Medical leave (a Mirandy fanfic)

Chapter 5: A new addition to the household

As Miranda went through the paperwork on the kitchen isle, ocasionally answering her phone and lashing at someone on the other end of the line, Andy sitted quietly, cupping the coffee mug and chewing the cheese sandwich. It was such a rare but cozy scenery. Both women, together in the townhouse kitchen, just keeping company, almost... domestic.

Andy finished her coffee and got up to wash the mug.

-"Andrea, leave it like that. Cara will take care of it later" - Miranda pointed out looking at the brunette over the rim of her glasses. And Andy thought she was damn hot.

-"I can do it. Really, Miranda, I appreciate your concern but I'm fine"

_"Mh-um" - the editor assented begrudgingly. She took her glasses off and  propped them on the table - "Come along, dar-... Andrea" - the older woman stunned herself at her slip, was she about to call Andrea darling? A light blush crept upon her cheeks but she swiftly spun on her heels and headed to the staircase, grabbing the bag Janette had brought -  "Come along. I'll show you your room"

-"Ah, Miranda, I really appreciate this. Don't think I don't but I- uh... I'll be fine, I mean...I uh "

-"Andrea, you're rambling"

-"S-sorry!"

-"Plus, I though we had already settled this. You'll stay here for as long as necessary" - Miranda stated as they reached the first floor - "You'll be staying in the first floor guests room, my room is right across the hallway. The one on the second floor is larger though I'd rather keep you close... In case you need anything that is" - she prompted to add, opening the door- " The girls' rooms are at the end of the hallway" - continued, beckoning the opposite way - "Cassidy left, Caroline right. Just in case"

-"Thank you, Miranda" - she rushed inside the room, not wanting to make the editor wait. Yes, the room was pretty and cozy, painted in shades of beige with details in ocean blue, a large bed crowned the center of the room, the central heating enveloped the ambiance with a welcomed warmth and the balcony that peeked from behind flowing curtains looked inviting (was it not the end of a freezing November). But it was the hostess Andy found marvelous and astounding. Andrea still had troubles coming to terms with what was happening. Miranda Priestly, the Dragon Lady, the Ice Queen, Devil in Prada, a woman deeply jelous of her privacy, urged her to stay in her house, with her family, to take care of her, Andrea Sachs, a lowkey assistant. Yeah... twilight zone ahead- "It's a beautiful room. Thank you"

-" Great then" - she answered and set the bag on a downy chaise lounge near the bed- "I have to go back to Runway either to approve of the new run through and lay out or to fire the entire art department. Honestly, the incompetence" - she rolled her eyes and Andy smirked amused. She walked past the younger woman and gave her good arm a gentle squeeze - "You'll find several outfits in the bag, the bathroom is stocked with everything you need. Might you need anything else, let me now. Make yourself at home, I hope I'll be back soon. Take care"

-"Yes, you too, Miranda" - Andy gave her one of her signature smiles and Miranda exited the room. As she closed the door a slight smile grazed her lips, she chastised herself for feeling like a giddy school girl at having her young, beautiful assistant there.

 Andy unzipped the bag and started putting the clothes on hangers and in the closet. She would have to get used to working with a single arm and why not starting now?. There was a shy knock on the door.

-"Come in" - two wild red manes peeked from behind the door- "Hey, girls, what's up? Your mom just left" -

-"Yeah, we know. We wanted to know how are you feeling" - Caroline queried as they both stepped inside - 

-"Oh, I'm ok. I mean, sometimes I still try to move my arm and it hurts a lot but I guess is a matter of habit"

-"Mom told us to remind you to take you meds at five o'clock" - Cassidy added-

-"Oh, right, the painkillers. I'll set an alarm so I won't... - Andy groped herself for her phone and looked around the room - "Where's my...?"

-"Your purse is downstairs. I'll get it" - said Caroline, rushing for it - 

-"Andy..." - Cassidy almost whispered

-"Yes, Cass?" - Andy offered her a sincere smile that the redheads brought out naturally in her

-"I'm sorry" - Cassidy continued brokenly, tears rimming her eyes - 

-"Whatever for, Cass?" - Andy asked, kneeling in front of the girl and holding her to her chest as Cassidy started to tremble lightly, a sob escaping ocasionally.

-"I was distracted, I was not paying attention. E-even though mom always tells us to keep our eyes open when crossing the street. I was careless and now you're hurt" - Cassidy hiccuped through the sentence and finally released her tears-

-"No, no, no, sweety. Listen, it was not your fault. It was an accident, ok? And accidents happen aaall the time. I'm so glad you both are ok that I'd do it again if it was necessary. Don't cry, please" - she cooed the girl as she felt a second pair of arms circling her waist - 

-"We were worried" - Caroline said as she hid her face in Andrea's back.

-"It's ok, girls. Really. I'll recover in no time and we'll take Patty for a walk" - she said hugging both girls and caressing their fiery locks - 

-"Really?" - they both asked. Their timing was scary, but Andy had gotten used to it-

-"Yup, and I'll take you to that yogurt ice cream shop I talked about" 

-"Yaaay" - both whoopped -

-"Now, let me put these clothes in the closet. I'll be with you in a moment" -she said picking up her phone to set the alarm-

-"Would you help us with our astronomy project?" - Caroline asked

-"Oh, could you read my English essay? I'm stuck with it" - Cassidy pouted. Seriously, these girls were gorgeous, Andy thought shaking her head. 

-"Sure. Go get your stuff and I'll be right there"

-"Ok" - both responded before storming out of the room - 

-"Andy..." - a second later, Cassidy poked her head through the door - 

-"Yes, Cass?"

-"We really like you"

-"Thanks, Cass. I like you too"

-"And do you like mom as well?" - Andy gulped, but she knew better than to lie to them. Seriously, the girls were a human lie detector.

-"Of course, I like you all... a lot" - Cassidy grinned, satisfied with the answer she disappeared - 

Oh yes, Andrea Sachs liked Miranda Priestly as well. Andrea Sachs liked Miranda a lot and it was not a simple hero worship as they called it at Runway. She had fallen hard for the older woman. And even if it was only as an assistant, she wanted to be in her life.