Friends and Lovers

Chapter Eight

Fran and C.C. pulled up in front of the townhouse a few minutes later. "Do you have a downstairs entrance?"

"Just from the back yard. You can get in from the kitchen and from the living room." Fran unlocked the door and turned off the alarm. "Come on in, make yourself at home."

C.C. stepped in and stared at the large bookshelves on the walls in the den. "You must really like to read." She laughed.

"This was Tony's room, most of the books are stuff he collected, and I've just never bothered to go through it. Some of the books are signed collectors' items, some are collections he bought for Anthony, I've just never been in the mood to deal with them." She walked toward the back of the house. "This is the living room, and out that door is the top portion of my yard. If we'll need it for Saturday, it's also where I keep my firewood." She headed back to the stairs, and pointed to a door across from the bottom stair. "We have a small bathroom right there. Do you want to go up or down first?"

"Oh, down, I've got to see this kitchen and retro dining room of yours, as well as, what did your son call it? The man room."

"Retro?" She laughed. "I wouldn't exactly call it retro. It's more antique. I wanted the room to make you feel like you stepped back in time." They headed down the stairs and turned right into the kitchen. "This is my kitchen, and out THAT door, my covered patio, herb and flower garden. There isn't much going on out there right now." She pointed at the pantry door. "A small bathroom is through that door, and the pantry, another refrigerator, and the washer and dryer." She walked through the narrow hallway, and heard C.C. draw her breath.

"Oh, FRAN! This is absolutely beautiful! It really DOES feel like you stepped through a time machine!"

"Thanks. I love this room so much. Tony hated it; he thought it was too old fashioned."

"Well, then, he had no taste."

"You're right, he didn't." She laughed. "Ready to see upstairs?" Her friend nodded, and Fran led her up the flights of stairs to the third floor.

"So this was originally the master bedroom, right?"

"Right. Our bed was in the room with the closets, and we had Anthony in the other room when he was a baby. We had plans to convert the other room into a second den, but that never materialized. So, now these are the kids' playrooms." She headed for the stairs. "Our bedrooms are up stairs. Those two small rooms are Anthony and Ree's, and this one is mine." She opened the door for her friend to see.

"Oh, this room is so YOU, Fran!" She walked over to the leather sofa and ran her hands over the soft material. "This room has got to drive Maxwell wild!"

Fran smiled and blushed. "Yeah, he likes it."

C.C. smiled at her friend. She couldn't wait until Maxwell proposed to her. The more she got to know Fran, the more she loved her. Now she understood why Max was so attracted to her. It wasn't just her looks, or her body, it was what was underneath all that polished exterior. She was a simple, sweet, caring woman. She was more beautiful on the inside than she was on the outside. "I can see why you don't want to move in with Maxwell. I'd hate to give this place up, too."

Fran looked around her bedroom. "Yeah, I really love this place. I've had it since I was seventeen. But it has some pretty bad memories, too. Reenie seems to feel it. She has nightmares here, but not at Max's."

"Do you really think she's remembering Tony? Fran, she has the nightmares because she wants to be close to her DADDY. She thinks Maxwell IS her daddy."

"She DOES adore him, doesn't she?"

"She really does. Now, what I want to know, is why she's so attached to ME?"

"I don't know. Max and I think it might be your hair, maybe your perfume; you wear the same scent as Sarah used to wear. Maybe she associates you with her."

"Oh, GREAT. I'm sorry. Sarah WAS my friend, but after what she did to Maxwell, and to YOU, I almost hate to admit I was friends with her."

"I've tried to hate her, but I can't. She's still the mother of Max's children. What I'm not looking forward to is the day we have to tell Grace the truth about her parents. SHE doesn't remember Sarah, but Maggie and Brighton DO. This whole thing will hurt them so badly." She sighed and reached over and slapped a large pillow on her sofa. "We'd better bring the stuff in from the car and get back. I want to be home when the kids get home from school."

"Fran, did you just hear yourself?"

"Wha?"

"You referred to Max's place as home."

"Oy, did I? C.C., I love him so much. I don't think I ever stopped after London. I still can't believe he could just walk away from what we felt then, and go on with his life like he never loved me. Oh, God, what if he didn't? What if…"

"Fran, you're insane, you know that? That man loved you then, and he loves you now. He only went on with his life because YOU told him to; because he thought you'd gone on with YOURS. Things are different now; you both know the truth about everything. Stop worrying, everything is going to be just fine. Trust me, I've known that man for almost 20 years, I know him like a book."

