Breaking the Threshold
Chapter 5
by moun-chan
(for Disclaimer see Chapter 1)
-
After CC had left for her appointment, Fran went into the dining room to join the family for lunch. Her plate was already full, and so she just sat down and started eating.
Maxwell talked to the children, and though Fran only listened with half an ear, she realized suddenly that this school festival thing they were talking about was already today. How could she have forgotten about this?
"That is going to be fun!" she said, and it was not a complete lie- it would be, but CC wouldn't be there. "When are we going?"
"As soon as you've got ready, so let's say in... two or three hours...?" Maxwell joked.
"I don't need to dress up today, we can go right away."
"Really? You're not hunting for a handsome, rich doctor?" Niles asked.
"No, in fact I'm not," Fran stated.
"Oh-oh.. Is there something we should know about?" Maxwell leaned forward, intrigued.
"No."
Although she had only finished half her plate, Fran stood up now.
"Excuse me for a second, I'm just gonna get fresh quickly, then we can go."
With a smile, she left for her room.
"Don't you think she's acting a bit weird today, Niles?" Max asked his butler when the children had left as well to get ready.
"We're talking about Miss Fine, sir. What do you expect?"
"No, old man, I mean different. She doesn't even want to dress up for the school event! There are plenty of eligible men there, and she doesn't care a bit."
"Maybe she doesn't need to attract someone anymore."
Maxwell looked at him. "Maybe that's where she was last night..."
"You don't sound too happy about that."
"Oh come on, I'd be happy for her if she finally found the man of her dreams."
"Really? Maybe if that man was you."
"Niles!"
"Face the truth, sir -before it's too late."
-
When fifteen minutes later everyone was downstairs in the living room, getting ready to leave, Fran joined them again, with a jacket and purse, but else she still looked the same. Which is not supposed to mean she looked bad, it'd be hard work to make her look bad in anything, but it was not the kind of thing she wore usually when going to such an event. She wore one of her short skirts, a black and white one, and a dark red, high cut pullover.
"Not her usual man-hunting outfit," Maxwell wondered. "Strange." But he put the thoughts aside – at least for the moment.
"Ready to go, kids?" Fran asked, smiling broadly.
They took the limo with Niles driving, who'd be back to pick them up in a few hours.
These hours they spent walking around, looking at the stalls and eating cotton candy. There were a few events going on, like people talking or presenting something else, and while Maxwell had a talk with the Headmaster, Fran took the kids in front of the stage.
"And now," the presenter announced, "we proudly present the teacher's choir." About twenty people stepped onto the stage. "Enjoy their performance of 'No one'!"
Everyone clapped their hands, and one woman stepped forward to the microphone. She had a beautiful, strong voice and Fran pretty soon found her thoughts wandering off to a certain sweet blonde she wished was with her now.
"You and me together, through the days and nights"
That was a nice thought indeed. They didn't have any people talking about them (yet), albeit Fran was wondering how much longer it would take.
'Who cares,' she thought. 'No one.' She smiled broadly as the choir joined in for the refrain, and the further they got with the song, the more it touched her. She and CC would fight that way, too, if they were gonna have to- never ever giving up.
"Fran.. are you okay?" Grace asked when the song was finished.
"Of course I am, sweety, why would I not?" she replied, looking at the girl.
"You're crying."
Indeed she wiped a little wetness away below her eyes. "Don't worry, Gracie. I'm perfectly fine, just a bit sensitive today."
The little girl hugged her, and Fran laid an arm around her shoulders as they walked to the second floor to pick Maxwell up again. Brighton was with them, whereas Maggie had encountered her latest crush and was now talking to him, so Fran had decided to pick her up again later.
"Well, Brighton, I have to say I am proud of you! The headmaster told me about your latest science project with that girl you went to the dance with last year..." He patted his shoulder. "I knew you could do this, you just had to want it, my boy."
When a few minutes later the kids were busy by themselves, Maxwell took his Nanny aside. He had decided to take Niles' advice seriously, after all Miss Fine had been working for him for three years now, and he couldn't deny that he felt a certain attraction to the flashy, down-to-earth woman from Queens.
"Miss Fine... you did a splendid job with the kids, I think I tell you way too rarely. ... erm... Mr Fiersteen is holding a dinner party tonight, and I was wondering, whether you'd like to accompany me."
"Tonight? Sorry, Mr Sheffield, but I already have plans for this evening."
"Really? I thought you had given up dating for the moment... or has it anything to do with last night..?"
Fran had her doubts it was just curiosity that made him ask, from the sound of his voice..
"Well, actually - I don't wanna tell you. ... Not yet."
"Ah, so there is something going on..."
"I didn't say that, Mr Sheffield. Now could we please drop that subject, I told you I didn't wanna talk about it."
Raising his hands in a defensive gesture, he replied, "Alright..."
-
While Niles was driving them back home, Fran secretly waited for him to tell them Miss Babcock had come over in the mean time and was waiting now, but her hopes were not fulfilled.
She had promised to help Gracie with her homework today, so she sat down in the kitchen with her, while Niles was making them a little nosh.
However, Gracie was only in the fifth form, so they were done pretty soon.
