"Hello Hello," CC called out as she entered the house followed by Niles, Madeline, Jonah, and Eve.
"Hello CC, hello Niles," Maxwell said as he descended the staircase. "Thank you for taking care of Jonah and Eve."
"No problem Maxwell," CC replied. "Where's Fran?"
"She's upstairs resting."
"I'll bet," Niles muttered.
Jonah, Eve, and Madeline suppressed a giggle at the odd look that crossed Maxwell's face.
Clearing his throat, Maxwell turned to his children. "Did you two behave for Niles and CC?"
"Dad," Jonah replied bearing a mixed look of innocence and mischievousness, "Eve and I were on our best behavior. Don't you trust us?"
"Eve yes, you we're not so sure about," Fran said making her way downstairs. Jonah and Eve kissed their mother on the cheek. Ruffling Jonah's dark hair, she said, "You remind me Brighton when he was your age."
Jonah smiled. "Thanks. What did you bring me back from your trip?"
Maxwell sighed in exasperation. "Too much like Brighton. Go upstairs and put your belongings away."
Fran watched the twins disappear up the stairs before turning her attention to Niles and CC's daughter.
"How are you Maddy? How's school going?"
"I'm fine Aunt Fran. School is going well."
"Madeline's too modest," CC effused. "She made the dean's list again this semester."
"Sweetie, that's wonderful! Congratulations." Fran wrapped her arms around Madeline. "You should be very proud of your accomplishments."
"Thank you Aunt Fran, I am." Turning to her parents, Madeline asked, "May I be excused? I need to talk to Eve about one of my classes."
"Of course Madeline," Niles replied.
Before she could make her escape, Maxwell stopped her. "Are you and Eve in the same class?"
"No Uncle Maxwell, Eve had Ms. Landau last year for Science."
"Do you want something to drink?" Fran asked after Madeline left the living room.
"I'd love a cup of coffee," CC replied, "but I have to talk to Maxwell about the weasels at the network."
Niles patted CC on the head. "My little barracuda," he said proudly.
Maxwell groaned. "Do I really want to know?"
"Brace your self partner," CC said guiding Maxwell toward his office, "it's going to be a bumpy ride."
"We'll bring some coffee into the office," Fran said watching them disappear around the corner.
Fran and Niles headed to the kitchen to prepare a tray for Maxwell and CC. As she sliced into the coffee cake, Niles asked, "So what did you bring me from Sacramento?"
Fran lay stretched across the bed, working on her latest assignment. It had been three months since she and Maxwell returned from their trip to Sacramento. After researching schools and being encouraged by her family, Fran had taken the plunge and enrolled in a writing program.
With Jonah and Eve's hectic after school schedules, she barely had time to concentrate on the assignments but somehow managed to turn them in on time. Fran stared blankly at the words in her notebook trying to focus on revising her short story when Eve rushed into her room.
"Ma, can I borrow your black and gray sweater?"
"Don't you mean may I borrow your black and gray sweater?" Maxwell said entering the bedroom. He bent down and kissed Fran's cheek. "Don't you have homework to do young lady?"
"Daddy, I've already done my homework."
"Why do you need to borrow your mother's sweater?"
"Because it goes well with – Hey! Why are you answering for ma any way?"
"First, you barge into our bedroom, demanding to borrow something from your mother without asking her properly, and second, you've given no consideration or concern that you are disrupting her studies."
Eve cast her eyes downward. "I'm sorry ma. I didn't mean to disturb you. May I borrow your sweater? Please?"
"Don't you have something suitable in your own wardrobe instead of pestering your mother for her clothes?"
Fran ran her hand lightly over his arm to calm him. "Max, it's all right. It's in my closet Eve."
"Thanks ma. I promise I'll take good care of it."
"You'd better or it's coming out of your allowance."
"Dad!"
"Eve!" Maxwell folded his arms across his chest. He arched his eyebrow, daring her to challenge him. Muttering a 'thank you', Eve took the sweater and left her parents bedroom. "Is it too much to ask for reasonable and sane children?"
Fran sat up, placing her notebook on the nightstand. "What teenager do you know that's either sane or reasonable?"
Maxwell sighed. "I don't think I could have survived raising five children without you." He climbed in bed and pulled her in his arms. "So how is my favorite girl this evening?"
"Still trying to work on her writing assignment. For some foolish reason I thought I'd have more time for myself now that the twins are older but that doesn't seem to be the case. By the way, don't you think you were a little hard on Eve?"
"Absolutely not. She needs to learn respect and responsibility."
"Have you forgotten when Maggie and Gracie were Eve's age?"
"That's the exact reason why I was so hard on her. They didn't get away with acting that way and neither will she."
"Are you kidding? Maggie and Gracie stayed in my closet. They practically lived there."
"I wish there was a place you could send your children from the time they become teenagers until the reach adulthood."
Fran eyed Maxwell. She smiled and replied, "No you don't."
He kissed her temple. "No, I don't. My children are exasperating, they drive me up the bloody wall but I love them each dearly and wouldn't trade them for anything in the world."
"They love you too."
She slid her arms around his neck, drawing him into a kiss. He returned her kiss, pressing her into the pillows. Maxwell's breath grew heavier as he unbuttoned her blouse.
"My God woman, what have you done to me? I feel like a bloody teenager every time I'm around you."
"So this is my fault?" she asked stripping him of his shirt and tie. Pulling him closer with the tie, Fran smiled. "Maybe we should hold on to this. I may have use for it later."
"Mrs. Sheffield, you have a very naughty streak."
"Lock the door Mr. Sheffield. I don't want to be disturbed."
Maxwell finished undressing and quickly rejoined Fran in bed. His eyes swept over her naked frame. He drew her in his arms, letting his hands slowly explore her body.
"What about your studies?"
"I'm doing research for my homework assignment."
