Back to Fan Fictionby
Anakin
(anakin.david@free.fr)
His strong hands grabbed her by the waist, swept her off her feet, and his lips met hers in a passionate kiss. Then he carried her to the bed where he started undoing her blouse, button by button, his lips caressing every inch of her skin that were slowly revealed by the slipping of the garment.
Fran sighed, loving his tenderness and attention.
His dark curled hair was slightly tickling her nose, and the scent of his cologne filled her nostrils.
He finished disrobing her sensuously, discarded his own clothes, and resumed his loving attentions on her body and senses.
The feelings Fran experienced were indescribable; she encircled his shoulders and caressed his hairy back…
Wait a minute…
Fran grimaced in her sleep, just before opening her eyes, snapping back to reality, quickly loosening her embrace around her fiancé’s back.
She shook her head WOW! What a dream she thought. A dream, it had only been a dream, and yet, it had been so right, so real! She lied back, staring at the ceiling, feeling utterly frustrated. Little by little, she started to realize what she had shared so far with the man lying next to her was nothing compared to what she craved for, needed. Intimately, she knew that she would once reach that goal, but not with Danny.
Suddenly, it all became clear to her: she did not love Danny, she was with him more because she wanted to be with someone than because she was in love with him. She looked at the sleeping form next to her blankly. Maybe it was time for her to move on with her life, and Heather Biblow gave her another pretext…
The next morning, as she was preparing breakfast, she also repeated in her head the words she was going to repeat to the man she had shared her life with for so long.
He entered the kitchen, grumbling, unshaved, and scratching his tummy under his night tee shirt.
"Coffee’s ready?" he said, yawning.
"Hi honey, did you sleep well? Kiss kiss, yadda yadda yadda…Thanks sweetie, yes I did, kiss kiss back, blah blah blah… Yes, coffee’s ready, thanks for asking." She replied in a sour mood.
"OK, I get to the point, I’m not gonna be lucky tonight…" he snorted, sitting down.
Fran served him his coffee and threw two toasts in his plate.
"Maybe you should ask Heather instead." She said icily.
"And where did that come from?" Danny replied angrily.
"You know very well where it came from, Danny Imperiali! But you know what? I’m not going to be an obstacle anymore." She shot back.
"What does this mean?"
"I think you got it right, Daniel."
A heavy silence suddenly settled.
"I’ve had my doubts about Heather for some time already, I’m no fool. But what surprised me more is that I don’t care. I don’t think it’s a good sign for our relationship. So I made up my mind. I’m leaving. I’ll pack my suitcases today, and I give you my leave at the bridal shop."
Danny sat, stunned.
"Your silence and absence of reaction is proof enough that my decision is the right one, Danny. Things have changed. Now I wish something else than a cheating fiancé and a lousy job for my future. I guess our roads separate here." She said blankly.
"I didn’t see that coming…"
"Well… Neither did I to tell you the truth. Anyway…" She sighed. "I’ll be gone by the end of the morning… It’s not like I had many possessions here, and aside from my personal stuff I don’t want to take anything."
"But… I don’t get it, we were a team…!" He tried one last time.
"That’s the problem, Danny, you just don’t get it when I do, and I’m tired of it, period."
She drank the remaining of her coffee, rinsed her cup, and exited the kitchen to prepare her bags. On her way, she had one phone call to make.
"Ma… I’m coming home…"
***
Fran fine looked at her reflection in the mirror: her outfit was colorful and a bit loud, but it suited her make up and hairdo. Her best friend Val threw her critical eye.
"Maybe you should dress a little bit more soberly… After all, it’s a job interview…"
"Yeah, at Mc Donald’s, Val… They’ll give me a uniform anyway…"
"You asked, I give you my point of view…"she said defensively.
"I asked you if I looked good, Val, not meaning how did my outfit look… Oy… This doesn’t mean anything, even to myself!" she said rolling her eyes.
"I still can’t believe you dumped Danny…"
"Actually, the thing I’m wondering about is how I managed to hold that long with him…"
"Yeah…10 years? 15 years…»
Fran stared blankly to her mirror, then shook her head as if to brush away a bad dream.
"I stopped counting the day I left him Val. Danny’s history now, let’s talk about my present and my future. My present is that interview, and my future is hopefully a caring man and a hairdressing salon." She said cutting her friend who kept dragging her down memory lane. "Val, I love you, but I’ve really got to go now…"
"Yeah, I’ll see you tonight."
***
Fran looked at her watch for the hundredth time: still twenty minutes to go… The evening so far had been boring. Who would have thought that downtown New York could be so boring sometimes?!…
She stood up straight and put on her best smile: a new customer had just entered the restaurant.
"Hello, Sir! What can I do for you?"
"Oh Hello miss! Ahh… Let’s see… That’ll be two cheeseburgers with French fries, one happy meal, and two Sundaes."
Fran immediately liked the deep voice and the cultured English accent. His sparkling blue eyes, blond hair, and his elegant attire added to his charm.
"Take out?"
"Yes, please…"
"Two cheeseburgers with French fries, one happy meal and two sundaes…" she said in the microphone, before looking at the man smiling.
"Happy Meal? Any kids?" she asked, while waiting for his order to be prepared.
"Me? Oh no, they’re my employer’s children."
"Your employer’s children?" she asked unbelievingly.
The man smiled.
"Yes, I’m Maxwell Sheffield’s butler, you know, the Broadway producer?"
"Oh Broadway… That’s a place I would like to work in!"
"You’re an actress?"
"Me? No, I’m a hair stylist -- well actually in the process of becoming one."
"Really? Then maybe to could do something for me once?" The man joked, passing a hand in his thick blond hair.
"I don’t see no problem." She said, watching his head quickly.
He smiled broadly.
"Maybe not, but I could certainly enjoy such a beautiful lady to take care of my hair rather than Tony, my 70 year old hairdresser!" he winked.
Fran blushed a little then smiled broadly.
"Be careful what you wish for, Sir… By the way, I’m Fran!" she said, extending her hand.
"Niles, nice to meet you." He replied, shaking her hand smiling. "… And I meant what I said."
"Oh Niles, you charmer!" She turned to check the status of his order, which had just arrived. She grabbed the packages and put them all in a paper bag before presenting them to Niles on the counter.
"There you go, Niles… that’ll be $12.99."
