Well, folks, this is it: the end of C.C.'s sad little story.
I hope, you liked it, and maybe, perhaps, I will do another one-but I doubt it.
Still, one never knows, what tomorrow may bring..
*~
Allison, thank you, for hanging in there-it's always nice, to have a trusty reader and reviewer.
SunRise19, I'm surely not going to let C.C. kill herself. She doesn't strike me as the person, to commit suicide over a broken heart and some, admittedly severly, hurt feelings.
*~
Disclaimer: The Nanny, and all respective characters belong to their respective owners.
The song 'I don't break easily', is from Barbra Streisand's 'Songbird' album,
and belongs to her. I'm not making any benefit of it-
well, except of the kind reviews, but they're quiet worth it.^^
*~
*************************************************************************
*~
Future sketched in diamonds
*~
"You didn't" whispered Fran, white as a sheet.
Out of every one in the room, she knew best, how C.C. must have felt.
All Niles could do, was stare at the floor in silent compliance.
The others only sat there, trying to cmprehend, what they had just heard.
Finally, Maggie rose, and, giving a last, hateful glare to the butler, declared:
"If anybody looks for me, I'll be in my room, writing a letter to C.C.!"
"Me too", added her younger siblings, and, barely sparing a glance at Niles, followed their sister out the door.
The silence weighed uncomfortably on the three adults, until finally Maxwell cleared his throat and rasped:
"Please retreat to your room, Niles. You too, Fran, I'm sorry, darling, but I need a moment to think things over."
Niles silently got up and moved out the door, while Fran tried to approach, but Maxwell only buried his face in his hands and muttered:
"Fran, please, if you really love me, give me a few minutes to collect myself."
She nodded, sadly, and took the letter from the desk. Taking a second look, she said softly:
"It's not yet finished. There's still more." Maxwell looked up.
"What?"
At that very moment, the hardwood door burst open, and in came Grace, Maggie, Brighton, Niles and-
"MOM?!?""Sylvia??"-all babbling, and chattering, and generally throwing quiet a ruckus.
A couple of times, Fran and Maxwell tried to bring some order into the buzzing chaos, but all attempts were futile, until Maxwell lost it and roared:
"Shut up, all of you!!!"
Surprisingly enough, it worked. Nodding in self-reassurement, Maxwell placed his hands on his hips, and turned to Niles.
"Didn't I tell you, to stay in your room, until I have decided, what happens to you, *butler*?"
The insult struck, and Niles flinched back, as if beaten. He quickly regained his composure, and said firmly:
"That's why I am here, Sir. I found something, that may make your..decision..a little easier."
Pulling a large, manila envelope from inside his jacket, he stated:
"Besides, it's *Sir*, Sir."
Taking the folder and opening it, Sheffield stared at his butler, as if this one had just announced, to be Freddy Mercury's twin brother.
However, his anger faded like snow in the sun, when he read the paper.
"This..but..then..and.. you..but..you..." he stammered, and Niles nodded, somehow able to find a shadow of his trademarked smug grin. It didn't last, but made way to a frown, that would have suited a Polnish WWII veterean.
"Ms. Babcock paid all my arrears, aswell as those of my departed uncle, initiated an account over ten-thousand pounds in my name, and has hired a dozen or so experts and architects, who are waiting at my beck and call, to restore my family's mansion after my wishes."
A single tear ran down his cheek, and suddenly, Niles seemed old beyond his years, as he retrieved the folder from his boss.
"Which means none other, than by law, I am now Sir Niles Barrington, Lord of Northhampton*, and a free man."
With one swift movement, he opened the door and was gone, before anyone could react.
Finally, Margaret whispered toneless:
"Dad, exactly *how* rich is C.C.?" He father frowned, and shook his head.
"I have no idea, besides, it's not my business. Why do you ask?"
"Because she opened for each of us a college fund with 15'000$! That 45'000$, and I don't even want to know, how much debts Niles had, let alone, how much the renovation of his house might cost!"
"Plus, she agreed, to take over all costs for your wedding", interjected Sylvia, nearly choking with the need to be granted a say in the whole affair.
