Growing

by

Rosemary
(chris.nash@cableol.co.uk)

He was just so happy. This was simply weird. Nothing drastic had happened for weeks now. He and Fran were still at the mushy stage. Whatever they were saying or doing, occasionally they would look at each other and that brief smile would say it all.

Work was going well too. He was producing a new Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstien's "Cinderella" and just for once everything was going smoothly. He'd had the orchestrations back and casting was going well. He was trying to get the stars from the old TV movie back in as different characters, Lesley-Anne Warren as the Queen and Stuart Damon as the King. Things looked hopeful.

He reclined at his desk staring out at the world, lost in thought. How could any man be this happy and content? He had a career he loved, three wonderful children and a beautiful wife. His mind dwelt on the beautiful wife in particular. One thing he knew for sure, Fran's beauty was far more than skin deep. She had a wisdom and insight that was a rare and wonderful gift. She could relate to the kids because she remembered what it was like. Sometimes she was such a big kid herself, but then that was part of her charm. It made him want to hold and protect her. He sighed. This was getting him nowhere. He forced his attention back to the contracts in front of him. This felt like a very long morning.

It was a relief when the door barged open and Fran dressed in the usual mini skirt and low cut blouse and carrying a multitude of bags, made her entrance. He felt as if the sun had just come out, as a deep joy at seeing her suffused him.

"Max Honey, How're you doing. Locked in here all alone all morning, what you been doing?" she said as she dumped her bags on his papers and propped herself on the corner of his desk. She had been doing the same things for nearly six years but now she sat even closer to Max and he could do what he had always wanted to do and caress her legs and thigh. He stood up briefly and kissed her lovingly on the lips.

"Waiting for you to come home and distract me, what else?" he said playfully.

"What sort of distraction did you have in mind?" She asked him. He leered at her significantly.

"Oh yeah, what now, here? " she looked at him through slanted eyes and pouted her lips. He was sorely tempted to except the implied invitation; after all it wouldn't have been the first time his large desk had proved convenient. Unfortunately he could hear Niles and the kids in the rest of the house and that sort of activity required a bit more privacy. He kissed her again. Then stroked her nose gently and kissed it tenderly.

"Let's talk about that a little later, hey?" he said sitting down.

"Yeah, besides I gotta show you all the great stuff I got in the sales." She started pulling her purchases out for him to peruse. He smiled appreciatively at the flimsy underwear and nightwear she showed him. Yes, such things were a great turn on but he was enjoying the homeliness and intimacy of their relationship. She was just so enthusiastic and alive. His Lover, his childrens mother and his best friend, how could he be so happy.

"Where's C.C?" she asked. "I thought she was coming in today."

"She's at the Theatre doing the preliminary auditions for the soloists," he replied while stroking her leg. "Incidentally it seems we might well be in luck with Stuart Damon, apparently Dr. Quartermaine is taking a break from the show for a few months to go into rehab. He quite fancies returning to Broadway for a change. He wants us to give him a song, it should be possible."

"Great. I fell in love with him when I was a kid and he was prince charming, besides Monica never treats him right," Fran responded as she got off the desk and sat seductively on his lap. Max looked a little baffled. He lost track of all Fran's soaps and who did what. But after a few moments of ardent kissing he had completely forgotten all about work.

Suddenly they both heard Niles coughing behind them.

"Excuse me Sir. Madam your sister Nadine is here, with some other people," he said meaningfully, as they both looked expectantly at him.

"What'da you mean, other people," said Fran as she extracted herself from Max's embrace and straightened her clothing. Max stood and tidied himself up discreetly. She had certainly had her usual effect upon him.

"Oh Frannie, you just gotta help me," wailed Nadine as she rushed into the room. "Hiya Max," she added absently. Max acknowledged her with a nod.

"What's the matter Na?" asked a perplexed Fran.

"He's leaving me. He's really leaving me this time," she sobbed.

