Heyy! My story is a little different but similar to the actual TV show. Just a reminder if I do this ****** and the words in BOLD! Between the little stars, it means the character is doing an action. Well, hope you enjoy the story!
Chapter 1
In 1987 there was young woman named Fran who was only 19, and had just finished High School but soon in the fall she would start her first year of Beauty School.
It was summer of 1987
Fran was working in a beauty Salon, sweeping the floor with a broom. A young woman had just walked in the beauty Salon. She was very beautiful, had blonde, short hair and Hazel eyes.
The young woman: *at the front desk talking to Fran who also worked at the front desk of the salon* Hi, I'm Sarah, I'm here for my 11 o'clock appointment *smiling*
Fran: Oh, yes I see your name here, Dottie will be right with you, you can sit down over there *smiling*
Sarah: Ok thanks *she sits down in the chairs*
Fran: *she looks up* wait, you look familiar to me *sitting down next to Sarah*
Sarah: Oh, really? I get that a lot
Fran: Wait! You're a Sarah, married to the Broadway producer; Maxwell Sheffield
Sarah: *laughs* yes, I actually am, Nice to meet you *she holds her hand out*
Fran: *shakes her hand* oh it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Fran
Sarah: Nice to meet you too Fran
Fran: Oh don't mind me asking this but, why, you a beautiful woman, married to a Broadway producer here, at a Beauty Salon in Queens
Sarah: Oh *she laughs* I know, I'm just here because my friend always told me about this Salon so I just came to try
Fran: Ohhh *she has a look on her face* Oh, I'm sorry, hold on *she puts her hand on her mouth and runs to a bathroom*
Two minutes later
Fran: *walking in, looking paler* sorry *sighs* I'm so tired of these morning sickness *sitting back down next to Sarah*
Sarah: You're pregnant, aren't you a little young
Fran: Yeah, I know, I am… almost 3 months actually *she rubs her slightly, swollen belly* I'm just a stupid ass like what my mother last called me before my parents kicked me out *grabbing a mint candy from the glass jar*
Sarah: you were kicked out? *looking shocked*
Fran: *sitting back down* yeahh *she frowns*
Sarah: oh I'm so sorry Fran... But, where do you live now?
Fran: In a small apartment upstairs with my friend Val and Dottie
Dottie oso: Sarah Sheffield?
Sarah: oh Fran, that's me, well I got to go, but here's my number and street *hands Fran a piece of paper with writing and numbers on it* Give me a call, we should go out and talk one day *smiling, standing*
Fran: *standing up* oh thank you so much Sarah *they both hug*
Sarah: *she softly chuckles* it's no problem, please give me a call
Fran: ok I will *smiling*
Sarah: *she leaves*
Days, weeks, and months pass by. Fran always called Sarah, they both became good friends, almost like sisters, but only went once to the Sheffield's house but did not meet Max because he was out working, as usual and didn't meet Niles either because he was out at the supermarket. But, Fran did get to meet Sarah's children, Maggie, who was almost 7 by the time and was really shy so Fran didn't really see her and Brighton, the trouble maker who was 3 years old and running around the house like crazy. One day, Fran and Sarah went out to eat and Fran was a little jumpy that day. Fran was already 8 months by the time.
At the diner, both sitting down and talking
Fran: Sarah, I have something to tell you *trying to smile*
Sarah: What is it Fran? You seem so jumpy and worried today, is something wrong?
Fran: Oh no, nothing wrong but I have a favor
Sarah: Well what is it? Tell me
Fran: ok, I know the baby is going to be born soon, but I'm thinking about… giving you the baby *looking worried*
Sarah: What? Why?
Fran: Oh Sarah, It was a huge mistake for me to get pregnant… I'm only 19 years old, my parent kicked me out, I have no money, and the father of the baby left me and ended up in Jail. I can't take care of the baby, please Sarah. *looking sad, with tears in her eyes*
Sarah: Oh Fran, I can't do this, you're the mother and How am I going to tell max?
Fran: I know I am, and I'll always be, after the baby's born, you can always bring her...or him to visit me, it will be hard but I would love to see her or him. And… you can tell Max that you are going to be a Godmother and then...After I have the baby, you can just say a little white lie, say I passed away during the birth.
Sarah: Fran, I can't lie to him like that… *she frowns*
Fran: Please Sarah, I'm begging you *tears falls down her cheeks* I want this baby to have a better life
Sarah: *she sighs, it's hard for her to see her best friend suffering like this, and especially seeing her cry from times to time* Ok… so you're not going to breastfeed the baby?
