Hi, people. Thank you again for the reviews! They are lovely and make my day!
I loved writing this chapter –I hope the subtitles thing works well. I liked it as a narrative solution, but that's probably because I'm a Virgo, and classifying things gives me pleasure.
The marriage
Chapter 4: The cases in omission
When you enter a business deal, you ask for help from the experts, you try to cover all the possibilities and make sure nothing can get through your defenses... uhm, jeopardize your rights.
At least, when CC Babcock enters a business deal, this is how she does things. She is being successful for years, always thinking things over and making sure nothing can beat her and escape her control.
Control is good. It gives you the security you need to have success in any project.
However, CC soon discovered that marriage had a serious problem: it was full of 'first times'. When she least expected, something surprising would happen and she and Niles had to find answers to questions they never even knew they had – therefore, things she was not prepared to face.
Maybe she should make a list, seriously. People had to be prepared for this kind of thing.
First 'going to work together' situation
For example, she woke up to their first day of real work while being engaged (they had the first day off, because she called Maxwell and told him Niles was not feeling well, and they stayed at the penthouse having more fun than she would ever dream of) to a really annoying ringing noise.
She felt the warm body that was spooning her move, the thing was quickly shut off and CC managed to pull the body back to the original position, without opening her eyes.
A soft chuckle surged close to her ear, 'I really appreciate the intention, but I must go'.
'Uhm?'
'I have breakfast to make and serve'.
'It's too early. I'm not hungry'.
'At the Sheffield's, sleepy head'.
CC frowned and opened her eyes. 'Oh'.
Niles kissed her cheek, 'Just go back to sleep. You can maintain your own schedule'.
Before she could say anything, he moved away and had disappeared through the door of the bathroom.
CC sat on the bed and looked at the clock.
God, what an unholy hour that man had to wake up to make breakfast to others!
She thought about lying down again, but what was the good in it, alone? She would have a couple of hours of sleep, of course, and the penthouse to herself, so she could prepare for the day, maybe have breakfast and…
That gave her a feeling of confusion, and she got up once she heard the noise of the shower.
She knocked at the bathroom door and poked her head, 'May I?'
'Of course', Niles shouted from behind the glass.
CC entered and started preparing to brush her teeth, 'You know, I was thinking…'
'This early in the morning? God, woman, are you full of surprises or what?'
'Shut up, Niles', she grinned, 'I bet you do all of that in auto-pilot, after so many years of doing the same thing'.
'Yes, that's how some of it is', he sighed. He heard her brushing her teeth and waited until she seemed to be finished. 'You were saying?'
She opened the glass door, 'I will join you'.
He smiled, seeing her already nude, 'I don't remember inviting you'.
'You are senile', she explained, closing the door after her.
'Oh, all right', he agreed, putting more soap on the sponge and showing it to her.
She turned her back to him, 'Oh, please'.
He started to wash her back and resumed the conversation, 'That's what you were thinking? Showering with me?'
'Well, I won't deny the thought crossed my mind, but I wanted to ask you how it is going to work'.
'Yesterday you had no problem figuring out how this shower together thing worked'.
'Oh, yes, we hadn't', she smirked, and he knelt down and started washing her legs, 'However, I mean this schedule thing. Why can't I go with you to the mansion?'
'I thought you would find it too early'.
'Wouldn't it be easier if we arrived together? I could have breakfast there'.
'I thought you would find it too early'.
'Sometimes I do it. It is just logical that I do it once we are together in the morning'.
'I thought you would find it too early'.
'Stop repeating yourself!'
'The same answer was adequate all the times', he had finished her legs, came to stand in front of her and started brushing her chest with the sponge.
She noticed he was trying to play cool about it, but a man can't hide some things, 'You just can't concentrate enough to give me a suitable answer'.
'Maybe', he murmured, 'My disgust is too obvious?'
'Yes, it is', she smiled and took his hands away, so she could put her arms around his neck and kiss him, 'We go together to the mansion, today'.
'All right', he answered, his hand letting go of the sponge, 'And, if you think it is really too early, we'll start thinking about using the room that I have there'.
'Uhum'.
'You know, we have not plenty of time, here'.
'I know. I was just waiting for you to get the idea and move things faster'.
