Fran laid across the bed, listening to the muffled sounds of the basketball game playing in her parents' bedroom. She reached out and pulled another Mall-o-mar from the box that lay at her side.

She could still see the stunned hurtful look in Maxwell's eyes when they last saw each other. A shudder of angst flowed through her. Fran was still in awe of the explosive feelings of anger she suppressed for the past year and a half.

If he had any feelings for me now, I'm sure I shot them straight to hell after that scene on the ferry.

Fran looked up to see her mother pushing her bedroom door open.

"Darling, I have a surprise for you. Someone's waiting to see you."

"Ma, I don't feel like company. Tell Val I'll call her later."

"Who said anything about Val?" Stepping aside, Doug moved into the doorway. "I'll just leave you two alone."

"Thank you Mrs. Fine."

"I told you before, call me Sylvia."

Doug waited until Sylvia closed the door. He turned to Fran bearing a wide yet slightly nervous grin.

"I'll bet I'm the last person you thought you'd see."

"Actually Mr. Sheffield is the last person I'd expect to see."

"I was surprised when his butler told me that you hadn't been home in the past few days. What happened between you two Fran?"

"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it."

"Ah but I do. That's part of the reason why I'm here."

"I don't understand."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Doug looked at Fran. He already knew this wasn't going to be an easy conversation but he had to tell her his thoughts.

Fran swung her legs over the edge of the bed and moved the box of cookies to the nightstand. She patted the empty space next to her on the mattress.

"Come sit and talk to me." When he settled beside her, Fran asked, "Okay, what's going on in that head of yours? What did you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to talk to you about – " He paused, gathering his thoughts together. "I wanted to talk to you about the three of us."

"Three? What three? There's a three?"

"Yes. Me, you, and Maxwell."

"Doug, – "

"Hear me out, okay Fran?"

She nodded then scooted backward until her back was flushed with the headboard. Grabbing one of her pillows, Fran leaned forward and waited for Doug to begin.

"Fran, you're my friend. You always have been and you always will be but there was always something between us that kept us from being together. Before, the software program that Eric and I were developing consumed my every waking hour. This time, it's Maxwell."

"You're wrong Doug."

"No I'm not. I knew the vague definition of your relationship with your boss troubled you. And until that's settled, you won't be able to move on. And in all honesty, you don't want to."

"You don't understand. There's nothing between Mr. Sheffield and me."

Doug chuckled. When he saw the puzzled expression on her face, he reached out and clasped her hand in his.

"That, my dear Fran, is where you're very much mistaken."

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't see the look on his face the day we went to lunch. He didn't want you to go and he couldn't very well ask you to stay."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Fran, the man loves you. He may not outwardly show it but he does."

Fran rolled her eyes and snorted. "Oh yeah, he loves me."

"I'm telling you Fran, he's in love with you."

"So I guess sending me anonymous presents is a sign of his devotion?"

"Anonymous presents?"

"Yes. He's been secretly sending me gifts."

"Oh?" Doug asked with a raised eyebrow. "How many gifts has he sent you?"

"Three. The first gift I got was a tube of Cadillac Red lipstick with a note."

"What did the note say?"

"I'd like to resume our relationship but resume was spelled like résumé."

"Why?"

"When I applied for the job, I didn't have a pen. I wrote my references in lipstick."

"That's…interesting. What was the second gift?"

"A string of black pearls."

"Was there a note?"

"I thought I lost you but you were right in front of me all along." Before he could ask, Fran explained the note. "Elizabeth Taylor came to the house. She asked me to have a bonded courier pick up her black pearl necklace that she was going to wear at a photo shoot promoting her new perfume.

Ma convinced me that it would be safer if I took them myself but I lost them when I hit my head on the divider. Eventually they were recovered."

"What was the third gift?"

"What is this, a cross examination? Am I on trial?"

Doug shook his head. "No. I'm just curious. What was the third gift he sent you?"

"He sent me a basket of bath stuff."

