Fran woke up, blinking in disorientation. She didn't know where she was. This was not in her hotel suite. She stretched and straightened up. She rubbed the rest of the sleep out of her eyes. She was startled when she realized where she was. She looked around and her eyes fell on the sleeping Maxwell. Memories of the previous night flooded into her consciousness. However, the intoxication was gone and the bubble had burst. She felt extremely shabby and rotten. She couldn't believe what she had done. She had cheated on Nigel with his own brother. Fran's emotional state was in complete disarray. The night had been indescribable, a dream, and even looking at Maxwell now, she felt deep love and affection for him. But at the same time, horrible guilt gnawed at her.
Maxwell came to his sense. He saw Fran sitting next to him. Her face buried deep in her hands. He felt awful, infinitely ashamed. Fran was Nigel's fiancée. Nigel, his little brother he always wanted to protect. He couldn't have done anything worse to him. Besides, it tormented him to witness Fran's despair. He had put her in a terrible position. The eyes of the two met. Uncertainty and confusion could be read in all their eyes. All the lightness and lightheartedness of the night had vanished.
Fran swung herself out of bed and hastily put on her underwear. She reached for her blouse and skirt. Both were extremely wrinkled. Maxwell noticed her scrutinizing both. "You still have some clothes in your former room." were his first words to her. "Ah, thank you!" Fran gathered her things and disappeared without another word. Maxwell also got out of bed and went to the bathroom.
Fran was stunned when she stepped into her old room. Nothing had been changed. Niles had probably only cleaned it now and then and changed the sheets. But otherwise it looked exactly as she had left it. As if Maxwell and the children had always hoped she would come back one day. At the moment she couldn't be happy about it, she felt like crying. Hastily she picked out new clothes and got ready. She had to hurry back to the hotel. Hopefully Nigel was not back yet.
Maxwell was already finished when Fran came down the stairs. "Will you call me a cab?" "Don't you at least want a coffee and something quick to eat?" Fran shook her head. While Maxwell was on the phone, she put on her coat. "Coming right up!" "Thanks, I'll wait outside." Maxwell felt like she was literally running from him. He put on a coat as well and waited with her. Silently they stood side by side. Finally the cab came. Maxwell held the door open for her. For the first time that morning they really looked into each other's eyes. "So long!" brought Maxwell out at last. "You too!" Fran pulled the door closed. As the car drove away, she turned around. She could still see him standing there. She felt a strong urge to turn around and rush into his arms, but that would be completely wrong.
Maxwell walked back into the house. Mechanically, he went into his office and sat down at his desk. He tried to sort out his feelings and thoughts. His mind and morals wanted to tell him he had to forget about last night. It was an event that must never happen again. But he longed for Fran. His heart wished she would sit on her spot right now and babble. He rummaged in his drawer. He pulled out a photograph. It showed him and Fran in Paris. If only he hadn't taken back his declaration of love, Fran would never have left with Nigel. Tears came to his eyes. But then he wiped them away vigorously. He packed the picture away and sat up straight. "Come on old boy, Fran is with Nigel and that's it! They're a perfect couple and you're going to forget about her!" Determined, he reached for a manuscript.
Fran realized with relief at the hotel, Nigel hadn't returned yet. She went to take a shower first. For a long time she stood under the hot stream, as if she could wash away all the memories even if she knew she would not succeed. As she got ready, she wondered how she would ever face Nigel again. She had always despised anyone who cheated, and now she was no better herself. As she walked back into the bedroom, she saw that the answering machine was blinking. Nigel had left her a message. He would be back in about an hour. Fran looked at the clock. Nigel would be here in three quarters of an hour. She wasn't ready to meet him yet. She was still far too upset and agitated. She deleted the message, grabbed her bag and coat, and was off. She really needed to talk to someone and there was only one.
Maxwell groaned. He was still on the first page of the manuscript. He just couldn't concentrate. The letters were dancing wildly. Maybe he should eat a snack first. On his way to the kitchen, he saw something lying on the floor in the entryway. Fran had lost her scarf. He buried his face in the smelled like her. He couldn't forget her in this house. Every room was filled with memories. He grabbed his coat. He needed to get some fresh air.
Fran rang the doorbell and prayed Val would be home. When her best friend opened the door, she fell around her neck. "Thank God you're here! I really need to talk to you. I have a mega huge problem!" Val understood, Fran was obviously in distress. The friends went to a nearby sandwich bar. As they sat at the table with their tablets, Fran sputtered out. "I don't know what to do. I'm so ashamed. I messed up big time. But I love him, I think about him all the time, and that night was so unique. I've never been so happy. But none of that works. I mean..." "Stop Fran! I can't understand a word you're saying! What's wrong?" Fran paused for a moment then blurted it out. "I slept with Maxwell. In fact, we spent the whole night together making love. He loves me and I love him too." Val stared at her friend. "You slept with Mr. Sheffield? (Fran nodded) But aren't you engaged to his brother Nigel? (Fran nodded again) Oyyyyyyy!" Val was speechless. This was indeed a problem "I'm totally screwed up. Nigel loves me and yes we are happy. He is a great man, well he might have some quirks but actually we are perfect for each other. We are so similar and like the same things but..." "You love Mr. Sheffield! I mean you've been in love with him for years and now you know he loves you too. That's a whole new situation." "Yeah, it is. But it would never work with us. I'm sure he would take back his vow of love out of fear. Besides, we're far too different, and he'd never take his brother's wife and I don't want to be the cause of the two of them falling out forever." "You're just making up excuses Fran! Besides, this isn't about Mr. Sheffield! It's about you. You have to make a decision. Who do you love? Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with, unconditionally and forever?" Fran hesitated, "I think I'll give Nigel and myself another chance. He deserves that and I mean what has happened. Maxwell and I spent one night together. One lousy night. I just need to forget about him and all my feelings for him and focus all my attention on Nigel. That's the best thing for everyone!" Decisively, Fran slipped on her coat, pressed a kiss to Val's cheek, and was gone. Val watched her go, shaking her head. Fran was on the wrong track, but she had to figure that out for herself.