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It was just after eight in the morning when Andy, dressed for her morning run, knocked on Mary’s backdoor.  She was amazed when the door opened and she stood face to face with Gram Sachs.  “Uh… Gram?”  Andy smiled and chuckled. “I said come early but I didn’t mean this early.”

The older woman waved off the comment. “When I realized you were staying at the King’s B&B, I decided to get here in time for breakfast.  Mary and I know each other from way back, so I thought we could catch up.”  She took her seat at the table across from Mary.

“C’mon in.”  Mary gestured for her young guest to join them at the table in the breakfast nook. “We’re having some coffee.”  Two gently steaming mugs were sitting on the table. “Would you like some?”

“Ah.. not yet.  I want to get my run in first.”  Andy indicated the house next door. “Miranda is up and will be ready to face the day soon, the girls were still asleep but I expect them up any time… so I’d say… half an hour…forty-five minutes… and they’ll be ready for breakfast.”  She smiled at their hostess. “Do I need to run to the store?”

Mary chuckled. “Nope, I went last night.  We’re all set.” She tilted her head at the young woman. “Do you want me to wait for you to return?”

Andy waved the offer away. “Thanks, but I’ll be back by then, I’m not going to take a long run, just enough to work out the kinks.”  And after last night, boy do I have those…

Both women at the table laughed, both expressing similar sentiments about having Andy’s energy.  Gram smirked. “And why isn’t Miranda running with you?”

Andy laughed at that and ran her fingers through her hair. “Well, first of all, it would mean leaving the girls alone.  Second, it would require wearing…”  Andy looked around the kitchen, leaned closer, and whispered. “…sneakers.” 

Gram shook her head and widened her eyes in mock-terror. “Oh the horror!” 

Nodding, Andy laughed. “I’m going to surprise her with a pair of Prada running shoes for her birthday.”

“You think she… um…”  Gram glanced at Mary. “…could?”

That made Andy’s laugh louder. “Gram, I run to stay in shape, just so I can keep up with her!” She leaned closer and whispered into her grandmother’s ear, causing the older woman to sit a bit straighter and shoot a startled glance at the young girl.

“Really!?”

Andy couldn’t quite keep a smile off her face as she nodded and inhaled deeply. “Oh yeah.”  Her deep breath had brought the scent of coffee to her and Andy narrowed her eyes, calculating something. “I think Miranda will want a cup of coffee…I’ll take it to her…”  She grinned at Mary. “…just make it searing hot and leave room for milk.”

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Miranda carried her still hot coffee downstairs and discovered Mary and Pava sitting at the small table in the kitchen of the bed and breakfast.

“Good morning.” Pava smiled brightly at her granddaughter to be.

Narrowing her eyes at the older woman, Miranda grunted and leaned against the counter. “So now I know who to blame for Andrea’s cheery morning disposition?”

Pava shook her head. “Oh no… that one is all on you, m’dear.”  She winked at Miranda’s scandalized expression and explained. “When she was a youngster it was never easy to get her up in the morning. She even managed her college schedule to not include morning classes.  Working as your assistant changed that… having to get up so early every morning.  I think it changed her internal clock.”  She saw a flicker of something pass across Miranda’s features.  Guilt? “Then again it may just be the company she keeps makes her want to get up earlier.”

Mary grinned. “I should say Congratulations, I think.”  The hostess’ eyes twinkled. “I saw the ring yesterday morning, but didn’t want to say anything.” Mary smiled at her guest. “Pava tells me I was correct in thinking you were engaged now.”

“Mmm… yes.”  Miranda hid her grin behind her coffee mug for a moment.  Swallowing the sip, she rolled her eyes and found a seat at the table.  She found herself in the unusual position of being just a regular person, among other regular people, who actually seemed to care.  In this situation, some of her normal emotional walls were lowered.  “I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous in my life.”

“Really?”  That surprised Mary.  Miranda didn’t seem to be the nervous type.

