Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the characters of 'The Nanny.'
A/N Pretty much my all time favorite TV couple. I know it's a long time coming, but I really wanted to finally get the story out on paper. Well, I guess it's not really paper but you understand…
Christmas in Switzerland
Chapter 1
Christmas was rapidly approaching and Max decided that this year he'd make a very big production of it. He was taking the family on a two week ski vacation to Switzerland. He'd made all the arrangements and the family, CC included, was thrilled at the prospect of getting away for two weeks over the holiday. Max made all the necessary arrangements to have their Christmas in the huge 6 bedroom chalet he'd rented for their visit. It sat literally on the ski run. They could simply step out onto the deck, clip on their skis and head down the mountain. They were all very accomplished skiers, well all but Fran, but Max insisted that he would take the time to teach her just what she needed to know.
Fran leaned into him that first night in Switzerland. "I'm hoping my first lesson goes well, Mista Sheffield."
Miss Fine, I can promise you, you'll get quite an education." Max purred in her ear as they sat in front of the fire place.
Niles was in the kitchen taking stock of their supplies and what he'd have to work with in the morning for breakfast when CC joined him. "Hey, Rochester, ya got any coffee made?"
"Why don't you hop on your broom and fly down to the ski lodge. They might." Niles grinned at her. "How about I make some hot cocoa? It seems more fitting."
CC smiled enjoying that their banter continued as normal even on vacation. It had been pretty rough for a while. "Can I help?" CC stepped into the kitchen and stood next to Niles at the stove.
"Children," Niles called from the kitchen. "Would you like some hot cocoa?"
The children stood and looked at the scenes around them. Max and Fran were practically snuggling in front of the fire and Niles and CC were standing side by side in the kitchen. Maggie looked at Brighton and Brighton looked at Gracie and Gracie looked back to Maggie. Then all three shook their heads and answered together. "No thanks, I'm going to bed." The kids headed up the stairs to their appointed sleeping quarters.
It was a very large chalet so only Maggie and Gracie had to share a room. But they had their own private bathroom and couldn't have been more thrilled. Niles and Brighton would share a bathroom as would Fran and CC. Max would be in the master suite and also had a private bath. It was a nicely decorated chalet and Max actually gave some thought to offering to buy it from the current owners. He decided to see how this vacation went first.
"Mr. Sheffield, Fran, would you like cocoa?" Niles called without turning around.
"No thanks, Niles." Fran hollered.
Max called back. "Niles, I told you we're on vacation you can call me Max, and I'd prefer a snifter of brandy."
"Yes, Sir…uh…Max." Niles poured the brandy and took it to Max. When he returned to the kitchen he leaned in and whispered to CC, "I can call him Max provided I still wait on him hand and foot."
CC laughed. "I know…he makes such a big deal out of everything. I can list on one hand the number of decisions he's made in the last year." "You smell so good. I want to take a bite out of you."
"She's standing so close. I'm getting a little warm." "Have you asked him about full partnership, yet?" Niles asked. "Where the hell did that come from?"
"How did he know…the intercom." "No, you haven't said anything, have you?"
Niles turned to look at her. "God will you just look at those eyes?" "No, of course not, but you know you've more than earned it. What with the investors couch and all." Niles nudged her shoulder.
CC nudged him back. "Very funny, Spic-n-Span, don't make me tell everyone what you really get paid.
Niles head snapped to look at her. "How do you know?"
CC laughed that evil laugh that made his stomach jump a little. "I handle all of that stuff Niles. You know all the legal junk that gives Max a headache." CC looks back over her shoulder at him and Fran. "I guess it over works his pretty boy brain cells."
Niles practically burst into laughter.
Max called from his place next to Fran. "Something funny, old man?"
"No, Max…just something Miss Babcock said." Niles winked at her.
CC whispered to Niles again. "And what's with that old man, crap? You're only two years older than him."
"It's just the nature of things. He's called me old man since we were at Eton. I think he started when I was twelve. Made it difficult picking up girls." Niles chuckled.
CC asked cautiously. "If you don't mind my asking, how did your folks afford to send you to Eton and then Oxford?"
"Max' parents paid for me to go to both Eton and Oxford, so I'd be there to help him." Niles suddenly looked a little sad.
