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DISCLAIMER: The Nanny is a copyrighted show, the property of Fran Drescher, Highschool Sweethearts, CBS,… I don't mean to infringe on anybody's rights with this story, it's only fanfiction.
Thank to Sabine for her little, but useful help…
*I did not mean to infringe on Steven Spielberg's rights either…
by
Delph
(dolfins@worldnet.fr)
Fran stirred. It was Sunday morning, the sun was shining outside, and its rays illuminated the bedroom through the heavy curtains, creating a changing pattern of light and shadow on the ceiling and the walls.
She smiled at the thought of the night… Max always knew how to surprise her. It seemed that their affection and tenderness towards each other only became more important each passing day!… Speaking of Max… She touched his side of the bed only to find it empty. She opened her eyes with a hint of sadness: one of the things she loved most was to share this particular peace and privacy with him in the morning, a moment of silent conversations. Sometimes, they even made love… Well… Not 'sometimes' - She thought with a smile… They often made love in the morning, and if she ever had to choose what moment would be best for that, then it would be the morning. Both were awakening, as their senses did, and the range of feelings seemed much larger than at any other moment of the day, or the night…
The door cracked open and Max stepped in. He was wearing his black robe, and carrying his son and daughter in both his arms. He smiled and came to sit on the bed next to her.
She sat up straight, using several pillows to prop her up, and took her daughter from Max. They kissed tenderly on the lips.
"I woke up and ya were not here…" She said.
"I wanted those two little fellows to be here when I'd wish you a happy anniversary Mrs. Sheffield…" He said, bending towards her to kiss her slightly on the lips.
"Oh Max!… I thought about it all week long and I manage not to say it first!!!… I'd kill myself!…" She scowled.
Max chuckled.
"My darling, you've had much to do since the arrival of Charles and Claire!… You're taking so much care of them at the same time, though they are the sweetest babies I've ever known, it's a full time job, and it's not surprising that I manage to beat you on this very matter!… I know normally YOU'd have woken me up in the… most enticing manner [he winked], and jumped on me!…"
They smiled and kissed again. Charles groaned, imitated by Claire soon after.
"Well… I guess I'll have to call Niles!…" He sighed.
He stood up and went to the intercom, still carrying Charles. He punched the 'on' button:
"Niles?…"
"Yes Sir?" Niles answered through the intercom after a while.
"We'd need too bottles for two hungry babies old man!"
Niles chuckled.
"Tell them I'm on my way Sir!"
Max went to sit back on the bed. Fran put a robe on. Soon after, Niles knocked at the door.
"Come on in Niles!…We're decent!" Max said in a loud voice.
Niles stepped in with a big grin on his face and handed the two bottles to both parents. He remained there, smiling tenderly as he watched Fran and Max insert the two teats into the hungry babies' mouths.
This is a spectacle I'd never expected to see again in my life… he thought … and it's the best I've ever seen…!
"Thank you old man…"
Niles smiled, and stepped back, closing the door behind him.
Max and Fran remained alone with their twins, feeding them, while talking tenderly. Then they carried them back to their room, changed them, and put them back to bed before heading for the bathroom.
They filled in the Jacuzzi and relaxed together, hugging tightly.
"Fran, my darling… Since the first day you came into my life, it has been brighter, but last year's May 30th was the brightest day so far… No… that's not true… It has been brighter everyday since then…!… I want to thank you for being my wife…For being you… I love you…"
He gave her a tender kiss.
"And I love you Max … Now tell me… How do you plan to celebrate our anniversary …?"
He hesitated.
" Well… I've had an idea… Since it's not really a busy time for me, I thought I would give Niles and C.C. a vacation… What do you think?" He looked at her expectantly.
She raised on one elbow and looked him in the eye.
"Is that how ya plan to celebrate our anniversary?…"
"Yes."
"Both at the same time!… That means extra work for all of us!… And don't ya think the house's gonna be VERY empty?"
"That's what I want!" He smiled mischievously. "… And I don't think it would be THAT much work as long as the kids help us… And they will…!'