“I have no experience with that side of the marriage ritual,”  Miranda admitted. “I’ve always been the one being asked.” 

“How many times have you been married?” Pava was curious, Dottie had made this woman out to be some kind of gold-digger. Obviously not what was happening in Andy’s case.

“Twice.” The editor sighed. “I can’t really regret the first one, because of the girls.  I would do every bit of it again, for them.”

“And the second?” Pava prompted.

“The second…” Miranda suppressed a shudder. “A marriage of convenience that we both thought would grow into something more.”  Sipping her coffee, she shook her head. “It didn’t.”

“And Andy?”  This time a bit of ‘concerned grandma’ slipped into Pava’s voice.  The love and defiance in Miranda’s cool blue eyes told her everything she needed to know, and she nodded. “Third time’s the charm I guess.”

“I hope so.”  Miranda conceded how much luck has to do with a successful relationship. “She is rather charming.”  Shaking her head didn’t prevent her thoughts from turning dark. “The other’s hurt when they ended.”  She turned an intense gaze on Pava. “If anything happens to this one, it will kill me.”

“She adores you.”  Mary smiled at her guest. “Even I can see that.”

“She is extremely thoughtful.”  Miranda swallowed hard, remembering all the tiny things Andrea did for her on a daily basis, such as the coffee she currently held in her hand, little things that no one else would think of, because no one else cared enough. 

“She loves you.”  Pava smiled at the silent woman. “I can tell she does.”

It was Miranda’s turn to be curious.  “How can you tell?”

“Well, I could see it in her eyes yesterday every time she looked at you.”  Pava grinned. “And now, since she thinks I’ve said something to upset you, she’s looking at me like she wants to kill me.”  She winked at her grand-daughter. “Back from your run so soon, darlin’?”

“Not soon enough apparently.”  Andy’s eyes softened as Miranda turned around.  “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”  Miranda nodded, feeling a bit foolish for wanting to run to the girl, wanting those surprisingly strong, lanky arms around her.  As it turned out she didn’t have to move, Andrea rushed to her seat and knelt to hug her.

“Are you sure?”  Andy spoke lowly into Miranda’s ear, glaring over her fiancé’s shoulder at her grandmother and their hostess in turn.

“We were just talking.”  Pava held up her hands as defense against the look in Andy’s eyes. “I swear.”

“Yes.”  Miranda agreed and slowly released herself from the embrace. “We were just talking.”

“Okay then.”  Andy stood, keeping one hand on Miranda’s shoulder. “I’m gonna go and get cleaned up.”  She nodded to the other two women. “I’ll check on the girls on my way, so I’d expect them down here fairly soon.”  She left the room and quickly made her way up the stairs.

“Gracious.”  Mary stared at Miranda, wide-eyed. “You’re worried about how she feels about you?”  Mary shook her head. “Good grief, that girl loves you like there’s no tomorrow!”

Exhaling softly, Miranda nodded. Yes, she does.  The problem is there is a tomorrow. Mary’s use of the term ‘girl’ didn’t go unnoticed either. 

“Well, I’m going to get started on breakfast.”  Mary stood and began to gather ingredients. “You’re welcome to stay and keep me company, or you can move into the other room to continue your conversation.”

“Are you kidding?”  Pava snorted. “I won’t ever be able to bring up that subject again… Andy would kill me!”

Miranda shook her head. “She’s rather possessive.  It’s a trait I never really took kindly to, until now.  Andrea has changed my views on quite a number of things.”  Shrugging, Miranda turned her thoughts to the others who were going to be there that day. “I know we haven’t had breakfast yet, but do you have any suggestions on where we can all go for lunch today? My preference is steak…”

“Hmmm…” Pava’s eyes glittered. “Let me think.”

It was an unnecessary comment, Miranda knew.  The gleam in the older woman’s eye told the editor Pava already had a place in mind.  Anything is fine, Miranda thought recalling Andrea’s pick the first night they were in town. It can’t be worse than that.