"WHAT?!?" came the inredulous chorus, and then Fran waved frantically with the letter, which she held forgotten in her hand.
"Hey, hey, wait, we didn't even finish the letter, everybody just up and left, and I think, Ms.Bab-C.C. can explain it."
"Where is she anyway?" asked Sylvia confused, "I came all the way here, to thank her. I mean, after all the trouble she made, it's only right, that she-"
"Shut up, mom. I won't have you talking like that about that wonderful, brave woman. You have no idea, what she's been through, so just keep quiet!" yelled Fran, trying to blink away the tears, which threatened to fall.
Baffled, Sylvia snapped her mouth closed, staring uncomprehendingly at her daughter.
Sniffing, Fran sat on her favorite spot on the desk, and, scanning the letter, picked up, where they had left.
*~
'Before I left for good, last night, I made sure, all your gifts were in place.
Maxwell, I called our brokers and lawyers, and all is set. I sold all joint assets and rights I had in every single play we, or rather you, produced, to you, at, as you will surely agree, a reasonable prize, which will make both of us look like finance magicians.
Fran, my gift to you will be the most expensive, perfectly orchestrated wedding ever held in Manhattan's history, I will aswell take over all costs coming up, for any children you may have.'
At this, Fran grinned dreamingly, and Maxwell blushed. Sylvia perked up, hopefully.
'Margaret, Brighton, Grace, being a heir is no excuse to be undereducated. And never mind what some hot-shot, uprising movie-star might say, knowledge *is* power, and, unlike beauty, doesn't fade with the years, but rather keeps growing.
Do the best, with the college founds I gave you. You won't regret it.
Niles, by now, you probably have found your present. It is my way, to say good-bye, and thank you.
Thank you, for being loyal, thank you, for taking care of the Sheffields, thank you, for honing my edge, thank you,for everytime you cleaned me up.
Perhaps, we might have learned to like each other, but sadly enough, now we'll never now. Still, I wish you good luck, and that you may be happy with your new title, Sir Niles.'
*~
Maxwell snorted.
"He didn't look too happy, when he left. Rather, as if his best friend just died." He paused.
"Who knows, perhaps he did loose his best friend..?"
"She never was my friend, Sir. And now she will never be."
Like the proverbial ghost, Niles suddenly stood in the doorframe. Stepping in, he closed the door behind himself.
"I thought, I might as well hear the rest of what C.C. has to tell us."
A quick exchange of looks between Maxwell and Fran, a short nod, and Fran returned to reading.
*~
'Well, I suppose, this is it then. Oh, but I do have one small surprise for you all. Maxwell, open the middle left drawer of your desk, take out the tape written *Baby Blue* and listen to it.'
Niles flinched a little, when Maxwell did so, finding a small note inside the cask, but first placed the tape in the stereo.
Nothing happened.
Frowning, he read the note.
'Try the wrapper with the same name, right lower drawer'
Again, he found the item, and another note:
'If you read this, Niles has erased the tape, so I took the precaution of making a copy'
Another dark look was shot in the butler's direction, as the CD from the envelope found it's way into the player, and then a warm, velvet voice filled the room.
"That's C.C." whispered Niles breathlessly, as the first words sailed through the air.
*~
"I took my chances,
thinking something might be saved
Growing tired of broken promises,
and dreams you never made
And I wanted to be more than just a friend,
never knowing, I would hurt so in the end
So I swore I'd never call you home again
~~
Took time to see through all the glitter
that you made
I was blinded by your firelight,
and swept myself away
And I guess, I couldn't bring myself to see,
you had taken all the very best of me
So I'm leaving while there's something left of me
~~
Just like a child, I keep running back for more
You know, I thought I knew the answers,
'cause I've been hurt before
And one more time around won't break me,
you will never see that side of me,
No, no, no, no,
I don't break easily
~~
I told my service, to pick up all my calls,
and I've taken down our photographs,
that lined our bedroom walls
And the outside door no longer has your name,
all your clothes are gone,
my welcome mat's been changed
But the key's still there,
and I've left the door unchained
~~
Just like a child, I keep running back for more
Oh, I thought, I knew all the answers,
I've been hurt before
And just one more time around won't break me,
you will never see that side of me
No, no, no,
I don't break easily
No, no...I don't break easily...
