Happenstance

Once things were back to usual Fran and Val began planning the wedding. By the way things were looking it was going to be a grand event. Everyone that they had connections with wanted to help out. After all the work the two women brought in for them they were more than happy to lend their services.

Fran was pleased to see that Val wasn’t turning into a bridezilla and became even more excited when she decided to take time off when Val and Freddie were on their honeymoon. It was going to be a stretch but Fran felt she needed a vacation and what better time to take it than when her partner took one too? There weren’t any bookings for that time and she really needed to get away for a while.

She began calling travel agents to see what places she could go to in the late spring. Many places caught her interest but one in particular got her all excited. She had always wanted to go to Hawaii, and now was here golden opportunity. With the successful business she had more than enough in the bank to make it an enjoyable experience.

That night she told her mother her plans. “Fran?!? Hawaii? What are you going to do there for a whole week by yourself?”

Fran rolled her eyes and wondered if her mother would ever be happy for her, “Gee Ma, I don’t know, maybe I’ll do something crazy, like relax or something.”

With a forkful of cake halfway to her mouth she said, “Frannie, I know you and you’ll be happy doing that for a day or two.”

The cake made its journey into the dark depths of her mouth and while chewing her food she continued, “Then you’ll get bored and you’ll whine about it for years to come. Much like your trip to Israel. Remember that? You were all gung-ho about going and then I had to bring you back early. The whining I had to listen to about you going, then the whining I had to listen to when you came back because you were unhappy.”

Fran blushed as she remembered exactly what happened on the kibbutz all those years ago, “Ma! I’m older now. It’s not the same.” She looked down at the table for a moment. “I am going to miss the Sheffields though.”

Sylvia put her fork down, “Oy Frannie. I talked to you about this before. I think you’ve become way too attached to those kids. You’re gonna get hurt.” Fran swatted her on the arm. “I won’t get hurt Ma.”

Sylvia shrugged her shoulders, “What’s gonna happen to you when the father finds a woman? What are you going to be to him then? Right now you’re like their…”

Fran interrupted, “Their what Ma? Mother?” With wide eyes Sylvia replied, “No, I was going to say their nanny.”

Fran’s mouth fell open and she looked at her mother in disgust. Sylvia defended herself, “Hear me out. You spend nearly every day with them. You go to their activities, you help them with their homework. You do everything for them that a nanny would do.”

Fran defended herself, “Ma, I love those kids. And as for Maxwell finding another woman. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I don’t think he would ever take the kids away from me. He knows what they mean to me.”

Sylvia studied her daughter while she ranted and raved. “Fran? Are you sure you haven’t fallen for just the kids but their father too?” Fran made a double take when she looked at her mother, “What?”

Sylvia gently laid her hand over Fran’s, “I can see that look in your eyes,” she said looking deep into Fran’s eyes, “I don’t want you to get hurt sweetheart.”

Fran looked down at the table. “Is it really that obvious?” Sylvia nodded her head, “Sweetie, it is.” Fran put her face in her hands to hide her embarrassment.

Sylvia leaned further on the table to be closer to her daughter and she rubbed Fran’s arm, “Do you know how he feels about you?”

Fran shook her head in her hands and spoke in a muffled voice, “No, but a few people have told me that they think he holds special feelings for me.”

Sylvia allowed silence to fill the room for a moment as she let Fran gather her feelings. Fran looked at her. “I don’t know Ma. Dammit! I can help other people find their own happiness with another, work out their problems, but I can’t figure out if a man likes me or not. Oy! I’ll drive myself crazy! Even without your help Ma!”

Sylvia smiled gently at her daughter and thought up a plan as she took another bite of the cake in front of her. It was definitely time to take things into her own hands or those two would never get their act together.

Fran left her mother’s apartment a bit disheveled. Sylvia knew she had hit a nerve and she felt sorry for the swelling of emotions Fran was going through. But someone had to light the fire under her tuchas. As she locked the door behind Fran the phone rang.

“Hello?” A quiet voice came through the receiver, “Sylvia? It’s Maggie.” “Oh Maggie! Frannie just left!” “Good, I called to talk to you…”

That night Fran sat alone in her room. She allowed herself to think about her feelings towards the Sheffields. It wasn’t that she never though about them, on the contrary, she thought about them all the time. What they were doing, how they were doing. And it wasn’t just the children she thought about.

Many hours had been spent thinking about their father. She knew she held dear feelings for Max but she also knew that if she were to act on those feelings then she may lose not only his friendship, but also his children. That was something she could not afford to lose.

Without a doubt she loved each of the children in their own way. She thought of them as nearly her own. It didn’t take her long to break through their walls and without realizing it they in turn helped her break down the walls that were surrounding her own heart.

