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. I've been running this over in my head for a while and finally got it out. I hope you like it! Let me know...Read and review, please! – D
Snowed In
Chapter 9
When CC woke up there was a faint glow in the room, but it was still quite dark and she felt strange, and a little disoriented. The last thing she could remember was being in the helicopter with Niles. The weight of his arm across her side and his hand protectively on her belly were comforting but there was something else. There was something familiar about her surroundings. "What is that smell?" CC whispered. "I know I recognize it."
"Honey? Are you alright?" Niles mumbled still half asleep.
CC smiled. "You are such a light sleeper." CC turned in his arms to face him. "That will come in handy when the babies wake up at 2 am to eat."
"I will gladly get up at 2am and feed our children." Niles kissed her lightly. "How do you feel? Hungry?" CC nodded. "Ok, I can fix that." Niles kissed her again and got up from their bed and put on his robe. "What would you like?"
CC pulled herself up so she was sitting against the headboard of their bed. "Well, for starters, I'd like to know where the hell we are."
"We're home." Niles smiled and flipped the switch and bathed with light the room that for nearly seven months they shared.
CC could feel the tears starting in her eyes. "I…I don't underst…" The words got caught in her throat and she sniffled trying to hold off the tears.
"Oh, Honey, please don't cry." Niles sat on the edge of the bed. "I thought this would make you happy?"
CC cupped his face with her hand. "It does, Niles. I love this place."
"Good, because it's yours…well ours." Niles confessed.
CC looked confused. "I don't understand… You rented it…for how long?"
"I bought it. It's our cabin now." Niles tried to read the look on her face. "We can come here whenever you like and stay for as long as you like."
CC's tears fell again. "But how did you... Niles how could you…the ring…the cabin…"
"How can I afford it?" Niles finished for her. CC nodded sheepishly. "I'm married to an heiress!"
CC smacked his arm lightly. "Niles!"
"CC, do you really believe all those stories? I work for Max because I love him and the family. I always have." Niles stood. "I'm not a young man. And over the years I've done quite well with my investments and my money. I work because I want to, not because I have to."
CC looked at him with nothing but love in her eyes. "How many more secrets do I have to learn about you, Niles?"
"Many, my love, many, and you'll have years to do it." Niles started toward the door. "If we're all through here I will set about making you something to eat."
CC shook her head. "I'll be out in a few minutes." CC softly rubbed her belly. "Well, my little ones. Daddy has yet again managed to surprise Mommy. We are going to have to work on getting even."
CC got dressed in one of the casual outfits that Fran had bought for her in town and joined her husband in the kitchen. "Well, Niles, what have you cooked up for us?"
"I didn't have too much time and I know how ravenous you can be, so I made us some sandwiches and warmed up the last of that vegetable soup." Niles winked and nodded at the table.
CC opened the fridge. "Wow…how did you manage to get all this while I was sleeping?"
"Silly woman, I had another six months of provisions brought in while we were in town getting hitched. I've also taken care of a few other things." Niles carried the tray with their supper to the table and sat down. "We'll be getting regular visits from the mountain patrol, just in case. And a new Range Rover will be delivered tomorrow. I'm not putting you in another helicopter unless it's absolutely necessary."
CC bit into her sandwich. "Niles, why do we need a Range Rover?" CC finally asked after sipping her water.
"I asked the rescue team what they would drive up here." Niles winked. "Besides, we'll have to drive into town to see the doctor."
CC looked at him for a moment. "Are you worried about the babies, Niles?"
"Not at all. I could deliver them myself if necessary, but I'd rather not have to." Niles explained. "Dr. Smythe said he could be here in fifteen minutes if I don't think we'll make the hospital."
"Maybe when I get closer to term we should just stay in town somewhere." CC suggested.
Niles looked up at her. "I suppose we could if you like, but I don't think it's necessary. Dr. Smythe didn't seem to think you'd have a difficult delivery. I think it would be lovely if the twins could be delivered here…in the place they were conceived."
"Niles…where are we going to live…when we go back to the city?" My penthouse has two bedrooms, but it's not really a place for children." CC put to him.
Niles smiled. "Well, we have a choice. I'll let you decide. Fran suggested we take the third floor of the mansion. I've heard through the 'grapevine' that Roger Clinton is finally selling his place next door, and we could buy that."
"Well, I don't want to be too far away…I'll need to work and I'll want to be close to the babies. But I don't want to be too close either." CC looked at him with no expression. "What do you think?"
"I've already called Roger. The place is ours if you want it." Niles answered flatly. "We'll be close enough that I can still manage the household staff for Max and Fran and you can see the babies whenever you want. We'll still be close enough but with definite boundaries."
CC looked at him strangely. "What do you mean manage the household staff? I thought you were the household staff."
"I'll have our children to take care of while Mommy is off producing. I'll still handle the meals and we'll all eat together as usual, but we will hire a housekeeper to take over the toilets and laundry for both households." Niles smiled.
CC frowned. "You won't be just around the corner in the kitchen whenever I want to see you? Will that be enough for you?"
"What could be better than spending the day taking care of my children?" Niles leaned in and kissed her lightly. "You'll have to come home for feedings and there's no reason you can't do much of your work from our house. It's only separated by the driveway, twelve feet."
CC sighed. "It sounds perfect. Except…" CC stood up and started to clear her place.
"Except what?" Niles asked, genuinely curious.
CC frowned. "If it's raining and I want to come for a visit or to feed the kids, I'll get wet." CC smirked.
"Are you afraid you'll melt?" Niles winked. "You have nothing to worry about, Honey. Max is having an awning put up across the driveway and he's having a beautiful pergola built over both terraces and adding a gate between the yards."
CC furrowed her brow. "What exactly does that mean, Niles?"
"It means, my love. That if you're in Max's office and you want to see me or the children that we'll be closer than if I were in the Sheffield kitchen."
"Really?" CC asked. "Are you serious?"
Niles grinned. "I keep forgetting you've never been in Roger's house. I visited the previous owner's butler frequently. The house is practically identical to the Sheffield place, just a mirror image."
"So I could have an office just like Max's just across the terrace from his?" Niles nodded his answer and CC continued. "But…if you're going to use it for a day time playroom or nursery or something…I could still keep a desk in there and work from our place."
Niles smiled. "Did I forget to mention that Roger's place is a little bigger than Max's?" CC's jaw dropped and her eyebrows jumped to the top of her face. "Oh yes…your office is nearly twice the size of Max's. There is more than enough room for Mommy's office and Daddy's baby room. The extra office space is missing from the foyer and the den, but they are still large enough. The kitchen is huge and very well appointed; I helped David when he was asked to re-design it for his employer."
CC sighed in contentment. "I still have one question." Niles raised an eyebrow. "Did you have time to fix me a wonderful dessert?"
"Nope…but I have one for you all the same." Niles cleared the rest of the dishes and opened the fridge and pulled out a covered plate and carried it to the table with two dessert plates, forks and a serving knife.
CC sat very excited. "Well, whatcha got, Butler Boy?"
"Wedding cake!" Niles lifted the lid and cut two pieces of cake from the tier that sat before them.
"That's not the very top is it? We're supposed to save that for our first anniversary!" CC freaked a little.
Niles laughed. "Who'd have thought, CC Babcock, sorry, Brightmore would be worried about wedding traditions." Niles handed her a piece of cake. "I assure you, Honey. The top tier of our cake is well preserved in the freezer in NY for our first anniversary. Sylvia already has June 20th of next year circled in red on her calendar."
"You expect Sylvia to wait?" CC laughed.
Niles shook his head. "Even Sylvia won't touch a wedding tradition."
