Happenstance

The evening after they returned Max was nowhere to be found. Neither the kids nor Niles had seen him and were clueless to his whereabouts. She began to panic and after she tucked each child into bed she sat on the couch in a state of nervousness.

When he finally opened the door she ran towards him. “Where have you been?!?” He turned around and smiled at her, “Miss me?” She swatted his arm. “No one knew where you were. I thought you either got mugged or ran away.”

“Ran away?” he asked confused. She looked down shyly, “I thought that you may want to take it back.”

He looked at her with questions in his eyes. She responded to them, “I just had this feeling that you would take this back,” pointing to the ring.

His smile fell and he put down the mail he was shuffling through. He took her hand and led her to the couch where he sat and had her sit on his lap. He circled his arms around her waist and leaned his head against her breast. Her arm that was wrapped around his neck held onto his shoulder while her other hand lightly caressed his face.

“I would never take this back Fran. This is all I want.” He raised his head to look into her brown eyes. “In fact my darling, I was over at your parents…”

Fran interrupted, “Wha?” He placed a finger on her lips. “I was at your parents to ask for your hand in marriage.” Instantly her face relaxed and formed into a smile. “You are the sweetest man I have ever known.”

He smiled at this and again lowered his head to rest upon her breast. “Then they asked me to stay for dinner and I couldn’t refuse.”

“Couldn’t refuse or wasn’t allowed to refuse?” she combed his hair with her fingers. “Both.” She gave him a chuckle.

Her body molded into his. “I can hear your heart beat,” he smiled against her body. Again her hand got lost in his hair. He moaned and took her hand then began placing soft kisses on it.

The electrical feeling that rushed through her body at his simple act caused her body to shudder. Max turned his head into her and began kissing where his head once laid. Her head fell back as she gave into the moment.

He kissed up her neck and lightly bit at her jaw line causing her to stir even more. He whispered in her ear with bated breath, “I want you.” She lifted her head to this and looked into his passionate eyes.

Desire overcame her and she shifted her position so that she was straddling his thighs. She leaned into him and kissed him deeply holding his head in both hands.

When she began to give him light kisses her hands unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it partially off his shoulders. Her hands caressed his shoulders and collarbone. He watched her as she looked at his body.

She ever so slowly let her hand travel down his torso, taking note of how his muscles twitched when her nails tickled his skin.

Her fingers reached his bellybutton and she used just her pointer finger from there. She traced the trail of hair to the top of his pants. Fran smiled as she heard his breath catch.

When she got to his belt she began to unlatch it. He watched her hands open his belt and then finally the button and zip to his pants. She let her hand slip between the fabric of his pants and the silk of his boxer shorts. He took in a breath at this and growled her name.

Fran lifted her body and he followed suit pulling his trousers off his hips and to his thighs before sitting back down.

She leaned in for another kiss and his hands went to the hem of her skirt. They slipped under the cloth and he grabbed her cheeks, pulling her into his hardness. She sighed into his mouth. When he let go of her behind his hands traveled around her body and to her thighs.

Slowly his hands made their way up her thighs and to the place he so desperately wanted to be a part of.

His fingers swept across her sweet spot and she kissed him harder, more frantically. The fabric he felt was damp and he knew that she was as ready as he was.

Pulling his hand out from under her skirt he reached into the back pocket of his trousers and pulled out his wallet.

She watched as he opened the wallet and take out a condom. “In your wallet Max? Isn’t that kinda high-schoolish?” He just smiled at her, “Well I never know when I may get the chance to get lucky,” he gave her a wink.

He handed the small package to her and watched as she opened it. He lowered his hands to bring himself out of the confinements of his underpants for her but she stilled his hands with her own. Fran lowered her own hands to him and let them fall onto the soft fabric before unbuttoning the single button holding it together.

She slipped her hand through the opening of the fabric and gently touched him, petting him almost. His breath quickened as she pulled his cock through the fabric. She then placed the condom at the tip of his manhood and slowly rolled it down the shaft. His cock jerked in her hand.