"Bath stuff?"

"You know shower gel, lotion, perfume, etc."

"And the note?"

"He addressed it to Nefertiti and signed it Akhenaton."

"Nefertiti and Akhenaton?"

"From the exhibit at The Met."

"I see."

He pushed himself off the bed and began to pace the floor. When he stopped suddenly, her room filled with his laughter.

"What's so funny? Would you mind letting me in on the joke?"

"I'm sorry Fran," he replied turning around. "An odd thought just popped into my head. Did you go out after each gift?"

Fran shook her head. "No. I mean after the first gift, I was waiting to meet you at the ice cream parlor and he showed up. Of course I didn't realize we didn't have a date to meet at Ciao Bella's until after I put two and two together. After I received the second gift, we went to The Met."

"And after the bath gift set, you met at the ferry. Fran, don't you see the pattern?"

She shook her head no then watched Doug run an exasperated hand through his hair. He walked quickly back to the bed and picked up her hand once more.

"You were dating."

"What?"

"It wasn't obvious but you two were dating. When he met you at the ferry, I'll bet he brought you flowers."

"He did. Blush roses."

"Fran, the man, in his own quirky way, is trying to show you that he's ready to advance your relationship to the next level."

Fran huffed, wrapping her arms tightly around the pillow in her lap.

"Yeah, okay."

"I'm serious Fran. Tell me what happened on the ferry a couple of days ago."

"We got into an argument," Fran replied. "I wanted to know why he played this silly game of toying with me emotionally instead of being up front about how he felt."

"What did he say?"

"He started talking about how disastrous my past relationships were and how when they ended I always cried on his shoulder."

"Did you?"

"Well, he's always made time to listen and comfort me when I needed it."

"Mm-hmm."

"That's beside the point! If he hadn't taken back…never mind."

"No. I want to know. What did he take back?"

Fran stared at Doug. Is there anyone left in New York that doesn't know what happened?

"Fran?"

"I'm sorry Doug. I guess I kind of got sidetracked."

"I was right! Something is going on between you two."

"Yes but not in the way you're thinking." She patted the edge of the bed again and waited for him to sit down. "We were on the way back from Paris when the airplane started experiencing trouble. We thought we were going to die.

One thing led to another and we started kissing passionately. The next thing I knew, he told me he loved me. I had been in love with him for over a year and to find out he loved me too made me so happy.

But when we got back to New York, he said he only admitted he loved me because he thought it was our last moments on earth. I was…" Fran brushed her tears away with her fingertips. "I was hurt. More than I let on. I figured if he didn't love me, I'd find someone who would."

Putting his arm around her, Doug replied, "Fran, I don't think his feelings toward you changed. He still loves you. You said yourself how devastated he was after his wife died. I'm sure that had a lot to do with it."

"It did. The kids were a factor in his decision also. He was worried that if things didn't work out between us, it would affect Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie."

"He had a valid point Fran. There was a lot more at stake than just his heart. You are the closest thing they had to a mother since their mother died."

Fran pulled out of his loose embrace. "So what are you saying? That if you were in his position you'd do the same thing?"

"No. I don't think I would. What I am saying is that I understand how he felt."

"I understand how he felt too but at least I'd be willing to take a risk."

"You love the kids right?"

"Yes."

"Would you do anything for them?"

"Of course."

"Which would you sacrifice, your life or theirs?"

"There wouldn't be a question. Their well being would come before mine."

Fran watched Doug smile as their conversation mulled in her mind. She knew where he was going. In the quiet moments alone, over the last year and a half, Fran realized the same thing but Maxwell's reluctance to admit there was something between them still broke her heart.

"I know, I know," she conceded, "but it's not like I expected him to rush out the very next day and buy me a ring. We could have dated and gotten to know each other and still not hurt the kids."

"I know. You know what else I think?"

"You're going to tell me anyway so it's not like I have a choice."

A slight grin crossed Doug's face before he continued. "I think you and Maxwell need to have a serious heart to heart talk."

