At the end of 'Cinderella', I forgot to take the 'to be continued' off although the story looked pretty much finished to me (a remain of the draft). A lot of people asked me if I was to write a second part to this story, which I didn't find necessary, until my friend 'Inspiration' and me finally decided it was worth it. So here goes, to all of you folks, who have asked me to write another part to this story, and to those who encourage and support me every day: my relatives, my friends, and my readers.

And There Live They
Happily Ever After…

Part 2 to Cinderella

by

Anakin
(anakin.david@free.fr)

Fran and Maxwell exited her room beaming. Maxwell felt like a teenage boy in love for the first time, he felt a strength he hadn’t felt since Sara had died, all the obstacles that could raise along his way would tumble like a house of cards with Fran by his side. For the first time after his terrible loss, he felt complete.

He squeezed Fran’s hand and beamed lovingly at her, they were about to go down the stairs and await the children to tell them the news, when they heard the front door close and Grace talking to Maggie.

"Maggie, you know, I never, ever want dad to re-marry." the young girl said.

"Why this all of a sudden Gracie, besides, I don’t see why not?"

"Well there’s this girl in my school I’ve talked to today, whose Mom was a widower too. She married a guy that used to be nice and sweet to her, and the moment they got married, he wanted her to be sent to a boarding school!"

"Oh Gracie, I’m sure you worry about nothing, anyway, who is Dad gonna marry in the first place-huh?"

"Well…"

"See?…"

Max and Fran looked at each other in horror. Then Fran shook her head looking down.

"I should have known…"

"What?"

"Maxwell, I think it’s really best if I leave…"

"Fran, let’s not revisit that, I love you, and I want to marry you. All we’ll have to do is be a little patient and try to show my children that the fact we’re getting married is not going to change my attitude towards them, at least in the bad sense… What about you?"

"Oh Maxwell! I’m their Nanny! I love them!" she replied in desperation.

"Then it’s settled."

She looked at him with doubts in her eyes, then finally sighed.

"Okay, let’s give it a try…"

He smiled and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Now I’ll go downstairs through the back stairs, go greet your children…"

Maxwell went down the stairs at a light pace. He reached the lounge at the moment Fran entered it through the corridor.

"Dad, you’re back?" Brighton and Grace exclaimed almost at the same time, not showing any particular sign of happiness.

Maxwell made a face.

"That’s a nice way to greet your father, children."

"Well Dad, it’s not like we were expecting you so soon…" Maggie pointed out matter-of-factly.

"Kids, I don’t think this is the right way to greet your father, you could show a little more warmth…"

"Anyway children, I have an announcement to make about Miss Fine."

All three children who were now gathered together, started to mumble.

"I should have known he would fire Fran…" Maggie started.

"That was too good to be true…" Brighton went on.

Maxwell sighed, looking skywards, and shaking his head.

"I wonder what I have done to you that makes you feel I’m always taking negative decisions." He wondered out loud. "I have asked Miss Fine to remain here as your Nanny."

The three children could no believe their ears, but facing Fran’s bright smile, the information finally proceeded to their minds, and they started jumping around their astonished father in happiness. Then remembering who they showed such a display to, they quieted down.

"It’s all right children, I’m not the ogre you think I am…" he said chuckling.

"Dad, that’s the best decision you’ve taken in years!" Brighton finally said excitedly.

"Well… I’m not sure I can take that as a compliment, but thanks Brighton. Now it’s rather late and I think you all have school tomorrow. I have a few things to discuss with Miss Fine in private, and Niles has already retired…"

"OK dad, good night!" Brighton said, running up the stairs, followed by Maggie.

Grace stood shyly in front of her father. Maxwell smiled gently.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"Thank you for keeping Fran, Dad." The little girl said simply, before going to kiss her father’s cheek, much to his surprise, then she climbed the stairs in her turn.

Maxwell’s gaze followed her for a while, then he shook his head slightly, and looked at Fran.

"Are you a fairy?… Niles told me you had performed miracles with my children, but I would never have expected that much."

Fran smiled shyly.

"It’s entirely normal for a little girl to kiss her father, you know."

"Maybe, but she hasn’t done that since her mother died…" he smiled, caressing her cheek. "What kind of spell have you cast on us Fran Fine?… The minute you appear, happiness spreads around this house, starting with me…"

She took his hand and played with his fingers.

"You know, you don’t have the privilege of having your life changed by our encounter." She smiled shyly.

He leaned forward and stole a quick peck on her lips.

"I love you." He murmured.

There was a small uncomfortable silence between them, then Fran looked at him, trying to break the intimidating atmosphere.

"So? What was it you wanted to discuss with me?"

He beckoned her to the door of his office.

