Max shut the door as they stepped into the office and took Fran into his arms.
"I love you, Fran. Thank you for saying yes."
"I love you Max. And I'll never forget what you said to me out there. That means everything to me." They kissed each other softly, then more intimately. Max caressed her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose, then kissed her on the lips, letting his tongue part them. She ran her hands up his chest and then wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh, baby," she whispered, "We better be careful. We should save this for later, when we go upstairs. To the bedroom."
"Mmmmm," he mumbled, kissing her cheek, then her neck. He stopped and took a big breath. "Argh. I suppose you're right. But I needed to kiss you like that. I really did."
"I did, too," Fran said. "And I'm gonna need to keep kissing you like that a lot, later. In the bedroom."
"Mmmmm, you got it…" Max sighed, kissing her forehead. He cleared his throat, then they walked over to the desk and he turned on the desk lamp.
"But I will sit on your lap over here if you want me too," she smiled.
"I wouldn't have it any other way…" Max sat down in the chair and patted his leg, then she sat down in his lap and reached for the phone, then dialed her parents' number. She draped an arm over his shoulders and rested the receiver against her ear. She played with the hair curled around his ear as she waited for an answer on the other end of the line.
"Hello?" Sylvia said.
"Hi Ma, it's me."
"Fran! Sweetheart! How are you?"
"I'm good, Ma. Really good. I have some news to tell you."
"Really? What is it? What did the doctors say?" Sylvia was nervous.
"Well, I have a different kind of news, before I get to the hospital stuff. Where's daddy? Is he there with you? Go get him because I want to say it to both of you at the same time."
"Morty! Come here! Frannie needs to talk to both of us! Would it kill you to miss a football game once in a while? Come here!" Fran smiled at Max and rolled her eyes. She heard a commotion on the other end of the line and her mother fussing at her father to mute the TV. "Okay, Frannie, we're here. Daddy's right here, listening. What was it you need to tell us?"
"Well, Ma, you remember yesterday when I showed you the ring Max gave me? The claddagh ring? Did you tell daddy about that?"
"Yes, dear, I sure did! I told him everything!"
"Well, are you sitting down, Ma?"
"Of course I am, your father's glued to his TV chair, how else would I be able to hold the phone up to him so he could hear?"
"Okay, just checking. Well, Ma, Daddy- just a little while ago, in front of the children, and Niles, too, Max told me a lot of wonderful things. And then- then he gave me another ring. Max proposed to me! And I said yes!"
Shrieks and cheers from the other end of the phone line, and Fran had to hold the ear piece away from her. Max chuckled.
"I guess they approve?" He whispered to Fran.
"Of course they approve! They love you like a son. Ma's wanted me to marry you since the first time she got a look at you."
"Oh Frannie! We're so happy for you! Oh my baby's getting married! I'm so happy! Oh Fran, I know what this must mean to you! You must be walking on air!" Sylvia cried.
"Yeah, Ma, he caught me by surprise. It was perfect. The kids are so happy, too! And Niles- he's probably going to go through a box or two of kleenex, he's beside himself!" Max grinned and rubbed her thigh.
"Is Mr. Sheffield there?" Sylvia asked.
"Yeah, Ma, he's right here with me. We're using the office phone. I gotta call Val after we talk to you and daddy."
"Oh! Can you hear me, Mr. Sheffield?"
"Yes, Sylvia, loud and clear, I'm right here," Max said, leaning closer to the phone.
"I am so happy for you both! You know how we feel about you, don't you? Oh gosh, I just can't get over this news! Mr. Sheffield, I know how wonderful you've been to Fran lately, taking care of her and everything. And I just want you to know we give you our blessings! We're so happy!"
"Thank you Sylvia, and Morty, too. We're all very lucky to have you all in our lives, and like I told Fran earlier, we're all grateful to her that she came to our door- that none of us could have known at the time that she was coming home. She is home. Now we have a much bigger family." Max looked up at Fran and she smiled at him.
