Chapter 12
"CC, Mum just dropped by because she and Papa fly back to London tomorrow," Niles said, looking at her beseechingly. "She wondered if we'd like to have dinner."
"Both of us? Or would you two rather be alone," she asked, hoping to escape spending an evening with both mothers and thinking this might delay the inevitable meeting between Niles and her own.
Helen responded for Niles. "Both of you… CC. I'm an old woman. I want to know my grandchild." She didn't quite smile, but her expression was more open than CC had seen it.
CC looked over at Niles. He looked so hopeful that she couldn't break his poor old heart. "Well, we're just waiting for my mother, actually. We were planning to have dinner with her, but I think we could add one to the party without a problem."
Helen said, "I wouldn't want to intrude. Perhaps we could have lunch tomorrow instead."
"No, you're welcome to join us." If Niles's mother was willing to make an effort, CC preferred peace to war, if for no other reason than it would be better for Niles.
"If you're sure…" Helen said.
"But Mum, we have to ask you for a favor. CC's mother doesn't know about the baby yet, and we aren't planning on telling her tonight." Niles said.
Helen looked between them, a small smile on her face. "Your secret is safe with me."
The doorbell rang again, and Niles said, "Let me."
BB Babcock breezed into the apartment, wearing an expensive fur that was entirely inappropriate for the spring evening. "CC, darling! Kiss, kiss," she pantomimed, ignoring Niles. "Did you steal Maxwell's butler? He looks familiar," she said in a stage whisper.
CC managed not to cringe. "Don't be silly, Mother. This is Niles, the man I've been seeing."
BB raised an eyebrow. "You're seeing Maxwell Sheffield's butler," she said flatly.
CC squared her shoulders. "I am, and I'd like to introduce you to his mother, Helen. She'll be joining us for dinner. Helen, this is my mother, BB Babcock."
Helen extended her hand, eyes flashing. "A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure," she said, and if her accent sounded a bit more posh than it had previously, BB couldn't know the difference.
Niles did, though, and hid his smile. He strode over to BB. "We're all looking forward to dinner, Mrs. Babcock," he said.
"I'm sure CC is, especially," BB said cuttingly. "Darling, you've really let yourself go," she finished, staring at the fabric pulled across CC's abdomen.
CC was surprised to see the expression of sympathy on Helen's face when she glanced over to gauge her reaction to BB's comment.
Niles caught CC's eye. "She looks perfectly beautiful, Mrs. Babcock. Just let me get your wrap, CC dear, and we'll be off."
CC nodded, and in a moment's time, Niles had emerged from the bedroom with her shawl. He tucked it around her shoulders and they all moved towards the door.
As they waited at the elevator bay, BB appeared to be on her best behavior, making small talk with Helen about her flight from England and what she had seen in the city during her stay. CC relaxed fractionally.
A ding signaled the arrival of the elevator, and the four moved towards it. When the doors slid open, Alain stepped out, a comical expression of surprise on his face. "But are you all going somewhere? Without me?" He added, exaggerating his disappointment.
"To dinner, Papa," Niles told him, exchanging a glance with CC.
"Ah, perfect! I will join you," he said. "I am glad you are taking proper care of the mother of my grandchild," he said, and smiled approvingly at his son.
CC froze. Oh dear god.
"Excuse me?" BB said. "I must have misunderstood, with that accent. What did you say?"
"And who is this ravishing lady?" Alain asked the party. He reached for BB's hand and brought it to his lips, placing a lingering kiss there.
"BB Babcock," CC said bleakly. "Mother, this is Alain, Niles's father."
"What is this about a grandchild, Alain?" BB asked sweetly, though the expression on her face belied any hint of sweetness.
"I was just praising my son for taking care of your daughter while she's expecting," Alain said innocently.
CC turned silently and walked back to the penthouse. BB followed her, drawing in a breath.
"Wait till we get inside, Mother, I'm not doing this in the hallway." She unlocked the door and swung it open with more force than necessary. She expected the contractor could take care of the dent the knob left in the wall. BB walked into the apartment, and CC looked down the hall towards Niles and his parents. She gestured impatiently for them to join her, and Niles nodded.
The whole family safely inside the apartment, CC closed the door behind her and said, "Niles, could you—"
"I'm on it," he said, and immediately began opening a bottle of wine.
BB drew in another breath, but CC raised her hand in front of her, palm out to cut off the diatribe before BB had a chance to start it. "Yes, Mother, I am pregnant. Yes, Niles is the father."
"You want to break my heart, is that it?" BB asked, sinking dramatically to the leather sofa. She reached for the glass of wine Niles held out to her before serving his parents.
"No, Mother. In fact, this isn't about you at all. I'm sure your heart will go on."
BB huffed, and then took a long sip of her drink. "I have never been so ashamed. So you got knocked up. There are things you can do about that, you know. You don't have to tie yourself to a domestic for the rest of your life because of a little mistake."
Helen exclaimed, "How dare you!" Niles placed a comforting hand on his mother's arm, shaking his head slightly. He didn't take his eyes off CC.
"Actually, this baby was very much planned." CC said.
BB's jaw dropped open. "How could you possibly plan to have a child with a servant?"
"Stretch your imagination, Mother. It's not the most unbelievable thing that has ever happened," CC said dryly.
"If you persist in this folly, I'll convince your father to disinherit you," BB threatened.
"Let me get this straight. If I don't—what?—end a planned pregnancy? Leave Niles? You will convince Daddy, who hates you, to disinherit me." CC said in a monotone.
"I—yes! I will not have a daughter of mine involved in such a—relationship."
"Mother, do you think I'm a teenager you can bully into doing what you want? I am a grown woman; I have my own money; and my relationship with Daddy is far better than yours. You don't have a leg to stand on and you know it."
"I will not sit here and be spoken to like this!" BB stood, seething. "I'm leaving."
"Good night, Mother," CC said tiredly, sinking down onto the couch BB had just vacated.
Niles opened the door with a flourish, and BB stormed past, thrusting her empty wine glass at him. Before Niles could close the door, Helen followed BB into the hall and slammed the door behind her.