The aroma of fresh brewed coffee stirred Fran from her sleep. Slithering her arm from under the sheet, she turned the clock toward her. Drawing the bed covers around her, she attempted to go back to sleep.

Even away from home, I can't sleep late. Her eyes snapped open. I forgot to call home. Fran grabbed her robe and rushed from the bedroom.

Maxwell was mixing ingredients for an omelet when he saw Fran rush by. "Sweetheart?"

She appeared in the doorway as quickly as she moved past it. "Can't talk now. Got to check on the kids."

"Fran, I've done that already."

"What?"

"I said I've done that already. When I woke up this morning, I realized that neither one of us called Niles or CC to let them know we arrived safely. I spoke with the children an hour ago."

She held her hand to her chest and sighed. "Thank God. How is everyone?"

"The children are fine." Maxwell glanced at his watch. "Jonah, Eve, and Madeline should be on their way to school. Niles wasn't too worried. His guess for our not calling was that since it's been fifteen years since our last production, we were busy working on a sequel."

Fran laughed. "It's nice to know things never change with Niles."

"Where are you going?" Maxwell asked when she started away from the kitchen.

"I'll be back. I'm going to hop in the shower."

"Are you trying to seduce me Mrs. Sheffield?"

Letting the robe slip from her shoulders, Fran winked and replied, "Always."

Maxwell was absorbed in the newspaper when Fran re-entered the kitchen. She pulled down the paper long enough to give him a quick kiss before settling across from him.

"Everything looks wonderful. Are you sure you didn't sneak downstairs when I was in the shower?"

"I beg your pardon? Do you doubt my cooking abilities?"

"I don't doubt any of your abilities Max." Fran plunged her fork into the plate. "Oh my God," she said finishing her breakfast, "this is delicious. I mean it's really good."

"It's so nice you have faith in my abilities sweetheart," Maxwell replied sarcastically and resumed reading the paper. She reached for a slice of toast and plucked his newspaper. "What was that for?"

"For being a smart ass."

"I though you liked my smart ass."

Fran smiled. "I can't believe that some one with your proper upbringing would display this kind of behavior. I don't know who could possibly be influencing you."

"Maybe it's the meshugeneh woman who's running her foot up my leg."

"You know I've been suspicious of her. I think she's after you."

"Really? I might have to take her up on her offer."

He caught her foot and slowly began to caress her arch. She fought to control her breathing as Maxwell's hand moved up her leg.

"Don't start something you can't finish."

He smiled at Fran's faltering restraint. "Who says I can't?"

"You are so wrong," she moaned softly.

"Want to see how wrong I am?"

Maxwell felt the reverberation of Fran's contented hum against his fingers as he stroked her throat. Kissing her temple, he asked, "What was that about starting something I couldn't finish?"

"I never said you couldn't. I told you, I didn't doubt any of your abilities."

He laughed and pulled her into a kiss. "So, what do you want to do today?"

"We can stay in bed," she replied lightly kissing his chest. "Or we could we explore the city."

"In the mood for shopping?"

"It's one of three things I'm always in the mood for. And since we've already done two, the very least we can do is shop."

He threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her. Draping her leg across his thigh, she pressed her body into his, returning his kiss. Maxwell felt himself sinking into a whirlpool of desire.

"It's difficult to go out if neither one of us is getting dressed," he managed to say between kisses.

"Well if you're going to insist," Fran said sliding out of bed. She was almost to the bathroom when he decided to join her.

Fran and Maxwell exchanged greetings with a few of the guests as they made their way through the dining room. After talking to the manager about the local attractions, they left the inn and headed downtown.

They spent the entire day sightseeing, wandering lazily through the city. Fran stopped in the local boutiques, picking out different gifts for the family. She smiled at the thought that her family included Niles, CC, and their daughter Madeline and had for quite some time.

Maxwell caught a glimpse of Fran as she browsed through the store, completely unaware of him watching her. He smiled as she selected each item with care. He was in awe of the warmth and generosity of her nature, which seemed to have multiplied over the years.

His mind drifted back to when he found her in the basement surrounded by boxes. His thoughts grew dark as he once again wondered what caused her to rehash the past.

He had to broach the subject with her soon. His thoughts threatened to spill from his mouth without really knowing what he wanted to say. Maxwell's consciousness pulled him back to reality when Fran thumped him on the forehead.

"Now that I have your attention, I'll repeat my question. Did you want to grab lunch?"

"That depends. Are you going to abuse me again?"

She pulled his head down and lightly kissed his forehead. "Only the kind you like."

He closed his eyes to control the impure thoughts that flooded his brain. "Yes, let's have lunch."

They settled at an outdoor café that overlooked the marina. After the waitress took their order, Fran laced Maxwell's fingers with her own.

"I'm glad we went away. I miss spending time alone with you."

"I miss being alone with you as well. When the show starts filming, I know I will not have as much time with you as I would like. I just don't want you to forget that you and the children are the most important people in my life."

"Just as long as you don't forget it, we'll be okay."

What's stopping you, Maxwell thought. His attention focused on the internal battle of wanting to know and not wanting to know what Fran was keeping from him.

He knew from previous experiences that a minor argument could lead to a larger one. This one issue could set off a chain reaction that could possibly drive them apart instead of bringing them closer.

"Max, are you all right?"

"Of course I am."

"I'm worried about you. What are you so preoccupied with?"

"Constant thoughts of you my darling," he replied pressing her hand gently to his lips. "You have invaded my heart and soul and there's no way I'd ever want to purge myself of you."

It's not a complete lie, Maxwell reasoned. I hope this will buy me some time before I talk to her.

"Max," Fran asked swirling her finger around the edge of the glass, "what kind of thoughts were you having?"

"Wait until tonight Mrs. Sheffield."

It was twilight by the time Maxwell and Fran entered their room. They dropped their purchases, each collapsing into the nearest chair.

"As long as I've known you, I cannot comprehend why you're never utterly exhausted after your shopping excursions."

"It's the thrill of the hunt. It's a euphoric experience. Think of it like making love. It's something we do all the time yet each time is unique and different than the last."

"Should I be angry or flattered that you compared our love making to shopping?"

She pushed herself from her chair and slid into his lap. "Believe me, it was a compliment. Now what are we going to do for dinner?"

"I suppose I could whip us up a little something."

"That's true. After all, I did survive breakfast."

"Fran!"

"Just kidding sweetie." Pressing her lips against his ear, she whispered, "Let me make it up to you."

"I will," he replied encircling his arms around her. "But let me feed you first. You'll need your strength later."