Niles handed her a couple of notes and waited for his change.
"Here’s your change and I hope I will see you again!"
"Most certainly, Fran. Next time I’ll try to bring the children with me, and we’ll stay here to eat."
"Oh, that would be great! I’m here every evening from 5 to 10.30."
"And the hair design part kicks…?" he questioned.
"Oh, Mc Donald’s is just a part time job I’ve taken to help my parents since I’m living at theirs. During the day I take classes at a school for hair design."
"Very brave of you, Fran. Well I really hate to interrupt this conversation, I promise I’ll be back, but if I listen well, I can hear three screaming stomachs." He winked.
"Yes of course! Now go!"
"Good bye, Fran."
"Bye, Niles!"
Niles exited the restaurant as another bunch of customers stepped inside.
Unfortunately, a few days after that, Niles came back alone and Fran was so busy taking care of the other customers that they barely exchanged three words and a smile.
After several unsuccessful times at talking with each other, Fran scribbled her phone number on the bag she was handing Niles to set up an actual meeting.
So on her day off, Fran went to Central Park and sat on the closest bench to the MET.
In the Limo that was taking them to Central Park, Niles was deeply absorbed in his thoughts. What had possessed him to want to meet this woman? Sure, she was charming and beautiful, she had a hell of a set of legs, and her smile would make a rainy day brighter than the sun itself, but she was definitely not his type of woman. He was more attracted to blondes than to brunettes, to cynical than to open hearted, to cold hearted than to warm hearted…
Actually, the small bond that they had created for several weeks was more a "friendship type" bond than a "romantic type" bond. He was a little anxious at her reaction if she had thought his interest for her was more than what he was willing to give.
He sighed, and hoped that the fact he was coming with Mr. Sheffield’s children would be enough for her to understand…
Fran was early, having managed to catch the train and the subway right on schedule, so she simply watched the people absentmindedly, deeply absorbed in her thoughts.
Indeed, Niles was charming and his British accent added to it, but he was obviously older than her, and starting a relationship with a butler was not exactly what she had expected. She liked him, but not in a romantic way, and she somehow knew nothing would change that.
She was distracted from her thoughts by Niles, who was approaching her bench, with three children.
She stood up and went to greet them.
"Hi Fran." Niles started. "Let me introduce Margaret, Brighton, and Grace Sheffield. Children, this is my friend, Fran."
The three children shook her hand, and sat silently next to her on the bench.
"Hey, guys, I’m not an ogre!" she joked upon seeing their reserved faces.
The boy looked at her sharply.
"We’re not just accustomed to meet Niles’s friends, that’s all, but he insisted on presenting you to us. I suppose if you are to live at home, we should know you." He said coldly.
"Wow, wow, wow! Live at home?" Fran exclaimed. "What did you tell them, Niles?" she said angrily.
"Nothing at all, Fran! I promise! Fran is NOT my girlfriend, children, she’s just a nice lady I met, and as I once talked about you, I promised I would introduce you to her, end of story."
The three quieted down.
"Hey kids, no mystery about this, we just meet every time you three eat take out’s from Mc Donald’s, OK?"
"You work at Mc Donald’s?" Grace asked. "Can you change the surprise next time you give Niles a Happy meal? I always get the same toy."
Fran smiled.
"Of course, sweetie, tell me which ones you already have and I’ll try to put a new one next time, OK?"
"Excuse her forwardness, Fran." Niles said a bit embarrassed at the little girl’s demand.
"Oh, it’s OK, Niles! If my position can help a little girl, then I’m happy!" she beamed. "And what about you, young lady? You could use a little color on those cheeks and lips of yours, you know I was a bride’s consultant before?"
"Sorry miss, but it’s really not in my habits." Margaret replied shyly.
"Oh, come on, a young, slim…"
"Flat…" Brighton smirked.
"… BEAUTIFUL…" Fran said, eyeing the teenager. "... Girl. I’m sure I can help you look less like a Swedish anorexic model!" She winked.
Maggie looked at her a bit taken aback.
"Huh?"
"Ah!" Brighton quipped.
"And you, young man, I thought you came from a well educated family. I don’t know what you mother taught you, but it’s certainly not by mocking your sister that you’ll be my friend."
His face suddenly became dark.
"My mother is dead, and I don’t want to be your friend!" he shouted, leaving their bench running.
"Oops!" Fran said, raising a hand in front of her mouth. "Niles, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…"
"’Not your fault, Fran, I should have told you… I’ll be back in a minute."
"No, Niles please let me. I did the damage, I have to repair it." She stood up. "Wait until I come back?"
"Well, without Master Brighton it would not be proper to go back home…" he winked.
"Of course." She left towards where Brighton had run.
After a few minutes, she found him next to the lake. He was sitting on the grass and absentmindedly playing with a small stick.
She went to sit next to him in silence. He looked at her but didn’t move.
"I’m sorry." She simply said. "I didn’t know."
"It’s OK."
A small silence ensued.
"You miss her?"
"All the time." He sighed. "She didn’t have the right to leave us."
"How did she…?"
"A drunk truck driver…"
"Then I don’t think she left you because she wanted it."
"I know she didn’t."
"Then why are you angry at her?"
"I am not… Well yes, but not that way… I don’t know… It’s just that… It’s just that she took so much of our Dad with her…" He paused, then looked at her taking in a sharp breath. "Sorry, I got carried away… Look, I appreciate your concern but…"
"No but, B…. I like Niles, and I certainly want to see you again, I want to be your friend, as I’m Niles’."
"You’re going to marry him?"
She chuckled.
"Hey-ho! Hold it right there young man! I’ve only known Niles two months, and it’s the first time I ever get to see him in private, and look who’s here! You and your sisters!" She tousled his hair. "That’s not really what I would call a date."
Brighton looked at her and for the first time, he smiled to her.
"Boy, you make me feel like I’m some kind of ugly shrew!"
"You’re not, miss…"
"Fran."
"You’re not, Fran. It’s just that… Niles doesn’t need anyone in his life -- I think. He has Miss Babcock. But maybe it would be better if my Dad had a woman by his side…"
"Hey, young man! What kind of game are you playing, matchmakers?" she laughed.
"No! It’s just… Well actually now that you mention it…"
"And what if I was married?"
"You’re not wearing a ring."
"… Had a boyfriend?"
"Unlikely…"
"How so?"