‘I would do anything for those kids.’ Fran shook her head as she thought of them. ‘They mean the world to me.’ Fran picked up a picture of the family taken at John’s wedding, the fabulous night she met the wonderful family she felt she was becoming a part of.

She gently traced her fingers across their faces. First Maggie’s, then Brighton’s and finally little Grace’s. ‘How much they’ve all grown since I’ve met them.’ Fran’s eyes were drawn to their father holding the young girl in his arms and she traced her finger along his face as well. She sighed, ‘Maxwell.’

She put the picture back in its place on her bedside table. “What’s going on? Why do I let Ma do this to me? Oy.” Fran laid back upon her bed and placed a pillow over her face to shield it from the light. Pictures of Max flew through her mind and she threw the pillow to the foot of the bed in frustration.

She began talking to herself. She had the place to herself for the night and she needed to hear herself because talking it through in her head wasn’t helping. “Ok, so I know I care for him. And yes, I think about him a lot more than a friend would probably think about another friend. It felt so right to be in his arms. I feel so comfortable there.”

She paused for a moment, “So does that mean I love him? It’s been a long time since I felt that type of love for anyone, but then again I wonder if I ever did.” She rubbed her face with her hands and then ran them through her hair. “I know I have those feelings for him, but what should I do about them?”

That night turned out to be a long for Fran. She did a lot of soul searching in that time and when she finally turned out the light to go to bed she felt at ease with the decision she had made. It was time to talk to Max and figure everything out.


The next day there was a knock at the Sheffield’s door. Upon opening it Niles was a bit surprised. “Mrs. Fine. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

She gave her hand to him, “Is my daughter here?” Niles shook his head and frowned, “No ma’am. I’m afraid she’s not arrived yet.”

Sylvia gave him a smile that told him she was up to something, “Good. Is your boss here?”

Niles left her in the living room while he went to inform Maxwell of his visitor. Max entered the living room buttoning his jacket. “Mrs. Fine. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” She simply stated, “I wanted to talk to you.”

He sat on the edge of the coffee table facing her. “Oh really? What about?” “You and my daughter?” Max chocked on a gulp of air. “Sorry?”

Sylvia placed her hand on his arm, “I’ve come here to understand what your intentions are?” Max’s brain began to turn to mush, “My intentions?”

“Yeah, I mean she’s here almost everyday. She’s like a…” She stopped herself from saying ‘mother’ in front of him. She didn’t want to upset him and bring his attention to his dead wife. “She’s so close to those kids of yours. She loves them very much. And she talks an awful lot about you. I was just wondering what she meant to you, I guess is what I’m trying to ask.”

Max looked everywhere but at Sylvia. “Well Mrs. Fine.” “Sylvia,” she batted her eyes at him. It was then that Niles entered with a slice of rum cake for Sylvia along with some tea.

Sylvia looked up at him with a wide grin upon her face, “Thank you Niles. Aren’t you a doll?”

Niles smiled at her, proud of her compliment. Then he looked at Max and knew he needed to flee the scene. He needed to get back to the kitchen fast enough to listen on the intercom!

Upon entering the kitchen he found Miss Babcock refilling her coffee mug. “Damn.” She looked up at him, “What?”

He threw a dishtowel into the sink, “I was just going to…Oh nevermind.” “What is it butler boy?”

“Mrs. Fine is here and I was…” he looked cautiously at her, “I was hoping to get an idea as to why she is here.” CC smiled at him in a mischevious kind of way, “Well…turn on the intercom already.”

Niles stood there stunned for only a second then turned towards the intercom and switched it on. They both leaned in closely to hear what was being said.

Back in the living room, once they were alone again Max smiled at her. “Sylvia. Fran means a lot to me. She’s one of my dearest friends and I know that I would do most anything for her.” She raised her eyebrows, “That’s all?”

“Well, I don’t know what else you want me to say.” She glared at him, “I want you to look me in the eye and tell me that my beautiful and wonderful daughter is only a friend to you and nothing more.” Max looked her in the eye and struggled for the words but couldn’t say them.

She smiled and placed the empty plate next to Max, “That’s what I thought. Max you are a good man and I know that my daughter cares very much for you, but a woman can only wait so long. Especially my Frannie. I know what she’s been though even though she doesn’t think I do. I also know that she isn’t one to dwell on something. Don’t lose this opportunity. Now is the time to strike, while the iron is hot!”

She gathered her jacket in her arms and rose from the couch, “You two have known each other for a while now and you are both adults. Maybe sometimes chances are worth taking.” With that she walked to the door and let herself out. Max sat there taking it all in and knowing that she was right.

Back in the kitchen Niles switched off the intercom. He hid a smile from CC.

“Oh, cut it out Niles! I know you are smirking at me. But actually, I think it’s about time someone knocked some sense into that man.”

Niles looked at her with his mouth agape. She looked at him and smiled, “What?”

