Excitement and Disbelief!

"No Fran! You can't go!"

Gracie stands in front of her nanny, angry and distraught. Maggie and Brighton sit on the couch in shock. Fran just revealed to the kids she would move to Malibu in a couple of days. None of them understands what is going on here. Lately, everything seemed like Fran and their father would finally find each other and they would become a family. And now, out of nowhere there is another guy.

"Come on kids! Don't take it too hard! You're all more or less grown up. You don't need me anymore and I want to start a new life with Gideon. I want to build a family of my own."

"I thought we are your family!" yells Gracie at her.

"I thought you love us like your own and what about Daddy? You two love each other! You belong together!"

Just at that moment Maxwell steps into the living room, startled by his youngest's outburst. Gracie throws herself into his arms, sobbing.

"Daddy!...Fran wants to leave us!... Tell her to stay! ...Tell her you love her!"

Maxwell puts his arms around his daughter to comfort her and stares bitterly at Fran. He feels a deep desire to shake her so she would come to her senses.

"Sweetheart I don't want Miss Fine to go either, but it's her decision!"

Fran stands there helplessly. She doesn't know how to make the farewell easier for the kids. Brighton rushes up, mutters he has some homework to do and hurries upstairs. Gracie and Maggie follow him. Fran goes to the closet and grabs her jacket.

"Goodbye Mr. Sheffield. I'm going to Maa and will stay there overnight."

"You do that Miss Fine. I guess your mother is delighted. A Jewish doctor! Excuse me, I'm going to check on my kids now, who you don't seem to care about anymore."

Fran watches him sadly as he disappears upstairs. If he only knew.

"Oh Fran I am so proud of you. A cardiologist and a Jew and a mansion in Malibu. I can see myself lying on the beach with an ice cream shake in my hand." Silvia Fine shines with a dreamy expression.

"Say, your Dad and I could come with you to meet the great guy and stay with you for a while." Fran panics and answers in a rush.

"No Maa! Don't you dare! Gideon and I need some time alone. You don't want to jeopardize the engagement."

"Oyy Fran! How are you talking to me? I gave birth to you in pain, endured all your escapades and now? But fine, enjoy yourself in the sun and leave your poor old parents in the cold wet New York." Fran rolls her eyes. She is used to her mother's guilt trip.

"Maaa!"

"All right! What's the matter with you?"

"Oh it's just...I told the kids everything and they didn't take it really well."

"I assume they thought you and their father would... To be honest, I never thought any other man besides Maxwell Sheffield would have a chance with you. But it's the man's own fault, I'm not getting any younger." Fran gets uncomfortable talking about Maxwell. She quickly tries to distract her mother.

"Äehm Maa...I'm hungry. How about Chinese takeout?"

"Excellent idea!"

At the Sheffield mansion, the siblings all sit together in Maggie's room and puts their heads together.

"So!" Brighton starts "Any ideas on how we get Fran to stay?"

"I only see one chance!" Maggie announces. "Dad! He has to convince her to stay. He should finally propose to her."

"I don't know, Fran seemed rather determined." Gracie objectes. "If she loves this Gideon guy more."

"I think Maggie's right." Brighton replies "If anyone can change her mind it's Dad! You heard him, he doesn't want her to go either and he promised us to do everything possible."

"Okay let's talk to him."

Maxwell sits at his desk. He still has troubles to realize, his family was about to fall apart. A few days ago their life was full of sunshine and now it was in the deepest darkness! It wasn't just about him and Fran but also about the kids. They were completely shattered, he wishes he could spare them the pain.

Then there is a knock at the door and the objects of his thoughts enter the room.

"Dad!" Maggie begins "We discussed everything. You're the only one who can stop Fran."

"That's right Daddy! Please! You have to try it again. Fran loves you, I know she does." Gracie begs him with pleading eyes.

"Yes dad! Do something before she's gone. Propose to her or lock her in the wine cellar."

"Brighton! But maybe you're right. It's worth a try. It can't get any worse than this. But we have to come up with a perfect plan. Niles!"

In a flash, Niles appears in the office. For a long time they all sit together, working on their mission.