"… Unless he’s not the jealous type… Niles is pretty handsome… I mean, on a woman’s point of view…"
"He is… But let’s get back on tracks…"
"What, you’re already involved?"
"Was…"
"Oh… It’s my turn to be sorry then…"
"No need to, I dumped him."
"Poor man."
"He was cheating on me."
"Poor you!"
"Nah… Look what it got me!"
"What?"
"Well I met you, and Niles… Niles and you, that is…"
Brighton laughed warmly for the first time since he had met Fran. Yes, against all his primary feelings, he liked that outspoken woman.
"What do you say we go back to their bench, and we go eat an ice cream?"
"Why not?" he said, standing up, and extending her hand to help her up.
"… And those are the manners of a gentleman! Thank you!" She said, taking his hand and standing up too. "Friends?" she asked, still holding his hand.
"Friends." He said, smiling, and shaking hers.
A few minutes later, they were back to their initial spot.
They spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through the park, or on Fifth Avenue, then a limo came to pick them up.
"Thank you for the afternoon, Fran." Niles said.
"I gratefully return the thanks, Niles! It was a very good idea to bring the children with you, and I certainly hope to see you all again!"
"It was nice meeting you, Fran." Maggie said, shyly. "I don’t know when we’ll meet again, but I’m surely looking forward to."
"That’s nice, sweetie, now remember what I told you: a little shade of red on your cheeks, and the same on your lips… It will make you look far more healthy and attractive to boys your age… Not too attractive though… And loose those tan colors, please. Beige is definitely not an option, OK?" She winked, patting the teenager’s shoulder.
"I promise I’ll try to."
"You just do that… And you…" she said, looking at her little sister. "I solemnly promise that next time you have a happy meal, you’ll have a different surprise.
"That’s nice, thanks."
"And a little something else…"
"What?"
"A bunch of kisses from me!" she exclaimed, embracing her tightly, to which the little girl giggled.
Brighton came last, extending his hand.
"Oh B.! Come on, give me a hug!" And she suddenly embraced the lad who was as surprised as his sisters, but welcomed the hug gladly: it had been a long time since a woman had hugged him…
***
After that encounter in the park, Fran’s meetings with Niles became regular.
On her days off, she would often join him at a café that became their favorite place. She was really enjoying his kindness and his witty comments about anything, and sometimes, she would go with him and the children at a museum or a movie.
Niles too was enjoying her frankness and bluntness. Fran was a breath of fresh air in his and the children’s lives, and although he had had a little trouble getting accustomed to the way she spoke (so fast!), he was beginning to like her nasal voice.
Unfortunately, Fran soon had to stop spending her time off with them: term exams were approaching, and she needed her free time to prepare them. She even took her leave from Mc Donald’s, preferring to concentrate all her energy on her studies.
Niles and the children understood, but it affected their moods nevertheless. He had to admit he missed her. He started seriously thinking that against all his primary impressions, maybe he was actually falling for her.
Still, something just was not right.
Once again, Fran was beautiful, and caring, and in times and a private context like his, her interest in his and the children’s problems was nice and felt good, but… although he was absolutely certain he would devote his life to making her happy, something would always be missing for him, and therefore for her.
He sighed as he saw the second woman in his life cross the room from the corner of his eye. SHE was the woman he knew for sure he could make tremendously happy, but she despised him and thought very little of him, just because he was a butler and she was a heiress…
He clenched his fist. Hadn’t she ever read ‘Cinderella’ when she was a child?
He smiled evilly… Nah… She had never been a child…
His smile fell. Indeed, she had never been a child.
He looked at her: she had her back to him and was totally unaware of him observing her… She deserved more to be pitied than mocked, but she didn’t knew anything else when it came to him, and their verbal fencing was the only common denominator she was acknowledging they had, so he took it for what it was and used all his wit and verbal dexterity to duel hers.
His mind drifted back to Fran: as soon as she would be finished with her exams, he would set things straight with her once and for all.
His boss, in search for his partner who smiled sexily and purred like a cat when she saw him, entered the room, and suddenly, a plan came to life in his mind.
He smiled to himself, happy with what he had just come up with, and resumed his dusting.
***
Fran was happier than she’d ever been: she had passed her exams, and had been offered a job, two streets from Park Avenue: it was a dream come true. Not only had she managed to prove herself capable of taking care of herself, but she was literally *getting out of the gutter*.
She was from Queens, she would always keep a special place in her heart for Queens, and she had decided to stay at her parents’ until she found an apartment with Val, but that job was an opportunity for her to meet new people, more interesting ones, along with the fact that she’d probably see Niles more often.
She was excited to be able to do that. He was a brand new experience to her, a friend whom she was slowly compelled to confide more and more in. On top of it, she was developing a particular affection for the three kids he often came with, and it seemed to do them good in return.
A new world was unfolding before her, and she loved that exhilarating feeling.
She was expertly drying the hair of a plum, distinguished woman, when she heard a familiar voice behind her, talking to the employee at the welcome desk.
"Hello, I’m here for a hair cut. I had a special appointment with Miss Fine…"
"Niles!" she squeaked in delight. "Give me a minute and I’m done with Mrs. Gresham here." She grabbed a mirror and put it behind her head so that she could see how her hairdo looked, helped her out of her chair, then went to greet her friend.
"What are you doing here?"
"I told you I needed to change my hair stylist." He said with a wink. "I figured since you were working two streets from the mansion, I’d better come to see you for that!"
"Hmmm, I hope you’ll be happy with my work then, but you’re putting the challenge pretty high!" she said, smiling broadly.
Niles sat down as Fran fetched a robe, and started taking care of him.
Fran was concentrated on her task and she didn’t notice the embarrassed silence between them. After a while, Niles gathered up the courage to talk to her.
"Fran, I think we should talk…"
Her scissors suddenly hanged up in mid air. She stood motionless for a fraction of second, then resumed her work.
"Yes, you’re right, maybe we need to talk." She agreed.
Niles breathed more easily. He cleared his throat.
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing very exciting actually, my best friend Val is in Florida with her parents and mine, so I was about to have a catching-up-soap night…"
"A catching-up-soap night?"
"Yes, I’m recording ‘The young and The restless’, and I catch up during nights like these…"
"Oh! Well… What do you say we go to a nice Italian restaurant I know, my treat, of course…"
"What time?"