When she was done with the condom she stood up and took her panties off letting them fall to the floor at his feet before climbing back atop him. She knelt high above him and he pulled her body close to him.

He kissed her neck and then her breasts through her shirt. He could feel the hardened tip through the layers she was wearing. A hand reached up to support her back and steady her as he suckled her through the fabric. Fran couldn’t believe the intense feelings rioting through her body as he coped a feel.

When they exchanged a heated kiss she reached beneath her and grabbed him, directing him into her. Slowly she lowered herself onto his engorged cock. She stilled for a moment allowing them to revel in the feeling.

Finally, when he didn’t think he could wait any longer she began to move. His hands were under her skirt pulling it up to her waist where he held her. He thrusted into her and she caught herself from letting out a scream.

With her head tilted back she rose and fell onto his cock repeatidly. He changed his rhythm from slow to fast and back to slow. Finally, when he didn’t think he could take anymore, he felt her insides clenching his dick in spasms and he watched as she was pushed over the edge.

As Fran climaxed her body arched away from him but he caught her. He lowered her a bit further and his head followed suit to her breasts again. He pushed and pushed again into her. Sweat poured from his brow.

He lifted his torso from her and pulled her body back up with his own. Suddenly he quickened his pace. He shuddered as he released and she held onto his shoulders never losing his pace with her own.

As he slowed his tempo he gave a couple more thrusts into her before his cock began to soften. He rested his head once again upon her chest and hers upon his own head as their breathing began to stabilize.

When he unfolded himself from her arms he looked up at her. “You are amazing.” Fran flashed him a smile and gave the simple reply, “So are you.”

She stood up and began to straighten her clothing out as he closed his boxers and lifted his hips to pull his trousers back up to his waist. He did up his pants but left the buckle undone and his shirt hanging open on his shoulders.

She looked at him and her heart melted again. “If you keep looking like that you’ll make it very difficult for me to go home tonight.”

He raised an eyebrow, “And that would be bad? How?” Fran rolled her eyes and walked to the mirror in front of the piano to straighten up her hair and makeup.

“Max, you know we need to make a good example of ourselves to the children. Maggie is at the age that she knows everything and is curious about it.”

Max had been watching her this whole time but at this remark his chin fell. Then he nodded in resigned agreement, “I understand.”

She continued, “Besides which, we have already crossed that line. We should try to salvage what we have left.” Max sighed and stood to straighten his own clothing.

He walked her to the door and hailed a taxi. After paying the cabbie for her ride home he leaned into the backseat and gave her a kiss tonight. “Someday, my love, you won’t have to go to your own place. This will be your place.” She caressed his face and gave him one last kiss goodnight before he closed the door and watched her taxi drive off.

He remembered that day he first saw Fran in the park. He remembered watching Shannon’s taxi driving away from him and he bid her good riddance.

Watching Fran’s cab take her away from made his heart ache. ‘Someday she’ll never have to leave. Just keep reminding yourself of that,’ he smiled at the thought and turned back to the house.


Max was walking around the office his first day back to work. He was nervous. Today was the day he had to tell CC about his engagement.

She had always made it so difficult for him to date in the past. What if she continued to get in the way? ‘Then again,’ he thought, ‘she hasn’t been on my case about Fran lately.’

As he was pondering this phenomena CC walked in. “Good morning Maxwell.”

Max walked to his chair and sat down, “Good morning CC. Did you have a good week without me? A successful one?”

CC tried to stifle a smile from him, “Yes Maxwell. I had a very good and successful week.” She stopped smiling, “How was your vacation.”

He took a deep breath, this was it... “It was fabulous CC. We all had such a wonderful time. Me especially.”

CC looked up from the paperwork she was pulling out of her briefcase. “Oh really? How so?”

He cleared his throat, “Well…CC…I asked Fran to marry me…and she said yes. We’re getting married.” He bit his lip, waiting for her response.

Slowly a smile began to form on her lips, “It’s about damn time. Congratulations Maxwell. You two belong together.”

