The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 8a
Title: Science of Fashion (8a/?)
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
8a
Sighing at the ineptitude of her employees Miranda leaned back in her chair and turned it towards the windows looking out over the city. The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky in a beautiful mixture of yellow, red and orange. At times like these Miranda wished she wasn’t the editor-in-chief of Runway rather somebody else who could simply call it a day, leave the office and enjoy a wonderful spring evening. But here she was waiting for the corrected layouts to arrive anytime soon and causing her to make it a late night again.
Fortunately enough the twins were spending their weekend with their father which meant she could stay without an onslaught of guilt for having to stay. The uninvited thought of a certain British biologist stole into her mind, making Miranda smile. Thinking how Andrea would watch the sunset and answer her girls´ questions why the sky was awash with all those breathtaking colours. And those explanations would make the whole spectacle even more wonderful. Andrea had a way with words that could take your breath away, combined with an infectious enthusiasm it made everything she patiently explained fantastic and wonderous.
Thinking of the biologist brought back memories of their visit to the zoo last week during the girls’ spring break. When she had called Andrea to ask if the suggested day was convenient Andrea had said it was perfect. They had agreed that the younger woman would meet the Priestly women at their townhouse and together they would take the car to the zoo.
Andrea had shown up a bit early, dressed very casually in jeans, white t-shirt, leather jacket and dark blue trainers. Her hair was swept back in a pony tail which was unusual given her self consciousness because of her scar. That she felt safe enough to show it when in their company had brought a warm feeling to Miranda’s heart.
Miranda thought of the warm welcome the biologist had been given by her daughters and couldn’t keep a warm smile from her face.
Opening the door Miranda was greeted by a blinding smile and twinkling eyes. Which caused her to answer with a smile of her own.
“Hello, Andrea, you are early.” Miranda greeted the younger woman.
“Hi, I know. I am afraid I’m a bit over-enthusiastic about this. It has been a while since I had such wonderful company at the zoo.” Andy smiled sheepishly.
“Come in! The girls should be ready any time soon.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as Andy had stepped over the threshold the thunder of footsteps could be heard on the stairs. Two redheads came barrelling down the stairs making a beeline for the biologist and nearly tackling her to the floor when they hugged her.
“Andy!” “Andy!” Their shouts caused Miranda to contort her face in pain.
“Oof! Hello, ladies.” Andy returned the hug one-handed, holding on to her cane making sure she kept her balance.
“Careful girls”, Miranda softly chided seeing the younger woman’s short struggle for balance.
Easing back slightly without breaking their embrace two heads came up looking apologetic.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“That’s quite all right. Are you ready to go?”
“Yup.”
Following the girls at a slower pace out the door the adults were looking at each other, sharing a knowing smile at the uncanny energy displayed by the children.
It had been a wonderful day, free tickets had been waiting for them at the entrance together with a note from Andrea’s friend, one of the vets, asking them to stop by her office as soon as they arrived.
From then on it was the adventure of her daughter’s life. With big eyed wonder they took in each every bit of information and sight presented to them. Even she herself, Miranda had to admit, couldn’t help but be captured by everything they saw. Every once in a while she had looked at Andrea and had seen the other woman smile tenderly at their obvious delight. Preparing food for the armadillo, to Miranda’s big chagrin, made her daughter’s laugh at her disgusted face, she didn’t begrudge them their fun in the least. Spending time watching the vet taking care of the baby seal, feeding the little penguins and many things more was a wonderful experience.
At the end of the day the girls were dead on their feet, as were the adults. When they returned to the townhouse her daughters nearly fell asleep over their pizza. Although nearly knocked out by then they insisted on Andrea to tuck them in as well, which she gladly did. The twins fell asleep with a blissful smile on their faces that night.
It had warmed Miranda’s heart and still did when she thought of her girls´ delight that day and how they were still talking about this wonderful adventure. Andrea had gone out of her way to make it possible and it was something Miranda would always be grateful for. She knew she could never repay Andrea for it, not that the biologist would ever let her.
The soft clearing of a throat brought Miranda out of her musings, turning around with her chair she found Emily standing in front of her desk, holding the new layouts for her to look over and approve.
Well, the time to breath and think about other things was nice as long as it lasted. With a sigh Miranda put her reading glasses back on and motioned for Emily to put everything on her desk.
“Go home, Emily, it’s late.”
“Uhm..” rather unsure what to do Emily stood in front of her boss´ desk.
“Yes?” Miranda looked with piercing eyes at her assistant.
“Nothing. Are you quite sure, I mean I could wait for the book.” Emily offered.
“No, no. This will take some time, I will be here when it is ready. Go, Emily! Before I change my mind.”
“Very well, good night, Miranda!” Emily turned to leave.
“Good night. Oh, Emily have you sent an invitation to Professor Sachs for New York fashion week?”
