These characters belong to High School Sweethearts. If they did belong to me I'd be sitting in my Jacuzzi right now instead of writing a story!!! Sorry if this story is a little gloomy, but it deals with a subject all women should be aware of and who better to deliver it than our favorite Fran Drescher.

Life's Little Surprises

by

Mandie
(Mandie321@Yahoo.com)

It was the middle of the afternoon, and Fran and Maggie were watching a special on Life Time for women. They were demonstrating how to give yourself a breast exam to detect breast cancer. They had just been channel surfing, and decided this would be interesting to see. Actually, they would prefer to watch something more like Studs, but this would have to do. What they didn't realize at the time though, was it was this program that would save one of their lives. When the program came to finish an hour later, Maggie turned to Fran and asked...

"Fran? Do you check your breasts regularly?"

"Nah, I never really thought about breast cancer before. I've always been very healthy."

"Fran, whether or not your healthy now, has nothing to do with getting breast cancer", she said rolling her eyes. She was Surprised Fran knew so little about it. " Do you think someone my age should do regular exams too?"

"I don't really know sweety. You are 21, it probably would be a good idea to start now. The lady on Life Time said the earlier you detect cancer the more likely you are to keep it from spreading, and for it to be cured." she replied. Still not even concerned that she had never had a breast exam she continued to channel surf.

"Don't you think you should also start doing them?" , a concerned look fell over her narrow face as she continued the subject.

"I guess so........" she looked over to see Maggie's expression. "Oh all right, if it will make you happy, I'll do it. I'll do one before I go to bed tonight. Now will you wipe that look off your face, and go find someone else to scare the crap out of!" She said with a grin and pointed toward the upstairs.

Later that evening after Fran had put the babies to sleep, and the rest of the kids had gone out with their friends, Fran decided she would turn in early. Maxwell had also been detained with CC at some business meeting for their new play tonight, so there was really nothing else for her to do. As she was preparing for bed ,and about to slip into her nightgown, Fran remembered her conversation with Maggie. She really thought it was ridiculous, but decided it never hurt to be safe. So before putting on her nightgown she raised her left arm and started to examine her left breast in front of their bathroom mirror. When she found nothing out of the usual she did the same with her right side. Just as she was about to finish she noticed something on the underside of her breast. It seemed to be a hard piece of fat. As she examined it more in depth she began to be afraid. Could this possibly be a cyst? She had never noticed it there before, and it had never caused her any pain. She tried to look at it in the mirror and it appeared to be rather small and very hard. Panic began to take over her and she began to pace the floor. She wished that Max was there to reassure her that it was nothing to worry about. Then she decided that telling Max would not be a good idea. The thought of him losing another wife entered her mind and she knew he would never be able to go through that again. She would have to make an appointment to see the doctor tomorrow and not mention it to Maxwell until she knew more.

She lay awake for two hours before Max had finally came home at about 11:30. He was very quite not to disturb her for he thought she was asleep. She just laid there and watched him undress. He got in bed next to her ,and leaned over to kiss her forehead, somewhat startled when she returned the kiss.

"What are you doing still awake darling?" He said in a low whisper.

She raised her head and leaned it on her hand running her fingers through the hair on his chest.

"I couldn't sleep, and I haven't seen you all day." She withdrew her hand from his chest and laid both hands under her head.

"Is there anything the matter?" He began to rub her arm gently and leaned over to kiss her.

"No, I am just exhausted from taking care of the babies. They sure can be a handful." She then kissed him back and turned off her side and on to her back.

"I am sorry I haven't been around much lately to help you. As soon as we get this play in order I'll be around a lot more." He then rolled over on top of her and began placing kisses on her cheek and then lower on her neck.

Fran rapped her arms around him and just let herself enjoy the pleasure he was bringing her. When he began to place his hand under her nightgown and onto her breasts, she brought her hand up quickly to pull his hand away from her. He just stared at her for a moment trying to figure out her actions. She just rubbed his face softly as he removed himself from her.

"I am sorry sweetheart I.....I....am just too tired to even enjoy this right now." Completely lying through her teeth, but was afraid he would discover what she had earlier.