"Now sit down over here and tell me what's happened, " Fran said sympathetically. Just then her two nieces came into the office, and rushed over to Max to give their new Uncle a hug. Max looked uncomfortable. He was not good at showing open affection with people -other than Fran- and these two miniature people were almost strangers too him. The two girls however had no such inhibitions and all they knew was that this was the uncle who had given them such super presents whenever they met. Confronted with such spontaneous affection he soon warmed to them and looked perfectly contented.

"He's going tomorrow. He's going on the QE2. I know I'll lose him with all that good food he won't need me anymore?" Nadine wailed. They all looked at her for a few seconds and for once Fran was speechless.

"Have you had a row or something?" she asked eventually.

"No, he just lost his job and wants to see the world so he's going to be an engineer on the QE2, and leaving us," her screech sounded like a cat just before the boot hits. Max winced.

"Oh Na, you poor thing, " sympathised Fran. "What can I do to help?"

Miraculously Nadine's pitiful sobs ended abruptly. "Well there is one little thing, you might be able to do," she said persuasively.

"Now for it," murmured Niles under his breath. Fran heard him and hit is arm playfully.

"Yuh see Frannie, Max, he tells me there's a job for me on board as a chef then we can go together. But Ma say's she don't want the kids for three months. My own Ma, don't wan'em," she said looking hopefully at her sister and new Brother-in-law.

"Oh no, oh no," Fran almost screamed. She looked at her two nieces looking innocently up at her as they sat one on each of Max's knees. Fran knew the truth. These were no sweet little darlings; here were too little fiends. Even raising his own kids was not sufficient preparation for Max. These two would trash the house and their sanity. "Much as I adore your girls Na, we've only just got back from our honeymoon. Give us a chance."

"Oh Frannie, please," she looked pleadingly at Fran. "Max won't mind, would'ya sweetie?" she asked looking at him. Max had heard Silvia and Fran complaining about the behaviour of these two little girls, but sitting here snuggling up and grinning at him with obvious hero worship he found it hard to believe.

"Well," started Max.

"Oy, you leave him alone," Fran interrupted. "You got a chutzpah. I'm the only one who can manipulate him." she grinned sheepishly at Max. "What about school, It'd take ages to get them there and back," protested Fran.

"They're young, you can enroll them in a local school for a few months," Nadine countered.

"They're only babies. How can you leave them," argued Fran.

"I gotta to if I want to save my marriage. Please Fran, Max, Niles?" she looked appealingly at each of them. The eldest of the two girls Carrie climbed off Max's lap and came across to Fran. She put her small hand in Fran's and smiled appealingly up at her.

"Please Auntie Fran. We'd love to come and stay with you for a while. We both love you," She whispered.

"We won't be any trouble. We'll be ever so good," added little Samantha, lisping slightly.

"We promise," said Carrie innocently.

Max had no defences against this kind of appeal. "Oh Fran. I can't see that it would be too bad," he said hesitantly.

"Great, thank you. I've got their gear in the car. I'll go get it," squealed Nadine and rushed out of the house. The two little girls followed their mum, squealing with excitement.

"Oh Max, you great meshugine," Fran whined and hit his arm. Max shrunk away from her defensively.

"It can't be all that bad, can it?" he asked. Fran stared sceptically at him.

Just then they heard screaming from upstairs and Grace, then Brighton and finally Maggie came charging down to the office.

"Daddy, these two kids just came in my room and threw all my dolls out of the box," wailed Grace. Then she rushed back out to see what was going on.

"They then attacked my make up," added Maggie.

"One of them is riding my skateboard on the landing," Brighton contributed.

"It's OK," said Grace when she returned. "They've stopped doing that now. They're in Dad and Fran's room using the bed as a trampoline."

Max looked sheepishly at Fran. Niles stood open mouthed, and then grinned wickedly.

"What are you grinning at," asked Max.

"Ohh I just remembered Miss Babcock. She'll just love to have those dear little children around all day," said Niles joyfully. Fran shrugged her shoulders and started out of the room.