Niles grinned, 'Who would say…'
'… that I was partial to quickies? I thought you had guessed it, with your tramp jokes'.
'I never meant it that way. In fact, I…'
'Not plenty of time, Lover!'
First 'coming home together' decision
CC sincerely thought that waking up that early was a bad thing, and really planned, the afternoon of that same day, to bring some clothes to his bedroom in the mansion. If she could choose, they would be spending a lot of nights there, so she could sleep more time in the mornings.
The decision was taken until Niles entered the office to serve tea and turned to her, smiling, 'Witch, I will make mushroom risotto, tonight'.
'Aw, fiancé', she answered, the file on her lap forgotten, 'It is one of my favorites!'
'I know. I've chosen it because tonight you have to eat with the family'.
'Why?'
'Because I will be serving them, and only after we can go home together'.
Go home together… Wow. That sounded surprisingly good. 'All right. I will do it your way, once you are such a good servant', she smirked and was back to her papers.
Niles smiled at her and turned to his boss. 'I hope you don't mind, Sir. Food is one of the easier ways to train her and I know everybody would enjoy her improved behavior'.
Maxwell smiled, 'Of course not, Old Man. I'm sure everybody will enjoy it'. He noticed CC glaring at him, 'The risotto, I mean. The risotto'.
Having dinner and going home together made her decision of staying very difficult, but she decided it was only logical to prepare a bag, so she could stay overnight if she felt like it, the next day.
First 'in his room' time
She decided they would really stay next day (that was a limit of yawning in front of Maxwell that she could permit herself), and CC was surprised at something else she discovered.
They were in his, well, their bedroom, she had finished her preparations for bed and Niles emerged from his, well, their bathroom, to see her there, the covers on her waist, an expression of awe on her face.
'What happened? Do you want to go home? We still can take the town car…'
She turned to him, confused, 'No!', she gestured between them, 'Mi casa, su casa'.
He smiled and went to bed, 'This is how I feel, but you had such a strange face that I just thought you had changed your mind about staying here and wanted to go to the penthouse'.
'You were really frightened if you made no joke about my strange face'.
He mirrored her position and adjusted the covers, 'Now it is you saying I should be frightened by your face', he nudged her shoulder, 'What happened?'
She was thoughtful, 'I was… Well, I looked around, and I don't know what it is – maybe the smell, or the style of the furniture, but…'
'But what?', he was getting a bit worried.
She turned to him, 'I'm really aroused'.
His eyebrows went up, 'Really?'
'Yeah', she said, her eyes already on his mouth, 'What do you think is provoking it?'
'Well, I could just say you already told me you think I'm sexy, but it wouldn't explain the location', he found himself backing up, because she was moving to be on top of him slowly and steadily, 'But maybe it is related to the fact we have been wanting each other around this house for a while'.
She stopped as realization hit her, 'Yes, it must be it…', she kissed him, 'You know you have opened Pandora's box, here, don't you?'
'Meaning…?'
'Meaning I have fantasies about almost all of this house', more kisses.
'Well, me too'.
'So, you're game…?'
'Always. When you want to try any of them, just call me'.
CC shivered, and she was not sure if this was because he had just found a good spot on her neck or if it was the idea of him taking her in some other places of the house.
'Niles', she moaned.
'What, baby?'
Oh, God, she really liked the names they usually said, but the terms of endearment sounded damn good on his voice, 'Take off the t-shirt and just lay down'.
He obeyed, already taken by the idea. He always enjoyed when she had ideas of her own, in the bedroom.
CC took off all of her clothes and put his hands on the backboard. 'Remember: I'm seducing you. Try to resist'.
'O-ok', he made an effort to sound at least a bit in character as the affronted butler, 'What are you doing here, Miss Babcock?'
She smiled, opened his legs and started moving between them, her hands on the mattres at his sides, her breasts on his chest, her pelvis on his still clothed arousal. 'I came to claim what is mine'.
CC made the moves for some time, enjoying her own feeling of empowerment and how lost he was in all of this, and then stopped to take his boxers away (she discovered that with him, sometimes it was boxers' night), and resumed her moves.
He had closed his eyes and was relishing immensely the teasing she was doing, and had a ragged breath when was able to talk again, 'This is not fair… you minx'.
She chuckled at him and started kissing his neck, 'I never play fair, Bell Boy'.
