21

The four returned to the living room. Andy led with a girl at each side, holding her hands and Miranda following behind.

Andy watched with a sense of awe and gratification as her peers and friends moved around the space talking. Emily flitted around as only Emily could. She was on cloud nine. She was sure not even Serena could give her such a feeling of euphoria. She needed to have Amelia schedule a special trip for Miranda's loyal assistant. Surely a private tour of the Grand 'Ole Opry would be a large enough thank you for everything Emily did to make Miranda's, and by extension now her, life easier.

Mask in place, Miranda followed Andrea around the room, watching as she was sincerely greeted by the women filling her living room. Each one was introduced by her lover and each woman was genuinely happy to be there to lend their support.

They were talking to an adorable little blonde, Andy's back was to the group, her attention focused on the other singer as she explained where the idea for her song about taking baseball bat to her cheating boyfriend's truck came from, when all conversations around the room were silenced by a voice.

When the thick Okie accent carried across the room Miranda saw a crooked grin and a gleam in her darling's eyes that she had never seen before.

"So some snot nose gets a fluke number one hit and all of Country music is now supposed to kneel at her feet and pay homage?"

Andy turned slowly and in her serious all business voice replied, "Well if all of the old, washed-up has-beens can't come up with anything new and entertaining, then it's up to those of us with talent to keep the industry going."

Andy stood statuesque, face completely void of expression, with her hands on her hips. Her posture dared anyone to confront her.

The woman facing her moved closer. Eyebrow reaching her hairline, lips pursed thinner than her lovers ever dared. After a few silent moments of staring the corner began to slowly rise on the left side of her mouth. "Getting a little cocky aren't cha?"

Finally Andy smiled one of her million watt smiles and lunged for the smaller woman, engulfing her with her long arms, lifting her off the ground and spinning her in a circle. "Red!"

"Hello Darlin'." She squeezed Andy as they spun around.

The younger singer finally set her down, stepping back a bit to look her in the eye. The older woman moved her hands to cup Andy's face and searched her dark eyes. After what felt like a lifetime to Miranda, she smiled, a smile almost equal to her Andrea's, she leaned in and kissed Andy's cheek; a long, caring kiss. It was like the kisses Miranda gave her daughters. Miranda felt warmth fill her knowing this woman held her lover in such high esteem and was willing to show such sincere affection for her.

When she leaned back from Andy her hands moved to the younger woman's shoulders. "Welcome home Andy." Tears filled Andy's eyes when the sincerity of the words and their meaning hit her. She smiled and replied softly, "Thank you."

Movement around the room began again, voices again filled the room and Andy felt her lover's eyes watching them. She turned and granted Miranda a loving smile before turning again to the shorter woman now at her side. Andy took a deep breath and spoke, "I guess I should introduce you." She moved to stand between the two older women who now faced each other. Andy looked at Miranda who now had her iconic Dragon Lady mask firmly in place. "Miranda Priestly, Queen of Fashion," she turned to face the other woman, "please meet the Queen of Country Music, my mentor and my friend, Reba McEntire."

Reba didn't miss the gleam in Andy's eyes as she looked at the beautiful older woman in front of her. She extended her hand to greet the fashion maven. "It's a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you Ms. Priestly."

Miranda accepted the shorter woman's hand firmly. "Miranda, please. And I assure you the pleasure and honor is mine." It wasn't very often that Miranda could say those words and honestly mean them. This woman before her was a powerhouse in her own right and without question Miranda's equal in most every other arena of business. Both were Queens of their domains. It also didn't hurt that her sense of fashion was without reproach. When added to that the regard with which she obviously held her Andrea in, Miranda knew this was a woman that she may someday call a true friend. She gripped the hand in hers more firmly before releasing it.

Behind her Andy heard Emily squeak. She turned to her and the girls to introduce them as well. "Reba. This is Emily Charlton, Miranda's personal assistant." She grinned at the Brit's enthusiastic shake of the older red heads hand. Andy noticed her loves mask slip just enough to let a slight smirk tip her lovely lips. It was a bit funny when she thought about it; Emily worked for one of if not the most influential women in the country and spoke to famous, wealthy people on a regular basis, most without thought to who they were. But there she was, shaking with uncontrollable excitement at meeting one of her oldest friends.

Andy finally laughed out loud at the irony of it. She was smiling at Reba who was smiling and chuckling as well. Apparently she hadn't missed the humor of the situation either.

While standing there laughing, Andy felt a small hand clasp each of hers. Her laughing stopped but her smile grew ten fold. When she looked down her girls were glaring up at her with a look so much like their mothers she shivered inside.

Andy squeezed their hands and looked back at Miranda who was now openly smiling at the three of them. Andy knew at that moment, that keeping their relationship a secret from those who knew her well was not even a possibility. And in all honesty, she didn't want to.

The younger singer looked back at her mentor. "And this is Cassidy," she lifted the girl's hand, then Caroline's, "and this is Caroline." She tightened her hold on their smaller hands. "Our girls." They smiled up at her. "Miranda's daughters."

Miranda stood rigid as she watched for any negative reaction from the Country Music icon. Everyone around the five females was unaware of exactly what was happening. No one had any idea of the fact that they were outing themselves, and that doing so to such a formidable woman could drastically change all their lives. So she waited, smile gone, showing no emotion.

Reba had not missed the look in Andy's eyes when she saw Miranda smiling at them, nor did she miss the immediate change in the fashion maven's expression once Andy had spoken. But when she looked at her young friend she saw an aura of joy and an easiness Reba had never before seen. There was no doubt in her mind that Andy was in love, deeply. And if Miranda and her daughters' reactions were any indication, they were just as head over heels themselves.

The country music queen locked eyes with the industries princess and saw the happiness and contentment shining in her large brandy coloured eyes. 'Finally' Reba thought. Then the corners of her mouth began to creep into her signature grin. "Well it's about time we had some more red heads in the family." She looked from one girl to the other, "and beautiful ones at that!"

Andy dropped her girls' hands and wrapped her arms around Reba. "Thank you Red!"

Reba squeezed her tight. "You don't need to thank me darlin', I'm so happy for you." She glanced at Miranda, her features had softened. "I think you have quite a bit to tell me." She whispered in Andy's ear as she smiled at the older woman over Andy's shoulder.

"Later though." Reba pulled back and held Andy at arms length. "Now what does an old washed-up has-been have to do to get in on this gig of yours?"

Andy flashed her million dollar smile, "Oh I think maybe I know who to talk to about that." She turned to look over her shoulder at her lover and shivered at the look of total love and devotion in Miranda's eyes.

Miranda gave a slight nod before taking the situation in hand. "Emily." Her tone was again icy and quiet. It wouldn't do to start looking soft now. "Inform Nigel we have another model. Tell him I want the Dolce with the plunging neckline" she smirked at Reba as she spoke the next words, "the red one." Reba chuckled out loud and said to Andy "Oh this one's gonna be trouble."

Miranda smirked at her words and continued her instructions to Emily. "Tell him to set up at the corral." This was going to be perfect. "And that I'll want some photos of Andy and Reba together. He'll need to adjust accordingly." Andy beamed a smile at her. Her lips twitched before she continued. "Now, is there some reason my coffee is not in my hand. Is it too much to ask that you do your job?"

Emily actually smirked at her. "Of course not Miranda." She took off to get Miranda's coffee and talk to Nigel about the new 'model'. She was beside herself with excitement and the day was just starting. She hoped quietly that she could get through it with out peeing in her La Perla panties. She giggled as she walked. Wait til she told Serena.