Written by: MRM(mmccallihan@gmail)
Maxwell Sheffield pulled his beautiful wife closer as he reveled in the feel of her warm, sleeping body next to his. Her hair tickled his chin as her head rested in the crook of his arm. He kissed her forehead and he laced his fingers through her petite hand where it rested on his chest. Occasionally he felt the feathery flutters of his unborn twins tickle his side where Fran's swollen belly rested.
He smiled at the thought of her flying out to California because of something a psychic at the Chatterbox told her. It was such a "Fran" thing to do. That crazy Libby told her Fran would find him in bed with a woman. Really as if he would cheat on her, he frowned. Why would she think he would do such a thing?
He mulled over the five years before he committed his life to her and the months since. He could only remember two other times she'd been jealous—Sydney and Heather.
He grimaced then smiled when his mind trailed back to the stalled elevator where Fran showed up in that incredible pink dress to tell him that Sydney was gay and wouldn't be meeting him for dinner. Once the elevator started moving again he and Fran enjoyed an evening filled with wonderful food, lively conversation and cheek-to-cheek dancing.
He loved to dance with Fran. He stifled a chuckle as he thought back to her Camp Kindervelt Reunion when he dipped her and her dress ripped. He loved the feel of her in his arms then as much as he did now.
Fran shifted, sighed softly, and stroked her belly with her free hand. Max's heart overflowed with emotions that caused a lump to form in his throat. This incredible, complex creature was his and she was having his babies. He rolled his eyes at her description earlier of being fat. How could she doubt her beauty? Was there a need he wasn't meeting that would cause these insecurities?
He returned to thinking about other times she was jealous and an image of Heather Biblow popped into his mind. She was too blonde, had too wide a smile, and too busty--just too much for his taste. Why Fran would think he was interested in such a woman was beyond him.
He thought about the plan Niles hatched when Fran decided to stay in LA to work on that soap. Niles suggested asking Heather to take Fran's nanny position to make her jealous and then she would come home. It worked too and none too soon as Max remembered how he was at the airport ready to fly out to get Fran when he saw her disembarking the plane that brought her back to New York.
Something about Heather Biblow just didn't sit right with Max. He felt the answer to Fran's insecurities involved her. Max closed his eyes as he lightly stroked Fran's arm, their breathing and the hum of the electronic devices the only sounds in the room. Danny Imperiali's face appeared in his mind and Max's eyes flew open. That's it! That cheating cretin was at the root of this.
Max repeated in his mind the story of Fran's coming to them. How Danny, her long time boyfriend and the owner of the bridal shop Fran left when she found out he was cheating on her with Heather Biblow, treated her with no respect or loving care. Heather wasn't the first but it was the last straw for Fran and she left him. Well, Danny fired her and started up with Heather but Fran got her comeuppance when she told him to get lost after Danny tried to get her back several months later.
Max fell asleep wondering how he was going to prove to his wife that he would never look at another woman in a longing way, let alone cheat on her.
Fran opened her eyes and took a minute to remember where she was. She felt Max's body warm against her back, his arms tightly wrapped around her, his fingers protectively holding her very pregnant stomach. She felt the rise and fall of his chest, his chin resting on her head as her head tucked in the cocoon his body made for her and sighed with pleasure. She felt so secure, so loved. Why had she doubted him? Then the vision of Heather and Danny in each other's arms floated through her brain. Damn that Danny!
Max was not Danny in any sense of the word. He had given her his heart and he was devoted, loyal and loving. When he wasn't working from home, he called her several times a day to tell her he loved her or he missed her.
She placed her hands over his and softly stroked his arms and she felt his breathing change.
"Good morning Darling," Max purred in her hair as he snuggled closer to her. "This is the nicest of ways to wake up," he whispered into her hair.
"I'm glad you think so," Fran turned to face him. "So you're not angry?" she asked him. He observed her worried face, reached up and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.
