7.14 From Hell to Heaven

A Sheffield Family Christmas

by

Delph and Sharon
(dolfins@worldnet.fr) and (sharonjon@yahoo.com)

1:30am Max and Fran’s bedroom.

Max rolled over in his sleep and ended up on Fran’s side. Sensing something was not as it should have been he slowly woke up to discover that his wife was not in bed. Sitting up, he looked around the dark room, straining to hear any sound that may have alerted him to his wife’s presence. Hearing nothing, he got up, put on a robe, and exited the room.

Fran was in the twins’ room, holding both babies (now big enough for her not to be able to be standing up while holding them), who were both whimpering pitifully.

Max entered quietly and encircled her shoulders.

Fran had started to doze, and was startled awake by the sudden touch of her husband. She looked up at him with sleepy eyes. He squatted down in front of her chair and took Jonah from her.

"Sorry sweetie, I didn’t want to wake you up…" Fran began.

"Why didn’t you Darling? I’m their father and I promised to help you with them as often as I can. I know they are teething and that it has been very hard for you to cope with. It’s never a good period for parents. But you should put them into bed. They’ll calm by themselves when they’re too tired to cry."

"It’s just that I couldn’t leave them like this. It hurts to know they are in pain. I want to help them but I feel so helpless. The least I can do is comfort them!"

"I know."

He put Jonah gently down in his crib, then took Eve from Fran’s arms and did the same with her. The babies still cried feebly in their sleep, and then stopped.

"See? I told you they would settle down by themselves."

Max looked down at his wife lovingly. He knew how very tired and emotionally exhausted she was, every day looking after the twins, and every night for the last two weeks, rocking them during the night to try to ease their pain. He had tried to stop her nocturnal visits appealing to logic, but to no avail.

"Come on now Darling let’s go to bed. You're exhausted and I have an early start tomorrow."

Fran nodded sleepily, yawning at the same time. Max helped her up from the rocking chair, putting his arm around her and taking her hand in his free hand, he slowly walked her to their room.

Shutting the door behind them, Max led Fran to their bed. Stopping beside it he slowly untied her robe, slipped it off her shoulders and tossed it down on the foot of the bed. He folded back the blankets and gently guided Fran to lie down.

Easing the covers over her, he then softly made his way to his own side of the bed and climbed in, resuming the position he had left only a short time ago.

Suddenly Fran seemed to awaken from her daze.

"Does this mean you’re going to be out of the house all day AGAIN."

Her voice was bearing a hint of a quiver.

"No Darling, I’ll be here but I’ll be tied up in my office all day in a very important meeting. You see, Christmas is a critical time for new sitcoms. It’s the time when the network's executives decide whether to keep the show or not. Although we have had good ratings until now, we have to be very careful about what we do, and we have to plan accordingly."

Max gently pulled Fran toward him. Snuggling into each other’s arms and with a contented sigh, they both fell asleep almost instantly.

Fran was seated at the kitchen table, her head resting against one of her hands, looking like she hadn’t had much sleep in a long time.

Niles entered the room and sat down next to her with a concerned look on his face.

"Fran are you all right?"

She sat up straight as if Niles had jolted her.

"Oy Niles! You startled me!…"

He chuckled and looked her in the eye questioningly

"Oy… I didn’t know babies could be such a pain sometimes… What am I saying?!… I love them !… Oy Niles, why weren’t they born with teeth already?! And why is Ma travelling when I need her here?!"

Niles smiled and patted her forearm.

"You’re always complaining about her presence almost every day and night, and now you’re complaining because she’s not here for once?" He joked.

"It’s not funny Niles."

"Where are the little monsters?"

"Grace and Brighton took them out to sit by the pool to give me a break. I’m trying to wake up here, but I am so tired I can hardly move!"

"Wake up? It’s three in the afternoon!"

"Yeah… I know… Oy! I'd need a clone… No… come to think of it, I'd need SEVERAL clones! Hanukkah was two weeks ago, then there’s Christmas, Max promised to help me decorate the house but I don't know WHEN, I don’t know how I am going to finish Christmas shopping, and Max wants a Christmas party here for the staff and cast of the sitcom a day before Christmas, plus he wants me to attend so many things with him, but I don't know how the Hell we're going to manage doing all this with only 24 hours in a day!!!… It doesn’t feel like Christmas!"

