widdy26

 

FF: Housesitter –
Part 4/4

Author: Widdy

Disclaimer:  I don't own the Devil Wears Prada, Miranda or
Andy. I also don’t own the film Housesitter, unfortunately someone else does so
I'm just borrowing them and I will return them after I'm done.

Rating: PG

Feedback: Yes feel
free to feed me.

Pairing: Andrea/Miranda

Summary: When
successful architect Miranda Priestly’s lover Stephen suddenly decides that
their relationship is not working. Their dream house becomes nothing more than
a monument to his rejection. That is until a chance encounter with a waitress
turns her life upside down.

A/N: I have
always loved the movie and I have been playing with this idea for months. I
have changed some aspects to fit this story. This if the final part, I hope
everyone has enjoyed the little journey. This part contains mention of physical
abuse that might be upsetting to some readers if that is you them please avoid.

 

 

 

Part 4

 

Walking through the front door Miranda made her way into the
house. Scanning the immediate area Miranda quickly spotted the object of her
thoughts.

“Hi.” Andy smiled as she watched Miranda make her way
towards the dining table.

Miranda paused briefly to place her jacket, bag and laptop
upon the dining room table. As she placed her hands on her hips Miranda gazed
angrily at the array of gift wrapped boxes spread all over the surface. She
vowed to return each and everyone when this ordeal was over and done with.

“Look what Aunt Millie and Uncle John sent us.” Andy said as
she held aloft an erotic sculpture of two women.

“Nice.” Miranda replied with a wince as she imagined her Aunt
Millie, who was in her late eighty’s buying the sculpture.

 Miranda continued to
watch as Andrea opened the boxes, her face lighting up like a child at Christmas
with each new gift. Even though she knew what she did about Andrea, Miranda
couldn’t quite let go of her anger.

“I went to The Sofia for lunch today.” Miranda said casually
as she rounded the table and stepped closer to Andrea.

Miranda saw Andrea’s body stiffen as she opened another box,
“You did?”

“I did,” Miranda nodded, “and you would never believe who I
bumped into when I was there.”

 “Ronald Macdonald?”
Andy replied casually as she pulled a hand blown vase from the box.

“Close.” Miranda smirked, “Your ex-roommate, Lily.”

Andy placed the vase on the table and licked her lips and
asked, “How is Lils?”

“Oh she’s great,” Miranda responded as she reached out to
stop Andrea from grabbing another gift. “She was worried about you though. Can
you imagine her surprise and hurt when she gets home from her night out and
finds you gone?”

“Didn’t she get my note?” Andy asked as she pulled her hand
from Miranda’s grasp and walked away from the table.

“No, funny that isn’t it?” Miranda asked as she followed Andrea,
“What’s even funnier was when I informed her of how she had walked in on us
naked.”

“You didn’t?” Andy threw over her shoulder.

“Oh I did,” Miranda nodded angrily, “and can you imagine my surprise
when I slapped a perfectly innocent young waitress across the face for being a
homophobe.”

“You hit Lily?” Andy asked as she stopped and turned towards
Miranda.

“Yes!” Miranda screamed.

“For me?” Andy asked with a small smile.

She couldn’t believe that Andrea’s was interested whether
she had slapped her friend for her. “Yes, I slapped a totally innocent woman.”

“I know,” Andy nodded, “but still no one has ever done
anything like that for me before.

Miranda ground her teeth and threw up her hands, “I didn’t
know that you had lied, but considering our track record I should never had taken
what you said at face value.”

She felt her anger surge as Andrea turned and walked out of
one of the open windows. Miranda quickly followed; there was no way she was
letting Andrea run away from this, from her.

 “I just can’t believe
that you lied about having nowhere to go, this whole thing has been one big
sham.” Miranda hurled at Andrea’s back.

The younger woman didn’t stop and Miranda followed as she
walked out onto the grassy area at the front of the house.