"7.30?"
"All right."
***
Niles chose a secluded spot. He gallantly pulled the chair for her, and sat opposite. They ordered their meals, and waited until their orders arrived to start talking seriously.
"Fran…" Niles started. "I’ve set up this meeting because I like you very much, and I don’t want you to be hurt…"
Fran smiled.
"That’s very kind of you, Niles, but why would I be hurt?"
"Well, actually, I rather wouldn’t want you to get wrong ideas. As I said, I like you very much, and I love how our relationship has developed so far, but although I’m not involved with anyone else at the moment, I don’t think we should take it down this path…"
Fran looked at him incredulously.
"What? You mean…? Oh Niles… I like you very much too, but as a friend!"
"You do?"
"Of course! What’s with you, men? Just because a woman gets close to you, you get wrong ideas?" She laughed. "I’m a simple girl, and I hope I did nothing to make you believe I was romantically interested in you!"
Then, upon seeing his disappointed face:
"… Not that you’re not attractive, Niles, but… How could I explain that? It’s just that I don’t think anything else but sincere friendship can develop durably between us."
Niles smiled.
"Actually, I think exactly the same…"
"Then I don’t see no further problem, right?"
"Right."
"Then let’s eat!" She concluded with a wink.
"Yes!"
They continued, chatting joyfully about their days and latest experiences. At the end of the meal, Niles insisted on driving her back home. They stopped in front of the entrance of her parents’ building.
"You know, Fran, since you’re working 2 streets from the mansion, we could have lunch together sometimes…"
"That’s a great idea, Niles!"
"Maybe you could even eat with me in the kitchen. That is, when Mr. Sheffield doesn’t require the house to be empty, or is out for some professional reason…"
"Why not? I have an hour and a half for lunch, I guess I have time to go to your place."
"Starting tomorrow?"
She smiled.
"Hey, Niles, for someone who’s not interested in me, I’d swear you were trying to seduce me!"
He chuckled.
"Once again, my intentions are as pure as spring water, I just happen to know Mr. Sheffield is not there for lunch tomorrow, and we could start tomorrow…"
"I was kidding, Niles. See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow, Fran…"
They finally parted, and each went in their separate directions.
The next day, Fran knocked at the Sheffields’ back door. Niles smiled, untied his blue apron, and came to open to her.
"Hiya Niles!" she said smiling. "I brought us dessert on the way, there’s a nice French confectioner at the corner of the street where I work…"
"Let me guess… Chez Alain?"
"You know it?"
"That’s where I get most of the cakes for Mr. Sheffield’s receptions!"
"Are they really French?"
"Most certainly Ma’am, a distant uncle of mine is a relative of their family."
"So what, you’re British!"
"Half French by my mother."
"Oooooh! Such and interesting pedigree… Too bad there are ‘Friends only’ tags on our foreheads…"
"What do you mean?"
"What, Niles? Don’t you read the papers? There was this poll about which lover was the best, according to the different nationalities…"
"That’s sounds very interesting, Fran, but first, let me lay the table and bring the food so we can talk eating. I made chopped vegetables with chicken breast."
"Fine with, me, how can I help you?"
"Just sit down, I’ll put the cake on a plate, take the food out of the microwaves… I’ll be done in a minute."
He finally sat down next to Fran, presenting her the vegetables dish.
"So? You were saying?"
"Yes… So the poll was about the best lovers, and… the French are said to be the most romantic. They set the date, they woo, and only then they try the horizontal tango, but there too, they are very romantic. Then come the Italian, except Italians are said to be macho, and really quick -- and that I can testify about, believe me…" She said with a sigh.
"He’s Italian?"
"Was, the guy I dumped…"
"Oh!"
"Nothing to worry about, Niles."
"And what about the British?"
"Hmmm I wouldn’t be too proud of that if I were you, unless you are in the ‘not too uptight’ category."
"Well I’ll leave you be the judge of that, am I uptight?"
She looked at him for a second as he made funny faces, then shook her head negatively.
"Nah… So it’s not that bad, the Brits are said to be gentlemen, but very uptight, and with far too many complexes, but once the ‘uptight’ part is off, they’re said to be real stallions in bed -- if you see what I mean." She concluded with a wink.
Niles chuckled.
"I might add that I’m half French, so what’s your prognosis?"
"Considering our resolution, it’s not for me to say, but SHE’ll definitely be a lucky girl!"
Niles face got a little darker.
"If only she realized that…"
"I’m sorry, Niles, I didn’t mean to…"
"Oh, don’t worry, it’s OK, I’ve been waiting 15 years already, I guess I can wait another 15… But no more!" he joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"15 years? Oh, my poor Niles! You’ve been crying your love for that woman for 15 years, and she’s not shown any sign in return?"
"Well that’s not exactly the truth…"
"I get it, she’s married!"
"No…"
"Lesbian?"
"No!"
"Then what’s the problem!"
"I haven’t told her…"
"What?!… HEL-LO! How can she ever return your feelings if you don’t tell her! Stupid as it is, our society has determined it’s the MAN that takes the first step, if you don’t tell her, she’s never gonna know!"
"She underestimates me."
"Why so?"
"Oh, she’s a rich heiress and thinks very little of a servant like me…."
"Bull***!"
"Well, tell HER that!"
"Is that what you think of yourself?"
"No! I’m very proud to be at Mr. Sheffield’s service, and I’m proud to say it was a choice I made when we were young, to be able to stay close to him!"
"Huh?"
"My father was his father’s butler, we were raised together, I was like an older brother to him, and when he chose to go to New York to produce theater plays, against his parents’ will, I chose to go with him. I wanted to help him create his production company. I had little savings I would have been glad to invest in that, but he declined my offer, he didn’t want me to be involved in a possible bankrupt if it didn’t work out. He wouldn’t hear any different, I said OK to one condition, he promised he would not decline a second time, and this condition was that I would stay by his side as his butler and friend."
Fran took a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyes.
"That’s a beautiful story about friendship, Niles!"
Niles smiled.
"It turned out great! Mr. Sheffield became famous, he met a beautiful lady named Sara, they married, and when that happened, Mr. Sheffield hired a business partner to lighten his load, since he wanted to spend more time with Sara and their baby -- Miss Margaret."
"And that business partner, who is he?"
