I am a penniless English woman who deeply respects the legal implications of borrowing these character. I utter all the usual disclaimers and beg that nobody sues me…… Please.

New Additions

by

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

"I'll get it " called Maxwell and almost danced up the small steps to the front door. These days he always seemed to have a smile and a spring in his step. However his smile froze when he opened the door. There standing stiffly and efficiently was a tall elegantly suited white haired gentleman.

"Mr. Maxwell," he paused. "I'd recognise you anywhere, even after all these years," his accent betrayed him as distinctly English, probably public school. Max looked at him, somewhere in the dim recesses of his memory this man was indeed familiar. Then it came to him. This was the younger Mr. Braithwaite, his father's old solicitor.

"Mr. Braithwaite," he said smiling. "What a pleasant surprise." Max remembered his youth when the elder Mr Braithwaite had been a frequent visitor, often bringing his son with him. He had been a tall skinny man who always had a kind word for the Sheffield children. "It must be twenty-five years since I last saw you. Do please come in." he smiled broadly and ushered his visitor into the house.

"Thank you. This is a most attractive house, if I may say so. Such an oasis in this," he hesitated significantly, "lovely city." Maxwell took his coat and hung it up.

"Thank you, we're very fond of it." replied Max.

"Max!" Fran yelled downstairs in her usual nasal screech. "Is that Ma?"

Max grinned, "That's my wife Fran. Do please sit down." He walked to the bottom of the stairs. "Fran darling, come on down we have a visitor."

Niles poked his head round the corner, and quickly sized up the situation. Here was a mystery. Urgently he retired to the kitchen to prepare afternoon tea for the guest. He was desperate to return in time for the story to unravel.

Fran made her usual dramatic entrance down the stairs, smiling and vibrant. Her red skirt was, as usual, exceedingly short and her black silk blouse very tight, she looked stunningly beautiful. Mr. Braithwaite stood up immediately. "This is my wife, Fran. Fran this is Mr Braithwaite an old associate from England."

"HI," whined Fran.

"Delighted to meet you madam. I gather you have only recently married, My congratulations." He said smiling politely.

"Good afternoon Mr Braithwaite. Tea?" asked Niles coming in - slightly out of breath- with the tea tray. They all sat and chatted politely for a while. Niles hovered inconspicuously by the piano. Eventually Mr. Braithwaite put down his cup and coughed.

"Well, I suspect you are wondering why I'm here." He hesitated and looked round at the eager faces. "I'm here representing your late Uncle Rupert's estate." He announced.

" But Rupert died at least five years ago?" interrupted Max.

"Yes, but I regret to inform you that his widow, your Aunt Fenella, has been killed in a car accident in the south of France just last week." He said quickly.

"Oh my god." Max stuttered. Fran reached across to comfort him.

"Were you close?" she asked sympathetically.

"Well no. Not to speak ill of the dead but actually she was not one of my favourite people. Rupert and I were more like brothers when we were younger, that is until he married Fenella. She reminded me of my mother. We never got on." He hesitated. "But she was only my age."

"The reason for my visit is that you are a beneficiary in Rupert Sheffield's will, which came into effect when his wife died," continued Mr. Braithwaite. He had everyone's attention now. They all started to interrupt. "No please, let me finish." He said holding up his hand.

"Mr. and Mrs Rupert Sheffield, as I am sure you know, had two children, Richard who is now nine and little Felicity who is seven," he paused dramatically. "Mr Rupert left them to you in his will!"

"Oh my god," gasped Max.

"Oh the poor little dears," Fran cried. "Fancy being left to an Uncle they don't know, in a will, like a piece of furniture."

"Oh my god," said Max again. "Bloody hell, I mean where are they?" he asked.

"The children are still in their boarding schools in England at the moment," he said sadly.

"I thought Fenella had a sister, surely she'll want to have them," asked Maxwell as he began to accept the news.

"Yes, she has made it plain that she does not want them, besides the will is very explicate. It anything ever happened to his wife he wanted you to bring up his children. He told me at the time that you were the only member of his useless family that had ever made anything of themselves. Besides he was very fond of you," he sighed. "Confidentially he and Mrs Sheffield had a few problems. I suspect if he hadn't died they would have divorced. She had very little feeling for the children. They have had a continual stream of nannies, all of whom had almost sole care of the children. Mrs. Sheffield was a very difficult lady to work for. As soon as the children were old enough they were sent away to school."

"Oh the poor little babies," repeated Fran.

"I've never met them. Do you mean that we are now responsible for these two children," asked Maxwell?

"That's the bottom line. I thought it would probably be easier if you came to England to collect them. There are a number of documents and other items to deal with. I'm afraid the late Mrs. Sheffield left the estate in a bit of a state. She had enormous debts. It will take ages to clear up, I suspect after all the debts are paid off they'll still have the house and a reasonable income. Plus of course Mr. Rupert provided significant trust funds for the children for when they reach 21," he replied.

"We've only recently returned from our honeymoon. I'm not sure if we can spare the time for a major family expedition to England," said Maxwell.

"Max!" screamed Fran. "How can you say that. Those poor little babies, how could you put work first."

"Because if I don't do the work, you can't spend the money." He replied hotly. Then he hesitated. Fran glared at him her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed. Max sighed. " But I guess in this case you are right." He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle hug. "More of those commitments I need time to think about before I make any decisions. In this case I just don't have a choice."

