A/N: I'm sorry that i've changed Niles's last name, cause everybody in this fandom knows that it's Brightmore, but when the idea of this story came into being i didn't know about it yet. And then it was hard to change it in my mind again, cause i got used to the one i was using :)

Chapter 2

Tiny brunette with two ponytails, in white tube socks, navy skirt, with little school bag on her arms, crossed sandlot. She defeated the steps and stood on her tiptoes so that she could reach the doorbell. Woman in white apron and spoon tangled into dishtowel opened her.

"C.C., honey, you'd came all alone?" she asked pretending surprised.

"No Mrs. Fiona! Of course not! Mrs. Maple walked me to the front gate." she said cutely, dropped the bag and patent leather shoes and ran to the kitchen exclaiming on the way: "Is there any lunch left at home?"

Woman closed the door, smiled to herself and went after the girl.

" Maybe I could find some for you. Haven't you been eating at school?

" I have," she gasped, climbing at the bar stool, which were her favourite. "but, I didn't like it. And besides that, I'm a big girl and I can eat a LOT" she laughed rippling laugh, waving her legs in the air.

Her nanny couldn't help admiring how quickly, cause not even a year passed, she settled in new place. She'd never thought, that her charge could become normal little happy girl, which she has never been. She placed the steaming plate in front of the little one and stood beside, watching her, while she was eating. When she finished, the woman took the plate from her and went wash the dishes, asking at the same time:

"Have you been doing something special today in school, C.C.?"

She became thoughtful for a moment, still waving her legs adorably and answered:

"Actually, no. But in two weeks we have a fancy ball… I have to tell daddy about this, when he'll come here tonight. Cause he's going to come, isn't he?" she asked concerned.

"I think so. He hasn't call to cancel your meeting, so he should be here soon."

xxx

Two hours later Stuart Babcock was standing at the doorstep with daughter fasten onto his neck and he couldn't come in.

"Hey, Kitten, at this rate you'll smother me" he laughed.

"Sorry." she grinned her teeth in disarming smile, went down from his arms and pulled father to the couch.

"Oh, Mrs. Lancaster…" he started when he noticed her, but woman only waved her hand pointing him to sit, smiled for welcome and went upstairs with fresh laundry on hands. Before the picture downstairs disappeared from her view, she noted that C.C. was sitting on fathers knees and started talking with passion. Although he was visiting her often, she'd missed him. Anytime he was coming, she was asking him what's new and what kind of deal he closed lately. She was asking about her brother too at what he was quoting lot of funny stories from Noel's boarding school and she was laughing a whole lot of them. She never asked about mother as if she'd forgotten about her existence.

"Daddy, you know what? We're having a fancy ball in school in two weeks…" she said way enthusiastic, that her cheeks covered blush.

"Really, Kitten? And who would you want to be?"

"Oh, Daddy, don't be silly" she hit his arm chidingly "It's logical that I want to be a princess."

"Oh, right. How could I even thought about something else." he hit his forehead, realizing his mistake. Little one giggled. "Do you have a knight in shining armour already?"

"No." she looked upset, but after a while her face brighten a big smile. "Maybe you would like to be him."

"Me? I would have to be a knight? In shining armour? On a white horse?" Stuart realized, that he'd forgotten about wild fascination his daughter of horses. He'd have to think of some riding lessons for her, but now he'd have to quickly find an answer, which won't hurt the girl.

"Does white Mustang with chauffer counts?"

"Hmm…" C.C. raised her eyes, pretending thinking. "I think, I could agree for that." she said finally, laughing again.

"Do we have a deal?" father extended his hand and she happily shook it.

"Absolutely."

xxx

Two weeks later, C.C. was waiting restively for father to go for the ball. She was dressed on cute red dress, made by Mrs. Fiona, in which her alabaster skin looked princely, and her hair was pinned in an intricate bun. When the telephone rang, she started up having some weird misgivings. While later Mr. Joseph came to her with nervous look on his face.

"C.C. sweetheart, unfortunately your dad can't come. He really apologizes you and wishes fun."

Girl got up from seat and glared frigid around the room; her blue eyes got very deep tone.

"He broke our deal." she said calmly "He's not my knight in shining armour anymore."

Fiona has felt her heart was breaking, Joseph only drop his gaze and their son, who was leaning against the banister, was thanking God of his parents being always behind him.

C.C. came to him and asked with cheeky smile on her face:

"Your red hair matches my dress. So… YOU'RE going to be my knight, Niles."