Disclaimer: I don't own any part or character from The Nanny…but I'm still not giving up hope.
A/N: I was thinking of a way to throw Niles and CC together. This is what I came up with. It's dedicated to my friend Mel now visiting the big Apple.
Scavenger Hunt
Chapter 11
When the day of their wedding had arrived, Niles and CC were ready for BB. And though it took some doing, they managed to get everything in place. Now all they had to do was wait.
"Niles…" Max started as he paced back and forth in the 'grooms waiting area'. "Are you sure this is going to go well, I mean with BB planning on causing trouble?"
Niles smiled at his friend. "Max, I appreciate your concern, but I love CC and nothing is going to keep me from marrying her today…including her mother."
"CC loves you to, Old man. I think she has for years but was just too afraid to admit it." Max shrugged.
Niles laughed. "What is it with you society elite, being so afraid to admit when you're in love? I know why CC couldn't admit her love for me…her mother is a shrew. But you…"
"Niles you know my mother as well as anyone…" Max raised an eyebrow at his friend.
Niles nodded. "You're right, she's a shrew as well, but you never sought your mother's approval."
"Alright, Niles, I was just a big fat chicken." Max started pacing again. "Shouldn't we be starting soon?"
"Geez, Dad." Brighton started as he joined them in the holding area. "It's not your wedding, relax."
"Is everything ready, Brighton?" Niles asked him.
Brighton nodded. "Yep, Miss Babcock's mother just got here and made her way back to the bride's room."
CC sat at the vanity and watched as Fran finished with her hair. "I gotta tell you, Fran, you do know your hair."
"Well, it's still not high enough for me, but it's your wedding." Fran winked at CC's reflection in the mirror.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." BB barked from just inside the door.
CC turned to face her mother. "I'll leave ya to chat with ya Ma. We'll be back in just a few minutes to get ya CC. I'll go and find Stuart." Grace and Maggie followed Fran out of the room in silence.
"So, it's not enough you're marrying a servant, but you have to have your father here as well?" BB moved into the room and closed the door behind her.
CC stood and checked her make up one last time in the mirror. "Mother, this is the happiest day of my life and I'll not allow you to ruin it. And I'm not marrying a servant, I'm marrying a man, a good and decent man who adores me."
"CC…he's just a servant." BB stressed, and walked right into the trap.
CC smirked. "No mother, he's so very much more."
There was a tap at the door and Fran peeked in. "CC…the Viscount is ready to take a wife and Stuart is ready to delivery ya to him…are ya ready?"
"Viscount!" BB's head snapped around to look at Fran, and then she turned back to CC.
CC grabbed her bouquet and started toward the door. "That's right, Mother. He's a Viscount, a servant of the people you might say. He's even in line to the throne…" CC let that land as she made her way to marry her Viscount.
"Niles," Max began. "It's time, Old Man…CC's on her way up…"
"Well then…how do I look?" Niles stood before his oldest friend in quite a different uniform than the suits he wears every day. Niles was decked out in a full dress uniform complete with epaulettes, ribbons, medals and the tell tale 'sash'.
Max straightened his tie a bit. "Really quite dashing, Old man…I mean…my Lord." Max dropped a slight nod on his old friend.
"Max…please…I've called you 'Sir' for more than thirty years, let's not go messing with a well oiled machine." Niles smiled at his friend.
"Hey," Brighton popped his head in. "You comin' or should I tell everyone to take off?"
Niles sighed and smiled from ear to ear. "Oh no, I'm coming."
Niles, Max and Brighton took their places at the railing overlooking the river in the exact spot where the photo of Niles and CC was taken on the day of the Scavenger Race. Father Thomas was in place and they just had to wait.
Gracie started up the makeshift aisle dropping CC's preferred orange rose petals with each step as string quartet softly played Pachebel's Canon. Just as Gracie reached the front and Maggie started up the aisle, BB grabbed at CC's arm still out of sight of her intended.
"Barbara, please, it's our daughter's wedding day, don't make this about you…" Stuart started.
BB nearly growled at him. "CC…what do you mean you're marrying a Viscount? DD told me his name was Niles…something. She never said anything about a Viscount."
"Mother, his name is Niles and we didn't put the Viscountcy on the invitation because it isn't important to either of us. I would marry him if he dug ditches for a living," CC said with all sincerity.
"Like hell you would." BB mumbled. "But, all is well, he's a Viscount and in line to the British throne…I have no complaints." BB stood still in the back as Fran reached the front and took her place. Everyone stood as the bridal march began and Stuart and CC started making their way up the aisle.
BB stood in the back trying desperately trying to get a look at the Viscount over the heads of the guests. "I must see whose face will be on my grandchildren."
BB sighed as everyone sat down thinking she'd finally get a look at him, but all she could see was his back. "Well, from what I can see…" BB couldn't help but smirk as she considered how lucky CC was. Marrying into royalty and at least he has a pretty good 'rear view'.
BB wasn't much for weddings per se, so she decided she could wait until the reception to be officially introduced to her new son in law. BB noticed a friend of CC's and informed her that she'd go ahead to the Waldorf to check on the arrangements.
The ceremony moved along quickly. Father Thomas asked all the usual questions. Niles and CC faced each other for the exchanging of the rings.
Niles took the ring that for more than fifty years graced the finger of his grandmother. "CC, take this ring and wear it as a symbol of our unending love and devotion. My heart is yours, now and forever." Niles slipped the ring onto CC's finger and dropped a kiss on the knuckle.
CC took the matching ring his grandfather wore until his death. "Niles, take this ring as wear it as a symbol of our unending love and devotion. My heart is yours, now and forever." CC slid the ring slowly up Niles finger and winked at him.
Father Thomas smiled and made his final announcement. "What God today has joined together, let no one separate. Niles…you may kiss your bride."
Niles cupped CC's face in his warm hands and kissed her gently to the applause of their friends and family.
After what seemed like a thousand pictures, Niles and CC finally made their way to the Waldorf-Astoria for their reception. "Well, Love. It's time for the big reveal…how do you think the barracuda will take it?"
"I couldn't care less. We're married and that's all that matters to me." CC leaned into him as they rode to the reception.
"So, Maxwell," BB started, already two drinks ahead of the rest of the party. "Where's your servant? I suppose he couldn't bear the thought that CC was marrying someone more suitable?"
Max smiled at this completely loathsome woman. "Well, you know BB…this is a big day…everything had to be just perfect for CC…so I put Niles in charge."
"Well, I suppose he did do a lovely job with the reception." BB rolled her eyes.
That's when Brighton joined them. "Dad, they're here and ready for you to announce them."
"Oh…this is my big duty for the day." Max turned and kissed Fran lightly on the cheek.
"Wasn't he the best man?" BB asked Fran.
Fran nodded. "Yeah…but he's far more excited about this part…it's more…fun." Fran explained from behind her telltale smirk.
"Ladies and gentleman, may I have your attention, please?" Everyone got quiet and turned to face Max who stood at the entrance to the grand ballroom. "I'd like the parents of the bride and groom to come here to the center of the room, please."
Stuart, BB, and Niles' parents as well made their way to the area Max had designated just in front of the entrance door.
Max winked at the four and BB practically preened at the thought of meeting a 'royal'. "Gathered friends and family, it is my greatest pleasure to present you with the happy couple. Lord and Lady Brightmore, fourth Viscount of South Wessex."
The room burst into applause, except for BB who was desperately trying to pull her chin up from the floor, when Niles and CC entered the room.
