2 More Months Later...
December
Fran, woke up at around 7'O clock. She got up, donned her robe, and went downstairs to make hot chocalate and coffee. When, she got there, a person was already a person there. She slowly made her way down the stairs slowly.
" Uh Niles?", she said.
" Yes, Miss. Fine!", he said.
She drew a breath.
" I'm gald it's you! I thought it was...Anyway, what are you doing?".
" I suspected, you'd be up early. So, I'm gonna make hot chocalate and cinnamon buns, and i thought that, while you guys are doing ppresents I can make waffles, and fruit with Mr. Sheffield's 2 boiled eggs and toast".
" Why is that excatly?", Fran asks, " Why does he love his 2 boiled eggs and toast?".
" No-one know per say".
Fran makes a face. " How could YOU a yenta, not know why your best friend, for uh FOREVER like 2 boiled eggs and a piece of toast", Fran says her hands on her hips.
Niles was grabbing the ingredients for the coffee, hot chocalate and waffles.
" How'd you know I was his friend his whole life?", Niles asked.
" The Sunday, I rushed past you, sorry by the way, that morning he called and asked if we were still coming? I made a joke and asked if Brighton could join us. So, he told me the reson he was up so, early on a Sunday and, he told me that he loved theatre in London. He said, you, his butler was there through it al. I said, your not really a butler, your basically his brother, his best friend".
She shrugged.
"Thank you, Fran. It's nice to know someone cares about Niles", he said, half jokingly.
" Oh, come here", she motioned him into a hug.
They hugged.
" Don't you sare think, that these people don't care about you. They love you! My son, my son think your funny, when you zap Babcock with a zinger. I would love to see that but, I have work. They might not say they love you, but trust me. They do, and your the best friend any girl could've asked for".
She broke the hugand wiped his eyes with her thumbs.
" I think your the best friend that any butler or anyone could have", Niles said.
" Thank you", she said, " Now, we got food to make!".
" I'll make the waffles and cinnamon buns, if you make the coffee and hot chocalate", Niles said, happily.
" Bring it on!".
So, Niles made breakfast and Fran made the drinks. They also had another conversation over coffee. After, they shared a laugh Fran, glanced at the clock. 7:40am.
" I think ther's a " I Love Lucy" marathon comes on TV Land every Christmas", Fran said, " We still have 20minutes".
" OK, come on".
So, they went in the living room, and turned on TV Land. 20 minutes of laughter, was had between the 2 friends.
" You know Max, helped out alittle on the tree, but mostly produced", Fran said, hiding a laugh.
" Well, he is a producer", Niles said.
Fran laughed.
" What was so- OH!", Niles said.
They both laughed.
" Ok, you go get everyone up, and I'll got get the choco and coffee for presents".
" K".
So, Fran walked to the stairs, and Niles toward the kitchen. She wento to Maggie's room and no-one was there. She next went to Brighton's room, and the 3 eager teenagers were in there excited and happily awake.
" Kids?", Fran said.
" YES".
" What are you doing up so early?".
" Mom, it's Christmas. Need I say more?", Steven said.
" OK, smartypants! Wait here, I'll go get Gracie up and, and you'll go downstairs and eat cinnamon buns with niles while, I'll wake your parents".
" OK", the teenagers said.
She thought for a moment.
" You guys go downstairs. USE THE BACK STAIRS! Gracie, should wake your parents up it IS Christmas!".
She smiled.
" Ok, Fran. Merry Christams. Love you!", Maggie and Brighton said, running outta the room.
" Mom, love you. Merry Christmas", Steven said, hugging his mother tightly.
" I love you more! Merry christmas sweetheart. Go downstairs", she said, returning the hug.
She patted his back, and he was turnring the corner to go downstairs.
She sighed, and left the room. She walked down the hall to Gracie's room. When, she got there Gracie just opened her little eyes. She picked her up, and put her on her hip.
" Hey, little one. How'd you sleep?", Fran said.
" Good, breakfast!".
" OK, breakfast later, angel. Wanna see mommy and daddy?".
" Mommy, daddy!".
" Ok, I'll take that as a yes. Let's go!", Fran said.
She tickles Gracie. She walked outta the room, and walkedto the master bedroom. She knocked on the door. Nothing. She knocked again. Nothing. she carefully opened the door, peeking inside. She looked toward the bed. 2 figures. She put Gracie on the end of the bed, so she could crawl to where her parents were. She stood up on the bed, and jumped up and down.
" Mommy! Daddy! Breakfast!", racie shouted while, jumping up and down.
Max and Sarah lay up on the bed. " Hello, sweetheart. Ready for breakfast? Are we?", Max asked, Gracie in his arms.
" Looks like it", Sarah, said turning on the lights.
" Uh, weird", Fran thought, " but little Gracie is to precious".
She cracked into a giggle.
" UH, OH why did I giggle so loud!", she whishphered to herself.
" Good morning you two! Merry Christmas!Breakfast, presents are ready! Little one, needs to get dressed. If, you want I can get her dressed, while you two get dressed. Sarah, I saw the same negliee in green at Victoria Secret. There's a 2 for one sale. That'll look great for you because Max's eyes are the color green", Fran said.
She giggled. She went to the bed, grabbed little Gracie and left the room. when, Fran was outta the room Sarah turned to Max.
" What!", Max said.
" She said that because...", Sarah said, arm crossed above her chest.
" Maybe, that' a way of giving you a hint of your christmas present".
