Written by: Jenny Reynolds

margaret-reynolds@ lineone. net

Fran stood back, and surveyed the scene in the Sheffield's front room. It was packed with her friends and family, all there for her '21st' (again). Everyone was having a good time, and she noticed Brighton trying to chat up another one of her distant cousins. Maggie was trying to avoid having to speak with any relative over the age of 45, as those she had encountered so far, had passed comments about her hair, make up and the length of her skirt. Gracie however, was having great fun, hustling Sylvia and Morty out of thirty bucks so far, playing some card game Fran couldn't recognize.

As she looked around the room, she saw various friends and relatives, all having a reasonably good time, not getting drunk, not swearing, not reducing the party to a shambles. And of course there was her 'present'. Thirty years old, single, handsome, and incredibly rich. From her mother, who else? She had given him a first, and second look, and within seconds of their introduction, he had swept her off her feet, literally, and kissed her with such passion. And they were so suited to each other. They talked for hours, and discovered things about each other, that it had taken her and Max years to discover about each other.

Max. Fran's eyes swept the room. Where was he? She entered the crowd to seek him out. When that failed, she left for the kitchen, where she found not Max, but Niles.

"Niles, have you seen Mr. Sheffield?"

"I think he's in his office."

"The office? It's my birthday, and he hides away?"

"I think he feels left out. Your family are the majority of the crowd..."

"So? The kids are having a great time."

"Yes, but..." he trailed off.

"Niles!" she demanded impatiently.

"I think that in his crowd, the odd one out, is the one who gives the smallest present, or spent the least. Here, it's the opposite."

Fran's attention fell to the charming gold charm bracelet he had given her. It was beautiful, and within seconds of him wrapping it around her wrist, she was introduced to her other gift - David. She hadn't seen Max since.

"I have to talk to him." she said.

"Let me take him his tea first. Give me five minutes."

Niles left the kitchen for the office, and Fran left for the party.

Max was sitting at his desk when Niles entered.

"Why do I even bother to try Old Man?" he asked.

"Try what?"

"Y'know, with Miss Fine."

"Try what?"

"For G-ds sakes man, you know!"

Niles just nodded. He knew his boss and friend loved Fran, but he knew that Max didn't have the courage to tell her.

"Just when I think something is going to happen, something, someone interferes."

"Yes sir."

"'Yes sir'? What kind of response is that?"

Niles just shrugged, and turned to leave, at the same time Max got up, and went to the window. As Niles left, he passed Fran in the corridor. She entered, as Max was continuing with his train of thought.

"I'm just scared that one day, she'll meet someone, and that relationship will last. And I'll loose her for good. But I can't tell her that Niles, I want to, but when I get close to, I loose my nerve."

Fran realized that he still thought that Niles was in the room, but kept silent.

"Why the hell do I find it hard to tell her how I feel? I keep thinking it's Sarah, but I know that it isn't. I think I've finally gotten over her enough to finally commit."

Fran's heart jumped as she heard this.

"So tell me." she finally said.

Max jumped, and turned to face her.

"How long have you...??"

"Long enough." she said.

"Fran, I..."

"You just called me Fran! Oy, you do..."

"Love you?" he finished, "Yeah, I do."

They stood there in silence for what seemed like an eternity, until Fran finally took the lead, and in a few strides, covered the distance between them, to kiss him softly on the lips.

"So why are you afraid of losing me?" she asked.

"The guys you date are so handsome, and they seem to make you happy. What can I give you that they can't? What have I got over them?"

Fran stepped back, and perched on the desk.

"Every time you meet someone, you go off with them, despite how our relationship is going. Sometimes I feel like we're getting somewhere then..."

He was cut off, as Fran suddenly stood up, and kissed him again, this time with more passion. Their hands began to wander, and they continued for a good while longer. Fran then pulled back enough to move into a tight hug.

"I could go off with just anyone, but there'd be a problem."

"What?" he asked, almost afraid to know.

"I love you."

Max pulled back to study her eyes. He knew she meant it, but needed to be sure. His confusion lasted only a second until they pulled into their third embrace.

The pair finally returned to the party, just as Fran's cake was brought out. The candles were lit, and as a joke, Niles stood on hand with a fire extinguisher. Fran hit him gently as they passed him. Niles' shock was quickly changed into a smile as he saw Max put his arms around Fran's waist, and kiss her playfully on the neck. She then turned to put him behind her, to face her cake, but his arms remained wrapped tight, so as if never to let her go.

"Make a wish honey!" exclaimed Sylvia, brandishing a camera.

"For what?" Fran asked, "I already have everything I could ever want."

As she spoke, she raised her arm, the one with the bracelet on, to caress Max's cheek. His aftershave, so close her was driving her crazy, and she could feel Max's body stiffening behind her as she imagined him fighting off his desires.

"I know what you could wish for," he whispered in her ear, "And you may just get it."

Fran giggled, and blew out her candles with one puff. Cheers were sounded, and Max kissed his love on the back of the neck. At a signal from Max, Fran made her excuse from her mother's company, and ran upstairs. Max wasn't far behind. He kissed her passionately on the landing, then swept her off her feet to spin her around.

"I can't believe this is finally happening." she exclaimed.

"Believe it. Happy Birthday." He said, leading her to his room, and shutting the door behind them