by
Anakin
(anakin_skywallkr@hotmail.com)
"MISS FINE!!!"
Fran looked skywards What have I done again?! She thought. She trotted to his office, knocked briefly on the opened door, and went to his desk.
Max closed his eyes painfully, put his glasses down, and looked at her icily.
"Miss Fine, I'm beginning to wonder if you understand proper language... Speak, for sure you do, but understanding is different!..."
"And here we go... What have I done to upset you Mr. Sheffield?"
"'Have I'?... You'd better say 'Have I NOT'!!!!... 2 weeks ago, I asked you to post an important package to Nigel in France, remember?... I even asked you to pay express recommended shipping!"
Fran tried to remember. She snapped her fingers.
"Yes!... I did what you asked, what's the problem?"
"The problem?... Well the package has still not arrived, THAT'S THE BLOODY PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!"
"Hey wait here!... I did what you asked, it's not my fault if..."
"Miss Fine, do you know what are the chances a recommended package gets lost between New York and France?"
"It could still happen! There's an ocean to cross...!" Fran said defensively.
"Oh sure!... JUST AS MUCH AS YOU MISSING THE SALES COULD HAPPEN!!! Miss Fine, I can't believe you couldn't even POST a package properly!..."
"I did!... It's not my fault if..."
"Enough!... I will NEVER ask you such a simple task again!... I wonder how you manage to take care of my children!" the minute he said that, he realized he had gone too far, and from the look on Fran's face, she was deeply hurt, but behind Fran, Grace was standing, with a look of utter shock.
Fran had not noticed her though.
"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?! I've loved those kids as if they were my own for five years!..." She was about to say more, but Grace started screaming.
"Daddy, Fran!!! STOP FIGHTING!!! I hate it when you fight!!!" and she run for the stairs, sobbing.
The tears were blinding her, she ran without thinking and without seeing were she was going, she started ascending the stairs... And tripped down... All became a blur... She heard Fran's scream as if it were a dream, saw her worried face over her, and drowned into unconsciousness...
She woke up in a pale green room. From the sterilized smell that filled her nostrils, she assumed she was in a hospital. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the worried face of Fran first.
"Mr. Sheffield, she's waking up..." she heard vaguely, then she saw her father's face, clearer. She had a horrible headache.
"Grace, sweetheart, how are you feeling?"
"... I'm fine... I guess... She said, wincing..." Her head was killing her, she lifted her hand to touch it and found a big hump. "Ow..."
"Shhh..." Said Fran, stroking her cheek with the back of her hand. "You have a big hump, the scan was OK thank God, but you'll stay in hospital in observation until tomorrow sweetie... You scared us to death..." She had a lump in her throat as she said that, and couldn't help a small tear.
Max put his arm around her shoulder comfortingly. Grace smiled weakly.
"I hate when you scream at Fran, Daddy..." She said softly.
Max looked at her a bit embarrassed.
"I'm a bit impulsive sometimes sweetheart..."
"You don't have to scream at her to conceal your feelings for her Daddy..."
Max felt as if he had been stabbed. Despite her growing headache, Grace went on.
"Daddy, I've known Fran longer than I've known Mom now, I love her as if she were my Mom, and I think Brighton and Maggie are not far behind... Everybody in the house knows how you two feel for each other, why can't you simply say it?"
"... It's a bit more complicated than just that Grace... " Max started, but she interrupted him.
"Nothing's complicated, Dad... All those therapy sessions taught me this at least: things look complicated because one makes them complicated, not because they are..."
"Sweetie, you should rest now." Fran said softly.
Grace smiled at her Nanny weakly "Will you stay with me?"
Fran looked at Max questioningly.
"If you wish us to, we will sweetheart."
"I wish you to...Daddy..." And she fell asleep.
Fran looked at the youngest Sheffield, her baby, tenderly. "Oh Mr. Sheffield, I was so scared..." She started crying softly. He gathered her in his arms.
"There, there Miss Fine... tell you what, I'll go and pick us some things to eat, and call Niles to tell him we're staying overnight, and reassure Maggie and Brighton. You'll watch her while I'm gone?"
"Sure..." She sniffed.
He looked her straight in the eyes. "I'll be right back. " He said softly, and gave her a peck on the lips.
Fran remained watching Grace, gently pulling aside a lock of her hair.
Some time later, Max was back, carrying sandwiches and a bottle of water. He sat down next to Fran, and gave her a sandwich.
"Tuna-salad, that's the only thing they had left, and I had no heart to go out and pick us something else..."
"No problem..."
"Miss Fine... I want to apologize for my behavior this afternoon. Niles told me Nigel called: the package arrived on-time, but it got lost during Nigel's change of address... And... I do apologize for telling you these horrible things about you keeping my children... I could never thank you enough for what you've done for them Miss Fine... You replaced their mother in her role, and somehow in their hearts too, but I know you make sure they don't forget her either... They could never be who they are if you hadn't come knocking on our door some five years ago..."
