Yet another story about Fran & Max "before"…
It should take place right after "Call me Fran"
by
Anakin
(anakin_skywallkr@hotmail.com)
Maxwell was in his office, thinking.
Her latest outburst, calling her by her first name, had driven him into a corner and although he had been frightened at first, he had to admit it was not so unpleasant… He smiled. Miss Fine… Fran… Fran…He said it several times, enjoying the sound rolling on his tongue and echoing in his mouth, hearing his own voice pronouncing her name, her magical name.
The house was so peaceful, the atmosphere of the office so relaxing. Niles had recently polished the leather love-seat and he enjoyed the particular scent of the polish mixed with that of the leather. He looked at his watch: 3:15 a.m. … No wonder the house was so quiet!…
He opened a drawer with a small key, and extracted a small notebook with a black cover. He opened it and flipped through the pages. He found an empty one, took a pen, and started writing.
Fran…
For five years now you have been the mother of my children -I'd rather say "mother" than "Nanny" because a Nanny wouldn't have done half you did for my three dearest children.
Five years… A long time, but yet, not so long. Sometimes, I have the feeling that you just rang our bell with that "Shades of the Orient" pink case yesterday, but yet, when I recall all the thing we did together I feel it is a long time… I remember every one of your deafening "good morning"'s, every feature of your beautiful face when I happened to kiss your lips, when you were angry or sad…I love the way your smile can cheer up the entire household even when it looks like a 747 has crashed in the lounge, I love those small gestures you make when you think no-one can see you, I love your honesty…
You changed us in a way I couldn't imagine. Maggie is now a wonderful and responsible young lady, Brighton amazes me every year a little more, and my little Gracie has gotten rid of almost all her psychological problems thanks to you.
You changed Niles, you changed C.C. …
…You changed me… Yes you have changed me. I am not the British cold fish I used to be anymore. I have become a careful and loving father thanks to your "Jewish guilt" or your sensible remarks… And I wish you are going to let me be a careful and loving husband as you deserve it too. I love you Fran, I love you with all my heart, I need you with every fiber of my body, and I want you by my side for the rest of my life…
He paused and smiled. I've said it!
He resumed.
How am I going to let you know that I love you? I do not know myself… I hope I will have the courage to tell you soon. I know I have hurt you many times because of my reluctance to admit my feelings, or my denial of what I said, and I know you can't wait much longer. I can't wait much longer. I just don't know how I am going to tell you. I would like it to be perfect, I would like it to make up for everything I ever said or did which hurt you… Oh Fran!… I love you so much!…
He paused, rubbed his eyes, and repressed a yawn. He was feeling a bit cold. He pulled the folds of his night gown and tied the belt.
When did I fall in love with you my beautiful Jewish Princess?… I don't know myself… Was it when you came down the stairs in that gorgeous red sequined dress?… Was it when you went out with Brock Storm?- Well that was my first jealousy stroke… I guess it was before that then- probably that very first day…I am drifting… I couldn't sleep tonight, and I went downstairs to think…
The thing is Fran, that since you forced me to call you by your first name, a door burst opened in my head. I had often been thinking about you before, but since that day, you have been in my thoughts every waking or sleeping moment. You have become far more important than my work, and I bless C.C. because Sheffield/Babcock productions would be down by now if it were not for her efficiency and her relentlessness…I love you Fran…
It is as simple as that… I love you Fran.
"I love you Fran" he said softly. He went to lie down on the love seat with the notebook and read again what he had written, but fell asleep before he finished.
4:00 a.m. Fran went down to the kitchen for a glass of cold water. Oy! That stormy weather kept me awake for a good half of the night! She sat on a stool next to the counter and started drinking her water slowly.
Max… I've been calling him "Max" for five days now!… She sighed, smiled, and took another sip. She heard muffled sounds coming from Max's office, and went to inquire…
She pushed the door which was slightly ajar, and there he was: fast asleep on the love-seat. She smiled tenderly: he looked so at peace! She went to the desk to switch the light off but before she reached it, she noticed the black notebook opened on his chest. She took it delicately from his opened hand, and leaned against the desk to read it.
She put her hand to her mouth, tears running free down her cheeks, and looked at him with the deepest love in her eyes. She closed the notebook, turned off the light, and went to put it back underneath his hand on his chest.
