The Eve Sheffield Story

By; Seuss Fan

(Note: I do not own the Nanny or the virtual seventh season [which some of this story is based off of]). Please comment and enjoy! A/n: I thought of the concept for this story back in 2006, during the winter Olympics.)

Chapter 1: The First Twelve Years

Eve Katherine Sheffield was born along with her twin brother, Jonah Samuel Sheffield on May 19, 1999. She is one of five children including her sister Margaret, (who went on to establish her own modeling agency after her husband got fired from his), brother Brighton, (who leads a quiet life out by Napa Valley), and sister Grace (who went on to become a successful TV and film actress). With two famous sisters and a famous father it would seem that Eve was in store for a cushy life; never having to lift a finger. But instead of being an heiress Eve became an athlete.

When Eve was an infant and toddler she was somewhat rambunctious. She would consistently break furniture by spinning around in circles. Soon jumping was added into the mix. With no idea how or why Eve acted so strangely her parents just assumed it was normal behavior and ignored it. One day while her sister Margaret was visiting she suggested enrolling Eve in dance class. Two weeks later Eve was a student at Madame Girard's School of dance.

After one year of lessons Eve informed her mother that she didn't really like ballet all that much. It was fun but there was something she couldn't put her finger on that just didn't feel right. Once again Margaret was ready with another suggestion: figure skating. It was like dance except it was less restrictive; Eve could jump around all her pretty heart desired. Maxwell was leery, however. Figure skating was dangerous. He didn't want his little girl to get hurt. Fran assured him that even walking outside was dangerous. There could be a masked madman with a gun ready to shoot. Everything Eve did in her life was a risk. One more wouldn't hurt. One Saturday Max took Eve to the Culver Ice Arena for a trial lesson.

The instructor, Carl Lindsor, didn't think Eve could do it. He thought she was too overweight to be able to move properly. However, Eve had done her homework. She had watched some skating routines before she took to the ice. From the moment Eve's blades touched the ice it was apparent she had a gift. Although she wasn't perfect she moved with fluidity that not many kids her age possessed. Carl ate his words and permanently enrolled Eve in his Saturday morning class.

Before the course was out Carl came to realize that Eve had a plethora of potential. He suggested that Fran and Max should let Eve compete.

"No."

"But Max, she wants to do it."

"Fran, darling, do you know how tough competitive sports are?"

"Do you? You've never played anything in your entire life!"

"For your information I was on my high school's rugby team and I've been an avid hockey fan for years."

"Look, I know what you're saying but I think we should let her at least try it. You've seen her skate. She's like a modern day Peggy Fleming."

"Did you even understand what he told us? She needs four to five hours of skate training daily which includes choreography, two hours of private ballet training a week, and two to three hours of weight training a week, plus her skates need to be sharpened every two weeks. It's practically a multi-million dollar operation."

"What, we don't have the money?"

"Fran, can I sleep on it?"

"I could let you sleep on something else."

"Sex won't help me decide."

"It was worth a shot."

It took a week before Max caved. It's no doubt that Daddy's little girl had something to do with his decision.

"Daddy can I talk to you?"

"Of course, sweetheart. I can always stop work for you."

"I know I've asked you a million times but can I compete?"

"Eve, darling we've been through the pros and cons?"

"But, I really wanna do it."

"Eve, you say that now but I know you'll change your mind. You'll be taken away from your brother and friends."

"But Mommy said there's a way I can start kindergarten next year and still compete."

"Eve, you're four and a half, you don't know what you want."

"Yes, I do. Skating makes me feel really happy. Please daddy!"
From the moment Eve looked into Max's eyes he couldn't resist. He loved his littlest girl and couldn't help but say yes.

Carl became Eve's coach. When school began Eve would get up at two in morning, get to the rink by 3, have four hours to work, take a nap in the car, and then head to school. It was an extremely hectic routine but she did without any complaints. The results from her hard work were incredible. In her first novice competition (there are three levels in competitive figure skating: novice, junior, and senior) she placed fourth, where most kids would place seventh. From then on Eve would receive either a silver medal or bronze. There was no stopping Eve, she was a tiny terror with the moves of a pro.

At home things weren't as peaceful as they were on the ice. The further Eve got into skating the more jealous Jonah became. It wasn't like they were joined at the hip. But they were always treated like equals. Now, everything was about Eve. And to top it all off with Grace college bound there was no one to pay attention to him and practically no one for Jonah to even try to hang out with. He would have hung out with Niles and C.C.'s daughter Emily but she was always around Eve, hanging on her every word. Jonah saw no other option but to get his sister back.

Jonah began acting out every time Eve left the house without him. He would throw things every time her name was spoken. And he would pick fights with her for absolutely no reason. Seeing how this would affect both of their youngest children's lives their parents tried to intervene. But everything they tried, (which included seeing three different family therapists) didn't help. After a year of trying Max and Fran had Eve and Jonah divided into separate classrooms. At home the two children ignored each other's presence. Max and Fran decided that life might be better if they weren't speaking.