"Actually nothing in particular, I just wanted to have some private moments with you." He winked.

"Oh, I’m flattered, but… It’s been an exhausting day, physically and emotionally straining Ma… Mr Sheffield" she corrected "and I have to be up early tomorrow morning for the kids."

Maxwell winced when she said Mr Sheffield, but he understood they had to go through that in order to maintain a certain normalcy to the eyes of the children. He stepped forward and put his hands on her waist.

"I just want two minutes of total privacy with you." He begged gently. "Just two minutes… Please?"

She smiled at his imploring look.

"Okay, two minutes."

He beamed and they went to his office. He shut the door behind them, and took her in his arms, before kissing her. She gave in gladly, enjoying the sweet heat waves the caresses of his tongue upon hers were sending throughout her body. He pulled back a little, before hugging her deeply again, then let her reluctantly leave his embrace.

"What was that for?" She asked dreamily.

"A good night kiss…" he winked.

"Mmmm! Mr Sheffield! I guess I’m going to love working for you!" she teased back.

She then stepped towards the door, opened it, and as he was watching her leave the office, she gave him a sweet peck too, murmuring.

"… And you haven’t experienced MY good night kisses yet!"

"Well, as a matter of fact I have…"

She shook her head smiling mischievously.

"No you haven’t!" She winked sexily before disappearing in the corridor giggling.

Maxwell cocked his eyebrows dreamily, switched off, and went upstairs in his turn.

***

"Well Mr Sheffield, I’m off on my date." Fran loudly said before going out.

"One more." Smirked C.C. disdainfully as the front door closed behind her.

"Well, on the contrary to you, Miss Fine doesn’t lock herself in a coffin when her day is finished… Or shall I say ‘night’?" Niles said ironically.

"Oh knock it off Niles…"

"Admit it, you’re jealous."

"Jealous? Me? I could care less!"

"Then why are you so bitter?" Niles teased.

"Because I… Oh shut up Niles, mind your own business!"

Maxwell came in, holding his briefcase, and opened the closet.

"Niles I’ve got an appointment at my lawyer’s and then we’ll have dinner, so I’ll be home late, can you keep an eye on the children? They shouldn’t’ be a problem anyway, Miss Fine told me they already did their homework."

"Of course, Sir, have a good evening."

Maxwell looked at him scowling.

"An evening with my lawyer is not what I would call a good one Niles, but thanks."

"Hmmm Hmmm your lawyer, Sir?…" Niles said knowingly, but Maxwell had already exited.

C.C. turned sharply towards her nemesis.

"All right butler boy, you know more than you say, spill it."

"Spill what Miss Babcock?"

"Maxwell is seeing a woman, is that it?"

"I have absolutely no idea of what you are talking about Miss Babcock, good bye." He said with a false innocent look before heading to the kitchen.

C.C. remained still with a puzzled look for a moment, then mumbled something unintelligible, and finally exited the Sheffield house.

Maxwell felt terrible, why had she insisted on taking a cab instead of the limousine? He couldn’t wait. The chauffeur finally stopped down the classy French restaurant they had come to love so much, and he bolted out like a Jack in the box. He almost knocked the usher at the entrance.

"Ah, Monsieur Sheffield, Mademoiselle has already arrived."

"Yes, I know…" he replied nervously, as he was scanning the room in search of a certain woman. He finally spotted her.

"It’s all right, I found her." He said as he headed towards her, leaving a smiling usher behind him.

Fran stood, beaming gracefully. He gave her a peck on the lips, and sat opposite her.

"So, what’s your excuse tonight?"

"Well, you’re my lawyer." He said, grinning.

"Wow! Such a big promotion!"

"Wait until next time: I don’t know what you will be then… maybe an unhappy usher?" he winked.

She laughed, then looked amorously at him.

"These past months have been a dream come true Maxwell, thank you."

He smiled, drinking in her eyes, and for a moment, they kept silent, each one absorbed in the contemplation of the other one.

"What do you say we order, and then I have something very important to tell you."

"Oooh! Okay!"

"… And for Monsieur?" the maitre d’ asked, finishing to write Miss Fine’s order.

"For the entry course, I’ll take the Foie Gras truffé, then still on duck, with the Magrès de Canard sur son lit de cèpes et petits légumes. For the wine, I’ll choose a Baron Philippe 1993."

"Oh, Monsieur est un connaisseur, that will also be perfect with Mademoiselle’s order."

"Thank you Armand."

"Very well Monsieur."

He left and Fran stared at Maxwell expectantly.

"Fran…" he started, looking down at his plate, then he looked up and stopped talking in mid sentence, reveling in the beautiful features of the woman in front of him.

"What?" She asked, smiling.

He was brought back to Earth. He smiled gently.

