Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and wish not to get into trouble. Just borrowing them for now. Also I don't own the rights to the song "Mine to Love" by Dave Barnes.
Author's Note: this is my very first fanfiction I have ever written. I've read many great stories on this site and decided to try and write one myself. Not sure how long this is gonna be but I'm trying to split up the chapters as best as possible. It might take me a few days to a week to update, so stay patient. Reviews are highly recommended as this is my first story. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 1: 2 Decisions
Mine to Love
Fran sat at the kitchen table thinking of her past conversation with her mother and the brief talk she had with Mr. Sheffield. "Please don't sit around waiting for me" said Maxwell as he left the kitchen. What he said really sparked the decision she had to make, stay here in New York and wait around for Mr. Sheffield or leave to marry Nigel.
'What am I gonna do' Fran thought while eating her ice cream. She sat there thinking about the two current men in her love life. Is it a love life? Of course it is, she loved Mr. Sheffield... Maxwell. She was also very attracted to the other Mr. Sheffield, Nigel, who wanted to marry her.
Just the word marriage made Fran excited and ready to accept the proposal. Why did she feel like turning this proposal down? Of course she wanted to be married, it was one of her biggest dreams, including her mother's. This "friendship" developing between her and Nigel was moving too fast, but her and Mr. Sheffield's "friendship" was moving too slow. After all he did say, "don't sit around here waiting for me." If that's what he wanted her to do then she won't waste any more time waiting.
'I guess my decision is made' Fran thought as she stood up from the table and headed for the back stairs up to her room.
Fran stood in her room remembering the memories she had in the mansion. Her suitcases were packed and ready to go on her bed. She remembered one quick but painful thing she had to do before she left. Since she had to meet Nigel at the QEII by midnight everyone was asleep except Mr. Sheffield who was probably still at the theater. Ever since Nigel arrived she has barely seen or talked with Mr. Sheffield because he has been busy with his new play.
Fran sat at her now empty vanity and wrote her goodbyes to the kids, Niles, and especially Mr. Sheffield. As Fran was writing a few tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought about how much she was gonna miss everyone including Miss Babcock. As she finished she slipped the note into an envelope, picked up her suitcases, turned off the light in her room and walked out shutting the door behind her.
Fran walked down the hallway to each kid's room and looked inside and said her silent goodbye's. Making her way down the stairs she headed for the office. Writing his name on the envelope Fran left the note on Mr. Sheffield's desk so it could be read when he returned home. Taking one last look around the office she shut the door behind her and headed towards the front door when she spotted Niles asleep on the couch. Putting a blanket over him she gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked towards the door and left.
Once outside Fran hailed a taxi and was on her way to the pier where the QEII would depart. Stepping out of the taxi Fran felt a breeze from the water and quickened her pace towards the entrance of the ship. Handing her ticket to the ticket taker Fran made her way onto the boat looking for Nigel.
Nigel spotted Fran about 15 feet away from him looking around. He strolled over and embraced her, "good evening love, I'm so happy you made it and accepted my proposal" said Nigel and gave Fran a passionate kiss on the lips.
Fran smiled back at him, but something didn't feel right. 'Am I making the right decision?' She thought. She felt like she should go back to the Sheffield mansion. Why should she when the man she loves doesn't love her back. Deep down she knows he probably loves her but is too afraid of admitting it.
"I wouldn't be if I didn't come" replied Fran after he kissed her.
"I rented two rooms because I wasn't sure about the sleeping predicament" Nigel said as they walked down the corridor of the ship towards their rooms.
"Separate rooms are fine until after the big day" exclaimed Fran in a voice hinted with sadness.
Nigel picked up on the tone of her voice and wondered, 'does she not want to be with me, but rather be somewhere else with someone else?'
They stopped in front of Fran's room and Nigel turned towards her, "goodnight Fran and sweet dreams" said Nigel and he leaned down giving her a kiss on the cheek. He then walked to his room leaving Fran alone with her thoughts.
-
Meanwhile...
The mansion was dark except for the shadows from the moon casting through the windows. Maxwell Sheffield walked through the front door and hung up his coat in the side closet. Walking through the living room towards his office Maxwell noticed Niles asleep on the couch covered in a blanket. He smiled thinking of the hard work that his loyal and trustworthy butler does around the house.
Entering his office Maxwell set his briefcase down on his desk and sat down in his green leather chair. He noticed an envelope sitting on his desk with his name written neatly across the center in Ms. Fine's handwriting. He smiled thinking about his favorite nanny. At the same time wondering why she left him an envelope containing who knows what. Only one way to find out. Opening the letter he quickly scanned it and felt very uneasy.
