Disclaimer: I don't own any part or character from The Nanny…yet.
A/N: I just watched the movie 'Baby Boom' and thought…what it that had been CC? This starts out on the same idea, but with a definite twist. Let me know what you think – D
Little Man
Chapter 3
Niles moved to the door and checked the peep hole. It was Jack the security guard Niles knew from the front desk. "Hello, Jack." Niles offered as he opened the door. "I guess you have the rest of our visitor's belongings?"
"Sure thing, Niles." Jack rolled the crib into the apartment and it was loaded with everything from Scotties car seat, to toys and his tub chair. "I didn't realize babies need so much stuff these days. When my Chloe was a baby, she didn't have half this much stuff."
"I know, Jack. I remember when…" Niles didn't get to finish when the woman addressed him.
"And who might you be?" Mrs. Richards had accompanied the security team in retrieving just what Scottie would need.
"I'm sorry…" Niles frowned. "You are…?"
"I'm Carol Richards, Child Protective Services. And I ask again, who might you be?" Mrs. Richards stood firm with her hands on her hips. "Miss Babcock knows she is supposed to get permission before she leaves Scottie with anyone."
"He's my boyfriend, Mrs. Richards." CC came up behind Niles, who managed not to flinch at her words. "Niles, this is Carol Richards, she's Scottie's social worker. I'm sorry, Mrs. Richards, I forgot to mention Niles earlier, it was all a little overwhelming."
"I suppose that's alright, Miss Babcock, I can put him on the paperwork, just in case." Mrs. Richards was notoriously thorough. "Do you live here, Mr…?"
"Brightmore...but I don't see how his living arrangements are any concern, Mrs. Richards." CC answered.
"I have to know who may be caring for Scottie at any given time, Miss Babcock." Mrs. Richards waited.
CC sighed. "Yes…Niles lives here. He'll be sharing this temporary custody of Scottie."
Niles stood dumb. CC knew his last name. CC was defending him and their 'relationship'. This was going to be a very interesting arrangement.
"I'll need to have a look around, Miss Babcock." Mrs. Richards dropped.
"Why?" CC asked incredulously. "I'm not sure I understand what it is you're looking for, Mrs. Richards."
Niles handed Scottie to CC. "It's alright, Love. Mrs. Richards is just doing her job. She needs to let us know if there is anything we need to change to make sure the house is safe for Scottie. You just sit here with him and I'll show her around." Niles kissed CC softly on the cheek. "Right this way, Mrs. Richards." Niles showed Mrs. Richards the master bedroom and the guest room where Scottie would be then a quick check of the kitchen and the bathroom and they were heading back into the living room where CC was playing with the laughing little boy.
"Well, thank you, Mr. Brightmore. I'm sure everything will be just fine. Scottie isn't walking just yet so I don't see any violations per se, but you'll probably want to give some thought to baby proofing soon since he should be crawling any time now." Mrs. Richards moved to the door. "I'll check in again sometime next week, alright Miss Babcock?"
CC stood with the baby and went to the door. "That's fine, Mrs. Richards. I apologize for my rudeness; it's been a rather busy day."
"That's alright. You to have a lovely home and I'm sure Scottie will do just beautifully here. Now Mr. Brightmore said that the two of you will both be with Scottie at the Sheffield mansion, is that correct?" Mrs. Richards checked with CC.
CC nodded. "Yes, Niles is the Sheffield butler, and there is also a nanny on staff. Scottie will be well attended to, I promise."
Mrs. Richards smiled. "I'm quite sure he will be." She nodded. "I'll see you next week. Call if you have any questions." Niles closed the door after her.
"Well, it's a good thing she didn't look into the closet or the drawers. It might have been difficult explaining why I don't have any clothes." Niles laughed and turned to find CC playing again with Scottie. "Miss Bab…"
"Niles…" CC interrupted. "I think you should call me CC…at least for 'project baby'." She looked up and smiled at him.
"Very well, CC. I think we should try to get Scottie down for the night. Like you said it's been a busy day and we've still got a lot to do to get settled." Niles was always the voice of reason.
CC stood up. "Is the crib all ready?" Niles nodded. "Ok, what do we do?"
"Well, he's already eaten. I guess we could just try putting him down and see if he's a self soother or if he'll need coaxing." Niles smiled and ushered them into the guest room where CC was surprised to find the bed already made.
"Niles…" CC started. "Where did you find the extra linens?"
"In the chest at the foot of the bed, why are they special?" Niles worried it was a 'hope chest' that he'd raided for sheets for his bed.
"No…I just don't remember telling you that's where they were." CC put Scottie in bed and turned on the mobile that hung over his head. "Night, night, Scottie, we'll be right out here if you need us." Niles started to leave the room but CC seemed to linger at the crib.
"CC…if you don't leave him, he'll get used to you staying and then it will be expected." Niles extended his hand to her. She turned and took it easily and they left Scottie to fall asleep.
They moved back into the living room, and CC held fast to the 'baby monitor' while Niles tidied up the tea tray and then the kitchen. "I'll make us a quick breakfast in the morning and we'll feed Scottie in the car or after we get to the mansion."
"Niles…do you really think we can pull this off?" CC leaned on the bar that separated her small kitchen form her living room. "I mean…we're barely civil to each other usually. You know how we feel about each other, what is that going to do to a baby?"
"We've been quite civil this evening." Niles leaned on the counter facing her.
CC smirked at him. "Yeah…well I'm exhausted."
"You know…maybe we should take this exhausted time to examine a few things." Niles tossed his boyish grin.
CC raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Like your feelings as you say." Niles couldn't believe where he was going.
CC frowned at him. "Ok, Butler Boy, shoot."
"Well, let's see. You were in dire need of assistance and who was the first person you called?" Niles asked simply.
CC rolled her eyes. "I called you…but…"
"Just answer the question I ask please." Niles' interest in the law was kicking in. "Now… instead of saying I was a friend or a butler or some other equally reasonable explanation for my presence here, you chose to introduce me as your…" Niles waited for CC to finish for him.
CC rolled her eyes and sighed. "I said you were my boyfriend."
"Two for two…we're on a roll." Niles stood and moved around to the sofa. "And when the idea of being alone with Scottie all night reared its head what was the first thought you had?"
Niles sat on the sofa looking at CC's back where she still leaned on the counter. "I asked you to stay with me."
"Yes, so it would seem…" Niles started his 'summation'.
"Hold on there, Butler Boy." CC turned and dropped her hands to her hips. "I'd like to cross examine the witness."