Intuition

"Everybody out, this instant," Miranda suddenly blurted during the run through. She knew no one would dare to question why. "Not you, Andrea. You stay."

Andy was confused and scared shitless. She had no idea what to expect but she hoped she would be let off the hook quickly since she was cramping really badly. She watched as everyone took their things and rushed out.

Miranda stepped in front of Andy with a worried look on her face. That expression alone scared Andy even more than if Miranda was annoyed with her or from the incompetence of the rest of her staff. "Andrea, how far along are you?" Miranda asked with concern as her hand caressed her upper arm.

"Wha…what...whatever do you mean Miranda? I mean, I'm not pregnant." Andy stuttered.

"We need to get you to a doctor. I will call my Ob-Gyn and you will text Roy in the meantime. Seriously Andrea! You were sick for a couple weeks after Paris and your body…" Miranda cleared her throat, eyeing her boobs. "...has changed and I've noticed you have a blood stain on… you know…" She nodded in Andy's direction. "Anyway, no one else noticed but we need to get you checked over immediately to see if you and the baby are okay."

"Miranda, whoa, wait, whoa! I'm not pregnant. I…I...wow, yes I'll admit I'm cramping, but it's just that time of the month and...I'll pay for the dry cleaning. Yes, I had a bit of bad luck with stomach bugs but I'm definitely not pregnant." Andy laughed hysterically.

"Andrea, please be serious. You are pregnant. Now, text Roy. That's an order." Miranda was insistent. "And to make sure you go I'll be coming along with you." She said, dialling her doctor's number.

Andy stood there clearly dumbstruck, and also totally embarrassed and becoming angrier by the second. She absent-mindedly texted Roy to come right away, while listening to Miranda talking to her doctor.

"...Yes, she is….I do not know but it's urgent….okay, we'll be on our way." Miranda said, not waiting for a response before hanging up. She glared at Andy while she stood and organized herself.

Emily knocked on the door and brought in some clothes, which Miranda had apparently ordered God knows when.

"Here, use my bathroom to change and clean yourself up. Don't use a tampon. You will find other sanitary items in the drawer beside the toilet. I'll get our coats." Miranda was clearly focused on the task of getting Andy help. With an airy wave of her hand, Miranda left the office.

Andy just did as she was told. Beyond all doubt confused and totally embarrassed, she went and changed.

"Emily, not a word about this to anyone and clear my afternoon." Miranda barked at the redhead as she gathered their coats.

"Of course, Miranda," Emily said. She was actually a bit concerned about Andy.

Meanwhile, Andy changed and did just as Miranda demanded. She put her stained clothes in the bag the new clothes had been in. She was just glad she hadn't sat anywhere and stained anything else. How did she not feel that? It wasn't a lot of blood but since her pants were nude…

Exiting the bathroom and office, with her head bowed, Miranda stood holding up Andy's coat ready to leave. She helped Andy into the jacket, smoothing it over her shoulders.

Emily gasped. She had clearly entered the twilight zone. Why would Miranda help Andy get her coat on?

"Emily take that bag to the dry cleaners with the usual items," Miranda ordered. Emily went around her desk and took it from Andy.

"Miranda I can do that myself...I…" She was shushed by Miranda's eyebrow rising and swallowed her protests.

"Come along now," Miranda ordered and was on her way to the elevator already. Andy followed blindly and was ordered into the waiting elevator with the usual nod. "Are you feeling alright?" Miranda suddenly broke the silence hanging between them.

"I'm fine. I'm just confused. I'm really not pregnant. I can't be. I don't even have a boyfriend anymore." Andy whispered the last sentence.

"I am aware of that and about everything else including your night with Christian in Paris," Miranda stated, coolly with a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"How do you...Nigel! I'm going to kill him." Andy was even more embarrassed.

"No, he just confirmed what I already sensed. Now, come along." Miranda said, hurrying them to the waiting car.

Once in the car, Andy tried to convince Miranda again. "Really, Miranda. I'm fine, I'm just having my period. I was a bit late, but since it's here now, I'm pretty sure I'm not pregnant. Why do you even care?"

"We will see when you got your checkup with my doctor….and I care about…um...about my assistants."

"Really? 'Cause when Emily broke her leg you sent me to the hospital." Disbelief coloured Andy's voice. "Ugh, you are so frustrating at times, you know that right?" Andy got bold and had to pull herself together so she did not lose it. She would just play along and get the checkup Miranda wanted. She prayed the day would be over soon.

Miranda smirked at her. "You think so?" Seeing Andy nod they lapsed into silence as they travelled the rest of the way to Miranda's doctor.

Miranda kept leading the way, even checking Andy in and telling the nurse a pregnancy test was needed and that Andy was bleeding.

"Are you still bleeding Ms Sachs?" The nurse asked gently.

"Um no, it didn't feel like it but I'm pretty sure it's just the beginning of my period." Andy blushed and looked down while she talked about the intimate details in front of Miranda.

"It's okay, Ms Sachs, we will give you a checkup and take a urine sample. Here's the cup, there is the bathroom over there." The nurse waved across the room. "You will see the doctor after that. You can wait right here, Miranda."

The nurse showed Miranda to the waiting area and Andy went to the bathroom as she was told. When she was done she was asked to wait with Miranda until her name was called.