He stammered for his words, “I…I just thought…” CC interrupted, “See…that’s where you went wrong. You thought.” She winked at him as she left the kitchen and laughed.


When Fran arrived that evening Max greeted her and asked to see her in his office. “Sure, just let me go and check on the kids. Okay?” He nodded and watched her climb the stairs towards his beloved children.

As she walked around the corner and out of his sight he walked to the office and prepared for the conversation he was scared to death of having. Nervously, he wiped his hands on his trousers. “I feel like a bloody schoolboy,” he whispered to himself.

Max double-checked the intercom, ‘yes it is disconnected, no interruptions.’ “Knock, knock,” Fran poked her head into the office then stepped inside. “Please, Fran, sit down.” He walked to the door and closed it before joining her on the love seat.

“Actually Max, I wanted to talk to you about something too.” He raised his eyebrows, “Oh, please, go first.” She flashed him one of her award winning smiles, “No sweetie, you go.”

He took a deep breath and began. “Well, your mother was here earlier today and I must say…” “What? My motha?!?” she started.

He grabbed her hands to calm her, “Fran, please, it’s alright. She really put me in my place and she taught me that life keeps happening while I’m busy making plans.” “Isn’t that a song or something?” she joked trying to lighten up the mood she knew was getting serious.

He smiled, “Yeah, I think it is. And it speaks the truth. I’ve known you for nearly a year now and I’ve been putting off talking to you about this because I’ve been afraid.”

Mentally Fran began to shut down, she wasn’t sure she liked the direction this conversation was going. “I’ve been afraid to lose something that was dear to me. Fran, you mean so much to me and I’ve been so afraid of scaring you away by telling you…” he took a deep breath “…how much I love you.”

Fran’s head shot up and she looked directly into his eyes. “What?” she asked with a half smile on her lips.

His hand cupped her cheek, “I love you dearly. I love everything that’s perfect about you and I love everything that’s imperfect about you.” Tears began to well up in her eyes. “And the thing is, I’ve loved you I think since the moment I saw you. I know it sounds cliché…but…it’s how I feel.”

Her eyes shot open, “At the wedding?” He shook his head, “No, before that.”

Her brow furrowed, “What? When? Where?”

He sighed, relieved his feelings were out in the open and yet still nervous about what she would say in response. “At the park. I was walking there one afternoon a bit depressed about the direction my life had been leading me in and I was watching this young family. A mother, father and young son all happy, all living their life as if that day was the best day of their life,” he gave her a weak smile.

“I remember feeling so envious of them and then I saw you sitting across from me on the other side of the family watching them as well.”

Fran’s mind was racing as she began to remember the father chasing the small blond boy. “You were there?”

“Oh yes, I most certainly was,” he nodded his head. “I remember you looking up in the sky and I remember thinking that you and I were the same. That we were two people lost in a very large world,” he looked into her eyes.

“Then I watched you walk away and I recall feeling such a pain in my center. I wanted to run after you but being who I am and how I was raised,” he said in a joking voice, “I restrained myself.”

A smile spread across his face, “You can’t imagine how elated I was when I saw you a John’s wedding.”

Fran shook her head, “I never knew.” “I know.”

“And I never knew that you had feelings for me. At least feelings that went beyond friendship,” she looked at him in astonishment.

Again he sighed, “It took me a long time after Sarahh died before I started thinking about dating. And even as I went out on dates I felt as if I were cheating on her. That first night after we met for lunch with just Grace I began to realize that Sarahh would have never have wanted me to stop living. To stop loving. I began to understand that just because I have feelings for another, it doesn’t have to mean that my feelings for her are any less. But with time comes the ability to love even more and it’s you that I want to love, it’s you that I do love.”

Fran sat there dumbfounded. He watched her as she absorbed all he had said and then waited with abated breath for her to speak. The silence was unbearable to him. She lowered her eyes and he knew then that it was over, their friendship, everything.

But then she spoke, “My whole life I’ve wanted to be something I wasn’t. I would always bend over backwards to please people, especially those that I loved. My mother, G-d bless her soul, only wanted what was best for me and she pushed me to achieve. When I was younger I played along with it but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I realized I needed to live my own life, set my own standards.”

Max folded his hands and let them hang between his knees as he leaned his elbows on his thighs, his head hanging low. He knew what she was going to say and he wasn’t sure he was ready to let her go, not yet.

Fran continued, “I had to learn that I didn’t need a man in my life to make it worthwhile. And I was doing alright, at least, until I met you.”

She placed her hand gently on his back and he raised his head sharply. He turned his head so that he could see her face. She was looking at him and her eyes were shining with tears and love. Slowly he raised his upper torso to be equal with hers again.

Though her throat was tight she continued, “The day I met you I had butterflies, but that was never enough to convince me to talk to someone before.”

