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One of the most challenging aspects of becoming Mrs. Sachs-Priestly was the disapproval she faced from most of the Sachs family. Andrea had come to accept this reality after revealing to her parents that she not only got pregnant out of wedlock but also chose a partner who was thirty-two years her senior and a woman. Only her sister, Jill, stood by her side, offering support during her pregnancy with baby Matthew. Andrea's brother-in-law, Kyle, would have been there too, but he was taking care of Isaac. Kyle couldn't comprehend why Andrea's parents acted the way they did. During a phone conversation, he expressed his confusion, saying, "You're their daughter, the same Andy we all know and love. So what if you're in a relationship with a lady? Who cares? As long as she treats you right, yeah?"
"Of course," Andrea replied.
Kyle shrugged, or at least she could picture him doing so. "Then I don't understand it, at all, Andy. I'm sorry they're treating you this way, but you're always welcome with me and Jill, alright?"
Kyle and Jill's unwavering support provided a ray of light within her family. Kyle, the boy next door who fell in love with Jill and eventually became her husband, had always treated Andrea like the little sister he never had. Even Kyle's parents reached out to her, appalled by her own parents' behavior. This came as a surprise since Kyle's parents were devout Catholics, among the most devout that Andrea had ever encountered. They argued that the Bible instructs one to love their neighbor as themselves, and they aimed to live by that principle.
Andrea had spent the morning on the phone, reaching out to various relatives from the Sachs family. However, with each call, it became increasingly clear that none of them wanted to attend her wedding. Even when she offered to fly them to New York and cover their hotel expenses. "Their bloody loss," commented Emily, who joined in the effort to persuade people to attend, remarked, "Honestly, you shouldn't even bother, Andrea. Clearly, these people are not only incredibly homophobic but also dull. Your wedding will be beautiful and stunning, and dear God, Miranda is going to be amazing. And your dress! We haven't even picked a dress yet."
"I know, I know. You and Miranda are both right. I should close the door on these people and walk away. If I have to chase them, then it isn't worth it. I know," Andrea conceded, her voice trailing off as she watched Matthew reading a book while baby Jacob slept in her arms. Her son was seated on a plush sofa adjacent to the round table in the corner, where Andrea and Emily were seated. She then turned her attention back to Emily and continued, "But it would still feel good, you know?"
Emily took a moment to compose herself, took a deep breath, and in her usual slightly sarcastic yet genuinely caring tone, said, "You don't need them to validate you. You have Miranda, Nigel, and, well, of course, me. So consider yourself lucky."
Andrea chuckled, "Of course, God, what am I thinking?"
"Exactly. Now, are we done calling these peasants?" Emily quipped, eliciting laughter from Andrea. Only Emily could deliver those words with such a tone and expression that never failed to make Andrea laugh.
"Honestly, Andrea, it's like you don't understand the world you've... well, you're marrying into it now. But seriously," Emily said, giving Andrea a knowing look. Andrea let out a sigh, acknowledging the truth in Emily's words.
"You're right. Besides, Kyle did offer to walk me down the aisle if my father doesn't want to." Andrea's lips shifted to the side, a mixture of gratitude and sadness in her expression. "Which is really nice, and I might just take him up on it. I've always pictured my dad walking me down the aisle, you know."
Emily reached out and placed her hand reassuringly on Andrea's forearm. "And if he wants to be there, he'll be there. But dear Andrea, you can no more move mountains than you can change a person's mind." It was perhaps the most sincere moment Andrea had ever witnessed from Emily. "I understand that you want your dad to be there, believe me, I do. But if he doesn't show, then that's on him. All you can do is give him the opportunity to be a dad. That's all."
Andrea felt a deep sense of gratitude for Emily, appreciating her friend's ability to call her out on her shit while also providing unwavering support. "Thanks, Em."
