Chapter 9: Like any other day

Monday morning was full of promises, to Niles: he was back in the mansion at seven pm, on Sunday – time enough to prepare dinner and attend all of his duties with perfection.

He was deadly tired when he reached his bed. The afternoon had been intense, to say the least, with a demanding Babcock and his own desire to give her satisfaction. All he wanted was sleep.

He couldn't, at first; he kept thinking about the amazing afternoon they had: the sweet intimacy, the kisses and caresses. The start was a bit savage, but he was able to make a turn in the events.

When they were saying their goodbyes, they decided neither of them would call, tonight. It made no sense to call, once they would see each other in the morning. Even if they wanted thought it would be good, it was clearly not the right thing to do.

Of course, his phone rang.

He smiled, knowing who it was. 'Hello. It's Niles'.

'Hi, dear

'Oh. You called'.

'Well… Uhm…'

'Are you all right, Babs? Are you need of something?'

'Everything is alright, don't worry. Just wanted…'

'To say good night?'

'Yeah, yeah'.

First thing he was ready to say was You don't have to be ashamed, but thought it would sound badly. So, he tried something just plain nice. 'This is very good to hear'.

'What?'

'It is good to hear that you wanted to say good night. I dare say it's… bitter-sweet'.

The smile in her voice was obvious, 'And you like bitter-sweet?'

'Love it'.

The moment he closed his mouth, he was terrified: probably it was too early to say something like that… What if she demanded an explanation about his use of the l word? What if she mocked him? What if…

'Why, thank you, Niles'.

He was surprised. 'For what?'

'For loving something I am'.

It was almost too much for him. He opened his mouth, but noticed he would stammer if he tried to talk – because he was not sure what to say.

She was silent, too, making clear the moment was serious. It gave Niles some courage. 'You should know by now that I really love a lot of things about you'.

'Oh, so tender… Almost sissy'.

They laughed, and it was like a sign that they were even for the time being. 'Good night, baby'.

'Good night, Butler Boy'.

nxnxnxnxnxnxnx

Remembering last night, Niles had his hopes up for the day. In fact, he barely could wait for her to arrive, because he wanted to know how she would behave being next to him in the mansion. What would it be when they were alone? And what would it be when they were in front of other people?

She came earlier than expected – a few minutes before the breakfast, the bell was ringing.

Niles let her in with a smile plastared on his face. 'I see they took the rock off of your coffin extra early, today. Any news I would have about that?'

She kept a straight face, but the smile could be seen in her eyes, while she observed him taking her coat. 'Oh, yes. The stalking departament needed a professional, so they set me free'.

'Who are you stalking?', he asked while they were heading for the dining room.

'Legends describe a horrendous creature. He has sandy hair covering all of his body and eyes blue as ice'.

'Is he dangerous?'. He was already helping her with the chair.

'Very much'.

'And how do you intend to kill him?'

'Who talked about killing? I will take the creature and tame him'.

'Maybe I can help you'. He smiled and started to serve her.

'I don't need your help. I know he has a birth mark on his lower region. It will be easy to identify him'.

She was eyeing him with more then a bit of desire, while he was circling the table, heading for the table where the foods were. 'Hey, I don't have a birth mark'.

At that precise moment, Maxwell entered the dining room.

'I will have to see it for myself later. I don't trust you', she said, deadly serious, pointing a fork to the butler.

'Good morning, CC. What is it you're already doubting something Niles told you?'

'Oh, it's nothing of importance. What becomes him, of course'.

'You should be very cautious today, Sir. She arrived earlier than usual, and in a good mood. Obviously she is preparing something evil'.

Maxwell didn't take his eyes off the newspaper he was reading. In fact, he wasn't listening anymore – this show could be watched anytime, and he had another priorities. For example, find something interesting to comment when the nanny arrived – Sunday had been a bit too intimate for his taste, with him being in the terrace and she bringing him some delicious things to munch together... He would have to distract her, so she would not bring the subject…

Niles and CC were smiling at each other: both were having incredible fun simply by exchanging ambiguous barbs under Maxwell's nose.

It was not very different from what they did in a daily basis, but the fact that only they could really understand what was happening added a delicious new layer to their relationship.

Fran entered, the children arrived, everybody noticed Maxwell trying to escape Fran's questions (and found it funny), the children said goodbye and went to school, Maxwell run away to the office, Fran went after him and suddenly Niles and CC were alone again.

'Well, that was fun, but I have to work', CC said, getting up.

'Come and visit me later. I'll be right there', Niles commented nonchalantly, indicating the kitchen.

'Surely', she said, smiling and going up to him, just to give him a peck on the lips. 'You can come to the office, too. I may need something while I work'.

Niles kept looking at the door after the socialite disappeared. He made a 'Yes!' that showed how good it was going. After all, her behaviour made him know for sure two things: 1-she was relaxed in being with him, alone and with the others; 2-she wanted to keep the barbs and zingers, mixed with loving gestures.

Even if she had not noticed yet that they were, in fact, loving.