Late that night Nanny could hear heart wrenching sobs coming from Eloise's room. She felt dreadful to have been the cause of Eloise's misery. When she and Wilkes came back from Central Park she had decided to tackle the issue head on. After dinner, she had told Kay and Eloise of her decision. She had suspected that the news would be very difficult for Eloise to accept and the little girl's reaction had come as no surprise. Her own heart was breaking at the thought of living a life without seeing and caring for Eloise every day. She understood so well that she had been Eloise's anchor throughout the first six years of her life, and in many ways, she was more of a mother to Eloise than Kay.

When Eloise's crying didn't stop, Nanny put on her slippers and gown and went to Eloise's room. She sat next to Eloise on the bed and pulled her into her arms. "Come on, pet, don't cry so much, my love." She smoothed away the hair from Eloise's forehead and placed a kiss on her hair.

"It's not fair. Sir Wilkes is taking you away from me. I'll be all alone." Eloise managed to get out between sobs.

"Now, now, now, Eloise, I will never allow that to 'appen. Sir Wilkes knows how much I love you. You will always be my little girl." Nanny placed her hand over her heart for a moment. "You'll be right 'ere, in my heart. You can call me everyday and you can come and visit me whenever you want."

"It's not the same, Nanny. You won't be with me all the time." Eloise sniveled.

"I know, pet. But things will be different once you start attending that fancy new school of yours. You will have many new friends and you will have ever so much to do! Your mother will be there much, much, much, more, and you will still have Skipperdee and Weenie."

Eloise nodded a little hesitantly. "How do you know I'll make friends, Nanny? What if they don't like me at all?"

"Aaoww, Eloise, 'course they will! I know how easy it is for you to make friends. You have so many friends 'ere at the Plaza. There is Bill and Rachel and Patrice and…"

"But they are all grown-ups, Nanny!"

"Well, what about the Prince of Kushin's son? Remember how quickly you became friends with Leon? There will be lots of children of your own age and just think how much fun you'll 'ave. Suppose I come with you to France for a week or two until you're settled. Will that help?"

"Will you really, Nanny?"

"'Course I will."

"Will you and Sir Wilkes come and visit us in France many, many times?"

"Nothing will keep us away. I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

Holding out her hand, they linked little fingers and Nanny said, "I pinky promise, promise, promise!" Then she placed another kiss on Eloise's head. "You must try to sleep now, love. We still 'ave lots of packing to do and your mother wants to go shopping tomorrow."

"Okay, Nanny. I love you!"

"I love you too, pet!"

****

Early the next morning, Bill delivered a letter from Wilkes to Nanny. Nanny smiled when the letter started with 'My dearest Nanny'. In the letter, he apologized profusely for having to go away at this critical time. A fire had broken out at an industrial plant owned by his family in Brazil. He explained that the plant was in a remote area but that he would do his best to stay in contact. He promised to be back as soon as possible. Nanny was disappointed but thought that in a way it was a good thing. Now she could spend as much time as possible with Kay and Eloise.

****

Almost two weeks later, Wilkes got back from Brazil, feeling exhausted. For close to five hours now, he had been lying on his bed. Something didn't feel right and he couldn't sleep. Then it hit him. There had been no doors slamming, no running, no sticks scraped against the walls, no voices, just silence. The silence on the sixteenth floor was disturbing, to say the least. He couldn't stand it and walked towards apartment door 1627. He knocked but was only greeted by more silence.

He simply had to find out where Nanny was. Down in the foyer, he saw Mr. Salomone and walked up to him.

Mr. Salomone gave him a broad smile. "Sir Wilkes. What an honor, as always. How can I be of service to you?"

"I was wondering if you could perhaps give me an indication of Nanny's whereabouts?

"Nanny left for France two days ago with Miss Wells and Eloise. Miss Wells decided to leave for France two days earlier than planned."

"Nanny left with them?" Wilkes was shocked into a state of stupor. He hadn't expected this at all. He had felt so sure that she would stay, especially after Nanny had confessed that she loved him.

"Yes indeed, she did. But she… "

At that moment Mrs. Daniels' sister, Mrs. Peters, interrupted the conversation rudely. "Mr. Salomone, my suite is not satisfactory at all. The room temperature is too cold. I insist that you do something about the air conditioning immediately."

"Of course, Mrs. Peters. The Plaza prides itself on excellent service to all its guests. I will see to it immediately." With that, Mr. Salomone turned away and left a stunned Wilkes behind. Wilkes could hear Mr. Salomone explaining the importance of each of the five stars allocated to the Plaza to Mrs. Peters as they walked to the elevator.

When he could force himself to move again, Wilkes walked towards the counter. "Mrs. Thompson, do you perhaps have a forwarding address or contact information for Miss Wells and Nanny?"

"Of course, Sir Wilkes! Let me write it down for you." She scribbled the information on a piece of paper and handed it over.

He took it, thanking her profusely, as if she had just handed him a life-line. He turned around absorbed in his own thoughts.

