Cinderella

by

Anakin
(anakin_skywallkr@hotmail.com)

"Ma’!… I’m not THAT desperate!"

"Sweetheart, I’m your mother, I know what’s best for you… If you hadn’t been dumped by this schmuck Imperiali, I’d have come and ripped off his insides myself!"

"Oy! Ma’!… Why don’t you mind your own business?!"

"You’re my daughter, and THAT’s my own business… the only poor good you ever got from that schmuck was the salary you earned!"

"Anyway Ma, there was no need to get me an invitation that quick to this very classy party at the Waldorf Astoria! I’ll be sooooo like a fish outta the water there! Besides, I don’t feel like going out at the moment…"

"Darling…" Sylvia put a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. "… I’m not getting younger, and I want to be in a good shape at your wedding, so if you have a little pity for your mother, you’ll get your tuchus moving and go dress up for this party!… There’ll be plenty of lawyers, doctors, handsome, and probably Jewish for some of them…"

"… And probably with their wives or girlfriends…"

"You’re over pessimistic Darling… Do as I say… And I’m sure you’ll thank me one day…"

"Yeah right…" She mumbled sighing… After all, she might be needing that: an evening in a place where nobody knew her, where she could forget all her disillusions and concentrate on her new future…

She stopped in front of her mirror and didn’t like what she saw. Oh come on Fran Fine! That’s not YOU! She headed for the bathroom to take a shower.

She turned the faucet and let the hot water run between her tensed shoulders… Yeah, that was the right thing to do: go to that stupid party, have fun, and forget about all about her current worries…

*****

Maxwell Sheffield fumbled with his tie for the hundredth time. Not that he was nervous, but C.C. had forced him to go to that party, and had suddenly decided she had more important things to do, leaving him alone and unable to cancel anything. At least, would C.C. have been there, he’d have had someone to talk to, something to talk about, and maybe even a chance to charm a few potential investors at the same time. Now he was like an idiot, with no date, going to one of these academic parties where everyone smiled at everyone, not being the least sincere.

He heard a discreet knock on his door. He turned to see his faithful butler Niles come in, and looked at him in despair, his question hanging in mid air, as well as his hands.

Niles smiled and joined him in a few strides, to knot the rebellious tie in an elegant Windsor.

"Ah thank you old man… What would I do without you?"

Niles smiled gently.

"Nervous Sir?"

"Not at all… ‘Bored’ would be a better word for what I feel already… Damn… If at least C.C. hadn’t had that stupid family reunion at the last moment!… What possessed her to go there anyway? She never speaks to her mother but through a lawyer, she hates her cousin, and she’s been getting the same Christmas present from her brother for 10 years!… A game of Mah Jongg!…"

"Sir, the laws of Nature… those insects always are more offensive after a big gathering…"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Nothing Sir…"

"Oh and by the way Niles, thank you for keeping an eye on the children… Since Brighton frightened the last Nanny with his fake suicide, I’ve seemed to be on the black list for Nannies… I hope to solve this problem as soon as possible…"

Niles chuckled.

"No problem Sir… But as a friend, let me tell you they need more a father than a Nanny…"

Maxwell sighed.

"I know Niles… I just don’t know how to handle them anymore… I’ve let them go farther and farther away from me, and I don’t know how to reach them now… I wish someone would teach me…" He said with regret.

"You’ll find the right woman sir…"

"Don’t be ridiculous Niles. I’m not sure I want to marry again, and even it that was the case, the only women I meet are way too hypocritical for me, much too uptight, and not sensitive enough to help me raise Brighton, Margaret, and Grace… Rhaa and I bloody don’t know why I keep preparing for that party!" He said almost raging, putting on his cufflinks.

Niles put a comforting hand on his boss’s shoulder.

"Relax Sir, take the evening for what it is, and have fun…"

Maxwell looked at his butler with a defeated air.

"How do I look?"

"Perfect Sir…"

"Thanks Niles, you’ll get a double Christmas bonus!" he winked.

Niles chuckled, then Maxwell was gone…

*****

Fran stepped into the richly lighted and crowded hall. She was wearing a long sleeveless black sequined dress, and her hair artistically cascaded down to her shoulders in large curls. Intimidated, she saw the buffet and decided to feed her hungry stomach while getting accustomed to the atmosphere of the room.

Maxwell had been nonchalantly chatting with a few people he vaguely knew for a good 10 minutes, when he saw her. She was a vision… He ended his small talk with the people, giving the excuse of a sudden urge for eating, and approached the buffet.

