The Moment

Chapter Thirteen

kateandharvey

It was after he heard the safe return of the youngest (and although he would never admit it, favorite Sheffield) that he knew he would be encountering her soon enough, and he wasn't prepared. Because of this, when he heard the tap tap of her heels on the cobblestone walkway, he left the kitchen and darted up the back stairs.

CC was anxious as she approached the door to the kitchen. She didn't want to celebrate with the Sheffield family. She'd much rather enter the kitchen from the backdoor and see her- er –Niles. She didn't know what had become of them as of late, much less what the future would see of them. Her near death experience had really jarred the mostly unshakable woman, and she needed the solace that was the pesky butler. The socialite was a bright woman, and usually able to read a person from a mile away. However, as she opened the kitchen door, she didn't know what would greet her. Whether it be the Niles from the morning that had so boldly and cheekily slapped her on the rear or the Niles that would immediately burst with a zinger about how she made it- she didn't care. Anything from him would prove to be what she needed.

However, when she opened the door and found it empty, the disappointment in her gut only served to make the matters of the night worse, and she would be lying if she said it bothered her more to be trapped in the car than it did to find the kitchen empty. Holding her head high even while her heart was breaking like a true Babcock, she strutted off towards the living room to gather with the family.

As she exited, Niles' head popped out from where he had been hiding at the top of the stairs, and a tear trickled down his cheek. He had just purposefully passed on a potentially magical moment- yes- but he wasn't ready for what it would bring. He needed more time to identify with the idea that she was, in fact, just fine, before he engaged in their teeter-totter of vulnerability.

It was later in the night, after gifts had been exchanged, hugs given, and "I love you's" passed around that Niles decided it was time he face her. For most of the night, she had avoided him, only sneaking a chance glance at him under her long lashes from across the room when she thought he wasn't looking. However, he was always looking; for he had spent the night looking only at her, and attempting not to. Lost in his thoughts, her eyes dashed upwards and he caught her gaze. She allowed herself the pleasure of not pulling away immediately, but she quickly flushed pink and averted her gaze. Niles stood up from his spot on the couch and stretched. "I'm very glad everyone made it home safely, tonight." He let his eyes drift over her face once more as everyone passed his lips. "I am quite exhausted, however, and I am sure all of you are as well. If you'll excuse me… I'll be heading off to bed. Sir?"

Max, his eyes caught up in his wife's, waved his hand. "Yes, yes, Old Man. Of course. Goodnight."

"Happy Hanukkah, Niles!" Fran screeched, her eyes never leaving her husband's. The children all stood, one by one, to wrap their arms around their second father. When Grace hugged him, she held on just a bit tighter and whispered into his ear. He held the young girl just as fiercely she did him, and then headed up the stairs to bed.

"I'll never experience the sweet touch of my beautiful Ni-" rang through his head as he reclined on his sheets. The young girl was definitely meddling much like her stepmother, but with the information she had provided him, he didn't mind. He was surprised, to say the least. While he didn't necessarily think the blonde didn't have feelings for him, he didn't understand what those feelings quite were. Grace's admission had helped him to see more than he thought there was. He knew now, after the girl's information and seeing CC in the kitchen, that there was no way she would make the next move. The ball was in his court, and he was going to send it over. He was mid-thought when he heard footsteps in the hallway that had to be hers. He carefully got up from his bed, as not to let it loudly squeak, and tiptoed over to the door. When she walked by in front of it, he reached out, and pulled her in with a smooth action.

Her back hit his now closed door with a soft thud, and she gasped. "Hi." His baritone voice rang through her ears.

"Hi." She whispered back, still a bit shaken from his pulling her in.

He was quiet then. His arms were on either side of her, pressing into the door as he leaned towards her. With anyone else, she would've felt trapped. With him, she basked in the feeling of warmth and normality that she had searched for in the kitchen and still yearned for. He studied her, and the longer he took, the more squeamish she got. His hands came down to rest on her shoulders, and she breathed a sigh. "What are you doing?" She whispered, "My appearance is already burned into your memory, remember?"

He shook his head. "I'm not doing that." He ran his hands down her arms to intertwine his fingers with hers. "I'm making sure you're alright."

She smiled a watery smile. "I'm fine."

He nodded, choking back tears himself, and pressed his forehead to hers. "I'm sorry."

The old CC Babcock would have demanded to know why he was sorry, but the new version, the one that was standing in Niles' bedroom and holding his hands, she already knew for what he was apologizing. She brushed her lips against his briefly. "It's okay."

He shook his head, and she could see tears brimming in his eyes. "I was scared." He swallowed deeply and hard, "I don't know-"

Her lips pressed against his. "-Neither do I." Her hands squeezed his. "I understand. It's okay."

His lips found hers, and they were harsh, passionate, and desperate. They were desperate to find her, and he was desperate to find where they were. They kissed passionately for a few moments, until, out of breath, he pulled away from her. Their foreheads still touching, he brushed his lips gently over hers, now swollen from their previous kiss. "Stay here with me, tonight. Just let me hold you."

"Niles," she sighed into his mouth as she kissed him once more. "I don't think-"

"-Just for tonight." He interrupted.

She consented, fitting her mouth against his once more before she breathed against his face, "Please."

His arms wrapped around her gave them both the best sleep they had ever had.