Chapter 7
The following morning, CC once again reached for Niles in the moments before she remembered what had happened. Even though she had called before going to bed and Niles had been fine, she again dialed the number of the CCU at Lenox Hill and waited anxiously for someone to answer.
"Yes, I'd like an update on Niles… Babcock's status," she said.
"Are you family? What is the password?"
She reeled off the password they'd agreed upon and waited as the nurse rustled papers.
"He's doing just fine, Mrs. Babcock. He asked me to tell you to have breakfast before you come over to the hospital."
CC stifled a curse. "Thank you for the update. If you speak with him, please tell him to worry about his own eating habits, would you?" She said sweetly and hung up the phone.
Her nausea was back full-force this morning, but she made herself eat some graham crackers. She had stopped by the grocery on her way home the previous evening and stocked up on bland things she could eat and vegetables for both her and Niles. He was going to have to learn to do without some of his favorites, and she planned to see to it that he followed the cardiologist's orders.
Soon after CC arrived at the hospital, her morning sickness overpowered her and she barely made it to the bathroom attached to Niles's room in time. She thought she heard voices out in the room, and she hoped it wasn't the doctor. She wanted to know what he had to say. She rinsed her mouth and stepped out of the bathroom to see Nanny Fine and Maxwell standing near an older couple beside Niles's bed.
At the sound of the bathroom door opening, all eyes turned towards CC. Fran spoke first. "Miss Babcock, are you okay? We heard you…" Her voice trailed off and her eyes widened, her jaw dropping open. "Oh my god. You're—"
CC shook her head and cut Fran off. "I don't know what you mean, Nanny Fine, I'm perfectly—"
"Pregnant!" Fran immediately slapped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. No one could say Fran Fine wasn't perceptive, whatever other social skills she might lack.
CC darted her eyes to Niles, who watched her helplessly from the bed. Raising his shoulders in defeat, he half-smiled at her.
"I don't know what you mean," CC repeated weakly, but it was barely even a denial.
Fran ran forward, wrapping her arms around CC, who stood unmoving in her embrace. "Oh, Miss Babcock, congratulations!" The nanny turned to Niles, ready to extend her warm wishes to him, too, and finally remembered the other couple in the room. With a loud "Oy," Fran sank into a chair in the corner.
Niles knew he had to say something. "CC, I'd like for you to meet my mother, Helen, and my father, Alain." Niles slipped easily into the French pronunciation of his father's name, and in spite of her embarrassment and her burning desire to murder Nanny Fine, CC eyed Niles's parents curiously. She strode across the small room, her hand extended graciously.
"CC Babcock. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs.—," she said smoothly, taking in the older woman's smooth grey hair and stylish dress. She wasn't tall, but she held herself in a way that exuded confidence.
"Please, call me Helen," Niles's mother responded, gazing frankly between her son and the tall blonde woman. When CC turned her attention to Niles's father, Helen glanced down at CC's still-flat abdomen and looked shrewdly at her son. He directed his gaze elsewhere.
"Mr—" CC began. Niles's father's build was similar to his son's, and so, at the moment, was his hair color. He was dressed impeccably, no worse for the wear after the trans-Atlantic flight.
"Please, mademoiselle, it's Alain," he said, and instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
CC struggled not to laugh at the expression of pure exasperation that crossed Niles's face. She elegantly freed herself from Alain's grasp and moved to Niles's side, reaching for his hand.
He entwined his fingers with hers and caught her eye. At CC's small nod, he looked up at his parents. "Mum, Papa, we were waiting till the pregnancy was further along to tell anyone, but as Miss Fine seems to have already guessed our big news, let me confirm it for you: we're expecting a baby in February."
The four visitors all reacted differently to the announcement.
Alain brought his hands together gleefully. "I will finally be a grandfather! You have both made me very happy!" He pulled CC into his arms and kissed both her cheeks. She couldn't prevent herself from bracing against his touch, but he didn't even seem to notice her discomfort. He released her and leaned over the bed and pulled his son to him, also kissing him on each cheek.
Maxwell approached the bed and extended his hand to Niles, saying "Well done, old man," to his friend. Max looked across the bed to CC and reached a hand out to her as well. "CC," he said warmly. "Congratulations."
She squeezed his hand and nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Max."
Fran, avoiding any contact with Maxwell, said "I just knew it!" and reached out a hand to rub CC's shoulder. CC managed not to snap at her, and Fran soon moved to hug Niles fiercely.
Only Helen held back, not joining in the celebratory mood. After Fran stepped away, Niles looked up at his mother expectantly. "Well, Mum? What do you say?"
"I say I wonder if I missed my invitation to the wedding, young man," Helen said sternly.
CC nearly snorted when Helen referred to her fifty-something son as a young man. As it was, she didn't wipe the smirk off her face quickly enough.
"And you, Miss Babcock," she said, rounding on CC. "A grown woman. How could you be so careless?"
"Excuse me?" CC's eyes flashed dangerously. "I don't believe you know me well enough to accuse me of carelessness."
Niles reached for CC's hand and pulled on it pleadingly. She relaxed slightly.
"Mum, perhaps we could discuss this later?" Niles said.
"Yes, Niles needs his rest. We'll speak with you tonight, after he has been released," CC added, and with this dismissal, walked over and opened the door.
Fran jumped into action, taking Helen's arm. "Helen, I just have to show you this little tea room near the house; you'll love it!" She shepherded the older woman towards the door, shooting a meaning-filled look at Maxwell before she left.
"Ah, yes, Alain, would you like to accompany me to my club? They serve an excellent lunch."
Alain leaned over to address his son and CC. "Don't let the old harridan get to you. It is the best news I could have received," he said with a smile and followed Maxwell out of the room. Max looked back and waved ruefully at the couple by the bed, then pulled the door closed behind him.