Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the characters of 'The Nanny.'

A/N Pretty much my all time favorite TV couple. I know it's a long time coming, but I really wanted to finally get the story out on paper. Well, I guess it's not really paper but you understand…

Christmas in Switzerland

Chapter 7

"Max, I'm really worried. What did the stable guy say?" Fran asked.

Max was relieved that the children had gone to bed early. "He said that there is a small cave a few yards from where they found the horses. The mouth of the cave was closed over with snow apparently from a cascading avalanche from further up the mountain."

"Oh my God! What if they weren't in the cave? What if they got buried under all that snow?" Fran started to cry. "What if my best friend is buried out there and I can't ever say…"

"Say what, Fran?" Niles asked from the sliding doors that lead in from the deck.

Fran leapt up off the sofa when she heard Niles' voice. "Scarecrow!" Fran ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "And you brought Glenda with you!" Fran added CC to the hug!

"Which one is Glenda?" CC asked Niles.

Niles smiled. "She's the good witch."

"Kids!" Max called up the stairs. "Niles and CC are back!"

The kids came bursting out of their rooms. "Niles…CC!" They called together as they bounded down the stairs and hugged them both.

After a few more minutes of hugging Max ushered the children back to bed. "Come on, kids, you can all talk to Niles and CC about their adventure tomorrow." Each child took a turn hugging both Niles and CC. Niles was visibly touched and CC nearly cried.

"Wow," CC said after the children went back upstairs to bed. "I didn't think they even liked me."

"Now, CaCa." Niles put his arm around her. "They love you. They'd never admit it, but they do."

"Sounds a lot like another person I know." Max tossed out. Niles raised an eyebrow at his dear friend. "Come on, Fran. I've had enough excitement for one night."

Fran hugged CC and then Niles one last time. "Great, that means I'll be heading to my room." Fran kissed Niles on the cheek. "Next time you want some alone time, just ask for it. No more hiding in caves and gettin' stuck in avalanches. What would I do without you?"

Niles blushed. "Night, Fran. I'll see you in the morning."

After everyone had retired and left Niles and CC in the living room alone CC turned to Niles as had a strange look on her face. "What was all that about?"

Niles got very nervous. "What was what about?" Niles went into the kitchen to look for a snack. Two power bars don't make much of a dinner. "Are you hungry?"

Niles Andrew Brightmore, I want an answer." CC stood fast with her hands on her hips.

Niles flew up and spun around on his heels. "What did you say?"

CC sashayed toward him. "I said, Niles Andrew Brightmore, I want an answer." CC slipped her arms around his waist as he stood frozen in shock still with his hand on the fridge door handle.

"You…you know my name? My full name?" Niles asked her.

"Did you really think I'd fall in love with a man and not know his full name?" CC replied.

"But how…no one knows…not even Max knows my middle name." Niles still couldn't believe he'd heard her right. "Wait!" He held her at arm's length so he could look her square in her eyes. "Did you say you're in love with me?"

CC pulled back and turned away. "Well, I don't know…I used to think you were smart, but you seem pretty slow on the uptake right now." Niles grabbed her and spun her around.

"I've been trapped for hours with a hellacious enchantress, cut me some slack." Niles looked into her eyes and he had his answer. Those eyes said I love you and he was certain of it.

"Chastity Claire Babcock, I have loved you for more years than even I know. You are an amazingly beautiful goddess who was put on this Earth for the sole purpose of tormenting me into serving a life sentence making you happy." Niles cupped her face with his hands and softly brushed his lips to hers. It was a kiss that told her she would forever be loved. No one and nothing could keep him from it any longer. Not even her own stubbornness.

CC wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. She wanted that kiss to tell Niles everything it told her. That she was his, forever and only his. Nothing and no one, would keep her from him again. CC suddenly broke the kiss and looked at him. "Did you call me Chastity Claire?"

"Did you really think I'd fall in love with a woman and not know her full name?" Niles replied.

It was New Year's Eve and the owner of the club asked Niles if he'd play for them since their regular was still sick. Niles agreed as long as he could take a break every now and then to dance with his lady. CC spent almost the entire night sitting on the piano bench beside Niles while he played and sang some for the gathering. As midnight approached he turned to CC and whispered, "You know what they say about the person you kiss at midnight on New Year's Eve?"

CC smirked. "No, Rubbermaid, what do they say?"

"The kiss is believed to be a barometer of things to come. That the first person you come in contact with as the bells chime will set the tone for your happiness and fortune in the coming year. A kiss with the one you love ensures you good tidings." Niles enlightened.

CC leaned into Niles. "Then I think we are going to have one hell of a good year!"