Niles opened his eyes and looked straight into hers. He had that serious face she came to recognize when he was aroused and trying to contain himself, and she intensified her moves on him, feeling his length jerking against her belly.
'Miss Babcock, I… this is really…', his hands came to her hips, trying to stop the motion.
'Good, isn't it?', she smirked at him, and then her voice went very low, 'Do you think you can come like this?'
'I don't know', he said, closing his eyes again at a very well placed friction. 'P-probably'.
'Then let's have it', she decided, putting his hands again on the backboard and giving him a soothing kiss on the lips. 'I want to make you come under me like this'.
Niles tried to say something, but she had started that heavenly thing again, and he just opened his legs a bit more and relaxed under her.
'That's it', she approved the space she had now to support her legs and improve the friction, 'Give yourself to me'.
Niles had, to his merit, maintained his passive position as much as he could, but something had to be done when CC found a way to move against him and have the perfect friction on her… because that woman could be loud.
So, when they came, his hands were on the sides of her face, to guarantee their moans would be muffled by the kiss they shared, and not wake up the house.
First 'other place of the mansion' time
It was the middle of the morning. Maxwell was at the theater, the children were at school and Nanny Fine was exactly getting out of the house by the back door when CC entered the kitchen.
'Where did she go?', she asked, staying at her favorite spot, behind the island.
'It seems Sylvia and Val are planning a surprise Birthday party for Miss Fine', he was occupied with labeling some pots. She was impressed of how organized he was.
'Are they coming here?', she asked with a hint of horror in her voice.
'Oh, no. She is going to meet them to help'.
'I don't follow…'
'Fran just can't risk a surprise party when her age is such a secret. She wants to be involved as much as possible', he went to put the things in the subzero.
'Oh… then she will just fake the surprise part of her surprise party. God, even the bad pun becomes them'.
Niles chucked at that, coming to the other side of the island. 'Let's hope it works. I don't know how good she is at faking'.
CC smiled, 'I hope so'.
'What?'
She noticed he didn't get her implication, and decided to let it go, 'I said I hope she is occupied all the morning'.
'I think she is out for the day'.
'Oh, Maxwell is, too', and then she started circling the island.
Niles already knew what she wanted. 'You have that predatory look all over you'.
'Yes, I'm a hunter', she got closer and put a hand on his chest, 'I'll give you some seconds'.
'Uhm?'
'You run, and when I catch you… I'll have you. Right there'.
'Oh', he gulped. 'When does it start?'
She smiled, glad he was really game. 'Now'.
Niles gave some steps behind, took off his apron, went to the back staircase, went up two steps and stopped, grinning.
CC grinned back, understanding his meaning, 'Already chose where you want to be captured, I see'.
'Yes', he opened his arms at her, 'I surrender'.
First 'fight and make out' night
That last three days had been harsh for Sheffield/Babcock productions.
CC had spent a lot of time at the theater, Maxwell was being unreasonable, and Niles had to help Fran with her stupid Birthday Party.
She was married to Niles, officially, for three weeks (it counted one month, once they lived as a married couple since the engagement), and for the first time they just spent the nights together, almost not seeing each other for the days.
She noticed he tried to distract her, with good food and banal conversation when she reached the penthouse, but she was too much on edge to be sweet.
She blushed at work remembering that, even when she barely answered to his tentative chatter, he was there holding her when she went to bed… And she felt almost like a cad for engaging in more quickies this week than she had ever, in her life.
Sex was a good way to alleviate tension, after all, and she must confess she had envisioned it when she thought about getting married to Niles.
And he was a man. Even if he was an old-fashioned guy, there was no way he would feel bad for doing the nasty with her when she needed it.
Until that night when she was so furious with the world in general that she entered the penthouse and went straight for the bar.
Niles' voice sounded surprised, behind her, 'Hey, you're home', and then, affronted, 'What are you doing?'
'I need a drink', she finished serving herself.
'Listen, Babcock', he came closer to her, 'I know things are really difficult for you at work, but you don't need to wash it away with alcohol', he tried to take the glass from her hand, while one of his arms went to her waist, 'I'm here for it'.
'It is not the enough', she said, sneaking away from him and maintaining the glass securely in her hand, 'And this week has proven that'.
