Happenstance

Max had wanted to bring the nanny along for the vacation but Fran insisted that he give her the time off instead. She wanted to spend the time with them and he reluctantly agreed. Now he was regretting that decision.

They were only at the airport and already the children were riding his last nerve. They all wanted a piece of him. Then she came back with drinks and magazines, and suddenly they were angels again.

Grace sat on her lap and she gave her a juice box to devour. She gave Brighton some cards to practice a new magic trick with and Maggie got a new magazine.

He sat there with a look of amazement on his face and just stared at her. When she finally noticed him she asked, “What?” He shook his head, “Nothing, absolutely nothing,” and he leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

The plane ride was uneventful. Fran was sitting oh the aisle with Maggie by the window and Grace sleeping in her arms most of the way. Brighton sat next to his father and stared out the window before falling asleep.

He looked across the aisle to watch Fran cradle Grace with her seat in the reclined position. The comfortable first class seats allowed her to move the seat back far enough to get comfortable herself and she dozed.

He admired her beauty and the glow that was on her face, ‘Only I know where the glow is from,’ and he smiled. He too began to grow tired from the previous night’s experiences and soon fell asleep himself only to wake up when the plane was preparing to land.

The hotel rooms were beautiful. It had been agreed upon early on in the plans who would share rooms with who. Brighton and Max would get the room with a king-sized bed and the girls would share the room with the two queens.

Fran unpacked her suitcase and then Grace’s while Maggie did her own. There was a knock at the door adjoining the boys room to the girls room. Maggie ran to it and opened the door to find her brother and father in their swimming trunks. “Aren’t you ready yet?” Brighton whined.

Maggie rolled her eyes, “Ready for what?” “Duh Maggie, swimming!” he exclaimed pointing at his trunks. Max peeked into the room, “You girls are already unpacked?”

Fran was rummaging through the closet and all he saw was her bottom half and he smiled. She spoke in a muffled voice from the closet, “We are just finishing up, aren’t you boys getting your stuff out of the suitcases? I know I wouldn’t want to live out of a suitcase.” She came out of the closet holding a very small bikini, Max swallowed, trying to remain composed in front of the children.

“But Fran, we want to go swimming,” Brighton whined. She just shrugged her shoulders and walked back to the bed, “Well if that’s what you want. But if you can’t find something later don’t come crying to me, understood?” Brighton eagerly nodded his head.

“Just give us 5 minutes to get ready,” she walked to the door and pushed each of them gently on their chests guiding them into their room and closed the door behind them. Five minutes later Brighton opened the door to find them all ready and waiting.

They went to a large public pool, one that would provide them with ample space to dive or play in the shallow end. Once they were down at the pool they took note of how many people were there. “Why don’t we go and get a spot on the grass?” Max asked.

Brighton and Maggie ran with their towels to an open spot on the grass and laid them out to reserve the space. Max carried the bag of food they purchased at the snack shop near the entrance of the pool.

“I thought you were supposed to wait a full hour to go into the pool after you’ve eaten,” Max said. “You are.” “So then why do they sell it in the place that you aren’t suppose to eat it?”

Fran laughed at him, “Oh Max. Not everything in life has to be practical. Does it?” She sat down on the towel and began fishing in her bag for the sunblock. “No, I guess not everything has to be.”

She smiled up at him. “Alright, everyone needs to put this on. Come on B, give me your hand.” She squirted a healthy portion of the white liquid into his hand. She then gave some to Margaret and a little in Grace’s hand so she could copy her siblings. Fran covered the child with the lotion herself so she felt satisfied with the application.

Finally she looked up at Max who was looking at the pool in the distance. From a distance she could see some younger women looking him over and obviously approving but he was oblivious of it, ‘That’s my man,’ and she smiled.

“Max…” he turned towards her. She was holding up the bottle of lotion and he held out his hand for her to distribute some to him. “I’ll get your back Daddy,” Maggie stood from her sitting position and began rubbing his back with lotion. Fran smiled as he winced from the cool of the lotion hitting his hot back.

