Hello Hello everyone! This is my first fic in what seems like forever. The spirit of the season has inspired me as well as the fact that I had to write a short story for my "Writing Creatively" class. I changed the names a bit and did a little more explaining with the characters, but essentially it's the same. The story is based on a song from Clay Aiken's new Christmas album with the same name, because obviously this is me we are talking about and when have I not used a song in my fic? J I would love to hear from you guys and I hope everyone has a happy holiday!

Merry Christmas With Love

by

Meridith McTamany
(mer1230ncc@yahoo.com)

CC Babcock felt like Scrooge's mistress as she battled the babbling Chicago crowds. All around her reminders of the approaching holiday twinkled and chimed, mocking her with their festive colors and lights. The people she passed in the streets were rosy-cheeked and smiling. They all had the glow about them that told you that the only thing on their minds was the next morning and sitting around the tree tearing wrapping paper from gifts while family looked gaily on. CC wanted nothing to do with Christmas this year. Her family was so far away, basking in the California sun, that it hurt her to even think about the frivolous times of years passed. With her head down and a granite scowl upon her face she trudged though the masses, her arms absent of gifts pilled high and adorned with ribbons of crimson and gold. She was so set on her path that she didn't even notice the warbling Santa shaking his bell outside of the bank. She barreled into his swinging pot of donated change knocking the Cringle impersonator over in the process. Her 5’ 8’’ frame tumbled to the ground in a heap of Gucci and Prada, landing hard on the icy, cold, ground.

"You stupid jolly dolt! What kind of idiot stops dead on a Chicago sidewalk in the middle of the Holiday season?" growled CC. Her blonde pageboy haircut was a disheveled mess as she tried to untangle herself from the heap on the ground. It wasn’t until she was standing again that she realized that the elderly man she had practically steamrollered was dressed in a cheap rental Santa suit and was trembling with fear at her wrath. His watery eyes were wide with shock, as were those of all of the pedestrians who had been unfortunate enough to witness the mistake.

"I, I…I’m sorry, I didn’t see…I mean I didn’t know,"

Two men standing nearby helped the Santa up and cast their troubling gazes on CC. Again she lowered her eyes to the ground, mumbling a humiliated "sorry" and motioned for the nearest taxi even though she only had five more blocks to walk. When she finally sunk into the grimy upholstery of the city cab, she allowed herself to expel the breath of air that had been constricting her lungs since the sight of the terrified man’s face. It wasn’t the first time she had elicited such a feeling in another person. Since starting low on the proverbial food chain, working as a secretary to her now partner, Maxwell Sheffield, she had been known throughout the high society as a vicious woman with a head for business. For years she had prided herself in making grown men cry with her take-no-prisoners attitude, but one day her life experienced an impossible awakening.

She fell in love.

Maxwell’s butler, Niles, whom she had butted heads with from the very first day she had met him had been the bane of her existence for almost ten years. Niles lived with Maxwell in his sprawling New York townhouse and helped keep the house in order while Maxwell toiled day in and day out to find the next big hit for his Broadway production business. Niles and CC had found ways to annoy and taunt each other, all the while forming an unbreakable bond that eventually bred undying love. They had experienced a whirlwind romance and marriage; their lives seemed to know only spontaneity for months. It wasn’t until CC discovered her pregnancy that they put on the breaks. Niles became a doting husband. He monitored her diet and exercise to the point of insanity, but it was well worth the aggravation. She gave birth to a perfect baby girl and life was sweeter than CC had ever imagined it could be.

They spent the holidays together with Maxwell’s family. He and his wife, Fran, and their five children welcomed the unconventional chaos that was synonymous with CC, Niles, and their daughter, Emily. But this year everything had changed. There had been an emergency with one of CC’s investors in Chicago and it was imperative that she jet there to wrangle it into control. Their show depended on the support of this particular businessman so she was forced to leave her precious family behind on the sunny California coast, singing Yule tide carols under swaying palm trees. After years of being alone she had finally found happiness only to have it sequestered away for the sake of business.

As the taxi crawled though the rush hour traffic, CC allowed her mind to wander to memories of past Christmases. She recalled the years between her mother and father, torn apart by a bitter divorce. Her father, a millionaire from old money, thought the way to win his daughter’s heart was through lavish material possessions. Her mother on the other hand made her way from lover to lover, stopping only long enough to drop off professionally wrapped gifts that her personal shopper had purchased for her children. CC couldn’t even think of a time that she had been happy during Christmas up until her first with Niles. He knew the true meaning of Christmas was not about presents and decorations, but about being with loved ones to share the warmth that the day was meant to bring. She and her husband sought to impress upon their daughter their own visions of Christmas, but they couldn’t help exude joy when watching her dive into the pile of dolls and tea sets left under the glimmering tree.