"… Speaking of the kids… What about them? They'd still be here!"
"Well… They are usually not home until 3.30 p.m. at least, that would give us plenty of time alone for as long as Niles and C.C. would be on vacation… Besides, you would still be able to take care of the babies without too much trouble, I'd help you in that matter, you would still have your mother's daily presence, and Val's… And I'd be all for you with no other desire than to please you…"
He kissed her.
She smiled tenderly an toyed with the idea a few seconds...
"Well… The idea's quite interesting after all… Truth is that this poor Niles needs a good break… He hasn't rested since his heart attack and that was two years ago… And Miss Babcock has been quite irritated AND irritating lately… Indeed she needs a break too… Besides, she should stop and think some things over…" She added absentmindedly.
Max raised one eyebrow.
"Do you think what I think?"
Fran looked at him.
"About what?"
"… Niles and C.C…"
"And whaddaya think?"
"Well I know I'm quite slow at noticing things - how did you put that?… Clueless…- but it was pretty obvious, even to me that there IS something going on between them! Plus Niles once acknowledged to me he had feelings for her, and C.C.'s staring at Niles every time he comes into the office. Their banter has not been the same since our marriage either… It seems she's still clinging on the hope I'd leave you and marry her, only by principle…!"
Fran pulled a face.
"You'd dump me?!"
He looked at her with an amused eye.
"… To marry C.C.?… Not a bloody chance…!"
"…And to marry someone else?…"
Max bent towards her and started tracing soft kisses along her cheek.
"Mmmm not a chance either…!"
He nibbled her ear and went downwards to kiss the moist skin of her neck. She pushed him back gently.
"Well ya ought to Maxwell Sheffield, because ya've never seen an enraged Fran and that's worse than a dragon…!"
Max smiled, amused at her reaction [besides, seeing her showing pangs of jealousy always turned him on…]
"I honestly don't want to know!… Now come on Darling… Don't you know by now that you trapped me for good more than 6 years ago with no hope nor desire for me to escape?… Now, about Niles and C.C., I've thought of something to accelerate fate… Plus I owe Niles one…"
He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and whispered something in her ear. Fran opened her eyes like saucers, then smiled, giggled, and finally approved what her husband had planned for the unknown lovebirds. He pulled back a little, winked, then he bent again and gave her a tender kiss on the lips while his hands started wandering on their own over the body of his wife.
She moaned. The fever increased… The water started to evaporate…
"Max…"
"Mmmm yes?"
"… You always seem to know exactly how to make me… [sigh] …see your point… Oh God…!… [sigh] How on earth did I manage to wait 5 years?!…"
She sighed again with a smile that told everything, as he started kissing her collarbones, going further downwards.
"… Mmmm… I'm trying to make up for lost time my love… Do I succeed?"
He went on paying her body his most dedicated attention.
She sighed heavily.
"I'll tell you in a few minutes Mr. Sheffield… I… [sigh] I am unable to speak at the … Ahhh … Moment…"
He chuckled and shifted his position…
***
After their - long - bath, they went downstairs. Fran awaited Grace who was due to come back from her friend's very soon, and Max went to his office.
Niles came in shortly afterwards with a tray, two caps, milk, sugar, and a steaming tea pot. Max took his glasses off and smiled to him while leaning on the back of his leather armchair. He beckoned to Niles to sit on the couch.
"Please do sit down Niles."
A bit puzzled, Niles sat down and waited for his boss to speak.
Max stood up and started pacing before the French doors.
"Niles, you know you're not only my butler, don't you?…"
He didn't wait for his answer.
"… You've also been my best man, and most of all, you are a very trusted friend…" He turned towards him and looked on him.
Niles bent his head, smiling a bit shyly.
"Why thank you Sir…"
"No really, Niles, I mean it… I don't know what I would have done without you… I would probably be mourning for the second time because Fran would have left me, and the kids would be… Oh!… Well I don't want to think about that!… It is for ME to thank you… And I've thought that an excellent way to show you my gratitude would be to offer you a vacation… What do you think?"
