The next few hours were very, very trying for Maxwell Sheffield. He was cross with everyone he came in contact with, even his own children, and especially Niles. It was like the old saying, don't hate the messenger hate the message. But in his mind he'd somehow come to blame the butler for Fran's disappearance. This couldn't be happening to him, not now, not when he'd come to depend on her for so much.
What was the problem, exactly? He tried to work things out by hitting his indoor gym. Trying to wrap his mind around the day's events (and it wasn't even noon yet) Maxwell honestly couldn't see what the problem was. Hadn't he given Fran everything she'd ever wanted- and deserved? She had access to at least four of his credit cards, including his platinum, and she'd been happy to take full advantage of that. He chuckled to himself, recalling their "conversations" they'd had about her spending. He acted mad, and at the time he was, at how much she'd spent, but then Fran would waltz down in her latest itsy bitsy miniskirt and soon all would be forgiven. She did have an eye for clothing, he admitted to himself.
But it was about more than the clothes this time. Fran wasn't happy with him, and according to Niles, she hadn't been for some time. How could things go so dreadfully wrong when he was so content with his life? He'd come to rather enjoy her company, even just her mere presence or the mention of her name in a conversation with Niles brightened his day. And those ridiculous bathrobes she wore to breakfast daily-well in all honesty, he'd come to appreciate them.
But had he really appreciated her? Of course he had, he thought bitterly as he increased the speed of his treadmill. He'd showered her with gifts and trips and anything her heart desired. What was it that was missing that led to her drastic action?
In his heart he knew what it was, but he was unable to face the truth in his moment of crisis. She'd come to love the kids as if they were her own, and he loved that about her. God there was so much he loved about her, and would surely miss. But she made her decision, and he knew he had to respect that.
So for now, Fran was gone, the kids had told him- repeatedly- that they were too old for a new nanny. Maggie was driving now, and had offered to take the other kids where they needed to go to when Niles couldn't. So that was settled, it was just the four of them, not counting Niles and CC. Maybe this was just what his family needed. He'd become to reliant on Fran, so maybe by her leaving he could get to know his family in ways he never had before.
0000
"So kids, who's up for a day at the park? Maybe a carriage ride, some ice cream, I know...FAO Shwartz!" Maxwell suggested.
None of the kids seemed to care. "We are too old for toys now," Gracie spoke up finally. Gracie, his youngest, said they were too old for toys? How old had they become since he'd met Fran?
"We could do the ice cream. Brighton you've never turned down a good raspberry sorbet," Maxwell continued to feign his smile.
"I'm not hungry."
"When aren't you hungry? Ever since your last birthday my produce bill has practically tripled."
"Real funny, Dad."
"Maggie...how about you? Would a day of shopping with Daddy's credit card be just what the doctor ordered?"
She started to cry, then ran from the room.
"What did I say? I thought she loved shopping," a bewildered Maxwell asked.
"Fran always took her shopping," Gracie pointed out.
"Well," he cleared his throat. "Miss Fine is no longer with us. She has a right to live her own life and we couldn't have expected her to stay with us forever, could we?"
"Just like Mommy couldn't have?" Gracie tearfully asked.
"Is this what this is about? You miss your mother?"
"Of course we do," Brighton sighed indignantly. "But right now we miss Fran, is that all right with you?"
"Son I'd prefer if you not speak to me that way. After all, I am your father."
"And you're also the reason Fran doesn't love us anymore," Brighton replied, not bothering to make eye contact with his father.
"You think this is about you? That Fran doesn't love you kids anymore?" Now Maxwell was shocked and almost wished Niles were there to help him out of this uncomfortable situation.
Maggie returned. "It's not us, you twit."
"Hey!" Brighton protested.
"Margaret please don't call your brother names. It won't help anything..."
"What and you think toys and ice cream will? You really are clueless, Dad."
Dad? When had he become Dad instead of Daddy? "You are becoming a bit too cheeky, Margaret, and I'm not sure I like this side of you."
"Why not? Fran wouldn't have gotten mad. She would have made us apologize to you, and things would be fine. But she's not here anymore is she? And you know who's fault it is. Gracie, Brighton, it's not us she doesn't love anymore. It's Daddy."
He desperately wanted to respond, but as he had no response to come up with, he simply threw in the towel and walked away.
"Miss Fine, why did you have to leave us?" he muttered to himself, before stopping himself. It wasn't about Miss Fine anymore. It was about himself and his kids, and everyone would learn to adjust. At least he prayed they would.
