Fran – It’s Sunday, don’t you have time for your family, darling.

Max – If you just give me an hour or so I’ll be done and then we can spend the day together.

Fran – Ok, darling.

Max keeps his promise and the family goes to an amusement park for the afternoon. They enjoy the rides and even eat some junk food. Everyone comes back in a good mood. Maxwell even helps put the kids to bed, then Fran orders in some dinner and they watch a movie, snuggling with each other. Later they go up to bed and are still holding each other and later they make love. Things seem to be going better for the next week or so. Then for the next few weeks Maxwell gets very busy at work. Fran is becoming upset again because Max is hardly at home. Since they haven’t seen each other much Fran decides they should go out for dinner and Max makes the reservations.

The next afternoon Fran is sleeping after putting the kids down for a nap and the phone rings. She picks it up and Max is on the line.

Max – Fran, I’m calling to cancel our dinner plans, we are still working on the script. I’ll be home after 8:00 pm, but that will be too late go out.

Fran –(in a upset tone of voice) Max, you promised me, since you’ve been so busy lately you said that you would make some time for me. Why can’t you make time for your wife or family?

Max - I still have six people to support, where is all the money supposed to come from. Listen, I’ll try to get home early if we finish this script and then we can talk.

Fran – I guess it’s OK, I’m kind of tired anyway, may you can read the kids a story tonight. You haven’t done that all week.

Max - You do sound exhausted Fran, are you sure that you are all right, darling?

Fran – Don’t worry Max, I’ll be OK. (She is thinking to herself, I’m so depressed because you are always working and hardly ever here).

Max – I’ll see you later call me if you need me.

Max was looking at the time and saw it was getting late but since he was concerned about Fran, decided to stop work and go home. Finally he gets there.

Max – I’m home (gives her a kiss).

Fran – The kids ready for bed, can you go read to them?

Max – I just got in the door, I’m tired.

Fran – You haven’t seen the kids much all week, I want them to know their father cares about them.

Max – I guess you are right, I’ll wash up and to go to their room.

Later that evening Fran and Max are in bed relaxing and snuggling up with each other. Fran is happy that Max is being attentive for a change.

Max – So what did you wanted to talk to me about.

Fran – May be another time Max, right now I just too tired, the twins were a handful today, especially Jonah.

Max – Maybe we need to get more help if it’s too much for you Fran.

Fran – No, I don’t think so. It will be fine.

They get ready to go to sleep and Max kisses her passionately. Fran is happy for the first time in a few weeks.

It is several weeks later and Fran seems to be feeling better since Max is more attentive. Fran decides they should go away on a weekend alone without the kids, so they could get some rest and relaxation. She makes reservations for a weekend in Malibu and tells Max about it. He seems ok with it but not excited. The afternoon before they are supposed to go away, she reminds Max about the weekend. Fran is getting everything ready, when she gets a call from Max.

Max – Darling, I’m sorry to do this to you at the last minute but we are still working on our script and I won’t be able to get away for the weekend.

Fran – (practically crying) I can’t believe this. You promised me you would have time to go. Now are we are going to lose all the money we paid for the weekend.

Max – I’m sorry Fran, the script needed a lot of unexpected re-writing. It is a cutthroat business out here, and you have keep up with it.

Fran – Max, why don’t we go back to New York.

Max – I like it out here, and it’s good for the kids.

Fran - If we never get to see you, how good is it?

Max – When the TV season ends we’ll rent a house in Malibu or somewhere, and spend the summer together.

Fran – But that’s a while off, what are we supposed to do in the meantime.

Max – I don’t know we’ll work on it. In the meantime you better cancel those reservations.

Fran – OK

A couple of weeks after that terrible weekend Fran has enough of the situation with Max and calls her mother.

Fran – Hi ma, it’s me, I want to let you know I’m coming back to New York.

Sylvia – What! Why? What happened with the two of you?

Fran – Max doesn’t have time for kids or me anymore. I hardly ever see him. He’s working all the time, probably working himself to death.

