Friends and Lovers
Chapter Fourteen
Fran watched her husband exit the bedroom, then pulled on her robe. She rolled out of bed, stepped into her slippers and went into the bathroom to wash her face.
"Fran?"
"In the bathroom, Honey." He walked into the bathroom carrying Irene, with Grace right behind him. "What's that all over their pajamas?"
"Frosting. To be specific, wedding cake frosting. The boys decided they wanted cake for breakfast, so they went downstairs and brought the entire cake to their room. Not wanting to be greedy, they were kind enough to share with their sisters." Grace ran to the toilet and got sick. "THAT is the result of the boys' attempt to feed their sisters breakfast."
"Max, Honey, one piece of cake isn't going to make them sick."
"Fran, the cake is gone. All that's left is the empty platter, and five dirty forks, oh, and two very sick little girls."
"Did you ground them?"
"Who? The boys?"
"All of them, Max. Every one of them knows better."
"Well, the cake was tempting."
"Maxwell, they snuck it into their bedroom. They knew they weren't supposed to be eating this. Every one of them is off sweets for a month."
"Do you want me to tell them?" He held Irene's hair back as she became sick again.
"No, you're always the bad guy; it's MY turn this time." She pulled her robe tighter around her waist. "Are you all right in here with them?"
He nodded and stroked his daughters head. "Yes, I think it's all about passed now."
Fran blew out of the bathroom and headed to her sons' room. "All right, just what were you thinking this morning?"
"I don't think we were thinking, Mom. Are the girls O.K.?"
"No, they are NOT O.K., Michael, they're both very sick. They had WAY too much sugar."
"We're grounded, right?"
"You'd betta believe it, Mister!"
"What about the pageant?"
"Don't worry about that, you're grounded from sweets for a month. No cookies, candy, ice cream…do I make myself clear?"
"But we're supposed to bring a dessert for the pageant!"
"Niles will make something nice for everyone else. YOU two will eat fresh fruit as your desserts."
"Maggie ate the cake, too, and she's older, she should have stopped us."
"Brighton, I'd be very careful if I were you. The ice is very thin, and I see a crack forming."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Now clean up this mess, I don't want to see ONE crumb in this room!"
"Ree and Grace made the mess!"
"Michael, that crack is getting bigger by the minute! Now clean this up, and DON'T let me hear that you left it for Niles!" The boys quickly moved to start cleaning the cake crumbs off the floor. Fran vacated their room and headed for her oldest daughter's room.
"Hi, Mom, I heard. I'm grounded too, right?"
"Absolutely, Young Lady. I know the boys brought the cake up, but YOU are the oldest, you could have done something to stop them."
"I know, it's all my fault the girls are sick."
"No, it is NOT all your fault. All of you are to blame, and all of you are getting the same punishment. No sweets for a month."
"Can I help take care of the girls? I know how they get with sugar, and I didn't stop them, because we were having so much fun."
"I think your father would appreciate that. He's got them in our bathroom." She hugged her daughter. "We've got a big family, here, Sweetie; I'm really depending on you to help me out."
"I know, Mom, I'm sorry."
"Let's go see how the girls are." She put her arm around her daughter and headed out into the hall, where they found Niles with a bucket and sponge.
"Have you seen the boys' room, Mrs. Sheffield? There are crumbs everywhere."
"I know, Niles, and I don't want you to touch it. Give that bucket to them and make them do all the cleaning."
"They ate all that cake by themselves?" Niles was grinning.
"No, they were kind enough to share with their sisters. By the way, I'm sure the girls' bathroom needs, uh, cleaning. Max has the girls in our bathroom, now."
Niles rolled his eyes. "Oh, that's just great. Breakfast will be late."
Fran laughed. "I don't think the kids will be hungry, Niles. " Maggie was shaking her head. "I'll go down and make breakfast, since you're busy up here."
"You're sure you don't want to clean the bathroom?"
"I think you should make Michael and Brighton clean it, after all, they were the ones that brought up the cake."
Fran looked at her daughter. "What a great idea, Maggie, and since all THREE of you older children allowed the babies to eat all that sugar and get so sick, it's only fair that YOU help them."
"Mo-om!"
"You stay with Niles, he'll get you all the supplies you need. I'll go let the boys know about their next job, and let your father know what's going on." Fran grinned at Niles and headed back to the master bedroom. She found Max and the girls in the middle of the bed, reading.
He looked up as she entered the room. "Well, how did it go?"
"They took it pretty well. What they didn't like, is that I'm making the boys clean the mess up in the room by themselves, and then all three of them are cleaning the girls' bathroom." Max wrinkled his nose.
"Tummy hurts, Mommy!" Irene crawled across the bed to her mother.
"I know, Baby. You ate all that nasty cake."
Grace looked at her mother and smiled. "It wasn't nasty, it was GOOD!"
"It also made you sick, was THAT good?"
"No, Mommy." She wrinkled her little face, causing both of her parents to chuckle.
"So what's the plan for today, Daddy?" She moved next to Max on the bed and drew her youngest into her lap.
"I thought we'd just stay home, watch movies, play some games, and just enjoy our first day as an official family."
"We should probably start packing up the other house." She laid her head on his shoulder.
"Not today, Darling. I'll call a moving company, and we'll let them pack up the townhouse. We'll go over Monday when the children are in school and move most of your things over here, and we'll have the moving company start packing by the end of the week. How does that sound?"
"I'm not real thrilled about strangers packing my things, but I also don't want to spend every waking hour doing it myself, considering we have TWO houses to pack and move. Don't forget we also have final rehearsals for the pageant."
"We are also having house guests during the pageant, or did you forget?"
"I was trying to forget." She giggled. "Did Nigel say what day they were coming?"
"You're not going to like this. Mother usually shows up on a Friday, she gets some special rate on the Concorde."
"Friday? Max, we have so much to DO on Friday! We close escrow, so we have to drive up to Monroe to sign the papers, AND we have dress rehearsal after school for the pageant."
"Actually, Fran, the Realtor will bring the escrow papers to us, so we'll just have to go to the bank to make complete the transaction."
"The BANK! I need to go change my name on everything, and put you on my accounts."
"You can do that Monday. Today is family day. We've had a busy two weeks, and it's going to get even busier, so today we sit around like schlubs."
"I love you so much."
"Love you, Daddy!" Both girls jumped into Max's arms and smothered him with kisses.
"How about we go get you two dressed now? Then we'll go downstairs, get some juice, and watch cartoons. How's that?"
The girls nodded and jumped up and down on the bed. "I'd say they were feeling better, how about you?" Fran laughed and pulled the girls off the bed. "Come on, you little chozzers, let's get dressed."
"I not chozzer, Mommy."
"Then why did you eat all that cake?" She laughed as she led her daughters from the room.
"Racy chozzer!"
"I am NOT, YOU are!"
"That is enough, you two!" She looked back at Max and shook her head.
He stepped forward and moved his lips to her ear. "They get it from their Mommy."
She spun around and tickled his stomach. "You are SO gonna pay for that one, Mista!"
He grabbed the sash of her robe and pulled her to him. "Irene, Grace, go to your room, we'll be right there." He watched the girls run down the hall and into their bedroom. "So I'm going to pay, am I?" He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her softly.
"Uh-huh." She moved her arms around his neck and began to deepen the kiss.
"We're done cleaning the bathroom. YUCK! MOM! DAD!"
The couple pulled apart and looked at their three oldest children, who were standing grinning. "You know, you used to hide that from us." Maggie giggled.
"Well, that was before we were married. Why don't you three go put on something comfortable? We thought we'd have family day today. We can watch some movies, play some games, and eat junk food."
"Fran, Darling, I think they've all had enough junk food for the day."
"We can have popcorn can't we?"
"Yes, popcorn is fine. Go get ready, children, we'll meet you downstairs." They watched the children head for their rooms. "Now, where were we?" He pulled her back to him.
