The only thing I regret about this 'long chapters' decision is the delay… I really hope it has been worth it.

Thank you to every one of you that has favorited this story. Kisses to you all!

As always, I appreciate reviews!

The marriage

Chapter 14: Negotiating tables

Niles sat at the penthouse sofa besides CC, extended a cup of tea to her with one of his hands and put the other close to the screenplay she was reading, indicating he wanted to retrieve it.

'Oh, please, just five minutes more…', she pleaded, pouting at him.

'As much as I find this lip thing you do adorable, you won't convince me to… Aw, isn't this lip thing adorable?!', and he came close enough to peck her lips.

She chuckled and handed him the material – which he put away quickly, before she changed her mind (there was no way he would be wrestling with her over work, tonight. That had been an amusing activity, but he had more serious things in mind, right now).

CC took the mug he offered (she knew some kind of exchange was in order) and supported her side to the back of the sofa, turning to him, 'So, what's on your mind, Hazel?'

Damn! How is it she always knows? 'What do you mean? Can't a husband just beg for some attention from his workaholic wife?', he had a totally fake indignant air all over him, 'I know I should be used to you not even noticing my presence, because, even with my most heartfelt efforts to make you look at me and keep me company, it has been so many years of neglect…'

'What are you talking about? We're married less than two years!'

'What's your point?'

She laughed, 'Oh, please. I never neglected you. I always paid attention, even when you tried to get to me through violence…'

'I never did that!'

'Lemon in the eye and sour milk in my pudding do count as physical violence, we have already discussed that', she said, matter-of-factly, 'As I was saying, I paid attention to you. I just had to pretend I didn't, or it would go to your head'.

'Oh, you will never know what was really going to my head all the times you frustrated me…' He talked, sighed and looked at his hands, that were on his lap. He was still a bit shy when he confessed how much he had desired her attention over the years; so, when he felt the need to point that out, he tried to disguise it as something purely sexual, every time.

CC found his embarrassment over his obviously not recent feelings of endearment very cute. 'We were so stupid, weren't we?', she asked, supporting her head on her hand and looking curiously at him.

'You could say you were less stupid than me, once you were the one who proposed', he said, shrugging and still not looking at her.

CC smiled and reached out her free hand to caress his arm.

She knew he was deliriously happy since she had accepted his idea of a wedding, but at the same time he felt guilty for being a pest to her for such a long time, to the point she was the one that had to make the first non-ambiguous move.

He looked at her hand while it lightly descended to his clasped hands and sneaked its way between them.

Niles smiled at the gesture, wrapped her hand more comfortably in his and looked at her face.

'Give yourself a break', she said, 'A big part of what we are today is your responsibility'.

'How is it you have found a way to blame this on me?', he tried to lighten the mood, but she could see how insecure he was.

'I just proposed because you were around me all the time, mixing care with zingers, making me confused... curious… interested. You made impossible not to notice you'.

'I beg your pardon!', he protested, now grinning, 'I was never that obvious!'

'Oh, you were', she answered, grinning smugly, 'Do you think I never noticed how you stole glances at me all the time?'

'I was just checking if you were not planning any evil scheme…'

'And when you touched me?'

'I just did that when I had a legitimate reason'.

'Oh, really? Let's see… Remember when I fell out of the sofa in the office? The one you have been polishing for hours? And then you took me from the floor…'

'I couldn't possibly leave you there. I was just being human'.

'Please, Niles! You let your hands caress my hips… What were you doing? Tiding me up?'

'Sometimes I was… God only knows you could use someone to do it for you…', he smirked and she rolled her eyes. He turned serious, 'And sometimes I just had to touch you…'

'Now you've proven my point'.

'… to make sure I was not dreaming'.

'Uh?'

'I couldn't accept the idea of you being so cold and so beautiful at the same time. Specially at the office: you would walk around reading things and menacing people on the phone and never sparing a glance at me if I didn't say something nasty…'

'Witty', she corrected, smiling.

'Oh, all right, something witty, and then that afternoon you were on the floor, looking at me and waiting for me to help you, as if it was the natural thing to do, even with Mister Sheffield two steps away… It didn't seem real. I mean, of course I was glad you were waiting for me to take you, but when did you let me touch you like that, without showing annoyance?'

'Every single day'.

'What?'

'Everyday. At the door. I still do it, in fact. I thought you have noticed it, after we got together and I didn't have to pretend it meant nothing, anymore'.

'I think I'm not following…'

'I'm talking about our little routine at the door, when you take my coat and your hands brush on my shoulders and arms. The feeling of your hands in me are great! I never suggested it disgusted me – if it did, why would I have chosen to wear well-fitting shirts? It just makes me your hands closer', CC leaned in conspiratorially, her voice dropping an octave, 'Have you notice that sometimes, when I enter the house and have no opportunity to give my coat to you at the door, I just take it off and throw it at you? I love the way you wrap my coat around your arms as if to have me closer in some way. You have been doing it since forever', her eyes traveled to his chest and then to his eyes again. 'Of course, now that I know some things about you, I like to know you are right behind me just to take something that I'm willing to give you'.

