Epilogue

As they both lay basking in afterglow in Miranda's large bed, gazing up at the ceiling with satisfied smiles – even Miranda… – life couldn't have been any better. The woman that lay beside her seemed someone else entirely to Andy, and it left her wondering whether all of her intimate companions had seen this side of the Ice Queen. Momentarily, Andy had wondered which side was the façade then, considering how easy she could actually 'change' into the one or the other – both might have been the real her. Could it be named a 'real Miranda'? Were both sides her depending on the context and the company maybe?

A sigh slipped past her lips as her head fell upon the elder woman's shoulders. She could vaguely feel warmth so unlike Miranda Priestly cover her hand and without looking she knew this touch. It had been familiar since their very first sexual encounter. She quietly turned her hand and held onto Miranda's.

It had been about two weeks since Miranda and she had ended up in bed together. Despite their having been hesitant, it had still been mind-blowing and unforgettable… the beginning of something new, something amazing. Andy vividly recalled how her mind had reeled as Miranda had kissed her or she Miranda – she had never known. It had run in different directions, not a few leading to questions about how and what… and why. She had not laughed about Andy's ridiculous underwear – which hadn't even matched that day like so often for her and unlike Miranda.

Andy had wondered if maybe the alcohol combined with her loneliness might have driven Miranda to do what she had, and if maybe she should put a stop to it before the very last shred of reason had slipped away in the wake of the rest as their embrace grew more intimate and intense, leading to the point of no return.

However, soon enough every shred of reason had flown from her mind, and Andy had reacted to her body's impulses… leaving her entirely exhausted and falling asleep beside her. Upon waking, Miranda had still been there, looking at her through a haze of hangover. Andy assumed she must already have been hanging over the toilet pot and vomiting, considering she certainly looked as if she had been awake for a while and on the verge of vomiting again. Andy had wanted to flee, but Miranda had stilled her by putting a hand on her arm and pushing her back, before cuddling up beside her.

Andy had allowed herself the momentary respite. Around noon, she had, however, told her that she needed to go home to get showered and into clean clothes… Miranda having asked her, nearly having begged her to come back… So Andy had the very same evening, to check on Miranda – though her mind had been on the scintillating encounter that had still had her body humming with satisfaction and desire as well. A second one had ensued and a third one later that same evening.

In the two weeks that followed, Andy had left for work from Miranda's town house multiple times and by now, about half of her belongings still were at her own apartment and the rest with Miranda. Despite especially the latter's rather busy schedule, they still had quite some time together. A part of Andy feared the next trip abroad that would leave her alone again. She didn't know whether she could do it or not. She didn't know when it would be… She… It still was so new and exciting… and confusing. She still had so many questions running through her but somehow there were so many that they could not be voiced anyway.

No headlines about a metamorphosis of Miranda Priestly had been published yet, so while Andy was back to her real job again, she assumed Miranda was still just as icy cold and demanding as ever while at Runway. She had always been the same there despite marriages and divorces. Why should Andy be any different? A feeling of being the next in line overcame her, and one question pressed to the tip of her tongue, spilling from her lips as she opened her mouth. "Have you had many women?"

Even though Andy knew this Miranda was not the icy cold one and rather associated with warmth instead, the 'rules' which she had had to abide by concerning Miranda Priestly at Runway still were not so far away whenever she was with her no matter how different she might actually be: no questions, no stupidities… She turned her gaze aside, sucking her bottom lip under her teeth in hesitance at what expression she would be met with. To her surprise, a soft smile actually laced Miranda's features. "No," she said. "I have not had many women."

"How many?" Andy's curiosity spoke.

"One."

"Oh."

A soft laugh escaped Miranda's lips as she quietly leaned in, kissing her love's lips… ensuring her that she had nothing to fear. As they slowly parted, Andy's brow was furloughed together in thought. "What are you pondering about?"

"Oh… nothing of great importance. I just…"

Miranda tenderly reached forward, tucking loose wisps of hair behind Andy's ear. "You're not the very first woman I've had this kind of feelings for, but you are the first that I've shared the bed with in my whole life. One doesn't really expect women in high ranking positions to be gay or bisexual or even bi-curious… despite the changing mentality about all that's not-heterosexual."

Andy was slightly surprised at the slang terms falling from Miranda's mouth and at the same time not at all considering who she was. All was true enough, though. Not many women in high raking positions were not heterosexual. "Did no woman ever show you their interest… you know, in that way?" Andy asked, in disbelief.

"Oh, there have…" Miranda replied. "However, most of them I assume mistook their what they called love for sickly admiration. Few I assume would have liked me for me."

"Who couldn't like you for you? I rather believe that one wouldn't like your part at Runway."

"I have no doubt about that, Andrea… but you forget that most people are blinded by what I've achieved. Few read through that and most only ever know me from pictures and articles… and not by how I behave or rather have to behave to get anything achieved at all. I, however, assume that I've always been fair despite often harsh."

"Fair? Impossible, you mean."

A silence fell between both women until eventually Miranda rolled on her side beside Andy… still holding onto her hand with hers, while supporting her head with her other one. "Have you had many women then?" she asked, despite already knowing the answer.

"None… until you."

A slight smile crossed the elder woman's face again. All remained quiet for a few more heartbeats. "I'm leaving Runway."

Andy immediately sat upright in bed and turned to the elder woman in shock. "You… what? Why? When?"

"I'll be there until I'm sure that Emily can take over properly. I'm sure that she would do fine as the chief editor of Runway, and maybe it is time for a new face and more time for me. I've already missed most of my daughters' youth… Besides, now I've eventually found a bit of happiness in my life, I won't let go… and I would like to enjoy it fully. That is, if you want to do the same."

"You would give up your job at Runway for me?" Andy asked again in disbelief. "Who else… knows?"

"I would have left sooner rather than later anyway. The time does not stop, nor does evolution or human need to see change happen. Only you, my dear."

Andy fell back in the bed with a sigh of thoughtfulness. "This is not what… I would have dreamed of at all. I had hoped that maybe you would take me with on some of your trips abroad or minimize them, I don't know… but this certainly was not it." She knew that with this… Andy had admitted a great deal.

"What did you dream of in the long term or have you not really thought about it yet?"

"I…" Andy began. She had had quite a few of the wildest dreams, but at the very same time really thinking about anything in depth she hadn't done yet. She chose to reply with the most honesty she could muster somehow. "I've… I've always wanted to get married in a beautiful white dress and have some children, but…" In those wildest dreams Andy had dreamt of having both and more with Miranda, but she had chased them away as soon as impossible.

Another smile twitched at Miranda's lips. "Then we'll do that."

Andy's eyes budged even more. "Who are you and what the hell have you done with Miranda Priestly?"

A smile was her only response. "Maybe ask what you've done with her. I've never felt happier than in the last two weeks with you, Andy."