AN: Here's the 4th chapter not so sure how great it is, but hey you have to write something to follow the plot line right? Anyway, enjoy, and remember criticism and compliments on my writing are always welcome.

Chapter 4: The explanation

Fran shut the door after Maxwell left and twirled around thinking about the wonderful evening they had. Fran felt like she was floating on air. She was so happy that she didn't hear the phone ring until the answering machine picked it up. "Fran, darling its me Nigel, I'm just calling to say that I'll be home in about an hour, I'll see ya later." As Fran listened to Nigel's message she completely forgot about telling him about her relationship with Maxwell.

"Fudge, I completely forgot about Nigel. Well, I have an hour to come up with an explanation before he comes home. "Ooh fudge, I could really use something sweet right now. Concentrate Fran your getting side tracked," she chastised herself. Still thinking about that fudge she looked in the freezer and found the Häagen-Dasz carton. Grabbing a spoon from the drawer she sat down on the couch and turned on the tv then dug into the delicious frozen treat.

Not really watching the tv anymore since she finished eating the ice cream, Fran reminisced about what her wonderful evening and the current situation. 'I really don't want to hurt him, but I love Maxwell more than I could have imagined. I do care about Nigel, but not enough to spend the rest of my life with him. I could call Max and ask his opinion? Maybe not, he always gets so jealous, but then again it would be nice to have some input on the subject.' Picking up the phone Fran dialed Max's cell phone.

"Hello," Maxwell said sitting out on the balcony.

"Hi, it's just me," Fran responded.

"Darling, I'm so glad to hear from you I was just about to call you."

"Well, I really need your opinion on something."

"What," he asked a little worried.

"It's about Nigel. Max, I don't know what to say to him about us," Fran said, her voice starting to quiver.

"Darling, darling, calm down it'll be alright," he said soothingly.

"I don't know what to do." Fran now had tears falling from her eyes.

"How about tomorrow morning all three of us have breakfast somewhere together? That way I'll help you talk to him about us, how does that sound?"

"It sounds like a wonderful idea, you're so smart," Fran replied feeling a little better just listening to his voice. "Thanks for talking with me. I'll let you get back to whatever you're doing and I will see you tomorrow morning. Goodnight, love you."

"Alright sweetheart goodnight, I love you too," he said and hung up his phone which he then placed next to him on a side table. While watching the city at night Maxwell felt a little nervous about tomorrow. He didn't want to deliberately take Fran away from his younger brother, who was more athletic, but he couldn't imagine his life without her.

As Fran hung up the phone with Max Nigel came walking through the apartment door. "Did you have a nice dinner with Max tonight," Nigel stated and leaned down to give Fran a kiss on the cheek.

"Yes," she exclaimed short and quickly.

"What did you two do together, just have dinner?"

"Yes, I mean no, I mean we did have dinner but then we took a walk afterwards," Fran stated nervously.

"Oh, that sounds nice."

"Um, Max invited us to have breakfast with him tomorrow morning. Do you think we could go?"

"Sure why not, I haven't spent any time with my brother in god knows how many years," Nigel said hanging up his coat in the closet.

"Okay well, I'm gonna head to bed. Are you staying up?"

"Yeah, for a little bit, goodnight."

"Goodnight Nigel," Fran said and headed to the bedroom to get ready for bed.

Maxwell stood in a small corner café waiting for Fran and Nigel. After glancing down at his watch for the tenth time in the past minute he finally saw them make their way across the street towards the café. Upon greeting each other the threesome were seated at a table in one of the corners.

"So Max, what have you been doing to keep yourself busy here in London. You know since your all by yourself," Nigel said looking at his older brother.

Glancing at Fran for a second Max uneasily shifted in his chair. "Um, catching up with the family. I recently ran into an old college friend so we've been reminiscing the good times we had," he replied not wanting to mention Fran and their time they shared together the past few days.

"You actually visited with mother," Nigel questioned, grinning.

"Well, I did visit her, but our conversation was quick and to the point."

"Fran and I were planning on going shopping later, weren't we," Nigel said and playfully nudged Fran with his elbow.

Fran, who wasn't really listening looked up after feeling the nudge and hearing her name, for she was too engrossed in the breakfast menu. "What?"

"You and I were planning on going shopping later today right? Maybe look at wedding dresses?" Maxwell fell silent after that comment.

"Oh, yeah, I can't wait," Fran said trying to be happy.

The ringing of Nigel's cell phone broke the silence of the now quiet table. "Excuse me I have to take this," Nigel stated and walked to a more private area to finish the conversation.

"I thought we were gonna break the news to him about us," Fran replied while staring at Maxwell.

"I know, I'm sorry I sort of panicked, I don't want to hurt him or anything."

Fran put her hand over his reassuringly. "I know how you feel, I don't want to hurt him either. I really don't want to sneak around behind his back, that will just cause more trouble and heartbreak. So, what do we do?"

"Once Nigel comes back I will start the talking and you gradually make an entrance into the conversation."

"Okay, sounds good to me."

Seeing Nigel walking back towards the table Max quickly removed his hand out from under Fran's. "Nigel, Fran and I have an explanation for you," Max started. Nigel nodded listening to what his brother had to say. "You see, Fran and I sort of bonded together," he continued.

"Bonded together? I'm not sure I understand what you mean," Nigel repeated.

"We um, uh started seeing each other recently," Max replied looking down into his coffee cup not wanting to see his brother's reaction.

Nigel laughed, "you two are dating now?"

"Yes," Fran and Max said in unison while looking into each other's eyes.

"I don't believe this,"Nigel replied flatly while leaning back in his chair.

"We never meant to hurt you Nigel, but its the truth," Fran interjected into the conversation.

"So let me get this straight, your leaving me for him," Nigel said pointing at Max.

"Nigel I'm not leaving you, I just feel that it wouldn't work out between you and me in a long term relationship. We can still be great friends," Fran mentioned.

"I'm sorry Fran, but being "great" friends with you isn't going to cut it." With that Nigel angrily stood up and left the café. Fran and Max sat at the table not saying a single word after what just transpired.