Dear Mr. Sheffield,
I am writing you this letter to say goodbye to you, Niles, and the kids. Your brother has asked me to leave with him on the QEII to England and later marry him. Since you have read this letter and I am gone I have decided to accept his proposal. You have been so busy with your play and barely had any time to stop and spend time with me or the kids that Nigel and I developed a close relationship. I had no intention of hurting you but our "relationship" was not heading in the right direction. Before I met Nigel and I first met you I instantly fell in love with you. I just wish you could have felt the same way about me. In the future I will be a part of your family and hopefully the kid's favorite aunt. Say goodbye to Niles for me and give my love to the kids. Remember you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Love,
Fran
Going back to thoroughly read the letter he dropped it and looked off in the distance with a shocked yet heartbroken expression on his face. 'She left me...us, for my brother!' he thought still shocked from what he read. As he sat there thinking of what he just read a tear rolled down his cheek at the thought of not being able to see her until the wedding or when she visited.
He felt sick that he was the reason why she decided to leave. He felt sadness creep over him at the thought of not being able to see her, especially in her short skirts and tight tops, touching her, or even kissing her. The children are going to be just as devastated by the news in the morning. That's going to be the worst part, telling the children their favorite nanny and second mother is no longer with them. A second mother. That is exactly what Fran has been since she arrived. Since the death of his wife Sara the children have never been this happy. Feeling devastated and heartbroken Maxwell poured himself a glass of Brandy to help ease his worries. He is usually not a heavy drinker but when a great deal of sadness and oppression bottles up inside him several drinks is just what he needs.
About 3 in the morning Niles awakens and rises from the couch remembering he fell asleep there. As he was about to turn and head up to bed he noticed a ray of light in the adjoining hallway. Fully glancing in the direction of the office Niles noticed the light in Mr. Sheffield's office was on. 'Is he still working?' Wondered Niles. 'Of course he is he hasn't stopped working this whole week' he thought walking towards the office.
Lightly knocking on the door Niles heard a low mumble and cautiously stepped inside the office. There sat his boss, slumped over his desk, clothes disheveled, an empty glass in his hand and the empty bottle of Brandy next to him. He looked lonely and sad, his eyes red. 'Had he been crying?' Wondered Niles.
"Sir, are you alright?" Niles asked.
"Hmm" replied Maxwell.
"I said, are you alright sir?"
"What, oh yes Niles I'm fine" Maxwell answered.
"Are you sure because you don't look alright"
"No I'm not all right. Ms. Fine left and its all my fault" he shouted not intending to.
"What would cause her to leave?" Niles asked, clueless for the first time.
"Me" Maxwell whispered, barely audible.
"You, why you?"
"She thinks I don't love her" said Maxwell looking off in the distance. "Niles, you know I love her, seems everyone but myself knows" he continued.
"Well you know now" answered Niles.
"What do you mean?" Maxwell replied, oblivious to what Niles said.
"Sir, you just said, you know I love her. That's admitting it to yourself. Now you just have to tell her in person" said Niles.
"Well the problem is I can't" he spat back obviously angry.
"Why not?"
"Niles she left us. She left to go marry my brother I can't tell her now" said Maxwell in a tone of sadness.
"Can't you just go after her and then tell her?" queried Niles.
"It's not that simple Niles. I can't leave the children all alone and stop working on this play" Maxwell answered back.
"You've never stopped working" mumbled Niles under his breath.
"What was that" Maxwell asked not hearing his butler's comment.
"I said, it is simple, first talk to the children and tell them what's going on. Then follow her and tell her your feelings, I'm sure the children would agree with you. I'll be happy to look after them if you decide to leave" said Niles.
"Do you think I should? I mean, what if she doesn't love me or want me back?" Maxwell asked not sure what to do.
"If I were you I would. Let's face it sir, I see the way you look at her, the way you smile and the way your face lights up when you hear her name or talk about her. We all know she loves you. I'm pretty sure if you told her how you felt she would be truly happy" Niles let this comment sink in before adding, "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight sir" responded Niles as he walked out of the office. 'He better leave and tell her or he's gonna get a mouthful' Niles thought to himself making his way upstairs to bed.
After Niles left Maxwell sat back and thought about what Niles just said. 'Deep down I know I love her. It just wouldn't be the same around here if she stayed in England and married my brother. Ever since Ms. Fine has arrived the whole house has changed. The children are happy again. Even Niles seems to have an extra twinkle in his eyes when he laughs at one of Ms. Fine's jokes. Also, I feel more alive than I did after Sara's death' said Maxwell finishing his thought.
Maxwell glanced down at his schedule and seeing the rest of his week was not very flexible he decided to make it flexible. After all he did have a partner in his company. C.C. Could handle things if I take a week off. 'The woman I love is more important to me than my business' Maxwell thought with a big smile on his face.
He grabbed the phone and purchased a ticket for the next flight to London tomorrow. He made hotel reservations for himself because he didn't feel like staying at the Sheffield family mansion and dealing with Nigel or especially his mother. Sprinting up the stairs to his room Maxwell could hardly wait until tomorrow. A good nights sleep was a ways away for he still felt a little worried about seeing her and hearing her reaction to his confession. He finally made his decision.
End of chapter 1
AN: Did you like it? I thought it was pretty good for my first story, but happy to hear what everyone else thinks. Again reviews appreciated. Thanks.
