I love you!

Maxwell looked her right into her eyes and began his speech.

"When you blew into our lives your energetic, overwhelming and spirited nature pretty much shocked me. I never met a person like you before. You were chaotic, loud and turned my personal and business life upside down..."

Fran looked at him half horrified/ half offended.

"Do you also have anything positive to say?"

Maxwell put his fingers on her lips.

"But above all, you possessed more and more of my heart and you won the love of the children. You may come from a modest background and you didn't enjoy a privileged school education, but you have qualities that many people lack. You are warm-hearted, compassionate, loving and you have an incredible sense for the needs and wants of other people. Look at the children. Remember what they were like when you started here. You raised them to be the content, independent individuals they are today. Surely not every woman has the ability to give foreign children maternal warmth, love and security."

Tears of emotion were in Fran's eyes.

"I love you just the way you are. With all your faults and quirks and your good aspects. Most of all, I love you for the way you love me. I mean let's face the truth: I'm stiff, uptight, insecure and emotionally disturbed. I neglected my kids and it took me five years to call you by your first name and confess my love to you."

Fran grinned and nodded eagerly at his list.

"But despite everything, you love me and put up with me." Fran snuggled up to him.

"I just can't help it! I love you! With all your quirks and faults."

"That's exactly the point Darling. Love doesn't ask for reason or social standing. Love is love!"

"I know Max! But I'm still scared. I mean, will you still love me if your friends and business partners turn their backs on you? If you can't find any new backers because of me?"

"Of course Darling! You are much more important to me! I need you to live! Besides, it certainly won't come this' far. You shouldn't overestimate the behavior of the people at the party. People talk and whisper. It's always been that way. We were just the perfect victims due we just announced our engagement."

Fran wasn't convinced.

"It wasn't because of that, surely I did or said something stupid again."

He took her in his arms.

"That's nonsense! I was by your side most of the time. I would have noticed that for sure. The best proof is, everyone was talking behind our backs and no one made a direct comment to us. And why? Because, from a purely objective point of view, there was nothing to say. You'll see, once we're married they'll eventually realize that our love doesn't fit the stereotype and as soon as the next scandal breaks out, we'll become stale."

Fran fervently hoped he was right. Anyway, she felt much more comfortable. Now she knew for sure, Maxwell stood behind her and their love. He winked at her.

"Oh and one more thing Fran! If you ever turn into a CC Double, I will divorce you immediately!"

They glanced at each other and started laughing hysterically.

They kissed each other, rubbing their noses together. Maxwell registered with pleasure Fran's eyes were sparkling and she had again her mischievous smile which he loved so much. As they kissed, he let fall themselves back into the pillows. He was about to cuddle up with her under the covers when Fran stopped him.

"Hey Mr. Sheffield! What are you doing?"

"I thought you wanted to fall asleep in your knight's arms?"

Fran tickled him under his chin.

"Good idea but didn't you forget something?"

Maxwell was confused.

"The house rules?! No love affair in the employees' room! You wouldn't want to break your own rules Mr. Sheffield?". She giggled.

Maxwell let out a mocking sigh. Inside he was relieved. Fran was back to her old self. He grinned, the game worked also the other way around.

"Of course not Miss Fine! I have to apologize, how rude."

He rose from the bed, gave her a final kiss on the forehead.

"Have a pleasant night's rest!"

He pretended to leave the room, opened the door and looked around. The hallway was dark and the whole house was totally calm.

"Maax!" chimed in behind him. Maxwell stepped back to the bed and lifted Fran into his arms.

"What's the matter darling? I just wanted to check if the coast is clear."

He carried her out of her room, down the hall to his master suite.

A short time later they were snuggled close in his bed. Fran was lying on his stomach, his arms wrapped around her. His hands traveled under her shirt. With his fingertips he stroked her back. Fran relaxed more and more until she finally fell asleep. Maxwell gazed at her in love. She smiled and sighed contentedly in her sleep. Surely she had a wonderful dream.

End

This episode is one of my favorite episodes. I love the emotional touch. So I tried to come up with my own story, how the episode could have continued. I hope you will enjoy it and I appreciate any kind of feedback!