"I hope you're right." She headed for the staircase.

"I'm always right." She smiled at her friend as she headed down the stairs. They unloaded the party supplies and carried them to the basement before heading back to Max's house.

As they walked through the front door, Maxwell was coming through the living room. "Where have you two been off to?"

The girls exchanged quick glances. "I was just showing her the townhouse, Honey. I knew we had a few minutes before the girls woke up."

"You DO realize you left without saying goodbye, telling me where you were going, anything."

"Niles knew we left, YOU were busy in your office, and, in case it's slipped your mind, Mista, I am NOT your wife and I DON'T live here, I can come and go as I please without having to hold up my hand and ask permission." Her hands were on her hips and she was glaring at Max.

"Keep your voice down, Fran, you'll wake the girls."

"How about I go wake them up and take them home?" She knew she was wrong as soon as the words flew from her mouth. She hadn't meant to insinuate that she'd take Grace from him. "Max, that's not what I meant, I would never…"

"Excuse us, C.C.." He grabbed her by the wrist and began to pull her up the stairs. "We might be a while, make yourself at home."

Fran allowed herself to be pulled upstairs in silence. Max opened his bedroom door and carefully flung her inside. He closed the door behind him and locked it, then pulled her purse from her shoulder and tossed it aside.

"Max…" She didn't like the look in his eyes. He closed the distance between them and pressed his lips roughly to hers. She started to fight him, and then lost herself in the passion of his kiss. His hands moved slowly over her, caressing her body softly. He moved his mouth away from hers and began trailing kisses down her throat. "You know I would never take her from you."

"I know." He began removing her clothing, then his own, before lowering her on the bed.

"Max, they'll know what we're doing up here."

"We're not doing a bloody thing wrong. I love you, and unless something's changed since this morning, you love me, correct?"

"Absolutely."

"Then let me show you. I've missed you."

"The kids will be home soon."

"Then less talking, My Darling." He pulled the covers back and rolled them over onto the soft, cool sheets. They made love quickly, and then spent the time afterwards holding each other close.

The next few days flew quickly by. Max was still buried in a ton of work, leaving Fran to deal with training the new nanny and work on the pageant with the boys. Finally, Saturday night arrived, and it was time for the big party. Fran picked the children and Denise up early, and Niles showed up in the early afternoon. C.C. arrived shortly after Niles, and helped him do the preparations for the dinner. She took this time alone with him to present him with the herb garden she'd bought for him at the mall earlier in the week.

"C.C., this is lovely, I don't know what to say."

"Well, you…" She caught herself. "I knew you enjoyed Fran's so much, and I thought you could put this in the bay window at Maxwell's."

"It's just such a thoughtful gift. Thank you so much." He put his hand on hers and gave it a squeeze.

"You're welcome. I hope you don't mind that Fran paired us up tonight. I know I'm really not one of your favorite people."

"That might have been the case once, but the more I get to know the REAL C.C. Babcock, the more I like her. So, no, I don't mind at all that Fran paired us up. I'm very happy that the two of you have become such good friends."

"I'm happy too. Surprised, but very happy."

"Why are you surprised?"

"I intended to NOT like her. I was so sure that Maxwell and I would get together after he was through mourning Sarah. He barely looked at Fran, I thought…hoped…he didn't like her. Then I find out about…sorry, Niles. They told me something in confidence and…"

"They told you about London? You look surprised. There isn't much that goes on concerning Mr. Sheffield that I don't know."

"When did he tell you?"

"He didn't. I would call him from time to time with reports on the children, and was helping him with another matter while he was away."

"You helped with the private investigator? Now YOU looked surprised. They're my friends. They both told me everything about what was going on."

"Yes, I was the go between, so if anything came out of it, I could take full responsibility for hiring him, relieving Mr. Sheffield of any blame. Several times I called and could hear a woman's voice in the room…a very distinctive voice. Then one night, I called around dinnertime and she answered the phone. That's when Mr. Sheffield explained who she was. I'm surprised they told you. Oh, don't get me wrong, it's not that you can't be trusted; it's just that very few people know what went on in London. I know, Mr. Sheffield's brother, Nigel, knows, I think Mr. Bergman suspected, he never let his wife get near Mr. Sheffield without him right there, hovering over her."