"That's OK I understand. I am very tired as well. Why don't we make plans to have lunch together tomorrow afternoon. I should have some free time betwe........."

"Oh.... UM......tomorrow is no good. I.....UH... already made plans with........Val." She hated to have to lie to him, especially since she never spent any time with him, but she was trying to protect him from any pain or concern this would bring him.

"Oh. Well then I'll try to get away early tomorrow evening so we can spend some time together." He then wrapped both arms around her and proceeded to drift off to sleep.

Fran desperately wanted to wake him and tell him everything, but every time she would think of a reason to tell him she thought of ten better ones of why not to tell him. She was angry at herself for not being more precocious, and so ignorant about her body. She was terrified of the thought that she could possibly have Cancer. Only one person in her family, on her mothers side, had anyone ever had breast cancer. She didn't know much of the details though, but knew it was her great grandma and that she had suffered a great deal.She it for about two years before she died. Back then though, they didn't have the same knowledge of it that they do now.

Before she knew it Maxwell's alarm clock had gone off . She couldn't decide whether or not she had ever fallen asleep, or if she had just laid there all night with her eyes shut only partially asleep. Either way, she felt exhausted. She was going to wait for Maxwell to get ready and leave before she made an appointment to see the doctor this afternoon. When he finally left she got the number for the doctors office out of her purse and made the call.

She would see him at one this afternoon. All she could do until then was to keep herself busy and keep her mind off of the whole thing. She then heard one of the babies crying and went to their rooms to get them both ready for their breakfast. When she entered she found it was Madeline who had been the one making all the noise. She walked over to her crib and gently lifted her to her chest and rocked her a little to calm her down. When she finally stopped crying she proceeded to change her diaper and her clothes. When Fran saw this made the baby happy she did the same with Miles, who had been awaken from all of the commotion. Fran loved this time with the kids in the morning, she couldn't imagine that having babies could make her feel this happy. She then called for Niles on the intercom to help her take them downstairs for breakfast.

After breakfast Fran decided she would take the babies to the park. Niles wanted to go with, so he packed all of them some lunch, and got the baby's things together. Fran was happy to have some company with her. She barley thought about the doctors appointment until Niles asked.....

"So Fran how have been doing? You look a little stressed out today. Is anything the matter?"

"Uh, not really I am just tired that's all" She stated without looking at him and hoping that would be the end of his questioning.

"What do you mean not really? If there is something the matter Fran you can tell me." He said with a friendly concerned tone. He then stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. As he turned her to face him, he noticed she was beginning to cry." Fran please tell me what is bothering you, and maybe I can help." He was now really concerned and took her hand to console her.

"Niles, I'd really rather not talk about it. I don't want to concern anyone with it until I know more. OK?" Her eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject.

"Fran I am very worried about you. I am your best friend. I can't just stand by knowing you may be in trouble!" He helped her sit down on the bench behind them. He strolled the babies closer to him and shielded them from the sun that was pounding down.

"OK Niles, but you have to promise not to tell Max. He has already been through so much pain and loss in his life I don't want him to worry about this." Her look went from upset to very serious and she waited for him to make his promise.

"Fran, if something is the matter with you, Max is the first person you should tell. He loves you and would support you through anything."

"Niles I am not going to tell you anything until you promise me you won't say a word to Max!" She turned away from him and began to cry again.

"OK..OK..I won't say a word, I promise." He rubbed her back to comfort her once more as she began to tell him the story.

When she was through Niles had a scared look on his face for his friend whom he loved so much. He brought himself to console her and tell her that everything would be fine and not to worry. But he was worried enough for the both of them. He knew this is something Max would definitely want to know, but he remembered his promise to Fran.

"Fran, I'll drive you to the doctors office and if you want me to stay with you I will. I can have Maggie watch the babies for you. Or we could call Maxwell, and he would be able to go into the doctors office with you when they examine you. Either way you shouldn't go alo......."