"No darling, I'm not angry, but I am puzzled," he looked deeply in her beautiful brown eyes. "And hurt," he admitted softly.
"Why is that?" she asked quietly her hands resting on his chest worrying her bottom lip in her teeth.
"Why would you think I would cheat on you?" he asked obviously dumbfounded. "Or better yet, how could you believe that about me?"
"Oh Honey, would you believe hormones?" she asked slightly smiling, raising an eyebrow. Max's frown told her he was serious. "Oy, how do I explain this," she said to herself more than to him. He watched the changing emotions on her face and then saw the tears spill over her long eyelashes onto her cheeks.
"Fran, I'm not Danny," Max stated firmly but reassuringly, catching her tears in his hands seeing from her face that she was surprised at his intuitiveness. "And you are not the same woman who tolerated that behavior."
"Oh Sweetie, I know you're not that schmuck Danny and you could never be," Fran assured him looking deeply into his olive green eyes. "I guess I still doubt whether I'm enough for you."
"What do you mean by enough?" Max looked at her quizzically, stroking her face with his thumbs.
"Smart enough, savvy enough, classy enough," she explained softly closing her eyes to keep back the fresh tears that threatened to fall. Max sighed heavily.
"Sweetheart we talked about this at the wedding," Max sighed again. "How can I convince you that you saved this broken man by mending the pieces of my heart and giving me a second chance at love? You are exactly what I needed; you are all I need now and in the future. You are more than enough for me," his voice thick with emotion.
"You are my light," he said kissing the tears that trailed down her cheek.
"My hope," he whispered into her ear his breath hot on her skin and then kissed her neck just below her earlobe.
"My life," he finished gazing intensely into her chocolate brown eyes, his mouth hovering over hers. His tongue traced her full lips and he nibbled slightly on the bottom one before she breathed a moan and he caught her mouth in his. He slipped his tongue in and slowly savored the softness of her mouth before she responded more passionately and he met her kisses with just as much exuberance.
With an aching urgency Fran unbuttoned his pajama top and shoved it down his back and arms. She needed to feel the warmth of his skin on hers. Fran clung to him as he ground his hips into her and gasped his name as they pulled from their kisses panting.
"How much time do we have before you have to leave?" Fran asked her voice husky with desire snaking her fingers through his black curly tresses.
"Plenty darling," Max purred raining kisses down her neck and along her collarbone.
"Make love to me Maxwell," Fran moaned as he kissed the freckles along her chest.
The hotel room phone ringing startled Fran awake. Reaching toward the nightstand to grab the phone she noticed that Maxwell was gone and she touched her cheek where he placed a tender kiss as he left for work. She answered the phone hearing Niles' voice on the other end.
The two discussed with laughter the events of the evening before. They decided that after a leisurely breakfast and a visit to the spa, they would go shopping as neither brought a suitcase with them. Niles gave Fran 30 minutes knowing it would be more like an hour. He was shocked when 35 minutes later she was knocking on his room door.
"Wha?" she asked smiling brightly at his surprised expression as she walked through the door.
"Fran, you're early," Niles sputtered closing the door behind her.
"Actually, I'm five minutes late," Fran stated as she strutted into the room. "Why aren't you ready Niles, I'm starving," she turned and surveyed Niles partial state of dress.
"I'm sorry Fran," Niles looked down chagrined. "I wasn't expecting you for at least another 25 minutes."
"Get a move on buddy, there's an amazing buffet calling my name and the twins aren't in the mood to wait," Fran moved toward the door watching Niles scramble to put on his shoes and grab his coat.
While waiting for their pedicures to dry both Fran and Niles' cells chirped interrupting their conversation. Both looked at their caller IDs and then at each other.
"It's Max," Fran stated.
"C.C.," Niles replied holding up his phone, "Wonder what's up?"
Fran responded with a raised eyebrow as they both answered their phones.
"Hello darling did you sleep well?" Max's deep resonant voice warmed her heart and Fran instantly smiled brightly.