"Good, when do we go. The kids will go mad," squealed Fran.

"I am returning to London in the morning. I will arrange for you all to stay in "Sheffield House." Then you will be able to organise the childrens effects more effectively. Incidentally you are the executor of the estate and have use of the house until the children become of age." Interposed Mr. Braithwaite.

"Well we'll see you in a about a week it will take that long to get every thing ready," sighed Max.

"I'll see you then. It's been a pleasure to see you again Mr Maxwell and once again congratulations on choosing such an utterly charming and beautiful wife," he sighed." She makes me wish I was thirty years younger."

It took a few moments for the gentleman to leave, and that was when the fun began. It was total chaos for the next few hours as Niles and Fran started to organise the trip. Max retired to his office to try and catch up with some work. C.C. arrived and was shown quickly into the office. She had noticed recently that Niles had been almost human to her but they usually managed a small slanging match when she arrived. This morning however he was polite but obviously distracted.

"What on earth is wrong with Niles?" asked C.C. and she glared perplexed at the door as he hurriedly made his escape.

"We've had a bit of a shock. It appears that my late Uncle Rupert's children are coming to live with us and we have to go over to England to collect them," said Maxwell. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you to it again for a while. I think I'll leave Niles here too. I'll need him to organise the house for the children."

"Oh my god, not more children. Maxwell you poor dear. You must be horrified," exclaimed C.C.

Max looked up at her questioningly. "Oddly enough it doesn't worry me to have my cousins coming to live with us. I know Uncle Rupert would have done as much for me. I'm more worried about the children."

"Of course, that's what I meant, of course. " stammered C.C.

"Never mind, C.C. we must get on with all this work. We'll be leaving soon." And with that they turned to more mundane issues.

It was much later that night that Fran and Max eventually got a few minutes together to talk about the changes that were about to assail them. Fran lay relaxed and comfortable in the crook of Maxwell's arm, her head resting on his chest. Gently he stroked her hair and her naked arm. Fran was caressing his chest and playing with his nipples. They both loved this time. Yes, sex was great. Indeed neither of them had ever enjoyed that most natural of pass-times as much, but there was something special about just laying caressing each other, naked in bed, last thing at night. They spent ages talking about the day's events, quietly sharing thoughts and feelings. It was the kind of intimacy that went beyond physical love.

"How are you holding out?" he asked her.

"OK I guess. One things for sure life's never dull." She turned her head and gently kissed his chest. "I know we'd agreed to wait awhile before having more children. This isn't quite what we had in mind."

"I know. Thank you for supporting me. I could never cope with this without you. I am so lucky," he smiled and kissed her hair. He loved the sweet magical scent that went with her. It made him feel so secure and happy. He could never had imagined how content she would make him feel.

"The kids were great. They loved the idea of having a new brother and sister. I hope they all get on alright," sighed Fran recalling the scene when they had told the children the news.

"I hope so too," replied Max. "They've all had to come to terms with grief themselves. I remember Grace's therapist telling me years ago that one of Grace's biggest fears was losing me too. I think that they've all worried that they might have been in the same position as Richard and Felicity. I think they were all a little bit chuffed about finishing school a few weeks early. I hope it won't have a detrimental effect upon their education."

"They're adaptable. The mansion's gonna be less adaptable. At least my old room is free now. We won't be needing a nanny. These kid's are gonna have a proper ma now," she said vehemently. She looked up at his face and smiling he gently kissed her beautiful mouth.

"I love you so much. How could I have been such a blind fool for so long? You're raising my kids to be everything a father could hope for. These two little ones are going to love you," Max said passionately. They snuggled together for a while, kissing and caressing.

"This Uncle of yours, what was he like?" asked Fran

"Rupert was only three years older than me. We spent most of our school holidays together when I was little and then went to the same school when we were older. He was very protective of me at school and helped me to avoid the usual bullying. I hero worshiped him for many years," he sighed.

"Sounds like a great guy," she whispered.

"He was. 'Did very well for himself in the city, made a bundle. He even backed some of my early shows. Then he married Fenella."

"You didn't like her?" she asked.

"She was hard to like. Oh she was as nice as pie until the wedding, then her true character came out. She was sharp tongued, cynical and utterly selfish. I don't think I ever met anyone who was more amoral. She was from aristocratic stock but she was penniless. I was sure that she only married him for his money. He tried to divorce her twice. Both times she discovered that she was pregnant and they stayed together for the children. Gradually Rupert and I drifted apart and didn't see each other for years." He sounded so sad. Fran reached up and gently kissed him on the lips.

"How did he die?" she asked.

"Painfully, leukaemia. I visited him just before he died. He begged me to keep an eye on the children. He really loved them. Unfortunately I got tied up in my own grief over Sara but that's another story."

"You had enough problems raising your own kids. Besides we'll be good parents to them now. I wonder what they'll be like?"

"Well we'll soon find out. Right now we probably ought to go to sleep." He sighed.

"Probably. On the other hand, my mind is a bit active. I wonder if you could think of something that might relax me?" she asked suggestively letting her hand slide down to explore several erogenous zones on Max's lower body.

"Hummmm" said Max.

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