An Unexpected Request

Chapter 11

Miranda opened the townhouse door, and her eyebrows rose in surprise and suspicion. None of the girls came to meet her, and she could hear music, in her opinion, awful, coming from the kitchen.

The woman gave a disgusted sigh.

She hung her coat in the closet under the stairs and placed her handbag on the sideboard. She then kicked off her high heels in one quick movement, and headed for the kitchen, her steps silent. Once there, Miranda stopped in the doorway, an amused smile crossing her exhausted face.

Andrea and the twins were facing the kitchen island, the three of them dancing as they took care of what appeared to be dinner. At least it smelled great.

Caroline turned to grab something from across the room when she saw her.

"Mom!" The girl squealed in delight and ran to her.

Cassidy soon did the same, and they both hugged their newcomer mother.

"Hey, Bobbseys," Miranda greeted happily and kissed the twins' red heads.

It felt good to be home. Wrapped in the loving warmth of her daughters, Miranda could disarm herself. For someone who calculated every move and spoke daily, the little moment of peace was a balm to her tired mind and soul.

In the last few months with Stephen, Miranda had always been working late or away on business engagements, in a pathetic attempt not to face another dead-end marriage. When she arrived home late at night, the girls were already in bed. Miranda knew it was unfair for her daughters to pay for another one of her wrong choices, but she couldn't shake the sense of self-preservation. With the divorce, Miranda wanted at all costs to reduce the distance between her girls and herself. Soon after, however, their illness came. Her desire to be close to her daughters was even more urgent. Since then, there hasn't been a day that Miranda Priestly hasn't reassessed her life, her priorities.

There was still time. Miranda would be the mother they needed.

Unaware of the older woman's inner conflict, Andy was embarrassed at being caught dancing like that. But at the same time, she felt an immense tenderness watching Miranda with the girls. Of realizing her confidence, and that she was really welcome in their lives.

The editor met her gaze and the two stared at each other intensely.

Miranda Priestly was not a woman to miss out on opportunities. She wouldn't miss that one.

Andy felt her body shiver and her face flush. She had the strangest feeling that a promise, of something she still didn't understand, had been made, and sealed by Miranda Priestly's determined blue-green eyes.

"Good evening, Andrea," the editor finally greeted, with a half-smile.

Andy swallowed hard. Miranda looked at her like she was a juicy steak about to be devoured.

"Go-good evening," she stammered.

Miranda's smile turned predatory.

"Mom, we didn't hear you come in!" Caroline said the obvious in happy bewilderment.

"Truth! You came home early!" Cassidy reinforced exultantly.

"I had an annoying meeting. So I decided to go back home to get away from so much incompetence. Plus, with this loud 'music', it's no wonder you didn't hear me."

Andy quickly turned off the stereo. "Dinner is ready."

Miranda gave a slight smile. It was new, and not bad, having Andrea take care of them. It was Carena's day off, and it looked like Andrea had taken on the task of feeding the Priestlys. Judging by the divine scent, the young woman would be successful.