Fran took a deep breath and looked imploringly up at her friend.

Niles frowned sympathetically. He didn’t know what to say, so he moved to hold her shoulders like a real friend would have.

"… I never thought I would miss New York this much Niles."

"Why is that? You have your parents, your grand mother, your friends, and all your family here now!"

"I miss… I miss the magic of Christmas. The big Christmas trees with snow and lights, people running down Fifth Avenue to get last minute Christmas presents, with scarves and red noses. I miss the Empire State building lit like a gigantic candle. I miss skating at Rockerfeller Center. I miss snowmen and the Macy’s parade. I even miss the cold. It’s just not the same sitting around a pool… I want to go home!"

She rested her head against his shoulder.

Niles was at a loss as to what he could say to comfort her. He kind of missed New York himself. He quietly patted her back to reassure her, and resolved to speak to Max as soon as he could.

Suddenly she heard an infant crying by the pool: Eve. Fran sighed and straightened up in her chair.

"Duty calls," she scowled as she slowly stood and looked down at Niles.

"Thanks for the shoulder Niles. See ya later."

Niles slowly shook his head as he watched Fran shuffle out of the kitchen. He quickly prepared tea to bring to Max’s office.

He cautiously knocked on the door.

Hearing a ‘come in’ he entered. Noting the terse atmosphere of the room he set the tray down on the desk and served the tea to everybody in the room as unobtrusively as he could. When he reached C.C., he whispered, "I put in cyanide instead of tea, as you requested."

C.C. looked furiously into his eyes. "That will be requited Niles!" She whispered between her teeth.

He chuckled softly. "I'm expecting that with impatience!" He whispered back before going about his service.

C.C. looked at him with a crooked smile, "vengeance" slowly morphing into her mind.

Niles gave Max his cup, coughed discreetly, and whispered

"May I have a word with you Sir?"

"Niles, we're having a meeting here!"

"It’s about Mrs. Sheffield, Sir…"

Max looked at him, stood up, and excused himself. "If you'd excuse me a minute gentlemen, I'll be right back."

He left the office and Niles closed the door behind them. He followed Max through the house to the living room.

"What about Fran?" Max uttered as he walked around the room, obviously looking for something.

"I’m worried about her Sir. Remember when the twins weren’t sleeping through the night? It’s worse now. And I’m not sure she wants to decorate the house all by herself…"

"I know about this Niles, I'm the one bringing her back to our room in the middle of the night. Can’t you help her decorating the house?" he interrupted impatiently.

Spying the folder he was looking for under some magazines on a table, he quickly snatched the folder, opened it and began leafing through it as he headed back toward his office

"Sir! With all the extra staff I have to manage because of all those meetings you’re doing here, I hardly have time to prepare meals for her and the children, let alone decorate a house for Christmas!"

Looking up from his file in irritation, Max said.

"Well then hire a decorator! Do I have to think of everything around here?"

"I don’t think it is a good idea, she wanted you to do this…"

Max had his hand on the doorknob, about ready to enter the office again. He turned to Niles with an exasperated look.

"I know Niles, but I can't, I just simply can’t! And I can’t talk to you any further about this right now. I have to convince those people that we’ll do even better now than we did before, and I don’t have time for this. Will you please just hire a bloody decorator for me?"

"As you wish Sir."

"Thank you." He opened the door and disappeared in the office.

Niles sighed. ‘Well that certainly went well!’ he told himself sarcastically.

The same night like clockwork, the two babies cried and woke Fran up after only a short time in bed. She got up sighing, put on a robe, and left the room.

The next morning Max woke up and rolled over to hug Fran, only to find himself alone. He first looked for her in the bathroom, but he didn’t find her. Once again knowing where he would, he sighed and went to the twins’ room. He found Fran slumped in a huge armchair, fast asleep with both Jonah and Eve in her arms.

Max tenderly put the sleeping babies in their cribs, and woke Fran up very gently.

"Fran darling…" he whispered.

"Shhhh Mommy’s here." She muttered, still sleeping, and patting the armrest.

"Darling?"

She opened her eyes sleepily, and found Max staring at her.

"Oh. Hi honey."

"What did I tell you yesterday?" He gently admonished her.

She stood up yawning. "Sweetie, you had three kids. Weren’t you worried when one of them was crying?"

"Niles was there…"

"Didn’t Sara ever wake up at night to care for them?"

