Title: Finding Ms. Mitchell
Author: Moi! (Haley)
Pairing: Mirandy- it will happen
Rating: PG (for now)

Summary: Miranda has blackballed Andy as a journalist, but not as a writer. Andy takes a pen name and becomes a famous writer of children/pre-teen novels.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to Devil Wears Prada... if I did... Miranda and Andy would be tied to my bed :D I also have no claim on anything belonging to GW... that belongs to ncsoft and arenanet

A/N: Special thanks to Dee (mxrolkr ) for this prompt! Unbeta'd.

A/N-2: Here is your update Ms. Emily. Hehe thanks for asking about this particular story... brought it back to the foregrounds of my mind.




Chapter 9:


Los Angeles, CA

Andy smiled as she walked into the softly lit restaurant with Hayden's hand in her own as she bounced along beside her. Kaydence had made reservations for them at a family friendly restaraunt with an area reserved for small children with entertainment and colorful cartoon chairs. Hayden's delightful squeal pulled her attention from the restaurant's decor and to her small blonde companion who'd stopped and was now jumping anxiously up and down pointing.

"Look, look they came! Can I go?" she asked pointing to where the Priestly women were seated sipping water and conversing quietly. Andy nodded and Hayden was off like a bullet being shot released from the barrel of a gun. Chuckling softly with a shake of her head Andy made her way over to the table.

"Good evening Miranda, girls. How was the remainder of your afternoon?" she asked softly with a small smile as she took her seat next to Hayden and across from Miranda.

"It was fun. We got to see more of the studio and then we went to see the sites with Mom. We even went to see the Hollywood sign." Cassidy said with a smile.

Caroline nodded, "Mom said we can see some more while we're here! I want to go see where Mandy Musgrave or Gabrielle Christian lives or Cole and Dylan Sprouse! They are all totally awesome! It would be so awesome to hang out with them." she said her eyes lighting up with the thought.

Andy chuckled and shook her head, "I'm sure you will have to opportunity at some point, your mother always delivers for you girls."

Before anyone could say anything else the waitress stopped at the table to take drink orders. Andy ordered for herself and Hayden before turning her attention back to the twins who were flipping through a menu and pointing across one another.

Hayden slid herself onto Andy's lap laying her head on her shoulder, "Can I go play over there with the games? I'll be careful and make sure you can see me at all times." she asked softly her eyes wide and innocent.

Any felt her heart melt and smiled with a nod, "Of course you can Princess. I'll come get you when your dinner arrives alright?"

Hayden nodded and kissed her cheek before dashing off to play in the game area. Cassidy and Caroline exchanged looks before turning pleading eyes to their mother. With a slight nod Miranda excused them and they took off from the table leaving the two women behind to watch after them.

"They grow up so quickly." Miranda's soft voice pulled Andy from her idle watching and she turned to look at the older woman.

"That they do." she said her eyes darting back to the three girls gathered around what looked like an air hockey table.

"So... tell me Andrea... what exactly did you mean earlier today when you said these characters from this book were based on my children?" Miranda asked her voice cold and low.

Andy shook her head and smiled, "Listen Miranda... 4 years ago I answered to you. 4 years ago I would have done anything and everything for you... but that was 4 years ago. If you would like to learn who I am now and where I've been since the last time we were together that's fine but you will ask politely and lose the attitude. We're not in New York and I am not your lowly assitant. I've moved on from that chapter of my life, I will no longer stand and allow you to talk down to me in words or tone. So as you tell the girls... 'modify your tone' and we can talk.

Until then... I have nothing to say. If you would like to meet with Kennedy Mitchell and ask her about the project you can contact Kaydence and set up an appointment." she finished staring Miranda defiantly in the eyes.

Miranda glared at her for a few moments and then sighed nodded slightly, "Fine. So how is it my children inspired this phenomenon that has struck the nation? I hear its the biggest thing since the boy wizard series according to the girls. Cassidy believes it will be larger than that series of books actually."

Andy smiled shyly and shook her head, "I couldn't tell you how many times I've heard that and I still can't bring myself to believe it. The first two were instantly hits... The Hidden Door sold 400,000 copies in the first week and Lost in Kryta doubled that in the first 2 days. By the time The Battle for Cantha was released the first two had become bestsellers and had sold over 6 million copies nationwide. We didn't take them international until two months after the third book was released. Now the fifth book Journey to Elona is due out and the movies. It's amazing to me still to think this all started as a way to keep me entertained when waiting on the book." she said shaking her head and chuckling softly.

The waitress returned then with drinks and took the dinner oders before leaving them alone again. Andy sighed watching Hayden play Dance Dance Revolution with Caroline. The sight of the two girls dancing and laughing made her heart warm and she smiled. She could hear Miranda moving in her seat and lifting her glass so she continued watching the girls until the soft voice called for her attention.

"And the characters?" Miranda asked.

"Mmm... back to them... well yes... the girls... your girls were... devious." Andy said with a laugh, "Best little pranksters next to Kaydence and myself when we were younger. Oh we were so bad. They reminded me of myself in a way. I was waiting on the book one night having gone over everything numerous times I was flipping through a magazine and then started thinking about a game I played as a kid. Some way or another my thoughts turned to your girls." she paused and looked up at Miranda, "By that point the girls and I had something of a friendship... it was just after the Harry Potter Disaster. When I took the books to the girls... they were basically stunned. We made a deal and thus far they have kept their end of it and I shall continue to keep mine. I spoke with them shortly and then sent them on their way before returning to the office. Anyway, we became fast friends so the girls were never far from my mind. I started thinking of these little adventures to put them in... originally I was just going to give them to the girls... then..." she stopped and let her mind run back to that night in Paris four years ago.

