My thanks to Cheryl who took her time to edit this fic for me.

Unexpected Chances

by

Ceniana
(ceniana@gmail.com)

C.C. stretched out on her king size bed letting out a loud yawn. The black silk sheets wrapping around her nude body. "You have that devilish smile on your face again, C.C." The man’s arms came down as he leaned across her body.

"It’s not every day I get to wake up like this." C.C. let out a husky purring noise pushing back his black hair. "You need a hair cut… lawyers shouldn’t look like saggy dogs going to court everyday."

"That’s not what you said last night." He reached for her hand and kissed the gold wedding band with the matching diamond engagement ring. He walked towards the door grabbing his hanging jacket. "Your sister will be calling any moment to remind you of some appointment." He pulled on the black jacket watching her pouting face. "What is it?"

"Nothing…" She reached for him touching his cheek. "Have a good day, Robert." She kissed his lips as the man stood up leaving her alone in the room. C.C. leaned back in her bed reaching for the wedding photo looking at his handsome face yet again. He was two years younger than her, and C.C. often joked about ‘rocking’ the cradle. Robert Davis was one of the most successful trial lawyers in New York. He would often take on high price clients. His dark hair often reminded her of Maxwell Sheffield, but his broad shoulders reminded her of another man. C.C. rolled over letting out a groan as the telephone rang out.

"Well good morning, sunshine." D.D. voice was high pinched and cranky. "Planning to come into the office sometime today?"

"I was thinking about it." C.C. reached for her silk blue robe. "What’s on the schedule today?"

"You’ve been putting off your meeting with Maxwell Sheffield." D.D. tapped a pen at her desk calendar. "Want me to call and put it off again?"

"No…." C.C. let out a soft sigh. "Where is this meeting again?" C.C. closed her eyes in a quiet prayer.

"You said you would stop by his house." D.D. smirked hearing C.C. letting out a soft groan.

"Was I drinking at the time?"

"Nope afraid not." D.D. couldn’t suppress her soft giggle. "You’re not still upset about that damn butler of his?"

"We both could have handled Sarah’s death a lot better." C.C. walked inside her bathroom. "Alright… I’ll see you later this afternoon, Dee."

"Mother’s going to make her weekly visit."

"You are just full of good news today aren’t you?" C.C. let out a snicker hanging up the phone and turning towards the mirror. She felt light headed again today, but of course Robert always pointed out how she would hardly eat anything. "It’s nothing…" She mumbled looking at the calendar. "Just stress."

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"NILEEEEEEEEEES!" Maxwell rubbed his temples, and let out a soft groan. "NILESSSSSSSSSS!" He blinked opening the door to find his butler standing outside.

"You screamed, sir?" Niles had a smug look on his face and Maxwell shook his head.

"Would you next time just bloody well come in?!" Maxwell stormed back towards his desk sitting down.

"Well sir… hearing you scream is the highlight of my day." Niles smirked looking down at his old friend. "What’s wrong?"

"I have a meeting with C.C. today."

Niles felt his heart pound and let out a long hiss. "Did that rat trap expire already? How long has it been two years since she’s darkened your door?"

"What ever happened during Sarah’s funeral?" Maxwell raised his head to look towards Niles. "I remember C.C. started to pull away… working at home more often."

Niles shook his head. "The old girl could have found a reason to come around." Niles watch Maxwell’s eyes darken. "Now sir… I know how Miss Babcock felt about Mrs. Sheffield… I was on my best behavior."

"Well make sure you’re on your best behavior today." Maxwell looked down at his books. "I am hoping the network wants to pick up this play for a television special." Maxwell looked up to notice Niles sneaking out of the room. "Where are you going?"

"To make sure I put up all the rat poison." Niles closed the door feeling his stomach twist into one huge knot. "Give it up old boy…. She’s married now anyway." Niles pushed the vision of the blonde out of his head.

"Nyles!" Little Gracie came running in chased by her brother. "Help help!"

Brighton of course was wearing his Wolfman costume that was three sizes to large for him making growling noises. "Master Brighton…. Where is, Nanny Jane?"

"Hooooooooooooooooooooowl!" Brighton raised his head upward, and Niles had to cover his ears.

"He ate her!" Gracie looked up with large eyes as Niles bent down to pick the little girl up in his arms.

"Come on, Miss Grace." Niles let out a soft chuckle. "We’ll go find the closet he locked her in."

"Closet?" Gracie’s eyes narrowed. "He didn’t eat her?"

"Come on… afterwards we’ll find a way to handle, Master Brighton." Niles let out another soft chuckle walking up the stairs.

Course Niles found her locked inside a closet. She was beyond flustered, and upset. Niles did his best to smooth over her nerves knowing it would only last until dinner time before Brighton pulled another trick.

C.C. pulled up looking at the Sheffield Mansion. It had felt like an empty place to her since Sarah’s death. She had ‘passed’ by it a number of times. She stepped out of the taxi handing over the fare and a small tip. "Hello, hello!" She called out pulling out her cell phone.

"Hello, sexy." Robert’s deep voice was music to her ears. "Are you going to be ready for that dinner meeting tonight?"

"I’ll wear my best blue dress." C.C. recalled they were meeting some of his high price clients about some lawsuit.

"The one that I can easily…"

"That’s the one!" C.C. interrupted him letting out a husky chuckle. "I’ll see you at home later." She walked up on the doorstep and put away her cell phone looking at the white door.

"You could take a picture of that door, Babcock. It would last longer than you staring at it." Niles’s British accent was soft music to her hears.

"Niles…" She turned around on her heels looking at his blue eyes. He was holding a broom in one hand and a dusk pan in the other. "Going out on a date?"

"I think you are more familiar with this item." He offered her the broom and C.C. playfully pushed it away.

"Where is Maxwell?" She walked inside the living room, and turned around to face him yet again. "What… what’s wrong?" She turned back towards the butler. He hadn’t changed much since Sarah’s death. "Did my last spell only graze you?"

"Are you admitting to being a, witch?" Niles moved in closer picking up his silver tray.

"Ahh! C.C." Maxwell came in smiling, but stopped eyeing the pair. "Niles…."

"Don’t worry sir… She’s been on her best behavior." Niles winked walking inside the kitchen.

"I’m sorry, C.C…. " Maxwell walked up giving her a friendly kiss on each cheek. "How are things? How is Robert doing?"

"He’s fine." She blushed as they both walked inside his office. She sat down on his green couch… her old ‘office.’ "What?" She looked up into his eyes.

"I’ve missed you." Maxwell put on his glasses with a boyish smile handing over one piece of paper. "I trust television has been kinder to you than Broadway?"

"Well it’s kept my name out of the tabloids." C.C.’s mind recalled the article that labeled her the ‘Bitch of Broadway.’ "We will jointly produce this special, Maxwell."

"When will it air?" Maxwell raised his head.

"Well you get everything together… sometime around Christmas." C.C. pulled her large planner out of her purse and quickly turned to December. "Yup… around Christmas."

"Eight months from now." Maxwell clicked his teeth together looking up at the ceiling.

"The show has been on Broadway for over a year, Maxwell." C.C. let out a groan remembering Maxwell’s tenancy to overdo things. "Just tell your cast that one night will be live."

"Live?" Maxwell raised his hands to his temples letting out a groan. "Bloody hell… The things I do for a Tony."

C.C. let out a husky chuckle. "I could go to Andrew…"

"No… NO…" Maxwell stood up looking insulted. "Ermm Please don’t."

"I have to head out, Maxwell." C.C. looked at her watch. "I have to meet with an actor."

"Why don’t you come by tomorrow… Niles will fix all your favorites for dinner. I would love to talk to Robert." Maxwell stood up escorting her out. "I don’t really stop by the gym every Wednesday like I used to."

C.C. turned her head smiling. "You still owe him."

"I know…. Dinner?"

C.C. let out a sigh wondering about Maxwell’s children. "Are the … "She tried to picture the small ones faces.

"Are the what?" Maxwell raised an eyebrow looking at her with a confused look on his face.

"Never mind… Tomorrow is fine, Maxwell." C.C. walked into the living room to find him standing there. "Are you still a lazy ass, Niles?" He was watching the Television while ‘dusting’.

"Are you still a woman?" Niles narrowed his eyes, and C.C. let out chuckle.

"Don’t mess with me… You won’t win."

"So you’re coming back?" Niles walked up holding the door open for her.

"Maxwell’s invited us to dinner tomorrow." C.C. noticed the pained look Niles was giving her. "What’s wrong, bell boy?"

"I’m wondering what flavor dog chow to fix." Niles snickered as C.C. walked out of the front door. Niles then came face to face with those small eyes.

"You miss her.." Grace was sucking her thumb holding onto her favorite teddy bear.

Niles made a huff picking the small girl up once more. "I miss a lot of things, Miss Grace."

"Like?" Gracie displayed her smile with her missing tooth.

Niles mumbled quietly to himself. "I could name a few things that shouldn’t be said in front of young children…"

"What was that?"

"Your nanny for one."

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"We aren’t going to fight about this again?" C.C. put down her earrings on the table walking back inside their bedroom.

"I have heard stories about those children." Robert tugged off his jacket letting out a large grumble. "Maxwell still can’t find a proper nanny… They are out of control..."

"So?" C.C. was getting annoyed. She couldn’t even remember their names, but they were Sarah’s children. "They are the children of my best friend, Robert."

"Tell me something then Chastity…. "Robert’s face was bright red.

"What?"

"Their names?" He displayed a sly smirk knowing he had her cornered now.

C.C. pulled on her zipper and fell back onto their bed. "I went to your damn business meeting." She reached for a pillow hugging it tightly to her chest. "The least you can do Robert is to come along."

He pulled off his shirt and reached for her. "I’m just glad we agreed never to have children. I would be worse than, Maxwell."

C.C. rolled over touching him tenderly. Her fingers playing with his belt buckle. "I’ll make the dinner worth your wild."

"I like the way you think." He leaned over pulling on the tight fitting dress. "Remind me why I married you again?" he mumbled playfully as C.C. let out a soft giggle.

"Take a shower with me, and find out."

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D.D. raised up her head looking at her pale sister. "Are you alright?" She handed over a few folders as C.C. walked inside her office. "You look like hell, sis."

"Well look who woke up this morning to state the obvious." C.C. sat down at her desk, and noticed her network meeting. "Do I have to go to this meeting?"

"I can put them off this time." D.D. closed the door behind her. "What’s going on? The past few days you have come here looking like death warmed over."

C.C. looked down at her calendar counting the days up in her head. "I have an appointment with Bort today?"

"What me to call and cancel it?" D.D. shifted things around on her sister’s desk, and sat down. "Come on… talk to me, Claire." She tilted her head following C.C.’s eyes. "You know if I didn’t know better…"

"What?" C.C. looked up annoyed at her elder sister.

"I would think you’re pregnant."

"God…" C.C. melted in her chair.

"What’s wrong?"

"I’m late…" C.C. stood up quickly checking her door.

"How late is late?"

"Three weeks." C.C. looked down at her calendar.

"Have you told Robert yet?" D.D. let out a long sigh recalling her brother in-law’s reaction to her daughter.

"I don’t even know for sure." C.C. turned around to look over a production schedule for one of her programs.

"Take a simple test." D.D. rolled her eyes. "You have a full schedule coming up… want me to cut down on..."

"No... No…. and by god do not tell mommy or daddy." C.C. rolled her eyes picturing her father’s face, and her mother’s…. her mother’s… "What do you think mommy would say?"

"You think she would show up long enough… C.C. you have a wonderful husband, and he’s going to love the fact…."

"He HATES… children."

"Why?" D.D. tapped a pen against C.C.’s desk.

"He … He…." C.C. found her lower lip starting to tremble. "He had a childhood not unlike our own, Dee."

"That is why I never married." D.D. smirked watching C.C.’s face twist in pain. "I’m sorry, please go on."

"At least mother ignored us." C.C. looked down at her calendar again. "Daddy was busy with business….. But did they ever ‘beat’ us?"

"We both know that’s a poor reason to hate children."

"He just doesn’t want that to happen to us, and so I agreed that…." C.C. looked down again at her desk. "You think Bort is free this morning?"

"I’ll give her a call."

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"C.C.! I have expected for you to cancel on me again." Bort kissed her old friend’s cheek as C.C. sat down on the couch. "I know you’re a busy woman and all."

"I have three network specials in the works." C.C. shifted in the seat. "I’m sorry sweeps is a busy time of year."

"And?"

"And I’ve been avoiding you, Bort." C.C. looked down at the floor. "I ‘hated’ our last session."

"We still need to talk about that." Bort pushed her glasses up on her nose. "You ran away."

"Bort, can we drop the ‘Niles issue’ for a moment?" C.C. felt her heart beat heavy in her chest. That moment in time had always been a ghost in her marriage with Robert. "I need a favor from you."

"What is it?"

"I need a blood test." C.C. raised up her eyes to meet Bort’s. "A Pregnancy test."

Bort shifted looking at a bashful C.C. "Does Robert still have the same feeling towards children?"

"Yes…"

"This spells trouble for you, C.C." She reached out touching C.C.’s hand.

"Can you keep this quiet?" She looked up into Bort’s eyes, and C.C. felt like a five year old telling her mother she had just stolen a cookie. "I don’t want anyone to know yet."

"Even if you are pregnant… then no matter what happens... You will always have people who care about you."

"I ….You think he might come around?"

Bort cleared her face of any emotion. "I think Robert has made his mind clear. I agree he has some ‘issues’, but he refuses to see anyone."

"Well… He could still…."

"No…" She shook her head slowly. "I’ll be right back." She walked into the other room and C.C. was left alone with her thoughts.

*"It’s not the end of the world." Niles’s voice was husky and thick with grief. "Mrs. Sheffield is…."

"C.C.?" Bort pushed gently on her shoulder. "Where were you?"

"Another time, and another place." C.C. let out a sigh offering her a bare arm. "Let’s just get this over with."

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Robert walked inside the condo letting out a whistle. "Another win darling!" He reached her side looking into her eyes. "Just give me a moment, and I’ll be ready for Maxwell’s. Is something wrong?"

"No… I’m fine… it will clear up." C.C. folded up the paper putting it neatly inside her book.

"Did you go to the doctor today, darling?" He followed her inside their shared bedroom. "I called Dee today hoping she might push you into it."

"You should know better than that." C.C. moved inside the closet letting out a laugh. "No one pushes me around."

"I bet."

"You will behave around Maxwell’s children?" C.C. pulled him in close.

"If you can name them all." He smirked once more, and C.C. let out a groan. "I’ll be on my best behavior I swear…" Robert rolled his eyes. "Darling... you don’t even like these kids."

"They’re Sarah’s children."

"They aren’t a replacement for your friend, Chastity." Robert pulled on a causal polo t-shirt, letting at a groan as C.C. was helping him out of his slacks. "Again?"

"Get out of the gutter." She lifted up her arms wrapping her arms around his thick neck.

"You should know all about the gutter…." He kissed her lips softly. "Now come on… The sooner we go the sooner we can leave."

C.C. let out a soft sigh watching him change. She had the strange urge to call Sarah up for advice, but felt her heart sink.

"What’s wrong darling?" Robert walked up touching her cheek. "You look like you lost your best friend just now."

"I’ll be ready to go in a moment." C.C. stepped inside the closet grabbing a fresh t-shirt and designer blue jeans.

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"Brighton!" Maxwell picked up the pieces of plastic dog poo off the floor. "Niles…" Maxwell turned towards the smirking butler. "They’ll be here any moment. Don’t tell me Brighton’s run off another nanny?"

"Alright." Niles put down the tray, and Maxwell let out a groan.

"Robert and C.C. will be here any moment." Maxwell turned around to see his three children standing before him with angelic faces. "Children…"

"Yes daddy?" Maggie put her hands behind her back.

"Let me see your hands." Maxwell reached for Brighton’s hands and shook his head noticing the paint marks on each of his children. "NILESSSSSSSS!"

"Right behind you sir…" Niles leaned down as Maxwell left the room grumbling. "What were you children planning?" Niles smirked trying to wipe their hands with a wet towel.

"We were just planning to say hi to, Miss Babcock."

"She’s Mrs. Davis now." Niles couldn’t hide his bitter tone.

"You said once a Babcock… Always a ‘Bab’ cock." Brighton couldn’t hide his grin as Niles cleaned off his hands.

"Please, Master Brighton." Niles looked into the young boys eyes. "Try and be on your best behavior tonight, and no tricks any of you."

Gracie stayed behind watching Niles as the elder children walked towards the dinning room. "Nervous?"

"No, Miss Grace." Niles reached down again touching her chin.

"You love her."

"Miss Grace." Niles narrowed his eyes studying the child for a moment. She had always acted beyond her four years. "Yes."

"Tell her."

Niles grumbled quietly standing up. "It’s not …."

"Right?" Grace’s eyes grew wide.

"Hello, Hello!" C.C. walked in smiling with Robert on her arm. Robert let out a sigh looking at the small little girl with the huge saucers for eyes.

"Hello, Master Robert." Niles took the man’s jacket. "It’s a pleasure to see you again." Niles fought the urge to make a comment towards C.C. as she glared at him waiting for the insult.

"Why thank you, Niles." Robert walked towards the living room as Gracie let out a playful scream.

"Is …Is…." C.C. struggled to remember the child’s name.

"Bloody hell… Grace." Niles leaned over whispering. Niles ran behind the little girl leaving Robert with a rather large smirk on his face.

"She’s just a little girl, Robert." C.C. glared at his face.

"Robert! C.C.!" Maxwell walked inside the room with a rather large smile on his face. "I’m so happy you could make it tonight."

"We wouldn’t miss it for the world."

Niles shook his head hearing the crashing noised coming from the dinning room. "Going to get that?" He looked towards the newest Nanny who was slowly eating her meal.

"Come on, Niles…" The woman’s voice had a deep tone. "I’m..." She blinked finding the butler gone. "Oh well..." She went back to her dinner as another crashing noise rang out.

"NILES!" Maxwell let out a yelp eyeing his butler. "I thought you and Brighton cleared out all of his pranks earlier this morning?"

Niles looked down at the boy who was now hiding. "I forgot a few?" Niles did his best to hide his smirk as Brighton did manage a smile.

"It’s not funny, Brighton." Maxwell let out a whimper looking at the dinning room. "Robert ran out of here in a mess."

"For shame… Looks like someone is going to have to clean this place up…" Niles looked around at the remaining plates. "O damn... It’s me..."

"Well my work here is done!" Brighton was about to make his escape as Niles held onto his collar.

"Brighton, your grounded! First thing your going to do is to help Niles clean up."

"Come on, Master Brighton." Niles waved the boy inside the kitchen. "What happened?"

"Well you remember that one little trick I’ve been saving?"

"The one with the frog?" Niles let out a groan shaking his head and handing the little boy a mop.

"Yup that’s the one! I did it all for you!" Brighton winked and Niles blushed.

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"I knew this was a bad idea." Robert walked inside their penthouse condo pulling off his stained shirt. "Maxwell has no control over his blasted children."

"Their mother only died two years ago." C.C. handed him a towel and Robert glared at his wife.

"That’s no excuse, C.C."

"I’m not excusing them." C.C. watched as Robert let out another loud sigh. "What is it?"

"I’m just glad, yet again, that we aren’t having any children." Robert shook his head reaching for a clean shirt, and noticed something in C.C.’s eyes. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing that won’t clear up in around... Eight months… Robert..." C.C. felt her lower lip tremble watching his face drop.

"Then take care of it." Robert’s normally tender voice went cold, and dark.

"What do you mean ‘take care of it’." C.C. felt annoyed at his reaction.

"We agreed… when we got married."

"I’m not doing it… I’m not just ‘taking care of it.’" C.C. rolled her eyes at Robert reached for his gym bag. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving… We agreed!" Robert’s voice was even lower. "You are willing to betray an agreement we made."

"Things are different…" C.C. couldn’t believe this. One moment she was making jokes with Maxwell and Robert the next… a frog jumped out of Robert’s soup splashing him and the ‘small one.’

"I’ll give you a call if you change your mind." Moments later he was gone and C.C. was left with an empty apartment.

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C.C. put her head down on the desk trying to end the throbbing that had started the moment her alarm clock had went off this morning. "Claire… Chastity?" D.D.’s voice was tender and full of worry.

C.C. lifted up her head waving her hand away at first, but let out a groan. "How busy is my day today?"

"Not very… are you okay?"

C.C. rubbed her temples handing over a small piece of paper. "He’s left." C.C. put her head down again on the desk.

"He’ll be back… men turn into mushy little babies when they hold their own children in their arms." D.D. leaned over the desk placing her hand on C.C.’s head. "Come on little sister… we can make network brass cry this morning."

C.C. let out a sharp snarl. She was in the mood of pushing her harsh feeling onto others for a change. Work was the answer until Robert came to his senses. "What can we do?"

"Our contract is up for renewal in two days." D.D. handed over a piece of paper and smiled as C.C.’s head came up off the desk.

"I’ll destroy them." C.C. took the paper, eyeing the document that had been presented to D.D. She pulled out a pen as D.D. let out a giggle. "What?"

"You looked like mother for a moment."

"This isn’t the time to remind me of mother, Dee." C.C. glared at her elder sister pounding on the phone’s keypad and then starting to snarl at some executive. She was C.C. Babcock and this was her element… If she was going to feel horrible then she was more than willing to pass it on.

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Niles closed his eyes again trying his best to will himself to sleep. "C.C." He mumbled trying to drive the image of her out of his brain. It had been two years now and his room still smelled of her channel. He turned over, hearing his telephone ring. He had a private line installed a few years ago. "Hello?"

"Hello big brother!" The woman’s accent was thicker than his and Niles let out a happy laugh. "How are you doing?"

"Just day dreaming again, Beth" Niles shifted up against his pillows trying to drive his impure thoughts of C.C. Babcock out of his mind. "I guess you have had another vision?" He couldn’t hide his snicker, but his sister did have a strange sick sense when it came to events.

"Just a gut feeling."

"Tell me about this gut feeling." Niles rubbed his shoulder.

"Just the winds are shifting…. Mom and Dad are going away next month… How about I travel to the states?"

"It’s still rather…. Bad here…" Niles mind started to flash to Brighton’s tricks, Maggie’s quiet nature, and Grace scared of her own shadow. "Mister Sheffield still can’t find a proper nanny."

"Well... As I said big brother, I’ll be on break from University..." Beth twirled the phone cord in her hands.

"I’ll talk to Mister Sheffield in the morning."

"Great and, Niles?"

"Yes?" Niles shifted back down on his pillows hoping sleep would soon over take him yet again.

"Stop thinking about her." Beth hung up the phone, and Niles let out a groan putting the phone back on the receiver

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C.C. was curled up on her bed holding onto her stomach. She had come back to their condo expecting Robert to be there wanting to talk things out. She was disappointed to find herself alone with no one to talk to. She did her best to read the contracts she had received during the day for the three shows in production. She even went over her contract with Maxwell…. She quickly turned, as the phone rang, picking it up.

"Have you changed your mind?" His voice of course had that even tone. He was in lawyer mode now.

"No…" C.C. was feeling rather annoyed at Robert’s mind games. She had known him to be passionate lover, but his choice about children now that she was pregnant… was to much for her to handle. "I’m not giving in on this."

"I’ll be by in the afternoon to pick up the rest of my things." She heard the dial tone as Robert, the man she had married almost two years ago, didn’t even bother to say goodbye. She looked down at the matching rings on her finger and reached to pull them off one by one. "What’s bad about this… is…" C.C. mumbled looking down at her stomach. "I don’t even like children." She touched her stomach. "I’m not even sure what to do… Half the time I can’t even remember the names of Noel and D.D.’s children." She let out a long soft laugh looking up at the ceiling. "Sarah, if you’re watching… help me."

C.C. curled up and reached over, turning off the light. Tomorrow as going to be another long day at the office. C.C. even had a meeting with Maxwell later in the day, which she was looking forward to. Anything was better than coming back to an empty home.

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"Hello, hello." C.C. walked inside as Niles held open the door. "What?"

She was rather pale looking this morning, and after what happened with her husband... "Are you feeling alright?" He took her jacket, and C.C. flashed a smile.

"What’s the matter, Niles?" She tilted her head. "Getting soft in your old age?"

"I’m told I have a rather ‘hard’ edge." Niles hung up the jacket and turned around to see her blushing. "I’m sorry, Miss Babcock." He smirked as C.C.’s jaw was still wide open.

"Don’t you have some toilets to scrub or something?" C.C. walked inside. "Is Maxwell around?"

"He’s running late." Niles stepped forward as C.C. sat down on the couch. "Can I get you anything?"

"Is something wrong, Niles?"

"Besides the fact I forgot to reinstall that rat trap for your appearance?" Niles smirked as C.C. let out a husky chuckle.

"See now was that so ‘hard’." C.C. rolled her eyes sitting on the couch with a thud.

"Brandy, vodka, or should I just surprise you?" Niles walked over towards Maxwell’s bar pulling out the mixture of hard liquor he had to offer. He watched as C.C. turned her bright blue eyes to glare at him.

"Club soda." She mumbled wishing it could be something harder.

Niles let out a chuckle. "No really?"

"Niles…" C.C. reached up taking the glass. "The club soda is fine."

"How is Master Robert since Brighton’s little trick?"

"He’s great." C.C. felt her teeth grinding as she took another sip.

"Trouble in paradise?" Niles put down a small tray of cookies and C.C. felt her lower lip starting to tremble.

"It’s great… "

"Come on Babcock… I make a comment… you make a witty comment back?"

"Well sorry, bell boy." C.C. felt rather annoyed. "I don’t have time to play today." She stood up quickly and soon regretted it as the world started to spin.

"Miss Babcock?" Niles tilted his head, and then moved quickly as C.C.’s legs and knees turned to jelly. A few moments later she was passed out in his arms. He felt her forehead. "My God what’s wrong?" he moved her back to the couch and noticed something striking. Her ‘ring’ was missing from her left hand.

"Niles?" The little girl came down the steps. She was the only child home during the day.

"It’s alright, Miss Grace." Niles quickly reached for a dry cloth wetting it with a few ice cubes from the bar.

"She sick?" She put her thumb back in her mouth and watched as C.C.’s eyes started to flutter open.

"I don’t know." He brushed a blonde lock behind her ear watching as her beautiful blue eyes opened up.

"It was your smell, bell boy…." She mumbled shifting on the couch. "What is that smell anyway?"

"Oven Cleaner." Niles smirked as C.C. started to shift upwards.

"Still!" Grace put her little hands on C.C.’s shoulder smiling. She moved away from the pair, and C.C. smirked.

"It has an over powering smell… your ‘oven cleaner.’" C.C. rolled her eyes closing them tight again.

He noticed her eyes were red from lack of sleep. "I could tell Mister Sheffield you need to cancel today." He brushed another lock out of her face. She found her cheek nuzzling his hand.

"I’m okay." She slowly shifted upward and started to blush.

"Are you sure?" Niles handed her yet another club soda as the front door opened up.

"I’m sorry, C.C." Maxwell put down his brief case. He soon looked at the pair wondering if he was interrupting something. "Is everything alright, old man?" He whispered quietly as Niles came up beside him and took his coat.

"You know sir… it’s five o’clock somewhere." Niles whispered back and Maxwell nodded as C.C. at last was able to stand up.

"It’s about damn time, Maxwell." She followed him inside the office.

Niles walked inside the kitchen to find Grace looking back at him. "Can I get you something, Miss Grace?"

The little girl shook her head quietly and just watched as the butler started some tea. Niles felt Grace’s eyes on him. "Nilesss!"

"Yes?" he turned around to find her standing behind him. He knelt down shaking his head. "I know what your thinking, Miss Grace." He touched her chin, and the little girl frowned.

"Well?" She looked up into the butler’s eyes.

"She’s married, Miss Grace." Niles stood up letting out a groan. ‘She’s not wearing her wedding ring, but she’s still married.’

"You can be her friend." Gracie offered Niles her teddy bear.

"There is a line…. I’m a servant, and she’s..."

"Mean?"

Niles couldn’t hide his smile. "She’s not mean…."

"Then why not?"

Niles shook his head. He could go into why servants and the ‘upper’ class don’t mix, but he doubted young Grace would understand. "It’s just not done." Niles felt the image come to his mind of a whimpering C.C. in his arms… her soft lips touching his.

"Why?"

"It’s just not done." Niles tried to hide his annoyance.

"Things change….."

"Some things do." Niles let out a big sigh. "Now go on... I’m sure something is on for you to watch."

The little girl waddled out of the kitchen, leaving Niles to wonder. "She doesn’t have her rings on." He mumbled picking up the phone and dialing quickly. "Hello, Zack." He had a long standing friendship with D.D. Babcock’s butler.

"Well Niles!" Zack’s voice was always full of joy. "What can I do for ya?"

"I am curious about something, Zack…. What’s the latest news going on over there?"

"Now Niles… You know how things are." Zack let out a soft chuckle. "If you want the latest rumor… You have to pay the price."

"Mister Sheffield’s life is boring." Niles mumbled looking around his kitchen. "If I had something to tell you… it would be bloody boring."

"Come on… He’s not dating anyone yet?" Zack sounded slightly annoyed.

"No… well he’s had a few dates." Niles rubbed his face thinking about Brighton’s tricks on them.

"And nothing?" Zack sounded upset. "Well if I tell you…"

"I’ll owe you." Niles grumbled shaking his head. "What’s going on with C.C. Babcock?"

"Well… well now…. I don’t get much… but Miss D.D. did ask me to go over and clean her condo today."

Niles felt a plan forming. "Need some help?"

"If you want… you can have the blasted job!" Zack let out a huge laugh, and Niles was floating on air. "It will be your ‘repayment’."

"Deal!" Niles quickly hung up the phone smiling.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Have you heard from him?" D.D. couldn’t avoid asking her any longer. "Has he called you yet?"

C.C. looked up from her desk. "He called."

"Well?" D.D. stood, towering over her.

"Dee, do me a favor, and back off." C.C. took in a deep breath. "I can’t deal with this right now."

"Here." D.D. placed down a card. "You have an appointment next week."