"Who is SHE… When I first saw her, I thought I had been hit by lightning, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen…" he said dreamily. "That’s how C.C. Babcock entered my life, my heart, and my soul…"
"Now I see the problem… In a way, that’s probably because you lessen yourself involuntarily too, you know… And there comes your British part… Niles, I’m afraid to say that you ARE uptight in a way… When does you French side kick in?"
"Maybe when I insult her?"
"Is that your way of wooing? Then the French part is severely corrupted by the British one!"
"Well that’s the only way to relieve the sexual tension between us…"
"Sexual tension? That’s becoming interesting again… That means that SHE is interested too in some way then. I’d suggest you grab that chance, Niles."
He sighed.
"I’m thinking of it, but I don’t know how…"
"Well in my opinion, you should figure it out quick."
"What if I proposed?"
"I don’t think that’s such a good idea… Meanwhile, what became of Mr. Sheffield when Sara died?"
"Not much… He completely withdrew."
"Oh, and there we go for the uptight British again…"
"It’s really not his fault, you know. He loved Sara in a way I don’t think he will ever be capable of again."
"That’s a sad story…"
"Actually I find him rather brave, even if he had to for the love of his kids… And Miss Babcock helped too in her way…"
"Now who’s this Miss Babcock?"
"The business partner…"
"Oh… Oops!" She exclaimed, checking her watch. "I should get going now, Niles I’ll see you on…?"
"Friday? Same hour, same place? The kids will be here.
"OK then, I haven’t seen them in a while, and I want to know the rest of the story with that boy who seemed to be interested in Maggie!"
"End of story, she’s moved on to another one, cuter and more serious I think!"
"Why am I always kept out of the loop!" she whined as she exited. "I really need to catch up!"
Niles chuckled, as he accompanied her to the door.
"See you on Friday, Fran. Thanks for stopping by!"
"Kiss, kiss!" she said, disappearing in the alley.
Niles shut the door behind her and sighed. He started cleaning the dishes, as Mr. Sheffield entered the kitchen.
"Oh hello, Sir! How did lunch with the backers go?"
"It was nice, thank you Niles. C.C. did a good job and they will probably sign for our next two plays. You wouldn’t happen to have some coffee left, would you?"
"Of course!" he grabbed a cup in one of the cabinets, and poured some of the dark liquid in, setting a jar of milk and a pot of sugar next to it.
Mr. Sheffield looked absentmindedly around the place.
"Did you have lunch with someone?"
"Yes, I hope you don’t mind, it’s that lady I’ve told you about."
"The one you met at McDonald’s?"
"Yes, she works at a hair designer’s now, which happens to be two streets from here."
His employer smiled roguishly.
"Casanova on the move again, watch out ladies!"
Niles chuckled.
"Oh no, Sir. She’s a very good friend of mine, but that’s all."
"Now I’m curious…"
"Well if she intrigues you that much, you can still meet her, she’ll be here on Friday."
"Lunch?"
"Yes…"
"I guess I can cut in my busy schedule once in a while, after all, C.C. will be in Boston, I can have a little break. Why don’t you set up the table in the dining room, the children will be here too, if I remember well?"
"Yes, but Sir…"
"What?"
"If we eat in the dining room, then it means I will be serving…"
"Oh… I hadn’t thought of that… Well you can still sit with us and we’ll do the service for ourselves, that’s not such an odd behavior nowadays, you know." He concluded with a smile.
"I was actually hoping you’d say that, thank you Sir."
"It would be like a Sunday in the old times…" he said with a trace of regret in his voice.
"Yes, Sir."
"I guess I could like that… Now if you’ll excuse me, Niles, I feel I need to be next to her. Can you ask Victor to drive me to the cemetery?"
"Of course, Sir…"
"Thank you, old man…" He finished his coffee, and exited the kitchen, while Niles resumed his work after beeping the chauffeur.
***
Fran arrived on Friday, bringing yet another cake. She knocked on the back door, and Niles greeted her happily.
"Right on time!"
"Yes, and you know what? I’m free for the afternoon! I traded with a girl who needed I take her round on my day off. So if you want, we can go to the park with the kids."
"I’m afraid I’ll have to cancel on that, I have an appointment to the dentist’s, but maybe Mr. Sheffield would be interested."
"Is he here today?"
"I took the liberty to ask him if he would have lunch with us, I hope you don’t mind."
"Not at all, it’s just that I’m surprised: according to the kids, he seldom takes some time with them. By the way, I was wondering, who’s taking care of them?"
"Me, most of the time, but they also have tutors and a ‘jeune fille au pair’ divides her time between the Anderson’s and us."
"What kind of a Dad is he, never interacting with his children, that’s not good."
"Well, he’s got some excuse…"
"A woman is highly needed in this house if you ask me!"
Niles chuckled.
"Stand in line!"
"Oh, I don’t mean one of those gold diggers who want fame, fortune, and a name, and who would surely send those three treasures to boarding school, I mean someone who could build another real family on the ashes of the first one…"
"I know what you mean." He commented sadly. "But no one seems to find the way to his wounded heart."
"It only takes the right woman…"
"Yes… Come on, let’s talk about something funnier. What did you bring today?"
"Les mystères de Paris, that’s the name of the cake… Now don’t ask me what’s inside, aside from black chocolate, I don’t know!"
Niles chuckled.
"I guess that’s why it’s named so, don’t you?"
Fran smiled in return.
"The children are expecting you with their father -- supposedly -- in the lounge, would you?" he asked, inviting her with hand.
"Sure."
She entered the lounge, following Niles.
A tall, well shaped, and dark haired man was standing with the children, his back facing her.
When he turned towards her, her heart leaped and she had to grab the back of the armchair next to where she was standing to keep her balance.
"Sir, may I introduce Fran Fine, Fran, this is my employer, Maxwell Sheffield."
The man now extending his hand smiling was the exact copy of the man she had been dreaming of just before leaving Danny, although she was absolutely certain she had never seen him before despite his obvious fame as a producer.
She had trouble functioning normally: this only happened in movies, not in real life! Still, this man was very real, and when his hand met hers in a firm but delicate handshake, she somehow knew her life would never be the same.
"Pleased to meet you." She managed to say, smiling.
Maxwell looked at her, smiling back.
There was something about this woman that was extremely appealing aside from her fantastic looks, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He was so absorbed in his observation that he didn’t notice time was passing by. Suddenly back to reality, he realized he was in danger of appearing totally ridiculous, as he sought desperately for intelligent words and sentences, when Maggie saved him.
