Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!
A/N: Ok, let's see where this goes...like you don't all know...
The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade
Chapter 17
Niles phoned Max who promised to close up shop for a week and fly the entire clan, Fine's and Val included to England for the big event. CC called Noel, DD and her father and they too would make the trip. BB, it was decided, could be notified later. Marie was beside herself with happiness. She knew that CC was right for Niles the first time he described her as a witch in Donna Karen with a sharp tongue and a wit to match. Except for the Donna Karen, Marie thought it would have described her many years ago as well.
"Paddy, have you taken care of everything I asked?" CC spoke softly to her soon to be brother-in-law.
Patrick Brightmore had the same reddish blonde hair as Niles and often flashed the same boyish grin. His eyes, however, were an emerald green, every bit as piercing as Niles' but as green as his mothers. Patrick lacked the sharp tongue and rapier wit that Niles inherited from well, both his parents. He had more the soft heart and ease that their mother showed to everyone who ever crossed her path.
Patrick flashed that boyish grin. "I surely have little sister." CC gave him a tight hug. "You promise me you'll be good to him…he deserves it."
"I give you my word, Patrick. I'll love him until the day I die and come back and haunt him, just to keep loving him." CC laughed and Patrick turned to leave. "Paddy…" CC stopped him. "Why did you call me little sister? I thought you were younger than Niles."
Patrick smiled. "I am younger than Niles. But I'm still older than you."
"How do you know for sure?" CC smirked.
Patrick tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "Well, little sister, I remember the first time Niles told me about you. Fresh out of college, long auburn hair and pale blue eyes the color of the morning sky. He feared then he was too old for the young coed who'd started working for Max. I told him he was only as old as he felt. I guess he feels pretty young now, eh little sister?"
"Thank you, Patrick." CC hugged him again.
Fiona walked past the doorway. "Hey there." She dropped with her lovely Irish accent. "Aren't you engaged to Niles?" Fiona laughed. "Why then do ya have my husband in your arms?"
"No worries, Fiona." CC grinned. "I was just thanking him for his little Niles tale."
Fiona flashed her sly grin. "So it's Niles' stories you're wanting then?"
"Ooooohh yeah…" CC got very excited. "Tell me, tell me."
Patrick shook his head at the ladies. "I think I'll find my brother and head to the village for a pint."
"Don't you dare get him drunk the day before his wedding, Paddy." Fiona chastised.
Patrick kissed her cheek. "I won't love. Besides, Max will be with us, you know nothing bad will happen." Patrick winked at CC and left them to chat.
"So…come on, what Niles' story were you planning on telling me?" CC got very comfortable in the overstuffed chair of the guest room where she was staying.
"Well," Fiona leaned forward from her place on the end of the bed. "He came home for my and Paddy's wedding. Had to be best man you know." CC nodded. "That was about eight years ago. Well, he took Paddy out for a pint the day before our wedding. The way Paddy tells it…there was this woman. Jean Sullivan…she was tall and beautiful, gorgeous red hair, I hated her right off and I'd never laid eyes on her." CC and Fiona laugh and Fiona continues the story…
"So…Paddy, who is this handsome devil here?" The tall red head grins at Niles.
Patrick raised the Brightmore eyebrow and grins. "Jean Sullivan, this is my brother Niles. He's visiting here from the United States."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Sullivan." Niles stood and nodded politely.
"Oooohhh." Jean cooed at him. "He's so formal and polite. Not at all like you Paddy."
Jean attached herself to Niles before Paddy or Niles knew what was happening. "Uhm…Miss Sullivan, my brother is getting married tomorrow, I'd like to spend the evening telling him about the birds and the bees."
"Why don't we just show him, Mr. Niles." Jean blew in his ear.
"Jean…" Patrick tried to stifle a laugh. "I don't think my brother is quite the exhibitionist that you are."
Niles was nearly white as a sheet. "Miss Sullivan, I've already given my heart away. I don't wish to hurt your feelings, but I already belong to another."
"Paddy, you neglected to tell me that your brother was so very stodgy." Jean pouted and gave Niles one more shot. "So then, if you belong to another she must be all the way back in the United States. Who's to know? I won't tell her."
Niles stood up. "I'm sorry, Jean. I'm sure I would amazed at the expertise of your company, but I've been bewitched and I just can't function with any other woman."
"Have it your way." Jean tried not to be offended. "Congratulations, Paddy…give my best to your fiance." Jean sashayed away giving Niles a taste of what he passed up.
"I don't believe you, big brother. Jean Sullivan is a sure thing." Patrick shook his head at Niles. "When she shows you her attentions, most men consider themselves lucky."
Niles looked at his younger brother. "Paddy, you're about to marry the woman of your dreams, right?" Patrick nodded. "I still have that dream. I can't help it if she won't give me the time of day. There is no substitution for perfection. My little witch is nothing less than perfect. So I'll just have to wait."
"Niles said that? Eight years ago?" CC asked almost sadly.
Fiona picked up on her mood immediately. "Oh, I wouldn't worry, Chastity. It's been a long time. I'm sure Niles has long forgotten her by now."
"There's my little witch." Niles poked his head into the room. "Love, I just wanted to let you know that the men and I are headed down to the pub." CC ran into his arms and squeezed him tightly. Niles frowned at Fiona. "I won't go, love, if you don't want me to."
CC pulled back and looked at him warmly. "I don't mind. I trust you completely, Niles. I love you and besides…that spell…lasts forever." CC leaned up and kissed him softly. "Go, have a pint with your friends."
Niles looked at her and then to Fiona. "I love you too. Now, why don't you and Fiona go and gather up the ladies and do something fun."
CC looked at him a minute and then turned back to Fiona. "Do they have male strippers in England?"
"Hey!" Niles gave her a tickle.
"I'm kidding. I think your mother has planned some sort of bake fest. We'll be baking all afternoon, Sylvia will be thrilled."
"Alright, until this evening then…" Niles leaned in and kissed her.
"Get yourself out of here, Niles." Fiona started pushing Niles out the door. "When you get back, Chastity will have been squirreled away until you see her coming up the aisle."
Niles frowned and put on his very best pouty face. "Really? I'll miss you, Love. But, I'll see you tomorrow at eleven on the dot."
"I'll be the one in white." CC winked.
Niles kissed her and turned to leave. "White, that's rich." Niles roared and earned himself a pillow to the back of the head.
"So…" Fiona raised her eyebrow at CC. "You ARE the little witch."
CC put on her best attempt at an Irish accent. "That I am, Fiona; that I am." CC wrapped her arm around Fiona's shoulder and the ladies went in search of the others.