"Nadine, hold on a minute," she yelled. She rushed into the hall but was too late, all that was to be seen was two large suitcases and a closing door. Fran stopped in her tracks and put her hands on her hips. It looked like she been landed with the brats. Nadine would owe her big time for this.

"Carrie, Sam get down here now," she screamed at full volume. There was no response.

"NOW!" she added even louder. The two little girls raced down stairs, obedient but undaunted. "SIT," she yelled and pointed at the sofa. The girls looked quizzically at her. "NOW, SIT," she repeated. That did it they sat innocently on the sofa.

"Now then young ladies you will listen to me and you will obey," she announced.

"Yes, Aunt Fran," they chorused sweetly.

" A few house rules. 1. You will not go into anyone else's room and touch their stuff. Got it?" she said counting on her fingers.

"Got it," they said meekly.

"2, you will stay out of Uncle Max's office. Got it?"

"Got it," they repeated.

"Number 3, You do what Niles or Uncle Max tells you first time. Got it?"

"Yeah, can we go play now?" asked Carrie defiantly.

"Let's get you both settled in first. You can have my old room for now," she said glaring at them through half lidded eyes. "Oy, Oy, Oy you'll send us all vercocked." She went to pick up a suitcase, which she put back down instantly. "What'd your Ma put in these anyway? Niles, come and give us a hand," she called. Niles came out to her mumbling under his breath.

Max sat stunned looking at his three children who all starred steadily back at him. "Ah Children," he started "Fran's two nieces will be staying with us for a few months. They are a bit younger than you so I'm sure you'll do everything you can to help them settle down."

"Tell me I'm dreaming. I do not believe that you agreed to this. Fran's told us all about those two little monsters. I remember what they were like at the wedding," moaned Maggie petulantly. Fran peered round the corner.

"Grace and Maggie please come and give me a hand. Oh yes Max, give the locksmith a ring. We'll need locks put on every door- immediately," she said meaningfully.

"Fran, how could you do this to us?" pleaded Brighton.

"Don't blame me B, your father's the one who agreed. Come on gang let's get on with some damage limitation 'ay!" she said smiling apologetically.

"Dad!" they all chorused glaring at him before they trouped out after Fran.

"It took you five years to accept Fran, so what made you lose your reserve now?" Brighton asked as he left the room in disgust.

Max sat at his desk and put his head in his hands, then rubbed his eyes and temples. "What the bloody hell have I done?" he asked nobody in particular.

The rest of the afternoon was taken up with moving furniture and clothes in and out of wardrobes. The two girls were excited but surprisingly well behaved. Max thought that maybe there was so much general chaos and confusion that they were over awed. He certainly was. At 4pm, the doorbell went and Niles rushed enthusiastically to get it. C.C pushed past him her arms full of documents and briefcases. Her timing was perfect as both Carrie and then Sam charged into her at full speed knocking her into Nile's arms. The two girls stood stock-still and glared at the tall elegant lady covered in a cascade of papers. They had only rushed up because they wanted to see who was at the door. They really were trying to be good. They giggled nervously and then simultaneously turned and ran as fast as possible upstairs.

"Maxwell, " wailed C.C. "Niles call the police or something. Don't just stand there grinning."

"Oh poor Miss Babcock, what an awful shock that must have been for you. Did our two new little house guests spill all your terribly important papers," said Niles, sarcasm oozing from every syllable. "Do let me help you," he added picking up one piece of paper and handing it to her. Desperately she tried to organise her papers and regain her composure. Fran came rushing downstairs and barely avoided barging into C.C. again. At the top of the stairs two little girls crouched behind the banisters and stared shyly down. Fran was more successful at helping C.C. and by the time everything was cleared up she had explained the situation to a stunned C.C.

"Come on down here girls and apologise to Miss Babcock," called Fran kindly. The two children walked sedately down stairs. C.C looked at them as if they were aliens.

"We're really sorry Miss Babcock. We didn't expect you to be all the way in," said Carrie.

