Back to Fan Fictionby
Jackie
(unmaven@netzero.net)
It has been about two years since Max and Fran divorced. When they got married they thought they would be married forever but that didn’t happen. Now Fran had a three bedroom co-op apartment in a luxury building in Queens where she and the twins live. It took awhile but she had finally made a good life for her family. She was working as a hairstylist in a fancy salon in Manhattan and making a lot of money. Saturday’s were usually her busiest day, but this was a rare week that she had three days off. She decided to go on a well deserved shopping spree. Grace who was going to college in the city stayed with Fran on the weekends. Sometimes she watched the twins when Fran went out.
On this particular day after a long morning of shopping in Manhattan Fran decided to go to one of her favorite restaurants for lunch. She sits at a table, as she is looking at the menu, she sees Max at a table with another woman. Fran is surprised to see Max in New York. As far as she knew he hadn’t been here in at least six months. Max is talking quiet intimately to the woman who he is with, and Fran wonders who she is. Fran tries not to look over at the table so he won’t see her. Finally her lunch comes, she eats keeping her eyes on the food, not wanting Max to see her. Fran wonders who this good looking blond, blue-eyed, five-foot six woman with long legs that seems to be in her early thirties wearing fashion designer clothes is. Fran doesn’t want to leave the restaurant yet is so she decides to get dessert which she usually doesn’t indulge in anymore. When she is almost ready to leave Max sees her, then greets Fran with cordial hello. He notices Fran has her hair cut shorter, and she is still wearing her designer clothes. Of course Fran can’t ignore him anymore so she says hello. He asks how the children are (she wonders if he really cares, he hasn’t seen them in over six months), then she asks who the woman was that he was having lunch with. Max tells Fran that he got married about seven months ago, that woman, Allison is his wife. Fran is shocked, and Max has to hold Fran to make sure she doesn’t pass out. Fran knew it was a mutual decision for them to divorce. Even though Max thought he could get along with Fran, it worked when she was the nanny, but not as his wife. Part of the problem was Fran thought he didn’t want to spend enough time with his family, plus she hated living in California. Also Fran still did a lot of things to annoy Max such as spend too much money, and cause him to lose actors or clients when she pulled silly stunts. But Fran was still shocked that Max remarried so quickly. Fran dated Tony who she met through Val when she first came back to New York, but she had no desire to get married again. Fran asked what Max was doing in New York since he still lived in California. He said he was here on a business trip but would stay to do some sightseeing with this wife. Fran said when she asked him to take some time off he never wanted to. She wondered if he had put more effort into their relationship if they would still be married. Then Fran said she had to go, Grace was watching the twins, so she had to get back. Max wanted to continue the conversation but Fran said to him "what is there to say, you have a new wife now, I have my own life, you haven’t seen your kids in awhile". Then Max asked her if he could see his kids. Max said that was one of the reasons he came to New York. Maybe he could come to see them next week, Fran said she wasn’t sure, but Max said that was the only time he had, could Fran please let him visit with them. Fran finally said he it was OK, after all they were his kids. Fran started to wonder if they hadn’t had the kids, would they still be married. Then out of the blue Max tells her that he really isn’t very happy in his marriage and he misses them being together even though they had a lot of problems. Fran says to him that at the end of their marriage there wasn’t much of a relationship. Max then says to her that this marriage was one of more convenience. His wife Allison, is his personal assistant so it seemed easier to marry her than let her go and have to find someone else (C.C. moved back to New York with Niles and their daughter Emily). Allison knew his schedule and helped him with things. She was threatening to leave if he didn’t marry her. Fran said that it sounds pretty much like a similar pattern, the same thing happened with them. Max said to her "no darling" I mean Fran, I wanted us to be together because I’m, uh, was in love with you". Fran asked him what his feelings were for her now, he said he didn’t know. Fran told him she had to get back home since Grace was going out on a date that night. After that Fran said goodbye to Max. He said that he would call her soon. Fran couldn’t believe that even though it was over two years since they had been together, Fran still missed Max sometimes, but apparently he got over her quickly since he was married again.