~~
Goodbye, my dears.
And Godspeed."
*~
'Chastity Claire Babcock'
*~
Epilogue:
*~
Two years later
"-her newest collection, that both compliments the women's figure, while allowing her a maximum of comfort.
The designs are simple and classic, and yet, there is a certain nonchalance to the-and here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the rising star of the haute couture, everyone's favourite designer from Paris to Milan: Ms. C.C. Babcock!"
She stepped on the catwalk, in one of her own outfits, that accented her long legs, hinted the well-formed bosom, smoothed her broad shoulders and flirted with her long, graceful neck.
Her blonde hairs curled down perfectly around her oval face, making her at least ten years younger.
But it was the sparkle in her eyes, that overshone even the bright glittering of her diamond earrings, what made her so stunningly beautiful.
After she had left the Sheffields, there had been a lengthy pause, where no one heard or saw from C.C. Babcock.
And then, all of a sudden, 'Chaste' made it's appearance, and created ripples in the world of elegance and design.
Now every business woman, female spokes person, and politican was head over heals for one of C.C.'s original costumes, which often outselled Chanel and Lagerfeld.
And she had only barely begun to climb the stairs to fashion fame.
The narrator, organisator or whoever reappeared on stage, with a bundle of exquisite flowers, and C.C. smiled, as she thanked him politely. Her crystal-blue eyes drifted closed, as she took a deep breath of the sweet smell, and then she laughed, loosened the string around the stems, and showered the whole first row with roses, orchides, lilies and whatever not.
*~
Niles stopped the VCR, and removed the tape.
He placed it in the bookshelf, next to the others, then turned off the lights and climbed into bed.
With a huff, he settled himself, then whispered into the darkness:
"Goodbye, C.C. And Godspeed."
***************************************************************************
*~
Goodbye, my dear readers. And thank you, for hanging on.
Gracias
Felidae
*~
* I couldn't remember or find the title, Miles would have inherited, so I had to make it up a little-sorry about that. If you know it, please mail me the correct title, so I can revamp that little mistake. Arigato!
I hope, you liked it, and maybe, perhaps, I will do another one-but I doubt it.
Still, one never knows, what tomorrow may bring..
*~
Allison, thank you, for hanging in there-it's always nice, to have a trusty reader and reviewer.
SunRise19, I'm surely not going to let C.C. kill herself. She doesn't strike me as the person, to commit suicide over a broken heart and some, admittedly severly, hurt feelings.
*~
Disclaimer: The Nanny, and all respective characters belong to their respective owners.
The song 'I don't break easily', is from Barbra Streisand's 'Songbird' album,
and belongs to her. I'm not making any benefit of it-
well, except of the kind reviews, but they're quiet worth it.^^
*~
*************************************************************************
*~
Future sketched in diamonds
*~
"You didn't" whispered Fran, white as a sheet.
Out of every one in the room, she knew best, how C.C. must have felt.
All Niles could do, was stare at the floor in silent compliance.
The others only sat there, trying to cmprehend, what they had just heard.
Finally, Maggie rose, and, giving a last, hateful glare to the butler, declared:
"If anybody looks for me, I'll be in my room, writing a letter to C.C.!"
"Me too", added her younger siblings, and, barely sparing a glance at Niles, followed their sister out the door.
The silence weighed uncomfortably on the three adults, until finally Maxwell cleared his throat and rasped:
"Please retreat to your room, Niles. You too, Fran, I'm sorry, darling, but I need a moment to think things over."
Niles silently got up and moved out the door, while Fran tried to approach, but Maxwell only buried his face in his hands and muttered:
"Fran, please, if you really love me, give me a few minutes to collect myself."
She nodded, sadly, and took the letter from the desk. Taking a second look, she said softly:
"It's not yet finished. There's still more." Maxwell looked up.
"What?"
At that very moment, the hardwood door burst open, and in came Grace, Maggie, Brighton, Niles and-
"MOM?!?""Sylvia??"-all babbling, and chattering, and generally throwing quiet a ruckus.
