Saturday came around and Maxwell was surprised to see his kids at the dinner table. Usually they would be there for breakfast, but then Max would not see them until late at night. He assumed they were always with Fran. Max did not think his kids would talk to him, but he attempted anyways. "So children, no outing with Miss Fine tonight?" The kids made glances and slight smiles around the table when Grace answered. "No she has a date tonight." Max began choking on his food. Brighton smiled at Maggie this was the reaction they were hoping for. After he was done coughing, he responded, "Oh! Uh…well isn't that….lovely." Maggie rolled her eyes, "Lovely? Dad are you serious?" Brighton was getting angry. "How can you just roll over and be okay with Fran dating?" Max raised an eyebrow, "I am not her father. I am not to say that she cannot date she is a grown woman and can do as she pleases." Grace almost in tears, "Dad she loves you, don't let her get over you." Max not knowing what to say begins to panic and is on emotion overload, stands up and excuses himself from the table. "Excuse me I have to get back to work." Brighton is dumbfounded, "Dad it's 7pm on a Saturday!" But Max was already halfway to his office. The kids just sat there and stared at each other, not knowing what to do next.
Meanwhile in Max's office he was pacing back and forth running his hands through his hair. Niles knocked on the door with his dinner plate in hand. "I brought you your dinner as you escaped so quickly." Maxwell continued with his actions and turned to Niles. "A date? How can Fran be going on a date already?" Niles stated, "Well to be fair, it has been several months, and she gave you a chance for a date for a date, but you decided that work was more important." Maxwell quipped, "Yes well let's not rehash the past." Niles slightly annoyed now states, "Sir when are you going to start taking accountability for your actions? Have you ever put yourself in her shoes?" Maxwell looked confused, "What do you mean Niles?" Niles continued, "Well as far as I know she has been in love with you for several years. She knew you were still mourning Sarah, so she gave you space and time. Then you finally confirm that you love her in return, but then you took that back leaving her confused and hurt." Maxwell went to interrupt, but Niles stopped him. "Let me finish. I have never seen Miss Fine so defeated and lacking life then after you returned home from Paris. Then you got wrapped up with work and were too dense to notice the drastic change. Then she left and you didn't follow." Max interrupted again, "I called her." Niles nods, "Yes you called her, but you didn't act on it. Mr. Sheffield she wants the passion and fire in you. She wants in confirmed that you love her. It's more than a phone call. She wants to feel wanted and she wants you to sweep her off her feet. My guess is she got tired of waiting for you and is trying to move on with her life. Miss Fine wants a family. She has so much love to give and is probably just looking for someone who will love her back. The children fear that if you do not get her back soon then you will lose her, and I have to say they have valid concerns. You have admitted to loving her, now it's time to let Sarah go and fight for your second chance at true love. You both deserve to be happy." With that Niles left Maxwell to his thoughts.
Maxwell was conflicted. His heart was telling him to go to Fran and tell her his feelings about her, but his head was telling him that he wasn't ready and that it's safer to let her go. Max's head ended up winning the battle over his heart…for tonight anyways.
Meanwhile Fran was on her Date with Derek. Derek had taken her to an ice rink. Fran was nervous as she had never been good at skating before. As it turns out hockey is a big hobby of Derek's and he was more than willing to teach her how. It was an intimate date with Derek holding her hand and catching her anytime she would fall. Once Fran got the hang of it, she was smiling and laughing with Derek. Derek then dared Fran to catch him. Fran never turning down a challenge went skating after Derek. Derek not expecting Fran to take on the challenge turned around and was surprised to see Fran so close to him. Fran who was still not quite stable with stopping, ran right into Derek and knocked them both over. Both okay, they burst into a fit of laughter. Derek smiles and said, "Well Fran I told you I'd sweep you off your feet." Fran smiled and said, "Well I think I swept both of us off our feet." Derek smiled at Fran with a sparkle in his eye. "What do you say we go get dinner?" Fran's face lit up. "I could always eat!" Derek guided them both off the ice to safety.
They had a nice romantic dinner where Fran learned more about Derek's career and his son. When Derek asked Fran about her life she hesitated, she didn't want to talk about Maxwell Sheffield when she was having such a great time. Fran brought up the kids and how she used to be their nanny. Derek thought it was admirable how much she stayed in their lives even though she was no longer their nanny. Fran chose to leave out Maxwell and thought that tonight wasn't the night to bring up that giant can of worms.
They finished the night off with some dancing before Derek took her home. Derek walked to her door. "I had such an amazing time with you tonight Fran. I hope I didn't disappoint." Fran smiled, "It was just perfect Derek thank you." Derek leaned in to give Fran a kiss, but noticed some apprehension, so he settled for kissing her cheek. "Have a good night Fran. I'll call you and hopefully we'll do this again." Fran blushed and smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks again Derek. Good night." Fran closed the door and let the night sink in. Well it was a perfect night just the wrong guy. Fran then argued with herself to give Derek a chance and stated what a nice guy he was. Fran then felt her cheek it was still tingling from where Derek had kissed her. Fran smiled and agreed that she would continue to Derek a chance. Fran went to bed that night and slept a little easier than she had in months.
(…to be continued…)
So what do you guys think? I'm debating how long to make this story any opinions and feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!