Fran applied the lotion to her own body. “Can we go in yet?” Fran looked at Brighton. ‘What was she going to do with that child?’ He whined some more, “I want to go off of the diving boards.”

Fran blew up the floaties for Grace and placed them on the child’s arms. She then stood and lifted her arms taking the cover-up she was wearing with her hands, revealing a sexy little bikini that stopped all of Max’s thoughts.

“Grace and I will be in the shallow water if you need us.” She took Grace’s hand and together they walked to the steps at one end of the pool. Max watched as every man and teenage boy stopped in his tracks as they stared unabashedly at the beautiful woman.

Brighton pulled on his arm, shaking him out of his trance. “Let’s go Dad.” The children made him go off the diving board first which he made a huge splash. Then he stood at the side of the pool and watched them do all of their stunts.

“Watch this one Dad!” Brighton screamed from the end of the diving board, then he jumped as high as he could and folded his legs into his arms forming a ball, “Cannonball!!!” then a huge splash.

Max smiled as Brighton surfaced, “Nice splash Son!” Maggie practiced her dives until they both bored of the activity. All three of them made their way to the shallow end of the pool.

“Hi Fran.” “Hey Sweetie, did you have fun on the diving boards?” “Yeah, did you see us? Did you see my cannonball?” Fran smiled at him, “Yes honey, we saw it from over here.”

Maggie looked around the pool, “Oh my gosh!” Fran looked at her, “What is it Sweetie?”

Maggie looked at her hands, “Jason is here?” “Who?” She looked at Fran with red in her cheeks, “A kid from school. I think he’s coming over here.”

Fran patted her hand, “Just act normal and everything will be fine.” “Yeah, like that could ever happen,” Brighton snorted out before he fell into a fit of laughter.

“Brighton,” was all Max had to say to let Brighton know what he could and could not do.

“Maggie?” he approached them with a smile on his face. “Hi Jason,” she waved at him. The rest of the family just sat there watching the exchange.

“When did you get here?” he asked with a smile. “Just today. When did you get here?” “Last week. We’re here for four more days.” “Cool,” Maggie didn’t know what to say so she just sat on the step looking at the water.

“You wanna hang out?” Maggie looked over at her father, “Daddy, may I?” Max looked at the boy, “Just stay where I can see you.” “Okay!” She jumped off of the steps and the two kids ran off to a spot in the pool that was a bit deeper before hopping back in.

“Watch this Fran!” Brighton dove under the water and placed his hands on the bottom of the pool, shooting his legs out above him in a handstand. Fran clapped when he came up for air.

“Now you watch what we’ve been working on. Ready Gracie?” The child beamed at her, “Ready.” Fran stepped away from the stairs a couple of steps and held out her arms to the child. “Come to me.”

Grace stepped off the first step and onto the second where she let her body down to the water. She then stepped down one more step and jumped towards Fran. When her body came back to the surface of the water she began kicking her feet and moving her arms under the water, desperately trying to get to Fran. Her eyes were open wide, making sure to never lose sight of Fran she worked her way to her arms.

The fear she experienced for those brief seconds vanished the moment she felt the safety of Fran’s arms around her and the cheers of her brother and father flowing through her ears. A smile made her pride evident and she was ready to do it again, this time to her father. After a few more goes at this Grace began to tire.

Fran took the floaties from her arms and carried her as she, Max and Brighton walked to the deeper water where Margaret was. When they arrived at the ladder she handed the floaties to Brighton, “B, go and put these next to my bag and if you go in my bag you will find some weights which we can throw for you to get.” “Cool!” He scrambled up the ladder and hurried to the bag to gather the weights.

When he reached the edge of the pool he threw each weight in and then jumped in feet first to fetch them. When he retrieved all of them he asked, “Can you throw them for me Dad?”

Max took the colored weights and distributed them around the corner of the pool they were in. A few moments later Maggie’s friend had to go and she made her way back to the family.