The silent feud continued for five years. Eve continued to win competitions and get by in school and Jonah had just begun guitar lessons. Fran and Max had grown accustomed to the way their children behaved. Eve and Jonah's friends new that it was best that they ignored the twin who they weren't friends with. Everyone else in the Sheffield/Fine family got used to it too. But Nigel, Eve and Jonah's uncle, was the only one willing to speak up.

"Nigel, I love that you're visiting. I think since the fiasco at my bachelor party we've become better friends as well as brothers. Please don't make me hate you and ask you to leave."

"I just don't see how you can sit idly by and watch your kids behave like two year olds."

"You don't think I tried? Fran and I both tried. They prefer to act like this."

"I don't care what they prefer. This is not typical sibling behavior. Eve siblings who hate each other act more mature than this."

"Well, Nigel if you haven't noticed this isn't a typical family."

"That's not the point. I'm not suggesting that you force your kids to be friends. I'm just saying you should get them to communicate."

"How do you propose I go about doing that?"

"I'd like to take them back to France with me this summer. While we're there I'll force them to talk to each other."

"Nigel, that's absurd."

"It's seems to be your only option unless you want them living in the cone of silence for the rest of their lives."

"I'll talk it over with Fran alright."

"That's all I ask. I'd like an answer before I leave at the end of the week."

"Nigel, don't push it."

"Right, sorry."

That night Max and Fran had a long discussion. At the end of it they came to the conclusion that maybe it'd be best if he kids got away.

"This could work.' Fran whispered to Max as they got into bed.

"I hope you're right," Max replied. "Eve will need to take Carl with her."

"Jonah will just have to deal with that."

The next day Fran and max broke the news to eve and Jonah. Although it didn't go over well the kids had no choice, what their parents said was law. That Friday Eve and Jonah left with Nigel and his family on a plane to Paris, France.

When Eve and Jonah returned in late August they returned as friends. Completely bewildered as to how his brother had performed a miracle Max called his brother immediately after he brought Eve and Jonah home.

"It's a secret."

"You won't tell me?"

"Maybe one day Max, maybe one day."

In addition to Eve getting her brother back she also received a new coach. Although Eve had been doing well she would soon be leaving junior competition for the senior level. Carl didn't think he had what it took to coach a senior level competitor. He instead referred Eve to an old coach of Michelle Kwan's. His name was Scott Williams. Her choreographer and other instructors remained the same. As the former World junior champion armed with a coach that had an impeccable track record Eve was ready to enter senior level. Little did she know her troubles were not over.

During her time at junior level Eve had endured taunting. After all she was successful and her family was rich. But that month before she started senior level things took a turn for the extreme. Eve went to her skating clubs annual non-competition showcase. It was mandatory if skaters wanted to continue to be represented by the club. With senior competition so close Eve needed Culver's representation. While in the girls' dressing room, Eve noticed that the other skaters kept claiming to have to go to the bathroom. However, they never returned. Despite the sinking feeling that was in her gut Eve went to check on the other girls. As Eve approached the bathroom door the girls jumped out and sprayed her brand new outfit with tomato juice. If it had been someone else Eve might have enjoyed how the juice looked like fake blood. But the outfit was on her body. To top it off the outfit was a gift from her Great Grandma Yetta who had just passed away. They ran back towards the dressing room, leaving Eve crying on the floor. Eve was able to find her mother sand coach in the lobby. Knowing Fran she had a backup outfit in her car. Eve gave a beautiful performance that night, skating to a pop music medley. She looked beautiful and happy but inside she was angry and hurt.

The next day Eve approached her father with a business proposition.

"You want to do what?"

"I want to pay for my skating."

"Eve, sweetheart… you don't have enough money to do that. Your allowance would barely cover the cost of having your skates sharpened."

"Look, I know skating is expensive. What with the skates, and the private rink time, and the costumes, and the ballet lessons, and the weight training, and the travel all over the world it's a hassle. I'm just suggesting that I take the pressure of your hands."

"I'm not increasing your allowance."

"I didn't say that!"

"And you're too young to work."

"Dad! I'm not asking that I pay for everything. I'm saying that I'll start paying a portion of the costs starting now. Every year he portion will increase until eventually I'm paying for everything myself."

"And how do you propose to acquire these funds?"

"From birthday money that I've saved. Plus, now that I'm a senior companies will start wanting to endorse me."

"Does this have something to do with what happened yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Eve, those girls are jealous. They just wanted to intimidate you."

"Maybe so. But they're right. A good portion of why I'm so successful is because you have the money to help me be successful. Some parents have to take out loans just so their kids can get time on the ice."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll support you."

"You're the best, Dad."

"I try sweetheart. I try."

Eve had come a long way in twelve (now thirteen) years. She found a career (sort of), she had lost a brother and gained him back, and to top it all off she had begun to financially distance herself from her parents. I now present to you the rest of Eve Sheffield's story. The first twelve years is only the beginning.