Andy grinned as she watched the twins ride their respective horses through the pasture. She had given them a crash course and they both rode like they had been doing it all their lives. Beside her, Miranda watched with pride as they maneuvered around, smiling and laughing. She couldn't quite hide her worry. She was adamant that she wasn't afraid of horses, but she just didn't trust them. Andy had laughed, and nodded her head, pressing a kiss onto her cheek. She was apprehensive of Andy's horse, Silver, who was the biggest horse she had ever seen. She towered over them both, and she was surprised when she saw Andy easily hop into her saddle, and join the girls in a game of tag.

"Are you sure you don't want to try, Miranda? I'm sure Silver will be gentle, won't you girl," Andy cooed at the horse, who huffed and stumped her front leg.

She got out of the saddle, and walked over to Miranda, who was eyeing Silver suspiciously. Stifling a laugh, and lead Silver to stand in front of Miranda.

"Say hello, Silver," she commanded.
Silver dipped her head into a bow, and stumped her hoove once more.

Miranda couldn't help but be charmed by the magnificent animal before her, as it showed her respect. She hesitantly reached out and rubbed along Silver's long face, causing her to push her face into Miranda's hand.

"I suppose one ride couldn't be so bad," Miranda reasoned, allowing Andy to help her into the saddle.

After learning the proper riding etiquette, she was leading Silver around easily, though she was still a bit worried. At this point, Caroline and Cassidy had joined Andy in watching their mother. However, Andy had forgotten to mention a very important fact about a horses habit of choosing when to use the bathroom.

"Andrea, she's not moving, what's happened," Miranda asked, as she tried feebly to get Silver to move.

"Miranda, do not look down," Andy warned, though it was more of a plead.

The warning caused Miranda to do just that, and she looked down and watched, horrified as Silver emptied her bladder. Cassidy was the first to break, doubling over in silent laughter at the look on Miranda's face. Caroline soon joined, and the pair fell to the ground in peels of laughter. Andy tried to hold firm, even as she saw the twins taking pictures of their mothers face. It was pointless in the end, though, after she realized that Silver had finished emptying her bladder, but she had moved on to another bodily function. Miranda's eyes widened, and she looked on, her face a mask of horrified disbelief.

"Andrea, I just bought these boots," she screeched, glaring at the laughing trio.

"I...I'm sorry," Andy giggled, holding her sides as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Must you go," Miranda sighed, after she had showed thoroughly.

Andy looked up from her suitcase, and smiled sadly at her. She had gotten an emergency call from one of her assistants, and she had some serious damage control to do. She was reluctant, but she knew she had to go, otherwise it could have serious consequences.

"I have to, Miranda. Don't make this harder than it has to be, please," Andy sighed, resting her head against Miranda's.

"I'm sorry, Darling," Miranda soothed, kissing her softly.

"I'll be back before you know it," Andy whispered against her lips.

"I doubt that, Darling," Miranda sighed, looking at her with a raised brow.

"Two days. I promise. I'll be home before New Years," Andy promised, smiling softly.

"That's acceptable," Miranda relented.

"Good. I have to go if I want to be back on time. I love you," Andy grinned brightly, pressing one last kiss to her lips, before slipping from the room.

"Bye Mama," Caroline smiled, handing Andy her briefcase.

"Bye sweetheart, I love you," Andy kissed her check in thanks, and headed for the front door.

"Cassidy says bye too," Caroline added.

"I know she's mad I have to leave, but tell her I love her and I'll be back as soon as I can," Andy smiled sadly, before slipping out the door, and putting her bags in the trunk.

She took the Mercedes, and left Miranda the Range Rover, since the girls loved it so much, and drove down the long driveway. She sped a little to get to the airport, since she was in a rush. The roads were filled with leftover snow, but most of them had been cleared, so she felt comfortable enough to go a little over the limit. The main highway was all but abandoned, with only a few cars driving in this weather, and she was happy that she wouldn't run into traffic. Her mind wondered as she drove, and she tapped her fingers along the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song playing.

Looking over when she heard a loud horn, she gasped and tried to break as a large 18 wheeler came speeding at her. The ice roads made it impossible, and she swerved and slammed into a tree. The airbag lessened the impact, but the trunk was still coming straight at her. With the sound of metal hitting metal, the trunk completely smashed into her small car, drowning out her screams with the loud noises, and her head sagged against her seatbelt as her eyes slipped shut. I promised Miranda, she thought desperately, fighting the darkness. It was no use, and she slipped away from reality one last time .

"Hello," Miranda answered the phone, smiling at the girls as they waited eagerly for Andy to call when she reached the airport.

Her smile dropped, as she listened to the words the woman was telling her. It didn't make any sense. Andy was at the airport, and she was irritated with the woman on the line, who seemed to be hysterical. She was just about to hang up, when she heard Andy's name fly from her mouth. The words finally sunk in, and she dropped the phone in shock. A sob ripped from her throat, and her chest heaved as she tried desperately to convince herself that she was wrong. She fell to her knees as tears fell from her eyes, as reality sunk in.

"Andrea has been in an accident," she whispered, almost to herself in answer to the twins' desperate questions.