A Family Reunion

by Heather Loughlin

Max: "Oh, Miss Fine, all of my family is coming to this reunion."

Fran: "Oh, what's the matter?! Some of your family is just great."

Max: "Miss Fine, please don't help."

Fran: "What are you so worried about anyway?"

Max: "Well, you know, they are going to see how things have progressed in the past few years."

Fran: "What do you mean?"

Max: "Well, how the children have grown, for one."

Fran: "What's wrong with that? Anyway, the kids aren't even coming."

Max: "Well, OK, how I have gotten older."

Fran: "You look fabulous! I told you that the other day."

Max: "Well, they will see how our relationship has progressed."

Fran immediately caught on. She removed her hand from his shoulder, and said as coldly as she could:

Fran: Mr. Sheffield, our relationship has only advanced on the professional level. I will thank you to view it only that way. Now if you will excuse me, I need to tend to your children.

Before Max could say another word, she had gone up the stairs. He knew he had really messed it up this time. It just didn't come out right. He wasn't embarrassed by her, nor did he care what his family thought of her. He just said it to show her how many things he had on his mind. How is he going to explain this one to her? 'I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and go upstairs to talk to her,' he thought.

When he reached Fran's room, and knocked on the door, he was pleasantly surprised when she said in her usual cheerful way:

Fran: "Come on in!"

Max entered slowly, for his fears were still not allayed. Fran looked in the background of the mirror, and noticed who it was.

Fran: "Oh, Mr. Sheffield, please have a seat and make yourself comfortable."

Max: "Thanks."

Max leaned on her vanity, and was trying to think of what to say when Fran interrupted his thoughts and said:

Fran: "You know Mr. Sheffield, if you don't want me to go with you to the reunion just say so. I won't be mad, in fact I understand. I am sure that you'll find some very classy woman to go wit-"

Max: "Fran don't be ridiculous, I don't know why I said that. I guess I just have a lot on my mind. I wouldn't go with anyone else but you. Please know that, and I am not embarrassed by you!! Will you please stop being so unlike yourself, and go with me?"

Fran: "Did you just call me Fran?"

Max: "Thatta girl!"

He took his fist, and gently knocked up the side of her chin in his characteristic manner.

Fran: "Well did you?"

Max: "Will this answer your question?"

With this Max turns her chair around and puts his hands around her waist. He lifts her out of the chair and over his head. He brings her down slowly, and passionately, letting her body rub against his. When her feet have reached the floor, he runs his fingers through the tendrils of her fresh scented hair. Moving his head in slowly, his lips finally reach hers. He kisses her as slowly and tenderly as he can manage. Now swaying her body, with his, back and forth. Fran removes his tie, and then begins to unbutton his shirt. She lets her fingers travel up and down his chest. She begins to undo his pants, but Max pulls away from the kiss.

Fran: "Fran it is!"

Max smiles at her, and says:

Max: "We are going to have to finish this later. You and I have to get ready for the reunion, all right?"

Fran: (understandably disappointed) "OK."

Max comes back over, and gives her a sweet kiss on her lips.

Max: "I promise we'll pick it up later. It's just getting late."

Fran: "All right. I'll get ready, and meet you downstairs."

Fran goes up to Max and gives him one last peck on the lips. Then, she is off to get ready.

The Main Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel. Fran and Max enter with their arms clasped in one another. There is a band playing on the right, exquisite table settings in the center with a room of chattering, glittery people.

Max: "Are you ready for this?"

Fran: (Obviously intimidated by her surroundings) "Oh, I don't know."

Max: (Realizing Fran's position) "Oh, don't worry Fran, you'll be wonderful! Remember these people are all related to me."

Fran: "That's what I am worried about."

Max gives her a look, and Fran kisses him on the cheek.

Fran: "Oh, I am only kidding!"

Fran and Max walk to the first person that Fran recognizes, and that is Max's sister Jocelyn.

Fran: "Jocelyn, hi!!"

Jocelyn: "Fran, Maxwell! Oh, it's lovely to see you both again! How are you?"

Fran: "We're doing wonderful thanks! How about yourself?"

Jocelyn: "Splendidly, thank you."

Fran: "How are things going with Lester?"

Jocelyn: "Oh wonderful! We just had our third child."

Fran: "Oh, I am so happy for you!"

Jocelyn: "So Maxwell, did you finally make your move?"

Max: "Move on what Joce?"

Jocelyn: "Move on what? Move on Fran!"

Max: "Well, ask her."

Jocelyn looks at Fran eagerly.

Fran: "How did you know?"

Jocelyn: "Darling, Maxwell and I tell each other everything. He told me all about you in his letters."

Fran: "Wow! He did?"

Jocelyn: "Yes. So?"

Fran: "He sure did, honey!"

Jocelyn: "Marvelous! Now if you two lovebirds will excuse me I have got to go and find Lester."

Fran: "All right, honey, it was great seeing you again!"

Max: "Joce, I'll call you tonight!"

Jocelyn: "All right, Cheerio!"

Fran and Max make their way to the next familiar faces, James and Joan Sheffield.

Fran: "Joan! How are you honey!?"

Joan: "Fran, hello!"

Max: "Father."

James: "Maxwell."

Joan, noticing Max's hand rapped around her waist, whispers to Fran:

Joan: "So how are things going with Junior?"

Fran: "Oh honey! Never better! What about with you and Mr. Sheffield Senior?"

Joan: "Oh the usual Darling, the elevator, the limo, under the ta-"

Fran: "Uh, don't paint me a picture."

James: "So Maxwell, I see that you have finally admitted to yourself that you were in love with this woman."

Max: "So I have. Now, if you'll excuse us Father, we are going to get some drinks."

Fran: "Joan, we'll talk later honey!"

Joan: "Of course Fran. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Fran: "Thanks, you too!"

Max leads Fran away from Joan, and to the bar. Max gets them two champagne cocktails, and they make their way to their table. There, Max introduces Fran to everyone, and they eat their meal. The band begins to play a slow dancing song. Max gets up, and says:

Max: "Fran, will you dance with me?"

Fran: "Oh, I thought you would never ask!"

Max helps Fran up and leads her to the dance floor. He first tries to dance with her the old fashioned way , but can't resist putting both hands around her waist. Fran than puts both her hands around his neck, and leans her head on his shoulder. While swaying to the tune, Max thinks he hears Fran say something, but isn't sure.

Max: "What did you say?"

Fran: "I said that I love you."

Max: "Well, than I have a confession to make."

Fran: "What's that?"

Max: "I love you too."

Fran breaks the embrace and catches his gaze. She responds, barely audible:

Fran: "Do you mean that?"

Max: "With all my heart."

Max pulls her closer to him, and they finish the dance out. Max looks at his watch and decides that it is late. The say their goodbyes, get in the limo and head home. The limo ride is quiet. Max has his hand around Fran's shoulder, and Fran leans on his chest. When they arrive home, they find a sleeping house. Max hands Fran his coat, and she hangs it up. The moment Fran turns around, their eyes meet. In order to break the silence:

Max: "You know, we did have a rather interesting thing going on earlier."

Fran nods her head, eagerly.

Max: "I did promise you that we would finish it later."

Fran: "Yes, yes you did."

With that Max flings her over his shoulder, and slowly carries her upstairs. Fran shuts the door behind him.

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