"She told me he was awfully possessive. Maybe he was just feeling guilty for being unfaithful to her for their entire marriage. I'm sorry, Niles, I shouldn't be talking to you about this. Fran told me some things that I'm sure she wouldn't want anyone to know. I'm not sure if Maxwell knows everything."

"Well, I know she always looked unhappy, the only times I've seen her smile was a brief moment at Master Brighton's birthday party right after Miss Grace was born, and these last few weeks that she and Mr. Sheffield have been back together. She's lucky to have a friend that she can trust to share such confidences. She mentioned her lifelong friend, Val, is a good listener, but tends to accidentally pass on information."

"Yeah, Val's sweet, but she does tend to rattle on." She laughed and shook her head. "You know, Niles, we should do something to help Fran forget the pain of her past. Did you know that Valentine's Day would have been her eighth anniversary?"

"Yes, and she's not very happy that Mr. Sheffield is insisting on celebrating the day. Oh, not as her anniversary, but as a romantic holiday for the two of them. You're right, though, it would be nice to help BOTH of them out, they've both been through so much. I've got an idea. How would you like to join me for a Valentine's Day dinner? We can ask Mr. Sheffield and Miss Fine to join us on a double date."

"Niles, you're asking me out for Valentine's Day?" She smiled sweetly.

"What am I thinking? I'm sure someone like you already has plans for the most romantic night of the year."

"No, no I don't. And this time I'm not turning you down. I'd love to go to dinner with you, Niles."

"Wonderful. How about the Rainbow Room? I know how much Mr. Sheffield likes that place, and we can eat, maybe do some dancing, and just maybe that thick skulled man will get some ideas."

"Oh, I don't think he needs any help in that regard, Niles." She smiled, remembering the conversation she had with Maxwell about his proposing to Fran.

"You KNOW something, don't you?"

"I'm sorry, Niles. I can't say. Just make SURE you're at the pageant. You don't want to miss the finale!"

"Of course, I'll be there. The young men have talked me into performing, and no amount of fast talking will get me out of singing for them."

"I can't wait to hear you. I'm actually singing, as well. Those kids are pretty persuasive."

"You're going soft, Babcock. Children never used to get to you like this."

"It's just something about THESE children, Niles. Those sweet baby girls, the way Brighton and Anthony are joined at the hip… and dear Maggie…I really DO feel like their aunt."

"Well, since Miss Fine is like a surrogate mother to the children, and YOU are like a sister to Miss Fine, you practically ARE their aunt." He looked around the kitchen. "Would you mind doing me a favor? Would you go downstairs and ask Miss Fine to bring up some serving dishes. She mentioned that she had some extras in a cupboard behind the bar."

"Of course, Niles. I'll be right back." She turned to go down the stairs, and he watched her disappear down the stairwell.

Fran was singing quietly while she decorated the basement. C.C. came down the stairs slowly, so she wouldn't disturb her. She stood and listened…she never realized what a beautiful singing voice she had. Fran turned around and jumped.

"Oy, C.C.! You scared me half to death! What are you doing?"

"Just standing here listening to you. I never knew you could sing like that!"

"It was supposed to be a secret. I hate singing in public. Once in awhile I'll do some karaoke, but only if I've had enough to drink." She laughed. "This pageant means so much to the boys, and they want me to sing, and they've got it in their heads that Max and I should do a duet. I think their original idea was to push us together. I keep telling them I'm grounding them after the pageant."

"I'm only performing because they begged me. I can't believe they got Niles to sing, too."

"Look out; they'll have you two doing a duet, too."

She smiled. "That wouldn't be so bad."

"O.K. Pal, dish. What happened?"

"We were upstairs talking. Oy, I'm supposed to be getting serving dishes for him, behind the bar, he said."

Fran stood back and put her hands on her hips. "While you're here, how does this look?"

C.C. lifted her head up and looked over the bar. "It looks good. I think anything more would be too much."

"Yeah, I thought so too. I think I'll grab some wine for dinner, or should I let Niles do that?"