"Yeah, we thought you'd still be at the door," added Sam. Both the girls had typical Queens accents and the only thing that was missing was the nasal tone to make them sound like miniature Frans. They were also two particularly attractive children with petit frames, long dark hair and huge eyes.

"I haven't got time for all this," shouted C.C. after she collected herself. "Maxwell, " she screamed and almost ran into his office. A few minutes later Maxwell emerged from his office, his hand on his forehead.

"Niles ," he called. "We have guests for supper. Today of all days. C.C your timing is just perfect." Fran came up to him and tenderly stroked his face before kissing him.

"What's the matter, sweetie. Who's coming to supper?" she asked sympathetically.

"C.C. has invited Stuart Damon around this evening," he responded.

"Ahh! " wailed Fran. "Alan Quartermaine coming here. I gotta phone Ma and Val." She started jumping up and down and hugging Max.

"Precisely. Five children, you and I plus C.C. and an actor I'm trying to entice back to Broadway. If the man's got any sense he'll run as fast as he can back to L.A." murmured Max. With impeccable timing the doorbell rang. Carrie rushed to answer it. "Babeh," she wailed excitedly "We're gonna stay with Auntie Fran." In walked Sylvia.

Fran and Max exchanged a meaningful look. Somehow they had got to avoid her joining them for supper.

"Babeh, guess who's coming to supper?" asked Carrie, with the usual tack of childhood.

"Now then kids, have you got your room tidied yet?" asked Fran trying to silence her.

"That doctor from telly, Jason's daddy. The one you always say is gorgeous," added Sam. Sylvia looked straight at Fran.

"Hi Frannie, darling. Haven't you got a big hug for your ma, and you Max?" asked Sylvia in her sugary sweet cajoling voice. She made a grab for Max and hugged him roughly. Max looked embarrassed but resigned.

Fran obediently gave her a hug. "No Ma, you can take that look right off your face. There is no way that you will be joining us for the evening," she declared adamantly.

"Oh Frannie, how can you say such a thing to you poor old Ma. I only came over to see how the girls were settling in. I would have had them myself but I discovered this lump. Here can you feel it?" Sylvia indicated a place somewhere on her chest and looked pathetically at Fran.

"Fran Darling, we both know that no amount of arguing will sway your mother. We could stand here debating the point till next week and she'd still win," conceded Max reluctantly. "Sylvia, do please join us this evening. I'm sure our guest will be utterly charmed. Will Morty be joining us too?"

Sylvia gave him another hug. "I d'know. Do you think you could get the limo to take me home so we can get ready?" she asked trying, unsuccessfully, to look coy.

"It would probably be better if I got you a Taxi. Niles!" he called. "Call a taxi for Sylvia?"

"Yes Oh Master," came Nile's distant reply. "Your wish is my command." Max rolled his eyes heavenward.

"Oh Max, I do love you so much," murmured Fran as her mother went off into the kitchen. The look of love and devotion in her eyes was worth more to him than all the star guests in the world. He was conscious sometimes about how different their backgrounds were and was always trying to prove to her and perhaps himself that he was not embarrassed by her or her family. C.C. however had no such inhibitions and was horrified when he told her that they would have more guests. She flounced out of the house in a rush to get ready and probably have a stiff drink.

Gracie was sat in her bedroom curled up on the bed reading when she heard a timid little knock at her door. "Come in," she called. The door opened and Carrie and Sam walking hesitantly in. Grace closed her book and looked at them expectantly. She was three years older than Carrie and five years older than Sam.

"Hello," murmured Carrie. She looked half-terrified and half just plain miserable. Sam held her hand for moral support.

"Hello back," said Grace smiling. She quite forgot to be annoyed, these two looked so lost and forlorn. "Come on in. It's alright I won't eat you."

"We're sorry we threw all your dolls around. We were a bit excited," said Carrie quietly.

"That's Ok. Just as long as you don't do it again. I guess I've gotta couple of little sisters for a while?" she replied and patted the bed for them to come and sit with her.