She could see the hurt on his face. She started walking to the bedroom, in an irrational escape route.
'Oh, that is what you think?!', he followed her, 'Let me see if understand correctly: I tried to talk to you, and you barely answered. So, you didn't need to talk', he was annoyed and keep talking from the open door, 'I made you heavenly meals you barely touched. So, you didn't need food', his hands were moving wildly and CC, sitting at the bed, suddenly remembered how French he could be, 'I tried to hug you, and you made me go for sex every single time, and then I thought that was what you needed, and I don't mind being the guy for sexual healing, let's be clear, I just…'
'What is your point, Niles?', she interrupted him.
He stopped mid-gesture, 'My point is… why drinking? What could I have done, so you wouldn't want me to…'
'It is not about you', CC shrugged, 'I just feel like drinking. I always do it when I'm stressed'.
'You don't have to, anymore'.
'It is not a matter of having to'.
'I don't like it', he blurted out.
CC was looking at him as if he had gone crazy. What did that mean? Was he trying to order her around? Was he trying to change her? What the hell did he think he was? 'I don't care, Niles'.
His eyes were wide at this. He clenched his jaw and turned to grab the door. 'Well, then you can enjoy your drink, if this is all you can care about. But you are doing it alone!', and he got out and slammed the bedroom door after him, obviously in emphasis to his point.
CC pursed her lips and looked at the glass in her hand. The urge of drinking was gone. She was just confused, now.
She decided to put it on the nightstand and take a bath. She had to think.
Once accommodated in the tub, she started reviewing the conversation in her head, and trying to understand it.
She got the general idea: Niles was hurt because he hoped she would recognize his efforts to make her feel better. He had made all he could for the whole three nights of Babcock hell, and now she had said it was not enough.
Well, softness was never a strong feature in her, he shouldn't take it personally.
And he hadn't, for all the week: he had accepted her silence and her rough sex and her bad mood.
Maybe it was the drinking thing – it was the new factor, tonight.
But why would he feel so bad about her drinking?
CC tried to think of times when he had made jokes about her drinking.
He was always furious with her, when she got drunk. In fact, he rarely offered drinks to her in the mansion – it was almost always tea or coffee. Just when things got really ugly, he would let her indulge in it.
So, drinking equals bad thing for her, in his head.
But again, they had an amazing kiss while drunk. Maybe their first real kiss.
Was it a bad memory for him? How could that be? It was the only way she had permitted herself to…
Oh, dear.
She only drinks when things are really bad, because it makes her a bitter person. She kissed him because she got out of control about her bitter life and reactions to him. Arriving home and drinking meant, at the same time, that things were really bad (what meant his presence in her life didn't make it that much better), and that she needed to drink to be with him.
But none of these things were true, now. Her life was very much better, and she liked being with him.
Drinking made it seem untrue.
CC facepalmed. Guess who has the new Guiness record for major combo of hurting actions over a husband?
She got out of the tub, feeling bad about it all. She was really stupid.
She put a robe around herself and went to the guestroom.
CC didn't know what to say, but something must be said, because she really had screwed up, this time.
She opened the guest bedroom door and was surprised to see the bed was made and there was no one there.
Her heart was very small, at the sight. Congratulations. You managed to send the man away.
CC sighed, closed the door and walked to the main area. She was on the verge of tears and, once drinking was not an option now, she always had the big window with the amazing view of New York at night to distract her.
Sometimes she would stay at the window for hours, watching the city that never sleeps and wondering why she seemed to be missing something in her life.
Tonight was a night for thinking of missing things, again, because she was stupid enough to make Niles go away after all they've gone through together. And all because of an old stupid habit and the urge of irritating him until someone else could feel as furious as she was.
Because now it was clear to her: she wanted to drink because she was sure it would prevent him from reaching her.
CC was really surprised to see a familiar form on her sofa when she reached the living room.
It was Niles, sleeping under a comforter.
She stopped and observed, confused.
Why was he here? He could have gone to the mansion. He could have at least a real bed at the guest room.
But no, he was…
Sleeping in the couch.
Because he was her husband.
The tears came back.
She didn't know why she was crying.
Part of it was relief, because he had not gone away – it clearly meant he had not given up on her, even for one night.
