Parts of this story are inspired from real facts that touched the author closely 15 years ago.
It is dedicated to two very special women, one of whom triggered off the idea for the general story line, the other one for just being her, and having the courage and the will to do what she does everyday...

Oy!

by

Anakin
(anakin_skywallkr@hotmail.com)

Niles barged in the office panting.

"Sir!" he barked, almost bumping onto Mr. Sheffield's desk. "Something terrible has happened!"

Maxwell Sheffield stood up. "What?!"

"Miss Fine was on her way back when a mad car hit her and left without stopping! She's been transported to the General Hospital in a serious condition!"

Maxwell was not listening to his butler anymore, he rushed into the hall, took his coat, and exited, hailing a cab.

About half an hour later, he finally reached the E.R. admitting desk of the General Hospital.

"Miss Fran Fine please!" he roared.

"Are you next of keen?"

"I'm her employer!"

The nurse pursed her lips, but facing the desperate look of this man, she finally said:

"She's currently been taken care of, wait here, I'll call you as soon as I get some more information, Mr.?..."

"Sheffield, Maxwell Sheffield..."

"OK Mr. Sheffield, go sit over there, I promise I'll call you."

"Is there a telephone somewhere?"

She nodded towards a corner with three telephone boots.

"Thanks."

Maxwell reached the first boot and dialed his home number.

"Sheffield residence?"

"Niles?..."

"Sir! How is she?"

"I don't know yet... Niles, I don't have much time, please, tell the children where I am and why, but keep evasive, I don't want them to be over anxious for the moment. Have them eat. C.C. should be back from the theatre any minute now, tell her I shall rely on her as long as possible... I'm going to stay here and await the news..."

"You'll be all right Sir?"

"Yes Old Man... Thanks..." He wanted to be reassuring, but he couldn't hide a little tremor in his voice, betraying how terrified he was. He hung up and went to sit in the waiting room, amongst other people.

After some time that seemed like an eternity for him, a white-gowned Doctor approached him.

"Mr. Sheffield?"

He stood up.

"Yes?... How is she?"

The doctor looked embarrassed, then sighed.

"We've done what we could, right now, she's stable. But I won't hide you that her state is currently still rather preoccupying... On the physical side, she's suffered a few injuries, mostly scratches that we disinfected, but they'll heal OK. What is more serious, is that the car hit her legs, and both of them are broken in several places. We had to operate her, and put some pins... When the bones are consolidated, we'll have to remove some of them, which means another operation... Now, the worst part... She's suffered a cranial traumatism and is in a coma in Intensive Care..."

Maxwell's shoulders fell, as well as his face.

"... In a coma you say?"

"Yes, but it's not a deep one, at least so far. The cranial traumatism caused a brain edema that put pressure on the brain, and that's why she's in a coma. We scanned her, and no internal damage was done."

"So she's going to come out of it soon?"

The doctor sighed again.

"We don't know when. It will all depend on how the edema will be resorbed, and when... Sir, what I want to tell you, is that we know very little about coma in general... She might come out of it as her old self, but she might also have lost her memory, she might not be able to speak for a while, she might be like a child, needing to be taught again everything... I don't want to hide you anything... All we know is that her vital signs are good, period."

Maxwell acknowledged slowly what the doctor had just told him, the information slowly, but irremediably processing through his brain. He shook his head as if to wipe away a bad dream, then looked at the doctor with hope in his eyes.

"But she can also come out of it like nothing had happened?"

"I didn't say that..."

"No, but you said that she could be like her old self."

The doctor hesitated, then sighed.

"Yes, that's a possibility indeed..."

"Then there's hope!" He said, almost smiling.

"Mr. Sheffield... Of course you may have hopes, but do not expect too much... I'm sorry I can't be more reassuring..." He put a comforting hand on Maxwell's shoulder. "You may see her a few minutes in intensive care on the first floor..." And with that, he left to attend other patients.

Maxwell entered the room filled with a soft light, and resonating with the regular beeps of the monitors. He spotted Fran's bed, and his heart leapt. She seemed so fragile and unusually pale. He realized that it was probably because she didn't have any make up on. He came next to her bed and couldn't help but softly caress her cheek with the back of his finger. Then, overwhelmed by a sudden wave of feelings, he kissed her brow, murmuring: "Please come back to life Miss Fine... Don't let us all by ourselves, the children need you, Niles needs you, we all need you to brighten our lives... I need you..."

A nurse came behind him.