Max smiled at the memory. "Yes she did, and so did I"

"See?"

"Oh no, you’re not going to get away with this Fran. I already told you this time is a difficult time both for you and for them but it will pass, and it's natural. If you go to them every time they cry you are just going to spoil them. And, in the long run, it will just make it harder later. With their genetic inheritance, we don’t need that now, do we?"

Fran scowled and swatted his forearm. "Very funny Maxwell!"

He encircled her shoulders smiling, and continued. "Now darling, if you would listen to me… Like you said, I had three kids before. I know what it is, what you need now is to rest. Niles was so worried about you that we had to hire a decorator to set the house up for Christmas."

Fran pushed him back looking rather upset. "What?! You said you were going to do your best to help me decorate the house! That we were going to do it as a family!"

"I thought I could Darling, I really did. But those executives are a real pain in the neck, and they want to discuss everything about the sitcom. The negotiations will take longer than I thought… Plus, the decorator will give the house a more professional look for the party…"

Fran slapped his chest several times. "I don't want a professional look Max! I want a Sheffield look. Like we had in New York! This is our house, not the studio!"

She stopped and put her hands on her hips suddenly more hurt than angry.

"Oy, why was I so excited about moving to California! It’s turning into a real disaster!"

"Oh now Darling…" He encircled her shoulders again.

She shook him off.

"Maxwell! Do you realize it never snows here? Do you realize what we should be doing as a family will be in the hands of an unknown person who doesn’t know anything about us, except for the pay check you’re gonna give him or her?!"

"Darling…"

"No! I’m not your darling! If I were your darling, you’d drop everything you’re currently doing, and help prepare for the holidays with the kids and me… As a family!"

Max had had enough. "Yes right, and the next thing we’d know we’d be begging for our subsistence in the streets!"

"Oh don’t you go there Maxwell Sheffield! Don’t tell me you couldn’t stop working one week in your life without going bankrupt!"

"Fran don’t you think you’re overdoing this a little?" Now he was getting angry.

"And you?!… Hiring a decorator was the stupidest thing you’ve ever done!"

"All right, fine! I’ll hold the meetings at the studio now, so I won’t have to face an enraged and unreasonable wife!"

He disappeared in the hall.

"You’re a…"

Of course, with all the commotion, the twins had awakened, and had started wailing. Fran, tears threatening to fall, sighed in frustration and scowling, went to take care of her children.

Several days later, the house was decorated with Christmas garlands and tinsel, red and white Poinsettias everywhere. There was also an artificial Christmas tree in the hall, with lots of decorations, and candles burning with pine scent. Fran passed next to the tree and looked at it pulling a face.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"It’s all right Niles, I’ll get it!" She shouted.

She opened the door to find Maggie standing there.

"Maggie!!!"

Fran, overwhelmed with joy at seeing her, grabbed her daughter and hugged her tightly. Maggie hugged her back.

"Oy it's so good to have you back! How are you doing?"

Maggie repressed a wave of nausea. "Oh Fran I guess jetlag and something I ate on the plane are just… Oh my God…" Panic suddenly crossed her face. "… I think I’m gonna throw up…!"

"Oy! this way!" She showed the way to the bathroom.

Maggie rushed in and slammed the door behind her.

Fran paced the hall waiting for her to come out. A commotion in the living room alerted her to the presence of Brighton and Grace. Niles had also come to see who had been at the door. Torn with waiting to comfort Maggie, and going to tell the kids of her arrival, Fran finally elected to leave her pacing and go talk to them.

"Hey you guys," Fran called "Your sister's just arrived."

They both excitedly began talking at once.

"Maggie.??" "Where is she?!"

Fran smiled.

"She’s in the bathroom. I’m sure she’ll be out soon."

No sooner than Fran had said these words, Maggie appeared in the doorway, and smiled as she saw the scene before her: four people she hadn’t realized how much she had missed until then. She quickly walked into the room to hug her siblings and then Niles. Happy chatter filled the room.

Fran smiled her relief that Maggie seamed to be all right and joined in with the beautiful reunion-taking place in front of her. ‘At least something positive is coming out of the mess that had been the last few days!’ she thought to herself.

Suddenly the twins started wailing upstairs.

"Oy… Sorry Maggie, duty calls…" Fran started leaving the room.

"Wait Fran! I’ll go with you… I haven't seen them for so long!"