Other part was tenderness. He was really a cute for not choosing to act like he didn't care. Occupying the guest room or going away were signs that he didn't hope for her to come to him – the couch meant it was only temporary, that at any moment he could go back to their room.
And there was other thing she couldn't identify, but was so good she didn't need to understand to enjoy.
CC took out her robe and went to the sofa.
He woke up when he felt her body snuggling impossibly closer to him, so both could share the space. 'What are you doing?'
She noticed he seemed more sleepy than angry, and took that as a good thing, 'This place must be really good, once you preferred it, and not the guest room'.
He turned to face her, 'It didn't seem right to sleep there…'
'I know', she answered and put a finger on his lips, 'I was too stupid to understand before, but now I do'.
Niles noticed the tears in her eyes and suddenly he had his own, 'Oh, please, don't be like that'.
CC let her tears flow, strangely glad he shared the feeling, 'I almost ruined everything'.
'No, you didn't', he brushed away his tears and made the same to hers, 'I overreacted. I always do it. I'm doing it now'.
'You're such a girl', she smiled.
He sighed, 'You turn me into a mother hen, sometimes'.
'You are always a mother hen to everybody'.
'I'm sorry if I care!'
'I am sorry, Niles'.
'I heard it right?'
'Yes, you heard it right. I am apologizing to the help'.
'Aw, sweet Caca…', he wriggled his eyebrows to her, the tears forgotten, 'You deserve a reward for it'.
'I would like it very much'.
'You will, dear, you will', he gave her a peck on the lips and his head disappeared under the covers.
First 'irrational behavior' motivation
And then there was that strange, strange afternoon.
CC and Maxwell were working peacefully in the office, and Niles entered with his traditional tray of tea.
He ignored CC, as sometimes he would do, and served Maxwell.
'I want some, too, Niles', she informed from the sofa.
'Say the magic words, witch'.
'Now, Hazel'.
'Good girl', he praised, smiling and serving her. He noticed she accepted the tea with a grimace. 'Aren't we in a bad mood, today?'
'If you had the habit of working you would know sometimes things get really ugly'.
'With you around, why the surprise?'
'That is not what you said to me last night'.
Maxwell stopped writing at this.
'You've got me worried. I do the strangest things when I'm worried about someone'.
'I cut my finger with paper while reading a contract and you acted like I was dying'.
'I was disoriented. You have so many fingers I didn't know where to look first'.
'I thought you would faint when I showed you the blood'.
'You didn't feel anything because you are used to drink it'.
Maxwell pressed the intercom button, 'Miss Fine, would you please come to the office?'
'Coming!'
'You're such a whiny', CC was retorting, 'I should have made you sleep on the couch'.
'You already did it once', Niles answered, 'And we both woke up on the living room floor'.
Fran entered and Maxwell greeted her loudly, 'Miss Fine, there you are! I need you to take care of the children, so I can work'.
Niles was surprised, 'The children are at school, Sir', and then he noticed the Nanny had her hands on her hips, throwing a mocking glare into his and CC's direction, 'Oh, you mean, us'.
'Yes, I mean you two', Maxwell exclaimed, 'Would you terribly mind, Niles?'
Fran smiled, 'Sweetie, please, come back to the kitchen with me. We can work together on dinner, if you want'.
'Oh, Miss Fine, I wouldn't let you near my knives'.
'Then', she said, already exiting, 'you better hurry'.
Niles looked at Maxwell, 'I'm sorry, Sir. I just got carried away'.
'That is all right, Old Man', Maxwell smiled at his butler, 'I know you are happy, and I'm really happy for you two. Just try to not be… so happy in my office'.
Niles nodded and turned to CC, and both shared a look – in fact, they had already been very happy in this office, twice -, 'Well, witch, playtime is over'.
CC seemed a bit distraught by the situation, 'Maybe we really should see less of each other', she said, as coldly as she could muster.
'Why? I thought you liked our gatherings'.
'Yes, I do, but… some people can't work like this'.
'You're here for more than a decade, and it never troubled him…', they were smiling at each other again.
'Niles!'
'Oh, I'm sorry, Sir', he answered Maxwell, gave CC a peck on the lips and smiled sweetly, 'I'll let you to it'.
CC followed him with her eyes while he got out of the office.
