Hello, people. I hope you are enjoying this.
I enjoy writing it and reading your reviews.;D
The Marriage
Chapter 7: The words that risk the business
Niles is not one for hangovers. When he drinks too much, he usually wakes up with some disorientation, but soon his mind catches up and everything is back to normal.
So, when he woke up, felt dizzy and noticed by the light in the room that it was already afternoon, he worried. He didn't remember immediately why he would stay in bed until that late.
He soon remembered it was Sunday, but his routine with Babcock usually did not include waking up that late. Something rather different must have happened.
He seated, looked at his side and saw his wife. She seemed to be deeply asleep (she didn't even move when he did), so he hovered over her and looked closer, to make sure she was peacefully breathing.
She was, and he stayed there, just looking at her and enjoying her serene expression, for some moments. He really enjoyed the intimacy they had – the fact she would sleep with him as if they had been together for years. There was nothing to hide, nothing to worry about – both would wear what they wanted, and go to bed when they wanted, and everything seemed to be fitting quite nicely.
Sighing happily and feeling a bit better about his own situation (partial memory loss was not that bad when you have someone you trust by your side), he got up and went to the bathroom.
Niles grimaced when he saw the look on his face in the mirror. He had seen better days – those bags under his eyes told him of an irregular period of sleep.
Well, it explained why he was in bed in the afternoon.
He made an effort to remember last night.
Nothing.
He made an effort to remember last day in general.
It was Saturday. CC and him had woke up late, after the 70s theme party that was Miss Fine's Birthday. They had brunch, watched a movie and spent the rest of the afternoon and the beginning of the night just chatting and doing small chores around the penthouse.
They were very relaxed and well rested at night, when they laid down, cuddled, on the sofa, after a light dinner.
So far, so good.
It was relatively early. He remembers clearly that he commented it was barely 10 pm when Babcock nestled against him and asked what time it was.
Niles washed his face and then some memories from the previous night came to him – the key-word was time.
He remembered CC backing away from him and saying it was time for the experiment she had mentioned the night of the party.
She sat in front of him, her ankles crossed in front of her.
'So, I'll finally discover what is it you have been hiding', Niles commented, mirroring her position.
'I warned you I was not telling', she smirked.
'No problem. I am at peace with the idea that you will win when you use your powers'.
'I had to defend myself! You were massaging me in the shower, and you know those hands of yours are a weak point for me. I could have spilled it out any moment'.
'Oh, yes, and then you occupied your mouth and I was the one forced to spill out'.
She glanced at him pretending she was ashamed of herself.
He rolled his eyes at her pretense, 'Just tell me what you are planning'.
CC sobered, 'You won't like it'.
'You said it was not something I should worry about'.
'Yes, but it does not mean you'll like it'.
'Dish, Babcock'.
'I want to get drunk with you', she blurted and then blushed. She should have talked while resting on his chest. She hated when he saw her blushing.
'W-what? Why?', he was confused.
'We did it once, before, and we kissed. I wonder what would happen now that we are together'.
Niles frowned, intrigued, 'That is why you called an experiment? Because you are curious to discover what we will do?'
'Exactly!', CC moved quickly forward to kiss him soundly, 'I like it how clever you are!'
He gave her a shy smile, 'Why, thank you'.
'So, let's do it?'
Niles was hesitant, 'I must confess I really don't like the idea. First, because I don't think drinking is a good thing for you…'
CC interrupted him quickly, 'This time I won't be drinking because I feel bad for myself or too tense. This time it will be out of curiosity. You can't compare to other situations you have seen me in'.
'Yes, I get it. I'll just have to keep it in mind'.
CC grinned, because he had given an obvious step towards a positive answer. 'I'm sure it will be a good experience for both of us'.
He inclined his head, 'Maybe. But it is not all that concerns me'.
'What is the other reason?'