Max was stunned. He sat there with his mouth open as he tried to figure this conundrum out.

She looked at him and tilted her head, “What?”

“I just thought…I just thought you would respond differently,” he played with a pen he was holding.

CC stood from the loveseat and walked towards him. “Max…I only wanted you to find happiness with someone who deserved your love and attention. You found her. She is a wonderful woman to not only you but your three, wonderful children. A blind person would be able to see that.”

He stood from his chair and embraced her in a hug. A single tear escaped his eye and he quickly wiped it away before she could see it.

Max leaned against the desk, “I have always respected your feelings on issues, not only in business but also in taking care of me. I know that is what you were doing when I couldn’t take care of myself. You are the one that got me through the hardest time of my life. Having your blessing in this matter means the world to me.”

She smiled, “Well you most definitely have my blessing Max.” She walked back to the loveseat, “Oh and Max?”

He turned his head to her. “You take care of her. It goes both ways.” He nodded his head in agreement, then they got down to business.


Plans for the wedding began immediately after Val returned from her honeymoon. Things were all abuzz when a misunderstanding nearly made everything come to a halt.

CC was out of the office for the day, schmoozing some backer for the new play while Max began auditioning for the understudy of the leading lady’s role. So many actresses made their way in and out of his office so fast it was as if it were a revolving door.

The second to the last call of the day entered his office and he sat back in his green chair, welcoming her. “Good afternoon Miss. Whitely.”

“Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield, and it’s Katlynn.” Max smiled at her and looked back down at her resume. “I see you have played a number of supporting parts.”

He looked up at her for a response and all she gave was a batting of her eyes. He continued, “Alright, why don’t you read the requested part and we’ll move on from there.”

She did the scene and he was rather impressed with her acting. “Very good Miss Whitely.” “Katlynn.” He smiled at her, “Katlynn. I will have to run it over with my business partner and we’ll give you a call.”

The busty redhead walked towards Max. “Couldn’t we keep this between you and me? I mean, we both know I would be great for this part.”

Max raised his eyebrows at her, “Well Miss Whitely. Procedures are procedures.” She sat on the edge of his desk and leaned towards him. “Oh, come on Mr. Sheffield. If you do this favor for me, I’ll do you a favor.”

Her fingers caressed his face and he swallowed hard. “Now, Miss Whitely, I don’t think you understand. I am not that type of a producer. I don’t do business this way. Besides which I don’t need any favors from you.”

She raised herself from the desk and onto his lap, “Oh, I’m sure we can think of something I could help you with.”

He was about to push her off when the door opened revealing CC and Fran walking in together to see how things were progressing.

Max looked at Fran with horror on his face and after a brief second of registering what she was seeing she fled from the room.

“Maxwell!” CC bellowed. “What the hell do you think you are doing?!?” Max stood from his chair, causing Katlynn to fall to the ground.

“CC, its not what you think.” He ran around his desk and to through the door after Fran. She fled the house, leaving the door open. As he ran through the front door he saw the curls of her hair swishing into a taxi before it sped off.

Fear gripped his heart as the taxi took her away, away from him and away from them.
Running back into the house he grabbed his car keys and the video camera from behind his chair in the office.

Niles was in the front, wondering what all the commotion was about. “Niles, I don’t know if I’ll be back for dinner. I’ll have my cell phone if I’m needed, but only if it is an emergency.” Niles nodded.

Max ran from the house and to his Porsche. He sped off down the road in the direction of her apartment.

Niles turned his head to see CC forcefully escorting a beautiful young woman out of the office. “You will never work in show business again! Once I’m done with you no one will even glance at you!” She slammed the front door behind the stunned actress.

After he closed his mouth Niles asked, “What in the world was that all about?”

CC turned towards him with fury in her eyes, then they softened and saddened, “Maxwell let his little producer do all the thinking today. It may have cost him his future with Fran.”

Niles closed his eyes in disbelief and his shoulders fell, “It can’t be true. I know that man. He loves Fran far too much to do anything so stupid as that.” CC could only shrug her shoulders.