"Fran I have tons of things to tell you about Mike!"
"Mike?" Maxwell muttered, a bit taken aback.
"Oh God! And here we are again for a boys honor roll!" Brighton quipped.
"Dr. Bort said I made progress, Fran!" Gracie exclaimed enthusiastically.
Maxwell raised his eyebrows.
"It seems that you know this young lady far better than I thought you would!" he exclaimed a bit surprised.
Instantaneously, the children went silent.
"Oh, Mr. Sheffield, actually, we don’t know each other that much, I mean we went to the park together on occasions…" Fran tried to explain apologetically.
Maxwell didn’t know whether to be pleased that his children had taken so much on a mere stranger -- when they were said to be too reserved and withdrawn, or to be offended that this lady knew more about the present of his children than he did. He turned to his butler instead.
"Niles how long…"
"Maybe it’s because you don’t spend time with them as often as you should, Sir." Niles said softly, interrupting him.
Maxwell looked at him a bit puzzled, then at the group now formed by Fran surrounded by his three children talking excitedly.
"I haven’t seen them like this in a long time." He muttered more to himself than to be heard by Niles, but he replied:
"Maybe she is what they need then…"
Maxwell sighed, observing the scene for a few moments. His look crossed Fran’s, and for a few seconds, they remained fixated on each other’s. Maxwell felt his heart beat faster, and a long forgotten feeling raise in his core.
He smiled and put his hand on the shoulder of his youngest.
"Why don’t you tell me how you met Miss Fine while we eat? I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!"
Lunch was casual and lively, something Niles hadn’t experienced in a long time, and he was sure Maxwell felt that way too, and judging from the frequent glances both he and Miss Fine were throwing at each other when the other one didn’t notice, he was also very satisfied on how his little plan had worked, and it was now time for him to go on to part 2. He cleared his throat after finishing his last drop of coffee.
"Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go brush my teeth, and then…. Off to the dentists’" he said none too excitedly.
"Well all the best then, Niles… You know what, kids? I’m free for the afternoon, would you like to take a stroll through the park?"
"Great idea! There are a couple of guys I had to meet to play a little game of Soft Ball there…" Brighton started.
"… And I could tell you more about Mike…" resumed Maggie.
"… And you could teach me a few other roller-skating figures!" concluded Grace.
"All right, all right, that makes a bunch of pretty good reasons!" Fran exclaimed, half laughing.
"Why don’t you go with them, Sir?" Niles suggested. "After all, you said yourself that Miss Babcock wasn’t here and that you could give yourself a day off…"
"Oh I don’t know, Niles…" Maxwell started.
"Oh Dad! That would be great! I could show you my progress roller-skating!" Grace interrupted enthusiastically.
"… And you could see how I’m getting involved in collective sports!" Brighton added.
"… And you could learn that Mike is a very honorable boy!" Maggie concluded.
Maxwell looked at them a bit puzzled, hesitating, then he smiled broadly and said.
"Then it’s a day off for Sheffield Productions!" he said, raising his hands in surrender.
***
A little later, they were all strolling along the alleys of Central Park. Mr. Sheffield had changed in something more casual than his suit, and was starting to enjoy this afternoon immensely. Not only hadn’t he done that in a very long time, but he truly felt relaxed and the silent presence of this gorgeous woman next to him rose feelings in him he had not felt in ages.
They reached a shaded bench not far from Brighton’s playground, Gracie’s put her roller-skates on and started skating around, as Maggie started asking advice from Fran about her new possible boyfriend.
Max observed the scene silently, trying to understand how this lady had conquered his children in so short a time, and trying to gather as much information about her as possible.
He was intrigued, no doubt. She acted like she had known everyone but him for a very long time, and when he came to think of it, it didn’t feel that strange. What was strange was that -- precisely -- she seemed to fit his family like a glove to a hand.
Maggie saw a couple of friends coming from afar, and asked her father if she could go with them, to which he said yes -- much to Maggie’s surprise. Brighton was busy playing Soft Ball, and Grace was playing with a bunch of kids from her school.
Maxwell turned to Fran, who was trying to spot Brighton on the field.
"So, Miss Fine, Niles told me you met at a McDonald’s?"
She turned to him, smiling.
"Oh really Mr. Sheffield, it’s not that extraordinary. I was working there to pay my studies, and he came to order take out’s, the restaurant was almost empty then, so we started talking. One thing led to the other, he introduced me to your kids, and… well that’s all…"
"You know, thanks to you, I did something I hadn’t in ages…"
"What?"
"This, taking an afternoon off and be with my children."
"And why hadn’t you done that in ages?"
"Oh… I suppose I easily prolonged the excuse the death of my wife gave me." He said, a shadow on his face. "I don’t know my children anymore Miss Fine. I wish I did, I wish I could do more things with them, but they avoid me like a stranger, and they act withdrawn and sad."
"You’ve just said it, ‘they act’… I talked to Brighton once. He misses you a lot, like any boy, he’s looking after his dad for a model to imitate, and he’s not happy with what he finds in you."
"Brighton?"
"All of them actually, but they don’t show it the same way… How old was Grace when her mother died?"
"Three."
"So she was too young at the time to be traumatized so much she now requires therapy twice a week… Sorry to say that Mr. Sheffield, but I think she needs you more than Dr. Bort… And Maggie? She’s reaching a difficult age, with many decisions to make, and she does not have her mom to help her make them. She needs some advice, she too needs an adult lead. Where’s she going to find that but in you?"
"They have Niles…"
"Niles is the sweetest man I’ve ever met, I guess he really takes good care of them, but he’s not really family, and he has his own very personal worries too."
He sighed.
"I guess you’re right… It’s just that I have so much work to do…"
"Nonsense… Your kids are more important than your work."
He looked at her a little amused.
"You don’t give up, do you?"
"Hardly." She beamed.
They fell silent for a short while.
"You know Miss Fine, I have to confess something to you…"
"What is it?"
"I feel rather taken aback at your frankness and abruptness, but the most intriguing is that I’m not at all upset about that. I now understand what was so special about you that made my children and Niles like you so quickly."
"Thank you!"
"No, thank you. Since I met you, it’s like all my walls have been torn down. I’ve never actually felt like that…"
"Shall I take this as a compliment?"
