Blonds, Brits, and Butlers
Disclaimer: I do not own the Nanny. I am just a college gal so please don't sue. Author's notes: This just popped into my head so I rolled with it. I tried not to change to much history. Please R&R!
Niles is the butler of Maxwell and Sara Sheffield. C.C. comes to apply for a job with Maxwell.
Niles walked down the hallway into the foyer and dusted the small table. Niles was British, handsome with dark blond hair, gorgeous blue eyes; he was slightly above average height and had a medium build. He wasn't fat he was muscular. Now approaching his 30th birthday, Niles wanted the companionship or rather love of a woman more than anything. He wanted to love and be loved.
"Niles, there is someone coming for an interview shortly. Please show her in," Mr. Sheffield instructed him as he came down the stairs. Maxwell was 28 and also British. He was leaner than Niles, slightly taller, had dark hair and dark eyes. He was also very handsome.
"Certainly sir," Niles answered following him into the living room. Maxwell continued on to his office while Niles sat down on the couch. Her, thought Niles, maybe she'll be the one?
Niles had not been in the companionship of a woman in that way since his senior year at Eton. That was quickly approaching a decade. He had so much pent up sexual energy in him that he was almost willing to do any girl, of age, that would have him. Although, what he wanted was a serious relationship.
As he sat there on the couch Niles mused again, "Maybe she'll be the one?"
He started to get excited at the thought. Not many women, other than dancers auditioning for Mr. Sheffield, came to the house. He knew he didn't stand a chance with any of the dancers, not that he minded all that much. He wanted more than a one night stand, which he wouldn't get from any of those attractive women. The doorbell broke Niles' dreaming.
"That's her," he said with a smile and a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he headed for the door, leaving his feather duster behind.
On the other side of the door there stood a nervous young woman. She was in her early 20s, just out of college. C.C. checked her face in the mirror of her compact one last time and slid it back into her purse. She had heard about the up and coming new Broadway producer, Maxwell Sheffield, and about how he would likely rival Andrew Lloyd Webber (whom Maxwell hated) someday. C.C. loved the theatre, wasn't too fond of Andrew Lloyd Webber herself and was looking for her big break. The socialite was hoping this would be it.
She rang the doorbell and smoothed out her new black business suit. As she waited she prayed that no one would notice that she just had her hair dyed. She was still a little uncomfortable about it. She heard footsteps on the other side of the door and wasn't sure who it would be, after all she had no idea what Maxwell looked like.
"Hello, Hello!" a very chipper C.C. replied when Niles opened the door. "I'm C.C. Babcock. I have an interview with Maxwell Sheffield."
Niles stood there for a moment taking in her beauty. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. She had beautiful blond hair reaching just past her chin, piercing blue eyes, long legs, was about 5'8", and she was very slender.
"You must be Mr. Sheffield. It's a pleasure to meet you. May I come in?" C.C. asked sweetly, trying to evoke a response from the very attractive man in front of her. I hope he is Maxwell. He's very attractive, she thought.
Snapping back to reality Niles replied, "No, I'm Niles, Mr. Sheffield's butler." Her beautiful smile dropped to a frown, though she wanted to melt at the sound of his voice.
"Then get out of my way butler boy," C.C. angrily pushed her way past him into the foyer. She needed the anger to mask her real feelings. Meanwhile, any feelings Niles had were shaken with that comment.
"I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten my manners. Do come in," She glared at him and he glared back. "If you will follow me Mr. Sheffield is waiting," he said as he led her to the office. "Mr. Sheffield, Miss C.C. Babcock," he announced entering the room with her right behind him.
"Thank you Niles," Maxwell said motioning him to leave.
A few hours later Niles was in the kitchen making dinner. Maxwell enters in very high spirits.
"Good news Niles, I found a Public Relations person," Max said happily.
"Who?" Niles asked, already knowing the answer.
"C.C. Babcock," Max replied.
"Oh joy," moaned Niles. Although to him it a blessing as much as it was a curse. He'd get to see her everyday. Maybe I'll be able to change her mind, he thought.
"Is supper ready old man?" Max questioned.
"Yes sir. I'll go call the rest of the family," Niles said and walked to the stairs. "Mrs. Sheffield, children, supper is ready."
