A/N: Glad you guys liked it! Here's Chapter 2!
Bickering Strangers
Chapter 2
kateandharvey
CC's hands shook as her finger hovered over the buttons... To call or not to call? She needed a date for DD's wedding desperately. Showing up without one was not an option. And after the kiss they shared, a date to a wedding didn't seem to be too much to ask for. Taking a deep breath, she took the plunge. Looking on her wrist as she dialed, she smiled softly.
"Hello?"
CC was a little startled. There was a woman's voice on the end of the line. Clearing the lump in her throat, CC responded. "Yes, is Niles there?"
"Um... Hold on just a moment, Dear." The phone was obviously put down for a moment as the woman seemed to, as CC guessed, go and search for Niles. "May I ask who's calling?"
"CC."
"Why hello, hello." The soft baritone voice rang out through her ears.
She smiled, "Hi."
"I apologize greatly, my mother is always paranoid about who's calling... She seems to think people are very interested in her." He chuckled.
"Oh, that was your mother?"
"Yes." He replied. "But forget about her, what can I do for you?"
"I know what you can do for her." CC heard from the background of the other line. "Mother!" Niles exclaimed, "I'm sorry. Go ahead, CC."
Smiling, and blushing slightly, she asked, "My sister's wedding is tonight, and I was just wondering... Well, I really need a... Would you consider..." He laughed on the other end of the phone. That man made her so nervous... "Well, would you consider coming as my date? It's just, if I show up without one, I'll never hear the end of it, and I..." She sighed, "Well?"
He laughed again, "You're blabbering, but I'd be honored to be your date. However, I also have a wedding to attend this evening."
"Oh?" Her heart just broke a little inside.
"Yes," His voice became more soothing, noticing she was upset. "It's my best friend. I'm the best man."
"Oh. What time?"
"Four."
Curious, her brow furrowed, "Where?"
"589 Gluf Avenue." They muttered simultaneously.
He was silent as she laughed and told him, "I do believe your best friend is marrying my sister."
"Debbie is your sister?"
"Well, we call her DD, but yes."
He smiled, "Oh, why didn't I notice it before! I thought your last name seemed familiar!"
She laughed, "Yes. Well, I um, I have to get going... So, I'll see you later?"
"Yes. I am your date, am I not?"
She smiled, "Yeah?"
He nodded, "Yeah. I'll pick you up at three. I need to be there early for Richard."
CC smiled, "And I'm the maid of honor, and I need to be there early for DD... But what do you say I pick you up?"
Niles' confused and amused look made his mother stop and stare. "Why?"
"Why not?" She retorted.
He laughed, "Alright. I'll see you at three. Would you like the address?"
"Uh... Yes, hold on a moment." And she searched for some paper. Finding some, she copied down the address he rattled off.
Nervously, CC walked up to the house with the address he'd given her. Slowly, she knocked on the door. Soon, a gray haired woman opened the door. "Ah." She smiled, "You must be CC." CC nodded, smiling. "Come in."
CC entered the house nervously. Suddenly, she heard a loud whistle from her left. Turning, she saw a man... An older version of Niles. And it was then she realized that she was alone with his parents.
"Joseph!" Niles' mother scolded, "I'm Marie, and this is my husband Joseph. We're Niles' mum and dad." She smiled at CC.
At that moment, Niles came running down the stairs. "Mum, do I look alright? I-" He stopped short, seeing CC. Taking in her appearance, he smiled. "Radiant." He whispered, walking over to her and placing a kiss on her cheek.
She smiled in thanks, blushing slightly.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked, and she nodded. Leading her out the door with his hand on the small of her back, his mother called out, "You kids have fun!"
As soon as they entered the church, Niles turned to CC. "DD's in the dressing room that way," He pointed to his left, "And Richard is in the dressing room that way." He pointed to his right.
She nodded, realizing that they needed to split. "But we'll be together for the ceremony, right?"
"Of course." He winked. "But I have to go this way, and you have to go that way..."
She smiled, "I know, I know." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you, okay?" And she walked towards where she needed to go.
Smiling softly, and holding his cheek, Niles entered the dressing room. "Niles!" Richard exclaimed, standing up to hug his best friend. "What's that look for?"
"I think I'm in love..."
"You've got a date?" Richard asked him. At Niles' nod, "Who?"
"CC." He immediately responded.
"CC? DD's sister?"
Smiling, Niles nodded. "You're in love with DD's sister?" Richard continued.
"Yeah." Niles told him friend, and immediately, Richard embraced Niles. "Way to go, man! Way to go!"
Over in the ladies' dressing room...
"Oh, DD! He's so amazing!" CC sighed dreamily, looking at her sister with a smile. "He's...he's... Oh!"
"Have you kissed him?"
CC blushed deeply, giving away the answer before she could speak. "You did!" DD acknowledged.
"I did." CC smiled softly.
"Good?"
CC took a deep breath. "Beyond...I think I'm in love, DD."
"In love? CC, you only just met the man yesterday!"
"I know..." CC sighed dreamily.
"Well, what're you doing in here with me?" DD paused, looking at her sister, "Go talk to him!"
"What? But, I'm the maid of honor, I can't..."
"It's my wedding, and I say you can! Now, go!"
CC smiled, walking over to the door. "DD? Thanks."
"I've found the love of my life, you go get yours."