Niles thought about this a minute, then said with a half smile:
"Well Sir, if you mean a stay in some paradisiacal place with you and the family, implying I'd do almost exactly the same kind of things I'm doing here everyday, I wouldn't call that a vacation, if you…"
Max interrupted him.
"No, no, you don't understand…! I was planning to offer you a REAL vacation on your own for 2 weeks or so!…"
Niles was flabbergasted.
"Really?!… But… Sir, it's not that I think I'm indispensable, but what are you going to do without me in this huge mansion?… Cooking, dusting, laundry and all, including some baby-sitting…?"
"Don't worry about that, Fran never had that kind of attention before she came here, I guess she can live without you for 15 days. I know how to survive on my own, I even know how to cook, and to do my bed!… Now for the kids, that could be a good thing for them to learn how to live without a butler tending to all their desires and needs, as they probably won't have one when they are on their own, besides, they did great when you had to rest from your heart attack… To sum it up: don't worry… Plus, I don't have much work at the moment…"
Niles was still very surprised, but he seemed to finally realize what his boss was offering him, and slowly relaxed as a contended grin spread over his face.
"Sir, that's indeed very kind of you…"
"… I might add that I am really offering you this vacation… Here…"
He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a plane ticket he gave to Niles.
The latter took it with a questioning look.
"What's that?"
"… Remember this plane ticket C.C. offered me… or rather YOU [wink] offered me when Fran was in Kooristan?… Well, this one is for Venice and I booked you a room at the Danielli…"
Niles was agape. Max smiled.
"So?… What do you think?… "
"Sir!… This is… I don't know how to thank you…"
"Don't… You deserve it… Come on old man!… Go prepare your suitcases, you're leaving tomorrow! "
Niles shook his boss's hand and headed for the door, but as his hand was in the door knob, he stopped and turned around to face Max again. He raised one eyebrow as an idea crossed his mind.
"But Sir… How are you going to cope with Miss Babcock if I'm not here to moderate her?!"
Max looked skywards with an amused/exasperated smile and shook his head.
"Niles!…"
Niles made a guilty face and looked down.
"Sorry Sir, I couldn't help it…"
Max smiled.
"It's okay Niles… Now go!"
Niles opened the door and disappeared in the hallway.
Max toyed with a pen a moment, then rubbed his hands and stood up to seek his wife.
He found her in the kitchen chatting with Grace. He smiled and went to kiss his daughter welcome.
"Hello sweetheart… Did you have a nice time at Sandy's?"
"Yes Dad… Actually, I was just asking Fran if she could come here next week-end and stay overnight?"
"I don't see any problem…"
He caught Fran's pleading eye…
"Oh… Ahem… Well Gracie, in fact I… I don't think it would be nice next week end after all… Listen… You can go to Sandy's again next week end, and then, we'll have her here twice, is that okay?…"
Gracie smiled mischievously.
"And I suppose Brighton is going to a friend's too, and that Maggie will be allowed to stay at Michael's, and that you will also find something to do for Niles and C.C…. Okay Dad, I get the picture!… By the way, happy anniversary!" She winked and headed for the door. "I'm going to call Sandy!…" She disappeared.
Max was a bit annoyed at her reaction.
"She's growing too fast!…"
Fran encircled his waist and drew him closer.
"She's always been too clever for her age ya know… "
She kissed the tip of his nose.
He gave her a peck on the lips.
At that time, Fran's portable intercom echoed with babies' babbles.
"Oh!… Duty calls!" She said popping up the stool heading for the stairs.
"Darling!… I'll come with you, I've got a few things to discuss with you…"
Max followed her up the stairs and they headed for the twins' room. Both were awake in their small beds. Max took his daughter and Fran her son, and they lay them into their playpen. Then, they sat on the floor watching them discovering the world around them with wide opened eyes. Max drew his wife close with his arm. Fran leant her head on his shoulder.
