Chapter 2

There was silence in the car. CC had offered to drive Niles to the airport. In fact, she had literally jumped at the chance.

Ever since the kiss they had shared, Niles and CC didn't have much to say to each other. CC thought the reason why he was so quiet could've been the kiss they shared, but then she thought again, and realized that it was probably what had happened at the mansion earlier that Monday morning......

*Flash Back*

Niles was preparing to leave. He had his luggage in CC's car, and was saying his final goodbyes to the family.

"I don't want you to go, Niles." Gracie said, almost to tears when she hugged Niles.

"I know, Miss Grace, but I promise to e-mail you everyday, okay?"

She contemplated for a moment and then said, "Alright. But, it still won't be as good as the real thing."

Niles smiled, almost to tears himself.

"Bye, Niles." Brighton began, trying not to cry, "Thanks for everything."

"You're very welcome, Master Brighton." Niles replied, hugging the young boy.

"Bye, Niles." Maggie said also hugging him, "I'm going to miss you."

Niles smiled.

Then, he hugged Fran goodbye, and it took Maxwell 15 minutes to claw her off of him.

After Fran was removed from Niles, Maxwell stepped forward to shake his hand.

"Thank you for being there for the children and myself, Niles. We couldn't have gotten through Sara's unfortunate time without you."

"You're very welcome, Max." Niles replied, and he and CC stepped out of the door.

*End of Flashback*

"I never knew Max depended on me so much." Niles broke the silence.

"Please, Niles. Without you there, I don't think Maxwell will be able to find his socks." CC tried to lighten the mood, because the look on Niles' face was killing her.

"Could you pull into this 7-11 up here? Please?" Niles asked.

"Uh..... Sure." CC replied, wondering what was going on.

The car came to a stop.

Before CC could ask any questions, Niles jumped right in and asked her, "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?" And when she was silent he continued, "And don't mess with my head, now is hardly the time."

She thought about his question for a moment, and the thoughts raced through her brain. Do I think he's doing the right thing? Should he be leaving? Honestly, I think he belongs in that kitchen at Maxwell's. Because being in that kitchen is what he loves to do. That's what I want him to do. Do I want Niles to stay? What on Earth was I doing yesterday? Was I trying to convince him to stay? Do I want him to stay? Yes, I want him to stay. But, what does he want?

"What do you want?"

"To know if I'm making the right d-"

"-No, I mean, what do you want to do? Do you want to stay in that kitchen for the rest of your life doing what you love with the people you love? Or do you want to move back to England with the parents and family you love , and be in your own kitchen?" She asked him.

"Where do you think I belong?" He asked.

Instead of answering his question, she asked one of her own.

"Did you have any second thoughts before this?"

"No, but-"

"No buts. You deserve more than Maxwell's kitchen, Niles. You deserve to be famously know everywhere. And, if it's England that's going to give that to you, then go to England." CC told him, placing a hand on his arm.

"But what if-"

"-England doesn't work out?" CC finished. He nodded.

"Then, come back here. It's not like Maxwell won't hire you back. We all love you." She told him.

He opened his mouth to make a remark, but CC stopped him. "Yes, even I enjoy your cooking. And care about you to a point. But, if you ever tell anyone I said that, I will hunt you down and kill you. England or no England."

He laughed. "You do know, that if I go to England, I'll call you everyday just to make fun of you, right?"

She laughed. "Yes, I know. Now, England or no England?"

"England." He told her. "Definitely England."

And they drove off.