"Thanks, Fran!" the little girl said, "You're the best!"
"Oh, you're welcome, honey..!"
As she let go of the hug with Gracie, she heard the kitchen door being opened and the sound of familiar steps.
"Hello, hello..." CC said.
Gracie ran upstairs into her room, but Fran turned around to smile at the woman she'd been waiting for. That was all she did, though, since Niles was already looking pretty curious at the smile.
"Niles, could you make me a cup of coffee, please?" she asked, sitting down next to Fran.
"Well I don't know, I'm not a magician."
CC rolled her eyes at the butler's comment, and when he'd given her the beverage, she simply thanked him.
"Niles!!" an angry voice called.
"Guess he just found out about the Ming vase..." the butler mumbled, looking at Fran before he left.
"God, he's finally gone!" Fran exclaimed as soon as he'd left hearing range. "I've been wanting to to this for hours..."
She kissed the blonde softly, but the latter withdrew earlier than expected.
"You're okay?"
"Yeah.. we just better not do this here- they could walk in on us any second."
"I just missed you."
"I'm happy to be back, too. So, how's it going to happen tonight? I could pick you up, then you don't have to use the limo."
"That'd be awesome. It's gonna be our first date." Fran grinned.
"But since I've got no idea what you planned... when shall I be here?"
"Oh, I'd say at about eight?"
"Sure, I'll be there."
-
And she was, ringing the doorbell at four seconds past the hour.
"Oh, I'll get it!" Fran exclaimed, walking down the stairs. She had spent the last two hours getting ready, and it had been worth it – her hair was only typically big right on the top of her head, straight, the rest very fluent and voluminous, while in the front it was parted to the left, creating a nice bangs. She wore a short black dress with a rather low cut neckline, and hardly any jewelery.
Despite her shout, Niles had come as well, and he whistled admiringly. "Wow, Miss Fine, you certainly look stunning! Who's the lucky gentleman?"
"Well, secrets make a woman attractive, so..." she gestured in direction of the kitchen. "Get back to dinner."
"Oh come on! You don't seriously want to tell me you're hiding your date from me! Miss Fine, it's me, Niles! Who could it be to keep you from telling me?"
Fran didn't know what to say, but she was saved by the second ringing of the bell. Niles reacted at once, almost jumping to the door.
'Oh great...' Fran thought.
Niles opened the door to a dressed-up Miss Babcock, who was smiling at first, but when she saw who stood behind the door, her smile faded.
"What are you doing here? I thought the garlic would keep you away..," Niles greeted her.
Her eyes met Fran's, and it was clear they'd play the charade again.
"'I forgot my... my file in the office ... the one about.. err.. oh, what do you care."
CC walked right past him and Fran, catching her eye as she did, and headed for the office. She only hoped Maxwell was still at dinner and wouldn't see her – Niles was enough of a problem.
"So... where's your date?" Niles asked.
'Just arrived...' Fran thought, trying not to smile remembering the perplexed look on her lover's face. "Oh, I don't know... should be here any minute."
She took her purse. looking through it once more. "My lipstick!" she suddenly exclaimed, "I can't believe I forgot it upstairs!" And with that she walked up the stairs again.
When she returned after a few minutes, with her lipstick in the purse (in which it'd been all the time), she was relieved not to find Niles standing there waiting, but CC.
"I took care of the problem," the latter said, smiling. "Now let's go before he returns."
"Wow, I had no idea you owned such a fetch car! What is it, a BMW?"
"Exactly."
"Nice!" Fran sat down on the front-seat, beside CC, who was going to drive of course.
"So, where am I supposed to get us?"she asked, smiling.
-
She got them to a surprisingly classy restaurant for Fran's choice, where they spent a wonderful evening eating, talking and laughing together. For a stranger they would've looked like good friends, but the way they touched each other's hands or the glances they exchanged were clear hints that there was more between them than friendship, much more.
-
Later that night, they sat together in CC's car, standing in front of the Sheffields' residence. The two women felt like teenagers, kissing out in the car not wanting to be seen by the parents.
Fran slowly withdrew. "I better go, or we'll be here forever," she said, smiling. "I'll call ya tomorrow, babe. Thanks for the great evening."
"Thanks to you, love. Sweet dreams."
"Oh, I'm sure of that.." Fran grinned.
After a gentle kiss, CC said, "I love you."
"I love you, too," Fran answered, looking deep into the blonde's eyes.
Finally, after a last kiss, they departed.
Fran walked to the house, and as she entered, she was surprised to find Mr Sheffield half-asleep on the couch. Now he woke by the noise of her steps.
"Uh – Miss Fine..you're home already..."
"It's past midnight."
"Oh, I must have dozed off..." He stood up. "... How was your date?"
"Fabulous," was all she said. "But I'd really like to go to bed now, so .. Good night, Mr Sheffield."
"G- good night, Miss Fine," he replied, not quite sure what was up with his nanny.
A/N: Hey everyone... sorry this chapter took so horribly long!! Real life was strenuous :( I hope you're still here to read! And sorry again that it does not include the others' reactions yet, that will be part of the next chapter! It won't take that long again, promised! Oh btw, the song I refer to is by Alicia Keys.
Please review!! :)