Maxwell is stunned!
Fran is more than nervous. How shall she tell him the news? She has been dreading the moment since day, but it needs to be done.
"Knock knock! Mr. Sheffield, I want to speak to you! It's urgent!"
"Miss Fine, nice to see you! Come in, sit down!"
He taps his hand on his desk, but Fran takes a seat on the green loveseat. Maxwell is slightly irritated. Fran has been acting weird for several days now.
Actually, their relationship had mage a huge improvement the last few weeks. They often went out on dates, spent cozy movie nights at home and for hours, they chatted and laughed together in his office. But ever since Fran came back from her weekend trip a few days ago, she wasn't the same anymore. She distances herself from him, is very quiet and sometimes she leaves the house for hours without anyone telling about her whereabouts.
"Well, Miss Fine! What's so urgent?"
Fran stares at him. Then she suddenly beams and finally bubbles out with an enthusiastic voice.
"Well! I met the absolute perfect man. He's tall, handsome with great hair, great sense of humor, charming and on the top, he's Jewish and a cardiologist. I met him last weekend in Malibu. He has a fantastic condo near the beach."
Maxwell's jaw drops at Fran's speech. He can't believe it. His Fran in love with another guy! This couldn't be for real. Fran doesn't dare to look at him, she continues.
"Anyway, Gideon asked me to move in with him. Sure we'll be engaged soon. So that means I have to quit and I will move out. The kids don't need a nanny anymore. Brighton and Maggie already have their driver's licenses and Gracie is smarter and more mature than I will ever be."
Niles just pass the hallway with a bouquet of flowers. He almost drops the vase in shock. A loud yelling comes from the office. He sets the vase down and rushes into the kitchen to switch on the intercom.
"How can you do this! You said you were going away for a family celebration, not to find your future husband! Don't the kids and all this mean anything to you?"
"How dare you yell at me like that! After all, I'm free to do whatever I want. I don't need your approval."
Niles turns pale and starts to tremble. He can't listen any longer. All this is a nightmare. Miss Fine apparently fell in love and was planning to leave the Sheffields. But she wasn't allowed to. For years, he had worked his butt off to bring her and his boss closer together and now where he was this close to achieving his goal she wants to go.
Meanwhile, in the office, the argument continues.
"Leave me alone! I made my decision!"
Fran wants to leave the office. She said what needed to be said. Maxwell stares at her like a stranger. This was no longer his Fran. He is convinced she's hiding a secret from him.
"Fran!" He suddenly speaks very softly and warmly to her. She stands still, but doesn't turn around.
"Please, not now! Not now!" She thinks by herself.
Maxwell steps behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Of course you're right, Fran. You can live your life any way you want. I just thought the kids and I are part of your life. Have you forgotten the last few weeks? I haven't. I wish we could pick up where we left off and..."
"No Mr. Sheffield! You're a great man, but let's face it. You and I are not right for each other. We've known each other for five years now and we're still not a couple. I think you were right. We should stay friends."
Maxwell's features slips. He doesn't believe a word Fran says. What is going on here? Had she been abducted by aliens and replaced by a clone?
"What about the children? You know you're breaking their hearts!"
"Like I said, the kids don't need a nanny anymore."
"But they need their mother!" blurts Maxwell out.
Fran stares at him in horror. Maxwell notices the tears in her eyes.
"I am not the children's mother and I never will be!" With these words, she leaves him alone in his office.