“If it’s okay, can I go with Jason and his family to a movie tomorrow?” she asked her father. Max thought about it for a moment. He didn’t want his little girl going out with a boy and he was about to tell her so when he glanced at Fran. She was slowly shaking her head yes, “Well, if I can talk to his parents, then we’ll see. Okay?”

Margaret smiled at her father and agreed. “Jason said that he will call my room tonight to make plans.” Max sighed, “Alright sweetheart. Then I will talk to his parents.” “Okay.”

Margaret swam over to Brighton and they took turns throwing and retrieving the weights giving Max the opportunity to swim over to Fran and Grace.

Grace was asleep in Fran’s arms. “She’s asleep?” Fran nodded and said in a soft voice, “The water is very soothing and she has the heat from my body, what else could someone want.”

Max leaned against the edge of the pool and pulled her to him. Her back against his chest, he kissed her cheek. Together they watched Maggie and Brighton play together, neither saying a word.

Max kicked his legs out a bit so that he was the same height as her, one leg on either side of her and his hands on her waist, directly below the sleeping Grace. “You are far too beautiful in this bikini,” he whispered in her ear sending shivers down her spine.

“I think you are teasing me Maxwell,” she turned her face to her shoulder to catch a glimpse of him. “No, this is teasing you.” He pulled her lower body towards his giving her an idea of just how beautiful he thought she was.

His groin was pushed against her bottom and it took every bit of her energy not to scream out from excitement. “You don’t play fair!” she whispered behind her.

“Who talked about playing fair?” he asked smiled devilishly at her. They stayed like that for a while as Margaret and Brighton played with the weights and Grace slept in Fran’s arms.

Max took the moment to look at his family, for that is what it had become. The children were happy when Fran was around. For the first time in a long time they acted like normal children instead of the young people he had at one point taken every opportunity to avoid. Now he wanted to spend every possible moment with them.

He was proud of their accomplishments and he realized that they only wanted to make him proud. He had been such a fool for abandoning them in the moment when they needed him the most.

What would he have done if Fran hadn’t shown up? It was a question he didn’t want to have to think about. The moment she blew into their lives everything changed.

The cloud that was over his head lifted and the sun finally hit his face. Not only were the children blossoming under her guidance but so was he.

His thoughts drifted back to a time when his wife was alive. All five of them, having a good laugh. He realized that what he had with her was special. The instant he saw her he fell in love with her but he never really took the time to get to know her. There was always something else to do, something more important and for some reason she accepted that. ‘I will always love you Sarahh.’

Then he came back to the present and looked at his Fran. He could feel the difference of feelings for the two women he had loved in his lifetime.

While his love for Sarahh was deep it was also out of comfort that he loved her. Not that it was only convenient but their relationship just worked in a way he didn’t think was possible for two people.

With Fran he had taken many pains to get to know exactly who she was and for just that reason he loved her even more. He knew that Sarahh brought Fran into his life.

The moment he saw her all those months ago sitting on the bench in the park, it was as if a special light was falling on her to draw his attention to her. ‘Sarahh.’

“Max?” Max shook his head to clear the thoughts from it. Fran was talking to him and he missed every word of it. “What? I’m sorry Fran, what did you ask?”

She looked at him concerned, “I didn’t ask you anything, I said that we were going to go to the towels and have something to eat. Are you alright?” He smiled at her, “More than alright. Let’s go.”

They walked to the ladder. He climbed up it and then knelt to retrieve Grace from her so she too could exit the pool. Brighton and Maggie were already sitting on the towels rummaging through the bag of food. “Hey now! Slow down!” Fran warned them.

When they got to the towels Fran took out the food and distributed it correctly. Max gently woke Grace from her slumber. He ate his food while holding her on his crossed legs.

“Here, put this on her,” Fran handed Max a little pink hat which he placed on Grace’s head. When everyone was done eating Fran made everyone reapply their sunblock and wait at least 45 minutes for the food to go down which Brighton gave a fuss about.

“Watch it B! It’s either wait or we go back to our rooms,” Fran looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “What will it be?” His shoulders slumped, “I’ll wait.” “Good answer,” she winked her eye at him.

