Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of The Nanny…but I'm still hopeful!
A/N: The day had arrived...it's wedding day!
The Reunion, The Visit, and The Grand Charade
Chapter 18
The next day was glorious, sunny and warm…rather unlike we hear the weather is in England at any time of the year. Niles was outfitted in his best tuxedo, courtesy of Fran reminding Max to pack it with his. Patrick would serve as best man, with Max as groomsman.
CC wore a gown that she found at the village dressmakers. It wasn't Versace, or Vera Wang, but it was exactly what CC had dreamed about as a child. It was an ivory satin form fitting to the waist and then just yards and yards of gathered skirting. It would make the 'get-away- ride a lot easier. CC asked Fiona and Fran to stand with her.
Joseph and Marie are a popular couple among the village and everyone turned out to help with the wedding preparations. It was beautiful. They decided the wedding would take place in the beautiful gardens under the very trellis where Joseph and Marie married nearly 50 years before. It would be a simple wedding, the local vicar, who baptized Niles, would perform the service. Champion was harnessed for their 'get-away' ride, which would be through the village and then back to the house for the reception. It was a bit of a tradition.
Niles had found a small band to play for the service and the reception. There was a guitar, electric piano, drums and bass guitar. It was almost like the Beatles…well, maybe not. He'd planned a little surprise for CC and told only the band leader. When the hour approached, Niles, Patrick, and Max took their places and waited. Patrick had made arrangements for a coach to bring CC, Fiona, Fran and Stuart Babcock in from his house just up the road. The beautiful white coach pulled into the side yard and Fran stepped out first, followed by Fiona and as the keyboardist started Pachabel's Canon in D, Stuart helped CC out of the coach and walked her down the aisle.
When CC got to her place the vicar asked. "Who gives this woman in marriage?"
Stuart sighed. "I do." He joined Niles hand with CC's and took his seat. That was the signal to the band leader to start Niles' surprise…CC's favorite wedding song.
Niles' locked eyes with her and sang.
"This is the moment, I've waited for.
I can hear my heart singing.
Soon bells will be ringing.
This is the moment, of sweet Aloha.
I will love you longer than forever.
Promise me that you will leave me never.
Here and now dear, all my love, I vow dear.
Promise me that you will leave me never.
I will love you longer than forever.
Now that we are one, clouds won't hide the sun.
Blue skies of Hawaii smile on this, our wedding day."
CC with tears forming in her eyes joined Niles in the last line.
CC
"I do."
NILES
"I do."
CC
"Love you."
NILES
"Love you, with all my heart."
Niles smiled at her softly and they turned to face the vicar.
When the service was over, Niles mounted Champion and helped lift CC up to sit in front of him and they started their 'get-away' ride. Everyone cheered as they left the estate and road through the streets of the village, as was the custom. They made their way back to their friends and family at Niles' parent's house. Niles hopped off Champion and helped CC dismount.
"Well, Love. No turning back now." Niles smiled as they prepared to join the festivities.
CC cupped his face lightly. "I have no intention of even looking back." They joined their guests and everyone cheered when they entered. It was a fun party and a great time was had by all friends and family alike. As the night grew to a close the time neared for Niles and CC to head off to their wedding night destination. They had technically 'slept' together, at the hotel in London, but they decided since they were going to be married in such short order that they would wait until their wedding night to actually 'consummate' their marriage properly. Well, that and the fact that they were staying in Niles' parents house. And with his mother under the same roof, it kind of put a damper on things.
Niles and CC changed into their 'travel' clothes. They would only be away one night and then back to the estate for their last night in England. Then they would leave on a proper honeymoon and eventually return to New York.
"Alright, CC," Fran called to her new friend by marriage. "Throw the bouquet." Fran winked at CC. They had long since worked out the tossing of the bouquet bit so that Fran would easy walk away with it.
Niles grinned at the beaming smile on Fran's face when she easily came down with the bouquet in her hands. "Well, Sir, it looks like you may be next in line to the altar."
"I've got a surprise for you, old man. I already bought the ring. I was just waiting until we get back on the plane. We have a thing about planes you know." Max winked at his friend.
"Just as long as you promise me you won't take it back this time." Niles clapped his friend on the back.
Max shook Niles' hand. "You have my word, my friend. Congratulations, Niles."
"Thank you…Max." The men grinned sheepishly at each other. "You've still got some explaining to do about this whole trip. You set us up…didn't you?"
Max flashed his best 'I got ya' smirk. "It worked didn't it?"
"Niles…" CC joined them. "Are you ready to go?"
Niles offered his arm. "Lead on, my love." Niles walked CC to the carriage and they both climbed in. As the coachman drove off the estate they waved out the window.
Max looked at Patrick and saw the evil look on his face. "Paddy, what did you do?"
"I don't know what you mean, Max?" Paddy answered. "I didn't do anything that wasn't asked of me." Paddy winked leaving Max to only wonder.
A short distance up the road the coachman pulled down a short dirt road. "Chastity…what's going on?"
CC leaned out the window of the coach. "Here's good, Warren." The coach stopped.
"Are ya coming, Butler Boy?" CC stepped quickly out of the coach and Niles was quickly behind her. She started walking as Niles heard the coachman pull away.
"CC," Niles followed. "CC…" She didn't even acknowledge him. "Chastity!"
CC stopped and turned to face him. "Yes, Niles?"
"Where on Earth are we going? I book us in the honeymoon suite in town." Niles stood before her most confused.
CC flashed her evil grin. "I know…I cancelled it."
"You what?" Niles didn't know what to think.
CC cupped his face. "You have to trust me, lover. Think you can do that?"
"With my very life." Niles answered quickly. CC whistled and a boy from the village walked Champion out from the brush to the side of the road. "Champ?"
"Thanks." CC said to the boy and winked. She took the reins and the boy took off running. "Niles…give me a leg up?" Niles helped CC mount Champion…bareback as they'd ridden him before. "Well, come on." CC looked down at her bewildered husband.
Niles managed to mount Champion with CC's aid and not knock her off in the process. Once they were settled, she led them deeper in to the woods. "Chastity, love…it's our wedding night…why are we trolling through the woods on bareback?"
"It's a surprise, Niles. Which reminds me…" CC stopped Champion and turned slightly in her mount and whipped off the scarf she'd worn around her neck just for this reason. Let me put this on."
"You're kidding me, right?" Niles asked. "You expect me to ride a horse blindfolded?"
"Niles…" CC started. "I have the reins and it's really not much further. Please, I want it to be a surprise."
Niles sighed heavily. "Alright, Chastity." Niles wrapped the scarf around his eyes and tied it. Then he assured CC that he couldn't see a thing and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
They rode on a few more minutes before CC brought Champion to a stop again. She slipped out of Niles' arms and off the horse. Then she took Niles' hands and helped him down. "You're good, just kick your leg over and slide down."
CC walked Niles another ten or fifteen feet and asked. "Are you ready?" Niles nodded. CC removed the scarf. "Surprise!"
"The tree house is my surprise?" Niles was a little confused. "Chastity, I'm afraid I don't understand."
CC looked deep into his eyes. "Niles…this is the place where I told you I loved you. This is the place you proposed to me…for real…this is the place where I want to show you how much I love you."
"But…it's a…tree house…and you're…CC Babcock." Niles whispered softly.
CC took his face in her hands. "This is a very special tree house, and I'm Chastity Brightmore."