Fran: *she shakes her head* I can't, it will be hard for me to give her or him away, and it will be harder if I do breastfeed the baby
Sarah: *she slowly nods her head* Ok…
Fran: oh Sarah, thank you soo much, you are the best friend I have ever had…well except for Val
*they both Laugh and hug each other*
Two weeks pass by, Fran had been deciding to have the baby unattended, at home but Sarah had told her not to and decided to help her with the hospital situation since Fran's parent had harshly disowned her. Finally, the day had come. Fran was lying in bed watching TV but soon her water breaks.
Fran: Uh- oh *has a scared look on her face*
Her friends; Val and Dottie weren't home so Fran reaches for the phone and calls Sarah and tells her that it was time. Max was still not home so she tells Niles that she had to see her friend but didn't say why. Fran, at her apartment, slowly walks to the closet and picks up a small baby bag that Sarah had packed up for her. Soon Sarah shows up and takes Fran to the hospital.
3 hours later the baby is finally born. Fran had just woken up from an hour nap and was now holding the baby, with Sarah standing next to her
Fran: *her voice starts to break* Oh Sarah, she's beautiful *her eyes start fill up with tears*
Sarah: I know, that's because she takes from her mother *they both laugh* what are you going to name her?
Fran: *she sighs* I have been thinking to name her Gracie Annabelle... Sheffield
Sarah: I think that's beautiful Fran
The next day, Fran and Gracie were free to leave the hospital. Sarah drives them back to the small apartment and helps Fran get settled since she was still sore. After awhile on the day before, at the hospital. Fran had told Sarah she wanted to keep the baby and breastfeed her for at least a week. Sarah was glad with Fran decision because she was upset that Fran was going to give the baby to her right away. Fran had begged for Sarah not to tell Max that her baby's was already born because she still wanted their plan to go on.
A couple days later… Fran was alone in her room, holding Gracie and it was the night before Fran was going to give Sarah, Gracie to take care of
Fran: Oh, Baby girl I'm going to miss you so much *caressing Gracie's cheek with her index finger* But, we'll still see each other right? And you have to remember that… I will *her voice breaks and she starts crying* always…always love you
The next morning, Sarah goes to Fran's apartment to pick up the baby. Everyone was upset that day… Fran, Sarah and even Gracie who was fussy. They talk for awhile and by noon it was time for Sarah to leave. Fran cries so bad and she knew Sarah was always going to visit Fran, bringing the baby with her. Sarah leaves and Fran is already is missing Gracie but she also knew that it was best for Gracie…for her to have a much better life, so she tries working to take her mind off of being upset.
Sarah was now home, sitting on the couch holding Gracie, being surrounded by Niles, Maggie, and Brighton…. Sarah had already told them why (the lie about Fran dying during birth) she had the baby with her and that Gracie was now going to be part of their family. But, she still had max to tell.
Max finally gets home and sees everyone surrounding Sarah in the living room
Max: Hello, I'm home *smiling and putting his briefcase on the small table in the foyer*
Brighton: Daddy! Come see the baby that mommy has! *running up to max, smiling and jumping up and down*
Max: What? A baby? *he walks in the living room and sees that Sarah was holding a baby* Sarah? Who is this baby?
Sarah: Oh hey honey *smiling* well that's what I need to talk to you about…alone… *looking to the direction of the office and Max gets the hint*
Max: OK *he nods his head and starts walking to the office*
Sarah: Ok kids let mommy talk to Daddy ok? *standing up and putting the baby in the carrier in the floor* keep an eye on the baby but stay very quiet so you don't wake her up
Maggie+Brighton: Ok *they nod their head and sits down on the floor next to the carrier*
Now, Sarah is in the office with Max
Sarah: Ok, well I had a friend who was pregnant and today she was in labor *she tried to hide her nervous look*
Max: Oh, so that's why you left early right?