That's a laugh. She's falling for you. You blind brit! and why would she mention a neligee infront of Gracie!".
" Sarah, it was a slip of the tougue. I'll talk to her!".
Max went to the bathroom, to brush his teeth.
" I'm losing my husband", she thought.
Fran, on the other hand was happpily singing to Gracie. she got her outfit and begin to sing, "Never Knew I Needed", By: Ne-Yo.
" Your the best thing I never knew I needed, and when you were here, I had no idea. Your the best thing I never I needed. Now, it's so clear, I need you here. Away".
She finished dressing Gracie and did the fart thing with your mouth on her little belly. she took her, picked her up, and went downstairs. No-one was in the kitchen, but everyone was in the dining room talking about presents!
" I hope I get alot of books! Especially, romance drama!", Maggie said.
" I LOVE romance drama! I have a collection at home. I'll show you one day", Fran said.
" I hope I get historical fiction. I love stories that have events from history but, it's not the atcual thing", Steven said.
" I just recently got in anime. the violence, the betrayal, the designs of the characters. Awesome!", Brighton said.
" I hope I get a recipe book for all the seasons. So, it recipes you can make acording to the season", Niles said grinning.
" What book do you want Gracie?", Fran said.
" Picture!".
The table erupted in laughter.
" If I would've known I would told the other two to get you all some books", Fran said, jokingly.
" We have books. Right?".
" Sorry, I didn't know you guys wanted them".
They hung their heads.
" Can we open them, Fran?", Brighton asked.
" No, sweetie. We have to wait for your parents".
Max and Sarah walks in the room, smiling.
" and here they are. Go grab the coffee. Teenage, little, and grown up people wanna open gifts", Fran said.
They walked and got some coffee.
" Ok, come on. Into the living room", Max said.
Everyone, ran to the living room, Gracie ran to. When, they got to the living room, they stoped in their tracks. there was a mountain of presents, all around the massive tree.
" Why are you guys standing here? That's a moutain? Hello?", Fran said.
The adults wallked to the couch to watch their children open presents. Brighton, and steven got new MP3's with 3,000 songs on it from Max, Maggie got a new phone from Sarah, and Gracie got a new teddy bear holding a box of Godiva chocalate from... Fran! Niles,got some new engraved oven mitts from Fran, a big check from Max, and new spices from Sarah. Fran got a basket of bath and shower gels from Max, nothing from Sarah, and a new Billy joel cd from Niles. Sarah got a olive grren nelige from Fran, a pair of saphire earrings from Max, and new perfume from Niles. Max got a watch from Fran's Uncle stanley's pon shop, engraved cufflinks from Niles, and new colonge from Sarah. The children looked at the present and, didn't see one book.
" Uh, you know, we're happy about all the stuff but, where's the..." Brighton was cut off by Fran.
" Books! I'll be right back", Fran said, jumping off the couch.
She went upstairs, 2 at a time, and got 4 envelopes. She cameback downstairs, with those 4 envelopes in hand.
" Everyone Fran is VERY,VERY smart!", Fran said.
Sarah, laughed alittle to loudly.
" What's that mom?", Steven said.
Fran rolled her eyes at Sarah.
" These are envelopes".
" Fran, we know that. I think he was wondering what was inside the envelopes?", Max said, smirking.
Fran gave him a glare.
" Merry Christmas! Guys, and girls", Fran said, handing the 3 teenagers their envelopes.
" Come here, Gracie", Fran, said holding her arms out jumped into them.
Gracie ran to Fran, and literally jumped into her arms.
Niles had a idea.
" Maggie, Brighton, and Steven. Wait, I have a game. On, 3 you 4 open your enevlopes together!", Niles said.
" 1...", Niles said.
" 2...", Fran said.
" 3...!", Max shouted.
The 3 teenagers tore open their enevlopes, and dropped their jaws. Gracie needed Fran's assitance but, she hugged Fran around her neck.
" Thank you, Fannie", Gracie said.
Fran hugged her back.
" Your welcome. sweetie. Now, go hug your daddy, he helped put money on the cards", she told the little one.
Fran hugged Maggie, Brighton, and lastly, Steven.
" Thanks, mom. I can't wait to buy more novels for my bookcase!", Steven said, hugging his mother.
" I'm happy you like it. I always see you reading. You will do great things one day, because of it", Fran said.
She looked at Maggie, Gracie, and Brighton.
" You all, will do good things one day".
" I thought it would be a great idea to go book shopping tommorow", Maxwell said, getting up to stand next to Fran was sitting.
" Awesome!". Brighton said.
" Epic!", Steven said.
"...Epic!", Maggie said, looking around to look for approval of the word.
They all nodded.
Fran smiled and stood up.
Max took her seat.
" Well, present are over. So, Niles is it breakfast?", she asked.
" Yes, it is. Everyone, in the ding room. Fran, will you help me serve?", Niles asked.
" Why, yes", Fran anwsered.
" Fran, you don't have to-", Max begin.
She put up her hand to silence him.
" Niles, looks like he has fun and he needs some help from time to time", Fran said, following Niles to the kitchen.
Max shrugged.
He ushered everyone into the dining room.
Once, they were in the kitchen, they both washed their hands, and put the food on everyone's plates. Fran took extra special care of Maxwell's plate. Niles watched her as she done this. Sarah plate had to be taken care of by Niles. Fran swore she would definitely spit in it. It took 5-10 minutes to get everything assembled. Niles, went out then it was Fran. Fran gave Max and Steven their plates, and Niles gave Sarah and Maggie their plates. Fran went back in thhe kitchen and grabbed her, and Gracie's plate, and went out to be with everyone.
