Friends and Lovers
Chapter Four
Fran woke the next morning to the smell of coffee. She opened her eyes and stretched slowly.
"You still wake up like a cat, don't you?" Max was sitting on the foot of her bed smiling.
"And you still like watching me sleep." She sat up and took the cup of coffee he offered her. "I don't hear the kids."
"They're downstairs with the nanny, like I promised. They've had their breakfast, and are watching another movie. They're dying to go outside and play in the snow, but I told them they'd have to wait till it warms up outside first."
"So the power's back on?"
"It came back on around six this morning." Max got up to answer the knock on Fran's door. "Ah, thank you, Niles." He took a tray from his butler and closed the door. "He must really like you. He schlepped down to the deli for fresh bagels this morning."
"In this cold? What a mensch!"
"Butter and cream cheese, right?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Right. I love the way you remember little things like that."
"That's not so hard to remember."
"After four years?"
"Some things are as vividly as if they happened yesterday."
"You sure didn't act like it after we got home."
"It killed me knowing you were back with him, even though I had no right to feel that way. Then, when I saw that you were having his baby, all I could think, was that I wished it were mine. That's when I started avoiding you. I had to distance myself from you, from us. I knew if I was around you, Sarah and Tony would see how we felt about each other."
"That's why you were so cold to me at the funeral."
"Seeing you grieving for him, missing him..."
"God, Max, I wanted a divorce, I didn't want him dead, and I think I was grieving more for Sarah, for you and the kids. I kept wondering if there was some way I'd caused this to happen."
"How could you have caused it?"
"Because I loved you so much..." She put down her coffee cup and buried her face in her hands as the tears started to fall. Max moved to her side and gathered her in his arms.
"Darling, you didn't cause that accident." He held her until her sobs subsided, then reached for a Kleenex and wiped her eyes.
"I've spent a lot of time crying in your arms lately, you're gonna get awfully tired of me."
"We're dealing with a lot of emotions right now. Things we've fought for years. I think once we both quit fighting how we feel, we'll both feel a lot better. And I'll never get tired of you." He kissed her on the top of her head.
"I think you're right. I AM still fighting it. I guess deep down I'm afraid of..."
"I know you were hurt last time. I know I hurt you by keeping you at a distance for so long, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. All I can do is tell you that I can't imagine you not in my life. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me."
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Oh, Max!" He kissed her tenderly, laying her back on the bed. He moved himself on the bed next to her and held her close to him. The moment was broken as they heard the boys yelling on the stairs.
"Mmm, guess that's our cue, Dad." She kissed him softly and rolled away from him and out of bed. "Oh, my feet are cold."
"I'll get you some socks. Why don't you meet me in my room, I'll get you a clean shirt."
"I need clean everything! I really should go home and get some clothes."
"Nonsense. We can do laundry here."
"You're suggesting I go without...are you NUTS?"
"You'll have the sweats on, and no one will know except us."
"I must be insane. Fine. Turn around." She waited until she was sure he couldn't see her, then pulled off her underwear, and pulled on the sweat pants. "Why don't you go bring me the shirt and socks?"
"Oh, stop being ridiculous." He pulled off her pillowcase and stuffed her underwear inside. "Come on." He took her by the hand and led her to his bedroom, where he sat her on the foot of his bed. "How's this?" He held up a cream-colored thermal shirt. She nodded and he tossed it to her. Then reached into another drawer and tossed her a pair of wool socks.
"You gonna turn around?"
"After last night? You must be joking, just change your shirt." He moved toward her and reached for the bottom of her shirt.
"I'll do it, geesh, are you always so pushy in the morning?" She giggled then sudden became quiet as she heard the children yelling again.
She grabbed the bottom of her shirt and whipped it over her head, tossing it at him. "We'd better hurry… sounds like someone's pretty upset." She pulled the clean shirt on, and donned the socks. "Ohh, these are warm. Thanks." She got up and caught her image in the mirror. "Oy, you got a comb?"
"Sit down." He pointed to a chair by the door. She sat down, and he pulled a comb from the drawer and began slowly and gently combing the tangles out of her hair.
"Oh, now I DO feel spoiled. Oy, Max, those kids are killing each other down there!" She stood up and checked herself in the mirror.
"You look beautiful, Darling." He took her by the hand, and they walked down the stairs together. As they reached the bottom of the stairs, C.C. was in the living room, arguing with the nanny, and the children were siding with C.C..