“I know just the place.” Pava assured her. “You’re gonna love it.”

Miranda sighed.

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At the sound of a car stopping in front of the house, Pava looked up and sighed. “Well, it was fun while it lasted.”

“Gram!” Andy chided. “Don’t be that way.”  The young woman smiled to take the sting out of her words and then jumped down the porch steps to meet her parents mid-way up the sidewalk.

Miranda chuckled. “It has been a lovely morning, thank you for the conversation.”

Pava shrugged. “I gotta get to know my new grand-daughter, don’t I?”  She grinned at Miranda’s shocked look and winked at the woman. “I’m glad Andy found you.”

Nodding, Miranda almost whispered. “Me too.”  Then she rolled her eyes as Dottie’s voice reached them. “Most of the time.”

Pava laughed. “Don’t worry.  She’s not going to be traveling to New York very often, and you can control the time you spend here.”

“Mmmm…”  Miranda thought about that.  “Yes, I can keep my contact with her to a minimum.”  Several ideas came to mind as to how she would accomplish that goal.  Unfortunately, nearly all of them involved Andrea visiting her family without Miranda’s presence… and rather like a pouting teen; Miranda just didn’t think that was fair at all.

Father, daughter, and mother joined the women on the porch. Miranda tilted her head. “Your son didn’t join you?”

Dorothy snorted and Richard grinned. “Ahhh… no.  Chad wasn’t… umm…”

Andy looked at them for half a second and began laughing. “Too hungover, huh?”  She grinned evilly.  “He never could hold his alcohol.”

Miranda raised her eyebrows. “And you can?”

“Nope.”  Andy cheerfully confessed. “But I normally know when to quit.”  She rolled her eyes. “I do need to remember not to drink the punch at James Holt’s parties though.”

“Mmm.. indeed.”  Miranda remembered the deceptively sweet liquid and the literal punch it packed. “You and I both.”

Disturbed by the idea of his daughter and this…woman out at a party, drinking together, Richard broke into the conversation. “So where do you want to go for lunch?”

“Oh.”  Miranda realized Pava had never actually said the name of her chosen establishment and turned to the older woman. “Where was it you wanted to go?”

“Maury’s.” Pava smiled. “You said steak, but most of the good steakhouses around here don’t open until dinner.  Maury’s is good and open for lunch.”

Andrea was nodding in agreement so Miranda went along with it. “Very well.”

“Aren’t they fairly expensive?”  Dottie worried. “With seven of us…”

“Not to worry.”  Miranda rose from her seat. “If the tab runs over my credit limit, you can make up the difference.”

Andy laughed quietly and fell into step beside Miranda heading to the car.  The rest of the party followed. 

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Miranda eyed the restaurant thoughtfully. Could be worse.  They were seated at a large round table and were quiet as they looked over the menu selections.  Dorothy mumbled something about the prices to her husband, but Miranda didn’t care about either the comment or the prices so she pretended not to hear.  Her main concern was that there was no acceptable steak selection on the Lunch Menu. 

When the waiter arrived, he took their orders.  He started with Andrea and went around the table, causing Miranda to be the last to order.

“I would like the New York strip steak, medium-rare.”

“Uh… we don’t serve that at lunch ma’am…”  He looked around the table nervously. “We have a lovely filet...”

“I’m perfectly capable of reading the pathetic lunch menu you presented to us.  I can also see that you serve New York strip at dinner, I would like that now.  Thank you.”

Andy widened her eyes at the ‘thank you’.  Practically any waiter in New York would pass out or have a heart attack to hear those words from Miranda.  She was amazed that the waiter persisted. 

“I’m sorry, we just don’t…serve that at lunch.”

Miranda closed her eyes and counted to ten, then sighed and nodded. “Fine.  The filet then.” 

“What!?”  Andy glared at her fiancé and leaned close to whisper. “Miranda, tell me honestly, do you want the filet or are you settling because you know it will upset my Mom?”