“Lily knows quite a bit about you Andrea.” Miranda called
out causing Andy to stop and bow her head.

“I don’t want to talk about this.” Andy said firmly.

“Why not?” Miranda questioned refusing to stop, “Lily was
happy to talk, she told me all about you Andrea.”

Andy shrugged her shoulders, “She could have been lying.”

“She could have been,” Miranda agreed, “but somehow I don’t
think she was. She came across as very honest, unlike you.”

Miranda watched as Andrea clenched her fists, her knuckles turning
white with pressure.

“You have no proof what she told you was the truth.”

“That sounds like a defensive answer,” Miranda tilted her
head to the side, “but she didn’t have a reason to lie to me.”

“She could be trying to get back at me.” Andy offered.

“No, she was genuinely concerned for your safety. She told
me how you two grew up in the same foster home in Toledo. She told me how your Mother
left you that at age six, and that from the time you were eight all you used to
do was run away. She told me that no sooner had you gone, than the police were
dragging you back.”

“This is all very interesting.” Andy noted as she started to
walk back towards the house.

“She told me about Nate, your knight in shining armour.”
Miranda called to Andy’s back causing her to stop dead. Miranda sighed as she
stared at Andy’s rigid back. The story that Lily had told her was anything but pleasant.

“She told me how you were seventeen and in love, she told me
how he swept you off your feet and how in a week you were married and off to California.”Miranda
shook her head and the continued, “She told me how he had all these big plans
of how he was going to open his own restaurant, but instead he ended up
flipping burgers and drinking his way to an early grave.”

“I’m not listing to this.” Andy growled before she started
to move again.

“She told me how he got you pregnant Andrea.” Miranda called
out softly.

“Don’t” Andy stopped, turned and half warned, half pleaded
with Miranda. “Please don’t.”

Miranda moved her head from side to side. She wouldn’t stop,
she couldn’t stop. She would not allow Andrea to run away from this, she knew
the younger woman had to stop running away from her past. She had to stop
running away from her pain.

“She told me how when you were four months pregnant he beat
you so bad that you had a miscarriage.” Miranda paused, her voice trailing off
as she tried to shake the image the words invoked. “She told me how he left you
broken and bleeding on the floor of your apartment and if it hadn’t been for
the landlord looking for rent you would have died there.”

Miranda stared into Andrea’s eyes. She could see the raw
pain that Andrea held. She knew it had always been there, she had just missed
it, or been so caught up in her own little world that she had refused to see
it.

“She told me how you float around the country, not staying
in one place for more than a few months. She told me how you haven’t touched
another man since then. She told me how you weave this web of lies to protect
yourself, because you think that if it isn’t real you can’t get hurt. How you
think that no one can hurt you again, not like Nate.”

Andrea looked away, “it doesn’t make a difference.”

“Doesn’t make a difference?” Miranda asked shocked that
Andrea was willing to just dismiss all that had been aired. “What difference
doesn’t it make? God Andrea it’s the difference between fact and fiction,
between real and unreal, the deference between human interaction and fucking
bullshit.”

Miranda watched as Andrea shrugged her shoulders and turned
her head away. 

“You know just for once Andrea, tell me the truth, tell me
why you did all this, why did you come here?” Exasperated Miranda threw up her
hands, she wasn’t really angry with Andrea anymore.

“I just wanted to see what it would be like to live in the
picture.” Andy confessed eventually, “Not just the house,” Andy paused her lip quivering,
“but the town, the people, the life. You have everything I have ever wanted.”

Miranda didn’t say anything. There was nothing she really
could say.

“You have a perfect life.” Miranda shook her head in
disagreement as Andrea nodded.

“You do, you have parents who love you so much, and friends.
I don’t even know who my Father is, or if he and my Mother are alive. Everyone
in town would go out of their way to help you. I grew up in a foster home; only
Lils ever gave a shit about me and look at how I treated her. Seriously Miranda
you don’t know how lucky you are. I have never had anything like this before.”