Both women went upstairs happily, arm in arm.

Entering the twins’ room, they each took charge of a baby, taking them out of their cribs and changing their diapers, Maggie marvelling at how the twins had changed and grown.

Fran turned to her with an excited look. "Oy Maggie, I’m so happy that you’re here! I’ve missed you so much! But… You said Michael and you would be here by Christmas, and now here you are, 8 days earlier, all by yourself? I hope nothing terrible has happened between you and my son-in-law?"

Maggie smiled. "No, don’t worry Fran. I just wanted to be here sooner that’s all, and I thought I might as well surprise you. Michael is doing some photo shots in Venice right now, and he should be here in a few days… Plus… Well… I needed some advice and reassurance…" She took a deep breath. "Look Fran, I wouldn’t want to scare you but…"

Fran took Jonah in her arms, and looked at Maggie with a concerned face. "What is it sweetie?"

Maggie sighed, looking embarrassed. "Well I’ve been feeling really tired lately, and I can’t stop vomiting. I saw a doctor in Italy, and he said there was an epidemic of gastroenteritis, but… It’s been going on too long to be simply just that…"

She looked on Fran with a despaired look on her face. "I haven’t told Michael yet. I don’t want him to worry; the pressure on his shoulders is terrible right now… But… I think… maybe it’s something more serious than that…"

Fran put Jonah back in his crib and went to hug Maggie.

"Oh sweetie! You don’t have to go through anything alone. Look, we’ll go to see my doctor first thing tomorrow morning. I trust him, he’s a very good one, and if you have something serious, he’ll tell us. Until then, don’t worry and not a word to anybody okay?"

"Yes Fran… thank you."

Feeling relief for the first time in several weeks Maggie hugged Fran tightly. Fran always could make it better. Even when she was younger, Fran was always the one to go to to make it better. Everything was going to be okay now.

Max arrived home from work only a little later than normal.

Placing his briefcase on the entryway table he took a quiet moment for himself. He sighed.

‘God I need a drink!’

It had once again been a long day spent in meetings and he was tired. Not paying attention to his surroundings he headed for the bar.

Maggie, Brighton and Grace had been catching up on what had been going on in their lives when they see their preoccupied father enter the room. Maggie stood up to greet him.

"Hi Dad…"

Stunned by her voice, Max looked up.

"Margaret?! What are you doing here so soon?!" Rushing to her side, he folded her in his arms, a huge smile on his face.

"Well I couldn’t wait to see you all. I just wanted to spend more time with my family than what I had first planned so I came earlier."

"Good!… I'm so happy you did!" For the first time in days he felt a touch of happiness.

Fran entered the room and smiled broadly at the sight of Maggie and Max together again. "Honey, why don't you go upstairs and change? Then we can have dinner together like we used to with all the kids home"

Max looked at her with an embarrassed face. "Well I'm sorry Darling, but I am going to have to decline. I still have work to do, which absolutely must be done tonight in preparation for tomorrow, and I don't know where the Hell C.C. went…"

Kissing Maggie on the cheek he turned toward his office.

"Tell Niles I'll have dinner in my office"

A not-too-happy Fran glared at him.

Sensing trouble brewing behind him, he turned back and looked at his wife. "Fran, I'm really sorry. I haven't finished yet…" he tried to explain.

Fran was now angry. "All right, Mr. Invisible Man. Kids, will you come with me? Seems like your daddy's still at the studio."

Glaring at Max, she continued in an irritated tone, "And for your information Maxwell, Niles is at his house, with his wife, having some FAMILY time with her, so if you want to have dinner in your office, you'll just have to go into the kitchen and make it yourself."

With that, they all headed for the dining room, except for Max who was left behind, standing by himself.

He sighed and rubbed his temple. 'When did I loose control of my life', he wondered as he slowly walked to his office.

Entering it, he walked around his desk and sat down in his leather armchair to flip through the mail Niles had left on his desk. One letter caught his eye, which bore a French stamp. He turned it in his hands, looking intrigued, and then opened it.

Fran and the children were all chatting in the dining room and enjoying their meal. The twins were in their baby seats happily joining in on the happy hubbub of the room.

Max stormed in the dining room, holding a letter, and looking rather mad. "Fran! You are never going to believe this!"

All chatter immediately stopped and everyone looked at the angry man who had entered.