When Fran got home after seeing Max it stirred feelings in her that she had been trying to suppress. Even though they hadn’t been getting along that well when they were married it was Fran that initiated the divorce. If she had stayed married to Max things probably wouldn’t have changed that much, but now Fran was thinking maybe she was sorry about the split. She knew they would never stop loving each other. But Fran knew the arguing and tension when they were married wasn’t good for the twins. They had a pretty good life now, but a lot of times it still felt empty without Max. Fran had a date with her boyfriend Tony tonight, with the thoughts she was going through now she really didn’t want to go, but she knew it wasn’t right to cancel at the last minute.
A few days later Max calls Fran to ask her if he could come over one day that weekend to see the twins and Grace. Since Max got married again none of the kids were living with him anymore. They couldn’t stand his wife, Allison. Max said Brighton was planning to come in to see everyone. He was finally in college taking his studies in business seriously. Neither Fran nor Max had heard from Maggie lately. She was living in California with her son Tyler; she got a divorce from Michael about the same time her parents split. The last that Max heard about her was that she was living with her boyfriend and was pregnant. Fran was upset about what she was hearing about Maggie. Max said that he would come over on Saturday and they would discuss it, but Fran said that was a bad day for her, it was her busiest day at work. Sunday would be better.
When Sunday comes Fran is nervous about seeing everyone. At least Grace is there to calm her nerves. She helps Fran dress the twins, and tries keep them quiet while Fran gets ready. Fran is anxious about this visit then the bell rings Brighton and Max are at the door. Everyone talks for a few minutes then they go out to lunch. A couple of hours later they get back to the apartment, the twins seem tired so Fran puts them down for a nap. After that they try to catch up on what is happening in each other’s lives. Max seems relaxed so Grace and Brighton become very talkative. They asked where Allison is, Max tells them that Allison went home, she isn’t really interested in his family. He tells them that when he got married he told Allison that even though his kids don’t live with him anymore they are still part of this life; if they need him he has to be there for them. He said Allison wasn’t in love with that but she understood it. Later after twins wake up Grace and Brighton decide to take them to a movie so Max and Fran can be alone. They hope maybe their parents will try to get back together again. Even though the kids really don’t believe it, they decide why not give it a chance.
When everyone is gone it is hard for Fran and Max to make conversation. Max started by saying that the twins are getting big but they hardly remember him. He felt very sad about this. He noticed how much the kids look like both of them, it really got to him. He tells Fran that he wished he would have done things differently when they were married. All that was in the past and now he had his life with Allison. Fran says she agrees with him, but she starts to get emotional. Max tells her that she needs to keep herself in control. He just wanted his family to get back together. He missed seeing them. Max says he will try to get in touch with Maggie to see how she is doing. Then he tells Fran he needs to get ready to leave to go to the airport, he has to get back to his wife in California. It takes a few minutes for Max to get his things together then he says goodbye to Fran, gives her a quick hug that becomes a embrace and they kiss each other, both knowing it is wrong. Fran still feels the spark between them, but she pulls away from Max. She can tell that he still feels that spark too. After they part they both feel confused about the emotions of the embrace. Then he tells Fran that he really has to leave and she tells him just to go.
After Max leaves, Fran is totally alone, everything is quiet then all of a sudden emotions that she was trying so hard to forget were resurfacing again. Even though they are divorced Fran can’t stop loving Max, she knows he still feels something for her to in the way he kissed her. Fran tries to keep herself busy until everyone else comes back. When they return they ask where Max went, Fran said he had to get back to California. Grace and Brighton said they were sorry their father left, they were all having such a good time. Thankfully the kids were staying with her otherwise Fran didn’t know how she would be able to spend the night alone.
