Fran lies tired and fragile in her hospital bed. She feels miserable. Her fingers lovingly stroke a picture. It shows her with Maxwell and the children in Miami.

Everything had been so simple and carefree then. Her biggest concern had been if and when Maxwell would finally realize that she was the woman in his life for him.

Tears run down her cheeks. Again, she sees his face in her mind, when she told him she doesn't love him. This was the hardest moment of her entire life. But it had to be.

In the middle of her thoughts, there is a knock at the door and Dr. Goldberg enters the room. Hastily Fran hides the photo under her pillow.

"Well Miss Fine, how are we feeling today?"

"If you felt like I do, you wouldn't ask"

"I know the medical conditioning is a tremendous strain on the body. However, it is unfortunately unavoidable. But to be honest, I'm not here today to know how you are dealing with your physical health." Fran stares at him curiously.

"When you enter the hospital, you strictly forbade us to contact your family. You know I still believe this is a mistake. I'm sure it would be very helpful for you to have someone by your side." Fran wipes away her tears and shakes her head.

"No! I don't want this; I don't want to put anyone through seeing me like this."

"Yes, I understand, but the situation may have changed decisively. Your former boss, Mr. Sheffield showed up here yesterday and he knows that you are a patient here. According to him, he saw you with his own eyes."

Fran's eyes widen in shock. A thousand thoughts haunt her at once. What was he doing here? How did he find her? Why had he been looking for her in the first place? Dr. Goldberg interrupts her thinking.

"He wants to see you." Fran just shakes her head again.

"No! I can't. I don't want to put him through that. He wouldn't be able to handle all that."

"To me, he made a very determined and strong impression, and he assured me that he knows what kind of burden he is going to face and that he is willing to put up with all the obstacles. I think you should at least talk to him. From the way I've met him, he's not going to be sent away easily."

Fran struggles hard with herself. On one hand, she would love nothing more than to just throw herself into his arms, feel him and his presence. But then all the effort to keep him and the children away from all the torture would have been useless. Dr. Goldberg tries to encourage her.

"Miss Fine! You still have a very long and difficult road ahead of you. There is no shame in asking for help and support. There are situations in life when it's okay to think of yourself."

In the end, her desire to see him again wins over all doubts. She agrees that he may visit her.

"Well, I'll let him know then you want to see him." Fran looks down at herself in horror.

"Could you maybe stall him for another half an hour and ask a nurse to come by. I want to freshen up a little bit first." Dr. Goldberg nods and leaves the room.

Maxwell, meanwhile, had purchased a single rose and a box of chocolates at the gift store. Considering the seriousness of the situation it seems relatively odd to him, but he doesn't want to show up empty-handed either. Impatiently, he walks up and down, waiting to hear what news Dr. Goldberg would bring. Finally, he comes to meet him and smiles from the distance.

"It took me some effort, but Miss Fine is ready to see you." Maxwell is deeply relieved.

Fran, in the meantime, was getting ready with the help of a nurse. She put on a fresh nightgown, her hair is freshly combed so that it now falls gently over her shoulder and frames her face. She also washed her face and applied some lipstick on. Then there is another knock at the door. Fran feels as if her heart jumps out of her chest. In a shaky voice, she calls out.

"Come in!"

Maxwell opens the door and steps to her bedside. Neither of them is able to say a word; they just look at each other's eyes. Without taking his eyes off her, he places the box of chocolates and the rose on the bed. Then they fall into each other's arms and hold each other as if they never want to break apart.