Niles just blinked.

CC smirked, showing her surprise, 'Are you saying you never noticed how I made up opportunities to meet you? Not even when I went to the kitchen to put my coffee mug at the sink before going home? I mean, why would I do that?', she shook her head.

Niles just leaned his head to the side, as if he needed to look at her through another angle.

CC resumed, 'Sometimes I simply got out of the room after you, just to have some private moments, free of Nanny Fine and even Maxwell's crisis'.

'But when we were alone we discussed their crisis, too…'

'When we talk about them they get funnier', CC explained, 'Are you really serious about not getting it? All the times I wanted to dance with you at events, or tried to stay close to you and listen to what you had to say to me… I even got used to having you sitting right behind me, when we went to watch shows, so I could make the worldly known dry comments close to my ear…', she contemplated him, 'I was having so much fun I thought it was obvious you had got it'.

Niles seemed perplexed, 'You mean that… I should have seen your proposition coming, because…'

'… we have been building it for a while? Yes! Well, at least I was'.

He mirrored her position, an arm resting on the back of the sofa, 'I'm shocked'.

'Why? Because your sharp wit didn't help you when you needed it most?'

'Because the force of your magical powers made me blind to your advances. If you wanted me for a sacrifice, for example, you would have succeeded easily'.

'Aren't you lucky that I had other ideas for you?', CC winked and sipped her tea, 'You know, even if I really like the trip down Memory Lane, I think you had something important to tell me'.

'Yes, I do', he gave up pretending, 'How can you say?'

'Oh, it's easy: you have this air about you when you need to ask something. I don't know how to describe it… It's the face of a man who have compromised his feather duster and, even not regretting a moment of it, is scared to death to let people know'.

'It does not sound very promising for me'.

'Don't worry. It is usually fun for me. Go ahead'.

'Uhmpf. I think I should be offended', Niles frowned, trying to seem annoyed, 'You're lucky I love you so much'.

'I know', she grinned and gave her throaty laugh when she saw him rolling his eyes.

'Oh, just stop it!', he begged her. 'You know I can't stay focused when you do that…'

'Sorry, sorry', she cleared her throat and composed herself, 'Just tell me',

Niles observed how she rested the mug between her hands and turned all of her attention to him. 'It's about the wedding'.

'What about it? Are you having second thoughts?', her hand flew to her chest and her eyes went wide.

'No, no, that's not it', he noticed she relaxed, and he was secretly happy that now she really liked the idea of a ceremony, to the point she was worried he could change his mind, 'I know you have told me I can decide everything, and I know you were serious about it…'

'And even you knowing that, I had to sit through hours of styles and decorations…'

'Confess you enjoyed it!'

'Oh, yes, it was not that bad. I mean, if someone had ever told me I would have fun while looking through catalogues and criticizing other people's styles and work… Oh, well, I would certainly have believed them!'

Both laughed at that.

'Those were remarkable days', Niles said affectionately, 'The one when we went through possible dishes for the reception was great, for example'.

'No, that one was not – I must have gained some pounds! You should never have brought all that samples home! Not that I'm complaining about the special early dinner setting. It was damn romantic'.

'And we surely lost some pounds that night'.

'Oh, yeah, you're right', she wavered a hand, dismissing the thought, 'You can keep doing things like that'.

'It's about the date'.

CC put her mug over her lips to hide her grin when he blurted it out. She knew exactly what he wanted to talk to her, now. And it would be very interesting to know how he intended to broach the subject. 'I'm all ears'.

He squinted his eyes at her, as if saying, 'I won't say it – is too easy', saw the smirk in her eyes and cleared his throat. This was a delicate subject, and he had to be cautious. No reason to throw any zinger her way, no matter how open to that she seemed to be, 'Before I tell you what I have in mind, I want you to know that I really want to hear what you have to say. I am not asking for the sake of appearances'.

She nodded, trying to appear solemn.

He started talking again, and CC kept observing him. 'You must know that Miss Fine and Mister Sheffield got engaged soon after that psychic episode…'

'I prefer calling it Hotel California Episode'.

He smiled at her, acknowledging the reference, 'To us, what happened in that bedroom hotel was amazing, but to them that was a long night when they talked about their feelings for each other, jealousy and the possibility of a future together, building a family and a future for two hearts tired of misunderstandings…'

'You make it seem like the plot of an interesting sitcom. It is a pity that, in real life, it sucks'.

'I think their story is cute'.

'Ours is a lot more interesting'.

'I agree, but we have a kind of… different way of dealing with our feelings, and some people may not enjoy that. Their romanticism is a lot more palatable. In a sitcom, people would like to see how they ended the night, not us'.

'I disagree. Our night ended very well…', she noticed the stare he threw at her and understood, 'Oh, well, it was nothing that could be aired on a TV show…'

Niles made a You've got it! gesture.

