Killer Heels and Prada

Chapter 21

  Miranda stared at the pregnancy test, and then slowly lifted her head so her eyes could meet Nigel's. "Miranda, let's be realistic here..." Miranda quickly cut him off. "Nigel this is ridiculous, I had that reaction to the eggs and the soup because I have the flu, no other reason, I'm not pregnant!" she said forcefully and Nigel shook his head. "Miranda, I'm your closest friend, so hear me out." Nigel led Miranda into the sitting room and set her down. "You are 49 years old; women older than you have had babies before. I know for a fact you haven't yet gone through menopause, because RUNWAY has not turned into an igloo yet, although I'm sure when that time comes everyone will just put it down to your being a snow queen." Nigel gently joked, and Miranda glared. "Now, you did have sex with James did you not?" Miranda continued to glare at Nigel, but he held firm and finally she nodded her head. "All right, now have you had your monthly yet?" he asked gently. Miranda's eyes widened as she slowly realized that in fact she couldn't remember the last time she had had her period. She shook her head no and Nigel sighed. "Go on gorgeous, go and take the test." Nigel said indicating the box she held in her hand. Miranda pursed her lips, but got up off the couch and walked down the hall to the bathroom.

3 minutes seemed to take forever. Miranda paced back and forth in the sitting room and Nigel watched her. "This is ridiculous Nigel, I mean come on, It's a very simple explanation, I do indeed have the flu, after all I was around two sick daughters for the past few weeks. In addition to that, as you yourself pointed out, I am 49 years old, and while I have not gone through menopause yet, this could very well be the beginning stages." Nigel sighed, he had thought about that possibility too. "That's why we have the test Miranda, to make sure." He said gently. Miranda looked at her watch and felt her stomach jump. Then she lifted her other hand, which held the test. Nigel got up and stood next to her, and then they both looked at the reading that had just appeared. A single word flashed 'Pregnant' Miranda gasped and Nigel put his arm around her. "Everything will be alright Miranda, and you know it will." He said. "How is everything going to be all right Nigel? The father of my unborn child is God knows where on a dangerous assignment, and he made it very clear that we should not see each other." Miranda said sarcastically. "You need to call your aunt and inform her, I'm sure she can contact James." Nigel said. Miranda shook her head. "Not yet. I will, but just not yet, I need some time to think first." Miranda said. "No, you need to figure this out now. Before you start to show and the press gets wind of everything Miranda. I don't care what time it is in London you call her now." Miranda looked at her watch. It was just after six which meant it was around one in the morning in London. Miranda nodded. She got her cell and scrolled to her aunt's number and pressed call.

She sat down on the couch and Nigel sat down next to her. "Hello? Miranda?" M said in a groggy voice. "Who else would it be with my number?" Miranda snapped. "Miranda what's wrong?" M said obviously now wide awake. "I need to see James or at least speak to him immediately. It's important." Miranda said. "Darling, James is on assignment, I cannot let you have any contact with him. Even so what would be so important that you would need to see him?" M asked. Miranda took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant." She said her voice firm. "You're what?!" M shouted. Miranda removed the phone from her ear. "I do not wish to repeat myself, I'm quite certain you heard me the first time." Miranda said. M sighed. "I'm supposing James is the father?" "Yes." Miranda replied. "Under the circumstances, I will contact James and tell him you wish to speak to him. I will call you back shortly with the designated time of the call." "Thank you." Miranda said and hung up the phone. She glanced at Nigel and his phone started to ring. He answered. "Hello? You have got to be kidding me! Alright, I'm on my way." He shook his head and looked at Miranda. "Crisis in the art department." Nigel said and stood up. "I'm sorry, I have to go and take care of it." Miranda stood and nodded her head in understanding. "Everything will be fine." He said.
~*~
M sat in her office for a few minutes and thought. "I knew they had been intimate from the video on the plane I received, but this is not something I imagined. James can't know, if he does he will jeopardize himself and Miranda, and.....the baby." M shook her head. "No James can't find out, I will not let him hurt Miranda." She said to herself and the decision being made she picked up the phone and dialed her niece's number.