Sarah: Exactly, and unfortunately, she passed away after the baby was born because she lost too much blood
Max: *looks sad* Oh, Darling that's terrible
Sarah: *she makes a sad face* I know, and she knew that this was going to happen so her last words were "Sarah, please take care of Gracie if anything happens to me" before she went into the delivery room
Max: *he looks even sadder, even though he never met this Fran but he knew that she was Sarah best friend* Oh, Sarah, I'm so sorry about your friend *he hugs her*
Sarah: *she sighs* thanks Max, so… you have no problem with having Gracie here now, since we both are her "parents"
Max: Of course not, I will love Gracie as if she was our own
Sarah: *she smiles* Thanks Honey *they both kiss*
Max actually kept his words, he actually did love this little Gracie as if she was their own daughter, but they still knew that Gracie was legally their daughter. The older children loved having her as their little sister and always helped their mom take care of Gracie. Every week, when they kids were at summer day camp, Sarah would visit Fran, bringing Gracie with her. It became harder and harder for both Fran and Gracie when they were separated. Fran would cry a little and then Gracie would cry and be fussy, like if she knew she was being separated from her mother which made Fran cry even more. But, one day, Fran knew Sarah was coming to visit her with Gracie… she waited….and waited… hours pass by and Sarah had not visited her that day, during the day Fran called Sarah cell phone but she didn't answer, she called her house, but she still didn't answer so she gave up and thought maybe Sarah had forgotten…or something had happened to one of her kids so she couldn't visit Fran and forgot to call Fran to remind her. Fran was still worried, so she watched TV and ended up watching the news. Soon, she finds out that there was an accident. She continued watching and found out that it was Sarah who had passed away in the accident. Fran started to cry and panicking when she thought maybe Sarah had gotten in the accident when she was going to visit her and that she obviously had Gracie with her but she continues to watch the news. Soon, they say that Sarah had a baby with her in the car but that the baby was perfectly fine, not injured and back with the family. Fran cries … a lot knowing she's never going to see Sarah ever again but also that she wasn't going to be able to see Gracie again
A year pass by…Fran continues her daily routines and had already started beauty school, every night Fran cries…missing both Sarah and Gracie…she would also look at some pictures of both of them. She knew that Gracie had just turned 1 years old…she celebrated it by herself…she would pray and whispers to herself what she would say to Gracie or Sarah. One day, Fran was going door to door giving pamphlets and samples of cosmetics. Soon, she rings the doorbell and a man who looks awfully familiar to her.
Fran: Hello I'm Fran Fine
Niles: Hello Miss Fine, I'm Niles *smiling…them both shake hands*
Fran: *she completely remembers who this man was, it was Sarah's butler but she doesn't say anything. She was just about to talk about the pamphlets and cosmetics but she sees a baby girl who she knew was Gracie...her Gracie but she still doesn't say anything…Soon she sees that Gracie had fallen down, tripping on the last step of the stairs so she quickly runs in the foyer* Oh my gosh! *Gracie starts crying so Fran picks her up* Awww its ok sweetie *rocking her while Gracie cries and hugs her*
Max: *running in* what's happened! – Oh, *he looks a little confused* I see you have gotten my little baby girl
Fran: *she immediately knew that this man was Max...Sarah's husband* Oh hi, well I was talking to this young man *pointing to Niles* and saw that this little girl was walking down the stairs alone and tripped *Gracie already had stopped crying and had her head on Fran's shoulder, sucking on her thumb*
Max: Oh, well that's a first, my little girl here never interacts with other people before, and look at her now *he kinds of smiles*
Fran: Oh *she looks at Gracie and softly laughs* I don't know… I just have this strong connection with kids
Soon, an old lady runs in between Max and Fran, screaming…when she gets to the door, she turns around with a mad face
Old lady: I'm never...EVER WORKING IN THIS HOUSE...AGAIN! *she leaves*
Fran: *confused...she turns to max* who was that?
Max: Our nanny...or should I say our fourth ex-nanny *he sighs*
Brighton comes in, who is now 5 years old, wearing a plastic knife that looks like a real knife with blood...going through his head but when he sees the look on his father's face, he quickly takes it off and hides it behind his back
Max: *puts his hand on his hips* Brighton? What did you do this time?
Brighton: I didn't do anything *smiling...trying to look innocent*
Max: ooohhh Brighton*he deeply sighs* this is the fourth nanny that has quit because of your pranks *he frowns and has a mad look on his face too*
Brighton: But dad! *walking behind max who was walking to the living room*
Max: No but Brighton!
*Brighton starts looking mad and clenching his hands*
Fran: Uhh excuse-me, sorry to butt in but… That nanny did look a little too serious...Don't you think?
*max looks at Fran who was standing behind on the couch*
Niles: *walks over to the couch and stands next to Fran* Excuse me sir but I'm going to have to go with Miss Fine here
Max: Oh really? So you're going to believe this trouble maker
Brighton: But dad! She started to yell at me just because I was getting a cup of milk
Niles: Sir, you have to believe this young man… I once was in the kitchen with the kids doing homework on the table. They begged for milk and the nanny had yelled in their faces that they weren't allowed to drink milk
Fran: What? *she sits down on the couch next to Brighton* that is ridiculous!
Brighton: See! They believe me! Why can't you!
