Chapter 4: Why did it have to be you?

Summary: Happily married for 14 years, Cornelius and Franny were bound to be together forever. But the expansion of Robinson Industries puts their marriage to the test. Can they make it? Or do all good things come to an end?

Author's Note: Hey all, thanks for all of your lovely reviews. Due to MTRlover's adamant request for my update (and my own procrastination from uni work :S), I give you chapter 4!

Disclaimer: Meet the Robinsons belongs to Disney, not me.

The weight of her overnight bag pained her left shoulder, so she decided to swap sides. Several minutes later, the same soaring pains erupted in her right shoulder. Finally, the dark haired woman in a khaki tank top, black jeans and ankle boots stopped in her tracks and let out a sigh of exasperation. Her feet were killing and she felt like she had been walking for hours since she'd missed the second bus from North Montana railway station. The next bus to Lilyfield was not for another fourteen hours, and Franny couldn't wait that long. The piercing wind that gushed past her seemed rather premature for an autumn breeze. Her silky hair flew out of the hairclip that kept her black and purple strands in place, the hairclip flying a metre or so before dropping on the arid land below.

The night before she left Cornelius, Franny decided on two possible locations to stay until she could think clearly again. First, was her favourite Aunt Phoebe's shack by Enmore Lake. But then she realized that the last thing she needed during this time was someone else's opinions...or something like that. So, she had settled on heading off to a cute cottage in Lilyfield where she had always wanted to go. Cornelius never warmed to the idea, because nothing could really compare better than his work. Lilyfield was about 13 hours drive north of Todayland, but at her walking pace, Franny would not reach there before sundown. After spending five or so minutes cursing as she rested on the dry earth on her backside, she decided to get up and keep walking.

'The poor guy is going nuts; sometimes I don't know if he can hear me...'

'I think this has really hit hard on him, and goodness knows when the press will be all over it!'

'Yeah it's so sad, one minute he's really charismatic about Robinson Industries International, and the next minute he is indifferent to everyone...'

'Oh yeah, I wonder how their poor son is coping...'

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Cornelius' stubby fingers tapped his varnished desk irregularly. His blond eyebrows furrowed over his almost lifeless blue eyes and he was softly biting his bottom lip distractedly. His glasses were back, and the hair slicking had gone. He couldn't get himself to function, and everybody had noticed it. His office seemed like the only place he could just escape. The paper in front of him was a blur.

Dear Mr. Robinson,

On behalf of the city of Tokyo and its honourable mayor Ms. Ikki Takashi, we are proud to confirm that the formal inauguration of Robinson Industries Japan will be held on the 15th July. The official opening will occur at 8:00am sharp and will be followed by refreshments in the Level 2 Conference Room. You will be required to check in to reception at least half an hour in advance. As discussed, you and your wife will be escorted from the Tokyo International Airport by the Director of the Tokyo branch, Mr. Nagata Bushido on arrival. We look forward to your company in two weeks time.

Please find the pre-launch infrastructure and accounts reports which are attached.

Yours Truly,

MINATO TOKUGAWA

(Secretary, Robinson Industries International: Tokyo, Japan)

Cornelius shuffled the several papers following the cover letter and sighed. His face looked immersed in the paperwork for Tokyo's branch, but Robinson Industries was the last thing on his mind. The same thoughts ran through his head over and over that morning. His face was horribly distraught. He was a mess.

Where did she go?

Why did she leave?

What is wrong with her?

...Will she come back?

A tear trickled from his left eye.

'People here are so friendly,' Franny exclaimed, leaning back in the rear seat of a small red hatchback. 'I really thought I would walk the whole way to Lilyfield.' The female driver smiled and replied vividly,

'Oh, I couldn't let you walk all the way there! Besides, my cousin brother Mark happens to be the weekend proprietor of the set of cottages within which you are staying!' The woman was lean and had curly, dark blonde hair and freckles under her eyes. Her expression was gentle and kind and Franny finally felt like she could breathe easy.