A voice from behind them interrupted, “So I guess this means the auditions are off today?” CC and Niles turned to the young woman. “Yes, we will get back to you when things are back up and running.” CC took her resume and walked the actress to the door.

Max had gone to her apartment, then the office. This was the last place he knew to look. Nervously, he knocked on the door. He saw someone look through the peephole.

Morty opened the door for him. He held a baseball hat in his hand, “You have some nerve coming here.” Fear spread through Max’s body, but he was also happy to know where she was. “Please Morty, it is all a misunderstanding! I need to explain to her what happened.”

With his jaw set Morty dared him, “Why don’t you explain it to me?” He gripped the bat even tighter.

Max released the breath he didn’t know he was holding, “The woman came onto me. I tried to tell her I didn’t work like that. That I didn’t want any part of that.”

Max closed his eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling. “I was just about to show her out when Fran walked in. I never would do anything remotely like that to Fran. I never could.”

He opened his eyes and looked into Morty’s. Morty lowered the bat. As the blood rushing through his ears began to slow Max saw Sylvia in the background. “Sylvia, I swear. I love her far too much to do anything so stupid. Please believe me.”

“It’s not me you need to convince Max. I can see it in your eyes that you’re telling the truth. I know you are. But what I think doesn’t matter,” she shook her head.

“May I speak with her?”

Morty shook his head, “She isn’t here.” Max blinked in resignation, “Where is she?” Sylvia spoke up, “At the Waldorf. She felt she needed some time alone.”

Max turned to leave. “Max. Now is not the time. She needs some time to herself.”

He looked back over his shoulder. “You are wrong Sylvia. Now is the time I must talk to her. If I wait I may never get my chance,” and off he went.

Never did Max think he would make it to the hotel as quickly as he did. After some prodding and a bit of bribery Max got the number of the room she was staying in.

The elevator couldn’t climb fast enough it seemed. Finally he reached the 15th floor. He ran in the direction the elevator man directed him in and he came to her door. Nervously, he knocked on it. ‘What am I going to say? Will she believe me?’

He could hear her crying through the door and his heart broke. Again he knocked. The crying quieted as she walked to the door. He put his hand over the peephole, knowing if she saw that it was he, she wouldn’t open the door.

Through her sobs Fran responded to the disturbance, “I don’t want anything right now. The Do Not Disturb sign is up.”

He knocked again. She opened the door slightly and once she saw whom it was she tried to slam it shut again. His foot caught the door though and he pleaded with her. “Please Fran. Let me come in. Its not what you think.”

She tried to push his foot out with her own to shut him out. “Go away. I don’t want to speak to you. I don’t even want to look at you!”

His strength overpowered her own and he forced the door open and walked into the room. Resigned to the fact that he found her she went back to the bed and lay down. He watched her.

Max looked at her naked left ring finger. A sob caught in his throat. He looked at the bedside table and saw it lying atop it.

In a deadpan voice she spoke, “You’re here, what do you want to say to me?” She wouldn’t look at him though he tried to catch her eye.

“Fran, darling,” he began.

She interrupted and stared him coldly in the eye, “You do not deserve to call me that.”

Tears began to form in his eyes and he tried to fight them down. “Fran, I don’t know what I can do to convince you that I didn’t, that I wouldn’t have wanted her there in my lap.”

Her eyes looked away as she gave him a huff. His shoulders slumped, “You are all I ever want Fran. Not some floozy of an actress.”

A memory came to mind, “Remember when you went out with that cad Stephen? Even then I hated seeing you with other men.”

Her eyes instantly came back to his. He continued, “Just like in your position when men come on to you women try to use their sex appeal to get a spot on stage. I have never worked that way and I don’t ever plan on doing it that way. CC was supposed to be there with me for these auditions but something came up at the theater.”

Fran closed her eyes as a fresh set of tears began to work their way up. With a shaky voice she spoke, “Max, I promised myself that I would never again put myself in a position where I would be taken advantage of. It is a promise I intend to keep.”