Fran didn't look pleased that they had been so rudely interrupted. "What?" she responded in a voice laced with irritation.

"Nigel is coming to visit us next week!"

"So?"

"So?! I don't want him to set foot in here!!!" With that, he stormed out of the room.

All looked at one another silently more that a little shocked at what had just taken place.

"What’s up with dad?" said Brighton.

"Bad intestinal transit, obviously…" responded Fran, joking a little, but knowing very well what was troubling her husband.

The rest of the evening Fran and the five Sheffield children spent in each other’s company. Maxwell was noticeable in his absence.

The next day, Fran and Maggie went to see the doctor.

When they entered the house together, Maggie was crying on Fran's shoulder. Niles came to greet them with a concerned face.

"Is there something wrong?"

Maggie raised her head, smiling broadly through her tears, and so did Fran.

"Oh Niles, I'm going to have a baby!!!"

Grace, who had been sitting on the couch, watching over her younger siblings in their playpen, stood up at once, and rushed to hug her sister.

"Oh Maggie, that's wonderful!!!"

Niles shook his head smiling.

"Good Lord, I can't even imagine what messes all those kids are going to do when they play together! Jonah, Eve, ours, and now Miss Margaret and her husband's!"

"You know what they'll need Niles?" Fran said with a crooked smile, while Maggie and Gracie went to survey the twins together.

Niles smiled back knowingly. "A Nanny?"

"Not 'A' Nanny… 'THE' Nanny!"

They both chuckled.

At that moment, Max entered the house, and dropped his briefcase next to the door. He looked at all the Christmas decorations, shook his head, and went to hug Fran from behind.

"Niles, can you bring the ladder and our usual Christmas decorations?"

Fran turned towards him with a questioning look. Max gave her a peck on the lips, smiling.

"I told the network's executives Christmas was a big tradition in my family, and that as the sitcom was doing so well in the ratings, I didn't understand why they would pick a quarrel with us about it. I was firm and direct, I told them I was taking a week for my family, and myself and the Christmas party with the staff will be held at the studio… Niles, you'd better go home. C.C.'s expecting you to help her decorate your house, and as soon as I change, that's what I'll do here, with my family…"

Fran smiled broadly and kissed him thoroughly. "Oh honey, that's very sweet of you! But what if they cancel the sitcom?"

"No need to worry sweetheart, the sitcom attracts so many people in that time slot, it would be crazy to cancel it!"

"I love you so much!"

They kissed again.

Maggie walked shyly behind them to greet her father. Fran turned and waved for Maggie to come closer. Grace watched the scene from behind.

Putting her hand on her father’s shoulder so that he would turn to look at her she said "Daddy, you're going to be a grand-father!" and then she fell into his arms and hugged him.

Max was caught by surprise. He opened his eyes widely, and pushed Maggie back to look at her.

"Oh my God!"

He hugged her back, almost crushing her against his chest.

"My little girl!"

Brighton arrived from the back door just then, his arms full of boxes with Christmas decorations.

"Hey dad, Maggie, Fran, huh… everybody… Niles gave all this stuff to me when I came through the garden. Where do you want me to put it?"

"Just put it down anywhere for now sweetie and come over here! Your sister has something to tell you." Fran said.

Maggie looked at her father knowingly. Max encouraged her silently, nodding and smiling of pride. Maggie went to meet Brighton.

"You'd better start saving money for next Christmas presents… You're going to be an Uncle!"

Brighton looked at her in shock. His eyes rolled in his sockets, and he fainted…

Some time later, the house was all re-decorated with their own decorations. The Christmas tree looked better, and it gave the room a nice & cozy feeling, similarly to what it felt like in New York.

Fran & Max were seated on their couch, drinking some wine. Max's arm was thrown around Fran's shoulders, and her head was resting on his shoulder.

"The kids shouldn't be back from Brighton's first short for an hour or so, right?"

"Mmmm yeah…"

He smiled mischievously and lifted her chin with one finger, kissing her lips lightly. "That leaves us some time to…"

"Talk, Mr. Sheffield…" she interrupted.

Max looked at her in surprise.

"What do you want to talk about sweetheart?"

"I want to talk about what's troubling you."

"Nothing's troubling me Darling, except the fact I was a real schmuck with you and the kids…"

"I'm not talking about that."

"Then I don't see what you're talking about?"

"Nigel."

Max sighed and made an attempt to get up, but Fran held him on the couch.