'Thank you so very much Susan, I really appreciate this,' Franny said. 'I will be sure to thank your cousin too when we arrive!' After a further fifteen minutes, Susan led the car to a small carpark in front of a cottage labelled Cottage Admin. The two women disembarked the car and made their way into the building. The welcoming foyer was decorated with photographs of the green, hilly Lilyfield area and of the people who had stayed. Behind the head counted stood a tall, reasonably built man who had spiky blond hair, blue eyes and a long face. This man had a serious resemblance to Cornelius Robinson. Franny's mouth dropped in awe. The man was dressed in jeans and a layered blue t-shirt and besides not wearing dark rimmed glasses, was a spitting image of Cornelius. His blue eyes sparkled the same way that Cornelius' did, and his physique was almost identical. Franny was speechless as the man looked up from the counter desk and smiled. Oh my, she is absolutely gorgeous. He reached his hand out to her.

'Welcome to Lilyfield, M'am,' he began. 'My name is Mark, and I see you've already met my cousin Susan.' Franny didn't respond, her jaw remained slightly dropped and her body frozen. Susan furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Mark looked at his sister hesitantly until Franny managed to brace herself. She made a terrible attempt at a smile before apologizing.

'Oh forgive me,' she began, pushing her side hairs behind her ears. 'It's a pleasure to meet you, Mark. Just a little tired I guess...' She hesitantly extended her hand out to the man and shook his lifelessly. Mark smiled and offered to take her bags for her. Susan watched her brother and thought to herself, What is he doing? We don't do that here! That's weird. And the pair walked out of the Admin building to Franny's cottage.

'I like the older stuff, I have to say...' Mark confessed and asked, 'Do you like It Had to Be You?' Franny cried out loud and nodded fervently before they both lost themselves in a duet of the chorus.

It had to be you, it had to be you;
I wandered around, and finally found - the somebody who
Could make me be true, could make me be blue;
And even be glad, just to be sad, thinking of you.

Some others I've seen, might never be mean;
Might never be cross, or try to be boss,
But they wouldn't do.
For nobody else, gave me a thrill - with all your faults, I love you still.
It had to be you, wonderful you;
It had to be you.

The pair began to laugh until they were almost out of breath.

'You love swing music too? Wow Mark, I didn't know there were many people out there still into it!' Franny exclaimed excitedly. It was really the first time she had laughed in weeks. Mark grinned and placed her baggage on the sofa.

'Yes of course, I love the subtlety that it emits,' he replied. 'It's so classy and uplifting! But there are many people out there who love swing!' Franny chuckled.

'I meant young people,' she corrected, stroking hairs off her eyes, revealing the sparkling white-gold diamond ring on her fourth finger. Mark's blue eyes immediately retreated as he asked hesitantly.

'Surely your husband must like swing music...' Franny's excitement faded instantly. She struggled to reply.

'I...well, he...um...I don't really...listen I'd rather not talk about it to be honest.'

'About your husband or about swing music, Franny?' Mark inquired. Franny winced uncomfortably before busying herself with her bags. She anxiously tried to finish the conversation.

'Well thank you for all your help Mark, but I'm really quite tired and should really get some rest, sp please close the door on your way out...' Mark's eye widened as he frowned in shock.

'Franny, I didn't mean to startle you, I just'—

'Please, just leave Mark,' she interrupted boldly. He shook his head and left without another word.

Franny hopped into her silk green pyjamas and lay on the queen sized bed of the cottage. She had just finished talking on the phone to Wilbur and was ready for bed. It was her second week of staying in Lilyfield and she had not spoken to Mark much at all since the first day. The bedside lamp was still on as she contemplated her behaviour that day. How could I be so careless? He was so nice and welcoming, and he actually kept a good conversation rolling. Lewis and I haven't really had a conversation about the things I like. Oh, he must think I am horrible!

Knock, knock.

Franny jerked in surprise before getting out of bed to answer the door.

Knock, knock.

She twisted the doorknob and pulled the dark brown wooden door open to see Mark looking flustered and breathing heavily. His eyes were looking at her in need. He looked so helpless, but absolutely gorgeous. Franny smiled.

'I knew you would come...' she said softly, before he took her in his arms and kissed her. He carried her to the bedroom, remembering to shut the door behind him.

Author's Note: Oh dear! What has she done? Don't forget to R&R.