Fran was discreetly trying to get rid of a piece of shrimp stuck between two teeth, she jumped at the sound of his voice.

"What could a beautiful woman like you be doing all alone in a party like that?" He said gently.

Fran turned slowly towards the sound of the voice, and could not believe the handsome – gorgeous actually – man was talking to her. She smiled shyly, still trying to get rid of the piece of shrimp…

"Actually eating shrimp… Wanna join me?" She managed to say.

He chuckled softly.

"With pleasure… My name is Maxwell…" he said, holding up his hand.

Fran shook it. "Fran…"

He took one of the small plates and started filling it.

"So?… Fran… All alone?… I don’t believe it one minute…" he didn’t know why, but all of a sudden, his usual British reserve had all fallen to pieces and he was actually talking to this woman like he were her neighbor… Most unusual to him…

"Well… You’d better believe it because I’m all by myself… One of these stupid things I got stuck into…"

Maxwell sighed.

"I know what you mean… the woman I should have come here with cancelled at the last minute and here I am, all by myself too…"

"That was mean… Well… We might as well enjoy each other’s company!" She said with a wink and a bright smile.

"With the utmost pleasure Fran" He smiled back, taking her hand, and brushing his lips on the back of it.

A small silence settled, both fascinated an instant, by the other one. Maxwell broke the uneasy atmosphere.

"Err… What about those shrimp to start with?…"

"Good idea!"

Fran took a small plate too, and they filled both of theirs with various items, then headed towards an empty table with two chairs in a corner of the room.

"So Fran… what’s your current occupation, if I may ask?"

"Well… Actually, I’m changing jobs at the moment… I worked for someone for quite a long time, but well… It didn’t end up well, and I’ve decided to try on my own – so to speak – I’ll be a commercial agent for a while, and then I hope to start my own business… I need money first…"

"Ambitious-eh?" He said smiling.

"Yeah… After what happened to me, that was the only solution… either that or get drowned… And you?"

"Oh I’m in Show Business… I actually did what you’re going to do, but quite some time ago, and now I’m on my own… making my own deals – so to speak – and "conquering the world" with my business associate…

"Oh!… that’s great too…"

He smiled a bit embarrassed.

"I guess I was very lucky at some point in my life, and it helped a lot… At the moment…" He added with a shadow in his eyes. Then he smiled at her. "I wish you to have the same luck Fran…"

"Thank you Maxwell…"

Again, an embarrassed silence settled between them. Maxwell could not detach his eyes from her harmonious and curvaceous figure. She felt his almost burning look, and blushed a little. He noticed.

"Excuse me for staring Fran, but you’re the most exquisite woman I’ve seen in a long time…"

"Thank you…" she replied shyly.

"Would you care to dance?" He said, extending his arm.

"Sure!"

She took his hand, relieved that this awkward silence was over. She felt totally bewitched by this charming gentleman with a British accent… Not to mention he was extremely handsome…

Maxwell gathered her in his arms, and they started swaying gently on the dance floor. Holding her tightly, he revelled in the feelings the proximity of her body was giving him. He buried his face in her hair, and got inebriated by the soft scent of her shampoo. After a while, they had forgotten all about everything, not even listening to the music, but attentive to any of the signals their bodies sent to their minds…

"Fran…" Said Maxwell, almost choking.

"Yes?" Came the reply as a whisper.

"This is… This is the first time in a long time that I’m feeling what I’m feeling right now…"

"… And it’s the first time I’ve ever felt like this…" She confessed too.

He held her closer.

"I’m not used to asking that kind of things on a first date…"

"Date?" She said, half amused.

"Date." He confirmed. "Although We didn’t actually know each other until about 2 hours ago, I’d definitely call this a date, wouldn’t you?" He said, trying to lighten the electric atmosphere.

She chuckled softly and whispered: "I would…"

"Fran… Let’s go some place private…"

"Yes…" she breathed, having subconsciously anticipated this moment with excitement.

A big applause was suddenly heard, a cake had been brought, and its magnificence had caused the applause. Maxwell and Fran looked at each other, and in a mute agreement, they exited the ballroom, and headed for the reception.

A heavy silence settled in the elevator, both acting as if on autopilot. When the doors opened, Maxwell went straight to the door of the room, opened it to Fran, and locked it behind them. Once inside. He grabbed her by the waist and the next second, his mouth was hungrily exploring hers, drinking her, as if it was the only way for him to calm an incredible thirst.

Her hands went up to his tie, and loosened it, making the jacket fall in the same motion. As she was busy working on the studs of his shirt, he sought the zipper of her dress, and made it fall down. He took her in his arms, and lay her on the bed.