'I… usually don't drink because I do things I wouldn't when sober…'
CC took his hand, 'I guess you are not referring to kissing me, because it would hardly be something to regret…'
'No, of course I don't regret that... even if it could have sealed a curse on my soul', he smiled at her and then gulped, feeling her thumb caressing his hand. She had come so close to him, emotionally, that now he felt like he owned her the truth, 'Sometimes, when I was sure everybody was settled for the night, I would steal some of Maxwell's liquor and sit at his desk in the office. When slightly drunk I didn't feel ashamed by fantasizing about being a millionaire, or about having a family and all the things I never...', he trailed off.
'I understand the feeling', she said softly, 'and you don't have to be ashamed. For years I have been drinking because I didn't have things that today I know I don't need'.
Niles looked from the joined hands to her eyes and felt all warm. He wanted to say that those were the most beautiful words someone has ever told him, but all he managed through his constricted throat was, 'Wow'.
CC used her other hand to slap his arm, 'Don't get all emotional on me, Butler Boy! This was supposed to be fun!'
'I know', he said, regaining his balance from her mockery, as she intended, 'And now you can see why I am not sure it will be wise to be all open in your evil presence'.
'Oh, please, Niles. I have seen you in your underwear dancing through the house, and you were not inebriated. What can be more revealing than that?'
'Well, I have no idea. And normal people usually fear the unknown'.
'It's just the two of us, a locked apartment and a bottle of whisky. Nothing can go wrong'.
'I wish I had recorded this phrase'.
'Why?'
'You could use it in your next production. It would be a musical about a night gone wrong, and in the first scene the foolish blonde would say that line. I can see some material for publicity, already: Just the two of them in a locked apartment with a bottle of whisky. She said nothing could go wrong. You can just wonder what the consequences will be…'
CC laughed, 'See how lucky we are! We don't need to keep wondering!'
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Niles took a towel and dried his face. He had agreed, they had taken the bottle of whisky, two glasses and a pack of cards and started playing on the sofa, chatting and drinking.
He remembers that things went very smooth – they laughed and told stories, and played some rounds of strip poker, and changed their minds to poker with truth or dare to the looser, and then changed their minds to just dares to the looser, because it was funnier and made sense at that point.
At the second bottle they put the cards away (too damn difficult to concentrate!) and they were sitting on the living room floor, facing each other and…
What had they done?
Niles remembers they were laughing hard because… It was something about singing…
Yes, they decided to play a game. He doesn't remember the rules, but had something to do with a chosen word, in the beginning ('I challenge you, Butler Boy, to find a song with the word… Let's see, something easy for you… I got it! The word is… slow!'), and then they were just sharing songs they liked, and then they danced…
They danced without music. And they threw the cards in the air and laughed as they feel down on them, as if they were picking one by chance to read the next song to be danced.
They were really wasted.
Next memory was of an incredible fondness for her when she nestled on him on the sofa and they enlaced their fingers on his chest, to calm down after the hilarity that came when they picked a Joker.
And then she moved to be on top of him and ticked him unexpectedly.
'Hey! Stop it!', he laughed and took her hands in his.
'No! You're funny when you're surprised!'
'I'm not funny at-all!', he let go of her hands, noticing both had problems to coordinate without using their own hands.
CC supported herself on his chest and threw him a dazed glance, 'You must be kidding… One of the things I most like in you is that you say and do funny things', she finished her phrase pointing a wavering finger at his face.
He shook his head, 'Not when I'm surprised'.
'That, too', she pulled herself and he waited to see what she was going to do. When she was close enough, she licked his cheek wetly, then kissed his lips quickly and backed away, 'You should see your face, now. Surprised! It is funny!'
He tried to get up, 'I need a mirror!'
She pulled him down again, and when he insisted in getting up she put her chin on his shoulder and took his arms in her hands, 'Stay quiet. You're not going anywhere'.
He gave up and pulled her to him with his legs around hers, 'I like it when you are de-man-ding', he smiled foolishly at her.
'I am all the time', she answered, nuzzling his ear.
'Then, I like you all the time!', he answered joyfully.
'I like it that you like me…'
They giggled and kissed.
CC let go of his arms and relaxed her body on her side, her head supported on her hand, 'What more do you like in me?', she asked, her hand caressing his face.
'This', he answered, turning to his side, too, so they were facing.
'What?'
'Your touch', he turned his face to kiss her palm and then scooted closer to her body, 'I like the way you feel when you touch me'.