"Mommy, Daddy! C'MON! Get DRESSED!"
Fran laughed and pulled out of her husband's embrace. "We were getting the babies dressed. Where's Denise, anyway?"
"I'm right here. I'll get the girls dressed so you can get dressed, if you like."
"Great. Would you mind bringing them downstairs when you're done? We promised them cartoons."
"No problem, Mrs. Sheffield."
"Denise, it's still Fran." She smiled at the nanny.
"Thanks, Fran."
Max took Fran's hand and pulled her back into their bedroom. "You certainly warmed up to a nanny taking care of the children."
"Well, this is Denise, and I trust her completely. Besides, it gives me a chance to spend a few more minutes with my handsome husband."
"I'll need more than a few minutes alone with you."
She smiled seductively at him. "There's always tonight. We'll wear the kids out, make sure they're nice and tired, and then put them to bed early." She stretched, and then put her arms around her husband's neck. "I'm SURE I'll be ready for bed early tonight."
He pulled at the sash of her robe until he had it open, and then slipped his hands inside. "For now, how about a shower?" He ran his mouth down her throat.
"Do we have time for that?"
"We can make time, we DO need to bathe, you know."
She whipped off her robe and began fumbling with the buttons on his pajamas. "I like the way you think!" She gave up on the buttons and pulled the pajama top over his head, and then headed for the bathroom. He stepped out of the bottoms and was right behind her.
Ten minutes later, Niles was knocking on their door with a tray of coffee and scones. Not getting an answer, he carefully opened the door, and heard the shower running, and the muffled sounds of lovemaking coming from inside. He smiled broadly and placed the tray on the dresser, the quickly vacated the room, locking the door behind him. Denise met him in the hall with the children.
"Have you seen Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield, Niles?"
He shot a quick glance to their door. "I believe they are getting dressed. Why don't you take the children downstairs, and I'll go start breakfast. Do you children feel like eating anything at all, now that you've had such a nosh already?"
"Nanas." Irene looked up at him and smiled.
"Yeah, and oranges!" Grace grinned at her sister.
"Maybe some oatmeal?" The boys made faces at their older sister.
"Waffles?"
"No way am I making you children waffles. Your parents said something quick. How about some eggs and toast to go along with the fruit?"
Denise moved her hand to her mouth to cover a giggle. Too bad C.C. had her eye on this one. He was adorable!
"O.K., Niles."
"Kids, remember your manners."
"Thanks, Niles."
Denise winked at him. If things didn't work out with C.C., she wanted him to know she was definitely interested. "Yeah, thanks, Niles." She smiled sweetly as she herded the children down the stairs.
Niles rolled his eyes and headed for the back stairs. If C.C. ever saw the nanny flirting like that, she'd eat her liver.
Later that day, Max disappeared into his office to make arrangements with the moving company. They gave him a special rate to pack and move the contents of the townhouse, the mansion, and C.C.'s condominium. He settled back on the sofa with Fran and the younger children and watched a movie, while the older kids played a board game until naptime.
Once the younger girls were napping, the kids put in a movie geared for someone their age. Fran popped more popcorn and the five of them sat and cuddled the afternoon away.
Monday C.C. accompanied Fran to her doctor's office, where the doctor confirmed what she already knew. She was pregnant. She practically floated out of the examining room to share the news with her friend.
"Oh, Frannie, that's wonderful! Maxwell will be so excited!"
"We can't tell him yet, Ceece! I've got a plan for Father's Day." The girls headed to lunch, and Fran filled her in on the plan she had to spring the news on her husband.
"So NO one's going to know?"
"Right, not even my parents. You and I will be the only ones to know until Father's Day." She placed her hands on her thin abdomen. "I hope I don't start to show too much before then!" The girls finished their lunches and hurried back home.
The next week was filled with running back and forth between houses, getting them packed up as much as possible and spending time at school with the boys, doing last minute preparations for the spring pageant. The school officials hadn't yet been notified of the marriage, so the boys were excitedly planning the announcement for that night. They may not have gotten the proposal, but their parents wedding announcement would be even better.
The Wednesday before the pageant, Nigel called from London to inform his brother of the plans for the weekend. Fran and Max were at the boys' school for rehearsals, so Niles took the message.
C.C. looked up from her pile of paperwork. "You didn't tell him about the wedding?"
"No, he'll just tell Mrs. Sheffield, and she'll have a couple of days to work herself up about it."
"You think she's going to be upset?"
"At first, yes, Mr. Sheffield made a point of NOT inviting her to his wedding. I'm sure once she sees her new grandchildren, and how much in love the Sheffields are, she'll come around."
"Irene, Grace, what are you two doing?" The girls had been sitting on the living room sofa in plain sight, but now they were nowhere to be seen. "Niles, where are the crayons?"
"Safely locked in the desk." They both moved quickly into the living room. The girls were over by the stereo, trying to turn it on.
"Do you want music, Honey?" C.C. switched the player on and reached for a CD.
"Uh-huh…wanna sing." She reached for the microphone that the family used for karaoke.
"We wanna be in the pageant, too, Aunt C." Gracie's lower lip was hanging low.
"Honey, I think they've already picked the singers. The boys need people to sit in the audience and clap. Can you and Ree do that for us?"
Irene handed the microphone to C.C.. "Sing, Aunt C."
She looked at Niles and blushed. He hadn't yet heard her sing, and there was no way he was going to hear her now.
"C'MON, Aunt C., it's FUN!" C.C. looked at the face of the two year old smiling up at her.
"I just can't say 'no' to that face. All right, Reenie, let's find something good to sing." She thumbed through Max's CD collection. "Ah, this is perfect." She put a Judy Garland CD in and began to sing "Me and My Shadow" along with the music. She picked up Irene and moved her to the middle of the room, and Grace followed. She showed the girls a few steps, and before she knew it, she was in a dance routine with the children.
Niles stood and watched, totally amazed. Here was the Ice Princess of Broadway, singing and dancing with a two and a three year old. "I wish I had a camera."
"Very funny, Niles. I'm sure this will give you all sorts of things to torture me with."
"Actually, it gave me an idea." He moved the girls aside and took their place, following the steps with C.C.. He began to sing the words with her, bringing an eruption of giggles from the children. Now it was C.C.'s turn to be amazed. Niles was following her step for step. "You missed your calling; you could have been a choreographer."
"I don't think so." The song came to an end and he bowed to her.
"Thank you for the lovely dance. We should throw that in tomorrow."
Before she could answer, the next song started. "Sing, Aunt C.!"
C.C. raised the microphone and began to sing, "You Made me Love You" along with Judy. When she finished, Niles had tears in his eyes. "That was just lovely, C.C.."
She looked down at the floor. "Thank you, Niles."
Grace was rummaging through the CDs. "This one, Niles, sing The Frank!"
C.C. laughed. "The Frank?"
Niles looked serious. "Mr. Sinatra. The girls just love his music. What song, Reenie?"
"Spread a news."
"Ree, it's New York, New York."
"Kay, New York, Ni-yals."
He put the CD in the player and waited for the first strains of the horns to start. "Sing it with me, Babcock."
"I can't."
"Sure you can, we'll trade off…follow my lead." He started with the first few lines, and then pointed to her. She belted out her part, and then he took over again. The girls were squealing with glee. When the song was over, they were both giggling as much as the girls were.
"Niles, we should do that for the boys' show! I mean, we LIVE in New York, Sheffield Productions is helping produce the show, and this would be perfect!"
"You're not serious. You just said you couldn't sing it."
"Did I stink?"
"You didn't come CLOSE to stinking, My Dear. Fine, you want to do it, let's do it right. How do you feel about tops and tails? We could wear the same costume for 'Me and My Shadow'."
"I hope the boys can fit us in on short notice."
"Are you kidding? They've been after us for weeks to participate. They'll be thrilled. They'll be lucky to have us."
She laughed. "You're right, they WILL be lucky. And maybe if Billy Joel sees me sing and dance, he'll take me a bit more seriously as a producer."
