A/N: Hello Hello people! I am so excited about this story now, so don't worry about me not finishing it because I definitely will. Not sure how long it will turn out to be but that comes with time. Thanks again to sim38, rx9872, bogiedevil, ladybrin, mewkazurinu2004 and the-reverie for reviewing chapter 1.

Unfortunately I do not own these characters or The Nanny.

Chapter 2

Niles was up at the crack of dawn to start his usual morning routine. He showered, shaved and got dressed. He prepared breakfast and was greeted by Maxwell, the children and of course Fran in her fuzzy robe and slippers. Ms. Babcock arrived about a half an hour late to the Sheffield Mansion, although Niles didn't think anything of it because there were a thousand different factors that could have attributed to adding time to her morning commute.

That's not to say, however, that he was not concerned about her welfare constantly. Although he would never say it out loud, he had been extremely worried about her since she had gone to "the place". It killed him to see her pine over a man who had absolutely no interest in her and the fact the it threw her over the edge made it even more difficult to take.

For the most part it was a normal morning. Nanny Fine decided to go shopping with Val, while the kids were at school. Of course a visit from Sylvia also took place and even though Niles told her that Fran was not at the house she insisted on staying for breakfast.

Everything was seemingly the same until about 1:00 pm when the phone rang.

"Hello, Sheffield Residence"

"Hi, is Niles Brightmore available"

"You're speaking to him."

"Hi this Kevin Morgan calling from Chase Bank. We have recently been informed that you are going to receive an inheritance summed at $1 million."

"Is this some kind of joke?" Niles couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"No sir, of course not. You have been left a $1 million sum by a relative on your mother's side. He was estranged from the family, but apparently still had a relationship with your mother. Since your mother is no longer with us, you are next in line according to him to receive the sum."

Niles was speechless! His dreams of finally being able to support himself and have a life of his own were now attainable. I might even be able to have a successful career and do something I am passionate about instead of stay stuck in this rotten excuse of an existence forever.

Although he wanted all these things he thought about his life as the Sheffields' butler and its good qualities. Fran and her crazy antics, the children and their interesting experiences while growing up, Sylvia and her strange views on life, even Maxwell. Afterall he has known the man for close to 40 years. Of course as much as he loved all these things they weren't the very things that were keeping him here. The thing keeping him from running to that bank right now and quitting this job immediately was none other then the very person he supposedly despised. He could leave all this tomorrow if it wasn't for the daily presence of C.C. Babcock in this house everyday. Even though their daily actions consisted of none other than verbal jousts and incessant insults, he lived for moments like these because he knew it was all just a game. A game the he could not live without.

But then he thought again. What if this is all my life ever amounts to, a game, a prank? Truth be told, I would like more someday. Someday? What am I talking about? I am not as young as I once was. There aren't too many "somedays" left in my life. I need it now, I want more now!

"What do I need to do in order to receive my inheritance, sir?"

"Well, just come down here and sign a few papers and we can wire the money to your account immediately. It will take about 24 hours to appear in your account."

"I'll be there in about an hour to sign the necessary documents."

"Great Mr. Brightmore, see you then."

And with that Niles said goodbye and hung up the phone.

The shock was still evident on his face, when the kitchen door opened and C.C. walked into the room.

"What's the matter with you Rochester? You look like you just lost a feather from your dust buster!"

Debating whether or not to tell her about the inheritance, he decided he mine as well confide in someone. As full as their past was of pranks, banter and insults, he felt in some strange way he could trust her with this new information.

"You are not going to be believe this Ms. Babcock, but I just talked to a man at the bank who just informed me that I have an inheritance. It seems that a relative on my mother's side recently passed away. I was the next of kin, since the inheritance was left for my mother and she passed away several years ago."

C.C. having a hard time acting surprised, asked simply "how much did he leave you?"

"$1 million" Niles stated with a tone a little higher than his normal baritone voice.

"I suppose Brighton's old bed isn't big enough to hold that stash of cash, now is it?" C.C. chuckled slightly.

"Well I told you I hide it in Maxwell's mattress, now didn't I? But even his king size won't be able to hold that stash of cash!", Niles laughed.

"In all seriousness, what does a simple man like you plan on doing with your new acquired wealth?"

"I suppose I could invest in something, stocks, a new business venture. I could get my own place, get out of this poor excuse for a life that I have been living all of these years. I think I will quit as Mr. Sheffield's butler. There are so many other more fulfilling careers I would like to pursue. I would give him 2 weeks notice of course, being that I have been with him for so long and I really do love the family."

Niles was surprised at himself and C.C. This was the first time in…..ever, that they had a long and civil conversation. However, Niles saw a sudden change in her expression as if she was upset about something.

Wanting to ask her what brought on this sudden change in demeanor, he was about to inquire what was wrong when she spoke, the tone of her voice suddenly callous and enraged

"Stop kidding yourself! You have been a domestic all your life, how do you plan on starting a new career now? Not to mention aren't you like 85 years old? "

"I have to get back to work" and with that she burst out of the kitchen, managing to suppress her tears on the way to the downstairs bathroom.

C.C. Babcock didn't know what to do. What have I done and why am I reacting this way? Didn't I expect this to happen? Of course she wanted Niles to have the same chances she had even if he had them a little later in his life. But of course being that this decision was impulsive, she never thought about the fact that he would leave the Sheffield residence and start his own life. It never occurred to her until now that this would bother her so much.

She wanted to tell him the truth, that she needed him in her life and that she lived for everyday she saw him at the Sheffield Mansion, but she would sooner die then make a fool of herself in front of him. And so she reacted toward him the only way she knew how, with malice, the only emotion she appeared to have mastered. Funny, I am the one giving him the money and now I am the one crying at the possibility that the money brings him. Irony is a funny thing I guess. Well he deserves to do something he loves, even if it means I might not see him…..

With that, she wiped away the tears, fixed her face back to normal and walked out of the bathroom back to Maxwell's office to continue her work.