A couple of times, Fran and Maxwell tried to bring some order into the buzzing chaos, but all attempts were futile, until Maxwell lost it and roared:
"Shut up, all of you!!!"
Surprisingly enough, it worked. Nodding in self-reassurement, Maxwell placed his hands on his hips, and turned to Niles.
"Didn't I tell you, to stay in your room, until I have decided, what happens to you, *butler*?"
The insult struck, and Niles flinched back, as if beaten. He quickly regained his composure, and said firmly:
"That's why I am here, Sir. I found something, that may make your..decision..a little easier."
Pulling a large, manila envelope from inside his jacket, he stated:
"Besides, it's *Sir*, Sir."
Taking the folder and opening it, Sheffield stared at his butler, as if this one had just announced, to be Freddy Mercury's twin brother.
However, his anger faded like snow in the sun, when he read the paper.
"This..but..then..and.. you..but..you..." he stammered, and Niles nodded, somehow able to find a shadow of his trademarked smug grin. It didn't last, but made way to a frown, that would have suited a Polnish WWII veterean.
"Ms. Babcock paid all my arrears, aswell as those of my departed uncle, initiated an account over ten-thousand pounds in my name, and has hired a dozen or so experts and architects, who are waiting at my beck and call, to restore my family's mansion after my wishes."
A single tear ran down his cheek, and suddenly, Niles seemed old beyond his years, as he retrieved the folder from his boss.
"Which means none other, than by law, I am now Sir Niles Barrington, Lord of Northhampton*, and a free man."
With one swift movement, he opened the door and was gone, before anyone could react.
Finally, Margaret whispered toneless:
"Dad, exactly *how* rich is C.C.?" He father frowned, and shook his head.
"I have no idea, besides, it's not my business. Why do you ask?"
"Because she opened for each of us a college fund with 15'000$! That 45'000$, and I don't even want to know, how much debts Niles had, let alone, how much the renovation of his house might cost!"
"Plus, she agreed, to take over all costs for your wedding", interjected Sylvia, nearly choking with the need to be granted a say in the whole affair.
"WHAT?!?" came the inredulous chorus, and then Fran waved frantically with the letter, which she held forgotten in her hand.
"Hey, hey, wait, we didn't even finish the letter, everybody just up and left, and I think, Ms.Bab-C.C. can explain it."
"Where is she anyway?" asked Sylvia confused, "I came all the way here, to thank her. I mean, after all the trouble she made, it's only right, that she-"
"Shut up, mom. I won't have you talking like that about that wonderful, brave woman. You have no idea, what she's been through, so just keep quiet!" yelled Fran, trying to blink away the tears, which threatened to fall.
Baffled, Sylvia snapped her mouth closed, staring uncomprehendingly at her daughter.
Sniffing, Fran sat on her favorite spot on the desk, and, scanning the letter, picked up, where they had left.
*~
'Before I left for good, last night, I made sure, all your gifts were in place.
Maxwell, I called our brokers and lawyers, and all is set. I sold all joint assets and rights I had in every single play we, or rather you, produced, to you, at, as you will surely agree, a reasonable prize, which will make both of us look like finance magicians.
Fran, my gift to you will be the most expensive, perfectly orchestrated wedding ever held in Manhattan's history, I will aswell take over all costs coming up, for any children you may have.'
At this, Fran grinned dreamingly, and Maxwell blushed. Sylvia perked up, hopefully.
'Margaret, Brighton, Grace, being a heir is no excuse to be undereducated. And never mind what some hot-shot, uprising movie-star might say, knowledge *is* power, and, unlike beauty, doesn't fade with the years, but rather keeps growing.
Do the best, with the college founds I gave you. You won't regret it.
Niles, by now, you probably have found your present. It is my way, to say good-bye, and thank you.
Thank you, for being loyal, thank you, for taking care of the Sheffields, thank you, for honing my edge, thank you,for everytime you cleaned me up.
Perhaps, we might have learned to like each other, but sadly enough, now we'll never now. Still, I wish you good luck, and that you may be happy with your new title, Sir Niles.'
*~
Maxwell snorted.
"He didn't look too happy, when he left. Rather, as if his best friend just died." He paused.
"Who knows, perhaps he did loose his best friend..?"