Something was very wrong with her: she wanted him more now, that he had made the right thing, than before, when he was there pestering her.
And she had wanted him before…
'Maxwell, I think I will…'
'That's ok, CC. Go'.
Fran was in the kitchen waiting when Niles reached it, and he was relieved that she had no knife in her hands. 'Thank God you were bluffing'.
She grinned at him, 'I wanted to help Mister Sheffield, not put my life in danger'.
He was going to answer her, but CC entered the kitchen.
Niles's back soon was touching the subzero while he had a mouthful of Miss Babcock. The producer was pressing against the butler, and they were engaged in a kiss that made Fran guess the room was at least some degrees hotter than the rest of the house.
'Niles, do we have any coffee ready?', she asked.
The butler just answered with a 'Uh-hum' sound.
'Where?'
He made a gesture with his left hand, she followed the pointed finger and found the pot. 'Thank you, sweetie'.
Fran sighed while putting sugar on it. It seemed her chores as a Nanny never ceased: Maggie needed to be warned when her father was around, so she would 'behave' with her boyfriends, and now…
'I'll make sure he stays at the office', she announced and got out of the kitchen.
'What is it all about?', Niles asked, almost breathless, when they stopped kissing. 'I thought you needed to work…'
'I do, but you're so yummy when you act all righteous…', and she caught his lips again.
The first 'I'm so happy' declaration
'You know, Niles', CC said from the fridge, 'I was talking to Nanny Fine, and maybe she is right', she noticed he paused his cutting and turned to the back door. 'What?'
'I was waiting for the Four Knights to enter announcing the end of the world'.
'Why would I use my powers to invoke Armageddon when I am this happy, you moron?'
He made an effort to not point out that she admitted the arrangement was very good for her, and not for logical reasons. 'Oh, yes, I was not thinking. But, how is Miss Fine right?'
'This thing we have. It is not normal how good it feels'.
'She said that?'
'No, we were talking about relationships – stop looking, the Knights are not coming, I can guarantee – and she mentioned her parents, and I mentioned mine, and nothing seemed similar to this. I mean, I have never felt like this before…'
'Really?', he had an immense grin.
'What is it with the happy face?'
'Oh, nothing. You know, I'm just surprised because… I feel the same way'.
'And don't you worry about it?'
'Why would I? We are both happy'.
'You are right. Why look a horse in the mouth?', she winked at him ad got out of the kitchen before he could say anything.
'I must be loosing my touch…'
The first 'peer pressure' episode
They were waiting for the limo outside the building of the benefit. It was late and very cold outside, and Fran was clinging to Maxwell, holding him for warmth and to enjoy each others proximity.
He was less and less resistant to her advances, and Fran sincerely thought that Niles and CC's example was getting to him.
After all, if Niles and CC Babcock were managing a health relationship, why couldn't they do the same?
The dark haired couple was quiet, enjoying the moment in comfortable silence when they heard the bickering quickly approaching.
'You are really a lunatic, aren't you? I told you it would be cold! Was it that impossible to listen to me and take a coat?', Niles was saying, annoyed, looking at CC while she finished adjusting her purse.
'Shut up, Hazel. I had nothing to wear that wouldn't destroy the looks of this dress', she answered distractedly, when they stopped besides Maxwell and Fran.
'It's not like you could look good in anything', Niles started opening his coat, 'And you could have just conjured something out of thin air'.
'No, I couldn't', CC said, going to him and adjusting herself close to his body, so he could wrap the coat around them, 'I had to use all of my powers to not throttle you when you started going on and on about how the Ice Queen would freeze to death'.
'Now it is my fault?', he murmured, kissing her temple and making sure she was well settled.
CC moaned, delighted by the arrangement, and closed her eyes, 'It is always your fault, you moron'.
They heard snickering and looked at the couple of dark heads besides them. 'What?'
Maxwell tried to disguise his impressions, but Fran simply shook her head, 'You're very funny'.
'I don't see how', Niles mumbled, his arms protectively wrapped around CC.
'Forget them, lover', his wife said, 'They are just envious of your coat. It is so big…'
Both chuckled at that.
Maxwell facepalmed, 'Argh, Miss Fine, see what you've got?'
'Sorry! I forgot how quick they can change gears'.