"I don't know if I'm ready to see him just yet. He's probably still mad at me."

"I doubt that. He may think you hate him and never want anything else to do with him."

"I don't hate him. I can never hate him. I love him too much."

"I know. But he doesn't. Talk to him Fran. You need to work things out. I've interfered long enough."

Fran shook her head. "Doug, you didn't interfere."

"Yes I did. Not necessarily by my actions but by my words."

"I don't understand."

"I wanted to pick things up where we left off. Even though I knew you loved someone else, I told you that we'd be good together if you gave us a chance."

"Doug, – "

"Listen to me Fran. I will always care for you. And believe me if it didn't work out with you and Maxwell, I'd be the first one to come after you. But until you know for certain where you two stand, you can never move on with your life. Because somewhere deep down inside you, inside both of you, you'll always wonder what could have been."

"How did I get so lucky to have a friend like you?" Fran asked wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Just fortunate I guess." She nudged his shoulder and smiled at Doug. "Seriously Fran. I hope everything works out for you. You deserve the best."

"Thank you. You're not going to drop out of sight again are you?"

"No. I'll have to keep you updated on the mishegoss Eric and I get into."

"I look forward to hearing about it."

Doug rose from the bed. Taking her hand, he left a light kiss on her cheek.

"Good luck Fran."

"Thanks Doug."

"Morty! Answer the phone!"

Oy, I forgot what its like living with your parents. Fran snaked her arm from beneath the covers and groped the nightstand until she found the alarm clock. I should have known.

Putting the clock back on the nightstand, she turned over and pulled the covers tightly around her. As soon as she began to drift off to sleep again, Fran heard rapid tapping on her door. Trying to ignore her mother, she buried herself further down in the covers.

Opening the door, Sylvia walked over to the bed. Stopping at the edge, she reached out and began to shake Fran's arm.

"Fran...Fran, wake up."

"I'm up ma, I'm up. It's not like anyone can sleep late in this house anyway."

"It's almost twelve. What time did you go to sleep last night?"

"About four fifteen."

"Why were you up so late?"

Before Fran could reply, she heard a noise coming from Sylvia's right hand.

"Ma, what's that sound? It's low and muffled."

"What? Oh." She handed Fran the phone. "It's Val."

Sylvia stood in front of the chest of drawers, rearranging the bottles of perfume on top.

"Ma, can I have some privacy?"

"What?" Off Fran's look, Sylvia raised her hands in concession. "I'll be in the kitchen."

Fran shook her head then picked up the phone. "What's going on Val?"

"Fran, you haven't been downtown yet, have you?"

"No Val. I haven't left the apartment since yesterday."

"You need to come down to Times Square."

"Why?"

"People are all over the place trying to figure out the meaning of this huge billboard that went up overnight."

"Who's on it? Is he cute?"

"It's not a he Fran. It's a note. Just like the one that you did for Mr. Sheffield that Valentine's Day. Remember?"

Fran's intuition flared, sending a tingling sensation through her body. Somehow she knew the message on the billboard was for her.

"Val, can you see the billboard?"

"I'm standing right in front of it."

"What does it say?"

"Juliet, I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized. Romeo. I wonder who Juliet and Romeo are."

An image of her and Maxwell standing on opposite sides of the banister flashed in her mind. Fran's body shuddered, remembering the electric current that traveled between them just before their mouths met in a tender sensuous kiss.

Val's voice cracked the haze of Fran reliving the softness of her and Maxwell's kiss. She fanned her hand to quell the rising heat from her body.

"Fran, where were you? I've been calling your name for the past two minutes."

"I'm sorry Val. What did you say?"

"I said I'll call you later. The police are here to break up the crowd."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

Fran flopped backward in bed then hung up the phone. Just as her active mind began to wrap itself around the concept of who erected the billboard and why, the phone rang again. Startled by the sudden peal of the telephone, Fran jumped and clutched her hand to her chest.

