Fran and Nigel entered the mansion and handed Niles their coats. Nigel immediately rushed up to his brother and hugged him warmly. Maxwell's reaction was more guarded. Nigel wrapped an arm around Fran and pulled her close to him. "After all, I don't have to introduce you to my fiancée." He laughed, not noticing the disapproving looks from Fran and his brother. The two hugged briefly in greeting. Maxwell wanted to hold her and never let her go. Fran inhaled his scent. Mhhh Aramis. Had he applied this on purpose. When they broke away from each other, they stared into each other's eyes for a short moment, then both turned away in embarrassment. Maggie and Grace came down the stairs, without paying any further attention to Nigel they ran towards Fran. "Fran you have to help me, I don't know which bikini to take." "No, Fran, you're supposed to help me. I can't get my suitcase closed!" They both pulled Fran up the stairs, she laughingly surrendered to her fate. Nigel acted slightly offended. "It doesn't seem like they have missed their uncle?" "Well, no one has a chance against Fran!" retorted Maxwell with a laugh. For a moment there was an awkward silence between the brothers. That's when Brighton came down the stairs. Unlike his sisters, he greeted his uncle with a hug and sat down with them. The conversation was primarily between Brighton and Nigel. Brighton told him about his video projects and Nigel proudly reported about all the famous show stars who had already performed in his club. Maxwell was captured in his own thoughts. He watched his brother, enviously he had to realize Nigel looked outrageously good in his latest suit. Very youthful and charming. No wonder Fran had fallen for him. Secretly, he sometimes wished he had more of Nigel's spontaneity and adventurousness. However, was it really so wrong to go through life sensibly and rather think first before possibly plunging into misfortune?!
Later at dinner, the mood was outwardly cheerful and harmonious, but secretly it was seething. Nigel loved to show openly his love for Fran. Incessantly he put his arm around her waist, pulled her to him and kissed her cheek or neck. Fran was rather uncomfortable with the obvious show of affection and inconspicuously tried to move her chair further away from him. She squinted at Maxwell. At dinner last night in the Rainbow Room, she had only suspected her crush on Nigel had aroused his jealousy. Today she was absolutely certain. Maxwell was deeply jealous and couldn't bear to see Nigel and her so intimate with each other. She tried to give him apologetic look. His behavior irritated her, since he had made it clear that he was not interested in a relationship with her and that he saw them only as friends. Was he in love with her? Her heart started beating wildly and millions of butterflies fluttered in her belly. All her feelings, all her love for Maxwell were back and stronger than ever. There was nothing she could do about those feelings. However, she tried very hard not to let anyone see her confusion.
Maxwell couldn't help but keep glancing in Fran's direction and secretly watching her. He wanted to leave dinner. Only for the sake of his children he tried hard to keep up his facade. But his fists secretly clenched under the table every time Nigel approached Fran. He knew this was completely crazy and irrational, Fran was Nigel's fiancée and he had every right to show the world his affection. But was it really necessary to rub it in his face like that and couldn't he at least pull himself together in front of the kids!? He felt as if his advances also seemed to annoy Fran. He noticed very well how she slid further and further away with her chair. He had been surprised at first, Fran was actually a person who liked to show her feelings openly. Was she not as much in love with Nigel as he assumed? Furthermore, he had noticed her secret glances. Loving longing looks or was he just imagining that? Then their random touches when he reached for an object. He wondered all the time why she was doing all this. It only intensified his desire for her.
