C.C. leaned in and kissed Chandler on the cheek lightly in thanks before turning and walking fast down the path toward the Sheffield's. She had no idea where he would be, but the mansion was a good of a place as any to start. Hopefully she would find him in his room or in the kitchen.
Niles was trying his hardest not to think about C.C. as he continued his walk through Central Park. He came to a section where the path became surrounded in flowers. Today was so ironic- beautiful and yet one of the worst days of his life. He wouldn't get past this. No, this would stay with him forever. The pain of it all might fade, but he would never find another quite like her. Never had he met a woman who could make his heart pound or his hair stand on end just at the slightest touch.
He looked up in time to see a woman dressed in a white gown shuffling down the path, obviously worked into a frenzy. When he saw her face he thought his eyes were deceiving him. C.C. Babcock wouldn't be running through Central Park in her wedding dress. When she came closer and she turned toward him his whole world stopped. She stopped. And they both just stared.
He couldn't decide if his breath had left him because he was seeing the woman he thought he would never see again or because she looked so beautiful. The sun was shining brightly on this early summer day and illuminating the blonde strands of her hair. Her eyes slowly came to meet him and she looked relieved rather than shocked.
C.C. couldn't believe fate had brought them together in the middle of New York, but it had. There he was, still dressed in the white button up dress shirt from the rehearsal dinner the night before. His tie was let out and the top button undone. She couldn't help but notice the bright blue that shone in his eyes when he looked at her.
Slowly she walked towards him, his feet seemed to be planted in place. Niles felt absolutely unable to move. When she was standing no more than 4 feet away she opened her mouth to speak, "Hello, Niles."
He was hesitant. Was this even really happening, or had he lost it for good? "Hello.."
"Niles, I.." Tears started to fall from her eyes, "I'm sorry I've been so afraid all this time. Of what could have been, of what could be."
"C.C., I.. You're getting married today, to Chandler. It doesn't matter anymore.." He stopped as she shook her head.
Sobs threatened to escape her throat as she pushed them back, "No Niles. I couldn't do it. He couldn't do it. It wasn't right.."
Niles eyes brightened and he took her hands, "C.C., I don't know what to say."
A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth, "How about you shut up and kiss me?"
Niles didn't even wait for her to finish her sentence before his lips came crashing softly onto hers. He couldn't have asked for a better outcome for the crappy start of the day. C.C. brought her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. When they came up for air, they looked into each others eyes.
"Oh, heaven help me, C.C., I love you."
"I..I love you, too. Its been the most horrible day."
He smiled and pulled her into a hug, realizing how hard it was for her to admit her true feelings to him, "I'm glad I wasn't alone. I wanted you to be happy, even if it meant letting you go. This is SO much better." They laughed, unwilling to let go yet.
C.C. pulled away enough to look at him, "So what do we do now? I have my entire family waiting for me to walk down the aisle in thirty minutes."
"Well, guess you better walk down that aisle then," Niles shuffled his hand around in his pocket, "I've had this since I was home last year," He pulled out what looked to be an older antiqued ring box and popped it open.
C.C. gasped, "But Niles, we've only been friends for nine months, how did you know?"
"C.C., I've loved you since you walked through the door ten years ago."
Tears flooded her eyes now, unwilling to stay bridled, "Niles.."
He got down on one knee in the middle of the park as people passed. "C.C., I've gotten a taste of what its like not to be with you, and it was enough to bring me to my knees even after a night. No one will makes me happier, makes me laugh, or makes me so angry I want to kiss you. We haven't always seen eye to eye, but our arguments have only served to make you more beautiful to me. Please marry me, be my wife, and hopefully someday the mother of my children- as long as you promise not to eat them."
C.C. slapped him on the arm, "It was so beautiful until you made that wise crack," laughter crinkled her eyes, "But I would love to marry you."
Niles slid the ring onto her finger and stood up, taking her in his arms and kissing her silly. He felt so happy he picked her up off her feet and spun her around, the dress flowing all around her. They were pulled from their moment by at least 10 bystanders, clapping. Looking around embarrassed, they started walking back toward the church hand in hand.
"What are we going to say to Chandler's side?" Niles asked.
"Chandler has probably already told his family, the rest won't even notice its a different man getting married. They were all so wrapped up in themselves at the rehearsal last night.."
When they arrived at the church Stuart was standing outside. He didn't seem surprised at all to see them together. Niles whispered for her to go on inside, and she gave Stuart a kiss on the cheek before walking through the big wooden doors.
Niles felt his nerves prickle in the bottom of his belly.
"Well Niles, what do you have to say?"
"Well, sir, we talked it over. If you'd grant me your blessing I'd like the honor of marrying your daughter."
Stuart clasped his hands together behind his back, "And Chandler?"
"I'm not exactly sure how the exchange went, but I believe C.C. and Chandler called off the wedding before she came looking for me. It seems to me this is a perfectly good wedding and we might as well use it, we aren't getting any younger.."
Stuart pretended to think for a moment before sighing, "Alright Niles, you can marry my daughter on one condition.."
"What is that, sir?"
For the second time that day, Niles witnessed the trademark Babcock smirk, "That you promise you two will give me a few grandchildren!"
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