Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!

A/N: Ok...since that last chapter was kinda short...I decided to post another...I'm just like that... ; ) Let me know what you think... - D

The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade

Chapter 9

Becky leaned forward in her chair. "Ok, Ceec…you promised that after we ate you'd tell me how Mr. Wonderful proposed."

"Becks…" James started. "That's not nice. Niles is a great guy."

CC sighed and thought for a second. "Well, Becky, actually Niles promised to tell you…maybe we should wait for him." That's when it happened.

"Excuse me…ladies and gentlemen." Niles voice came over the microphone. "I promised a friend that I would explain exactly how I went about proposing to the most wonderful woman in the world." Niles sat down as did everyone in the room, except that Niles was behind the piano on stage. He started playing and his eyes found CC's and then…he sang.

"Loving you is snow and jasmine,

and the noise of New Year's Eve.

Loving you is now and yesterday;

is real and make believe.

Loving you is rain and winter wind,

and gazing at the lazy summer skies,

Fireworks reflecting in your eyes,

foolish and improbably and wise."

The rest of the band joined in and played along with Niles.

"And loving you is tart as lemonade,

and sweet as April wine.

Loving you is watching all the lovely things of life combine.

In your arms I'm all I wish I were,

I'm brave, I'm strong and I'm true,

As long as I can go on living loving you."

Niles' played beautifully, his eyes barely leaving CC's for an instant. Finally as the end neared, Niles stood, stepped off the stage and made his way to CC. The band played on as Niles sang the last of verse as if he and CC were alone in the room.

"In your arms I'm all I wish I were,

I'm brave, I'm strong and I'm true,"

Niles took CC's hands in his own and sang to only her.

"As long as I can go on living loving you."

Everyone stood and applauded him. "Wow," James clapped Niles on the back. "That was amazing!"

"Geez, CC." Becky nudged CC pulling her from Niles' gaze. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

CC swallowed hard, her eyes fighting to hold back the tears locked on his. "I told you he was the most romantic man I'd ever met."

"We'd better call it a night, huh, Becks?" James offered. "We want to be ready for the all day picnic and bon fire tomorrow, and I've had a lot of beer."

"Yeah…I guess we should." James and Becky started toward door. "Uh…Ceec? Are you guys heading up too?"

"We're right behind you." CC stood in shock and watched as Niles thanked those people who congratulated him and gave their accolades. Then he winked at her, took her hand and they started toward the elevator.

Once again they stood together behind the closed door of the penthouse. "That was…amazing, Niles." CC was genuinely touched. She was also very confused about what she was feeling and who was making her feel it. After all, this was Niles, her nemesis, her foil, her…fiancé?

"It's my favorite song from 'Mame'. It's usually left out of the stage versions; for time considerations I suppose." Niles slipped off his suit jacket and hung it on the hanger and slipped off his shoes.

"Niles…should I put the ring back in the box?" CC asked him softly.

Niles shook his head. "Better wear it for now. We still have to get through breakfast. And my parents are expecting us the day after for a big family celebration."

CC moved to where Niles sat and kissed his cheek. "You really do think of everything." CC grabbed a few things and headed into the bathroom.

"I didn't think of that." Niles whispered after she'd closed the door. "What am I to make of that?" Niles quickly changed out of his suit and into his pajamas so CC would catch him in his boxers…again."

There was a light knock at the door. Niles opened it to find Becky wearing her dressing gown, which barely came to the tops of her thighs. "Becky…is there something you need?"

Becky lightly touched Niles' chest. "Just you, Niles."

"Becky, CC is only in the bathroom, what do you think is going to happen?" Niles smirked at her.

CC called from the bathroom, "Niles…I'm going to take a quick shower." And they heard the water start.

"CC always takes a shower at night, Niles. I remember from school. Old habits rarely change." Becky gave Niles a good shove into the room. "We have plenty of time, Niles; James is drunk as a skunk, he'll never miss me."