"Let Fran handle Billy Joel. She's worked with his wife, they're friends."
"Do you think she'll want to go back to work once she gets around her model friends again? I mean, I know she can't, uh, won't, but I'm sure it'll be hard on her."
"Back up. You said she can't. What do you know that you're not telling me?"
She looked down at the girls and tried to think fast. There was no way she could tell the truth to this yenta, Maxwell would find out in no time, and Fran's Father's Day surprise would be out the window. "Well, look at these babies; do you really think she could leave Maxwell and these sweet babies for a modeling job?"
He eyed her suspiciously. "I'm sure there's more to it than that. I'm getting to know you quite well, Babcock."
Thankfully, the front door burst open and the three older children came thundering in, followed by their parents.
"Mommy! Daddy!" The girls came running to greet their parents.
"MommyDaddy, Ni-yals Aunt C sing!"
"What's she sayin', Ceece?"
"Oh, Niles and I were singing to entertain the girls."
"Well, don't let the boys hear ya. They need more acts in the show. Two nights to go, and they're short."
Niles was hanging up the jackets. "Well, maybe we can help." He explained about the songs they'd just sang, and how they planned to perform them in the pageant, if the boys could use them.
"Niles that would be GREAT! I'll go up and tell the guys, they've been kvetching all the way home." Fran bounded up the stairs to tell her sons the good news."
"Maxwell, she didn't even ask ME! Niles, you are going to pay for this."
"Oh, no, My Beauty, this is pay BACK. I seem to recall a very embarrassing afternoon at Coney Island a while back."
"How did I embar…" Her eyes grew wide. "I actually thought you'd forgotten
about that."
"About what? You two aren't fighting again are you?"
"Oh, no, Maxwell, nothing like that. This is all in fun. I got him, now it's his turn to get me."
"C.C., you have a beautiful voice, it's a crime to hide it from the world."
"Niles, BILLY JOEL is going to be on that stage, and you want me to compete with THAT?"
"You'll be great."
"C.C., I didn't know you sing."
"She dances, too. Come on, Babcock, let's show him."
"I'll do no such thing!"
Irene tugged on her leg. "Please, Aunt C.?"
"Yeah, Aunt C., show Daddy, pleeeeeease?" Grace had her by the hand, pulling her into the living room.
"You trained these little monkeys, didn't you, Niles?" She allowed the girls to drag her into the living room, followed by a smirking butler and her very confused business partner.
By the time Niles had the CD in the stereo, Fran and the other children had made their way down the stairs and into the living room. "Frannie, you are SO going to owe me for this."
"Well, just add it to the list of everything else I owe ya for. I'll pay ya back eventually."
"You're damned right you will!" She grinned at her friend, and then was aware of the giggles coming from the children. "Ooh! I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to say that in front of the kids."
"You gotta put a quarter in the swear jar, Aunt C.C.." Brighton ran into his father's office and returned with a large mayonnaise jar full of change.
"I have to what?" She looked at Maxwell for help.
"This is the family 'swear jar', any time one of us uses foul language, and we have to drop a quarter into the jar."
"It's pretty full, who's the potty mouth?"
The children pointed to their parents. "We count the British and Yiddish slang words, too. If we can't say them, neither can they." Maggie explained.
"Well, I don't have a quarter on me."
Niles fumbled in his pocket. "This one's on me, but next time, you're on your own. Now, are you ready to show 'em what you've got?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"NO!" the boys cried out in unison.
C.C. grinned at them. "Who asked YOU two?"
Brighton shrugged. "Hey, we're the producers, you know how that goes. You have to do what we say."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, GOD!"
Niles picked up the remote and started the stereo. Max and Fran watched in shock as their friends danced their way through 'Me and My Shadow', then belted out 'New York, New York'.
"Wow, that was wonderful! You two sound GREAT together!" Fran was on her feet applauding.
"How about YOU two?"
Max and Fran looked at each other. "What about us? We're singing in the show."
Niles and C.C. exchanged glances. "Well, we haven't heard one note come from either of you."
"You should have come with us to rehearsal, then."
"We were babysitting, remember? Denise is on a date?"
"Oy, I gotta tell her she can't date anymore."
"Frannie, come on, sing for us."
"Yeah, Mom, you can do it one more time."
"No, B, it's like this…Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield, we need you to run your numbers one more time. Hey, we're in charge, they gotta do what we say!" Michael grinned at his father, who was not amused.
"Let's remember that, Son, AFTER the pageant when we start all the moving." He winked at Fran. "Hey, then WE'RE in charge, and they 'gotta' do what WE say."
"Oy!" Michael put his head on his brother's shoulder for support.
"Hey, Mikey said it, I ASKED you!"
"Oh, for goodness sake, give me the damned microphone!"
"MOM!"
"Oy, I don't have a quarter, either, Honey, can you put one in for me?"
Max fumbled in his pockets. "I don't seem to have one, either, Darling. Niles?"
"This IS going to be the Butler's Retirement Fund, isn't it?" He pulled a coin from his pocket and dropped it into the jar.
"It could be his severance pay."
Niles smiled and wiped the jar clean. "Glad to help you out, Sir."
"So, are you two going to sing, or just look for ways out of it all night?" C.C. crossed her arms over her chest.
"Fine, we're singin'!" Fran found her CD and shoved it into the stereo.
C.C. giggled. "You're doing COUNTRY songs?"
"Bite me, Babcock!" Fran laughed at her friend, and Brighton handed the jar to Niles for another quarter deposit.
"THAT one was worth it!" He grinned at C.C. as he dropped in a third coin. She stuck her tongue out at him as Fran and Max began singing "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me". They became still and watched the newlyweds look into each other's eyes as they sang. Niles moved forward and slipped his hand around C.C.'s before the song was over. C.C. thought she would lose it when they began to sing "It's Your Love". When they reached the line, "don't think I can keep it all in", she found her gaze moving to Fran's still tiny waist. She couldn't wait to see the look on Maxwell's face when he realized their great love had created a new life. She reached up and brushed the tear that had formed as the song ended.
"Wow, you two should record! You sound GREAT!"
Fran smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Ceece, but I'm NOT singing professionally. Come ON, who would take this voice seriously?" She looked over at her husband. "What about you, Sinatra? Why don't YOU do a solo?"
"I will if Niles will."
"Of COURSE he will, Maxwell. You two could even sing together."
"You're off your bloody rocker, C.C., you know that?"
"Dad!"
"Niles, you'd better stock up on rolls of quarters. I have a feeling that we're going to need them before this pageant is over."
Niles pulled a ten-dollar bill from his money clip and dropped it into the jar. "That ought to get us through a day or so, Sir."
"You changed the subject, Dad. Why don't you and Niles do "Guys and Dolls?"
"Brighton!"
"Yeah, Dad, you sing it with US, why won't you sing it with Niles?"
Max shook his head. He knew when not to argue with his sons. They were not going to drop this. He looked over at his butler. "What do you say, Old Man, care to give it a go?"
"As long as you don't expect me to audition when you cast your next production." He rifled through the CDs until he found the soundtrack he was looking for. C.C. popped the disc into the player, stood back, and watched with amusement. These guys were actually GOOD! C.C. moved over to Fran and began whispering in her ear. Fran giggled and nodded her head while watching her husband with pride. They cheered and applauded when the men were through, then C.C. pulled out another soundtrack, this time of White Christmas, and clicked to the song she and Fran had decided upon.
"Sisters, sisters…" Max and Niles started to laugh. How many times had they told the women they acted more like sisters than friends? The girls continued singing the song, and then finished with a big hug.
"You know, Ceece, you're almost closer to me than my own sister."
"I know what you mean, Frannie. I never even TALK to my sister."
The women linked arms. "Then it's settled." Fran grinned broadly. "We're sisters, and we won't let anyone tell us ANY different!"
