"So does this mean I finally find out the surprise you've been hiding in the attic?" Fran asked as they entered the house.

Maxwell switched on the security system. "You're awfully impatient darling."

"Actually I think I've been very patient. As patient as I was waiting for you to tell me you loved me without taking it back."

Maxwell knew Fran said it in jest but it was still unnerving. "You're going to have that put on my headstone aren't you?"

She paused midway up the stairs. "Hmm. Here lies Maxwell Beverly Sheffield. Loving husband, father and friend who once told Francine Fine he loved her then took it back but finally came to his senses and married her. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it?"

"Is that going to haunt me into the afterlife as well?"

She slid her arms around Maxwell's neck and whispered, "Just like me."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Fran pulled away and stared at him. "Just kidding sweetheart," he replied and kissed her.

"Keep talking like that and you'll be sleeping alone."

"You'll be back in our bed tomorrow."

"I meant forever."

Maxwell chuckled. "You can't resist me. You love me too much."

"You seem awfully sure of yourself."

"Only because I love you as much as you love me." He wrapped his arms around her. Maxwell studied her, memorizing every feature of her face. "I do love you Fran." He pressed her against the banister as their kiss intensified.

"Max?" His muffled response came as he brushed her hair aside to kiss her neck. She closed her eyes, sinking into the pleasure of his touch. Before she was too far-gone, Fran refocused her attention on the attic. "Maxwell, remember your promise."

"Which one? The one where I promise to love, honor, and cherish you?"

"Not that those aren't important but I'm talking about the one you made to me before we went to dinner."

"Oh, yes." Maxwell ran his fingers lightly down her throat. "Are you sure you don't want to continue this in our bedroom and leave your surprise until tomorrow? After all, what's one more day?"

"A day too long." She slipped out of his arms and continued up the stairs. Turning back, Fran asked, "Coming?"

He curbed the suggestive response that popped into his head. Taking her hand, Maxwell led her past their bedroom and climbed the stairs toward the attic.

When they reached the door, Maxwell stopped her. "Before we enter, I have a request." He pulled a scarf from the pocket of his jacket.

Fran smiled. "Max, what kind of surprise do you have for me in there?"

"You'll find out in a moment. Close your eyes."

She gave him a quick kiss before Maxwell placed the blindfold over her eyes. Nervousness and excitement coursed through her as she heard him turn the doorknob. She felt his hand on her back as he led her inside the room. An odd vulnerability fell over Fran when he stepped away from her.

"Max?"

Maxwell stared at her for a moment. The speech he had mentally rehearsed during dinner disappeared. He was too excited about his gift to her. Maxwell snapped out of his reverie when he heard Fran call his name again.

"I'm sorry darling. I was lost in thought."

"Well now that you've found your way back, can I take this blindfold off now?"

"Not just yet. I've been trying to figure out the best way to reveal this to you. Fran, do you remember when we were in Sacramento and I told you I'd support you in any endeavor you'd wish to pursue?"

"Yes."

"Well since you've been taking classes, I know you need time to yourself to concentrate. You need to be somewhere without constant interruptions." He paused to draw in a deep breath. "I hope you like it."

Maxwell removed the dark cloth that shielded her eyes. Fran blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the room. When she looked around, her mouth dropped open.

The attic, which had been an unused space, had been converted into an office. It was modeled similarly to his but with softer colors and furnishings. He stood back and watched her as she moved around the room.

She ran her fingertips along the desktop. "Max, I can't believe you did this for me."

"You have everything you need right here. A notebook computer to compose your thoughts, a printer so you can see your words on a hard copy, and," he said opening the desk drawer, "disks, notepads, pencils, paper, and pens. You also have reference books and various other odds and ends to keep you focused on your craft."

Tears welled in her eyes. Her mind raced, overwhelmed by Maxwell's gesture. If it was possible to fall further in love with her husband, Fran had.

"Thank you so much. You don't know what this means to me."

"You're welcome sweetheart." He kissed her temple. "Surprised?"

She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "More than you know. I couldn't imagine what you were doing up here. I would have never thought that you were planning something like this."

"I had a phone installed that connects you with the rest of the house." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "And," he whispered softly in her ear, "there's a line that runs from my office to yours for private conversations."

Maxwell studied Fran, wondering what caused the broad smile that crossed her face as she pulled away from him and settled in the chair behind her desk.

"What?"

"I was just thinking. When you're in my office, does that mean you're going to sit on the edge of my desk with your legs crossed?"

"Darling, I don't think I look as good as you do in skirts and heels."

"I don't know," Fran replied running her fingers lightly across his thigh, "I still haven't seen you in a kilt." She rose from the chair, pressing Maxwell's lips to her own. "Oh Max, I'm sorry I ever doubted you," she said breaking their kiss. "I should have known you'd give me something so extraordinary and thoughtful. Thank you so much. I love you."

Her hands locked behind his neck as he bent his head to brush his mouth against hers. Fran felt his body shiver when she slowly threaded her tongue inside his mouth. Maxwell closed his eyes, moaning in their kiss as he encircled her body within the confines of his arms.

Unbuttoning his shirt, Fran pressed her lips against his exposed skin. She pulled his shirttail from his pants and pushed his shirt and jacket to the floor.

He turned her in his arms, wrapping his arms around her waist. He swept her hair off her shoulders, breathing in the scent of her perfume. Maxwell lowered the zipper, tracing the length of her spine.

A hedonistic thrill enveloped him as his mouth followed the path of his fingers down her bare back stopping only to unfasten the hooks of her bra. He pushed the top of her dress and bra off her shoulders, sliding his hands over her curvaceous body.

Fran held his gaze as she turned in his embrace, letting her dress and bra fall into a black puddle at her feet. He kneeled in front of her, sliding her lace panties down her legs.

She sank to the floor, pressing her body against his. Cradling his face in her hands, she toyed with his mouth until finally fusing their lips together in a passionate and gentle kiss.

Her palms wandered over his chest, moving downward until she reached his belt. Fran felt the warmth of his breath against her cheek as she unfastened his pants and slipped her hand inside to caress him.

Maxwell's breath grew shallow at each passing moment. He was almost lightheaded from anticipation, knowing that soon they would be making passionate love to one another. Fran stretched out on the carpet, lying on the nest of their abandoned clothes. Beckoning him with her arms, he finished undressing and lay down beside her.

The intensity of his gaze made her shiver. Fran could almost hear Maxwell's thoughts as his eyes and hands took in every detail of her figure. He tasted her skin, tracing the winding movements his fingers made across her body. She gasped in delight at the sensation of his tongue flattening, licking a path across her breasts.

His lips moved from one breast to the other, eagerly drawing each nipple into his mouth. His fingers continued down her body, tracing the curve of her waist and hips. Maxwell gently pushed her knees open to caress her inner thighs.

Fran's hands mirrored his movements, her fingers dancing along his warm, strong frame. She smiled wickedly when her hand wrapped around his hardness, tenderly stroking him. He stopped her, placing her hands at her sides and continued delicately stroking her body.

She gazed into his eyes as he lowered his body into hers. Throwing her head back, she thrust her hips toward him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pushing him further inside her body. He moaned as her inner muscles contracted around him. He loved the way she reacted to his touch, the way they responded to each other.

Clutching his body to her own, Fran gasped his name as shockwaves of pleasure overtook her body. Maxwell breathed her name hotly against her ear as he released himself into her. Settling beside her, he drew her into his arms.

She kissed the tip of his nose. "You're just full of surprises tonight aren't you?"

Brushing his lips against hers, he replied, "Just wait and see what else I have up my sleeve."