"Val, what are you trying to do kill me?"

"Ms. Fine?"

"Mr. Sheffield? I thought you were Val calling me back."

"Sorry to disappoint you. Are you all right?"

"I'm okay. You?"

"I could lie and say that I'm well but the truth is that I'm not. I miss you terribly."

"Mr. Sheffield, – "

"Please Ms. Fine. Hear me out. I've wanted to call you ever since you left me on the ferry."

"So why didn't you?"

"Honestly? I wasn't sure of your reaction." Maxwell paused to gather his thoughts before he continued. "Ms. Fine, there are many issues we need to discuss and frankly I'd rather not do this over the phone. If I send the limousine for you, will you meet me?"

Fran paused. Ordinarily she would have made it difficult for him just to see how he'd squirm his way clear but she was tired of the endless game they played.

"You're right. We do have a lot to talk about."

"So you'll meet me then?"

"Yes. Give me a couple of hours."

Maxwell paced the sidewalk, trying not to check his watch again for the tenth time in the last five minutes. Even though he sent the limousine for her, it still was no guarantee that she would actually come. He stopped in mid stride and looked up to the bright December sky.

Please God, let her keep her promise to meet me. I need to explain things to her. I need her to believe that I truly and honestly love her. I want her, I need her to be by my side forever.

He caught site of the limousine as the car turned the corner. Maxwell held his breath, watching the automobile roll to a stop in front of him. His eyes followed the chauffer as he rounded the car to open the back door of the limousine.

Fran slid fluidly from the car. Thanking the driver, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she stood in front of Maxwell. Her eyes swept across his frame, noting how casual he looked in blue jeans, an olive green turtleneck, and a black leather jacket.

Oy, he looks delicious! It should be against the law to look that good!

Maxwell's eyes drank in the site of Fran's curvaceous frame, lingering at the way the electric blue sweater clung to her body down to the flare of her denim-covered hips. He blew out the breath he was holding to calm himself.

She looks breathtaking. I only hope that I can tell her everything she needs to know and hear from me.

He breathed in a subtle breath then stepped toward her. Maxwell sent up a silent prayer, hoping that he hadn't completely blown everything when they were on the ferry.

"Thank you for coming."

"I had to meet you Mr. Sheffield."

"Oh? Why was that Ms. Fine?"

"Let's just say you had me intrigued."

Offering his arm, Maxwell looked at Fran then smiled. "Shall we?"

"Yes, we shall."

A slight shiver coursed through Fran as they stepped onto the roof. Breaking free of his arm, déjà vu seeped into her body when she walked toward the front of the billboard. Her mouth fell open. Hearing about the sign was one thing, seeing it with her own eyes left her awestruck.

"Do you like it?"

Fran jumped then slapped him on the arm. "Don't scare me like that!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"It's okay Mr. Sheffield. Really. And yes I do like it."

"Are you hungry? I had Niles prepare a nosh for us."

Maxwell led Fran to a corner of the roof. Opening the picnic basket, he took out a blanket and unfurled it across the rooftop. He held out his hand and helped her down.

"Question," Fran said settling on the blanket. "When you were planning this little outing, did it occur to you that it was December and the temperature may not be conducive to having a picnic?"

"It maybe a bit brisk but it's still a beautiful day. Are you cold Ms. Fine? We can always take our picnic elsewhere."

"No I'm fine…for now. So, what's in the picnic basket?"

"Niles whipped up a few interesting dishes: shrimp and chicken lettuce wraps, cold spicy noodles, fruit salad with lemon-lime dressing, ladyfingers with strawberries and cream, cranberry-citrus vodka slush, and the optional bottled water."

"Everything sounds delish!"

While Maxwell pulled the containers from the basket, Fran arranged the plates, glasses, napkins, and utensils on the blanket. He fixed their plates, watching the gesture of her hands as she poured their drinks into the tumblers.

They discussed safe topics during lunch, skirting around the issues that lay between them. After lunch, Maxwell helped Fran seal the containers and repacked the basket.