CC shook her head, 'I can't get normal people. He spent almost five years yelling at her, while she did her best to date every man that was not married and not a total jerk', she snickered, 'No, she even dated some jerks… And people would still think their story was more catching than ours?'

'Dear, they took almost four years to reach the point where they are now. They fought, sometimes they kissed, he yelled at her and she did all kinds of risky things to his traditional way of dealing with life… People like the rollercoaster thing', he shrugged, 'We spent almost three times more years just bickering and being mean to each other'.

'We sometimes kissed, too', she noticed he was ready to answer, and she added quickly, 'Can you imagine anything more romantic than this? We were there, throwing at each other's faces how much different we were, how we rationally should despise each other, and at the same time, resisting the pull of the attraction!'

'Oh, how strong we had to be!', he mocked sourly.

'Exactly!', she took him seriously, 'We could have had casual sex, we could have really made Maxwell fire the other, but we never did it. We stayed there, loyal to our beliefs. We had to proof that we could battle every day, not change anything in ourselves, and still, stay close. And that was what we did, increasing the danger every day, until we simply had to surrender'.

He frowned in contemplation, 'Thinking like that… it was really a huge task… and very catching…'

'I'm telling you! If it was a sitcom, the producers would have to be really stupid to not explore our relationship', CC shook her head and then nodded at him. 'But go on. So, The Nanny and The Hunk Producer are engaged. And?'

Niles accepted that the conversation went back on track, 'And Fran wants to settle a date for their wedding as soon as possible'.

'Afraid Maxwell will take it back?', she couldn't help but smirk at that.

'I don't really know why such a hurry after all they've gone through. Maxwell would never take it back after the engagement. Before, yes, maybe he would, but not now'.

'You must have some idea why she is so desperate'.

'No, I don't really get it'.

'I suppose you're disturbed about not knowing that woman's motivations. After all, she must have tried to talk to you about them'.

Niles observed her. She was absolutely calm, and looking at him over the rim of the mug. He knew she was up to something. 'What are you trying to get at?'

CC smiled. 'I confess I was surprised at your reaction. You didn't even try to debate her reasoning, and went out to defend my right to have a word about it'.

'Y-y-you were… there?!'

'I've learned from the Master how to use the intercom'.

Niles put his hands on his face, remembering the scene, 'Oh, God!'

# # #

The butler was making a pudding when the nanny (future wife) entered the kitchen.

'Oh, Niles, I've been meaning to ask you something'.

'What's the matter, Miss Fine?', he looked at her and noticed the finger in her teeth, that childlike expression of pained anxiety he knew very well, 'Don't tell me we already have problem in paradise?'

'Oh, no, we are good', she looked at the ring on her finger, 'Even if sometimes I can barely believe we came to this'.

'Me, too'.

'Well, specially you. I mean, who would have thought you and her would end up together?'

'I meant you and him. I thought you two would take forever'.

'See who is talking! The man who spent fifteen years around a woman and just married her because she proposed…'

'If you need a favor, I don't think this is the right path to take', he warned her.

'All right, I'm sorry, starting over'. She went to the kitchen table, seated and patted the chair next to her, 'Come here, Sweetie, let's talk like two adults'.

He frowned, took off his apron and went to sit at the appointed chair.

When he was going to ask what was so serious, Fran took him by the shirt and whined loudly, 'Let me have my wedding before yours, please!'

'What?!'

'Oh, Niles, I know it is too much to ask, but you must understand! I have waited for that all of my life! Ma is so excited you would think it was her wedding! I…'

'I got it, I got it', he answered, cutting her off and putting his hands on her arms, 'Just calm down and explain yourself'.

She breathed, 'Everything changed since we came back from Los Angeles! I have seen you and Miss Babcock talking about the wedding, and she is so involved she even made jokes about how lovely Yetta would be as a maid of honor and how much food you would have to offer once my family will be there, what means she is doing some serious thinking! And you have booked a flight for England next month – don't ask me how I discovered that – and that's why I deduced you are going to marry soon!'

Niles let his hands rest on the table and smiled, 'Well, yes, you're right. The flight is to visit my parents and for her to see the chapel I suggested'.

'Aw, a chapel! Where is it? In London?'

'No, it is near my parent's home'.

'In the countryside? Oh, Niles, how romantic!', she slapped him lightly.

'Isn't it?', he shrugged his shoulders in delight, grinning.

Fran was suddenly serious again, 'And then you'll be back with a date chosen! That's why I wanted to ask you to set it after my wedding'.

'What? I mean… why?'

'Niles, you must help me! I really want to marry Maxwell, and soon, but if we are all involved in your wedding – by the way, I must say I'm terribly offended that you are not letting me help, once I was a bridal shop consultant, what means I have all the experience you two could need! – anyway, if we are all involved in your wedding, we will just start planning ours when this is all over. It could be months! Can you imagine what people in Queens will say? What my family will say? They will think I am making this engagement up!', she stopped and looked at his pained face.