"Fran, I've just talked to Niles, everything is okay… Tomorrow, I'll talk to C.C., and then we will be on our own… We'll have to find an occupation…!"
He kissed the top of her head.
"I can think of one that would be both very enjoyable and healthy Mr. Sheffield… How long has it been since you last had sports?…"
He lowered her on the floor.
"…This morning!" He muttered, nibbling her ear.
"Max!… We can't do that in front of the kids!"
"No, that's quite right!… But I can tickle you!"
"Oh no Max!!!"
A tickling battle started… Alarmed by the cries, Niles appeared on the door step. Seeing the two lovebirds giggling like they were 12, he looked skywards and sighed.
"… Teenagers!…"
Max and Fran stopped. They were both disheveled and looked at him grinning widely. Then Max stood up and put the bottom of his shirt back in his pants while Fran was combing her hair with her fingers.
"Sorry Niles… It's called high spirits…"
"I see… Well… Back on duty Sir… My suitcase's almost finished…"
"Already?!"
"Well, according to what you pay me, I've got very little to put in a suitcase Sir…"
"Niles!"
"Joking Sir… When are Miss Maggie and Master Brighton due to be back?"
"Shortly I guess, they said they'd be back by lunch time…"
"I'd better go and prepare lunch then…"
He left, Max and Fran kissed tenderly, gave a last glance to the twins, and went down the stairs.
***
The next morning, Niles took a cab for the airport.
He had said his good byes to the Sheffields, and left before Miss Babcock showed up. He sat relaxed in the cab. He was dressed casually with a pair of jeans, sneakers, a polo shirt, and a light jacket. Mr. Sheffield was right: he needed this vacation pretty badly!… Even if Fran took care of the babies most of the time, he had had much to do since the arrival of the latest Sheffield additions. He needed to rest indeed… And he also needed to think about how to sort things out with Miss Babcock. He smiled. He had no doubt about his feelings for her, but he had doubts about HER feelings for him. Not that he was afraid of making a fool out of himself in front of her, he didn't care much about THAT… What he was worried about was that he knew he wouldn't be able to stand seeing her everyday knowing she did not return his feelings. Therefore he wouldn't be able to remain at Mr. Sheffield's service. And that broke his heart, along with the fact he would be devastated if she did turn him down.
The cab stopped. Niles paid the driver and took his suitcase from the trunk, then he headed for the departure lounge.
***
C.C. arrived at the Sheffields', she rang and was a bit taken aback when Maxwell came to open to her.
"Maxwell?!… Where is this bell boy of yours?!"
"Well he's not there at the moment…" He smiled and led the way to the office.
He shut the door. C.C. put down her bag, took her files, and got ready to work. She was quite busy and hadn't noticed Maxwell was staring at her grinning, his hands in his pockets. She looked up and saw him. A bit taken aback, she looked around her, then again on Maxwell with a questioning look.
"What is it?!… Do I have a big spot on my face?… Is my blouse dirty or something?"
"Not at all C.C., you look good… But there is no need for you to get ready to work…"
"No?"
"No."
C.C. suddenly was very worried: what had she done wrong that could motivate Maxwell to fire her?!
He chuckled and went to stand behind his desk. He opened the same drawer ant pulled out almost the same plane ticket.
"C.C., you've not taken any vacation in years, Fran and I agreed on this: you need to rest a little. So I've decided to offer you this."
He handed her the plane ticket. She took it, still not understanding.
"What is that?"
"Your plane ticket for Venice, I also booked you a room at the Danielli, I don't want to see you again before 15 days, you're leaving tomorrow…"
"What?!… Maxwell, you've got to be kidding!… What on Earth would I do in Venice?!"
"Have you ever been there?"
"No!"
"Well then I see a very good reason: visit it!… It's a wonderful city, and as soon as Charles and Claire are old enough, I will take Fran there myself."
"Maxwell… This is very kind of you, but I won't accept it!… I can ask you for a vacation myself, and take a plane ticket for wherever in the world, you don't have to pay for it…!"
"C.C., it's a gift."