" So, what is everyone doing today, on CHRISTAMS!", Brighton said.
" I'm taking a bath after breakfast using my new gels. I wanna see how they smell", Fran said, cutting a piece of her waffles.
" I'm listening to my new MP3", Brighton said.
" I'm doing the same" Steven said.
" I'm re-read one of my books in my bookshelf", Maggie said.
" That's what I hate about books! I love new adventres, new movies in my mind", Fran says to Maggie.
" Is the christmas Day Parade on?", Sarah asks.
" I believe it goes off at different times", Fran says.
" Well, I know what I'm gonna do", Max says.
" go in your office, and work", everyone said in unison.
" Play!", Gracie said.
" Well, I think i'm play with Gracie", he said.
" Good!", Fran said, " That awesome. A father, and a daugther playing together. Be sure, to use your mouth and do, the fart noise on her belly. She absoulutely loves that!".
" Eww! fart on her belly! Gross!", Steven says.
" No, parents always use their mouths to make a fart noise on the little children's belly", Max explained.
" Dad, I bet Steven still think that's weird!", Maggie says.
" Thank Mags! Yea, that did sound really weird!", Maggie says.
" I used to do that to you until, you were 4!", Fran said.
Maggie and Brighton burst into laughter.
" Mom!", Steven exclaimed.
" What", Fran said, " Fran said, getting up to go to the kitchen, " I did! I'm going upstairs, goodbye. See you all later!".
She went to the kitchen, rinised her dish, and went upstairs all but only to go back downstairs using the front grabbed her basket of bath and shower gels, and goes back upstairs to the guestroom. She open the basket and,sniffs the gel.
" How does he know!", she thought, she looks at the door, " That sweet,sweet man".
She grabs the Key Lime Pie bubble bath and puts it in the bathroom. She went to her bag, and grabbed her notepad and pen.
" Dear Boss,
I, Francine Fine, would enjoy very muchto write stories a0bout my life. I'll use fake names. I can't write just a colunms anymore. I've grown as a writer, please give me one chance. You will not be disappointed, at all.
-Fran Fine( columnist)"
She read over it a couple times, and balled it up. She went to start her bath. Her relaxing bath was ready. She slowly slid in. She closed her eyes.
" Mysterious man", Fran thought, " but, Sarah gonna be a problem. I wish...nah! I would never but, it Christmas. BACK TO MAX,FRANCINE! He make everyone, smile. He makes a boy,...smileand I love that! It's kinda easy to tell him thing I' can't tell Danny and Val! I have to call him, haven't spoken to him in 4 months! Yeah,, I'll do that when I get out in 30-40minutes!".
She closes her eyes, and quickly falls asleep. 1 hour later, she still sleep and, Max comes up to find her.
He taps on the bedroom door.
" Fran. Fran?", he says.
He carefully open the -one. He hears music, from the bathroom. He walks to the bathroom. He walks to the bathroom, and knocks. No-one anwsers. He knocks again. No-one anwsers. He carefully opens the door. He walks to the radio and, listens to the playing, " Skyscraper", By: Demi Lovato was playing. Surprisingly, he knew that song, but he turned the radio off. He sigh. He turned around around see Fran with her eyes closed. He didn't know whether she was sleep, or just totally relaxed. He was just admiring her, just thinking she was a vision of loveliness.
" She's so beautiful. Even, without makeup on", he thought, " She might think this creepy , but oh how I wish, she was mine. If your falling in love with me then, show me. Maybe, not now but, in the distant future".
He walked over to her, and rubbed her arm gently.
" Fran, Fran. Wake up", he said.
She laughed.
" Stop! You know I'm ticklish! ", she said, alittle to loudly.
She went right back to sleep.
" Fran. Your starting to prune!", Max exclaimed.
Her eyes fluttered open, and smiled.
" Hi, what's up?"she said, sleppily.
" Nothing, just admiring your beauty", he thought to himself.
" Nothing, wondering what was taking you so, long but now I see!", he said, eying her body.
Fran followed whre his eyes was staring and, noticed he was staring at her!
" MAX!", she screamed, " GET OUT!".
He rushed out, of the bathroom. He stayed in the room though. He sat on the bed, smirking a werid...smirk? He sat there for a minute, looking around the room, until, he noticed a notepad. He flipped page after untill, he crossed a poem.
What Love is to me?
What is love to me?
Dany made a poem of it
That's what he thinks of it
What love is to me, is this?
Love to me is just talking to each other for no reason at all
Love is loving every second with the one you love and crying when your apart
Love is not not physical, but mental knowing everything about the other
Love is talking great things about the other when, they're there or not
Love is you, and me. Our friendship.
Love is everything we are, everything we've become. That we've become together
Love is every adventre we've taken together whether it's Hong Kong, Paris or, Central Park
Our love is one thing I'd like to call PRICELESS!
Max smiled.
" She good ", he thought. Then, he looked at the notepad, " Really good!"
That's when she came out, a towel around her hair and body.
" So, what the real reason your here, person?", she asked as she went over to the makeup table.
" I was curious on what was taking you so, bloody long", Max said.
" I was taking so long, because I was thinking and enjoying a relaxing long bubble bath. Haven't done that since Steven was born. they feel so good, you know?".