'Oh, please, Maxwell', CC looked at him with contempt, 'Grow up'.
'I beg your pardon!'
Fran hugged him, 'Don't pay attention, Mister Sheffield! They are just trying to distract you'.
'From what?'
'From the fact that you are the most elegant man around', she answered, hands on him and an adoring look in her yes.
He smiled at her, melting, 'Well, Miss Fine, I…', he gave a look at the other couple, having mixed feelings about praising her too, once the blonds were too close for his taste.
However, it was obvious they were not really paying any attention to him and Fran, right now. They were absorbed into one another, exchanging smiles and little kisses and whatever was possible to exchange inside that coat.
'Thank God! The limo is here!', Maxwell yelled, taking Fran's hand and helping her to get in the car quickly. One thing was to see those two bickering and being sweet while holding hands inside the limo, other was to have them inside a coat that could cover unthinkable things.
Maxwell was very sure those two were involved in a lot of unthinkable things.
The first 'I have your back' offer
'Maxwell sent me out of the office', CC pouted, entering the living room.
'Why?', Niles stopped dusting.
'He said I can't talk to this investor who is on the phone because I have messed things up with him before'.
'What a stupidity!', he went to her, annoyed, 'Do you want me to go there?'
'For what?'
'To change his mind. No matter what you did – and I'm sure you had your reasons –, there is no way he is better than you at the business. He needs you to guide him'. She just kept looking at him. 'What?'
'You are offering to go there and take my side against Maxwell?'
'Of course. Why? No good?'
'God! This marriage thing keeps getting better and better!', she went to him and kissed him on the lips. 'Thank you, Butler Boy, but I think I'll let Maxwell have things his way, this time'.
He saw her smirk, 'He will regret it, won't he?'
'Oh, yes, he will…'
And the first 'disturbing conversation' occasion
'You know, Nanny Fine, this relationship thing is really difficult, sometimes', CC said, sitting with the other woman in the living room. Maxwell had already retired for the night, and Niles was in the kitchen, finishing some things before they went home.
'How is it?', the brunette seemed very interested. In fact, she enjoyed the fact that the socialite approached her with this kind of conversation. Fran liked the idea she would know if she had to help Niles in this. She still didn't trust this woman entirely.
'Niles disturbs me'.
'How so?', Fran was intrigued by the face of deep thinking before her.
'There are days when I can't concentrate on work, because I keep thinking of him'.
'I see', Fran answered, pretending it was not one of the strangest things she had ever heard. But, again, this was CC Babcock. 'What more?'
'He always knows what to say or do to make me feel better. It is creepy'.
'Definitively', the Nanny agreed, and then said, tentatively, 'You know, it is not that bad having someone who understands you'.
'Oh, I know it', the woman made a conspiratorial face, 'But it is Niles'.
Before Fran could say anything more, the butler entered and announced he was ready. The blonde simply forgot what she was saying, got up, took his hand and both waved their good nights.
Fran shook her head – it was getting too complicated for her. Maybe she should talk to Grace about it.
ncncncncnc
Since the beginning, Niles was even better than any hope CC had had about him as a husband: when they were alone, he was sweet and mingled teasing, sexiness and affection with real talent; at the mansion, he made sure to keep the zingers flowing, but always managed to make clear he was joking – he would say the most absurd things and then kiss her lightly, or just eye her tenderly, or wink, or just smile at her, and everything gained new colors.
It was perfect, in fact – happy at home, happy at work.
Her family seemed even strangely pacific about all of this: she called her father and told him about the marriage, and he seemed surprised, but remembered Niles and mentioned he seemed a 'decent fellow'.
Her brother Noel called her and said that their father had called him, and he made such an amount of servant jokes with sexual innuendo her mouth was hurting of so much laughing when they said their goodbyes. God, she loved his sense of humor!
Her sister DD was in Europe at the moment, and CC was not anxious to talk to her. The woman was closer to her mother in temper, and they really didn't get that well along.
And her mother… well, CC knew she would call, sooner or later, because CC had gone to her first opening night as a married woman, and at least three magazines had published photos of her and Niles, hand in hand, entering the theater.
The fact was she didn't care what her mother had to say. She was happier than ever, and that was what mattered.
Five months of a satisfactory and well-planned life in common would do it to a person.
