The Devil Wears Prada: Science of Fashion Part 16
Title: Science of Fashion (16/?)
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
16
The last week before summer was usually the most stressful one for students and their teachers and Andy was glad that it would soon be over. Only a few more days to go and she could spend her summer with her nonna in Britain. There was one other thing that was still looming over her head that she wanted to avoid at any cost but couldn’t. The sponsor’s cocktail party on Thursday evening which would also be her last day. Andy had booked a flight right after the party, the best excuse to make an early departure. She would appear, smile gracefully and thankfully and as soon as possible leave for the airport. Maybe Miranda wouldn’t attend at all and she was worrying to no avail. That woman was busy like hell. Somebody in her position had other, more important, things to do. Well, one could only hope.
Miranda was uncharacteristically nervous on the day of the cocktail party. She felt insecure, something very unusual for her. But it was an unusual situation. Never in her life had she felt so drawn to another person, another woman like Andrea. All her other relationships had been safe, never once had there been the risk of breaking her heart because her heart had never been involved. A realisation which had only dawned recently on her. Her first marriage to the girls´ father was what was expected of a woman who was climbing the ladder of success. Greg had been fairly good looking, he had been pleasant company and she even suspected he had been in love with her at some point. Although that love soon turned into something entirely different when he realised she wouldn’t change her ways for him. Miranda had worked too hard to become the editor in chief of Runway to give it all up for her husband’s sensibilities. Greg always wanted her to be what she simply couldn’t be, a stay at home wife and mother, a beautiful accessory to stroke his ego. Some trophy he could show of to his business partners, the man who had been able to capture and tame the Dragon Lady.
Their marriage was over when he realised she wouldn’t give up her career not even for being a mother. She was determined to make both work and given how well the girls had turned out she hadn’t been so bad at it after all. Greg found that a young, mouldable woman was more to his liking. His blonde secretary did nicely and when Miranda found out about it she filed for divorce which ended the misery of their marriage. The custody for the girls was hard won by Miranda, though she suspected Greg only put up a fight to annoy and anger her. It was just a way to make her pay for her shortcoming as a wife, at least in his point of view.
Stephen had been another mistake. She had thought it prudent for the girls to have some sort of father figure in their life. She couldn’t have been more wrong. To him they had only been an inconvenience, some bothersome appendage. He had been another man who thought he could turn her into a wife to his own liking. No wonder he only lasted three years.
Andrea was different though; Andrea had touched something Miranda wasn’t even aware existed. Andrea walked right through all her defences without even trying; she had made her feel cherished and special. Her children adored her and Miranda suspected the feeling was mutual. She just wished the younger woman wasn’t so afraid. Not that Miranda didn’t understand, she did, better than anybody else but it also left her insecure of what to do and how to approach the other woman. Andrea was worth the effort though, she wouldn’t give up. This was the best thing that had ever happened to her and she was damned if she let it go without a fight, no matter what it took.
With one last look at her tidy office Andy took her trolley and closed the door behind her. Kate Moran looked up from her monitor when Andy came to a stop in front of her desk.
“Everything is set”, Andy announced with a smile at the older woman.
“So I see”, Kate agreed, “your office has never been tidier.”
“I know”, the biologist said, “try as I might, I can’t seem to be able to make it stay that way. Don’t ask me why but it always ends up in ordered chaos sooner or later.”
“Chaos yes, but ordered?”
“Yes, ordered and I will deny anything else”, Andy insisted.
“If you say so , dear.”
“Yes, I do”, Andy sniffed playfully. “Is there anything I can bring you back from London, Kate?”
“Good of you to ask”, Kate said nonchalantly, sliding a piece of paper across the desk.
Andy took it with a raised eyebrow and couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped when she read what was on it.
“I should have known you would write me a shopping list”, the biologist said good humoured.
“Can’t blame a woman for trying, now can you?” Kate flirted.
“No. Consider it done.”
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome”, Andy smiled. “Now I’ll better be off. See you in September!”
“Have a nice holiday and greet your grandmother from me!” Kate waved her good bye.
“Thanks, will do.”
Miranda’s instructions to Emily had been clear, cut her telephone conference with Irv short and remind her of her appointment. That done Emily hoped there would be no more interruptions for her boss and she would be on time for the cocktail party. Just before it was time for Miranda to leave Jefferson Carlyle strolled into her office with a charming smile plastered on his face asking to speak to Miranda.
