Fran stood in her dressing room applying her make-up. Opening night was finally here and Fran had to admit she was a little nervous. She smiled as she looked at the card hanging on her mirror that the children made her for luck. They were so excited to come to their father's opening night for once. She laughed at the thought. 'Those kids are just the greatest,' Fran mused.
Then Fran's eyes caught the huge arrangement of red roses on her vanity. She sighed as she re-read the card again for what seemed the tenth time that evening. 'To Fran- You'll always and forever be my 'Babe.' Love, Maxwell.' That man had a way to make her just melt.
A knock on the door interrupted Fran's thoughts. "Come in," Fran responded.
"Hey, how's my star doing?" said a smiling Maxwell as he entered the room.
"A whole lot better now that my favorite leading man is here," Fran said as she got up to embrace Maxwell.
"The house is packed out there, and it looks like all of Flushing showed up to see you, sweetheart," laughed Maxwell. "Are you nervous?"
"You know, actually I am a little," Fran replied sheepishly.
"Oh, there's nothing to work about, honey. You'll be great. A wise woman once told me to take a deep breathe and relax on opening night…that everything would work out fine," Maxwell grinned.
There was another knock on the door, "Miss Fine, five minutes to curtain," yelled the stagehand.
"I guess that's my cue," Fran said. "Do I get a kiss for good luck?" she grinned.
"Why of course," Maxwell smiled as he leaned in to kiss Fran.
"You know I feel just like Barbra in 'Funny Girl,'" Fran laughed as she checked herself in the mirror one more time. "And you, of course, are my gorgeous Nicky Arnstein," she winked as she turned to meet him.
Maxwell laughed. "I love you, Fran. I'll come see you as soon as you're done." And with that Fran was ushered to the stage, and Maxwell went to join his family in the audience.
By the second curtain call the whole audience was on its feet. The play seems to be a smash hit including its leading lady. The loudest applause could be heard from the row of Fran's 'family,' who all beamed with joy for their beloved Fran and the great job she did.
The Sheffields and Fines made their way through the crowds backstage to Fran, and found her in her dressing room surrounded by cast members expressing their acclamations. As the clan moved in the cast moved out, and Fran was bombarded with hugs and kisses all around.
Maxwell was the last to get a hug, and remained with his arm around Fran afterwards. "You were superb, darling," Maxwell commented as he kissed he cheek.
"A totally believable feisty employee, Miss Fine," exclaimed Niles with a wink.
"Aww, thanks you guys," Fran gushed.
"Yeah, Fran you were awesome," Maggie exclaimed.
"I can't believe my daughter is a Broadway star! Now if she would only get married, I could die happy," said Sylvia off Fran's look.
As everyone was talking at once, one distinct voice rang out in Fran's head. As she looked towards the door she thought her eyes deceived her, but no there stood the plague of her love life, her ex-fiancé Danny Imperiali. 'Oy! What the hell is HE doing here! This can't be good,' Fran thought nervously.