Miranda ran a hand over her face. She didn’t have a perfect
life, but she could see how to Andrea it would a appear that way. She was
thankful for what she had, and at this moment even more so. She realised that
her life could have been very different if the fates had conspired against her.
While she had bemoaned the fact that Stephen had left her, Miranda knew it was a
minor complaint compared to the hardships Andrea had endured.

“I really didn’t intend for it to get this elaborate
Miranda. It’s just that everyone around here keeps treating me like I’m
somebody,” Andy paused and wiped a tear away from her eye, “except you.”

Miranda took a deep breath as she allowed Andrea’s words to wash
over her. Did she treat Andrea like she was a nobody? Miranda knew that answer
was one that she didn’t like. Yes. She had to admit that while Andrea’s lies
had been fanciful and downright ludicrous as time she had never once told one
that was malicious. She on the other hand had given Andrea an alcoholic Sister,
an affair, and no parents.

At the time she hadn’t known Andrea’s story, if she had
Miranda knew she could have handled the situation a little different. While the
life Andrea had led didn’t make up for the things she had done, it did make
them understandable.

They should never have done this Miranda realised, they
should never have started this. Miranda knew she would have kicked Andrea out
when she first found her here. Things would have been so much simpler for them
both.  As it stood it was a situation
they had both made, and it was a situation that they both had to escape from.

Taking a deep breath Miranda looked up. She frowned when she
noticed that the object of her thoughts was missing. Calling out her name
Miranda quickly flew into the house. She scanned the lower floor, checking the
kitchen and laundry room. Eventually Miranda made her way up the floating
staircase and hesitantly entered the master bedroom.

As she gazed around the space Miranda’s eyes were instantly
drawn to the old gray holdall that was sitting on the bed. Its zip was open and
mounds of clothes were struggling not to burst free. 

“What are you doing?” Miranda asked as a sliver of panic settled
in her spine.

“Catching a bus.” Andy replied as she placed another pile of
clothing on top of her holdall.

Shaking her head Miranda stepped into the room, “hey, this
is not something you can just walk out on, not after everything we have
concocted here.”

Andrea ignored her and Miranda felt her panic fully rise.
She couldn’t let Andrea go.

“Andrea, how the hell am I suppose to get the promotion, YOU
gave me? That Stephen already thinks I have. If Irv comes here tomorrow and
finds that you’ve gone...?” Miranda trailed off as she imagined the scenario,
it was horrific.

Andy paused in her packing and looked over her shoulder to
the place where Miranda had just collapsed upon the bed. “Do yourself a favour
Miranda, let it go.”

“Let it go? We made a deal.” Miranda replied softly. She
just couldn’t find the energy to raise her voice. It was like something was
sapping her energy.

“Yeah and that also included that we get divorced.” Andy
reminded Miranda as she pulled free another pair of jeans and tossed them onto
the bed.

Miranda knew she had to keep Andrea here, she knew she had
to stop her from leaving her. She couldn’t pull the thing off on her own.
Closing her eyes one thing occurred to Miranda. To do what she always does when
she is unsure or desperate.

Licking her lips and taking a deep breath Miranda took the
plunge. “I’ll pay you alimony.”

“What?” Andy asked shocked at what had just been thrown into
the game.

Miranda nodded slowly her eyes pleading, “Just if you stay and
help me, just for the reception. I’ll give you one thousand dollars a month.”

“For life?” Andy laughed.

“Well yeah, or until you get remarried that’s the custom
inst it?” Miranda swallowed hard as she awaited Andrea’s answer.

“You’re even crazier than I am.” Andy said her eyes wide.

Miranda bit her lip as Andrea dropped the last of her
clothing into the bag and pulled upon the zip.

“So what do you say?”

“All right, I’ll stay. Just keep your money Miranda.”