Before Emily could utter a single word of regret to the man, Miranda came out of her office asking for her coat and bag only to stop short at the presence of Jefferson Carlyle.
“Jefferson, what are you doing here?” Miranda hoped it sounded friendlier than she felt right now.
“Well, if the prophet doesn’t come to the mountain, you know the saying”, the handsome man smiled crookedly.
“Indeed”, Miranda sighed internally. Why did men always think it would be charming if they quote some inane saying? It was simply beyond her. His smile was even more irritating. It was definitely time to find another way to get Irv off her back. She had been stupid enough to think for once it would work out as a business relationship. Too bad it hadn’t, if she hadn’t been so focused on Andrea she would have realised her error sooner and the whole thing would have been over by now.
“Yes, I have meant to meet with you although your assistant has cancelled our dinner.” He explained with another charming smile.
Emily felt like rolling her eyes at the man’s attempt to charm Miranda Priestly. If she had liked him she would have felt sorry for the bloke but because she didn’t she would have liked to strangle him. Even a blind man could see that Miranda wasn’t in the least impressed by his flirtatious behaviour. If anything she was annoyed for the delay to get to the University.
“Something else came up and I’m on my way there. So if you would please excuse me”, Miranda tried to get away.
“Your appointment doesn’t happen to be the cocktail party for the sponsors of the University?” Carlyle asked coyly.
“How do you know?”
“Let’s just say the president is a good friend of mine and it came up during lunch the other day. He mentioned you would be there and thought I could accompany you.”
“How convenient”, Miranda smiled one of her fake smiles at being outmanoeuvred. Now was not the time to antagonise the man, for now she had to go along. Hopefully she would have time to talk to Andrea alone. Although by the look on Carlyle’s face she didn’t give it too much hope.
The party was already in full swing when Andy arrived. After she had left her luggage at the wardrobe she joined everybody for a drink. She spotted Pauline in a heated discussion with some of her colleagues from another department; Carl raised his own glass at her when she entered the room a victorious smile on his face. Scanning the room Andy was glad she didn’t find the one person she on the one hand desired and on the other hand avoided to see. Maybe she wouldn’t come at all, letting herself relax she joined her colleagues from the Biology department for small talk.
Anticipation at seeing Andrea again was tying Miranda’s stomach into a knot. Thank goodness Jefferson Carlyle was so full of himself that he didn’t expect her to listen to him at all. The occasional nod or agreeing sound were sufficient to keep him going and leaving her to her own thoughts. Clasping her hands in her lap Miranda was racking her brain about what to say to Andrea, how to approach her when suddenly a large hand was covering her own, causing her to jerk in surprise. What was the matter with that man? How dare he touch her? Nobody touched her like that except for her girls and Andrea. Yes, Andrea was permitted to do so. She enjoyed it and was delighted when the younger woman touched her in her careful and tender way. Never to intrude, demand or cross boundaries but always with care and reference.
Shooting him an icy glare he withdrew his hand as if he had been burned, nearly causing Miranda to laugh out loud at the expression on his face.
When they arrived Roy made sure to help Miranda out of the car having seen the look she gave her companion. He didn’t want to add to her annoyance by letting the man touch her again. Seeing her grateful look he knew it had been the right decision much to Jefferson Carlyle’s chagrin.
Upon entering the room where the party took place Miranda took in the crowd and within a few seconds she spotted the one person she was looking for. She could only see Andrea’s profile, she was wearing a fitting black Armani suit, her customary cane in hand with her hair falling partially over her face. To Miranda she had never looked more beautiful than in that moment, out of the hospital with a healthy colour to her face, back on her legs and laughing at something her conversation partners had said.
She was just getting back her bearings after one of Sharon Denford´s funny stories about one of her students when Andy suddenly felt a change in the atmosphere of the room. Turning towards the entrance Andy found the source of this change and knew she shouldn’t have been surprised. There she was, Miranda Priestly, looking as gorgeous as could be. Her silver hair perfectly coifed with that one stray lock that would stubbornly fall over her eyes, making her look even more sexy. Dressed in a black power suit with a skirt that stopped just above her knees, a blouse buttoned but still giving a hint of her cleavage under a black blazer. Gripping her cane harder Andy simply couldn’t take her eyes off Miranda. Swallowing the lump in her throat Andy realised who stood right next to the editor with a smug grin on his face. Jefferson Carlyle the man from the reception who had laughed and danced with the only woman Andy desired. What a cruel joke, indeed.
To make things worse, Miranda was coming over where she stood to greet her, a sincere smile on her lips.