"You’re so beautiful, Fran…" he softly said, then he resumed. "I want this evening to be yours. Yours from beginning to end." He took a deep breath. "Fran, we haven’t really been with each other since we met, and I can’t wait much longer, so I took it upon myself to book a room for us for after dinner instead of going to see a show, like we usually do on our outings together." He looked at her expectantly.

"Oh, and I was so hoping we would go to see ‘Sitting on a branch’ this time." She said, with a faked disappointed look.

He frowned.

"Well we can always…"

She smiled broadly.

"I was kidding! I guess I’m going to like hotels now…" she added sexily, winking.

He blushed.

"… To tell you the truth, I was wondering when you would gather up the courage to do something like that." She resumed, smiling gently. "Our first night is still very much vivid in my memory, and I’ve been longing for your touch…" she admitted, looking down.

He beamed.

"I love you." He mouthed.

"I love you too." She said softly.

They chatted amiably all dinner long, then after having had a little spin on the small dance floor inside the restaurant, they headed to the hotel lounge, took their key, and the elevator to the suite.

A bottle of the finest Champagne was awaiting them. He helped her one flute and left his jacket on the back of an armchair, before unknotting his tie. He turned towards her, took his own glass of Champagne, and toasted.

"To us…"

"To us." She replied, shyly smiling.

They sat down without a word, and slowly downed their glasses, staring into the other one’s eyes. Then Maxwell put their empty glasses on a small table, and held his hand for her to stand up.

He encircled her waist and lowered his mouth to hers in a sensuous kiss.

He deepened the kiss and as she was unbuttoning his shirt button by button, he carefully pulled the zipper of her dress down.

They slowly and sensuously finished undressing each other, there was no haste in their movements, this time, Maxwell wanted to do it right.

He looked at her fine features admiringly, before lifting her up in his arms, and carrying her to the partially opened bed.

"You’re so breathtakingly beautiful, Fran." He said, carrying her down, and before giving her a sweet kiss.

She closed her eyes and arched her neck as he started paying her body the most delicate and sensuous attention. He felt totally inebriated by her, his hands taking literally possession of her skin, and her senses.

"Maxwell, I’ve waited for you to do this for so long…" she managed to say, choking with her rising desire.

He felt like he had wings to carry her to a place they both had only been once together, and all he aimed at was satisfying her needs. Her squeals of pleasure were his indication that she liked what he was doing, and were encouraging him to try more things. He loved having that power over her, not even realizing that she had the same over him. Once they were united towards a single goal, there was no stopping them, and when the moment of utter consummation arrived, their joining became perfect. From two different people, they formed one being, one body, one soul.

They remained clutched in that intimacy a few minutes after the storm of feelings had overthrown them both, trying to stretch time, trying to put a little order in their confused emotions, and trying to catch their breath, then Maxwell rolled over, taking her in his arms, smiling broadly.

"I needed that, Fran. WE needed that."

"Oh boy did we!" she giggled, kissing his chest.

He sighed of contentment.

"Fran, I’ve though a lot about our current situation, and frankly, the more I think about it, the more I become determined."

"Yes?" She said, propping herself up on her elbows to face him.

"Those six months since you became my nanny, have showed me I really want you in my life, and I really think it’s time we make it official. What about you?"

"Oh Max…" She started, toying with a few hairs on his chest. "I want that too, you know it, but remember what Gracie said: I don’t want to hurt the children in any way. So I’m caught in between two fires." She sighed.

"Fran, let’s get married. We’ll have a big party later, but I want you to be my wife, and I want it now."

She smiled upon his chest.

"You know I’d love to, but once again, what about the children?"

"We won’t tell them right now. That way, when we tell them, they’ll see that you’re not going to send any of them to boarding school just because you married me, since you would have already been my wife for some time."

"I hadn’t thought of that…"

He smiled.

"I did. Just think of it. We get married now, we don’t tell them, and we go on living almost like before, you being their nanny, and me being your ‘boss’ – at least in appearance. We act like this for a few weeks, or months, I know it’s not going to be easy, and we’ll have to be smart, but if they don’t suspect anything and then suddenly we tell them that we’ve been married for some time already, I expect they’ll be happily surprised."

"Provided they still like me as their Nanny…"

"Oh believe me they do!" he smiled, kissing her forehead.

"Okay then…" She concluded.

He hugged her and brought his face to hers to give her a sweet kiss. She gave in, her hands already roaming his body.

"Mmmm Mr. Sheffield! Did you take some vitamins recently?!" she mumbled, giggling.

He rolled her over on her back, still kissing her, and replied:

"Yes I did Ma’am… YOU are my vitamins!"

To which she laughed wholeheartedly….

