A/N: And so we wind down to the end. Huge thanks to all you readers out there and especially those who have given feedback. Feel free to drop me a note at any time. It encourages me to keep writing fics, unless you don't want me to ;).

The Nanny = not mine. I do so love to take them out the toy box to play with on occasion.

'You know it's not traditional for the bride to buy her own engagement ring, Niles,' CC said as she closed the fridge. She opened the bottle of water and took a sip as she narrowed her eyes at her fiancé.

Niles stopped chopping vegetables, afraid he might take a finger with the carrots if he wasn't being careful. 'Since when are we a traditional couple? You asked me to marry you as I recall. In fact, you're the one who suggested the original charade.' Niles set down the knife for a moment. He was trying to maintain composure, but CC so loved to keep him off balance these days. She had been following him around the house for days as he cleaned and arranged everything to look nice for their incoming guests. This particular discussion had been occurring for the past two weeks. Neither was giving any ground.

'So I'm to have a naked finger?' she asked. She set the bottle down.

'If it means that much to you, I will buy a box of Cracker Jacks and hope there's a toy ring at the bottom.' Niles so enjoyed the frustrated dart of CC's tongue across her teeth. 'The wedding is bound to be a zoo at any rate.'

'Well duh. You're descended from baboons,' CC automatically shot back.

A self-satisfied smile plastered itself on Niles' face. He loved this woman in ways more than mere words could ever express. Niles returned to his chopping, humming as he did so. After a moment she wandered off, no doubt to take out her frustration on Mr. Sheffield or some unsuspecting actor's agent. His conjecture was proven true moments later as CC walked back in to retrieve her water bottle while on the phone.

'I don't care if he wants his own dressing room. This is Broadway, not Hollywood. He wouldn't be given his own room even if he was Bozo the Clown and we were putting on Dumbo's Circus!'

Niles heard Mr. Sheffield's 'CC!' as the producer passed from the dining room into the kitchen to grab a snack then left.

Miss Fine, who had been making her way slowly down the back stairs, walked over to Niles. 'Boy, I tell ya, I am glad it's her and not me on the end of that yell.'

'Why?' Niles asked, automatically suspicious.

'Well, ya know how I promised neither Ma nor Yetta would be allowed in the house when Lady Moneypants arrives?'

'You didn't?' Niles said, setting the knife down again. This time he was thinking less along the lines of self-harm and more toward homicide. As was, Miss Fine wasn't supposed to know his plans, but he had to tell her something to make up for not telling her anything about what happened during his time in England.

'I might've,' Fran said. 'Ma wants to be here when you give you know who the you know what.'

Niles closed his eyes and sighed. 'Please tell me you know who isn't getting wind of the you know what.'

Fran put a finger to her nose then walked away.

Niles managed to finish his vegetables chopped just before the doorbell rang. If Sylvia was coming, he would need to cook even more. He removed the apron and put on his suit coat as he walked toward the door.

As soon as he answered it, Marie barreled through to give him a warm hug. He returned the embrace. 'I'm so excited for you, Niles,' Marie said.

Gareth trailed behind, depositing the bags inside. He and Niles exchanged a firm handshake. 'Congratulations, old man,' Gareth said.

'Thank you both,' Niles said. He looked between the newly arrived couple. 'Where is Lady Henley?'

'Coming later,' Gareth said. 'She's seeing a man about a horse.' Niles looked for more clarification on the matter. 'Not a euphemism.'

'That we know of,' Marie said.

Niles took the time to get the guests settled. They were happy to have a rest. Isabella arrived within an hour of dinner being served. CC had gone home to change into something less comfortable and arrived at nearly the same time as Isabella to Niles' chagrin. The women chatted amicably for a few moments while Niles finished serving drinks. Sylvia and Yetta had arrived earlier and were only allowed to stay because Miss Fine promised Mr. Sheffield they would not be a problem. Marie had instantly gone taken to Yetta who was regaling the young lady's maid with stories of her childhood which Sylvia kept refuting.

Niles looked around the room for a moment. He took a deep breath. He was unaware that someone was watching him closely. CC extracted herself from the Isabella, being well trained from an early age in how to do so without causing disruption.

'Niles?' she said as she put a hand on his shoulder. Usually, at least in the past, she would send a zinger his way (probably about being ancient or out of shape), but this time she looked at him with a touch of concern.

'Miss Babco… CC,' he said as he turned to her.