"I'd let Niles pick, he's got this sixth sense about what wines go with everything."

"It sounds like someone's impressed with a certain butler."

"Oh, all right. You were RIGHT! Is that what you want me to say? I've been talking to him, and he's actually very sweet. He's asked me out for Valentine's Day."

"AND?"

"And I'm going. You're right. I shouldn't spend the rest of my life wondering, I should just go for it."

"I'm really glad. I keep thinking, what if I'd stayed sitting at the bar with Max's brother four years ago? Would Max and I still have found each other?"

"You two were meant to find each other. I think you would have ended up with Maxwell no matter WHAT happened when you got home."

"He went back to Sarah, Ceece."

"And he only stayed with her because he thought Grace was his daughter. He also didn't know about how you got pregnant with Irene. I'm still fuming about that one. If that monster was still alive today, I can assure you, he'd never be able to touch another woman again."

Fran grinned. "I wish I had your strength."

"You do, Fran. Just look at what you've accomplished. You survived an abusive marriage, the death of your husband, raised not only YOUR two kids, but helped Max raise his three as well, all while holding down a demanding job."

"Yeah, I'm strong now, but when I should have been strong, I let other people tell me what I should do with my life. You know…you SHOULD be married, you SHOULD have children, you SHOULD work hard. What I should have done was listened to my heart instead of my family. I was happy working, putting money away…I'd planned to stay single until I was thirty, that is, until I met Tony. Daddy was sure he just wanted my money. The one thing I'm glad about is that I let Dad talk me into keeping the money I made before my marriage hidden from him."

"That must have made him happy."

"Oh, when he found out, he was so angry. I opened an account for us to use as play money, but he just burned through that each month. He tells people how much he spoiled me…what he didn't tell them, was that it was MY money he was using. I mean, it was nice to have him stay home with Anthony, but that's what I would've liked to do." She looked at her watch. "I'd better go upstairs and get ready. I really don't want to talk about that schmuck any more, Ceece."

"Sorry, Sweetie. Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine; I was the one that started talking about him. Why do I keep doing that? I have a guy that loves me, treats me great, and who am I sitting here talking about?"

"Fran, you've got to get it all out."

She hugged her friend. "Thanks, C.C., you're really a good friend, ya know?"

C.C.'s eyes filled with tears. "Thanks, Fran. No one's ever told me that before."

She hugged her again. "Well, ya are. I'm gonna go get ready. I want to knock that man's socks off when he gets here."

"Believe me, you will. He has NO idea what you've got planned."

"That's 'cause I didn't tell our yenta children until the last minute." She laughed. "I'll turn on the intercom; just scream at me if you need anything." She headed up the stairs. "Thanks again, C.C.."

"Anytime." She watched her friend go up the stairs, and then reached under the bar for the serving platters. She held them close and looked around the room. The decorations were perfect. Maxwell was going to love this. She felt a stab of jealousy at their relationship. Maybe someday she'd find a man that would love her the way Maxwell loved Fran.

She headed up the stairs to the kitchen, to find Niles busy putting finishing touches on the meal. "Is everything all right, C.C.?"

"I'm fine, thanks, Niles. I'm just not too sure about Fran."

"She looked upset when she came up the stairs."

"We were talking about her ex. Well, I guess he's not really her ex, but you know who I'm talking about. That man was a total schmuck. He really did a number on her head, not to mention her heart. She's so lucky to have Maxwell." She smiled. "And he's lucky to have HER." She walked over to lay the trays down and sniffed all the food Niles had prepared. "Everything smells great, Niles. This party is going to be wonderful."

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Promise you won't laugh? For the longest time I've felt sorry for myself because I can't find the right man, one who'll love me for ME, and not my money. Then I look at Fran. Married too young, to a guy who only wanted her money, and someone beautiful enough to make him pretty babies and look good on his arm. Then she falls in love with a man who adores her, and they can't be together, because of that same jerk she married. It really makes me think…maybe it's a good thing I was so picky with men. The other side of the coin is that I WAS so picky, I eliminated so many GOOD men from consideration. I assumed that every man who didn't have more money than I did was after my bank account."

"And now?"

"Now, Fran's made me see that not all men are after a woman to support them. Some men are actually intimidated by a woman with money and a career. Fran's money doesn't bother Maxwell; he could care less that she has more money than he does."

