Seems like the episodes we all know inspired me again…
I never intended to do any harm to those characters, nor to the show, and the rights don't belong to me…
by
Anakin
(anakin_skywallkr@hotmail.com)
Fran reached the pier at the last time. She rushed on the footbridge and jumped in Nigel's arms.
"Oh I'm so glad you're here!" he said kissing her.
Fran smiled, but … something was wrong… She just couldn't put her finger on it…
Always a gentleman, he had booked two separate cabins. He led her through the corridors to her cabin. He opened the door for her and kissed her lightly on the cheek, She smiled, and then she pushed him gently.
"Nigel… I'm sorry, but I'm terribly tired… It's been quite an ordeal for me…"
"Of course Fran, I'll leave you to rest…" He kissed the top of her hand smiling and winking "See you luv'!"
Fran closed the door and leaned on it. She tilted her head, and then the tears flew free… "Oh my God!… What have I done?!"… She sniffed and went to lie on her bed. She wanted to think of her current situation, but sleep quickly overtook her.
***
Max came back real late and went directly to his room.
He didn't notice the envelope on his desk before the next morning…
Something was not quite normal: the house was unusually quiet at this time of day, and in the dining room as he was having his breakfast. The kids had gone to school, but…. Where was Fran?
As Niles had gone shopping, he was all by himself, or so it seemed. He went to his study and sat down. His eyes fell on a portrait a photographer had made of Fran and him when they were in Paris. He took the frame and smiled. He caressed Fran's face on the picture, kissed his fingertip, and touched Fran's mouth with it. He put the frame back on top of his desk, then noticed the envelope with Fran's distinctive hand-writing. He cocked one eyebrow, and opened it. As he was doing so, a sudden and inexplicable feeling of cold invaded his whole body…
|
Dear Mr. Sheffield,
Your brother Nigel has asked me to marry him, and I have decided to accept his proposal. I thought a letter would be better than a long explanation, which would have certainly led us to quarrel, and that's not how I want to remember you. Tell the kids that I love them, tell them that my departure has nothing to do with them, and that I will miss them terribly. I simply hope we can come back often enough to see them grow up. I know you can do well without me, you simply need to express your love a little bit more openly. Please, don't get mad at Maggie every time she has a new boyfriend, she is a very responsible young lady, and she knows what she can, and what she shouldn't do. Keep an eye on Brighton, he has great possibilities, he can become a very smart young man but he will need his Dad. Gracie will need your tenderness and affection, not a therapist, and she'll blossom into a very sensible young lady. They all need their Dad to be there with them, supportive of their choices and actions, attentive to their concerns, and guiding them in their young lives and the difficult moments teenage brings. I know you are capable of that, even though you are very busy. You're a loving and caring person, you just need to say it out, and… I would have loved to be there when you do this… I hope we can still get along well together in the future, I will miss you, and I would hate it if we couldn't see each other in the eye again… Love,
Miss Fine. |
Max felt his eyes sting, but he fought back the tears. The whole world had suddenly collapsed around him, just like when Sarah died. The same cold, the same numbness in the limbs, the same unbearable feeling of loss… NO!!!
***
Nigel knocked at her door.
"Fran?"
After a short while, she came to open the door.
He was a bit surprised when he saw her. She was a bit of a mess: her make up had all gone down and her eyes were surrounded by dark rings. She smiled to him.
"Hi Nigel!… Now that's something the other Mr. Sheffield never saw!… You caught me right when I was waking up!"
"Well I sure hope to see that often in the future Fran!…" He said, winking and kissing the top of her hand. "Well huh… I'll be in the lounge all right?"
"Yes, see you in a few minutes!"
She closed the door.
Nigel smiled and left.
Fran stepped into the shower and let the water run along her back. All right: she had made a decision, and she was going to stick to it. Nigel was a Sheffield too, he was loving and caring, and he had a hint of fantasy that was not to displease her…
She dressed quickly, and headed for the lounge where she met Nigel. They had breakfast together, and enjoyed the morning next to the swimming pool. The boat was not due to stop on any island on its way to Europe, but it provided enough luxury and entertaining moments for the passengers not to be bored by the trip. Actually, Fran enjoyed her time more than she would have thought. Nigel offered her a few new outfits, as she had had to pack in a hurry, and he was being extremely romantic and tender with her.