" Yeah, but I favorite showers", he said.
" Cold showers?".
" Yeah".
" Ok, weird".
" What's weird about it?", Max said.
" Nick, used to take cold showers", she thought.
" Nothing. I see that my notepad is next to you, open to my poem. You read it, right?".
" Yeah, and you got skills", he said.
" Kinda. I only good at poetry, and relistic fiction. I'm good but, I wish I was great so, I can write short stories in the New York Times! My boss, Ed, doesn't take my writing seriously. The other people in staff do, and that my mottive everyday".
" Why dont you talk to your boss about writing short stories every week?", Max asked.
" I can't".
" You can".
" No, really. I can't. He'll think I'm joking he'll laugh in my face!".
Max smiled at the thought.
" I'm serious! You know what, nevermind. Can you please get out, I need to dress", Fran asked him.
" Fran, I'm-", Max couldn't find the words.
He walked outta the room. Fran slammed the door, and locked it. She went to the guest bed and cried.
" I've tried really hard to love my job, but it's hard when, your not writing what you want!", she thought as she cried.
She wiped her tears, and went over to the makeup table begining to apply her makeup.
Max was ,...again befuddled! He didn't know why Fran was so mad. A lot of investor laughed in his face and, he cared some but, not enouhg to cry about never intended to hurt her, espacially not today. " How could her boss be so blind into not see her talent?", he thought sitting on the floor next to her door in the hallway, " I wish that boss of her's gave her a chance". He got up and went back downstairs to play with Gracie. Fran, on the other hand was done her makeup and was fumbling in her purse for her phone. She's gonna have a conversation with her friend Danny. she dialed Danny's number, and waited untill she heard his voice.
" Hello".
" Hey, Danny! It's Frannie! Merry Christmas!".
" Hey Frannie! Merry Christmas! How are you? How's Steven?", he asked.
" Steven great, and I'm good".
" Great! It's great to hear from you, in like, 4 months! What have you been up to?".
" Oh, I made some friends! Helping me alot. I've been writing poetryand, some short stories", she told him.
" Great! You was the most creative person in our whole high school. I'm gald that you've been at it again. Friends? What kind of Friends? Don't tell me Frannie Fine is in a gang! Say it ain't so!", Danny said, jokingly.
" It ain't so, Danny! They're really great friends! Maxwell Sheffield, Sarah Sheffield, and their best friend/butler, Niles. Sarah's distant from me, and Max".
" Maybe, she got a little green monster on her back. So, you digging this Sheffield guy?", he asked.
" Yeah, proabbly but, I'm only his best friend, and, kinda. I mean, he's smart, classy, not judgemental, like some people, he love jazz, and a good Brandy, he loves sailing, and his knds. God, his kids are angels especially little Gracie. She says regular thing but, it's so cute the wat she says them. He's well educated, and he taught me so much over the past 4 months. I told him a big secert and he hasn't mentioned it unless, I bring it up", Fran, said smiling.
" Awwwww, Frannie's got a crush!", Danny sang.
"Uh-huh".
"Nuh-uh!", Fran said.
"Uh-huh!", Danny said.
" So, what if I think I do! Nothing's gonna happen!", she exclaimed.
" You know who you are right? Your, Fran Fine, and Fran Fine unexpectly makes thing happen", Danny said.
" I know but, -"she said.
" But, way you talk of him, I can easily see your falling for him, Fran!", Danny said, sternly.
" He has a wife! I can't mess that up! the only thing we do is go on the terrace every night and talk about the day", she said.
" That's ...weird, but that's OK. I'll call you later. K?", Danny said.
"k".
She hung up the phone, and sigh. She put her phone down and, went to her closet, to get a louge outfit. She chose her satin ruby colored night shirt and ruby colored satin pajamas, and put her hair in a ponytail. She grabbed her new book, " The Notebook", by: Nicholas Sparks. She went outta her room, and went to Maggie's room. She knocked.
" Come in!". the young teenager said.
She slowly opened the door, and there was Maggie reading in the middle of her bed. She put down her book, but kept a finger in it to not lose her page.
" Hey Fran! What's up? Nice pj's", Maggie said.
" Nothing much, Maggie. Thatnks! Came in here to ask, if you want to go to the living room and have a 2 girl reading party?", Fran asked.
" Yeah, I'd love that! Think the guy might wanna join?", Maggie suggested.
" OK, let's go", Fran said.
Fran turned around to walk outta the room, and Maggie was right behind her. Fran and Maggie walked down the hall to Brighton's hall. This time, Fran gave Maggie the honnor of knocking on the door. No-one answered. So, Fran knocked alittle louder, and longer.
" Come in!", Brighton said.
Fran opened the door, to find Steven rocking out to his MP3 and, Brrighton staring at them like they were aliens. Brighton tapped Stevn.
" What?", steven said.
Brighton pointed to the two girl in the room. Steven turned around.
" Hey mom!", Steven said.
" Don't " hey mom" me! Turn that music down! your gonna blow your brains out!", Fran says, hands on her hip glaring at her son. " Anyway, you guys wanna join our 2 girls reading party in the living room?".
" Uh, mom. you really know I'd love to but, I hate reading books over again. That's why you always see me with a different book we me all the time", Steven said.
" suit yourself! We'll be downstairs in the living room, IF you wanna join!", Fran said.