"Yes, but I missed you later when I woke up," Fran replied with a bit of a pout in her voice.
"Don't worry sweetheart we'll have several more nights and mornings to wake up together," Max reassured her. "So tell me about your day," he inquired as he looked over at C.C. who was smirking at something Niles said on her phone. He did not even want to know, Max thought as he returned to his lovely wife's happy voice.
"Max did they make the announcement?" Fran asked looking over and seeing Niles end his call and head towards the changing rooms.
"That's why I called Fran," Max stated. "When you go shopping do you think you can be done and meet me in the lobby by 4?" Fran looked at her watch seeing that left her 5 hours. "You'll also need to pick up something smashing for tonight. Mr. Sherry has invited us to a party at his home this evening."
"And you want me with you?" Fran said softly worry evident in her voice.
"Now Fran don't start that again," Max chided her. "Why wouldn't I want you with me? Please say you'll attend Fran, I need you."
"You need me?" Fran raised an eyebrow as she emphasized the word "need."
"Yes, you know I only started having fun at these things when you started coming with me and you know I'm going to be a bundle of nerves, you are the only one who can help me with that," he explained softly hoping she could hear the smile in his voice. Fran looked up and saw that Niles was dressed and pointing at his watch.
"Well I better get this show on the road then if I have to be on TV at 4 and smashing later tonight," Fran stated standing straightening her shoulders and heading toward the dressing room. Max loved the "woman with a mission," tone her voice carried.
"Fran," Max called to her thinking he'd lost connection.
"Yes honey, I'm still here," Fran reassured him.
"I love you darling," Max gushed into the phone.
"I love you more," Fran smiled and closed the phone. "I'll be out in two minutes Niles," she tossed over her shoulder as she heading to the dressing area. "We've gotta be smashing in less than 5 hours."
"I know Cruella filled me in," Niles laughed and waited for his friend.
5 hours later C.C. observed her pacing business partner check his watch for the 10th time and rub his chest wincing. Looking out over the sea of entertainment reporters from the back of the ballroom she knew they couldn't wait much longer. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Niles and Fran enter the room. The statuesque blonde appraised the abnormally subdued, yet classic style of her friend's wife. C.C. hated to admit it but Nanny Fine had pulled together an amazing look for this evening's event. She glanced over at Max and took in his loved filled face surprised at how happy she felt for her longtime friend.
"You look…amazing," Max whispered to Fran as he hugged her tightly to him, sighing as a sense of relief flooding his body.
"You look pretty good yourself, Mister," Fran chuckled lightly but he saw the joy at knowing he was pleased in her eyes. She discretely slipped him two antacids and he smiled his thanks.
"I saw you rubbing your chest when I came in, besides I know the heartburn you get at these things," she stated as she watched him put the tablets in his mouth and chew them. "Did you eat anything today?" she asked as he looked at his shoes sheepishly. "Just as I figured," she shook her head at him as he slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her to the front of the room where they'd be making the announcement about the show. He introduced her to Gene Sherry.
"Fran so nice to meet you, I've heard so many wonderful things about you from Max," Gene said admiringly before turning to look at Max. "Max we need to get the show on the road." Max nodded, laced his fingers through Fran's and pulled her with him as he followed Gene to the podium laden with microphones. Several times during his announcement she felt him squeeze her hand and she stroked the back of his lightly with her thumb.
C.C. watched the couple taking note of Maxwell's countenance. He seemed confident, sure and at ease. She knew it had to be because of the woman holding his hand. She turned to see the look of adoration on Fran's face as the dark-haired woman listened to her husband's comments to the crowd full of reporters and well wishers and smiled wistfully. She turned to look at Niles and felt an instant rush of warmth at his soft smile. Niles moved his hand from where it rested in the small of her back to loop his fingers in hers and squeezed her hand encouragingly and C.C.'s smile broadened.
