Turning Point

by

Goldenpoet67
(Goldenpoet67@aol.com)

Max had just found out Fran has been not telling the truth about major and minor things. A little white lie here, a way off the truth there, and he is fed up. "Fran, you know how important it is to be honest with me." Max said.

"With your British temper, honey, I am sometimes afraid, not of you, but of the consequences, we always argue." she said. "Marriage is based on trust, Fran, I have told you again and again." Max said.

"You are my wife, and I want you to be careful, where you go, and what you do, I have enemies, and I don't want anything happening to you." Max said. "I understand, honey." Fran said. "I am sorry for not being honest on where I was today." Fran said.

"Let the driver drive you from now on, Fran." Max said. "I also think you should bring your mother or Val with you when you're out,ok?" he asked. "Alright, honey, if it will make you feel better." she said.

They kiss and make up, but Max makes it clear what he expects should it happen again, Fran will not get her way in the matter. "Yes, honey, it's clear." she said.

Later in the day, out of habit, Fran takes off in the town car, but she suddenly remembers Max wants her to take the limo from no on. She drives back to the house, and Max is waiting for her. She comes in. "Honey, I forgot, this is why I am back, I am going in the limo." she said.

"I am glad you're thinking, honey, but you were still a half an hour out and about, with no one with you."Max said. Max had a system with Fran. Three infractions of something he felt strongly about, and Fran would lose her weekly allowance for the month.

"This is number one, Fran." he said. "Honey, I remembered and came back." she said. "True , but you still were in harm's way." he said. "Alright, honey." she said, and she was off to go shopping. She was a little angry, but knew Max was right. "Oh, one more thing, are you bringing Val?'" he asked. "Yes, honey, I am on my way to pick her up." she said.

"Alright." Max said. What Max has not told anyone yet, was someone he was associated with, turned bad, and had been making threats. Max had the police looking into it, but didn't want to alarm anyone yet, in his family.

He decided it was time to sit the family down, and tell them, he would do it tonight. He calls Fran on her cell phone. "Fran, I want to call a family meeting tonight after Supper, alright?" he asked. "Sure ,honey." she said. "Sounds important, is it?" she asked. "Yes, Sweetheart, vitally." he said.

"Fran, when you get home, is this the end of your outings for the day?" Max asked. "Yes, honey, I think so." she said. "Alright, Fran, be careful, please." Max said. "Alright, honey, I will." she said. Fran was beginning to get a little concerned. "What could it be?" she thought.

When Fran arrived home, before Supper, Max decided to go ahead and have a meeting with the family. "Brighton, no remarks." Max chides. "Ok, Dad." he said. "Now I have called you all together because I have someone making threats against us." Max said.

"The police are looking into it, and trying to find him to arrest him, before he does anything. "Who,Max?" Fran asked. "Michael Collins." Max said. "Oh, that nut." CC said. "It figures." she said. Max wanted CC there, because she knows who he is talking about, and she could also be in danger.

"Now, we must all be careful in our comings and goings, this goes for everyone." Max said. "Children, when you go anywhere, have someone with you." Max warned. "Now I can see why you are so worried, honey." Fran said.

"Yes, Fran, but I am also concerned that you leave yourself too vulnerable at times." Max said. "You need to be careful, Sweetheart." he said. "all of the time, even when this incident is dealt with." he said.

"I will, Max, I promise." she said. "Which reminds me, I have to deal with you about something later, Fran." he said. "Oy, I don't like the sound of it." she said. "No, you won't like it." he said.

Max had found out Fran didn't get Val, because she canceled. Val had something else she had to do. Max had already talked with Fran, and then she went on with her shopping with only the driver to see to her.

"So until all of this is cleared up, Fran, children, check with me when you're going somewhere." Max said. "Does everyone understand?" Max asked. "Yes," they all said.

Now it was time to deal with Fran. "Everyone can go, except my wife." Max said. Fran had a pout look. She has figured out he knows. "Honey, Val canceled on me when I was already not far from Blooming dale's ." she said.

"Fran that's two." he said. "Now that you know what I have just said, there is no excuse to get to three." Max said. "You're right, honey." she said. "You're getting a reminder later." Max said. "No argument." Max added. "You're right, Max, and I am sorry." she said. His reminders was something between them, in private. It was something which helped Fran along when needed.

Supper was tense. Stress was felt in everyone. What is usually quiet and reserved was even more quiet and reserved. No usual humor, or whining from anyone. Max would look at Fran, and she would look at him, Fran was a little scared of this threat with the ex business associate.

"Max,what does this Michael fellow look like?" Fran asked."He is about 6 ft.tall, brown eyes, black short hair, medium build." Max said. "He has a tattoo of a eagle with no wings on his right hand." Max said.

"Max, what started all of this?" Fran asked. "He was a backer, but then I found out he was into drugs, ect." Max said. "I had him withdraw from being associated with me, it was bad business." Max said.

CC stayed for Supper, and Max looked at her sternly. "It was my fault, I didn't check this guy out enough." CC said. "Maxwell, you know I never would have meant any of this to occur." she said. "I know, CC, but it has, and from now on, everyone except those we have now as backers, get checked out thoroughly."Max said. "I agree, Maxwell." CC said.

The same evening, everyone is sleeping, but Max and Fran are awake. "It is time for your reminder, Mrs..Sheffield. Max said. "Oh, Max, "I promise I am not going to go anywhere alone." Fran said.

"Didn't we agree, no arguing?" Max asked. "Yes, honey, we did." she said. "Then, except it." he said. "Alright." she said. Max got it over with, and then they went to sleep. Fran knew she would not let Max have to get to three on infractions.