When the kids had enough of the pool they all went back to the hotel to wash up and rest before dinner. “Maggie, why don’t you take a shower first, then I’ll take care of Gracie.”

“Alright Fran,” she gathered her things and began walking to the bathroom before she turned around. “When we’re done getting ready can I talk to you about something?”

Fran looked up from what she was doing, “Of course Sweetie. We can talk about anything.” Maggie smiled and hurried to take her shower.

When she was done Fran drew a bath for Grace. About halfway through her bath Max came into the room all refreshed from his shower. “How are we doing in here?” he asked while walking to the open bathroom door.

He saw Fran still in her bikini kneeling on the floor playing with Grace. He leaned against the doorframe and watched two of his girls in action. “Daddy!” Grace squealed when she noticed her father. Her arms flew out of the water towards him, all soapy.

He smiled and wiggled a finger at her. “Is everything under control here?” Fran smiled up at him, “Of course it is. Did you expect anything less?” “Not at all.” Fran rinsed Grace off with fresh water and then drained the tub.

Grace watched the water swirl around the drain as it descended into the hole. Fran laughed at her quizzical face and wrapped a towel around her. “Why don’t I take it from here so you can have some time to yourself,” he walked towards them and took Grace in his arms.

“Thanks, her clothes are laid out on the bed.” He walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

Maggie watched in astonishment as he helped Grace dress herself and gently comb through her hair. “What?” She shrugged her shoulders, “I didn’t think you knew how to do that.”

He laughed, “Of course I do, I had you and your brother to practice on.” Maggie blushed, “I just never thought you did that.”

Max picked Grace up and walked over to Margaret, “Sweetheart I know I haven’t always been the doting father but I have taken care of you. Niles wasn’t always there. You would be surprised if you knew just how much I knew,” he winked at her.

“Come on, let’s head into the other room,” he walked towards the door. “But Daddy, I wanted to talk to Fran about something.” “You will Margaret, just give her some time to get ready. We don’t want to wear her down on the first day do we?” Maggie shook her head and grabbed her book.

Brighton was in the other room playing the play station that came with the room. Max put Grace on the bed and smoothed down her damp hair. Before he knew it she was resting. “You two be quiet and let your sister sleep. I’m going to go and check on Fran.”

Margaret watched his father enter the other room and close the door behind him. She nudged Brighton’s arm, “Hey!” “Put it on pause for a minute dweeb!” He did and looked at her with a scowl on his face.

“So, do you think he’ll ask her to marry him when we’re here?” “Who?” Margaret rolled her eyes, “Dad you dweeb! Who else?”

Brighton dropped his remote and turned towards her, “You think he will?” Maggie shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know. I hope he will. Do you?”

Brighton thought about it for a minute before answering. “I think it would be really cool if he did. Fran would be like another mom for us. Plus she’s cool and we know that she loves us.”

Maggie’s eyes turned sad, “I know she does. I miss mom but at the same time I really hope that Fran becomes our other mom.”

He nodded at his sister, “Yeah. And Fran helps us remember Mom and stuff. When we talk to Fran about Mom it reminds me of things I thought I’d forgot. I like it when that happens.” He paused for a moment, “Plus, she takes care of us and she makes all of us happy…I hope he does ask her.”

Margaret smiled at her brother, “Let’s see if he brought a ring.” She walked towards the suitcases.

Brighton’s eyes grew wide and he held up his hand, “Wait a minute! You want to look through Dad’s stuff and see if he brought a ring?”

Maggie nodded and smiled, “I can’t believe it! What an evil thought! It’s crazy.” “What is?”

“I can’t believe that you thought of it before I did,” he smiled at her. They went through his suitcase that still wasn’t unpacked and found what they were looking for wrapped up in a pair of clean socks.

After admiring the beauty of the rock they put everything back just as they found it. They were proud of their find and found it very relaxing knowing that Fran would be a part of their lives permanently.

On the other side of the door Max found Fran in a bathrobe provided by the hotel with her back to him combing her wet hair. “Feel better?”