"Oh, now I really am going to cry!" Sylvia said. "Oh, your father's gone to find one of his fancy cigars to celebrate. It might be a while because I think I threw them out ages ago. Oh, well!" Fran laughed.
"Ma! Poor guy."
"Sylvia," Max said, "Tell Morty he can have my cigars if he wants them, I won't be smoking them any more. But just tell him to pace himself." Fran looked at Max, wondering what he was thinking.
"Oh! Mr. Sheffield! Do you really mean that? I think he would like that very much. Are you sure?"
"Absolutely, Syl."
"Oh, you're such a nice man! My future son-in-law!"
"Ma, before you completely get carried away, there's other stuff we need to talk about, don't forget," Fran interrupted. Sylvia's demeanor changed immediately.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry, it's just that- that was such wonderful news! Oh, I won't be able to sleep tonight!" Sylvia wiped at her nose. "Please, go on, dear, what else was it you need to tell us? Your father's gone into the other room- he's so happy, he's going to tear the house apart trying to find those cigars."
"Oh, it's okay, he might need you to tell him this part. Um, well, Max said he told you about the fever last night, right?"
"Yes, dear, but you're okay now, right?"
"Yeah, I'm good. And I can take the medication again, and I can eat like normal now. But Ma, I need you to know that they have me scheduled for surgery next Monday morning, and I probably have to stay at least one night in the hospital. But I also want to tell you that there is a pre-surgery appointment this friday morning, and I'd like you to come with us, and daddy too if you think you can get him to go. That's when they tell us the details of how they'll do the surgery, how long it should take, things like that. And Brighton is coming with us too. He's very interested in all of this and he's going to do an independent study for school on all of it. He's pretty concerned about me, and I think studying it may help him feel a little bit of control. You know? And I might ask Val if she'd be able to come too, if she wants to. So I just wanted to let you guys know about that. And I want to see you guys before Friday, too. I'm just not sure exactly when. But maybe tomorrow I can figure that out. So can you talk to daddy? Let him know about both things, and I want him there for both. Tell him it's important to me. And Ma, I gotta go call Val and let her know the good news, too. So I'll call you again tomorrow and we'll plan a time to get together, okay? Are you gonna be okay, Ma?"
Sylvia was now quiet on the other end. "Oh, Fran! Monday? Are they sure? I mean, that seems so fast…"
"Ma, it's okay. It's that soon because it needs to be. This tumor is growing, and the longer we wait for surgery, the bigger the incision to remove it, and the higher risk things get. You understand that, right? Right now, the tumor is intact and I probably won't need anything like chemotherapy. The want it out and to be done with it, so I can move on with my life. Okay? I can show you all the new papers and things when I see you, but if you come to the appointment on friday you can ask whatever questions you need to, okay? This is good news, Ma. Once I have the surgery, then it's just recovery that I need to do, and everything should be fine after that. Okay? Then we can plan a wedding. So think about that part, okay?"
"Sure, darling, sure, okay. I'll do that. Yes, we need to get you better. I'll talk to your father. But call me tomorrow, okay? I want to see you soon. I can come over too, if that's easier for you. Just let me know."
"Okay, Ma. I gotta go call Val now. But I'll talk to you tomorrow. I love you, Ma."
"I love you, too, dear. Both of you! And congratulations! We really are so happy for you both!"
"Thank you, Ma."
"Thank you, Sylvia." Max echoed.
"Bye now, make sure you get your rest, too."