"Excuse me Sir, but visits are finished... You may come back tomorrow..."

"Please, keep me informed if anything happens, I don't care if you wake me up in the middle of the night..."

"Of course Sir, just leave your phone number at the admitting desk..."

*****

Maxwell shut the front door and hung up his coat. Niles stood up form the couch where he had been waiting, and looked at his boss worriedly.

Maxwell sighed.

She is in a coma... there's a chance she might come out of it, but they don't know how yet...

"Oh God!" Niles said in a blow. "The children, I told them you would explain..."

"Yes... Can you pour me a cup of coffee Old Man?... I'm going to call Sylvia first, and tell her everything. Visits to the Intensive Care are rather restricted, and I don't want her to be over anxious..."

"Yes Sir... shall I tell the children to come down?"

"No, tell them I'll be up in a few minutes, and that they should all be in Maggie's room..."

*****

Talking to Sylvia was not easy, explaining her that she had no right to see her daughter before the next day was even worse. He understood the woman's distress, because it matched his own, but he finally managed to calm her down saying that he had insisted that Fran would get the best care, and that he had to be warned if anything happened. He eventually told her to come to his house with her husband, and stay with them as long as Fran's state would require it...

He finally hung up and went to ask Niles to prepare the guest room before going upstairs.

He hesitated one second in front of Maggie's door, then he heard muffled voices: they were probably trying to figure out what had really happened... He stepped forward, knocked, and entered his eldest daughter's room...

Grace rushed into her father's embrace, uncontrollably sobbing. He lifted her, and carried her before sitting on the bed facing Brighton and Maggie. He took a deep breath, caressing Gracie's brow and cheeks to wipe up the tears she had just shed.

"Children... I won't hide you that Miss F... Fran... That Fran is in a very serious condition... She is in a coma, and the doctors don't know if she will come out of it soon or not."

The children's faces fell, their deepest concern written all over them. Maxwell resumed.

"She may come out of it as her old self, but she also may come out of it deeply changed..." he stopped, letting his children digest the information. "Now the good news is that she's in no danger of death, and that her vital signs are good..."

"Can we see her?" Brighton asked.

"Not yet. Only Sylvia, Morty and I will be able to see her since visits in Intensive Care are strictly controlled, and have to be short, but I'll keep you informed every time I go."

"What are we going to do now?" Maggie said out of the blue.

Maxwell squeezed her hand lightly.

"Children, you've got to be there with me OK?... We're going to stick around Fran, and send her all the positive waves we can, so that she gets better, and we soon get her back home."

"What happened to that bastard that hit her, Dad?" Brighton said, his anger rising.

"The police is still searching him, but I have no doubts that they will find him soon... Now children, do me a favor... I want you all to be positive about it, all right?... She's going to get better, we all know Fran, she wouldn't give up without a fight, and we have to prove her that she has taught us well..."

"Oh Dad!... I feel like it's Mom all over again!" Maggie burst out sobbing.

Maxwell offered her his shoulder, putting his arm around hers.

"Shhh Shhh... No Maggie, it's not like it was for your mother, because Fran is alive, and she will come back to us... And I promise you that when she does, I'll do what is needed so that she'll stay with us forever... You all know how important she's become to us, and to me... We have been put through a lot of ordeals this year, with Niles's heart attack, and Fran's accident, but we're strong, and I'm sure that if we all stick together, Fran will soon be with us... OK?..."

Brighton couldn't stand it any longer, and he joined his sisters in his dad's embrace. They all remained like that, silently praying, and hugging, as a whole family confronted to adversity...

*****

For Maxwell Sheffield, Sylvia and Morty Fine, the 6 days that followed were all put to rhythm by the same routine... from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm and 3.30 pm to 4.00 pm, they would take turns watching Fran, spying every sign that would show a change in her state, then return home and try not to think about her constantly, and to worry too much... then one night, the telephone rang in Maxwell's room.

He woke up with a start, and feverishly took the receiver.

"Maxwell Sheffield!"

"Mr. Sheffield, it's the General Hospital, we're calling to inform you that miss Fran Fine has come out of her coma, she's been put into a private room, and you'll be able to see her when the hospital opens at 7.30 am..."

"How is she?!"

"I'm sorry sir, I don't know, I just received notice that I had to call this number..."

"Well thanks!"

"You're welcome Sir, have a good night..." And the nurse hung up.

... But Maxwell didn't have a good night from then on, neither had he since Fran's accident, but there he was tossing, thinking of her, of how she was, how she would react, how she had come out of her coma,...