'I don't know what to say, Miss Fine. I understand your reasons… Well, I think I do…'

'Then, you'll help me?', she was hopeful.

'… but I must check with CC which are her feelings on the subject, before taking any decision'.

Fran put her hands on her hips, 'And all that stuff about her not having feelings? Is it over?'

'She has a lot of feelings', he started to get defensive of his wife, 'Even positive ones'.

'Why does she have to be the one to make the decision? If she really cared for a wedding she would have accepted the first time you asked!'

'First time I asked it was so strange maybe even I would not have accepted', now he was openly defensive of his wife, 'She just accepted when she felt ready, and I'm glad I waited for her'.

Fran got up from the table, whining mode ON, 'I can't believe it! You know how much it means to me! You have fought by my side for all these years, and now you don't support me! What kind of friend are you?!'

Niles got up, too. 'I never thought I would say that, Miss Fine, but you are being awfully egotistical'.

'I am? You got engaged and married before me, already! Now you want to have a wedding, first! Who is just thinking of himself?!'

'You're so crazy with the notion that you can't even hear me! I didn't say I wanted to have the wedding before you! I just said I want to hear what Babcock has to say about it!'

'She will surely want her wedding first! Just to pick on me!'

'She is above it', he was surprised he was not surprised at his own faith on CC.

'Oh my God! Are you hearing yourself?!', it seemed Fran didn't share his opinion.

Niles felt slightly offended, 'If someone is not hearing herself, it is you – and I don't really know how it is possible!'

'I see the tables are really turned, if you are mocking me!'

He sighed and tried to sound reasonable, 'I'm just trying to make you realize you are making a lot of trouble over something that is not decided, yet'.

'And you intend to let me hanging until she decides? Can't you see what I'm saying?', Fran changed her stance and begged, 'Please, Niles! Try to convince her! You're the only one that can do it!'

'This is not right…'

'Don't you know how much this is worth for me?!'

Niles had his eyes wide in a second, and looked at Fran as if he had just realized something.

Fran froze and looked at him back, waiting somewhat fearfully for what he had to say. Even if right now she was not being the most understanding of friends, she respected him a lot, and cared for him more than she ever cared for a man from outside her family with whom she was not romantically involved.

Thinking again, she cared for him more than she cared for a lot of her relatives, and with no trace of doubt, more than she had cared for a lot of her… flings.

She braced herself for whatever he had to say. It seemed important, and she knew she had to hear.

Finally, he found the words that expressed his feelings, 'One year ago, I was just Niles, the lonely Sheffield's butler. I had no prospect of having my own family, and I thought my last goal in life was getting my boss to find love again, once fate was being generous and put you in his way. I had even begun eating comfort food like crazy, and I'd probably have given myself a heart attack, by now, because all I could think was of a life dedicated to take care of others, of worrying about the affairs of others, of seeing fulfillment be reached by others. To top insult to injury, I had been watching a certain blonde businesswoman and hopeless desiring her in silence for years. Each time she insulted me and I insulted her back, I realized how much different our intentions were, and how far apart that battle would lead us. I just wanted her attention, but every argument we had remembered us that I was more than a decade older than her, that I was a servant with no chances of being more, that she was born rich and worked with a passion in something she believed, that she could have the world if she let a trace of her warmth show through her thick armor… And at the same time that I wished she would let that trace show, I feared that it would never be for me, and that one day she would walk through the front door with a man in her arm, announcing she had find the one…', he breathed deeply, 'Today I'm married to that woman. She let her guard down enough and chose me. I never thought it would happen, and now here we are, discussing who gets to the aisle first… As if I could risk what I have now…', he looked at Fran pleadingly, 'How much do you think it is worth for me?'

'Aw, Sweetie', Fran hugged him fiercely, 'I'm sorry! I think I got carried away…'

'I understand. Sometimes I can't believe we were all so blessed', his voice was hoarse with emotion.

Fran went back enough to look at his face, and discovered they were both misty eyed, 'Yes, you're right. We are all blessed, and should never question it. We don't have to talk about it anymore'.

She squeezed his hands one last time and started for the swinging door. Niles waited time enough for her to reach it with her painfully slow stride to call her, 'Miss Fine?'

'Yes?', she turned, trying to disguise her hope.

'I will talk to her. I just can't promise you anything'.

She blew him a kiss, 'You're my hero!'

# # #

'You don't have to be ashamed. I found it really nice of you to check with me before reaching a decision'.

'It's only fair', Niles sighed in relief, despite his nonchalant tone, 'So, once you know what is happening… Have you thought about it?'

'Our one year anniversary has long gone… I suppose we could make the wedding at the two year mark?', she suggested. 'It would give the Sheffield/Fine clan time enough for the probably intolerable fancy wedding they will want'.

'In fact… I was thinking more or less along these lines'.

'Really? I'm surprised. I thought you were in a hurry'.