That night was mostly a blur to her now. She could remember what she felt for every event that took place and recall some detail but only when she concentrated. Now sitting at the table waiting on dinner she let herself remember everything that took place in Paris. She inhaled sharply and then sighed, "Paris. When I decided on what I was going to do after everything I wanted to see the girls so badly to let them know. After everything that had happened and everything we had shared with each other... I didn't think that wise so I left and went home to Ohio. The idea to turn the adventures into books came to me while I was in a dark and depressed state. It became my lighthouse... my beacon of hope. I was going to find away and I was going to do something with myself and my life.

"At first I wanted to prove to you that you couldn't really stop me. After about the second day I didn't care about proving anything to you... I stopped worrying about it. I decided that it was time that Andy started living for Andy. All my life I did everything I could for everyone around me. My parents, my cousins, my friends, my boyfriends, you... it was never about me. That was no longer acceptable to me so I changed it. Now I am doing what I love to do, I have an amazing little girl, a beautiful home with beautiful animals, and a few friends to go out with should I choose to." She smiled and noticed the waitress returning with their dinner. She stood and waved the girls over when they looked her way.


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Caroline doubled over with laughter holding her aching sides. She inhaled deeply a few times wiping the tears from her eyes as she looked up at Andy, "You seriously have to come visit us after all of this Andy. I forgot how funny you are." she said between small giggles.

Andy's smile lit her eyes up and Caroline could only stare at the woman she'd known so well years ago and come to admire without knowing who she truly was. She shook her head at the irony of the situation and smiled a bright smile, "We have really missed having you around to talk to." she said softly.

Andy nodded and sighed, "I've really missed you girls as well." she said looking at Caroline and then Cassidy, "You two were little terrors and yet somehow that just endeared you to me more." she chuckled and looked at Miranda.

Caroline watched her mother and Andy interact. She knew they talked at dinner and then after while she and Cassidy played with Hayden and they seemed to have come to an agreement because her mother was no longer using the 'Runway voice' and she seemed, relaxed.
She looked over at her sister and received a subtle nod letting her know that Cass saw it as well and she was not losing her mind. She smiled even bigger thinking that her mother and Andy could become friends and they could see more of Andy and Hayden.

"Mom... if Andy's not busy one day while we're here can we do this again? It was really fun today." Cassidy asked softly looking at their mother with soft pleading eyes.

Andy laughed and shook her head, "If your mother says its ok you two are free to visit me whenever you like." she said.

Caroline and Cassidy both jumped up and hugged Andy tight, "Awesome!" they shouted in unison.

Hayden giggled and climbed on the sofa next to Andy, "Mommy I'm sleepy." she said leaning into Andy's side.

Cassidy sighed and glanced at the digital clock her eyes going wide, "Oh my gosh its nearly 1 am! Come on Hayden I'll help you get ready and Carri is gonna help your Mom clean up the mess we made with the jewelry project." Cassidy said earning a groan from Caroline and a few giggles from Andy and Hayden.

"I'll be in to tuck you in and say goodnight shortly." Andy said kissing the little girl's head.
Caroline sighed and resigned herself to cleaning up the macaroni, paints, and string from around the small table and wiping everything down. She moved quickly and slipped out the room to join Cassidy leaving their mother and Andy to talk.

"Carri do you think Mom and Andy could be friends? I mean I know Mom doesnt have many and she's not easy to get along with if she doesnt trust you but... I miss Andy. Plus you saw the same thing I did." Cassidy whispered as soon as her sister joined Hayden and her in the bedroom of the room.

Caroline nodded then peeked out the slight space in the door to see what the adults were doing, "I hope so Cass... Mom was so pissed at Andy at first but she seemed to be ok by the time we had dinner so maybe. I would love for them to be friends, she needs nice honest friends. Besides whether they ignore it or not... she and Andy have chemistry." Caroline replied softly looking at her sister before turning back to her task of spying.

"They have science like the guy on the tv?" Hayden asked keeping her voice low as well.

Cassidy chuckled and shook her head, "Not that kind of chemistry but that you know that is awesome." she told Hayden with a grin, "What
Carri means is she thinks my mom and your mom... have a romantic chemistry. Does that part make sense to you?" she asked.

Hayden nodded slightly and yawned, "So my mommy likes your mommy and your mommy likes my mommy but they don't know it?" she said laying down on the bed.

"Yep... but we're going to help them figure it out somehow." Caroline whispered with a mischievious smirk and a matching glint in her eyes.

Hayden nodded and curled up in the bed her head resting on Cassidy's lap, "Ok... tomorrow. Too tired now." she said her voice trailing off as she drifted in and out of sleep.

Cassidy smiled at the little girl and then looked at her sister, "She's an awesome kid isn't she? Did you know she was the one that helped mom find Andy inadvertly of course. Then she made sure we got the letters as well. She's going to love this movie and we have to get her something for helping us out." she said as she slowly moved from the bed.

Caroline nodded, opened the door, and quickly moved back to the adults, "Andy, Hayden is drifting quickly into sleep. You should probably say goodnight to her." she told her hugging her tight, "As well as us. I am really tired and Cass can barely keep her eyes open herself." she said before gathering up her things and Cassidy's.

"Night Caroline. Night Cassidy." Andy called to the girls as they made their ways to the bank of elevators. Caroline slowed and turned to watch her mother and Andy say goodbye. What she saw shocked her and made her smile and nudge her twin. Together they watch hand gestures, looks passing between the two women, the subtle touches, and soft laughter. After a few more minutes of that Caroline felt her breath catch in her throat as her mother leaned forward and kissed Andy's cheek.

Turning Caroline gave her sister a brilliant smile and then turned and continued watching her mother and Andy. She nodded at Cassidy's unanswered question and together they made their way up to their own suite their mother still not following making both girls giggle.