"What the hell is going on in here?"
"Mr. Sheffield, I...."
"Maxwell, tell your nanny that I'd never hurt one of your children."
"Yeah, Dad, C.C. loves us!"
Max and Fran walked hand in hand into the living room, which did not go unnoticed by C.C.. He looked around the room at his children. Irene and Grace were huddled together by the piano crying, Margaret was curled up in the chair by the fireplace, glaring at her nanny, and the boys were standing in between the two angry women.
"Will someone kindly tell me what happened in here?"
Fran pulled from Max's grasp, went to the youngest children, and gathered them into her arms. "What's wrong, Baby?"
"Want Aunt C."
"Reenie? What did you say?"
"Aunt C."
"Nanny Martin won't let C.C. hold Reenie, Ma. She pulled her away and made her cry." Fran picked her the toddler and looked over at Max, then at the nanny.
"You want Aunt C., Honey?" She walked over to C.C. and laid the child in her arms. The baby immediately began snuggling and kissing her. Grace got up, ran to C.C., and wrapped her arms around her legs.
"I love Aunt C., too!"
Fran glanced back at Max, who nodded gently to her. She turned and faced the nanny. "So, Judy, what's the problem here? Why can't C.C. hold the girls?"
"Well, Mr. Sheffield told me to make sure you weren't disturbed this morning, so I was reading to them. Then she came in, and the girls ran to her and started squealing and giggling, and I was afraid they'd wake you up."
"Well, it usually isn't happy sounds that pull me into the room; it's the screaming and crying."
"It was the boys that started the screaming."
"They were defending their sisters!" By this time, Maxwell was at her side.
"Why don't you take the day off today, with C.C. and Niles here, we've got plenty of people to help keep an eye on the children."
"But, Mr. Sheffield, I was only trying to..."
"Just take the day off, before I change my mind and make your time off permanent."
She glared at C.C. and Fran. "Yes, Sir." Without another word, she headed up the stairs and into her room.
"Maxwell, Fran, I'm sorry, I don't know what happened this morning. The girls just decided I'm their new best friend."
"No need to apologize, C.C."
"Well, if the two of you wanted to sleep in."
"We were awake when everything started, don't worry about it. I'm glad Reenie likes you."
"I don't know why. Children usually don't like me."
"Reene's a good judge of character." She looked around the room. "I guess the coffee's already back in the kitchen?"
"Niles went to make more, but once the shouting started…I'm sure he's just hiding out, waiting for the dust to settle."
"I'll go check on it. I could really use another cup."
Max watched her walk down the hallway towards the kitchen, and then turned back to C.C.. "So, what brings you by on a Sunday?"
"I didn't hear from you yesterday during the storm and I was worried about you...and the children, but it looks like you were in good hands."
"Yes, Fran and the children came over yesterday morning and rode the storm out here."
"The power went out, it was really cool. Can we finish the movie we missed last night, Dad?"
"After the girls go down for their naps, Brighton, it's not really a movie for them."
"Well, then, can we play in the snow? You said we had to wait until Mom got up. And she's up now."
"I also said it had to warm up a bit. I suppose you want to go out, too, Maggie?"
"Yes, I do. Please, Daddy?"
"Oh, you children are going to get me into so much trouble. All right, go get ready; I'll take you outside for a bit."
Before Fran returned with the coffee, Max had the three older children out front making a snowman, and C.C. was still on the sofa reading to the younger girls. "You know, you start reading to them, you're gonna have two friends for life." Fran laughed. "Where'd everybody else go?"
"Maxwell gave in to their pleading and took the children out front to play in the snow."
"Oy, it's still so cold out there." She went to the door and looked out the window. "Well, they look like they're having fun. I'd better go have Niles make some cocoa for when they come in. Are you OK with the girls?"
C.C. held Irene close to her. "Sure, we're fine." While Fran went back to the kitchen, C.C. continued reading. Nanny Martin came down the stairs, her suitcase in hand.
"Tell Mr. Sheffield I'm leaving, I'll be back tomorrow."
"He's out front, you can tell him yourself." C.C. moved the toddler onto the sofa as she stood up to answer the phone. She turned around as she heard the door slam open and watched the nanny storm out, leaving the door wide open. Before she could excuse herself from the phone, Gracie was off the sofa and heading for the door, followed closely by Irene. Maxwell had his back to the house and couldn't see the girls coming. She dropped the phone and ran for the door as the girls ran down the front stairs. Grace kicked the ball that the boys had been playing with, and it rolled into the street. Max looked over in time to see Irene chase the ball into the street.
