Watching their family skate across Rockefeller Center, Fran snuggled against Maxwell, drawing herself into the warmth of his body. As an early Christmas present, Maxwell flew the entire family as well as their butler and maid to New York for the holiday.

Once they settled into the townhouse, the entire family toured Manhattan and Queens. Fran, Maxwell, Grace, Maggie, and Michael delighted in showing Jonah, Eve, Sara, and MJ the sights and sounds of their heritage.

Although many things in the city had changed, the essence of the city remained the same; New York would always be home. The children's voices and laughter wafted in the crisp December air as they glided over the ice.

Tightening his embrace, Maxwell asked, "Is that better sweetheart?"

"Well I'm not as warm as I'd like to be but it'll due for now." Turning in his arms, Fran kissed him on the cheek.

"There's always tonight Ms. Fine."

"Mr. Sheffield, you're making me blush!"

"That's not the only thing I want to make you do."

Maxwell captured her mouth with his. Their kiss deepened, losing themselves in their own private bliss until they heard Jonah's voice.

"Mom and dad, do you have to do that in public? Geez!"

"I will kiss your mother whenever and wherever I bloody well please! If you don't like it, that's your problem."

Jonah moved away from his parents, grumbling about their behavior.

"What a difference sixteen years makes. Who would have thought that you would openly display your love for me? What's gotten into you?"

"You, my beautiful and lovely wife."

"Well in that case, I can't wait to get you home!"

"Shall we leave the children and get a jump start on our activities? Grace, Margaret, and Michael know how to find their way home. And we'll have the house to ourselves."

"You make it very difficult to argue against your logic Max."

Stroking her cheek, Maxwell asked, "Shall we?"

Fran nodded. "Yes, we shall."

Grace skated over to her parents. Before Maxwell spoke, she said, "We'll be all right daddy. Just make sure you send the limo back for us."

He kissed his daughter's cheek. "We will."

Maggie and Michael made their way over to Grace as they watched their parents walk arm and arm to the limousine. Leaning against Michael, Maggie said, "They look great together, don't they?"

"They sure do," Michael replied. "I just hope we're like them when we get to be their age."

"Something tells me that won't be a problem for either of you," Grace replied.

Maggie tried to swat her sister on the arm but she moved out of reach. "Gracie!"

"Ha ha, too slow!" she replied, skating away from Maggie.

She followed Grace, skating furiously to catch up to her sister. Michael shook his head and followed his wife. Jonah and Eve joined in the chase while Sara and MJ stopped skating and watched as their parents, aunts and uncle fell into a pile in the center of the ice, laughing hysterically. Sara looked at her brother and shrugged her shoulders. They resumed their skating, both wondering why adults were so silly sometimes.

Fran and Maxwell entered the townhouse shortly after ten. Before she stepped over the threshold, he tugged her arm and pointed at the mistletoe placed above of the entryway.

"You know this means you are required by law to kiss me."

She arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And just where is this law written?"

"I don't know." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Somewhere in the Constitution I believe. Now are you going to comply or do I have to put you under house arrest?"

"Hmm. House arrest sounds kind of interesting."

"Yes, you're restricted to the bedroom. Or maybe the kitchen, my office, - "

"Just shut up and kiss me."

"I can do that too."

Fran closed her eyes as Maxwell's lips brushed against hers. Her hands combed through his hair as he pressed his mouth harder to hers.

"I want you," he whispered against her ear, pushing his body into hers. He felt Fran's moan as his lips traced her collarbone. The cool December air kissed her skin as Maxwell began to lift edge of her sweater.

Brighton paused when he entered the living room, shocked by the sight of his parents in the doorway. Clearing his throat, he said, "You know you two could be arrested for indecent exposure." They broke apart as Brighton's laughter echoed in the room.

Fran moved from Maxwell's embrace, smoothing down her clothes. She ran over to her son, wrapping her arms around him.

"B! What are you doing here?"

"Mom, please," he said as she covered his face in kisses. "I'm happy to see you too but you're suffocating me."

"I'm sorry honey. It's just that I didn't think you'd make it home for the holidays."

"Filming wrapped up earlier than expected."

Maxwell took Fran's coat and hung it in the closet with his own. "Welcome home Brighton."

"Thanks dad. Where is everyone?"

"We left them at Rockefeller Center," Fran replied. "So tell me, what's new? What's going on? How's Laurie?"

"Sweetheart, he just got home. Let him settle in before you start giving him the third degree."

"Max!"

"Actually I am kind of tired," Brighton said.

"Oh," Maxwell said, attempting to hide his disappointment. "I guess you want to rest for a while."

Remembering what he interrupted, Brighton replied, "I'm not that tired. I think I'll hop in a cab and see if I can catch up with everyone."

"Take the limo. We promised Grace that we'd send it back to collect them."

"Great. We'll kibitz later mom. I promise." He kissed her cheek and left the house.

"Don't worry sweetheart," Maxwell said guiding Fran up the stairs. "Brighton will talk to you when he's ready."

"You think I was pressuring him don't you?"

"Of course you were. You're his mother." Her eyes widen in shock, horrified by his words. "It's okay. He understands and loves you all the same."

She folded her arms across her chest. "What is that some kind of backhanded complement?"

"No darling, it's not a complement," he replied as they moved down the hallway. "It was the truth. I know how much you like the kvell about the children and what they do in their lives but there are times when you need to curb your yenta impulse. He'll come to you when he's ready to talk. He always has."

Fran faced him as they entered their bedroom. "So what are you saying Max?"

Maxwell locked the door. He stripped the turtleneck from his body, tossing it on the ottoman and began working on the fixtures of his pants.

"That you've sharpened your Sylvia skills?"

She popped him in the arm. "Do you have any idea how angry I am with you Maxwell Sheffield?"

"I have a pretty good idea," he replied drawing her into his arms. "Let me make it up to you."

Maxwell left a trail of gentle kisses along her shoulders as he began to undress her. She tried to stay angry with him but her irritation slowly melted into desire. Fran captured his mouth as he swept her into his arms and carried her across the room.

Placing her in the center of their bed, Maxwell brushed his lips across her jaw and whispered, "Bei mir bist du shayn."

"I love it when you speak Yiddish," she replied kissing his throat. "It's such a turn on."

"I know. Why do you think I do it?"