"Thank you for lunch Mr. Sheffield. Niles really out did himself."

"It was delicious wasn't it? And you're more than welcome Ms. Fine."

An uneasy stillness blossomed between them. One corner of his mouth curved upward, forming a slight grin when Maxwell's eyes met hers.

"Would you like to go for a stroll?"

"What, up here?"

"Yes. We avoided discussing the reasons why we're meeting. I think it's time to have our talk now. Don't you agree?"

Fran nodded. "Yes, I think we need to have our talk."

Maxwell raised himself from the blanket then held out his hand and helped Fran to her feet. Taking her by the hand, they walked along the edge of the roof.

"I'm sorry about what happened the other day. It was not my intent to anger or hurt you."

"I know it wasn't. I was surprised by how much anger I had suppressed for the last year and a half."

"Not half as surprised as I was."

Fran stopped walking and waited until Maxwell turned to face her.

"And just what do you mean by that Mr. Sheffield?"

"What I mean Ms. Fine is that because we never sat down and really talked about everything, your outburst took me by surprise. And I am truly sorry that I hurt you."

"That's okay," she replied brushing the tears rolling gently down her cheek.

"No, it's not okay."

Maxwell wrapped his arms fully around her, soothing her in soft hushed tones and whispers. Tightening his embrace, he breathed a sigh of relief when she snuggled her body against his instead of breaking their embrace as she did when they were on the ferry.

"Are you all right?" he asked when her tears began to ebb.

She answered him with a watery hiccup. "I am now. I don't know why I have this habit of falling to pieces around you."

"Around me or because of me?"

"A little of both I suppose."

He tipped her chin so her eyes met his. Offering Fran a handkerchief, Maxwell smiled and brushed his fingers across her cheek.

"May I explain everything to you?"

"Please."

"May I call you by your first name?"

Fran blinked at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Really."

"What do you want me to call you?"

"Max or Maxwell, which ever you prefer."

She hesitated, trying to suppress the giddiness she felt. Flicking her tongue across her lips, Fran took a quick breath then spoke his name.

"Max?"

He laughed then left a light peck on her lips. "Yes darling?"

"Is this real? I'm not dreaming this, am I?"

"Oh yes sweetheart. This is very real. Now may I continue?"

"Yes."

Maxwell took her hand and placed it over his thundering heart. Fran looked at him and smiled.

"I'm in love with you Fran. And I have been for a very long time."

"Then why did you take it back?"

"Because I was afraid. I thought I'd never love another woman other than Sara and when I began to harbor feelings for you, it scared me. My feelings, my love for you was different from anything I felt before. You're vibrant and fun and meet life's challenges head on."

"And that made you afraid of me?"

"Yes. I was afraid your spirit, your fire would consume me. That's plenty to fear if you're a shy, conservative person."

"But now you're ready to face your fears?"

"Yes."

"What changed your mind?"

"I had a dream a few weeks ago. I was alone on a sailboat. Everything was calm and peaceful then out of nowhere a storm came up and nearly capsized the boat. Then suddenly everything was calm again and I was okay.

I started to ask you what the dream meant but somehow I knew it had to do with you. I went to a trusted friend who explained the meaning of the dream.

Remember that night I came home late? When I told you that I consulted with a colleague during the morning and spent the rest of the day researching a potential new project?"

"Yes."

"I went to see Sara. I knew I had to lay the past to rest in order to move on with our lives. I met a lovely woman named Monica at the cemetery.

As she told me about her life, it was eerily similar to my own. She told me if her friends and family had not convinced her to take a second chance at love, she would have deprived herself of a meaningful relationship."

"Sounds like you two had an interesting little talk."

"We did. What was more intriguing was my conversation with the children."

"When did you talk to them?"

"A few days after Margaret caught us in the living room." Maxwell paused, remembering his conversation with Maggie, Brighton, and Grace. "They are a lot more perceptive than I give them credit for. They've known for a long time that I loved you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was completely astounded when they said that we were married and had been for quite sometime."