"No Niles! I don't want him knowing about this yet. He has enough to worry about. I can do this on my own." Her tone became irritated and then she calmed down and thanked him for being concerned. "I'll be just fine don't worry. OK?"

With that they walked home in silence. Fran left the babies with Niles to go get ready for the doctors when they returned home. When she was just about to leave she heard Max's voice, and she walked down stairs to see what he was doing home already.

"Honey, I thought you wouldn't be home 'till tonight?" She walked over and gave him a kiss, pretending that there was nothing going on.

"We finished a lot earlier than we thought, and since you were going to lunch with Val I was thinking that maybe I could join you!" He walked over to the closet and hung up his coat looking to Fran for a response.

"I don't think you would enjoy yourself honey, we're just going to do "girl" stuff. You know gossiping and shopping. Besides you should stay and spend time with your children. You haven't seen them all week!" She walked to the closet and got her coat, not going to take no for an answer.

"Your right I should spend some time with them." He couldn't help but feel that Fran was trying to get rid of him and he wandered what she had up her sleeve. She had been acting very strangely the last few days and he couldn't help but be suspicious. He decided to go to the biggest yenta of all, Niles. He would most likely know what was going on with her.

He found Niles pretending to clean in the kitchen while watching his Spanish soap opera. Niles quickly covered the TV with the toaster cover and went on with his dusting as if Max hadn't already seen him.

"Good God Niles, am I the only one who does any work around here?" He rolled his eyes and gave Niles a dirty look.

"I don't know what your talking about sir, I was only dusting the toaster." He gave him an innocent puppy dog look.

"Uh huh, since when does the toaster speak Spanish? Anyway that's is not why I came in here. I wanted to ask you a question about Fran." His tone turned serious and he looked at Niles expecting him to blurt out something at any moment.

"OK. What would I know about her that you wouldn't know. I'm sure she tells you everything sir." Not looking at him because he knew what he was getting at, and he promised Fran he wouldn't say a word about her being at the doctor.

"Well Niles, she's been acting very peculiar, even for her. She doesn't seem to want to be around me lately. The other night I made advances to....you know.....and she pushed me away." He was very hurt by that night but decided he would take her word that she was just tired." And then today I wanted to join her and Val and she clearly did not want me with." He was deep in thought wandering what on earth he did to make her behave in this manner.

"I don't know sir, maybe she's just upset that your never around to help with the children." He stated nonchalantly.

"Maybe, but I told her I was sorry for that. It still doesn't explain why she reacted the way she did when I touched her the other night. I think there is something more, something she is hiding from me. You wouldn't know what that could be?" He looked at Niles accusingly.

"Why would I know anything about that. She doesn't exactly share her sex life with me......Thank God!!" He kept busy with his cleaning in hopes that Maxwell would see he was not interested in getting into this conversation.

"Do you think she is having an affair?" He stood in the middle of the kitchen with a blank stare as if he had drifted off onto another universe.

"Heavens no sir! Fran would never even think of doing that." He knew he should tell him what was really going on, but feared the thought of making Fran angry with him.

"If it's not that then what? What else would make her act so secretively?" He returned from his daze and looked to Niles for an answer.

"Sir, I am not at liberty to tell you. I made a promise to Fran. You'll have to ask her yourself." Now he knew with that remark Max would never leave him alone until he spilled his guts.

"SO YOU DO KNOW!!! Come on Niles, you can't just say something like that, and then leave me here to worry about her."

"Please, just wait until she gets home and ask her yourself. This is something she is going to want to tell you herself." He was trying his hardest not to give into the third degree he was receiving from him.

"That is wonderful my wife tells you things before she tell her husband. How is it Niles, that your always so concerned about keeping her bloody secrets, but blab mine the same minute I tell you?" With that he left Niles alone and stormed out the kitchen door.

Fran had been at the doctors office for a half hour now waiting to be seen for her exam. When she was finally called, she stood up slowly and realized that the moment of truth was not far away.

"Hello Mrs. Sheffield. How are you today?'

"I don't know that's why I am here." She gathered up the words to continue with her explanation. "Last night I gave myself a breast exam..." there was a long pause before she was able to finish "well I found a lump under my right breast." She wasn't sure why but she felt a little embarrassed. Now more than ever she wished that she would have just told Max.