Miranda couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped her.
But it wasn’t just relief that centred on the promotion and Stephen. It was
relief that Andrea was staying. At some point in the past few months she had
grown fond of the younger woman. Miranda’s mind flashed back to the evening she
had been at Stephen’s, when her mind had conjured up images of Andrea. She
didn’t really want to think about what that meant. 

“But I want you to have something.” Miranda insisted as she
watched Andrea walk from the master bedroom.

“I don’t want your money,” Andy shouted before she leaned
back into the bedroom, “I will take the furniture though.”

As Andrea disagreed Miranda couldn’t help but smile and
laugh to herself as she had to admit that when this is all over she will really
miss Andrea.

 

****

 

“Right Sarah you have everything under control here?”
Charlotte asked as she scanned the hallway.

“I do Mrs Priestly.” Sarah the Priestly’s maid nodded as she
lifted up her schedule for the day.

Miranda rolled her eyes at Sarah. Her Mother had been
writing those lists for Sarah for thirty years, Miranda was sure that she knew
what her tasks were.

“That’s wonderful dear,” Charlotte smiled and then turned
towards Miranda, “oh Miranda sweetheart, did you borrow a punchbowl?”

“Yeah.” Miranda nodded as she handed her Mother her purse.

Miranda glanced down at the watch on her wrist. It was the
morning on the reception and she was not looking forward to it. Her Mother was
fussing and taking an age. Andrea had taken her car to go and find herself a
sibling. It was already twelve and Miranda could feel the wall of pressure
closing in. She knew if one thing went wrong today their hastily constructed
house of lies would crumble.

“From Aunt Millie?” Charlotte asked as she accepted the
purse and scanned her appearance in the hallway mirror.

“No,” Miranda shook her head, “from Aunt Louise.”

 “Not Aunt Millie?”

Miranda rolled her eyes, she couldn’t believe her Mother was
having a go at her today of all days. She didn’t need the added pressure. Who
cared who she borrowed a punch bowl from?

“Don’t start Mother.” Miranda warned.

Miranda watched as she Mother’s eyes narrowed at the tone
she used.

“Well...” Charlotte started.

“Has Andrea’s Sister arrived?” Jonathan interrupted dissipating
a potential argument.

Miranda shot her Father a grateful look and jumped at the
chance to change the subject.

“She’s just gone to pick her up now.”

 

****

 

As she reached the bottom of the stairs Andy moved her gaze
from person to person. All were dressed in a similar fashion, women in red and
men in black. Andy herself had dressed like them for the duration of her time
spent here.

A head of curls flooded her vision and Andy couldn’t help
the smile of familiarity that spread of her face. It was smile that always
arose when she saw her oldest friend. Lily.

Navigating the tables and chairs Andy kept her eyes on the
woman who was neatly placing empty wax covered bottles on each table.

Andy stopped as she was a table away. Lily was one of the
most stubborn women Andy had ever met. She had been like that since they where
children. She knew that the following conversation was going to be hard,
general Lily was forgiving, but if she had hurt her as much as Miranda had
indicated that she knew any apology she gave would be an extremely hard sell.

“Hey you.”

Lily looked up from the table with a frown, “Andy?”

Andy nodded and lifted her eyebrows, “How are you Lils?”

“What are you doing here?” Lily asked, not allowing Andy the
opportunity to gather her nerve.

Andy took a deep breath, “I came to apologise.”

“That’s a first.” Lily noted as she folded her arms across
her chest.

Andy ran a hand through her hair as she nodded at Lily. Her
friend had always been willing to forgive her transgressions. This time however
Lily’s body told Andy that Miranda was right and she wouldn’t be so easy to
forgive.

“Ok, I deserve the cold shoulder, but I never thought for a
minute you would be directly affected by what I was doing.”

“You never think Andy that’s the problem.”

“I know.” Andy sighed and allowed her shoulder’s to dip.
Lily was right, that was her problem, and she always jumped head first into
everything. First it had been Nate. Andy closed her eyes briefly against the
sharp pain that stabbed at her heart. She had really loved him and he had destroyed
her spirit. Now it was Miranda, she had used the situation the older woman had
presented her with to construct the life she had always wanted to have. Things
had back fired slightly, now she had started to have feelings for Miranda.

