Here's the latest update to my story. Sorry it's taken me so long, but as I said before, it's been hectic! Hopefully you enjoy this chapter, 'cause I had a difficult time trying to decide how to write it. Please, let me know what you think!

I don't own the characters from The Nanny, but if I did . . . the show wouldn't have been called The Nanny. A more appropriate title would be 'The Butler and the Socialite' and that headache-inducing nasal-voiced yenta wouldn't have been a main character. But, I digress . . . on with the show! I mean story. On with the story!

(A/N - I couldn't remember Maggie's name, so I made it Elizabeth. If that's not right, oh well. :D)

Margaret Elizabeth Sheffield came in to the world at exactly four-nineteen in the morning, two days after CC's birthday and following a very long and difficult delivery. Sarah had begged, screamed, and pleaded for the ordeal to be done, but once the wriggling newborn had arrived, Sarah had lost consciousness and had been whisked away, much to the horror of the group assembled in the room. Maxwell held the tiny bundle wrapped in pink while CC paced anxiously, worried for her friend and praying that she'd be fine. She'd never seen such a horrifying sight as the birth of a child, but once Sarah had been taken, CC found her mind wandering to the miracle that had just taken place.

Maxwell, who offered her the chance to hold her new goddaughter, snapped her out of her reverie. Gingerly taking Maggie from Maxwell, CC looked down into the face of the now sleeping miracle and marveled at the innocence she found. Surprisingly, CC felt an overwhelming, albeit foreign, maternal feeling. She'd had a rough childhood herself, brought on by BB Babcock's inability to love, so she'd naturally assumed that she'd never feel so strongly about children. But now, holding Margaret, CC realized that she wanted children. There was something comforting about the way the baby snuggled close that made CC acutely aware of the ticking of her own biological clock.

"Miss Babcock, might I hold her? Or are you going to eat her like you do other newborns?"

At the sound of the insult delivered in the rich baritone voice, CC's head snapped up. Of course the stupid butler would want to take away her happiness. Then again, CC knew that he had every right to hold the baby, seeing as how he was the godfather. Begrudgingly, CC passed the child to Niles and watched as he fawned over her.

He looks so natural, she thought. He'll make a great father. Maybe one day-

She shook her head at the implication of her thoughts. It'd taken her four months to get to the point where she could look at Niles without wanting to blurt out how gorgeous he was. Thoughts of a blue-eyed, sharp-tongued child would only serve to weaken her resolve. She turned to look at Maxwell instead, who looked like hell. His clothes were wrinkled, there was a five o'clock shadow along his jaw, and his hair was disheveled. But there was a twinkle in his eye when he looked at Margaret that almost made CC jealous. Why shouldn't she have that feeling, the one he was undoubtedly experiencing?

"Mister Sheffield?"

The doctor's voice captured the attention of the three people in the room, and as the doctor explained that Sarah had lost a lot of blood but would be okay, CC felt her knees weaken with relief. Sinking into the closest chair, she let out a shaky breath and silently thanked the gods above that her best friend was going to be okay while a tear of gratitude slipped down CC's cheek. Brushing it away and hoping that no one had seen it, she looked up only to find Niles staring at her with an odd look on his face. He was handing Margaret to Maxwell as he stepped toward CC, who stood and brushed past him, heading for the hallway. She really needed to be alone, but as she reached the door, she heard Niles tell Maxwell he'd be back. Halfway down the hallway he caught up to her, grabbing her elbow and spinning her to face him. She was surprised to see the concern on his face, the moisture collecting at the corners of his brilliant blue eyes.

"Miss Babcock, are you alright?" he asked, his tone gentle and soft. CC opened her mouth to speak but found that words were impossible to get past the lump of emotion in her throat. She nodded, dropping her gaze to the pattern in the tile floor. She shivered when he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him again. The concern she saw again made a fresh wave of tears appear. How he could be concerned after the way she had treated him was beyond her. Swallowing her emotions the best she could, she found her voice.

"I'm fine Bell Boy."

"Women who are fine don't usually cry."

Damn him and his logical thinking.

"Tidy Bowl," she said, forcing her voice to come out cold, "I said I'm fine. I'm just glad that Sarah's going to be okay."

He smiled at her, that lopsided smile she wasn't privy to often. That smile was usually reserved for the look she gave him after one of many zingers he tossed at her when the insult hit its mark and insulted her. Yet seeing it now was calming, comforting. And for a moment, she let herself get lost in the warmth of it. When he took her into his arms in a hug, she didn't fight back. She let him hold her, reciprocating the movement and wrapping her arms around him. Leaning her head on his broad and muscular chest, CC let herself relax.

They stayed that way, wrapped in each other's arms, for an undetermined amount of time until Niles pulled away and looked down at her, that same silly smile on his face. Then suddenly, CC saw him lean forward, slowly and with carefully deliberated movements. When their lips touched, her eyes slid closed and her hand moved up to touch his cheek. As slowly as he initiated the kiss he broke it off and CC found herself craving more, until she looked up at him and saw the turmoil in his face.

"I'm terribly sorry Miss Babcock," Niles exclaimed, and much to CC's utter dismay, he turned on his heel and walked briskly down the hallway back towards Maxwell. CC felt her heart breaking with every step he took, and one by one, tears began to fall. She told herself that she'd let herself get carried away in the moment, that she'd gotten caught up in all the emotion she'd felt over Sarah. But she couldn't rationalize why she'd kissed him back, why she hadn't stopped him from kissing her. And she definitely couldn't deny the feeling that had come to settle in her heart.

Let me know what you think! Reviews are always welcome . . . just sayin' . . . :D