"Nobody wants us here, even Auntie Fran," said Carrie close to tears.

"I'm sure that's not true. Give them time to get used to the idea. Adults can be so unadaptable sometimes," said Grace putting her arm around their shoulders comfortingly.

"That tall lady told us so. She shouted ever so loud at us. She said that nobody wanted us and that we were just a bloody nuisance. She said we'd wreck Uncle Max's next show. I want my Mommy," sobbed the little girl and buried her head in Grace's shoulder. Her little sister joined her.

"What C.C? Don't worry about her. She can be a bit unpleasant sometimes. At least she noticed you. She's known me all my life and she still doesn't know my name," laughed Grace. "Now dry your eyes. Would you like to play with Barbie's with me," they nodded. "Then we'll go and have a look see what we can find in your stuff for you to wear tonight. We've all got to look very pretty."

The three girls knelt down at the toy box and played as only little girls can, forgetting their tears and getting to know each other.

The next few hours were a little chaotic but somehow with his usual genius for organisation Niles managed to get the meal, house and Fran's mother all organised in good time. Morty didn't want to come, he preferred a quiet evening at home. Max wondered if he could join him.

Grace did a good job with the two little girls. She was delighted to find that most of her old dresses had found their way into Carrie and Sam's wardrobe. Fran had obviously been handing things down for years. Grace enjoyed looking at all her old things like seeing old friends and enjoyed dressing up the two little girls even more. They really were very attractive children and despite their reputation were trying really hard to be good.

With a hour and a half to go before their guest arrived Fran was getting ready. Max came up behind her, put his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. "Have we got time for a bath?" he whispered in her ear.

"Always," she replied.

"Let me help you get ready," he offered, tenderly pulling down her strap and caressing her arm. She leaned against him lovingly.

"I know I can rely on you." she loved these spontaneous seductions. It took quite some time to get into the bath and they had both worked up quite a sweat by the time they got there. As they lay after their love making, soaking and stroking each other in the warm soapy water they both felt completely happy and relaxed.

"You know a few months ago all this chaos in the house would have driven me mad. Now nothing really seems to phase me as long as I have you with me," said Max stroking her with his big toe as she sat opposite him.

"Oh Max you are just so cute. I must admit I've noticed the change. I keep expecting you to find something I've messed up and bellow 'Miss Fine' at the top of your voice." She laughed and let her toes wander up Max's leg. "I'm really sorry about the girls. It wasn't really your fault for saying yes. I know you were just trying to please me" she replied as she luxuriated in his massage.

"Who knows by the time Nadine returns she might find that she has two well behaved cute little girls to come home to. You do have a way with kids," he paused." Come to think of it you have a way with your husband too!" they both got distracted for a few minutes.

"I think the girls are nice enough really. They just get a bit over excited sometimes. I'm afraid Nadine has always had to work, often from home. The girls have had to run wild a lot. I think sometimes that they are naughty just to get her attention. It's not easy raising kids on a low income. It's not like she could employ a nanny to look after them while she worked," sighed Fran. " They've always been such cute little things, and little Sam with that lisp? They've always been able to charm their way out of any trouble.

"Now then Nanny Fine," said Maxwell innocently. "How did you manage to find your was into my bath. You know it's not a very professional thing to do. Can you imagine Mary Poppins…" she splashed him.

"Oh Mr Sheffield, I must have been sleepwalking," she responded. The ensuing water fight ended in a far more satisfactory way than the first time they had ended up in the same bath together. Then nearly three years earlier she was still the Nanny and he the stuffy English man maintaining a purely professional relationship. Now was a lifetime away.

Somehow they both managed to get ready in time for their guests to arrive. Firstly Sylvia made her entrance. Max wondered, not for the first time, how his mother-in-law managed to squeeze herself into such tight clothing without bursting the seams. The children were all seated on the sofa's looking immaculate. Carrie and Sam got up and walked over to their Grandmother. They looked round at Grace and exchanged grins. "Good evening Grandma. It's very nice to see you," they chorused.