"Oh, dear God! Irene, no!"
C.C. was down the stairs like a shot, and scooped up the child seconds before a passing car hit her. She carried the screaming child to the curb, sat down, and rocked her. Max tried to take the child, but C.C. was clinging to her too tightly. "I only turned my back for a second to get the phone, the door was open."
"Let her go, C.C., I need to check her out." C.C. released her vice-grip hold on the child and the toddler reached for Maxwell.
"Want Daddy!"
"Yes, Sweetheart, Daddy's here, it's all right. You're fine."
"What happened?" Fran was standing shivering on the top of the stairs.
"Gracie and Reenie got out. A car almost hit Reenie. C.C. grabbed her."
Fran went pale and dropped onto the steps. Max carried the child over to her. "Fran, Darling, she's fine. She's just a little scared. I'm not sure she even realized what happened."
"Fran, I'm so sorry, I answered the phone, and the nanny left the door open when she left. They're so quick!"
"Yes, C.C., they are, I'm sure Fran doesn't blame you."
"No, no, I don't. Max, I don't want that nanny of yours watching her again. This is twice today she's hurt my daughter."
"Fran, we need a nanny, just for now. We'll just have to make sure she's more careful. She's not used to having such a little one around."
"Maxwell, she left the door open deliberately!"
"I don't think she meant for the girls to run outside"
Fran looked at C.C., then back at Max. "I don't believe you. Max, if C.C. hadn't gotten to her, I don't even want to think about it. Let me have her." Fran reached for her daughter, who clung tightly to Max's neck.
"Daddeeeeeee!"
"Great. Just great." Fran got up and went into the house, where she collapsed on the sofa in tears.
"Children, come inside, please. Take off your wet things and go sit by the fire."
"Is Mom OK.?"
"She'll be fine. C.C., could you help Niles get the children their cocoa, so I can go talk to Fran."
"Maxwell, you really do need to do something about that nanny. I think she's taking her jealousy out on that sweet child."
"Jealousy? What the devil are you talking about?"
"Maxwell, it's totally obvious the woman has a crush on you. Think about it. You need a nanny, if she can cause problems for you and Fran over the children, and not get fired; she's got you to herself. Before you go talk to Fran...think about what you would do if it was Grace that was almost killed today."
"C.C., it makes no difference. I already think of Irene as mine. There's more to our relationship than you know about. Fran and I have, well, a bit of a history."
"I know… you've known her for like five years now."
"No, there's more. I'll discuss it with you later, I need to get the children warm and take care of Fran. Reenie, can you go with Aunt C. now?" The child nodded, and reached for C.C.. "We'll be in my office. Thank you, C.C.." He walked in and sat next to Fran on the sofa; she sat up and melted into his arms. He held her for a moment, and then they got up and moved into the office, closing the door behind them.
Niles walked in with a tray of cocoa for the children. He looked around the room and saw the solemn faces of the older children, and Irene and Grace clinging to C.C.. "What happened?"
"Reenie almost got killed." Brighton walked over and patted the child's back.
"What? How? Do her parents know?"
"The nanny. She left the door open when she left. I knew you were busy in the kitchen, so I answered the phone, and the girls ran outside. The ball ended up in the street, Irene followed it. Niles, I don't know how the car missed her."
"You shoulda seen C.C. run, Niles! She totally missed the steps, just jumped onto the sidewalk and into the street after her. She wouldn't even let Dad take Reenie from her."
Niles put the tray on the table and stroked the child's curls gently. This was NOT the C.C. Babcock he knew. His C.C. would NEVER put another human being's life first. Or would she? He watched her rock the toddler, and caress Grace as they sat huddled on the sofa.
"I thought Fran was going to pass out. She collapsed on the stairs, and then came in here in near hysterics. Max took her into his office to try to calm her down. I mean, the child is fine, I don't think she realized the danger she was in, and she just got scared when I jerked her back."
"You mean you don't know WHY she's so upset?"
"It's because of me." Anthony looked down at his stocking feet. "I was in the car with my dad the day he died. I was supposed to go with him, but I got in trouble, and he brought me back in the house and went without me. I would've died that day, too. Mom's always been overprotective of us ever since. Now she almost lost Reenie, too."
