Chapter Text
Miranda finished putting on her makeup and made her way to the nursery. For the past week they’d been on a set routine. Wake up, have breakfast together, the girls would go to school, and Miranda would go to work. Leaving Andrea home with Henry and Henry’s nanny. But, today would be different. She’d made sure to finish up all her work the previous day and this weekend they would all spend together. She had everything planned out.
Andrea hadn’t remembered much the previous week, but it had felt good just to spend time with her. They’d yet to spend more than an hour alone together, but that would also be changing. It’s not that Miranda didn’t want to spend time with her, she had been extremely busy the previous week. More so than in the last few months. That would also be changing. It was time to hand over more control to Emily and she had set up a meeting for Monday to talk to her about the changes she wanted to implement.
She opened the door to her son’s nursery and walked in. He was laying on his back and smiling up at her. “Hello, my love.” In one swift motion she scooped him up in her arms and held him against her chest before getting him ready for the day. She hummed as she changed him and pulled a white onesie with a duck on the front over his quivering little body. As she turned around with him in her arms she came to a complete stop.
Andrea was leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed and a smile on her lips. “Good morning.”
Miranda’s heart lurched at the familiarity of the woman in front of her. “Good morning, Darling.”
“I like it when you call me that.”
“I know.”
Andy pushed away from the door and approached her and placed a kiss on her cheek. “You’ve been amazing. Thank you for not pushing me.”
“You have nothing to thank me for. I love you.” She ran her finger along her arm and clasped their hands together.
“It’s hard to separate what I remember about you and the life I’ve seen glimpses of and all the photos Caroline and Cassidy pile me with. I want so much to remember everything. To be everything you all need me to be.”
“Andrea, we are just glad you’re here. With us. Now,” She passed over Henry. “After breakfast I have our entire day planned out.”
“Really?” she grinned.
“Really.”
“Well, then. What are we waiting for.” They made their way downstairs to the kitchen where Caroline and Cassidy were waiting for them. After breakfast, Miranda herded everybody out to the waiting car.
“Mom, where are we going?” Cassidy asked.
“Yes,” Caroline nodded. “You need to tell us.”
“I don’t need to tell you anything, young lady, but you both have been pestering me to visit the new exhibit at the zoo and…”
“Yes.” They fist bumped each other.
“After the zoo, we’ll eat at the restaurant you two have been bugging me about, then we’ll come home and have a night in.” She turned to Andrea. “Tomorrow, if you want, I would like to spend the day together. Out.”
“Just the two of us?”
“Yes. If that’s something you want?”
Andy covered Miranda’s hand. “It is.”
“Good. Good.” Miranda squeezed her hand. “Girls, you have fifteen minutes to make a plan for the zoo. If not, I’ll decided where we go first.”
By the time they walked through the entrance the girls had a plan neatly laid out. At the penguin exhibit, Miranda sat down on a bench and lifted Henry from the stroller that Andrea had been pushing all morning. With Henry securely in her arms, she lifted her phone and took several photos of Andrea and the girls.
She smiled when Andrea sat down beside her. “I told them not to go far.”
“I trust you, Andrea.”
Andy sighed and relaxed into the seat. “You really do. Don’t you.”
“Unconditional.”
“I’ve been wondering something.”
“Go on.” She shifted so she was positioned closer to Andrea. “You can ask me anything.”
Andy rested her hand on Henry’s stomach. “What was our wedding like? I mean…I’ve seen the pictures at the beach, but.” She bit her lip. “It seemed kind of plain to what I thought a wedding of yours would be like.”
“It was our wedding and it was perfect.”
***
Miranda relaxed into the couch and looked out the window, watching the cars pass by. They had yet to set a date for the wedding or make any plans. It was getting a bit ridiculous. She had a plan and hoped Andrea would agree with her, but it was Andrea’s first wedding and she wanted it to be everything she hoped for it to be.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Andrea walk into the room and plop down on the couch beside her. She lifted Miranda’s arm and snuggled against her side. Miranda draped her arm across her shoulder and inhaled the scent that was all Andrea.
“I could hear you thinking from the other room.”
Miranda slipped her glasses off and ran the tip over her lips. “I’ve been thinking about something, but I want your honest opinion. Don’t hold back your thoughts.”
“Miranda.” Andrea squeezed her hand. “When have I ever held back from you. Whatever it is will be fine.”