CC frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Oh, no it's not that. When my parents first told me I was thrilled. I couldn't believe they were being so generous. Until…" Niles' voice faded a little.
CC nudged him. "You don't have to tell me, Niles."
"There was a condition. They'd send me to school if I promised to take butler training after graduation so that when Max graduated...I could be his butler." Niles still seemed sad. "Let's take this out on the deck. I think I need a little air."
CC smiled. "I'll get our coats." CC went to the hooks that held their coats and grabbed her and Niles' coats.
Fran called from the fireplace. "Hey, CC. ya leavin?"
"Niles and I are going to have out cocoa out on the deck. It got kind of warm in the kitchen with the stove on." CC took Niles his coat and the two of them went out onto the deck with their mugs.
"Miss Babcock…" Niles started.
CC grinned. "Niles, I think you can probably call me CC, we're on vacation, remember…dust mop."
"That's Butler Boy, to you missy, vacation or not!" He laughed.
They sipped their cocoa in silence for a few minutes before CC found the courage to ask what she was wondering. "Niles, why do you still work for Max? I mean, if you don't really want to, why do you stay?" CC didn't make eye contact.
"I thought about leaving a few times. After I felt I'd lived up to my end of the bargain." Niles sighed. "But then I was hooked. I adore the children, and I love Max like a brother. And while I don't like to pat myself on the back, he couldn't find his shorts if I left him now, what with those pretty boy brain cells and all." CC laughed and shivered a little. Niles instinctively put his arm around her shoulder and thought to himself, "If I quit I wouldn't be able to see you every day." "Plus, if I wasn't there, who'd keep you in your place?"
CC laughed. "I'd just die if I walked into that kitchen and knew you weren't going to be there." CC thought. "Niles…what is your degree in…from Oxford?"
"Uhm…" Niles hesitated. "I…uh…"
"What? You can tell me." CC turned to face him. "It isn't something like…animal husbandry or anything is it?"
"Well that would come in handy with you around all the time." Niles laughed and then he sighed. "I was a music major; voice and piano, with a minor in composition."
The sliding door flew opened. "Hey you two…Mista Sheffield went to bed and I'm headed up now. Are ya comin' in?"
CC looked at Fran then Niles. "Uhh, yeah if we're all going to hit the slopes in the morning I need my sleep." CC started to go in the house.
"Niles, Mista Sheffield wanted me to tell you to check the fire and make sure that it'll burn itself out." Fran stepped aside so CC could enter the house, followed by a less than vacationing Niles. "Night, Niles." Fran tossed back as she followed CC up the stairs to their rooms.
Niles crossed to the fire place and mixed up the glowing embers a bit. "Why didn't he just use the air in his head to blow it out?"
Niles hit the middle of the stairs just in time to catch CC coming out of the bathroom she shared with Fran. She was wearing a long red satin night gown. It had a scoop neck line and tiny sleeves. She wouldn't have noticed him standing on the steps had it not been for the audible gasp. She looked up at him and their eyes connected for a moment. "Night, Niles." CC disappeared into her room.
Niles tossed and turned in his bed. "You're so beautiful…I could stay here forever just looking at you." He whispered to her.
"I've never felt so adored before. I've been wanted, needed, desired, but it's never felt like this. You're amazing…Niles." CC shivered as he slowly ran his hand up her thigh, then her hip then painstakingly across her belly bringing goose bumps to the surface.
Niles rolled toward her and kissed her softly. She licked and tugged at his lower lip begging him to deepen the kiss. He didn't disappoint her either. Their tongues dueling for supremacy as his hand slipped around her waist and pulled her closer to him. The hair on his chest was tickling the soft skin of her breasts. "Ohhhh, Niles…Niles…"
"Niiiiiles!" Max bellowed from his bedroom jerking Niles back into reality.
Niles sat up in bed. "Shit!" He flung off the blankets and swung his feet over the edge of his bed. "Coming, Sir!" Niles called as he pulled on his robe. "Well, almost anyway," He said under his breath. Niles knocked and entered Max's bedroom. "You bellowed, Sir."
"Niles…I thought we'd discussed this…" Max tilted his head at Niles.
"Sorry." Niles started. "You bellowed, Max." Niles corrected himself.
