Maxwell awoke the next morning with a pleasant warm feeling. He looked down and saw Fran still sleeping peacefully in his arms. He dreamed of waking up with her every morning. He gently started kissing her eyes, nose and mouth. "Fran, darling! Wake up!" "Mhhhh" She blinked at him in love. This was the most beautiful start to the day! She nuzzled his chest and returned his kisses passionately. "Fran stop it!" chuckled Maxwell. "Otherwise we'll never get out of this suite." "Oh yeah, we'll call the room service and spend the whole day in this comfortable bed!" Maxwell rose and tapped her forehead, laughing. "You've got some pretty crazy ideas in that pretty smart head of yours! And as tempting as that sounds, we have a family eagerly awaiting our return, especially three kids who are looking forward to spending the day with their nanny." Fran let out a fake sigh. "Maxwell Sheffield, do you know what I don't like about you at all?" He looked at her curiously. "When you're so terribly reasonable and also right" She gave him one last kiss, gathered her clothes and went into the bathroom.
Maxwell gathered his things as well, grabbed his small bag and sauntered into the suite's second smaller bathroom. He was freshly showered, dressed and just about to comb his hair when... "Aaaaaaaaa!" A loud scream came from the other bathroom. Maxwell immediately rushed over to check. "Fran, are you alright? Did something happen?" "MAXWELL SHEFFIELD! I WILL KILL YOU!" She pushed her hair aside and pointed to her neck. There was a huge hickey. Maxwell couldn't help; he had to laugh, but immediately stopped as Fran glared angrily at him. "Now come on, it's not that bad. You just hide that thing under your hair. (He took her hair and put it over her shoulders so that the neck was covered) and at home you surely have clothes that cover the stain, besides, even I know that you can mask such things with makeup. Fran conceded, "Just promise not to eat me right away in the future!" "Gonna be hard."
When they were both ready, they left the Plaza and got into a cab. "What are we going to say at home now?" asked Fran. "I'm sure everyone's awake by now. What if someone sees me sneak in?" "Then you just say you were at Mark's house, watching a movie and you both fell asleep." Fran frown. She doubted very much if Niles and the kids would buy this story. But she couldn't think of a better idea either. When they arrived in front of the mansion, Maxwell took Fran in his arms. "I'm going to call Niles and say I'm going to have brunch with my investor." The two said goodbye to each other with a long intense kiss. "That night with you was magical! I love you!" "I love you too" Fran got out of the cab and waved at him. Then she walked towards the house. At the front door she took off her shoes. Barefoot she crept into the house and up the stairs. Without being discovered, she got into her room.
She was just about to undress when there was a knock at the door. "Fran? Are you awake already?" Fran was startled and didn't make a sound. Thank God she had locked the door. "Miss Margaret, I suppose Miss Fine got home very late last night. I'm sure she'll still be asleep. By the way, breakfast is ready." Fran waited until they were gone, then went into the bathroom to take a shower. Meanwhile, her thoughts kept slipping back to last night. It had been one of the best nights in her life. Elated, she got ready for breakfast. To be on the safe side, she put on a turtleneck sweater.
"Good morning everyone!" Cheerful in high spirits, Fran entered the dining room. She was ravenously hungry and made a beeline for the buffet. Niles watched her, puzzled. He had lain awake for a long time but had not heard when she had come home. Had she perhaps only come home this morning? But she seemed too well rested for that. And where did this exaggerated good mood come from? Against the radiance in Fran's face, even the brightest sunlight seems dark. This story with this Mark was probably getting really serious. Or was there something else behind it?" Nile's curiosity and sleuthing awakened. His best friend may kept a secret and he would uncover it.
Fran meanwhile discussed with Brighton and Maggie what they should do today. Brighton wanted to go to Central Park. There was a traveling circus there today. Maggie and Fran liked the idea too. "Okay then get ready. When Gracie gets home, we'll get going." "What about Daddy?" "Is he coming with us?" "Your father called earlier, he has a date with his investor for brunch.", Niles responded, his gaze fell on Fran. Was he mistaken or was her grin getting even wider.
Fran and the kids had been gone for a while when Maxwell came home. "Nice to see you sir! Were you successful?" "Oh that man is a pain in the ass. His ideas and expectations. But I think the effort will be worth it. Everyone says if he bounces a check, it will be a big one. Where are Miss Fine and the children?" "They're at the Central Park sir, a traveling circus is performing there today." "Oh that should be a great day for the kids. You know what Niles. I'm going to the park too, see if I can find them. Besides, I feel like some fresh air and cheerful people." Niles looked after his boss, puzzled. Since when did he feel like the circus and cheerful people and since when did he storm off to be with the kids? Granted, thanks to Miss Fine's intervention, he was spending a lot more time with the kids now than he used to in the past. But at the prospect of knowing the kids were on a field trip, he would have retreated to his office, taken advantage of the quietness and devoted himself entirely to his work. Besides, for the fact that he still hadn't received any money, he was in a surprisingly good mood. Another mystery for him to solve.