By five o'clock, he couldn't stand it anymore, he showered, dressed in a sweater and a pair of Jean's, and went downstairs to the only place he thought he could find a little quietness: his office, where he awaited 6.30 am...

At 7.30 am, he and Fran's parents were the first people to enter the hospital hall. They went straight to the admitting desk, and asked for Fran Fine's room...

When she stepped into it, Sylvia buried her head in Morty's shoulder, not being able to contain her emotions any longer. Maxwell put a comforting hand around her.

"Look Mr. Fine, I think maybe it's best if you take her downstairs to the restaurant, and have something to eat... Neither of you had breakfast this morning, and the last days have been a terrible ordeal..."

Morty nodded and the Fine's both exited the room. Maxwell went next to her bed and took her hand. She was unconscious. The doctor came in at this time.

"Oh, doctor!... How is she?"

The doctor shook his hand, and sighed sympathetically.

"Mr. Sheffield... The good news is that she's come out of her coma, since all her brain activity has returned. Now... She doesn't speak, at least yet, so we don't know exactly what is her real state. As she's not in I.C. anymore, it would be better if someone would watch over her at night for the moment..."

"I'll stay..."

"You could hire a nurse..."

"No, I'll stay..."

"As you wish... Mr. Sheffield... The pins we put in her legs are rather un-aesthetical right now, but we'll operate her again to remove them in about 6 months. Then she'll undergo re-education again... She may have small difficulties to walk, as well as she may have scars... "

"I don't give a damn about possible scars, and the appearance of her legs!... What's more important now, is her mental state!..."

"That, we don't know exactly yet... We'll have to wait a few days for that..."

"She's a fighter, she'll be fine..." He cut him "She has to... And her family will all be here to help her through this ordeal... We all love her so very much..."

The doctor smiled and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I really wish you're right Mr. Sheffield... A few people make it like her at this point, and I hope this is a good sign for the rest... But... remember what I told you when we admitted her..."

"Yes, I know... Doctor, can I bring in my children?..."

"Mr. Sheffield, although Miss Fine is not in Intensive Care anymore, I'd wait a few days to see if she makes new progress before I do that..."

"Yes of course... you're right... Thank you doctor..."

The doctor exited the room, leaving Maxwell alone with Fran. He stepped closer to her bed, and brought his hand to caress her brow, sighing heavily, concern clearly written on his face. Then, without even thinking about it, he kissed her lips lightly, and murmured.

"Come on Miss Fine, get better... You have to, I couldn't go on without you in my life, you know..." He smiled a little, his hand caressing her brow.

Sylvia and Morty came in back in the room, and found him like that. He straightened up, and stepped back a little, allowing them space enough next to her in order for them to see her better.

Morty held Sylvia's shoulders for a while. He then came next to Maxwell, and said.

"Look Mr. Sheffield, Sylvia and I agreed that when she's better, our apartment is not the best place for her recovery... Since you've got a big house, and a butler, we would really appreciate..."

"Of course Morty" He interrupted him gently "Doing otherwise was out of the question... And you can come and see her whenever you feel like it..."

"That is... If she makes it this far of course." Morty added sadly.

Maxwell put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure she will Mr. Fine... It's Fran we're talking about..."

"I hope you're right Mr. Sheffield... now she's better anyway, so we won't be needing your hospitality anymore, that was very kind of you..."

"You are very welcome Morty..."

*****

From then on, Maxwell spent the greatest part of his days and nights by her side at the hospital. The first two days were tough, since she was either sleeping, either conscious, but not speaking, and barely reacting to any of the stimuli she was submitted to, such as people coming into her room, changing of lights, or people talking to her...

As for all the nights since she was in her own room, Maxwell was on the watch that night. He had left Niles by her side while he went back home to eat a light snack, take a shower, and change into some sportswear before he came back to release his butler.

"Any change?"

"No Sir, but I found that her movements and reactions were more intense and more frequent... Maybe it's a good sign?"

Maxwell smiled.

"I'm sure it is Niles... Now go back home, I don't like to leave the children alone..."

Niles chuckled.

"Sir, Miss Margaret is 17..."

Maxwell smiled... "Yes... And so beautiful... You know, I was amazed at their reaction to all this... Brighton swears he's going to make the mad driver eat his... Huh... Well you know... Gracie and Margaret are very positive that Miss Fine is going to come back to us like before... I know they are anxious to see her, and anxious about her state, but they remain close to each other, and positive... I like that..."

