"Good afternoon Mr. Sheffield," Robert said when Maxwell entered the kitchen.

"Good afternoon Robert." Maxwell grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the refrigerator. "Do you know if my wife is home?"

"Yes sir. She and Ms. Baker are in her office."

Maxwell dropped the empty bottle into the recycle bin and made his way upstairs, stopping briefly in their bedroom to change his clothes before heading to the attic. Their laughter grew sharper as he approached Fran's office. He stood in the doorway watching the two women laughing hysterically on the couch.

They were contradictions of each other. Where Fran had long dark hair, a petite frame, and pale skin, Joanna had short curly red hair, a cinnamon complexion, and a full rounded figure. Their laughter drew his attention back to the scene before him.

"Stop it Fran! I - I can't breathe!""

"It's your fault!" Fran gasped.

"Don't blame it on me," Joanna replied. "You're the one who bought it up."

"If you hadn't asked about the time Max and I - "

"Hello sweetheart," he said stepping into the room.

He was afraid of what his wife already told her friend. By the way they were laughing, it couldn't have been good.

"Hi Max," She gave him a quick kiss. "How was your day?"

"A lot better now that I'm home. Hello Joanna, it's always pleasure to see you again."

"Hello Maxwell," Joanna replied struggling to regain her composure. "It's good to see you too."

"So, what trouble have you ladies been stirring up?"

Fran put her hands on her hips. "Max, I resent that! I do not stir up trouble."

"You've forgotten how long I've known you darling."

"Then I resent that comment," Joanna said.

Immediately he began to back track. "Joanna, I didn't mean to imply - " Joanna and Fran looked at each other then back to Maxwell. A smile slowly broke across their face. His body stiffened against their raucous laughter. "I take it that you're not upset?"

"Hardly." Joanna wiped the tears from her eyes. Glancing at her watch, she said, "Good grief, where did the time go?"

"Apparently laughing at me."

"Pay no attention to him Joanna. He's just a little grumpy."

"Fran, I am not grumpy!"

"Of course not baby," she replied patting his cheek.

Maxwell arched an eyebrow at his wife. He didn't appreciate her patronizing tone, especially in front of her friend. Sensing his displeasure, Fran kissed him until she felt him relax against her.

"As entertaining as this display of martial bliss is," Joanna said rising from the couch, "I really should be going."

"You're not staying for dinner?" Fran asked.

"I'm afraid not."

"Joanna, you're my friend and I want you to stay for dinner." Before Joanna could respond, Fran continued. "I already know you don't have anything pressing at the moment. Let your frozen dinner stay in the freezer for another night. Besides Robert is a fabulous cook. And when is the last time you had a decent home cooked meal?"

"I thought I left my mother in Baltimore."

"You know I'm right."

"Fran, you're married with five children and two grandchildren. Don't you have enough people to mother?"

"Well technically I have six children," Fran said glancing at Maxwell, "but we move on. Joanna, you're my friend and I want to stay for dinner. Please?"

"You might as well give in," Maxwell said ignoring Fran's comment. "She won't take no for an answer."

Joanna sighed. "All right, I'll stay."

"Good!" When Maxwell picked up the phone, Fran took the receiver from him. "Don't bother. I already told Robert that Joanna was staying for dinner."

"When?" Joanna and Maxwell asked in unison.

"When we came back from the bookstore."

The sun had sunk well below the horizon by the time Fran, Maxwell, Joanna, and the twins sat down for dinner. Robert made his way around the table, setting a plate in front of each person.

"Thank God the sun's set," Joanna said unfurling her napkin. "I don't need to add to my natural tan."

"Are we still meeting Wednesday to go shopping?" Fran asked as Robert poured her a glass of tea.

"Yes. Did we decide if I'm meeting you here or at the mall?"

"I though we were meeting at your place?"

"We can work it out later."

"I still can't believe how fast the holidays came around. Hanukkah will be in two weeks and before you know it, it'll be Christmas."

A shock and surprised look registered across Maxwell, Jonah, and Eve's face at Fran's statement. They all shared the same thought: where did the time go?"

"I know," Joanna replied. "I can't believe it either. You know as long as I've lived in California, I still miss Christmas on the east coast."

"I know what you mean," Fran said. "Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie grew up on the east coast so they experienced the holidays in New York but Jonah and Eve never got to really experience Hanukkah and Christmas the way I remember."

Joanna smiled. "Crisp, sharp December winds; the purity and calm of the season as snow falls over the city. I always loved how everything came to a stand still when it snowed."

"The best snow was when it was knee-deep and fluffy," Fran said. "Great for snowball fights."

"We've taken the entire family to Aspen on holiday before," Maxwell said. "We've always had a splendid time."

"I know sweetie but it's not the same as experiencing the changes in the season first hand."

"You have a point darling. Although California is beautiful, it just doesn't compare with the change in seasons like New York."

"Can we go to New York for the holidays?" Jonah asked.

"Yes daddy," Eve pleaded. "Let's go to New York"

Maxwell eyed his family suspiciously. "I would like to discuss this with your mother first if you don't mind."