She made her caress softer, and put a leg over his side. 'What more?'
'Your eyes. You have beautiful expressive eyes'.
She batted her eyelashes at him. 'Uhm… What more?'
'I like everything about you', he kissed her lightly. 'The way you walk, the way you smell, the way you work…'
'Really?'
'Really, really, really'.
'I like you, too. A lot', CC caressed his arm, 'You have a great body. It really surprised me, when we got together, and I really enjoy it when we are like this', she looked him in the eye, 'Your eyes have a beautiful shade of blue, and such a warmth in them… Sometimes I forget how caring you are, because you are so witty…', her hand came to his chest, 'And you kiss me like no one has ever kissed me', she smiled at him.
'You're very inspirational…', he winked at her.
She chuckled, 'And there are a lot of little things… like the way you sigh, when we are making love… I like to hear it', her voice went very low, 'Almost as much as I like to hear you moaning my business name when you are getting there'.
He started kissing her neck, 'I like the way you sound all the time', he caressed her back and she moaned deeply. 'It's good, isn't it?'
'Oh, yeah. You have magical hands, too'.
Niles stopped, 'No… I mean, yes, this is good, but I'm talking about the feeling'.
'Me too. It feels damn good'.
'Noooo…', he giggled, because she had an adorable confused look, 'Yes, it feels, but it is more than the body'.
'Oh, now I get it. You're right. It is more', she made a strange movement with her head and her hair came to her face, forcing her to look at him through a curtain of blond locks, 'I have thrown a charm on you and ta-dah! Now you are mine forever!'
She hugged him excitedly, and both laughed at the idea, saying 'I love you!'
CC went back quickly and managed to put her hands on their mouths. Then, she put a finger over her lips and warned him seriously, 'Shush! We don't say these things!'
'Oh, all right. Shush', he agreed with her conspiratorial tone.
She kept looking at him, enchanted by how quick he agreed with anything she proposed.
'Go on', he urged her, 'You were saying I'm yours'.
She grinned, back at their previous conversation, 'Yes, and I promise you I'll be a good owner'.
'You have been wonderful so far', he patted her hand to reassure her.
'I know sometimes I push too much'.
'I love you even when you do it. Maybe especially then, because it is…', he struggled to find the right words, 'when you are more yourself'. He noticed she was smiling with awe, 'What?'
'You fool… You've said it again!'
'Said what?'
'The l word!'
'Oh. Shouldn't I say that I l…'
'No!', she put a finger over his lips, 'Shuuush! We don't say it!'
He took her finger away delicately, 'Why not?'
'Because these things we feel, we don't say'.
'Uhm?'
'When you love, what matters is what you feel, not what you say. Sometimes people don't love, and they say they love, but they don't love. It is better if you don't say, and you love'.
'I think you lost me, here'.
'If I had to choose, I would prefer you never say that you love me, but that you love me really, and not that you say it and not love me', even her frowned at that.
He grimaced, making an effort to understand her logic, 'But I can love you and say it'.
'No, it doesn't work like that…'
'Of course it does! Wanna see?', Niles pointed a finger at her face, 'I love you, CC Babcock!', he opened his arms in conclusion, 'See? I say it, and I mean it!'
She just stared at him for some seconds, and then her finger went to his lips again, 'Shush!'
He took her finger and put it inside his mouth, licking it, and then put it away. 'I'll say what I want, and I'll lick you again if you try to deny my rights. Two can play this game!'
'This is not a treat, you moron', she smirked.
He grinned, 'I was not trying to make a treat'.
'Of course you were'.
'Wanna see if I keep my word?'
'I already know you won't keep it'.
'Try me, chicken'.
'Challenge accepted', there was a sudden fire in her eyes, 'Don't you dare mention that you love me again!'
He gave her the crooked grin, 'But I do love you!'
That put them in the mood for a struggle, CC trying to keep Niles under her in the sofa and shutting his mouth with her hands (he licked them), her mouth (he kissed her), and then he managed to win the fight and made her lay down on the sofa, so he was over her, singing that he loved her and giving her little kisses through all her face.
