Medical leave (a Mirandy fanfic)

Chapter 6: A hard day's night

It was almost 9 PM and Miranda had just gotten in the car. Runway was hectic despite Nigel's best efforts but chaos was inherent this time of the year. By the time she had arrived, Emily had already consumed double her cheese cubes daily dose, Jocelyn (another manic member of the art department, responsible for the run through) was panicking over the silliest choices and make-up artist Serena seemed to be the only one in her right mind. Luckily, prcatically everything was solved and the December issue was going to be glorious and in time, as always. 

Miranda closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, tossing her head backwards to rest on the car seat. The more she tried to encourage autonomy in her employees, the more they panicked. She was dealing with a staff full of kindergarten children, except for a few people she trusted but could be counted on the fingers of one hand (one of them had a broken arm and was, unfortunately, unavailable right now). 

-"Miranda, we're here" - Roy was holding the door opened. The editor wasn't sure when they'd arrived or for how long Roy had been staring at her with a questioning look. Nor she cared - 

-"Thank you, Roy. You can leave. I will  not be expected at the office until tomorrow... or so I hope" - added, sighing - 

-"Of course, Miranda. Have a good night. And call me in case Andy needs anything"

-"Thank you, Roy. Good night" 

Miranda entered the townhouse and a muffled laughter and a pair of familiar giggles filtered from the living room. Walking farther she came face to face with the strangest picture. Andrea Sachs was helping her daughters with their astronomy project, which seemed to be a mockup of the Solar System. Sitting on the floor, the brunette held two styrofoam balls in her hand while instructing Cassidy how to embed the miniature planet on a wire structure, and Caroline happily applied the final touch to what looked like Jupiter. The three of them were covered in glitter and Miranda coudln't remember when she had last seen her girls so enthusiastic about something school related. She cleared her throat to make her presence known.

-"Oh, hi, mom" - Caroline greeted, swaying her mini Jupiter-

-"We didn't hear you entering" - Cassidy said with a bright smile - 

-"I can see. Now, pray tell, why are you covered in glitter?" - both twins looked at each other in complicity - 

-"Oh, uh, cosmic dust I guess" - Andy stated seriously before a peal of laughter emerged from the twins. Miranda arched an eyebrow trying to refrain from laughing by pursing her lips.

-"Very well, Andrea. If you're quite finished playing the NASA, put that away and let's have dinner" - the young woman blushed profusely as Miranda turned around and strode towards the kitchen, before  a smile managed to break free -

Cara had made a delicious lasagna. Knowing how much the brunette loved pasta (well, carbs in general), she had prepared it wanting to cheer her up. She knew how wonderful the girl was, and how important she was for the twins... and Miranda. Even though the latter would never admit it, Cara could see how appreciated Andrea's presence was in the Editor's life. She had caught her more than once staring at her assistant while pretending to go through paperwork, she also noticed  how the silver-haired woman gladly  allowed Andrea to invade her personal space without complaining once (which was surprising considering Cara had actually heard her several times seething about how clingy Stephen was, which only worsen when he was drunk).

Dinner went over in a familiar environment. It was not an unusual sight in the household, since Andrea staying for dinner became normal when she started to work until late with the editor. The plates were emptied with hums of satisfactions and mutual remindings of telling Cara how good it was. Soon, the twins retired  to their bedroom and both women were left alone. As Miranda finished clearing the table and put the kettle on the stove, she noticed Andrea rubbing her neck intently and trying to stretch her left trapezious.

-"Does it hurt?" - Andrea snapped her head straight

-"Ah, a bit. Everything is starting to hurt now. I didn't notice I was so tense" - the brunette responded rubbing her neck.

-"Mmh, indeed. I'll make you a herbal tea and then we'll see what we can do about that"

-"Uh, ok" - Andy answered, nervously drumming her fingers on the isle and watching Miranda approach. It was a feline walk, delicate and enticing. Andrea had never thought a human being could make such an spectacle out of something as simple as walking. But Miranda breathed and emanated elegance and finesse.

-"Andrea..." - Miranda said as she laid a hand on top of Andrea's -

-"Yes, Miranda?" - she looked down to take in the image of her hand enveloped in the warmth of Miranda's-

-"Thank you" - she continued, entwining their fingers - "The girls told what happened and I just... thank you" - she squeezed her hand as if not wanting to let go - "What you did today, I can't... I'll never be able to thank you enough. If something had happened to any of you I don't know how I'd... " - Miranda took Andrea's hand in both of her hands and a hurtful grimace  shone in her eyes - 

Andrea got off the stool and stood closer to the editor, holding one of her hands.

-"Hey, it's ok. We are ok and I would do it again if it was necessary. I have no regrets." - she stated smiling - " Except maybe this blouse which I adored and was mercilessly ripped by the doctors" -  she shrugged instinctively and then winced at the pain.

-"A shame indeed, cerulean suits you quite well" - Miranda remarked, fiddling unconsciously with the collar of the blouse-

-"You didn't think the same when you first saw me" - the brunette observed with a side smirk

-"Oh, Andrea. No colour would suit you with that heinous  sweater you were wearing" - Miranda retorted in mocked indignation and adjusted the collar - 

The whistling kettle extracted the couple from their little bubble and Miranda snatched her hand away from its precious closeness to Andrea's skin. 

-"Have a seat, I'll make us some tea. It's late and tomorrow will be as hectic as today"

-"I could go with you" - Andrea trailed off as Miranda raised a warning brow - "Or I could assist you from here" - Andrea smiled pleadingly - 

-"Mmh, we'll see about that. Bring your cup upstairs, I'll run you a quick bath, you still have glitter on your hair" - Miranda smiled fondly -