"I…" C.C. groaned looking at the doctor’s card. "I hate doctors." C.C. put the card in her hands.

"If you don’t go… I’ll be sure to tell mother."

"I have things … I could blackmail you over." She put the card inside her pocket. "You do realize this?"

C.C. shook her head. "Anything else?"

"I sent Zack over to clean up your place." D.D. quickly twisted back around as C.C. let out a snicker. "What? I normally send him over once a week."

"Robert’s suppose to be getting the rest of his things today."

"Should I tell him to cancel?" D.D. reached over toying with her sister’s phone. "I’m sure he can find something else to do."

"No… what’s the worst that could happen?" C.C. dug in her desk drawer pulling out her glasses. "Yes… I forgot my contacts today." She placed them on her nose as D.D. walked back outside C.C.’s office.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles had stopped by to pick up the keys from Zack. It was not uncommon for butlers of another household to help out other butlers. He put the key in, but heard movement coming from inside. "Pardon me, sir!" A man was lifting C.C.’s couch outside into the hall, and Niles noticed that the place was looking bare.

"Good heavens." Niles’s jaw twisted in pain as two more men walked inside. "What are you two chaps doing?"

"Mister Davis asked us to move these things." One of the men handed Niles a fairly large list.

Niles felt his heart pound inside his ears reading it again. It called for these men to basically clean out the condo. "Now just a moment here." He pointed at the list. "Miss Babcock hasn’t agreed to anything."

"We are just getting paid to do a job." The man took back the list.

"I know that… but please…" Niles lost looking around once more.

"I suppose we can only take a few more things on the truck." The other man let out a long mumbling hiss. "I mean… we do have other things to do."

Niles watched as the removed the rest of Robert’s clothes. Niles turned around looking at the half empty condo. He walked into the back room seeing the wall that once held picture frames. "What the bloody hell is going on, C.C.?" He mumbled quietly. Niles then heard the telephone ringing. He walked over towards the answering machine as it picked up the call.

"Hello Miss Babcock." The man’s voice had a Boston accent. "It’s Douglas Adams… Robert feels it’s important that you settle matters quickly."

Niles turned his head back around looking at the apartment again. C.C. wasn’t wearing her wedding ring, and her red eyes. Niles couldn’t help but feel the mix of sorrow for her, but delighted for this unexpected chance.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. walked inside her house, and felt her blood starting to boil. She had been nearly cleaned out. She walked down the long hallway toward their bedroom to find the pictures gone. She walked back towards the living room to see the flashing light of her answering machine. She listened to Douglas’s voice on the phone and felt her stomach twist into knots. He was the divorce lawyer in Robert’s firm. She felt her hands twisting into fists, wondering what her next move should be. She walked inside their… no her room, and climbed inside the bathroom shower, turning it on. She quickly peeled off her clothes wanting to feel the hot sting of the water hit her bare skin.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles paced up and down his room going over the facts in his mind. "She’s not wearing her wedding ring, but only a few nights before they came in here together." Niles clicked his tongue looking up towards the ceiling. Niles reached out for the ringing telephone. "Hello?"

"What’s up big brother?"

"Beth." Niles felt his heart pounding. "Are you alone?"

"Hold on a moment." She reached up closing her door. "I was just calling to give you my flight information."

"It’s… about…"

"C.C. Babcock?" Beth tossed her suit case aside and jumped on her bed. "So what’s going on?"

Niles told her all about C.C.’s odd behavior, and her apartment being emptied out. "I feel guilty, but dare I hope?" He didn’t wish this pain on anyone. "I’m supposed to ’hate’ this woman."

"You know dad is going to have a fit." Beth let out a soft sigh. "You weren’t supposed to sleep with her either."

"That was…. That was…" Niles looked for the right words.

"A moment?" Beth stood up reaching for something else and placed it in her bag. "I wouldn’t push my luck, Niles."

"Meaning?"

"She’s in need of a friend right now, and with Mrs. Sheffield no longer … alive."

"She’s rather lacking in friends… Her spells and hexes take care of that." Niles tapped in foot looking around his room.

"I better go…" Beth let out a laugh. "Here’s my flight information, Niles." She repeated a few numbers, too quickly for Niles to rush and reach for piece of paper.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Your blood pressure is too high." The woman frowned looking into C.C.’s red eyes. "How much sleep are you getting?"

"Not enough." C.C. shifted as the doctor listened to her heart.

"I’m going to set you up with a series of appointments." The female doctor was just a few years older than C.C. "I’m going to give you some instructions I want you to follow." She reached for her pad.

"Long as this doesn’t interfere with sweeps." C.C. groaned noticing the doctor’s look.

"I want you to reduce your work load."

"That’s an odd thing to tell a Babcock." C.C. shook her head taking the things the doctor was offering her. "What’s this?"

"My ‘directions’"

"This doesn’t feel real yet." C.C. looked down at her feet.

"Well, in a few months it will seem real." The doctor offered her a warm smile. "In a few appointments you’ll get to hear the baby’s heartbeat."

‘I was married only a week ago.’ C.C. thought quietly as the doctor went off on some lecture of her health.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. walked into Douglas’s office with a soft sigh. "Yes?" she wasn’t expecting this to be a nice visit. "What does Robert want now?" She had come in ready for battle.

"Nice to see you too, C.C." Douglas put down his folder he had been reading. "Can I get you anything?"

"Robert’s head." C.C. sat down noticing the paperwork on Douglas’s desk. "Robert nearly cleaned me out yesterday… what more does he want?"

"C.C..."

"This isn’t good." C.C. glared at the man. "You know he’s being damn stupid right?" Her eyes searched his for any sign of agreement.

"These are the papers for your divorce." Douglas felt his whole body shiver. He had to agree with C.C. that Robert was being stupid. "He filed for it as of yesterday."

C.C. let out a laugh. "You’re joking?"

"You’ll find the terms more than fair. He is giving you the condo as well"

C.C. felt her heart pound. "Funny since it was mine to start with." C.C. glanced over the paper work again. "If he filed, when will it all be final?" Her mind already starting to work up the possible ways to grind Robert Davis into the dirt.

"It all depends." Douglas stood up and he was holding another piece of paper in his hands.

"Get to the point." Her eyes watched as the man started to pace the room.

"This paper… is in regards to…" His voice was quivering.

"You know Douglas… I’m sure Robert has told you stories about my family." C.C. was getting annoyed. "Unless you want to be on my list… tell me."

"This paper is about the baby." He handed it over. "I did my best to advise Robert against this."

C.C. rolled her eyes. "He’s giving up all rights? This kid doesn’t even have all its organs yet?"

"He just feels…"

"He feels... I know how he feels... What about how I feel? Children aren’t exactly on my list of proprieties, but it happened… I’m pregnant."

"He will not have contact with the child, and it will not bare his name…His name will not appear on the birth certificate."

"Robert does realize that I’m under a shrink’s care?"

"C.C. I would let this one go." Douglas reached her side and C.C. pushed him away. "I know him… He’s not going to back down."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"He did what?" D.D. let out a gasp. "You’re kidding right?"

C.C. walked inside the large house, and sat down. "All rights." She looked around at the large living room. D.D. had purchased a house just outside the city for the chance of giving her daughter a normal environment. "Where is your little rug rat?"

"She’s taking a nap." D.D. turned towards the kitchen. "Zack?"

"Coming…." He walked up putting down a small tray. "Anything else, Miss Dee?"

"Miss Dee?" C.C. managed to smile.

"Well….He has been in the family forever…" D.D. let out a soft giggle, and waved her hand at C.C.’s worried look. "He’s not telling mother anything."

"Yeah, but is he speaking to daddy." C.C. let out a sigh.

"Zack?" D.D. waved the elder butler back in the living room. "Are you speaking to mommy and daddy?"

"Have they made up for that paid vacation they failed to give me?" The man snickered as D.D. waved him back inside the kitchen.

"He’s still bitter towards mother." D.D. leaned back looking at the paper. "At least it’s a clean break."

"Mother will really enjoy having a grandchild with a father ‘unknown.’" C.C. took the glass of water. "I wish ... This was something harder."

"Get use to disappointment… and midnight feedings… You’ll have to cut down on work." D.D. turned over looking into C.C.’s eyes. "Robert’s offering you a lot here… you should take it."

"You know the number one rule of being a Babcock."

"Mother’s rules or daddy’s?" D.D. turned her head taking a sip of her soda.

"Daddy’s." C.C. picked up a cookie.

"Never leave an enemy behind, and I think he stole that from someone." D.D. reread the documents again. "If you want to stop this…"

"I don’t want to stop this…. Will you be my lawyer?" She tilted her head towards her grumbling sister.

"Don‘t you recall why I came to work for you?"

C.C. narrowed her eyes, recalling her sister’s brief affair with a Judge, resulting in her D.D.’s daughter. "He’s not a divorce court, Judge Dee."

"We have a trust fund at our …." D.D. mumbled and watched her sister’s eyes. "Alright…I still keep up with my dues." D.D. reached out touching her sister’s hand. "You could call daddy?"

"No."

"Noel?" D.D. stood up, hearing a cry coming from the other room.

"No… This is my problem..."

"Are you going to tell them about the baby at least?" D.D. narrowed her eyes. "You know mother has her ways of finding things out sooner or later."

"Personally, I blame, Noel." C.C. shook her head. "No… This remains quiet until it’s over with."

"It’s a hard thing getting divorced, but while pregnant…. Maybe you should move in here?"

"I’m not giving up my condo." C.C. snarled as the little girl’s cries grew louder.

"Pardon me." D.D. got up leaving the room.

"Miss Babcock?" Zack walked in with a sad look on his face. "May I ... Speak freely?"

"That hasn’t stopped you before." C.C. grumbled, and rolled her eyes. "I’m sorry, go ahead." She waved her hand in a casual manner. "I’m sure you heard everything." C.C. had learned long ago that servants knew everything that went on.

"Miss Babcock… I’m going to say only this… You have friends in unlikely places."

"Thank you… I think…" C.C. blushed thinking. "Zack..."

"Yes Miss?" Zack turned around with a huge smile on his face.

"How much ‘do’ you know?" C.C. bit her lower lip wondering if he had any knowledge about her evening with Niles.

"No more than I need to good lady." He winked leaving the room.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Beth laughed, sitting on the floor with Gracie and Maggie. "She was badly needed here." Maxwell displayed a soft smile as Niles watched with him. "I wish your sister would…"

"Not a chance…" Niles was already grumbling at Maxwell’s offer to Beth. "She’s not going to become a nanny…. Sir…"

"Well a few weeks break from in-and-out nannies will do us all some good." Maxwell reached for a folder handing it to Niles. "I need a favor from you, old boy."

"Sir?"

"C.C. has done nothing but avoided my phone calls for two days." Maxwell rubbed his temples. "I need you to deliver that into her hands."

"Without delay." Niles started to head upstairs as Maxwell let out a gasp. "Sir?"

"Where are you going?"

"I have to put on my best armor." Niles let out a chuckle slowly climbing the stairs.

"What the bloody hell has gotten into him?" Maxwell rubbed his chin and Beth let out a soft laugh. "Beth?"

"Don’t worry, Mister Sheffield… Niles is just well…" Beth waved on girls towards the kitchen. "testing out a theory."

"Testing out a theory? What in bloody hell does that mean, Beth?"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. felt the twelve hour work day getting to her. She had stayed at her office until three o’clock in the morning trying to handle problem actors. She still didn’t have a contract with the network. She twisted on her couch hearing the soft knock at her door. "If you have any respect for the dead….go away..." She mumbled quietly as another strong knock rang out.

Niles let out a gulp of air as C.C. opened the door. "Miss Babcock?"

"Well, well… What brings you here, Rochester?" C.C. put one hand on her hip watching him stand out in the hallway.

"Mind if I come in, Miss Babcock?"

"What if I say no? Would that stop you?" C.C. smirked, standing out of his way, allowing him to walk inside her home. "So …."

"So…" Niles lifted up the folder Maxwell had sent him with. Niles turned his head surprised to find C.C.’s small bar empty. "Did you have a party, Miss Babcock?"

"No why?" C.C. opened up the folder looking over Maxwell’s notes.

"It seems that you’re … empty…." Niles reached over showing her an empty crystal bottle. "Don’t tell me you’re giving up on it?"

C.C. glared at him for a moment. Robert had taken every drop with him. "Maxwell could have waited on this."

"You look pale."

"You know us vampires." C.C. sat down reading over the papers yet again. "The night life and no sun."

"When was the last time you had anything to eat?"

C.C. blushed recalling that her last few bites were at D.D.’s "Earlier this afternoon." She watched as Niles went inside her kitchen. "What are you doing?" She stood up as Niles looked inside her fridge.

Niles let out a groan only find a few items. "Do you ever eat woman?"

"Only when I need to." C.C. smirked pulling on his shoulder.

"Which doesn’t look bloody often." Niles let out a hiss and felt C.C. punch on his shoulder. "Hey now! I guess you have had a steady supply of blood somewhere." Niles was about to mention Robert but thought better of it.

"Well, you came over." C.C. watched as Niles started to pull out items.

"Hand me …" He turned to see C.C., out of her element with a cute ‘clueless’ expression. "Never mind." He smirked gently pushing her aside as C.C. watched him move. Niles was moving around, finding unused pots and pans. He stood still for a moment to glare at her, noticing some of her silver ware went untouched. "How often do you eat out woman?"

C.C. blushed as Niles let out a groan. "Well…." She didn’t want to admit that Robert did most of the cooking. She got most of her dishes and pans as wedding gifts, but they never had company over to use it.

"No wonder you always look pale." Niles turned on the burners and started to boil water. "You always eat out, Miss Babcock…With the long hours you put in at work." He inhaled her channel perfume and closed his eyes.

"Well you know, blue blood doesn’t taste as good as it used too." C.C. displayed her teeth pretending to show off her vampire fangs. "Zack knows my hours." She had no idea what she had in her fridge but it was enough for one simple breakfast each day.

Niles let out a low snarl.

C.C. felt her heart pounding. Normally she would have kicked Niles out of her place ages ago, but she had felt so lonely since Robert left her. "Niles…."

Niles felt her hand on his. "Yes, Miss Babcock?"

"Is something wrong?" He was being so nice to her. C.C. had an awful feeling that Niles might be sick as well. "You seem to be having one of your rare ‘moments.’"

"I rather enjoy these ‘moments’." Niles reached out touching her hand tenderly. Niles felt his heart racing, looking into her wounded eyes. "Master Robert should feed you more often."

"Niles…." C.C. pulled back her hand.

"Yes?" Niles wondered if she was going to admit that Robert Davis had left.

"Nothing." She pulled away, going back to her couch in the living room. Niles let out soft whimper just thinking about how quickly she pulled away. ‘She’s wounded…. It will take time.’ His mind started to flash images of their one night… taunting him…

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Your home late." Beth opened the door for her elder brother. "Good thing Mister Sheffield’s been busy."

Niles put away his coat. "Did the children behave?"

"You really want the answer to that question?" Beth let out a deep, low laugh watching Niles’s face. "Come on… they’re …"

"Impossible!" Maxwell let out a hiss, trying to wipe Brighton’s fake blood off his suit. "Niles!"

"I’ll take care of it." He took hold of Maxwell’s jacket, watching his employer grumble his way back towards his office. "What’s that look for?" He tilted his head towards his smiling sister.

"SO? Are you going to tell me or not?"

"Nothing happened." He put on his best pouting face. "She’s MARRIED?"

"You said it yourself… He’s not living with her, and took all of his clothes." Beth shook her head, tossing her long dirty blonde hair around. "Come on, bro!"

"I can’t just … cross that line."

"It didn’t stop you before." Beth mumbled under her breath.

"What did you say?"

"Never mind." Beth let out another laugh. "Mister Sheffield needs to find someone to help him with the girls and Brighton."

"Tell me something I don’t know."

"His proper nannies aren’t going to cut it." Beth watched her brother soft laughter. "What?"

"I’ve been looking." Niles stepped inside the living room. "Thank you for fixing dinner tonight."

"We had pizza." Beth watched as her brother made a groaning noise. "Come on, Niles!" She playfully hit her brother. "They’re kids, and American kids to boot."

"You know how mother feels about eating out." Niles walked inside his kitchen and noticed the two pizza boxes inside the sub-zero. "I was just telling Miss Babcock that a person can not live on take out food alone."

"I give this a year, tops, before you both give in."

"Before what?" Niles was getting rather annoyed at his little sister. He was only half way paying attention to her now. "She’s married! How many times…."

"You know… You can groan and moan… and sit in your little room all night, brother dear…." Beth picked up a can of soda from the sub-zero with a devilish smirk on her face. "God, fate… density is at work here."

Niles felt the urge to burry his head in the sand. "She’ll never see me more than just a servant." He mumbled quietly wanting to drive the visions out of his head of that night.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"It’s strange…." D.D. was sitting at her desk as C.C. came in the door.

"What’s so strange?" C.C. picked up a few folders and handed over Maxwell’s contract. "See that you handle that for me."

"You do realize that Maxwell’s special will take some hard work pulling off." D.D. narrowed her eyes looking up towards her sister.

"I miss the theater." C.C. hated to admit it. "Something about opening night… Something… Magical." She sat down next to her sister. "Don’t you miss the courtroom?"

"Winning was better than…..well…. Sex." D.D. let out a laugh. "It was better than anything."

"Until the low…" C.C. rubbed her head looking into her eyes. "I remember the first night I helped Maxwell. I lived for it."

"You had better hours back then as well." D.D. smirked as C.C. let out a groan.

"Work keeps me going."

"That will change once the small package arrives." D.D. glared towards C.C.’s stomach causing her to blush. "I would give it all up again."

"You would even face telling mother again?" C.C. watched as D.D.’s face reflected a deeper pain.

"I would face even that." D.D. flashed a coy smile.

"You think… anyone will love me… for me…"

"Things happen when you least expect it." She watched as C.C.’s face twisted in pain. "You are taking what Robert did awfully well."

"What am I suppose to do? Beg him to come back? Scream and threaten him?" C.C. smirked, playing with one of D.D.’s pens. "No…. I’m going to wait and let him give it all up..."

"Then?" D.D. narrowed her eyes knowing C.C. always had a back up plan.

"When he thinks it’s all forgotten, and the divorce is final... Then... I’ll grind him into the dirt." She let out a laugh. "In the long term... I have all the prize I need."

"C.C. … Chastity Claire… You need to take more time off... … It’s not going to be easy."

"I bend but never break… remember." She pushed on D.D.’s arm playfully. D.D. watched as C.C. stood up, taking the folders inside her office.

"You did once…" D.D. mumbled quietly as C.C. shut her office door.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Maxwell, you have to stay on budget." C.C. eyed the paper work once again. "You can’t just give these actors bonuses."

"They will be working longer hours to prepare." Maxwell pulled off his glasses to glare at his old partner. "Most of these people have families! The deserve something extra, C.C."

"Yeah who doesn’t deserve something ‘extra’?" C.C. returned to marking off things on the paper.

"Did someone forget to take her Prozac again?" Niles put down the silver tray as Maxwell glared towards the butler.

"Well looks like someone’s good deeds didn’t last long." C.C. snickered watching Niles pour her a cup a tea.

"Good deeds?" Maxwell handed over another sheet of paper.

"It was his moment of insanity." C.C. had a playful smile on her face. She had been living off Niles’s left overs for a week now. "No, no, no... Maxwell."

"Bloody hell, C.C." Maxwell looked over the newest set of changes. "Do you not have a soul?"

"That’s what her mother said." Niles watched her face.

"Don’t you have to scrub a toilet?"

C.C. always enjoyed their game. She felt the throbbing in her head as Niles waited for her insult back. "You need to stand back a bit."

"Why?"

"I can still see you…" C.C. let out a soft laugh seeing Niles’s face. "You’re normally hiding in Maxwell’s shadow."

"Well someone sounds bitter." Beth walked inside with a worried look on her face. She had been out earlier in the afternoon thanks to another temp nanny watching the children. "Mister Sheffield... I can’t find Gracie… The half wit nanny seemed to have misplaced her. " Beth’s face was bright red.

"What day is it?" Maxwell searched under buried paper work and let out a groan looking at the calendar.

C.C. felt the blood pounding in her ears. "Sarah." She stood up quickly and left the room.

Gracie Sheffield had managed to escape for few moments outside to watch the tree leaves blow in the wind. The little girl started to picture dancers. Watching the leaves dance in the wind always gave her a feeling that her mother was somewhere nearby.

"The wind is kisses from those who we have lost... They make the trees blow" Gracie let out a giggle reaching for a green leaf that had fallen off the tree.

C.C. stood outside, letting out a gasp, watching the wind blow around. She stood still for a moment looking up at the few trees on the street. She recalled Sarah’s love of the outdoors. "Hi!" The little girl was sitting on the curb. She was holding tight her teddy bear while sucking her thumb.

C.C. smiled, sitting down next to the girl. "Hello… Gr… Gr…"

"Grace!" The little girl’s brow furrowed.

"Grace." She shifted looking down at street. She sat down next to the lost looking girl. "What are you doing out here?"

Grace pointed towards the trees. "Leaves... Mama is blowing kisses."

C.C. felt her lower lip tremble. She had forgotten about today. "Kisses make the wind blow." She mumbled, recalling Sarah’s words. "She used to talk about that when she was little."

Grace put her thumb back inside her mouth watching C.C.’s eyes. Her eyes then went wide.

"What was that noise?" Niles stood still looking at his sister for a moment while they searched the empty third level of Maxwell’s home. Niles looked outside to his horror to see a taxi cab and two souls being placed on the ground.

Beth looked at her brother’s horrified face. "Niles?"

"C.C….. Grace…"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

All color was gone from Maxwell’s face. They all walked into the E.R. expecting the worst. They had been here before the day Sarah had died. "Doctor! Doctor." Maxwell pulled on one woman’s arm and Niles reached out for him.

"Try to remain calm, sir." Niles had to fight his own feelings. He had seen the bruised bodies as well. Maxwell was quickly pulled to the side and let out a gasp of relief.

"She’s got a bruise or two and the scare of a life time." The doctor smiled as Niles and Beth both exchange relieved looks. "She’s going to be alright."

"Doctor, any word on C.C.?" Niles spoke up and the doctor waved Niles forward.

There C.C. was, in a bed covered by an oxygen mask. She looked deathly pale, and a small cut was on her bruised face. "She’s not out of the woods yet, and it’s all complicated by her condition."

"Her condition?" Niles felt his heart pounding titling his head towards the doctor.

"For now she and the baby appear to be stable."

"The baby?" Niles’s eyes became like huge saucers looking into the doctor’s face. He could barely focus, but looked in the doctor’s eyes.

"I’ll leave you two alone for a moment." She reached out touching his shoulder, and Niles walked up towards C.C.

Niles look at her bruised face and touched her injured cheek tenderly. He looked up to see both monitors beeping. "C.C." He placed a hand softly on her stomach. "I love you." He leaned in whispering quietly. "I don’t care about our positions in life. I love you." He looked down at her stomach, his hand moving gently. "Stay with her… don’t you dare leave her now."

D.D. Babcock was quietly watching Niles. She had run here in terror over Maxwell’s phone call, but now… She was watching the butler’s eyes looking down at C.C. "Miss Babcock?" Beth’s voice woke her up.

"Hello…Is she?" D.D. looked into the young woman’s eyes.

"Come on…I’ll take you to her doctor." Beth looked back for just a moment to see her brother’s teary look.

C.C. fought to open her eyes. She had seen the taxi loose control and managed to pull Grace into her arms before it hit. Her eyes fluttered once more and she felt his hand stroking her cheek. "I must be dieing." She mumbled with the air mask on, looking up into his eyes.

"No…" Niles kept his hand on her cheek. "You’re alive."

C.C. glanced towards her stomach with renewed terror. She hadn’t even thought about her unborn child when the accident happened.

"Your fine… Grace is fine…." Niles watched as her blue eyes looked at him. "The baby is fine."

C.C. felt her throat tighten at his words. She noticed the sparkle in his eyes as he looked down at her.

"Why haven’t you told anyone?" Niles removed his hand from her cheek and took her hand. "Why?"

C.C. had no strength in her soul for their normal game. "My husband left me… My life is a mess."

"I’m sorry…" Niles reached out brushing one of her blonde locks out of her eyes. He made a mental note to thrash Robert Davis first chance he got.

"Don’t…" C.C.’s eyes fluttered closed.

"Sorry." She, of course, could read this thoughts. "Watch it Babcock a person in your condition shouldn’t be casting spells."

"Old habits." C.C. mumbled, fighting sleep.

"Don’t fight it… I’ll be back soon." Niles looked around, and then leaned over to kiss her forehead.

He walked out of the recovery room to find D.D. Babcock leaning against the wall with her arms folded. "Miss Babcock." He nodded his head and started to walk away.

D.D. tilted her head towards the young woman smiling quietly behind her. "See."

"This would drive my mother to her grave." D.D. couldn’t hide her smile. "We’ll be in touch, Beth." She then walked inside the recovery room to check on her sleeping sister.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"We have GOT to find a nanny for these kids." Beth turned towards her brother as they both sat around in the waiting room. Maggie was quietly studying, and of course Brighton was playing some sort of video game.

"Yeah…" Niles mumbled quietly looking at his hands.

"I called mommy and daddy."

Niles let out a groan eyeing his sister. "Beth."

"I left out some details." Beth watched as Niles buried his head in his hands. "She’s going to be okay."

Niles couldn’t tell her. Not yet. Beth had no clue about C.C. being pregnant. "You think it’s too soon to check in on her?" They had taken Maggie and Brighton out to eat.

"Go… do…" Beth waved Niles away, shaking her head.

Niles walked down the hallways and up towards the elevator. He had been avoiding seeing her since Stuart Babcock’s arrival. He was expecting her mother as well, but when he had asked when to expect Miss Babcock’s arrival D.D. had laughed madly. He found himself outside the hallway.

"Just glad you’re alright, kitten." Stuart was sitting on C.C.’s bed. "Robert should have canceled his court case. His place is here with his wife."

Niles felt his chest tighten. C.C. hadn’t told her father that Robert Davis had left her. He leaned closer against the wall.

"Well… I have …" Stuart was about to roar, but D.D. reached her father’s side.

"Daddy we should let her rest." D.D. exchanged a look with her injured sister. "I’ll take you out!"

"You’ve had a long trip daddy." C.C.’s voice sounded weak.

"Come on... She’s got to rest anyway." D.D. took her father’s arm, escorting him out of the room.

Niles waited a few more moments, watching the two Babcock’s walk down the hallway, and then leaned in, tapping on the door.

"I was wondering how long you were going to stand there." C.C. leaned back up as Niles walked into the room.

"To many spell casters in the same room makes me feel on edge." Niles let out a playful shiver holding up a bag. "Hungry? I brought you a piece of my cheese cake."

She watched as Niles hovered around her bed. "What’s on your mind, dust buster?"

"Were do things stand between you and Master Robert?" Niles knew he had no right to ask the question.

"Our divorce is final is … I think seven months." C.C. couldn’t recall what Douglas had told her.

"The baby?"

"He’s given up all rights to her." C.C. watched as Niles broke out into a huge smile. "You find that funny?"

"How do you know it’s a girl?" Niles leaned in close, and C.C. now managed a smile. "A woman in your condition shouldn’t be casting spells."

C.C. was studying him now, as his blue eyes reflected back into hers. "What are you thinking?" Her voice was timid as she felt her lower lip starting to tremble.

"What a fool he is… what a fool I was..." His reached out touching her foot.

C.C. felt her whole body tremble. "Niles…"

"I should have never… let you walk out of my life." Niles lowered his head, and found his hand roaming up towards her knee as he moved in closer. "You have haunted me… C.C. Babcock."

"Niles…" C.C. felt her heart starting to pound. "I’m not…"

"Ready for anything?" Niles smirked now touching her hand. "I know, but you do need a friend."

C.C. started to snicker, but looked into his eyes. "Niles… I…"

"Sarah would want all of us to help you." Niles sat down in the chair, and C.C. let out a soft whimper. "Don’t cry." He reached out touching her tear stained cheek. "It’s one of the signs of the world’s end seeing a Babcock cry."

"I’m just tired." C.C. managed a smile. "I’ll be snarling in the morning."

"That’s a good little Babcock." Niles leaned back in the chair with a huge smile on his face. "When is the small one due?"

C.C. blushed trying to remember what the doctor said. "After... The new year?" Her teeth were chattering.

"Something wrong." Niles reached out again to touch her cheek.

"Scared." C.C. closed her eyes trying to sink back into the bed. "You think a man could love me and my child?"

"The child is apart of you… that’s good reason for anyone to love it."

C.C. felt his hand stroking her cheek again. The room was quickly filled with someone clearing their throat.

D.D. was standing in the door way watching the tender scene. "Visiting hours are about to end, Niles." D.D.’s mind was racing as she noticed C.C.’s eyes were closed. The butler stood up, walking towards D.D.

"I’m sorry…" He blushed thinking about how his reaction must have looked.

"For caring?" D.D. let out a sigh. "Listen… servant… a Babcock’s bark is much worse than its bite."

Niles blushed. "How long have you known?"

"About the little fling you had with baby sister?" D.D. looked like a cat that had a mouse trapped. "Four days after your little fling…."

"Miss Babcock… would you please…"

"Keep my mouth shut?" D.D. rolled her eyes. "I just want one thing from you Niles."

"Which is?"

"Keep your promise… help her... Be her friend." D.D.’s eyes sparkled with a hidden pain. "She’s going to need all the friends she can get these up and coming months." D.D. reached out straightening his tie.

"I will…"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You did what?" Niles had returned home to find Beth had hired a near stranger off the street.

"She’ll be by tomorrow."

"Mister Sheffield is going to have to interview her." Niles rubbed his temples trying to avoid the onset of a headache. "I’ll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

"Packing… I’m going to stay with Mister Sheffield and Miss Grace tonight."

"Miss Babcock as well." Beth smirked mumbling quietly.

"How soon will this ‘nanny’ be by tomorrow?" Niles was tossing some of his things into a bag. He reached for another bag. He started to head towards Maxwell’s room grabbing his employer a fresh change of clothes.