"Yes, one of the many things Miss Fine taught us..."

"... And she's going to teach us more..." He paused, then resumed "Niles, you're my best friend, you know that..."

Niles bent his head shyly, smiling.

"I have to make a confession old man... She means the world to me..."

"I already knew that, Sir..." he said quietly.

"Yes, but I didn't... Or at least, I didn't want to admit it..."

"I hope you can tell her soon Sir..."

Both men stared at each other briefly, then Niles left, and Maxwell took his seat next to Miss Fine's bed, as well as his book...

He must have drifted to sleep, for when he woke up with a start, the book was lying face down on the floor. He rubbed his eyes and checked his watch: 2:37 am... He turned his head, and saw her staring at him.

"Mr. Sheffield?..." She said in a hoarse voice.

His heart leapt... That meant a lot... She could recognize people, and she could talk...... Overwhelmed by an intense wave of joy, he caressed her brow smiling, and leaned in to give her a tender kiss

"Shhh Miss Fine, I'm here with you, and you're going to be fine..."

"... What did I do to deserve a kiss?" She tried to joke, weakly.

He smiled, and brought his chair closer.

"You came back to life... You came back to me..."

"... To you?..."

"Shhh... Now rest Miss Fine, we'll have time to talk tomorrow, and the many days afterwards... Rest..."

He once again caressed her brow and kissed it, before sinking back into his chair, his eyes locked on Miss Fine's...

*****

When Niles came to relay him in the morning, he was greeted by a sleepy, but firm:

"Hello Niles...!"

Maxwell was holding her hand tightly, and smiling from ear to ear.

Niles smiled too, and replied:

"Hello Miss Fine, let me say that I am most happy to see you back! I've missed you!" he came and gave her a quick, tender hug.

"Sir, if you want to go home and refresh, I'll take care of her..."

"Thanks old man" he said, standing up, and reaching for his jacket. Then he turned to Fran and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll be right back Miss Fine..."

"What about the kids?" she said weakly.

"They are fine, don't worry. I'll tell them the news, and you will soon be able to seem them..."

"Tell them I love them."

"I promise I will... Now I'll leave you to Niles..." He smiled, and started towards the door when Niles discreetly showed him he had something to tell him. They both stepped towards the door, and Niles said.

"I'll be back in a minute Miss Fine, I have to fill Mr. Sheffield in with the news about the house a little..."

"Sure Niles..."

Both men stepped in the corridor, and closed the door.

"Sir, I didn't say that in front of Miss Fine, but I received a phone call from the Police, they have found the driver."

"They found that b...?!" He said, anger rising.

"Yes, actually, it was a stolen car, so they had some problems finding him, but they did..."

"All right, I suppose I have to go there and answer some questions...?"

"Well that's the - not so good - part, Sir... Two witnesses formally identified him... At the morgue..."

"What?!"

"He was a drug dealer, with several other crimes along with that..."

"That won't give back Miss Fine her health unfortunately..." He said, defeated.

"I'm sorry Sir... But if it is of any relief, he won't destroy other people's lives anymore..."

"Yes, I suppose you're right... but..."

"Sir... Miss Fine's recovery is more important now, right?..."

Maxwell smiled.

"It is, definitely..."

*****

Maxwell was getting impatient in that waiting room, and yet, he had been there only 10 minutes. The doctor opened the door of his office.

"Come in, Mr. Sheffield..."

Maxwell stood up and entered the office.

"Sit down, please..."

"Thanks..."

"Mr. Sheffield... Miss Fine's condition is a true miracle, honestly. When she was first brought to us, I frankly had very little hopes that she'd get out of it that well - at least - be able to talk and think straight again... Well, you get my meaning I'm sure... But she did get beyond our best expectations in less than three weeks, and once again, that's a true miracle..."

"So? Can we bring her back home?"

The doctor sighed.

"In other cases, I'd say not yet... but given the circumstances, and knowing you, I say yes, on three very important conditions..."

"Which are?"

"First, that you hire a professional nurse to give her the treatment I will prescribe, and that as long as her condition requires it. Then, that you also hire a physiotherapist to start her re-education, and finally, that she remains calm and in a peaceful atmosphere. May I count on you about these?"

"Definitely, Doctor!" he said, his heart leaping, and a joyous smile spreading over his face.

"One last thing, she'll have to come and visit me once every two weeks at first ..."

"Of course..."

