Hello, Hello!:) No smut as of yet...but more important things happening. VERY important. I still remember how negs and I were like "whoa, I can't believe this just happened" lol And while her reply might seem quick now, I think I spent like 5 minutes considering things. lol Anyway, I hope you enjoy it and leave us a review...meanwhile, I'm still recovering from seeing certain VERY nice Lauren Lane photos.

Disclaimer: None of the characters are ours..

Chapter 11:

The next morning the sunlight tickled her face before the thundering of an intense headache sunk in. Finding that she was alone in bed she sat up, feeling nauseous, and slowly walked down via the backstairs, determined to make it home to take the day off.

"Good morning, sunshine!" Niles greeted her smiling, when she arrived in the kitchen where he was already preparing breakfast.

"Shh...not so loud." she muttered, holding her head and then steadied herself on the counter "And why are you in such a good mood?"

"Just because I slept well...and because you are going to explain what happened yesterday to Mr. Sheffield." He grinned and winked at her.

"What happened yesterday? I didn't do anything embarrassing, did I?" she asked, confusedly.

"You told him about us having sex on his desk...and other things..." he chuckled, leaving out the marriage part.

"I think I'm gonna be sick..." she mumbled.

"Aspirin?" he offered, holding it as well as a glass of water out for her.

"Was there anything else I should know about?" she probed carefully and took a sip of the water with the tablet.

"No...not really..." he shook his head and returned to work.

"Ok...I think I'll tell him the truth..." she said quietly, resting her head on the table.

"I'll come with you." he firmly said, looking up.

"No, you'll get into trouble." she declined seriously "I tell him we got drunk and I took advantage of you...it's...close to the truth."

"So...you're going to say that it was a one night stand?" he frowned.

"No...I...we did it on his desk, Niles, and I told him...so I should take the blame. I'll just omit the other parts...he can think what he wants."

"But if you're going to say that we had sex, why not say that we're together? He is our friend...he'll understand." Niles pressed.

"I can't tell him that...I'm not good at...big announcements...oh, why did I have to get drunk?"

"That's why I'll come with you." he concluded "he already knows of my feelings for you, the man in dense but even he'll know if there is more behind us."

"They'll all know, Niles." C.C. sighed "Nanny Fine will want every single detail...I ruined it..."

"Come on now, you didn't ruin it." he smiled and, sitting down next to her, he took her hand in his.

"I want to go back to bed..." she whispered, rubbing his skin with her thumb.

"Then go and lie down a bit...I'll come and get you when Max wants to speak to us."

"I miss making love to you... I had it all planned for yesterday..." she told him, heading for the stairs.

"We'll just reschedule it." he promised, winking at her.

"Alright..." she smiled weakly and went back to bed.

Niles continued to prepare breakfast and finally served it when the family arrived. In the meantime, C.C. found that she couldn't sleep because of the remaining strong headache, and so she began to search his drawers for an aspirin, but instead discovered a small jewellery box. She opened it and gasped when she saw the ring inside and her heart began to race. Suddenly memories of the previous night returned and grabbing the box she returned to the kitchen.

"Niles, if you would join me in my office...I'll like that explanation now." Maxwell told him after the breakfast was over.

"Yes, Sir. Let me just fetch Miss Babcock."

He entered the kitchen and frowned when he saw her standing by the counter, holding his jewellery box. "What are you doing with that?"

"I asked you to marry me...and you...you have a ring." she stammered in a high-pitched voice "Why do you have a ring, Niles?"

"I-I... what are you doing in my things?" he asked.

"I was looking for an aspirin. Who is this ring for?" she questioned, placing the box down on the table.

"For the woman I want to marry, of course." he replied, looking at the box.

"Niles?"

"C.C...I...I..." he looked at her, fearful.

"Yes?" she whispered, a little hopeful tone shining through.

"C.C., I love you...will you," he began and opened the box for her "marry me? Please?"

"Yes..." she whispered in a weak voice, holding on to the chair.

"What?"

"I love you," she offered simply "so my answer is yes."

A hesitant smile was playing on her lips as she noticed the tears that were sparkling in his eyes.

"She said yes!" he exclaimed overjoyed and lifted her up in the air.

"Technically I asked you first." she laughed, wrapping her arms around him.

"I love you," he smiled, kissing her deeply.

"I love you too."

And she returned the kiss, before holding out her hand. He picked up the ring, sat down on one knee and carefully slid it onto the ring finger of her shaking hand.

"God, woman..." he cupped her cheek, unable to stop smiling.

"We're getting married." she said in awe, kissing him softly.

"I know." he confirmed and then suddenly heard squealing behind him.

"What just happened?" C.C. asked, staring incredulously at the Nanny who had entered the room unbeknownst to them.

"Niles just asked you to marry him! And you said yes! Max! He just..."

The Broadway producer now, too, appeared, ready to calm his wife.

