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

A/N: Ok, here it is the answer to the cliff hanger...although I think you all know just where this is headed...

The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade

Chapter 16

CC and Paint came down on the opposite bank a few moments after Niles and Champion and he'd turned around with fear in his eyes. "What in the hell where you trying to do, CC, kill yourself?"

"If that's what you were trying to do?" CC looked at him sitting tall astride Champion, the reins dangling loosely in his hands.

Niles shook his head at her. "I've made that jump more than a dozen times on Champion. Paint hasn't even been out of the stable until today." Niles raised his eyebrow at her.

"Well, maybe Paint had a better rider." CC smirked at him.

Niles moved Champion up next to Paint. "You scared the hell out of me." Fearing he was getting to serious again Niles added. "I've already lost one horse here; I couldn't bear to lose you too."

CC smacked him lightly. "Is there a less challenging way to get back?"

"Yeah…follow me." Niles and CC walked the horses slowly around the grounds keeping a comfortable pace so they could talk. They didn't discuss anything of importance. It was all still very raw from the last time.

CC saw something in the distance and waited to see what Niles had planned. "This way, CC…it heads back to the stable." Niles pulled Champion off to the left. CC didn't follow.

"Let's go, Paint." CC called, "Ya Paint!" They took off to the right. Niles turned Champion and they gave chase.

CC stopped Paint and slid down out of the saddle when she arrived at her destination. She turned to see Niles rapidly approaching and started her ascent. Niles arrived and easily slid off Champion tying him next to Paint. "CC…what are you doing?"

CC popped her head out of the window of the tree house and looked down at Niles standing below. "I thought I said I preferred to be called Chastity while I'm here." Then she just as quickly popped back in.

"Chastity!" Niles called up to her. "What are you doing?"

Chastity stepped out onto the balcony of the tree house. "I want to see the view. I bet you can see all the way to the village from up here."

"Chastity…you're being silly. Maman will worry, it's getting dark…come on." Niles called up to her on the balcony.

"Nope, if you want me…you'll have to come up here and get me." Chastity called back down and disappeared into the tree house.

"Chastity Claire!" Niles bellowed from the ground like scolding a child. "Chastity!" He called after her again. Nothing. "You are really going to get it when I get up there." Niles was only a little angry, and mostly because she'd make him drag his more than forty year old body up a tree house ladder. Niles popped his head up through the entrance hole and there she sat in the far corner of the tree house with her legs crossed Indian style. "Are you happy? I've climbed up here after you."

Niles got to his feet and looked down at her. "Yes, I am. Are you going to stand there or are you going to sit down here with me?" Chastity asked him softly. Niles sat down facing her. "Why didn't you want me up here, Niles?"

Niles looked away. "It's not that I didn't want you up here. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. This place has a reputation, remember?"

"I do. I'm guessing though that it was more…welcoming when Max and Sara were up here." CC looked around the rather large single room that was completely devoid of well, anything. Then she glanced at him with eyes like he'd never seen before.

Niles stood up again and extended his hand to help her stand. "We really should go now, my parents will be worried."

"Niles…" CC started as she came to her feet. "Would you…kiss me?"

Niles frowned a bit fearing they were venturing into the 'bits and pieces' of life again. "Chastity…"

"Please." CC looked at him in a way that made his heart ache for her. Her hands were resting on his chest her eyes practically beseeching him to kiss her. "Please."

Niles sighed knowing he couldn't really refuse her. He loved her. He knew in his heart and soul that no matter what she'd give him…he'd take it and revel in it for as long as he could. His hands cupped her face and he let his lips gently brush hers in a kiss so soft it sent a shiver down her spine. Her hands drifted slowly up and around his neck as he deepened the kiss and dropped his hands to her waist. When the need for air pulled them from each other Niles whispered. "Chastity…"

"I love you, Niles." CC interrupted on a breath. "I have for as long as I can remember."

Niles pulled her back to look in her eyes. "Are you sure? Really? No more charade?"

"There's no one here but us, Niles. I love you." CC smiled at him with adoration he could almost feel. "I love Niles the beloved butler, who keeps the Sheffield household running smoothly. I love Niles the dust mop, bane of my existence who lives to bring me grief. I love Niles Brightmore, the warm and generous man who thought enough me to pretend to be something he's not. And I love Niles, the wonderful man who puts himself last, cries at the memory of a beloved horse and has woven himself into the very fabric of my being."

Niles dropped to his knee. "Chastity Claire Babcock, I swear by all that is good and holy, that I will for the rest of my life, strive everyday to make you happy. Will you marry me?"

CC looked down into the bluest eyes she has ever seen. "Yes, Niles…I will marry you." Niles stood and took her again in his arms and kissed her.

"Uncle Niles!" Gin called from the ground below them.

"What is it with that kid; she's got the worst timing." CC laughs.

Niles grinned and popped his head out of the window. "Yes little Gin…what is it?"

"Grandma says it's getting dark so you and Aunt Chastity should come home now." Gin looked so tiny from the tree house.

Niles smiled at his niece. "Alright, Gin. We're on our way down. You wait there and you can ride back with us."

"Okay, Uncle Niles." Gin climbed up onto Paint and waited.

Niles returned to CC. "Well, do you want me to go down first?"

"You just want to look up at my bum." CC smacked his arm lightly.

Niles shrugged. "Is that so bad?"

"Just go…or I'll tell you mother you said that." CC winked at him.

CC and Niles rode Champion back to the stables leading Paint by a single rein so Gin could 'ride like a big girl'. After taking care of the horses they made their way into the house.

"Well, Lad, I see she's still wearing the ring." Joseph announced as they walked through the back door.

Niles turned to look at CC and winked. "It got stuck."

Niles kept his pace through the kitchen stopping only when his mother used his 'full name'. "Niles Andrew Joseph Brightmore you get yourself back here this minute."

Niles froze and turned. "Yes, Maman." Niles stepped back into the kitchen and looked sheepishly at his mother.

There she stood with her fists firmly on her hips and CC standing next to her grinning like a Cheshire cat. "See, Chastity, it works every time."

CC looked at her soon to be mother-in-law. "Thank you, Maman. I'm sure that will come in handy in the years to come."

"Years?" Niles narrowed his eyes. "So unlike the other black widows you're not going to devour me the day after we marry?"

CC checked quickly for Gin and responded. "I didn't say that."

"Alright, you two, that's enough of that in my kitchen." Marie smacked CC lightly on the rear with a spoon.

Joseph chimed in. "That's right, the kitchen is our place for that."

"Watch your tongue, Jeeves, I know where you sleep." Marie turned back to the stove. "Children, go get cleaned up, I've got a special dessert ready."

Niles grabbed CC's hand and led her upstairs to his room. "Niles…did your mother just refer to us as 'children'?"

"Well, Love. Technically, we are children…I am her son and you will be her daughter-in-law." Niles beamed at the thought of it.

"Niles…" CC started. Niles let her into his bathroom and leaned against the door jamb.

"Dear God, Woman…you're not having second thoughts already are you?" Niles wasn't really worried.

CC dried her face and hands on the towel and then eyed him. "Don't give me reason to, Butler Boy." CC tossed him the towel. "Could we…" CC wasn't sure how to proceed exactly.

"Chastity…this is my parent's house." Niles quickly washed up.

He was drying his hands when she spun around and glared at him. "Niles…that's not what I meant!"

Niles wrapped his arms around her. "I know, Love. I'm sorry it was a bad joke. What did you want to know?"

"Could we…" CC looked away from him for a moment then looked back. "Could we get married here?"