Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!
A/N: I just love whipping out a one shot. We'll see if it stays a one shot. It didn't...LOL
The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade
Chapter 4
The next morning CC woke to the smell of bacon. "Mmmmmm...that smells wonderful." CC groaned and then suddenly popped up in her bed. "I don't remember having bacon." CC got out of bed and wrapped herself into her robe.
She made her way out into the front room to find the pillow and blanket Niles used missing from the sofa. He was showered and dressed more casually than she can ever remember. He was wearing jeans and a royal blue and grey flannel shirt, standing her kitchen making breakfast. "Good morning, Sunshine!" Niles tossed to her.
"Where did you get bacon?" She had to ask wondering how the man who seemed so exhausted last night could possibly be so chipper this morning, despite the bruised chin. "I didn't have any bacon in the fridge."
"I made a few calls when I woke up." Niles grinned. "You'd be surprised how accommodating room service can be when you volunteer to cook your own food."
CC laughed heartily. "You called room service and ordered raw bacon?"
"Yep. I told them exactly what I needed so I could make exactly what I wanted." Niles beamed with pride.
CC raised her eyebrow at him. "And exactly what is that?"
"It's a very special surprise. You have about twenty minutes if you'd like to shower and change first." Niles offered.
CC smirked. "Are you trying to tell me that it's so special that I can't eat it in my silk pajamas?"
"You can eat it wearing anything you like...or nothing at all if you'd prefer. It makes no difference to me." Niles winked at her.
CC stood. "I'll go get ready for my day then. But I can assure you, Niles." CC started down the hall. "If I chose to eat your special breakfast in nothing at all...it would definitely make a difference."
Niles leaned over the counter and watched as CC sashayed back to her room. "Don't I know it." He whispered.
As promised, CC returned dressed casually in jeans and a knit v-neck pullover sweater in a blue that just matched her eyes. "You look lovely as always, Miss Babcock."
"Thanks, Niles. I meant to say, you look very different out of...uniform." CC tossed out genuinely. "I like this look on you."
"Well, I expected to be in the country with my parents, remember?" Niles smirked.
CC shook her head. "I wasn't being sarcastic. I really do like this look. It's more rugged, edgy and less...fussy."
"I like your more casual choice as well." Niles smiled. "Are you ready to eat?" CC nodded and made her way to the beautifully set table. "I guess you requested this stuff too?"
"Nope...that was in the cabinets." Niles answered as he brought their plates to the table. "Ta-da!" Niles put her breakfast in front of her.
CC actually gasped. "Is this what it looks like?" Niles couldn't tell but it looked almost like tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "It's the cheesy bacon and eggs Benedict that my grandmother used to make?" CC looked up and Niles.
"I found the recipe once when I was making something in your kitchen and thought it sounded wonderful. I've been dying to try it, but the children prefer basic scrambled eggs and Max...soft boiled or poached." Niles waited and watched her. "Are you going to try it?"
"I'm sorry, Niles. It's just that...you've out done yourself once again." CC couldn't believe that this was the same man she knew back in the states; the man who ran her coffee through a gym sock, and put buttermilk in her tea. "Thank you." CC took a bite and thought she'd actually cry. "It's just like Nana's."
"I'm glad you like it." Niles sat and they made light conversation while they ate.
When breakfast was finished Niles started to clear away the dishes. "Niles...you cooked, let me do the clean up." CC offered.
"That's not necessary, Miss Babcock." Niles smiled. "It's what I do."
CC touched his arm lightly. "My name is CC and it's not what you do today. Sit down and let me. I know how to load a dishwasher." Niles sat down and watched as CC Babcock, the bitch of Broadway cleared away the dishes, loaded and started the dishwasher. CC brought the coffee to the table and poured Niles another cup before she poured one for herself and sat back down.
"So..." Niles started. "What is on your agenda for today?"
CC sighed. "Well, we have options. They've made arrangements for a bus to go shopping, but that is so not my style. Or I could take a tour of the school where I studied. Hello, it's Oxford, do I really need to walk those halls again? We aren't really required to do anything. The big shindig isn't until tonight. Big fancy dinner and dancing and they've planned a slide show of the different class orientations and everyone was supposed to send in photos of themselves and their friends. You know...the typical reunion stuff."