CC felt tears begin to well in her eyes and she blinked them back with recalcitrant pride. She had survived Christmas alone before and she could do it again.

She was jarred from her reverie as the cab screeched to a halt in front of her hotel. She paid the driver and gave him a stale, "Merry Christmas", before entering the lobby.

Her elevator climbed higher and higher into the Chicago skyline but she didn’t even consider her fear of heights. The only things rattling about in her head were thoughts of gingerbread and sugar plum fairies.

~*~

Hugging herself, she gazed out the window at the bustling city below. She could see shoppers lugging their parcels and executives jabbering into cell phones. On one corner, a tired-looking man in threadbare knits was trying to convince people that his dilapidated Christmas trees were perfect for their posh living rooms. The falling snow was weighing on their feeble branches, causing them to sag into frowns of rejection. Though they barely resembled the nine-foot tall fir that annually illuminated her living room back home, the drooping trees reminded her still of all that she was missing.

On the pristinely made bed lay her cell phone, her link to home. She played with the idea of calling Niles to see how things were going but she realized it was just about 5:30 pm there and the whole family would be gathering around the table for Christmas Eve dinner. CC could almost smell the savory lamb chops and mint jelly and her favorite; glazed ham. There would be warm bread and mashed potatoes and freely flowing wine. Despite herself she chuckled, wondering what Niles would do this year to convince Emily that the gourmet meal really was better than peanut butter and jelly.

Her stomach growled in protest to the vivid visions of food. Seeing that it was getting late, CC decided to make her way down to the café in the lobby of the hotel.

The chandelier lights had been dimmed in the vestibule, creating a pleasant ambiance of hazy shadows. The café was not crowded so CC paused to sit in one of the plush lobby chairs to try to clear her head. She watched other patrons coming in from the day, going out for the night, but never alone. Just as she had begun to feel a sense of serene tranquility washing over her, a mother and her young daughter came giggling though the front door, flushed from the biting winds and their apparent glee. Not being able to watch their happiness as they gazed about at the decorations in the lobby, CC stood and walked briskly towards the café. As she passed the front doors, she saw the doorman give her a warm smile, casting his glance to a recently formed group of carolers outside. CC followed his eyes to their voices, her lips parting in shock.

She was dumfounded and in disbelief. At her surprise, the doorman let out a hearty guffaw.

"Merry Christmas Miss!" He grinned at her with twinkling eyes.

Slowly she pushed open the door and closed her eyes. She let their sweet voices envelop her and wash away the bitter stains of loneliness from her heart. Their melody never broke, though some reached up to brush rogue tears from their eyes with gloved hands. She watched as people stopped on the streets to listen, but she knew the special words were just for her. Before her eyes CC saw the faces of her loved ones singing out a song from the depths of their hearts, but most of all, she saw their love.

Above all the voices, her husband’s practiced baritone rang out, mingling not only with the others but also with the bells ringing in her ears, their harmony impeccable. On his shoulders Emily perched proudly, her tiny mittens covering her father’s ears in the cold. Smiling as he sang, Niles offered his hand to his wife, drawing her into the crowd. Maxwell and his family were among the carolers as well and he gave her an affectionate hug before capturing her other hand in his.

They continued singing and CC felt her voice growing inside her chest, the lyrics almost a mantra to chase away any chilly feelings of being alone.

At that moment, in the freezing Chicago streets, it didn’t matter if you could actually carry a tune. It didn’t matter if you were getting the things you wanted under the tree or if you had found the perfect gift for the lowest price. The song they sang as one was the true meaning of Christmas.

As the tune ended, a jovial cheer sprang up from the crowd and they all took turns hugging a kissing CC. They group migrated into the lobby, snuggling against each other for warmth and partaking in the hot cocoa that had been provided for them. Niles passed Emily off to her Uncle Max while he and CC stood together under the city’s lights as a fine snow began to fall.

"CC darling, you know I would never leave you alone for Christmas," Niles breathed into her fragrant hair, holding her close. "We couldn’t let you get away from us this year. I just figured a little surprise would liven up your spirits,"

She snaked her arms around his waist, making memories of home a reality in her husband.