"I will, Ma. Bye." Fran hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Max stroked her thigh and rested his face against her chest. "You make me feel good, you know?" She lifted Max's chin so she could look in his eyes. "I was getting frustrated at daddy because he always seems to run when I need him to sit and listen. But that's who he is. He's always done that, and not just to me. Even after ma yells at him to stop being like that, the next thing comes along and he does it again. I really think maybe he is oblivious to it. That maybe he can't help it, like you'd have to tie him up and drag him around to stay in one place and hold him still to make him listen. But I don't need to take it personally. You kind of make me see that. He's not trying to hurt anyone by running away, it's just probably genuinely hard for him and maybe he's sorta trying to save himself, to get some space so he can process it. Maybe if somebody worked with him when he was young, taught him how to handle things better, maybe he could do it now. But that didn't happen. That was probably normal back then. I think you had a tiny bit of that, but in a different way. Not as severe, and it was because you went through something pretty difficult. You weren't a lost cause, and you came back from it. I had to learn a lot of patience to try to help you- to help you see better ways of handling things. And you figured it out. You're a very loving, affectionate man. I'm glad I get to see that."
"It's because of you, Fran. You helped me open back up. Open up more, even. You showed me that connecting with people wasn't something I should fear- it was something I should embrace. Especially when it comes to family- and to the woman I love. I need to show you how I feel. I don't want to go back to being cold, repressed. You deserve better than that." They kissed each other again.
"I better call Val before she goes to bed, she might be waiting up for me to call."
"Yeah," Max whispered, resting his head back against her. She dialed Val's number.
"Hello?" It was Val's voice.
"Val- it's Fran."
"Oh Fran! I'm so glad you called! How is everything?"
"Well, a few things to tell you about. Um, first- Val, they scheduled surgery for next Monday morning, and I'll be staying in the hospital that night. But, the other thing was, and I wasn't sure if you wanted to, or if you're be able to because of work- but I also have an appointment this friday morning- it's a pre-surgery meeting and they said I can bring family or friends or whoever wants to come, if they want to ask questions or know more about what will happen for the surgery and afterwards. I just want you to know that you can come to that if you want to. I asked Ma, and will try to get Daddy to come. Brighton's coming with us, he wants to know more about all of this and it looks like he might be doing a sort of independent study for school on it. But anyway, I just want you to know about that and you can think about it."
"Oh, Fran! Surgery! But that's so soon, do they need to do it so soon?" Val was anxious.
"Yeah, Val. They did another ultrasound this morning too, and it's grown some more. The bigger it gets, the bigger the incision has to be to remove it. I don't want a huge scar. Well, actually it will be two scars, they're doing an arthroscopic surgery- the kind with the small camera. But they'll tell us more about their plans on friday. But if things go well, even if it turned out to be cancer, it looks like I won't have to even have anything like chemo afterwards. Once they remove it, then I just recover, and they monitor me for a while to make sure I don't have another one show up, but they don't seem to think that will happen. So in a way, it's kind of good news. But not as good as some other news I need to tell you about…" Fran teased.
"What? What is it Fran? What good news?!"
"Well, just a little while ago- Max asked me to marry him and I said yes! He surprised me in front of the kids and Niles, had a ring and everything! It's such a beautiful ring, Val, you have to see it!"
"Oh my god Fran! He proposed to you? That's so romantic! Ohhh…!" Val cried. "Oh, Fran, I'm so happy for you! That's all you've ever wanted, and from him too!' Max chuckled quietly because he overheard her say that.
"Isn't it wonderful? Oh, Val, you should have heard what he said to me- it was so nice! He's such a sweet guy! I think we were all crying! I just love him so much, he said such wonderful things to me, and then he got down on one knee and took this box out of his pocket- Val, he bought the ring the other day at that jewelry store we were at and I never knew! He managed to sneak it past me, like he did the charm bracelet and the claddagh ring! But this was the biggest surprise! Oh, it's such a beautiful ring, Val!"
"Oh, Frannie! You deserve it! I'm so happy for you guys! I know how much you love him and the kids, now you guys get to really be together! Really be a family! Oh, that's so wonderful! And I know you guys really need each other, especially now. Fran, I know things will go well with the surgery, and you'll get to be together and plan your future and everything! Oh gosh, Fran! Can I be a bridesmaid, Fran?"
Fran laughed, and so did Max. "No, Val," Fran said, teasing her.
"What? I can't? But why, Fran, we've known each other forever!"
