[A/N: This may be the chapter I'm most insecure about...not entirely sure why. I hope you enjoy!]
Chapter Nine
As soon as Fran, Maxwell, and the children entered the mansion, the kids marched up the stairs and went into their various rooms. Max loosened his tie and entered the living room, reaching for the crystal decanter of brandy.
"Care for a nightcap, darling?" Maxwell asked, jiggling the snifter into which he'd poured the amber liquid.
Fran tossed her velvet wrap carelessly onto the cream couch, wringing her hands and pacing around the living room.
"Darling?" Max repeated, looking closely at his wife. Maxwell thought she'd seemed uncharacteristically quiet on the drive home, though he'd attributed this to tiredness. Now, however, as he witnessed her atypical anxiety, he knew something was wrong. "Sweetheart, what is it?"
"Oh, Max, I don't know," Fran said, her voice breaking. Maxwell immediately poured another snifter of brandy and forced it into her hand, smiling patiently as she took a small sip. "Ugh, oy, ew. No. That's horrible. An ice cream cone would be much more soothing right now."
"I could go wake Charles—" Max began, but Fran cut him off by her shaking head.
"No, no, I'd feel too bad. See, that's why I miss Niles—" Fran's eyes filled with tears and she began shaking her head vehemently again.
"Darling, what is it?" Maxwell asked. "Did you quarrel with Niles?"
"No, of course not," Fran gulped, declining another brandy offer and instead electing to sit on the couch.
"Then—"
"Niles is gonna propose to Jen."
"Well, sweetheart, that's fabulous!" Maxwell exclaimed. "Oh, you're so sweet, getting excited for Niles like that. I'm so happy for him!" Maxwell raised his glass. "Well, cheers."
Fran stilled and stared at Maxwell as though he'd grown a second head without a gray streak. "Wha?"
"The man deserves some happiness, finally! And at a perfect time, with the play and the restaurant," Max said.
"But-but-but," Fran spluttered. "No! It's wrong! He isn't supposed ta marry her!" Fran realized she must be upset; her Queens accent was getting heavier and heavier.
"Oh," Maxwell said softly. "Darling, things between Niles and CC didn't work out. These things happen."
Fran brought her hands up to her cheeks and shook her head wonderingly. With a bemused expression, Fran realized that if she weren't so adamant, Maxwell would probably still be blundering along, refusing to make a commitment. The highly noncombative Brit, born into such an easy life, still didn't realize that there were things in life worth fighting for.
"Max, that's…that's not the point," Fran said.
"I think it is," Maxwell told her gently. "Sweetheart, I think we all thought Niles and CC would work things out. But they haven't, and Niles has found someone else. He deserves to be happy, and Jen obviously makes him happy." Fran made a face at this, and Max sighed. "I know you were hoping Niles would come back and work here."
Fran widened her eyes. "What are ya talkin' about? I nevah hoped…"
"You didn't have to say anything. I'd always secretly hoped he'd return, too," Max admitted. "He's a part of this family and things seemed…better when he was here. But he's a smart man and I think he's better off exploring his interests."
Fran's mind flashed back to Maxwell throwing a tantrum that Charles didn't know how to fold his socks properly, but she chose not to bring this up. "All right. I guess I wanted Niles to come back here. It's just…boring sometimes. The kids are all in school, Gracie spends more time with her friends, you work in a different office now…"
"I'm sorry," Maxwell said, placing his hand on her shoulder and rubbing it in soft circles.
Fran sniffed and nodded. "It isn't just that. Something just feels off, Max. I don't think she's right for Niles."
"Unfortunately, that isn't for us to decide," Max told her.
Fran furrowed her brow. "But it should be. I mean…no, I don't mean that." She took a deep breath. "I just mean that…that friends should be able to step in and help if another friend is making a mistake."
"Fran, one of the things I love most is how you've helped raise our children. You let them make their own mistakes and they learn from it. It's the same with Niles."
"Max, letting Maggie wear white eye shadow for two weeks is not the same thing as watching Niles marry the wrong woman!" Fran exclaimed.
"No, but it's the same principle," Max said, draining his brandy and standing up. "I know you like to meddle. But you've said yourself, you like Jen. Maybe we're wrong. Maybe it will all work out." He bent over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm going up to bed."
"I'll be up in a minute," Fran said, watching Max place his empty glass on the bar and walk up the sweeping staircase. She slipped out of her pumps and propped her feet on the coffee table, reclining into the cushions and staring up at the ceiling.
Eyes welled with tears, Fran watched as the low lights of the mansion muddled into dazzling orbs. As much as she missed being around Niles everyday and, God, even how much she missed seeing Miss Babcock, Fran was unselfish enough to want both to be truly happy. Whatever Max said to the contrary, she knew they could work through whatever may have happened; it only seemed insurmountable because both were so damn stubborn.