"No Maxwell, you are not going to escape! You know I usually get what I want…"

He surrendered. "It's just that…"

"Max, it's been over a year now. How can you still be angry with him? Besides, I married YOU, not HIM!"

"It's not HIM I'm angry with. It's me… and I suppose seeing him would only make me realize how stupid I was, once more… Not much of a gentleman's attitude eh?"

Fran looked at him nodding.

"What would I do without you?" He kissed her gently on the lips.

"He'll be there in two days regardless. I suppose we'll have a man to man discussion to sort things out between us…"

"He's your brother Max… Your family… You know, that's something I've been trying to teach our kids all these years… Family is the last thing you can rely on when everything goes wrong. Look at them today. They were pestering each other when they were growing up, but still, they went out today like a real family…"

"Thanks to the wonderful Nanny they had." He smiled and kissed her once more. "I guess you're right about Nigel… It's not like he's going to steal you from me, right?"

"Definitely! I won the best Sheffield in the lottery, and I ain't gonna change that!" She gave him a peck on the lips.

"You know Max, I was thinking… No matter where I spend Christmas: New York, LA, the Antipodes… As long as I am with you and my family…"

They smiled at each other and kissed once more.

The doorbell rang. Fran stood up and went to open the front door.

Michael appeared, unshaven, and looking very tired.

"Michael!" Fran hugged him dearly.

"Hi Fran, hi Mr. Sheffield…" He came in.

Max shook his hand. "Hello Michael. You look awfully tired!"

"Well I am… I couldn't stand Maggie being so far away from me, so I just finished the shoot, took the first plane to LA, and here I am, after almost 24 hours of flight…"

"WOW! No wonder you look so beat! Tell us all about it!"

"It’s a long story Fran and I don’t think I have enough energy to talk about it right now." He chuckled "I’m so tired my brain isn’t working very well and I don’t think my story will be very coherent."

"Sweetheart, I think Michael would rather take a shower and go to bed…"

Michael looked at him in gratitude. "Oh that would be fantastic Mr. Sheffield, where's Maggie's room?"

Max smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to say: his little girl was married now, and he had almost forgotten. "Huh… Well…"

Fran elbowed him, understanding what his hesitation was about.

"Second floor, on your right at the top of the stairs, then first door on your right…"

"Huh?" Michael said with a puzzled look.

"Okay, Come on Sweety, I'll show you…!" Fran went upstairs with Michael.

A short while later, she was back downstairs and joined Maxwell on the couch again.

"Sweetie, why don't we go upstairs and check on the twins together. I haven't heard them in a while, and I'm a bit worried."

"You don't have to worry. I checked on them when the children went out, and they were quiet, and sleeping… I guess the crisis is over… but you're right. I'd love to go upstairs with you…" He winked seductively.

'Oy! The man knows how to turn me to jelly!' Fran thought, smiling understandingly.

She bolted off the couch, and started towards the stairs, Max fast on her heels. "I'll be the first one upstairs!" She giggled, but he passed her and was upstairs in a few elastic strides.

"Not for the world darling!"

They slammed the door of their room shut.

About two seconds afterwards, Eve and Jonah started wailing…

A scowling, dishevelled Fran opened the door of their room.

"Max…?"

"Yes darling?" He said, smiling sheepishly, tiptoeing behind her…

In the guesthouse, Niles uttered a very loud scream…

"Did I just hear a scream?" Said Fran as she was unbuttoning her husband's pajama top.

"Maybe Darling but… Who cares?" Said Max, his mind visibly occupied with something else.

"Oh you're right, let's concentrate on something else…" She started trailing soft kisses on his chest…

Niles tried to struggle, but it seemed he had gone blind and paralysed… Although the ropes tying him up reminded him he was perfectly all right. He heard a voice speaking…

"So Niles? How does it feel to be helpless and miserable?"

"You're a sick witch C.C.!… Come on, untie me and I'll show you how it feels!" He said, as excitement slowly warmed his insides.

She laughed. "'Told you I would have revenge Niles!"

"Come on, Babcock, release me!"

"… When I want to Niles…! Ow!" She winced in surprise.

"What? What?!"

"I guess 'Junior' just kicked me stronger than usual! It seems it doesn't like it's father to be tied up…!"

"Good kid…"

"Ow!… Okay okay, I'll untie him!" And she proceeded to do so…

Once he was free, Niles grabbed his wife.

