Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the characters of 'The Nanny.'
A/N Pretty much my all time favorite TV couple. This time it's Max and not Fran who 'meddles'.
Yenta Max
Chapter 7
Niles and CC easily finished the painting the first Sunday. Then on a few evenings and every Sunday they worked on the other bits and pieces. Niles put down the hardwood floor himself and CC watched, feeling that job was a little out of her league. She helped him hang the drapes and get the large room sized area rug in just the right place. They just had to wait for the furniture to be delivered and could sit back and admire their work.
Max and Fran had finally moved to the 'next stage' of their relationship and were using their first names in front of everyone now. Max decided that Niles and CC were spending enough time together to warrant it. But he still felt there was something holding them back from moving beyond just the friendship stage.
Everyone had noticed that the barbs still flew between then, but they were much more in jest now. They spent a lot of time together working on 'the project' even though no one really knew what that meant. Even Max seemed unaware of the work Niles had been doing on the third floor. CC laughed out loud when she asked Niles how Max hadn't noticed when all the furniture for the master suite and the office had been delivered. Niles just answered. "Max doesn't worry about deliveries. That's 'Niles' job." He did his very best 'Max' voice.
CC and Max had been at the theatre all week getting ready for the opening of this new show. So when the furniture for the nursery was delivered, no one was there but Niles. That night he decided to hatch his plan. He wouldn't tell CC about the deliveries so he could finish the room for her as a surprise for what would technically be their three month anniversary, if you count the Safari trip as their first official date. Not that they had ever really discussed it much. Their seeing each other had only been called 'dating' once at the restaurant, by Sam. They popped in on him every Sunday after working on the room. It's almost as much a ritual for them as the insults and barbs.
It took Niles a few evenings to get all the nursery furniture put together and set in place. He'd decided to surprise her on his next Sunday night off. When that night arrived, Niles was actually nervous. CC found him in the kitchen chatting with Fran about the family's plans for the evening.
"Yeah…Max thinks a nice dinner and movie with the kids is long overdue. I think he wants to make sure the kids are ok with our 'dating'." Fran even made little quotes with her fingers. "Little does he know, they were ready for it long before he was." Fran and Niles laughed. Even CC chuckled a little not wanting to interrupt.
"Hey, CC." Fran started. "What are you two planning for tonight? More work on the mysterious 'project'? You know, Scarecrow, I'm a little worried that you have a secret with CC instead of me."
CC smiled. "Don't be Fran. This isn't the kind of secret you'd be interested in."
"How do you know?" Fran whined a little.
"It has nothing to do with Max, food or sex." CC dropped flatly.
Fran stood and waved CC off and started toward the kitchen door. "Oh…I'm sorry, Niles." Then she winked at him then left.
"So, Hazel, when do you want to head to 'the project'? I got an email notice that some of the stuff was delivered." CC asked him.
"There is supposed to be a full moon tonight, I thought I'd make us a little dinner and we could have it out on…" Niles leaned in… "'The balcony'." He waggled his eyebrows.
CC smiled shyly. "That sounds just lovely Niles. But aren't you worried I'll turn into a werewolf?"
"I'm kind of hoping!" Niles raised an eyebrow.
CC laughed. "When would you like me to meet you?"
"Let's say…seven o'clock?" Niles checked his watch.
CC moved around next to him. "Until seven then." She kissed him softly and let her lips linger for a moment.
Niles made his famous Mushroom Risotto, which he knew CC loved. He'd set been up on the balcony earlier in the day to clean away any leaves or debris that may have gathered since his last visit there. He ran a few strings of white Christmas lights to give it just the right ambience but not so much light it would over shadow the gorgeous view they would have of the full moon. He'd set out the ice bucket for the wine he'd chosen and just before seven he would load everything onto the dumb waiter and haul it up.
Niles checked his watch again and opened the wine. "CC should be popping through the door any second now." Niles decided that he'd wear his dark gray suit with the burgundy tie that CC got him for Christmas. He leaned on the railing just in time to hear the door creek opened.
"Hey you…come here often?" CC's voice echoed softly on the light breeze.
Niles turned to see a vision before him. CC was wearing her black David Meister matte jersey dress. "Wow. You look stunning." Niles extended his hand to help her to the table.