She smiled, “I became enamored with the children and because you needed me to be with them like you did it allowed me to have some time with you. I must admit that I never allowed myself to look at what we could be, no matter how much I wanted it.”

She shook her head with a smile on her lips, “I guess I thought I was lucky to have what we had already, so why push it. Or maybe it was just that I was frightened.”

Max opened his mouth to say something but she interrupted, “Please let me finish.” He nodded in resignation.

“I wasn’t frightened of you, it was just that I worked so hard to get to where I am today. Not just with the business, but also with coming to terms with what happened with Danny. I realize that you and he do not come from the same folds, but I still hesitated.”

She bit her lip in thought, “Then I realized that for the first time in my life someone knew who I was, what I was.” She looked in his eyes, “I’ve never pretended to be something I’m not around you and you still accept me. No one’s ever done that before.”

She grabbed his hand that was resting on his leg. “I have an attachment to you stronger than anything I’ve ever known. I think about you all the time and I there is not a day that goes by I don’t want to see or talk to you. I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this way about another person before and to tell you the truth, it frightens me a bit.”

A small smile formed at the corner of Max’s mouth. “It frightens me too. But I guess the question is…are you willing to take a chance like me or are you going to give into that fear?”

“Well, I…” Just then Grace came barging into the room. “Fran!” Following her came her siblings.

“Hi Fran!” Both Brighton and Margaret bellowed. They had all just returned from school.


That night dinner was a rowdy time but the two adults sat quietly in their seats, stealing quick glances at the other.

When dinner was over Brighton pulled Fran into his room to help him with a school project he was working on. After that Maggie needed help with some kids at school. By the time she was done with Maggie Grace was calling her to tuck her into bed. When all was said and done it was late in the evening.

She gathered her courage and walked down the stairs to see Max sitting in one of the large cushy chairs opposite the sofa. He was reading the evening paper, or at least it appeared that he was.

She stood next to the chair and he lowered the paper to look up at her, “I’m willing,” was all the response she needed to give.

Quickly Max stumbled to his feet and pulled her into a sweet embrace lifting her slightly from the ground and turned in a circle . As their hearts began to slow from the excitement and the blood stopped rushing through each of their ears they could hear the soft music Niles was playing in the kitchen as he finished cleaning up the dishes from dinner.

Max began to sway as the music filled their ears and he looked down at her. “My sweet Fran. My wonderful Fran.”

Ever so slowly his face came down to meet hers. His lips hovered millimeters above hers. She could almost feel the weight of them upon her own and she could feel his breath tickle her lips. He stayed there, waiting for her permission, almost begging for it.

He whispered onto her lips, “Fran.” She couldn’t take it anymore and she pushed her lips into his. His right hand slid to her waist while his left hand went to the back of her neck, pulling her into him.

Her body began to tingle as every sense went into overdrive. She could feel every move he made and it excited her. She gently sucked on his lower lip and she could feel him begin to get restless.

He was lost in the feeling that she was evoking on him. Feeling her lips sucking his bottom lip made him want her even more but he didn’t want to rush this wonderful moment. He pulled away just enough to release her grasp on his lip.

He then placed his lips back on hers and gently licked her lips, asking her, pleading with her for entry into her mouth. She opened her lips just slightly and his tongue pushed its way in, making her gasp. Slowly his tongue explored her mouth, relishing in the sweet taste of it.

Gingerly her tongue started to play with his, not in a war for it wasn’t a fast and heated kiss. Instead it was gentle and loving. They intermingled their tongues and allowed themselves to get lost in the moment.

When Fran came up for air they opened their eyes and looked deeply at the other. Not wanting to break the moment but feeling the need to speak she began, “We need to talk about how we’re going to handle this.”

His eyes questioned her. She explained, “We need to take this slow.” “Don’t you think we already have Fran? I mean it’s been 10 months.”

She smiled, “I know, it’s just that I want to do this right, I don’t want to mess it up. Besides, we have three kids up there and we don’t want to push them into accepting this.”

Seeing her point he added, “Nor do we want to give them any wrong ideas or be bad role models.” “You were reading my mind,” she replied.

He sat back down in the chair and pulled her onto his lap. He looked up at her face and wiped away a lock of hair before brushing it behind her ear. She wrapped one arm behind his neck and settled herself on his lap. “This feels so right.”

He tightened his hold around her waist, “Yes it does.” Together they stayed like that and from up above Maggie smiled down at the couple and whispered, “Finally,” before resigning to her room for the night.


The next morning at breakfast Max greeted his children with a huge smile on his face. “Children, we will be taking a vacation during your school holiday.”

Brighton and Maggie were ecstatic, “Where to Dad?”

“Hawaii. Last night Fran and I were talking. She is planning a vacation there when Val is on her honeymoon. She asked if I thought we would all like to go and of course I said yes.” “Cool!” Brighton exclaimed.