Maggie walked outta the room, then Fran. Again, Maggie followed Fran, down the front stairs.
" You go and get, started. I'll go to the office and, ask your dad how to start a fire", she said, to Maggie.
Maggie started to walked to the large couch, and Fran to the office. Once, she got there and heard giggling. She carefully knocked on the the wooden door. She waited like 5-6 seconds and, Max opened the door.
" Fran! Hey!", Max said, smilling.
" Hi. Don't wanna interrupt so, I'll just ask?", she begin.
" Ask me to dump Sarah! Max! These thoughts are wrong!" he thought.
" How do you start the fire?", Fran asked.
" Uh, hmmm, I, can't explain it really. So, I'll just do it", Max said.
He walked in the office, and picked up Gracie.
" Fannie! Belly! Daddy!", Gracie said.
" Well, I can see the belly thing works perfectly, even for daddy!", Fran said, jokingly.
" Well, you said it will!".
" I did?".
" You did".
She laughed.
" Come on!", Fran began walking to the living to the living room.
Max followed heer tto the living room, withe little person people on his hip. Once, they got there Gracie smiled.
" Maggy!".
" Gracie!".
Gracie broke from her fathers grasp and, ran to her sister. Maggie put her book down to play with her favorite ( her only!) little sister.
" Where have you been?".
Gracie pointed to Max.
" Daddy!".
" Oh! Did you have fun?".
She nodded.
" Good".
Maggie tickles Gracie.
She giggles uncontrabbly.
" That's so cute!", Fran says, hands over her heart.
" OK, I'm start a fire, you do whatever you were gonna do before I interruppted you", he said.
When, Fran goes to the couch, Gracie holds out her arms for Fran to hold her. Fran does just that.
" Love you Fannie!", Gracie says, burying her face in Fran's neck.
Fran caress the back of her head, and kisses her head.
" I love you, Gracie", Fran says.
Max looks over to the scene. He's touched at how his best friend loves his children the way she loves Steven. Gracie fall asleep quickly while, Fran rocking her. Max is done with the fire 2 minutes later and turns around to find his oldest reading, and his youngest in the arms of his best friend sleeping soundily.
" I forgot to tell you . She NEEDS her naps", she whisphered.
" That would've been good to mention. I'll take her upstairs", Max said, reaching out to grab his youngest.
Gracie tighted her grip on Fran's neck, as if she knew she'd be away from Fran.
" Magie stay here with your father, while I put Gracie to sleep", she wisphered to Maggie.
She got up.
" You can take my place, it's warm enough. I hope", she whisphered to Maxwell.
She left t" Yes, it is. I love he room. Max watched his oldest.
" Is it good?".
" Yes, it is. I love it! I'm at the part where Angie's is just thinking why Jack's going steady with Jane Rady. It's epic!".
" What's it called?".
" Sevententh Summer".
" Oh".
Max stopped talked. He just stared blankly into space. On, the other hand Fran was singing to Gracie, "Best Thing I Never Had", By:Beyonce.
" I used to want you so bad, I'm so through with that. cuz honestly you turned out to be the best thingI never had. You turned out to be the best thing I never had , and I will alway be the best thing you never had. Oh baby, I bet it suck s to be you right now".
Gracie fell asleep to the soothing sounds of Fran's voice. Fran got up from, the rocking chair, went to the crib, and kissed Gracie's forehead.
" Love you baby doll".
She left the room, and went back downstairs humming the tune to "Best Thing I Never Had". She's downstairs, and Max is thinking of how she looked holding his daughter.
" Hello?Max? My seat!", Fran said, waving her hand infront of his face.
" She looked like her mother but, she's not". he was thinking.
"Dad!", Maggie said, nudging him.
"Huh. Huh, what?", he said, looking at his oldest daughter.
" Get up! My sit! Wanna read!", she said, pulling him outta the sit
Max got up, and Fran took his place.
"Thanks!".
" Your welcome! I'll be in my office if you need me".
He walked to his office.
So, Fran begin to read. Maggie and Fran read for a hour. When, they begin to get hungry.
"Hey,Maggie. Would you like a nosh?", Fran said, book in her lap.
"Nosh, Fran?".
" It's jewish! It means a snack or light meal".
"Alright, I'll take a break for alittle nosh then!"
So, Fran got up, and begin to walk to the kitchen. When, she got there Max was sitting at the kitchen table drinking egg nog.
" That's SO gross!", Fran thought.
She walked over to the bread box, and got , put it on the island, , then went to get the lunchmeat from the fridge. Max heard the noise she was making, and knew she was hungry.
"Hungry Fran?", Max said.
"Alittle, but, I'm not the only one hungry your daughter is hungry to. so, I making sandwhichs".
"Well, OK. Fran, I'm sorry for ealier, I had no idea you were serious", Max said, seriously.
"Awwww, he's saying sorry!", she thought.
"That's OK, I mean how would have you've known but, it's hard. Writing but, not writing what you want", Fran said, making Maggie's sandwhich.
" I know, sometime I produce the play I want but, it's mostly what the investors want", Max said, getting up to put his cup in the sink.
"I'm sorry for slamming the door, in your face. I mean, I 'm trying to tell why I can't ask to write and you smile as if I'm joking", Fran said, making her sandwhich.
"I said, I'm sorry! What do you want me to?", Max exclaimed, trowing his hands up.
" Leave Sarah!", she thought.
"I don't know! Nothing, I suppose!We'll talk more tonight? OK. I have to give Maggie her sandwhich".
