Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!
A/N: Ok, we know it didn't stay a one shot so no more of that...I love this story. I've mentioned to a few of the reviewers...thanks by the way for reviewing so regularly...I love for that. Anyway, I told them that this kind of just fan off on it's own like a petulant child. I decided to let N&CC just run and play until they got where they were going. - LOL - D
The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade
Chapter 5
Niles and CC followed his parents down to the parking garage where they'd left their car. "Niles, dear," Marie started. "Perhaps you and CC would like to sit in the front and you can drive. You're so much better than your father."
"What's that supposed to mean, Love?" Joseph was about to come out of his shell.
Marie settled into the back seat of their car and Niles closed the door for her, then CC, and then moved around to slip in behind the wheel. "Well, Joseph, you know that you wouldn't be able to drive and stare at your son's fiancé so I thought it best to let Niles drive."
CC's eyes grew large with fear of the impending argument. Then, glancing at Niles she saw his playful grin.
"Well, you can't drive either, unless of course you have a broom for four you've been hiding somewhere." Joseph whipped out.
Marie laughed lightly. "Listen, Jeeves, remember that I know where you sleep."
"Are you sure? You're hardly ever there now that you're off every night stalking the living." Joseph smirked at his wife.
Marie nudged her husband. "You're just jealous because I prefer the living to you."
"Touché Old girl, touché." Joseph leaned over and kissed Marie lightly on the cheek.
"Alright you, two. You're going to scare CC off. She already thinks I'm insane, we don't need to prove it." Niles smiled and winked at CC.
When they arrived at Niles' childhood home, it wasn't what CC expected. Actually it wasn't technically Niles' childhood home. He grew up in the same house with Max. This was the home where he spent his time away from that life. It was the home of his grandparents after they retired from service. So, now that his parents have retired they live there. But it's a home that only has happy memories for Niles.
"Niles..." CC whispered. "This is an estate. It's beautiful."
Niles smiled and offered his arm to her. "It's a family home. It's been in the Brightmore family for generations."
"I thought you grew up in the same house as Max." CC was trying to be careful not to offend Niles or his parents. It's not something she was used to doing.
"I did. At that time, my grandparents lived here. Some of my fondest childhood memories are in this house." Niles led CC into to front courtyard of their family home.
"Mrs. Brightmore, this garden is just lovely. Do you tend to it yourself?" CC asked.
"Yes, Dear. It's my only joy besides my boys...and little Gin." CC looked at Marie in shock.
Niles saw the expression and nearly burst into laughter. "Gin is my neice, CC. My brother, Patrick's daughter."
Niles saw CC's sigh of relief. "Her name is Genevieve. Patrick and Fiona call her Gin for short."
"Oh, that's a beautiful name." CC smiled at Marie.
Marie smiled back. "Now, as for this Mrs. Brightmore business...you will call me Marie or Maman, I don't feel old enough to be called Mrs. Brightmore, besides it ties me to closely to the old man." Marie nodded at Joseph.
"You don't usually mind being tied up." Joseph grabbed his wife and the two laughed heartily at the shocked expressions on both CC and Niles faces.
"Oh dear God." Niles nearly collapsed onto the front step in his embarrassment. CC bit her lip and joined him there. "I'm sorry, CC. It's the country air; it makes people of a certain age fall insane."
CC leaned in. "I think it's sweet. I only hope that I can find someone to be that way with in my seventies." Niles turned his head to look at her. "You can see how in love they are. That's rare, Niles...you should be proud of your parents, not embarrassed by them."
"You are a most amazing woman, CC Babcock." Niles looked into her eyes and they locked for a moment. Their thoughts ran through their heads. "God, she's so beautiful. I wonder if I should kiss her."
"He's so handsome. Look at the way the sun just dances in his hair. Why haven't I noticed before?" CC thought to herself.
They were pulled from their gaze when Joseph cleared his throat. "Uh, Son...we can't get in the house."
Niles looked up at his father and mother. "Huh? Oh...sorry." Niles stood and offered his hand to assist CC, and they followed his parents into the house.
No sooner in the house than Joseph turned and asked. "Now...what exactly does CC stand for?"