"Mid morning." Beth let out a suppressed giggle.

"Beth… what are you leaving out?"

"Nothing." She handed Niles Maxwell’s shaving kit. Beth was pretty sure that her new friend had gotten the wrong idea bout coming over tomorrow. "Just make sure you’re at least here please."

"Bloody hell... With all that’s going on..." Niles let out a groan, and then eyed his sister. "Alright…"

"Thanks!" She kissed his cheek. "Give Mister Sheffield, Gracie and Miss Babcock my best."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Is she okay?" D.D. couldn’t believe who was on her cell phone. "Dee?"

"I’m here Robert." D.D. had to fight the urge to reach inside her cell phone and choke the man. "She’s alright, and the baby is going to make it too." D.D. added the ‘baby’ comment as a shot to his ego.

"I’m glad she’s okay."

*‘I bet you’re hoping nature would take its course with the baby, though.’* D.D. had to fight her emotion. "I’ll let her know you called." * ‘Not a chance in hell I will.’ *

"Doug wants to know if you’ll be able to make it tomorrow."

‘C.C.’s in the hospital and all of the sudden you want to speed up your divorce.’ "I’ll be there. Just tell Douglas to be ready." She glared at the phone as Robert hung up without saying goodbye. "Jackass." She let out a hiss.

"Who is sweetheart?" Stuart handed his eldest daughter a cup of coffee.

"A client." D.D. reached for the prefect cover, and saw her father’s proud smile on his face. "It’s not like that daddy."

"Really? I would love to see you back in a court room again."

"I would love for Zoe to be called anything but ‘problem’ by mother." D.D. looked at her watch letting out a sigh.

"I should try calling her again. And your brother." Stuart had a guilty look on his face. "It’s not right."

"Daddy we both know Noel couldn’t drag himself away this time of year. Mother… is just busy in Europe."

"She only comes here to …. Well." Stuart couldn’t hide his guilty look.

"Daddy it’s not your fault… "

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C.’s eyes fluttered open and she found the small girl looking down at her. "Hi." Grace was quietly stroking her forehead. "Better?"

"Yes… are you alright?" C.C. sat up noticing she was free of the oxygen tubes.

Grace nodded her head, slowly pointing towards a sleeping Niles. "Shhhhhh." She winked and C.C. smiled.

"How long as he been asleep?" She helped the small child onto her bed.

"Few minutes." She giggled as C.C. put a cover around her. "Daddy’s coming soon." Gracie looked up into the woman’s eyes. "Thank you."

"I didn’t do anything." She reached over now touching the child’s chin. "Gr… Gr..."

"Come on you can do it!" The little girl’s words were so big for her age. She watched as C.C.’s eyes started to roll in the back of her head.

"Grace." She blinked recalling the child’s name at last.

"Very good Miss Grace… Next time train her to fetch and you’re half way there." Niles’s eyes were bright blue and his face had a huge smile across it.

"Laugh it up, dust buster." C.C. glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"Your sister had to go home, and check on her young one." Niles walked over touching Gracie’s head. "So I stayed with you one half the night."

"You didn’t have to do that." C.C. blushed and Gracie let out a giggle, looking up into C.C.’s eyes.

"Friends do that!" She hopped down looking towards Niles. "We got to go!" Gracie pointed at her little watch and Niles let out a laugh.

"We have an appointment this morning." Niles picked up the small child, and C.C. watched him for a moment. Niles had a natural talent with children. "Your sister should be in any moment." He looked at his watch feeling guilty.

"Go ahead Niles… I’ll be fine." C.C. reached out touching his hand. She watched, as the pair left her hospital room, wondering what was happening. Something of a bond was forming between them. She closed her eyes for only a moment and let out a grumble. "Come in Bort."

"How did you know?" The shrink came in wearing her white jacket, looking all official for the hospital.

"You were mumbling to yourself." C.C. leaned up, letting out a soft giggle.

"How do you feel?"

"Like I’ve been hit by a taxi." C.C. reached out taking a small sip of water. "You know I’ve been ordered bed rest for the next two weeks? The doctors have threatened to keep me here because of ‘inside’ information."

"Now C.C." The shrink lowered her glasses. "I didn’t say a word."

"I know who did." C.C. groaned thinking about D.D.

"How are you really feeling?" Bort took Niles’ seat. "You seem to be glowing for the first time…. Not bad for a woman who was hit by a taxi."

"I felt something." C.C. looked down at her bruised hands. "It’s strange, but…"

"It’s not strange." Bort reached over touching C.C.’s leg. "I noticed your father around this morning."

"Shocking I know." C.C. reached out, touching her father’s white roses he had brought. "Then he ran off this afternoon to attend a business meeting."

"Maybe he would feel differently if you told him about the baby." Bort leaned back and C.C. let out a snarl.

"You know Niles found out." She blushed, recalling his reaction.

"And?"

"And what?" C.C. shifted downward trying to hide under her covers.

"Well, this is the man you’ve been lusting after for years, C.C." Bort tapped her fingers against the chair. "Is something more going to happen?"

"I don’t know." C.C. felt her heart starting to pound again. "I can’t think about that right now."

"Well it’s something to think about… for later." Bort smiled as D.D. stood in the door way holding her year old daughter.

"She wanted to see you." D.D. smiled as the blue eyed girl looked towards C.C.

Zoe’s small hands reached for her aunt as C.C. took the little girl. "That almost seems natural." Bort smiled as D.D. touched her daughter’s head.

"She better get used to it."

"Okay what’s going on?" C.C. glared up towards her sister’s eyes.

"Well…" D.D. blushed looking towards Bort and back down at her daughter. "I had to call in back up."

"What happened in court today?" C.C. tickled the little girl’s feet and was rewarded with a laugh.

"Robert’s pushing for the divorce to be finalized sooner." D.D. braced herself to C.C.’s outrage but was shocked when it didn’t materialize." D.D. looked towards Bort and back at C.C. "Did you hear me?"

"Agree to it." C.C. was still playing with Zoe’s small foot, causing the little girl to giggle again.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes…Your mommy must be hard of hearing." C.C. tickled the baby’s chin as Zoe let out another laugh.

Bort couldn’t help her smile. "She knows what she’s doing."

"Rightttt…." D.D. groaned, sitting down in an empty chair. "I have to attend your meeting next week in L.A."

C.C. let out a groan. She had forgotten about the meeting. "I’m ordered to stay in bed."

"I could find someone to hover over you." D.D. watch as C.C. started to blush. "Since Zack’s going with me… I could ask Maxwell if Niles could…" D.D. giggled as C.C.’s face was now scarlet red.

"That’s a rather interesting color."

"I’m soooo going to get you for this…" C.C. glared at her sister.

"Yeah, but it’s going to be well worth it."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles wasn’t expecting his sister’s idea for a nanny. She was … She... Was…. Amazing. "Are you ready to move in yet, Miss Fine?"

"Oy? In here?" Fran pointed up the steps and looked around the house. "I must have really impressed him with my resume."

"Red lipstick will normally do that." Niles shook his head looking at this ‘woman.’ "My sister really didn’t tell you that…. You were applying for a nanny position?"

"Noooooooo!" Fran smirked waving her finger towards the younger woman. "She had me hoping for something else."

Niles led her towards the room and eyed his sister. "You’re crazy."

"Am I?" Beth brushed her brother’s cheek. "Well, she handled Brighton."

"She did more than just ‘handle’ him." Niles walked down stairs with his sister trailing behind him. "If your right about this woman… I owe you one, Beth."

"If I’m wrong... I’ll never hear the end of it." Beth stopped her brother from answering the door. "I’ll get it... I’m here for another week, remember?"

"Miss Babcock?" Beth smiled as D.D. placed her little girl in Beth’s arms. "It’s a real pleasure."

Niles blinked watching the pair. "How do you know…?"

"We meet at the hospital last night, servant." D.D. looked around. "Where is Maxwell? I need a favor."

"He’s in his office." Beth took the little girl out of D.D.’s arms.

"Come on, Niles…You’ll want to hear this too."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You want to ‘borrow’ Niles?" Maxwell rubbed his temples trying to let this sink in. "Bloody hell."

"Come on Maxwell." D.D. was getting annoyed. "C.C. was supposed to go out west, and now I have to do it… She saved your child’s life."

"I’m just trying to prepare myself to deal with Miss Fine and Beth alone." Maxwell pulled off his glasses for just a moment. "Things are on track for my network special?"

"I have that covered." D.D. smirked as Niles rubbed his hands together.

"What do you think about this old man?"

"That I better wear clean underwear." Niles did his best to hide his joy at the prospect of spending a week keeping C.C. in her bed. "Do I need a choke chain?"

"Maybe this is a bad idea, D.D." Maxwell glared towards Niles.

"She’ll be fine... She does need a new chew toy." D.D. let out a sigh as Niles started to laugh.

"She could do more than just ’chew’."

"NILES!" Maxwell stood up glaring at his butler.

"Sir?" Niles turned to face his employer.

"Pack your things… your staying the week with C.C. Starting tomorrow."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. stood up, feeling grateful to be leaving the hospital. "I’m not a child, Niles." She noticed he was holding onto the wheel chair.

"It’s regulation." The nurse was in the room helping Niles with C.C. "You either leave with him in that wheel chair or you won’t leave."

"If you want to roll up my newspaper and hit her on the nose… that works too." Niles winked at the nurse, and C.C. let out a groan sitting down into the chair.

"Don’t get used to ordering me around, bell boy." C.C. let out a sigh as Niles pushed her wheel chair from behind.

"Now, Miss Babcock." He stopped her wheel chair for a moment and came around to face her. "Your sister left you in my care." He couldn’t help the boyish smile that was growing across his face. He broke out into a chuckle as C.C. let out a groan.

"Laugh it up, bell boy." C.C. hated to admit… She was rather pleased Niles was watching out for her this week rather than Zack.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. snuggled into the covers as Niles placed her gently on the bed. "Thank you."

"For?" Niles pulled the silk sheets over her.

C.C. blushed. "I’m not used to having anyone take care of me."

"Your welcome. What can I get you for lunch, Miss Babcock?" Niles found his hand stroking her knee tenderly.

C.C. closed her eyes, enjoying his attention. "I’m… not sure… surprise me." Her teeth started to chatter.

"Cold?" He offered another cover, and moved his hand away from her knee.

"Not really…" She settled down and turned on the television. "Well what are you waiting for?" She glared at him playfully. "Get to work!"

Niles found himself back in her kitchen. She had clearly changed a few things, and he noticed a cook book. He let out a gasp looking at several recipes, and a brochure for a cooking class. He fixed them both a simple sandwich.

C.C. flipped the channel, becoming annoyed at her prison cell. She looked at her watch letting out a groan. "I been home for two minutes and I’m all ready annoyed by bed rest."

Niles let out a gasp seeing her standing. "Get back in that bed!"

"I’m bored…" C.C. let out a groan she was looking in her brief case for something to do.

"C.C.!" He narrowed his eyes glaring at her.

C.C. let out a soft sigh closing her brief case and climbing back into bed. "I was just going to do some paper work."

"No working." He sat down the tray as C.C. leaned over.

"A bed is supposed to be for other ‘activities.’" C.C. groaned nibbling on her sandwich.

Niles felt his heart race. "What ‘activities’?"

C.C., preferring a softer mattress, had purchased a new bed since Robert had left her. "I do most of my spells and hexes here."

"I’ll keep that in mind." Niles pulled back, almost fearful to touch her.

C.C. shifted watching him back away. "Niles…"

"Babcock?" Niles turned around.

"Why don’t you stick around, and watch a movie with me." C.C. waved towards the empty side of her bed. "Come on, Niles."

"I’m not sure that’s a good idea."

"Scared?" C.C.’s eyes narrowed and the word came out like a challenge. "I don’t bite that much."

"Never." He sat down next to her. "Just keep those claws to yourself."

"I thought you liked my claws!" She reached out touching his cheek with her French manicured fingernails.

"Woman... Stop tempting me and watch your movie." Niles felt his heart racing as he breathed in her perfume. "A woman in your condition shouldn’t be playing games."

"Who says I’m playing games?" She reached out snuggling him.

"We’ve been down this road before… don’t you remember?" Niles felt as C.C. tugged playfully at his tie. "Miss Babcock, you better behave."

"I know … You’re safe for now." C.C. turned her head towards the screen rather enjoying having someone so close.

Niles found himself trying to focus on pure thoughts while holding her lush curves against his body.

C.C. woke up to find herself in the room alone. She found a single daisy on the pillow next to her.

‘I’ve gone to the store. Stay in bed, Babcock!’

C.C. folded the note, letting out a huge sigh.

*Ring Ring!*

"What now?" She reached over grabbing the phone. "Hello, hello?" She sucked in a deep gasping breath of air.

"Well, darling how are you?" B.B. Babcock’s voice was on the other end.

C.C. found her eyes trying to glaze over. Her mother only called when she needed something, or gossip had reached her ears. "Hello mother."

"I’ve been hearing strange rumors." B.B.’s voice was almost chipper on the phone. "Robert is out with other women?"

‘Well that didn’t take Robert long.’ C.C. let out a sigh. "Yes, mother."

"You are allowing your husband to have an affair?" B.B.’s voice came across as a screech. "I thought you knew better!"

"Then what?" C.C. felt the strange urge to hang up on her. "I’m having an affair with every servant in the block… so what’s your point mother?" C.C. could hear the gasp on the other end.

"C.C.!"

"Well… they say children learn from their parents." C.C. smirked rubbing her little belly. "I’m hanging up now."

C.C. let out a giggle and switched the ringer off. "That is your first lesson .. On how to annoy your grandmother."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles opened the door to find her curled up with a book. "You aren’t working on a nursery yet?"

"I haven’t hand time." C.C. looked up putting away her book. "I have sweeps coming up next month too."

"C.C." He lowered his eyes.

"Okay… It just hasn’t felt real to me, but when I was in the hospital…" C.C. reached down touching her belly. "Why do you ask?"

Niles came in the rest of the way, holding a rather large white teddy bear. "I thought this needed a home." He turned to see her face, and blushed with pride. "If you don’t mind accepting a gift from me?"

"It’s wonderful…." C.C. felt her heart pounding. Robert had given up all rights to her unborn child, but here was Niles. She felt the tears starting to form.

"Now, Now..." He reached inside his pocket, handing her his handkerchief. "I bought a few other items as well, and if you’re a good girl we can start on a nursery."

"What did you buy?" C.C. looked up as Niles brought in two other shopping bags. He placed them on the bed, and turned. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"Dinner… I did go grocery shopping."

C.C. reached over, opening up one of the bags Niles had placed on the bed. She pulled out a sea of baby boots and baby clothes. She felt her tears form again, touching a pair of small baby shoes and a soft yellow blanket.

"Dinner will be ready …." He stopped as C.C. was snuggling the soft yellow blanket. "Are you alright?"

"Yes…" She quickly put it away. "Niles, you really didn’t have to."

"No I didn’t, but I wanted too." Niles reached her side. "You have had a rotten time of it lately."

"My fault."

"How?" Niles let out a growl. "You’re pregnant, and that’s something special."

C.C. swallowed a gulp of air, trying to regain control of her emotions. "I…" She blinked hearing the ringing door bell.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Niles looked back, and C.C. shook her head.

"My mother called, but she’s in Europe… At least… I think she’s in Europe."

Niles walked towards the door and let out a sigh. "Mrs. Babcock?" He opened it up to see B.B. Babcock standing in the doorway.

"Who or what are you? Where is my daughter? And where is Robert?"

"Mister Davis is not available, and Miss Babcock is not here." Niles held onto the door knob. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Tell her I stopped by, and I’m not leaving until we have a little chat." B.B. turned around letting out a deep hiss.

Niles walked back inside C.C.’s room letting out a sigh. "It was your mother."

"Great…." C.C. let out a sigh. "I wonder if D.D. could cause some trouble out west." C.C. shifted back down in the bed. "Niles…"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to see another movie after dinner?" She put on her best smile.

"If you promise to behave." Niles waved his finger towards her. "No tricks… "

"I give you my word as a Babcock."

Niles settled down with her, watching an old movie while eating French bread pizza. "Don’t tell the children that I fixed you this." Niles let out a groan as C.C. giggled.

"You have something against pizza?"

"It’s not really a proper dinner." Niles let out a sigh looking at all the crumbs in her bed. "I’m sorry."

"Guess I’ll just have to sleep in your room."

"Yeah right." Niles let out a groan. "The doctor said no stressful actives." He reached over taking her plate.

"Who says it’s ‘stressful." C.C rolled her eyes snuggling into him.

"C.C…." Niles let out a groan.

"Come on Niles..." She pushed on his chest. "I miss hearing someone breathing next to me."

"Get a dog then woman." Niles felt a surge of jealousy grip his heart. "It’s not proper."

"Come on... This way you can make sure I’m not working." She waved her hand towards her brief case.

Niles let out a grumble, turning off the TV and gathering empty plates. "Stay here."

C.C. let out a giggle hearing Niles grumbling in the hallway. "What are you doing?" Niles reached out, gathering her in his arms.

"Hush." He walked down her hallway and carried her into the guest room. He was shocked to find a king size bed waiting for him. "Did you prepare in advance for my arrival?"

"No… Why?"

"I’m a rather large man, and like my space." He winked, placing her down on the guest bed. "No trick’s C.C." He waved his finger, and went towards the guest bathroom.

"Well not yet anyway." C.C. mumbled, sliding under the covers.

Niles came back wearing a pair of cut off sweat pants and a New York Giants t-shirt. "What?" He watched C.C. break out into a fit of giggles looking at him.

"I have never seen you dressed so… so…."

"Come on, Miss Babcock." Niles put on his best pouting face. "These are just things I sometimes wear to bed."

"What happened to your matching pjs?" C.C. broke out into another giggling fit as Niles turned off his light and pulled on the covers.

"I burned them." Niles turned his back towards her, trying to sleep. "Now sleep, And remember, I’m wearing my garlic tonight."

"Yeah like that would stop me." C.C. mumbled to herself, settling back on the pillows.

Niles found himself wide awake as C.C. curled up against him. He wanted to reach over to touch, but dared not. "God… give me strength." He groaned trying to close his eyes.

"What was that?" C.C. mumbled sleepily.

"Good night, Miss Babcock." Niles closed his eyes trying to focus on other things rather than the soft curves pressing against him.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Oy…" Fran smirked, holding her heart and noticing Beth. "I didn’t expect you to be still up sweetie!"

"Me neither." Beth had pulled out the ice cream. "Are you still mad at me for setting you up?"

"Nooooooooooo!" Fran let out in her nasal tone. "Let me ask you something." Fran sat down and reached inside the ice cream container. "Why are you really hiding out here?"

"Bloody hell." Beth rubbed her face, sounding like her elder brother. "You can read people!"

"It’s a gift, and now spill." Fran swirled her spoon around looking at Beth. "What’s wrong at home?"

"Just trying to avoid my parents." She put the ice cream aside.

"And?"

"You are good…" Beth narrowed her eyes. "They keep on talking about my choices, and my future." Beth raised the spoon letting out a sigh. "I love my brother, but I do not want to follow in anyone’s foot steps. My parents keep telling me there is a position opening at the palace."

"Just tell them noooo.." Fran smirked as Beth buried her head further in her ice cream bowl. "Listen, they’re your parents, and no doubt they’ll love you no matter what."

"What worries me… more than that is…." Beth stopped herself eyeing the Jewish nanny. "Never mind."

"What?" Fran pulled on Beth’s arm. "Come on."

"Aren’t you the one that told me you were a…..a..."

"Yenta." Fran smirked and picked up her empty bowl. "What harm could it do telling me?"

"I feel Niles is going to have a harder time with my parents…. Well he might have a harder time…"

"Why would Niles have a hard time?" Fran looked like she might burst. "Come on tell me."

Beth smiled playfully. "Good night, Miss. Fine."

"Oy vey… "Fran cleaned up the rest of the mess.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles opened his eyes to find her forehead resting against his chest. They had started the night on different sides of the bed, but now they were intertwined together. Niles moved his hand from her waist. "So beautiful." He mumbled quietly kissing her forehead.

C.C. shifted as Niles struggled to detangle himself from her body. "Niles…"

"Stay here… remember, you have an appointment today." Niles raced back to her bedroom gathering up some clothing for her to wear. "C.C.?" He came back to find the bed empty. Placing the causal suit on the unmade bed, he heard the water starting to run. "Good... Lord…"

C.C. found herself smiling as the water hit her body. She had heard something of a low moaning groan coming from the other room. "I’m sooo going to get you back D.D." She let out a husky laugh.

Niles stood in his tracks as C.C. came out of the guest shower wearing nothing but a towel. "Babcock…" He narrowed his eyes trying to fight the urge to throw her down on the bed. "You better… get…." His lower lip started to tremble.

"Dressed?" She moved closer towards him.

"Woman….." Niles groaned. "I’m trying to be honorable here."

"I’m not."

"You told me you would behave!" Niles found his hands wrapping around her waist.

"I did." C.C. touched his forehead. "If I was misbehaving, the towel would already being on the ground."

"You have an appointment in an hour." Niles tried to pull away but found his body unwilling.

"That’s more than enough time."

"Not for me." Niles growled with renewed hunger. "Come on, Trollop." It took a great force of will to pull away from her as Niles handed her some clothing. "Get dressed…. "

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles stood beside her when the doctor went over some of C.C.’s tests. "I never thought being hit by a taxi would do you some good." The doctor smiled, looking up at her patient. "Your blood pressure is down, and I’m seeing improvement… you have even managed to put on weight."

C.C. let out a groan of displeasure at the doctor’s last statement. "So can I forget bed rest?"

"No…" The doctor closed the folder after making a few marks. "Are you both ready?"

"For?" Niles raised his eyebrow as the doctor moved towards C.C.

She turned on a machine, and a thumping could be heard in the room. "For the baby’s heart beat." She made yet another note on the outside of the folder.

"That’s…her heart beat…" C.C. melted, feeling Niles’s hand on her shoulder.

"Her?" The doctor looked up smiling.

"She’s already hoping for a girl." Niles smirked as he let out a sigh. "I hope she’s not disappointed."

"I would be happy with a boy." C.C. smirked, hitting his shoulder. "I just want a girl more, butler boy."

"Alright I want you to remain on bed rest… Try to limit any ‘activities’ that might be stressful for a few more days." The doctor watched as Niles’s face started to twist in pain. "It is safe for you to consider other forms of ‘bed rest’ as well." The doctor winked towards C.C. who broke out in a fit of laughter.

"God lord… doctor... You don’t realize what you’ve done by saying that."

C.C. found herself rather enjoying the look of pain that crossed Niles’s face. "Lighten up, Niles."

"I still want you to watch your work load when you return to work next week." The doctor narrowed her eyes, and Niles let out a growling noise.

"I’ll make sure of that."

"I want to set up a few more appointments with you." The doctor handed Niles a note smiling. "Make sure she stays away from taxis will you?"

C.C. reached out for his hand pulling, him close. "I hope your ready, butler boy."

"For?"

C.C. pulled on him bringing him close. "For the next four days, because I have you cornered."

"You really want to drive me insane?"

"Come on... This coming from the man who told Sarah my mental health was just a game to be toyed with?" C.C. smirked watching Niles’s face. "You didn’t think she wasn’t going to tell me that."

"C.C…. I…"

"I’m only kidding, and besides… I want to do more than just drive you crazy, Rochester." C.C. found her hands touching his cheek. "So much more."

"Careful, sometimes you can get burnt standing this close to a fire." Niles let out a groan as the doctor returned to hand C.C. a few more things.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"So what?" D.D. was annoyed that her mother had tracked her down. "Mother... She’s a grown up woman." She was rather enjoying the sun and the surf while handing things for C.C.

"She’s shaming all of us with her behavior." B.B.’s voice was frantic. "She shouldn’t have an ‘open’ marriage."

"Give her a few more months and she won’t have that marriage." D.D. let out softly under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing mother…. I don’t understand why any of this shocks you, because after all you and daddy set the bar pretty high in shaming the ‘Babcock’ name." D.D. knew it was a cheap shot, but she had to take it.

"That’s uncalled for! This coming from a woman who has a problem!"

"That problem’s name is Zoe." D.D. watched as Zack was playing with the toddler on the beach. "Stay out of her life mother, because if you don’t… I’ll make sure you regret it."

"What does that mean?"

"Meaning… I can open up old wound as soon as you can open up new ones." D.D. hung up the phone letting out a huge sigh, and noticed the time on her watch. She dialed the phone, letting out another sigh. "Hello?"

"Miss Babcock!" Niles was surprised to hear from D.D. "How are things going?"

"I can’t complain. Can I talk with my sister?" D.D. let out a sigh as Niles’s voice was soon replaced by C.C.’s.

"Hello Dee." C.C. smirked touching her belly. "How are things going?"

"I could ask the same of you." D.D. leaned on the table. "They settled for three times the price."

"Good job." C.C. was impressed. "Did you tear out their still beating hearts as well?"

"No. I thought about it." D.D. couldn’t hide her giggling. "Spill…"

"There’s nothing to spill about yet…" C.C. let out a sigh thinking about her earlier teasing with Niles. "He’s… honorable."

"What happened to the girl who ate honor for breakfast?"

"Is everything alright, Dee?" C.C. pulled the covers up around her, and listened to sounds of Niles cleaning her home. "You didn’t hear from mother did you?"

"I did... She’s on the war path."

"Can you keep her off my back for a while longer?" C.C. hated to beg, but she didn’t need B.B. Babcock around… "Can’t you start some trouble out west and send her running after you?"

"I can do something better than that." D.D. let out a chuckle. "I’ll call Noel. He owes me a favor."

"Dee…" C.C. felt guilt rise up. "He doesn’t…"

"I haven’t told him yet, and he’ll want answers sooner or later… He’ll keep her off your back for at least a while longer."

"Thank you."

Niles turned to C.C.’s room with a smile on his face. "I trust you’ll find the bed decrumbed."

"Yes, and Niles." She waved her finger singling him closer.

Niles stood still for a moment. "What?"

"Come on... I don’t bite." She watched as Niles came closer. "See, was that so hard?"

"Hard isn’t a word I would use at this point in time." Niles let out a sigh trying to focus on something else in the room besides her blue eyes.

"Look at me." She turned his chin to face her. "Now… why are you being so noble?" She touched his jaw line and watched as his eye closed. "Nothing is holding us back now."

"I don’t want to make a mistake this time." He at last took her hand kissing it softly. "This time I not only have you to loose, but a small one as well." His eyes drifted downward towards her belly.

"Niles…" She moved closer to him.

"I have wanted this for a long time. I have spent years dreaming about you." His hand drifted towards her waist pulling her close towards him. "When ... It happens… I want to know that this time... I won’t wake up to find you gone."

C.C. found her face starting to flush. "I’m sorry."

"No…" He touched her lips with his finger quieting her. "We were both scared about what we would face. We took the easy way out."

"I took the easy way out." C.C. took his hand in hers. "I ran to Robert."

"Yet here we are now." Niles smirked rising up from the bed. "You need an afternoon nap, Miss Babcock."

"Niles… are you running from me now?" C.C. put on her best pouting face.

"No, because sooner or later… you’ll be thankful for all that rest." Niles winked and then shut her bedroom door.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles had his fill of cold showers while staying with C.C. He had to deal with her everywhere. In his dreams he found no relief from her tempting ways. "Hello, Miss Fine." He grinned walking in the doorway.

"Well Niles… don’t you look well rested." Fran’s nasal laugh had a strange habit of ringing out in the house. "Beeeeeeeeeeeeth!"

Niles held his ears for just a moment and looked towards the Jewish nanny. "Thank you, Miss Fine."

"My pleasure." Fran picked up Gracie, who let out a giggle, and walked upstairs as Beth came down with her hand bags.

"Are you ready?" Niles put down his bag and took hers.

"I don’t want to go back." Beth followed him out towards the limo. "We’re going in that?"

"Come on." He opened up the door, and Beth was shocked to see C.C. Babcock waiting for her. "Watch it... She bites." Niles leaned in close whispering to his sister.

"Shut up, Niles." C.C. let out a snicker as she reached out, taking the younger woman’s hand.

Beth looked towards a smiling C.C. as Niles guided the limo. "Miss Babcock, can I ask you something?"

"Yes?" C.C. felt better, but this was the first time all week Niles had allowed her outside her condo.

"Are you going to hurt him?" She whispered quietly. "Because if you do... I can bite just like any ‘Babcock.’"

"I’m not going to hurt him… I might ‘break’ him." She let out a husky chuckle as Beth moved back, leaning against her seat.

"Way too much information." Beth broke out into a small fit of giggles.

C.C. let out a sigh looking towards the driver window. "I love him." She whispered quietly where no one but Beth could hear.

"Does he know that?"

"Not yet." C.C. let out a groan. "It’s hard to explain."

"You mean because you’re an heiress and he’s a butler? People might not understand at first?"

"That doesn’t matter to me." C.C. felt her heart pound and she meant every word. "There are just things, and I think he’s afraid." C.C. hated to admit it, but she was fearful at times. "I don’t think I can stay away from him now."

Niles couldn’t hide his smile, hearing her loud and clear.

"All things come with time." Beth opened the window. "Hey Niles?"

"Yes?" Niles did his best to try and focus on the road.

"Can I tell mummy and daddy that you’re having an affair with a rich heiress?" She turned her head to wink towards a giggling C.C. "Come on!"

"Let me first, start the ‘affair’." His eyes looked up in the mirror and glanced towards C.C. "That will take some time."

"Long nights, and long days…" C.C. purred playfully and Beth made a face.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

It was almost annoying to be back at work. C.C. glanced down at her desk letting out another long sigh. "Hello, stranger." She glanced back up at D.D.’s smiling face.

"Mission is done and done... Right now Noel is hosting mother." D.D. winked and C.C. let out a breath she had been holding in.

"I now owe you one."

"No you don’t." D.D. lifted up her sister’s chin. "Your color is starting to look good." She let out a giggle. "I think the butler might be good for you!"

