CHAPTER 3
Back at the mansion, she helped Niles but the children down for a nap and went back downstairs to help him cope with this.
"Mrs. Sheffield was the last person I expected to be gone. I can't believe that she was here one minute then the next, she was gone." Niles said as he tried not to cry.
"I know what you mean. I've known Sarah since before the wedding; she always seemed like a strong person. I better go see how Max is doing I'll be right. Don't do anything rash." That earned a weak smile from Niles. She knocked on the office door and opened it to find Max standing out on the terrace. She went to the terrace door and knocked on it. He didn't even turn around. "Max, are you okay? Wow; that was a stupid question." Fran said as she walked onto the terrace.
"You know something, Fran? I never thought that I would be left alone to care for my children. I don't know anything about raising children."
"You're not alone, you have Niles and I come over as often as you need me to. I'm not going to leave you alone. You'll always have someone to help you out." Fran said as she patted his shoulder. He turned around to face her. She saw that he still had tears running down his face. She cupped his face in her hands and wiped the tears away with her thumbs. "There that's better, there's the Maxwell Sheffield I know and befriended." She leaned in closer to his ear and whispered "Do you think that she would want to see you like this? She would want to see you getting on with your life." Just as he was about to answer, he was interrupted by C.C. coming in.
"Hello Hello. Maxwell we need to get to the theater. The show is not going to be ready in time."
"C.C. I'm taking off of work today and for the rest of the week. I have too much going on." Maxwell said as he gently took Fran's hands off his face.
"Maxwell you can't do that. We need to this play going. I mean come on who died?" Fran was getting ready to smack her when Max grabbed her arms.
"C.C. Sarah was killed. She was hit by a drunk driver." C.C. was speechless.
"Oh, Maxwell, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I'll show myself out call me when you feel up to working again. I can handle to show by myself for a while." Maxwell thanked her as he heard Gracie cry.
"Don't worry, I've got her." Fran didn't even notice the baby monitor in the office. She went upstairs to Gracie's room. She went in a picked her up. "Okay what's wrong angel? You had a tough day didn't you? We all did, I feel sorry you the most. You probably won't even remember her. Don't worry, angel I won't let that happen. I'll make sure that you remember your mom. How about we start now, she was very pretty. You remind me a lot of her. She always wanted you and your siblings to have the best life, she used to tell me that if anything were to happen to her to make sure that her children stay in line. I made her that promise a long time ago, as long as daddy keeps letting me come here you will be seeing a lot me." Fran noticed some tears running down her face. She looked down and noticed that Gracie was back asleep. She put her back in her crib, went to bathroom, locked the door and leaned against it and cried. She heard a knock at the door and quickly pulled herself together. She splashed cold water on her face and opened the door. She found Max standing at the door. "Oh Max, I'm sorry I didn't realize how long I was up here."
"Don't worry about it. I came up here because I heard you talking to Grace. I want you to know that I would never tell you that you can't see them. In fact, I want you to come and see them. I want you to come here mostly because we need someone of the feminine side." That earned a giggle from Fran. She promised that she would come over every day to help out.