Her head shot up at his voice but before she could turn towards him he stepped behind her and snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her to him. He inhaled her fresh scent before lightly kissing the back of her neck. “Max, what if the kids see you.”

He smiled against her skin, “How? With their x-ray vision?” Fran looked at the closed door then smiled and relaxed in his arms and rolled her head unto his shoulder.

He sighed as he leaned his head against hers, “Do you realize how difficult it will be for me to sleep when you are next door and I can’t go to you?”

She turned in his arms, “I’ll have just as much difficulty.” He kissed her lips and she kissed him back for a moment. Then she pushed his body away from hers. “Now get out of here! I need to get ready so we can go and have some dinner!”

He looked at her like a child who just got told that he couldn’t have any dessert. She giggled at his face. “Don’t give me that look,” she turned away from him and he began to sulk his way out of the room. “

Oh and Max?” he turned with a cheshire grin on his face, hopeful, “Send Maggie in here, she needs to talk to me about something.” His head dropped and he closed the door behind him. All Fran could do was smile.

She finished getting ready as Margaret began to talk about her dilemma. “What is it Sweetie?”

Maggie played with her book, “Well…you see…” “Oh Maggie! Just spit it out Sweetie!” Margaret’s face got bright red, “I think I like Jason!”

Fran smiled and sat next to her, taking her hand in her lap. “That’s great Sweetie. He seems like a nice boy.”

Maggie wouldn’t look up at her, “I don’t think he likes me.” “And why wouldn’t he?”

“I’m not as popular as he is or any of his friends are.” “But he came over to you today. What does that tell you?”

Margaret lowered her head, “That he misses his real friends.”

“Well he sure seemed to know exactly who you are. And by the looks of it he was having a great time with you today. What you need Maggie is a bit more self-esteem! My goodness! How is it that I have spent this much time with you and you are still as shy as you are?”

Maggie smiled shyly and Fran raised her chin to look Margaret in the eyes , “Maggie, listen to me. You are a wonderful young woman. Any guy would be lucky to get a chance with you. You deserve to have whatever your heart desires but the only thing holding you back…is you my darling.”

A comforting smile graced Fran’s face, “You need to know that you are worth all the good things that happen to you. Embrace them and make them your own. And don’t rely on others, you have to be a go-getter.”

Maggie threw her arms around Fran’s neck, “Thanks Fran. I love you so much.” “I love you too Sweetie.” She finished getting ready for dinner and then they all headed out for a nice meal.

When they got back Max had a couple of messages from CC that he felt he needed to deal with so Fran took all three kids into the other room, after grabbing some pajamas for Brighton.

“Here ya go B. Take the bathroom first,” she threw the pajamas at him and he did as he was told. She took out the neatly folded pajamas for Grace and changed her for bed. When Brighton was done Maggie took her turn in the bathroom and changed.

“Brighton, go quietly into the other room and get your toothbrush. Be sure not to disturb your father.” “Okay Fran.” When all kids were cleaned up and changed Fran took the opportunity to wash most of her makeup off and brush through her hair after changing into some lounging clothes.

Grace was already asleep on the bed with Maggie so she cuddled up beside Brighton. The three of them talked for a while, Fran laid there lightly combing her fingers through Brighton’s short hair. Before she knew it he was asleep on her arm.

Margaret smiled over at Fran who looked down at Brighton lovingly. “He’s a lot better when he’s asleep.” Fran smiled at her. Margaret’s face turned serious, “Fran, no one’s ever taken care of us like you do. Well…except for Mom. You’re like another mom for us but you help us remember her and you don’t get jealous when we think about her.”

“I want you to remember her. She was a special woman and the three of you deserve to know how special she was sweetie.”

“I think she’d be happy knowing that you’re here with us. I don’t really know how to describe it but we’re all just so much happier when you’re around.”

Fran leaned a bit closer to her, “Well, I have a secret for you. The three of you guys make me so happy. I’m so proud of you and I think of you all the time. If I were to ever lose any of you I don’t know what I would do.”

