7.17 Be A Pal

by

Sara van Bussel
(CeliaD@yifan.net)

"Jonah please, come on, eat at least a little bit. Eve, don't cry, you can go to bed soon. Oh when is Niles coming home, I can't deal with this alone." Fran tried to keep Eve happy, and get some food in Jonah's mouth, and stay clean herself. Usually Niles helped her, but he was with CC on a doctor's appointment.

"Dada, dada." Eve pointed to the door, and raised her arms. Fran turned around and saw her lovely husband coming through the door.

"Oh darling, I'm so glad you are here. Could you help me with Eve and Jonah?" Maxwell took a look at the battlefield that was once their kitchen. He grabbed Eve out of the chair, and hugged her.

"Sure Fran. Why isn't Niles helping you?" Fran ducked under the table, just before a splatter food hit the wall behind her.

"CC had a doctor's appointment. Naturally he went with her." Max grabbed a towel, and draped it over his shoulder. Eve was happy drooling over him.

"Of course, how could I forget. But why didn't you call me? You know I love to be a hands on father."

"I know, but you are so busy with your show, and I can handle it alone." Maxwell took a critical look at the kitchen, and eyed Fran.

"Ok, most of the time."

"Yes, but most of the time there's somebody else helping you out, either Ma, Val or Grace."

"Yes well, the advantages of a big family." Maxwell smiled.

"So, did Eve eat anything?"

"Yes, she ate whatever Jonah threw at her. Which was a lot today."

"Ok, then let me take her to bed, maybe Jonah is calmer when Eve's not here." Maxwell let Fran give Eve a little kiss, and then took her upstairs to the twin's bedroom.

When Maxwell had left Jonah calmed down. He even let Fran feed him some bites. Then he became stubborn and refused to eat anymore. Fran decided to take him upstairs too.

Fran entered the bedroom just as Maxwell was about to leave.

"Why don't you let me take care of Jonah, and then you can make Niles and CC some coffee, they should be home soon." Fran handed Jonah to Maxwell, and gave the men both a kiss.

"Ok darling, I'll see you in a minute" Fran went down stairs and started making the coffee. Just as she was about to start Niles and CC entered the kitchen.

"Nanny Fine? What's this mess? You didn't try to cook did you?" Fran shot CC a dirty look. She hated when someone made fun of her cooking, even though it was very funny most of the time.

"No. I just gave Jonah and Eve their afternoon snack." Undisturbed Fran continued cleaning up, while Niles made the coffee. CC sat down, looked around the kitchen and took in the mess.

She was working in a bridal shop in Flushing, Queens,
'Til her boyfriend kicked her out in one of those crushing scenes.
What was she to do? Where was she to go? She was out on her fanny...
So over the bridge from Flushing to the Sheffield's door.
She was there to sell make-up, but the father saw more.
She had style! She had flair! She was there.
That's how she became the Nanny!

Who would have guessed that the girl we've described,
Was just exactly what the doctor prescribed?
Now the father finds her beguiling (watch out C.C.!).
And the kids are actually smiling (such joie de vivre!).
She's the lady in red when everybody else is wearing tan...
The flashy girl from Flushing, the Nanny named Fran!

Maxwell was on the phone when CC entered. She sat down on the couch, still feeling a little strange after that short conversation in the kitchen. She was used to the strange feelings raging through her because of her pregnancy.

"So CC, what did the doctor say? How is the baby?" CC looked up, she had been taken out of her thoughts by Maxwell's voice.

"Uhm, he or she is perfectly fine."

"He or she? I can't believe Niles and you don't want to know what sex the baby is going to be."

"We like surprises. And besides, you didn't want to know either." Maxwell smiled when he remembered. She was speaking the truth, he didn't want to know. But he had been so much happier when he did find out.

"Ok, you got me there, but still, I liked to know."

"And we don't. Just drop it Maxwell." CC didn't really feel like talking. Or working. She couldn't concentrate on anything. There was only one thing she could do when she felt like that.

"Oh ok CC." Maxwell had gotten used to her mood swings. And if he had learned anything these past few weeks, it was that he could not mess with a moody CC.

"Maxwell? Could I take the rest of the afternoon off? I feel a little tired, and I can't concentrate anyway."