Fran shook her head, awed by the quick turn of events.

"What made them say that?"

"You've escorted me to plays and premieres. We've gone on dinner dates. When I enter a room, you are the first person I look for and if you're not there I am disappointed and want to know where you are."

"They said that?"

"Yes. Although all of those examples were important, the most significant point was that you made us a family again. You have loved each of us, separately and collectively, unconditionally."

"Oh Max. I don't know what to say."

"There is one more thing concerning the children. They told me they regard you as their mother."

"Now I really don't know what to say."

Fran walked away from Maxwell. He cautiously followed her, trying to gage her reaction. He turned her by the shoulders and tipped her chin upward.

"Fran? Sweetheart, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I'm just so…so overwhelmed by everything."

"I hope that's in a good way."

Fran flung her arms around his neck. "Oh yes, it's in a very good way." She pulled back a little and stared in his eyes. "I love you so much Maxwell."

"I love you too Fran."

"I'm never going to get tired of hearing you say that."

"What? I love you or Fran?"

"Both."

Maxwell laughed then kissed her again. "Then I'll say it until I can no longer speak. And when my voice can no longer be heard, I will find a way for you to know how much you mean to me."

Cradling her face in the palm of his hands, Maxwell brushed light kisses over her face before capturing her mouth. He teased her lips with his tongue, tracing the crease of her mouth.

Their heated moans resonated between them. Maxwell pulled away from her, trying to control his labored breathing. Resting his forehead against hers, he drew Fran back into his arms.

"See what you do to me? You make me forget that I am a proper gentleman. A gentleman would never publicly take advantage of a woman he's courting. You have besotted me with your charm and beauty."

Fran pulled slightly away from him. Arching her eyebrow, she murmured his name in a luscious, carnal growl.

"Mr. Sheffield..."

"I'd rather hear you speak that way using my first name."

"That can be arranged."

"We still have some things we need to discuss."

Sliding her fingers down his back, Fran asked, "Are you trying to distract me?"

"No. I'm trying to distract myself from the unchaste thoughts I have of you."

"Okay, but we will get back to the naughty thoughts running through that head of yours."

"Definitely."

He took her hand in his and they continued their walk along the length of the roof. After a while, Maxwell released her hand and slipped his arm around her waist. When they had nearly completed the perimeter of the roof, Fran stopped walking.

"How long are we going to pace the roof before we finish talking?"

"Actually I was trying to figure out how to start." Maxwell sighed then looked at Fran.

Brushing her hand across his cheek, Fran said, "Just tell me."

"All right. The night when Margaret interrupted us, you asked me a question. Do you remember what it was?"

"Not really. We've said a lot of things since that night."

"You said you understood how embarrassing it was to be caught by one of the children. That the only thing we were doing was kissing."

"I remember now that you mentioned it. You said it was a lot more than kissing and when I asked you what it was, you didn't answer."

"Because I couldn't answer how I wanted to. I wasn't prepared for your response."

"But you are now?"

Strands of gray and black curled around his fingers as Maxwell slid his hand through his hair.

"Yes. It was a lot more Fran. We were embarking upon our first time together. We were about to make love."

"I don't understand. Why couldn't you have told me that?"

"Are you telling me that if I said that, you would have just dropped everything? I didn't want to drop everything. Having Margaret catch us the way she did changed everything."

"I know that Max. What do you think I am, some sex starved floozy that would disregard her child and pursue her own pleasure? I thought you knew me better than that Maxwell Sheffield!"

He held his hand to his temple, attempting to quell the dull throbbing in his skull.

"That's not what I meant Fran. I'm sorry. I do know you. I know you'd never neglect the children in any fashion. I guess what I'm trying to say, rather awkwardly, is that if we had made love that night it would have changed our relationship. I readily admit that I wouldn't have been prepared for that transformation."

"I know."