Sylvia – Why don’t you talk to him?

Fran – I did, he gets attentive for a little while, then he’ll go back to his same old ways, I really don’t think he’s that interested anymore.

Sylvia – You knew he really didn’t want more kids, Fran.

Fran – Ma, he changed his mind about that.

Sylvia – Maybe he would have more time for you if you didn’t have the twins.

Fran – Ma, I love them and wouldn’t give them up for anything.

Sylvia – So, it doesn’t sound like there’s much of a problem.

Fran – Ma, believe me there is, I have plane tickets to come home. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow.

Sylvia – What if you tell him you’re leaving.

Fran – Ma, I made up my mind. I’m coming home. I’ll see you. You don’t have to pick us up.

A couple of days later Fran arrives in New York and goes to her mother’s apartment . She rings the bell and her mother opens the door and hugs them all.

Sylvia – Oh, Fran you’re here. You do look good. I haven’t seen you or the kids in awhile, look how they’ve grown.

Fran – Yeah, they’ve also gotten to be a handful.

Sylvia – And cute.

Fran – Can we stay here for a few days.

Sylvia – Of course, you’re my daughter, it will be a little tight, but we’ll manage.

Fran – Good ma, I’m going to look for a job and an apartment.

Sylvia – What! You aren’t going back, I thought you were just coming for a week or two.

Fran – No, ma, I’m staying here permanently. Max doesn’t have time for his family anymore, and I don’t feel I want to stay in California.

Sylvia – Oy, is your marriage over then?

Fran – I guess so, unless Max changes, which I seriously doubt, I think he’s glad we left.

Sylvia – You’ll be a single mother.

Fran – So there are lot single mothers.

Sylvia – See, you didn’t sign that pre-nupitual agreement, now he’ll probably give you zilch.

Fran – He’s got to give me child support, ma, it’s the law. I’m sure I’ll get that, anyway we haven’t been married that long I’m not entitled to that much. I’ll figure it out. I just got here, let me get settled, OK.

Ten days later Fran comes home to her parents apartment after she found a place to live.

Fran – Ma, I found an apartment

Sylvia – Great, where?

Fran – It’s a walk-up building in Flushing, and its only 1 bedroom.

Sylvia – That’s not enough room for all of you.

Fran - Ma, the rent is one thousand dollars a month, I don’t know if I’ll even be able to afford that.

We’re leaving soon and that’s it.

Ten days later Fran moves into her apartment and has a job in salon. She decides to let Max know and calls him

Fran – Max, This is Fran.

Max – I miss you terribly, come back home darling.

Fran – I got an apartment and a job.

Max – Are you saying that you’re not coming back ?

Fran – That’s about right. I need some money for the kids. Can you send it?

Max – Why don’t you come back we’ll try to work things out.

Fran – I don’t think so. I’ll give you my address and phone number if there’s an emergency, otherwise don’t bother to call us.

Max - Well, I guess I’ll start the process for separation and divorce.

Fran – Divorce, that sounds so final, Max.

Max – If your not coming back, there’s no use for use to be married. Goodbye.

Three months pass and Fran is in her apartment with the kids and she is totally exhausted and depressed. She misses Max terribly and decides to call her friend Val.

Fran – Hi Val! How are you doing?

Val – Fine, the baby is getting big, he’s only 5 months old, but I think I’m pregnant again.

Fran – Great! Everything seems to be going your way lately Val.

Val- What about you Fran?

Fran – Oh I don’t know Val, the kids are miserable. I’m exhausted from working , taking care of the kids, this place and I don’t have much of an appetite so I hardly eat. Gee, my system is really changing Val, remember when I used to eat a ton of food..

Val – That was a long time ago. You know Fran you really don’t sound that great.

Fran – Yeah, it’s tough Val. Max only sends me a thousand dollars a month and that just covers the rent.

Val- Why you don’t you ask him for more.

Fran- I don’t want to, I don’t know, I miss him so much.