She picked up the two sandwhichs and, left the room. Max ran his fingers through his thick black hair.
"I said sorry, and she's still mad!", he thought.
At the same time, he's thinking this Fran and Maggie are talking about their books.
" My books is special. They guy is so romantic. He write a letter everyday for a year to the girl he loves", Fran says, taking a bite outta her snadwhich.
"That IS special. I bet in the end they fall in love in the end", Maggie said, " The main characters always do, well, not always ".
"Well, at least he know what he wants".
" Right! Same in my book, Jack knows what he wants and, he wants Angie", Maggie said.
"Amen!".
They finished eating, and Maggie said she'd still read untill, Fran got back from visting the kitchen. So, Fran took the plates , and went back to the kitchen, all of shocked to see Niles there!
" Niles, where were you 20 minutes ago? I came in here , and couldn't talk to you", Fran walking over to the sink.
" I was upstairs in my room. Turns out baths ARE relaxing!", Niles said, smirking.
Fran poked him in his ribs.
"Werid. Um, what time is dinner?", Fran asked.
"Uh", Niles checked his watch," At 8, why?"
" I was having reading party with Maggie, and I'm kinda tired, now. I'm gonna tell her, can you wake me in a hour?".
"Certainly, ", Niles said rinising her dishes from the sink.
She left the kitchen, and bumped into Sarah!
"Oh, Sarah, I'm sorry!", Fran said.
"It's Ok, Fran. Are you on your way to Max's office?", Sarah said, un-suspiciously.
"Uh, no. I was going to the living room to let Maggie know that I'm go upstairs and lay down".
"May I ask why she'll need to know?".
" She'll need to know because herself, and I were having a 2 girl reading party and a nosh", Fran said, kinda annoyed.
"So, you gonna tell Maxwell?", Sarah asked.
"What we playing"20 questions", she thought.
"Why does he need to know?", Fran asks, hands on her hips.
" I thought you guys tell each other everything. So, shouldn't ya tell him", Sarah said, suspiciously.
"You know what you acting like a real peice of trash!", Fran said and, stormed out.
Fran walked in the living room livid. Maggie saw how mad she was.
" Fran? What wrong?".
" Uh, oh, nothing. Niles said something to upset me so, I'm go take a nap to get rid of this anger", Fran said, half smiling at the girl.
"OK. See you later then", Maggie said, getting up to hug Fran.
Fran hugged the girl and, gave her head a kiss.
"Love you", Maggie said.
"Love you too. See you later", Fran said.
KK".
She went upstairs to the guest bedroom. Fran started thinking if she should tell Sarah her secert. That was easy! A big fat NO!
A hour later, Niles came and knocked on the bedroom door. He heard a mumble of something incoherent. He opened the door, and Fran was sleeping soundily . He went over and, begin to shake her awake.
" . , wake up", he said calmly, and gently.
He stood back as, her eyes fluttered open.
" Hey Niles!", she laid up on her bed, " I feel better now. Thank you for the wakeup call".
He smiled.
"Anytime, Fran. Anytime!", Niles said, "Uh, can I ask you a question?".
"Of course!".
" Is there anyhthing going on with you and ?".
"No! It's not! Why would you ask such thing?".
"I didnt! It's Sarah it's got her livid. She think your stealling from her", he says, having a straight face.
"I'm doing no such thing!", Fran stated.
"OK. just asking", Niles said, walking outta the room.
" That woman is something. Nothing good. Just assuming things", Fran thought , " I'm NOT definitely NOT tell her my secret! I'm telling Maxwell SHE can't be trusted".
She walked downstairs livid. She was walking to Max's office but, she stopped in the living room when he was staring blankly into space. She sat next to him, careful not to disturb his thought, at least not yet.
"What you thinking about Maxwell?What's troubling you? Why do people assume there's something between us when we're only great friends?", she thoguth staring blankly at the fireplace.
" I know, she's here. Why does she consume my thoughts? why does Sarah think she's falling in love with me? she just a good, a great friend! She's already had a broken heart, I'm not about to give her another one. If only, I wasn't married to Sarah! If, only she met me befoore she met that criten, and before I met Sarah but, I wouldn't have Maggie, Gracie, and Brighton and she wouldn't have Steven", he thought as he stared at the other couch, " I'd better talk to her".
He blinks a few times to come back to the present. He looked at her, she seemed to be in deep thought as he was alittle while ago. He let her think , whle he go make some coffee for them. He got up, and, walked to the kitchen to make coffee.
"'s leaving well, I guess that's OK. I mean, I wasnt saying anything or what not? My question is where is Sarah assuming butt!", she thought getting angry, " but, she has not reason to get jealous! He's not the least bit, interested in me. She has the nerve to assume... such things!".
She took a pillow and, out it over her face and screamed. Max came in carrying two cups ofcoffe when, she screamed.
" Whoa! Why you trying to kill yourself?", he said, smiling.
" I was not", Fran said.
" Then, what do you call that!", he said guesturing the pillow while, walking into the room.
" Uh, I'll call that...", Fran said.
" Anwser him Francie!", she thought to himself.
"Screaming into a pillow! Keeps away bulgars!", she said.
Max raised his eyebrow, questionly, and , then laughed.
" Niles, upset mme ealier and I screamed into the pillow to get rid of my anger", she said, shakingly.