"Sure CC. I can't believe you are working anyway, I mean, you are…."

"Fat as a whale? Big and ugly? Not good for business? You better be careful here Maxwell, you are walking on eggshells. I know how you all talk behind my back. I maybe be pregnant, but not stupid. So if you don't mind, I'll walk out on you before you are going to say something I know you are going to regret." CC left, leaving an astounded Maxwell behind. Maybe it was better, because even though Maxwell had lived through 4 pregnancies before, he knew CC was a whole other story.

CC went into the kitchen, knowing it was about time for the yenta-hour between Niles and Nanny Fine. She wished she could be like them, just for once. Without worries, without doubts, without a demanding life.

"Oh honey, how lovely to see you. Would you like some tea?" Niles had learned the different mood swings by the different looks on her face. And this was the venerable doubtful look.

"Sure Niles. Hi Nanny Fine. I see you cleaned up the mess those two little devils made?" Fran had to restrain herself from making a comment that could be experienced as hurtful.

"Yes I have. Together with Niles of course."

"Yeah yeah, whatever. He's the best." CC didn't really feel like sitting here with the two of them either. Whatever she did today, she would be the odd one out. Then again, these people right here were probably considered very odd by outsiders too.

"I'm sorry honey, Fran, but I really have to start doing the laundry now." Niles gave CC a soft kiss, and waved goodbye to the women. He hoped they would survive.

CC sat at the kitchen table looking at her hands. There had been something on her mind for some time now. The only person she could discuss this with would be Fran. Niles would laugh at her for sure, and Maxwell would be to dense to understand. So that left Fran, really the expert on this area. But to put it mildly, Fran and CC had never been best friends.

"Some more tea?" Fran took CC's cup. She didn't look happy. Not at all. But then again, Fran didn't feel on top of the world when she was pregnant either. At least, not all of the time.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. Fine." CC looked up. It was now or never. Rather never, but it should be now.

"Uh Nanny Fine? Could we talk, you know about the baby and stuff?" Fran looked up. CC, the woman who could do everything by herself, came to her for help? Wow, it must be important then.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I'm just wondering…. How do you do it?"

"Do it? Do what?"

"Everything. I'm already tired now, and I haven't even given birth yet. And you, you have two children. They keep going all day, and all night. How do you keep up? How do you keep yourself from strangling them?"

"Well, that may seem hard, and maybe it is. But you must understand that a mother loves her children more than anything in the world, and that she would walk through fire for them. OK, that was the official version. But now the truth. I do get tired. I do get annoyed. But in the end, it's worth it. The mess you saw earlier today, that's something that will be over soon. And you are getting so much in return. I mean, well come see for yourself." Fran stood, and motioned for CC to follow her. They went up on the back stairs, and quietly entered the twins room. CC stood at the door, not sure if she should enter. Fran turned around when CC wasn't following her, and motioned for her to also come in.

Fran stood next to Eve's crib. She lovingly put her blanket straight, and kissed her. Then she went over to Jonah, and did the same. CC became very uneasy. This open display of love was not something she was used to.

Fran went back to the hallway, and CC followed her.

"Let's go downstairs, we need to talk. There's so much more I need to tell you." Fran said, while she went down the main stairs.

"Sure. What about?" They went to the living room, and sat down on the couch.

"I have a proposal for you. Please consider it seriously." Fran said. She seriously doubted if CC would accept the proposal, but she thought it might be good for her.

"What is it?" CC asked.

"How would you like to join me one day taking care of the twins. This way you can experience what it's like taking care of a baby, but with my help. And you can see that it's not half as bad as you think it is." CC looked at Fran. She would actually trust her with one of her children?

"Think about when Max and I had those two dummy twins, it was a great practice for us too. But now you can practice with a live baby, and I will be there to guide you." She would trust her? With a live baby? A living, breathing, babbling, spitting, sleeping child? But she was right, it would be a great practice.

"Ok, I'll accept your offer. But first I need to talk to Niles and Max about it. And you should talk to Max too, I mean you are trusting me with one of your children."

"I will, but I'm sure he will agree. And so will Niles." They stood, and went to find their husbands. Fran walked to the office, and CC went in search of Niles.