"Most certainly."
She blushed a little.
"You have managed to embarrass me…"
"You’re lovely when you blush…" he stated, running a finger down her cheek. Their eyes met for a second, speaking volumes. Fran made a silent prayer as an embarrassed silence ensued.
"Help me?" he asked in a soft voice.
She looked at him, not understanding.
"They seem to be relaxed and very much at ease with you…"
"Oh, the children, you mean!"
"Yes."
"Well I …"
"I know you have a job, and your own life, but what do you say I pay you for the time you spend with them?"
She frowned coldly.
"Mr. Sheffield, they don’t need a nanny, they need the only link to their mother they have left, and that link is you."
"Oh no! You misunderstood… I didn’t mean a nanny… How shall I put this? When you can, and when I can, we could go out like this, or do things together… You could help me get closer to them?"
She thought for a minute.
"Their holiday comes in three weeks, we could start then…"
"Wouldn’t it be a little weird?"
"How?"
"I mean their dad with a foreign woman taking care of them… we’re not married or whatever…"
"We can be friends?"
She smiled softly.
"Aren’t we already?"
He smiled back.
"So? What do you say?"
"We could always give it a try…"
***
Maxwell entered the office and went to sit at his desk.
His desk green lamp cast a soft light on the dark ebony. The house was silent: the children had gone to bed and Niles was finishing to clean the dishes in the kitchen.
He opened the small cabinet on the library behind him, took a glass, and poured some Brandy inside.
The door of his office opened, and Niles stepped in.
"I have finished, Sir, would you like anything else?"
"No, Niles. Thank you."
"Then I'm off to bed, good night, Sir."
"Oh, Niles!"
"Yes, Sir?"
"'Want to share a drink with me?"
"That's very kind of you, sir, thank you."
"Have a seat… Brandy?"
"Yes, please."
Maxwell repeated the action, gave the second glass to Niles, and went to sit back at his desk.
Both men warmed the amber liquid and took a sip slowly, in silence.
"You were right, Niles, she IS special…"
Niles smiled.
"Did you notice her legs?"
"You bet I did!… And her smile…"
"She would light a dark room just by smiling…"
"Her big brown eyes…"
"Her outfits…"
"I had never met any woman like her…"
Niles watched his employer. He was smiling, his eyes plunged into a dream.
"Niles, she is really an amazing person, now I understand why the children like her so much."
"She has no prejudice against anything."
"Her generosity is extraordinary, Niles."
"I know, Sir."
"Niles… Do you think… Do you think I would be unfaithful to Sara if…"
"No, Sir."
"I'm not saying that I'm in love with her, Niles."
"Of course."
"It's just that I like her, I like her ways with people, and I like her ways with the children."
"Definitely. Sir, may I suggest something?"
"What, Niles?"
"Why don't you take holiday with the children? I think it would do you and them a lot of good."
"I would love to, Niles, but what about the business? I can’t leave everything just like that!" He said, snapping his fingers.
"Miss Babcock can handle that. August is not such a busy month for new productions, and the ones that are currently on the way are doing good, aren't they?"
" Maybe you're right… Maybe it's not such a bad idea indeed… I'll think about it… Thank you, Niles.
***
They were gathered around a picnic in central Park, Niles was playing badminton with Brighton, and Maggie was braiding her sister’s hair.
"Miss Fine, I’ve done something you would be proud of…"
"Oh? What is it?"
"I’ve rented a house on Long Island for two weeks. I’ve discussed this with C.C., and she’ll be on her own while I’m taking some holidays. You were right when you said I needed to rest. I haven’t taken any holiday for a very long time, and I think it’s high time I took one."
"That’s great news Mr. Sheffield!"
"I’ve asked Niles to come with us, but he declined, he has things to do here… I don’t want to hire anybody there, but I need someone I can trust to help me with the children, so what do you say we take you along?" he asked, hopeful.
Her face saddened.
"Mr. Sheffield, I would love to, but hello!… What about my work?"
"Do you think your employer would accept if I called?"
"You might still give it a try, but I doubt it."
"Then resign?"
"What?"
"Why don’t you quit?"
"Mr. Sheffield! It’s something I’ve worked hard for!" she exclaimed, shocked. "I’m not at your service, I’ve accepted to help you with the kids, but I’m not some kind of pet to you!"
"Of course not!"
"Well then stop acting like I were!"
"It’s not what I meant, Miss Fine!" he said defensively. "Miss Fine, I have a job proposal for you, and I’m serious. I never intended to influence your life or whatever, it’s just that…" He hesitated. "It’s just that I see how you love my children, and how much then love you back in return. It was very clumsy of me to say that, and I’m sorry about this. Please, accept my apologies."
She looked at him frowning.
"Are you trying to play with my feelings, Mr. Sheffield?"
"I most certainly would never do such a thing!"
She calmed down and looked at him cautiously.
"All right… What job offer?"
He relaxed a little.
"Miss Fine, I know my children need their father, but they also certainly need a female’s presence in their lives. Since they know you, they have blossomed. They smile, they laugh, they share things… Together and also with me! I don’t know what you did to them, and to me, but…" he chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head. "It seems you’re part of the family now…" he concluded softly, almost shyly.
She slowly digested his words, her heart pulsating a hundred beats per second.
"So what exactly are you asking me?" she articulated slowly.
"I would be most grateful if you would become their nanny…"
"Their nanny?" she asked, completely taken aback.
He looked at her worried, afraid he had said something she disliked.
"I know the job is at the opposite of what you’re doing, but it wouldn’t be like one of these formal nannies. It’s the only word I found to qualify ‘taking care of children in need of a female presence’…" he concluded lightly.
She scrutinized his face.
"It’s a pretty big decision you’re asking me to make…"
"I know."
"I’ll think about it."
"Thank you."
"You’ll have my reply about the vacation tomorrow."
***
The two-bedroom basement flat they had managed to find was starting to look like a women’s lair, with flowers and a brand new colored wallpaper. Fran entered in terrible need of speaking to her friend. She found her drying her hair in the bathroom.
"Val!"
"Yes? Fran! What's happening?"
"Oh Val… I don’t know what to do!"
"What?" she shouted, the blow dryer in her face.
"Val! Switch that blow-dryer and then we can talk!"