"A gift?… Maxwell…"
At that moment, Fran entered the office.
"… Yes a gift Miss Babcock… Come on, take the chance, leave!… And LIVE!…"
"Thank you Nanny fine, but I don't think I need your advice…"
Fran went to sit on her husband's lap.
"C.C… You're leaving tomorrow, and you can't modify the plane ticket … Come on C.C… I don't have much work at the moment, and it's been a long time since I last offered you a valuable gift… I'm sure you will have a nice time in Venice… "
C.C. remained silent a moment, then she sighed, stood up and grabbed her belongings.
"I suppose you're right Maxwell… Since I've got no choice, I guess I'd better enjoy my time there…"
"Oh come on C.C.!… It's not as if I were sending you to Alcatraz!"
She smiled, a bit sorry.
"Yes Maxwell… Sorry… You know I can't do things simply… Thank you very much for this Maxwell… It could do no harm to rest a little anyway…"
With that, she left in the hallway. Max and Fran stood up and escorted her to the entrance door. As soon as she was gone, Max took his wife in his arms and headed for the stairs.
"All alone now my darling!… What could we do to occupy ourselves?!"
He started ascending the staircase.
"'Seems pretty obvious to me that ya already have something in mind Mr. Sheffield!"
They had reached the landing. He pushed the door of their room open with one foot.
"Indeed Mrs. Sheffield!… Let's have a small nap shall we?!"
He shut the room's door with his foot…
***
Niles had just checked in. He reached his room, opened his suitcase and started to unpack. But soon jet-lag took its toll of him and he collapsed on the bed.
He woke up 18 hours later. He took a shower, dressed casually, finished unpacking, took a big continental breakfast, and decided to go for a walk around the hotel. His steps led him to the strangest library he had ever seen. It was an ancient church which had been converted into a library. He entered it and started visiting it a bit absentmindedly, admiring how the shelves had been arranged to show the features of the church in its advantages. The library smelled the particular scent of ancient books, he thought that some of them were probably older than the United States … He reveled in this feeling of 'oldness'… In New York, the oldest thing was about 200 years at most…! This was probably one of the things he missed the most: this impression of age, of everlastingness that belonged to this side of the Atlantic ocean… He sighed. He chose a book in the shelves, went to sit on a bench, and started turning the pages slowly.
C.C. arrived at the reception of the Danielli and asked for her key. She felt terrible. She had taken pills to relax in the plane but had also taken whisky, and now, not only was she dizzy, but she felt the first symptoms of a Hell of a headache starting to pound her temples. She took her key and went to her room. She dropped her bags and filled in the tub: a good relaxing bath would do her much good and though it was lunch time here, she did not feel hungry at all…
Niles decided to have a sandwich and went deeper inside the old city. He would take a tour in a gondola another day to visit the canals. After all, he had 15 days to visit Venice and its surroundings… No need to hurry at all…
Late in the afternoon, after having spotted the main interesting places he would have to explore deeper, he went back to the Danielli. He closed the door of his room at the same moment C.C. opened hers in the next room. She was wearing a light beige skirt and jacket with a white blouse.
She felt light indeed. This bath had been more regenerating than she first had thought. She decided to go visit this wonderful and famous hotel before having dinner.
Niles changed into dark blue duck trousers and a short-sleeved green shirt, and went also downstairs to get a drink before dinner. He was really starting to enjoy his stay. He thanked his boss mentally for the millionth time and went to the bar. He picked the latest edition of the New York Times and started reading it while sipping his cocktail.
C.C. had finished her tour. She ended up at the bar and ordered a Perrier: better be sober for tonight… She thought as she sat on a stool before the counter. She peeked at the room and saw a few people drinking, whether on their own or in groups, then she spotted a gorgeous blond man reading a newspaper. She couldn't see his face as only his back was facing her. But she observed him intently. Oh Look at this man over there! He seemed to be very well built, with large and muscular shoulders one could guess under his short-sleeved shirt, as well as powerful forearms terminated by strong but delicate hands. She noticed his left hand was ring less. I might enjoy myself more than I first thought after all!