“You know I can accept the leaving without any notice,” Lily
said as she drew Andy back out of her thoughts, “because it’s not like you
haven’t done it before, but did you have to say I was a homophobe?”

“Well it just came out,” Andy hastened to explain, “I didn’t
mean it.”

“You really are a piece of work.” Lily growled angrily.

“I know,” Andy readily agreed, “I’m a total bitch Lily,
Miranda has already told me. I am so sorry, you can never know how much.”

Andy felt tears sting her eyes. She hadn’t slept well the previous
night. What she had done had truly hit home, it wasn’t just the fact that
Miranda now knew who she really was. It was the true consequences of her
actions. The situation wasn’t just about her. It was about everyone she had
lied to.

Lily nosily exhaled as she shook her head from side to side,
“You know I never could stay mad at you. Even when you cut all the hair off my
Barbie and threw it out of the window of our room.”

Andy smiled painfully at the memory of a small Lily, her
hair pulled into bunches, her body language exactly the same as she desperately
tried to beg her forgiveness. “I was trying to make her a stunt woman.”

Lily snorted and unfolded her arms, “Jesus Christ Andy, you
have gone and done it this time.”

“I know.” Andy paused and then twisted her mouth, “Lils I
need your help.”

“My help?” Lily asked confused as to what Andy could need
her help with.

“Yeah,” Andy nodded as she took a step closer to her best
friend, “this is what I have in mind...”

 

****

 

As her Mother parker her car next to the caterers van
Miranda quickly jumped out, leaving both her Mother and Father to see to
themselves. She glanced at where her Car was parked upon the grass. She had to
see how Andrea got on finding a Sister before her Parents could blunder in.

Swiftly moving up the steps Miranda sidestepped the stream
of men and women dressed in white and black carrying boxes and trays. Miranda
had wanted a simple affair, but her Mother had insisted upon having the
reception catered, she had also insisted on paying much to Miranda’s annoyance. 

Throwing open the door Miranda quickly spotted Andrea
wearing the same ripped jeans she had told her not to wear and a tight white t-shirt.
She felt her mouth dry and her stomach clench as she made her way towards
Andrea. She had her head thrown back and was laughing with wild abandonment at
someone seated upon the sofa. Miranda didn’t know why she had to be so beautiful,
but it was becoming a distraction.

Miranda rushed towards and her and stopped as the person
sitting on the sofa came into view.

“Miranda, you’ve met my Sister.” Andy smiled.

“Is this a joke?” Miranda asked looking from woman to woman,
her eyes demanding an explanation.

“No, Miranda Priestly, Lily Dunkel. Lily Dunkel, Miranda
Priestly.”

 “Are you trying to
kill me?” Miranda breathed as she closed her eyes.

She had really thought that if they could just get though
the day, they would be fine. Now she wasn’t sure they would make it though the
next ten minutes.

“Nope.”

“Oh God.” Miranda opened her eyes and looked up. She had
thought that Andrea would hire an actress of something; she didn’t think she
would go and get her friend from the restaurant.

“Miranda? Andrea?”

Miranda looked over her shoulder just as her Mother and
Father reached them.

“Oh there you are, and this is?” Charlotte asked.

“This is Andrea’s Sister, Lily.” Miranda smiled brightly.

“But she’s...” Charlotte started.

 “Adopted.” Miranda
quickly said as interrupted her Mother’s before she could comment on Lily’s
race. Andrea opened her mouth to elaborate but Miranda shook her head. She shot
her a look to keep her mouth shut and just go along with it.

Miranda knew her Mother well, and as her eyes widened in understanding
Miranda knew she had said the right thing. Her Mother was always raving on
about all the celebrities who adopted children from different backgrounds and
races. She had always been a strong believer in altruism.