The Sheffield family gathered into the dining room for supper. Max was first, followed by his wife Sara carrying 6 month old baby Grace. Sara was the same age as Max, blond, thin, average height, and very beautiful. Behind Sara was 4 year old Brighton and 8 year old Maggie. Maggie was a cute little girl with blond hair. Brighton also had blond hair, and the little bit of hair Gracie had was brown. They'd had Maggie while still in college. Sara became pregnant shortly after the two wed at age 20.
"Darling, guess what, I hired a public relations person today," Max said cheerfully.
"Really, Who?" Sara asked, putting Grace in her bassinet near the table.
"Her name is C.C. Babcock," Max replied.
The next morning C.C. arrived for work just as Sara was leaving to take the children to school.
"Hello, Hello," C.C. chirped.
"Hello C.C.," Max replied.
"Oh C.C. hello. I'm Sara, Max's wife. It's very nice to meet you," she said while wrangling Maggie and Brighton. Grace was still asleep.
"Nice to meet you too," she replied sweetly with a handshake, even though she was semi-angry she wouldn't have a shot at Maxwell. Not so much because she actually liked him, but because if she was with him she could keep her mind off of the butler.
"Alright now kids into the limo. Again nice meeting you C.C.. Bye darling," she said giving Max a kiss.
"Bye," he replied as they left. "Come on C.C., we have work to do."
"Yes Maxwell, yes we do," she said following him toward the office. She spotted Niles coming down the hall. Oh great, she thought, butler boy is the last person I want to see today. Still, if I can't have Maxwell why shouldn't I go for him? Maybe Maxwell being unavailable is a sign? Maybe Niles isn't beneath me? I don't know, but I do know that he is pretty…
"Look what the cat dragged in," Niles smirked. His words shook her back to reality.
"Can it (noticing the bottle of Pine-sol in his cleaning basket) Pine-sol," she laughed her deep laugh and walked away to catch up to Maxwell.
"She has a great laugh," he said almost dream like.
"Maxwell, why didn't you tell me you were married?" C.C. questioned sitting down on the loveseat. "Or had kids," she added under her breath.
"I guess it just didn't come up," Max replied with a shrug.
"Not that the wedding ring isn't a dead give away or anything," Niles remarked walking by, but slow enough to catch C.C.'s angry reaction.
"Niles, could you make a pot of tea?" Max asked.
"Certainly sir," Niles said sticking his head in the door.
"I like mine with fresh squeezed lemon," C.C. called after Niles who headed for the kitchen.
"I'll give you a fresh squeezed something, witch," he mumbled.
The rest of the day continued in much the same manner. Niles and C.C. continued to trade insults with the occasional prank thrown in. Niles started by putting lemon scented Pledge, only a drop or two so as not to harm her, in her tea. She retaliated by putting pepper in his feather duster. He sneezed for over an hour.
The next several weeks brought more of the same fighting. C.C. made a list of her favorite names for Niles, such as: Pine-sol, dust pan, Windex, Mop & Glow, Tilex, and Clorox, occasionally throwing in another to shake things up. Niles began experimenting with nick-names too. The one he used most was witch, partly because she would cackle like one sometimes when he said it. He also liked her reaction when he called her a brunette. Her eyes bugged out and she nearly backhanded him. Niles decided some investigating was in order there. C.C. was getting use to the blond hair and wanted her chestnut hair to stay in the past because she hated it.
As far as pranks were concerned Niles would do things like wax the floor without telling her or give her a dribble glass. C.C. did things like, switch his after shave with Murphy's Oil or super glue his shoes to his closet floor so he had to walk around in socks. They were mostly harmless pranks because neither wanted the other hurt, just embarrassed. Although, a few articles of clothing were ruined in the process.
It was the last week of the month and Niles's birthday was on Thursday. He and C.C. continued to trade insults, but as of late there was a more sensual tone to the fighting. Niles felt he was finally getting to her, not that she needed getting to. She, on the other hand, was not so sure she was getting to him, so if the arguing got too heated she'd stop cold. Niles started calling her the ice queen.
Wednesday Maxwell and C.C. were working late. She was sitting in the office alone, because Max had to run to the theatre, when Niles entered.
"Ms. Babcock, Mrs. Sheffield would like to know if you are staying for dinner."