They were seated on a terrace, enjoying a romantic candle lit dinner. Nigel took her hand and brushed the top of it with his lips.
"Fran you look absolutely beautiful tonight…"
"Well Nigel, it's because you bought me this incredible outfit!"
"It sure does you good luv'…"
Their eyes locked. He took a small velvet box from his pocket and opened it before her. Inside, there was a beautiful engagement ring…
"Fran, I've never really proposed to you, I want to do it now… Will you marry me?"
Fran's sight blurred as tears formed in her eyes. "Yes I will Mr. Sheffield…!"
… A flash of dark hair with a gray streak, olive green eyes, fines lines at the corner of the same eyes…
She held her left hand and Nigel took it, slipping the ring at her finger.
"It's Nigel Luv'… We'll get married as soon as we reach land!" He bent and kissed her lightly on the lips. At that time, the band that had been playing romantic pieces all along the evening came next to their table, and Nigel invited Fran to dance, and as they were both gently swaying as the notes escaped the instruments in a soft harmony, Fran let her tears flow free… She had finally fulfilled her dream…
He walked her to her cabin. They kissed thoroughly and he gently pushed her in her room and started caressing her bare arms. She suddenly stopped giving in to his kisses and pushed him gently.
"Nigel…"
"What luv'?"
He went on kissing her face, her neck,… She pushed him once again, more firmly.
"Nigel…"
He stopped and looked at her.
"Nigel, I'd prefer waiting till we're married…"
A surprised look drew itself on Nigel's face, but he seemed to understand what she wanted.
"Oh… All right luv'… I can wait…"
She gave him a thankful smile and he nodded. He gave her a peck on the lips and exited the room.
Fran shut the door behind him, sighed, and went to change.
At last they came in sight of Le Havre in Normandy. Fran packed her things in the new suitcase she's had to buy (with all the new outfits she'd bought in the shops of the boat!) and Nigel came to lead her to the front bridge where they would wait for the boat to berth alongside the quay.
A lot of people were obviously expecting passengers on the quay for it was awfully crowded. Nigel turned to Fran and stroked her hair.
"Fran luv', let's wait a little till all this crowd leave the quay… I'll have a taxi waiting for us, I'm going to call them, I'll be back in a minute."
"Okay!"
Fran remained alone leaning on the hand rail, and watched the crowd on the quay inadvertently. The passengers started to disembark, and as they did, the quay became less and less crowded. Nigel came back after a few minutes.
"The taxi will be there in about 15 minutes… Will you come with me?"
"Sure!"
She took his hand and they both walked along the corridors until they reached the foot bridge, and eventually the now almost deserted quay. They walked until they reached an area where the taxi could spot them.
Fran's heart skipped a bit.
The dark-haired man in his dark coat walked slowly towards them.
His eyes expressed the deepest love one would have ever seen in a man's eyes, and his face bore the signs of all the fights and painful nights he had endured.
Like in slow motion, Fran stepped toward him, letting go of Nigel's hand without looking back.
They met in a few strides. Fran threw her arms around his neck and he held her as to never let go, then kissed her for all she was worth, still hugging her.
"Fran, I love you!"
"I love you too Max…"
They hugged for what seemed an eternity until they both heard Nigel's discreet coughing.
Fran turned toward him, and slowly took off the engagement ring he had given here a few nights before.
"Nigel, I'm so sorry, but I was going to make a mistake…"
"I understand Fran… "
He looked at his brother.
"Max, take good care of her old man… She's a wonderful lady, and I would have loved being the lucky one…" He smiled sadly and walked toward the cab.
Max held his arm and looked him in the eyes.
"Thank you Nigel…"
"She doesn't love me Max… It's you she loves… Cherish this…"
Max let go of his brother's arm and turned to Fran.
"Fran I…"
He took a deep breath.
"Fran, I have no engagement ring for you, because I wasn't sure you would leave Nigel… But… We can go to Paris and take the Concorde back to New York where I'll buy you the most beautiful engagement ring you've ever dreamed of in a split second…"
"Max… you know, I came here to get married to Mr. Sheffield… I want to do it right now…"
He smiled and stroke her cheek before kissing her lips tenderly.
"Then come with me, I know a Priest who knows a Rabbi…"
They hugged each other, and kissed, laughing. Then they ran to a car that was waiting for them, to lead them towards their new life together…
The End
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