Soon, they were both indulging in their feelings…

Nothing could have prepared Fran to what she experienced with Maxwell. The man was almost a stranger but yet, he could make her feel things she had never experienced. It was as if she had met him only to discover what "making love" was really all about. He was sensual and tender, attentive to the least of her desires, caring, talented, and he opened a door in her she never knew was there…

Maxwell felt electrified at the contact of her skin, her curves were absolutely perfect, the look in her eyes was so warm and… Would he dare thinking it: held a potential love he wanted to grab and make grow. As soon as he had seen her, he had felt irresistibly attracted to her. A special attraction, not only physical, but something had told him she was the woman who could meet all his needs and who could brighten his existence and his entire house… that special woman Niles had been talking about a few hours before. There was something radiating about her he had never found in any of the women he had met, and that something had definitely captured a part of his soul…

At last, they cuddled one to the other, spooned in a tight embrace, and revelled in the peace of the aftermath.

He caressed her cheek with one finger.

"That was very special to me Fran, you are very special to me… I never met anyone like you…"

She sighed of contentment.

"It was special to me too…"

"I want you to meet my relatives…" he started.

"Shhh…" She interrupted him, putting a finger on his mouth. "Let’s not spoil the moment… We’ll have plenty of time to talk about this tomorrow…"

He smiled tenderly and softly kissed her lips.

"You’re right… I’m so happy I met you…"

"I’m happy I met you too…"

Fran smiled and kissed him too, then they slowly drifted with sleep…

Fran woke up drowsily. She turned her head and saw that Maxwell was sleeping peacefully. She smiled, remembering the tender moments they had shared all along the evening, then the night, and allowed herself the luxury to observe his relaxed handsome face for a few minutes, then her eyes drifted to his chest, his arm, resting on her thigh, his hand… His fingers… A wedding band! The man was MARRIED!!!

Fran tried to gather her thoughts. How hadn’t she noticed before?! A terrible cold invaded her insides, suddenly, his touch felt like venom, and she discreetly, but quickly slipped out of bed. She put her dress on, and silently walked to the door. Before closing it, she looked at him one more time, her eyes a mixture of frustration, disgust, and fury, then she closed the door…

Maxwell woke up with a start. Even though he was now used to finding an empty spot by his side, he perfectly well knew it shouldn’t have been empty. He called her softly.

"Fran?…"

Hearing nothing, he got up, and went to the bathroom. "Fran?…"

Soon he had to acknowledge the evidence: he was alone… The only woman he had felt that way for in a long time had fled his life… He sat down on the bed not understanding… Had he been that wrong?… Was she just one of those cover girls that had a good time then didn’t even say good bye?… Had she been scared?… What the Hell had crossed her mind to leave him empty and helpless after such a night of commitment from both of them?!…

He felt lost and abandoned. Something had happened between him and this very special woman, something strong, a bound that he had felt was indestructible, and still… She had fled… Why?…

Fran shut the door silently and leaned onto it, closing her eyes painfully. The apartment was still, silent, and dark. She took her shoes off and went to her room. She quickly refreshed and put her pajamas on before lying down. How could I be so stupid?! The man was just trying to add a new figure cheating on his wife, and I FELL for it!… I stupidly fell for it… For him…! She thought, not avoiding the lump in her throat and a small tear at the corner of her eyes. The night had been magic before her terrible discovery, she had clearly thought something very special had happened between her and this man, but it was all a lie! She felt frustrated and betrayed, but it was not in her DNA to complain forever, so she firmly shut her eyes, decided to think of something else, and tried to sleep at least for the couple of hours that was left before dawn. Tomorrow was another day…

*****

On a sunny Monday morning, Fran arrived before a beautiful Mansion. It was her fifth attempt this morning, and so far, she hadn’t managed to even talk one minute about her products. She sighed and clenched her fist. Come on Fran Fine, this is the one! She breathed deeply in and tried a few introductions while going to the door. Not satisfied with any of them, she decided she would improvise. She rang.

A man in a domestic’s attire came to open.

"Hello, I’m Fran Fine…"

"Yes, we’ve been expecting you, you are here for the Nanny position?"

"Err… Could be…" She said, taking in the beauty of the house. She thought quick: after all, this could be a chance for her to change. "Why, are you looking for a special kind of Nanny?"

The man looked both dumbfounded and very tired.

"Just a Nanny… The agency has been promising me someone for weeks already, and I still haven’t seen anybody… that is… except you…"

Fran decided she should be frank.

"Look, I am not really what you could call a Nanny, but nevertheless I do know how to handle kids, how old are they?"