'No, I was not. I just wanted you to say yes in this lifetime. You know, you may be an eternal being, but I am not.'

'Oh, ok, then. It will give us plenty of time for planning, too'.

'More nights of samples?', he suggested, getting closer to her.

'It's the least I expect from you!'

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'OhMyGod! OhMyGod! OhMyGod!', CC walked in the penthouse kitchen, a hand over her chest, 'Can't we cancel this?!'

Niles, who was bending to look at the duck that was roasting in the oven, turned to his wife, 'You must be more specific'.

'This, Niles! What more?! I'm not ready!'

'Neither is the duck, but I'm sure you both will manage. We have a lot of time'.

'Why are you starting dinner so early?', she was distracted for a moment, and came to see the dish, too.

He gave her space in front of the oven, 'Because some things taste better if you take your time to prepare it', he smiled and touched the small of her back.

'Uhum', she nodded, agreeing, straightened up and turned to him, 'That's it! I'm a roasting duck! I need more time!'

'No, you don't', Niles came closer and put his arms around her waist, 'The things that are scaring you will not change with some more days or even weeks, and you know it. We will face them together, and get over it'.

'Are you sure?'

'Of course!'

'I don't know… It's almost 4 pm. They will arrive at…?'

'8'.

'We could still call them and say… and say… wait… I know! I know! There was an allergy emergence'.

'They won't believe it. You are allergic to almost nothing'.

'But you are allergic to a lot of things! We could use it!'

'No, dear, I won't let people think you don't take care of me'.

'Aw, Niles, please…', and she pouted and stomped her feet, to reinforce her pleading.

'Listen, Witch: I already know three of them. Your father is a very gentle man; your brother has already said how happy he is for us; and even your mother was accepting. Maybe your sister won't even come. What is it you fear? Do you really think they won't like me?'

'Of course they will like you. The one they don't like it's me!'

He chuckled, 'Oh, please, stop that! You must keep calm and enjoy their visit. We have planned it for so much time!', he hugged her and breathed in her neck. 'Hey… Which scent is it? Are you already wearing that new perfume I gave you?'

'Yes, I am. Liked it?'

'A lot… May I… show you how much?'

CC just giggled. Niles kissed her neck and walked forward until she was pressed against the nearer wall.

'Let's move it to the bedroom…', she asked.

'But… the duck…'

'You're really torn between me and him?'

'Oh, all right!', Niles went quickly to the oven, lowered the temperature while looking cautiously at the dish. He was running some possibilities on his mind, trying to guess which effect the changes would have in the consistence of the meat, and what kind of things he had to do to correct any eventual…

His eyes noticed a peripheral movement and he slowly turned them to the kitchen door, recognizing instinctively the sensual motions of his wife opening the buttons of her blouse.

Niles took another look at the duck, at CC, at the duck, at CC, and reached his decision.

He set the oven for the lowest temperature possible and run to the bedroom, taking CC by the hand.

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Niles was again looking at the duck, now feeling a bit anxious. It was almost time the guests arrived, and he had turned the oven very low for just an hour, but it was enough for him not to be sure of how things were going.

It was worth the time they spent (both he and his wife were a lot more relaxed, now), but he was not totally sure he would have the perfect dish he had planned, and he wanted to provide an impeccable night for the beasts that were coming.

He left the kitchen in search for CC and found her in the living room, looking at New York through the big window.

He came to stand behind her, his chin on her shoulder, 'How are you feeling?'

'Sore?'

Both chuckled. 'I'm serious, baby. Are you calmer?'

'Yes, I am. I think I just needed some words of reassurance'.

They exchanged raised eyebrows through the reflection, once both knew the words they had said earlier, and what kind of reassurance they intended to bring. 'Well, good. We carry on our plans, then?'

'Yes', she answered and then recited, as they had already rehearsed, 'This is just a dinner to open our house for my family. We will just talk about the wedding if we feel the moment is perfect'.

'Good girl', she expected him to pat her forehead playfully, but he kissed her cheek, and she smiled at him.

Riiiing!

CC was wide eyed, 'It must be the doorman!'

'I'll take it', Niles let go of her, went to the interphone and authorized the guests to come. Then, he turned to CC, 'They arrived'.

'They?'

'Yes. Your father, your mother and your brother. Have you already forgotten who we invited, you crazy woman?'

'No! But why the hell did they come together?!'

'Don't you think it is better?', Niles asked, afraid his idea had been out of the mark. He had called each one of them to make sure things would happen as he thought was easier for his witch.

'Yes, yes, you're right, we just have to greet people one time. It is good!'

CC turned to the door, straightening up her clothes (she was wearing a shirt and a long skirt that made her seem very classy), then seemed to remember something, turned to Niles, came to him and put her hands on the sides of his face, kissing him soundly, 'Good Luck to us!'

'Good Luck, Love', he smiled at her serious face.

'I love you', she said, kissed him quickly again, let go and turned away, 'And I'll get the door. I don't want any jokes about you being my butler'.