Max looked at Margaret and Brighton, “Now, it’s coming up so I need you to be caught up with your homework. Is that understood?” “Yes Father.” They eagerly nodded their heads. ‘This is going so much better than I thought,’ thought Maggie.

Throughout the next couple of weeks Fran was busy with her clientele as well as helping Val put the finishing touches on her own wedding. She didn’t have the time to go to the Sheffield mansion everyday, but no one minded, so long as she came when she could.

The time they spent together was mind blowing for Fran. Before, she never thought she could care so much for an individual again. She thought that those feelings were behind her.

As she and Max explored their newfound love for one another her emotions jumped out, sometimes even startling her. He brought passion back into her life, the desire to wake up and take on the world. Never before had she felt so invigorated.

Max made a point of stopping off at Fran’s office when he was on his lunch hour on the days he spent at the theater. Each time he came it surprised Fran. He would do simple things like bring her flowers or a sandwich during lunch to make sure she ate.

She felt as if he was taking care of her, and he was. Max always had her in his thoughts. When he questioned the stage setting of a scene he wondered what Fran would have thought. When the children would do something forcing him to take charge and it seemed as if her words were coming from his mouth he smiled.

Things seemed so much easier now that he freely admitted his feelings to the world. She made him feel more alive than he had felt since he buried his wife and his feelings along with her.

Each time he thought of her everything else disappeared. All his worries, his deadlines…everything just vanished. All that mattered were his children and his Fran. Everything else was just there in the background.


One night when she was at the mansion and the children were in bed she took the quiet moment sitting on the couch with Max to ask him if he would be her escort to the wedding. “I’d be honored,” he smiled down at her and kissed the tip of her nose. “Is there anything you need me to help with?”

She smiled at him, “No, just be there, looking handsome as always. There are gonna be people there from my past and I want to show you off to them.”

“Ahhhh, I see. Well my fair lady, I don’t think you need any help to show yourself off, but I will do the best I can,” he leaned over and kissed her nose.

“That’s all I can ask for.” She reached up and combed his wavy hair with her fingers before tracing them down his face. He took the remote from her hand and turned off the Nick at Nite show she was watching before turning to her and wrapping his arms around her.

“I’ve missed you Fran.” She rested her head on his shoulder, “Me too Max. I know work has been hectic lately and I’ve hated not being able to be here with you and the kids, but just think how nice it will be when we are on vacation.” She looked up at him and smiled, “You know, you may get bored with me.”

One of his hands fell to her thigh and he rubbed it, “I doubt it Darling. I strongly doubt it.” She giggled as they fell back on the couch with his lips on her neck.

He was hovering above her admiring her form as she was smiling up at him. “Do you think the children know?” she asked. “Know what?” “About us?”

He raised his eyebrows, “I don’t know.” “I think Maggie knows.” He quickly lifted himself from her. “What?”

She watched him straighten himself, “She’s just been asking me questions.” He frowned, “What type of questions?”

She shrugged from her reclined position, “I don’t know…like when I’ll be back. She never did that before. She also asks how much I love her, them, you.” “Me?” Fran nodded at him.

He gave her a mischevious grin, “How much do you love me Fran?” “More than I thought possible Max. Much more.”

She rose from her position and leaned into him giving him a tender kiss on the cheek. “Much more?” She smiled at him, “Yup.”

He pulled her into his arms and slowly kissed her. There was no hurry. Finally Fran pulled away. “So, what are we going to do?”

Max shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know. Do we need to do anything differently than we have been? I don’t think we’ve been ‘out there’ with our relationship. I mean we don’t flaunt it or anything.”

“No we don’t. But I don’t like keeping things from the children either. It’s not fair to them or to us.”

He looked at her and wondered where she got all of her strength and wisdom from. While he enjoyed having a bit of secrecy between the two of them he realized that it wasn’t fair to the children to keep such a thing from them. “Alright Fran, tomorrow we’ll talk to them.”

She smiled at him and rested her head upon his chest. “Tomorrow.” His hand petted her soft hair and before long he heard her breathing become regular and slow. “Fran?”

There was no answer. He smiled down at her and instead of getting up to go to his bedroom he resigned to sleep on the couch with her.


“Come now children or you’ll be late for school!” was the first thing they heard the next morning. The nanny was working furiously to get the children downstairs to breakfast on time. Then there were quick steps coming down the stairs.

Fran and Max couldn’t wake up fast enough to pull themselves apart before the children saw them sleeping in each other’s arms. “Mr. Sheffield! I am so sorry, I didn’t know,” the nanny stammered obviously embarrassed by the situation.

He held up his hand, “It’s alright Nanny Jacobs.” He looked at the children, “Is everyone ready for breakfast?”