***

Niles heard the front door close from his room. He pricked up his ear and heard a feminine giggle he frowned: had Mr. Sheffield finally worked up the courage to bring a woman back home? Was the famous "lawyer" a date? Then a strong nasal laugh allowed him to identify the woman without any doubt. He shook his head smiling… He had been right in assuming Mr. Sheffield and Miss Fine had worked out their small dispute from the beginning, and that they were enjoying their time together when they could. He had been no fool, he had noticed the tender gestures the two exchanged when they thought no one was paying attention, and he had long ago realized the frequent coincidences of their outings ‘alone’ were for a single purpose. He wondered why they kept it a secret though. Maybe because they were afraid of what some people might say of such a relationship? In any case, he hadn’t seen Mr. Sheffield nor the kids this happy in a very long time, and he really thought Fran Fine belonged with them.

He resolved to try to inquire about why they were keeping their – at least to his eyes – obvious relationship a secret, and fell asleep, a content smile on his face.

Maxwell and Fran stepped on the landing from the back stairs, after having stretched their time together with an herbal night cup in the kitchen. She reached her door and turned to him with a slightly sad expression on her face. She was stroking his arm, not wanting to let him go.

"Maxwell, the evening was wonderful as always, thanks my love." She whispered.

"My pleasure darling. I just wish there were more of them." He added with a small sigh.

They stared at each other, they eyes speaking volumes, then he kissed her briefly, she opened her door, and after a last glance to him, shut it. He sighed and stepped towards his room.

***

Maxwell fumbled with his tie in front of his mirror. Maybe I should ask Niles? He thought, but finally resolved not to: he had to do it alone if he didn’t want gossip to spread all over the house. He sighed and started again his double Windsor.

Fran pondered what she should wear. It was the middle of the afternoon, and she was supposed to be going to Max’s attorney with him. She didn’t want to dress too formal, and yet, the issue was far too important for her to wear something too casual. She sighed and peered in her closet for the hundredth time. A dark ensemble drew her attention…

"Niles?"

After a few seconds, his trusted butler appeared in his office.

"Niles, I have to go on an errand with Miss Fine. It’s going to take some time I believe, so I’ll take her out to dinner. Can you take care of the children?"

Niles smiled roguishly And here we go for another "lawyer" excuse…

"Miss Fine-ey?…" He resumed, smiling knowingly. "… Yes of course, Sir, I can take care of the children." He concluded.

Maxwell gave him a quizzical look.

"If I may ask, Sir, what is it you need Miss Fine for?"

"Mind your own business Niles…" he started, then sighed, seeing the fake hurt look of his friend. "… If you have to know, I want her to be the legal guardian of the children, if something happens to me. We have to work out the papers and so on, and knowing my attorney, it’s going to take some time…"

"You’ve often been to see your attorney recently, Sir, I hope nothing serious happened."

Maxwell blushed a little, then coughed slightly.

"No, don’t worry Niles, I just have a lot of legal things to take care of at the moment…"

Niles made a face.

"Of course…"

"… Well anyway, I thought taking her out to dinner was a nice thing to do afterwards. We haven’t had really some time to talk – you know – since our first encounter…"

Aha! Niles thought he’s just let something slip!…

"Of course, Sir." He replied. "Now if you don’t need me, I need to go on my work…"

"Yes of course old man, see you tomorrow…"

Hmmm hmmm…He’s planning on staying out rather long…Niles thought laughing inside. He shook his head slightly, smiling, then headed to the kitchen.

Fran was just stepping down the back stairs when he entered the room.

"Oh, Niles… I don’t know if Mr. Sheffield told you, but I have to go out with him and then he’s taking me out to dinner…"

"Oh, that’s nice!" Niles exclaimed, pretending not to know. "I’ll take care of the children, have a good evening, then."

"Thank you Niles, do you know it’s the first time he’s ever taking me out to something alone?" she said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

"No, I hadn’t noticed… How gentlemanly of him…" he replied knowingly.

Fran gave a slightly embarrassed smile.

"OK, errr… Well then, see you tomorrow…" and she exited through the banging doors.

***

"I, Maxwell Sheffield, take thee, Fran Fine, to be my lawfully wedded wife"

The registrar smiled as the last words of their civil union were spoken.

"Do we have a ring?" he asked.

"No." Maxwell said, a bit embarrassed, looking at Fran apologetically, but she smiled faintly in response, her eyes telling him that she didn’t care for now.

The registrar was a little surprised, but he resumed.

"Well then, in the name of the state of New York, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Maxwell beamed and looked at his new wife, a wave of pure happiness crashing within him, and from the look on Fran’s face, she was feeling the same. He delicately cupped her face in his hand, and laid a gentle kiss on her lips, which she responded to softly.