“Dad too?” Fran smiled at her and nodded, “Yes, your dad too.” The two girls talked for a while longer until Fran realized that Maggie had also fallen asleep. She gently snaked her arm from under Brighton’s head and exited the bed.

She covered each of them up with the blankets and kissed them on the foreheads. Then she opened the door joining the two rooms and poked her head in. Max was still busy on the phone with CC.

She entered the room and looked at the open suitcases. She got started on Brighton’s first and refolded everything that had been undone when he looked for his swim trunks and toothbrush. She then placed them in a drawer and hung things up properly.

Max finished up his call and turned to watch her. She put the suitcase away and began to open Max’s suitcase. His pulse quickened, “Oh, don’t do that Fran.”

She smiled at him, “But I want to.” He rushed to her side taking the suitcase from her hands. She looked at him puzzled, “But this is your vacation.”

He leaned into her and kissed her cheek, “It’s yours too, now I can take care of this.” She looked at him with a hurt expression. “I only wanted to help.”

His hand went to her face and gently stroked it. “I know. Just sit and relax. It will only take me a minute or two.” She sat on the bed with her back against the headboard and watched him.

He took everything out of the suitcase and refolded most of the shirts before placing them in their proper place. As he put his socks away he hugged one pair particularly close to him as he carried them to the drawer. He then placed that pair underneath all the other ones and closed the drawer.

Finally he turned towards her and closed the empty suitcase with a smile. “See? All done.” “Very nice.”

After putting the suitcase away he crawled up on the bed with her. “Did you finish everything with CC?”

“Yes, just a few things she needed to go over with me. Are the kids asleep?” he pulled her into his arms.

She nodded her head, “Completely knocked out. I think we did too much today.”

“So what do you want to do now Fran?” he wickedly smiled at her. “Honestly? I just want to relax.” She cuddled close to his side.

He grabbed the remote on the bedside and turned on the television. He decided on a channel that was showing a movie.

Absentmindedly, his hand began to play with the curls in her hair and she unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt, moving her hand under the fabric. She played with the light chest hair there and let her fingers roam the trunk of his body still learning the new territory.

He turned his head into hers so that he could smell her hair. Fran turned her head up and kissed his neck then she turned her attention back to the T.V. screen but was distracted when she noticed the bulge forming in his pants. She smiled against his chest.

Her hand traveled down his torso and to his navel where she played with the light hair there. She could hear his breath quicken and a low growl formed in the base of his throat.

Her fingers peeked out from the bottom of his shirt and found their way to the front of his trousers. Gently she rubbed the bulge that was there.

His hand that was resting behind her moved to her buttocks and pulled her closer into his side. Her leg moved on top of his as she continued to rub him through the material of his trousers but her strokes slowly got harder and with more of a purpose.

His arousal continued to grow and he was in near agony when she looked up at him with that smile on her face. She then lifted herself from the bed and walked to the door.

For a brief second he feared that she was going to leave him in that state, instead he heard the door lock. She then walked back towards him like a cat on the prowl. She walked to the foot of the bed and turned the television up just a bit, then crawled between his legs.

He tried to sit up but she pressed a hand on his chest indicating to him where she wanted him. He laid back down on the bed and watched her as she unbuckled his belt. Then she unbuttoned his trouser button and unzipped it, all while watching his face.

Her hand slid between the material of his trousers and the fabric of his boxers. She felt the zipper lightly scratch to top of her hand and the silkiness of his boxers on the palm of her hand. The two sensations sent shivers down her spine.

She unbuttoned the buttons of his boxers and with her nails lightly scratched the tip of his penis. He closed his eyes at the passion she was tapping into.

With a firm grip she pulled his manhood out of the hole of his boxers and he sighed as the feeling of restraint fled with the action. Her hands began to rub him, up and down, slowly, almost painfully.

“Fran,” he wanted to slow her down and let her enjoy the night, but she had other plans. She lowered her head and licked the tip of his penis. Max jumped at her touch, “Fran!” she smiled up at him and put her mouth on him.