"Wait, did you just say that Fran has more…"

"Shh…I thought you knew that already. Niles, you can't say a word, she trusted me."

"Not a word. Now, I knew from your comments she had more money than you do, but more than Mr. Sheffield?"

"She was seventeen years old, and paid cash for this place, then spent a year renovating it…with cash. I heard her on the phone with her uncle, who's her accountant, setting up a trust fund for Grace to match Irene's and Anthony's. Ten million dollars, Niles! Ten million for EACH child!"

"I believe the Sheffield children have similar amounts in their trust funds."

"Yes, but that comes out of the family trust. A lot of Maxwell's money comes from his father's and grandmother's estates. Fran earned hers all by herself. Her parents are simple, middle class people. Her dad worked hard for his money, mom stayed home and took care of the two girls. But Fran was discovered at a young age, and started modeling. She was a millionaire by the time she was in high school."

"Impressive, isn't it?"

"I'll say. I grew up having everything handed to me. She worked for everything she has, she's never had a nanny take care of her kids until now, never had a butler or a maid. I don't know how she did it, especially with two little kids."

"Well, her children are well behaved; you rarely see her getting after them."

She laughed. "You're not paying attention, Niles. Anthony is well behaved. Irene is hell on wheels. She and Brighton are really making that poor new nanny earn her money."

"I thought you adored Irene."

I DO, Niles. But even Fran admits that she's a wild child at times." She walked over and flipped the intercom for the playrooms. "Maybe I'll go up and give Denise a hand."

"Who ARE you? First you befriend Fran, and now Denise?"

"I'm not befriending her; I'm just going to help with the kids a bit. Fran's trying to get ready for dinner, and I just thought I'd go check on the little ones."

"You really do love those kids, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. Once I got it through my head that Max was never going to think of me as anything but a friend and associate, I stopped thinking of those kids as just something that could come between us. They really are great kids…Maggie is so much like Sarah, and Brighton reminds me of how playful Maxwell was when I first met him. Little Grace, you can tell who's raised her. That little one is all Fran. You'd think she was the mother of both little ones."

"Well, she IS, isn't she?"

She nodded. "What I really find amusing are some of Irene's facial expressions, and the way she puts her hand up to her head when she's frustrated. She looks just like Maxwell." She saw Niles raise his eyebrows. "Oh, no, no, he's not…I asked Fran if there was a chance. Now THAT would have been ironic. She said that she wished he were, but there was no chance of that. Look at me sitting here like a yenta. Let me go up and check the children. I know Fran wants then to look their best. You should see the outfits we picked out for them; Max is just going to, oh, what did Fran say? Plotz." She turned to leave, and then stopped at the base of the stairs. "Niles, I'm sorry for everything."

He stopped arranging the finger sandwiches and turned to face her. "Sorry for what?"

"For the way I've treated you all these years. I've treated you so badly just because of your chosen profession. When I stand back and look at you, it's rather noble. You've chosen to follow in the footsteps of your father and his father before him, mostly out of loyalty. You may not be rich monetarily, but you ARE rich where it counts. You're a good person; you treat everyone with respect and kindness, even when they really don't deserve it. I want to be more like that, Niles."

He pulled off his apron and walked towards her. "You ARE a good person, C.C., sometimes you have to be tough as nails because of your profession, but I'm seeing the real C.C., the one behind the mask you put on for the world to see." He stroked her upper arm gently, and then pulled her into his arms for a hug. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck when the tears started to form.

"Damnit! I hate it when I do that!"

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "What, act like a human being? If you can't cry in front of your friends, then you need new friends." He hugged her again. She held him close and let the tears fall. He held her and rubbed her back for several minutes until her tears subsided. Then reached for his handkerchief and blotted her eyes. "Feel better?" She nodded. "Now, go upstairs and pull one of those adorable children into your lap for a good cuddle. I have it on the best authority that is the best thing to make you feel better."

"Thanks, Niles, I'll do that. And Niles?"

"Not a word, I promise. Your secret is safe with me."

