Chapter 10

After the wedding the whole clan left for the reception hall located in the small downtown of the Brightmore's. Guests arrived before the bride and groom. The decorations were simple but elegant and fit C.C.s style perfectly.

C.C. and Niles were rushed hand in hand into the limo that would take them to the reception. As the door was closed behind them, Niles looked at his bride who just happened to be blushing.

"Wow, I... We're married." He said breathlessly.

She looked at him trying to hide the red in her cheeks and neck, "Yeah, I guess we are. You were already a ball and chain to me."

"You didn't even make me sign a prenup."

"Guess it slipped my mind." She stared at him and realized looking into his eyes made her want to kiss him. She quickly turned toward the window, fearing that he could see past her indifferent façade.

Meanwhile, Niles couldn't decide if she was putting up a front because she regretted telling him that she loved him the night before or because she was self conscious about the fact that it was true. He was about to tell her how he felt when Pedro rolled down the privacy glass. Niles watched C.C.'s look of shock at once again seeing the man performing another duty in town.

"s'cuse a s'cuse, but we're at the reception!"

Niles pushed the door open and put a hand out for his bride, "Pedro does a lot around here, might as well get used to seeing him when you're here!"

At their arrival inside, many were waiting and a large booming voice welcomed the newly married Brightmores to the party.

Food was eaten, dancing ensued, and soon the couple forgot about whether or not the marriage was a sham. C.C. seemed to be having a good time, being twirled around the dance floor by one of Niles' older brothers, Scott, who had arrived in town with his wife Clara that morning.

"So lass, what in your bloody mind made you marry Niles?" He asked playfully.

"Well I figured I'm not getting any younger, might as well take a guy that cleans and cooks!" Scott let out a bellowing laugh.

Niles watched with a gleeful eye as two of the people he loved bonded and peeled into laughter together. He had never seen anyone look so beautiful in all his life. The dress his mother and grandmother had worn fit her like it was destined for her. He was startled out of his thoughts when his mother snuck up beside him and grabbed his arm, also watching C.C. being twirled around by the Brightmore men.

"So my boy, do you think you'll love and have children or split once the two years is up?"

Niles twirled around faster than he'd ever moved before, "Whaa..?"

She smirked and hit him on the shoulder, "When the US immigration office found out that you were getting married today they called the house. Maxwell must've given them the number. I'm not too worried, though, I see the way you two look at each other."

"Mum, I..." Niles looked to C.C. once again, she was throwing her head back in a playful laughter, she was enjoying herself and looked like she belonged among his family.

Niles' mother put a hand on his arm, "Niles, why are you trying to pretend? Are you so dense as to believe lies you are telling even yourself?"

He looked to his mother. She had always had a nagging intuition.

He sighed, "Mother, I do love her. So very much. I don't want this to be a sham, and frankly I'm not sure she does either."

"I know she doesn't lad. She was glowing all night at the girls party talking about you!"

He looked to his mother for encouragement.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go! Go dance with your wife and tell her you love her- for God's sake, you're a Brightmore!"

Niles squeezed his mother's hand and walked toward the dance floor, conscious of the clicking of his shoes on the hard floor beneath him and the way the air suddenly became thicker in his lungs. He smoothed his hair back and straightened his tux jacket before tapping politely on his brother's shoulder, "May I cut in to dance with my beautiful bride?"

"Of course, brother, she's yours after all!" Scott kissed C.C. on the cheek and handed her hand delicately to Niles.

"Enjoying my brothers company? He's married you know.." C.C. smirked and took his hand to dance.

"He doesn't have that lemon bowl stench I l..ike so much."

Niles pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her lower back and entwining their fingers that were pressed to his chest.

"Only like?" He whispered into her ear.

C.C. felt herself blush and the back of her neck become hot, "N...No?"

Niles pulled away to look her in the eye, "C.C."

"Niles."

They hadn't realized that they'd stopped dancing, but the rest of the room took notice.

Niles brought their hands to his face and looked deeply at her before leaning in to kiss her delicately. The kiss lasted several seconds before the room started whistling and clapping. They pulled away and looked embarrassed at the large amount of people who seemed to be watching their first, very intimate, moment.

The sound of tinking glasses could be heard as the crowd called for another kiss. Niles looked around, "Again?" He laughed and dipped her deeply for another warm, but this time fun, kiss. The crowd applauded, obviously satisfied this time, and went back to eating and talking.

Niles took her back into his arms. She looked glowing. "I think this may very well be the happiest day of my life thus far." He said almost casually to her.

"Niles.. I.."

"Don't want to pretend anymore?"

She let out a sigh of relief, "No. I don't."

"C.C., I regret never telling you before our wedding day but I love you. So very much."

Tears rimmed C.C.'s eyes, she was trying to fight them spilling over, for fear that a Babcock might actually be seen out in public crying.

"I lll-love you, too."

He pulled her in for a warm hug as the song ended and their lives seemingly began.

Looks like a happy ending is in store for the duo! Woo! I love writing the happy moments! Please review and inspire me to write again now that finals are almost over! Woo!