Fran took his hand and laced their fingers together. She glanced up and watched a myriad of emotions dance in his eyes.

"It's okay Max. I understand. Truly I do. And you're right. If we had slept together that night, everything between us would have changed. I don't want our first time together to be rushed or awkward."

She slid her arms around his waist, still holding his olive gaze.

"When I have you in my bed, in my arms, I want everything to be perfect. Or damn near close to it."

"You seem awfully confident Ms. Fine," he replied swaying with her gently in his arms.

"Oh believe me Mr. Sheffield, I know. It's no longer a matter of if; it's a matter of when."

He leaned into her and seized her mouth with his. "I love you Fran."

"I love you too Max."

Maxwell drew first her top then her bottom lip into his mouth before pressing his lips fully to hers. Tangling his fingers in her hair, he felt Fran's body shift.

Tilting her head, she parted her lips in invitation and coaxed his mouth open with her tongue. Hums of pleasure sounded in his throat as Fran explored the depth and crevice of his mouth.

His tongue furled around hers, escalating the intensity of their kiss. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Maxwell drew her body into his. As she pressed herself into his body, a reminder of where they were flashed in his mind.

"We need to stop," Maxwell said breaking their kiss. His breathing came in rough, labored patches.

"You're right. This isn't exactly the right time or place to do this."

"This is your fault you know."

Fran drew back and stared at him. "What? Why would you say that?"

"Because you're too damn irresistible."

"Excuse me, you resisted me before. Why the sudden change now?"

"Resisting you before was a sign of my fear and stupidity. It's a mistake I hope to rectify in the near future."

"I certainly hope so."

"There is one other thing I'd like to discuss with you sweetheart."

"What's that Max?"

Maxwell looked at Fran. The last thing he wanted to do was make her angry but he needed to know where they stood.

"Fran, I want…I need to know…do you have any feelings for Mr. Abrams?"

"He's my friend Max."

"Do you love him?"

"I do love him but only as a friend. You're the one that I'm in love with. Nothing or no one can change that."

"So there's really nothing between you?"

"For God's sake Max, stop beating a dead horse! I have been in love with you for over three years. How many times do I have to say this to you? I could date a thousand men but none of them can make me feel the way you do.

None of them can compare to you. I love everything about you. Your warmth, your smile, your compassion, your odd quirks. I love the way you say my name whether it be in a fit of anger or a fit of passion. Even the things that drive me crazy make me love you all the more."

Fran blew out a sigh and stared at Maxwell. The merriment in his eyes spilled into the grin plastered on his face.

"What?"

Taking her hand, he pulled her to him. "If I had to list every reason why I love you, we'd be here forever. But know this: I will love you Fran Fine until the last breath is drawn from my body. And even then my love for you will continue for eternity."

"Oh Maxwell, that's so sweet."

The back of Fran's hand caressed his jaw. She pressed her mouth to his and left a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Why did you change your mind the other night?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You were going to kiss me in my bedroom the other night but you changed your mind. Then when we were standing in the hallway, you kissed me. So why did you change your mind?"

Maxwell combed the stray threads of hair from her face.

"I wanted to kiss you desperately but Niles or one of the children could have walked in on us. I didn't want a repeat of what happened with Margaret."

"Then why did you kiss me in the hallway? It was riskier than being in my bedroom."

"You're right. It was riskier. I know my logic didn't make sense but I couldn't have left you without giving you a small token of my affection."

"Max that was no ordinary kiss in the hallway. That was the kind of kiss that leads to other things."

"I wanted to go further but the children were home. As much as I love you and as ready as I am to take our relationship to the next level, we still have to set a proper example for them."

"I understand what you're saying Max but when it first happened, your actions confused me."

"I know. I apologize for sending you mixed signals yet again."

Maxwell wrapped his arms around her waist and left a slight kiss on her lips.

"You don't know how hard it was for me not to press your body against the wall and place feverish kisses across your face, your lips, and down the column of your throat."