"You got that right, Sista!" C.C. nodded and hugged Fran.
"So, Sista, you want to help me bathe your nieces?"
"Aw, Mommy, we wanna sing!"
"Sweetie, it's already past your bedtime. We'll sing more tomorrow."
C.C. scooped Irene into her arms. "We can sing in the tub, how's that, precious?"
"Yay!" Grace raced for the stairs, and Irene wiggled out of C.C.'s arms to follow her sister.
"Oh, you've made friends for life, now!" Fran laughed as they followed the girls upstairs to the bathroom.
Max looked at his sons. "So, are you happy, you have more numbers for your show?"
They looked sheepishly at Niles. "Well, we were sort of hoping that you and Niles would sing some more Sinatra."
"Did you have a particular song in mind?" Niles looked down at the boys, attempting to look stern.
At his question, the boys brightened. "Yeah, Niles. We like "The Way You Look Tonight" and "The Very Thought of You". Can you do both of them?"
"You're not serious."
"Well, yeah. Don't you like those songs?"
"Yes, but why do YOU like them?" He smelled matchmaking.
The boys looked at each other and snickered. "You could always do "Something Stupid" with Aunt C.C." Yes, they were definitely playing matchmaker again.
"I think I'll stick with your first two choices."
The boys rushed to hug him. "Thanks, Niles! We're going to have the best pageant EVER with all of you in it!"
Maxwell laughed at his sons. "Why don't you children go upstairs and get your showers and get ready for bed, and we'll put a movie in until bedtime?"
"Sure, Dad." Maggie was the first to head upstairs, followed by her brothers.
Your brother called earlier this evening, Sir. He and your mother will arrive Friday afternoon."
"They don't plan on staying here, do they, Niles?"
"It certainly sounded like it. Perhaps Miss Margaret can sleep in Miss Spencer's room for the weekend?"
"I had thought about putting them up at the townhouse, but it's a mess from the packing. I'll ask Miss Spencer about letting Maggie sleep in her room for the weekend. I'm sure she won't mind. Then my mother can sleep in her room, and Nigel can take the guest room."
"I'll make sure the guest room is ready, Sir. I didn't tell your brother about the wedding, I thought it best not to give your mother time to get worked up before she meets the new Mrs. Sheffield."
"Good idea, Niles. Does C.C. know they're coming?"
"Yes, she was here when your brother phoned."
"So she knows the guest room won't be available this weekend?"
"Yes, Sir, she does." Niles knew exactly what his boss was implying. C.C. would not be able to spend the night this weekend.
"Now, if you have any work to do at the townhouse, and you need to spend the night there because you're working so late, I'm sure Fran can manage breakfast."
Niles grinned at his employer. "Thank you, Sir. Perhaps I can get some packing done after the pageant, if Mrs. Sheffield has no objections."
Max laughed. "Maybe you can get C.C. to give you a hand. You know how she loves to help Fran out." He patted his butler on the back and headed upstairs to help tuck the younger girls into bed.
When Friday arrived, it brought just as much chaos as the family had anticipated. As soon as the older children left for school, Fran and Max were out of the house for meetings with their lawyers, bankers and Realtors. Max took his bride out for a relaxing lunch, before finally returning to the house just before the children arrived home from school. Max immediately disappeared into his office, and Fran flopped down on the sofa and put her feet up.
"Rough day, Mrs. Sheffield?" C.C. stood over her grinning.
"Where did you come from? Max was just kvetching because you weren't in the office." She sat up and smiled at her friend.
"I was in the kitchen talking to Niles. Did he mention having to go to the townhouse and do some packing tomorrow night?"
"Oh, is that what you're calling it now?" Fran laughed. "Well, with Max's mother and brother coming, you can't very well stay HERE with him. Max was trying to be discreet, I guess. So do you want to stay at the townhouse or not?"
"I'm sure I have NO idea what you're talking about. Niles simply said he had to work at the townhouse, and asked if I'd like to help him out."
"Uh, earth to C.C.. This is ME you're talking to. Now, do ya want the key?"
"Niles has one already." She laughed and sat down on the sofa next to Fran. "You're sure you don't mind?"
"Not at all. The wine cellar is still full, but watch out for the boxes in the basement. I think Max is going to have Niles pack the wine up, we don't want to trust some of the vintage stuff to the movers."
"I can't blame you there. When are the movers coming?"
"Next week sometime, I'll have to get the exact day from Maxwell. They'll go to the townhouse first, then your condo. You'll have to stay here a couple of nights, probably. The movers are gonna take your stuff to your house, and take the townhouse stuff to our house, then give us a few days to put things away before they come here."
"This is going to be a mess, you know."
"You're telling ME? At least YOU will have all your stuff at your house. We'll have stuff from the townhouse, and a few things from here, but when they start moving this house…we'll be only halfway into the new place."
C.C. glanced at the office door. "Just don't you over do it, Sista. You know what the doctor said."
"I know, don't worry, I'll be careful. Why do you think I agreed to the movers? I can't stand the idea of some strangers packing and moving our things."
"I don't know how you're going to get away with keeping this a secret until Father's Day."
"Well, I'm sure going to try." She looked at her watch. "I thought Max's family would be here by now."
"Ooh, I forgot to tell you…they're upstairs taking naps. Nigel is in the guest room, and Niles put Elizabeth in Maggie's room."
"She was O.K. with that?"
"Not really, she couldn't understand why Nigel couldn't bunk with Brighton as usual. Don't worry; I smoothed her ruffled feathers, without blowing the surprise."
"She didn't see the girls?"
"No, I helped Denise put them to bed, and they'd just fallen asleep when the doorbell rang."
"Where IS Denise?"
"Niles sent her to the store. He was afraid she'd open her mouth."
"Oh, that's good…coming from the head yenta himself."
"What are you going to do about wine with dinner?"
"I'll just tell Maxwell I don't feel like any. With the nausea, I hadn't been drinking anyway, so he shouldn't think anything of it."
"Hello, Love!" Nigel leaned down and kissed the top of Fran's head.
She stood up and faced her brother in law. "Hi, Nigel, did you have a nice nap?"
"It would have been nicer if someone had come joined me. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you." C.C. rose to her feet and stood next to Fran as Nigel made his way around the sofa. "Fran, please give me a chance, before you commit to my brother."
"What in the hell are you talking about, Nigel?" Fran put her hands on her hips and stared at him. "Have you lost your mind?" She glanced over at C.C., who had now crossed her arms across her chest and was glaring at Max's brother.
"No, just my heart, Love. Please, Fran, say you'll think about it." He moved to touch her arm, and Fran recoiled.
"Hold it RIGHT there, Nigel…"
"C.C….not now." Fran glanced at the office door. The last thing she needed was another scene between the brothers. The one in London was bad enough. "Nigel, I'm sorry, I love your brother. There was never anything between you and me, you KNOW that."
"But there could have been, Fran, if Max hadn't interfered and stolen you away from me."
"I was never yours to steal, Nigel."
"Well, you weren't his, either. You were both married."
"I was separated at the time, and Max, well, he sort of was. Nigel, there's so much you don't know. You'll have to talk to Maxwell about this." She felt a wave of nausea hit her. "I'll be right back, I need to get something to drink, can I get either of you anything?"
"I'm fine, Frannie, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Ceece, I'll be right back." She rushed into the kitchen where Niles was preparing the children's afternoon snack.
"Is everything all right, Mrs. Sheffield?"
"Oh, Niles…Nigel is out there hitting on me, telling me he loves me and wants me to give him a chance before I commit to Maxwell. He's going to be furious when he finds out. They had a huge blowup in London the last time this happened."
"You're actually going to TELL him?"
"How can I NOT tell him? He'll think…oh, I don't know WHAT he'll think, but I don't want him to think I didn't tell him because I considered it."
"Oh, he'd never think that."
"Niles, he never thought his first wife was having an affair, either." She sat down quickly as the nausea returned. "I have to be totally honest with him."
