What to tell the Children

AN/1 This is really not my usual type of story but was inspired by an event and piece of advice my lovely and wise Lady Wife Jane gave to a friend in an iffy personal relationship many years ago.

AN/2 Possible trigger warning for domestic abuse.

A/N3 Oops did it again, thought this would be a two parter and it has turned into a three parter instead. My bad.

AN/4 Tip of the nib to the film First Wives Club which provided the organisation mentioned in the fic.

Andy flipped another page of the magazine she'd been pretending to read for the past 30 minutes. Her eye was drawn to the stylish carriage clock on the end-table opposite her for possibly the 20th time in the last hour and a half. Glancing around at the comfortable and stylish furniture, real coffee machine and cooler of water and juices, bookshelves and racks of current magazines and newspapers, the thought escaped that before today she would never have imagined any doctor's waiting room could have been this comfortably appointed. Giving up on the magazine, she got up and went to look out the window watching the traffic 10 stories below as she continued to worry about Miranda and wonder how things were going with the doctor.

Things had moved very quickly once Miranda had asked for her help earlier in the day. Andy had been glad she'd had the information and advice handy on her notepad because once the initial plea for help had been made, Miranda quickly became skittish and defensive retreating behind her usual work persona with all its' impatience and sharpness very much to the fore. Being able to get on with things in a business-like manner seemed to help the older woman ground herself and she lost some of her dragonish outer layer because of Andy's continued gentle and helpful handling.

The younger woman's research from the previous evening had led her to a contact at the Cynthia Swann Crisis Centre for Women in central Manhattan. The Centre had been helping women from all walks of life for more than 10 years. It had expanded exponentially since its rather colourful founding by a trio of friends who had included the renowned actress Elise Elliot and now provided counselling and emergency intervention for domestic abuse, sexual assault and suicide prevention; advice and aid for financial hardship and even had a section to help women with finding, applying for and interviewing for jobs. The brunette had been particularly drawn to the fact that although the Centre catered for women from all backgrounds, they were known for their experience in helping wealthy women and women from the upper echelons of New York society. They were particularly well equipped to advise on issues that might arise for someone in Miranda's social and celebrity position.

Acting on advice from her grandmother to be ready to run fast with things if she got through to Miranda in order to prevent the older woman from backtracking or panicking and changing her mind, Andy had actually called the crises centre early that morning and made a provisional appointment for Miranda to speak to a counsellor that day. Miranda had been reluctant at first but Andy had managed to get her to agree to at least a short telephone interview to begin with if not an actual meeting with the counsellor.

The brunette had nervously paced the outer office for the fifteen or so minutes the call had taken and almost burst through the door when she heard Miranda's faint call of her name before getting herself in hand and approaching the Editor's desk at a more reasonable pace. Miranda sat with shoulders slumped and refused to raise her eyes from the desk in front of her where her hand was tracing the writing on a post-it note. After some minutes Miranda finally took a deep breath and straightened her posture as she lifted the post-it and held it out toward Andy, who had noticed the wince of discomfort the deep inhalation of breath had elicited.

"Cancel all my appointments and meetings today and call this number for the earliest possible appointment before 4pm today, I'm assured they will be able to fit me in." Miranda still kept her gaze on the desk as her initial sharpness softened and her voice became softer and a little uncertain.

"I have an appointment at the Swann Centre for 4:30pm which should last an hour." Miranda paused and half glanced up at the younger woman before continuing in an even softer voice. "You will… I mean will you…" She cleared her throat. "I mean I would appreciate it if…"

Andy's heart squeezed as she watched Miranda struggle to ask for her help in a more detailed way than she had earlier. Part of her wanted to step in and finish the woman's thought and request for her, but her grandmother's advice had been clear that Miranda needed to take control of her decisions, actions and requests for help, Andy shouldn't pre-empt those actions if she could help it. So despite her own discomfort all she allowed herself was a whispered encouraging statement.

"Take your time Miranda, you can ask me anything."

The gentle encouragement seemed to help and the Editor's head rose slightly as she looked Andy in the eye and finally stated her request.

"Andrea I would appreciate it if you would accompany me today."

The brunette did not smile but did maintain an expression of earnest concern and reassurance while nodding and reiterating she would help Miranda in any way the older woman needed or wanted her help. Not waiting for further instruction she stood and tapped the note in her hand indicating she was going to go and sort things out. Reaching the door she didn't even pause when the softly spoken 'Thank you.' reached her ears, instead she continued on to her desk.

"Ms. Sachs?"

The sound of her name being called brought Andy out of her reverie and she turned from the window to see a young woman in pale brown scrubs at the door of the waiting room.

"Yes, that's me."

"Ms Priestly has asked for you to join her and Dr. Walliams." She pointed down the corridor to the left. "It's the fourth door on the right down that way." Having delivered the message she went off in the opposite direction.

Andy gathered coats and bags, hers and Miranda's, and made her way to the correct door on which she gave a somewhat tentative knock waiting for the response to enter before reaching for the door knob. Pushing the door open she saw Miranda, fully dressed and sitting somewhat stiffly in one of the client chairs in front of the doctor's desk. The woman behind the desk was shuffling some papers in a file and making quick notes on a few sheets while she waited for the newcomer to take a seat.