They left in the limousine, towards the hotel Maxwell had made reservations for them to, contentedly snuggling in each other’s arms, enjoying the new feeling of being husband and wife.

Once they reached their room, Fran asked Maxwell to take his time while she was going to freshen up a little. She disappeared in the bathroom while he undid his tie and the first buttons of his shirt, having gotten rid of his jacket before.

He sat down on the sofa, and helped himself a glass of champagne. Then he retrieved his marriage license from the inside breast pocket of his jacket, and looked at it. He smiled, and caressed the piece of paper with his finger, where Fran had signed.

He was too concentrated on his contemplation, that he didn’t notice Fran coming out of the bathroom in a silken negligee that left little to imagination. He was startled when she called his name sexily.

He turned towards the sound, and his eyes grew wide as saucers. There was his wife, literally offered to him. His blood started boiling and he felt his ears burn.

She had stopped walking and was enticingly smiling to him.

He stood up slowly, and crossed the small distance between them in one stride.

He embraced her features with his eyes admiringly, and put his arms around her waist before gently kissing her.

When the kiss ended, she looked deep into his eyes.

"I’m yours, body and soul, for now and forever… Make love to me, Maxwell…"

He looked at her, feeling his heart beating with love. He smiled and took possession of her mouth, crushing her barely covered body against his. He picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the bed where he vowed to worship her body and please her senses as long as his own body would allow him to. He felt like Fran was a temple to which he would have been the guardian. Their few encounters had showed him her extreme sensibility, and her responsiveness to his touch and attentions. Tonight, he wanted their lovemaking to be one of the – he hoped – many memorable they would share in their life together. He caressed her like she were a delicate rose which petals were so fragile they would break if manipulated too vigorously. He treasured every spot of her beautiful body, delicately nipping and licking, getting intoxicated by the light perfume she had put on, trying to find the precise spots where she had deposited the drops of the inebriating liquid. With his tender and slow attentions, he managed to bring her to a place from which she didn’t want to ever escape. Finally, he joined her on that particular land only true lovers share, and moving in harmony, they slowly, but steadily climbed the ultimate step together, their voices chorusing in a single moan when they reached it.

There was a moment of silence, when none of them moved nor said anything, then Maxwell slowly gathered her in his arms, and they drifted to sleep in that position. No word was spoken, but none was needed either, they knew what the other one felt and thought without needing to say it.

***

They sneaked through the back door towards 6.00 am, trying to be silent. The house was all dark and still seemed to be sleeping. He turned towards her and gently kissed her.

"I love you Fran Sheffield." He murmured…

"Fran Sheffield?" she winked. "This is going to need some getting used to!" she giggled.

He smiled warmly, and took her hand, leading her to the back stairs.

"We must be silent, I think they’re still asleep, but they should be up soo…"

He was interrupted with the sudden lighting of the room.

He swiftly turned, only to find a sullen robe-covered Niles with a broom held menacingly in one hand.

"Oh, Niles, that’s you… Errr… We’ve gotten up early today." Maxwell said sheepishly, trying to regain composure.

Niles rolled his eyes.

"Oh yes? Since when do you start your day coming through the back door with Miss Fine, wearing the same coats you did when you went out yesterday afternoon, and the same clothes?"

"Errr… There’s a perfectly logical explanation to that actually, Miss Fine?"

"Oh stop it, you two! Now sit down, I’ll make you some coffee…" He went to prepare the beverage as they sat down at the kitchen table. Niles brought the steaming cups along with the milk and the sugar, then sat opposite them.

"Now spill… I know there’s something going on between you two, and there has been since Miss Fine entered this house. Knowing what I know from your first encounter, my imagination grew wild…"

"You told him?!" asked Fran, surprised.

"I had to Darling… He’s my friend, and I needed to clear my ideas when we met again…" He turned to his butler, sighing but smiling. "Well Niles… you’re right, there’s something going on between Miss Fine and I, but it’s not what you think. What we’re doing is perfectly legal." He winked, looking at Fran. "Niles, I’d like you to meet my wife."

Niles opened his eyes as wide as saucers. He suspected they shared more than stolen kisses, but married?!

Maxwell proceeded then to tell him the whole story, concluding with the fact that he wanted the children to be sufficiently accustomed to Fran before telling them they were married.

Niles digested what his boss had just told him, then looked at them fondly.

"Miss Fine, I thank the day when you came knocking on our door… And I thank Mr. Sheffield to have been away on that day for I’m not sure things would have turned out the way they did if you had confronted Miss Fine without her meeting the kids and working her magic on them."

"Oh, she worked her magic on all of us." He said, beaming, and looking amorously at her, before laying a kiss on her inviting lips.