Niles was still frozen at the spot, after her declaration. He put a hand on his lips, regretfully wiping her lipstick from it, and murmured a shaken 'O-ok'.

CC turned her head to him, smiling. She was shaken, too – by her admission, by the situation of having him there for her when she tried to overcome her insecurities – but she felt a lot more at ease just knowing he was there.

Ding dong

She turned to the door again, breathed deeply and opened it.

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CC could barely believe.

There they were, sitting at her living room, chatting amiably: her father, her mother, her brother, herself and her husband.

All of their guests had brought gifts with them, they were all behaving, talking about her work (the possibility of moving to California and the few relatives and contacts she would have there), Noel's work (something related to Middle Age History. To her surprise, Niles showed to be surprisingly well versed on it. He blamed it on being half British and half French, and she was delighted to see her brother had finally found someone to talk to, in family gatherings) and the last news from the Sheffield's (technically, Niles' work).

After some time and some wine, everybody got very relaxed, let the Sheffields subject drop and started discussing general Arts news, society gossip and neutral topics.

Niles excused himself to take a look at the dinner, and was surprised when CC appeared in the kitchen soon after him, came to his arms and kissed him.

'It's perfect!', she said excitedly. 'I feel so… mature, with all the adult conversation going on and nobody trying to attack anyone. It's almost a miracle!'

'I know, I know. I'm surprised myself, but it seems your family appreciates us enough to be civilized for at least a short period of time', he kissed her hands, 'Now, we shouldn't stretch our luck. Go back there with them. I don't want the likes of your family alone in our living room. God only knows what kind of trick they can do when united'.

She giggled and went back.

Niles waited some seconds for his goofy grin to be a bit under control and went back to the living room, too.

Ding dong

He was just passing by the door and stopped when he heard the bell.

The group had moved to the bar CC maintained at the back of the penthouse, so they heard the bell but, refined people as they were, pretended they had not and carried on chatting – after a short silence and curious stares thrown at the door.

Niles hid his smirk at their pretense, because everybody knew that everybody knew there was just one person the doorman would let come to their door tonight, once he was warned she still could come.

He went to look through the peephole and sighed, collecting himself and then opening the door for her.

'Miss DD Babcock, it is a pleasure having you here', he extended his hand, trying to sound the most polite he could. 'I'm Niles…'

'The butler or the husband?', she asked, her face stone serious and no signal of accepting his hand.

'Your sister seems not to have a problem with me being both', he grinned, 'May I take your coat?'

'Please', she answered, stepping in. 'Chas has always been very demanding. I'm not surprised she chose someone that can multitask. Must save her millions. Oh, what am I saying? A butler is not paid millions'.

Niles put her coat in the closet and looked at her, 'I still consider myself lucky I was able to fulfill the requirements for both the positions your sister had in demand. Follow me, please'.

They reached the group and CC came to them, 'DD, I confess I'm surprised. I was not expecting you anymore'.

They exchanged air kisses, 'I was very indecisive about coming, but I thought it would be improper on my part. After all…'

She seemed to have something more to say, but Stuart and BB got up at the same time and started talking, 'Hello, darling/ Kiddo! How are you doing?'

Noel, CC and Niles exchanged looks. It would be a difficult task, but with mommy and daddy by their side, maybe they stood a chance.

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After dinner, they all seated with their chocolate mousses and chatted. DD was even chillier than her mother in a normal day (luckily, BB was not in a normal day, or they would be facing Freezing Festival), but they had managed to maintain the easy conversation.

'Niles, this is really delicious, as was the duck. You are an amazing chef', Stuart praised sincerely, at some point.

'My exact thoughts', Noel smiled warmly, 'Congratulations'.

'Thank you. I was really a bit nervous about that. CC has a very exquisite taste in food, and I supposed it was a family trait. I had to make something amazing if I wanted to impress you all'.

The bunch of Babcocks chuckled and agreed with the idea of being picky, and Niles smiled at them. In some strange way, the fact he knew how to deal with them made him very happy.

'You know', CC said, 'I had a saying in it, too', everybody looked at her, surprised, 'Tell them, Niles, how it was me who convinced you to turn the oven really low for some time'.

Niles was shocked to see she had an absolutely serious face, and cleared his throat, 'Oh, yes, she made me do it'.

'But why?', BB asked, confused. 'Has she learned how to cook?'

'Because everything is about timing, in our relationship', Niles answered, 'and she taught me things don't have to be made exactly as the old recipes say'.

CC beamed with pride, 'And what a surprisingly good learner he is, despite his age!'

The Babcocks saw the eyes lock and the way the couple seemed to be enjoying a private joke, and Stuart hurried to talk, 'I had already tasted your food at the Sheffields, Niles, but I must say you excelled, tonight', CC's father made a gentle gesture, 'Thank you for the effort'.

'I'm glad they finally invited us over', BB added, turning to her ex-husband, 'Because I had already passed on a meal he had offered me, and I wished to see what exactly I was missing'.