"Shh… Dee… Nothing has happened yet."

"Nothing?" D.D. shook her head playfully. "You know women can have..."

"Hush!" She blushed. "I’ve been trying…"

"Need another week?" D.D. winked letting out a giggle.

C.C. bowed her head, looking at Maxwell’s things again. "I’ll corner him yet."

"You better do it soon because another month you’ll be out to here!" D.D. put one of her hands in front of her belly.

"You know, he bought the baby… clothes, a blanket and a teddy bear." C.C. blushed just thinking about it.

"It’s a rare man who accepts another man’s child." D.D. whispered, and her eyes looked haunted.

"I’m sorry, Dee." C.C. reached out touching her sister’s hand.

"Don’t be… Don’t let him go this time" D.D. glanced down at C.C.’s phone and picked it up. "Babcock productions?" She smirked as she twirled her blonde hair around, looking at her sister. "I don’t know let me see if she’s here."

"Who is it?"

"Niles." She handed over the telephone with a smirk. "I’ll be around if you need me."

"What are you wearing?" Niles let out a husky purring noise on the phone. He had been trying to clean all day, but was just distracted remembering her in that towel.

She looked down at her dark blue business outfit. "A fluffy towel." She giggled as Niles moaned into the phone.

"Woman… don’t make me come down there!"

"That’s the idea." She looked over a few things, letting out a huge sigh. "I miss you."

"How busy is your afternoon?"

"Not too." C.C. glanced over at her calendar. She noticed that D.D. had canceled several meetings or passed them off on others. "Why?"

"Mister Sheffield requires an hour of your time, and has given me two days off."

"For what?" She couldn’t hide her teasing tone. "You barely did anything over at my place."

"Well it was rather hard to do my job when you came out of the shower every hour…. Wearing that bloody towel!"

"Well… what’s your point?"

"Nothing." Niles let out a groan. "You’re just impossible."

"That’s me... Tell Maxwell, I’ll be over in an hour." C.C. hung up the phone and glanced up into her father’s face. "Daddy?" She blinked and started to blush. "I didn’t expect you here."

"Hello kitten do you have a few moments to spare?" Stuart Babcock sat down, looking into the face of his youngest child.

C.C. quickly picked up the book D.D. had left for her on being pregnant and put it in her desk drawer. "What’s up?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me." Stuart leaned back in the chair. "I ran into Robert yesterday."

"Yes, and?" C.C. starting to look at papers, and Stuart reached over, grabbing her hand. "What?"

"Why didn’t you tell me he left?" Stuart’s face was a mixture of wounded pride, and heart felt pain.

"It doesn’t matter… He’s gone, and I’ll get over it."

"Why did he leave? He told me to ask you." Stuart narrowed his eyes, looking at C.C.’s blue eyes. "Is something wrong, kitten?"

C.C. let out a roaring laugh. "You mean besides the fact he left?"

"Did you have an affair on him?"

C.C. rolled her eyes, glaring at her father. *’No, the jerk left me because I had the nerve to get pregnant without permission.’* "It’s nothing, daddy, that a few lawyers can’t settle in the next few months."

"Why didn’t you tell me?" Stuart’s voice was high pinched.

"Daddy… I love you, but your strength isn’t support." C.C. closed a folder.

"I’ve supported each of my children!"

"Do I need to give you an example?" She reached over handing him the picture of Zoe, almost tossing it in his lap. She stood up, holding her office door open.

"Zoey is a whole other issue." Stuart stood up and reached over to touch her cheek. "I know you’re hurting…."

"Strangely enough... I’m fine..." C.C. folded her arms.

Stuart reached for her hand, kissing it softly. "Give me a call."

C.C. watched as her father started to walk away. "I didn’t know he was coming here today." D.D. came up behind her sister. "Are you alright?"

"At times… I feel he can be a real support, but at other times." C.C. rolled her eyes.

"Hey, don’t let my mistakes keep you from daddy."

"I have to go see Maxwell, and then I’m taking the day off." C.C. picked up her purse. "Can you handle things?"

"Go..." D.D. let out a chuckle, watching C.C. float out of the office.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Wow, Miss Babcock." Fran’s jaw was wide open. "You look wonderful!"

C.C. smirked twirling around. "Thank you, Nanny Fine."

"Ahhh C.C. I need your help." Maxwell let out a huge groan as Niles followed close behind his employer. "I hate to ask this of you."

"Then don’t." C.C. put down her purse while Fran put away C.C.’s coat.

"Sir... You’ve got to talk to her gently." Niles stepped forward, his eyes hinting at his desire for her. "Now listen trollop, how much does your pimp pay you?"

"NILES!" Maxwell reached up, rubbing his temples. Fran’s nasal laugh caused C.C. to cover her ears.

"Why don’t you put a muzzle on her?" C.C. glared at the still giggling Fran.

"Can she borrow yours?"

"Alright old man. That’s enough." Maxwell shook his head. "Now C.C. I am having this problem with a few backers."

"Maxwell… if you recall, I don’t work for you anymore." C.C. placed the folder in his hand. "More network requests."

"Please…" Maxwell rubbed his temples again. "I need your help."

She caught the look Niles was giving her. "Alright." She glared back at his pouting look, and Fran let out whistle.

"Okee.. Come on Mista Sheffield... I have to talk to you about Maggie." She pulled her employer quietly out of the room.

"Tease…" She leaned forward has Niles came closer.

"Harlot!" He let out a sigh looking around the room and finally wrapping his arms around her waste. "I missed you."

"When is this party?" C.C. touched his face.

"Three days from now. And don’t worry, it’s concerning the play your broadcasting." He walked back to the closet, grabbing her coat. "Come on."

"Maxwell and I were supposed to have a business meeting."

"You did." He carefully helped her put on her coat. "Now come on, since we have a free afternoon."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Shopping!" Niles smirked, opening up the front door and leading her out.

C.C. hated to admit it, but Niles was fun to shop with. She had only a few items for the nursery she was supposed to be making. She saw Niles going crazy over the smallest things, and she had to have them. She ended up making one saleswoman cry over the large amount of baby items.

"This kid is going to be ssppooooooooiled!" Niles let out a chuckle holding up the silver spoon he had purchased for her baby. "What, you don’t like it?" They ended the night on her floor, surrounded by pillows and digging in shopping bags.

"A silver spoon? I’m surprise you didn’t buy her a broom stick as well."

"Well…" Niles produced a small witch riding a broom stick. "She flies around the room."

C.C. broke out into a fit of giggles looking at his face, and then blushed. "I didn’t think … I would have any one to share this all with." She felt his hand brushing her hair out of her face gently.

"You have me." He leaned in closer. "Woman! I can’t pretend…."

"I can’t either." C.C. brushed her lips against his as her arms came up crushing her body against his. She soon felt her hands slip down to pull his dress shirt from his pants.

"We… "Niles did his best to pull away, but C.C. kept up her attack unwilling to let go. Niles started to melt as she managed to slip her hand under his shirt, touching the bare chest. "Shouldn’t…" Niles felt his mind saying one thing, but his right hand started crawling up her blouse. His hands working quickly to undo each button.

"We should..." C.C. managed to mumble as C.C. managed to toss his tie to the side, and open up his shirt. She felt soon his hands on her own bare chest as he started to worship her curves.

Niles could no longer stand it. The week of her teasing, and now this. He worked his kisses downward playfully kissing the slight swell of her belly and pulling off her heels and business slacks. He had C.C. Babcock before him in nothing but green underwear.

C.C. reached down to undo his belt, pulling it slowly out of each loop as Niles teased each hidden place. Her body started to shake in his arms as he found just the right spot to tease! "Niles!" She called out rolling her eyes in the back of her head, stopping her assault on his trousers.

"See how it feels… to be teased…" Niles’s voice was filled with desire.

C.C. fought to regain control, pushing on him enough so he was now on his back. She nearly lost control again as he gave her curves a slight squeeze.

Niles now was bare before her as he reached out, removing the last of the silk that covered her body. "Birth control?" He whispered in her ear, and C.C. let out a loud moan.

"You joke?" She could barely put two words together as Niles teased her body. "Niles…"

He was becoming more ruthless by the moment, watching her. He rolled her over on her back. His hand still teasing. Still causing her body to shake.

"Pleaseee!" She arched up against him again.

Niles kissed her deeply as he joined with her. His whole body now moving slowly, so not to hurt her.

"I won’t break." C.C. whimpered arching up yet again, but this time wrapping a leg around him.

Niles closed his eyes, moving painfully slow. He lifted her up against his body, holding them both still for just a moment while he gazed into her blue eyes. He wanted to make that one moment last forever. "Love you." He mumbled quietly as he picked up his speed, unable to hold off a moment longer.

C.C. felt the heat of release as they both came crashing down back to earth. "Love you too." She curled up against him stroking his hair. C.C. touched his bare chest letting out a giggle. "Servant."

"I’m not sure how this is going to work, Babcock." Niles held her tightly. "We’ll find a way."

"We are living in sin you know." C.C. turned her body towards his.

"Let’s hope you don’t get pregnant."

C.C. let out a deep laugh, but then stopped.

"Something wrong?" Niles reached out touching her belly. "I didn’t hurt you? I didn’t hurt…"

"Shh.." C.C.’s smile grew as she looked towards Niles and moved his hand. "I thought I felt something."

"It’s too soon." Niles glanced down, and then his eyes went wide. "What was that?"

"You felt it too?" C.C. giggled as Niles nodded.

"She just wanted attention." Niles whispered leaning down to kiss the bare belly. "I’ll be right back." C.C. watched as Niles got up, and moments later he brought the quilt off her bed.

"What are you doing?" C.C. watched as Niles sat behind her wrapping the quilt around them. His hands were holding her back against his strong front. "This is nice." She mumbled quietly as Niles’s hand started to roam again.

"I wonder…."

"What?" C.C. leaned back as Niles’s lips teased her ear lope.

"I’m wondering if this is just a dream." Niles closed his eyes for just a moment. "OUCH!" Niles fought the urge to move backwards. "What was that for?"

"See... It’s not a dream."

"Woman!" Niles took her in his arms turning her around. "I can think of other ways to prove this is no dream."

"Show me, butler boy."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"I think it’s strange how Niles has been acting." Maxwell scooped at the ice cream. "It’s unnatural."

"To be what?" Fran smirked as she leaned over Maggie. "How many times do I have to tell you?! Don’t use lip gloss for that." Fran watched as Maggie broke out into a fit of giggles.

"He should be acting like… like…"

Fran watched as Maxwell’s mouth trembled. "Mista Sheffield, relax!" Fran reached out, touching his chin with a napkin. "So he’s going out for once. Niles is a big boy."

"Wait until you find out who he’s going out with." Brighton smirked as Fran glared at the young boy.

"It’s none of our business… Well not yet anyway."

"Miss Fine, it’s easier for you to accept Niles going out because you haven’t been with us very long." Maxwell lowered his eyes, looking at his ice cream bowl.

"You people are acting like the man didn’t have a life before now." Fran let out a nasal gasp.

"That’s right, he didn’t." Gracie stood up smiling.

"Oy vey." Fran shook her head putting away Gracie’s empty bowl.

"What happens if this is the one for him?"

"Then you’ll be happy." Fran came back leaning on the back of Maxwell’s chair. "What do you mean if this is the one?"

"Dad do you think Niles might leave?" Brighton finished off his ice cream and Maxwell let out a groan at his statement.

"He’s not leaving." Fran rolled her eyes again. "Even if he was getting together with someone, don’t you have that extra floor you’re doing nothing with?"

Maxwell put on his best pouting face. "I was planning to turn that into a gym someday."

"When? This century?" Fran rolled her eyes, recalling the tour Beth gave her of the Sheffield home.

"Point taken."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. woke up in a cocoon of covers on her living room floor. She didn’t find the warm body next to her but her robe. The baby things all had been put away. "I’m still here, Babcock." He reached out touching her chin.

"For a moment …" She lowered her eyes noticing he was dressed. "Do you really have to go?"

"I don’t want to, but duty calls." He pulled her into a soft kiss smiling. "I made muffins for you."

"Muffins!?" C.C. stood up and noticed the time. "You could stay one more hour." She turned pouting. It was only five in the morning.

"I could stay just a while longer." He stood up taking her into his arms. "No tricks though, woman."

"Why not? You didn’t seem to mind my best tricks last night… wait a moment I thought you have the day off today."

"His royal grumpiness has a list of things for me to buy for this party." He leaned closer, pushing her curves against her body.

"Niles…..I thought... You had to be good." She let out a soft moan as his soft kisses started to drift down her neck.

"I said YOU had to be good." Niles grinned and pinched her rear. "Did I say anything about me?"

"I want to come with you." She stopped him for just a moment.

"Silly wench! Don’t you have to get to your studio sometime today?" He gently took her hand leading her towards the breakfast table.

"Sometime, but I can drag you with me." She turned, noticing the fresh muffins on the table, and pushed him on the seat.

"C.C. it might not be a good idea for us…"

"For us to what?" C.C. narrowed her eyes while nibbling on a blueberry muffin.

"People might talk… and well…" Niles started to blush and C.C. put down her muffin.

"For the first time Niles… I don’t care." She reached over touching his cheek. "Come on bell boy, we can turn New York society on its head."

"It’s not New York I’m worried about." Niles closed his eyes enjoying her soft touch. "It’s you... Your family and well…"

"Yours?" C.C. cleaned in closer as her lips teased his chin. "Your sister loves me."

"My father had a run in with a Duchess years before he married my mother…"

"Niles… I’m not that woman." She pulled on his shirt with a coy grin. "You’re not your father."

"Thank God!" Niles pulled her into his lap as the quilt fell to the floor. Niles reached out; taking the muffin C.C. was eating and feeding it to her. "What about your family."

C.C. let out a soft moan as Niles teased her soft curves again. "It’s my life." She smirked, pulling him into a heated kiss. "Bedroom?" They stopped for only a moment as C.C. struggled to get the question out.

"No…" Niles couldn’t face her bedroom. Not when it might hold memories of Robert. "Here." He picked her up, placing her on the table with a rueful grin.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

D.D. glanced up to see the butler smiling. "Well are we slumming today C.C.?" D.D. was pleasantly surprised to see them together.

"No more than usual." C.C. picked up the folder, looking over a few items. "Have you been reducing my work load?"

"Maybe…. Remember sweeps is next month."

"What does that mean?" Niles blinked looking towards a grumbling C.C.

"Means she’ll be over worked and under paid then." D.D. frowned shaking her head. "You know I could …"

"I might take you up on that." C.C. answered her sister before she even finished the statement. "How is that ‘other’ issue going?"

"I’ll let you know later today." D.D. stood up for a moment and pulled her sister to the side. "You know… gossip can reach mother’s ears if you’re seeing Niles."

"So?"

"Noel might not be able to keep her away... If she finds out you’re dating a ‘butler’." D.D. was trying to be gentle. She raised her hand up before C.C. had a chance to answer back. "I like him… He’s thoughtful and sexy... And… well..."

"And?"

"And the way he looks at you." D.D. felt her heart pound as Niles kept a close eye on the two sisters. "Just don’t mess this up." She playfully pushed her sister away laughing. "I’ll give you a call later on, C.C."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles was amused to watch C.C.’s face as they entered the grocery store. "Don’t tell me you’re to high and mighty to have never been in one?"

"I have." C.C. rolled her eyes as she started to follow him around. "I’ve just never been in ‘this’ store before."

Niles reached out, putting a few more items in the cart. "It’s an old favorite of ... Erm…" He blushed lowering his eyes. "My butler association group." He had received a few odd glances from former members who just kept on shopping. "I should have gone else where."

"Why?" C.C. reached for a free sample that was offered. "I think it’s fairly cute store."

The store seemed to carter to the servants of the upper class. It was a ‘butler’s’ playground, and C.C. noticed a few maids who worked for old friends. "Yes... a lot of ‘us’ shop here." Niles smirked as C.C.’s mouth twisted in a huge smile.

"So, do they take away your butler card if they see you shopping with me?" C.C. took his list with a grin and grabbed a few more items.

"Will you make it worth it?" Niles leaned over, stealing a soft kiss.

"Maybe later tonight." She purred playfully.

"Trollop."

"Bell boy." Her voice answered back thick with desire.

"Let’s not get started in public." Niles leaned back, trying to hide his growing smile. "If we start we"ll never be able to stop."

"Does that mean I can’t attempt to ravage the husky butler in public?"

"It means… not here… not right now." Niles shivered as C.C. came up behind him, reaching under his jacket, and tickling his back. "C.C." He shivered, looking around.

"I can’t help it."

"Simmer your hormones down for just a moment woman." Niles turned around and pushed her up against a display. "We’ll be home in a moment."

"I’m having this odd craving for a pickle." C.C. now wrapped her arms around his neck and Niles let out a whimper.

Niles could no longer help himself, pushing her against him taking her lips. The kiss lasted for several moments as their mouths danced. "Are you happy now, woman?"

"Not really the most appropriate place for that sort of thing." Zack’s voice was thick with good humor looking at the pair.

C.C.’s face turned bright scarlet as she let go of Niles. "Zack…. How... are... things?"

"Well…" Zack folded his arms watching C.C. "Out doing shopping, Miss Babcock?"

"Just helping, Niles."

"I think he rather enjoys your type of help." Zack couldn’t suppress his growing laugh. "I’m sorry, Miss Babcock."

C.C. smirked biting a lock of her hair and eyeing a strangely quiet Niles. "Niles?"

"Zack... I would prefer…." Niles raised his eyes up to meet the elder man. "If you might limit your comments to others about this."

"Who is he going to tell?" C.C. leaned up against Niles. "My sister?"

"I love Miss Babcock like a daughter…. I hope you will remember that Niles." He narrowed his eyes, and C.C. let out an amused cackle.

"Why don’t you just break me in half?" C.C. smirked, standing between the two. "It might prove easier."

"We better get going, Miss Babc… I mean C.C." Niles blushed, pushing his cart forward and Zack reached up to take C.C.’s arm for just a moment.

"Do you love him?" Zack whispered quietly in her ear.

"Zack, don’t worry." She touched the man’s cheek. "I do."

"Just be careful… people are already starting to notice quite a few things." Zack let out a sigh walking away.

"Woman, are you coming or not?" Niles let out a roar and C.C. ran to catch up with him.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Hello old man." Maxwell looked up to find a grumbling Niles before him. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing sir." Niles turned around handing over the bill.

"Niles?"

"Sir?" Niles felt his heart twist in pain thinking about Zack’s worried reaction. He wasn’t going to hurt C.C. Far from it.

"Is everything alright?" Maxwell reached out touching his shoulder and encouraged Niles to sit down for just a moment. "You can talk to me."

"It’s a rather complicated situation." Niles let out a sigh. He still felt at war with himself at times over his love for C.C. "Have you ever been pulled towards another that… well… is not only your soul mate but your polar opposite?"

"I have." Maxwell rubbed his chin sitting down on the corner of his desk. "Is this about the lady you’ve been seeing?"

Niles let out a groan lowering his head. He had been thinking about the future, and months left in C.C.’s pregnancy. "I need your help."

"This isn’t going to be illegal?" Maxwell let out a playful laugh, and watchd as Niles didn’t join him. "Is it?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning up from his desk.

"No no... Of course not sir." Niles shook his head. "I was wondering if maybe… well, many years ago you offered me the third floor if I ever started a family."

Maxwell felt his stomach twist. "You haven’t been working with Miss Fine on this have you?"

"Nooo no… What? Has she said anything?" Niles raised his eyebrow, wondering how much the Jewish nanny did know about his affair.

"Well she did mention that your relationship might be serious, but you only been dating this woman a ... a week now?" Maxwell walked behind the desk. "You can’t tell me your thinking about marrying someone after only a week?"

"No… no... I doubt she would want to try that again any time soon." Niles shook his head wanting, yet again, to strangle Robert Davis.

"Then get to the point old man!" Maxwell stood up, unable to take it a moment longer. "What the devil is going on with you?"

"C.C. is pregnant and I would like to either stay with her or have her stay here with me." Niles blushed, watching Maxwell’s shocked face.

"C.C. is pregnant with your child?" Maxwell found his lower lip trembling. He had heard a few rumors of her separation from Robert.

Niles blushed, rubbing his face. He wasn’t going to tell him the babe wasn’t his. "Well sir?"

"Course… old man… you can offer it to her…" Maxwell sat down slowly.

"Shall I get one Advil or two? Or just surprise you?" Niles smirked as Maxwell rolled his eyes. "Sir, if you don’t mind I would prefer to keep this quiet."

"How are your parents going to react to this?" Maxwell looked up into the eyes of his old friend.

Niles had no doubt the fact he was having a fling with C.C. would hit them hard, but they would melt at the sound of a baby. "I haven’t told them yet."

"Do you need some help with that old man? Remember they are coming here for Christmas."

Niles felt his heart pound. He had forgotten Maxwell invited his family for the holiday’s this year. C.C. would be into her seventh month by then. Niles could already feel the sweat form on his forehead. "We will deal with it then."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"What did you say to Maxwell again?" C.C. couldn’t help smiling.

"Come on, do I have to repeat this story again?" Niles was doing his best to prepare for the party. He, of course, found himself unable to tear himself away from her side, and spent another night on her floor. "Come on, Babcock…" He reached out for her in the fluffy robe. "Don’t you want to live with me?"

"Isn’t your lazy ass living here now?"

"Well, think of the benefits." Niles playfully pushed the robe off her shoulders, kissing the bare flesh. "You would have Miss Fine nearby."

"I wouldn’t list her under ’benefits’." C.C. rolled her eyes trying to escape from his arms. "Hey…"

"I want you… "He growled, keeping her close. "I want you in every way, Babcock." He leaned down feasting on her neck. "The servant’s grapevine is already at work… soon my parents will know of our little ’match.’"

"Don’t insult yourself, Niles." C.C. relaxed in his arms playing with his suit. "There is nothing ’little’ about you."

"Robert will soon find out as well."

"I’m not going back to him… ever…" Her face reflected a hidden pain.

"I know that." He kissed her cheek. "I know your divorce isn’t final, but… I want you someplace were I know your watched."

"So you can keep tabs on me?" C.C. let go of him for just a moment and Niles reached out, pinching her rear. "I have to get dressed Niles."

"You’re already over dressed!"

"Niles… don’t you have to get there early?" C.C. giggled as she was trapped against her closet wall all of the sudden. "Isn’t it wrong for you to be attacking a pregnant woman?"

"If you lived with me… being late wouldn’t be a problem." Niles pushed against her again pulling her into a deep kiss. "You’ve put one powerful spell on me witch…. All I can think about is you."

"Even when I’m this fat?" C.C. let out a sigh, reaching for her dress. She had to purchase something that would tastefully hide her weight gain.

"You’re not fat… just more of you to love."

"That line sooooooooooo doesn’t work…" C.C. groaned as Niles watched her slip off the robe.

"How about this?" Niles reached out grabbing her once again. "It’s a damn good thing you are pregnant."

"Becauseee?" C.C. smirked, waiting for his punch line.

"Because if I had gotten a hold of you sooner woman… you would be having triples by now." Niles chuckled as C.C. busted out into a fit of giggles. "So you’ll move in with me?"

"Yes…" She looked up into his eyes, and Niles reached out, hanging up her dress again. "Niles, you’ll be late…" C.C. groaned as Niles worked his way downward, kissing each curve.

"It will be more than worth it."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"I’m only a few minutes late." Niles walked in, all dressed in this black tux. Fran let out a nasal laugh, reaching him. "What?"

She carefully straightened his hair. "Don’t you look handsome." She glanced over her friend for just a moment.

"Thanks. You don’t look half bad yourself." Niles smirked, eyeing the nanny’s red dress. "Has Mister Sheffield seen you yet?"

"Nooooo…" Fran handed Niles his silver tray. "Why?"

"He’ll eat his heart out." Niles smirked as Fran went inside the kitchen laughing.

Niles reached the door and opened it. "Miss Babcock." He smiled as C.C. touched his cheek. "You look stunning."

She turned around, displaying the black dress. It showed off her body without giving away her condition. "Thanks." She let out a sigh, looking down.

"What’s wrong?"

"I could barely get into this." C.C. groaned handing over her coat.

"Then it should come off easily." Niles whispered in her ear, holding her close. "If anyone starts drooling over you… just remember who you belong to."

"Me... Myself and I?"

"Very funny." Niles groaned and put her coat away. Maxwell walked in the room, eyeing the pair with an odd expression.

"Take a picture, Maxwell." C.C. walked down the two steps. "It will last longer."

"C.C., thanks for coming." Maxwell started to blush as Niles gazed towards his employer. "I was rather shocked by Niles’ news."

"Call it a twist of fate then." C.C. gazed back towards the amused butler. "What?"

"I would call it a spell, but that’s just me."

"Listen servant, before I jumped your bones no one would have you." C.C. put each hand on her hips, eyeing Niles.

"Trollop, control those hormones." Niles raised his finger towards C.C. answering her challenge. "Forgive me sir, I forgot to feed her."

Fran walked inside the room to stand next to a grumbling Maxwell. "Miss Fine, remind me why I said yes to Niles again?"

"Because he’s your friend, and he needed help?" Fran rolled her eyes playfully. "Oy vey. Lighten up. What could go wrong?"

"A dozen things have crossed my mind in just the last few seconds." Maxwell let out a sigh, looking towards C.C. and Niles in the corner. "I’m worried about him."

"I would be worried for her." Fran let out a sigh as she turned her head towards Mister Sheffield. "How far along is she?"

"How the devil do you know that?"

"Pleeeeeeeeeeease…" Fran rolled her eyes. "She’s glowing, and not just because Niles is touching her thigh."

"Dear god…" Maxwell let out another soft whimper. "NILES!"

""Sir?" Niles walked over with his tray in hand.

"Can you show a little self control during this party?" Maxwell let out a whimper as the door bell rang.

"You heard him, Caca." Niles pointed playfully towards C.C. "No hexes and spells."

C.C. moved toward the front of the living room and watched as Maxwell’s backers came streaming in. She felt back in her element as she answered questions from one woman, and flirted with another man.

"It’s been a long time, C.C." One man kissed her hand, and C.C. let out a laugh. "I understand two of your shows are in the top twenty?"

"Top fifteen." C.C. narrowed her eyes. "How long has it been, William?"

"Four years… Maxwell should have never let you go." William moved in closer. "I’m sorry about your marriage to ‘what’s his name.’"

"The name was Robert." C.C. let out a sigh feeling the old wound being rubbed raw. "Thanks, but you know in the end…."

"He’ll get his?" William smirked, taking a glass of wine from the tray a server was offering him. "Thank you… C.C.?"

"No thanks…"

"Well that’s a sign the world’s coming to an end." William let out an amused chuckle. "I have never seen you turn down a drink before."

"Well things change."

"Let me ask you something." William’s eyes darkened for just a moment. "Is Maxwell taking you back?"

"Taking me back?" C.C. raised her eyebrow, looking perplexed.

"I would make sure Maxwell was set for life with any play he produced if you two would start back up your partnership again." William winked, putting the glass back down. "Something to think about… isn’t it?"

C.C. watched as the man went towards the other side of the room, greeting old friends. "Oy, you okay …?" Fran walked up, taking the woman’s arm. "Miss Babcock?"

"I’m fine..." C.C. raised an eyebrow in thought. William Harrison was one of D.D.’s oldest school friends. He had invested in many of Maxwell’s shows. He looked like a body builder, but under that muscle was a viscous business man.

"Who’s the hunk?" Fran’s eyes tracked towards William, who raised another wine glass in the direction of the two women.

"Trouble." C.C. shook her head quietly. "He’s way out of your league, Nanny Fine."

"He’s male... So that makes him in my league." Fran let out a nasal laugh, causing C.C. to groan.

C.C. watched as Fran joined William. "Oy, this can’t be good." C.C. turned her head to see a pouting Maxwell watching his nanny.

"Maxwell has a crush on the nanny." C.C. found her smile growing.

"She is one hell of a woman, but not enough curves." Niles was softly whispering in her ear. "What were you doing flirting with that man?"

"Why? Are you my keeper?" C.C. mumbled back quietly, pretending not to pay attention to him.

"Maybe… didn’t you give me permission to lash anyone that came sniffing around you?" Niles quickly moved on, seeing someone signaling for him to take his glass away.

C.C. found a few more people willing to back Maxwell’s newest plays, and quickly moved over, handing Maxwell the spoils. "Did William talk to you?"

"He did…" Maxwell smirked as C.C. let out a sigh. "It would be fun for you to come back…. It would end my parade of assistants." Maxwell pictured his last assistant his mind letting out a soft groan.

"I’m not coming back to be your lackey, Maxwell."

"I wasn’t talking about becoming my assistant again." Maxwell tilted his head. "How about it?"

"I’ll think it over, Maxwell." C.C. smiled brightly. "I still have a few things to think about, and then there’s ….. my production studio… and…" C.C.’s mind reflected on her sister.

"C.C…. I’m sorry... I didn’t realize..." Maxwell was looking up towards the door to notice Robert standing, scanning the room.

Niles felt his heart pound as he noticed Robert. "How could I have been so stupid?" Niles mumbled quietly, remembering that neither he nor Maxwell had scanned over the guest list.

"This is going to be good." C.C. mumbled quietly, feeling her blood starting to boil in her veins. She quickly tilted her head to see Niles’s pale face. "Don’t worry Maxwell… Nothing is going to happen." C.C. felt her fists relax and let out a soft sigh.

"Maxwell!" Robert came over with a huge smile on his face. "C.C." He tilted his head towards his wife as people mingled around them and danced quietly. "I see all is in hand." His eyes glanced down towards her belly.

"Enjoy the party." C.C. moved away, trying to burry herself in the party.

"Robert… If I had known you were coming." Maxwell felt his cheeks flush.

"So you know about our separation and divorce then?" Robert rubbed his cheek as Maxwell quickly nodded.

"I hope you don’t want to make trouble here."

"That’s up to C.C." Robert walked over taking a cup off of Niles’s tray.

"I think you want the poisoned one, sir." Niles glared as Robert took a huge gulp of the wine.