One evening about three months later in California Max thinks about his family in New York. His wife is out for the evening at one of her numerous charity events. Max sometimes goes with her but he had to work on a script so he stayed home. Even though he tries to work, he isn’t getting much done. Instead he thinks about the feelings he has for Allison and realizes they are quiet different that the ones he has for Fran. He feels Allison is more of a friend to him, but even though they aren’t together any more, he is still in love with Fran. He is sorry that they split, maybe if he had been more attentive to Fran and the kids they would still be together. Fran did a lot of things that got him angry when they were married, but now that they were apart he misses her more than ever. He realized that Fran cared about him, his wife Allison only seemed to be interested in her charity work and status in the community. Max starts missing his family in New York a lot, what about his life here with his wife. He knows he has to decide what to do with his life, does he want to try to go back to Fran or try to work on his relationship with Allison.
Since Max misses everyone in New York he decides to go to see them. This time he doesn’t tell Fran he is coming so she can’t tell him not to. When Max gets to New York he calls Fran early on a Saturday evening right after she got in from work. Fran is busy with the kids and Grace is getting ready for a date. She has a steady boyfriend for several months. Fran is happy about it. Grace had a difficult childhood but seems to be outgrowing it. She still gets depressed sometimes with all the craziness that is going on in her life, but as long as she has Fran, Grace seems to be OK. Suddenly the phone rings, Fran tells Grace to get it. She says that Max wants to speak with her. Fran goes to get the call in case it is an emergency. She asks why he is calling. Fran says she hasn’t heard from him in awhile. He tells Fran that he is in New York, can they can have dinner together. Fran says she can’t because she has no one to watch the kids since Grace is going out on a date. Max tells Fran that he will come over anyway. Fran says she doesn’t have time to see him, why does he want to see her again? Max says he misses her, Fran tells him that he is married now, why should he miss her. Max says to her he doesn’t know why. So Fran tells him to forget about coming over. He then tells Fran he really wants to see his kids again. But Fran says he hasn’t called in several months to say hello. He tells her that calling the kids is difficult because of the time difference. Then he says to Fran that "I miss the kids so much since I saw them the last time". I didn’t realize I was missing so much not seeing them grow up". Then Fran actually feels bad for Max so she tells him" you sound like you are hurting, OK, come over we’ll work something out". A little while later Max is at Fran’s and he sees the twins for a little while then helps put them to bed. Then instead of going out to eat they decide to order in. Just then Grace comes in from her date. She said her boyfriend was sick so she told him to go home. Max was really happy to see Grace and gave her a big hug. Fran was surprised that Max is being so nice to his children. Max asks Grace if she can watch the kids so they can go to dinner. Of course Grace says sure, anything that may get her parents together is positive. They go to a nice restaurant in the neighborhood. During dinner they have a nice conversation about the kids and what is going on in their lives. After dinner Max takes Fran home. When they reach the apartment they start kissing in front of the door. Fran doesn’t want Max to come in but she can’t tell him to leave. He comes in and Fran goes into the kitchen to get some drinks then takes them into the room. She sits down on the couch next to Max where they watch TV together for hours. Without realizing it they fall asleep together, the next thing they know it is morning. Max wakes up first not believing that he didn’t make it back to his hotel. He starts to get ready to leave but Fran hears him and wakes up. She is surprised that Max is still in the apartment. She asks him why is he still here, he tells Fran that they watched TV for so long they fell asleep on the couch. Fran told him it wasn’t right that he stayed at her place all night, he is married, this shouldn’t of happened. By the tone in Fran’s voice he knew he had to leave fast. Max asks Fran if she is ok, she tells him that he comes to New York and they had a nice time but he is stirring up old feelings that she has tried so hard to keep at bay. She tells Max that "she will always love him" but he is married to another woman now. She thinks they shouldn’t see each other anymore except if he wants to see the children. Max tells Fran that he will be in town till Monday and he wants to take the kids out tomorrow. The next morning Max comes over to take the twins out for the day. Fran is off from work so she does some shopping and sees her boyfriend Tony. Max is out with the kids all day, when he returns Fran is not back yet. He is nervous staying in the apartment with them. A little while later Fran comes home and the kids come running to her. They told Fran that they had a good time going to the zoo and the circus but dad won’t let them eat much candy. Fran is happy about that. Max is about to leave but Fran wants him to stay a little longer and help put the kids to bed and read them a story. After the kids are asleep Fran relents and talks to Max a little while. Then his cell phone rings, the number shows that Maggie is calling. She tells him that she sorry to bother him but she is in trouble. She is having a baby in about a month and her boyfriend told her to leave, she has no where to stay. Max said that he was with Fran; he would discuss it with her. They decide that Max would help Maggie out. Fran said she would come to California in a few weeks when the baby is due.