"Like you're being honest about how often you do THAT."
"What?"
"Almost pass out, almost vomit, or actually vomit. Is there something you want to tell me?"
"I've just been under a lot of stress lately, Niles. We have the move coming up; the pageant, the wedding, and now we have houseguests. One of them will be upset when she finds out about the wedding, well, they both will, but for different reasons…and the other one's hitting on me! I actually had to stop C.C. from tearing him apart."
"And you left them alone out there?"
"Uh-oh, no good?"
"Not if you want Mr. Sheffield in one piece."
"Depends on which Mr. Sheffield you're talkin' about, Niles." She grinned and winked, then sipped the glass of water that Niles had brought her. Niles flipped on the intercom, and they sat and listened.
"What makes you think she'd ever leave Maxwell for you, anyway?"
"Well, I AM younger and unattached; I don't have three children to bring into a marriage."
"She happens to ADORE those three kids, and they adore her. You DO know she has two children of her own, don't you?"
"I thought she only had the one boy."
"No, she had a little girl after she came back, and that little girl knows MAXWELL as her father. I can't believe you'd come waltzing in here after all this time and decide you want Fran. Her husband died TWO years ago, where were you THEN? Don't you DARE be throwing yourself at her, trying to woo her away from your brother, because let me tell you right now, it won't work. I have NEVER seen anyone more right for Maxwell Sheffield than Fran…and I'm including the sainted Sarah in that. GOD, I wish he'd met Fran BEFORE he met that woman."
"I thought you and Sarah were best friends."
"I thought so, too, Nigel. Then I found out she hurt someone I love very badly." She stepped closer to him. "NO one hurts anyone I love and gets away with it, do you understand what I'm saying, Nigel? Leave Fran alone, let her be happy. She loves MAXWELL, and he loves HER!"
"You know, C.C., that's pretty rich, coming from someone who tried to steal him from her best friend every chance she got."
"As opposed to YOU trying to steal Fran from your brother. I'm over Maxwell, I've moved on. I've found someone who I can trust, who is fun to be around, who knows all about me and still cares about me." She smiled and looked toward the kitchen, then turned her gaze back on Nigel. "I mean it, Nigel, back the hell OFF! Fran is the best friend I've ever had, she's more like a sister to me than my OWN sister, and I won't let you upset her or hurt her in any way."
"What the devil is going on out here?" Max had come out of his office.
"What are you talking about, Maxwell?" Oh, where was Fran when you needed her?
Fran jumped up from her seat. "Thanks for the water and the floor show, Niles; I'd better go help C.C. now." She hurried into the living room and stood at Max's side.
"Hi, Honey, did you get your work done? The kids should be home any minute. Niles has their snack almost ready."
He put his arm around his wife's waist possessively, seeing the way Nigel was looking at her. "It's almost done, Darling. I heard C.C.'s voice raised and came out to see what was going on."
"She was showing Nigel the songs we're doing tomorrow night, right, Ceece?"
"Sorry I disturbed you, Maxwell."
"Well you need to be in there helping out. Just what do I pay you for, anyway?"
Mercifully, the front door burst open and the three children came running in. "Hi, Mom, Hi, Dad!" They hugged their parents as they tossed their backpacks and jackets on the sofa.
"Now, is that where those things belong, My Darlings?"
"Mom? Dad?"
Brighton and Maggie dropped their jackets and ran to their uncle. "Uncle Nigel!"
"Hi, Kids! Who's this? Oh, this must be Fran's son."
He looked at his mother, then his father. "I'm Michael James…" He looked back at his father again.
"Sheffield, Son."
The boy grinned and held his hand out to his uncle. "I'm Michael James Sheffield, Uncle Nigel."
He shook the boy's hand. "All right, now I'm really confused. Where did this one come from, Max?"
He was interrupted by the sound of squealing coming from the stairs. "MommyDaddyMaggieBoys!" The girls ran down the stairs and attached themselves first to their parents, then to their siblings.
"Care to explain this to me, Brother?"
Max laughed and kissed his wife's cheek. "This is my wife. These are our children. You know Maggie and Brighton, you've met Michael. The little ones are Grace and Irene."
Irene looked up and smiled at him. "Reenie!"
"Yes, Honey, you're Reenie. She likes to be called Ree or Reenie."
"Well, hello, Reenie, how old are you?"
"Two! Most free"
"She'll be three in July, and Grace will be four in September."
Nigel looked up at Fran. "Your wife. You told me on the phone that you were planning this elaborate surprise for her."
"The plans changed. We just couldn't stand being apart any longer. It was also very hard on the children, especially Irene, shuttling them back and forth, so we decided to move things ahead a bit."
"So when was the wedding?""
"Today is our two-week anniversary." He kissed Fran's cheek again.
"You know, Fran, you could have told me when I, uh…"
"When you what, Nigel?"
"Your sweet brother made, what he thought was, a last minute play for your wife, Maxwell, that's what we were arguing about when you walked in."
"I was going to tell you later, Honey. Nigel just got here and I didn't want to spoil your reunion."
"Even after everything that happened in London, after what I told you on the phone last month, you STILL have the audacity to come into OUR home and make a play for my wife!"
"I didn't know she was your wife, Max. You certainly didn't have any problem stealing her from ME!"
"I already told you, Nigel, I was never yours to steal. You bought me a drink, no, you ORDERED me a drink. I seem to remember you sticking me with the check."
"Did I?"
She giggled. "You did. Now, how about you go back upstairs, Max, Sweetie, you go back into your office, and we can start this whole afternoon over."
"Wait, we want to hear more about London! When were you and Dad in London together?"
"Maggie, Honey, we weren't actually in London together. I went there to work…"
"And to get away from HIM…"
"Michael! Then your father went on business a month later. We just happened to be staying at the same hotel, is all, and since we knew each other from home, we hung out together."
"You know, children, I think Niles has your snack ready in the kitchen, why don't you go in and start your homework, and we'll be right in." Max watched his children file into the kitchen, then turned back to his brother.
"How DARE you bring London up in front of our children. They know NOTHING of what happened during that time, OR about Sarah and Tony."
"Little Michael sure holds some animosity toward the man."
"Nigel, all he remembers is that I was gone, and the constant fighting when I was home. He sees how happy we all are now, and wants no part of his father's memories."
"Did you ever find out for sure, Max?"
"Yes, we got the DNA results on our wedding day. She is not my biological daughter."
Nigel reached out and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Max, about Grace, about what happened earlier. Fran, I'm sorry I put you in such a position. Welcome to the family, Love."
"Thanks, Nigel."
"I take it Mother doesn't know."
"No, we'll tell her when she wakes up from her nap."
"Tell me what, Darling?" Elizabeth Sheffield was on her way down the stairs. When she reached the foyer, she saw her eldest son with a beautiful woman at his side.
Fran moved a bit closer to her husband as his mother approached. "Did you enjoy your nap, Mother?"
"Yes, Maxwell, I did. Margaret's room is surprisingly comfortable. Hello, C.C., you're looking radiant, as always." She turned her gaze on Fran. "Hello, My Dear, I'm Elizabeth Sheffield." She extended her hand to Fran.
"It's very nice to meet you. I'm Fran…" She looked at her husband.
"Have you forgotten your new last name already, Darling? Mother, this is my wife, Fran Sheffield."
"Maxwell, you didn't think to invite your family to the wedding?"
"Well, Mother, it was rather rushed."
"Oh, I see."
"Oh, no, Mrs. Sheffield, it's not like that at all. We just decided we couldn't wait any longer to live under one roof." She looked lovingly at her husband.
"It's better for us, and better for the children. You see, Mother, for the last two years, Fran and I have been helping raise each other's children. Her husband was in the accident with Sarah."
"Oh, yes, you've told me about these two children you've taken in. Are they still at school?"
"No, they're in the kitchen with Niles. The older ones are doing their homework, and I'm sure the little ones are tormenting them, if I know our girls." She winked at Max.