Andy was becoming nervous. What if Miranda was right? What would she even do with a baby, alone in New York? She barely earned enough to pay the rent on her poxy studio apartment. Tears sprang into her eyes and she started fidgeting, pulling her fingers in her agitation.

When Miranda sensed her nervousness she took her hand. "It will be alright, darling. Please, don't worry."

Andy's head snapped up and she stared at Miranda. Darling? Did she hear her right? But before she could say anything her name was called and she went into the office and sat across from the doctor. She looked very friendly.

"I'm Karen is it okay to call you by your first name?" The doctor smiled at Andy.

"Yes, that's just fine. Please call me Andy." Andy spoke quietly, her nerves getting the better of her.

"Alright Andy, your urine test showed you are pregnant." Karen stopped and saw just how shocked Andy looked. "Now I will give you an ultrasound to make sure everything is well and we shall take a blood sample."

"Oh my God." Andy husked. "I'm so sorry, it's just...I'm alone and…I'm not happy, this is just all so unexpected."

"Andy, don't worry. Let's just check you over since you had a little bleeding. Once that is done, I will tell you all about the options you have. Now, I know that raising a child alone isn't easy, and it must be scary, but let's check you out first and let the shock sink in." The doctor tried to reassure her. "Since you are very slender I'm sure I won't need a vaginal ultrasound. We might be able to see the baby with a regular ultrasound. Would you like me to get Miranda?"

Andy was so shocked she nodded, surprising herself. Karen led her to the gurney and went to get Miranda while she made herself comfortable.

When Miranda stepped into the room, she saw the young woman with a tear-stained face. She couldn't stop herself from rushing over and pulling her into a warm embrace.

Andy needed nothing more than the hug. She clung to the editor and sobbed. The doctor turned away, giving them a few moments of privacy.

"How did you know?" Andy whispered into Miranda's neck.

"Intuition, I believe." Miranda pulled back and smiled gently at her. She took her hand and sat beside her.

"Shall we, Andy?" Karen asked. Andy wiped her cheeks and nodded.

The doctor eased Andy down so she was lying down and put gel on Andy's stomach to begin the ultrasound. Soon she found the little embryo. She pointed to it and confirmed her after measuring the baby that she was, in fact, nine weeks pregnant.

When Andy saw the baby that already looked pretty much like a baby she squeezed Miranda's hand.

"I will check out the baby's heartbeat now." Karen turned the sound on and looked for the baby's heart. Soon she saw something jumping on the screen and they heard the heartbeat. "There it is, very strong," Karen said and looked at Andy, her eyes holding concern. She could see the young woman was far from happy as tears streamed down her face. "Now, can I speak freely in front of Miranda?" Karen asked.

Andy gave Miranda a sad smile and nodded. Miranda was so different right now so reassuring and supportive. Andy was actually happy she had come with her.

"If you believe you can't raise this baby there are many options. But I want you to take your time and think about it, okay? This is not a decision that's easy or should be rushed." Karen stated. "I will give you your first picture of your baby, and also some flyers on how we will proceed if you keep it. There is also some literature about what happens if you decide on an abortion. Also, you should talk to the father."

This time, Miranda squeezed her hand, offering her support.

"There's no father…"Andy whispered.

"Now, about the bleeding. You should definitely take a week off work and take it easy. It's most likely because of the change of your cervix from the pregnancy. More blood is flowing through it so it can bleed easier if it's stimulated, most likely caused from having sexual intercourse." Karen said." But it's nothing to be concerned about. You and the baby are healthy, but we will draw blood and run the standard tests to make sure you are both fine. I also recommend that you shouldn't have intercourse for at least the next two weeks."

"I didn't even…I…oh God, this is so embarrassing." Andy blushed.

Karen seemed to understand. "Don't be embarrassed we are all adults and need the release, so I will just reiterate, no toys or any other sexual activities." She said looking at Miranda.

"I'm…We are not…" This time it was Miranda who stuttered. Andy squeezed Miranda's hand and giggled as a blush rose up Miranda's cheeks. "At least my embarrassment made you smile," Miranda said, rolling her eyes.

"Alright, now let me draw that blood then I'll give you some vitamins you should start to take daily," Karen stated.

They were done pretty quickly and as soon as they left the building and sat in the car again Miranda glanced at the young woman.

Andy was just shell-shocked as she kept looking at the picture of her baby. She had a little human inside of her and couldn't believe she had been so irresponsible.

"Andrea, may I suggest something?" Andy came out of her thoughts and nodded. "I would love to take you back to the townhouse and make sure you are not alone," Miranda said.

"Miranda, I can't expect you to keep helping me like that. It was enough that you took time away from Runway today. Although I was really glad that you were there Miranda, thank you so much. I am grateful." Andy said, taking Miranda's hand, no longer being afraid to touch the editor.

"Nonsense Andrea, if you don't come to my house I will organize for the Bobbsey's to go to their father and then I shall come to your apartment. I meant it when I said I care for you, darling." Miranda flipped Andy's hand and laced their fingers together.

Andy was in seventh heaven. The smallest thing Miranda did to offer comfort, felt really nice. Andy couldn't believe her own courage, but her hormones took over and she pulled on Miranda's hand and hugged her. To her surprise, Miranda hugged her right back. "So what will it be Andrea?"

TBC