CC found Niles in the laundry room. He was just taking the laundry out of the washer.

"Hi darling. Feeling better." Niles walked over to her and kissed her just as soon as he saw her.

"Yeah a little. Niles, I need to talk to you." Niles backed away a little, she was really serious. He hoped nothing was wrong with the baby, or CC.

"Sure honey, are you alright? And the baby?" CC smiled at his worries. He could be so… so… normal sometimes.

"Everything's fine Niles, let's go to the kitchen." They walked to the kitchen, and sat down at the table.

"I just had a talk with Fran. Uhm… I was asking her something about the babies, and she showed me some stuff. She made me an offer, and I think it's very good. But I needed to talk to you about it." Niles was surprised CC actually talked to Fran about the baby. He knew a little about her uncertainties, but he also knew she kept them hidden deep inside herself.

"What kind of offer dear?"

"She offered to let me join her one day. She will allow me to take care of one of the twins, to see what it's like to take care of a baby. You know, to experience what it's like." Niles looked at her. She was talking like she was seriously considering it. And maybe she was right, maybe it would be better for her practice. She had never handled a baby before, and she should try to be more comfortable around children. And also, she would look lovely as a mother.

"That's a wonderful idea. What do you think? Will you do it?"

"Yes, I think so. I mean if even Nanny Fine trusts me enough to give me her child for one day I must do something right. She's talking to Maxwell about it right now, after all he's the father." Just then Fran and Maxwell entered the kitchen.

"Hi Niles. Did CC tell you about my idea?"

"Yes she did. And I think it's wonderful." Niles said. He was happy Fran was helping CC, because she was really having a hard time.

"I think so too, and I give you my full blessing CC. You will be wonderful." Maxwell again hugged Fran, realizing what a treasure she is for their extended family.

"Thanks Maxwell. I would like to join you tomorrow Fran, but that does mean that you have to miss me one entire day Maxwell."

"No problem CC, you have done a lot of work the past few days, I'm sure you can take one day off." Maxwell smiled. He had made some arrangements already for when CC would be working less due to her pregnancy. But he wouldn't tell her that, she would be terribly upset.

The next day came soon. CC and Fran had agreed that CC would take care of Eve, because she remained the 'easier' one of the two babies. Fran had planned a calm day for them. They would start of by feeding the babies their breakfast. Then they would have a morning swim in the pool. After that they would have a nap, while Fran and CC would have some time to themselves. Then it was time for an afternoon snack, and then of to the mall for some new clothes for the babies, and their mother. When they would come home the twins would be ready for bed again, and probably so would CC be. They would just relax, while Fran would answer some of CC's questions. Niles would have prepared dinner by then, and they would eat it. The twins would want their dinner too, and they would give it to them.

CC really doubted if she could survive this day. Not only would she be taking care of a real live baby, but she would also be spending the day with Fran! She never thought, and hoped, she would see the day.

Fran would pick up CC just as soon as she had dressed and the twins were presentable. CC had just finished eating breakfast, and sat in the living room when she saw Fran walking past the pool carrying the twins. She stood and opened the door.

"Hi CC, ready for a tiring day?" Fran entered the house, and handed Eve to CC.

"Uh, yeah, I guess." CC was looking at how she would take Eve from Fran. She thought about how she had seen Niles doing this. She put her hands under Eve's arms, and held her far from her body.

"Ok CC, time for lesson one. How to hold a baby. Now, watch me, and follow what I do." Fran held Jonah just as CC held Eve. Then she pulled Jonah close to her, and put his head gently on her shoulder. CC tried to follow her, and to her surprise it worked.

"Hey, this isn't so hard." Fran smiled.

"No it isn't. Now, why don't we go to the our house and give them their breakfast."

"Breakfast? Like in food?" Fran had opened the door for CC, and she was walking slowly and carefully behind her.

"Yeah, what else?" CC was a bit unsure, if not even Fran could feed them without making a big mess, how would she do it?

"Well I don't know. But will I be okay, I mean yesterday they made such a big mess, I will never be able to handle them." Fran had talked this over with Maxwell. She knew that CC wouldn't be sure of her child-care abilities, so it was her job to make her sure.