Andy placed her load of coats and bags on the chair nearest the door and took the seat beside Miranda. Settling quickly, she looked at the Editor and not the doctor for clues to how the examination had gone. Miranda's face was pale and drawn and she kept her eyes fixed at a point on the desk just in front of her, refusing to make eye contact with the brunette. After a minute or so the older woman's hand moved slowly, almost timidly onto the arm rest nearest to Andy, who took the hint of an invitation and covered the woman's hand with her own. Noting how cold Miranda's hand was Andy couldn't help but begin a gentle stroking trying to transfer both heat and reassurance that she was there for Miranda who acknowledged the action with a tentative squeeze of the younger woman's hand.

The doctor closed the last folder and sat back in her chair clearing her throat just a little to get the attention of the two women in front of her, waiting to speak until they looked up and acknowledged her presence. She took a few more minutes to decide how best to proceed with the results and reports from her examination. Taking into consideration Miranda's behaviour during the examination and what knowledge she had of the woman from the press, the doctor opted for the straightforward approach, providing information and carefully worded suggestions for treatment and follow up.

"Okay Miranda, here's the full report from your examination. You have a number of healing wounds varying in age from approximately six weeks to 24 hours old. These include severe bruising and two lacerations to your lower left back, multiple layers of severe deep tissue bruising and lacerations on both inner thighs, bruising on the right upper arm and almost completely covering the right torso and abdominal area, a still healing severe sprain to your left wrist, and heavy contusions surrounding your right eye and extending down the right cheek bone, your x-ray results confirmed my assessment that three of your lower right costae verae ribs are cracked as well as showing an older, still healing crack in your left clavicle."

Andrea struggled with the wave of nausea that threatened to overwhelm her at the gruesome list of damage and abuse Miranda had endured, although the implications connected to the older woman's bruised inner thighs had sorely tested her and so intensified her rage against Stephen she had actually tasted bile rise in the back of her throat. It was only the knowledge that Miranda needed someone to help her be strong and get through this terrible experience that allowed Andy to get a grip on her feelings and finally loosen the grip her right hand had on the chair handle, her left hand had somehow remained gentle and consoling as it still covered Miranda's hand. She managed to refocus herself when the doctor continued.

"To be honest there isn't really a whole lot that can be done as far as treatment is concerned, other than pain management for the cracked ribs. I'm afraid it is just a matter of allowing the bruising and cuts to heal in their own good time. As much as it hurts to breathe deeply it is important that you try to breathe as normally as possible, avoid taking shallow breaths if you can as that can lead to a chest infection. I'd recommend some breathing exercises, make sure you take ten full deep breaths expanding your lungs fully at least once every hour." The doctor glanced up and caught both their eyes to emphasise her next point. "Under no circumstances should you try to bind up or constrict your chest cavity that will also seriously increase the risk of a chest infection and do nothing to help the healing process. The fact is rib and phalangel cracks and breaks are the worst to get, they hurt like hell and there's really nothing that can be done to treat them. I've written you out a prescription for an ibuprofen/codeine mix that should tackle the pain for you, just read the label and actually follow the instructions of use."

The doctor pushed forward three sheets of paper which Andrea automatically reached to pick up, only glancing sideways at Miranda for confirmation of her actions as she sat back in her chair, the slight bob of the silver mane allowing her to relax in her chair. The doctor cleared her throat once more before continuing.

"It goes without saying that this consultation is protected by doctor patient privilege, but as Miranda requested that you be present Ms Sachs, I asked her to sign a permission slip that brings you into that privilege as well so that legal confidentiality is extended to you as a third party." She leant forward handing Andy her pen. "If you would sign beside your name on the bottom of the waiver document, it's the page directly below the prescription sheet. The third sheet is a blank legal Permission of Release form. If you decide to follow a course of legal action Miranda you just need to fill that in and have your lawyer notarise the signature and I will be able to release your examination results for use as evidence."

Andy quickly scribbled her signature on the second sheet and pushed it back toward the doctor before carefully folding the remaining papers and slipping them into her handbag. Dr. Walliams accepted the returned sheet and slotted into the folder on her desk.

"There's a pharmacy on the ground floor and I suggest you get that prescription filled before you leave." She eyed Miranda who she noted was adjusting her posture to ease some of her discomfort.

"If you had something for lunch you can take the pills right away, if not, you should eat something as soon as you can and take them at least a half hour after you've eaten."

The Doctor stood and rounded her desk. Stopping in front of Miranda she held out a business card and then offered her hand to the older woman to shake.

"If the pain increases or if you feel there's a complication just give me a call, my direct line is on the back of the card." Her expression became even more earnest as she added emphatically. "I mean that Miranda, day or night, just call. Okay?"

Miranda merely nodded as she placed the card into the purse Andy had just handed to her and stood while Andy automatically helped her into her coat, taking care to make sure the older woman didn't unduly stretch her injured ribs in the wrong way. They left the office together, stopping at the receptionist to book a follow up exam in three weeks as the doctor had suggested.