After the meal, things were very busy in the Sheffield home. The children eagerly gathered their luggage and checked again to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything. Maxwell stood by and gave numerous admonitions and advices. Niles also hurriedly made the final travel preparations. Fran and Nigel stood a little apart and observed the happening. When Niles appeared with his suitcase, Fran asked him in amazement, "Niles, are you traveling too?" "Yes! A friend invited me to go fishing." "After all, Niles deserves a vacation!" added Maxwell. "Oh come on brother! You just want to want the house for yourself to have some fun. Hehe!" Maxwell thought it would be wise not to respond to this comment at all. Finally the cab arrived and the big goodbyes began. For a long time Fran, Nigel and Maxwell waved after the car, then they went into the house together. "What drink can I offer you?" But before he could go to the bar, the phone rang. "Nigel, it's for you!" said Maxwell after he picked up. Fran and he couldn't understand what the phone call was about. Insure, they stared at each other but didn't say a word. That's when Nigel came back to them. "I've really got to go! The jazz group I listened to yesterday has accepted my offer. They're performing in Connecticut tonight and after the gig they want to talk to me about the contract. It's a huge opportunity!" He walked over to Fran and blew a kiss on her lips. "Don't be mad, sugar! I'll see you tomorrow. Because that's going to be late for sure. I'm going to get a hotel room there tonight. I've already called the driver, he'll be here any minute." Fran just nodded to everything. "When we get to our hotel, I'll pack you a bag real quick." Nigel paused a bit, "Well, I actually planned to go right on and get everything I need on the way. If you want to go back to the hotel, I'll call you a cab." "Don't worry Nigel. I'll drive Fran home!" intervened Maxwell now. He couldn't let Nigel just push Fran away like that. Fran smiled gratefully at him, at the same time she felt queasy at the idea of being alone with Maxwell. "Great Maxwell! I know Fran is in good hands with you." The doorbell rang, the driver was there. Nigel gave Fran a kiss, waved to Maxwell and was gone.
"Still as much of a whirlwind as ever!" "Yes he really is. A normal person can hardly keep up!" agreed Fran. Maxwell sat down with her. "Are you all right?" he asked her. When she just nodded mutely, he looked at her with a frown. "It's really nothing. I shouldn't be upset, but lately stories like this are becoming more common. One phone call and he's gone." "Well that's a family trait. I have to admit I'm no better. Sarah and I used to fight about it a lot because business was often more important. How about making it up to you? A pina colada without rum? That's what the kids like to drink, too." Fran nodded enthusiastically. After they toasted together, there was an awkward silence for a while until Fran babbled on, "I hope the kids got off okay!" "They certainly did. They're not toddlers anymore." "I'm glad they're not mad at me any longer. Honestly, I was pretty scared about the reunion." "Well, they were never really angry, more disappointed and sad." Again there was silence.
Finally Maxwell gave himself a jolt and asked the question that had been on his mind for ages. "Fran! Why did you just leave like that? Without a word?" Tears welled up in Fran's eyes. "I couldn't help it. I could never have looked you in the eye and then moved on." "Do you know what a shock it was? To come home, you are no longer there, just this letter." Fran gazed down at the floor. He lifted her chin, gently wiping her tears away. "Believe me, it was just as hard for me. When Nigel proposed, I was completely blindsided at first, but then I saw it as my chance. To start over again. I mean, I couldn't have been a nanny forever. But I thought about the kids and you every day!" Maxwell reached for her hand, "I missed you Fran, every day. The house is so empty and quiet without you." Fran smirked, at the same time she was totally confused. The situation was overwhelming her. She was engaged to Nigel and here sat Maxwell indirectly confessing his love to her. Fran wanted clarity. She pulled her hand away. "Maxwell, let it be. I mean we both know what it was like then. You took back the thing. You only wanted friendship. You barely noticed me back then. Please don't start messing everything up..." " Dear God Fran!" Maxwell interrupted her. He couldn't listen to her any longer. "Yes I took back the THING, because I was scared and not ready. I stayed out of your way because I could hardly stand to see you."
He held her by the shoulders now. "I took back my confession of love, but my love for you has remained. It has basically grown stronger every day even if I didn't want to admit it to myself. Fran, I love you! I love you more than I have ever loved a woman before. I can never take back my love for you." Fran was speechless. She didn't know what to say or do. Inside her was a jumble of feelings and thoughts. Maxwell glanced deep into her eyes. His head, his reason was off. He had lost the fight. He felt only his love, his longing and his desire. The room was silent. Each of them could hear the beating of the other's hearts. Then it happened. They fell into each other's arms and kissed each other with all their love and passion. They hugged each other so tightly, they almost couldn't breathe. Their mouths were intertwined, greedily circling each other's tongues. They broke away, both gasping for air. "I love you too Max! I love you so much!" "OH Fran, I missed you so much!" "Hold me Max! Hold me tight!" Again they kissed each other. Even more intimately. Their lips seemed to melt into each other. They both let their hands wander longingly along their bodies. Maxwell lifted Fran in his arms and carried her up the stairs. They were in their own world.