When she stopped laughing she took his face on her hands, 'Ok, you win! I love you too, you make me insanely happy, life couldn't be any better than this, and I want to be with you forever!'
Those words made Niles stop and look down at her as if she was a queen.
CC understood, in a flash of a thought, that she had power over him – he had won their wrestling, but he would do anything she asked, because he cherished her and the feelings they shared.
The thought was gone when she decided what she was going to ask from him, 'Now let's change positions so we can make love with me on top!'
Niles gave her a last kiss and complied.
When she was on top, CC took her blouse over her head and announced, 'I'll make you silent, Butler Boy. I think licking your way out of this is the only chance you have'.
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Niles was a bit startled when he got out of his reverie by a very sleepy CC that came into the bathroom and stopped by his side, kissed his cheek, groaned a somewhat muffled greeting and washed her face.
He couldn't keep his eyes from her. They had exchanged love declarations, last night.
They were drunk and out of their minds and all they did was to have a good time and say they loved each other.
In fact, the drunker they got, the lovelier they got…
What did it say about them and their relationship?
He handed her the towel, 'Are you feeling well?'
She took it and dried her face, 'Not bad, but I'm not ready to start the day, yet'.
'Hangover?', he caressed her hair.
'Not exactly. I have no headache or nausea, just a kind of confusion… and tiredness… aching muscles… We… did it?'
'If you mean sex, yes, we did it. Don't you remember?'. Maybe she had forgotten everything about last night, and Niles couldn't decide if this was a good or a bad thing.
'I do, vaguely. I must sleep a bit more and then drink some coffee, and everything will be back', she yawned, throwing the towel on the sink, 'Come with me?', she asked, extending her hand.
'Yes, of course', he took the towel and put it in place, and then accepted her hand.
'Housewife', she accused.
'Slug', he threw back.
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Niles woke up much later and went to the kitchen to make some coffee.
He was able to remember everything that had happened, and he really wanted her to be able to do the same.
Not just because the night was great, but because he wanted to know how she would deal with the things they had said.
He prepared a tray with everything she liked, a generous mug of coffee and took it to her in bed.
'Time to bit the apple, Sleep Beauty', he called her.
She stretched and sat, 'Wow, why so much food?'
'It is almost 6 pm'.
'We've slept through Sunday...', she helped him to adjust the tray between them, 'I'm sorry. Drinking was a bad idea'.
'No, it was not!', he made sure to disagree, 'I mean… I really liked the experiment'.
She smiled at him and started eating.
'Do you… remember what happened?', he wanted to be subtle, but he was really curious.
'More or less… I remember playing cards…'
'Yes…'
'…and dancing…'
'Yes…'
'…and singing… You sang Kokomo, didn't you?', he nodded, and she was confused, 'Why, in the Lord's name?!'
'The word was slow'.
'Oh, I remember', she smiled, sipping some juice, 'I suppose there are cards scattered all around the living room'.
'I suppose so'.
'That was funny…', she commented, smiling. 'We went to the sofa because we were laughing too much to stand'.
'Yes…'
'And then we talked about the things we like about each other…', she said and trailed of, the smile gone from her face.
Niles respected her silence for some moments, and then asked softly, 'Do you regret saying that?'
She looked at him and then at the tray, 'No, I don't regret… But I don't think we should talk about it'.
'Then or now?'
'Never', she blurted, and then bit her lower lip, 'I don't feel like doing it now, if you don't mind'.
'I mind, but I'll respect that'.
She smiled at him gratefully and resumed her joyful tone, 'You still owe me the Rick James cover. When do you think we will be able to go out and buy the costume?'
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Monday morning they decided to take her car to go to the mansion, and Niles was driving.
Neither of them had brought the subject of Saturday night again, so they had small talk until CC got out of a small silence when they were already half way. 'Niles, I was thinking about something'.
'What is it?', he answered, his eyes on the busy streets.
'I want you to forgive me for the things I said yesterday. I was drunk, I shouldn't have said what I did'.
'What things? I don't remember you insulting me or anything like that. And even if you had done it, I understand it is what we do'.
'No, I mean that part about our… feelings'.