"Right, let's not get too mushy," Emily confessed, pulling away from Andrea, who couldn't help but laugh, knowing that emotional moments made Emily a little uncomfortable. Who then changed the subject and asked, "Miranda wants our September issue to focus on LGBT Weddings. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
Andrea playfully shrugged, twirling her hair. "Not a clue, Em," she replied.
"Of course not. You don't work here anymore. You're off doing whatever it is you do now."
"I... worked at the Star?" Andrea responded.
"Worked? What did you do there, again?" Emily inquired.
"A lot of office work," Andrea chuckled. "Interestingly, though, when our wedding date was officially announced, I was summoned into my boss's office to discuss my future within the company." She shrugged. "But I didn't have an answer for him because I had already written up my two weeks' notice."
Emily rolled her eyes and scoffed, commenting, "Really, Andrea? Giving it all up to be Miranda's trophy wife? Well, I can't blame you."
"Never," Andrea paused. "Well, I mean, listen, if I had to be a trophy wife, I guess it couldn't be that bad. But, no, I actually quit because I received - also at the same time, interestingly enough - a request to be interviewed at CNN."
Emily's eyes widened. "Really? Do tell." She leaned over, keeping an eye on Matthew, who had fallen asleep on the sofa.
"I went in," Andrea began, glancing back at her boys before refocusing her attention on Emily with a smile. "And I interviewed. They told me they had come across some of my work with the Post and the article I wrote for Runway as a guest. They really liked it and were impressed with they way I handled the interview."
"Oh dear God, Andrea, get to the point. Did you get the job or not?" Emily pleaded, playfully exasperated.
Rolling her eyes, Andrea replied, "Well, yes, I did get the job. But it's going to be a night shift type of gig, so I told them I'd have to figure things out with Miranda first before making any decisions. And they said they would wait. So here we are."
Before they could continue their conversation, the frantic entrance of Miranda's first assistant caught their attention. Emily and Andrea observed from their corner table as the assistant hurriedly prepared the desk, clearly overwhelmed by the demanding nature of working for Miranda. It was a familiar sight to both of them, having experienced the pressures of being Miranda's assistant in the past.
Amusement flickered between Emily and Andrea as they exchanged a knowing glance. The assistant seemed completely oblivious to the fact that Miranda's office was currently occupied, so they patiently waited for the inevitable encounter. The sound of Miranda's authoritative voice echoed through the office as she gave orders, delivered assessments, and expressed her disapproval while making her way toward her office.
Finally, the assistant's gaze shifted to Emily and Andrea, and her expression transformed into one of sheer panic as she realized her oversight. In contrast, Miranda instantly noticed her fiancé and former assistant, as well as their two sons, upon entering the room. Her cold demeanor remained unchanged as she dismissed the assistant with a curt tone. When the assistant attempted to say something, Miranda peered over her glasses, her icy stare intensifying. "Did I stutter?" she inquired, leaving no room for further discussion.
Emily let out an exaggerated sigh, feigning relief. "I am so glad that's not me anymore."
"Oh, come on, you secretly loved it," Andrea teased, her laughter filling the room.
Emily shrugged nonchalantly. "Perhaps, but not nearly as much as you did, clearly."
"Fair point," Andrea conceded, acknowledging the truth in Emily's words. She then shifted her focus to Miranda. "Ready to go, love?"
Realizing she was about to be subjected to a display of their affection, Emily interjected. "And this is my cue to leave before you two do anything disgustingly sweet. Miranda, I'll have the layouts to you later this evening." With that, she made her exit, closing the doors to Miranda's office behind her.
~*~*~*~
At home, Andrea reclined on the sofa, finding solace in the comfort of the cushions while she nursed Jacob. Meanwhile, Miranda engaged in a phone conversation with a member of Andrea's family, specifically her parents. This was not the first time Miranda had spoken to them, and it seemed that it wouldn't be the last. With one hand on her hip and the other gripping the phone, Miranda listened attentively as Andrea's mother, Helen, expressed her thoughts.
