It was a cold and snowy day but the weather could not bring Maxwell Sheffield down. He was at the theatre but was getting ready to leave, he was so happy so cheerful that as he put on his coat he began whistling Jingle Bells and as he walked by Chloe, who was going over some papers, she looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Maxwell apparently didn't notice because he just kept whistling, "Well Chloe, I'm off." he stated "Where are you going?" Chloe asked almost imminently. "To go Christmas shopping for my family." Max explained happily.
"Oh you didn't hear did you?" Chloe asked and suddenly Maxwell's smile turned into a frown as he asked, "Hear what?" "Well," she began, "with opening night just a few days away, we really need to get everyone and everything ready. So it looks like the only way your family is going to get the presents you bought, is if you mail them." she informed innocently. Maxwell's heart sank, he wasn't going to be home for Christmas, he wouldn't be able to see his children's faces light up as they opened their gifts, he wouldn't be able to eat the delicious Christmas dinner Niles made, and most importantly he wouldn't be able to see Fran.
"Chloe! Why wasn't I aware of this! I already told my family I would be home for Christmas!" Maxwell was now upset but Chloe tried to keep her cool, "Well just say there's been a change of plans and you can't make it. They shouldn't be that upset and neither should you, after all you were just over there for some birthday." she said sounding rude. "It was Niles' birthday, I was only there for a day so my family and myself have every right to be upset!" Max stated and then threw in "With out me this play would be a disaster!"
Chloe walked closer to Maxwell and placed her hands on her hips and threw in "With out me there would be no play!" that was true, and Maxwell knew it was so he just sighed, began rubbing his temples and thought of a way to tell Fran this bad news.