"I want you to know something… Niles…" Robert glared into the servant’s eyes. "Just because she betrayed me… doesn’t mean you can have her." Robert whispered softly in his ear. "You think… a Babcock would have you? She’s beyond your reach, servant."

"I have her because you couldn’t face the fact… she’s beyond… not me, but you." Niles flashed a coy smile, walking away. He quickly reached her side, whispering in her ear. "Are you done yet?"

C.C. shivered as Niles’s hand touched her leg. She turned, taking a glass off his tray. She had been doing that all night, taking wine glasses from the waiters, but she hadn’t touched a drop. "Are you hovering around me, servant?"

"You don’t have to be here now."

"We bend but never break." C.C. locked eyes with Robert. "I’ll be fine, Niles."

"It’s not you I’m worried about." Niles mumbled as C.C. went towards another one of Maxwell’s backers.

"Oy what’s wrong Niles?" Fran leaned against her friend. "Your face is all pale, and Mista Sheffield’s face is twisting like I did something wrong."

"I’m just wondering if Babcock can keep herself under control." Niles watched as Robert moved towards C.C.

"Is that the man… Miss Babcock was married too?"

"Still … for now…" Niles let out a growl under his breath.

"Oy vey this can’t be good…intercom?" They noticed Robert leading C.C. towards Maxwell’s office.

"Intercom." Niles nodded as the two ran into the kitchen, leaving Maxwell with his guests.

"Shouldn’t we let our lawyers settle things?" C.C. sat on the corner of Maxwell’s desk as Robert lowered himself onto the green couch. "What do you want?"

"I’ve been hearing rumors…."

"Which are none of your business…." C.C. stood up, shaking her head. "Alright our little talk is over with."

Robert reached up, touching her arm.

"You want to remove that before you loose it." C.C. smirked as Robert let go. "What do you really want?"

"I want to know how your parents are going to feel once they figure out that thing you’re carrying… is a servant’s child."

C.C. let out a laugh. "I was honorable towards our marriage."

"It doesn’t seem like it." Robert eyed her belly. "Now I know why you wouldn’t stick to our agreement."

"Enlighten me please."

"You’re just like your father." Robert opened the door to the office.

"God I hope so." C.C. smirked as Robert shut the door. "At least he has some style." She touched her belly, mumbling to herself quietly, and sat down on the green couch.

"Are you alright?" Niles appeared if by magic in the doorway and pulled the office door shut.

"Robert didn’t do much damage… well not as much as I’m going to do to him down the road."

"Well…" Niles blushed as C.C. moved closer towards him.

"Did you think I needed your help? Or were you afraid of something else?" C.C. now had Niles backed up against the door.

"Babcock… Mister Sheffield said no spell casting." Niles reached out, touching her dress, and wrapping her in his arms. "I was… worried about something…" He shivered as C.C. pushed her curves into him.

"Did you tell me the other night you had fantasies about me on this green couch?" She leaned over, kissing his lips, and engaged the lock.

"C.C…. We need to behave." Niles could hear the party guests outside the door, and remembered there were yet another two hours left. Niles’s lips trailed downward, his tongue teasing her exposed cleavage. "We need to…"

C.C. pushed his jacket off his shoulders, displaying a wicked grin. "I know."

Niles felt his hands entangle in her hair, pushing her lips against his. He found it odd that he wanted to make love to a pregnant woman. "C.C." He inhaled her perfume and found the zipper on her back. He then managed to turn off the intercom, remembering that Miss Fine could be still listening.

C.C. felt his arms crushing her, and let out a playful growl as Niles pushed her back upon the green couch. His hands started to pull the dress upward as C.C. undid his belt. "Niles…"

Her light touch had worked him into a frenzy state as he kissed her lips again, exposing her bare body to eyes hungry eyes.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Miss Fine." William walked up again, taking her hand. "May I say… of all the things Maxwell has here… you’re his greatest treasure." He winked, kissing her hand again.

"Lay off the hired help here, William." Robert came out of the hallway.

"Now what’s wrong with you, Robert?"

"He’s eating a little crow." Fran smirked as another waiter came in and grabbed a new tray. "What’s wrong Mista Davis?" Fran tilted her head. "Does the truth hurt?"

"Doesn’t Maxwell put a muzzle on you?" Robert walked out, leaving Fran’s jaw hitting the floor.

William reached out for her hand. "Let it go... He’s already lost a lot."

"What he’s going to loose is a few teeth." Fran twisted her hand out of his.

"I would hate to see such lovely hands go to waste." William said, and Fran melted in the doorway.

"Go on…"

Maxwell walked in, seeing his nanny giggling. "William?" He walked up putting down a few wine glasses. "Why aren’t you two in the living room?" Maxwell looked like a little boy who had just lost his best friend.

Fran groaned, looking towards the intercom. "I was… ermmm…"

"I was just borrowing your lovely nanny." William kissed her hand as Maxwell groaned. "Something wrong, Maxwell?" Maxwell quickly left the kitchen, causing William to smile. "He has a thing for you."

"Oy…" Fran rolled her eyes. "He’ll never do anything about it." She recalled the countless rumors she had heard in the living room about William Harrison. "What about you and… D.D. Babcock?"

"She’s been burned one too many times." William let out a sigh eyeing the nanny. "We could help one another."

"What do you have in mind?"

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. was unsure how she ended up on top of Maxwell’s desk as her legs wrapped around his waist. The primal lust had a hold of them again, as she fought back her moans.

Niles could no longer help himself, as he took her mouth. He felt the echo of her moans as he kept on worshiping her body. "Love you…" he mumbled as they broke the kiss.

C.C. leaned up as they both found release. "Your going to cause me all sorts of problems, aren’t you?" She reached out stroking his cheek.

"Just stick with me." He looked around the office. "Bloody hell." Niles quickly reached down pulling up his slacks.

The room was a mess with items tossed everywhere. "Here I’ll…" C.C. moved to reach for something but Niles waved her off.

"I’m sorry, but… I know were every little item goes."

C.C. titled her head watching he move around the room. She straightened her dress letting out a sigh. "Niles…"

"Something wrong?" Niles stopped looking towards a teary eyed C.C. "Did I hurt you?"

"No… No…" C.C.’s body shook. "I’m just scared."

Niles shook his head playfully, recalling her hormones. "Babcock, everything will turn out alright."

"Robert thinks I cheated on him ...with you..."

"Well…" Niles was about to make a comment, but reached out holding her. "I’m sorry love."

"I would never do that to you."

"You don’t seem to understand… I don’t think anything can or will come between us." Niles let out a sigh kissing her softly.

"I normally make a mess out of everything." C.C. whimpered as Niles kissed her cheek.

"This is just your hormones talking, Babcock." He reached for her zipper helping her finish dressing. "Remember, no one messes with you?"

She nuzzled his hand. "Do you really want me living under the same roof as Nanny Fine?"

"Well, it means there would never be a dull moment." Niles’s hand snaked down towards her growing belly. "Besides, I don’t want you living alone when that little bundle decides to show up after the New Year."

"Do you think Maxwell will let you off work tomorrow for another appointment?" C.C. had been afraid to ask him since the last appointment.

"Why haven’t you asked me sooner woman!" Niles lowered his head pouting like a small boy. "Have you been hiding something from me? Twins perhaps?"

"No bell boy, I have triples going under here." C.C. rolled her eyes, feeling more normal now.

"Well… you are more woman than I can handle, so that explains things."

"Watch it, Rochester." C.C. handed him yet another one of Maxwell’s desk items off the floor. "Niles, do you hear that?"

"I don’t hear anything." Niles tilted his head towards the door. "What time is it?"

"It’s a little after midnight." C.C. pointed towards Maxwell’s broken desk clock. "I think the party is long since over."

"Come up stairs with me." Niles held out his hand and C.C. nodded slowly.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Hello?" Niles reached for the phone before a sleeping C.C. could wake up.

"Well, well hello to you too bro." Beth’s voice was full of good cheer. "I want to thank you for taking me out of the hot seat."

Niles let out a soft groan getting up out of bed and walking inside his bathroom, putting on a white robe. "What’s going on, Beth?"

"Mother heard something from Alice, who just came back from the states a few days ago." Beth let out a sigh, playing with a pen. "Something about a ‘Niles’ having an affair with C.C. Babcock."

Niles buried his head in his hands, trying to picture his mother’s reaction. "How did she take it?"

"Quietly." Beth let out a sigh making sure her door was shut tight. "It was strange, but you know mum."

Niles lifted up his head. "You know she’s moving in."

"Really? Do I hear wedding bells in the future?" Beth jumped up and down, allowing herself a soft yuppie of joy.

"Don’t get too excited. Her divorce isn’t final yet." Niles looked up in the mirror. "What did dad say?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Niles felt his whole body shiver. "Come on sis give me something to go on here."

"Well… That’s all I have." Beth let out a sigh. "What else is going on there? How is Fran working out?"

Niles quickly told her some of Fran’s exploits. He then turned towards the clock, letting out a sigh. "I’ll give you a call later, sis." He hung up, walking out of the bathroom and into the darkened bedroom. He pulled off the robe sliding into the bed next to C.C.

She turned over, feeling his warm body. "Where did you go?" She mumbled quietly as her hand started to work on his chest.

"Beth called." Niles’s eyes rolled in the back of his head. "Woman! It’s four in the morning. Don’t you have to go into the office?"

"I would rather go in happy." C.C. pressed against his body.

"The appointment too…"

"So we’ll both be a little tired tomorrow." C.C. pressed onward as her hands reached out, causing Niles to moan loudly.

"You’re trying to kill me." He rolled her over onto her back, pressing her into the mattress.

"You’ll die happy then."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Well, well don’t we seem happy this morning." D.D. smirked as C.C. walked inside her office. "Don’t you have an appointment today?"

"In two hours... Niles is picking me up." C.C. let out a sigh. "William was at Maxwell’s party last night."

"This should worry me because?" D.D. rolled her eyes playfully.

"He’s offered Maxwell and me a lot of money to start up a partnership." C.C. watched as her elder sister just shrugged.

"How ’nice’ of him."

"What’s wrong?" C.C. reached out touching her sister’s hand. "I say his name and your eyes start to cross."

"William is a sore subject with me, C.C." D.D. stood up, putting up a file.

"Sore because you let mother get to you?… or sore because she told you wrongly his father was your father?" C.C. let out a chuckle and D.D. groaned.

"You never know… next thing you know … She’ll be telling you Niles is your half brother, and watch that kill your relationship."

"Mother knows better than to mess with me. And besides, didn’t daddy’s DNA test once and for all disprove any claim?" C.C. glanced at the newspaper. "Dee?"

"What?" D.D. seemed to slink back towards her desk.

"Where is the gossip column?"

"They forgot it this edition?" D.D. let out a groan as C.C. displayed the cut out. "You don’t want to see it."

"Yes I do..." C.C. reached out, holding her hand open.

D.D. let out a soft sigh pulling the cut out article from the desk. C.C. reached out and started to pace.

"Butler beds the heiress?" C.C. let out a chuckle. She tilted her head, displaying a playful smile. "He does more than just bed me."

"I so don’t need to hear this." D.D. buried her head for just a moment. "So you realize that the offer is still on the table from the network to buy out the studio."

"I’m not sure…"

"The hormones have you all messed up, don’t they?" D.D. let out a sigh. "I remember with Zoe, how I even started crying to mother."

"God keep her away from me."

"I’m trying, but it won’t be long before she sees this article?" D.D. shook her head. "How long before daddy sees it?"

"Wait, are you changing the subject on me? What about your feelings for William?" C.C. smirked as D.D. let out a soft but loud groan.

"History… in the past…"

"Yeah right…" C.C. rolled her eyes, walking in the office. "In the past, and I’m Betty Crocker." She settled down, still holding the article, and noticed her answering machine.

*"This is your father, and you should give me a call…" * Stuart’s voice sounded wounded as it filled the room.

C.C. looked at the article again and let out a groan. "Robert’s going to get my foot up his ass for this." She shook her head, realizing that the article said she was pregnant. She dialed the number quickly. "Daddy?"

"How do you feel this morning, kitten?"

"Fine…. I trust you have seen the article." C.C. felt her teeth grinding. She made a mental note of the price Robert was going to pay before all was said and done.

"When were you going to tell me, kitten?" Stuart was more than slightly annoyed. "When the child was eighteen?"

"Well twenty-one but who is counting." C.C. let out a soft chuckle, but was greeted by silence. "Daddy... I was going to tell you."

"I heard from Robert he wants half your condo."

C.C. felt her jaws tighten. Robert felt betrayed? Robert felt hurt? "Are you taking his side?"

"I talked to him this morning." Stuart let out a sigh. "I understand were he’s coming from."

‘*Somehow I doubt that.*’ "Daddy… stay out of this please."

"Kitten…" Stuart let out another disappointed sigh. "I’ll talk with you later." He quickly hung up the phone leaving C.C. feeling rather cold inside. "DEE!"

"You screamed?" D.D. walked in putting down a few more papers. "What’s wrong?" D.D. narrowed her eyes, noticing her baby sister’s torn look. "Are you alright?" She reached out in an act of tenderness.

"Robert’s been talking to daddy…. He thinks…." C.C. felt her lower lip tremble.

"Well tell him the truth. That Robert was a jack ass that left you because you wanted to keep your child." D.D. let out a growling noise, and C.C. raised her hand.

"Is Robert giving you any trouble on the divorce?"

"The agreement is in place... If he wants anything more…. He’ll have to stall." D.D. leaned over the desk, looking at her sister. "I’ll take care of it."

"Dee?"

"Hey... Didn’t you take on mother and father after I became pregnant?" D.D. flashed a soft smile. "I’ll handle, Robert."

"Dee..."

"Trust me, little sister." D.D. leaned in the doorway, letting out a huge chuckle. "I’m a Babcock after all."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Miss Fine?" Niles watched as Fran was helping little Gracie put on her coat. "Where are you and Miss Grace off to?"

"William is meeting us for lunch." Fran let out a nasal giggle as Grace nodded madly.

"Is he now?" Grace walked down as Niles turned towards Fran. "What are you up to?"

"Who me? Can’t a girl meet a friend for lunch?" Fran let out a nasal laugh and Niles narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, and I’m just ‘hovering’ around C.C."

Fran narrowed her eyes towards the butler. "Come on Niles."

"Come on nothing." Niles let out a husky chuckle as Maxwell entered the room. "Sir?" He tilted his head towards Maxwell’s look.

"Where is Miss Fine going?" Maxwell had a lost puppy dog look in his eyes.

"Why not ask her?" Niles smirked as Fran stood in the doorway.

"Come on Gracie!" Fran yelled out as both men covered their ears. "We are just having lunch with William."

"William Harrison?" Maxwell walked up to stand next to his nanny.

"Yeah." Fran took Gracie’s hand and flashed a smile. "See you later, Mister Sheffield."

Niles smirked, watching Maxwell twist his hands in pain. "You know sir... If you really want something you should just reach out and take it."

Maxwell tilted his head towards his butler. "Doesn’t C.C. have an appointment his morning old man?"

"Yes sir…" Niles moved away from him. "The contractors are upstairs working on the third floor as well."

"Good…" Maxwell walked away whimpering.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Caca." He eyed C.C. who was shifting on the table. "Be still."

"Did you see the article?"

"Yes." Niles rolled his eyes. "Mister Sheffield pointed it out to me this morning." He reached over taking her hand. "Try to focus on that little one."

C.C. let out a sigh. "I guess there is no point in hiding my growing belly anymore."

"I think it makes you look fairly attractive, wench." Niles leaned in closer his lips lightly touching hers. "When we leave here, how about we play naught socialite and bad butler?"

"Niles…." C.C. let out a sigh. "Tell me something."

Niles was falling apart under her tender stroking of his face. He was used to the ‘bitchy’ C.C., but her tender side was always shocking. "Anything…"

"What’s your last name?"

Niles let out a groan. "Babcock… now that’s not fighting fair." He shivered as C.C.’s hand started to explore.

"Please tell me…"

"Lancaster." Niles smirked as C.C. flashed a playful smile. "Coming up with an insult, Babs?"

"I’ll save it for later." C.C. turned her head as the doctor cleared her throat. "Hello, hello…"

"Would you two like to get under way? Or shall I give you a few more minutes."

"We’ll behave." Niles blushed as the doctor wheeled in the equipment.

"Now, C.C. do you want to know the sex of the child." The doctor narrowed her eyes as Niles smirked.

"Remember our bet, Babcock." Niles leaned over as the doctor exposed her belly.

"What bet was that?" C.C. looked up annoyed.

Niles whistled as the doctor started to look around. "You’ve gained extra weight this time C.C."

"Yeah… be sure to remind me." C.C. rolled her eyes at the doctor.

"Well... Well... Aren’t you in for a handful." The doctor let out a playful laugh.

"Why, what? Who?" She blinked as Niles let out a roaring laugh.

"It’s a boy, Babcock… "

C.C. let out a soft groan. "The next one better be a girl, servant." She let out a hiss after finishing the statement.

Niles blushed. He rather loved the ways she said the ‘next’ one. "Yes, Miss Babcock."

The doctor rolled her eyes, scanning the baby making sure everything was fine. "Looking good, C.C."

"So can I have the baby at home?" C.C. fluttered her eyes, and Niles let out a groan.

"C.C." Niles and the doctor both gave her a glare.

"Well I hate hospitals…"

"C.C. you’re going to have to decide on what type of birth." The doctor let out a sigh as C.C. once again groaned, holding Niles’s hand.

"Is it too late for someone else to have him?" She looked down, and the doctor let out a soft laugh.

"I’m afraid so." Niles smirked touching her belly, and C.C. quickly covered it after the doctor was done.

"I’m going to give you a few more things." The doctor handed them over to Niles. "There is plenty of time for her to consider everything, but knowing her…"

"I’m still in the room." C.C. snickered folding her arms.

"I’m sorry, C.C." The doctor displayed a coy smile. "I know at least Niles remembers things."

The doctor left the room and Niles reached out to touch her face. "Are you disappointed?"

"No…" She let out a soft sigh. "Scared… I don’t think I can handle a boy."

"He’ll love you." Niles leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Are you working today? Or can we go back to your place and pack up some?"

"I would rather do something else." C.C. giggled as Niles blushed again.

"Down girl." Niles smirked and handed her the purse she left lying on the counter. "You’re still lucky he isn’t triples." Niles winked watching C.C. groan. "Any idea on a name yet?"

"I’ll think of something."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The months moved along fairly quickly as C.C. moved into the makeshift apartment. She noticed her sister’s growing annoyance with Fran Fine and William Harrison’s new romance. Maxwell was in the same state as D.D., walking around with puppy dog eyes every time Nanny Fine had a date. C.C. found her father distant and cold towards her. If Stuart was cold then B.B. and Noel were both on a terror about the end of her marriage. Robert had been a close friend to Noel, and he quickly sided with him, sighting that C.C. had a ‘long standing affair’ with Niles. Noel’s reaction was tamed compared to B.B.’s, who was threatening to find a way to disinherit her.

"Stop looking like that, bell boy." C.C. shifted her rather large belly around. "Mother can’t touch my trust fund… Grandmama set it up long ago."

"Still…." Niles lowered his eyes, pulling her into their shared bed.

"Even if she does find a way," C.C. rolled her eyes playfully. "I have five million dollars of my own money." She pulled on his body. "So you’re still a gigolo."

"Thank god… I would hate give up my day job." Niles purred, his hands roaming over her silk gown.

"Watch it bell boy." C.C. let out a whimper. "The doctor told us no funny business."

"You’ve been under stress with your family." Niles looked towards the calendar, smiling. "Tomorrow is the day!"

"Are we celebrating this?" C.C. felt her heart pound in her chest thinking about the end of her marriage.

"I think we are." Niles teased, letting out a husky chuckle. "I have an idea for some sport."

"I’m listening…" C.C. chewed on her lower lip.

"How about we fix things for your sister and Mister Sheffield." His hands started to stroke her back slowly, causing her to let out a groan. "What’s wrong with a little sport?"

"D.D. is pouting at the office… She won’t say anything, but I know she still cares for him."

"What happened to them anyway?" Niles shifted back. holding onto her as C.C. let out a soft sigh.

"Mother…" C.C. rolled her eyes. "I want to see her happy, Niles."

"On to other subjects… My parents and sister are due in next week." Niles tilted his head watching C.C. blush. "They won’t bite you."

"Like my family has been soooooooooooo supportive?" C.C. rolled her eyes, touching her belly.

"You could tell them all the truth." Niles narrowed his eyes and C.C. shook her head. "Why not?"

"I’m going to have the baby, and let the cards fall were they may." C.C. reached over, touching his chin. "At least I have you." She lowered her eyes for just a moment. "Do you think your parents will love me?"

"They are reasonable people, C.C." Niles lifted up her chin. "I’m sure they’ll ready the adoption papers when they get to know you." Niles brushed her long locks out of her face.

"Maybe I should…"

"Maybe you should nothing… I’m not leaving you woman, and you’re staying here." Niles pinched her playfully. "They won’t be here for a while."

"D.D. was in love with him during high school and college." C.C. shook her head. "D.D. has done nothing but go from one failed relationship to another."

"Come on…. We can help them, and spread some good cheer."

"I’m not really the type of person who ‘helps’ others, Niles." C.C. rolled her eyes, and Niles let out a playful whimper. "What?"

"You’ll do it for me… you’ll do it for the sister who has stood beside you." Niles smirked as C.C. melted in his arms.

"You have a point."

"Are your hormones bothering you again?" Niles raised his eyebrow playfully.

"No, why?" C.C. smirked as Niles let out a chuckle.

"You’re agreeing with me."

"I’m bored Niles, and I can’t wait for this kid to be born in two months so I can get my figure back." C.C. reached out, placing Niles’s hand on her belly. "Did you feel that?"

"He’s having a Babcock fit, no doubt." Niles chuckled, keeping his hand on her belly.

"I don’t think I can go three months without…." C.C. felt her lip tremble. "You know."

"Just think, when this kid is born we’ll start to work off all your extra weight." Niles pinched her rear.

"Are you still making jokes about my weight?"

"Just wait." Niles tilted his head. "You’ll enjoy my exercise program."

"You’re twisted." C.C. shook her head.

"I try my best." Niles got up out of bed, letting out a groan. "I’m going to take a shower. Want to join me?"

"We aren’t supposed to be playing with fire." C.C. pouted as Niles went off for another cold shower. "I should have hogged tied mother when I had the chance." C.C. started to recall the day B.B. came over, causing C.C. to go into premature labor pains. C.C. rolled over, grabbing the ringing telephone. "Hello, hello."

"Well hello there!" Beth’s voice was always full of good cheer. "How are things going with you, C.C.?"

"Depends. Are your parents coming here with good cheer?" The last thing C.C. needed was to be at war with Niles’s family. She was sure she over heard Niles the week after she had moved in, taking to his mother about his lifestyle.

"Do you really want an answer to that?"

"No, lie to me." C.C. rolled her eyes, pulling up the covers even tighter.

"Well…"

"BETH!" C.C. let out a soft roar.

"They have been strangely quiet on the subject." Beth made a clicking noise with her tongue. "He calls and tells them about the baby."

C.C. felt a huge wave of guilt wash over her. "Beth… did Niles ever…"

"Tell me the full story?" Beth could hear the doubt in C.C.’s voice. "I think … It doesn’t matter."

"How can you say that?"

"Trust me… Just because Niles isn’t the blood father of your child... Doesn’t mean he loves it or you … less." Beth’s voice was thick with emotion.

‘*So Niles did tell her*’ "Beth does your mother know…? your father?"

"Niles needed someone to talk to, and well… Mum and dad don’t know." Beth felt guilty. "Please don’t be angry at him."

"He hasn’t told anyone else has he?" C.C.’s mind focused on the talkative Nanny Fine.

"I doubt it."

"Good." C.C. twisted the phone cord around her hand. C.C. glanced up to see Niles fresh from a cold shower and wrapped in a towel. "You’re not fighting fair, bell boy."

"Well… harlot that’s what you get for having your hands all over me." He reached for the phone and watched as C.C. went into the bath room.

"You know there are just some things a girl shouldn’t know about her brother’s sex life." Beth grumbled into the phone.

"Sorry." Niles sat down and pulled on his pj bottoms. "What’s going on sis?"

"Same old things... Different day… I’m visiting Nigel right now... I’m going to meet up with mum and dad in London before we head off to the states."

Niles let out a groan. "Last time you visited Nigel….."

"Don’t worry Niles… I’m not hanging around with any of his friends this time."

"The words being ‘this time." Niles shivered shaking his head. "Alright Beth. I’ll see you in a week."

"Keep an eye on C.C. She’s crafty!"

Niles hung up the phone and glared at C.C., wearing her towel. "Holy hell woman! We need to stop all this teasing!" He glanced up and down, taking in the full effect of her wearing nothing more than a towel.

"What’s your point?" C.C. giggled pulling off the towel and allowing Niles’s eyes to linger.

"There’s not going to be enough cold water in this house… that’s my bloody point!" Niles pulled her down once she had changed back into her silk nightgown.

"Learn to live with it, and we’ll blame the kid later for all the cold showers." C.C. smirked, holding onto him.

"Back to the subject of Spike." Niles had given her unborn son a nickname since C.C. refused to tell him the name she chose.

"No... I’m not going to tell you his name."

"Just a hint?" Niles put on his best pouting face.

"Come on bell boy, it’s past your bedtime." C.C. curled up, leaving Niles to wonder.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

D.D. glared down at the photo, feeling her gut twist. "What do I care? I don’t need him." She had been waiting, for about ten minutes, for C.C. to come downstairs. Niles let out a chuckle, walking up behind the eldest Babcock sister. "Find something funny, servant?"

"Mister Sheffield has the same look." Niles looked down at the photo of Miss Fine and William Harrison in the gossip page. "They do make a rather attractive couple."

"Yeah... Whatever." D.D. shifted as Zoe kept playing on the floor. D.D. watched as Niles joined the little girl on the floor. "Tell me something… How is it you can handle what happened with C.C.?"

"What do you mean?"

"You accept the fact she’s having another man’s child. You accept the fact she’s not rushing into marriage anytime soon. You accept her past." D.D. felt her stomach twist in pain.

"I accept it because C.C. accepts it." Niles winked.

"What do you mean?" D.D. glared towards a smiling Niles.

"I respect her…"

"Even when you were making her life a living hell when Sarah was a live?" D.D. tilted her head, studying Niles for a moment.

"I was making her life a living hell because she was out of my league." Niles let out a groan as Zoe started laughing at the butler playing with her nose."

"I’m still out of your league, servant." C.C. came waddling downstairs, letting out a groan.

"I could have come up there!" D.D. stood up.

"Our living room is still not finished upstairs." Niles glared towards C.C. "Caca here keeps changing it."

C.C. rolled her eyes, sitting down slowly on the couch. "I need ‘something’ to do." C.C. took the paperwork D.D. had for her. "How are things going?"

"One more month, and I’ll be out of the job." D.D. smiled playfully, but noticed her sister’s frown. "Hey, remember I’ve got a twenty million dollar trust fund to fall back on."

"Maybe it wasn’t a good idea…" C.C. felt her lower lip tremble.

"Caca…" Niles glared towards, her and C.C. let out a growl.

C.C. quickly signed a few pages, handing it back to D.D. "Well Niles, what’s your plan?"

"For?" Niles looked towards the sisters.

"To help, Dee." C.C. let out a chuckle, and D.D. looked like she was now caught in headlights.

"No... No, no, no..." D.D. stood up. "I have to get going." D.D. quickly bent down to pick up Zoe.

"Why not leave her here for the day, Miss Babcock?" Niles watched as D.D. was conflicted. "Your sister needs the practice."

"You gave Zack the day off, anyway… Might as well leave her here with us." C.C. watched as her sister nodded quietly. C.C. turned her head as D.D. quietly left. "What does Nanny Fine call it…? YENTA!" She pointed towards Niles.

"Come on, Caca… let’s play a game." Niles stood up holding Zoe. "I’ll even wager something worth fighting for."

"Realllllllly." C.C. smirked shifting on the couch. "I don’t think they’ll get together with your pushing."

"I won’t have to push too hard." Niles lowered his eyes towards her growing belly. "I’ll get Miss Fine, Mister Sheffield… Mister Harrison and your sister together."

"What do you want if you’re able to do this?" C.C. clicked her tongue and Niles’s eyes were still focused on her belly. "Because I don’t think you can pull it off before Spike is born."

"Well .. Give me two months."

"Two months it is, and now if you win what do you want?" C.C. smirked as Niles placed Zoe next to her.

"My name on his birth certificate." Niles rested his hand on her belly. He was fully aware what he was asking. It would be an unbreakable tie between them. "Chicken?" Niles watched as C.C.’s lower started to tremble.

*’Interesting enough bet’* "Alright Niles, but if you loose…." C.C. moved in closer whispering in his ear.

Niles turned scarlet red. "After the babe is born?" He tilted his head and C.C. nodded.

"Ewwwwwwwwwwww you two go get a room." Maggie walked in followed by her siblings.

"How would you children like to help me with a little project?" Niles stood up as Maggie picked up Zoe.

"No helpers, Niles." C.C. stood up rolling her eyes.

"Too late, Babs." Niles winked as Gracie let out a giggle. "After all this coming from a woman... Whose family saying is.... If you can’t win... Then cheat?"

"Miss Babcock, does your family really say that?" Brighton had a few water guns hanging around his back and C.C. managed to wiggle off the couch backing away from him.

"Mother did quite often." C.C. let out a snarl and shook her head. "Br… Bra"

"Brighton." He rolled his eyes, pulling out the water gun and hitting Niles with it.

"HEY!" Niles reached out but Brighton held onto C.C.’s legs. "Careful with her!"

"If you can’t win... You cheat." Brighton let out another giggle as Fran entered the room with Maxwell.

"Brighton! Stop using Miss Babcock for cover fire." Fran let out a groan. "You’ll never get a good shot from behind something so big."

C.C. looked towards the nanny with glaring eyes. "You better take that back, Nanny Fine." C.C. looked like a cat ready to strike out.

