"No Fran! You can't go!" Gracie stood in front of her nanny, angry and distraught. Maggie and Brighton sat on the couch in shock. Fran had just revealed to the kids she would move to Malibu shortly. None of the three understood what was going on here. Lately, everything seemed like Fran and their father would finally find each other and they would become a family. And now, out of nowhere there was another guy. "Come on kids! Don't take it too hard! You're all more or less grown up. You don't need me anymore and I want to start a new life with Gideon, build a family of my own." "I thought we are your family!" yelled Gracie at her, "I thought you love us and what about Daddy? You love each other! You belong together!" Just at that moment Maxwell stepped into the living room, startled by his youngest's screaming. Gracie threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "Daddy!...Fran wants to leave us!... Tell her to stay! ...Tell her you love her!..." Maxwell put his arms around his daughter to comfort her and stared bitterly at Fran. He would love to shake her so she would come to her senses. "Sweetheart I don't want Miss Fine to go either, but it's her decision!" Fran stood there helplessly. She didn't know how to make the farewell easier for the kids. Brighton stood up, muttered he had some homework to do, and went upstairs. Gracie and Maggie followed him. Fran went to the closet, grabbed her jacket, "Goodbye Mr. Sheffield. I'm going to Ma and will stay there overnight." "You do that Miss Fine. I guess your mother is delighted. A Jewish doctor! Excuse me, I'm going to check on my kids now, who you don't seem to care about anymore." Fran watched him sadly as he disappeared up the stairs. If only he knew.
"Oh Fran I am so proud of you. A cardiologist and a Jew and a house in Malibu. I can see myself lying on the beach with an ice cream shake in my hand. "Say Dad and I could go with you to meet the great guy and stay with you for a while." "No Ma! Don't you dare! Gideon and I need some time alone. You don't want to jeopardize the engagement." "Oyy Fran! How are you talking to me? I gave birth to you in pain, endured all your escapades and now? But fine, enjoy yourself in the sun and leave your poor old parents in the cold wet New York." "Maaa!" "All right! What's the matter with you?" "Oh it's.., I told the kids everything and they didn't take it really well." "I assume they thought you and their father would... To be honest, I never thought any other man besides Maxwell Sheffield would have a chance with you. But it's the man's own fault, I'm not getting any younger." Fran was uncomfortable talking about Maxwell. She quickly tried to distract her mother. "Äehm Ma I'm hungry. How about Chinese?" "Excellent idea!"
At the Sheffield mansion, the siblings all sat together in Maggie's room and put their heads together. "So!", Brighton started, "Any ideas on how to get Fran to stay?" "I only see one chance," Maggie announced, "Dad! He has to convince her to stay. He should finally propose to her." "I don't know, Fran seemed so determined," Gracie objected, "If she loves this Gideon guy more." "I think Maggie's right.", Brighton replied, "If anyone can change her mind it's Dad! You heard him, he doesn't want her to go either and he promised us to do everything possible." "Okay let's talk to him." Maxwell sat at his desk. He still couldn't realize, his family was about to fall apart. A few days ago their life was full of sunshine and now it was in the deepest darkness! It wasn't just about him and Fran but also about the kids. They had been completely wrecked, he wished he could spare them the pain. Then there was a knock at the door and the objects of his thoughts entered the room. "Dad!" began Maggie, "We've gone over everything again. You're the only one who can stop Fran." "That's right Daddy! Please, you have to try it again. Fran loves you, I know she does." "Yes dad! Do something before she's gone. Propose to her or lock her in the wine cellar." "Brighton! But maybe you're right, it's worth a try. It can't get any worse than this. But we've got to have a perfect plan. Niles!" In a flash, Niles was in the study. For a long time they all sat together, working on their mission.
The next few days were a disaster. The children spent most of the days away from home because of the miserable mood. Maxwell hardly came out of his office and Fran was in her room all day, packing her stuff. She avoided everyone as best she could. One evening three days before Fran planned to leave, it was mission time. The plan was going to be put into action. The children were staying overnight with friends. Maxwell, elegantly dressed in his best suit, stepped into the dining room. Niles had prepared a beautiful romantic dinner for two and was carrying in the meal. "Splendid Niles! Everything is perfect!" "Thank you sir! Then I would say the mission can begin! Good luck sir!" He went to the kitchen and told Fran over the intercom that dinner was ready. As he left the house, he prayed to heaven all would turn out well.
Maxwell waited with his heart pounding. That's when he heard her high heels. Fran stepped into the room and looked dumbfounded at the table. "Good evening Fran! We're alone tonight and I thought we'd have a nice evening!" Fran stared at him aghast. "Do you think that's appropriate Mr. Sheffield?" "Don't you think we should eat first? Niles has outdone himself again." "I demand an explanation! Now!" Maxwell was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. The evening was not going as hoped. "Fran, I don't want to let you go without one last attempt to make you understand how much you mean to me. You are the woman who showed me that life is beautiful, who made me laugh again, who connected me with my children. I know I have played with your feelings and hesitated for a long time." He stepped up to her and put his arms around her shoulders. "Fran I love you!" He looked deep into her eyes and there he saw the sparkle again. He saw love in her eyes...
But then she broke away from his embrace, distancing herself and there was that coldness in her eyes again. "You're taking it all pretty easy. A nice meal, a few touching words and bang I'm in your arms. But not with me! I have changed! I love Gideon and I'm not going to let you ruin my life!" Maxwell froze. Who was this woman? "I don't believe a word you say Fran! I've known you for five years. Your feelings can't change abruptly in a matter of days." He stormed toward her, lifting her chin up with one hand, force her to look at him. "Look at me Fran! Look me in the eyes and tell me to my face that you don't love me!" Fran hesitated. She seemed to be fighting an inner battle. Then she glanced up at him. "I don't love you Mr. Sheffield!" Tears came to his eyes. He couldn't take his eyes off her. Didn't want to believe it was true. Finally, he let go of her and screamed out his anger and despair. "All right! Then go to your Mr. Right! I hope he can afford you the life you deserve." When Maxwell was almost out of the room, he turned again toward her and said softly, "Never forget Fran, the kids and I will always love you!" Then he marched away and a short time later Fran heard a door slam. She collapsed on the floor crying. For a long time she sat there, letting her tears run free. On her way to her room, she stopped outside Maxwell's bedroom and leaned against the door. "Please you have to understand! I only want what's best for you!"