“Well, I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally meet you.
Lily was it?” Charlotte said with a big smile reaching a hand out towards Lily.

“Yes, and it’s a pleasure to meet you to Mrs priestly.”
Miranda watched Lily smile as she took her Mother’s hand and gave it a small squeeze
and accepted a kiss on the cheek.

“Please call me Charlotte. This is my Husband, Jonathan.”
Lily then repeated her earlier action with her Miranda’s Father.

“Ok Charlotte, Jonathan, Andy has told me all about how you
and your husband have taken her into your hearts and souls.” Lily smiled widely
as she started to turn on the charm.

Miranda rolled her eyes at Lily’s words; she was almost as
bad as Andrea. What was worse to Miranda was the way a small blush rose in her Mother’s
cheeks.

“I’m just so glad that she and Miranda found each other.”
Lily continued.

“Oh so am I.” Charlotte agreed. “If you don’t mind me
asking, what on earth happened to you lip dear?”

Miranda winced as her Mother pointed out the swollen and
raised area that marred Lily’s bottom lip.

“She’s afraid of flying.” Andy jumped in helping Lily.

“I thought you were driving here?” Charlotte asked not
understanding what flying had to do with Lily’s swollen lip.

Lily opened her mouth to respond but Andy answered for her,
“With the reception being so short notice I insisted that she fly down here
instead of driving. You know what they say; you’re safer in the air than on the
ground.”

“Yeah,” Lily laughed nervously, “I bit right through it.”

“Oh,” Charlotte touched her own mouth in sympathy, “I hope
it doesn’t hurt too much.”

“Oh no,” Lily waved off her concern. “It will be fine in a
day or two.”

“Oh marvellous. Are you staying long?” Charlotte asked with
a small inquiring smile.

Miranda watched as Lily’s eyes widened as she shot Andy a
look.

“She has to get back tomorrow, she is working on Monday.”
Andy supplied smoothly.

“That is a shame dear; we would like to get to know more
about you and Andrea.” Charlotte suddenly turned and flicked her wrist towards
her handbag, “Oh Jonathan, get my camera out of my purse, I want to take a few
picture.”

“Mother.” Miranda groaned.

“No Miranda.” Charlotte glared at her daughter and then
smiled towards Andy and Lily, “Let's start with one of Andy and Lily.”

“But I’m not dressed.” Andy said weakly as she looked down
at the ripped jeans and white t-shirt she was wearing.

“Nonsense” Charlotte waved off her attempt to escape, “you
look fine.”

Miranda had to agree with her Mother. However in her position
Andrea looked more that fine. Shaking off that thought Miranda stood and
observed her Mother positioning the two women together and then accepted the camera
from her Father.

Miranda suddenly found the camera thrust into her hands.

“Mother?”

“Now one of us with Lily and Andy.” Charlotte insisted as
she grabbed Jonathan and dragged him over towards the two women.

Miranda lifted the camera and looked at the small screen.
She watched as her Mother positioned her Father next to Andrea and then took
her position next to Lily. Miranda couldn’t help the small stab of pain as she
thought of how disappointed her Mother would be at the end of the day. Lily had
been right; her Parents had taken Andrea into their hearts. They had accepted
their relationship and they had treated Andrea like she was their own daughter.

Pressing the button on the top of the camera Miranda watched
as the image was forever recorded.

She looked up and smiled when a familiar voice came from
behind her.

Miranda turned and watched as Nigel decked out in an immaculate
Armani suit came walking towards her, a bottle of red wine in one hand, and a
gold gift box in the other.

Miranda handed the camera to her Father and then pointed
towards Nigel. Her Father nodded and took her position.

“Nigel, you’re early.” Miranda smiled as she accepted the
bottle and gift from Nigel.

“I know, I just wanted to get here before everyone else, I
don’t want to miss a thing.” Nigel smirked as he glanced around the house,
looking at caterers as they went about their business.