Sadness filled Max’s soul as she continued, “I promised myself. I’m not ready to succumb to another faulty relationship, let alone marriage. I don’t want to compete with the scores of women you meet with every time you build up a new play. That isn’t the way I work. I am a one man woman and I expect the same back from the man in my life.”

Max pulled sat down in the plush chair and placed his head in his hands. “Oh Fran, what can I do to convince you?”

He removed his hands from his face and looked at her. She gave him an empty stare. There was no emotion left in them, that is what frightened him the most. Fran’s eyes always sparkled with pizzazz.

He looked at the chair in the room and at the pile of stuff he threw on it as he entered the room. He got up and walked to the video camera he grabbed before he left the house.

He smiled at her, “I know how I can prove myself to you. Whenever we audition we inform the actors that they will be recorded to help us make our final decision. The tape will be my alibi. It will show you that I had no intentions with that woman.”

Turning on the TV he placed the tape in the VCR and rewound it to the point that Ms. Whitely came in. He paused it, “Fran, please come here and watch this. For us.”

Inwardly, Fran knew that if Max had the tape with him then there must have been something on it to clear his name. Nevertheless she had to see it with her own two eyes. She had to know that Max thought of her even when he had a bountiful number of beautiful women in front of him. She had to see his disinterest in that woman, and his honor towards herself.

She rose from the bed and sat next to him to watch the audition progress. When Katlyn came on to Max Fran’s cold eyes finally began to tear. She listened to what Max said during the interview and she felt as if her heart began to beat again, as if it had stopped the moment she walked into his office that day. Warmth again began to flow through her extremities.

Fran continued to watch the tape and she saw herself walk into the office. In her own eyes she could see the fear and the hurt quickly build within her.

She watched the tape till Max ran out after her then looked down at her hands as he turned off the television set. He sat there, waiting for her to respond. Max saw a tear fall from her eye and onto her hand. He watched as it traveled across her skin, leaving its trail.

Finally she turned towards him and with tears in her eyes she said, “I’m so sorry Max. I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you.”

They collapsed into each other’s arms and together they cried.

When they finally calmed they discussed what had happened. Fran told him how vulnerable and rejected she felt. She also said she felt that in the moments before he arrived she had taken two steps back.

“I felt like everything that meant something to me fell away at that moment. Like I had lost everything. You, the children, what we all had together.”

Max waited to gather his thoughts, “Fran…if I were to lose you I don’t know what I would do. I need you, I need us. I will do everything and anything to keep us together. There is too much good in what we have together to let it fall to pieces. You will never lose me or the children. They love you far too much.” His hand gently caressed her check, “I love you far too much.”

Fran closed her eyes, soaking in his words. She raised a hand to his and clasped it.

“I love you Maxwell. Thank you for not letting my stubbornness ruin what we have. I never had any reason to doubt you.”

She lowered her eyes, “I guess I just couldn’t separate you from the rest of the men that have been in my life. I was so stupid not to realize that they cannot compare to the type of man you are.”

He leaned into her, his lips nearly touching hers. “I love you with all my heart Fran,” he breathed into her. Then he kissed her.

When he finally pulled away Fran confided in him, “I didn’t like to see her all over you. I always see those beautiful younger women all over you. Usually I can shake it off but sometimes it just bugs me.”

He looked down at his hands and nodded his head, “I can understand that. It’s the same for me. I don’t like to see men all over you when you do a wedding.”

He raised his eyes again to hers and she gave him an understanding smile. “Fair enough.”

When the issue had been nearly talked to death Fran excused herself and went into the bathroom to wash her face and clear her eyes of the mascara that had been smudged from her tears. In the meantime Max ordered up some room service, before taking the ring from the night stand.

As they sat down to eat Max pulled the ring out of his pocket and wore it above his knuckle on his small finger. “Fran, will you do me the honor of putting this back upon your finger and again agree to marry me? I can’t bear to see your finger without my ring upon it.”