"Becky, I don't know what kind of relationship you have with James, but I love CC and nothing you can do or say will ever change that." Niles nearly laughed as he finally confessed it firmly and easily.

Becky shook her head. "Look, Niles. I'm not asking for anything long term, just a quick roll in the hay." Becky rested both her hands on Niles' chest now.

Niles grabbed her wrists and removed her hands from his chest. "Look, Becky. That's not who I am. I made a commitment to CC a very long time ago. I've loved her for longer than even I can remember. So you should go back to your room and your husband before CC gets out of the shower."

Unfortunately, it was too late for that. CC was long out of the shower and standing just behind the bedroom door.

"Oh, come on, Niles. You're not married, yet. Why not take what's offered?" Becky was truly shameless.

"I already said no, Becky." Niles answered coolly.

Becky pouted like Niles' had seen the children do many times. "But you're not married to CC, why not? What's she got that I don't?"

"My heart, Becky. I may not be married to CC Babcock, but that doesn't make me love her any less. I would rather spend my days pining for her than settle for you." Niles dealt the final blow to what may have remained of Becky's ego. "She's beautiful, charming, witty and sophisticated, and so very much more. I think you should return to your room now. We'll see you and James in the morning. I think, all things considered, we should keep this between us." Niles closed the door in her face and turned to find CC standing in the doorway to the bedroom.

CC decided to test what she'd heard and see what Niles would do. "Who was at the door?"

"It was Becky; she wanted to make sure we'd meet her and James for breakfast. Niles avoided her gaze fearing she'd catch him in the lie and he'd have to try to explain.

CC smiled softly at him. "You're a good man Niles Brightmore. I don't know why I never saw it before."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He smiled as he asked telling her he wasn't angry…as much, anymore.

CC moved toward him. "Just that you are a kind and decent man and although you have spent the better part of twenty years being horrible and mean to me, I should have noticed it before."

"You're not so bad yourself, Babcock." Niles smiled genuinely and turned to get his pillow and blanket out of the front closet.

"Niles…" CC touched his arm lightly. "The bed is more than big enough for the two of us. You don't have to sleep on the sofa."

Niles looked at her cautiously. "Are you sure?"

"Let's go to bed, Butler Boy." CC turned off the light as she made her way back to the bedroom and slipped under the blankets on 'her' side of the bed and flipped the blankets back for Niles.

Niles got into the bed and CC flipped the blankets over him. "There ya go, all tucked in." Then CC leaned down and kissed his lips softly. "Good night, Niles."

Niles was a little shocked at her small sign of affection. "Good night, Chastity."


In the morning when the sun just peeked through the drapes Niles awoke to a tickle on his chin and a weight on his chest. His hand made its way to the 'weight' only to find the soft skin of CC's back. She lay sprawled across his chest and the back of her pajama shirt was bunched up just enough for him to rest his hand on the small of her back. He smiled in spite of himself and kissed her head lightly. "Good morning, Love."

CC stretched a little and nearly leapt up. "I'm sorry, Niles. I guess I tend to wander at night. I'm not used to sharing a bed."

"Well, that's good to know." Niles winked at her. "Would you like the bathroom first?"

CC shook her head. "You go ahead. I'm going to just sit here for a bit." She watched at he went quickly through his things and found what he needed. CC let her mind wander. "Why does this all seem so surreal and yet still seem so absolutely normal? Niles has everything I've ever wanted in a man…except money…but I've got plenty of money."

Niles stood looking at her. "CC? Are you alright, I lost you for a minute."

"Sorry, Niles…I was thinking about something." CC shook her head of her thoughts.

"Alright, I won't be long. Its casual today, picnic and bonfire." Niles grabbed his things and headed into the bathroom.

A/N Song is from 'Mame' the musical...it's usually cut from the stage versions for time considerations...it's in the movie with Lucy Ball.