The next day Maxwell gets home and is exhausted but he goes to his office anyway. He tries to make some calls to see what he could do about helping Maggie. He couldn’t seem to make any headway. There was nothing more for him to do so he goes into the house. Max called out for his wife, he needed her. He felt that this would be a test of their marriage. Being with Fran this weekend left him more confused than ever. Allison came downstairs all dressed to go to an appointment. She noticed that Max seemed drawn and tired. Usually Allison just takes things in stride but this time she asks Max if he is OK. He says no, he needed to talk to her. Allison is nervous; she is hoping that Max doesn’t want to end the marriage. She knows she hasn’t paid much attention to their relationship. Instead he tells her about the problems that he is having with Maggie. Allison can tell that Max is really concerned abut his daughter. She tells him why didn’t he ask her in the first place, what is all that charity work she is doing for? Allison realizes that she has feelings for her husband, especially when he is vulnerable like this. She tells Max that she will make some calls to find Maggie an apartment, and get a social worker to help her out with the other problems. Max objects to that but Allison says that is what Maggie needs if she is going to get out of her situation. The next day both Allison and Max go to see Maggie. She is overjoyed to see her father, and surprised to see his wife Allison. Maggie thought that no one cared about her anymore, hopefully she was she wrong, she certainly was wrong about her husband Michael; after she had their son he wasn’t interested in her anymore. Max and Allison told her what they would do to help her and she told her father that if she had listened to him she would not have been in this situation. He asked her what her mother told her to do when she got divorced; she said that Fran told her to decide on a career, take good care of her son, and look for another relationship. He was glad that Fran didn’t say anything he didn’t think was right to Maggie. Max told Maggie that she had to listen to Fran. Also his wife Allison would help her out by getting a place for her to live and a social worker to help out with her problems. Max told her that he and Allison would pay for these things, but she had to try and straighten out her life with all this help or he won’t talk to her or her son anymore. Then Maggie got upset and started crying, but Max told her to stop crying since she is very pregnant, he didn’t want anything to happen to the baby.
A week later Maggie moves into her new apartment. She settles in quickly. Max tries to come to see her everyday. Also Fran and Allison call her several times a week. Maggie is surprised that Allison is being so nice to her. She also noticed that her father and Allison were getting along better lately. She doesn’t know what to think about that because she always thought her father and Fran belonged together. Maggie couldn’t really worry about her father right now, she had a lot of problems, and her baby was due in about a month. It was getting hard for her to take care of her son Tyler, who was only a year and a half old. Besides that she felt very lonely since she hardly saw anyone except for her father and occasionally Allison.
After Maggie got settled in her apartment Max called Fran and asked her if she still wanted to come to California to help Maggie when she had her new baby. Fran said of course, her daughter needed her, she was definitely coming. Then they made arrangements for Fran to go to California, but they would surprise Maggie. About a week later Maggie put her son down for a nap and then tried to watch some TV to take her mind off of her problems. That particular day she felt especially lonely and depressed. Then suddenly the doorbell rings, she goes to answer it and Fran was at the door. Maggie had never been so glad to see her mother; she hugged her tightly, but Fran felt squashed so she told her to let her go. Fran was shocked how tired, pregnant and unkempt Maggie looked. Maggie was shocked to see Fran; she asked her why she came. Fran said to help her and the new baby, of course. Maggie felt a sense of relief that her mother and father were here for her. Fran said she would spend as much time with Maggie as possible, but she brought the twins and mother with her so she would have to spend some time with them.