“Hello, Andrea”, Miranda said in that husky voice that haunted Andy’s dreams.
“Miranda”, Andy inclined her head.
“Jefferson Carlyle”, Miranda’s companion extended his hand, forcing Andy to put her cane into her left hand.
“Andrea Sachs.“ Shaking the cool hand, Andy wondered again why she hadn’t pretended to be ill today.
Andy couldn’t help but notice how this man’s hand was neatly resting on the other woman’s waist, jealousy was rearing its ugly head. She had to remind herself that she had no right at all to feel this way.
“You were at the reception after the Fashion Week“, Carlyle said, recognition dawning.
“Yes, I was Miranda’s guest.“
They made quite a dashing couple, which didn’t mean she had to like it or even suffer through the evening any longer.
Unfortunately Mr Carlyle had other ideas; obviously he was genuinely interested in her work and engaged Andy in a lengthy conversation. While she patiently answered his questions, she felt Miranda keenly observing her.
Miranda was good at reading body language and Andrea’s spoke of irritation, discomfort and tiredness. The way she was leaning on her cane when she had turned to greet her and the fatigue in her eyes clearly showed that she had been right.
Andrea was tired, her eyes had dark circles under them and they were sad but when she had looked at Jefferson and her there had been something else there, only for a moment. Miranda wasn’t even sure it has been there at all.
But when Andrea’s eyes found hers during her conversation with Jefferson, Miranda was more than surprised at what she found there. There was so much sadness and longing in those soulful brown eyes it nearly took her breath away. Witnessing Miranda’s reaction though Andrea quickly shut down those emotions and her gaze became dull and tired again.
“As much as I enjoy our conversation, Mr Carlyle. It was a long week and I’m very tired. Would you please excuse me?“
“Of course.“
“Miranda.“
“Andrea.“
Their eyes met one last time and both women were taken by surprise by what they saw. And so was Jefferson Carlyle, which in fact didn’t sit well with him, being the man he was.
Slowly Andy made her way to the exit, it was indeed time to leave. Not only this party but also the country, at least for a while.
Asking for her coat one of the waiters helped her into it when she heard her name being called behind her.
“Professor Sachs!“
“Mr Carlyle?“
Waiting for the man to come closer Andy couldn’t fathom what else he could want from her.
There was a self-righteous annoying smile on his face.
“So you also want it.“
“What, Mr Carlyle“, Andy grew impatient with this man. “What is it I supposedly want?“
“To tame the Dragon Lady of course.“
This caused Andy to laugh out loud, when she saw the man’s confused expression she had to laugh even harder.
“What’s so goddamn funny? Don’t pretend you don’t want her, I have seen the way you looked at her. So don’t give me this shit, you would also like to tame the Dragon.“
Unbeknownst to Jefferson and Andrea Miranda had joined them near the exit. She stood hidden behind a corner, listening intently to the exchange.
“That’s the difference between you and me Mr Carlyle. I wouldn’t want to, even if I could. Because that’s part of who she is, it made her the woman she is today and I wouldn’t want her any other way. Either you learn to accept that part of her and love her the way she is or not at all. But that’s just me, plain and boring Andy. What do I know, right? Good evening, Mr Carlyle.“
Turning from the retreating back of the biologist Jefferson Carlyle found himself face to face with an infuriated Miranda Priestly. Ice was shooting from her pools of blue, nostrils flaring in anger he swallowed hard waiting for the infamous icy fire to cut him down.
“How dare you?“ Miranda hissed harshly barely above a whisper.
When he tried to defend himself she raised her hand, stopping effectively what he was trying to say.
“Don’t! Don’t even try to give me an explanation for your presumptuous ways. You know nothing about me or who I am. So don’t pretend that you do because you don’t. Get out of my eyes and never dare to disgrace me with your presence again. Did I make myself perfectly clear?“
“You are going to regret it“, Jefferson spit out in an attempt to regain some of his dignity.
“We´ll see. You are not the first and probably not the last to make such a promise.“
Pushing past the man, Miranda nearly ran towards the exit but the crowd was constantly blocking her way, slowing her down considerably. When she finally reached the exit tears of frustration where threatening to well up in her eyes as she saw Andrea climb into a taxi and drive away.
Miranda was determined to undo the damage Jefferson Carlyle had caused by his callous words but try as she might she hadn’t been able to find Andrea after the party. Wherever she looked it was to no avail, it seemed as if the younger woman had vanished.
