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 5
They made it to the mansion with more than enough time for Niles to prepare breakfast for the family. When they all arrived in the dining room they sat at the table and waited for Niles to come in from the kitchen. "Niles! Are you planning on serving us sometime this morning?"
Niles blew into the dining room. "I'm sorry, Sir…" Niles started holding the door for CC and Scottie. "I had to change the baby."
"Oh, well, then all's forgiv…baby!" Max nearly choked on the coffee he'd poured himself. "Who's…why is CC carrying a baby?"
"It's a long story, Maxwell. I'm Scottie's temporary guardian…actually Niles and I both. He's staying in my guest room while Scottie's mother is in the hospital." CC bounced Scottie a little. "He'll be here with us during the day, but it's a requirement of the Child Protective Services that he be with us at the penthouse between 8 pm and 8 am."
Niles served everyone and stood next to CC. "He's a very good baby, Sir. I assure you he won't be any problem."
"Oh just look at him." Fran cooed as she stood next to CC. "He's really beautiful. He even kinda looks like ya's."
CC rolled her eyes. "Nanny Fine, he's eight months old he's got pale reddish blonde fuzz on his head and blue eyes." CC realized as she made her announcement that technically he could resemble her or Niles for that matter.
"Sure, but he's got the same silly grin that Niles has…and look at him scowlin' that's you all over, Miss Babcock." Fran winked at Niles and sat back down to eat. "I'll help however I'm needed."
"Thank you, Fran." Niles smiled. "Come on, Scottie," Niles took the baby from CC. "Aunt CC has to go to work."
CC kissed the baby's cheek and winked at Niles. "I'll be in the office going over contracts."
"Wave bye-bye, Scottie." Niles made Scottie's chubby little fist wave bye-bye to CC. "Do you want to me to bring him to you for his next bottle?" Niles asked before CC disappeared.
"Absolutely." CC waved behind her and left the dining room full of people with slack jaws.
Niles stood with the baby until Fran finished eating. "Ok, Niles, let me have him while you clean up."
"Thank you, Fran." Niles handed Fran the baby. "His bouncy chair is in the kitchen, but he can really get it going so don't walk away from him or he'll take off." Fran smiled and carried Scottie into the kitchen.
The children made their way into the kitchen to coo over the baby for a bit before they had to catch the bus to school. Max took this opportunity to chat with Niles. "Niles, are you certain this is a good idea?"
"I'm sorry, Sir?" Niles frowned.
"Sit down, Niles." Max offered Fran's place at the table. "Listen, old man, I'm a little worried about this whole temporary guardianship thing. You and CC barely make it through a day without coming to blows. Do you really think that's the best surroundings for a baby?"
Niles was trying not to be offended by his friends well meaning opinion. "Max, CC was caught off guard with regards to taking Scottie. She needed help and I was who she called. I promised to help her and it'll be easier if I stay at her place to do that. I can assure you we've been quite civil since she called me last night."
"That's what worries me, Niles. Not just what it could do to Scottie, but what it could do to you and CC." Max stood up and slid his chair into place. "You're essentially playing house. It'll be fun for a while, but you have no idea how long it could go on. What if it grows…tiresome? Who'll suffer then? You? CC? Scottie? My guess is all of you."
Niles stood as well. "Max, I don't see how helping this baby stay out of the foster care system is a bad thing. We're both quite fond of him, already."
"That could prove another problem, Niles. What if nothing bad happens? What if playing house only helps you and CC to finally come to terms with this complicated relationship you think no one is aware of. You just said you're already fond of him…think about how difficult it will be to give him back. He's not your son, Niles. I know you're aware of that, but I'd wager it still hurts a bit to hear it. Now imagine what it will feel like in a month or two or six. You must remember, at some point, his mother will come to get him, where will that leave you and CC? Just think about this arrangement, please." Max turned and left Niles standing alone.
"I won't let them down, Max. No matter what happens later, for now…they need me…both of them." Niles announced quietly to the empty room.
The first week with Scottie seemed to fly by. CC was becoming quite a little baby expert. She was giving him a bath on occasion and feeding him and she even managed her way through a few messy diapers. Niles was always there to lend support if she should need it but they enjoyed sharing the duties of caring for little Scottie. It was no surprise when they heard the knock on their door exactly a week after that first 'visit' from Mrs. Richards.
"Hello, Mrs. Richards." Niles opened the door for the woman. "Can I get you anything…tea maybe?"
Mrs. Richards noticed CC playing on the floor with Scottie who was getting pretty good at patty cake. "No, thank you, Mr. Brightmore, I don't think I'll be here long. Hello, Miss Babcock, Scottie." The little boy looked up when he heard his name. "You seem happy."
Niles and CC answered together. "Thank you." And the three adults laughed.
"How's Lucy?" CC asked.
Mrs. Richards looked down at her hands. "She's getting a little bit better each day. It's tough on her. She misses Scottie, but it's like she knows she can't properly care for him. She's really rather young, I'm not sure you knew that."
"No…like I said. We weren't really close, but I don't think she really knew anyone in the building, but me." CC offered. "How old is she?"
"Twenty four." Mrs. Richards answered. "We did an extensive search for any living relatives and contacted Scotties biological father."
"Why?" Niles asked and sat down next to CC on the floor.
Mrs. Richards took on her best 'social worker' face. "We have certain rules and requirements we must follow in these types of cases, Mr. Brightmore."
"Please, call me Niles…everyone does. I keep expecting to see my father come in." Niles laughed.
Mrs. Richards smiled. "Very well, Niles. In the event Lucy doesn't get better, or is found to be an incompetent parent, well there are steps that have to be followed before Scottie can be put up for adoption."
"Adoption?" CC shot up from her relaxed position next to Scottie. "Why would he be put up for adoption? You said Lucy was getting better…you can't just take her son away from her."
Mrs. Richards put up her hands in attempts to calm CC. "I have no intention of taking him away from anyone, Miss Babcock. But you have to understand. Unless she clearly states her intentions, in a will or some other release of parental rights, then we won't have any choice."
"But that's a long way off…right?" Niles asked. "I mean. She has time…it's only been a week. What kind of time frame are we talking about?"
Mrs. Richards smiled at him. "Well, it's a ways off yet, so let's just assume the best and hope that Lucy continues to improve. Now, while I had Scottie's biological father on the phone. He's faxed me a full medical history and his release of parental rights. In addition there is a full medical history for Lucy as well. Just in case Scottie should get sick you'll have all the necessary information you need to have him cared for properly. You should take some time and look over it. No hurry this copy is yours to keep." With that, Mrs. Richards stood up and started toward the door.
CC stood and picked up Scottie and she and Niles walked Mrs. Richards to the door. "Are you sure you're telling us everything we need to know, Mrs. Richards?" Niles just got an ominous feeling from her.
"Niles…I promise…when the time comes to share further information with you…I'll share it. You'll have to trust me." Mrs. Richards touched his hand softly. "I'll see you next week. Bye, bye, Scottie. You've both done a great job with him." Niles closed the door after her.