"Oy, you know I would trade places with you in a heart beat, Miss Babcock." Fran grabbed Brighton’s shoulder and the kid let out a yelp. "Come on you three. We are going out this afternoon."

"Where?" Maggie smiled as Niles let out a groan.

"William is taking us all to the zoo." Fran waved towards a grumbling Maxwell. "We’ll see you later, Mista Sheffield."

Niles smirked towards Maxwell, who had his hands up rubbing his temples. "Sir... Why don’t you just tell the woman how you feel?"

"It’s not proper. She’s the nanny, and I’m …"

"An idiot?" C.C. smirked as Maxwell’s jaw hit the floor. "O PLEASE Maxwell. Your eyes are always glued to her rear." C.C. reached over, towards a box of chocolates, with a smirk on her face.

"It’s just not right." Maxwell lowered his eyes.

"Like me fooling around with your butler is?" C.C. let out a cackle as Niles gave her a passionate glance.

"C.C. … Niles I don’t remember asking for your opinion on the matter." Maxwell let out a boyish whimper and headed back towards his office.

"You are sooo going to loose this bet, bell boy." C.C. watched as Niles twisted the newspaper in his hands.

"I’ll win." Niles leaned over kissing her cheek. "I’ll be right back."

"What are you doing?"

"Calling in reinforcements." Niles walked inside the kitchen mumbling quietly.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You want me to do what?" Beth let out a yawn while holding the telephone.

"I want you to come a bit early… today... I really need you… tomorrow ... I mean yesterday…." Niles let out a groan while making lunch. He held the phone tightly to his ear.

"I’m supposed to meet mum and dad…" Beth shook her head. "I suppose I could get an early flight over to the states."

"Good, good…"

"So what’s going on?" Beth sat up.

Niles filled her in on the details of his bet with C.C. Beth couldn’t suppress her small giggle, hearing what Niles would win. "What’s so funny?"

Beth recalled a few nights ago. C.C. had told her she had every intention of listing Niles as the birth father. "Nothing… it’s just that you’ve picked up some strange habits in the states."

"This is a serious bet…." Niles started to beat the mixture in the mixing bowl even quicker.

"Tell me something…" Beth rubbed at her eyes.

"What?"

"What does she get if she wins?" Beth let out a soft giggle, knowing what a devilish mind C.C. Babcock has.

Niles blushed, stopping his actions looking towards the ceiling. "Aren’t you the one telling me over and over again… there are some things a sister shouldn’t know about her brother?"

"Good point." Beth let out a snicker. "You and C.C. are so twisted."

"So she keeps telling me." Niles managed a smile.

"I’ll see if I can’t get a flight out." Beth shook her head slowly. "You owe me a big one, Niles."

"You can put it on my tab."

"That’s one hell of a tab, bro." Beth let out a yawning giggle. "I’ll give you a call in a few hours, letting you know what I can come up with."

"Alright, and Beth?" Niles put a tender tone in his voice.

"Yes?"

"Thanks!" Niles hung up the phone and let out a huge sigh. He felt his mind already working on traps and plans. He hung up the phone as C.C. waddled her way into his kitchen. Niles felt his heart pound in his chest looking at her.

"What?" C.C. reached inside the sub-zero, pulling out a carrot, and Niles wandered over pinning her to the closed door. "Niles…" C.C. giggled as Niles nuzzled her neck.

"Do you know how sexy you are?" Niles whispered as his hand started to tease her body.

"Niles…" C.C. let out a whimper, dropping her carrot. "You shouldn’t…" She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Niles’s mouth brushed against hers.

Niles dipped his lips down her neck. "I know I shouldn’t." Niles looked up at her with a wicked smile on his face. "But I want too."

C.C. pressed her body against his as the embrace grew more heated. "This is going to kill me."

"Just think of it as long foreplay." Niles wiggled his eyebrows playful and his hands brushed under her shirt.

"Niles…" C.C. shivered. "… in the…. Kitchen?" She mumbled, as Niles bent down to kiss her growing bare belly.

"I thought you loved danger." Niles smiled playfully, letting her go and straighten her shirt.

"I do… but not when there’s Zoe in the other room." She let out a chuckle, filling up a sippy cup.

"What is the small one doing?" Niles watched as C.C. closed her eyes. "Something wrong?" He touched her belly to feel the kick. "Ahhh another Babcock fit?"

"He’s doing that regularly." C.C.’s eyes rolled in the back of her head. "I’ll be right back." Niles watched as C.C. waddled from the kitchen back into the living room. Niles placed lunch in the oven and went to check on her. He let out a sigh, seeing the little girl asleep on the couch snuggling Miss Grace’s bear.

"She really is beautiful." Niles took C.C.’s hand.

"Your little boy will be beautiful as well." Niles watched as C.C. let out a whimper. "What’s wrong?"

"I just feel so lost lately."

"It will pass, C.C." He kissed her hand smiling.

"You know, my father tired to call us last night." C.C. let out a sigh. "I didn’t answer the phone."

"You can’t hide from him forever." Niles narrowed his eyes. "He’s your father."

"Who is playing tennis with Robert and golfing with him?" C.C. shook her head slowly. "I’m more than annoyed Niles." C.C. flashed a bitter smile on her face. "I’m not my mother, as Bort has been trying to drill into my skull for the past few decades."

"Your mother doesn’t have that ‘look.’" Niles smirked as C.C. turned around placing her hands on her hips.

"What ’look’ is that, bell boy?"

"Like an angel." Niles reached out, stroking her blonde locks out of her face.

C.C. melted, letting out a soft whimper. "I hope Spike knows what I’m giving up having him."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Zack let out a long sigh walking into C.C.’s office, finding D.D. buried in paperwork. "I know that look, Zack." D.D. grumbled, putting the paperwork aside. "Didn’t I give you the day off?"

"Miss Babcock." The elder butler sat down eyeing his employer. "How long have I known you?"

"Too long." D.D. let out a sigh. "What’s going on?"

"It’s really bothering you, isn’t it?" Zack looked down noticing that D.D. was looking at the picture. "Why don’t you call the man?"

D.D. pulled of her glasses, letting out a sigh. "I don’t want to…. Well."

"Your mother really did a number on you." Zack rubbed his chin slowly. "She did the same job with C.C. as well."

"I can’t blame my parents for everything, Zack." D.D. let out a groan. "Though, mother did almost cause C.C. to deliver prematurely."

Zack shivered, recalling B.B. Babcock’s harsh words towards her daughter. The image of finding C.C., curled in a ball on the floor, and B.B. Babcock to stunned to help, had never left Zack’s mind. "I’ll take care of your brother, mother and father… in regards to C.C…. and you… " His soft whisper was filled with pain. "You should at least tell William the truth about Zoe."

"Zack..." D.D. rolled her eyes watching him stand up. "Please don’t over do it… what ever you’re up too."

"Miss Babcock, a job worth doing… is worth doing well." He gave her a mocking salute and a broad smile. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"WEeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Gracie let out a giggle was William came in the door holding her. "That was fun. Let’s do it again."

William stopped and noticed Niles on the floor playing with Zoey. "Well look what we have here." William put Grace down and she ran towards the toddler.

"Oy!" Fran waved Brighton and Maggie upstairs and turned to face William, who was enchanted with the toddler. Niles watched as the little girl smiled at him.

"She likes you!" Gracie giggled.

"Come on Grace!" Fran’s nasal cry was loud.

"You better go on before Miss Fine wakes up C.C." Niles smirked as Grace quickly ran upstairs.

"How long has it been since you dated D.D.?" Niles watched as William touched the little girl’s head, causing her to break out into giggles.

"Sillie." Zoe pointed towards William.

"It… feels like forever…" William brushed the little girl’s hair out of her eyes.

"Why are your really dating Miss Fine?" Niles smirked, watching William’s face twist. "I have seen no sparks between you two, but you have been going out every night this week."

"Is Maxwell upset?" William had a sly smile on his face.

"Yes…" Niles tilted his head. "You and Miss Fine are just trying to annoy Mister Sheffield and D.D."

"Annoy is hardly the word… more like…."

"Annoy? Bug?" Niles chuckled as Zoe reached up pulling on William’s hair. "She does that." Niles smiled as William disentangled himself from the little girl. "Would you like some help dealing with D.D.?"

"What do you have in mind?" William smiled as Niles’s smile grew.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a groan, tossing around on the bed while sleeping.

*"You’ve been nothing but a disappointment to your father and me, C.C." B.B. Babcock’s eyes glazed over with annoyance. "It’s a pity. I hoped you would be different than your sister."*

"C.C." Niles shook her quietly as she did her best to lift up her head. "Are you alright?"

"Just another one of those dreams." C.C. let out a sigh. The past two months had been playing havoc with her sleeping habits. "What?" She noticed the growing grin on Niles’ face.

"Beth’s will be here tonight." He reached for her, pulling her form into his arms. "That way you both can finish the baby’s room."

"Can’t we just put Spike in a basket and be done with it?" C.C. brushed Niles’s hair. "It’s not like he’ll be sleeping in there for a while anyway."

"O yes he will! So I can have my wicked way with his mother." Niles snuggled against her body.

"Niles… didn’t we agree we would stop talking about sex?" C.C. let out a giggle.

"I don’t remember agreeing to that. And besides… would you like to take a cold shower with me this time?" Niles let go taking her hand. "We can look all virginal for Beth."

"Yeah right…" C.C. rolled her eyes. "We can’t really pull that off anymore." C.C. pointed towards her belly as Niles led her towards their bathroom. "This makes it hard." Niles expanded the plans Maxwell had for the upstairs apartment. He added a huge shower and bathtub… He and C.C. lost one of the rooms by expanding the bathroom, but it was well worth the hassle.

"There you go again, blaming Spike." Niles slowly unbuttoned C.C.’s blouse smiling.

"Well he is being a little pill today." C.C. leaned closer towards Niles, taking off his tie and his shirt.

"Like mother, like son." Niles let out a chuckle reaching for her bare body. "Come on, woman. Let’s go cool down the flames of passion."

"This soooooooo isn’t helping." C.C. giggled softly as Niles pulled her inside the shower.

"No, but it’s helping me." Niles found his hands roaming around touching bare skin. "Do you know how much I love you?" He whispered while nibbling her ear lope. His hands teased her with no mercy as the cold water hit their bodies.

"Is that why…." C.C. took a gulp an air between breaths. "you’re teasing me to death right now?"

"Remember, really long foreplay." Niles ran his finger in her wet hair, letting out a happy sigh.

"You are sooooo… going to pay for this bell boy… when all is said and done." Her arms wrapped around his neck, letting out the same sigh.

"I know… whips and chains."

"No, no bell boy... More like cuffing you to my bed." C.C. let out a hiss as Niles’s hands found the right path.

"Ooo tempting… You hear that Spike?" Niles leaned down playfully while keeping up his teasing. "Your mother is going to punish me."

"Nilesssssssssss." C.C. let out a low sounding hiss.

"Chastity?" Niles watched as C.C. looked outraged.

"Who… who …"

"It’s amazing what servants can find out." Niles’s hand pinched her. "Now come on, Caca… let’s have some careful and safe fun."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Beth let out a loud sigh as Nigel carried her bag. "I don’t understand why ya have to carry so much, luv?"

"Shhhhh …" Beth rolled her eyes as Maxwell’s jaw dropped. "Mister Sheffield!"

"Happy holidays, bro!" Nigel smiled, walking up to hug his shocked brother. "I wanted to surprise ya with Joseph and Marie, but Beth had to come early." Nigel looked towards the blushing girl.

Maxwell took his younger brother’s hand and eyed Beth. "You do remember she’s only nineteen?"

"I better run upstairs and see if Niles and C.C. are going to answer the door." Beth let out a nervous giggle as Nigel shifted his feet, cornered by his elder brother. Beth made it up to the third floor and rang a makeshift doorbell.

C.C. let out a sigh, pulling open the door while holding onto a giggling Zoe. "Maybe it’s your mother…. BETH!"

"Wow…" Beth quickly chewed on her tongue noticing C.C.’s size. "I bet you can’t wait until he’s born?" Beth took little Zoe from C.C.

"He’s being a pill." She waved Beth in. "Niles is still resting. We were expecting you around midnight."

"We took a private plane." Beth put down her bag as C.C. let out a groan. "What?"

"Niles still doesn’t understand this ‘friendship’ you have with Maxwell’s brother." C.C. waved Beth towards the small guest room. Beth tickled little Zoe’s cheek again and watched as C.C. went down the hall. "I’ll be right back."

"Niles?" C.C. pushed on his shoulder, and let out a yelp as Niles dragged her back down on the bed.

"I was just having this wonderful dream, and you woke me woman!" Niles’s hands started to explore the curves of her body.

"Your sister is here…" C.C. mumbled tilting her head back to give Niles better access.

"So she’s watching Zoe?" Niles kept on teasing her, yet again.

"NILES!" C.C. took his head in her hands. "She came with Nigel."

Niles let out a grumble, shaking his head. "Alright love…" He got up off her. "She’s in the guest room?"

"No I placed her in the laundry shoot." C.C. rolled her eyes as Niles helped her up.

Niles walked down the hall, tapping on the door. "Well, hello stranger." Niles let out a happy smile as Beth played with Zoe. "I’m happy to see you." Beth stood up, hugging her brother.

"So… I wonder why you haven’t trapped D.D. and this guy in a lock room and let nature take it’s course." Beth flashed a playful smile.

"I had planned on doing that, but... I need help with Mister Sheffield and Miss Fine."

"He’ll never cave… Maxwell Sheffield will never get over Fran being the ‘Nanny’." Beth let out a sigh and watched Niles’s face twist in pain. "Doesn’t mean that all hope is lost."

"What’s your idea?" Niles felt his heart pounding.

"How long do you have?" Beth chewed on her lower lip.

"Two months."

"I’m only going to be here a month, Niles." Beth let out a groan. "School will be starting back all too soon."

"I have a question... What is going on between you and Nigel?" Niles let out a sigh as Beth started to blush. "Do they know?"

"No, mum and dad don’t. And nothing …."

"Is going on?" Niles let out a groan. "Beth…"

"Listen to you." Beth smirked touching his cheek. "Does it matter you’re dating a blue blood too?"

"Just be careful. Nigel is rather…immature." Niles shook his head as Zoe reached up to touch them both.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Nigel…" Maxwell let out a groan. "How old are you again, because I bloody well keep forgetting!"

"Come on bro… Nothing major has happened. We just like each other’s company." Nigel rolled his eyes playfully as Fran walked in the room.

"Mista Sheffield." Fran walked in and Maxwell let out a groan.

"Well love there luv." Nigel stood up smiling. "Nigel Sheffield." He reached out kissing her hand. "You would be the lass Beth always talks about?"

"Fran Fine!" Fran let out a nasal laugh.

"Miss Fine… would you please?" Maxwell shook his head.

"Come on Max... Beth is an adult... And I’m not sleeping with her." Nigel rolled his eyes. "Even C.C. is hooking up with Niles."

"Don’t remind me." Maxwell let out a whimper as Fran started to laugh again.

"They can be a little loud." Fran let out a sigh, sitting on Maxwell’s desk.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Yeah... Right…" C.C. rolled her eyes towards Beth. "I’m not sleeping with Niles… either." She let out a groan as Beth touched her belly again.

"He’s kicking up a storm!" She let out a laugh as little Zoe touched her aunt’s belly.

"Babie!" The girl’s blue eyes looked up towards a smiling C.C.

"Spike..." She let out a giggle as the little girl nodded.

"That can’t be his real name?" Beth let out a sigh. "Come on... You can tell me."

C.C. shook her head slowly. "I know you tell your brother everything."

"It was worth a shot." Beth smirked as Niles walked in the room followed by D.D.

"Mama!" The little girl ran into D.D.’s arms.

"Has she been a handful?" She nuzzled her nose with the toddler.

"She’s been a little Babcock." Niles groaned as he sat next to C.C. "How much longer does Zack have off?" He handed the small child her teddy bear, and Zoe leaned over to kiss Niles’s cheek.

D.D. blushed. "He’s off doing something for me."

"Like?" C.C. narrowed her eyes.

"Research." D.D. nodded towards Beth. "You’re here early." D.D. felt the need to get the subject off her butler for just a moment.

"Yeah… Niles called in reinforcements." C.C. glared towards the smirking butler.

"Well I was getting outnumbered by all these Babcock women."

"She came also with Nigel." C.C. narrowed her eyes towards a blushing Beth. "He’s, no doubt, downstairs getting a Maxwell style lecture right now.

"A ‘bloody hell’ lecture." Niles shook his head.

"What’s wrong Niles? Are you worried about the age difference between Beth and Nigel?" D.D. smirked, watching Niles let out a soft groan. "Aren’t you at least a decade older than C.C.?"

"Two!" C.C. smirked watching Niles groan.

"Don’t you need to climb back inside your coffin, woman?" Niles glared towards the smiling C.C.

"See, I can’t train him." C.C. touched Niles’s cheek. "He now admits I’m a woman."

"You’re more than a woman." Niles leaned over to nibble her ear, causing both D.D. and Beth to groan.

"Feel sorry for me... I’m stuck with them." Beth rubbed her eyes, trying to get the image out of her mind. "I’m going to lay down..." She waved towards D.D. and Zoe.

"I better get going." D.D. shifted the little girl on her hip.

"Dee…" C.C. leaned in the doorway as D.D. turned around to face her little sister. "What is Zack doing?"

"You know Zack…" D.D. let out a sigh. "He didn’t tell me what he was doing exactly."

"What did he say?" C.C. felt her body shiver looking into D.D.’s blue eyes.

"That he would take care of things." D.D. shook her head slowly. "He needed time off anyway."

C.C. closed the door turning back towards Niles. "Okay servant… talk." She reached out, grabbing on his tie.

"C.C. you’re… choking me." Niles let out a groan, trying to untie his tie.

"What is Zack doing?"

"I don’t... know… bloody hell C.C.! Let me go!" Niles let out a hacking cough and C.C. released his tie.

C.C. waddled towards the couch, sitting down slowly with a pouting look on her face. "I want to go shopping with Dee tomorrow."

"Take Beth with you." Niles gestured towards the small guest room.

"So she can spy on me?" C.C. rolled her eyes playfully. "Niles…" C.C. let out a purring noise, reaching for his hand and pulling him down on the couch. "Tell me that everything is going to be alright." Her hand ran under his shirt, touching his bare chest.

Niles felt his eyes roll in the back of his head. "Woman!"

"Man!" C.C. giggled as Niles let out a whimpering moan.

Niles reached for her wrists, shaking his head. "You’re making my life difficult, C.C." He flashed a playful smile.

"Ditto!" She managed to free her hands and sat on his lap, causing Niles to whimper yet again.

"Beth is in the other room." Niles lowered his chin to his chest as C.C.’s hands started to roam. "We can’t do anything ... anyway, remember?"

"Beth knows enough to keep her door shut, and besides… we can still have ‘fun’." C.C. stood up slowly, and helped Niles to his feet. "Come on, let’s go to the bedroom."

"I’m going to explode before you have Spike." Niles followed behind her, trailing C.C. like a lost puppy.

"You’re the one calling this really long ‘foreplay’." C.C. let out a husky chuckle watching Niles whimper again.

"Even really long foreplay can start to get old after a while." Niles let out a groan as C.C. pulled him onto the bed. "I want my fill of you again over and over and over." Niles leaned over, tickling her ear with his tongue.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

D.D. rolled her eyes. "Well baby girl, looks like we are going to have a run in with the wicked witch of the world." She noticed the large limo in her driveway and pulled up next to it. "Don’t brother getting out mother." D.D. undid Zoe from her seat.

B.B. Babcock let out a groan. "I’ve been waiting for you ... For over an hour."

"Witchie!" Zoe let out a giggle as D.D. couldn’t suppress her own laugh. D.D. walked inside her house. "Mother... Go away…"

"Why are you supporting your sister living with that ’servant.’" D.D. narrowed her eyes.

"Because they are handy to keep around?" D.D. put Zoey in her play pen. "Don’t you have some children to scare, or Noel’s ass to kiss?"

"At least your brother as a proper life." D.D. put her coat to the side. "Where is that worthless butler?"

"Why are you here again?" D.D. let out a groan.

"I want you to choose between us and your sister." B.B. stood up, letting out a snarl.

D.D. twisted her face in pain. "Okay... Go away."

"Remember, I know all your dirty little secrets, and I would hate for the ‘issue’ to be harmed." B.B. had a sly smirk on her face. "You’re still not sure who the …"

"Back off mother… You’re not going to use me against C.C."

"Don’t mess with me, daughter dear." B.B. reached into the play pen and Zoe let out a whimpering cry. "I’m more than able to handle you, even if I can’t touch your trust fund or C.C.’s."

"Yeah, but are you PISSED off right now?" D.D. walked over, picking up her mother’s coat and purse, tossing them out the door. "Bye, bye mommy dear."

"Witchie!" Zoey let out another laugh as D.D. walked back into the living room.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"She did what?" C.C. let out a groan holding up the shopping bag.

"It’s either you or her." D.D. reached down handing Zoe a sippy cup, sitting down at the table. "You know Beth, I could have bought you that dress."

"That’s alright." Beth reached down tickling Zoe’s chin. "I’ll settle for you buying lunch."

"She might find her trust fund gone." C.C. rolled her eyes.

"Mother could do more damage than that." D.D. shifted her feet.

"You don’t have to stand by me." C.C. whispered quietly. "I can handle myself, Dee."

"You fight the battles you can win, and you fight the battles worth fighting." D.D. winked towards her sister. "Besides, baby sister, you’re buying lunch."

"Geeze thanks." She slowly waddled towards the waiting restaurant. C.C. let out a soft groan, causing Beth and D.D. to turn around.

"Sis?" D.D. reached out as C.C. grabbed her stomach.

"Noooo…" C.C. narrowed her eyes and reached out to touch Beth’s hand.

"Call 911 now." Beth helped C.C. down on a near by bench. "C.C., look at me." Beth reached out, touching her belly.

"Please god…" C.C.’s eyes were full of panic.

"Look at me." Beth put her hands on C.C.’s head. "Don‘t panic!"

"They’re coming." D.D. knelt down. "What’s going on?" She looked towards Beth and then looked down.

"D.D. focused on C.C." Beth knew what she was looking at. She took her pulse, trying to hold her own terror at bay. "Or call Niles." Her mind quickly raced towards thoughts of her brother, as C.C.’s eyes started to falter. "You’ve got to stay awake… listen to me.." Beth let out a whimper as C.C.’s eyes closed shut.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Beth felt her body shake as she sat in the ambulance. She reached, helping the EMTs connect wires to listen for the baby’s heart beat, and breathed of a sigh of relief as they made a turn. "Her blood pressure was dangerously low." Beth whispered softly towards the pair of EMTs working on keeping C.C. stable. One of the EMTs looked towards Beth, who nodded as it came to a stop. The men wheeled C.C. out, and Beth fought the urge to follow them.

"Beth!" Niles’s voice was full of panic as he was followed by a much older man. "What the bloody hell happened?"

"She went into premature labor." Beth closed her eyes for a moment. She reached out for Niles’s hand. "She’ll be okay, and I heard the baby’s heart beat on the way from the mall to the hospital."

Beth reached out, touching Niles’s arms and keeping him in the waiting room. "You can’t go in there." Beth placed the paperwork she had been given in Niles’s hand. "You need to fill this one form out."

"It’s alright lad… go sit." Zack guided Niles towards a seat, letting out a sigh as D.D. came walking up holding Zoe.

"What are her chances? What are their chances?" D.D. had a guilty look on her face as Beth shivered.

"It depends… Every hour that baby can stay put helps." Beth felt her jaw tighten. "This has happened before?"

"Mother and C.C. got into it last month." D.D. shook her head as Zoe rested her little head on her mother.

"Witchie!" Zoe giggled and Beth managed a smile.

Niles stood up, handing the paper over to the nurse. "I want to see her... NOW." Niles’s voice was rarely forceful.

"You’ll have to wait until the doctor is finished with her." The nurse blocked him, but Niles saw C.C.’s doctor.

"It’s alright…..come this way." She took his arm.

"What’s going on?" Niles followed her.

"She’s going into labor, but we are doing everything we can to stop it. Every moment... Every hour is critical…"

"If she has the baby now, what are Spike’s chances?" Niles felt his heart starting to pound in his chest.

"Every hour I keep him with C.C. his chances increase, but…"

"She’s going to have him tonight, isn’t she?" Niles turned his head for just a moment and caught a glance of C.C. "Can I see her?" He put on his best pouting face and turned towards the doctor.

"Not for long." She opened up the door, allowing Niles to follow behind.

"Niles…" C.C. reached out, touching his hand. C.C.’s face looked painfully pale as Niles reached out. "It’s too soon."

"Aren’t Babcock’s always early to any party?" Niles sat down taking her hand.

C.C. closed her eyes for just a moment.

"Don’t fall apart on me woman, or they might kick me out of her." Niles reached up, brushing away a long lock. "I love your long hair."

"Tell me he’s going to be alright." C.C. let out a whimper.

"He’s your son… He can handle anything." Niles’s face broke out into a huge smile. "He’ll make it, C.C."

"You do realize how much I love you?"

"Course this boy is cheating…" Niles lightly put his hand on her belly. "I was supposed to get my full two months!"

"If you can’t win... You cheat." C.C. let out a giggle touching his face.

"Niles." The doctor touched his shoulder.

"I have to leave for a bit…" Niles touched her cheek again. "Neither one of you go anyway, you hear me?" He leaned over whispering towards C.C.’s belly.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Oy.. How is she?" Fran walked up, hugging Beth.

"They’ve been able to slow the contractions for now." Beth smiled as Maxwell reached out to touch her hand. "Niles bullied his way back inside her room. Nigel is with the children?" Beth flashed a playful smile as Maxwell nodded.

"Mister Sheffield." Beth pulled Maxwell to the side. "I haven’t called my mum or dad yet."

"I’ll give them a call." He pulled her into a hug.

"Oy…" Fran shook her head. "How is Niles? I mean how is he really?"

"Scared." Beth let out a sigh. "Once he’s born the next thirty-six hours will be the most important."

"Why?" Fran’s nasal voice was soft.

"It’s the period where…." Beth felt her lower lip tremble.

"Don’t say it." Fran raised her right hand up. "Oy.. This is going to be a rather long night."

"Fran, why don’t you go home with the kids?" Beth put her arm around Fran’s. They passed by D.D. who was holding onto Zoe.

"I should really wait until Mista Sheffield comes back."

"Just go ahead… Nigel can only keep up with the playful threesome for so long." Beth let out a soft laugh as Fran reached over, kissing the young girl’s cheek.

"Just call me if Niles and C.C. need anything?"

"Prayers?" Beth folded her arms, and Fran nodded.

"Dee…" Beth walked up towards the blonde headed woman, now nuzzling her toddler on the couch. "Why don’t you go home? Zack and I will give you a call." Beth glanced over her shoulder, watching Zack pace up and down the hall.

"No…." D.D.’s voice was barely a whisper. "I’m staying."

"Dee…" Beth reached forward, pushing Zoey’s hair. "It’s going to be a long night."

"C.C. was the only one who came to the hospital when Zoe was born." D.D. shifted the little girl. "When we were children… all I had was my baby sister, and all she really had was me."

"When they were little girls… D.D. was more of a mother to C.C. than B.B." Zack was now behind Beth, smiling down at D.D. "Only three years older, and so protective over her."

D.D. stood up, putting Zoe in Zack’s arms. "Go home… So she can snuggle her teddy bear."

"Miss Babcock…." Zack let out a groan, and then nodded. "Alright, but call me please?"

D.D. nodded, standing by next to Beth watching him leave. "My father, for the longest time, thought that C.C. and I were products of mother’s affairs…" D.D. tilted her head towards a frowning Beth. "Zack’s been a father figure."

"Have you heard about Niles and C.C.’s bet?" Beth’s mouth twisted in pain, and D.D. shook her head.

"Nope, but I knew they have been giggling about something." D.D. rolled her eyes. "I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me."

"You…Fran…. Maxwell… and a Mister Harrison…" Beth tilted her head. "I think your sister needs to feel like things will work out for someone… so they engaged in a wild bet about you and Mister Harrison getting back together."

"What was the stakes?" D.D.put her hands on her hips looking towards the young woman. "Why are you telling me this now, anyway?"

"I just think you should think seriously about your feelings… Take a chance Dee…" Beth smiled as she noticed D.D.’s eyes. "If you tell him how you really feel… and what really happened…"

"C.C. didn’t tell you, did she?"

"Your sister wouldn’t betray your trust, but your situation is written all over your face." Beth felt her heart stop as the door opened. "Niles?"

"Would you like to go see your sister now?" Niles turned towards a nodding D.D.

"Are you alright? Is C.C. alright?" Beth touched her brother’s shoulder, guiding him towards a chair.

"She kicked me out, telling me to go eat something." Niles grumbled, sitting down in the waiting room chair. "NO, she threw a cup at me, telling me to go eat…."

"Women often get annoyed in the hospital, and she’s scared."

"She’s not the only one." Niles lowered his head. "Everyone else leave?"

"I sent them home, and Zack took Zoe home." Beth pulled on his shoulder. "Come on, I’ll buy you something out of a vending machine."

"It’s bloody torture, and even if she doesn’t have the baby, she can’t leave."

"This is the second time for her contractions, Niles." Beth led him towards a soup vending machine. "They have these at school."

"Did you talk to mum and dad yet?" Niles watched as Beth put in a few quarters.

"Mister Sheffield is at the airport right now." Beth let out a sigh as Niles’s jaw dropped. "Come on Niles… They heard C.C. and the baby were in trouble."

"They seemed so quiet about it… When I would talk about the baby." Niles watched as the cup went down and poured out some very liquid tomato soup.

"A grandchild an ocean away… do you expect them to be happy about that?" Beth smiled as Niles let out a groan. "Niles… they know…."

"They know what?" Niles walked over, sitting down and sipping at the soup.

"They know about Spike… the truth behind C.C.’s marriage." Beth watched as Niles’s jaw dropped. "No…" Beth raised up a hand. "I didn’t tell them anything."