"You will be perfect. Yesterday the twins were very tired, and I was handling them by myself. Now we are doing it together, and the twins had a good nights sleep. There will be no big problems." Fran sat Jonah in the infant seat, and put the safety belt system on him. Then she turned to CC and helped her putting Eve in the chair. Then Fran took the breakfast, which was some fruit. She gave a little bowl to CC, with a spoon in it, and took one bowl herself. They both sat in front of the seats, and Fran showed CC how to feed them.

CC watched Fran, and saw that Jonah was giving Fran no problems today. She filled a spoon and brought it to her mouth. But she wouldn't open her mouth, no matter how CC tried.

"Fran? Why isn't she eating?" Fran looked over to CC.

"Two problems. One, the spoon is way to full. She could never swallow all that. Second, Eve had this habit. She won't eat anything anybody else hasn't tried first. So if you take a small bite, and then give her a small spoonful there should be no more problems." Fran laughed when CC pulled a disgusted face.

CC wondered if Fran was serious, or if she just wanted her to try the disgusting looking stuff. Oh well, it seemed that Fran knew more about this stuff than she did, so she followed Fran's instructions.

She took the smallest bite possible, and found that it actually tasted quite good. She then smiled reassured to Eve, and gave her a small spoonful. Eve ate it and laughed. CC looked at Fran, who smiled. CC began really feeding Eve, and before she knew it the bowl was empty.

"Now what Fran, can we go swimming? Eve finished her breakfast."

"No CC, there's something you must do first."

"Oh I know, clean the table." She started picking up the bowls, and walked to the dishwasher.

"Well, that too, but something much more important. You have to burp Eve."

"Burp her? And how am I supposed to do that?" Fran showed her, by doing it to Jonah. She put a piece of cloth on her shoulder, and put Jonah over her shoulder. Then she gently patted his back, and he burped several times. Then Fran wiped Jonah's mouth.

"See? Now you." Fran put a clean piece of cloth on CC's shoulder. CC put Eve over her shoulder like she had seen Fran do, and patted her back very gently. She heard Eve burp several times, but she didn't know if it was enough.

"Fran? Is she finished burping?"

"Yes, I think so. Just take her of your shoulder and wipe her mouth." CC did what Fran told her to do, and found that it wasn't as hard as she had thought it would be.

Niles was vacuuming the living room when he heard laughter coming from the pool. This was fairly normal, because Fran would be swimming with the twins now, and usually Grace would have joined them, since it was Saturday. But when he heard CC laugh he quickly moved to the window. He smiled at what he saw. There were Fran and CC swimming with Eve and Jonah. They were pulling the twins along in the water, and the twins were laughing and splashing. CC seemed completely relaxed. Maybe this had been a good idea from Fran.

"What are you looking at old man?" Maxwell was wondering what made Niles smile and seem so contend.

"Oh sir, I didn't hear you coming in. I was looking at CC and Fran. They are swimming with Eve and Jonah." Maxwell walked over to the window and saw what Niles meant. They did look happy.

"CC will make a perfect mother Niles, you can be proud of her. And I think this was great of Fran to propose this idea. CC seems really comfortable with it."

"Yes, there's something I never thought I'd see, CC comfortable with Fran." The two men laughed. Then they sighed and went back to their jobs.

CC didn't feel comfortable at first, walking around in her bathing suit. She felt like she looked like a whale. But then she thought that Fran had looked even worse, because she had carried twins. Now that she was in the water she felt wonderful. She was playing with Eve, who was busy splashing around. At first they sat in a swimming-belt, and Fran and CC were pulling them around the pool, letting them move.

"CC, let's take them out of the belt, and let them swim a little by themselves." CC looked over to Fran, could he be serious?

"Out of their swimming-belts? Fran, are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. CC, I've been swimming with them since they were one month old. They know how to keep their breaths for several seconds. And they can swim short distances. Usually I'm here with Grace, but now that you are here we can both keep an eye on them."

"Okay, whatever you say." CC lifted Eve out of her belt, and held her in the water. Fran did the same, and held Jonah. Jonah was busy splashing around, obviously wanting his mother to let go.