Max smiled. "Will you be joining us on the slopes this morning?"
"Yes, Max. I was planning on skiing today. Is that a problem?" Niles waited for the shoe to drop about planning the meals and dealing with the Christmas preparations.
"Not at all, old man, I was just calling in reservations for lunch at the lodge and wanted an accurate count." Max smiled at Niles' apparent shock. "I thought after lunch we could all go pick out a tree and really fill the house with the Christmas spirit."
Niles looked at his friend a little differently. "Max…what have you got planned for this little family vacation?"
Max smirked at his dear friend. "Lot's of little things, old friend, lots of little things." Max stood and headed toward his bathroom. "Niles, old boy, you'd better get dressed. We don't want to keep the family waiting." Max went into his bathroom and closed the door leaving a slightly shell shocked Niles behind.
After a morning of taking in the slopes the 'Sheffield bunch' as many of the other visitors in the lodge began referring to them, decided to drive into the nearby town and pick out the perfect Christmas tree. Fran had already told the family that she'd dial down the Hanukkah celebration this year since she didn't imagine there'd be many Jews in Switzerland. Max made sure to bring the 'Sheffield family Menorah' anyway.
"Mista Sheffield!" Fran started. "The tree is beautiful! And thanks for bringin' the Menorah."
Max put his arm around her shoulder. "Miss Fine, this is a family celebration and you're family. Of course I wouldn't leave out such an important part of your holiday." Max leaned in and kissed her on the cheek to the great surprise of everyone, including Fran.
After decorating the tree the children decided to go to the afternoon movie at the lodge, leaving the adults relaxing in front of the fire. CC sat in an overstuffed chair to the left of the fireplace leafing through a book she'd found earlier in the day. Niles sat on the floor in front of the fireplace, tending to the fire. Max and Fran sat on the sofa entirely too close to suggest anything but snuggling.
CC looked up at the couple and sighed softly. She'd always played at the 'spurned jealous lover'; but Max wasn't really what CC wanted in a man. Max was, however exactly what her mother wanted in a man for CC. She thought to herself, "Max was terribly handsome, pretty almost. And yes, he was successful and suave and intelligent enough, but just not…humrf."
Hey, Blondie!" Niles called from the floor. "Would you like to help me fix dinner?" Niles stood up.
CC laughed. "Now, Dagwood, why would I want to help you fix anything?"
Max stood up and extended his hand to Fran. "No need, old man. I've made arrangements for you and CC to eat at the lodge tonight."
Niles practically spun around to face his old friend. "What?" Niles tried desperately to be disgusted. "Why would I want to eat with the livestock?"
"Maxwell!" CC jumped up not to be out done. "I have no intention of eating with the help."
Fran shrugged and stepped toward the kitchen a few steps. "Geez, ya try to do somethin' nice."
"That's enough from both of you. This is a vacation and you two are going to get along. Now both of you go and get dressed, it's black tie." Max feigned anger, but well enough that Niles and CC did as they were told without another word.
Niles was the first to appear from his room and made his way quickly downstairs only to hear Fran whistling at him. Whoooweee Niles! You sure do clean up nice!" Niles laughed at his friend. "I gotta tell ya, very sexy. If I wasn't already too far gone for pretty boy," Fran whispered, "You'd be in big trouble, Mista."
"Thanks, Fran." Niles smiled at her and noticed she wasn't looking at him anymore. Niles followed her eyes to the stairs where CC stood in a floor length forest green gown. It had a sweetheart neckline and slightly puffy three quarter length sleeves and a modest slit in the center back. It fit her curves just enough to raise Niles' blood pressure but not so much he couldn't speak. "CC, you're stunning." He extended his hand to aid her with the last two steps. Then he leaned in and whispered, "And that dress ain't bad either."
"Should I call the lodge for a pick up?" Fran asked.
"No need, Miss Fine." Max joined Fran and they walked CC and Niles to the front door of the chalet. "Niles can take the Rover."
Niles glanced and CC. "Max, I don't think CC is properly attired for a ride in the Range Rover."
"Quite right, old man," Max smirked. "Then you'd better take the Jag." Max tossed Niles the keys to the rented Jaguar.
Niles caught the keys in one hand and extended his arm to CC. "Shall we go?"