"Now come on Babcock, let's move onto the next step…"

C.C. looked at him crookedly and purred. Unable to resist much longer, he swept her in his arms, and carried her to their bed.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Sheffield’s brother Nigel will be arriving shortly for a visit. Can I trust you? I remember the last time he was here …"

"Mmmm… That is up to you Niles… Show me I wouldn't earn anything if I…"

"Oh shut up!!!" He said, as he laid her on their bed, kissing her thoroughly…

Fran was fast asleep on the sofa, enjoying a moment of peace, as Maggie, Brighton, and Gracie had taken the twins on a stroll.

The doorbell rang. She emerged slowly from her sleep. The doorbell rang again. Niles arrived growling.

"Can't anybody open that damn door when I'm occupied with something else?!"

He spotted Fran trying to wake up on the couch.

"Oh sorry Fran…"

The doorbell rang again.

"Ohhh!… All right all right I’m coming!" He proceeded to open the door, revealing Santa with an enormous beard, and an enormous bag full of what he presumed was presents.

Niles looked at the apparition flabbergasted. "What the Hell are you?"

"Come on Niles! Don't you recognize me?!" the unmistakable British accent, the twinkle in the eyes…

"Master Nigel! How nice to see you!… Come in!"

Max arrived from his office. "Niles, hasn't the doorbell r…" He stopped in his tracks and in his sentence, looking at Santa in astonishment.

"Hey Max!"

"Nigel?"

"Hey come on, give me a hug!"

Max stepped forward like a robot and went to shake Nigel's hand. The latter took it and pulled Max in a tight embrace. "It's so good to see you old man!" then spotting Fran… "And there's my adorable sister in law! Hi Fran!"

She smiled warmly. "Hi Nigel…" She gave him a hug, but before Max' scowling face, she stepped back, eyeing her husband.

Nigel looked at both of them. "Oh… I see… Well Max I… I…"

"I think you should first get out of that ridiculous get up, and then we might have a talk in my office." said Max a bit dryly to Fran's taste.

"Huh… Yes… Look I bought presents for my nephews and nieces, Niles, C.C., you, and Fran…"

"That's so sweet of you Nigel!" Fran said clasping her hands together. "Put them under the Christmas tree?!"

"I'll do it if you want Master Nigel, and then I'll show you to your room…"

Max threw a warning look at Niles.

"… that is… Right after you and Mr. Sheffield have finished talking…" He smiled sheepishly.

Max smiled at Niles, and made a slight movement with his head to show Nigel the direction of his office. Both men disappeared down the corridor. Niles turned to the task of putting the presents under the tree. Fran shook her head in amusement as she made her way back to the couch. All she could do is wait.

Maxwell led the way to his office. "Sit down Nigel," Max said indicating the couch, "we need to have a little talk."

"Sure Max. Anything you say."

Max shut the door and then made his way to the front of his desk. Turning around, he leaned against it and focused his attention on his brother.

"Well Max," Nigel said with a smile, "What’s this all about?"

"Nigel, that last time we spoke it was in anger…" Max began.

"Oh! Come on Max! That was over a year ago! Surely you are not still dwelling on what I told you before your wedding…" Seeing the sad look on Maxwell’s face he continued, "For God’s sakes man! What happened between Fran and me was years ago! Fran choose you! That’s it! Case closed!"

Maxwell looked closely at his brother. It suddenly dawned on him that Nigel meant what he was saying. That he no longer had anything to worry about from Nigel. Somewhat sheepishly Max smiled at his brother. "I guess I was just surprised and more than a little jealous at the time. It scared me when I realized how close I had come to losing Fran and I didn’t even know it was happening. So I took it out in anger on you. I’m sorry."

"Forget it old boy! Old news. Now if that is all settled I’d like to meet my new niece and nephew."

Max smiled as Nigel stood up. "Let’s go find Fran and the twins." With that, both men left the room.