"Oh, Sweetie, I had no idea. Oh, your poor mother."
"Who ARE you, and what have you done with the Ice Queen?"
"Thanks a lot, Niles."
"No, I like this side of you. It's a nice surprise."
"I'm surprised, too. Children usually never like me, but these two..." She squeezed the girls... "These two are pretty special."
Brighton and Anthony looked at each other. "We like you, too. You usually don't pay any attention to us."
"Yeah, we've always liked you. You've just been different since Mom died." Maggie came over and sat on the sofa next to C.C.
"A lot of things have been different since your mother died."
"Yeah, Dad started ignoring us, he stopped talking to Fran. Every time she'd come to pick us up to go to her house, he'd hide in his office and wouldn't come out until we were gone."
"I think it has something to do with London. Sometimes I'd hear them talking about it, but it never made any sense."
"London? He hasn't been to London in years."
"Yes, four years to be exact. He was there while Mrs. Sheffield was expecting Grace."
"Maybe I'll talk to him about it. Why don't you kids drink your cocoa, and try to get warmed up. You don't want to catch cold." She put the girls on the floor next to the table and handed them a cup of warm cocoa. She looked up at the office door. I hope every thing's all right in there.
Fran sat on the office sofa sobbing into Max's chest. After her sobbing slowed, Max lifted her chin. "I'll ask Niles to watch the children tomorrow night, and make sure Judy stays away from them, how's that? And I'll call the nanny agency tomorrow and we can start interviewing nannies together."
"Together?"
"Well, if MY nanny is going to be watching OUR children, I think you should have a say, don't you?"
"You're really going to fire Judy?"
"At first I wasn't. But then C.C. said something that changed my mind. She asked me what I would do if it were Grace. That's when I realized...there's no difference. I love Irene like she's my own child, and I won't stand for her being neglected."
Fran laughed. "She thinks she IS your child, you know. You're the only father she knows."
"Every time she calls me Daddy in that sweet little voice, she just melts my heart."
"At first I thought she was just imitating Grace..."
"No, she's been doing it on her own. I'm afraid I haven't been discouraging her, either. When C.C. pulled her from the street, I just wanted her in my arms."
"This is gonna get complicated."
"Only if we make it that way."
"Haven't we already? The boys have us married; the little ones are calling us Mommy and Daddy. You know the boys are actually trying to figure out where we're all gonna live?"
"I've heard them. They have a point; neither house is large enough for our whole family...especially if we plan any additions."
"Additions?"
"We talked about this in London."
"That was before Grace and Irene. Six kids. Oy. Why not?" She laughed. "You're still the only man I've ever WANTED a baby with. Oy that sounded terrible. I wanted my children. I just wanted Anthony later, and Irene to have a different father. That still sounds terrible."
"I know what you mean, Sweetheart. It almost killed me when I found out you were having his child. Now I know it wasn't your choice. At the time, I'd thought I'd lost you forever."
"At the time, you had. You were back with Sarah, and with two children, I knew I'd never be able to leave Tony. Max, can we talk about this later, I'd really like to go and hold Reenie for, oh, about a year."
"Of course, Darling." He kissed her softly, and then opened the office door. "That is, if you can peel her from C.C.."
She looked out the office door into the living room. Her daughter was in C.C.'s lap, her head on her chest. "Max, she's sucking her thumb. She hasn't done that in a year!"
"She probably just needs her Mommy."
"Well, I know I need her!" She walked from the office across the living room. "Thanks for taking such good care of her, C.C.. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it." She reached down and picked up the child.
"Hi, Mommy!"
"Hello, my darling baby. Are you OK.?" The child nodded her head up and down, brown curls bobbing into her eyes. Max brushed the curls from her face and smiled.
"I think she's just fine. She's tough like her mommy."
"Right now, I don't feel so tough. I could actually use a few hours at the mall."
"So why don't you go? I'll be fine with the children for a few hours."
"Are you kiddin'? You actually think I'm leaving my baby today? You wanna go shopping with Mommy, Angel?" Irene nodded again, and Grace started jumping up and down. "Uh, oh, I guess I'm taking both girls. You feel like shopping C.C.?"
"You want me to go with you?"
"Sure, it'll be fun. We'll take Maggie, too, do some shopping, do lunch, let the men stay home and do man stuff."