The next few days Fran tried to help Maggie get ready for the new baby and take her of her son. Fran couldn’t believe how much work it was. She even asked Max if he could do some shopping for his daughter. She told him he had to do it and not send Allison. Max even came over to Maggie’s a couple of times when Fran was there, it created a lot of tension, but afterwards they went out for coffee to try to talk by themselves. About a week later, Maggie went into labor but Fran wasn’t at the apartment, so she called her then they went to the hospital and Fran called Max to come. Maggie had another boy, that she named Jonathan. Fran couldn’t believe that she had "two grandchildren" now. Max was in total shock, he couldn’t believe that the baby was so cute, but now he said he felt old. Fran said that he still had two young children, he shouldn’t feel old. Max said his wife was hinting that maybe they should have a baby. His answer was absolutely no, he had two grandchildren now; he certainly wasn’t going to have another child at this stage of his life. After this Fran stayed for about another week but then she had to go back to New York, she had her life there. Max was glad that she was there with him; he had so many conflicting thoughts. He couldn’t believe how much he was thinking about Sarah, and how much he missed being with Fran.
After Fran got back to New York Max came to visit her there a couple of more times. One weekend Fran went away with her boyfriend Tony so Max had to watch the kids. The next time Max came to New York he took Fran out to dinner and they had a few drinks. Afterwards they went to his hotel room. They started kissing and getting more intimate than they should of. When the kiss ended Fran said she had better go. She said she is in a relationship and Max is married. She again asked Max about his feelings for his wife. She told him he had to think about this marriage – it seems as though he did not want to be in it anymore – did he love his wife? Max answered her that he didn’t know what he wanted anymore. Fran told him he needed to make a decision his wife or her.
When Max gets back to California he thinks things over for a few weeks. He knows that Fran is right – he can’t be married and have the feelings he still does for Fran. After doing a lot of soul searching he decides to tell his wife that he doesn’t love her and wants to end their marriage. Allison is more upset than Max thought, but she wanted the marriage and he really was never that interested. Shortly after Allison leaves the house, he calls Fran to tell her that his marriage is over and he wants her to come to California so they can be together again. Fran says she can’t drop everything and come out, she has too many commitments. She tells Max that even though Grace stays at NYU during the week she still needs her. Neither can she drop her boyfriend flat out, besides how can she pay for her things if she isn’t working. Max says her understands. He tells Fran that he is lonely without her and that "he loves her". Fran melts, she wants to hold and kiss Max so much. She hardly cares about anything else at that moment. Fran asks if he could come to stay with her for a while. Max decides that would be a good idea, it would get him away from the house in California. Even though Fran had decided that she didn’t want to be married to Max anymore, now that he was coming back she couldn’t wait till they were together again. Right away she called her boyfriend Tony telling him she was making up with her ex-husband. He thought she was crazy, but Fran knew she was crazy in love again.
Fran couldn’t wait till the end of the week when Max would get to New York. When the day came Fran and the twins went to pick him up at the airport. When the kids see him they get excited, Fran is happy about that. They start grabbing his legs; then Fran goes over and holds Max tightly. He nearly falls down. He tells the kids he will be here for awhile that he will play with them later. Then he hugs Fran again and they kiss. Fran feels calm, a feeling she hasn’t had since her and Max divorced. She knew she didn’t want life without him, she loves him so much. After that they go back to Fran’s apartment. They decide to have dinner there so they could have some quiet time together. Later they both put the children to bed; Max even read them a story. Then later they go to bed together, they are so exhausted that they fall asleep almost immediately. When they wake up in the morning they find they are holding each other. The first thing Max does is kiss Fran, he feels so happy that he is back with his family. He knows he can’t mess up again or Fran will tell him to leave. After that kiss Fran has to get up and take care of the children, meanwhile Max is still in bed wishing that Fran was his wife again. When the kids get up they ask if their father is still there when Fran says yes they run into the bedroom and play with him. With all these things going on Fran feels happy but she wishes Max and her were married again, she doesn’t know what will happen in the future.