“You want to see if things collapse around me?” Miranda
snorted.

Nigel laughed, “Yes.”

“Thank you so much Nigel, you're such a good friend.” Miranda
replied sarcastically.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely wife
Miranda?” Nigel asked as he looked over Miranda’s shoulder towards Andrea.

“You have been introduced.” Miranda said with a roll of her
eyes.

Miranda turned and waved a hand towards Andrea. She watched
as the young brunette excused herself from her parents and Lily and made her
way over. Miranda flashed Andrea a brief smile and frowned slightly when she
didn’t receive an enthusiastic one in return.

“Andrea, you have already met Nigel.”

“So we have.” Nigel nodded as he reached out and grasped
Andy’s hand. “Is to be called Andrea? No?”

“Yes.” Andy laughed lightly in remembrance as she allowed Nigel
to shake her hand.

“Nigel Kipling.” Nigel said introducing himself properly.

Andy smiled, “Andrea Priestly.”

Miranda sputtered as Andrea announced her surname. Nigel
smirked and Andrea looked at her in concern.

 

****

 

Miranda frowned as she looked over the heads of the guests
that were milling around the room. Miranda smiled as she met people’s eyes and
accepted the congratulations from family members who were ecstatic that she had
finally met someone she could spend the rest of her life with.

The guests had only just started to arrive and Miranda
needed Andrea’s help. She couldn’t handle all these people on her own. A lot
had already started to ask where her other half was. Something Miranda was
wondering herself.

“Miranda?”

Miranda felt her agitation fade as her Mother’s voice
penetrated though the buzz of voices. “Mother, thank God.”

“Where is Andrea?” Charlotte asked as she too looked around the
room.

Miranda shook her head, “I was just going to ask you that.
I’ll go and look, try and keep everyone occupied.”

Miranda turned away and quickly cut a path through the
throng of bodies and headed upstairs. The door to the master bedroom was shut
and Miranda grasped the handle. She tapped her knuckles upon the wood and then
twisted the handle. To her shock she found that the door was locked.

“Andrea?” Miranda called out as she pressed her ear to the
door.

“Go away.” Andy’s voice said as it drifted from the other
side.

Miranda’s eyes widened. A feeling of panic formed in her
chest. There was no way that Andrea could do this to her now. First she had
been going to leave yesterday, and now she had locked herself in her bedroom.
Miranda didn’t think she could cope with much more.

“Go away?” Miranda cried her voice rising. “We have a house
full of guests get out here right now.”

“Leave me alone.” Andy shouted.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Miranda demanded
angrily.  When she got no response
Miranda dropped to her knees and pressed her eye to the key hole.

“I see you.” Miranda accounted.

Andrea was sitting on the bed. Miranda’s eyes widened as she
noticed that her body wrapped in her old grey bathrobe.

“I said go away.” Andy repeated.

Miranda shook her head as she kept her eye pressed to the
door’s keyhole.

“Irv’s going to be here any minute and Lily is going to need
your help with Irv’s nephew.” Decide to switch tactics Miranda lost all traces
of anger from her voice. She couldn’t afford to have Andrea leave. “Please
Andrea.”

When it didn’t work Miranda couldn’t stop her anger from
rising again. Lifting her fists Miranda started to pound on the door while she
cried out Andrea’s name.

That was the sight that greeted Charlotte, Jonathan, and
Lily as they walked up the stairs.

“Is something wrong Miranda?” Charlotte asked concern
peppering her tone.

Turning Miranda’s eyes widened as she quickly pulled herself
up to her feet, “Err no.”

“Is Andrea in there?” Charlotte asked.

Miranda sighed moved over towards her Mother with a nod. “She
won’t come out, she’s nervous or something.”

As she finished Miranda looked down the stairs and watched
as Irv Ravitz along with a tall dirty blonde haired young man entered her
house. Miranda closed her eyes. She couldn’t deal with both Andrea and Irv.