"14, 9, and 6…"

"Then I guess I could try my hand, Mr…?" She said smiling, extending her hand.

"Niles." He said, taking her hand with a strange look in his eyes.

"Well Mr Niles…"

"No, just Niles…"

"Oh, OK… Niles, why don’t you hire me on a trial basis first, and see what I can do with those kids during… Errrr… Say a week?…"

Niles was now smiling warmly.

"Actually it’s not for me to say, Mr. Sheffield will decide whether he hires you or not…"

"Oh? And who is this Mr. Sheffield?"

"The master of the house…"

"And where is he?"

Niles sighed in defeat.

"That’s the problem. He suddenly had to leave on business a few days ago and will only be back at the end of next week… and I am to be the one taking care of the monsters, with the house and all…"

"No Mrs. Sheffield?"

"Mr. Sheffield is, very sadly, a widower…"

"Oy… I think I have overstepped my bounds…"

"No, don’t worry, you were not supposed to know about this… And actually, that’s why we are in terrible need of a Nanny, I don’t think I could go on like this…"

"Hey calm down Niles…" She said, trying to soothe the poor butler. "Let me handle these ‘monsters’ you’re talking about… I kept my sister’s two daughters once, and believe me there’s nothing these kids could throw at me that I am not prepared for…" She winked.

Niles smiled broadly.

"Then welcome Miss Fine… that is until Mr. Sheffield returns at least…" Niles thought he might very well like this woman and her bluntness…

"OK… I quit that lousy job anyway…"

"I wouldn’t want to…" he said, a bit worried.

"Oh don’t worry Niles" she interrupted him "The pay is so small I have to keep staying at my parents’ because I can’t even rent an apartment!… And I thought it could help me save enough money to build my own salon!"

She almost laughed. After all, the day might not finish the way it had started, this time…

"Shall I show you to your room?"

"Oh! The Nanny gets to sleep in this beautiful house?"

"As well as take all her meals there…"

"WOW! This is getting better and better!"

Niles chuckled.

"Then, maybe you would like me to send George pick a few things at your place for you?"

"George?"

"The chauffeur…"

"Oy! A chauffeur!… Boy I’m gonna stop asking all these questions or you’re gonna think I’m a freak!"

Niles chuckled again.

"Not at all Miss Fine, I understand you may not be used to that kind of things yet…" He definitely liked her…

Fran settled at the mansion the same day, in the evening, she was to meet the children, and could not help feeling a little apprehensive after all Niles had told her…"

*****

Niles led the way down the stairs. Following him, three children, looking rather shy, but she knew from the minute she saw the boy, that it was probably only a cover for them to evaluate her…

Niles stepped aside, and let the children line up next to him. He cleared his throat.

"Here is Miss Margaret…"

The teenager made a slight curtsey, which almost made Fran burst out with laughter. She didn’t though, but smiled broadly and went to tug a lock of hair behind the teenager’s ear.

"Hey Maggie, no need to be that polite with me! I’m just the Nanny!"

Margaret looked at Niles in disbelief, he nodded slightly, telling her it was all right.

The boy had abandoned his shy attitude and was now watching Fran a bit insolently.

"Yeah, she’s just a domestic Mags, don’t forget it…"

"You’re right young man, but I don’t think that’s how a boy your age and your education should behave. If you treat the ice-cream man that way, you’re not gonna get any ice-cream!"

"Ha…" He started, but Fran was quicker.

She reached out and held a finger in front of his face.

"I’m not sure you really understood young man… We can be friends or not, it’s for you to decide…"

The lad was going to say something, but he finally decided not to, and looked at her with dark eyes.

This time Fran burst out laughing.

"Oy!… Look at him!…" She smiled broadly and looked directly in his eyes. "I guess we’ll be friends…" She said with a wink.

Niles smiled for himself and cleared his throat.

"This was master Brighton… And… Miss Grace…"

For this one, Fran had nothing to say or do. One look at the little girl and she felt all the pain and the wounds that had marked the child. She stepped forward, cupped her chin with a hand, and gently kissed her cheek.

"Hello Gracie…" She said tenderly.

Grace didn’t reply, but looked at Fran with such an intensity that Fran felt she had been analysed from head to toe in a split second by this little girl. She felt a little uneasy, but Grace gave her a timid smile… Fran smiled back.

The evening went by, rather silent at dinner, then all the children went up to their rooms. Niles was clearing the table in the kitchen, he had changed into more casual clothes. Fran stood up and helped him.

"So Niles, how did you think it went?"