Max, Fran and the children gathered by the piano as the clock started its count down. The whole room chanted together. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!" Max kissed Fran, Niles kissed CC and they all passed kisses around to the children.

The club emptied fairly soon after midnight. Most of the guests at the lodge were leaving for where ever it was they called home the next day. The Sheffield bunch still had a day or so left before they would take the long flight back to New York. This had been a very eventful trip for all of those in the 'Sheffield bunch' as they had come to be called during this vacation. Max and Fran got engaged. Niles and CC finally professed their love for each other and the children made many new friends from many different parts of the world.

Max and Fran gathered the children and moved toward the door. "Niles…CC," Max called to them, still at the piano. "We're heading back, are you coming?"

"I think we'll stay a little longer, Max. Good night, all. We'll see you in the morning." Niles called to his dear friend.

Max watched Niles and CC for a few moments before he turned to Fran. "I'm so glad they're both home safe and sound. I can't imagine what I'd have done without either of them, let alone if I'd lost both…" Max could feel his eyes filling.

"Honey, they're fine. There here with us and they will always be with us. I've already decided that we're turning the third floor into a suite for them as a wedding present."

"Fran…" Max grinned as they followed the children up the hallway and out to the Rover. "They've only just started really seeing each other. I can't imagine they'll be getting engaged anytime soon, let alone married."

"Oy, what is it with you British men and your 'waiting period'." Fran leaned over and kissed him softly and he drove them to the chalet.

"Amazing once again, Niles," Linus Cranston said as he approached the piano.

CC stood. "Niles I'm going to check my make-up. I'll be right back." CC leaned down and kissed him lightly.

"Thank you, Mr. Cranston." Niles fingers moved aimlessly over the piano keys not really playing anything special. "I've given some thought to your offer, about playing at your club back in New York."

Mr. Cranston leaned on the piano. "Really? Have you made any decisions?"

"I don't think I'm cut out for it, full time at least." Niles kept on playing whatever little melodies came to mind.

Mr. Cranston nodded. "I thought I heard your lady friend there say something about it being your lifelong dream?"

Niles smiled. "Yeah…well sometimes your dreams change."

"Funny, I can't ever say I've heard anyone tell me that their dreams have changed." Mr. Cranston smiled and noticed CC come back into the club. CC held up her finger so Mr. Cranston wouldn't make her presence known. He wasn't an evil man, but he thought he'd see if he could use it to his advantage. "I think this is less about your dreams changing and more about that pretty blonde."

Niles laughed out loud. "It's funny you should mention that, Mr. Cranston. I suppose you're right, and wrong. Some dreams change or fade while others become…more vivid, more real, if you will."

"I'm not sure I follow you, Niles." Mr. Cranston was a business man, not a philosopher. "You're willing to give up your lifelong dreams, for a woman?" Mr. Cranston shook his head.

Niles grinned. "Oh, I didn't say that." Niles stopped playing for a moment. "Mr. Cranston have you ever had a dream that you wanted so much that you never imagined it was possible?"

"Sure…everyone does." Mr. Cranston glanced carefully at CC so Niles wouldn't notice.

"Well, I got my impossible dream." Niles answered and Mr. Cranston could tell that was the end of their conversation.

Mr. Cranston shook his head. "Well, I don't know if this is about dreams or a beautiful blonde or both, but you have my card if you ever change your mind, or want a one night a week thing or just pop in whenever, give me a call." Mr. Cranston walked toward CC and winked at her and left them alone in the club.

"Hey, you," CC said from just over his shoulder. "I guess you turned him down." CC walked to the 'crook' of the piano.

Niles was a little embarrassed. "How much of that did you hear?"

CC flashed him her devilish grin. "I heard the part about dreams versus the pretty blonde."

"Oh…" Niles looked down at the piano.

"Niles, what was your impossible dream?" CC asked cautiously.

Niles could feel his eyes filling and knew there would be only one way to make her really understand. His hands moved over the keyboard…

You were in my dreams
Always in my dreams
That was long before
I ever saw you standing there
When I felt afraid
Of the choice I made
I would close my eyes
And hope my dreams would comfort me
But now I'm free

Who needs to dream when there is you?
Who needs a heaven to look forward to?
For my whole life through
Who needs to dream?
You're my dream come true

In my fantasy
You believed in me
And as long as you were there
Then I believed in me
Now suddenly

Who needs to dream when there is you?
Who needs a heaven to look forward to?
For my whole life through
Who needs to dream?
You're my dream come true

Now you are my dream
You are my only dream
I'll hold you in my heart forever
Who needs to dream?
Who needs to dream?
When I see you there
Then I see my every dream come true

Who needs to dream when there is you?
Who needs a heaven?
For my whole life through
Who needs to dream?
You're my dream come true
Every dream
All come true