Val- I don’t know what happened with you guys. You seemed so happy.

Fran – I guess we’re from different worlds. It just didn’t seem to work. Listen Eve is crying again, I’ve got to go.

Two months later Fran picks up the kids from her mother’s apartment after working on Sunday.

Fran – Hi Ma, I’m back.

Sylvia – I’ll get the kids. I think Jonah has a cold again. Fran, the kids keep getting sick, don’t you take care of them right?

Fran – I guess they’re not used to the cold weather.

Sylvia – Fran, you look tired and thin, are your OK? Stay for dinner for a change.

Fran – OK, but not too long, I’m working tomorrow.

Sylvia – It’s Monday, most beauty parlors are closed you should take a day off.

Fran – I need the money, ma.

Later that evening Fran calls Val to ask her if she can watch the kids because her mother needs a day for herself.

Fran – Hi, Val, can you watch the kids tomorrow.

Val – OK, why?

Fran - I’m working tomorrow and ma can’t take care of them. I’ll bring them over so it will be easier for you to watch them with the baby and all. Sometimes I wish I could have another baby, but not the way things are now.

Val – Just bring the kids over and don’t worry so much, everything will be OK.

Fran – Thanks, whatever.

Fran goes to work and drops off the kids with Val and later goes back to pick them up. When she gets back Fran rings Val’s doorbell.

Val- Fran, look at you! You’re all skin and bones and you look dead tired. I’m worried about you.

Fran – I’ll be OK, maybe I’ll take a few days off this week.

Val – Gee Fran, are you sure that its enough. You look like you need a few weeks off.

Fran – How am I going to take care of the kids?

Val – If you’re sick you and can’t take care of them, you’ll have to send them back to Max in California.

Fran- Forget it, he won’t have time to take of the kids.

Val – Listen Fran, you should just call him, maybe he misses you and the kids.

Fran – Listen Val (she starts crying) I miss him so much, maybe I shouldn’t of been so stupid to leave, but he didn’t have time for us anymore, I wonder if he would’ve of really slowed down if I stayed, but I left so hopefully the divorce will come through soon.

Val- Are you OK Fran.

Fran – Yeah, I guess so, just really tired.

Later that evening Val calls Maxwell and tells him that Fran is in bad shape and he needs to come to New York. Then the next day Sylvia calls and tells Max the same thing. A couple of days later it is Saturday night and Fran is at home. Fran is so weak she can hardly stand. She just sat down after putting Eve to bed from her crying fight and she finally went to sleep. Fran eats the leftover Chinese food and curls up on the sofa because the kids have the bedroom. Then she hears the door bell ring.

Fran – Who’s there, please go away, I want to be left alone.

Max – Fran, it’s me, Max.

Fran – It’s who?

Max- It’s me, Max. (He takes the key that Sylvia sent and opens the door).

Fran – Oh my goodness, its really you Max, what are you doing here, how did you get the key.

Max – Your mother and Val called me and said they were worried about you. Your mother even sent me your key she was so concerned.

Fran – You didn’t have to come.

Max – Of course I did- you are my wife and I still love you (Fran finds the energy to get off the couch and run into his arms crying and he holds her tightly). Fran, darling – you’re shaking so, let me look at you, you’re so skinny, aren’t you eating?

Fran – I don’t have much time to eat Max, I’m so busy working and taking care of the kids. Listen, I think Eve is starting to cry again.

Max – Wait, let me go to her, where is she?

Fran – In the bedroom over there.

Max – Where do you sleep?

Fran- On the couch. Why don’t you wash up and I’ll take you to Eve’s room, OK.

Fran brings him to the bedroom and he picks up his daughter from the crib and carries her around for awhile till she falls sound asleep in his arms and then he puts her back to bed. Then he checks on his son who is sleeping and goes out to Fran.

Max – I’m worried about you darling, why are you so exhausted?

Fran – I’m working almost everyday.

Max – I would of sent you more money if you needed it.