" Ok, now what's the real reson? Come on, you and niles are best friends he could never upset you. now, what gives", he said her her coffee, and sitting next to her on the couch.
" Well, Maggie and I had a reading party, and we were getting hungry . After, we ate, I went in the kitchen and told Niles that I would need a wakeup call in a hour. So, I went out to tell Maggie and, I bumped into , Sarah. She's telling me that " I was gonna go to your office?", and that "Shouldn't you tell Maxwell?". I was like no. I mean, you don't need to know I'm taking a nap. Right?",
He nodded.
"So, I called her a piece of trash and stormed out! She assumed I was gonna run to you, when I wanna do something small as gonna take a nap? I mean, she's acting insanely jealous , why does she need to get jealous anyway. i mean, why can't she see that she's your wife, and I'm ONLY your best friend. Right?", she said sipping her coffee.
He hestitated and, then, nodded.
" You hestitated, why?".
"No reason", he said, firmly.
", No reason in anger, sir fellow!".
Slience filled the room, and then, laughter.
" That was half funny, Fran", Max said, smiling.
" No. Then, why did you laugh?", Fran said, taking a big gulp of coffee.
" Because you laughed and, you have a uquie laugh", he said seriously.
She blushed.
" Uh, can, we go to a new topic? We can talk about that later, tonight", Fran said.
" Say 11. Well, it isn't a schoolnight, we'll proabbly be stuck watching " My Fair Lady" , if Sarah has he way", Max said.
" I love " My Fair Lady", I believe that movie to be brillant, and " The Notebook". You show produce a show of "My Fair Lady". It'll be brillant!", Fran said, excitedly.
" I look into it , thanks for your input. You know, your the first person, I let make a suggestion, for a play. Sarah, wanted to make a suggestion and, i never did it, and I read"The Notebook" a couple time I thought it was phenomenal! I very much love the neding, they-".
Fran put her finger on his lips.
" Shut you mouth! I just started the book today!".
Max took her finger off his mouth, and held her hand. She felt a jolt of eletricity, like being re-born. Aparrently, Max felt it too, but didn't know what to do with it.
" Why is this affecting me so much? He held my hand everynight for 4 months! but, in a way it's ...different".
"Max?".
"Yes".
"What time is it?".
He frowned alittle. He checked his watch.
"Uh, 7:30".
"Perfect!", Fran said, jumping from the couch.
"What's perfect?".
"Beside's you?".
"It's 30 minutes till, dinner", she said excitedly, " Go see what dinner is tonight, I'll go tell your kid and my kid to wash their hands. You can tell Sarah about dinner. i'm NOT talking to her anymore today, I feel i will slap her".
Max's mouth formed a perfect "O"
"Kidding".
He smirked, and walked toward the kitchen. Fran, was serious, he heard it, in the tone of her voice. He knew her THAT well. So, he had a real quick conversation with Niles, and found out they were having spagetti. garlic bread, and mashed potatoes. Uhmmm, that's good! He went up the back stairs and, saw Fran with Gracie on her hip, and she was tossiling with Brighton, and Steven hair, smiling. She said, something to them, and, they ran down the hall. He walks up to her.
" You always have my child", he said, smirking.
"If you'd rather I not then," she saiid, trying to give Gracie to him.
" . It's fine. 4 months, and you seem to have her more than, Sarah".
"Is this good or bad?", she asked, " Come on, little one. Lets wash your hands".
They walked toward the bathroom, next to the guest room and, they heard squealing and giggling.
"We'll use my bathroom", he said moving toward the master bedroom.
When, they got there Fran, and Max went in. Max told her where the bathroom was. Fran took her in there and, watched her hands when, the little girl said "Wash". They came out a few minutes later.
" OK, I had to do it, now it's your turn mister", Fran says , Gracie on her hip.
Max groaned , and went to the bathroom.
Fran never got a chance to get a good look at this room. She noticed that most of it was mascline, not "very" femine. He had a pictures, of Big Ben, and London, little trinkets, like little scupltures on his dresser, a novelty stack of gold, on his bed side table, on both bed side tabels were lamps and a drawer. Max came out the bathroom.
" Clean, baby girl?".
" Clean!".
She giggled.
He noticed Fran staring at the bed side tables.
" Fran?".
" Yes?".
" Ready for dinner?".
" Yes. Yes, I am".
She got up, and gave Gracie over to him. She opened the door so, they can get through.
" So, what are we having for dinner?", Fran asked.
" Well, there's spagetti, garlic bread, and mashed patatoes".
" Ummmm!", she moaned.
Max chuckled lightly.
They happily walked to dinner. Max sat Gracie down next to Fran, and he sat down, and then said grace. Dinner wa cool, everyone talked about what they did that day, all, except Sarah. she stayed in bed all day.
" Are you sick, my darling?", Max asked, with concern.
" No, it just felt good to be left alone with the thought", Sarah said.
" I can't agree with you". Fran said, quietly.
"Why not, Fran?", Sarah asked.
" Because, I not a fan of what I think about", Fran said, mumbled.
" Yes, and what is it that you think about?", Sarah says.
" My husband", she thought.
"Stuff", Fran said.
" Sarah, please dont say, " What stuff?", I'm NOT telling anyone else!", Fran thought.
Then, Sarah says it.
" What stuff?", Sarah says, hands together on the table.
Fran turned to Max. " Help", is what her eyes said.
" Brighton, Steven did you have fun wth you MP3's?".
" Yes!", Steven said excitedly, " how'd you know all our favorite songs?".