Making a frustrated noise, Fran smacked a pillow nearest her and wondered how Maxwell could have already forgotten what they'd been like, how happy they were when they'd been together…
2 years, 2 months, and 5 days ago…
CC sighed and pushed herself back from Maxwell's desk, resting her head against the leather chair. Despite the air conditioning, the stifling late summer heat still hung like a cloak about the place. It wasn't the newest mansion on the block, and the AC unit could definitely use a makeover. Glancing at the large desk calendar, CC at least consoled herself with the fact that it was August 26 and soon, it would be September with chilly breezes.
Of course, then, I'll complain about the freezing office, CC reasoned with herself silently. She gave herself a mental shake and pulled close to the desk again, determined to get as much done before Maxwell returned as possible. With a sinking feeling, she acknowledged that her business partner and the nanny would likely be engaged soon.
Ironically, the thought gave her a huge smile. Of course, she loathed the idea that Maxwell would soon be more distracted than usual, but she was so damn proud of herself for not caring one bit whether or not he was engaged. It was strange how liberating it felt to finally stop pretending to flirt with Maxwell, and it was gratifying that she and Maxwell could forge an actual friendship, like the one they'd had years ago, when Sara had still been alive.
Naturally, it didn't hurt matters that CC's lack of Maxwell-chasing had opened up several opportunities to flirt with the butler…
She supposed the turning point wasn't anything huge; if their toe-curling kiss from a year ago when Fran had left to meet her pen pal hadn't spurred them on to something more, CC knew nothing major would. But rather, it was the little things: the subtle, playful kiss she'd blown him after a particularly good insult; their wonderful time at the Broadway Guild Awards; the surprisingly fun time at his last single friend's wedding.
Nothing major told her that whatever she had with Niles was changing, but the twinkle in his eyes when he'd answer the door to her or the spring in her step after a particularly good jibe told her that something was bubbling beneath the surface.
With renewed energy, CC leaned over and began working in earnest.
A couple of hours later, CC's energy was tapped again, but her to-do list was only cut in half. Whatever jovial feelings she'd had about Maxwell had been replaced by bitter resentment.
"No, Maxwell, go on and have fun in the Hamptons," CC muttered to herself spitefully. "I'll take care of everything here, of course, never mind that it's two weeks until opening night. No, really, have fun with your family on the beach in the sun."
"You have conversations with Mr. Sheffield even when he isn't here?" Niles asked in disbelief from the doorway. CC's head snapped up and she couldn't help but flush with embarrassment that he'd heard her talking to herself. "God, Babcock, do you have a pillow with black and gray hair drawn on it, too?"
"This from the man who sleeps with his feather duster," CC shot back.
"Oh, I can do things with my feather duster that would make your head spin."
"I should think so. I'm allergic to dust," CC deadpanned.
Niles tsked and shook his head. "No imagination, Babcock." He stepped further into the room and set down a plate.
"What are you doing here?" CC asked, shuffling papers to locate the list of backers.
"I wanted you to try something I made," Niles told her, pushing the plate forward.
Only when she felt her stomach growling did she remember that she hadn't eaten lunch or dinner. As she reached forward to take what looked like a canapé, she glanced up to meet his eyes. "They're not laced with anything, are they?"
"Just your standard-grade arsenic."
"I've handled harder stuff," CC said dismissively, tossing the small appetizer into her mouth. Niles was about to respond with a risqué comment when CC moaned loudly. "Oh my God, this is good!"
"What are things no man has said in CC Babcock's presence ever?" Niles guessed.
"Shut up, Rochester," CC said. "This is delicious. God, you should open a restaurant." With a contented sigh, she grabbed another canapé and ate it before Niles could stop her. Rolling her eyes back, CC leaned against the chair and swallowed the tiny treat. "I forgot to eat lunch."
"I figured," Niles told her. "Mr. Sheffield leave you with loads of work?"
"As usual," CC sighed, looking down at the papers scattered on the desk.
"You ought to take a break," Niles suggested.
"I can't," CC replied, reaching forward and pulling the plate toward her. She ate up the rest of the food, capturing the crumbs with her finger and licking them off. "That was good. Thanks. Back to work now."
CC ignored the strange looks he was giving her and grabbed her pen, leaning her elbows on the desk surface once more.
"At least listen to some music," Niles said, stepping forward and grasping the tiny remote connected to the CD player. Pressing the 'radio' button, Niles turned and grabbed the plate next to her, starting to walk out of the room. Before he could cross the threshold, however, a familiar piano intro made him freeze.
"Why, Niles, it's your song," CC remarked, a laugh bubbling in her voice.
