Chapter 1

Fran Sheffield walked up to the flower store intending to purchase a bouquet of flowers. As Fran passed the white tulips, she remembered the last time she had purchased flowers for Maxwell's mother…

"I want you to order two dozen white tulips to be delivered to my son Maxwell Sheffield,.

"I'm sorry. That woman has the last tulips."

"I had my eye on those tulips," Elizabeth said she marched up to the pushy brunette.

"Well, I had my eye on Antonio Banderas and I ain't taking him home either."

I am sure Mrs. Sheffield thought I was the pushiest woman alive. Matters had gotten worse when Elizabeth arrived at the Sheffield home. The former nanny had slammed the door in her face unaware that the woman at the door was Maxwell's mother. From then on things went from bad to worse…

"Maxwell, if you pursue this…that ...that. I will have no choice but to disinherit you."

"Well, I don't need your money, Mother, or your approval. I'll do whatever the bloody hell I like!"

"Don't talk to your mother like that!"

"Miss Fine, will you marry me?"

"What?

"Maxwell, stop making a spectacle of yourself."

"Oh, did you think that was a spectacle, Mother? Oh no, mother! This is!"

Fran remembered Maxwell's kiss even though it was meant to spite his mother it was passionate all the same. His mother's visit had at least one positive outcome…Maxwell had admitted that he cared for Fran deeply and it had all worked out in the end. They had married now and expecting twins. Her husband and his mother were not very close. What kind of woman sent her child to boarding school at the tender age of four? Maxwell was the one that Jocelyn and Nigel came to in place of their parents for help, approval or comfort. It was a miracle that Max had turned our reasonably sane. He was a very caring man underneath that polite British exterior, a shoulder to lean on when she found out that that schmuck Danny was getting married to Heather Biblow. The event had plunged her headlong into a shopping addiction that had only been cured by Mr. Sheffield's kiss.

Maxwell and his mother could have a closer relationship if they would just make the effort. The Englishman and his mother's relationship was a sore spot with the loving and devoted wife. She loved her husband dearly and knew he needed to reconcile with his mother...Going to London was out of the question at this point in her pregnancy. Would Elizabeth come to New York? Max won't invite her so I guess I'll have to make the first move.

ZZZ

Later that evening, Fran and Max sat on the couch enjoying the peace and quiet. Now would be the perfect time to talk to Max about his mother.

"Max?" Fran lazily stroked her husband's chest.

"Darling, what is it?" His wife had been quiet all evening and he was waiting for the other shoe to drop so to speak. He never knew if Fran were having one of her mood swings but he was determined to be patient and listen to his wife. I love her so much.

"I want to talk about your mother, Max. It hurts me to see you two so distant…"

"I hardly know my mother, Fran. I have been raised by nannies for the better part of my life. I was a disappointment to both of my parents. They expected me to become a lawyer or something sensible. They did not understand my love for the theatre... They threatened to disinherit me." His father was dead and Maxwell and his mother were virtual strangers to each other.

"Isn't it about time that you got to know each other, sweetie? Your mother is not getting any younger."

"Mother made her choice! She could have come to our wedding but she decided not to…She hates me because as she puts it...I'm the spitting image of my father, same eyes, same smile…No, Fran. I can't …as much as I love you…I just can't forgive my mother...not after all this time..."

Fran hugged her husband tightly. It was past time for the two to reconcile. Maybe, Elizabeth would be more receptive to the idea.

"What's going on in that head of yours, Fran?" She meant well and only had his best interests at heart.

"Nothing, sweetie," his wife hesitated.

"I hope that you're not planning on talking to my mother, Fran...Too much has happened, my love. Please for my sake...if you love me, please let it go."

Fran's instincts told her that Max and his mother needed each other. He would never be complete until he at least attempted to reconcile with his mother. It would affect him for the rest of his life. "I will respect your wishes, Max..I won't talk to your mother, Max but I still think you need each other."

"I have you, the children and soon, we will have two more. I have everything that I want or need right now. That's more than enough. I love you, Fran."

"I love you more," Fran placed a gentle kiss on her husband's lips. Little did they know things were about to change…