"Oh, Sir Wilkes! Nanny left a note…" Miss Thompson called after Wilkes, but he didn't hear anything anymore, and was already halfway across the foyer walking hastily towards the elevator. Another customer was already demanding Miss Thompson's attention and she decided she would send Bill up later with Nanny's note to Sir Wilkes.

Wilkes felt rejected and frustrated. He felt extremely sad that he hadn't been able to contact Nanny during his stay in Brazil, as all forms of communications had been cut off due to the fire and the nearest town was miles away. He had hoped to at least talk to Nanny again before she made her final decision, only to find out now that he was too late. Still, he realized he couldn't give up so easily. He had to fight for her. Wilkes could think of one thing only. He had to talk to her, face to face. Maybe he could try once more to persuade her to become his wife.

****

In the new apartment in France, Nanny was unpacking Eloise's clothes. Her back was sore and stiff from all the bending and she came up slowly, her hand in her side. She looked around at the spacious modern apartment. She definitely preferred the coziness of the Plaza and was glad that she would be returning to New York in a few days time.

Nanny frowned when she heard the doorbell ring. Kay and Eloise had gone to Eloise's new school to register Eloise, and Kay had said that she suspected that they would be gone for most of the day. They would be shown around the school grounds and be informed of all subjects and other school activities. All concerns that they might have regarding the school would also be discussed with them and Nanny could just imagine that Eloise will have a million questions to ask.

She opened the door. "I didn't expect to see you back so s… Willy!" Nanny shrieked with delight. She threw her arms around his neck. "I didn't expect to see you here! It is so good, good, good to see you!"

He couldn't help but press her as close to him as he possibly could. He had missed her so much. The joy flowing from her body made him feel quite dizzy. Wilkes moved a little back to look at her face. Her blue eyes were sparkling and her expression was tender and full of love. At that moment she was so incredibly beautiful. He couldn't help himself. He needed to kiss her, to feel her mouth against his. He took her face in his hands and brought her closer.

"Oh Nanny, I love you!" he said the moment before touching her lips. It was a lingering kiss, as if he couldn't bear to let her go from his embrace. Nanny responded gloriously to his kiss, giving herself freely to him.

After a long time, Nanny moved away from Wilkes. "Please come in, we cannot stand 'ere in the passage all the time," Nanny laughed and pulled Wilkes into the apartment. "Can I make you some tea? We are still unpacking, you see."

Wilkes couldn't hold back any more. He felt mystified and surprised at Nanny's reaction. She seemed so glad to see him, and he could see and feel how much she loved him. It was so obviously expressed in her eyes. Yet, the fact that she moved to France rather than choosing to stay with him didn't seem to matter to her at all. She had to know how much her decision had hurt him. "Nanny, please, can we just talk first? Come and sit with me for a moment."

Nanny looked taken aback at his expression, not quite understanding what Wilkes was so concerned about. They sat next to each other on the couch and Willy took her hands in his, pressing them hard, almost painfully.

"Willy, what is it, did something happen?"

"I have to know. Is there no chance for us at all, Nanny?"

Nanny's eyes were suddenly very big as she looked in bewilderment at Wilkes. "What do you mean, Willy? I don't understand."

Wilkes looked at Nanny in confusion. "I thought we had a chance together, but when I arrived home from Brazil, I was told that you had moved to France."

"Willy… no, no, no!"

"No?"

"I didn't move to France. I just came for a while to help Eloise to settle in. It was very hard for her when I told her I wasn't moving with them. She is already adjusting and once she's used to 'er new environment, she should be all right."

"Does that mean that you…?"

"Yes, there was only ever one choice. I want to spend my life with you."

"Oh, Nanny! Those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard!" Once again Wilkes took Nanny in his arms, and this time both of them drowned in the wonder and joy of being in each other's arms.

It was considerably later when Nanny tried to figure out the misunderstanding. "Willy, I left a note with Miss Thompson explaining it all. About my decision and that I would be back at the Plaza soon. Didn't you get it at all?"

Willy grinned a little sheepishly, thinking back. "I'm afraid I didn't give Miss Thompson much time to hand over a note. I was so stunned at the thought of losing you that all I could think of was to get on the first airplane to France to see if I couldn't perhaps change your mind."

"Did you really get on the first plane just for me? Oh, my stars, stars, stars."

"Just for you, Nanny. I really don't think I can live my life without you any longer."

"You don't 'ave to. Kay was kind enough to let me keep the apartment at the Plaza for the time being."

"I don't see any reason why Kay should keep her apartment in the Plaza any longer," Wilkes said with a naughty smile.

"Oh, Willy!"

****

A few days later, Eloise's friend Bill grabbed his fiancée Rachel Peabody, and swirled her around after he had read a telegram from Eloise.

"Bill, what is it?" Rachel laughed at Bill's elation and total silliness.

"Read it!" He pressed the telegram in Rachel's hand and ran out to spread the news.

Rachel shook her head and read the telegram. 'Nanny and Sir Wilkes got married yesterday. Expect them at the Plaza in two days. Please arrange party. Eloise.'

THE END