"Well… Shall I tell the children you are too tired to have breakfast with them? They’ll be up soon…"

"No, give us a few minutes, and we’ll be down. We have to maintain a normal attitude with them, but we have to refresh and change first."

***

Fran and Grace came in through the front door. Fran took Grace’s coat and put both hers and Grace’s in the closet.

"You know Fran, I feel I have made more progress in 8 months than I had in 3 years." The little girl started. "All thanks to you." She resumed.

"Awww! Sweetie!…I guess your father is responsible for that too, isn’t he?" Fran hugged her.

"Yes he is, but he has changed since you arrived too. I had never known him so attentive and loving. You know, I always was envious of the moms and dads of the girls in my school. They always came to meet the teachers, they came to help on occasions, and so on… My dad never did anything for me or my school until you managed to drag him to the preparation of my school play and he took over directing. And every time there’s a parent-teachers gathering, if he can’t come, you are there for me, like every other kid. I love you Fran." She concluded, throwing her 7 year-old arms around her nanny’s neck.

Fran smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I love you too sweetie!" Fran said.

"Will you help me through my homework?" she asked expectantly, but Fran shook her head negatively.

"Huh-huh. You know your daddy doesn’t like it when I do this, and apart from the very first time, look at all the trouble your brother went through when I tried to help him. What I can do, is check it when you’re done."

"I kind of like that!" Gracie beamed.

"Then go upstairs and I’ll join you in half an hour."

"Okay!" Gracie ran up the stairs to her room.

Fran, who had been leaning forward to be on Gracie’s level, stood up straight again, and felt two warm masculine arms slip around her waist, along with a gentle kiss on the back of her neck.

"Did you have a nice day my darling?" he murmured.

She beamed and leant back on his chest, wrapping her arms around his to stroke them lightly.

"Yes sweetie, how about you?" she asked, turning to face him.

"Hmmm… Why don’t you come into the office and I’ll tell you?" he winked sexily.

He face saddened.

"Oh, I’d love to Maxwell, but I’ve promised Gracie to check on her homework, and I’m expecting Maggie any minute now. She’s had some trouble with a boy at school.

Maxwell cocked his eyebrows.

"Troubles with a boy?"

"Oh would you relax? She gave him the proper treatment for what he did."

"And what did he do?"

"Put his hand on her…."

"Enough, I get the picture!…" he sighed, not knowing if he should be happy that his daughter apparently already knew how to sort out such a situation. "… And what did she do?" he resumed.

"Well let’s say that he’s got a nice red hand print on his face now."

He sighed, relieved.

"All right. I’ll see you tonight then?"

"Yes." She replied a bit sadly.

"Is there something wrong, Fran?"

"Oh it’s just that… It’s been two months and although I was thrilled at first by the ‘sense of mystery’ of it, I’m kind of tired of sneaking into your room when everyone’s asleep, and out before everyone gets up, or you in and out of mine." She said, defeated.

He embraced her, kissing her forehead.

"I know, darling. It’s hard for me too you know. But we have to wait a little bit until the children are really ready."

"Well as a matter of fact, I think now it shouldn’t hurt to tell them the truth…" she was interrupted by the slamming of the back door. "Huh-oh.. Maggie’s in." She gave him a swift peck on the lips. "Gotta go, I’ll tell you tonight." And she disappeared towards the kitchen at a light pace.

***

Fran, clad in her night gown and satin robe, opened her door and peeked discreetly into the dark corridor. She stepped outside her room and tiptoed in direction of Maxwell’s door.

Suddenly the corridor was flooded with light. Fran jumped and turned as she heard footsteps behind her, only to find Brighton in his pajamas. She leant on the wall, trying to steady her heartbeat.

"Hey Fran!"

"B! Oh God, please next time, send me a warning!"

"Well I didn’t expect to find you here…"

"Ah err… I needed to go… You know?…"

"In that direction?"

"What direction?"

"I mean the bathroom is the other way around… The door you were heading to is Dad’s…" he grinned.

"Oh!… Yes, you’re right… I was a bit asleep. ‘Got mistaken…"

"I needed to go too, but you go first." He offered.

"No, no, you go first B."

"I insist Fran, you go first."

"Okay…" she smiled, a bit embarrassed, then entered the bathroom.

She paced a little inside, flushed the toilet, and exited, almost bumping into Brighton who was standing right in front of the door. Then she went into her room, closing the door behind her.

She waited patiently, her ear stuck on the door, for Brighton to exit the toilet. When she saw the line of light disappear at the bottom of the door, she tried anew.

Once again, she discreetly opened her door, peeked into the corridor, and stepped rapidly towards Maxwell’s door. Once again, the corridor was flooded with light. Fran clenched her fists frowning in frustration, and turned smiling, to Maggie.