After a week of trying Miranda called it quits. Obviously Andrea didn’t want to be found at least not by her. Not that she couldn’t understand.
Sitting in her study after another week of lonely contemplation the door opened and she was joined on the couch by her girls. Taking a seat on each side of their mother, they snuggled into her and smiled when they felt Miranda’s arms around their shoulders and kisses being pressed into their hair.
“Why are you so sad, mommy?“ Cassidy asked concerned.
“Who says I’m sad, baby?“ Miranda didn’t want them to worry unnecessarily.
“But you are“, Caroline insisted.
“It’s because of Andy, isn’t it?” Her daughters certainly knew how to get to the heart of a matter.
“Didn’t you tell her you love her?” Caroline wanted to know.
Sighing in defeat over the interrogation Miranda told them about the party, her attempt to stop Andrea from leaving and her being too late. She even told them about her fruitless attempt of finding the younger woman to talk to her.
“You are silly, mommy”, Caroline said with a roll of her eyes.
“I am?” Miranda wondered why her daughter thought her to be silly.
“Yes”, Caroline sat up to look into her mother’s questioning eyes. Her mother was really smart but sometimes she just didn’t seem to get things right. Good that they were there to set things straight.
“You couldn’t find her because she isn’t here. She went to visit her grandmother in Great Britain.” The little redhead explained patiently.
“And how do you know that?”
“She told us?” Cassidy provided helpfully.
“When?”
“When we visited her in hospital.”
“Oh.”
“So, all you have to do is go there, find Andy and tell her you love her. See, it’s easy.” Cassidy made her point.
Miranda couldn’t help but laugh at that. Put that way it was indeed easy.
“I will think about it, thank you girls.”
“Good. Can we watch a movie together, mom?”
“Why not. Go and decide which one you want to see and I’ll join you in a moment.”
“Okay!” They raced out of the study, leaving the editor to her thoughts once again.
Could it indeed be that easy? Miranda wondered once again, when she heard the distinct huff of her beloved dog who had scampered over from her resting place and was now sitting right in front of her with what could be called an encouraging look.
“Oh, please, don’t tell me you think it’s easy as well?” Miranda did not often indulge in a conversation with Patricia like this but it often helped to get her perspective right.
Another positive huff from Patricia caused Miranda to roll her eyes at the dog.
“What do you know, you are a dog?”
Cocking her head to the side Patricia looked at her mistress as if to disagree with the assessment.
“What? It’s not that easy. It really isn’t.”
Scrunching her head in a frown Patricia finally scampered off in search of the other members of her pack. Humans were simply too stubborn and stupid, why did she even bother.
“All right, I’ll think about it!” Miranda called after the dog and shook her head at herself.
“Now you are really losing it, Priestly. What’s next? Asking the spider for investment advice?”
Although she had to admit her girls did have a point after all. But how was she supposed to find Andrea? She didn’t even know her grandmother’s family name and with Irv breathing down her neck it didn’t make things easier.
Ever since the party Jefferson Carlyle had made it plain clear that he had no intention of helping her in that matter. So she was back on her own again. Nothing new with that one. Nigel was also wondering what was going on with her as he had caught on on her rather cool behaviour towards him. Of course he would, he was very perceptive in this regard and he had known her for too long to not sense something was off. She still hadn’t come to a decision as to what to do about him but she could wait. The time wasn’t right yet therefore it would hit him twice as hard when she decided to take actions for his betrayal.
Sighing at her numerous problems and seemingly insolvable troubles Miranda got up to join her daughters in the entertainment room. An evening with her girls was what she distinctly needed right now. Getting comfortable on the plush couch in front of the TV set she revelled in the fact that her daughters always enjoyed snuggling close. Lying there with one red head on her belly, the other on her shoulder and Patricia’s head on her legs Miranda smiled contentedly. Nobody would believe their eyes if they could see her like this, at least nobody from Runway. Maria would but she was family, Miranda suspected even Roy would but he didn’t count either. Emily? Perhaps. The younger woman was a constant source of surprise lately. She had proven to be a loyal friend to Andrea and her. Even though Miranda wasn’t ready to admit it she had come to like the redhead. Maybe she was even the right choice for becoming her successor one day. Emily certainly had the distinct passion for fashion and style of her own to become the next editor in chief. Yes, this was a thought worth considering in greater detail.
But for now she would enjoy the movie her daughters had chosen and the family moment with just the three of them. Well, four, given Patricia’s presence. Five sounded even better to her ears. She would do anything to make that happen.
TBC