"I know, dear. Well, congratulations you two." he said, giving Niles a pat on the back and hugged C.C. "I still want some explanation though about my desk."

C.C. chuckled and hid in the closeness of Niles' body.

"I knew he wouldn't forget about it," she mumbled quietly "only because he doesn't have the imagination or the skills..."

"Yes, Sir. We'll explain it later." Niles agreed, grinning at her words.

"C.C., I'll see you in the office?" Max asked and then left, pulling his shocked wife along.

"Would've been too much to ask to give us the day off, eh?" C.C. commented once he was gone.

"You know how he is," Niles shrugged "but what do you say if we sneak away this evening for a celebratory dinner for two?"

"I'd love that." she agreed, kissing him.

"Mmh...and I love you. I can't believe it..."

"You better start now, Mister." she grinned at him "And just you wait till I let you know about my plans for the wedding night!"

"Damn, I'm going to marry the witch." he grinned and winked at her playfully.

"And I the butler." she sighed "I propose we keep this from my mother as long as we possibly can."

"Yes, I suppose it's for the best, after we're married she can't do much about it."

"She won't do anything to separate us, I promise." C.C. said seriously, cupping his face.

"I won't let her take you away from me now." he replied, just as serious.

"I'm already yours, my love. It's just a matter of having it on paper." she smiled.

"Yes, it is." he agreed "I think it's better if we continue with our day now..."

"Alright," she nodded "Do you think Max will pass out if I tell him the truth about his desk?"

"I think he'll never want to work on it again." Niles grinned.

She let our her sultry laugh and stole one last kiss from him. "See you later, Butler Boy."

"Later, Witch." And he patted her backside and winked.

"What contracts are we looking at, Maxwell?" C.C. asked, striding into the office, back in business mode at once.

"Um...well the new ones for the stage manager and a few for the actors." he said, handing her the papers.

"Maxwell, about that explanation." C.C. spoke up, deciding to make the first move "Niles' and my behaviour was highly unprofessional... and while I'd like to aplogise to you, I don't regret that it happened. "

"It's ok, C.C." he nodded and really looked at her "You're happy, aren't you?"

She closed her eyes and grinned. "Who would've thought?"

"Well, I knew about Niles' feelings for you for a long time but...I didn't know it would take such a leap from this."

"I really love him." C.C. confessed softly.

"And he does too." Maxwell said, smiling back at her.

"Oh, Miss Babcock! There you are! I wanted to ask you a question!" Fran said, barging into the room.

"Yes, Nanny Fine?" C.C. asked, trying to be patient.

"Well, first I have to tell you that you better not hurt Niles. He's my best friend and I don't want him to get hurt."

C.C. crossed her arms in front of her chest and glared at the brunette.

"Okay...so I just wondered if you needed a wedding planner?" Fran asked, moving on quickly.

"Nanny Fine, I doubt that Niles and I will want a big wedding, so there really isn't need for a wedding planner."

"Oh but Miss Babcock, there's always need for a wedding planner!" Fran insisted.

"But it's much too early yet to make these kinds of decisions." C.C. muttered evasively.

"Okay, okay. So did you set a date yet?"

"Nanny Fine," C.C. said, getting more annoyed "we just got engaged."

"Oh but wait...you're not pregnant, are you? Because if so you better plan the wedding before it begins to show." And she leaned over to pat her belly.

"Nanny Fine!" C.C. yelled, jumping to her feet.

"Wow, you're sure you're not? Because the mood swings..."

"Are brought on by the Nanny that keeps pestering me!" C.C. snapped, touching her head and sitting back down as dizziness suddenly overcame her again.

"Okay, okay...geesh," Fran muttered and then added concernedly "Are you alright?"

"Yes...fine..." C.C. said, her eyes fluttering open.

"Sir, I..." Niles started, entering the room, but then spotted C.C. who looked ill "What's wrong?"

"I feel a little sick..." she explained weakly.

"Still from the hangover? You better go and lie down a bit."

"No, I have to work." she stated firmly.

"C.C., go and lie down! You're not of much use to me while sick!" Maxwell said, chuckling.

She sighed and got up, steadying herself on the couch.

"Come on," Niles said, helping her.

"I've probably had too much excitement for one day." she joked, wrapping one arm around him.

He brought her to their room and helped her sit down on the bed.

"Thank you, Niles." she smiled "This is so embarrassing. "

"Well, we're used to you being like this." he grinned.

"Oh shush you..." she lay down, closing her eyes "Thank you for wanting to marry me."

"No, thank you." he smiled, kissing her softly "I gave up on the idea some time ago...and now look at us...you're making my dream come true."

"Mmh...goodnight, lover. Wake me up again, won't you?"

"When do you want me to wake you?"

"Later," she waved her hand dismissively "just make sure that I will wake up again."

"I will," he chuckled "in time, so you can go and freshen up for our dinner. You're still up for it?"

"Yes, wouldn't miss it." she mumbled sleepily.

"Sweet dreams, love." And he left the room.