"It's been ages since I've done anything like that. It DOES sound like fun." She looked at the girls.
"They'll be fine. I've had all three with me, and they're always perfect angels."
"Mom, can we go to the house so we can use the playroom and the man room?"
"Gee, Sweetie, with the storm, you probably won't even be able to get to the front door."
"Oh, well, maybe our first man stuff should be for the four of us to go over and shovel your front walk and stairs. You won't be able to get in tonight if we don't."
"Max, you don't have to do that. I have someone I can call to do it."
"Why call someone? We have a butler, and two able bodied young men...and I've been known to toss a shovel of snow from time to time." He smiled and rubbed her arm. "You girls go have fun."
"Wait, I can't shop. This is all I have to wear."
"Your laundry is done and on the bed in the guest room, Ma'am."
"Niles, you're a doll. Thanks! OH, Max, you'd better come up and get the keys and alarm code if you're going over to the house." She kissed her daughter. "C.C., can you watch her while I change?"
"Of course I can. Come here, Sweetie." She watched the couple go up the stairs and sat down to watch television with the children.
Fifteen minutes later, they came back down the stairs. Fran had changed back into her jeans, and was ready for some power shopping with the girls. "Now, Anthony knows how to work the intercom system. If the boys are on a different floor, they MUST have the two ways on so you can hear each other. You've got the alarm code and my key. You're sure you don't mind doing this?"
"Fran, we'll be fine. It'll do Anthony some good to be with the men for the afternoon."
"Max, please make sure that he..."
"Darling, trust me. We'll be just fine. If they have to play outside, they can do that in your back yard. Now give me your car keys, I'll put Grace's seat in the Rover, and get it warmed up for you."
She reached into her purse and handed the keys over, then went into the living room to collect the girls. "Everybody ready? Girls, get your coats and hats." The two women helped the girls put on their jackets and herded them outside to the Range Rover. Max was still sitting in the driver's seat running the heater.
"Here you go, ladies, all warmed up." He got out and helped Fran into the seat. "Drive carefully, Darling."
"Always."
He leaned in and kissed her softly. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"C.C., take care of my girls. Don't let Mommy do too much spoiling."
She laughed. "I thought that was what Aunt C. was going along for...to do some spoiling."
"Oh, now I AM in trouble."
"Don't worry, Honey, we don't have too much room for extra stuff in this car. Now, if we took the limo..." She grinned at him, running her finger under his chin. "Go have fun with the boys. Remind Anthony that you'll be telling me everything...so not to pull any fast ones on you." She closed the door and watched him head back up the steps, then put the Rover in gear and headed toward the mall.
"So, boys, why don't we have an early lunch and head over and shovel some snow. Niles, we'll take some lunch as soon as you're ready."
"How about some soup and sandwiches, Sir?"
"That will be perfect, Niles."
After lunch, they took the limo over to Fran's townhouse, and the four of them shoveled the walkway and the steps before going inside. They went downstairs to the game room, watched television, and shot pool. The boys were getting ready to go into the back yard and play when the doorbell rang. Anthony started for the door, but Max stopped him. "Let Niles get it, Son." They watched Niles go up the stairs and listened on the intercom.
"Is this the Bergman home?"
"Yes."
"Mrs. Anthony Bergman?"
"She's not at home, may I help you?"
"Well, we were cleaning out our gallery's back room, and found this box of photos that belonged to her late husband. I thought she might like to have them back."
Niles opened the outer door and took the box. "Thank you, I'll make sure she gets this."
Max and the boys climbed the stairs to the living room. "What was that, Niles?"
"Someone just dropped off a box of Mr. Bergman's photographs that were left in a gallery."
"Cool, can I see?" Anthony ran over and started digging in the box.
"Why don't you wait for your mother to go through them first? Niles, why don't you just leave them on the den table for her?" Niles placed the box on the table and the men went into the living room to watch the boys play outside. Max got a fire started to warm the room for when the boys came in. "Could you go into the kitchen and see if you can find some coffee or tea, Niles?" He poured himself a drink, sat on the sofa, and watched the boys.
Meanwhile, at the mall, the girls were heavy into shopping mode. "C.C., you're gonna spoil them! You know how many Barbies they already have?"
"Well, they probably don't have this one, it just came out. Come on, Fran. My brother doesn't have any kids; my sister doesn't have any kids, what other kids am I going to spoil?"
