Medical leave (a Mirandy fanfic)

Chapter 7: a member of the family

Andy had a wonderful night of deep sleep. After Miranda had lavished her with a wonderful bath (graced with camomille and lavender natural oils)  and had helped her look for the best way to adjust in bed, which was not so difficult in such spacious and downy bed, the brunette had then drifted off into a much needed slumber, surrounded by scents she recognised as the editor's.

At 6:30 AM her alarm went off and she almost jumped out of bed, trying to turn it off so as not to disturb anyone. Not like everyone enjoyed being brought to consciousness by James Brown screaming that he felt good, but it was certainly an appropiate song to starttle and extricate Andrea off bed. She tossed the sheets and covers aside and prepared to face the day (thanks God for Miranda's central heating, that made it so much easier to leave the bed). She wrapped the fluffy robe around her and over the arm sling as best as she could and walked downstairs, Miranda was already sitting at the kitchen isle, fully clothed and ready to start the day. Reading the newspaper and sipping her coffee, she dedicated a small smile to the brunette as she entered.

-"Good morning, Andrea. How are you feeling?" - she crooned as she took in the image of the young woman, wrapped precariously in the velvety fluffy robe, tousled hair and a light rubor remaining from the bed warmth. Not a morning person at all, Miranda thought, but how she'd love to help her wake up. The editor grinned mischeviously.

-"Good morning, Miranda" - Andrea answered with a wide smile of her own - "Much better, thank you. I-I didn't know it was late, I'll go change and be rig..." - Miranda cut her off lifting her hand and approached her. Stepping well into the brunette's personal space, she carefully adjusted the robe's neck and tightened its belt.

-"I'am going to the office just in time, as always. But you will stay here"

-"I-uhm..." - Andy tried to argue but it was quite difficult to come up with a response when Miranda was so very near her. She could smell the waft of perfume coming from the older woman and a hint of lavender. Andy smiled internally knowing that in some way they both shared the essence-

-"Here's what we'll do. You'll stay and will support me from here, contact Emily and she'll give you remote access to your computer. But really, Andrea, you should be on medical leave"

-"It's fine. I'll take it after the issue is finished" - Andy reassured, looking her in the eyes. She was so beautiful, even early in the morning Miranda managed to look astonishing. Andy would bet that her wake up look must be just as beautiful-

-"Very well, the girls will wake up in half an hour and Cara is already on her way. Come, you'll be working from the den"

Miranda provided her with everything she'd need for the day, once Andrea was settled they went through the schedule together, making modifications when necessary. The brunette was getting the hang of working with one hand. Soon it was 7:20 AM and Miranda had to leave for Runway.

-"Very well, in case you need anything Cara will help you. Feel free to take a break when you feel like it, after all you're injured even if you deny it" -Miranda said placing her hand on Andrea's shoulder and developping a serious look- "I mean it, Andrea. The more you rest, the sooner you'll go back to Runway"

-"Yes, Miranda. I'll be fine" - Andy smiled reassuringly. Miranda leaned forward and placed a kiss on Andy's cheek-

-"I'll take your word then. Goodbye" - and just like that, she walked out leaving behind a very shocked Andrea Sachs.

The day went smoothly and when minor complications showed up, Andy and Janette were able to solve them on the spot, keeping in touch by video call. Andy took a break to have lunch with Cara and then waited for the girls to arrive home. They would be back a bit later since Caroline had soccer practice and Cassidy called saying she would be at a friend's. The truth is she was getting bored. She finished the last pages of Jane Eyre and prepared some tea, she was starting to miss all the chaos at Runway. To be more precise, she was starting to miss Miranda.

The girls finally got back home and after a shower, both settled with Andy in the den. They plopped on the  rug near the fireplace as Caroline played on her Nintendo and Cassidy read a book. They silently kept Andy company. Used to not seeing their mother until late in the evening, having someone else to hang out (aside from Cara and Patricia) was well appreciated. Time flew, Cara bid them goodbye and when they noticed, Miranda was opening the front door. The three women went to meet her, while the twins enveloped their mother in a tight hug, Andy went to the closet to hang the editor's coat.

-" Andrea, I can very well hang my coat though if you insist in using your teeth as a replace for your hand, I could have Patricia impart some lessons on that matter" - Miranda raised an amused eyebrow seeing the stuborn young woman struggling with the coat-

-"Iss-shiokei-i" - she mumbled as she adjusted the garment properly with her  hand while holding the hanger between her teeth - "See? Perfectly fine?" - she replied with a proud smile, lifting the hanger in her left hand. The twins gigled and Miranda rolled her eyes - 

-"Honestly, Andrea"

Dinner was Miranda's favourite. No, not coq au vin as was the popular belief (that had lead the sycophants to repeatedly regaling Miranda with coq au vin based meals and at one point in the whole debacle, Miranda had decreed to her housemaid a ban on the dish). Though she liked it, there was another meal she secretely enjoyed: beef Wellington. Once the family was over with dinner, the twins barged back into the kitchen with a proposal.

-"Mom" - both said in unison-

-"Yes, bobbseys?"

-"What about we play a game?" - Cassidy suggested - 

Miranda stalled and arched an eyebrow. The Priestly women were competitive and by nature, none of them liked to lose. 

-"And what game have you thought about?" -Miranda enquired - 

-"Well, we have Pictionary but, hum... " - both looked at Andy and the brunette gave them an apologetic smile - "How about.... UNO?" - Caroline continued with an evil undertone, and Cassidy looked at her with mischief

-"Ooooh" - Miranda said, realisation dawning on her-" So you want me to mope the floors with you? I will not have mercy just because you are my daughters" - Miranda raised the bet - 

- "Ha, we'll see about that. Meet us in the living room for your doom, ladies" - Caroline sassed and Cassidy crossed her arms before exiting the kitchen - 

-"Come along, Andrea. I have a game to win" - Miranda said and winked at her. Andy shook her head and followed along - 

An hour and a half later, neither  the twins nor Andrea managed to win a single round. Seriously, Miranda was the Devil. When it looked like someone else was going to win, she somehow turned the tables and managed to scream "UNO" and before you realised, she had won.

-"What on Earth, mom? Why green?" -Caroline huffed - 

-"Because it'll be a spring blast. Go on, play" - she smirked when Caroline took from the deck-

-"Ugh, awful" - Cassidy added placing a green five on top and Andrea took from the deck as well. Miranda dropped a turn around card and Andy picked up a card again. Afterwards, both twins discarded mild cards.

-"Andrea, it's not personal. Just want you to know that" - but Miranda's grin stated that she was enjoying this way too much - 

-"How many?" - the brunette asked, resigned - 

-"Oh, just two, not that much... oh, and "UNO" - she said looking around and the twins rolled their eyes. Before anyone could stop it, Miranda won... again

-Seriously, mom..." - Cassidy's statement was interrupted by a yawn and Caroline rubbed her eyes

-"Ok, it's been quite enough for today. To bed with you two" - she placed a kiss on each girl's forehead as Andrea gathered the cards and put them back in the box.

-"I think I'll go to bed as well" - Andrea said getting up - "My neck is starting to hurt"

-"Of course, have a g-good..." -  the editor trailed off as Andrea approach and pecked her softly on her cheek - "...night" 

-"Good night, Miranda" - Andy turned around and happily climbed the stairs to her room -