"OK, well lets have a look at it." He motioned for her to lie down on the table and then placed his cold hands on her right breast and began to exam it. "You're right, you do have a small lump there. We're going to have to run some tests though before I can tell you exactly what it is."

"Do you think it is serious doctor? Could I have breast cancer?" Her top lip began to twitch as she forced her tears back.

"I can't say anything until we run some tests. Mrs. Sheffield don't worry, it is not uncommon to have lumpiness or thickening in your breasts, a lot of women do. Doing breast exams are very important. It helps you learn what is normal and what isn't. Also the sooner you discover a lump the better. When found early breast cancer can be cured 90% of the time. Now I need to ask you a few questions. Are you OK to continue?"

"Yes, thank you" She wiped away a single tear that had escaped, in spite of her efforts to keep it back.

"I need to know whether there is a history of breast cancer in your family, specifically on your mothers side"

"Yes, well my great grandmother on my mothers side died of breast cancer, but she is the only one."

"OK, Now when was your last menstrual cycle?"

"About a week and a half ago. Why? What does my period have to do with anything?"

"Well first of all we ask that for everything to make sure your not pregnant. In this case it's also useful for doing mammograms. They are more effective less than two weeks after your period. Since the timing is perfect for you, I am going to schedule an appointment for you tomorrow. Mammograms are a most effective cancer detection, usually for woman over fifty. We don't do mammograms for women your age as a first option, because of radiation risks and lower detection rates. In your case though, because it is in your family history, it is important to have an X-Ray. We just want to make sure there are no other lumps that cannot be detected through self examination. Is tomorrow OK for you then?"

"Yeah that will be fine." There was no trace of anything but fear and worry on her face. Her words left her with no help from her at all.

"Mrs. Sheffield this is merely a percussion. Now I am going to write down for you on a piece of paper what you need to know for your mammogram tomorrow.

On a small piece of paper he wrote....

"I am also going to give you a pamphlet on "Breast Health Tips". Other than that you are all ready to go for now. I'll see you tomorrow at noon for your X-Rays. OK?'

"Huh...." lost in her thoughts again" Oh, yes doctor, Thank you" With that she exited his office and headed home.

She entered the house to find Maxwell sitting on the stairs waiting for her.

"Max, why are you sitting there? Is something the matter?" She wandered if Niles had betrayed her confidence.

"I was waiting for you. I need to talk to you about the way you have been acting toward me lately." He stood in front of her and took her coat to hang it in the closet.

"You mean the other night don't you? When I pushed you away?" She felt terrible that he had been hurt by that.

"Yes, and also for not wanting me to go with you today. You didn't go out with Val, did you?"

"How do you know that? Did Niles blab?" Anger welled up in her face.

"No, Val called."

"Oh." She replied, feeling a little guilty.

"Fran what is going on. I know you wouldn't cheat on me, so what is it then?" He sat back on the stairs and rubbed his temples showing his anxiety.

"Honey, of course I am not cheating on you, I love you. OK, I will tell you what's going on. I didn't tell you this before because I didn't want you to worry." She sat on the stairs next to him and placed her arm around him.

"Worry? Why would I worry? Is something wrong with you? What is it?" His voice began to crack and his face became disgruntled.

"Honey calm down. This is exactly why I didn't tell you." She paused for a moment. "Can we finish this upstairs?" She was trying to prolong telling him, and she didn't want the kids to hear her.

"Of course lets go upstairs."

They walked up the stairs together, and went into their bedroom. Maxwell sat on their bed and waited for Fran to continue with what she had to say.

"Yesterday Maggie and I were watching this special on Life Time about self exams for breast cancer. Well, I never gave it much thought before, but I promised her that I would do one before I went to bed. Anyway I found a lump under my right breast." She paused for a moment to catch his reaction. "I didn't tell you because.....because...." She couldn't finish because tears started to over come her and her voice became shaky. Maxwell also became distraught and stood up to comfort Fran.