"You don't look bad yourself, Niles." CC cooed. "I just love you in that suit. It's so well tailored." CC's eyes grew dark and her thoughts ran wild. "I think I'd love you more out of it, though."
"Hey," Niles looked at her funny. "Where'd you go? I lost you for a minute."
CC blushed. "Sorry, I my mind was wandering." CC looked at the lights. "Niles, it's really beautiful up here. I love the lights; they give it just a little...light." CC frowned at herself. But she didn't really want to say 'romance' in case that's not what Niles intended.
"Yeah…I thought they made it a little more…" Niles didn't know if he should finish, but he couldn't stop himself. "Romantic."
They sat and ate and chatted and looked at the moon and looked at each other and it was fun and comfortable and romantic and nerve wracking and wonderful. Neither knew where they stood or what to do next or how to move on from right now. But, neither cared, for now. They were together enjoying each other's company and both knew deep down inside that it was right. No matter what happened next this moment was perfect.
"CC, I have something I'd like to show you." Niles began nervously not sure how CC would feel about the nursery now that it was finished.
CC looked at him. He had a strange look in his eyes. She seen it a few times before, but this time it made her heart race. "I'll follow you anywhere." Niles stood and pulled out her chair then offered his arm.
They made their way through their passage, as they called it now since it was secret they shared alone, until they came to a secret door. Not the door into the master suite, but a different door. Niles opened it and they stood at the end of the hallway just down from the master suite.
"Close your eyes." Niles asked softly.
"Niles…" CC was a little suspicious.
Niles frowned a little. "Please?" His voice was soft and slightly pleading. CC thought almost sexy.
"Alright, Niles, but just this once." CC teased him. "Now where are you taking me?"
"Just be patient, CC." Niles walked her the few short feet to the nursery door and opened it. He led her just inside the door and said, "Open your eyes." The room was very dark so when she did she really couldn't see much.
"It's the nursery." CC turned to look at Niles' face lit only by the light from the hallway.
Niles flipped the light switch and bathed the room in soft glow. Just enough light to see everything, but not so much that it would disturb a sleeping little one. CC smiled at the wide vertical stripes in pale green and yellow that she and Niles had painted together and the matching drapes and curtains. The glider rocker they bought sat in the corner with matching foot stool and a little side table and lamp. The beautiful cherry baby furniture had been lovingly assembled and placed about the room. The crib was against the wall nearest to the master suite. The changing table/dresser was on the wall across from the windows. The matching armoire was in the corner across from the rocker. There was a beautiful pale green hand knitted blanket draped over the rocking chair just waiting to be needed. Niles had purchased several stuffed animals and baby toys and arranged them with great care around the room.
Niles could feel his heart racing. CC hadn't said a word or taken a step. She just stood there, looking about the room. "When…did you finish it?" CC whispered without looking at him.
"You and Max were so busy with the show opening, I wanted to surprise you. I finished it a few nights ago." Niles was a little worried. She seemed…upset maybe that he'd done it without her.
He took a step toward her and put his hand on the small of her back. "CC? Say something, please?" She turned to look at him. He saw the tears slip down her cheeks. "Please, don't cry." Niles cupped her face in his hands and kissed away each tear. "I didn't mean to upset…"
CC stopped his words with her lips in a kiss so full of love Niles thought his heart may very well burst. His hands moved to her waist and then around to her back and he pulled her tight to his chest and deepened the kiss. Finally the need to breathe overtook them. "It's beautiful, Niles." CC whispered in his ear sending a slight shiver down his spine. "It's just missing one thing."
Niles pulled her back and looked at her. "What?"
CC cupped his cheek with her hand. "A baby." Niles eyes shot up in surprise.
Niles looked into her sparkling blue eyes and they didn't show him any fear or uncertainty. All Niles saw was love. "It's now or never," Niles thought. "I love you, Babcock."
"I love you too, Brightmore." CC whispered. Before another thought could even cross her mind Niles swept CC into his arms and took her into the master suite.
Niles set her gently onto the bed. Their eyes locked as they slowly and carefully watched each other strip off their clothes. When CC lay before him in just her bra and panties Niles hovered above her for just a moment before laying next to her and pulling her toward him. "CC," He whispered. "Are you sure? Not just for now, but forever?"
"Make love to me, Niles." CC moaned into his ear. "Please."
"I can never refuse a woman who says please." Niles growled into her neck.