Fran sighed.
"The problem Mr. Sheffield, is that one day you are sweet, and attentive, and even tender, but the next day, you yell at me, and call me names... So OK, I know I've made mistakes, I know I can be really stupid sometimes, and mess up like nobody else does, but I'm always trying to turn things to your advantage in the end, and it's never on purpose, right?... What said Grace is true, we both know how we feel one to the other, and yet, I'm still waiting for you to say it out loud... What is it with you?... It's not the guilt anymore, so what? You know what's keeping me from running away from you?... Your kids mister... but if it weren't for them, I'd have run away a long time ago..." How strange she thought I've just said those things so easily...
It was Maxwell's turn to sigh.
"All right... But you know, you're not easy to live with either, regarding those particular feelings... How many times did you go out dating OTHER guys? How am I supposed to take that Miss Fine?"
"Well for a first, YOU could ask me out... You know, I love those kids as if they were my own, but when they're all grown up, I'll have to move on with my life, and it's better dating now than in ten years, when I'm... older... After Elton John's fiasco, it seemed you decided to wait another five years before asking me out on a date again..."
"Admit I had my reasons..."
"Sure, depending on the kind of feelings you have for me... I know I wouldn't have done that..."
"Fine, you want spontaneity, then what do you say I take you out to dinner as soon as Grace is back home, safe and sound?"
Fran was a little surprised, although the conversation had been leading them there...
"Err... Well I... I'd say you've got yourself a date!" She said, finally smiling.
He beamed at her, and gave her a peck on the lips.
"Now what do you say we sleep together... On this huge armchair..." He said jokingly.
"I'd say you're pretty fast Mr. Sheffield, but I won't do this in front of our little Gracie there...!"
He chuckled.
"Come on, you've been dreaming of that for so long..." He said as he gathered her slim form in his arms, and put the armchair in a "relax" position.
Snuggling up against him, she let sleep overtake her quickly, her nostrils filled with his after-shave cologne...
Max on the other hand, had much trouble relaxing enough to drift to sleep: feeling her so close was certainly not a good sleeping pill for his boiling mind, and his racing blood... In some part of his body that should have been at rest...
Fran felt it through her semi-sleep, and smiled a little.
"Wanna cold shower Mr. Sheffield?..." She mumbled.
He looked skywards, and tried every method he knew to relax, until sleep finally overtook him too...
Grace woke up the next morning. Her head was not pulsing with pain anymore, although a light general headache subsided. She looked at the foot of the bed, and saw her Nanny in the arms of her father, both slumped in the big armchair. That picture made her smile : they looked so at peace, and somehow they looked like a perfect couple. She made a silent prayer 'Oh God, please, I don't know if you'll listen to a young girl's wish, but there's nothing I want more than seeing these two finally come together, and I know Brighton and Maggie do too...'
Her train of thoughts was interrupted by the nurse opening the door of her room, which also woke Fran & Max. Then the doctor came in and checked on her...
At the end on the morning, she was back home and to her own room, where she fell asleep contentedly after Fran and Max had tucked her in.
Max closed the door behind him, his hand resting on the door knob.
Fran was about to depart but he held her hand.
"Miss Fine, remember that promise I made you yesterday about taking you out on a date?... Tonight?... Niles will be here, he can keep an eye on Grace, and I'm sure she won't mind when she knows why we're going out..."
She smiled. "Okay..."
"Put something on smashing as usual, but elegant too, would you?"
"WOW!... The big show-huh?... Okay..." She giggled and went to her room.
That night, on her way downstairs, she decided to make a stop in Grace's room. She knocked softly. "Gracie angel?..."
"Come in Fran..."
Fran stepped in the room. Grace beamed when she saw her all dressed up. Even to her, she looked gorgeous. She wore a long moiré dark blue silken dress that left her shoulders bare, which she had covered with a veil made with the same fabric. Her hair was naturally cascading down to her shoulders in long black curls, and her face was lit by a skilful but light make-up.
"Fran, you look incredible!" Grace said, beaming from ear to ear.
"Thank you angel... How do you feel?..."
"Much better, thank you."
"Great!" She said, stroking her cheek tenderly.
"Fran, can you make me a promise?"
"Sure sweetie, what is it?"
"Never leave us..."
Fran sighed, the hand that was stroking Grace's face dropping on the bed covers.
"I wish I could promise you that my darling, I wish it with all my heart... but... it is really up to your daddy..."
"Don't you love us?"
"Oh sweetie, I love you more than my own life!" Fran smiled tenderly, and kissed her cheek.
Grace smiled back.
"Now go to sleep angel, the doctor said the more you rest, the quicker you'll recover..." She stood up and headed for the door.
"Fran?"
"I love you..."
"I love you too angel..."
She exited, and headed for the stairs. She almost collided in Maxwell as he was coming out of his room.
"Oh! Mr. Sheffield!"
He took a moment to analyze the perfect picture he had underneath his eyes, and smiled broadly, his eyes twinkling.