"Oh my God Fran. I am so sorry. I wish you had told me. We'll make a doctors appointment tomorrow and......"

"I already went to the doctors today.", interrupting him. "That's where I was. I wasn't with Val. I'm sorry for lying to you, but I was trying to protect you from any pain. Please forgive me." Her tears were heavier now and she could barely speak through them.

"Oh Fran, don't be sorry. You should have told me though, so I could have been there for you. You don't ever have to keep anything from me, even to spare my feelings. I love you so much, and I am not going to let anything ever happen to you." He continued to hold her in his arms and cradled her head under his chin.

"Thank you. Max..... I am so scared. What if I have breast........" Even the thought made her quiver. She didn't know if she was strong enough to handle what cancer was capable of. She couldn't bare the thought of leaving what had taken her, her whole life to accomplish. She had a wonderful husband and five wonderful children. She wasn't ready to leave it behind, or be made incapable of enjoying it.

"Stop that, we don't know anything yet." He interrupted her thoughts. "Everything is going to be fine, and if it turns out otherwis....." He stopped not wanting to finish that thought, because he feared if he said it then it might happen. He finally had everything he wanted and there was no way anything would take it away from him. "Now what did the doctor say?" he continued after gathering his emotions.

"He said that it isn't abnormal for women to have lumps or thickening in their breasts. He wants to run some tests and do a mammogram tomorrow." She too had gathered herself and was able to continue with Max still holding her.

"You see there, that sounds encouraging darling. Please don't worry. Now, what time are you going to the doctors tomorrow?" He knew he would worry enough for the both of them and the wait in the waiting room would be nothing but torture.

"At noon, but Max you don't have to come. I know you are swamped with work." She knew what her mouth was saying, but truthfully she needed him there with her more than anything.

"Nonsense, of course I am going to be there for you. I won't let you go through this alone." He looked at her with so much love that it melted her heart.

"Thank you, you're wonderful." She kissed him softly. "I think I am just going to rest now." She pulled away from his embrace and laid down on the bed.

"I will stay with you honey and if there's anything you need to talk about please......"

"No Max, that's OK I'd rather just be alone right now if you don't mind. I am really exhausted." She looked at him lovingly and rolled on her side.

Max walked over to her and caressed her hair not wanting to leave her for a minute. He respected her wishes though, and left her to rest.

Maxwell walked down to the kitchen and asked Niles to poor him a cup of tea. Max's body language suggested that he was stressed and worrisome. Niles brought him a cup of tea and sat it down in front of him.

"Is everything OK sir......with Fran I mean?" He knew he should leave him to his thoughts, but had to know if she was all right.

"What?" He was so deep in thought that he nearly forgot Nile's was there.

"Oh, I guess......I really don't know. She has to go for testing tomorrow. I am just so worried about her. What if it is serious? How would I ever go on without her? I don't think I could bare seeing her in pain." His thoughts drifted off once more as his worst fear was realized.

"Mr. Sheffield you shouldn't think like that. If I know her she could kick anything, and besides don't go making the worst out of something you don't even know the outcome of yet."

"I know.....I know, but you should see her. She could barely speak all she could do is cry. I am not use to her giving up so easily."

"Well sir, she has a lot more to give up now. This has got to be scary, but if I know her she will be up soon, and at her old tricks as usual. She has never excepted defeat or gloom before and I doubt she'll start any time soon." He reassured him and himself.

"She is a persistent one isn't she." A vague smile appeared on his face as he flashed back to some of her shenanigans.

"Yeah look how long it took her to get you to wake up, although she did have to almost beat you senseless." He hoped a little humor would cheer him up.

"Funny old man. She did go through a lot and stuck around long after any other woman would have given up."

"And that alone gives her a reason to fight this. She believed in her love for you then, and she'll believe in herself now! No matter what the outcome is."

"Thank you Niles. You truly are a good friend....to both of us!" He affectionately patted him on the back and went up to the babies room to see if they were awake.

He walked into their room to find them both awake and cooing at each other. He took both of them out of their cribs and sat Miles in his walker while he held Madeline.