'Oh… Well, about this… You don't have to apologize'.
'No, I insisted on asking you what you liked in me, and I should have never asked it. As I said, I was drunk and not thinking straight'.
'I beg to differ. We were drunk, yes, but we just said what we wanted to say'.
'We have an agreement, Niles. We can't just go around saying things we want to say if they can hurt the other'.
'You didn't hurt me'.
She was silent at that.
'Did I hurt you?', he looked at her and asked, worried.
'No… I mean, I don't know. I think we shouldn't say that kind of thing'.
He turned to the road, again, 'You proposed an experiment, we did it, and that is the result: things were said, and we can't change it', he had a small smile on his lips, 'It wouldn't be scientifically honest'.
'That is why I am apologizing, Niles. I shouldn't have proposed the experiment'.
'I insist there is nothing to apologize for. Your proposals are all right, to me. First, you proposed we get married, we did, and it has been wonderful. Then, you proposed we get drunk, we got, truths were said, and maybe they were good things'.
She seemed to ponder over this, for some time. Then, she resumed, 'Anyway, I will feel better if you accept my apologies'.
'All right, if it will make you feel better, I'll accept them'.
'Thank you', she said, sounding relieved.
Some time of silence. 'So?', CC turned to him expectantly.
'So what?'
'Your turn'.
'For what?'
'Apologizing'.
'But I did nothing wrong'.
'I told you I don't feel all right about that conversation. I want us to pretend it never happened. Say you regret it and you will never talk about it again'.
'If it makes you uncomfortable, I can compromise on not bringing it up again, but I won't say I regret expressing my true feelings about you'.
'Argh!', she face-palmed, anxiously, 'See how it makes things weird?!'
'No, I don't see', he calmly threw back.
'Niles, please, you must understand. We didn't marry for feelings!'
'How do you know?'
'Are you crazy?!'
'Maybe all of this we are living is the result of well concealed feelings. Have you ever wondered why this is going so well?'
'It is going so well because we are reasonable people who have a lot in common! Feelings would just ruin what we have!'
'You can call me a hippie, but I like to think that I am in touch with my feelings, and hearing from you that I make you happy was wonderful'.
'Will you stop saying that?!'
'What did I say? I didn't use the l word!'
'You are prohibited of mentioning last night again'.
He parked infront of the mansion, got out of the car and went to open the door for her. 'All right, you crazy woman. I won't mention last night again'.
She got out of the car, 'And you regret what you said as much as I do'.
'No, I don't', he took her hand and they went to the front door.
'Please, Niles!'
They reached it and he took his key with his free hand to open the door, 'I won't lie about it'.
They entered the mansion, he took their coats and went to the kitchen to start breakfast.
She went after him and stayed there, trying to make her case for some minutes, but it was school day and soon the family was gathering in the next room.
Besides, noticing Niles was answering her calmly made her stoop her foot and decide that joining the people for breakfast would give her the time to plot a better approach.
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Niles went to the office in the middle of the morning, carrying a tray with strawberry cheesecake and tea.
He served his boss and then turned to his wife, smiling, and did the same.
'This is delicious, Old Man', Maxwell praised sincerely.
'Thank you, Sir', he answered happily, and observed how CC started eating and then stopped at her partner's comment.
'So?', she asked Niles, looking at him with annoyance, 'Where is the zinger about things being better when they are made with love?!'
Maxwell was wide eyed at that.
Niles looked at CC with frustration, 'I thought you didn't want to bring up the subject again'.
'Since then do you do what I want?'
'Since forever, once I agree it is the best for you?'
CC started searching for an appropriated answer, but it was difficult to find one, so she looked back at her piece of cake and said coldly, 'It's delicious, Niles. Thank you'.
For some moments, there was a tense silence. Maxwell had even stopped breathing, because the last thing he wanted was that they remembered he was there.
Then, Niles' voice sounded, calm and collected, 'You don't have to thank me. In fact, you don't have to say anything back', she looked at him, eyes wide, 'We do what we do because we want to. This is what gives us the freedom to say what we want to say, with no regrets', and with that he excused himself and exited the office.