"How old are your children, Fran?"
"Irene is two, she'll be three in July, and Michael is two weeks younger than Brighton."
Elizabeth looked at her son. "You'll think I'm terrible. That means they're both eight?"
"They'll BE eight, Mother. Maggie will be twelve a week from tomorrow, Irene is three in July, Grace is four in September, Brighton is eight in October, and Michael turns eight in November. Now, Mother, Fran and I are adopting each other's children, which means you've just inherited two more grandchildren. We've asked all the grandparents to treat all the children the same, and I hope you'll be able to do that."
"I can't wait to meet them; you said they're in the kitchen?"
"I'll go get them, Mrs. Sheffield."
"It's Elizabeth, Dear."
"Thanks. Can I get you anything while I'm in the kitchen?"
"Maybe some tea, if it's no bother?"
"None at all, I'll ask Niles to bring it out when it's ready, and I'll go get the kids."
When Fran left to get the children, Max's mother began to quiz him on his new wife. "She looks familiar, Son, have I met her before?"
"You might have seen her picture on a billboard or in a magazine. Fran's a model, well, she WAS a model, she's pretty much retired now."
"She looks very young to be retired."
"She made very good money when she was younger, and had sound financial advice. She put most of her money away, and was able to keep it away from that gold digging husband of hers."
"Are you sure about that, she just didn't tell you that to snare herself a rich husband to help her raise her children?"
"Mother! Absolutely NOT. Actually, her parents could be asking HER the same question. We've been meeting with bankers and accountants all week, getting our estates combined. She's actually worth more than Father."
"Are you certain?"
"Her children are worth 10 million each. She actually set up matching trusts for all five children. Once we sell the two houses, we'll have more money to move around."
"You're selling your house?"
"We've bought an estate in Monroe, a little over an hour out of the city. You'll love it, Mother, 12 bedrooms, three Jacuzzis, stables, tennis courts, a lake. The boys are already clamoring for a sailboat. The estate also has two guest houses. We've given one to C.C., and the other will be used as our office. We closed escrow this afternoon, and the movers will start moving us next week."
"Will Nigel and I be in the way?"
"Not at all!" Fran's voice came from the foyer. "Kids go say 'hello' to your grandmother." Maggie and Brighton slowly walked over to their grandmother and carefully kissed her cheek. Michael and Irene, being used to Sylvia, ran to her and hugged her tightly. Irene was in her lap before she could protest.
"Hi Bubby!"
"Bubby?"
"That's Yiddish for 'grandma', that's what she calls my mother, too. Her vocabulary leaves something to be desired."
"Bubby, eat nanas and juice. Racy make mess, eeew."
"I actually think I translated that, but I didn't get Racy."
"Gracie. She hasn't quite got that "G" sound yet."
"Uh huh! Racy 'geggi!"
"Irene Catherine Sheffield!"
"Ah, THERE'S that elusive "G"!" Fran put her hand over her mouth to hide a smile.
"Hi, Daddy."
"You apologize to your sister at once."
"'Kay, Daddy. Sorry, Racy."
"I don't understand, what did she say?"
Fran pulled her daughter from her grandmother's lap. "She used a word in Yiddish that she got from her grandfather. It means 'idiot'. Irene, your sister is NOT a schmegegi, do you understand?"
"Uh huh."
Elizabeth put her hand to her mouth to hide a smile. "Well, at least she found that ''G'' sound. Fran, these are two of the most adorable children I've ever seen. Gracie, can you give grandmother a hug?"
Grace hid behind her mother's legs. "She's a bit shy, but she'll do anything this one does." She put Irene back in her grandmother's lap, then gave Grace a gentle push. "Gracie, go see your Bubby." The child slowly moved towards her grandmother, then climbed up in her lap, joining her sister.
"So now I have five grandchildren." She laughed. "I'm feeling older by the minute."
"Bubby watch Fraggles? Mommy need map!"
"Ree, that's very good, two whole sentences in a row!" She looked at Max and winked. "Well, almost." She reached up on the book shelf and pulled down the map she'd drawn for her daughter. "Here ya go, Ree, here's your map." She flipped the television on and turned to the appropriate channel. Both girls hopped onto the floor and began dancing to the music.
"They certainly look like a handful." Elizabeth smiled looking at her grandchildren. "Do you have plans for more? I mean, one of yours together?"
"It almost feels like Irene and Grace ARE ours together. Ree was six months, and Grace was sixteen months when the accident occurred. Ree doesn't remember Tony, and Grace doesn't remember Sarah. For the last two years, Max and I have been basically sharing the children. We both needed help, and since the boys have been best friends since they were three, they pretty much pulled our families together."
"In more ways than one." C.C. looked down at the floor. "Sorry, maybe I'd better go into the office before I put my foot in my mouth."
"There are my girls! Did you two have a good nap?"
"Hi, Dee!" The girls ran to her waiting arms.
"Mother, this is Denise Spencer, our nanny. Denise, this is my mother, Elizabeth Sheffield, and my brother, Nigel."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you both." She shook the adults' hands and turned her attention back to the children.
"Since C.C. brought it up, maybe we'd all better go into my office. Miss Spencer, please keep the children occupied out here, I'm sure these three still have plenty of homework."
"Dad, it's Friday."
"Then study. What time is rehearsal tonight?"
"Seven, Dad, Niles said dinner would be a bit early, so we could make it on time."
"All right, Son. Help keep an eye on the girls, would you? We won't be long in here."
"Yes, Sir."
The adults filed into the office and Max closed the door behind them. "Fran and I recently got some disturbing news that we want to share with you. C.C. is already aware of it. Mother, you remember when I was in London for six months back in 1987?"
"Yes, that's when you refused to come stay at the house."
"Well, I took the job there because I'd heard some news at home that upset me terribly. There was some speculation that Sarah was having an affair."
"No, not that dear girl, she never would have been unfaithful to you."
"While I was in London, I had private investigators look into it for me. Niles handled everything here, in case I was wrong. He got the evidence, which clearly showed that she was seeing someone. Needless to say, when I got this news, I was devastated. I sat at the bar in the hotel and tried to drink myself into oblivion. Two women approached me and began hitting on me, I thought, 'what the hell'…but then this voice from behind me was sending them away. I turned around, and there was Fran. She had been sitting with Nigel at the bar, and saw the two women approach me. She decided to save me. She and Nigel helped me to my room, and I really didn't want her to leave. She stayed with me, talked to me, listened to me. We spent the entire night talking. By morning, we knew that we were falling in love with each other."
"She was staying at the same hotel, and was also working in London. She had recently separated from her husband, and had brought her three-year-old son with her to London. Tony showed up and took the boy back to New York with him. The next day, neither one of us went to work. She stayed with me, and we napped most of the day. We were both alone, we knew we had unfaithful spouses, and were prepared to divorce them."
"So the two of you had an affair. My God, Maxwell, Irene is your child."
"No on both counts, Mother. Fran and I never had an affair. I hadn't confronted Sarah about her infidelity, and Fran wouldn't let our relationship go to that level until I was free to be with her. We did fall deeply in love. I knew I'd never be able to live with Sarah again, and was making preparations to divorce her when I got a call from Niles. He informed me that Sarah was pregnant. She never bothered to tell me, and at the time, I never questioned it. Now I know why she kept it from me."
He looked at his mother, then down at his wife. He took her hand in his. "The child Sarah was carrying was not mine. She had been having an affair with the father of Brighton's best friend."
Elizabeth looked at Fran and paled. "Oh, my goodness."
"Fran's late husband, Tony, is Grace's biological father."
"You're certain, Maxwell?"
"Yes, Mother, Fran had the girls tested, and they are biologically sisters. If I had known at the time, I would have divorced her and married Fran, we would have been together all this time. Irene would have…"
"Maxwell, maybe she doesn't want the rest of the story shared with everyone."