"Yes, Maxwell and I are having drinks with a potential backer later, so it's easier if I just stay here so we can go together," she replied without looking up from her work.
"What, is your broomstick low on gas?" he smirked.
"Go kiss a dust buster Windex," she shot back, looking him straight in the eye.
"Niles!" Sara yelled, breaking their intense stare. It was almost as if they could see into each other's souls.
"Coming Mrs. Sheffield!" he replied and left.
At supper Max began discussing Niles's birthday.
"Sara and I were talking, and we've decided to give you the whole day off tomorrow since it's your birthday," Max said cheerfully.
"Thank you, but I couldn't. I only need the evening off for I have plans," he said looking directly at C.C., though no one but her noticed.
She fidgeted slightly, wondering if he had a date with someone else, but covered nicely. "Niles, you didn't tell me it was our birthday tomorrow."
"You didn't ask," he replied coolly and retreated to the kitchen.
The next morning Niles came downstairs a little later than usual, but he figured the Sheffield's wouldn't mind. He was in an unusually happy mood so he was willing to take the chance.
"Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted.
"Thank You," Niles said cheerfully.
"Here you are old man. Happy Birthday," Max said handing him a garment bag. "From Sara and I."
He opened the bag and inside was a new Armani suit and a red stripped tie. "Thank you sir, madam."
"Happy Birthday Niles," Sara said.
"Here Niles, this is for you," Maggie held out a small box.
"Thank you Miss Margaret," Niles said taking the box. He opened it and inside was a new feather duster with his name written on the handle in a child's handwriting.
"The children saw it and just had to get it for you," Sara said.
"I wrote your name," Maggie chimed in.
"Miss Babcock messed up your other one," Brighton said.
"Yes she did, but now I have this one. It's lovely. Thank you Miss Margaret, Master Brighton, Miss Grace," he said and waved at the baby who cooed.
"Time for school children." Max informed.
Sara led Maggie and Brighton out the door after handing Gracie to Max. Max went into the kitchen in search or Gracie's bottle. Niles started picking up his gifts, but stopped and sat on the couch.
I wonder if C.C. will bring me anything, he thought. I don't see how, she was out late with Mr. Sheffield, but she isn't here yet. No matter, she'll give me the perfect gift by agreeing to go out with me tonight.
C.C. stopped outside the Sheffield's and looked at the package in her hand. It wasn't exactly the gift she wanted to give him.
"It's his own fault for not telling me," she grumbled.
She braced herself and walked inside. She hoped he wouldn't be too mad at her gag gift to accept her dinner invitation.
"Happy Birthday Niles," she said cheerfully entering the family room. "Here."
He took the package she extended and opened it. Upon seeing the bottle of Mr. Clean his expression fell. C.C. laughed her deep laugh even though she could tell she hurt him.
"Happy Cleaning,' she chirped as she headed to the office. She'd ask him later.
"Ms. Babcock, wait," he said.
"What?" she asked as she turned around.
"Would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?" he asked quickly.
"You…you beat me to the punch!" she stated.
"What?"
"I was going to ask you out to dinner. I was hoping to talk you out of your plans for the evening, but I guess your plans were with me. (Niles was shocked) What? You really thought I'd give you that as a gift?"
"Yes…No…Maybe. So you'll go?"
"Yes, pick me up at 7," she replied as she headed to the office.
Niles smiled and thought, she really does like me. He gathered his gifts and took them upstairs before returning to work. At lunch the Sheffield's surprised Niles with a cookie cake, the kid's idea. They only had a half day of school today. After Niles put dinner on for the family he went upstairs and showered. He put on his new suit and tie with a crisp white dress shirt. He dabbed on some cologne and headed out. He stopped at a flower shop and bought a small bouquet of lilacs for C.C..
"Coming!" C.C. called when the doorbell rang.
She opened the door and Niles was taken aback by her beauty. She was wearing a strapless, baby blue evening dress with silver beaded trim that matched her heals. Her hair was in a half up, half down style.
"You look…wow!" was all Niles could manage to say.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she said with a smile.
"These are for you," he handed her the flowers.
"They're lovely Niles," C.C. said as she sniffed the flowers. "But you know what my favorites are? Yellow roses."