The doctor stood up, imitated by Maxwell, and held up his hand. Maxwell took it and shook it.

"Now go and take her back where she belongs, Mr. Sheffield..." He said with a gentle smile.

*****

Maxwell gently pushed the wheel chair across the door Niles was keeping opened with a broad smile. Fran was a little intimidated, but the faces of "her" children shining with happiness, as well as their hugs and warm welcome quickly eliminated her fears. Her father and mother were there too of course, along with Val, and everybody cheered at her coming back. Everybody, even C.C...

After some time of happy chatter and laughter, Maxwell reluctantly interrupted the outpouring of affection.

"Children, I know how happy you are that Miss Fine is back, and we all are, but she needs rest."

Calm quickly settled around him, and slowly, her parents left, and the children bade her good night. Maxwell looked at her with a gentle smile, and said.

"I don't think it would be wise for you to ascend the stairs by yourself, and... as we have no elevator in this house, I'm afraid you'll have to do with my arms..."

She smiled broadly.

"Oooh! Special treatment!" She winked.

He blushed a little, then replied in a fake macho way.

"Yeah, but don't get too accustomed to it..." he winked. Then he delicately lifted her from her chair, and started ascending the stairs. Her stay at the hospital had not made her any heavier, and it was easy for him to do so, making his attitude like that of a dancer carrying his partner.

Niles observed the couple for a while, thinking about what his friend had told him a few days before, and couldn't help but wonder at how well they matched each other.

Brighton came next to him.

"You think he's finally going to make his move Niles?"

Niles was surprised by the bluntness of the lad's question. He looked at him, and saw the utmost seriousness in his eyes.

He smiled to the young man.

"I'm glad that she's back..." Brighton concluded.

Upstairs, Maxwell gently deposited Fran on her bed, then stepped back a bit awkwardly.

"Would you like me to do something else Miss Fine?"

She raised her eyebrows, winking.

"Well... I have to wash a little, but I don't think you could help me with that, right?"

Maxwell blushed slightly.

"Miss Fine...!" He gently admonished her.

"Well I was kinda serious you know... I'm not supposed to move my legs, nor take any bath/shower until the physiotherapist tells me so, but I still have to wash..."

Maxwell raised an eyebrow.

"I see... Well in most of the cases, I think the nurse can do it... And for the rest... You wouldn't want Niles to help you?"

"Niles?!... I'm really not that intimate with him; although he's my best friend..."

"Ah... But we're not very intimate either..."

"Mr. Sheffield, do I need to remind you the shower?... The appendectomy?..."

Maxwell blushed.

"All right, all right, no need to elaborate further... I suppose we are rather intimate after all... Let's make a deal though. I'll help you all right, but you'll keep the 'really intimate' parts for yourself, all right?"

Fran shook her head with an amused face.

"It's not like I am Frankenstein!"

"No, no, I didn't mean that... I just..."

"I know, I know..." She said with a smile. "I think some tissues and a spray will do for the evening, and the nurse will help me for the rest..."

Maxwell smiled, relieved that she hadn't asked for too much.

"Can you help me undress?"

Maxwell sighed, resigned, and stepped forward.

Fran scowled.

"Look, if I had known it'd be so repulsive to you..."

"No, no!" He interrupted her. "It has nothing to do with repulsion Miss Fine!... It's just that... Oh God..." he sighed, sat on the bed next to her, and said in a gentle voice. "Can you imagine how difficult it is for me to do that? Look at you Miss Fine, you're a beautiful lady, and I'm a normally built man..." He caressed her cheek with one finger. "I'm not a male nurse, and I'm not used to taking care of a woman this way... it's not you I'm afraid of, it's me..."

Fran was touched by his confession, she smiled a bit sadly.

"Well, then if it's any help to you, concentrate on my pinned legs... I promise all my sex appeal will disappear in one split second... I look like a cyborg..." She said, suddenly feeling on the verge of tears.

"Don't you ever say that!" He chastised her. "Miss Fine, your looks are not important to me, but that is..." he said, pointing her heart. "Now you need rest, and that conversation could go on forever. Do you wish me to help you or not?"

"Yes I..."

"Let's get started then..."

And he delicately started to remove her clothes...

*****

C.C. sighed. She had been working on those contracts all day long, almost alone, except when Maxwell happened to drop in, when Nanny Fine was with her nurse or her physiotherapist.