"How?" Niles sat down slowly.

"Zack." Beth smiled as Niles’s lower lip trembled.

"What did they say?" Niles felt his hand shake. "I was blinded by the fact Robert left her… I never thought about…"

"They understand… Mum was proud of you." Beth smirked as Niles closed his eyes. "Hey are you alright?"

"I can’t loose either of them, and I won’t." Niles’s eyes drifted back towards C.C.’s room.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Maxwell!" Joseph smiled taking the man’s hand. "I thought Beth was coming to meet us?"

"She seems to be taking charge at the hospital." Maxwell took Marie’s hand. "Still as beautiful as ever." He kissed the woman’s hand and she let out a soft laugh.

"Always charming, Maxwell." Marie’s French accent was still thick, despite her years living in England. "How is C.C. doing? Any word on her or the baby?"

"I haven’t heard anything since leaving the hospital." Maxwell ran his hand in his hair, letting out a loud groan. "

Joseph followed Maxwell and blushed noticing the limo. "Maxwell, this isn’t for us?"

"I know how you feel about riding in a limo." Maxwell watched as the driver held open the door for them. "It was the best I could do."

"Niles needs our help, Joseph." Marie pulled on his arm. "We will talk about whether this is proper or not later."

"Very well." Joseph took his wife’s arm, leading her forward.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You should be home with Zoe." C.C. reached out towards D.D. "You shouldn’t be worrying about me."

"This is were all the cool kids hang out." D.D. took her hand letting out a soft laugh.

"They can’t keep up with the drugs much longer or it’s going to hurt him." C.C.’s eyes fluttered. "What’s going to happen?"

"He’ll fight on… you know Babcock’s are never late, and always early." D.D. reached up smiling, brushing one of C.C.’s locks out of her face. "You need a hair cut."

C.C. let out a chuckle. "Three years older than me, but you would think that you’re my mother."

"Well, someone has to look after you, baby sister." D.D. turned to notice the doctor in the doorway.

"C.C., if the baby’s pulse doesn’t go up in the next few minutes well will have to have you delivered." The doctor reached over, touching C.C.’s forehead. "I’ll go inform Niles."

"Dee…" C.C. glanced over towards her elder sister.

"Remember, we bend but never break." She flashed a smile as Niles came inside the small room.

"Your sister is plotting against me again?" Niles smirked, taking C.C.’s other hand.

"Only just mildly, servant." D.D. displayed a playful smirk.

"Niles…" C.C. reached out.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you afraid." Niles frowned, touching her cheek. "You know, even if I can’t be in the room with you." He wiped away a tear. "I’m always with you, even though I can’t be."

"C.C., it’s time." The doctor let out a sigh.

"We’ll see you when it’s over with." D.D. reached out, pulling Niles out of the room. "Come on now…" She whispered softly.

Niles let out a deep sigh outside her room and walked forward, encouraged by D.D. "Bloody hell, woman you’re as bad as your sister."

"Cranky servant." They both walked into the waiting room, and Niles let out a happy yelp.

"Lad!" Joseph walked up, pulling his eldest child into a huge bear hug. "How are you?"

"C.C. is being delivered." He looked over, reaching out for his mother’s hand. "Thank you, sir." His eyes glanced over towards a smiling Maxwell.

"My pleasure." Maxwell reached out touching his shoulder.

"Mum … Dad... This is D.D. Babcock." Niles smiled and let out a laugh as his mother pulled D.D. into a bear hug.

D.D. displayed a look like a deer in headlights. "Ermm... Ermm…"

"Something wrong dear?" Marie flashed a friendly smile.

"Marie and Joseph are fairly friendly." Maxwell whispered in D.D.’s ear. "You better get used to it."

"Hello." D.D. let out a husky chuckle, reaching over to shake Joseph’s hand. "Your responsible for this smart ass servant boy my sister’s involved with?"

"What has the lad done lately?" Joseph eyed Niles who let out a whimper.

Niles soon found his eyes drifting back towards the delivery room doors. He was soon joined by a smiling Beth.

"Why are you smiling?" Niles rubbed his chin looking at the time, and let out a loud groan at the early hour.

Beth turned him around as the both noticed William coming towards D.D. "Sometimes… brother dear... You need to tell the truth."

Niles watched as William introduced himself to his parents, and gently pulled D.D. to the side. "How did you…? What did you…? Beth?" He narrowed his eyes towards his smiling younger sister.

"Miracles happen once in a while… and I’m not done yet if Zack played his part." Beth clicked her tongue playfully. "Pardon me brother dear… I have to save you." She winked and followed to where D.D. had disappeared with William.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Come on, lad." Joseph walked a pacing Niles towards a chair. "You’re going to ruin such lovely carpet."

Niles watched the snow storm starting outside and let out a sigh. "It’s been almost an hour. What the hell are they doing to them?"

Beth started to open her mouth, but Marie shot her a quieting look. "Niles, it’s hard to have any baby under the best of circumstances."

"I should have been in there with her, bloody hell." Niles ran a hand in his thick hair letting out a sigh.

"Niles." Marie reached up, taking her son’s hand. "Tell me about C.C. again."

"If you tell me what Zack told you."

"He told us everything." Joseph displayed a soft smile. "How long did Beth know before us?" He eyed his youngest child.

"Bright… attractive… sexy…." Niles felt his heart pounding in his chest just thinking about C.C.

"Ewwwie…I have to go check on my project." Beth let out a sigh, touching her father’s shoulder and walking away.

"I knew she was out of bounds when I first saw her." Niles let out a groan lifting up his hands. He looked at his hands. "I never wanted her marriage to end the way it did."

"We know you didn’t." Marie let out a sigh.

Niles let out a sigh. "Niles?" The doctor’s voice was soft. Niles stood up quickly.

"Is she alright? How is Spike? Are they both okay?" Niles’s brain went a mile a moment as the doctor displayed a soft slow smile.

"She’s prefect… The baby is perfect." She reached out, taking Niles’s arm. "He’s five pounds… "

Niles waved his parents onward, but Marie put up her hand. "Go… I’ll stay here and wait for Beth… and D.D. to return."

Joseph let out a chuckle, kissing his wife’s cheek as he followed Niles and the doctor.

"He’s a little under weight and, of course, his lungs will need some time to develop." She led both men towards a viewing window.

Niles felt his heart melt looking past the window and towards the little boy surrounded by a protective bubble. "What are his chances?"

"Daniel’s chances are good! It will depend on the next 36 hours."

"Daniel?" Niles and Joseph both asked at the same time.

"Daniel Joseph." The doctor squeezed Niles’s arm. "Congratulations! I have a few things for you to sign."

Niles felt his lower lip tremble, looking at the birth certificate placed in his hand. "Son?" Joseph reached out, touching his son’s arm.

"Are you sure C.C. is alright?" Niles lifted up his head eyeing the doctor.

"She’s fine. You can see her in a few moments." The doctor folder her arms, waiting for Niles to sign the document.

"Go ahead lad." Joseph watched as Niles signed it, handling it back over.

"A nurse will be with you shortly, when C.C. is set up in her room." The doctor walked away smiling as Niles leaned up against the window, eyeing his son.

"She used your name but just reversed it." Niles looked back towards his blushing father.

"He’s a fine looking lad." Joseph reached out, touching Niles’s shoulder. "Now, when are you going to marry the woman?"

Niles did his best to hide his expression. "Dad, I don’t think C.C. will be ready for that." His mind started to picture Robert Davis. "I will wait… a witch is hard to trap when she feels cornered." C.C. had dared to share her son with him. Niles would love her openly and hope that, at some point, she would be open to the idea of marriage. He would wait on C.C.

"Look at those blue eyes." Joseph let out a sigh, watching as the small boy let out a huge yawn.

"Hold on… Spike." Niles chuckled. "Your mother will, no doubt, be demanding your presence."

"Niles?" The doctor’s voice rang out.

Niles turned around to see the woman’s face, now red and flushed. "C.C. giving you some problems?" Niles made a face and his father chuckled, watching his son grumble in pain.

"Can you help me out?" She reached out, pulling Niles along.

"Go on lad." Joseph watched as Niles walked off.

Niles opened the door to the private room to hear C.C. groaning. "Don’t come in here unless you’re bringing my SON!" Niles held the door open just a little, and felt the impact of something hitting the door.

"Caca?" Niles stuck his head in now.

"Niles?" C.C. let out a whimper, melting back onto the bed. Her whole body was on fire from the c-section. She was still under the effects from the rushed surgery. "Where is he?"

"He’s safe for now." Niles reached her bedside. "Stay still…."

"I want to see him." C.C. let out a faint whimper.

"Daniel?" Niles took her hand kissing it. "He’s safer where he is." Niles reached up, stroking her hair. "Spike still needs time to grow… he’s still awfully small, and his mother needs time to heal."

C.C. felt a throb of pain, letting out a soft whimper. "Is he going to be alright?"

"He will be." Niles closed his eyes for just a moment. "He’s going to need some time." Niles let out a sigh. "Would you behave yourself if you saw him?"

C.C. looked so pale, but nodded quietly. "Yes."

"You’re still weak, C.C."

"I want to see him." She buried her head in his shoulder. "Can you please make that happen?"

Niles felt his heart melt as C.C. gazed upon him like he was her personal hero. "If you behave and rest." Niles stood up, letting out a huge sigh hearing the door open. "It’s safe, doctor."

The doctor let out a long sigh walking back into the room. "I’m going to give you something to sleep."

"Niles?" C.C.’s bright blue eyes looked up towards him.

Niles pulled on the doctor’s arm. "She needs to see him."

"You don’t understand…" The doctor let out a sigh looking at Niles. "I’ll see what I can do."

"She needs this, and so does he." Niles let out a long sigh and watched the doctor leave.

"Niles?" C.C. felt her eyes starting to flutter as she fought sleep.

Niles sat down with her and smiled. "You know Babcock... This is rather unnatural." He pulled the covers up around her.

"What is?" C.C. mumbled softly.

"To see you beg…" Niles wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "You’ll be begging for mercy once I’m able to have my way with you again."

"Not a chance." C.C. managed a worried smile.

"We’ll see."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Joseph couldn’t hide his growing smile as he watched the small baby. "He’s a good looking lad." He turned to his worried wife. "What’s wrong?"

"Niles will want something more than just this." Marie let out a sigh as Joseph placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder. "He wants to marry her Joseph."

"After what she’s undergone… Let’s just be happy with our new grandson."

"It is a rather wonderful Christmas gift." Marie hugged him, laughing husband.

"D.D. will be here in a moment." Beth had a rather huge smirk on her face. "What?"

"What did you do to the girl?" Joseph smirked at his youngest child.

"She’s soooooooooooooooooooooo good right now." Beth let out a giggle, remembering the passionate kiss between William and D.D. she had just witnessed. "I’m just trying to fix things."

"Speaking about things." Joseph rubbed his chin. "Her father should be here."

"Whose?" Beth blinked, watching the little baby kick up a storm.

"Stuart Babcock." Marie answered for Joseph.

"Daddy is hiding in his cave." D.D. soon entered the hallway, letting out a soft sigh seeing the small baby. "He’s not likely to come out, with the way he’s feeling towards baby sister and me."

"I don’t care what the reason… that is no excuse for turning your back on your children." Joseph shook his head slowly.

Beth flashed a smile, looking towards C.C. "So, are we going to get involved?"

"Whoa... Wait…." D.D. felt her jaw drop. "Don’t get involved." D.D. felt trapped as all three shared the same quiet smile. "This is not your problem."

"We are all family now…. It’s past time your father understands." Marie reached out as the four gazed towards the grumbling baby.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a grumbling moan as she felt someone lightly shake her shoulder. "What???" She blinked awake to see Niles standing over her. "Niles?" She lifted herself up, letting out a groan.

"Your chariot is here." Niles held out his hand, smiling as nurse went towards C.C.’s side. They both gently placed C.C. in the wheel chair. "Are you…?" Niles reached out, noticing how pale she looked.

"I’ll make it, Niles." C.C. managed a small smile as Niles placed a blanket on her legs, and the nurse wheeled her onward.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The blue eyed boy gazed back at his mother, and let out a gurgle. "D.J." C.C. mumbled putting her hand softly on the glass.

Niles watched the tender moment feeling his heart pound. He soon glanced around at the other small babies in the ward and realized it could have been a lot worse.

"Would either of you like to hold him?" The smiling nurse walked up as C.C.’s eyes grew as wide as saucers.

"He’s not going to break, woman." Niles let out a chuckle. "Yes she would LOVE to hold him."

"Well, well." D.D. smiled watching C.C. hold the tiny little boy.

"So you’re the one who caused all this trouble?" C.C. whispered quietly as the little baby let out a soft whimper.

"D.J." Niles smirked, thinking over the newest nickname for the small little boy. "I think … I prefer Spike."

"He’ll always be Spike." C.C. closed her eyes tightly. "Thank you, Niles."

"I didn’t do a thing." Niles smiled softly. "You did all the hard work."

"You know what I mean, bell boy."

"My pleasure." Niles reached out to touch the baby’s small hand.

C.C. let out a whimper was the nurse reached for the boy once more. "I’m sorry Miss Babcock but he can’t be out for longer periods yet."

"It’s alright C.C." Niles took her hand. "The lad still needs sometime to grow, and his mother needs time to heal." Niles let out a sigh as C.C. lowered her head. "I’m starting to worry about you, Babcock." Niles waved the nurse away and wheeled her chair himself.

"I’m fine, Niles." She felt her body shiver. "It wasn’t supposed to be this way."

"How was it supposed to be?" Niles wheeled her back into her room and helped her slowly back on the bed. "Things change."

"I wanted … This was…" C.C. let out a soft groan. "I haven’t even gotten you a Christmas gift yet." C.C. let out a whimper and Niles started to chuckle.

"It’s still a few days away. And besides, you gave me the best gift." Niles pulled her covers tightly around her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I have a rather strange question." Niles displayed a boyish smile. "If you were going to put my name on Spike’s birth certificate anyway, why did we make that bet?"

"Because I could?" C.C. let out a husky chuckle and then let out a groan. "What?"

"Woman… then give me something your not so sure about." Niles reached out touching her cheek. "Your name on a wedding license."

C.C. felt her stomach twist at the thought of marriage. "Niles, that…"

"That isn’t a good idea? I should romance you…? I have worshiped you from the moment Sarah first brought you to our door." Niles lowered his head closer gazing into her blue eyes. "I could do thing properly, but I already have your heart."

"I’m already in your bed each morning." C.C. snickered playfully as she reached out, snuggling his neck.

"I want to make sure you’re required to be there." Niles smiled playfully. "I could do this all properly, but…..are you willing to bet me?"

"I still get what I want … if I win?"

"Trollop!" Niles chest rumbled in a deep purr. "You might as well give in now."

"Not a chance." C.C. let out a sigh. "Will you stay with me until…?" C.C.’s mind raced, thinking about Daniel’s chances.

"I’m not leaving here until everything is alright."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Why am I listening to you?" D.D. eyed a smiling Beth. "You’re filling my head with all kinds of foolish dreams."

"It looks like you were working hard on that dream an hour ago." Beth glanced up at the clock. "So what did Mister Harrison say?"

"Nothing." D.D. blushed as Beth let out a deep, husky laugh.

"Come on, Dee." Beth let out a groan. "What did he say?"

"That he was a fool to let her escape." William had quietly snuck up the women sitting at the table. He reached over holding one red rose before D.D.

"That’s my cue." Beth stood up walking out of the empty cafeteria.

"William… I…" D.D. blushed as William sat down, taking her hand.

"Did you mean what you said out there?" William told her hand holding on tight. "Could I be….?" William’s lower lip trembled at the thought.

"I had an affair with my father’s friend two weeks after mother’s comment on how you could have been my brother." D.D. looked away blushing.

"So… "

"I don’t know for sure William." D.D. felt her heart pounding as William kept up stroking her cheek.

"I still love you." William moved closer towards her.

"What about ‘Nanny Fine’?" D.D. quickly pulled back.

"Fran and I … are friends."

D.D. felt William’s hand resting on her knee. "We still have a lot of things to work out."

"Then let’s work them out together." William’s eyes flashed a hint of desire as their lips met in a soft kiss.

"This could be dangerous." D.D. mumbled quietly as William once more quieted her with a kiss.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"They are going to think we are misbehaving." C.C. let out a giggle as Niles carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"Not in your condition." Niles leaned over, kissing the top of her head. "They know you’re not in any shape to mess around with me yet." Niles let out a groan as C.C.’s hands accepted his challenge. "C.C.!"

"Well, you had to tempt me." C.C. purred playfully and Niles let out a groan.

"Woman! I know you’re not in any shape!" Niles found himself wishing for a cold shower, or to roll around in the snow storm outside.

"Remember this is really long foreplay." C.C. giggled, but let out a groan while trying to snuggle into his chest.

"I can get up." Niles started to shift up off the hospital bed, but C.C. forced him back down.

"I need you here." C.C. smiled, but let out another whimper.

"Woman! Stop being so bull headed." Niles felt C.C.’s arms tighten around his body. "Ughhhh… I promise… I’m not leaving tonight…. Chastity…" Niles reached out, easing her grip on his body.

"I’m sorry…" C.C. sighed as Niles managed to shift out of the bed and onto a waiting chair.

"Why? Tomorrow you’ll be back to your old self." He held her hand tightly. "Try to sleep please, love."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Joseph kept a close eye on the boy as Marie went to sit with Niles. He noticed the young man staring intently upon little D.J. "Hello there!" Joseph smiled following the man’s eyes. "Your little boy?"

"No…" Robert Davis smirked and seemed to rub the unease out of his face. "Not my boy..." He felt the weight of the world lifted with his shoulder after having seen the small infant. The name C.C. had chose for the boy said it all.

Beth walked in, with Nigel on her arm, and noticed Robert walking away. "What the…."

"Let it go, Beth." Joseph reached out, grabbing Beth’s arm before she could cause any harm. "Just let it go."

"Was that …" Nigel rubbed his chin as Beth nodded quietly.

"How did you know who he was?" Beth glanced towards her grumbling father.

"Zack showed me a wedding picture of Miss Babcock and Mister Davis together." Joseph shook his head slowly. "No, I don’t think he’ll be a problem in the near future." He raised his hand towards Beth.

"Any sign of her parents yet, Joe?" Nigel, of course, had a playful look on his face addressing Joseph as ‘Joe’.

"No..." Joseph let out a huge yawn walking towards the waiting room. "Stay with the lad." He touched Beth’s shoulder, leaving to steal an hour of sleep.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. opened her eyes up slowly. "What?" She noticed Niles was curled up on a chair in the corner, and felt a hand touch her shoulder.

"He fell asleep only ten minutes ago." Marie’s accent was soft, pleasant and soothing. "How are you feeling?"

C.C. blinked again, trying to clear her vision. "Marie?"

"It’s a pleasure to meet you at last." She took C.C.’s hand gently. "Niles has told me some rather interesting things about you."

"Don’t believe everything you hear." C.C. managed a soft smile, but felt a Marie place a small package in her hand. "What’s this?"

"It’s a small tradition in my family." She flashed a kind smile as C.C. opened up the small package.

C.C. let out a gasp holding out a small golden locket. "I can’t accept this."

"My mother in-law gave that to me when I gave birth to Niles." Marie placed the necklace in C.C.’s hand. "One day you’ll give it to Daniel’s love when she gives you your first grandchild." She carefully helped C.C. put on the small golden locket. "All you need is his picture."

Niles shifted, letting out a soft grumble.

"How is Daniel doing?" C.C. sat up quietly, looking into the woman’s eyes. "Has someone been with him?"

"Beth and Joseph have been taking turns." Marie had the strange urge to hug C.C. tight. "He’s in good hands."

"Hey…" D.D. poked her head in, smiling as Niles shifted once more. "You’re looking well for a woman who was cut open."

"Have you been here all night?" C.C. touched her sister’s hand smiling.

"I told you, this is where all the cool kids hang out." D.D. flashed a playful smile towards Marie.

"I see you’re in good hands my dear." Marie winked, walking out of the room, leaving a sleeping Niles alone with D.D. and C.C.

"Does he always snore like that?" D.D. glanced over at the sleeping butler.

"I think it’s rather cute." C.C. managed a smile and then glanced as her sister. "What’s wrong?"

"William and I are… going to have a long talk in a few days…" She blushed looking at her sister. "About everything."

"That’s one." Niles sat up with a huge grin on his face. C.C. couldn’t help her own expression. "Why is it you look like a deer caught in headlights?"

"I thought you were asleep." C.C. snickered and D.D. let out a rather soft laugh. "You’re not helping, Dee."

"I don’t understand… His name is already on Daniel’s birth certificate." D.D. pointed towards a smiling Niles. "C.C…."

"I want your sister’s name on a marriage license now…" Niles followed his arms as C.C. let out a nervous chuckle.

"He’s after my money." C.C. was joking, but D.D. glared towards her sister. "What?"

"For just a moment you sounded like mother." D.D. stood up, shivering. "I’m going home to see my daughter." She leaned down, kissing C.C.’s cheek. "Love you."

C.C. turned her face towards Niles as D.D. left the room. "Stop smiling, bell boy…. You haven’t won yet."

"I know." Niles felt his jaw tighten, thinking about Maxwell and Fran.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Nigel!… NIGEL!" Beth let out a giggle as Nigel trapped her against his bedroom door. "Your brother and mine will kill you…" Beth let out a soft moan as Nigel teased her neck with a series of kisses.

"Your mum and dad are still at the hospital." Nigel smiled as his hands roamed her body. "Come on… we can play doctor in my shower!"

"Nigel…" Beth let out another series of giggles feeling her robe being lowered. "Hey!" She grabbed the sides of his face. "Do you want to be caught by someone?"

"I’ll die happy." Nigel let out a soft groan, releasing Beth. "Why did you have to come in here and use THIS shower?"

"Well… I’m a tease?" Beth fluttered her eye lashes at him.

"You’re killing me here." Nigel watched as Beth walked over, picking up her clothes. "You’re going to dress here too???"

"Yes…" Beth smirked as Nigel started to bang his head against the wall. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Just practicing, love… for when your bro beats my head in." Nigel stopped turning around and wrapped his arms around her body. "When do you have to get back?"

"An hour…" Beth groaned as Nigel pushed her up against the corner.

"That’s enough time." His voice was thick with desire as he started to work her robe off her body.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You’re releasing me? Today!?" C.C. let out a groan glaring at Niles.

"Caca…" Niles’s voice was soothing.

"It’s only two days before Christmas. I thought you would be pleased." The doctor felt rather cornered, but thankful that C.C. had run out of any items to throw at her. "It will be a while before Daniel is able to head home."

"I won’t… WON’T leave here without him!" C.C. looked like a teenager with her hair pulled back into a blue bow, and her face in a pout.

"He still needs time." Niles reached over, taking her hand.

"Niles…" C.C. tilted her head.

"He needs time… He’s in the best place right now." Niles watched as C.C.’s lower lip trembled. "You won’t want to bring him home to soon." Niles was trying to reach her logically. "You still need rest, and he’ll be with us soon enough."

"He’s not going to be with us for Christmas."

"No, but he wasn’t going to be around anyway." Niles smiled as C.C.’s hand tightened around his. "Remember … Spike wasn’t supposed to show up until well after the New Year."

"He’s going to be here at least until the end of January." The doctor blushed as C.C.gave her a glare of annoyance.

"Niles…."

"Come on… It allows me the chance to spoil you. And my parents can’t wait to spoil you, either." Niles let out a sigh and signaled towards the doctor to make her escape. "Spike is safer here than with us."

C.C. felt her lower lip starting to tremble again as Joseph opened the door. "Morning. Is everything alright?"

"She’s fine." Niles smiled, reaching over with the other hand to wipe her tears away.

"Marie got to hold the baby this morning!" Joseph sat down with a huge grin on his face, looking towards a whimpering C.C. " The lad just couldn’t take his eyes off her."

"C.C.’s coming home with us." Niles watched as his father’s grin grew.

"This is wonderful! Is that why you have such a pouting look on your face." Joseph reached over touching her knee. "The lad will be home soon enough!"

Niles let go of C.C.’s hand, pulling his father aside. "I’ll be right back."

"Hurry…" C.C. mumbled, holding a spare pillow.

Niles let out a huge sigh, eyeing his father in the hall way. "She’s not acting like her normal self."

"She’ll be alright. Give her more than just a few days to recover from this. I remember when your mother gave birth to Beth." Joseph let out a sigh. "What a mess that was."

"It would help if her father would show up. Or her brother." Niles shook his head, still recalling C.C.’s rather heated phone call with Noel.

"Well… you can do something more than just hope her father and brother will show up."

"What do you have in mind?" Niles tilted his head.

"Can you leave C.C. with Marie and me for the rest of the day?" Joseph tilted his head towards Niles, watching him twist in pain.

"She’s a handful when she’s upset."

"More than Beth?" Joseph chuckled as Niles flashed a soft smile.

"Point taken." Niles smirked walking back in the room. "I’m going to leave you for a few hours." Niles sat on her bed and closed his eyes as C.C. touched his unshaven face.

"You need a shave." C.C. lowered her head for just a moment. "I’m a mess…. I’m sorry."

"You’ll be back to snarling at people soon enough, and cornering me in back rooms and closets."

"Don’t tempt me." C.C. flashed a smile. "Come back soon?"

"I will. You’ll be in good hands until then." Niles stood up kissing each of her hands.

C.C. shifted back in the bed, watching him leave.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Stuart Babcock let out a long sigh, shifting in his limo. He had heard about C.C. from D.D.. "Hello?" He picked up his cell phone. "I’ll be there in twenty minutes if this driver can follow instructions. I have a meeting I have to attend to…" Stuart let out a long sigh as the driver rolled down the window. "I don’t want to be here any longer than I have too."

"Is that so?" Niles mumbled quietly to himself, making another turn into a private garage.

"Where are we!?" Stuart kept his voice even as he wondered about someone making an attempt on his life. He was shocked as the driver rolled back up the window and joined him in the back seat.

"Hello, Mister Babcock." Niles pulled off the driver hat. He had learned long ago from his parents that very few people really paid attention to a limo driver.

"Who are you?"

"Niles." He smiled offering his head towards the elder Babcock. He soon dropped, it noticing Stuart’s hardened look. "I thought you should at least know…."

"The man who ended my daughter’s marriage?" Stuart narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Are you so sure that… ‘I’ was the one who ended the marriage?" Niles tilted his head. "Your daughter is a big girl."

"C.C. would never disgrace herself." Stuart crossed his arms. "Are you the child’s father?"

Niles smiled. "I am."

"Then we have nothing more to say to one another." Stuart reached for his door handle, but felt Niles holding him back.

"Your daughters aren’t their mother."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Stuart stopped himself for just a moment.

"Go … See your daughter… see your new grandson… because a life time of regrets is an awful thing to carry around." Niles shook his head and they both heard another person enter the driver’s seat.

"I…." Stuart felt his mind race.

"Mister Babcock has a rather important meeting to attend to." Niles jumped out of the limo, but was shocked to hear Stuart’s voice.

"What hospital and room is she at?" Stuart shook his head.

Niles flashed a boyish smile, offering him the information.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"I don’t know why you’re worried about this." Beth let out a laugh as C.C. grumbled. "You’re the first one I’ve told."

"Geeze…. Thanks… as Nanny Fine says… ‘It might have been better to stick a knife in my heart.’" C.C. started to picture all the things Niles would do to Nigel once he head Beth’s news. "Your parents?"

"Have no idea." Beth’s lower lip trembled. "So I’m not going to ‘Cooking’ school in Paris."

"Shacking up with Nigel Sheffield… and now this…" C.C. shook her head and glared back at the young woman. "Don’t say it!"

"I was just going to compare…." Beth let out a giggle as C.C. raised her finger.

"You’re not pregnant are you?" C.C. glared back and Beth let out a loud roaring laugh.

"Nooooooooooo…." Beth shook her head.

C.C. let out a long sigh. "You married him without telling anyone?" She mumbled it quietly. "Can I be in the same room when Nigel finally tells Maxwell?"

"You’re not helping." Beth let out a grumble as a nurse walked in.

"Just wait until your parents find out… When do you plan on telling them?" C.C. smiled as the nurse wheeled up a chair.

"Christmas."

C.C. couldn’t hide her laughter. "I’m sorry…." She reached out, touching Beth’s hand. "I hope…." She mumbled quietly and blushed.

"Thank you."

"Who is ready to see her son?" The nurse smiled as Beth helped C.C.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a happy sigh looking into the little boy’s eyes. "Hello, small one." C.C. felt her heart beating in her chest as the little boy let out a yelp, and then a yawn.

"He’s awfully small." Stuart’s voice was soothing. "It reminds me of when you were born, kitten."

"Daddy?" C.C. looked up as Stuart knelt in his hospital scrubs.

"You were just as small and meowed out like a kitten."

"How did you… I thought?" C.C. had a lost look on her face.

Stuart brushed a finger softly on the small boy’s forehead. The little boy opened up his eyes again, letting out another soft whimper. "I don’t agree with your actions."

"Daddy there is something…." C.C. was about to lay all the blame at Robert’s feet for her failed marriage, but stopped herself.

"Yes sweetheart?" Stuart smiled, and C.C. passed the small infant off into his arms.

"Nothing…." C.C. felt her mind wandering around. She would handle this fight later. "You remember what you used to tell us about battles?"

"You fight the fights you can win." Stuart was hardly paying attention to her, enchanted with the little blue eyed boy.

‘And you fight the fights…worth fighting.’ C.C. watched as her father started making baby noises towards his newest grandchild.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Soooooooooo…" C.C. looked towards a smirking Niles. "Did you have anything to do with fact daddy come here today?" She was wearing normal clothes, waiting for the discharge papers.

"Your father and I haven’t met but once." Niles reached out, smiling. "I doubt he would remember it."

"What, did you sing to him?" C.C. let out a husky chuckle as Niles groaned.

"I only sing to you, while we are in the shower." Niles sat on the bed. "Why the long face?"

"I still don’t want to leave him." C.C. looked down at her hands.

