Medical leave (a Mirandy fanfic)

Chapter 3: Pulling through the day

When the clock marked half past two, Miranda was squirming restlessly with worry. No news from Andrea, she should have already been back to Runway. The ringing of her cell phone extracted her from her tribulations. Lifting her cell phone, she checked the screen and saw the caller was Andrea and answered inmediately after the second ring.

-"Andrea, where on Earth are you? You should have been here fifteen minutes ago" - she chastised, hoping annoyance would mask her worry.

-"Miranda, it's  me, Roy"

-"Roy?"- Miranda was positively thrown aback, not only she was not expecting the hoarse voice of her chauffeur to answer, but this had to mean that there was a reason for Andrea not to take her call in person - "Did something happened?" - she asked cautiously, praying that the silly girl had just forgotten her phone in the car.

-"Miranda, we're at the Presbyterian. Andy had an accident and I took her straight here. The girls are ok, I'll take them home as soon as..."

-"How's Andrea?" - Miranda cut him off, she'd heard all she needed. Getting up from her chair she started collecting her things and within seconds she was demanding Janette her coat.

-"The doctors are examining her right now. Nothing serious but she took a bad landing and might have broken her arm"

-"I'll be there in twenty minutes" - she hanged up and told her second assistant to cancel all her appointments for the afternoon and to deliver the book electronically. The elevator ride never felt so long, she stalked through the main hall and reach the street. Halting a taxi just in time.

-"If you take me to the Presbyterian in ten minutes without killing us both, I'll double your tariff" -she stated, and that was all the encouragement the driver needed. Before she knew, they were speeding  towards destination.

At the Presbyterian, Roy and the twins were finally allowed into the examination room. Andrea was sitting near the window while a nurse gave her an intramuscular shot on her left arm, and her right arm (now bare from clothing, since the sleeve of her precious Donna Karan blouse had been ripped off) was carefully wrapped in an arm sling. Once the nurse was done, she bid goodbye and the doctor spoke:

-"Well, Andy, you sure took a lousy landing. We did some x-rays and the bone isn't completely broken but it sustained considerable impact that led to a fracture. As I said, is not entirely broken so you won't need surgery  but you'll need to wear the arm sling for at least three weeks"

-"What? Three weeks? But that's entirely too much, I can't... my work... plus, this is one of the busiest moments of the year I can't..."

-"Yes, you can" - interrupted the unmistakable voice and all the people in the room turned their heads to see the Editor, ellegantly perched in the doorstep. Entering the room, she continued - "I'm sorry for the delay, traffic is hectic at this time of the day. I'm Miranda Priestly, Doctor...?"

-"Ferguson. Doctor Anthony Ferguson at your service. I was just explaining Andy the measures she'll have to take regarding her fracture"

-"Miranda? When... How did you get here?" -Andy inquired

-"I took a taxi, of course. Now, regarding this fracture..." - Miranda continued to talk to doctor Ferguson but Andy was not listening anymore. First she scapes the clutches of Death and now Miranda Priestly takes a taxi? Had she smacked her head and was dellusional or maybe, experienced interdimensional travel?

-"... and as I said, you'll have to avoid movement for three weeks. Only at week four you'll be able to take the sling off and begin with light exercises. I'll prescribe you painkillers and anti-inflammatories, as well as a balm that works wonders on bruises. Your hip and thigh will recover in no time" - he said as he handed the prescription and a card to Miranda - "If something arises, call me. Fractures may be tricky"

-"Of course, thank you" - as Miranda thanked the doctor, Roy helped Andy to the exit and the girls took her purse. Shortly after, their mom joined them in the car - "To the townhouse, Roy" - Andy wasn't sure why she had indicated the townhouse as their destination, but felt devoided of all force to ask, she just wanted to get somewhere where she could plop on the bed. The events of the day were settling in and Andy knew she must look horrible by now. She hadn't recovered her sugar levels after the fright that overcame her when realising how close to death they had been. The girls, oh if something happened to those precious girls she wouldn't forgive herself ever. The nausea wouldn't leave her and a slight sheen of sweat covered her forehead, she was shivering even when the car heating was on.

She was staring pointedly at the car upholstery when a warm hand came to rest atop her good arm and other hand cupped her face.

-"Andrea... - the Editor spoke tentatively, giving her left arm a gentle squeeze - "look at me"

The young assistant raised her head to meet clear blue eyes. What she found was pure concern and her chest filled with affection at the sight of Miranda's soft, unguarded eyes.

-"What happened? Tell me, please" - ok, now Miranda was talking ever so softly to her and caressing her face with a feather-like touch. Yup, she must have already died and gone to paradise.

-"I... I don't know, we were crossing the street and I saw something. B-but it came fast, I- I could only push Caroline and took Cassidy, but I... I fell. I can't... - she choked on a sob and the tears she was keeping at bay, flowed unrestrictedly.

-"She saved us, mom" - Cassidy intervened

-"Yeah, some idiot almost ran over us but Andy was faster. She avoided the car"- Caroline added. Was it other time, the expletive would have earned her an earful from her mother, but now Miranda only stared at her Andrea, crying nonstop and choking on sobs that tore Miranda's heart apart. Paller than usual, she looked so tired, so fragile, so small... this state didn't become the beautiful woman at all. She wanted nothing more than to take her in her arms and kiss her lightly, assuring her that everything would be okay, until she drifted off. 

-"Girls, it's ok" - she said turning to her daughters - "It's ok" - she whispered turning back to Andrea and wiping the tears with her thumb. The car came to a halt and Roy rushed to open the door, Cara was already waiting in the porch (warned beforehandedly by Miranda during her ride in the taxi). The girls took her mother's and Andrea's purses, while Miranda wrapped her coat around the brunette - "You're shivering, does it hurt if I put it on like this?"

-"No, it's ok. Thank you, Miranda" - the young woman shook her head and gave her a half-hearted smile. So unlike Andrea, the editor thought as she tucked a stranded tress behind her hear

- "Come on in, darling. It's been a long day" - the term of endearment tumbled out unnoticed by its author as she helped her out of the car and into the house. She ushered Andrea inside with her hand on the small of the brunette's back, and Andy found the touch very warm and welcome. Miranda stopped briefly at the door to thank and dismiss her driver, asking him to keep an eye on his phone.

-"Of course, Miranda. Bye, Andy. Take care"

-"Goodbye, Roy. Thank you... I mean it"

-"No problem, Andy. Rest assured" - he hopped back into the car and started the engine as the front door closed. 

-"You are not going back to Runway?" -Andy asked as Miranda took the coat and hang it in the closet.

-"Maybe later. Now, come with me. I assume you haven't had lunch and you can't take your medication on an empty stomach. I already sent a picture of the prescription to Janette and she should be here any minute now"

-"How? When?..." - Andy sttutered

-"On our way here, of course. But you seemed deeply interested in my car upholstery" - the brunette blushed profusely at the remark.

-"So... you do know her name" - the first assistant probed, smiling shily.

-"Of course I do know her name. Honestly, Andrea. I know everything that happens at Runway, and that includes knowing my employees' names" - she gave her a side-smirk that arose in Andy an uncontrollable desire to kiss the smugness out of her face - "Now, how about a snack?"