"Don't stop her, Fran; she's never spoiled us before." Maggie laughed as she thumbed through the books.
"Well, I still need some clothes, so how about C.C. buys the toys and books, and I get the clothes?"
"We get new clothes, too? Do we get to help pick them out?"
"Well, sure ya do, Honey."
"Cool! Usually Dad's shopper buys our clothes, and she has really bad taste."
"All right. How about we schlep this stuff to the Rover, then lunch, and then get some new clothes and shoes."
By the time the girls left the mall, the back of the Range Rover was full of their purchases. Fran made a stop at her house and dropped off things bought for her and the kids, then headed to Max's house. Everyone entered the house with armloads of packages. Max met her at the door and helped her bring things in.
"Did you leave anything at the store?"
"A few things, but the car was full."
"No, you had a bit of room left."
"She already dropped stuff off at her place." C.C. rolled her eyes as she put her packages down. "I never saw anyone shop like she does."
"Did you see the box on the den table?"
"No, I didn't pay any attention, just dropped the stuff in the den and left. Why?"
"A gallery dropped off some of Tony's photos that were left in their back room. Anthony wanted to go through them, but I told him to wait for you."
"Oh, I'll go through them tomorrow. I'm gonna be too tired to deal with them tonight."
"Why don't you go upstairs and lie down before dinner."
"I can't leave you with all the kids."
"Go lie down. You've got about an hour, we'll be just fine." He kissed her softly and turned her toward the stairs.
"All right, all right, I'm goin'. Ya know, Niles is gonna be upset that I messed up his guest room again."
"So go to my room."
She smiled seductively at him. "That sounds dangerous."
"If I can get C.C. to stay and watch the children, it definitely could be. Go upstairs; I'll try to get up after while." He watched her go up the stairs and turn the corner on her way to his room. He closed his eyes, remembering the times they spent together in his bed in London. Talking, cuddling, making plans. He opened his eyes and looked upstairs longingly. He'd love to go upstairs and make love to her right now, but their first time together needed to be special. That was tomorrow. He smiled and took a deep breath. Tomorrow he'd start making up for the time they'd spent apart.
His attention turned to the laughter of his children coming from the living room. They were sorting through all the presents that C.C. had lavished on them. "Maxwell, I don't know why I didn't do this years ago. We had so much fun with the girls today! I'm so glad I gave Fran a chance. She's really very sweet, I'm really happy for you both."
"Thank you, C.C. You're right, she is very sweet. I'm kicking myself for not making my feelings known sooner."
"Will you be staying for dinner, Ms. Babcock?"
She glanced over at Max, who nodded to her. "Yes, Niles, I will, thank you."
Niles disappeared into the kitchen. C.C. moved over next to Max and watched the children with their new toys. "So, when are you going to tell me the London story?"
"How much did Fran tell you?"
"Nothing, she didn't offer, and I didn't ask."
"We'll talk after the children go to bed, if you can stick around."
"Sure, I can stay, if you're ready to talk about it."
"I think it's time, now that Fran and I are back together."
"Back together?"
"Not in front of the children. Right now, I'd like to go up and check on Fran, can you keep an eye on them for me?"
"Sure, no problem." She watched him get up and head for the stairs. BACK together? Could they have had an affair in London?
Max slowly opened the door to his bedroom. Fran was curled up on the left side of the bed, fast asleep. He closed the door behind him and kicked off his shoes, then lay down next to her, putting his arm protectively around her waist. She instinctively moved back against him and sighed his name in her sleep. He held a bit closer, and closed his eyes.
"Mr. Sheffield? Mr. Sheffield? Dinner is ready, Sir."
Max opened his eyes and saw the dark curls on the pillow next to him. It took him a moment to realize he'd fallen asleep with Fran. He carefully got up from the bed and opened his door. "Thank you, Niles, we'll be right down." He turned around to see the woman he loved smiling at him.
"Watching me sleep again?"
"Actually, that was my plan, but I ended up sleeping WITH you. That was Niles. Dinner's ready."
"Oy, how long did I sleep?"
"About an hour. I came up a few minutes after you, and you were sound asleep...on MY side of the bed."
"I LIKE the left side. You might as well not even argue about it, because you know I'm going to win."
"You usually do." He helped her out of bed. "Hungry?"
"Very. Is Niles watching the kids AND fixing dinner?"