Fran – I wanted to be independent.

Max – All that independence could of killed you.

Fran – I thought I could do everything on my own without any help, I think I could of, but I missed you so much, Max, I really did. I’m so glad you came. Let me look at you darling, you have dark circles under your eyes and where is that muscular body.

Max – All that work and no one to share it with makes for a miserable life. I haven’t sleep much lately and I haven’t felt like exercising, which is rare for me. Now enough about me, we have to get your energy back. You’ll take some time off from work.

Fran – I can’t, I’ll lose my job.

Max – Why, you don’t have to work anymore.

Fran – But I want to Max. I like earning my own money.

Max – If that’s what you want to do we’ll get someone to help us out with the house and children.

Fran – I’ll think about it.

Max - We’ll talk about it tomorrow.

Fran decides she wants to go to sleep and Max helps her to pull out the sofabed. He struggles with it and finally it opens. Fran goes to bed and falls asleep right away. Meanwhile Max is still up. Then all of a sudden he hears Fran cry in her sleep. He gets up to wakes her gently.

Max – Fran, darling wake up, you are dreaming.

Fran- Oh Max, it was an absolutely awful dream. Please I can’t sleep alone, come to bed with me.

Max – Are you sure?

Fran – I’m positive, love. I just want you near me. I know I should be stronger but I’ve missed you so much all these months. If I would have been more patient, maybe things would have worked out better.

Max – Well maybe, but they’re working out now because we’ll certainly snuggle in this little bed.

Fran – (giggles) Great!

Max and Fran sleep together the entire night. They wake up and are interwined. They kiss and hold each other. Finally they get out of bed. Fran gets up and takes care of the kids. She decides to call in sick at her job. Meanwhile Max gets out of the shower and they have breakfast.

Max – Fran you looked rested, I want you to eat a good breakfast so you can get your strength back.. I’m thinking let’s go out for a romantic dinner tonight. We’ll be with the kids all day and then we can bring them to your mother.

Fran- that sounds great, Max.

Max and Fran spend the day with the kids and they all have a great time. Max take the kids to her mother while Fran goes home to get ready for the evening. Later they go to a fancy restaurant and have dinner then later dance. They get onto the dance floor and the music starts out rather fast but then it slows down and Max puts both hands around Fran’s waist and holds her close as they dance cheek to cheek. Fran feels like she is floating and Max can’t believe holding Fran how much happier feels and how much he missed her. It gets late and Fran and Max decide to leave and walk out hand in hand. They take the limo home and inside they kiss and cuddle and Fran rests her head on Max’s shoulder and falls asleep. He feels so relaxed with Fran and he can’t wait to see the kids in the morning. He knows he’ll do whatever is necessary not to lose his family anymore. When they get to the apartment he wakes up Fran and they go upstairs. Once they get to door Fran kisses Max but he pulls away. Fran gets scared that he was going to tell her that he was leaving again. But he takes her hand into his and as they walk into the apartment he says that he wants to tell her something.

Max – Fran, I want us to be together again and be a real family. We’ll stay in New York if you want.

Fran – Are you serious, why do you want to do this?

Max – I was preparing documents for our divorce and I realized that I didn’t want to go through with it. Even if your mother and Val didn’t call me I would of come to get you.

Fran starts crying and Max wipes the tears away with his fingers and touches her cheeks. Then she takes his hands and holds them tightly and they embrace in a passionate kiss. Finally Max pulls away and he tells Fran he has another surprise for her.

Max – Fran, I rented a duplex apartment that we can move into right away. We’ll live there because I know you don’t want to go back to California. I want us to be a family. We can keep that house California as a vacation place. I love you Fran and I don’t want us to be apart anymore.

Fran – I love you so much Max. I can’t believe you are doing all this for us.

Max takes Fran in his arms and holds her tightly and says:

Max – Believe it darling, I need my family more than anything in the world.

Back to Fan Fiction

Back to The Really Unofficial Nanny Home Page