You can not take back love!

Awkward family meeting

Fran and Nigel enter the mansion and hand Niles their coats. Nigel immediately rushes up to his brother and hugs him warmly. Maxwell's reaction is more dismissed. Nigel wraps an arm around Fran and pulls her close to him.
"After all, I don't have to introduce you to my fiancée." He laughs, not noticing the disapproving looks from Fran and his brother. The two hug each other briefly in greeting. Maxwell secretly wants to hold her and never let her go. Fran inhales his scent 'Aramis'. She wonders if he had applied this on purpose. When they break free from each other, they stare into each other's eyes for a short moment, then both turn away in embarrassment.
Maxwell leads them into the living room.
"May Niles serve you a drink? I guess it's a Brandy for you, Nigel and for you, Miss Fine?"
"Oh, nothing right now. Thanks, Mr. Sheffield."
Nigel looks amused to his brother and then to Fran.
"You guys are really funny. But I think it's time to get rid of all the formalities. You are not boss and Nanny anymore!"
Fran turns bright red and also Maxwell squeezes. But then he pats his brother on the shoulder.
"You're right. I mean, we are all family now. So FRAN, are you sure you don't want anything?"
"No, thanks MAXWELL!"

Maggie and Grace come down the stairs. Without paying any further attention to Nigel, they run towards Fran.
"Fran, you get to help me, I don't know which bikini to take with me."
"No, Fran! You're supposed to help me. I can't close my suitcase!"
They both pull Fran upstairs, she laughingly gives in to her fate. Nigel acts slightly offended.
"It doesn't seem like they missed their uncle?"
"Well, no one has a chance against Fran!" remarks Maxwell with a laugh.
For a moment, there was an awkward silence between the brothers. But then Brighton comes down the stairs. Unlike his sisters, he greets his uncle with a hug and sits down with them. The conversation primarily takes place between Brighton and Nigel. Brighton tells him about his video project and Nigel proudly reports about all the famous show stars who had already performed in his club. Maxwell is captured in his own thoughts. He watches his brother. Enviously, he has to realize Nigel looked outrageously good in his latest suit. Very youthful and charming. No wonder Fran has fallen for him. Secretly, he sometimes wishes he had more of Nigel's spontaneity and adventurousness. However, was it really so wrong to go through life sensibly and rather think first before possibly getting into some misfortune?!

Later at dinner, the mood seems cheerful and harmonious at the outward. But secretly, it's seething. Nigel loves it to show his love for Fran openly. Incessantly, he puts his arm around her waist, pulls her to him and kisses her cheek or neck. Fran is rather uncomfortable with the obvious show of affection and inconspicuously tries to move her chair further away from him. She squints at Maxwell. At dinner last night in the Rainbow Room, she only suspected her crush on Nigel had aroused his jealousy. Tonight, she is  absolutely certain. Maxwell is obviously extremely jealous and couldn't bear to see Nigel and her so intimate with each other. She tries to give him an apologetic look. His behaviour irritates her.

It wasn't that long ago that he had made it clear that he was not interested in a relationship with her and saw them only as friends. Was he still in love with her? Her heart starts beating wildly and millions of butterflies flutter in her belly. All her feelings, all her love for Maxwell come back and stronger than ever. There was nothing she could do about those feelings. However, she tries very hard not to let anyone see her confusion.  Maxwell couldn't help but keep glancing in Fran's direction and secretly watch her. First, after Nigel's show, he wanted to leave dinner. Only for the sake of his children, he tries hard to keep up his facade. But his fists secretly clenches under the table every time Nigel approaches Fran. He knows his behaviour is completely crazy and irrational. Fran is Nigel's fiancée and he has every right to show his affection. But was it really necessary to rub it in his face and couldn't he at least pull himself together in front of the kids!?

Maxwell gets the impression, as if Nigels advances seem to annoy Fran as well. He notices very well how she slides further and further away with her chair. He is surprised at first. Fran is actually a person who likes to show her feelings openly. Was she not as much in love with Nigel as he assumed? Furthermore, he notices her secret glances at him. Loving warm and loging stares, or was he just imagining that? Then, her random touches when he reaches for an object. He wonders all the time why she was doing all this. It only intensifies his desire for her.

After the meal, things get very busy in the Sheffield home. The children eagerly gather their luggage and check again to make sure they haven't forgotten anything. Maxwell stands by and gives numerous admonitions and advice. Niles also hurriedly makes the final travel preparations. Fran and Nigel stand a little apart and observe the happening. When Niles appeares with his suitcase, Fran asks him in amazement.
"Niles, are you travelling too?"
"Yes! A friend invited me to join him for a fishing trip." "Also Niles deserves a vacation!" adds Maxwell.
"Oh, come on, brother! You just want to have the house all for yourself to have some fun. Hehe!"
Maxwell thinks it would be wise not to respond to this comment at all. Finally the cab arrives and the big goodbyes begin. For a long time, Fran Nigel and Maxwell wave after the car.

Then they go back into the house together.
"What drink can I offer you?"
But before he can go to the bar, the phone rings.
"Nigel, it's for you!" mentions Maxwell after he picked up.
Fran and he are not able to understand what the phone call is about. Insecure, they stare at each other but don't say a word. That's when Nigel comes back to them.
"I've really got to go! The jazz group I met yesterday did accept my offer. They're performing in Connecticut tonight and after the gig, they want to talk to me about the contract. This is a major opportunity!"
He walks over to Fran and blows a kiss on her lips. "Don't be mad, sugar! I'll see you tomorrow. Because that's going to become late for sure. I'm going to look for a hotel room there tonight. I've already called the driver, he'll be here any minute."

Fran just nods to everything.
"When we get to our hotel, I'll pack you a bag real quick." Nigel brushes her off.
"Well, I actually planned to drive there right from here and get everything I need on the way. I'll call you a cab that brings you back to the hotel."
"Don't worry, Nigel. I'll drive Fran home!" intervenes Maxwell now.
He couldn't let Nigel just push Fran away like that. Fran smiles gratefully at him. At the same time, she feels queasy at the idea of being alone with Maxwell. "Great, Maxwell! I know Fran is in good hands with you."
The doorbell rings, the driver shiws up. Nigel gives Fran a kiss, waves to Maxwell and is gone.