On Christmas Eve, everybody was gathered around the large table in the dining room. Brighton, Maggie, Gracie, and Michael were chatting happily about what wonderful experiences they had had since leaving New York. Morty and Sylvia had returned from their trip in Hawaii and were telling Fran all about their adventure. Val and Fred had been invited to spend Christmas with the Sheffield family too and were trying to get in a word edgewise. Sammy and Yetta had finished setting up their new rooms together at the retirement home and were looking lovingly at each other (even Sammy). Niles was seated along with the rest of the family and squeezing his wife's hand under the table happily, just absorbing the warm atmosphere. A member of the staff they had hired for the extra work during the holidays was quietly serving dinner. Nigel had both twins on his knees, bumping them lightly, which made them giggling happily. Max looked at the joyous scene unfolding in front of his eyes

He decided this was the moment to make his little speech. Clearing his throat in a vane attempt to get everyone’s attention. He finally stood up and hit his wine glass with his knife clanging his glass to mimic a bell. The buzz stopped and everyone looked at him.

"As my beautiful and caring wife said to me the other day, it doesn’t matter where I spend Christmas as long as it is with my family. We are all gathered here tonight for this joyous occasion and I for one couldn't be happier. My brother Nigel and I have made peace and I would like to say that he's welcome in our home any time he wants to visit, as long as he stays away from my wife." He winked at his brother amid soft laughter from the rest of the audience.

"I don't think she's interested in me Max!" Nigel replied playfully.

Max went on. "Niles and C.C., my dear friends are expecting their first born very soon, and I thank Niles for taking all of C.C.'s mood swings on himself, so that she can be an efficient shark at the studio."

Niles looked at him scowling playfully. "You mean so that she can be worse than a shark at home, Sir!" C.C. swatted Niles' thigh under the table. "Ow!"

Max smiled and went on again. "… And of course, I'm grateful to see all my children gathered around us, and enjoying every minute of it… And now I guess Maggie would like to tell you all something too… And believe me, it hasn't been easy for us to keep quiet about it!!!" He sat down.

Maggie stood up and shyly looked at her husband, who looked back with a concerned look. Brighton and Gracie looked at their sister knowingly, to encourage her.

"Well…" She started… "Michael… I was wondering if we would have a Jewish baptism, or a Catholic one…"

Michael looked at her bewildered, and not understanding a word of what she was saying.

Fran smiled and whispered, leaning towards Max "Oy! And I thought YOU were clueless!!!"

Maggie smiled to her husband again… "Michael… We're going to have a baby…" she said in a small voice.

Michael looked dumbfounded for ten seconds, then bolted up his chair, and rushed to embrace his wife. "Oh Maggie!!!!!!! That's fantastic!"

Fran smiled and leaned towards her husband again, as happy comments buzzed around the room. "And that's what Christmas is all about…"

"Yes Darling… It's about a birth and joy and angels singing in Heaven."

Later that night, after everyone had opened their presents and had all made their way to bed, Fran and Max snuggled into each other's arms enjoying the lights on the Christmas Tree as the only source of light and basking in the quiet after so much commotion of the last few hours.

"Oh Max," Fran sighed contentedly, "Even if we didn’t have snow, I think we had a more wonderful Christmas than I could ever have even imagined! And you know I have a pretty good imagination."

Max chuckled.

"…And thank you for this." She once again held out her wrist, as she had been doing all night, to admire the diamond and sapphire bracelet he had given her. The lights from the tree making the stones shimmer and dance in the diffused light.

"You are very welcome, my Darling." Kissing her softly, he tightened his arms around her as she snuggled against him and once again rested her head against his chest. He sighed contentedly. "Our family is growing in leaps and bounds. Next year we will have grandchildren! Can you imagine that?"

Now it was Fran’s turn to chuckle. "Still can’t get over that huh?"

"I think it will take a little time getting used to. Come on Grandma," he said standing up and pulling Fran to her feet, "let’s go upstairs and tuck each other into bed."

The gleam in his eyes made Fran laugh. Somehow she knew sleep was not what he had in mind.

As they were climbing into bed, crying came in over the baby monitor signalling at least one baby was awake. Fran froze.

"Fran," Max admonished her, "Don’t even think about it."

Brown eyes meeting green, she silently pleaded and he answered negatively. Sighing she climbed in beside him. Taking her in his arms, he kissed her soundly, his hands gently roaming over familiar territory.

So wha'd ya think? Any good? Be sure
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Fire and Ice Merry Christmas Everybody!! The RUNBC will be airing a "re-run" next week so that all the employees (me) can enjoy a day off with their families. Please, take this opportunity to re-read our classic Christmas episode, the Round Robin "Fire and Ice". I don't know about you, but I can always enjoy one of those "breathless, heated culminations"!

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