“I’ve done enough this weekend to give her pause, Andrea, there need not be any more.”

The waiter began to move away from their table.

Andy looked Miranda directly in the eye and shook her head. “Bullshit.”

“Andrea?” 

With a smile and a wink, Andy rose from her seat and caught up with the waiter.

They all watched as she spoke to the man for a moment.  He left, and in short order another man appeared to speak with Andy.  None of them could hear what she told him, but they all saw his face go pale and his eyes widen.  They watched as he slowly nodded and Andy gave him a bright smile before she made her way back to the table.

“One New York strip, medium-rare, comin’ up, Boss.”

Miranda gazed at the young woman with undisguised love. “Thank you, Andrea.”

“You’re welcome.” Andy turned adoring eyes on her fiancé. “Always.”

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Dorothy fumed during most of the wait for their meals.  This flaunting of the rules was just too much.  She managed to speak, in short bursts, to Andy about people Andy had gone to school with. 

Andy listened and nodded at what she thought were the appropriate pauses but couldn’t for the life of her figure out why her mother believed that she cared about people who hadn’t given her the time of day back then.  Finally Gram cut into the conversation.

“For crying out loud, Dorothy, Andy doesn’t want to hear about all these people.  Do you remember nothing about her school days?”  The older woman was becoming quite angry with her daughter-in-law. “Give it a rest.  You aren’t going to tempt Andy away from Miranda with tales of some guy she dated once in school who went on to flip burgers at the corner greasy spoon.”

Miranda chuckled and teased her partner. “You have a thing for cooks?”

It was too easy to resist. “Mmmm… yeah, I’m so glad it turns out you’re a gourmet chef.”

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Not quite.”

Andy grinned. “Well you make a mean breakfast in record time.”

“You’re a good cook, Mom.”  Caroline agreed. “You cook all kinds of things for us.”

“Yeah,” Cassidy piped up. “Grandma Princhek’s pierogi’s are the best.”

“You girls are biased.”  Miranda sat up a bit straighter. “I’ll have to make them for Andrea one day, I’m sure she’ll give me an honest opinion.”

“Maybe one day we can share our family recipes.” Pava said. “For some special occasion…”  Like a wedding?

Miranda tilted her head. “Perhaps.”

Andy burst out laughing.  All the eyes at the table turned to her, but only Miranda asked what was so funny.  It took a minute for the young woman to get her mirth under control and then it was only long enough to say, “I was just imagining the horror on Emily’s face if she were to hear you were actually swapping recipes with my grandmother.”

“Mmm… yes, she would require medical assistance for that…wouldn’t she?”  Miranda grinned at the thought but couldn’t explore it further because the food was arriving at the table.

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“You didn’t get a side dish.”  Dorothy pointed at Miranda’s plate.  “You should tell them.”

“She didn’t want one, Ma.” Andy picked up her fork and speared a bite of her salad. “She never eats side dishes at lunch.  Just the steak.”

“But vegetables are good for you…”  Dorothy trailed off her motherly advice as Miranda leveled a glare at her.

“I eat vegetables.”  Miranda informed her. “I eat almost nothing but vegetables for my evening meal, but at lunch, I eat steak.”  She cut into the offering and smiled at the meat’s interior perfect coloring. “I eat less carbs that way.”  She chewed the bite, nodding at the seasoning. “I’m quite healthy.”  Waving her fork at her partner, Miranda smiled. “Andrea sees to that.”

Andy rolled her eyes. “Just because I’m paranoid and make you go to the doctor.”

“Paranoid?”  Dorothy didn’t understand that, did her daughter actually realize the problems growing older caused?

“Yeah, because of the whole, stalker thing, when Judy tried to drug Miranda… the drugs were dangerous at the levels she’d been ingesting.”  Andy shuddered at the thought of that final cup of coffee. “I was so paranoid about the long term effects of that I had Miranda going to the doctor all the time… at first.”