“Yes, Miranda. I’m sure she has already received it.”
“Good. See you on Monday!”
Looking back over her shoulder Emily saw Miranda already pouring over the layouts, intently studying them, watching out for the slightest mistake.
Having had an early end of her day Andy was enjoying a quiet meal in her apartment. Music was playing in the background making Andy think of the last dinner she had with the Priestlys. The girls had been whipped out after their day at the zoo and even she and Miranda were thoroughly tired by the look on each others face. Thinking of their day at the zoo Andy smiled. It had been wonderful, funny and a heart warming experience. Looking at the twins and their joyful faces when they experienced all the wonderful things was a treat. Something she wouldn’t forget any time soon. Even Miranda had, at last, let down her defences and opened herself up to all the things they did and saw. The disgust on Miranda’s face when they prepared the food for the more interesting animals had been priceless.
“Good heavens, Andrea”, Miranda muttered with a disgusted look at the squirming worms in the bowl before them. “Tell me again why we have to do this.”
“Because the armadillo wants to be fed, that’s why.” Andy laughed at the older woman’s face. Taking pity on the editor, Andy touched her arm and inclined her head towards the door, asking her to follow.
“Come on, we can wait for the girls outside. They can join us when they are done.”
“Are you sure?” Miranda looked uncertainly from her daughters to Andrea.
“Of course, they are perfectly fine. Look at them, they are having fun.” Andy smiled reassuringly.
“At least one of us has.” Miranda murmured when she followed Andy out, but not silently enough for Andy not to hear.
“You don’t like it here?” Andy’s face showed her distraught she suddenly felt at Miranda’s words.
“No, I mean, yes.” Sighing at her own stupidity Miranda followed Andy towards one of the benches and sat down next to the biologist. Turning fully towards Andrea Miranda was determined to make sure Andrea understood how she indeed enjoyed this day.
“What I actually mean is, I do enjoy myself. It came out all wrong, I’m afraid, didn’t it?”
Putting her hand over the younger woman’s where it rested between them on the bench and looking at Andrea with such a serious expression it made Andy swallow visibly.
“Please, believe me when I say that I haven’t had such a good time in years. Thank you, Andrea, I do appreciate that tremendously.”
“You are welcome”, Andy smiled at Miranda’s kind words. “You sure?”
“I most definitely am.” Miranda confirmed with a small smile of her own. “But have you seen what was in that bowl?” Miranda shuddered by the mere thought of it.
“Yes.” Andy merely shrugged.
“It’s disgusting!”
“It’s what these animals eat.” Andy pointed out.
“If you say so.”
“Trust me, I know so. I’m a biologist, remember? There isn’t much that can possibly disgust me or give me the creeps.”
“Then you have never been to fashion week in Paris.” Miranda deadpanned.
This combined with Miranda’s tone caused Andy to laugh so hard she nearly fell of the bench. Seeing the younger woman’s delight Miranda’s face transformed into a full blown smile, pleased that she could trigger such a reaction from the guarded woman.
“Put yourself together, Professor. What will the other visitors think?” Miranda chastised playfully.
“Who cares”, Andy answered still chuckling. “Thank you, Miranda. That felt good.”
“My pleasure.”
“Mom!” “Andy!” The girls came running at them causing Miranda to reluctantly withdrawing her hand from Andrea.
“Hey, girls”, Andy smiled at their glee, ”are you having a good time?”
“It’s great Andy!” Cassidy confirmed for both of them.
“How about some food for us humans for a change? It’s become quite late and you two must be famished by now?”
Nodding their heads in unison Andy knew exact the place to go for the right kind of food for such an occasion.
“Miranda?”
“Well, lead the way, Professor. We are completely in your hands, so to speak.” Miranda conceded.
Getting to her feet, Andy held out her hand for Miranda to help her getting up. Looking at the offered hand then at Andrea Miranda took it and smirked at the chivalrous gesture, reminding her of the time when Andrea had taken off her jacket to put it around her shoulders to wear off the cold. This being taken care of in such an understated manner was something Miranda could get used to.
When they neared the best hot dog vendor Miranda glanced in mock disapproval at the younger woman.
“Fast food, Andrea, really.”
“Don´t even get there, Miranda”, Andy effectively stopped any objection from Miranda.
”Visiting the zoo calls for the best hot dogs you have ever eaten. Trust me, you will like them and I promise I won’t tell anybody.”
And by the look of bliss on Miranda’s face after the first bite she did enjoy them, as much as the girls did. Another mission accomplished.
“If you tell anybody about this, I’m going to kill you.” Miranda threatened playfully.
“Don’t worry, you are safe with me”, Andy promised. Knowing that no matter what, Miranda would always be safe with her. Not quite sure where this thought had come from.
“I believe you.”
“Good. Now eat up. There is still more for us to do, today.”
TBC in 8b