"How is my favorite baby girl today? You are so beautiful. You look just like your mother." He rubbed his nose against hers and cuddled her for a few moments.

Meanwhile Miles was getting a little antsy and feeling ignored. It didn't take long before the whole house knew it. He let out a yell that could be heard for blocks. Max put down Madeline and quickly comforted his son.

"We all know where you got those lungs from, don't we." He laughed not knowing that Fran was standing behind him.

"Hey, I heard that mister." She also gave out a little chuckle, and went to pick Madeline back up.

"Hello darling, did our son wake you?"

"Nah, I didn't ever fall asleep. I think I am too tired to sleep because of not sleeping last night either. I know, why don't we take these little cuties to the park and get some fresh air before it gets dark?" That familiar smile she always wore had returned.

"That sounds like a terrific idea. Then maybe later you and I can have a quiet evening to ourselves?"

"Since when in the last seven months have we had time alone?" Squeezing one of the reasons that was true, and smiling at Max. They all then headed for the park to enjoy the day and to forget about the events that tomorrow would hold.

Tomorrow came a lot sooner than either one preferred. Fran had slept until nearly 10:30 and was now getting ready to see the doctor. She was sure to follow his instructions. She was almost finished when the time had neared 11:30.Maxwell came into the room wondering how much longer she would be.

"Darling, you have about ten minutes before we have to leave. Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, I'm finished. I just want to throw my hair up so it's not in the way."

"Are you nervous?" He asked ,still worried about her.

"Not really, now that your going to be with me." She walked over and grabbed his toucas and kissed him on the lips.

"Let's not start what we don't have time to finish honey." He retorted, apparently turned on by her gesture.

"I thought you told me you could do it in two minutes." She laughed giving him a seductive look and then exited the room.

They arrived at the doctors office ten minutes early and were sitting in the waiting room. Max was tapping his feet nervously like a little boy. He appeared even more nervous then Fran. Fran noticed his anxiety and placed her hand on his leg to stop the tapping.

"Honey, everything is going to be just fine. This shouldn't be to long." She rubbed his leg and then took his hand.

"I know but...."He was lost in thought for a moment and then pretended he forgot what he was going to say. "Do you want me to go in with you?"

"No, I'll be all right as long as your the first thing I see when I come back." She then kissed him. The nurse came from around the corner and called her name.

As she entered the room where they were going to do the mammogram, the nurse asked if she had any questions. Of course she had a million , but was lost for words, and decided to not bother.

"Now I'll need you to take off everything from the waist up, and here is an X-Ray gown you can put on in the mean time." The nurse gave her the gown and left the room so she could change.

The doctor appeared about ten minutes later ready to examine Fran. Fran had been sitting motionless during this time and not one single thought had even crossed her mind.

"Are you nervous?" He said sympathetically.

"Sort of, I just remember this not being to pleasant." She stood up from the bed and walked over to the machine.

"It won't hurt, but yes it may be uncomfortable. It will only take a few minutes though."

"Oh, and I am suppose to ask you your age. We don't seem to have it on record and your husband wasn't sure either." He grinned knowing this information would not come easily.

"That's odd I know I wrote an age in there." She grinned devilishly.

"Yes, but we wanted your age, not your daughters." He handed her the sheet and pen.

"You should really be more specific with these things. Hey, and how dare you think I could have a 29 year old daughter." She laughed this time and took the paper from him." She still did not reveal her actual age , but put down something a little closer. She then handed it back to him with a smug look on her face.

"33 huh?" He looked over at Fran, and decided he was fighting a losing battle. "OK, if you could come stand over here and we'll get started.

When the examination was over Fran rejoined Max in the waiting room. He stood immediately and went to her side.

"How did everything go?" He put his arm around her shoulder.

"OK I guess. We have to wait awhile for the X-Ray results. Do you want to wait here or would you rather go home and wait for him to call?" The worry was obvious in her voice.

"What would you say to a romantic dinner and we can call the hospital when we are through. That way we aren't stressing our selves waiting for them to call?" He said trying to lift her spirits.

