A/N: Answer to a RUNHP challenge.
The Rules:
1. Either Niles or CC is involved in an accident.
2. The accident victim believes they are married to the non-victim.
3. The 'spouse' and family must play along via doctor's instructions.
MIND GAMES
CHAPTER 6
Niles' eyes got very big and CC started to cry. "CC…" Niles started softly. "What's wrong…why are you crying? This is wonderful news."
"Oh…Niles…I just wish…" CC couldn't help her tears.
Niles kissed away her tears. "It's alright, CC. I couldn't be happier. We thought you couldn't get pregnant…this is a miracle. Please, don't cry, Love." Niles leaned in close to her.
"I'm sorry, Niles. I just…I guess I'm a little overwhelmed." CC avoided his gaze. "I think I'm going to go home and rest for a bit."
Niles stood and offered her his hand. "I think that's a good idea. You've had a tough couple of months." Niles tried to gauge her feelings. "CC, please know that I love you and this changes nothing. You were so upset when you thought we couldn't have children. This is amazing…we're having a baby." Niles kissed her warmly. "I love you, CC…please don't ever forget that." Niles placed his hand on her still flat tummy. "And I already love this little one."
"I love you, too, Niles. And I've never wanted anything as much as I want this baby, our baby." CC kissed him softly and left through the back door.
CC sighed heavily and made her way quickly back to the penthouse. She grabbed a quick glass of juice and dialed Dr. Rivers. "Doctor Rivers, it's CC Brightmore…uh…Babcock." CC listened to the doctor's standard greeting. "There's been a development." CC dropped her hand to her tummy. "I just found out today that I'm pregnant." CC had kept Dr. Rivers well informed as to the progress of both Niles' condition and their relationship. "Yes, we're thrilled, but I can't keep lying to him. It feels wrong. I have to tell him. We can't continue like this…it's unfair to him…not to mention we're having a baby and we're not married." CC listened to the doctor go on about keeping up appearances and how there's still no telling what the truth could do to him. "It's not like the truth will change anything now Doctor. I'll never go back to the way we were. I love Niles, more than anything. I love being his wife, and the idea of having his baby, but it's just not honest."
The doctor's voice rang through the phone. "CC…I can't guarantee what will happen if you tell him the truth. Maybe he'll be fine, maybe he'll go back to the way he was and maybe he'll accept the way things are now. Are you prepared to lose him if he should choose to reject you…and the baby?"
"I don't believe he'd do that. I won't believe it." CC popped up from her place on the sofa and started pacing around the living room. "Niles loves me and I love him…we're devoted to each other. It's been that way for more years than I can remember. We were just too stupid and stubborn to act like grown-ups. We've finally gotten past all that bickering and teasing and reached a happiness that neither of us ever imagined possible. I won't lie to him any longer. We can't base our lives on his dream. He needs to know the reality as it was as well as what it is now!"
Doctor Rivers spoke more calmly now. "Well, if you insist that you tell him. You have to remember to take it slowly and don't force it. If he seems to be getting agitated or confused or worse…you must stop and bring him in. Finding out that the life you believe you've been living for a nearly eighteen months is something you've made up in your head could drive anyone over the edge."
"It's not completely in his head, Doctor. Ever since his accident it's been real, very real." CC sat back down on the sofa. "For all intents and purposes, I'm his wife. He believes it, hell most of the time I believe it…it's true except for the license saying so. We do all the things married people do…obviously…I'm pregnant. I won't give him up. He's my husband and I'll beat it into that thick skull of his if necessary."
The doctor spoke his final instructions. "It seems like Niles is one hell of a lucky man, CC. I mean…Mrs. Brightmore. Good luck. You call me at the first sign of trouble."
"I will doctor. I think I'll rest a little first…he's got the family to take care of now anyway. I'll head back over there for dinner, that way Max, Fran and the children will be there for moral support. At least he'll have them if he doesn't want me." CC felt her eyes starting to fill at the thought. "Thank you, Dr. Rivers. I'll call and let you know how it goes."
CC slowly made her way into her room…and sighed as she looked around her. Niles pajamas were neatly folded and resting on the chair next to his dresser. His dresser. Humf… CC sighed. "He belongs here." CC ran her fingers slowly along the chair rail that surrounds the room now. Niles put it up not three weeks ago, thinking it helped 'man up' the room a bit. She sat heavily on the bed and slipped off her shoes. She'd worn a casual pair of slacks and pullover to the doctors which she quickly shed and laid on the chest at the foot of the bed. Slipping herself under the blankets she pulled Niles' pillow into her chest and inhaled deeply. "He belongs here." CC whispered as she drifted to sleep.
"She said she was going to rest first. But she's planning on telling him everything after dinner. I thought you should be ready for the possible fallout. I can't fault her decision. No one thought it would go on this long and she had really had to deal with the brunt of the changes." Doctor Rivers' voice was calm but serious as he spoke to Max.
Max frowned. "What should we do, Doctor?"
"I wouldn't do anything. Just be there while she tells her tale, watch and observe. There's no telling what if anything will happen." The doctor explained.
"Alright, Dr. Rivers, I appreciate the call. We'll make sure they don't go through whatever may happen without our support." Max hung up the phone and Fran knew from his look it wasn't going to be an easy night.