There was much at stake now, and Fran knew she had to be careful, and abide with what Max said. "Honey, is it alright if I let Ma and Val know about this?" Fran asked. "Yes, Fran, but tell them not to tell everyone." Max said.

"We need some rest, darling." Max said. He turned out the lights, and he buzzed Niles, "Ol man, double check all windows and doors." he said. "Will do, sir." Niles replied. "goodnight, Niles." Max said. "Goodnight, sir." Niles replied.

The next morning, Everyone had a nice breakfast. Things didn't seem as bleak or stressful, because everyone had a chance to sleep and think. "Honey, I had a nightmare about it." Fran said.

"Don't worry, darling, we all will be safe." Max said. "Are you alright?" Max asked." "Yes, honey." Fran said. "I deserved the reminder." she said. "Yes, you did, and I am glad you agree." Max said. Fran giggled. "Oh, Max." she said. "Oh, Fran." Max said.

Max gets another disturbing call, just when things seemed alright. The caller says," The pretty wife you have, I am getting her." Michael said. Max turned whiter than a sheet. "Honey, what's wrong?" Fran said. "It's him, and he just said he was going to get you." Max said.

Fran's hand went to her mouth in surprise. She instantly embraces Max. "Oh, honey, now this is freaky." "Fran, you can't go anywhere, not even with the driver, or someone else." Max said. "Not until they catch him." Max said.

"I understand, Max, and don't worry, I don't want to go anywhere." she said. Max decided on extra security now. He calls the security company which does his home, and they were posting armed guards for his home , until Michael could be caught.

"Fran, the guards are for all of us, but since the threat was against you, I will feel better knowing you're more protected." Max said. "Thank you, honey." Fran said. Fran was getting the picture all too clear now. This was a turning point for her. "Honey, I won't ever lie to you again." Fran said.

"Good, Fran, because this could have lead to something tragic, and we don't need or want it, do we?" Max said. "No, Max." she said, holding him close to her. "Thank you for helping me see it." she said.

Max stayed close to Fran. He couldn't bear the pain of losing another wife, and he wasn't going to allow it, not as long as breath is in him. Fran was the sole reason his life is together. She had him living again. She had all of them living again, after Sara died. "No way in hell am I going to experience the pain again." Max said.

"You won't, honey, I am not going anywhere." Fran said. "Max kisses her. He wants to make love, and they do. The tension left their bodies after. They were both at peace with things. Things were about to get crazy, they didn't know it then, but soon will.

The next morning, Max gets an eerie call again from Michael. "I have your wife." Michael said. "No, she is right here, you don't have her." Max said. Max was wondering who did this nut have ,then.

"I have your business partner, CC." Michael said. "I got her by mistake!" Michael said. Max just realized CC didn't come in, and it was imperative she be there today. Michael lets CC talk a minute. "Maxwell, he has me!"CC said. Michael takes the phone again. "I am going to hurt her, if you don't give me 3 million dollars by tomorrow." he said.

Niles was upset. He loves her, but always fought it, in a sense, he was doing the same as Max did for five years before he married Fran, but Niles has been doing this for 20 years. He had plenty of time to make his feelings known, but would not do it.

"Oh why did I have to go overboard with the insults, and the cliches, and the mean tricks?Niles said. She didn't deserve it." Niles said. Fran hugs Niles. "Oh, Niles, she will be alright." Fran comforts.

Max had the police trace the call. The police were closing in on Michael, but it was a tough trace. "Blast it!" Max said. "I wanted her to stay here last night, but she wouldn't." Max said. "Honey, maybe the word blast is not good for right now."Fran said.

"Perhaps, I am so frustrated." Max said. "Sir, are you going to pay the ransom?" Niles asked. "Niles, I hope they find her before it comes to this." Max said. "If I need to, ol man, I surely will." Max affirmed.

To pass the time, everyone shares stories about CC. It is a scary time, but also reflection. They all agreed to treat CC well after this, should they have the chance to make it up to her, for all the hurtful remarks over the years.

Niles was distraught. Max allowed him to take the evening off, and relax. Niles was grateful, but he paced, not relaxed. Everyone took turns hugging Niles, and consoling him. Max hated this. He is close to CC, as his business partner, but also a dear friend, in a weird and unique way.

He recalls the times he was mean, took her for granted, and almost lost her when he wouldn't give her half of the business years ago. They always worked well, like a fine oiled machine, in business, he knew he could count on CC Babcock.

Within two hours, Max gets a call. "We have the suspect now." they said. He is in custody, and your associate is alright." they said. The family was elated, and CC would get to Max's after she gives her statement to the police.

Even though Niles knew, and was happy, seeing CC for himself, made the difference. Niles had promised to never hurt this woman again, he wanted the opposite, actually.

When CC arrived, Niles grabs her, and kisses her. "I am glad you're alright." he said. CC was shocked he kissed her, but didn't fight it. After what she has been through, she was ready for someone to hold her. Niles obliged.

This would also be a turning point for Niles and CC. The channel nine news was doing a live story at Max's. Niles said, "I am glad she is safe and with me." he said.

Niles asked CC to marry him. "Wait until the trial is over, butler boy, and I am your gal." she said. The trial took months to get on the court docket, but when it came up, Max testified along with CC.

Michael Collins was sentenced to twenty years for kidnapping, stalking, making threats, and much more. He wasn't going anywhere. He didn't even make bail while awaiting trial.

Max kept security around, and Fran still had people with her wherever she went. She did get caught a few times going alone, and Max made sure she didn't get away with it. "Making up is all the more fun", Fran thought. She smiles.

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