When they reached the bank of elevators Andy glanced at Miranda debating what to do about riding with the older woman on the journey down. Always keeping her grandmother's advice to keep things as close to normal as usual in mind, Andy had held back on both the previous elevator trips at Elias Clarke and here in the doctor's building until Miranda had nodded her head that she should break holy writ and join Miranda in the elevator. Something told her that a third time trailing behind in a few short hours might just irritate the editor more than soothe her.

Andy straightened her shoulders and decided to take Miranda's earlier request of accompanying her today to include all elevator journeys as well. When the silver doors opened in front of them she automatically followed the older woman into the cab and moved to the side to allow Miranda her personal space while still remaining close enough to offer support. The white hair flicked slightly when Miranda looked sideways at her assistant and Andy stiffened for a moment before she heaved a sigh of relief as she noted the small smile of approval Miranda let slip before facing forward again.

A little over an hour and a half later, Andy found herself once again sitting in a waiting area minding Miranda's coat and bag and waiting for the older woman to return from her interview with the crises counsellor. They'd filled the prescription in the pharmacy recommended by Dr Walliams before calling for Roy to pick them up and Andy had directed him to a non-descript but adequate bistro only a few blocks away from the Cynthia Swann Centre in order to make sure Miranda ate something before she took the pain killers. Although Andy had been on tenterhooks the whole time, just waiting for Miranda's patience to snap, the older woman had continued to be uncharacteristically biddable and Andy had finally relaxed a little as they'd both waited for the 4:30 appointment.

Noting that Miranda had been with the counsellor for nearly 45 minutes, Andy wondered if they followed the standard therapist practice of 50 minute sessions or if the meeting would continue as long as Miranda needed it to last. An answer of sorts came about 15 minutes later when her name was once more called out by a receptionist instructing her that Miranda wanted Andy to join her, and just as at the doctor's office the woman directed her to the room in which Miranda was having her counselling session.

This time when Andy entered she saw Miranda seated on a small couch, holding a large tuft of tissues in her tightly clutched hands and it was abundantly evident that she had been crying at some point during her talk with the woman seated in a comfortable chair set side-on at one end of the couch nearest Miranda. Without invitation, Andy immediately went and sat beside Miranda, pleased but a little startled when she felt Miranda grasp her hand even before she'd settled properly on the cushion beside her. Settling herself, she smiled reassuringly at Miranda and gently cradled the now more relaxed hand in her lap before turning to the counsellor. The woman opposite was quite short, maybe in her mid to late 40s and dressed in a off the rack but well fitted and flattering pant suit paired with pretty Vera Wang blouse only 2-3 seasons out of date, she smiled at the brunette and introduced herself.

"Hello Andrea, my names Agnes McCarthy. Miranda wanted you to come in for this last little bit of our session. As you can appreciate it has been quite a tiring day for her and she wanted you here to take notes on my follow up advice and plan for her."

Andy looked at Miranda and nodded her head before gently disengaging her hand and reaching to retrieve her notebook and pen from her handbag.

"Of course, absolutely anything I can do to help." She murmured, still speaking to Miranda more than Agnes, who smiled at her nonetheless.

"Excellent, having friends at times like this, when we really need them, is a definite blessing."

Andy smiled gently, again more at Miranda than the counsellor, accepting the latter's definition of her relationship with Miranda as one of friendship. She calmly met the older woman's uncertain gaze while answering the unspoken question reflected in the blue depths of Miranda's eyes.

"I couldn't agree more Ms McCarthy. It's like my grandmother always says; 'Friendship isn't about who you've known the longest. It's about who walked into your life and said, 'I'm here for you,' and proved it.' I certainly intend to prove it to Miranda in every way I can."

Miranda looked at Andy dumbfounded, but so profoundly relieved by the brunette's declaration she was unable to stop the tears of gratitude that trickled slowly down her cheeks before being gently wiped away by a tissue Andy had taken from the wad of them still held in her own hand. Andy smiled placed her pad on one knee, pen poised at the ready she nodded at Miranda, took her hand into her own spare one before refocusing on the other occupant of the room.

"So, what can I do to help?"

The counsellor went over some of the options she'd already covered with Miranda about next steps, adding further details and necessary contact information so that Miranda could take action as soon as she'd made her decisions. Andy took down notes on everything, asking questions and clarifying requirements as necessary, when she and Miranda left the centre 30 minutes later they were both feeling drained but oddly content with the plans they had made together.

Neither Miranda nor Andy seemed to notice or question the fact they left the building still hand in hand and only broke their mutual clasp for the necessary few seconds it took to enter the town car. Roy had known that something was truly off with his employer for a few weeks now and he had been worried for her but unable to say or do anything about it. As they drove through the early evening traffic he glanced in his rear-view mirror to see each woman looking out of their respective car windows and speaking on their cell phones held in one hand while their other hand rested entwined on the car seat between them. He caught Andy's eye as she finished her call and conveyed his approval with his eyes before returning his attention to the traffic ahead. Roy decided he'd make a point of letting Andy know she could count on his help when he got the chance, until then he knew if Andy was on the case then Miranda was in the best hands possible.