She turned and walked slowly up the stairs. He watched her until she was out of sight, and then returned to preparing the appetizers. He listened on the intercom as she entered the playroom. The girls squealed with delight and the boys stopped playing to run over and talk to her. Aunt C.C.. He laughed to himself. He continued to listen as she began singing softly to one of the children, he assumed it was Irene. She had such a lovely voice, so soothing. He couldn't wait until Valentine's Day. He'd put money away for just such an occasion. He was going to make sure this was one night she'd never forget. He just hoped the night would go as well for Fran.

Upstairs, Fran caressed the leather box containing the watch she'd bought for Max's birthday. She couldn't wait to see his face. Then she picked up the smaller box containing the signet ring from the children. She'd had all five of them sign the card, even little Irene had scribbled "Ree". She wanted this night to be perfect. This would mark their first time celebrating a family day as a family. Well, this is what he said he wanted. Me, the kids…so here we go. She carefully wrapped the two packages and attached the cards. Then she walked to her closet and pulled out the new dress she'd purchased for the evening. She pulled up her hair and curled the stay strands that fell around her face. Almost perfect. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out her jewelry box. She opened it and fumbled around inside until she found a small velvet box. She smiled as she opened the box containing diamond solitaire earrings, remembering when Maxwell had given them to her. It was Mother's Day, and Tony had refused to let Anthony come visit her, so Max took her out for a special dinner, and gave her the earrings as a gift from her son. She put the earrings on and checked herself in the mirror. Now, it's perfect! She wondered if he'd remember the earrings. She was sure he would, he remembered everything about their time in London.

C.C. knocked gently on Fran's door. "It's me…"

"Come on in, C.C.."

C.C. stepped into the room, Irene and Grace in tow. "Fran you look beautiful! Doesn't Mommy look pretty, girls?" The girls nodded and ran to their mother for hugs and kisses. "I thought I'd get them dressed, so Denise can stay with the older kids, and you can finish getting ready."

"I think I'm done, but I'd appreciate the help."

"They're wearing the twin outfits, right?"

"You don't think it's too much, do you? I mean, with the watch, the card from the kids. This is so much, so fast. I don't want him to think I'm trying to push him into marriage."

"I think it's perfect, Fran. Remember, this is what HE wants, you're not pushing, you're following his lead."

"I hope you're right." She took Irene by the hand and led her towards her room. "Come on, girls, let's get dressed up for Daddy." She pulled the matching dresses from the closet and handed one to C.C.. She looked at the size tag on the one she was holding. "Grace, this is your dress, come here, Sweetie, let's get dressed."

C.C. watched Irene reach for the dress. "I've got your dress, Ree, Honey, come over here." The child ran to her and threw herself in her arms.

"Love you."

"Oh, I love you too, Honey." She held the child tightly.

"You'd better be careful, my friend, those things are contagious." Fran laughed as she buttoned the back of Grace's dress.

"I know, I know. I never knew what all those women meant by 'biological clock' until mine started ticking. This is all YOUR fault, you know."

"Mine? What'd I do?"

She squeezed Irene again. "You had such beautiful babies."

Fran laughed again. "There are days I'd just give her to you."

C.C. laughed with her friend. "Those are the days I probably wouldn't want her."

They stood the girls side by side and stared for a minute. "Fran, my GOD."

"I KNOW. Do we dare style their hair the same way?"

"I think we have to."

"You don't think Maxwell will be upset?"

"That HIS daughters look alike? No, they both have dark curly hair and brown eyes like their mother."

"Don't mention the eyes. You KNOW whose eyes those are."

"They look like Anthony's eyes. I know, and he has HIS eyes, but don't worry about it. People that don't know think all the kids are related."

Fran looked at Grace. "Well, thanks to her, they ARE."

"Oh, my God, I never put that together. Maggie and Brighton are…and so are Anthony and Irene. It was all so complicated, you've got his, yours, theirs…wait till you and Maxwell have a baby. Fran, what's that look. You aren't…are you?"

"No, at least I don't think so. I mean, we've been, well, less than careful. I was just thinking, six kids, OY!"

"Well, you could have twins like your sister." She laughed.

"Oh, thanks. Double OY!" She reached for the hairbrush and pulled half of Irene's dark curls up into a rubber band, then did the same with Grace's hair. "They need ribbons, don't they?" She opened the top drawer and moved things around until she found two ribbons that matched the girls' dresses.

"You three look GREAT."