"Miss Fine! I must admit you really look incredible tonight!..."
She almost blushed.
"Thank you Mr. Sheffield..."
He offered her his elbow.
"Shall we?"
"Sure!"
They headed downstairs, then to the awaiting limo. Once inside, Fran took her small mirror in her purse to check on her make-up, and tried to ask nonchalantly: So?... Where are you taking me tonight?"
"Somewhere nobody will come to disturb us..." he said smiling.
Fran was intrigued.
The limo drove all the way down 5th avenue, then to the financial district, and ended up at the peer. Maxwell exited first, helped Fran out, and led her towards a small yacht. They were greeted by the captain as soon as they stepped on board.
In the cabin, there was a candle lit dinner waiting for them. Fran could only just marvel at all the trouble he had gone through to put this up for her.
"Mr. Sheffield!..."
"You wanted something special?... You have something special... Captain?... You can sail!"
The yacht was a very small one, and the captain was the only crew along with the waiter. The boat sailed quietly around the bay, while the two were enjoying a special seafood dinner Maxwell had ordered to a fine caterer.
After touring several times around the bay, the captain finally moored the boat to a small peer on the shore of Staten island, and left them enjoying peace. The waiter had gone with the captain, leaving them some liquors in the minifridge and hot beverages in thermos.
Maxwell had loosened his bow-tie, and was warming up a fine Armagnac slowly swirling it in his glass. They had moved to a bunk that had been transformed into a sofa with cushions. Maxwell had his arm thrown around Fran's shoulders, and she had her head in the crook of his. They were silent, enjoying the proximity of the other one's body, without risking to be interrupted, and enjoying the peace of the moment.
Fran broke the silence.
"You've been swirling that thing for hours..." She said jokingly.
"That's because the liquor has to be warmed up and oxygenated to be able to release all its flavours... here, smell..."
He let Fran inhale the vapors of alcohol. She pulled back her head, looking dazzled.
"Boy, if I had a sinusitis, it's gone now!"
He chuckled.
"You want to taste?"
"Just a bit then... I'm not good with alcohol, you know that..."
He chuckled again.
"Tell me about it!" He raised his glass and help her drink a little bit from it. She swallowed and winced, putting her hand at her throat, and coughing incontrollably.
"Ouch! Now I understand why you made me drink! You wanted to change my voice!"
Maxwell smiled broadly, put his glass down on a table, and grabbed her face in his two hands, gently laying a soft kiss on her lips. "I wouldn't change anything about you Fran..."
He looked in her eyes and studied them.
"I love you..."
"Now... Was it so difficult to say?..." she murmured smiling, her eyes shining with tears. "I love you too Maxwell..."
He drew her head close and kissed her lovingly.
It was meant to be a gentle kiss at first, but alcohol and peaceful atmosphere helping, it soon became a demanding and passionate kiss.
Maxwell gently lay her on the bunk, threw the cushions away one by one, busy kissing, her, his free hand roaming over what was once forbidden territory.
"I hope... you... don't get sea-sick..." He managed to say between kisses...
The Limo took them back home the next morning, but before they reached it, Max made the chauffeur pick up something he had ordered at Tiffany's, and offered it to the woman he loved.
They stepped into a much quiet house. They toured it and realized there was really no-one to be seen downstairs. They went upstairs together to Grace's room, and found Niles slumped in a chair sound asleep, as well as Grace. They tiptoed out of Grace's room. Once in the hallway, Max pulled Fran to him, and said.
"That obviously gives us some free time my darling!" And he lifted her up in his arms to carry her to his room.
After a couple of hours of "healthy exercise", they finally showered and dressed, and went to see what had become of Grace and Niles.
They stepped in Grace's room, just when Niles was stretching lazily. He stood up, putting back his clothes into order, as soon as he saw his boss and his nanny, and couldn't help but smile when he saw their fingers tightly entwined, and their beaming faces.
"I take it the evening was a good one, Sir?"
Max gave him a knowing look. "Why don't you go and fix us some lunch Niles?... We have something to say to that young lady" he said, pointing at Grace who was slowly waking up too.
Niles smiled, and exited. Max and Fran went to sit each on one side of the bed.
"Dad! Fran!..."
"How are you this morning sweetheart?"
"Actually I'm fine dad... Do you think I could get up today?"
"If you stay still and do nothing silly you may absolutely, sweetheart." He fell silent, his eyes twinkling.
"What?" She said, a bit worried.
Fran smiled broadly. "Remember what you asked me to promise yesterday angel?"
"Yes..."
She raised her left hand.
"Will this answer your doubts?" she said with a mischievous eye...
Grace bolted up from underneath her bed-covers, and hugged both Fran & Max. "That's the best thing you've ever done Daddy!!! She'll never leave us now!!!"
The three looked at one another, their faces inches from one another. Max kissed Fran's lips gently. "No sweetheart..." He murmured. "She never will..."
The End
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