She looked at him in the darkness, and blew a soft: "I love you too Max…" before kissing him lightly on the lips.
She stood up but the feelings of her lips pressed against his, even lighter than a feather, had woken him up. He held her arm.
"Max?"
He opened his eyes.
"I thought I was dreaming, but the reality is much better." He said a bit sleepily.
She smiled tenderly.
"You should go back to your room…" She murmured.
"No, not yet… Come here…" He patted the love-seat next to him.
She hesitated one second then went to lie down next to him, her head resting in the crook of his arm. She sighed of contentment.
He misunderstood. "Does this bother you?" He asked a tad concerned.
"No… there's no place on Earth I'd rather be right now…"
He held her a bit tighter.
"Fran…"
"Max…"
[both at the same time] "I want to say something very important to you/I've read what you wrote in your notebook."
They chuckled. Then Fran said softly:
"You go first… "
"There's something I want to tell you, something that has been bugging me and you for almost five years now, something I need to get out of me or I'm going to go crazy… Fran…"
He gently passed a finger on her cheek, looking at her with the deepest commitment.
"I couldn't sleep tonight, so I came in here to think… I wrote several things in this notebook, and…"
"I know… I've read it…"
He smiled tenderly and kissed her softly on the lips.
"… You may know, but you haven't heard it from my mouth yet… I love you Fran…"
She hugged him a little more, trying to keep that intense wave of happiness inside herself. It was so overwhelming she thought she was going to cry. He held her tightly too, rocking her a little.
If only he had known before that it would be so easy!
She looked him in the eyes.
"Max… I love you too…"
They hugged, then he lowered his head and softly, almost shyly, his lips sought hers, and they shared a long and sensual kiss… Max's hands began to roam over unfamiliar areas of her body, while hers were tugging with the knot of the belt of his gown. Suddenly, Max pulled apart. He was breathing heavily.
"Fran… I think we should go upstairs… I want this as much as you do, but I don't think the office provides the best environment for me to make love to you as you deserve it…"
He stood up, took her hand, and they both exited the office silently.
They reached Max's room. He locked the door behind them and pulled her in a tight embrace, kissing her for all she was worth. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed. In an instant, he had gotten rid of his night gown and his pajamas. He joined her on the bed, and helped her out of her night gown.
He contemplated a moment her harmonious and delicate body, his fingers lightly tracing sensuous lines on her smooth pale skin. Then he kissed her again, enclosing both of them in an invisible bubble of love where nothing could harm them...
He wanted this to be perfect, their first time together, sharing these most intimate moments…
She was like a delicate flower in his hands, and he didn't want to spoil any of her petals. She was so responsive to the least of his gestures, he was amazed, and her abandon was unconditional as he slowly made her what she should have always been: his very own woman…
Time stopped around them as their love was finally bursting out in the open...
Not wanting to break that special moment, they remained tightly hugged for moments that seemed lasting an eternity. Then Max shifted his position, and encircled her with his arms, both drifting into a peaceful sleep until morning.
Max was awakened by the soft scent of Fran's hair. It felt good to wake up in the same bed of the woman he loved, her body pressed against his. Fran was made for him, and he was made for her, there was no doubt about this. He kissed the top of her head. She stirred in his arms and opened her eyes smiling.
"How did you sleep my darling?"
"Better than any other night in my life…"
He kissed her lightly.
"So I take it now you've experienced this, you wouldn't want to sleep bad ever again?"
"No… I dreamt Mr. Sheffield made love to me, and believe me, it's the best introduction to sleep I've ever tried!"
"So you're saying it's better than any sleeping pill?"
"Definitely…!"
"I see… you know I'd hate if you had bad nights after this one…"
"Huh-huh?"
"What do you say we make it a permanent state?"
"Well… I guess this is up to you… Doctor…"
He looked her in the eyes, stroking her hair lightly.
"Fran, would you be my wife?"
She smiled, tears of happiness filling her eyes "… I would love to Max…"
She took his cheeks in her hands and kissed his lips softly. He hugged her deeply. "Then welcome home Mrs. Sheffield he said softly in her ear while he decided to show her once more how much he loved her…"
Outside, the first rays of the sun pulled the curtain of the most quiet night both had ever experienced…
The End
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