"No, it's fine, C.C.. It's time people knew that Tony Bergman was no saint. Max went back to Sarah, because he felt it was the right thing to do. He thought she was carrying his child, and she never told him any different. Tony was giving me a fight for custody of my son, so I came home, but moved to a different floor of my townhouse. I suppose I should have kicked him out, it was MY house, not his, but I let him stay for our son's sake."
"After Sarah had Grace, Tony and Fran came over for Brighton's birthday party. Gracie was a month old, and this was the first time I'd seen Fran since she got back. It was obvious to both of us that we still loved each other. We didn't get much of a chance to be alone to talk. Tony kept shadowing her every move all afternoon."
"That night, when we got home, he'd been drinking. He started in about us having another baby. There was just no way." A tear started to make its way down Fran's cheek. "He wanted me to stay with him in the master bedroom. Our son's room adjoined it, like a suite. Looking back, I should've stayed there, he wouldn't have…not with the baby right there." She took a deep breath. "I went upstairs to my room, and he followed me. He told me I WAS going to have another baby, one way or another. Then he..." She felt her husband's arm slide around her waist.
"When she and Tony came over for Christmas, he made a big deal about bragging how Fran was pregnant, too. I thought she'd given up on us and gone back to him. I couldn't even look at her. If I had known what that monster did to her, it wouldn't have been the accident that killed him."
"We spent the next year avoiding each other. Then the accident happened, and the trial that followed, instead of comforting each other, we continued to avoid each other. Max started hiring nannies that never worked out; I started taking less work so I could stay home and help with the children. They'd lost their mother; I thought they needed some stability."
"Then this pageant came along, and the boys volunteered for it, which meant WE volunteered for it. The minute we started spending time together, we knew we were still in love with each other. We shuttled the children back and forth, Fran finally helped me find the perfect nanny, so we could leave the children here, and she and I could stay at her place. We finally decided to push things a little faster, since we were already a family. It was time to make it official."
"We're sorry we didn't wait for you to arrive, we just didn't want to wait to be together another day."
"My God, Maxwell, I remember hearing rumors that you were seeing someone when you were in London, I just never realized it was so serious."
"We spent every moment we could together, Mother. When we weren't working, we were together."
"You knew about this, Nigel?"
Nigel nodded. "Yes, Mother, I did. When Max told me about Sarah back then, like you, I didn't want to believe it. When I saw him with Fran, it was so clear they loved each other. They believed in their love enough to wait until they were free to marry."
"What happens now, with Grace? Both her parents are dead."
"When I found out, I called Max immediately. I found some pictures in an old box of Tony's things, and then I called Tony's parents. They knew the truth all this time, even after the accident, they never bothered to say anything. Max and I called our lawyers, to see what we needed to do. My lawyer sent over a copy of Tony's will, where he had made provisions for all his children. He used the phrase 'known or unknown', which meant Grace. This meant that Max had physical custody, and I had legal custody." She looked at her husband. "We even found Grace's original birth certificate, showing Tony as her father, and her last name was legally Bergman."
"That's nonsense! That child is a Sheffield!"
"She is now, Elizabeth. The first thing I did was to have my lawyer draw up official paperwork granting Maxwell joint custody with me, and I changed her name. She was born Grace Meredith Bergman, but since Meredith is Tony's mother's name, we changed it to Grace Mary Sheffield."
"We're in the process of adopting all the children, Mother. Fran's adopting Maggie and Brighton, I'm adopting Michael and Irene, and we're both adopting Grace."
"This is so much to take in all at once. Let me see if I understand, once all the legal mess is over with, the two of you will be parents of all five children."
"That's right, Mother. The way things are right now, we felt it's best for the children. They have no idea about all this, and we'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. Michael already harbors ill feelings for his father; he remembers Fran being gone and the fighting when she was home. Maggie and Brighton know nothing about Sarah's affair, and NONE of the children knows about Grace. We'd like to keep it that way as long as possible. It's bad enough that Michael has already changed his name."
"He was Anthony Michael James Bergman IV. He already dropped the Anthony from his name, and once the adoption is final, he will officially be Michael James Sheffield."
"James?"
"He thinks that's an added bonus, Mother, please don't start anything. He doesn't know that Father isn't high on our list of favorite people. In his child's mind, he's now named for MY father, rather than Tony's."
"I see. Let's just hope the children never find out what sort of people their parents really were." She turned her head at the sound of the doorknob moving. The door was locked, so the person at the other side began knocking on the door.
Fran looked at Max and headed for the door. "I'll give you one guess who THAT is and who she's looking for."
"!"
Fran opened the office door and her youngest flew into the room and climbed into her father's lap. "She is completely a daddy's girl. I barely exist anymore."
"Sorry, Fran, I'll take her back to the living room."
"No, Dee, want Daddy!"
"It's all right, Miss Spencer, she can stay in here. She's used to being in here with me when I work." He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a coloring book and a box of crayons. The nanny smiled and caressed the child's head before returning to the living room.
"She certainly seems fond of the children."
"She really is, and they adore her. We're lucky to have found her. You should have SEEN some of the applicants."
C.C. chuckled. "Remember the one that brought her acting resume? Elizabeth, it was priceless! She thought she could ACT her way into a nanny job, just to be working for Maxwell Sheffield. Then there was the one that you almost ripped to shreds, Fran."
"I went upstairs to get the girls up from their naps, and I bring them down here to see their daddy, and here's this woman sitting on the corner of his desk, openly flirting with him. Max just sat there with a shocked look on his face. I tried to show the woman the door, and she had the nerve to tell me to mind my own business. I was so angry I started packing all the kids things. I was taking them all back to my place if he was hiring that one."
"Even I liked Denise right away. Maxwell had Fran come over to orient her, and the three of us took the little ones shopping."
Irene climbed down from her father's lap and moved over to C.C.. "Want Loehmann's, Aunt C., wanna shopping." C.C. picked the toddler up and held her close. "I have NEVER been a kid person, and kids always hated me. Then Max brings HER into our lives…I wanted to hate her, I really did. I just couldn't, she made Maxwell happier than I'd seen him in years. And THIS one…well, we bonded, didn't we, Angel."
"C.C. saved Irene's life. Max was outside with the older kids, playing in the snow. The old nanny left the front door open and left Ree unattended in the living room."
"Well, I was IN the living room, but the phone rang."
"C.C., she wasn't your responsibility."
"I just turned my back for a second, and I saw this little curly-headed streak blow past me out the front door. She never stopped, ran down the stairs, across the sidewalk and out into the street."
"I never saw her move faster in my life, not even at last call." Niles appeared with a tray of tea and scones.
"Can it, Niles." She tried not to smile at him.
"You did move rather quickly, C.C.. Before I knew what had happened, C.C. had scooped up the baby and was back on the curb. Irene missed being hit by a car by inches."
"We've been buds ever since, haven't we Ree?"
"Uh-huh. Love you Aunt C." She hugged her aunt tightly, planting a wet kiss on her cheek.
"You know, Frannie, if you ever get tired of having so many kids, I'll be happy to take this one off your hands."
"Fat chance, Aunt, C.!" The child giggled.
"Irene!"
"Well, Frannie, that's what you always tell me!"
"She's finally talking in sentences, and that's what she comes up with."
"So, Max, when are you two having another one?"
C.C. almost choked on her scone, prompting a stern look from Fran. "Nigel, we've got to get into our new home before we can even think of something like that."
"That's right, we haven't even discussed it, although, we haven't been trying NOT to have a baby."
"Mommy baby." Irene got up, went to her mother, and touched her stomach. Fran's stomach did a flip-flop. She didn't think the baby understood when she and C.C. had talked about it.
"That's right, Angel, you're Mommy's baby." She scooped up the child and rocked her on one hip. "Are the Fraggles over?"
The girl nodded, her dark curls bobbing up and down. "Uh-huh, Gobo gone, want more Fraggles, please."