"A little surprise? Niles, this is the best surprise anyone has ever given me in all of my years. Just seeing everyone, and you and Emily especially was perfect. Then the song. Oh, the song was…it was…"

"Essential?"

CC bowed her head and laughed, his wool scarf tickling her nose.

"Come to think of it, you’re probably right. I didn’t know whether to clobber you or kiss you when I saw you singing like a loon out there," She snuggled closer. "Good thing you have talent,"

Niles guided her into the hotel lobby with everyone else. CC watched Emily scampering about with Maxwell’s twins, the three of them now wearing Santa hats with bobbing, white pom-poms on top. Others were chatting excited and looking at CC as Niles brought her into the building.

Holding her hand tightly, Niles whispered into her ear, "Do you know what else I have?" He smiled slyly, obviously hiding something up his sleeve.

"Niles, really I am afraid to ask. In front of all these people?" An impish gleam sparked in her eyes.

"Get your head out of the gutter woman!" He grinned back.

"I mean it though, this is already too much for little ol’ me. What could be any better?" Though she meant what she said, CC couldn’t help but feel a little flicker of childish glee at the prospect of more surprises.

"Alright everyone!" Niles’ voice echoed against the walls as he addressed his friends and family. "‘Tis the time to make this holiday season even jollier. We reconvene in the ballroom at nine o’clock sharp. Remember…"

CC cut him off, clenching his arm, "The ballroom?!" she hissed.

He simply winked at her and saw to it that the entire party was heading off towards their rooms to get ready. When all of the guests had left, he took her hand and started to the two huge oak doors gleaming near the back of the room.

"Close your eyes CC,"

Doing as he said, CC lowered her lids. Behind her eyes she could swear she saw dancing snowflakes.

She heard the doors creak open and felt a cool rush of air against her warm cheeks. The floor underneath her feet changed from the decorative lobby carpet to something harder and she noticed the dimmer lighting. Niles led her in silence until finally releasing his grip on her hand.

"Ok, open your eyes. Merry Christmas with love!"

Spanning out as far as CC could see was a shimmering winter wonderland. The entire ballroom had been transformed with trees sparkling as if snow covered and piles of cotton imitating wintry drifts. Blue colored bulbs illuminated the silvery sheen of the tablecloths and hanging streamers. The entire room was dazzling and CC had to rub her bleary eyes to make sure the sparkles weren’t just a figment of her imagination.

She was breathless, her wonderment expressed in barely a whisper. "Oh Niles, it’s, it’s, magical! I’ve never seen anything like this. Did you, I mean, is all this for me?"

"All of it CC. I wanted you to see what kind of Christmas you deserve. Everyone here today is so because they love you. I figured that if you couldn’t be with us for Christmas they we’d bring Christmas to you. Up in your room is a dress especially for you. Now hurry, the party starts in less than an hour and everyone is expecting the Ice Queen to be the most beautiful in her natural element,"

She playfully slapped his arm, trying to hide the stinging tears of joy threatening to put a crack in her shameless façade.

Backing towards the door, CC tried to take in the entire sight at once. It was like a dream to her. In the hallway where her room was located, Emily came running at her and launched herself into CC’s outstretched arms. Her Santa hat was askew and covered her peacock blue eyes. CC held Emily close, savoring the moment with her daughter as they laughed together in giddy rapture. Emily slipped the hat off of her head and placed it carefully on her mother’s head, being careful to tuck her golden hair behind her eyes as she liked it.

"Momma, you’re my Santa present this year, so you can wear his hat,"

The furry, white pom-pom tickled CC’s cheek as she watched her daughter in astonishment. Just the smallest gesture of a child enveloped her very soul in comforting heat.

"Darling, you are my Christmas present too, this year and every year. I love you Emily,"

Emily giggled, batting the slouching hat out of her mother’s face, "I know that Momma,"

After years of sad Christmases in cavernous mansions and nights of nothing but a memory of a carol to raise her spirits, she had finally found her niche. It was in realizing that her cynicism had been the cause of her ailing Christmas cheer. On that night CC discovered the raw joy in the world and what the love of others could do to nourish and revive a dormant heart. She wished she could blanket the world with the feeling she had at that moment, to show all of them the meaning of the Christmas holiday and what a little human kindness could do for everyone.

Thanks for reading everyone! Feedback would be greatly appreciated, email me at mer1230ncc@yahoo.com. J I do not have any rights or ownership of the song "Merry Christmas With Love" by Clay Aiken. It's just kinda cute so I wanted to use it! I don't own any of the Nanny characters either but I hope they had a Merry Christmas too!

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