Fran had been gone for a month now and everyone in the Sheffield household was doing his/her best to cope with the new situation. The kids became even more independent as before. Maggie offered to drive Gracie to her appointments such as ballet, therapy, etc. Nonetheless, they missed Fran, her warmth and affection. When Maggie was dumped again, she longed to sink into Fran's arms and cry on her shoulder. Her father had tried to cheer her up, but he was actually quite helpless. Brighton shut himself in his room. For hours he sat there playing video games to escape reality. Gracie suffered the most. As the youngest, she had been Fran's baby. For her it was the second mother she lost. Lately she even slept in Fran's bed. It still smelled like her and she had threatened Niles not to dare of changing the sheets. It hurt Niles to see the kids in this mess. He also missed his best friend. Kitchen work was terribly boring and dull without their chats and even teasing Miss Babcock didn't give him the same satisfaction it used to.
Maxwell was the worst affected. He tried hard to keep up the facade, but he was broken inside. The pain sat deep. He thought about her every second of the day. Asked himself again and again why their relationship didn't work out. The situation was still incomprehensible to him. This woman who had left his house without a tear was not Fran Fine. Those cold icy glances from her haunted him even in his dreams. Her current behavior was also hard for him to understand. In the 32 days since she had left, she had not even contacted them once. Not even the children!
He asked Val for her address, but Val only mentioned Fran had not given her one. Apparently she and this Gideon were planning to move into a bigger house. At first he thought Val was lying to him for Fran's sake, but one day when he was at her place, he discovered several letters from Fran all without a return address. Nor could Val give him a phone number. Fran had told her Gideon doesn't like it when everyone knows his private number. That's why she always called. It all seemed strange to him. After all, Val could tell him at least Gideon's last name; "Goldberg". Val hesitantly reported to him Fran was apparently very happy. She raved about the area, the people and the activities they do together. He was astonished. His family was suffering more every day and she was enjoying herself. He felt sick. He wanted to hate her, but he loved them too much. He kept looking at pictures of happy moments and then he saw Fran's eyes in front of him. Her look when he had confessed his love to her. This look didn't let him go. For a short moment she had been his Fran again.
Maxwell was about to go to the kitchen to get another coffee when he heard a shrill voice. Oh no, that woman was all he needed right now. Sylvia Fine was sitting in the kitchen reading Niles the latest postcard from Fran. Niles was preparing a platter of sandwiches and trying hard not to listen. That's when his boss came into the kitchen. Without giving Sylvia a glance, he poured himself another cup of coffee. "Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield! Do you want to hear what my daughter is writing?" "Mrs Fine! I have other stuff on my mind than your daughter's welfare!" Sylvia stared at him, puzzled. Since when had he been so cold and harsh with her! He should be happy for Fran. "Anyway, she seems to be doing splendidly. That Gideon seems to be carrying her in his hands..." As she talked she wanted to reach for the sandwich plate. "Excuse me. But this is my lunch. If you're hungry, why don't you visit your daughter? I'm sure your future son-in-law will serve you only the very best!" Maxwell was about to leave the kitchen with the sandwiches when a thought occurred to him. "What part of Malibu does Prince Charming and Fran actually live in?" Sylvia gave an embarrassed squeeze. "I don't know! Fran said they were moving soon. Then she would give me their new address. She also didn't want us to go there with her." "Aha!" Maxwell grinned and went back to his study. Sylvia turned back to Niles, "Could you make me one of your delicious pies and a ham/cheese omelet." "The kitchen is closed and now pardon me! I'm busy!" Sylvia left, offended. Strange morals have ruled in this house lately. Fran's departure was no reason for such an impossible behavior. Was she supposed to starve? Neither Mr. Sheffield nor Niles seemed to care if she collapsed.
Maxwell meanwhile sat back at his desk, deep in thought. It was all rather strange. Neither Val nor her mother had any contact information from Fran and apparently didn't know where she lives. That was totally out of character for Fran. His intuition told him something was wrong and he would find out the truth.
Late in the evening. He said good night to hisckids first. Since Fran was gone, it was his job to check on them before they went to bed. In the living room, he ran into Niles. "Wait a minute old chap. I'll give you a brandy." Niles accepted the offer. "You know Niles, I have the feeling there's something not quite right about this story with Miss Fine and that splendid fellow." "What makes you think that sir?" "Well, she hasn't checked in with anyone here, not even the kids. Val and Mrs. Fine apparently don't know where she lives and don't have a phone number and Miss Fine certainly doesn't want her mother with her. Don't you think this is strange?" "Hmm maybe sir, to be honest Miss Fine's whole behavior lately has been strange. But perhaps there is a plausible explanation. Why are you so interested sir? Could it be that you secretly wish the story wasn't right because you still love Miss Fine and want her back?" "Even if it were! Anyway my instincts tell me there's something going on and I'm going to find out how it's all connected. I'll hire a detective agency! The best I can find!" "Whatever you say sir!" Niles could understand his boss and who knows? Maybe he was right and everything would work out well in the end.