'What's wrong?'

Niles shook her off as he moved toward the middle of the room. He took a deep breath again. 'Everyone, I have something I need to say.' He looked directly at CC. 'And do.' He beckoned her to join him now. She looked at him quizzically, but joined him in the middle of the room. She felt self-conscious with everyone staring at them.

'CC Babcock,' Niles said, 'this is madness. We've known each other nearly twenty years and for most of that time we have been nothing but a thorn in each other's sides. We had one crazy adventure and,' he shrugged. 'We bloomed.' He knew he was being sappy now, but did not care. 'I love you, CC.'

'I love you, too, Niles,' CC said with a straight face. 'Get to the point.' She was not particularly a fan of this type of attention.

Niles got down on one knee which earned him a 'we've done this already' look. He pushed on, pulling out a small, hinged box. 'These have been in my family for some time. Would you do the honor of safeguarding them with me, CC?' Niles pulled out a set of rings with a diamond inlay. The bands were gold, etched with silver. CC's eyes darted between the rings and her fiancé. He gave her a shrug along with the crooked boyish grin that made her heart melt. 'What do you say, Babs?' He stood as she beckoned him closer. She planted a kiss on his lips, not caring at the moment they had an audience. She never expected any of this from Niles, but she could not imagine things happening any other way.

'I say this is better than I could ever have chosen for myself, Butler Boy,' CC said. She kissed him again, then he slid the ring on her finger before putting on his matching band. They kissed some more as everyone applauded and congratulated them. 'Show off,' she said with the happiest smile anyone in the room had ever seen on CC Babcock's face.

For the rest of the night they were inseparable, even when Niles served dinner. Eventually it came time for her to tell him goodnight and head home. Sylvia and Yetta had been sent on their way with doggy bags. The kids were all in their rooms.

Isabella wandered past as Niles helped CC with her coat. 'For that show alone Daddy would invest. He loves a good romance between the classes.' Isabella walked toward the kitchen leaving Niles and CC alone for a moment.

'Don't mess this up,' CC said.

'Me? You're the one we should worry about.'

'And who started this game of charades?'

'My invite,' Isabella said as she came into the front of the house. 'Who do you think, really?' She gave them a wink as she walked up the stairs.

'How could she possibly know?' Niles asked as he and CC looked at each other in bewilderment.

'Know what, old man?' Mr. Sheffield asked. He had come from the office. 'You'll never guess how much our new investors have promised us, CC. Bloody good showing, both of you. Good night.' He was all smiles.

'Good night, Maxwell,' CC said.

'Good night, sir.'

'Niles, I'm beginning to think his clueless act…'

'… is just an act?' Niles said, finishing the thought. CC nodded. 'So everyone knew…'

'… before we knew,' CC said to finish Niles' thought.

They shuddered at the thought.

'Good night, my love,' Niles said, placing a kiss on CC's hand.

'Let's agree to never play at charades again. Not that I mind losing, but you're a distraction, and I can't have Maxwell getting one up on us again. It just feels wrong.'

Niles simply kissed CC one more time that night knowing there would be so many more in their future.

Later, in the kitchen, Niles was cleaning while Miss Fine wound down her evening with a cup of tea.

'Well, ya got the girl,' Fran said to Niles. 'When ya gonna confess?'

'Confess what?' Niles asked as he finished wiping down the counter.

'Please. Mr. Sheffield only helped by doing what you led him to do.' Fran sipped her tea. 'He still won't go out on a date with me and yet you and Miss Babcock fall in love and get engaged. Can ya help me next?'

Niles looked at the distraught nanny. 'Chin up, Miss Fine. We can pull a few strings in your favor. He has just been given a hefty investment. I'm sure we can utilize that to get Maxwell Sheffield to realize what has been under his nose these last four years.'

Fran gave Niles a kiss on the cheek before bounding up the back stairs. 'You're a doll,' she said.

Niles finished tidying his kitchen. 'Well played, me. Well played, indeed,' he said as he turned off the lights and retired to bed to dream of CC Babcock and ways in which he could finally get Maxwell Sheffield and Fran Fine together without either of them ruining it somehow.

The End?

A/N 2: I'm not promising anything, but I did leave room for a future connected fic (aka the wedding and Fran/Max getting together) should I get the inspiration for it. I have a few other fics I'm trying to get written first.

THANK YOU for going on this journey with me amazing readers!