"Oh my babies," she wailed, "Don't you just look amazing. And so polite!" She hugged them roughly.

They were all enjoying an apéritif when Stuart Damon arrived. He was dressed immaculately in a double-breasted suit. Sylvia swooned when she was introduced and he smiled obviously amused by her fan worship. Fran had certainly leant a few things over the years. Whereas she might have appeared star-struck and naive before, now she was the perfect hostess, yet she still managed to have that freshness and charm that men found so appealing. The two little girls were a delight. Stuart deliberately tried to bring them out and bent down to their level to talk to them, which was just as well because he was incredibly tall and must have been very imposing to such tiny people. He soon had them giggling and sitting on his huge lap chatting like old friends.

Then they sat around the table chatting, waiting for Niles to bring in the first course. The children were desperately trying to be polite, but their guest was such a clown they soon forgot and reverted to their true selves. He had a tendency to put on a silly "Teddy Bear" voice and make all the children collapse laughing. Maggie and Brighton would really rather not have been there. They had other plans for the evening. Fran had asked them to be around for at least the meal to help her. But even they were enjoying themselves. The dinning room buzzed with chatter and laughter.

"I must say Max it's a pleasure to come and meet your family. The last few night's I've been on my own in a hotel. I've been missing my own family abysmally," commented Stuart.

"How long are you going to be in town this time," asked Fran.

"I'm going home tomorrow. If I do your show, and I must say it's very tempting, I'll bring at least my wife and grandson with me. My daughter is pretty busy at the moment. My son Christopher has recently left home. I suspect Margaret would have liked to have met him. He's twenty-two and considered a bit of a hunk, " he replied, smiling at Maggie who coloured up instantly. Niles bought in the starter, which was something sumptuous with avocado and shellfish.

"I read in Soap Digest that you were bringing up your grandson. How old is he now?" asked Sylvia.

"Coming up three in January. Forgive me for asking but I have a distinct feeling that I have met you before. Your accent shouts Queens?" they spent the rest of the meal talking about people they might have both known years ago. Eventually they worked out that he was a cousin of an old school-friend of Morty's and they must have met at a wedding years ago.

C.C looked on spellbound. The children were charming. Sylvia got on with him like old friends and Fran was being the perfect hostess. Unable to believe how successful the evening was she excused herself after desert and went into the study to collect her thoughts. This should have been a complete disaster but instead she was being proved wrong again.

She was feeling guilty about shouting at those two little girls that afternoon. She had come across them on the terrace where they were playing quietly. The sight of the two innocent little girls forced a submerged memory from her childhood to resurface and made her flip. She had screamed abuse at them and told them that nobody wanted them. Since then she had been haunted by her own pain. It was her that nobody had wanted then, or for that matter now. She knew she must have scared the living daylights out of the poor little kids.

Slowly tears started trickling down her face smudging her makeup pathetically. Her time at "The Place" had forced her to deal with many unresolved issues but she had failed to come to an understanding with the child she had been. Shipped from parent to parent and from school to school her inner child -as her therapist called it- was a lost, lonely baby shutting out all real love and affection for fear of more rejection. She was so tied up with her own tears that she didn't hear Niles enter behind her. He stood watching her for a few minutes before coming forward and putting his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. C.C jumped in shock but then looked up at Niles. He was smiling, his face full of compassion and something else. "What are you doing in here you old dragon?" he asked.

"Hiding from that scene of domestic bliss," she sobbed. He sat next to her on the loveseat and put his arms around her.

"Oh Niles, it's just those two kids, they remind me of myself when I was young. Nobody wanted me then and nobody wants me now. Even my dog hates me," she sobbed into his shoulder He looked slightly embarrassed but decided now was not the time to be flippant.

"Now then C.C, he said using her use name "That's not true Max needs you remember how badly he coped when you resigned and when you were at the "place."

"But that's not me, that's my work he missed. Anyone could do that for him," she countered. He was silent for a few minutes but continued stoking her hair.