"Oh, Sweetie, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Shall we go see if Big Bird is on?"
"Want Okser and Cooke Monster!"
"All right, Sweetie, say 'goodbye' to everyone, and we'll go watch Sesame Street."
"Bye, re one." She blew kisses as her mother carried her from the room.
"You know, Maxwell, I'd always assumed that when you remarried, it would be to C.C.."
"Mother, don't start."
"You didn't let me finish. I find Fran delightful. I agree with C.C., you can't help but love her. Those children of hers, Maxwell, they have 'Sheffield' written all over them. Good breeding shows, her parents must be wonderful people as well."
Max, C.C. and Niles all began to laugh. "What'd I miss, I leave the room for two seconds and you start telling jokes."
"Mother was commenting on how wonderful your parents must be."
Fran grinned broadly. "Well, they are wonderful, just…different."
"What line of work is your father in, Dear?"
Fran looked helplessly at her husband. "Well, he's um, retired. He doesn't do much at all."
"What about your mother?"
"Oy, Max, she's gonna really hate me now. OK, here goes. I don't have the good breeding like Max and C.C., or even Niles, for that matter. I come from a middle class Jewish family, who raised me to believe that as long as you had family, you had everything. I went to work as a model as a kid, and supported my family until...well, I'm still supporting them, actually. My mother can be loud and abrasive, but she's a good and decent person who would give you the shirt off her back." She snickered and nudged C.C.. "Just don't try to get her to give up the last bagel on the tray."
"Will I have a chance to meet your parents while I'm here?"
"How long are you staying, Mother?"
"Well, with Margaret's birthday around the corner, I was hoping to stay at least a week."
"Max, she'll meet them tomorrow night at the pageant. My parents are coming; the kids invited Tony and Meredith. Did you ever call the Worthingtons?"
"No, I'm still not sure I can face them."
"Max, they're still the children's grandparents, do you want ME to call them?"
"I'll do it, Fran. Maxwell, Fran's right, they might like to attend the pageant, the boys worked so hard on it."
"Four sets of grandparents, these kids should clean up at Christmas." Nigel grinned.
"Well, don't forget that two sets of those grandparents are Jewish, so the kids get Chanukah AND Christmas."
"Isn't that confusing for them?"
"Not at all, we plan to raise them to respect each other's religions, and we'll celebrate the holidays as a family. Speaking of holidays, when does Passover start, Fran?"
"On the twenty-ninth, at sundown."
"If you and Nigel are still here, this would be a wonderful holiday for you to celebrate with us."
"Oh, yes, we'll be in the new house, Ma and Daddy will come out…we can make it a big family event!"
"Are you sure we won't be a bother?"
Fran looked at her husband with her eyes sparkling. As much as he wasn't sure about his mother being here for that length of time, he couldn't disappoint his wife. "Of course not, Mother, we'd love to have you stay. It will be a bit hectic with the move, but our movers have assured me that they will make it as smooth as possible."
"Great! I'll go break the news to Denise and Maggie; they'll have to share a room until we get into the other house."
"You're sure they won't mind?"
"It'll be like a slumber party."
The next day things were more hectic than expected. Billy Joel's wife phoned Fran first thing in the morning to inform her that Billy would have to go on first, which meant a total reworking of the show. Max had suggested to the boys that they tell everyone to be at the theater an hour earlier than first planned. They were glad they listened to their father for once. They could give out the new schedule before the performance started. Right after Fran got off the phone with Christie, her morning sickness hit her like a ton of bricks. She was able to play it off to the family as a simple case of nerves. It was her babies' first production; she was entitled to be nervous. When Grace and Irene woke up, they were both in foul moods. They would just get one smiling, and then the other would start screaming. Fran plodded downstairs to grab some crackers, and found Niles in as good a mood as the girls.
"What's the reason for YOUR happy mood this morning?" Fran reached for the herbal tea and a box of crackers.
"YOU try making five different breakfasts and see what kind of mood YOU'RE in." He watched her start to heat the water and pop a cracker in to her mouth. "So, we're like that again, are we?"
"Niles, just drop it, please? Why do you have to make five breakfasts? Just make one, but make sure you boil Max's eggs. What's so hard about that?"
"Mrs. Sheffield was down at five thirty putting in her breakfast order. The younger Mr. Sheffield was here at seven. Then there's YOUR Mr. Sheffield's special eggs and toast, the two girls eat differently than you and the older children…there you have it…five different meals."
"No way, Niles, not today. It'll be lunch by the time you get breakfast to us. This is not a hotel."
"But Mrs. Sheffield said…"
"Niles, Sweetie, who signs your paycheck?"
"Mr. Sheffield does, of course."
"Take another look at it, Bubbie. That check says Francine Sheffield. There are too many people in this house to please. The girls will eat scrambled eggs, why don't you make that, along with some fresh fruit, maybe some fried potatoes, bacon…I mean, you'll still have to boil Max's eggs, but everyone else will have to live with it."
"Live with what, Darling?"
"I told Niles to ignore all the separate breakfast orders and make one meal, but to be sure to boil your eggs. He had five different meals to prepare, Honey. You'll have to remind your mom and brother that we've got little kids to think of and Niles can't be in here cooking all day."
"You're right, Fran, I'll let them know."
She kissed her husband and winked at Niles. "Thanks, Honey. Feel better, Niles?"
"Yes, much better, how about you?" The two men watched Fran munching on the soda crackers and pouring her hot water into a teacup.
"I'm FINE, I'm just a little nervous about tonight. I haven't sung in public in years, this is the boys' first production, we've got all four sets of grandparents invited, which is a free for all just waiting to happen if ya ask me…and you wonder why my stomach's turning flip flops?"
"Let me finish making your tea, Darling. Why don't you go upstairs and lie down, and I'll bring it to you."
"Thanks, Max. Have I told you lately what a wonderful husband you are?"
He looked at his watch. "Not in the last twenty minutes." He kissed her softly, and then turned her around by the shoulders, giving her a gentle push toward the stairs. "Up you go, now, that's a good girl."
She looked back at him and grinned as she started up the stairs. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
"I'll make you a list, now go rest." He watched her go up the stairs, and then turned around and finished making her tea. "Niles, have you noticed how tired she looks lately?"
"Well, she HAS been under quite a bit of stress lately, what with the move, the wedding, the pageant, the relatives visiting…I'm sure once we all get settled into the new house, she'll be back to her old self."
"I'm sure you're right, Old Man. So, are you all set to make your big singing debut? I still can't believe you got C.C. to sing with you."
"She's actually quite good, Sir. May I ask you something, in confidence?"
"Of course, Niles, what's on your mind?"
"How does C.C. react to a surprise? I mean a public surprise."
"Well, that all depends. Is this good surprise or are you planning something to torture her?"
"Oh, I think it's a very good surprise, Sir, I just don't want to embarrass her." He leaned closer to Maxwell and looked around the room. "I want to sing a special song to her, one that we haven't rehearsed. I'll slip the CD in with the others when I pack everything up tonight, and then sing the song from it once I finish my regular numbers."
"Niles, you're not thinking of proposing to her are you?"
"Well, to be honest, I HAVE thought about it, but I'm not sure we're ready for that step yet. I haven't even told her that I love her yet."
"What's stopping you, Man? My God, you've known each other for how long now? What the bloody hell are you waiting for, tell her how you feel!"
"She's been hurt in the past; we've been going slow, building trust."
"There's such a thing as waiting TOO long, Niles, I know about THAT all too well." He looked towards the stairs. "Don't wait Niles, you might regret it the rest of your life. I think the song will be lovely. It IS a love song, right?"
Niles chuckled. "Yes, Sir, it is."
"Go for it, Niles. Like Fran always says, 'Carpe Diem'. I'd better get her tea up to her before it gets cold. Good luck tonight, Niles."
"Isn't that 'break a leg', Sir?"
"I wasn't talking about your performance." He winked at his butler before heading up the stairs to his bedroom.