Hello, hello! This was just a random thought that came to mind as I was watching The Nanny today, and I felt the strongest urge to write it out. Let me know what you think . . . should I continue it, or should I let it go? :D
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Such sadness . . . if I did own them, however, they'd be on their own show . . . and there'd be NO nasal-induced horror. Catch my drift? :D
PS- I stole their last name from another story I read . . . none of the names I wrote sounded as good as Brightmore did. 3
The light from the California sun trickled down through the branches of the barren oak tree that sat next to the large lake. A cool breeze cut through the air, tossing around the oak leaves that had fallen not so long ago. It was mid-October, and soon the days would grow colder and shorter, and a jacket would be necessary. But for now, it was perfect.
Park benches had never been truly comfortable for her. They'd always messed with her back, and usually wound up giving her a cramp in her lower back. But now, at eight months pregnant, CC Brightmore was perfectly content to sit on the park bench by the lake. The fact that she was leaning up against her husband, and not a hard piece of wood, made all the difference.
"So, what should we have for dinner?"
The gentle baritone brought CC out of her thoughts and smiling, she turned to look at the speaker. Niles Brightmore was a handsome man, with reddish-brown hair and clear blue eyes that twinkled even in the dark. He was looking at her lovingly, which never failed to make her heart leap into her throat. It was funny; even a simple question from him could render her momentarily speechless. She thought for a moment and then shrugged.
"I don't care really. Anything would be nice. Spaghetti, chicken cacciatore, mushroom risotto . . . " she said, finally finding her voice. It was cute when Niles lifted an eyebrow at her, like he was doing now, and CC couldn't help but laugh. "What? Everything sounds good at this point."
"You really are adorable," Niles said, leaning down to brush his lips against hers. CC sighed contently as he leaned back, then absentmindedly began rubbing her stomach. She felt his hands join hers and sitting there on a park bench by a lake, CC felt happier than she'd ever felt before. A loving husband, a baby on the way; life was perfect. She realized Niles was humming softly in her ear, and after a moment, she recognized the song he was treating her to. Sitting up, she turned to look at him with a smirk on her face.
"Does Maxwell approve of his butler knowing the tune to Phantom?" she asked, and was delighted to see the blush that graced his face as he shook his head.
"He doesn't know, actually. I think he'd be rather upset."
"Of course not, Bell Boy. Maybe the old Maxwell Sheffield would have gotten angry, but the new and improved Maxwell doesn't care. I've even caught him singing Memories. Being in California's done wonders for him."
Niles smiled and stood, then offered his hand to CC, who accepted the help gratefully. It was difficult for her to stand due to the fact that, in her mind, she was the size of a house. With less than a month to go before a mini-Niles would be going the family, CC found it more and more difficult to do things without the aide of her husband. Niles seemed to have taken it all in stride, never complaining when she woke him up at four o'clock in the morning to get her a snack or help her to the bathroom. He always smiled and said, "I live to serve."
They walked hand in hand away from the lake. It was a short walk to the back porch of their modest, three-bedroom Tudor-style home. CC had been thrilled when she'd learned the three acre lake was on their property, and that had been the selling point for her. Maxwell had tried to get her and Niles to live in their guestroom, but Niles had been adamant about their need for privacy. And in a marvelous twist of fate, the house next to theirs had been for sell as well, so now the Sheffields and Brightmores were neighbors. Niles still acted as the Sheffield's butler, but he had reduced his schedule to three days a week, but to CC's delight.
CC still worked with Maxwell too, and though she'd been hesitant to allow the Hollywood hotshots to buy the rights to their plays, she had to admit that it had all worked out for the better. Their sitcom was doing incredibly well, and in fact, Sheffield-Brightmore Productions was up for a Primetime Emmy. The ceremony was that night, and CC was excited to prove to the world that she could be the best in Hollywood as well as Broadway.
When they entered their house, Niles gave CC a quick kiss before heading off to the kitchen to start dinner. Grinning at the fact that her husband understood his pregnant wife's appetite demanded quick action, CC went to her office with the intent to work on the surprise she'd been hiding from Niles for close to a year. It'd been difficult, trying to keep a secret from the man who knew everything, although thus far she'd been successful. And as she started up her laptop, she grew giddy with anticipation. But after an hour, CC was making no progress on her project and was getting frustrated. Just as she was shutting down her laptop, there was a light knock on her office door. Niles stuck his head in and smiled at her.
"Dinner is ready, Love."
Looking up at him, CC felt her heart flutter. He was as handsome now as he'd been when she'd first met him almost thirty years ago, although now he was hers forever. That thought alone made it difficult for her to breath, but when Niles stepped into the room holding a plate of food, CC laughed. He really did spoil her, a fact that she loved. No other man had ever come close to being as wonderful as Niles was.
"Chicken cacciatore for my darling wife," he said, setting the plate in front of her. CC grinned as he perched himself on the corner of her mahogany desk, in the exact same way Fran had done to Maxwell all those years. Niles smirked at her, crossed his legs, and put both hands on his knees.
"Oh Mrs. Brightmore! What a fabulous dinna ya got!" he said, imitating the former Nanny's nasally accent perfectly. CC laughed, shaking her head and clearing her throat.
"Niles, old man, would you be so kind as to escort Miss Fine out of my office while I eat?" she returned, mimicking Maxwell's British accent. It was Niles' turn to laugh, and leaning down, he kissed CC's cheek.
"Hurry and eat so we can make it to the award ceremony on time. You know how Maxwell gets when we're late," he murmured in her ear. CC took a bite of food, chewed carefully, and then tweaked an eyebrow at him.
"We could say I was rehearsing my acceptance speech and got carried away," she said. Niles shook his head and watched as she shoveled another bite into her mouth.
"You're already pregnant, Love. He won't buy it," he replied seriously, making CC snort with laughter.
"Too true. We could say you burnt your cheesecake and we had to go to the orchard to pick more cherries."
Niles cocked his head to one side, puzzled, before he answered. "CC, we don't have an orchard."
CC nodded, her face a mask of solemnity. "Then he'll have to understand why we were so late. Now let's get dressed."
Niles shook his head and smiled, then stood and took the now empty plate from her. He left the office door open when he exited, so CC didn't dare resume work on her project. Instead, she hoisted herself out of her chair and waddled into the master bedroom and over to her walk-in closet. It took her nearly twenty minutes of digging through her wardrobe to find the dress she was looking for; a black one-strapped, floor-length gown that made her feel like a goddess. She chose black ballet flats for comfort, and a diamond necklace completed the look.
When she came out of her closet, she found Niles sitting on the edge of their king-size bed, tying his dress shoes. He was in a tuxedo and looked very formal, something that had always managed to drive CC wild. She smiled at him in the mirror that hung over her dresser as she quickly manipulated her hair into a French twist. He smiled back as he came to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her, placing a hand on either side of her belly.
"Woman, do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked, and she winked at him in the mirror.
"So you admit that I'm a woman?"
"Of course, Love. I've always known," he replied, leaning down and kissing her neck. CC nudged him away gently, and then turned in his arms.
"We really do have to go now darling, or we'll be more than just fashionably late."
He pouted, yet another act she found so endearing, but leaned in to whisper softly in her ear. "Well then, Chas, I guess we'll have to finish this later."
She smirked as he led her from the bedroom towards the front door.
"Promises, promises."
Reviews are vital to my survival! Well, not mine per se . . . but definitely this story's. Should I keep going? Or leave it be?