Max looked at Fran. She mouthed, " Thank You". "Your Welcome", he mouthed back.
Sarah looks at her plate, and stood up.
" Well, I'm go upstairs and read. Goodnight, children. Goodnight, darling!".
She leaves the dining room but, before that she stops at Max's chair and kisses him full on the lips right there, infront, of everyone including, Fran. That kiss last 10-20seconds.
" Mom! Gross!", Maggie said.
Sarah giggled, then left.
Fran glared at Maxwell, and they went back to eating.
" So, what on the agenda for tonight children?", Max said.
" Well, before dinner we dicussed it and, everyone is going to Brighton's room to write a list of the books we wanna get tommorow", Maggie said.
" So, adults get a 1 holiday night free pass", Steven said.
" So, enjoy it", Brighton said.
" Can we be excused to start early?", Steven asked the parents.
Fran and Max nodded. All the teenagers took their plates and ran into the kitchen.
" So, we can watch a movie with Gracie, untill she falls alsleep and then, we can...", Fran said.
" Go out on the terrace, and talk", Max said.
Fran stood up,took her and Gracies plate in the kitchen, and came back for Gracie.
" Come on, darling. Going to the living room", Fran said, copying Sarah picking up Gracie.
She walked over to Max's chair.
" Gracie kiss daddy?".
Gracie kissed Max's cheek.
" See you in the living room", Fran said.
She started to walk away, when Gracie shouted the unexpected.
"Fannie kiss daddy!".
" No, Gracie. Frannie daddy friend", Fran explained to the girl.
" Fannie kiss daddy!".
Max stood up right before she said this.
" What, chicken?".
" No".
" Then, do it".
" I can't".
" Chicken".
She put down Gracie in the chair next to her fathers, she walked up to him, and kissed him, passionately. Max instinctly put his hands on er waist and, Fran ran her fingers through his lucious black hair. So, much passion, they didnt want this kiss to stop but, they knew it had to. Max's tougue grazed her lower lip asking her permission to enter. Her tougue waited at the entrance while, she opened her mouth for him to enter in. They pulled apart after 20-30seconds of un-dieing passion. Gracie was giggling. They looked into each other eyes.
" Whoa!", Max thought.
She picked up Gracie, and tried to quickly gain her composure of herself.
" See you", Fran said.
She quickly left the room.
The rest of the night was spent on the couch cuddling Gracie, and not making eye contact with each other. Halfway, throught the movie, Gracie fell asleep in her father's arm. Fran cut off the movie. they both stood up, Fran walked over to Max, and planted a kiss on Gracie forehead.
" Love you, angel", she said, silently.
Max took took Gracie upstairs and silently thanked her for the push she gave Fran, kissed her on her forehead, and went back downtairs. He made his way slowly to the terrace. when, he got there Fran, was staring longingly at the moon. He went out , and sat right across from Fran.
" Do you ever wonder?", Fran asked to no one in paticular.
" Huh? Wonder about what?", Max asked, confused.
" About, anything! Right now, I'm wondering if that kiss was wrong, a mistake?", Fran said, looking at Maxwell.
" I don't think it was. It was the most thrilling kiss of my life", he said.
" Me too, but, it was wrong", Frran said, confusedon why she was saying the next thing she was gonna say.
" How so?".
" Sarah, is you wife. She's already assuming that I'm stealing you away, that I run to you for lie, everything! You want her to assume that I would run to you in a thong and t-shirt?".
Maxwell started thinking about the last thing.
" DOWN BOY!".
He chuckled.
" Which brings me to another matter. I'm NOT telling my secert to Sarah and that's final. If she'll bring up my thoughts in front of your children and my child, then she'll tell my secret. I'm not telling. If, you tell her, I will leave and you will not see me, or experience that in the kitchen ever again. You might not even get it at all even, if I'm still here. So, a question, just popped up, do you think my voice is annoying?.
He laughed.
" Seriously!".
" Absoulutey not! and as for the secret, Ok it's your , and then, this mornignSarah suggested you were falling in love with me?, I was like, Ok, right?", Max said.
He looked at her, she was blushing. He'd never seen her blush.
" I called my friend Danny and , he said the same thing! I was like, he has a wife and I'm his best friend. I mean, come on! Right?".
She l;ooked at him, he had some kind of look in his eye. she could make it out.
" So, now whatt?".
They both stood up, and and walked to each other.
" This is only to see what we feel? right?", Fran said.
" Right".
So, they again, kissed passionately. this time though, they used the love they felt fo each other. They started thinking about this in the middle of this kiss. Max felt a firey passion to rip off all her clothes and devour her right then, and there, and Fran felt as if she was in heavan, didnt care whether she hurt Sarah she thought she deserved some happiness too. They begin to cares each other bodies. These were fobidden tertories, but not they just went in head first. Max hit his maxuim peak, he had to taste her. He begin to kiss her neck. Oh, how she moaned in the pleasure he gave her. She was going, going weak in the knees but, she didn't want his loving assualt to end. She pushed herself away. She walked away from him, turned around, and ran back to him, hugging him tightly. He kissed her forhead, she had her head on his stayed there watching the moon, silently, and peacefully.
* You guys should know they when, I was writing they last part I wantedver so badly to be in her shoes. Hope you love it mas much as I loved writing it. sorry for no updating this chapter was kinda long you see! LOL. R&R!*
*BUBBLE GUM*