"Because, Val, I want you to be my Maid of Honor, you doofus!" Val stopped a moment to think, then got it.
"Ohhhhh! I'm so stupid! Your Maid of Honor, Fran! Oh my gosh! I've never done that before! Oh, Fran, your wedding's gonna be so beautiful! And so are you! I can't wait! Everything's gonna be great, Fran. And I do want to come to that appointment, but I'll have to check with my boss. I might not be able to get friday and Monday off, and I need to be there when you have the surgery. That's the most important. But I'll check tomorrow and let you know, okay?"
"Okay, Val. And I want to see you before the weekend, whether you can go to the appointment or not. We can talk tomorrow and figure something out. Can you call me when you get home tomorrow?" Fran asked.
"I sure can! Gosh, Fran, you've got my head spinning with all this news!" Val exclaimed.
"Well, Val, I better let you go so you can settle down and get to sleep. I don't want you to be up all night if you have to work tomorrow."
"Don't worry, they have coffee there. I'll manage. And anyway, it's worth it if I'm tired- my best friend's getting married! And I'm gonna be the Maid of Honor!" Fran laughed.
"You sure are! Now go try to get some sleep, and I'll talk to you when you get home tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay, Fran. I love you, and you get some rest, too, okay? Take care of yourself!"
"I will, and so will Max. I love you, too. Now go to bed!"
"Okay! Bye! And congratulations!"
"Thank you Val! Talk to you tomorrow!" Fran hung up the phone, and turned her attention back to Max. "You're so cute." She said to him.
"So are you," he said, kissing her shoulder.
"You want me to go so you can talk to C.C.?" Fran asked him.
"Absolutely not. It won't take that long. Is it all right with you if I tell her about the surgery? Just so she understands why there's this need for her to sort of take over for a while."
"It's fine with me, I'm sure she'd find out soon enough anyway, so it's better if you tell her. Are you going to tell her about - our engagement?" Fran asked, smiling.
"Our engagement… I like the sound of that!" Max smiled. "We're engaged!"
"We sure are!" Fran kissed his lips.
"I think Niles might never forgive me if I didn't let him tell her first, in his way, as long as he's not too cruel."
"That's true. You know, I can't tell who's more happy about our engagement- Ma or Niles." Fran laughed.
"True- well, if you go by who will be involved the most, that will probably go to your mother. She won't wait to be asked. But also, we can't forget to ask Niles to help out, because he would be very put out if we didn't."
Fran agreed. "Yeah, it will be like having two mothers battling it out over dresses and locations and what to serve and flowers and everything." Max laughed.
"Just don't forget that it's not them getting married, this is about us, it should reflect the two of us."
"Yeah…" Fran sighed. "Well, you better hurry and call C.C. before I start making out with you and we can't stop,"
"Mmmmm…" Max sighed, circling the tip of her nose with his. "Okay, can you hit the speed dial over there for her number? It should be number 5." Fran reached over to the phone and pressed the button for C.C.'s home number. Max held the earpiece to his ear as Fran rested her cheek on top of his head.
"C.C. Babcock."
"C.C.- it's Maxwell. I need to speak with you briefly about work. I need to know if there will be anything pressing for the next couple of weeks that I will need to take care of, anything the might need my signature or review before it goes to the lawyers, things like that."
"Well, hello to you too, Maxwell. Long time no hear. Yes, there are a few things coming up that need your attention."
"Well, C.C., I need some time away from work for a bit, and I'm not sure exactly how long, but starting friday I really don't want any interruptions if it's avoidable. I'll be needed at home."
"What is it, Maxwell, you've been acting all secretive and weird, and it's really annoying. What are you keeping from me? If I'm going to be covering for you for apparently who knows how long, don't I deserve to know what's going on with you?" C.C. huffed.
"Well C.C., that's what I'm trying to get to. I'm going to need to be at home for a while because well, you see, uh, Fran is having surgery on Monday and is going to be recovering for a while, and we're not sure how long that might take."