"Are we heading straight to the Sherry's?" Fran asked her husband tiredly when he was finished and they stood off to the side in the conference room. Max glanced down at Fran noticing her yawning.
"Not yet darling," Max placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her toward the lobby elevators. "We have enough time to grab a nosh and a nap," he stated softly, a slight smile on his lips at the surprised look she gave him.
"You know you're getting too good at that," she stated lifting her eyebrow and smirking.
"I learned from the master," he chuckled as they entered the elevator and headed up to their room.
Max felt his phone vibrate and moved away from his sleeping wife, hating to relinquish the feel of her body against his. He looked at the caller id and realized he would have to wake her for the evening's events.
Fran couldn't shed the nervousness that had plagued her since she and Max entered the limo heading to the Sherry's home. The last party she attended with Maxwell she found out that she was the laughing stock of his society friends. She really wanted him to be assured of her value as his wife and partner in this life they were making together and knew this party could be the litmus test of how things would go in Hollywood. She only hoped the folks of "La La Land" were more open than those of the Great White Way.
Max noted Fran's wringing hands and faraway gaze and laid his hand on hers causing her to look at him. His assuring eyes locked with hers, she turned her hand to grip his and she gave him a small, tentative smile.
"Don't fret Sweetheart, these are not the same kind of people," Max stated softly and Max saw the tension leave her body. "I love you and they will too," Max whispered in her ear before he placed a feather soft kiss on her check. Still holding her hand he led her from the limo toward the Sherry house.
Later Max heard his wife's throaty laughter mingled with several other females. He turned to witness her free, open merriment as she placed a hand on the forearm of one of the other wives and they giggled. He chuckled to himself and turned back to the conversation at hand.
"She seems to light up a room, Maxwell," Trevor Arlington stated after observing Max watching his wife. "She'll find a place here," the network executive assured his new producer.
"Yes, it seems she has already," Max smiled broadly, eyes still on his beautiful wife. "God knows she's the light of my life," he added.
Fran felt his gaze and turned to meet his eyes. In them she saw love, adoration and pride. Her smile broadened before she turned back to the ladies she was with, said something he couldn't decipher and then turned to head his way. Max finished his conversation with Arlington and started towards her.
"Having a good time darling?" Max asked kissing her forehead sliding his arm around her waist.
"Yes, I'm having a wonderful time," Fran gushed. "The buffet is fabulous and the people are fun," she added breathless. Max watched her animated face and dancing eyes as she told him about the various people she met and chatted with. He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled broadly.
"What are you smiling about?" Fran asked touching his cheek lightly.
"You," Max brought his other hand up to her waist and wrapped his arms around her. "You are positively radiant, my darling. I think California agrees with you."
"No, my darling, it's you," Fran slipped her arms along his shoulders, sliding her fingers through the ebony curls at the base of his neck.
"Me?" Max's eyebrows rose with wonder as he locked his gaze with hers.
"It's your belief, trust and confidence in me," Fran told him emphatically. "It's your love shining through me," she stated before placing a soft kiss on his lips.
AFTERWORD:
"Fran is that a new necklace?" Fran's best friend Val asked as she enjoyed their usual ritual of afternoon coffee and treats.
"From Maxwell of course," Fran quipped as she reached up to touch the sun shaped pendant with a diamond incrusted heart in the center.
"Well it's gorgeous," Val exclaimed, moving in to take a closer look.
"Max had it made when we returned from California," Fran explained as she stirred her coffee and watched her friend reach for a scone.
"Really he had it made?" Val questioned her mouth filled with scone.
"Yeah," Fran replied dreamily remembering when Max slipped it around her neck saying he hoped that every time she wore it she'd remember that it was their love shining on them that made them the incredibly happy people they were now.
"Fran….Fran," Val tried to get her attention noting the love filled expression on her face. "Fran what's it for?"
"Remember when we were getting our nails done and Libby was there," Fran began as she told her best friend about the wonderful trip to California.