"Mmmm… I’d say rather well…"

"Well?! They did not even looked at me!"

Niles chuckled.

"Oh believe me Miss Fine, they did…"

Fran looked at him surprised written all over her face.

"… Every time you were not looking in their direction, all three sets of eyes were fixated on you, examining you… I bet they’re all in one room discussing over which attitude they should have towards you… Tomorrow will probably be your toughest day. So far, no nanny lasted longer then the first day…"

"Very encouraging Niles" She said playfully.

"Don’t worry Miss Fine, you’re not like the other Nannies they had…"

"I wonder if I should take this as a compliment!"

"You most certainly should…" He said, smiling.

Fran smiled too.

"You know what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna head upstairs, and see what these three are up to…"

"My God!… I’ll call an ambulance!"

"Niles!" She swatted him playfully on the arm.

"Excuse me Miss Fine…" He chuckled.

Fran shook her head smiling, and headed for the back stairs.

She arrived in front of a bedroom door and heard whispers inside. She softly knocked, the whispers stopped, then a shy voice said:

"Come in?"

Fran stepped in, and saw the three children seated in the bedroom at various places.

Fran sat on the floor and looked at them expectantly…

"So, kids, what were you talking about?"

An embarrassed silence ensued.

Fran sighed slightly, and stood up, smiling.

"OK, you don’t want to talk now, maybe you’ll want to talk another time?"

And she started for the door.

Grace jumped from her sitting position and came to hold Fran’s hand.

"Can you read me a story before I go to bed?" the little girl asked shyly.

Both Brighton and Maggie looked at each other, astounded.

Fran smiled warmly, and took Grace in her arms.

"Sure sweetie, show me your room…"

And they exited the bedroom.

Brighton and Maggie stared blankly at each other.

"… And that’s how the Prince broke the curse holding the Princess prisoner, and freed her from the Evil witch. He married her, and they lived happily ever after…"

Fran closed the book and checked on Gracie who was sleeping peacefully. She tucked the bed clothes better, and switched off the light, then she exited the room silently.

Once in the corridor, she went to knock on Brighton’s door.

"Yes?" Came the boy’s voice.

She stepped inside. Brightons was probably doing some school work for all his school books or almost were scattered all over the bedroom floor.

"Hey B., may I help you?"

"I don’t think you could…" He replied in a surly tone.

"Ah ah… You shouldn’t underestimate me, what’s your problem?"

Brighton sighed and turned to face her.

"I’ve got a science project, the deadline is in two days, and see that blank sheet of paper?… That’s all I’ve got for it…"

"Hmmm… I’m not a scientist myself…"

"See?… What did I tell you?" And he turned his back to Fran.

"… But… Hey after all, preparing cosmetics is a bit on the scientific side, right?"

Brighton turned back to her slowly.

"Yes?" He said, wondering what she was talking about.

"I may have something for you young man… wait here, I’m gonna fetch my case…"

She exited the room and came back a few minutes later with her pink ‘Shades of the Orient’ case…

She came to sit next to Brighton and opened it.

"You know, each type of skin needs a proper cream… You cannot give the same cream to everyone, because the surface of the skin is different from one person to another… "

"Go on…?"

Fran started to explain all the properties of the creams she had experienced, and the types of skins that matched them, then concluded by showing Brighton how to prepare a peeling cream, a cleaning lotion, and a beauty mask… After an hour, Brighton was convinced he had an interesting subject to talk about…

Fran stood up and left him a few samples. Brighton looked at her smiling. She headed for the door, but as she had her hand on the doorknob, Brighton stopped her.

"Hey…" He started with an embarrassed face "I… I want to say I’m sorry for this afternoon… I didn’t really mean it…"

Fran smiled and cupped his chin.

"No worries B…."

Brighton smiled a little.

"Hey thanks for the idea Miss Fine…"

"Fran…"

Brighton smiled brightly. "Fran!"

Fran exited. One more and I’ll be done! She thought with satisfaction. She knocked on the third door and stepped in.

Maggie was reading on her bed. She sat up straight when Fran entered, and looked shyly at her shoes…

"Hey Maggie…" She said gently.

"Hey…"

"You’re way too shy for your age sweetie…" Fran tugged a lock of her hair behind her ear, once again. "Something’s troubling you?"

Maggie shook her head negatively.

Fran made her look at her.

"No, no miss… I was there before you!" She winked.

Maggie sighed.

"It’s just… Oh never mind…"

"Come on, go ahead…" Fran encouraged.