Fran pulled back slightly and fanned herself with her hand.

"Hoo-ha! You know sweetie, we have a little privacy up here. Want to have a little fun?"

His mouth dropped open in shock. "Fran!"

"You are just so cute when you blush!"

A shy boyish smile graced his features. Lowering his eyes, Maxwell met her mouth with a hesitant kiss that gradually turned frenetic. He pulled away from Fran before the electricity of their kiss consumed him.

"That's one of the many things I love about you Fran."

Fran looked at Maxwell and smiled. "What do you love about me?"

"I love your sense of humor and your compassion. The way you love with your entire being but most importantly, I love your willingness to forgive." Maxwell caressed her mouth in a soft kiss. "Thank you for forgiving me for hurting you Fran."

"Max, are you willing to love me openly, honestly, and with your whole heart?"

"Yes."

"Then you're already forgiven." Returning his gentle kiss, Fran asked, "Do you want to know one of the things I love about you?"

"Of course darling."

Fran drew her arms around him and snuggled against his lean, muscular frame. Nuzzling his neck, she breathed in the scent of his cologne.

"I love the simple pleasure of being held in your arms."

A gentle breeze danced around them, as they stood securely enveloped in each other's arms. Fran raised her head from the crook of his neck when an internal nudge rousted her from the haven of his embrace.

"Maxwell?"

"Yes Fran?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course sweetheart. What do you want to know?"

Fran walked away from him and sat on the edge of the roof. She patted the space next to her and waited for Maxwell to sit down.

"I'm not really sure how to ask this question."

"That's all right darling," he replied lacing their fingers together. "Take your time."

Drawing a light breath, she said, "When Doug and I were talking the other day, we discussed my – our relationship."

"What, yours and mine?"

"Yes. I told him about the gifts and the couple of times we went out. I didn't put everything together. He did. And what he told me surprised me."

Maxwell resisted the urge to pull away from Fran. He swallowed nervously; fear began to sink into his being.

"What did he tell you Fran?"

"Doug told me that we – that you and I had been dating. Were we dating?" He hesitated, unsure of Fran's reaction. "I'm not mad Max, I just need to know if it's true."

"Fran you know I'm a structured person. I need to have things done in a particular manner. But you're not. As I said before you meet life's challenges head on. You're spontaneous and vibrant and fun and that's why I love you. I wanted to do something…unique. I thought you'd appreciate my inventiveness."

"I do appreciate your originality Max, really I do. I just wish you told me we were dating."

"That would have ruined my surprise. I wanted to do something to you that you've done to me from the moment I met you."

Fran arched her eyebrow. "What's that?"

"Catch you off guard."

Maxwell tugged lightly on Fran's hand and pulled her into his arms. He captured her lips with a light peck then tightened his arms around her.

"Well you certainly did that with the notes and gifts you gave me." Returning his kiss, Fran continued. "It wasn't until after the third gift did I realized the significance of your notes."

"Did I impress you?"

"More than you know. I know you're an artistic person professionally but it's such a turn-on to see the personal side of your creativity."

Claiming her mouth in a series of gentle kisses, Maxwell replied, "Fran, you haven't seen all of my creative abilities."

"And I'm looking forward to the day when I see that side of you – up close and very personal."

Framing her hands around his face, Fran met his mouth in a passionate kiss. She slid her hand across his jaw, tunneling her fingers through his curly tresses. She felt the slim digits of Maxwell's hand trace the curve of her hip stopping at her waist.

He couldn't think properly. His mind filled with the ungentlemanly idea of taking her under the clear December sky. Maxwell felt her body tremble and he briefly wondered whether it was from the chilly afternoon air, her desire for him, or a combination of the two.

Breaking free from her fervent spell, Maxwell gazed into her dark hypnotic brown eyes.

"I love you Fran. I am consumed by you to the very core of my soul."

"I love you too Maxwell. More than I can ever say." With a final kiss, Fran whispered, "Take me home."