She smiled at him and reached for the ring. He shook his head and gently took her hand in his own. His lips kissed each fingertip before he replaced the ring in its rightful place upon her finger.

That night they slept close to one another, needing to feel the other in their arms. Too exhausted to change they slept in their clothes. With all the emotions of the day sleep came easily to them. Tomorrow was another day, another day of them.


Fran was sitting at the kitchen table with Val, Sylvia and the girls when Max walked in. He stood behind Fran and studied the samples in front of her. ‘Why hadn’t she asked him to be there for the planning?’

Max insisted he wanted to be a part of the wedding planning and Fran had to laugh at him. “What?” he walked behind the counter to refill his coffee mug.

“Max, sweetie, you know I love you with all my heart. But you aren’t exactly the type to plan a party,” she laughed.

“I beg your pardon! I have put together a number of successful plays that have been performed on Broadway. I know how to plan things. I can do this!”

Fran walked over to him and wrapped his arms around her. She looked up to his face and he refused to look at her, pretending he was actually offended by her insult.

Fran cooed at him trying to ease his mind and his ego. First she kissed his chin then worked her way up to his cheek. He lowered his head to her and she whispered in his ear, “I would love for you to help plan our wedding.”

A shiver ran down his spine as he felt her breath tickle the outer rim of his ear. He looked back up at their audience who was beaming at them. He straightened up and cleared his throat.

Fran winked at him and walked back to the table. “How about this Sweetie. We will narrow down the colors, favors, etc. to a few options and then you and I will make the final decisions together.”

He only gave an encouraging smile and a nod before he exited the kitchen. When they were sure he was out of earshot they all burst into laughter.

Sylvia was the first to speak, “I think that is adorable. Frannie you have found a gem in that man.”

Fran smiled at her mother, “I know Ma. I know.”

The day of the wedding came quickly and it went off without a hitch, no one could have done anything to make it any better.

Max watched as Fran’s parents escorted her to him. He found it odd that he never felt any nervousness or doubt. It just made sense to him and he figured it was about time.

Fran also felt a calmness overtake her the day of the wedding. She never felt any of the jitters she had seen in countless brides before. It wasn’t until she saw him, waiting at the end of the aisle for her that she realized it was the newness of everything all her couples had. Young love.

Not them. Max and she had experienced so much since they met each other. Not only were they lovers but they were friends, best friends. They trusted one another and while there were times that trust had been tested it was always there. They also had patience for one another, neither forcing the other to see things their way, just learning from the other.

Both knew what went into a marriage. Max because of his marriage to Sarahh and Fran through plenty of observation. She also thought that they had experienced a type marriage for the past year or so. Maybe not one noticeable to all but they had committed themselves to one another long before they had even noticed it themselves.

Once she reached him she knew that this was where she belonged, at the end of the aisle with him as her groom and she as his bride. It was all worth it, all the horrific dates, all the trials and errors. After all, it is their own individual paths that they had to take themselves that led them to one another.

When they finally exchanged their vows Max stepped on the glass for good luck, accomplishing it in one attempt. Then he and Fran shared a tender kiss as the crowd shouted out “Mazel Tov!” Together they made their way down the aisle, towards the celebration.

At the reception everything was to the nines. The flowers, cake, food, photographer, etc. they were all beautiful. All the guests were good to each other and Fran and Max were in their own world, reveling in the love their family and friends gave to them.

As the party progressed Brighton asked Fran for a dance and Max followed his lead by asking Margaret for a dance. As she began to dance with him she said, “Brighton! You have become such a wonderful dancer!” He laughed at the remark and said, “I’ve learned a lot of things since I met you.”

Brighton continued to speak, “I understand now to be thankful for the things and people that I have in my life. Thanks for putting me in my place Fran. I’m so glad you married Dad.” She looked down at the boy who had grown both physically and emotionally in the past year. She was so proud of his accomplishments. “I am so glad I have been given the opportunity.”