Her mouth made love to his most private part until he couldn’t hold back any longer. “Fran, I can’t…” he panted, begging her to stop but she didn’t, she wouldn’t. Instead she sped up her actions and all he could do was release.

Afterwards she crawled up to his arms, both panted trying to catch their breath. “Wow!” She smiled at him, “It may have been a long time for me but I guess I have learned a few things from my past. I was once called a dirt devil.”

At first Max didn’t know whether he should be disgusted at that or excited, then the feelings that were still passing through his body penetrated his brain and all he felt was excitement. “I will have to repay the favor sometime,” his eyes were twinkling. She smiled into his chest and ran her hand under the shirt that was still on him.

Max was nearly asleep when she rose from the bed and walked to the door. He opened his eyes and watched her unlock the door before climbing back in bed with him. “Why did you do that?”

“So the kids can get to us if they need us.” He nodded and sat up for a brief moment to take the shirt from his body. He threw it on the chair next to the bed before settling back into bed. He pulled her into his embrace and together they fell into a restful sleep.


The next morning they were woken by Grace jumping on the bed. “Daddy! Fran!” Both sets of eyes went to the door as Margaret came running in behind Grace. “Sorry! I tried to stop her.”

Max grabbed his daughter and began tickling her, “And just what are you doing up so early little girl? Hmm?” Grace squealed with laughter. Fran sat up with a huge smile on her face and looked to Margaret, “Come here sweetie.” Maggie came and sat at the foot of the bed. “I tried to keep her busy but…”

“It’s alright Maggie. Come on, we are here to relax.” Maggie smiled and laid back at the foot of the bed. “Where’s your brother?” Maggie nudged her head towards the other room, “Still asleep.”

Max stopped his attack on Grace and pulled her into his lap, “I guess we tuckered him out yesterday.” “No you didn’t,” Brighton was standing at the door, taking in the scene.

Fran opened her arms to him and he ran into them. Max watched her cuddle his son and he marveled again at how far each of them had come since Fran had come into their lives. ‘This is how it is suppose to be,’ he thought to himself.

Fran must have thought the same thing because she looked at him with an understanding in her eyes. He knew that it was the right time. ‘Soon my darling, soon.’

Later that day Jason, his little sister and his parents came to meet Max and pick Maggie up for the movies. Max and Fran gathered all the details and agreed to let Maggie go. Max gave her some money and Fran gave her a quick wink as she set off with Jason.

“He seems like a nice boy and I’m sure that his parents will take care of her,” he watched them get in the car and drive off.

Fran grabbed his hand and gave him an encouraging smile. “You have to let them go sometime Max. She will be fine. What’s dinner and a movie with a friend and his family?”

Max squeezed her hand, “Maybe we should get going.” They gathered up the children and made their way to the restaurant.

The rest of their vacation passed without much to note on. They lounged on the beach and by the pool. They shopped and they ate. They enjoyed the laziness of their vacation and spending time together as a family.

Max never had to run off to a meeting with the exception of a phone call here and there. And Fran spent every waking minute with them. The kids were in heaven with all the attention.

The only difference between the first night and every other night was, Brighton always fell asleep in Max’s room so Fran and Max found only a few moments on the balcony each night to spend together alone.

One night, after the kids had fallen asleep Max pulled Fran from the girls’ room and to the balcony. She walked to the railing and inhaled the fresh scent the sea was giving off. “I’m going to miss it here.”

He walked up behind her, “Me too.” “I’m going to miss spending so much time with you guys.”

His hands covered hers on the railing. “We need to work on that when we get home.” She leaned the back of her head against his chest and closed her eyes pulling his arms around her.

She sighed, “I’m going to have so much work to catch up on, the busy time for weddings is approaching.” “Ahhh, the fall weddings.” She nodded.

“Well I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind planning one more wedding than what was already on your schedule.”

She pulled away from him and eyed him curiously, “Why? Do you know someone who is getting married?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled the box out before shifting it around her body and presenting it to her. “Hopefully us.”