"Surgery? Well, what kind of surgery? Can't her mother take care of her? Why do you need to be the one checking on her? And anyway, can't you just hire another nanny to take over for a while? Wouldn't that make things easier?"
"No, C.C., it wouldn't. I don't need someone else to watch the children, they'll be helping Fran too, and doing what they can around the house. I need someone covering work for me so I can be with Fran. You see C.C., Fran and I are together now. I am going to take care of her. She is having surgery for a tumor in her abdomen, and it needs to be done right away. She's been suffering too much recently and I'm not letting her suffer alone anymore, we're a family and we're all going to get her through this and get her well again, and it's harder to do that if work interferes. So what I really need from you is to prioritize things and get anything that needs my attention immediately to Niles by Wednesday, and I'll have him send them back to you by courier when I'm done with them. And it might be helpful if you left messages on the office phone with updates on what you've been up to so I'm not completely out of the loop. But until after she is home from surgery and recovering, I really don't want any visitors except for her parents and Val, I want to keep the house quiet since I won't be working. Are you clear on what I'm asking of you?"
C.C. was in a shocked silence.
"C.C.? Did you hear me?"
"Oh- yes, Maxwell. I heard. I'm sorry about Nanny Fine. I didn't know. But you didn't need to keep that from me, I would have understood."
"Well I only kept it from you because the news was recent, and she had a big followup appointment today where we could ask more questions. So if you noticed her acting strange lately, or just her not being around, this was what was going on. She tried to keep it from us for a while, she just thought she was under the weather, but a couple weeks ago she finally had to go get checked out, and then you can imagine that this kind of news was hard for her to share with us. But everyone knows now, and knows what needs to happen. So she's the priority for me, not work, and I hope you can understand. And I will make sure to compensate you for any extra effort you have to put in to things, but I'm hoping things are slow and steady at the moment that you won't have to do too much more."
"Alright, Maxwell. I've got a number of things already sorted, so I will get them to you tomorrow. Oh, also, there will be a big delivery of scripts next week and I believe they are going to your address. I don't know that I will have much extra time to go through them, so if you can just think about what to do with them all, let me know."
"Okay, C.C. And thank you. I mean it. I'm sorry I didn't let you know sooner, but it was all fresh and chaotic, but now we have a plan and we'll start working from that. Also, you can call Niles anytime and he can relay anything important to me. Any emergencies or anything. And I will keep you posted on when it looks like things will be going back to working from this office."
"Okay, Maxwell. And don't hesitate to call me if you need to know anything. I'll have my cell on me when I'm not at home."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Oh, and Maxwell, tell Nanny Fine I'm sorry, and I hope she gets well soon. I know those children are very fond of her."
"Well, they aren't the only ones. And thank you again, C.C. Goodbye now."
"Goodbye…" C.C. drifted off and Max handed Fran the earpiece and she hung it up.
"Was that everyone? Should we go check on the children before we work our way back upstairs…?" Max asked.
"Hmmmm… probably. And should we tell Niles there might be a chance we won't make it to breakfast?" Max grinned.
"Definitely. I've got to spend some romantic time with my fiancée. That could take hours and hours…" he kissed her.
"Hours and hours… that sounds wonderful…" Fran kissed him again.
Max cleared his throat and patted her thigh. "If we keep doing that, we won't be able to check on the children. Or at least I won't." Fran got his meaning.
"Yeah, you're right. Hang on to that until we're upstairs. I mean, don't 'hang on' to it, well, you know what I mean!" They both laughed and got up from the chair. Fran pulled him close to hug him. She patted his rear end. "Mmmm! God I love you, Max!"
"I love you more, Fran." He ran his hands down her back to her rear end and held on for a moment, then kissed her lightly. "But we really better stop because I'm having a very difficult time containing myself."
"Mmm, me too. Okay, c'mon, let's go back out there." She took his hand and pulled him behind her and he followed her out the door.