"I'll remember that for next time," he smiled. "Shall we?" he asked extending his arm to her.
She placed the flowers on the small table just inside the door and they left for dinner. Niles took her to a classy Italian restaurant. At the restaurant they were seated near a window facing Times Square. Niles had called ahead and ordered a bottle of Merlot, and two orders of Pasta El Dente. For a moment C.C. was angry that he ordered for her, but once she thought about it she realized what a sweet gesture it was and her happy demeanor returned. For desert they split a slice of chocolate cake. When their waiter brought it out C.C. pulled a birthday candle from her purse, lit it from one of the candles on the table, and put it on the cake.
She sang softly, so as not to draw a lot of attention, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Niles, happy birthday to you."
"You have a beautiful voice," he said smiling.
"Thank you," she said smiling back at him. She leaned over toward him and said in almost a whisper, "Now blow out you candle and make a wish. You never know, it might just come true."
He eagerly blew it out.
He dropped her off at her apartment after dinner, which C.C. had insisted on paying for.
"Goodnight C.C. and thank you, this has been a most wonderful birthday."
"Good Night Niles, and it was my pleasure," she said before turning to unlock her apartment.
He reached out and took her arm, pulling her toward him. She turned around to face him, and he kissed her tenderly. When the kiss broke they stood there for a minute and just smiled at each other before C.C. went in to her apartment. She closed the door and a mischievous smile crossed her face as she picked up the flowers Niles had given her and walked toward the kitchen.
"hm-hm, Niles, your birthday isn't over yet," she laughed, that mischievous smile still on her face. She found a vase in the pantry, filled it with water and the little packet of plant food that came with the flowers before arranging the flowers themselves neatly in the vase. She placed the vase on the table behind her couch and went to bed.
Niles went back to the mansion, half expecting Sara to be waiting up for him. The lights were out and everyone was in bed. Niles was relieved he wouldn't be pestered about his evening, at least not until breakfast.
"The perfect end to a wonderful day," he said and smiling, went to bed.
The next day both Niles and C.C. were in a very good mood. Maxwell and Sara both noticed it. They didn't trade quite as many insults as usual, in fact Max thought they were being almost civil to one another. There really wasn't a need to ask any questions of Niles, both Max and Sara had a pretty good idea of what happened the previous evening.
"Niles, remember Sara, Margaret and I are going to the theatre tonight. Brighton and Grace are staying with Sara's parents," Max reminded Niles after lunch.
"Yes sir, I remember. Is Miss Babcock going?" Niles asked.
"She was, but this morning she told me something has come up and she won't be able to make it," Max shrugged and went back to the office.
Later that evening C.C. stood in front of her full length mirror admiring her appearance. She wore a black teddy and black stiletto heels. Her make-up was fairly subtle, except for the bright red lip stick and her hair hung in loose flowing curls. Satisfied with her appearance she put on her grey trench coat and left.
"Where are you off to all dolled up Ms. Babcock?" Billy the doorman asked.
"Let's just call it a surprise party," she said with a smile.
The Sheffield's had left about a half hour ago and Niles had finished his work for the day. He was about to take a shower and curl up with a good book when the doorbell rang.
"C.C.," he said staring at the beauty in front of him. "Come in."
"Thank you."
"What are you doing here? Mr. Sheffield said you had plans for this evening."
They both walked toward the family room.
"I do. I have a birthday wish to make come true," she said, turning to face him.
"Oh?" he asked intrigued. "Well, why don't you take off your coat and fill me in on your plan."
"I think I'll leave in on for the moment," she said shyly, leaning back on the back of the couch for support. "Niles…uh…was last night your idea of a joke or did it mean more to you?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the floor.
"Last night was no joke, it was purely romance." He replied, gazing at her and inching closer. C.C., I…I'm falling in love with you."
"Really?" She looked up and met his eyes. "Because I'm already there," she smiled, "Niles, I love you."
Now only a foot or so away he pulled her into a kiss. C.C. pulled back, out of his embrace, and dropped her coat to the floor.
"Oh my G-d, you look amazing," Niles said while looking her up and down. He pulled her close again and said, "We have the house to ourselves. Where to C.C.?"
"The kitchen has definite possibilities," she said seductively.
She picked up a blanket off the couch, grabbed Niles by the tie, and led the way.