"Now we just need to get Maggie and the boys changed. They can dress themselves, so I'll take these two with me, can you check on Niles and see if he needs any help?"

"Sure, no problem." She grinned. "No problem at all."

"O.K., dish, girl."

"What?"

"Look at your face; you're grinning from ear to ear."

"Oh, it's nothing really; we've just had several nice talks." She reached down and kissed the girls before heading back to the kitchen.

Fran pulled Maggie's dress from the closet, and then walked into Anthony's room and removed the boys' suits and laid them on the bed. She took the girls by the hands and went downstairs to the playroom, where the older children were already cleaning up the rooms. "Oh, thanks, kids. Maggie, your dress is laid out in Ree's room, and boys, your suits are on Anthony's bed. It's about time for you to get dressed. I want everyone downstairs when your father gets here."

"He's gonna be so excited." Maggie giggled as she headed upstairs.

"I sure hope so, Honey. I'll be downstairs with the girls, come down to the dining room as soon as you're done dressing."

"Yes, Ma'am." The boys raced up the stairs to the bedroom.

"Daddy coming?" Irene looked up at her mother.

"Yes, Angel, Daddy's coming."

"Soon?"

"Yes, Ree, Daddy's coming soon. Now, let's go downstairs and wait for him."

" 'kay, Mommy." Irene looked over at her sister. "Daddy coming soon."

Grace smiled. "Uh-huh."

When they got to the den, Irene looked around. "Where Daddy?" She held her hands up at shoulder level.

"He's coming, Ree."

"Daddy coming soon?"

"Yes, Baby, come on, we need to go downstairs and see Niles." She took the toddler's hand and helped her down the stairs. She heard C.C. giggling as she came around the corner. The girls broke from her grasp and ran to see her.

"Niles tickle Aunt C.?"

Fran walked into the room as C.C. and Niles pulled apart. "Was he now?" She looked at her friend and smiled. "How's dinner coming, Niles?

He cleared his throat and started moving platters around. "Everything's about ready, Miss Fine."

"The appetizers can go in the downstairs refrigerator, since we'll be noshing down there before dinner. Did you pick a wine?"

"I was just heading that way, any ideas?"

"No, I thought I'd leave that to you. I was told that you are an expert at putting wine with food."

He smiled and glanced at C.C., then picked up two trays of appetizers and headed downstairs. He placed the trays in the bar refrigerator, then entered the wine cellar, selecting two wines, one for before dinner, one for the meal.

Fran went upstairs and brought the children down, as well as the presents. Everyone moved down to the basement, and Fran got the children settled. "Max should be here any minute, so you kids stay quiet. I'm turning off the intercom so he shouldn't hear you all the way down here. You can watch the television, but keep it low."

"Would you like me to set out the appetizers, Ma'am?"

"Sure, Niles, just don't let the kids start eating."

"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on them, between the three of us, we should be able to keep them away from the food." Denise smiled as she picked up Irene.

"Daddy's coming?"

Fran laughed. "Here we go again. Yes, my darling girl, Daddy's coming."

"Soon?"

"Hopefully, very soon, Angel. I need to go upstairs, you be a good girl and stay quiet so we can surprise Daddy." She kissed her youngest, then gave hugs and kisses to the other four children before hurrying up the stairs. She went to the bar to fix a drink, but before she finished, Max rang the bell.

"Hello, Darling, ready to go?"

"Almost, I was just fixing you a drink." She finished pouring and handed it to him. "Here you go."

"You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Fran." He kissed her lightly. "I'm so glad we're alone." He pulled her closer to him.

Alone. Oy, was he going to be disappointed in just a few minutes. "Honey, I need to check something downstairs before we go, wanna come down with me?"

"Follow you to a dark basement? Anytime, My Love."

She started down the stairs, and hoped he wouldn't catch the smell of dinner floating on the air. "How were the kids when you left?"

"They weren't home. It appears Niles took our new nanny and our children to dinner. I think even C.C. went with them, I don't know what to make of that."

"Oh, Denise and C.C. really hit it off when we went shopping, maybe they just wanted to get better acquainted." She rounded the stairs at the dining room and headed for the basement. At the sound of her voice, Niles switched off the lights and the television, and the adults held the little ones tightly until Fran turned on the lights.