Later that night, everyone was at the Sheffield house sitting around the table, except Niles who was still severing, eating and talking. Jenn and Michelle, Niles and CC's 11 year old daughter, were talking about a guy they saw at the airport, Jonah and Eve and Niles and CC's 6 year old twins, Lauren and Joey were talking about well, the silly stuff kids their age talk about, Niles and CC were arguing in where to go for their anniversary, while Fran just sat there picking at her food.
"There is no way we are going to Washington for our anniversary!" CC argued with Niles. "Why it's nice, simple, quite, close enough to home…" he stated. "But I've already been there. Plus it's not romantic!" she said which made him smile "Then we'll make it." "No!" CC said ending the Washington conversation Niles looked at Fran who was looking very depressed. "Fran are you alright? You've been awfully quite and you've barely touched your food. Are you feeling sick?" Niles asked with a concern tone. "Hmm?" Fran asked not remembering what he had asked her something, "Oh yeah I'm fine."
Niles looked at her questiontly "Really." She said. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're depressed because you miss Maxwell." CC said and then having a sip of her drink. "Well of course I miss Max, He's my husband" she started, "But that's not why I'm "depressed" it's cause I saw the final episode of The Nanny, ya know how much I love that show…" her voice started to squeak, which everyone knew she was trying to hold back tears, "especially that Charles Shaughnessy, who looks so much like Maxwell." Niles hugged her softly.
"I don't know how you can watch that show, that woman's voice is so nasal." CC said trying to start another conversation. Over the years CC and Fran, became better friends than they were before. "Really? I find it soothing." Fran said in her normal voice, CC's plan had succeeded and Niles joined the conversation, "Well I think Fran Dresher is great, but my vote goes to Lauren Lane." "I've been told I look like her." CC said. "By who Sammy?" Fran asked playfully, and then she and Niles high fived each other as CC glared at them.
Fran smiled "See I'm fine. I don't need to hear Max's voice in order to live." "I guess." was the response that she got from the two. Just then the phone rang and Fran stood up right away. "That's him! I'll get!" she said while running into the kitchen. Once she got there she picked up the cordless off the island and answered the phone. "Hello?" she said into the phone. "Hello darling," Max said into the phone from his hotel room, across the country. Fran smiled "Hi sweetie! How's it going?" she was so happy to hear his voice, and wished she could see him too.
"Well actually, I just got in right now, and I wanted to check up on you before I took a nap." He explained
Fran's smile faded a little but was still there, "Oh well we're all fine. But I miss you."
"I miss you too, but I've really got to go sweetheart I've got a meeting in thirty minutes."
Fran's smile was now completely gone, "Oh ok, well I call ya later…"
Max interrupted her, "Um you know what darling we're going to be swamped with work so I'll call you alright?"
"Um ok" Fran said wondering why he wouldn't let him call her.
"Oh and don't forget we're having an exterminator come over to check the house out on Tuesday" Max added.
"Ok." Fran said still thinking, "Well I've got to go, love you." Max said interrupting her thoughts, "Love you too" was her response. She then hung up leaned on the island and sighed.