'Oh, that time at the theater', CC recollected.

'You went to visit them at Chas' work?', DD asked, just a bit outraged.

'Oh, well, I had to go and see how she was doing. I discovered she had married by the newspapers'.

'We were all worried, even if we already knew Niles', Noel explained to the older sister. 'Maybe, because of that, we were worried about him'.

Everybody laughed at his joke, but DD was not convinced, 'You didn't know him', she corrected her brother, 'You have met him. There's a difference'.

'DD…', her mother warned her.

CC raised a hand, 'That's OK, Mother, she has a point', she changed her stance, 'I know I have kept you all at arm's length for years, specially in what concerns my personal life…', Niles opened his mouth and she threw him a glare, 'Yes, Niles, my non-existent personal life. What I mean is, when I finally had one, I was not sure how you would react'.

'Oh, yes, one thing is you dating a Senator or a theater's owner, other one is you hand in hand with the Sheffields butler', BB said, and everybody looked at her, shocked, 'What? I thought it was a moment for sincerity!'

'And it is, mother', CC said, and surprised herself smiling, 'That is why I must say I don't apologize for maintaining you out of my life for such a long time… However, I feel this can change, now'.

Niles felt what was coming. He took her hand under the table to show her he was with her.

She squeezed his hand, 'Family, next week we are going to England. There is a very exquisite chapel next to Niles' family lands, and we think we could plan a beautiful wedding, there'.

Niles felt her clenching at his hand, indicating she was done and already waiting for the backlash, and felt the need to add, 'The chapel is amazing, I'm sure CC will love it. My parents had always dreamed of me having my wedding there. Would you mind travelling to England to our religious ceremony?'

Everybody seemed shell-shocked for almost ten seconds.

Then, the four guests exchanged glances and answered almost together, 'No, not really'.

BB added, 'Well, it was already time…'

'I was thinking you would not make my sister an honest woman…', Noel said, grinning.

'There is still a chance for it to be stylish', DD conceded.

'I'm sure it will be beautiful', Stuart had a dreamy smile.

CC grinned, 'Glad you liked the idea. Coffee, anyone?'

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Niles had excused himself and went to the kitchen to make the coffee. The night was almost over, and the worst seemed to be gone, once their wedding plans were out in the open and the Babcocks seemed to find it a good idea.

Then, Stuart entered the kitchen, 'Niles…'

'Yes, Sir?'

'Oh, please, man! You can call me Stuart. You already are my son-in-law!'

'I thank you, Sir, sincerely, but I don't think it is appropriated…'

'Of course it is. Besides, I'm only 65! How old are you?'

'I'll be 50 next year, Sir'.

'There is a difference, but it is not that much!', the man clapped him on the shoulder, 'I wish we could hang around a bit. Go to the country club, spend some time knowing each other. I can get you a place in the most exclusive club in town. What do you say?'

Niles stiffened a bit, 'I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'll have the time. I'm really involved in the Sheffield's wedding, that will happen before ours, and if I'm already busy normally, now I won't have any spare time'.

Stuart went back just enough to look him in the eye, 'I see', the pat on his shoulder grew warmer, 'Very well, Niles. If you change your mind, you can just call me'.

Niles nodded and the man exited.

He turned to the coffee maker. He was nervous, now. He knew he had done the right thing, but he was afraid to have offended CC's father…

Then , BB entered the kitchen.

'Niles, I was thinking about something'.

'Yes, Madam?'

'I have a lot of connections, and CC commented you have a degree in Law', she looked him square in the eye, 'Would you be interested in making use of it?'

Niles was eye-wide for a moment, but then recollected himself, 'It's very kind of you to offer, but I really don't wish to have any more work than I already have. My old bones would not deal well with it'.

'I was thinking more in the lines of a change in career. I have seen you talking, and it is easy to notice you are very cultured and outspoken. You could still be successful if you dedicated yourself to the task'.

In some ways, he considered himself successful, but he knew it was useless try to point out to that woman how her remark had been insensitive, so he just smiled graciously, 'I feel honored by your trust, but I could never let my job. The Sheffields really depend on me. And I have this routine with CC that I don't have the intention of changing any soon'.

Her eyes were scanning him, 'I see'. They turned warmer, 'I'll respect that. However, if you change your mind, just call me'.

Niles didn't even turn when she exited the kitchen. It was obvious he would receive one more visitor.

DD entered soon, 'Oh, well, well, well, the butler is making coffee'.

Niles looked at her warily, 'May I help you, Miss Babcock?'

'Don't you feel strange calling me that?'

'A lot, but I don't seem to have any options right now', he gave her an obviously fake smile, 'Would you mind helping me with the mugs, once you're here?'

She made a face of disgust, 'Of course I would. I just came here to tell you that if you ever want my baby sister to have another plastic surgery, I have found the most amazing surgeon ever. He is German, and can make miracles'.

Niles pondered for some moments how to answer to that. He could pretend he didn't get it, or he could…

Oh, yes, he could. 'Have you been operated by him?'