"Miranda, I appreciate your effort to reach out to us, I really do," Helen's voice carried through the phone, "but you have to understand that this goes against our beliefs."
Andrea wore a painful smile, her emotions evident on her face. She shifted her gaze down to Jacob, using him as a focal point to distract herself from the conversation. Her jaw clenched as she held onto her infant son, and just then, Matthew, their older boy, descended the stairs. Andrea beckoned him over with a gentle wave, patting the empty spot on the sofa beside her.
Miranda, pacing the living room, continued to engage with Helen. "What I'm hearing is that you don't believe in supporting your own daughter. Is that the message I'm receiving?" Her tone was firm, unyielding.
There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. "W-well, we do love our daughter," Helen began, but Miranda interrupted her.
"No, you don't," Miranda confronted her directly. "Because if you truly loved her, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Miranda didn't allow Helen to interject, her words pouring out assertively. "As a mother myself, there is nothing I wouldn't do, no obstacle I wouldn't overcome, to ensure my children's happiness and to make sure they know I'm there for them. Yet, it seems you have resigned yourselves to making Andrea feel like an outcast, and I will not tolerate her being treated in a manner that causes her pain."
"I-I think this has gotten out of hand," Richard interjected, taking the phone from his wife. "No one here is looking to hurt Andy. We love our daughter, and I don't appreciate being told otherwise. Now, I understand you're committed to her, and that's great, but this ain't right. Those boys need a father, and I don't know how you got it in our girl's head bu-"
Miranda's laughter cut through the air, laced with arrogance and disbelief. "Oh, Mr. Sachs, if you believe that I can manipulate your daughter into doing anything she doesn't want to do, then you are sorely mistaken and clearly don't know Andrea at all." There was a brief pause as Miranda collected her thoughts, and then she continued, her voice filled with conviction. "What you love is an idea that has been forcefully fed to you. What you love and what Andrea loves are two different things. However, you are correct in one aspect—I am committed to Andrea. I love her, and I care for her. Nothing and no one can change that. And as for my sons, Mr. Sachs," her tone turned sardonic, "while I appreciate your concern they are doing just fine and will continue to thrive without a patriarchal figure in their lives."
"Consider this, Mr. and Mrs. Sachs," Miranda's voice carried a mix of determination and warning, "your daughter will be wedded to me this September, and it will be up to you whether you wish to share in that moment with us. But understand this: if you fail to show up, it will be the last time we reach out to you. I am done with your homophobic and bigoted values. I am done with your personal crusade to hurt the woman I love. Andrea has done nothing to deserve such mistreatment from the very people she trusts the most. I will not entertain any further discussion on this matter. I advise both of you to carefully consider the consequences of your actions before you take them. I will not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to protect my family." With that, Miranda ended the call and placed the phone on the end table next to the sofa.
Andrea finished nursing Jacob and held him against her shoulder, glancing over at Miranda. Miranda's eyes were filled with adoration, sympathy, and love as she addressed her fiancé, using a gentle tone. "Darling..."
But Andrea shook her head, signaling that she didn't want to talk about it. Her parents had once again made their disapproval clear, reinforcing their stance on her life choices. She wiped away tears from her eyes, attempting to respond, "It's fine, I'll be okay." It was a lie, and Miranda could see right through it.
Miranda motioned for Andrea to hand her the baby, and without hesitation, Andrea passed Jacob into Miranda's waiting arms. Miranda held him against her shoulder, gently rubbing his back, waiting for him to burp. Meanwhile, Matthew approached Andrea and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Overwhelmed, Andrea broke down and clung to him, finding comfort in his embrace. "Thanks, bubby," she whispered to him. He slipped off the couch and quietly made his way back upstairs. Andrea averted her gaze from Miranda, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to hold back her emotions.
But Andrea shook her head, signaling that she didn't want to talk about it. Her parents had once again made their disapproval clear, reinforcing their stance on her life choices. She wiped away tears from her eyes, attempting to respond, "It's fine, I'll be okay." It was a lie, and Miranda could see right through it.