"Sorry…"
Fran exited the bathroom as her friend turned the offender off, and followed her. Fran was pacing in front of their sofa.
"Fran, what’s wrong?"
"Val, I don’t know what to do…"
"Yes, I got that the first time…"
She finally sat down.
"Mr. Sheffield has asked me to go on a vacation with him and the kids."
"That’s great!"
"Great?… How can it be great?!" she stood up, and began pacing again "I’m crazy about the kids, and crazy about the man himself, and all he asks me is to go on a vacation with him!"
"And the problem is?"
"He wants me as their nanny, or sort of… He wants me to quit my job and become their nanny."
"How much would you get paid?"
"$6 an hour, food and accommodation provided."
"All in all, is higher than what you can get now…"
"But Val, can’t you see? I’ve worked hard to get this job, being a hairdresser has always been a dream for me, I wanted to get independent, live my own life, make my own decisions, and I’ve accomplished that!"
"Oh yeah, and your pride would be hurt if you accepted being his nanny?"
She stopped, thinking of her friend’s words.
"It’s not only a question of pride, Val. I guess… I guess I’m… Oh my God…" she said, raising one hand to her mouth, in shock as realization hit her. "Val, I love him." She collapsed more than sat down on the sofa. "I’ve loved him since I met him, and it scares me to death that he just wants me to be the kids’ nanny."
Val put a comforting hand on her friend’s shoulder.
"Why don’t you give it a try?"
"Val, I couldn’t stand it."
Val sighed.
"I’m not very intelligent, but I think that if you don’t try to at least meet him on a different ground than what you’ve been experiencing with him so far, you will never know if he returns your feelings or not…"
"You’ve got a point."
"Things like these don’t present themselves very often, Fran. I know you’ve worked hard to get that job and that independence… But he offered you a chance there too. Grab it."
"I’ll go with them on that vacation, and if it works fine, I’ll accept his proposal."
"He’s asked you to marry you?!"
"No!"
"You said ‘proposal’."
"Oy, Val! His proposal about being his nanny!"
"Oh, sorry…"
"Val, why can you be so clever sometimes and so dumb some other times?"
"That’s a mystery I haven’t solved myself…"
"Oy!…" she smiled, shaking her head, and embraced her friend tightly.
***
"There we are!" Maxwell exclaimed, opening the door of the chalet overlooking the ocean.
The three children entered excitedly, and quickly circled the ground floor, taking possession of their new surroundings.
Maxwell gallantly stepped aside to let Fran in.
"Miss Fine…"
"Thank you."
She stepped past him and entered the wooden house.
"Children, it's a three bedroom, so you'll all sleep in the same room, and me and Miss Fine will take the two others, is that fine with you?"
"Me and the girls?!"
"What seems to be the problem, Brighton?"
"Err… No problem Dad, it's better than being on my own…"
"You still have the possibility to sleep in my room, but there's one single bed…."
"Eeek! No, I'll sleep with the girls, there are three beds, right? I mean I won't have to sleep in their bed?"
"No, there are one big bed and one single one."
"Then fine with me."
"Dad, why don't we put a mattress outside and the twerp could sleep there!" Maggie quipped.
"Maggie! How long has it been since you last took a vacation with your siblings?!" Fran admonished.
"A long time… Sorry Fran… Sorry Brighton…"
"Now why don't we all go upstairs and see how it looks like?"
A little while later, Fran got down the stairs. She found Mr. Sheffield reading the New see how it looks like?"
A little while later, Fran got down the stairs. She found Mr. Sheffield reading the newspapers.
"Take outs’ for tonight?"
"I suppose, yes… I was thinking, maybe we could go and have an ice-cream after dinner with the children?"
"Yes, that would be nice." She grabbed his newspaper. "None of this here, you're on vacation, remember?" She said playfully.
He smiled.
"I didn't know I was also hiring your services for ME!"
"You said you wanted a nanny?… You've got a nanny!"
"Fran, dad, can we go to the beach?"
"Let me put my swimsuit on and I'll be right with you!" Fran said enthusiastically, running upstairs.
"Will you come with us Dad?"
"Of course, son, it's a family vacation, remember?" he winked.
"You know what Mr. Sheffield? Why don’t we go buy a few things and eat a picnic on the beach?"
"What do you say, children?
"That would be great Dad!" the three chorused.
Niles sat down on the sofa, laying his feet on the coffee table, and closing his eyes. He had been dusting and cleaning the entire house for three days, and had just finished.
Miss Babcock chose this moment to enter the living room from the office.
"Always hard working, I see, Niles." She smirked.
"Just like you…" he replied.
"For your information, I've been working for three days on two very important contracts…"
"Yes, Barney’s and Bozo’s…"
"Ha ha, brilliant, Niles…" she snorted.
"Oh, sod off… I've been doing my share too! I haven't even had time to give you your daily bowl of insults in three days!"
"Oh stop it or else I'm going to think you're being nice to me…"
"Because you're nice to me?"
"No…"
"Then we're even…"
"What do you think of this, then: diner at my place tonight."
"Shall I bring the sterilizer?"
"What?"
"How many spiders do you want me to roast? I found plenty while dusting the attic…"
"Spiders?"
"Oh would you prefer worms, but that's going to be a bit more difficult to find, although the garden has just been done..."
"See, Niles: I'm trying to be nice to you, and what do you do?…" she said, exasperated.
"A friend told me it's not for a lady to invite a man… I'll take you to the restaurant."
"The restaurant?"
"I'll pick you up at six… Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go take a shower… Unless you want me to give you a free show of course…"
"Don't tempt me…" she quipped.
He smiled evilly.
"Be careful what you wish for…"
"Oh yeah, sure, I'm so desperate I'm gonna watch a decrepit old man taking his shower…"
"Well that won't change much from what you see in your mirror every morning…"
C.C. rolled her eyes as Niles ascended the stairs chuckling.
He looked at his reflection with a critical eye. A few wrinkles on his forehead, the lines at the corner of his eyes, and the small patch of gray hair on his temples sure proved he was not that young anymore, but after all, if he was to attract her, it would be with his own and very natural attributes.
He had decided to take her to the Mariott, on the rotating top floor, where the soft atmosphere and light would provide enough intimacy. He chose to dress casual with denim pants and a polo shirt, spread some cologne on his freshly shaved cheeks, and exited his bathroom.
Go on to Part Two
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