"She never was my friend, Sir. And now she will never be."
Like the proverbial ghost, Niles suddenly stood in the doorframe. Stepping in, he closed the door behind himself.
"I thought, I might as well hear the rest of what C.C. has to tell us."
A quick exchange of looks between Maxwell and Fran, a short nod, and Fran returned to reading.
*~
'Well, I suppose, this is it then. Oh, but I do have one small surprise for you all. Maxwell, open the middle left drawer of your desk, take out the tape written *Baby Blue* and listen to it.'
Niles flinched a little, when Maxwell did so, finding a small note inside the cask, but first placed the tape in the stereo.
Nothing happened.
Frowning, he read the note.
'Try the wrapper with the same name, right lower drawer'
Again, he found the item, and another note:
'If you read this, Niles has erased the tape, so I took the precaution of making a copy'
Another dark look was shot in the butler's direction, as the CD from the envelope found it's way into the player, and then a warm, velvet voice filled the room.
"That's C.C." whispered Niles breathlessly, as the first words sailed through the air.
*~
"I took my chances,
thinking something might be saved
Growing tired of broken promises,
and dreams you never made
And I wanted to be more than just a friend,
never knowing, I would hurt so in the end
So I swore I'd never call you home again
~~
Took time to see through all the glitter
that you made
I was blinded by your firelight,
and swept myself away
And I guess, I couldn't bring myself to see,
you had taken all the very best of me
So I'm leaving while there's something left of me
~~
Just like a child, I keep running back for more
You know, I thought I knew the answers,
'cause I've been hurt before
And one more time around won't break me,
you will never see that side of me,
No, no, no, no,
I don't break easily
~~
I told my service, to pick up all my calls,
and I've taken down our photographs,
that lined our bedroom walls
And the outside door no longer has your name,
all your clothes are gone,
my welcome mat's been changed
But the key's still there,
and I've left the door unchained
~~
Just like a child, I keep running back for more
Oh, I thought, I knew all the answers,
I've been hurt before
And just one more time around won't break me,
you will never see that side of me
No, no, no,
I don't break easily
No, no...I don't break easily...
~~
Goodbye, my dears.
And Godspeed."
*~
'Chastity Claire Babcock'
*~
Epilogue:
*~
Two years later
"-her newest collection, that both compliments the women's figure, while allowing her a maximum of comfort.
The designs are simple and classic, and yet, there is a certain nonchalance to the-and here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the rising star of the haute couture, everyone's favourite designer from Paris to Milan: Ms. C.C. Babcock!"
She stepped on the catwalk, in one of her own outfits, that accented her long legs, hinted the well-formed bosom, smoothed her broad shoulders and flirted with her long, graceful neck.
Her blonde hairs curled down perfectly around her oval face, making her at least ten years younger.
But it was the sparkle in her eyes, that overshone even the bright glittering of her diamond earrings, what made her so stunningly beautiful.
After she had left the Sheffields, there had been a lengthy pause, where no one heard or saw from C.C. Babcock.
And then, all of a sudden, 'Chaste' made it's appearance, and created ripples in the world of elegance and design.
Now every business woman, female spokes person, and politican was head over heals for one of C.C.'s original costumes, which often outselled Chanel and Lagerfeld.
And she had only barely begun to climb the stairs to fashion fame.
The narrator, organisator or whoever reappeared on stage, with a bundle of exquisite flowers, and C.C. smiled, as she thanked him politely. Her crystal-blue eyes drifted closed, as she took a deep breath of the sweet smell, and then she laughed, loosened the string around the stems, and showered the whole first row with roses, orchides, lilies and whatever not.
*~
Niles stopped the VCR, and removed the tape.
He placed it in the bookshelf, next to the others, then turned off the lights and climbed into bed.
With a huff, he settled himself, then whispered into the darkness:
"Goodbye, C.C. And Godspeed."
***************************************************************************
*~
Goodbye, my dear readers. And thank you, for hanging on.
Gracias
Felidae
*~
* I couldn't remember or find the title, Miles would have inherited, so I had to make it up a little-sorry about that. If you know it, please mail me the correct title, so I can revamp that little mistake. Arigato!