The next couple of weeks Max, Fran and the kids spent a lot of time together. The kids got used to having their father around. When Fran had to go to work Max watched them instead of Grace or Sylvia. Max enjoyed taking care of the children more than he thought he would. Then when Fran came home from work she took over the job. Even one weekend the kids stayed with Sylvia so Max and Fran could be alone. When Tuesday came Fran didn’t want to go back to work, her weekend had been so idyllic. Both of them fell in love again, but now that Max and Fran seemed to be back together Max got a call that he had to go back to California for a project he was working on. That evening at dinner he told Fran about the call and asked her if she wanted to go back with him. Fran wasn’t sure what to do; if she went she wouldn’t get paid at her job. Also it was a lot of work to get the children ready for such a trip. Finally Fran decided not to go; of course Max was very disappointed. He told Fran he would try to be back soon. The night before Max left he took Fran out for a romantic evening, they went for dinner and dancing, he was holding her close and Fran put her head on his shoulder enjoying the scent of his after shave. The next morning Max left before everyone got up, he thought it would be easier than saying all the goodbyes.
When Max got back to the house in California he hated it, he missed his family, plus he couldn’t stand the way Allison had fixed up the house. He wanted to finish his work as soon as possible and put up the house for sale. He knew his life was back in New York, that it was a big mistake for him to ever move to California. Meanwhile in New York Fran was depressed lonely and having a lot of problems taking care of the kids because they were acting out since they missed their father. When Fran called Max in California she told him how much they all missed him and that she loves him so much, he heard the pain in her voice. Max knew he couldn’t stay in California much longer; he needed to be home with this family back east. Max decided he was going back to finish the project, he could change whatever he had to make it in New York.
That weekend he decided to go back. Fran had taken a few days off because she felt the kids needed her and without Max everything she did seemed to be an effort. Fran didn’t know how she did things before, but now she just dragged herself. A couple of days later Fran was trying the get kids to bed she thought that she heard someone opening the door. She called out "Grace, are you home" but instead she heard Max’s voice. She couldn’t believe he was back, Fran came running to the door with tears in her eyes, she just ran into his arms. She asked him "what are you doing here; I thought you had work to do in California. Max told her "I couldn’t work there, I missed my family here. Maggie would be the only person to keep me there, but she got back together with her boyfriend and now has a job so things seems to be looking better so there’s nothing to keep me in California anymore. Fran said nothing she just held Max for a few more minutes. Then he went and put the kids to bed so Fran could rest. Later when Max came to bed he told Fran he wasn’t leaving her anymore. She was the woman for him, the love of his life. Fran was the one that helped them all have a good life after his wife died; she was the only one that cared for him as a person, not for his money. Fran was so shocked by what Max said she had no words, she just cried.
For the next few months Max and Fran tried to adjust to life together. They found that in New York it was very easy. Now that Max was here they had more money, so they hired a baby sitter for the kids and someone to look after the apartment. Fran didn’t have to worry about anything. This period was a very happy time in her life. One time she even took Max to the salon, they couldn’t believe that Max was Fran’s ex-husband. In fact Fran told them that they were thinking about get married again.
It took over nine months but finally Max got an annulment from his wife Allison. After that they discussed getting married. Fran told him, yes they should. Max decided to give Fran a beautiful ring with an aquamarine setting. Now Fran had so much jewelry that she didn’t know what to do with it. A few months later they had a small wedding ceremony and reception in Las Vegas with just a few friends and family. All their children were at the wedding, including Maggie who had recently gotten married and seemed very happy and content. Fran was glad all her heartache was in the past, now all she had to look forward to was happiness in the future.
The End
Back to Fan FictionBack to The Really Unofficial Nanny Home Page