“Oh god Ravitz is here.” Looking back at her Mother Miranda
licked her lips, she didn’t need this now.

“I’ll be back in a minute see if you can coax her out.”

 

****

 

Andy sighed as she heard Miranda’s announcement that Irv and
his nephew had arrived. This was it. It was now show time. She knew she should
be out there helping Miranda, but Andrea just couldn’t bring herself to move.
She knew if she did it was the first step to the end, and she didn’t want it to
be over. She didn’t want the end to come. For the first time in over nine years
she had started to feel happy.

“Maybe you should talk to her.” Andy heard Charlotte say.

 “Me?” Was Lily’s hesitant
response.

She could just imagine what Lily’s face was like. She knew
her friend wouldn’t know what to say. She had been less than pleased when she
had shown up at The Sofia and she had dead set against helping her. It had
taken her over an hour to convince Lily to help her; even then she had promised
to be with her every step of the way in case she struggled.

“Yes, you.”

Closing her eyes briefly Andy groaned as she thought of what
was to come.

 

****

 

Miranda bobbed up and down as she looked over the head of
her guests. Miranda swore under her breath, by the time she had reached the
bottom of the stairs, Irv and his nephew had disappeared into the crowds.

Manoeuvring herself through the bodies Miranda smiled and
accepted the greetings of passing friends.

As she neared the dining table Miranda slammed into the back
of someone.

“Oh I am so sorry.”After apologising quickly Miranda looked
up and met two familiar blue eyes.

“Hey Miranda.” Stephen smiles widely as he stepped closer to
her body and placed his hand upon her shoulder.

“Stephen.” Miranda breathed as she forced herself to return
his smile. A day or two ago it wouldn’t have been a problem. Now it was.

Stephen stepped closer to her and Miranda was reminded of
how his touch had ignited her two evenings ago. She was also reminded once more
of the fact that she had also thought of Andrea at the same time.

“Hey, where is Andy?” Stephen asked as he placed his hand
upon her shoulder.

“She’s in our room she won’t come out.” Miranda confessed as
she frowned at Stephen’s hand. There was no fire, no spark.

“I thought she wanted this reception.” Stephen said as he
gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Miranda sighed, technically that was true. She knew the fact
that she had revealed her knowledge of Andrea’s past must be a contributing to
the other woman’s state. Andrea had wanted to run yesterday and Miranda felt
slightly nervous that she still would.

Looking in to Stephen’s eyes Miranda forced another smile
upon her face, “Well this is what it’s like with her, I try and I try.”

Stephen nodded in sympathy and before he could reply Miranda
heard a voice call out her name. Turning she found herself standing face to
face with her boss and his nephew.

“Miranda, there you are.” Irv smiled as he came to a halt.

“Mr Ravitz.” Miranda greeted.

Miranda turned and smiled at Stephen.  “It was great talking to you Stephen; I will
catch up with you later.”

As she turned back to Irv Miranda caught him pushing his
chest proudly out and looking at his nephew.

“Miranda this is my nephew Walker.”

Miranda smiled and looked up at Walker. He looked nothing
like Irv. Were Irv was short and stout, Walker was tall and slim. His hair was
blonde were Irv’s had been brown when he was younger. The only thing they
shared in common was their eyes. They were identical in both colour and shape.

“Nice to meet you Walker.” Miranda said as she took the
younger man’s hand.

“And you, where is Lily?” Walker asked as she looked around
the room.

“Yes Walker is anxious to meet her.” Irv added.

Miranda forced out the biggest grin she could muster. She
could sense an impending problem. She couldn’t let them go upstairs. Not with
Andrea sulking in her room. Even then she didn’t think Lily could pull off
talking to Walker without Andrea there to pick up on her lies. Knowing the only
way she could stop a meeting between the two was to try and keep the separate. Miranda
decided to take charge of the situation and steer the two men as far away from
the master bedroom as possible. 

“Well let’s go take a look.”

Continued