Her eyes snapped open and her hands shakily reached up towards the box. Slowly she turned her body to his and she looked into his eyes with her own watery ones.

“Open it,” he said in a whisper. Slowly she lifted the lid to reveal a gorgeous ring.

“Fran, I know you once told me that you never want to take advantage of the sacredness of what marriage is. I know you only want to do it once. I thought that I would only have to do it once, but I’ve been given a second chance with you.”

He stopped for a moment to gather his emotions, “My love for you goes beyond what any number of words can ever say,” his voice faltered and he cleared him throat before he continued.

“I want to spend the rest of my life honoring you and loving you. You deserve the world and I want to give it to you. You love my children as if they were your very own and they love you almost as much as I do.”

His eyes began to smile, “I knew that first day I saw you in the park that we had a connection and I want to keep building on that connection. I want to be your one time, if you’ll have me. Will you Fran? Will you marry me?”

Her tears were flowing freely, “I never expected to love you or your children as much as I do. I can’t imagine a day without any of you in it. You are my ‘one’ Max. Nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife.”

He took the box from her hand, “So is that a yes?” Her throat was constricted from the tears so she nodded her approval as she whispered her answer, “Yes. Of course.”

He placed the ring on her finger and pulled her into an embrace. “Oh G-d I love you Fran. I love you so much. I’ve never been in love like this,” he said into her hair.

She clung onto the back of his shirt, “Neither have I. Oh Max, you’ve made me so happy.” He simply replied, “And you me, my darling.”

Max rocked her body with his own before pulling away to go in for a gentle kiss. When she opened her eyes she saw a tear fall down his cheek. Her slender fingers wiped it away, no words were needed as she understood the tear to be one of joy and satisfaction and not of sadness or letting go.

Together they stayed on the balcony, neither one wanted the moment to end, till they heard Grace walking around the room calling out to Fran. “Duty calls,” she smiled at him and together they walked into her room.

Fran soothed Grace and said her goodnight to Max, “Get some sleep, tomorrow will be a big day for us.” He gave her a gentle kiss and went to bed a satisfied man that night.

The next morning they told the kids their news and each one was ecstatic to hear it. “It’s about time!” Brighton exclaimed. Max and Fran looked at him with furrowed brows, “What do you mean B?” Fran asked.

Brighton stumbled to find the right lie but when his father raised his eyebrow at him. He knew better than to lie at that moment. “We saw the ring,” he hung his head low, almost into his dish.

“When? Where?” Max asked. Maggie started in to defend her brother, “The first day we were here Daddy. We’re sorry, but we just wanted to know if you would ask her here.”

Max looked from both kids to Fran who had a smirk on her face, which is when he decided to let it slide. “It’s okay this time, but from now on…no more snooping.”

Brighton’s head snapped up, “You got it Dad!” Fran chirped in, “Oy you kids! I’m shepping nochas right now. You’ve made me so proud sticking up for each other!” She wiped a fake tear from her eye.

Max had to let out a laugh at this episode. Brighton and Margaret stared at him with smiles on their faces and light in their eyes as they watched their father. It had been so long since they had seen him so happy and they knew who it was they had to thank for that.

Both ran to Fran and gave her a hug and a kiss, which was readily returned. Grace, who was confused by all the commotion, asked what was going on. Max held out his hands for her and she crawled into his lap.

He began to explain to her what was happening, “Well sweetheart I asked Fran to marry me.”

She looked up at him with a scowl on her face, “Marry you?” He lifted his finger and nudged the tip of her nose in affection “Yes. That is when two people who love each other very much live together.” “Will she marry me too?” He nodded his head and Grace, “In a way sweetheart.” Finally understanding, Grace looked to Fran and smiled.

She scrambled from her father’s lap and ran to Fran who wrapped Grace in her arms. Fran looked to Max who was watching them all and she said, “This is exactly where I want to be.”

The rest of the vacation was spent in constant commotion. They went from one place to another trying to satisfy each child’s desires. When they returned home everything was set into motion.