CC stayed there, pensive for a while, then got up hurriedly, put the plate with the cake and the mug on Maxwell's desk and run after him, 'No, it doesn't!'
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'What's it with you?! Why do you have to ruin everything?!', CC entered the kitchen after Niles, angriness in full mode.
He had carried his tray to the sink, had acknowledged her presence with a glance and started pretending he was not listening to her.
It was what was happening if Fran's perception, from the other side of the island, was right.
She thought it was dangerous to stay between them in the middle of what seemed an argument (you never know, with those two), but she was rooted at the spot.
The blonde producer crossed her arms on her chest and went on, 'I don't understand why you have to do that! We were going great! You haven't even called me names all the weekend, and I didn't complain!'
Fran made a face. It must mean something, to them.
Niles kept putting the things from the tray away, without looking at his wife.
Fran noticed the tension in him, even if he was not saying a word. Well, especially because he was not saying a word.
The blonde kept talking, now, making emphatic gestures, 'All that I proposed was an experiment, and you, as always, must take it too seriously, and transform everything in a life changing experience!'
At that Fran was surprised. Maybe this was the moment when she preserved her sanity and went out of the kitchen before she heard something she didn't want to know.
Nah. It was too good to miss.
The business woman went on, 'I really don't know what is going on in your head, but I won't accept you messing with our arrangement. We have found the perfect thing, and now you are acting as if something should be changed in it. We don't need any changes! We don't have to think things over! I would really appreciate if you could give up torturing me with this crazy notion you came with, because…'
'That's it!', Niles yelled and clashed the tray on the sink, making CC stop her rumbling and Fran give a step behind, surprised.
He went to his wife, took her by the waist and pulled her to him. 'Listen carefully, Babcock, because I will say it just one time: I. Am. Not. Taking. It. Back'.
Fran had her mouth open at the display in front of her: the couple was into each other's arms (CC's hands had reached his arms when his had settled firmly on her waist), looking into each other's eyes, the breathings ragged.
Niles had that determined look on his face, and Miss Babcock seemed startled in the beginning, but then relaxed under his demanding stare.
When she managed to answer him it was with a brief and dignified 'Ok', and he clashed his mouth to hers, what made her put her arms around his neck and kiss him back with ardor.
Fran gave up understanding them, and was thinking of getting out of the kitchen when Maxwell called from the intercom. Are you finished? Because I really need to work, and you would be useful here, now, CC.
The mouths separated, but the bodies not. The couple was communicating via really intense glares, now.
After some moments it was like they had reached an agreement: the eyes remained locked, CC put a hand on Niles chest and nodded, and he let her go, giving a step behind and watching her exit the kitchen hurriedly.
'She is going, Mister Sheffield', Fran answered the poor confused man and clicked the intercom off, so she could give all her attention to the situation at hand. 'So, Niles, what did you say that put her guts in a knot? You know, even if she is not the regular woman, she is still your wife. You have accepted her proposal, and must not stress her like this. If the woman doesn't want it, the woman doesn't want it'.
'I told her I love her', he informed calmly, getting back to his tray.
'What?!'
'Yes, that is the thing she wants me to take back', he finally stopped pretending he cared about any other thing and looked at Fran, waiting for her to ask the million questions that must be already forming in her head.
'Let me see if I got it right: she proposed an experiment…'
'Yes, we got drunk'.
'Because…?'
'We have kissed while drunk, before, and she wanted to know what would happen now'.
'All right. And then you told her that you love her…'
'In fact, I said a lot of things last night, and one of them was it'.
'And she is throwing fits about it because…?'
'You've heard her. She thinks any feeling may destroy what we have'.
'And you just convinced her to stop pressing you by kissing her senselessly'.
'It usually works with her, but I won't delude myself. It is only temporary. She will be back for more'.
With that he was back to his chores, and Fran kept silent. She didn't know what shocked her more: that a woman wanted a man taking that back, that Niles was so calm about it all or that he had managed to make a cheesecake that delicious and her mother was not there, yet.
She could feel the bad omens about it all, and she really wished her friend had the strength to face the challenges his witch probably had in store for him.