Fran: Now, now Brighton… it's not that you're father doesn't believe you *she starts to stroke his hair* He is just having a hard time with this situation…especially now
Brighton: *he looks at Fran, smiling, then he looks down and sighs* Ok, I guess you're right... *he stands up* Sorry Dad, I was completely out of line (that is what Max always said to Brighton when he was in trouble) *he hugs max* I'll be upstairs, in my room *he runs upstairs*
Max: *has a shocked look on his face* I…I...well...Uhh...How did you do that? *looking at Fran*
Fran: I don't know *she smiles and shrugs her shoulders* I just love kids *she looks at Gracie who was already sleeping in her arms* Well, *she stands up* I better get going *she starts to gently put Gracie down but she wakes up and starts crying when Fran starts to walk away but Gracie slides down the couch and runs behind Fran, crying with her arms up*
*Fran turns around*
Fran: Awww, Gracie its ok *she picks Gracie up again* you don't have to cry
Max: How did you know her name? I didn't mention it…or did I?
Fran: Oh, actually I saw in the newspaper *smiling* you're all over the place
Max: *he smiles* Oh, ok
Maggie walks in through the front door with her backpack, looking all messed up, hair is everywhere, her clothes was all disoriented and dirty. Everyone looks at her.
Max: Oh my God! Maggie what happened?
Maggie: I got chased by some bullies from school *frowning, she limps to the couch, Max sits on the coffee table because Fran sits next to Maggie on the couch*
Max: *frowning and looking worried* Does anything hurt?
Maggie: *she slowly nods her head* my knee *rubbing her knee*
Max: Ok, I'll grab some ices *he leaves*
Fran: Maggie, what actually happened? I have the feeling like there's more
Maggie: *she sighs* well there is… Some boy was making me kiss him but I said no, and tried walking away but he grabbed me, I try pulling myself away but he wouldn't let go and his friends started cheering him on, he tried kissing me but I kicked him and ran, I tried getting in the limo but they were almost on my tail so I ran all the way from school to here *she looks like she about to cry*
Fran: Oh its ok sweetie, at least you actually stood up to him *rubbing Maggie's back*
Maggie: I know, but *tears starts to fall down her cheeks* I was so scared, it was a gang of bullies against only one girl, something could've happened
Fran: But Maggie, think of what you did! You punched him, you did what you had to do and this was the first right?
Maggie: Yeah *she nods her head and smiles* I guess you're right
Fran: Now that's the spirit *she softly laughs*
Maggie: Thanks *she hugs Fran* I never actually get to about these things since my mom passed away *she looks down sadly*
Fran: I know how you feel… *she also a sad look on her face* but, I'll tell you what, I'll give you my number and you can call anytime so we can talk
Maggie: Really? *she looks up to Fran*
Fran: Of course! We, girls got to stick together
*they both laugh*
Maggie: Oh, one question, what's your name?
Fran: Fran *smiling*
Maggie: Oh *smiles* Thanks again Fran
Fran: You're welcome Maggie
Just then max walks in, with an ice pack
Max: Maggie, sweetheart can you walk?
Maggie: A little but it hurts *looking sad*
Max: Why don't I take you to your room and I'll ask Niles to take you some Advil and you take a nap
Maggie: OK *she smiles* Thanks Daddy
Max: Mhe *he smiles, picks her up, carries her up to her room, leaving Fran and Gracie alone*
Fran: *she looks up to see if she was alone and looks back at Gracie**She whispers: Oh Gracie, I missed you so much *she kisses Gracie's cheek* I love you *Gracie is asleep in her arms so Fran rocks her slowly*
Max: *he walks down the stairs* I heard what you said to Maggie, Thank you so much for that
Fran: Oh, it's actually no problem, I don't get to talk to younger girls that much, you know, like give advices, tell stories
Max: *he sits down, next to Fran* I know what you mean, She just misses her mother
Fran: I know exactly how Maggie feels
Max: *he looks confused* what do you mean?
Fran: *she frowns* I don't get to speak my mother that often…
Max: *he saw from the look on her face that she was getting rather upset from talking about her mother* Oh, I'm sorry Miss Fine
Fran: Oh, it's fine *she tries to smile.* well I better go now *she stands up and tries to put Gracie down but she starts cry…again, so Fran continues to hold on to her and rocks her slowly *
Max: You know Miss Fine, I can see that you are great with the children, you turned Brighton from a troublemaker to a nice, apologetic boy with just a couple of your lines, you talk to Maggie and made her feel like someone is actually there for her for advices. And Gracie here is not crying, and when she cries, you pick her up and she stops crying immediately. I was thinking maybe, could you at least take care of kids, till I can find another Nanny?
Fran: Well… I think I can *she smiles at him…she knew she couldn't miss this opportunity, if she actually worked for this man, she was able to see Gracie everyday…she couldn't possibly let this go* Why not, I think your children are adorable and such sweet angels.
Max: *he smiles* oh thank you so much Miss Fine, could you start today?
Fran: Oh, sure
Max: I can ask Niles to take you back to your place, to get some clothes, for the guest room
Fran: Oh, ok thanks!
Hope you liked this chapter, of course! There will be another chapter coming on very SOON! Please review! Thanks!