Maxwell & Nanny Fine... She had to admit, that damn woman had frightened her. Well... her accident had. She had become aware that she actually cared for Miss Fine more than what she thought, and strangely enough, although she had inherited Maxwell's work, she was doing it without complaining, understanding the deep bounds between her business associate and his Nanny. She realized she actually wasn't annoyed anymore. Maxwell was obviously very much in love with Nanny Fine, and so was she. They both radiated when they were in the same room. Something she had never actually felt. She had always been convinced that she "loved" Maxwell Sheffield, but now she wondered if she actually ever had. Maybe what she felt was a stereotyped idea of love, which meant: perfect match, socially of course. Sure she liked Maxwell, but now she realized it was more as a friend than as a potential husband. Why had she felt so jealous about Nanny Fine?... She had first thought the Nanny was simply a gold digger, but as time went by, she had had to acknowledge she wasn't. Something stronger united Maxwell and her. Of course, she lived in the house, which was not C.C.'s case, and that stimulated some situations C.C. would never have been involved with. Nanny Fine was a real "wife material" for Maxwell. She had never understood it, but Maxwell was from the romantic school. When he wooed a lady, it was not for her social or wealth standards, it was for her heart in every sense of the word. Something she was so foreign to. Granted, her own education had cautiously prepared her for that. Where had it led her?... At her age, most of her former school mates where married with children. Yes she was proud of having accomplished by herself all she had, but facing her forties, she realized something was cruelly missing in her life, and that something was a man, along with love, real love... So as the relationship between Maxwell & nanny Fine developed, and transformed itself into something deeper and deeper, her jealousy changed. She was not jealous of Miss Fine's effect on Maxwell, she was jealous of their relationship, period. Of what they shared, their happiness when they were together, and Maxwell didn't happen to pull out his British stuffiness, or his reserve.

She sighed deeply and looked at the contracts unfolded on the desk in front of her. Maxwell entered the office at this precise moment.

"Oh C.C.!... You're still here? I thought you had gone some time ago..."

"Well if you want these contracts reviewed..."

"I do, but since it's already rather late, I think you well deserve the right to go back home!" He smiled.

C.C. looked at her watch and realized it was indeed rather late.

"Look, I've gone through these things yesterday evening when you were gone, and I don't think there're top priority for us at the moment. Why don't you take the day off tomorrow?"

"If you wish so Maxwell..."

"I think it can only do you good... All this mess..." he made an evasive gesture "... I know you were kind of stressed too...

C.C. was a bit surprised at Maxwell's perspicacity.

"Well I... Yes, indeed..."

"Then take the day off tomorrow..." he said, tapping her shoulder gently.

C.C. looked at him with a faint smile.

"Thank you." She took her things and left.

Maxwell went to sit at his desk and started leafing through the mail of the day C.C. had not opened. He buzzed Niles through the intercom.

"Niles, Miss Fine is with the children right now, would you mind bringing them some tea?"

"That would be nice Niles, thanks."

Happy chatter emanated from Fran's room when Niles reached it with his tray. He softly knocked on the door, and found all three Sheffield children sitting at places surrounding Fran's bed.

"Hiya Niles!... Oooo! Tea! Great idea! Yours?" Fran asked with a broad smile.

"Nope, Mr. Sheffield's..."

"Awww... How sweet!" She giggled...

"Hey Niles, you know Fran's made tremendous progress with her physiotherapist!" Brighton said proudly. "He said she'll soon be able to walk alone with crutches, or a stick!"

"... And even go downstairs and have her meals with us!" Gracie chimed in.

"That is if someone carries her downstairs..." Maggie added.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that Mags..." Brighton replied. "I think Dad will volunteer gladly for that..."

Niles looked at them knowingly.

"I think you should stop listening to the doors..." he said jokingly.

"Ooh! That from the man who has the biggest ear in the world!" Fran interrupted.

"Actually, we don't even need to do that Niles..." Grace said.

"... We don't even need a very sharp sense of observation..." Maggie replied.

"He's taking care of her every time he gets the chance!" Brighton concluded.

Fran scowled.

"Meanwhile, it's my private life you're rambling on about!"

"Miss Fine, I don't think your life is very private regarding that matter..." Niles said rhetorically.

"Well that doesn't mean I don't want a little privacy Niles!... And that goes for you too children..." She said very seriously.

They all smiled knowingly.

"Meanwhile Niles, your tea is delicious!... What's for dinner?"

Niles shook his head looking skywards.

"Still that ability to amaze me Miss Fine..." He chuckled.

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