Fran stood in front of him. "Well, Max, what did he say?"
"Close the door and turn off the intercom." Max whispered. Fran did as instructed.
Fran took her usual place on the corner of his desk. "I don't like that look, Max. What are we in for here?"
Max explained everything the doctor told him about CC's plans for the evening. "He doesn't think it's a bad idea necessarily, he just has no way of knowing what could happen."
"But he said maybe nothing…what if it's nothing?" Fran asked.
Max shrugged. "I don't know, Fran. But we need to be there for them no matter what happens."
There was a soft knock at the office door and Niles opened it. "Excuse me, Sir. Dinner is ready."
"Thank you, Niles. We'll be right out. Is CC back yet?" Max asked.
Niles nodded. "Yes Sir, you didn't think she'd miss a meal did you?"
"Niles!" Fran nearly scolded him. "CC's your wife."
Niles looked at Fran like she was insane. Max and Fran both noticed his look. "Fran…I'm well aware of that. But you also understand, we're still Niles and CC…right?"
"Uhm…yeah, I'm sorry, Niles. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe I'm just hungry." Fran covered well and looked away.
CC joined Niles in the doorway to the office. "Hey, Hazel, where'd you go? The kids are in the dining room drooling and I ain't about to serve them."
"Coming, Darling." Niles winked at Fran and followed CC back into the dining room.
Max wrapped Fran into a tight hug. "You've got to be careful not to take sides, Fran. No matter how this turns out. The rest of us will have to accept it."
"I know, Max. It's just that they're both so deliriously happy right now. Why rock the boat, ya know?" Fran asked worried for both of her friends.
Max sighed. "Well, if something bad is going to happen. Isn't it better that it happen here, with us to support them? Imagine if the memories came back over night and first thing in the morning…surprise!"
"You're right, as usual. Come on, let's go and eat…why do I feel like I'm going to my last meal?" Fran groaned.
Niles served a very nice dinner of mushroom risotto. He knew it was CC's favorite and she hardly ever asked for it. "Niles…thank you for making my favorite." CC smiled at him softly.
"Well I thought it was warranted…it's kind of a day to celebrate don't you think?" Niles raised an eyebrow hoping CC would be willing to tell everyone their news.
CC looked up at him and decided now was as good a time as any. "Well, yes I'd say it is. If you'd all follow me into the den, Niles and I have an announcement."
Max and Fran exchanged a knowing look. "Announcement? How is it an announcement and why does Niles know about it?" Fran whispered to Max as the family followed CC and Niles into the den. Niles pulled a chair over to the end of the coffee table for CC and stood next to her. The children sat on the sofa and Max and Fran shared the overstuffed chair.
CC could feel the tears building up in her eyes and hoped she'd get through what she had to say before she was crying uncontrollably. "You all know that I've felt a little under the weather the past few days. Well I went to the doctor this morning thinking it was the flu. It wasn't. Niles and I are expecting."
Fran nearly leapt off the arm of the chair. "Oh my God! That's fantastic! Congratulations!" She threw her arms around Niles and leaned down and gave CC a quick hug too. The children stayed seated, but added their congratulations as well.
Niles looked at his oldest friend who had yet to speak. "Mr. Sheffield? Don't you have anything to say?" Niles thought it looked like Max was in shock.
"I uhm…I'm sorry, Niles, CC…of course. Congratulations…that's marvelous." Max made a half hearted attempt that didn't go unnoticed by Niles or CC.
"Thanks, Max." CC looked at the faces of the only real family she'd ever known. "Now…there is something else that I need to discuss with Niles. You are welcomed to stay; in fact I wish you all would." The tears slipped down her cheeks and Niles sat on the coffee table and took her hands in his. "CC, Love. What is it? You know you can tell me anything…what's got you so upset?"
CC took a shaky deep breath and released it slowly. "I'm sorry, Niles. I can't lie to you anymore." She was crying softly now and hoped that it wouldn't get worse.
"Niles…it's…it's a dream…I…. I can't keep it from you anymore. We're not really married Niles…you were in an accident, and when you woke up you thought we were married. The doctor said there is some wire crossed between your dream memories and your real memories." CC was rambling a mile a minute. "He said it was dangerous for you if we didn't go along so we all have…for months now. He didn't think it would go on this long. But I can't lie to you anymore. Not with the baby, and us not married…I just…I." The rest of the family sat still and listened to CC go on. "The last five months have been the happiest in my life. I want it to be real, Niles. I want to be married to you, and live with you and raise this baby with you. Please tell me you remember what it was like before and that you want the same thing now…please." CC was nearly shaking from the crying and the rapid explanation.
"I guess it's true what they say about the hormones in early pregnancy." Niles smiled calmly and softly. "It's alright, CC…I'm fine…"
CC shook her head. "No, Niles…you were in an accident…you don't remember what it was like…" CC looked around at the family. "Would someone say something please?"
Fran stood next to CC and softly touched her shoulder. "CC, Honey…what do you remember about the day of Niles' accident?"
"What?" CC looked at the family like they'd all lost their minds while she swiped at her tears. "What difference does that make? He was hit by the car."
"That's right, CC. I was hit by the car because I pushed you out of the way."
