"That man is so wishy-washy!" She thought to herself, crossing her arms and looking out at the bright day.

And so went the next few days. Niles remained distant. Sara wasnt home to keep her company, and it was nearly impossible to sneak downstairs to get some work done like she really wanted to do. Soft scrub man was guarding her like a hawk.

Niles entered the room one afternoon and C.C. was sitting up, seemingly waiting for him to walk through the door holding the marker board out for him to see, "When can I get out of this damn bed?"

Niles smiled but kept at his chores, gathering her worn nightgowns and towels. "Miss. Babcock, you know what the doctor said, a tonsillectomy is a two to three week recovery process, and at least one of those weeks must be spent in bed or youll never get better."

C.C. rolled her eyes. She wanted to start crying, and to her surprise felt tears flooding her eyes and spilling over. She was such a fool! Why was she crying like a big buffoon in front of this toad? Babcocks never cried..

Niles looked at C.C. and to his utter horror saw tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh Miss. Babcock, dear," he crossed the room, "What is upsetting you so? Do you really want to work that badly?"

C.C.s anger sparked and her eyebrows furrowed. She harshly took the board and scribbled something fast, "You're an ass!"

Niles was downright confused. He had never seen C.C. look so angry and upset as she did now.

She put the marker board down, her eyes dropped to her hands, and more tears rolled from her eyes.

"Dear God, what did I do?" Niles thought to himself and she continued to cry, covering her face.

Niles knew inside that he had been distant from C.C. And as confusing as their relationship was, he knew hed screwed up big time. He sat next to her and put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest. She didnt push him away; in fact, she buried her face into his jacket and cried.

"C.C. Im sorry, Im sorry.."

He held her like that for what seemed like forever, and if he had to hold her for eternity that would be okay with him.

The pain medication soon took hold of C.C. and he felt her breathing even and her body sink heavier into his arms.

"God, I'm so sorry C.C. my love.." Niles winced; he knew this was completely inappropriate. Did he love her? One thing was certain: he shouldn't be holding his bosses business partner like this, in bed, with her in a skimpy silk nightgown..

Niles shook those thoughts from his head and leaned back against the headboard with her still in his arms. He slowly felt himself drifting into a deep sleep, with one certain blonde filling his dreams.

Sara and Maxwell opened the back door carrying their new bundle of joy. The hospital had insisted on keeping Grace two extra days, but allowed her to come home on the fourth.

Maxwell made a B line for his office and Sara started up the stairs to the nursery to check on her other children and Nanny Deron. Walking down the hall she saw a light coming from the guestroom. Remembering C.C. she smiled at the thought of introducing the new baby to her best friend.

As she peeked around the door she was shocked to discover a sleeping Niles and C.C. wrapped in each others arms. Fearful that Maxwell would disturb them, she quietly shut the door and continued on to Maggie and Brightons room.

Thoughts went through Saras head as she wondered what on earth had happened between her friends. They had always teased each other, never shown signs that they might in fact like each other! She would have a serious talk with Niles later. C.C. was vulnerable to being hurt. She had suffered from bad relationships with men since college. For some odd reason she had never been able to open up and Sara felt that some of it had to do with her mother, B.B. She was cold and snobby. She felt that she deserved to be put on the highest pedestal with C.C. and her other children and Stuart right below her. What would she do if she found out that C.C. was asleep in the arms of a butler?

Maxwell could not find out about this either. Her instincts told her that his British reserve would tell him that it was inappropriate. Maybe it was, but she was more concerned with her two best friends happiness to let that get in the way.

C.C. woke to a door shutting quietly. She found herself still in the arms of Niles, only he was sound asleep like she had been. She looked up at his face, he was older than she was but still so handsome.

Some things just get better with age, She thought.

If he was Maxwells age, then he was six years older, making him thirty-two.

What was she doing? If Mummy or Daddy found out they'd kill her, and yet she didn't care.

"Penny for your thoughts", Niles asked referring back to C.C.s comment in the hospital, as she was startled out of her daze.

C.C. looked up at him. He looked down at her soft face and saw her warm sleepy glow. "You're the answer to my prayers", C.C. Babcock He thought.

She felt anxious, her belly was swirling and a tingle traveled up the side of her neck. In the sunlight, his eyes looked transparent blue. His hair was shiny gold and his lips.. Oh God, his lips.

Niles felt her gaze on his mouth. The anticipation was something he had waited for since she walked in the door.

Somehow, her hand had found itself in his, resting on his chest. Their fingers intertwined instinctively. He squeezed her hand and watched her eyes to look for signs that she wanted him to stop. But the only thing he found in her eyes was a twinkle unlike anything he had ever found there before. Then, his eyes locked with hers, he wrapped his other arm around her back, feeling the soft satin and skin beneath it, and tenderly pulled her closer.

His fingertips gently stroked the side of her arm and he whispered her name.

"Is this really happening?", C.C. thought. It was the last thing she had expected to happen today.

His breath warmed her neck. She closed her eyes and felt the last of her resolve slip.

This is what she had wanted, searched for, in men of all shapes, bank accounts, and social standings. It didnt seem to matter anymore.

She lifted her eyes to meet his, and he brushed his lips across hers, then again. He kissed her again, and she wrapped her arms tightly around him, welcoming the kiss. She felt his tongue tracing her lips and then against her own tongue.

She pulled him down, kissing him without urgency, just reveling in his arms.

Niles loved C.C. Babcock. There was no way he didn't. How could he not?

Niles finally pulled away, looking affectionately into her eyes. Her lips were plump and red from being kissed. Desire was etched all over her face. He didnt feel it was right to take her kisses and her body both. He had to control himself. He cared about this woman and he didnt want her to feel used or cheap.

"Dear, I hate to leave you but Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield are expected home any minute and I must get dinner on the table in a few hours."

C.C. nodded and he rose to his feet, straightening his jacket. She laid in bed, her hair encircling her like a halo in the sunlight. Niles leaned over her and stole one more kiss before disappearing through the door.

C.C. looked at the ceiling and started laughing, no sound coming from her throat. She brought her fingers to her mouth and glanced out the window.

It was a beautiful day.