"Okay CC, are you ready? I'll let Jonah swim to you." Fran and CC were about 3 feet apart, and Fran let Jonah go. At first he slipped below the surface, and CC looked a little terrified at Fran. But she smiled reassuring, and Jonah swam to CC. CC lifted him up, and he smiled.

"Wow, I never thought a baby could do this!"

"A lot of practice! Now, let Eve swim towards me." CC let Eve go, and just like Jonah she swam to Fran. They let the twins swim some more, and then put them back in the belts. They played a little while longer, but it was obvious the twins were getting cold and tired.

They took Eve and Jonah inside and dressed themselves before giving the twins a quick bath, and put them to bed. CC seemed much more at ease with them than she had been the day before. She followed all the things Fran did, and asked questions when she needed to know something. Fran almost forgot with whom she was taking care of the babies. When they had put the twins to bed they went downstairs to the kitchen for some coffee and an afternoon snack.

They sat down at the table, and now CC could feel that she was actually quite tired too. They drank their coffee in silence. When they were finished CC sat in her chair, staring to a point far away.

"CC? Why don't you go home, or to Maxwell or something? Eve and Jonah won't be awake for at least two more hours, there's nothing left to do here. I think I'm going to watch my soaps, or surf the net." Fran put her coffee cup in the dish washer and went to the living room.

CC also put away her cup and went to Maxwell. There would be enough work that she could do, so there was no problem if she wanted to work.

The door of the office opened and the two people who were working very hard in there looked up. Fran looked at CC.

"CC? The twins will be awake any minute now, what do you want to do? Will you go with me this afternoon or will you stay here?" Fran had decided to give her a way out, she didn't know if CC really liked this.

"No, I will come with you. Just let me put these papers away, and then I'll follow you." CC put away her papers in the filling cabinet. Then she followed Fran upstairs.

The twins were just waking up. When Fran and CC entered the room they heard Jonah babbling, probably trying to wake his sister. Fran picked up Jonah, and put him on the dressing table.

"Let's dress Jonah first, Eve will wake up any minute now." Fran got some clothes for Jonah, and started dressing him. And sure enough, soon they could hear Eve babbling too. CC went over to her crib and picked her up. She put her on the other dressing table, and started dressing her too. Fran had soon finished with Jonah, and was now watching CC. She had no problem dressing Eve.

They went downstairs, and into the kitchen.

"I see Niles prepared a vegetable snack for them. Ready to feed them lunch?" Fran put Jonah in his chair, and CC did the same with Eve.

"Alright. Here we go again. I suppose I have to try this too?" Fran nodded. CC again took the smallest bite possible. But this didn't taste as bad as it looked, just like it had this morning. Eve smiled and CC began feeding her. CC felt very sure about what she was doing. She found it much easier than she had expected it to be. When Eve had finished the entire bowl CC burped her, like she had done this morning.

They cleared the table, and got ready to go shopping. They put Eve and Jonah in their strollers , and they were off. Fran had decided that Eve and Jonah needed some new clothes, and while they were in the shop they could look for some clothes for CC's baby too.

Fran and CC went into the first store. It was a baby store, where they sold just about anything that had to do with babies and their parents. Fran saw some adorable clothes, and bought them for Eve and Jonah. She also showed CC some clothes, but as was to be expected CC didn't really like Fran's taste. She might have changed a lot the last few months, but she would never go as far as to let her child wear the type of clothes Fran chose for her children.

CC bought some toys for the baby, things that could be used by both a boy and a girl. After an hour in the store CC became bored. She began trying to get Fran to come with her, but she wouldn't come.

"Fran, you have been for an hour, I'm getting tired. Let's go back. Come on Fran, you can comeback any time you want."

"But now they are having this sale, I need just a few more minutes."

"Why do you need to shop in a sale? You are a rich woman now, you can afford anything you want."

"But it isn't the same."

"Why not, it are still the same clothes. Fran, give it up. I'm tired, you are tired, Eva and Jonah are tired." Fran looked over at CC. She did seem tired. Maybe she was right, she should be a little more considerate.

"Okay, we'll go on. Is there another store you want to go to, or do you want to go home?"

"Let's go home."