"Well… All the girls in my class are starting to date, and I don’t… nobody likes me… I don’t even have real friends…"

Fran shook her head slightly…

"Shhh… Don’t say that… it’s just because they just saw the caterpillar!… Now we’ve got the show them the beautiful butterfly!"

"Butterfly?… I will never be a butterfly…"

"Yes of course, if you say so!… Trust me Maggie, if you let me help you I bet you’ll be the most popular girl in the school by next month!"

"I don’t want to be the most popular girl, I just want to have friends…"

Fran smiled.

"Well… that’s a LEAST what you’ll get sweetie!… Trust me… You know, before being an inexperienced Nanny, I was an experienced beauty counsellor!"

Maggie smiled shyly.

"I don’t think you’re an inexperienced Nanny…"

*****

A week had passed, and Niles was amazed at how Miss Fine had handled the children. This lady was the first, in a long line of nannies, that had managed so well in so short a time, with the little monsters, and to top it all, they really seemed to like her!

Mr. Sheffield was due to arrive soon, and he hoped dearly the interview would turn out well… Even though she was not a nanny, she was definitely THE nanny they needed!

Miss Fine entered the kitchen at this precise moment, holding Grace by the hand.

"OK Niles, I’ve promised Gracie I would see her dance at her ballet class, we’ll be back by six…"

"I’ll tell George to drive you…"

"You’re kidding?… The place is five blocks from here, we’ll take the subway!"

"The subway Miss Fine?… are you sure it’s not dangerous with a little girl?"

"Nah… Not at this hour…"

"I want to go on the subway!" exclaimed Grace with an excited smile.

"See?…"

"Miss Fine, I’ll let you go on one condition…"

"Which is?"

"You let me tell George to drive you back…"

"Niles, don’t worry, we’ll be fine! No need to tell George, I promise we’ll take a cab if the subway’s too crowded when we get back OK?"

Niles sighed.

"You’re impossible Miss Fine…"

Fran winked. "I know!"

Gracie giggled, and they went out, with Niles slightly shaking his head, smiling.

The phone rang.

"Sheffield residence?"

"Niles?…"

"Mr. Sheffield?…"

"Niles, I’ve managed to catch an earlier plane, could you send George pick me and C.C. up at La Guardia?"

‘Lucky Miss Fine didn’t accept my offer in the end!’ he thought before answering.

"Of course Sir, err… a pity you arrive a bit earlier though, if I may say so… Miss Fine, the new Nanny, is out with Miss Grace at her ballet class…"

"Oh… Well, I’ll see her soon enough anyway, right?…"

"Yes Sir… I’ll send George right away…"

"Thank you Old man…"

*****

Grace stepped into the house, while Fran shook her umbrella outside. She shut the door and took the little girl’s coat to put it in the closet.

"Ya know what I’m craving for right now Gracie, and I’m sure that when you know, you’ll be too?"

Grace looked at her smiling.

"No?"

"A creamy and steamy hot chocolate!"

"Yeah!" Grace giggled.

Fran hugged her and led her to the kitchen where she found Niles preparing dinner.

"Hiya Niles! Would you be a doll and prepare two hot chocolates for two cold and a little wet young girls?" She winked.

Niles shook his head smiling at the words ‘young girls’ but started preparing the beverages.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Sheffield has arrived and would like to see you, he’s in his office… would you take your beverage now or after seeing him?"

"Errr… Well I… I think it’s best if I see him now…"

"Then I’ll lead you to his office."

"Oh don’t worry Niles, I’m a big girl, I can find my way, this little girl here needs her milk and magnesium!"

"Then let me at least announce your arrival through the intercom…"

"OK…"

Fran exited the kitchen and followed the corridor leading to the office at a light step, although she was a bit apprehensive.

She stopped in front of the door, took a deep breath, and knocked…

"Come in!"

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her, then she raised her eyes…

"YOU?!" they both exclaimed.

After the first moment of surprise, Fran wondered whether she should run away from him, from this house, and her new life, but something held her… A widower… The man was a widower!… He kept his ring, but he was indeed single… Once again, she wanted to run away… What a terrible mistake!

Her train of thoughts was interrupted by the rattling of Maxwell’s chair on the floor. He stood up and came around his desk, his face a mix of confusion, angriness, and relief. Calmly, he turned the intercom off, and looked at her with an inquisitive look.

"You are Miss Fine, my new Nanny?" He asked very slowly.

She was still trying to recover from her surprise.

"Yeah…"

He sighed.

"What a surprise…"

"You bet…"

A heavy silence settled, then Maxwell said:

"Why?"

"Why what?" She looked at him.

"Why did you run off? Why did you tell me lies about your job?"

