Maxwell walked back into the mansion, feeling as if he'd let his whole family down. He couldn't do it. He couldn't bring Miss Fine back. Oh well. He'd given it his best shot. He walked into his office and sat down at his desk and Niles brought them both a scotch. If any day called for a drink in the middle of the day, this was it. She'd made up her mind, and she wasn't coming back.

The kids walked into the office and Maxwell tried to hide his drink. Niles didn't even bother.

"Well? Where is she?" Maggie asked adamantly.

"Kids, I guess I should tell you. I tried to get her to come back- Niles and I did- and she's happy with her new life. She will not be returning."

"Thanks a lot, Dad." Brighton pouted. "Some father you are."

"Stop!" Maggie and Gracie said at the same time. Maggie looked at her father through fresh eyes. "You tried. You tried your best and for that we can't fault you. Daddy I know we've been awfully hard on you because we love Fran so much. But there's something you should know..."

"Daddy we love you too!" Gracie spoke up and ran to embrace her father. Pretty soon all three of the kids were hugging Maxwell, who was now overcome with emotion. This was the acclimation of a rough month, and if anything, he'd learned to cherish those he loved all that much more.

"I love you too kids. Every one of you."

"Awww...a group hug! Is there room in there for me?" A nasal voice called out from the entrance of the office.

They all looked up, stunned to see who'd returned. "Miss Fine!" "Fran!"

"Who were you expecting, Barbra Streisand? If your father would'a told me she was coming I would have been back weeks ago!" Fran smiled as the kids ran to hug her. She could hardly breathe, but she wouldn't trade this moment for anything in the world.

"Miss Fine...does this mean you're back?" Maxwell asked apprehensively.

"Whaddya think? It sure seems like I'm back!" she laughed in the way only she could.

"Kids, may I have a moment alone with Miss Fine?"

The kids all shot him a knowing smile, while Niles escorted them out. Of course, Niles and the kids were eavesdropping from the other side of the door, but Maxwell didn't care.

"Miss Fine...I can't tell you how glad I am that you changed your mind. Do you mind my asking what changed your mind?"

"You love," she smiled knowingly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You love your kids. I came back just to give you a piece of my mind, but then I watched you with your kids. You've learned how to love your kids. That gives me hope that someday you can ..."

He pulled her close to him, so close she could feel his liquored breath on her face. "Oh Miss Fine. You're right. I do love. I love my kids. But I've also learned one more thing...I love you too."

She smiled tearfully. "Aw Mr. Sheffield, you're just saying that."

"It's true. I know I have a funny way of showing it, but by your leaving you taught me how important it is to show the ones I love how much I care about them. And that includes you. You brought my children and I closer together than ever. For so long I used Sara's death as a crutch to avoid being close to anyone, even my own kids. But I was wrong, so wrong. I can't- I refuse to do that anymore. And I also refuse to let you walk out of this room without you knowing how important you are to me. You've changed my life, Fran. My world was dark and gray before you came into it. I'd kind of grown accustomed to the darkness. But you've brought light and joy and love and laughter into my life. Is there anything, my darling, I can do to repay you for all that you've done for me and my family?"

She grinned. "I believe I owe you a kiss..."

"I'd say that's a bloody good place to start. I do love you, Fran. More than you can ever know."

"I love you too Mr. Sheffield. I only want to make you as happy as you've made me."

"I thought I made you miserable. That's why you left."

She playfully slapped him. "I only left because I love you. Sometimes love hurts,but when it feels good, it feels really good."

With that, he pulled her close and kissed her as if it were their first time. "Tell me, Fran...who's Pierre?"

She grinned and kissed him again in order to shut him up. "that's another story for another time."

"If you're willing to keep a story short who am I to argue?" he teased, the light back in his eyes.

"Oh Mr. Sheffield..."

The end