"I missed you," he said simply.

"You did?" she asked.

"I missed your wit, your humour and damn it even your beautiful face. Insulting you is more than a hobby. You are my greatest joy." He whispered into her ear.

"I am?" she responded looking into his face.

"You are," he reassured her and then gently leaning down kissed her tenderly on the lips, "and this time I'm not drunk."

Ardently she returned his kisses. They held each other and kissed passionately for a few minutes more and then Niles pulled away.

"Let's not take this too fast. We both know and have known for some time that we have ambiguous feelings for each other. At least I think you know," he whispered to her.

"Oh I know all right. But it's just so difficult to admit it," she answered.

"Me too," he replied. They were both silent for a while and then she reached up and kissed him tenderly.

"What now?" they both asked together and laughed quietly.

"Lets just see how things go along shall we. I don't want to make a commitment just yet, especially while you are so vulnerable at the moment. Let's see what the cold light of morning brings," he told her.

"I sort of agree but I feel so screwed up tonight, could we just, well, keep each other company. I need you," she said meaningfully.

"Yes, of course. Whenever you need me from now on I'll be there. You know C.C. all these years you have thought of me as just the help," he hesitated.

"Not just the help, you could never he just anything," she told him earnestly and kissed him again.

"As I was saying, all these year I have been saving and investing my capital. I will admit to having had considerable success. Recently I've had in mind that, well that I might not repulse you so much if you knew I was a millionaire too." he whispered hesitantly.

"I've had my suspicions, about the money that is. I've never been revolted by you. You challenged me and stimulated me. I'm afraid I've been far too busy recently trying to suppress my own feelings to worry about money or status," she mumbled through her kisses.

"Come on" he said stopping her passion before they got carried away "We'd better join the outside world again. Would you like to come and help me in the kitchen."

"I'd love to" she told him giving him one final kiss " But I think you ought to tidy yourself up. You appear to be rather excited."

"By you, always,' he responded as be sorted out his trousers.

The evening progressed well. Sylvia left early and the children went out or up to bed. Max, Fran and Stuart sat relaxing enjoying good conversation and a glass of brandy. CC was still helping Niles in the kitchen.

"I have really enjoyed this evening A home is only a home when it's full of children and laughter. I'd be delighted to work with you and look forward to introducing my family to you," Stuart told them.

Conversation was easy and they all felt that more than just a working relationship might develop. Max told Stuart about his and Fran's courtship and eventual wedding.

"My family has very grave doubts about us but we don't think social status or religion is a problem," Max said squeezing Fran's hand.

"Well, "said Stuart "My wife and I have similar cultural differences. She's an English Catholic and I'm first generation Brooklyn Jewish. We've been married forty years. It's never been a problem I'm sure you'll be just fine."

"So am I," said Max.

"Me too," added Fran. "But I gotta keep him on his toes you know."

"I'm sure- I'm also sure that you and my wife will get on very well," he told her laughing.

They talked on for a long time. Oddly C.C. never did reappear from the kitchen and Niles had gone up to bed long before Stuart took his leave from them well after midnight. They assumed she must have had a headache or something and just sneaked out.

Later as Fran and Max cuddled up too each other in bed, she sighed. "You know Max, perhaps those five years as the nanny were not such a waste really," she told him.

"Definitely not, but in what way in particular are you referring?" he asked while stroking her breasts.

"Well I think I've grown. I'm not the same person I was. You've introduced me to a new world. It's taken a while to feel comfortable in it. But tonight I felt at ease and happy. You know I must have been a real smlemiel when I first moved in," she asked.

"A bit, but the same thing that fascinated me then still totally captivates me now. You have such energy, enthusiasm and wisdom, no to mention being the most sexy lady I have ever met," he told her.

"Well I think you're kind'a cute and sexy too," she replied.

"So prove it," he whispered. And she did.

Back to Fan Fiction

Back to The Really Unofficial Nanny Home Page