"Oh, Maggie!… How are you?" She asked innocently.

"Fran?… You’re okay?"

"Yes, why?"

"What were you doing here?"

"Err… I need a nosh…"

"… And you’re taking the front stairs to go down to the kitchen?"

"Yes, a little light exercise is a good thing when you can’t sleep…" she said sheepishly.

Maggie shook her head, waving in disbelief.

"Well, I guess it’s none of my business anyway… Go downstairs, and then I need to talk to you if you don’t mind."

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"Sweetie, can’t it wait until tomorrow?"

"No!… It’s about David."

"David?"

"The guy who put his hand…"

"Oh… So what? You’ve told me about it already."

"Yes, but I need to talk to you about him again… He did something wrong, but he’s cute and I wouldn’t mind going out with him…"

"Huh-oh…" Fran stepped towards Maggie. "This needs discussing indeed…"

"Well I can wait five minutes, go take whatever it was you wanted in the kitchen…"

"No, I’m not so hungry anyway…"

"No, really, I’ll wait into your room." And she stepped into Fran’s room.

Fran rolled her eyes, sighed and went downstairs.

She paced into the kitchen for a few minutes looking at the clock to make it believable that she was noshing in the kitchen, then went upstairs using the back stairs. She finally entered her room, finding Maggie sitting on her bed.

"You didn’t bring anything?"

"I did, I just ate it in the kitchen."

"Oh, OK…"

"So?"

"Well, you know, he did put his hand someplace he shouldn’t, but it was also because we had been openly flirting for a while, and I kind of regret having slapped his face, because I fear now my chances went down to zero…"

Fran sighed.

"Honey… My advice is: don’t even think about it. The guy did something wrong once, he can do it again, and it can get even worse. If you go out with him, nothing will prevent him to ask you to do God knows what. So you’d better start looking for someone else, with a better morality. In any case, don’t ever do something you don’t want to, and don’t ever regret something you did instinctively. Most of the time, the first reaction is the best. Not always, but most of the time. If you went back to David creeping, he would take it as a sign he can ask you anything. That’s not what you want, that’s not what I want, and that’s certainly not what your father wants. End of story, now go to bed, I’m tired…" She said winking, and kissing her on the cheek.

Maggie smiled, thanking her with the eyes.

"Thanks Fran, you’re the best…"

Maggie finally exited her room. Fran laid back, sighing heavily. She waited a good ten minutes, then decided to try once more.

This time she managed to reach her husband’s room safely.

She closed the door silently, and crept under the covers, only to find a sleeping Maxwell.

She scowled.

She shook him gently.

"Maxwell?"

"Hmmm?" He mumbled.

She shook him a little bit more strongly.

"Maxwell?!"

"Mmm? Yes?… Oh Fran, that’s you!"

"Yes, that’s me…" She said unhappily.

"Come here my darling, give me a hug." He said, encircling her shoulders.

She pushed him gently but firmly though.

"Max, we need to talk."

He sighed, switched on his beside lamp, and propped himself up on his pillows, looking her in the eyes.

"What is it , my Darling?"

"We can’t go on like this. I bumped into both Brighton and Maggie tonight, I gave them lame excuses, but what would happen if they caught me sneaking out of YOUR room?"

"I know, but what do you suggest?"

"I had a talk with Gracie earlier this day. From what she said, I guess she really won’t mind if we tell her and her siblings."

Maxwell pondered what she had just said for a minute, and nodded.

"All right, we’ll take them out tomorrow, and we’ll tell them then."

Fran smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Thanks sweetie!"

"Now come here." He said, opening his arms.

She gladly accepted his invitation, and switched off his bedside lamp.

"I recall suddenly that I have never shown you MY good night kiss…" She murmured sexily in his ear, licking the rim.

"Mmmm… I’m very curious to know, Fran…" he replied, playing along.

"Okay…" And she started unbuttoning his pajamas top…

***

All three children, their father, his butler, and their Nanny sat down around the table Maxwell had booked for them in a secluded part of the Rainbow Room. After everyone had ordered and started eating, everyone enjoyed the "family" atmosphere of the dinner, until desert. When the waiters brought them the beautiful cake Maxwell & Fran had specially ordered for them all, they both stood up.

Maxwell took Fran’s hand, and cleared his throat, as the three pairs of eyes of the Sheffield children were set on the couple.

"Children, as you might have guessed, tonight was a special occasion. Fran has now been working for us for a few months, and I guess you can say she’s really part of the family. Fran and I met a while before she became my Nanny actually, we didn’t know who the other one was at that time, and neither did she when she came knocking at our door selling her cosmetics. I guess we can both say that luck brought us back together. We love each other, we have been since the very first moment we saw each other. But we’ve always tried to respect your feelings, so that’s why we never showed anything particular in public. She was your Nanny, I was her employer." He paused, watching carefully his children.

