girls. She loves you and the twins very much, so they better watch out.”
Andy opened the door to her grandmother’s study and found the older woman behind her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration while she was reading through some files.
“You wanted to see me, nonna”, Andy asked from around the door.
“Come in, cara mia”, the Contessa waved her in. Sophia wandered over to the sofa and patted the spot next to her for Andy to sit down.
Walking over Andy eased herself down beside her grandmother, she propped her cane against the sofa’s armrest and turned towards the older woman looking expectantly at her. Wondering what was on her nonna´s mind.
“Is everything all right, nonna”, Andy asked.
“Of course, cara mia”, Sophia reassured her, “I meant to ask you the same thing. When you came down for lunch you seemed a bit off.”
“I was”, Andy admitted, “being stupid and insecure.”
“But you are okay now?”
“Yes, don’t worry”, Andy patted her grandmother’s hand.
“Good, very good. Because I happen to like your woman a lot and I’m completely enamoured by those cute little girls of hers”, the Contessa confessed with a warm smile.
“So am I. Thank you, nonna”, Andy hugged the older woman tightly.
“You are welcome, cara mia. Now about that party...”
Andy groaned audibly at the word party, causing her grandmother to laugh out loud.
In the drawing room Emily and Bridget were having a nice glass of whiskey and a pleasant conversation about their past, their jobs and their dreams of the future. Emily enjoyed Bridget’s company tremendously, she was funny, smart and warm. She could easily get lost in those bright green eyes. But what would be the point? Bridget had her job in London and she was an ocean away in New York. They had known each other only for a very short time but there was something about the journalist which drew Emily to her. Had it been the vulnerability she had witnessed the first time they had met? Partly. Bridget was very much like Andy in some aspects but at the same time she was a lot more carefree than the biologist. Which wasn’t a surprise, really. Emily was confused, on the one hand she knew she could easily fall for the tall Scottish woman and on the other hand her head told her to better not to. She sighed at her dilemma, without realising she had done so aloud.
“Earth to Emily!” Bridget waved her hand in front of Emily’s unseeing eyes.
“Sorry”, Emily was snatched from her contemplations.
“You okay? You seemed to be far away?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking”, Emily said softly.
“Must have been some thoughts”, the Scottish woman joked.
“Yeah. Look, I need to get some work done for Miranda”, Emily hastily got up and nearly ran from the room.
“Emily, wait, what...”, Bridget tried to stop her, bewildered she stared at the open door.
On her way to her room Emily stumbled into Lady Helen, nearly knocking the woman over in her hurry. She mumbled her apologies before she continued to flee upstairs and shut herself in her room.
Wallowing in self-pity has never been her way of coping with things but this time she couldn’t help it. A knock on the door stirred her from her depressing thoughts.
“Come in!”
Andy opened the door carefully, not sure what she would find after she had seen her friend rush into her room.
“Hey, Em, you all right?” The biologist asked worriedly.
“Why does everybody keep asking me that?” Emily got upset without really wanting to.
“Uhm, sorry?”
The redhead sighed at Andy’s contrite expression. “It’s okay. It’s just me being stupid.”
“I hardly think so”, Andy chuckled and went over to sit on the edge of the bed, looking into her friend’s sad eyes. “Is it something Bridget said or did? I know she can be quite overwhelming sometimes.”
“No”, Emily shook her head, “she has been nothing but polite and attentive.”
“But?”
“But nothing.”
After another good look at the redhead’s face Andy had a sudden revelation.
“You like her”, the brunette smiled knowingly.
“And what if I do?” The Englishwoman asked defiantly.
“It would be wonderful.”
“How can that be wonderful?” Emily objected. “She is here and I´m in New York. And what is worse she just ended a relationship, right?”
“Well, for one, Bridget is going to relocate to New York very soon”, Andy informed the other woman, “and for the relationship, let’s just say, it never really has been one to begin with. It has been more an error of judgement and the other woman was using it to her advantage.”
“You think so?” Emily sounded hopeful.
“I know so”, Andy snorted, thinking of the woman who had put her claws into her cousin.
A soft smile was back on Emily’s face.
“I think she likes you, too.” Now the smile turned into a full happy grin, making Andy grin in return.
Dinner at Edgewood Hall was delightful. With Helen and Angela there to complete the table it was even more relaxed than before, if that was even possible. They told wonderful, humorous and embarrassing stories about little Andy and Bridget much to everybody’s delight.
For the first time in her life Miranda felt as if she belonged somewhere. Being part of a big family full of amazingly warm women was a completely new experience for the self reliant editor. After dinner they all retired to the sitting room to play another game of Activity much to her daughter’s joy. The ringing of her mobile phone forced Miranda to leave and talk to the girl’s father about another visit after their return.
When she ended her call and returned to the sitting room again, the cosy picture she found there brought her to a sudden stop. It was not only what she saw but also what she felt at that moment that threw her off balance and brought tears of joy to her eyes and a calmness to her heart she had never felt before.
Cassidy was sitting on Sophia’s lap, whispering something into the older woman’s ear and causing her to smile brightly. Caroline was occupying Andrea’s lap, resting comfortably against her chest while Andrea had her hands linked over the girls tummy. They looked content.
Lady Helen was resting against her wife’s side who had her arm around her shoulder, all the while laughing at their daughter’s fruitless attempts to get Emily to understand what she was trying to convey through her pantomime.
How could she have ever lived without this? This was what she had craved all her life and what this family offered so freely. Andrea had not only made her the gift of love but the gift of home for her and her girls. She could not lose this, this love and warmth that gave her such contentment and calmness.
Sensing a presence behind her, Andrea turned and saw Miranda standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face and a sole tear running down her cheek.
Andrea kissed Caroline’s head, asking her to sit on the couch while she got up and walked over to Miranda. Wordlessly she took Miranda’s hand and led her to the other side of the room.
With a gentle thumb she brushed the tear from Miranda’s cheek. Taking hold of the hand Miranda pressed her lips onto the palm and held it against her cheek.
“Thank you”, the editor whispered with a happy smile.
“Always, my love”, the younger woman enfolded Miranda in a tender embrace.
Unbeknownst to them Helen and Angela shared a conspiratorial glance and a nod. They had come to a decision, intending to surprise Andy and Miranda after the party.
TBC