“But you’re still wearing the same clothes as yesterday.” Maggie quickly smacked her brother on the arm, “Brighton!” she mumbled under her breath.

Fran looked at Max with curiosity as to how he would handle this. “It’s alright Brighton and Margaret…don’t hit your brother.” Maggie looked down at the floor. “Yes Daddy.”

Grace ran to Fran who picked her up, “How are you today sweetie?” “Great! I get to go to school!” “Yes you do, you’re such a big girl,” Fran said with over-the-top enthusiasm.

Max interrupted the scene, “Why don’t we all go and have some breakfast? I’m starved!” Everyone walked to the dining room and dove into the hot breakfast waiting for them.

“Good morning Niles.” “Good morning Miss Fine. I trust you slept well.” He gave her a chastising look. She just smiled at him, “Very.”

After their hunger had subsided Max thought that then was as good a time as any to brooch the subject of his relationship with Fran. “Children, there’s something I would like to talk to you about.”

“Dad, I promise, I didn’t mean to break it, I…” upon looking at his father Brighton knew that blurting that out probably would have been left better unsaid.

Max raised his eyebrow at his son, “We’ll talk about that later.” He cleared his throat, “As I was trying to say, Fran and I would like to discuss something with the three of you.” All three pairs of eyes were set on the two of them.

Max cleared his throat, “Yes, well. Fran and I have known each other for a while now.” “Ten months Daddy.” Max nodded his head, “Yes Margaret, ten months. We have gotten to know each other quite well and we decided that we cared for each other more than if we were only friends.” He fidgeted in his seat, “Do you understand what I am trying to say?”

Brighton piqued in, “You mean, you love her?” Max looked at Fran and smiled. “Yes Brighton, I do love her. I love her very much.” Brighton and Maggie looked at each other.

“Do you love Dad Fran?” Fran looked at Brighton. “Yes sweetie, I love him with all my heart.” “Don’t you love us?”

Fran stood up and walked around the table to squat between Maggie and Brighton. “I love the three of you so much. I can never put it into words. I think about you all the time. I love you as if you were my very own.”

“So you love Dad like you love us?” Fran combed Brighton’s hair back and sighed. “In a way. I love you in a way that I could never love someone else. The same with Maggie and Gracie. I love your father in a way that fills my heart with joy just like you, but still in a different way. I know it sounds confusing right now. Shoot, I’m confusing myself the more I try to explain it.”

She gave one of her comedic laughs, “I love him the same but different. I’m sorry but that is the best I can explain it right now. Loving children is different than loving another adult.”

“So, what does this mean? Are things going to change?” Fran turned towards Maggie, “Well, I don’t think much will change. I was here so much before your father and I discussed our feelings, but I guess it means that he and I will be going out alone once in a while.”

Maggie inquired, “Are you gonna act different?” Max spoke up, “I’m sure we will be a little different than we were before. Before we were only friends but now we are dating.”

“Does that mean you are gonna be kissing and holding hands and stuff?” “Where did you learn stuff like that Margaret?” “I’m twelve Daddy,” and she rolled her eyes. Max got a look of great concern on his face.

“That’s gross. Kissing is nasty Dad. Don’t do it.” Max and Fran laughed at Brighton. “We’ll try not to gross you out too much Son.”

After a bit more laughter he continued, “So are you all okay with this situation?”

Brighton and Maggie looked at each other over Fran’s head before turning to their father and Fran. “I think we are very okay with this Daddy. Right Brighton?” “Yup,” he smiled.

“And I think I can say that Gracie will be happy with it. I mean we all love you so much Fran. It will be cool. I’ve always wanted you guys to get together. It took you long enough.”

Max and Fran froze where they were with their mouths hanging open. They discussed the changes that would be happening and then the adults watched the kids head off for school with the nanny.

“How do you think it went?” Max asked while he pulled her into a hug. “I think it went wonderfully.”

“So how is it that everyone knew about our feelings but us?” “I suppose we are just thick-headed individuals. When you are dealing with one it is tough enough, but two…forget about it.” Niles walked through the room muttering, “You can say that again.”


Over the next few weeks Max and Fran continued to grow more comfortable with their new relationship. Neither could actually believe they were in the situation they were in. It felt like a dream to both.

They consistently spent time with the children, reassuring them that nothing would change. Then there were the blessed times they had to themselves. Times where they could explore their feelings and desires.

One such time was an evening when Max picked Fran up from the office. She was finishing up with a client and watched him walk in. She looked up at the clock, “Oy! I didn’t know it was getting so late. Well Cynthia I’m sure I can get you what you want.”

She walked out of the office with her client into the reception room. Cynthia stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Max leaning against the wall with his coat hanging over his folded arms. “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Max, who had only been looking at Fran finally noticed the outstretched hand being offered to him. He gently took it in his own and shook it. “Nice to meet you, I’m Max.” Cynthia looked him up and down then purred to him, “The pleasure is all mine.”