"And?…" Brighton asked him to resume.

"After 6 months like that, we decided we couldn’t go on like this, and that there had to be some kind of official bond between us, so we got married."

The children opened their eyes wide, but all were beaming excitedly. They wanted to express themselves, but Maxwell held them.

"Just before you react, we did this because we feared you might not approve Fran being my wife, and we wanted you to be really sure you liked her…"

"Dad!" Grace exclaimed.

Maxwell looked at his youngest a bit worried.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"Does that mean you’re going to send me to boarding school now?"

Fran jumped in.

"Sweetie, what makes you think that I’m going to treat you any different than I have so far?"

"Well you got married."

"We’ve been married for two months already, have I changed my attitude towards you?" she smiled.

"No… But we didn’t know…"

"One more reason… Gracie, love is not something you can fake, and I love you and your sister and brother." She said smiling warmly.

"Dad?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"May I get up?"

"Yes sweetheart, what for?"

Grace bolted down her chair and jumped at her father’s neck, trying to hug Fran at the same time.

"Dad, thank you for making Fran our mom."

Maxwell and Fran looked at each other beaming. She reached for his hand, and gave a kiss to Grace.

Still holding Grace, Maxwell looked expectantly at his other two children.

"What about you, Brighton and Maggie?"

"Dad, I’d say it’s the second best decision you’ve taken in years. Fran is the perfect match for you, and I’m happy Fran is no longer our Nanny because she deserved way better." The lad concluded with a wink towards both his father and Fran.

"I am happy for you both, really." Maggie simply said, not knowing what to add to what had already been said.

Maxwell put Gracie down, and faced Fran.

"There’s still something I haven’t done, and I want to do it now."

He put his hand in his pocket and took a small velvet box from it, presenting it to Fran.

She beamed, her eyes shining with all the happy tears she had just held back, and opened it.

The lid revealed a beautiful emerald ring, surrounded with small diamonds.

Fran brought her hand to her mouth, unable to stop the flooding in her eyes then.

"Maxwell, I have never seen anything more beautiful than this!"

"I have, my Darling." He said, slipping the ring on her finger. "The Ruby for your fire and your passion, the Diamonds for your beauty and because you’re more precious to me than any jewel, and the gold for your warmth and your love." He kissed her.

"Daddy…" Grace started.

Maxwell looked down on her.

"Yes sweetheart?"

"If you’re already married, we won’t have any ceremony, nor anything? Why did you give Fran an engagement ring, and why don’t you wear a wedding band?"

Maxwell and Fran sat down.

"I gave her an engagement ring now because I hadn’t before. We will have another ceremony sweetheart, a religious one this time, and I will give Fran a wedding ring then. We’ve been legally married for two months, but we were waiting to tell you before having a big party and everything."

"Dad?" The little girl resumed. "Is Fran our mother now?"

"Not really sweetie." Fran replied. "Your dad put it in his will that he wanted me to take care of you in case – God forbids – something happened to him, but to become your mother, I’d have to adopt you."

"Can’t you do that?"

"Do you wish that?" Maxwell asked all his three children.

They took a moment, exchanging glances, then exclaimed in unison:

"Yes!"

Maxwell squeezed Fran’s hand and looked at her.

"Would you accept to adopt my children, Fran?"

"I would love to!"

The next minute, everyone chorused in squeals of joy. Finally, they all calmed down. Niles stood up, and waved to the waiter to bring in an ice bucket with a bottle of Champagne.

"Sir, Madam, I’m now offering the Champagne, and I took it upon myself…"

"MAXWELL?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!!!" C.C. barged in, screaming.

"… to invite Miss Babcock to share our happiness." He concluded with a roguish smile.

Maxwell eyed his butler scowling, but nothing could really counter his good mood. He turned to his business associate, and answered.

"C.C., I’d like you to meet my wife, it’s a long story, but we are very happy, and we would like you to share this happiness with us."

"Married?… But, but…" C.C. was too flabbergasted to say anything else. As if on autopilot, she sat on the chair a waiter had just brought for her, and toasted automatically with the rest of the family.

Niles looked at her from the corner of his eyes This will need some tough work but I’ll manage he thought, sipping his champagne, and planning his new long task to achieve.

That night, Fran didn’t have to sneak out of her room to sleep in her husband’s bed.

After having made love with a feeling of "permission given" for the first time ever, Fran & Maxwell snuggled up against each other, and fell asleep contentedly, happy with what life had brought them, and eager to find out what it would in the future…

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