He looked into her teary eyes with his own wet eyes and threw his arms around her waist and buried his head in her dress. “I love you Fran.” She cradled the boy in her arms and she bent her head to kiss the top of his hair. She whispered to him, “I love you too B.”

Max watched the scene unfold before him and all of their guests. Everyone who knew his son was speechless. Never had they seen so much emotion pour from the child.

He turned towards his daughter and noticed how much she too had grown since the last time they danced together. “It’s been a long time since we’ve danced sweetheart.” Margaret looked down at their feet, “Yea, it has been.”

He lifted her chin back up and smiled at her. “You look so much like your mother.” Margaret gave him a shy smile, “Thank you Daddy.” They continued to dance together in silence till Margaret spoke again, “Daddy?” “Yes sweetheart?”

She looked over at Brighton who was still dancing with Fran then over at Grace who was sitting in CC’s lap playing with Niles. “Thank you for marrying Fran. We all love her so much. I want you to know that she won’t replace Mom. We just made more room in our hearts for her.”

Maxwell was speechless and a large lump formed in the middle of his throat that he couldn’t swallow. When he finally regained his composure he said, “Thank you Margaret. That means a lot to me. I want you to know that the same applies to me. Fran will never replace your mother in my heart but I had forgotten how to live and Fran reminded me how.” He sighed, “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“We all understand Daddy. She did the same to us. It makes sense to us. You don’t need to explain anything.” He smiled at her and she blushed at him. “You are a wonderful young lady.”

The song ended and it was time for the cake cutting. Max delicately placed the cake morsel in Fran’s mouth and she did the same in return, much to everyone’s chagrine.

Ernie and Roberta approached the couple, “Max, Fran, we just wanted to congratulate you two. Thank you so much for inviting us to your special day.”

Max held out his hand for Ernie and he shook it. He then bent to place a gentle kiss on Roberta’s cheek. “Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me.” He looked at Fran, “to us.”

Roberta turned to Fran, “Fran…I just want to…” she took a deep breath, “I just want to welcome you into the family.” Fran walked into Roberta’s arms and they shared an embrace.

“Max, we’ll be at the house early tomorrow to get the kids. I can’t tell you how much we are looking forward to spending time with them.” “They are too Ernie.” Both men shook hands and Max and Fran walked around to the rest of their guests thanking them for attending.

Before long both the bride and the groom were raised high above everyone’s head on a set of chairs. The guests cheered them on and did the Hora around them, celebrating their union.

The rest of the traditional things were done: the garter belt toss (which Niles won) and the bouquet toss (which Fran made sure CC caught). The two couples shared a dance together. Fran winked at the other couple and they both blushed. “Someday…” Max laughed and whisked her away from Niles and CC.

As the party began to wind down Max took the microphone from the bandleader.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming. There is so much I want to say, but for the courtesy of others I will try to keep this short.” Everyone chuckled.

“I would just like to give you all a couple of pieces of advice.” Someone yelled out that it should be the other way around and he should be the one receiving advice not giving it. Again the guests laughed.

Max laughed, “Yes, well, just this once I would like to make an exception if you don’t mind. When Fran and I just began dating we ran into a wonderful couple. They had been married for over 50 years and they told us that there would be difficult times in our relationship, there was bound to be. But they told us that we should always remember how we feel in one good moment towards the other. Whether it be a special dance, or the birth of a child, or the wedding day. Always remember that feeling, hold it close to your heart and things will work out.”

He looked over at Fran and gave her a wink. “I would also like to remind everyone that they should always keep their eyes open for opportunity to strike. If you are busy looking the other way it may just pass you by. Fran and I met simply by chance. That was one of the luckiest days of my life and I have no one or anything to thank for it except destiny. Happenstance is a wonderful thing, embrace it, coddle it, make the best of it and maybe, just maybe, if you are really lucky you can find exactly what you were looking for and more. I did.”

He walked towards Fran and they shared a sweet kiss that gave promise of good things to come and come they did.


Fin


I hope you enjoyed the story. I would like to thank Adrian for pushing me but not too hard as well as the title.