“Well Cynthia, I will give you a call when I get those samples in,” she guided the woman to the door. Upon seeing her out she said, “Cynthia what are you doing? You are getting married in three weeks?!?”

Cynthia gave her an innocent smile, “What? Can’t a girl have some fun?” Fran rolled her eyes.

When she walked back into the room Max was standing there watching her close things up for the night. As she walked past him he looped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him, meeting her halfway.

She was a bit surprised at his lunge but quickly made herself comfortable in his embrace. He bent his head towards her and kissed her. When he broke the kiss he pulled her towards him as he backed up to the wall.

She leaned against him and lost her hands in his hair. He kissed his way down her neck and all she could do was mutter his name, “Oh Max.” Her head fell back.

When he pulled his lips from his skin he just stared at her. She opened her eyes and he saw the passion in them. He wanted to call the restaurant and cancel their reservation but his gallantry got the better of him. “Shall we go?” She ran into her office for her purse and coat and off they went.

When they finished eating their meal and were waiting for their dessert and coffee Max stood from the table and held his hand out to her, “May I have this dance?”

She smiled up at him and gently placed her hand in his. He led her to the dance floor and gently pulled her into an embrace. His left hand guided her right hand to his heart. She rested it upon his chest and his hand sweetly embraced hers.

Her thumb gently rubbed his fingers and a rush of desire coursed its way through his body. He looked into her eyes and there they remained through the remainder of the song.

As they made their way back to the table an older couple at a neighboring table stopped them. “Excuse me. My wife and I would just like to say how much we enjoyed watching the two of you dancing together.”

Max and Fran smiled at them. “It reminds us of how we once were.: The old man thought for a moment and smiled at his wife, “Well, the dancing may have stopped but our love hasn’t faded. It is just so wonderful to see two people so much in love with each other.”

The older woman spoke up, “50 years of happiness Louis and I have had so far. The secret is to never forget how you feel right now, in this moment of time.”

Max looked at Fran and engrained her, the way she looked at that moment, in his memory, “I won’t forget that.” Fran looked at him and smiled, “Neither will I.”

“Well we didn’t wish to disturb you. We’ll let you get back to your evening.” Max escorted Fran to their table. The dessert and coffee had arrived and Fran dove into the cheesecake.

Max sipped his coffee and looked back at the older couple. “I guess with age comes wisdom.”

Fran looked up, “What was that?” Max smiled at her, “I think they just gave us a priceless gift my darling.”

Fran looked over at the couple that was still watching them and she smiled and waved at them. “They are so cute. I hope that someday I will have shared a love that lasted a lifetime.” Max could only smile at her.

She picked up another forkful of cheesecake and held it up for him with raised eyebrows, “Want some?” He leaned in towards the fork and she gently placed it in his mouth. She watched his lips close around the tines of the fork and it nearly drove her insane.

As the fork scraped it way along his teeth she felt her breath catch. He looked at her with such intense eyes and whispered, “Delicious.”

They finished their coffee and dessert and as they were leaving they said their goodbyes to the older couple who was leaving as well.

The four walked out together and as they parted Max and Fran watched them walk slowly away hand in hand. “Now that is love,” Fran sighed. Max hooked her arm through his and led her to the limo, “Yes it is and so are we.” She smiled at him and they shared a gentle kiss.

The limo ride was quiet, Max watched Fran and Fran watched the city fly by her. When she finally looked at him she was surprised to find him watching her. “Penny for your thoughts.”

A smile formed at the corner of his mouth, “Just you. Always you. You are like a drug. I can’t seem to get enough of you. You are all I think about and to tell you the truth I believe the others are beginning to feel neglected.”

She raised her eyebrows, “The kids?” He shook his head, “No, CC and everyone else working on the new play.”

He shook his head and gave a small chuckle, “Oh Fran, I need you always and the funny thing is…well…we haven’t even been all that intimate yet. I just want to be wherever you are.”

She looked down at her hands. He continued, “I’m not scaring you with my honesty, am I Fran?”

She shook her head, “No, Its just that your words mirror my feelings. To tell the truth, I’m a bit frightened that if or when, most likely when, we do become ‘more intimate’ I won’t be able to complete a project or job because I will be consumed entirely with you.”

Max grabbed her hand and lifted it towards his lips. He kissed the back of her hand then turned it over and kissed her palm. She took in a quick, shaky breath. Their eyes never parted from the others.

The limo came to a stop and he announced that they were at Fran’s building. It was only when Max finally opened the door did they break their stare. He exited the car and held his hand for her to make her exit. As he closed the door after her he told the driver that he would only be a minute or two.

They climbed the stairs together to her floor. He stood directly behind her with his hands on her waist and his nose in her hair as she unlocked her front door. When she heard the click of the lock she turned back to him.