Miranda looked down at the now-content Jacob, and gently placed him in his bassinet. She planted a soft kiss on his forehead before moving to sit beside Andrea. As Andrea felt Miranda's presence, she instinctively curled into her fiancé's arms, her body trembling with sobs. In the midst of Andrea's tears, Matthew descended the stairs, holding Chester the Cat tightly. He paused for a moment, taking a glance at his baby brother, before continuing his journey toward his mothers. Without a word, he offered Chester to Andrea, and her heart swelled with warmth at the sight. "Oh, thank you, bubby, but you keep him," Andrea said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I'll be okay, mama's got me."
~*~*~*~
The night faded away, giving rise to a new morning. With Matthew and Jacob safely in daycare, Miranda had taken the day off, causing her assistants to reschedule their appointments. Instead, she chose to spend the day with Andrea, starting with a leisurely walk through the serene landscape of Central Park. Hand in hand, they embarked on their journey.
Andrea's outfit exuded warmth and style, perfectly suited for the chilly weather. She donned a long camel-colored wool coat, layered with a dark raspberry turtleneck sweater and a cozy merino wool sweater. Completing the ensemble were dark wash skinny jeans and low-heeled black ankle boots, providing both comfort and fashion. A scarf in a complementary color skillfully tied the elements together, while leather gloves and a cozy beanie kept her hands and head protected from the cold.
Miranda, ever the epitome of sophistication, radiated elegance in her attire. She wore a tailored black wool coat, complemented by a refined ivory cashmere turtleneck sweater. Wide-leg black trousers and black leather knee-high boots with a modest heel exuded grace and confidence. Adorning her outfit was one of her signature Hermes scarves, this one featuring a timeless houndstooth pattern, mirroring Andrea's scarf and creating a harmonious visual connection. The ensemble was completed with black leather gloves, adding a touch of refinement.
As they strolled through Central Park, the tranquility of the surroundings enveloped them. Snow adorned the path on either side, painting a picturesque scene. The cool Manhattan breeze whispered by, gently brushing against their faces. On this clear day, Andrea decided to broach a different topic, choosing to set aside the thoughts of her parents that weighed on her mind. She mustered the courage to discuss her career aspirations at CNN.
"I, uh, wanted to talk to you, but not about yesterday," Andrea spoke, her voice laced with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
Curiosity sparked in Miranda's eyes as she turned her gaze lovingly towards Andrea. Her blue eyes softened with affection. "Oh? What is it, my beloved?"
Taking a deep breath, Andrea met Miranda's gaze, drawing strength from their connection. "Remember the interview I had at CNN?" Andrea asked, seeking confirmation.
Miranda nodded, acknowledging the significance of the interview. "Yes, I remember. Please, go on."
"They want me, Miranda. They offered me a position, but it's for the night shift," Andrea explained. "I told them I needed to discuss it with you before making any decisions."
Miranda's smile conveyed her appreciation as she gazed at Andrea. "Your consideration means a lot to me," she acknowledged. Andrea returned the smile, and Miranda posed the crucial question, "So, what are your thoughts?"
Andrea's response came with a shrug, revealing her internal conflict. "Honestly?" she hesitated, contemplating the weight of her words. "I'm torn. On one hand, it's CNN—an opportunity that could shape my life and career in remarkable ways. But on the other hand…" Andrea's voice trailed off, her expression reflecting a mix of concern and love. "We have two young boys, both under five. Jacob has just figured out how to hold his head up. The last thing I want is to disrupt our family dynamics or make this any harder on you, Miranda."
The weight of her responsibilities as a mother and partner lay heavy on her mind, overriding the allure of professional advancement.