Niles turned around, his cheeks blushing slightly. CC looked up at him and figured the canapés must be swirling through her mind, for she'd never found Niles so adorable. Dimly, her mind registered that this was yet another small moment; Niles stood frozen in the doorway and CC had a choice to make. With a small grin, CC stood and walked over to him.
"Lucky for you, I remember the moves," CC told him softly. She kicked off her heels and began dancing in tune with the music, watching as Niles' face brightened with laughter.
"No, no, Babcock, you're doing it wrong," Niles said, setting the plate on the green leather sofa. He reached forward and grasped her hand, settling the other around her waist, and began swaying his hips exaggeratedly.
CC burst into laughter and began whipping her head around so that her blonde locks flared dramatically. Niles responded by pursing his lips and bobbing his head, impersonating the rappers he knew Brighton listened to. CC's laugh became higher-pitched, the most infectious and endearing sound Niles had ever heard.
When the song ended, Niles dropped onto the sofa next to the forgotten plate and CC leaned against the desk, both gasping for breath from the laughter and impromptu workout. Brushing her thumbs against her eyes, CC gulped in laughter and said, "Oh, I needed that. I haven't laughed that hard in ages."
Niles, whose shoulders were still shaking, replied, "I don't think I've ever laughed that hard."
CC smiled sweetly and her eyes brightened when she heard "Summer of '69" start up. She hopped up and clapped. "Oh, I love this song! Dance with me?" she asked, opening her arms invitingly.
Niles had never seen such an exuberated display from this woman, so it was with some slight shock that he stood up. "You like this song?"
"It reminds me of Sara," CC confessed softly, a reminiscent twinkle in her eyes. "She loved to dance to this, so I'd always join in."
Niles smiled; it wasn't often that CC brought up her late best friend. Niles slid his arms around her obligingly again, and they began dancing and twirling to the upbeat song. "You're quite the dancer, Babcock."
"Don't make fun of me," CC said with a playful pout.
"Now, don't take this the wrong way, but I wasn't making fun of you," Niles told her.
CC laughed and raised her eyebrows. "You weren't?"
"No. You have such a…unique dancing style," Niles commented, watching as CC paused their shared rhythm to raise her hands in the air and swing her hips around animatedly.
She fell back into Niles' arms with another tinkling laugh and explained, "People have always made fun of how I dance. When my mother enrolled me in dance lessons, I got kicked out by every instructor for dancing however I wanted. At my sister DD's first wedding, there was a lull in activity and no one was dancing. How depressing is an empty dance floor? So I hurried onto the dance floor in my huge lavender couture bridesmaid's dress and I struck —my—moves." CC finished by punctuating her words with her various signature moves.
Niles laughed at her explanation, slid his arm more tightly around her, and remarked, "That explains whatever you were doing at my friend's wedding a few weeks ago."
"I've spent my life so structured and tailored," CC told him, doing a strange sort of hopping quickstep, "that dancing became an outlet. When I got a little older, I began to appreciate ballroom dancing more, but I never lost my taste for my original dance." Niles had never heard her share so much in one moment, nor had he ever seen her so hyper, so he shut himself up and let her continue. "And the best part is, most people just assume I'm drunk when I'm dancing, so they never say anything. The Park Avenue people never say anything if alcohol might be involved. So I figure, if I'm going to look like a fool, I might as well look like the biggest damned fool possible and have a hell of a time doing so."
CC spun herself out of his arms and twirled back into his embrace with a dazzling smile. Niles grinned back at her, pulling her closer and resting his lips next to her ear. "Miss Babcock…would you like to have dinner with me tonight?"
CC shifted her head so that her mouth lingered near his earlobe. "Will it be laced with arsenic?" she whispered.
Niles chuckled and as his warm breath cascaded over her neck, CC's skin flushed with goose bumps despite the 80-degree heat. "Nothing but the best for you, Babcock."
"I would love to," CC responded. "Assuming the Golden Arches aren't the backdrop to this romantic scene."
"Oh, don't be silly," Niles said, running his right hand through her hair. "I know you have a contract with Colonel Sanders."
CC stopped dancing and looked him square in the eyes. "As in, chicken?"
Niles nodded in confirmation. "As in chicken."
CC watched Niles' eyes sparkle and his lips quiver with the effort of holding back the mega-watt smile she was sure he was holding back. And suddenly, she knew. Without needing confirmation, without any sort of cataclysm to force them together, she knew how he felt about her.
"What are you staring at?" Niles asked.
CC moved closer to him and carefully framed his face in her hands, her palms cool against his still-flushed cheeks. "You."
[A/N: And before anyone asks...yes, that is my personal philosophy regarding dancing. I figured the playful part of CC would agree with me...]