"No, C.C.'s staying. She's going to stay until after the children are in bed. I plan to tell her about London. About us. I'm surprised you didn't say anything today. You two are getting pretty close."
"Yeah, we are, but we agreed to not say anything without discussing it first."
"Well, let's discuss it, then. Now that we're back together, I'd like to tell C.C., in case something comes out later, I'd like her to hear it from me."
"Good idea. How much are you going to tell her?"
"Everything. That I suspected Sarah of having an affair, that we fell in love, about the time we spent together."
"Wow. I still haven't told anyone. Well, my mother knows there was SOMEONE in London, and that he made me very happy, but she has no idea that it was you. I suppose when she starts in on me about how fast our relationship is progressing, I'll have to tell her."
"So, you don't mind my telling C.C.?"
"No. You're right; it needs to come from us. If the press ever gets wind of any of it, oh, Max, I don't even wanna think about that."
"Let's worry about that when it happens. Come on, let's go eat. I'm sure the children are waiting for us."
After dinner, Fran packed up the kids and headed back to her house. She glanced at the box on the den table before heading upstairs. I'll deal with that tomorrow. She got the kids bathed and ready into bed, then clicked on the intercom and headed down to the Jacuzzi for a soak. She poured herself a glass of wine and pinned her hair up before slipping into the tub. She had just settled into the bubbling water when the phone rang. She smiled, knowing who it had to be. She was right. It was Maxwell, calling to say goodnight, and reminding her that his driver would be by to pick up Anthony for school in the morning. She finished her bath, toweled off, and then applied rich lotion to her body. The cold winter air had really dried out her skin. She pulled her thick robe around her, headed back upstairs to her room, and climbed into bed.
Back at Maxwell's, he was sitting in the office sipping brandy with C.C., giving her the details of his trip to London four years ago, and exactly what his past relationship with Fran consisted of.
"So do you really think Sarah was having an affair?"
"I don't know, C.C., I was in the process of getting proof when I found out that she was expecting Grace. Fran told me that there was no way she would have been having an affair, if she was carrying my child, so I dropped the investigation. Things were a bit strained when I got home, but I thought it was just my imagination. I was still in love with Fran, but also loved Sarah deeply."
"So, it was over before you came home?"
"Absolutely. We vowed to never speak of it again, and to work on our respective marriages. Sarah had Grace that September, and then we saw Fran and Tony that October for Brighton's fourth birthday. I could see the hurt in Fran's eyes as she held Gracie, and there was something odd about Tony that day. I recently found out that they had a huge fight when they got home. Fran was willing to make some concessions to make her marriage work; Tony was going to continue doing what he'd been doing."
"Well, she had another baby; things couldn't have been too bad."
"You'll have to talk to Fran about that."
"I still can't imagine the two of you being emotionally involved, without having sex."
"Fran was stronger than I was in that regard. She kept reminding me that I still belonged to Sarah. Then after the accident, we both felt so much guilt over our feelings for each other. I completely avoided her. When she'd come to pick up Brighton, I'd stay in my office. She was always there for the children after Sarah died. She'd take all three children when I was between nannies. Irene and Grace have become so close, like sisters...and the boys, those boys are practically joined at the hip."
"Well, at least you get a second chance. You're lucky, some people only find one great love...you found two."
He patted her arm. "Yes, you're right, I AM lucky."
"Are you going to marry her? That's a silly question, of course you are."
"Yes, I plan to ask her at the pageant. The children will be there, her parents. We'll be on stage singing a duet, and after the song, I plan to propose. I'll need to get Anthony's permission, first."
"Ha! THAT won't be hard to get." She laughed and downed her drink. "Well, I'd better get home. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'm not sure I'll be working at the theater tomorrow."
"I'm coming over to join Niles for dinner. I'm sure he'll need help with the children. And I promised Fran I'd give the man a chance."
"A chance?"
"Niles has invited to eat with him before, and I was pretty rough on him. Fran's convinced me that he's not such a bad guy, and I should at least give him a chance. You know, with all her money and fame, you'd think she'd be more of a snob." She laughed again. "But she's still the simple girl from Flushing, isn't she?"
"She certainly is. That's one of the things I love about her. Good night, C.C.. Thanks."
"Any time, Maxwell." He walked her to the door and watched her drive away before locking the door and heading up to his room. He couldn't wait until tomorrow. He filled his Jacuzzi and took a long soak before climbing into bed.