He just stared at her with a small smile on his lips. Fran began to feel a bit naked under his gaze. It was as if he was undressing her with his eyes. Finally he spoke, “I had a great time tonight Fran.”

She smiled, “So did I Max. I love our quiet times together.”

“Me too.” He slowly bent his head to hers.

His lips captured hers with an intensity that stole her of her breath. He hooked his left hand at her waist pulling her to him and his right hand went to the doorframe, stabilizing his body. He pushed her gently against the door pinning her there all while continuing his attack on her mouth.

When he pulled away she stayed plastered to the door and he rested his forehead on hers. Both tried to regain their normal breathing patterns. Finally he said, “Have sweet dreams Fran. I love you.”

He found her hand and brought it up to his lips again. “I love you too Max. You have sweet dreams too.” He smiled against her hand, “Oh Fran, I’m sure I will have the sweetest dreams I’ve had in a very long time.”

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and turned from her. He took the stairs down to the ground floor. Fran stayed leaning against her door as she watched him walk down the staircase.

She heard quick footsteps behind the door. She knew they were spying but she didn’t care. When she opened the door all she could do was close it and lean against it again with her eyes closed. Val and Freddie watched her. Freddie had to ask, “That good huh?”

Fran opened her eyes, “No.” They both raised their eyebrows. “Even betta.” She gave them a wink as she walked past them and into her room. “Goodnight you two.”

They watched her close her door and they turned to each other with smiles on their faces. Val sighed, “Finally.”

“Come on Daddy!” Gracie yelled in delight. Max watched Grace pull Fran by the hand towards the tall building and he had to smile.

Maggie ran to catch up to Fran and her sister and together they walked. Brighton stayed by his father. “What are you smiling at Dad?”

Max looked down at his son, noticing he was there for the first time. “I was smiling at the girls Brighton. At how well Fran fits into our lives.”

Max watched as Brighton returned his gaze to Fran and his sisters and studied them. Finally he smiled and nodded his head, “She does, doesn’t she?” He thought for another moment, “But we also fit into her life. She needed us just as much as we needed them.”

Max took his hand out of his pocket and pulled Brighton into his side, squeezing his arm in approval. They walked in that pose for a while, “Brighton thrilled to have his father’s attention and acceptance.”

Fran looked back, making sure the boys were still with them. When she spotted them behind her she stopped and smiled. Grace walked back to Fran and grabbed her hand again.

Maggie looked in the direction of Fran’s eyes and grinned, “Look at Brighton. He is so happy to have Dad walking next to him.”

Fran nodded her head. Maggie continued, “He never would have been here with us if we had never met you.”

Fran looked at the young woman in front of her, “I thank G-d everyday that fate put us in each other’s paths.” Fran raised her hand to smooth down some of Margaret’s hair, then she caressed her cheek. “You have turned into such a beautiful young lady right before my eyes Mags.”

Maggie blushed and smiled before throwing her arms around Fran’s neck. Max and Brighton caught up to them and the three children ran off to buy the tickets with the money their father had handed to Brighton.

“Watch Gracie!” Fran yelled out to them as they ran. Max slid his arm around Fran’s waist and pulled her into him. She laced her arm around his back and together they walked.

With the movements of their bodies Max’s fingers rested on the top of the waistband of her jeans. He dared himself and slipped his two small fingers between her body and the denim. Fran leaned further into him.

Once the tickets were purchased all five rode in the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building. Once outside Max had to calm Brighton down and Fran helped Grace get over her fear of how high they were.

Max gave the children some coins and a few bills to buy souvenirs. He walked over to where Fran stood watching the waves from the bay and Lady Liberty holding her torch high and proud.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and she leaned back into him, resting the back of her head against his chest. He lowered his mouth to her ear, “Its beautiful, isn’t it?”

She nodded her head gently not wanting to break the spell he put her under. She wrapped her arms around his and unintentionally pushed her lower body into his.

He growled into her ear and pushed up against her slowly so no one would notice. He smiled when he heard her gasp as he did so. He whispered her name into her ear.

Fran could fell his member begin to swell against her and the world became lost to her. Max raised his arms a bit so they were directly underneath her breasts. In response, her hands clutched his arms.

He rocked her as if they were dancing so they could feel the other squirm. In a quick and uneven breath Max whispered, “I love being able to show you how I feel. I love being like this.” He kissed her behind the ear and her knees nearly gave out.

Their romancing was interrupted by Brighton who ran to show them the souvenir he bought. “Look Fran! Look Dad!”

Reluctantly, they parted and Fran bent down to pick Grace up while Max looked out at the water, trying to gain some sort of control. For the remainder of their time atop the building they stole quick, lustful glances at one another.

Max promised himself, ‘One day…”