“Well, we still haven’t picked a wedding date yet and I have come up with a plan.”
“I know we haven’t. We’ve both been so busy. You know I would marry you tomorrow if we could. I guess I’ve just been overwhelmed by the plans and we haven’t even made any yet.”
“I think we should get our marriage license and get married at the beach house this coming weekend. Just you, me, and the girls, Nigel and Emily.”
Andy raised up so she could look at Miranda. “Are you serious?”
“Yes.” She barley had the words out of her mouth before Andrea straddled her and kissed her.
“I think that’s the best idea you’ve ever had. Next week. I…” she swallowed. “Next week I’ll be Andrea Priestly. I think I like the sound of that.”
Miranda wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close, running her hands up and down her back. “I like the sound of that too. I just wasn’t sure with this being your first wedding whether you would want a big to do or something simple.”
“Simple, but with my parents. I’ll call them later and tell them if they want to be at my wedding it’s next weekend. Wow.”
Miranda adjusted their position and flipped them over. Andy landed on the couch on her back and laughed, pulling Miranda down on top of her. She kissed her then ran her fingers through Miranda’s hair. “I love you so much.”
“Oh, Andrea. I love you to.” She kissed her, then rested their foreheads together. “You can get together with Emily and plan out the few details we’ll need to take care of. Food, flowers, someone to officiate. Only because I want it to be all you’ve wanted it to be.”
“Miranda, the only thing I need at this wedding. Is you.”
“Well, I can guarantee I’ll be there. Nothing and no one will stop me from marrying you.”
*** Present day. ***
“The next weekend we were married. It was a perfect ceremony for us and I don’t regret a second of it. It was magical. You took my breath away when you walked down the aisle toward me and it is a moment I will never forget.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say to that.”
Miranda handed Andrea the empty bottle, then gently laid him over her shoulder and patted his back. She eyed the girls who were still standing by the penguins. “I don’t want you to feel pressured by the girls to remember.”
“Miranda. Their fine. Don’t say anything to them. I really don’t mind. It feels really good to know they care.” She rested her arms on her knees. “It’s so hard to wrap my head around that you’re my wife and this is my life. I’m trying not to be repetitive but, it’s so unbelievable. Every time you look at me I see how much you love me. There is a bit of pressure there, but at the same time, I know my feelings are also there, I feel them, I just have to remember them.”
“The fact that you even have feelings for me now, is enough. We’re making new memories and in the process, when you remember the old ones, will just be icing on the cake. Today is about just being together. The five of us. As a family.”
“As a family.” Andy leaned toward her and kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear. “I’m hungry.”
Miranda laughed and turned her head. They were so close and she didn’t have it in her to back away. She kissed her, only lingering for a moment before pulling away. “I think that’s something we can take care of.” Andy smiled and took Henry from her settling him back in his stroller. Miranda stood up and approached the girls slipping her arms around their shoulders. “Are you two hungry? Andrea is.”
They shared a silent look. “We could eat.”
“Mom.” Cassidy said. “Is everything going to be all right?”
“Yes, Cassidy. I do believe it is.”
***
Dinner the previous night with the kids had went surprisingly well. Andrea had been relaxed all evening and Miranda hoped that would be the case tonight. She’d debated all week where to take her and what they should do. In the end, she decided on an early movie, dinner, and afterward dancing. Simple was exactly what they both needed right now. That and time together.
Miranda smoothed the sides of her white and gray wrap around dress and took a deep breath. She turned away from the mirror when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”
She smiled when Cassidy and Caroline walked in. “You look nice.”
“Thank you, Sweetheart.”
“You’re nervous?” Caroline asked.
“Just a little. This is our first night out together since the accident. But, I think we will be okay.” She winked at them.
Cassidy opened her jewelry box and handed her the pearl necklace. “This will look nice with the dress.”
“Thank you. Do you know if Andrea is ready?”
Cassidy nodded. “She is.”
“Okay and the nanny is here.”
“Mom.” Cassidy steered her toward the door. “We’re good and Henry is asleep.”
“You’ve got this.” Caroline kissed her on the cheek. “Go get her.”
Miranda laughed and made a stop at the nursery to kiss Henry before descending the stairs. Her feet faltered when she caught sight of Andrea at the bottom of the steps. She was dressed in a pair of black pants, a long sleeve fitted white button up, and a black vest. Miranda’s breath caught when she noticed the first two buttons of the shirt were undone showing just enough cleavage to make her heart beat faster.