"Sure, the twins can play some more while we rest." Fran and CC went back home. They sat in the living room, and let the twins play on the ground. They were busy driving their toys on the floor, making all kinds of noises.

CC sat on the couch, watching them. Fran sat in the chair, playing a little with Eve.

"Fran?"

"Yes CC?"

"I really want to thank you for today, it really helped me. I never thought I would be this good at it."

"I didn't either, but you are. You will make a wonderful mother."

"Thanks Fran. I need to make some phone calls, so if you don't mind I will be with Maxwell now."

"Sure, go ahead." CC went to Maxwell, to get away from the family feeling. She might have enjoyed the day as a mother, but she still needed some business to get her mind straight.

Later at night, CC was discussing the day with Niles. They were at their home, enjoying the night together. Niles had started a fire, and they were getting warm on the fire and on each other.

"It was really strange Niles, I mean, I thought I'd be so bad at this mothering stuff, but actually it's not too hard if you try. And these children are not as obnoxious as I thought."

"So you didn't feel like eating them? There's a shocker." CC hit him on his arm.

"Cut it out Niles, I'm trying to be serious here." Niles rubbed his arm.

"So am I, I'm dead serious." CC smiled.

"With your age it's hard to be anything else than dead."

"Haha, how funny. I'm laughing, you see." Niles tried to keep a straight face.

"I can't, because your face is frozen. Must be like what happened with those mummies. You sure are old enough."

"Yeah I'm a regular Methuselah. I'm wondering what happened to you. You are just as old, but your face is still moving. Must be turned into liquid or something. I bet your sister is behind this."

"Sister?"

"Yeah, the one they dropped a house on."

"You better watch out before I drop a house on you." CC grabbed him close and gave him a passionate kiss.

"I sure missed you today. The office was so empty without you there to insult me." Niles said when he pulled back.

"Same here, it was a nice day, but we saw way to little of each other."

"Promise you will work tomorrow?"

"Promise. Oh Niles feel." CC put his hand on her belly, were the baby was kicking.

"Seems like he or she also wants you to work tomorrow."

"A regular Babcock, wants to do nothing but work." They laughed.

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeh. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh." A very unhappy Eve sat in her high chair, crying. She obviously wanted her mommy. But her mommy was busy taking care of her brother, who had just spilled his food over him.

"Oh no Evie, please, don't cry, I'll pick up your spoon in a minute." But Eve didn't care what her mommy said. She wanted her spoon now!

CC entered and she saw Eve crying, and Fran busy with Jonah. She went over to Eve and picked her up out of her chair. Eve stopped crying, happy to finally get some attention.

"Thank you CC, I could use some help right now."

"Where's that no good husband of mine? He should be here helping you."

"Give him a break CC, we went shopping this morning, and I know he's happy to finally have some peace and quiet. The twins sometimes drive him nuts."

"Yeah, I'm sure it are the twins that drive him nuts." CC murmured under her breath. She comforted Eve, who now was happy grabbing CC's hair.

"CC, could you watch Eve while I change Jonah's clothes? It will take just a minute?"

"Sure, go ahead." CC carried Eve to the living room, and sat on the couch with her. She took a book and started reading to her.

Fran had changed Jonah's clothes, and cleaned him up a little. She was walking downstairs when Yetta stopped her.

"Yetta? What are you doing here? Is Ma here too?"

"Uh yeah, of course. Frannie? Why is that blonde woman carrying your daughter? Is she now also trying to steal your children? Or is that her daughter and is she married to the guy you like so much?"

"Yetta, don't worry. CC is only helping me out. She's a great mother, and she's going to have her own baby soon."

"Oh yeah. I knew that." Fran smiled and they continued to the kitchen.

CC had heard what Fran had said. After all, it was hard to ignore her voice…. And she smiled. If Fran, the woman she considered to be a good mother, thought she was a great mother she must have been doing something right. Now she was not telling her, but also other people. She was defending her. That felt good. She walked to the kitchen carrying Eve.

So wha'd ya think? Any good? Be sure
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7.18 Growing Pains by Kate Moore Gracie's in Love ;) Brighton's in Trouble :( Max's in the office (typical), So what's a Mom to do?

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