"Hey that was right!… I WAS a commercial agent, a sales girl, before I rang your door… Oy! What does it matter anyway?…" She sighed and sat on the love seat next to the door. "Boy, I could use a drink right now…" She muttered. She took a deep breath. "I woke up during the night, looked at you, saw your wedding band, thought you were married and cheated on your wife, ran off… end of story…"

Maxwell sighed too and went to sit next to her.

"… And I thought you were just another of these cover girls…"

"… I was deeply shocked…" She sighed again. "Now… I’m supposed to be your Nanny… I think it’s best if I leave…"

"No!" He said vehemently, standing up. "Not again!"

"Look I…"

"I want you to stay." He interrupted her.

"You’re my boss now…"

"So what?"

"It would be impossible for me to work for you after what happened…"

"Shhh…!" He sat down next to her and looked her in the eyes.

"Niles told me what you did with the kids so far and… No Nanny I’ve hired ever achieved this level of communication with any of them…"

"I’ll explain to them…"

"You’ll explain what?!" He cut her, standing up. "… That we shared a fantastic night together, although we hadn’t met before, nor knew anything about the other one before, and that it’s impossible for you to live here because of that?!… What do you think they will imagine?!"

"And that’s my point exactly!…"

"There has to be another solution!… Don’t you understand that what happened was something I’d never done before? That I felt an irresistible need to touch you, to hold you, to mingle my soul and yours?! … And that when you left, I didn’t know whether to cry, to curse you, or to try to find you?!…" He calmed a little bit and ran a hand in his hair.

Fran sat, her head bent, trying to digest his words.

He came to squat in front of her and held her shoulders, making her face him gently.

"Most inexplicably Fran, I fell in love with you the minute I saw you, and since then, I have been wanting to find you, and to make you part of my life… I searched you through all my contacts, I would never have suspected you would come back to me as my Nanny…

"See?!" She exclaimed, brushing his hands away, standing up. "You already put walls between us… you’re right, I’m your Nanny, and I never belonged to your world, this relationship is doomed before it even begins!"

"It’s YOU who puts walls between us!…"

"No! I didn’t put those walls, they existed before! I’m a sales girl, you’re a rich Broadway producer, two different worlds, two different people…"

"Well it’s not written on your face, neither on mine! When we shared those moments, we both didn’t give a damn about who the other one was!"

"I knew who I was!"

"So what?!… My God, Fran…!" he stood up defeated, paced a little in his office, running a hand through his hair, then paused and looked at her with a tortured face.

"All right, if you want to leave, I won’t prevent you from doing so, but you’ll have to deal with the children yourself. I’m not going to be the one to deprive them from what they seem to have found with you in so short a time… I’ve had enough myself…"

He opened the door for her, and she exited silently to go upstairs.

Maxwell shut the door behind her and went back to his desk pensively.

Niles knocked a few moments later, taking Maxwell out of his daze. His faithful butler came in with a tray for tea, and started to pour the beverage into one of the cups silently.

Maxwell sighed and took his cup.

"Help yourself old man, and have a sit …"

"Oh! I could use that, thank you!"

Niles took a cup and went to sit on the love seat.

"I don’t know what to do Niles…"

"You think she’s not suitable?"

"Oh no… She is suitable… She is damn well suitable… That’s not it…"

He seemed to gather his thoughts then went on.

"Remember that party I should have gone to with C.C., but which she cancelled at the last minute a month ago or so?"

"Mmm… the one she went to a family gathering instead, that turned out to be a real disaster?…"

"Yes, that one…"

"As I recall, it was not the best evening for you either, although you came back home pretty late… or pretty early in the morning I should say…"

"Yes… Well… I never told you what happened then… I met a terrific young woman there, I was mesmerized, and I did something I’m really not used to… We took a room, and spent part of the night together… We had never met before…"

Niles opened eyes like saucers… From his boss?! The woman must have been really unique!

Maxwell went on…

"… We both experienced a kind of commitment I had never known before, I felt like I had found the woman that would be the mother to my kids, and my soul mate, and from what she said, what she told me, I really had the feeling she felt almost the same way …"

"But?…"

"When I woke up, I found myself all alone. She had disappeared, like Cinderella, except she had not left any kind of hint for me to find her… I felt betrayed, and actually, I thought many nasty things about that woman at that moment… I left the hotel, came back, and tried to forget that night… But I just couldn’t forget her. I tried everything to find her with no success … Until the pastS caught up with me…"

"Let me finish the story… That woman is Miss Fine, right?"

