Chapter 13

Eyes wide, Niles set BB's glass on the counter before joining CC on the sofa to wait for Helen's return.

Not three minutes later, Helen opened the door calmly, a triumphant if terrifying smile on her face. She took her wine glass from Alain and sat down, primly crossing one leg over the other.

"What did I miss?" She asked, her tone more cordial than CC had ever heard it.

Deciding not to question just what his mother might have said or done to BB Babcock, Niles said, "Well that was entertaining," and draped his arm around CC's shoulders.

"You wanted fireworks, baby," CC said to him, lifting her arm and covering her eyes with it. "Helen, Alain, I apologize for my mother."

Niles's parents looked at each other, matching expressions of distaste on their faces. They knew from dysfunctional families, but BB Babcock was in a class of her own.

"We'll just go back to the hotel, dear," Helen said, and CC lowered her arm and looked at Niles's mother.

Dear? She thought. At least BB was good for sympathy points with the mother-in-law. "Helen, no. We can still go out for dinner."

"We're not going anywhere," Niles said firmly. "I'll cook. CC, lie down for half an hour while I make dinner, and then we'll all eat."

"I think that is an excellent idea," Alain interjected. "I'll help."

"Are you sure you feel up to it?" CC looked at Niles worriedly. "You're still recovering."

"I'm fine. Go, rest. Do I need to come tuck you in?" He teased.

"Just for a minute?" CC asked him, hating how vulnerable she knew she sounded.

He glanced up at her. "Okay. Papa, can you pull the vegetables out of the refrigerator and begin chopping them?"

"Absolutely. Go, both of you."

Niles closed the door softly behind them.

"Are you all right?" He said quietly, coming up behind her.

"Oh, I'm used to it. I just—"

"What?" He circled her so he could look in her eyes.

"What if I turn out like her with our baby?"

"CC." He reached for her hand.

She looked at him reluctantly.

"You are nothing like her."

"I'm like her in many ways, and you know it."

"No, I do not know it. She is cold, and controlling, and she doesn't love you like she should."

"And I'm not those things?"

"You're not. You pretend to be cold, but you aren't, not deep down. Controlling, well. I'll give you that one," he said with a grin, and she punched his arm.

"But CC, I can feel your love for me, and for our baby. Have you forgotten how much you wanted her, even before we conceived her?"

CC felt a suspicious burning behind her eyes and kissed him quickly. "I don't believe my mother ever felt that for me."

Niles wrapped his arms around her waist and just held her for a few moments. "It's her loss," he said tenderly.

"Go cook me some dinner. I'm starving," CC said, pulling away from him and curling up on the bed.

"Yes sir," he said, and she laughed as he draped a warm throw over her before leaving the room.

After the briefest of naps, CC emerged from the bedroom as if the encounter with BB had never happened. Helen watched her through dinner, impressed for the first time with her son's choice of companion.

CC, for her part, made every effort to make Niles's parents comfortable, asking questions about their lives in England, about Niles as a boy, about their plans for the summer. Alain was enchanted by her, but he had been from the beginning. The grudging respect she saw dawning in Helen's eyes, so much harder won, made CC think perhaps she wouldn't have to take out a hit on Niles's mother after all.

After dinner, Niles and his parents carried their wine glasses from the dining area to the sofa and armchairs, and CC stifled a yawn. "You know," she said, "I think I'm going to go lie down."

Helen and Alain made to stand, but CC stopped them. "No, please, stay. Visit with Niles before you head back tomorrow. I just have to go to bed. I'm not used to this much excitement," she said with a wry smile.

Helen said, "I'm glad we had a chance to get to know each other better."

"I am, too," CC responded, and to her surprise, realized she meant it. "I hope you'll plan to visit after the baby is born."

Alain looked at his ex-wife. "We wouldn't miss it," he said, and Helen nodded her agreement.

"Do you need anything?" Niles asked her as she headed for the bedroom.

CC shook her head and said, "Good night."

Unable to control himself even one more minute, Niles turned to Helen the moment he heard the bedroom door close behind CC. "Mum, what happened in the hallway?"

"I don't know what you mean." She feigned innocence and took a delicate sip of her wine.

"I think you know very well," Alain laughed. "Do tell."

"Oh, that. I might have let slip that I have contacts in British intelligence and she would do well to steer clear of my son and his family."

"And she fell for that?" Niles threw his head back and laughed out loud. If he hadn't, he would have seen the significant look his parents exchanged.

"Quite a gullible woman, BB Babcock," Helen said with a knowing smile at her ex-husband. "And emotional, too. When I mentioned that she might want to keep a close watch on her bank accounts, she began to weep and very nearly apologized."

Niles looked at his mother, glad she and CC had made a peace of sorts. He'd hate to see which one would give first in an all-out war.

CC didn't know how much later it was when Niles finally joined her. She heard Chester growl as Niles lifted him off the bed, and then he slid into the spot where the dog had been curled up beside her. CC rolled over and laid her head on Niles's chest, and he stroked her hair.

"How," he asked, "did you manage to charm my mother?"

"Oh, I think you can thank BB for that. She makes me look good in comparison," CC said sleepily.

"Let's send her flowers," Niles suggested, and CC hissed at him. "Or not," he added, and nuzzled against her.

"Do you want to look at rings tomorrow?" CC asked him, resting her hand over his heart.

"I—yeah. I'd like that very much," Niles answered, and cleared his throat. "I want to buy yours."

"Oh I insist," she laughed. "You can buy them both if you like."

"There's no need to go wild," he said solemnly, and she sniggered.

CC yawned. "Tell me a story," she demanded, shifting into a more comfortable position.

Niles laughed. "That reminds me. Do I ever have an excellent one for you. I like to call it 'How Helen Made BB Cry.'"