“I had to put a stop to it.”  Miranda said, cutting another bite. “It was just too disruptive to go all the time.”  The Editor looked over at Andrea. “The last appointment showed nothing, the same as the ones before.  Doctor Dawson said not to come back for six months.”

“Unless you start having problems.”  Andy reminded her and was glad Miranda nodded in agreement. “Can we change the subject now?  I really hate remembering that.”  She closed her eyes for a second and could see Miranda lifting the poisoned coffee cup to her lips.  Shuddering at the vision, she opened her eyes quickly and swallowed against her dry throat. I could have lost her. That thought had nearly stopped her heart so many times in the beginning but now, when she looked across the table at her partner, her heart nearly stopped for almost the exact opposite reason.

I’m gonna marry her.

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The traveler’s bags had gone through the normal airport security, but the limousine had driven right out onto the tarmac, parking very close to the stairs leading up to the open plane door.

Caroline and Cassidy tumbled out of the car.  They only barely took the time to politely say goodbye to Richard and Dorothy before they hugged Gram Sachs quickly and almost ran up the stairs to board the plane.

“Well… um… thank you for the meal.”  Richard politely held out his hand to Miranda. “I’m uh…”

Miranda smiled and took his hand quickly but firmly. The man hadn’t said much during lunch and Miranda knew he was still uneasy about his daughter’s relationship with her.  “You are quite welcome, Mr. Sachs.  Thank you for your hospitality.”  She turned to Dorothy. “And thank you, for the wonderful meals you prepared for us.”  She didn’t offer her hand to the woman.

“You’re welcome.”  Dorothy replied. “I’m glad we got the chance to meet, and talk a little.”

Nodding, Miranda exhaled slowly. “Perhaps we will again.”  She raised her eyebrows. “Just remember what I told you in the car about the paparazzi. They will be here soon… ignore them and they’ll go away.  We,” she indicated Andrea and herself, “will be a much better target for their fascination.”

Andy stepped up. “Just don’t believe anything you see or read in those rags… call me to ask if you have to, but ninety-nine percent of the time it’s all airbrushed photos and made-up stories.”  She moved closer and hugged her mom. “I love you, Ma.”  She turned to her dad. “Love you, Daddy, thanks for everything.”

He held her tightly and didn’t want to let go.  The description of the paparazzi and their tactics had scared him.  “Take care of yourself… please?” 

“I will, daddy.”  Andy squeezed him a bit tighter for a second.

“I’ll watch out for her, Mr. Sachs.”  Miranda promised. “I’ll take care of her.”

“No…” Andy protested. “We’ll take care of each other.”  She turned to make her final good-bye. “Gram, it was so good to see you.”  Andy hugged her gently, feeling the fragility in the older woman.  “Thank you…”

Pulling away from the embrace, Pava smiled at her favorite grand-daughter. “It’s nice to see you happy, darlin’.”  She kissed Andy’s cheek lightly. “Take care.”

“You too, Gram.”  Andy moved away as Miranda stepped up.

“It was nice meeting you, Pava.” She surprised herself when the woman embraced her and she reciprocated.  It had been a long time since she’d had any sort of mother-figure.  She laughed to herself at the absurdity of that designation for Pava.

The driver interrupted his temporary employer. “Your bags have been loaded on the plane.”

Nodding Miranda handed him some folded bills. “Thank you, return Andrea’s family to the bed and breakfast, then you are finished with this assignment.”

“Thank you, Ma’am. It’s been a pleasure.”   He pocketed the tip without looking at it and held the car door for the passengers on the last leg of this job.  

Miranda waited with Andrea until the car began to move back across the tarmac before she led her partner up the stairs to the plane. The attendant closed the door behind them.  They all took their seats and fastened their seatbelts as the plane began to move.  Miranda took a deep breath knowing that next part of their journey together was about to begin. Miranda devoutly hoped at least some of it would be spent together.