"I don't know, I am not going to be much fun." She put her head down and started to walk away.

"Come on it will help keep your mind off of it for awhile." He took her hand and drew her back to him.

"I guess your right it couldn't hurt to get away from this whole thing for awhile." She smiled and led him toward the exit.

The dinner was beautiful and elegant. They sat by candlelight talking and sharing their dreams for the future with one another. They ate their food slowly, savoring every bite along with the moment. They had never felt more secure then they did with each other in this moment, and for the first time they both felt hopeful for a wonderful long future together. After a couple hours they reluctantly made their way home to face the news, good or bad. They went up to their bedroom and sat on the bed beside each other hand in hand. Fran held the phone in her free hand and was ready to hear the results. She dialed and waited patiently while they put her through to the doctor.

"Hi, this is Fran Sheffield. I'm calling to find out the results of my X-Rays." Her energetic tone was only shielding her concern.

Fran waited while the receptionist put her on hold . The waiting only made her and Max's anxiety deepen.

"Hello Fran I am Julie the head nurse and I have your results."

"OK I'm ready let me have 'um." Her hand tightened around Maxwell's as he waited to hear what the nurse would tell Fran.

"The X-Rays are good! You are fine there is no signs of Cancer in your breasts."

"Oh, that's a relief. Thank you so much." Maxwell's face had lifted and was now overjoyed by what he heard.

"We will need to have you come back in though for surgery to remove the lump, and do some further tests on it just to be certain. This is just a precaution and we are certain because of the X-Rays that the lump is not cancerous."

"Oh" Her face drops slightly which concerns Maxwell again. The nurse gives her all the info and the time of the surgery. "Monday is fine, I'll see you then. Bye." She hangs up the phone and looks over to Max with a look of relief.

"What did the nurse say?" He couldn't stand waiting anymore.

"I don't have cancer!! I am perfectly normal." They both jumped up from the bed and lunged into each other's arms.

"What do you have to go in for on Monday then?"

"I have to go in for surgery to have the lump removed so they can do further tests just to be sure. There is nothing to worry about though", she said smiling and no longer afraid, "it is just to make sure."

"Oh darling that is wonderful. I can't image how relieved you must feel. I know a weight has been lifted from my chest." He kissed her passionately making her weak in the knees.

"Honey...." She could barely speak because she was so aroused by his advances." Max.....sweety....."He was to busy attacking her senses to respond to her. "Max before we start this I need to go talk to Maggie."

"Maggie..... what for?" Disappointed and aching with the need to be with her.

"To thank her for convincing me to be more aware of my body and my health! That is one smart kid we've raised!"

She left him standing there aroused and alone with his pain, and went to find Maggie. She was sitting in her bedroom watching television.

"Hi sweety! What are you watching?"

"Dawson's Creek, did you need something?" She said politely

"I just wanted to tell you thank you for making me do a breast exam. I found a lump and...."

"What? Fran are you OK?" She stood quickly from her bed and gave a look of sheer terror.

"Yes sweety I am fine! I went to the doctor and everything is OK, because of your nagging" ,she poked her playfully," I found it before it became anything. Thank you for knocking some sense into me. Oh, and here are some pamphlets on breast health tips. I thought it would be good for you to look at too!" She walked over and gave her a hug.

"Your welcome Fran and thanks for the pamphlets. Oh and Fran, I am so happy you are OK!!"

"Me too!" She gave her a smile and headed back to continue with Max.

She walked back into her room to find him fast asleep on their bed. She knew he hadn't slept much in the last couple of days because he was so worried about her. She walked over to him and laid down next to him. She caressed his head affectionately and thought about how much she had to be thankful for. There was nowhere she'd rather be. She continued to watch him for another hour and then drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Years later Fran would find another lump in her breast. This one would turn out to be malignant , but because she continued self breast exams and mammograms through the years, she caught in time to save her life. She did have to have her breast removed, but the cancer never spread and never came back after her remission. To this day she thanks Maggie for opening her eyes to her health and Maxwell for always being there to make everything seem OK even when they weren't.

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