"Yes… And the ‘funny’ thing is that she left because when she saw my wedding band, she thought I was married… I don’t think she thought the Maxwell she met that night was the same Maxwell she was supposed to be working for. She was as surprised as I was. Now she wants to leave, which I understand somehow… But… I don’t want her to, and I don’t know how to make her stay…"

"I wouldn’t trade my place for yours right now Sir, I have to admit it… Why don’t you talk to her?"

"I have already…"

"What about the children?"

"She’ll have to tell them…"

"Then maybe all is not lost… If I were you, I’d try to talk to her once more… Don’t worry about the children, I’ll treat them to a pizza tonight. We’ll be out. I think you’ll need all the privacy you can get…"

"Thank you old man…"

*****

Maxwell wondered several minutes whether he should knock or not, but he finally decided to, and waited for a reply…

"Come in?"

He stepped in. Fran was on her bed, with an opened empty suitcase at her feet. Her wardrobe was opened too, but all her clothes were still in.

She looked at him. He closed the door behind him silently. Still silently, he went to sit next to her. They remained silent for a few seconds which appeared like eternity…

"I can’t pack… I’ve been sitting there since we had our talk in the office… trying to figure out what I should do… Part of me wants to stay, I really love these three kids of yours… But part of me wants to go…"

"I wish you to stay…"

She sighed.

"You’re not helping…"

"I’ve thought of a solution…"

"What is it?" she asked, a bit disillusioned.

He put his hand under her chin, and made her look at him.

"Fran… That night… I had never known anything like it before, and my life hasn’t been the same since either. Even though I was very angry at you, I could not forget your eyes, your smile, or what was radiating – and still is – from you… I could not forget your commitment to me, I could not forget your body and the perfect match it seemed to be to my own…"

"Maxwell, stop this… Things have changed… A lot…"

"Shhh…" He interrupted her. "Once again, I have thought a great deal since that talk… I have thought about my children… You said you loved them, if you don’t want to stay for me, stay for them. I couldn’t impose such an ordeal on them once more… They already suffered too much when they lost their mother…"

"… Maxwell, how could I sleep in that room knowing you are sleeping next door, and that I don’t have the right to touch nor approach you because you’re supposed to be my boss?! You’re not the only one who has feelings you know!"

Maxwell smiled and kissed her lightly.

"We don’t have to live that… I guess there’s something in the Constitution of the United States, which allows two people to live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, and build what is called a family… Provided you sign some legal papers and stuff like this… There’s one condition though… You have to be in love with the other person and vice versa…"

Fran smiled a little, then became serious again.

"Marriage?… So soon?… We don’t even know each other…"

"I know enough…"

"Maybe I’m a really poor example for your children…"

"They love you and most of all, they listen to you… Even if I’m not entirely sure not to regret it some day…" he added with a wink.

"Maybe I have really bad habits…"

"Maybe I have too… We’ll have to deal with that… You know, that’s what married life is about…" He caressed her cheek.

"Maybe I have hairs on my legs!" she exclaimed, almost laughing.

He made a silly face to her, and quickly checked her legs.

"Well I doubt it but… if that’s the case, either I’ll offer you a razor, or a visit at the aesthetician!"

She laughed whole heartedly this time.

"… You’re sure it’s gonna work?"

"No, but there’s only one way to check…"

"And how are we going to explain it to the children?…"

"I trust Niles to help us on that matter… And… We’re not going to marry until they fully understand, and they agree…"

She finally relaxed and reached for his embrace.

"Funny how life is tricky huh?…" She mumbled against his shoulder.

He chuckled.

"Tell me about it…"

They hugged silently a long moment, then Maxwell started trailing soft kisses on her neck.

"Maxwell…"

"Mmmm yes?"

"I don’t think we should be doing this…"

"We’ve already done this…" he went on, but she pushed him gently.

"I didn’t know you had three children, and that I was about to become their nanny then… I think it’s best if we wait a little bit… Besides, I’d feel like a teenager if I had to sneak out of my room to meet you in yours or vice versa…"

Maxwell sighed, resigned.

"Maybe you’re right… Now Niles and the children should not be back before an hour or so, what do you want to do?"

"I don’t know… You wouldn’t happen to have an idea?"

He smiled and gave her a peck on the lips.

"Tell me about you Fran Fine…" he said tenderly. "Although I feel I’ve known you for a very long time…"

She smiled back and replied, in the same voice.

"And tell me about YOU Maxwell Sheffield…"

"Oh God! And we only have one hour!" He laughed

"We have all our lives…" she said, almost shyly.

"Indeed we do…" And he kissed her more longingly…

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