'Why do you ask?'

'Because if you were, I hope it is some place of your body I can't see. Otherwise, you are not a good poster girl for his work'.

'How do you dare…'

'You asked for it, Miss Babcock', he made the face of someone who had just tasted something sour, 'Well, it really doesn't feel the same. There is just one Miss Babcock, to me'.

'You mean there is just one that accepts your crap'.

'I mean there is just one that can stand up to my standards'.

The woman put her chin higher, 'You'll probably change your mind. Just call me when it happens'.

She got out of the kitchen, and Niles felt immense relief.

Noel entered and Niles pointed a small spoon at him, 'What are you going to offer?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'It was like the Ancient tale of Paris and the three goddesses: one came and offered me a place in society; the other, a new career; the last one, a plastic surgeon for my wife. So, what is it you came to offer?'

'Oh', Noel murmured, understanding what had happened, 'Don't worry. As you said, they were three. I'm here just to speculate', he looked at Niles with curiosity, 'Have you picked one?'

'No!', noticing Noel snickering, Niles turned to the coffee maker and smiled, 'Paris had to choose among power, knowledge and a woman. I already have the power I need, of understanding people and dealing with them. Knowledge is something anyone can say I do have a lot, or I wouldn't have survived some things. And the woman, well…'

CC entered the kitchen that moment, and Noel exclaimed, 'Oh, shush, here comes our Helen!'

'What?', she asked, confused.

'As in Troy, baby sister! The woman who provoked a war!', she was still frowning, and he winked at her, 'Your husband can explain everything to you later'.

She accepted it easily, 'Oh, all right. Let's get the coffee, Niles! The villagers are too happy, and it is giving me the creeps!'

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CC yelped at the cold tiles on her back and then moaned in pleasure at the hot and wet body that forced her legs open to be pressed to her front.

(Sex in the shower was one of her favorite modalities).

'How is it for you?', Niles asked, concerned by her position and, at the same time, so aroused he couldn't quite stop to ask, and kept kissing her neck and rubbing against her.

'Perfect', she answered, 'As was all the night'.

That made him stop to look into her eyes, 'It was, wasn't it?'

She looked at him for some moments, and she really wanted to tell him how grateful she was for the effort he made to plan that night in detail, and she even considered saying she was sure he had cared for some details she didn't even know yet, but her eyes were fogged by desire, and all she could do was lean her head slightly, showing him she didn't want him to stop, 'Uhum'.

'I'm glad', he murmured, kissing her neck again, and caressing her sides, 'Wanted you to be happy'.

'Worked'.

Between kisses and more intense rubbing, CC managed to talk, 'Let's practice'.

'What, baby?'

'The 'I do's'.

'Uhm?'

'Do you promise it will always be like this?'

'I promise'.

'You must say I do, Niles…'

'Uhm?', he stopped for a moment, 'Oh, now I got it. Sorry, I was distracted. Try me again'.

'With pleasure', she chuckled.

He smiled while feeling the sound under his tongue.

She let her hands caress his back, 'Do you promise you'll stay with me forever?'

He somewhat noticed she had changed the question, but didn't have clarity of mind enough to ask why, 'I do'.

He had made something with his hand on her front that, combined with the cold tiles on her back took her mind completely to what they were doing, 'Do you think I'm hot?'

He smiled, 'I do…'

'Do you intend to give me pleasure forever?'

'I do!'

He answered and kissed her mouth hungrily. She responded in kind, forgetting the game for a while.

Then, he was back to that point on her neck she loved, and she sighed, 'It's my turn'.

'Uhm? Oh, all right', he started nipping at her neck slower, what made her moan deeply in appreciation. 'What is it, dear?'

'This is so good… Can barely think…'

'I need it slower, so I can think, once we have a game going on. May I ask my questions?'

'Oh, yes…'

He was not sure she was saying it for pleasure or because she agreed, but he decided to go on, 'Do you believe in us?'

To his surprise, CC took his face with her hands and made him stop and look at her, 'I never believed this much in anything in my life'.

He grinned in delight, and took her hands to kiss them, 'That's wonderful to hear, baby… But an 'I do' would have been enough for the game…'

'This is not for the game', she was very serious, still looking straight into his eyes, 'Nothing is enough for you, Niles. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me that I didn't have to create on my own, and you need to know how I cherish you and all the happiness you brought to my life. Tonight was perfect because of you, and I want you to know that'.

'Oh', he said, surprised, and then gulped, 'I… I… CC, I love you'.

She smiled at the rare sound of her name in his voice. She knew she had got to him, if he was saying it, so she decided to use one of her rare answers, too, showing him the moment was different, 'I love you, too, Niles. And I'm very proud that you want to marry me'. She closed his mouth with her hand on his chin and added, 'And our wedding will make people die of pure envy…'

He laughed at her mischievous ways, and the mood was quickly set to sexy again, to close with brilliance their already memorable night.