"He’s got three nurses to look after him. And besides, I’m looking forward to spending some time alone with his mother." Niles slipped a hand under her blouse, teasing her breast.

C.C. shifted in his arms, letting out a husky moan. "Don’t you think it’s too soon?" She arched up against him as Niles pinched her.

"It’s never too soon to tease you…. Trollop!" Niles moved in closer as C.C. pulled on his shirt.

"Bell boy." Her eyes blazed with the hint of challenge.

"Brunette!" Niles pushed his body against hers, and for a moment forgot were he was as they both shifted.

"O GOD!" Beth let out a scream covering her eyes. "You people just had a baby! Isn’t one enough for now???"

Niles blushed as C.C. pulled to straighten her blouse. "Well, a person can have more than one." C.C. let out another laugh as Niles groaned.

"I have to scrub the image of my brother all over you from my brain." Beth rubbed her eyes as Niles walked in with a nurse.

"Are you ready to leave, Miss Babcock?" The nurse smiled as C.C. climbed on the wheel chair.

"Let’s stop by and see the baby first." C.C. reached out, touching Niles’s hand.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Here you go!" Gracie handed Fran her pile of presents to place under the tree. "Is the baby coming home today?"

"He’s still too small." Fran let out a sigh looking at the tree. "What do you think?"

"I think it looks good." The little girl displayed a silly grin.

"Well I’m no Niles." Fran shook her head. "Oy…"

"Are you still going out with William?" Gracie watched as Fran shook her head.

"We were only good friends, anyway." Fran mumbled as Maxwell stopped in his tracks listening in the hall way.

"So, who do you really like?" Gracie was fishing for information, and let out a girlish giggle. "Come on!"

"Oy…It’s only a dream anyway… My prince is never going to come."

"Did I hear you correctly?" Maxwell stepped into the living room and noticed all the decorations. "You’re no longer dating William?" Maxwell couldn’t suppress his growing smile.

"Oy… would you like to rub it in, Mista Sheffield?" Fran shook her head as the door opened up. "Miss Babcock!" Fran walked up, quickly taking the bag Niles had, while he and Nigel held onto C.C.

"Just get me to the couch for now." C.C. felt a huge amount of pain surge in her body as Nigel and Niles eased her down on the couch.

"How’s the baby?" Grace reached out, touching C.C.’s hand. "Is he okay?"

"He’s gaining weight!" Niles opened his mouth as C.C. glared at him. "He’s still not coming home for the holidays."

"You can have fun with us." Grace flashed a playful smile as Joseph and Marie walked in the front door with Brighton and Maggie.

"Maxwell, if I remember correctly, your special should be running tomorrow on prime time?" C.C. looked up and Maxwell nodded slowly. "Well, did my worthless sister handle it?"

"D.D. did a wonderful job." Maxwell’s eyes followed Fran as she went to help the eldest two Sheffield children out of their coats.

"It won’t be long now." Niles leaned close to C.C.

"You and Beth will need more than just locking those two up." C.C. shook her head as Fran walked up towards her.

"I have something for you." Fran knelt down offering the simple wrapped gift. "Well it’s for, Daniel."

C.C. shook her head, looking at the gold paper, and unwrapped it. She pulled out a soft yellow baby quilt. "This is hand made?" She was shocked that Fran Fine would give her such a treasure.

"Oy don’t worry I… didn’t make it." Fran let out a nasal laugh and C.C. groaned. "Sorry…" She quickly covered her mouth.

"Thank you..." C.C. smiled as Fran squeezed her hand and then stood up. "You have your moments, Nanny Fine."

"Do you need a pain pill?" Niles frowned looking into C.C.’s blue eyes.

"I’m fine… just happy to be home. And wishing…"

"Spike was here with us?" Niles shook his head and C.C. smiled softly. "What?"

"Now who is casting spells and reading minds?" C.C. let out a soft giggle and Niles smiled quietly.

"Stop it you two… OY!" Brighton rolled his eyes as C.C. and Niles shared a soft tender kiss. "You’re worse than dad drooling over Fran."

"Brighton!" Maxwell blushed as Fran’s nasal laugh filled the air.

"Oy, come on you three." Fran quickly pushed all three children upstairs and winked at her blushing employer. "We’ll be back."

"You might as well give in, Mister Sheffield." Joseph stood up and put his hands behind his back. "It’s clear to anyone in this household how you feel about that woman."

"Bloody hell…" Maxwell let out a groan trying to head back towards his office, but Nigel stepped up, taking him by the arm.

"Come on bro, don’t be so boring." Nigel flashed a smile as Maxwell glared at him.

"She’s my nanny." Maxwell looked like a man fighting against himself. "I’m sure…."

"Sure of what? That you’ll grow old and die alone?" C.C. snickered as Maxwell started to leave the room. "Just a moment, Maxwell... Nigel and Beth have something they want to tell you all."

"C.C…." Beth glared at the older woman, who let out a husky chuckle.

"You have to tell them all sometime." C.C. smirked as everyone’s glare turned towards Nigel and a blushing Beth.

"Bloody hell. Aren’t we supposed to be making fun of Max?" Nigel groaned as he noticed Joseph was moving closer towards him. "I would rather go back to ‘that’ topic." He blushed, feeling his brother’s hand on his shoulder.

"What did you do?" Maxwell’s voice was slightly annoyed.

"Bloody hell…" He reached out touching a gold chain around Beth’s neck and pulled out the hidden wedding ring.

Niles, Marie and Joseph all glared at Beth, who hid herself behind Nigel as Maxwell let out a hiss. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BLOODY MIND?" Maxwell rubbed his head after screaming out.

"Oy… what did I miss?" Fran ran down the stairs.

"Nigel…. Do you realize what mother is going to do once she finds out?" Maxwell felt his lower lip tremble.

"Take away my trust fund?" Nigel made a noise and shook his head. "We both know she can’t touch it, bro."

"Joseph?" Marie reached out, touching her husband’s hand.

"How old, again, were you, Marie, when we got married?" Joseph grumbled quietly to himself, trying to control his temper.

"Seventeen." Marie looked up as the room quieted down.

"Well….You two will have to deal with Elizabeth Sheffield soon enough." Joseph let out a huge sigh and reached out his hand. "Welcome to the family, Nigel."

Niles glared towards Nigel, and then glanced back at his father. "Why are you being so reasonable about this?" Niles tilted his head.

"Niles… don’t question your father." Marie smiled, holding Joseph’s hand.

"Does this mean I get to sleep in the same room as my wife now?" Nigel smiled, but the whole room glared at him.

Maxwell rolled his eyes, looking up towards the ceiling. "Nigel…"

"Oy… Oy.. A ring!" Fran walked up towards Beth, who started to show off the small wedding ring.

"Smart move, Caca….." Niles shook his head. "Give up now, because you’ll run out of tricks sooner or later."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C.let out a groan, slipping on the silk night gown. "My insides feel like they are on fire." She carefully lowered herself onto the bed. "Niles?" She moved in beside him and he let out a grumble.

"My sister is married before me." Niles rubbed his chin. "I’m starting to feel like Fran."

"You don’t like living in sin?" C.C. touched his chest and watched as Niles let out a whimper. "What’s wrong?"

"You better be careful touching me like that woman." Niles let out a soft whimper as her hand’s dipped even lower down his chest. "C.C…." He growled, taking her wrists. "Don’t start something you can’t finish yet."

"Do you really want to get married?" C.C. reached out now, as he released her wrists and touched his cheek.

"I do… If you want, we can forget about our little bet." Niles closed his eyes and C.C. shook her head.

"I never back down from a bet." C.C. once more ran her hands along his chest and Niles let out another loud groan. "Long foreplay, remember?"

"Woman! This is no faiiiiir!" Niles jumped back and let out a hiss. "Dimmit woman. My body isn’t your personal play thing."

"That isn’t what you said a few months ago." C.C.’s eyes flickered with mischief.

"You’re still recovering!" Niles once more grabbed her wrists. "I’m not going to be responsible for my actions if you keep that up much longer." Niles then hopped out of bed.

"Don’t go awaaaaaaay…." C.C. let out a whimper and Niles groaned.

"I’m not getting back in bed unless you promise that your intentions are honorable." Niles narrowed his eyes. "Come on... Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!"

"I’ll mind my hands." C.C. fluttered her eyelashes and Niles slipped back under the covers.

"Your feet too!" Niles groaned, shaking his head. "Witch!" He turned to face her.

"Love you too." C.C. let out a happy sigh as Niles wrapped his arms around her small waist.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a huge yawn and found Niles missing. "Niles?" She glanced at the clock realizing he was down stairs, no doubt fixing breakfast.

"Do you need some help this morning?" Beth appeared out of nowhere with a rather large smile on her face.

"You look rather happy…" C.C. rolled her eyes. Niles and C.C. had allowed Beth to smuggle Nigel in her room, but Niles was still fairly upset about how ‘quickly’ her relationship developed with the young man.

"I could tell you why…." Beth giggled, helping C.C. out of bed. "Still sore this morning?"

"I’m a little better." C.C. groaned as Beth helped her put up the silk robe. "It’s going to be rather interesting getting down those stairs."

"I think Niles is fixing a rather huge breakfast right now." Beth held onto her as C.C. went down step by step. "Are you going to see Daniel later this afternoon?"

"Course! Would you like to come?" C.C. flashed another painful smile as Beth nodded.

"Now I just need to find a way of locking Fran and Maxwell in a room." Beth let out a husky chuckle and C.C. groaned.

"Maxwell has other ‘issues’ … He’s not going to break." C.C. closed her eyes, recalling Maxwell’s painful look at Sarah’s death.

"Is it because she’s his nanny?" Beth glanced towards C.C.

"No…" C.C. let out a soft groan as they hit the last step. "It’s more than just that."

"Merry Christmas Eve!" Grace stood up, running to hug C.C.’s leg. "How are you?" Grace giggled as C.C. smiled.

"I feel like I gave birth to a baby." Beth helped C.C. towards the kitchen as Niles was setting the table.

"Caca!" Niles walked over, kissing her on the lips.

"Ewwww…." Beth sat down as Grace walked in.

"Ho, Ho, Ho!" Brighton jumped in the door way, followed by Maggie and Fran. "It’s that time of year again!" Brighton sat down, rubbing his hands together. "Time for the big haul."

"What do you normally do for Christmas, Beth?" Maggie reached over, as Niles handed her a plate.

"She’s normally climbing out the window." Niles snickered as Nigel walked in the door. "Here’s suspect number one now."

"Down boy…" C.C. giggled as Nigel took a seat next to Beth and C.C.

"Are you going over to your mother’s tonight, Fran?" Brighton put on his best pouting face and the nanny shook her head.

"Oy, why? Ya want me to?" Fran let out a nasal laugh.

"Noooooooooo we need you here." Gracie let the comment out in a rather high pitch voice. "I mean... we want you here."

Niles smirked as C.C. felt her stomach tightening. "Oy… What are you up too?" Fran narrowed her eyes at the three smiling children.

"Good morning everyone!" Maxwell walked in, followed by Joseph and Marie. "Good morning C.C. How are you feeling?" Maxwell smiled at his business partner.

C.C. smirked, noticing Maxwell was avoiding glancing Fran’s way. "Fine…" She giggled as Maxwell let out a groan.

Niles watched as the three Sheffield children whispered quietly to themselves. He was fairly sure that he didn’t need to act, but the children would do something to push Fran and their father together. "Would you like a little crow?" He leaned down, whispering in C.C.’s ear.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Maxwell let out a long sad sigh, sitting alone in his office. "C.C.?" He looked up, shocked to find her standing over him. "Something wrong?"

"You tell me." She raised her hand keeping Maxwell in his seat. C.C. let out a groan and lowered herself to the couch. "All the looks of longing for your ‘nanny’... You’ve been bitchy when she dates…"

"I beg your pardon…" Maxwell stood up and C.C. let out a husky chuckle as she notice Maxwell’s blushing face.

"She would want you to be happy." C.C.’s voice was soft. "The children adore her…. You long for her… Just give in!"

"I…. It’s not that simple." Maxwell blushed standing up, walking towards the door. "I…"

"You’re afraid?" C.C. snickered. "Tell me about it." C.C. shook her head. "When Robert left I felt my whole world fall apart, but then there was Niles." She blushed as Maxwell studied her for a moment.

"What happened to me… is…"

"Different?" C.C. let out a sigh. "Fear can control anyone Maxwell. The only question is, will Fran walk out of here before you have it under control."

C.C. managed to waddle out of the room to find Niles smirking. "Well, well, well…"

"O… would you shut up." She managed a smile, looking at the rather smug look on his face.

"Are you ready to see your son this afternoon?" He reached out, taking her hand. "I should say... ‘our’ son." His words echoed out in the hallway as C.C. leaned forward kissing him.

"Let’s go check on, Spike."

"You realize you might have aided me?" Niles raised an eyebrow and C.C. let out a groan.

"What can I say…? I like punishment." C.C. smiled at Joseph and Marie. "Coming with us?"

"Yes! I just can’t wait to see him again." Marie let out a rather girlish laugh helping C.C. into a coat. "Are you feeling any better my dear?"

"I feel almost…"

"Human?" Niles snickered and quickly received a playful punch by his father. "What did I do?"

"Let the lass be, and no more of your lip!" Joseph shook his head as Niles let out a whimper.

"I think that is the first time… I have seen Niles tongue tied." C.C. giggled as Niles lead them towards the limo.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. felt her heart pound in her chest, holding onto Niles. "Mother…" She mumbled quietly, noticing the woman standing at the viewing window. She held Niles back watching B.B. Babcock.

"I’ll go find the doctor." Niles kissed her cheek and waved towards his parents to follow him.

"Mother?" C.C. walked up slowly and B.B. let out a chuckle.

"You were just as small… smaller... Your father wouldn’t leave you… he said you sounded like a kitten." B.B. looked towards her youngest child.

"Why are you here?" C.C. felt her lower lip tremble, and B.B. shook her head.

"D.D.’s nosy butler cornered me." B.B. shook her head.

"He did more than that." C.C. narrowed her eyes, wondering what Zack had on her mother. "What does he have on you?"

"No more than normal." B.B. let out a chuckle, holding out a small package. "Merry Christmas."

"Mother…" C.C. looked down at the unopened package. "Would you like to hold him?"

"I think that’s the best Christmas present I could hope for." B.B. flashed a faint smile as C.C. took her arm, leading her towards the nursery.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Are you saying your mother accepts us?" Niles helped her into the bedroom. "I don’t believe it!"

"She’ll never accept us." C.C. let out a chuckle as Niles helped her onto the bed. "I’m getting rather used to afternoon naps."

"Just wait until Spike comes home, and you start back to work." Niles smirked, putting a cover over her.

"I have to find a nanny…" C.C. mumbled and Niles let out a grumble.

"Why not use, Fran?" Niles watched as C.C. let out a chuckle.

"Why don’t I stab my eye out?" C.C. shook her head. "What’s that look for?" C.C. shifted as Niles let out a groan.

"Why did you help them?" Niles felt his stomach twist as C.C.’s eyes were full of doubt. "Why, C.C.?"

"I wanted to close off my heart…. When Robert walked away... I wanted loose myself… Then I took a chance… On a butler." C.C. reached out touching his hand. "Maxwell shouldn’t be afraid to take an unexpected chance."

"I love you…" Niles smiled kissing her palm. "You know if they get together… I want a February wedding."

C.C. felt her whole body tremble at the thought of marriage.

"Does it scare you that much, C.C.?" Niles let out a sigh, rethinking their agreement. "Last chance to back down, woman!"

"I never back down." C.C. let out a husky chuckle as her hands teased him once more. "I prefer to step ‘up’ to a challenge."

"You are going to drive me insane before I can touch you again." Niles groaned, finally able to pull back. "Enjoy your nap... Caca." Niles winked, leaving C.C. alone with her own thoughts.

C.C. closed her eyes, for only a moment, trying to picture being married again. It always came back to Robert’s face after she told him about… the baby…. C.C. let out a groan, hearing the phone ring. "What the hell?" She picked up the receiver, letting out her normal snarl.

"Sis?" Noel’s voice was faint, but she was sure it was him.

"Noel?" She half expected to hear him say what a disappointment she had been. How she ‘shamed’ the family. "Merry Christmas."

"Well, it’s not yet… How are you doing? How is Daniel?"

"He’s doing better." C.C. let out a long sigh. "What have I done now to disappoint you?"

"It’s… not like that, sis." His voice was full of pain. "I called up to say… I’m sorry."

‘Well, will miracles ever…’ C.C. shook her head for a moment. "Why? Why are you telling me this now, Noel?" She did her best to control her biter tone. She could understand her mother being a pill, and ever her father. "I thought you knew me better than that."

"It took a while for Zack to explain things, and I didn’t really believe him at first." Noel let out a long sigh on the phone. "He was rather pushy with me."

"Did he knock some sense into you?" C.C. let out a husky chuckle hearing Noel groan quietly. "Noel…."

"Yes?"

"Don’t do it again. I can take mother being a bitch. I can take daddy being distant from me, but I can’t handle you acting annoyed." C.C. let out a soft whimper. "Now you can explain to me why I helped Niles with our little bet."

"What’s the bet around?" Noel listened quietly as C.C. explained the ‘bet’. "Well, because deep inside you know Niles isn’t Robert."

"Well no duhhhhhhhhhh… What was your first clue?" C.C. groaned shifting in the bed again.

"It’s more than just the ‘money’ sis… Robert is a good man, but he is… severely troubled."

"Robert, a good man? Noel you might want to rethink that statement one day." C.C. knew that Zack had the good sense not to give Noel all the details of the end of her marriage.

"Well anyway… There is a part of you that wants him… and wants the connection of marriage."

C.C. let out a groan. "Robert was everything I was ‘supposed’ to want, but that didn’t work out….If I marry Niles… I don’t think I could handle another…" C.C.’s lower lip started to tremble.

"Well Sis... I can’t give you the right or wrong answer on this." Noel shook his head. "I’m the one that introduced you to Robert."

"Geeze thanks for reminding me." C.C.let out a groan. "I’ll talk to you later Noel."

"Take care. And remember, you want something… ‘more’."

C.C. curled up on the bed, letting out a huge groan.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"You did what?" Niles smirked, eyeing Maggie and Brighton.

"They are perfectly safe." Brighton’s smile grew as Maggie let out a girlish giggle. "We left enough food, and there is... Well…"

Niles knew he should walk downstairs and release Maxwell and Fran. "I’m going to pretend you didn’t tell me any of this." He broke out into a huge smile. "Thank you… "

"It’s our gift to you!" Brighton let out a chuckle.

"It was Gracie’s idea." Maggie shook her head. "It’s rather twisted in a way."

"More twisted than Miss Babcock?" Niles watched as the children broke out into laughter. "How on earth did you get them down there?"

"Me…" Marie came up and handed Maggie something with a rather huge smile on her face. "Wha?" She laughed as Niles’s shocked expression.

"I… just didn’t expect … I…" Niles let out a deep roaring laugh. "I didn’t think you had that in you mum." Niles glanced at the floor, letting out a huge sigh. "Knowing Mister Sheffield, he’ll do something stupid."

"Maxwell is a smart man." Marie reached up, touching her son’s chin. "He will find his own way, but of course a little push doesn’t hurt."

"Of course." Niles winked and let out a sigh. "Will you be up for a February wedding?"

"It’s not over yet Niles." Marie shook her head. "This is just a push and we have no idea if that will lead to something more."

"It better."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a huge laugh looking at the three Sheffield children. "You did this because?" She smiled as Niles handed her another drink.

"WE could?" Brighton let out a chuckle as Niles reached out under the tree. "Come on Niles, we can pass out more gifts than that!"

"It’s really not proper for us…" Niles groaned as the group eyed him. "Well, he is downstairs with Miss Fine!"

"Doesn’t mean anything, bell boy." C.C. snarled, shaking her head.

"They’ll open up to one another." Maggie smiled brightly, looking at all the adults.

C.C. let out a groan sitting down on the coach as Niles smiled brightly. "What?" She snarled again and Niles let out a chuckle.

"I’m just trying to picture it." Niles leaned over. "Getting everything I have ever wanted." He let out a soft whisper in her ear causing C.C. to giggle at him playfully. "You can be C.C. Babcock…"

"I’m keeping my last name." She quickly added before he could finish.

"So are you giving in?" Niles smiled as the rest of the room started to ignore the pair. "Come on Caca." He reached out, tickling her chin. "You, Me and Spike all belong together."

"This is all rather unexpected." C.C. shook her head slowly, recalling everything Robert Davis had done, and not done in their marriage.

Niles tilted his head upstairs, and the pair went into their small apartment. "What’s wrong? You went all white for just a moment."

"Nothing." Her voice was now quiet, loosing some of her ‘Babcock’ tone.

"Take a chance, C.C." Niles lowered his voice. "I love you."

"Niles…" C.C.’s face was a mixture of emotions. "It’s just…."

"I’m nothing like him, and you both know that." Niles pulled her into his arms. "Course you will be wearing the ‘pants’ in the family." Niles winked as C.C. managed a cackle.

"I never thought any of this could happen."

"My father once told me life happens when you least expect it." Niles leaned in kissing her lips. "They are down in the cellar this moment… They will give in!"

"Weak." C.C. snickered and jumped as Niles pinched her rear. "What was that FOR?"

"It’s not weakness." Niles’s lips traveled down her neck and C.C. let out a soft moan. "Now woman… give in!"

"I think….." C.C. felt her body shiver again as his hands found her bare skin. "Niles… we can’t do this yet." C.C. let out a groan as her mouth found his for a mind bending kiss.

"Remember! Really long foreplay." Niles gasped as C.C. struggled to remain standing.

"You’re going to pay for this." C.C. glared as Niles let out a chuckle.

"I take a cold shower everyday woman!" He straightened her clothing, letting out a sigh. "Come on!" He reached out smiling. "We will have some time this evening to visit our son."

C.C. blushed at his words as she took his hand, walking back downstairs.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"They did not!" Beth looked towards her laughing husband. "Nigel! Come on!"

"Max is in love and admitted it." Nigel let out a chuckle. "That’s what you get for falling asleep early, love."

"So, what does that mean for my brother?" Beth grumbled, turning over in the bed. "You think C.C. is going to back out of the deal?"

"I don’t know, love." Nigel rolled over, tickling her cheek. "She did look rather scared."

"Well, do you blame her?"

"So…." Beth chewed on her lower lip.

"Stay out of it, Beth." Nigel reached out to hug her. "They will work everything out."

"They could get married tomorrow with the right paper work." Beth looked into Nigel’s eyes. "We could all kidnap them… I think they call it a shot-gun wedding?"

Nigel sat up, letting out a soft laugh. "So… you want me to set this all up?"

"Well, if there is one thing I have learned… the power of a ’Sheffield.’" Beth smiled as Nigel let out a roaring laugh.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Niles let out a groan as his alarm clock started to beep. "Turn it off." C.C. mumbled, rolling over and hugging his thick form.

"I have to get up, sweetheart." Niles shifted out of C.C.’s reach, letting out a groan. Each time he looked at her sleeping form it made his heart pound in his chest. "We have to be at the hospital in a few hours, love."

C.C. answered him with a nod and turned back over.

Niles walked down stairs letting out a groan, but froze hearing the sound of women’s feet. "Miss Fine? Beth? Mother? What’s going on?"

The three women froze for just a moment while Nigel came up from behind Niles. The next thing Niles knew is that the world had gone suddenly dark.

<><><><><><><><><><>

C.C. let out a groan, shifting on the bed reaching out for a silk pillow. "Niles?" She blinked awake looking at the strange silk sheets and hearing the soft giggle. "What the hell?" She glanced around as her eyes focused on Nanny Fine, Beth, D.D. and Marie all putting out a few things in a strange room.

"Well, at last she’s awake!" D.D. smiled, walking over touching her sister’s arm.

"What… Who… Where?" C.C. started to snarl as Beth let out a rather loud laugh.

"Okay you were right." Beth handed over a twenty dollar bill towards D.D. "She did indeed snarl."

"Someone better tell me what the hell is going on or I’m going to have a fit." C.C. glared at her elder sister.

"You’re not far. This is your wedding day." D.D. winked as C.C.’s jaw fell.

"My what?" She gasped as Fran let out a nasal laugh.

"Geeze." Beth reached out, placing another twenty dollar bill in D.D.’s hand.

"Sis… you love him and he loves you... So... We are kidnapping you." D.D. smiled as C.C. let out another snarl. "He’s not far. In another room."

"What about my son?" C.C. let out a deep sigh.

"Got your cell phone right here." Beth waved it around. "You’ll get it back after the ‘I Do’s!’" Beth winked as C.C. stood up slowly. "Mom is still growling about this."

"I’m not pleased, but it is rather fun." Marie let out a chuckle, pulling out a bag. "I would have preferred a church wedding."

Beth rolled her eyes as C.C. let out a groan holding her head.

"Don’t worry." D.D. reached out, whispering in her ear. "You’ll love this."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Are you alright, Old man?" Maxwell shook Niles who let out a whimper looking into the faces of Nigel, Maxwell and his father. "You passed out fairly quickly."

Niles tilted his head as his eyes notice their dress. "Where am I? Sir, did I forget to serve at a party again?" He noticed all the tuxes.

"Come on, Niles!" Nigel shook the man’s shoulders. "It’s your wedding day! Everything is waiting for you!"

"What?" Niles blinked, recalling C.C.’s comments and then… "Wait.. Last thing I remember was Miss Fine… My sister and mother acting strangely."

"It’s rather hard to explain what’s going on..." Maxwell glared at his younger brother. "Everything is ready for you and C.C. to get married."

"Spike! Daniel!" Niles blinked, recalling the small baby still in his crib at the hospital.

"He’s fine." Joseph stepped forward, letting out a sigh.

"You should see this place." Nigel let out a sigh. "Come on Niles. Just jump in the tux. What could it hurt?"

Niles nodded slowly, giving in for the moment. "You realize that one day … I will get even with you?" He whispered into Nigel’s ear.

"So your sister’ tells me." Nigel groaned.

Niles did his best to get dress and followed Maxwell out of the room into a hallway. The area looked simple enough but once he stood into a rather small hall it became a winter wonderland. "Woah." Niles turned around looking up into the star filled sky. "What is this place?"

"It’s called Starlight Inn." Nigel let out a soft sigh. "Soon the whole place will look like this hall."

"It’s going to cost you a bloody …" Maxwell started to grumble and was quickly quieted by Fran walking in the room.

"Is she willing?" Nigel walked over whispering in Fran’s ear.

"She’s going to marry him alright." Fran let out a nasal laugh. "I don’t think Marie will leave New York without these two getting married."

"I want to see her." Niles stopped himself for just a moment.

"That’s bad luck!" Fran’s jaw dropped as Niles stepped forward. "No! You can’t see her before the wedding."

"Who, pray tell, are you getting to marry us?" Niles looked towards the two Sheffield brothers, and then his father.

"That’s been taken care of." Nigel blushed as Niles let out a chuckle.

"I want to see her, Miss Fine… Now…" Niles turned his face and gave her a look to let Fran Fine know there would be no further arguments on the issue.

"Alright…" Fran let out a nasal whimper leading Niles down the partly decorated hallway and into C.C.’s room. Niles looked around, taking in the room that was covered by white silks. C.C. was standing behind the bathroom door letting out a girlish giggle as her sister kept her from Niles’s view.

"Niles! You can’t be in..." Marie started but Niles put up his hand.

"Give us a moment please." Niles looked towards his sister, mother and D.D.

"Come on trouble maker." D.D. reached out, leading Beth away as C.C. remained hidden.

"You’re not supposed to see me." C.C. leaned on the doorway as Niles felt his hands ache to touch her.

"Your really want to do this?" Niles touched the door. "If you want to change your…"

"Do you?" C.C. felt her heart pound with fear.

"Of course I do!" Niles groaned. "I just don’t want to give in to Beth’s foolishness."

C.C. opened the door and Niles felt his heart skip a beat. "Like?" The white dress fit her tightly in some areas. She still had the extra weight from carrying the baby, but to Niles that didn’t matter. In the dress she looked like some kind of snow angel.

"Woman…." Niles reached out touching the silk. "You look…"

"Like I’m worth a chance?" C.C. giggled and Niles nodded.

"Then let’s go! Sooner we do this… The sooner we can find out way back to Spike’s bedside." Niles reached out, taking her arm. "Do you have any idea who is marrying us?"

"You’re not going to believe it." C.C. snickered as Niles opened the door. "Beth told me they have a Justice of the Peace in full ‘White’ Armor."

Niles let out a laugh as he walked towards his future.

EPILOUGE <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"Say it!" C.C. shifted the toddler on her knee while trying to watch Spike’s mouth and look at the newest figures Maxwell gave her to study.

Niles walked in noticing his wife on the nursery floor, spread out with hundred’s of Spike’s toys and spreadsheets. "What are you trying to get him to say woman?" Niles sat down quickly and took Spike out of her arms.

"Doesn’t matter anyway. I better get back to work. One of us has to hold down a real job now." She let out a snicker as the little boy made a few more mumbling noises.

"I have a REAL job!" Niles rolled his eyes. "Can you believe this little guy is going to be one next week? What are we going to give him for his birthday?"

"A sibling?" C.C. mumbled and Niles didn’t hear her remark.

"What was that dear?" Niles looked up smiling as the little boy made a noise that Niles swore was ‘mommy.’

"A sibling?" She whispered quietly again and Niles felt his jaw drop.

"A kitten!?" Niles looked up smiling.

"A baby, Niles!" C.C. rolled her eyes.

"You don’t understand…" Niles laughed pointing towards his son. "Spike…" He smiled and pointed toward’s C.C.’s stomach. "Meet kitten!"

"Kittie!" The little boy giggled as his parent’s jaws both dropped.

"Did you hear that?" Niles tickled the little boy’s chin and the let out another giggling fit.

"Caca!" Spike smiled as C.C. reached out, hitting Niles with a few rolled up pages.

"Stop teaching him that!"

"Love you too, Caca." Niles reached out touching her small belly. "You too kitten."

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