"Darling, Andrea, although we may face challenges along the way, I have complete confidence that not only will we overcome them, but we will also grow stronger," Miranda expressed, her voice filled with assurance. "Take the job with CNN, and we will find a way to make it work. If it means hiring a nanny to assist with the boys at night, then so be it. This opportunity is too significant to let slip away."
As they walked together, Andrea drew closer to Miranda, finding comfort in their proximity. She steadied herself, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You won't believe it, but I received that call from CNN shortly after we announced our engagement."
Miranda responded with her trademark pragmatism, unperturbed by the news. "I can't say I'm surprised. The Priestly name carries considerable weight in this city."
Andrea chuckled, the realization sinking in. "Oh boy, Andrea Sachs-Priestly."
Miranda offered a suggestion, her tone thoughtful. "When you're on the air, stick with Priestly. It has a nice ring to it, and it will allow you to create separate social media pages that distinguish your public persona from your private life."
Andrea took a deep breath, channeling her best news anchor voice. "Good evening, this is CNN. I'm Andrea Priestly," she proclaimed, her tone confident and polished.
Miranda's smile widened, and she gently interjected, "Remember to project from your diaphragm, love."
"Ah, right," Andrea acknowledged, resetting herself and clearing her throat. She tried again, this time putting more emphasis on her diaphragm. "Welcome back to CNN. I'm Andrea Priestly."
"Much better," Miranda praised, her eyes sparkling with pride. "With time, we can fine-tune it even further."
As they strolled through the park, the weight of Andrea's family history lingered in the air, a delicate subject tiptoed around until they found solace on a familiar bench overlooking the tranquil waters. Central Park provided a sanctuary, its calmness contrasting with the bustling city beyond its borders. Miranda cast a gentle gaze upon Andrea, sensing the approaching discussion.
Taking a deep breath, Andrea mustered the courage to speak, her eyes fixed on Miranda's unwavering support. "I reached out to Jill last night and talked to Kyle," Andrea began, her voice tinged with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. "He's agreed to walk me down the aisle, and his parents will be there too."
Andrea paused, her lips pursing in contemplation, before finally mustering the strength to voice her difficult decision. "But I think you're right," she confessed, her gaze momentarily drifting away from Miranda. The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. "I think it's time to cut them off," Andrea concluded, her words filled with both conviction and vulnerability. At that moment, Miranda enveloped her in a tender embrace, providing the solace and reassurance she needed.
Emotions surged through Andrea's body, causing her to tremble in Miranda's arms. The gentle touch of Miranda's hand soothingly caressed her back, offering a silent reassurance that they would face this together. Andrea took a steadying breath, adjusting her position on the bench, and tucking loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I'm tired of begging for their acceptance," she admitted, her voice resolute. "We deserve better, and so do our boys," Andrea continued, her voice filled with determination. "I don't need their validation anymore, I don't think."
Miranda observed Andrea's strength and resilience, admiring her unwavering spirit. She listened attentively as Andrea poured her heart out. "All I need, all I want is right here," Andrea said, her eyes locking with Miranda's. She tenderly held one of Miranda's hands in her own, a gesture that spoke volumes. A warm smile graced her lips, carrying the unspoken connection between them. In that intimate moment, their noses touched, and their lips met in a sweet kiss. "I love you," Andrea whispered, her voice filled with unwavering devotion.
"And I love you, Andrea," Miranda responded, her words echoing with the same depth of affection. Right there, on that park bench in Central Park, they found solace in each other's embrace. Miranda's suggestion hung in the air, carrying the weight of possibility. "Perhaps, one day, we can open this door for them again. But for now, we have each other, our children, and the Runway team. I believe that should be enough, don't you think?"
Andrea's gaze remained locked with Miranda's, the unspoken understanding weaving between them. They kissed again, this time deeper and longer, their love sealing the unspoken promises they held. Their foreheads touched, and they sat together, enveloped by the sounds of Central Park and the chill of the Manhattan winds cutting through their coats. They knew they had all they needed—each other, their unwavering love, and the strength to face whatever lay ahead.