An Affair to Dismember

Cathy
(Cathy84@web.de)

After leaving Max’s office and kissing Niles goodbye, Fran’s on her way to the harbor to Nigel.... .

Meanwhile Max returns home where he finds a crying Brighton sitting on the sofa in the living room......

Brighton: Oh, dad. Finally you’re home.

Max: Brighton, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?

Brighton: She’s gone... Dad, she’s gone...

Max: Calm down. Who’s gone?

Brighton: Fran. I saw her leaving the house with her luggage.

Max: Miss Fine left? Did she say something?

Brighton: Nobody spoke to her. Grace already fell asleep, Niles slept on the sofa but didn’t know something about. And Maggie’s still out. But dad, I think she wrote a message for you. It’s in your office, saw it, when I entered to tell you. But you haven’t been there.

Max: Thanks, Brighton.

Brighton: Get her back, please. She means the world to us. Find her......
(runs upstairs)

Max goes to his office for reading the message:

Dear Mr. Sheffield,
this is hard for me to do but I have to leave you and the kids. I’ve worked for ya the last four years and I loved it. But I can’t go on like that. I mean, our relationship doesn’t work any longer the way it is.
I can’t wait ‘til you’re finally ready for taking it an other level.
After spending some time with your brother I know that I wanna be more than just a nanny. Nigel asked me to marry him, so I’ll go with him to Europe. Please, believe me, this was not an easy decision but I have to do. But I don’t want to leave you without telling you that I love you and the kids that much, though it really hurts. But I have to move on. I’ll learn loving Nigel the way I loved you. Please, tell the kids that I love them and I’ll call if the time’s right.
Be blessed,
I’ll always love you,
Miss Fine

Tears come into his eyes... Suddenly, Max recognizes that it was a mistake taking back “the thing”.

Max: Brighton!!!!!! (he screams into upstairs)

Brighton: Yes? What’s up? What did she wrote?

Max: I’ll tell you later. Do you know where she went to?

Brighton: No, I just heard her calling a cab.

Max: Sorry, but I’ve got no time. I have to find her....

Meanwhile Fran sits in her cab and remembers the past years she spent with the Sheffields. She cries and she suddenly recognizes that she can’t leave. She decides to drive to the harbor for telling Nigel that she can’t go with him to Europe.... Maxwell is drivin’ through New York for searching her. He remember Nigel saying he’d leave New York by ship, so he decides to go to harbor.

Nigel: Darling, you’re late. The ship doesn’t wait any longer. Baby, what’s up? Have you been crying?

Fran: Nigel, I don’t know how to tell ya but I can’t be with you.

Nigel: What? Did I something wrong?

Fran: No, no. It’s up to me.... I recognized that I can’t marry you because I’m in love with your brother and his kids.

Nigel: But he doesn’t love you. He told me in Paris..

Fran: I know but I feel it in my heart of hearts that my place is at his side. Please, forgive me..... (she kisses him softly and turns around for going back home)

Now, Maxwell arrives at the harbor but the ship did already left. He thinks he lost Fran forever and returns home....

Fran arrived later ‘cause she stopped at a restaurant for getting a drink.

She goes right through the living room into Max’s office for getting back her letter. But she doesn’t recognize that he’s sleeping on the couch in there.

Fran: (talking to herself): Where is this stupid letter? I have to find it...

Max: (woken up ‘cause of her talking): Do you mean this one? (show her the letter in his hands)

Fran: Mr. Sheffield, why aren’t you in bed? You’ve read it? I can explain...

Max: Oh, you can explain? I’m curious. Go ahead! (almost shouting at her)

Fran: Mr. Sheffield, why are you so angry?

Max: Why I’m so angry? You wanted to leave me.. I mean us without telling a word or saying goodbye to the kids. I think you love them that much... Do you know how Brighton feels? He can’t stop cryin’ ‘cause he lost the person he loved about everything...

Fran: Wha? I didn’t want that. But please understand. I ever waited for you telling me you feelings. (sits now next to him on the couch)

Max: Miss Fine, I think you know what feelings I’ve got for you.

Fran: I thought, I know after you told me you love me but then took it back. I wanna have a man who can say it loudly.

Max: The thing again? Please, this is not the time....

Fran: It is. But it’s not just the thing. It’s just everything. I mean, you only tell me your feelings when I’m going to be a bit more independent or I’m going to leave you. And if you reached me to stay you take it back and everything’s like it has been. You know what I mean? Do you have any idea how I feel inside? How that hurts?

Max: Miss Fine, I’m very sorry but since I’ve lost my wife I’m afraid of commitment.

Fran: I know, and I respect your feelings. But I’m getting tired of this cat and mouse game. You have to risk.... (bows her head) I see, it doesn’t work. You’ll get my cancellation in the morning.

She stands up and wants to leave. Suddenly, Max recognize he has to do something.

Max: Miss Fine, please don’t leave.

Fran: Why?

Max: I know I’m not good in telling my feelings but it’ll change right now.

Fran: What?

Max: (goes to her and take her hands) Please, don’t go. I love you and I’m willed to put our relationship one step forward....

Fran: (gets tears in her eyes) You’re serious?

Max: That much I’ve never been before.... Please, Miss Fine, stay with me and the kids.... Fran?

Fran: Max?

(they hug each other)

Max: I love you...

(he gives her a long soft kiss)