“Miranda, you look amazing.”
“As do you.” Miranda reached up and straightened the collar of Andrea’s shirt and Andrea caught her hand and kissed her palm.
“So, what do you have planned for us tonight.”
“First we’re going to an early movie, then dinner, and if you’re up for it, dancing.”
Andy’s face lit up. “That sounds amazing.”
“Good. I believe Roy is waiting for us.”
Miranda helped Andrea with her jacket then slipped hers on and lead her out the front door with a hand on the small of her back.
They both slid into the car and settled down. “What movie are we going to see?”
“Whatever you want. You can choose.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Andy bit her lip. “Can we skip the movie. I had something else in mind.”
Miranda smiled. “What do you want to do?”
“Can we take a walk in the park?”
“Andrea, if you haven’t learned by now. I will give you whatever you want.” She informed Roy of the change in plans and instructed him to wait for them. Miranda’s fingers twitched with the urge to reach over and take Andrea’s hand once they started walking, but resisted and instead inched closer to her as they walked down the pathway.
The quiet wasn’t uncomfortable and she enjoyed the fact that Andrea was walking beside her. The outcome from her accident could have turned out so different and she was glad to have her any way she could. Andrea’s reaction, although wasn’t ideal at first, could have turned out a lot worse.
Miranda smiled when Andrea slipped her hand in hers and squeezed. “It’s a beautiful evening.”
Miranda turned at looked at her companion. “Beautiful indeed.”
Andy stopped walking and pulled Miranda to a stop. “When I worked for you, before we got together I would daydream about what it would be like to be with you. Spend time with you. Make love to you. Get to know your kids. Get to know you.” She licked her lips and swallowed. “Even though I don’t remember everything. I just wanted you to know that this last week and the time we’ve spent together have surpassed my wildest dreams. You have surpassed my wildest dreams. I know I love you. It may not be what we remember but it’s there. I just wanted you to know I’m not going anywhere.” She grinned. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”
Miranda swallowed and pulled Andrea into her arms. She kissed her on the neck and smiled when Andrea moaned. “I love you with everything that I am.” She pulled back, guided them to a bench, and sat down. Andrea covered her hand with both of hers.
“What time do we have to be at dinner?”
“Actually, I know how much you love that taco food truck and I thought we could eat there.”
“Well, my, my. A girl could get used this type of treatment. Afterward dancing?”
“If you want. If not, we can do anything you want.”
“Maybe” She coughed. “I know you planned tonight, but maybe we could go home after we eat and relax in bed with Henry.”
Miranda eyed her not sure she was hearing what she thought she was hearing. “In bed?”
“Yes.”
“Our bed?” Her heart beat faster with each second that passed.
“If that’s okay. I would love to make love to you, but I’m not ready for that yet. I just want to be with you and Henry. I was going to ask the girls tomorrow if they wanted to do something with me this week. Just the three of us or if they want to spend time with me separate that would be okay too.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. In fact, if you want to we can get our food and take it home to eat. I just thought you would like a night out.”
“I do and I appreciate everything you planned for tonight, but really all I want is to spend time with you. No matter where that is. If you want to dance I have a perfectly good iPod waiting at home and a floor with our names on it.”
Miranda pulled her to her feet. “That sounds perfect.”
While Andrea and Roy stepped out to get their food, Miranda texted the girls to let them know they were coming home and to make themselves scarce. Her and Andrea would be finishing their date at home. Miranda relaxed back into the seat and closed her eyes.
Andrea had been surprising her from the moment she hired her and she had completely taking her by surprise tonight. She knew they had been growing closer the last week, but hadn’t expected what Andrea had told her. After the accident, she dared not to get her hopes up, but that had all changed tonight. She opened her eyes when the door opened and groaned when she got a whiff of the food.
“I know right,” Andrea grinned. “Trust me. It tastes just as good as it smells.”
Miranda didn’t second-guess herself when she leaned across the seat, slipped her hand behind Andrea’s neck, pulled her forward, and kissed her. She lingered for only a moment then pulled back. “I hope I wasn’t overstepping myself.”
“No. No, you weren’t.” Andrea licked her lips and kissed her again. “Wow. I am a very lucky woman.”
“Oh, Andrea.” Miranda ran her finger down her cheek. “I’m lucky. So, very, very lucky.”