She decided to try her luck and stepped towards the man, but as she was about to reach him, he put his newspaper down on the table, stood up, and left for the dining room.
She stopped, a bit disappointed, watching him disappear in the hallway. Then she sighed and decided that it was indeed time to have dinner.
***
Max was in his office. Brighton came in, hanging a feather duster, followed shortly afterwards by Grace who was carrying a plastic bag probably full of waste.
Brighton talked first.
"Dad!… Why don't you hire someone while Niles is away!… I know it's my turn to do the dusting, but it looks like I'll never finish on time to be able to go to Steve's and watch 'Titanic' on his home cinema system!"
"… Daddy, these bags are too heavy, and I won't be able to finish sweeping the kitchen's floor before Lucy comes here! … And why is Maggie staying away from the house?… She should be here to help us!"
"She has exams to prepare Gracie…"
"… At Michael's?!"
Max took his glasses off, leaned on the back of his armchair, and tried to remain calm.
"… Gracie, that is none of your business, she DOES have exams to prepare, and Michael promised me he would see she worked hard… It happened before and I don't see why I shouldn't trust him now!"
"This is most unfair!"
"True Dad!" added Brighton.
Max sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Children… Once and for all, you've got to learn to do the usual domestic duties before having fun with your friends. Remember when Niles had his heart attack?… You did great at that time, so think retro!… Everybody is doing his part, and it's not so bad. Now I will inspect your work before you go, and let me warn you that you will not be allowed to go if it is not impeccable."
Brighton and Grace looked at each other dejected. Max raised one eyebrow. Brighton understood at once, smiled sheepishly, encircled his sister's shoulders, and turned around.
"Okay Dad…! We'd better get back to work then!"
"But Bright…"
He forced his sister to go the way he wanted her to go.
"YES Gracie!… We're going to finish these things NOW…"
Seeing her brother's urging expression, she decided it was better not to resist and followed him. Max smiled and got back to work.
His intercom buzzed.
"Max?"
"Yes darling?"
"Won't ya come up here for a minute?…I need ya to carry Charles or Claire downstairs…I've got to prepare their bottles, and I can't feed them both…!"
"… On my way Fran!"
He stood up and went to the twins' room.
He found his wife finishing changing Charles's diaper. Claire was already ready. He took her in his arms and started cooing her.
"That's your father's daughter!… My little princess!…"
As he was tickling her, she scowled then uttered a loud and continuous cry. He looked skywards, wincing.
"… And your mother's vocal characteristics no doubt…" he muttered, trying to comfort his crying daughter.
She turned towards him with Charles in her arms.
"Any complains Mr. Sheffield?…"
He smiled sheepishly.
"Not a single one my love!… Not a single one…"
"Good… Now let's get to the kitchen… I'd like to try a chicken recipe from the book Niles offered me once… Meanwhile, ya could feed these two stomachs … You've always been proud to say you could feed them both at the same time, well that's the time to prove it!"
"Huh… Darling, are you sure you really want to try this recipe?… I mean we can order Chinese, Italian, or whatever, and save you the trouble…"
"… Meaning that ya don't trust my cooking abilities?" She interrupted him.
"Absolutely not my Darling!"…
"Well if I don't try, I'll never improve!… Besides, Niles said that if I totally stuck to the recipe and respect all the ingredients without changing one for another, it would be okay!…"
"Darling…" He said with a painful expression over his face.
"I'll try this and that's final. If I don't manage, then we'll try alternative solutions… Okay?"
Charles decided to imitate his sister. Max opened despaired eyes with a more painful expression over his face (if that was possible).
"Emergency!… I don't want to be deaf at an early age!… We'd better rush to feed these two!"
With that, he quickly stepped towards the stairs.
Fran held her son in front of her face. The baby stopped almost at once and smiled to his mother. Fran smiled broadly too.
"That's my boy!… Definitely!… I owe you one! She kissed his forehead and went to the kitchen."
Go on to Part Two
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