Niles looked a little shocked. "Uhm...Dad...I don't think that..."
CC cupped his face softly and smiled. "It's alright, Niles. Well, first, should I call you Joseph or Dad?" CC asked and Niles thought he'd die outright.
"Well, Lass." Joseph flashed that same boyish grin she'd seen cross Niles' face. "I could think of a few other things I'd rather you call me, but with your fiancé being my son and my wife being in the room, either will do, but I prefer Dad."
"Well then, Dad." CC took Joseph's arm and led him to the sofa. "CC stands for Chastity Claire, but I don't often share that with too many people. I have a persona in the theatre business and Chastity doesn't really fit."
Joseph smiled at her. "Well, Lass. I think it's absolutely lovely and suits you much better than CC. But, I defer to your preference." Joseph raised an eyebrow and waited.
"Then while I'm here, I'd prefer...Chastity." CC answered the man who she imagines looked much like Niles, twenty five years ago.
Joseph winked at her. "Marie, I think we should call Patrick and let him know his brother's here and let Niles take Chastity out to see Champion."
CC frowned and turned to Niles. "Champion?"
"I'll explain on the way." Niles extended his hand to CC and she took it and their fingers entwined as Niles led CC through the house to a back door which led to a huge stone patio. "Champion...was a gift from the Princess of Wales..."
"Diana?" CC was shocked. "Your parents know Diana?"
"No, not my parents, CC." Niles looked at her and she raised her eyebrows. "What?"
CC smiled. "I said I'd prefer Chastity while I'm here."
"I'm sorry, Chastity." Niles liked the way it rolled off the tongue and CC liked the way it sounded on his lilting baritone voice. "Just before Prince William's thirteenth birthday, I was home for a visit and...I was in the right place at the right time. Champion was a gift, the first born colt of a mare that Diana kept at their stables."
Niles opened the door to the small stable and CC entered. "Oh my God, Niles! He's gorgeous! He's what...two years old?" Niles nodded. "Did you name him?"
"That's the name that Princess Diana gave him." Niles looked away and blushed a bit.
CC looked at him and grinned. "Niles...why do I know there is more to the story?"
"Uncle Niles!" The little strawberry blonde hair girl nearly leapt into Niles' arms from the door of the stable.
"Hello, little Gin." Niles hugged the girl. "I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Chastity." Niles smiled at CC.
Gin shook her head at him. "Oh, no, Uncy, I knows all 'bout your girl-friend." The little girl practically sing songed at him.
"Gin...you've been talking to Grandpa, haven't you?" Gin nodded fervently.
Gin slipped down from his arms and took CC's hand. "Did he tell ya 'bout Champ?" CC nodded. "Did he tell ya all about Champ?"
CC sat on a tack box and pulled the girl onto her lap much to the shock of Niles who stood by Champion and looked on. "Well, now Gin. I don't really know. Uncle Niles told me that Champion was a gift from Princess Diana just before Prince William's birthday. Is that all about Champ?"
"Uh uh." Gin shook her head.
"Gin...I think you should go and check on your grandma. I think she's making cookies." Niles tried to bride the girl off CC's lap.
"No, Uncy, Grandma told me no cookies 'til after lunch." Gin smirked with the very same smirk CC had seen on Niles and his father. "Ya see, Uncy was out riding Buster, that was his horse...and he saw Prince William riding too. The Prince got a new horse for his birthday even though it wasn't his birthday yet. Anyway, the prince's horse got spooked and he lost control so Uncy had to rescue him. He jumped onto the back of the prince's horse and turned away from the river bed just in time. Buster jumped. It's a big jump." Gin suddenly looked very sad. "Uncy lost Buster that day, so the princess gave him Champion. She said that Uncy saved the prince's life and that made him her champion. Niles means champion...didja know that?" Gin looked up at CC.
"No, Gin. I didn't know that." CC slid Gin off her lap. "You should go in and help your grandma with those cookies now, ok?"
"Ok..." Gin leaned in and whispered. "Uncy really likes you."
CC looked up at Niles and then whispered back. "I really like him, too, Gin."