"I've never actually been..." Niles sipped his coffee.
CC frowned. "Been to what?"
"A class reunion." Niles answered. "I never really wanted to rub elbows with the big shots I went to school with. Think about it, Miss...CC. I went to school with Max...a few years ahead, but the students were very much like him. I don't think I'd fit in at an Eton reunion. Nor one for Oxford I imagine."
"Why not? You graduated didn't you?" Niles nodded.
"With honors, but what have I done with it?" Niles asked.
CC sighed. "You know full well what kind of state that family and that household would be in if you weren't there."
"I'm going to find out in a week. Everyone wonders why I don't take vacations. It's not the expense...it's the twice as much work when I come back that keeps me from leaving." Niles finished his coffee and took his cup into the kitchen just as there was a knock on the door. "Shall I?" Niles asked CC.
"Please." CC stood and headed toward the door.
Niles opened it to reveal Becky. "Good morning! Guess who I found in the lobby looking for you!" CC was standing at Niles side when Becky moved out of the way revealing Marie and Joseph Brightmore.
"Good morning, Son." Joseph chimed.
Niles face couldn't hide his shock. "Maman, Dad! What are you doing in the city?"
"We were worried about you, Dear." Marie offered softly. "This lovely woman overheard us asking after you at the front desk and told us you were probably staying with your fiancé."
Becky beamed. "Well don't just stand there, Niles. Invite your parents in, Silly Goose."
Niles stood frozen in his stocking feet trying to decide if he could even feel his legs let alone move them. "Uhm..."
"Niles..." CC started. "What's gotten into you today?" CC pulled him from the doorway. "Mr. and Mrs. Brightmore, Becky please, come in." Niles eyes shot over to look at her. "I'm sorry about the surprise, but it's a fairly recent occurrence."
"I see." Marie was sharp and knew there was more than meets the eye going on before her, but she decided to let it run its course. "That's fine. I've been so worried about Niles. I think it's lovely he's finally found someone to spend his life with."
Niles swallowed hard. "Maman... I can explain...really." Niles sat on the coffee table facing the sofa where his parents sat waiting. Becky stood just off to the side. "You see...CC and I..." Niles turned to look up at CC. "We...both..." Niles looked at Becky. "I wanted...CC?"
CC smiled softly at Niles' parents. She sat down next to him and her hand dropped onto his thigh. "We haven't really told that many people. I'm here in London for a Study Abroad Reunion and only just introduced Niles to everyone last night."
"Is that when that brute attacked him?" Marie asked.
"Yes." CC answered. "He was a man I knew when I studied here and he was still just as terrible. He said a few inappropriate things to me and well, Niles defended my honor."
"You're a good boy, Niles." Marie leaned forward. "And I think you've chosen well." Marie softly patted CC's leg.
Becky cleared her throat. "Uhm...Ceec. I'm gonna go now. I'll see you and Niles later this evening. Ok?"
CC walked Becky to the door and secretly prayed that she hadn't gotten Niles in trouble with his parents. "Thanks for bringing Niles' parents up, Becky."
"I hope I didn't ruin the surprise." Becky frowned.
"No, I think we're fine." CC smiled and closed the door behind her. "Niles...could I see you in the kitchen for a moment. I can't make this coffee thing work."
Niles was soon standing behind her. "What coffee thing?"
"I'm so sorry, Niles. We can handle this however you'd like. If you want to tell them the truth we can. I leave it up to you...if you want we can go on and stage a break up after we get back to the states. I'm sorry, I had no idea this would get so far out of hand." CC finally stopped to catch a breath.
Niles smiled at her. "We can talk about that later. My parents invited us back to their house for lunch. Are you up for it?"
"Lunch? Niles how far away do your parents live?" CC asked.
"Not far, CC. It's about twenty minutes by car. But they'd love to visit with their son and his fiancé. Not to mention I have to introduce you to my brother and his wife and daughter. And then there's Champion." Niles flashed his most impish grin.
CC cupped his face. "Lead on, Niles."
